Hong Kong: FS to attend meetings in Morocco Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart for Marrakesh, Morocco tonight to attend the annual meetings of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a member of the Chinese delegation. The annual meetings bring together ministers of finance and development, representatives of central banks, key members of the private sector and non-governmental organisations, and academics, to discuss issues of concern, including the global economic outlook and global economic development. While at the meetings, Mr Chan will call on senior officials of the WBG and the IMF, government officials from participating countries, and key players in the finance industry. Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on the evening on October 15. During his absence, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will be Acting Financial Secretary. This story has been published on: 2023-10-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Work together to broaden Belt and Road as 'path of happiness' benefiting whole world 09:00, October 11, 2023 By He Yin ( People's Daily The high-profile third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is expected to be held in Beijing. It will be not only the grandest event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but also an important platform for relevant parties to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Together, participants in the forum will learn from past experiences, draw a blue print for future cooperation, and lead Belt and Road cooperation toward better development. They will scale new heights, enhance their partnership, and demonstrate their strength in coping with challenges of the times and building a global community of shared future. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended sincere invitation to relevant parties at the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He said, "Ten years ago, I proposed the BRI, and on its tenth anniversary, China will hold the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. I welcome your participation. We should work together to broaden the Belt and Road as a 'path of happiness' benefiting the whole world." His invitation received warm response. Russia said the BRI conforms to the development of Eurasia, and the Russian side is looking forward to the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Vietnam said it firmly supports the major initiatives proposed by Xi and supports China in holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Hungary said it would actively join the forum. As of the end of September, representatives from over 130 countries and multiple international organizations had confirmed participation in the forum. It fully indicates the international community's confidence in and expectation for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Over the past decade, the BRI has transformed from an abstract overall outline into a meticulously detailed blueprint, becoming the most welcomed global public good as well as the largest platform for international cooperation. By July this year, more than three quarters of all countries in the world and over 30 international organizations have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. The BRI has so far established more than 3,000 cooperation projects and galvanized nearly $1 trillion of investment. Over the past decade, participating countries have sowed the seed of cooperation and jointly reaped the fruits of cooperation, achieving shared prosperity through mutually beneficial cooperation. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund have provided financing support for hundreds of projects. The China-Laos Railway has converted Laos from a landlocked country to a land-linked one. The Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway is the first one in Southeast Asian countries to run at a speed of 350 km/h. The MombasaNairobi Standard Gauge Railway has boosted local economic growth by over two percentage points. The fruitful outcomes of the BRI fully prove that the "belt of development" and "road to happiness" for all humanity will deliver more prosperity to more people and constantly enhance the sense of fulfillment and happiness for people of participating countries, as long as it follows the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, pursues open, green and clean cooperation, aims at high-standard, sustainable and people-centered growth and continues seeking high-quality development. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will further build consensus and pull efforts from relevant parties, so as to deepen Belt and Road cooperation. Today, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. It is undergoing major shifts, division and regrouping, leading to more uncertain, unstable and unpredictable developments. The journey of global economic recovery remains long and tortuous. Unilateralism and protectionism are mounting. Particularly, certain countries are pursuing decoupling and severing of supply chains in the name of "de-risking," posing threats against the security and stability of international industrial and supply chains. Facing common challenges, relevant parties need to strengthen political mutual trust, connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration, and people-to-people exchanges, actively launch cooperation in health, green development, digital industry and innovation, foster new areas of growth, and demonstrate their will and capability to share opportunities, tackle challenges and jointly build a better future. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will include an opening ceremony, three high-level forums on connectivity, green development and digital economy, and six thematic forums on trade connectivity, people-to-people communication, think tank exchanges, clean Silk Road, subnational cooperation and maritime cooperation. A CEO conference will also be held during the event. Like-minded partners will come together to discuss cooperation plans and outline a development blueprint. Together, they will practice true multilateralism and set new milestones of Belt and Road cooperation. This will inject confidence into addressing the challenges of the times and achieving global sustainable development. "But either in good times or bad, either on a smooth road or a thorny path, we will uphold the spirit of partnership, keep in mind what brought us together, and march forward without hesitation," said Xi at the welcoming banquet of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Looking forward to the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, each participant should have the belief that people of all countries deserve a better future, and Belt and Road cooperation will definitely bring about a better world. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) After several weeks under interim leadership, Walgreens Boots Alliance has named Tim Wentworth as CEO. Wentworth will lead the Deerfield-based retail pharmacy chain starting Oct. 23. Advertisement Walgreens Boots Alliance has named Tim Wentworth as CEO. (Business Wire/AP) The founding CEO of Evernorth the health services arm of insurance giant Cigna Wentworth has an extensive resume in the business of health. He previously served as CEO of Accredo, the pharmacy arm of Medco, then led and expanded Express Scripts following its merger with Medco. In a Wednesday news release, Wentworth expressed high hopes for his time at WBA, focusing on the companys pharmacy strength and trusted brand. Advertisement I believe in WBAs vision to be the leading partner in reimagining local healthcare and well-being for all, Wentworth said in the release. Previous CEO Rosalind Roz Brewer, the first African American and first woman to lead the company, stepped down Aug. 31. Ginger Graham, who has served as interim CEO since then, will return to her previous role as lead independent director. Graham was previously CEO of Amylin Pharmaceuticals and has sat on the Walgreens board of directors for 13 years. Brewer, who also vacated her seat on the Walgreens board, advised the Walgreens search committee in appointing Wentworth. WBA Executive Chairman Stefano Pessina said in the Wednesday release that the board had been seeking a new CEO with deep healthcare experience. (Wentworth) is an accomplished and respected leader with profound expertise in the payer and pharmacy space, Pessina said. We are confident he is the right person to lead WBAs next phase of growth into a customer-centric healthcare company. Walgreens Boots Alliance also oversees health care retailers including Duane Reade and the No. 7 Beauty Co. Starting Oct. 23, Wentworth will lead more than 13,000 locations in nine countries across all WBA holdings. With his new role, Wentworth inherits the aftershocks of several troubled fiscal quarters, including widespread downsizing and $5.4 billion in charges related to opioid settlements. Advertisement In May, the company announced layoffs of 10% of its corporate staff, or about 500 people, mostly from Walgreens Chicago and Deerfield offices. Walgreens also plans to close down a distribution plant in Edwardsville, cutting 393 jobs, the Tribune previously reported. Wentworth will also take on a plan announced by WBA to save up to $4.1 billion by cutting up to 17% of internal costs. The company reported a $6.4 billion loss in the first nine months of the most recent fiscal year, which ended Oct. 1. Walgreens leaders have also announced plans to close up to 450 stores 150 in the United States and 300 in the United Kingdom by fall 2024. Actress Gloria Nyaboke Moraa is facing charges of reckless and negligent conduct, as well as causing harm, after her dog bit a child belonging to her neighbor in Embakasi, Nairobi. The former Tahidi High actress and digital creator is accused of neglecting to take adequate precautions against potential harm from a dog under her care. This negligence is alleged to have endangered the life of a four-year-old child, on July 30, 2023. The court heard that the child was playing with other children near her residence when her mother went to retrieve her. In the moments just before the mother reached the play area, Ms. Moraas dog ran past her compound pursuing the minor, and bit her on the leg behind the knee. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Before reaching the hospital, the minors mother contacted Ms. Moraa, inquiring about the dogs vaccination status. However, Ms. Moraa was reportedly unable to confirm whether the dog had been vaccinated. The court heard that despite assurances from the actress that she would furnish the vaccination certificate, she failed to fulfill these promises and subsequently became unresponsive to the minors mother. The mother reported the incident to the Embakasi Police Station, leading to the tracing and subsequent arrest of Moraa. The actress appeared before Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi of the Makadara Law Courts, where she denied the charges. The case is scheduled for mention on 16 November, preceding the trial set for 20 February next year. The childs mother is listed as a crucial witness in the case, alongside a doctor who provided treatment to the child at the hospital and a police officer involved in the investigation. Gloria Moraa may be required to settle a hospital bill exceeding Sh150,000 to have the case withdrawn. The Kenyan government has reportedly verified the whereabouts of all its citizens in Israel, despite officials indicating that they have established helplines for emergency calls. Roseline Njogu, the Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, said all Kenyans in Israel have been accounted for. She assured that no Kenyan residents or workers in Israel have suffered harm amid the ongoing war in Gaza between Israeli forces and the Hamas militant group. I am glad to report that there are no casualties among our people. All our people are accounted for, Njogu told Nation.Africa on Tuesday. The government of Kenya continues to monitor the situation. We are in touch with our diaspora in that space and are maintaining contact through our Embassy (in Tel Aviv) on the ground. Plans are in place to evacuate as needed. Ms. Njogu stated that evacuation plans were in place, noting that such measures typically involve collaboration with other government agencies. The Kenyan embassy in Tel Aviv provided emergency contacts, instructing individuals seeking evacuation to email responders at [email protected] or call +254114757002, +972549060910, and +972547075958. According to the the Israeli embassy in Nairobi, the majority of Kenyans in Israel consist of students, individuals on religious pilgrimages, or those undertaking short scientific trip Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has underscored the need for comprehensive and adaptable solutions to address issues of displacement and identity. Mudavadi stated that solutions must consider both refugees and host communities, hence the Government transitioning from camps to integrated settlements under the Shirika Plan. According to Mudavadi, Kenya has provided assistance to more than 80,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in their voluntary repatriation efforts, supporting them in returning to their countries of origin to rebuild their lives and nations. The Shirika Plan involves a wide range of sectors, including education, water, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition, livelihoods, self-reliance, social protection, environmental management and energy, agriculture, housing, land and property, and other durable solutions. All these are underpinned by a robust legal framework for the benefit of refugees, said Mudavadi. By end of August, Kenya hosted a total of 644,011 refugees and asylum-seekers. Among them, 83 per cent are refugees, and 17 per cent are asylum-seekers. The increase from July figures is due to new displacements caused by drought. Dadaab complex currently houses 364,401 people, spread across 74,747 households. Among these, 274,274 people are officially registered and verified, with 94,192 individuals profiled and awaiting registration under the jurisdiction of the Department of Refugee Services (DRS). These statistics remind us that behind each number is a human story, a story of resilience, hope, and aspiration. These stories recount the experiences of countless individuals who embarked on journeys of migration, driven by determination and the unwavering spirit of survival, he said. The Shirika Plan is the Governments resolve to empower refugees and host communities and embodies the lessons of the long and protracted refugee hosting history. Mudavadi was speaking at the 74th session of the Executive Committee of High Commissioners (EXCOM) programme in Geneva, Switzerland. I carry with me the wisdom of refugees and host communities stories that are a reminder that Kenyas history is intertwined with migration, challenges, and opportunities. It is a legacy that inspires our nations approach to refugee management, that is, a commitment to transition from traditional camps to integrated settlements under the visionary Shirika plan, he said. Despite the challenges, Mudavadi said the Refugee Act No. 10 of 2021, contains transformative changes that align with the Global Compact for Refugees localized in Kenya through the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. The Refugee Regulations 2023 will operationalize the Refugee Act of 2021, the CRRF, and other government policies on refugees. It means having refugee data hosted in the Integrated Population Registration Services Master database, he said. Mudavadi said the Government drafted a Refugee Education Policy under National Education Management Integrated System (NEMIS) to ensure refugees fully access education services in compliance with the Djibouti Declaration on Refugee Education of 2019. He also assured that the Government has improved infrastructure, with Kakuma and Dadaab towns promoted to full municipality status, facilitating rapid access to government services for both refugees and Kenyan host communities. The Government is set to develop and maintain refugee database for planning purposes to further socio-economic inclusion, participation and contribution by the refugees, he stated. The progress made notwithstanding, Mudavadi stated the on going conflicts and security issues in neighbouring nations contribute to the unending refugee inflows and protracted refugee situations, increasing uncertainty among refugees and asylum-seekers. There is also absence of a comprehensive national policy on refugee management in Kenya. This goes hand in hand with the lack of database, which hamper government oversight and restricting refugees access to essential services, he stated. The PCS said durable solutions like voluntary repatriation remain elusive due to the on going violent conflicts and instability in countries of origin, while resettlement options offered by developed countries are barely enough for most refugees. Refugee camps like Kakuma and Dadaab grapple with significant environmental challenges due to high population density, limited resources, and inadequate infrastructure. These complex issues underscore the need for comprehensive and strategic responses to ensure the well-being of both refugees and host communities, he said. He explained that Kenya is focusing on both refugees and host communities in the new policy approach because it has been hosting refugees for many years and the situation is no ending. He said the Government is ready to progressively implement Shirika plan in yearly cumulative sector funding by the partners. We seek to actualise the ultimate integrated settlements for host communities and refugees. Kenya will be making definite commitments and pledges per sector during the Second GRF December 2023 here in Geneva, he stated. He urged the social impact organizations to invest in these new frontiers as they also present business opportunities that private sector should leverage on. By OPCS A woman, Ann Wambui, is facing charges for allegedly assaulting and making death threats against her mother, Jane Muthoni. The charges include the offense of threatening to kill, as outlined in section 223 (1) of the Penal Code. The incident is said to have occurred at Jane Muthonis residence in Ruai, Nairobi, on September 14, 2023. Wambui, 30, is alleged to have verbally threatened her mother, Ms. Jane Muthoni, by uttering the words, nakwambianga nitakuua na huskiangi, nitakuua saa hii, which, when translated to English, mean, I have been warning you that I will kill you and you have never taken me seriously. I will kill you right now. The police and the state prosecution office assert that these words constitute a serious threat to the life of the complainant. Ms. Muthoni was inside her house when she realized that one of the items essential for her business was missing. She approached her daughters bedroom to inquire whether she knew the items whereabouts. The suspect reportedly woke up and directed death threats towards her mother, prompting the latter to flee the room with the suspect in pursuit. The incident escalated when the daughter caught up with her mother in the sitting room, where she wrestled her to the ground and forcefully pulled her hair, while the victim screamed for assistance. A neighbor intervened and rescued the complainant from her daughter, escorting her out of the house. Following the distressing incident, Ms. Muthoni reported the matter to the police. Officers visited the complainants residence, where they discovered a hammer beneath a pillow and a machete beside the suspects bed. Appearing before Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi of the Makadara Law Courts, the accused denied the charges. Ms. Wambui was granted release on a cash bail of Sh30,000. Ms. Muthoni, fearing for her life, has vacated her residence and sought refuge elsewhere. The neighbor who came to her rescue has been enlisted as a witness in the case, along with two police officers. The case is scheduled for mention on November 11, 2023, with the commencement of the hearing set for February 26, 2024. Pastor Ezekiel Odero says that factors such as expensive rings contribute to the diminishing longevity of marriages in modern times. In a recent sermon at his church, Pastor Ezekiel took the opportunity to express his perspectives on marriage and extravagant weddings, particularly addressing the expenses related to rings. During the sermon, he inquired about the price of a female congregants ring and compared it with the ring he purchased for his wedding to his wife, Sarah. Ezekiel mentioned that he acquired a ring for a mere 15 Kenyan shillings, and despite its modest cost, his marriage has endured to this day. He juxtaposed this with the congregants situation, noting that she had purchased a ring for over 18 thousand shillings, yet her marriage had encountered difficulties. I bought my wedding ring for 15 shillingsAnd my marriage has lasted until today, he said. The founding pastor for the New Life Prayer Center church in Mavueni, Kilifi county noted that the longevity of his marriage was not solely attributable to the modest cost of the ring. Instead, he attributed the endurance of his union to a spiritual ring bestowed upon him through divine intervention. A spiritual ring was placed on me that has kept my marriage alive until today. And that spiritual ring is expensive; dont let anyone tell you otherwise, Ezekiel said. The preacher advised individuals contemplating marriage to dedicate themselves to God before entering into matrimony. He claimed that his church possesses the unique anointing for facilitating such spiritual commitment. Kuna watu wanafurahi kwamba wanafanya harusi na pete ghali, nyinyi cheka. Lakini ukiolewa njoo New Life, la sivyo vile umeolewa na raha unaweza kuachwa hivyo hivyo, sababu harusi ni tukio, keki ni ya waliokuja harusi, chakula ni cha wambeya lakini ukifika kwa nyumba yako hivi, ndio ndoa inaanza, he said. Loosely translated: (There are people who rejoice in having an expensive wedding and ring, you just laugh. But when you get married, come to New Life, otherwise, you might find yourself married and abandoned just like that because a wedding is an event, the cake is for those who attend the wedding, the food is for the gossipers. But when you enter your home like this, thats when the marriage begins.) Posta Kenya is in the process of transforming its outlets into comprehensive communications solutions hubs, with the aim of offering a spectrum of services that will make it an ideal partner across the globe. The Post Master General and Chief Executive Officer of the Postal Corporation of Kenya, Mr. John Tonui, singled out e-payment, e-governance, and e-commerce as among the innovative services Posta will provide. Mr. Tonui announced that Posta Kenya is strategically establishing hubs and warehouses in all 47 counties that will be used to propel intercounty and cross-border trade by ensuring seamless service to customers. Posta is dedicated to redefining itself by embracing the Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) platform to deliver innovative services. Our aim is to become the ideal logistics partner, not just across Kenya but on a global scale, he stated. He said the institution was re-inventing itself using the ICT platform to create very attractive innovative services, and its collaboration with both the government and private sector in the e-commerce and ICT sectors will make Posta Kenya the ideal logistics partner across the country and worldwide. The Post Master General made the remarks during the commemoration of the 148th World Post Day, themed Together for Trust: Collaborating for a Safe and Connected Future, which was held at a Nairobi hotel. The event, which is observed annually on October 9th, was instituted by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Postal Unions (UPU) creation in 1874. The purpose of the event is to remind people of the vital role that postal services play in their daily lives and their profound contributions to global social and economic development. Mr. Tonui said the celebration resonates deeply with the evolving landscape of the postal sector and underscores the indispensable role that the Posta plays in establishing a secure and connected network for local communities while emphasising the trust that citizens have bestowed upon the institution over many years. Tonui, who commended the government for its commitment to ensuring that the postal and courier sectors provide citizens right of access to affordable postal services, said plans are at an advanced stage for the corporation to adopt and implement the National Addressing System. The corporation is visualising a future where it will be at the forefront of facilitating e-commerce and ICT services, partnering seamlessly with both the government and the private sector, he added. He at the same time commended Miss Claire Gakii of Lions Junior Secondary School in Embu for emerging as the global winner of the 2023 Universal Postal Union International Letter Writing Competition, where competitors were required to write a letter to someone explaining which superpowers they would need to achieve their mission. Ms. Gakii was feted last week by the Universal Postal Union, Director General, during the UPU Extraordinary Congress in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for her essay titled Imagine you are a superhero, and your mission is to make all roads around the world safer for children. This is the first time that Kenya has won this coveted competition since its inception 52 years ago. We are very proud of her, remarked Tonui. He assured that the corporation remains committed to its obligation of promoting the art of letter writing amongst the youth. The Post Master General also assured customers and members of the public of the corporations capabilities to provide them with last-mile delivery solutions for individuals, corporations, and government agencies. With our extensive network of over 600 branches across the country, coupled with our expertise in last-mile delivery, we stand as the ideal partner for courier and logistics services, said Tonui. He said the corporation has made significant investments in cutting-edge technology and a modern fleet to support its postal and courier services. He said that in Africa, early innovations and the widespread adoption of mobile payments have positioned the continent as a trailblazer in e-commerce, mentioning the market projections which indicate that the African e-commerce market is set to double in size to approximately $75 billion by 2025. In the developing world, and particularly in Africa, postal services operate within a dynamic and ever-changing communications sector, where factors such as liberalisation, heightened competition, technological advancements, and evolving regulatory environments have reshaped the sector. Speaking at the event, the Ag. Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, Mr. Christopher Wambua, said the Communication Authority is developing regulations that will deal with misuse of the internet. We are also partnering with relevant agencies to develop an e-commerce strategy that will boost the countrys e-commerce and provide an enabling tool and environment for both citizens and those in business, he said. -Via KNA News If youve driven past Century Oaks Park on a recent weekend, you might have seen an odd site during the early hours of a Saturday morning: a group of women, who appear to be donning deconstructed boats, circling orange cones and rehearsing scenes on the lawn. Your eyes are not deceiving you the Valley Players, a community-based theater troupe, has been using the space to rehearse for the upcoming run of their fall 2023 play, "Men on Boats," with real kayaks and canoes. During their three-week-long run, the Valley Players will perform in a theater, not a park, and the women, and yes, their boats, will be traveling around risers of audience members, not traffic cones. But the show, much like its rehearsals, promises to be unlike any theater production youve seen before, according to Director Richard Pallaziol. The Napa Valley Players rendition of "Men of Boats" will open this Friday without the namesake men. The play is a true-ish story based on the journey of John Wesley Powell and his crew as they navigated through the Grand Canyon and down the Colorado River in 1869. The play calls for the expedition's all-male crew to be portrayed by an all-female cast. Predominantly, or in this case, entirely female casts are a rarity in the theater world, according to artistic director June Alane Reif, but they are right up the Valley Players' alley. Reif and her co-founders Debbie Baumann and Patte Quinn started the Valley Players group in 2017 for the very purpose of centering female actors over 40. A lot of the audience for theater is women over 40, so why is it that this demographic isnt represented in the shows they are seeing? Reif said. Our priority is creating meaningful roles for women over a certain age. She explained that all too often, women are cast to fill a few very specific roles: maybe a young, attractive love interest, or a housewife, or a weird aunt, penciled into the show for comedic relief theres no in between. For this reason, the Players' mission is to produce shows that either feature female-heavy casts or allow for women to be cast in roles traditionally played by men, though not all playwrights permit this when selling the rights to their work. The group has produced over a dozen plays since 2017, and Reif has been with the group through them all. She said that when women are given the opportunity to portray a wider range of characters, the shows they produce thrive. These people have so much life experience that they can bring to the table, she said. Baumann, who was the artistic director at the time of the groups founding, agreed. She has been an actor and director for many years and worked in a variety of theater settings throughout her career. She said that in her experiences both directing with and acting alongside the Valley Players, the shows their group puts on have especially rich characters. More women in a cast brings a lot of compassion, and we carry that compassion on to our roles, Baumann said. But while the women in the Valley Players are successful in creating deeply sympathetic and often moving characters, they also know how to poke fun when the time is right. Baumann said throughout "Men on Boats," she and the cast have been encouraged to play up the comedic and often cathartic elements that come with the territory of women performing as men. Playing a man is really quite fun, I have to admit, Baumann said. And to see all the other nine actors portraying a man is amazing. It makes our acting come alive. Our characters get to be developed in a mans brain, not a womans brain, and it just adds an element of fun I'm not gonna lie. Baumann plays Andrew Hall, who sailed in the Powell Geographic Expedition of 1869 with Powell. The story goes that along with Powell and Hall were eight other men, all of whom set off from Wyoming to traverse sections of the Colorado and Green Rivers, completing the first chronicled journey through the entirety of the Grand Canyon by American explorers. Esme Nicolson-Singh, who plays the roles of explorer Seneca Howland and Just Jim in the production, said that its been very interesting and honestly really exciting to delve into the actual true history of these characters. But while the explorers in the show were real people, "Men on Boats" aims to flip their story on its head. Casting women to play these roles forces audience members to re-examine the history that's been written, and see the travelers, once revered as heroes, as neither icons nor villains, but as complex beings shaped by their time and circumstances, according to the Valley Players site. The gender bending of the show forces the people watching it to view it with modern eyes, Pallaziol said. It makes them see how and who they might be in the show today versus writing it off as a period piece about old white men. In addition to casting, he said some of the directorial choices he's made aim to play up the show's immersive nature, encouraging audience members to see themselves in the play. There will be no standard stage or house. Instead, the show plays out all around the audience, who will sit on various risers throughout the space. Throughout, the explorers will actually navigate around the theater as they perform, and row their respective boats. The boats will travel around the audience and brave the elements water, fog, and wind as the crew members who row them navigate the Grand Canyon, and the personal struggles that come to the surface alongside the great unknown. Through both drama and hilarity, "Men on Boats" puts a spotlight on the Powell Expeditions adventures and the ways we interpret American history. You cant get a better spotlight on women than an entirely female cast playing all men, Nicolson-Singh said. Through all the awkwardness that comes with the territory of being on the imaginary river, it has been really fun in that it has not been done before and it is a completely different visual than people are used to at the theater. Its an immersive experience. The show will open this Friday, Oct. 13 at the Yountville Community Center. That show, as well as ones on Oct. 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 will be at 7 p.m. The shows on Oct. 15, 22 and 29 begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are available now at valley-players.com. Ten people, including one from Napa County, have been arrested and charged this week on suspicion of interfering with U.S. mail deliveries, according to federal prosecutors. The acts of interference included theft of postal keys, break-ins of postal vehicles, assaults on letter carriers, and illegal possession of personally identifying information, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California said in a statement Tuesday. The identified suspects are the following: - Anthony Medina, 42, a resident of American Canyon, is alleged to have unlawfully possessed seven mail keys. He is also accused of possessing credit cards in the names of other individuals, images of suspected stolen mail, and access codes for an apartment complex in San Francisco. He faces 10 years in prison for unlawful possession of mail and credit cards, if convicted. - Robert Devon Nicholson Bell Jr., 19, a resident of Antioch, is alleged to have participated in at least two armed robberies of letter carriers in Antioch and San Francisco. He is also accused of using mail keys to steal mail from blue mailboxes. He was allegedly found in Antioch in possession of robbed postal keys, a substantial quantity of stolen mail, a fraudulent USPS ID with his picture, and stolen and counterfeit checks. He faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison for unlawful possession of the postal key, as well as 25 years for each of the armed robberies, if convicted. - Derek Hopson, 33, a resident of Oakland, is accused of stealing mail and postal keys in two separate incidents in June. Hopson was allegedly caught in possession of several postal keys when he was arrested at a residence in the Mission District of San Francisco. He is also accused of using a mailbox key to gain access to mailboxes at a residential complex in the Presidio of San Francisco. He faces a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison for unlawful possession of postal keys and injury to mail bags, if convicted. - Craig Curtis Freeman and Kaylynn Nicole Ulrich are accused of breaking and entering into a carrier facility, possessing stolen mail and theft of mail. They both face 10 years of imprisonment, if convicted. - Stephen Hilton is accused of robbery of a mail carrier. If convicted, he faces 25 years of imprisonment. - Michael Derryberry and Lucas Ostolaza are each charged with two counts of robbery of a mail carrier and two counts of unlawful possession of the postal keys. They both face 25 years of imprisonment if convicted of robbery of a mail carrier, and 10 years in prison for unlawful possession of postal keys. - Michael Morgan is charged with unlawful possession of mail keys, possession of stolen mail and theft of mail. He faces 10 years of imprisonment for unlawful possession of mail, and five years of imprisonment for possession of stolen mail and theft of mail, if convicted. - Vo Nguyen is charged with assault on a federal employee with a deadly or dangerous weapon; attempted murder of an employee of the United States; and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. If convicted, he faces 20 years of imprisonment for assault on a federal employee with a deadly or dangerous weapon; 20 years of prison time for attempted murder of an employee of the United States; and a minimum of 10 years of imprisonment and maximum life in prison for using, carrying, and discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. "There is no more important mission for us as federal agents than protecting postal workers from crime and violence," U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Rafael Nunez said in a statement. "To any copycats or wannabes out there who might consider robbing a postal worker, I ask you to consider the years you will face in federal prison, the price on your head, and that postal inspectors will not stop hunting you. The proceeds of this crime are not worth your freedom." Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, October 7, 2023 The Outreach Committee at Grace Episcopal Church in St. Helena has long been involved in Bubaare, Uganda, with a college sponsorship program for extremely poor girls who could not otherwise go to school. Because of this relationship, we have become aware of another situation. A nearby school of 1,200 young children has lost funding for its school lunch program the person supplying it died of COVID. For many this was their only meal of the day. The children began skipping school or falling asleep at their desk due to lack of nourishment. Grace Outreach and the Grace Orphan Ministry has sent $6,000 to get the program up and running again through the end of this year. We are trying to provide funding for at least six more months until they can find someone else on their end. An anonymous donor has come forth and has offered to match donations up to $6,000. If you, your family or group would like to donate, please send a check of any amount to Grace Church and put "Uganda meal program" in the memo line. For questions or discussion, please contact me at kbc7964@gmail.com. Kerry Brackett St. Helena Perhaps the most expensive Napa County government building ever built is going up without fanfare and in a place most people wont want to visit. Napa County last winter began building its new $133 million jail. Drivers along busy Highway 221 might not notice because much of the view is blocked by vegetation. Usually, a big project like this starts out with elected officials giving speeches and turning dirt with golden shovels. Not this time, though its not for lack of trying. The county twice scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony early this year before giving up because of wet weather. But Broward Builders Inc. of Woodland and its construction crews have been busy. They have put up walls and are moving precast concrete cells into place using a crane. Each cell has two sections, each to have a bunk bed. Juan Arias, the county's deputy public works director, said the jail is about 40% complete. It should be finished at the end of 2024, with operations to begin about three months later. "On time" and "on budget," county Public Works Director Steven Lederer said recently as he walked the construction site. Wont scream jail! The jail will be 109,302 square feet; by comparison, the American Canyon Walmart Supercenter is 187,000 square feet. It will have 332 beds, a central control center, medical clinic, visiting areas, food and laundry service, and other features. The construction phase is to cost $97 million, with the balance of that $133 million total due to such things as design work and site preparation. Perhaps when the jail is finished, highway drivers wont wonder why such a grim use is along a major Napa Valley entrance. At least, thats the plan. Dina Jose, Napa County's corrections director, said the appearance wont be of a massive structure that screams Jail! Jail! Jail! A rendering of the main entrance what the public will see depicts such touches as a portico leading to the glass windows of the entry. Theres no guard tower with spotlight in sight. The Napa County Board of Supervisors has held numerous public hearings on the new jail. Its location along Highway 221 in south Napa has not been a major issue. Old versus new Napa County is building the jail to replace the downtown Napa jail constructed in 1976 and expanded in 1989. The old jail is in the three-story Hall of Justice building between Coombs and Main streets near Third Street. The current downtown jail is quite outdated, offering little more than just a place to sleep, Jose said. It lacks the space necessary for the variety of programs and recreational activities we want to provide for incarcerated individuals. In contrast, the new jail will be a state-of-the-art facility designed for the 21st century, she said. It will include areas for behavioral and educational programs. It will also have day rooms and outdoor recreational spaces spread throughout the facility. So the new jail represents a significant upgrade in terms of its capacity to support rehabilitation and improve the overall well-being of those in our custody, Jose said. The new jail will be more high-tech. Jose said incarcerated people will be able to use tablet computers to learn and develop skills. They will be able to stay digitally connected with family. She called this incorporation of technology a significant step forward compared to our current facility and demonstrates our commitment to modernizing the correctional environment for the benefit of all involved. All of this comes with that $133 million price. In contrast, contemporary Napa Valley Register articles reported the downtown jail was built in 1976 for $4 million and expanded in 1989 for $8 million. The opening of the downtown Napa jail in the 1970s also came about with some fun that may not happen with the new one. Before it went into operation, the county let citizens spend the night there and try to escape. Old jail's future to be decided On its completion, the new jail will render obsolete the existing jail in downtown Napa a three-story building thats no beauty, but has a prime location near the Napa River could be demolished and its site redeveloped. County officials have suggested at least two scenarios. One is to have private enterprise build a multi-story building with retail stores, restaurants, housing and county offices. Another is to build a new county administration building. There are a few factors the county must consider before that can happen. Inmates appearing in court will have to be transported two miles from the new jail to the Napa County courthouse. Theyll need a secure place to be kept while waiting to make their appearance during their trials. Since the downtown Hall of Justice and jail complex is next to the courthouse, it will be the place. Inmates can be kept in holding cells in the basement. They can be brought between those cells and the courthouse in an existing tunnel. This arrangement would have to continue in some form, if and when the Hall of Justice is demolished. Once the new jail opens, the short-term fate for most of the old jail could be to sit empty until redevelopment, saving the county $200,000 or so annually in utility bills, a county report said. Climate change issues One resident has criticized the new jail for not being all-electric to help combat climate change, saying it will have gas-fired boilers for water and gas furnaces for heat. This comes at a time that California wants to phase out natural gas because of greenhouse gas emissions. The state is to ban the sale of new natural gas heaters and water heaters by 2030. Some local projects are already going in that direction. Developers in February told the American Canyon City Council that the proposed Giovannoni Logistics Center warehouse project is to be all-electric, with 100% of energy generated by solar panels. We know electrification of buildings is generally where things are going, Joe Livaich of Buzz Oates told the council. We accept that. And we will not bring any new natural gas use to this (industrial) park. In the world of jails, such endeavors appear to be cutting-edge. An all-electric prison is being built in Great Britain using heat pumps and solar panels. A planned jail in Pueblo County, Colorado, is to have a net-zero carbon footprint. Lederer said Napa County started designing its jail years ago, before climate change discussions reached their present stage. There are some areas where electricity doesnt work for a large, 24/7 facility. The technology either doesnt exist, is inefficient or costs significantly more, he said. As such, these business and sustainability decisions were balanced to create the best facility and the best value for the public, Lederer said. In addition, the state power grid has had brownouts and blackouts. The jail must maintain round-the-clock security, feed inmates, and do laundry and other chores. Backup generators couldnt fully handle the loads, he said. Though the jail wont have solar power, the conduit will be there. Given the specific budget the (Board of Supervisors) gave us and the community's desire for us to meet that budget, solar was not a viable option for this project's construction. Solar could be added in the future, Lederer said. The new Napa County jail will meet and exceed building code energy efficiency requirements, Lederer said. It will use electricity from the Marin Clean Energy Deep Green program that is from renewable sources. Photos: Napa County's new jail in the making New Jail 9 New Jail 1 New Jail 2 New Jail 3 New Jail 4 New Jail 5 New Jail 6 New Jail 7 New Jail 8 New Jail 10 New Jail 11 New Jail 12 New Jail 13 From left, Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld" show pose with their Emmys for outstanding comedy series on Sept. 19, 1993, in Pasadena, California. (Scott Flynn/AFP/Scott Flynn/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS) More than 25 years after the finale of Seinfeld, it seems the beloved sitcom might be getting a second ending. When asked if he liked the ending of Seinfeld during a stand-up set on Saturday night, Jerry Seinfeld told a Boston audience that he has a little secret about the finale of the show. Advertisement Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending. It hasnt happened yet, Seinfeld said to big cheers. Just what you are thinking about, Larry [David] and I have also been thinking about. So, youll see. In 2018, the comedian teased on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that a Seinfeld revival was possible, but he did not further elaborate. Advertisement In the finale of Seinfeld, Jerry (Seinfeld), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), George (Jason Alexander) and Kramer (Michael Richards) are arrested and locked up in prison. More than 76 million people tuned in live, making it one of the most-watched television broadcasts in history, but the series final episode received quite a lot of backlash, with Seinfeld himself expressing regret over the ending in the years following. Seinfeld received a quasi-reboot in 2009, when Seinfeld and David staged a revival of the NBC sitcom within the world of Curb Your Enthusiasm. In Season 7 of the HBO comedy, Seinfeld, Louis-Dreyfus, Alexander and Richards star in a multi-episode arc that reunites the actors a decade after the finale of Seinfeld to shoot a special episode. Its possible that whatever Seinfeld is teasing is related to the upcoming 12th season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which has been filmed but does not yet have a release date. Seinfeld and Alexander reprised the roles of Jerry and George once again in a 2014 Super Bowl commercial that took place at the iconic Toms Restaurant set. A "ring of fire" solar eclipse will unfold this weekend though only some parts of the U.S. will see its most dramatic effects. The event on Saturday called an annular eclipse because the moon blocks all but the sun's fiery outer edge, or annulus differs from a full solar eclipse because of the relative position of the moon to our planet, astronomers said. "The moon is farther from the Earth than usual, and appears slightly smaller in the sky than the sun," said Ben Burress, staff astronomer at Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland. "So even when the moon is fully in front of the sun's disk, a ring, or annulus, of sunlight can be seen peeking around the edge of the moon's dark disk." The path of the annular eclipse in the U.S. will be a narrow band that arcs from the central Oregon coast through Nevada, Utah, the Four Corners area, New Mexico and Texas. The rest of the country, including the Bay Area, will see a partial eclipse, "where it looks like the moon is taking a dark bite out of the sun," said Andrew Fraknoi, emeritus chair of the astronomy department at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. The event differs from next year's total solar eclipse, on April 8, when the face of the sun will be completely blocked as the moon passes between the sun and Earth. Here's what you need to know about Saturday's annular solar eclipse. Will we be able to see the eclipse in the Bay Area? Only a partial eclipse will be visible in the Bay Area in the morning. The sun will appear crescent-shaped, with about 78% of its disk covered by the moon, Burress said. "It will be a very bright crescent in the sky, and though it will still be full daylight, the day will noticeably darken, and shadows will become slightly crisper," he said. When will it occur? For viewers in California, the partial eclipse will start shortly after 8 a.m., with maximal coverage of the sun's disk between 9:15 and 9:25 a.m., Lynam said. The sun will emerge from the eclipse around 10:45 a.m. Websites for NASA and other astronomical sources like timeanddate.com have more information about when and where the eclipse will occur depending on your location. How do I safely view the eclipse? The number one thing experts urge is to never look directly at the sun, including during an eclipse, without proper eye protection. Normal sunglasses and eye protection like safety goggles do not count. "Regardless of how much visible sunlight is blocked, there are always some ultraviolet rays present, either from the part of the sun's visible surface not blocked, or from the atmosphere of the sun even during a total solar eclipse," Burress said. If you want to view the eclipse, be sure to acquire eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard and come from a reputable source. On its website, the American Astronomical Society offers a list of suppliers and sellers of viewing products that "you can be confident are safe when used properly." More than 13,000 public libraries will be giving away 6 million pairs of eclipse glasses and virtual information booklets, according to Fraknoi but the free glasses run out very quickly, so you may need to buy yours elsewhere in advance. Other ways to view the eclipse include creating a pinhole camera or pinhole projector that allows you to view the crescent images projected on the ground. You can also check local astronomical associations and societies for advice on safe viewing options. Where's the best place to watch? To get a good view of the eclipse, take your safety gear and find a fairly unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, Burress said. "The sun will be somewhat low in the sky throughout the eclipse, so if there are tall buildings or trees to your east in the morning, your view may be blocked," he said. You don't have to be in a special location to view the eclipse, just as long as your view isn't obstructed by objects or covered by clouds. The Bay Area weather forecast calls for a chance of drizzle along the Peninsula on Saturday morning, according to Chronicle newsroom meteorologist Anthony Edwards so the best chance of viewing the partial eclipse will be away from the coast, in the East Bay hills. Chabot and Foothill are among the observatories, planetariums, libraries and other venues across the Bay Area hosting viewing events Saturday morning. For a list of events and more information, see one compiled by Northern California Astronomy Resources at tinyurl.com/SF-area-2023Oct14eclipse. Where can I view the full annular eclipse? If you have the time, means and interest, you can take a road trip to see the full annular eclipse. Or you can watch the partial eclipse locally, and wait to travel to see the total eclipse next year. "If it can be done conveniently and economically, it is always worth making the effort to spend a few minutes to observe such a natural event," said Paul Lynam, staff astronomer at Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. "It can be mesmerizing, similar to watching a lightning storm, or the tide rise or fall." The path of maximum eclipse in the U.S. starts in southern Oregon, then crosses a small slice of northeastern California that includes the area around Goose Lake and Lava Beds National Monument. It then passes through parts of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The eclipse then visits Mexico and Central and South America, before crossing over northern Brazil and ending at sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, according to NASA. For those who want to watch remotely, NASA will livestream the event on its YouTube channel. How rare is this type of event? According to Burress, annular solar eclipses happen every one to two years. "But to see the full effect of the eclipse, you need to be at the right location on Earth," he said. Narrowing the observing location to only the Bay Area decreases the frequency to once every 10 to 15 years, Lynam said. The last annular solar eclipse visible from here was on May 20, 2012, he said. After this year's, the next will occur on June 21, 2039. Here are the 2023 full moons, including super moons and lunar eclipses August 1 - Full Sturgeon Supermoon 2:31 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time This moon honors when this large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, like Lake Champlain, where they are most readily caught. This is the second of four consecutive full moons of the year. Look for a slightly brighter and larger full moon in the sky. August 30 - The Blue Supermoon 9:35 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time The saying "once in a blue moon" means a rare occurrence in folklore. However, it predates the current use of the term, which indicates two full moons within a month. "The term Blue Moon is believed to have originated in 1883 after the eruption of Krakatoa. The volcano put so much dust in the atmosphere that the Moon actually looked blue in color. This was so unusual that the term 'once in a Blue Moon' was coined," according to David Williams of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. A blue moon occurs once every 2.5 years, on average. This will also be the third consecutive supermoon of four, and the biggest of them all. The moon will be 222,043 miles away from the Earth, besting the other supermoon from up to 4,000 miles. Still, there won't be a noticeable difference between the Blue Supermoon and the others September 29 - Full Harvest Supermoon 5:57 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time Traditionally, this name goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the fall equinox, which falls this year on Sept. 22. This year's Harvest Moon comes unusually early. At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice indigenous staples in North America are now ready for gathering. This will be the last of the four consecutive supermoons of the year. October 28 - Full Hunter Blood Moon 5:57 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, this is the time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox and other animals. This will be the only full moon with a partial lunar eclipse visible to at least part of the United States. Those in New England, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C. eastern Virginia and eastern North Carolina will see part of the moon shaded brownish red that evening. You can find start and end times for the eclipse at your location using this link. November 27 - Full Beaver Moon 4:16 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time At this point of the year, it was time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter. December 26 - Full Cold Moon 10:33 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time December is when the winter cold fastens its grip on the Northern Hemisphere. Sometimes this moon is referred to as the Long Nights Moon, and the nights are their longest. The moon is above the horizon a long time. On occasion, this moon was also called the Moon before Yule. This particular full moon makes its highest arc across the sky because it is opposite to the low sun. And on this very same night, another celestial object will also be opposite to the sun: Mars , which arrives at opposition 87 minutes after the moon turns full. Depending on your location, you will see Mars shining like a brilliant yellow-orange star, either hovering very close below the moon, or you will see the moon actually pass in front of Mars, producing an occultation. 2023 FULL MOONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED Jan. 6 - Full Wolf Moon 6:08 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time Amid the zero-degree cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside villages. It was also known as the Old Moon or the Moon after Yule. In some tribes this was the Full Snow Moon; most applied that name to the next moon. February 5 - Full Snow Moon 1:29 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time Depending on location, the heaviest snows fall in this month. Much of the Mid-Atlantic falls into this category, as well as the Mid-South. Hunting becomes very difficult during February. Hence, to some tribes, this was the Full Hunger Moon. March 7 - Full Worm Moon 7:40 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time In this month the ground softens and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. Some more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter. It's also known as the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. April 6 - Full Pink Moon 12:34 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time The grass pink or wild ground phlox is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. In 2022, this is also the Paschal Full Moon; the first full moon after the spring equinox on March 20. The first Sunday following the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday, which indeed will be observed the very next day on Sunday, April 17. May 5 - Full Flower Moon 1:34 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time The term full flower moon is derived from how Flowers are abundant everywhere by this time of year. This moon was also known as the Full Corn Planting Moon. June 3 - Full Strawberry Moon 11:42 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time Strawberry picking season peaks during this month; Europeans called this the Rose Moon. July 3 - Full Buck Supermoon 7:39 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time Named for when the new antlers of buck deer push out from their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, thunderstorms being now most frequent. This will be the first of four consecutive supermoons of the year. Expect a slightly larger and brighter full moon in the sky. Joe's 7-Day Forecast The meeting in Granada, Spain gave Armenia two very important statements. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview to Public Television. "The first was the quadrilateral statement by [French] President Macron, [German] Chancellor Scholz, European Council President Charles Michel, and me. The secondour bilateral statement by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Basically what was recorded with this? It was recorded that again following my advice, I don't want to say unprecedented, but a very important recording that there is a consensus in the EU regarding the deepening of relations with Armenia. This means that because the two pillars of the EU, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, recorded this fact. Next, in both statements, both from the point of view of the European Union and from our point of view, what should the pillars of peace be in our region. One of those pillars is the mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the size of the territories, which we have talked about many times. The second [is] that the border delimitation process should take place on the basis of the 1991 Alma Ata statement, and in accordance with the maps of the last period of the Soviet Union transferred to the parties. And third, that the unblocking of regional communications should take place under the full protection of countries' sovereignty, jurisdiction, equality, and reciprocity," Pashinyan said. He added that the Granada meeting condemned the use of force against Nagorno-Karabakh, recorded the forced displacement of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, the readiness of the EU and the US to assist Armenia in terms of managing the humanitarian situation, it recorded that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh shall have the right to return to Nagorno-Karabakh without preconditions and that right shall be defended, and it recorded that the EU shall deepen relations with Armenia as much as Armenia wants. "These are the advantages. The gap is that statements, particularly the first one, are four-sided and not five-sided. That is, if from the beginning it was planned that it should be a five-party, but the absence of Azerbaijan's signature is one of the shortcomings under that document. For example, if Azerbaijan's signature were under that paper, I would say now that the probability that we will sign a peace treaty by the end of the year is higher than 70 percent," the Armenian PM noted. In the Granada statement, there was a reference to the subject of captives; there was a call there to all parties to release all captives. We have always expressed our willingness to go to such solutions. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview to Public Television. "When we base the delimitation [of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border] on specific maps, border violations are recorded; this means that as a result of delimitation, border violations must be eliminated. But the problem here is that there is no signature of Azerbaijan under this document. On the other hand, at least in the western domain, an official understanding has been formed that this should be the basis for future settlement," he said. Referring to the remark that Azerbaijan president Aliyev demanded the "liberation" of eight villages in a telephone conversation with European Council President Charles Michel, and to the question as what extent this demand fits into the negotiation logic, Pashinyan said: "Before answering the question directly, I would like to picture the context. And why didn't Azerbaijan come [to Granada] and sign [the aforesaid statement]? What are the versions? Azerbaijan's public explanation was that they have a problem with France's position; they do not consider it an impartial observer. The second interpretation, the impartiality of which will be an opportunity to be verified in the near future, is that, nevertheless, Azerbaijan is trying to prevent peace from happening. And for that, there is an interpretation that there are several topics that they can use for future escalations. This is the reason why we should not show an emotional approach to any issue, and we should inventorize all the issues, the matters being raised by Azerbaijan, and adopt clear positions that are understandable to the world, which derive from the interests of Armenia's security. "Azerbaijan raises the issue of eight villages, and we, in turn, raise the issue of eight villages because in the same Tavush Province [of Armenia], for example, we have territories occupied by Azerbaijan () and in other areas as well. We proposed a solution to that issue back in 2021, and we said: let's decide which the delimitation map is and simultaneously withdraw the troops from that border line. "During the negotiations, we say: Very good if one of the parties has to return some territory to the other. It's about both sides. Suppose the troops are standing on this line. In order to solve the issue, they should retreat from this line. Now they should retreat, what line should they stand on? It will be determined according to the map; that is, there is a border. And if there is a border at that point, then it means there is a border all along. Therefore, we must adjust according to the borders defined by the Almaty declaration." When asked why Armenia does not rely on the OSCE document in 2017, where there is a principle that delimitation of borders cannot contribute to the generation of new escalations, new risks of conflict, the Armenian PM said: "That document is on the table of our officials dealing with border demarcation issues after the 2020 ceasefire is approved. But the problem is that the process has not yet started, and we are in the phase of adjusting the principles. The concept of territory can also be one of those principles. The Almaty declaration is a principle. That principle was agreed by me and the president of Azerbaijan on May 14, 2023 in Brussels in the presence of Charles Michel. But the problem is that until now the president of Azerbaijan has not made a public statement about recognizing the 29,800-square-kilometer territorial integrity of Armenia." Addressing the topic of enclaves is inevitable for a simple reason because the 29,800 square kilometers of Armenia includes Artsvashen village. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview to Public Television. "No authorities of Armenia have the right to give up on that sovereign territory of Armenia. This is where that question rises. But there is an important nuance here, that whoever talks about enclaves should put a map on the table. "When a map is placed on the table, there cannot be a map on only one point. On the other hand, this is not a very simple question. When the question of enclaves is raised, many questions will rise. There is a question of delimitation of the borders of these enclaves, there is a question of access to these enclaves, there is a question of servitude, there is a question of border protection, there is a question of the presence and non-presence of armed forces in those areas. An enclave means you have to cross someone else's territory. How should you pass through someone else's territory? What are the legal nuances of this matter? There are several options for resolving these issues. One is that we are settling all these issues and this issue is being resolved amid peace. The second option is that we see it is so complicated that an agreement is reached that the enclaves across the border remain within the territories of the countries by which they are enclosed. But this should also be the subject of the agreement, further ratification. "Our task today is not to allow any issue to become a justification for further escalation on the grounds that Armenia refuses to discuss, avoids discussion and solutions. In order not to allow escalation, we should not think about delaying the issues, complicating the issues, making them incomprehensible. We really need to go to solutions, and these solutions should be reasonable and transparent to rule out conspiracy theories," emphasized the Armenian premier. PACE co-rapporteurs to make monitoring visit to Armenia Yerevan hosting international conference on 100th anniversary of Armenian Cinema Armenia legislature vice-speaker: Azerbaijan president not a peacemaker at all Embassy in Baku: Germany supports Azerbaijan-Armenia talks, with European Council Presidents mediation Hakob Arshakyan: There is one original military map but Armenia, Azerbaijan have access to it Noubar Afeyan: Arresting, charging Ruben Vardanyan is psychological pressure on worlds 10 million Armenians Greece sends humanitarian aid for Armenians displaced from Karabakh Armenia National Security Service exposes terrorism preparation Zakharova: Armenia leadership is purposefully destroying allied relations with Russia Azerbaijan announces capture of elderly Armenian man Russia MFA spox accuses some Armenia media of Russophobia and nationalism Maria Zakharova: Moscow stands ready to host Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs meeting in near future Bidens new possible nominee for US Deputy Secretary of State was educated in Soviet Armenia Turkey presidential lawyer joins Hrant Dink murder trial PM: Unit within National Security Service is set up that will ensure security of communications via Armenia EU monitoring mission in Armenia announces full activity by opening headquarters in Yeghegnadzor city Pope Francis says he loves the sea but hasn't been there in almost 50 years Pashinyan: Quite a large flow of forcibly displaced people from Karabakh are applying for Armenia citizenship Leapmotor to become Stellantis' 15th brand Armenia delegate: Russian natural gas being sold to Europe via Azerbaijan pipeline should not prevail over democracy Newspaper: Karabakh MPs holding closed discussions in Armenia US State Department: Any violation of Armenia sovereignty, territorial integrity will bring serious consequences James Webb telescope manages to measure exoplanet temperature Belgium allows owners to be buried alongside their pets Azerbaijan, Pakistan are developing military cooperation Armenia official: Our goal is to get license to operate the nuclear plant until 2036 Economy minister proposes China companies to be engaged in Armenia industrial parks, dry port projects Proposals being submitted to EU delegation regarding support for forcibly displaced Armenians from Karabakh discussed Armenia ombudsperson sends petitions to relevant agencies regarding Karabakh ex-defense minister Levon Mnatsakanyan Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem cancels controversial deal related to Cows' Garden estate Germany FM to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan Vahan Kerobyan, Alkis Vryenios Drakinos discuss projects being implemented by EBRD in Armenia (PHOTOS) Head of EU civilian mission in Armenia briefs President on details about their monitoring Dollar, euro fall in Armenia Armenia Anti-Corruption Committee chief: We have solved March 1, 2008 case Armenia deputy PM, Japan envoy discuss opportunities for development of bilateral trade, economic relations Karabakh parliament speaker imprisoned by Azerbaijan contacts relatives twice from Baku Samkharadze: Georgia wants to become regional leader by contributing to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization Yerevan received, responded to Russia proposals on process of Armenia ratification of Rome Statute, MFA says Border with Azerbaijan is calm, there is no tension, head of EU monitoring mission in Armenia says in Yeghegnadzor Karabakh president negotiated with Azerbaijan special services? EU monitoring mission in Armenia opens headquarters in Yeghegnadzor Holding Snoop Dogg concert in Armenia is vital, PMs office says Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issues Red Flag Alert for Azerbaijan in Armenia Armenia, Romania MFAs hold political consultations in Bucharest 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 Blinken mentions Armenia during US Senate hearing Newspaper: Armenia PM announces cancellation of point 9 of November 2020 trilateral statement Karabakh president receives French, Italian members of European Parliament Russian peacekeepers continue to remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia MoD says Red Cross helps elderly people left in Karabakh to relocate to Armenia (VIDEO) Central Bank chief: Armenia residents deposits increased by about 25% EBRD regional director to Armenia finance minister: We are ready to assist those displaced from Karabakh Armenia labor, social affairs minister attends Armenian-Iranian forum in Tehran European Union increases humanitarian funding to Armenia by about 1.7M Dollar, euro go up in Armenia Armenia PM, Poland envoy address humanitarian situation of forcibly displaced people from Karabakh Ardshinbank has been recognized as the "Best Corporate" and "Best ESG Bank" in Armenia by Euromoney magazine Turkey border bridge renovation, furnishing underway, Armenia official says Armenia official: Enclaves issue will be clarified when peace treaty with Azerbaijan is signed Armenia official: Positive thing about North-South project is that we entered construction phase in some sections Ethnic cleansing in Karabakh received pin-drop silence by American media, US presidential nominee says Armenia economy minister: Trade relations with Russia are very important to us Armenia official: We have certain idea about construction of railway in Meghri sector, we are waiting 74 films to be screened in Armenia during 19th Rolan International Film Festival for Children and Youth Yeraskh steel plant project being implemented, it is being moved, it will be nearby, Armenia economy minister says Azerbaijan pledges guarantees to Karabakh Armenians after its blockade, genocide Karabakh ombudsman: Who needs forums, lengthy speeches if international community fails to prevent genocides? Maestro Sergey Smbatyan: Process that could have had only one outcome is resolved Legislature vice-speaker complains about reduction of programs in Armenia IT sector UNICEF Armenia: Next batch of humanitarian aid sent to Syunik Province Central Bank of Armenia reduces refinancing rate by 0.25 points, sets it at 9.5% Martin Schuepp: Red Cross is helping people left in Karabakh Finance minister: Armenia economic growth potential currently estimated at 5.5% Armenia official: The money we were allocating to Karabakh should be enough to fund all programs Parliament deputy speaker: Armenia has no contender in high tech Newspaper: Karabakh army handed over ammunition not to Azerbaijan, but to Russian side Canada ambassador about sanctions on Azerbaijan: There is also dispute within Armenia regarding them Audi Q6 e-tron launch delayed until at least Spring 2024 Armenia Investigative Committee official: 8 of 16 persons captured by Azerbaijan are Karabakh leadership members 4.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey 14 individuals were tortured, and 64 died on the move from Nagorno Karabakh. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Council of Europe to prepare package of measures in response to refugee influx in Armenia Mher Grigoryan and EU Ambassador exchanged ideas on regional developments Minister of Defence had a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of PRC Yeremyan Projects has launched the regional first livestock complex in Tashir community Rights of Karabakhs imprisoned former leadership are protected, Azerbaijan ombudsperson claims Finance ministry: Armenia economic growth target will be maintained at 7% level in 2024 Elnur Mammadov: Most points in peace treaty have been agreed upon by Azerbaijan, Armenia Statement: Alma-Ata Declaration has no mention of former union republics of ex-USSR Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia Armenia defense sector capital spending planned in amount of around $1.4 billion in 2024 Lawyer: Maestro Sergey Smbatyan is acquitted Premier: Armenia defense spending planned to be increased by 125% in 2024 compared to 2018 Armenia, Ukraine officials underscore Pashinyan-Zelenskyy first meeting ReA15: 300 animation films, 30 guests from 40 countries, around 500 audience; Armenia international festival summed up Russias Makhachkala airport resumes operations Armenia's Pashinyan: There is serious progress in North-South motorway construction The question of whether or not the Russian peacekeepers will stay in Nagorno-Karabakh does not depend only on us because we also know that Russia is in certain discussions with Azerbaijan on this topic. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview to Public Television, addressing the question of whether the Russian peacekeepers should stay in Nagorno-Karabakh now that there are practically no Armenians left there. "They have discussions with us as well. I cannot give a very direct and concrete answer in connection with this question," Pashinyan said. To the program hosts question that if the Russian peacekeepers leave Nagorno-Karabakh, could they come to and stay in Armenia, the Prime Minister responded. "I don't see any logic in that because they are the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. If they leave Nagorno-Karabakh, they should go [back] to Russia. [Its] another question [that] will they go to Russia through Azerbaijan or through Armenia? I don't think it's a matter of principle, but there is no and there cannot be legal justification for their stay in Armenia." To the question whether there is an issue of the 102nd Russian military base staying or not in Armenia, taking into account that Armenia may be attacked tomorrow and Russia will again declare that the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is not demarcated, Pashinyan answered: "The grounds for the presence of the Russian military base in Armenia are very clear, these grounds continue to exist, and we do not raise any questions related to it." Armenia has not made any promises to anyone. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview to Public Television, and referring to the Turkish president's statement about the "Zangezur corridor." "As far as I have read the Turkish president's statement, it talks about the following; it talks about Armenia's promise. Let's record that Armenia has not made any promises to anyone within the framework of the terminology being used by Turkey and Azerbaijan. There is a subtlety here, it is very important how we perceive that terminology because we in Armenia, as well as the public in general, perceives this terminology as a certain territorial demand for Armenia and a demand for an extraterritorial corridor. Therefore, we have not made any promises to anyone with such terminology and deduction. I know that when there are talks between the representatives of Armenia and Turkey, it is said that this corridor terminology that you use is not acceptable for us. They say: How is it not acceptable? You accepted the tripartite statement. We say: There is no such thing written in the tripartite statement, open [it], look; when it is written, you will show us. In the global world in general, the word corridor is introduced as a common term for communication channels. In the tripartite statement, it has a slightly different logic because there is the Lachin corridor there, which, according to the logic of the statement, contains a certain content of extraterritoriality or control by a third force. In addition, the Lachin corridor is not just a road; it is a 5km strip of territory under the control of a third party [i.e. Russia]," the Armenian premier said. Pashinyan stressed that Armenia declares that it is ready and interested in opening regional communications. "That is, are we ready to open the roads for Azerbaijan and Turkey? Yes, we are ready. And as it has been recorded, this should happen on the basis of Armenia's sovereignty, jurisdiction, on the basis of the principle of equality and reciprocity. This means that no third power should have control over any territory of Armenia. When crossing Armenias border, the border guard services, the customs services of Armenia must operate. We are told that in the tripartite statement it is written that security should be ensured by Russia; I say that such a thing is not written," he said. To the program host's remark that an Azerbaijani official said that if there will be no corridor, how will security be ensured, and a Russian official said that if the word corridor offends so much, they can use the word road, Pashinyan said that there is no problem. "In case of passing by railway, the issue of [Armenias] Meghri [city] is unobjectionable because we have not had a railway anywhere else (). But on the other hand, we have no problem with restoring the Meghri railway; on the contrary, we are interested because it means lifting the blockade of Armenia, and peace, by and large," he added. Pashinyan noted that as for a motorway passing through the same section, international experts say that it is impractical for both a motorway and a railway to pass through the same place, but this is a technical issue. The Armenian PM emphasized that the opening of roads is beneficial to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. "Yes, this can become the most serious node of peace in the region. And we say that if these ambiguities are removed, there is no problem here either," Pashinyan said. Whenever Azerbaijan tries to offer another platform, it can be interpreted by us that by moving to another platform, Azerbaijan wants to neutralize the already agreed principles. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview to Public Television, referring to the proposal by the president of Azerbaijan to hold the peace talks in Georgia. "A meeting was held in Granada, [Spain], and the principles of the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan were recorded on the EU platform, from our point of view and that of the EU. It is clear that when we meet in Brussels, the conversation should take place within the framework of those principles, which I would not say correspond only to the interests of Armenia. "And now, when we are discussing the issue of meeting in Brussels, whereas Azerbaijan is trying to offer another platform, it can be interpreted that Azerbaijan, by moving to another platform, wants to neutralize the already agreed principles. "This is the problem. We say: let's determine the principles, sign under those principles, declare those principles; that is, let it be clear in what framework we are talking and what will be our future result. But when we leave this and propose other platforms, and in fact there is an impression that we want to push these principles out, and our concerns that there may be a hidden plan behind the process, that the process be carried out with the use of force, with a new war, with a new escalation, deepens. We are not against any conversation, but we are against the logic that would take us out of the framework of the already agreed principles," said the Armenian PM A few days ago, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had suggested Nikol Pashinyan to hold the peace talks in Georgia. Objection, your honor, on the simple fact that shes just angry! Thats one of the funnier lines teed up by Jamie Foxx in the courtroom drama The Burial, which is based on a real case from the 1990s. Jerry OKeefe (Tommy Lee Jones) owns a chain of funeral homes in Mississippi and the 75-year-old patriarch decent and soft-spoken, but with a spine of steel has one goal: To leave the family business to his 13 children. No mention of whether any of them want to run the business after hes gone, but no matter. Advertisement OKeefe also sells funeral insurance thats the real moneymaker which means hes supposed to have a certain amount of cash on hand. He doesnt. And state regulators are looking to shut him down without it. To raise the money, hes agreed to sell three of his eight funeral homes to the Loewen Group, a large corporation looking to monopolize the industry. Loewens yacht-owning CEO (a wonderfully self-satisfied Bill Camp) talks openly about how much hell make from the impending golden era of death once baby boomers hit their final years. Quietly appalled, Jerry is in no position to object. So they shake on it. Advertisement But months later, the deal has yet to be finalized. The Loewen Group keeps stalling. From left: Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx team up in "The Burial." (Skip Bolen/Skip Bolen/Prime Video) One of OKeefes attorneys (Mamoudou Athie, matching Jones quiet, thoughtful energy punch for punch) suspects Loewen actually has no plans to go through with the deal, but intends to draw things out until OKeefe goes bankrupt and the company can scoop up his assets at bargain prices. So OKeefe files a lawsuit. Foxx plays Willie E. Gary, OKeefes unlikely champion. Hes a brash personal injury attorney who wins multimillion dollar judgments for his clients. Black clients, specifically. Thats who hes focused on representing, and thats just one of the reasons he is reluctant to take on OKeefes case. A contract dispute? Not his area of expertise. But eventually hes convinced. Its worth pausing to describe the way Willie is introduced, wrapping up a trial in which his client has been hit by a truck. Hes asking for $75 million. Why so much? Because we have the evidence. The evidence will prove that there was negligence. Because no-good Clovis had one good thing going for him at that time, even though he was drunk, to up from the flo up, depressed and suicidal. My no-good client Clovis Tubbs had him a green light. I rest my case. The courtroom erupts in applause! Its a ludicrous moment but its not a bad choice, stylistically, considering this is a man who owns a private jet hes dubbed Wings of Justice. If only director Maggie Betts (who shares screenwriting credit with Doug Wright) had stuck with more of that energy. The tonal inconsistencies outsized and camp one moment, deeply earnest the next tend to undercut the terrific performances from the cast, which also includes Alan Ruck as the white attorney on OKeefes team (the kind of Dixie blue blood who has the temerity to be quietly pained when his racism is pointed out to him) and Jurnee Smollett, as the exceedingly accomplished opposing counsel who gives Willie a run for his money. When she shows up for the trial, one of Willies associates sums up their competition: We got out-Blacked and out-womaned all in one go. From left: Jurnee Smollett and Jamie Foxx are opposing counsel in "The Burial." (Skip Bolen/Skip Bolen/Prime Video) I love a good paperwork movie. The Burial is not that. Nor are the legal maneuverings treated with patience and care, even as the whole thing devolves into something of a circus. Self-aware and full of bluster from the start, Willie quickly finds himself up against some daunting odds until the team finds proof that the Loewen Groups business practices frequently rely on exploiting poor Black people. But the film never quite wholeheartedly embraces the kind of rhythms and story tropes even as Willie & Co. are saving a case from the brink of disaster! that legal dramas are built on. Strangely, we dont even hear the closing arguments. There are more interesting ways around a proven genre than The Burial, but Im almost shocked it got made at all. Hollywood has been more interested in greenlighting stories that humanize wealthy power players instead, told from the point of view of the Loewen Group and its CEO carefully tending to his traumas to better understand his coldblooded opportunism with scant interest in the Jerrys of the world. But stories like The Burial have a way of re-centering our moral axis and they have a meaningful subconscious effect when you look around and wonder why things feel rigged to benefit the few at the expense of the many. Advertisement Big corporations dont always win. Sometimes a stubborn belief in fair play and the willingness to fight for it actually pays off. The Burial 2 stars (out of 4) Where to watch: Amazon Nina Metz is a Tribune critic. nmetz@chicagotribune.com Armen Gevorgyan, a member of the Armenia National Assembly (NA) Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on Tuesday delivered an address during the debates on the topic, entitled The challenge of far-right ideology to democracy and human rights in Europe, held within the framework of the PACE Autumn Session, the NA informs. Dear Colleagues: This Report is presented by a member of the ruling party of a country that just accomplished a complete ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh against its indigenous Armenian population. It's quite strange that a representative of Azerbaijan is presenting report on the issue of human rights and democratic governance. Far-right ideologies most of the time consist of nationalist, xenophobic, militaristic, and authoritarian sentiments. All these have been present in Azerbaijan for decades. The recent ethnic cleansings in Nagorno-Karabakh shall not be viewed as only an Armenian concern. Creating such precedents will give incentives for war aggression to many other dictatorships sitting on large reserves of natural gas and oil and will promote of far-right ideology approaches. Today Azerbaijan illegally and immorally holds in captivity a big number of Armenians. Among them are persons who had in the past 25 years been elected in democratic elections and as legitimate representatives of their people had been leading them for freedom and self-determination. In contrast, Azerbaijan has had the same ruling family for exactly 30 years now, and counting. Is this a form of far-right ideology, or a new type of democracy that has been nurtured under the Council of Europe umbrella? Colleagues: The leadership of this Assembly received a report I have co-authored in April 2022, titled Weaponizing Religion and Potential Consequences for European Democratic Security. The report was prepared to provide the Assembly with supporting evidence and overview of the established state practice by the Governments of Azerbaijan and Turkey of certain policies aimed at racially and religiously inspired by violations of human rights against Armenians, as well as attempts of mobilizing Muslim societies against Armenia, Armenians and against European countries in general. It decisively showed that Governments of those countries had conspired to abuse the European liberal laws and values and through makeshift loopholes ventured to create controversies inside Europe and against Europe. The main goal, in my view, has been and continues to be the creation of new forms of solidarity in Europe - as a bargaining chip in the relations with European states. These efforts to proactively use Turkic diasporal structures in Europe for the purposes of establishing new forms of solidarity means nothing else by attempts of weaponizing religion in multicultural European societies, which shall be a matter of concern for European security. Let me conclude by saying that, in order to stop the spreading of far-right radicalism, the Council of Europe has to make a crucial homework to self clean up and suspend the membership of authoritarian states, the Armenian MP noted. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the UN Secretary Generals Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, reiterated her concern over the ongoing situation in the South Caucasus region, where over 100,600 refugees, including 30,000 children, have arrived in Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh in just over a week. I call on all efforts to be made to ensure the protection and human rights of the ethnic Armenian population who remain in the area and of those who have left, including the right to return, which should be prioritized, the Special Adviser stressed. She echoed the call by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the rights of internally displaced people and of those in a refugee-like situation must be fully upheld, including ensuring that they are able to exercise their right to return in safety and dignity. Wairimu Nderitu noted the assurances that have been given by Azerbaijan to protect the ethnic Armenian population and to ensure that their rights are fully protected. She also welcomed the initial access given to the UN to assess the humanitarian situation in the area. At the same time, she emphasized the need that active efforts are put in place to guarantee the security of the ethnic Armenian population. These positive steps need to be continued, including by permitting full humanitarian access, said the Special Adviser. I encourage the Government of Azerbaijan to take steps towards putting in place a comprehensive plan in this regard, including measures to ensure the right to return of those who have fled, as well as concrete steps for ensuring the rights and protections of minorities, which is a cornerstone of international human rights law. She further emphasized the need for allegations of violations to be fully investigated, including reports of civilian casualties and, where substantiated, accountability for victims ensured, in line with relevant international human rights and humanitarian law standards. Also, Special Adviser Wairimu Nderitu reiterated her call for stepping up dialogue to prevent any further military escalation and violence as well as to promote a sustainable peace for the region. The region has witnessed cyclical violence for far too long. The impact on civilians has always been devastating. The risk of atrocity crimes remains present. All the people in the region deserve a future free from violence and fear. This requires concrete action to ensure a lasting peace, as well as to address and overcome the deep scars, distrusts and division that exists between communities, noted the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. A child sits on a mattress outside the Chicago Police Departments 1st District station as migrants camp out in the 1700 block of South State Street on Oct. 6, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) About 75 residents angered by the citys plan to open a migrant shelter in the Amundsen Park field house surrounded Ald. Chris Taliaferro, 29th, Tuesday night. Amundsen Park is off the table, off-limits, not an option, Cata Truss, 58, shouted into a cellphone held by Taliaferro, who was on the line with Mayor Brandon Johnsons chief of staff, Richard Guidice. Advertisement I appreciate that, maam; l understand what youre saying, Guidice said, his answer through the phone amplified by a red and white bullhorn, before Truss cut him off, jamming her finger in the air. No, no, sir, she said. We are not asking you a question. Were saying to you, we want this park off the table. Were saying to you that if you dont take this park off the table, then were going to start looking at other means of having our wrath felt. Advertisement Although the plan had been put on hold as city officials explored an alternative site, the residents were still wary a shelter could end up in the field house because staff had been reassigned to other parks. So they wanted to send Johnson, who lives in the Austin neighborhood, a loud and clear message. They cant have this park, said Zerlina Smith-Members, 46, who was prepared to chain herself to the field house door should migrants approach the building to sleep there. A silver chain and padlock was draped around her shoulders. Zerlina Smith-Members sits outside the Amundsen Park field house with members of the community while attempting to halt the opening of a shelter for newly arrived migrants at the field house on Oct. 10, 2023 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) The emotionally charged scene Tuesday night is just the latest example of residents from around the city and suburbs who are pushing back against migrant shelters opening in field houses, community gathering sites and empty warehouses. [ Backlash to arriving migrants grows in Latino community as new shelter opens in Pilsen ] In Joliet, news that the local township would get nearly $9 million to handle incoming migrants prompted immediate opposition from city officials and some residents. Mayor Terry DArcy asked township officials to withdraw the grant application. On Tuesday night, the Joliet Township Board faced residents at an hourslong meeting as they pushed back against the townships request for the funding. A lack of federal leadership on this issue has resulted in asylum-seekers reaching our borders, being bused by the thousands to cities for a political stunt to create chaos and attention, Township Supervisor Angel Contreras said to shouts from the audience. Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants arrive every day in Chicago on buses sent from the southern border. As the weather turns rapidly colder, city officials are increasingly turning to neighborhood public spaces to house them. As of Wednesday, more than 18,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in Chicago since last fall, with many coming to the sanctuary city from Venezuela, fleeing economic or political turmoil in their country of origin. [ Edgewater residents raise alarm about temporary migrant shelter at Broadway Armory Park ] In Ukrainian Village, the city is moving forward with a proposal to house migrants in an industrial two-story building with two bathrooms in the 500 block of North Western Avenue. Advertisement A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Chopin Elementary, 2450 W. Rice St., to discuss plans with the city, said Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, whose ward encompasses the proposed shelter site. Villegas said the building needs major renovations. Right now we continue to put bandages on something, he said. Villegas said he has public safety concerns, and hopes the city will invest in wraparound services. Hed heard about the strong community response in the 29th Ward and the decision to halt plans there. The community stepped up and said they didnt want that, he said. So is that the key? Just get loud and we will move it? If thats the case, I will let my community know they need to get loud about this whole situation here. [ Strain of handling migrant crisis in city persists, this time as tempers flare at community meeting on migrant shelter opening in East Hyde Park hotel ] The neighborhood has in the past rallied to support Ukrainians seeking refuge, but Villegas said the wave of migrants on buses is different. You have an infrastructure thats already in place here for the Ukrainian community, he said. Theres been Ukrainians in this community for over 100 years. Theres already a network in place, so its a lot easier for them to assimilate here. Advertisement There are now over 10,700 migrants staying in city-run shelters and over 3,000 awaiting placement in police stations and more than 700 at OHare International Airport. There isnt a large established Venezuelan community in Chicago. nsalzman@chicagotribune.com ckubzansky@chicagotribune.com Vladimir Vardanyan, a member of the Armenia National Assembly (NA) Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on Tuesday delivered an address at the regular sitting of PACE Plenary Session, the NA informed. From time to time I would like to just rise and keep silent here, say nothing, because very often I have the feeling that everybody speaks, but nobody listens. Its very complicated not to agree with the rapporteur about the report, about his speech. Yes, for sure: far-right ideology should be condemned. For sure we should fight against intolerance, racism, xenophobia, anti-Islamic movements, and so on. But unfortunately hypocrisy rises to the level there; it's easy to speak about a phenomenon without looking at yourself. Mr. [Samad] Seyidov [a member of the Azerbaijan delegation to PACE], you say everything about all the developments, but you say nothing about Armenians, about anti-Armenian rhetoric existing in some countries of the Council of Europe. You didn't say this. I understand you. You also didn't agree to include in your report cases of state-sponsored cases of far-right ideologies. You don't want to speak about this, and I understand you perfectly well. You know, honorable colleagues, nobody today calls himself or herself a fascist or a Nazi. Now we understand perfectly well that new racial theories are based rather on another phenomenon: on the phenomenon of racial hatred, which is very well covered with different, beautiful names. Far-right ideology. When we were discussing the report on far-right ideology, we became the witnesses of several speeches which are the brilliant manifestation of far-right ideologies. Thats why I'm saying that it's much better to keep silent. I cannot vote in favor of this report for the above mentioned reasons, but I would like to ask Mr. Seyidov, in a couple of years, if your children, grandchildren would come to you and ask what happened with the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, what would be your answer? Thank you, Vladimir Vardanyan concluded. If Moscow's mediation regarding the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan is rejected by the Armenian side, the alternative may be direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, said Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. "On October 12, at the suggestion of the Russian side, a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia was supposed to take place in Bishkek [the capital of Kyrgyzstan]. We [Azerbaijan] perceive the mediation of the Russian Federation with gratitude, as Russia, our neighbor and ally, as well as the ally of Armenia, is located in our regionunlike those who are thousands of kilometers away. We perceived this proposal positively, and our foreign minister is ready to meet with [his] Russian and Armenian colleagues. Unfortunately, the Armenian side declined from that meeting. And now a question rises: Does Armenia want peace? I think not because if it wanted peace, it would not have rejected that opportunity. The Prime minister of Armenia flies to Granada [Spain] for 6 hours, participates there in an incomprehensible meeting where Azerbaijan is discussed without Azerbaijan, but he cannot fly to Bishkek for 2-3 hours? He has important work to do?" the president of Azerbaijan noted. Aliyev assured that Baku is ready to "continue working towards the peace treaty" with Yerevan. "If the Armenian side rejects the mediation of the Russian Federation, I believe the direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia can be an alternative. We will consider any other platform by taking into account the attitude of the countries that offer their services not to Azerbaijan, but to the truth of international law," the Azerbaijani president said. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev in the frameworks of the meeting of the Council of Heads of the CIS states to be held n October 13 in Kyrgyzstan, Yuri Ushakov, assistant to the Russian President has said. he two leaders will discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the issue of Russian peacekeepers, including the possibility of their further use in ensuring the possible return of Armenians to Nagorno- Karabakh. "After lunch, a conversation with the President of Azerbaijan Aliyev is planned. I can say that we attach great importance to this contact; Russian-Azerbaijani relations are at a high level and are developing dynamically. The presidents will exchange ideas on future development prospects in the context of implementation of joint initiatives in the fields of economy, transport and logistics, energy and industry," Ushakov told reporters. "And, of course, issues related to the situation around Karabakh will be discussed. On the agenda is the peaceful integration of Karabakh Armenians into the legal framework of Azerbaijan, respecting internationally recognized rights and freedoms, and the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ready to contribute. We hope that our president will discuss the situation around the Russian peacekeepers together with President Aliyev," he added. He noted that the mandate of the Russian peacekeeping contingent expires in December 2025. "And here various options for the possible further use of our troops will be considered, including in the context of ensuring the possible return of Karabakh Armenians after the well-known events in September," said Ushakov. Chicago twins Pedro Flores, left, and Margarito Flores, in undated photos. The brothers have testified on behalf of the prosecution, saying they operated a massive smuggling way station in Chicago, distributing cocaine and drugs around the United States by rail and truck, often smuggled in vegetable loads. (U.S. Marshals Service) When Armando Flores powerful drug-trafficking brothers decided to flip on the Sinaloa cartel and its notorious boss, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, Flores knew he had to get out of Mexico. He had gotten married and put down roots there after being deported in 2003, his attorney said in court Wednesday. But it was a dangerous place for family members of cooperators. Advertisement So he came back, with the federal governments assistance, while his younger brothers Pedro and Margarito Flores Jr. helped take down El Chapo for good. And he started collecting on his brothers drug debts: millions of dollars, some of which he buried under his back porch in Texas. Years later, after the feds caught up with him, he pleaded guilty to money laundering. Advertisement As part of his deal, federal prosecutors said they would recommend he not be deported. And on Wednesday, he was sentenced to time served, walking out of U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennellys courtroom a free man, though, as Kennelly said, the threat of being sent back to Mexico will hang over him. The immigration issue is out there, he said from the bench. I think honestly, if Mr. Flores doesnt commit more crimes, which is kind of what everybody hopes, thats likely not going to end up being a problem in the future. But thats kind of all in Mr. Flores hands. Flores had been in custody in the case for some 19 months before he was released in January thanks to a judges order that remains under seal. Prosecutors on Wednesday requested a two-year sentence, but federal inmates generally only must serve 85% of their sentences. So, Kennelly noted, a two-year term on paper would only actually lock him up for a few more weeks. I dont think theres much of a point in putting Mr. Flores in jail for five weeks, Kennelly said. Flores, in a gray three-piece suit and shiny shoes, sniffed and cleared his throat before reading a prepared statement in court. He spoke so quietly the judge asked him to pull the microphone closer. I am not proud of the reason I am here. I blame no one other than myself, he said. I am not the man I used to be I enjoy simple things in life, like a quiet night watching Netflix with my wife. Armando Flores with younger twin brothers Pedro, left, and Margarito in an undated photo taken in the kitchen of the Flores family home in Little Village in the early 1990s. (Family photo) In a statement to the Tribune, Margarito Flores Jr. said the ramifications of our upbringing continue to plague us. I love my brother and I will always admire him. That life has caused my family and countless others so much hardship and pain. It can divide a family but I wont let it take mine ... I hope that our families can now start putting this behind us as we can focus on our future. Advertisement The sentencing closes a major chapter in the Flores family saga. Armando Flores was charged along with the twins wives and two other relatives with conspiring to hide the twins enormous drug proceeds from the government. All of the defendants pleaded guilty in the case. Vivianna Lopez and Valerie Gaytan, the twins wives, were both sentenced to 3 years in prison. Lopezs sister, Bianca Finnigan, was sentenced to probation while their aunt, Laura Lopez, was given a one-year prison term. After Flores was arrested and charged, he and his lawyer approached authorities about cooperating, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Erskine said in court. He cooperated broadly, and while he was never called to the witness stand, the fact that he could have done so was likely a major factor in his co-defendants guilty pleas, Erskine said. Flores admitted to participating in a long-running scheme to disperse money to the twins wives without the knowledge of federal investigators, according to his 21-page guilty plea. As early as 2009, Flores had another person pick up about $1.9 million in drug proceeds from one of his brothers former couriers and leave it in a car parked in a Chicago garage, where it was later retrieved by Flores and the twins wives. The next year, Gaytan went to Flores home in Round Rock, Texas, which is near Austin, to pick up an estimated $2.3 million hidden in a U-Haul truck carrying secondhand furniture, according to the plea. Advertisement Later, Flores mailed drug proceeds in increments of about $9,000 through the U.S. mail, sometimes exchanging worn or dirty bills for clean $100 bills at a gas station currency exchange near his home, according to the plea. He also laundered the money by purchasing lavish trips for the wives through a travel agency in Texas, according to the plea. Flores admitted in the plea that he participated in the conspiracy in exchange for a cut of all the money he delivered. The Flores twins were West Side drug traffickers whose decision to cooperate with federal authorities in 2008 led to arguably the biggest drug case ever brought in Chicago, with charges against El Chapo himself as well as many of his top underbosses. The twins were sentenced in 2015 to 14 years in prison and were released late last year into witness protection. Margarito Flores Jr. last month gave an expansive interview to the Tribune, detailing his life growing up in Little Village and his rise to the top of Chicagos drug world. Advertisement The twins were just 12 when they started being introduced into the gang life through 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. Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > 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, Margarito 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. 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. Advertisement In my head I was like, I thought they were your friends, Margarito 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. mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com Chicago Tribunes Jason Meisner contributed. The gas hub project in Turkey at the first stage primarily involves the creation of an electronic platform for trading gas to Europe. Everyone in Europe who wants to acquire Russian resources is interested in this project, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary meeting of the Russian Energy Week, TASS reports. Here we are talking, first of all, about creating an electronic platform for trading gas on the European continent. Everyone is interested in this our Turkish friends, and we are interested, and everyone who wants to acquire our resources on the European continent. There are such people, but today we supply gas there through Turkey. We have two routes Turkish Stream and Blue Stream they operate efficiently and are completely full. In principle, we have ideas to expand these opportunities. But, I repeat, the first stage is the creation of an electronic trading platform, he said. Putin added that the Russian Federation does not see any big problems in creating the site, since both Turkey and Russia are interested in this project. In addition, Azerbaijan is also showing interest in the gas hub. Turkiye is interested, we are too, we talked with Azerbaijan, they are also showing interest. Then, as the work gets better, and I hope it will, we hope that other interested countries will also get involved, the president concluded. Countries evacuate citizens as Israel-Hamas war rages Some Brazilians have already returned home on commercial flights. Photo: AFP Thousands of foreigners find themselves stuck in Israel and across the Palestinian territories, where a full-blown war has erupted since Hamas militants launched their onslaught on Saturday. With the violence having already claimed thousands of lives on both sides, several countries have launched operations to repatriate their citizens, while others plan to do so in the coming days. Here is an overview of ongoing and planned evacuations, according to official sources. - Argentina - Argentina, the Latin American country with the largest Jewish population, on Tuesday started evacuating more than 1,200 of its citizens from Israel. Three air force flights a day will take the 1,246 Argentines who have asked to be evacuated to the Italian capital Rome, Defence Minister Jorge Taiana said. From there, state-owned airline Aerolineas Argentinas will fly them to Buenos Aires. - Brazil - Brazil's government plans to mobilise at least six planes in a bid to rapidly repatriate any of its citizens who wish to leave Israel and the Palestinian territories. It said that about 14,000 Brazilians live in Israel and 6,000 live in the Palestinian territories. Some had already left on commercial flights, it said. - Nigeria - Nigeria has airlifted more than 300 of its citizens back home after they fled to Jordan from Israel, where they were on a Christian pilgrimage, the Lagos state government said. The group was travelling from Bethlehem to Nazareth when they heard news of the attack in the south of Israel. With the war erupting, the group and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims' Commission organised for them to travel by road to Jordan and then take a chartered flight to Lagos. - Switzerland - Swiss International Air Lines repatriated 220 Swiss nationals on Tuesday. A second special flight with a capacity of 215 seats is planned for Wednesday, requested by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. A third flight is scheduled for Thursday, expected to land in Tel Aviv in the afternoon, also with a capacity of 215 seats. Around 28,000 Swiss citizens and their families are officially registered as living in Israel and the Palestinian territories. - Spain - Spain organised a flight from Tel Aviv overnight with 200 people on board, its foreign ministry said. - South Korea - A flight carrying 192 South Korean citizens took off from Tel Aviv and landed at the Incheon International Airport near Seoul early on Wednesday, the foreign ministry said. Another 30 South Korean nationals will be evacuated later in the week by commercial flights, it said, adding that 27 others, who were in Israel on a Christian pilgrimage, will go by road to neighbouring Jordan. - Canada - The Canadian government said it would organise special flights from Tel Aviv later in the week for Canadian nationals, with help from the Canadian military. - France - French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced on Tuesday that her ministry's crisis unit was organising a special Air France flight from Tel Aviv on Thursday to help repatriate any French nationals who have been unable to leave. - Germany - Germany said it was working with Lufthansa to organise "several special flights" on Thursday and Friday to repatriate German citizens. "Around 4,500 German citizens" have registered on a list seeking help to return home, a foreign ministry source said. (AFP) SIUs Paul Simon Institute to host award-winning author Samuel Freedman CARBONDALE, Ill. Samuel Freedman, an award-winning author and professor at Columbia Universitys School of Journalism, will join the Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Oct. 19 for a virtual discussion on the quest to advance civil rights in the United States. Freedman and John Shaw, institute director, will also discuss statesmanship and journalism and Freedmans 2023 book, Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights. The virtual discussion via Zoom is at 10 a.m. The online program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The conversation is part of the institutes Understanding Our New World discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register. Freedman has been a staff reporter and columnist for The New York Times and is the author of 10 books, including Letters to a Young Journalist. Samuel Freedman is one of the most compelling writers in the United States, Shaw said. His books are richly textured and confront difficult issues and challenging themes. They describe brave people who have changed American history. His new book chronicles young Hubert Humphrey before he was a United States senator and vice president of the United States. Freedman describes his bold effort as a young mayor to champion civil rights, taking on a large and powerful faction in his own party. Freedman, who grew up in New Jersey, has an undergraduate degree in journalism and history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Freedman on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu. More information, a list of the institutes upcoming events and past speakers and events are available. BusinessWire India Udaipur (Rajasthan) [India], October 11: In a world where success transcends professional achievements, Hindustan Zinc acknowledged the importance of nurturing holistic wellness. Driven by a commitment to break down barriers surrounding mental health, the company proudly unveiled their latest endeavour, the #ReachOut initiative. On this World Mental Health Day, Hindustan Zinc extended a heartfelt invitation to join in a profoundly heart touching journey of empathy, compassion, and understanding through its #ReachOut campaign. In alignment with the global theme, 'Mental Health is a universal right', as set forth by the World Health Organization, the company embarked on a mission to create ripples of change that touch the depths of the human heart. At its core, the #ReachOut campaign is based on the heartrending narrative that compels everyone to choose kindness over judgment, understanding over ignorance and love over indifference when it comes to mental health, both for themselves and those around them. It seeks to educate and enlighten, using engaging internal on-ground campaign with awareness webinars, surveys, postcards, employee wellness awareness programs and a soul-stirring film that beckons viewers to look beyond the surface. With people at the heart of our operations, Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, fosters a culture where employees can confide in their colleagues. Through stress management counselling, comprehensive wellness programs, peer support groups, and round-the-clock access to self-help resources, the company strives to prioritize mental wellbeing of the employees and the business partners. The #ReachOut campaign strongly conveys the key message 'Help is always within reach' to those who are fighting silent battles within and 'always look out for the signs in people around' to the rest. To watch the film, click on the link https://youtu.be/FkjkiLfOnD4. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) American chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has signed an agreement to acquire Nod.ai to expand its open AI capabilities. As part of its announcement Wednesday, the chipmaker said the agreement strongly aligns with AMD's AI growth strategy that is centred on an open software ecosystem. The addition of Nod.ai will bring an experienced team to its fold. Nod.ai delivers optimized AI solutions to top hyperscalers (large-scale data centres), enterprises and startups. For more than 50 years, AMD has been into computing graphics and visualisation technologies. "The acquisition of Nod.ai is expected to significantly enhance our ability to provide AI customers with open software that allows them to easily deploy highly performant AI models tuned for AMD hardware," said Vamsi Boppana, senior vice president, of the Artificial Intelligence Group at AMD. "The addition of the talented Nod.ai team accelerates our ability to advance open-source compiler technology and enable portable, high-performance AI solutions across the AMD product portfolio. Nod.ai's technologies are already widely deployed in the cloud, at the edge and across a broad range of endpoint devices today," Boppana added. According to Anush Elangovan, co-founder and CEO, of Nod.ai, "By joining forces with AMD, we will bring this expertise to a broader range of customers on a global scale." The American multinational semiconductor Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) in July this year announced it would invest approximately USD 400 million in India over the next five years. The announcement was made at the ongoing 'Semicon India Conference 2023' being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The planned investment includes a new AMD campus in Bengaluru that will serve as the company's largest design and R&D centre. It intends to add about 3,000 new engineering roles by the end of 2028 in India. The new 500,000-square-foot Bengaluru campus will increase the AMD office footprint to 10 total locations across these cities: Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad and Mumbai. It started operations in India in 2001 when the company's first site was established in New Delhi and has now about 6500 employees here. (ANI) Patrick Taylor, 55, speaks alongside his family as he walks free for the first time in 16 years after his homicide conviction was overturned on Oct. 11, 2023, outside Cook County Jail. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Cook County prosecutors on Wednesday dropped all charges against a 55-year-old man who has spent more than 16 years incarcerated in the 2006 home invasion and slaying of a popular rapper following allegations that police and the assistant states attorney on the case buried evidence that pointed to another suspect. Patrick Taylor was 38 when surviving witnesses of the home invasion identified him in a lineup and photo array. He was convicted of murder in 2011 after a trial in which prosecutors presented a case reliant on the eyewitness testimony. He was sentenced to life in prison, though prosecutors initially sought the death penalty before it was abolished in Illinois. Advertisement But in the years since, the case has come under scrutiny, with defense attorneys publicly accusing Rolling Meadows police and Cook County prosecutors of hiding tubs of evidence. An Illinois appellate court also reversed the convictions and ordered a new trial in 2016, finding that a judge should have allowed Taylors lawyers to present testimony from an expert about the potential pitfalls of eyewitness identification. The Tribune highlighted the case in a story in May. Even prior to Pats 2011 trial, the state had really conclusive evidence as to who really did this murder and continued to plow forward with Pats wrongful trial and wrongful conviction, said Elliot Slosar, one of Taylors attorneys, after the hearing. Advertisement Taylor appeared by Zoom from Cook County Jail, grinning and surrounded digitally by family and supporters who listened to the proceedings that took place at the branch court in Rolling Meadows. All the charges have been dismissed. Mr. Taylor, this case is over, said Judge Ellen Beth Mandeltort. In a statement, the Cook County states attorneys office said it was informed of reports and missing or lost evidence in the case against Patrick Taylor that had not been turned over to our office or to the defense attorneys by the assigned detective or police department. Upon reviewing these previously unaccounted-for documents and considering the deterioration of evidence, we determined that we would be unable to meet our burden of proof if the case was retried, the statement said. Today, in the interest of justice, we asked the court to dismiss the criminal case involving Mr. Taylor, and the court granted our request. Patrick Taylor, 55, walks free for the first time in 16 years outside Cook County Jail after his homicide conviction was overturned on Oct. 11, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Surrounded by relatives and friends, Taylor said a prayer and knelt to kiss the ground after emerging from the Cook County jail late Wednesday. He seemed unbothered by the nights rain as he thanked his attorneys and supporters for believing in him. It feels like fresh air to me, a jubilant Taylor told reporters when asked how freedom felt. Taylor, who has long maintained his innocence, said his strong faith and familys love helped him not to lose hope during nearly two decades of incarceration. Ive been gone 16 years - wrongfully - and they knew it was wrong, he alleged, referring to authorities. They knew it and yet they hid all this evidence just to convict me. Advertisement Taylor said his mother, grandmother and a sister died while he was locked up. He watched his children and grandchildren grow up through photographs and phone calls. I want to be able to hold them together in my arms and just look at them and cry with them, he said. The case is at least the second this year in which the Cook County states attorneys office dropped charges against defendants amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. In June, the office dismissed the case against two defendants who had been accused of shooting Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis in 2011. A third defendant in the case was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The office reassigned the prosecutors on that case. On Aug. 19, 2006, a group of friends were gathered in a Rolling Meadows home when two men burst into the apartment, ordered the six occupants the floor and robbed them. They shot and killed Marquis Lovings, 30, who rapped under the name Keyz, while he struggled to open a safe, according to police and court records. Court documents show that defense attorneys had asked for a dismissal, alleging major problems in the case, including a live lineup in which Taylor was strapped to a gurney in a state of distress and a possible other suspect who resembles a composite sketch and was connected to a different shooting in which the same gun was used an investigative thread about which attorneys say police and prosecutors did not make known to the defense as is required. Advertisement Defense attorneys alleged in a motion to dismiss that Assistant States Attorney Michael Clarke and Rolling Meadows police did not turn over a hefty investigative file related to the suspect, who they called the true killer of Lovings. Clarke did not handle Taylors dismissal on Wednesday. The states attorneys office did not respond to questions about Clarkes absence from the case. Clarke has previously responded that it was Rolling Meadows police that did not furnish the evidence to prosecutors. The gun used in the Rolling Meadows home invasion was later recovered by police in 2008 in the search of a residence on Chicagos West Side, according to court documents. Taylor had already been arrested and charged at that point. The gun was connected to a number of shootings, including one in which a Chicago police officer was shot and wounded, according to court documents. The officer in a lineup identified a suspect, according to court documents. Rolling Meadows police reports indicate that the detective on the case followed up on the gun in 2009, while Taylor was awaiting trial. The detective interviewed the man arrested with the gun, who reported he received the weapon from an alleged Gangster Disciple member. Patrick Taylor, 55, hugs his wife, Natalie Harris, outside Cook County Jail as he walks free for the first time in 16 years after his homicide conviction was overturned on Oct. 11, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) He reported getting the gun while another man was present, the report said. The second man was interviewed, who corroborated the story, according to the reports. The alternative suspect has connections to the Gangster Disciples as well as people connected to the gun, attorneys have alleged. Advertisement Prosecutors have maintained that illegal guns get passed around. The states callous positions are contrary to its ethical obligations and infringe upon Mr. Taylors constitutional rights in multiple respects, the motion to dismiss reads. The egregious misconduct unraveling in this case warrants serious sanctions, including an evidentiary hearing and the dismissal of charges. Earlier this year, a Cook County judge ordered that defense attorneys must have the opportunity to inspect the investigative file. Two days later, Clarke offered Taylor a deal to plead guilty to aggravated battery and receive a sentence about equal to the time hed already served, according to court documents. The original deal had a time limit and would have expired before defense attorneys could review the file, the documents said. Slosar said Taylor is looking forward to rebuilding his life and having his name back. He learned about his impending freedom in a call with his attorneys. Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > He put down the phone and began running through the cell block and telling everyone he was coming home, Slosar said. Advertisement His daughter, Ashley Redd, is flying to Chicago Thursday to reunite with her father. Hell be able to meet his 6-year-old granddaughter, who hes developed a relationship with over phone and video calls, Redd said. After 16 years, it feels good, Redd said by phone after the hearing. I feel like justice within the system will be served. Her fathers absence during milestones such as her college graduation, her wedding and the birth of her daughter has been painful, she said. Shell receive a masters degree in November. For that milestone, she said, her father will be there. Tribune reporters Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair contributed. mabuckley@chicagotribune.com PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], October 11: TerraPay, a global cross-border payments network, has been Great Place To Work Certified in India. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. The Institute serves businesses, non-profits and government agencies in more than 60 countries and has conducted pioneering research on the characteristics of great workplaces for over three decades. "We are truly honored to receive the Great Place To Work certification, a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity, camaraderie, and personal growth. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of every member of our team, who collectively contribute to making our workplace a vibrant and thriving community. At TerraPay, we believe that when people feel valued, supported, and empowered, they can achieve extraordinary things. This certification reinforces our belief that we are not just building a company, but a workplace, where each member can flourish and reach their full potential. We are excited to continue this journey, knowing that our people are at the heart of our success" said Vinay Trivedi, Head of Human Resources and Admin, TerraPay In India, the institute partners with more than 1400 organizations annually across over 22 industries to help them build High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures designed to deliver sustained business results. Hundreds of CEOs and CXOs from India Inc. are part of the great place community that is committed to the vision of making India a great place to work for all. The Institute's research shows that great workplaces are characterized by great leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations can deliver a consistent experience to all their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure, or level. Their leaders believe in the vision of creating and sustaining a great place to work for all and role models being for all leaders. Learn more at https://www.greatplacetowork.in/ and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. About TerraPay TerraPay simplifies the movement of money everywhere - providing a single connection to the most expansive cross-border payments network regulated in 29 global markets and enabling payments to 120+ receive countries, 210+ send countries, 7.5Bn+ bank accounts and 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets. TerraPay is on a mission to connect a borderless financial world, making moving money everywhere instant, reliable, transparent and fully compliant. TerraPay pushes the boundaries for global businesses - ranging from banks, fintechs and money-transfer operators to travel businesses, creator economy platforms and e-commerce marketplaces - while driving financial inclusion in even the most inaccessible markets. Founded in 2014, TerraPay is headquartered in London, with global offices Dubai, Miami, Bogota, Dakar, Joburg, Nairobi, Milan, Singapore and is expanding rapidly, having received funding from leading investors, including the IFC (the World Bank), Prime Ventures, Partech Africa and Visa. www.terrapay.com Media Contact: Juveria Samrinjuveria.n@terrapay.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1222771/TerraPay_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) NewsVoir Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 11: embedUR systems, the leading player in the embedded systems industry has unveiled its plans to ramp-up its presence in India. The US headquartered organisation, with presence in Chennai has committed to invest INR 500 crores over the course of next 5 years. Founded in 2004, embedUR is an expert in embedded technology and a leader in providing bespoke solutions to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 clients across industries. The organization is well-known for its expertise in providing turn-key connectivity products and solutions that facilitate faster market entry and improved margins for its clients. Currently, embedUR's technology is deployed in millions of embedded devices across the globe. The embedded systems market is expected to grow multi-fold in the coming years, due to the consistent advancement in technology and increasing sales of smart devices, wearable and automation of the industrial sector. Specifically, the markets in India and Asia are expected grow exponentially due to affordability, wide-scale utilization of the electronic components and the increasing adoption of connected technologies across various sectors such as automobiles, consumer electronics, healthcare etc. Through this strategic investment in India, embedUR plans to support organizations across industries and help them bring cost-effective solutions to their customers. In addition, the company will also focus on serving the growing Asian markets from India. As the first phase, embedUR will invest INR 100 crores in 2024 towards strengthening its expertise in new technologies such as AI, Edge Computing, developing the infrastructure, accelerating innovation, expanding market outreach and increasing head count with Chennai as the focal point. Commenting on the organization's India focus, Mr. Rajesh C Subramaniam, Founder & CEO, said, "With the evolution of new technologies such as Cloud/AI and increasing affordability of electronic components, we foresee an unprecedented demand for embedded technologies across industries. And for the organizations, the key winning strategy is not only to embed software into hardware, but also to enable continuous enhancement of the system's real-time intelligence using the full potential of machine learning. At embedUR, we excel in doing this. We have proved ourselves repeatedly in delivering complex solutions seamlessly at a rapid pace, enabling our clients to bring new technologies to the market quickly. We are extremely proud of the impact that our Indian engineering team has made so far to our global clientele. This investment of ours, will further strengthen our capabilities, allowing us to harness India's incredible engineering talent pool to fuel innovation and future growth. We strongly believe that Chennai's strategic geographical positioning along with the availability of the vast engineering talent, provides it with an immense potential to develop into a Global Embedded Systems Hub and becoming a key player in providing cutting-edge embedded technologies and transforming industries across the world. We are confident that this investment in India along with our experience and expertise will place us at the top of this transformative future trend." Since entering India in 2008, embedUR has invested significantly in the country towards developing its presence and R&D capabilities. In the last two years alone, the organization has invested over INR 150 crores in the Chennai facility as part of its commitment towards the India growth focus. Over the last few years, embedUR has made notable progress in onboarding Indian talent in product engineering and development. Today, the 350+ strong team at embedUR focuses on research and development and building turn-key embedded technology products and solutions to address complex connectivity needs of embedUR's global clientele. embedUR systems (www.embedUR.com) is a leading embedded technology company headquartered in Silicon Valley, with a presence in Chennai. Established in 2004, the company, through its expertise has enabled its customers to launch products and solutions and provide support across markets. In the last two decades, the company has grown to be partner-of-choice for many of its clients, enabling them to increase their product offerings and exceed their financial goals. An expert in IoT, networking, cloud and AI, the company has leveraged its time-honed, bleeding-edge and unique capabilities to develop complex connectivity products and solutions across verticals including service provider, enterprise, industrial, medical, automotive, and more. embedUR's solutions have been deployed in millions of devices across the world and benefit a global customer base that includes Fortune 500 companies. As a self-funded organization, embedUR has sustained continuous annual growth and prides itself on its 100% client retention record. The company operates two R&D centers and a dedicated team of 350+ employees, facilitating faster market entry and improved margins for clients through their embedded technology prowess. (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) Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel held a Roadshow organized in Mumbai as a part of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. He presented the success story of two decades to leading figures from the business and industry, as well as various Consulate Generals of various countries.Around 35 diplomats and more than 350 leaders from business and industry sectors participated in the Mumbai roadshow.Ahead of the Roadshow, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel engaged in one-to-one meetings with 13 leading industry leaders. During these meetings, he elaborated on the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, showcasing how the state has emerged as a role model of development.The Chief Minister emphasized that the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, initiated by Narendra Modi in 2003 as Chief Minister of Gujarat, has made the state the most preferred investment destination and a centre of major economic activities. The Chief Minister highlighted that the success of the Summit has propelled Gujarat's GSDP from Rs. 1.42 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs. 22.61 lakh crore in 2023. Not only this, Gujarat's economy has grown at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15 per cent, above the national average.He further added that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the state government is organizing the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024, thus accelerating the legacy of development.The Chief Minister continued that the Vibrant Summit has successfully brought together global investors and thought leaders onto a single platform. Now, under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, this summit has evolved into a global platform of business networking and strategic partnership for socio-economic development.The Chief Minister said that 38 per cent of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. Additionally, work is underway on the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor for the bullet train. These pivotal projects will benefit the logistics sector and economic activities of Gujarat and Mumbai.The Chief Minister remarked that Gujarat's forthcoming wave of economic growth will be driven by forward-looking industrial infrastructure projects such as GIFT City, DREAM City, the Hybrid Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Park, and Dholera SIR.Prominent financial institutions, such as the World Trade Center, GIFT-NIFTY, and Bank of America, are established within GIFT City. GIFT City takes pride in being home to the nation's inaugural International Bullion Exchange, said the Chief Minister. Speaking about the diamond industry, The CM emphasized that while Mumbai and Gujarat are renowned for the diamond trade, Surat serves as the central hub for polished diamonds, houses numerous diamond-cutting units, and plays a significant role in the lab-grown diamond industry. Notably, Gujarat alone contributes to 80 per cent of the nation's diamond exports. Additionally, DREAM City in Surat is under fast-paced development.Aligning with PM Modi's vision to make India a five trillion USD economy, the CM specifically stated that Gujarat is dedicated to being a leader in fulfilling the PM's vision of making India a USD 5 trillion economyTo achieve this, the goal is to attain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent by 2027 within crucial manufacturing sectors, including Semiconductor Manufacturing, Green Hydrogen, Electric Vehicles (EV), Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, and Technical Textiles, among others.We will actively embody the theme "Gateway to the Future" by organizing seminars and events dedicated to emerging sectors in the forthcoming Vibrant Summit, the Chief Minister added. He extended an invitation to leaders of the trade, industry, and finance sectors, to participate in the Vibrant Summit 2024 and harness the vast growth potential across various sectors in Gujarat.The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished dignitaries including Gujarat's Finance and Energy Minister, Kanubhai Desai, Industries Minister, Balwantsinh Rajput, Minister of State, Jagdish Vishwakarma, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, K Kailashnathan, and senior secretaries.During his address at the event, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar highlighted that Gujarat has become the Best Choice of Investment for foreign investors, due to proactive policy-making, a conducive business environment, and an investor-friendly approach.The Chief Secretary invited everyone to the Vibrant Summit-2024, with the goal of cementing Gujarat's position on the global business map in trade, industry, and investments, thereby forging a prosperous future.SJ Haider, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, narrated the two decades of Vibrant Summit's success through a comprehensive presentation.Dhanraj Nathwani, Group President of Reliance Industries and Country Head of Bank of America, Kaku Nakhate, along with Kulin Lalbhai of Arvind Limited, shared their experiences at the Vibrant Summit and lauded the investor-friendly environment in Gujarat.The President Designate of CII, Shri Sanjiv Puri, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. (ANI) Musician Girish Vishwa on Tuesday shared his ordeal on returning to India amid the Israel-Hamas war. Talking exclusively to ANI, Vishwa said, "We were a team of 10 people...We woke up to the noise of a massive blast at 6:30 a.m. The hotel siren was blaring. The hotel staff told us to head to the basement that had bunkers. We went inside the bunker but could hear the noises of missiles and explosions. Later we came out into the lobby and could see rockets in the air. It was a heart-rending scene...I thank the organisers, it is due to their courage we could come out of there...When we were en route (to the airport), we saw burnt vehicles, pits on roads and Police presence. All 10 of us returned home safely..." At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,616 people were injured after Hamas launched a barbaric 'surprise attack' on Israel on October 7. The Israeli Air Force launched an extensive attack against terror targets of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. As per the Israeli Air Force, the fighter jets attacked a number of terrorist targets of the terrorist organization Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip. As part of its retaliation against Hamas, Israel has mobilised 3,00,000 troops in the last 48 hours. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari informed about the mobilisation and said the IDF "has never mobilized so many reservists so quickly -- 300,000 reservists in 48 hours. IDF also said it had finally regained control over the border with the Gaza Strip, 72 hours after Hamas terrorists blew through sections of the barrier and launched an invasion that saw over 1,000 Israelis slaughtered or kidnapped. (ANI) Malaysian-born British actor Henry Golding and his wife Liv Lo welcomed their second child, a daughter called Florence Likan Golding, on September 9, People reported. Henry took to Instagram to share a video of the newborn baby with her mother. He captioned the post, "The journey of childbirth is full of its ups and downs, but glorious none the other. This is our birth story." https://www.instagram.com/p/CyPM3U-PFAy/?hl=en Liv said on her FitSphere website that she gave birth a day after her due date after being admitted to the hospital owing to significant bleeding, according to People. Despite her preference for a vaginal birth, Liv developed a temperature and "the baby started to go into distress," causing the medical team to prepare for an emergency C-section. However, before she could enter the surgery room, she dilated to 10 centimetres. "My doctor came in and said, luckily, that I had the option to push, but the baby would have to be born right away," wrote Liv. "In 3 pushes Florence Likan Golding was born at 7lbs at 9:03 am on 9/9/23." Golding can be seen on the video cleaning the child and cutting the umbilical cord shortly after she was delivered. "Baby Flo breastfed like a champ during the golden hour before we were whisked together to postpartum recovery," according to Liv's website, but the newborn eventually struggled to breathe. In that case, "Daddy Henry oversaw as she was PICC lined and intubated." The video shows Golding sitting next to the incubator with his baby girl inside, while his 2-year-old daughter Lyla reaches out to lovingly touch her little sister. The Goldings were finally able to take baby Florence home after she was readmitted to the hospital and treated for a blood illness, as shown in the video as the Persuasian actor packs the newborn inside the car. As per people the actor and his wife announced on Instagram in May that they were expecting their second child together. The couple's daughter Lyla sat on the actor's knee as his wife sat next to them, leaning against Golding and stroking her baby bump, as they shared black-and-white images of their family. Last May, the actor tol People on his favourite aspect of being a father. "Seeing her grow and change," he explained at the time about his daughter Lyla. "Like today is actually Liv's birthday, and on Liv's birthday, little baby decided to really attempt to walk." "She's changing so much, so every day is like a treat," Golding added. (ANI) Who can forget the on-screen chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon in the evergreen song -'Tip Tip Barsa Paani' from Mohra, both of them are considered one of the most loved on-screen pairs Bollywood fans have ever witnessed. Akshay and Raveena have worked together in several big hit films like 'Mohra', 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari', and 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi' among others. Their songs like 'Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast' and 'Tip Tip Barsa Paani' have also received immense love from the audience and still sound fresh almost 25 years after their release. Now almost 20 years, both actors are all set to share the screen once again in the upcoming comedy film 'Welcome to the Jungle'. In a recent chat with ANI, Akshay opened up on working with Raveena and their song 'Tip Tip Barsa Paani'. He said, "We're doing a film called 'Welcome to the Jungle' for which we will begin shooting soon. And that song is a brilliant song and even 'Tip Tip Barsa Paani' also. We've done maximum hit films together and I am looking forward to starting the shoot (of 'Welcome to the Jungle') after a long long time and we will be together on the same screen." Apart from 'Welcome to the Jungle', Akshay will also be seen reprising his role as the cop Sooryavanshi in Rohit Shetty's upcoming action film 'Singham Again'. He will be seen in a special appearance role. Talking about working in Rohit Shetty's films he told ANI, "Rohit has done a great job in making his so-called cop universe or "Cop Avengers" and it is good." 'Singham Again' stars Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead roles. Actor Ranveer Singh will also be seen in a special appearance role, reprising his role as the cop Simmba. Talking about working in multi-starrer films, the 'Housefull' actor told ANI, "Earlier there was a time when films were made with 3-4 actors like 'Amar Akbar Anthony' or 'Naseeb' but it was stopped after that, now it has started again. Nowadays many actors come together and work in a film...it is fun. I personally enjoy it." Akshay was recently seen in the film 'Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue' where he portrayed the role of Jaswant Singh Gill, a real-life unsung hero. Talking about 'Mission Raniganj' he told ANI, "I saw the film I have done so many films, this film won't be a commercial success but I can easily tell you it is the best film of my career. Ye meri sabse behtareen, sabse imaandaar, sabse sachchi aur sabse achi film hai. What matters to me is that I have made an honest film." Over the years the 'Khiladi' Kumar has worked with several new filmmakers and actors. While talking to ANI, he also opened up about working with new Directors despite being much senior to them. He said, "I have worked with 23-24 new directors in my career. Put a hand on their shoulder and they are fine, you've to be their friend, you cannot be a senior actor. At the same time, you have to maintain that respect for you also you've to give them the honour of being the director. You just have to allow them to breathe." In the coming months, Akshay will be next seen in the Hindi remake of the Tamil drama 'Soorarai Pottru' which is all set to hit the theatres on February 16, 2024. He also has an action thriller film 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' alongside Tiger Shroff and a comedy film 'Housefull 5' in his kitty. Also, he has 'SkyForce'. The film is an untold true story that captures the bravery, emotion, and patriotism of all those men in uniform involved in India's first and deadliest airstrike on Pakistan, against all odds. The film is directed by Sandeep Kelwani and Abhishek Kapur. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while underscoring the government's achievement of offering government jobs to over 6 lakh youths in the past six years, stated on Tuesday that the collective dedication and energy of these youths can transform UP into a capable and prosperous state. The Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to 393 homeopathic pharmacists selected by Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission under a fair and transparent recruitment process at an event organized at Lok Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister noted that previously, it took one and a half to two years to receive the results of the Public Service Commission in Uttar Pradesh. However, the Subordinate Services Selection Commission has now streamlined the process, delivering results within 6 to 9 months, ensuring a fair and transparent selection procedure. He further said, "The Global Inventors Summit was organized in Uttar Pradesh in February 2023, through which, the state received investment proposals worth Rs 38 lakh crore. This will provide jobs to more than one crore youth. Today, Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a new destination for employment generation within the country." The Chief Minister emphasized the remarkable progress made by India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past nine and a half years. "The result of this is that India has taken a huge leap in the field of traditional medicine. Ayurveda has always been a part of our lives. Yoga has been associated with the tradition of India since ancient times. People have been using homeopathy in some form or another in villages. But for the first time, the Ministry of AYUSH was formed by combining Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha, and Homeopathy, giving a new identity to the traditional medicine of India," he said. CM Yogi highlighted the pivotal role played by Ayush Kadha as a support system during the Covid pandemic. As a result of the work started in this direction after 2014, the country's largest state in terms of population is moving forward strongly, he added. "AYUSH University is being established in the state so that degree and diploma courses can be started in different disciplines of AYUSH," he further pointed out. The CM said that in the past, pharmacists chosen for Ayurveda were not given government jobs, but today it has become a part of the government system. Furthermore, he noted that the government was actively promoting all forms of AYUSH and working diligently to establish Yoga and Wellness Centers to cater to a population of five thousand. The CM said that AYUSH in India holds the greatest potential for health tourism. Today, the world is looking in this direction. For this reason, it is our responsibility to provide a global-level environment for the people coming for health tourism. He advised the newly chosen pharmacists, "Your behaviour toward the patient can solve many of his problems. Half of the patient's disease is cured by your benevolent behaviour." He said that traditional medicine should be encouraged for career and good health. Doctors associated with Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy should carry forward the research and development program without any hesitation. Not only this, but the paramedics associated with AYUSH can also play an important role in expanding these disciplines. They can collect patient data and create a data bank, which can be used in preparing study reports. Yogi also interacted with a group of selected homeopathic pharmacists during the event. Mohammad Arif from Hardoi, overwhelmed by his government job selection, expressed his deep gratitude to CM Yogi. He shared that he is the first member of his family to secure a position in government service and pledged to carry out his responsibilities with utmost honesty. Vivek Mishra, hailing from Prayagraj, lauded the fair and transparent recruitment process that led to his selection. He extended his thanks to CM Yogi and committed to diligently fulfill all duties assigned by the department and the government. Sanjana Bharti, who hails from Deoria and comes from a farming background, considered it a stroke of good fortune to receive her appointment letter directly from CM Yogi. She said that since childhood, her aspiration had been to achieve self-reliance, and today, her dream has come true, thanks to CM Yogi's fair and transparent recruitment process. Sanjana proudly proclaimed herself as a self-reliant daughter of a self-reliant state. The event was attended by AYUSH Department Minister Daya Shankar Mishra 'Dayalu,' Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, Principal Secretary of the AYUSH Department Dina Johri, Chairman of the Subordinate Services Selection Commission Praveen Kumar, public representatives from Lucknow, officials from the AYUSH Department, and other distinguished guests. (ANI) The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was engaged in security during the raids, which lasted for about five hours, an official said. More than 20 officers were involved in the raids in the sand quarry areas of Nanniyur and Mallampalayam in the Karur district. The enforcement officers inspected the place where the sand was mined. Officials went to the sand mining site at two places in Nanniyur and Nallampalayam in Karur district and carried out a digital survey for two kilometres on both sides with a drone camera. This survey will calculate the actual extent of sand mining. How much revenue did the Tamil Nadu government earn? Is there any malpractice in this? On September 12, this year, the ED also conducted raids in the Mohanur area of Namakkal. (ANI) After the questioning by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) about alleged irregularities in the Inner Ring Road case, Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Nara Lokesh said, "I have nothing to hide." "In September, I was summoned by Andhra Pradesh CID in an alleged inner ring road scam and I went to court because they were asking questions unrelated to me and documents which today I don't have access to. High Court clearly stated that such questions can't be asked and then I was asked to appear today in front of CID...for nearly 6 hours, I was questioned and a total of 50 questions were asked, out of which 49 questions were not related to alleged inner ring road scam...I am asked to appear tomorrow again...I will reappear again tomorrow...I have nothing to hide..." he told reporters on Tuesday. The CID had issued a notice to Lokesh for his alleged role in irregularities in the Inner Ring Road alignment case. Earlier, TDP leader Nara Lokesh along with his supporters staged a protest in the national capital after the CID in Andhra Pradesh served a notice on him in connection with the Amaravati Inner Ring Road 'scam' case. The protest was held outside the Delhi residence of TDP MP Jayadev Galla. In May 2022, the CID registered an FIR against Chandrababu Naidu, former municipal administration minister Dr P Narayana, Heritage Foods Ltd, and others, for alleged irregularities in the construction of an Inner Ring Road in Amaravati. Significantly, TDP supremo and Nara Lokesh's father, Chandrababu Naidu is currently in judicial custody in connection with the alleged multi-crore skill development scam. The former Andhra CM has approached the Supreme Court, seeking cancellation of the FIR against him alleging that the YSR Congress government in the state had "falsely" implicated him in the case in a bid to muzzle the voice of the Opposition in the state. (ANI) Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd, claps as Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers his budget proposal for 2024 on Oct. 11, 2023, at Chicago City Hall. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) The movement Black Lives Matter arose and grew following the killings of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and George Floyd, among others. At the time of those deaths, especially the murder of Floyd by police, some insensitive people insisted on directly countering Black Lives Matter with All Lives Matter, a statement that, while factually true, was thoroughly oblivious to the raw pain many Black Americans felt. But on Tuesday, an account on X (formerly known as Twitter) calling itself Black Lives Matter Chicago tweeted a graphic of a paratrooper with the slogan, I stand with Palestine. The image appeared to be a reference to the Hamas militants who parachuted over the barrier separating Israel and the Gaza Strip and then brutally butchered Jewish babies and children. Advertisement Some 1,200 Israelis are dead, mostly civilians and many of them killed in their own homes, Yinam Cohen, the consul general of Israel to the Midwest, told us in person Wednesday. He recounted in more detail what most Americans have seen on the news, at times struggling to maintain his composure as he explained that the specialist Israeli forces whose job is recovering bodies had seen so much death inside Israeli houses that many of them had been unable to continue with their task. Advertisement Oct. 7 was the darkest day in the history of the state of Israel, Cohen said. This is not about politics. This is not about a two-state solution. This was about antisemitism. Put simply, Cohen was calling for moral clarity. He suggested that Americans view the images and the easily discovered videos. Not too much, he said, noting their traumatic impact. But enough to see what is happening. There are geopolitical roots to these events. Obviously. But what we saw on Saturday was inhuman brutality of the kind that we must all stand against. Without equivocation. We are not beasts. We are sentient human beings. To their credit, that is precisely what leaders like President Joe Biden have done. Likewise, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has left no room for doubt. On Tuesday night, Pritzker was careful to make clear that Hamas and the Palestinian people are not synonymous, which is true, before calling Hamas an Iranian-backed army of murderers at a Jewish United Fund event held outside North Shore Congregation Israel. (The) people of Israel should know that America and Illinois unequivocally stand with them in their battle to end the ongoing Hamas attacks, Pritzker said. Precisely. Advertisement Lets contrast that with the statement made by Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd, who, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, told Ald. Debra Silverstein, 50th, that she wanted to work with her on a resolution that provides a more nuanced understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than one proposed by Silverstein. What is nuanced about the murdering of infants? What is nuanced about killing children in front of their parents? What is nuanced about targeting a music festival with many teenagers, chasing them down and shooting them in cold blood? As Cohen pointed out to us, the Hamas killers did not ask their victims their politics before raping them, kidnapping them or shooting them. Many of the people in the targeted kibbutzim who were attacked were highly critical of the Israeli government, he noted. They were left-wingers, he said. This was about killing Jews. Although I wholeheartedly agree that the attacks from Hamas are brutal and that no one should be subjected to that violence, I also understand that the situation is more nuanced than what this resolution expresses, Rodriguez-Sanchez, a close ally of Mayor Brandon Johnson, reportedly wrote in response to an email from Silverstein seeking support for her resolution. When you see the kind of brutality that puts any thoughtful person in mind of the Holocaust, and a writer confines her moral outrage to the conditional, you know she doesnt understand what just happened and how far it is removed, not just from geopolitical arguments, but from the long-acknowledged boundaries of war itself. Advertisement Alderman, you should apologize. Ald. Debra Silverstein, 50th, walks toward the City Council chambers on Oct. 11, 2023, at Chicago City Hall. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) The national Black Lives Matter movement, which taught Americans the importance of empathy for their fellow Americans pain, distanced itself from the tweeted image on Wednesday, saying the national group was in no way associated with the account and was not getting involved in the Middle East crisis. For its part, BLM Chicago sent out messages saying it was not proud of some of its recent tweets. In the heat of the racial reckoning America underwent in the face of police-involved killings, Black Lives Matter emphasized the danger of false equivalencies and their capacity to undermine rather than support. How can anyone involved in this cause not see this applies in this case too? How can they have forgotten their own lessons? Make no mistake. The events of Saturday must not be subject to anyones although. As the liberal writer Isaac Butler succinctly tweeted this week: I guess I was expecting the pro war crimes faction of the left to be smaller. Advertisement Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > So did we. And we expected more of Chicagos City Council, which should listen to this states governor, get its collective act together and stand behind whats true and right here. Lets not forget that half the population of the Gaza Strip are children. How can we morally advocate for their future protection if we are celebrating or even excusing what happened on Saturday? These moments can be hard to understand and contextualize in real time. But history will not forgive these ignorant hedges. Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Navi Mumbai Police have arrested four people for cheating about Rs 4 crore from about 417 youths in the name of providing them jobs abroad. According to APMC Police, an office was started in the Commodity Exchange Building of APMC in the name of GSOS Consultancy and through this office, about 417 unemployed youth were defrauded of crores of rupees in the name of getting jobs in foreign countries. "After extorting money from unemployed youth, the thugs closed the office and fled. Seeing no job and no money, the youth lodged a complaint at the APMC police station. During this, it was revealed that these thugs had defrauded 417 youth from different states including Mumbai to the tune of Rs 3 crore 38 lakh 94 thousand in the name of getting them jobs in hotels abroad. Based on the complaint, when the team of Assistant Police Inspector Ashok Damale, under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Tanveer Shaikh, started investigating this case, two accused were arrested from Mumbai and two accused were arrested from Indore city of Madhya Pradesh" added the police, "Lina Arora and Vicky Joseph have been arrested and the court has granted police custody by October 11." added the Police A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. More information is awaited. (ANI) Seventeen fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the territorial waters of the island nation arrived at the Chennai airport on Wednesday morning. The Sri Lankan Navy detained the 17 fishermen and their three boats on September 13. Following the State and Central government intervention they were released by Sri Lanka Court on September 27. As per the Sri Lankan navy, the fishermen who were poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Kakarathivu and Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna, were detained. The navy brought their three boats to Kankesanthurai port and handed them over to the fisheries inspector at Mailadi for onward legal proceedings. Earlier last month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to initiate diplomatic efforts with the Sri Lanka government to secure the release of the fishermen detained by the Lankan Navy. In the letter, Stalin sought to draw Jaishankar's attention to the matter, saying that "three mechanised boats and 17 Tamil Nadu fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, allegedly for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) into Sri Lankan waters". These boats bore registration numbers IND-TN-10-MM-407, IND-TN-08-MM-214 and IND-TN-16-MM-2046, he detailed in his letter. "The recurring incidents of Tamil Nadu fishermen being apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy continue to aggravate the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the fishermen in the region. These fishermen, who rely on fishing as their primary and sole source of livelihood, sometimes find themselves unintentionally drifting into Sri Lankan waters due to the absence of clear demarcation and navigational challenges. The apprehensions by the Sri Lankan Navy have escalated tensions, disrupted lives, and caused economic hardships to the fishermen and their families," the Tamil Nadu CM added in his letter. Stalin urged Jaishankar to employ urgent diplomatic measures to secure the release of the Indian fishermen at the earliest. He also called upon the External Affairs Minister to find "a lasting diplomatic solution through bilateral negotiations to bring peace in the lives of thousands of Indian fishermen". Attacks on Indian fishermen by Lankan pirates have been on the rise for the last six months as an aftermath of the recent economic slowdown in the neighbouring country. (ANI) Governor of Jharkhand CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday paid tribute to the late Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Ranchi and the former President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). The governor paid respects to the late Cardinal Telesphore Toppo by placing a floral wreath at his casket in St Mary's Cathedral, Ranchi. "Our Cardinal's death is painful because he has worked for the society all the time. He dedicated his whole life to the upliftment of the tribal and downtrodden people," Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan told reporters. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo (83) died on October 4, at the Constant Lievens Hospital and Research Center in Ranchi. Earlier, Cardinal George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church expressed his deepest condolences on the demise of the esteemed Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Ranchi. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo was the epitome of selfless service who toiled for the integral development of the people entrusted to him. According to an official statement, he was born in Ranchi in 1939 and was ordained as a priest in 1969. Following his higher studies in Rome, he emerged as a steadfast advocate for the underprivileged, with their well-being always at the forefront of his ministry and works. In 1978, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dumka, and in 1985, he was elevated to the position of Archbishop of Ranchi. Notably, in 2003, he was created a Cardinal by St. John Paul II. As the first Asian tribal Cardinal of the Catholic Church, he stood as a source of pride and inspiration for the socially disadvantaged segments of society. Cardinal Toppo's humility and dedication to social causes earned him widespread admiration. His administrative prowess was evident in his dual leadership roles as President of the CCBI and CBCI. He was a great supporter of the communion ecclesiology to be accepted by the CBCI. Amidst these administrative accomplishments, his heart remained steadfastly focused on the plight of the poor and marginalized. He tirelessly advocated for the dissemination of the message of peace and love espoused by Jesus within his surrounding society. It was due to his strenuous effort that the CBCI could start a Medical College in Ranchi. Cardinal Alencherry expressed that with Cardinal Toppo's passing, the Indian Church bids farewell to a fervent advocate for the destitute, an educator who seamlessly integrated progress with education, and a distinguished humanist who connected with individuals from all walks of life. His life will continue to serve as an inspiring example for all those working for societal betterment. Cardinal Alencherry conveyed his condolences while participating in the ongoing Synod of Bishops in Rome. (ANI) Their father was arrested and suspended in a case of alleged rape of a minor girl. The anticipatory bail plea was dismissed by the trial court on September 22. The son's anticipatory bail plea was dismissed on September 21, 2023. Justice Saurabh Banerjee dismissed the pleas of Prateeksha Khakha and Harsh Prateek Khakha. The hearings were conducted in-camera. However, the decision was pronounced in the open court. Khakha was arrested for the alleged offence of raping a minor several times and impregnating her and was arrested on August 21. His daughter is also accused of abetment to the crime. Khakha and his wife Seema Rani are in judicial custody in this case. His wife allegedly gave the victim medicine to terminate the pregnancy. Delhi police had registered a case against Khakha for allegedly raping a minor between November 2020 and January 2021. It is alleged the minor victim is the daughter of a person known to the accused. Police had arrested the couple after recording the statement of the victim. Police had registered under sections of rape and the POCSO Act and other sections under the India Penal Code. (ANI) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday expressed grief and offered his condolences on the demise of Karthyayani Amma, the oldest learner under the Literacy Mission in Kerala. Karthyayani Amma (born 1922) passed away yesterday evening at Haripad in the Alappuzha district of Kerala at the age of 101. The Kerala Chief Minister took to his social media handle X and said that her passing away is a significant loss to the literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the State Literacy Mission. She served as an inspiring role model for many, showing unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges. Her demise is a significant loss to our literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. Heartfelt condolences," Vijayan posted on X. Karthyayani Amma had passed a literacy examination with top marks at the age of 96. She also received the Nari Shakti Puraskar Award the highest civilian award for a woman by the government of India. She was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Learning for the promotion of distance education among 53 member countries. In August 2018, Karthyayani Amma took an examination alongside 40,362 other people, as part of the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority''s Aksharalaksham ("Million Letter") programme. She was the oldest person to take the test in her district. She had been given lessons in reading and writing by her great-grandchildren. Tested on reading, writing and mathematics, Karthyayani Amma scored 98 out of a possible 100 marks, giving her the top grade. Karthyayani Amma overcame the "I''m Too Old" mindset and proved that success has no age limit. She became an inspiration to hundreds of women across the country. Inspired by her story, Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna made a documentary on Karthyayani Amma called ''Barefoot Empress'', which chronicles her journey and spirit. (ANI) Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Nara Lokesh arrived at the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office in Tadeaplli for second-day interrogation in the inner ring road case on Wednesday. Police have set up three-step barricading at the site in case of protest by party activists. CID added Nara Lokesh as A-14 (Accused 14) in the Inner Ring Road alignment case CID was interrogated by CID till 5 pm on Tuesday as per court orders. After the questioning by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) about alleged irregularities in the Inner Ring Road case, Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Nara Lokesh said, "I have nothing to hide." "In September, I was summoned by Andhra Pradesh CID in an alleged inner ring road scam and I went to court because they were asking questions unrelated to me and documents which today I don't have access to. High Court clearly stated that such questions can't be asked and then I was asked to appear today in front of CID...for nearly 6 hours, I was questioned and a total of 50 questions were asked, out of which 49 questions were not related to alleged inner ring road scam...I am asked to appear tomorrow again...I will reappear again tomorrow...I have nothing to hide..." he told reporters on Tuesday. Earlier, TDP leader Nara Lokesh along with his supporters staged a protest in the national capital after the CID in Andhra Pradesh served a notice on him in connection with the Amaravati Inner Ring Road 'scam' case. The protest was held outside the Delhi residence of TDP MP Jayadev Galla. In May 2022, the CID registered an FIR against Chandrababu Naidu, former municipal administration minister Dr P Narayana, Heritage Foods Ltd, and others, for alleged irregularities in the construction of an Inner Ring Road in Amaravati. Meanwhile TDP Supremo Chandrababu Naidu continues to be in judicial custody. Naidu was arrested bythe Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last month in connection with the alleged multi-crore skill development scam case. Naidu's quash petition filed in the Supreme Court will now be heard on Friday. Naidu had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the dismissal of the case registered by the CID. The two-judge bench, after hearing the arguments on Tuesday, adjourned the hearing to October 13. (ANI) The accused (33), identified as Vinod Kashyap, was running a place called Mata Masani Chowki Darbar in the Kakrola area of the national capital and also has a YouTube channel in his name with a large number of subscribers. "In both cases, it is alleged that he called the women devotees on the pretext of helping them with their problems. According to the complaints, the accused insisted that the devotees practise 'guru seva' to get rid of their problems. He then assaulted the women sexually and warned them against disclosing or reporting the incident to anyone," an officer said. "We registered 2 cases under sections 376 and 506 of the IPC and the accused was arrested," the officer added. Further investigation is underway, the police informed. (ANI) The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court dismissed a petition, seeking an order to the Tamil Nadu government to appoint an expert committee to monitor the movement of rogue tusker, Arikomban. Praveen Kumar Kerala, the petitioner from the Kannur district of Kerala, moved the plea before the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, stating that the tusker, which lost its mother at the age of 2 and grew up in the Chinnakanal Forrest in the Idukki district of Kerala, only damaged houses and shops on forest land without causing any harm to civilian life. Resorts, hotels and hostels have come up on land encroaching on the forest, leading to a scarcity of food and water for the local wildlife, the petitioner claimed. "On April 26, the Kerala forest department caught Arikomban and released it in the Periyar reserve forest. Then there was a little tension as the elephant strayed into Kambam town. The Tamil Nadu forest department caught the elephant and released it into the Kothaiyar forest of Tirunelveli district," the plea stated. The petitioner claimed that the Tamil Nadu Forest Department hasn't been monitoring the movements of the rogue tusker as it should. He sought direction from authorities to appoint an expert team and monitor the activities of the elephant with the help of a satellite radio collar. The petition was taken up by a division bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Lakshmi Narayanan, which observed that the "authorities were taking necessary steps and the court could not interfere in the matter". Earlier, Palraj, a resident of the Kamban town of Tamil Nadu, was attacked by Arikomban while he was sitting on his two-wheeler. He sustained severe injuries in his stomach and succumbed. In April 2023, several farmers' organisations from the Idukki district held a march to the Kerala High Court seeking respite from the rogue tusker, which roams Chinnakkanal and nearby areas in Idukki, destroying civilian settlements. The rogue elephant was named 'Arikomban' as it is fond of eating Ari, rice in Malayalam. (ANI) After getting backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for playing popular mobile phone game 'Candy Crush' during a meeting, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that it is also one of his favourite games and will continue to play it. "I will walk on Gedi, play tops and marbles. Candy Crush is also my favourite. I have reached a decent level in that and will continue to play. Chhattisgarh knows whom to bless," Bhupesh Baghel posted on 'X' on Wednesday. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister said that earlier the BJP used to object to him for walking on 'gedi' or playing tops and marbles. Gedi is a popular sport in Chhattisgarh in which the player balances himself on two long poles and walks with it. Baghel had ealier given a lesson on how to perfect 'gedi' during a media event. "Earlier BJP had objection that why do I ride a cart, why do I ride a bumblebee, why do I play gilli danda, why are Chhattisgarh Olympics being held in the state?" the Chief Minister said in his post. Responding to a photo in which he was seen playing Candy Crush, Baghel further said that the BJP has an objection to his "existence". "Got a photo before a meeting yesterday in which I'm playing Candy Crush. Now BJP has objection on that. In fact, they have objection to my existence," he said adding that "it is the people of Chhattisgarh who decide who will stay and who will not." BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya had taken a dig at the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister on Tuesday saying, "Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is relaxed, he knows that no matter how much he fights, his government will not come to power." "Perhaps that is why instead of paying attention to the meeting related to Congress candidate selection, he thought it appropriate to play CANDY CRUSH," said Amit Malviya's post on 'X'. The Election Commission has announced that the first phase of polling for 20 seats in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 7, the remaining 70 seats in Chhattisgarh will go to polls on November 17. Congress's Chhattisgarh incharge Kumari Selja on Tuesday said that the Central Election Committee will meet on October 12 to decide on the final list of candidates. (ANI) The 34 year old drug peddler was identified Ananiash Basumatary alias Mithinga. While speaking to ANI, Partha Sarathi Mahanta, DIG (STF) said that the drug peddler cum veteran thief Ananiash Basumatary alias Mithinga hailing from Darkuchi Bazar area of Baksa district was staying at Veterinary Segun Bagan, Missing- Basti. He was apprehended along with 31 numbers of plastic vials and 2 numbers of Tobacco boxes containing suspected Heroin weighing 58.5 grams at Jail-Road, Surjyadoy Nagar under Basistha police jurisdiction. "The STF (Special Task Force) team also recovered 31 numbers of empty vials, 2 numbers of mobile phones, cash of Rs 3,990 in possession from him. Necessary formalities are being done. FIR is being lodged at Basistha police station," Partha Sarathi Mahanta said. Just a week ago, contraband drugs worth Rs 2 crore was seized by the Assam STF in Kamrup district, and five people were arrested in connection to the same. Earlier in August, in a joint operation, Special Task Force (STF) Assam Police and Tinsukia district police recovered 700 gram of heroin packed in 57 soap cases, concealed in secret cabins of the vehicles. (ANI) After the announcement of the date for the assembly election in Madhya Pradesh, a rebellion is brewing in the party with some leaders unhappy with ticket distribution. A former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Lakshmi Narayan Yadav has expressed his displeasure after the party failed to give a ticket to his son Sudhir Yadav for the forthcoming assembly polls. The former BJP MP said, "I have been rebellious from the beginning because I never tolerated injustice. Now, injustice was done to Sudhir Yadav (his son, referring to not getting a ticket), if he (Sudhir) rebels against it then he should do so, there is no problem." When asked what he would have done in such a situation, the former MP said that if he was in such a situation, he would contest elections. He also said that if if his son Sudhir would contest the election then he would campaign for him. When asked whether he had spoken to the party high command for the ticket, he said, "The BJP high command is in a strange situation at this time. They are blind, deaf and complete dictators." Meanwhile, the former MP said that he would not campaign at all if his son Sudhir decides on not contesting the elections. On the other hand, BJP leader Sudhir Yadav said, "I will take my decision to contest the election after consultation with workers and supporters." When asked about speculations of joining Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), he said that both Congress and AAP were in touch with him. He further said that he had worked for Banda constituency and he would contest election from that seat only. Notably, the BJP declared its candidate from the Banda Constituency in its first list of candidates released for the polls on August 17 itself. According to political analysts, there are over two lakh 'Yadav community' voters in Sagar district who play a vital role in the assembly elections. Analysts say voters belonging to that community seem to be very angry as no Yadav candidates have been given tickets by the BJP from any assembly seats in Sagar district. As Sudhir Yadav did not get the ticket to contest election from BJP, the Yadav community may dent the BJP in Banda, Khurai, Surkhi and Narayawali assembly seats in the district since former MP Lakshmi Narayan Yadav has a good hold in the Yadav community in the district. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced the schedule for the state assembly poll. The election would be conducted here in one phase in the state on November 17 and the counting would be done on December 3. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement of poll date in the state. (ANI) The protesters are demanding the Central government to intervene in the issue going on between the two southern states over the Cauvery water issue. More than 300 cadres from Various Famers Associations participated in the protest. They raised slogans demanding to release of water from Karnataka. However, the Police have detained the protesters. Earlier today, about 12,000 shops and commercial establishments in the Nagapattinam district on Wednesday morning were shut down as a way to mark the protest against Karnataka. The joint protest was launched across 8 districts of Tamil Nadu, including Trichy, Tanjore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur, on Wednesday morning and will continue till October 12, Thursday. While all commercial establishments will remain closed as part of the shutdown, only those for meeting the daily needs of the people will stay open in these districts. The Tamil Nadu Assembly, on Monday, adopted a resolution urging the Union government to direct Karnataka to release Cauvery water as per the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority. The resolution was introduced by TN Chief Minister MK Stalin and passed unanimously. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee ordered Karnataka to ensure the release of 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu between September 28 and October 15. Earlier, the Karnataka government had refused to comply with the orders of the Cauvery board to share the waters with Tamil Nadu, citing severe drought in parts of the state. Amid the war of words and politics around the Cauvery issue, farmers in both states have launched protests. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier voiced his disappointment over the recommendation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to release 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu between September 28 and October 15. 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 their individual water-sharing capacities. (ANI) Amid AAP protests against the arrest of Sanjay Singh by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, and the extension of his remand, BJP leader Ajay Alok on Wednesday hit out at the ruling party in the national capital, calling it the "Aam Anarchist Party". While labelling the AAP as a party of thieves, the BJP leader accused the Congress of being its "chaudhary" (head). Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, the BJP leader said, "The court extended his (Sanjay Singh's) remand by three more days as it held that he was hiding something (pertaining to the liquor policy case). The fact that he is not cooperating with the agency shows that he has something to hide. The truth may not come out today or tomorrow but it will surely come out soon. This is the Aam Anarchist Party, it is a party of thieves." Also taking a swipe at other Opposition forces, he called them "seasonal parties". "They (Opposition alliance) are like children eager to show off their new clothes. When it rains, frogs come out. Similarly, when elections come around, these parties and leaders suddenly get proactive," Alok said. "Muh me Ram, Bagal me chhuri, yahi hai INDIA alliance ki dhuri (They have Lord Ram on their lips but conceal knives under their armpits. This is what the INDIA bloc is all about)," he added. Also lashing out at the Trinamool Congress, the ruling party in West Bengal which recently held protests in the national capital alleging that the Centre was withholding funds for the MGNREGA scheme in the state, Alok said, "When the Congress was in power at the Centre, people in West Bengal were not enlisted under MGNREGA. The failure to implement the scheme properly counts as one of the biggest drawbacks of the Congress government till 2014. We ensured that workers enlisted under MGNREGA had their wages transferred directly to their bank accounts," he added. "If Rahul Gandhi had taken a moment to reflect on where the Congress has come since 2014, he would have understood his party's prospects going into next year's Lok Sabha elections. Why is the Congress's seat count coming to triple digits?" he questioned. (ANI) Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi cadres held a protest in Triplicane near Icehouse mosque, Chennai demanding the release of long-time serving prisoners in Tamil Nadu. General Secretary Tamimun Ansari headed the protest in Chennai where slogans were raised for the release of the prisoners. The Protestors also burnt the image of CM MK Stalin and raised slogans against the government. However, all the protesters were detained by the Chennai police. General Secretary of Manidhaneya Jananayaka Katchi, Taminun Ansari said "We held a protest today in Chennai demanding prisoners who served more than 20 years in Tamil Nadu prison should be released. We also thank the political parties who support our demand. We are shocked that the CM said in the Assembly that they have sent this to the Governor where already 22 bills are pending. We are going to siege the assembly now." Further, Taminun Ansari asked the state government to pass a resolution in the session to release the prisoners. "Tamil Nadu government should convene cabinet and pass a resolution to release long-term prisoners. If they do it, we will then turn towards the governor. In the next phase of demanding protest, we Manidhaneya Jananayaka Katchi cadres will do a siege protest in Trichy Central prison demanding the release of long-serving prisoners," Taminun Ansari said. On Tuesday while speaking in the Tamil Nadu assembly AIADMK general secretary and leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami, called for the release of 36 Muslim prisoners who were jailed for more than 20 years. Palaniswami said that several political parties had been demanding the release of these prisoners and the state government should heed their plea. MMK MLA Jawahirullah also raised the issue in the assembly and said the state has laws to pardon jail terms on the grounds of good conduct. In his response to the debate in the assembly Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin detailed steps taken by the DMK government for the early release of life convicts. He said the state government had set up a six-member committee, led by retired Madras High Court judge, Justice N Authinathan, in December 2021 to look into the matter. The panel had recommended the release of 224 prisoners, following which the state decided to first release 49 prisoners, of which 20 were Muslim. The chief minister said the documents on the release were pending with Governor RN Ravi for his assent. Stalin also questioned the AIADMK for what he alleged was their sudden love for Muslims specially since the party had supported CAA and NRC. "While in power you didn't take any steps to release Muslim prisoners. You blindly supported CAA and NRC. We and the minority community clearly know why AIADMK is showing such affection towards Muslim prisoners now", said MK Stalin. (ANI) Members of an organisation, led by pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, staged a 'Raj Bhavan Gherao' protest on Wednesday over the Cauvery water-sharing issue. The protest against a directive of the Cauvery Water Management Board, asking the Karnataka government to share its waters with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, was held in the state capital, Bengaluru. Speaking to reporters during the protest, Nagaraj said, "The Karnataka government is silent on the Cauvery issue. It is afraid that the (MK) Stalin government in Tamil Nadu might pull the DMK out of the INDIA bloc and has, hence, agreed to release Cauvery waters to the neighbouring state." "If this government keeps releasing the waters this way, the people of Bengaluru would soon go dry and farmers, too, would run out of water for irrigating their fields. We demand that the release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu be stopped at the earliest," he said. Meanwhile, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said Karnataka has to release waters from the Cauvery as no state can claim sole ownership of a river. Speaking to ANI, Elangovan said "They (Karnataka) have to release waters from the Cauvery. No state can claim sole ownership of a river. They have to comply with the order of the Cauvery Board. As per an internationally agreed settlement, the supply of water cannot be denied to lower riparian lands. The BJP wants to create a divide between the DMK and the Congress. This is a matter between the two states and they want to turn it into a political issue between two parties. The Central Water Commission has to ensure that they release the Cauvery waters as directed by the Supreme Court." Complying with the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority, Karnataka has been releasing 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu. The order will remain in force till October 15 when the Authority will meet again. Earlier, on Tuesday, pro-Kannada organisations held a protest at Bengaluru Rural's Hoskote over the Cauvery water-sharing issue. Led by Nagaraj, the protesters blocked the National Highway near the Hoskote toll, connecting Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh. Some activists were detained for blocking the National Highway. Earlier, on October 5, Mandya police detained members of pro-Kannada organisations holding a protest over the Cauvery issue. The governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been locked in a protracted tussle over the sharing of Cauvery waters. The river is seen as a major source of sustenance for the people in the two states. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier expressed his disappointment on the recommendation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to release 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu between September 28 and October 15. The Cauvery water-sharing issue has snowballed into a hot-button political issue in Karnataka, with former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai accusing the state government of "lacking" the "will" to protect farmer's interests. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar on Wednesday. According to a press statement from the President's Secretariat, speaking on the occasion, the President said that the country is proud of the responsible youth of Kashmir. She urged students of University of Kashmir to actively participate in social service along with their studies. She said that by doing this, they could bring social change and set an example. She was happy to note that alumni have brought glory to this university by serving the country. Referring to the motto of the University of Kashmir which means 'let us move from darkness to light', the President said, "The more our youth move towards the light of education and towards the light of peace, the more our country will progress." She added that the society and country whose youth follow the path of development and discipline, move forward on the path of progress and prosperity. The President was happy to note that 55 per cent of students at Kashmir University are girls. She said that they present the picture of our country and its destiny. The women and girls are ready to play a bigger role in the leadership of the country. She expressed confidence that the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act' 2023 would prove to be a revolutionary step towards women-led development in our country. Speaking about sustainable development, the President said, "The lessons of sustainable development are part of Kashmir's heritage." She cited a saying which means 'there will be food only as long as there are forests' and said that it is the responsibility of all of us to preserve this paradise on earth. She urged Kashmir University to be alert in preserving the Himalayan ecosystem. She was happy to note that work related to glaciology, biodiversity conservation and the Himalayan Ice-Core Laboratory is at different stages. She expressed confidence that the university would work at a fast pace in all such areas. The President said, "In the National Education Policy emphasis has been laid on Indian Knowledge Systems. If our youth are given good information about Indian Knowledge Systems, they will get many inspiring examples. The work done by an expert, Suyya, about 1200 years ago, to save the city of Srinagar from the flood of Jhelum can be termed as hydraulic engineering." She said that our country has priceless treasures in every field of knowledge and science. "It is the responsibility of the academic world to find ways to re-use such organically grown knowledge systems in today's circumstances," she added. (ANI) A head constable posted in Moradabad was suspended for allegedly making a video of a nurse while she was taking a bath, according to police. On Tuesday, October 10, in the Civil Lines Police Station of Moradabad, a nurse had accused the husband of another nurse, who is posted in Uttar Pradesh Police as a head constable in Moradabad, of making her video while she was taking a bath. Moradabad Police has suspended the accused head constable and has sent the mobile for forensic examination. "A complaint has been received at the Civil Lines Police Station in which a nurse had alleged the husband of another nurse who is also the head constable at Moradabad Police station, of making a clip of her while she was taking a bath. The mobile phone of the accused has been seized by the police and a forensic investigation is being conducted. At present, a report has been filed against him, he is being suspended and further action will be taken on the basis of whatever facts come to light in the investigation" SP City Moradabad, Akhilesh Bhadauria briefed media. Section 66E of the Information Technology Act. 2000, deals with any person who violates the privacy of another person. the punishment in this is imprisonment for three years or a fine not exceeding two lakh rupees, or with both. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, L Murugan is likely to contest from Nilgiri constituency in the 2024 general election. Speaking to media persons in Ooty, Union State Minister L Murugan said, "The names of candidates will be announced before the election as per the instruction from our party president K Annamalai. We had opened an office in Ooty to reach out to the people in this Nilgiri constituency to take up the Modi government schemes to the people." Murugan has already started foundation work in the Nilgiris as hardly a year is left before the elections. Meanwhile, Union Minister L Murugan on Sunday termed the launching of Vande Bharat Trains on the Tirunelveli to Chennai and the Vijayawada to Chennai routes as a historic occasion, especially for Southern Tamil Nadu. "It is a historic occasion because today the Vande Bharat Train was launched from Tirunelveli to Chennai and Vijayawada to Chennai... People may get facilities, and they can reach Chennai fast... It is a safe, high-speed, and hygienic train... The speciality of these trains is that they are manufactured in India...I thank our Prime Minister and Railway Minister for giving this train to Southern Tamil Nadu," Murugan told ANI. Meanwhile, Murugan slammed the sitting Nilgiri constituency MP A Raja after ED took possession of 15 immovable "benami" properties, worth about Rs 55 crore, alleged to be belonging to DMK MP A Raja as part of a money laundering probe. In a statement, the ED said it has "taken possession of 15 immovable properties owned by A Raja in the name of his benami company Kovai Shelters Promoters India Pvt Ltd, under the PMLA, in the matter of a disproportionate assets case of A Raja, former Union cabinet minister of environment and forest, subsequent to confirmation of the provisional attachment order by the Hon'ble Adjudicating Authority." (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday unveiled the statue of Mahant Shri Chandnath Yogi at the Shri Baba Mastnath Math in Rohtak. Praising PM Modi's governance, Shah said, "For many years we waited for construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya...we kept fighting and in 2019 the country made PM Modi Prime Minister again and one day without letting any bloodshed happen, he did the 'bhoomipoojan' of Ram Mandir..." Earlier on Tuesday, Amit Shah launched the Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in Telangana where he lauded the work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reign in the last nine years saying that "Modi hai to mumkin hai." "In 2014, the people of the country made a big decision and ended the atmosphere of instability and gave an absolute majority to one party. It has been 9 years hence. The country was surrounded by scams and corruption. Today not even our rivals can accuse PM Modi of corruption. The internal security was never this strong after independence," Amit Shah said. He further said that the new Parliament building was inaugurated and the first Bill that was passed provides 33 per cent reservation to the women of the country. "Recently, the new Parliament building was inaugurated and the first Bill that was passed there provides 33 per cent reservation to the women of the country. The entire world is surprised that how is women's reservation possible so easily...That is why children say - Modi hai to mumkin hai," he added. Taking a jibe at the Congress, Shah said that during the Congress Government, Pakistan was habitual to enter our territory and execute blasts. "During the Congress Government, Pakistan had the habit to enter our territory and execute blasts. They executed plans in Uri and Pulwama. Pakistan was given a befitting reply in the form of a surgical strike and airstrike. When an Indian PM used to visit a foreign country, it did not use to get an appropriate place in the respective Head of State's calendar. We saw the respect for India during G20," he said. He further said that India is now the fifth largest economy in the world under Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the country was able to rise from the 10th spot in eight years. "Due to policy paralysis, the country's economy was unstable. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had left the country's economy at 11th position globally. Economist Manmohan Singh governed the country for 10 years...PM Modi became the Prime Minister and within 9 years, the country's economy rose to fifth position. It will become the 3rd largest economy, nobody doubts it." Shah said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leaving no stone unturned for the upcoming Assembly polls in Telangana. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram will go to polls on different days from November 7-30 and votes will be counted for the five states on December 3. (ANI) The Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Jammu, Anand Jain, on Tuesday reviewed preparedness at the Bhawan and Katra police stations in Jammu and Kashmir, amid President Droupadi Murmu's visit to the Union Territory (UT) and Navratri festival, an official statement said. The IGP also chaired two separate meetings at Katra and Bhawan police stations. In the meeting, IGP Jain provided necessary directions to the officials, the statement added. During these meetings, the IGP emphasized the importance of remaining "extra vigilant" for the visit and he urged all the officers and jawans to prioritize security measures accordingly, keeping in view the upcoming Navratras festival 2023, it further said. While interacting with men on the ground, the IGP personally visited and inspected Katra town. IGP Anand Jain also stressed the efforts to ensure the overall safety and security of the region. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu earlier today graced and addressed the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar. According to a press statement from the President's Secretariat, speaking on the occasion, the President said that the country is proud of the responsible youth of Kashmir. She urged students of the University of Kashmir to actively participate in social service along with their studies. She said that by doing this, they could bring social change and set an example. She was happy to note that alumni have brought glory to this university by serving the country. President Droupadi Murmu laid a wreath at the Chinar War Memorial in Srinagar to pay tributes to the soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty on Wednesday. "The President of India, Droupadi Murmu will visit Jammu and Kashmir from October 11 to 12, 2023. On October 11, 2023, the President will grace the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar. On the same day, she will interact with the members of local tribal groups and women Self Help Groups at Raj Bhavan, Srinagar. The President will also attend a civic reception to be hosted in her honour at the Raj Bhavan." stated the release from the President's Secretariat earlier. "On October 12, 2023, the President will visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine where she will inaugurate the remodelled Parvati Bhavan and Skywalk," added the release. (ANI). West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged the proposed 'Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita' to be an attempt to "quietly introduce very harsh and draconian anti-citizen" provisions. CM Banerjee further urged jurists and public activists to study these drafts "seriously" for democratic contributions pertaining to the criminal justice system. "Have been reading the drafts prepared by the Union Home Ministry to substitute the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act. Stunned to find that there is a serious attempt to quietly introduce very harsh and draconian anti-citizen provisions in these efforts," Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X. Her post further stated, "Earlier there was Sedition Law; now, in the name of withdrawing those provisions, they are introducing more severe and arbitrary measures in the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which can affect citizens more gravely." Mamata Banerjee asserted that her colleagues will raise the issue in the Parliament during deliberation of the Bill adding that colonial authoritarianism should not be allowed to have "backdoor entry" at Delhi. "The current Acts should be decolonized not only in form but also in spirit. Urge the jurists and public activists of the country to study these drafts seriously for democratic contributions in the realm of the criminal justice system," she said. CM Banerjee further said, "My colleagues in the Parliament will raise these issues at the Standing Committee when these will be deliberated. Laws need to be improved in light of experiences, but colonial authoritarianism should not be allowed to have backdoor entry at Delhi." The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill 2023 were introduced in the Lower House of Parliament on August 11. These bills seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively. While introducing the bills, Home Minister Amit Shah said the soul of these three new laws will be to protect all the rights given by the Constitution to the citizens. Shah said that 18 states, six Union Territories, a Supreme Court, 16 High Courts, five judicial academies, 22 Law Universities, 142 Members of Parliament, about 270 MLAs and people gave their suggestions regarding these new laws and that for four years these were discussed in depth and he himself was present in 158 meetings. The Home Minister said that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, which will replace the IPC, will have 356 sections instead of the earlier 511 sections, the minister said, adding that 175 sections have been amended, 8 new sections have been added and 22 sections have been repealed. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Police on Wednesday arrested two Sri Lankans who ran ashore in the Sri Lankan Piper boat that washed ashore on Munaikkadu beach. According to the officials, fishermen in the area informed the police that two men escaped from the Sri Lankan piper boat. "On Tuesday early morning, a fibre boat belonging to Sri Lankan mannar named OFRP-A-3156-MNR washed ashore on the beach of Munaikkadu next to Mandapam in the Bay of Bengal, Ramanathapuram district. The fishermen of the area have informed the police that two mysterious persons escaped from the Sri Lanka Piper boat. The police made a thorough investigation and searched for those who came on the boat if they were anti-social, extremists, smugglers or Sri Lankan refugees," said the Police. Mandapam Coastal Security Group police found and arrested both K Rosen alias Jagan and S Nagendran who were hiding near the Mandapam camp forest area. "In the investigation of both, it was revealed that K Robinson, a resident of Mandapam refugee camp, helped them to come here illegally," according to police. Mandapam Coastal Security Group police have also arrested Robinson. A case has been registered. Further investigations are underway. More information awaited. Meanwhile, Seventeen fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the territorial waters of the island nation arrived at the Chennai airport on Wednesday morning. The Sri Lankan Navy detained the 17 fishermen and their three boats on September 13. Following the State and Central government intervention they were released by Sri Lanka Court on September 27. As per the Sri Lankan navy, the fishermen who were poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Kakarathivu and Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna, were detained. The navy brought their three boats to Kankesanthurai port and handed them over to the fisheries inspector at Mailadi for onward legal proceedings. Earlier last month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to initiate diplomatic efforts with the Sri Lanka government to secure the release of the fishermen detained by the Lankan Navy. In the letter, Stalin sought to draw Jaishankar's attention to the matter, saying that "three mechanised boats and 17 Tamil Nadu fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, allegedly for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) into Sri Lankan waters".(ANI) Twenty-eight unclaimed bodies of the Balasore triple train tragedy were cremated today in the presence of CBI and BMC (Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation), officials reported. The bodies were preserved at AIIMS and handed over to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the cremation. "Finally, we have come to the logical conclusion and in the process, many agencies were involved from central ministries to state government. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is the final disposing authority. Whatever approval and permissions we had sought have come. Now we are handing over the bodies to the health officer BMC...A total of 28 bodies are left with us and BMC has started taking out the bodies," said AIIMS Bhubaneswar Medical Superintendent Dilip Parida on unclaimed bodies of Balasore Train Tragedy victims handed over to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange said that the cremation was done in the presence of CBI and BMC (Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation) officials. "Yesterday, as per the procedure and decision taken by CBI and Khurda Collector, we took custody of all these (unclaimed) 28 bodies (of Balasore train tragedy victims) for their cremation. The cremation was done in the presence of CBI and BMC (Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation) officials", BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange said in a statement. A total number of 162 bodies were received by AIIMS. Out of a total of 162 dead bodies, 81 were identified by the relatives. Out of the remaining 81, the identities of 53 were confirmed by DNA profiling. 28 remaining unidentified were handed over to BMC for final cremation on Tuesday, the release stated. The Odisha train tragedy took place in the Balasore district in the month of June which claimed 296 lives. On June 2023, three trains, Coromandel Express, a goods train and SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided. 176 people sustained grievous injuries, 451 suffered simple injuries and 180 received first aid treatment. One technician and two signal engineers were held responsible for the accident, as per CBI. (ANI) As part of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) outreach program among Muslim community ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024, the party's Minority Morcha is set to host 'Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan' on October 12 in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. The program organized under the chairmanship of Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui will be held at the party's state office. Jamal Siddiqui, while speaking to ANI, said that BJP is working to reach out to the minority community through Sufi saints so that the schemes and policies of the government can reach them and they can also avail its benefits. "There are about 1000 big Sufi Dargahs and Khankhanas in Uttar Pradesh, each of which is visited by about 10 thousand people from different sections of the society. The party is trying to convey the schemes of Modi government and Yogi government to these people through these dargahs," Jamal Siddiqui said. He further said that BJP is trying to strengthen the party's reach among the Muslim community through Sufi saints. Syed Ehtesham Ul Huda, in-charge of Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan of Uttar Pradesh said that people of all religions and communities come to Sufi Dargahs and Khamkhanas. "Our basic mantra is 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' and the central government led by PM Narendra Modi is also working with that mantra," he added. About 150 Sufi community representatives from Uttar Pradesh will participate in the 'Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan' at the party office in Lucknow, as per the party sources. In the Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan, central and state government schemes will be discussed that will benefit the Muslim community. Along with this, the demands and problems of Dargahs and Khankhanas will also be heard in this Maha Samvad Abhiyan and after this the party will convey their demands to the Central and State Governments. UP Minority Minister Danish Ansari told ANI that the central and state governments are continuously striving for the development of minorities, that is why the focus is to connect the Pasmanda weavers associated with the carpet industry in district Bhadohi with employment and development. "An international carpet fair was organized in which people from 68 countries participated, where the Pasmanda-weaver brothers associated with the carpet industry got a new identity at the global level," he added. UP Minister Danish Ansari, State BJP Minority Morcha President Kunwar Basit Ali and State Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan organizer Syed Ehtesham Ul Huda will also attend the event. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday will visit Uttarakhand to offer prayers at Jageshwar Dham, have a 'darshan' of Adi Kailash in Pithoragarh. According to the itinerary released by the PMO, at around 8:30 AM, Prime Minister will reach Jollingkong in Pithoragarh District, where he will perform pooja and darshan at Parvati Kund. Prime Minister will also seek blessings from the holy Adi-Kailash at this place. The area is well known for its spiritual importance and natural beauty. Prime Minister will reach Gunji village, Pithoragarh district at around 9:30 AM, where he will interact with the local people, and visit an exhibition highlighting local art and products. He will also interact with personnels of Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO). At around 12 noon, Prime Minister will reach Jageshwar, Almora district, where he will perform pooja and darshan at Jageshwar Dham. Located at a height of about 6200 feet, the Jageshwar Dham comprises of about 224 stone temples. All the preparations are being made for the PM's visit. "The PM will reach here at 8 in the morning. He will offer prayers for 11 minutes. All the rituals will be performed here," one of the priests, Dev Danger Ramesh Singh Kutiyal told ANI. Adi Kailash, located in Uttarakhand, is among the holiest sites for Hindus. Adi Kailash, about 5,945 metres tall, is in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The route to both Kailash Mansarovar and Adi Kailash passes from Dharchula. "Adi Kailash is believed to be the mountain where Shiva and Parvati had halted while going to take Samadhi on the Mount Kailash," Gopal Singh Kutiyal, another priest said. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will reach Pithoragarh at around 2:30 PM, where he will inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 4200 crore in sectors like rural development, road, power, irrigation, drinking water, horticulture, education, health and disaster management, among others. The projects that will be inaugurated and dedicated to nation by the Prime Minister include 76 rural roads and 25 bridges built in rural areas under PMGSY. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to give any interim relief to Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan in a matter related to the protest case. A bench of justices MM Sundresh and PK Mishra posted the matter for further hearing after the report on juvenility is filed. The top court on September 26 has referred to the District Judge, Muradabad for addressing the question relating to the correct date of birth of the petitioner Khan and send a finding to this Court for further consideration in the matter. The court had noted that the correct date of birth relating to the petitioner is relevant for ultimate consideration of the issues raised and to decide the juvenility. The court was hearing SP leader Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan plea challenging Allahabad High Court order which rejected his plea seeking stay on his conviction in a matter related to protest case. Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan, who is son of Senior SP leader, has moved the Supreme Court against Allahabad HC order Recently, Allahabad High Court has refused to stay the conviction of Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan in connection with a 2008 protest case, which led to his disqualification as an MLA from the Uttar Pradesh assembly. The Supreme Court had earlier requested the Allahabad High Court to decide at earliest Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan plea seeking stay of his conviction in a matter related to protest. Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan claiming that he was was a juvenile as on the date of the incident, has challenged the Allahabad High Court order dated March 17. Mohd Abdulllah Azam Khan was disqualified from UP Legislative Assembly after he was convicted and sentenced to two-year imprisonment in a 15-year-old case. Abdulla Azam Khan was representing Suar in Rampur district in the Assembly. Abdullah Azam Khan, and his father, was convicted by a local court in Uttra Pradesh of allegedly using criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a matter pertaining to a dharna on a state highway in January 2008. Abdullah Azam Khan moved Allahabad High Court against trial court order seeking suspension of his sentence. In the plea, Abdullah Khan apprised the court that on March 17, High Court of Allahabad after perusing the Application preferred by the Petitioner granted the Respondent State a time period of 3 weeks to file counter affidavit, however, failed to appreciate the fact that if the Application is not decided expeditiously then the same would be rendered infructuous and the Petitioner would suffer irreparable harm. On February 13, Trial Court convicted Abdullah Azam Khan for offences punishable under Section 353, 341 IPC and 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932, and sentenced him to undergo two years of simple imprisonment. Subsequent to the order of the Trial Court on February 13, 2023 convicting Khan, the Assembly Secretariat, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on February 15 notified that the Constituency Seat of Suar, District Rampur of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly has become vacant. The Petitioner appealed to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Rampur against the order of the Trial Court and also filed an application for stay of conviction and sentence. However, the Sessions Court dismissed the said application on February 28. Thereafter, the Petitioner approached the High Court against the order. The petitioner said that he believes that during the pendency of the Application before the High Court, by-election to the Rampur constituency would be announced. The petitioner said he is concerned that if such an announcement is made and thereafter, the High Court passes a stay order the same would be rendered moot due to the announcement of the by-elections. (ANI) "Dragging Lokesh into false cases is a political vendetta. He was not involved in the Inner Ring Road scam. I am questioning CID officials if they can show me the ring road. If the ring road is not laid down yet, how can the corruption worth crores take place? Due to political vendetta, Nara Lokesh and his father Chandrababu Naidu are being threatened by these false cases", Sridevi said while speaking to ANI in Andhra Pradesh's Vijaywada. Taking a dig at Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, she said, "Jagan government is afraid of Chandrababu Naidu". Earlier, the CID in Andhra Pradesh served a notice on TDP leader Nara Lokesh in connection with the Amaravati Inner Ring Road 'scam' case. Meanwhile, Lokesh arrived at the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office in Tadeaplli for a second-day interrogation in the Inner Ring road case earlier today. CID added Nara Lokesh as A-14 (Accused 14) in the Inner Ring Road alignment case. After the questioning by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) about alleged irregularities in the Inner Ring Road case, Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Nara Lokesh said, "I have nothing to hide." Amid the political turmoil in the state, TDP Supremo Chandrababu Naidu continues to be in judicial custody. Naidu was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last month in connection with the alleged multi-crore skill development scam case. Naidu's quash petition filed in the Supreme Court will now be heard on Friday. Naidu had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the dismissal of the case registered by the CID. The two-judge bench, after hearing the arguments on Tuesday, adjourned the hearing to October 13. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that just and fair criticism is welcome but it will not tolerate anything obstructing the functioning of justice system. The High Court made the remarks while hearing a contempt of court case against writer Anand Rangnathan. The HC took suo motu cognizance of remarks made against former Justice S Murlidhar who granted bail to Gautam Navlakaha. Earlier, in this case RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy and film maker Vivek Agnihotri were also made parties. However, they were discharged after they tendered unconditional apology. "We welcome just and fair criticism. If you have just and fair criticism of courts, you are free to... (but) what can't be appreciated is something that lowers the majesty of court, obstructs functioning of the court, the system. That we will not tolerate...We are not peevish about being called names but we are very concerned when the system is obstructed," a division bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Anish Dayal said. The matter has been listed for further consideration on November 9, 2023. Counsel for Rangnathan on Wednesday informed the court that he has filed an affidavit clarifying his client's position. In the last hearing, the counsel said that his remarks were not against the decision of granting bail to Navlakha. To clear his position he will file an affidavit, the counsel added. Counsel for Rangnathan further said that what he had said was not on the facts of the case, but was general in nature. The counsel added that the tendering unconditional apology would amount to the acceptance of the contemptuous conduct. This matter related to a tweet that he posted in 2018 about Justice S Murlidhar who had quashed transit remand of Gautam Navlakha. Another party in the case a magazine, its counsel submitted before the bench that it has already filed an affidavit tendering unconditional apology and the said article has been taken down. (ANI) In a statement, a police spokesperson said that based on a specific input of militant movement in the Ushkara area, a joint Naka was established at Ushkara by Baramulla Police, Army 46 RR, MI, and 53 Bn CRPF. During naka checking suspicious movement of one person coming towards the naka point by foot was observed. After seeing the police party and security forces, the suspect person tried to flee from the spot but the alert naka party apprehended him tactfully, it added. During preliminary questioning, he was identified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Hamid Bhat resident of Ushkara Baramulla. During his search 2 hand grenades and cash amounting to Rs 40K were recovered from his possession. In this regard, a case under sections UA (P) and Arms Act has been registered at Baramulla Police Station and an investigation has been taken up. (ANI) After the questioning of the Andhra Pradesh CID on the second day, Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Nara Lokesh said that CID officials asked the same questions that were not related to the Inner Ring Road case. Earlier in the day, Nara Lokesh arrived at the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office in Tadeaplli for a second-day interrogation in the Inner Ring Road case. After completing the investigation, Lokesh spoke to the media and revealed that the CID officials asked the same questions unrelated to the IRR case on the second day as well. He mentioned that he attended the investigation on the second day, despite the Andhra Pradesh High Court instructing him to attend for only one day. Nara Lokesh asserted that he had nothing to hide, and he attended the second day based on the instructions of the CID officials. The TDP National General Secretary stated that on the second day, the CID officials asked him 47 questions, but only four of them were related to the IRR case. Lokesh revealed that the officials presented IT returns documents of his mother, Nara Bhuvaneswari, and raised some questions from them. However, he expressed his readiness to challenge these questions in court and didn't want to answer them during the investigation. Nara Lokesh emphasized that "He was repeatedly asked questions unrelated to the ministry (which he had managed during the TDP regime)." He strongly stated that neither he nor his family had any involvement in the alleged Inner Ring Road scam. Regarding the transparency of his family, Lokesh mentioned that his family has been declaring their assets for the past ten years. He questioned why CID officials haven't investigated Prem Chandra Reddy and Ajay Kallam, the individuals who signed the Skill Development Project. He also raised questions about how it could be considered a quid pro quo arrangement when they paid rent for his family's stay in the Lingamaneni guest house. Regarding the transparency of Heritage, Nara Lokesh pointed out that Heritage was founded in 1992 when N Chandrababu Naidu was in opposition. It was listed in 1994, and all the relevant documents are available in the public domain. He further alleged that Jagan is using public funds to pay the salaries of Sakshi employees. He reminded everyone that the Delhi High Court had issued notices to Jagan and his wife, Bharathi, in a case against the Sakshi Group. Nara Lokesh revealed that no one is willing to invest in the state due to the corrupt governance of Jagan Mohan Reddy. He also noted that he has many responsibilities as the National General Secretary of the TDP and expressed his frustration at the CID for wasting his time over two days in a baseless case with no evidence. In May 2022, the CID registered an FIR against Chandrababu Naidu, former municipal administration minister Dr P Narayana, Heritage Foods Ltd, and others, for alleged irregularities in the construction of an Inner Ring Road in Amaravati. (ANI) On the basis of various suggestions received from the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for White Goods Beneficiaries as well as Industry Associations, further changes in the Scheme Guidelines have been made, with a view to simplify the operation of the Scheme as well as to improve the ease of doing business. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, certain changes have been incorporated under the Scheme Guidelines of the PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED Lights) which include the adoption of the Cost-Plus method in place of the CUP (comparable uncontrolled price) method for calculation of sales prices in case of captive consumption or supplies to group companies. It also required amendment in the definition of 'Arm' length'. Secondly, consider investments in Tool Room for manufacturing of Mould and Dies etc. as eligible investments under Capital Investment. Another change incorporated is allowing one more year over and above two years, permitted for informing by beneficiaries about establishment of additional manufacturing facility. Revision of the last date of submission of filing the claim and refund of excess incentive by the beneficiary on account of discrepancy between statutory compliance and records provided at the time of filing of claims, if any. Other changes incorporated are site visit by the Administrative Ministry, Rollover of Bank Guarantee and appropriate changes in Annexures to the Scheme Guidelines. In pursuance of the Prime Minister's clarion call for "Atmanirbhar Bharat" to bring manufacturing to the centre stage and emphasize its significance in driving India's growth and creating jobs, the PLI Scheme for White Goods for the manufacture of components and sub-assemblies of ACs and LED Lights was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister on April 7, 2021. The scheme is to be implemented over a seven-year period, from FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29 and has an outlay of Rs 6,238 crore. The scheme was notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on April 16, 2021. The scheme guidelines were published on June 4, 2021. Based on further stakeholder consultations for smooth implementation of the scheme, two corrigenda to the Scheme Guidelines were issued on August 16, 2021 and February 24, 2022, respectively. The scheme is operational now. Out of 64 selected beneficiaries, 15 beneficiaries, who have opted for the gestation period up to March 31, 2022, have started commercial production. The rest of the beneficiaries who have opted for the Gestation period up to March 31, 2023, are at different stages of implementation. The PLI Scheme for White Goods is designed to create a complete component ecosystem for the Air Conditioners and LED Lights Industry in India and make India an integral part of the global supply chains. Domestic Value addition is expected to grow from the current 15-20% to 75-80%. (ANI) Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh is once on headlines for his recent claim that 97 per cent cases against the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) were "false". Singh made the remark while talking to the reporters in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on Wednesday. Reacting to the action being taken by National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the premises of PFI at various places in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, the former CM said, "97 percent cases on PFI have been found to be false." Meanwhile, talking about the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Singh said that the Congress always stood against terrorism, they would never support Hamas. "Congress has always stood against terrorism. We will never support Hamas, it is a militant group but the conflict that is going on between Israel and Palestine. They need to sit together and resolve it. There should be peace," the congress leader said. Besides, reacting to action taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), he claimed that it was a political weapon. The Central government used it to topple many governments. "This (ED and CBI) is a political weapon. The central government used it to topple many governments. False cases of corruption are being created. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had said in his speech that Ajit Pawar is accused of a scam of Rs 70,000 crore. Later, Ajit Pawar becomes the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. What is this? I guarantee that the guarantee given by PM Modi is false and cannot be trusted at all," Singh alleged. The Prime Minister had promised to bring back black money but the country's money had now been deposited to foreign banks. His (PM Modi) close people have gone abroad with thousands crores of rupees and haven't returned till date, Singh further claimed. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], October 10 (ANI/WAM): Dubai will unleash a new era of global AI dominance next week, as the UAE hosts the world's largest tech and start-up show, converging the best minds, future-focused governments, and most advanced companies to redraw the boundaries of the AI economy and shape the future of the globe's next big technology shift. For the first time, GITEX GLOBAL - independently rated globally as the best tech show in the world - shall take place in two mega venues as its 43rd edition prepares to welcome 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from 180 countries from 16th-20th October 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Its powerhouse start-up show, Expand North Star hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy runs from 15th-18th October 2023 at the stunning new Dubai Harbour venue. More than 1,800 start-ups across the events will explore rising opportunities in one of the world's most agile, diversified, and technology-enabled digital economies. The blockbuster duo, organised by DWTC, comprise a combined 2.7 million sq. ft. of exhibition space, a 40 percent increase over the previous year, inviting the world to the year's most anticipated dialogue and deep scrutiny into a new tech paradigm experimenting in AI, the cloud, Web 3.0, and a sustainable digital economy. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, spoke at the official GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star 2023 press conference today. "We are working with AI policymakers to ensure that the world is better for everyone everywhere," said Al Olama, who was named by TIME Magazine as one of the world's top 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence in 2023. "GITEX GLOBAL is where the best and brightest minds come together to shape the future of technology. Dubai is a global market and through GITEX GLOBAL, we are pushing the envelope by showcasing new technologies including the transformational power of AI to inspire everyone and shape a better future." "We've seen a huge increase in the number of participants at GITEX GLOBAL and this growth really is a testament to the UAE's status as a global leader in technology." The influx of global interest in the UAE will see Expand North Star host the largest line-up of 1,000 investors from 70 countries with US$1 trillion under management, as they look to ramp up the global VC start-up investment revival. It arrives as the UAE companies clinched the lion's share of $4 billion in start-up funding across the Middle East and North Africa in 2022, fetching investments to the tune of $1.85 billion across 250 deals, a five percent increase in value over the previous year. "Expand North Star reflects Dubai's strong commitment to enabling ambitious start-ups to thrive in the emirate," said Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE), host of Expand North Star. "We look forward to introducing several initiatives at the event including India Central, the biggest showcase of Indian start-ups ever assembled outside India; Asia Fast 100 and Africa Fast 100, the event's largest showcases bringing together more than 100 leading start-ups from each continent for an intensive programme of conferences, networking events, and dedicated pitch competitions; and Launchpad Dubai, a first-of-its-kind initiative providing local and international tech businesses including start-ups, scaleups, and unicorns opportunities to accelerate their business and kickstart their operations in Dubai through a one-stop experience at DCDE's booth at Expand North Star. "Hosting this event enables us to harness the full potential of the digital economy by connecting stakeholders from the government sector, investors, and accelerators with the world's leading industry experts, innovators, and tech start-ups," added Al Gergawi. "By bringing the global start-up ecosystem together in the emirate, Expand North Star supports our drive to transform Dubai into one of the world's leading digital economies in line with the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33)." GITEX GLOBAL 2023 will see the highest involvement of public-private partnerships yet as more than 250 government entities intensify their futuristic digital city visions and strategic collaborations amplified by bold commitments toward digital excellence. The annual five-day event will deep dive into the biggest reflections of the AI era with the return of AI Everything - the year's largest showcase of AI solutions and concepts - and the Global DevSlam coder and developer meet-up, while the hyper-popular GITEX Cyber Valley will take the fight directly to the dark cyber-criminal underworld. "We have not seen this hyper level of fervour and anticipation of GITEX GLOBAL in recent years," said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at Dubai World Trade Centre. "GITEX is synonymous with AI this year, especially when excitement over the emergence of generative AI is shadowed by a sense of trepidation and cautiousness. "We are aggregating the year's largest AI in Everything showcase and the most powerful AI architects across businesses. GITEX GLOBAL has not merely expanded in scale. It has totally upsized the big AI ethical conversation and commercial exploration to new dimensions." GITEX Global and Expand North Star will also feature 21 conference tracks with more than 1,500 expert speakers from 80-plus countries delivering 900 hours of immersive mind-stretching content, as they unpack and demystify 2023's pressing tech challenges and controversies, from delivering the world's faster AI supercomputer, or driving the green energy revolution, to scaling autonomous driving tech, and the assessing the impact of AI tools on cybersecurity. (ANI/WAM) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel "to engage our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground," the US said on Tuesday. "Secretary of State Antony J Blinken will travel to Israel and Jordan October 11-13, 2023, where he will meet with senior officials," said the US Department of State in a statement. The Secretary will also "reiterate his condolences for the victims of the terrorist attacks against Israel". He also condemned those attacks in the strongest terms. "The Secretary will also reaffirm the United States' solidarity with the government and people of Israel," the statement said. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that Blinken "looks forward to meeting with senior leaders in the Israeli government and continuing the discussions he and the president have been having with them since the initial attacks on Saturday..." Blinken will also discuss measures to bolster Israel's security and underscore the United States' unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself, the statement added. Meanwhile, on Tuesday National Security Adviser of the US, Jake Sullivan said it was unclear how many American citizens were taken hostage. "We do not know about their condition, and we cannot confirm a precise number of American citizens. We will work hour by hour, both to determine whether we can account for any of those Americans, or to confirm exactly what the number of Americans are being held hostage, and we will come back to you with that information as soon as we have it," Sullivan said. "As you know, very sadly and tragically, the number of dead has risen with each passing hour, and that's true of the total number, it's also true of Americans, which has gone up just today from an earlier report this morning of 12 and 13 - now 14...," he added. US President Joe Biden has also confirmed the death of 14 Americans in Israel adding that there were more US hostages in Israel. Noting that the US knows that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas, Biden said that he has directed his team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the US government. He also affirmed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will continue to make sure Israel has "what it needs" to defend itself and its people. As many as 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,616 people were injured after Hamas launched a barbaric 'surprise attack' on Israel on October 7. On the other hand, over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in air raids after Israel launched a strong counter-offensive. The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 770 Palestinians have been killed and 4,000 wounded in Israeli air raids. Among the dead are 140 children and 120 women, a ministry spokesperson said. (ANI) Iran is "complicit, in a broad sense," in Hamas attack in which at least 900 Israelis were killed, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said here on Tuesday. "We've said since the beginning that Iran is complicit in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas, they've provided training, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support and they've had engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years, and all of that that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen," Sullivan said, adding, "Now, as to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not, as of the moment I'm standing here at the podium, have confirmation of that." Sullivan's remarks came after US President Joe Biden denounced the attacks on Israel as "pure unadulterated evil," saying the stated purpose of the terrorist organisation Hamas is "to kill Jews." NSA Sullivan told reporters that the administration was engaged with its Israeli counterparts and "looking back through our intelligence holdings to see if we have any further information on that," adding, "If there's an update to that, I'll share it with you." "But as I stand here today, while Iran plays this broad role, this sustained, deep and dark role in providing all of this support and capabilities to Hamas, in terms of this particular gruesome attack on October 7, we don't currently have that information," he added. Asked why Israel was unable to anticipate Hamas' attack on Israel, Sullivan referred questions to Israeli officials, however, as for the US, he said, "We did not see anything that suggested an attack of this type was going to unfold any more than the Israelis did." The US State Department on Tuesday said that Secretary Antony Blinken will travel to Israel "to engage our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground." "Secretary of State Antony J Blinken will travel to Israel and Jordan October 11-13, 2023, where he will meet with senior officials," said the US Department of State in a statement. (ANI) Continuing its air assault on Hamas in the wake of the multi-pronged terror attacks, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it struck over 200 targets of the terrorist group in the Al Furkan neighbourhood of the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday. As part of the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas on Wednesday morning, the security forces also bombed the house of the father of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's military wing believed to be the key plotter of the terror attacks, The Times of Israel reported. In what was its third aerial assault in the area, Israeli fighter jets struck 450 Hamas targets in the neighbourhood, the IDF posted on social media platform X. "The IDF continues extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip; dozens of Air Force fighter jets attacked over 200 targets in the Al Furkan neighbourhood for the third time in the past day This is the third attack in the area during the last day, in which the IDF attacked over 450 targets in the area of the neighbourhood," the IDF posted on X. Meanwhile, as the war on Hamas entered its fifth day, the toll from the rocket and ambush attacks by the terror outfit in Israel mounted to over 1,000, with more than 2,800 injured and 50 confirmed missing or taken hostage, the IDF stated. It informed further that over 4,500 rockets have been fired, so far, from Gaza. Over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in the air raids as part of the ongoing counter-offensive, the Health Ministry of Gaza said, adding that another 4,000 have been injured. Among the dead are 140 children and 120 women, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry on Gaza said. A day ago, in a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "though Israel did not start this war", it "will finish it". "Israel is at war. We didn't want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn't start this war, Israel will finish it," said Netanyahu in an address to the nation. Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country combined with a ground assault on civilians. (ANI) Soldiers in reconnaissance training China Military Online) 09:18, October 11, 2023 Soldiers assigned to a brigade under the PLA 73rd Group Army carry out a training exercise on reconnaissance by infiltration in wilderness on September 12, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zeng Bingyang) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus said on Wednesday that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacre Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said that the about 300000 soldiers have been deployed at Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that the Hamas will not have any military capabilities at the end of war. In a live video on X, Lieutenant Col. Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens." He also went on to mention the reason behind the increasing number of deaths in Israel and claimed they are finding bodies of people who were killed during Hamas attack. IDF also clarified on the bombing of a building in Gaza which reports claimed was a residential building. IDF spokesperson claimed that the building was used by Hamas terror group and claimed that the terror group uses civilian buildings for their research and planning. He said, "It isn't a civilian building, it is a legitimate military target because Hamas uses all its locations, all of their officers, headquarters for their research and development and all of their military assets, if its above ground, they locate themselves in civilian buildings. Hamas being cowards that they are never put signs on their building saying, Welcome to the Hamas Headquarters for planning terrorist activity in Israel." Earlier today, continuing its air assault on Hamas in the wake of the multi-pronged terror attacks, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it struck over 200 targets of the terrorist group in the Al Furkan neighbourhood of the besieged Gaza Strip. As part of the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas on Wednesday morning, the security forces also bombed the house of the father of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's military wing believed to be the key plotter of the terror attacks, The Times of Israel reported. "The IDF continues extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip; dozens of Air Force fighter jets attacked over 200 targets in the Al Furkan neighbourhood for the third time in the past day This is the third attack in the area during the last day, in which the IDF attacked over 450 targets in the area of the neighbourhood," the IDF posted on X. Over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in the air raids as part of the ongoing counter-offensive. Israel Defense forces say dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood--a terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF also confirmed that the first plane carrying U.S. armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel this evening. The IDF said that cooperation between the two militaries, is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas with ISIS saying both terror organisations were the same and should be treated as such. "We were attacked on Saturday with such barbarism that has not been seen since the Holocaust. Hundreds of people were slaughtered, entire families were murdered in their beds and homes, women were brutally raped and murdered; More than a hundred were kidnapped, including children" said the Israeli Prime Minister in a post on X. "The scale of this evil has only grown. They forced dozens of children, burned them and executed them. They cut off the heads of soldiers, they murdered the young people who were celebrating at a festival in the wild, they surrounded them with jeeps and shot them into a hole in the ground. We have not seen such barbarism in the entire history of the State of Israel. They are even worse than Daesh (ISIS)- and that's how we should treat them" Netanyahu said. (ANI) India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, on Tuesday (local time) said that the G20 Summit held in New Delhi showcased the country's commitment to "fostering a sense of global togetherness." She highlighted various instances when India practised 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which means the world is a family. In her opening remarks at the 'International Conference on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Kamboj said, "The recent G20 summit, an event that showcased India's commitment to fostering a sense of global togetherness." "Our leadership, marked by inclusivity and collaboration, saw the participation of 20 member states, nine invitee nations, and 14 international organizations. What is more, it witnessed the historic inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member, amplifying the voices of nations often left unheard," she added. Notably, the theme for India's G20 Presidency was 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth One Family One Future'. The G20 Leaders Summit hosted in Delhi from September 9-10 drew the highest-ever contingent of world leaders and dignitaries in the event's history, including US President Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak. Kamboj recalled PM Modi emphasing the significance of women-led development at the G20 Summit. She stressed that 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' finds expression in the empowerment of women. She also recalled PM Modi's remarks regarding India's model of financial inclusion in leveraging technology. "At the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of women-led development, highlighting that nearly 45 per cent of STEM graduates in India are women. And indeed, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' finds expression in the empowerment of women, who now play pivotal roles in India's space program, business landscape, and various fields," said. "Again, the Indian Prime Minister also highlighted India's model of financial inclusion in leveraging technology to make development increasingly equitable. Using this model, India has transferred 360 billion dollars directly to the bank accounts of those in need over the past decade. As the World Bank has acknowledged, this model has successfully achieved a financial inclusion rate in 6 years which would have taken 47 years to achieve," she added. Citing industry estimates, Kamboj said the costs incurred by banks for onboarding customers in India due to the use of its digital public infrastructure decreased from USD 23 to USD 0.1. Emphasising that yoga embodies the concept of unity, Kamboj stated that the International Day of Yoga, celebrated annually at the UN Headquarters, "brings people from diverse nationalities together in a harmonious union of body and mind, emphasizing our shared humanity." "This year yoga day held a special significance as we were led by Prime Minister Modi himself, achieving a remarkable feat by setting a Guinness World Record for the largest number of nationalities participating in a single yoga session," she said. Kamboj stressed that India consistently extended a helping hand in the face of global challenges, adding that the country's abiding commitment to 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' was evident even during the Covid-19 pandemic as New Delhi provided vaccines and medicines to more than 100 countries through the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative. Highlighting India's assistance to the international community during natural calamities, Kamboj said, "'Operation Dost' saw India extending life-saving humanitarian medical assistance to countries like Turkey and Syria, reinforcing the belief that the world is indeed one family, and in times of need, we stand united." She stated that PM Modi's launch of 'Mission LiFE' emphasises the importance of mindful and deliberate utilisation of resources to protect the environment, demonstrating India's dedication to a sustainable global family. In her opening remarks at the 'International Conference on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' Kamboj spoke about India's friendship with nations of the Global South, saying that New Delhi has offered training to 200,000 individuals from more than 160 countries, considering the unique needs of its partners. "India's friendship with the nations of the Global South is no less exceptional and inspiring. Our development partnerships have extended to encompass 78 nations across diverse regions. Within these collaborative efforts, we have initiated 600 projects, illustrating our goodwill and capacity," Kamboj said. "At the heart of our approach is the belief that progress should be inclusive and borderless. We have also offered training to 200,000 individuals from over 160 countries, always considering the unique needs of our partners. Our journey has been guided by the Kampala principles enunciated by Prime Minister Modi in 2018, which serve as the compass steering us towards our partners' needs," she added. She called for educating young about diverse cultures, promoting cross-cultural dialogues, and celebrating shared humanity. She said, "Let us focus on our shared dreams and values, rather than the differences that divide us." In her remarks, Kamboj also quoted Mahatma Gandhi, saying, "The greatness of humanity is not in being human but in being humane." She added that 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is a call for action and recognising the shared destiny to come together in the face of adversity. "I would like to emphasize that "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is more than a lofty ideal. It is a call to action, urging us to recognize our shared destiny, to come together in the face of adversity, and to build a world where every individual, no matter where they come from, is treated as part of this grand, global family," Kamboj said. She said the phrase -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- has travelled through millennia, reminding people that beneath the apparent divisions of nationality, religion, and culture everyone shares the same human essence. "Our fates are intertwined, our dreams interlinked, and our challenges interconnected," she added. (ANI) Sharjah [UAE], October 11 (ANI/WAM): BEEAH Education, the pioneering environmental education and awarding organisation dedicated to fostering sustainability, has announced the launch of the BEEAH Future Leadership Programme. This nine-month comprehensive training journey delves into the core pillars of the organisation, which includes studying the latest trends in technology and AI, and is also a critical part of the broader Beeah Executive School offerings. It is specifically designed to cultivate transformative leadership and identify future potential leaders within the organisation. Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, stated, "In a rapidly changing global environment where innovation and sustainability are paramount, it is our responsibility to ensure that our leaders are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to guide our organisation into the future. This programme is more than just an investment in our employees; it's an investment in BEEAH's legacy and our promise to remain at the forefront of the industry. By integrating cutting-edge technology and AI insights into our curriculum, we're ensuring that our next generation of leaders is not just prepared for tomorrow but is shaping it." The BEEAH Future Leadership Programme features a series of interactive workshops, training sessions, and a capstone project, all facilitated by experienced trainers. In partnership with the world-renowned training provider, Emeritus, the programme's curriculum is linked with prestigious universities such as MIT Management Executive Education, Columbia Business School, Tuck Executive Education, ensuring access to globally recognised educational resources. The programme aims to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, as well as a culture of learning across BEEAH. It will allow participants to engage with high-potential colleagues from diverse business units, nurturing a shared learning environment. Hind Al Huwaidi, Chief Education Officer at BEEAH Group, commented, "In collaboration with Emeritus, we are empowering our employees with world-class education, preparing them to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape. This programme symbolises our investment in people, who are our greatest assets, and our confidence in their ability to drive our vision forward." The inaugural batch, consisting of 20 employees, promises personalised attention and optimal learning outcomes, while the annual enrolment ensures that the programme's benefits resonate throughout the organisation. Adey Zaghab, Senior Director - Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Emeritus, expressed, "The programme will leverage a spectrum of accomplished Educators and Thought Leaders and expose the participants to various learning modalities." This leadership programme's launch is a milestone for BEEAH, reinforcing its position as an industry leader dedicated to people-centric growth, innovation, and environmental stewardship. (ANI/WAM) As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies it continues to wreak havoc on the lives of Israeli citizens, a lot of whom lost their houses in the barbaric rocket attack by Hamas. The residents of Yahuda Halevi in the South Israel are among those who suffered loss of homes, infrastructure and lives of civilians. The visuals came from the South Israel, Yahuda Halevi showed the devastating scenes of destruction and damage to residential houses and buildings. One of the Israeli citizen Dima, whose house was destroyed in the Hamas attack on Israel expressed his pain and shared his experience of when the rocket struck his house . In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dima said, "While we were sleeping at night, a rocket was dropped and my house was completely destroyed and we suffered serious injuries.". He mentioned that his son was also injured in the attack and is being treated in the hospital. Earlier, Yaacov, an Israeli national from Ashkelon, vividly recounted his upsetting experience, stating, "We came here because a rocket fell on our building... we have no shelter, we escaped thanks to local administration and they suggested that we should come here to this hotel, and this is a good place. My 11-year-old son, 2-year-old daughter, my wife and I are staying here." The fear and urgency felt by Yaacov and his family mirror the widespread anxiety and turmoil that have gripped residents in the region. Ashkelon, like many other Israeli cities and towns, has been the target of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, leading to a dire need for safe havens for its residents. Galaia, another resident of Ashkelon, shares a similar sentiment, "My children and family are here (hotel) because rockets fell on the roof of our neighbour's house, our windowpanes were broken... for one week, we have been staying here, now we don't know if this place is safe... we want a new place... I want to tell my Prime Minister that... finish this terrorism as soon as possible." Galaia's plea reflects the frustration and longing for an end to the ongoing conflict. The emotional toll it has taken on families and individuals cannot be overstated, as the daily threat of rocket attacks and the trauma of seeking refuge in unfamiliar surroundings continue to plague their lives. The Israel Defence Forces said on Wednesday that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded since the Hamas attack began on Saturday. The IDF emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza. Nearly 1,000 people have been killed and 5,000 others have been injured in Gaza after Israel launched a strong retaliation after the 'surprise attack' by Hamas, CNN reported citing Gaza Health Ministry. Today the Israeli Air Force attacked the Islamic University in Gaza City, which according to them served as a major training center for Hamas engineers. The Israeli Air Force in a statement said "Fighter jets recently attacked the Islamic University, which serves as an important center of political and military power for the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip and a training institution for the development and production of weapons. The Air Force continues with extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip at this time as well." Israeli Air Force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler, reviewed the IAF's operational activity and said that the forces were operating on a multi-front attack. "We will not concentrate on what was, we concentrate on what is happening here and now. The IDF knows how to operate in a multi-front manner as long as necessary. We don't differentiate between day and night - that's what war looks like." said Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Brigadier General Omer Tishler. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas with ISIS saying both terror organisations were the same and should be treated as such. (ANI) Palestinian envoy to the U.N. Riyad Mansour wrote in a letter to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday and said that the Israel has declared an all-out war on the Palestinian people, ratcheting up its long-running campaign of violence and State terror against the people it has been ruthlessly occupying and persecuting for decades. The Palestinian envoy to the UN further wrote, "Israel's war is being carried out indiscriminately and wantonly, in grave breach of international law, with the explicit purpose of inflicting enormous human loss, suffering and destruction, compounding its massive collective punishment of the Palestinian civilian population it has held captive in Gaza under an inhumane 16-year blockade." The Palestinian envoy also mentioned the Israel's Defence Minister's statement in the letter, which said, "We are fighting human animals... We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza. There will be no electricity, no water, no fuel. Everything will be closed". He claimed that "Israeli occupying forces (IOF)" continue attacking civilian areas across the Gaza Strip, firing missiles, bombs and artillery by air, land and sea. Violating all rules of international humanitarian law, Israel is deliberately targeting homes, including apartment buildings, refugee camps, hospitals and other medical facilities, UNRWA schools, mosques, and other civilian properties and infrastructure, including roads, hampering the passage of emergency vehicles and access of humanitarian personnel to aid the wounded. The letter mentioned that the casualties are estimated at 849 Palestinians killed, including families in their entirety throughout Gaza, and over 5,350 wounded by lethal IOF attacks in the days since Israel began its onslaught on 7 October. The toll is rising by the minute. The casualties include 19 Palestinians, including 4 children, killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as Israel presses on with its attacks on the civilian population, attacks that were incessant prior to 7 October and are now escalating as it intensifies its onslaught. He emphasised that the harm being done to children and women is unspeakable. Children are being traumatized and terrorized, orphaned by the hundreds as their parents are murdered before their eyes, displaced as their homes are blown up and reduced to rubble, and are among the dead and wounded, with reports of over 140 children killed. As of this writing, it is estimated that more than 80 women are also among the dead, with casualty figures still rising. Giving details about the destruction, the Palestinian envoy sought the stopping the bloodshed and saving civilian lives and reiterated that the targeting of civilians must be halted immediately. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip. "I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly," said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. More than 2 million people live in Gaza, who have been at the receiving end of the harsh blockade since 2007, but now, Israel aims towards a "complete siege" by denying Gaza all supplies in response to the unexpected and brutal Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday. (ANI) Nepal will be sending flights from its flagship carrier -- Nepal Airlines -- on Wednesday evening to Israel to evacuate its citizens from Israel, who have been stranded since terrorist outfit Hamas launched 'surprise attacks on Saturday. As per the secretariat of Nepal's Foreign Minister NP Saud, the Nepal Airlines aircraft will fly to Israel via Dubai to repatriate about 300 Nepali citizens, who have registered themselves online to return to the Himalayan nation. On Wednesday morning, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, along with the Minister for Tourism, Sudan Kirati, convened a meeting at his official residence, directing the heads of the Civil Aviation Authority and Nepal Airlines to launch an immediate rescue mission for stranded Nepalese citizens in Israel. As per the secretariat of the Nepal Foreign Minister, permissions have been already obtained from Israel. About 300 Nepalese citizens have already registered themselves to return from Israel. In adherence to international safety protocols, the government is ensuring that all insurance and permit procedures are fulfilled, with necessary arrangements to be finalised in coordination with the United Arab Emirates. The latest move of the Nepal government comes in the wake of the death of 10 students from Nepal in Kibbutz near the Gaza border after Hamas terrorists opened fire on them on Saturday. The Nepal government on Sunday confirmed the death of the students, who were in Israel under the "Learn and Earn" scheme -- a 10-month internship in the agricultural sector. Further, one Nepalese citizen remains unaccounted for after the Hamas attacks. Among the affected individuals are 49 students pursuing studies in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Sudurpaschim University, part of the "Learning and Earning" programme who found themselves trapped in the conflict zone following the terror attacks. While 32 of these students were rescued by the Israeli military and moved to safety in Tel Aviv, they are now seeking assistance to return to Nepal, as Israel intensifies its counter-offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Amid the ongoing onslaught in Gaza, the spokesperson for the Israel Defence Force (IDF), Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, on Wednesday said 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 injured in the Hamas attacks, adding that the Israeli soldiers were ready to execute the mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacre Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed on the Gaza border claiming that they would ensure that the Hamas will be shorn of its military capabilities by the end of the counter-offensive. In a live video posted on X, Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens." (ANI) Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, Prasanna Shrivastava, on Wednesday handed over the building of Mahendra Rashtriya Secondary School here to the local authorities. The school building was built with Indian assistance. Santosh Budhathoki, chairman of the District Coordination Committee, said addressing the handover event at Baluwatar, Kathmandu, "The generous support of the Government of India has been very useful for us in building many such institutions. The Mahendra Rastriya Secondary School is one of many instances of our bilateral cooperation. We hope to boost such collaborative efforts in the time to come." According to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the building of Shree Mahendra Rastriya Secondary School, Baluwatar, Kathmandu was built with Indian assistance worth NRs.19.20 million, under the 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation. Built 15 years ago, the building has now been formally handed over. It was inaugurated jointly by Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, in Kathmandu, and Santosh Budathoki, chief, DCC Kathmandu. Political representatives, social workers, officials of the Nepali government, representatives of school management, teachers, parents, and students were also present at the event. The grant from the Indian government, under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation', was utilised for the construction of the triple-storey school building and the provision of furniture for the school. The project was taken up as a high-impact community development project under an agreement between the two governments. The project was implemented through the District Coordination Committee, Kathmandu. "This project is part of a robust development partnership between India and Nepal, which has made significant progress in recent years through the implementation of various projects across key sectors of the Nepalese government and for the people," Srivastava said. Mahendra Rastriya Secondary School was founded as a primary school in 1956 through the efforts of a group of motivated teachers. The school was recognised by the Nepal government in 1973 as a primary school and was upgraded to Lower Secondary in 1995. It was later upgraded to Secondary level in 2000 before being bestowed the status of a Higher Secondary School. The school has a strength of over 600 students, 50 per cent of whom are girls. Since its inception, the school has achieved remarkable success, imparting quality education to children from the local community. Since 2003, India has taken up over 546 High Impact Community Development Projects in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 483 projects. Amongst these, 105 projects are in Bagmati Province in various sectors. These include 40 projects in Kathmandu. In addition to these, the Indian government gifted 974 ambulances and 234 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal on the country's Independence Day and Republic Day. Of these, 69 ambulances and 52 school buses were provided in Kathmandu, till date. As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging, multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDP projects reflects the continued support of the Indian government in bolstering the efforts of the Nepalese government in the upliftment of its people, augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors, especially the education sector in Nepal. (ANI) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said India's commitment to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is deeply rooted in the principles of peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity, and regional collaboration. "For Member States to grow and prosper, development challenges must be continuously and effectively addressed. In particular, we should cooperate on various aspects of the maritime economy, resources, connectivity and security," the EAM said at the press conference of the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers Meeting in Sri Lanka. The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 Member States and 11 Dialogue Partners, as per the IORA website. Jaishankar said: "We should be equally clear where the dangers are, be it in hidden agendas, in unviable projects or in unsustainable debt. Exchange of experiences, sharing of best practices, greater awareness and deeper collaboration are part of the solutions." The EAM highlighted that India through its G20 Presidency, will further empower IORA. "I particularly flag Nari Shakti or women-led development, the democratisation of technology through Digital Public Infrastructure, and Prime Minister Modi's vision of LiFE or "Lifestyle for Environment" in this regard. I would also stress the importance of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in addressing the challenges that IORA member-states face," he said. He said India views the IORA as a platform for promoting sustainable development, economic growth and prosperity, and stability in the region. "As the Vice-Chair of IORA, India will work on consolidating and streamlining efforts to promote cooperation in the realms of the six priority areas and two cross-cutting themes of the IORA, with particular emphasis on maritime safety and security, and blue economy. We seek to engage our fellow member states and partners to develop mutually beneficial initiatives." "As the Vice-Chair of IORA, the apex regional body of this Region, India will work towards further strengthening the regional identity and cooperation among IORA Member States, Dialogue Partners, and for the well-being and prosperity of the Indian Ocean community." Jaishankar on Tuesday landed in Colombo on a three-day visit. This is the external affairs minister's second visit to Sri Lanka this year. During the visit, Jaishankar will have bilateral meetings in Sri Lanka. (ANI) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a 24-hour control room in view of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. The control room will help monitor the situation and provide information and assistance. The contact details of the control room in New Delhi are as follows: 1800118797 (Toll-free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +919968291988, situationroom@mea.gov.in, according to a release issued by the MEA. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed at, +972-35226748, +972-543278392, cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in. India's Representative Office in Ramallah has also set up a a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed as per contact details: +970-592916418 (also whatsapp), rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in Indian Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla in his message said that the situation was being monitored closely and the embassy was there to serve its citizens. "To our fellow Indian citizens in Israel, this is to assure you that the Embassy is working constantly for your safety and welfare. All of us are going through very difficult times. But please remain calm and vigilant & follow the local security guidelines. We are here to help you and we thank many of you who have sent so many messages of appreciation. We are monitoring the situation closely and please stay tuned for any updates by the Embassy" said the Indian envoy to Israel. Meanwhile, amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the Indian diaspora in Israel has expressed confidence in the country's military and said they want to live peacefully. A woman of Indian origin in Ashkelon, Israel, Ilana Nagaukar, told ANI: "Yesterday, a missile struck here, vehicles caught fire and there was a power cut in all these buildings. We feel that we are in danger but we believe in our Army. This is our home and we can't go anywhere. We want to live here peacefully" Another woman of Indian origin, Rikki thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting Israel's residents. She said, "We are thankful to PM Modi that he is supporting us. He's doing a lot of things for us, for Israel and for our community in India. And we think that the things that he is doing for us, it's very strong." Meanwhile the Israeli Defence forces continued their offensive against Hamas. Today the Israeli Air Force attacked the Islamic University in Gaza City, which according to them served as a major training centre for Hamas engineers. The Israeli Air Force in a statement said "Fighter jets recently attacked the Islamic University, which serves as an important centre of political and military power for the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip and a training institution for the development and production of weapons. The Air Force continues with extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip at this time as well." Israeli Air Force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler, reviewed the Israeli Air Force's operational activity and said that the forces were operating on a multi-front attack. "We will not concentrate on what was, we concentrate on what is happening here and now. The IDF knows how to operate in a multi-front manner as long as necessary. We don't differentiate between day and night - that's what war looks like." said Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Brigadier General Omer Tishler. (ANI) The power plant in the Gaza Strip ceased operations on Wednesday afternoon after running out of fuel, the Gaza Energy Authority announced, The Jerusalem Post reported. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 people have been killed and 5,000 others have been injured in Gaza after Israel launched a strong retaliation after the 'surprise attack' by Hamas, CNN reported citing Gaza Health Ministry. According to the ministry, some 950 people have been killed and 5,000 others have been injured in the strikes in Gaza, according to the CNN report. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said it has killed some 1,500 terrorists in Israeli territory after Hamas launched an attack on Israeli border communities, The Times of Israel reported. The Israeli Defence Forces said that it targeted Hamas's "aerial detection capabilities" in Gaza. According to the IDF, the terror group had a network of cameras, hidden inside solar water heaters across the Strip in order to track and monitor Israeli aircraft. "Yesterday, within a few minutes during a focused sortie, the IAF struck all of the sites of the network and demolished Hamas's ability to form an accurate picture of the skies and their efforts to target IDF aircraft," The Times of Israel quoted the military as saying. In an update posted on X, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that dozens of warplanes attacked more than 80 targets throughout Beit Hanon during the night. "Dozens of warplanes attacked over 80 targets throughout Beit Hanon during the night. Among other things, the planes attacked two bank branches used by the terrorist organization Hamas to finance terrorism in the Gaza Strip, an underground terrorist tunnel in the territory of the Gaza Strip and two operational headquarters used by the terrorist organization Hamas to direct terrorism to the State of Israel," IDF posted on X. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday said he has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip. He made the statement after an assessment at the IDF Southern Command in Beersheba. "I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed," Gallant said. "We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly," he added. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus has meanwhile said that 1200 Israelis have been killed and more than 2,700 wounded. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that Hamas would lose all military capabilities at the end of the war. Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Sderot on Wednesday, said: " We will win thanks to the incredibly amazing heroism of our people" The Israeli President also underscored the importance of reconstructing the area and providing 'absolute security' for the people of Israel. (ANI) The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been cautioned by the United States and its allies against escalating the conflict in Israel. This comes after the deployment of US military assets to prevent a potential widening of the war, multiple US officials aware of the matter told CNN. At this point, senior administration officials do not believe that Hezbollah is likely to join Hamas' war in force against Israel, and officials think the warnings are having an impact even though there has been some escalation on the border. A message has been sent to Hezbollah to stay out of the conflict through a number of channels, including the Lebanese government and the Hezbollah-allied Speaker of Lebanon's Parliament, Nabih Berri. Berri was mentioned by administration officials briefing Congress on Sunday as a go-between, according to a person familiar with the briefing. The US won't officially engage with what has been designated a terrorist group, so Berri is one natural conduit, as per CNN. At Israel's request, France has also conveyed to Hezbollah that they must stay out of the war and not escalate further or Israel will respond significantly, a source briefed on the talks said. Those discussions were also coordinated with the US, the source said. "Western allies who have informal ties with Hezbollah have conveyed some messages," a Western diplomat confirmed, adding that the response by Hezbollah indicated "the pre-existing will of Hezbollah not to escalate for now." A senior defence official said on Monday, "We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict," adding: "We are working with Israel and with our partners across the region to contain this to Gaza." Hezbollah is a highly trained, well-armed and sophisticated military force that also receives Iranian support, so its entry into the conflict would mark a significant escalation. But current and former senior officials don't believe Hezbollah is eager to join the war, largely because the risks for the group would outweigh any potential rewards. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean in large part as a message to Hezbollah and its Iranian backers to refrain from entering the war. US security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Tuesday: "Let me be clear, we did not move the carrier for Hamas. We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors that might seek to widen this war." President Joe Biden reinforced that message in remarks on Tuesday from the White House. "Let me say again, to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't. Don't. Our hearts may be broken, but our resolve is clear," he said. US Mission to Israel Charge d'Affaires ad interim Stephanie Hallett was on Wednesday present at the Gaza periphery to bear witness to the atrocities that were committed on Saturday. "We've come down here along the Gaza periphery to bear witness to the atrocities that were committed here on Saturday. And it's really unbelievable, as a mother and just as a human being, to see and to know what happened here is really important, to say that we've been here, we've seen it, and it is evil. And we stand with Israel. All of us. We stand with Israel." The IDF earlier said an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon towards a military post near the community of Arab Al-Aramshe. Taking to X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated, "An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine." A suspected infiltration attempt occurred near the border town of Rosh HaNikra. A senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officer and two soldiers were killed during a firefight with terrorists who infiltrated into Israeli territory from southern Lebanon on Monday afternoon, the military confirmed on Tuesday. Five additional Israeli troops were wounded in the attack, according to the IDF.The officer was identified as 300th Brigade Deputy Commander Lt Col Alim Abdullah, 40, from the Druze village of Yanuh-Jat in northern Israel. (ANI) The Memorandum of Understanding was approved between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Papua New Guinea on cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today has given its approval to the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed between the two nations on July 28 this year. "The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and digital technologies-based solutions (viz. INDIA STACK) in the implementation of digital transformational initiatives of both the country. The MoU shall come into effect from the date of signature of the parties and shall remain in force for a period of 3 years," the Cabinet said in an official press release. Its impact would be seen in the form of bilateral cooperation in the area of digital public infrastructure (DPI) that will be improved on both a G2G and B2B basis. The MoU anticipates that increased collaboration will result in job possibilities in the IT industry. "MeitY is collaborating with a number of countries and multilateral agencies for fostering bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the ICT domain. Over the period, MeitY has entered into MoUs/MoCs/Agreements with its counterpart organizations/agencies from various countries to promote cooperation and exchange of information in the ICT domain. This is in consonance with the various initiatives taken by Government of India such as Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India etc. to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. In this changing paradigm, there is an imminent need for exploring business opportunities, sharing of best practices and attracting investments in the digital sector with the objective of enhancing mutual cooperation," the press release added. India has recently shown that it is a leader in the development of digital public infrastructure (DPI) and has effectively delivered services to the general public even during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many nations have expressed interest in signing MoUs with India and benefiting from its experiences. (ANI) Members of the Bene Israel community staying in Pune are concerned about the safety of their relatives and family members in Israel amidst the ongoing war against Hamas. They are offering prayers in the local synagogue, Succath Shelomo Synagogue in Pune. Chazzan of Succath Shelomo Synagogue Noel Issac Mapgaonkar said his parents and uncle, aunty are currently staying in Israel, "I am speaking with them daily on the phone and they are saying the situation is very bad there, they are not allowed to step outside the home, they have been told to store the foods ration ... I am praying here for the soldiers of Israel to give them strength to fight against Hamas." The Bene Israel or "Native Jew" is a community of Jews in India. Another member who is a trustee of Succath Shelomo Synagogue Yosef Nowgaonkar said that since Saturday, "we are really worried about our family members staying in Israel. Some of them are citizens of Israel and have been called at the war being in the reserve army ..we are very concerned about them and praying for them." Sharing a picture of the barbaric killings carried out by the terrorist group Hamas, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, in a post on social media platform X, said that Hamas is worse than ISIS. "Hamas is worse than ISIS," the Israeli PM wrote as he shared the post. Sharing the same post on X, the IDF said, "Only a genocidal terrorist organization is capable of such horrors." The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus on Wednesday said that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that the Hamas will not have any military capabilities at the end of the war. In a live video posted on X, Lieutenant Colonel Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that the Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens." As part of the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas, dozens of Israeli Air Force fighters struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood. In a post shared on X, IDF stated, "Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood--a terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck." (ANI) UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday was forced to run for cover amid rocket fire during a visit to southern Israel, Sky News reported. Sky News is a British free-to-air television news channel and organisation. A video showed James Cleverly and a group running into a building as air sirens blared in Ofakim. Cleverly was seen running towards the entrance at the start of the clip. The Israeli foreign ministry said the siren was warning citizens of incoming Hamas rocket fire. The UK Foreign Secretary arrived in Israel this morning as part of a trip to "demonstrate the UK's unwavering solidarity" with the country, a foreign office spokesman said earlier today. Cleverly on Wednesday said the UK stands with Israel. "I'm here in Israel today to show that the UK's support for the Israeli people is unwavering," he wrote on 'X'. Meanwhile, all of Northern Israel has been ordered to take shelter in safe houses/bunkers amid drone infiltration, The Jerusalem Post reported. Red alerts and sirens blared as hostile aircraft entered Tiberias, Beit Shean, Tzfat and northern Israeli communities. Incoming drone alerts are continuing to sound in northern Israel, as per The Times of Israel. The sirens are sounding in every town and city in the north, including the Golan Heights. Early reports suggest dozens of drones were launched from Lebanon at Israel. The military says it is looking into the details. The head of the Galil Elyon Regional Council, Giora Zaltz, tells Channel 12 news some of the aircraft that infiltrated from Lebanon are carrying people, and residents need to seek shelter. "This is what we feared, what we were preparing for," he said as per The Times of Israel. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus on Wednesday said that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute the mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that Hamas would not have any military capabilities at the end of the war. In a live video posted on X, Lieutenant Colonel Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that the Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens." As part of the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas, dozens of Israeli Air Force fighters struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood. In a post shared on X, IDF stated, "Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood--a terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck." (ANI) During the interaction Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault; Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group; Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus; and Olivier Andries, CEO of Safran Group were present. Union Minister visited the Safran Engine Division's R&D Centre at Gennevilliers near Paris, France during the second and final leg of his two-nation tour. During his visit to the Centre, he witnessed the latest developments in aero-engine technology. Olivier Andries, Global CEO Safran welcomed Rajnath Singh to the facility and, along with his team, gave a detailed briefing to him. Safran expressed interest in being a part of the Indian growth story by working with its counterparts on mutually agreed joint projects. Singh highlighted the advantages of co-development and co-production in India, including the possibility of exports to third countries. He underlined the inherent advantages of the Indian market such as a large, skilled HR base, world-class infrastructure and a strong legal architecture, the release stated. Later in the day, Rajnath Singh will be holding the fifth Annual Defence Dialogue with the French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu. Rajnath Singh reached Paris late on October 10 and interacted with the Indian community. While addressing the sizeable Indian community at the India House, he highlighted the various achievements of India in the defence sector such as increased defence exports, increasing indigenous production of defence equipment, concerted efforts on co-development and co-production in India and an enhanced outreach in the region. The Defence Minister spoke about the tremendous progress achieved in India in the last nine years, an assessment that was heartily supported by the Indian community. (ANI) Along with members of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), 34 organisations of employees from other ministries of the Punjab government, including health, education, and higher education, participated in the sit-in. Throughout the day, the demonstrators chanted insults at the caretaker administration and Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The Civil Secretariat was blocked off by barriers, and police were stationed on the Lower Mall, Dawn reported. Chaudhry Sarfraz, president of the Punjab Teachers Union, claimed that the union will not permit the government's anti-labour and anti-worker policies to be carried out. He added that nobody from the administration showed up at the protest to talk with the protesters and that they would not end the sit-in until their legal requests were met. The government recently stated that it will hand over control of the public schools to non-governmental organisations, ban employees from cashing in their vacation days, and amend the pension rules. All government department staff were concerned about the problem, Dawn reported. The demonstration was joined by employee associations from across the province and their officer-bearers. (ANI) Retired Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner has said the IDF has been on a state of high alert since Saturday in order to restore safety, security to the country and to embark on an operation to degrade and destroy Hamas's capabilities to attack the country. "The IDF since Saturday has been in a state of alert, of high alert in order to restore safety, security to the state of Israel, and as instructed by the government to embark on an operation to degrade and destroy Hamas's capabilities to attack the country," Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. He said the operations that are currently underway and have been since Saturday are comprised of three core components. First of all, the defence in Israeli territory. Those components include ensuring that the barrier that the Hamas terrorists breached is secured and closed. "Secondly, we are still in a situation where we believe there is still a possibility that there are terrorists in Israeli territory. So we are operating in order to secure Israeli territory. There could be terrorists hiding in bushes or in a cupboard. And finally, evacuation of people from the front line so that they no longer need to be in distress," he said. "And we have evacuated, indeed, most of the people who wanted to be evacuated from the front lines of the border with Gaza. The second component, obviously, is the offensive activities that are currently underway. The mission is to destroy Hamas's capabilities so that they can never inflict this damage on Israel again..." he added. Meanwhile, as per The Times of Israel, several aircraft may have infiltrated Israeli airspace from Lebanon. As a result, residents across northern Israel are being told to shelter in reinforced rooms and wait there. A reporter on Israeli TV said explosions were being heard, and something struck the ground in the border town of Metula, with no injuries. A suspected terrorist infiltration alert was heard in Israel's northern town of Ma'ayan Baruch, close to the border with Lebanon. Footage on Channel 12 news appears to show a drone moving across the sky. Sirens were heard in the towns of Ofer and Kerem Maharal, south of Haifa, with Hamas claiming to have shot rockets in that area. Sirens were heard in every town and city in the north, including the Golan Heights. Early reports suggest dozens of drones were launched from Lebanon at Israel. The military says it is looking into the details. The head of the Galil Elyon Regional Council, Giora Zaltz, tells Channel 12 news some of the aircraft that infiltrated from Lebanon are carrying people, and residents need to seek shelter, as per The Times of Israel. "This is what we feared, what we were preparing for," he says. Meanwhile, UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was on Wednesday forced to run for cover amid rocket fire during a visit to southern Israel, Sky News reported. Sky News is a British free-to-air television news channel and organisation. A video showed James Cleverly and a group running into a building as air sirens blared in Ofakim. Cleverly was seen running towards the entrance at the start of the clip. The Israeli foreign ministry said the siren was warning citizens of incoming Hamas rocket fire. The UK Foreign Secretary arrived in Israel this morning as part of a trip to "demonstrate the UK's unwavering solidarity" with the country, a foreign office spokesman said earlier today. Cleverly on Wednesday said the UK stands with Israel. "I'm here in Israel today to show that the UK's support for the Israeli people is unwavering," he wrote on 'X'. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus on Wednesday said that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute the mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that Hamas would not have any military capabilities at the end of the war. (ANI) In the first round of evacuation from Israel, Nepal has planned to evacuate a total of 250 nationals from Israel while the bodies of 10 Nepali students killed will be repatriated later, the Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. Sewa Lamsal, the Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press briefing announced that Nepal Airlines will fly for Tel Aviv late on Wednesday. Only 250 out of 288 who have registered to fly to the homeland would be brought back, the official announced. "Till afternoon 350 Nepali in Israel have registered online for support. Out of them, 288 have wished to fly back to Nepal. For those wanting to return to Nepal, a 250-seated Nepal Airlines aircraft is flying to Tel Aviv (Israel) from Kathmandu (Nepal). As limited commercial flights are operating to and out of Israel, those wanting to return to Nepal via commercial flights, the Nepal Embassy in Israel would facilitate them," Sewa Lamsal, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal said in a press briefing. Furthermore, the Spokesperson announced that the bodies of the Nepali students would be only flown out from Israel once the protocols are completed which would take time. "The mortal remains won't be flown back to Nepal this time, there are some other protocols to follow. Once the Israeli government hands over those bodies then only it would be brought back. As Israel is in a state of war, postmortem protocols need to be followed, we have requested them but we are not in the condition to pressure them," spokesperson Lamsal said. A Nepal Airlines Airbus 330 aircraft with an occupancy of 274 passengers will take off from Tribhuvan International Airport in the early hours of Thursday including the ForeignMinister NP Saud. A cabinet meeting has decided to send the Foreign Minister to bring back those who have signed up to return home. As per Lamsal, students would be given utmost priority at the time of evacuation. As the war between Israel and Palestine continues on 5th day, the whereabouts of one Nepali student is yet to be ascertained. Officials at the Foreign Ministry stated that a search is underway utilizing all possible measures. Meanwhile, two Nepali students injured in the attack of Hamas have been discharged from the hospital while two continue to be under medical supervision. The latest move of the Nepal government comes in the wake of the death of 10 students from Nepal in Kibbutz near the Gaza border after Hamas terrorists opened fire on them on Saturday. The Nepal government on Sunday confirmed the death of the students, who were in Israel under a 10-month internship in the agricultural sector. Amid the ongoing onslaught in Gaza, the spokesperson for the Israel Defence Force (IDF), Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, on Wednesday said 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 injured in the Hamas attacks, adding that the Israeli soldiers were ready to execute the mission in Gaza. The death toll of Israelis stands at over 1200 as of now. The overwhelming majority of them are civilians and more than 2700 are wounded. The IDF spokesperson, earlier today, has said about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed on the Gaza border claiming that they would ensure that the Hamas will be shorn of its military capabilities by the end of the counter-offensive. (ANI) There was no aerial incursion from Lebanon. It was the result if a technical problem and that there was no security situation. People can return to normal activities in the areas affected. (ANI/TPS) "Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad," tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in Israel informed that it has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight on Thursday. "The Embassy has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight tomorrow. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights," tweeted the Indian Embassy on social media platform X. This is not the first time that India has launched such operations to bring back its citizens from the war zone, pandemics and natural calamities. Earlier, it had launched a 'multi-pronged' initiative named 'Operation Ganga' to assist Indian evacuation from Ukraine where around 20,000 Indians including students were stuck in Ukraine. Meanwhile, India launched the Vande Bharat Mission to bring back Indian citizens stranded in foreign countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the multiple phases of the operation, about 60 lakh Indians were brought back. Under Operation Samudra Setu, a naval operation, 3,992 Indian citizens were brought back from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2016, an evacuation from Brussels was carried out by India when Belgium was hit by terrorist strikes at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and one at Maalbeek Metro station in central Brussels. A total of 242 Indians, including 28 crew members, returned to India on a Jet Airways flight.In 2015, a conflict raged between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels. Under Operation Raahat, nearly 5,600 people were evacuated from Yemen. Under joint relief and rescue Operation Maitri in 2015, the Indian government and the Indian Armed forces brought over 5,000 Indians back from Nepal in the aftershock of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. It also successfully evacuated 170 foreign nationals from the US, the UK, Russia and Germany. (ANI) A multifaceted interplay of economic troubles, strategic dynamics, and regional influence is currently unfolding in Sri Lanka. This island nation grapples with mounting debt and is navigating China's growing presence and influence in the region, Daily Mirror reported. Sri Lanka's total external debt exceeds USD 50 billion, with a significant portion, roughly 10 per cent, owed to China. This debt encompasses official loans and less visible commercial borrowings from Chinese commercial banks. Notably, Sri Lanka owes USD 119 million to the China Development Bank Corporation, USD 232 million to the China Development Bank, and USD 232 million to the Export-Import Bank of China, according to Daily Mirror, a daily English-language newspaper published in Sri Lanka. Despite China's promises to assist in debt restructuring, tangible actions have been limited. Sri Lanka urgently requires a USD 3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the first installment already received. The release of the crucial second tranche hinges on China and other bilateral lenders restructuring their debt terms with Sri Lanka. According to Daily Mirror, China initially participated in discussions with other creditors, including India and Japan, offering a two-year moratorium on debt repayments and even exploring the possibility of providing new loans. However, China later altered its stance, creating roadblocks in Sri Lanka's efforts to secure IMF aid. In response to the debt restructuring issue, Japan, India, and France formed a committee for negotiations, inviting China to participate. However, China chose to engage directly with Sri Lanka, assuring no preferential treatment in the process, as reported by Daily Mirror. Despite ongoing economic challenges, Sri Lanka is in a complex position, obliged to host Chinese military vessels in its ports. This strategic move by China raises regional concerns, as it's perceived as an effort to extend influence in the region. Recent developments indicate some progress, with the Export-Import Bank of China reaching a preliminary agreement with Sri Lanka regarding the resolution of China-related debts. This follows Sri Lanka granting permission for a Chinese research vessel to dock in the country, which has raised concerns, particularly from India, regarding the vessel's capabilities. As Sri Lanka navigates its economic and strategic challenges, the upcoming Belt and Road Initiative summit, led by China and attended by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, offers a ray of hope. This summit is expected to provide a platform for discussions on debt relief and may redefine Sri Lanka's complex relationship with its largest lender and strategic partner, China. The outcome will be closely watched, as it holds the key to addressing Sri Lanka's economic woes while India plays a significant role in the region, Daily Mirror reported. (ANI) A Brockton 17-year-old wanted for murder following a fatal shooting in February has been added to the Massachusetts State Polices Most Wanted list. Kahmari T. Price is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Brockton that killed Mark A. Boyd, 33, in February, state police said Wednesday. Price is considered armed and dangerous, has ties to the Greater Fall River area and is actively avoiding law enforcement, state police said. Police described Price as standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. On Feb. 26, Brockton Police received multiple reports of a shooting on North Main Street. Responding officers found an unresponsive male, later identified as Boyd, suffering from a gunshot wound to his head, state police said. Boyd later died. An investigation by the State Police Detective Unit for Plymouth County and Brockton detectives identified Price as the suspected shooter. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant from Brockton District Court charging Price with murder, with nationwide extradition authorized, state police said. The firearm used in the fatal shooting has not been recovered, state police said. Anyone who sees Price or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873) or call 911. The case is being prosecuted by the office of Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz. 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 Three orcas prepare to wash a seal off the safety of an iceberg. Londons Natural History Museum has revealed the winners of its annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, and this years collection is absolutely stupendous. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. Chosen from nearly 50,000 entries (49,957 to be exact), these photoscapturing creatures from the bottom of the sea to the edge of a desert cliffshowcase the beauty, complexity, and tragedy of the natural world. They also showcase the harm our own species has done to Earths wild places, as well as the efforts to which wildlife goes to take advantage of human doings. Without further ado, check out the winning photos of 2023. Last Breath of Autumn Photo: Agorastos Papatsanis / Wildlife Photographer of the Year A parasol mushroom releasing spores from under its cap. This image won the Plants and Fungi category. Read more Photo: Bertie Gregory Several orca rush a Weddell seal in this remarkable image taken from the air. The whales create a wave that washes the seal into the water, making a much more accessible meal for the orcas. This photo won the Behavior: Mammals category. Owls Road House Photo: Carmel Bechler / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award went to 17-year-old Carmel Bechler, who snapped this image of two barn owls in the window of an abandoned building. In the foreground, long-exposures of the roadside have created two light trails from passing cars. Out of the Blue Photo: Ekaterina Bee / Wildlife Photographer of the Year Two common bottlenose dolphins swim just under the surface of the waters of Skye, in Scotland. This image won the 11-14 Year Old category. The Tourism Bulldozer Photo: Fernando Constantino Martinez Belmar / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The winner of the Photojournalism category was this shot of a destroyed region of rainforest. The trees have been cut down to make way for a new rail line that will connect tourist destinations across Mexico. Silence for the Snake Show Photo: Hadrien Lalague / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The winner for the category of Behavior: Birds, this image shows five grey-winged trumpeters watching a boa constrictor slither by. The trumpeters occasionally eat small snakes; this 10-foot boa was probably too much to swallow. The Dead River Photo: Joan de la Malla / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The polluted Ciliwung river in Jakarta, Indonesia, takes center stage in this lofty view of the Indonesian capital. The image won the Wetlands - The Bigger Picture category. The Tadpole Banquet Photo: Juan Jesus Gonzalez Ahumada / Wildlife Photographer of the Year Tadpoles swarm a drowned sparrow fledgling in this arresting image from Malaga, Spain. Tadpoles are omnivorous, making this meal one for the ages. The Unprotected Photo: Karine Aigner / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The winner of the Photojournalist Story Award was this shot of dead bobcats being weighed at the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest. The killer of the heaviest bobcat in 2022 took home $35,530. Birds of the Midnight Sun Photo: Knut-Sverre Horn / Wildlife Photographer of the Year This shot of kittiwake adults and chicks in an abandoned factory shows the birds silhouettes through a window, the sun illuminating them from behind. The image won the Urban Wildlife category, The Ancient Mariner Photo: Laurent Ballesta / Wildlife Photographer of the Year This years Wildlife Photographer of the Year award went to marine biologist Laurent Ballesta, who scored a captivating shot of a tri-spine horseshoe crab and three gold trevallies. Taken on the seafloor off the Philippines Pangatalan Island, this shot shows how the horshoe crab just keeps chugging along, after more than 100 million years on Earth. Last Gasp Photo: Lennart Verheuvel / Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner of the Oceans: The Bigger Picture category, this heart-wrenching photo shows a beached orca that was initially rescued but stranded itself on the beach in the Netherlands. Later study of the animal found it was malnourished and sick. Alpine Exposure Photo: Luca Melcarne / Wildlife Photographer of the Year This ibex leads a hardy existence on the snowy, windy peaks of the French Alps. The image won the competitions Rising Star Portfolio award. Hippo Nursery Photo: Mike Korostelev / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The winner of the Underwater category was this shot of a mother hippopotamus and two offspring at the bottom of a shallow lake in South Africa. The Art of Courtship Photo: Rachel Bigsby / Wildlife Photographer of the Year A pair of gannets share a moment against the romantic backdrop of guano-stained cliffs in Noss National Nature Reserve, Scotland. Lights Fantastic Photo: Sriram Murali / Wildlife Photographer of the Year At first glance, it appears as if the forest in Indias Anamalai Tiger Reserve were strung up with countless LEDs. But no, this imagestitched from 50 19-second exposuresshows the flashes of many fireflies that zip through the canopy. The Wall of Wonder Photo: Vihaan Talya Vikas / Wildlife Photographer of the Year At first, you might miss the ornamental tree trunk spider on the left side of this image. Situated to the side of a carving of the Hindu god Krishna, the spider seems to be floating off the wallof course, its really hanging by a thread. Face of the Forest Photo: Vishnu Gopal / Wildlife Photographer of the Year A lowland tapir appears out of the dark undergrowth of the Brazilian rainforest in this shot, taken in Tapirai, Sao Paulo. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A century ago, the 29-year-old district attorney for Travis and Williamson counties began the judicial process to prosecute and indict four Klansmen from Taylor, who had been accused of gruesomely beating and tarring a traveling salesman to within an inch of his life. The catch? The man they almost beat to death was a white Protestant, just like them. R.W. Burleson was targeted by the Klan because of an alleged affair with a widowed woman, Fannie Campbell. The Klan took it upon themselves to both teach Burleson a lesson and to deter others from immoral behavior. Dan Moody at the end of his last term as governor, March 12, 1930. The fledgling district attorney was Dan Moody, the future governor of Texas and by all accounts, a hardworking, lawfully minded prohibitionist. Described as a stern person, with strict ideas about what behaviors were ok by his granddaughter Martha DeGrasse, Moody took the case partially because he was driven by his morals, regardless of the threat of retribution by other Klansmen or the possibility of a judge or jury secretly infiltrated by the KKK. Between September 1923 and February 1924, Moody led Williamson Countys prosecution against all four Klan members at the Georgetown courthouse. After deliberating for twenty minutes, jurors recommended the maximum sentence for Murray Jackson, the first defendant, with prison time for the other three. More: When the Ku Klux Klan gripped Austin and the nation Trials propel Moodys political career Moodys prosecution also owed its victory to his leverage of the media, which devotedly publicized the ongoing tribunals, both locally and nationally. By the fourth trial, there were as many reporters as there were jurists. Notoriety from the trials also provided the ambitious Moody an abundance of opportunities to advance his political career. All the lawyers in the Georgetown Klan trials, prosecution and defense. Dan Moody just right of the fellow in the hat. It comes from the Austin American, published Jan. 21, 1924. After his term as district attorney, Moody was elected attorney general in 1925 and at one point considered for Franklin D. Roosevelts running mate in his 1933 presidential bid. At 33, Moodys successful gubernatorial bid in 1926 made him the youngest governor in state history and led to his last term in political office, after which he retired from politics and practiced law in Austin for the remainder of his life. However, despite receiving contemporaneous widespread media attention and altering the trajectory of modern American history, the trials are not taught in Texas schools, nor are they widely known among the public. KKK trials in Texas are a footnote One hundred years later, the trials and their outcome, are remembered by few. It wasnt spoken about. There was a lot of shame associated with the fact that the KKK got as out of hand as it did. And then, I think its like a lot of American history, it got swept under the rug. Previously, there was nothing readily available about Dan Moody. And teachers dont teach it because they just dont know about it, said Susan Komandosky, Chair of the Advisory Board at the Dan Moody Museum in Taylor and former high school journalism teacher. In fact, Patricia Bernstein , a native Texan, and author of Ten Dollars to Hate, a detailed account of the trials, coincidentally heard of the trials while researching her first book about the lynching of Jesse Washington. Patricia Bernstein, author of 'Ten Dollars to Hate: The Texas Man Who Fought the Klan' A professor at Texas State University casually commented to me did you know there was a time when there were millions of members of the Ku Klux Klan in this country? When he said that, I remember laughing, because I thought that was absurd, Bernstein said. Later, while researching the KKK, Bernstein read a footnote mentioning Dan Moodys case, making him the first district attorney to successfully convict and get serious prison time for members of the Klan. Previous attempts to convict the KKK, both in Texas and other states, had been unsuccessful. [Prior to 1923] there were times there were convictions, but then they were overturned, or a mistrial was declared, and they just got a slap on the wrist, or a small fine. And Dan Moody turned that around, and when he succeeded, he became a national sensation overnight, Bernstein said. More: Did Texas lawmakers remove classroom requirement to teach KKK as 'morally wrong'? Origins and revival of the Ku Klux Klan The initial KKK movement was established in 1866 by six Confederate veterans, who sought to police the South under Reconstruction, through violence and fear, targeting former slaves in the hopes that they could be prevented from voting or holding public office. The group faded when Jim Crow laws, established in the late 19th century, were deemed sufficiently oppressive towards African Americans. More: In the birthplace of the KKK, a group pushes to memorialize its overlooked Black history A resurgence of the KKK during the Prohibition era took on a different focus, as they were not just racially motivated but were also resolute in policing immorality. Their resurrection was a direct response to an increasingly progressive and relaxed American society amid an influx of immigrants with diverse religious and racial backgrounds. Their contempt towards others also encompassed bootleggers and those who committed acts they deemed immoral. Patricia Bernstein: 'I always say this is William Joseph Simmons, founder of the Second KKK, on "the best day of his miserable life." He is just about to testify before Congress in 1921. The world is about to pay him the attention at last that he has always thought he deserved!" In Texas, Klan members numbered in the tens of thousands and counted among them the mayors of Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Wichita Falls, as well as a majority in the House of Representatives in the 38th Texas Legislature, which met during the first half of 1923. Austins Klan chapter had approximately 1,500 members. For those seeking membership, only American-born, Anglo-Saxon Protestants were allowed to join the Klan, whose members paid a one-time fee of $10. Thus, when Moody was elected district attorney in 1922, he had every intention to take on the Klan, Susan Komandosky said. It happened that a case practically fell into his lap, when R.W. Burleson was chained, whipped, and tarred in Taylor. Dan Moody was fortunate in that neither the sheriff, nor the constable, or the judge [presiding over the case] were members of the Klan. And while that may sound strange, there were many prominent people at the time who were members of the Klan, she said. A undated photo of a Klan parade on Congress Avenue in Austin. Many Klansmen became members because it was akin to a brotherhood and beneficial for local business. Klansmen often did business with other Klansmen. Following the 1923 trials and convictions, Komandosky said that Klan membership in Texas dropped by over 50%. The Klans rise and fall is also partially attributable to the media, whose extensive coverage of not only the trials but also the ongoing violence and financial scams, fractured and scattered the groups millions of members. The Klan rose on publicity, and they died on publicity, Bernstein said. More: Americans stood up to racism in 1961 and changed history. This is their fight, in their words. The Klan today Apart from a brief revival during the Civil Rights movement, the KKK persists, though at significantly reduced numbers. According to the Southern Poverty Law Group, which tracks domestic terrorist groups, there were Klan rallies throughout 2022, but they were small and remote, run by individual Klan organizations with minimal cross-coordination or overlap between other groups. The SPLG estimates there is only a fraction of active KKK members across the U.S. compared to prior years, and will continue to remain stagnant or decline. A Ku Klux Klan member in Hampton Bays, on Long Island in New York, on Nov. 22, 2016. However, hate groups continue to play a role in the U.S. Most contemporary hate groups have refocused their efforts on anti-government, anti-LGBTQ, or antisemitism, with over 50 chapters and groups in Texas alone. A report from the Anti-Defamation League concluded that in 2022, Texas had the largest amount of racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda compared to the rest of the U.S. And yet, according to Bernstein, law and publicity are still some of the same tools we can use to oppose evil today. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: In 1923, Dan Moody was the first to prosecute KKK members in Texas Two conservative lawmakers said Wednesday that they have donated money they received from the leader of a group who recently hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes . In a statement, Frisco Rep. Jared Patterson said that he has given $2,500 to a pro-Israel charity, to account for the in-kind contribution of the same value he received from former Rep. Jonathan Stickland , R-Bedford. Stickland is the leader of Defend Texas Liberty, a political action committee that has donated millions of dollars to top Texas Republicans including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton. I was appalled to learn Defend Texas Liberty PAC hosted a Nazi sympathizer and Holocaust denier for six hours, Patterson said in a statement. I could not rest until I washed my campaign from the stain of this organization and its leader. In his statement, Patterson said he was surprised that other conservatives including Reps. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, Steve Toth , R-Woodlands, Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, and Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth have either outright refused or dont appear willing to distance themselves from Defend Texas Liberty. Those members have released statements denouncing Fuentes or antisemitism, but were silent on Defend Texas Liberty and Stickland. Rep. Stan Kitzman, R-Pattison, also said Wednesday that he is returning money from Defend Texas Liberty. Citing Fuentes visit as well as the Tribunes August reporting on Defend Texas Libertys ties to a company that pays influencers for undisclosed promotional work Kitzman said he will donate the $5,000 he received from the PAC to local charities, including two Jewish groups. While I have no intention of labeling the members of Defend Texas Liberty as antisemites or racists, their decision to engage with someone like Nick Fuentes is a step too far, Kitzman said in a statement. I respectfully urge the leadership of this PAC to reflect upon their choice to associate with such individuals and consider aligning themselves with more principled allies. Other conservative lawmakers have pushed back against criticisms of Defend Texas Liberty. On social media this week, Toth accused Patterson of pandering to progressives through his statements on Fuentes. After a Houston-area activist noted that Fuentes has said white people are in a holy war against Jews and will make them die, Toth responded by calling her a typical liberal liar. Every time Republicans panders [sic] and apologize to progressive Democrats on issues of race they show the world how little backbone they actually have, Toth also said. Paxton has not sought to distance himself from Fuentes or the PAC either. The attorney general has not responded to repeated requests for comment or released a statement this week. Defend Texas Liberty is funded primarily by two West Texas oil billionaires who have given him nearly twice as much in donations as his second-largest donor Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC, which condemned Fuentes on Monday The disavowals by Kitzman and Patterson the latter of whom was ranked as the states most conservative lawmaker this year based on an analysis of his legislative votes is the latest fallout after the Tribune published photos on Sunday of Fuentes at the offices of Pale Horse Strategies, a consulting firm for right-wing candidates that is also owned by Stickland. Fuentes is an avowed admirer of Adolf Hitler who has questioned if the Holocaust happened, called for holy war against Jews, fantasized about marrying a 16-year-old when he is older because thats right when the milk is good and pushed conspiracy theories that claim there is an intentional, Jewish-driven effort to replace white people through immigration, interracial marriage and the LGBTQ+ community. All I want is revenge against my enemies and a total Aryan victory, Fuentes said last year. His appearance which comes as antisemitic and racist violence skyrockets in Texas and nationally has set off a firestorm that has further escalated an ongoing civil war in the Texas GOP. Citing Hamas recent attacks on Israel, House Speaker Dade Phelan said Monday that fellow Republicans should redirect any money they received from Defend Texas Liberty to pro-Israel charities. Soon after, 60 members of the Texas House Republican Caucus released a similar statement. Patrick who took $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty earlier this year responded forcefully, accusing Phelan of politicizing Hamas attack, calling for him to step down and condemning Fuentes but not Stickland or Defend Texas Liberty. Other major beneficiaries of the PAC followed suit throughout Monday, and have still yet to say whether they will cut ties with the deep-pocketed Defend Texas Liberty, Stickland or his West Texas funders. Fuentes relationship with Republicans meanwhile continues to make headlines. On Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked by CNNs John Berman how he feels about Republicans associating with Fuentes, as former President Donald Trump did at Mar-a-Lago last year. I would not do that, responded DeSantis, whose campaign fired a Fuentes follower earlier this year after it was revealed that he had made and then shared a pro-DeSantis video that featured Nazi symbols. Also on Wednesday, members with the activist group Indivisible Houston protested outside of a radio station in Houston that often hosts Patrick. Dan G. Patrick takes Nazi cash, read one of their banners. circa 1950: A typical scene of the Aleutian Islands with a volcanic cone in the background. J. Malcolm Greany/Three Lions/Getty Images Alaska was controversially purchased by the US from Russia in 1867. Critics called the transaction "Seward's Folly" after William Seward, the US secretary of state. Alaska was officially made the 49th state in January 1959. Indigenous people have been living in Alaska for thousands of years. One commonly accepted theory was that the first people traveled to North America from Asia via the Bering Land Bridge, although more recent discoveries suggest they made their way by sea. Russia began colonizing Alaska, and other parts of North America, in the late 1700s, establishing Russian America and making money off the fur trade. But by the 1860s, the fur trade had declined due to over-hunting. In 1867, Russia sold its remaining land to the United States a check in the National Archives shows Alaska was sold for $7.2 million, or less than 2 cents an acre. The transaction was made against the wishes of some Native Alaskans, who argued it wasn't Russia's land to sell, according to the Alaska Native Foundation. US critics dubbed the purchase "Seward's Folly," named for then-Secretary of State William Seward, because they felt the land, which they called an "icebox," was useless. Three decades later, the Klondike Gold Strike brought thousands of migrants to the territory. Alaska officially became a state 92 years after the transaction, in January 1959, making it the 49th state. Hawaii became the 50th state that same year. Now, Alaska is a popular tourist destination, with thousands of people traveling there via cruise each year. These vintage photos show what Alaska looked like before it became part of the United States. Late 1800s: This is the town of Unalaska, on the island of the same name. It is still the main population center of the Aleutian Islands. The town of Unalaska, on Unalaska Island, in the last years of the 19th century. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images 1880: A view of Sitka, Alaska. This city was under Russian rule until 1867. Sitka, Alaska. Archive Photos/Getty Images 1880: Alaska was populated by many Native tribes for thousands of years. Today, the two biggest tribes are the Yup'ik and the Tlingit. A portrait of Native Alaskans in 1880. Continent Stereoscopic Company/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty Images Source: United States Census Bureau Circa 1880: Sheldon Jackson, an American minister, traveled to Alaska following its purchase by the United States in 1867. Here he is in Haines, Alaska. American clergyman Sheldon Jackson with men and government reindeer in Haines, Alaska, circa 1880. Keystone View Company/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1884: These two Inuit children were part of the exploration of the Kobuk River in northern Alaska. Two Inuit children in front of a tent, one holding a rifle, around 1884. Heritage Art/Heritage Images/Getty Images 1887: A ship sails the Salmon River under the watchful eyes of the mountaintops. The Alaskan Salmon River valley in 1887. USA Coast Survey/Royal Geographical Society/Getty Images 1890: A canoe called Brown Bear carries a funeral party to docks at Wrangell Island. A Tlingit canoe named Brown Bear carrying a funeral party arrives at Fort Wrangel on Wrangell Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Alaska, 1890. William H. Partridge/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1895: Even decades after the US purchased Alaska from Russia, structures built by the Russians remained for years, like this Russian Orthodox Church. A Russian Orthodox Church, dating from when the region was under Russian rule in St. Michael, Alaska, circa 1895. FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1896: The Klondike Gold Rush started in 1896. Thousands of prospectors trekked through the Chilkoot Pass, seen here, leading from Dyea, Alaska, to Bennett Lake, Canada. Long line of gold prospectors climb the stairs cut into the ice on the Chilkoot Trail through Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush. Michael Nicholson/Corbis/Getty Images Source: National Park Service 1897: This is what Juneau looked like in 1897, nine years before it was chosen as the territory's capital in 1906. Juneau, Alaska, circa 1897. Lightfoot/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1897: Prospectors continued searching for gold for the rest of the Klondike Gold Rush, which ended in 1899. The Nome Gold Rush then lasted from 1899 to 1909. Four prospectors pose on a trail in Alaska in 1897. Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images 1897: Sailing through the icy waters of Glacier Bay, which is now a national park, could be dicey. A steamer sails through Glacier Bay, Alaska, circa 1897. The Print Collector/Getty Images Source: National Park Service 1899: Totem poles like this one, seen outside an Alaskan lodge, tell the story of the family or tribe that constructed the pole. A totem pole guards the entrance to an elaborately decorated lodge in Alaska in 1899. E.H. Harriman/Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images 1900: According to the handwritten note on this photo, this was the first log cabin built in Nome, Alaska, amid the gold rush. The first log cabin built in Nome, Alaska. 1900 Nowell/Getty Images 1900: Reindeer have been inextricably linked with the Arctic and those that live in and around it for thousands of years. Two men and two women with reindeer hitched to sleds, 1900. Michael Maslan/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images 1926: Photographer Frank Kleinschmidt and his family moved to Alaska during the gold rush. This is his wife holding two huge Alaskan king crabs. Mrs. Frank Kleinschmidt holds up two giant Alaskan crabs during her husband's expedition into the arctic wilderness on May 31, 1926. Underwood Archives/Getty Images 1929: A mother carries her child on Nunivak Island. Today, the entire island only has one town, Mekoryuk. Circa 1929: A mother carries her child. Buyenlarge/Getty Images 1949: A group of Alaskan teenagers play what looks like an extreme version of a seesaw. Alaskan children and teens playing a game of jump-board in 1949. ClassicStock/Getty Images 1950: By 1950, the city of Ketchikan had begun calling itself the Salmon Capital of the World. circa 1950: A street in Ketchikan, Alaska, the self-styled Salmon Capital of the World. J. Malcolm Greany/Three Lions/Getty Images 1950: Two explorers take in the views of the Aleutian Islands, nine years before Alaska became a state. circa 1950: A typical scene of the Aleutian Islands with a volcanic cone in the background. J. Malcolm Greany/Three Lions/Getty Images Read the original article on Insider The Muscogee County School District has achieved its highest graduation rate since the state started reporting results based on its current calculation 11 years ago. MCSDs 2023 high school graduation rate of 93.5% rose 1.5 percentage points higher than 2022, according to data released Tuesday by the Georgia Department of Education. MCSD also surpassed the state average (84.4%) for the 11th straight year and the national average of (87%, latest figure available is from 2020) for the ninth straight year. Coupled with the SAT results released last month that also surpassed state and national averages, the MCSD Class of 2023 has distinguished itself as a truly outstanding student cohort, MCSD superintendent David Lewis said in a news release. I commend them, their families and the myriad of educators and other adults who have supported them throughout their educational careers to become full-option graduates. The current formula for the graduation rate, required by the U.S. Department of Education in 2011 and first reported by the GaDOE in 2012, is called the four-year adjusted cohort rate. That measures the percentage of students who graduate from high school within four years. When the MCSD board hired Lewis in 2013, the districts graduation rate was 72.8%. Other highlights for MCSD in this years graduation rate report include: All nine MCSD high schools are above the state average. Seven increased or maintained their graduation rate: Carver, Columbus, Hardaway, Jordan,Northside, Rainey-McCullers and Shaw. Two (Columbus and Rainey-McCullers) achieved a 100% graduation rate. Jordan earned its highest graduation rate (94.9%) since the state started reporting results based on the current formula in 2012. Individual school results Here are the graduation rates for each MCSD high school compared to last year: Columbus 100%, remained the same. Rainey-McCullers 100%, remained the same. Northside 96.9%, up by 0.6. Jordan 94.9%, up by 5.2. Shaw 94.3%, up by 2.5. Carver 90.8%, up by 4.3. Hardaway 90.4%, up by 2.8. Kendrick 90%, down by 1.6. Spencer 85.4%, down by 3.6. MCSDs graduation rate of 93.5% continues to surpass the other school districts serving second-tier cities in Georgia with similar size and demographics: Chatham County (Savannah) 89.1%, Bibb County (Macon) 87.1% and Richmond County (Augusta) 79%. Broken down by its eight student subgroups, MCSDs 2023 graduation rates compared to last year improved in six of them and remained the same in another: Asian/Pacific Islander 100%, remained the same. White 94.2%, up by 1.7. Black 92.9%, up by 1.6. Multiracial 92.9%, up by 0.2. Hispanic 92.7%, up by 0.9. Economically disadvantaged 91.6%, up by 2.3. Students with disability 81.1%, up by 2.3. English language learners 78.4%, down by 1.6. The GaDOE report shows too few students for MCSDs American Indian/Alaskan Native graduation rate because it doesnt have the minimum number of 15 students in that subgroup among the Class of 2023. In the other Columbus area school districts, Harris Countys graduation rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 90.8% compared to last year, and Chattahoochee Countys graduation rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points to 95% after reaching a its record high using the current formula. Superintendent comments The Ledger-Enquirer asked in emails to the local superintendents questions about their districts graduation rate report. Lewis attributes MCSDs graduation rate success to systemic processes of tracking relevant data as early as middle school, intentional identification of and interventions for students who may not be on track to graduate on time, and connecting them with dedicated adults who provide encouragement, resources and support. The L-E also asked Lewis what disappoints him most about MCSDs results and what is MCSD doing to address it. This story will be updated when that answer is received. Replying on behalf of Harris County superintendent Roger Couch, HCSD secondary education curriculum director Donna Patterson said she is most pleased by their graduation rate remaining above the state and national averages. It is a reflection of the diligent teamwork of teachers and staff and is the result of investing in our students overall well-being when they come to school, she said. We have high academic expectations, but we also strive to make school a positive place for them to be. Most disappointing, Patterson said, is HCSD not graduating all of its students. We will continue to revisit what we are doing to see how we can better serve the students in our district, to provide them with the best possible education for their complete high school career, and reach the ultimate goal of graduation, she said. ChattCo superintendent Kristie Brooks said the districts decrease in its graduation rate isnt statistically significant. The ChattCo student population is highly transient, due to serving students with parents assigned to adjacent Fort Moore, so district staff have more students than an average school system to track through withdrawals and ensure their eventual graduation is properly recorded for their systems rate. We will examine our process to ensure it is more seamless for families who may be returning overseas, Brooks said. This school year, we revised our enrollment process to include the use of fully online forms as well as the ability to schedule a 1:1 appointment with the district enrollment specialist who also serves as the liaison for ChattCo schools at the newcomers meetings. Brooks said she is pleased her districts report shows each of its subgroups (Black students, Hispanic students, economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities) exceeded the state average and equitably compared to the overall system rate. Brooks credits the communitys increased focus on high expectations and continuing to challenge us each day to ensure that we are creating opportunities for post-school success for every graduate. WASHINGTON (AP) The number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to at least 22, the State Department said Wednesday. Thats an increase from 14 the day before. U.S. citizens also are among the estimated 150 hostages captured by Hamas militants during their shocking weekend assault on Israel, President Joe Biden confirmed on Tuesday. The war has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. The attack raised questions about the potential influence of Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas, and whether Iran had anything to do with it. But the U.S. has collected information that suggests senior Iranian government officials were caught off guard by the multipronged assault, according to a U.S. official who wasnt authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. That piece of intelligence has informed White House officials publicly asserting that it has not yet seen evidence of direct involvement by Iran in the planning or execution of the Hamas attack. Biden, who is set to meet with Jewish leaders later Wednesday, sought to connect the Hamas attacks directly to decades of antisemitism and violence endured by Jews around the world. This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people, Biden told reporters. And this moment we have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale, beyond the pale. Biden said he and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was at least the fourth call between Biden and Netanyahu since Saturdays attack. The United States has Israels back and were going to be working on this through the day and beyond, Biden said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A young Israeli woman helped save her kibbutz by arming citizens to fight Hamas militants, reports said. Inbal Liberman, 25, a security coordinator in Nir Am, armed a neighborhood watch group amid Hamas' attacks. Those efforts resulted in the killing of two Hamas fighters and the wounding of another, Haaretz reported. A young Israeli woman has been credited with helping to save her entire kibbutz from the wrath of advancing Hamas militants by arming a neighborhood watch group to fight off some of the assailants, residents and her dad said. According to local reports, Inbal Liberman, 25, a security coordinator in the southern Israel kibbutz of Nir Am near the Gaza border, quickly sprang into action when she heard sirens go off early Saturday as the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched deadly, surprise attacks on the Jewish state. As the sirens echoed, Liberman also heard strange, unusual noises, prompting her to take the lead on arming a small team of residents with weapons. "The electricity cut out because of the bombs [from Gaza], and she was instructed not to restore the power so that no one could open the gates [to the kibbutz]," Liberman's father, Ofer Liberman, told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz of his daughter. The father added, "The neighborhood watch group was already assembled and she made the decision to give them weapons and station them." Liberman and 11 other residents of the neighborhood watch group then stood guard and waited before they were wrapped up in an hours-long battle that resulted in the killing of two Hamas fighters and the wounding of another, according to Haaretz. Most residents of the kibbutz overheard the fighting unfolding from their shelters and safe rooms. "It was a long battle," Ofer Liberman said, noting that at one point he made his daughter an omelet sandwich during the ordeal, Haaretz said. The battle subsided when soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces ultimately ambushed the Hamas militants, according to the news outlet. Saar Paz, a Nir Am resident part of the neighborhood watch group, called Inbal Liberman's quick-thinking to "distribute weapons and station us across the village, although the official directives were simply to stand by" a "game-changer," Israel Today reported. Inbal Liberman spoke out in an Instagram post in the aftermath, saying that she is "not a hero," Haaretz reported. "I'm still digesting everything that I'm going through, which is why I'm not telling the real story yet. I promise you will hear from me," Inbal Liberman wrote. "There are so many people on the ground, still fighting for their lives, and there are still many who fought beside me and around me." The assault by Hamas has already left more than 1,000 dead in Israel, with many more injured, Israeli officials have said. As a result of the attacks, Israel declared war on Hamas, launching retaliatory strikes in Gaza, killing more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Read the original article on Business Insider Years after a 26-year-old woman was killed, her estranged husband is in custody, authorities in Oklahoma said. Elizabeth Rodriguez was sitting in a car outside of a Tulsa home when she was fatally shot June 22, 2017, according to the Tulsa Police Department. Her estranged husband, Jose Gomez-Baca, was quickly identified as the suspect and charged with first-degree murder, authorities said. Police said he had surprised his wife as she arrived in a car with her family and shot her, the Tulsa World reported. Rodriguez was in the car with her mom and brother as they pulled up to her home, KTUL reported. I was in my bedroom asleep and my brother went in there and woke me up and told me our sister is outside dying, her brother, Gilberto Rodriguez, told the TV station in 2017. I got up and said how, what happened to her and he said he shot her. He recalled running outside and found her all shot up, according to KTUL. She was already gone. Sometime after she was killed, Gomez-Baca fled to Mexico, police said. On June 27, he was arrested in Tecoman, Colima, according to an Oct. 11 Facebook from Tulsa police. He has been extradited to the U.S. and is being held at the Tulsa County Jail without bond. Gomez-Baca had reported his wife missing before her death, according to the Tulsa World. She had been seeking separation from her husband. The couples two kids were inside the home during the ambush, KJRH reported. They were not hurt. Man arrested in connection with 2017 birthday party killing cold case, CT officials say Woman found beaten to death 40 years ago, CA cops say. Now, 65-year-old arrested 16-year-old girl killed 45 years ago, Washington cops say. DNA now identifies suspect The first president of the United States, George Washington, died in bed in 1799 at his ancestral home of Mount Vernon, according to the Library of Congress. Accounts of seeing George Washington or feeling his presence there have occurred since his death. Ghost stories involving Washington or Mount Vernon started being told as early as 1806. Here are three examples: Josiah Quincy III sees Washingtons ghost Josiah Quincy III served as a member of the House of Representatives, mayor of Boston, and president of Harvard University over the course of his career, per U.S. History. During his time in Congress, he claimed to have encountered Washingtons ghost. The former presidents nephew, Bushrod Washington , invited Quincy to stay at Mount Vernon in the spring of 1806, according to History Collection. He was actually invited to sleep in the room in which Washington had died. Quincys son later recalled that his father had hoped to see Washingtons ghost and then did. Quincy Jr. didnt offer many more details than that, but he did explain that his father was confident in what he had seen, according to the website for Mount Vernon. A sighting of Mount Vernons superintendent after his death Harrison Howell Dodge served as Mount Vernons superintendent for 52 years until his sudden death in 1937 from a cerebral hemorrhage, per Backyard Mt. Vernon. On a busy summer day in the 1980s, a woman on the Mount Vernon staff entered the former plantations small parlor room thinking a visitor had trespassed under the rope barriers, per the homes website. To her astonishment, she found an older gentleman, sporting a large mustache and dressed in late 19th or early 20th-century clothing, with his sleeves rolled up and secured with garters. Then, she claimed, the man yelled, What the (expletive) is going on here? referring to the noise coming from visitors, according to MountVernon.org. The woman told the man she was trying to quiet them down and then he vanished. She later identified the man as Colonel Harrison Howell Dodge after seeing his portrait in the home. An invisible tap on the shoulder by Washingtons bedroom Mary Thompson, a research historian for Mount Vernon, heard many ghost stories during her time researching Washingtons home, according to the website DVIDS. While I have never had personal experiences with ghosts, I began hearing stories of ghosts, apparitions, and strange events within weeks of starting to work here, even though there was an unwritten rule that we were not to talk about such things. Over the years, I have asked other staff members to share any experiences with me, Thompson said. She explained that a supervisor from the historical interpretation department told her of an experience she had in 2006 involving what she believed to be a ghost. Making rounds to ensure all Mount Vernon visitors had left for the day, the supervisor walked past Washingtons bedrooms. She felt someones hands on the back of her shoulders, pushing her. Several other times that night, she felt the same pushing feeling. Thompson said, A number of my co-workers have had these experiences, as have visitors to the estate, who came here before we put some of the stories on the website. They wouldnt have known before they came here that there was a history of ghost stories. Americans watched in horror on Saturday as videos of Israelis being kidnapped by Hamas militants and fleeing gunfire began to circulate online. Theyve read stories about some of the 150 Israelis now in captivity, including children, and the 1,200 more who were slaughtered. Recommended reading New York Times: I just hope that they are alive: How Hamas abducted 150 Israelis Reuters: How an Israeli kibbutz 'paradise' turned into hell in Hamas attack Theyve also seen apartment buildings, mosques and businesses in Gaza being bombed in Israeli reprisals. Although Israel has warned civilians to evacuate in advance of their attacks, many say they have nowhere to go. And Israel has laid siege to Gaza, blocking the flow of basic necessities in and out, while Hamas has continued indiscriminately firing rockets into Israel. Recommended reading Business Insider: Israel dropped bombs near a Gaza border crossing packed with civilians who'd followed officials' pleas to flee: reports Associated Press: Palestinians scramble for safety as Israel pounds sealed-off Gaza Strip to punish Hamas According to Human Rights Watch, an international organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights, attacks on civilian targets violate international humanitarian treaties such as the Geneva Conventions. Yahoo News spoke to Ahmed Benchemsi, advocacy and communications director for the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch, about whether the actions of both sides are violating the law of war. Some pro-Palestinian activists have argued that the recent attacks are justified under United Nations resolution 37/43, which affirms the right of people under foreign domination and foreign occupation to pursue freedom by all available means, including armed struggle. But by targeting civilians, did the attacks violate international human rights law? Itzik and Miriam Shafir, center, at the funeral of their son, Dor Shafir, in Modiin Maccabim, Israel, Oct. 11. Dor Shafir, 30, was killed at the music festival in Israel that was attacked by Hamas terrorists. (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Yes, theres an easy way to say it: They committed a war crime. Armed struggle does not mean that you can do whatever you want. Wars have laws that you should abide by. The number one, cornerstone law of war is that, as a warring body, you should do anything in your capability to avoid civilian casualties. Israel has responded with attacks on what appear to be civilian targets, such as apartment buildings, and the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant , said he ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel. Are those also war crimes? Palestinians inspect the damage to the Al-Sussi Mosque and their homes following Israeli air strikes in the Al-Shati Palestinian refugee camp on Oct. 9, in Gaza City, Gaza. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images) (Getty Images) They are, when you do not discern between the inhabitants of that building. You cannot just flatten a whole building because one apartment out of hundreds of apartments might harbor a threat or a Hamas operative. There are also civilians in that building children, women. Not only is [cutting off water and food] a war crime, but it is under two different aspects: First aspect is that its collective punishment. You do not punish a population of 2 million persons for the crimes committed by a small minority of combatants. Then the second way to see it, is that it is a siege that consists of starving an entire population as a means of warfare. That is also a war crime. So its two war crimes in one. And its a very clear one. The fact that the Israeli defense minister went on TV and brazenly said that he was about to do that constitutes proof of intent. Thats why we tweeted immediately after that, hey, International Criminal Court, take good notes, this guy is saying hes going to commit a war crime. Will there be any penalty for human rights violations in this conflict? Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, left, visits Israeli military units in the south of the country. (Israel Ministry of Defense/Ariel Hermoni/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The international system is set in a way that there is no authority superior to nations. There is a path for international justice, its just long and complex. The ICC can open a prosecution, but lets say they target one specific Israeli official; how would they get that person? They would have to be delivered to [the ICC]. Just to open an investigation on this weeks events, that would be huge. Will they do that? Youd have to ask them. Its also up to nations to hold each other accountable. For example, the U.S. has a relationship with Israel, a pretty close relationship. In an ideal world, the U.S. not only should not support Israel blindly for what its doing, but it should condemn its violations and it should avoid transferring weapons that the U.S. knows will be used to commit abuses like flattening a building with civilians in it. After almost three years, The Gramercy restaurant in Coral Gables has closed. The Gramercy, a New York-style American brasserie at 65 Miracle Mile, opened in December of 2020 and was operated by the hospitality group behind the clubby Greek restaurant Kiki on the River, led by nightclub owner Roman Jones. The Gramercy closed for good the last week of September. The look and atmosphere of the space mimicked that of the great New York power restaurants: big booths, exposed brick, striking columns and velvet banquettes. The menu specialized in robata grill fare (sea bass and salmon, ribeye and Tomahawk steaks) and also served sushi and tiradito. The Gramercy took over the space once occupied by Tarpon Bend, a popular and usually crowded happy hour spot and weekend hangout for locals that closed in February 2019. Meanwhile, though The Gramercy is no more, team representatives say theyre looking ahead to the future. We had a great run in Coral Gables, and are now focusing efforts on our upcoming openings; the new El Santo Cantina on Calle Ocho this month, and the upcoming opening of Habibi on The Miami River, the team said in a statement. This popular Miami chef just opened a new Italian restaurant in Coral Gables FILE - Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen smiles during a press conference, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Hazen has received a new contact through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029, according to a person familiar with the deal. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) PHOENIX (AP) The four sons of Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen are scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday's Game 3 of the NL Division Series, in honor of their mom Nicole Hazen, who died from brain cancer in 2022. Hazen's four sons are Charlie (17), John (16), Teddy (15) and Sam (13). Nicole Hazen was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2020 and fought the disease for more than two years. She was 45 when she died. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo who has worked with Hazen for the past several years said during Wednesday's pregame press conference that it would be an emotional moment. Those are some special kids, Lovullo said. "Those four children have had to go through a lot. It's hard for me to talk about. But to see them, the way I get the chance to see them, as often as I do, and them coming out the other end the best they can Mike's been an unbelievable mother and father. The Diamondbacks came into Wednesday's leading the best-of-five series against the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0. It's the first playoff game at Chase Field since 2017 and a sellout has already been announced. Mike Hazen, 47, has been with the Diamondbacks since 2016. He recently received a new contract through 2028 that includes a club option for 2029. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's Prime Minister, in New York on Sept. 21. Credit - Stephanie KeithBloomberg/Getty Images In mid-September, TIME interviewed Malaysian Prime Minister and democracy icon Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur. After a political struggle spanning a quarter of a century defying incarceration and repression, Anwar finally took power following a highly divisive election last November. Nearly a year into the job, as the euphoria fades and the countrys favorite rebel transitions into a cautious patriarch, he is faced with the challenges of stabilizing his countrys politics, kickstarting a flagging economy, and combating a rising tide of Islamist politics that is polarizing society. We met in the Malaysian Houses of Parliament complex, just before Anwar was to address lawmakers in what turned out to be a stormy session. The Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) staged a walkout after a heated exchange of words over allegations of judicial interference to help a graft-tainted ally. The tussle offered a peek into one of Anwars pressing difficulties. He has cobbled together a unity government of various coalitions and parties and has kept PAS, now the largest party in Parliament for the first time in Malaysias history, out of government. PAS, however, continues to gain ground and won more contests in state elections in August. PASs rise foregrounds a resurgence of Malay-Islamist rhetoric that is polarizing Malaysias multiracial society. Even a non-Islamist secular leader like Mahathir Mohamad , Malaysias longest-serving Prime Minister, who is increasingly seen on PAS platforms, now says multiracial Malaysia would be unconstitutional and charges Anwar for trying to give this country away to outsiders. Outsiders is codeword for the Chinese and Indians, who are mainly Buddhist and Hindu. Race, intertwined with religion, goes to the heart of Malaysian politics. The majority Malays are Muslim by law and enjoy quotas in everything from university seats and jobs to business loans and housing under a decades-old affirmative action program. Malay-Islamist supremacists have been fanning their fears of losing these privileges. We discuss this resurgence of identity politics and morefrom Malaysias place in great-power competition between the U.S. and China, to boosting Malaysian democracyin our frank interview. Below are 5 takeaways from the conversation. Anwar Ibrahim greets supporters on Nov. 5, 2022 in Tambun, Perak, Malaysia. Sadiq AsyrafGetty Images 1. Anwar has a plan to restore democracy in Malaysia Anwar once called Malaysia the most tragic case of democratic backsliding in Southeast Asia after being denied the opportunity to govern despite winning a historic election in 2018 that unseated a government led by the Malay nationalist UMNO party for the first time since independence in 1957. For him, the way to counter this regression is through a strong commitment to institutional reforms. When asked how he is restoring democracy in Malaysia, he emphasized rebuilding accountability. Because democracy can be a farce, too. It can be a [instrument] for the rich and the powerful to manipulate. We are mindful and aware of that. Therefore, mass education to make people more aware is a major challenge. Otherwise democracy can be reduced to the establishment control of the ruling elite, he said. Good governance is a top priority for him. Corruption and cronyism were the major themes of the reformasi movement he launched in 1998. His movement captured both Malaysia and the worlds imaginationhe twice appeared on the cover of TIMEwhen he gave up his role as Deputy Prime Minister and heir apparent to Mahathir to take to the streets. He paid for it with repeated incarcerations (1999-2004 and 2015-2018) and torture while jailed on trumped-up sodomy charges. I mean, in this country, the plundering was a mess and corruption is systemic. And if you stop that, it is a major success story. Not a single tender in the past nine months has been awarded through a negotiated process. There is [now] a proper tender, a transparent system. This is a major departure from the corrupt practices of the past. In Parliament, we have formed umpteen select committees. They can summon ministers and civil servants, question them. In the judiciary, there is not one case of appointments or decisions that Ive interfered with, he said. 2. China shows deference and steers away from disputed waters when Malaysias navy raises notes of concern or protest The interview took place just a day after Anwar returned from Chinahis second visit to the country since assuming power last November. He was to fly out later that night to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Malaysias relations with China and the U.S. naturally came up, especially its stance as the two major powers drift apart. The China trip also came on the heels of the Malaysian governments rejection of the latest edition of the standard map of China that lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea, including areas lying off the coast of Malaysia's Borneo region covering the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Anwar said he publicly raised the matter at a gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and all ASEAN heads of state. But to me, what is reassuring is the categorical statement by Li that they will honor and respect the claims of others, he said. We do have issues [with China] like the South China Sea but the engagement has been working, in the sense that we have stated our position, and Im at least reassured that China has said they will not do anything except through meaningful exchanges and dialogue. But of course, they are firm about the involvement of any third party in this dispute and conflict, and I share this sentiment, Anwar added. Anwar also said Chinese intentions of honest engagement are visible on the groundor rather, in the water. Thus far, when things are raised, or a polite note of concern is expressed, they do not necessarily withdraw but at least give some deference or consideration. Which means they do not, for example, aggressively enter our waters, he said. When we identify cases of them entering our waters, and give a note of protest, then they have steered away on a number of occasions. 3. Huawei is proof that the U.S. cant intimidate Malaysia The U.S. is a longtime ally and friend, and we continue to engage with them. But we cannot be intimidated in any way. A good example is our decision on 5G, Anwar said. The previous administration, my predecessor, decided to have just one network system, [from Swedish firm] Ericsson. My position was to continue it because it is an important technology. But why shouldnt we utilize the best of both worlds? So we chose [Chinese tech giant] Huawei to also participate," he added. Soon after Anwar took power, he made it clear that he did not think the Ericsson deal was transparently agreed. His government began a review of the 11 billion ringgit ($2.5 billion) tender with Ericsson to build a state-owned 5G network. The review prompted U.S. and E.U. envoys to Malaysia to warn the government about risks to national security and foreign investment if it allowed in Huawei. These warnings clearly didnt work. In May, Anwars government formally announced that the country will adopt a dual network model for its 5G rollout next year, rather than rely solely on Ericsson. Of course, this displeased some people. But I cant help it. My commitment and loyalty are to the people of Malaysia, he told TIME. A supporter of Anwar Ibrahim wears a T-shirt bearing "We Will Never Surrender" while others chant "Reformasi" and "Allahu Akbar" during the launching of the People's Justice Party in Kuala Lumpur on Apr. 4, 1999. Reuters 4. Anwar thinks economic development and education are key to combating rising Malay-Islamist supremacy When asked what his top priorities were for combating PASs rise, Anwar cited economic development first. A more just, equitable system so that no community or part of the country is seen to be ignored or marginalized, he said. His slogan of Malaysia Madani, or Civil Malaysia, sums up his goals. The budget for this year focuses on low-income groups, including nearly $2 billion in cash handouts to the poorest 60% of the population. To generate the cash for such welfare measures, he is spurring investments with policy incentives including an ambitious $5.3 billion fund for renewable energy and green technology. He recently pulled off an investment coup of sorts by persuading Elon Musk to establish Teslas regional headquarters in Malaysia. Anwar cited education second. Because extremism, racism, religious bigotry breed easily among the more ignorant segment of the population. When I say ignorant, I dont mean youre not qualified, you dont go to university. I mean the lack of understanding of the total message of a religion dependent on some of the mullahs and sheiks, with their very narrow, obscure interpretation, he said. Third, Anwar said that the government must do a better job emphasizing that Malaysia is a pluralistic society. Although it is a predominately Muslim country, it is a multiracial country. And we have survived hundreds of years with the presence of Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians. And there is no reason why you should upset this and cause enmity. 5. Anwar is open to PAS joining his unity government PAS had been a long-time supporter of Anwar since his reformasi days and had allied with him politically in earlier elections. Co-opting PAS in his unity government would be a way of neutralizing the rising Islamist rhetoric in the country, and there has been speculation about the possibility. The only hurdle to a reconciliation is said to be a personality clash between him and PASs current leader, Abdul Hadi Awang, dating back to their student activism days when both of them were youth Islamist activists. The difference is nothing substantive, its just powerplay, Anwar said, before adding that there is also a serious problem with the more hardline way PAS has started to interpret Islam. On whether we are prepared to engage with them, of course we do. We must. And Ive sent [an invitation] to them ... Yes, I have been open to the idea from the beginning. After all, this is a unity government and we do what is best for our country. But of course, we are going to draw a line. Islam is the religion of the Federation, but this is a multireligious country and I want every single citizen in this country, of all religious persuasions, to know that they have a place in this country, he said. No one should be discriminated, marginalized, or ignored. Does that mean theres no scope of reconciliation? Is PAS open to the idea? There has not been a clear rejection nor a positive response. The political climate is still a bit heated, so well let it cool off for some time, Anwar said. Of course, contingent upon these major policy conditions being accepted. Contact us at letters@time.com. Six Central Florida men are now facing charges after they were caught by Polk County Sheriff Deputies trying to have sex with minors. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says they were arrested as part of a seven-day undercover operation. During the operation, deputies posed as children or their guardians to investigate potential predators. We will continue these operations. Were going to protect the children not of only Polk County and of Florida, but around the country and around the world, said Judd. Three of the six suspects planned to pay an adult hundreds of dollars to have sex with minors those three were charged with human trafficking, a life felony. Read: Deputies: 11 students arrested after brawl at Flagler County school Together, the six men are facing 22 felony charges. The suspects are: - 40-year-old Jairo Muniz of Kissimmee, Fla. - 36-year-old Timothy Wellman of Ohio (recently moved to Polk) - 49-year-old Feras Klisli of Davenport, Fla. - 46-year-old Douglas Da Silva of Windermere, Fla. -33-year-old Trevor Walker of Orlando, Fla. -26-year-old Douglas Cooley of Apopka, Fla. Read: Deputies identify man, woman killed in Orange County shooting One of the six men arrested, Douglas Cooley, was an after-school care employee who worked with students at Clay Springs Elementary in Apopka. Cooley was not employed by Orange County Schools but he worked for Discover After School. The aftercare company didnt confirm how long Cooley was employed through them but did send us a statement addressing the arrest. A spokesperson said that they have been cooperating with investigators and take this seriously. See video: Troopers investigate truck fire on Florida Turnpike In a statement, a spokesperson said, Upon learning of Mr. Cooleys arrest, we immediately terminated his employment and have been fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities. The statement also said Discover After School has a strict and comprehensive background screening process in place for all potential employees before they are hired. According to that statement, the companys primary concern is determining whether there were inappropriate interactions between Cooley and students in their care. Read: Osceola County violates state law by printing party affiliation on absentee ballot envelopes Our commitment to the safety and security of our students is unwavering, and we continuously strive to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and ethics within our organization, the statement reads in part. According to an Orange County School District spokesperson, parents at Clay Springs Elementary were notified about Douglas Cooleys arrest. Discover After School Parent Martha Martinez told us she sends two children to the program at Clay Springs Elementary. Its crazy, its scary, said Martinez, I received a call that someone got arrested, but other than that, I am just now knowing the details. Some parents we spoke to Tuesday evening still had questions about the details but told us they were disgusted by the news. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. What does it take to fly eight manatees, weighing a combined 6,000 pounds, more than 1,000 miles across the country? Intricate planning and custom-built containers, according to SeaWorld Orlando officials. Officials said the sea cows were placed in the containers and driven to the Cincinnati International Airport before being loaded onto a specially scheduled DHL cargo plane headed to Florida. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. Photos: 8 manatees, weighing a combined 6,000 pounds, flown to Florida SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. SeaWorld officials said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees. A close collaboration among the zoological community, where we transfer stable rehabilitating animals between facilities, is important to free up critical care space and ensure that together we save as many manatees as we can, said Dr. Joseph Gaspard, vice president of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando. Officials said a Cincinnati Zoo staff veterinarian and Columbus Zoo Animal Care curator monitored the manatees condition throughout the flight. Read: Dont call us: Mating manatees cause flurry of 911 calls During the flight, the manatees containers were secured on palettes attached to the plane floor for stability. Officials said the manatees rested on an 8-inch-thick bed of foam and were covered in wool and space blankets to maintain a healthy body temperature. To keep their bodies moist, the animals were misted with water under their blankets throughout the flight. Moving manatees is an extremely complex process that involves significant planning and logistics to ensure that each specific need is met throughout the journey, said Cain Moodie, SVP Network Operations, DHL Express Americas. We are thrilled to play a key role in this initiative to support endangered manatees in the wild, leveraging our teams expertise to ensure each animal is transported as quickly and safely as possible. Read: Crews rescue injured manatee found in Florida storm drain Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Nine United Nations staff members have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since Saturday, the UNs agency for Palestinian refugees confirmed Wednesday. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said nine staffers have been killed in airstrikes since the start of Israels counterattack on Gaza, with several of the staff members killed late Tuesday. The protection of civilians is paramount, including in times of conflict, Juliette Touma, UNRWA director of communications, told The Associated Press. They should be protected in accordance with the laws of war. The strikes are part of an aggressive counteroffensive by the Israeli military, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas sent a barrage of rocket strikes and militants into the country Saturday in a surprise attack, leaving behind horrific scenes of brutalized villages along the border. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war and said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would operate forcefully everywhere. By Wednesday, several neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip had been demolished after the Israeli military pounded the area with air strikes. Touma told the AP the U.N. staff members were killed in their homes across the Gaza Strip. She said the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City and many schools-turned-shelters were damaged as well. The U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, said Tuesday that clear evidence has emerged showing war crimes being committed on both sides of the conflict. The Commission is gravely concerned with Israels latest attack on Gaza and Israels announcement of a complete siege on Gaza involving the withholding of water, food, electricity and fuel which will undoubtfully cost civilian lives and constitutes collective punishment, it said in a press release. In an address Tuesday, President Biden condemned the terrorist attacks by the Hamas, vowing support for Israel. He confirmed Americans are among the many people being held hostage by the Hamas. As many as 20 Americans remain unaccounted for. The White House confirmed that more than a dozen American citizens have been killed in the fighting so far. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The American debate over the legality of modern gun laws was again on display this week in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where a panel of 11 judges hit pause on a decision overturning California's ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. Last month, a lower federal court judge overturned that ban as unconstitutional. On Tuesday, the larger "en banc" panel stayed that decision stopping it from taking effect pending an appeal by the state. The decision divided the judges along ideological lines. The court's liberal majority found that the state of California had made "strong arguments" for why the ban on ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds in them is constitutional. Even under a new, stricter test for gun laws set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, the jurists found, the state is likely to win its appeal. The majority wrote that California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office had presented evidence that large-capacity magazines "pose significant threats to public safety," that there would be an "influx" of such magazines without a stay. The jurists added that such a stay would have "no effect" on the public's ability to purchase a "wide range of firearms, as much ammunition as they want, and an unlimited number of magazines containing ten rounds or fewer." The majority also wrote that "public interest tips in the favor of a stay," as "mass shootings nearly always involve large-capacity magazines." The panel's conservative minority, dissenting, called their majority colleagues' position "laughably absurd" and part of a pattern of decisions by liberal 9th Circuit jurists that has given "a blank check for governments to restrict firearms in any way they pleased." Circuit Judge Patrick J. Bumatay, a Trump appointee, accused the liberal majority of ignoring not only the U.S. Constitution but also the U.S. Supreme Court's clear directives on how to properly analyze restrictions on the 2nd Amendment in its decision last year in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. vs. Bruen. In that case, the Supreme Court found that modern gun laws must be deeply rooted in U.S. history or tradition, or be analogous to some historical law, to be constitutional. Many experts viewed the decision as bringing an end to the sort of considerations articulated by the liberal majority in Tuesday's order such as whether a modern gun restriction serves the public interest by preventing things such as devastating mass shootings. Instead, they said, courts under the Bruen ruling could only consider a modern law's constitutionality by deciding whether it is sufficiently analogous to some historical weapons law even if the weapons in question are entirely modern inventions. The liberal majority in their order Tuesday found that courts across the country have ruled in similar ways on preliminary matters in high-capacity magazine cases since Bruen was decided, but did not engage in any of the historical analysis suggested by Bruen. Bumatay joined by the panel's other conservative judges blasted the majority for not providing a clearer explanation for their opinion that the state was likely to win its appeal under Bruen. The majority decision provided "no serious engagement with the Second Amendment's text," Bumatay wrote. "No grappling with historical analogues. No putting California to its burden of proving the constitutionality of its law." "The Constitution and Californians deserve better," he wrote. Chuck Michel, president and general counsel for the California Rifle & Pistol Assn., is one of the plaintiffs in the case. He said in a statement that he was disappointed with the courts "misinterpretation of the Bruen ruling" but "confident that the mandates of the Constitution and the Bruen decision will win in the end." He said his group "will continue to defend the rights of gun owners in California all the way to the Supreme Court." Bonta, in his own statement, said he was "relieved that the court considered the public safety of Californians" in its order. "With the stay, Californias restrictions on large capacity magazines a key component in our efforts to fight gun violence remain in effect," he said. "Californians should know that the purchase, manufacture or transfer of large-capacity magazines is against the law." Bonta said the Supreme Court was clear in its decision that Bruen "does not create a regulatory straitjacket for states and that cases should be evaluated on the text of the Second Amendment and its history and tradition of regulation," and his office "will continue to fight for California's authority to keep our communities safe from weapon enhancements that cause mass casualties." The en banc panel took the case after U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez of San Diego ruled in September that the ban is unconstitutional. "This case is about a California state law that makes it a crime to keep and bear common firearm magazines typically possessed for lawful purposes," Benitez wrote in his decision. "Based on the text, history and tradition of the 2nd Amendment, this law is clearly unconstitutional." It was the second time Benitez had overturned the law, the first since the Bruen decision was issued. Benitez has a history of overturning gun laws in the state. The liberal en banc majority consisted of two Obama appointees and five Clinton appointees. Joining Bumatay in dissent were two other Trump appointees and an appointee of George W. Bush. Judge Ryan D. Nelson, a Trump appointee, also wrote his own dissent, taking issue with the procedures used by the en banc panel to take up the case. Adam Winkler, a UCLA law professor who focuses on 2nd Amendment law, said other post-Bruen courts including those cited by the majority in Tuesday's order have upheld high-capacity magazine bans. They've done so using arguments the Supreme Court left room for, he said, including that such weapons are not commonly used for self-defense, or that they present unique concerns that never confronted past generations. However, the majority on Tuesday "didn't seem like they made any real effort to grapple with the issues," Winkler said. "There are good arguments to be made, but the court didn't offer them." 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. Claudia Goldin speaks to a reporter after learning that she received the Nobel Prize in economics on Monday. (Josh Reynolds / Associated Press) An American woman has won the Nobel Prize in economics for her work studying the economic lives of American women. How poetic is that? No less poetic: Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, 77, is the only woman ever to have received the award by herself, with no (male) collaborators. In her work, Goldin has tried to explain why the wage gap between men and women has persisted, and why women so often are discouraged when it comes to pursuing more advanced job opportunities. Women are now more educated than men, Goldin told the Associated Press on Monday, after she'd won the prize. They graduate from college at much higher rates than men. They do better in high school than men do. So why are there these differences? To answer that, she has delved into 200 years of data about women in the workforce, discovering all kinds of surprising things along the way. Read more: Only 3rd woman to win Nobel in economics is honored for study of workplace gender gap For example, contrary to conventional wisdom, womens share of the workforce actually declined during the Industrial Revolution. Later, in the 20th century, marriage and laws limiting married womens ability to work proved to be a serious barrier to womens employment. In the second half of the century, with many of the legal barriers gone, Goldin discovered, parenthood was the main factor animating the wage gender gap. Its been generally assumed that women earn less than men because of differences in education and the jobs they pursue. That may have been true at one time. However, said the Nobel committee on Monday, Goldin has shown that the bulk of this earnings difference is now between men and women in the same occupation, and that it largely arises with the birth of the first child. Read more: Abcarian: It's been 50 years since Ms. magazine made its debut. Why is the patriarchy still alive and well? Women, she has pointed out, pay a motherhood penalty while men enjoy a fatherhood premium. Women are essential workers, Goldin explained in a 2022 lecture. But they are essential workers in two places at the same time. Shes the professional whos on call at home and hes the professional whos on call at the office. As she told the New York Times on Monday, Were never going to have gender equality until we also have couple equity. Read more: Abcarian: Will the opponents of same-sex marriage ever give up? Even the Pope is softening on the issue In a new working paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research, Goldin writes that the golden era of American womens rights lasted from 1963 to 1973. Of the 155 important moments she highlights, 45% took place in those years. That decade, she writes, politically and socially tumultuous for reasons distinct from the womens movement, contains the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the publication of The Feminine Mystique, the formation of the National Organization for Women (NOW), the shift to coeducation among many of the Ivies and little Ivies, the passage of the ERA in the House and Senate, Title IX of the 1972 Education Act, the spread of no-fault and unilateral divorce laws among the states, the first edition of Ms. Magazine, and Roe v. Wade, among other highlights. Read more: Abcarian: Will Lauren Boebert and other female politicians pay the price for behaving badly? So much progress, Goldin adds, also produced a powerful anti-womens rights movement that rapidly joined with the antiabortion and anti-gay/woke lobbies to remain a potent force in America to this day. In that decade of profound change, there is one particular thing that happened or more precisely didnt happen that might have profoundly changed the course of womens workplace progress: the failure of the 1971 Comprehensive Child Development Act. The bill would have created a multibillion-dollar national day-care system and it would have had the added bonus of helping single mothers stay off the welfare rolls. Can you imagine how different so many of our lives would be if, as a nation, we had committed to such an initiative? Read more: Abcarian: Don't let Sen. Feinstein's centrist politics obscure her not-so-moderate legacy But then-President Nixon, who first supported the bill, ended up vetoing it, as Goldin notes in her working paper. Why? Blame it on the remnants of anti-communist hysteria. Nixon was persuaded that implementing national day care would be tantamount to surrendering children to the state. For the Federal Government to plunge headlong financially into supporting child development, he wrote in his veto statement, would commit the vast moral authority of the National Government to the side of communal approaches to child rearing over against the family-centered approach. Goldins interests are wide-ranging but always focused on women: She has studied how the advent of oral contraceptives has changed womens career and marriage decisions, the effect that blind auditions have had on increasing the number of women in symphony orchestras, and how womens careers so often take a back seat to the careers of their husbands. Read more: Abcarian: What does it take to keep regular bodies on Paris runways? Having mined so much data, Goldin has fascinating insights about how womens work and home priorities have shifted. In her 2020 lecture, Journey Across a Century of Women, she divides the priorities of college-educated women who were born over the course of a century between 1878 and 1978 into five distinct groups: Those born between 1878 and 1897 chose families or careers. Those born between 1898 and 1923 had jobs then families. Those born between 1924 and 1943 had families then jobs. Those born between 1944 and 1957 had careers then families. And those born between 1958 and 1978 expect to have careers and families at the same time. This more or less comports with the experience of my grandmother, my mother and me. To illustrate the 100-year transition from career or family to career and family, Goldin invokes two American politicians: suffragette Jeannette Rankin, born in 1880, the first American woman elected to Congress, who never married and never had children, and Tammy Duckworth, born in 1968, the first U.S. senator to give birth while in office and the first to bring a baby onto the floor of the Senate during a session. (Although, Goldin jokes, many would say there have been babies in Congress before that.) In some ways, Goldins research puts to rest that silly old question about whether women can have it all. Of course they can. They always have, one way or another. She shows us, however, that women receive lower wages than men for choosing children and a career. @robinkabcarian If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Abortions in North Carolina dropped 31 percent in the month after the states 12-week abortion ban took effect, the largest of any state, according to a new analysis. The law took effect July 1, and there were 1,310 fewer abortions performed in the health system that month compared to June, the analysis from the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion-rights research group, showed. Abortions decreased 7 percent nationwide, the analysis found. In the first six months of 2023, North Carolina saw a 55 percent increase in abortions compared to a similar period in 2020, as it was one of the few states in the southeast without significant abortion restrictions. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. North Carolinas law passed in May after state Republicans were able to override a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. A previous Guttmacher analysis, published last month, showed that abortions increased in states that were close to or bordering those with abortion bans or strict limitations. But as abortions dropped significantly in North Carolina in July, there wasnt a corresponding increase in South Carolina, Virginia, the District of Columbia or Maryland. Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist and lead author on the report, said the decrease likely reflects fewer people traveling to North Carolina from out of state because of additional restrictions on top of the gestational time limit. That kind of sharp drop is not something that we saw in any other state, Maddow-Zimet said. The law requires patients to have an in-person counseling visit at least 72 hours before the abortion procedure or appointment to get medication. For people traveling, the 72-hour rule means either making two trips to North Carolina, or it means having additional lodging costs to stay for multiple days. They would likely need to take time off work, and some might need to find childcare. And that really might be one obstacle too many for people in order to be able to actually access care. And then coupled with that, the fact were not seeing an increase in neighboring states makes us concerned about whether people are able to access care, Maddow-Zimet said. More than a dozen states have either banned or severely restricted abortions in the wake of the Supreme Court decision last year that overturned Roe v. Wade. Guttmachers monthly data analysis doesnt yet take into account the impact of South Carolinas six-week ban, as well as Indianas near-total ban, both of which took effect in August. Maddow-Zimet said he anticipates the South Carolina ban will likely have a significant impact on abortion access across the southeast, especially in conjunction with North Carolinas law. Jonas Swartz, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Duke Health in Durham, said the law also puts a strain on providers, who now have to find appointments for patients who need twice as many visits. All the clinics were scrambling to figure out, how do you fit these patients here for a medically unnecessary counseling visit into the number of clinic slots that you already have? Or how do we expand our clinic slots to accommodate those counseling visits? Swartz said. Any talk about how people are still able to access care up to 12 weeks, needs to come with a major asterisk that [the law] has made care much more difficult to access even before 12 weeks, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Coral Gables City Commission on Tuesday formally condemned Mayor Vince Lago and blocked his move to reverse a controversial pay raise, escalating an increasingly public feud between the citys elected officials. In two separate 3 to 2 votes, the split commission held firm on hefty raises adopted last month for the mayor and vice mayor, and then formally censured the mayor for digs he made toward his fellow commissioners during recent interviews with Spanish-language media outlets. This is absolute anarchy here, Lago told the Miami Herald shortly after the commission publicly rebuked him. The votes were the latest development in the shifting power dynamics on the City Commission, where the mayor previously encountered little resistance, and unanimous votes were the standard. That began to change in April, when Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez defeated two establishment-backed candidates who had Lagos endorsement. Then, last month, Castro, Fernandez and Commissioner Kirk Menendez voted to double their compensation. With the mayor and vice mayor in firm opposition, the three commissioners approved 78% raises for themselves, a 71% salary increase for the vice mayor and a 54% salary increase for the mayor in addition to monthly car allowances for all five officials, which they did not have previously. Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson vowed to reject any increase for themselves, while also accusing their colleagues of approving the raises with limited public input. In the ensuing days, Lago spoke with Spanish-language media outlets, where he made jabs at the commissioners who voted in-favor of the raises. Fernandez, who accused the mayor of calling in favors to the outlets, played a series of clips during Tuesdays meeting from those interviews, in which Lago said his colleagues were unprepared for office, that they reached into residents pockets and that they live off their wives. Fernandez said the mayor was reacting to losing control over the commission. Your response was to take to the airwaves and publicly attack your colleagues who havent voted the way you want them to, he said. Menendez, historically an ally of Lago and Anderson, was so incensed that he proposed a motion on Tuesday to censure Lago. To go outside the confines of City Hall, to make personal, public comments that also bring in family members of elected officials, or anyone I think thats something Ive never seen in Coral Gables in my lifetime, Menendez told the Herald. We cant allow this type of poison to really damage the amazing community that we are, so I thought it was important to draw a line. Menendezs stance is a shift since the April election, when he joined Lago and the rest of the then-City Commission in endorsing the candidates who ran against Castro and Fernandez. He was the swing vote in September, helping Castro and Fernandez successfully shoot down a proposal from Anderson, who had Lagos support, to move the citys elections to November. And he cast the deciding vote again Tuesday to block the mayor and Anderson from undoing the raises for the positions of mayor and vice mayor. They won, Menendez said of the new commissioners in an interview. Theyre now sworn in, they took an oath, theyre elected officials, theyre my colleagues. READ MORE: Does a mayors endorsement help or hurt? Coral Gables voters will decide in runoff election Anderson and Lago had hoped to revert their expense allowances and salaries to what they earned previously, plus an annual 2.63% salary increase. They had also proposed to eliminate the new car allowances for themselves. Though the proposed reductions only applied to the mayor and vice mayor, the three commissioners blocked the proposal. In explaining his vote, Menendez said the salary reductions applied to the positions of mayor and vice mayor not specifically to Lago and Anderson meaning that future mayors and vice mayors would receive a much lower pay than the commissioners. Fernandez said providing better pay to future elected officials in those positions would allow less-affluent people, and not just the elite to run for office. Lago accused his colleagues of being hypocritical. Lets be very, very careful with the stones that we throw, he said to them, because this is a glass house, and we need to be very, very thoughtful about how we conduct ourselves. Editor's note: This story and its headlines have been revised to correctly characterize what step the board took on Tuesday. Part of a quote from Superintendent Mark McQueen was removed because it was not connected to this issue. Also, the school board has influence on teacher pay. The original version of the story misstated that. PANAMA CITY The Bay County School Board on Tuesday approved a plan to distribute $1.9 million in state money that was allocated to raise teacher pay for the 2023-24 school year. The board approval on Tuesday is one part of ongoing contract negotiations with the teachers union (the Association of Bay County Educators.) Once negotiations are completed, the board will vote on a tentative contract that eventually will go to union members for consideration and a vote. Officials pointed out the significance of veteran teachers benefiting from the plan approved Tuesday. "We are very grateful that the union saw the wisdom in this distribution," said Mark McQueen, Bay County District Schools superintendent. After the state provided money to increase beginning teacher pay, new teachers in Bay County were making the same salary as teachers who were in their 17th year. 'It's exciting': Panama City reinstalls century-old clock damaged by Hurricane Michael "(This approval) is reflective of the extraordinary work, talent and experience of our employees. When the first round was done with the governor to increase teacher salary, it created a lot of compression," McQueen said. "Whether you had zero teaching experience or 17 years of teaching experience, you were paid exactly the same, which did not make sense because we were not acknowledging our great educators." One board member seemed disappointed that veteran teachers aren't receiving more. "Teachers should be making more than a $600 raise, and I feel very strongly about that," said Winston Chester, Bay County School Board District 4 member. "They have dedicated their lives to 25 years working with young people." This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County School Board advances effort to boost teacher pay Open primaries The recent resignation of six officers from the Ada County Republican Central Committee should give voters a key to understanding why supporting the open primary ballot measure is vital for our states political future. The resigning officers state the IDGOP no longer trusts the 575,000 registered Republican voters ability to choose candidates in primary and general elections and warns that the Idaho GOP is moving to a situation where the vetting or endorsement process is done by small groups of party insiders. Further, they warn, the state party no longer embraces grassroots voters and candidates but has created a new oligarchy that values control, purity testing, and bullying tactics that are un-Republican. Whether the ex-officers support the open primary initiative or not is unknown but also immaterial. If the initiative qualifies for the ballot, their words make clear that the vote will not be a question of whether candidates will be chosen in open or closed primaries but whether candidates will be chosen in open primaries or by Idaho Republican Chair Dorothy Moon. Adam E. Graham, Boise Caldwell school board Why on earth would we vote for three partisans now collectively pushing to bring only their political agenda onto a fully functioning Caldwell school board? Have they spent years attending local school board meetings, becoming familiar with the facilities, staff and student needs, let alone with the needs of the community of Caldwell itself? Do they believe in a free public education as enshrined in Idahos constitution? I dont believe so. Remember months ago when state Sen. Chris Trakels unruly conduct forced a shutdown of a school board meeting because he wouldnt even follow the rules of addressing the board! Look how devastating that kind of misconduct has been to the West Bonner School District and the North Idaho Community College and student bodies! It will take years to repair the damages done to those communities by political hacks elected to school boards. Vote to reelect the current non-partisan school board members, who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a positive attitude to the present board. Thank you for supporting Caldwell from the ground up! Tom Newton, Caldwell Republican Party On Thursday night, six elected officers of the Ada County Republican Central Committee resigned, just a few moments before the regular October meeting was to begin. They issued a press release blaming the resignations on problems they have with both the state party and elements within the Ada County Republican Central Committee. Media reports have said that the Ada County GOP is now in turmoil and chaos. Anyone who witnessed the meeting on Thursday night would disagree. Despite the unexpected resignations, the committee came together and persevered. The secretary opened the meeting according to Roberts Rules of Order and the body elected someone with experience presiding over meetings as chairman pro tempore. The evening lacked much of the tension and hostility that had plagued recent meetings. The committee came together to take care of party business. It was a pleasure to witness civil and respectful discussion. I trust the remaining leaders of the Ada County Republican Central Committee to weather this minor speed bump and continue moving forward. Its unfortunate that the former officers decided to air their disagreements in such a public manner. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the committee will continue its work of promoting faith, family and freedom. I am a former Ada County precinct committeeman. Brian Almon, Eagle Conservatives I grew up in the 1950s and 60s. Conservatives were warning against Communism and their policies of telling people what medical procedures they could receive, what books they could read, who they could marry, and what rights they would allow us to have. It appears to me that the Republican conservatives have adopted these policies and act like the Communist Party that they feared. Allen Wenger, Boise Mayor Adams and Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch rolled out a new policy Wednesday requiring 95% of the citys residential building owners put out trash for street pick-up in containers the first such mandate on city residences during Adams tenure and another new strategic offense in the administrations war on rats. The approximately 765,000 properties governed by the policy will cover any residential building with nine or fewer units and include single-family homes, smaller tenements and townhouses that have been subdivided into separate apartments. Containerization is probably one of the largest changes to New York Citys streetscape in a generation, Tisch told the Daily News. Its not something thats happening over ten years or twenty years. Its happening now, very quickly. The new residential trash policy announced Wednesday is part of the citys growing escalation in its war on rats. Its also part of a broader push to eventually eliminate the ubiquitous presence of black garbage bags on city streets and replace them with standard-sized, rat-resistant containers. Since Adams has taken office, he and Tisch have changed trash set-out times in an effort to cut off rats food supplies, and theyve announced that all food-related businesses would have to use containers when setting out trash, a policy they expanded on last month when the two announced that requirement would also apply to all businesses. The results so far, according to Tisch, are positive. Rat complaints to the citys 311 helpline are down 20% compared to last year, and, according to Tisch, businesses now required to set out their trash in containers have for the most part complied with the new rules. As part of their announcement Wednesday, Adams and Tisch said the new requirements for residential buildings using secure containers would take effect by the fall of 2024, and that by the summer of 2026, the building owners covered will have to use official NYC Bins. Those bins, they said, will be available through a vendor selected through a public bidding process that starts Wednesday. According to the mayor, the latest policy will translate into nearly three-fourths of all city buildings using containers. Our administration is winning the war on rats, and we are keeping up the fight, he said. With this new plan to put residential trash in containers, 70 percent of buildings in the city will no longer dump black bags on the street every afternoon. The ultimate goal is to reach 100%, though, and to that end, Tisch said plans are in the works to expand containerization policies to larger residential buildings. Currently, the city is running a pilot program in upper Manhattan requiring containers be put out on streets for higher-density residences and schools in Hamilton Heights. Just when that will expand to other parts of the city is unclear. Tisch wouldnt say what the exact timeframe is for that expansion, but said there would be more to say about it soon. Everyday, between residences and businesses, we leave 44 million pounds of trash bags on New York Citys curbs, Tisch said. We have been on a journey to containerize all of it and basically catch up with the rest of the world. New York City is one of the very few remaining cities in the world that just allows the trash bags to sit out on the streets. NEW YORK - A rally in support of Israel drew thousands of people Tuesday to the East Side of Manhattan, near the United Nations. Both Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke at the rally, reiterating their support for Israel and condemning Hamas for the attack that left over 900 Israelis dead. "The fact that there are places that are not outraged is itself an outrage," one rally attendee said. "The world needs to wake up." "The leadership of Hamas doesn't do what's good for the people. They do what's good for them," another said. Gilad Erdan , Israel's ambassador to the U.N., said last weekend's attacks were Israel's own 9/11. "We will never be massacred again," Erdan said. A candlelight vigil in support of Israel was also held in New City in Rockland County. In Newark, there was support for Palestinians. "When it comes to Palestinian resistance, we are supposed to die quietly under siege for over 16 years and when we want to fight back and get our land back, we're called terrorists and invaders, but in fact, Israel, you are the invaders," one person said. The war between Israel and Hamas, which has claimed at least 1,900 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Israel has said Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage. Dramatic aerial images of Gaza shows the extent of damage caused by deadly Israeli airstrikes, that have caused terror and devastation across the region. Residential buildings, markets and mosques have been destroyed in retaliation for the attack launched by Hamas terrorists on Israels territories on Saturday. The Gaza energy authority has warned that they only have only 10 to 12 hours of fuel left, while hospitals are said to be at capacity with thousands injured and awaiting treatment. Aerial image shows an airstrike over the Gaza Strip (Maxar) Following the attack upon its citizens by Hamas, Israel has announced a complete siege and has cut off water, food, fuel and electricity supplies to the region, which is home to 2.3 million people. One image taken by Maxar shows smoke rising above buildings in Gaza, which has so far killed at least 950 people, with more than 2,700 wounded. Follow our live blog for all the latest updates Israeli military officials have warned that they have created an iron wall of tanks, helicopters and aircraft around the enclave, with airstrikes continuing for the fourth day. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of targeting the entire neighbourhood around the Al-Sousi mosque, which was razed to the ground by an airstrike on Monday. . A view over Gaza City in August, before the latest conflict erupted with Israel (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The mosque is located inside Gaza Citys Shati refugee camp, with three other mosques targeted in the area, with its population running low on medicine and food. Dozens of Palestinians are said to have been killed in the camp, with images showing survivors clambering over rubble and piling bodies onto stretchers. The Al Sousi mosque in Gaza Citys Shati refugee camp has been completely destroyed (Maxar) Palestinians seen inspecting the damage at the Al-Sousi mosque (AFP via Getty Images) Gaza Citys Yassin mosque has also been destroyed in an airstrike, with satellite imagery showing the structures dome to be obliterated. The Rimal neighbourhood has also suffered deadly bombardments, with residential buildings and shops destroyed, with rescue officials reporting that large numbers of people were still trapped under the rubble. A number of residential buildings have been destroyed with at least 900 Palestinians killed (Maxar) The Israeli military said it had struck undreds of targets in Rimal, which is home to universities, media organisations and ministries of the Hamas government, who first gained control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. The latest conflict has now claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people, with Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating on Monday that their bombardment of Gaza had only started. It began after an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on Saturday morning, which saw armed groups open fire on Israeli civilians and launch rockets towards major cities including Tel Aviv. Smoke rises above Watan Tower after it was destroyed in an aerial bombardment (Maxar) Families were killed in their own homes, while gunmen killed 260 partygoers at a festival near the border before taking an estimated 100 people hostage. Following aerial bombardments, Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for the armed section of Hamas, said that they would begin to execute civilian hostages if innocent civilians are targeted. As well as the siege, Israel have also called up 300,000 of its reservists, with Netanyahu warning: What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later said he was deeply distressed by Israels decision to impose the siege, while the UN are attempting to accommodate 200,000 refugees in Gaza. Atefeh, 6, an Afghan girl who says she lost her father and brother in the recent earthquake, poses for a photograph at the Red Crescent camp in district of Zinda Jan, in Herat Atefeh, 6, an Afghan girl who says she lost her father and brother in the recent earthquake, poses for a photograph at the Red Crescent camp in district of Zinda Jan, in Herat By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - The World Food Programme on Wednesday called the recent Afghanistan earthquakes a 'disaster on top of a disaster,' urging the international community to provide humanitarian aid to the war-torn nation. Limited aid makes relief work difficult after earthquakes and aftershocks since Saturday rattled the religiously conservative nation. The tremors killed at least 2,400 people and injured more than 2,000, the Taliban-run government said, making the quakes among the world's deadliest so far this year after tremblors in Turkey and Syria killed an estimated 50,000 people. "In Afghanistan, this is a disaster on top of a disaster, on top of a disaster, on top of a disaster," said Philippe Kropf, head of communications at the World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan, in an interview. "We have 50 million people who do not know where their next meal will come from, and the World Food Program is only able to support 3 million people due to a massive funding shortfall," Kropf said in Herat, a northwestern province where the WFP has begun distributing rations. "All the houses are completely flattened" and health centers have been turned into rubble, he added. "Livelihoods have been destroyed." The WFP is initially providing each family of seven with 2100 kilocalories a day for a month, and may consider other forms of aid like cash in the coming weeks, Kropf said. To battle malnutrition, it has been distributing high energy biscuits and a special peanut butter. "Breastfeeding women are amongst the most vulnerable," along with children and pregnant women, he said. "If we can help them prevent malnutrition, that's how we do it, because preventing malnutrition is much cheaper than treating malnutrition." Women and children make up two-thirds of the injured in Afghanistan, said Dr. Alaa AbouZeid, head of the World Health Organization's emergency response in the country, on Monday. Afghanistan's healthcare system, reliant almost entirely on foreign aid, has faced crippling cuts in the two years since the Taliban took over and much international assistance, which had formed the backbone of the economy, was halted. Afghans have endured decades of wars, since the fight to drive out Soviet Union military forces in 1979-1989 to U.S. efforts to topple the Taliban government after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and the Taliban's victory in 2021. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies reduced the budget for Afghanistan's 2023 aid plan to $3.2 billion from $4.6 billion earlier in the year, in wake of Taliban administration restrictions on female aid workers. The WFP has already slashed rations and cash assistance from eight million Afghans this year, underscoring the severity of financial challenges aid agencies face in what the United Nations considers the world's worst humanitarian crisis. (Reporting by Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam in Karachi; Writing by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by Richard Chang) Presidium said it did not know how well Kevin Cornwell was A group helping four British nationals released from detention in Afghanistan says it used prior contact with the Taliban to argue for their release. UN aid worker Kevin Cornwell, from Middlesbrough, has returned to the UK with the three others. Presidium Network co-founder Scott Richards said the use of "arbitrary detention" did not help the country. "They really put themselves in a situation where the country becomes difficult to provide aid to," he said. Support was needed because the country was "suffering enormous malnutrition and huge health risks," he added. "So we wanted to make them aware of the risks and at some points we spoke to very senior advisors to the supreme leader on certain matters." It is understood the four men travelled to the country for different reasons. Presidium said Mr Cornwell, a 54-year-old paramedic from Middlesbrough, had been working for the UNHCR in Kabul when he was detained in January. He and the others were held for allegedly breaking the country's laws, with Mr Cornwell's detention understood to concern a weapon that had been in a safe in his room. Mr Richards said the weapon was licensed. Other charges related to the suspicion of espionage but "the merits of the accusations were somewhat questionable", he said. Miles Routledge was also released from detention in Afghanistan The UK non-profit organisation, which helps people in crisis, has worked in Afghanistan since 2014 and, having had a lot of contact with the Taliban in that time, were able to communicate with them regarding the detainees, Mr Richards said. They were also able to raise public awareness about what had happened and present information that "disputed the claims and charges", he told BBC Radio Tees. He confirmed Mr Cornwell had returned to the UK but, regarding his state of health, knew only that he was "medically cleared for travel". He had been suffering from serious health conditions and was twice critically ill while being detained by the Taliban, he said. Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Quick: If you could have a robot or artificial intelligence for any purpose, what would it be? Well that's a good idea. That second one, not so much. Your third...I shouldn't have invested in remote mind-reading. Stop thinking about that. Well, when generals get to thinking about military automation, there's an awesome use case that most folks don't consider: Military intelligence. It's not the kind of thing that gets featured in 3-hour James Cameron movies. But it was one of the first use cases for artificial intelligence. And it makes a lot of sense. Humans suss out patterns and react in real-time to changing stimuli. They're good on a patrol or in a firefight. But when they look at repeated photos of the ocean, the photos bore them. They mentally wander. And so they might miss the sub under the surface, the ship riding too low in the waves, or 86 blockade runners smuggling 47,000 Russian troops into Cuba . Artificial intelligence, for years, was the opposite. The muddy data that sensors could feed it from the real world confused it. It amazed and astounded when it sorted through millions of data points to trade stocks , though. What is artificial intelligence in OSINT? The Defense Innovation Unit, a Department of Defense organization that solicits commercial technology for military use, would like to tap into new iterations of that history. Specifically, it wants an artificial intelligence that can comb commercial and public information, commonly called OSINT or open-source intelligence. A digital Poindexter reading the internet for rival military secrets. What would the world's most boring Terminator look at? Well, if you're familiar with Bellingcat, it would be a digital version of that. Bellingcat is an internet journalism group famous for its work analyzing publicly available information to prove, for instance, that a Russian missile launcher and crew downed Ukrainian flight MH17 . And it did so years before official European investigators confirmed it. From the DIU solicitation: The ideal prototype is envisioned to leverage open-source data, machine learning (ML) data science tools, and [Science and Technology]-specific subject matter expertise to identify and characterize S&T development activities by foreign state competitors and adversaries across five technology areas of interest, namely: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, High Performance Computing, Semiconductors, and Quantum Computing. Blue OSINT, Defense Innovation Unit Why does OSINT Artificial Intelligence matter? Machines reading the internet sounds boring, but the potential payoff for the military would be a goldmine. Tracking funding and scientific papers, the service could guess what Chinese technologies are matured, which are floundering, and where planners are aiming next. It would let our own intelligence agencies place better strategic bets. And it would forestall Russian surprises like their claimed super cruise missile. Or the claimed super torpedo. Or the hypersonic missiles. None of which seem to work, but we need a digital Poindexter out there, scanning for threats. If you have a pitch for the program, too bad. The cutoff was January 12, 2023. But you can see the public version with all the rest of us when Terminator: Restricted Library goes straight to streaming. Analyst firm CCS Insight is predicting a "cold shower" for generative AI in 2024. The firm's chief analyst told CNBC he believes the technology is overhyped and faces immense costs to deploy. The firm's prediction comes amid fears of a global chip shortage. An analyst firm is predicting a "cold shower" for generative AI in 2024. CCS Insight, a London-based tech analytics firm, expects that the very real challenges of cost, risk, and complexity in AI could soon overshadow the technology's current hype in 2024, CNBC reported on Tuesday. "The hype around generative AI in 2023 has just been so immense, that we think it's overhyped, and there's lots of obstacles that need to get through to bring it to market," Ben Wood, the chief analyst at CCS Insight, told CNBC. "Just the cost of deploying and sustaining generative AI is immense," said Wood. He added that while massive companies like Google and Meta can shoulder these costs, it would be too expensive for many organizations. For context, AI relies on chips to run, and the firm's prediction comes amid concerns about a global chip shortage. The importance of these chips has even ignited a global scramble for Nvidia's semiconductor chips among industry giants ranging from Elon Musk to Chinese tech titans. In response to the soaring demand, Nvidia, a trillion-dollar chipmaker, announced in August that it plans to triple the production of its $40,000 processor chips next year. And AI company OpenAI is now exploring plans to make its own chips, Reuters reported on Friday, citing recent internal discussions at the company. For context, Dylan Patel, the chief analyst at semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis, estimated that the company burns through up to $700,000 a day on the computing power necessary to keep ChatGPT running. CCS Insight did not immediately respond to a request for comment, sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Air Canada removed a pilot from service over his social media posts following Hamas' attacks on Israel. Getty Images Air Canada grounded a pilot over his "unacceptable" social media posts, CTV News reported. A nonprofit screenshotted the pilot's purported posts and published them to X. One screenshot appeared to show the pilot holding the sign: "Israel Hitler would be proud of you." Air Canada took one of its pilots "out of service" on Monday after discovering his "unacceptable" social media posts condemning Israel, CTV News reported. The pilot, Mostafa Ezzo, reportedly posted photos from a protest to his Instagram stories over the weekend. The images appear to be taken from a protest in Montreal on Sunday, CTV News reported, one day after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel that escalated to war. The images, screenshotted and shared to X (formerly known as Twitter) by the nonprofit StopAntisemitism, appeared to show Ezzo holding a sign that said, "Israel Hitler would be proud of you." Screenshots also appeared to show Ezzo with a sign depicting a person throwing Israel's flag into a trash bin, followed by, "Keep the world clean." Ezzo has since deleted his social media accounts and could not be reached for comment. Air Canada did not respond to Insider's request for comment but confirmed in an X post that Ezzo was grounded from flying on Monday. "We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot," the post read. "We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms." An Air Line Pilots Association spokesperson, the union representing Air Canada pilots, told Insider they were aware of Ezzo's grounding in a statement Wednesday. "ALPA Canada, including the Air Canada pilot group, is aware of the situation and is incredibly saddened by the tragedies in the Middle East," the statement read. "We condemn all violence and hatred, and any promotion thereof. It is our firm expectation that all of our members abide by this principle and our professional code of ethics." More than 1,800 people have died since the fighting began over the weekend, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which gathers data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Israeli officials. Thousands more have been injured, dozens have been kidnapped, and over 260,000 people have been displaced along the Gaza Strip, according to the organization's data. Fighting began early Saturday morning when Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel with paragliders, boats, and motor vehicles. Israel quickly declared a "state of war" on Sunday. Israel's defense minister Yoav Gallant announced a "complete siege" of Gaza on Monday meaning residents would have no access to food, fuel, or electricity, as Insider previously reported. Read the original article on Insider Air Canada has grounded a pilot after he was caught posting a string of anti-Semintic messages on social media. First Officer Mostafa Ezzo, who is based in Montreal, allegedly called Israel a terorist [sic] state and carried a sign saying Israel, Hitler is proud of you. He added: F*** you Israel, burn in hell. Mr Ezzo also allegedly wore pro-Palestinian colours while in uniform. The posts come after Hamas violent assault on Israel last weekend which triggered widespread conflict and bloodshed in the region. Air Canada was quick to hit back at Mr Ezzos posts, confirming he had been grounded from flying. We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot, a statement, posted on X, read. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms. Air Canada has grounded a pilot after he was caught posting a string of anti-Semintic messages on social media (AFP via Getty Images) An Air Canada spokesman told The Toronto Star why it had taken the action against Mr Ezzo. We did this because this individuals opinions and publications on social media do not represent Air Canadas views in any way, he said. This person has never been authorized to speak publicly while identifying themselves as an Air Canada employee. Air Canada has suspended flights into Tel Aviv since the conflict broke out. It comes as Israeli defence officials warned Gaza is going to be razed to the ground and reduced to a city of tents. Israeli troops have already massed at the border with Gaza in what could presage a sweeping ground invasion of the strip. One of the signs Mr Izzo was pictured with (Instagram) Military officials warned they had created an iron wall of tanks, helicopters and aircraft around Gaza as they continued to carry out strikes on the region from the air late on Tuesday night. Palestinian officials warned that Gaza no longer has electricity after the only power plant fueling the strip was shut off. The director of the Gaza Energy Authority, Jalal Ismail, announced that the power plant had been shut down. Many of the hospitals in Gaza are already at capacity, according to one British-Palestinian surgeon who spoke to The Independent, with medical supplies running out. On Saturday morning, Hamas targeted the Nova music festival, a techno rave in the desert near the border with Gaza, killing at least 260 people. Videos shared on social media and by Israeli news outlets showed dozens of festival-goers running through an open field as gunshots rang out. Many hid in nearby fruit orchards or were gunned down as they fled. At least 1,055 people have since been killed in Gaza by Israels retaliatory airstrikes while roughly 5,184 have been wounded. More than 1,200 Israelis have been killed in the conflict and more than 2,700 injured, according to the latest updates. Warning: Images and details in this story are offensive in nature and may be disturbing for readers. Discretion is advised. Air Canada took one of their Montreal-based B787 first officers out of service on Monday after discovering posts that allegedly showed the pilot fashioning Palestinian colours in the wake of recent devastation in Israel. Air Canada took one of their Montreal-based B787 first officers out of service on Monday after discovering posts that allegedly showed the pilot at a demonstration, holding signs that said "F*ck you Israel. Burn in hell" and "Hitler is proud of you." Social media posts and accounts of Mostafa Ezzo were first flagged by a Middle East analyst and an online group called Stop Anti Semitism, self-described as a leading non-partisan American-based organization, on X, formerly known as Twitter. Hi @AirCanada, your pilot Mostafa Ezzo, in uniform, is glorifying the mass murder of women and children and calling for the "cleansing" of Jews. How does he still have his job? Here's his LinkedIn, in case you have trouble tracking him down. https://t.co/4KMwHOWqae @JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/HHDsUeWlIW Eli Kowaz (@elikowaz) October 10, 2023 The group posted a couple of pictures that allegedly featured Ezzo at pro-Palestine rallies holding anti-Israel signs and claimed them to be from Ezzos social media accounts. Mostafa Ezzo is an Air Canada pilot flying out of Montreal. Pictured in thread: - Ezzo pointing out Hitler would be proud of Israel - F*ck your Israeli Burn in Hell - Keep the World Clean (and trash Israel) - Enzo's biography NO JEW would feel safe flying with this antisemite. pic.twitter.com/5Vmj9BpBdT StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 10, 2023 Stop Anti Semitism then followed up the post with another, this time mentioning that Ezzo had deleted LinkedIn and other socials while asking Air Canada if the posts violated the companys policy. A few hours later, Air Canada denounced the posts as unacceptable and shared the latest development with the staff in a post on X. We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms, the airline stated. We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms. Air Canada (@AirCanada) October 10, 2023 An Air Canada spokesperson told the Toronto Sun, who first reported the incident, We did this because this individuals opinions and publications on social media do not represent Air Canadas views in any way. This person has never been authorized to speak publicly while identifying themselves as an Air Canada employee. Does removed pilot have any rights? Employment Law experts Professor Rafael Gomez of University of Toronto and Randy Ai stressed the importance of Ezzo utilizing his resources well, starting off with benefitting from work unions. The first thing is if the workforce is unionized...and I know that some Canada employees are unionized. They should speak with the union and file grievances since they are your legal representatives, the Founder of Randy Ai Law Office told Yahoo News Canada. A union will help settle it internally or take it to an arbitrator who may find him deserving of being paid damages," said University of Toronto Professor Rafael Gomez. The Toronto-based experts also shared their thoughts on their being cause behind Air Canadas decision and Ezzos right to a severance package. "It's sort of a quandary for a company. The company could have grounds to let him go without any pay and say they have cause," Professor Gomez told Yahoo News Canada. "Employer has the right to terminate you but a severance package must be given," said Randy. Randy explained that usually theres a protocol followed in assessing a termination of any employee by their employer which requires a proper analysis. Really egregious comments which can be seen as an attempt to defame can create a cause to fire. However, that still needs to take into account a bunch of other factors. For instance, owing to reputational damage in the public, employers may terminate employees because of political affiliations. But then theres a lot that can favour the employee as well.Randy Ai, lawyer Like was it their first offence? If the person has been a good employee and if there has been no disciplinary record, even if they have been a racist so to speak on this one occasion, does that constitute cause? If there are multiple posts then maybe, yes. There is no hard-and-fast rule as to what is cause. The person should certainly be warned but should they be terminated or taken out of service right away?" The news of an Air Canada pilot being taken out of service quickly spread on the internet, enraging many Canadian users on X. Social media reacts to Air Canada pilot's removal Canadians were split on Air Canada's moves with some thankful for its swift action to remove the pilot while under investigation: Thank you. I fly every seven days (twice). Spread peace Sideline Spectator (@GloblSpectator) October 11, 2023 good job @AirCanada , thank you for making your customers feel safe and stand again hatred. Emmr (@lanene73) October 11, 2023 Others accused the company of challenging freedom of speech and called out a 'double standard': Wouldve you done the same if he spoke against Russia in favor of Ukraine? Your double standard is insane. Its easy to stand up for whats right when everyone is doing it. Just remember apartheid in South Africa and how a lot of people initially treated it.. shameless. Zaid.K (@Z_Kr18) October 11, 2023 This is a blatant discrimination against a Canadian citizen for expressing their opinion. Arah Ululu - (@SouheiLLLL) October 11, 2023 You are butchering freedom of speech , as long as my personal views does not affect my job! Canada Me (@canadme) October 11, 2023 I have a Palestinian-CDN friend (christian-greek orthodox), I dont expect her to support israel or denounce Palestine. Not all Palestinians support Hamas. Steve Kapog (@KapoglisSteve) October 11, 2023 Freedom of speech at work: Are you protected? The issue raises concerns over the value of freedom of expression in Canada and if the countrys employment laws provide much protection in such a sensitive matter. "Canada has Freedom of Expression, yes, but unlike the U.S. it has a check on it. Hate Laws, Speech Laws, etc." "If there's something defamatory on the image it can qualify as hate speech and then the employment law won't protect you. Perhaps, that becomes a valid and contested point from the employer side," Professor Gomez told Yahoo News Canada. Freedom of Expression can only go so far. It has its limits. The exercise of FOE is being quite curtailed. General public can interpret the comments in whatever way they want. A comment that might be made in the confidence of a colleague in the lunchroom may be viewed entirely differently on social media," said Randy. With files from Canadian Press and Toronto Sun This story was updated Oct. 12 at 11:08 a.m. to clarify the nature of the sexual assault allegation. The Air Force announced Wednesday it has formally charged Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the services former pilot training boss, with sexual assault, dereliction of duty and multiple other crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. In all, the two-star general faces two counts of sexual assault under Article 120 of military law; two counts of dereliction of duty under Article 92; one count of conduct unbecoming of an officer under Article 133; and one count of extramarital sexual conduct under Article 134, according to a partially redacted charge sheet obtained by Air Force Times. Air University boss Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos filed the charges Sept. 21. Stewart allegedly penetrated a womans vulva with his mouth and penis without her consent on multiple occasions while visiting Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, in mid-April, according to the charge sheet. During the same trip, Stewart allegedly violated Air Force rules by piloting an unnamed aircraft less than 12 hours after consuming alcohol. Altus is a training hub for pilots, refueling boom operators, maintainers and other aircrew across the mobility enterprise. Stewart is also accused of inviting someone to spend the night alone with him in his private hotel room while on official travel to Colorado in March, having sex with someone other than his spouse in Oklahoma in April and pursuing an unprofessional relationship from March 6-May 9, according to the charge sheet. The Air Force will consider whether there is enough evidence to begin a court-martial at a preliminary Article 32 hearing the military equivalent of a grand jury proceeding on Oct. 24 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. If the case heads to trial, Stewart faces a minimum sentence of dismissal or dishonorable discharge, or up to 66 years in confinement and forfeiture of pay. He is presumed innocent until found guilty. Air Education and Training Command boss Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson fired Stewart from his post as 19th Air Force commander in May due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead after less than a year in the role. Stewart oversaw 32,000 personnel and 1,530 aircraft while managing the services pilot training enterprise from JBSA-Randolph. He was reassigned to a staff position at Air Education and Training Command headquarters in San Antonio, Air Force spokesperson Capt. Scarlett Trujillo told Air Force Times in an email. The former commander has amassed more than 2,600 flying hours in several fighter, special operations, intelligence and trainer aircraft and flown more than 168 combat missions since commissioning as an F-15C pilot in 1992, according to his official biography. He has received a Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Defense Superior Service Medal. Before taking over at 19th Air Force in August 2022, Stewart headed NATOs effort to train the Afghan air force and served as the Air Forces top air adviser in Afghanistan. He held multiple policy and staff jobs on the Pentagons Joint Staff and with military commands in Europe, and led the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California. General officers rarely face prosecution through the military legal system. Wednesdays announcement marks the second time an Air Force general officer has been charged with a sexual crime. The first, Maj. Gen. Bill Cooley, the former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, retired as a colonel in June after being convicted of abusive sexual conduct for forcibly kissing his brothers wife. He has lodged a complaint with the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. In 1992, Maj. Gen. Donald Kaufman was arraigned as part of a court-martial, but his case was dismissed and never went to a jury, Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek previously told Air Force Times. Kaufman, who faced allegations of taking enemy AK-47 assault rifles as trophies from the Gulf War, was demoted to the rank of colonel and retired. A U.S. Air Force member at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls admitted Tuesday to obtaining and selling images of child sexual abuse material using social media, according to a Montana U.S. Attorneys Office press release. A U.S. Air Force member at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls admitted Tuesday to obtaining and selling images of child sexual abuse material using social media, according to a Montana U.S. Attorneys Office press release. The release said investigators determined Brandon Earl Bankston, 23, assigned to Malmstroms missile squadron, possessed approximately 5,000 images of child sexual abuse material and about 3,000 images and videos of the material saved in storage accounts. In addition, investigators determined Bankston received approximately $6,750 for child sexual abuse material sales from 42 separate transactions. Bankston told investigators, according to the release, he obtained images and videos of the material through a messaging platform and stored the material on a cloud-based site in New Zealand. He further admitted to selling the child sexual abuse material to approximately 25 people. The Great Falls Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated after videos containing known child sexual abuse material to an account on X, formerly known as Twitter in Montana. The task force learned a Snapchat user with a Montana address had posted an image of child sexual abuse material. The investigation determined that the internet provider addresses belonged to Bankston, an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The squadron is tasked with defending Malmstroms intercontinental ballistic missiles. Bankston pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell child pornography and faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This story was initially published by The Daily Montanan. Read more at www.dailymontanan.com. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Man assigned to Malmstrom Air Base pleads guilty in child porn case An air-raid warning was issued in southern Ukrainian oblasts after 04:00 on 11 October and was later extended to Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts. Source: air-raid warning map; Ukraine's Air Force Quote from Air Force: "Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson, there is a missile threat to your oblasts!" Details: At 04:06, an air-raid warning was issued in three southern oblasts. Residents of these oblasts were urged to stay in shelters. Later, an air-raid warning was issued in Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts due to Russian aircraft activity. At 05:09, the all-clear was given in Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts. At 05:24, the Air Force reported the all-clear had been given in the southern 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! All That Power AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard consume an astronomical amount of electricity and water or, more precisely, the massive data centers that power them do. And according to the latest estimates, those energy demands are rapidly ballooning to epic proportions. In a recent analysis published in the journal Joule, data scientist Alex de Vries at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands found that by 2027, these server farms could use anywhere between 85 to 134 terawatt hours of energy per year. That's roughly on par with the annual electricity use of Argentina, the Netherlands, or Sweden, as the New York Times points out, or 0.5 percent of the entire globe's energy demands. Sound familiar? The much-lampooned crypto industry spiked past similar power consumption thresholds in recent years. It's a massive carbon footprint that experts say should force us to reconsider the huge investments being made in the AI space not to mention the eye-wateringly resource-intensive way that tech giants like OpenAI and Google operate. We Hunger Coming to an exact figure is difficult, since AI companies like OpenAI are secretive about their energy usage. De Vries settled on estimating their consumption by examining the sales of Nvidia A100 servers, which make up an estimated 95 percent of the AI industry's underlying infrastructure. "Each of these Nvidia servers, they are power-hungry beasts," de Vries told the NYT. It's a worrying trend that's leading some experts to argue that we should take a step back and reevaluate the trend. "Maybe we need to ideally slow a bit down to start applying solutions that we have," Roberto Verdecchia, an assistant professor in the University of Florence, told the newspaper. "Lets not make a new model to improve only its accuracy and speed. But also, lets take a big breath and look at how much are we burning in terms of environmental resources." Many companies operating in California in particular may face opposition earlier than you'd think. Over the weekend, California governor Gavin Newsom signed two major climate disclosure laws, forcing companies like OpenAI and Google, among roughly 10,000 other firms, to disclose how much carbon they produce by 2026. Even with increased scrutiny from regulators, the space is still largely governing itself, and AI companies will likely continue to burn through copious amounts of energy to keep their models going. There is, however, a financial incentive to lower these costs through technological advances, given the current burn rate. And considering the massive environmental footprint, any breakthroughs can't come soon enough. More on AI chatbots: AI Chatbots Are Only Useful If You Think They Are, Scientists Find Al Pollock, a former colonel with the Broward Sheriffs Office, announced Wednesday that hes running for sheriff joining a growing field of candidates looking to unseat the incumbent candidate, Gregory Tony. Pollock filed paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections Office on Wednesday, which allows him to raise and spend money as a candidate for the sheriffs post in the August 2024 Democratic primary. When Pollock unsuccessfully ran against Tony in 2020, Pollock got the endorsement of the union representing Broward Sheriffs Office deputies. Pollock, who retired in 2017, has spent his time as a community volunteer in various roles. A Broward Sheriffs Office Deputies Association Local IUPA 6020 spokesman said Wednesday it was too early to say who would get the endorsement this next election season since the vote would need to go to the membership. As a candidate, Pollock cites his on-the-streets experience, as he rose through the ranks of the Sheriffs Office from road patrol deputy to colonel. He wants to see more patrol cars on the street. They need to have a better presence which they dont have now, he said. You can drive from Dade County to the Palm Beach County line and you dont see deputies. You just dont see them. They are in unmarked cars because their boss allows them to have it. (But) people need to see you. Thats a problem in this county. In challenging the sheriff, Pollock also lists grievances against Tony, including taking issue with Tonys placement on the so-called Brady List a log maintained by prosecutors of law enforcement officers whose testimony and credibility could be considered suspect, potentially discrediting them on the witness stand. Tony has two pending hearings, one with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings after the Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause to pursue a case into the sheriffs providing false information, or not disclosing information, including during the governors process in January 2019 to appoint Tony as the Broward sheriff. Tony never disclosed on forms that he had shot and killed an 18-year-old man when he was a teenager living in a rough neighborhood in Philadelphia. He was acquitted in the case, which he called an instance of self-defense. In addition, a panel that is part of the state Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, determined there is probable cause for continuing its case against Tony after reviewing unlawful acts in eight cases surrounding his Florida drivers license paperwork. In August, Tony filed paperwork indicating he plans to run for reelection next year. When Tony last month formally announced seeking reelection, he said his administration has made unprecedented enhancements in the area of public safety. He also said, We must maintain a sheriffs office where public safety is the priority not politics. Pollock said hes motivated by his deep love for the community and he has the ability to work with other cities for the common good. Without BSO working without other cities, its not good, he said. The list of sheriffs candidates also includes: David Howard, who is the former police chief in Pembroke Park, hired and charged with creating a new police department for the town after commissioners decided to sever a contract with the Sheriffs Office to provide police protection. Steve Geller (not the county commissioner with the same name), is a former patrol officer, school resource officer at South Plantation High School, and a major case detective and a captain supervising a range of units with the Plantation Police Department. He was most recently a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Candidates dont qualify for the Aug. 20, 2024, primary ballot until next spring. With Broward being overwhelmingly Democratic, whoever wins the primary as a Democrat is likely to win the election. Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Carlee Russell, a nursing student who made international news when she faked her own kidnapping in Alabama over the summer, was found guilty of the false report. During a municipal court hearing Wednesday, Judge Brad Bishop found Russell guilty of filing a false police report and falsely reporting the incident, where she reported seeing a child walking along I-459 before she went missing on July 13. On July 15, she walked back to her home in Hoover, Alabama, where she told police that she had been abducted. Timeline of Carlee Russells disappearance, return and the investigation However, after a days-long investigation by police, Russell admitted she had made the whole thing up. In a statement released through her attorney, Russell said she acted alone and apologized for her actions. There was speculation during the police investigation after authorities uncovered several text messages from Russell in the day leading up to her disappearance, such as You have to pay for an Amber alert, a search for a one-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville for July 13, as well as the plot to the movie Taken, which involves the abduction of a girl. What made you do that?: Ex-boyfriend of Carlee Russell talks about kidnapping hoax Russells ex-boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, spoke about the incident on a podcast last month, saying he doesnt understand why she faked her kidnapping. Im confused, like what happened? What made you do that? I dont understand, he said. Bishop has ordered Russell to pay $831 for each misdemeanor charge, as well as over $17,000 in restitution. Russell, who pleaded not guilty in the case, is set to appeal the decision to the circuit court. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Chicagos City Council is becoming embroiled in the political fallout from the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, as aldermen prepare to consider a resolution backing Israel following the attack launched from the Gaza Strip. Far North Side Ald. Debra Silverstein, the City Councils lone Jewish member, plans to introduce the Israeli Solidarity Resolution. The symbolic document supports Israel as its military hammers the Gaza Strip after Hamas fighters based there killed hundreds of Israelis in a brazen weekend assault. Silverstein hoped to bring her resolution to the council floor Wednesday, but held it after discussions with Mayor Brandon Johnson and city lawyers in which she said they pointed out introducing it might violate the state Open Meetings Act. Aldermen will instead return to City Hall for a special meeting Friday afternoon to consider Silversteins resolution. An ugly council fight during Wednesdays meeting, with questions for Johnson after many of his progressive aldermanic allies opposed the resolution, would also have threatened to become a distraction from the mayors speech unveiling his proposed $16.6 billion 2024 city budget. Johnson opened his news conference after his budget address by calling for a moment of silence for every innocent life that has been lost in the recent fighting. He then condemned Hamas for attacking and killing innocent Israeli civilians, including children in front of their parents, and indiscriminately firing into crowds of innocent people, calling it truly heinous and saying it represents one of the worst acts of terror weve witnessed. Asked whether Silversteins resolution should be amended to reflect the oppression and violence Palestinians have endured at the hands of Israel, as Johnson council ally Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd, has said, the mayor punted. Thats the conversation that happens amongst the council, he said. And what Im doing is, Im going to oversee a meeting that allows for the type of robust conversation to take place so that everybody is very clear about how we must center humanity in this moment. Silverstein said the need for the council to show solidarity with Israel through her resolution is obvious. This was a terrorist attack against innocent civilians, she said of the initial Hamas incursion into Israel. They targeted and killed men, women, children, the elderly. I dont know how you can sit back and not condemn it in the strongest terms. Israel has the right to defend itself. As Silverstein sought to build support for her plan Tuesday, Rodriguez-Sanchez, who Johnson chose to chair the council Committee on Health and Human Relations, pushed back against the resolution. While saying in a note to Silverstein that she was deeply sorry for all the violence, the pain and the loss of life that took place over the weekend and that continues to escalate as I write this email, Rodriguez-Sanchez also said any resolution that speaks on this matter should in my opinion also center the humanity of Palestinians who are confined to an open air prison and whose lands have been occupied for decades. I would be happy to work together on this resolution so that it provides a more nuanced understanding of the situation, Rodriguez-Sanchez wrote, according to an email exchange Silverstein provided to the Tribune. Rodriguez-Sanchez could not be reached for comment. Silverstein said in an interview that she had no intention to amend the language in her proposed resolution. It characterizes the Hamas attack as shocking in its brutality and cruelty, seeing the murder and abduction of innocent babies while parents were gunned down in front of their children. The resolution contrasts that with the Israeli response, which it says has been ethically driven, with the goal of eliminating the terrorist infrastructure and taking extreme measures to minimize civilian casualties. Israel, like any other sovereign nation, has the right and the obligation to protect its citizens against terrorism and attack by hostile foreign powers, the resolution reads in part. Meanwhile, at least 3,000 Palestinian supporters filled the plaza at Eagle Fountain in Grant Park Wednesday afternoon with chants of free, free Palestine and resistance is justified when people are occupied. This is about the unfair treatment of Palestinians, Victoria Hani, 39, said. She brought her teenage son, wrapped in a Palestinian flag, and 9-year-old daughter to the plaza. (People) think this is a religious conflict when its about government, she said. Chicago Tribunes Caroline Kubzansky contributed. jebyrne@chicagotribune.com Over the past year, allied nations Poland and Ukraine went from displays of enthusiastic support and gratitude to trading veiled accusations in the UN General Assembly. When Russia launched a full-scale invasion, Poland took the initiative to provide weapons to Ukraine and called on others to do the same. Poland's people and government hosted millions of Ukrainian refugees. At times, the relationship looked nigh-unbreakable, but a scandal over grain amplified by aggressive rhetoric exposed the rift between both countries. A dozen experts and stakeholders from Poland and Ukraine interviewed by the Kyiv Independent believe Poland will continue to support Ukraine against Russia. Read also: Could an election and historys ghosts upend Ukrainian-Polish alliance? The stakes are too high to do otherwise. However, the accusations have damaged trust so much that it's become dangerous for politicians from every party to be outspokenly pro-Ukrainian if they hope to have a shot in the Oct. 15 elections. The indignation being worn by both sides was woven from many smaller misgivings. Besides grain, experts also pointed to Ukraine's aggressive rhetorical style, allegedly unscrupulous Ukrainian grain traders, Poland's ruling party and its right-wing challengers, purported election month pandering, Brussels' decisions, Warsaw's rivals in Berlin, and the challenging past shared by Ukraine and Poland that still haunts the two countries. What happened? Like many things, it started with Russia. The full-scale invasion blockaded the Black Sea, which Ukraine used to export 98% of its grain. From July 2022, a negotiated corridor let some ships through until Russia pulled out a year later, just when the quarrel between Ukraine and Poland was heating up. In 2022, the EU opened solidarity lanes that allow the tax-free import and transit of Ukrainian grain. But instead of going to the Baltic ports and overseas, a lot of grain was sold in Ukraine-adjacent countries, Poland included. Early in 2023, a number of Ukrainian neighbors, including Poland, requested a ban on cheap Ukrainian grain being sold inside their markets, influencing the supply and pricing. The EU adopted the ban in the spring of 2023 but lifted it in mid-September to a burst of renewed controversy. Deal negotiations are ongoing. But the most visible part of the scandal began with the back-and-forth comments by Ukrainian and Polish officials in September. This reached a fever pitch at the UN General Assembly in New York, where Polish President Andrzej Duda likened Ukraine to a flailing, drowning man and said Poland needs to take care that it doesn't also drown mid-rescue. Read also: Duda: Hamas attack diverts worlds attention from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to imply that Poland was play-acting and treating Ukraine as would a tacit ally of Russia. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki then told a Polish interviewer that Poland is not transferring weapons to Ukraine, rearming itself instead. It was clarified that he meant there'd be no new weapons at this time and not no weapons ever again, but many people around the world had taken it to mean the latter. Glut of grain After the solidarity lanes opened, the Polish farmers were fuming. The country doesn't normally buy Ukrainian cereals, and imports increased 600-fold, said Daniel Szeligowski, an economist at the Warsaw School of Economics. "Ukrainian grain exports have disrupted local markets," Centre for European Studies expert Tadeusz Iwanski said. "For some Polish farmers, their work is much less profitable due to the inflow of cheaper, duty-free production from Ukraine. This is a real problem. And the authorities in Kyiv seem to not want to notice it." Some Polish experts are suspicious of Ukraine's larger agricultural corporations or traders that are richer and more economically resilient than Poland's smallholders. At least 75% of Ukraine's farmers are actually small and medium entities. But Ukraine's top 14 wheat exporters also had 85% of the market in 2021. Denys Marchuk, deputy chief of Ukraine Agrarian Council, which represents small and medium farmers, disputed Poland's version. He said the majority of exports passed through Europe the amounts sold in Europe wouldn't be enough for such a dramatic price shift. The Kyiv School of Economics reported that grain prices in Europe actually went up during this period. Polish farmers sell most of their crops inside Europe. "Two interesting conclusions jump out from the price graph," KSE agriculture expert Oleg Nivievskyi wrote about these figures. "The first is that Polish farmers are getting almost double their income. Everyone knows why. We're at war, logistics are expensive, there are risks and limited export opportunities." The grain situation was Poland's unpleasant reckoning with how Ukraine can come to be a competitor, not just an ally. Bitter rhetoric The snarky public statements by the Ukrainian officials certainly didn't help. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Poland blocking grain exports is "an unfriendly and populist step." But it was nothing compared to when Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka used a modified historical slogan of Polish and Ukrainian solidarity to suggest that he was defending the interests of farmers from both countries. This slogan is widely revered in Poland and caused immediate outrage, multiple experts told the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's threats to sue Poland and several other neighbors at the World Trade Organization, and ban some Polish produce didn't warm any hearts either. Neither did Warsaw's counter-threat to expand the list of banned items. "The ship is full speed in one direction," and that is not towards rapprochement, said Slawomir Debski, a political scientist with the Polish Institute of International Affairs. "This ship could have been stopped maybe in July but we missed this moment." But Daniel Tilles, editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland isnt sure this tension will derail a very strong relationship. "I feel that once the elections are over, some kind of agreement will be reached," he said. "A regular tactic by the Ukrainian government during the war has been to anger allies by saying they're not doing enough, which provokes anger, but it often leads to some kind of negotiations and support." Role of elections One thing Poles agree on is that the country is politically divided, with a closer race than usual. The ruling party, Law and Justice, hopes to hang onto its seats. It's opposed by the more leftist Civic Coalition. Meanwhile, the far right, Ukraine-skeptic party Confederation, is enjoying a run of popularity. Confederation is fighting Law and Justice for some of the same votes and has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with. The ruling party doesn't want the right-wingers in the coalition and needs to send the message that it will defend Polish interests. Read also: Far-right party may hold keys to next Polish government, sets tone in talks with Ukraine Paulina Siegien, a journalist with the liberal activist network Krytyka Polityczna, said the government in power could have offered to do any number of things to help its farmers. Instead, they are exploiting the anger in an attempt to stay in power. Szeligowski thinks it's the other way around the ruling party has been put on the defensive, with nothing to gain and votes to lose from the situation. In light of all this, Ukraine's rhetoric is especially puzzling Zelensky should have known how his remarks would play out in an election year, Iwanski said. But Siegien suggested that Ukraine may be paying attention to what she described as Poland's slide to the right and the likelihood of a more hostile government. Tilles said it's possible Ukraine is thinking about the election outcome and how long support may continue with a conservative and a farther-right party in power. Public emotions Public sentiment matters more than policy though the government is still chasing the emotions of the public, Debski said. Last year's emotions were a show of unbridled support. This year revealed that things may be a little more textured. Debski pointed out that the specter of history often hovers in the background of Ukraine-Poland relations. The Volyn Massacre by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army is always being talked about somewhere. There are always people pushing for things like the exhumation of bodies and recognition in the form of a monument. Kyiv hasn't done it yet. Besides people with a genuine stake in the issue, the topic has been raised by some politicians, including from the ruling party, to score points. As Russia invaded, these voices were drowned out by the rising tide of support for Ukraine. Polish people came out in droves to help refugees, put them up in their homes, and agree to a tax-funded assistance program. Many who helped refugees are from Eastern Poland and more likely to have been affected by the massacres of the 1940s. Now, those voices are coming back, and more people are paying attention. Debski said that a quiet majority of the population still supports Ukraine and understands how these scandals came to be. But last year's momentum of effusive support was never going to be self-sustaining. Siegien said that the trend of waning enthusiasm isn't huge but is very important. She said some taxpayers don't want to pay for refugee stipends, and there are rumors about Ukrainians going around. Tilles was more positive: "I think recent polling has shown that society still remains sympathetic towards and supportive of Ukraine Ukrainians contribute, integrate well, have jobs. But the social subsidy is a point of friction for some." Read also: Zelensky, partners meet in Brussels to boost military support for Ukraine ahead of winter Looking West There may be another friction point affecting Warsaws relations with Kyiv its rivalry with Berlin over the future of the EU, historian and political scientist Lukasz Adamski suggested. Poland and Germany are at odds about how to run the union. Germany wants to reform into a more federal system. Poland is blocking this reform, seeing it a power grab by Berlin. Warsaw says it wants to defend the primacy of the nation-state. As a result, Germany may be trying to court Ukraine away from Poland, Adamski said. If Berlin could become Kyiv's primary ally and protector and guarantee its entry into the EU, it may hope to call on Ukraine to support its position. At the UN, Zelensky gave Poland the cold shoulder and called for Germany to become a permanent Security Council member. That would be seen in Poland as a betrayal. Poland was arming Ukraine and trying to give it tanks and fighter jets when Germany was still sitting on the fence. Germany almost gave the green light to Nord Stream 2, giving Russia massive influence over Europe's energy. If Poland were to introduce Ukraine into the EU instead, they might have a potent ally. This version of events is a possibility, not a certainty, according to Adamski and other experts. Tilles said it is also possible that Ukraine could be trying to decide whether Poland or Germany is a more stable ally in the long run. However, staying close-knit with Poland comes with conditions of its own, Siegien said. After everything Poland's done for Ukraine, Warsaw might call on Kyiv to consider its interests. "If this political course continues, Kyiv might be forced to make a choice," she said. "Is Poland going to be the country that helps it integrate into the West or become an obstacle unless some conditions are met?" Read also: Peter Tkacenko: Slovakia after election If not friend, certainly not enemy of Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Hump Day! Have you filled up your cart? Take advantage of savings during Prime Big Deal Days. | From Our Partners On to the news. Earlier this summer, Ally moved in as the anchor tenant of a 26-story tower on Tryon Street. Its one of multiple ways the bank is working to grow its Charlotte presence. Courtesy of Crescent Communities After more than eight years as CEO, Jeffrey Brown plans to resign from Ally Financial. Brown leaves Ally for a new role as president of Hendrick Automotive Group here in Charlotte. Just last week, Ally announced it was laying off about 5% of its employees, citing a difficult macroenvironment. Adam Bell with more on Browns resignation. Rows of slot machines are hooked up and ready for the opening of a prelaunch facility in early July at the Catawba Indian Nations Two Kings Casino Resort. The casino will be using temporary facilities until more permanent additions are made in 2022. Keilen Frazier/kfrazier@charlotteobserver.com The Catawba Nations new chief rejects the cost of a financial deal that would break most ties with a company thats been instrumental in launching its Two Kings Casino outside of Charlotte. The tribes previous administrations approved the deal that would require the Catawba to pay SkyBoat, LLC a $125 million payout, Chief Brian Harris said. Harris, who was elected chief this summer, says its too much money. Gavin Off has the latest. One of the most popular Hornets players of all time, Muggsy Bogues, toured the Charlotte Museum of Historys new exhibit celebrating the Hornets 35th anniversary. Bogues measures himself against an exhibit photo of him during his playing days. John D. Simmons/Special to the Observer The Charlotte Museum of Historys newest exhibit celebrates a local staple: the Charlotte Hornets. The new Hive at 35 exhibit opened yesterday, and Hornets icon Muggsy Bogues was there to take it all in. Scott Fowler tagged along with Bogues to see his reaction to the exhibit. Charlotte Mecklenburg school board members listen to speakers during the boards meeting at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. CMS is one of the first to pass policies to comply with Senate Bill 49. JEFF SINER/jsiner@charlotteobserver.com Are there covert Republicans on the ballot for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in November? Allegations of hidden loyalties have shaken up a competitive school board race in which 14 candidates are vying for just three seats. Carolina Forward, a progressive policy organization, recently alleged on social media that three of the candidates are secretly affiliated with Mecklenburg Republicans and Moms for Liberty. Paige Masten lays out the facts. 5. Some more stories to read --- Thats it for now. Thanks for reading! If you dont already, subscribe to the Charlotte Observer here. If youre already a subscriber (thanks!), download our iOS or Android app to stay connected. Find more updates at charlotteobserver.com, and follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok to see more from us. Enjoy your day! Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can sign up here. Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer. One person was injured in a shooting that escalated from an argument Sunday evening at a residence in Amarillo. According to the Amarillo Police Department, on Sunday about 5:52 p.m., Amarillo officers were sent to the 100 block of North Florida on a reported shooting. When officers arrived, witnesses told them some of the people involved had gone back inside the house where it had occurred, and others had left, with one person possibly shot. While at the scene, officers learned a man had arrived at an area hospital with a gunshot wound. The parties inside the residence were then contacted. APD said officers learned that the incident started as an argument over texts about child custody. "Several people showed up at the residence on Florida, and a short argument started. Then the two parties began shooting at each other, resulting in one person being injured," reads a news release. According to APD, the man's injuries were serious but not life threatening. All parties involved in the incident were identified, APD said, and the Violent Crimes Unit is investigating. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo police: Man shot after argument in North Florida house (NewsNation) America has a child care problem, and some advocates fear its about to get worse. Over the past two years, more than 220,000 child care programs have received federal assistance through the American Rescue Plans Child Care Stabilization Program. Now, many of those same providers are at risk of closing after the $24 billion in COVID relief funds expired last month. A June report from The Century Foundation a progressive think tank projects more than 70,000 child care programs serving over 3 million children could shut down without additional funding. Parents left without child care as federal funding expires (The child care) sector has been struggling for a really long time, and the shock has left things more precarious, said Laura Valle-Gutierrez, a fellow at the organization and co-author of the report. At issue, is what Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called a textbook example of a broken market, where those who provide child care arent paid well and many who need it cant afford it. In 2022, the average annual price for U.S. child care was $10,853 per child. Meanwhile, the median pay for a child care worker is just $13.71 an hour, or about $28,500 a year, according to the Labor Department. That pay, Valle-Gutierrez says, has made it difficult for child care programs to recruit and retain staff a challenge that was exacerbated by the pandemic. As low-wage workers saw earnings rise, many switched industries. In order to remain competitive, providers raised wages using federal funds, but that solution was temporary. Although it has improved, the child care workforce still hasnt bounced back from the pandemic and currently sits about 40,000 employees short of where it was in February 2020, Labor Department data shows. States take it upon themselves Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that would provide billions in mandatory funding to continue the federal stabilization program, but the plan has failed to gain bipartisan support. Instead, many states have acted on their own, approving unprecedented investments in child care over the past year. In Alabama, lawmakers greenlit the largest year-over increase in state funding for pre-K and early childhood education. Elsewhere, legislators in Vermont passed a bill investing $125 million annually into the child care sector. State-level efforts like those are one of the reasons why some policy experts are skeptical of what has been called the child care cliff. There are things we can do to improve the child care market but this shouldnt be a five-alarm fire, said Patrick Brown, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center a conservative think tank. Brown said he wasnt opposed to the initial funding during the pandemic but doesnt think it should be treated as the new baseline. He pointed out several states had already run out of federal support well before the recent deadline and doubts the estimates in The Century Foundations report will come to pass. Others, like Notre Dame economist Chloe Gibbs, have called the reports dire projections extreme and unlikely, while noting that the expiring funds are still likely to reduce child care supply. Valle-Gutierrez acknowledged that the forecasts were done before a lot of states had finished their legislative sessions but thinks more federal funding is necessary to address the full scale of the issue. Child care programs just lost thousands of federal dollars. Families and providers scramble to cope In New York, where child care costs are among the highest in the nation, lawmakers took steps to shore up financing for the sector, which will allow more middle-income families to qualify for government subsidies. Pete Nabozny, policy director at The Childrens Agenda in Rochester, said the expanded state funding will help more people afford child care but thinks sustained federal support is needed to address labor supply challenges long-term. Its hard to raise wages for a year or two and then what is that program supposed to do after that? he said. If the funding dries up, [providers] have to increase costs on families and thats something that a lot of them know they cant do. In a densely populated area like New York City, where smaller home-based child care providers outnumber larger center-based facilities, Nabozny said programs are more vulnerable to changes in the economy. However, not every state has rushed to approve additional investments. Earlier this year, dozens of nonprofits and early education advocates sent a letter urging the Texas Legislature to increase state funding to keep providers from going out of business. Lawmakers ultimately decided against a $2.3 billion budget proposal for child care. Instead, Texans will vote on a proposition that would allow property tax exemptions for operating child care facilities. Of the more than 1,500 child care programs surveyed by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children in February, 44% said their program is likely or maybe likely to close within the next year. Alternative solutions All three policy experts agreed the child care industry poses unique business challenges. Labor makes up the bulk of the cost for providers, and theres a ceiling on how productive those workers can be. At the end of the day, children, particularly infants, need specific, attentive care. Some local governments have tried to address the problem at the county level. In Oregon, Multnomah County voters approved a personal income tax to fund Preschool for All. In its first year, the program supported 700 preschool slots. But for Valle-Gutierrez, the market dynamics underscore the need for more federal investment. Theres still time to really mitigate a lot of the harms that weve projected, she said. If Congress doesnt act, then a lot of families are just not going to have any choice. Brown thinks there are other ways to increase child care supply without relying on an influx of federal dollars. States can be talking about capacity building grants for nonprofits and other institutions that want to offer child care but need to retrofit a space or get a program off the ground, he said. There are also tax policy options that would incentivize businesses to provide child care for their employees, Brown suggested. A lot of parents dont feel comfortable with the child care status quo but they dont want a one-size-fits-all solution, either, he said. They want policies that are going to recognize that parents preferences are heterogenous. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Physician assistant Michele Freund was on vacation in Israel when Hamas launched surprise attacks. Freund told CBS News she decided to stay and volunteer at a Tel Aviv hospital. Freund is volunteering at the same hospital where her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, worked. Michele Freund, a physician assistant from New York City, was on vacation in Israel when Hamas militants launched coordinated surprise attacks that killed at least 1,000 people, including at least 22 Americans, and wounded 2,806 others. Freund decided to put her medical experience to use and began volunteering in a hospital in Tel Aviv the same hospital where her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor who emigrated to Israel from Hungary, once worked, CBS News reported. "She would just be so proud of having me here, especially in light of the atrocities that have happened that are very Holocaust-like," Freund said of her grandmother. CBS News reported that the hospital workers must often run and take shelter from incoming rockets fired from Gaza. Meanwhile, so many people have shown up to donate blood that lines have stretched outside the doors. Freund, who has friends and family in the Israel Defense Forces, was originally scheduled to return to the US next week. She told CBS News she may end up staying longer since she wants to continue helping Israel and its people, to whom she feels deeply connected. "The people that I don't know, I feel like are my friends and my family," she said. "Every person that is held hostage right now in Gaza personally I don't know them, but I know them, and it's really hard." Hundreds of civilians and military personnel were also taken captive in Hamas' surprise attacks. President Joe Biden called the attacks "an act of sheer evil." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally declared war against Hamas, launching a counterattack during which at least 830 Palestinians have been killed and 4,250 more have been injured in Gaza, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Watch the full CBS News segment here: Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON American Rheinmetall introduced what the company said could be the future of short-range air defense, or SHORAD: the Skyranger 30 system, on display at the Association of the U.S. Armys annual conference, wrapping up today. Whats unusual isnt the turret, which was debuted in 2021. The Skyranger can fire 1,250 30 mm airburst rounds per minute and elevate 85 degrees. Whats new is its pairing with the vehicle carrying it an unmanned ground vehicle, or UGV. On the show floor at the giant defense exposition, the turret sat atop a RIPSAW M5, a robotic UGV produced by Textron Defense Systems, one of Rheinmetalls partners. This pairing presents two main variations on the mean for SHORAD. First, the M5 is smaller than the vehicles the Army typically employs for its air defense. According to Textron, its combat weight is around 10.5 tons, far lighter than the SHORAD-carrying Stryker. Second, and more importantly, the M5 is unmanned. This is key to American Rheinmetalls thinking, said CEO Stephen Hedger, speaking to Defense News next to the cannon on Oct. 10. People have not been thinking about SHORAD in a UGV capacity, he said. Combining the two components, he argued, is an attempt to anticipate a moving target: the Armys increased focus on air defense and on unmanned vehicles. After divesting in air defense artillery in the early 2000s, the U.S. Army is now pursuing new mobile SHORAD systems, including those that can defend against the drones that have proved so menacing on the battlefields in Ukraine. Hedger touted the Skyrangers ability to do just that. The turret is designed to counter unmanned aerial systems, or UAS. Within three kilometers, Hedger said, the cannons kill rate is 90%. The requirement for a more lethal SHORAD system that can address a swarm [of drones], that can address a larger and more complex UAV, a maneuvering UAS, loitering munitions is absolutely clear, Hedger said. Stacking this turret atop the M5 couples two trends: the Armys shift toward unmanned vehicles and the increasingly on display need to defend against drones. In other words, its an example of a robot-killing robot. We certainly wanted to demonstrate here the ability for this type of turret to be integrated with this type of system on a platform like the M5, said Hedger, who noted that the Army first resolved its interim SHORAD solution but is still looking to the future. Where the Army may well be headed is a platform like the M5. The Army is now responsible for the air defense of Guam, and Hedger mentioned the Skyranger turrets capability could fit such a scenario. American Rheinmetall is not the only company with SHORAD experiments on display at the AUSA conference. BAE Systems featured its new armored turret, which it hopes can eventually swat drones, atop of an armored personnel carrier its developing for the Army. General Dynamics loaded the SHORAD system usually carried by the Stryker atop its unmanned TRX, competing for the Armys robotic combat vehicle light program. When Erica Hayes was infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in November 2020, her symptoms were mild and she didnt even have a cough. Its what followed that was worrisome: extreme weakness, such that she couldnt even lift her arms up to fold laundry; a racing heart that felt like it would burst out of her chest just from cooking a meal; and her body forgetting to breathe on its own, leaving her gasping for breath. Although her doctor reassured her she wasnt having a heart attack, which presents with similar symptoms, she went to the emergency room to get checked out. They, too, told her these were just side effects of COVID-19 that would pass along with the infection. But days went by. Then weeks, and years. I have spent months where I'm very limited and even getting out of bed is unbelievably uncomfortable because of the light and sun sensitivity, and I can't even think or talk at all, Hayes told Salon in a phone interview. You can't move. Its just like a living dead state. Hayes was diagnosed with long COVID, a condition in which the symptoms of COVID infection last for weeks or far longer, and over the course of nearly three years her condition continued to worsen. She was also diagnosed with a host of secondary conditions, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), asthma, chronic sinusitis, a positional tremor and orthostatic hypotension, which causes sharp changes in blood pressure that make her faint. A mother of two, Hayes needed a wheelchair to prevent her from hurting herself if she were to collapse in or outside her home. But her first physical therapist didn't want to prescribe her one because they didnt want her to become dependent on it, she said. Eventually, her cardiologist did write her a prescription for a motor scooter, but it couldnt be delivered for six months and she ended up having to create a GoFundMe to get one sooner herself. Hayes, a user experience designer who made websites before her condition put her out of work, is one of an estimated 18 million adults to be diagnosed with long COVID and one of an estimated half million people who have stopped working because of it. Many with long COVID have come together in grassroots patient advocacy groups because so many of them feel they have been forgotten and dismissed by the medical community. Without a cure or many effective treatments in sight, many are still adapting to a new life with what looks like could be lifelong disabilities. All of my conditions that Ive been diagnosed with since having COVID are lifelong conditions, Hayes said. No ones telling me I will regain a quality of life that would let me get back to work. Last month, an article published in the BMJ argued that the body of research used to estimate the prevalence of long COVID was flawed and exaggerated, suggesting a portion of those 18 million are not sick with the condition. But some in the long COVID space say its one of many recent attempts to minimize long COVID, which has been called the greatest mass-disabling event in human history. Many of those who do have long COVID, sometimes called long haulers, are all too familiar with having their condition erased and say there needs to be more research and resources dedicated to finding treatments for long COVID. It shouldn't really matter if we're 1% of the population or 5%, Hayes said. People are suffering. Its a really ableistic point of view When people talk about how [severe COVID-19] is only in the elderly or only people with pre-existing conditions, its hinting at placing value on human life. The symptoms for long COVID a debilitating illness following a COVID-19 infection that can affect the brain, heart and lungs vary from person to person, but may include extreme fatigue, headaches, nausea or even some symptoms that mirror those caused by neurodegenerative diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that between 7% of the U.S. population or one in five people who have had a SARS-CoV-2 infection develop long COVID. Its unclear what causes long COVID in some but not others, however recent research has highlighted that people with long COVID have lower levels of cortisol, which could explain the fatigue, and that dormant viruses in the body may be reactivated by COVID infection. Some studies also suggest that reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 virus may also be lingering in long COVID patients. It can take decades for medical researchers to understand a condition and come up with effective treatments. Dr. David Putrino, a long COVID researcher and professor of rehabilitation medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said he thinks it will be five to 10 years before the medical community can definitively say how many people had or have long COVID. The point is, we know its a nonzero and there are enough cases of long COVID in America and around the world that mean it doesn't meet the criteria of a rare disease or illness, Putrino told Salon in a phone interview. "We know that in nontrivial and nonsignificant cases, an acute COVID infection leads to a chronic disability that currently doesn't have a cure. The authors of the BMJ study did not respond to Salon's request for comment before publication of this story. In the paper, the authors state that overestimating long COVID could increase social anxiety and healthcare spending, while also diverting resources from those who do have long COVID or leaving untreated other conditions misdiagnosed as long COVID. One of the authors, Dr. Vinay Prasad, has frequently posted controversial pandemic messaging and has been accused of disseminating misinformation through blog posts with titles like, Do not report COVID cases to schools & do not test yourself if you feel ill. Inappropriate definitions and flawed methods do not serve those whom medicine seeks to help, the study authors wrote. Improving standards of evidence generation is the ideal method to take long COVID seriously, improve outcomes, and avoid the risks of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Yet the decision to cast a wide net when constructing diagnostic criteria for long COVID was intentional because COVID and long COVID are so new and there were, and still are, so many unknowns surrounding these novel diseases, Putrino said. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. There was a purposeful decision to make the diagnostic criteria broad so that we did not leave anyone behind, Putrino said. If we hadn't made the clinical case definition broad, individuals who have lapsing remitting symptoms so they can work on the good weeks, five days a week, but on their bad weeks, they can only work one day a week they would be left behind. A comprehensive long COVID review paper published in Nature Reviews Microbiology last January also suggests some long COVID studies were flawed but concludes instead that this likely underestimates the number of people with long COVID. Because PCR tests have a high false negative rate and COVID-19 was thought to only affect the respiratory system at first, some long COVID patients may have been missed, according to the study. Overall, long COVID commonly presents with any number of about 10 symptoms, but over 200 different symptoms have been traced back to the illness. Further complicating estimates of how many people have long COVID is that vaccinations and natural immunity have over time reduced the number of people getting new SARS-CoV-2 infections. We should understand that these fluctuations in case counts have occurred because of the changes that have occurred to the virus, the changes that have occurred to our bodies and the changes that have occurred to our ability to mitigate and treat some of the pathobiology of COVID-19, Putrino said. But this idea that we were trying to erase long COVID so that we can get back to work does not align with the science. Neurological conditions have historically been trivialized as madness, demonic possession or hysteria. Epilepsy, for example, was initially dismissed by the medical community before being taken seriously as an illness, said Jaime Seltzer, director of scientific and medical outreach at #MEAction, which advocates for people with ME/CFS. (Up to half of individuals with long COVID meet the criteria for having ME/CFS.) I think that that medicine goes through a cyclic process of refusing to acknowledge neurological disorders before slowly beginning to accept their existence and accept the necessity of real treatment as opposed to palliative and ineffectual interventions, Saltzer told Salon in a phone interview. Some lessons have been learned from what is known about neurological conditions like ME/CFS, including using pacing to manage symptoms and avoiding overexertion with long COVID patients. But other missteps in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions seem to be repeating themselves with long COVID. Just like ME/CFS is not adequately taught in the majority of U.S. medical schools, many providers still arent fully aware of the symptoms and research behind long COVID. And many patients with long COVID have their symptoms dismissed, just as many patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes similar symptoms to Hayes orthostatic hypotension, is often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric condition. Hayes said she found comfort in talking with some patients with these conditions who have been dealing with similar symptoms for years without many effective treatment options or a cure. So far, her doctors have been able to find a few medications that improve her quality of life and they are doing their best to help her, she said. But they, too, are frustrated with the lack of available treatment options they can prescribe, she added. A few of my doctors have learned a lot over the last few years and have confided in me how frustrating it is for them that they can't help me, Hayes said. [Long COVID] just keeps getting pushed under the rug, and I think it's easy to forget about us because whenever we are that severe, the doctors don't even see us. Elite U.S. universities are getting sharp criticism in response to statements by anti-Israel campus groups that have gone unchecked by campus leaders. On Sunday, a day after Hamas terrorist attacks on Israelis killed over 1,000, including children, and wounded over 2,000, nearly 30 "Palestine solidarity groups" at Harvard University issued a statement saying "the apartheid regime" of Israel "is the only one to blame" for the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists. "Today's events did not occur in a vacuum," the statement said. "In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israel's violence." Roughly 24 hours later, on Monday, Harvard University President Claudine Gay released a statement, saying, "Let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas." PROTESTERS FACE OFF NEAR HARVARD, MAN CALLS PRO-ISRAEL DEMONSTRATORS NAZIS AND PIGS Harvard banners hang outside Memorial Church on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Mass. She added that while students have the right to speak for themselves, "no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP But Lawrence H. Summers, president emeritus of Harvard, says the schools "delayed statement fails to meet the needs of the moment." "Why cant we find anything approaching the moral clarity of Harvard statements after George Floyd's death or Russia's invasion of Ukraine when terrorists kill, rape and take hostage hundreds of Israelis attending a music festival?" Summers, who served in senior leadership posts under presidents Clinton and Obama, asked in a post Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter. "Why cant we give reassurance that the University stands squarely against Hamas terror to frightened students when 35 groups of their fellow students appear to be blaming all the violence on Israel?" DEMOCRAT BLASTS 'SQUAD' MEMBERS OVER CALLS TO END ISRAEL ASSISTANCE: 'IT SICKENS ME' Prior to Gay releasing her statement, Summers said he had never felt so "disillusioned and alienated" during his 50-year affiliation with the university. The former Clinton Treasury secretary compared the school administrations silence on the attacks in Israel to Gays nearly 500-word "powerful" statement condemning police violence when George Floyd was killed in 2020. Students at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. In the more than 48-hour window before Gay published her statement, Summers said Harvard was "being defined by the morally unconscionable statement apparently coming from two dozen student groups blaming all the violence on Israel." Northwestern University Students for Justice in Palestine issued a similar statement on Monday, saying Israel is not "the aggrieved party." PROGRESSIVE DEM SLAMS REPREHENSIBLE AND REPULSIVE' RESPONSE TO HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL AFTER SQUAD' REMARKS "The events of October 7th are more than just isolated incidents; they're symptomatic of decades-long desperation stemming from subjugation and systemic oppression," the statement said. "Israel's portrayal as the aggrieved party is not only historically inaccurate, but also contradicts the very dynamics they've established. A party that controls the resources, dictates movement, dominates military might, and infringes upon the rights of another, cannot, by any logical construct, claim victimhood," the statement says. Guy Benson, political editor for Townhall and a Northwestern alumnus, called the statement "morally inverted" and "disgusting. Rockets launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip. University of Virginia (UVA) Students for Justice in Palestine said Sunday that following the brutality carried out by Hamas, it was "hopeful for the future." "Over the past two days, many of us have been afraid, worried, and even hopeful for the future of Palestine," the group said. HARVARD WAS RANKED LAST FOR FREE SPEECH. HERES WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE SAYING "Students for Justice in Palestine at UVA unequivocally supports Palestinian liberation and the right of colonized people everywhere to resist the occupation of their land by whatever means they deem necessary. "We mourn the loss of human life and hope for long-lasting peace which cannot be achieved without the firm establishment of equality and justice. In an unprecedented feat for the 21st century, resistance fighters in Gaza broke through the illegitimate border fence, took occupation soldiers hostage, and seized control of Israeli settlements that are illegal under international law." The John Harvard statue by Daniel Chester French on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. On Tuesday, Israeli media reported Israels military had discovered unspeakable horrors, including the bodies dozens of beheaded babies, in an Israeli community attacked by Hamas Saturday. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP According to local Israeli outlet i24News, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers moved into Kfar Aza, one of the communities Hamas terrorists invaded early Saturday morning, and discovered about 40 dead babies, some decapitated. IDF soldiers were removing the bodies of victims found in the area when they found the children's remains. Israeli soldiers are attempting to use bones to identify the victims, according to the report. Harvard, Northwestern and the University of Virginia did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Original article source: Anti-Israel statements sweep more colleges; critics slam leaders for staying out of fray Antisemitic flyers were discovered in an Orange County community as the deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israel continues overseas. Residents in the city of Orange discovered the antisemitic flyers dispersed across their neighborhood and vehicles on Tuesday morning. Some of the flyers could still be seen on cars parked near Harwood Street and Chapman Avenue. Its very disturbing, said Kari Ratkevich, an Orange resident. Someone is placing propaganda like this on our cars. It doesnt belong here and it doesnt belong in America. The flyer features a headline saying, Jews wage war on American freedoms! while taking aim at the Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization fighting antisemitism. The flyer then encourages the public to join a local nationalist group. Antisemitic flyers were discovered in the city of Orange on Oct. 10, 2023. (KTLA) Antisemitic flyers were discovered in the city of Orange on Oct. 10, 2023. (KTLA) Antisemitic flyers were discovered in the city of Orange on Oct. 10, 2023. (KTLA) Its clearly hate speech, said Peter Levi, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League in O.C. and Long Beach. It subscribes to numerous antisemitic tropes about the Jewish peoples power and control over media, finance, government, the criminal justice system, American policy. Levi believes its not a coincidence the flyers appeared on residents vehicles just days after the terrorist attacks in Israel. When we see increased activity in Israel, we see increased antisemitism against the Jewish people here in the United States, Levi explained. Although the fliers are not technically illegal, the Orange Police Department still recommends reporting such incidents to authorities so they can be aware of the situation. The Anti-Defamation League also recommends reporting such activity so they can keep track of any possible issues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A skeleton being used as a display at Bellingham High School was posed giving a fascist salute and decorated with a Nazi swastika in a hateful and antisemitic incident last week, school officials said. It remained in view for a day until school officials were notified, according to a statement from Principal Martin Atkins about the Oct. 2 incident that was emailed to parents, students and staff on Oct. 6. Details about the antisemitism werent explained in Atkins email, but were provided by school district spokeswoman Dana Smith. Bellingham High School administrators spent several days investigating this incident and selected appropriate responses, Smith told The Herald in an email. It was not immediately known how many students were involved or whether they were disciplined. Smith told The Herald that information could not be shared because of federal privacy laws. School administrators learned of the incident on Tuesday, Oct. 3, and removed all the images, Atkins said in the email to parents, which Smith provided to The Bellingham Herald. On Monday afternoon this week (Oct. 2), a couple of our students decided to add hateful and antisemitic images and poses to the skeletons in our senior homecoming hallway decoration, Atkins said in the email. In fact, someone must have seen it prior to us learning of it and removed the most offensive bits prior to administration being informed, he said. History of hate Nazi Germany, using an ancient religious icon called the swastika as its emblem, systematically murdered 6 million Jews and 11 million others from 1933-1945 including gay men, disabled people, Roma, political opponents, ethnic Poles and Soviet citizens. Because of the Holocaust, the swastika remains the worlds most recognized symbol of hate and white supremacy. Further, a brutal Nazi paramilitary unit called the SS used a skull and crossbones as its insignia. Last weeks incident comes amid rising hatred against Jews across the U.S., according to the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism. Antisemitism began to increase during the Trump administration and the pandemic as some critics of vaccine mandates and social-distancing drew a false equivalency to the Holocaust. Several incidents involving the swastika and Nazi ideology have been reported in Bellingham over the past several years, and police have made no arrests. Hateful rhetoric against Jews spiked in August 2022 when Hamas, the terror group that controls Gaza, fired hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilians and the Israeli military responded with dozens of airstrikes. That conflict escalated in an extraordinary way on Saturday when Hamas fired missiles and militants crossed into Israel, taking hostages and killing more than 1,000 civilians. The ADLs 2023 audit of anti-Jewish hate found increases in every category that it tracks: Harassment rose 29% compared with 2021 Vandalism involving antisemitic slogans and hateful symbols jumped 51% Assaults were up 26% Most U.S. states, including Washington, have statutes with penalties for bias-motivated crimes. Washington is one of 34 states that required data collection on hate crimes. Only three states Arkansas, South Carolina and Wyoming do not have a hate crime law. In his email, Atkins asked students and staff to report hate crimes and bias incidents. He provided links to websites that explain antisemitism, but didnt address the issue directly. While that is a good thing and I recognize that it is hard to report hateful behavior, I invite us all to move past the discomfort of reporting so we can continue developing our school as a safe and inclusive learning environment, Atkins said. The images and poses that were created hurt more than just one people-group and are the opposite of who we strive to be as a school community, he said. The White House and Senate are ringing the alarm as the next deadline to avoid a government shutdown draws closer and House Republicans appear no closer to picking a Speaker. The deadline to fund the government is Nov. 17, but the lack of a Speaker is complicating those efforts. At the same time, lawmakers are anxiously pushing to send support to Israel after the unprecedented attack by Hamas, and the White House is expected to announce it wants to tie that assistance to Ukraine aid. The crisis in Israel coupled with the looming government funding deadline have left the White House and both parties in the Senate fretting about what happens if the Speaker drama extends past Wednesday. Its a real concern, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), an ally of Senate GOP leadership, told The Hill. Its a clear indication that the eight Republicans who sided with the Democrats to oust [former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)] did not think it through. Instead of catching the bus so they could drive it, they ran it in a ditch and now expect the adults in the caucus to pull it out. There is never a good time to be in this situation, and the gang of eight picked the worst possible time, Tillis added. House Republicans are set to meet Wednesday to pick their Speaker nominee but have struggled thus far to coalesce around one candidate. The nominee must then win the majority of the vote on the House floor a difficult feat given the Republicans narrow majority. McCarthy, who was ousted in an unprecedented vote last week, needed four days and 15 ballots to clinch the gavel. One Senate GOP aide agreed its a concern, adding they believe House Republicans are sensing the pressure on both fronts. The longer this drags out, the more pronounced the issues become, the aide said. Maybe they surprise all of us and its resolved by the end of the week, but if were in the same spot mid-next week, were really going to be up against the clock if they still insist on passing individual bills, the aide said. President Biden gave a window recently into the worries within the White House about the situation. The president last week warned Republicans to stop fooling around when it comes to government funding, criticizing the House GOP for endangering the country with a new government shutdown. He warned there were only 40 days for Congress to get back to work, and that a government shutdown could be a threat to the recent economic gains under his administration. The White House has said Biden will work with whoever will be Speaker on top priorities, like funding the government and aid to war-torn countries, but otherwise said it wont get involved with the election. For their part, some House Republicans have expressed worries that a delayed Speaker decision could give the lower chamber no choice but to eat whatever the Senate sends to fund the country for fiscal 2024 next month. Headlining those options are an omnibus or multiple smaller packages known as a minibus. The White House and senators are also expressing concern about being able to send aid to Israel for its war against Hamas. The attack by the group, which the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization, has left more than 1,000 Israelis dead. President Biden announced Tuesday he will ask Congress when it returns from recess to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. This is not about party or politics. This is about the security of our world, security of the United States of America, he said about funding for war efforts. But such a bill, too, would get caught up in the House, as will efforts to deliver additional aid to Ukraine. Biden has said he is concerned that the disarray on Capitol Hill could mean for the aid promised to Ukraines war efforts. The White House in August sent a supplemental funding request to Congress that included $24 billion in military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The stopgap bill that was passed at the last minute last month to keep the government open didnt include the funding for Ukraine that Biden asked Congress for, setting up a more urgent situation to provide aid for the country. Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan, when questioned whether the Israel and Ukraine aid packages will be linked, said the president has made clear he is asking for both. How Congress moves forward on funding for the now two nations gripped by war remains an open question though. House Republicans on Monday night seemed reluctant to jump on board with the emerging plan to lump Ukraine aid in with funding for Israel the latter of which is one of the most unifying subjects within the GOP conference. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told MSNBC in a Monday interview that Congress is facing a challenge regarding the absence of a Speaker, especially if lawmakers want to pass an Israeli aid bill. We have Israels back, but if the Senate were to do something right now as additional assistance to Israel, the House cant convene until they pick a Speaker, Kaine told host Jen Psaki. In addition, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) simply threw his hands in the air on Tuesday when asked about the lack of a new Speaker after presiding over a pro forma session. He did not comment further. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE - Gov. John Bel Edwards delivers his address to members of the House and Senate in a joint session to kick off the 2023 regular legislative session, April 10, 2023 at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The race to replace Edwards tops the list of contests Louisiana voters will decide Saturday in one of only three gubernatorial elections scheduled for this year. (Travis Spradling/The Advocate via AP, Pool) WASHINGTON (AP) The race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards tops the list of contests Louisiana voters will decide this Saturday in one of only three gubernatorial elections scheduled for this year. Fourteen candidates are competing to succeed Edwards under a unique primary system in which all candidates appear together on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. If no candidate receives a majority in Saturdays election, the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election on Nov. 18. Republican hopefuls include state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, state Attorney General Jeff Landry, state Treasurer John Schroder, former business trade association CEO Stephen Waguespack, and three others. A Republican candidate, state Rep. Richard Nelson, withdrew from the race in September and endorsed Landry but will remain on the ballot per state election laws. Former state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is the only major Democratic candidate vying for the seat, while Lake Charles-based attorney Hunter Lundy is one of five independents. Landry, who won an early endorsement from the state GOP last year and from former President Donald Trump in May, has enjoyed a sizable cash and fundraising advantage over the rest of the field throughout the race. He had $9.1 million in the bank in July and $6.7 million in September. By comparison, Schroder, the fields other statewide officeholder, was the second-best-funded candidate but had only a quarter of Landrys warchest in both instances. With Edwards not on the ballot, the GOP hopes to reclaim the governors office in a state Trump carried twice with 58% of the vote. But with Republicans splitting the vote among seven active candidates, the winner may not be known until a runoff in November. If Republicans maintain their supermajorities in both chambers of the state Legislature, a win in the gubernatorial race would give them an essential lock on state policymaking. Also on Saturdays ballot are statewide contests for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer and four ballot measures. In addition, all state Senate and House races are up for grabs, as well as seats on the state school board. Heres a look at what to expect on election night: ELECTION DAY The Louisiana state primary will be held Saturday. Polls close at 8 p.m. local time (CT), which is 9 p.m. ET. WHATS ON THE BALLOT The Associated Press will provide coverage for 91 contested races in Louisiana, including five statewide offices, four statewide ballot measures, six regional races for the state board of education, 19 state Senate seats, and 57 state House seats. Although all 39 Senate seats and 105 House seats are up for election this year, many of those contests feature only one candidate. WHO GETS TO VOTE All registered voters may participate in the primary on Saturday. DECISION NOTES Despite Louisianas pro-Republican trend over the last 30 years, Edwards won the governorship twice, in 2015 with 56% of the vote and in 2019 with 51% of the vote. His victories provide a blueprint for other Democrats hoping to win statewide in Louisiana. Edwards carved a path to victory by winning big in Democratic strongholds like the greater New Orleans metro area, reducing the vote deficit in Republican areas like central Louisiana, and winning over 14 parishes that presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden lost. Neither Clinton nor Biden performed particularly well in Louisiana in the presidential elections: In 2016, Clinton won 38% of the statewide vote; in 2020, Biden won 40% of the statewide vote. But they both won the same 10 parishes: Caddo in northwest Louisiana; East Carroll, Madison and Tensas on the northeastern border; and six parishes near Baton Rouge and New Orleans in southeast Louisiana. Edwards received 72% collectively in these 10 parishes in his 2019 reelection bid, outperforming Clintons 61% in 2016 and Bidens 64% in 2020. Edwards considerably outperformed Clinton and Biden in every geographic region of the state. The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. One potential delay in reporting final winners on Saturday may be determining whether a candidate has cleared the threshold needed to avoid a November runoff. Races in which the leading candidate hovers near the 50% mark might not be called until additional votes are counted, even if the front-runner leads the rest of the field by a significant margin. In the 2019 Louisiana primary, 33 of the 164 races tabulated by the AP advanced to a runoff. These included the races for governor, secretary of state, five state Senate races and 24 state House races. There are no automatic recounts in Louisiana, but a candidate may request and pay for a recount of absentee and early votes. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome. WHAT DO TURNOUT AND ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE As of Oct. 1, there were 2,970,167 voters registered in Louisiana. Of those, 38.7% were Democrats, 33.8% were Republicans and 27.4% were registered with other parties. Turnout for the 2019 gubernatorial primary in Louisiana was 46%. As of Tuesday morning, a total of 345,957 voters had cast ballots before Election Day, 45% by Republicans, 40% by Democrats and 15% by members of other parties. In the 2019 gubernatorial primary, 21% of voters cast ballots before Election Day. The APs preliminary turnout estimate as of Tuesday is roughly 1.3 million votes, based on the turnout of previous statewide contests and advance voting ballots received to date. HOW LONG DOES VOTE-COUNTING USUALLY TAKE? In the 2022 U.S. Senate primary in Louisiana, the AP first reported results at 9:25 p.m. ET, or 25 minutes after polls closed. The election night tabulation ended at 2:11 a.m. ET with 99.9% of total votes counted. Apple products are super-popular among US teenagers, a new Piper Sandler survey says. Researchers found many teens have the iPhone and the Apple Watch and also use Apple Pay. Still, Apple Music doesn't lead the way: More teens use Spotfiy, the survey says. Apple products have a tight grip on American teenagers, new Piper Sandler research suggests. In the investment bank's 46th semi-annual report on consumer trends of young people, researchers surveyed 9,193 US teenagers whose average age was 15.7, with an average household income of $70,725 to understand where teens spend their money. Researchers found that among Gen Z, Apple rules: Out of the thousands of teenagers surveyed, 87% said they own an iPhone, and 88% of them expect the iPhone to be their next phone. The popularity of the iPhone among teens, researchers say, may be a good sign for Apple's bottom line. After all, if nearly 90% already own an iPhone and a similar percentage says they're going to buy one for their next phone then that's a habit that's well-ingrained. "These trends are encouraging as the company continues to introduce new iPhones proving the overall stickiness of the product portfolio," the researchers said. "We think these positive trends can also be a catalyst for further services growth as well, as the install base for Apple hardware continues to grow." And it's not just the iPhone that Gen Z is using. The report says 42% of teens were found to have used Apple Pay, the tech company's cash transfer app. And 34% of teen respondents said they own an Apple Watch. Apple was the No. 1 watch brand among upper-income teens, according to the report, beating the likes of Casio, Garmin and even Rolex. An incoming call on on Apple Watch, the most popular watch brand among teenagers. Apple Yet, when it comes to teens, there is one Apple product that's apparently not resonating: its music-streaming service. While more than 70% of teen surveyed used Spotify to listen to music over the last six months, less than 40% of teens were found to use Apple Music, followed by YouTube Music, Amazon Prime Music, and smaller brands like Soundcloud. Apple didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment before publication. Piper Sandler's findings around teen spending trends come as Apple is slated to release new products: As of September 22, Apple has launched the highly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max the company's latest version of the iPhone which starts at a price point of $999. However, some leaders at Apple's smartphone competitors believe that the iPhone maker has unfairly established dominance over the smartphone market. Last year Google Senior Vice President Hiroshi Lockheimer went to X, formerly known as Twitter, to accuse Apple of "using peer pressure and bullying as a way to sell products" after The Wall Street Journal reported that some young people feel social pressure to buy iPhones over brands like Android because the iPhone's texts appear in blue. In response to the WSJ story, Lockheimer, whose employer is behind the Android, said that "Apple's iMessage lock-in" strategy is "disingenuous for a company that has humanity and equity as a core part of its marketing." Despite the iPhone's iron grip on young consumers, some tech experts are starting to wonder whether the rise of AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT which tech leaders have called the "iPhone moment" will be the next big thing in the tech industry as AI begins to integrate into hardware products. Thomas Haigh, a tech historian, doesn't think that's likely at least for the next 10 years, he previously told Insider. "I'd give mainstream dominance of the smartphone at least another decade," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider I really like the new Apple Watch Series 9. It reminds me a lot of my Apple Watch Series 8. Ive been evaluating the latest smartwatches from Apple, Samsung and Google. And at first blush, separating this years models from their predecessors seems a little like deciphering whether that SUV in the parking lot is a 2019 or 2020 Chevy Tahoe. Thats good news if you splurged for a new smartwatch last fall, because your investment is anything but obsolete. By the same token, theres more to this years models than powder-coated wheel finishes and trim decals. So if youre considering an upgrade after a few years or even switching teams theres plenty to consider. In broad daylight Apple and Samsung have turned it up to 2,000. Thats 2,000 nits, a measure of brightness, Which is, like, really bright. Both the new Apple Watch Series 9 (starting at $399 for 41mm, $529 as tested, 45mm aluminum with LTE) and the Samsung Watch 6 Classic (starting at $369.99 for 43mm, $449.99 as tested, 47mm stainless steel with LTE) are incredibly easy to read even here, in the extreme desert sun. For some reason, I found the Series 9s 2,000-nit display somewhat brighter and crisper than the Watch 6 Classics 2,000-nit display. The Google Pixel Watch 2 (starting at $349.99, $399.99 as tested with LTE) checks in at 1,000 nits, the same as the inaugural Pixel Watch as well as last years offerings from Samsung and Apple. Although it pales in comparison to the 2,000-nit displays, I can still read the 1,000-nit screens outside. And if youre more likely to read a message in Scarsdale than Scottsdale, then the new 2,000-nit options may not have the same appeal. Apple Watch Series 9 (iOS) Apple also upgraded the Watchs internal processors, which the company credits for a few new features, like Double Tap. The Double Tap hand gesture the watch detects when you quickly press your thumb and middle fingers together can help control the device when you cant reach over with your other hand to answer a call or scan alerts. In my beta-testing of the feature, it worked a lot like Assistive Touch, which Apple introduced two years ago, only a bit snappier. The added horsepower also gives Siri offline capabilities that improve the voice assistants speed and accuracy. iOS updates again?: Apple is urging everyone to update iPhone and iPad iOS (again). Why you should do it now. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (Android) A lot of whats new and improved with Samsungs flagship smartwatch actually comes from Googles Wear OS, which Samsung recommitted to a couple years ago. The Watch 6 Classic is livelier and more responsive than the Watch 5 Pro, with better graphics for alerts and more engaging apps. And sleep tracking seems to be more reliable, accurate and as a consequence relevant. Although the processor and sensors are largely identical, the Watch 6 Classic is easier to visually identify because Samsung brought back a popular engagement tool: the rotating bezel. Google Pixel Watch 2 (Android) The Google offering, available Thursday, endured the most substantial changes year over year, by far. But it is just the second iteration of a formidable undertaking to meld the popular fitness platform from Fitbit, which Google bought four years ago, with the premium Wear OS smartwatch ecosystem. Its already spawned a worthy contender. But theres still a lot to do. The Pixel Watch 2 boasts a new, more accurate heartrate sensor that is much better at tracking vigorous activity. Theres now a temperature sensor as well as cEDA for stress monitoring. It has an upgraded processor and more durable glass. It also runs the new Wear OS 4, just like Samsungs Watch 6 series. The Fitbit/Wear mix-and-match journey is most evident when the two platforms have a different approach to the same task. For example, Fitbits all-in-one app is at odds with how Wear OS and other vendors as well, for that matter on-board and configure hardware. That has made it challenging for Fitbit to add Google features to its devices, just as it has been for Google to add Fitbits app to its devices. It is also making it challenging to swap back and forth between the Pixel Watch 2 and the original Watch or more difficult traditional Fitbit devices. Im juggling three wearables right now the new Fitbit Charge 6 as well as the two Pixel Watches and it can be downright aggravating. Conversely, that process is automatic and hassle-free for those swapping Apple or Samsung devices. Samsungs relative ease at handling the task is particularly illustrative, given that Googles own Wear OS is managing the handoff. Through it all, the 41mm Pixel Watch 2 is an attractive, well-built watch with a great health and fitness pedigree. I wish Google would offer two sizes, as Apple and Samsung do. I prefer the beefier, 45mm-47mm options. Hopefully Google will get around to that in future revisions. I also wish Google would offer better battery life. But Im not holding my breath. Online hate surge: Online hate surges after Hamas attacks Israel. Why everyone is blaming social media. Which smartwatch has longest battery life? Unfortunately, Big Tech seems content to offer mediocre battery life for their pricey, high-powered smartwatches. Apple has never promised more than a waking day between charges on full power. That obviously hasnt hurt Apple and Samsung has taken a cue. The Watch 6 Classic simply matches Apple battery life, rather than beating it with 36- to 48-hour battery life, as in earlier generations. Most disappointing is Google, which is foregoing Fitbits multiday battery legacy by providing up to just 24 hours of power in the Pixel Watch 2. Multiday battery life would be a major upgrade. Its not only more convenient. It also makes smartwatches more engaging. For one thing, it dramatically boosts the likelihood of tracking sleep, one of the most crucial health indicators. Which smartwatch to choose? Battery life aside, these are three very good watches to choose from. So if youre kicking the tires on a new model, dont let the recycled styling dissuade you. The Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch series are both locked in after years of refinement. And while its comparatively early on for the Pixel Watch series, Google has done a good job so far combining two very established platforms. USA TODAY columnist Mike Feibus is president and principal analyst of FeibusTech, a Scottsdale, Arizona, market research and consulting firm. Reach him at mikef@feibustech.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apple Watch Series 9: How it compares to Samsung, Google watches Arab League foreign ministers called for aid to be allowed into blockaded Gaza 'immediately' (Khaled DESOUKI) Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday denounced Israel's siege of Gaza following the shock attack by Palestinian militants on Israel, demanding that aid be "immediately" allowed to enter the blockaded enclave. Israel has imposed a "complete siege" on the Gaza Strip, cutting off the water supply, food, electricity and other essential supplies, after Saturday's massive assault by Hamas militants that has killed hundreds on both sides. On Wednesday, as Israel kept up its bombardment of targets in the crowded and impoverished coastal enclave for a fifth day, the only power plant in Gaza shut down. The Palestinian enclave's electricity authority made the announcement saying the plant had run out of fuel. Meeting at Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers discussed the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and demanded Israel lift its siege of Gaza. They also called for the "immediate" dispatch of food, fuel and humanitarian aid to the impoverished and densely populated coastal enclave. The Arab foreign ministers also urged Israel to reconsider its "unjust decision to cut electricity supply and water to Gaza". Five days of relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israel in retaliation for the brutal assault on Israeli communities across the border have left the tiny territory in tatters. Air strikes have struck residential buildings, mosques, factories and shops, said Salama Marouf of the Gaza government's media office. Medical supplies, including oxygen, were running low at Gaza's overwhelmed Al-Shifa hospital, said emergency room physician Mohammed Ghonim. Israel has reported a "staggering" 1,200 deaths since Saturday's onslaught by the Islamist militants while Gaza officials speak of more than 1,000 people killed in Israel air and artillery strikes. Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on the planet, with 2.3 million people living on a 362-square-kilometre (140-square-mile) strip of land. It has been under Israeli blockade since 2007 when Hamas took control of the territory from the secular Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. The only entrance to Gaza not controlled by Israel is Rafah on the Egyptian border. Rafah has been bombarded by Israel three times this week. str-mon/sbh/hkb/phz Ferocious wildfires surrounded a resort city in Argentina overnight, forcing the mass evacuation of hundreds of families during an intense heatwave. Alarming footage shows a wall of flames tearing towards the resort city of Villa Carlos Paz, with a population of 56,000, in the Punilla Valley of the central Cordoba province as temperatures reached 35C. Almost 1,000 firefighters are tackling the inferno, which broke out on Monday. Emergency teams have been using eight firefighting planes and two helicopters and have been helped by members of the public using buckets and hoses. A 27-year-old man accused of starting the fire has been detained, according to local media. It has been reported the suspect told police he started a campfire to make coffee and lost control of the flames due to strong winds. Awful situation unfolding right now in Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina as a fast-moving wildfire is approaching the city. Multiple structures on fire. Urgent evacuations are underway. pic.twitter.com/6741nRG2ZV Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) October 10, 2023 A volunteer of a local fire service told The Telegraph: Currently a dozen homes have been totally or partially destroyed by the fire. Three hundred people have been compulsorily evacuated, and 300 have self-evacuated. Civilians are suffering breathing difficulties, and there are a large number of dead farm animals. The fire remains active. A total of 960 firefighters were working to combat the wildfires (AP) The governor of Cordoba, Juan Schiaretti, urged people to leave their homes. He said: I call on the population to respect the indications of the firefighters and authorities who are working in the affected areas. People look at a wildfire that has forced the evacuation of residents (Reuters) A man carries a bucket of water to help fight the forest fire behind him (AP) The most important thing is to save lives, wherever evacuation is necessary, it will be done. There were five active wildfires in the region Tuesday, according to Argentinas National Fire Management Service. Images and video from the area showed massive flames in hills surrounding populated areas, with the blaze reaching some homes in the region. People have been urged to evacuate areas by the citys governor (AP) The fire was said to have been started by a camper making coffee (Reuters) The Cordoba administration said it had sent trucks with potable waters, food, mattresses and blankets to the affected areas. We request that prevention measures be taken to the highest degree, as the weather conditions are adverse, Cordobas government and security minister Julian Lopez said. This year, Argentina has been impacted by an unprecedented drought exacerbated by high temperatures linked to climate change. It leaves the countrys forests at risk of wildfires. (Reuters) - Armenia's prime minister said on Tuesday that plans were proceeding for a meeting with the president of Azerbaijan to discuss a durable peace accord, after Azeri forces took control of the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh last month. In comments reported by Russian news agencies, Nikol Pashinyan also told Armenian television that tensions had subsided on the border between the two ex-Soviet states. Armenia, he said, was willing to resolve outstanding issues, like opening transport corridors across each other's territory. Pashinyan and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev have held a series of meetings - arranged in turn by Russia, the European Union or the United States - with the aim of resolving disputes over Nagorno-Karabakh, the object of two wars in 30 years between the neighbours. "We and Azerbaijan have both announced our readiness to hold this meeting and this will means a step towards," Pashinyan was quoted as saying. "It means that in the course of two to three months the likelihood of signing a peace treaty is 70 percent." A top Russian security official, Nikolai Patrushev, met Aliyev in Baku, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday. Azerbaijan launched a lightning military operation last month to take full control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region run for three decades by leaders of the ethnic Armenian population. The territory has long been recognised as part of Azerbaijan but Armenian separatists took control of it in a war as the Soviet Union was collapsing in the 1990s. Azeri forces recaptured stretches of territory in and around the enclave in a 2020 conflict - ended with a truce brokered by Russia - and restored full control last month. Generations of hostile relations between the two people prompted most of its 120,000 residents to flee to Armenia. Pashinyan said earlier this year that Armenia was ready to acknowledge Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the region. In his TV interview, Pashinyan said Armenia wanted to establish transport corridors across each country's territory - one of the other sticking points in attempts to sign a peace treaty. "Opening up communications is in our interests," he said. Pashinyan, who has complained that Russia has not fulfilled its obligations to help Armenia under a defence pact, also said his country saw no reason to change its relations with Moscow, including provision to keep a Russian base in Armenia. (Reporting by Ron Popeski; editing by Grant McCool) The U.S. mission in Niger is in a holding pattern following Tuesdays announcement that the removal of the countrys democratically elected president is now designated a coup by the State Department, prompting official suspension of U.S. aid, including equipment and training. The Army stepped in back in July to help move troops and equipment, mostly assigned to Special Operations Command-Africa, to bases in Agadez and the capital city of Niamey, the head of Army operations in Africa told reporters on Wednesday. That mission is done, he added, but his command is awaiting policy instructions for what comes next. There will be some things that are suspended but most of those dont directly affect us, Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund said of the overall mission, which includes training, key leader engagements and projects that directly support Nigerian locals. They do require a little bit more scrutiny of how we might provide some of that partnered support. And thats not something we can continue without further policy decision. The U.S. mission in Niger in recent years has been geared toward helping the country defend itself against violent extremism groups, including the Islamic State. But Wasmunds command, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, also has a hand in any U.S. military crisis response on the continent. Thats not expressly prohibited, he said, following the coup designation, but it does require validation for policies. How Nigers attempted coup could expand extremism, and Wagner There are roughly 1,000 troops still in Niger, an administration official, who was not authorized to speak on the record about the decision, told reporters during a briefing Tuesday. Those troops are limited to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights to ensure their own safety. We continue to provide life support to the people at the airbases there, Wasmund said. We continue to provide security. We have an organic but smaller capability to conduct airfield operations, which is really led by the Air Force. A small counter-terror element is still in the country, he added, as well as a civil affairs team. They are similarly affected by the some of the policy determinations, and so their direct engagement with the Nigerians is right now reduced but theyre still there, he said. The U.S. government is communicating with Nigers military government dubbed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, or CNSP about restoring civilian democratic order, the official told reporters Tuesday. We are coordinating with the CNSP to protect our personnel, facilities and assets, and advance shared security interests in West Africa during this political upheaval, the official said. The group, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, deposed President Mohamed Bazoum in late July and has been keeping him hostage since. EXETER Voters had a chance to hear former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson in Exeter Tuesday and question him directly in a town hall setting. He fielded questions that ranged from the budget to opioids to support for Israel. Hutchinson, also a former congressman who served as President George W. Bushs Drug Enforcement Administration director, met with an intimate group of voters. It was the first of a series of town hall forums with Republican presidential candidates hosted by Seacoastonline and the USA TODAY Network. Hutchinson is trailing significantly in the polls behind front-runner Donald Trump , as well as others like Nikki Haley, who is up next in the series on Thursday night. Republican presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson greets prospective voters after speaking during the Seacoast Media Group and USA TODAY Network 2024 Republican Presidential Candidate Town Hall Forum held in the historic Exeter Town Hall in Exeter, New Hampshire. The former Governor of Arkansas spoke to prospective New Hampshire voters about issues during the hour-long form. More: Hutchinson staying in the 2024 race to make "case against Donald Trump" In his opening remarks, Hutchinson distanced himself from Republican frontrunner Trump by criticizing his use of across-the-board tariffs, as well as candidates who take an isolationist stance on foreign policy. He said the United States needs to stand with Israel in the face of the recent attacks from Hamas. NH gathering questions Hutchinson Republican presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson greets prospective voters after speaking during the Seacoast Media Group and USA TODAY Network 2024 Republican Presidential Candidate Town Hall Forum held in the historic Exeter Town Hall in Exeter, New Hampshire. The former Governor of Arkansas spoke to prospective New Hampshire voters about issues during the hour-long form. Hutchinson called for a three-pronged approach to the opioid crisis of treatment, education and addressing the Mexican cartels. While candidates like Trump have talked about sending military forces into Mexico to take out drug cartels, Hutchinson said collaboration with the Mexican government is the way to stop the narcotics from getting in the country. There are some candidates that say we ought to invade Mexico, Hutchinson said. We dont invade Canada because weve got marijuana coming in. More: Which GOP candidates are attending Exeter Town Hall presidential forums and how to watch CJ Smith, a student from California attending Philips Exeter Academy, asked Hutchinson if he would implement a nationwide school choice voucher program. Hutchinson said he supported school choice but would leave it up to the states to make their own laws. Smith disagreed but appreciated Hutchinsons frank response. That was great that he gave he a direct answer on student choice, Smith said, noting some candidates do not. To some, Hutchinson stood out from other candidates with his answers Tuesday night. Bev Cotton, saying she represented AARP, noted Hutchinson gave a unique response to her question about protecting the solvency of Social Security and Medicare. He suggested a bipartisan commission to study ways of saving Social Security, as was done under Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Weve heard a lot of different responses to those kinds of questions. This was unique, Cotton said. We hadnt heard this one before. Doug Scamman of Stratham, a former speaker of the New Hampshire House, said even if the polls do not favor Hutchinson today, candidates like the former Arkansas governor help spark conversation. Scamman came to the town hall Tuesday with balancing the budget on his mind. Hutchinson touted his part in Congresss balancing of the budget under President Bill Clinton. I think hes going to influence people to think about what ought to be done, Scamman said. Thats certainly part of what campaigning is. Who is running for president in 2024? A closer look at each candidate ahead of the election Matthew Grossman, 17, who will be able to vote next year, said he was disappointed by Hutchinsons response to his question about relations with Saudi Arabia. He raised questions about its human rights record and alleged ties to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. As president, can you support a government headed by Mohammed bin Salman, who ordered the murder and torture of Jamal Khashoggi? Grossman asked. Hutchinson denounced Saudi Arabia's record on womens rights, but his response was more pragmatic-minded than Grossman had hoped. The candidate said Saudi Arabia could become an important counterbalance to Iran in the Middle East. They dont have to be our closest ally, Hutchinson said. But they can be a strategic partner if they accept the existence of Israel. Grossman, himself Jewish, said young voters feel frustrated with politicians remaining in the middle. Were tired of old politicians being moderate about issues that really spark a fire in the youth, Grossman said. Jennifer Wheeler, president of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, said she was happy to see the presidential forums happening in Exeter. Its a great opportunity for Exeter to be on the national stage, she said. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Asa Hutchinson faces NH voters at Exeter town hall EXETER, N.H. GOP presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson says he will keep up his long-shot presidential bid if only to warn fellow Republicans about the risks of renominating Donald Trump . "I'll make my case that Donald Trump is not the right leader for our party and our country," Hutchinson told voters Tuesday at a New Hampshire town hall sponsored by the USA TODAY Network. Though low poll numbers kept Hutchinson out of last month's Republican debate in California, he said "let's let New Hampshire vote first" to narrow the field; he promised local residents that "I'm going to be there." "It's up to the voters of this state to determine what kind of leadership we want," the former Arkansas governor said. Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson shares thoughts on school choice Trump, who holds massive polling leads over all the Republican presidential candidates, often mocks Hutchinson for support that is little more than 1%. Speaking at the historic town hall in downtown Exeter, Hutchinson also addressed a number of policy issues animating the 2024 presidential race. Taking questions from voters, the former congressman and head of the Drug Enforcement Administration pledged to crack down on illegal border crossings, promote education and treatment programs to fight opioid abuse, and go after drug cartels that traffic fentanyl. Asked about the future of Social Security and Medicare, Hutchinson proposed a plan that President Ronald Reagan used in the early 1980s: a bipartisan commission that can make hard choices about financing those programs in a less political atmosphere. The GOP presidential candidate also said he wants the House of Representatives to change its rules to minimize the influence of a small group of people who want only to generate "chaos." That happened last week when the votes of just eight House Republicans ousted GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Hutchinson participated in the first Seacoast Media Group and USA TODAY Network 2024 Republican Presidential Candidate Town Hall Forum. Other Republican candidates will appear later in the week. In his opening remarks, Hutchinson expressed support for Israel in its war against against Hamas and added that too many Republican candidates want to isolate the United States from the rest of the world. Trump in particular "has proposed a ring around the United States," Hutchinson said, hitting the former president for supporting economic tariffs. He and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are the only candidates who consistently criticize Trump for his indictments in four criminal cases. Another long-shot candidate, former congressman Will Hurd of Texas, said Monday that he was dropping out of the race and endorsing former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Hutchinson said he doesn't plan to follow suit and expected to be stay in the race through the New Hampshire primary in January. "I'm going to pay the filing fee tomorrow," he told USA TODAY. Having failed to qualify for a Republican debate on Sept. 27, Hutchinson also could have trouble qualifying for the next debate Nov. 8 in Miami. After missing the cut in California, Hutchinson said he planned to continue grinding it out in Iowa, New Hampshire and early-contest states, saying he wanted to continue his campaign "to bring out the best of America." "My goal is to increase my polling numbers to 4% in an early state before Thanksgiving," Hutchinson said. "If that goal is met, then I remain competitive and in contention." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Asa Hutchinson 2024: Why he keeps making the case against Donald Trump An Atlanta cop who used a stun gun on a church deacon during a fatal dispute over a traffic ticket was terminated from the department, officials said. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum released a statement on Tuesday morning, announcing the new employment status of Officer Kiran Kimbrough in connection to his actions during the encounter with 62-year-old Johnny Hollman earlier this year. He was previously placed on administrative leave. Johnny Hollman. (Photo: WSB-TV/ YouTube screenshot) APDs administrative review found that Officer Kimbrough violated standard operating procedure when he failed to have a supervisor on the scene prior to proceeding with the physical arrest after Mr. Hollman failed to sign the citation, the statement said. Trending Today: On the night of Aug. 10, Kimbrough responded to several reports of an accident at Cunningham Place and Joseph E. Lowery Blvd, according to police. When he got to the scene and conducted an investigation, he determined Hollman was at fault and started writing him a ticket. Thats when police say Hollman became agitated and uncooperative and resisted when Kimbrough tried to arrest him. The two struggled, and Kimbrough deployed his stun gun against Hollman. With the assistance of a bystander, he was able to handcuff him. However, at that point, Kimbrough realized Hollman was unresponsive and called first responders. The arrested man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hollman served as a deacon at The Lively Stones of God Ministries Church. Body camera footage hasnt been released, but Hollmans family lawyer, Mawuli Davis, told Atlanta Black Star that it will be released on Thursday. His family wants the officer to be criminally charged. What justice looks like is the prosecution of this officer for crimes he committed against Deacon Hollman, Davis said, per 11 Alive. What we saw was murder. We saw an assault against a 62-year-old man who was literally pleading for his life, informing the officer that he could not breathe, informing him of his medical condition, and that he was having issues with asthma. And, the officer, with malicious intent, continued to strike and tase. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, Davis said that contrary to what the police have released, Hollman didnt decline to sign the citation that night. Last week, a medical examiner ruled his death a homicide but added diabetes and obstructive pulmonary disease contributed to his death, the outlet reported. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Fulton County District Attorneys Office are still probing this case. Every single person and life in the City of Atlanta matters to me. Part of my job is to assess, evaluate, and adjust how this police department is carrying out its sworn mission to serve and protect the citizens of this city, Chief Schierbaum said. I understand the difficult and dangerous job that our officers do each and every day throughout the city. I do not arrive at these decisions lightly. Only after a diligent review of all of the facts, while ensuring the due process of our officers, do I arrive at my decision. Click here for updates on this story. NATO will discuss damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and if a deliberate attack on it is confirmed, the organisation will give a "decisive response". Source: Jens Stoltenberg , NATO Secretary General, at a briefing on Tuesday before a two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers; European Pravda. Stoltenberg noted that the ministers will discuss the incident in the Baltic Sea, where critical underwater infrastructure was damaged. "The important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen. If ist is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure, then this will of course be serious, but it will be met by a united and determined response from NATO," he said. Background: On 8 October, Gasgrid Finland, the Finnish state-owned gas transmission system operator, announced the closure of the Balticconnector gas pipeline, which unites Finland and Estonia, due to suspicion of a possible gas leak. There were also reports of damage to a data cable in the Gulf of Finland. Finland is now investigating the damage to the gas pipeline due to external influence. The Finnish and Estonian parties noted at their briefings that seismological data do not indicate that explosives were used. At the same time, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur noted that a single diver or a small underwater robot could not have caused such damage. Finnish media reported that Finland's political and military leadership suspect Russia's involvement in this incident. 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! UPDATE: The OHara Township Police Department said after investigating reports of child luring attempts in the area, it has been concluded that there was no intent to actually lure a child. Police said the acts committed were done by two juveniles who believed they were joking around. This matter is being pursued seriously by the police department and appropriate action will be taken by the department in response to the public panic that was caused, OHara Township police said in a statement. ORIGINAL STORY: Police are asking the community to be vigilant after attempted child lurings were reported in OHara Township. The back-to-back incidents have some parents on edge. Thats scary. That is the parents worst nightmare, said Linh Phung, an OHara Township mother of a five-year-old daughter. Camille Ng, who has two toddlers, agreed. When I read that, I was kind of shocked, said the Sharpsburg mom. Its known to be relatively safe here. According to police, two separate groups of children reported being approached by two males in a sedan on Wednesday afternoon in the area of Crofton Drive. The suspects reportedly offered them candy and attempted to wave the second group of children to the car. Its fortunate that the children were smart enough not to listen to that kind of temptation, Phung said. Im happy they were not hurt or affected. Police said the first group of kids was approached at 2 p.m., and the second at 2:15 p.m. One of the suspects is described as a Black male, possibly in his 20s, with a larger build and puffy hair wearing a red sweatshirt. The second suspect is described as a white male with brown hair, possibly in his 20s, wearing a gray sweatshirt. Police are now asking people to be aware of their surroundings and report anything suspicious. Typically, well just let the kids roam around a little bit, Ng said. Were not that worried about safety here but after this report, I think we got to stay a little bit more alert. The ages of the kids who were approached are unknown. Surrounding police departments have been notified. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Woman in her 80s sexually assaulted inside Pittsburgh home; active investigation underway PNC Bank laying off employees, spokesperson confirms Disney raises prices at Disneyland, Walt Disney World; bringing back perks VIDEO: Pittsburgh councilmembers introduce legislation to protect domestic violence survivorsh DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the delivery of a new $200 million package of military support for Ukraine on Oct. 11. The package includes AIM-9 munitions for a "new air defense system" soon to be delivered to Ukraine, as well as artillery and rocket ammunition, precision aerial munitions, anti-tank weapons, and equipment to counter Russian drones, Austin said. The announcement came at the 16th Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, which was also attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time in person, among other NATO officials and international partners. Austin addressed concerns that the U.S. would have difficulty supporting allies Israel and Ukraine simultaneously. He declared that U.S. support for Israel's security "will remain ironclad," but also that the U.S. "will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." As winter approaches, Austin stressed that Ukraine's primary needs are strengthening air defense and securing more ammunition. The latest round of support was aimed at addressing those specific issues. In addition, Austin added that he wanted to see more forward-thinking from Ukraine's allies about how to help achieve long-term goals. After successful coalition building on specific platforms, such as the procurement of Leopard tanks, Austin said the next steps should be coalition building on wider capabilities. This latest package puts the total support from the U.S. at almost $44 billion since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Despite the U.S.'s considerable commitment, Austin noted that more than 12 of the coalition's 50 partners had already donated a higher percentage of their GDP than the U.S. "Unity will remain the beating heart of this coalition," he emphasized in his concluding remarks. Read also: UK announces new $122 million military aid package for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BRUSSELS Ukraine could receive F-16 fighter jets as early as spring of next year, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Oct. 11 at a press conference at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. As we look at what it will take to provide initial capability, this will take months, as we've said before. The earliest is next spring when we can begin to see additional capability, Austin said in response to a question from the Kyiv Independent. The projection comes nearly two months after Washington first approved the third-party transfer of U.S.-made F-16s to Ukraine after Ukrainian pilots completed training. Austin said the training, taking place in Europe and the U.S., was ongoing. He did not specify when it was expected to end. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Oct. 11 that Belgium and Denmark confirmed the planned delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, without citing how many they were sending. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in August that Ukraine would receive 42 F-16s after reaching an agreement with the Netherlands, adding that this is just the beginning. But it remained unclear when they would be delivered to Ukraine. Former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said then that Ukrainian pilots, engineers, and technicians had already begun a six-month training on the F-16s. Regarding 300-kilometer-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which the U.S. has reportedly already decided to deliver to Ukraine, Austin said there was no news yet. Instead, the U.S. is focused on equipment that it believes Ukraine needs and those addressed by Zelensky, which include additional air defense and artillery ammunition, according to Austin. And that focus, I think, has been very, very instrumental in making sure that President Zelensky can protect his cities and also protect his troops, Austin said. Asked about Ukraines four-month-old counteroffensive, Austin said that Ukrainian forces were making steady progress. We've been very impressed by the determination, by the valour of the Ukrainian forces, Austin said. And we will continue to focus on providing the forces and the leadership those things that they need to be successful in this fight on the battlefield. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Lloyd Austin U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin has assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the continued and uninterrupted supply of all necessary weapons to Ukraine, a press release from the president reads. Austin gave Zelenskyy the U.S. assurances on Oct. 11. during their meeting in Brussels, Belgium, where the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is being held. Read also: Sullivan says US can simultaneously back Ukraine and Israel against aggressors The United States has sufficient resources to provide Ukraine with the necessary capabilities and remains focused on supporting Ukraine, the Pentagon chief said, providing and update on the delivery progress of additional air defense systems to Ukraine. Zelenskyy praised the United States' unwavering defense and political support for Ukraine and reiterated the importance of strengthening Ukraine's air defenses on the eve of the winter season. He also thanked Washington for a new military assistance package and informed about the urgent needs of the Ukrainian Army, noting in particular mentioning the importance of frontline air defense and electronic warfare systems, and artillery shells. Read also: Germany to transfer more IRIS-T and Patriot systems to Ukraine Austin had earlier announced that the United States would send another $200 million security package to Ukraine, including munitions for a new air defense system, artillery, anti-tank and anti-drone weapons. Were here to dig deep to meet Ukraines most urgent needs. () Ukraine matters because Russian aggression clearly challenges our NATO allies, Austin said. Zelenskyy, who touched down in Brussels after visiting Romania, also met for the first time with the new chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown. The White House said it would be able to support both Israel, which was attacked by Hamas, and Ukraine, against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East. Austin said U.S. support for Israels security will remain ironclad, signaling that the Pentagon was gearing up to support Israel in its war against Hamas. Read also: UK announced major new support package for Ukraine's counter-offensive U.S. newspaper the Wall Street Journal wrote that U.S. senators are discussing an annual aid package for Kyiv worth between $60 billion and $100 billion. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia has organised two special flights to bring back citizens from Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday. The first flight will leave on Friday, the second on Sunday, and will travel from Ben Gurion airport to London, according to Albanese. "We are assessing all options to get Australians home as soon as possible who wish to travel back here," said Albanese at a news conference. Albanese said the large number of Australians who live or travel to Israel made it difficult to know exactly how many citizens were in the country. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Sydney; Writing by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Christian Schmollinger) [Source] Cheng Lei, a Chinese Australian journalist, has returned to Australia after being detained in China for three years on espionage charges. Chengs return: Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Cheng's return on Wednesday and stated that Australia did not make any concessions to secure her release. Her release comes ahead of Albaneses planned visit to Beijing this year, which will make him the first Australian prime minister to visit the Chinese capital in seven years. She was met at the airport by the Foreign Minister Penny Wong . Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for her family. The government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians, Albanese said, adding that her case was concluded through the legal processes in China. On X, the FreeChengLei account shared a photo of Cheng with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australias ambassador to China Graham Fletcher. The tweet included a quote from Cheng that read: Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine. Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies. More from NextShark: Malaysias deadly floods force more than 72,000 people to evacuate Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine. Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies. pic.twitter.com/WJ5vAYsMgZ FreeChengLei (@FreeChengLei) October 11, 2023 More from NextShark: Chinese American congressional gold medal awardee Fred Cheong Lee dies at 96 About Chengs arrest: Cheng, who migrated with her family to Melbourne from China, worked for Chinas state broadcaster CGTN when she was detained in August 2020 for allegedly sharing state secrets. She faced a closed-door trial in Beijing in March 2022 after being detained for over 19 months. The trial ended in less than a day, with the court deferring its verdict. She was convicted and sentenced to two years and 11 months. On Wednesday, Cheng was deported after serving her sentence. In August, Cheng shared her conditions in jail in an open letter to her partner, Nick Coyle, during the three-year anniversary of her detention. She described her lonely living conditions in jail, missing nature and her children. More from NextShark: Celebrated Korean illustrator Kim Jung Gi dead at 47 Improving relations: Australia previously accused China of political interference and intimidation, leading to a diplomatic dispute. However, their relations have been gradually easing with Australias new administration. Coyle previously said that Chengs release would greatly improve the atmospherics with regard to the bilateral relationship at a time where both countries are making efforts to improve relations. Albaneses government has also been advocating for the release of another Chinese Australian, democracy blogger Yang Hengjun, who has been detained in China since 2019 and is awaiting a verdict on an espionage charge. It is hoped that Cheng's release will positively impact Yang's situation. More from NextShark: Malaysian girl taken to ICU after being forced to run 30 laps at school as punishment By Kirsty Needham and Yew Lun Tian SYDNEY/Beijing (Reuters) -Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who had been detained in China on national security charges for more than three years, returned home on Wednesday after being released, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Cheng, 48, was a business television anchor for Chinese state television when she was detained in August 2020 for allegedly sharing state secrets with another country. Cheng, who was tried in secret in March 2022, arrived in Melbourne and has been reunited with her two children and family, Albanese told a press conference. "Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine. Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies," Cheng wrote on social media. Albanese said his government had been seeking for Cheng to be reunited with her children "for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians". Her release follows the completion of legal processes in China, he said. China's State Security Ministry, for the first time giving details of the charges against Cheng, said she had pleaded guilty to charges of illegally sending state secrets abroad related to her work for a state media outlet. She had been deported after serving her sentence of two years and 11 months. Australian diplomats were refused entry to her trial and Cheng has never publicly commented on the case. Australia had repeatedly raised concerns about her detention, which came as China widened blocks on Australian exports amid a diplomatic dispute that is gradually easing. "She is a very strong and resilient person," said Albanese, who said he has spoken to Cheng and welcomed her home on behalf of the country. In a letter to Australia released publicly in August, Cheng wrote of missing her children aged 11 and 14, who have been living in Melbourne with their grandmother while she was detained. "In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year," she wrote in what she called a "love letter to 25 million people". Albanese, who came to power last year with a goal of improving relations with Australia's biggest trade partner, said he expected to visit China this year. There had been public pressure on Albanese to secure Cheng's release before any official visit to China. 'PROGRESS' Albanese had previously said he raised Cheng's case with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts said the release was a breakthrough but differences remained. "This is one of the more concrete signs that Australia is no longer being punished by China for comments and policy measures that Beijing had objected to," said Ryan Neelam, analyst at the Lowy Institute think tank. "So this does seem to suggest there is real progress ... But it doesn't completely change the overall structural difficulties that have been present." Albanese said Australia "continued to advocate" for another detained Australian journalist, Yang Hengjun, who has been held since January 2019. There has been no sign that Yang would be released and his situation remained grim, a close friend of the blogger told reporters on Wednesday. A verdict in his national security trial has been repeatedly delayed. Cheng's jail sentence was relatively light for the charge of leaking state secrets, said David Zhang, a Beijing-based lawyer with Mo Shaoping Law Firm. James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, said Beijing was sending a "clear signal" with the release that it wanted the visit to China by Albanese to be a success. "When the Albanese government came to power, the problems were in three baskets no senior political dialogue, trade disruptions and the detained Australians. Weve now had progress across the board," Laurenceson said. China's ambassador to Australia said it was necessary to maintain the momentum of stability and improvement in relations, adding that China regarded Australia as a friend, and Australia had no reason to regard China as a threat. China has previously detained foreign nationals on national security charges only to release them with little explanation. Those include two Canadians who were detained for more than three years on espionage charges and released in September 2021 hours after Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou reached a deal with U.S. prosecutors to end a bank fraud case against her. Beijing denied their arrests were linked. The State Security Ministry said Cheng had "voluntarily pleaded guilty and accepted the punishment". "In May 2020, Cheng Lei was solicited by someone from a foreign organisation and, in violation of the confidentiality clause signed with her employer, illegally provided state secrets obtained in the course of her work to the foreign organisation through her mobile phone," it said. Judicial authorities tried the case in accordance with the law and fully guaranteed her rights, it said. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Laurie Chen and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; Writing by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Miral Fahmy) Australian journalist Cheng Lei has released her first statement since being released by China on Wednesday after being detained for over three years on national security charges. Cheng, 48, was a business television anchor for Chinese state media when she was taken in August 2020 over allegations of sharing state secrets with a foreign nation. Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine, read Chengs statement shared on social media. Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed her release at a news conference, saying her freedom came after a legal process was completed in China. Read it at Reuters Read more at The Daily Beast. Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei has been released by China, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Wednesday, more than three years after she was detained on espionage charges. We are pleased to confirm that Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei has arrived safely home in Australia and has been reunited with her family, Albanese said in a statement. Her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians, the statement said. Cheng, a former business anchor for Chinas state broadcaster CGTN and mother of two, was accused of illegally supplying state secrets overseas, a charge that carries a possible sentence of between five years to life in prison. Cheng had been on her way to work on the morning of August 13, 2020, when she was taken by Chinas Ministry of State Security, according to her partner Nick Coyle. Beijing did not reveal details of the allegations against Cheng, and the Chinese court delayed handing down a verdict multiple times. Her release follows the completion of legal process in China, according to the Australian statement. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Jill Gralow and Praveen Menon ALICE SPRINGS (Reuters) - Three times a week, Rachel Napaltjarri, an Aboriginal woman suffering from end-stage kidney failure, receives lifesaving dialysis to cleanse her blood in a mobile medical unit in central Australia's remote outback town of Alice Springs. She's been on dialysis for six years and will need it for the rest of her life unless she gets a kidney transplant. Napaltjarri, 55, is one of dozens of Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people who are treated each day for kidney failure at remote dialysis clinics run by The Purple House, an Aboriginal community-led health service. Headquartered in Alice Springs, it's an example of how community involvement can improve outcomes for Australia's Indigenous people, The Purple House CEO Sarah Brown told Reuters in an interview. "We don't have flashier machines or more experienced nurses," she said. "The only difference is that people are running this place together, and they get to control what happens to them and they can help other communities out," she said. Purple House is evidence of how including the community can improve outcomes, Brown said. This is why she hopes the country will vote "Yes" in a referendum on Oct. 14 to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution and create an Aboriginal advisory body called the "Voice to Parliament". "Having policy where Aboriginal people have actually been able to advise and have some input on whether an idea is going to work or not is such a simple no-brainer but could have such a big impact," Brown said. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who make up about 3.8% of the population, are more than twice as likely as non-Indigenous people to have chronic kidney disease. Brown explained it's a disease of "poverty, dispossession and powerlessness", from what was a seminomadic lifestyle, now becoming reliant on processed foods. Kidney failure is a common cause of death among the Indigenous. But Brown said Purple House's community-led model has helped central Australia go from having the worst dialysis survival rates in the country to the best. The health service operates 19 remote clinics across remote communities in Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. Treatment for kidney failure requires dialysis for five hours a day, thrice a week. For those needing the treatment it means families moving from their home to Alice Springs or Darwin for treatment. Communities are left without elder leadership, families are broken and the culture connections are weakened. Patients also suffer from isolation and depression. The Purple House is a home away from home for these Indigenous dialysis patients, Brown said, with a mission to help people keep their connection with Country and family despite the fact that they need treatment for end-stage renal failure. (Reporting by Praveen Menon and Jill Gralow; Editing by Sonali Paul) A 4-month-old girl has died one month after she was found face down and trapped between a mattress on the floor and the wall of a Florida home, police said. Now, her dad is charged. The 44-year-old father of two returned to their Cocoa home on Sept. 5 after dropping off the childrens mother at work, according to an arrest affidavit from the Cocoa Police Department. McClatchy News is not identifying the father to protect the identity of his children. The father put his 2-year-old child in a bedroom and played a video for them to watch and had the 4-month-old, who was sitting in a car seat, with him in the living room, according to the affidavit. Sometime later, the baby became fussy. The father told police he thought the baby wanted to stretch out. He took the baby into a bedroom and placed her on a mattress on the floor, then placed two blankets on either side of her and a pillow above the girls head, according to the affidavit. The father then left the baby alone in the room while he went into the living room to watch YouTube videos, police said, where he could not see either of the children. The dad said he wasnt paying attention to the time, but later that evening his 2-year-old child started whining in their room and he changed their diaper then put on an Elmo video, according to the affidavit. He left again, then about 15 minutes later, he checked on the baby, police said. He found the baby lying face down in between the edge of the mattress and the wall, and she wasnt breathing, according to the affidavit. The father called 911 and tried to breathe into the baby until paramedics arrived, and the girl was taken to the hospital in critical condition, police said. About a month later on Oct. 7, the baby died, according to the affidavit. The childs mother, who was at work at the time the baby was found, told police her child had done some tummy time but had not yet learned to roll over. The mother said she is the primary caregiver during the day and that the baby never slept on the mattress when shes there, according to the affidavit. Police said there were multiple cribs and play areas in the house and next to the bed that would have been a safer place for the baby to stretch out. The babys father was charged with manslaughter of a child on Oct. 9, according to the affidavit. Cocoa is about 50 miles east of Orlando. Mom called 911 hours after her baby died, Georgia cops say. Shes charged with murder Middle school counselor charged with child sex exploitation, Tennessee officials say Day care workers plan to pay $150 to sexually assault teen foiled in Florida, cops say Missing 2-year-old found dead in river after he wandered from home, Michigan cops say The international debate over technology and youth was jolted last week by a surprising announcement: Schools in the United Kingdom will soon ban the use of cell phones. Issued by the U.K.s secretary of state for education, the new guidance builds on controls already in place in many schools across the country, most of which take explicit aim at both online bullying and student inattention during lessons. But it may have the further effect of encouraging advocates, both at home and abroad, to pursue further-reaching policies limiting childrens access to tech and social media. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Parents, teachers, and education leaders across the United States have entertained similar proposals in recent years as devices have increasingly become a fixture in students daily lives. The near-ubiquity of electronics in American homes (a 2021 study from the nonprofit Common Sense Media showed that 43 percent of children aged 812 personally owned a smartphone), as well as their potential links to worsening mental health for young people, moved U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to release an advisory warning against excessive social media use. Related Banning Cell Phones From Classrooms? Law Would Force Students to Hand Over Tech Still, it is doubtful whether similar prohibitions can be attempted in the U.S. Unlike in most other Western countries, K12 education in America is administered at the state and local level, leaving decisions about school management and culture mostly up to district boards. In addition, fears of school shootings and other on-site emergencies mean that some parents want to remain in contact with their kids at all times even as most research shows that the presence of phones in classrooms tends to harm academic achievement. Among older students, the removal of cell phones during courses is correlated with lower anxiety and higher levels of course understanding, while adolescents engage in more physical play when phones are barred from recess. Doug Lemov is a well-known educator and expert on classroom practice whose book Teach Like a Champion has become an international bestseller and a highly influential text among both novice and veteran teachers. He has also come out strongly against the use of phones in school, arguing that they meaningfully hamper instruction and prevent children from forming real-world relationships. Doug Lemov Bans such as the one proposed in the United Kingdom might be difficult to enforce, Lemov acknowledged, given kids attachment to their devices. But clever methods of evasion are no reason not to seriously contemplate restrictions on phones in schools, he said. If a kid feels like he has to sneak off to the bathroom and hide in the stall to use his cell phone, its still a win. Because it means that in 99 percent of the places in the building, people are walking around without their cell phones out, they are concentrating in class, and theyre having fully present relationships with one another. Effects on academics, exercise The United Kingdom isnt the first country to impose restrictions on phones in school. According to a UNESCO report released this summer on education systems in roughly 200 countries, about one-quarter have enacted comparable rules. But some of the most compelling research on the effects of cell phone bans comes from England. Many teachers already confiscate cell phones during classes. New guidance in the U.K. will push more schools to ban them throughout the school day. (Getty Images) In a study published in 2016, academics Louis-Phillipe Beland and Richard Murphy found that across the large English cities of Birmingham, Leicester, London, and Manchester, dozens of high schools that instituted bans on mobile phones saw significant improvement in scores on high-stakes tests. The increase was especially large for the lowest-performing pupils, who saw a jump in scores more than twice as large as the average student. Overall, the authors argued, the greater effects on these students of banning mobile phones roughly equivalent to adding an hour to each school week suggested that their higher-achieving classmates were better able to ignore distractions and focus on their work. The lure of texts and apps, therefore, might be expected to increase achievement gaps over time. Related Do Smartphones Belong in Classrooms? Four Scholars Weigh In Play and exercise are also linked to the use of electronics. A Danish study published in 2021 showed that a four-week ban on phones during recess significantly increased both the frequency and intensity of physical activity of children aged 1014. And the consequences of a lack of movement can be strongly negative: In a study of nearly 25,000 U.S. teenagers, about 20 percent used screened devices (smartphones, tablets, or video games) more than five hours per day; that group was 43 percent more likely to be obese than participants who experienced less screen time. While comparatively few studies have been conducted on the impact of information technology on K12 learning, some have focused on its presence in university settings. One paper, published in 2014, studied cell phone use and texting in a large sample of college students, ultimately finding that they were associated with relatively lower grades and higher levels of self-reported anxiety. Relatedly, subjects who texted and used their phones less experienced higher satisfaction with life. Jonathan Haidt Far beyond its measured influence over grades or test scores, huge public concern has increasingly been directed at the effects of phone and internet use on adolescent mental health. Psychologists like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge have pointed to the recent explosion of screen time (generally pegged to the widespread adoption of home internet access and the emergence of smartphones) as a key culprit in rising rates of youth depression and anxiety. The chorus of critics gained a powerful new voice in May, when Murthy issued his cautionary guidance on the use of social media. While stopping far short of recommending a blanket ban on youth access to apps like Instagram and Snapchat, the document struck a distinctly foreboding note. Related Surgeon General Wants Warning Label on Social Media for Youth Mental Health The current body of evidence indicates that while social media may have benefits for some children and adolescents, there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents, the surgeon general wrote. Whether the advisory will exert any influence on local authorities and whether it is widely interpreted as a warning about phones as well as social media is difficult to tell. Districts attempted to curb the use of phones in school throughout the 2000s through a variety of means, most unsuccessful: New York City implemented a full-on ban in 2005 under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, only for it to be reversed a decade later by his successor, Bill de Blasio. In Spokane, Washington, one high school even used a signal jammer to keep students from texting during class (the experiment was quickly abandoned when its legality was called into question). Some jurisdictions have taken a fresh look at restrictions over the past few years, however. This spring, Massachusettss state board weighed the idea of providing grants to districts that tightened their policies. Bans do not stop bullying Good reason exists to doubt the efficacy of strict prohibitions. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 201920 school year, 77 percent of public schools said they disallowed the non-academic use of phones during school hours. But a data analysis released earlier this year revealed that 97 percent of children aged 1117 used their phones during the school day, suggesting that the restrictions were not widely observed. Those figures were a stark reflection of the pre-COVID penetration of cell phones into school spaces. But students and families became even more accustomed to relying on technology during the pandemic, when instruction shifted online for months at a time. School districts loaned out thousands of devices and rushed to bring internet connectivity to students who lived in remote areas so that their learning would not be interrupted. By most indicators, the migration online led to significant learning losses. But students also reported that during the worst stretches of isolation, social media helped them stay in touch with their friends and teachers in cyberspace, if not real life. Many are reluctant to let go of their phones even with the return to in-person learning. Related Survey: More Young People Are Depressed During the Pandemic. But They May Be Using Social Media to Cope American parents, too, have come to appreciate the convenience of having their children accessible during the school day. Many find it reassuring to be able to stay connected in the event of extreme events, including mass shootings, that have seized national attention in recent years. (Notably, security experts are more ambivalent on the benefits of phones during emergencies, with some arguing that trapped students would be better off directing their attention solely at teachers and administrators.) Liz Kolb Liz Kolb, a clinical professor of education technologies at the University of Michigan, said that while cell phones represent an undeniable source of distraction in academic settings, barring them from schools could also curtail opportunities to role model their constructive use. Bans do not stop bullying, harrassment, FOMO [fear of missing out], feelings of depression or suicide, or accessing harmful content, Kolb added in an email. So schools that ban cell phones need to be explicit about still addressing these issues, even if they are not seeing phones every day. Lemov said that while some pushback from students was to be expected, most would likely change their minds in response to academic and social environments improved from the lack of phones. And while strict bans might be particularly challenging to implement, schools could also turn to solutions like Yondr pouches, which allow schools to collect and seal away phones during the day, but selectively offer students access to them if necessary. Companies like Yondr market lockable pouches that schools can use to selectively restrict phone access. (Getty Images) Lemov, who said his own daughters school district used Yondr pouches, said they might help assuage parents worries about safety. Looking past methods of restriction, he encouraged schools to go further by proactively building a more engaging social and educational space; seductive objects should not only be removed, but replaced with opportunities for kids to learn, interact, and have fun, he argued. We have to eliminate an engine of distraction and disconnection, but we have to make sure we do it really well, Lemov said. Its not just about banning cell phones, but also building vibrant student culture to make sure skeptics buy in. Barcelona is set to reduce the number of cruise ships that can call at its central port in a bid to tackle overtourism. The number of ships able to dock at any one time will be cut from 10 to seven. Certain piers will also be completely off limits in the central port to help decrease pollution, such as the citys Muelle Barcelona Norte northern docks and the World Trade Centre, with cruise ships told to stop at the southern port instead. The move is aimed at lowering exhaust gases near the city centre, reports Cruise Industry News. Passengers will have to take 30-minute shuttle buses from the piers that remain open into the city centre. The new rules are expected to come into affect from 22 October. The decision to limit cruise ships has been on the cards for some time. Barcelonas Mayor Ada Colau first pledged to cap the number of cruise ships in the city in 2019, telling El Pais: There are thousands of people who arrive at once. Most of them stay for just a few hours and are highly concentrated in the downtown area. They generate a feeling of collapse. The Catalonian capital is following in the footsteps of a number of destinations which have tried to curb overtourism through restricting cruise ships. In Venice, large cruise ships were banned from the Venice lagoon back in 2021. The government decided to act after Unesco warned the Italian city could be placed on a blacklist for not banning liners from the World Heritage Site. Liners weighing more than 25,000 tonnes were barred from the Giudecca Canal, the waterway that goes past Piazza San Marco one of the citys most recognisable sites. Meanwhile, the Croatian city of Dubrovnik decided to cap the number of cruise ships that can dock each day to two, carrying a maximum of 5,000 passengers between them, back in 2019. More recently, earlier this week cruise passengers were met by a crowd of around 80 protesters as their ship docked in France. Travellers aboard the World Traveller liner were greeted with shouts of shame on you, go home and youre not welcome as they arrived into the port of Douarnenez in Brittany on Sunday. Many of the demonstrators were dressed up as animals, including polar bears and sea lions, as well as Venetian carnival goers, to protest against the environmental impact of cruising. One 25-year old protester said she is fed up with luxury and expedition trips. In an unanticipated maneuver, the Washington County Republican Party (WCGOP) broke from tradition to intervene in Bartlesville's special election, urging voters to oppose all four General Obligation Bonds on the eve of the vote. Despite the party's assertions and apparent shift in strategy, city voters overwhelmingly approved all four bonds, with a substantial average of 71% in favor. The WCGOP's surprising stance veered from its historical approach to city municipal votes and nonpartisan ballot measures, where it traditionally abstained from direct endorsements or oppositions. The pivot comes in the wake of a takeover by a self-proclaimed "grassroots" movement within the party, which has notably influenced and changed the county GOP's actions and messaging. Misleading details about bonds The WCGOP's opposition, citing the Oklahoma GOP (OKGOP) party platform, appears mired in misinformation. The party utilized the OKGOP's stance on taxation specifically, "We oppose the use of sales tax and use tax revenue bonds" as a rationale to urge Republican voters to reject the bonds. However, this argument lacks foundation given that General Obligation (GO) bonds are neither sales tax nor use tax bonds. Contrarily, GO bonds are backed by the issuer's creditworthiness and are financed through the city's general budget, utilizing levied property taxes as per Oklahoma State Law. Illustratively, a sales tax or use tax bond might impose a special tax on particular products within city limits or establish a toll road, using the revenue generated to pay off the bond and fund construction projects. Economic implications In an additional dimension of their argument, the WCGOP pointed to the party platform's support for "eliminating taxation on income and property." However, a deeper dive into Bartlesville's financials reveals complex economic implications. To maintain the city's budget obligations without the current ad valorem tax (property tax revenue), the city would need a sales tax increase from the existing 3.4% to over 4%, based on the 5-year average income. Alternatively, the city would need to remove approximately $4 million from its annual budget or employ a hybrid approach of increased sales tax and budget cuts to supplant property tax revenue. Local voters ignore party guidance Republicans in Bartlesville have expressed confusion and concern over their WCGOP campaign against the bonds. A Republican voter noted that numerous WCGOP leaders reside outside the city limits of Bartlesville. The mismatch between party guidance and citizen action highlights a striking divergence, illuminating potential discrepancies between the WCGOP's new trajectory and the prevailing sentiments of local voters. This incident also raises noteworthy questions among the citizens of Bartlesville about the influence of the local political entity and the impact of grassroots movements within the GOP. Many prominent Republicans have already put their support behind the newly formed Republican and Other Conservatives of Washington County group which held a kick-off event in September. This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: County GOP attempts to play politics with city vote falls flat [Source] Stanley Zhong, an 18-year-old high school graduate, has been hired by Google after being rejected by 16 colleges out of the 18 he applied to. About Zhong: Zhong graduated from Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California, with impressive credentials, including a 3.97 unweighted GPA, a 4.42 weighted GPA and a near-perfect SAT score of 1590. During his sophomore year, he also founded his own startup called RabbitSign, which offers unlimited free e-signing. Rejection letters: Although Zhong did not expect to be accepted to some schools like Stanford and MIT, the teen was surprised when he received college rejection letters from state schools. Some of the state schools I really thought, you know, I had a good chance and turns out a bit of a chance I had, I didn't get in, Zhong told ABC7 News. More from NextShark: Studio Ghibli announces The Boy and the Heron movie program containing films secret details To name a few, Zhong was rejected by MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA and UCSD. His only acceptances were from the University of Texas and the University of Maryland. Google offers Zhong a job: Despite the college rejections, Zhong received a full-time software engineering job offer from California-based tech giant Google. While he initially planned to attend the University of Texas, he decided to put college on hold to take the software engineering job. I actually went to the University of Texass orientation, Zhong shared. But once the Google offer came through, I thought this was a good opportunity. Im going to take it, and well see in a year from now, do I still want to attend University of Texas or should I stick with Google? More from NextShark: New campaign rebrands the Asian carp as more appetizing copi College admissions discussions: Zhongs story was reportedly brought up during a House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on Sept. 28, which discussed the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions. Zhongs father, Nan, also shared his story on some parent chat groups and blogs, leading to its prominence amid the national conversation on elite college admissions. Advocating for transparency: Zhong and his family said they are sharing their story to spark conversation and advocate for transparency in the college admissions process. More from NextShark: China's First UFC Champion Tells Trash-Talking Opponent to 'Shut Up' During Face Off One of the main things that were pushing for is transparency, Zhong says. When my story [was] shared, we heard a lot of speculation about why I didnt get in and what the reasons couldve been There shouldnt really need to be a need for speculation. If we get rejected, we should be able to look at the reasons why. We shouldnt just have to blindly guess in the dark about a black box process. Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Manila journalists visiting US to interview hate crime victims become targets of anti-Asian hate Countries rush to Afghanistan's aid 10:16, October 11, 2023 By Xu Weiwei ( China Daily Various sides including China are extending support to Afghanistan's earthquake victims apart from condolences, as the death toll in western Afghanistan's Herat and neighboring provinces rose to 2,445 by Sunday night, local authorities said. The Red Cross Society of China said on Sunday it had decided to provide the Afghan Red Crescent with $200,000 in cash as emergency humanitarian assistance to aid its rescue and disaster relief efforts. The Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency said it is willing to provide emergency humanitarian assistance based on the needs of the affected. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority has already put out a search and rescue team on standby to assist the Afghan government in taking people out of the rubble. It is also going to send relief items, including food, medicine, tents and blankets. "It is very important now for the international community to step in and help Afghan people," said Amina Khan, director of the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad. "So far, neighboring countries have been at the forefront. Pakistan and Iran have offered to send Afghanistan humanitarian aid and China's Red Cross Society, I believe, has also offered not only cash relief, but other aid as well." The most affected area is the Zanda Jan district in Herat, where 13 villages have been "utterly destroyed", Mawlawi Musa Ashari, Herat's provincial director for the National Disaster Management Authority, told reporters. In a statement, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha offered his sincere condolences to Afghanistan over the devastating earthquake. He affirmed the OIC stands in full support of and solidarity with Afghanistan and its people in this trying moment. Qatar expressed its solidarity with the Afghan people on Sunday. "Qatar stands with the victims of the earthquake and is fully prepared to provide necessary assistance for recovery," the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Two magnitude-6.2 earthquakes jolted Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon, China Earthquake Networks Center said, resulting in huge casualties and property losses. So far, the Taliban has been very quick to respond, said Khan from Pakistan. Afghan local governance structures under the Taliban have been trying in their limited capacities to help the civilians as there have been sanctions placed on the Taliban, she added. "There are limitations when the entire economy has been dependent on the international community," she said. "It is important not to forget that it is the common people in Afghanistan that are suffering and the focus has to be on the humanitarian aspect here." Khan mentioned that some countries should step away from using the aid as a political tool when it comes to natural disasters such as this earthquake, and therefore they should extend their hand and help those people in need. Xinhua contributed to this story. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) As he busily organizes the year's first Indian music performance scheduled in Shanghai, Siddharth Sinha, a co-founder of the Chaiti Arts Foundation, takes joy in witnessing the lively revival of musical exchanges between two neighboring countries, China and India, in the post-COVID era. As an active promoter of India-China classical music and cultural exchanges over the years, Sinha's foundation has contributed to this revival through a series of Indian classical music concerts across various Chinese cities. "Cultural exchanges, such as the Chaiti music festival, play a crucial role in promoting mutual understanding between regions," he said. "Through music and dance performances, workshops, and interactions with Chinese music schools, these events create a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation. They help bridge cultural gaps and foster a deeper understanding of each other's traditions, cultivating goodwill and friendship." Established in 2013 along with three other co-founders Madhumita Bhuyan, Ravi Shankar Bose and Soudamini Bose, Chaiti commenced with solo performances by young Indian artists in Shanghai and later evolved into a cultural organization with regular shows in multiple cities. The significance of these cultural exchanges cannot be overstated, particularly since they mark the first such performances after a nearly four-year hiatus caused by COVID-19. However, organizing international events in the post-pandemic era comes with its share of challenges and logistical complexities. "Ensuring the safety and health of both artists and audiences is a top priority," noted Sinha. "Logistical challenges like securing venues, coordinating artist schedules, and managing international logistics require meticulous planning to ensure the success of such events." Despite these challenges, Chaiti remains committed to bringing the magic of Indian classical music to Chinese audiences. Its upcoming concerts will feature captivating flute recitals led by Rupak Kulkarni and Rakesh Chaurasia, both renowned Indian artists. Reflecting on his previous experience performing in China, Kulkarni expressed his delight at the enthusiastic response from Chinese audiences. "I didn't expect to see so many Chinese people in the audience," he said. "This was surprising and also very heart-warming." Kulkarni also fondly recalled collaborating with Chinese traditional instrument players. "We didn't speak each other's language, but the seven notes of music are the same everywhere in the world. So, we connected with each other through the universal language of music," he said. Beyond the immediate joy of music, these cultural exchanges have far-reaching implications, as they contribute to a deeper cultural understanding and appreciation between regions, fostering friendship and cooperation, said Sinha. "They provide a platform for artists to gain international exposure and recognition," he explained. "They inspire future generations of artists and cultural enthusiasts, creating a lasting legacy of cultural exchange and enrichment. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen people-to-people ties and harmony between nations through the universal language of music and culture." One of the most heartening aspects of this cultural reconnection is the warm reception that Indian classical music receives in China, flutist Chaurasia noted, adding that there's one way to truly know each other, which is to experience each other's culture. "Without understanding each other's cultures, biases can persist through different news and information sources. But experiencing cultures firsthand can provide a different perspective, and, in most cases, it results in building good relationships," he said. Rishabh Dhar, a master percussionist who will be performing alongside the two flutists, echoed a similar sentiment. "I'm very happy to be back in China," he said. "Performing for the beautiful audience here is always a pleasure. The response and reciprocation I receive each time I perform are simply wonderful. Local Chinese audiences connect very easily with the performers." According to Yan Ni, who hails from Shanghai and plans to attend the show there, music has a unique ability to transcend language and cultural barriers, as it communicates emotions and stories that resonate with people from diverse backgrounds. "When artists from different cultures perform together or share their traditions, it creates a powerful shared experience that fosters mutual understanding and admiration. It allows people to connect on a human level, promoting empathy and appreciation for the beauty of cultural diversity," she said. The Chaiti Arts Foundation also announced its initiative to expand to more cities, collaborate with Chinese artists, and explore new formats for engagement to reach a wider audience. In a world where music bridges divide and unites hearts, the rekindling of cultural ties through Indian classical music serves as a harmonious testament to the enduring power of art and culture in fostering global connections and friendships, Sinha said. The Biden administration is still searching for concrete details about the condition of the handful of Americans believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas, including exactly how many the terror group may be holding captive in Gaza, or if they are currently being held together in one place, a US official told CNN. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby told reporters Wednesday that, of the 17 known Americans unaccounted for in Israel at this time, the number believed held hostage by Hamas is very small like less than a handful. Many of those unaccounted for Americans are thought to be dual Israeli-American citizens. Israeli authorities believe up to 150 total hostages are being held in Gaza. As the Biden administration continues its work to support Israel and move military assets into the region, US officials across the government are furiously working behind the scenes to piece together an accurate picture on the ground. That includes figuring out how many Americans are being held hostage in Gaza and what can be done about it. This isnt just like any other typical hostage situation, this is an active war zone, Kirby told CNNs Jim Sciutto on Wednesday. And so getting granular information that you can act on is going to be that much harder and the risks will be that much higher for any attempt to recover them. In remarks to a roundtable with members of the Jewish community at the White House Wednesday, President Joe Biden pledged the full force of his administrations commitment to rescuing hostages, saying that while were working on every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel, if he relayed in detail what steps the administration was taking, I wouldnt be able to get them home. Folks, theres a lot were doing a lot were doing, I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home, Biden said. But the idea that Im going to stand here before you and tell you what Im doing is bizarre, so I hope you understand how bizarre I think it would be to try to answer that question. President Joe Biden speaks about the war between Israel and Hamas, as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken listen, Oct. 10, 2023. - Evan Vucci/AP Further complicating the situation, US officials say, is that Hamas consists of numerous and often competing subgroups and militias that all operate in Gaza. Before the US can put together a plan to recover hostages, officials first have to figure out which of those Hamas sub-groups may be holding them, and for what reason. Its just not clear yet why the hostages were taken. And exactly by who? said Phil Andrew, co-founder of Pax Group and former FBI hostage negotiator. Are these little gangs or groups that are not part of the main infrastructure. Were they taken to negotiate? We dont know yet. That all affects how we deal with this. We cant make assumptions just yet. FBI hostage negotiators in Israel The US is working closely with Israel to recover hostages in Gaza, with FBI and Pentagon personnel on the ground in Israel providing support to Israeli special operators. An interagency team of US officials from the State Department, National Security Council, and FBI is receiving input from all over about the Americans who are missing or deceased in Israel, the US official said. Family members and friends have reached out to the embassy about loved ones, and that information has been compiled alongside work that the FBI has been doing. Relatives of citizens missing since Saturday's attack by Hamas near the Gaza border, in Tel Aviv, Israel attend a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. - Maya Alleruzzo/AP FBI hostage negotiators and agents, some working in Israel and others in field offices around the US, have been assisting in that effort, according to U.S. law enforcement officials involved in the matter. These include members of the FBIs Critical Incident Response Group, which has extensive experience in helping to resolve hostage incidents, including in war zones from Afghanistan to Iraq and across the Middle East. Negotiators and agents are talking to family members, getting proof of life information that can be used in the investigation and for possible questions to be asked if hostage takers reach out. The agents are prepping family members in case that phone call comes in or text message from the hostage-takers or from their family member who is being held, one official said. Thats hugely important, they have to know what to say if they get that call. US intelligence agencies are also trying to assist in helping to determine how hostages were taken, in part by tracking any cell phone signals and social media images that have been made public. The US official familiar with the efforts say the administration is working through phone calls coming into the US embassy in Israel, the FBI and the White House from family and friends of Americans believed to be missing. Some of these phone calls have been based on eye-witness accounts of people being taken by Hamas. But one challenge has been trying to verify second-hand accounts, the first US official said. The government has been in touch with the next-of-kin of any American they are aware of as being missing. Deputy Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steve Gillen is traveling to Israel with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who left for the region on Wednesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks before boarding a plane, Wednesday Oct. 11, 2023, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Israel. - Jacquelyn Martin/AP Gillens presence is a stark illustration of how the Biden administration is prioritizing dealing with the hostage situation. Blinken has urged partner countries who have the ability to get messages to Hamas to urge the terrorist group to release all hostages immediately. CNN previously reported that Qatar is among the countries in talks with Hamas over hostages. A senior Turkish official also told CNN that Turkey is also actively working to try to secure hostages taken by Hamas. At least 22 US citizens have died in Israel, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. It was not immediately clear if the additional deaths were Americans previously considered to be unaccounted for. Biden had previously said at least 14 American citizens had died. Much of the information about the deceased Americans has come from the Israel Defense Forces as they make identifications, as well as from family members who have been notified, the first US official said. US special forces units Along with a handful of FBI and military personnel on the ground, the US is moving a carrier strike group into the region as both a show of support for Israel and message of deterrence. US special forces who were in Israel before the attack are offering their expertise on hostage situations. But US sources stressed to CNN that those forces are not engaged in any mission to physically extract American hostages at the moment. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that the US has special operators in Israel who are going to help the Israeli military with intelligence and planning for potential operations regarding hostages taken by Hamas. Not only are we offering to help, we have people on the ground that have a small cell, the liaison cell that has established contact with [Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallants] special operators, and well continue to help with intelligence and planning as things go along, Austin told reporters at a press gaggle after landing in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday. Austin said he has offered help from our special operators, our intelligence community in planning and developing intelligence to help in this endeavor to Israel since speaking with their defense minister on Sunday. House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, who moderated a classified briefing Wednesday morning for congressional lawmakers, noted that the US is prepared to work with Israel to try and get hostages out of Gaza, but that it will be a difficult task. We have obviously our special forces are good at this, we have hostage rescue team, FBI, we will provide assistance to Israel to get them out of there. Its going to be very difficult, going house to house, like Fallujah in 2005, when they use them as human shields, he said CNNs Alex Marquardt, Gul Tuysuz, Natasha Bertrand and Oren Liebermann contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Belgium, together with the European Union and Group of 7 (G7) countries, is "very close to finalizing" a system that will ban Russian diamonds from the market, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announced on Oct. 11. Russian diamonds are currently not sanctioned by Western countries. De Croo said that a "full traceability system" is being developed, which will mean that "Russian blood diamonds will not be able to finance the war." Speaking in Brussels at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky , who is in the city for a meeting with NATO defense ministers, de Croo said the goal for the start of the ban is Jan. 1, 2024. The aim is "to cut off Russian dominance completely from our retail markets," de Croo said. The Belgian government has taken the initiative to sanction Russian diamonds, as its second-largest city, Antwerp, is one of the world's centers of diamond trade. Over 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through the port city. In September, de Croo met with the heads of the jewelry industry at the Belgian Consul General in New York and discussed a global tracking system that would make information about the origin of a diamond more transparent. "Russian diamonds have become a symbol of war and human rights violations," he said at the meeting. In his address to the Belgian parliament in March 2022, Zelensky criticized the country's ongoing diamond trade with Russia. "Peace is more valuable than diamonds," he told the parliament. Read also: That diamond ring? It may have helped pay for Russias war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MILAN The Belgian government said it will provide an undisclosed number of F-16 fighters to Ukraine from 2025, a decision some are calling a compromise between the political factions that make up the countrys ruling coalition. On Oct. 11, Belgium put an end to the wavering stance it had adopted in recent months on the issue of sending F-16s to Ukraine. Belgium from 2025 will be in a position to supply F-16s to Ukraine, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told reporters following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels. The official added, however, that such a decision needs to be confirmed by the countrys next government following elections next May. The announcement originally was made by Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder on Wednesday in an interview with local broadcaster Bel RTL, during which she explained that the specifics of the agreement will depend on the build-up of Belgiums new F-35 capabilities. The deal will further entail the training of Ukrainian pilots and mission planners, which will begin in 2024, and two Belgian companies, Sabena Engineering and Patria Bec, will provide essential technical support for the F-16 fleet, according to a Belgian MoD press release. In September, Belgium joined the coalition of a dozen other countries providing F-16 courses. Rodolphe Polis, press officer at the Belgian MoD, told Defense News that the country currently has 53 F-16s in its inventories. In 2018, Brussels signed a multi-billion dollar contract with Lockheed Martin for the supply of 34 F-35 fighter jets that are set to replace the aging F-16s it possesses. However, the timeline for these deliveries has already been delayed. In April 2023, Minister Dedonder confirmed that only two F-35s out of the initial four would be delivered during the first quarter of 2024, Alain De Neve, researcher at the Belgium-based Royal Higher Institute for Defense think tank told Defense News. This means that the F-16 to F-35 transition could face hiccups, meanwhile Belgium is obliged to maintain an operational fleet of aircraft, particularly for its joint missions in the Baltics. Belgium contributes to the surveillance of this airspace as part of NATOs enhanced vigilance activities and Baltic Air Policing. It was also one of the first international customers of the F-16, receiving its first deliveries over 40 years ago. The news that the jets will not reach Ukraine before two more years have deceived some observers, as Ukrainian officials have been heavily lobbying for these weapons to reach the war-torn country as soon as possible. For De Neve, it is somewhat surprising that Belgium would be singled out on this issue. The decision to send F-16s to Ukraine represents, as is often the case in Belgium, one based on a compromise between the various political sensitivities that compose the ruling coalition government This can be a complex process and it is true, out of sync with events, he said. However, he argues that the deadline needs to be placed in the broader context of other pledges made by F-16 donating countries. As early as January 2023, the Netherlands indicated that they were willing to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, but US approval was crucial, which came in the spring. This means it has been ten months since the first delivery promises were made, and no aircraft has yet been transferred to Ukrainian forces, De Neve stated. Government officials have in recent months voiced the growing possibility that the Russia-Ukraine war could turn into a frozen conflict, that may last anywhere between several years to a decade. Belgium has created a 1.7 billion euro ($1.8 billion) fund for Ukraine financed by the tax revenue from interest on frozen Russian assets, the country's Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announced on Oct. 11. Speaking in Brussels at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky , who is in the city for a meeting with NATO defense ministers, de Croo said that the fund will be put to use next year "for military matters, humanitarian aid, and European support packages to Ukraine." While the European Union is still considering whether it can legally confiscate frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's rebuilding, income taxes paid in Belgium from the interest on these assets go directly to the national government. "The taxation of income from these assets should go 100% to the benefit of the population of Ukraine," de Croo said at the press conference. "Belgium has become the first country to start using frozen Russian assets to support protection from Russian terror," Zelensky posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "These funds will finance security assistance for Ukraine and fast recovery projects in our regions," he said, adding that he was "grateful to Belgium for all the support." Much of the frozen assets are blocked at Euroclear Bank, which has a branch in Brussels, Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reported. "As an international securities manager, Euroclear invests those frozen Russian assets and makes a substantial profit. They then have to pay Belgian corporate tax, which flows to the state treasury," Het Nieuwsblad explained. In May 2023, de Croo mentioned plans to use the tax proceeds from frozen Russian assets to fund the rebuilding of Ukraine at a meeting with Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague. Belgium holds about 180 billion euros ($191 billion) in frozen Russian assets, de Croo said in The Hague. Read also: Zelensky, partners meet in Brussels to boost military support for Ukraine ahead of winter Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Belgium has created a special fund to support Ukraine in the amount of EUR 1.7 billion, which is filled from taxation of Russian assets frozen in the country. Source: Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, at a joint briefing with Volodymyr Zelenskyy , the President of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda. De Croo said that Belgium will continue to support Ukraine in three directions, the first two of which are military aid and economic sanctions. Quote: "The third is the creation of a Fund of Ukraine of EUR 1.7 billion euros... The source of this fund will be billions of Russian assets frozen in Belgium. Belgium has taxation on the profits of these frozen assets. Last year it was absolutely clear to us that the taxation of the profits of these assets has 100% to benefit the people of Ukraine. We did it last year, and we will do it again this year through an EUR 1.7 billion fund. This fund will be used to purchase military equipment, humanitarian support, the European Peace Facility, macro-financial assistance, etc.," the Prime Minister said. Background: Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced that the country would send several Belgian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, starting from 2025. On 11 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on an unannounced visit. 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! Alexander de Croo Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announced plans to create a special fund to support Ukraine worth EUR 1.7 euros ($1.8 billion) during a joint conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Oct. 11. The money for the fund will be taken from tax on income from frozen Russian assets in the country. Read also: Belgium to send 240 Volvo military trucks to Ukrainian Armed Forces "It is quite clear to us that 100% of tax income from these assets should go to the Ukrainian population," De Croo said. He added that the country did it last year and will do it again this year. The Belgian official explained that the money from the fund would be used for military equipment, humanitarian aid, the European Peace Facility, macroeconomic support, etc. Read also: Belgium to transfer Sea Sparrow AA missiles to Ukraine report The funds will be allocated by prior agreement, said de Croo. The politician stressed that Belgium will remain "on the side of Ukraine" as long as necessary. "We have been on the side of the Ukrainian population from the very beginning," he said. We know that the circumstances in Ukraine are extremely difficult... We know what you are fighting for and we will keep supporting you in this. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that his country, together with the European Union, is considering legal authority to direct $300 billion worth of Russian assets to rebuild and meet other needs of Ukraine. Read also: European Commission advances efforts to redirect frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine On Jan. 26, the EU Council's legal service developed a plan to use the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank, worth about $36.8 billion, to finance Ukraine's recovery. As a result of arrests and various mechanisms for confiscating the assets of Russians and collaborators in Ukraine, UAH 28.3 billion ($775.6 million) have been transferred to the state budget since Feb. 24, 2022. However, according to Bloomberg, the EU has assessed that it cannot legally confiscate fully frozen Russian assets and is instead focusing on the temporary use of these assets. On Oct. 11, Zelenskyy arrived for an unannounced visit to Belgium. The Ukrainian president planned to meet with the country's leader and other members of the government. On the same day, Brussels hosted a Ramstein meeting, in which Zelenskyy participated in person for the first time, as well as a meeting of NATO defense ministers and a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. 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 Belgium will provide Ukraine with several F-16 fighter jets, with the first ones expected to arrive in 2025, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder told RTL info on Oct. 11. The minister did not specify the number of the planes Belgium intends to send but said that the transfer will depend on "the build-up of our new F-35 capabilities." Ukrainian pilots will receive training in Belgium, Denmark, and several other EU countries, Dedonder said. Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed the provision of F-16s and the training of pilots with Dedonder in a phone call on Oct. 10. On Sept. 15, Dedonder announced Belgium's participation in the international coalition assembled to train Ukrainian personnel on F-16 fighter jets. Shortly after, on Sept. 21, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the nation was considering providing F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, despite earlier reports that the jets in Belgium's arsenal were too old for combat. Kyiv has placed high hopes on the fighter jets, which could shift the balance in the war by lending the Ukrainian military air superiority in the occupied territories. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A teenager charged with murder in the shooting death of a man on Saturday in downtown Belleville was ordered Wednesday to remain in jail pending trial, although his public defender said the teen fired in self-defense. Omarion D. Williams, 19, of East St. Louis, was charged with first-degree murder after police found 27-year-old Aaron Metts at the scene at North First and West B streets. Metts, whose last known address was Belleville, died of multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. Williams was arrested at a nearby home within a few hours of the shooting, which occurred about noon, police said. In a detention hearing for Williams on Wednesday, Associate Judge Sara L. Rice ruled that Williams is considered a real and present danger to the community, and she ordered that Williams remain in the St. Clair County Jail. Illinois ended its cash bail system on Sept. 18. Since then, Illinois judges have been conducting detention hearings to determine whether someone charged with serious offenses should remain in jail before their trial. Williams, who had been employed at a fast-food restaurant, quietly watched as Rice made her ruling. St. Clair County Public Defender Cathy MacElroy, who represented Williams in the hearing, asked Rice to allow Williams to leave the county jail. MacElroy said Metts had attacked Williams and that she would present a self-defense case at trial. The reason for the attack was unclear, she said. St. Clair County Assistant States Attorney Jeff Reel argued that Williams should remain in jail. He told Rice that the bullet wounds suffered by Metts were not consistent with what Williams told investigators. Reel said there had been an altercation before the shooting but he didnt give other details about this incident. The shooting occurred a couple of blocks from the annual Belleville Chili Cook-off happening on the Public Square, but police said the shooting had nothing to do with the festival and did not pose a threat to anyone attending it. A Johnson County Votes "Vote Here" sign is seen on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Editor's Note: A previous version of this story misstated Laura Bergus' filing history in this election. She only filed for candidacy in District A, not as an At-Large candidate. She currently holds an At-Large seat. Laura Bergus and Pauline Taylor have each secured a spot on Nov. 7's general election ballot after prevailing in Tuesday's Iowa City City Council District A primary. Bergus led the way with 58.1% of the votes, while Taylor garnered 25%. Tim Borchardt, who pledged to help lower city spending, cost of living and crime if elected, received just 16.5% of the vote. Bergus garnered 372 votes, while Taylor picked up 159. Borchardt nabbed 105 votes. Only residents of District A were eligible to vote in Tuesday's primary and could only select one of the three candidates or submit a write-in. Turnout was largest in Iowa City's 2nd precinct, while 649 total voters of the 9,860 registered in District A turned out at the polls, about 6.58%. "Thanks to all who voted for me," Borchardt wrote Tuesday after being eliminated. "Congratulations to the winners. I knew it would be an uphill fight." Why was there a primary election? Primary elections are required when three or more candidates file in a particular district. Tuesday's election was the first single-district primary in a regular election cycle since 1985, the county auditors office announced in a release. A primary was held during a special election in 1993. A primary election is also required if five or more candidates run for the pair of at-large seats. More: Iowa City to hold primary election on Oct. 10 for District A council seat Tuesdays results set up battle between two current councilmembers Bergus and Taylor, both current Iowa City City Councilmembers, will now battle for the single District A seat. Taylor, the incumbent, has held the District A seat since 2016. The 71-year-old has spent nearly 50 years as a full-time Iowa City resident. She said there is a lot of work still to be done for the council, and she wants to be a part of it. That includes addressing affordable housing and mental health among a myriad of issues, Taylor told the Press-Citizen. "I stand by my voting record over the seven-and-a-half, eight years on the council," Taylor said. "I'm somewhat confident that when the entire city gets to vote in the November election, I will win my District A seat." Bergus has been on the council since 2020 in an At-Large seat. The local attorney has spent her entire life in Iowa City and said her top priority for the next four years would be to increase collaboration, a step that would have the council following through on its strategic plan, addressing climate change, cost of living and more. "Im grateful for the resounding support in District A," Bergus wrote in a statement to the Press-Citizen on Tuesday. "Ill keep working hard to earn the whole communitys support for the November 7 election. I hope voters will watch our meetings and forums and make informed decisions at the polls." More: What to know about registering to vote, absentee ballots and more in Johnson County's 2023 elections All registered Iowa City voters can participate in the District A race. The Nov. 7 ballot will also feature several other races, including a battle of three candidates for two At-Large seats Mazahir Salih, Josh Moe and Mandi Remington in addition to the District C race. Current councilor Andrew Dunn is running unopposed for the District C seat vacated by the retirement of John Thomas. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Bergus, Taylor earn primary election wins, advance to general election Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) blasted the Israeli government in a lengthy statement on Wednesday after the country cut off food, water, electricity, and other supplies to Gaza in the wake of Hamas deadly attack on Israel. The move is a serious violation of international law and will do nothing but harm innocent civilians, Sanders said in his statement. The targeting of civilians is a war crime, no matter who does it. Sanders said the United States has rightly given support to Israel in the wake of Hamas attack but must insist its forces exercise restraint in Gaza. Let us not forget that half of the 2 million people in Gaza are children, Sanders said. Children and innocent people do not deserve to be punished for the acts of Hamas. Read it at X Read more at The Daily Beast. The 15th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Mongolia (NUM) was held in Ulan Bator Monday. At the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan hoped that the Confucius Institute will continue to cultivate more Chinese talents and successors for the China-Mongolia friendship, and deepen the people-to-people ties between the two countries. There is a growing interest among the Mongolians in learning the Chinese language and understanding its culture, Shen said, adding that many young Mongolians have expanded their access to education and employment, and realized their dreams after learning Chinese. The Chinese ambassador praised the outstanding achievements of the Confucius Institute in Chinese teaching and Chinese culture promotion, noting that it was commended by the education departments of China and Mongolia. Vice President of Shandong University Lu Yanhua, deans of the Confucius Institute and nearly 100 representatives from the Chinese and Mongolian education sectors also attended the ceremony. The Confucius Institute at the NUM was established under an agreement between the NUM and China's Shandong University in 2007. Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling for restraint in the wake of Hamas's attack on Israel. He says the Jewish state is violating international law by imposing a punishing blockade on Gaza. Sanders, a two-time presidential candidate, is one of the most prominent Jewish politicians in the US. In one of the most strident criticisms of Israel yet by a prominent American politician, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is accusing Israel of violating international law. "For many, it is no secret that Gaza has been an open-air prison, with millions of people struggling to secure basic necessities," Sanders said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Following Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel over the weekend, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a "complete siege" of Gaza, the densely-populated territory where Gaza rules. Gallant said that would include "no electricity, no food, no fuel" for the territory's roughly 2 million residents. "The targeting of civilians is a war crime, no matter who does it," said Sanders. "Israel's blanket denial of food, water, and other necessities to Gaza is a serious violation of international law and will do nothing but harm innocent civilians." Targeting civilians, even during a time of war, violates Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Sanders also reiterated his prior condemnation of the Hamas attack, calling it a "major setback for any hope of peace and reconciliation in the region and justice for the Palestinian people." "The gunning down of young Israelis at a music festival is an image the world will not soon forget," said Sanders. While President Joe Biden and lawmakers on Capitol Hill have pledged their unwavering support for Israel in the wake of the attack, Sanders argued that the US must also "insist on restraint from Israeli forces attacking Gaza." Sanders is among the most prominent Jewish politicians in America, and during his presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020, he was notably far more critical of Israel than most Democrats. He has also previously called for placing conditions upon American aid to Israel, an idea that's radioactive in Washington. His comments are largely in line with those of progressive "Squad" members in the House, who have called for a cease-fire in the wake of the Hamas attack. Some of those lawmakers have also used the word "apartheid" to describe Israeli's occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, a term that's used by numerous international human rights groups but is largely eschewed by American politicians. As the conflict unfolds, ongoing Democratic divisions over the US relationship with Israel are likely to come to the fore. Read the original article on Business Insider On the coattails of some Kentucky Republicans declaring their intention to file another school choice bill in the upcoming regular session, Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday reiterated his opposition to it. Im opposed to any school choice amendment and any voucher program anything that would take dollars from our public schools and send them to unaccountable private schools, the Democrat said in a meeting with the Herald-Leader editorial board. This puts the governor at odds with a faction of Republicans, who have signaled that passing such a bill will be a priority in the 2024 session. School choice programs historically allow the diversion of public money from the public school system to private schools, including religiously affiliated ones. Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, in his campaign for governor, has been less recently declarative than the rest of his party in supporting school choice measures. In his capacity as AG, he unsuccessfully defended a law in court that wouldve set up a tax credit state scholarship fund allowing kids to attend schools other than their local public schools. Cameron has largely avoided the topic in his run for office, stating that in general he supports expanding opportunities and choices in the state without getting into specifics and without mentioning school choice in his recently unveiled education plan. However, he has in the past signaled support for a voucher program, or education opportunity account. Last year, the Kentucky Supreme Court unanimously ruled a 2021 school voucher law was unconstitutional. The GOP-backed Education Opportunity Account Act created a privately funded, needs-based assistance program to cover educational expenses for families. It also established a pilot program to offer tuition assistance for students to attend non-public schools in counties with more than 90,000 people. Former high court Justice Lisabeth Hughes, who wrote the majority opinion in that case, affirming a Franklin Circuit judges ruling, said the law violated the Kentucky constitution, which limits the raising or collecting of money for education other than in common schools. In other words, the state constitution expressly forbids the allocation of public funds for non-public K-12 school costs. Amending the state constitution requires voter input. So, in the 2023 regular session, Rep. Josh Calloway, R-Irvington, filed a bill to put a constitutional amendment to voters House Bill 174 but it died in committee. On Saturday, at a Kentucky Family Foundation policy forum, Calloway announced his plans to file another bill in the upcoming session to potentially go before voters next November. Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, said she would support it. Speaking on the same panel Saturday, Calloway and Tichenor painted the need for a school choice option as a way for parents to reclaim authority over their children, who are being indoctrinated by radical leftist public school educators intent on pushing a pro-LGBTQ agenda. They are after our kids. Theyre after their minds because the mind is the gateway to the heart, Calloway told a crowd of a few hundred on Saturday in Lexington. They want to control them at a young age (and) develop that world view. Calloway said the public education system needed to be cleaned up. And one of the single greatest things we can do to clean up that system is to give parents choice and give them the opportunity to choose where they send their child to be educated. Both lawmakers were vocal in their support of Senate Bill 150 earlier this year a broad policy that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth and restricts public school curriculum on gender and sexuality . It also requires schools to inform parents if a student uses pronouns that do not conform to a childs biological sex. Proponents of the bill argued such a law was necessary to restore parental rights in a larger fight to shield school-age kids from leftist indoctrination. Tichenor, who sat on a panel alongside Calloway at Saturdays forum called Its About Our Kids: the LGBTQ Revolution and Educational Freedom, said the issues plaguing Kentuckys public education system is the attempt at controlling childrens minds. Its the idea that they have control of our kids, that they have some power over the direction of their lives as opposed to the parents having control of their own childrens lives, Tichenor said. Passing a constitutional amendment to ensure school choice will be fought hard, she said, but its necessary because it will bring the public school system and education in general into a free market. Taking away funds from the public education system isnt the answer, Beshear said. And he predicted the majority of voters would not support such a proposal. I would absolutely vote against a voucher or school choice program, and if it comes to a vote, I would work hard on mobilizing voters to do the same, the governor said. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, a former public school educator, is in lock-step with Beshear. If you think charter schools wont affect your district, youre not paying attention. We need to be loyal to our people, and that means investing in our public schools, which are underfunded, she said in 2022. More recently on the campaign trail, Coleman likened Camerons education priorities, including his historic support of school choice, to taking a page out of former Republican Gov. Matt Bevins old playbook. We're into day two of Amazon's latest storewide sale for Amazon Prime members, Prime Big Deal Days, and there are still plenty of hefty discounts on headphones, earbuds and gaming headsets we recommend. Weve sorted through the best headphone deals of the October Prime Day event below, which include new lows on the AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, Beats Studio Pro, Amazon Echo Buds and more. Just note that some, but not all, of the offers are only accessible if you subscribe to Prime. Sony Prime Day headphone deals Sony WH-1000XM4 Sony WH-1000XM4 $248 $348 Save $100 See at Amazon The Sony WH-1000XM4 is back down to $248, which is $20 more than its all-time low but roughly $80 below its average street price. This is Sonys last-gen pair of wireless noise-cancelers, but it still delivers powerful ANC, 30-ish hours of battery life and a similarly rich feature set as the newer WH-1000XM5 (which isn't on sale as of this writing). Unlike its successor, it can also fold up for easier storage. It doesnt have the XM5s adaptive ANC system, however, and its mic quality isnt as clear. Its slightly heavier too, plus it sounds a bit boomier out of the box. But for less than $250, it remains a great value. We gave the XM4 a review score of 94 back in 2020. Sony WF-1000XM5 Sony WF-1000XM5 $278 $298 Save $20 See at Amazon The in-ear Sony WF-1000XM5, meanwhile, are on sale for $278. Thats only $20 off, but it marks the first discount weve seen for the top pick in our wireless earbuds buying guide. We gave this true wireless pair a score of 87 earlier this year: Like Sonys over-ear models, it comes with a range of useful features, powerful noise cancellation and a warm yet detailed default sound. The design here is also much more agreeable than previous Sony earphones. Sony LinkBuds S Sony LinkBuds S $128 $200 Save $72 See at Amazon The Sony LinkBuds S are on sale for $128, which is a price weve seen in the past but still takes about $30 off the pairs average street price. We highlight the LinkBuds S as an honorable mention in our wireless earbuds guide, as we like its compact design, decent noise cancellation, handy bonus features and warm sound. It cant match the ANC strength or battery life of the WF-1000XM5, but it also costs a fair bit less, which helps. Apple Prime Day headphone deals AirPods Pro Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) $189 $249 Save $60 See at Amazon The USB-C version of Apples AirPods Pro is down to $189, which is $60 off Apples list price and a new low. The Lightning version is available for the same price. This is the best for iOS pick in our buying guide. Both models still deliver strong ANC, a superb transparency mode and a pleasingly warm sound. They also come with a variety of Apple-specific features, including hands-free Siri access, Find My tracking and fast pairing with other Apple devices. A recent update added an Adaptive Audio mode that dynamically blends its ANC and transparency modes based on your surroundings, while the new USB-C model comes with improved dust resistance alongside the new charging port. That said, you really need to be committed to the Apple ecosystem to get the most out of this, and the six-hour battery life is just OK. We gave the AirPods Pro a score of 88 last year. Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) $89 $129 Save $40 See at Amazon Apples second-gen AirPods, meanwhile, are back down to $89. Thats $10 off their usual street price. We cant broadly recommend the base AirPods to most people these days, as their one-size-fits-all design wont work for everyone and there are better-sounding options for the money. However, if youre all-in on Apple devices and just want the usual AirPods perks in an unsealed design, this deal makes the pair a little more palatable. Beats Prime Day headphone deals Beats Studio Pro Beats Studio Pro $180 $350 Save $170 See at Amazon The Beats Studio Pro is on sale for $180, which is a new low and a sizable $170 discount. We gave these wireless over-ears a review score of 81 in July: We cant recommend them over the top picks in our guide, but they offer a pleasant, even-handed sound, helpful ANC and the ability to stream higher-quality audio over a USB-C connection. Like most Beats headphones, they also play nice with Android. That said, multi-device pairing doesnt work with iOS, theres no wear detection and the mostly plastic design isnt super premium. But at this price, the Studio Pro could make sense if you really dig the Beats aesthetic. Beats Fit Pro Beats Fit Pro $160 $200 Save $40 See at Amazon The Beats Fit Pro is down to $160, which is a price weve seen multiple times in recent months but still takes $40 off the pairs MSRP. The Fit Pro is the best for workouts pick in our wireless earbuds guide, as it offers most of the Apple-friendly perks youd get from a set of AirPods Beats is a subsidiary of Apple in a sportier, more stable design. Its punchy yet refined sound is a plus, and it uses physical control buttons instead of touch panels. However, it lacks multi-device pairing and wireless charging, and its ANC is a step down from the AirPods Pro. We gave the Fit Pro a review score of 87 in 2021. Anker Prime Day headphone deals Soundcore Space A40 Anker Soundcore Space A40 $54 $100 Save $46 See at Amazon The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is on sale for $54, which matches its all-time low and comes in $25 less than usual. The Space A40 is the top pick in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, as it includes a host of features that belie its price: adaptive ANC, multi-device pairing, wireless charging, a transparency mode and up to 10 hours of battery life. Its audio quality and ANC arent quite as powerful as more expensive pairs, but both are more than effective enough for the money. Unlike many budget wireless headphones, its default sound doesnt completely blow out the bass. Just note that its call quality is mediocre, and it lacks wear detection, so it wont auto-pause when you remove an earbud. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC $80 $100 Save $20 See at Amazon The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC carry most of the same benefits as the Space A40 but use a stem design reminiscent of Apples AirPods. They put a little more emphasis on the bass by default, but you can change that sound profile up with a few EQ tools in Ankers app. They also support wear detection. If you prefer this sort of form factor, the Liberty 4 NC is down to $80, which is a $20 discount and matches its lowest price to date. Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Anker Soundcore Space Q45 $100 $149 Save $49 See at Amazon The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is on sale for $100, which is a $50 discount and an all-time low. While not as nice as most of the pricier models in this roundup, the Space Q45 is a fine value if you cant spend more than $100. Its adaptive ANC is better-than-average and can be set to a manual mode if needed, it supports multi-device pairing and its design is comfortable to wear for hours at a time. Sound quality is where the price is most evident, as its a little too uneven in the treble, but its bass-heavy profile should work for fans of hip-hop and EDM. You can tweak the sound somewhat through the EQ tools in Ankers Soundcore app. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Anker Soundcore Life Q30 $56 $80 Save $24 See at Amazon If you want a decent set of noise-canceling over-ears for as little as possible, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is also worth considering. Its now down to $56, which is $24 less than usual. This pair isnt built as well as the Space Q45, nor does it sound as nice out of the box, as it massively inflates the bass and degrades when ANC is active. Call quality is worse too. That said, its comfortable, its battery can last more than 40 hours and the ANC itself is excellent for less than $60. You still get multi-device pairing and a customizable EQ as well. Bose Prime Day headphone deals Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II $199 $279 Save $80 See at Amazon The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are available for $199, which is an all-time low and roughly $75 off their average street price. This pair has technically been replaced by Boses new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which add a new spatial audio mode. That model isnt discounted as of this writing, however, and the two pairs are largely similar otherwise. The QC IIs chief selling point is its ANC performance, which is still among the most powerful on the market. If thats your chief concern, saving $99 to buy the older pair may still make sense. Just note that it lacks multi-device pairing and wireless charging, and that its earpieces are on the bulky side. We gave the QC IIs a review score of 87 last year. Bose QuietComfort 45 Bose QuietComfort 45 $229 $329 Save $100 See at Amazon Along those lines, the Bose QuietComfort 45 are down to $229. Thats $30 more than the lowest price weve tracked for these over-ears but still $80 below their average street price as of late. This is another noise-canceling set that Bose recently replaced, but the differences between the QC 45 and the new QuietComfort Headphones appear to be small, so the older model is worth a look when its discounted like this. We gave the QC 45 a review score of 86 in 2021, and we still like its lightweight design, upper-tier ANC and easygoing sound. You cant manually adjust the intensity of the ANC, unlike the newer model, and Sonys XM5 and XM4 provide longer battery life and a more versatile feature set for those willing to pay up. But if thats not you, the QC 45 is a fine alternative at this price. Sennheiser Prime Day headphone deals Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 $142 $280 Save $138 See at Amazon The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 is available for $142, which is a new low. This pair has normally retailed around $180 in recent months. This is the runner-up pick in our wireless earbuds guide, as Engadgets resident audio expert Billy Steele considers it the best-sounding true wireless pair hes tested. That warm yet customizable sound is joined by a solid adaptive ANC system, though Sennheisers pair isnt as effective as the Sony WF-1000XM5 in that regard, nor does it have the same deep feature set. Sennheiser HD560S Sennheiser HD 560S $150 $220 Save $70 See at Amazon Were mostly sticking to wireless headphones here since thats just the way the market has moved, but if you want a quality wired model, the Sennheiser HD 560S is worth a look at $150. While not an all-time low, thats about $35 below the pairs typical street price. We recommend the HD 560S in our guide to the best gaming headphones. Its open-back design lets in and leaks a ton of noise, but it sounds spacious, detailed and well-balanced, which makes it a treat for critical listening. Its comfortable to wear for extended periods as well. Just dont expect much in the way of deep sub-bass response. Other Prime Day wireless headphone deals Amazon Echo Buds (2023) Amazon Echo Buds (2023) $35 $50 Save $15 See at Amazon Prime members can get the latest Amazon Echo Buds for $35, which is $15 off and an all-time low. This is another pick in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds. Specifically, the Echo Buds should appeal to those who prefer a more open design, one that lets in outside noise but doesnt insert directly into your ear canal. They can sound solid for the price with a bit of EQ tweaking, and they support features we dont often see for less than $50, such as wear detection and multipoint connectivity. They also have Alexa baked in, natch. Their IPX2 sweat-resistance rating isnt enough for workouts, and their five-ish hours of battery life is just average, but theyre worth a look if youre on a tight budget and hate the feel of traditional in-ear headphones. We gave them a score of 77 earlier this year. Shokz OpenRun Pro Shokz OpenRun Pro $125 $180 Save $55 See at Amazon The Shokz OpenRun Pro is down to $125 for Prime Big Deal Days, which is $25 more than the lowest price weve tracked but still $55 below its usual going rate. This is a recommended pair of bone conduction headphones, which means it hugs the side of your head and delivers sound by passing vibrations through your skull. (Its not as uncomfortable as it sounds.) The main benefit is that this leaves your ear canals completely open, so you can enjoy a playlist or podcast without being shut out from the outside world. The downside, usually, is that you dont get as full a sound as you would with a traditional pair. Thatll still be the case here, but weve found the OpenRun Pro to deliver more low-end depth than most of its peers. Theyre fairly comfy and get up to 10 hours of battery life beyond that. Google Pixel Buds Pro Google Pixel Buds Pro $120 $200 Save $80 See at Amazon The Google Pixel Buds Pro are on sale for $120, which is a new low and $80 off Googles list price. This is the best for Android recommendation in our wireless earbuds guide, and it earned a review score of 87 last year. Its ANC and V-shaped sound profile arent as superlative as our top picks, but theyre fine, and the whole package integrates tightly with Googles line of Pixel phones. An upcoming firmware update promises improved call quality one of our reviews chief complaints and the ability to automatically pause music when youre speaking, similar to what pairs from Sony and Apple offer. Those with smaller ear canals may find the fit to be tricky, though we had few issues with comfort in testing. JLab Go Air Pop JLab Go Air Pop $16 $25 Save $8 See at Amazon The JLab Go Air Pop is down to $16.44 for Prime Big Deal Days, which is about $6 less than usual. We highlight this set in our budget wireless earbuds guide, as it gets you a compact shape, IPX4-rated water resistance, eight or so hours of battery life and a full set of functional touch controls for dirt cheap. Its boomy sound isnt exactly great, but its serviceable, which is a victory when were talking about $16 wireless earbuds. Plus, while it lacks a companion app, JLab bakes three EQ presets into the earbuds themselves. Prime Day gaming headset deals HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 $35 $50 Save $15 See at Amazon The top budget pick in our gaming headphones buying guide, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2, is on sale for $35. Thats just a modest $5 discount but matches the lowest price weve seen. The Cloud Stinger 2 doesnt have the most balanced or detailed sound, but its V-shaped signature gives action scenes a nice level of impact, and its mic quality belies the dirt-cheap price. The design is comfortable too, though its made from cheap-feeling plastic. HyperX Cloud Alpha HyperX Cloud Alpha $60 $100 Save $40 See at Amazon If youre willing to pay a little more, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is another decent value at $60, which is $15 or so lower than its typical street price. We note this as an honorable mention in our guide: Its been around for a few years now, but its comfortable, and its detachable mic is solid. Its better built than the Cloud Stinger 2 as well. At this price, they dont sound bad either, though an underemphasized treble means they arent especially detailed. Logitech G535 Logitech G535 $80 $130 Save $50 See at Amazon If youre looking for a wireless headset, the Logitech G535 is back down to $80, which is about $25 below its average street price. This is an honorable mention in our gaming headsets guide, as we like its lightweight design, Bluetooth support and agreeable, relatively well-balanced sound. It forces you to crank the volume to reach a listenable level though, and its mic makes voices sound a little too thin. It also doesn't work with Xbox consoles. But if you really want a wireless gaming headset for less than $100, its well worth a look. Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblogs experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you. Fairfax County police want residents to be aware of a robbery scheme called "bank jugging." According to investigators, suspects scope out people walking to ATMs, banks, and other financial institutions. They observe them withdrawing a significant amount of cash. The suspects then follow the victim as they drive away and park their cars at another location, leaving the money in the vehicle. The thieves then break the window of the car and steal the money. According to Sgt. Jonathan Epperson, the most recent bank jugging case happened back on Friday, Sept. 15 around 3:13 p.m. A victim withdrew $9,500 from Wells Fargo on Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield, Virginia. When the victim got back into his car and started driving off, he noticed his tire was flat due to it being slashed. The victim was approached by a Hispanic man in his mid to late 30s, wearing a black t-shirt and carrying a backpack. The suspect advised that he had an aerosol tire inflator kit in his backpack. As the victim was fixing the tire, the suspect stated that he needed another kit and left. The victim checked his car and realized the money, which was in the center console, was gone. "Its definitely alarming. And thats why were putting this message out to all our community members, that way they can be aware of whats going on and know that Fairfax County Police Department, were aware as well and were just offering tips to make sure everyone is being safe," Epperson said. Below is a year-to-date chart of suspected jugging scams being handled by our Criminal Investigation Division. To protect oneself from becoming a victim of a bank jugging, the FCPD encourages community members to take precautions such as: Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to anyone who may be observing your activities outside a bank or financial institution. Conceal cash and bank-related items: Store cash in a discreet manner, such as in a purse or wallet, and avoid displaying bank bags or envelopes that may draw attention. Do not leave cash unattended in your vehicle. If you do, consider locking it in the glove box. Vary your routine: Criminals often look for patterns, so it is advisable to change your habits regarding banking and cash withdrawals. Secure your vehicle: Ensure that your vehicle is locked, windows are closed, and valuables are not visible, reducing the likelihood of becoming a target. Report suspicious activity: If you notice someone acting suspiciously or believe you are being followed, report it to the police as soon as possible. It is important to remember that jugging robberies can occur in different locations and circumstances, so remaining vigilant and taking appropriate safety measures is essential to minimize the risk of becoming a victim. Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about this incident to call the Franconia Police Station at 703-922-0889 and ask to speak with a detective. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web Click HERE . Download the P3 Tips App and follow the steps to "Fairfax Co Crime Solvers". Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you. Below is a year-to-date chart of suspected jugging scams being handled by our Criminal Investigation Division. The notorious 'Bible John' is thought to have been responsible for the murders of three Glasgow women - Handout Police have launched an investigation into a podcasts claims that corrupt officers may have helped to protect the notorious Bible John serial killer. Police Scotland confirmed that it was assessing the contents of the BBC true crime series, which re-examined the murders of three Glasgow women in the late 1960s. The deaths are among Scotlands most infamous unsolved cases. The podcast, Bible John: Creation of the Serial Killer, was created by Audrey Gillan, the former Telegraph journalist. It alleged that the identity of John McInnes, a possible suspect in the killing of one of the women, was covered up because he was the cousin of Jimmy McInnes, a detective who was friends with Joe Beattie, the officer in charge of the investigation. Evidence had suggested that McInnes may have been the man who shared a taxi with one victim, Helen Puttock, and quoted religious verse during the journey. Helen Puttock, who was 29 when she was killed in October 1969, may have shared a taxi with the man at the centre of fresh investigations - mirrorpix However, his name was kept out of case files and he was not put in an ID parade in which Puttocks sister, Jean Langford, who had also been in the taxi, was asked to identify the man. Puttock, who was 29 when she was killed in October 1969, was one of three women to be murdered following nights out at Glasgows Barrowland Ballroom. Patricia Docker, who was 25, had been killed in February 1968 and Jemima MacDonald, who was 31, was murdered in August 1969. The podcast came out late last year and included interviews with senior detectives who carried out a cold case review into the murders in 1995. They said that they believed that McInnes, who took his own life in 1980, had been the man in the taxi and that he would have been arrested had he been alive today. This embedded content is not available in your region. A spokesman for Police Scotland said: We are assessing the contents of a recent podcast in consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The murders of Helen Puttock, Jemima MacDonald and Patricia Docker remain unresolved, however, as with all unresolved cases, they are subject to review and any new information about their deaths will be investigated. The families of the serial killers victims said that they had recently been told that information from the podcast series had triggered new lines of inquiry. The investigation is believed to have been called Operation Banyan and involves officers from Police Scotlands major crimes unit. The two police officers alleged to have helped to protect McInnes are also now dead. Patricia Docker, who was 25, was killed in February 1968 - PA Archive Elaine Paterson, whose mother, Margaret, was Puttocks cousin, said that the award-winning podcasts revelations had opened a can of worms for the family and welcomed the new investigation. She told the Daily Record: Our families lost a loved one and it had a ripple effect on the rest of the family. Helens mother never recovered from the death of her daughter. She moved out of Glasgow and never set foot in the city again, not even for a day. I wish this investigation had happened sooner. A lot of people from then have passed away and a lot are very elderly and their memories are going. Jemima MacDonald, who was 31, was murdered in August 1969 - PA Archive The 1995 review had found that McInnes and two colleagues had been identified because a ticket, or business card, from the furniture store where they worked had been found at the scene. While the two other workers were part of an identity parade, McInnes was taken to another police station and never shown to the witness. Ms Gillan, who has also worked for The Guardian, said that she was pleased that a new police investigation had been launched on the back of her work. She said: Making this podcast was about trying to tell the stories of Pat, Jemima and Helen as best as I could and in a way that I had failed to do in the past. Along the way, our 15-month-long investigation uncovered serious allegations and shed new light on a story that has haunted Scotland for more than five decades. 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. State Department officials warned as early as 2021 that sending U.S. aid to areas controlled by Palestinian groups could serve to benefit Iran-supported terrorist groups such as Hamas. A March 2021 internal State Department document that was obtained by the Washington Free Beacon earlier this year and verified by Fox News Digital shows officials privately communicating their concerns that a Biden administration plan to unfreeze over $360 million in U.S. funds for the Palestinian Authority could risk benefiting terror groups, a trade-off the officials argued was necessary for national security. "We assess there is a high risk Hamas could potentially derive indirect, unintentional benefit from U.S. assistance to Gaza. There is less but still some risk U.S. assistance would benefit other designated groups," the State Department wrote in the document. "Notwithstanding this risk, State believes it is in our national security interest to provide assistance in the West Bank and Gaza to support the foreign policy objectives." AT LEAST 40 BABIES, SOME BEHEADED, FOUND BY ISRAEL SOLDIERS IN HAMAS-ATTACKED VILLAGE The document, a draft sanctions exemption request that was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, asks the Treasury Department to exempt the administration from laws designed to prevent the U.S. government from sending money to territories controlled by Palestinian terror groups. The $360 million in funds were frozen under the administration of former President Donald Trump, which cut the Palestinian Authority off from access to the money as a result of its support for terrorist organizations. The State Department document argued that it needed broad authorities for work in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, noting that the exemption was needed because using the funds "would otherwise be prohibited by the Global Terrorist Sanctions Regulations and the Foreign Terrorist Organization Sanctions Regulations." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Such authorization would enable activities, including assistance activities, that are critical to support the administration's efforts to advance prosperity, security, and freedom for both Israelis and Palestinians and to advance and preserve the prospects of a negotiated solution in which Israel lives in peace and security alongside a viable Palestinian state," the document states. It is unclear if the warning made it into the final draft request. The State Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News request for comment. Israeli forces establish heavily armed control points along the border as Israel tightens measures by the army, police and other security forces after Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in Sderot, Israel, over the weekend. LIVE UPDATES: ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS AFTER SURPRISE ATTACKS, AROUND 900 ISRAELIS DEAD The document was circulating just a month before many Republican lawmakers were sounding the alarm about the possibility that U.S. aid could indirectly bolster terrorist groups, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, sending a letter to the administration in April 2021 calling for an end to any Palestinian aid. But the administration decided to move forward with plans to restart Palestinian aid just months later, something Cruz argued was an obvious mistake. "Everyone knew that sending money and resources into the Gaza Strip would benefit Hamas," Cruz told Fox News Digital this week. "I knew it, Congress knew it, and internal documents have confirmed that top Biden administration officials knew it. Inexplicably, the Biden administration still decided it was a vital American national security interest to send money in Hamas' direction. "Meanwhile, President Biden allowed tens of billions of dollars to flow to Iran, which finances, arms and directs Hamas. The catastrophe now unfolding is the direct and predictable result of explicit choices made by President Biden and Biden officials." Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition annual leadership meeting in Las Vegas on Nov. 5, 2021. Republicans have also continued to pushback against the administration's move to fund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an organization that supports Palestinian refugees but has long been criticized for being anti-Israel, promoting antisemitism and financing terror groups. REPUBLICANS PUSH BACK AGAINST BIDEN MOVES TO FUND CONTROVERSIAL UN PALESTINIAN REFUGEE AGENCY Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice President for Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital the decision to fund UNRWA has also "indirectly benefited Hamas." "We can say for certain it indirectly benefits the Hamas government in Gaza," Schanzer said. "UNRWA provides services that the government should be providing this has alleviated some of the Hamas government's burden in the Gaza Strip." Schanzer also argued that the organization "should not be operating," noting that there is no longer a Palestinian refugee crisis. Palestinian members of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, take part in a gathering in Gaza City on Jan. 31, 2016, to pay tribute to their fellow militants who died after a tunnel collapsed in the Gaza Strip. "There are perhaps 10,000-20,000 original Palestinian refugees from the 1948 war, and perhaps one could make the argument that they should be recipients of aid from UNRWA, but the rest of the Palestianian population that receives assistance from UNRWA are the descendants of the original refugees," Schanzer said. "By providing them with support, by providing them with some kind of social safety net, this defrays the cost of government operations for the Hamas regime in Gaza." The White House did not immediately respond to a Fox News request for comment. Original article source: Biden admin warned about potential dangers of restarting aid to Palestinians Biden administration officials are taking to the airwaves to defend a transfer of frozen assets to Iran, as the administrations critics seek to draw a connection between an unprecedented surprise attack against Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the terms of a prisoner swap with Iran announced last month. Since Hamas fighters launched their assault against Israel on Saturday, senior Biden administration officials have tried to throw water on reports that Iran was directly tied to the attacks and rebut allegations that the Biden administration enabled them by unfreezing $6 billion dollars worth of frozen Iranian assets as part of an agreement to release six American citizens from Iranian custody. The Biden administration defended the unfreezing of the assets, saying that the money was Tehrans to begin with, the profits of oil sales to South Korea that experienced currency conversion challenges during a period under the Trump administration when sanctions against Tehran were relaxed. They have also maintained that the U.S. is closely monitoring spending in the account where the money is being held, and that Iran could use that money only for humanitarian purposes, such as purchasing food and medicine for its people. Detractors, mainly Republicans, had argued that the money is fungible, and that while those specific funds will not be spent on supporting terrorism around the world, the unfrozen assets allow Iran to spend more money on Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels and other Tehran-friendly proxies. They also pointed to remarks by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who told NBCs Lester Holt in September that the money belongs to the Iranian people, the Iranian government, so the Islamic Republic of Iran will decide what to do with this money. Those criticisms gained new traction in the wake of the Hamas militants attacks, given Irans historical support for the group, which has been designated a terrorist group by the United States and other governments. Officials first responded on social media and then on television shows. These funds have absolutely nothing to do with the horrific attacks today and this is not the time to spread disinformation, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday. Administration officials have mostly been consistent in their responses, but here are some of the notable points administration officials have used to clear the air. Secretary of State Antony Blinken : No time for playing politics Blinken hit the Sunday shows this past weekend to discuss the administrations response to the conflict, and he was pressed on the unfrozen assets. In an interview with CNNs State of the Union, Blinken called Republican criticism deeply unfortunate and chastised critics for playing politics when so many lives have been lost and Israel remains under attack. The nations top diplomat went on to say that not a single dollar has been spent from that account, and he maintained that the account is closely regulated and monitored by officials at the Treasury Department. Blinken, who has spoken with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and other world leaders since the war began, will travel to Israel and Jordan this week in order to show solidarity and support with the Israeli government. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller: The Trump administration allowed this money to be paid to Iran. Miller, the chief spokesperson for the State Department, has repeatedly fielded questions from reporters about the frozen assets since the deal was announced in August. Speaking to CNN This Morning on Monday, Miller emphasized that the assets existed because the previous administration, the Trump administration, allowed this money to be paid to Iran, and he maintained that the money could be used only for humanitarian purposes. Miller also noted that Iran has long supported groups the United States and its allies have designated as terrorists, and that we expect that they will continue to do so. He went on to say that the administration will continue to hold them accountable. National Security Council coordinator John Kirby: It would be allocated in very small chunks Kirby, one of the main public surrogates for the Biden administrations foreign policy objectives, stuck to talking points in an appearance on Fox News on Tuesday, maintaining that not a single dinar of the unfrozen assets has gone into Iran. But in the interview, Kirby also noted that the accounts mechanisms would prevent Iran from gaining access to the funds all at once. Its not like the Iranians were ever going to be able to get all $6 billion, or even a billion at a time, Kirby said. The idea would be, it would be allocated in very small chunks. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan: Not a dollar of that money has been spent Sullivan joined White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in the briefing room on Tuesday in order to answer questions from reporters about the administrations response to the conflict. In one exchange with a reporter, who pressed Sullivan on whether the Biden administration would free the assets again in light of the attacks against Israel and Irans complicity in the attacks, Sullivan said that we have not yet had a dollar of that 6 billion spent, and described that as unequivocal. One of President Joe Biden s most trusted foreign policy hands, Sullivan is expected to play a key role in shaping the administrations approach to the conflict going forward. Former Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides: Poking Israel constantly has been Hamas game plan from the beginning Nides, who served as Washingtons ambassador to Israel until July of this year, rejected the idea that unfreezing the assets was a mistake. In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Monday, Nides joined the chorus, saying the money had not yet been spent. But Nides added that the idea of provoking Israel and poking Israel constantly has been Hamas game plan from the beginning, and said that the militant group was seeking to create chaos. President Biden on Wednesday will drop by a roundtable discussion at the White House involving Jewish leaders amid the fallout of terrorist attacks against Israel over the weekend. Biden will deliver remarks before the roundtable, which will also be attended by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden and senior adviser on public engagement Steve Benjamin. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish and has led the administrations public efforts to fight antisemitism, will also attend and deliver remarks. This roundtable discussion will focus on the Biden-Harris Administrations support for Israel following the Hamas terrorist attacks and the implementation of the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, the White House said. The event with Jewish leaders comes as the White House has made clear its steadfast support for Israel after attacks by the militant group Hamas killed more than 1,000 Israelis. Biden in remarks on Tuesday condemned the attacks as abhorrent and vowed the U.S. would have Israels back. This is terrorism. But sadly, for the Jewish people, its not new, Biden said Tuesday. This attack has brought to the surface painful memories of the scars left by a millennia of antisemitism and genocide of the Jewish people. The White House in May, led by Emhoff, rolled out a first-of-its-kind national strategy for combating antisemitism as the country grapples with record levels of violence, vandalism and hate speech directed at Jewish communities. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden is faced with the thorny reality that American citizens are among the hostages Hamas terrorists kidnapped and took into Gaza over the weekend, but the U.S. government doesnt know exactly how many of its citizens are in that situation or where they are. "We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas," Biden told reporters in the White House State Dining Room on Tuesday. He said the U.S. military would be helping Israeli forces in the planning and intelligence collection for efforts to rescue hostages and that he had no higher priority as President than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world. Speaking forcefully in front of a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, Biden called Hamass rampage through towns and farms in southern Israel and the slaughter of more than 1,000 Israelis pure, unadulterated evil and confirmed that those killed include 14 Americans. At this moment, we must be crystal clear, Biden said. We stand with Israel." Beyond confirming that some of the hostages are US citizens, White House officials had few other details about them or what options for their rescue are available to Biden. We do not know about their condition and we cannot confirm a precise number of American hostages, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House. More than 20 American citizens who were in Israel are missing, Sullivan said, but it is unclear how many among those are being held captive by Hamas. The lack of clarity was especially upsetting for some of the family members of American citizens caught up in the crisis. Nahar Neta doesn't know whether his 66-year-old mother, Adrienne Neta, is still alive after she was kidnapped on Saturday by Hamas from her home on Kibbutz Beeri. It is a little bit ridiculous at this stage to say that the optimistic scenario is that she is held hostage in Gaza and not dead on the street of the kibbutz where we grew up, he said during an event in Jerusalem where family members of kidnapped Americans called on Biden to take action to bring their loved ones home. Nahar described how Adrienne was on the phone with him and her daughter during the assault when they heard her scream. Neta said that his mom, who had worked as a nurse and midwife, spoke in Arabic to try to calm down the attackers. If the U.S. is able to locate any of the Americans being held by Hamas, a U.S. rescue mission would be incredibly complex and dangerous for U.S. military personnel and any civilians on the ground in the densely populated Gaza Strip, which is currently under regular barrage by Israeli missiles. Also, the kidnappers may be holding U.S. citizens alongside Israeli captives, leaving open the question of which country would lead such an operation. Hamas is believed to have more than 100 hostages in Gaza, including children and the elderly, making the Israeli offensive into Gaza that much more challenging and complex, says Uzi Arad, who served as national security advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 2009 to 2011. "This is a complicating factor to an incredible degree, because the hostages may be now used as a card in the management of the war, says Arad, who was part of the 1976 Israeli commando raid to rescue hostages at the Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Arad praised Bidens statement of support for Israel on Tuesday. The effect this has on Israeli morale and attitude is galvanizing," he says. Biden ordered U.S. military aircraft to Israel loaded with additional weapons, equipment and supplies, and a U.S. carrier strike group armed with guided missiles is loitering in the Eastern Mediterranean to deter other Iran-backed militants based in Syria and Lebanon from taking advantage of the moment to step up their own attacks. The U.S. Navy strike group, led by the USS Gerald R. Fordthe newest, most sophisticated carrier in the U.S. fleetis manned by more than 5,000 sailors and Marines and places additional US special operations forces, intelligence collection equipment, and attack planes closer to Gaza. Those could be used in potential hostage rescue operations, if the U.S. can learn more about their fate. The families of the missing Americans who spoke to reporters in Jerusalem on Tuesday were frustrated that they hadnt been told anything by the US State Department or Israeli government about what may have happened to their loved ones. Neta wanted to hear what US and Israelis officials know about his mother at this point. I think that after three daysmore than three days nowit is more than a reasonable request to have somebody from the Israeli government or the U.S. administration approach us with any type of information they may have on our family members, Neta said. WITH REPORTING BY ERIC CORTELLESSA Contact us at letters@time.com. President Biden on Wednesday lamented what he called a campaign of pure cruelty that left more than 1,000 Israelis dead following terrorist attacks by Hamas as he met with Jewish leaders at the White House. Biden delivered remarks to more than a dozen Jewish community leaders, along with some of his senior advisers, five days after Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, launched terrorist attacks against Israel. The president spoke of the barbarity of the attacks that have left women and children dead, and he described his recent conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which Biden urged Israel to abide by the rules of war during any ensuing military action. This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty. Not just hate but pure cruelty against the Jewish people, and I would argue its the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, Biden said. Biden, who a day earlier called the attacks abhorrent, described seeing pictures of terrorists beheading children and remarked on the importance of speaking out against the recent attacks, and antisemitism more broadly. The president said his administration has surged assistance to the Israel Defense Forces, including ammunition and interceptors for the Iron Dome defense system. The U.S. has moved a carrier fleet to the eastern Mediterranean and is sending more fighter jets to the region, as well. The U.S. has made it clear to the Iranians to be careful, Biden said. The president also acknowledged his administration is working on bringing home a small number of Americans who are being held hostage by Hamas in the wake of the terrorist attacks. But he refused to divulge details, suggesting doing so would make it more difficult to secure their release. At least 22 Americans were among those who were killed in the Israel-Hamas fighting in recent days. Hundreds of Palestinians were also killed amid ensuing strikes in Gaza. As Israel prepares to hit back at Hamas and experts warn of the potential for an expanded conflict in the region, Biden said he had spoken to Netanyahu and urged him to abide by the rules of war. Ive known Bibi for over 40 years. A very frank relationship. I know him well. And the one thing that I did say, that it is really important, that Israel, with all the anger and frustration and just I dont know how to explain it that exists, is that they operate by the rules of war, Biden said. And there are rules of war, he continued. And I believe Israel is doing everything in its power to pull the country together, stay on the same page, and were going to do everything in our power to make sure Israel can succeed and, God willing, to bring home those Americans who are in harms way. Biden was joined at Wednesdays meeting by second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish and who has led the administrations efforts to combat antisemitism. Emhoff said he feels a deep, visceral connection to Israel and its people, and he grew emotional as he spoke about the recent terrorist attacks, slamming his fist on the lectern as he spoke. We witnessed a mass murder of innocent civilians. It was a terrorist assault, Emhoff said. And there is never any justification for terrorism. There are no two sides to this issue. The images we saw will be seared in our brains forever. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. You are here: Arts The first Beijing International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage will be held during Oct. 22-25. The event is co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Beijing government. To date, more than 2,000 works from nearly 20 countries have signed up to participate in the event. Approximately 150 representatives from the intangible cultural heritage field will be invited to engage in intangible cultural heritage dialogues. The event aims to establish an important platform for international exchange and cooperation in intangible cultural heritage, promote the global dissemination of Chinese culture, deepen cross-cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and advance the development of intangible cultural heritage worldwide. President Joe Biden urged Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to follow the rules of war after the Israeli prime minister vowed to destroy Hamas following the Palestinian militants' brutal attack. The 80-year-old president, who has dispatched a US aircraft carrier to the region in a show of support for Israel, also warned Hamas-backer Iran to "be careful." Biden told a gathering of US Jewish community leaders at the White House that the attacks on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed was the "deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust." But as Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza which Palestinian officials say have killed more than 1,000 people, Biden said he had spoken earlier Wednesday to Netanyahu. The US president said he had known "Bibi" Netanyahu for 40 years and they had a "very frank relationship, I know him well." "And the one thing that I did say is that it is really important that Israel, with all the anger and frustration... that exists, is that they operate by the rules of war," Biden said. "And there are rules of war." The remarks were the first time Biden had made any kind of call for restraint over Israel's response to what he called the "sheer evil" of the Hamas attacks on Saturday. Netanyahu had earlier vowed the complete destruction of the militant group. "Every Hamas member is a dead man," the veteran right-wing Israeli leader said, likening them to the Islamic State group. - 'Be careful' - But Biden also had a stern warning for Iran, which backs Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah, and is a long-term foe of both Israel and the United States. The president recalled that Washington had moved the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its fleet into the region. US officials said another carrier would soon be available if needed. Biden said he had "made it clear to the Iranians. Be careful." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed earlier Wednesday to Israel in a show of solidarity with Israel. While fears have been growing of a regional conflagration, US officials said earlier they still had not seen any intelligence to show Iran was involved in planning or preparing the Hamas attacks. At least 22 Americans were killed in the Hamas attacks, while an unknown number of US citizens are among an estimated 150 people -- including women, children and the elderly -- who were taken hostage by the militants. The Hamas assault on Israel has raised fears of domestic attacks in the United States, and compounded concerns about a resurgence of anti-Semitism across the United States. Biden said on Tuesday that US authorities were on alert. "In cities across the United States of America, police departments have stepped up security around centers... of Jewish life," Biden said. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also said on Tuesday that the president would meet with his domestic security advisors later in the week. In August, a US shooter was sentenced to death for the 2018 massacre of 11 Jewish worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh -- the deadliest anti-Semitic attack on American soil. dk/caw Coverage on this liveblog has now ended. Follow the latest updates from NBC News here. The known death toll in Israel increased Tuesday following the attacks by Hamas, which were condemned by U.S. President Joe Biden as unadulterated evil. Around 1,200 people in Israel have been killed, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said, as more bodies have been found following Hamas unprecedented attack on Israel. In this moment, we must be crystal clear, Biden said in an address Tuesday. We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. Fourteen Americans have been killed, and Americans are among those taken captive and held hostage by Hamas, Biden said. The number of dead in Gaza and the West Bank are 919, according to health ministries in the two areas. Most of the dead are in Gaza, where Israel has been carrying out airstrikes in retaliation for the Hamas attack (Hamas is in control of Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority is in administrative control of parts of the West Bank). Ground forces are also gathering near Gaza, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said early Wednesday. Israel has called up 300,000 reservists. Biden urged Israels prime minister to minimize civilian casualties, administration officials said. The Biden administration is coordinating with other countries on a plan that would offer safe passage out of Gaza for civilians who risk getting caught in the crossfire, administration officials said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden warned Iran to "be careful" on Wednesday and told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States is sending more military assistance to help Israel fight Hamas militants. Speaking to a group of Jewish community leaders, Biden for the first time connected the U.S. deployment of a carrier fleet near to Israel to concerns Iran might seek to become involved, as Israel reels from an attack from Gaza by Hamas militants who killed more than 1,000 people in southern Israel. "We moved the U.S. carrier fleet to the eastern Mediterranean and we are sending more fighter jets to that region, and made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful," he said. U.S. officials say they have not been able to establish a direct link between the Hamas attack but are searching to see if they can find one, since Hamas is supported by Tehran. Biden also said that in his fourth phone call with Netanyahu in the five days since the Hamas attack took place on Saturday, he assured him that more military aid was on the way. Biden and his team are grappling with how to gain the freedom of any potential American hostages held by Hamas. At least 22 U.S. citizens were among the dead, the State Department confirmed, and at least 17 Americans are missing. The White House said the confirmed number of Americans who have died or are being held hostage could rise. Many U.S. lawmakers are eager to send Israel more military equipment but some are cool to funding Ukraine's war to repel Russian invaders. The White House has been considering a budget request tying money for these two conflicts together to increase the chances that the Ukraine assistance will be approved. White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the parameters for an additional funding request to Congress had yet to be finalized. In the near term, Washington can continue to support both Israel and Ukraine as it continues to fight Russia, but "we're certainly running out of runway," he said at a press briefing. In emotional remarks a day earlier, Biden called the attack "an act of sheer evil," and said that U.S. military assistance was being sent to help Israel in its fight. NBC News on Wednesday reported that the White House is preparing to seek supplemental funding from U.S. lawmakers for those two countries, as well as for Taiwan and U.S. border security. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; writing by Steve Holland and Susan Heavey; Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita Choy) The Biden administration is struggling with its message on immigration both at home and abroad, unveiling a series of surprising measures recently, including one that takes a page out of his predecessors much-maligned playbook. The White House announced last week that it would use its executive authority to sidestep 26 environmental and historical protection regulations in order to build segments of border wall in Texas contradicting a campaign-era promise that he would not build another foot of former President Trumps wall. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. President Biden cited appropriations laws forcing his hand to spend funds as directed by Congress, but officials were hard pressed to justify the environmental waivers, limiting themselves to citing precedent. And in another move that stunned immigration advocates, the administration announced it would resume deportation flights to Venezuela even as citizens flee the authoritarian-led country by the tens of thousands each month. Frustration on both sides Its whiplash from an announcement just last month that the U.S. would redesignate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing Venezuelans who arrived in the United States before July 31 to remain in the country given the danger of repatriation. The Biden administration has also expended significant energy and political capital in calling on would-be migrants to stay where they are, drawing mockery from the right and accusations of callousness from the left. While advocates reactions have ranged from confused to fuming, the White House has won no accolades from conservatives who see immigration and the border as one of Bidens biggest vulnerabilities. Republicans have made an art form of transmuting any issue into a springboard to criticize Bidens border policy. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) recently segued from the war between Hamas and Israel to the U.S.-Mexico border in an interview with The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative website. We should wake up ourselves. We could have the same thing happen next week to us, McCarthy said. We caught more people on the terrorist watchlist in February than we caught in the entire administration. We could have cells sitting inside of America right now. A statistical analysis by the Cato Institute found that between 1978 and 2022, no one on U.S. soil died in a terrorist attack committed by an undocumented immigrant. House Republicans on Monday unveiled a report by the House Judiciary Committee that they said provides proof of an open border. To make their case, Republicans categorized anyone crossing the southwest border without visas as illegal aliens. The report found that southwest border illegal alien encounters exceeded 2.2 million in the first 11 months of fiscal 2023 and gave the administration credit for about 6,000 deportations from that group. The reports illegal aliens included asylum seekers and parolees using the Biden administrations expanded legal pathways to entry individuals who by law are not considered undocumented though some may have weak claims that would make them eligible for deportation. This so-called report is full of lies from House Republicans who continue to play politics while sabotaging President Bidens work to ramp up enforcement and personnel at the border, a White House spokesperson said. Since May 12, we have removed or returned nearly 300,000 individuals, and there have been more than 3.6 million repatriations and expulsions since January 2021. Additionally, the Administration recently announced that it would restart repatriation flights to Venezuela and in September, [the Department of Homeland Security] announced a new series of actions to surge resources to the border to continue its enforcement efforts. Obama, Trump and Biden The Biden administration, like previous Democratic ones, has tried to strike a balance between strict enforcement and a humanitarian vision, drawing criticism from the left while failing to appease the right. Immigration advocates are accustomed to frustration: Prior administrations have also sought tough-on-the-border accolades against all political odds. The Biden administrations do not come messaging is at once a response to growing migration in the Americas and a reflection of the Obama administrations mass deportation policy. I think theres a sense of desperation at the White House. They wont sit down with the advocates for immigration and put together a plan, former Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) said in a recent interview with The Hill. So what I think the Biden administration is doing is simply how would I say this? Just throwing out any solution, including bad ones, including bad ones, such as lifting all of the environmental and all of the other standards and allowing the continuation of Trumps wall, said Gutierrez, who famously dubbed former President Obama the deporter in chief. In essence, the Biden administration is facing a continuation of the migration phenomenon that caused Obama headaches, though on a different scale. In 2014, the Obama administration faced its own crisis when nearly 70,000 Central American unaccompanied minors showed up at the border. The more than 150,000 encounters with unaccompanied minors in fiscal 2022 represented only a fraction of the nearly 2.4 million total encounters at the border. Hitting the wall Though advocates have called for a focus on order rather than deterrence in the face of a phenomenon with no easy answers, the Biden administration has opted for the carrot-and-stick approach, which now includes its publicly reluctant wall construction. Biden, when running for office, was fundamentally opposed of the concept of a wall. There will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration, No. 1, he said during an interview with a group of journalists in August 2020. Im going to make sure that we have border protection, but its going to be based on making sure that we use high-tech capacity to deal with it. And many of his actions in office have backed that stance including trying to claw back funding otherwise designated for the wall. But Biden and Homeland Security officials both offered conflicting statements about plans to build new segments of wall. They have to use the money for what it was appropriated. I cant stop that, the president said of the funding last week. Biden gave an exasperated one-word answer when asked if he believes border walls work: No. And Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also bashed the idea of a wall. I want to address todays reporting relating to a border wall and be absolutely clear. There is no new administration policy with respect to border walls. From day one, this administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer. That remains our position, and our position has never wavered, he said. Still, the posting on the Federal Register noting the policy change wrote that it was necessary to construct both barriers and roads in areas of high illegal entry. Mayorkas criticized contrasts being raised between the register and public statements, saying the register language is being taken out of context and it does not signify any change in policy whatsoever. Thats not a plan The administrations announcement on Venezuela came just hours after it quietly posted its plans on the wall and marked the latest in the Biden administrations back-and-forth on the country. Earlier this year, the administration barred Venezuelans from seeking asylum at the border, a move that was paired with a new program that allowed those with financial sponsors in the U.S. to apply to get preapproval to be waived in for up to two years through a process known as parole. When in September the administration announced TPS for Venezuela, it was seen as a way to provide relief to Venezuelans, especially those in crowded shelters otherwise stuck waiting on work permits. But the announcement of deportations to Venezuela seeks to push back on a rising number arriving outside of the parole program. According to data compiled by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Customs and Border Protection reported more than 30,000 monthly encounters with Venezuelans in April, May and August of this year, and reporting by CBS News detailed that more than 50,000 Venezuelans showed up in September, representing about a quarter of all border encounters. The WOLA numbers also show that in August, only 30 percent of Venezuelans encountered at the border showed up at ports of entry, despite the countrys nationals being eligible for the Biden administrations expanded pathways to legal entry. That month, 22,090 Venezuelans were apprehended by the Border Patrol after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border at nondesignated locations, while 9,373 were encountered at ports of entry by Customs and Border Protection. We need to have a plan. We need to have a plan for Central America; we need to have a plan for South America. There really is no plan other than dont come. Those two words are not a plan. Thats not a plan. Thats not a plan, Gutierrez said. And you know, there are things you could do pretty quickly like in Venezuela and Latin American countries, allow people to petition for their asylum locally. But make sure that their answer is given in a timely manner, otherwise people wont believe its legitimate and wont believe its a true way to find relief from the dangers that they confront each and every day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a private phone call on Tuesday to minimize civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip as violence stemming from Hamas terrorists' surprise attack on Israel continues. The Biden administration is coordinating with other countries to provide safe passage out of Gaza for civilians at risk of getting caught in the crossfire as Israel prepares for a potential ground attack. Civilians in Gaza would escape the fighting through a southern corridor leading into Egypt, administration officials told NBC News. The phone call on Tuesday was Biden's most direct plea to Israel regarding efforts to avoid civilian casualties, the officials said. NYC MAYOR ADAMS SAYS HAMAS MUST BE DISBANDED AND DESTROYED DURING ISRAEL VIGIL President Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a private phone call on Tuesday to minimize civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip during the war against Hamas. Biden said during remarks after the phone call that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas and that his administration will commit U.S. military aid to protect the country from future attacks. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond indeed, has a duty to respond to these vicious attacks," he said. In his speech, the president also addressed questions of whether the U.S. would give Israel the green light to attack Hamas, even in the event of a constant uptick in the civilian death toll. Biden said he told Netanyahu that "if the United States experienced what Israel is experiencing, our response would be swift, decisive and overwhelming." "We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law. Terrorists purposefully target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war the law of war. It matters," Biden added. The Biden administration is coordinating with other countries to provide safe passage out of Gaza for civilians at risk of getting caught in the crossfire. 'NO MERCY': PRO-ISRAEL SUPPORTERS GATHER IN BOSTON COMMON, CALL FOR HAMAS TO BE DESTROYED International laws of war require proportionality and avoiding indiscriminately killing civilians. A readout of the call provided by the White House said Biden "underscored the need for all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamass brutal atrocities, which are akin to the atrocities of ISIS from many years ago." More than 2,000 people have been killed in the war since Hamas launched its attack against Israel on Saturday, leading to retaliatory action from Israeli forces. Thousands more have been wounded, and many others have been taken hostage by Hamas and raped, tortured and murdered. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the war since Hamas launched its attack against Israel on Saturday. "Weve never seen such savagery in the history of the state. Theyre even worse than ISIS," Netanyahu said in a video of the call released by his office. "Theyre even worse than ISIS, and we need to treat them as such." Israel's cabinet has declared war for the first time in 50 years after Hamas' largest attack against the Jewish state in decades. The first shipment of U.S. "advanced ammunition" arrived in Israel on Tuesday on a U.S. aircraft, according to Israeli forces. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House that the U.S. has "surged ammunition and interceptors for [Israel's] Iron Dome" missile defense system. Original article source: Biden urges Israeli PM Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties amid war against Hamas terrorists By Henriette Chacar, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Humeyra Pamuk JERUSALEM/GAZA/TEL AVIV (Reuters) -Gaza moved closer to a humanitarian catastrophe on Thursday as the death toll rose and vital supplies ran low, while Israel massed tanks on the enclave's border ahead of an anticipated ground invasion amid international calls for restraint. Israel's government showed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO defence ministers graphic images of children and civilians killed by Hamas, as it builds support for its response. Blinken said they showed a baby "riddled with bullets," soldiers beheaded and young people burned in their cars. "It's simply depravity in the worst imaginable way," he said. "It's really beyond anything that we can comprehend." Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip, in retribution for the deadliest attack on civilians in Israeli history, when hundreds of gunmen crossed the barrier and rampaged through towns on Saturday. Blinken has urged Israel to show restraint but reiterated America's support: "We will always be there by your side." The head of the Israeli military, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, said lessons would be drawn from the security failures around Gaza that enabled the attack. "We will learn, investigate, but now is the time for war." Israel's parliament approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency unity government late on Thursday, including a number of centrist opposition lawmakers, to display their determination to fight Hamas. Public broadcaster Kan said the Israeli death toll had risen to more than 1,300. Most were civilians gunned down in their homes, on the streets or at a dance party. Scores of Israeli and foreign hostages were taken back to Gaza; Israel says it has identified 97 of them. Israel has responded so far by putting Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, under total siege and launching by far the most powerful bombing campaign in the 75-year-old history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, destroying whole neighbourhoods. Gaza authorities said more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed and more than 6,000 have been wounded. Israel ministers suggest the start of an invasion is a matter of when not if. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said fuel powering emergency generators at hospitals in Gaza could run out within hours and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned food and fresh water were running dangerously low. "The human misery caused by this escalation is abhorrent, and I implore the sides to reduce the suffering of civilians," ICRC regional director Fabrizio Carboni said. Amid international calls for a ceasefire to allow in aid, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said there would be no halt to the siege without freedom for Israeli hostages. Egypt, which has a single border crossing with Gaza, said it was trying to get aid through there but this was hampered by Israeli bombardments. WIDENING CONFLICT In the biggest sign yet of the conflict potentially spilling across borders, Syria said Israeli air strikes had hit the airports in Damascus and Aleppo, putting both out of service. The Israeli military said it does not comment on such reports. Syria is a close ally of Iran, which sponsors Hamas and has celebrated the attacks while denying a direct role. Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said his country would lodge an urgent protest against Israel at the United Nations Security Council after Israel and powerful armed-group Hezbollah began exchanging fire across the Lebanese border. The Israeli military says it has responded with artillery fire to launches coming from Lebanese territory. Blinken will visit Jordan on Friday to meet King Abdullah and Mahmoud Abbas , head of the Palestinian Authority that operates limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abbas, whose Fatah faction is a longstanding foe of Hamas, condemned violence against civilians on both sides on Thursday. Scores of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem's Mount Herzl military cemetery on Thursday to bury their dead. "When you didn't take my call, I knew you were fighting with all your power. When I realised you were missing, I could not imagine this is how it would end," one mourner said. In Gaza's main southern city Khan Younis, where cemeteries were already full, dead were being buried in empty lots, like the Samour family, killed on Wednesday night in a strike that hit their house. Palestinian rescue worker Ibrahim Hamdan drives from one bomb site to another as his team tries to pull survivors from houses destroyed by the Israeli air strikes. "This war is harsh beyond imagining. They are collapsing people's buildings without warning. They knock down high-rise buildings on top of their residents," said Hamdan, who has worked through repeated wars since becoming a rescuer in 2007. Blinken's plan to meet Abbas shows it is still mindful of Palestinian grievances, strongly felt by Arab allies. Gazans, mainly descendants of refugees who fled or were expelled from homes in Israel at its founding in 1948, have suffered economic collapse and repeated Israeli bombardment under a blockade since Hamas seized power there 16 years ago. Palestinian anger has mounted in recent months, with Israel carrying out the deadliest crackdown for years in the West Bank and its right-wing government talking of seizing more land. A peace process meant to create a Palestinian state collapsed a decade ago, which Palestinian leaders say left the population with no hope, strengthening extremists. (Reporting Henriette Chacar, Dedi Hayun, Maayan Lubell and Emily Rose in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Emma Farge in Geneva, Jeff Mason in Washington and Reuters bureauxWriting by Peter Graff and Alexandra Hudson; Editing by Alex Richardson, Nick Macfie, Toby Chopra and Lisa Shumaker) Billie Eilish performs during the Power Our Planet concert on the sideline of the Climate Finance conference in Paris on June 22, 2023. | Lewis Joly, Associated Press The Louisiana law requiring pornographic websites to verify the age of users in an effort to keep children and teens from viewing explicit material had an unexpected beginning: It started with a lawmaker seeing an article about pop star Billie Eilishs interview on the Howard Stern Show. Since then, half a dozen states have adopted similar policies, including Utah. In the interview with Stern, Eilish told him she started looking at pornography at age 11 and described its effects on her life. The first few times I had sex, I was not saying no to things that were not good. It was because I thought thats what I was supposed to be attracted to. Related The interview stuck with Louisiana Rep. Laurie Schlegel who told me by phone that it got the wheels in my brain moving. Louisiana state Rep. Laurie Schlegel is pictured in an undated press release photo. | Louisiana.gov By profession, Schlegel is a licensed professional counselor and a certified sex addiction therapist, so she was aware of how pornography affects minors, but hearing Eilish be that vulnerable with Stern made the issue fresh again. And she thought since she was now in office, she might be able to do something about it. I knew I needed to educate the legislature on it, Schlegel told me in a phone interview. And my belief is once people really grasp the gravity of the situation, you have to act. Thats when Schlegel brought in Gail Dines, founder and president of the anti-pornography organization Culture Reframed, to speak about the issue to the Womens Caucus of the Louisiana Legislature on Jan. 24, 2022. Schlegel recalled seeing Dines TEDx Talk Growing Up in a Pornified Culture, which led her to invite Dines to speak in a training session. Policymakers do not understand what has happened since the internet took over in 2000, Dines told me. They dont understand that it made pornography more affordable, anonymous and accessible. And immediately, as the internet got into peoples homes, pornography became hardcore. Schlegel and Dines have some political differences. After all, Schlegel is a conservative politician and Dines is a feminist activist, but they agree on the harmful effects of online pornography on minors. Its not a conservative issue. Its an issue that spans all political groups because its a harms-based issue, Dines said. Now you need a feminist perspective because you need to understand whats happening to women. The sex shown in pornography, Dines said, is disembodied and is based on the dehumanization and degradation of women. Related BYU professor Brian Willoughby said that a significant amount of research shows pornography affects sexual expectations and scripting. What can happen to minors after they see pornography is it becomes the only messaging that theyre receiving about what intimacy is supposed to look like. Since pornography doesnt depict healthy sexual interactions, thats where we start to see the research that suggests that pornography becomes a risk factor for youth and minors, particularly when it comes to things like risky sex, Willoughby said. Risky sex includes unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, among other things. When Dines explained some of the risks pornography poses to minors, the Louisiana Legislature responded to the bill Schlegel introduced with increased support. By the end of the bills process, it had nearly 50 co-sponsors. Then, in June 2022, the bill, House Bill 142, passed almost unanimously through the Louisiana House 96-1 and the Senate 34-0. Though the Legislature is Republican-controlled in Louisiana, the state has a Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards, who has no qualms about vetoing bills he does not want to sign, Schlegel said. Edwards signed the bill. Christopher McKenna, CEO of Protect Young Eyes who testified in front of the U.S. Senate in 2019, said bills like the one passed in Louisiana are akin to protections minors had from pornography before the internet. In fact, McKenna, Dines and Schlegel all used a similar analogy to explain: before the internet, pornography could be found in brick-and-mortar stores. There, adults were required to use identification to prove they were 18 or above. For a long time, internet pornography went unregulated but now similar restrictions are being put in place. Its not getting in the way of adults, McKenna said about age restrictions. Thats the spirit of what the Supreme Court has said related to pornography, explicit content on websites and in digital spaces. This should be the goal for legislation that is enacted: that we respect those constitutional areas, while also protecting children, McKenna said. Related As bills similar to the one passed in Louisiana have come up in legislatures in Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, Utah and Virginia, and have passed with support from politicians on both sides of the aisle. In the Beehive State, Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, and Rep. Susan Pulsipher, R-South Jordan, introduced SB287, which passed unanimously. This legislation has caused Pornhub to retreat in some states. Pornhub blocked access in Utah to its content after the bill was passed. Virginia, Mississippi and Arkansas have had access blocked as well, the Washington Examiner reported. While this response did not occur in Louisiana, Schlegel said it didnt surprise her. Thats what happens when you have a highly unregulated billion dollar industry, she said. Its also led to lawsuits in Utah and Texas. The Free Speech Coalition, which represents the adult industry, challenged Utahs and Texas laws in court. A judge dismissed the suit in Utah while Texas law was declared unconstitutional by a judge. U.S. District Judge David Ezra struck down the Texas law, saying it violates free speech rights and will allow the government to peer into the most intimate and personal aspects of peoples lives. The state attorney generals office immediately filed a notion of appeal to the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans, according to PBS. Related Melissa Hackett, executive director of Utah Coalition Against Pornography, said the law in Utah is a good start and is the culmination of other legislation around pornography. The Beehive State was a trailblazer in the fight against online pornography as the state was the first in the country to declare pornography a public health crisis. This needs to be a bill that is continually addressed and looked after, modified and amended year after year as technology changes and with AI, Hackett told me. Evolving technology will likely throw a curve ball in the way that legislators treat the online pornography industry, but for now, states are continuing to pass legislation similar to what was passed in Louisiana and Utah. Its possible new legislation will lead to additional challenges in court, as happened with Utah and Texas. Eventually, the laws could end up in the Supreme Court, as happened with the Child Online Protection Act. In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed this act into law, which was aimed at protecting children from exposure to sexually explicit material. The court struck this law down because it was not narrowly tailored to serve a compelling governmental interest and because less restrictive alternatives were available. Anytime that we are dealing with constitutionally protected speech, we as individuals who respect the Constitution must take great care in how that is managed, McKenna said. Any law around restricting minors access to pornography would have to be minimally restrictive to adults. I think what we have started is good and necessary in these states, McKenna said. But moving forward, these should be the sort of markers that we should be looking for in terms of if this is good legislation that passes constitutional muster. Birkenstock's IPO will value the company at about $8.6 billion, according to multiple media reports (John MACDOUGALL) Shares of German sandals maker Birkenstock fell almost 13 percent from their introductory price on Wednesday, on its first day trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The company, trading under the ticker "BIRK," closed at $40.06, down 12.9 percent from its initial public offering price of $46 which valued the company at about $8.6 billion. The sharp decline in its stock price values the sandals maker at closer to $7.5 billion. "The truth is we didn't have 'the Barbie moment.' Barbie had the ' Birkenstock moment,'" quipped Chief Executive Oliver Reichert on CNBC, as he described the company as a "purpose" brand shortly before the debut. Birkenstock started life as an orthopedic shoemaker, but has since shed its unflattering association with sock-and-sandal-wearing Germans to become a fashion accessory, as illustrated in the latest Hollywood blockbuster "Barbie." The stock flotation marks a new milestone, just two years after the Birkenstock heirs sold a majority stake to private equity group L Catterton and the family holding fund of French luxury magnate Bernard Arnault. "An IPO in New York signals global ambitions," said Fernando Fastoso, a professor specializing in luxury brand management at Pforzheim University. "Since 2021, the company has been partially owned by a private equity firm backed by LVMH. Hence, it seems that Birkenstock wants to further develop its iconic status to target the growing market for luxury across the world," he added. - 'Authenticity' - Birkenstock traces its roots back to 1774 and Johann Adam Birkenstock , who worked as a cobbler in Langen-Bergheim, a small community in western Germany. In 1896, Konrad Birkenstock began focusing on orthopedic footwear, developing comfortable, contoured insoles designed to cushion the feet. Brought to the United States in the 1960s, the sandals with their broad straps and cork and latex sole were quickly adopted by hippies who took to their no-frills comfort and claimed their utilitarian look as an anti-fashion badge. But when supermodel Kate Moss donned them for a fashion shoot in the 1990s, the sandals were propelled into standard footwear for A-listers. Brands from Paco Rabanne and Valentino to Celine have customized their versions of Birkenstocks, even putting them on runways. Actress Frances McDormand padded on stage at the Oscars in February 2019 in a yellow pair under a pink gown -- vindicating the idea that footwear does not need to be painful to be glamorous. While they are now available in more colors, the sandals have largely stayed the same. For Fastoso, it is the "inflexible and stubborn" insistence on the original format that has become the brand's selling point. "In that stubbornness lies the authenticity that is so crucial in branding today," he said, noting that a brand that acts "following its principles rather than adjusting to trends is deemed authentic." With hippies and stars alike making up its customers, Birkenstock recorded revenues of 1.11 billion euros ($1.17 billion) for the nine months ending June 30, up 21 percent from the same period a year earlier. Net profit for the nine months was 129.1 million euros, down 20 percent from 103.3 million euros a year ago. While other companies have shifted production to places where labor is generally cheaper, such as to Asia, Birkenstock says 95 percent of its products are assembled in Germany. Headquartered in the picturesque city of Linz am Rhein in western Germany, the company has several manufacturing sites in the country and around 6,200 employees worldwide. hmn/mfp/da/jmb/bys/da/caw A Birmingham man has been arrested in connection with a September shooting that killed a 24-year-old man in Northport. Antwaun Dewayne Pledger-Payton,40, of Birmingham was arrested and charged with murder, said Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. Pledger-Payton is being held without no bond in accordance with Aniahs Law, Kennedy said. Aniah's Law allows bail to be denied for suspects accused of crimes ranging from human trafficking to murder. Kennedy said investigators are actively seeking several other people of interest in the fatal shooting. "The investigation into the murder in Northwood Lake on Sep. 24 has been a priority for the Violent Crimes Unit," said Kennedy in a news release. At around 7:15 p.m., officers with the Northport Police Department responded to the report of a shooting in the 3900 block of Northwood Lake Drive West, Kennedy said. Officers found Demetrius Damon Windham Jr. dead when they arrived on the scene. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit responded and has assumed control of the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information was made available. Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Arrest made after fatal shooting in Northport's Northwood Lake Whether you are with the Palestinians or the Israelis, as Black Americans, there is a split, national security expert Asha Castleberry-Hernandez told theGrio. As the world reacts to the unprecedented war between Israel and the Hamas militia group in Gaza, many Black Americans have found themselves in the middle of an ongoing political debate. That debate is happening everywhere, from American city streets to social media timelines. Whether you are with the Palestinians or the Israelis, as Black Americans, there is a split, national security expert and U.S. Army veteran Asha Castleberry-Hernandez told theGrio. Demonstrators on both sides of the Israel-Hamas war took to the streets of New York this week. Black Americans should be concerned about the war, a national security expert told theGrio. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) She added this isnt a time for division and that all Black Americans should be united in condemning these heinous attacks against innocent civilians and working to achieve peace and security for the state of Israel and surrounding areas. Castleberry-Hernandez said Black U.S. citizens can serve as a positive force multiplier in building a united front on the international stage. There are segments of the Black population that have bonded with both the Jewish and Palestinian community through Black internationalism, said the former State Department adviser. She continued: There is a lot of potential to work [we can do] together. For example, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoffs antisemitism strategy is a strong example of Black America working with the Jewish community on countering antisemitism and islamophobia. As Eboni K. Williams, host of TheGrio with Eboni K. Williams, pointed out on her show, The kinship between Black Americans and white-presenting American Jewish people is long and complicated. That storied history includes the fact that Jewish Americans participated and even helped lead work during the civil rights movements of the 1950s and 60s. For Black Americans who may be wondering why the conflict in Israel is something they should be paying attention to, Castleberry-Hernandez told theGrio they should be gravely concerned by the carnage in Israel and Gaza that has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Israelis and Palestinians. While giving an update on the Israeli-declared war from the White House State Dining Room on Tuesday, President Joe Biden confirmed that at least 14 American citizens were among innocent civilians men, women and children killed while Hamas fired thousands of missiles into Israel from land, sea and air. The loss of innocent life is heartbreaking, said Biden as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken stood beside him. This is what they mean by a human tragedy an atrocity on an appalling scale. President Joe Biden called the attack by Hamas on Israel sheer evil during a televised address Tuesday at the White House. With him were Vice President Kamala Harris (center) and Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right). (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) The surprise attack also put into harms way Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. one of only three Black men in the U.S. Senate. Booker, who was in the country for meetings, shared in a video online that he was out jogging when his chief of staff alerted him to seek shelter amid the strikes. Rep. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., who is Jewish, was also in Israel at the time. As the escalating war continues, Castleberry-Hernandez, who completed a 30-month deployment in the Middle East, warned that any destabilization in Israel is a threat to U.S. national security and, therefore, the security of Black Americans. If Hamas gains from destabilization as a result of this, it enables Shia militias which are not our friends, said Castleberry-Hernandez. Hezbollah, Hamas, all link back to Iran. These are the same people we fought in Iraq during Operation Freedom. She added, We dont want these types of groups to be empowered by a destabilized Israel. Castleberry-Hernandez explained that similar to the terrorist group ISIS, which was able to take over key areas in Iraq and Syria, Hamas and aligned militia groups could feel emboldened to expand their terror to U.S. soil. [ISIS] started to become more external with their activitiesthey were part of recruiting more foreign fighters in America, she recalled, including two 2015 ISIS-inspired terrorist attacks, a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 14 people inside a center for the disabled in San Bernardino, California, and attacks on two military facilities that left four Marines dead. Castleberry-Hernandez said its important to draw a distinction between Hamas, which was classified by the U.S. as a terrorist group in 1993, and Palestinian civilians in the Gaza region. She noted that the Palestine Liberation Organization is not part of the Hamas extremist group. They sometimes dont get along, she explained. There is a set of people within the Palestinian authorities that want to achieve peace with Israel. Its now more difficult because of Hamas existence there in Gaza. But as the U.S. and its Western allies unequivocally vow their support for Israel, tensions in the U.S. have been palpable. Over the past few days, Israelis and Palestinians and their supporters have taken to the streets to protest in U.S. cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta. Pro-Israel demonstrators gathered Monday in front of the Consulate General of Israel in New York as Palestinian supporters rallied nearby. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Some of those demonstrations led to clashes that resulted in law enforcement stepping in to separate the two sides. When theGrio asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre if the Biden-Harris administration was concerned about demonstrations turning violent, she said, Were always going to denounce any act of violence against any community, and, certainly, going to continue to show our support and going to be vigilant on that. We are certainly monitoring, keeping an eye on all of this. And were going to continue to support the community here, she told theGrio. While the divide over the decades-old Israel-Palestine conflict seems more acute than ever, Castleberry-Hernandez said there is still room for Black Americans and all global citizens to embrace the nuances. Thats part of the two-state solution where they can coexist peacefully. Its just that, unfortunately, for quite some time, theres been slow progression as far as achieving that, she said. Castleberry-Hernandez, who is the founder of the Diversity in National Security Network, said that no matter where Black Americans may fall on the geopolitical debate, its important that more Black Americans be involved in our foreign policy. We have to be at the table with the president of the United States, providing analysis on how we should move forward with our foreign policy issues like [the Israel conflict] or Ukraine, she argued. It cant just be [Black Americans] sitting outside. We have to be inside, too, as part of that decision-making. Gerren Keith Gaynor Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post What should Black Americans make of Israel-Hamas war? appeared first on TheGrio. This aerial photo taken on May 20, 2023 shows a ceremony for the temporary diversion of the Cuanza River at the site of the Chinese-built Caculo-Cabaca Hydropower Station in Cuanza Norte province, Angola. [Photo/Xinhua] China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has created new engines for global economic growth and a new paradigm for international cooperation, giving a boost to the development of China and other BRI countries. China released a white paper titled "The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future" on Tuesday, underlining the initiative as "a Chinese solution to global development issues," which aims to advance modernization in participating countries in tandem, make economic globalization more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable, and ensure that more of the fruits will be shared more equitably by people across the world. At a press conference held Tuesday on the white paper, several Chinese officials fielded questions ranging from the initiative's current status and cooperation mechanisms to its potential for future development. New paradigm "BRI cooperation has created a new paradigm for international cooperation, rising above the outdated mentality of geopolitical games," said Li Kexin, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, at the press conference. Over the past decade, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations. "The circle of friends has grown larger and larger, which fully proves that the initiative does not seek to form any closed and narrow circles," said Li. "Trade and investment have expanded steadily between China and other BRI countries in the past decade," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting said at the press conference. From 2013 to 2022, the cumulative value of imports and exports between China and other BRI countries reached 19.1 trillion U.S. dollars, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4 percent, said the white paper. The cumulative two-way investment between China and other BRI countries reached 380 billion U.S. dollars, including 240 billion U.S. dollars from China. The BRI has connected the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end with the developed European economic circle at the other, and includes the countries in between with huge potential for economic development, and also fostered closer economic cooperation with African and Latin American countries, according to the white paper. From vision to reality Since its launch 10 years ago, the BRI has evolved from ideas into actions, from a vision into reality, and from a general framework into concrete projects. It has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform, said the white paper. BRI cooperation has delivered real gains to participating countries. It has contributed to the sound development of economic globalization and helped to resolve global development challenges and improve the global governance system, according to the white paper. It has also opened up a new path for all humanity to realize modernization, and ensured that the efforts of building a global community of shared future are delivering real results, the white paper said. Guo said in taking the next step China is working to foster new drivers of economic growth, while advancing large key projects as well as some "small yet smart" projects to help BRI participating countries lay a solid foundation for development. China will create a pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and host the global expo on digital trade to share development dividends with other BRI countries, Guo added. To facilitate two-way trade, Guo said China will work actively towards joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement. Guo said China will also support companies from Hong Kong and Macao to participate in the construction of the Belt and Road and deepen cooperation in the green economy, digital economy and other fields, to achieve sustainable development in BRI countries. Shondaland and Netflix have acquired the worldwide rights to Black Barbie: A Documentary. Directed by Lagueria Davis, the acquisition comes as part of Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers overall deal with Netflix. Both Rhimes and Beers will executive produce the documentary. Black Barbie will explore the untold tales of three Black women who impacted Mattels Barbie brand, as well as the origins of the first Black Barbie. Black Barbie celebrates the momentous impact three Black women at Mattel had on the evolution of the Barbie brand as we know it, the logline reads. Through these charismatic insiders stories, the documentary tells the story of how the first Black Barbie came to be in 1980, examining the importance of representation and how dolls can be crucial to the formation of identity and imagination. Grace Lay and Sumalee Montano produce alongside Beers and Rhimes for LinLay Productions. Camilla Hall for Lady & Bird Films, Milan Chakraborty, and Jyoti Sarda also executive produce. Aaliyah Williams produces under her banner Just A Rebel, while Davis will produce under Lovely Day Films. Telling Black Barbies story has been such a personal journey and it warms my heart to celebrate the legacy of my aunt Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby in our film, Lagueria Davis said in a statement. We couldnt have asked for better collaborators than Shondaland and Netflix to bring this story to the world. The film first screened as a work in progress at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival. Black Grad Student Goes Viral For Reading Print Newspapers And Encouraging Other Gen Zers To Do The Same | Photo: Westend61 via Getty Images Reading a physical newspaper seems outdated since most consumers get their news through online subscriptions or social media. However, one Black woman is bringing back the old-school trend by creating a series where she reads the news and encourages others in her generation to do the same. According to BuzzFeed, 23-year-old sociology and education graduate student Kelsey Russell launched the New York Times Updates series on TikTok, where she reads the news and documents everything she learned. Her interest in news began after receiving a subscription to the daily newspaper. I got a subscription to the Sunday New York Times physical copy for my birthday, Kelsey said in the first video of the series. And in order to bring back the newspaper, Im going to literally document, every day, what I learn. This embedded content is not available in your region. Russells creative take on reporting news to her viewers has transformed her into a budding internet sensation. Her first video garnered more than 1.7 million views; the clip is one of 14 videos of the series she posted to her account. The Gen Zer also has other videos where she reads USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and her local newspapers like The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, per BuzzFeed. In another video, Russell is determined to bring back print media and encourages other Gen Zers to be more mindful about their reading content. My name is Kelsey, and I am buying print media again, and reading what I learn and sharing it in my very unique way, to get Gen Z to buy more print media because were so dumb and illiterate. Its really that simple, she said in the video. This embedded content is not available in your region. In an interview with BuzzFeed, Russell said she felt dumb despite being in a graduate program but wanted to further educate herself. I really just felt so dumb, she laughingly said. Im in a grad school program and felt like [for] a lot of the things that I was learning, I needed more social, political, and economic context to understand. Russell said her goal is to learn more about current events and hopes other young people will follow the trend. The newspaper is drama its literally gossip, she explained in another video. But the other reason [I think its important to read the news, besides gossip] is that our generation is extremely overstimulated, and has no concept of emotional regulation. This embedded content is not available in your region. Russell also believes investing in print media can help her generation. Investing in physical print media honestly can help our generation become stronger, smarter, and really change the world in the ways we want to, she said. The Israeli flag is projected onto 10 Downing St., in London, the home of British prime ministers. Landmarks worldwide displayed the flag or its colors in a show of support a day after Israel suffered a deadly invasion from Gaza. Hamas attack tied to Irans $6 billion Everyone who loves Israel and understands her importance for Jewish safety in America is heartbroken and sickened by recent events. For the following, I can only speak for myself. When I heard about Hamas attacking Israel, I immediately felt that this happened because of President Joe Biden unfreezing $6 billion of Irans oil money. True, the money cant be spent right away, but its there for leverage and Iran said it would spend the money the way it wants to. It is insulting to listen to Biden and his cronies saying that the funds given to Iran have nothing to do with the attack. Iran has always funded Hamas. Write to us: How to send a letter to the editor Also, when the attacks first happened, Biden told Israel to use restraint. He later changed his mind, probably for political reasons. From Bidens past treatment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it is obvious how he really feels. America is weakened all over the world because of Biden. Praying for a better, safer future. Harriet Joy Epstein, Sarasota Believe your own eyes over GOP The column by Chris Anderson in the Oct. 8 Herald-Tribune regarding a 2017 Stateswoman of the Year award given to Liz Cheney is a perfect representation of todays Republican Party (Opinion: Who should you believe? The Sarasota GOP or your lying eyes). To outright lie about something as easily provable as whether an honorary award was given or not, with full coverage of the festivities in the media at that time, is absurd. While the reason for now disavowing the grant of this award to Ms. Cheney is apparent (she no longer supports the party leader, former President Donald Trump ), an attempt to revise history and lie about it is unconscionable. Then again, that seems to be the Republican game plan in the era of Trump and is what defines them at all levels of government. From a denial of election results to misinformation about vaccines and false narratives relative to the Jan. 6 insurrection, Republican leaders are now as comfortable with lying as they are with breathing. Until that changes, the country must depend upon Democrats to govern. If you dont believe that, then I have a bridge for sale, and as an added bonus its near the ski slopes on Siesta Beach. Steven Berry, Sarasota DeSantis, Ladapo giving out bad advice Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo are discouraging people from getting COVID-19 vaccines. This goes against the peer-reviewed research of scientists and doctors who actually research the viruses. The charlatan Ladapo posted on Twitter (X): We need more doctors and scientists to have the integrity and courage to voice their perspectives - even if theyre controversial. In Florida, we will continue to do just that. This arrogant and deceitful statement is not true because of terrorist threats against doctors incited by politicians. I know a doctor who begged a patient to get his vaccine, but the patient listened to DeSantis instead. When he got COVID-19, he begged the doctor for help, but it was too late. More: COVID is back again, Florida, and you're on your own. DeSantis, Ladapo still don't care. The man died in the hospital. The doctor was very angry and said, Did the governor go to my patients funeral? Then the doctor warned me, Don't tell anyone I said this because I dont want to get shot. DeSantis and Ladapo pose as courageous truth tellers, but they know perfectly well that doctors and scientists are afraid to voice their perspectives these days because they dont want to be murdered by those who listen to DeSantis and Ladapo. Catherine P. Henry, Englewood Trump cases highlight unfair justice system After spending most of my adult life in the USA, I became a U.S. citizen 25 years ago, with great pride, and I thought I had a good concept of the laws and regulations. Last year, a couple conspiring to sell sensitive naval secrets to another country were sentenced to 19 years in prison. They never finalized that deed, I said, but it was the intent, I was told. Fair enough. Now we have an ex-president who is accused of telling secrets about U.S. nuclear subs to a foreign billionaire, who then divulged those secrets to dozens of others, including journalists. But the ex-president is still at large, and even running for president again. What gives here? Will not other countries become more reluctant to share sensitive secrets with us? Then a congressman did not obey a subpoena to appear before the Jan. 6 committee; he was thought to have important information regarding the events of that day. If I ignored a subpoena, Im told that I would be sent to jail. He is still free 18 months later and is vying for the position of House speaker. How can that happen? When did we lose sight of our Constitution? Are there different levels of liability dependent on who you are? Jean Perrault, Sarasota This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: U.S. funded Iran ($6B) and Iran funds Hamas FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about the conflict in Israel, in Washington By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel on Wednesday on a Middle East mission to prevent a wider war from erupting after an attack and hostage-taking by Palestinian Hamas militants and an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. In a show of solidarity with Washington's closest Middle East ally, Blinken was due to meet senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss further boosting military support. "I'm going with a very simple and clear message ... that the United States has Israel's back," Blinken told reporters before boarding a plane bound for Israel. He will work with regional U.S. allies to try to secure the release of more than 100 people that Israel says Hamas holds captive, some of whom may be American citizens. A senior State Department official said Blinken will visit other countries in the region after making stops in Israel and Jordan. The top U.S. diplomat, Blinken flew out as Israel was forming an emergency unity government. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hamas gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns over the weekend, killing 1,200 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. At least 22 Americans were killed during the attack, Blinken said. "That number could still go up, and it probably will," Blinken said, adding that U.S. officials were working with Israeli counterparts to determine the fates of other U.S. citizens who remained unaccounted for. Israel has retaliated with air strikes that have killed more than 1,100 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Israeli military said its troops had killed at least 1,000 Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated from Gaza. Asked if Washington had advocated for Israel to exercise restraint in its response, with a ground operation in Gaza expected, Blinken said that Israel respects international law and makes efforts to avoid civilian casualties. "We know that Israel will take all of the precautions that it can, just as we would, and again thats what separates us from Hamas and terrorist groups that engage in the most heinous kind of activities," Blinken said. A top priority for Blinken will be to convey a message of deterrence, largely aimed at Iran and Iran-backed groups such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, to stop a wider war from erupting. Hezbollah has moved carefully since Hamas and Israel went to war, keeping Israeli troops busy with attacks at the Lebanese border but not opening a big front, sources familiar with its thinking say. Violence on the border between Israel and Lebanon flared up for a fourth day on Wednesday with Israeli shelling hitting southern Lebanese towns in response to a fresh rocket attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah. NO WEST BANK VISIT IN BLINKEN TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT Since Saturday, Blinken has spoken on the phone with his counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials said Washington was pushing regional countries with influence on Hamas and others hostile to Israel to help stop the conflict from worsening. "The attack by Hamas is a reminder of the perception of an American absence or lack of commitment to the region that some actors might interpret and do things they should not be doing," Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute said. Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack "sheer evil", reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel and issued an apparent warning to Iran and Iran-backed groups against exploiting the conflict: "I have one word: Don't." Blinken's trip announcement did not include the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On previous trips to the region, Blinken has visited the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority and its President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel has also tightened its siege in Gaza, which it has kept under a blockade since Hamas seized power there in 2007, saying it will keep out food and fuel while vowing to further escalate with a ground offensive. Washington said it was talking with Israel and Egypt about the idea of safe passage for civilians from Gaza, another key topic that Blinken may be discussing with his counterparts during the trip. Biden has stopped short of an overt plea to Israel to show restraint to avoid Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. It was unclear whether Blinken might make such an appeal when he meets Israeli officials behind closed doors. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Simon Lewis; Editing by Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller and Lincoln Feast.) Palestinians in Ramallah on the West Bank hurl stones at Israeli forces during a demonstration against Israli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for Hamas attacks (Jaafar ASHTIYEH) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed Wednesday to Israel in a show of solidarity after a bloody attack by Hamas, with Washington closing ranks with its ally that has launched heavy retaliation on the Gaza Strip. Blinken was set to arrive Thursday for a lightning visit in which he is likely to see Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who has vowed an unrelenting response to what he called the Islamist militants' "savagery." "The United States has Israel's back. We have their back today, tomorrow -- we will have it every day," Blinken told reporters just before departure. "We're determined to make sure Israel gets everything it needs to defend itself." President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he made another phone call to Netanyahu and he also reiterated "unshakeable" US support. The State Department, meanwhile, said that the death toll of US citizens in the violence had risen to "at least 22." An unspecified number of American hostages are also believed to be in the hands of Hamas. In a departure from usual US calls for restraint when violence erupts overseas, Biden and his administration have made clear they support Israel's right to an overwhelming response. A visibly emotional Biden used a speech Tuesday to condemn the Hamas attack, which included killings of children, music festival revelers and other civilians, and has triggered a war in which the death toll is steadily rising on both sides. "There are moments in this life -- I mean this literally -- when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world," said Biden. The White House announced Wednesday that the US Navy is ready to send a second aircraft carrier to the region -- in addition to one already dispatched -- "if needed." US officials, however, have said that they see the fight being against Hamas, not the Palestinian people, and they welcomed a European Union about-face on cutting off development aid for the Palestinians. Israel has announced that it is shutting down food, electricity and water for the Gaza Strip, the densely populated and impoverished territory governed by Hamas and under an Israeli blockade since 2007. The White House said it was "actively working" with Israel and neighboring Egypt on providing civilians safe passage out of Gaza. Blinken will head from Israel to Jordan, a close US partner which has a peace treaty with Israel and historically has been concerned over shake-ups in the Palestinian territories. - Turning page with Netanyahu - Further complicating the policy options for both the United States and Israel is that Hamas has taken large numbers of hostages and is threatening to kill them. In its latest count, the White House said that 17 Americans remain missing in Israel. Biden has previously criticized Netanyahu over his hard-right government's overhaul of the judiciary and its pursuit of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Those disputes now appear to be sidelined, with Netanyahu on Wednesday reaching a deal for a wartime emergency government with opposition leader Benny Gantz. Logan Bayroff of J Street, a US liberal pro-Israel group, praised Biden's support for Israel after "one of the most horrific massacres of civilians anywhere in the 21st century." But he said that Netanyahu has shown "his legacy at this point is one of complete failure" and that the US administration needed a longer-term solution to the Palestinian issue. The Republican Party has attacked Biden over the violence, especially due to his quiet diplomacy with Iran, which openly supports Hamas. sct/sms/bgs Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts man who runs the blog Turtleboy News, walked out of jail Wednesday after a judge ordered him to have no contact with certain witnesses in the Karen Read murder case. Kearney appeared in Stoughton District Court to face charges including eight counts of intimidation of a witness, juror, police, or court official and one count of conspiracy in connection with the ongoing Karen Read murder case after the Norfolk District Attorneys Office appointed a special prosecutor Kenneth Mello, of Fall River, to investigate his alleged actions. The judge presiding over that arraignment said Kearney could face 90 days incarceration without bail if he violates that stay-away order. The order also prohibits Kearney from direct or indirect contact with any of the named witnesses whether through mail, email, social media, or other mechanisms. Kearney was ultimately released on personal recognizance after the judge cited his lack of a criminal record. The judge also denied the prosecutions request for bail and GPS monitoring. Massachusetts State Police troopers were seen escorting Kearney, who was sporting a Free Karen Read sweatshirt, into court before Mello presented his case against him. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. Read is accused of backing over OKeefe and leaving him to die in a January 2022 blizzard outside a home in Canton. Mello said Kearney went to great lengths to harass witnesses often filming himself as he would try to confront them or call them at their homes, childrens sports games, or places of work. Mello said Kearney would also share personal information online like a state troopers phone number while saying he would never stop. 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court Kearney also allegedly had a police dispatcher look up three license plates of people connected to the Karen Read case and the wife of the MSP trooper investigating it. On his blog, Kearney had posted that he was looking to identify the owner of a car parked outside of the home of the state trooper whos the lead investigator on the Read case. An Avon dispatcher then ran several plates for him. Registration information is only supposed to be accessed for legitimate law enforcement purposes. 25 Investigates has learned the Avon dispatcher has been placed on leave. Mello urged the judge to bar Kearney from reporting on the Read murder case and requested that he not mention the names of witnesses in his blog. Kearneys attorney argued that his client had First Amendment rights. Im exposing corruption: Turtleboy blogger professes his innocence, says justice will prevail In August, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey took the unusual step of releasing a video condemning the alleged ongoing harassment of witnesses in the case, saying its absolutely baseless. The case has drawn national attention over the defenses claims of a wide-ranging cover-up encompassing everyone from attendees of a party at the home, to law enforcement who investigated. The defense team claims that Read dropped OKeefe off at a party at the Canton home, where he was beaten up, bitten by a German Shepherd, and dragged outside. They have also argued that police failed to seriously consider any of the party attendees as potential suspects. Prosecutors say that OKeefe never entered the home, and theres simply no evidence of such a conspiracy. Judge Beverly Cannone has shot down claims of impropriety in the Read case. According to prosecutors, a state police team discovered two red plastic pieces and one clear plastic piece of a taillight in the area they believe OKeefe was struck outside 34 Fairview Rd. Prosecutors also said microscopic pieces of red and clear plastic were recovered on OKeefes shirt. The prosecution has said theres an ongoing analysis comparing those pieces with the broken taillight pieces. And the prosecution points to records showing Read was still intoxicated the morning OKeefes body was found. She was charged with second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision in connection with OKeefes death In court in February 2022, Reads lawyer David Yannetti said: I dont see any criminal intent that would justify manslaughter in that affidavit. Theres a reason for that there was no criminal intent. This was not some random stranger. This was my clients boyfriend, somebody whom she loved. In spring 2023, Reads defense team announced court filings that they argued point the finger at people who were inside the Canton home. The trial for Read is set for March 12, 2024. Officer OKeefe is widely remembered for adopting and raising his niece and nephew after his sister died of cancer and her husband passed away shortly after. 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 As Donald Trump finally faces serious consequences for his decades-long crime spree and other antisocial behavior, he will become more racist, white supremacist, antisemitic, violent, dangerous, and fascistic. Trump is unwilling to restrain himself even when such vile behavior is potentially damaging to him and contrary to his goals. For example, in a particularly bold move last week, Trump went so far as to threaten New York Attorney General Leticia James who is a black woman. I dont think the people of this country are going to stand for it," he told reporters about his civil trial in New York for fraud and other financial crimes. "This is a disgrace. And you ought to go after this attorney general." In Trumps imagination, the collective mind of his followers, a black person (especially a black woman) such as Leticia James is naturally supposed to show deference to white people. Trump has also called James a corrupt racist monster." Trump has used racist language and made threats against the other African American judges, prosecutors, and other members of law enforcement who are trying to hold him accountable under the law for his many and obvious crimes. Trumps followers have been obeying these commands and incitements to violence. In another example of the ex-presidents perfidy, during a recent interview with the National Pulse, Trump made white supremacist comments about undesirables from other countries who are poisoning the blood of (White) America. Nobody has any idea where these people are coming from, and we know they come from prisons. We know they come from mental institutions [and] insane asylums. We know they're terrorists. Nobody has ever seen anything like we're witnessing right now. It is a very sad thing for our country. It's poisoning the blood of our country. It's so bad, and people are coming in with disease. People are coming in with every possible thing that you could have. And I got to know a lot of the heads of these countries. They're very cunning people. Very street-smart people. If they're not street-smart, they're not going to be there very long. And when they send up those caravans, and I had it ended, we had the safest border in the history of our country, meaning the history, over the last 80 years. Before that, I assume it was probably not so bad. There was nobody around. The mainstream news media has, for the most part, either mostly ignored or has already moved on from this story. The media malpractice and general enabling of Trumpism and American neofascism continues. Hyper politics and the 24/7 news cycle and the attention economy will be the death of American democracy and freedom. Trumps comments about diseased invaders echo what Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler wrote in his book Mein Kampf: In the north and in the south the poison of foreign races was eating into the body of our people, and even Vienna was steadily becoming more and more a non-German city. And so this poison was allowed to enter the national bloodstream and infect public life without the Government taking any effectual measures to master the course of the disease. "["The Jew"] occasionally bestowed one of his female members on an influential Christian; but the racial stock of his male descendants was always preserved unmixed fundamentally. He poisons the blood of others but preserves his own blood unadulterated." The following passage from Mein Kampf is extremely similar, both in verbiage and meaning, to what Trump said in his interview with National Pulse: All the great civilizations of the past became decadent because the originally creative race died out, as a result of contamination of the blood. The adulteration of the blood and racial deterioration conditioned thereby are the only causes that account for the decline of ancient civilizations; for it is never by war that nations are ruined, but by the loss of their powers of resistance, which are exclusively a characteristic of pure racial blood. In this world everything that is not of sound racial stock is like chaff. A State which, in an epoch of racial adulteration, devotes itself to the duty of preserving the best elements of its racial stock must one day become ruler of the Earth. The antisemitic and white supremacist messaging of Trumps conversation with the National Pulse becomes even more clear when placed in the larger context of similar language and behavior by the ex-president and the beliefs of his followers. Trump infamously described the white supremacists and other racial fascists who ran amok in Charlottesville in 2017, killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens of other people, as being very fine people." They chanted blood and soil while marching and rampaging throughout Charlottesville. A majority of Republicans and Trump followers believe in the white supremacist antisemitic conspiracy theory that white people are going to be replaced in their own country by non-whites. Trumps antisemitic and white supremacist messaging both reflects and encourages a belief in such lies and disinformation. As I explained in a previous essay here at Salon, Trump's fundraising emails and other communications are also filled with antisemitic themes and threats that mirror the infamous Protocols of the Elders of Zion and other racist and white supremacist hate tracts. Such themes in Trump's and his allies' messaging include the conspiracy lie that there is a 'deep state' that controls the Democrats and the liberal media through 'globalist' 'puppet masters' who are secretly pulling the strings and controlling the world by forcing the "Woke agenda" on patriotic Americans with the goal of making the country socialist or communist. Trump and the larger right-wing are also obsessed with George Soros (a Democratic Party donor who happens to be Jewish and a Holocaust survivor) and routinely launch antisemitic attacks on him. Trump believes that human beings can be bred like horses and other animals and that he himself possesses superior genes because of his German heritage. Trump is willfully ignorant and does not read; his belief in eugenics and race science is intuitive and spiritual. The following account from a 1990 Vanity Fair profile of Ivanka and Donald Trump provides a particularly illustrative example of the ex-presidents casual antisemitism: Donald Trump appears to take aspects of his German background seriously. John Walter works for the Trump Organization, and when he visits Donald in his office, Ivana told a friend, he clicks his heels and says, Heil Hitler, possibly as a family joke. Trumps ex-wife has also reported that he kept a collection of Hiters speeches in a cabinet near his bed. Trumps antisemitic and white supremacist statements about poisoning the blood are also a reminder of the many deep connections between American race scientists and eugenicists and their German counterparts in the first decades of the 20th century. Madison Grant, who was one of the most influential race scientists and eugenicists of the era (and a prominent thinker more generally) wrote the following in his influential 1923 book The Passing of the Great Race: The result of unlimited immigration is showing plainly in the rapid decline in the birth rate of native Americans because the poorer classes of Colonial stock, where they still exist, will not bring children into the world to compete in the labor market with the Slovak, the Italian, the Syrian and the Jew. The native American is too proud to mix socially with them and is gradually withdrawing from the scene, abandoning to these aliens the land which he conquered and developed. The man of the old stock is being crowded out of many country districts by these foreigners just as he is to-day being literally driven off the streets of New York City by the swarms of Polish Jews. These immigrants adopt the language of the native American, they wear his clothes, they steal his name and they are beginning to take his women, but they seldom adopt his religion or understand his ideals and while he is being elbowed out of his own home the American looks calmly abroad and urges on others the suicidal ethics which are exterminating his own race. As to what the future mixture will be it is evident that in large sections of the country the native American will entirely disappear. He will not intermarry with inferior races and he cannot compete in the sweat shop and in the street trench with the newcomers. Large cities from the days of Rome, Alexandria, and Byzantium have always been gathering points of diverse races, but New York is becoming a cloaca gentium which will produce many amazing racial hybrids and some ethnic horrors that will be beyond the powers of future anthropologists to unravel. One thing is certain: in any such mixture, the surviving traits will be determined by competition between the lowest and most primitive elements and the specialized traits of Nordic man; his stature, his light colored eyes, his fair skin and light colored hair, his straight nose and his splendid fighting and moral qualities, will have little part in the resultant mixture. Donald Trump would likely agree with Grants description of how American society is being poisoned by race mongrelization." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. I asked philosopher John Roth, who is an expert on the Holocaust, for his thoughts about Trumps recent statements about how poison blood from non-white immigrants is infecting the United States. Via email Roth explained: Adolf Hitlers racist, antisemitic dream of domination took purity of German blood to be fundamental for the continuing existence of the German people. Early on, American ways aided and abetted Hitler, whose 1920s writings, including Mein Kampf, admired American racism, white supremacy, and anti-immigration policies. Those realities showed him that right-thinking Americans knew how the health of the body politic depends on blood purity. If American trends continued in the right direction, Hitler affirmed, the United States would be a model for his Nazi regime in Germany. World War II crushed the Third Reich but not blood-based politics. Recently, for example, Donald Trump echoed Hitler, putting blood purity center stage when the indicted ex-president lied that the blood of our country is being poisoned by disease-causing immigrants. Neither the fear of national blood poisoning nor the yearning for national blood purity should be underestimated, unreasonable though they are, because such ideas are political constructs as powerful as they are malignant. Fear of blood pollution by Jews and protection of pure German blood led to the Holocaust. Defense of untainted American blood entrenched slavery and Jim Crow in the United States and legitimated genocide against Indigenous people. Nothing good, certainly nothing that honors American democracy at its best, comes from stoked fears of national blood poisoning or nativistic aspirations to save fictional national blood purity. Early in 1933, Hitler advanced his blood purity program when the German parliament handed him an enabling act that turned his decrees into law. Trump has said that he might overturn the Constitution. Failing that, he apparently believes that Article II gives him the right to do whatever I want as president. When confronting authoritarians like Trump, the first rule is to believe that they will attempt to do what they say. A second Trump presidential term would escalate his fear-mongering about national blood poisoning and advance his xenophobic blood purity program. The price for any of that is further loss of democracy. History tells us where this horrific road ends and the great suffering that will take place along it and at the final destination a road that America is rapidly and recklessly accelerating down in the Age of Trump and beyond. Egypt's state-owned buyer General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) has booked around 480,000 metric tons of Russian wheat, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 10 citing anonymous traders. The deal amounts to eight cargoes and accounts for 4% of Egypts annual wheat imports. The wheat is expected to be shipped in November and December, the traders said. It comes after reports that Cairo was close to making an agreement with Russias United Grain Co. (OZK) for 1 million metric tons of wheat at the end of September. The Russian government owns a majority stake in OZK. OZK told Bloomberg that it did not have information on commercial shipments outside public tenders. One of the world's leading grain buyers, Egypt imported 62.6 million metric tons between 2017 and 2021, with 59.7% coming from Russia and 22.3% from Ukraine. Russia's termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17 and attacks against Ukraine's ports continue to hamper Kyiv's grain exports. Moscow is seeking to replace Ukraine's agricultural products on the global markets with its own supplies. Moscow prevented the sale of 480,000 metric tons of wheat to Egypt last month as the price was said to be below Russias unofficial price floor, Bloomberg reported on Sept. 20. Egypt has enjoyed cheap Russian wheat following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but Moscow has been raising prices recently. The Russian government implemented the price floor in an attempt to control domestic wheat prices. Read also: Allies in discord: Roots of recent quarrel between Poland and Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Bloomfield man was convicted of murder in an Essex County courtroom, officials announced Tuesday. Lamar Sommers, 36, was found guilty of the murder of Jahque Benbow, 23, of Newark, in May 2022, said a release from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Sommers and two other men conspired to shoot Benbow at the gas station where he worked in Irvington. Sommers drove the men to Irvington and dropped them off a block from the station. The men shot Benbow five times with Sommers waiting in the car, officials said. Sommers left New Jersey shortly thereafter and was arrested in North Carolina in June 2022, the prosecutor said. The trial lasted eight days and ended with jury deliberation lasting less than five hours. Sommers was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. He faces a minimum of 30 years in prison and will be sentenced on Dec. 4. When you plan and participate in a murder, you are responsible for the consequences even if you dont pull the trigger, said Assistant Prosecutor F. Garnes, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Jenna Ventola, who added, Justice was done for the family, and our community can rest easier tonight. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bloomfield NJ man convicted in murder of gas station attendant On the evening of 11 October, rescue workers retrieved the body of another person from the rubble of a secondary school in Nikopol that was attacked by the Russians. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Details: According to the State Emergency Service, one more person is believed to be under the rubble. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. Quote: "In total, three people were killed and two more were injured. Early reports indicate that the school building was partially destroyed, and 42 private houses, 18 outbuildings, a shop, power lines, a car and some solar panels were damaged." Background: Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that two of the schools employees were killed in the Russian attack on a school in Nikopol, Dnipro Oblast. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! China in recent years has seen concerted efforts from government departments and social sectors in promoting mental health among children and adolescents, the country's top health authority has said. Tuesday marks the 32nd World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated in China with the theme of promoting child and adolescent mental health. "The key to work related to adolescent mental health is putting prevention first and conducting society-wide prevention and control," said Li Dachuan, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press conference held on Monday with focus on this theme. Li underlined the importance of including such work in the social service, public health service and social security systems. According to a mental health survey involving more than 30,000 adolescents conducted by the Institute of Psychology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2022, 14.8 percent of the respondents showed risks of depression to various degrees. Effective and timely interventions and adjustments were needed. "Children and adolescents are in a period of rapid development in terms of mental health. Their psychology is prone to impacts brought by biological, psychological, social and environmental factors, among others," said Zheng Yi, chief expert on child psychiatry at Beijing Anding Hospital affiliated to the Capital Medical University. Ye Haisen, a clinical psychologist at a hospital in central China's Hunan Province, said mental health conditions have shown a growing trend among youngsters in recent years. Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression have become prominent among children and adolescents. In order to address the issue, authorities have put in place a raft of measures. These include a set of guidelines on boosting mental health services. The NHC and 16 other departments, including the Ministry of Education, in April this year issued a three-year action plan for improving work related to students' mental health. It defines the responsibilities of government at various levels in promoting child and adolescent mental health, and underlines inter-agency coordination and joint efforts among medical institutions, schools and families. The central government has earmarked a special fund to bolster the prevention and treatment of common mental disorders and support pilot programs related to mental health. Under the auspices of the NHC, trials have been run across the country to advance public psychological services, Li told the press conference. Currently, 96 percent of villages and communities, 95 percent of primary and middle schools, and all colleges and universities in these pilot areas have access to public psychological services, Li said. Efforts have continued nationwide to enhance resource allocation, financial input and personnel cultivation in a bid to provide stronger guarantees for promoting child and adolescent mental health. This story was updated Oct. 11, 2023, at 1:02 p.m. EST to include a more detailed job title for Douglas Sanders. WASHINGTON The U.S. Army is nearing a final decision on whether and how much to invest in Chinook Block II helicopter upgrades, and its committed to buying a new engine and the latest software version for the Apaches. But Boeing, which makes both aircraft, is developing and demonstrating more extensive upgrade options in a bid to help the service boost the survivability, connectivity and capability of its legacy helicopters. Boeing is already helping the Army modernize the decades-old workhorses by adding more carrying capacity to the CH-47 Chinook and greater firepower to the AH-64 Apache. And despite the vastly different missions of the two helicopters, the companys program offices are leveraging each others work to realize these evolutions. Mark Ballew, the senior director for vertical lift business development at Boeing, told Defense News at the Association of the U.S. Armys annual conference this week that flight controls is an area where work on the Chinook heavy-lift program is directly affecting the companys pitch for an Apache attack helo upgrade. The Chinook has a Digital Advanced Flight Control System, which includes an active parallel actuator subsystem, or APAS, that can get the helicopter into a stable hover and then move the aircraft in 1-foot increments laterally or vertically for a very controlled maneuver. Ballew said this is critical for lift missions in high-dust or other low-visibility environments, or around wires or other hazards. It allows missions to take place more safely and with less work for the crew, he noted. Even if the Apache doesnt need to hover to pick up sling-loaded cargo like the Chinook does, there are still reasons to consider putting these APAS controls on the Apache, according to Douglas Sanders, the capture team lead for modernized Apache mission systems at Boeings business development unit. The Apache gunship has to perform reconnaissance, maneuvers, fires and more for its missions but not crashing the helicopter is sort of an implied task, Sanders said. Adding APAS would reduce the workload on crew members and help them focus on conducting their missions safely. Ballew said Boeing conducts after-action reviews with returning helicopter crews and looks at feedback indicators on the aircraft themselves; there are already indications the Apache crews are pushing the boundaries of what their aircraft can do during some missions. Sanders explained the APAS hardware is currently in flight testing in the special operations MH-47, and were looking at the [CH-47] Chinook as well. We took a lot of what they developed and said: How can we apply this to the Apache? And were demonstrating it right over there in our simulator at Boeings booth at the AUSA conference. AH-64 Apaches, a CH-47 Chinook and a UH-60 Black Hawk fly over a formation of soldiers in 2017 at Fort Campbell, Ky. (1st Lt. Daniel Johnson/U.S. Army) Sanders said some of the proposed changes are specific to the platforms. For example, on the Apache, crews returning from deployment have said they dont need 1,200 rounds of 30mm ammunition, but they do need more fuel and they want more capacity for missiles, spurring some changes to the so-called Modernized Apache design. But many other efforts have been common across Apache and Chinook aircraft. Both helicopters have the same multifunctional displays, for example. Sanders said the Apache program wants to move to a large area touchscreen display to make the user interface even easier while further reducing the workload for the crew. He said the large area touchscreen would also fit into the Chinook, should the Army want to make a similar investment across its aircraft types. Boeing is also pitching common survivability and communications upgrades, which apply to both mission sets and are agnostic to the helicopters designs and flight profiles. By Ahmed Mohamed Hassan and Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Egypt is moving to avert a mass exodus from the Gaza Strip into its Sinai Peninsula, as Israeli bombardment halted crossings at the main exit point from the Palestinian enclave on Tuesday, Gaza officials and Egyptian security sources said. Israel's assault on Gaza has caused alarm in Egypt, which has urged Israel to provide safe passage for civilians from the enclave rather than encouraging them to flee southwest towards Sinai, two Egyptian security sources said. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Tuesday that the escalation in Gaza was "highly dangerous" and that Egypt was pursuing a negotiated solution to the violence with regional and international partners. Egypt would not allow the issue to be settled at the expense of others, Sisi said in comments reported by state news agency MENA, an apparent reference to the risk that Palestinians could be pushed into Sinai. The Rafah border crossing remained shut on Wednesday morning, after Egyptian military planes conducted flights nearby overnight, security sources said. The military has also taken up new positions close to the border, running patrols to monitor the area, said Ahmed Salem of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights. Rafah is the sole possible crossing point into Sinai for Gaza's 2.3 million residents. The rest of the densely populated strip is surrounded by the sea, and by Israel, which has announced a total siege of Gaza and could launch a ground offensive. The passage of people and goods in and out of Gaza is strictly controlled under a blockade enforced by Egypt and Israel. On Tuesday, the Israeli military revised a recommendation by one of its spokespeople that Palestinians fleeing its air strikes in Gaza head to Egypt. Israel has been pounding Gaza with the fiercest strikes in the 75-year history of its conflict with the Palestinians since Hamas launched a deadly incursion into Israel on Saturday. MEDIATION ROLE Egypt, the first Arab country to make peace with Israel, has mediated between Israel and Palestinian factions during previous conflicts in Gaza and has pressed to prevent further escalation in the current fighting. Gaza's Hamas-run Interior Ministry said bombardments on both Monday and Tuesday had hit an entry gate on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. The crossing was also closed from the Egyptian side and Palestinians planning to travel to Gaza retreated to north Sinai's main city of Al Arish, Egyptian sources said. On Monday, about 800 people left Gaza through the Rafah crossing and about 500 people entered, though the crossing was closed for the movement of goods, according to the United Nations humanitarian office. North Sinai's governor met local authorities on Monday to plan for any crises resulting from events in Gaza, his office said, and ambulances have been mobilised in Sinai for possible evacuations from Gaza. So far, there has been no sign of mass gatherings of Palestinians at the Rafah crossing, with only scheduled departures proceeding until Tuesday. In 2008, tens of thousands of Palestinians crossed into Sinai after Hamas blasted holes in a border wall. Security in the area around Rafah is also of concern to Egypt because Sinai has been the site of an Islamist insurgency that flared a decade ago. Hamas, which has run the Gaza Strip since 2007, shares the Islamist ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, a movement outlawed in Egypt. Egypt's military has in recent years largely asserted its control over northern Sinai, facing sporadic attacks there. (Reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Yusri Mohamed and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Nadine Awadalla, Ahmed Eliman, Aidan Lewis and Mai Shams Eldin; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Alison Williams, Gareth Jones, Susan Fenton and Nick Macfie) Tammy Moyles annual mammogram in March was clean. But then she discovered a small lump a few months later. The diagnosis came in August. It was early-stage invasive lobular carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer thats treatable if caught early enough. Because it was caught so early, the 45-year-old mother of three said doctors told her theres a 96 percent cure rate. She will need 12 weeks of chemotherapy, and will also be taking an infusion drug called Herceptin for the next nine months. If I had to get cancer, like God forbid anyone ever gets cancer, but if I had to get cancer, I feel like this is the time to have it. You know, we have so many advancements. I feel really hopeful about my outcome, Moyle said. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Moyles experience captures both the exasperation and optimism in the battle against breast cancer. While rates continue to creep up year-on-year, particularly among younger women, evolutions in diagnostics and treatment mean breast cancer patients face far better prospects than ever before. Rapid drug development, personalized screening recommendations, targeted therapies and new treatments like immunotherapies have all helped women diagnosed with early stage and even metastatic breast cancer. Were increasingly more specific, personalized, individualized about the type of treatment that we can offer patients and the lines of treatment that they can have, said Elizabeth Comen, a breast oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Special Report: Curing Cancer Breast cancer accounts for 31 percent of all cancers in women, the most common type, according to the American Cancer Society. Nearly 300,000 women will likely be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. It will likely kill about 43,000 of them. Despite the scientific advances, declines in mortality have slowed in recent years, and incidence rates have been slowly increasing by about 0.5 percent per year since the mid-2000s, according to the American Cancer Society. This rise in diagnoses is due in part to more women having obesity, having fewer children, or having their first baby after age 30, the organization said. It may also be because of lower rates of screening. While a breast cancer diagnosis is rare for women under 40, it is the leading cause of all cancer deaths in women between the ages of 20 and 49. And the diagnoses among those younger women are rising. Theres definitely a stigma around breast cancer like you dont need to worry about it until youre 40 or over, but thats definitely not the case, said Brianna Osofisan, 26, who was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer when she was 21 years old and heading into her senior year of college. It was definitely very unexpected, especially being a senior in college and trying to figure out my plans after graduation and then having to deal with the weekly doctor appointments and treatment on top of that, she said. A study published in JAMA Network Open in August showed all cancers are on the rise for younger women, particularly those younger than 50. This is not just because were screening women earlier because frankly, we dont have guidelines for screening women earlier. They are being diagnosed more and they are being diagnosed with more aggressive cancers, Comen said. I cannot more passionately or emphatically state that this is an area of research that absolutely must improve. We need to address this unmet need. William Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society, noted the risk of breast cancer is significantly higher among older women, and while the absolute numbers of younger women being diagnosed are relatively low, they are undeniably increasing. Were seeing similar trends in other cancers, colorectal cancer, for example, too. So there is something going on, which is increasing cancer in younger patients, Dahut said. Screening mammograms are only recommended for women between the ages of 40 and 74. Experts say there isnt enough evidence of benefit or cost effectiveness in screening women younger than 40. There are also concerns over potential harms of screening, including the psychological toll of false positives. Ann Patridge, an oncologist and founder of Dana Farber Cancer Institutes Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer, said America will likely move toward population-based screening for cancer predisposing genes. However, that carries its own complications such as forcing young women to decide whether to remove their ovaries or breast based on statistical guesses about their chances of getting cancer. And even if they are high risk, those prevention options are likely not going to be palatable for young women. Theres a growing group of experts and advocates who want more research into lowering the recommended age of breast cancer screenings. The recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for women to start mammograms at 40 is only a draft, and was released earlier this year. Prior to that, USPSTF advised women between 40 and 50 to make an individual decision with their clinician on whether they should start screening. Tari King, chief of the division of breast surgery at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, said she was happy to see the recommended age lowered to 40, but highlighted that some women need to start even earlier. What we need to recognize is that if the first time that youre talking to your doctor about your breast cancer risk is at the age of 40, thats probably too late, King said. King said younger women should have conversations with their primary care doctors or OB-GYNs about topics like family history of breast cancer and lifestyle habits that could be putting them at increased risk. Providers can then use that information to help determine whether starting screening earlier would be beneficial. Getting risk assessments early will allow us to identify women who may actually need to start screening before the age of 40, King said. Experts said there are different clinical considerations for younger women than older women, particularly around fertility. But preserving the ability of a young woman to have children isnt always an option. Lourdes Monje, who was diagnosed at 25 years old and is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, said she is going through chemical menopause, so she cant become pregnant. When you become pregnant, your body produces a ton of estrogen and thats the last thing that we would want to do for my type of cancer because my cancer feeds on estrogen, she said. Patients with metastatic cancer cannot be cured, but there have been new drugs approved and new clinical trials, so when one treatment stops working, they can move to another. Eventually though, they will likely exhaust options. Monje said that her diagnosis and treatment has shifted her own perspective on whats next in life. Even though my doctor told me what side effects to expect, I dont think I was quite prepared for the emotional part of it, she said. I process my emotions very differently than I used to and I think that was very hard for me to deal with because I felt like I didnt know myself for a long time. There have also been research advances into the genetics of cancer, though the field is still evolving. Genetic counseling and genetic testing can help identify a persons risk, and whether they have the breast cancer gene (BRCA) and other gene mutations. Alejandra Campoverdi decided to get tested for the BRCA gene because of her family history. Her mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and two aunts were all diagnosed with breast cancer. When I came up positive, it wasnt a huge surprise but I realized there was something I could do preventative about it, said Campoverdi, who was 38 at the time. She went on to have a double mastectomy, during which doctors caught an early-stage, non-invasive breast cancer. Campoverdi said the experience led to her work in breast cancer advocacy, particularly focused on the Latino community. Campoverdi noted how there is a lack of Spanish-language material on breast cancer prevention or advocacy in the space targeted toward Latinas, despite breast cancer being the leading cause of death for Hispanic women, according to the Mayo Clinic. She has since co-produced a documentary on BCRA and hereditary cancer and launched the Latinx and BRCA initiative at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Experts and survivors strongly encourage women of all ages, particularly young women less familiar with breast cancer prevention, to get into the regular habit of practicing self-exams. For an average risk young woman, we recommend sticking to physical exam and being aware of ones breast health and how ones breasts feel, and to bring any concerning signs and symptomsto medical attention, Partridge said. Among the signs and symptoms to look out for: breast lumps that get bigger or dont go away with a menstrual cycle, discolored/bloody nipple discharge, skin rash/dimpling, or a lump in the underarm. However, some younger women who were eventually diagnosed with breast cancer say that they felt their concerns were often brushed off by their medical providers. Meghan McCallum was 32 when she was first diagnosed in 2019. She suspected something was off after a self-examination that year, but it took until Christmas to get an official diagnosis. I had a gut feeling, McCallum said. I felt confident in my knowing that something wasnt right with body. That was just the very beginning of what ended up being a very unfortunately long process of getting a correct diagnosis. Most doctors told McCallum she was too young to have breast cancer, or likely had a benign breast tumor known as a fibroadenoma. It took a lot of visits and calling out doctors again and again to be taken seriously to get a correct diagnosis, she said. There were all of these things that I just had never experienced before and I didnt have the self-advocacy tool in my toolbelt to really think about this from that lens of maybe my doctors are wrong and what if this is actually cancer. While much of the advocacy around breast cancer continues to focus on older patients, more groups are geared toward younger generations. Osofisan, Monje and McCallum are part of the Young Survival Coalition, an international organization aimed at supporting people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40. Now that Im in it, I do meet a lot more people and I also meet a lot of young people who had a similar situation to me, Monje said. One of the first things I had trouble with was finding people like me, but thats how I wound up at Young Survival Coalition. While genetic testing and screening can help, sometimes a cancer diagnosis comes seemingly out of nowhere. Elissa Kalver, 36, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer when she was 34, shortly before her daughters first birthday. Kalver said she has no family history, and nothing showed up on genetic screenings. She even had a breast exam just two months before ultimately finding a lump. Things moved quickly after that, and tests showed the cancer had spread. So Ive had cancer on my breasts and my lymph nodes, my liver, my spine, my brain, Kalver said. Kalver said she struggled with feeling powerless. So during an early round of chemotherapy, she started a national nonprofit called We Got This, which is a gift registry and marketplace for people with cancer. She said she is often asked why her cancer wasnt caught earlier, before it metastasized. I think a lot of that mentality is a bit toxic, because one, it is kind of blaming me. Like, no, I couldnt find it earlier. You know, I went to tons of doctors, they knew something was wrong, but nothing led to [cancer,] Kalver said. Her cancer was so metastasized that she suspects it was spreading undetected for at least a year. In hindsight, theres nothing more I could have done, other than if I like had a crystal ball to push to get a mammogram. But, like, how would I have known that at 34? Kalver said she wants to increase awareness of late-stage breast cancers. Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October puts a public focus on prevention and making sure women conduct self-exams. But she said theres not as much attention on what happens if youre already too late. And when what happens, like to me, which is kind of the worst case scenario then, you know, not just pounding sand but having solutions too, she said. You know, I dont want to just accept that I have stage four cancer and Im gonna die. You know, theres a lot of solutions for what I have. And Im really lucky that they exist. Updated: 2:08 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Brian Laundries parents slipped out of their North Port, Florida, home around 8 a.m. Wednesday, taking their silver Ford Mustang convertible on their way to be grilled by an attorney for their sons former fiancee. It is the same vehicle Laundrie left parked at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park the night he snuck out with a waterproof bag and one of his fathers pistols. Laundrie confessed in a suicide note to killing Gabby Petito in Wyoming. Before he shot himself in the head in a Florida swamp, he drove across the country to his parents house in her van, where his family went camping for Labor Day and refused to cooperate with investigators trying to find Petito, who was at the time considered missing. Wednesday marks a second face-to-face sit-down as Petito-Schmidt family lawyer Patrick Reilly is expected to grill Roberta Laundrie, the killers mother. He deposed her husband, Christopher Laundrie, on Tuesday. GABBY PETITO'S PARENTS ADD ATTORNEY STEVEN BERTOLINO TO LAWSUIT AGAINST BRIAN LAUNDRIE'S FAMILY Roberta Laundrie enters her car in her driveway in North Port, Florida, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The parents of the late Brian Laundrie, who is believed to have murdered Gabby Petito, are heading to a deposition ahead of a civil suit being brought by Petito's family. Brian Laundrie used the same car in September 2021 to sneak away from home when police were still searching for Petito's whereabouts. Joseph Petito, Gabbys father, sat in on the first interview and said afterward "it was a lot to handle emotionally." Wednesday morning, as the Laundries were leaving their North Port home, he posted a picture to X, formerly known as Twitter, of a rainbow over a Florida road. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Headed to another deposition dreading the emotional torment that is about to occur, and I see this," he wrote. "Thank you Gabs for showing me it will be OK." He and Gabbys mother, Nichole Schmidt, are suing the Laundries and their attorney Steve Bertolino for allegedly causing them emotional distress and conspiring to help their son evade justice. Roberta Laundrie unlocks her car in her driveway in North Port, Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The parents of the late Brian Laundrie, who is believed to have murdered Gabby Petito, are heading to a deposition ahead of a civil suit being brought by Petito's family. GABBY PETITO TIMELINE The Petito and Schmidt families and millions of Americans who followed the case want answers about what the Laundries knew and when they knew it. Their son showed up in Petitos van on his parents doorstep on Sept. 1, 2021, days after strangling and bludgeoning her to death in the Grand Teton National Forest. The family went camping near St. Petersburg and offered nothing publicly about Petitos whereabouts. Gabby Petito was reported missing in September 2021, roughly two weeks after her former fiance Brian Laundrie is believed to have killed her and abandoned her body at a campsite in Wyoming. GABBY PETITO CASE: BRIAN LAUNDRIE'S MOTHER PROMISED SON SHOVEL, GARBAGE BAG, JAILHOUSE CAKE IN LOVE LETTER When Schmidt filed a missing person report on Sept. 11, the Laundries declined to cooperate with police. By Sept. 13, he had sneaked out under the noses of North Port police to the Myakkahatchee park, where his remains would not be found for more than a month. Roberta is expected to be grilled on not only the suspicious circumstances of her sons September return, but also an undated letter she sent him labeled "burn after reading." Brian Laundrie as seen in bodycam footage released by the Moab Police Department in Utah. "If you're in jail I will bake a cake and put a file in it," she wrote. "If you need to dispose of a body. I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags." FBI agents at the Florida home of Brian Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta, on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. Their son's remains were not discovered until a month later after flooding receded in the nearby Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida. The Laundries have maintained the letter was written and sent before the couple left on their cross-country van life trip in 2021. However, Petitos parents believe it was written after her death and that it is evidence that the Laundries knew about the crime before her body was discovered on Sept. 19. Reilly, the Petito family attorney conducting the interviews, declined to comment on the deposition process Wednesday morning. Gabby Petito's parents, their lawyer and attorneys for the Laundrie family and Steve Bertolino in court on Wednesday, May 24, during a hearing in their civil lawsuit against the parents of their daughter's suspected killer, Brian Laundrie. Bertolino, who himself is set to be deposed next week, said the testimony would contain "no surprises." GABBY PETITO MURDER: BRIAN LAUNDRIE'S NOTEBOOK CONFESSION REVEALED, I ENDED HER LIFE "The letter is nothing, smoke but no fire," he told Fox News Digital. "It never was anything but an ugly coincidence." Two weeks prior to the slaying, a bystander in Moab, Utah, called police to report seeing Laundrie hitting Petito in public. The domestic violence call resulted in no arrests, but police there split the couple up for the night. Chris and Roberta Laundrie in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on the morning police discovered their son's skeletal remains nearby. Petito's parents have since launched the Gabby Petito Foundation to advocate for domestic violence awareness and missing persons cases. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 18007997233 (SAFE). Original article source: Brian Laundrie's mom drives to Gabby Petito deposition in killer son's Mustang FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises after Israeli strikes on the seaport of Gaza City FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises after Israeli strikes on the seaport of Gaza City By Stephen Farrell LONDON (Reuters) -Gaza, which thrived in antiquity as a trade centre on the Mediterranean coast where Asia meets Africa, has been inhabited for thousands of years and fought over by Egyptian Pharaohs, Babylonians, Philistines, Macedonian Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Mongols, Crusaders, Ottomans and even Napoleon. Part of an ancient Philistine confederacy of five cities along the coastal plain, it featured in Biblical accounts: the judge Samson was held in captivity there. Alexander the Great besieged and captured Gaza City, killing the men and enslaving women and children. In Roman times, Christianity spread there and a tiny Christian community in Gaza still exists - its church was damaged during the latest round of hostilities. Arab armies invaded 1,400 years ago and brought Islam. Gaza was part of the Ottoman Empire for most of the period from the 16th century until 1917, when was it taken by British troops during World War I. Over the last century Gaza passed from British to Egyptian to Israeli military rule. It is now a fenced-in enclave inhabited by around 2.3 million Palestinians, most of them descendants of refugees. Here are some of the major milestones in its recent history. 1948 - End of British rule As British colonial rule came to an end in Palestine in the late 1940s, violence intensified between Jews and Arabs, culminating in war between the newly created State of Israel and its Arab neighbours in May 1948. The invading Egyptian army seized a narrow coastal strip 25 miles (40 km) long from the Sinai to just south of Ashkelon. Tens of thousands of Palestinians who fled or were driven from Israel sought shelter there, tripling the population to around 200,000. 1950s & 1960s - Egyptian military rule Egypt held the Gaza Strip for two decades under a military governor, letting Palestinians work and study in Egypt. Armed Palestinian "fedayeen," many of them refugees, mounted attacks into Israel, drawing reprisals. The United Nations set up a refugee agency, UNRWA, which today provides services for 1.6 million registered Palestine refugees in Gaza, as well as for Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank. 1967 - War and Israeli military occupation Israel captured the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. An Israeli census that year put Gaza's population at 394,000, at least 60% of them refugees. With the Egyptians gone, many Gazan workers took jobs in the agriculture, construction and services industries inside Israel, to which they could then gain easy access. Israeli troops remained to administer the territory and guard settlements that Israel built in the following decades. 1987 - First Palestinian uprising. Hamas formed Twenty years after the 1967 war, Palestinians launched their first intifada, or uprising, after an Israeli truck crashed into a vehicle carrying Palestinian workers in Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp, killing four. Stone-throwing protests, strikes and shutdowns followed. Seizing the angry mood, the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood created an armed Palestinian branch, Hamas, with its power base in Gaza. Hamas, dedicated to Israel's destruction and the restoration of Islamic rule, became a rival to Yasser Arafat 's secular Fatah party. 1993 - The Oslo Accords, and Palestinian semi-autonomy Israel and the Palestinians signed an historic peace accord in 1993 that led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority. Under the interim deal, Palestinians were first given limited control in Gaza and Jericho in the West Bank. Arafat returned to Gaza after decades in exile. The Oslo process gave the newly created Palestinian Authority some autonomy, and envisaged statehood after five years. But that never happened. Israel accused the Palestinians of reneging on security agreements, and Palestinians were angered by continued Israeli settlement building. Hamas and another militant group, Islamic Jihad, carried out bombings to try to derail the peace process, leading Israel to impose more restrictions on movement of Palestinians out of Gaza. Hamas also picked up on growing Palestinian criticisms of corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement by Arafat's inner circle. 2000 - Second Palestinian intifada In 2000, Israeli-Palestinian relations sank to a new low with the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada. It ushered in a period of suicide bombings and shooting attacks by Palestinians, and Israeli air strikes, demolitions, no-go zones and curfews. One casualty was Gaza International Airport, opened in 1998. A symbol of thwarted Palestinian hopes for economic independence, it was deemed a security threat by Israel, which destroyed its radar antenna and runway a few months after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Another casualty was Gaza's fishing industry, a source of income for tens of thousands. Gaza's fishing zone was reduced by Israel, citing a need to stop boats smuggling weapons. 2005 - Israel evacuates its Gaza settlements In August 2005 Israel evacuated all its troops and settlers from Gaza, by then completely fenced off from the outside world. Palestinians tore down the abandoned buildings and infrastructure for scrap. The settlements' removal led to greater freedom of movement within Gaza, and a "tunnel economy" boomed as armed groups, smugglers and entrepreneurs quickly dug scores of tunnels into Egypt. But the pullout also removed settlement factories, greenhouses and workshops that had employed some Gazans. 2006 - Isolation under Hamas In 2006, Hamas scored a surprise victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections and then seized full control of Gaza, overthrowing forces loyal to Arafat's successor, President Mahmoud Abbas. Much of the international community cut aid to the Palestinians in Hamas-controlled areas, regarding Hamas as a terrorist organization. Israel stopped tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from entering, cutting off an important source of income. Citing security concerns, Israel and Egypt imposed tighter restrictions on the movement of people and goods through the Gaza crossings. Israeli air strikes crippled Gaza's only power plant. Ambitious Hamas plans to refocus Gaza's economy east, away from Israel, foundered. Viewing Hamas as a threat, Egypt closed the border with Gaza and blew up most of the tunnels. Once again isolated, Gaza's economy went into reverse. Conflict cycle Gaza's economy has suffered repeatedly in the cycle of conflict, attack and retaliation between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. Some of the worst fighting was in 2014, when Hamas and other groups launched rockets at heartland cities in Israel. Israel carried out air strikes and artillery bombardment that devastated Gaza neighbourhoods. More than 2,100 Palestinians were killed, mostly civilians. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians. 2023 - Surprise attack While Israel was led to believe it was containing a war-weary Hamas by providing economic incentives to Gazan workers, the group's fighters were being trained and drilled in secret. On Oct.7, Hamas gunmen launched a surprise attack on Israel, rampaging through towns, killing 1,400 people, mainly civilians, and took more than 240 hostages. Israel's ensuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed at least 9,060 people including 3,760 children, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled enclave. Israeli troops backed by tanks pressed into the Palestinian enclave with a ground assault, expecting to meet opposition from Hamas and other Palestinian militants dug into a network of hundreds of kilometres of tunnels underneath Gaza. (Writing by Stephen Farrell, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Rosalba O'BrienEditing by Peter Graff and Alistair Bell) The dozen refugees gathered at a spot just south of the deep blue waters of the Sea of Galilee to build their new community, safe from the rising tide of antisemitism in Europe. It was an ambitious experiment. The 10 men and two women set out to create an agrarian Jewish utopia in what was then the Ottoman Empire, but none had any experience in agriculture. They had been raised in eastern European ghettos, far from any farms. They formally founded their settlement sometime in 1909 or 1910 and called it Deganya. This July 1938 shows workers in the orange grove of the Na'an kibbutz. - Kluger Zoltan/GPO/AFP/Getty Images Despite their lack of experience, the group quickly turned the barren but fertile land into a thriving agricultural collective. What started as a cluster of huts grew three decades later later into a community of 60 homes and a dozen public buildings. Deganyas main export was milk, but the community also sent out 20,000 bunches of bananas, 12,000 boxes of oranges and grapefruits and 15,000 boxes of tomatoes a year. Deganya, which is still inhabited today, is considered Israels first kibbutz. Its success prompted imitators, and by 1950 two years after Israel came into existence there were 67,550 people living on 214 kibbutzim (the Hebrew plural of kibbutz) across the country, according to the Jewish Virtual Library. While each settlement was different, all were underpinned by the economic and interpersonal ideals of socialism and the spirit of Zionism. Kibbutzim were run democratically, with their profits pooled and shared by members. Women are seen farming in this undated photo at Deganya. - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images In Israels early days, the kibbutzim were an important economic driver for Israel and an integral part of the countrys identity. Volunteers from across the world including US Senator Bernie Sanders flocked to the kibbutzim to pick fruit during the day and enjoy the community lifestyle at night. But as Israel transformed from a poor, desert state to a vibrant modern economy, the influence and prominence of the kibbutzim waned. Today about 125,000 people a fraction of Israels 9 million-plus population live on the approximately 250 kibbutzim scattered across the country, according to the Jewish Agency for Israel. Modern kibbutzim have populations from 100 to 1,000, are secular and have embraced capitalism. Foreign employees, especially from Thailand, now work the land. Today, only 30 kibbutzim still take volunteers, according to The Jerusalem Post. But the kibbutzniks, as kibbutz residents are known, are still largely viewed as left-leaning. Many disapprove of of the current ultranationalist Israeli governments policies toward Gaza and the West Bank. Ilan Troen, a professor emeritus of Brandeis University in Massachusetts, said his daughter, Deborah Matias, chose to live on a kibbutz to enjoy the chaos of a large family, as she had grown up as one of six children. On Holit kibbutz she was in charge of organizing festivals, parties and celebrations. Israeli-American academic Hayim Katsman, who also lived on Holit, was very pro-peace, his siblings said. And Adrienne Neta of kibbutz Beeri devoted her life to helping other people of all races and genders in her practice as a nurse, her son told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. Their politics and way of life, however, meant little to the terrorists who raided several kibbutzim during Hamas surprise blitz on Israel early Saturday morning. Israeli forces extract dead bodies of Israeli residents from a destroyed house in Kfar Aza on Tuesday. - Ilia Yefimovich/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Troens daughter and Katsman were killed in the attack. Neta is missing from Beeri kibbutz, a community of about 1,000 near Gaza known for its successful printing press and art galleries, where more than 100 bodies have been found. Nearby Kfar Aza is a kibbutz of about 765 that is home to a successful plastic business, with an annual turnover of about $300 million, and a sound and lighting company that has outfitted shows for The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Britney Spears, Guns N Roses, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake, according to its website. The Israeli military said Kfar Aza was the site of a massacre, with women, children, toddlers and the elderly brutally butchered in an ISIS way of action. Many of the residents who lived there believed in peace, coexistence and mutual respect and had friends in Gaza, IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Area communities awarded CDBG funds COLUMBUS State officials have announced that 51 communities will receive more than $10.6 million in allocations to support community development projects across the state. Funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocation Program, this funding will assist communities in completing a variety of infrastructure improvements and public services aimed at spurring economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents. The following communities in North Central Ohio were awarded funding: Ashland City - $150,000 Ashland County - $150,000 Crawford County - $220,000 Marion County - $202,000 Richland County - $288,000 Projects that may be funded through this program can include street repairs, sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation facilities, water and sewer line replacements, and community centers. Public service projects can include funding for programs such as Meals on Wheels, health and wellness, and housing and homelessness assistance. Columbia Gas warns customers about check scam COLUMBUS Columbia Gas of Ohio is aware of a scam that involves customers and non-customers alike receiving fraudulent checks from someone claiming they represent Columbia Gas of Ohio. These checks are fraudulent and are not from Columbia Gas. The company says it's an attempt to steal funds and personal information from unsuspecting consumers. Along with the paper check is a letter with instructions on what to do with the check once received. In the letter, the fraudster urges the recipient not to discard the letter and even asks the recipient to send updates on the status of the fraudulent check to the scammer's email. Columbia Gas of Ohio is warning people about a fraudulent check like this one that some people have been receiving. If you believe you may have been contacted by a scammer claiming to be Columbia Gas, call 1-800-344-4077. Gov. DeWine announces enhancements to Safer Ohio School Tip Line COLUMBUS Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has announced several enhancements to the state's free Safer Ohio School Tip Line (1-844-SAFEROH) that will make it easier for Ohioans to report school safety concerns. In addition to calling and texting the tip line, Ohioans anywhere in the state can now report school safety information through a new smartphone app and online web form. The new Safer Ohio School Tip Line smartphone app, available both on iOS and Android devices, and the online web form include pre-populated prompts to help users quickly upload information. The tip line will also be newly staffed by crisis response professionals who are trained to help individuals contemplating self-harm. Additional upgrades to the tip line include more flexibility for schools and law enforcement to increase the number of staff members who receive immediate tips. School students, staff, parents and community members associated with any school in Ohio are encouraged to report any school safety concerns to the tip line. Those who report tips can choose to remain anonymous. Marion Star This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion County CDBG funding, Columbia Gas scam, Safer School Tip Line LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's King Charles and his wife Camilla will travel to Kenya for a four-day state visit at the end of this month where he will acknowledge "painful aspects" of its colonial past, Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday. It will be the third foreign trip by the royals since Charles became king following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth in September last year, and their first to a nation in the Commonwealth, the voluntary association which he also heads. The destination is particularly symbolic for Charles as his late mother was in Kenya on a royal tour with her husband Prince Philip in 1952 when she became queen on the death of her father King George VI. It also comes as the east African nation celebrates 60 years of independence from Britain. However, logistics mean Charles will be unable to visit the Treetops Hotel where his mother was staying when her husband broke the news to her that she was now the monarch. During the trip, which will run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, Charles will hold a meeting with President William Ruto, attend a state banquet and hear about how the two nations are working together on issues such as defence and climate change, Chris Fitzgerald, the king's deputy private secretary, told reporters. But it will also touch on the former British colony's past, a sensitive issue after Britain expressed regret and paid out compensation a decade ago for the abuse and torture suffered during the bloody Mau Mau insurgency, the so-called Kenyan Emergency of 1952-1961, in which thousands of Kenyans died. "His majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya," Fitzgerald said. The Kenyan visit, Charles' fourth official visit to the African nation, comes after the royal couple travelled to Germany in March and France last month, with both tours regarded as highly successful diplomatic trips. "They promote the UK to the world and they create lasting legacies and they open up doors and conversations that we might not be able to have," said a senior foreign office official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The UK is committed to ensuring Kenya sees the UK as a partner of choice on peace, on trade, on economic development, and much more ... Their Majesties and his majesty in particular are able to get together government, private sector and civil society, as no other person can do." (Reporting by Michael Holden, additional reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by William James and Christina Fincher) British Airways' flight from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv is returning to the UK after a decision not to land at Israel's main airport. The Airbus A350 had flown almost all of its 2,233-mile journey before turning around. BA has now suspended flights on the route until further notice, as has Virgin Atlantic. A spokesperson for British Airways said: Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation we're suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv. Were contacting customers booked to travel to or from Tel Aviv to apologise for the inconvenience and offer options including a full refund and rebooking with another airline or with British Airways at a later date. We continue to monitor the situation in the region closely. The move comes after an aviation membership organisation, OpsGroup warned: Israel is now an active war zone. As such, all lessons learned regarding civil operations in conflict zones over the last nine years since MH17 need to be applied. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied eastern Ukraine in 2014 by a Buk anti-aircraft missile that belonged to the Russian army. All 298 passengers and crew died in the attack. Ops Group added: The ultimate sentiment from MH17 still echoes: What were they doing flying over a war zone? We truly hope the same question doesnt need to be asked in Tel Aviv airspace this week. Most UK airlines have already suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv. El Al continues to operate on the Heathrow-Tel Aviv route. Tuesdays final Virgin Atlantic flight before its suspension arrived at the Israeli airport at about the same time as the British Airways crew decided to return to London. On Tuesday Finnair cancelled all its flights to and from Tel Aviv until 30 March 2024 because of the unstable situation in Israel. British indie pop group Easy Life has been forced to change their band name after easyGroup, the majority shareholder in airline company easyJet, filed a lawsuit claiming their name infringed on a company trademark. EasyGroup accused the band of infringing the rights of the online retailer Easylife because their name is too similar . Easylife is an independent website that licenses its name from easyGroup for an annual fee. The band have now decided against defending the high court lawsuit, saying that the financial cost of doing so would be too expensive. We have realised that there are no good options available to us, and we need to change our name to move forward, they wrote in a statement on Tuesday 10 October. We simply dont have the funds to access a fair trial in the high court. Not to mention the fact that this would likely rattle on through to 2025, and with this hanging over us we wouldnt be able to release any music in the meantime. Our careers, and indeed our lives, would be on hold. They added: Should we lose [the case], the costs will be recouped from us personally. They could take everything; material possessions, our livelihoods, our homes. Two concerts have been announced in Leicester and London later this week, which will mark the bands last performances under the Easy Life name. In a video shared to Instagram, Matravers explained that if they had challenged the lawsuit, they would have been embarking on a two-year fight against a multi-billion dollar corporation. Matravers also added that the band felt intimated by the companys legal action. EasyGroups lawsuit against the band has attracted condemnation from fans of the band on social media, as well as MPs. Harriet Harman MP for Camberwell and Peckham, where the band live wrote on Twitter/X: Hi @easyJet please confirm that you are withdrawing the legal action launched against my constituents band @easylife forthwith. Jonathan Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South also wrote on X: This is ludicrous from @easyJet - youve got my full support @easylife - Ill do all I can to help. Kevin Brennan, Welsh Labour MP for Cardiff West also wrote on X: How about supporting young artists rather than crushing them with corporate greed? EasyGroup has declined to comment when The Independent contacted them. Sam Hewitt, Jordan Birtles, Lewis Berry, Murray Matravers and Oliver Cassidy of Easy Life (PA) EasyGroup filed the lawsuit last week, arguing the brand had infringed on its trademark through its brand name and via merchandise that appeared to intimate the easyJet logo, and a tour poster with a plane illustrated with signage that resembled that same logo. In a statement made last week, the company labelled Matravers and his fellow band members as brand thieves. It said: With reference to the brand thief Mr Matravers and his fellow band members who have decided to use our brand, easyLife, without permission. We have a long established record of legally stopping thieves from using our brands and I am confident we will stop Mr Matravers. In a statement, The Guardian reports that the company said the band had engaged in the deliberate misleading of the consumer to think that they are part of the easy family in order to increase their own sales Mr Matravers has intentionally used easyGroups well known stylisation and images of easyJet planes in his marketing. EasyGroup had said they were seeking substantial financial damages. The parent company has a long history of launching legal action against companies that it believes use similar names to its family of brands. EasyGroup, which was set up in 1998 by owner Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has a section of its website called brand thieves, which lists its international legal battles to protect the companys intellectual property. In 2018, the easyGroup took legal action against Netflix over its comedy series Easy, claiming its use of the name breached its European trademarks. In 2008, the Northampton-based restaurant easyCurry changed its name under the threat of legal action. Some people think they can make a fast buck by stealing our name and our reputation, it says on the site. They set up websites and companies using the name easy (or phonetic versions of it) which can either pay a passing resemblance to an easyGroup company or be a direct copy. You are here: China Senior residents exercise with the help of a staff member at a social welfare center in Hanshou County of Changde City, central China's Hunan Province, June 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] The National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday that it will launch a nationwide population sample survey this year, in order to accurately and promptly monitor demographic development in China and inform formulation of the country's economic and social development plans and population policies. From Tuesday to Nov 30, selected residents will be asked about their basic information ranging from age, gender and race to education levels, job positions, marital and fertility status and housing condition. The reference time for the survey will be Nov 1, 2023, the NBS added. Hamas gunmen opened fire on an Israeli music festival as part of a multipronged attack on the country that set off a bloody war in the region. But claims that a video shows concert-goers fleeing the Palestinian militant group are false; the clip was taken days earlier as fans streamed into a Bruno Mars show in Tel Aviv. "FESTIVAL ATTENDEES RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES #PRAYFORISRAEL," says text over an October 7, 2023 TikTok video, which shows a crowd of people rushing through a gated area. Screenshot from TikTok taken October 10, 2023 The clip racked up tens of thousands of views as it pinballed across the platform. The footage also circulated on X, formerly known as Twitter. The posts are the latest in a flood of misinformation following Hamas's unprecedented surprise attack on Israel. Palestinian militants fired rockets, gunned down civilians and took around 150 hostages -- including Americans and other foreigners -- in their initial October 7 assault. Israel declared war and retaliated by shutting down food, electricity and water for the Gaza Strip, the densely populated, impoverished territory governed by Hamas that has been under a blockade since 2007. The Hebrew nation also launched a barrage of airstrikes and deployed tens of thousands of soldiers around the Palestinian enclave and on its northern border with Lebanon. Thousands had been killed in the conflict by October 11, including about 270 massacred by Hamas fighters at the October 7 Supernova music festival near Gaza. But the video circulating online is unrelated. AFP found the same footage published to TikTok as early as October 4, 2023 -- days before the attack. The original Hebrew post says it shows the moment gates opened at a Bruno Mars concert (archived here). This embedded content is not available in your region. The American pop star performed that day at HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv. A second show slated for October 7 was canceled after Hamas's attack, according to news reports and Live Nation, a company that sells concert tickets. A Live Nation sign appears briefly in the video circulating online. A water slide in the clip also matches one in Google Maps Street View imagery from HaYarkon Park (archived here). Screenshot from TikTok taken October 11, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP Screenshot from Google Maps Street View taken October 11, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP "There was no incident on October 4 at HaYarkon Park, Tel Aviv," Monique Sowinski, a spokesperson for Live Nation, told AFP. Live Nation urged concert attendees to arrive early (archived here), and a journalist's video on X shows a line forming hours before the performance (archived here). Several other videos on TikTok show the race to the stage for the Bruno Mars event once the gates opened (archived here, here, here, here and here). AFP has debunked other misinformation about the Israel-Hamas conflict here. Donations purchased by a Brooklyn synagogue community to aid military and humanitarian relief efforts in Israel are seen being loaded into a car in Brooklyn, New York By Gabriella Borter (Reuters) -An hour after Rabbi Jonathan Leener put out a call for donations among his small Brooklyn synagogue community, he had raised $5,000. Soon he had taken in enough supplies to fill an SUV. The contributions included everything from sleeping bags to toiletries for the 300,000 reservists - some of whom live in the United States - called up by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. "I think people here feel somewhat helpless being so far away, so the response from people has been really dramatic in the best way possible," Leener said, noting that many community members have immediate family in Israel. In the days since Hamas attacked Israel, that response has translated into contributions of millions of dollars, loads of military gear and mountains of clothing, food and household supplies from Jewish communities across the United States. Items have ranged from granola bars to boots and bulletproof vests. The donations underscore the concern and connection Jews in the United States feel toward Israel. Despite reports in the Israeli press that soldiers lack important pieces of equipment, including body armor, the IDF has denied that there are systemic equipment shortages. The outpouring of U.S. support has come from the smallest neighborhood synagogues to the wealthiest corners of the Jewish business community - and everything in between. Some 5.8 million Jews live in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. Billionaire investor Yuri Milner said on Tuesday that his philanthropic foundation would donate $5 million to the Jewish Agency for Israel, a non-profit organization, to provide emergency aid and long-term rehabilitation. Businessman Mike Bloomberg promised to match all donations to Magen David Adom, an Israeli disaster relief and emergency medical service organization. Bloomberg had matched $7.5 million of donations as of Wednesday, a spokesperson said. While airlines have suspended flights to Israel amid the violence, communities are relying on word-of-mouth networks and social media to connect with organizers who are loading the few flights out of major cities with supplies and chartering private planes to transport reservists and donations. Elan Kornblum, the Brooklyn-based head of Great Kosher Restaurants Foodies, has turned his company's Facebook page of 91,000 members - who usually discuss favorite kosher restaurants - into a forum for coordinating Israel aid efforts. Someone in the Facebook group offered to drive supplies to Newark Liberty International Airport. Another asked where to donate blood in New York City. One person sought advice on how to buy and send bulletproof vests to a family member's IDF platoon, and was answered by someone who said they had a friend with 15 such vests. One group member posted the phone number of a contact who was chartering a plane to Israel so others could reach out directly. "This was just a natural turn for us to help out here," Kornblum said of the foodies Facebook group. Legacy aid organizations have also leapt to raise money for lifesaving support in Israel and the Palestinian territories in the wake of the attack. Palestine Children's Relief Fund called for donations on its website to help provide medical aid and humanitarian relief to children in Gaza as Israeli air strikes hit civilian areas. Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross, both of which are active in Israel and the Palestinian territories, were accepting donations on their websites, although Israel's blockade of food and supplies to Gaza could thwart aid efforts. Chayal el Chayal, a nonprofit organization that supports IDF soldiers who do not have family in Israel, has raised about a half million dollars in a day and a half, according to founder Mordy Botnick. Botnick said the organization's fundraiser had garnered a huge amount of support through online page shares and through word of mouth. Chayal el Chayal was sending over gear on charter planes this week, he said. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter in Washington; Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in Jerusalem; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Lisa Shumaker) Burundi's sacked central bank governor has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and misappropriation of public assets. The charges against Dieudonne Murengerantwari are "provisional" pending the outcome of investigations, the justice ministry said. Mr Murengerantwari has not yet responded to the allegations. On Sunday, Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye fired him, just over a year after he took up the post. Burundi's economy is in deep trouble with a shortage of foreign currency that has made it difficult to import goods. In recent years, it has also been hit by a shortage of fuel from time to time, and a rise in prices that has worsened the cost of living crisis. About 65% of the population of 12 million live in poverty, according to the World Bank. In a statement, the justice ministry accused Mr Murengerantwari of "undermining the proper functioning of the national economy, passive corruption, money laundering and misappropriation of public assets". It did not give further details, but Attorney General Leonard Manirakiza said the ex-governor would remain in custody while investigations continued. Mr Murengerantwari was appointed to the post - which is vital to achieving economic stability - for five years, but was dismissed in his second year in office. He was previously the managing director of Burundi's state-linked development bank. He has been replaced by a member of the bank's board, Edouard Normand Bigendako. Mr Murengerantwari is the second central bank chief in Africa to run into legal trouble this year. Nigeria's central bank governor Godwin Emefiele was suspended in June, and later charged with illegally owning a shotgun and cartridges. He denied the charges. Good Wednesday morning, and welcome to the Oct. 11 edition of the State Worker Newsletter. Programming note: Were still accepting title suggestions for the newsletter. If youve got one, send it to The Bees State Worker reporter Maya Miller at mmiller@sacbee.com. THIS WEEKS BUZZ State dental benefits havent increased in 40 years, retiree group says Retired state workers are unsettled that Californias most comprehensive and popular dental plan only covers up to $2,000 worth of services each year. Thats the same amount they were eligible for 40 years ago, according to the California State Retirees association. And, as one retiree points out, $2,000 barely covers half the cost of an average dental implant. In the last eight months, retiree Geoff McLennan says he and his wife have undergone $12,500 worth of dental services. After a failed root canal, McLennan had to have an infected tooth surgically removed and replaced with an implant. His wife, Connie, had a rare form of tooth decay and needed a double extraction and surgical implants. Only $3,500 of the couples costs were covered by their state dental plan, administered by Delta Dental of California. How can they call this a benefit? McLennan said. Were having to use our retirement checks to pay for these high costs. The Rocklin resident was shocked when he learned from the California State Retirees that the maximum benefit hadnt increased in nearly four decades. McLennan said he knew other retirees who were taking out loans and using credit cards to finance their dental work. State workers and retirees who want a PPO plan short for preferred provider organization, which generally provides the widest array of coverage their only option is Delta Dental of California. The companys three PPO plans max out after covering $2,000 worth of services ($1,500 for dependents). The state of California has contracted with the company since October 1984 and actively monitors plan utilization and engages with Delta Dental annually to ensure competitive coverage options, according to CalHR spokesperson Camille Travis. McClennan questioned why the state wouldnt choose to solicit more competitive bids from other providers. Only about 5% of people enrolled in the states dental plan hit their $2,000 plan year maximum, Travis said, and more than half of enrollees use less than $400 worth of coverage. The $2,000 maximum is consistent with industry standards, Travis wrote, and 80% of Delta Dental of Californias portfolio offers less than that per year, according to CalHR. Still, Larry Woodson, former health benefits chair of the California State Retirees, questions why the state isnt able to offer a separate plan with higher premiums for people who know theyll need more dental coverage. Woodson met with representatives from CalHR in February to discuss the possibility of expanding coverage, but he hasnt received a follow-up meeting since June. Woodson just recently retired from his position as health benefits chair. They were very cordial in meeting with us, and we appreciated that, Woodson said of the retirees meeting with CalHR. The idea was theyd talk to us when they were ready. Nearly eight months have passed since then, and it looks like state workers and retirees will face a similar menu of options for dental benefits in 2024 as they did last year. An update on the California Association of Professional Scientists This week, Californias state scientists were dealt another blow when Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that wouldve commissioned a third-party analysis of their compensation and salaries. Assembly Bill 1677, from Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, D-Inglewood, would have instructed the UC Berkeley Labor Center to independently consult with both the scientists union and CalHR and then present their findings to the Director of Finance by April 30. This bills requirement to implement any increase in compensation resulting from the study effectively circumvents the collective bargaining process, Newsom wrote in his veto message. However, the California Association of Professional Scientists disagrees with Newsoms interpretation of the bill. It looks to us like the governor either didnt fully read the bill, or he didnt understand it, said Jon Ortiz, a spokesman for CAPS. It certainly doesnt get rid of the Dills Act. More than 50 legislators signed a letter last month calling on the governor and CalHR to make a deal with the scientists. AB 1677 also passed both chambers with more than two-thirds majority votes. As scientists, we rely on our data, said Jacqueline Tkac, CAPS bargaining chair, in a previous Bee interview. When you cant agree on the data thats being collected and presented at the table to make decisions, its really hard to agree on a lot. The Public Employment Relations Board assigned mediator Kenneth Glenn to oversee talks between CAPS and CalHR, Ortiz said. However, meetings wont begin until November due to scheduling conflicts. Former Earthquake Authority chief faces fines for conflict of interest A former executive with Californias public earthquake insurer could owe up to $4,000 in fines to the states General Fund for reportedly awarding a sign-making contract to the company where her husband was employed at the time. Kellie Schneider, who served as the chief operating officer for California Earthquake Authority from 2017 to 2020, agreed in a stipulation with the Fair Political Practices Commission that she violated the states Political Reform Act by awarding a contract to WeidnerCA, a marketing company where her husband, Edward Schneider, allegedly worked. By participating in the bid process and by signing off on WeidnerCA as the selected bid for the sign project, Schneider participated in and made a governmental decision to enter into a contract on behalf of the CEA, the stipulation document reads. As WeidnerCA was the contracting party and because WeidnerCA was a financial interest to Schneider, Schneider had a conflict of interest when she approved the contract between CEA and WeidnerCA. The board will vote on Thursday on whether to impose the $4,000 fine. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT The Bee analyzed 21 months of California telework data. How does your department compare? After years of setbacks, California legislative workers won the right to unionize WHAT IM READING Dueling stories from the New York Times Magazine and the Atlantic question whether Kamala Harris has what it takes to ascend to the presidency. YOUR TURN If you work from an office in downtown Sacramento, where do you park and how much do you pay? Share your thoughts with The Bee in the module below or by sending an email to mmiller@sacbee.com. On Tuesday night, Fox News spoke to Israels foreign policy advisor, Ophir Falk, about its plan of action going forward, and MSNBC discussed how Irans leadership spoke in favor of Hamas attacks on Israel. Fox News Netanyahus foreign policy adviser on whats next Every sane person on Earth knows that Hamas, funded by Iran, is responsible for the barbaric attacks on Israel, Laura Ingraham said on the Ingraham Angle Tuesday night. Tonight, were going to be very clear. Hamas is evil, Iran is partnering with Hamas and both are responsible for the killing of civilians and the kidnapping and murder of Americans, Ingraham said. Falk, foreign policy advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, joined Ingraham and was asked, You know you only have a small window of goodwill before the pro-Palestinian activists on the streets accuse you of war crimes against civilians. How do you counter that? We have begun our counteroffensive against Hamas, and we are at war of civilization against these savages, Falk said. We have to win this war. We will win this war. He added, It was the worst attack on civilians in our history. Children were tied up and burned to death. ... By the way, were not only winning for Israel, for our people, but were also winning for America and the entire free world. The Hamas will be dismantled, Falk said. Related MSNBC Irans commending of Hamas attacks On The Last Word, Lawrence ODonnell spoke to NBC News Correspondent Ali Arouzi regarding Irans involvement in the Hamas attacks on Israel. Today the White House made it very specific that they do not have intelligence evidence indicating that Iran was a prime mover or seriously involved in the actual planning of this invasion, ODonnell said. Arouzi said that although the State Department said that Iran was not a part of the attacks directly, it was complicit, he said, And thats because Iran has supported Hezbollah and Hamas for so many years. Theyve been their patron. Theyve given them a lot of money, a lot of weapons and a lot of training. Arouzi added that the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, spoke on Tuesday for the first time following the attacks, and he denied Tehran was involved, but he did hail the attacks. He glorified them, saying that Israels irreparable military and intelligence defeat was great. He emphasized that Khamenei was wearing a scarf that resembled Palestinian style and even said, He kisses the hands of those who planned the attack on the zionist regime. A man was shot multiple times inside of his house Tuesday night in Cahokia Heights. He died later at a St. Louis hospital. Maj. Tony Tomlinson of the Cahokia Heights Police Department said police received a call at 7:20 p.m. to go to 631 West Ave. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim had been lying in his bed inside his home when the shooter knocked at the door. The shooter identified himself as someone else and was given the green light to enter the home, and seconds later, he shot the victim multiple times and fled out of the front door, Tomlinson said. Our victim died later at a St. Louis hospital. Police have interviewed multiple witnesses and are continuing to look for more. The only description police officers were able to obtain is that the suspect was a black male with dreads. They are asking anyone with information about this crime to call Cahokia Heights Police at 618-825-2681. Tomlinson said police have been canvassing the area seeking video footage from homes and businesses in the neighborhood. He said Cahokia Heights police have requested Illinois State Police to assist in the investigation. No further information is available at this time, Tomlinson said. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A person has been airlifted to a hospital after being involved in a crash that took place Tuesday evening east of Coalinga, according to Cal Fire. Around 6 p.m. Fresno County Fire announced they responded to Sutter Avenue just south of Jayne Avenue for a two-car collision. Fire crews say one person has been airlifted to a local hospital with major injuries. The collision also started a small grass fire. The circumstances leading up to the collision are actively under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Actors, comedians and presenters across the world have paid tribute to The Great Australian Bake Off co-host Cal Wilson , who has died aged 53. Born in New Zealand in 1970, Wilson was a stand-up comedian who mainly worked in Australia. Throughout her career, she appeared on a wide range of TV projects, including Australian versions of Dancing with the Stars and Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!. On Wednesday (11 October), Wilsons management Token Artists announced her death following a short illness. We are devastated to share the news that Cal Wilson, the much-loved stand-up comedian, writer and actor died today, surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. She was 53 years old. Several fans and famous figures have shared their memories of Wilson following the announcement. Actor Rebel Wilson wrote: This is so tragic and my heart goes out to Cals family. I was very very lucky to work with Cal on multiple projects especially over the last few years where she wrote brilliant material for me. She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind. Elsewhere on Twitter/X, The Last Legs Adam Hills shared his reaction to Wilsons death, naming her as one of lifes best people. The news of Cals death has broken me slightly but the outpouring of love for her has been so heartwarming, the presenter and comedian wrote. She was one of lifes best people and she made everyone happy. Everyone. Off stage and on. Thats how you live a life. May her spirit live on. Love ya Calbo. Cal Wilson in 2015 (Getty Images) The official Twitter/X account of QI also shared their condolences on social media. Wilson appeared on the BBC panel programme in 2012 during an episode based solely on the topic of journeys. Everyone at QI is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Cal Wilson, a brilliant comedian, panellist and member of the QI family, the statement reads. Our thoughts are with her friends and family. Wilsons Great Australian Bake Off co-presenter Natalie Tran appeared on the Australian news programme The Project and recalled Wilsons joy and generosity. Cal was like working with a Santa Claus who didnt care about whether you were naughty or nice. You got presents either way, Tran quipped. I wouldnt be able to carry all of the presents shes given me over the time Ive known her. Every day, she was like a cheerleader for every single person. This embedded content is not available in your region. Wilson regularly posted content about her cats, Barnacle and Pirate, on TikTok. Her final post was shared in July, which featured one of her cats jumping up onto her shoulder as she brandishes a treat and laughs. In today's experiment, will Barnacle leave the coffee machine for a Twiggy stick? she wrote as a caption. Cal Wilson is survived by her husband Chris Woods and their son Digby. Two bills signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, will hold California university systems accountable for the proper repatriation of Native American human remains and other cultural items to the appropriate Native American tribes. The 1990 federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGRPRA) and its 2001 state counterpart, CalNAGPRA, require government entities, including universities, return Native American remains and artifacts be returned to appropriate tribes. The need for bills signed into law on Tuesday gained attention in June when an auditors report cited the CSU systems lapses and blunders in failing to ensure the timely return of Native American remains and cultural objects. The audit revealed almost 700,000 Native American remains and artifacts were not returned to appropriate tribal descendants in violation of NAGRPRA and CalNAGPRA. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. The two bills, AB 226 and AB 389, will close the gap in compliance issues. The bills were introduced by Assemblyman James C. Ramos, who is the first and only California Native American serving in the California legislature. Ramos is the former tribal chairman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Were still dealing with a state that has not come to terms with its history deplorable history and treatment towards Californias first people, Ramos said. Newsom, who apologized to California tribes in June 2019, said it is time to reckon with our past and right the wrongs of history. I am proud to work with Assemblymember Ramos to expedite the return of Native American ancestors and cultural items to their peoples. While there is still much work to be done, I am hopeful this legislation is a step in the right direction to support tribes and institutions seeking to expedite the healing process of repatriation. Newsom said. AB 226 - California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: University of California: The legislation requires two more state audits on University of California (UC) campuses in the wake of slow progress in returning wrongly held Native American human remains and cultural artifacts to the appropriate tribes under a bill Ramoss measure also calls upon UC to report each of its campuss progress toward full repatriation of its collections to the Assembly Higher Education Committee every year starting in June 2024. Federal and state law required UC to return the human remains and items by 1995. It is painfully disturbing that the UC campuses have failed to return the remains of our ancestors after 28 years. UCs disrespectful and ongoing delays have prevented Californias tribes from fulfilling their sacred duty to rebury our ancestors, Ramos said. After almost 30 years, it is long past time for UC to meet this obligation. We appreciate Governor Newsoms signing AB 226 into law and recognizing that the University of California has a long way to go to fully implement NAGPRA and Cal NAGPRAand that it is imperative that the California State Auditor continue their compliance audits in 2024 and 2026. Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Chairman Kenneth Kahn said AB 389 - California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: California State University This bill requires California State University (CSU) campuses to follow State Auditor recommendations for repatriation of Native American human remains and items wrongfully in their possession and prohibited from using Native American remains and cultural artifacts for purposes of teaching or research and to the appropriate tribes under legislation signed AB 389 will ensure that decades after a federal and state requirement to repatriate the remains of our ancestors, CSU takes this responsibility seriously. These bones are the remains of our ancestors and deserve respectful reburial, Ramos said. It is a fundamental human right to be buried according to the customs of ones people. I know of no other group denied this right. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians sponsored AB 389 and was introduced and carried by Ramos. San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez who testified in support of the proposal says the fact that little to no progress has been made in repatriating our ancestors, funerary objects, and cultural items over the 33 years since the federal NAGPRA was enacted in 1990 is appalling and unacceptable. I want to thank the Governor and the Legislature for supporting this legislation. This is a critical step toward accountability and compliance with NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA by the CSU systems. The ancestral remains and cultural items held in the CSU inventories are critical to preserving Native American cultures and histories, and should be repatriated to tribal nations as existing state and federal laws require. Hernandez said. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Safety is always a top priority for parents heading into Halloween a holiday that can be all tricks and no treats for some. One Southern California city was ranked among the top ten safest cities for trick-or-treating this year, according to a study from Chamber of Commerce, a website aimed at helping small business owners and entrepreneurs. Knotts Berry Farm offering scare immunity necklace for Halloween event Researchers analyzed multiple safety factors across 300 U.S. cities, with a population of 100,000 or more, to determine which areas were considered safe for trick-or-treaters. Among them were the number of pedestrian fatalities, violent crime, property crime, number of registered sex offenders, and number of law enforcement employees per 10,000 people. The safety factors, each worth 20 points, were graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the safest place for kids to go trick-or-treating. Orange County school district to consider a parental notification policy A total of five California cities were ranked toward the top. Residents in Orange County wont have to travel far to ensure their kids stay safe while enjoying the spooky holiday since Irvine was ranked as the 10th safest city for trick-or-treaters, according to the report. These California cities are the safest for trick-or-treaters: 10th: Irvine in Orange County: Total score 75 12th: Glendale in Los Angeles County: Total score 74 18th Carlsbad in San Diego County: Total score 70 21st: Murrieta in Riverside County: Total score 69 22nd: Sunnyvale in Santa Clara County: Total score 67 Naperville, Illinois, was considered to be the safest city for trick-or-treaters nationwide. The complete study can be viewed here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Four international bloggers explored and filmed four major transportation projects in China along the Belt and Road, which include the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway in Indonesia, the Padma Bridge Railway in Bangladesh, Guangdong Shenzhen-Jiangmen Railway's Pearl River Estuary Tunnel and the Jiangsu Changtai Yangtze River Bridge to find the impact that China's railway projects have had on local residents' lives. Indonesian vlogger Yenny Khu took her first ride on the Jakarta-Bandung bullet train, which began its commercial operations earlier in October. She expressed her excitement for Southeast Asia's first high-speed train. "I'm thrilled as this marks Indonesia's entry into the world's league of bullet trains." The journey from Jakarta to Bandung, which previously took 3.5 hours, has now shortened to 40minutes. "Despite its speed, the ride is smooth, and the carriage feels stable and comfy." Northern Ireland-based blogger Mcllmoyle Adam traveled to Bangladesh to witness a milestone: the inauguration of the train crossing over the Padma River via the Padma Bridge Rail Link. "China is making a significant impact here," Adam observed. "Locals halted their day, eyes fixed on that train, cheering as it made its historic bridge crossing. The palpable excitement for this monumental project was everywhere." Locally, the bridge is dubbed "Road of Dreams." Venezuelan influencer Rafael Saavedra, after touring the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge in Jiangsu province, remarked: "Upon completion, this will stand as the world's longest cable-stayed bridge. Truly, a monumental feat." British blogger Jason Richard rode through the Pearl River Estuary Tunnel, a prominent feature of the Guangdong Shenzhen-Jiangmen Railway. He was struck to learn that the tunnel is the deepest and the best for withstanding water pressure in the country and even unparalleled globally. "The marvel of China's construction capabilities is evident. Standing inside these Chinese-constructed tunnels, I always feel a deep sense of safety." Richard said. The trips of the four bloggers will be concluded into the documentary series Silk Road Insights: International Influencers Explore China Railway, presented by China State Railway Group and Xufang International Communications Center, a subsidiary of China International Communications Group. A new California law will expand the states ability to force residents who are suffering from severe mental illness and addiction issues to get treatment. Senate Bill 43, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) Tuesday, expands the definition of gravely ill to include people unable to provide basic needs to themselves due to untreated mental illness or unhealthy substance use disorders. Those individuals will not be eligible for conservatorship, effectively forcing them into mental health treatment. The law is part of efforts to tackle homelessness in the Golden State, with local governments complaining their hands are tied if a person refuses to receive help. However, it has also raised concerns from civil liberties advocates who worry it will allow the state to over-impose its will on individuals. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. The law, first introduced by state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D), will update situations when this intervention can be considered and create the first-ever meaningful transparency into data and equity on mental health conservatorships. California is undertaking a major overhaul of our mental health system. The mental health crisis affects us all, and people who need the most help have been too often overlooked, Newsom said in a statement. We are working to ensure no one falls through the cracks, and that people get the help they need and the respect they deserve. California, which is home to more than 171,000 homeless people or about 30 percent of the total U.S. homeless population has spent more than $20 billion in the past few years to address the issue, according to The Associated Press. The law updates the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act, which was passed in 1967 to end involuntary, indefinite confinement. The LPS Act was adopted at a time when public policy was essentially to warehouse people that were mentally ill. The Act established strong and important civil liberty protections to ensure individual rights are protected, Eggman said in a statement. Like many things that are decades old, it has long been time to make some adjustments to the law to address the realities we are seeing today on our streets. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Northern California man died in jail after he fell unresponsive and languished virtually unattended in his cell for at least three days, the prisoner's loved ones said in a federal lawsuit. Maurice Monk, 45, was the victim of utterly callous and indifferent lack of action by law enforcement and medical staff members at Santa Rita Jail, according to the familys lawsuit, which was amended Tuesday and cites more than 150 videos taken from Alameda County sheriff's deputies' body cameras. Monk was declared dead on Nov. 15, 2021. His family's civil action filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco names as defendants Alameda County, which operates the jail; Wellpath Community Care, the private contractors who provide health care to prisoners at the jail; and various individual deputies and employees of the facility. Monk's death certificate listed hypertensive cardiovascular disease as the cause of death, but his family disputes that. Thats not what killed Maurice Monk. It was the failure of the jails nurses and guards to ensure Maurice received his medications to treat his mental illness and chronic high blood pressure, family attorney Adante Pointer said in a statement. They literally did nothing more than stare at him and throw food and medications into his cell like he was an animal in a pen at the zoo. Despite the obvious crisis, not a single guard or nurse thought enough about Mr. Monk to call for help. Maurice Monk. (Courtesy Lawyers For The People) Monk was first booked into jail after an incident on a public bus in Oakland on Oct. 11, 2021, when he suffered a "mental health crisis," refused to put on a mask and argued with the driver, his family said. Bail was set at $2,500, but Monk's family said they couldn't afford it, so he had to sit in custody. Monk was found dead in his cell on Nov. 15, 2021, but "it is likely that Mr. Monk was dead well before this," the lawsuit says. Jailers and medical staff members visited Monk's cell several times a day on Nov. 12, 13 and 14, and each time he was facedown in the bed, naked from the waist down and not responding to any verbal commands, the lawsuit says. Other allegations from the lawsuit include: Food had been left for Monk and none had been touched, prompting one jail employee to allegedly say to another on Nov. 12: "But there's one thing you should know. He hasn't been eating for a day and a half." When a jail employee told a deputy on Nov. 13 that Monk was soiled and didn't appear to be moving, the jailer allegedly said: "I know he's just peeing on himself. Come on, you know how it is. There are people just s----ing themselves." When Monk appeared to be in exactly the same position again Nov. 14, a jail employee told a deputy that he had "been like that for two days or so," but the law enforcement agent didn't act, the family's civil claim maintains. Deputies didn't take decisive action until Nov. 15, when they went into the cell, touched his body and tried to get a pulse but by that point "Monk was unresponsive and was 'stiff,'" the lawsuit says. Jailers dragged Monk off his bed and performed CPR, but he remained unresponsive and was declared dead. Representatives of Santa Rita Jail, Alameda County and Wellpath, based in Nashville, Tennessee, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Wednesday. The lawsuit doesn't list a dollar amount for damages sought by plaintiffs, the estate or Maurice Monk, as represented by his daughter and son. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com California legislators last month quietly repealed a 2022 law that authorized disciplinary action against doctors, including loss of their medical licenses, when they share COVID-19 "misinformation" with their patients. The law, A.B. 2098, defined that ambiguous and highly contested category of speech as "false information that is contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus contrary to the standard of care." Not sure what that means? Neither were the California physicians who challenged the law on First Amendment grounds in two separate lawsuits. They argued that the state's amorphous definition of prohibited medical advice was bound to have a chilling impact on constitutionally protected speech. In McDonald v. Lawson, which the Liberty Justice Center (LJC) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on October 4, 2022, Judge Fred Slaughter declined to issue a preliminary injunction, concluding in a December 28 order that A.B. 2098 was probably constitutional. Four weeks later in Heg v. Newsom, which the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California on November 2, Judge William B. Shubb reached the opposite conclusion. Shubb blocked enforcement of the law, which he said "fails to provide a person of ordinary intelligence fair notice of what is prohibited" and "is so standardless that it authorizes or encourages seriously discriminatory enforcement." When the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit heard oral arguments in McDonald v. Lawson on July 17, two members of the three-judge panel likewise expressed skepticism about the state's defense of A.B. 2098, which may explain why legislators decided to ditch it. "After a year of litigation," the LJC announced last week, "California conceded the inevitable and repealed [A.B. 2098], the State's blatantly unconstitutional attempt to censor the free speech of doctors throughout the state. The repeal comes on the heels of oral argument in McDonald v. Lawson, where the state faced an icy reception from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals." Although icy may be too strong a word, California Deputy Attorney General Kristin Liska definitely ran into trouble when she argued that the state's new, disease-specific restrictions on medical advice, which covered issues such as "the nature and risks of the virus," "its prevention and treatment," and "the development, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines," were perfectly consistent with the First Amendment. Ninth Circuit Judge Danielle Forrest suggested that California had departed from "the normal regulatory framework" by "honing in on" information about one "particular thing" and "saying that we have to have a consensus" about it. It "seems odd," she said, "to pass a statute that specifically addresses this topic and then to fold in there some sort of consensus requirement." A.B. 2098 "does not mandate that there has to be a consensus," Liska replied, and "there may well be situations where there is no scientific consensus or where multiple options fall within the standard of care." But she said some kinds of "egregious" advicesuch as claims that "the vaccines contain microchips that will have aliens abduct you," that "the vaccines make you magnetic," or that "they'll make you infertile"are "just not acceptable to give to a patient in the specific context A.B. 2098 covers, which is within the exam roomwhile caring and treating for an individual patient." Forrest pressed Liska to go beyond those "dramatic examples." Suppose, she said, a patient asks whether she should get her "small kids" vaccinated, and the doctor replies, "Well, I mean, it's up to you, but I'll just tell you I didn't, because I think that small children are less at risk." Would that doctor be subject to professional discipline under A.B. 2098? "If what they say is false, is contradicted by the contemporary scientific consensus, and [is] outside the standard of care, they could be, yes," Liska said. "It's difficult" Here Forrest interrupted Liska and asked her to "apply this law to the scenario I just described." After all, she said, "the statute doesn't define what the consensus is," so "how is a doctorgonna know what he should or shouldn't say?" Liska again invoked "the standard of care," which she says applies "in all contexts" of medical regulation. But as Forrest noted, A.B. 2098 seemed to modify the standard of care by adding a requirement that doctors hew to a government-recognized consensus. "Isn't that exactly what they're worried about?" Judge Kathleen Cardone asked. "What is that standard of care, particularly when it pertain[s] to COVID? I think that's what Judge Forrest is asking you.How does a doctor know where they're supposed to be? Isn't that exactly why they were afraid of this statute?" Forrest also asked Liska to address a point that LJC attorney (and president) Jacob Huebert made during his oral argument. "From the very beginning" of the pandemic, Huebert noted, "people's ideas about how to treat [COVID-19] and how to prevent it were constantly evolving, and something that was considered appropriate one day might not be considered appropriate the next." Forrest wondered whether A.B. 2098 allowed for the fact that "we need discussion because what we know today might be improved, might change, because we'll learn something different tomorrow." Liska said A.B. 2098 "leaves a lot of room for a discussion to take place in ways that minimize the potential harm," because "a lot of speech is left untouched." Without risking their licenses and livelihoods, she said, doctors could still "publish articles in scientific journals," "go on talk shows," "post on their blogs," and "engage in research studies." Notably, however, it was public comments like these that offended the legislators who enacted A.B. 2098. They cited "news stories about how there are doctors saying things that are just egregious," as Liska put it, which they thought showed "things coming up that are concerning" and "potentially harmful." But according to Liska, the new law did not constrain such statements at all, which would be even more clearly unconstitutional than trying to dictate what doctors say to patients. Two California affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union joined the LJC and the NCLA in arguing that A.B. 2098 was gratuitous and unconstitutional. That did not deter the state from defending the law before the 9th Circuit. But legislators reconsidered the wisdom of their speech restrictions less than two months after the oral arguments in that case. In February, the month after Shubb enjoined enforcement of A.B. 2098, California legislators began considering S.B. 815, a medical regulation bill that initially said nothing about limits on medical advice regarding COVID-19. Last month, the bill was amended to "repeal" the provision that said "it shall constitute unprofessional conduct" for a physician to "disseminate misinformation or disinformation related to COVID-19." The legislature approved that version of S.B. 815 on September 14, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law two weeks later. When Newsom signed A.B. 2098 last fall, he averred that it was constitutional because it was "narrowly tailored to apply only to those egregious instances in which a licensee is acting with malicious intent or clearly deviating from the required standard of care while interacting directly with a patient under their care." But as Shubb, Forrest, and Cardone noted, doctors had good reason to worry that the law went much further than Newsom claimed. The post California Quietly Repeals Restrictions on Doctors' COVID-19 Advice appeared first on Reason.com. A California school board president said he received multiple death threats after his board voted to ban all flags except the U.S. flag and the California state flag at the district's elementary school. The Sunol Glen School Board voted 2-1 last month to ban all other flags, including LGBTQ Pride flags, so that no single group would be favored over another, school board president Ryan Jergensen told USA TODAY. The ban was upheld in a second vote Tuesday night. Critics of the decision said flying Pride flags is a key way to show LGBTQ students they belong and can feel safe at school amid a nationwide push for new laws restricting LGBTQ rights and LGBTQ-related education. Since the Sept. 12 vote, Jergensen said he has received dozens of angry emails, including three messages he said made him fear for his physical safety, and that of his wife and children. He reported the messages to police and has filed a restraining order against a former school board member, he said. The tension over Pride flags in Sunol comes amid a growing trend of school districts and municipalities across the country removing and banning Pride flags, in an effort to be more apolitical, proponents said. "The school, the government, should be apolitical, down the middle," Jergensen said. Sunol is part of northern California's Bay Area and has a population of under 1,000. A Pride flag ripped off its flag pole is seen outside the entrance to the Mag.Pi clothing store in Cedar Glen, near Lake Arrowhead, Calif., on Aug. 21, 2023. The owner of the store, Laura Ann Carleton, was fatally shot Aug. 18 by a man who "made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag," according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Attacks against Pride flags on the rise Authorities across the country have been responding this year to a growing number of attacks targeting LGBTQ flags. In August, a Southern California shop owner was shot and killed by a man after a confrontation over a Pride flag she hung outside. Also in August, a Colorado man was charged with a hate crime for destroying LGBTQ Pride flags at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City. Sarah Moore, an extremism analyst with the Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD, recently told USA TODAY she has tracked incidents across the country where people damage, burn or steal Pride flags hanging outside private residences, restaurants and other businesses. Earlier this year, there was an online hate campaign using a hashtag that advocated for a destroy-the-Pride-flag challenge, she said. There's definitely been an increase in attacks against Pride flags," Moore said. Just in August, Moore tracked attacks on Pride flags in Newtown, Connecticut; Capitola, California; Hamtramck, Michigan; Seattle and Houston. "We need allies more than ever," Moore said. The Sunol Glen School Board's decision to ban most flags came after a vandalism incident in June involving a Pride flag that for years had been hung on the school's fence, according to current and former school board members. The message "We Love You Lauri" is seen on a Pride flag at a makeshift memorial outside the Mag.Pi clothing store in Cedar Glen, near Lake Arrowhead, Calif., on Aug. 21, 2023. The owner of the store, Laura Ann Carleton, was fatally shot on Aug. 18 by a man who "made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag" displayed outside her store, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's department. The suspect was later killed during an encounter with deputies. Why is California school board member getting death threats? Dozens of emails were sent to Jergensen following the contentious Sept. 12 vote on the flag resolution, he said. Jergensen said he also filed a restraining order against former school board member Denise Kent Romo because she posted in a private Facebook group saying he has ties to hate groups. Jergensen said the accusations are false. "I requested the restraining order because the most credible death threats I received directly referenced her postings and her ascertains that I'm a member of hate groups," he said, adding he asked Kent Romo to take the post down. In a Wednesday interview, Kent Romo said she had not yet been served restraining order documents and her original Facebook post, which was viewed by USA TODAY, is still up in the private group. She said this would be the first time she has received a restraining order, and that threats of violence made against Jergensen and against any public servant should never be tolerated. "Death threats are never okay, it's absolutely vile," she said. "It's just a terrible situation, and you don't know who online is just a keyboard warrior or somebody with bad intentions. It's very scary." Kent Romo said she opposes the flag ban and remains concerned about attendees at school board meetings who have ties to "extremist" groups. She said she is leading the push for a recall of Jergensen and the other board member who voted in favor of the flag ban. Kent Romo said she feels Jergensen's restraining order is an overreaction because public officials should expect criticism from members of the public. The restraining order against her could also be a tactic to silence further opposition to the flag ban in Sunol, she said. "Public officials have to be accountable to the public," she said, adding that she thinks a majority of the Sunol community opposes the blanket flag ban. LGBTQ counter-protesters wave Pride Flags as Los Angeles police officers separate them from protesters at the Saticoy Elementary School in the North Hollywood section of Los Angeles on Friday, June 2, 2023. Police officers separated the groups Friday outside a Los Angeles elementary school that has become a flashpoint for Pride Month events and activities across California. Why did Sunol Glen School Board ban LGBTQ Pride flags? Jergensen said this year there were competing requests to fly different flags at Sunol Glen Elementary, including the Pride flag, at least one Christian flag and flags representing different nationalities. Instead of considering all the different requests, the school board opted to vote to ban all flags except the U.S. flag and California flag, Jergensen said. "The safest, legally and politically, and the most prudent way to handle it is to not pick a side and to not hold one group above another," Jergensen said, adding he wants all students to be treated equally. For months, LGBTQ groups have warned bans on gay Pride symbols in schools are an extension of curriculum bans restricting mentions of LGBTQ topics. In many states, LGBTQ curriculum bans were passed alongside bans on critical race theory, making the restrictions part of a larger push against inclusion and diversity, advocates said. "What unites the efforts to further marginalize trans youth, ban books and ban Pride flags is a desire to make the world less safe for queer youth," said Gillian Branstetter, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union LGBTQ and HIV Project. "The message that flags send is that anywhere it is flown you will be safe and respected and loved for who you are." Jergensen said he is sorry for any LGBTQ students who have experienced anti-LGBTQ bullying in his district, and who may be upset that Pride flags are no longer permitted. "I don't know if it's my place to try to be a counselor to them," he said. "To anyone who's experiencing bullying or negative rhetoric, I am so sorry for you, that should not be the case." Jergensen said he has six children, including four who attend Sunol Glen Elementary. "Even though I may have my personal beliefs and my wife may have her personal beliefs, and other families have theirs, we don't need to try to convince other people or control other families," he said. Are Pride flags constitutionally protected? Municipal policies banning only the Pride flag are considered "viewpoint discrimination" under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, according to the ACLU. In schools, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled First Amendment protections extend to "teachers and students," neither of whom "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate," the ACLU says in its Pride flag legal resource. But until a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Pride flag bans reaches the Supreme Court, municipalities and school boards can keep passing blanket flag bans, said Jay Blotcher, co-founder of New York City's Gilbert Baker Foundation, an LGBTQ advocacy group named for the Pride flag's creator. "They're willing to put a ban on other flags in their zeal to ban the rainbow flag," Blotcher said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pride flag ban results in death threats for school board president A group of masked thieves in California pushed past a security guard and stole $50,000 worth of merchandise from a Gucci store last week, police said Tuesday. Reserve officers with the San Jose Police Department were working a second job at the Valley Fair Mall on Oct. 5, when they responded to an organized retail theft at the luxury retail store, authorities said. FORMER ILLINOIS POLICE CHIEF CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING FROM FLORIDA WALMART, OFFICIALS SAY Five masked thieves got past a security guard at a Gucci store in California before stealing $50,000 worth of merchandise, police said. The group of thieves overpowered a security guard standing by the front door and stole purses and other items before fleeing, police said. The heist took less than a minute, according to store security footage. A reserve office detained one of the suspects, Shawn Pruitt, a Henderson, Nevada, resident. Pruitt, 27, allegedly resisted and allegedly attacked the officer by throwing several punches. A mall security guard assisted the officer and Pruitt was taken into custody after a brief struggle, police said. Two purses were recovered. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The other suspects fled prior to additional officers responding. Shawn Pruitt, 27, was one of five theft suspects involved in a California robbery, police said. Pruitt was wanted in Nevada on a unspecified charge, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, organized retail theft, possession of burglary tools, assault on an officer and for his warrant out of Nevada. Original article source: California thieves charge past security guard to steal $50K of merchandise from Gucci store: video Lee Sasi, an American woman from California, was attending a music festival several miles from the Gaza border when the Palestinian militant group Hamas began attacking concertgoers, killing hundreds. In an interview with NewsNations Cuomo, Sasi said she hid with her uncle, who died protecting her from a grenade, and a friend, who was shot defending the bomb shelter they were in. Her pregnant cousin is missing and thought to have been kidnapped. Sasi said the Hamas militants were laughing as they shot concertgoers. They were so excited in their voice, and it was like joy to them, Sasi told host Chris Cuomo. Like they were waiting to kill us. For hours, she hid under a pile of dead bodies until she was rescued. Sasi said she feels deaf in one of her ears from the noise of gunshots and rockets. Sasi said she decided to hide underneath dead bodies in the shelter to protect herself from the oncoming grenades. Everybody was dying in front of me, she said. I was sitting on them and then they started throwing grenades. I had to bury myself under the bodies to protect myself. She said she hopes people update the SOS tracking on their cellphones, which ultimately helped her be rescued hours later. Sasi said she hopes her story will make a difference. The Biden administration said it believes at least 20 Americans are still missing in Israel, and more than 100 Israeli citizens may have been taken too. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Last month, Gavin Newsom signed into law a California bill that will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 an hour starting in 2024. While the law has been hailed as a victory for low-wage Californians, the reality is much more complicated. When states force industries to massively increase wages, the result isn't that the same number of employees start making more money. Instead, enacting a climbing minimum wage often results in higher unemployment and higher prices. The law, originally Assembly Bill 1228 was passed as a compromise measure. Last September, Newsom signed the Fast Food Accountability and Standards (FAST) Recovery Act, which would have increased the minimum wage for fast workers to up to $22 an hour. In response, a campaign to get a measure to repeal the law on the 2024 ballot quickly sprang up. Ultimately, restaurant groups gathered enough signatures for the referendum. Rather than face a ballot referendum over the law, Assembly Bill 1228 was crafted to repeal the FAST Act and replace it with a less extreme alternative following negotiations with restaurant and labor groups. The new law applies to employees working for fast food restaurants with more than 60 locations nationally, with an exception for businesses that bake their own bread. However, even though a $20 minimum wage is less extreme than a $22 minimum, California's new fast food minimum wage will surpass the highest basic minimum wage in all other statesWashington DC's $17 minimum wage is the closest to California's new minimum for fast food workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California fast food workers currently make $16.60 an hour on average, the third highest in the nation. While ensuring that fast food workers get better pay may sound like a victory for the working class, there are major downsides to such high minimum wages. While things might be better for those workers who manage to keep their jobsmany business owners will likely be forced to lay off employees in order to keep the lights on or raise prices for consumers. "The economic literature on minimum wage increases has become murkier in recent years, but the overwhelming majority of economists agree that large minimum wage increases in excess of productivity gains means that employers will operate at a loss as far as the affected workers go," wrote Michael D. Tanner, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute following the passage of the FAST act. "Given that the average profit margin in the fast food industry is just 69 percent, those costs are almost certain to be passed along in terms of higher prices or lost jobs." Another side effect of California's new minimum wage law could be the acceleration in fast food companies' turn towards automation in an attempt to save on labor costs. "Over the last few years, many Americans, myself included, have been to McDonald's and used touch screens to place our own orders instead of interacting with cashiers," wrote Brad Polumbo in the Washington Examiner this week. "Well, the more arbitrarily expensive you make human labor, the more companies are incentivized to hurry up and embrace automation." Mandating higher and higher minimum wages for low-skilled jobslike other government attempts to engineer labor market outcomesultimately rarely has its intended effect. Rather than making life better for Californians working in fast food, a new $20 minimum wage will likely cause many to lose their jobs. The post California's $20 Minimum Wage Will Hurt the Fast Food Workers It's Meant to Help appeared first on Reason.com. A sign forbidding customers to bring guns into supermarket is seen in Los Angeles By Nate Raymond (Reuters) -A divided federal appeals court is allowing California's ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition to remain in effect while the state appeals a judge's ruling finding it unconstitutionally violated the rights of firearms owners. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday on a 7-4 vote stayed a judge's Sept. 22 ruling finding the state's ban violated gun owners' rights to keep and bear arms under the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment. The ruling came in a long-running lawsuit by the California Rifle & Pistol Association and gun owners challenging the ban. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez in San Diego in siding with them had cited a 2022 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen, requiring that firearms restrictions be "consistent with this nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation" to pass muster. California Attorney General Rob Bonta , a Democrat, quickly moved to stay that decision, and on Monday, the 9th Circuit's majority agreed with Bonta that the law likely remained valid even under the conservative-majority Supreme Court's ruling. The court said that federal judges nationally had largely upheld large-capacity magazine restrictions since the Supreme Court ruled and that a decision to the contrary could threaten public safety. "If a stay is denied, California will indisputably face an influx of large-capacity magazines like those used in mass shootings in California and elsewhere," the judges, all appointees of presidents who were Democrats, wrote. Four judges appointed by Republican presidents dissented, including U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay, who called the court's attitude toward the Second Amendment in this and other cases "laughably absurd." Bonta in a statement said his office was "relieved that the court considered the public safety of Californians in its decision." Chuck Michel, the president of the California Rifle & Pistol Association, in a statement expressed disappointment and vowed to "defend the rights of gun owners in California all the way to the Supreme Court." Benitez had struck down the magazines ban once before in 2019, but the 9th Circuit overturned him in 2021. The Supreme Court vacated the appeals court ruling and ordered new proceedings consistent with the Bruen decision. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Jonathan Oatis) So Californias liberal Gov. Gavin Newsom has enacted a law known as the Skittles Ban, and it cruelly attacks the four thing all righteous Americans hold dear: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye 3. The law will ban the sale, distribution and production of these traditionally delicious food additives, which are used in thousands of products we eagerly put in our mouths. Newsoms attack on tastiness doesnt actually impact Skittles thank the rainbow! because brave candy advocates persuaded lawmakers to exclude titanium dioxide from the list of banned additives. (Everyone knows its the titanium dioxide that gives Skittles their flavorful pop.) A closeup of a bowl of Skittles, the true breakfast of champions. Still, the four unjustly targeted additives will require producers of certain food-like comestibles to change recipes by 2027 if they want to sell their products in the most-populated state in the country. California's so-called Skittles ban actually goes after Peeps and Yoo-hoo What kind of newfangled communism is this? And since when does a governor have the power to tell me when and where I can guzzle brominated vegetable oil? Here are a few of the endangered products: Peeps; Pez; Fruit By the Foot; Hostess Ding Dongs; Brachs Candy Corn; and Yoo-hoo Strawberry Drink. Peeps - healthy and delicious. THATS MY FOOD PYRAMID, YOU NANNY STATE MONSTER!!! Gavin Newsom's food-additive ban is an assault on my right to junk food Like most sensible patriots, I start each day pounding five seasonally appropriate Peeps and washing the marshmallow-like goop down with a bottle of Strawberry Yoo-hoo, the only beverage bold enough to look like milk while actually being water and high-fructose corn syrup. Its delicious, nutritious-ish and causes an insulin surge that keeps the walls of my arteries in a state of constant inflammation or, as I like to call it, readiness. Pez may fall victim to California's food-additive ban. But Newsom and his propylparaben police want to rob me of that breakfast tradition. Am I now supposed to start eating fruit NOT by the foot?!? Experts say the 'Skittles ban' will protect us, but what if we don't want protection? Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement about the new California law: Weve known for years that the toxic chemicals banned under Californias landmark new law pose serious risks to our health. By keeping these dangerous chemicals out of food sold in the state, this groundbreaking law will protect Californians and encourage manufacturers to make food safer for everyone. Well, lah-di-dah. I dont recall asking for government protection from chemicals I dont understand and didnt technically realize Im eating. But if you think knowing that Red Dye 3 has been found to cause cancer in animals and has been banned from use in cosmetics for more than three decades would stop me from making my annual Thanksgiving candy corn casserole, think again. Candy corn originated in the late 19th century and today is one of most beloved -- and most disliked Halloween candies. Look, California, if Im Hoover-ing Pez into my pie-hole and washing Ding Dongs down with Yoo-hoo, as is my God-given right as a corn-syrup-based citizen of this world, Ive pretty much committed to a ride-or-die lifestyle. So youre going to have to pry the Peeps and potassium bromate from my cold, dead, Red-Dye-3-stained hands. Which, according to these actuarial tables, you should be able to do in about a month and a half. USA TODAY Opinion columnist Rex Huppke. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter, @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Has California banned Skittles? No, but Peeps and Yoo-hoo face trouble At the Ramstein-format meeting, Canada announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine, which will include artillery shells and other weapons, as well as winter uniforms and sleeping bags. Source: European Pravda, referring to Defence Secretary Bill Blair Details: At the 16th meeting of the Contact Group on Defence of Ukraine, Blair said that Canada would donate winter uniforms and equipment worth US$25 million to Ukraine: footwear, multi-layer clothing, and winter sleeping bags. This includes sets of military uniforms for 2,000 female servicewomen produced in Canada. The uniforms will be funded from a US$500 million tranche announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June. In addition, Canada will provide weapons and equipment from its armed forces' stockpile, including: 2,000 155 mm artillery rounds; smoke munitions, including 955 pieces for 155 mm artillery and 2,000 pieces for 81 mm mortars; 2,260 gas masks; 277 1,000-pound aerial bombs with fuses; 76mm ammunition of various types for the Navy. Bill Blair added that the previously announced 8,000 155mm artillery shells, 10,000 105mm shells and about 2 million rounds of 7.62 ammunition for small arms arrived in Ukraine last week. Background: In September, Canada announced a military aid package for Ukraine worth almost US$483 million, which will include 50 armoured vehicles over the next three years. 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! Canada will provide Ukraine with 25 million Canadian dollars ($19 million) in winter clothes and equipment, as well as munitions and gas masks from Canadian military stocks, the country's Defense Minister Bill Blair said at the Ramstein-format summit in Brussels on Oct. 11. The winter equipment, which will be funded from the $370 million tranche announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June, includes boots, thermal layers, winter sleeping bags, and 2,000 female military uniforms. Ukraine will also receive 2,000 155 mm artillery rounds, 955 155mm artillery smoke ammunition rounds, over 2,000 81 mm mortar smoke rounds, 277 aircraft bombs and associated fuse assemblies, 2,260 gas masks, and various types of 76 mm naval ammunition. The Minister also noted that the previously announced donations of almost 8,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, 10,000 rounds of 105 mm artillery rounds, and approximately 2 million rounds of 7.62 mm small arms ammunition were delivered last week. Between February 2022 and September 2023, Canada provided Ukraine with $1.8 billion in military donations. Kyiv's allies are meeting in Brussels for the Ukraine Defense Group Meeting to coordinate military support for Ukraine as it braces for the coming winter. Read also: Zelensky, partners meet in Brussels to boost military support for Ukraine ahead of winter Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Vaccine-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (VAIDS) is a non-existent condition, but articles and social media posts say it is spreading in Canada following Covid-19 vaccination. This is false; the claims misrepresent government data showing the shots were less effective at preventing infection with the Omicron strain of the coronavirus -- not that inoculation harms the immune system. "Canadian Gov't Admit 74% of Triple Vaccinated Now Have VAIDS," says the headline of an October 1, 2023 article from The People's Voice, a website AFP has repeatedly fact-checked for promoting false and misleading claims. The report is based on another story from The Expose with the headline: "Government of Canada data is truly terrifying; suggesting the Triple Vaccinated have developed 'AIDS' & are now 5.1x more likely to die of Covid-19 than the Unvaccinated." Screenshot from The People's Voice taken October 6, 2023 Screenshot from The Expose taken October 6, 2023 Additional articles and screenshots of their claims spread across platforms, including Reddit, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook -- including in French. Brexit party politician Jim Ferguson amplified the claim on X, formerly known as Twitter. The posts are the latest in a flood of misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines, which health authorities around the world continue to recommend to prevent death and severe illness. "These claims are false," Health Canada said in a statement emailed to AFP on October 5, 2023. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), on the other hand, is a chronic condition caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said October 10 that it "would not be possible for a Covid-19 vaccine to cause AIDS," as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) shots do not use a live virus to trigger an immune response and viral vector jabs include "a harmless virus (in this case, an adenovirus) as a delivery system." "To date, no reports of AIDS following Covid-19 vaccines have been submitted to PHAC," the agency said by email. What is VAIDS? Independent experts say VAIDS is not a real condition. AFP first reported on the term "vaccine-acquired immune deficiency syndrome" in 2021 after the group America's Frontline Doctors included it in a false article. At the time, Jason McKnight, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, told AFP: "There is no such thing as vaccine-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or VAIDS." The same holds true in 2023. "There is no VAIDS," said Rachel Roper, professor of microbiology and immunology at East Carolina University, in an October 5 email. "All data worldwide show that Covid vaccines save lives and do not increase deaths." Articles misinterpret data To support their claims, the articles analyzed government data on the number of Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Canada in January and February 2022 -- when the Omicron variant was circulating widely. What Canada's data actually shows is that the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines wanes over time and that the initial jabs were less effective against Omicron. "Evidence suggests that while two doses of vaccine may not provide good protection against getting infected, a two-dose primary series still provides good protection against hospitalization," PHAC said in a January 2022 statement (archived here). "Encouragingly, the latest evidence indicates that a third dose improves protection against both infection and hospitalization due to the Omicron variant." More recently, PHAC told AFP in its October 10 email that it had not received reports from international regulators or other health authorities that vaccines can suppress the immune system. "With billions of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered to individuals across the world, real-world data strongly suggest that Covid-19-vaccinated individuals are not immunocompromised following vaccination," PHAC said. Canada recommends a primary series of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines to individuals six months and older. A first booster dose is recommended for those older than five. "Booster doses provides (sic) additional protection, including against severe disease," Health Canada says on its website (archived here). "However, the duration of protection is currently unknown, and the absolute benefit of additional booster doses will depend on the residual protection from the previous booster dose and on the level of circulating disease in the community." More of AFP's reporting on vaccine misinformation is available here. As of the morning of 9 October, 49 victims of the Russian armys missile attack on the village of Hroza near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, had been identified. On 5 October 2023, Russian troops fired a missile on a cafe where local civilians had gathered to attend a wake for Andrii Kozyr, a fallen Ukrainian defender. Among the more than 50 people killed in Hroza that day were Andrii's closest family members: his parents, his son Denys and daughter-in-law Nina, and his wife Alina and daughter Liza, who had travelled from Poland to honour the defenders memory This article was prepared by the Memorial Memory Platform, which tells the stories of Ukrainian military and civilians killed by Russia, exclusively for Ukrainska pravda. "Denys and Nina were so happy together" Denys and Nina Kozyr Denys Kozyr was born in the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast. He studied at Shevchenkove Lyceum No. 1. Before the full-scale war in Ukraine, he lived in Poland, but on 24 February 2022, he and his father decided to return home to defend Ukraine. His father, Andrii Kozyr, was killed in the battle of Popasna in the early months of the full-scale war. He was initially buried in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, as Hroza was under Russian occupation (that part of Kharkiv Oblast was liberated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in September 2022). Denys performed combat tasks at the front line until the summer of 2023, resigning from service due to health issues in June. Shortly afterwards, the family decided to rebury Denys`s father. The wake was held on 5 October 2023, and the venue where so many people had gathered was fired on by the Russian army. Denys was killed alongside his family. "Denys was the sort of person who would never stand aside he would always help," said Anna Krykun, a friend of the Kozyrs. "He was a hardworking, easy-going and funny guy. He and his wife Nina were so happy together..." Nina Kozyr, Denys's wife, was just 20 years old. The Russian missile that struck on 5 October also killed her mother. Nina, like Denys, was born in Hroza, and it was there that she met the love of her life. She too graduated from Shevchenkove Lyceum No. 1. After leaving school, she decided to become a music teacher. She studied at the Faculty of Physical Education and Arts at Kharkiv Humanities and Pedagogical Academy, and worked as a teaching assistant at the same faculty. Nina loved to sing and perform at concerts first at school pageants and later at the academy. She was fond of embroidery. She used to give blood for Ukrainian defenders and received several blood donor awards. "She was very kind and sincere," said Anna Krykun. "Everyone who knew her would say that she was a girl who was always smiling, the life and soul of the party. I felt that Nina was filled with rays of sunshine because she only gave out warmth and joy. You could message her at any time and ask for advice or help and be sure that she would definitely respond. Nina was an example of true friendship, support, affection, light-heartedness, and understanding in every way. Friends like her are hard to find." "They were raising their two sons, aged 2 and 4" Maksym and Alina Sirokurov 10 October would have been Maksym Sirokurovs 26th birthday. But his life was taken by a Russian missile on 5 October in the village of Hroza. His grandparents and his wife Alina died beside him. Maksym was born in Kharkiv Oblast. He completed his compulsory military service. After the Armed Forces of Ukraine had liberated the village of Shevchenko in Kharkiv Oblast from the Russian occupiers, he and his wife started a business selling clothes for children. They were also raising two small sons aged 2 and 4. Maksyms wife Alina, 23, worked in the beauty industry she was an expert at eyelash extensions. Their friends remember Alina and Maksym as wonderful people who were always cheerful. Maksym liked to go fishing and visit the sauna. "Ive known Alina since we were children," said Nataliia, a friend of Alinas. "She was her parents only child and a good person. Whatever she did, she did it really well. She and her husband were both friendly and caring." "Always cheerful, always helpful and supportive. They adored each other and loved their two sons. They worked hard to give them a future. They were the kind of people who leave a mark on your soul forever. Now they are gone. Its so hard to talk about them in the past tense and realise that they are no longer here," said Lilia Dontsova, a friend of Maksym's. "Well hold a tournament in Lviv, and it will be named after you Volodymyr Mukhovatyi" Volodymyr Mukhovatyi Volodymyr Mukhovatyi, 47, was killed in Hroza together with his wife Svitlana. "Our colleague Volodymyr Mukhovatyi, teacher and head of the financial literacy club, was killed... He was an avid learner and teacher. He had excellent students who were eager to gain knowledge," said Serhii Ivahlo. Volodymyr was born in the village of Shevchenkove, Kupiansk district. He worked as a computer science teacher at the Bezmiatezhnenskyi Lyceum run by the Shevchenkove Village Council. Recently, he had also begun teaching financial literacy. "With his actions and his intellect, he educated many generations of students," said his colleagues at the lyceum where he taught. "He taught them wisdom and responsibility with great skill. Volodymyr never ignored the problems of those around him." Serhii Ivahlo added that they are planning to hold a financial literacy tournament between clubs in Lviv in memory of Volodymyr. "Volodia is gone, and all we can do is to remember him. Well hold the tournament in Lviv, and it will be named after you Volodymyr Mukhovatyi," said Serhii. "We will cherish her memory" Viktoriia Sapach Viktoriia Sapach was among those killed by the Russian army in Hroza. She would have turned 48 on 19 October. Viktoriia was born and lived in the village of Shevchenkove, Kupiansk district. She was a junior nurse at the local emergency department. In choosing medicine, Viktoriia was following in her mother's footsteps. She worked in the field for more than 15 years. In 2014, she lost her father; her mother had already passed away. Viktoriia survived the occupation of her hometown. Her colleagues remember her as an optimistic person and a great professional. "We will miss you very much," said Inna Palekha, a colleague of Viktoriias. "Your optimism, your cheerfulness, your unique sense of humour. Our team has lost one of its best workers. She was an extremely good woman, hardworking, cheerful; she gave us all energy. She used to help her daughter with her grandchild. We will cherish the memory of our Vitusia." "She always did all she could and more" Valentyna Korkh That day, the Russian attack took the life of Valentyna Korkh, who was also attending the wake in Hroza. Valentyna lived in Shevchenkove, where she worked as a nurse. Her family remember her as a kind and positive person. "She was full of happiness, always cheerful, honest, and sensitive. The life and soul of the party. She was never sad. She was so kind. Whenever necessary, she would help anybody in any way she could. She always did everything she could and more..." said Valentynas niece, Nataliia. "I just cannot believe this has happened to her" Olena Krysevych Olena Krysevych, who was retired, had also come to the wake for Andrii Kozyr on 5 October. According to her granddaughter Anna, the enemy strike rocked the cafe the moment people entered the building. Olena Krysevych grew up in Hroza and went to school in the nearby village of Shevchenkove. She studied to become a teacher at the Hryhorii Skovoroda National Pedagogical University in Kharkiv. Later, she worked at the Oleksandrivska secondary school. Olena followed her career path to become a headteacher and eventually the headmistress of the school. In her spare time, she liked to draw and do cross-stitch. She had many friends. In recent years, Olena had been enjoying her retirement. She took care of her household, her granddaughter said. "She was very kind, cheerful and caring," said Anna Krysevych. "She would always listen and be supportive. She always cared about other people's problems. I will always remember her last words: "Congratulations, darling, now you are one of us"... I had just received my teaching qualification. I just cannot believe this has happened to her... that I will never go to see my grandmother again, and she will never hug me and say How are you, my lovely? again." Authors: Olia Horodetska, Inna Kubay Editing: Teresa Pearce Caroline Ellison appeared to have difficulty identifying her ex-boyfriend in court on Tuesday. Ellison spent around half a minute trying to pick out Bankman-Fried, multiple outlets reported. Bankman-Fried sported a haircut and suit ditching his signature shaggy hair and cargo shorts. Caroline Ellison appeared to have difficulty identifying her ex-boyfriend in court on Tuesday. When Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, took the stand and was asked by the prosecution to pick out Sam Bankman-Fried in the Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, she looked around for around 30 seconds before pointing out her ex-boyfriend, multiple news outlets reported. She turned her head to look around the room multiple times before she identified Bankman-Fried as "over there and wearing a suit," according to CNBC. The FTX cofounder might have looked a bit different to Ellison. For the trial, Bankman-Fried abandoned his signature cargo shorts and unruly hair in favor of a suit and a shorter hair cut. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Bankman-Fried's hair was cut by a fellow prisoner at the Brooklyn federal jail where he is currently being detained. For his part, Bankman-Fried "stayed low in his chair and stiller than usual" as he waited for Ellison to identify him, CoinDesk reported. The publication said Bankman-Fried's parents even appeared to let out a "chuckle" when Ellison pointed out their son after several seconds of scanning the court room. (It's not the first time one of his parents have let out a laugh during legal proceedings Bankman-Fried's mother reportedly laughed when her son was called a "fugitive" during a Bahamas court hearing after his arrest.) Caroline Ellison testified in the trial of her ex-boyfriend, Sam Bankman-Fried JANE ROSENBERG Ellison has likely not seen Bankman-Fried in person for many months. She told jurors on Tuesday that the pair severed their on-and-off again relationship in the spring of 2022. Later that year after FTX collapsed, Ellison pleaded guilty to fraud charges and began cooperating with investigators. The ex-Alameda Research CEO is continuing her testimony on Wednesday. On Tuesday, she told jurors that she worked with Bankman-Fried and other members of his inner circle to defraud the customers and investors of FTX out of billions of dollars. The FTX cofounder is facing seven criminal charges of fraud. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty on all counts, but prosecutors allege he stole billions of dollars from customers and investors in his cryptocurrency exchange, and commingled funds between FTX and its affiliated hedge fund, Alameda Research. Read the original article on Business Insider Caroline Ellison took the stand for the second day in the trial against her former boss and ex-boyfriend, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Her testimony was colorful and spanned multiple topics, from Thai sex workers to her private diary entries, to behind-the-scenes details of the crypto exchanges collapse. At one point during her questioning, prosecutors pulled up a screenshot of messages she and Bankman-Fried exchanged around the time FTX was imploding, in which Ellison wrote, this is the best mood Ive been in in like a year. Asked to explain herself on Wednesday, Ellison broke down in tears. To be clear, that was overall the worst week of my life, she said, adding that I felt this sense of relief that I didnt have to lie anymore. In November 2022, at the time she sent the message, Bankman-Fried was also confused by her tone. Wow, he wrote, along with uh and congrats? Because shits exciting? he asked. Ellison elaborated that, after months of lying about the financial health of FTX and Bankman-Frieds crypto hedge fund, Alameda Research, she was glad that the end was nearing one way or another. FTX customers were withdrawing billions of dollars from the business en masse, leaving it functionally insolvent. Now that its actually happening it just feels great to get it over with, she wrote. Caroline Ellison Gets Her Revenge on Sam Bankman-Fried Earlier on Wednesday, Ellison had testified about Bankman-Frieds allegedly loose approach to global regulation. At one point, the company bribed Chinese officials $150 million to help unfreeze locked accounts, she said, adding that the incident was referred to as the thing. The company had tried a different approach, she saidshifting money to accounts linked to Thai sex workers, though the gambit failed. During the companys eventual collapse, she and other executives frequently strategized in an encrypted chat app about how much information to withhold from employees and the public; Bankman-Frieds father, Joseph, was listed as a member of the group. After exiting the courthouse on Wednesday, Ellison quickly climbed into a waiting black SUV. It was a smoother departure than on Tuesday, when she inadvertently got into the wrong car, forcing her to reenter the media scrum. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. More than four years after opening up about his struggle with panic attacks, Carson Daly is giving new insight into what his life is truly like when he faces the cameras as part of his work. The TODAY co-host also has a prominent role on NBC's singing competition, The Voice, where hes not always as calm as he seems. (Both programs are part of NBCUniversal.) For example, when Carsons hosting The Voice, hes always smiling and camera-ready, but in reality, hes still struggling with anxiety. "Oh God, I felt like I was going to die," he recalled of having a panic attack on "The Voice" during an Oct. 10 appearance for World Mental Health Day 2023 and his Mind Matters series, which seeks to destigmatize mental illness. "It felt like really intense fight or flight, like you have to run off the stage. You feel like youre going pass out. You feel like your equilibriums off, your hearts racing. Basically like theres an imminent threat in your life, but there isnt. And so you just have to hold on because it usually passes in about 30 seconds." Carson previously opened up in an Instagram Live about a particular moment where he had to put his right hand in his pocket to help cope with his anxiety, and it was captured in a photo. You think my right hands in my pocket just being casual. Im on TV and my life is so great, he said. The truth is, in that moment, I was gripping the flash of my upper right thigh because a wave of panic was coming through me, and I was so scared. I wanted to run off the stage because its one of the symptoms of panic. I cant control my nervous system. Fight or flight kicks in. The threat is real, but theres nothing there. I have to just ride that wave on live TV. Carson Daly (NBC) "I got through it and I'm OK. It's part of how I manage my life," he added. "You think you know, but you don't know what someone's going through. ... I love breaking the idea that people think they know me, and they think that my life is just so perfect and he has all the assets. Carson previously opened up about the same experience to USA Today. You may think my lifes perfect. Ive got kids. I always look happy on TV. ... But thats just not how it works, he said. Things are not what they seem, and people need to know thats OK." Carson revealed in 2018 that he has generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which means he is gripped by excessive feelings of fear and worry. His first panic attack struck when he hosted MTV's Total Request Live. Even before that, he described himself as a "worrywart kid" who had an ulcer when he was in high school. Panic attacks have sometimes gripped him during relaxed moments, like at the playground with his children. The 50-year-old said hes in a much better place and on a really good personal path since going public with his diagnosis. Once you realize that other people have (GAD) that its an actual diagnosable thing, and there is a whole psychology and physiology behind it you have context, and I think learning about all that, talking about it, exploring it has just ripped the veil, he told USA Today. I shared my story haphazardly one day, and now this mental health area has become kind of my place at NBC News and within the show and the creation of Mind Matters to find other stories of people like me, whether theyre famous or not. Carson called those stories inspiring, noting hes had a chance to talk with Americans who face different struggles from his, such as suicidal ideation or depression. Im in such awe of the bravery of people, he noted. The goals of the series include giving a voice to Americans whose mental health problems may be ignored or unrecognized. I try to do a lot of shining a light on communities of color, because access to mental health care (in these communities) is just awful. And theres already a stigma thats worse than it is for white counterparts, Carson said. I think by and large, the conversations are happening a lot more frequently. You hear mental health certainly in music and pop culture and from celebrities that are up and coming and are willing to talk about it. So I definitely think were headed in the right direction. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Tens of thousands of passengers booked to travel to or from Luton airport have had their flights cancelled or delayed. The Bedfordshire airport which is the fifth-busiest in the UK closed to arrivals and departures at 9pm on Tuesday 10 October after a serious fire broke out in a multi-storey car park near the passenger terminal. Operations were suspended for 18 hours, during which more than 200 flights were cancelled with others diverted to airports more than 100 miles away. Here, The Independents travel correspondent Simon Calder explains what you can do if you are caught up in the chaos. What are the rules that guide my rights? European air passengers rights rules prevail for flights operated by UK or EU airlines, and all flights from UK/EU airports, including Luton. The regulations, known as EC261, were introduced in 2006. They were devised to require airlines to do the right thing for their passengers. They specify the care and compensation you can expect when you are denied boarding despite showing up on time, or when your plane is delayed or cancelled. My flight to or from Luton is cancelled. What can I expect? Even though the airline is not responsible for the flight being grounded, it is obliged to provide replacement transport: the airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible if that is what you want. The UK Civil Aviation Authority says that means that, if a flight is available on the original day of travel, the passenger must be booked on it even if it is on a rival carrier. You are entitled to re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to [your] final destination at the earliest opportunity. The term re-routing is unhelpful, since it implies finding a different route to the destination. On a link such as Luton-Malaga, with multiple airlines, there may be no need to change the route. If you are flown to a different arrival airport, the airline must also meet reasonable onward travel costs. If you are flown to Gatwick rather than Luton, you could claim the 38 train fare but not a 150 taxi (unless you are in a party of four). On occasion, a train (eg Eurostar from Amsterdam, Brussels or Paris to London) or even a rental car may be more appropriate. You have two further options. The first is an alternative flight at a time to suit you in the future though the cancelling airline can reasonably require you to travel on one of its services. The other is a full refund, including any return segment if it is on the same ticket. The airline says it cant deliver an alternative flight today what happens next? If the cancelling carrier does not carry out its duty, and instead you are obliged to make your own arrangements for a replacement flight and/or hotel and meals, then you can expect reasonable costs to be refunded. That means booking the cheapest alternative ticket possible, staying in a budget hotel if there is one, etc. You must keep all your receipts, of course. If the alternative travel is expensive (eg only business class is available) you will need to be able to show evidence of that, perhaps with screenshots. I was persuaded to claim a refund for my cancelled flight. Where does that leave me? Often in cases of serious disruption, airlines are eager to offer refunds because it gets them off the hook. Typically, in my experience, they will say that their responsibility ends once you accept a refund, which is misguided. You cannot claim for rerouting on alternative transport, nor for accommodation and meals. Legally that may be the case but in the circumstances of the Luton fire I dont believe airlines will be able to take that stance. If the airline did not offer replacement flights (on any carrier), or provide accommodation and meals, I imagine a good few passengers will have mistakenly asked for a refund. I predict the airlines will be under pressure from ministers and the Civil Aviation Authority to take a no-quibble approach in cases where they did not provide the level of care that the law requires. So claim away but the final settlement will have the amount refunded subtracted (eg if your costs are 500 but the airline has already refunded 100, you will only get 400 back). My flight is supposed to be going on Thursday. Could it be cancelled? Any flight can be cancelled but you are well placed for flying as booked. The key airlines at Luton easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air are doing all they can to make sure they can operate full schedules to and from the airport from Thursday onwards. Having talked to airport and fire officials, it seems there will now be no safety or logistical reasons why that should not happen though access will be constrained due to the fire-related work. Anyone, like you, with a confirmed reservation for a Thursday is in a much stronger position than the tens of thousands of people whose Tuesday night/Wednesday flights were cancelled. They go to the back of the queue and must try to grab the few available seats on future flights. My flight from Luton is heavily delayed. What are my entitlements? Regardless of the cause, passengers are entitled to meals and, if necessary, accommodation until the flight departs. The trigger point for care depends on the length of the journey. Short flights (up to 1,500km): two hours Mid-haul journeys (1,500 to 3,500km): three hours Longer trips: four hours Do I get cash compensation? No. The Luton fire is regarded as an extraordinary circumstance and airlines are not liable. Travel insurance may offer some modest compensation. If the airport, or the parking contractor, is found to have failed to act with reasonable care and skill, it is possible that some travellers who are out of pocket for example due to loss of earnings may be able to recover the cash from the firm. The News Progressive pundit Cenk Uygur will challenge President Biden for the Democratic nomination, offering himself as an alternative to an incumbent who is definitely going to lose if he makes it to the general election. Im going to do whatever I can to help him decide that this is not the right path, Uygur, 53, told Semafor, as he prepared to file for the 2024 Nevada primary. If he retires now, hes a hero: He beat Trump, he did a good job of being a steward of the economy. If he doesnt, he loses to Trump, and hes the villain of the story. The founder of The Young Turks media channel had repeatedly urged Biden to quit the race, calling his re-election bid intensely selfish, and warning that it made a Trump victory likelier. Hed urged at least a dozen people to enter the race before deciding to try for it himself, as proxy for Democratic opposition to Biden, focusing on popular issues like a higher minimum wage, a public option for healthcare, and paid family leave. It isnt like I have giant policy disagreements with Biden, Uygur said. I actually intend to fight for those incredibly popular policies and pass them. Biden hasnt tried that, because his donors dont want him to. Uygur was born in Istanbul, and immigrated to the United States from Turkey in 1978, but believed that the Constitutions natural born citizen clause wouldnt disqualify him from running. The issue would end up in the Supreme Court, he said, and be a slam dunk victory. Thats another good reason to run, he said. Im tired of 25 million Americans having this albatross around their neck. Davids view Democrats have ignored the presidents primary challengers, and that wont change for Uygur. He won just 7% of the vote in his first bid for office a longshot progressive run for Congress in southern California. And early polling of the first primary states, which found a majority of Democrats ready to support a Biden alternative, didnt entice anyone else into the race. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who on Monday bolted the party to run as an independent candidate, was trailing Biden by between 45 and 70 points. But Uygur said that he could break through in a way that Bidens other challenger, Marianne Williamson, had not. (Shes a terrific person with great policies, he added.) Hed learned from his House campaign that the mainstream media, generally speaking, are grotesque liars, and wasnt afraid of scrutiny of his brash or suggestive on-air comments a problem that cost him the endorsement of Bernie Sanders in his congressional race. I dont believe in traditional campaigning, he said. I will do almost all my campaigning in the media. I love diners. I love meeting actual voters. But thats mythology, and youre not going to diner your way into beating an incumbent president. Uygur has a different audience than Kennedy or Williamson. He worked briefly as an MSNBC commentator, but parted ways with the network 12 years ago, focusing on building his progressive video news channel, which has 5.6 million YouTube subscribers. Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello died at age 61 on October 7, his restaurant group, Gruppo Chiarello, said in a news release. Chiarello, who has authored several cookbooks and hosted cooking shows on the Food Network , was being treated at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa after suffering an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock. "The doctors don't know what caused the allergic reaction and neither does the family," a representative for Gruppo Chiarello told CBS News via email. "They may never know." Chiarello is survived by his four children. "We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael. His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being," his family said in a statement, adding that Chiarello "brought people together through the joy of shared meals, fostering lasting memories around the table." Chiarello was born in Red Bluff, California, and began cooking in his mother's kitchen, mainly focusing on Italian cuisine. He went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and opened his first restaurant, Tra Vigne, in Napa Valley in 1987. He has since opened several restaurants in the area and created Chiarello Family Vineyards. He has hosted shows like "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello" on Food Network, for which he earned an Emmy for best host. He joined Bravo's "Top Chef Masters" in 2003 and frequently appeared as a judge on the show. He has also hosted shows on Cooking Channel, PBS and Fine Living. Tensions rise on Israel's border with Lebanon as Hezbollah continues its assault 13-year-old girl, family describes surviving massacre in Israel kibbutz Israel continues to pummel Gaza with airstrikes LOWELL, Ind. - A Round Lake man is dead after fleeing a traffic stop in Indiana with duffle bags of marijuana in his trunk and crashing into the back of a semi-truck, according to police. On Monday, around 1:45 p.m., an Indiana State Police trooper attempted to pull over a 2012 Kia Optima on Interstate 80/94 just east of the Lake Station exit ramp. As the trooper walked up to the Kia's window, police say the driver took off. The trooper returned to his vehicle and was going to give chase, but called of the pursuit due to heavy traffic. Minutes later, 9-1-1 calls poured in for a serious crash on the interstate near the 12.8 mile-marker. Callers reported a gray Kia Optima rear-ended a semi-truck at a high rate of speed. Police say the driver was partially ejected from his vehicle and had sustained life-threatening injuries. The driver later identified as 20-year-old Bryan I. Flores of Round Lake, Illinois was transported by helicopter to a trauma hospital in Illinois. He later died of his injuries. Further investigation by police found two large duffle bags of marijuana in the trunk of the Kia, police said. The driver of the semi-truck involved in the crash was not injured. A Chicago Cubs security guard has been hospitalised after opening a suspicious package at the teams offices. The incident unfolded after the man came into contact with a foreign substance when opening a package at the baseball teams offices next to Wrigley Field at around 2.45pm on Tuesday afternoon. Its believed the security guard encountered an unknown skin irritant, according to authorities. A Level 1 Hazmat call was triggered and a bomb unit was called to the scene. A Chicago Cubs spokesman said that an employee suffered an allergic reaction to something inside a package delivered to the building. This afternoon, a member of our security team detected a foreign substance that was contained in a small package delivered to our offices at 1101 West Waveland, he said. We immediately notified authorities which prompted a Chicago Fire Department hazmat response. A Chicago Cubs security guard has been hospitalised after opening a suspicious package (AP) The incident unfolded after the man came into contact with a foreign substance next to Wrigley Field. (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) The employee noticed an allergic reaction and was transported to the hospital as a precaution and has since been released. Authorities have not yet determined exactly what the substance was. Two residents and a firefighter was injured at a fire Wednesday morning at a nursing home in the West Ridge neighborhood, officials said. About 12 ambulances and extra equipment were sent to the scene at 3101 W. Touhy Ave., according to fire officials. The extra medical help was sent to the scene to check out residents. Larry Langford, spokesman for CFD, said a kitchen fire was confined to one room, but made conditions smoky. One resident suffered a minor injury due to smoke, as well as a second resident. The fire was quickly put out, Langford said. A firefighter at the scene also suffered a minor facial injury from a fall, Langford said. Children as young as seven and eight are using social media regularly, according to a major survey in Wales. Responses from more than 32,000 children, aged seven to 11, suggested almost half used social media sites or apps a few times a week or every day. Parents said striking a balance between embracing the benefits of smartphones and keeping their children safe online was difficult. Public health experts said the data was concerning and showed the need for more regulation. Children in 354 primary school across Wales took part in the anonymous survey during the last academic year. Most said they had a smartphone - including 43% of year threes, who are seven and eight years old. Two thirds of year six students said they used social media regularly, compared to just under a third of pupils in year three. The minimum age to use most social media - including Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook - is 13. Graph shows smart phone ownership by school year Researchers said they were surprised by the results. It is concerning that there are such high numbers of regular social media use and amongst ages from seven right up through to 11," said Dr Kelly Morgan from Cardiff University. She said the Covid pandemic was one reason why so many of the youngest pupils have smartphones. Technology plays a larger part in young peoples lives, she added. What do children say? Isabella, Ruby, Branwen and Caleb, pupils at Ysgol Glan Morfa in Cardiff Ten year old Caleb recently got a phone a hand-me-down from his mum. I like playing games on it. I like reading comics and stuff. I like watching videos and all that cool stuff," said Caleb. He uses it to text his parents and go on YouTube. His classmate, Ruby, also has a smartphone. She said she likes using it because it's fun, its cool and it can save your life. But I am aware you can get cyberbullied or people could say mean stuff about you," she added. Branwen, 11, said she did not have a phone. I've asked my parents and theyre thinking about it," she said. What do parents say? Melissa Anderson, who runs a gymnastics academy in Crumlin, Caerphilly county, said social media was a great way to celebrate the children's achievements. But, as a mum to a 12-year-old boy, she recognised it could be a minefield. It is really difficult because youre trying to balance being fair to your child but also keeping your child safe," Melissa said. Melissa, who runs Valleys Gymnastics Academy, says social media can be a minefield Hes had an old phone of mine - the camera doesnt work. He goes on YouTube, he has a child limited account and hes got no other social media at all." Sarah Hancock said her 9-year-old daughter, who attends the academy, does not have a phone but does have an Instagram account - controlled by Sarah. Most of her Instagram friends are gymnastics club members. She loves seeing pictures theyve posted of her and her friends and of course they repost those themselves or they repost each other, Sarah said. I wouldnt let her have free rein and deal with it herself. I couldnt do that as a parent." A teachers view Headteacher Meilir Tomos says cyber-bullying is an issue More and more issues are coming into school due to use of social media and these devices, said Meilir Tomos, headteacher at Ysgol Glan Morfa in Cardiff. I think the biggest thing we see is the name calling and the cyber-bullying aspect of it. The school holds workshops for pupils and parents and has invited the police to speak to the children about potential dangers. What can parents do about social media? Social media apps have recommended age ratings most are 13+. There are safety and privacy settings which can usually set a child's account to private, prevent friend requests or hide locations. The NSPCC says there are benefits to social media, but that it is important to be aware of the negatives and to be vigilant to signs of bullying. Emily van de Venter, from Public Health Wales, said parents, carers, and teachers should be aware of social media use among younger children and talk to them about potential harms. She said the survey findings highlighted the importance of the UK Online Safety Bill, a law aimed at making social media firms more responsible for users' safety. While social media companies set age restrictions these are not well enforced or regulated, she added. What else did the survey find? Nearly half of the children said they had recently been bullied at school. More than a quarter of year six children said they had experienced cyberbullying recently, while 9% admitted they had cyberbullied someone. One in five children aged seven to 11 said they went to bed at 22:00 or later. Results about relationships with teachers were largely positive, with 9 out of 10 saying their teachers cared about them. The Primary School Student Health and Wellbeing Survey was run by Cardiff University in conjunction with Public Health Wales and the Welsh government. A Tennessee city ordinance is facing legal backlash for targeting drag performances, according to a recent lawsuit. The Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, along with assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit against the city of Murfreesboro for its two-front assault on local LGBTQ+ rights, according to the Oct. 6 complaint. The lawsuit lists the prohibition of the groups annual Pride event and an ordinance aimed at restricting drag performances as examples of the citys unconstitutional actions, the lawsuit says. Tennessee Equality Project is also represented by Burr & Forman LLP out of Nashville and Ballard Spahr LLP in New York City. The complaint joins several other lawsuits filed around the country related to LGBTQ+ issues, including restrictions on gender-affirming care and drag performances. A state law in Tennessee that restricted drag performances on public property was ruled unconstitutional in June by a federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump, CNN reported. The judge, Thomas Parker, described the law as unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad. Tennessee Equality Project Executive Director Chris Sanders said more people are speaking out against legislation targeting LGBTQ people. Sanders told McClatchy News in an email there is still a mixture of outrage and fear among the LGBTQ community. I never thought progress would be a simple linear process. The speed and intensity of the reaction to our communitys gains in recent years have been jarring, though, Sanders said. Its one thing to anticipate that there will be a reaction. Its quite another to live through it. In 2023, a record number of more than 520 anti-LGBTQ bills were filed in state legislatures across the country, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Seventy of those bills were enacted so far this year, per the campaign. In the past few years, ACLU of Tennessee Legal Director Stella Yarbrough told McClatchy News theres been a huge increase in anti-LGBTQ+ efforts. They couch it in terms of trying to protect children, and thats just wrong and it plays on really old, disgusting tropes about homosexuality, Yarbrough said. Its unfortunate were in 2023 and were still debating these same topics, but here we are. The reason behind the lawsuit against the city of Murfreesboro started almost a year ago when officials with Tennessee Equality Project said they were continuously delayed in getting a permit for the annual Pride event. The lawsuit was a long time coming, Yarbrough said. Murfreesboro city officials did not respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 10. What the lawsuit says The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee says Murfreesboro violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments with its ordinance that furthered restrictions on indecent behavior, which included drag performances, per the city. In the 67-page complaint, the plaintiffs discuss a yearlong process to obtain a permit for the annual BoroPride event, which had nearly 7,000 attendees in 2022. The event was held in the citys historic Cannonsburgh Village outside, which was vital to allowing LGBTQ+ community to express themselves freely, the lawsuit says. In previous years, getting a permit for BoroPride took a few weeks, Sanders said in an email. Following the 2022 BoroPride, city officials began to receive opposition to the event, particularly to drag performers, from a small, but vocal, email and social media campaign, according to the lawsuit. Complaints sent to officials including Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland said drag shows at the event were harming children, per the suit. The lawsuit notes that initially McFarland told those opposed that the city did not have the authority to stop someones freedom of speech or right to gather, but later changed course. Tennessee Equality Project also received a letter from city manager Craig Tindall that stated BoroPride violated city ordinances due to it being clearly unsuitable for all ages, the lawsuit says. The group denies in the lawsuit that any lewd behavior took place at the 2022 event. In preparation for its next installment of BoroPride in 2023, Tennessee Equality Project sent a permit request for the event. After six months with no answer, the group received a response from Tindall saying the organization failed to provide specific and concrete steps to avoid sexual drag performances, according to the lawsuit. Despite ongoing negotiations involving the ACLU, the city did not issue the permit for the requested location, the lawsuit says, causing organizers to choose a different spot for the Pride event. The group ran into further problems when the city passed an ordinance in June that the lawsuit says targets drag performers. What the Murfreesboro city ordinance says On June 15, the Murfreesboro City Council passed an ordinance related to community decency standards in a vote of 5-1, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit argues the recent ordinance is vague and sweeping broad in its definition of indecent behavior, which impacts drag performers. Among the indecent behavior listed in the ordinance, sexual conduct is listed as a violation of the citys decency policies, according to the ordinance. Homosexuality is listed as an example in the city code definition of sexual conduct. With homosexuality being listed in city code as a potential violation of community decency standards, anything from drag performances to a same-sex couple holding hands could be interpreted as breaking the ordinance, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs argue the ordinance is unconstitutional and the previous city code naming homosexuality as sexual conduct should be revoked. In short, through these unconstitutional actions, the City has engaged in a concerted effort to push drag performers, TEP and the Citys LGBTQ+ community at large back into the closet, where they will be out of sight from the community, behind closed doors, and only visible to a limited audience, the lawsuit says. BoroPride to be held this year Tennessee Equality Project plans to put on this years BoroPride, Sanders said in an email. The event is scheduled for Oct. 28 at Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro. The LGBTQ community needs to come together and celebrate our strength in the face of so many legislative attacks in Tennessee and around the country, Sanders said. Making sure the Pride event continues as planned is important for cities like Murfreesboro because of its large population, Sanders said. Its the sixth largest city in Tennessee with about 160,000 people, according to Tennessee Demographics, and is about 35 miles southeast of Nashville. Books behind Netflixs Heartstopper restricted in some Mississippi libraries. Why? Tyler Childers releases music video showing tragic gay love story. Country fans react Police department pulls job offer after learning applicant is transgender, lawsuit says (Bloomberg) -- China has conveyed its disapproval to Australia over a visit to Taiwan by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison , according to a Beijing diplomat, with the trip threatening to undermine efforts by both countries to improve relations ahead of a state visit later this year. Most Read from Bloomberg Speaking at the Asia Society event in Melbourne on Wednesday, Ambassador Xiao Qian said Morrisons visit to Taiwan was a serious concern and hoped Australias politicians would be sensitive to Chinas views. After years of diplomatic tensions, relations between the two major trading partners have normalized ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses planned visit to Beijing later this year. However recent trips to Taiwan by Australian politicians may derail the warming ties. Morrison met with Taiwan President Tsai Ingwen at the Presidential Palace in Taipei on Tuesday, according to the Central News Agency, where he delivered a speech saying that Australia would always be great friends with the people of Taiwan. Just last month, a delegation of Australian lawmakers visited Taiwan. Although Taiwan has been self-ruled since the end of Chinas civil war in 1949, the government in Beijing views the island as a renegade province. President Xi Jinping has said China will do whats necessary to reunite Taiwan with the mainland. Chinas envoy on Wednesday said he wanted to see the relationship between Australia and China develop even further, adding the common ground between the two countries was greater than their differences. We want to move beyond stabilization, and to further improve our relationship, Xiao said Relations between Australia and China reached their lowest point in 2020, after Morrison who was the prime minister called for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19 a politically sensitive issue for Beijing. In response, the Chinese government imposed trade sanctions on a range of Australian exports, including heavy tariffs on wine and barley. Following the election of Albaneses center-left Labor government in May 2022, Australia and China saw significant improvement in their relations. High-level ministerial meetings between the two countries restarted, while a number of sanctions on Australian exports were lifted. Albanese is expected to visit Beijing before the end of 2023, a trip scheduled to mark 50 years since the first visit of an Australian leader to China in 1973. Asked about growing concerns over the state of the Chinese economy, Xiao said the worsening data in recent months was only temporary and that the overall trajectory of the countrys growth was positive. Australia should have confidence in Chinas economy, and should have confidence in trade relations, economic relations between the two countries, he said. --With assistance from Zoe Ma. (Recasts story to lead with comments on Taiwan.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Australian journalist Cheng Lei had been held in China since 2020 (Sarah HODGES) Australian journalist Cheng Lei was deported from China on Wednesday after more than three years in detention on espionage charges widely seen as politically motivated. Cheng, a former anchor for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, had been held since August 2020. The mother of two had been a familiar face on the state broadcaster's English-language channel, conducting interviews with noted CEOs from around the world. She was only formally arrested months after disappearing, and in an opaque case was eventually charged with "supplying state secrets overseas". "Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, hailing her return home as news that "will be warmly welcomed, not just by her family and friends, but by all Australians". Cheng was detained at a time of strained relations between Beijing and Canberra, with her rough treatment souring relations further. China has repeatedly detained foreign nationals at times of high political tension with their home nations, raising accusations of hostage diplomacy. She was tried behind closed doors, with Australia's ambassador to China blocked from entering the court to observe proceedings. Australia's government had long campaigned for her release, calling for China to follow "basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment". Albanese said Cheng had been released after the "completion of legal processes in China". He also said that her return home would facilitate his visit to China at a "mutually agreed time" this year. In a statement, China's ministry of state security said the journalist had been deported "after serving her sentence" of two years and 11 months in prison on charges of "illegally providing state secrets overseas". - 'I miss the sun' - There had been growing fears for Cheng's wellbeing in recent months, with partner Nick Coyle saying she was suffering from a "range of health issues". Born in Hunan province, Cheng emigrated to Australia as a child and became a citizen of her adoptive home. She returned to China, joining the state broadcaster in 2012. China does not allow citizens to hold dual nationality. Cheng had written about her bleak prison conditions in China in a candid note dictated to Australian officials from jail and released last August. "I miss the sun," read the message, described as a "love letter" to Australia. "In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year." Cheng's case has often been compared with that of Chinese-born Australian writer Yang Jun, who has also been detained in China since 2019 on vaguely defined espionage charges. Australia-China relations had been in deep freeze after Canberra barred Chinese tech firm Huawei from lucrative contracts and pushed back against Chinese influence campaigns in Australia. China was also furious at Canberra's calls for an investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 outbreak that killed millions and plunged the world's economy into a multi-year crisis. In retaliation, China introduced a swathe of de facto sanctions against Australian products, measures that have been slowly unwound as relations thaw. "I think that there is an effort on both sides to communicate that the relationship between Australia and China is warming up and that we are past the worst period," Daria Impiombato, China and human rights analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute told AFP. "But this is not the end of it... there are so many issues that remain." Nikita White, a campaigner at Amnesty International Australia, welcomed the "incredible news" of Cheng's release and said she may need time to recover. "A lot of people released after years in these conditions, there is a lot of celebration, but there is also often a lot of trauma. We hope she can get support from the government to get back to her best self," White told AFP. bur-arb/djw/ser/aha (Bloomberg) -- Journalist Cheng Lei has returned to Australia after her release from about three years of detention in China, in a major sign of diplomatic warming after years of tensions between the nations. Most Read from Bloomberg Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday he had spoken to Cheng in Melbourne, and she had been reunited with her two children. Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Cheng and her family, Albanese said at a news conference, describing the journalist as strong and resilient. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong met Cheng at the airport, he added. Chinas spy agency said later in the day that Cheng pleaded guilty to passing national secrets to an overseas institution and that she had been sentenced to two years and 11 months in jail for the crime comments marking the first time Beijing has provided details on a verdict or sentencing in Chengs case, which involved a closed-door trial a year and a half ago. The Ministry of State Security didnt say what type of information or what institution was involved. Chengs detention in 2020 happened at a time of worsening ties between Beijing and Canberra and came months after the government of then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus. Her arrest sparked fears that Beijing had targeted the mother of two to exert pressure on Canberra. Relations between the countries have improved since the election of Albaneses center-left Labor government in May 2022, including the restarting of high-level ministerial meetings and the ending of several export restrictions by Beijing. Australian companies are once again shipping coal to China and the two countries announced a deal aimed at eliminating Chinas tariffs on barley. Every single Australian politician from the prime minister down, every diplomat, every scholarly or business intermediary whos met with the Chinese in recent years, has raised Cheng Leis case and made it clear that the two countries relationship wouldnt be back on a really solid footing until it was resolved, said Richard McGregor , senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. The timing is pretty obviously related to the prime ministers visit and and an effort by the Chinese to put it on a solid foundation, said McGregor, who serves on a panel advising Wong on China. He also traveled to Beijing last month to participate in the Australia-China high-level dialogue. Albanese plans to visit Beijing this year. That trip will probably come in the first half of November, said Richard Maude, the former head of an Australian intelligence agency and now executive director for policy at the Asia Society. Chinese Requests The Chinese have made a series of requests of Australia to improve relations, including that Canberra remove anti-dumping tariffs on steel products, support Chinas application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and approve more Chinese investment. China would also like Australia to step back from the very active part its taking in building what the Americans call the fabric of military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, said Maude. China would like Australia to see it not as an adversary but a partner. Cheng was first detained in China in 2020 on espionage charges and then formally arrested in early 2021 after authorities concluded she conducted illegal activities on supplying state secrets overseas. She was tried last year but the court deferred issuing a verdict. Under Chinas opaque legal system, authorities can hold someone indefinitely without releasing information. Chinese diplomats have said the trial needed to be closed because it involved state secrets. They also urged Australia to respect their nations judicial sovereignty. Chinas spy agency, which has taken on a more high profile as Chinese President Xi Jinping has placed greater focus on security issues over his decade in power, said in a social media post Wednesday that Cheng was expelled from the nation. It added: In May 2020, Cheng Lei was contacted by personnel from a certain overseas institution and she violated the confidentiality clause signed with her employer, illegally providing national secret acquired through her work to the overseas institution via her mobile phone. Cheng hosted business shows on Chinese state media from 2012 and was well known among Beijings circle of diplomats and journalists. She previously worked as China correspondent for CNBC after graduating from the University of Queensland with a bachelors degree in commerce and serving as an accountant at Cadbury Schweppes, according to a LinkedIn profile that is no longer online. She was among several foreign nationals from countries with fraught political ties with Beijing who were detained in recent years. Fellow Australian writer Yang Hengjun remains in jail in China, with Albanese saying his government was continuing to advocate for his release. Yang was taken into custody by Chinese authorities in 2019 and recently wrote to relatives and friends that he had fallen ill in prison. China detained two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, in late 2018, just days after Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co., was detained in Canada in response to a US extradition request. The two were released in September 2021 after Meng was allowed to leave Canada. A report by the official Xinhua News Agency said Chinese courts freed them on medical bail. Read more: China Raises Concerns Over Former Australia PMs Taiwan Trip Although China-Australia relations are warming, a number of difficult issues remain, including recent trip to Taiwan by Australian politicians. On Wednesday, China expressed its disapproval over an ongoing visit by Morrison to the island that China has vowed to bring under its control, by force if necessary. The visit was a serious concern and China hoped Australias politicians would be sensitive to Beijings views, Ambassador Xiao Qian said Wednesday during an event in Melbourne. Still, Australias former ambassador to China, Geoff Raby, expressed optimism that ties between China and Australia can return to a more normal relationship given Chengs release and the resolving of the remaining trade issues. --With assistance from Fran Wang, Xiao Zibang, Jing Li and Colum Murphy. (Updates with more details of Chengs release and with analyst views.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. China announced Wednesday it will host a gathering of foreign leaders next week to celebrate a decade of its Belt and Road infrastructure project, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to attend. The Belt and Road is a landmark project in President Xi Jinping's bid to expand China's clout overseas, with Beijing saying this week it had now inked over two trillion dollars in contracts around the world. Critics have long accused China of luring lower-income countries into debt traps by offering huge, unaffordable loans through the initiative, however. Representatives from over 130 countries are due to take part in the event, with Xi set to deliver an opening speech and hold a welcoming banquet for foreign leaders. It is the third forum of its kind since China launched the vast investment initiative, with events previously held in 2017 and 2019. Russian President Putin has said he will attend the event, in what will be his first visit to China since his war in Ukraine threw him into international isolation. Top Russian diplomat Sergei Lavrov will also attend and hold talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Moscow said. China and Russia describe each other as strategic allies, frequently touting their "no limits" partnership and economic and military cooperation. They came even closer following the invasion of Ukraine, with the Kremlin seeking to deepen ties with Beijing after finding itself increasingly ostracised by the West. China has refused to condemn the war, and has tried to position itself as a neutral party, while at the same time offering Moscow a vital diplomatic and financial lifeline. "We welcome countries and partners actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to come to Beijing to discuss cooperation plans and seek common development," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last month. - 'Significant debt distress' - Beijing hailed the BRI on Tuesday as having "delivered real gains to participating countries". It also said the balance of loans for BRI projects from the Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) -- a key BRI creditor -- now totalled 2.2 trillion yuan ($307.4 billion). Eximbank has financed major transport and energy projects across the BRI and has been linked to foreign loan plans everywhere from Africa to Central Asia. But some of Beijing's partners are increasingly wary about the cost involved. Italy, the only one of the group of leading developed democracies to sign up to the investment scheme, said last month it was considering opting out of the deal. A report by experts at Boston University's Global Development Policy noted the BRI's role in providing "additional resources for the Global South" and fostering "significant economic growth". But it also said that "many of the recipients of Chinese finance are subject to significant debt distress, with several countries owing China a significant share of their external debt". It also pointed to the "increased carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution" caused by the project's support for fossil fuel emitting infrastructure. bur-oho/je/ssy Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, shakes hands with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the occasion of Thavisin's official visit to Malaysia, in Jakarta, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Afiq Hambali/Prime Ministers Office of Malaysia via AP) PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) Malaysia's national carmaker Proton and its Chinese partner Geely are considering setting up a plant in Thailand to produce electric vehicles, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Wednesday. Srettha said after talks with Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim that the two sides would hold a meeting to identify the next step "and move forward quickly. He didn't provide further details. Geely holds a 49.9% stake in Proton, which is owned by local conglomerate DRB-Hicom Berhad. The Chinese carmaker's entry into Proton in 2017 has given it a foothold in Southeast Asia and helped restore the fortune of the once dominant Malaysian brand. DRB-Hicom and Geely earlier Wednesday formalized a deal to develop an automotive hub in Tanjung Malim in central Perak state, in which Geely is expected to invest 10 billion ringgit ($2.1 billion). Srettha, who took office last month, arrived earlier Wednesday in Malaysia as part of a regional tour to woo investment. He was in Hong Kong and Brunei earlier and will fly to Singapore on Thursday. Srettha said he and Anwar also discussed a long-running Muslim separatist insurgency in southern Thailand, on the border with Malaysia, which has claimed about 7,000 lives since 2004. Malaysia has hosted and facilitated peace talks between separatist groups and the Thai government, but little progress has been made. China is preparing to launch a space telescope that, Chinese researchers claim, will surpass the capabilities of NASA's Hubble telescope, according to a report on LiveScience. The spacecraft, called Xuntian, known as the Chinese Survey Space Telescope or the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), is expected to start scientific operations in 2024. The name "Xuntian" can be translated into English as "surveying the sky" or "survey of the heavens." The space telescope will orbit with the country's Tiangong space station. An astronaut aboard the space shuttle Atlantis captured this image of the Hubble Space Telescope on May 19, 2009. Chinese astronomers have claimed that the optical capabilities of Xuntian will surpass NASA's Hubble, boasting that the new telescope can capture high-definition panoramic views of the universe with spatial resolution better than the NASA's telescope. In an interview last year with China's state-run Xinhua news agency, Li Ran, project scientist of the CSST Scientific Data Reduction System, described the new telescope's observational capabilities as being better than Hubble's. "Hubble may see a sheep but the CSST sees thousands, all at the same resolution," Li said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP CHINESE ASTROANUTS SPURN ACCEPTED SPACE NORMS WITH LIVESTREAM FIRE EXPERIMENT Chinese astronomers have not compared Xuntian with the James Webb Telescope which NASA says is Hubble's "successor." "Webb is the scientific successor to Hubble; its science goals were motivated by results from Hubble," NASA says on its website. The James Webb Telescope has an approximately 6.5 meter diameter primary mirror, while Hubble's mirror is a much smaller 2.4 meters (nearly 8 feet) in diameter. China's Xuntian telescope will have a two-meter (6.6 foot) diameter primary mirror, which is smaller than both the Webb and Hubble telescopes. However, researchers say that China's Xuntian has field of view more than 300 times larger than Hubble with NASA saying that Webb has a fifteen times larger field of view than its counterpart. SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 3, 2022 - A model of China's space station in the "T" configuration is pictured at the Shanghai Planetarium in Shanghai, China, July 18, 2021. On Nov 3, 2022, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Mengtian laboratory module of the space station has successfully completed its transposition. In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Zhou Jianping, chief designer of the China manned space program, said that the Xuntian is the "most important scientific project" since the launch of China's space station program. NASA MISSION THAT COULD UNLOCK SECRETS TO EARTHS ORIGIN SET TO LAUNCH AFTER DELAYS "The Xuntian telescope has been the most important scientific project since the launch of our country's space station program," Zhou said. "It is a scientific facility that Chinese astronomical community has eagerly anticipated, and a scientific facility representing the state-level high-tech in astronomy." BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 16: A staff member watches a monitor after the Shenzhou XIII spacecraft docked to the Tiangong space station at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on October 16, 2021, in Beijing, China. China launched the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft, carried on the Long March-2F carrier rocket, to Chinese Tiangong space station on Saturday morning. (Photo by Hou Yu/China News Service via Getty Images) The Xuntian module is being developed and built, Xu Shuyan, chief designer of the Xuntian optical facility and researcher from the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told CCTV. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "We are still developing the prototype sample. Currently, we've completed the development of all subsystems, components, and units, and we are preparing for the test after they are assembled," Shuyan said. "After this, we will start the development of the telescope sample, and start the research of the flying parts. Then we will conduct the joint test with the Xuntian platform and the test at the launch base, before it is launched." Original article source: Chinese researchers claim planned space telescope will surpass NASA's Hubble: Report The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, D.C., October 5, 2023. [Photo/VCG] Former House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy was never a popular politician nor a trusted leader. It took him more than four days and 14 ballots to get elected as Speaker in the first place. He made radical promises to the extremist faction of his party, which included Rep. Matt Gaetz, to win their votes on the final ballot. But McCarthy was a fool to trust Gaetz and the other members of the House "Freedom Caucus" in the first place. They were never serious people, and their weak support of McCarthy was always destined to be short-lived. Despite McCarthy's strict adherence to a radical right-wing philosophy, Gaetz threw him overboard, making McCarthy the first House Speaker removed by a vote of their peers in the middle of their term. McCarthy refused to learn the lesson the Joker sought to teach Batman in the film "The Dark Knight." When Batman is trying to take down the gangsters, the mob hires the Joker to fight back, but the Joker burns the huge pile of money they had paid him for his services. As Batman tries to comprehend the Joker's motivations, his assistant, Alfred Pennyworth (played by Michael Cain), says, "Some men aren't looking for anything logical. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned with, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn." Saying of a legislator in a national assembly that he can't be reasoned with shouldn't be considered a compliment. But it's true of Rep. Gaetz, and that is precisely what happened here. Gaetz and his friends in the radical right-wing caucus voted to remove McCarthy as Speaker because they like to watch the Congress burn. They know the process of replacing him is going to be long and chaotic. They know it will lead to government dysfunction. They like dysfunction. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate who supported removing McCarthy, said, "The point of removing the House Speaker was to sow chaos. ... But the real question to ask, to get to the bottom of it, is whether chaos is really such a bad thing?" Gaetz has always been more of a troll than a legislator. He views his position as a launching pad for television appearances and social media clicks. He uses his official powers just to make jokes and create controversy. During McCarthy's run for House Speaker eight months ago, Gaetz neither voted for McCarthy nor any of the other representatives running for Speaker. Instead, he voted for Donald Trump just to attract attention and show how much he adored the former president. While Gaetz would have found an excuse to try to overthrow McCarthy no matter what, the immediate cause of his removal action was his outrage that McCarthy shepherded a bill through Congress to fund the government for a month with the support of Democratic legislators. Gaetz didn't want the government to be funded because he wanted chaos. Enough Republicans agree with Gaetz that McCarthy, a Republican himself, was forced to rely on Democratic votes to get the bill passed. Republicans only have a tiny majority in the House of Representatives, and enough of their members are so adamantly opposed to governing that they must rely on Democratic voters for even the simplest necessities of maintaining a government. However, Republicans refuse to vote for a Democratic member to be House Speaker, so the Democrats are stuck out in the cold. McCarthy also refused to negotiate with the Democrats for their support, so they refused to offer him support when Gaetz challenged him. In fact, McCarthy didn't even thank them for their necessary votes on his funding bill. In the meantime, the Republican powers have nominated a couple of hardline partisan Republicans as the leading candidates to be the next House Speaker, so there is no chance they will attract Democratic votes either, and they will have a hard time corralling the votes of Republican nihilists. The issue of government funding will come up again in November because, as usual, Congress just kicked government funding down the road for a couple of weeks rather than solve the problem for the long term. At that point, the House might still not have a new Speaker. Mitchell Blatt is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/MitchellBlatt.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Chloe Cole speaking at a national Young Americans for Freedom event. Cole will visit the University of Iowa's chapter of YAF on Monday, Oct. 16. Chloe Cole , a 19-year-old speaker who has made waves across the country and on television speaking about her personal experiences beginning and eventually stopping the gender transitioning process, will visit the University of Iowa next week in the latest flashpoint between the UIs Young Americans for Freedom student group and local LGBTQ+ activists. Cole has spoken at a number of rallies and events, including the Rally to End Child Mutilation, hosted by conservative commentator Matt Walsh. Walshs visit to the University of Iowa in April mobilized hundreds of students both in opposition and support of the commentator, who packed the Iowa Memorial Union as Walsh showed off his documentary, What is a Woman? and took questions from the audience. Cole is set to discuss her experiences at the Iowa Memorial Union on Oct. 16, with the event kicking off at 7 p.m. The event will feature an opening speech from Cole before she will field audience questions. The event is free and open to the public. Who is Chloe Cole? The 19-year-old Cole says she began gender transitioning procedures at age 12, beginning with puberty suppressants and then taking cross-sex hormones at 13. At 15, Cole had a double mastectomy, but by age 16, she decided to de-transition, forgoing years of transitional care. Chloe speaks with firsthand authority on the deeply traumatic effects experienced by those who undergo such treatments and describes it as the biggest mistake of (her) life, a release from Young Americans for Freedom said Monday. The 19-year-old will also speak to shed light on the distressing consequences of gender-affirming care for adolescents. We cannot stop because our most vulnerable are at stake, Cole said in the release. Chloe Cole Visit already met with opposition from students In its release, Young Americans for Freedom also said that the group has faced significant resistance from the UIs Undergraduate Student Government. Posters advertising the event have been quickly torn down and online threats have been made to disrupt the event, the group said. Across campus, sidewalk chalk promoting the event has been quickly washed away, with videos passed to the universitys Office of Student Accountability. The A-Frame poster and sign for the Chloe Cole event, which the University of Iowa Young Americans for Freedom says was run over by students, who then stole the poster inside. YAF Chair Jasmyn Jordan said the A-Frame poster design promoting the event was also run over and stolen. Jordan filed a police report last week and the frame was recovered near Calvin Hall, Jordan said. The sign is the property of UI Event Services. The YAF listing for Coles on EventBrite, a social event service, was also removed for violating the site's policy on listing "Hateful, Dangerous, or Violent Events." The Iowa City-based LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library also released a statement of support for gender-affirming care ahead of Cole's appearance, "The LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library believes that one individuals experience should not be used to attack the rights of all trans people," operations manager Sean Finn wrote. "No level of government can take away our rights to be and express who we are. It is morally repugnant for the state to prevent doctors from providing life-saving and medically-accepted gender-affirming care for young Iowans." "We know from history which we document in our archives and library and the first-hand experiences of many of our members that transition care is often life-saving care, not mutilation. The unfortunate reality is that countless trans youth are unable to access life-saving gender-affirming care, and the devastating effects of dysphoria and depression end too many lives too soon." LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library also encouraged community members to visit the archives and read about the lives and experiences of transgender individuals in the area, which chronicles "the communitys history of fighting for our rights to life, love, and the pursuit of happiness," Finn continued. "Every individuals journey with gender is unique; for every disparaging detransitioner like Chloe Cole, there are hundreds of trans folks whose transitions have unlocked hope, self-love, confidence, and connection," Finn wrote. The UI remains committed to continuing to welcome diverse perspectives Student organizations can invite almost anyone to speak to their organization and the campus community in accordance with the University of Iowas free speech guidelines. These include guest lecturers, panelists, discussion leaders and other off-campus speakers. While the university has the authority to regulate the time, place and manner of free speech, the limitations must be reasonable and not based on viewpoint or content, Jeneane Beck, UI assistant vice president for external relations told the Press-Citizen. As with any invited speaker, approval does not equal endorsement. Guest speakers are afforded the same First Amendment protections as anyone else in the university community, Beck said. Campus security and police will coordinate with local agencies to determine the need for protection at the Cole speaking event next Monday. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Chloe Cole set to visit UI campus, speak about radical gender ideology A replica of Cincinnati's famous she-wolf -- a bronze statue of a mother wolf feeding her young -- will be returned to its Eden Park home and unveiled Nov. 3. Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct inscription on the statue's base. Cincinnati's famous Capitoline Wolf is back in town and ready to return to Eden Park. Stolen from its marble base in June 2022, a replica of Rome's Lupa Capitolina was created from the original mold in Florence, Italy, this year. Cincinnati's Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy raised $60,000 to cover the cost of the replacement. Capitoline Wolf or Lupa Capitolina" was gifted to Cincinnati in 1932 during the reign of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. The she-wolf was cut off at the ankles and stolen from its base in Eden Park in June 2022. Cincinnati Parks will unveil the new she-wolf statue at 10 a.m., Nov. 3, with city and parks officials on hand. Sons and Daughters of Italy gifted the statue to Cincinnati in 1932. In later years, the sculpture's ties to the Mussolini government sparked controversy. In August, Parks Director Jason Barron told the Park Board that a reference to one of Mussolini's years in power still appears on the base of the statue, but that parks officials would "let it fade a bit" as they restore other inscriptions. "You don't want to cover up history," Barron said. Going forward, however, parks want the focus on Cincinnatians of Italian descent and their contributions to the city, he said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When will the she-wolf be back in Cincinnati? EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) The El Paso City Council on Tuesday renewed a pair of emergency ordinances so that municipal employees can deploy to nonprofits and the city is free to provide migrants shelter as needed. The 7-0 vote with the consent of Mayor Oscar Leeser keeps the ordinances in place for another 30 days. The council originally approved them on May 8, 2023. El Paso witnessed another migrant surge at the end of September and the beginning of October, which resulted in U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing centers holding upwards of 7,000 migrants at one time. CBP released a big chunk of those migrants on parole or with notices to appear in federal immigration court at a later date. Thats when the city had to step in with housing. US Border Patrol has released thousands of migrants on San Diegos streets, taxing charities In the last three to four days the numbers dropped down 1,000 people per day. So, weve gone from 1,700 (daily migrant encounters) to 600. That makes a big difference. Weve closed down all the hotels, Leeser said at Tuesdays council meeting. The latest surge prompted the city to close on the purchase of the old Morehead Middle School with the El Paso Independent School District. The buildings are now a dual-purpose municipal facility a permanent animal services center and an emergency migrant shelter. Council members approved the extension without discussion. However, Leeser and Deputy City Manager Mario DAgostino praised city staff for the efficient handling of the migrant situation. In El Paso, we probably have the largest (number) of asylum-seekers crossing anywhere in the country, yet weve had no street releases, Leeser said. Last month, we were able to (assist) 16,000 people and feed over 40,000 meals and continued to make sure our community is safe, and the asylum-seekers continue to be safe and go to the destination of their choice. El Paso Deputy City Manager Mario DAgostino talks abou the migrant emergency during a meeting of the El Paso City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. He added that, unlike other border and large U.S. cities, El Paso this time did not see the release of any migrants from CBP custody straight to the streets. They either went to nonprofits or the city provided hotel rooms or space at the old school for them. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border DAgostino said the city is now sitting in a better place, with $30 million in advance Federal Emergency Management Agency funding in the bank. A year ago, the city was relying on reimbursements that take months to process. We are in a different situation. Were able to handle things differently and it has been a smoother operation, DAgostino said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. In an extraordinary departure from usual practices at City Hall, the citys $100,000 settlement agreement with whistleblowers who were fired by Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin prohibits them from publicly discussing their negative experiences in her office, records show. Of more than three dozen settlements reached with city workers over the past five years, the deal that Mayor Lori Lightfoot s administration reached with the treasurers ex-employees was the only one that contained what amounts to a gag order, the Tribune found. In a handful of cases, former employees agreed not to discuss the terms of their settlements, but they could still speak freely about their time in city government. For the whistleblowers who had alleged that Conyears-Ervin used public resources for personal gain, the terms of the deals non-disparagement clause were so restrictive that they specifically included a ban on giving any false and disparaging statements to the media. Entering into the agreement wasnt the only step taken by the Lightfoot administration to keep the public from knowing about the allegations against Conyears-Ervin, a political ally. Her administration denied the Tribunes public records request for the whistleblowers complaint, then sued the office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul after the office ordered the city to turn it over. Not until Mayor Brandon Johnson took office did the city release the records related to the misconduct allegations. A spokeswoman for Lightfoot didnt address specific questions about the settlement or her communications with Conyears-Ervin but released a statement saying the mayor was not involved in the negotiations in question. A Law Department spokeswoman also declined to address questions other than to release a statement saying the settlement was fully negotiated and agreed upon between all parties. A statement from Conyears-Ervins office acknowledged she spoke with Lightfoot about the whistleblowers allegations but said she did not influence the terms of the non-disparagement clause. Her spokesperson said the treasurers discussion with Lightfoot was about how the former aides had grossly misrepresented her work, adding that the treasurer has focused running her office in ways that put the ethical stewardship of taxpayer dollars at the center of everything it does. The Tribune first reported last month on the details surrounding allegations made by Tiffany Harper and Ashley Evans, two former aides in the treasurers office, in December 2020. In a letter to the city from the pairs lawyers, they alleged Conyears-Ervin had used government workers to plan her daughters birthday party, repeatedly misused taxpayer resources and attempted to force BMO Harris one of the banks where city money is deposited to issue a mortgage tied to the building that houses the aldermanic office for the treasurers husband, Ald. Jason Ervin . Conyears-Ervin has said she didnt do anything wrong in asking BMO Harris about providing a loan to her husbands landlord, even though as treasurer she oversees deposits of city funds with BMO and other banks. She also said she did not have public employees run personal errands for her while they were on duty but declined to address whether they did work for her on their personal time. The allegations against Conyears-Ervin were reported at the time to the citys inspector general, but the office hasnt announced the results of any investigation it might be conducting. The office generally operates in secrecy except for its quarterly reports. After the Tribune published details of the allegations, investigators under Inspector General Deborah Witzburg seized computers from the treasurers City Hall offices, though its not clear whether the action was connected to the accusations laid out in the letter. Under terms of the two workers settlement agreement, finalized in October 2021, both agree that they will not make any false and disparaging statements about their employment with the City, its work product, its employees, the termination of their employment or any other dealings of any kind between them and the City, to any third party, specifically including, without limitation, any past, present, or prospective employee of the City, any customer of the city or to any representative of any media. While such non-disparagement agreements had become common in private-industry employment lawsuits, they have come under criticism, particularly as the #MeToo era exposed how the deals could be used to force the silence of accusers. By the time the city offered the agreement, a recently enacted Illinois law had prohibited employers, with some exceptions, from cutting settlement deals that keep ex-employees from making truthful statements or talking publicly about unlawful employment practices. When shown the language in the Harper-Evans deal, one attorney not involved in the settlement, Laura E. Schrick, noted that the terms prohibit only false and disparaging comments. That wording, in theory, leaves the ex-employees free to speak about truthful actions. But practically speaking, talking could bring a city lawsuit and arguments over whether what they said was truthful. Even if you think you can prove the statement is true, Schrick said, if the city files suit against you, you are taking a risk and you will be expending significant time and likely money on legal fees to defend yourself. The Tribune reviewed 36 other settlement agreements with former city workers and found none specifically required them to promise not to disparage their employer. For example, the city in November 2022 agreed to pay $225,000 to a former firefighter who alleged he had been called racist names, had his food thrown away and was temporarily assigned to other fire stations more than his co-workers were. The city, which denied wrongdoing in that case, didnt put any gag order on the firefighter. In another case settled in September 2021, months before Lightfoot settled the claims brought by Harper and Evans, a city firefighter filed a lawsuit alleging he had been fired for reporting that a superior officer had put unqualified workers at OHare airport, leading to a Federal Aviation Administration investigation. That worker was reinstated with a deal that allowed him the right to discuss what had happened. Lightfoots administration settled the treasurer case at a time when her relationship with Conyears-Ervin and her powerful husband was transitioning from bitter enemies to close allies. The fact that out of 37 settlements only one had a nondisclosure and disparagement clause suggests that the treasurer received special treatment, said Dick Simpson, a retired University of Illinois at Chicago professor and government ethics expert who served on the City Council and in recent years supported Lightfoot. Lightfoots handling of the letter would have been unimaginable in her earliest days as mayor. Touting her experience as a former federal prosecutor and riding a wave of anti-establishment anger following Ald. Edward Burkes criminal indictment, she promised to reform City Hall and bring new transparency. The early days of her administration were also marked by repeated clashes with Ervin, who was head of the City Councils Black Caucus. His wife, the treasurer, was frequently discussed as a potential mayoral challenger to Lightfoot. Ervin led furious battles against Lightfoot over legal marijuana sales in late 2019 and emergency contracting during the COVID-19 pandemic. But he slowly evolved into an ally and surprised colleagues when he delivered an early endorsement for Lightfoots reelection campaign in September 2021. The city signed the settlement agreement a month later. Chicago Tribunes Joe Mahr contributed. gpratt@chicagotribune.com LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Clark County School District students received special treats as they learned about the benefits of eating healthy at school. It was all part of the school districts kick-off to National School Lunch Week which runs from Oct. 9 through 13. Students at J. Harold Brinley Middle School visited with CCSD Food Service, the Dairy Council of Nevada, and other community representatives. Students received smoothie samples and had a chance to ride the Smoothie Bike to power the smoothie blender. 1,400 CCSD Food Service employees combine to provide approximately 4.5 million school lunches each month to the Districts 300,000 students. All CCSD students are eligible to receive school meals at no cost through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Even as Israel said it has again sealed off the Gaza border and is restoring barriers destroyed during Hamas's invasion on Saturday, fighting inside Israel continued Wednesday evening. IDF soldiers from Battalion 101 identified several vehicles, including terrorists, near Nir Am, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), said late Wednesday evening local time on his Telegram channel. A tank from the 401st Brigade fired at them and killed three terrorists. IDF forces are now continuing their searches in the area. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1712165650171355546 https://twitter.com/shailevy6/status/1712094646464078219 Nir Am is about a mile from the Gaza border. The incident, five days into the latest Israel-Hamas war, comes as Israeli forces have set up a buffer zone around Gaza. It highlights the fragility of Israels hold over the densely populated swath of land even as it masses hundreds of thousands of troops for a major incursion. https://twitter.com/idfspokesperson/status/1712031420065919123?s=12 The IDF emphasizes that the area of the Gaza Division has been declared a closed military zone and reiterates that entry is strictly prohibited and constitutes a serious security risk, as well as a criminal offense, the IDF said on its Telegram channel Wednesday. IDF soldiers are conducting combat activity in the area and entering it endangers lives as well as harms the IDFs activities. The IDF asks the public to be alert, and not to enter the prohibited area in order to allow the security forces to continue to carry out their missions. Meanwhile, Israel continues to pound targets in Gaza. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1712219498210611442 https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1712223205270700311 Wednesday night, the Israeli Air Force posted video of a strike it said it carried out on multi-story building used by the Islamic Jihad. https://twitter.com/IAFsite/status/1712226191761895834 Earlier Wednesday, the IAF said it struck Islamic University in Gaza. IDF fighter jets struck an important operational, political and military center belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip - the Islamic University, the IDF said Wednesday. The university was being used as a Hamas training camp for military intelligence operatives, as well as for the development and production of weapons. The IDF claimed that Hamas used university conferences to raise funds for terrorism. The university maintained close ties with the senior leadership of Hamas. The IDF is continuing wide-scale strikes in the Gaza Strip at this time. https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1712028977567605168 Hamas continues to launch rockets toward Israel, sending large barrages north to the coastal city of Ashkelon, about seven miles from the Gaza border. Video that emerged on social media shows Tamir interceptors fired by Israel's vaunted Iron Dome air defense system engaging at least some of the flood of rockets, contrary to messaging earlier in the day from Hamas. "The occupied city of Ashkelon is burned by Qassam rocket attacks, with the absence of sirens and the failure of the Iron Dome," Hamas said earlier Wednesday. https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1712197627188539454 Hamas also carried out what appears to be its longest range rocket attack of this war, firing one that landed near Carmel, about 75 miles north of Gaza. "Following the initial report regarding sirens that sounded in the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council in northern Israel, a rocket launch was identified from the Gaza Strip," the IDF reported on its Telegram channel. "No interceptors were launched according to protocol." "Settlers flee from Haifa, northern occupied Palestine, after being bombed by Al-Qassam Brigades missiles," Hamas boasted on its Telegram channel, posting video of residents seeking shelter which you can see below. https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1712133303241781577 As both sides bombard each other and people succumb to the injuries suffered during the Hamas invasion, the casualty count on both sides continues to rise. There have been 1,100 Palestinians killed and 5,339 injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. https://twitter.com/MOH_PR/status/1712138211428823198 There have been at least 1,200 Israelis killed and 2,400 wounded, Haaretz is reporting . Even while his country is being invaded by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that world leaders visit Israel, a statement he made ahead of the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, Belgium. https://twitter.com/ntarnopolsky/status/1712174286306263264?s=12 After that meeting, both U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and new Joint Chiefs Chairman, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown both addressed the situation in Israel. Asked about whether the U.S. can continue supplying arms to both Israel and Ukraine, Brown said "absolutely we can do both and we will do both." As for whether Hezbollah or Iran might take action against Israel, Brown said he has "not seen any indications of additional players that are going to get involved to the detriment of Israel, and this is one of the reasons we addressed at our force posture." That was a reference to the U.S. moving the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean. Those ships arrived yesterday. https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1711834088187826528 Austin deferred to the Israelis when asked if an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza is imminent. "I'll let Israel talk about its plans and its operations, and I won't evaluate things one way or the other," he said. "My goal and I know the focus of our leadership is to provide support to the Israeli Defense Force - focus on what they need, what they're asking for and to get it there as quickly as possible. We... liaison with the Israeli Defense Forces. I've talked to the minister of defense near daily since this started, and so we really feel like we have a good feel for what they need. But in terms of their detailed plans, what they're going to do, what they're not going to do, I would defer to them." US Air Force general Charles Quinton Brown Jr. (R) and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks (L) talked about continued support for Ukraine and Israel. (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP) (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT/AFP via Getty Images) The White House on Wednesday again addressed the issue of Americans killed and captured in Israel. "We know that, so far, 22 Americans lost their lives and 17 remain unaccounted for. We know that these numbers are likely to increase in the days ahead," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "We know that a number of those Americans are being held hostage right now by Hamas," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. "I think we all need to steel ourselves for the very distinct possibility that these numbers will keep increasing and that we may, in fact, find out that more Americans are part of the hostage pool." As for the possible deployment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier group to the region, Kirby said "no decisions have been made" about it heading to the eastern Mediterranean to join the Ford's carrier group. "No operational decisions like that have been made, but she will be heading in that direction, her ships will be with her, and she certainly will be an available asset if needed." https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/1712210616394649861 Concern over Hezbollah entering the war is so great that human error with a warning messaging app led to a large swatch of Israel locked down for several hours, which you can read more about in our story here . https://twitter.com/haltman/status/1712172571158802733?s=20 President Joe Biden today confirmed that babies were found at a kibbutz near Kfar Ava with their heads cut off. https://twitter.com/dpatrikarakos/status/1712219633594376581?s=20 CNN reported that a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed that. https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1712132220809298163 Hamas, however, has vociferously denied those allegations. "The Hamas movement categorically denies the fabricated allegations promoted by some Western media outlets, which unprofessionally adopt the Zionist narrative full of lies and slander against our Palestinian people and their resistance, the latest of which was the claim of killing children, beheading them, and targeting civilians," Hamas said Wednesday on its Telegram channel. "We affirm that the Palestinian resistance does not target children, and the Western media must be accurate and not blindly side with the Zionist narrative, which is full of lies and slander." More horrific images have emerged from the Hamas invasion. (Author's note: While the tweet below won't embed, readers can view it here . Viewer discretion is advised). https://twitter.com/giladerdan1/status/1712145038442893540?s=12 As Hamas forces attacked, they were apparently carrying leaflets with instructions on out how to defeat various Israeli armored vehicles. https://twitter.com/JoeTruzman/status/1711858342757564817?s=20 Days after the invasion, we are beginning to see some of the weapons used by Hamas, including Iranian-made Misagh-1 man-portable air defense systems. It's surely highly concerning to Israel that these are floating around Gaza as they can be used on civilian and military aircraft alike. https://twitter.com/CalibreObscura/status/1712155669166489859?s=20 Israelis the world over are heading back home to join the fight. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1712098391356768695?s=12 Hamas, meanwhile, has called for Muslims and Arabs to continue showing support and join the fight. https://twitter.com/brotherrasheed/status/1711933917098316276?s=12 Around the world, there are public shows of support for both sides. https://twitter.com/RabbiUkraine/status/1712015768542454188 https://twitter.com/Clyde1News/status/1712178997948289336 https://twitter.com/emilykschrader/status/1712020776717520934 https://twitter.com/IsraelHamasWarr/status/1712205216341184641 https://twitter.com/Ali7861216216/status/1712203141209313456 https://twitter.com/Obayobrian1/status/1712155431819202781 We will continue to update this story as new information comes in. Update: 8:50 PM EST - The White House clarified remarks Biden made about allegations that decapitated babies were found after the Hamas attack on a kibbutz near Kfar Aza. "A White House spokesman later clarified that U.S. officials and the president have not seen pictures or confirmed such reports independently," The Washington Post reported . "The president based his comments about the alleged atrocities on claims from Netanyahu's spokesman and media reports from Israel, according to the White House." https://twitter.com/evanhill/status/1712260928635322502?s=46\u0026t=WGR8ATVuYlDW934sMHUUhQ Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Indiana's native wildlife have it hard enough as it is: Urban development is encroaching on their habitat and taking away their space. Now, according to a new study, climate change is making it even worse. Researchers at Butler University, in partnership with the Urban Wildlife Information Network, co-authored the study that found Indiana's warming temperatures are increasing the potential problems mammals face in urban settings with too little green space. I think what the really powerful finding from this study was that we confirmed what people have seen for many years now, said Carmen Salsbury of Butler University. There is a negative impact of urbanization on species diversity and species richness on the landscape. Hotter and drier cities with little greenspace are most at risk to create problems for native mammals due to development and warming, researchers found. Scientists in agencies across the world have found that the Earths average temperature has risen 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880 and the increase is directly related to the release of greenhouse gases. Clearly trying to control climate change is a good thing, Salsbury said. Raccoons, squirrel and rabbits were some of the most commonly observed mammals in the study. While those smaller animals were abundant, others including deer, coyotes and bobcats were also seen. Animals with flexible diets, like raccoons, are able to find more food in urban environments. Wildlife with more specialized diets, especially herbivores, are more sensitive to the loss of greenspace. A diverse population of wildlife both large and small, with differing diets are important to a healthy ecosystem. "If we don't maintain that biodiversity, we end with with a situation where things get out of balance," Salsbury said. An off-balance ecosystem will negate the benefits of a healthy system, such as filtering water and sequestering carbon. A loss of one species also may provide another with an opportunity to thrive. Imagine if rats lose their predator, that can lead to a city-wide infestation and cause trouble to the urban area. Native mammals in urban landscapes face growing threats from development and temperature increases due to climate change. Here, a family of raccoons come out of the woods as Share LT students gather for a Camptown day Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Fort Harrison State Park. How researchers track climate change and urbanization A large team of researchers conducted the study in 20 cities across North America, including Indianapolis, by using wildlife cameras in hundreds of sites throughout the summer months. The team wanted a wide range of cities with different population density, as well as various amounts of impervious surfaces, moisture and temperature to provide a comprehensive look at the issue. Fewer species were found in cities with less green space, and the researchers wanted to understand the potential effects that climate changes warming trend would have on the loss of biodiversity, Salsbury said. Dense urban infrastructure, such as buildings and pavement, absorb and retain heat. Green space, such as trees and vegetation, are important to these areas because they reduce the heat island effect by providing more shade and deflecting the sun, according to the U.S. EPA. Why should we care whether we have all these animals present or not? I think that what I can say in a simple response is that biodiversity is critically important to functioning ecosystems, Salsbury said. Solutions for protecting Indianapolis biodiversity More wildlife is found in cities that have maintained more undisturbed habitat, Salsbury said, and preserving those areas is important to mitigate the negative effects seen in the study. I think, for Indiana, that most of the information from this study sort of points to our need to really focus on greenspace and connectivity within our cities to sort of help mitigate what we know is probably coming with regard to climate temperature increases, Salsbury said Not all greenspace is equal, and a May report from SAVI, out of Indiana University, concludes that further greenspace development should be prioritized in Marion County. The report says particular attention is needed in lower income minority areas still affected by historic inequities. Shannon Killion, stormwater administrator for the City of Indianapolis, said the citys Department of Public Works is changing its focus to pay more attention to resiliency and sustainability. We all know that part of our greenspaces really factors into that (focus), Killion said. The department has already started implementing this new focus by hiring an additional urban forestry inspector and another senior project manager in stormwater. The urban forestry team is tasked with maintaining and expanding the public forest in the city, which includes trees along the streets and in certain areas of parks, Killion said. Trees have tremendous environmental benefits not only from providing habitat and cooling impacts, but they also have positive stormwater benefits as well to intercept stormwater and in numerous other things to really offset some of the detriments that come with urban development historically, Killion said. Large urban mammals, like deer, face greater threats than smaller wildlife from climate change and urban development. Its important the city plans diverse greenspaces, utilizing a variety of native vegetation, because pests such as the emerald ash borer can wipe out monocultures and intentional planning will lessen that impact, Killion said. DPW also employs a land stewardship team that maintains native spaces primarily in park locations. If you think of Eagle Creek Park, there's spaces that the land stewardship team maintains and they're focused on the removal of invasive species and making sure that we have a well-balanced environment, Killion said. Alex Cortwright, with Indy Parks and Recreation, said these larger city parks are an opportunity to preserve some of the trees that are already there and opens the chance to plant more. A lot of that vegetation is very specific to make sure that we're using what makes sense for the ecosystem by using what is going to have the best conservation and climate impact, Cortwright said. Facing hurdles when expanding greenspace Providing ample and efficient greenspace in urban areas is not equal across cities. Different challenges face cities that build more densely than cities that sprawl out. A really condensed urban area has the advantage of not taking up as much space, which is positive, Salsbury said. Sprawl takes up space, but you can potentially integrate more greenspace, which may be important. For a sprawling urban area like Indy, Salsbury said planners need to be very deliberate about where to maintain parks and greenways. While the study does not directly discuss connectivity between natural areas, Salsbury said it is an important characteristic in cities to maintain diverse populations of wildlife. One of the things that we know is the case is that when you have fragmented habitats youre limiting habitat space or size, potentially, Salsbury said. When you can connect habitats together, that in a sense is more helpful for those larger animals that require greater greenspace. When it comes to Indy planning out parks and greenspace, Cortwright said funding is a big part of the challenge. The parks department does not have a dedicated land acquisition fund and buying land can be competitive. The city in 2021 told IndyStar that the park system relies on donations or developers offering greenspace to acquire new land. The city-county council and mayor have been supportive of land acquisition efforts like the Grassy Creek Regional Park addition in 2021, Cortwright said recently. A recent grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund through DNR allowed Indy Parks to provide more amenities such as a hiking trail at Rev. Charles R. Williams Park just north of East 30th by Fall Creek. Indiana wildlife: Here's what you need to know about new wildlife research unit coming to Indiana Most of the park departments master planning, where these decisions are made, includes a period of community input, Cortwright said. A lot of times we'll hear from community members and counselors who are like, Hey, there's this spot in my district or community that would be great to get a park in, Cortwright said. From there, its about the feasibility of building a park and getting that funding. Salsbury and the Butler University researchers are now trying to look at their data from the study to get a good picture of what is happening the distribution and abundance of native mammals specifically in Indianapolis. Within the next year, they hope is to bring those findings to Indy Parks to help guide future planning. Ultimately, the overarching answer is do things to control our carbon emissions and get climate change under control, Salsbury said. At same time, looking at our neighborhoods, our cities, and paying attention to those greenspaces can help to enhance those greenspace is important. Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Climate change, development threatens Indy wildlife, study says Many protestors concerned about climate change stormed the stage where U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was being interviewed Thursday in Baltimore. Buttigieg was in town at a daylong conference to discuss new transportation updates for the state. The conference, iMPACT MARYLAND, was hosted by The Baltimore Banner and intended to focus on the future of the state. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. In a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, Buttigieg said the updates include an expansion of the Baltimore airport, converting the University of Marylands bus fleet to electric vehicles, replacing diesel trains with battery-powered ones, and updating a transportation station to be accessible for wheelchair users and pedestrians. Members of the Climate Defiance group came on stage, carrying signs and shouting in opposition to a Texas petrochemical project. Stop Petro Pete, they said, among other chants. Your [Department of Transportation] just approved the Seaport Oil Terminal, a project that will have 80 coal plants worth of greenhouse gas emissions and will worsen air qualities in areas that already live in a cancer cluster, one protestor said to Buttigieg on stage. The Seaport Oil Terminal project was approved by the Biden administration last year and would be located off the shore of Freeport, Texas. Environmental activism groups have opposed the decision. This is about environmental racism and its about the climate this project will have, he said in the video posted to the Climate Defiance groups page on X. Will you commit to stopping these projects? So I dont want to say anything off the cuff but I respect where youre coming from, Buttigieg said in response, before getting cut off by the protestors. The video then shows Buttigieg and his security leaving the stage, with some protestors attempting to follow him. Security forcefully blocked the path off-stage and tried to remove protestors from the theater. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Al., has been metaphorically summoned by the karma police after a clip of him falling down some airplane stairs calls to memory the many times he mocked President Biden for his own ambulatory accidents. Tuberville's tumble took place on Wednesday while exiting the aircraft, at which point he appears to have lost his footing, causing him to slide down quite a distance, losing his grip on the luggage he'd been grasping in each hand as he made his way down. As Newsweek points out in their coverage of this clip, Tuberville yucked it up with reporters back in July over Biden experiencing a similar difficulty, saying, "You watch Joe Biden over in Europe. I mean, I'm afraid he's going to fall down every time I turn on television." And it seems as though Biden's supporters took today's opportunity to draw some comparisons and offer some reminders. "Queen Karma paid Tommy Tuberville a visit. Stay as long as you like, ma'am," left-wing blogger Brooklyn Dad tweeted. "He's not leaving anything for the Saturday Night Live writers," commented another person in response to the widely circulated clip, which can be seen below. Tommy Tuberville on Bidens Europe trip: Im afraid hes going to fall down every time I turn on television. Heres Tommy . pic.twitter.com/QKLhlK0NUy Hoodlum (@NotHoodlum) October 11, 2023 ; Foreign Ministry urges US to conduct swift probe into San Francisco consulate car crash 10:22, October 11, 2023 By Chang Jun ( Chinadaily.com.cn China has strongly urged the United States to conduct a swift investigation and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic institutions and personnel after a vehicle crashed into the Chinese consulate-general building in San Francisco on Monday. Police fatally shot the driver of the blue Honda sedan that plowed through the consulate and into the lobby of the building's visa office in the afternoon. The identity of the driver, who died in a hospital, had not been released. There was no report of anyone else being injured in the incident. San Francisco police said they didn't know why the unidentified driver smashed through the front of the consulate, located on a major street across from the city's Japantown neighborhood. The San Francisco Standard, citing unnamed sources, said that police shot the driver believing that the person was armed. The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that an "unidentified individual" crashed into the consulate in San Francisco and tried to hurt visitors and consulate staff. "China strongly urges the US to launch a swift investigation and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel there," spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular news briefing. Wang also called on the US to take strong measures according to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. In a statement released on its WeChat account, the Chinese consulate said it would temporarily close its consular certificate hall starting on Tuesday, and would inform the public when services resume. A separate statement from the consulate denounced Monday's incident. "An unidentified person drove a vehicle and violently crashed into the visa office of our consulate, posing a serious threat to the safety of staff and people on site, and causing serious damage to our consulate's facilities," it said. The consulate said it severely condemns the violent attack and reserves the right to pursue responsibilities related to the incident. It said it has made solemn representations to the US, demanding that the truth be quickly ascertained and dealt with seriously in accordance with the law. "We also urge the United States to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Consulate General personnel and premises, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and the Consular Convention between China and the US," the statement added. Agencies contributed to this story. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Flash A barrage of rockets are fired from Gaza toward Israel over Gaza City, on Oct. 10, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Israel intensified on Tuesday its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and bolstered its forces along the border, the fourth day of one of the most intense clashes between Israel and Hamas militants in decades. In retaliation, Hamas has launched barrages of rockets targeting central Israel, including Tel Aviv. Many recreational sites and shops in Tel Aviv have remained closed since the conflict began. As night fell, rockets were fired at Ashkelon, prompting residents to seek shelter. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, reported that the IDF has regained control over most of the southern region that was infiltrated by Hamas militants on Saturday during a surprise attack. However, clashes are still ongoing. Armed Palestinian militants continue infiltrating Israel. The IDF confirmed that two Palestinian militants, who apparently crossed into Israel during Saturday's attack and were in hiding, were killed in a firefight. Four armed militants also infiltrated Israel's southern shore at Zikim and were killed in an exchange of fire. Israel's Education Ministry has announced that schools across the country, which have been shut down since the beginning of the conflict, will remain closed on Wednesday. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza has risen to 900, with 4,500 injuries. Meanwhile, at least 1,008 individuals have been killed in Israel since Saturday, as reported by Israel's state-owned Kan TV news. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed to exact "mighty revenge" and approved a call-up of an additional 60,000 reservists, bringing the total number mobilized to a record 360,000, setting the stage for a possible ground offensive. Israel's military also targeted Hamas officials, killing Hamas' Economy Minister Jawad Abu Shamala, and another senior official, Zakaria Abu Muammar. In Gaza, Israel continues its massive airstrikes and has halted the supply of water, electricity, and food. The United Nations reports that at least 200,000 Palestinians have been displaced, with more than 120,000 taking shelter in U.N. schools under challenging conditions with limited access to essential resources. The Israel-Lebanon border has also seen an escalation, with the Israeli military responding to rocket barrages from Lebanon with retaliatory artillery fire. Schools near the volatile border in southern Lebanon remained closed. Earlier in the day, Israeli airstrikes hit the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Negotiations between the United Nations and Egyptian officials are ongoing to ensure aid can flow through the crossing, with Egypt seeking assurances from Israel and the United States. As a crucial negotiator between Israel and Palestine, Egypt has been ramping up efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi warned Tuesday that the ongoing military escalation is "very dangerous" and could have repercussions for regional security and stability. He emphasized Egypt's commitment to a two-state solution and urged negotiations for a just peace and an independent Palestinian state. Also on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud pledged ongoing support for the Palestinian people and efforts to prevent further escalation, in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, the Arab League has announced an emergency meeting for Wednesday. Foreign ministers from Arab League member countries will convene to discuss strategies aimed at de-escalating the conflict and preventing additional harm to civilians. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss measures to ease tensions and voiced concerns over targeting civilian settlements. Both Erdogan and Putin expressed deep concern over civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict and reiterated the need for "an immediate ceasefire" and for "the resumption of the negotiation process" Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed on Tuesday allegations of his country's involvement in the attacks conducted by Palestinian resistance groups against Israel, stating that such accusations are "nonsensical." CLOVIS, Calfi. (KGPE/KSEE) The Clovis Fire Department invites families, friends, and future firefighters of Clovis to join them on Saturday for an open house at the newest fire station Fire #6. On Saturday, October 14, the Clovis Fire Department says visitors will have an opportunity to tour the station and one of their fire engines, meet firefighters and participate in fire extinguisher training. A free lunch will also be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. cooked and provided by the Clovis Firefighters Association. Organizers say this event is open to all ages whether youre interested in becoming a firefighter or simply bringing the family out to see the new Fire Station. This event will take place on October 14th from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Fire Station #6, 2388 Encino Avenue in Clovis. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. As sirens sounded from militant rocket attacks Monday morning, 93 students at Brigham Young Universitys Jerusalem campus were sent to bomb shelters. The University of Washington, meanwhile, condemned the killing by Hamas militants of a recent Ph.D. graduate, one of at least 14 Americans killed so far in the conflict. Three Northeastern University students were evacuated from the same region over the last few days. One of them told the Boston-based universitys news outlet she woke up to sirens outside her apartment in Tel Aviv on Saturday. She spent much of the morning hiding with her parents, who were visiting, in a shelter. You hear rockets every couple of months, and its not such an unusual thing, Joshua Einhorn, another student, told the university. But as soon as the first sirens went off, everybody could tell that it was a different situation than usual. Israel-Hamas War newsletter: Sign up to get the latest news and analysis on the conflict in your inbox. As war rages in the Middle East, American colleges have been left trying to keep students and faculty studying abroad safe. USA TODAY reached out to more than two dozen colleges, many with a history of having a presence in Israel or large study abroad programs, in the last two days to ask how their programs have been affected by the unfolding crisis. Some schools confirmed students had safely left the area. Others said students and staff remained in the region while their institutions monitor the situation and put in place new safety protocols. A small number of schools reported that by chance, this semester, they have no students and faculty studying in Israel. The responses demonstrate the delicate balance institutions are trying to strike between placating worried parents in a time of crisis and limiting how much they share out of concern for the safety of vulnerable students and staff. The scale of that challenge likely touches thousands of families across the area. Nearly 1,900 U.S. students studied abroad in Israel in the 2019-20 school year, per State Department data. The year prior, 3,532 students studied abroad in Israel, according to the Institute of International Education. 'Devastated, disappointed and worried:' How coronavirus stole students' study abroad Students still in Israel 'deeply shaken' Despite the escalating war and a mounting death toll of about 1,600 on both sides, some students and faculty at several colleges remain in the region. Ayelet Cohen, dean of the Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, said in an email that although the schools faculty and staff in Jerusalem are physically safe, theyve been deeply shaken. Many of them spent the last few days waiting in long lines to donate blood, she said. Others babysat children of Israeli parents who were called on to reserve duty. We are in very close touch with our students studying in Israel, she said. An unspecified number of University of California students in university-sponsored study abroad programs are still in the region but are safe, according to Ryan King, a university spokesperson. In an email, King said the universitys policy on travel safety abroad requires not disclosing the number of students in a given location. He said parents have been notified of the situation and the university is keeping close watch on events there. At this time, the University is following the same practice as many other American institutions of higher education, allowing students to remain on their programs in Israel should they wish to do so, King said in the email. American University, a private university in Washington, D.C., has retained a small number of students in Israel. Administrators are working to inform students, faculty and staff about available safety resources, spokesperson Carol Wilkerson said. As students protest, US colleges denounce Russia, pull out of country over Ukraine war Students flee over the weekend Eighteen New York University students were flown out of Tel Aviv this weekend, university spokesperson John Beckman said in an email. They were transported to the universitys satellite campus in neighboring Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The University of Denver, meanwhile, is working to evacuate one student who was studying in the region. The school is planning his return later this week, university spokesperson Jon Stone said in an email. Omer Shifris, who is from a place 30 minutes outside Tel Aviv in Israel, walks to the stage carrying the Israeli flag with Delfina Molina following behind him with the Argentinian flag during International Student Day at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., in February. "It felt good," Shifris said on speaking about Israel. "I'm the only one for Israel so to be the face of Israel here and share my values and culture with everyone." Adam Rovner, a professor at the university, was supposed to lead a trip to Israel for alumni later this year. It was canceled this week, he said in an interview. Rovner, the university's director for the Center of Judaic Studies, has friends and family in Israel. He kept in touch with them this weekend as the chaos unfolded. "They were in fear for their lives," he said. Some schools had no students studying abroad in Israel Several schools with study-abroad programs confirmed in emails to USA TODAY no students were studying abroad in the region at this time. They include: Drexel University in Philadelphia Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey Seattle University The University of Chicago The University of Florida Virginia Commonwealth University Harvard criticized for slow response to conflict Another concern for colleges in recent days has been how to speak to families, staff and alumni with broad and differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The regional discord has long had ripple effects for American colleges. Typically, they come in the form of calls from students for academic boycotts. Recently, Palestinian students on some campuses also have alleged discrimination in study-abroad programs in the embattled region. In a striking statement Monday, Harvard Universitys former president Lawrence Summers slammed the school's administration for its slowness in speaking out about the violence. Over the weekend, student groups called Israel entirely responsible for the initial deadly attack by Hamas, an Iran-backed militant group designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. In nearly 50 years of @Harvard affiliation, I have never been as disillusioned and alienated as I am today, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The silence from Harvards leadership, so far, coupled with a vocal and widely reported student groups' statement blaming Israel solely, has allowed Harvard to appear at best neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel. Harvard President Claudine Gay issued a statement late Monday condemning the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. The university's communications office did not respond to emailed requests for comment. Let me also state, on this matter as on others, that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership, Gay wrote. Zachary Schermele is a breaking news and education reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel-Hamas war prompts some colleges to pause study abroad programs Archaeologist Alberto Sarcina (C) oversees the work of a mainly Indigenous team unearthing traces of the distant past of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien (Raul ARBOLEDA) With brushes and trowels, Indigenous Colombians are unearthing traces in the jungle of a tragic period in history, when their ancestors were violently supplanted by colonists from Spain. Working as amateur archaeologists, they carefully brush away dirt to reveal pottery and other artifacts left behind by ancient inhabitants of what in 1510 became Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien -- the first-ever city built by the conquistadores in the Americas. Watched over by archaeologist Alberto Sarcina, an Italian with an Indiana Jones-like aura, what appears to be an ancient cobblestone road emerges from the patient tap, tap, tap of the workers' tools. At first it was "difficult" to convince the local population of Unguia, a municipality in the middle of the Darien jungle, to get involved, recounted Sarcina, who works for the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, which is funding the project. Many, he said, "didnt want to know anything about the city that started the tragedy" of Indigenous annihilation. But 10 years into the project, dozens now partake with gusto and pride. They are mainly of Indigenous and Afro descent. Most are women. "I like to find things that we don't even know how to make today... they made their own clay and didnt have to buy it. They were very resourceful," 28-year-old Karen Suarez of the Embera Indigenous community told AFP after digging up a piece of pottery. - 'A dramatic turn' - Christopher Columbus first arrived on the island of Hispaniola (now the Dominican Republic and Haiti), in 1492, on his ultimately unsuccessful quest to find India at a time that world maps were still being developed. From there, he led expeditions to the mainland Americas. Several temporary settlements were created along the way, but it was the founding of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien that really marked the beginning of colonial entrenchment. "It's one of those moments in history where the story takes a dramatic turn -- one of those moments with a before and an after," said Sarcina, 55. "The conquest of an entire continent began here, which means the Indigenous genocide began here." Researchers have estimated that European colonizers killed some 55 million Indigenous people in the Americas. The Colombian project seeks to glean more about this period from what the colonizers, and their victims, left behind in and around the 33-hectare (80-acre) city in the northwestern Choco department. Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien lasted for only 14 years until 1524, when the original inhabitants of the region killed the invaders and set fire to the settlement. At its height, the city had some 5,000 inhabitants, but many had already left before its ultimate demise as the headquarters of the so-called Castilla de Oro Spanish territories moved to what is Panama today. - 'The best thing' - The source of much historic misery is today helping to lighten the burden for a few descendants of those who survived the Spanish invasion. The amateur archaeologists at Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien receive payment for their efforts and can earn money from hosting tourists at their homes. "We have felt good in this work, we benefit a little from the economy (generated) and from learning... about the history of the ancestors," said participant Antonio Chamarra, 40. Jeniffer Alvarez, 32, told AFP her job on the project was "a respite" from the machismo and violence in an area ravaged by the Gulf Clan drug cartel. "This site has been the best thing" to happen in a society that tends to relegate women to housework, she added. The site also hosts a museum -- another income generator. After dark, the horseshoe-shaped museum becomes a cinema for the children of surrounding villages in a community with very basic access to services such as health and education. The project also serves as a sort of open-air university. It has inspired 16-year-old Hector Monterrosa from the nearby Tanela village to aspire to an career in archaeology, like his idol Sarcina. "Here, in general, it is very difficult to get an opportunity to go to university," the teen, who spends much of his free time after school at the dig site, told AFP. "There are very few who can go and since my family's finances are not so good, this would be a great opportunity for me to start preparing" for an academic career, he said. lv/das/mlr/sst Columbus police on Tuesday identified a man found shot to death Sunday in a car that crashed into some trees and brush and the suspect charged with murder in the death on the city's South Side. Jashua Watts, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 5 p.m. Sunday in the 300 block of Buffalo Court after he and another adult were found in a gray sedan with gunshot wounds. The other wounded adult, whom police did not identify, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable. Aaron Tecapoe Beamon, 20, of the Southern Orchards neighborhood, has been charged by city homicide detectives with murder in Watts' death. A warrant was issued for Beamon's arrest on a murder charge, and he has since been arrested, police said on X, formerly known as Twitter. According to police, Watts was seated in a car in a nearby parking lot when Beamon approached the vehicle. The two were having a brief conversation when a third adult approached and got into the car with Watts. An exchange of gunfire occurred, during which Watts and the third adult were struck and the car moved forward and crashed into trees and brush off the road, police said. bagallion@gannett.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus man charged with murder in fatal South Side shooting A protester at the Oct. 11, 2022, L.A. City Council meeting calls for the ouster of Nury Martinez , Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon after the leak of a recording on which the three council members can be heard making racist remarks. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) When I first heard a secretly recorded conversation among four of L.A.'s most powerful politicos that captured them uttering all sorts of racist and conspiratorial nonsense, very little of it surprised me. The voices then-Los Angeles City Councilmember Nury Martinez, then-Councilmember Gil Cedillo, Councilmember Kevin de Leon, and then-Los Angeles County Federation of Labor head Ron Herrera were familiar. The cavalier anti-Blackness and jokes about Oaxacans reminded me of some of my male cousins when they're six Michelob Ultras into a carne asada Sunday. The whines about Black L.A. having more political representation than it deserved, at the expense of Latino L.A., are the same cants I hear from too many Latinos who should know better. But what was most familiar to me was the way they expressed all of the above: in Spanglish. Read more: Inside the room: The entire L.A. City Council racist audio leak, annotated by our experts As was the case for some of the people on that tape, my first language was Spanish. Now I'm bilingual and mostly use English, though Spanish inevitably seeps into my daily speech, mostly as filler words. Among non-Spanish-speaking people, I'll only consciously use Spanish if theres a word that doesnt translate well, or to make a point. When I'm around people with the same linguistic background, Spanish signifies, Hey, Im about to get real right now, and what I then say is considered weightier than if I had said it in English. So I immediately recognized how Cedillo, De Leon, Herrera and Martinez weaponized Spanglish on the tape. I was listening to it last October, zeroing in on the sometimes ugly Spanish phrases as my colleagues and I prepared to break the story that would upend Los Angeles politics. A year later, Los Angeles is still dealing with the aftermath in part because Cedillo, De Leon and Martinez are on a comeback-cum-whitewash-tour no one asked for. Then-L.A. Councilmember Gil Cedillo, left, and Councilmember Kevin de Leon attend the Oct. 11, 2022, City Council meeting, not long after the leak of the racist audio recording. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Cedillo is suing the L.A. County Federation of Labor and two of its former employees, alleging invasion of privacy and negligence and saying the release of the audio caused him to lose income and job offers. De Leon, who is running for reelection, filed a similar lawsuit with only the two former employees as defendants. In an interview with my colleagues Brittny Mejia and David Zahniser, De Leon characterized his comments on the tape ridiculing Black political power in L.A. and comparing then-Councilmember Mike Bonins son to a luxury handbag as inartful." Martinez, meanwhile, is the star of a new four-part podcast by LAist Studios that allows her to tell her side of the story, but not without constant pushback from host Antonia Cereijido. The truculent trio are all using the same tired bingo card of victimization politics that Donald Trump keeps in his breast pocket. But they're also employing a novel tactic to argue that it wasn't them who did any wrong it was people like me. Both De Leon's and Cedillo's lawsuits contain the same passage, word for word, alleging that the Spanglish comments on the tape "were taken out of context or were improperly interpreted from Spanish slang to English by those who did not have a full understanding of the meaning let alone context of the term." Here's a Spanish phrase you can't take out of context, Kevin and Gil: pobrecitos. You poor, pathetic guys. Read more: Column: A year after the City Hall tape leak, where will Latino political power in L.A. go? By my rough estimate, espanol made up no more than 5% of the City Hall leak, and most of it came from Martinez. She used filler words and phrases, like quien sabe que tanto (who knows how much) and que (that). She employed Spanish to compliment Cedillos love for his daughter tas loco con esta nina (Youre crazy for that girl). She delivered a particularly apt blow against former USC gynecologist George Tyndall, who recently died while awaiting trial on sex crime charges, by describing him as a cochino. This literally means pig but carried the implication of "creeper, the way she used it. When the conversation turned to Bonin, the Spanglish gloves came on. Martinez despised her former colleague and thus had no qualms about trashing his Black son if that meant scoring points during a private conversation. That's why she described the young boy as a changuito little monkey and a negrito, which translates as little Black male but has the connotation of darky. Its also why Martinez trotted out the word judios when claiming Jewish politicians were working with Black politicians to screw over Latinos, when she could've just said their names. The way I grew up with that word, parece changuito, it has nothing to do with skin color," Martinez insisted on the LAist Studios podcast. "It has more to do with behavior. Youre sort of just playing around." She did admit that uttering it "was insensitive. It was mean," while laying the blame on her immigrant background she was born in the U.S. to parents from the Mexican state of Zacatecas. I think in Spanish, then I speak in English, Martinez told LAist. And so my vocabulary comes from me being an English learner. And I think for me, those words [I uttered] are not meant to hurt anybody, or to sound racist at all. I think it's just words that I grew up with. Hey, Nury: My parents were born in Zacatecas too. I learned English too. But I sure as hell don't blame my upbringing whenever I mess up. As we say back in the rancho when someone tries too hard, "le echaste mucha crema a tus tacos" you put too much cream on your tacos. L.A. Councilmember Kevin de Leon and then-Council President Nury Martinez confer at a meeting on Oct. 4, 2022. Five days later, a leaked conversation involving them, then-Councilmember Gil Cedillo, and then-L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera would upend L.A. politics. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Although the ex-council president was by far the worst Spanglish offender, others employed it to insult as well. Cedillo mockingly referred to L.A. Councilmember Nithya Raman as Martinezs comadre female pal to rile up Martinez. De Leon described former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as a viejita a little old lady, also using the term for Marilyn Flynn, the former dean of USCs School of Social Work. When everyone in the room ridiculed Oaxacans in Koreatown, with Cedillo calling them little ones, Herrera said his mother used to refer to them as indios literally Indians but carrying the same sentiment among Mexicans as the Old West slur Injun. Cedillo, who lost his City Council reelection bid months before the tape leak, gave a rambling interview this week to La Opinion, blaming the Democratic Socialists of America, Black political leaders, this newspaper, cancel culture basically everyone but himself for his supposed pariah status. "Our community doesnt care about what was said [on the tape] because they understand Spanish, our culture, and they know the history," he said in the interview. Who needs the Santa Anas when you've got all this ceaseless, annoying hot air? Read more: Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo sue over leaked audio recording That Cedillo, De Leon and Martinez claim they're victims of a witch hunt fueled by people who don't understand the nuances of Spanish is not only weak salsa posturing, it's also self-hatred at its most laughable. They're trying to tap into generations of loathing that jingoistic Mexicans have felt toward Mexican Americans for supposedly not speaking Spanish well, or at all. They're trying to paint people like me, who look askance at Latinos who utter the type of bigoted mierda (crap) that they did, as vendidos (sellouts) who are not "real" Latinos and thus can't be trusted. If the three ever talk to me, I'd tell them straight up: No manchen literally, "don't stain" in Mexico City Spanish and figuratively, "Give me a break." Since they're so insistent on letting the world know they're the true custodians of Cervantes, I'll follow in their spirit and repeat here some nuanced Mexican Spanish words and phrases that are apropos to all this desmadre (mess). The three of them se pasan go beyond the pale of respectability. Se hacen. They put on airs. They are sinverguenzas a wonderful noun that translates as withoutshames people with no shame. Finally, I dont need to translate the phrase vaya con Dios, which long ago entered the SoCal lexicon as a way to bid farewell. So heres another parting phrase, one that many Angelenos have learned because of y'all: Fuera. Get the hell outta here. 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. Civilians in Gaza are growing desperate as Israel intensifies its counterattack. A community activist told Insider that "there is no safe place" to which civilians can evacuate. "We are killed here with no ability to do something," she said. "We are just waiting to die." As Israeli forces intensify their counterattack on the Gaza Strip, civilians in the area have grown increasingly desperate and uncertain about their survival. "The majority of the people here, when we hear news of any risk in our neighborhood, we evacuate," Nour Swirki, a community activist in Gaza, told Insider. "But, in fact, there is no safe place at all in the Gaza Strip." Israel vowed a swift response after Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, carried out the worst attack on Israeli soil in history on Saturday. In addition to countering with airstrikes and rocket attacks on the Gaza Strip, Israel is also mobilizing for a ground operation that could devastate the civilian population in the region. Swirki lived in the affluent Rimal neighborhood before she and her family fled to escape Israel's airstrikes. The area, which has since been nearly razed to the ground, was a target for Israel because it housed some Hamas facilities, the Associated Press reported. But it was also home to media organizations, international aid groups, restaurants, and malls. Swirki, 35, said that "when we evacuate from neighborhood to neighborhood, it's still not safe." "And we cannot try to leave the Gaza Strip because there are clashes, and the crossing with Egypt has been attacked," she added. The Rafah crossing on Gaza's border with Egypt is the only possible exit point from Gaza right now. The other exit is the Erez crossing, which borders Israel and is closed. The Rafah corridor was bombarded by Israeli forces earlier this week, preventing Palestinian civilians from evacuating the territory. The crossing was still closed as of Wednesday morning, though US officials said they are in talks with Israel and Egypt to allow safe passage for Americans and civilians. "We are killed here with no ability to do something," Swirki said. "We can't do anything against this situation. We are just waiting for our destiny. We are just waiting to die." In addition to its military response, Israel also cut off the supply of food, water, fuel, and electricity to Gaza, a move that some human-rights advocates say is a violation of international law. "We are fighting human animals," Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said when announcing the decision this week, "and we act accordingly." Israeli officials said more than 1,200 people in Israel have so far died as a result of Hamas' attacks, including at least 22 Americans. About 2,900 were injured. Hamas fighters targeted Israeli civilians including women, children, and the elderly in villages across southern Israel. They also attacked a music festival full of young people. Footage of the attack showed militants firing on festivalgoers and taking hostages. When those who survived were evacuated, they were met with an apocalyptic scene: homes demolished, cars burned, and bodies strewn on the sides of roads. Swirki said that many civilians in Gaza were "shocked" and "horrified" from "the very first hours of the Hamas attack." "And then we became terrified," she added, "because we knew that Israel would not let it go easily." Palestinian officials said that at least 1,055 people have been killed and 5,184 injured since Israel launched its counterattack. Reem Makhoul contributed to this report. Read the original article on Business Insider The year 1963 was an historic and turbulent year for Alabama. The race issue was the prevalent and commanding issue in Southern politics. White Southerners were determined to hold onto segregation and Jim Crow laws. Black Southerners were prohibited from voting by these laws and practices. Therefore, every governors race in the Deep South was won by whichever candidate could be the most pro-segregationist, and yes, most rhetorical and vociferous toward Blacks and integration. The king of the racist anti-integration governors became Alabama's George C. Wallace, although Georgias Lester Maddox and Mississippis Ross Barnett were close behind. More: Can Democrats capitalize on their congressional success? | INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE Wallace was obsessed with being the governor of Alabama. He thought he would be elected in his first bid in 1958. He lost that race to John Patterson, primarily because Patterson was perceived as being the most pronounced racist and segregationist. Wallace took the defeat hard. He actually went into a depression mode for about a week. He hardly got out of his bed in a Montgomery hotel room. Graduates enter the gymnasium at Shelton State for the spring commencement on Friday, May 5, 2023. His closest friends and allies consoled him and finally coaxed him out of bed and assured him that he had just run his get acquainted race, an historic pattern whereby the man who ran second would run for governor again in four years later and win because the sitting governor could not run again. The Alabama constitution prohibited reelection, so one four-year term and you were out. After a week, Wallace got out of bed, shaved, showered, called his comrades together and declared, Boys, I am going to be elected governor in 1962, come hell or high water. I got out-segged and I aint going to be out-segged again. He grabbed hold of the race issue, and he did not let go. He worked 18 hours a day, seven days a week for four years, and he rode the race issue like a rented mule and won the 1962 governors race. He became governor in January of 1963 and made his famous inaugural speech spouting, Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever. He and every legislator passed laws and resolutions espousing segregation. Wallace was sincere in his racist rhetoric. He believed in segregation, but deep down he was more of a progressive than a racist. Wallace was born and raised from humble roots in rural Barbour County. He saw what Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal had done for Alabama. Wallace had put together enough money to journey to Tuscaloosa with a cardboard suitcase and get into the University of Alabama as a young man. At that time, most promising students could not afford to go to college. Wallace was determined to provide an opportunity for Alabama students to be able to stay home and get a college education. In the midst of all the racist discord in 1963, Wallace and the Legislature created the Alabama junior college and trade school system. It is his greatest legacy. Since the junior college system was created 60 years ago, this is the system's Diamond Jubilee. The system has long transitioned from the junior college system for providing an easier way to get the first two years of college before transferring to a four-year college. Today, the Alabama Community College System is the most important and significant segment of higher education in the state. The community college system consists of Alabama students and they are prepared to take Alabamas highest-paying and most-needed jobs. The Alabama Community College System is the new capstone of higher education in Alabama. The Alabama Community College System consists of 24 colleges and more than 130 locations. Theses campuses are the primary vehicle for providing workers and managers for Alabama businesses, large and small. There are 155,000 students attending Alabama Community Colleges. Enrollment has been up almost 10% in the last two years. Ninety-six percent of the systems students live in Alabama and 72% of these students stay in Alabama after completing their studies. These students and alumni add an amazing $6.6 billion to Alabama economy each year. Nearly 100,000 jobs in Alabama are generated or supported by Alabamas Community Colleges, their students and alumni. This accounts for one of every 27 jobs in our state. Wallace could never have dreamed of what he was doing for Alabamas future 60 years ago. Steve Flowers Steve Flowers is Alabamas leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve can be reached at www.steveflowers.us. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Community colleges have transformed Alabama | INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE Sarah Strent, president of Chabad at Penn State, stood in front of the hundreds of people gathered on Old Main lawn Tuesday night and spoke about the pain theyve all shared over the past few days. The Jewish people, my people, our people are at war, she said. About 300 people gathered to pray and show support for the people of Israel following the attacks by Hamas on Saturday. The resulting conflict has left more than 1,000 Israelis and 870 Palestinians dead, according to NBC News. Tuesday nights event was a collaboration between Penn State and the State College borough. Hundreds of Penn State students and community members gathered outside of Old Main to pray and show support for Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Strent said the events from the weekend sent a shock wave through the Jewish community, but the outpouring of support by the State College community made her hopeful. We do more mitzvah, hanging mezuzahs and attending Shabbat dinners, educate our peers in a respectful way and continue to be a strong Jewish community and show the world that we will never be stopped, she said. We will find light in the darkness, light will prevail. The 40-minute event included several speeches, prayers for Israel and the singing of the Israeli national anthem. Speakers included Penn States Executive Vice President and Provost Justin Schwartz, State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and Rabbis from Jewish campus organizations Chabad and Hillel. During the event, Schwartz spoke about the pain felt by the Jewish community in Israel and worldwide. We are, yet again, a community in pain... Schwartz said. Often it is the innocent civilians, the youngest and the oldest, who pay the heaviest price. Tonight we gather to remember their loss, to pray for those taken, and to show our mutual support for each other and for all communities who have been impacted by that as we grieve. Candles glow in the shape of the Star of David as Penn State students and community members gathered outside of Old Main to pray and show support for Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Throughout the night, speakers encouraged members of the Jewish community to stay strong in their faith and their community. Rabbi Hersey Gourarie urged those in the crowd to continue to take pride in their faith. Never in our history has hiding our Jewish pride accomplished anything, Gourarie said. This is a time for more light, more love, more mitzvahs, more Torah and together we will win against this darkness. On Monday, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi wrote a letter to the community about the violence that has directly affected members of the Penn State community. Hundreds of people gathered outside of Old Main to pray and show support for Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. We have students, faculty and staff who call Israel and Gaza home, and we have already been in touch with them directly to offer support, she wrote. We know others have families who live there and still many more identify with the region in some way or another ethnically, culturally or religiously. We grieve with you over this unspeakable tragedy and offer our support to those within the Penn State community who are being impacted by these events. The letter listed several services available for the Penn State community: Counseling and Psychological Services: studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling or call 814-863-0395 at University Park, or visit Commonwealth Campus location for campuses. Student Care and Advocacy supports students in crisis : studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare, 814-863-2020 or StudentCare@psu.edu. The Center for Ethical and Spiritual Development: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/spiritual Penn State Global: global.psu.edu/category/international-students For University Park student organizations that can offer support and resources, visit orgcentral.psu.edu/organizations. For campuses, visit Student Life online at each campus or visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/get-involved/student-organizations to browse by campus. Penn States Employee Assistance Program Hundred of people gathered outside of Old Main to pray and show support for Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. WASHINGTON The four companies vying for the Armys robotic combat vehicle program displayed prototypes at this years Association of the US Army conference. The RCV is an unmanned system meant to serve alongside manned units, part of a larger slate of updated ground combatants the Next Generation Combat Vehicles the Army is acquiring. Its missions will include ones that would pose a high threat to soldiers, such as approaching enemy forces for intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance. McQ, Textron Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Defense were selected to compete for the light model of the RCV in late September. The Armys framework for the program has since changed, though. This month, the service announced it was no longer seeking separate light, medium and heavy models. Instead, it would focus on a single size, somewhere between the former light and medium requirements. Its really now about payload, as opposed to size, Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, the chief program officer for ground combat systems, told Defense News. In this first phase of the competition each company was awarded just under $25 million to submit two prototypes to the Army for testing and evaluation by August of 2024. In fiscal year 2025, the service will then choose a winner to provide nine more prototypes. The first unit is meant to be fielded in 2028. Based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, McQ is working as the prime on a team that includes BAE Systems and HDT Expeditionary Systems, the lead vehicle developer. The Wolf-X, their offering, is the only one with wheels, as opposed to tread. These tweels are designed by Michelin with spokes that compress against the surface theyre traveling on, almost like the foam on the sole of a running shoe. HDT argued these increase the vehicles nimbleness, stealth and durability. According to the company, the Wolf-X runs on a hybrid diesel and electric engine and can sustain speeds above 40 miles per hour. Its range extends past 150 miles, and fitted with the base equipment required by the Army fuel, munitions, a weapons system and UAS it weighs around 16,000 pounds. It meets all the Armys requirements for both the base vehicle, thats relatively lightweight, as well as it can carry more than the Armys required payloads, said Thomas Van Doren, chief technology officer and vice president of engineering at HDT. This has a significant amount of growth capability. On display two floors below, the Textron Systems RIPSAW M3 is a part of the companys larger family of RIPSAW vehicles. Their larger M5 was among the entries competing for the Armys RCV medium model before the competition was deferred in 2022. Theres a lot of commonality between our medium and our light, said Dave Phillips, Textron senior vice president for land and sea systems. He noted that 75% of the two vehicles line replaceable units are the same, arguing that their experience with the M5 is now informing their lighter model. The M3s 80-inch wide chassis has a curb weight of 13,000 pounds and can support 5,000 pounds of payload, Phillips said. According to the company, their offering has a 140-mile range, can move at more than 30 miles per hour and has undergone 1,200 miles of operational testing. At last years Army conference, Textron displayed an earlier model of their M3 with the ability to swim. Their current prototype no longer has the same capability. But it includes traits, such as buoyancy, that could make it easy to add back again were the Army to require it in later phases of the vehicle, Phillips said. I do believe ultimately, theyre going to want to do wet gap crossing, he said. So weve kept that native capability in. Oshkosh Defense, meanwhile, is working on a prototype for the RCV on a team that has seven combined years of experience working on the program. In an interview with Defense News, Chief Programs Officer Pat Williams argued this experience was crucial to their offering. Williams pointed to cooling as an example. This RCV is a battery powered vehicle basically in a steel shell, he said. So theres not a lot of room for airflow. Years of testing, Williams said, helped reduce the resulting instances of overheating. Oshkosh declined to provide vehicle specifics. Their model on display at the conference featured a 30 mm turret and payload to counter unmanned aerial systems. Their offering isnt limited to such systems, though, Williams said. This is a payload agnostic platform, he said. We can integrate whatever you want on it. The General Dynamics Land Systems offering is its TRX (pronounced T-rex) platform, which at the conference supported a short range air defense, or SHORAD, system as a payload. TRX is a five-ton vehicle with a five-ton payload capacity, according to GDLS. Showcasing it with equipped air defense usually reserved for larger systems, like a Stryker was mean to exhibit the vehicles versatility, said Ray Moldovan, business development manager at General Dynamics Its not necessarily showing that theres a pathway for the SHORAD turret, what were showing is the capability of the TRX itself, he said. GDLS has experimented with other payloads on the vehicle, said Moldovan, including, among others, one that deploys small missile systems, one with an arm to quickly move obstacles, and one that performs autonomous resupply. We can take fielded capabilities and adapt them for the uncrewed system and show a little bit of flexibility there, said Moldovan. Channel 2 Action News has learned that Congress will be holding a hearing to look into the Social Security Administration demanding people pay back money they were overpaid. The move comes nearly a month after a Channel 2 Action News and Kaiser Family Foundation Health News investigation showed how hundreds of thousands of families are getting demand letters from Social Security to repay benefit overpayments, even when its the government who made the mistake. You are on the hook for the money. Social Security has maintained they are required by federal law to seek repayment. In a news release from the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, it said that will hold a hearing next week to better identify improper payments before they occur and provide beneficiaries with adequate notice when they occur. Matt and Kristen Cooper, who live in Covington, told Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray that they got a letter from SSA demanding they repay $30,000 in overpayments. SSA also said it is cutting their childrens monthly payments from about $900 dollars to just $150 because of a government calculation error after Matt Cooper was shot in the head on duty as a Covington police officer. It just feels like weve been failed, Kristen Cooper said. RELATED STORIES: Since the Coopers told their story, we have heard from families -- nearly 200 people and counting -- reaching out and all saying, It happened to me too. Last week, SSA said it would be reviewing its overpayment procedures and policies. The system has definitely let us down, Kristen Cooper said. The acting commissioner said a top leader reporting directly to her will lead this team reviewing overpayments. She also points out in her news release that families can request a waiver and that current law allows SSA in some cases to waive repaying these overpayments. The Coopers said they were applying for a waiver. The hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled for Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. So far, they have not released a list of witnesses expected to testify. RELATED NEWS: Members of Congress called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to do everything possible to evacuate Americans out of Israel, including chartering flights as airlines have canceled most flights out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. In a letter addressed to Blinken and signed by 146 members of Congress, the representatives expressed "grave concern" for the "wellbeing and safety" of Americans who are in Israel and seeking to return to the U.S. as soon as possible. "Given the rapidly escalating situation as Israel launches a counteroffensive, it is imperative that you use all tools at your disposal to return all U.S. nationals in Israel home who wish to do so," the letter reads. ISRAELI MUSIC FESTIVAL SURVIVOR DESCRIBES HORROR OF HAMAS-LED ATTACK THAT LEFT 260 DEAD On Saturday, Hamas launched the biggest attack in Israel in over 50 years, killing nearly 1,600 people and wounding thousands more with a barrage of rockets. Hamas-led militants poured over the Israel-Gaza border as residents slept, then dragged people into the streets, took hostages, and beheaded and killed others. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS AFTER SURPRISE ATTACKS, AROUND 1,000 ISRAELIS DEAD A smoke rises and ball of fire over a building in Gaza City, Sunday, during an Israeli air strike. "To date, thousands of lives including 11 Americans have been lost due to Hamas indiscriminate and brutal assault since Saturday," the letter read. "Hamas heinous actions also include taking over 150 Israeli hostages, which our offices have received reports that Americans are among those taken hostage in Gaz, including New Yorkers." After the attacks, several U.S. airlines suspended flight operations to Israel and canceled flights from Israels airports, making it near impossible for Americans in the country to flee back home. AMERICAN WOMAN SAYS FAMILY HAS BEEN TAKEN HOSTAGE BY HAMAS IN ISRAEL: 'ANY PARENTS WORST NIGHTMARE' People wait in departing section at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's only international airport, after many flights from abroad are canceled due to the attacks launched by Hamas in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday. Congressional members acknowledged the airlines decisions to cancel flights in and out of Tel Aviv and the region. "As the number of casualties continue to rise, our constituents who remain in Israel fear for their lives," the letter to Blinken reads. "We ask that you consider charter flights and military options for evacuation, simultaneously. At this harrowing moment in Israels history, it is more important than ever that every American who is looking to return home has the opportunity to do so." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The letter was sent to Blinken the same day it was announced the Secretary of State would travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support and solidarity from the U.S. Original article source: Congress urges State Department to use charter flights to evacuate Americans from Israel Conservative groups filed an appeal to block student-debt relief for borrowers on income-driven repayment. In August, a judge dismissed the groups' lawsuit over a lack of standing. The relief is part of a one-time account adjustment for borrowers with the required years of payments. Two conservative groups are not easing off their efforts to block student-loan forgiveness for thousands of borrowers. On October 10, the New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonprofit organization aimed at protecting constitutional freedoms, filed an appeal on behalf of the Cato Institute and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy to block 804,000 student-loan borrowers from receiving $39 billion in debt relief. The targeted relief was part of the first batch of President Joe Biden's one-time account adjustment for borrowers on income-driven repayment plans who made the required 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments. Those borrowers were notified of the relief in July, and began to have their discharges processed in August. On August 4, the two conservative groups filed a lawsuit to block the relief, and just over a week later, a federal judge dismissed the case. But the groups are trying again, writing in their appeal that the judge's decision "constitutes reversible error."They said that as nonprofits, the one-time account adjustments undermined their recruiting efforts for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives student debt for government and nonprofit workers after 10 years of qualifying payments. "When an agency arbitrarily reduces the financial incentive for student-loan debtors to seek and remain in jobs with public service employers, at any given wage, the supply of workers willing to take and keep jobs with such employers inevitably falls," the appeal said. "That reduced supply of workers for public service jobs is a concrete economic injury." On top of the $39 billion in relief for the over 800,000 borrowers announced in July, the Education Department also recently announced $9 billion in relief for an additional 125,000 borrowers including 51,000 on income-driven repayment plans and 53,000 in public service loan forgiveness. It's unclear how those borrowers would be impacted by any legal decision, but the conservative groups are asking the Sixth Circuit Appeals Court to overturn the federal judge's decision to dismiss the case. The Education Department previously said that the groups' lawsuit "is nothing but a desperate attempt from right wing special interests to keep hundreds of thousands of borrowers in debt, even though these borrowers have earned the forgiveness that is promised through income-driven repayment plans. We are not going to back down or give an inch when it comes to defending working families." As Insider previously reported, some borrowers have found themselves in repayment for far longer than anticipated due to paperwork errors, despite completing the required 20 or 25 years of required payments. The one-time account adjustments are intended to get those borrowers relief, and it's been significant for some of those borrowers. One borrower who was in repayment for three decades received notice his loans would be forgiven through the adjustment, and he told Insider "it just means this great load from the last 30 years of my life is off my shoulders." "My wife and I are in a position where things are tight, and that forgiveness isn't going to change our lives," he said. "It's just going to take another number off the long list of numbers we're paying off, and I don't think that's an unusual situation for Americans right now." Read the original article on Business Insider Prosecutors have named two witnesses they intend to call for testimony in the Georgia election interference trial of two of former President Donald Trump s co-defendants. Documents filed on Tuesday indicate Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones are necessary and material witnesses in the trial set to begin later this month. Sidney Powell, a former attorney for the former president, and Kenneth Chesebro, a former Department of Justice official, had their cases severed from the other 17 defendants and filed motions requesting speedy trials. Their trial is set to begin on October 23. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Chesebro came to Atlanta for a motions hearing Tuesday where his attorneys argued that he simply gave legal advice, not commit a crime. His attorneys contend you cant prosecute someone for legal advice even if that advice is wrong. This is the first time Chesebro attended one of his pretrial hearings. The Jan. 6 Commission said Chesebro was one of the legal architects for the false or alternate electors scheme. Powell allegedly coordinated with SullivanStrickler, an Atlanta data company, to obtain breached elections data from Coffee County, Ga., in Jan. 2021. Local election officials reportedly gave the group access to equipment that was meant to be protected. SullivanStrickler billed Powell more than $26,000 for its work which also included attempts to access similar election data in Antrim County, Michigan, and Clark County, Nevada. State investigators called it criminal behavior. Powell also allegedly tasked people with identifying Georgia residents who could serve as plaintiffs in suits contesting Georgias election results. RELATED STORIES: Prosecutors say McDaniel was part of a December 2020 phone call with former Pres. Trump where she was told the importance of the RNC helping the campaign gather contingent electors. She also forwarded an email to the then-presidents executive assistant including a list of Six Contested States, including Georgia and the electoral votes that had been cast for Trump in each one, prosecutors wrote. Jones participated in a Stop the Steal rally at the Georgia state Capitol on Nov. 18, 2020, and in a march on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, along with members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, prosecutors said in a court filing. Video shows Chesebro marching on the U.S. Capitol with Jones, prosecutors wrote. Norm Pattis, an attorney for Jones, said his client intends to resist the subpoena and would assert his Fifth Amendment right if called to testify. A trial date has not been set for the other 17 defendants, including the former president. The Associated Press contributed to this report. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] It didn't take long for convicted killer and rapist Jess Rush to find himself behind bars again. Rush spent decades in prison for the abduction, sexual assault and murder of Mack's Creek convenience store clerk Trudy Darby, a brutal 1991 crime north of Springfield that shook much of the Ozarks. Rush and his half-brother and accomplice, Marvin Chaney, have also been linked to the disappearances and murders of at least two other Missouri women, but were never formally charged. Thirteen months after being paroled, the 48-year-old was in police custody. Rush was sentenced to life in prison but was released in 2022 due to a Missouri Supreme Court ruling. Jess Rush was booked into Polk County Jail on Oct. 6. Rush was arrested north of Bolivar on Oct. 6 for being a felon in possession of multiple firearms, violating the terms of his parole according to Polk County Sheriff Danny Morrison. He may be headed back to South Central Correctional Center in Licking. The citizens of Polk County are safer today because Jess Rush is again behind bars where he belongs," Morrison said. Morrison said the Sheriff's Office received a tip that Rush was in possession of a black, semi-automatic 9mm pistol. After receiving a warrant and performing a traffic stop on Rush on Thursday at the intersection of Highway 83 and East 380th Road, the sheriff said a handgun and rifle were retrieved from Rush's vehicle and residence. Rush was released from prison due to a 2012 Missouri Supreme Court ruling that bans life-without-parole sentences for juvenile killers. Rush was 15 when he and his older half-brother Chaney raped and shot Darby in a barn and dumped her body near the Little Niangua River. A composite sketch following the 1991 murder of Trudy Darby in Mack's Creek. Two men, Jess Rush and and stepbrother Marvin Chaney, were sentenced to life in prison for their roles in her death. Chaney died in prison in 2017. He was 56. Rush and Chaney weren't charged in Trudy's death until 1995 before being convicted in 1996. In what had initially been a mystery, the case was featured in a 1992 episode of the hit series "Unsolved Mysteries." In the 2018 series "Murdertown" available on Amazon, its fifth episode focuses on the Macks Creek murder. Its depiction: "42 year old Trudy Darby is murdered in Mack's Creek, MO. When two more local women go missing police fear a serial killer. Silence reigns over the town until a call out of the blue reveals the killers are uncomfortably close to home." Morrison said Rush should have never been out of prison. A monster like him should never be granted the freedom to live among us," Morrison said. "We hope his arrest gives some comfort and relief to the Darby family. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Convicted Ozarks killer, rapist Jess Rush is back behind bars Neil Entwistle, the Hopkinton man who was convicted 15 years ago of murdering his wife and infant daughter two years earlier, is seeking a new trial. He is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. Entwistle, who was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the Jan. 20, 2006, shooting deaths of Kingston native Rachel Entwistle, 27, and Lillian Rose Entwistle, 9 months, in their Cubs Path home filed a petition on Aug. 28 with the Supreme Judicial Court. Entwistle's automatic appeal of the conviction was rejected by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2012. He appealed that ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, but it declined to hear the case. Neil Entwistle acknowledges defense lawyer Elliot Weinstein as they return to the courtroom on June 25, 2008, to hear the jury's decision in a case in which Entwistle was accused of fatally shooting his wife and young daughter. The jury found Entwistle guilty of all charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. Shattered dreams: For families, pain undiminished 10 years after Entwistle murders In the petition, which Entwistle filed without an attorney, Entwistle said he is raising an issue that was not previously addressed whether jurors using a jury room crime reenactment to help them find Entwistle guilty was legal and proper. "The defendant states that jurors, during deliberations, conducted an extraneous reenactment experiment of the crime scene that denied him the right to a decision based on the evidence at trial, governed by the rules of evidence," according to the motion. "Details of the extraneous reenactment experiment were given by a deliberating juror in a television interview after trial." Authorities said Entwistle was thousands of dollars in debt and hid that from his wife and family. They said on Jan. 20, 2006, Entwistle drove to his in-laws' home in Carver, stole his father-in-law's handgun, then returned to Hopkinton to shoot his wife and daughter while they were in bed, killing them. Rachel and Lillian Rose Entwistle 'Some cases stick with you': Daily News reporter looks back on the Entwistle murders Entwistle then drove back to Carver and returned the gun to the safe in which it had been stored. He then went to Logan International Airport in Boston, where he booked a one-way ticket to his native England and returned to his Nottingham home. He was later arrested there and returned to the U.S. to face trial. Defense had argued that wife was responsible for shootings During Entwistle's murder trial, his lawyer, Elliot Weinstein, argued that Rachel Entwistle died by suicide, shooting herself through her own daughter while holding her. He said Neil Entwistle was distraught after finding his wife and daughter dead and returned the gun to Carver to protect Lillian Entwistle's memory and went home to be comforted by his parents, Clifford and Yvonne Entwistle. In the motion, Entwistle wrote that two jurors appeared on an episode of NBC's "Dateline" on June 27, 2008. The jurors described having a fellow jury member who was the same general size as Rachel Entwistle hold a doll the size of Lillian Rose Entwistle and then hold the gun in the position Rachel Entwistle would have had to hold it to shoot herself through the baby. 'Crimes are incomprehensible': Neil Entwistle sentenced to life in prison The juror said that experiment convinced her that the death was not a suicide. "Rachel and I were both (5 feet 2 inches)," juror Ashley Sousa said, according to the "Dateline" transcript. "So if we had the same arm length and I held the gun from my head from my face and I shot myself, I would have burn marks all over my face." Entwistle, in the motion, wrote that although there was testimony regarding Rachel Entwistle's height, there wasn't any about her arm length. Wearing an orange Sheriff's Department jumpsuit, Neil Entwistle is taken from Middlesex Superior Court in June 2008 to begin his life sentence. Entwistle was found guilty of murdering his wife, Rachel, and their 9-month-old daughter, Lillian, in January 2006. In addition, a chemist who did testify could not say what distance the gun residue could travel once the gun was fired, according to Entwistle's motion. Entwistle argues the jury improperly conducted an experiment and considered information outside of the evidence presented. "Jurors actively engaged in and used the extraneous reenactment experiment to resolve a key issue," he wrote in the motion. "Ashley Sousa rendered her guilty verdict against the defendant based on information introduced by and conclusions drawn from the jury's reenactment experiment of the crime scene." The Middlesex District Attorney's Office has until Nov. 29 to file a response. The issue will then be sent to a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court for a ruling. 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: Neil Entwistle wants new trial in Hopkinton murders of wife, daughter LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A report the 8 News Now Investigators obtained details how a convicted murderer escaped from a Las Vegas-area prison, how he made it dozens of miles away, and who helped him. Porfirio Duarte-Herrera, 43, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court on Tuesday on a felony charge of escape by a prisoner. The prison is approximately 40 miles northwest of Las Vegas near the rural community of Indian Springs. The Office of the Inspector General determined Duarte-Herrera escaped from Southern Desert Correctional Center by breaking part of a window, climbing through it, and then scaling razor wire fences, according to the arrest report obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators. An updated booking photo of Porfirio Duarte-Herrera, 43, taken at the Ely State Prison in 2022. (NDOC/KLAS) The report also confirmed what the 8 News Now Investigators first reported: Duarte-Herrera escaped on a Friday night and prison staff did not report his escape until the following Tuesday morning. Sources told the 8 News Now Investigators that Duarte-Herrera chipped away at an area of the window with battery acid. Duarte-Herrera had an illegal cell phone inside the prison and made several calls before his escape, according to the report. Duarte-Herrera told investigators that he hid behind a pony wall for five hours after returning from dinner at the chow hall, jumped three fences one without razor wire and two with razor wire and then walked and ran to Las Vegas, the report stated. He also said that he tried to make contact with people whom he knew at various homes but was unsuccessful, a bystander gave him a bus ticket, and he rested near a bridge in the area of Nellis Boulevard and Bonanza Road, according to the report. The report also referred to additional stops after his escape. He eventually visited his sister-in-laws residence in the evening of Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, where she provided him cash (not knowing he had escaped, naively believing Duarte had been let out of prison) and dropped him back in the area of Bonanza and Nellis, the report stated. He then used that money to buy clothes from Goodwill, a counterfeit identification card from the Swap Meet and his bus ticket to Tijuana, Mexico. His goal was to get back to Nicaragua to be with his father, brothers and sisters. Multiple agencies searched for Duarte-Herrera for two days. An employee at Las Vegas Shuttles called police after she recognized him from a wanted flier. He had bought a ticket to Tijuana, according to the report. Investigators reported finding no information that prison staff or any citizens outside the prison assisted Duarte-Herrera with the escape. Duarte-Herrera and Omar Rueda-Denvers were convicted in 2009 for killing Dorantes Antonio, who died when a bomb, hidden in a coffee cup, exploded. The incident happened at a parking garage at the Luxor hotel in 2007. Dorantes Antonio was Rueda-Denverss ex-girlfriends new boyfriend. Southern Desert Correctional Center (KLAS) In October 2006, Duarte-Herrera planted a bomb that exploded in a parking lot at a Home Depot near Charleston and Lamb boulevards, police said. Investigators found components similar to both devices at Duarte-Herreras residence, they said. Duarte-Herreraw as already serving a sentence for life without the possibility of parole. The plea deal is expected to add an additional sentence of up to two years. He was expected to appear in Clark County District Court on Thursday, according to court records. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A man who was deemed too young for jail after being found guilty of raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl should never have been convicted, appeal judges have ruled. The non-custodial sentence given earlier this year to Sean Hogg, who was found guilty in April of raping the child in a park, was widely condemned by figures including JK Rowling and was being appealed by Scottish prosecutors. However, Lady Dorrian , Scotlands second-most senior judge, told the 22-year-old on Wednesday that he should never have been found guilty in the first place due to an insufficiency of evidence. Hoggs lawyers had argued that the requirement for corroboration in the Scottish legal system had not been met. They successfully argued that the judge in the initial case, Lord Lake, had misdirected the jury. There will not be a retrial. Lord Lake had told a jury that the alleged victims evidence could be corroborated by the account of a witness who said he had seen her distressed following an incident, the court heard. However, Donald Findlay KC, representing Hogg, had said this did not amount to corroboration of an allegation of rape and that the jury should never have been told this, leading to a very significant miscarriage of justice. The appeal judges said they agreed with the submissions that had been made to them by Mr Findlay. Sean Hogg, 22, pictured at the High Court in Glasgow after being convicted of rape, was deemed too young for jail. His conviction has now been quashed Lady Dorrian, who sat with colleagues Lord Matthews and Lord Pentland, said: For the reasons given in the written appeal the appeal must succeed. There was an insufficiency of evidence for a conviction and the inevitable result of the appeal must be acquittal. The case had caused major scrutiny of sentencing guidelines in Scotland, which state that criminals aged under 25 should be treated more leniently by the courts in part because their brains have not fully developed. While there are other cases in which the guidelines have been controversially applied, the Hogg case was the most high profile. Ms Rowling, the Harry Potter author, led the condemnation of the sentence, claiming the guidelines were another example of a supposedly progressive Scottish policy harming women and girls. Lord Lake had said Hogg would have been sentenced to between four and five years in jail were it not for the sentencing rules, which were written by an independent body but backed by SNP ministers. Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing the complainer in the case, said his client had been left with a feeling of devastation at the successful appeal and now had no hope of closure. He said his client called on the Government, the judiciary and the Lord Advocate to state it was never the intention of the new sentencing guidelines that convicted rapists could escape imprisonment. Crown will seek to learn lessons Ms Charteris offered to meet the complainer following the case. She said: The Crown will seek to learn any lessons it can from this case as we continue work to transform the way we prosecute sexual offences. Hogg smiled as he left the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh, having been cleared of raping the child at Dalkeith Country Park, in Midlothian, when he was aged 17. He had been subject of significant media attention since his conviction, and was spared jail again in July for breaching the terms of his community order. Prosecutors had taken the rare step of appealing the original sentence, of 270 hours of unpaid work, in a bid to have a harsher sentence imposed. However, Ruth Charteris KC, the solicitor general, said the Crown had decided not to pursue a new case against Hogg. She added: The Crown has come to a view that it is not in the public interest to seek a new prosecution. 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. Cook County prosecutors on Wednesday dropped all charges against a 55-year-old man who has spent more than 16 years incarcerated in the 2006 home invasion and slaying of a popular rapper following allegations that police and the assistant states attorney on the case buried evidence that pointed to another suspect. Patrick Taylor was 38 when surviving witnesses of the home invasion identified him in a lineup and photo array. He was convicted of murder in 2011 after a trial in which prosecutors presented a case reliant on the eyewitness testimony. He was sentenced to life in prison, though prosecutors initially sought the death penalty before it was abolished in Illinois. But in the years since, the case has come under scrutiny, with defense attorneys publicly accusing Rolling Meadows police and Cook County prosecutors of hiding tubs of evidence. An Illinois appellate court also reversed the convictions and ordered a new trial in 2016, finding that a judge should have allowed Taylors lawyers to present testimony from an expert about the potential pitfalls of eyewitness identification. The Tribune highlighted the case in a story in May. Even prior to Pats 2011 trial, the state had really conclusive evidence as to who really did this murder and continued to plow forward with Pats wrongful trial and wrongful conviction, said Elliot Slosar, one of Taylors attorneys, after the hearing. Taylor appeared by Zoom from Cook County Jail, grinning and surrounded digitally by family and supporters who listened to the proceedings that took place at the branch court in Rolling Meadows. All the charges have been dismissed. Mr. Taylor, this case is over, said Judge Ellen Beth Mandeltort. In a statement, the Cook County states attorneys office said it was informed of reports and missing or lost evidence in the case against Patrick Taylor that had not been turned over to our office or to the defense attorneys by the assigned detective or police department. Upon reviewing these previously unaccounted-for documents and considering the deterioration of evidence, we determined that we would be unable to meet our burden of proof if the case was retried, the statement said. Today, in the interest of justice, we asked the court to dismiss the criminal case involving Mr. Taylor, and the court granted our request. Surrounded by relatives and friends, Taylor said a prayer and knelt to kiss the ground after emerging from the Cook County jail late Wednesday. He seemed unbothered by the nights rain as he thanked his attorneys and supporters for believing in him. It feels like fresh air to me, a jubilant Taylor told reporters when asked how freedom felt. Taylor, who has long maintained his innocence, said his strong faith and familys love helped him not to lose hope during nearly two decades of incarceration. Ive been gone 16 years - wrongfully - and they knew it was wrong, he alleged, referring to authorities. They knew it and yet they hid all this evidence just to convict me. Taylor said his mother, grandmother and a sister died while he was locked up. He watched his children and grandchildren grow up through photographs and phone calls. I want to be able to hold them together in my arms and just look at them and cry with them, he said. The case is at least the second this year in which the Cook County states attorneys office dropped charges against defendants amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. In June, the office dismissed the case against two defendants who had been accused of shooting Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis in 2011. A third defendant in the case was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The office reassigned the prosecutors on that case. On Aug. 19, 2006, a group of friends were gathered in a Rolling Meadows home when two men burst into the apartment, ordered the six occupants the floor and robbed them. They shot and killed Marquis Lovings, 30, who rapped under the name Keyz, while he struggled to open a safe, according to police and court records. Court documents show that defense attorneys had asked for a dismissal, alleging major problems in the case, including a live lineup in which Taylor was strapped to a gurney in a state of distress and a possible other suspect who resembles a composite sketch and was connected to a different shooting in which the same gun was used an investigative thread about which attorneys say police and prosecutors did not make known to the defense as is required. Defense attorneys alleged in a motion to dismiss that Assistant States Attorney Michael Clarke and Rolling Meadows police did not turn over a hefty investigative file related to the suspect, who they called the true killer of Lovings. Clarke did not handle Taylors dismissal on Wednesday. The states attorneys office did not respond to questions about Clarkes absence from the case. Clarke has previously responded that it was Rolling Meadows police that did not furnish the evidence to prosecutors. The gun used in the Rolling Meadows home invasion was later recovered by police in 2008 in the search of a residence on Chicagos West Side, according to court documents. Taylor had already been arrested and charged at that point. The gun was connected to a number of shootings, including one in which a Chicago police officer was shot and wounded, according to court documents. The officer in a lineup identified a suspect, according to court documents. Rolling Meadows police reports indicate that the detective on the case followed up on the gun in 2009, while Taylor was awaiting trial. The detective interviewed the man arrested with the gun, who reported he received the weapon from an alleged Gangster Disciple member. He reported getting the gun while another man was present, the report said. The second man was interviewed, who corroborated the story, according to the reports. The alternative suspect has connections to the Gangster Disciples as well as people connected to the gun, attorneys have alleged. Prosecutors have maintained that illegal guns get passed around. The states callous positions are contrary to its ethical obligations and infringe upon Mr. Taylors constitutional rights in multiple respects, the motion to dismiss reads. The egregious misconduct unraveling in this case warrants serious sanctions, including an evidentiary hearing and the dismissal of charges. Earlier this year, a Cook County judge ordered that defense attorneys must have the opportunity to inspect the investigative file. Two days later, Clarke offered Taylor a deal to plead guilty to aggravated battery and receive a sentence about equal to the time hed already served, according to court documents. The original deal had a time limit and would have expired before defense attorneys could review the file, the documents said. Slosar said Taylor is looking forward to rebuilding his life and having his name back. He learned about his impending freedom in a call with his attorneys. He put down the phone and began running through the cell block and telling everyone he was coming home, Slosar said. His daughter, Ashley Redd, is flying to Chicago Thursday to reunite with her father. Hell be able to meet his 6-year-old granddaughter, who hes developed a relationship with over phone and video calls, Redd said. After 16 years, it feels good, Redd said by phone after the hearing. I feel like justice within the system will be served. Her fathers absence during milestones such as her college graduation, her wedding and the birth of her daughter has been painful, she said. Shell receive a masters degree in November. For that milestone, she said, her father will be there. Tribune reporters Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair contributed. mabuckley@chicagotribune.com Could Putin be arrested? President to leave Russia for first time since international arrest warrant issued Vladimir Putin is reportedly set to visit China this month in his first trip outside Russia since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest. Before the warrant was issued in March the Russian president had only travelled to areas of Ukraine occupied by the Kremlin. Prior to this, he went on a trip to Iran - an ally of Moscow that has supplied the Russian army with weapons and ammunition during the war. China is also an ally of Russia, although Beijing has sought to present itself as neutral during the conflict while refusing to condemn Moscows alleged war crimes. In August the Kremlin said it was working on a schedule for bilateral Russian-Chinese talks but did not give any further details. Is there any chance Putin could be arrested in China? The short answer is no - China is not a State Party to Part 9 of the ICCs Rome Statute. This essentially means that Beijing does not recognize the ICC and therefore is not under any obligation to follow its rules. Putin and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, also declared a no limits partnership between their countries before Russian tanks rolled over the Ukraine border in February last year, suggesting that Beijing will continue to tacitly support Moscow throughout the conflict. What is the ICC? The ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community. These are genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. As a court of last resort, it seeks to complement, not replace, national courts and is governed by an international treaty - the Rome Statute Part 9 of the statute says that States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Statute, cooperate fully with the Court in its investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court. Putin with Chinese premier Xi (Sputnik) How does the ICC work and when is a warrant issued? The ICC does not prosecute those under the age of 18 when a crime was committed and before its prosecutor can investigate, they must conduct a preliminary examination considering such matters as sufficient evidence, jurisdiction, gravity, complementarity, and the interests of justice. When investigating, the prosecutor must collect and disclose both incriminating and exonerating evidence and the burden of proof lies with the prosecutor. Pre-trial judges issue warrants of arrest and ensure there is enough evidence before a case can go to trial. Trial judges hear the evidence from the Prosecutor, Defence, and the Victims lawyers, render a verdict, and if a person is found guilty, the sentence and decision on reparations. What is Putin accused of? Kremlin has previously denied allegtion of war crimes in Ukraine (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images) In March, an arrest warrant was issued against Putin and Russias commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, for alleged war crimes committed by deporting Ukrainian children into Russia during the conflict. Russian officials have claimed the children were taken in as a wartime humanitarian gesture. Human rights groups have estimated that more than 19,000 children were deported and placed with Russian families. The Kremlin has rejected the war crime accusations. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch said it has documented several cases of war crimes by Russian military forces against civilians in occupied areas of the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Kyiv regions of Ukraine . These include a case of repeated rape; two cases of summary execution, one of six men, the other of one man; and other cases of unlawful violence and threats against civilians between February 27 and March 14, 2022. Soldiers were also implicated in looting civilian property, including food, clothing, and firewood. The person who carried out the war crime is responsible for it, meaning Putin can not be charged over the alleged offences committed by his troops. Could Putin be arrested in another country? Yes. If he travelled to a country that recognises the ICC then that state would be responsible for detaining him under Part 9 of the Rome Statute. States parties have the obligation to cooperate with the ICC within the framework of part 9 of the Rome Statute, the ICC says. In case of non-cooperation the court may make a finding and inform the Assembly of States Parties for the Assembly to take any measure it seems appropriate. Earlier this year the Russian leader avoided going to South Africa, which is an ICC signatory, to attend the BRIC summit - a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan also invited Putin to visit Ankara for talks on a Black Sea grain deal, but he is now said to be considering traveling to Moscow himself. Turkey is not an ICC signatory. You can view a full list of countries signed up to the ICC here. For months, Republicans watched with glee as Democrats fretted over whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential bid might cause trouble for President Bidens reelection effort. But after Kennedy switched from the Democratic primary to an independent run on Sunday, the tables have turned. Kennedys candidacy could be as much a problem for the GOP as it is for Democrats, if not more so. Right-wing encouragement of Kennedys candidacy When Kennedy the son of former U.S. attorney general and Sen. Robert Kennedy announced his campaign in April, CBS News reported that Trump ally Steve Bannon had encouraged him to do so for months, hoping to cause trouble for Biden. Kennedy also met with Trump loyalists Roger Stone and Michael Flynn at a far-right political event in July 2021, according to a social media photo which has since been deleted. Bannon did not respond to a text message from Yahoo News about Kennedy. But regardless of Bannons role, many Republicans were excited as Kennedys support in polling of likely Democratic primary voters quickly spiked to 20% after his announcement. Kennedy was praised by House Republicans at a congressional hearing in July, who used his concerns about social media content moderation to amplify their message that big tech is censoring Americans. Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, lauded Kennedy at the hearing with a lengthy and reverential introduction, painting Kennedy as someone who is challenging the status quo. Robert F. Kennedy, right, counsel of the Senate Committee on Racketeering in Labor and Industry, and his brother Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts, a member of the committee, confer at a hearing in Washington. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) (Bettmann Archive) Democrats in the committee lamented Kennedys appearance. You are here for cynical reasons, to be used politically by [Republicans], to embarrass the current president of the United States, said Rep. Gerald Connolly, a Virginia Democrat. It brings shame on a storied name that I revere. Kennedy fails to take off among Democrats Kennedys appeal among Democrats never went any higher. In fact its come down since his announcement, falling to 11% a month ago. Kennedys last name may evoke fond memories of his famous forebears, but his anti-vaccine activism and penchant for conspiracy theories are a big turnoff for most Democratic voters. Kennedy is also a staunch critic of Americas national security apparatus which Trump allies call the deep state. Kennedy also believes that the CIA had a role in the assassination of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy. Kennedys switch to an independent candidacy is a recognition that his brand of politics does not have much purchase among Democrats, and that there may be a bigger pool of votes among Republicans and independents for him to tap into. Kennedy himself said recently: I take more votes from President Trump than I do from President Biden. Anti-Trump sentiment is evident at political rally in Philadelphia with 2024 presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr., Oct. 9. (Mark Makela/Reuters) (Mark Makela / reuters) Frankensteins monster? Over the past several months, Kennedy has gravitated toward media outlets and political celebrities on the right more than the left. Hes appeared regularly on Fox News. Hes gone on Tucker Carlsons social media interview show. And hes aligned himself with Elon Musk over issues of social media content moderation and free speech. Musk who bought Twitter for $46 billion and turned it into X, which has lost considerable value now may be prepared to spend money boosting Kennedys candidacy, Politico reported Tuesday. Recommended reading All of this adds up to a Kennedy candidacy animated much more by issues that drive voters on the right than the left. So if Kennedy were to run against Trump and Biden, its possible he would cut into Trumps support more than Bidens. A Reuters/Ipsos poll last week showed 59% of Republicans have a favorable view of Kennedy, and only 35% are unfavorable. Democrats, in that poll, are unfavorable toward Kennedy by 46% to 40%. RFK Jr. makes his campaign announcement in Philadelphia, Oct. 9. (Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images) (Getty Images) In recognition of Kennedys growing appeal to voters on the right, the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign both began publicly attacking the former Democrat this week. The RNC called Kennedy a radical Democrat. The Trump campaign called him liberal. Nevertheless, Kennedy is set to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Las Vegas later this month. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a unique voice in advocating for the defunding of the weaponized bureaucracy and ensuring the constitutional right of medical freedom, CPAC chief Matt Schlapp another Trump ally announced Friday. Embattled Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper is no longer employed by the county, according to spokesperson Hannah Nichols, confirming the rumors of Lopers recent departure. The decision to fire Loper was made by Interim Administrator John Robinson on Monday, Loper told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. The grounds for her termination were cited as violated the Beaufort County policy manual. Her termination comes on the heels of another in a series of embarrassing procurement woes that have dogged county leadership and administration for the better part of this year. The ongoing procurement problems are also part of the investigation currently underway by the Joint Task Force comprised of investigators from the 1st and 14th Solicitors offices. According to county council, Loper approved the $799,052 playground in Port Royal without going through the countys procurement process. An invoice submitted to the county for the playground equipment is dated May 25, 2023 meaning the purchase was approved by Loper at least four months before the purchase was presented to council. The expense associated with the playground equipment exceeded the $200,000 threshold needed for county council approval by nearly four fold. When the council did review the playground on September 25, months after the equipment was installed, the purchase was approved in an 8 to 2 vote. Two weeks later, Loper was terminated. While COVID-19 vaccines have been in short supply in parts of Los Angeles County, that dearth is easing in some places, officials say. The L.A. County Department of Public Health says the updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available at all eight of its public health centers in downtown L.A., Hollywood, Willowbrook, Monrovia, Pacoima, Pomona, Whittier and Lancaster. Two weeks ago, the health department began offering the updated vaccine at clinics at Ted Watkins Memorial Park near Watts and Eugene A. Obregon Park in East L.A., which are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. And all of the county's mobile vaccine teams offer COVID-19 vaccinations. The county's mobile vaccination program is intended for residents who have difficulty leaving home to get vaccinated; requests can be made either online or by calling (833) 540-0473. For those who are eager to get the updated vaccine as soon as possible, "I hope people can take advantage of the places where there is ample vaccine available," L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. Read more: Where Southern Californians can find the new COVID-19 vaccine But shortages haven't eased for all vaccine providers, or for all age groups. St. John's Community Health says its clinics in South, Central and East L.A. haven't received enough doses. The health system had requested 3,000 vaccines weeks ago, but as of last week, had received only 500. "We're unable to get enough vaccine to meet the demand for the new COVID shot," Jim Mangia, president and chief executive of St. John's Community Health, said in an interview Tuesday. Federally qualified health centers like St. John's "that serve low-income people and people of color must be prioritized in vaccine shipments," Mangia added in a statement. "Immunity has waned significantly, and it is critical to get people basic protection against the virus as school is back in full swing." A complicating factor is how the purchase of vaccines has dramatically changed since the federal public health emergency was declared over in May. During the pandemic emergency, vaccines were free and there were no commercial purchases of doses. Now, "commercially purchased doses have been much slower to come than anybody anticipated," Ferrer said. "I think everyone thought they would have a much larger supply by now." Read more: L.A. COVID-19 cases falling again after summer uptick. Officials now brace for winter Some parents have been frustrated trying to find COVID-19 vaccines for young children, Ferrer said, but the county does have pediatric doses on hand. Ferrer said she suspects there has been a more limited supply of doses for children under 5, but there's some indication that more pediatric doses have become available in recent days and "we're hoping that that situation is starting to resolve." "We think that for people who desperately want to get vaccinated right away, with all of our [county Department of Public Health] clinics being open now, there's opportunities there," Ferrer said. COVID-19 vaccines should be available for free to all residents, although some may need to get vaccinated at an in-network provider to avoid out-of-pocket costs. Residents are urged to check with their health plan to learn which sites are considered in-network. For those who are uninsured or under-insured, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set up a "Bridge Access Program" that provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccinations, which will remain available for the next 15 months. A number of pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS as well as non-chains, participate in the Bridge Access Program. Read more: More COVID shots are coming. Will a weary public be more interested this year? Kaiser Permanente members can get vaccinated by the county Department of Public Health with no out-of-pocket costs; the county bills Kaiser for COVID-19 immunizations given to its members. In fact, the county health department is considered "in-network for everyone," Ferrer said. "We're the public health department. So we're in-network for everyone, and we bill all insurers. "We have to be clear that nobody should have out-of-pocket expenses" for a COVID-19 vaccine this season, she said. Federal authorities are urging everyone 6 months and older to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this autumn since protection weakens over time. "Receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine can restore protection," the CDC says, and "last season, those who received a 2022-2023 COVID-19 vaccine saw greater protection against illness and hospitalization than those who did not receive a 2022-2023 vaccine." Getting an annual COVID-19 vaccination is similar to getting a yearly flu immunization, Ferrer said. "There really is an additional protective advantage to getting another updated vaccine this fall," she said. 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. RAMONA, Calif. A male coyote pup is now back in the wild following his recovery from a broken tibia in May, animal officials said. On May 15, the coyote was sedated for an exam and radiographs after Project Wildlifes veterinary team noticed the animal could not put weight on his back right leg, the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) said in a press release Tuesday. For any hope that this little guy would ever return to the wild, we had to get creative, said Andy Blue, campus director of San Diego Humane Societys Ramona Wildlife Center. Our veterinary team placed a lateral splint and conducted daily visual rechecks so the coyotes bone could heal. California campsite reservation bill signed by governor. Heres what changes it makes During rehabilitation, the injured coyote was introduced to a group of similar aged coyote pups, per SDHS. He continued to improve in June as the coyote was jumping, running and playing even with a slight limp. Then on Monday, the coyote was finally released back to the wild near Palomar Mountain, along with the five other coyotes in the rehabilitation program. According to SDHS, the organizations helps more than 10,000 injured, orphaned and sick wild animals each year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Drivers on Interstate 5 in south Thurston County can expect lane closures during evenings and nights starting Thursday. Work crews will be closing lanes so they can repair the driving surface of the highway, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Portions of northbound I-5 between Grand Mound and Scatter Creek Rest Area will be reduced to one lane, the news release says. This will happen from 8 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday. Similar closures will occur daily from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following morning from Oct. 16-19. The closure will cause congestion and backups in the evening hours. WSDOT advises drivers to give themselves extra time to travel through the area. Travelers are encouraged to go early or late to avoid congestion, the release says. Please consider combining trips or rescheduling non-essential travel. This project was initially scheduled for Oct. 10-19 but WSDOT canceled that plan on Monday. The release says this work may be rescheduled again depending on the weather. Drivers can see real-time traffic and road alerts on the WSDOT app and the WSDOT website. MILWAUKEE - UPDATE: Milwaukee police said Emmanuel York has been located. The original missing person report is available below. The Milwaukee Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating a critical missing man. Emmanuel York went missing Tuesday, Oct.10 at approximately 8 p.m. from the area of 54th Boulevard and Vienna Avenue. York is described as a 33-year-old black male, 6' tall, 186 pounds, with a medium build, brown eyes and black hair. He was wearing a red button-up dress shirt and black pants. York was driving a 2000 silver Chevrolet Monte Carlo sedan, with a black or gray front driver quarter panel, unknown model and unknown plates. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Anyone with information is asked to call the Milwaukee Police Department, District Seven at 414-935-7272. Ukraine and Croatia have signed a bilateral agreement on joint demining operations in the war-torn country, the Cabinet of Ministers announced Oct. 10. "The intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of demining begins a new stage of cooperation between governments, experts, specialists in the field of demining, manufacturers of both countries. Cooperation, the ultimate goal of which is to clear the territory of Ukraine from mines, ensure the safety of Ukrainians, and restore and develop our country, First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko said. Specifics in the agreement include the transfer of technical expertise and special safety equipment, as well as educational programs for civilians and capability development. Croatia has already disbursed over 1 million euro for demining operations in Ukraine. "Ukraine is extremely grateful to the Croatian people and the Government of Croatia for the political, military, financial and humanitarian support that our state and Ukrainians have been receiving since the beginning of the large-scale invasion. Read also: Swedish parliament approves $300 million in military aid for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. CHICAGO -- Louciana Johnson thought his corporate wellness jobs move to Merchandise Mart downtown would ease his commute, allowing him to take the Brown Line instead of paying for ride-shares. Johnson remembered trains once arriving nearly back to back during rush hour. If one train was too crowded, it was easy enough to wait until a less crowded train arrived. But that is no longer the case. Early one recent morning, Johnson, 43, arrived at the Western Brown Line station to find train trackers that provided only an approximation of wait times, and the approximation was wrong. After waiting nearly 20 minutes, worried about running late to meet a client, he left and took a ride-share downtown instead something he said has become a common occurrence. Johnson is now considering moving his job to Evanston. The struggle to get downtown, combined with fewer potential clients in Loop offices, isnt worth it. If he has to take a ride-share anyway, its easier for him to justify paying for a 15-minute ride to the nearby north suburbs, he said. Its gotten ridiculous, he said. I am still trying to figure out at this point how the Brown Line can work in peoples travel schedules. It makes no sense. CTA riders across the city have complained of long wait times, crowded buses and trains and conditions on public transit. But Johnsons commute might be particularly frustrating: Weekday Brown Line schedules were cut by 32% compared with pre-pandemic schedules, more than any other train line, a Tribune analysis of CTA data shows. As the CTA has cut back on schedules, facing a shortage of bus and train drivers that limits the amount of service it can run, the Tribune analysis of CTA data and a separate analysis of federal data by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning show exactly how much service has been cut, and where the CTA is trimming schedules the most. The problem is not unique to Chicago, but other cities have tried various approaches to addressing public transit service and some have begun to add back to their train schedules, public transit experts said. Key to adding back more service will be hiring more bus and train operators, and some have pointed to pay, working conditions and hiring policies as key to attracting and retaining employees. CTA President Dorval Carter has acknowledged running less service, saying he called the schedule changes optimizations because they are intended to help scheduled service better reflect the reality of how often buses and trains are actually running. It is not the service that we were providing prior to the pandemic, he told board members during a June update on service reliability. We do not refer to it as a service cut because it is our intention to restore that service once we get our workforce up to a level that allows us to do that. In the meantime, the repercussions of running fewer CTA trains and buses are reverberating throughout Chicago. Chicagos comparative advantage versus other cities in the United States except New York is that it has a very large and strong downtown that is only possible because it has a large transit network, said Yonah Freemark, a researcher at the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute who focuses on land use and transportation. And when you diminish the quality of that transit network, you are making it very difficult for that downtown to prosper. So it seems very important for the city. The amount of bus and train service the CTA is running will be down roughly 15% in 2023 compared with 2019, according to a CMAP analysis of federal data showing the number of hours trains and buses spend on passenger routes. That includes a nearly 14% cut in train service and a 16% cut in bus service. Bus service is expected to tick upward slightly this year from 2022, but train service is projected to fall, according to CMAP, which projected existing data forward to estimate what service for the full year would be. A different set of data about CTA schedules, obtained by the Tribune through an open records request, shows every line saw cuts to the number of train runs scheduled on both weekdays and weekends, except for the Yellow Line on Saturdays and Sundays, which had the fewest trains scheduled to run but had seen no reductions. The data tracked train schedules from October 2019, the last schedule in effect before the COVID-19 pandemic sent ridership plummeting, to the schedule in effect from spring through fall 2023. New schedules took effect Sunday that further cut the number of daily trips on some lines because of ongoing construction on the Blue Line, the CTA said. The agency said the reductions will be temporary and by mid-November, when construction is complete, schedules will return to the levels in effect earlier in the year. Under those schedules, the weekday Brown Line, which runs from the Loop to Albany Park, saw the highest rate of scheduled cuts since 2019. Weekday Orange Line schedules to and from Midway Airport also saw high rates of cuts, with schedules slashed by 27%. Other lines cut by more than a quarter were Saturday schedules on the Red and Brown Line, which were also reduced by about 27%. Weekday service on the systems two busiest lines, the Red and the Blue, were both cut by about 20%. The Tribune analysis reflects only scheduled service, not the number of trains or buses that are actually running. The CTA struggled through much of the pandemic to run all of its scheduled trains and buses, effectively cutting service and leading to the phenomenon known as ghosting. But since the agency began trimming schedules in late 2022, the schedules have more accurately matched how often trains and buses are running. In August the CTA reported running 90% of all scheduled trains and 96% of scheduled buses. The results show similar trends as data analyses published by Brandon McFadden, who works with the commuter advocacy group Commuters Take Action. Both me and the other organizers at Commuters Take Action, we want the CTA to succeed, he said. But to do that they of course had to pull schedules down so they could run closer to 100% of scheduled service. And we want them to be truthful about that. CTA officials said in a statement the lines with the highest cuts are, generally, the lines with more frequent service, and times of day and ridership are also factored in. They determined reductions on routes with more frequent service would affect riders less, and said reductions during off-peak hours, when trains run less frequently, are more noticeable. CTAs ultimate goal has been and continues to (be to) find the delicate balance of providing the most consistent and reliable service with the current available workforce while also accommodating ridership demands throughout the day, the agency said in a statement. The CTA has pegged service challenges on a shortage of bus and train operators. As of August, the CTA had about 3,400 bus operators, up 6% from the 3,200 drivers employed in September 2022. On the rail side, it had 722 L operating employees in August, down slightly from the 724 employed in September 2022. The CTA has held hiring fairs, raised some salaries and offered financial incentives intended to attract and retain employees. Still, the numbers of both bus and train operators remained below the number of drivers the CTA budgeted for this year 3,707 bus drivers and 839 rail operators. And the number of positions the CTA is aiming for this year was below the target numbers set before the COVID-19 pandemic. CTA officials said in the statement they have hired more rail employees this year than in recent years 161 through August, according to agency data but a key problem has been attrition. The training process to become an operator is complex and simply cannot be expedited, they said. Operators are promoted from within the ranks of existing rail employees, and training can take three months as they learn the ins and outs of train and signal operations, spokesman Brian Steele said. The small size of a rail cab also limits how many people can be trained in a railcar at once, he said. We will not let expediency circumvent safety and comprehensive training of rail operators, he said. A class of 16 new rail operators graduated recently and will go to work on the Blue, Red and Brown lines, CTA officials said in the statement, and another class is set to graduate in December. The CTA has, on the other hand, had more success hiring bus operators, which is one reason the agency has been able to add back slightly more bus service this year, Steele said. Agencies nationwide have reported operator shortages, but some are adding back rail service. Freemark, from the Urban Institute, pointed to New York City, where authorities have begun to increase subway service thanks to an influx of state funding. In San Francisco, hard hit by the decline of office commuters and where transit riders faced 30-minute wait times on nights and weekends, BART has also begun to increase rail service. The Washington, D.C., Metro is running trains over more miles of track than ever before after a new train line was completed. The agency is also running trains more often than during the depths of the pandemic, reflecting returning ridership and the return to service of rail cars that had been sidelined because of a defect. A spokeswoman said train service was not yet at pre-pandemic levels, but bus service was nearing 2019 levels. In Chicago, the situation is disappointing, Freemark said. It seems like other major cities are really taking the initiative to expand transit availability in the post-pandemic context, Freemark said. But bus ridership can pose a different problem for transit agencies. Philadelphias SEPTA, which operates trolleys, subways, buses and commuter rail, aims to run 90% of pre-pandemic bus service, but some runs are skipped when operators are not available, CEO Leslie Richards said. Subways are set to run around 85% to 90% of pre-pandemic service, but have faced equipment issues, she said. The agency has also struggled with operator shortages, lower ridership and a budget cliff looming next year when federal pandemic aid runs out. SEPTA hired more than 1,000 bus operators last year, but after departures ended up with a total addition of only about 125 operators, Richards said. She is grateful the agency was able to roughly break even. To keep bus service running at its current levels, bus operators have had to work mandatory overtime. If mandatory overtime were to end, which could come up during the next round of union contract negotiations, the agency would have to hire at a faster pace than it is now to maintain bus service, and increase training classes to keep up. If it is unable to do so, SEPTA will have to consider cutting bus service, Richards said. At this point we could not add service because of the workforce, she said. So we really have to get more operators on board before we could add any more service. Some transit agencies, like those in Los Angeles and Boston, have had success hiring more bus operators by raising salaries, said Chris Van Eyken, director of research and policy at the New York-based TransitCenter. But others, like the King County Metro, which operates transit around Seattle, continue to cut bus service, he said. One key problem is how operators feel they are being treated on the job, by both the public and their bosses, Van Eyken said. Drivers face upticks in aggressive passenger behavior, sometimes unpleasant work hours and tough working conditions, like difficulty finding a bathroom during a short turnaround time between bus runs. Along with raising wages and trying to address safety concerns, transit agencies can ease lengthy application processes, he said. Though not a quick fix, adding bus lanes to city streets can also make driving a bus through traffic easier, helping to improve employee retention. It also helps drivers complete a route faster, potentially allowing them to make more runs during one shift, he said. People are just less likely to consider the position when they dont feel safe and comfortable every day, Van Eyken said. That was the explanation of CTA rail mechanic and employee organizer Eric Basir, who said he was also a former train operator. He described the difficulty of one person simultaneously operating the train, keeping an eye on the doors down the length of the cars and interacting with riders, who can be drunk, unruly or unpredictable. Operators sometimes work in cabs that are dirty or have human fluids in them, he said. Operators who start as part-time employees must work their way up to get some improved benefits, he said. And always, there is the nagging need to make their schedules. Mark my words: It will never be able to hire enough people because the working conditions are so horrible, he said. Steele highlighted measures the CTA has taken to boost safety, such as installing bus driver shields and adding police, security and cameras to trains and stations. Schedules are developed to provide operators enough personal time between runs, he said. Still, the job can be difficult. Aundra Thompson, a retired bus driver who said he worked a variety of South Side routes over decades with the CTA, saw a marked increase in disrespect from the public in recent years. He felt he had little recourse to handle passengers who refuse to pay fares. Over the course of his career, the time between bus runs seemed to him to shrink. Where once operators had time to use the bathroom at the end of the line or smoke a cigarette, they now have only minutes. They used to be able to use the restroom in a business near their route, but during the COVID-19 pandemic many businesses stopped allowing them in, he said. But an operator will do what they need to do during their break. Then, they might leave late, and lag throughout their route. And a late bus only gives customers another reason to get upset, he said. Its just getting too rough at the CTA, he said. ---- San Luis Obispo County is facing a dire teacher shortage and Cuesta College wants to help. The San Luis Obispo County community college is proposing to offer a bachelor of science degree in education. The first-of-its-kind degree at the college which offers classes at campuses in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, along with its South County Center in Arroyo Grande would provide the necessary education for those seeking to become teachers. A total of 100 to 175 credentialed teachers are needed annually to educate kids in San Luis Obispo Countys public school districts, according to county Superintendent of Education Jim Brescia. Providing a four-year education degree at the community college could help fill those gaps in an affordable and accessible way, Cuesta College President Jill Stearns said in an informational meeting about the campaign on Thursday. Cuesta College is seeking to solve the biggest workforce challenge in San Luis Obispo County that is centered on a bachelors degree, she said. When locals earn their bachelors degree, get the teaching credential in our local schools, they stay. The degree would cost a student a total of $10,560 across all four years, according to Stearns. That cost could additionally be hugely discounted if the student graduates from a San Luis Obispo County high school and qualifies for the Cuesta College Promise scholarship program, which offers attendees two fee-free years. After earning their degrees from Cuesta College, students would then need to earn their teaching credentials at another institution, such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispos School of Education. Cuesta College is not the only local community college embarking on a new campaign to offer a bachelors degree. Allan Hancock Community College in Santa Maria is also pursuing plans to offer a bachelor of science degree in applied professional studies. If Cuesta and Hancock earn enough support from the community to establish the degrees, the two institutions can then apply to the California Community College Chancellors Office to gain approval. The chancellors office would then share the applications with the California State University and University of California systems so they could determine whether the programs were duplicates of ones offered at either CSU or UC schools. If the CSU and UC think a program is duplicative, they can send written letters of protest to the CCC Chancellors Office. However, the chancellors office has the final say and can move ahead with a program even without CSU and UC support. Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo held its graduation ceremony for the class of 2023 on Friday, May 19, 2023. A total of 1,207 students graduated from the community college. Laura Dickinson/The Tribune State legislation paved path for community college bachelors degrees Under Californias Master Plan for Higher Education adopted in 1960, the three systems California State University, University of California and California Community College are supposed to serve different segments of the states population. The top 12.5% of all graduating public high school students are eligible for admission to the UC system, the top 33.3% are eligible for admission to the CSU system and everyone 18 years or older who could benefit from instruction is eligible to attend a CCC institution, according to the plan. Additionally, the UC system was designed to serve as the states primary public research university system and grant bachelors, masters, doctoral and other professional degrees, while the CSU system was expected to focus on instruction in the liberal arts and sciences and grant bachelors and masters degrees, according to the master plan. The CCC system, meanwhile, is meant to offer lower-division instruction transferable to four-year colleges, provide remedial and vocational training and grant associate degrees and certificates, the master plan said. Starting in 2014, however, some California community college were granted the ability to start offering bachelors degrees. At that time, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that established a pilot program allowing 15 community colleges in the state to offer bachelors degree programs. That was followed by legislation in 2021 that indefinitely expanded the program and allowed for up to 30 bachelors degree programs to be established at community colleges in two application cycles each academic year. For community colleges to offer four-year degrees, they must first ensure the program does not duplicate an existing bachelors degree program offered by state universities. If the CSU or UC systems believe a proposed degree program at a community college duplicates one of their programs, they can write an objection to the chancellor of the CCC system. Such an issue recently took place with Feather River College in Plumas County in the rural Sierra Nevadas. The tiny community college was approved in February to offer a bachelors degree in applied fire management an important degree for the school located in an area prone to devastating wildfires. That approval came even after CSU officials argued that Feather Rivers program would duplicate a newly established applied fire science and management program at Cal Poly Humboldt. Feather River officials pushed back, saying that the region served by the community college is much different from those served by any CSU campus, according to EdSource reporting. Lisa Fegley teaches reading to Miguel Sotelo Sanchez (grade 2), Nathanael Camarillo Jimenez (grade 2), Ariel Sotelo (grade 1), Oliver Hootman (grade 1) and Eva Jimenez Camarillo (grade 1) at Carrisa Plains Elementary School on Aug. 29, 2023. San Luis Obispo County is facing a teacher shortage. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Cuesta education degree needed to address teacher shortage Stearn said San Luis Obispo County needs an affordable education degree program to help resolve the regions ongoing teacher shortage one that hasnt been amended by existing universities education programs. Cuesta College is proposing the bachelors degree that will help to close this massive workforce gap and really meet the needs of our local, K-12 districts, she said during the informational meeting Thursday. So far, local public school districts have shown support for the new degree program. We have amazing students graduating from our district, and giving them another path into the educational field locally would benefit both them and our district, Lucia Mar Unified School District Superintendent Paul Fawcett wrote in an email to The Tribune. Lisa Yamashita, assistant superintendent of San Luis Coastal Unified School District, agreed. Were thrilled that the bachelors program offered at our nearby community colleges will mean more of our students will have access to a four-year degree program, in addition to Cal Polys options, without leaving home, she wrote in an email to The Tribune. The education degree will undoubtedly help address the teaching shortage as well as help diversify our teaching and administrative positions, and we believe it will improve the quality of lives and livelihoods on the Central Coast. A Cal Poly spokesperson declined to comment when asked by The Tribune about Cuesta Colleges proposal for the new degree, instead directing all requests for comments to the CSU system. A spokesperson for the CSU declined to comment until after they had received the community colleges applications. THE NETHERLANDS Leaders from Holland met with Mayor Marco Out of Assen, the Netherlands, on Monday Oct. 9. Mayor Nathan Bocks, Councilman Dave Hoekstra and Michael Start of Holland's International Relations Commission met with Out as part of an exchange trip to build a "cultural connection" with Assen. From left: Holland International Relations Commissioner Michael Start, Assen Mayor Marco Out, Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks, Elizabeth Bocks and Holland Councilmember Dave Hoekstra pose for a photo in Assen, the Netherlands, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Our goal as a city and a mission for the International Relations Commission is to build and maintain meaningful relationships between the people of Holland and the wider world through cultural, educational and professional contact, said Holland Human Relations Director Esther Fifelski. We recognize the demographics of our community are changing to support the areas economic growth and development and recognize Hollands historic link to the Netherlands. During the visit, Bocks will extend an invitation to the commission of the king, provincial delegates and city of Assen officials. Subscribe: Receive unlimited access to your local news coverage Bocks also met with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Ruttee on Monday. According to posts on Bocks social media page, he's joined on the trip by his wife, Elizabeth; Gwen Auwerda of Tulip Time; Hoekstra and others. Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandnsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: 'Cultural connection' tour continues in the Netherlands for Holland officials TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE) A former Tulare County deputy has been charged with multiple counts including torture towards three victims, said the Office of the District Attorney County of Tulare on Tuesday. District Attorney Tim Ward has announced criminal charges against 49-year-old Richard Ray Ramirez for a weekend incident in Visalia involving an adult female. Ramirez was arrested on Oct. 8, 2023. Tulare County officials say Ramirez was a former law enforcement officer in Tulare County and is charged with three felony counts torture, injury to a significant other after a prior conviction, and kidnapping. Court records state during the alleged crime Ramirez was said to be on parole for a May 2021 domestic violence conviction. In that case, a Tulare County jury found Ramirez guilty of felony dissuading a witness, felony stalking, misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor corporal injury to a significant other, making annoying phone calls, and disobeying a court order. The crimes were committed against three victims. The charges, said by attorneys, are enhanced with special allegations that Ramirez possesses prior serious felony convictions, strikes, and served a prison term, that he was in a position of trust, that the crimes were committed while on parole, and that the crimes included the personal infliction of great bodily injury under circumstances of domestic violence. The DAs Office says Ramirez was sentenced to five years, eight months before being released due to time served and other in-custody credits by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. At arraignment, court documents state Ramirez entered a not-guilty plea and remains in custody on no bail. A preliminary hearing conference/bail hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Department 3. If convicted of all charges, Ramirez faces life in prison. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Work on the tracks stopped the route from launching this year (Belga/AFP via Getty Images) Passengers will be able to travel further on overnight rail journeys from next year, with Europes night train network set to expand. Travellers can board a train in the Belgian capital, Brussels, or the Netherlands capital of Amsterdam, and wake up the next morning in Dresden, Germany, or Prague, Czech Republic. European Sleeper, which launched a nocturnal connection between Berlin and the Dutch and Belgian cities in May, has confirmed the extension to its route will begin on 25 March 2024. This means that travellers from London or Paris could reach Prague with just one transfer in Brussels. The service was meant to launch this year but major engineering works between Dresden and Prague led to the route terminating in Germanys capital instead. A newly released timetable shows passengers can leave Brussels just before 7.30pm and pull into Pragues main station at around 11am the next morning, with departures on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The return journeys depart on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. With Eurostars current timetable, it means travellers from the UK could depart London at 3.04pm and arrive into Brussels at 6.05pm, with plenty of time to connect to the sleeper train and arrive into the Czech capital the next day. European Sleeper is hoping to introduce even more routes from 2025, including an Amsterdam to Barcelona route. The green credentials of travelling by night train have long been touted. Austrian firm OBB, Europes largest operator of night trains, said in 2020 that travelling between Vienna and Brussels by train emits 10 times less CO2 than the same journey by air, and Prague Morning reports that swapping planes for trains meaning emitting 28 times less greenhouse gases. Last month, OBB announced that its Nightjet sleeper service between Paris and Berlin will start partially running again from December this year, making three trips a week, while the full daily service will be up and running by October 2024. Meanwhile, French rail operator SNCF and its German counterpart Deutsche Bahn announced a direct high-speed service linking the two capitals in about seven hours, which should launch at the end of 2024. The death toll of the Oct. 5 Russian missile strike against the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast has risen to 55, Dmytro Chubenko, the spokesperson of the regional prosecutor's office, said on Oct. 11, Ukrinform reported. Two more victims were identified by a DNA test over the past day, he said. "Two more women, who were previously considered missing, were identified to be among the dead," Chubenko told reporters. The official said that the identification of bodies is ongoing, and three people are currently considered missing. "Based on the statements of the missing people's relatives, the death toll may increase to 58," Chubenko stressed. According to the spokesperson, the identification process is difficult due to extensive injuries to the victim's bodies. On Oct. 5, a Russian Iskander ballistic missile hit a grocery store and a cafe in Hroza during a memorial service for a fallen soldier who was being reburied in the village. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), two Ukrainian collaborators, locals of Kharkiv Oblast, assisted Russian forces with the attack. Read also: Every family affected: Devastated village copes with aftermath of Russian strike on funeral Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The amount of casualties from the attack by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on Israel continues to grow. As of Wednesday morning, 11 October, over 1,200 people have been killed in Israel. Source: The Times of Israel Details: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has published the names of 14 more soldiers who were killed on 7 October during the offensive actions. This brings the death toll of Israeli soldiers to 170. The military also carried out large-scale airstrikes on the Gaza Strip last night, hitting over 200 targets in the coastal area of the city of Gaza. The IDF sait it has also struck Hamas naval targets in the Gaza Strip as well as a Hamas diver attempting to enter Israel by sea. Following unconfirmed Gazas reports, Israeli aircraft struck the home of relatives of Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif in the city of Khan Younis, killing his father, brother, children and other relatives. BBC News Russian service writes that the location of Deif himself is unknown; it is believed that he may be hiding in the maze of tunnels in Gaza. According to some reports, Israelis captured by militants are also there. Reports of the death of Deif and his relatives have appeared before. According to Reuters, the head of Hamas' military wing has survived seven assassination attempts the latest in 2021 and he rarely appears in public. Earlier, Israel's Ministry of Health said 2,901 people had been injured in the attack, with over 500 still in hospital, including 26 in a critical condition and 340 in a serious condition. Funerals were held across Israel on Tuesday, 10 October for the soldiers and civilians who were killed in the large-scale invasion on 7 October. Background: Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The number of people killed as a result of the Russian missile attack on the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast on 5 October has risen to 55 people and may rise further. Source: Interfax Ukraine, citing Dmytro Chubenko, spokesperson for Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote from Chubenko: "During the day, two more women were found among the dead, they were considered missing before that. The identification of the bodies of the dead continues. Fifty-five bodies have been identified, three people are considered missing, and no children are among them. Based on the statements of the missing persons relatives, the number of dead may increase to 58." Background: On 5 October, Russians attacked a cafe in the village of Hroza, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv Oblast. A wake for a deceased soldier was taking place there. As of the morning of 6 October, 52 people were known to have died. On 10 October, the number of victims increased to 53. Russian forces struck a cafe in the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast, presumably thinking that Ukrainian soldiers could be there, but there were only civilians, mostly women, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported. Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian Federations Permanent Representative to the UN, said that the funeral of a "high-ranking Ukrainian nationalist" was being held in the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast when the Russian missile strike was launched. 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! Miguel Carriedo, a key witness in the case against accused kidnapper Sandra Garcia, testified Tuesday that he felt pressured by Garcia to carry out her plot to kidnap and terrorize the daughter of her estranged boyfriend. Carriedo, who is Garcias cousin, is one of four defendants charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 13-year-old Clovis girl on Feb. 16, 2016. He testified for the prosecution after agreeing to plead guilty to conspiring to commit a crime and torture. He faces a maximum of 15-years-to-life in prison. For more than six hours, Carriedo testified about how he became entangled in Garcias scheme against her Swedish-born boyfriend who was ending their relationship and kicking her out their northeast Clovis home. He did not deny being involved in the kidnapping. In secretly recorded phone calls, taped by Carriedo, he and Garcia talked numerous times about her plan to scare her boyfriends daughters so badly they would want to move to Sweden to be with their mother. Carriedo, who studied engineering and architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, testified that he felt obligated to help his cousin, who was promising to connect with a paralegal to help him sort out a custody issue he was having with the mother of his two sons. I did not want to be a part of this, but she kept saying it had to be done, he said. But Garcia never came through with the paralegal, he said. He also said he regrets getting involved in crimes that left a 13-year-old girl and her family traumatized. I feel like a terrible person, he said Tuesday. I made some terrible decisions, and I went along with a horrible situation that I should have not been a part of. Carriedo appeared before the jury in a dress shirt an tie, despite being housed at the Fresno County Jail. His sentencing wont happen until Garcias trial is complete. Under questioning by prosecutor Adam Christopherson, Carriedo described how he and Garcia reconnected on social media after their families had grown apart. He grew up in Lompoc and later San Francisco. She is from Madera. Carriedo said his conversations with Garcia were casual at first but soon took a more sinister turn. She shared with him her desire to see her boyfriends daughters move to Sweden, even if it took scaring the hell out of them. At one point in their conversations, Garcia asks Carriedo how many corrupted people he knew that could help her with her problem. He responded that he knew a lot of bad people. Christopherson asked Carriedo if he thought Garcia was serious. He said he thought she was crazy. Carriedo acknowledged he should have put the brakes on the plan, but he didnt until it was too late. When asked by Christopherson if he ever thought he would participate in this plan, he replied, no. When did things change, the prosecutor asked. When they put the girl in the trunk of my car, Carriedo said. I had no choice. The 13-year-old was taken by force from her home, shoved in the trunk and taken to the foothillls where she was tied to a tree and tortured and sexually assaulted. She later escaped and went to a nearby home where police were called. Yan Schrayberman, who is defending Garcias son Mark Anthony Roque, asked Carriedo why he didnt stop the kidnapping. He said he tried to back out of driving the three accomplices, but he gave in after talking with Garcia. She finally convinced me to be a part of it, Carriedo said. She was kind of hinting that if you help me, I will help you. Garcias trial continues Thursday in Dept. 74. A defiant Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is brushing off the latest set of criminal charges filed against him, claiming his innocence in the wake of Tuesdays superseding indictment and emphasizing that he has no plans of resigning despite heightened pressure to step down. I will fight this to prove my innocence, Santos told reporters in a 25-minute interview in his Capitol office. So yeah, Im pretty much denying every last bit of charges. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Santoss denial and defense came one day after prosecutors in New York charged Santos with 10 new criminal counts, bringing the total number of charges against him to 23. He is due to appear in court Oct. 27. The congressman said Wednesday that he will not take a plea deal and has not engaged in discussions about that prospect. The No. 1 question you all ask me is, are you going to take a plea deal? No, the answer is I will not take a plea deal. I have not been in discussion for a plea deal at this time, Santos told reporters. And the reason so is Im strong in my convictions that I can prove my innocence. He also affirmed that he is still running for reelection despite the new slew of charges. The superseding indictment filed Tuesday against Santos accuses the New York Republican of stealing the identities and financial information of contributors to his campaign and charging their credit cards a number of times without authorization. It also alleges that Santos engaged in a scheme that involved falsely reporting to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) that at least 10 family members made significant contributions to his campaign, despite knowing that they did not. The scheme, according to prosecutors, was carried out in an effort to have Santos qualify for a national party committee program that would provide financial and logistical support to his congressional bid. Santos said Wednesday that he plans to fight until the bitter end against the charges, claiming that he had no control over his campaigns finances an argument he has levied in the past. There was a superseding indictment from the [Department of Justice] yesterday with an additional 10 counts on this ongoing investigation that I have made very abundantly clear in the past that I am going to fight until the bitter end, Santos told reporters. Im going to continue to fight this as much as I have said in the past. Nothing changes. Prosecutors unveiled the new charges against Santos five days after his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to conspiring with the then-candidate as part of the scheme involving the national party committee program. The pair is accused of committing fraud on Santoss campaign finance reports. Santos said Wednesday that he was not entirely surprised to see the additional charges filed against him following Nancy Markss turning in. It was expected in a case like this, with high-profile case like this, he later added. And its politically convenient, quite frankly. Im not trying to say it is a political persecution, but Im gonna say there is political benefits to it. So I look at it that way. Santos appeared to try to pin the blame on Marks. I had no control over specifically campaign finances. Ive made this abundantly clear. I paid somebody, and by the way, according to the news you guys, some of you people in the news reported overpaid somebody, whos put me in, at this point, in an array of trouble, which was Nancy Marks, Santos said. Now everybody kind of knows who she is, and its out in the open. With that being said, its frustrating to me that I have to sit here and now have to defend myself from things that I paid someone else to do, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Oct. 11 Miami Herald reports that, Despite jailing critics and dissidents, Cuba keeps seat on U.N. Human Rights Council. China also was re-elected to the Council. Cuba still holds hundreds of people, including youth from the July 11, 2021 protests, as political prisoners, and openly supports Hamas terrorism. In 2021, the United States contributed more than $12 billion to the U.N. We should use that money to fund our childrens education. Further, we should relocate the U.N. headquarters from New York to Switzerland or anywhere else that would have it. Tony Bello, Coral Gables Strive for understanding As chairman of the Miami-Dade County Interfaith Advisory Board, I express my unwavering support for Israel, a nation that holds a special place in our hearts. Our board, consisting of diverse faith communities, is committed to promoting interfaith understanding, respect and cooperation within our community. In these challenging times marked by global conflicts, coming together in solidarity and to advocate for peace is crucial. We affirm that peace can only be achieved through dialogue, empathy and a shared commitment to justice. We stand alongside our Israeli brothers and sisters, extending our support and prayers for their well-being and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Psalm 122:6, 8 resonates deeply with our mission: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; May they prosper who love you. Let there be peace within your walls, And rest within your palaces. For the love of my brothers and my companions, I will say: Peace be upon you. These verses remind us of the power of prayer and the importance of fostering peace within our communities. As we direct our prayers toward Jerusalem, we also extend our prayers to all nations and people who yearn for harmony and understanding. We invite the community, regardless of faith or background, to join us in this collective effort to promote peace. Let us engage in open and respectful dialogue, bridging divides and fostering a culture of understanding and compassion. Miami-Dade County Interfaith Advisory Board remains committed to our shared vision of a world where love triumphs over hatred and where people of all faiths can coexist harmoniously. Together, we can make a difference through the power of unity and prayer. Juan Barek, chairman, Interfaith Advisory Board, Miami Outdoor rules Misinformation on the proposed Miami-Dade County ordinance to establish a heat standard for outdoor workers is troubling. As a business owner in the horticultural plant industry and part of a legacy farm family in South Dade for the past 116 years, I know first-hand that outdoor workers have regular access to clean drinking water and shaded areas for breaks. The motive behind this legislation is politics, not people. The construction and agriculture industries already comply with required national standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This greater body, an expert in the field, should be regulating us, not hundreds of different standards by local governments. OSHA is updating its standards through a rule designated as the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. This information must be considered before a long-term battle brews between the county and these industries, critical players in the local economy. Barney Rutzke, Jr., Homestead Palestinian uprising Lana Shehadehs Oct. 11 op-ed, I live in the West Bank, under Israels military occupation, was a breath of fresh air in the heavily pro-Israeli media and political landscape. Too few people understand the oppressive conditions Palestinian people endure under the occupation and then are outraged when violence explodes. It is human nature for the oppressed to fight back. Our nation forgets its own experience. British civilians were killed during the American Revolutionary Wars Battle of Bristol, Battle of Penobscot Bay, and the Siege of Yorktown. I do not condone terrorism, but violence and oppression breed nothing but more violence. Removing the root cause is the solution. In the American Revolution, it was British colonization. With Ukraine, it is Russian occupation. With Palestine, it is Israeli occupation. Taarik Rahaman, Sunrise Never a waste Gov. Ron DeSantis never misses an opportunity to take advantage of anything that might bolster his sagging candidacy. All politicians practice this art to varying degrees. DeSantis, of course, in his Trumpian way, always seeks to lead. After the attack on Israel, he asserted that Florida will impose the strongest sanctions of all 50 states against Iran and other countries of concern. He says this out loud, in a move that is symbolically important, because it sounds good and helps him look good. For extra measure, he delivers this message at a Bal Harbour synagogue. I get that someone in his position is required to take a position on such a horrific event. That such a statement comes with political calculation, however, is predictable. DeSantis is not alone in this practice, but he surely excels in its execution. Alex Jimenez, Winter Park Wars aftermath Undoubtedly, Palestinians have been badly treated for years by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus administration, especially since it has been pulled farther to the right by extremists. Details of this war, however, must be kept in perspective. A young British woman, perhaps a Palestinian herself, who certainly has the right to speak out, has called the actions by Hamas, beautiful. Is the murder of Israeli babies beautiful? Was the indiscriminate slaughter of Israeli concert-goers, nearly all of them civilians, beautiful? There will be excesses by all sides in any war, which should be punished by international law. Any measured consideration of atrocities, however, must see that Hamas and its Iranian masters have shown a barbarity as has been rarely seen since the Nazis. Ronald Newman, Miami Waking up Re the Oct. 10 story Court orders DeSantis administration to disclose COVID-19 data and pay attorneys fees: By now, Florida voters are woke to the governors ambitious agenda of keeping them ignorant. That taxpayers in the Sunshine State must pay attorneys fees for access to information that ought be available to all should be a crime. Curious to know how much the state spends annually on such fees. Rosa Osborne, Pembroke Pines Cries for humanity When I rejoined my family in the sign business, I acquired a reputation for sand-blasted original works. A young Caribbean man entered my shop one day, referred by my granite supplier. He was a fifth-generation Indian Muslim whose ancestors settled in the islands. He handed me the paper for his fathers burial plaque. At the bottom was a Muslim prayer, Verily I say unto thee ... I realized it was similar to one from the Jewish prayer book my grandma gave me as a bar mitzvah present. I wasnt making a sign, I realized, but a holy relic for the family tomb. I poured my heart, my soul, my spirituality into that piece. A week later, the young man picked it up. Two days later, he called and asked me to hold for his mother. The weeping widow wanted to thank me. This was a true highlight of my business career. Today, I weep for Jews in Israel and Muslims in Gaza. Fredric Bernard, Boca Raton A new lawsuit that seeks to represent potentially hundreds of Delaware prisoners accuses the current and previous health care provider for the state's prison system of ignoring and exacerbating the health of state prisoners in favor of profits. The lawsuit accuses state officials and private companies hired by those officials of systemically delaying and denying treatment or diagnosis for serious medical conditions suffered by individuals the government incarcerates and, constitutionally, must provide health care for. It lists examples like that of a prisoner whose bleeding rectum went without specialist care for nearly a year before the cause was revealed to be terminal cancer. Who is leading this lawsuit? The lawsuit names three prisoners at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center as plaintiffs and potential class representatives in the litigation. As an example: the complaint claims that last year, Vaughn prisoner Arthur Govan in September 2020 complained of prostate problems and received a referral to visit an outside urologist. In May, he received another "urgent" referral. To this day, he hasn't seen one despite his family history of prostate history and other warning signs, according to the complaint. James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna Class action: The lawsuit seeks to represent any Delaware prisoner with serious medical needs whose diagnosis or treatment was delayed or denied after April 2020. In addition to detailing the health issues of the three named plaintiffs, the complaint includes two dozen additional examples of what it characterizes as medical neglect. A judge will be asked to certify the class-action status in the coming months. What does the lawsuit claim? The complaint essentially says that because of staffing shortages, prisoners were denied some basic health maintenance, like blood pressure medicine, as well as necessary specialist consults and treatment leading to unnecessary suffering and the worsening of their health conditions. Courts have interpreted the Eighth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution to demand prisoners receive adequate health care. The lawsuit claims Delaware has failed this standard for years and engaged in negligent hiring practices. Why should you care? Prisoners are stripped of their freedom for a period of incarceration by a judge but are not sentenced to suffer and potentially die at an earlier age due to medical neglect. Additionally, the current state contract for prison health care is worth some $220 million paid from state coffers over three years. Who is the lawsuit against? Corporate defendants: The lawsuit names as defendants Centene Corp., a publicly traded health care conglomerate, as well as its former local subsidiary that managed the state's prison health care services from April 2020 to June 2023. It also names VitalCore Health Strategies, the prison system's current health care provider as defendants. The lawsuit accuses Centene of making mistakes in hiring, like hiring an individual with no nursing license as a nurse, as well as deliberately understaffing the system to increase the profitability of its contract with the state. It accuses VitalCore of failing to remedy Centene's errors. Centene has paid hundreds of millions in settlements for its work in other states. The lawsuit states that health care providers engaged in an "overall strategic approach to maximizing profits by pursuing policies and practices that had the foreseeable effect of delaying and denying health care." Government defendants: The lawsuit also names current Delaware Department of Correction Commissioner Terra Taylor and her two predecessors, Monroe Hudson and Claire DeMatteis, as defendants. It accuses the government defendants of failing a duty to provide effective oversight of the system. Why is this different? Like most lawsuits, the litigation seeks compensatory and punitive damages. But unlike others, it seeks to partially base that award on the profits realized by Centene's management of the system. It also asks a judge to bar the state from using for-profit health care providers in its prisons and unspecified orders for sentence reductions. Who is suing? The plaintiffs are represented by Daniel A. Griffith of Whiteford, Taylor and Preston in Wilmington, as well as Dwayne Bensing of the American Civil Liberties Union Delaware chapter. Bensing and Griffith are also collaborating on an ongoing lawsuit that accuses officers of a pattern of excessive force at Sussex Correctional Institution near Georgetown. Does this sound familiar? That's because lawsuits regarding the state prisons' health care regime are common. They often come in the form of pro-se lawsuits filed by prisoners who feel they have no other recourse, but often struggle to litigate cases without the assistance of an attorney. Plaintiffs' attorneys have also won multiple large-scale settlements over health care in prison, some with similar fact patterns as claimed in the new lawsuit. The full scale of those settlements is unknown. Settlements involving prison officials are public documents. Settlements involving their health care contractors are not. The prison health care provider prior to the defendants in the current lawsuit lost the state contract after lawsuits from local hospitals, the federal government and bankruptcy. Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on X. Delaware prisoners may also contact Xerxes Wilson on the GettingOut app. ACLU prison healthcare lawsuit by Xerxes Wilson on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware prison health care lawsuit claims providers prioritized profit Donald Trumps latest team of lawyers certainly had a busy week. Last Monday, opening statements began in the civil bench trial of the State of New York vs. Donald Trump, et al over inflated assets in fraudulent statements. The judge in that case, - Arthur Engoron, - had days before ruled for partial summary judgment against Trump and his co-defendants and held all liable for persistent and repeated fraudulent behavior. Meanwhile, as the former president was busy attacking the judicial system, continuing to obstruct justice, and calling out prosecutors and judges in violation of his recently imposed gag order, and his lawyers were getting pummeled in his civil fraud case that will in all likelihood put the Trump Organization out of business. So team Trump has filed three significant motions to dismiss and/or delay his legal cases from moving forward. And as special counsel Jack Smith said in a statement blasting the strategy this Monday, Trumps lawyers provide no credible justification to postpone. In the USA vs. Donald J. Trump case in Washington, DC, the former president has been charged with conspiracies to defraud the United States, interfere with official electoral proceedings, and deny people their civil rights to vote and to have their votes counted. His lawyers, citing Nixon v. Fitzgerald, filed a 52-page motion to dismiss the indictment based on absolute immunity for acts within the outer perimeter of [the Presidents] official responsibility.In their introduction they argue that the incumbent administration, breaking with 234 years of precedent, has charged Trump for acts that lie not just within the outer perimeter, but at the heart of his official responsibilities as President. In doing so, the prosecution does not, and cannot, argue that President Trumps efforts to ensure election integrity, and to advocate for the same, were outside the scope of his official duties. In trying to characterize the conduct of the charges against Trump as simply carrying out the normal business of the president, they are of course ignoring the fact that Trump had successfully and unsuccessfully enlisted other people to conspire in illegal acts to overturn the 2020 election. As Joyce Vance has written, No matter how Trumps lawyers try to dress it up and normalize it, its criminal conduct. Sure, Trump can have conversations with people, but when theyre about trying to change the results of an election hes lost, they cross the line and are no longer within the official governing duties of a president, not even within the outer edges of its periphery. Trumps team also makes, without legal citations, less serious arguments such as impeachment is the only remedy that can be taken against a sitting president. And contorting the text of the Constitution even further, his attorneys contend that without the House of Representatives articles of impeachment resulting in the conviction of a president in the Senate, that the former president cannot be prosecuted. While this motion to dismiss should inevitably fail even assuming that it is appealed up to the U.S. Supreme Court, it could very well postpone the January 6 trial to well after its starting date scheduled to begin on March 4, 2024. In USA vs. Donald J. Trump, et al in the stolen classified documents Mar-a-Lago case in Florida, his attorneys filed a 12-page motion last Wednesday to postpone the trial for a second time until after the 2024 presidential election. There are essentially two arguments in this motion to delay the trial that has been set for May 2024.First, that postponement was necessary because of scheduling conflicts. These included that the January 6 trial was scheduled to begin in March 2024 and that one of Trumps attorneys in the Mar-a-Lago case, Chris Kise, was also the lead attorney representing the former president in the ongoing civil fraud trial in New York that should last until late December.Second, and somewhat more legalistically reasonable is the charge that special counsel Jack Smith had not been candid when he had stated that everything necessary about the classified documents for trial to begin had been turned over to the defense and that the prosecution was ready to proceed. Some material may not in fact have been turned over to the defense for good reason. Whether that was justifiable or not, it still should not have required an additional nine months to prepare for the case. It is highly probable that whatever information Smith may not have shared with Trump and his two co-defendants, aide Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, had to do with its top-secret nature and the communications regarding those particular classified documents. Such as the breaking news by ABC on Thursday evening, for example, that Trump had shared at Mar-a-Lago sensitive information about American submarines with an Australian billionaire soon after leaving office and that the businessman Anthony Pratt went on to share details with several others about the U.S. nuclear fleet, including the submarines tactical capacities and the number of nuclear warheads the vessels carried and how close they could get to their Russian counterparts without being detected. For his part, Smith blasted Trumps motion as baseless because, he argued, The vast majority of classified discovery is also available to the defendants. The Government has provided the defendants extensive, prompt, and well-organized unclassified discovery, yielding an exhaustive roadmap of proof of the detailed allegations in the superseding indictment, Smith wrote in a filing on Monday to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.. In the first effort to delay the case until after the 2024 election because of delays involved in creating a secure facility for Trump to view the documents, Judge Aileen Cannon on Friday granted a temporary stay while she decides whether to push back the pre-trial schedule as well. In The People of the State of New York vs Donald J. Trump case, with its 34 felony counts also set to begin in March 2024, Trumps attorneys moved to dismiss the meandering New York hush money case because according to the court filing the Manhattan district attorney took too long before he decided to prosecute the former president on the years-old allegations. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. For some context about the Plaintiff in Chief with respect to the former presidents modus operandi of countersuing, intimidating and harassing his adversaries which has occurred more than 2000 times, he often does not follow through with the lawsuit. Accordingly, after moving the date for his deposition in the civil lawsuit, Donald Trump vs. Michael Cohen, which had been scheduled for last week as well and presented a conflict of sorts, but not really, with his civil fraud trial getting underway, Trump temporarily dropped his $500 million lawsuit against his former lawyer-turned-witness, Michael Cohen, who he has accused of malicious intent for spreading falsehoods and causing vast reputational harm. Trump was suing Cohen for breaching their attorney-client relationship because his former fixer had testified before Congress back in 2017, has written two best-selling books about their history together, and more recently has been talking publicly not only about the illegal hush-money payments to women during the 2016 presidential race but also about Trumps fraudulent ways of conducting everyday business. In response to Trumps dropping the lawsuit on Thursday which I am willing to bet will be permanently discontinued Cohen had this to say: This case was nothing more than a retaliatory intimidation tactic, and his attempt to hide from routine discovery procedures confirms as much. So many lawsuits and so little time for the fraudster in chief. Then again, what else is the not persecuted and weaponizing Trump to do, especially when he is an insurrectionist and wannabe dictator trying to regain the White House in hopes of staying out of jail? Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen not being harassed by alleged cult members in prison, prosecutors say Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen is safe from prison guards, who his defense attorneys alleged were affiliated with the very Odinist cult that they say killed two teen girls in 2017, Indiana prosecutors said in Tuesday court filings. The filings come after Allen's attorneys, Andrew Baldwin and Bradley Rozzi, alleged in September that the Feb. 14, 2017, killings of 14-year-old Liberty "Libby" German and 13-year-old Abigail "Abby" Williams were carried out by members of a pagan cult dedicated to Odin, a war god in Norse mythology, and that Allen was framed by law enforcement as the main suspect in the girls' murders. Allen's defense team further alleged that he was being treated unfairly by prison guards who were members of the same Odinist cult that they say killed Libby and Abby, alleging that Allen has been tased twice at the Westville Correctional Facility and that two guards wore Odinist patches on their uniforms. "It is inside of the cold, concrete walls of the maximum-security unit of this dilapidated reformatory that Richard Allen is being threatened, intimidated, and mentally abused," Allen's attorneys wrote. PROSECUTORS IN DELPHI MURDERS CASE CALL PAGAN CULT RITUAL NARRATIVE COLORFUL, DRAMATIC AND UNPROFESSIONAL Prosecutors called the recent claims "unfounded," saying the defense "continues to make unfounded accusations supported by absolutely no proof" that prison guards are part of a cult that has been targeting Allen in prison. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP They added that the claims are "consuming the limited resources of the office and this court with repetitive motions that lack any factual basis." GIRLS KILLED IN DELPHI MURDERS WERE SACRIFICED IN PAGAN CULT RITUAL, DEFENSE CLAIMS In three sworn affidavits, Westville Correctional Facility Warden John Galipeau, Sgt. Joshua Robinson and Sgt. Randy Jones say they have not been abusing their power to harm Allen and denied the defense's claims that they are Odinists. Richard Allen gets "little, if any, recreation time outside of his cold, concrete and metal quarters," his attorneys said. Galipeau's affidavit "ensures that no one in command had an agenda related to Odinism or ever ordered anyone under their command to harass or threaten the Defendant," prosecutors said in one of the Tuesday court filings. "Westville Correctional Facility has very few inmates that practice Odinism," the warden's affidavit states, adding that "none of those inmates are housed with or next to the Defendant." DELPHI MURDERS SUSPECT RICHARD ALLEN CONFESSED TO KILLING 2 GIRLS IN JAIL CALLS: COURT DOCS The warden further alleged in his affidavit that Allen "was tased twice"at the prison because "we could not get him to comply with our orders." READ SGT. ROBINSON'S AFFIDAVIT: Robinson swore in his affidavit that he does not practice Odinism or wear Odinist patches on his uniform, but the patches on his sleeves "pay the utmost respect to my religious higher power, the same way Christian person would wear cross." DELPHI MURDERS SUSPECT RICHARD ALLEN'S LAWYERS SAY HE IS ENDURING PRISONER OF WAR CONDITIONS Jones said that while he does not practice Odinism, he does follow "Norse Paganism Heathenry." READ SGT. JONES' AFFIDAVIT: "I started wearing the patches 6 or 7 months ago and did not stop wearing my patches until September 22, 2023, when ordered by my command to remove the patches," Jones said in the affidavit, adding that his patches "do not represent racism or hatred for anyone" and he is "not part of a cult." INDIANA PROSECUTORS SAY DELPHI MURDER SUSPECT RICHARD ALLEN SHOULD NOT BE RELEASED ON BAIL Last month, Allen's attorneys said in a memo that there is "overwhelming evidence in this case" to support the idea that "members of a pagan Norse religion, called Odinism, hijacked by white nationalists, ritualistically sacrificed Abigail Williams and Liberty German." Richard Allen, shown with his wife in an undated photo, has been charged with two counts of murder in the 2017 deaths of Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13. Police recovered Libby's cellphone under her body on Feb. 14, 2017. The phone had a 43-second video that shows Abigail walking on the Monon High Bridge in Delphi toward Libby while a man in a dark jacket and jeans walks behind her. The man can be heard ordering the girls "down the hill," according to an affidavit. DELPHI MURDERS: KNIFE LIKELY USED IN KILLING OF 2 GIRLS ON HIKING TRAIL, DOCS REVEAL Libby captured the video at 2:13 p.m., less than 25 minutes after she and Abigail's family members dropped them off at the trail. Richard Allen's attorneys have alleged that the killings of 14-year-old Liberty "Libby" German and 13-year-old Abigail "Abby" Williams were carried out by members of a pagan cult dedicated to Odin, a war god in Norse mythology. More than five years after their murders, investigators executed a search warrant at Allen's home in Delphi on Oct. 13, 2022, and they recovered a blue Carhartt jacket, a SIG Sauer P226 .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun and a .40-caliber S&W cartridge in a "wooden keepsake box" from a dresser between two closets in Allen's bedroom, according to authorities. Allen was an employee at a CVS in Delphi at the time of his arrest. CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS The handgun recovered at Allen's home was consistent with a .40-caliber unspent bullet police located at the site of the murders in 2017, police said. The memo from Allen's attorneys filed last month diverted attention from the suspect's connection to the murders and toward a new theory and a new group of potential suspects. Original article source: Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen not being harassed by alleged cult members in prison, prosecutors say The Tribune is partnering with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and the American Democracy Project of Indiana University South Bend to publish candidates' answers to questions on the issues. The League, with local help from the ADP, operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues. The Tribune has agreed to run candidate answers unedited, meaning any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors are the candidates' own. The Tribune is publishing only some of the questions from a selection of contested races. Additional questions and answers, including from candidates who have no opponent, are available at Vote411.org. Early voting for Indiana's Nov. 7 municipal primary election began Oct. 11. To vote early, either fill out an application for a mail ballot at https://indianavoters.in.gov/MVPHome/PrintDocuments or vote in person. In St. Joseph County, there are two early-voting locations: the County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. in South Bend; or the Mishawaka County Services Building, 219 Lincoln Way W. in Mishawaka. Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID. In Mishawka's 2nd Council District, Republican incumbent Mike Bellovich is challenged by Democrat Matt Carroll. Bellovich did not respond to the questionnaire. Matt Carroll Occupation: Financial advisor, Edward Jones Email: MattCarrollMishawaka@gmail.com Campaign phone: 574-339-5710 What is your top priority if you are elected to the Mishawaka Common Council? Carroll: My top priority is giving a voice to the residents of Mishawakas 2nd District and ensuring that they have a say in their local government. Residents deserve honest, transparent, and accessible Council leadership that represents their needs and concerns. What is the biggest challenge facing Mishawaka and how will you address that challenge? Carroll: Ensuring Mishawakas public safety is the biggest challenge we face. To overcome this challenge, we need to provide adequate resources to our first responders. This includes proper funding for public safety and emergency medical services, exploring partnerships, investing in technology, and prioritizing community outreach and education. What skills and experiences qualify you to serve on the city council? Please include specific examples of past involvement in local politics and/or public service. Carroll: I have been a Mishawaka resident for 19 years, 16 of those in the 2nd district. I am a former School City of Mishawaka teacher and currently run a business in Mishawaka as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. As a teacher, I served as a union officer gaining valuable experience in public labor and negotiations. I spent several terms on the Mishawaka Education Foundation Board serving as a board member, Vice President, and President. I received my undergraduate degree from Bethel College and am currently working on a Masters in Finance through the College for Financial Planning. What are your views on tax abatements? What should be required of companies seeking such abatements and what power should the city have to re-claim tax money if a company does not fulfill its promises? Carroll: Tax abatements can be a powerful tool to spur economic growth. However, they should generally be used when there is evidence that the revenue lost will bring a good return on investment in a reasonable timeframe. Companies should present adequate revenue assessments and follow-through plans to the council, including measures to guarantee taxpayers' ROI. The council should evaluate the risk involved when granting tax abatements and make informed decisions with ample information. What is the best way to curb crime? Should we increase police staffing, technology and budgets? Or should we redirect resources away from policing? Please explain your reasoning. Carroll: I believe the best way to curb crime is to strike a balance between increasing police resources and investing in prevention and rehabilitation programs. This could include community-based programs and exploring new technologies to improve policing outcomes. A holistic approach that combines traditional law enforcement methods with alternative solutions is the most effective way to create safer communities. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Carroll and Bellovich square off for 2nd District seat in Mishawaka Are there covert Republicans on the ballot for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in November? Allegations of hidden loyalties have shaken up a competitive school board race in which 14 candidates are vying for just three seats. Carolina Forward, a progressive policy organization, recently alleged on social media that three of the candidates are secretly affiliated with Mecklenburg Republicans and Moms for Liberty. The Mecklenburg County Democratic Party reshared the post and accused the Trojan horse candidates of trying to trick voters. The GOP is having these candidates hide their real affiliations to dilute the Democratic vote because they know they cant win honestly, the party said on X, formerly Twitter. Those three candidates are Annette Albright, Claire Covington and Michael Johnson. The trio has banded together to form what theyre calling the CMS Unity slate. Albright and Covington are both registered as unaffiliated, while Johnson is a registered Democrat, per the North Carolina State Board of Elections. The accusations are rooted in the fact that all three candidates share a P.O. box and treasurer with several prominent GOP politicians and PACs, according to campaign finance filings. Democrats say this is evidence that the slate is hiding something. Here are the facts: The address on Albright, Covington and Johnsons campaign finance reports is a P.O. box in Raleigh, which also happens to be the address listed for a Republican state Supreme Court justice, a Republican candidate for governor and two PACs affiliated with U.S. Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, respectively. The P.O. box appears to belong to the campaign compliance business of Collin McMichael, who is listed as the assistant treasurer for all three school board candidates. McMichael has also served as treasurer for Budd, Tillis, former U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and the North Carolina House Republican campaign committee. The primary treasurer listed on the trios campaign finance reports is Joe Patton, who works for McMichaels firm. Johnson and Covington told me that Patton was recommended to them by someone at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. Since they are first-time candidates, they said, they wanted an expert to handle their campaign finances to ensure they comply with the law. Patton has worked with both Democrats and Republicans, and records indicate that he was once a campaign finance analyst for the State Board of Elections. Brooke Weiss, chair of the Mecklenburg County chapter of Moms for Liberty, said in an email that the organization is in no way affiliated with the Unity Slate. David Merrill, vice chair of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, also denied that the party is affiliated with the slate. Both criticized Carolina Forward for making false claims and have threatened legal action. According to Johnson, the slate has not collaborated or communicated with either organization, and any claims to the contrary are unequivocally untrue. It saddens me because I feel like Im being attacked by my own party when all of us have the kids best interests at heart, Johnson said. Its understandable why Democrats might be apprehensive. Local Democrats in particular are still reeling from the betrayal of N.C. Rep. Tricia Cotham, who switched her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican just months after taking office earlier this year. School board elections in general have also become more insidious. In last years school board elections, a mysterious group called Success4CMS spent thousands of dollars in support of its preferred candidates without disclosing its founders, board members or donors. And nationwide, Moms for Liberty has attempted to take over school board races, albeit with mixed success. Skepticism is fine. Extrapolating information to propel a narrative that there is some GOP-led conspiracy is not, and this case isnt nearly as open-and-shut as some Democrats proclaim it to be. There is no smoking gun to suggest that Covington, Johnson and Albright are outright lying about who they are. They have received very few donations, and their campaigns are largely self-financed. While the Unity slate does seem to have more moderate views on most issues that some Democrats may disagree with, that doesnt mean they support book bans (they say they dont) or anything else on the Moms for Liberty agenda (they called it divisive). Covington called the accusations a distraction. Its one of those talking points that get people riled up, but when theyre talking about that, then they arent talking about the things that matter, she said. This is not the battle we want to fight. Democrats in the House and Senate urged President Biden to turn non-binding safeguards on artificial intelligence (AI) into policy through an executive order, according to a letter sent to the White House Wednesday. The letter, led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), recommends the Biden administration use the AI Bill of Rights, as a guide to set in place policy across the federal government through an upcoming AI executive order. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. The non-binding AI Bill of Rights outlines five key principles to guide the design, use and deployment of AI technology, focused on safe and effective systems, algorithmic discrimination protections, data privacy, notice and explanation, and consideration of human alternatives. By turning the AI Bill of Rights from a non-binding statement of principles into federal policy, your Administration would send a clear message to both private actors and federal regulators: AI systems must be developed with guardrails. Doing so would also strengthen your Administrations efforts to advance racial equity and support underserved communities, building on important work from previous executive orders, the Democrats wrote. Last month before meeting with the presidents council of advisors on science and technology in San Francisco, Biden said he would be taking executive action so America leads the way toward responsible AI innovation. In addition to the AI Bill of Rights, the Biden administration has also secured voluntary commitments aimed at managing risks posed by AI from top companies in the field, including Amazon, Google, OpenAI, Microsoft and Meta. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Some Democratic Senators are joining Republicans in calling on the Biden administration to refreeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets that were released last month, after Hamas attacked Israel. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont, posted about his support of freezing the $6 billion in Iranian assets to the social media platform X on Tuesday. "As American intelligence officials continue to investigate the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should review our options to hold Iran accountable for any support they may have provided," the senator said. "At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal." REPUBLICANS BLAST BIDEN FOR RELEASING $6B IN FROZEN IRAN FUNDS AHEAD OF HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL Another Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W.Va, told Politico on Tuesday he, too, supported refreezing the $6 billion in assets. "I wasnt supportive of the initial $6 billion transfer," he told the publication. "We should absolutely freeze these Iranian assets while we also consider additional sanctions." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Manchin did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital on the matter. AT LEAST 100 DEAD AS HAMAS LAUNCHES UNPRECEDENTED ATTACK ON ISRAEL, NETANYAHU SAYS NATION IS AT WAR Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. In September, the Biden administration made a deal with Iran to swap prisoners and release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds. As part of the deal, Iran released five American citizens detained in Iran and the U.S. released five Iranian citizens being held in the U.S. The deal also created a blanket waiver to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar without fear of violating U.S. sanctions. None of the money went directly to Iran and no U.S. taxpayer funds were reportedly used. ISRAELI PM NETANYAHU DECLARES 'WAR AFTER HAMAS TERRORISTS LAUNCH MASSIVE ATTACK: LIVE UPDATES Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. The unfreezing of the money took place nearly a month before Hamas terrorists launched a massive, deadly attack on Israel on Saturday, and Republicans in the House and Senate are tearing into the Biden administration, calling the move "false and misleading." "Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed terrorists," Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement shortly after the attacks. "We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks." The administration says the money can only be used for humanitarian purposes and the U.S. will have oversight on how and when the funds are used. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, told reporters "not a dollar" of the money has been spent. Still, critics argue the funds can be diverted to other places. Iran is a known backer of Hamas and praised the attacks on Israel. The State Department has stated in the past the Iran provides some $100 million a year to Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw and Bradford Betz contributed to this report. Original article source: Democrats join Republican push for Biden administration to refreeze $6B Iranian assets Consider the two following statements, and try to guess which political figures made them: We need the federal government, the Congress members, the Senate and the president to do its job: close the borders. We want [Congress] to have a limit on who can come across the border. It is too open right now. People coming from all over the world are finding their way through. Ted Cruz? Matt Gaetz? Maybe even Donald Trump , in one of his more cogent moments? Those would all be reasonable guesses. But in fact, the first statement was made on October 1 by Ingrid Lewis-Martin, chief adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams , while the latter came straight from the mouth of New York Governor Kathy Hochul on the very same day. Both are Democratsand theyre hardly alone in their party when it comes to expressing increasingly restrictionist rhetoric. While Adams disavowed Lewis-Martins comments, the NYC mayor then embarked on a bizarre Latin America tour where he pointlessly beseeched would-be migrants not to travel to the United States; he has also claimed that the migrant issue will destroy New York City. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, whos garnered something of a cult following among online leftists, in a recent letter to Biden bemoaned the federal governments lack of intervention and coordination at the border. Even Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown recently bragged in a campaign ad about crafting a bill to increase funding for Border Patrol (albeit not explicitly to counter migration). But the coup de grace came from President Biden himself last week, with the announcement that his administration would be waiving over two dozen federal laws to pursue an expansion of the literal monument to Trumps xenophobia: the border wall. That news marked the official death of the pro-immigrant consensus that solidified in mainstream Democratic circles (and blue cities especially) during the Trump administrationand it made clear that although Trump lost in 2020, his immigration policies have won out. We are living in Stephen Millers world now. It wasnt that long ago that the idea of walling off the border, or that migrants were a destructive force, universally horrified Democrats. As the Trump administration waged war on immigration as a concept and a value, with a particularly intense and sadistic focus on asylum, taking a strong pro-immigrant stance was a no-brainer for Democrats across the countrymany of whom took to the streets (and airports) to oppose to his acute depravity. As a candidate, Biden capitalized on this outrage by promising to end Trumps cruel immigration policies, and on his first day in office reversed multiple immigration-related executive orders. Yet it quickly became clear that the antipathy to Trumps legacy was a bit more about aesthetics and a bit less about substance. A first indication that the mainstream Democratic approach would come to settle into an asylum-skeptic groove was Bidens continuation of the Title 42 program, which MillerTrumps anti-immigrant czarhad dreamed up. Bidens embrace of the policy, which authorized the expulsion of would-be asylum-seekers without due process on the spurious grounds of protecting public health, came as a surprise toand betrayal ofthe immigrant advocacy community. And earlier this year, amid plans to finally phase out Title 42, Biden instituted his own version of a signature Miller anti-asylum policy requiring migrants to first apply for asylum in the countries they pass through on their way to the U.S. Meanwhile, Democrats have let the Republicans successfully bait them into having the immigration debate entirely on the rights terms. While theres no doubt that large, sometimes unprecedented numbers of migrants are arriving at the southern border, the crisis that everyone is actually talking about was effectively manufactured by a few Republican governorsTexas Governor Greg Abbott, in particularwho began busing migrants to New York, Washington, Chicago, and other Democratic-led cities in what became a self-reinforcing cycle, helped along by the federal governments own inaction. As increasing numbers of people have arrived at the border seeking asylum, and are either literally or de facto funneled to blue or purple states and cities, these places Democratic elected leadership has turned away from their pro-asylum tenets at lightning speed, which was always part of Abbott et als long-term strategy. Biden has largely refused to use federal resources like the existing refugee resettlement infrastructure to help assimilate migrants and defray local costs, only compounding the political shift. Now Democrats who still oppose building a border wall are taking a much less forgiving position on the asylum systema stance that resembles the pre-Trump Republican Partys, while the GOP currently careens into open bloodlust. Theres a distinction here between asylum and other types of migration because, while some MAGA hard-liners have railed against even the so-called high-skill, work-based immigration system, both Democrats and the Chamber of Commercefriendly Republican establishment remains at least putatively in favor of the overarching credo of legal immigration, whether thats seasonal agricultural visas or the much-discussed H-1B specialized worker program. While it may seem superficially at odds with increasing animosity to the realities of asylum processing, its perfectly self-consistent if you parse out the key place where these programs differ. That employment visas tie workers to employers in ways that restrict their movement within the economy and put them on precarious footing no matter how closely they try to comply with their requirements is tacitly seen as more of a feature than a bug. Like the refugee program, which is capped annually by the president and features lengthy and redundant security checks and application materials, whats so appealing about these statuses is they promise and enforce a measure of control, both pre- and post-arrival in the U.S. Its heavily managed migration, and for that idea to exist, so must the flip side of fortifying against unmanaged migration. The asylum system, by intent and design, does not gel with this approach at all. The law itself requires people already to be on U.S. soil or at ports of entry to apply, puts them through an intentionally lenient credible fear interviewmeant to weed out only clearly ineligible claimsand then gives them a chance to plead their case while living and working in the U.S. Sure, it wasnt designed with anywhere near this volume of applications, but the principle that people would get to just show up and request protections, and that theyd be sheltered by the U.S. while these requests were evaluated, is not an accident nor an unexpected eventuality, no matter how often its discussed as some sort of loophole. This is the asylum system working clunkily, to be sure, but as intended, as a system whose foundations are directly downstream from the guilt and lessons learned over the failure to protect would-be refugees during the Holocaust. It is rooted in the principle of protecting life and health as a default. But a number of Democratic leaders and policymakers who found easy political points and a feel-good moral stance in defending the system under Trump apparently feel todayunder a Democratic president, as the logistics get tougher and the people keep comingthat this is more than they signed up for. What they want now is what the asylum system cant offer: direct, political control of the outcomes. And so the idea of support for asylum and humanitarian migration as a cardinal tenet of the Democratic Party has turned out to be fleeting, as the new bipartisan position becomes a restrictionist one. One can only imagine what the future consensus will be if Trump and Miller get another four years in the White House. Democrats are being forced to play defense on President Bidens controversial deal to free up $6 billion in Iranian assets in exchange for the release of five American prisoners, which Republicans are now demanding be reversed after terror attacks by Hamas. Many Senate Democrats were caught off guard when outlines of the prisoner exchange deal emerged in August, while the Senate was out of session. Now they are scrambling to determine whether the $6 billion in Iranian funds, frozen in South Korea, can be held up pending an investigation into what involvement Iran had in supporting or greenlighting the attacks on Israeli civilians over the weekend. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is up for reelection in Montana, a state that twice voted for former President Trump, called on the Biden administration at a minimum to freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets. As American intelligence officials continue to investigate the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should review our options to hold Iran accountable for any support they may have provided, he said. At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), another Democrat facing a tough reelection race next year, also called for the transfer of Iranian funds to be halted. I wasnt supportive of the initial $6 billion transfer. We should absolutely freeze Iranian assets while we also consider additional statements, he said Tuesday afternoon. Manchin released a statement earlier Tuesday calling for harsh sanctions on any country or government linked to the attacks against Israeli civilians. Any country or government that is found to be supportive of this terrorist organization should have the most severe sanctions imposed upon them immediately to shut down the support of these terroristic, barbaric actions, he said. A Senate Democratic aide in another office said staff members are trying to get answers from the administration about whether the money can be held up and other possible ways to exert leverage over Iran. Can we call on the money to be refrozen? the source asked. In some ways, we have really limited ability to freeze it up. The Democratic aide suggested putting pressure on Western allies to tighten sanctions on Iran in response to the attack. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and members of a bipartisan delegation traveling to China and South Korea met with a group of ambassadors from allied nations at the U.S. ambassadors residence in Beijing on Tuesday to urge allies to do everything they can to stand in solidarity with Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pushing back on Republican claims that the money released to Iran will help Hamas, which is funded by Iran. He has emphasized none of the money from the frozen account has been spent, and that it may only be used for humanitarian assistance under close supervision by the Treasury Department. Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow specializing in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, said the political optics of the prisoner exchange arent good for the Biden administration but questioned whether anything can be done about it now. That $6 billion deal looks worse and worse, he said. But Im not sure its possible to get it back. OHanlon said the Biden administration would be wise to try to step up pressure on Iran in response to attacks on Israeli civilians, depending on what further investigations into those attacks uncover. At a minimum, though, Id try to put additional pressure on Iran once the intelligence is sorted out about its role in this tragedy, he said. Senate Republicans are calling for an investigation into Bidens deal and GOP lawmakers in both chambers are ramping up pressure on the administration to stop the $6 billion from flowing to Iran. Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), the top-ranking Republican member of the Senate Banking Committee, said Tuesday that he will press Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to invite Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to appear before the panel to testify about the transfer of funds. The Senate should also investigate what led the Biden administration to allow a transfer of $6 billion to Iran and how it could expect Iran to not use that money to continue to fuel terrorism. The American people and Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, deserve transparency and answers, said Scott, who is running for president, in a statement. Brown, who faces a tough reelection in Ohio, said Tuesday that he is speaking with colleagues, the administration, the Israeli government and the Jewish community in Ohio, and hes looking at every tool available to support Israel and defeat Hamas. He did not make any mention of the $6 billion being released to Iran. The Washington Post, citing Western and Middle Eastern intelligence officials, reported Tuesday that Hamas militants started planning the assault at least a year ago and received support from Iranian allies who provided training, logistical help and tens of millions of dollars in weapons. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and 19 other Senate Republicans sent a letter to Biden on Tuesday demanding that he freeze the money set to flow to Iran. To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable, they wrote. The senators argued that even if the funds are restricted for humanitarian purposes, there is significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel. Blinken addressed this criticism during a Sunday appearance on NBCs Meet the Press Iran has, unfortunately, always used and focused its funds on supporting terrorism, on supporting groups like Hamas. And its done that when there have been sanctions. Its done that when there havent been sanctions. And its always prioritized that, he said. He emphasized that the funds in question have always been, under the law, available to Iran to use for humanitarian purposes before being frozen in South Korea. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Virginias Democratic members of Congress are pushing for the Justice Department (DOJ) to investigate whether Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins (R) administration violated the Voting Rights Act after reports that eligible voters were removed from the states voter rolls. Democratic Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and the states six Democratic House lawmakers are asking for immediate action from the DOJ to probe the purging of voter rolls. Theyre also stressing the urgency of an investigation, as early voting in the state has already begun for elections in November of this year. In Virginia, anyone convicted of a felony automatically loses their right to vote unless its restored by the governor but reports around the removals from the voter rolls say Virginians without felony convictions were taken off the list. A letter from the lawmakers to Attorney General Merrick Garland says the Virginia Department of Elections acknowledged earlier this month that it removed more than 10,000 individuals who have had their rights restored from voter rolls over the past nine months without notice. This includes an unknown number of individuals with technical probation violations, not new felony convictions, who have been purged from voter rolls without notice after having their rights fully restored, the letter continues. Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for the governor, told The Hill that Youngkins office ordered a review and asked state police to correct the process once it became aware of the inconsistencies regarding the misclassification of probation violations as felonies. While analysis is still ongoing, we are aware of fewer than 300 voters who were impacted and those individuals are being reinstated. The governor is committed to ensuring those that are eligible, can vote, Porter said. The Virginia Department of Elections told 13NewsNow that the lawmakers letter incorrectly claimed that voters were removed without notice. The Hill has reached out to the Virginia Department of Elections and Youngkins office for comment. The new letter to Garland follows calls last week from Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) for a DOJ investigation, as reported by Axios. The Old Dominions Democratic congressional delegation is sounding alarms about how the error creates an enormous barrier to the democratic process in Virginia. Warner and Kaine, along with Virginia Democratic Reps. Scott, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer, Abigail Spanberger, Jennifer Wexton and Jennifer McClellan, signed the letter. Updated at 2:13 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Louisiana gubernatorial candidate Shawn Wilson (D) is facing a challenging path to election amid warning signs that Democrats are not doing enough to motivate their base, including Black voters. More than a dozen candidates are running to replace term-limited Gov. John Bel Edwards (D), with six main contenders emerging from the pack. Louisiana uses an open primary system where all contenders are listed under one ballot; if no candidate receives more than half of the vote, the two top vote-getters head to a runoff. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Wilson, a former state Transportation secretary, is expected to qualify during the Saturday primary for a November runoff election with leading Republican candidate Jeff Landry . But experts are pointing to weaker polling among Black voters and limited coordination between the campaign and state party as among some of the causes for concern for Democrats in the gubernatorial race. Democratic turnout has been weak, said Louisiana-based pollster John Couvillon. Normally, early voting tends to favor Democrats, and Republicans as of Saturday night cumulatively have a plus-5 lead, added Couvillon, who typically works with Republicans. Though fewer ballots for early voting have been cast overall this election cycle compared to 2019, more Republicans than Democrats have voted so far, according to data from the Louisiana secretary of States office. Black voters make up a critical base of Democrats voting bloc in the state. But early voting numbers show Black turnout has dropped 8 percent compared to the 2019 primary. White voter turnout also declined 12 percent. Tyronne Walker, vice president for policy, strategic partnerships and development with the Louisiana Urban League, said theres no denying Black voter turnout is not where theyd like it to be. But he added that the historical barriers cannot be overlooked in discussions around voter turnout. We have to recognize that we live in a country that has had centuries of systematic, well-designed barriers that are intended to disenfranchise African Americans and other marginalized communities, and those barriers still exist, Walker said. Polling has shown Landry leading the field, with Wilson placing second. A Gray TV poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy and released in mid-September found Landry at 40 percent, Wilson at 24 percent and all others at less than 10 percent. A hypothetical runoff matchup between Landry and Wilson found the Republican attorney general at 52 percent, while Wilson received 39 percent. Landry has been buoyed by an early endorsement from the state GOP and former President Trump, in addition to a sizable cash advantage over Wilson. Wilson has received endorsements from Edwards, Democratic National Committee senior adviser Cedric Richmond and Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.), in addition to the state Democratic Party. The Republican Governors Association (RGA) Right Direction PAC has poured close to $4 million into the race targeting Landrys opponent, while the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) has spent around $500,000. Wilson has made the issue of bipartisanship and infrastructure a centerpiece of his campaign, while Landry has leaned into issues such as crime and jobs. Though strategists see a steep climb for Wilson in November, a win for the former Transportation secretary would make him the first Black elected official in the state since Reconstruction something his campaign has nodded to in at least one of its ads. Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, said this significant historical moment could have been a chance for investment from the larger Democratic Party, but instead neither the party nor other progressive donors took advantage of the opportunity. Theres really no discussion, and more importantly, very little lack of investment in voter mobilization, Albright told The Hill. That includes the party itself not putting a lot into this election, which, unfortunately, is a pattern that were seeing in Southern states in general and particularly in states that have Black candidates. Albright added that though the early voting numbers arent as high as Black Voters Matter might have hoped, Black voters have often had larger turnout in the general election than the primary. A Wilson campaign official told The Hill that the campaign has been doing voter outreach to its base, noting hes been on the airwaves in every media market, has been doing outreach in churches and has taken part in interviews on Black-owned radio shows. The person also noted that the campaign has employed surrogates including Edwards and Carter to do robocalls. Since March, Shawn Wilson has traveled more than 45,000 miles meeting with communities across Louisiana to talk about what is at stake this election, up and down the ballot, Wilson campaign manager Brandin Campbell said in a statement. His work ethic and commitment to all Louisianans has earned him the support of elected leaders, community advocates, and a strong coalition of allies who understand this is an all-hands-on-deck effort to take on Jeff Landry in the runoff and elect the most qualified slate of candidates to move Louisiana forward, he added. Some Democrats believe theyre also dealing with factors that are out of their control. is said the very setup of Louisiana elections make it difficult for voter turnout. The election is taking place in an off-year, when there is no midterm or presidential election, and on a Saturday in mid-October. Youre not talking about an incumbent thats able to use their existing name recognition to turn people out, Albright said. Shawn is many things incredibly intelligent and able but hes not necessarily a Stacey Abrams or Barack Obama type of figure that has a lot of name recognition. But education plays a big role too, Albright added. He noted that Black voters who see topics such as education, economy and reproductive health as some of the most important issues may not be aware that the Republican candidates are just as right-leaning as other well-known politicians, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Low voter turnout also comes at a time when many are worried about voter suppression. Just this week, a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana heard oral arguments to determine whether new congressional maps can be ordered by the district court. The arguments follow the cancellation of a lower courts hearing, which was expected to approve a map containing two majority-Black congressional districts. Though the maps wouldnt affect the gubernatorial election, Walker said these types of actions send a message to voters. Whenever a group of people see that policies that are enacted are harmful to them or that we have extremely gerrymandered districts that dilute their voting power, it causes people to feel that theres no point to then participate in the election process, Walker said. But some groups, like the Urban League and Black Voters Matter, have been trying to mobilize voters anyway. The latter has actually been using the cases to tell Black voters thats why their votes are so important. We try to flip that, right, to highlight these cases in order to make clear to our community that the reason all this is happening, the reason theyre trying to gerrymander us, the reason theyre trying to keep us from the polls is because they know that we have power, Albright said. If we can communicate around it correctly and inspire people and get folks to see that this is being done because of our power, we can actually further motivate and actually increase turnout, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. As war breaks out in the Middle East, key ambassadorships in the region and top military promotions are languishing in the Senate. And some lawmakers say theyve had enough. Senate Democrats are making a renewed push to force through hundreds of military nominations and a handful of ambassadorships, noting that the war in Israel has added new urgency to break through the logjam. I think this all argues for a pretty significant reform of the nominations process, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in an interview. The military blockade put in place by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in protest of the Pentagons abortion travel policy includes two picks for the Joint Chiefs and officers leading U.S. forces in the Middle East. At the same time, three of President Joe Bidens picks to be ambassadors to Middle Eastern countries, and his pick for the State Departments top counterterrorism job, await votes in the Senate as the confirmation process sputters. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is on record holding up the counterterrorism official, and other unnamed senators are holding up other diplomatic nominees. Murphy, a Democrat who chairs the Foreign Relations subcommittee with oversight of Mideast policy, said the fallout from the brutal attacks over the weekend underscores the need to change the chambers rules to make it easier to confirm large numbers of promotions. Right now, a single senator can stall the process and force time-consuming votes. I've spoken to Republicans about this in the context of the Tuberville holds, Murphy said. My hope is that if none of these holds relents in the face of this crisis in the Middle East, some Republicans will be willing to take a look at some process changes. Its a long shot that GOP senators will defect, but Murphy said he has talked to some Republicans about altering Senate procedures, although he didn't specify who. Other Democrats are continuing to press GOP members, banking theyre just as frustrated with Tuberville to intervene and hoping that they see that the war in Israel has heightened the urgency. Pentagon officials who briefed senators Tuesday on the Israel crisis emphasized nine senior military positions in the command responsible for the Middle East that are facing disruptions due to Tubervilles holds, according to a person familiar with the unclassified call, who was granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting. Officials also pushed for the nominees for ambassador to Israel, Egypt and Lebanon to be confirmed. Tuberville said on Sunday he isnt backing off his hold despite Americas closest ally in the Middle East going to war, insisting Democrats confirm each nomination individually until the Pentagon drops its policy of reimbursing troops their travel costs to obtain abortions. Three top picks including Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. C.Q. Brown have been confirmed individually, but Democrats have largely dismissed the possibility of voting on all pending promotions as impractical because it would be so time-consuming. Most Republicans oppose the abortion policy, but some prominent GOP senators, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, disagree with Tubervilles tactics. Murphy acknowledged there is limited Republican interest in changing Senate rules. But he and other Democrats are nonetheless hopeful that more Republicans would see when the Senate reverses the damage that the holds are doing to the U.S. and allies and intervene to end the blockade. I dont have any better tools than to argue the merits. We cannot help out Israel unless we have our team in the Middle East, Murphy said. Its just critical for us to have our top people in the region in order to be relevant in any political discussions that occur. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a Biden ally, said for the U.S. to be without an ambassador to Israel right now is a terrible mistake. Partisan antics have gotten in the way of key nominations and military promotions for too long, Coons said in a statement, and I am hopeful we can move forward quickly on confirming these nominees when the Senate returns to session. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he was starting to hear from my Republican Senate colleagues about their dissatisfaction when the chamber was in session last week and predicted progress on approving nominees when senators return next week. They're getting tired of Senator Tuberville's shutdown of American military promotions, Kaine said Monday on MSNBC. When we get back, I think you're gonna see this ice jam break, and we're gonna start to confirm our military." Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said the crisis makes confirming the typically uncontroversial promotions "as important as ever." "One of our closest allies is facing war yet one man is blocking the officers our military needs to help them," Duckworth posted on social media. "Senator Tuberville, end your hold." The Biden administration and the Senate are facing top vacancies on multiple fronts. In addition to military promotions, top diplomatic posts in three Middle Eastern countries and the State Departments top counterterrorism official have languished on the Senate floor despite winning the approval of the Foreign Relations Committee. My hope is this demonstrates, in a very stark and real way, this is no time for political games, Kaine said on MSNBC. The U.S. needs to have its team on the field. We need to confirm ambassadors, confirm military nominations, and then do what we can as a nation to help our ally Israel defend itself." The more than 300 promotions on hold include Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Gen. David Allvin, Biden's picks to lead the Navy and Air Force, respectively. The long list also includes Rear Adm. George Wikoff, who was tapped to command the U.S. 5th Fleet that oversees naval forces in the Middle East. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the current 5th Fleet chief, has been nominated to be the No. 2 at U.S. Central Command, which runs military operations in the region. Tuberville is also blocking Central Command's deputy director of strategy, plans and policy, the deputy Air Forces commander and the deputy naval commander. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had long resisted calls to hold standalone votes with confirmations of Brown and two others coming after Tuberville threatened to force procedural votes himself. A spokesperson for Schumer did not respond to a request for comment on future votes or a rules change. Democrats have instead called for GOP leaders to intervene. But there hasnt been a groundswell among Republicans against Tuberville yet. "The hold has nothing to do with our ability to respond and protect and frankly work shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, said Monday on CNN. The frozen promotions is a totally and completely different issue." The nominees for U.S. ambassador to Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon and the State Departments counterterrorism coordinator all await votes on the Senate floor. Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin (D-Md.) set a hearing for Jack Lew, the nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, for Oct. 18 and has not yet set a hearing for the nominee for Egypt, Herro Mustafa Garg. Murphy has called for the Senate to confirm diplomatic nominees awaiting votes the day it gets back in session next week. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced Elizabeth Richard, the nominee for counterterrorism coordinator, and Karen Sasahara, the Kuwait nominee, on April 27. The committee advanced the Oman nominee, Ana Escrogima, and Lisa Johnson, the Lebanon nominee, on June 1. On June 14, Cruz objected to speedy confirmation for Richard, whom he accused of appeasing Hezbollah while she was ambassador to Lebanon. Cruz cited allegations she turned away a small military force that was dispatched to Beirut to protect the U.S. Embassy after the 2020 assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. Sen. Cruz has been calling on the administration for years to send the Senate a coordinator for counterterrorism who is committed to fighting Iranian proxies like Hezbollah or Hamas, a Cruz spokesperson said, adding that the Israel crisis hasnt changed his position. The genocidal violence inflicted on Israel by Iranian proxies this weekend has only made that need more acute, the spokesperson added. Unfortunately Ms. Richard's record shows she is singularly unqualified for this post. While Cruzs opposition is well-known, senators are not required to publicly announce holds and some are done in secret, so its not clear who is jamming the other ambassador nominations. Biden sent Lews nomination to the Senate just two weeks ago, on Sept. 28. Confirming Lew offers the U.S. a personal representative in Israel amid the crisis and doing so quickly could abbreviate debate with congressional Republicans, who blame Bidens policy toward Israel and Iran for laying the groundwork for the conflict. Lew is expected to take heat for his time as treasury secretary, when he served as an Obama administration point person defending the Iran nuclear deal. We have disagreements on Middle East policy, Murphy said. We have disagreements on Iran and Israel policy. This is a moment for us to set those disagreements aside and get these nominees confirmed. Denmark expects to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine in the spring of 2024, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told the press in Brussels on Oct. 11. Speaking ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Poulsen said that Denmark expects to be able to donate the aircraft "in March or April." However, "there is a lot of work" ahead to ensure Ukrainian pilots receive enough training in how to operate and maintain the aircraft. The delivery date "depends on how the training effort goes," Poulsen said. The same day, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also said that Ukraine could receive F-16 fighter jets as early as spring of next year. Read also: This Week in Ukraine: F-16s and the irrational politics of military aid on Apple Podcasts "The earliest is next spring when we can begin to see additional capability," Austin said in response to a question from the Kyiv Independent during a press conference at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. Denmark and the Netherlands are leading the allied efforts to provide Ukraine with the fourth-generation F-16 jets. The "fighter jet coalition" to provide training for Ukrainian pilots and technical staff was officially established in July by the two countries, as well as Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Since then, other nations, such as the U.S., Greece, or Bulgaria, have also pledged to assist with the training efforts. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in August that Ukraine would receive 42 F-16s after reaching an agreement with the Netherlands, adding that "this is just the beginning." Denmark pledged to provide 19 of its aircraft to bolster the Ukrainian Air Force. On Oct. 9, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Denmark is working to "expand and deepen" the coalition of countries willing to provide Ukraine with F-16 aircraft. Read also: Belgium to provide Ukraine with F-16 jets from 2025 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Prime Minister of Denmark lays flowers at the Israeli Embassy (Fixes spelling mistake in last paragraph) COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark will evacuate its citizens and holders of permanent residency in Denmark from Israel and occupied Palestinian territories on Friday at the earliest following the attack by Hamas, the Danish foreign ministry said. Around 1,200 Danes are currently believed to be in Israel and another 90 in Palestinian territories, the ministry said in a statement. The operation will use a C-130 Hercules cargo plane, it added. Such aircraft can carry around 120 passengers, according to the Danish armed forces website. (This story has been refiled to fix a spelling error in paragraph 3) (Reporting by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln Feast, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Andrew Heavens) Sacramento County sheriffs deputies have made an arrest in a south Sacramento homicide. Richard Bradford, 60, was arrested Tuesday morning after detectives obtained a warrant. Bradford is suspected of shooting and killing a man who was found dead under a bridge crossing Elder Creek in the 8200 block of Gerber Road, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said. The overcrossing is a block east of Power Inn Center and Vineyard Square shopping centers. Deputies responded to the scene at 4 p.m. Sunday after a pedestrian found the body and called 911. They found that the man had suffered a gunshot wound. Homicide detectives canvassed the scene for evidence. The Sheriffs Office identified the victim as Joshua Rash, 37, but no other information on the victim was available. Bradford is being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail and is ineligible for bail. Hes scheduled to appear before a judge for arriagnment on Thursday. A Texas man and two from Victorville were arrested on suspicion of shooting at an occupied home in a Hesperia neighborhood. Deputies arrested three men suspected of shooting at a Hesperia home. Around 12 a.m. Monday, deputies responded to the report of suspects shooting at a reporting partys home in the 7900 block of E Avenue. When deputies arrived, they got a description of the suspects vehicle, which had also been identified as the vehicle involved in another incident a few hours earlier. Soon after, deputies located the suspects vehicle nearby and made a traffic stop. The people inside the vehicle were identified as Oscar Galvez, 27, of Texas, and Steven Sepulveda, 27, and Mathew Aguilera, 27, both of Victorville, sheriffs officials said. Inside the vehicle, deputies said they found numerous firearms and other evidence related to the incident. Hesperia detectives responded and helped with the investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Sepulveda, Galvez and Aguilera, police said. The trio were booked at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto on suspicion of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, negligent discharge of a firearm, and conspiracy, sheriffs officials said. Sepulveda, Galvez and Aguilera posted bail and were released from custody. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Hesperia sheriff station at 760-947-1500 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: Deputies arrest trio suspected of shooting at a home in Hesperia A routine traffic stop turned out to be anything but when deputies opened a pizza box and found a loaded handgun inside, California sheriffs officials reported. Deputies pulled over a 47-year-old driver for vehicle code violations at 3 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in Rosamund, the Kern County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. The driver had a warrant for his arrest, officials said. When deputies searched the vehicle, they found a loaded handgun on a pizza inside a pizza box, the sheriffs office said. They found another handgun and a sawed-off shotgun, along with methamphetamine, Xanax, cocaine, and fentanyl, officials said. Drug paraphernalia also was found. The driver and three passengers face multiple drug and weapon charges, officials said. Investigators ask anyone with information to call 661-861-3110 or leave an anonymous tip at 661-322-4040. Rosamund is about 80 miles north of Los Angeles. Sharp stop to avoid crash injures six aboard cable car, San Francisco officials say Mystery of body found in canyon in 1996 continues, California sheriff says Driver spots armed 11-year-old trying to steal his bicycle, California police say The body of a man who went under and didnt resurface at Lake Hartwell Tuesday has been recovered. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said they were notified of a possible drowning near the Paynes Creek Campground on Oct. 10 around 4:30 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Witnesses said a 54-year-old man attempted to recover his boat after it drifted away due to strong winds. The man began to struggle, went under and didnt resurface. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The body of David Matthew Crowe was recovered around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will expand Florida sanctions against Iran for its support of terrorist organizations throughout the Mideast while condemning the attack on Israel. Iran celebrated the attack, which began Saturday, but has denied claims that it supplied Hamas with military aid or intelligence. The U.S. and Israeli governments do not currently have any evidence to support the claim that Iran is behind the attacks, but one U.S. official said Iran is complicit in providing funding, weapons and training to Hamas. During a Tuesday appearance at a synagogue near Miami, DeSantis condemned the barbarians conducting the assault, which has killed more than 1,600 on both sides, while another 150 Israeli soldiers and civilians are being held hostage by Hamas militants. We shall use all available means to choke off money going to the Iranian regime, DeSantis said at The Shul of Bal Harbour synagogue. USA reacts to Hamas attack Thousands across US gather for vigils, protests over Israel-Hamas war: 'Broken the hearts of many people' Iran part of recent Florida law restricting home ownership for Chinese DeSantis said hell ask the Florida Legislature to expand the states prohibition on investment in Iranian businesses to include such industries as finance, construction, shipping, ports and more. Hed also bar any investment by local governments in Iran. Iran is already considered one of the "countries of concern" Florida names in SB 264 that went into effect July 1, 2023. The law prevents officers from those countries from buying farmland or land within 10 miles of a military installation or critical infrastructure in the state. Here is the full list of countries included in the law: Iran China Russia Cuba North Korea Venezuela Syrian The law goes further by preventing people "domiciled" in China, with the exception of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, from buying any property in Florida. The law is being challenged in court, but it remains active after a federal judge denied an injunction in August. More: DeSantis' latest anti-communist campaign targets Florida schools linked to Chinese firms DeSantis's history with Florida Jewish community Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and Rabbi Sholom Lipskar participate in a moment of silence, Monday, June 14, 2021, at the Shul of Bal Harbour, a Jewish community center in Surfside, Fla. DeSantis visited the South Florida temple to denounce anti-Semitism and stand with Israel, while signing a bill into law that would require public schools in his state to set aside moments of silence for children to meditate or pray. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) DeSantis cited the states history of having steered $18 million for security at Jewish day schools in Florida, along with its long-held opposition to boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel for its Palestinian policies. The governor also went to The Shul synagogue two years ago to sign legislation authorizing a moment of silence requirement at schools and another advancing a volunteer ambulance service used by conservative Jewish communities. The Shul is a conservative Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue, whose members sought the legislation. The governor said Tuesday he has instructed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies to be on heightened alert for any anti-Semitic activities that could extend to fund-raising for Hamas or other terrorist groups. If youre doing that in Florida, youre going to be held accountable, DeSantis said. Also: Florida man hung banners with swastikas, anti-Semitic slogans in Orlando bridge, authorities say Presidential hopeful DeSantis bashes Biden over attack on Israel DeSantis on Monday ordered flags at public buildings in Florida lowered to half-staff and the state Capitol lit in blue and white in honor of the at least 900 Israeli civilians and soldiers killed so far. DeSantis, whose bid for the Republican presidential nomination is dimming in the long shadow cast by frontrunner Donald Trump, also managed to take swipes at President Biden over the attack on Israel. DeSantis criticized Secretary of State Antony Blinken for posting on X a statement calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, then deleting it. Blinken later posted that Israel has the right to defend itself, rescue any hostages, and protect its citizens. I spoke with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs @AmbDermer to reiterate our profound condolences for the terrorist attack on Israel. I reiterated our support for Israels right to defend itself and its citizens against terrorist attacks. Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 11, 2023 DeSantis, though, said you wonder what theyre doing. If Israel lay down its arms tomorrow, that would result in the destruction of the Jewish state, we know that, DeSantis said. For having the administration do anything other than a unified voice saying that Israel should be able to defend itself and that we support that, was honestly not surprising but its still very, very disappointing. DeSantis sought Jewish support with laws DeSantis signs legislation sought by Florida Jewish leaders, blisters U.N. Contributing: Josh Meyer, Minnah Arshad USA TODAY; Douglas Soule, USA TODAY Network-Florida This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis vows new Florida sanctions on Iran; condemns attack on Israel Drake has had a rocky history with the Grammys, but that may change soon as his collaboration album with 21 Savage , Her Loss, has been submitted for consideration for the 2024 ceremony. According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, the duo submitted Her Loss for album of the year and best rap album. Regarding singles for consideration, Rich Flex and Spin Bout U were selected for five different award categories: record of the year, song of the year, best rap performance, best rap song and best melodic rap performance. To qualify for the 2024 Grammys, set to occur on Feb. 4, songs and albums must be released between Oct. 1, 2022 and Sept. 15, 2023. In the past, Drake has publicly denounced the Grammys despite winning five awards. In 2021, he garnered attention for withdrawing two rap nominations for Certified Lover Boy. He chose not to submit its follow-up, Honestly, Nevermind, or any of its singles for award consideration the following year. Since the release of Her Loss on Nov. 4, 2022, Drake has kept busy. In July, the 6 God began his 54-date North American It Was All a Blur Tour, his first outing in four years, with 21 Savage as an opening act for some shows. He released his eighth studio album, For All the Dogs, on Friday. Over his 16-year career as a musician, the Canadian multi-hyphenate has earned 51 Grammy nominations, the third most for a rapper behind Kanye Ye West and JAY-Z, who boast 75 and 88, respectively. CANDIDATES WANTED: The appointment of an ambassador to Great Britain is delayed Former defense minister Oleksii Reznikov is not currently being considered for appointment as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom, NV has learned from several sources in the Ukrainian government. After Reznikovs resignation, reports emerged that he might next head the Ukrainian mission in the UK. NV tried to find out whether the former minister was actually getting ready to go to London. Read also: Ukraines defense minister replaced amid wartime corruption crackdown "Such a possibility (of Reznikov's appointment) was indeed considered for some time, but not now," a Ukrainian government source told NV. "His candidacy was even raised with the UK authorities a few months ago, but did not receive much approval from (UK Prime Minister Rishi) Sunak. Also, a request for an agrement to appoint Reznikov as Ukraine's ambassador to the UK was never submitted. Read also: Reznikov wont be appointed Ukrainian Ambassador to UK foreign ministry "One of the main reasons why this has been put on hold is all these scandals and corruption allegations around the Defense Ministry," adds a source close to the president. "What are the first questions journalists will ask him, or what will be written in British newspapers immediately after his appointment? Of course, about the corruption scandals in the Ministry of Defense. Why would the president want this?" NV asked Reznikov himself for a comment on the likelihood of his appointment as envoy to London. The former minister told us that he is currently in a regime of information silence, he does not comment on any topics and has some time to rest. Reznikov told NV he is currently writing a book. Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that Reznikov might be appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response to a question about this that he would comment on any appointments only after the relevant decrees are signed. Read also: How defense minister Umerov begins to reform his department expert interview In September, Rustem Umerov became the new defense minister, having previously served as head of the State Property Fund and actively participated in negotiations with Russia at the beginning of the war. His candidacy for the post, like Reznikov's, was proposed by the head of the Presidents Office, Andriy Yermak. 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 Editors note: This story uses sources who are speaking on condition of anonymity since revealing their identities would heavily damage their careers and expose them to legal and personal risks in the diamond industry. Their identities are known to the Kyiv Independent. Top findings: Despite the US sanctions, Russias primary diamond producer, Alrosa, keeps selling to the West, using intermediaries in third countries Alrosa even managed to boost its sales in 2023. Some of the profit could have been spent on direct support for the Russian military Big brands like Tiffany and Cartier may mislead their clients by claiming they dont buy Russian diamonds, something they cannot guarantee, and thus make them unwitting supporters of the Russian war effort The biggest diamond companies in the world teamed up to allegedly jeopardize the authorities' attempts to close sanctions loopholes Soon after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, luxury brands like Tiffany and Cartier announced they had stopped buying Russian diamonds. An investigation by the Kyiv Independent has found evidence to the contrary. A year and a half into the all-out war, export data shows Russia keeps selling its diamonds to the West. Now, through intermediaries, primarily Dubai. Thanks to weak American sanctions and the absence of any in the European Union, Alrosa, the leading Russian diamond producer partly owned by the state, keeps profiting from diamond sales. The company may be using some of its profit to fund the Russian military directly. Alrosa has not responded to a request for comment. Clients of jewelry brands like Tiffany and Cartier have no idea the money they spend on diamonds may contribute to Russia's war. Tiffany denied the allegations, while Cartier has not answered the Kyiv Independents information request. Meanwhile, Group of Sevens (G7) latest efforts to finally restrict Russian diamond sales have come up against an intense lobbying campaign orchestrated by the biggest diamond companies in the world since summer 2022. From mine to finger The journey of a diamond is long. It can change hands a dozen times before ending up on a ring or bracelet, making its origin nearly impossible to track. When taken from the ground, diamonds are known as rough. These diamonds are certified under the Kimberley Process, which was introduced in 2000 to stop the trade in diamonds fueling rebel movements. Before the Kimberley Process, so-called blood diamonds mined by armed groups in countries experiencing civil war, like Cote dIvoire, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, freely entered the market. Only diamonds that fund rebel groups are covered by the Kimberley Process, which makes the process powerless against the diamonds funding Russian aggression. Under the process, all shipments of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a certificate indicating a country of origin. Rough diamonds are photographed in the Belgian city of Antwerp, the most prominent diamond hub in the world. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images) Rough diamonds are then polished, transformed into shapes familiar to consumers, like the ubiquitous brilliant cut, and sold to intermediaries and jewelers. Smaller stones under one carat are sold in parcels mixed bags of many diamonds, which are not sorted by origin but by size and quality. Two industry insiders told the Kyiv Independent that, at this stage, it becomes almost impossible to track diamond origin. Three diamond experts interviewed by the Kyiv Independent called Dubai the laundromat for the industry: a major hub for mixing stones where companies introduce Russian ones into mixed origin parcels. In short, there are two ways to mask the origin of a diamond. First, a company polishes a diamond in the Indian city of Surat, after which it is no longer considered Russian under U.S. law. Ninety percent of all rough diamonds in the world are reportedly polished in Surat. The second and more common way, according to two industry insiders is for rough diamonds to be mixed in parcels in Dubai and later sold to polishers as mixed goods. Thus, Russian diamonds polished in a third country are not considered Russian anymore, while Russian diamonds sold in mixed packages are impossible to trace back to their country of origin. Read also: Ukraine imposes sanctions on petty pro-Russian politicians, yet ignores most high-profile ones Two industry insiders say that currently, luxury brands cannot guarantee that they are not selling Russian diamonds, a pledge many of them have made to their customers. The numbers dont add up The biggest consumer of diamonds, the United States, introduced policies to stop buying from the worlds biggest producer, Russia, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The U.S., which accounts for 55% of global diamond demand, importing more than the rest of the world combined, imposed import restrictions on Russian diamonds in March 2022 and sanctioned Alrosa one month later. But the profits from sales of Russian state-run diamond producer Alrosa didnt decrease in fact, they grew. Alrosa reported stronger revenues from sales in 2023 than in 2022 and 2021. The export data shows the company progressively shifted sales from Antwerp, Belgium, through which 80% of all diamonds pass at least once, to the murkier hub of Dubai. Export data for Russian diamonds for the first quarter from 2014 to 2023 shows that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine barely affected Russian exports. The dotted line represents the 10-year average of Russian exports. As major Western retailers publicly shunned Russian diamonds and self-sanctioned, Russian exports to Belgium collapsed by 92%, according to the Kimberley Process data available to diamond companies, shared with the Kyiv Independent. Russian diamond exports dipped in late 2022 but quickly recovered to pre-invasion levels as Russia found new routes for exporting the precious stones. Since the full-scale invasion, UAE imports have grown 2.5 times, replacing the EU as the number one importer of Russian rough diamonds, according to Kimberley Process data. Since the full-scale invasion, UAE imports have grown 2.5 times, replacing the EU as the number one importer of Russian rough diamonds. Thirty-seven percent of Russian rough diamond shipments since the start of the Russian all-out war against Ukraine went directly to Dubai, according to bill of lading data that covers shipments up to Feb. 28, 2023, according to the data from Import Genius, a U.S.-based trade data aggregator. This is an almost threefold increase compared to pre-invasion years. Between 2017-2022, an average of 14% of Russian shipments went to Dubai. Russia shifted its diamond trade to Dubai to avoid stronger regulations in Antwerp. All companies operating in Antwerp must comply with strict EU anti-money laundering regulations, as well as customs controls and auditing requirements, according to a 2021 report written by leading diamond trade expert Hans Merket for IPIS, an independent Antwerp-based research institute. According to Merkets report, Dubai attracted mixing practices that serve to mask mining origin. His opinion is shared by three other Kyiv Independent industry sources who called Dubai the diamond laundromat. As such, Dubai has proven the perfect gateway for sellers trying to hide the origin of Russian diamonds and bypass US restrictions. Read also: A year into full-scale invasion, West struggles to seize Russian assets for Ukraine The stable exports and Alrosa profits prove the American sanctions did not work. Major companies claim they have cut Russian diamonds from their supply chain, said an industry source, but the numbers just dont add up. Someone is lying Western luxury companies dont buy rough diamonds straight from Alrosa. They rely on companies that buy mixed origin diamonds in Dubai. According to two industry insiders, it is an open secret that this includes Russian diamonds. Big brands like Cartier and Tiffanys only work with a small number of trusted suppliers, said an industry insider. According to him, the trusted few simply do not have enough supply to satiate luxury brands without finding a backchannel for Russian diamonds. Those intermediaries who sell to luxury brands directly purchase mixed origin diamonds from other companies. Over 400 companies, primarily based in Belgium, the UAE, and India, have purchased Russian rough diamonds since the full-scale invasion, according to Import Genius data. Big brands like Tiffany and Cartier may mislead their clients by claiming they dont buy Russian diamonds, something they cannot guarantee, and thus make them unwitting supporters of the Russian war effort. (Illustration: Karolina Gulshani) Diamonds purchased by Cartier have a disclaimer, seen by the Kyiv Independent on internal documents: The seller hereby guarantees that these diamonds have not been cut from rough diamonds originating from Russia. Other major luxury brands use similar language. According to two industry insiders interviewed by the Kyiv Independent, the luxury brands know the numbers dont add up and are happy to turn a blind eye. One example of where it shows is the production of the smallest diamonds, widely used in jewelry. One watch by Cartier, retailing at $255,000, is set with 598 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 10.67 carats, according to the seller. These tiny diamonds are called stars and melees. According to estimates by different industry insiders, from 70% to 80% of such diamonds are mined in Russia. A photograph from Cartiers website shows Tank Jewelry Watch encrusted with diamonds called stars and melees.(Credit: Cartier) This means the luxury brands using star sized diamonds in their pieces can have an idea of where these diamonds most likely came from. An industry insider told the Kyiv Independent that he knows a buyer who sources Russian diamonds and sells them to the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy (LVMH) group which owns Tiffany as mixed stones, falsely certifying that no Russian diamonds are present. In response to the Kyiv Independents request for comment, LVMH denied selling any Russian diamonds and said that Tiffany tracks the provenance of all stones above 0.18 carats and audits its sellers to ensure sellers can segregate Russian diamonds from their production. The company, however, didn't clearly say how it ensures that the smaller diamonds they use don't originate from Russia. Two industry sources told the Kyiv Independent that auditors for luxury companies are worried about losing their business by revealing supply chain issues. Read also: Browder: West must hand Russian Central Banks $350 billion to Ukraine for reconstruction Out of a dozen major intermediaries contacted by the Kyiv Independent that, according to industry insiders, sell diamonds to brands like Tiffany and Cartier, only one commented on their sourcing practices: Tache. Tache is one of Antwerps bigger players: Belgian company data shows it recorded the tenth-largest revenue of any Belgian diamond company in 2021. A Tache employee who did not provide their name said the companys luxury clients require them to guarantee they are not selling Russian diamonds. Yet, Import Genius data shows that their supply chain is far from clean. Tache bought at least $13 million worth of Russian diamonds since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to data provided by Import Genius. But the last sale took place in April 2022, after which the company stopped buying Russian diamonds. Tache had purchased Russian rough diamonds directly from Alrosa up until April 2022. As late as June 2023, Tache also bought polished diamonds from Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), which, three months later, in September 2023, Ukraines anti-corruption agency designated as a sponsor of war for buying Russian diamonds. According to Import Genius data, SRK has bought at least $143 million in Russian diamonds since the start of the full-scale invasion. Tache also bought extensively from Kiran Gems, a company that has bought almost $100 million in Russian diamonds since the full-scale invasion, according to Import Genius data. In November 2022, Tache received a 72-carat shipment from Kiran - a parcel of many stones. In a statement responding to allegations by Ukraines anti-corruption agency, SRK said they were unjustly targeted by the countrys officials but did not deny buying Russian diamonds. Sponsor of war Alrosa is not just the worlds largest diamond producer it mines over 90% of Russian diamonds but also a big supporter of the countrys war against Ukraine. Alrosa mines diamonds in Russias vast northern region of Siberia. Russias federal government holds a third of the company, the regional government holds another third, and the last third is sold to private parties on the stock market. Alrosa is headquartered in the city of Mirny, over 4,000 kilometers east of Moscow. Mirny means peaceful in Russian, yet Alrosa directly backs the Russian army. Besides sponsoring the war by paying profits and taxes to the Russian state, in 1997, the company paid for repairs and gave its name to a military submarine. Since then, the diamond company has consistently contributed to its upkeep. Russian navy sailors stand still during a flag-raising ceremony on a moorage near the Russian submarine B-871 Alrosa (L), stolen Ukrainian submarine Zaporizhzhia and Russian Romeo Class Submarine PZS-50 (R) moored in the bay of the city of Sevastopol in the Russia-occupied Crimea, on April 2, 2014. (Photo by Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images) In the summer of 2022, the Russian navy upgraded the Alrosa submarine, which is part of Russias Black Sea Fleet, to carry Kalibr missiles. Kalibr missiles have been widely used against Ukrainian cities, killing civilians. Curbing Russian diamonds flood In May 2023, the G7 announced plans to ban Russian diamonds, setting the scene for a pitched battle between different actors in the diamond industry. According to IPIS expert Merket, there are two major competing plans: one ensures everything remains as it is, while the other one introduces some restrictions. The latter is by Belgium, which advocates for a proposal they claim is the only way to get Russian diamonds off the market. The different plan is by the World Diamond Council (WDC), a major industry group, which told the Kyiv Independent that their plan represents most diamond companies. Pedestrians pass a giant advertisement for diamonds in the diamond district of Antwerp, Belgium, on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Antwerp is the most prominent diamond hub in the world. (Photo by Dario Pignatelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Under the Belgian plan, mixed parcels the main pathway for small Russian diamonds to Western markets would be completely banned. For larger diamonds, Belgium proposes a comprehensive ledger for stones to be tracked from mine to consumers with the help of blockchain technology. The WDC proposal requires all companies to provide a warranty: The rough and/or polished diamonds herein invoiced do not originate from Russia. Luxury brands already require such assurances and audits, as LVMH told the Kyiv Independent. Yet, as the export data shows, even with these requirements, the Wests gates remain open for Russian diamonds. The WDC admitted to the Kyiv Independent that their proposal primarily relies on existing restrictions. It hardly introduces new ones. The problem with existing solutions, however, is that they have not stopped the flow of Russian diamonds. Belgium previously blocked EU sanctions on Russian diamonds. Back then, supporters of sanctions accused the country of putting profits over people to protect Antwerp the most prominent diamond hub in the world. Now, Belgium seems to have found a way to align self-interest with doing the right thing. Their proposal would split the market by requiring all diamonds entering G7 states to go through Antwerp or Western hubs that do not compete directly with Belgium. This is expected to take back market share from Dubai and stop Russia from using the city as a diamond laundromat. The industry strikes back Since early September, the WDC and De Beers, the South African-British mining company that held a monopoly on diamonds until the 21st century, have been aggressively lobbying against the Belgian plan. For De Beers and their partners, greater transparency in Brussels means losing Dubai as a gate for Russian diamond flow, which brings profit. For Russia, it means the shutdown of the most lucrative markets in the world and no diamond profits to fund its war against Ukraine. Read also: Harley Balzer: Dont believe Putins propaganda. Sanctions are hurting Russia In the summer of 2023, an early draft of the Belgian plan was shared with representatives of the WDC and De Beers, according to text messages seen by the Kyiv Independent. The WDC proposal was hastily organized as a response to the Belgian plan, which diamond companies felt would threaten their business, according to two industry insiders. WDC and De Beers initially told the Kyiv Independent that they had never seen the Belgian plan. The WDC later admitted to the journalists that they were aware of the plans content early on but claimed their proposal was in development long before then. Since September, De Beers has mobilized its sightholders, intermediary companies that have a special right to buy rough diamonds from it, to lobby against the Belgian proposal, according to three industry sources and recorded conversations heard by the Kyiv Independent. De Beers told the Kyiv Independent that the WDC proposal was endorsed by its sightholders. Both De Beers and WDC ignored the Kyiv Independents questions on whether they support Belgiums plan to ban mixed parcels, a key route through which Russian diamonds enter Western markets. A diamond is held up for examination at a store run by Brilliant Earth, which uses conflict-free diamonds from Canadian mines, in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Friday, June 5, 2009. (Photo by Chip Chipman/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Of approximately 70 De Beers sightholders, 35 purchased Russian diamonds since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to Import Genius data. Twenty-five of them were on Alrosas latest long-term client list, which is unavailable on the Alrosa website but widely reported in industry-focused media. Sixteen major diamond companies sent a letter, shared with the Kyiv Independent by an industry source, to the Belgian governments advisors on the anti-Russian diamond policy on Oct. 5. The letter complained about a lack of consultation on the Belgian proposal but rejected an invitation to meet with the Belgian government. Twelve of the 16 companies that signed the letter imported Russian rough diamonds since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to Import Genius data. Between Feb. 24, 2022, and Feb. 28, 2023, they imported over half a billion dollars worth of Russian diamonds. Many of the companies that imported less from Russia received shipments from companies like SRK and Kiran that deal extensively in Russian rough. Apart from Tache, none of the companies responded to The Kyiv Independents request for comment. An end to mixed parcels and better tracing of stones would mean an end to intermediaries like Tache abusing the weak rules in place. This could crush their businesses, according to two industry sources. Two Belgian officials who were not authorized to speak on the record confirmed that industry actors were pressuring G7 members and lobbying for the WDC proposal. The stakes for Ukraine are high. For every week that the proposal is stalled, precious stones from Siberia make their way onto rings and bracelets in New York, while Alrosas profits fuel Russias brutal war against Ukraine. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. In 2018, Marsha Ervin, a Florida Black woman, was released from prison after finishing her prison sentence. In 2020, she voted in the presidential election. In 2022, she voted again in the primary election. Based on a new state law that was passed in November 2018, Amendment Four, Ervin assumed that she could vote after she completed her full prison sentence. But what she did not know was that in 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that would lengthen the time it would take for a convicted felon to gain their right to vote back. Read more More from CNN: An inspector interviewed Ervin in October 2022. Ervin told the inspector that she believed she was allowed to vote because she was told she could when she was released from prison, and she remembered it being reported that felons could now vote in Florida from the reports on television, according to the affidavit. Ervin also opined that she would not have voted if she believed it was against the law because she just got out of prison and had begun probation, the investigator wrote. Mutaqee Akbar, told CNN, There is no other evidence that she had the intent to commit fraud. To a layman, completion of a sentence means when you are released from custody. She had no idea that she needed to complete her probation as well in order to vote. Ervins case is receiving so much attention because it represents a larger issue that is happening in Florida. Many Democratic leaders have claimed that Republican lawmakers have put in place these confusing systems of voter restoration to confuse Black voters. This goes along with the many other restrictions Gov. DeSantis has put in place to make it harder for Black citizens in Florida to vote, not only convicted felons. He has waged an attack on Black voters during his time as governor Akbar has also claimed that cases like Ervins are an attempt by DeSantis to intimidate felons who want to vote after their sentence is completed. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The last Republicans to top a presidential ticket before Donald Trumps takeover of the GOP are still holding out hope that a more palatable alternative to the ex-president will present itself before nominating contests for next years election are complete. On Tuesday, Utah Senator Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan convened a high-level confab in Park City, Utah to discuss foreign policy, technology and business matters at this years edition of the annual E2 summit. Among the attendees will be four of the candidates whove been vying thus far unsuccessfully to gain traction against Mr Trump in next years GOP primary: ex-UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former vice president Mike Pence, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. The balance of the attendees at the Park City gathering are understood to be a whos who of GOP donors who backed Mr Romney and Mr Ryan during their ill-fated campaign to deny then-president Barack Obama a second term in the 2012 general election. Spencer Zwick, the ex-national finance chair for the 2012 Romney-Ryan campaign and a longtime confidant of the Utah senator, told Axios that the Romneyworld luminaries dont just accept that Donald Trump is the nominee of their party despite most polls showing the disgraced ex-president holding a massive lead over the rest of the GOP primary field. Thats not in their DNA theyre genuinely interested in a candidate they can get excited about and get behind, Mr Zwick said. During a question-and-answer session alongside Mr Ryan on Tuesday evening, Mr Romney reportedly said hed be content to have any of the GOP candidates present in Park City that day serve as the partys standard-bearer next year, characterising them as heirs to the free-market, fiscally conservative version of the GOP they knew before Mr Trumps entry onto the political scene. He also suggested that the Democratic Party has its own set of problems that are not so dissimilar from the populist-versus-conservative split that characterises the GOP in the Trump era. I think our party has multiple personality disorder, and I think the Democratic Party does as well, he said, according to Yahoo News. I think were schizophrenic. We dont know what we are or what we stand for within our party right now. The Utah Senators comments were echoed by his erstwhile running-mate, who left Congress in 2019 after his party lost the House majority after Mr Trumps first two years in office. Mr Ryan reportedly told attendees that Democrats have a tougher row to hoe going forward because splits between progressives and moderates are ideological, rather than the divide in the GOP between Trump loyalists and traditional Republicans. For his part, Mr Trump lashed out at the former GOP nominees after news of their comments broke, writing on Truth Social that they never would have lost to Mr Obama in 2012 had they fought as hard against Obama as they do against President Donald J Trump. But remember, Republicans Eat Their Young, and thats the problem with so many in our Party, he added. They go after the people who are on their side, rather than the Radical Left Democrats that are DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY. For the last 15 years, supporters of one of Fresnos smallest public libraries have longed for a larger space. Recently the ideal location for a new and expanded Politi Branch popped up: a former Rite Aid store on the northeast corner of First Street and Bullard Avenue, kitty-corner from the existing library on the southwest corner. Its perfect, said Janet Claassen, a Friends of the Politi Branch board member. This kind of site comes up once in a lifetime. The existing library is 5,000 square feet and tucked away in a strip mall. Many drive past completely unaware its even there. The proposed location is 22,000 square feet enough to have a much-needed community room, study rooms and more space for books, tables and computer stations. All to better serve the neighborhood. Opinion Its also highly visible from First Street, next door to a newly built Starbucks and adjacent (via back fences) to Ahwahnee Middle School. Teachers at Ahwahnee dont even know theres a library next to them, said Claassen, a retired school librarian. Everyone involved in the situation (i.e. the Fresno County Public Library, the Friends of the Politi Branch nonprofit, the owner and property manager) thought the move was a splendid idea. Everyone, that is, except for the corporate owners of the 99 Cents Only Store located across the shopping center from the proposed library. Who flexed their contractual rights and put a halt to it. During our inquiry, we learned that the 99 Cents Only Store has verbiage in their lease that allows them to restrict non-commercial use on the remainder of the property, explained Susan Renfro, the Fresno County Public Library spokesperson. The discount stores main objection, apparently, was parking. Specifically, library-goers would take up so many parking spaces that 99 Cents Only Store shoppers would get squeezed out. After visiting the shopping center myself on Tuesday afternoon, its hard to believe anyone could make this claim with a straight face. This embedded content is not available in your region. Huge amount of parking The 99 Cents Only Store and the former Rite-Aid (currently housing a Halloween store) are at least 100 yards apart and separated by a sprawling parking lot. I counted and theres around 300 spaces, said Mark Kalchik, Friends of the Politi Branch president. My wife and I have shopped there for decades and weve never even seen half of them filled up. The co-owner of one of several small businesses located in the shopping center backed up that assertion. Oh my gosh, theres a huge amount of parking in this lot, Kelly Miller said. Miller, a partner at Bullard Uniform for 28 years, said she would welcome the library moving into a space that has lacked a permanent tenant since early 2022. Starbucks opened earlier this year after erecting a new building next door, with a drive-thru, of course. I think it would be wonderful, Miller said. Whats better than a cup of coffee and a book? This former Rite Aid in northeast Fresno, temporarily occupied as a Spirit Halloween store, was to become the new, expanded Politi Branch of the Fresno County Public Library. However, 99 Cents Only Stores vetoed the move. 99 Cents Only Stores didnt completely reject the proposal. They said they would allow the library provided the back of the old Rite Aid building is used as its main entrance and library-goers park in the back parking lot. I checked out that option, and its completely unfeasible. One way in takes drivers across the 99 Cents Store loading dock that is frequently blocked by delivery trucks. The other, behind the Starbucks, isnt wide enough for two-way traffic. Using the back entrance and parking lot, Renfro said, would not be conducive to us providing services in a safe and efficient way. When informed of the discount store chains demand, Miller groaned. Thats ridiculous, she said. They already get free reign of the parking lot. Their customers park in front of my store all the time. Discount store chain must reconsider What is 99 Cents Only Stores thinking by placing such an onerous condition on the library? I attempted to get their side of the story, but my emails and phone messages werent returned. Its hard to see the companys logic. Wouldnt the store stand to benefit from more people frequenting the shopping center? And wouldnt other potential tenants that require 22,000 square feet of retail put just as great a demand on the parking lot? Besides, theyd be doing the neighborhood a tremendous service. The Politi Branch has outgrown its single-room setup. The one thing we could really use is a community room, like Woodward and other libraries have, supervising librarian Alan Greenhaw said. When we have a childrens program or book-signing, we have to figure out what to do with people reading newspapers. It would be nice to have a separate space. Named in honor of Fresno-born author and illustrator Leo Politi, the branch is approaching a major milestone. It opened in May 1974 at the same location. We were hoping for the 50th anniversary celebration wed celebrate by expanding, Kalchik said. Its a win-win for everybody. We cant understand why 99 Cents Only Stores isnt supporting this. The stance is baffling. But if enough people write to 99 Cents Only Stores headquarters (4000 Union Pacific Ave., City of Commerce, CA 90023), call (323-980-8145) or send an email (customerservice@99only.com), perhaps theyll reconsider their selfish, small-minded decision. Disney Springs debuts new Hispanic Heritage Month mural, features artists son Catch a glimpse of vibrant images of history and life with Disney Springs newest art walk painting. Artists Katerina Santos and Jun Travieso, also known as TRATOS, created the mural El Nido, which translates to The Nest in Spanish. This is the latest addition to the Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression. Read: UCF Football finds bigger audience, more energy with Spanish radio broadcast The mural represents the first time Santos and Travieso painted their one-year-old son Luka and a tribute to Cuban culture during Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month. The Disney Springs Art Walk features other artists worldwide and their diverse murals. Santos and Travieso, a Cuban couple from Miami, said they drew inspiration when asked what was magical in their lives. They said TRATOS combines both of their last names and is a symbol of their bond and artistic dreams. Photos: Disney Springs debuts new Hispanic Heritage Month mural Walt Disney World Resort celebrates Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month with a new mural at the Disney Springs Art Walk painted by Katerina Santos and Juan Travieso, known together as TRATOS. The Cuban American couple use vibrant colors and an image of their son surrounded by flowers and birds to highlight the love they have for their family. This is the first time TRATOS has included their son in a painting. (Preston Mack, Photographer) Walt Disney World Resort celebrates Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month with a new mural at the Disney Springs Art Walk painted by Katerina Santos and Juan Travieso, known together as TRATOS. The Cuban American couple use vibrant colors and an image of their son surrounded by flowers and birds to highlight the love they have for their family. This is the first time TRATOS has included their son in a painting. (Preston Mack, Photographer) Walt Disney World Resort celebrates Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month with a new mural at the Disney Springs Art Walk painted by Katerina Santos and Juan Travieso, known together as TRATOS. The Cuban American couple use vibrant colors and an image of their son surrounded by flowers and birds to highlight the love they have for their family. This is the first time TRATOS has included their son in a painting. (Preston Mack, Photographer) Walt Disney World Resort celebrates Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month with a new mural at the Disney Springs Art Walk painted by Katerina Santos and Juan Travieso, known together as TRATOS. The Cuban American couple use vibrant colors and an image of their son surrounded by flowers and birds to highlight the love they have for their family. This is the first time TRATOS has included their son in a painting. (Preston Mack, Photographer) Walt Disney World Resort celebrates Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month with a new mural at the Disney Springs Art Walk painted by Katerina Santos and Juan Travieso, known together as TRATOS. The Cuban American couple use vibrant colors and an image of their son surrounded by flowers and birds to highlight the love they have for their family. This is the first time TRATOS has included their son in a painting. (Preston Mack, Photographer) Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Lawmakers questioned Division of Motor Vehicles leadership on a drivers license renewal policy the agency requested that breaches federal law and on a contract it recently awarded through an expedited process. DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said Wednesday during a committee hearing at the General Assembly that the drivers license policy in conflict with federal law was approved largely because of miscommunication between his office and the N.C. Department of Transportation, which houses DMV. But he defended the contract awarded to CBN Secure Technologies for the printing of licenses and explained various efforts made by his office to ensure it was the best choice. The oversight committee, like the rest of the General Assembly, is controlled by Republicans. Goodwin is the former state Democratic Party chairman and was elected insurance commissioner as a Democrat. Drivers license provision Under a new policy passed in this years state budget, North Carolina will allow the licenses of drivers ages 18 to 65 to remain valid for 16 years. It also allows drivers to renew their licenses online every time. Both changes are set to go into effect July 1, 2024. Currently, customers aged 18 to 65 have to renew their licenses every eight years. They must visit a DMV office in person every other renewal. This new policy runs afoul of the federal REAL ID Act, which enacted tighter security standards for licenses. REAL IDs, used by millions of North Carolinians, cannot be valid for more than eight years. The photos on these IDs must also be replaced at least every 16 years, as previously reported by The News & Observer. At the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday, Goodwin acknowledged his office requested the change, and he rescinded his comments from a week earlier in which he seemed to have forgotten the request came from him. Goodwin said his office sought the change in an attempt to shorten wait times. Currently, in most circumstances, a DMV customer has to physically go to a DMV drivers license office only once every 16 years. He said when his agency realized in March the change would violate federal law, it notified the N.C. Department of Transportation legislative affairs office, and by April the provision was removed from the agency-requested bill. But the provision also appeared in the House version of the budget, which passed on April 6. The final budget passed the legislature in late September. The key point is, knowing what we know now and knowing theres miscommunication and now we have a better understanding, is focusing on what we need to solve this problem and get us back on track so that North Carolinians dont lose access to Real IDs, Goodwin said. Theres a lot of confusion, and I apologize for that. Republican Rep. Jeffrey McNeely of Stony Point questioned whether the language change was sent to anyone in the legislature. McNeely, who is a chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said he did not receive the change notification and requested that he and other chairs be notified of any future change requests. Printing contract As for the printing contract the DMV recently awarded to Canadian Bank Note Secure Technologies, lawmakers questioned the process the agency followed to pick a company. The Canadian company has made drivers licenses and IDs for the state of Virginia for years. The company that currently has the printing business in North Carolina, Idemia, objects to how the new contract was awarded, a DMV spokesman previously told The N&O. Lawmakers also questioned on Tuesday whether CBN Secure Technologies would be equipped to print color IDs. Goodwin said on Tuesday that he learned in 2022 that the current contract with the vendor would end this year and could be extended only an additional year. He also said that he sought to update drivers license and ID credentials to new industry and safety standards, pointing to the modernized U.S. passport books which began being issued in 2021. These new passports have laser-engraved, black-and-white photos and are monochromatic. North Carolina licenses and identification cards are in color. Democratic Rep. Shelly Willingham of Rocky Mount questioned the color printing capacity of the company. Goodwin said Tuesday that the selected vendor can do color. From what I understand is that they would prefer not to because the color is against the industry standards. Based on these security reasons and more, Goodwin said he used current law, which allows the DMV to select up to five projects to help meet modernization goals, to expedite the selection process. From there, the DMV did a market analysis of companies that meet credential requirements and are recognized by the federal government and a nationwide motor vehicle association. This narrowed the field to three companies, which presented their products to the DMV. The chosen company was one of these three, Goodwin said. Republican Rep. Harry Warren of Rowan County questioned why, if a big reason for selecting CBN Secure Technologies was to enhance security via monochromatic passports, a request was not made to move away from color IDs. Goodwin said the DMV shared such a request with DOT leadership and it did not make for whatever reason did not make the final cut. Warren questioned Goodwin on whether he knew if any of his requests shared with DOT were also shared with the legislature. Goodwin replied that since he believes the agency-requested bill was changed, that indicates that, there was, as I understand, communication on that. Warren suggested looping lawmakers into future conversations. I believe weve learned a lot today about the method by which you award contracts and the budget process where we need some improvement on communication, apparently, Warren said. We trust you and your staff will take appropriate steps to see that those changes are implemented, Warren said in closing the committee. He added that the committee looked forward to meeting with Goodwin and Chief Deputy Commissioner Portia Manley, who also attended Wednesday, to discuss ways to improve customer services and other challenges faced by the DMV. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the North Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the North Carolina State Board of Elections, immediately after a pair of GOP-backed election laws went into effect when the state Legislature voted to override the Democratic governors veto. The lawsuit challenges Senate Bill 747, which the plaintiffs claim is designed to undermine the right to vote in North Carolina. The plaintiffs focus on same-day voting changes in the bill, specifically provisions that require voters who register on the same day to produce additional documentation that other voters registering to vote are not required to produce. The plaintiffs take issue with the fact that those same-day registrants ballots would then be discarded if one verification notice is returned undeliverable. The plaintiffs note that registration applications by other voters cannot be rejected unless there are two undeliverable verification notices, and even then, non-same-day voter registration applicants have a method to appeal the ruling, which is not the case for same-day registrants. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. These provisions are not justified by any sufficient state interest, and they will deny eligible voters their fundamental right to cast ballots and have those ballots counted, plaintiffs said. The plaintiffs also take issue with part of the law that eliminates the grace period for absentee ballots and requires the ballots be discarded if not received by 7:30 p.m. on election day. At the same time, they point out, the law extends the time allowed to challenge absentee ballots. The legislature has thus perversely given less time to those who seek to exercise their fundamental right to vote and more time to those who seek to deny it, they wrote. The state Legislature, which has a veto-proof Republican majority, voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto of the bill Tuesday, enacting the new legislation. Republicans have claimed the bill strengthens election integrity, while Democrats dismiss those claims as unfounded and argue the new restrictions seek to rob people of the right to vote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former rheumatologist at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston is accused of coercing a patient into medically unnecessary exams and then fondling, groping and sexually assaulting her, according to a lawsuit. The suit, filed on Oct. 10 in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges Derrick Todd used his position as a physician to develop an inappropriate relationship with Marianne DiTrani, his patient. DiTrani, who publicly identified herself in a statement from her attorneys, first sought out care for her genetic condition that affects her joints and skin in 2022. She described her condition in the lawsuit as debilitating and said she was desperate for relief through specialized treatment from a rheumatologist. Medically unnecessary exams Todd first saw DiTrani as a patient in November 2022 at the Charles River Medical Associates office, also named as a defendant in the suit, the complaint says. DiTrani said Todd asked her a series of inappropriate, invasive, and exploitative questions about her appearance, sexual history and sexual activity during the appointment, according to the lawsuit. Todd coerced her into getting undressed in front of him for a breast examination, the lawsuit said. DiTrani said the exam was medically unnecessary to treat her condition, and when Todd began the exam he groped and fondled her breasts for sexual gratification, according to the lawsuit. Todd also told DiTrani she needed a gynecological exam and made sexualized comments while he rubbed and assaulted her, she said in the lawsuit. DiTrani said Todd didnt have any of the medical instruments normally used by a gynecologist during an exam and the two were alone in the exam room so Todd could pressure her, according to the lawsuit. Over the next two months, DiTrani saw Todd for appointments multiple times, often in the early morning before regular office hours or late in the afternoon as Todds last patient of the day, according to the suit. DiTrani said Todd began texting and calling her outside office hours and on weekends, sometimes with personal messages not related to her medical care. She said in the lawsuit the messages were designed to groom (her) and (Todd) also ... (led) her to believe that her medical conditions required frequent continued office visits with him. McClatchy News reached out to Todds lawyer, Ingrid Martin, for comment on Todds behalf but has not received a reply. To the extent that anyone is bringing claims against him, Dr. Todd believes he has done nothing wrong and will defend against such claims vigorously, Martin told Boston.com. We are cooperating fully with any investigation by the Board of Registration in Medicine. McClatchy News also reached out to the hospital for comment and awaits a response. Brigham and Womens Hospital chief medical officer Charles Morris told Boston.com in a statement the hospital had received two anonymous complaints against Todd in July, and he was placed on administrative leave while the hospital investigated. In January 2023, DiTrani moved to California for work, and Todd continued to treat her remotely, even prescribing medication, from Massachusetts, she said in the lawsuit. Six months later, DiTrani said Todd pressured her to move back to Massachusetts and come back into the office for exams, according to the lawsuit. Dozens more come forward In DiTranis lawsuit, she alleges Brigham and Womens Hospital missed warning signs and then concealed Todds behavior while he continued to abuse patients. We made a decision to terminate his employment after the conclusion of that initial investigation, Morris said in the statement. DiTranis attorneys, Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise and Justice Law Collaborative, said in a news release that there may be hundreds of other victims. Todd was fired by the hospital on July 31, according to the lawsuit. In September, Todd signed a voluntary agreement with the Board of Registration in Medicine for the state of Massachusetts, agreeing to stop practicing medicine in Massachusetts or any other state, according to a Sept. 5 filing. In a statement on Oct. 10, law firm Lubin & Meyer announced it was representing at least 34 other women who say Todd gave them medically unnecessary pelvic and breast exams while he was treating them for rheumatological conditions. DiTrani said even after Todd had been fired and barred from practicing medicine, he continued to contact and harass her until as late at Sept. 29, according to the lawsuit. A medical malpractice lawsuit against Todd was also filed on Sept. 29 in Middlesex Superior Court, Boston.com reported. Martin, Todds lawyer, told the outlet he had not seen the allegations against him in any lawsuit. 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. Nurse swapped anxiety medication used in patients procedures with saline, feds say Doctor used his sperm to secretly inseminate woman in 1986, she says. Now shes suing Nurse stole pain medicines for herself, forcing patients to go without, Iowa cops say Man extracted teeth at illegal dental clinic in back of convenience store, MA cops say P.G. Sittenfeld, former Cincinnati City Council member, walks to a car after being sentenced for bribery and attempted extortion at Potter Tuesday. P.G Sittenfeld, a former Cincinnati city councilman, was sentenced to 16 months in prison on Tuesday for bribery and attempted extortion. Here's how some Cincinnati officials reacted: Cincinnati City Councilman Mark Jeffreys: It is the end of that chapter, one that does not define the city, but it is our job to rebuild trust with the people of Cincinnati. Hamilton County Republican Party Chair Russell Mock: "I feel bad for P.G.'s young family, but I was surprised he only received a 16-month sentence. Tamaya Dennard pleaded guilty, admitting her wrongdoing and received a longer sentence. That seems unfair? Public corruption at any level cannot be tolerated." Former Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Timothy Burke: "I don't believe he should have been charged to begin with ...I believe P.G still has a lot to give to this community and he will continue to do so in the future." Despite Sittenfeld's years of work in Cincinnati politics, many had nothing to say at all. The Enquirer reached out to Mayor Aftab Pureval, former mayors John Cranley and Mark Mallory, former councilmen Chris Seelbach and David Mann, U.S. House Rep. Greg Landsman, and all members of city council, among others. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: P.G. Sittenfeld: How Cincinnati reacted to sentencing After a journey that took him from Florida to Tennessee and back again, Stanley the dog is looking for a forever home again. Stanley was one of the first rescues at the Cape Coral Animal Shelter when it opened in 2020, according to a Facebook post from Bob Sheeler, a volunteer there. Sheeler said he often walked Stanley during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Sheeler is also driving for Stanley. An animal rescuer found Stanley in Tennessee, seemingly abandoned, NBC2 reported. His microchip directed the person who found him to the Cape Coral shelter, according to Sheeler. Stanley briefly lived with a rescuer in Nashville with other dogs before the handoff back to the Cape Coral shelter, Liz McCauley, executive director of the shelter, told McClatchy News in an email. Hes a very sweet dog, McCauley said, adding that hes perfect. Sheeler fueled up with Dunkin and trekked up to Tifton, Georgia, he said in his Sept. 28 post. He got Stanley, who loves car rides, and drove five-and-a-half hours back to Cape Coral, arriving at midnight and then got Stanley settled in again. Peoplehe loves them! All people, including kids, McCauley said when describing the dogs personality. Hes very strong and pulls when he wants to go somewhere, but he listens well and is very smart. Stanleys profile on the shelters website describes him as really a very good boy. Hes between 3-5 years old with a little nubby tail. Im always smiling because I know there is a family out there who will appreciate me for the big lug that I am, Stanley is quoted as saying in his online adoption profile. For a while, Stanley was the shelters longest resident, back in 2020. After 101 days, he was adopted, the shelter announced in July 2020. Hell now go through the process again, but this stay might be shorter, according to McCauley. She told McClatchy News that people have expressed great interest in Stanley since hes been back at the shelter. Fingers crossed he will find a forever home soon, McCauley said. Cape Coral is about 10 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Florida. Butters the cat turns up in California yard 12 years after vanishing. See happy reunion Dog with cheese ball container stuck on head for days gets another chance. Meet Cheeto Dog lived in shelter demolished by hurricane. Now she has new home, Florida rescue says Teaching assistant abandons dog in hot car while buying guns, feds say. The dog died A dog running on borrowed time was rescued after spending three days with a plastic cheese ball container on its head. Now The Last Stop Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Carleton, Michigan, is leading the recovery for the aptly named Cheeto. The dog is believed to be a Great Pyrenees and German shepherd mix, according to the Detroit Free Press. He is likely 60 to 70 pounds underweight and is between 18 months to 2 years old. The dog was first spotted with the container on its head Friday, Oct. 6. A Facebook poster said the dog was unapproachable and timid. Kim Broman Canales, who led the rescue of Cheeto, said the jackpot sighting of the dog came Sunday, Oct. 8. The dog had already been spotted several times roaming the area, unable to drink and eat because of the container on his head. She said she noticed the direction he was traveling, then she hid behind a shed before sneaking up behind the dog and snatching him. There were tears of happiness shed, Canales said in a Facebook post. Some of these cases take a toll on your soul. The past 3 days have been extremely stressful worrying how this would end. The dog was taken to the animal rescue, owned by Tom and Sue Walsh. Hedge clippers were used to slice the container off the dogs head, video shared on Facebook shows. Cheeto, nicknamed that after several other names didnt quite stick, was shown in the video quickly eating food and drinking water. He was probably right down to the wire, Tom Walsh said in the video. The Walshes have posted multiple videos a day chronicling Cheetos recovery. The rescuers are hoping to return the dog to its original owner, the Free Press reported. The rescue is asking for donations to help cover the cost of Cheetos neutering, vaccines and flea medication. Donations can be sent to the nonprofits Paypal. Carleton is about 30 miles southwest of Detroit. Bear cub had pet feeder stuck on head for weeks. Then rescuers stepped in, photos show Masked bandit embarrassed after getting paw stuck in bird feeder, Texas photo shows Dog stuck in Arizona canal cant resist ultimate lure a pumpkin muffin. See the video Criminals including rapists and burglars should not be jailed next week as prisons are too full, judges have been told. Crown court judges have been advised to delay sentencing hearings and reminded to take account of the overcrowding when deciding whether to jail an offender. Some violent offenders and thieves have already been spared jail and instead handed sentences in the community. The moves are among contingency measures being prepared as the number of spare places in the male prison estate has dropped below 150. Other options include increasing the numbers of prisoners held in police cells, the use of magistrate court cells and expanded early release on electronic tags or under curfew. On Wednesday, there were just 124 spare places as the prison population passed 88,100, the highest number since records began more than 120 years ago. Emergency measures discussed The Telegraph disclosed on Monday that prison chiefs feared that this would be the week when prisons in England and Wales ran out of space, the first time this has happened since 2007. Then Tony Blairs government ordered an emergency early release of more than 1,500 prisoners before they had completed their sentences. The move by judges to delay sentencing decisions will be targeted at convicted offenders who are currently free on bail but likely to face jail sentences. They will spend the same time in jail but a criminal justice expert warned: How long before a convicted-but-bailed rapist or burglar reoffends before sentencing? The move was sanctioned in a meeting held remotely between Lord Edis, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales, and senior judges earlier this month. Rishi Sunak is understood to have discussed emergency measures with Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, and Damian Hinds, the prisons minister, at a crisis meeting in Number 10 last month. But government sources said ministers were determined to avoid repeating Labours enforced early release of thousands of prisoners ahead of a general election. Instead, the sources said they were considering all options to expand prison places. Fast-track refurbishment ordered The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has already ordered fast-track refurbishment of empty cells in prisons including HMP Liverpool and HMP Birmingham and is putting 1,000 rapid deployment cells in 18 jails across the country. These are pre-constructed blocks that can be dropped into spare land inside jails. The MoJ has also changed the release rules for offenders serving under four years in jail so that they can be freed from jail earlier on electronic tags and subject to home curfews. Hundreds have so far become eligible for the scheme. The Government has 400 police cells on permanent standby to take the overflow, some of which are already being used and could quickly fill up to capacity. Last week, the Justice Secretary announced plans to rent cells in foreign prisons, but this requires a change in the law that is unlikely to be introduced before next year. Earlier this year, Dominic Raab, then the justice secretary, wrote to judges asking for them to take prison overcrowding into account when passing sentences or deciding whether to remand people in custody. Since then, cases have included a lorry driver who received a suspended sentence due to pressure on the prison estate despite punching and repeatedly kicking a man in a road rage incident. Sources at the MoJ stressed that no final decisions had been taken on any contingency measures. 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. Kari Lake, a candidate who ran to be governor of Arizona and refused to concede defeat, says she will seek the state's Senate seat in 2024's election. Ms Lake parroted her ally Donald Trump by insisting her loss in 2022 was the result of widespread fraud. She enters a close race, which could feature incumbent Sen Kyrsten Sinema and Democrat Rep Ruben Gallego . Speaking to supporters at a rally in Arizona on Tuesday, Ms Lake spent much of her speech criticising Joe Biden . The 54-year-old Republican hit out at the president's policies on the US border with Mexico, attacking media organisations as "un-American" and praising Mr Trump's tenure in the White House. "We've got one year to save this country and we've got to go in a different direction, people. We've got to go away from Joe Biden," she said. "We need to get America first patriots in the Senate." "There is an invasion at the Arizona border RIGHT NOW. Kyrsten Sinema and Ruben Gallego repeatedly voted AGAINST funding the border wall. They have rubber-stamped this open borders agenda. Arizonans are sick of it," she later added in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. Ms Lake, who ultimately lost last year's gubernatorial election by a margin 17,000 votes, launched an unsuccessful legal challenge of her defeat. The court refused to hear the challenge in full, saying in March that there was no evidence ballots had been wrongly added to the final count. But her stance won the support of Mr Trump, who backed her bid in a video message at Tuesday's rally and offered his "complete and total endorsement". "In the Senate we have to have a big strong majority to help me push our America First agenda through and to push it through really fast," Mr Trump said. "Kari is one of the toughest fighters in our movement." Ms Lake faces little competition so far to seize the Republican nomination. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is the only other member of the party to enter the race so far. But polling suggests a tough competition between Ms Lake, Sen Sinema and Rep Gallego. The state, which was once consistently Republican, was won by President Biden in 2020. Sen Sinema was elected as a Democrat in 2018, flipping the seat held by retiring Republican Sen Jeff Flake. But she left the party last year to sit as an independent, saying she took the move to fight what she called a "broken partisan system". The 47-year-old has yet to announce whether she will seek a second term. Rep Gallego, a former US marine who some polls suggest holds a narrow lead in the race, was quick to hit out at Ms Lake's announcement. Writing on X, he accused her of "undermining of our democracy". "That's why voters rejected you the first time around and we'll do it again," he said. The headquarters of the Broward Sheriffs Office closed its front doors to the public early Thursday morning as a group of BSO deputies and corrections officers turned themselves in after being charged with ripping off a federal government loan program meant to help businesses that struggled to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sign said the agencys entrance was temporarily closed and yellow cones blocked the path to its front door. Later that morning, 17 BSO employees appeared in Fort Lauderdale federal court on charges of fleecing the Paycheck Protection Program, the main pandemic relief benefit for struggling businesses. Almost all were charged in separate indictments with wire fraud, all received bonds, and almost all were scheduled for arraignments later this month. Its all very disappointing, BSO Sheriff Gregory Tony said during an afternoon news conference at the agencys headquarters, noting that the accused BSO employees have been suspended and will be fired. This is theft from the American people. Among the multiple pandemic loan fraud cases: BSO deputy Keith Mahlon Dunkley stands accused of setting up a company called Global Group Alliances and submitting two falsified applications for COVID-19 relief loans. He pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of conspiring to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors say his company lied about its income on loan applications and submitted a fabricated IRS tax return with them. As a result, Dunkleys business received a Paycheck Protection Program loan for $18,540 and another under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for $17,500 during the pandemic. The loans were small because of caps on a business with a sole proprietor. Dunkleys case was similar to the others filed in federal court in Fort Lauderdale. In total, the BSO employees received about $500,000 from the PPP and EIDL programs approved by Congress as part of the CARES Act after the pandemic swept the nation in March 2020. Although the total amount of lost loan money seems relatively modest compared to dozens of other COVID-19 relief fraud cases in South Florida, the sheer number of law enforcement officers charged with breaking the law in one police agency stood out as shocking, authorities said. At the afternoon news conference, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe said the BSO employees were law enforcement officers sworn to uphold the law and the publics trust but didnt. They undermined that very trust, Lapointe said as each cashed in on the federal loan program guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. He noted that their crimes did not have a conspiratorial component with a ringleader at the center, pointing out that each one learned about the pandemic program by word of mouth and saw an opportunity to make some easy money. Tony, the BSO sheriff, said that the investigation began in late 2021 with a probe of a single deputy and evidence from that case led to an evaluation of the entire 5,500-employee agency. He said the internal probe found that 100 deputies and corrections officers applied for COVID-19 business loans, and a referral was made to the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office. Of those, FBI agents found that a total of 17 BSO employees broke the law by falsifying information about their businesses so they could qualify for the pandemic relief loans. I hated to see some of the names on that list, Tony said. Some of them were good officers. According to sources, many of the deputies and jail officers were notified over the weekend and into Monday that they had been suspended. Their badges, uniforms and weapons were taken away. They worked in BSOs offices and jails across Broward County, the sources said. The federal investigation revealed for the first time an extensive network of law enforcement officers accused of defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program. Since its passage, South Florida has been a hotbed of PPP loan fraud committed by business people and others charged with stealing millions from the government program by falsifying loan information about their companies, employees, revenue, income and taxes. Several used their ill-gotten loans to buy expensive Lamborghini, Tesla, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and Bentley automobiles. The Paycheck Protection Program allocated about $800 billion in loans through banks that were entirely guaranteed by the Small Business Administration and, in almost all instances, forgiven as long as the money was used for payroll and other legitimate overhead costs. The crackdown on the BSO employees was led by the FBI and other federal agencies, along with prosecutors Marc Anton, Trevor Jones, David Snider and Bertha Mitrani. Their prosecutions marked the latest of about 200 South Florida defendants charged with fraudulently obtaining PPP and related pandemic benefits since the viral outbreak. Most of the defendants have been convicted and sentenced to several years in prison. South Florida, long known as the nations capital of fraud schemes, has incurred more than 150 PPP criminal cases over the past three years, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Dozens of students were trampled earlier this week during a candlelight vigil supporting Israel at the University of Florida after a woman fainted at the event. Some 30 people were reported injured in the Monday night stampede, which university officials say was triggered by misunderstanding and panic when campus police officers responded to the woman having a medical issue at the demonstration. This appears to be a misinterpretation by event participants who were already in a heightened state of alert, given the circumstances surrounding the vigil, Linda J. Stump-Kurnick, University of Floridas police chief, said in a statement Tuesday. The scene at Floridas flagship university in Gainesville illustrates how the fighting in Israel is reverberating in the U.S. and putting people on edge, particularly on college campuses. Far-left students across the country have been vocally pushing pro-Palestinian support after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel over the weekend. Their support for Palestinians has caused major rifts between students and administrators at some of the nations most prestigious schools. University of Florida campus police believe there was no foul play or malicious intent at the root of the Monday incident after investigating reports of a loud sound that was unable to be confirmed. About 30 people were hurt at the unity with Israel event and treated by first responders or at a nearby hospital, the local Gainesville Sun reported. Police initially stated that "at least five people" were hurt. Students told reporters they feared the worst a terrorist attack when the crowd started to panic amid the medical emergency. In the aftermath, the street was littered with clothes, shoes and peoples belongings and the hospitals were crowded with injured demonstrators, according to reports. Jewish groups at UF who put on the vigil reported that everyone is safe after the event with the exception of minor injuries. It was a moving and beautiful evening, leaders of Chabad UF and Hillel UF said in a combined statement. University of Florida president Ben Sasse, a former Republican senator from Nebraska, spoke at the vigil before the stampede broke out, telling students that the night was an opportunity for our community to condemn Hamas' terrorism and stand by our Jewish Gators. Hamas terror attacks are heinous and deserve the condemnation of civilized people around the world, Sasse said in remarks at the vigil. UF campus police are expected to have an "increased visible presence" on campus over the next few days, according to the agency. Pro-Palestinian student groups on college campuses across the U.S. are voicing their support for Hamas terrorists' attack against Israel, claiming that the actions by the terror group are part of a "liberation movement." More than 1,900 people have been killed in the war since Hamas launched its largest attack on Israel in decades on Saturday, leading to retaliatory action from Israeli forces. Thousands more have been wounded, and many others have been taken hostage by Hamas and raped, tortured and murdered. The statements from several dozen Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at various universities across the country come after about 30 Harvard University student groups faced widespread criticism for signing onto a statement blaming Israel for Hamas' attack. The Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups wrote, "We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence." The Students for Justice in Palestine chapters purport in their respective statements released since Saturday that Israel is not the victim and Hamas is fighting for liberation. HARVARD STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS CLAIM ISRAEL ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR GAZA ATTACKS "We call to attention that the Israeli occupation has created a multi-generational diaspora that is inextricably linked to the insurmountable destruction of the Palestinian way of life," the University of California, Berkley, chapter wrote. "Hence, Israel, as a settler colonial state, renders Palestinian existence inherently an act of resistance. We invariably reject Israel's framing as a victim. Whereas to demonize and condemn indigenous resistance is to overshadow the decades of oppression, ethnic cleansing, and destruction of the Palestinian people." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "We support the resistance, we support the liberation movement, and we indisputably support the Uprising," the group added. The George Washington University chapter wrote, "GWU Students for Justice in Palestine stands in full support of the liberation of our homeland and our people's right to resist the violent 75-year long colonization of our homeland by any means necessary." "Over the past few days, Palestinians in Gaza and across occupied Palestine have mobilized against the Zionist entity, seizing settlements imposed on our land in violation of international law," the statement said. "For the first time in our history, Palestinians have reclaimed land that we were ethnically cleansed from in 1948. Over 50% of Gaza's population is under 18 years old. The vast majority of them have never been outside of the colonial prison walls, have never set foot on a single inch of the land that their families were violently ethnically cleansed from. This past weekend we witnessed them breaking free, tearing down the prison walls, and making it known to the world: WE WILL BE CAGED NO LONGER." The GWU chapter further alleged that the "mobilization is NOT unprovoked," adding the attack on Israel is a "response to the brutal blockade and siege on Gaza that has left over 2 million of our people languishing under starvation and terror." George Mason University's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter called for a "free Palestine, from the river to the sea, and support all forms of resistance which helps [sic] the Palestinian people inch closer to that reality." HARVARD LAW STUDENT LINKED TO STATEMENT BLAMING ISRAEL DENOUNCES CONTENTS, SAYS SHE DIDN'T READ IT In the Tar Heel State, the University of North Carolina's chapter says it is their "moral obligation to be in solidarity with the dispossessed, no matter the pathway to liberation they choose to take. This includes violence." The University of Virginia chapter said the attack against Israel on Saturday represents a "step towards a free Palestine." The chapter also said it mourns the loss of human life taken in the war and hopes for "long-lasting peace" that it says cannot be achieved without the establishment of equity and justice. "Some place the impetus on the Palestinians to be the 'perfect victims' of their own colonial narrative, only resisting through nonviolent protest and appealing to the moral character of the imperialist nations that fund their colonization," the statement reads. "We reject the assumption that oppressed people cannot take their liberation into their own hands or that outside onlookers know better than the subjects of colonial occupation what is necessary to gain their freedom." Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares condemned UVA's statement, saying he denounces the "hateful message" of the UVA Students for Justice in Palestine in the "strongest terms possible." He said, "You cannot 'mourn the loss of human life' and 'hope for long-lasting peace' and also cheer on the murder, rape, and hostage-taking by Hamas, a terrorist organization that exists for the destruction and murder of Jewish people." Other Students for Justice in Palestine chapters include those from the University of South Florida, the University of Illinois, New York University and Ohio State University, among several dozen others. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares condemned UVA's statement, saying he denounces the "hateful message" of the UVA Students for Justice in Palestine in the "strongest terms possible." The national Students for Justice in Palestine organization, meanwhile, is calling for campus chapters to organize a national "day of resistance" on college campuses across the U.S. and Canada, according to The Daily Signal. In a toolkit released by the national organization, campus chapters are urged to participate in a day of resistance on Thursday. Multiple campus chapters have already announced their plans to organize these events. "We as Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement, not in solidarity with this movement," the toolkit reads. "This is a moment of mobilization for all Palestinians. We must act as part of this movement. All of our efforts continue the work and resistance of Palestinians on the ground." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Anti-Defamation League said it is concerned about these events and the "inflammatory" statements from the campus chapters. "Although these are all non-violent tactics, they raise the real possibility of creating a hostile environment for Jewish students, and the confrontational spirit that permeates the toolkit raises the concern that these actions could lead to acts of harassment or vandalism targeting Jewish students and organizations," the ADL said in a statement. Original article source: Dozens of pro-Palestinian university student chapters celebrate attack on Israel: 'Not unprovoked' Knives and a crossbow were recovered from a man who was fatally shot by police after crashing a car into the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. The man, who has not yet been named by police, swung the knives in close proximity to officers in the moments before they opened fire, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The incident occurred shortly after 3pm on Monday when the suspect drove their car into the visa office of the Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China, located at Laguna Street and Geary Boulevard. Sergeant Kathryn Winters told reporters that an officer-involved shooting had occurred and that the suspect had later died in hospital. Witnesses reported that the driver shouted Wheres the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)? as he emerged from the blue Honda car, which had come to rest inside the lobby of the Chinese Consulate. Tony Xin told KTVU-TV that he saw the driver had blood on his head and was holding two knives. Xin saw a security guard trying to detain the driver before he ran out of the building through the damaged doorway. I heard a really loud bang. I thought it was gunshots. I looked to the left and there was smoke, Xin said. I turned back and saw the guy take out a crossbow." The San Francisco Chronicle also reported, via a source close to the case, that a crossbow had later been recovered from the scene. The Chinese diplomatic post in San Francisco issued a statement on Monday saying it strongly condemned the violent attack, adding that it reserves the right to pursue responsibility for the incident. Chinese Consulate Car Crash (Bay Area News Group) The statement also demanded more details about what happened and asked that it be dealt with seriously in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the White House also condemned the incident and all violence perpetrated against foreign diplomatic staff. A White House official, who was not authorised to comment and spoke on condition of anonymity, said US government officials had been in contact with Chinese foreign ministry officials, adding that investigators believe the driver was acting with malign intent. The incident comes as San Francisco is preparing to host next months Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a gathering of world leaders from Pacific Rim nations. President Joe Biden plans to attend but its not clear if Chinese President Xi Jinping will come. An OIS occurred yesterday afternoon in the Northern District when officers responded to the area of Geary/Laguna regarding a vehicle that crashed into a building. The shooting occurred when officers contacted the suspect. https://t.co/aQuTEbFTU6 pic.twitter.com/4lTIxOQeVx San Francisco Police (@SFPD) October 10, 2023 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin again called for an investigation at a daily briefing Tuesday without giving any details about damage to the consulate or injuries to staff and visitors. We strongly urge the US to launch a swift investigation and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel there in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, Mr Wang said, referring to the 1961 agreement governing relations between countries. The San Francisco consulate has been targeted a number of times before. Among the most serious was a fire set by a Chinese man on New Years Day 2014 at the main entrance. It charred a section of the outside of the building. The man, who was living in the San Francisco Bay Area, told authorities he was driven by voices he was hearing. He was sentenced to nearly three years in prison. A drug dealer who was part of the crew that sold actor Michael K. Williams a lethal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin has been sentenced. Luis Cruz, 58, was ordered to serve at least five years behind bars, with a maximum of 40 years, on Tuesday in a New York City court. He had previously pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy in April. Michael K Williams (2020 Invision) At that hearing, Cruz reportedly said he sold drugs to support his own addiction. However, he said he said he would rarely register the fact some of the drugs he sold contained fentanyl. It was a terrible mistake in judgment, he wrote in a letter to the judge. A search of Cruzs apartment found more than 500 small bags of drugs, according to authorities. Williams, who was best known for starring the HBOs The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, was found dead in his Williamsburg penthouse in September 2021. One day earlier, the 54-year-old was seen on a CCTV video buying drugs from Irvin Cartagena, another member of the gang. Williams had spoken regularly about his difficult childhood and issues with drug addiction. Williams posthumous memoir, Scenes From My Life, which discussed his battle with addiction (Crown Publishing) Cartagena took a plea deal with a 10-year minimum as he was the person to hand Williams the fatal dose. A third member of the group got more than two years in prison and the fourth person has yet to be sentenced. The third of four drug-dealing crew members linked to the death of actor Michael K. Williams was sentenced to five years behind bars Tuesday in New York City. The Associated Press reports Luis Cruz, who pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of narcotics conspiracy in April, was handed the sentence by a federal judge. His lawyer, Deborah Colson, told the outlet that Cruz accepted responsibility and provided a genuine, heartfelt apology, but declined to comment any further. Williams overdosed at his Brooklyn penthouse in Sept. 2021, just hours after he purchased heroin from another member within the crew, Irvin Cartagena, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August. Despite Williams death, the crew continued to sell the the fentanyl-laced heroin. It was a terrible mistake in judgment, Cruz wrote before his sentencing in a letter to the judge, adding that he was addicted to drugs and dealt to support his habit. Read it at Associated Pres Read more at The Daily Beast. Cannabis is not actually legal in the Netherlands (Joris FIORITI) In the back room of "The Baron", a Dutch marijuana-selling "coffee shop", owner Rick Brand excitedly browsed through the cannabis products he will soon be able to offer. "The legal producer has this type and this one," he said, pointing to products named "Runtz" and "Wedding Cake". "I've tasted it. It was great." "The Baron" is one of a handful of coffee shops taking part in a new experiment from December to offer high quality "legal cannabis" from government-approved suppliers. Contrary to widespread perception, pot is not actually legal in the Netherlands but since the 1970s, it has been "tolerated" up to a certain point. Coffee shops may not stock more than 500 grammes (Just over one pound) of cannabis, nor sell more than five grammes per day to the same customer. Growing and supplying cannabis is illegal, meaning coffee shops are technically operating outside the law when they receive stock -- sometimes from shadowy criminal suppliers. The 61-year-old Brand, who has been selling pot for 32 years, believes that getting everything above board will deliver legal clarity for coffee shop owners -- with more choice and better quality products for consumers. He is dealing with a nearby supplier selected by the authorities, who has been preparing for this experiment for years. The legal grey zone leads to uncertainty over precisely what smokers are getting in their joints, he told AFP. "What we've been receiving until now sometimes contains pesticide, but also foreign agents to increase weight. Actually, we don't really know," he said. The experiment will allow him to sell cannabis that is "100 percent pure," he said. Due to the legal situation, Brand declines to reveal where he currently receives his stock, but stresses he has no links to criminal suppliers. - 'Good old weed' - Inside the cafe, Brand's customers receive their cannabis in the shape of a small green ball. Smoke billows throughout the room and even out into the street, as a distinctive cannabis smell fills the air. Souad, a regular at "The Baron", who did not wish to give his last name due to the sensitivities still surrounding coffee shops, was eager for the new experiment to start. "We will soon be able to smoke good old weed grown here in the Netherlands," he said, joint in hand. The experiment, which begins on December 15 and lasts four years, will kick off in the southern cities of Breda and Tilburg before being expanded to others including one area of Amsterdam, which hosts most of the country's 564 coffee shops. Cannabis remains a political hot potato in the Netherlands. Two of the four parties in Prime Minister Mark Rutte's outgoing coalition remain opposed to legalising the drug. Rutte's centre-right party wants to wait to see how the "legally supplied" coffee shops fare compared to those still receiving supplies from non-approved sources. Many experts fear that the Dutch tolerance of soft drugs like cannabis has led to a rise in consumption and trade of illegal hard narcotics such as cocaine -- with a related climb in organised crime. On the streets of Breda, most were in favour of the trial, but there were still some dissenting voices, including 50-year-old student counsellor Maaike Dijkstra. "The idea that you can buy it anywhere and easily... I wonder if it doesn't just mean that young people from puberty onwards will be able to start smoking even more easily than they do today," she told AFP. amo-jcp/ric/jm A 22-year-old woman died Tuesday after crashing a stolen vehicle into oncoming traffic along Eagle Road during a pursuit by the Meridian Police Department. Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea held a news conference Tuesday night after officers were called to The Village at around 5:30 p.m. for a theft involving Payette resident Tylisha Evans and two male accomplices, according to Basterrechea and the Ada County Coroners Office. Evans died at the scene, Basterrechea said, and the occupants of the other vehicles were treated for minor injuries. Basterrechea told reporters, according to a recording of the news conference posted by KTVB, that officers located Evans driving a stolen vehicle and activated their overhead lights. Evans immediately drove into oncoming traffic along East Longwing Lane, he said. Basterrechea said the vehicle was stolen from Ontario, Oregon. Evans then headed south down Eagle Road, jumping the median and, Basterrechea said, reaching speeds of nearly 90 mph. Then, he said, when the vehicle reached the railroad tracks along Eagle Road, the vehicle veered to the left, jumped the median into oncoming traffic and crashed into several vehicles in the northbound lanes of Eagle Road. The Coroners Office said the collision involved four vehicles. The Coroners Office said Evans died from multiple blunt force injuries. Her death was ruled an accident. Safety of all of our residents is our top priority at the Meridian Police Department, Basterrechea said at Tuesdays news conference. We understand that pursuits are inherently dangerous in their nature, however, we do not get to dictate the actions of the suspect. During the pursuit of Evans, one of the male suspects stole a security vehicle from The Village, Basterrechea said. Meridian police officers located the vehicle on Franklin Road and briefly chased it before ending the pursuit for safety reasons, Basterrechea said. Idaho State Police located the security vehicle on Interstate 84 near the Oregon border and initiated a pursuit with the assistance of the Oregon State Police, Basterrechea said. Neither of the male suspects were apprehended, Meridian police spokesperson Kelsey Winnett told the Idaho Statesman by text. The Idaho Statesman has reached out to Idaho State Police for additional information. Anyone with information regarding the male suspects is asked to call the Meridian Police Departments non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790. Police are also asking anyone who might have video of the pursuit or crash to email it to the Ada County Sheriffs Office at acsofeedback@adacounty.id.gov. The crash will be investigated by the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force with the Ada County Sheriffs Office leading the investigation. Typically the task force investigates police shootings, but they also investigate any incidents where someone is injured, dies or could have been injured or killed because of an officers use of force. There have been 10 police shootings throughout the Treasure Valley this year, with seven of the shootings being fatal. The Meridian Police Department hasnt been involved in a police shooting since June 2022 when several law enforcement agencies shot and injured 40-year Jake Cottrell. The Eurasian beaver family are the newest residents of the Paradise Fields wetlands Beavers have been reintroduced to west London for the first time in about 400 years in a bid to improve biodiversity and help mitigate the impact of climate change. The family of five Eurasian beavers were released at Paradise Fields, an area of wetlands in Ealing. They were relocated from a wild beaver population in Scotland by a coalition of wildlife groups. It is hoped they will improve the local habitat and reduce flood risks. The project is being paid for as part of the mayor's Rewild London Fund. Elliot Newton, co-founder of Citizen Zoo, told BBC London: "Beavers became extinct in the UK 400 years ago so this is part of bringing them back into the landscape where they deserve to be." The release was organised by a coalition of wildlife groups and was paid for as part of the mayor's Rewild London Fund Sean McCormack, a vet and chair of Ealing Wildlife Group, said the beavers could play an important part in London's urban wildlife. He said there had been plans to spend money on flood prevention measures in Greenford but the beavers were offered as a "cost-effective, nature based" solution. "In high rainfall events, the brook flash floods and all of that water flushes through in a matter of minutes and floods urban Greenford," Dr McCormack said. "[The beavers] will turn this into a sponge where the land will hold more water behind their dams, in their ponds in these complex wetlands, and it will release slowly." The area where the beavers have been released will be closed to the public for one month to allow the animals to settle in. Dr McCormack said the public would later be welcomed on "beaver safaris" so people could learn more about them. At the scene: BBC London's Transport and Environment correspondent, Tom Edwards It has taken years of work for the volunteers to get to this point and there was lots of emotion this morning when the Scottish beavers were released in Greenford. They didn't mess about and were soon out of their cages and in the water. These beautiful native creatures are much bigger than you think and seeing them slap their tails on the water brought joy and fascination to those watching. It was a privilege to be there. More practically, the water levels will now be monitored to see if beavers can help prevent flash flooding - which has become more frequent with climate change. Beavers are known as nature's engineers and they will soon get to work remodelling their new west London home with dams and trenches. London mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I'm proud that we are turning London into a wildlife haven, as well as making the city more resilient to the effects of climate change." The beaver family includes a mother, father and their three children Last year two beavers, named Justin and Sigourney Beaver, were introduced to a farm in north London, but one of them died before the pair could breed. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk California recently passed a new law creating an Ebony Alert, a notification system that will keep the public informed about missing Black children and young people in an effort to address the disparity in missing persons cases. The Ebony Alert system which will be used for Black people aged 12 to 25 takes effect in California on Jan. 1, 2024, when it will become the first statewide program of its kind in the country. What is an Ebony Alert? California's legislation will allow law enforcement agencies across the state to submit requests directly to California Highway Patrol to activate an Ebony Alert, which will notify the public about incidents involving Black children and young people who are reported missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, or who have been abducted. The alert will also apply to situations where the missing person is disabled, cognitively impaired or otherwise at risk. Highway patrol will then activate the alert within a designated geographic area, as requested by the investigating law enforcement agency, and "assist the agency by disseminating specified alert messages and signs, if the department concurs with the agency that an Ebony Alert would be an effective tool in the investigation of a missing person according to specified factors," the text of the legislation says. Similar to an Amber Alert, that means an Ebony Alert could be displayed on electric signs along roads and highways. Television, cable, online, radio and social media outlets are also encouraged to pick up and share more widely the information in an alert. How does an Ebony Alert differ from an Amber Alert? Amber Alerts began as a local partnership between broadcasters and police in Dallas-Fort Worth to find abducted children in 1996, and expanded over the next several years into warning systems used throughout the country. The program has helped recover at least 1,127 children since it launched, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. But advocacy groups and policymakers, both within and outside of just California, have criticized the Amber Alert system for overlooking missing children who are Black, despite the fact that Black children make up a significant portion of missing people across the country. California's Ebony Alert system aims to address the racial disparity. It will apply to children and young people ages 12 to 25, as California lawmakers hope to confront a disproportionate number of young Black women who are missing. At least 39% of children reported missing in the United States in 2022 were Black, according to the Black and Missing Foundation, which said 153,374 children of color were still missing across the country as of Oct. 11. That figure included people younger than 18 who are African American, Asian and Indian. The nonprofit organization has compiled breakdowns of nationwide missing persons statistics by race, age and gender, using data from the Justice Department's National Criminal Information Center as well as the Census Bureau. Race was listed as unknown for a small percentage of children reported missing. "A lot of minority children are initially classified as runaways, and as a result do not receive the Amber Alert," the foundation writes on its website, while "missing minority adults are labeled as associated with criminal involvement gangs and drugs." Statistics for adults reported missing in the U.S. last year showed at least 39% were people of color. Berry Accius, the founder of Voice of the Youth, a Sacramento-based nonprofit youth mentoring and motivational speaking program, told CBS Sacramento, "You see the difference of when White girls go missing and Black girls go missing ... The sense of urgency is not there." Who proposed or voted for it? California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Sunday that creates the Ebony Alert notification system. Passed earlier as Sen. Bill 673, the legislation was authored by Sen. Steven Bradford, a Democrat whose district covers a large block of southern Los Angeles County. "Today, California is taking bold and needed action to locate missing Black children and Black women in California," Bradford said in a statement released by his office recently after Newsom signed the law. "Our Black children and young women are disproportionately represented on the lists of missing persons. This is heartbreaking and painful for so many families and a public crisis for our entire state. The Ebony Alert can change this," his statement continued, adding that the notification system "will ensure that vital resources and attention are given so we can bring home missing Black children and women in the same way we search for any missing child and missing person." In addition to citing statistics on missing Black children, Bradford also pointed to human trafficking data that found Black women and girls are at increased risk of being harmed and trafficked in the U.S. In 2020, a report by the Congressional Black Caucus showed 40% of sex trafficking victims were identified as Black women after a two-year review of all suspected human trafficking incidents nationwide. The report said Black girls are more likely to be trafficked at a younger age than their racial counterparts, and, referencing data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, found that Black children make up more than 57% of all juvenile prostitution arrests. California's Ebony Alert legislation is sponsored by the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference. In a statement, Rick Callender, the conference president, called its signing into law "a historic breakthrough, guaranteeing that Black children and young Black women will receive the attention and protection they need when they are reported missing." "This is a great first step to mitigating the racial inequities when it comes to Black women and children when they go missing," Callender said in the statement. How the Israel-Hamas war differs from past conflicts in region Lawmakers propose bipartisan resolution supporting Israel House Republicans unsure how quickly they can elect speaker Here comes Santa Clause and Eddie Murphy ! The veteran comedian stars alongside Tracee Ellis Ross in a new Amazon Prime holiday adventure flick called "Candy Cane Lane." Murphy plays Chris Carver, a father bent on winning his neighborhoods annual Christmas home decoration contest come hell or high snow, according to a press release sent to TODAY.com, Ellis Ross will step into the role of Chris' wife, Carol. Eddie Murphy (Claudette Barius / Prime Video) "After Chris inadvertently makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning, she casts a magic spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, and wreaks havoc on the whole town," the press release explains. "At the risk of ruining the holidays for his family, Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their three children must race against the clock to break Peppers spell, battle deviously magical characters, and save Christmas for everyone." In addition to Ellis Ross, "Candy Cane Lane" includes Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino and Nick Offerman. If the movies synopsis is any indicator, youll want to add this to your holiday movie watch list. See the first trailer for "Candy Cane Lane" The first glimpse of Murphy's foray into holiday movies came in a trailer released on Oct. 12. The clip shows Murphy's enthusiastic planning on how to win the holiday decoration contest. The smooth-talking elf played by Bell makes an appearance, convincing Murphy's character to sign a contract that she jokes is like "signing your life away." When Murphy's family discovers he made a deal with the elf for the best holiday display, the wisecracks quickly follow. "Hold up, that was your wish? Not like, I don't know, world peace," his daughter says. His son and daughter then wonder why he didn't also wish to end hunger, homelessness and climate change and a new Drake album. "Ooh, I love Drake," Ellis Ross says. "Point taken," Murphy replies. When does 'Candy Cane Lane' come out? Catch the PG-rated movie on Dec. 1 on Amazon Prime Video. This is Murphy's first holiday movie Eddie Murphy cracked up viewers with his performances in hits like "48 Hrs," "Beverly Hills Cop," and "Trading Places," but it was his role in "Boomerang" that convinced audiences he could be a charmer. Candy Cane Lane reunites the actor with Boomerang director Reginald Hudlin for the first time since the movie debuted in 1992. Brian Grazer, who produced Boomerang, is also a producer of the holiday movie. Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross (Claudette Barius / Prime Video) You can visit the street 'Candy Cane Lane' is based on The movie's writer, Kelly Younger, drew inspiration for the screenplay from his own experiences living on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California, according to Amazons press release. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Abortion opponents arent satisfied just getting abortion banned or nearly banned in various states. They want to make it as difficult as possible for people to get help leaving their state to go to another where the procedure is legal. So opponents have been turning their sights on private abortion funds that have been set up in states that prohibit or severely restrict abortion. The funds, which are nonprofits that depend on donations and philanthropic grants, have been a lifeline to pregnant people who cannot afford to travel to a state that allows abortion and to pay for the procedure. Read more: Editorial: Mexico decriminalizes abortion while U.S. states want to criminalize it Some of these funds, in states with abortion restrictions and bans, have to deal with local officials and state legislators scheming to find ways to shut them down or intimidate them into shutting down. Once threatened, the funds may have little choice but to stop providing funds until they can figure out legally how to proceed. The Yellowhammer Fund, which does advocacy work and provides financial assistance to people in Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle seeking abortions or advice, filed a lawsuit in July against Alabama Atty. Gen. Steve Marshall after he threatened to sue abortion funds or other organizations providing help. The lawsuit argues he has interfered with the Yellowhammer Funds constitutional rights as well as those of pregnant Alabama residents who want to exercise their right to travel out of state. Funds in Texas have been particularly imperiled. In the wake of the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision overturning Roe vs. Wade, a group of Texas-based funds brought a lawsuit against the state's Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton and local prosecutors. The funds allege that state officials had threatened to pursue criminal charges against them for providing resources to people to get an abortion outside the state. (None of the funds subsidize abortions in Texas, where the procedure is nearly completely outlawed.) Read more: Editorial: A federal judge outlaws an abortion pill that's safer than Tylenol. This is ridiculous The funds argued the officials threats had chilled professionals from providing counseling, financial, logistical, and even informational assistance to pregnant Texans and violated their 1st Amendment rights. Only when U.S District Judge Robert Pitman issued a preliminary injunction in February that stops prosecutors in eight counties from criminally charging abortion funds in Texas did most of them resume providing financial assistance. Still, the abortion opponents managed to slow the funds' work and that is clearly part of what they wanted. But that injunction didnt stop the intimidation. One of the defendants in the funds' lawsuit Shannon Thomason, the former mayor of Big Spring, one of several Texas cities that declared themselves a sanctuary for the unborn requested, as part of legal discovery, information about the funds donors, staff, volunteers and the names of doctors who have provided abortion care to Texans out of state. Thomason also asked each fund to identify the date of every abortion they have facilitated since Sept. 1, 2021. Read more: Editorial: A federal judge outlaws an abortion pill that's safer than Tylenol. This is ridiculous This is another outrageous attempt to rattle reproductive rights advocates. It would provide information to people who may try to target donors or staff under the notorious Senate Bill 8, which allows private citizens to sue people for helping Texans get an abortion. The funds lawyers have filed for a protective order against having to answer any of these invasive questions, arguing that this information is constitutionally protected. The Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade said states could decide whether abortion was legal in their states. It did not make pregnant people captives of their state legislators and state prosecutors. It did not give state officials license to concoct ways to block funders and advocates from working to protect reproductive rights even in states such as Texas. Last we looked, funding and advocacy remain activities permitted in the United States. Courts should make sure they vigorously protect those activities from intimidation wherever it crops up. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. South Bend Mayor James Mueller told the South Bend Tribune last week that he doesn't plan to formally debate Republican challenger Desmont Upchurch ahead of next month's general election. For the sake of residents who will cast their votes for the city's highest elected office, we hope the mayor reverses his stand. Mueller's declining to debate would make history and not in a good way: It would mark the first time in at least three decades that South Bend mayoral candidates wont exchange views side-by-side in a televised event. According to The Tribune's archives, South Bend mayoral candidates have debated ahead of every general election since at least 1995. Indiana University South Bend's American Democracy Project was scheduled to host a mayoral debate this week along with the League of Women Voters. Mueller's campaign opted not to participate because of scheduling conflicts, his campaign manager said. The mayor also expressed concerns about debating a candidate who has admitted to hitting a woman more than 20 years ago. Mueller told The Tribune that he doesnt want to normalize violence against women by sharing a public platform with Upchurch, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for slapping his girlfriend in 2000. Mueller's campaign expressed such concerns before agreeing to participate in The Tribune's mayoral forum last week. We said then what we say now: A forum (or debate) is the appropriate place to air such issues about a candidate who is on the ballot. Mueller referred "interested voters" to The Tribune forum where, he noted, "They can see the candidates going head-to-head there." But voters benefit from as much information as possible, so a single forum which was more of a conversation than a debate shouldn't be the only opportunity they have to size up the candidates side-by-side. Elizabeth Bennion, an IUSB political science professor who leads the democracy project, said she worries about the break from precedent Mueller's decision not to debate would represent. She sees participation in debates as a commitment to democracy. We expressed much the same sentiment a few years ago in an editorial after a number of candidates for St. Joseph County offices, most of them Republicans, opted out of participating in debates. The explanations for declining to debate included a preference for door-to-door campaigning and a prior commitment to officiate high school girls volleyball games. None of the reasons offered seemed a legitimate excuse for depriving the public of an opportunity to take the candidates' measure and get a feel for how they handle the unexpected, the unscripted. Declining to participate in debates, we wrote then and still believe, is an "affront to voters." Editorials represent the opinion of the Tribune Editorial Board. Its members are Audience Engagement Editor Alesia I. Redding, Enterprise Editor Cory Havens and Executive Editor Ismail Turay Jr. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Mayor Mueller should debate his opponent. Kim Foxx , who is about to leave her post as Cook County states attorney, has some new questions to answer. Her imminent exit shouldnt be cause to dodge them. The Tribunes Stacy St. Clair and Christy Gutowski reported Sunday on how Foxxs office for two years refused to provide defense attorneys with an internal memo outlining improper behavior by one of its veteran prosecutors towards a potential witness in a high-profile murder case even after a judge ordered them to do so. What emerges is that two defendants in the 2017 killing of 19-year-old Fontaine Sanders in a North Lawndale park recently obtained a deal from Foxxs office in which they were allowed to plead to aggravated battery with a firearm instead of standing trial for murder. Having awaited trial in lockup for six years, they will serve another six under the deal before their release. The judge in the case openly marveled at the defendants good fortune. Sometimes life isnt fair, he said. How the case finally was resolved is a head-spinning tale of mismanagement and questionable prosecutorial behavior combined with a bedeviling issue reluctant and fearful witnesses that helps explain Chicagos woeful record in solving and prosecuting murders. The assistant states attorney in question, Nick Trutenko, is accused of bullying a woman who witnessed the shooting. Among other things, he allegedly threatened to charge her with perjury and called her disgusting when she expressed reluctance to testify before the grand jury. The memo rightly underscored how the threatening words took on a different connotation when said by a white male prosecutor with power to a Black woman with no power. He admitted to much of the witness account after she complained, according to the 2019 memo prepared by Risa Lanier, then Foxxs head of criminal prosecutions. The office labeled the transgression a teaching moment and placed the memo in Trutenkos personnel file. (Lanier since has been promoted to Foxxs chief deputy.) Trutenko, who now is facing charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in a separate case, since has been fired. His attorney denies he did anything wrong with the reluctant witness in the Sanders murder. But that wasnt the view of Trutenkos bosses. In the memo, they concluded he had both undermined the prosecution in the murder case and acted counter to Foxxs emphasis on diversity, culture and implicit bias. In the years afterward, Foxxs office took extraordinary measures to keep this memo from surfacing. They failed for nearly two years to provide it to defense attorneys in the Sanders murder even though they should have. They also refused to do so in a separate case in which a man prosecuted by Trutenko in the killing of two Chicago police officers more than four decades ago had his conviction overturned. They even refused to make the memo available to attorneys in that separate case after a judge so ordered. Foxx and her office wouldnt respond to the Tribune reporters questions about why they were so desperate to keep the memo under wraps. Thats unacceptable. We can imagine why, though. Trutenkos alleged behavior is in stark contrast to Foxxs criminal justice reform agenda. We can see why she might not want the public to know it took place under her watch with no immediate consequences other than a memo stashed in a personnel file. Likewise, we wonder if keeping the memo out of sight was part of the rationale for the generous plea deal. There was plenty of other evidence with which to prosecute the two defendants other than the reluctant witness testimony. Certainly, that was the view of quoted defense attorneys. One of them planned to subpoena Lanier to testify about the memo and her dealings with Trutenko. The states attorneys office objected. But before the judge could even rule, the plea deal was made. Foxxs office told the Tribunes reporters their decision on the plea deal was based strictly on facts and evidence in the case. It seems an unhappily fitting capstone to an ill-starred tenure. We acknowledge this controversy is different in key respects than previous problems in her office. Weve been critical of Foxxs strained relationship with the police, which has hampered the critical job of catching and prosecuting the bad guys. In this situation, her office appears instead to have strived, initially at least, to protect a prosecutor with a tough-on-crime reputation. But this is just the latest in a string of efforts to hide or obfuscate actions that are questionable at best. Exhibit A, of course, is the Jussie Smollett disaster. In Smolletts case, the victims were Chicagos law-enforcement community who wasted time and resources, as well as the citys reputation. That was bad. This arguably is worse. The victims here are Fontaine Sanders and his family. His mother, Corniki Bornds, told the Tribune she was outraged at the plea deal. Another casualty is the cause of justice in Chicago. * Editors note: An earlier version mischaracterized how the office kept an internal memo from defense attorneys in the Fontaine Sanders murder case. The Tribune regrets the error. Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Nine cities and towns on the SouthCoast are now hosting hundreds of unsheltered families, as the state continues to use hotels across the state to supplement the states emergency shelter system. It has not been overwhelming. It has just been quick, Mallory Aronstein, town administrator for Swansea, said during a recent board of selectmen meeting. Really were just trying to continue open lines of communication with decision makers from the state. Governor declares emergency over lack of shelter For decades, Massachusetts has had a right to shelter law that requires the state to shelter pregnant people and eligible families with children. On Aug. 8, Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency around the number of migrant families arriving in the state and the lack of available placements in shelters, saying the state's family shelter system had become overwhelmed. Since then, the state has placed migrant families and pregnant women, plus unhoused families already living in Massachusetts, in dozens of cities and towns across the state. Most of the placements have been in state-funded hotel rooms. Gov. Maura Healey at the Mass Bay Community College Wellesley campus press conference for MassReconnect, the state program to provide free community college for Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older, Aug. 24, 2023. On Oct. 7, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities press secretary Kevin Connor said there were 6,828 families in the state emergency family shelter system. The system has had to expand each month since August of last year, he said, a need driven by rising shelter costs and an increase in the number of migrants arriving in Massachusetts. More than 80 cities and towns across the Commonwealth have stepped up to host families in need, and we appreciate their compassion and willingness to partner with the Commonwealth in this exceptional and ongoing effort, he said. SouthCoast cities and towns sheltering families A spokesperson for the states Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities confirmed that Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Middleboro, New Bedford, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton and Wareham are all now housing families through the state's emergency shelter system. Across those eight communities, 402 families are now living in temporary, long-term shelter. Of those, Taunton has the most with 162 families, followed by Fall River with 71 families and Middleboro with 54. Costs to town services Connor said that, statewide, around half of the people living in the states family shelter system are children. Leaders in small SouthCoast towns like Somerset and Swansea with relatively small English Language Learner populations have said they may struggle to accommodate a group of new students who speak multiple languages between them. School districts who receive new students through the family shelter system will receive $104 per day from the state for each student. Leaders in multiple SouthCoast communities have said they are tracking all local government services being extended toward the unsheltered families, in the hopes of being reimbursed later by the federal government. "The state pays for the cost of shelter and provides meals to sheltered families and the (Healey) Administration continues to seek additional support from the Federal Government. Discussions are ongoing as to how we can support towns who have provided any additional services to sheltered families," Connor said. Towns collecting donations Towns and local organizations have been collecting donations to aid the newly sheltered families. Several towns have said theyve already received an influx of donations. In Somerset, town officials who originally asked for shoes and clothing donations said they would switch to only accepting items like diapers, toiletries and wrapped snacks because so many donations had come in. The generosity shown by residents is beyond remarkable and thoughtful, the town said in an announcement. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton among MA cities hosting migrant families The aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group are scheduled to deploy to U.S. 6th Fleet Friday, while the Ford Carrier Strike Group also operates in the Mediterranean Sea. The deployment, the Eisenhowers first in more than two years, has long been planned. But it comes at a time of rising uncertainty in the region following the large-scale attack on Israel Saturday by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israels retaliatory strikes. It is not clear how long both carriers will be operating in the region. Biden vows US resolve to back Israel as USS Ford enters region The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group will depart from Norfolk, Va., in the coming week in line with its standard deployment schedule, said Navy spokesperson Lt. Caroline Leya in an email to Navy Times. The carrier strike group comprises more than 5,000 sailors and includes Carrier Air Wing 3, the destroyers Gravely and Mason, and the cruiser Philippine Sea. The Eisenhower CSG has been long-scheduled to conduct exercises in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility in support of enhanced vigilance activities and operations with our NATO allies and partners, Leya said. U.S. Navy carriers have been deployed to 6th Fleet since shortly after Russias invasion of Ukraine, so having two in the region allows the U.S. to continue its naval response to Russian aggression while also remaining near the Gaza Strip, where the attack on Israel was launched. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Sunday ordered the carrier Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to move to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide support to Israel and to discourage a widening of the war to include neighboring countries. The Ford CSG arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Tuesday, according to U.S. Central Command. The strike group includes eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft, the destroyers Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney and Roosevelt, as well as the cruiser Normandy. Additional assets sent to bolster U.S. presence in the region in response to the conflict include U.S. Air Force F-15s, F-16s and A-10 fighter aircraft. The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, said in a news release Tuesday. US military to move a carrier strike group in support of Israel The Ford kicked off its first full-length deployment in May to project power for U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, but it is now unclear when it will return to its homeport in Norfolk. The Eisenhower concluded its Composite Training Unit Exercise, a certification required for deployment, in July following a maintenance period. It concluded its most recent deployment in July 2021, the second leg of a so-called double-pump deployment after returning from its last underway in August 2020. During its time at sea in 2021, the Eisenhower conducted flight operations against the Islamic State in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and provided close air support for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Kari Lake formally announced her campaign for Senate on Tuesday and unveiled an endorsement video from Donld Trump. The incorrigible election denierwho has still not conceded her race for Arizona governor over unfounded claims of fraudtold supporters at a rally in Scottsdale: This mama bear has a whole lot of fight left in her. She also played a clip from Trump. I wish I could be there with everyone but Im busy on the campaign trail and fighting off all of the bad people, the former president said in the footage. He went on to say: When Im back in the White House, I need strong fighters like Kari in the Senate. She is a fighter, shes strong, and shes goodshes got a great heart, by the way. Lake will run for the seat held by Kyrsten Sinema, the independent former Democrat, who is yet to declare if she will seek re-election. President Trump is proud to endorse @KariLake, the next U.S. Senator from Arizona! Make America Great Again! pic.twitter.com/zmcKYSlk1w Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 11, 2023 Read it at NBC News Read more at The Daily Beast. A voter drops off a ballot at a Lane County drop box. Voters will get their ballots for the Nov. 7 election starting Oct. 18. Local elections are scheduled for across the state Nov. 7. Here are five things you need to know. How to register to vote in Oregon To register to vote in Oregon, you must be a resident of the state and a U.S. citizen and at least 16 years old. (If you are not yet 18, you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.) The deadline to register for this election is Oct. 17. To register or for more information, visit sos.oregon.gov or call 503-986-1518. Check your registration status any time at Oregonvotes.gov/MyVote. What's on my ballot? November elections in odd-numbered years often primarily include city or district bonds and levies. Your ballot will vary based on where you live. Eugene voters will select a new city council member to represent Ward 7. In Lane County, ballots may also include: Five Pleasant Hill Goshen Rural Fire Protection District director positions, along with proposals to dissolve the Pleasant Hill Rural Fire Protection District and the Goshen Rural Fire Protection District and create the Pleasant Hill Goshen Rural Fire Protection District with a permanent tax. A five-year renewal of a local option tax to maintain general operations for the River Road Park and Recreation District. Renewal of a five-year levy for Siuslaw School District school operations. Where to find out more Find a full list of items on your ballot on your county's elections website. Lane County: lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/county_administration/operations/county_clerk When will I get my ballot? Ballots are mailed out to all registered voters living in Oregon starting Oct. 18. When/where must I return my ballot? Ballots in Oregon must be postmarked by election day. Ballots deposited in an official drop box must be received by 8 p.m. on election day. Lane County drop boxes: Lane County Elections, 275 W. 10th Ave., Eugene. Enter from Lincoln Street. Juvenile Justice Center, 2727 MLK Jr. Blvd., Eugene. Lane County Public Works, 3050 N. Delta Highway, Eugene. Amazon Pool, 2600 Hilyard St., Eugene. Pearl Street, 777 Pearl St., Eugene. On Pearl Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues. Walmart, 4550 W. 11th Ave., Eugene. North side of the parking lot. Bethel Library, 1990 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene. River Road Park and Recreation Center, 1400 Lake Dr., Eugene. On south island in parking lot off Lake Drive. City of Creswell, 13 S. First St., Creswell. North side of parking lot at corner of South First and C streets. Florence Police Department, 900 Greenwood St., Florence. Old Lowell City Hall at Paul Fisher Park, 107 E. Third St., Lowell. Springfield City Hall, in drive-through under building between Fifth and Sixth streets off A Street. Splash! At Lively Park, 6100 Thurston Road, Springfield. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Election Day 2023: How Lane County voters can cast ballots The Herald-Leader asked the two candidates for state treasurer to tell voters about themselves, and how they would approach the role of treasurer if elected. Democratic candidate Michael Bowman and Republican candidate Mark Metcalf will seek to win the office in this years election on Nov. 7. Kentuckys treasurer has several formal bookkeeping roles, including depositing state revenues, monitoring the states bank accounts, managing unclaimed property and withholding the proper taxes from state employees. The treasurer also sits on several boards in the state, including those that oversee the Teachers Retirement System of Kentucky and the Kentucky Lottery. Bowman worked as special assistant to Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman in the education and labor cabinet. Hes also worked as a bank officer for U.S. Bank, which he said gives him the financial background needed as treasurer. He ran for the office in 2019 and lost to current Treasurer Allison Ball. He would focus on accountability and transparency of our tax dollars if elected, Bowman said in an interview with the Herald-Leader. There are a lot of policies that the treasurer, in respect to fiscal matters, can drive in a positive direction for the Commonwealth, and how we deal with things like education, how we invest our money with businesses, to make those types of decisions, Bowman said. Metcalf has a background in law, working as the Garrard County attorney since 2010 (and previously in the 1990s). Hes also worked in private practice as an attorney and holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army reserve after serving as a judge-advocate. During a debate with Bowman on KET, Metcalf said Kentucky needs to focus on paying down its debts. Kentucky spends too much, it taxes too much, it borrows too much, and it saves too little, Metcalf said. We need to be looking out for the taxpayers of the state and holding Kentucky accountable on the spending side of the ledger so we spend out money wisely, and we look for opportunities to save money. The following answers are written as the candidates responded to a survey from the Herald-Leader. What would be your top priority as treasurer? Bowman: As Treasurer, I would be the fiscal watchdog for the Commonwealth and increasing transparency in our government, expanding financial literacy, and advocating for innovative policy solutions that grow our economy and create jobs are critical priorities. Metcalf: Job number one is to save taxpayer dollars. I want to do this by reducing the size of government. Ive done more with less as a county attorney and Ill continue to be a fiscal hawk as Kentuckys Treasurer. I also want to reduce Kentuckys direct indebtedness (which presently stands at $15.5 billion). Reduce the unfunded portions of Kentuckys pension funds through statutorily required investments from the state that should continue to include enhanced catch-up payments. Stand up to liberal activist money managers who have adopted ESG investment strategies for management of state pension funds. Enhance financial literacy. Significantly increase return of unclaimed funds to their rightful owners through incentives that reform estate administration and identifying next of kin. Why did you decide to run for this office? Bowman: Governor Beshear has lead us through remarkably difficult times, including a global pandemic and natural disasters, but consistently finds politicians who do not act in good faith. Im running because we need partners in Frankfort, not adversaries, who work together to tackle our most pressing problems and provide solutions for the people of the Commonwealth. Metcalf: To make a difference. I believe more needs to be done to save and return taxpayer dollars to the people who paid them. I believe Kentuckys families are facing challenging times and I am passionate about utilizing this office to help. What makes you the best candidate for treasurer? Bowman: Its been nearly 40 years since weve elected a Treasurer with any professional training or formal education in finance. My experiences in both local and state government, coupled with my background as a former bank officer for a large financial institution give me the skills to be successful as Treasurer and a strong advocate for smart investments. Metcalf: The breadth and depth of my experience as a judge, a prosecutor, private practitioner, and a soldier and my leadership experience at every level of private and government service. Is there anything that falls under the state treasurers office that you think needs improvement or more focus on? If so, what would that be and why? Bowman: Financial Literacy is a key component to the success of our economy by teaching the next generation of Kentuckians how to be financially secure and make smart financial decisions. Expanding those programs by providing for a consistent curriculum and providing the support to local school districts to ensure that they- and our children- are successful. Metcalf: 1. Kentuckys unclaimed property totals $800 million. I will use the latest technologies to return these properties to their rightful owners and adopt incentives that reform estate administration and identifying next of kin. 2. The poor, low-wage earners, and middle-income earners have utility bills they often cannot pay without choosing among necessities. I will urge the greater use of clean, abundant, and cheap energy found in Kentuckys fossil fuel inventory. 3. Reduction of Kentuckys indebtedness is essential so that investments in our future generations (chiefly in education and health care) will be more affordable for both the individual and government. How would you work with other state agencies in your role if elected? Bowman: I would commit to work as a partner to ensure that we are operating effectively and efficiently in service to the people of the Commonwealth through maintaining open lines of communication and holding all branches of government accountable in the management of our tax dollars. Metcalf: I will work creatively and collaboratively with other state agencies without regard about party or who gets the credit for accomplishments. Republicans are escalating their rhetoric to call for actions to eliminate, eradicate and level the Hamas militant group no matter what it takes as Washington plots more assistance to Israel in the wake of recent attacks. This is sick, and we have to treat sick people the way they deserve to be treated and eliminate them, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, whos running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, said on Fox News on Wednesday morning. Do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself. Level the place, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Fox News on Tuesday night. Hamas must be eradicated & Israel must respond DISPROPORTIONATELY to this & to any futures attacks from any enemy, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) tweeted Monday. Such rhetoric marks a contrast to the Biden administrations calls for leaders in Jerusalem to conduct a proportionate response to the attacks, though the White House so far wont say if there are any lines Jerusalem shouldnt cross. The combative comments by influential politicians from Israels most powerful ally come amid concerns for civilians as the conflict mounts following Hamas surprise attack breaching Israeli territory Saturday. The death toll has surpassed 2,000 people killed both in those assaults as well as by Israels retaliation in Gaza since. Israeli airstrikes have demolished entire neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip and Israel also cut off the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the region. Gazas only power plant ran out of fuel Wednesday. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon on Wednesday called for the complete and unequivocal defeat of the enemy, at any cost. This war is not only against Hamas, he said. Israels actions are nothing less than genocidal, Palestinian envoy to the U.N. Riyad Mansour wrote in a letter to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, citing the blocking of food shipments. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) on Wednesday called for caution in how Israel and the U.S. respond to Hamas attacks and hostage-taking: Two of her district constituents are missing and may be held hostage by Hamas, which she said raises concerns for their treatment by the militants, but also their safety amid Israel's counterattacks. "There has to be real caution that we are not putting them in further danger, Schakowsky told reporters. I'm talking about Americans, but there's a number, obviously, more of the Israelis are now being held. So of course we have to worry about that. The Gaza Strip is home to some 2 million Palestinians nearly half of whom are under 18 years old. It already faced threats of poverty and weak infrastructure before the latest strikes. Schakowsky added: I'm concerned also that if they have shut down the water and the heat any kind of support in Gaza, then what does that mean for the people who are now hostages right now? My hope is that Hamas will take care of them in the hopes of maybe at some point of doing some exchanges for them, but we just don't know. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday, The United States support for Israel will be sustained, will be maintained, will be strong going forward. Joe Gould contributed to this report. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICOs National Security Daily newsletter. As the Israel-Palestine crisis unfolds, a massive barrage of disinformation has hit X-formerly-Twitter and regulators are watching in horror. Manipulated and fake images are widely circulating on the platform, a dire situation compounded by X owner Elon Musk 's gutting of the company's workforce, including its content moderation team, following his chaotic takeover last year. In an "urgent letter" addressed to X owner Elon Musk, Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for the internal market, accused the platform of enabling the dissemination of "illegal content and disinformation in the EU" and ordered Musk to file a response "within the next 24 hours," ensuring "that your systems are effective, and report on the crisis measures taken." Breton also wrote that the "violent and terrorist content that appears to circulate on your platform," after Musk made "changes in public interest policies" was leaving "many European users uncertain." At 24 hours since Breton shared his letter, Musk has yet to show any indication of interest in making changes to X's policies. It didn't take long for the outspoken billionaire to respond to Breton's request, albeit without actually addressing the issue. "Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports," Musk wrote in a confounding tweet. "Please list the violations you allude to on , so that that the public can see them." Breton didn't take kindly to the suggestion, telling Musk that it's "up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk." By all indications, Musk has yet to officially write a response or make X's content policies sufficiently clear beyond telling Breton that "we take our actions in the open." Musk's telltale gut reaction of doubling down on his laissez-faire vision is telling, especially he's been actively contributing to the issue himself. In a since-deleted tweet, Musk recommended that users follow two accounts that have historically spread dangerous lies and made antisemitic comments, as The Washington Post reports. It's still unclear if the European Commission will end up taking action or imposing "penalties" due to non-compliance, as Breton's letter warns. The EU's recently enacted Digital Services Act requires any platforms with more than 45 million monthly active users to scan for illegal content and take it down as well. Companies can get fined up to six percent of their global turnover if they don't comply with the new rules. That kind of penalty could turn out to be a major hit for a platform that is already in deep financial turmoil. In short, the Israel-Palestine conflict could be seen as the first major international crisis to stress test Musk's social media platform and given his apparent disinterest in tackling disinformation, he appears to be failing miserably. More on the situation: Twitter CEO Says That Due to Reasons, She Has to Cancel Appearance Defending Elon Musks Deranged Behavior Elon Musk's social media platform could be banned from Europe, an EU official told Insider. The body gave Musk a deadline of 7 p.m. Central European Time on Wednesday to tackle disinformation. "These are not empty threats," MEP Stephanie Yon-Courtin told Insider. An EU official has warned that X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, could be banned from Europe if it fails to comply with EU rules over disinformation amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. "These are not empty threats," MEP Stephanie Yon-Courtin said in a statement sent to Insider. In a letter signed by Thierry Breton , the European commissioner for the internal market, the EU said on Tuesday that the commission had "indications" the platform was being used to "disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU" over Hamas' attacks against Israel. The EU commissioner gave Musk a deadline at 7 p.m. Central European Time on Wednesday to comply with EU regulations, Yon-Courtin told Insider. Should Musk fail to answer, the social media platform could be sanctioned and even banned, she said. "Elon Musk must understand that with his platform having more than 350 million users comes higher responsibilities," she said. "There cannot be any illegal content or disinformation circulating within Europe anymore." Yon-Courtin said the EU is aiming to implement the Digital Services Act rules. "The DSA is the answer to avoiding spreading dangerous content at a time of war. If we do not enforce the law now, then when?" she said. According to those rules, X could face fines of up to 6% of its revenue or even expulsion. "Being able to access our market comes at a price," Yon-Courtin added. Breton's letter outlined what Musk needed to do to abide by EU regulations. This included having "very transparent and clear" content policies, removing illegal content when prompted by the EU, and having anti-disinformation measures in place. Musk asked Breton on Tuesday in a post on X to "list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them." Breton responded to Musk by saying the billionaire was "well aware" of warnings from users and authorities about "fake content and glorification of violence." Amid the ongoing war between Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militant group, Hamas, fake news about the conflict, including old videos and manipulated images, have apparently been circulating on X. Musk, who's been largely fielding criticism for the spread of disinformation in the platform, demanded to see a "list of violations" from the EU on Monday. Meanwhile, X's CEO Linda Yaccinaro has pulled out of speaking arrangements in light of the developing conflict. X did not immediately respond to Insider's request for a comment. Read the original article on Business Insider DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, will finish drilling its first oil well in Poltava Oblast by the end of its month, the company's CEO Maksym Timchenko announced at a press conference on Oct. 11. This is the first time the company will produce oil, Timchenko said, adding that "all the infrastructure for this is being created so that we become a player in the oil market." The company also plans to start refining oil, but wants to use the latest technology and is therefore unlikely to purchase existing oil refineries in Ukraine, according to Timchenko. DTEK's expansion into oil drilling and refining is part of a wider trend in Ukraine's energy sector of striving for energy security and independence. Oil refineries, along with other energy production facilities, are often targeted by Russian strikes. Russian forces are expected to increase their targets of critical energy infrastructure as the country moves into winter. On Oct. 2, Russia attacked DTEK warehouses in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, causing damage to cables, transformers, and other electrical equipment, the company said on Telegram. The company did not specify the extent of the damage, nor the time and resources it would require to repair it. "No matter how hard the enemy tries," DTEK wrote, "they will not be able to disrupt our preparations for the winter season." Earlier on Oct. 2, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the need for Ukraine's allies to increase the strength of a "winter protection umbrella" in order to alleviate the disruptions associated with the Russian military's attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure. Read also: With winter approaching, is Ukraines energy system ready for renewed Russian attacks? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A new report has ranked the safest cities in the United States, and many of them are right here in New England. WalletHub this week published its 2023s Safest Cities in America report, which compared more than 180 cities across 41 key metrics including traffic fatalities per capita, assaults per capita to the unemployment rate, and the percentage of the population that is uninsured. The personal finance website says it put together the ranking in an effort to determine where Americans can feel most protected against lifes hazards, including nonphysical forms of danger. Nashua, New Hampshire, was named the safest city in America. Additionally, four other communities in New England were ranked among the top 10 safest cities, while nine in total in our region landed inside the top 50. The safest New England cities on the list ranked as follows: 1. Nashua, New Hampshire 3. South Burlington, Vermont 5. Warwick, Rhode Island 6. Portland, Maine 9. Burlington, Vermont 13. Lewiston, Maine 21. Worcester, Massachusetts 24. Manchester, New Hampshire 46. Providence, Rhode Island There other New England cities landed outside the top 50 safest cities. They ranked as follows: 55. Bridgeport, Connecticut 101. Boston, Massachusetts 120. New Haven, Connecticut To view WalletHubs full list, click here. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW When it comes to working from home, Utahns are mostly giving themselves high marks for maintaining productivity versus how much they accomplish when toiling in an office setting. But, theyre less charitable about their co-workers at-home work ethics and new academic research suggests no one is getting nearly as much done as they think they are. A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll found 50% of respondents who are currently working said they were somewhat or much more productive during time spent working from home than at their respective offices. In the minority were 18% of workers who said they were somewhat less productive while working at their abodes and 11% copped to being much less productive when working from home. But while half of poll participants ranked themselves above the line on labor output in their shoes-optional work settings, they cast a more cynical eye on how their co-workers are using their at-home work time, with only 33% guessing that their colleagues were somewhat more or much more productive from home. And 34% of respondents believe their co-workers are somewhat less or much less productive when they skip the commute. The Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics survey was conducted Sept. 24-29 of 802 registered voters across the state. The polling data comes with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.23%. Poll participant and Midvale resident Jennifer Estes has worked both sides of the work venue divide and while she previously spent 21 2 years in a remote work setting, she currently is required, thanks to job duties, to report for work in person on a full-time basis. Estes said that she enjoyed her stint as a remote employee, and especially the flexibility to work from wherever she wanted to, but also likes the connection she has with fellow employees as an in-person worker. But, when it comes to productivity, she believes making the best use of time on the clock is more about the individual than the workplace setting. My productivity was good when I worked from home, but I think its just as good working in person, Estes said. Im good at self-managing and I really dont feel like there is a difference in remote versus in person. People who arent productive in the workforce arent going to be productive in either setting. Its a matter of work ethic. Related Research by Stanford Universitys Institute for Economic Policy Research is uncovering new insight on the changing landscape of the workplace and notes that the number of remote workers rose by some 500% from 2019 to 2023. According to a working paper published in July, a team of researchers found that 60% of current U.S. workers are fully on site while 30% have a hybrid work schedule that includes at least some time working remotely and 10% of employees are fully remote. But when assessing worker productivity rates in remote settings versus in person, the Stanford findings reflect the relevant factors appear to be more about the balance between at-home and in-office time. The productivity of working from home depends critically on the specific mode: fully remote or hybrid work, researchers wrote. Fully remote work is associated with about 10% to 20% lower productivity than fully in-person work. Researchers noted that challenges with communicating remotely, barriers to mentoring and on-the-job learning, and issues with self-motivation all contributed negatively to remote workers productivity rates. But those who are spending at least a portion of their work weeks by reporting in person are getting more done, in spite of having to strike a balance between staying home and spending some longer days that require commuting. Hybrid working, whereby employees have a mix of time at home and in the office each week, appears to be associated with flat or positive average impacts on productivity, researchers wrote. The Evolution of Working from Home paper also predicted that remote work, which was boosted by pandemic conditions, will continue to expand its footprint as a percentage of where the overall workforce spends its time. In the longer run we predict the amount of working from home will continue to grow, primarily due to technological improvements and changing norms, researchers wrote. The pandemic led to an additional one-off five-fold jump, but also jump-started a surge in research and development into new hardware and software products to support working from home. Thus, we expect the rate of technological change in remote work friendly innovations to fuel a new phase of work from home adoption in the coming decades. Mark Morris, owner of Work Hive, is photographed in one of the sitting areas of Work Hive in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Mark Morris has been paying close attention to the evolution of remote work since he and a couple of friends opened WorkHive more than a decade ago, Salt Lake Citys first co-working space. While the idea started out as a way for landscape architect Morris and his partners to utilize unused square footage in a shared workspace back in 2012, its grown into two locations in Salt Lake that, combined, offer some 15,000 square feet of flexible work and meeting areas. Morris said interest in shared workspace was already trending up before the COVID-19 outbreak and then, amid restrictions that kept many workers at home, demand rose sharply as isolated employees were looking for alternatives to working from home every day. Post-COVID, Morris notes that even though many remote workers have dialed in their home offices, co-working spaces like WorkHive offer opportunities to change up their work atmosphere and make new connections. A lot of people who have established nice remote work spaces and like working from home are still looking for the option of leaving the house, putting on work clothes and just being able to have a separate space to get work done, Morris said. Its a chance to make friends and build your network. Its also great for those who may be new to Utah and are interested in getting connected to the community. Morris said he also believes working in a shared space can be a productivity boost. Weve heard from a lot of people who use our spaces whove said that they feel a lot more productive at WorkHive than they do at home, Morris said. I think the environment helps with that ... people are here just working away and getting things done. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen labeled Hamass attacks against Israel as an act of terror that reflects ancient evil. These innocents were killed for one single reason for being Jewish and living in the State of Israel. It is an ancient evil, which reminds us of the darkest past and shocks all of us to the core, von der Leyen said in the weekly meeting of commissioners Wednesday. We have to be clear in defining this kind of horror. It is terrorism. And it is an act of war, von der Leyen continued. Von der Leyen made clear the European Commissions stance on the ongoing conflict, stating Europe stands with Israel and fully support[s] Israels right to defend itself. There can be no justification for Hamass act of terror, von der Leyen said. This has nothing to do with the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. The horror that Hamas has unleashed will bring more suffering upon innocent Palestinians. Haim Regev, the Israeli ambassador to the European Union (EU) and NATO, attended the meeting, where leaders held a minute of silence for the Israeli victims killed by Hamas. Hamas launched a surprise attack Saturday on Israel that killed hundreds most of the dead appear to be civilians. The Biden administration on Tuesday confirmed 14 Americans have been killed and at least 20 American citizens remain unaccounted for. Israel responded to the attacks with hundreds of strikes on Gaza, vowing to avenge the deadly attacks and destroy the militant group. More than 200,000 Palestinians have been forced out of their homes as food, water and electricity supplies dwindle as a result of Israels ordered siege on the territory. Earlier this week, an EU commissioner said all payments from the developmental aid program for Palestinians would be immediately suspended. The EU quickly reversed that statement, clarifying no payments will be suspended, and it will review such payments to make sure the money was not misused, according to The Associated Press. Von der Leyen echoed this sentiment on Wednesday, telling the commissioners, EU funding has never and will never go to Hamas or any terrorist entity. So we will now again review the entire portfolio in light of an evolving situation on the ground. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. European Council President Charles Michel , European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen at the tribute to the victims of the Hamas-organized attacks in Israel (BENOIT DOPPAGNE) The European Union's most senior officials held a solemn tribute Wednesday for the Israelis killed in Hamas attacks, and issued their most stark condemnation yet of the Palestinian militant group. Attending a minute's silence in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, the president of the assembly Roberta Metsola made it clear she believes the killings were motivated by anti-Semitism. "October 7 is a day that will go down in global infamy," she said, referring to Saturday's Hamas assault. "The world has witnessed Jews being murdered simply because they were Jewish. Again. In Israel." Her words reflected an address made earlier by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to a meeting of the 27 EU commissioners. "These innocents were killed for one single reason. For being Jewish and living in the State of Israel," von der Leyen said, in remarks released on social media. "It is an ancient evil, which reminds us of the darkest past and shocks all of us to the core." At the memorial ceremony, Metsola and von der Leyen were joined by EU Council president Charles Michel and Israel's ambassador to the EU Haim Regev. Also in attendance were senior MEPs and officials from EU member states. They met outside the parliament on the Simone Veil agora, named after a French politician and a predecessor in Metsola's role who was a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp. "Hamas is a terrorist organisation. They do not represent the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. They do not offer solutions. They offer bloodshed," Metsola said. "It helps to speak plainly. On October 7, Hamas murdered more than a thousand innocent babies, children, women and men and still hold close to 100 more hostage." On Tuesday, after meeting EU foreign ministers, Brussels' top diplomat Josep Borrell condemned Hamas but urged Israel in its response to respect international law and not to impose a total siege on Gaza. But at Wednesday's tribute, the focus was on solidarity with Israel. "This is not a time for whataboutism. We have to be clear about what we are talking about: this is terror in its worst form," Metsola said. "Ambassador Regev, thank you for being here today. This is Europe. We stand with you." alm-dc/bp Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, has called on Elon Musk to combat the spread of disinformation on his Twitter (X) platform following the Hamas attack on Israel in order to comply with new EU rules on online content. Source: European Pravda with reference to Reuters Details: Breton wrote in a letter to Musk that he had evidence that the platform was being used to spread illegal content and disinformation in the European Union. He did not provide details about the disinformation he was referring to. Quote from Breton: "I therefore invite you to urgently ensure that your systems are effective and report on the crisis measures taken to my team." Details: In response, Musk said that his company's policy is to keep everything open and transparent. "Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them," Musk posted on X. "You are well aware of your users' and authorities' reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk," Breton responded to Musk on X. Online content regulations known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) require Twitter (X) and other major platforms to remove illegal content and take steps to address risks to public safety and civil discourse. Quote from Breton: "Given the urgency, I also expect you to be in contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities and Europol, and ensure that you respond promptly to their requests. I urge you to ensure a prompt, accurate and complete response to this request within the next 24 hours." More details: The European Union could fine Twitter (X) up to 6% of the company's global turnover for failing to comply with the DSA. Background: On 26 September, European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova called on tech giants, including Elon Musk's Twitter (X), to take more responsibility for combating the spread of Russian disinformation. A study published by the European Commission in early September found that Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) played an important role in allowing Russian propaganda about Ukraine to reach more people than before the full-scale war. The EU Digital Services Act, which came into force for the largest social networks on 25 August, requires major platforms to assess the risk of spreading false information, prevent the worst from being promoted through algorithms, and subject their activities to audit. 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! Elon Musk isnt the only billionaire CEO receiving stern letters this week from Thierry Breton , the European Unions regulatory commissioner. Following a similar one to Elon Musk, Breton posted a single-page correspondence (via CNBC) he penned to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg today, giving the Facebook founder 24 hours to respond. The letter acknowledges areas where Metas content moderation has improved but raises concerns about misinformation (including deepfakes) on the companys social platforms as the bloody Israel-Hamas war continues. In light of a number of serious recent developments, let me recall the precise obligations regarding content moderation under the EU Digital Services Act, Breton wrote in the letter. Firstly, following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we are seeing a surge of illegal content and disinformation being disseminated in the EU via certain platforms, Breton wrote. I would ask you to be very vigilant to ensure strict compliance with the DSA rules on terms of service, on the requirement of timely, diligent and objective action following notices of illegal content in the EU, and on the need for proportionate and effective mitigation measures, the commissioner wrote. I urgently invite you to ensure that your systems are effective. Thierry Breton (Agencja Wyborcza.pl / reuters) The EUs Digital Services Act (DSA) requires social companies like Meta to moderate and remove illegal and harmful content. The law, passed in 2022, mandates that platforms operating in the EU be more proactive in policing malicious material. It can levy fines of up to six percent of infringing companies total revenue, enough to effectively serve as a stick against the deep-pocketed social behemoths. Breton acknowledged the companys improvements in certain areas. We have noted steps taken by Meta to increase mitigation measures in the run-up to the recent elections in Slovakia such as increased cooperation with independent authorities, improvements in response times, and increased fact-checking, the letter reads. However, it raises concerns about deepfakes and other digitally altered content with potential real-world ramifications. We have also been made aware of reports of a significant number of deep fakes and manipulated content which circulated on your platforms and a few still appear online, Breton wrote. I remind you that the DSA requires that the risk of amplification of fake and manipulated images and facts generated with the intention to influence elections is taken extremely seriously in the context of mitigation measures. Breton asked Zuckerberg to communicate with the commissioners team without delay on the details of measures the company has taken to mitigate deepfakes and counter election-related misinformation. My team will follow up shortly with a specific request on a number of other issues of DSA compliance that deserve immediate attention, the letter closed. The DSA is here to protect free speech against arbitrary decisions, and at the same time protect our citizens and democracies. Cease-fire appeals amplify as Gaza conflict escalates 10:25, October 11, 2023 By Jan Yumul, Zhou Jin and Wang Qingyun ( Chinadaily.com.cn Appeals for a cease-fire and minimizing civilian suffering are growing louder around the world as the Israel-Palestine conflict entered the fourth day. Nearly 1,800 Israelis and Palestinians, as well as several foreign nationals, have died in the conflict as of Tuesday, according to the Israeli military and Palestinian authorities. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that China is trying to verify and confirm information on reported Chinese casualties in the conflict. He made the remark in response to a report that two Chinese workers were killed near the Gaza border. China has called on the country's diplomatic missions to search for missing Chinese nationals and treat those injured in the conflict, Wang said at a regular news conference on Tuesday. Calling for an immediate cease-fire, China's Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun said on Tuesday that China opposes and condemns acts that harm civilians. In a phone conversation with Osama Khedr, assistant minister of the Palestine Department in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhai said that China would like to maintain communication and coordination with Egypt to push for an end to the violence between Palestine and Israel. Beijing is willing to work with Cairo to prod the international community to jointly provide humanitarian support to Palestinian people, and prevent the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, especially in Gaza, he said. Khedr expressed appreciation for China's fair stance on the Palestinian issue, saying that Egypt looks forward to working with China to make efforts to de-escalate the situation. The Arab League and the Russian Federation have also called for negotiations and an end to "hostilities" between Israel and Palestine. Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera in a phone interview that the group was open to "all political dialogues" when asked about a possible truce with Israel, Russian news agency TASS and Reuters reported on Tuesday. However, Hamas' military wing spokesman Abu Obeida was cited by Xinhua News Agency as warning in an audio statement that any targeting of Palestinian people and their homes will be regrettably met with the execution of Israeli civilian hostages. Israel has said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, The Associated Press reported. Cease-fire appeals amplified after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered on Monday a "complete siege" on Gaza, a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Hamas and vowed "mighty vengeance" that could "change the Middle East". Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized, during a phone call with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the importance of delivering relief and medical aid to Gaza residents to prevent a "humanitarian catastrophe". Guterres said the UN is working to provide urgent humanitarian relief to the residents of Gaza, Palestinian News Agency reported. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The EU has warned Mark Zuckerberg over the spread of "disinformation" on Meta's social media platforms after Hamas' attack on Israel. It told Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, it "has 24 hours" to respond and comply with European law. Social media firms have seen a surge in misinformation about the conflict, including doctored images and mislabelled videos. On Tuesday the EU warned X, formerly known as Twitter, about such content. The bloc's industry chief, Thierry Breton, told Meta it must prove it has taken "timely, diligent and objective action". In a letter, he said the firm had 24 hours to tell him about the "proportionate and effective" measures it had taken to counter the spread of disinformation on its platforms. A Meta spokesperson told the BBC: "After the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel on Saturday, we quickly established a special operations centre staffed with experts, including fluent Hebrew and Arabic speakers, to closely monitor and respond to this rapidly evolving situation." "Our teams are working around the clock to keep our platforms safe, take action on content that violates our policies or local law, and coordinate with third-party fact checkers in the region to limit the spread of misinformation. We'll continue this work as this conflict unfolds." The European Commission meanwhile reminded all social media companies that they are legally required to prevent the spread of harmful content related to Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is a proscribed terrorist group in the EU. "Content circulating online that can be associated to Hamas qualifies as terrorist content, is illegal, and needs to be removed under both the Digital Services Act and Terrorist Content Online Regulation," a Commission spokesperson said. Musk warning On Tuesday, Mr Breton wrote in a letter to Mr Musk that "violent and terrorist content" had not been taken down from X, despite warnings. Mr Musk said his company had taken action, including by removing newly-created Hamas-affiliated accounts. He asked the EU to list the alleged violations. Mr Breton did not give details on the disinformation he was referring to in his letter to Mr Musk. Elon Musk at the Viva Technology conference in Paris in June However, he said that instances of "fake and manipulated images and facts" were widely reported on the social media platform. "I therefore invite you to urgently ensure that your systems are effective, and report on the crisis measures taken to my team," he wrote in his letter which he shared on social media. The interventions come days after the Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing hundreds of residents and taking dozens of hostages. In response, Israeli forces have launched waves of missile strikes on Gaza which have killed more than 900 people. In his response on X, Mr Musk said: "Our policy is that everything is open and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. "Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them." Mr Breton said that Mr Musk was "well aware of your users' - and authorities' - reports on fake content and glorification of violence", adding that it was up to him to "demonstrate that you walk the talk". The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is designed to protect users of big tech platforms. It became law last November but firms were given time to make sure their systems complied. On 25 April, the commission named the very large online platforms - those with over 45 million EU users - that would be subject to the toughest rules, among them X. The law came into effect four months later in August. Under the tougher rules, larger firms have to assess potential risks they may cause, report that assessment and put in place measures to deal with the problem. Failure to comply with the DSA can result in EU fines of as much as 6% of a company's global turnover, or potentially suspension of the service. Mr Musk dissolved Twitter's Trust and Safety Council shortly after acquiring the company in 2022. Formed in 2016, the volunteer council contained about 100 independent groups who advised on issues such as self-harm, child abuse and hate speech. Thierry Breton, an EU Commissioner, wrote an urgent letter to Elon Musk about his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and its lack of content moderation. Breton noted a huge uptick in false information on the site following Hamas attacks on Israel over the weekend, and reminded Musk about the EUs recently passed Digital Services Actwhich went into effect in August and governs social media sites management of false information. The bloc is urging Musk to enforce proportionate and effective mitigation measures to tackle the risks to public security and civic discourse stemming from disinformationor face penalties set out in the DSA. Breton also asked Musk to respond to his request in the next 24 hours, and noted that Musks answer would be included in his DSA compliance assessment. Read it at The Verge Read more at The Daily Beast. The European Union (EU) sent a letter to Elon Musk Tuesday warning that his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was spreading illegal content and disinformation after the Hamas attacks on Israel. Thierry Breton, the EUs Commissioner for Internal Market, sent Musk a letter Tuesday, urging the CEO to update his content enforcement policies and to manage content that violates the blocs tech laws a timely manner. Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we have indications that your platform is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU, Breton wrote in a letter to Musk and posted publicly on X. Let me remind you that the Digital Services Act sets very precise obligations regarding content moderation. The Digital Services Act (DSA) is part of tech-focused regulations crafted last year. Its designed to keep users safe and stop the spread of harmful content. Misinformation is spreading across X, with users sharing misleading or false information about the attacks, including the U.S. sending a multi-billion dollar aid package to Israel. The spread of misinformation during a conflict isnt new, but under Musks leadership, concerns about accessing reliable information are increasing, The Hill reported. X said Monday it is laser focused and dedicated to protecting the conversation on X and enforcing our rule as we continue to assess the situation on the platform. Breton said that when Musk receives notices that illegal content is on his platform, the EU expects him to be timely, diligent and objective in taking action and removing the relevant content when warranted. Despite users flagging the incorrect information about the attacks, some posts remain online, Breton said in his letter, also pointing to repurposed images of unrelated conflicts that purport to show horrors from the Hamas-Israel conflict. Breton also said the platform needs better mitigation measures and is calling upon the billionaire CEO to respond within 24 hours. He also reminded Musk of the potential for non-compliance penalties. Community Notes, a feature on X that aims to correct misinformation, said users have written 500 unique notes relating to the attacks and unfolding events, among others. The platform said they are actively working on improving the community notes on matching video and image posts. It said in many cases it will send notifications to people who have liked, shared or replied to a post that later received a flag or note that it was inaccurate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Brussels is demanding that X and Meta crack down on disinformation, as fake and misleading online posts proliferate in the wake of Hamas's deadly assault in Israel. Thierry Breton, EU commissioner and self-styled "digital enforcer", raised the alarm in letters sent to Elon Musk, owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, and Mark Zuckerberg , whose Meta group includes Facebook and Instagram. He demanded each of them provide details within 24 hours on how "illegal content and disinformation" is being removed from their platforms in line with the EU's new Digital Service Act (DSA). The legislation, which came into effect for large platforms in August, bans illegal online content under threat of fines running as high as six percent of a company's global turnover. The warning sparked an online duel between Breton and Musk on Wednesday. The billionaire posted a request that the EU commissioner "please list the violations you allude to on X", and said his platform's policy was that "everything was open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports". Breton responded that it was up to Musk to "demonstrate that you walk the talk" and added that his team was ready to "enforce rigorously" the DSA compliance rules. Musk shot back, again on X: "No back room deals. Please post your concerns explicitly on this platform." He posted to another user that "I still don't what they're talking about!" - Rival platform - In a slapdown, Breton used his X account to trumpet a rival to X called Bluesky, which has Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey on its board and which he had just joined. Musk is notoriously sensitive about competing microblogging platforms which are syphoning away X/Twitter users upset with the direction the billionaire is taking his platform. For a time, Musk -- a self-described free-speech "absolutist" -- even had X block links pointing users to one open-source rival, Mastodon. And he has started legal action against Threads, a new alternative launched by Meta that is not available in Europe because of wariness over the EU's regulatory oversight. X is most prominent in the European Union's DSA crosshairs because of the way its content moderation teams -- and many other employees -- have been jettisoned by Musk as he cuts costs. It fared the worst of any platform is a pilot EU analysis of illegal online content, and has left a voluntary EU code of practice on battling disinformation. Breton's letter to Musk highlighted "violent and terrorist content that appears to circulate on your platform" following Hamas's weekend operation to kill and take hostage Israelis living close to the boundary with Gaza. His letter to Zuckerberg asked him to "urgently" ensure that moderation systems on Meta platforms were effective and to be "vigilant" about DSA compliance in light of the ongoing conflict. A Meta spokesperson responded that, after the Hamas attack, "we quickly established a special operations centre staffed with experts, including fluent Hebrew and Arabic speakers, to closely monitor and respond to this rapidly evolving situation". The teams were working to ensure compliance with "our policies or local law" and coordinating with fact-checkers to curb disinformation, the spokesperson said, adding: "We'll continue this work as this conflict unfolds." - Election worries - Breton also raised the need for Meta to focus on disinformation around elections happening in the EU. He said Brussels was taking "extremely seriously" the risk of "fake and manipulated images and facts generated with the intention to influence elections". Breton does not decide himself what constitutes illegal online content -- that is defined by EU laws or legislation in EU member countries -- but he plays an active role in putting attention on platforms. The commissioner has hailed the EU rules he helped bring in as an effort to tame an online "Wild West". In a post on X last year, he said: "A new sheriff is in town -- and it goes by the name DSA." Advertisers have stepped back from X, causing its revenues to plummet. Several celebrities and newsmakers have left. Since Hamas militants stormed Israel's border area around the Gaza enclave on the weekend, big online platforms have been flooded with videos showing gruesome deaths, hostages and bombardments. On X, the authenticity and veracity of many of the posts are difficult to determine because the platform has replaced its blue-tick verification system with one where any user can simply buy in. In several posts, images from unrelated areas and incidents have been falsely presented as occurring during the Hamas raids or conflict with Israel. And since last week, X has ceased giving links to news articles that are posted, replacing them with an image only that gives no context or description. International news agency AFP is taking legal action against X in France to enforce EU law relating to payments for use of online content. rmb-aro/pvh EVESHAM - A man and woman accused of animal cruelty in August face additional charges tied to alleged thefts. Rebecca Halbach, 35, and Brandon Leconey, 32, were arrested again on Oct. 4 after an "extensive" investigation into their activities, Evesham police said Tuesday. Detectives found Halbach had posed as an employee of an animal rescue, "where she was presumably facilitating adoptions and care of animals," a police statement alleged. It said Halbach was not an employee or volunteer, and did not provide adoptions or care for animals turned over to her. Fatal stabbing at Olympus apartments Evesham man found guilty of murdering man, killing dog "She received over $7,000 in compensation due (to) these crimes," the statement said. It said Leconey assisted Halbach, but provided no specifics. Police: Halbach, Leconey suspected of more crimes Police said an investigation is continuing into "computer/electronic crimes" allegedly committed by Halbach and Leconey. More charges are expected. Halbach and Leconey initially were charged with animal cruelty on Aug. 28 when more than 30 dead dogs and numerous sick and malnourished dogs were found in their Main Street home. They also were accused of endangering the welfare of a child because a juvenile lived in the house. The new charges against Halbach are theft by deception and computer crimes. Halbach accused of conspiring to commit the same offenses. Both were being held in Burlington County Jail pending a court hearing. Police have also charged a Berlin Township woman, who's accused of breaking into the suspects' home when they were jailed after their first arrest. Kelli Bowen, 55, was arrested after a search of her Thurman Avenue home found evidence of the break-in, police said. The West Berlin woman is charged with burglary, theft and trespassing. The charges against Halbach, Leconey and Bowen are only allegations. No one has been convicted in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Evesham police at 856-983-1116 or the department's confidential tip line at 856-983-4699. Tips can also be emailed to Detective Dyllon Mahan at mahand@eveshampd.org. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Evesham pair arrested in animal-cruelty case face new charges A former Fresno worker who got fired then sent threatening messages and cyberstalked his old boss is now facing prison time plus a hefty fine. United States Attorney Phillip Talbert announced Tuesday that William Lee Robinson, 43, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to five counts of sending threatening interstate communications and three counts of cyberstalking. Court documents say Robinson worked at Fresno-based health management company O.A.I. as a systems engineer from June 14-Nov. 28, 2017. After the business fired him, Robinson began sending threatening messages to his former supervisor and other co-workers in an attempt to extort them for money. The threats included graphic statements threatening to physically harm co-workers and a former supervisors daughter. Robinson made the threats because he wanted the company to pay him between $10,000 and $20,000 to cover the cost of relocating to a different city, the documents say. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston is scheduled to sentence Robinson on Feb. 12, 2024. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the five counts of sending threatening communications. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the cyberstalking counts. Talberts office noted the actual sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court. Special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday filed a motion that urged U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to put guardrails in place to protect the possible jurors in Donald Trump s election-subversion case. Former U.S. Army prosecutor Glenn Kirschner suggested Smith hadnt just taken off the gloves with the move. It looks like hes boxed them up, taped up the box, and sent them to long-term storage, Kirschner said on a new episode of his Justice Matters podcast. Smith encouraged Chutkan to streamline the jury selection process with a questionnaire for potential jurors, ban their details from being public, and prohibit direct contact between attorneys and jurors. The motion referred to Republican 2024 front-runner Trumps attack on social media of a court official in his civil fraud trial in New York, which prompted a judge to slap the former president with a gag order. Trumps lawyers have opposed the motion, said Kirschner. If Donald Trump has shown anything to be true: It is he is willing to endanger witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, judges, their respective family members, he added. And hes willing to urge his supporters to do all sorts of, lets call them inappropriate things, to help him avoid and evade his responsibility for his crimes. Watch the video here: Related... By Stephanie van den Berg and Anthony Deutsch THE HAGUE (Reuters) - War between Israel and Palestinian militants since the surprise cross-order attack by Gaza's ruling Islamist group Hamas has caused a large and rising civilian death toll - and accusations of war crimes - on both sides. The conflict falls under a complex international system of justice that has emerged since World War Two. Even if states say they are acting in self-defence, international rules regarding armed conflict apply to all participants in a war. WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE CONFLICT? Internationally accepted rules of armed conflict emerged from the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which have been ratified by all United Nations member states and supplemented by rulings at international war crimes tribunals. A series of treaties governs the treatment of civilians, soldiers and prisoners of war in a system collectively known as the "Law of Armed Conflict" or "International Humanitarian Law". It applies to government forces and organised, non-state armed groups, which would include Hamas militants. WHAT ACTS COULD VIOLATE WAR CRIMES LAW? New York-based Human Rights Watch cited as possible war crimes the deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate rocket attacks, and the taking of civilians as hostages by Palestinian armed groups, as well as the Israeli counter-strikes in Gaza that have killed thousands of Palestinians. The taking of hostages, murder and torture are explicitly banned under the Geneva Conventions, while Israel's response could also be subject to a war crimes investigation. Hamas militants stormed from Gaza into nearby southwestern Israeli communities on Oct. 7 and killed about 1,400 people, most of them civilians, in one day. They also took about 240 hostages back to the small, Hamas-ruled enclave. In response, Israel laid siege to Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, and launched the most powerful bombing campaign in the 75-year-old history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, destroying entire neighbourhoods. Israeli ground forces then swept into Gaza at the end of last week with the stated aim of annihilating Hamas, with air strikes continuing. Following aerial bombings of Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp this week, in which Israel said it targeted and killed two senior Hamas commanders, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights cited concern that Israel's srikes were "disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes". WHAT DO THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS SAY? Their overarching goal is to protect civilians in wartime. Under the laws of armed conflict, combatants include members of state armed forces, military and volunteer forces and non-state armed groups. Directly targeting civilians or civilian objects is strictly forbidden. Intentionally attacking personnel and material involved in humanitarian assistance is a separate war crime as long as those providing the humanitarian aid are civilians. A siege can be considered a war crime if it targets civilians, rather than a legitimate means to undermine the military capabilities of a force like Hamas, or if found to be disproportionate. International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan has warned the Israeli army that it will need to show that "any attack that impacts innocent civilians or protected objects" such as hospitals, churches, schools or mosques must be done in accordance with laws of armed conflict. Under these laws there are instances in which otherwise civilian objects can become legitimate military targets if they are being used to effectively contribute to military action. "The burden of proving that the protective status is lost rests with those who fire the gun, the missile, or the rocket in question," Khan said. Israel says Hamas fighters use residential neighbourhoods as cover and civilian buildings to conceal command posts and arms. Even if a combatant attacks legitimate military targets, any assault has to be proportional, meaning it must not lead to excessive loss of civilian life or damage to civilian objects. The Geneva Conventions and subsequent rulings by international tribunals show that proportionality is not a numbers game where the toll of civilian casualties on one side can be compared to the other, rather such casualties should be proportionate to the direct and concrete military advantage expected from that specific attack. WHICH INSTITUTIONS CAN TRY ALLEGED WAR CRIMES? The first in line to try alleged war crimes are local jurisdictions, in this case courts in Israel and the Palestinian territories. If alleged Palestinian perpetrators of atrocities in Israel and all alleged perpetrators of crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories are not brought to justice at home, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is the only international legal organ able to bring charges. The ICC's founding Rome Statute gives it legal authority to investigate alleged crimes on the territory of its member states or by their nationals, when domestic authorities are "unwilling or unable" to do so. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; editing by Mark Heinrich) ExxonMobil is buying Pioneer Natural Resources, resulting in a $59.5 billion all-stock transaction and boosting its fracking capabilities. It will be the largest acquisition for the fossil fuel colossus after Exxon bought Mobil two decades ago, according to The Associated Press. Pioneer Naturals buyout allows for Exxons growth in the Permian Basin, a large oilfield in the Southwestern U.S. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Together, the companies will have an estimated 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource in the Permian, a press release from Exxon said. The larger company would be able to double the Permian production volume to the equivalent of 1.3 million barrels a day, based on this years estimates. By 2027, that could reach about 2 million barrels a day, the release said. ExxonMobil believes the transaction represents an opportunity for even greater U.S. energy security by bringing the best technologies, operational excellence and financial capability to an important source of domestic supply, benefitting the American economy and its consumers, the release continued. As the buyout occurs, Exxon is in decent financial standing, with profits of $55.7 billion last year. Those profits topped a previous record of $44.22 billion from 2008. Exxon Mobil Corp. has been using its cash for acquisitions. It bought pipeline operator Denbury in a $4.9 billion deal in July. Pioneer has also been making recent acquisitions. The company said it was buying Parsley Energy in a $4.5 billion deal in 2020. It also bought DoublePoint Energy in a $6.4 billion deal in 2021. ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said in the release the combined capabilities of our two companies will provide long-term value creation well in excess of what either company is capable of doing on a standalone basis. I think fossil fuels, as the world looks to transition and find lower sources of affordable energy with lower emissions, fossil fuels oil and gas are going to continue to play a role over time, Woods told CNBC. That may diminish with time. The rate of that is, I think, not very clear at this stage. But it will be around for a long time. Woods explained that Exxon and Pioneer will be able to use their combined capabilities to drive down emissions and produce lower carbon intensity oil and gas. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Exxon Mobil Corporations Chairman and CEO Darren Woods unveiled a takeover of Pioneer Natural Resources for about $60 billion in the petroleum giant's biggest deal since the late 1990s merger between Exxon and Mobil (KARIM JAAFAR) ExxonMobil sealed a megadeal to acquire shale producer Pioneer Natural Resources for about $60 billion on Wednesday, and depicted the transaction as boosting US energy security in an attempt to allay regulatory concerns. The US oil giant said the takeover, the company's biggest since the late 1990s acquisition of Mobil by Exxon, will enable greater economies of scale in the Permian Basin -- a fast-growing petroleum region in the southwestern US -- permitting it to deploy drilling and operating technologies over a bigger region and enabling cheaper oil production. "The combined capabilities of our two companies will provide long-term value creation well in excess of what either company is capable of doing on a standalone basis," said ExxonMobil Chief Executive Darren Woods. Under the all-stock transaction, ExxonMobil will buy Texas-based Pioneer for $59.5 billion based on ExxonMobil's closing price on October 5. The overall transaction, including debt, is valued at around $64.5 billion, the companies said. The transaction prices Pioneer at $253 per share, up about 18 percent prior to a Wall Street Journal article last week reporting the talks. Shares of Pioneer rose Wednesday, but lagged below the deal price -- a gap that analysts said likely reflects uncertainty about the transaction's completion due to regulatory issues. Company officials emphasized significant investment plans that would enable Exxon to more than double its current volumes from the region to two million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2027. "ExxonMobil believes the transaction represents an opportunity for even greater US energy security by bringing the best technologies, operational excellence and financial capability to an important source of domestic supply, benefitting the American economy and its consumers," the company said in a press release. But "whether law makers and regulators at the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice agree with that assertion remains to be seen," said a note from Briefing.com, which predicted the deal would face intense antitrust scrutiny from regulators. Dan Pickering, chief investment officer at Houston investment firm Pickering Energy Partners, predicted the deal would go through. He said US antitrust regulators have traditionally focused on questions of the downstream operations and gasoline production, which is not a factor in the deal. "There will be a lot of squawking," Pickering told AFP, adding that "there is no rational ground to block this transaction." - Climate change? - Production in the Permian Basin, located in western Texas and eastern New Mexico, accounts for a whopping 5.8 million barrels of oil per day, or about 45 percent of US output. The region has a long and storied history, with the first wells dating to 1920. The basin soared during the energy boom of the 1970s before experiencing a steady decline in subsequent decades. The US shale boom of the 2010s revived the area, with fracking and new drilling techniques that make development more affordable. "If it were a country, the Permian Basin would be one of the largest producers of oil in the world," says the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The takeover comes as oil is trading at more than $85 a barrel, a relatively high historical benchmark. In a conference call with analysts, Woods said that carrying out an all-stock purchase helps insulate ExxonMobil from the vagaries of the market, because the company's stock moves in tandem with commodity prices. ExxonMobil vowed that it would employ best practices on the environment, accelerating Pioneer's plan to reach net zero emissions by 15 years to 2035 and employing technology to limit methane emissions. But ExxonMobil has long faced criticism that it intentionally fueled doubts about climate change science in order to protect its core business -- a point reiterated Wednesday by critics. ExxonMobil and other big oil companies "are driving the world toward climate catastrophe," said the Center for Climate Integrity. "As the crisis accelerates, it's more important than ever that officials call out their climate deception and hold these polluters accountable." Woods reiterated his defense of petroleum in an interview with CNBC. Even as the world transitions to lower-carbon energy, fossil fuels will "continue to play a role over time," Woods told CNBC. "That may diminish with time... but it will be around for a long time." Shares of Pioneer climbed 1.0 percent to $239.76 in afternoon trading, while ExxonMobil dropped 4.3 percent to $105.69. jmb/dw Claim: A video shared on X in October 2023 authentically showed a lavish, palatial Airbnb apartment for rent in Italy. Rating: Rating: Mixture Context: The video is authentic and shows an entrance to the Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola, located in Genoa, Italy. Although there is an Airbnb apartment available at this location, it is situated on the second floor of the palace. Therefore, the video does not actually show what the apartment itself looks like. In October 2023, a video went viral on X (formerly Twitter), with a caption reading, "Reminder that this is what Airbnbs look like in Italy." The clip showed the lavish, awe-inspiring interior of a building adorned with frescoes and sculptures. If this is an actual AirBnB, it's only available to family members, one X user commented. Reminder that this is what Airbnbs look like in Italy. pic.twitter.com/kK9og4ZJ3B Culture Critic (@Culture_Crit) October 9, 2023 Google reverse-image search results showed that the video was also shared on other platforms. For instance, the same clip was shared on Instagram with a caption Would you stay here? $138 a night Airbnb in Genoa, Italy . Another viral post on Instagram reached over 13,4 million views and 900 thousand likes, and one of the comments read Im Italian and Ill never leave my country, here its not that strange to have an entry like this. We breath art everywhere, Im so blessed . The in-question video was online at least since April 2023, when it was shared by @thesavagearmy account on TikTok. This embedded content is not available in your region. Another TikTok user reacted to that video claiming to have "good news and bad news," saying that the building was not an Airbnb, but just "a castle that you can take a tour of in Italy." This embedded content is not available in your region. As some social media users suggested, the in-question apartment was available on the Airbnb website under the name "UNESCO APARTMENT: Via Garibaldi - Genova Center." In the About this space section we read that the apartment was located on the second floor of Palazzo Giovanni Spinola (16th century), a UNESCO heritage site. The remainder of the apartment's description repeated the same information The apartment (equipped with elevator) located on the second floor is spacious, bright and quiet. (Airbnb.com Screenshot) As one can see, the actual apartment resembles a standard one rather than a luxurious palace. (Airbnb.com Screenshot) Moreover, we confirmed that the in-question video authentically showed the entrance to the Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola, by comparing pictures and videos of that place (on the right) to screenshots from the clip (on the left): (Sailko, Wikipedia) All in all, the video is authentic, but the Airbnb apartment is located on the second floor of the palace. Therefore, the video does not show what the Airbnb apartment itself looks like. Because of that, we rated this claim as a Mixture. Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola ce can be found on the Unesco World Heritage List, as part of the Palazzi dei Rolli residences in Genoas historic centre: The Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli in Genoas historic centre date from the late 16th and early 17th centuries when the Republic of Genoa was at the height of its financial and seafaring power. The site represents the first example in Europe of an urban development project parcelled out by a public authority within a unitary framework and associated to a particular system of public lodging in private residences, as decreed by the Senate in 1576. The site includes an ensemble of Renaissance and Baroque palaces along the so-called new streets (Strade Nuove). The Palazzi dei Rolli offer an extraordinary variety of different solutions, achieving universal value in adapting to the particular characteristics of the site and to the requirements of a specific social and economic organization. They also offer an original example of a public network of private residences designated to host state visits. If you want to take a closer look at the palace and get to know its history, we recommend watching this video: Sources: Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the System of the Palazzi Dei Rolli. UNESCO World Heritage Centre, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1211/. Accessed 11 Oct. 2023. Israeli citizens across northern Israel have been told to seek shelter after an airspace intrusion As an example of how tense things are along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, a suspected airspace intrusion into Israel from Lebanon had Israeli authorities telling residents of several northern communities to seek shelter until further notice. Due to human error, an app designed to alert residents malfunctioned, Haaretz reported , adding to the confusion. https://twitter.com/haaretzcom/status/1712149232923075067 The situation lasted for about two hours before the IDF gave the all-clear. "Further to the reports of infiltration from the Lebanese border into Israel's airspace, as of now fear of infiltration has been ruled out," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said on Twitter. https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/status/1712150181343306010 Though Israeli authorities didn't specify what kind of airspace intrusion may have taken place, reports began emerging on social media that it could have been similar to the paragliders Hamas used to carry out its initial attacks in southern Israel on Saturday. https://twitter.com/YWNReporter/status/1712130517569577433 Later reports suggest it might be drones. https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1712133260707258563 https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1712137833840849144 The IDF reportedly also launched illumination flares over southern Lebanon, where it is now evening. https://twitter.com/AuroraIntel/status/1712139778458628472 As a result of concerns about an intrusion, "all residents in the areas where the warning was sounded are asked to enter the protected areas and stay in them until further notice, Hagari said. https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/status/1712129515118362731 Israeli media began reporting about sirens sounding throughout the north. Sirens were heard throughout the Golan Heights and the Galilee due to the infiltration of hostile aircraft, including in the northern Israeli cities of Nahariya, Acre, Safed, Tiberias, and Kiryat Shmona, Haaretz reported . https://twitter.com/haaretzcom/status/1712127238198497398 https://twitter.com/i24NEWS_EN/status/1712128209435660702 Israel's Home Front Command "has announced that residents of the Haifa region, the Galilee, and the Golan should seek shelter in a protected area until further notice, locking their doors and windows, and preparing for an extended stay," Haaretz added. "In addition, an alert has been issued due to concerns of infiltrators in Ma'alot Tarshiha." According to the Home Front Command, the instructions follow a "widespread attack" that occurred in the north a short while ago," Haaretz reported, without providing additional details. "The directive advises residents to enter the shelter with provisions, water, bedding, blankets, medications, and communication devices." https://twitter.com/haaretzcom/status/1712138517311042010 As time passed, however, IDF reported that there was no intrusion. "Further to reports of airspace intrusion from Lebanese territory into Israeli territory, so far no crashes have been detected in Israeli territory and no casualties have been reported," Hagari said in a later Tweet. "IDF forces are scanning the area from the ground and from the air... You must continue to obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and act accordingly. https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/status/1712142585802678735 At 7:53 p.m. local time (12:53 p.m. EST), Hagari acknowledged the problem, but still urged caution. "This is a matter of human error, there is no such instruction," he said of the erroneous warning. "You must continue to listen to the instructions of the Home Front Command that are being updated. Though Israeli officials are chalking this up to human error, the tumult created this morning, the fifth day of this war, comes amid mounting concerns that Hezbollah might enter the conflict as we have noted in the past . Hezbollah has a tremendous arsenal of long-range strike weapons and well-trained and equipped fighters. Its entry into the fight would pose a tremendous challenge to Israel, both in terms of seeing its air defenses overwhelmed and having to cope with a ground war that would stretch its army thin. The concern is so great that the U.S. has sent the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean. It arrived there yesterday. The Pentagon ordered the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) "The versatility and mobility of the strike group, which can conduct a full spectrum of missions, from intelligence collection, maritime dominance, to long-range strike, will ensure the United States is postured to respond to any contingencies and minimize the risk of a wider spread conflict that would threaten stability," a senior U.S. defense official told reporters, including from The War Zone, Tuesday. "These posture increases were intended to serve as an unequivocal demonstration in deed and not only in words of U.S. support for Israel's defense and serve as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and any other proxy across the region who might be considering exploiting the current situation to escalate conflict. Those adversaries should think twice." For Israel, the good news here was that there was no attack from the north. The bad news is that a nation's nerves were further jangled and future such warnings might go unheeded. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com American-Israeli families whose loved ones are missing and believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza told reporters Tuesday at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel that they have received "zero communication" from the U.S. and Israeli governments. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI Oct. 10 (UPI) -- American families of those missing in Israel after weekend attacks by Hamas are pleading with the U.S. and Israeli governments to rescue their loved ones, saying they have received "zero communication" since the attacks. "I want to bring forward the responsibility that the Israeli government has to bring back all the hostages," Nahar Neta, whose mother was kidnapped, told reporters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. "And it is our hope, which is a little bit ridiculous to say, that the optimistic scenario here is she is held hostage in Gaza and not dead on the street of the kibbutz where we grew up." "I don't think it is my place to tell the policymakers and decision-makers how to go about this process," Neta said. "I care about the result and the result that I care about is for my mom to come home and for me to be able to hug her. I trust these people to do what they need to do in order for that to happen." The families, some of which are from New York and Connecticut, blasted the U.S. and Israeli governments for failing to contact them three days after the attacks. "Zero communication from the Israeli government, zero communication on our side," Neta added. American-Israeli families whose loved ones are missing and believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza speak Tuesday at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI "I'm here with my family, my two sisters, who grew up in New York City," said Rubi Chen, whose 19-year-old son Itay Chen is being held hostage. "Please do not just think of us as that headline, we are people, we are families, who want to be back families again," Chen said. American-Israeli fathers (L-R) Jonathan Dekel-Chen and Rubi Chen, whose sons, Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, and Itay Chen, 19, were taken hostage by Hamas on the Gaza border wait for a press conference Tuesday in Tel Aviv, Israel. Rubi Chen said the U.S. "has the power to do more" to rescue the hostages. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI The U.S. "has the power, it has the resources, it has the influence to do more," he added, saying the U.S. cannot "take a back seat." "We heard from a person from here in the Tel Aviv Embassy, but beyond taking note that we filled out forms and defined him as missing, there's been no formal communication to me as an individual or to us as a group communicating what they know, what they plan to do," Chen said. Photos of American-Israelis Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, and Itay Chen, 19, who are missing and believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, are displayed Tuesday for a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI Rachel Goldberg, who also said she has yet to receive a "formal communication" from the White House, said the last words she heard from her son was that he loved her and was "sorry." Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, was among hundreds at a music festival Saturday when Hamas militants killed 260 people and took an unknown number of hostages. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, also launched an assault on Israeli military positions and other civilian areas. American-Israelis (L-R) Rachel Goldberg and Jonathan Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, is missing and believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza say they have yet to hear a "formal communication" from the White House. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI At least 900 Israelis were killed, according to the Israeli military, and at least 830 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip in attacks by the Israeli military. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden told reporters at the White House, that his administration is currently working with Israel to recover the hostages. "I've directed by team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts, because, as president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world." It was the news that a Sandy Springs family had been dreading to hear their loved one who was missing following the deadly bombing at an Israeli music festival was found dead on Wednesday. Channel 2s Michael Seiden spoke to Daniel Zaken of Brookhaven during Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m. on Tuesday as his family has been trying to get in contact with their first cousin, Jonathan Rom, 23, a dual American-Israeli citizen, since Saturdays attack by Hamas. The attack killed hundreds at Israels Nova Music Festival. Dozens more were taken hostage. Hes not listed in any hospitals, Zaken said. Our hope is he is still alive and hiding somewhere. But that wasnt the case. The family confirmed Wednesday that Roms body was found near the festival site. RELATED NEWS: Zaken says he and his family were on a cruise headed to Israel to see his cousin and other family and friends when they learned about the attack. He was helping this girl who was having a panic attack escape, he added. They entered a vehicle together and started driving off and they sustained a bunch of gunfire from Hamas. They got out of the vehicle and started running. Zaken said Rom was born in South Carolina, but eventually moved to Israel where he grew up before joining the Israel Defense Forces. RELATED NEWS: Around 250 people were killed at the rave party closer to kibbutz Reim by Hamas militants (Jack GUEZ) Twin brothers Osher and Michael Vaknin organised rave parties across Israel, including the one close to the Gaza Strip, where a shock attack by Hamas fighters would leave one of them dead and the other missing. Osher was buried in Jerusalem on Tuesday, while no signs of Michael have emerged since the weekend assault on the site by the Palestinian militants. In the living room of their family home in Jerusalem, their loved ones were sitting shiva -- the Jewish seven-day mourning ritual, grieving for Osher while still hoping for a sign of life of Michael. "He's coming home. I hope he hasn't been kidnapped. It'll kill us. It's very, very painful," said the twins' sister Ausa Meir, 32. Osher was killed as "he stopped the bullets for a friend, for a brother," said Ausa, a French-Israeli mother of three. Like thousands of Israeli men, her husband, an army reservist, was called to the front on Saturday morning. The rave event organised by the twins had drawn thousands of party-goers from Friday to the desert site close to Kibbutz Reim, less than five kilometres (three miles) from the Gaza Strip. But it turned into a horror show on Saturday morning when Hamas militants crossed the border on motorcycles, vans, speed boats or paramotors, launching their surprise offensive on Israel. Around 250 people were killed at the site alone. Others were dragged into the Palestinian enclave as captives. Aerial images obtained by AFP showed dozens of burnt-out cars on the side of the road leading to the festival site. Sunny Vaknin, Osher's widow, said she went to search for her husband on Monday. "We thought he was still alive, we had hope. Finally, I found our car... and saw what had happened. "The whole car was covered in blood. All the front windows were shattered. Full of bullet holes," the widow said, shaking as she recounted the violent fate met by her husband, who was in his thirties. "Everything was covered in blood. Pieces of flesh. Everything, my daughter's car seat was covered in blood." - No DNA traces - The widower said a friend who survived the massacre had recalled seeing Osher "get out of the car to help people". "He was my whole life, really," said Vaknin, describing her husband and brother-in-law as "great people" who "always wanted to make people happy". Around her, a group of young people, including some who survived the ordeal, sought to comfort her, voicing hopes that Michael is still alive. "We didn't find any traces of his DNA at the site," said Sunny, voicing hope that the world would hear her plea and help to locate her brother-in-law. Around 150 people were taken prisoner by Hamas. Not all their identities are known or have been made public. The channels of negotiation or discussion over their fate have so far been remained secretive. Meir refused categorically to countenance the possibility that Michael had suffered the same fate as Osher. Among the young people who were mourning with the family were survivors of the deadly attack. But they were too traumatised to talk about it. Passing joints around, they sought to comfort each other. One of the family's friends, who declined to be named, said the brothers were known for organising music parties in Israel, including "the biggest rave party" in the country. At the synagogue round the corner from their home, the twins' mother received visitors who had turned up to offer support. Sitting on a low stool, according to the Jewish mourning tradition, she prayed for the return of her son Michael, who perhaps is still unaware that he has lost his twin brother forever. mib/dar/tmt/hmn/kir Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) penned another fiery letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), again rebuffing his request for information about her prosecution of former President Trump and others involved in trying to block President Bidens electoral victory in Georgia. A charitable explanation of your correspondence is that you are ignorant of the United States and Georgia Constitutions and codes, she wrote in response to a late September letter from Jordan asserting she must answer questions about the investigation. A more troubling explanation is that you are abusing your authority as Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary to attempt to obstruct and interfere with a Georgia criminal prosecution. Jordan initially wrote to Willis in August just hours before Trump appeared in a county jail, essentially asking her to turn over all documents and communications related to the case. Congress in general, and this Committee in particular, have a strong legislative interest in ensuring that popularly elected local prosecutors do not misuse their law-enforcement authority to target federal officials for political reasons, he wrote last month. We can only conclude from your hostile response to the Committees oversight that you are actively and aggressively engaged in such a scheme. Willis on Wednesday said Jordan has already shown his hand in terms of his desire to interfere with this case. Indeed, you confessed to this motivation on Mark Levins September 10, 2023, show: when discussing one of my offices active prosecutions, you boasted, Were trying to get all the answers, but were trying to stop this stuff as well, she wrote. Willis once again did not spare in revealing irritation at Jordans request for information, noting she has already responded with information about federal grants they receive. We have already written a letter which I have attached again for your reference explaining why the legal positions you advance are meritless. Nothing youve said in your latest letter changes that fact, she said, adding that his letter comes as my team and I are exceptionally busy. As I have explained, your requests implicate significant, well recognized confidentiality interests related to an ongoing criminal matter, as well as serious constitutional concerns regarding federalism and separation of powers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. We shouldnt have to say that no player in mainstream Texas politics should meet with a known antisemite. But apparently we do. Jonathan Stickland who leads an influential far-right political committee, hosted national hatemonger Nick Fuentes for hours at the west Tarrant County office of his Pale Horse Strategies conulting firm, according to the Texas Tribune. Fuentes is most readily known for meeting with former President Donald Trump and the rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West). But his record of spewing white supremacist rhetoric and his groyper followers agitating for hate-filled causes extends back several years. Far-right activist Nick Fuentes shown in Lansing, Mich., in 2020. (Nicole Hester/Ann Arbor News via AP, File) If it were only about Stickland, a former state House member from Bedford who now lives in Willow Park, it would hardly matter. He was known almost entirely for his mouth during three unaccomplished terms in the House. But now, he leads a well-funded political action committee, Defend Texas Liberty, that is at the heart of battles among Texas Republicans over the partys direction and thus the states. The main patrons for Sticklands multi-million dollar group are Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, who have steadily built influence with generous political donations to staunch conservatives. Their chosen candidates lose much more often than they win, but a well-funded primary challenge is the main political fear for Texas Republicans. So, many have moved toward the West Texas billionaires without much prompting. Now, the group is the driving force behind efforts to get revenge on some House Republicans who impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, the defining moment in current Texas GOP politics. The timing of the meeting Friday with Fuentes, while surely coincidental, couldnt have been worse. Hours later, the world learned of the outrageous terrorist attacks in Israel. And in the U.S., white supremacists feel increasingly emboldened to express their hateful views. Just this weekend, cosplaying Nazis casually ate at a Fort Worth Torchys Tacos. Responsible leaders cannot feed this monster in any way. Texas Republican Party Chairman Matt Rinaldi, a staunch conservative, was seen at Sticklands office but said he did not meet with Fuentes and, importantly, denounced him and his rhetoric. More of that, please. The Stickland incident has become a political weapon in the escalating battle between Texas legislative leaders. House Speaker Dade Phelan called on elected officials to donate Defend Texas Liberty contributions to charity, noting that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick took $3 million in donations and loans from the political committee. That donation is already a sore spot for those who believe it influenced Patricks handling of Paxtons Senate trial, which Patrick denies. The lieutenant governor then called on Phelan to resign as speaker because he dared to invoke the Israel attacks in denouncing Stickland and the donations. Both would be better off directing their venom against Fuentes and those like him. The more that conservatives let this kind of behavior sink in, whether the real or dress-up kind, the more it will damage their cause and the state of Texas. A federal appeals court Wednesday refused to put on hold a ruling that blocked a Florida law aimed at preventing children from attending drag shows. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, rejected a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis administration to place a partial stay on a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell. The request, if granted, would have allowed the law to be enforced against almost all venues in the state while an underlying appeal of Presnells ruling played out. Presnell issued the injunction in a lawsuit filed by the Orlando restaurant Hamburger Marys but also applied the injunction to venues statewide. In seeking the partial stay, lawyers for the DeSantis administration argued that the injunction should only apply to Hamburger Marys. An injunction preventing enforcement of the statute against HM (Hamburger Marys) fully protects HM from any harm, the states lawyers argued in a July motion. In granting broader relief, the district court irreparably harmed the state by ordering it to refrain from enforcing a duly enacted law designed to protect children from exposure to age-inappropriate, sexually explicit live performances. In Wednesdays majority opinion, Judges Adalberto Jordan and Robin Rosenbaum said Presnell ruled that the law was likely overbroad and unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Jordan and Rosenbaum pointed to legal precedents and said, for example, that in other cases where a law has been found to be overbroad in violation of the First Amendment, we have affirmed injunctions preventing enforcement of a law or ordinance against nonparties as well as parties. Judge Andrew Brasher dissented, saying he would stay Presnells ruling except as it applied to Hamburger Marys. HM runs a restaurant and nightclub in Orlando. HMs injury is the fear of being prosecuted for violating (the law), Brasher wrote. A preliminary injunction prohibiting state officials from enforcing that law against HM and anyone acting in concert with HM would completely remedy HMs injury. Nothing more is necessary or appropriate. Under our precedents, thats the end of the matter, and the motion for a partial stay should be granted. In a July decision rejecting a request for a partial stay, Presnell wrote that the state was trying to neuter the courts injunction by having it apply only to Hamburger Marys. Protecting the right to freedom of speech is the epitome of acting in the public interest, Presnell wrote. It is no accident that this freedom is enshrined in the First Amendment. This injunction protects the plaintiffs (Hamburger Marys) interests, but because the statute is facially unconstitutional, the injunction necessarily must extend to protect all Floridians. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Wednesdays ruling does not resolve the states underlying appeal of Presnells decision it only dealt with the request for a stay while the appeal moves forward. The law, dubbed by sponsors as the Protection of Children Act, would prevent venues from admitting children to adult live performances. It defines adult live performances as any show, exhibition, or other presentation that is performed in front of a live audience, which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or specific sexual activities, lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts. Regulators would be able to suspend or revoke licenses of restaurants, bars, and other venues that violate the law. Also, it would prohibit local governments from issuing public permits for events that could expose children to the targeted behavior. In addition, people could face first-degree misdemeanor charges for knowingly admitting children to adult live performances. While the law does not specifically mention drag shows, it came after the DeSantis administration cracked down on venues in South Florida and Central Florida where children attended drag shows. It also passed this spring amid a wave of bills in Florida and other Republican-led states targeting LGBTQ+-related issues. Hamburger Marys, which said it had run family-friendly drag shows for 15 years, filed the lawsuit in May, and Presnell ruled June 23 that the law is not sufficiently narrowly tailored to meet First Amendment standards. Presnells injunction barred the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation from instituting, maintaining or prosecuting any enforcement proceedings under the act until further order of the court following a trial on the merits of this case. The defendant in the case is Melanie Griffin, secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Federal prosecutors are seeking a three-month-long prison stint for Ryan Kelley, a real estate agent and conservative activist who pleaded guilty to a charge stemming from participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Kelley, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in Michigan last year, wants to avoid prison time and is asking a district judge for probation time. The government had previously levied four misdemeanor charges against Kelley, which he initially pleaded not guilty to. But he avoided a trial after pleading guilty in July to a single charge of entering or remaining in restricted grounds without lawful authority. That charge, also a misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of up to a year in prison. Ahead of Kelley's sentencing on Tuesday, government prosecutors argued U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper should impose a sentence of three months prison time, along with one-year supervised release, 60 hours of community service and a $500 fine. While prosecutors noted there is no government evidence Kelley entered the Capitol, they argued his participation in the riot should merit prison time. They pointed to Kelley climbing scaffolding to get to the Capitol, encouraging other rioters to move forward and his remaining in a courtyard near the building as the riot continued in their sentencing memorandum. ... (T)he January 6 riot was a violent attack that threatened the lives of legislators and their staff, interrupted of the certification of the 2020 Electoral College vote count, did irrevocable harm to our nations tradition of the peaceful transfer of power, caused more than $2.9 million in losses, and injured more than one hundred police officers. Every rioter, whether or not they personally engaged in violence or personally threatened violence, contributed to this harm, prosecutors wrote. Additionally, while Kelley doesnt have a criminal history, feds wrote he has displayed a troubling lack of remorse for his actions, pointing to multiple social media posts where Kelley downplayed the Jan. 6 riots and wrote he was doing the right thing being at the Capitol that day. That failure to express remorse calls for a significant term of incarceration to specifically deter Kelley from any participation in future, politically inspired property damage or violence, prosecutors wrote. Sentencing will take place at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington. Kelley hopes to avoid any prison time his attorney, Gary Springstead, has asked Cooper to impose a sentence of three years of probation. Springstead wrote that any incarceration time for his client would be an inadequately harsh punishment, noting Kelley does not have a criminal history and did not engage in any direct violence while at the Capitol. Ignoring that Mr. Kelley did not engage in violence on January 6, 2021 would fail to take into account a critical fact that Mr. Kelleys refusal to engage in violence distinguishes him from those who had neither the sense nor the will to refrain from doing so, Springstead wrote. Springstead said Kelley only traveled to the Capitol that day to see former President Donald Trump speak. Trump, immediately after the 2020 election and still to this day falsely asserts that the 2020 election was stolen, despite numerous audits and lawsuits finding President Joe Biden won the election. On Jan. 6, 2021, supporters of Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Bidens electoral victory. The vote was eventually certified, and in the years since the riot, more than 1,000 individuals have been criminally charged for their participation in the siege, according to the Department of Justice. Kelley is one of approximately 935 individuals to have been charged with entering or remaining in restricted grounds, the DOJ says. Kelley was one of five candidates to appear on the August 2022 Republican primary ballot for the partys gubernatorial nomination. He finished fourth in the primary, losing to eventual nominee Tudor Dixon. Dixon went on to lose to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by 11 percentage points in the November 2022 election. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) @arpanlobo. Become a subscriber today. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-governor hopeful Ryan Kelley aims to avoid prison for Jan. 6 charge Female frogs would sometimes go as far as faking their own deaths to avoid male attention, scientists have found. Researchers assessed mate avoidance behaviour in European common frog and found that females use a number of methods, including special calls, grunting, rolling, and even feigning death to get rid of unwanted males. European common frogs are known to be an explosive breeding species with a very short breeding season. They gather in ponds to mate in large numbers with a high risk of death among mating females. Previous research found that during these mating events where males outnumber females, several males can cling on to a female frog, causing their deaths. However, until now scientists have not found how the female frogs attempted to reject unwanted males. I am happy to see the last chapter of my #PhD out @RSocPublishing. We show that female frogs in dense breeding aggregations use mate avoidance tactics, probably due to stress. One is tonic immobility, they appear death https://t.co/rIfexCcKHZ @roedel_lab @mfnberlin Dr. Carolin Dittrich (@CarolinDittrich) October 11, 2023 We observed three female avoidance behaviours, namely rotation, release calls and tonic immobility (death feigning), scientists, including those from the Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science in Germany, wrote in the study published on Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science. The new study may lead to better conservation efforts. Scientists collected male and female European common frogs from a pond during the breeding season. They divided the collected frogs into tanks filled with water such that each tank contained two females and one male. Overall 54 female frogs were grasped by males in the study, of which over 80 per cent rolled onto their backs to avoid copulation. This move, according to scientists, puts the males clinging on to the females back underwater, leading to them letting go of the female frog. About half of the females that were mounted by males used grunts and squeaks to attempt to get away from sex. Scientists also found nearly one-third of the females laid motionless on their backs with limbs stretched as if they were faking death for about two minutes after a male climbs onto them. The smaller females also showed the full repertoire of behaviours more often than the larger females, researchers noted, adding that older females were less likely to feign death. However, it remained unclear whether the female response appearing to faking death was a conscious behaviour or an involuntary response to stress. Overall, scientists found that nearly half of the females mounted by a male successfully escaped using these strategies. The tactic to avoid predators by faking death has until now only been observed in a handful of species. With the latest findings, researchers hope to better understand mating behaviour in amphibians and broaden their conservation efforts. Mark Stewart Greenstein, right, hands a pen back to New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan after filing to get on the state's 2024 Democratic presidential primary ballot on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 in Concord, N.H. Greenstein, of West Hartford, Connecticut, is making his fourth long-shot bid for the nomination. (AP Photo/Holly Ramer) CONCORD, N.H. (AP) In a ritual unruffled by either a changing of the guard or changes to the nominating calendar elsewhere, the filing period for the New Hampshire presidential primary started Wednesday with a Democratic candidate who criticized President Joe Biden and paid a chunk of his filing fee in $2 bills. For the first time in more than four decades, candidates are filing paperwork with a new secretary of state thanks to the retirement last year of longtime elections chief Bill Gardner. But his successor, David Scanlan, is carrying on the tradition of ensuring New Hampshire remains first, waiting for the dust to settle in other states before scheduling the 2024 contest. Im really in no hurry, he said in an interview Tuesday. In contrast, the candidates themselves particularly the long shots often are in a race to sign up first in hopes that a bit of media attention will boost their campaigns. In 1991, a writer from New York drove 11 hours in a snowstorm only to find another perennial candidate waiting at the door. In 2007, a Minnesota fugitive living in Italy sent a package by courier that arrived just before an ex-convict embarked on a 90-minute rant that included five costume changes. This year, the first to sign up was Mark Stewart Greenstein, who arrived at the Statehouse at 6:30 a.m. and paid his $1,000 filing fee in cash, including $400 in $2 bills. Greenstein, from West Hartford, Connecticut, also was the first to sign up four years ago. He said he plans to be on the ballot in five states. This is his fourth run in New Hampshire, where he got 31 votes in 2020. This is a choice for no Joe Biden, he said before entering the Statehouse to file. There should be a way for Democrats to express that they dont like their front-runner. Im not his replacement. Im not going to be around next November. But you can say as a voter, Im a voter who is dissatisfied. Greenstein was followed by Republican John Anthony Castro, who has filed lawsuits in New Hampshire and other states contending the 14th Amendment prohibits former President Donald Trump from appearing on that states ballot. Scanlan disagrees and has said he will allow Trump to file. The 14th Amendment prohibits those who engaged in an insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution from holding higher office. It has been used only a couple of times since Congress rescinded the measures ban on former Confederates in 1872, but it received renewed attention after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters who were seeking to halt certification of the 2020 election results to keep Biden out of the White House after he defeated Trump. Trump says he did nothing wrong. Castro, from Texas, said he is unlikely to campaign beyond signing up. Im not going to lie and pretend my candidacy is anything more than trying to enforce the United States Constitution, and thats what Im here to do, he said. I dont want to distract anything from the mission. The fights going to be in the courtroom. Im going to do my best to try to get people to see the light. But at the end of the day, I dont need the people to see the light, I need the courts to see the light. The candidates have until Oct. 27 to sign up, and dozens are expected to do so in part because its relatively cheap and easy. They need only meet the basic requirements to be president, fill out a one-page form and pay the filing fee. The first nationally recognized candidate to file on Wednesday was former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who has languished in the polls but said he expects many New Hampshire voters to make up their minds late. He criticized a gathering being held in Utah where Sen. Mitt Romney urged his longtime financial backers to help narrow the large GOP field to one person to challenge Trump. Let me tell you, Im glad on that same day to be here in New Hampshire filing for president and trusting the New Hampshire voters to make the decision, Hutchinson said. "We should not allow mega-donors to narrow this field and say, Were going to select the next president of the United States. It should be the voters thats going to make that determination. And were not going to bypass them. Were going to take the campaign directly to them. In 2020, 33 Democrats and 17 Republicans signed up. The all-time high was 1992, when 61 people got on the ballot. But this cycle could be notable instead for whose name isnt on the ballot. New Hampshire, with its state law requiring its primaries to be held first, is defying the Democratic National Committees new primary calendar which calls for South Carolina to kick off voting on Feb. 3, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada. The shakeup came at the request of President Joe Biden in a bid to empower Black and other minority voters crucial to the partys base. Bidens campaign wont comment on whether he will be on the ballot in New Hampshire. But he wouldnt be the first reelection-seeking incumbent missing from the primary ballot: President Lyndon Johnson won the 1968 Democratic primary as a write-in, though a shockingly strong-second place showing by Sen. Eugene McCarthy helped push him out of the race. Scanlan, who served as deputy secretary of state for 20 years, said he was excited to welcome the new crop of candidates candidates. Like his predecessor, he plans to greet them with a few encouraging words, but dont expect the obscure trivia Gardner often added. I dont have any history lessons planned, Scanlan said. That was Bills style, and he was really, really good at it. We are less than two weeks away from a final vote on a social district in Plaza Midwood. Social districts are designated areas where people are allowed to drink in public. Plaza Midwood's social district could be in place by Halloween weekend, depending how quickly businesses are ready to launch Charlotte City Council will vote on October 23. After approval, the district can launch as soon as the signs and cups are purchased and in place @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/IcLc21N0iC Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) October 11, 2023 The proposed Plaza Midwood district is 1.3 miles long. It runs along Central Avenue through all of Plaza Midwood -- from Louise Avenue to Morningside Drive. Signs will be posted throughout the boundaries to tell people where and when they cannot openly drink. All the beverages will be served in reusable stainless-steel cups. PREVIOUS: Could Charlotte finally get its 1st social district? Several cities around our area, including Kannapolis, already have social districts. There are already more than 30 social districts in North Carolina. The City of Charlotte says leaders are planning to vote on the Plaza Midwood district on Oct. 23. The district could be in place by Halloween weekend -- it can launch as soon as the signs and cups are bought and put in place. Other areas in Charlotte that have expressed interest in creating a social district include NoDa, South End, and Ballantyne. However, those neighborhoods are not as far along in the process. MORE PREVIOUS STORIES: (WATCH BELOW: Pineville to get social district while Charlotteans wait for theirs) Losing a partner not only means you have to come to terms with the heartbreak of being deprived of the person that you shared your life with, but you also have to confront a new financial reality. Financial instability is common after the loss of a loved one, explains Vicky Anning of the charity Widowed and Young (WAY), which supports young widowed people in the UK. The financial impact is particularly stark for our members with young children, Ms Anning said. Overnight, a household income can be reduced by more than 50pc. Telegraph Money explains the steps youll need to take for your finances. Register their death Youll need to inform the register office of your partners death. This must be done in the area where they died and within five days (or eight days if in Scotland). Once registered, youll get a certificate for burial or cremation (known as the green form), a death certificate and a unique code for the Governments Tell Us Once service. Every provider you speak to will likely need sight of the death certificate so its a good idea to get half a dozen copies. This is a bigger time saver than you may think, said Daniel Williams, an independent financial adviser at Morgan Williams & Co. Using Tell Us Once automatically informs various government departments of the persons death including HMRC (to deal with personal tax and to cancel benefits and credits), DVLA (to cancel a licence and end the vehicle tax), DWP (to cancel benefits), passport office and the local council (to cancel things like housing benefit and remove the person from the electoral register). Find their will Make a loved ones life easy and give them a map of where to find your will, explained legal expert Gary Rycroft. Otherwise youre sending them on something of a treasure hunt. In the event of death, ideally, you will know where your partner has put their will or, if you have been appointed an executor and therefore have to carry out their wishes, have a physical copy. Check the National Will Register and, if you know it, the will firm they may have used some firms have a register but this isnt compulsory. If there is no will, or you do find one but it isnt valid, then intestacy rules dictate who gets what from your partners estate. If you were unmarried, for example, then the estate is shared equally between any children and blood relatives. Joint finances get transferred Jointly held assets such as bank or building society accounts will be automatically passed to you once you show the death certificate. This is straightforward, said Rycroft. Theres no need for probate and it means regular payments continue as normal. When it comes to property, if the partners were beneficial joint tenants at the time of the death, the surviving partner will automatically inherit the other partners share of the property. However, if the partners were tenants in common, the surviving partner wont automatically inherit the other persons share. In this case, probate will be needed so the personal representative can pass it to whoever will inherit the share of the property. If there is an outstanding mortgage on the property, the mortgage company will either require the mortgage to be paid immediately, or ask the person who inherits the property to take over the payments. If there is a mortgage on the property, there might be a life insurance policy, an endowment policy, or mortgage protection policy which will pay the outstanding mortgage if the person with the mortgage dies. In this case, you should write to the company, asking for a final statement. Freeze accounts Youll need to inform banks and other organisations that hold accounts in the name of your loved one as soon as possible it protects them from the risk of fraud. This includes mortgage providers, insurance providers, personal or workplace pension providers, utility companies, landlords and social media. This is where multiple copies of death certificates can help. Services that can potentially help with this include Life Ledger and the Death Notification Service. Members of the Death Notification Service Contact the Land Registry If you and your loved one were joint owners of a property, typically the family home, youll need to fill in a death of a joint proprietor (DJP) form and send it to HM Land Registry, along with a copy of the death certificate to update the Title Deeds. Their name will then be removed from the register. Get a handle on pensions Its important to track down any private or workplace pensions, assuming you are the named beneficiary. Again, sending a copy of the death certificate to the provider will be the key to claiming it, said Rycroft. Check the deceaseds paperwork or bank statements to see if there are any details of a provider. Failing that, the free, government-backed Pension Tracing Service can help you. You may be entitled to War Widows or Widowers Pension if your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of their service in HM Armed Forces or during a time of war. They must have served before 6 April 2005, but you may be eligible if they died of an illness or injury later. Claim bereavement support payments Whether you were married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting with your partner, you may be entitled to a bereavement support payment (BSP). This is a non-means-tested benefit that is underclaimed one in six of those eligible miss out while others receive a reduced rate due to strict application deadlines. Those with children could be entitled to a lump sum payment of 3,500 plus 18 monthly payments of 350. Those without children who were married or in a civil partnership could be entitled to a lump sum payment of 2,500 plus 18 monthly payments of 100. To get the full amount, you must make a claim within three months of the death after this, the amount you get will reduce. If you leave it 21 months or more, you may not be able to make a claim. To apply, you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions bereavement service helpline. Their staff will also be able to check if you qualify for other benefits, including Funeral Expenses Payments a one-off payment of up to 1,000 to help with burial costs. Do a tax return or possibly three If your partner filed an annual self-assessment, a tax return will be required from April 6 to their date of death under their old UTR (taxpayer reference number). Any tax due will be payable by the later of January 31 or 30 days after probate is granted. If there is a tax liability at the date of death this would be a debt of the estate and, if a refund is due this would belong to the estate and potentially subject to inheritance tax. A tax code is based on a whole year so when someone dies it is usually wrong, explains Rycroft. The tax office is slow but they will come back to you via correspondence, he adds. Your tax code may also change due to inheriting some income from pensions or marriage allowance issues. Tax codes and what they mean This may result in under or overpayment to HMRC whilst the systems settle down to your new income. So better to speak to HMRCs Personal Tax Helpline to get ahead of it, advised Williams. This will allow them to issue the right tax codes to the right places and save you an almighty headache later down the line. Its something which is regularly missed but can make a difference. Rycroft agrees and points out that pension and benefit entitlements may also change. I had a client where DWP failed to increase her state pension in error when her husband died and she later got a big lump sum once they corrected it. he said. On top of this, the executors may need to file a self-assessment for the estate, inheritance tax returns and obtain probate. Until probate is granted, very little can be done with the deceaseds assets. Inheritance tax may have to be paid if the estate is valued at more than 325,000. There are some exceptions to this rule, for example, if the husband, wife or civil partner inherits the estate. Plan your finances Youll need to take stock of your income and expenditure. It may take a little time to work out your exact budget as the first few months are likely to be more expensive while arranging the funeral (which the estate is allowed to fund), and settling into a new norm. If you have a financial adviser, ask them to help you to build a new financial plan. Contact a solicitor if things get complicated Life is messy and complications can arise. Our consumer champion Katie Morley intervened in a case where a bank had handed over money from a deceased persons account to the wrong beneficiary. Banks should demand to see a grant of probate before paying out any funds but sometimes they get it wrong. In situations like this it is advisable to contact an organisation via a solicitor. Get practical help Generally speaking, you can tackle probate yourself. But you may not want to amid your grief. Practical help can be found via a financial advisor, an accountant or a family solicitor. Charity Turn2Us provides practical support and information about grants for people who are struggling financially. Learn how widows can no longer automatically inherit any state pension from their late husband or wife. Recommended What is probate? How it works and how to execute a loved ones will Read more 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. Financial institutions are refunding $140 million to consumers for so-called junk fees, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said Wednesday. The consumer watchdog said $98 million is being refunded for surprise overdraft fees, while another $22 million is being refunded for multiple insufficient fund fees levied on a single transaction. The CFPB also accused companies of taking in millions in fake revenue by charging monthly fees for paper bank statements that they never attempted to deliver, which will be refunded to customers. Other junk fees levied on bank account deposits, auto loan servicing and international money transfers will also be refunded, according to the agency. The CFPB continues to uncover junk fee scams that violate the law and undermine consumer trust, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a press release. We will continue to combat the illegal fees cropping up in consumer finance markets. The recent efforts by the consumer watchdog to curb the extra charges in the financial sector come amid a larger Biden administration push to crack down on hidden and bogus fees throughout the economy. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Wednesday that it is proposing a rule that would require companies to include all mandatory fees up front, effectively banning junk fees. FTC proposes rule to ban junk fees The proposed rule would prohibit corporations from running up the bills with hidden and bogus fees, requiring honest pricing and spurring firms to compete on honesty rather than deception, FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan said on a call with reporters. The CFPB also issued a new policy Wednesday requiring large banks and credit unions to provide customers with information about their accounts without imposing unreasonable obstacles, such as excessive fees. Todays guidance outlines a pretty basic concept: When people request basic information about their accounts, big banks cannot charge them junk fees or trap them in endless customer service loops, Chopra said on the press call alongside Khan. When people are just trying to get simple information to fix problems with their bank account or manage their finances, they shouldnt be hit with one fee after another, he added. Later this month, the CFPB is also set to propose a rule that would require financial institutions to let customers send their banking transaction data to other banks and companies in an effort to make it easier to switch banks and avoid junk fees, the agency said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Finland's government has cautioned against leaping to conclusions over the cause of the damage (STRINGER) Finnish authorities on Wednesday said the leak leading to the shutdown of a natural gas pipeline from Estonia to Finland appeared to have been caused by "mechanical" force and not a blast. The authorities declined to speculate on the specific nature of the force but said previously that "external" action had caused the Balticconnector pipeline rupture. News of the line's breach prompted theories and questions after the blasts that last year breached three pipelines carrying natural gas from Russia to Western Europe. "The damage appears to have been caused by a mechanical force, not an explosion," Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi from the National Bureau of Investigation told reporters. "Nothing has been ruled out," Lohi added, referring to the precise cause of the rupture. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Tuesday said the leak that caused the weekend shutdown of the undersea line had probably been caused by "external" activity. An investigation into the cause of the leak, as well as the rupture of a telecommunications line that ran alongside it, is ongoing. It happened at a depth of tens of metres down. The authorities said they have called on organisations and companies responsible for critical infrastructure to raise their level of preparedness. "Damage to critical infrastructure, most likely deliberately caused, is a very serious matter," Janne Kankanen, CEO of National Emergency Supply Agency, said. It will take at least five months to repair the pipeline, its operator said Wednesday, which will leave Finland totally dependent upon liquefied natural gas imports for the winter. The Norwegian seismological institute NORSAR said Monday it had detected a "probable explosion" in the area of the leak. Finland's government cautioned against leaping to conclusions. Last year, a sequence of underwater explosions resulted in the rupture of three pipelines in the Baltic Sea responsible for the transportation of natural gas from Russia to Western Europe. Natural gas accounts for around five percent of Finland's energy consumption, mainly used in industry and combined heat and power production. ehu/jm-jj Finland has presented Ukraine with its 19th military aid package worth 95 million euros ($101 million), the country's Defense Ministry announced on Oct. 11. As was the case with previous packages provided by Finland, details on the content and the mode of delivery are not disclosed for security reasons. "The outcome of the war in Ukraine will determine the security order of Europe and Finland far into the future," Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said. "This is why we will continue our determined support for Ukraine together with our allies. The total value of the defense materiel delivered by Finland to Ukraine is now 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion)." Finland said that both Ukraine's needs and the Finish military's capacities were taken into account when compiling the latest package. NATO foreign ministers are convening in Brussels for the 16th Ramstein-format summit and the NATO-Ukraine Council session to coordinate defense assistance for Ukraine ahead of the coming winter. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary-General named artillery and air defenses as the country's key military needs. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi, left, and Director of the National Bureau of Investigation NBI of Finland Robin Lardot attend a press conferance in Vantaa, Finland, Wednesday Oct. 11, 2023. NBI is investigating the Batic connector gas pipeline leak and adjacent data cable damage because of "external activity". (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP) HELSINKI (AP) Finnish police said Wednesday they have launched a criminal investigation into possible sabotage of an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia that was shut down over the weekend following a leak. Finlands National Bureau of Investigation, or NBI, says it has started gathering evidence at the location of the leak, which was detected in Finland's economic zone Sunday on the Balticconector pipeline connecting the two NATO allies. A telecommunications cable also was damaged. The purpose of the probe is to establish whether the Balticconector pipeline was damaged intentionally or by accident and by whom. Finnish authorities have already ruled out an operational mishap, saying the damage resulted from external activity. Noting that the analysis was still in an early stage, NBI said traces have been detected in the seabed near the leak but didnt give details. Outside analysts have speculated on everything from a ships anchor hitting the pipeline to an explosion as possible causes. Investigators told reporters on Wednesday that an explosion appeared unlikely. The damage appears to have been caused by mechanical force, not an explosion, NBI chief inspector Risto Lohi was quoted as saying by Finnish public broadcaster YLE. At the moment we are determining what happened and (who) may have been involved. Considering the situation, we will not speculate, but work to find facts, analyze them and then draw conclusions about what caused the damage. The 77-kilometer-long (48-mile-long) Balticconnector pipeline runs across the Gulf of Finland from the Finnish city of Inkoo to the Estonian port of Paldiski. It is bi-directional, transferring natural gas between Finland and Estonia depending on demand and supply. The 300 million euro ($318 million) pipeline, largely financed by the European Union, started commercial operations at the beginning of 2020. It was shut down on Sunday after operators noticed a drop in pressure in the pipeline. The incident comes just over a year after the Nord Stream gas pipelines running between Germany and Russia in the Baltic Sea were damaged by explosions believed to be sabotage. The case remains unsolved. In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he had discussed the latest incident with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure, then this will be of course serious, but it will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO, Stoltenberg said. On Tuesday, Finnish officials did not comment on whether they suspected Russian involvement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the incident alarming news. We know that there have been dangerous precedents of terror attacks against critical infrastructure in the Baltics, I mean the attacks against Nord Stream pipelines, Peskov said in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. We are looking forward to more detailed information. Finnish gas transmission system operator Gasgrid Finland estimated that the repair work would take at least five months. The company said a liquified natural gas terminal in Inkoo has the capacity to deliver the gas Finland needs. Europe saw natural gas prices hit record highs last year after Russias cutoff of most gas supplies during the war in Ukraine. Many European countries have turned to other alternatives including LNG since then to meet their energy needs. Europe currently has filled 97% of its gas storage capacity for the winter, but security of supply depends on deliveries of pipeline gas and LNG. (Bloomberg) -- Finnish investigators said that a gas pipeline in the Gulf of Finland was most likely ruptured by a deliberate act of force rather than an explosion. Most Read from Bloomberg The investigation is proceeding on the basis of gross vandalism, though its too early to exclude any possibility from the investigation, Risto Lohi, a detective superintendent at Finlands National Bureau of Investigation, said at a news conference on Wednesday. Norways police tightened security around the energy installations on the countrys western coast after the suspected act of sabotage over the weekend revived fears about the safety of Europes energy infrastructure. Police in the West district, where strategic facilities include the Mongstad refinery, added preventative patrols, Steinar Hausvik, police duty officer, said in a phone interview Wednesday. He declined to provide further details. Energy and Oil Minister Terje Aasland, speaking in a separate interview, said the countrys navy and energy giant Equinor ASA are in dialog over measures, while the authorities are constantly considering the security level. Norway is a key energy supplier to Europe, becoming the regions biggest source of natural gas after Russian flows slumped following the invasion of Ukraine. The incident that stopped gas flows in the Balticconnector pipe between Finland and Estonia has revived concerns about the safety of energy infrastructure in Europe, a year after similar events affecting the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea. Read More: NATO Pledges Response If Finland Pipeline Damage Intentional Gasgrid Finland Oy said the repairs on the 77-kilometer (48-mile) pipeline, which started leaking at the weekend, will last at least five months, citing a preliminary expert assessment in a statement on Wednesday. That means the earliest commissioning date of the Balticconnector pipe would be next April, it said. Estonia is investigating a rupture of a communications cable in its economic waters and has established a broader joint probe with Finland to look into both incidents. The countrys defense minister said NATO and the UK have offered to help. Tt seems we have the necessary resources and the necessary means to conduct the investigation, Hanno Pevkur said in an interview with Bloomberg. Of course we will inform our allies, what the situation is, what the next steps, what is the perspective etc. Lets see how it evolves but at the moment it seems we can move with these actions what we have agreed with Finns. NATO defense ministers were due to discuss the incidents at a meeting in Brussels, according to the alliances Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He cautioned earlier that any deliberate damage to the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations critical infrastructure would warrant a response. People familiar with the matter said on Tuesday the investigation is proceeding on the basis that it was sabotage. --With assistance from Natalia Drozdiak. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The first time I chatted with Khaled Simon, his food truck, Taco Sublime, had recently caught on fire. This was in December 2021, and while it looked like his business was in serious trouble, he oddly didnt sound defeated. I feel like this sparked so much fire in me, he told me. We are going to make it happen. This is how every conversation Ive had with Simon has gone. His endless drive seems to steamroll over problems, transforming what could have been a sad story about someone losing his business into one about how hell bounce back. A year later, Simon and his partner, Haley Pham, had pivoted to cooking at pop-ups around town, including a semi-regular stint at Royal Palms, the gargantuan shuffleboard club in Wicker Park. Thats where I finally tried one of his signature cheese-crusted tacos. Instead of simply sprinkling cheese on at the end, he caramelizes a handful of Chihuahua cheese on a griddle until it transforms into a salty, crackly sheet. This is placed on a tortilla and then topped with thick-cut steak or chicken. After a few bites, I knew itd make my list of the best tacos in Chicago. Fast-forward to 2023, and its easier than ever to try Taco Sublime. Simon and Pham now have permanent residencies in two bars, Marz Community Brewing Co. in McKinley Park and Desert Hawk in Ukrainian Village. And theres also a restaurant on the way. The two have had to quickly assemble a team. Last year it was just us two, and now we have 12 people, said Simon. To go from pop-ups to full-time, I was confident but really scared. But the people we hired have been incredible. The new crew certainly has the cooking down. When I recently dropped by Desert Hawk to try the tacos, Simon wasnt there, but the tacos were just as excellent as ever. But another item on the menu has started to attract attention of its own. Taco Sublimes smash burger is one of the most exciting burgers Ive tried in 2023. While the two patties are smashed on the griddle, they are large enough that they remain juicy and dont dry out. This also means that each one is a monster and will leave you completely stuffed. Any product that we touch, we try to make it sublime, said Simon. That burger was just crazy. Sometimes we sell more burgers than tacos. Along with operating in two different kitchens, and a burgeoning catering business, Simon and Pham are about to open their first bricks-and-mortar restaurant, Taquito Sublime. That project is set to open in late October at 964 W. 31st St., in the spot formerly occupied by Herbivore. The menu hasnt been finalized, but Simon hopes to offer two spit-roasted tacos, tacos al pastor and tacos arabes. (The latter is actually the precursor to al pastor, which was developed in Puebla, Mexico, after immigrants from the Middle East moved in.) While both Simon and Pham have a lot of work to do, they are ready for the challenge. Its like a graduation ceremony, Simon said. Now we can see if we can play with the big boys. Im motivated. We have a good taco. Now I want to have the best. I want to do honor to what Mexican cuisine is. Taco Sublime is currently available at Marz Community Brewing Co.s Taproom (3630 S. Iron St.) and Desert Hawk (2049 W. Division St.). tacosublime.org nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have reported that the first plane carrying American weapons arrived at the Nevatim airbase in Israel's south late Tuesday night. Source: the IDF on ; BBC; CNN Quote: "Cooperation between our armed forces is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war." Watch: An Israeli cargo plane lands, delivering an initial shipment of advanced weaponry from the United States to Israel. pic.twitter.com/TEv2g9gXyW Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) October 11, 2023 Earlier, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, said that the US Ministry of Defence is ready to deliver additional forces to the Middle East to deter aggression, in addition to the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier and several squadrons of jet fighters, which are already known to be sent to the region. Background: Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The first U.S. shipment of advanced weaponry arrived in Israel on Tuesday, fulfilling the Biden administrations promise of backing the nation in its war against Hamas. Israel Defense Force (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the first plane carrying advanced ammunition landed in Israels Nebatim Air Base late Tuesday night, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter. Hagari said the weapons will enable significant strikes and preparations for additional scenarios. We are grateful for the American support and assistance to the IDF in particular, and to the State of Israel in general, during this challenging period, Hagari said. Our common enemies know that the cooperation between the armies is stronger than ever, and is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability. President Biden has vowed to support Israel in the wake of the attacks launched by Hamas over the weekend. In this moment we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel, Biden said in remarks from the State Dining Room on Tuesday. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack. Theres no justification for terrorism. Theres no excuse. The administration also announced the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as an act of deterrence against actors looking to escalate or widen the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It has also moved U.S. Air Force F-15s, F-16s and A-10s to augment existing fighter squadrons in the region. More than 1,000 Israelis and Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, along with 14 U.S. citizens, as of Tuesday. American citizens also are among those being held hostage by Hamas, the White House has confirmed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A West Palm Beach man has been convicted by a federal jury in a $67 million Medicare fraud scheme after the call center he managed tricked doctors of Medicare patients into approving thousands of expensive and medically unnecessary cardio genetic tests that werent used in the treatment of those who took them. Jose Goyos, 37, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering at a jury trial in Fort Pierce and now faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for the first charge and 10 for the second. However, he was acquitted of a healthcare fraud conspiracy and three related charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 21. According to the court documents, Goyos managed a Boca Raton call center, which employed 50 to 70 people, to lead a deceptive telemarketing campaign targeting thousands of Medicare beneficiaries and their doctors between June 2020 and July 2021. The scheme was carried out at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when federal authorities made it easier for patients in urban, not just rural, areas to receive telemedicine evaluations. Goyos directed his employees to tell the physicians that the beneficiaries requested these genetic tests and had medical conditions justifying them, when neither statement was true, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday in a news release. Goyos and his co-conspirators then used those doctors authorizations to submit claims to Medicare for the expensive and unnecessary genetic tests, the Justice Department said. In reality, the labs were shells; they had no equipment, did not conduct a single test, and had no lab personnel. READ MORE: Miami-Dade residents used names of dead patients in $93 million Medicare scam, feds say The defendant and his co-conspirators then referred all the genetic tests to other labs, which charged considerably less than the $7,000 per test billed to the tax-payer funded Medicare insurance program, according to the Justice Department and court documents. Goyos and his co-conspirators referred all the genetic tests to other labs, which conducted them at a small fraction of the price that Goyos and his co-conspirators charged to Medicare, the Justice Department said. Finally, after the tests were conducted, the results often were not sent to the Medicare beneficiarys primary care physicians and were not used in the treatment of the beneficiary. The conspirators used shell companies MDA CONSUMERS, H Town Group and Eighteen Group, based in Boca Raton, North Miami Beach and Hollywood respectively, to launder funds from the scheme, according to the court documents. In a year, the Department of Justice says Goyos and his co-conspirators submitted over $67 million of these false and fraudulent claims, of which Medicare paid over $52 million. Goyos was convicted Oct. 6 in Fort Pierce federal court. To date, 20 other defendants have pleaded guilty to various charges, including the leaders of the scheme Daniel M. Carver, Thomas Dougherty, and John Paul Gosney Jr. who are scheduled to be sentenced in December. The FBI and the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services investigated the case. Since March 2007, the Department of Justices Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24 billion. Miami Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this report. POLK COUNTY, Fla. - Six men, including a daycare worker, Uber driver and Army veteran, were arrested after allegedly showing up to an undercover location to sexually batter children after communicating with detectives who were undercover as children and guardians, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The week-long multi-agency undercover operation including detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Lakeland Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Sheriff's Office and Orange County Sheriff's Office revealed that six men communicated and solicited who they thought were children or guardians on social media, mobile apps and online dating platforms, according to a press release. Three of the men allegedly offered to pay hundreds of dollars to have sex with who they thought was a child. "These are people that thought they were going to come have sex with children. They came to a strange, undercover location thinking that they were going to encounter a 13- or a 14- or a 15-year-old child," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference. "They're dangerous. If it weren't for the outstanding work of the men and women of law enforcement, they absolutely would have attacked children had it not been an undercover operation." Of the six men from Central Florida, three of them said they are married, three have children and three reportedly brought condoms to the undercover meeting location, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Here's a look at the 22 felony charges filed, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office: Former daycare worker offers $150 to have unprotected sex with 15-year-old girl, deputies say Douglas Cooley (Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office) Douglas Cooley allegedly chatted with an undercover detective who was posing as an adult with access to a 15-year-old girl on social media and via cell phone, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The 26-year-old man offered to pay $100 for protected sex with the child for 30 minutes and an additional $50 for unprotected sex, deputies said. Cooley was booked into the Polk County Jail on the following charges: Human trafficking Traveling to meet a minor for sex Use of computer to solicit guardian of child for sex Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony Cooley is a former employee of an after-school daycare in Apopka, deputies said. Discovery After School issued the following statement regarding Cooley's arrest: "Upon learning of Mr. Cooley's arrest, we immediately terminated his employment and have been fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in their ongoing investigation. Our primary concern is to determine whether there were any inappropriate interactions between Mr. Cooley and any student under our care," a spokesperson for the program said in a statement to FOX 35 News. "We want to assure parents, guardians, and the entire Discover After School community that we take these allegations seriously and are doing everything within our power to address them swiftly and transparently. The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all." MORE FLORIDA NEWS : Florida teen's detailed plans to commit several mass killings unearthed in routine traffic stop, deputies say Man told his boss he was going to be late to work the day he traveled to meet the child for sex, deputies say Jairo Muniz (Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office) Jairo Muniz is accused of chatting online with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Muniz allegedly asked the "girl" several questions about her sexual experience and described sexual acts he wanted to do to her. The 40-year-old man from Kissimmee allegedly also bought condoms on the way to the undercover location before sending a nude photo of himself to her. Muniz, a laborer at a scaffolding company, reportedly told his boss he was "going to be late to work the day he traveled to meet the child for sex," the press release said. Muniz told deputies he is married with four daughters between ages 9 and 16. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: Traveling to meet a minor for sex Attempted lewd battery Transmission of material harmful to minor Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony 36-year-old Army veteran told 14-year-old girl she was cute before describing sexual acts to her, deputies say Timothy Wellman (Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office) Timothy Wellman allegedly spoke to an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on social media and via cell phone, according to deputies. The 36-year-old man, who is from Ohio but recently moved to Polk County, allegedly told the "girl" she was "cute" and described the sexual acts he wanted to do to her. The Army veteran, who is using his G.I. Bill for college, was reportedly speaking to his children on the phone and telling them goodnight on his way to the undercover location to meet the "girl," deputies said. Wellman was booked into the Polk County Jail on the following charges: Traveling to meet a minor for sex Attempted lewd battery Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony RELATED : Florida man offered to teach 13-year-old girl about sex, take videos for her 'father': deputies Uber driver asked 14-year-old girl if she was a virgin, deputies say Feras Klisli (Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office) Feras Klisli is accused of chatting with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl on social media and on the phone, deputies said. The 49-year-old man from Davenport allegedly asked the "girl" if she was a virgin and described the sexual acts he wanted to do to her. The Uber driver is married with two adult children. Klisli was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: Traveling to meet a minor for sex Attempted lewd battery Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony Klisli was released on Sept. 24 after posting bond. 46-year-old offers to pay $250 to have unprotected sex with 15-year-old girl, deputies say Douglas Da Silva (Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office) Douglas Da Silva is accused of speaking to an undercover detective who was posing as an adult who had access to a 15-year-old girl, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The 46-year-old man from Windermere allegedly offered to pay $250 to have unprotected sex with the child twice within an hour after asking if the girl was a virgin, deputies said. The married Uber Eats driver was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: Human trafficking Traveling to meet a minor for sex Use of computer to solicit guardian of child for sex Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony RELATED : Osceola County School Board member gave alcohol to underage teen, forcibly tried to kiss her: Deputies 33-year-old man offers to pay $400 to go hard with 15-year-old girl, deputies say Trevor Walker (Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office) Trevor Walker of Orlando allegedly spoke with an undercover detective who was posing as an adult with access to a 15-year-old girl, deputies said. The 33-year-old man allegedly said he wanted to "go hard" and have unprotected sex with the girl for three hours, a service he was willing to pay $400 for. The Publix distribution worker was booked into the Polk County Jail on the following charges: Human trafficking Traveling to meet a minor for sex Use of a computer to solicit guardian of child for sex Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony Stream FOX 35 News: PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida teen who was pulled over for a busted headlight was arrested after deputies found a multiple-page manifesto in his car, detailing plans to "kill everyone" at his high school, go on a "stabbing spree" at a church and murder his stepmom, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Henry Horton IV was arrested and charged with written threats to kill or do bodily harm, arrest records show. Before the 19-year-old was taken into custody at the Main Detention Center, he was admitted for a mental health check. The Okeechobee High School graduate was pulled over Sept. 18 in the area of West Indiantown Road and Cortana Boulevard after his car was observed with its passenger headlight out, according to an affidavit. During the traffic stop, deputies conducted a search with Horton's consent which revealed a multiple-page, handwritten manifesto. Photo: Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office Horton was allegedly plotting to kill an administrator at his former high school and 14 other people there. His plan continued with a "stabbing spree" at a church in Miami, where he told deputies he was on his way to at the time of the traffic stop, the affidavit said. He added that he would want his attacks to be punctuated by being "killed by police or starve himself to death," deputies said. The teen said he was going to carry out his plans on his 22nd birthday, Jan. 2, 2026. After Horton was discharged from the hospital, he admitted his plans to deputies, including the attack at a church in Miami. "I guess I just don't like religion," Horton told deputies, according to the affidavit. "I guess I just want to attack a bunch of random people." Horton also allegedly did "recon" work at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School the high school in Parkland where an 18-year-old gunman opened fire, killing 17 people in February 2018 and planned a mass shooting at Okeechobee High School. "When questioned where he would get a gun from, he stated that he would go somewhere where people don't know him and buy a gun and bring it back home to do the attack," the affidavit said. Deputies said Horton's motive for the planned attacks stem from a disagreement with his stepmother, who reportedly kicked him out of their house in April. He also said he did his research on his cell phone, which revealed several notes detailing other attacks and how he would execute them, the affidavit said. Some of the notes showed detailed plans of enlisting "other people that are as fanatical as me" to carry out "massacres" in other states, according to the affidavit. "So 1,120 people would die if this whole plan came to fruition," Horton wrote in his notes, deputies said. Also on his phone were notes on how to make a weapon of mass destruction, how to make a bomb and how much an AK-47 costs, deputies said. RELATED HEADLINES : "I want to kill other people. I want some of my family dead. I want my father to die. I want my stepmom to die as well. I'm not fine," Horton wrote in his notes app, deputies said. "I will perhaps never be fine again. I'll probably be like this for the rest of my life. I don't care. Just like I don't care about dying before 23." Jail records show Horton remains in custody at the Main Detention Center on $1 million bond after his arrest on Oct. 5. Authorities say they thwarted a planned high school shooting after the recent arrests of three teenagers in north Florida. Deputies were alerted to text messages that mentioned two lists targeting multiple students at Creekside High School, according to the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office. The suspects had one hit list of students they wanted to physically harm and another lethal hit list of students they wanted to kill, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post. The school in St. Johns is about 25 miles south of Jacksonville. The text messages also included pictures of students the suspects planned on targeting with their faces circled, aerial photos of the high school and firearms they planned to use, the sheriffs office said. Another student alerted authorities to the plot, according to arrest reports. The arrest reports say the group of teens formed due to being being bullied by other students and they tried to recruit others. The arrest reports do not state whether the teens had access to firearms but include text messages they sent to one another stating plans to use an AK-47. CNN was unable to find whether the teens had any legal representation. St. Johns County Schools Superintendent Tim Forson applauded the quick work and collaboration between the school district and authorities. He added the school would be moving forward with consequences of its own, which could include expulsion or the students being placed in an alternative school. We encourage students to speak up if they see something that concerns them, and this situation is a perfect example, Forson said in a statement. The sheriffs office says the three teens, ages 14 and 15, are facing charges of written threats to kill or do bodily harm and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. CNN is not releasing the teens names because they are being charged as juveniles. Nothing is more important to me than the safety of our children, and this is another example of the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office commitment to protect the more than 50,000 students who attend classes on a daily basis, Sheriff Rob Hardwick said in the departments Facebook post. I am proud of the youth services deputies assigned to this investigation, who acted quickly on the information that was provided and prevented a potential tragedy. News of the foiled plot comes as school shootings continue to mount. As of October 3, 58 school shootings nationwide have occurred, according to a CNN report. According to federal data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics, fatalities at schools due to gun violence doubled during the 2021-22 academic school year compared to the previous school year. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com TAMPA, Fla. Multiple tornadoes touched down on both coasts of Florida Thursday morning, leaving a trail of damage in several communities. Survey teams from the National Weather Service toured areas in Crystal River and Clearwater. Preliminary data shows at least EF-2 tornadoes at both locations. According to the FOX Forecast Center, the tornado that hit Crystal River was the strongest twister to hit Citrus County since an F-2 tornado that also struck Crystal River on Sept. 3, 1998. Chilling video captured by Michelle Dal Pos showed a waterspout as it moved onshore near the Dunedin Causeway, located 5 miles north of Clearwater, Florida. It struck under the cover of darkness and was later confirmed as a tornado. Dal Pos said she was awakened by thunder at 1:45 a.m. and went to go check on her dogs when she saw the waterspout out the window. "I looked and I couldnt believe what I saw," Dal Pos told FOX Weather. "This was something I had never seen before; it was pretty crazy it was very heart-pounding." Power outages across the state topped more than 18,000 by mid-afternoon as neighborhoods continue to deal with widespread damage. HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATERSPOUT AND A TORNADO In the Tampa Bay area, the Clearwater Fire and Rescue responded to tornado damage to two homes in North Clearwater Beach. The department shared pictures with debris in the streets and a piece of sheet metal driven through a car windshield. No injures have been reported. A woman was sleeping on the second floor of her Clearwater home when the tornado struck. She told FOX 13 Tampa that the twister bent her bedroom wall 45 degrees and all she could do is cover herself with sheets and blankets. She managed to escape unharmed. Along the same street, a backyard deck was lifted from one home and dropped in the front yard of a neighbor's home, FOX 13 reported. "The destruction on the ground is insane," a storm witness told FOX 13 Tampa. "Ive seen air conditioners on the ground, trash and chairs thrown everywhere. It was much worse than I was expecting for a Florida tornado." In Palm Coast, a community along the east coast, another EF-2 struck during the overnight hours. Authorities said the neighborhood is closed off to all traffic due to downed trees and power lines and significant damage to properties. "There are some significant structural damages, but most of the damage is trees, fences down and some of the drainage canals flooding so forth," said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. "We were really very fortunate that it was not more severe." The west side of Citrus County experienced significant damage from a tornado that struck Crystal River overnight. The Citrus County School District canceled Thursday's classes to allow for cleanup. All city offices were also closed. The National Weather Service said damage survey teams will head out to survey the damage in Clearwater Beach and Citrus County on Thursday. The FOX Forecast Center said the continued moisture will lead to widespread rain from Louisiana to Florida to South Carolina through Friday. "You don't have to have a tropical depression or a tropical storm to have deep tropical moisture," FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "But it means the difference between the type of rain that you see if you're a local along the Gulf Coast we're talking about opening up the gates here." Minor flash flooding is possible across Central Florida as the rain and storms roll over the peninsula. Steady rains will taper off by later Friday in northern and central Florida as the band of lighter rain drifts south into Southern Florida and lingers there through Saturday. Drier weather is expected statewide on Sunday into early next week. HOW HEAVY IS IT REALLY GOING TO RAIN? Original article source: Florida slammed by multiple EF-2 tornadoes with damage reported on both coasts Digna and Adonay Diaz have lived in Chowchilla for more than 20 years. Like many other Latino immigrants, they fled violence in their homeland in search of a better life. Like many of those who land in the Central Valley, the Salvadoran-born married couple, both in their 50s, worked in the fields when they arrived. Theyve opened multiple businesses in Chowchilla since then, and also wanted to operate their food trailer, Platano, Pupusas Y Cafecito, in the city. But to operate their truck in Chowchilla would cost so much in new government fees, perhaps $100 a day, it might not be worth it. So they moved the operation and the dream to Madera, where there is no $100 per day of operation fee for food trucks, and where they dont feel policy unfairly targets Latino businesses. The situation began in August when the Chowchilla City Council passed several fee updates in an attempt to make the citys costs more current to todays standards, said Community and Economic Development Director Mark Hamilton. La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California. For Catalina Lopez Mendoza, owner of Tacos El Guerrero, the price of a permit in Chowchilla could jump from $242 to $36,500 a year. The Diazs son, Josue Diaz, who works as an accountant in Fresno, said the new food truck fee feels very targeted toward an industry dominated by Latinos. To Chowchilla Mayor Ray Barragan Jr., the situation amounts to a misunderstanding, and it is one that can change. Come to council, he said. Make changes. Operating in Chowchilla very difficult, food truck owners say Adonay Diaz said seeking a food truck permit in Chowchilla felt like trying to get a construction project approved. To meet the citys food truck requirements, they had to find a location more than 100 feet from residential zones and 300 feet from existing restaurants, unless every existing restaurant provided written permission. Mendoza, who operates Tacos El Guerrero next to a tire shop on Chowchillas west side despite the lot being adjacent to an apartment complex, said shes had similar struggles. Its been very difficult, she said in Spanish. At one point, I was about to say, You know what, we will just not be able to do it here. In addition to the citys operating cost, Mendoza said she pays the tire shop $1,000 per month for rent, and that its her only option. She initially wanted to operate in the lot of a Shell gas station on the citys east side. Large chain restaurants have denied Mendoza and the Diaz family permission at different locations, they said. The Diaz family thought it was close to settling in the same Shell station lot Mendoza had looked at when they received a city letter dated Aug. 29 one week after the new fees were passed. Digna Diaz, owner of Platano, Pupusas Y Cafecito, rolls a pupusa stuffed with chicharron and cheese in her hands Oct. 7. Diaz learned to cook from her mother and has been making pupusas since she was 10 years old. She and her husband, Adonay Diaz, who fought in the Salvadoran Civil War, immigrated to the U.S. as refugees. Thats how they found out about the new costs: A $215 temporary use permit plus $100 per day of operation, or a $550 administrative use permit plus $36,500 annually. I thought it was some sort of mistake, Digna Diaz said. The Diaz family opened Platano, Pupusas Y Cafecito in the city of Madera at a cost of $614 per year. Hamilton told The Bee that the comparisons to Fresno and Madera are inadequate, as Chowchillas population is much smaller. Dos Palos charges food trucks $200 per day, he mentioned. Madera County, Hamilton added, charges them $120 per day. The countys Community and Economic Development Department confirmed in an email Tuesday that no $120 per day of operation fee exists for food trucks. Thats what we were told, Hamilton told the Bee. The countys Community and Economic Development department had not responded to the Bees request for clarification as of Tuesday. The city of Kerman in Fresno County has a population much closer in size to Chowchillas. It allows six permanent food trucks and charges them around $800 per year. An email between Josue Diaz and Hamilton shows the city intends to bring Tacos El Guerrero into compliance with the new fee. No, I will not be able to afford that, Mendoza said. Public records provided to The Bee by Josue Diaz show Mendoza paid $242 when she renewed her food trucks license in July, before the new fee was approved. Those records also show Panda Express and Starbucks paid $529. Hamilton confirmed that those establishments are not subjected to a daily fee like the one for food trucks. Discrimination against Latino businesses? That Tacos El Guerrero operates outside of the citys food truck requirements may not matter because it sits in a lot on the west side of town, Josue Diaz said. Its the more neglected, Latino side of town, he added, where not all neighborhoods have sidewalks. While its not explicit, Josue Diaz continued, it seems to his family that the new food truck fees may have a racial undertone because the business type is one that Latinos often look to for entrepreneurship. Mendoza said her difficulties with operating in the city have led her to feel the same way. With this new fee ... theyre essentially kicking Latino businesses out of the city, Josue Diaz said. A masked Adonayo Diaz walks with a customer up to the menu of Platano, Pupusas Y Cafecito on Oct. 7. Adonayo Diaz said his familys decision to come to the U.S. came after he had already fought in the Salvadoran Civil War and was about to enter a second campaign. Soldiers were buried every day, he said. Having owned businesses before, the licensing process wasnt new to Digna Diaz. But she said she had a difficult time. Hamilton told The Bee that the city has a record of helping many other types of small businesses, including minority-owned brick-and-mortar restaurants like Lady Gs Soul Spot and Taqueria Las Aves. We have a blend of restaurant owners, Hamilton said. We help out everyone. In the past, local businesses expressed that food trucks would be a problem for them, Chowchilla Mayor Ray Barragan Jr. said. Mark (Hamilton) is just doing what prior councils requested, he said. Juan Espinoza, an attorney with the Los Angeles-based law firm Public Counsel, said pressure on local governments to place extreme regulations on micro-businesses is not uncommon. Espinoza has worked to support street vendors and other micro-entrepreneurs in California for two years. Theres a misconception that (micro-businesses) dont pay the same operational costs as brick-and-mortar businesses, Espinoza said. That rhetoric is related to anti-immigrant sentiment. Barragan, reiterating that the citys anti-food truck stance is a result of past requests, said social media comments that he doesnt want Latino businesses in town and that he doesnt want food trucks in town are untrue. Im Hispanic, so Im not prejudiced against anybody, he said. I want every Hispanic business in the world to open in Chowchilla. The Diaz family believes Barragan should have abstained from voting on the new food truck fee because he owns Sugar Rays BBQ on Robertson Boulevard. The mayor said that doesnt mean he has an interest in keeping food trucks out, as he only opened the restaurant to add jobs to the community. Also untrue, Barragan said, is the idea that Chowchilla is in any way anti-business. He mentioned the $150 million AutoZone distribution center under construction in the city as a food truck opportunity. Everything is up for a change, he said. As the city grows, things change with that. Chowchilla leaders herald new $150M AutoZone distribution center, will create 300 jobs Chowchilla wants food truck owners to come to City Council There was minimal discussion among the council when it passed the new fees in August. Barragan attributed this to the city having so few food trucks in the past decade. If we had people that say they want a food truck in town, wed listen to them also, he said. He and Hamilton both said the Diaz family has not completed a permit or fee waiver application. The council decides whether a fee waiver is granted to an applicant. Go talk to council and say, Hey, is there any way I could possibly park my food truck here and have a different fee schedule, Barragan said. We would consider that. Until a fee waiver application is submitted, there is no way to know whether it will be approved, Hamilton said. Josue Diaz said the citys process for approving fee waivers gives the council too much power: The decisions are arbitrary. It opens the door to favoritism, Espinoza agreed. The councils discretion can create disparities. Even if they do not bring their business back to Chowchilla, the Diaz family said its goal is to have the $100 per day fee repealed and the process for licensing a food truck made easier. A city letter to Platano, Pupusas Y Cafecito on Aug. 29 shows the $100 food truck owners must pay per day of operation in Chowchilla. An annual permit would cost food truck owners $36,500. Receipts of chains payments for business licenses in Chowchilla show Starbucks and Panda Express paid $529, while McDonalds paid $348. Josue Diaz, son of the owners of Platano, Pupusas Y Cafecito, obtained this information through public records requests after his parents were met with the citys $100 per day of operation fee for food trucks. The number of Ukrainians killed in Hamas' attack on Israel has risen to three, Oleh Nikolenko, the spokesperson of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, reported on Oct. 11. Nine more Ukrainian citizens have been injured in the hostilities; their condition and place of hospitalization are being clarified, the official said. Ukrainian diplomats and Israeli law enforcement are working together to establish the whereabouts of six missing Ukrainians, according to Nikolenko. The spokesperson also said that the injured Ukrainian child who was evacuated from the city of Sderot is recovering after a successful surgery. "(The boy) is under the embassy's care and is provided with all the necessary medical and psychological support," Nikolenko wrote on Facebook. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us Ukrainian authorities have already processed over 1,000 appeals for assistance from Ukrainian citizens in Israel and the Gaza Strip, he added. Some 700 Ukrainians are unable to leave Israel due to canceled flights, and around 170 citizens have requested to be evacuated from Gaza, Nikolenko reported. There is a large Ukrainian community in Israel, estimated by the Foreign Ministry as being around 500,000, most of whom left Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nikolenko said earlier that there are currently 14,000 Ukrainian citizens listed on the consular register of Ukraine's embassy in Israel. Hamas launched an attack of unprecedented scale on Israel on Oct. 7, infiltrating Israeli territory on the ground and with ultralight aircraft while bombing Israeli settlements. In response, the Israeli military launched an offensive against Gaza and declared a blockade of the Palestinian enclave. At the time of this publication, fighting in Israel and in Gaza was still underway. Read also: Sullivan: US can support Ukraine and Israel simultaneously Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MADISON - A bill aimed at addressing "forever chemicals" could receive a vote from the full state Senate as early as next week, even though impacted residents and communities are still worried it may do more harm than good. The PFAS bill was first introduced this spring, and an an amended version was approved Wednesday by Republicans on the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy with little debate or conversation. The amendments made some narrow changes to the legislation, on the heels of months of conversation between lawmakers, Gov. Tony Evers , environmental groups and the Department of Natural Resources. "(The bill) focuses on what the regular person in Wisconsin really needs right now, which is clean water and to not have their land values taken from them by the government," said Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay. He said there shouldn't be worries about the limitations on the Department of Natural Resources, as the bill wouldn't impact the agency's work as much as some worry it will. But the two Democratic members of the committee still expressed concerns, and ultimately voted against the bill. Rep. Rob Swearingen, R-Rhinelander, Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, Sen. Eric Wimberger, R- Green Bay and Rep. Jeff Mursau, R-Crivitz, speaking about Senate Bill 312 on Oct. 11, 2023. Sen. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, said that while there is good in the bill, she's still worried about the impact on the DNR. "Maybe we could make a few changes before or when it gets to the floor," she said. "I have some ideas." The PFAS bill, if approved by the governor, would create grant programs aimed at providing aid to communities with contamination, in addition to limiting the actions that the Department of Natural Resources could take to address contamination or hold polluters accountable. It would also commission studies, require a reduction in costs for testing, expand the well compensation grant program, and establish an innocent buyer program that would help out property owners who unknowingly purchase land contaminated with PFAS. More: Testing at Rhinelander paper mill leaves Stella residents without answers on PFAS source The bill does not include the funding for the programs. Instead, funding was created by the budget process this summer, during which lawmakers set aside $125 million to address the compounds. That funding could be accessed by the DNR if the agency goes in front of the Legislature's budget committee and receives approvals for projects. Governor expresses disappointment in bill Evers' office said the amended bill showed that Republicans in charge of the legislature don't share the governor's "commitment to finding real, meaningful solutions to the pressing water quality issues facing our state." "Ensuring every Wisconsinite has access to clean, safe drinking water should transcend politics and partisanship, so it's disappointing that Republicans aren't interested in doing the right thing and working together toward that important goal," Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said in an email Wednesday. Cudaback said the DNR and the governor's office attempted for months to "work in good faith" with the Republican bill authors on a compromise, but those conversations ended and the input given was not included in the amendments. "Republicans decided to advance this bill absent the changes weve been discussing with them for some time," Cudaback said. But Republican authors said the legislation does still contain helpful provisions, which could help drive research and speed up standard-setting for some areas. But, many advocates say the bill falls short in several ways. Concerns over DNR limitations More: Pre-K school in northern Wisconsin relying on bottled water with discovery of elevated PFAS There are still concerns over several areas of the bill, and in particular the limits on the DNR when it comes to testing for the compounds or allowing construction on heavily polluted land. The bill would not allow the agency to test properties for PFAS without probable cause that the property had or currently has an amount of the chemicals that would violate state or federal standards. The bill would also prevent the agency from impeding construction projects because of the presence of PFAS, unless it poses a substantial public risk. Additionally, the agency would not be able to disclose testing results without notifying the landowner at least 72 hours in advance. Environmental advocacy groups argue that the bill places unnecessary burdens on the DNR, which could limit the actions it could take to hold accountable polluters. "We are disappointed the amendment did not address DNRs concerns over unnecessary limits on its authority to test and require mitigation for PFAS contamination," said Erik Kanter, the government affairs director for Clean Wisconsin in a release Tuesday. "We call on the legislature to introduce the Municipal Grant Program as a standalone piece of legislation, pass it, and send it to Governor Evers for his signature so the state can start sending the $125 million the Joint Finance Committee allocated for PFAS to the communities who need it. They should not be forced to wait for help any longer. Authors refuted the idea of separating the municipal program, though, saying that providing grants to only municipal systems would leave behind rural areas. "We're not going to abandon rural property," said Wimberger during a press conference. "The result of doing that will be to totally deteriorate the value of rural property and we're not going to abandon one." The bill could result in less resources for individual land owners, homeowners and families impacted by PFAS, and instead provide more protections for businesses, said River Alliance of Wisconsin senior legal analyst Bill Davis. The legislature's job here was not hard: use the money they set aside to help municipalities and truly innocent landowners deal with PFAS contamination, he said. Instead the legislature took three and half months to make the bill worse. Now entities who are neither innocent nor landowners would be eligible for state funding. Residents of the Marinette area, which is facing one of the worst PFAS contamination in the country due to the decades-long testing of firefighting foam by Tyco Fire Products, also expressed displeasure with the bill, over the limitations on the DNR and the inability to hold accountable corporate polluters. "To say the authors didnt listen to the residents impacted by PFAS contamination across Wisconsin doesnt begin to describe how they kowtowed to corporate interests and their apologists while locking their constituents out of their deliberations," said members of Save Our Water, an advocacy group made up of residents impacted by the Tyco contamination. More: Residents urge lawmakers to give DNR more authority to address 'forever chemicals' About PFAS: man-made chemicals used in many products PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of man-made chemicals used for their water- and stain-resistant qualities in products like clothing and carpet, nonstick cookware, packaging and firefighting foam. The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time. The chemicals have been linked to types of kidney and testicular cancers, lower birth weights, harm to immune and reproductive systems, altered hormone regulation and altered thyroid hormones. The chemicals enter the human body largely through drinking water. PFAS have been found across Wisconsin in both surface water and drinking water sources. Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X at @SchulteLaura. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Forever chemical" bill still source of worry for contaminated communities The former principal of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School will receive $500,000 from Fayette County Public Schools as part of a lawsuit settlement, according to the court agreement the Herald-Leader received under the Kentucky Open Records said. Marlon Ball, who was placed on leave for much of the 2022-2023 school year, received $500,000 and agreed not to seek further employment in the district, according to the agreement. I dont dispute the information about the settlement as reported, attorney Dale Golden, who represented Ball, told the Herald-Leader Wednesday after a WLEX report about the settlement details. District spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith said district officials dont comment on personnel matters. But I can say the suit has been settled by both parties, Davidson-Smith said. On November 2, 2022, Ball was placed on administrative leave while Fayette County Schools investigated an allegation of inappropriate conduct, according to a letter from Superintendent Demetrus Liggins to Ball. An FCPS investigation found Ball committed no wrongdoing and the case was closed without disciplinary action, Liggins previously said. Ball was employed from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. A former Fort Liberty sergeant made his first appearance in Cumberland County Superior Court last week after being indicted by a grand jury in August in a December street race that ended in the death of 23-year-old Eu Gene Roberts Jr., of Fayetteville. Johnnie Keheir Giddens, 27, of Fayetteville, was arraigned Oct. 4, on felony fleeing arrest with a motor vehicle, felony reckless driving and misdemeanor speeding 80 mph in a 45 mph zone, court records show. In District Court, he is also facing misdemeanor charges in the case of death by vehicle, unlawful racing on streets and highways and failure to stop at a red light, the records show. At the time of Giddens' arrest, a spokesman for the 18th Airborne Corps said, Giddens had served in the Army for six years and was a chaplain assistant with the 18th Airborne Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion. The spokesman said Giddens was not serving as a chaplain assistant when he was arrested because at the time he'd been "placed in a different administrative role for another incident involving misconduct. Maj. Matt Visser, a spokesman for the 18th Airborne Corps, said on Friday that Giddens separated from the Army in January 2023. Former Sgt. Johnnie Giddens is charged with the death of Eugene Roberts that happened during a street race Skibo Road in December. What court records state According to the court records, at about 11 p.m. on Dec. 2, Giddens and Robets allegedly engaged in a speeding competition on Skibo Road. The arrest report stated that a Fayetteville police officer first spotted the racing vehicles along Cliffdale Road. The report stated that once the vehicles passed the intersection of Cliffdale Road and Waters Edge Drive, Roberts car began driving in a zig-zag pattern, to prevent other vehicles from passing the racing cars. Upon reaching the intersection of Cliffdale and Skibo roads at a red light, Roberts car blocked traffic as both cars slowed next to each other, indicating "that both vehicles were about to engage in another speed competition, an officer wrote in the charging document. The officer alleged that when he turned on his lights and siren to make a traffic stop, Giddens drove at least 80 to 90 mph in a 45 mph zone, in a bid to escape, and that both Giddens and Roberts cars swerved around, cut off and nearly struck several vehicles in the process. The officer said he disengaged from the pursuit and last saw both vehicles traveling near Skibo and Morganton roads. Less than two minutes later, the record states, the officer learned of a fatal crash at the intersection. The record states that as the speeding vehicles reached Morganton Road, Roberts was in front when he ran a red light and collided with a 2016 Chevy Tahoe and a 2019 Ford Fusion. The driver of the Tahoe, Angelia Holmes, 52, of Hope Mills, was taken to the hospital for her injuries, a Police Department news release stated. The driver of the Ford Fusion, Hannah Barton, 28, of Fayetteville, was treated at the scene for minor injuries, the release said. According to the release, Roberts Acura burst into flames as it came to rest at a BP gas station. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the record states. Police allege Giddens Charger was captured on a traffic camera continuing through the red light and leaving the scene. Fort Bragg soldier arrested in fatal crash after allegedly street racing on Skibo Road Fayetteville man killed in fiery Friday night three-car wreck What phone records reveal After making contact with Giddens' wife, whose name was on the Charger's registration, the woman told officers her husband was out with his friends and had contacted her stating there was an incident with his friend, court records state. The charging document that police recovered a video from Giddens' phone that was recorded shortly before the wreck allegedly showing Giddens and Roberts drinking alcohol together at a house party. In text messages between Mr. Giddens and (his wife), Mr. Giddens stated that he felt like it was his fault, the charging document states. Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What court records say about former Fort Liberty soldier accused in hit and run case Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal gestures as he announces a new policy document in Doha DOHA (Reuters) - Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for protests across the Muslim world on Friday in support of the Palestinians and for the peoples of neighbouring countries to join the fight against Israel. "[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday," Meshaal, who currently heads Hamas's diaspora office, said in a recorded statement sent to Reuters. Meshaal, who is based in Qatar, said the governments and peoples of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt have a bigger duty to support the Palestinians. "Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan... This is a moment of truth and the borders are close to you, you all know your responsibility," Meshaal said. Jordan and Lebanon are home to the largest number of Palestinian refugees. His rallying call came as Israel vowed to escalate its response to an attack by Hamas with a ground offensive, after Israeli fighter jets struck more than 200 targets in Gaza city overnight. Gaza's health ministry said at least 950 people have been killed and 5,000 injured in the crowded coastal enclave. On Saturday, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history. "To all scholars who teach jihad... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories)," Meshaal said. (Reporting by Andrew Mills; Writing by Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman & Simon Cameron-Moore) The former Maryland governor Larry Hogan said he had not ruled out a presidential run, as he contemplated the train wreck his Republican party had become amid infighting in Congress and the ascendancy in primary polling of the 91-times criminally charged Donald Trump . Hogan also called the Florida congressman Matt Gaetz , the instigator of last weeks historic removal of Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the US House, a cancer on the party and on the Congress. Hogan, 67, stepped down as governor of Maryland this year after two terms in the role. He has previously backed away from a presidential run but on Tuesday, speaking to Bloomberg News in Washington, he said he still wanted to serve. Im still trying to figure that out, but Im not walking away from presidential politics, Hogan said. I dont want to run a race and nibble around the edges. If I thought there was a path to success to win the race, then I just said I wouldnt shut the door to that opportunity. Hogan is a national co-chairperson of No Labels, a group contemplating a third-party White House bid. Critics say the group, with donors including rightwing figures, will only succeed in damaging Joe Biden in the presidents expected contest against Trump who on 6 January 2021 incited his own supporters to attack Congress in an attempt to reverse his own election defeat. Confirmed third-party candidates Robert F Kennedy Jr, an independent, and Cornel West, of the Green party are also thought likely to make an impact on a race between two unpopular mainstream picks. Majorities of Americans think Biden is too old at 80 to serve an effective second term. Trump is 77 but fewer voters say the former president is too old. His popularity with the general public is low, however, as he fights criminal charges for election subversion, retention of classified information and hush-money payments, as well as civil suits over his business affairs and a rape allegation a judge called substantially true. Among Republican voters, Trump dominates, with huge leads in national and key state polls and with a grip on Republicans in Washington through the actions of allies such as Gaetz, who initiated the removal of McCarthy that left the House without a leader. Its a train wreck, Hogan told Bloomberg. I mean, its embarrassing, and I think its terrible for the Republican party. I think its terrible for Congress and for the country. Hogan said it was too late for serving governors such as Brian Kemp of Georgia and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, touted by some as presidential candidates with appeal to the middle ground, to enter the primary and beat Trump. Thats not going to happen, he said. I mean, theyve missed the deadlines already. Among Trumps confirmed challengers, Hogan said he thought Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, was on the ascent and a stronger candidate than Ron DeSantis, the hard-right Florida governor long second to Trump in polling. DeSantis has continued to fail throughout the campaign, Hogan said. Accused of being unfit to serve as an alternate member of Kansas Citys zoning board because of his online social media post about Israel, Jaz Hays shot back Wednesday at the elected official who called Hays posting antisemitic in an open letter this week to Mayor Quinton Lucas . Lucas pulled Hays nomination without comment Tuesday after 1st District Councilman Nathan Willett denounced Hays for describing the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as being a regime with genocidal intentions. Hays post was in reaction to the Israeli defense minister describing his countrys adversaries in the Gaza Strip as human animals as he announced a siege of the Palestinian territory in response to Saturdays attacks by Hamas terrorists from Gaza that have killed more than 1,000 Israeli civilians. The comment made by Emerson Jaz Hays mischaracterizes one of our nations strongest allies and spews up more hatred towards the Jewish Community and Israel, Willett wrote in a letter to Lucas that Willett posted on his Facebook page. Willett described Hays online comment as anti-Semitic. Hays did not respond on Tuesday to The Stars requests for comment. But on Wednesday, he posted a five-paragraph response on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter on which his original comment about Israel appeared earlier in the week. Im disappointed to hear that councilman Willet has written an open letter to Mayor Lucas calling on him to withdraw my nominationdue to my criticism of the Israeli government. These McCarthyist tactics are dishonest, harmful, and are simply an attempt to prevent me from serving on this board. To be very clear: I am not anti-semitic. Hays did not specify why Willett might want to torpedo his appointment to the board of zoning adjustment. But Hays has been active in public affairs, especially in the Northland where he and Willett both reside. His criticism of a proposed commercial real estate project near Kansas City International Airport has been pointed, describing the project as being undeserving to receive millions of dollars in tax subsidies. Hays was also one of the organizers of KC Tenants Power, the political wing of the KC Tenants affordable housing group. KC Tenants Power rated Willett a hell no in its voter guide that endorsed candidates in this years city council election. Asked during a phone interview if Hays outspokenness on development issues north of the river had anything to do with his opposition to the appointment, Willett denied having a political motivation. Not necessarily because, number one, I think hes a grassroots person who deserves to be involved, Willett said. But those comments cross a line and our values and I think our city has values and those cross a line. Lucas did not address the issue or mention Hays by name during the city council committee meeting Tuesday that was to have considered his appointment. Instead, the committee considered a substitute resolution recommending the appointment of two regular members of the zoning board and Lucas said the appointment of alternates would happen later. In a Facebook post Tuesday night, Willett thanked Lucas for withdrawing Hays nomination. Hays pledged Wednesday to continue serving this great city that I love, whether as a board member or in a more informal capacity by educating the public on important City issues, I as I have been in recent years. FILE - Slovak President Andrej Kiska addresses the media at the Hofburg palace in Vienna, Austria, Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. Slovakia's former president Andrej Kiska was found guilty of tax fraud on Wednesday Oct. 11, 2023, and received a suspended sentence. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) A court in Slovakia found Wednesday former President Andrej Kiska guilty of tax fraud and gave him a two-year suspended sentence. The county court in the city of Poprad also handed him a fine of 15,000 euros (about $16,000). The verdict is not final and his legal team said he planned to appeal it. Kiska, 60, had pleaded not guilty. The case dates back to 2014 when Kiska was running for president. At the time, he was a successful businessman-turned-philanthropist and a political newcomer. According to the court, Kiska illegally included tax receipts from the presidential campaign in the books of his KTAG family company. Such activities were not part of the firms business. KTAG through Kiskas associate Eduard Kuckovsky then claimed a tax return worth more than 155,000 euros (about $165,000). Kuckovsky also received a two-year suspended sentence and a fine of 10,000 euros (about $10,600) . At the time, Kiska beat then populist Prime Minister Robert Fico in the race to become the countrys president for the five-year-termed largely ceremonial post. Kiskas term in office was marked by clashes with Fico, whose leftist Smer, or Direction, party was tarnished by corruption scandals. Kiska supported huge street protests that led to the fall of Ficos coalition government in 2018 amid a political crisis triggered by the slaying last year of an investigative reporter looking into possible widespread government corruption. Pro-West Kiska did not run for a second five-year term in 2019. Fico and his Smer won the Sept 30 parliamentary election and struck a deal with two other parties on Wednesday to form a new government. A North Texas man and his ex-wife have been indicted in Seattle on federal charges accusing them of collecting $2.25 million for a real estate investment fund and pocketing much of the money for themselves. Paul Waln, 58, a former real estate agent in Southlake, and Tamara King, 54, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington State on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Theyre scheduled to appear in federal court Thursday. Waln solicited money from 22 victims from 2009 to 2013 for a fund called Halcyon. Investors were told their money would pool for the purchase and renovation of an apartment building in West Seattle, and then be used for other real estate projects. Investors couldnt touch their money for 10 years, but Waln estimated they would earn an amount equal to an annual return of 20% while he kept a 1% management fee. Waln married King, also a real estate agent, in 2013. Prosecutors allege they began jointly managing the investment fund. Between 2014 and 2018, the couple moved the money from the fund to their personal accounts, transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time. In some instances, the couple wrote secret memos to characterize the transfers as loans, but none of the loans were repaid and investors were not made aware of them. Waln and King were required to distribute the funds to investors in 2019. But by the end of 2018, all the money had been misappropriated, authorities allege. Waln lied to investors, claiming the funds general contractor had been diagnosed with cancer, which would result in a two- to three-year delay. In October 2019, King told the investors the money was gone because the investment had failed. In all, Waln and King are charged with conspiracy, eight counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Conspiracy carries up to five years in prison; wire fraud and money laundering are punishable by up to 20 years. >> BREAKING NEWS << Today's other top stories in Fort Worth: Man shot after fight at Fort Worth game room spat Groups dressed like Nazis visit Torchy's Tacos, Botanic Garden Family of man restrained by security not surprised by homicide ruling Get free alerts when news breaks. A former Tulare County Sheriffs deputy who was recently released from prison on a domestic violence conviction now faces a possible life term for his latest alleged actions that prompted torture and kidnapping charges. The Tulare County District Attorney announced on Tuesday that charges were filed against Richard Ray Ramirez, 49, following a weekend incident, and also include a charge of injury to a significant other following a previous conviction. At arraignment, Ramirez entered a not guilty plea and remained in custody without bail. If convicted of all charges, the conviction would be a second strike and could amount to a life in prison sentence. District Attorney Tim Wards office said the charges are enhanced with special allegations that Ramirez possesses prior serious felony convictions, that he was in a position of trust, and that the crimes were committed while he was on parole. In 2021, Ramirez was ordered to serve five years and eight months in prison, and the court imposed a 10-year criminal protective order, Wards office reported. His relationship to the victim was not provided. The convictions included two misdemeanor counts of battery against one adult victim. Prosecutors initially charged Ramirez with forcible rape and spousal rape, but the jury convicted him on the lesser charge of battery. Those crimes occurred between October 2008 and November 2008. He was also found guilty of trying to dissuade an adult witness from testifying against him between 2018 and 2019. A former Tulare County sheriff's deputy is back in jail, facing new criminal charges after investigators said he attacked and tortured a woman in Visalia. Richard Ray Ramirez, 49, is on parole for a May 2021 domestic violence conviction. Here's what Visalia police say led to his latest arrest. Around 4 a.m. on Sunday, officers were called to the area of McAuliff Street and Walnut Avenue for a report of a medical aide. When officers arrived, a 26-year-old woman told officers Ramirez had kidnapped and assaulted her. Ramirez was on scene when officers arrived, according to police. He is charged with three felony counts torture, injury to a significant other after a prior conviction, and kidnapping. The charges are enhanced with special allegations that Ramirez has prior serious felony convictions, strikes, and served a prison term, that he was in a position of trust, that the crimes were committed while on parole, and that the crimes included the personal infliction of great bodily injury under circumstances of domestic violence. At his arraignment this week, Ramirez entered a not guilty plea and remains in jail. Richard Ramirez A history of violence against women Visalia police started their first investigation into Ramirez after Jennifer Hillan, one of Ramirez's victims, reported a domestic violence incident to officers claiming that Ramirez began harassing her in April 2019. Hillan agreed to be named. The Visalia Times-Delta, as a practice, does not name victims of domestic violence or sexual assault without permission. At one point, Ramirez went to the Hillan's work and demanded she call the man he believed she was dating, according to police reports. The situation escalated in June 2019. Hillan told investigators that Ramirez went to her home on the morning of June 4 and drove up to her parked car. "During the argument, Ramirez struck her three times in the stomach and chest, causing her to lose her breath," officer Henry Martinez stated in a probable cause report. Ramirez was arrested in September 2019. He remained with the sheriff's department but was on administrative leave until his termination on April 1, 2020. An amended criminal complaint was later filed against Ramirez when a second victim came forward with new sexual assault and battery allegations. Hillan said she couldn't believe there were other women who shared the abuse. "I felt for her," she said. "I was shocked because I felt it was only me for so long." A Tulare County jury eventually found Ramirez guilty of felony dissuading a witness, felony stalking, misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor corporal injury to a significant other, making annoying phone calls, and disobeying a court order. "It was pretty overwhelming," Hillan said. "It was something I could have only hoped would happen. I feel justice has been served for Richard." Ramirez was sentenced to five years in prison and was released for time served and other in-custody credits by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. A preliminary hearing conference and bail hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19. If convicted of all charges, Ramirez faces life in prison. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Former Tulare County deputy faces new charges of domestic violence Henrys Sandwich Station was a fan-favorite neighborhood sandwicherie in Fort Lauderdales fast-evolving Flagler Village for 5 1/2 years. Then, in September 2022, it relocated to the citys Sistrunk Marketplace food hall. Last weekend, it permanently closed its doors. The Henrys website doesnt acknowledge its closing, and its Facebook and Instagram pages were abruptly taken down without fanfare or explanation. But in a South Florida Sun Sentinel interview on Wednesday, Henrys owner Marc Falsetto confirmed the shutdown, saying he couldnt justify renewing the shops lease after it expired. We thought it would be a good fit (at Sistrunk Marketplace), but consumer habits are changing and online ordering isnt as big as it used to be, says Falsetto, founder and CEO of Handcrafted Hospitality, which also operates Pizzacraft, Tacocraft and the recently revamped Runway 84. People want to come sit in the dining room, have a slice of pie and see their sandwich being made. That interaction was lost when we got to the food hall. Sales for Henrys Sandwich Station slumped dramatically in the year since it relocated to the food hall in summer 2022 to make way for the demolition of funky, arty warehouse district FAT Village, he says. He admits the food hall and brewery, where customers order from QR-coded menus at their tables instead of interacting with servers and chefs, did not in retrospect fit Henrys business model. That type of interaction was more common at the original Henrys storefront across the street, an attractive space with roll-down garage doors, industrial lighting and a butcher station where cooks sliced deli meats to order while customers watched. We have no bad blood with the food hall, Falsetto adds. I just prefer full-service restaurants. We just didnt see enough (foot) traffic. Falsetto says he may resurrect Henrys once the new FAT Village complex of residential, retail and offices reopens west of Andrews Avenue and south of Sistrunk Boulevard. Henrys Sandwich Station opened in early 2018 just as Flagler Village began gentrifying around it. It was originally called Proper Sandwich Shop until a trademark infringement suit filed by Proper Sausages in Miami Shores triggered the name change. In a 2018 interview, Falsetto explained the new name was inspired by railroad tycoon Henry Flagler and the shops proximity to the freight tracks behind FAT Village. (Customers could watch Brightline trains whiz past its triangular patio.) From the outset, the breakfast and lunch handhelds at Henrys became a fixture among arty creatives and young entrepreneurs who lived near FAT Villages mural-splashed warehouses. The menu rotated seasonally, but its sandwiches included a Thanksgiving-reminiscent roasted turkey breast with cranberry goat cheese jam, avocado and arugula; a shaved ribeye Philly cheesesteak with American cheese and caramelized onions on an Italian roll; a juicy French dip served on a semolina baguette from Fort Lauderdales Gran Forno; and a Cubano with slow-roasted Heritage pork shoulder, atop a toasted garlic roll with melted provolone, hot cherry peppers and au jus. There were also French fries crowned with an array of toppings, from Old Bay seasoning to garlic pesto to salt and vinegar with housemade garlic aioli. For dessert, its bake shop featured coconut cream and strawberry rhubarb pies, cookies and vegan chocolate fudge cake. Gold Hill Middle School is the latest area honoree to earn the National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence designation as a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School. The Lighthouse School program involves surveys and a school visit, plus interviews with students, parents and teachers. Schools are graded on a variety of factors from student achievement to school culture. Except for 2020 when only a dozen new schools were named, the program recognizes about 20-40 schools nationally per year plus recertifications of past winners. I am so excited for our school, said principal Stump Eppes. This is an award that represents all of our staff, our students and our families who make up this amazing place that is Gold Hill Middle School. The national designation lasts five years. Schools are then eligible for renewal. Lighthouse schools share best practices to improve education at the local, state and national levels. Gold Hill will be honored at a Dec. 1 event in Orlando, Florida at Disneys Contemporary Resort. Time to name 3 new schools in York Countys Clover School district. Have your say. Gold Hill Middle joins Dobys Bridge Elementary School in Fort Mill as a 2023 Lighthouse School winner. Last year, Cherry Park Elementary School of Language Immersion in Rock Hill won the honor. Fort Mill High School was the first area school to win it, in 2021. Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence is an incorporated school assessment group. Its different from the National Blue Ribbon Schools program affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program has a longer list of area honorees that includes Gold Hill Elementary School (2022, 2007), Nation Ford High School (2020), Fort Mill High School (2018, 2004), York Preparatory Academy (2018) and Rock Hill High School (1984). Marvin Blum and his wife had just returned home from a family vacation in Israel when they got a chilling text message from their daughter: We are under attack. Blum, a Fort Worth attorney, said his sense of peace was shattered when he began receiving texts from his daughter, Lizzy Savetsky, who grew up in Fort Worth and lives New York, describing how she, her husband and their three children crowded into a bomb shelter at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, where the family had spent a happy vacation. Blum said he and his wife, Laurie, had left the country hours before Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday. Blum said he and his family were in Israel to observe Sukkot, a week-long holiday that celebrates the harvest and commemorates the protection of the children of Israel who came from Egypt. Sukkot begins five days after Yom Kippur. He was also in Israel for his grandsons third birthday, a time when some Jewish boys get their first haircut. The birthday celebration was on a rooftop overlooking Jerusalem. Blum said the attack was especially brazen and egregious because it occurred on a holy day, Simchat Torah, which commemorates the conclusion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. They picked a holy day to do the attack when they feel that our guard is down, he said. Blum described how he and his wife were on pins and needles as they read the series of text messages from their daughter describing how Blums 10-year-old granddaughter Stella said there was a bomb drill. But Lizzy Savetsky said Israel does not have bomb drills and everyone crowded in to the bomb shelter at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. His daughter and her familiy decided to drive to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, where they caught a flight on the Israeli airline El Al. The other major airlines canceled their flights after the attack. When the family was on the plane, Hamas began firing rockets at the airport, Blum said. The pilot turned off the planes lights and took off a different direction, Blum said, describing the text messages from his daughter. Blum said it is more important than ever to speak up on behalf of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East. Blum serves on the board of the Anti-Defamation League and the Fort Worth Multiculture Alliance. Blum said his friends and family in Israel are safe for now, but he cant stop worrying. Its been a harrowing several days, he said. Ive been scared on a level that I dont remember ever being this nervous in my life. He added that it is important for people to understand that Israel was formed after the Holocaust and that the Jewish refugees had nowhere else to go. I know that in some way, Israel has to survive; it is the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel needs America, and America needs Israel, he said. A woman cries over the body of Moath Odeh, 29, one of four Palestinians killed when armed Israeli settlers attacked a town in the occupied West Bank (Zain JAAFAR) At least four Palestinians were killed Wednesday as armed Israeli settlers attacked a town south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. In separate incidents, a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army fire near Bethlehem and a teenager was killed near Hebron, the ministry said. The latest fatalities bring to 29 the Palestinian death toll in the West Bank in violence related to the conflict since Hamas militants launched on Saturday an assault on Israel's south from the blockaded Gaza Strip. The health ministry reported in a statement "three martyrs as a result of a settler assault on the town of Qusra" in the northern West Bank, later revising up the toll to four. Israeli human rights group B'Tselem shared on social media footage of what it described as an "incursion of the Israeli military and Israeli settlers" into Qusra. When contacted by AFP, the army said in a statement that "soldiers operating on the outskirts of the town of Qusra reported hearing shots fired in the area", adding it was "looking into reports" of Palestinian casualties. B'Tselem said on X, formerly Twitter, that "since Saturday, settlers have been attacking Palestinian residents in many parts of the West Bank". Amid war between Israel and Gaza militants that left thousands dead on both sides, "settlers are utilising the fact that public attention is focused elsewhere to... add fuel to the fire of violence", the group said. The Palestinian health ministry in a separate statement said it had been informed by the Palestinian Authority's civil affairs authority of "the martyrdom of a citizen... after the occupation (Israeli army) opened fire at him near Bethlehem" in the southern West Bank. The statement did not identify the slain man or elaborate on the circumstances of his death. Later, the ministry announced the death of Munes Ziyadan, 16, "by occupation (army) bullets in the village of Bani Naim" near Hebron. An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into the two fatal incidents when contacted by AFP. The latest violence in the West Bank comes amid heightened tensions following the surprise Hamas assault early Saturday that has since spiralled into all-out war. At least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, while Israeli strikes on Gaza killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to official figures. A surge in violence has hit the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, since early last year. Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, the West Bank is home to nearly three million Palestinians and around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law. he-sy-ami/hkb WASHINGTON The U.S. Army has sent millions of rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine along with a wide variety of other weapons and equipment to support the country amid Russias full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022. The effort has shone a light on the Armys inventory and the age of its organic industrial base, revealing areas that require reinforcement. The service is also assessing its stockpile requirements as it works to rapidly replenish supplies in preparation for the possibility of facing more than one major global contingency simultaneously. Defense News spoke with Doug Bush, the Army acquisition chief, in an interview ahead of the Association of the U.S. Armys annual conference. He discussed how the service is trying to bolster its industrial base to restore vital stockpiles that would allow it to continue to support partners and allies, as well as how the service is preparing for future warfare. This interview was edited for length and clarity. What is the state of the Armys effort to stand up new production capacity for 155mm ammunition, among other materiel, as it seeks to replenish its stocks? Over the next year, were going to know a lot more about how were doing. But the artillery production in October, were going to get to 28,000 a month. Thats double from where we were in January when we first got the money. And then the path [William] LaPlante, [the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment], mentioned this, too is to get to around 60,000 a month in fiscal 2024, and then getting to around 80,000 a month in fiscal 2025. And then in early FY26, the goal is still 100,000 a month. We still need some additional resources. Were working on it now internally and with Congress, and feeling pretty good about it. We have a plan, were getting the money. The hard part is actually doing it. But our various industry partners know what theyre doing. Weve got the right oversight mechanisms in place to make sure we can keep a thumb on things. And well see what Congress says about, for example, the PAC-3 [Missile Segment Enhancement] funding. How is the building of new facilities coming along that can produce additional 155mm shells for deeper magazines? The construction activities in Mesquite, Texas, east of Dallas, [are] underway. If you went there now, you would see a lot of construction activity, concrete being poured. So things are on track, but [General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is] not producing there yet. Production equipment starts coming later in the year, and production will actually start next year. Its a similar story at IMT in Canada. [The company is] still on track to start up initial production early next year. Those are our two for big metal parts. Really, we only have two facilities now in Pennsylvania to do that. Were going to add two completely new factories. Coming along beside that is additional capacity to load the shells with explosives. Thats currently done in Iowa. Were already on contract to increase that capacity in Kansas and Arkansas, so all those things are moving along rapidly. In terms of scale, the Texas activity is much larger, but both are important. We need improvements in Pennsylvania, we need the Canada thing and we need Texas to all succeed to hit the ramp we are on. What other single sources of failure within the industrial base both organic and across the defense sector have you worried? What are you doing to resolve any issues? [In some instances], we dont have a plan for making sure we have multiple sources. Thats the whole idea behind the additional load and assemble pack capacity. Iowa is very important, and were expanding it, but we need redundancy. The same goes for metal parts. Its why we were confronted early on with: OK, do we just massively expand the locations we have, or do we place multiple bets in multiple places? And we went with the latter approach. We thought that was lower risk, even if its a little more expensive. On the artillery side, we are very carefully studying that question. As long as resources come through, we have a path to have at least two sources for every part of that operation [in] some cases more than two. Cannon tubes are built at one arsenal. Isnt that a single source of failure? As of now at Watervliet Arsenal, [New York], our expansion there is proving successful. But if we need to, we have authority from Congress to look at other sources. But for now the focus has been expanding Watervliet and helping it just get production up. Participants pray before lit candles during a vigil organized by the Lisbon Jewish Community for Israeli victims of the Hamas attack on October 10, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal. Fox Corporation has donated $1 million to United Jewish Appeal, as the UJA works to provide urgent, emergency assistance to those impacted by the devastating attacks on Israel. "Israel is at war," the UJA said. "In the wake of these heinous terrorist attacks, were mobilizing urgently needed relief for the people of Israel." "The needs are without precedent and mounting every day," they noted. Through their Israel Emergency Fund, the UJA will support a number of efforts to provide assistance on the ground. Everyone is encouraged to join Fox Corporation in support of the UJA by donating to the Israel Emergency Fund at ujafedny.org/israel-emergency-fund. Many of the efforts by UJA include serving victims of the recent attacks: Victims in the line of fire will have their emergency needs provided for. Families and individuals who have been killed, wounded or kidnapped will receive cash assistance through the Jewish Agencys Victims of Terror Fund. Thousands who have been living in bomb shelters and witnessing the war firsthand will receive trauma relief and counseling. Holocaust survivors will be given enhanced services and support, including food, medicine and home care. Demonstrators gather during a rally in support of Israel, outside the West Los Angeles Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, on October 10, 2023. Additionally, donations to the Israel Emergency Fund will help ensure civilian and military personnel are mobilized to assist victims: Equipment will be given to public hospitals in southern Israel, allowing them to provide critical medical treatment for wounded civilians and soldiers. Civilian volunteers will be mobilized to better coordinate and deploy resources based on needs in the field. Aid will be given to military personnel and their families so they may receive care for those injured and financial assistance to cover the costs of burial and shiva, which is a week of mourning after a funeral in the Jewish tradition. Charter flights to transport Israeli special forces abroad back to Israel so that they may rejoin their reserve units. On top of bringing aid into Israel, the UJA said they will put donations made to the Israel Emergency Fund toward moving residents to safety: Large numbers of people from the southern and northern borders of Israel, along with Ethiopian and Ukrainian refugees, will be relocated. To support these efforts, donations can be made through the UJA website or by scanning the QR code below. Scan this QR code with your phone, and then it will take you to the UJA donation page. The UJA is the largest local Jewish philanthropy in the world with a mission to bring the Jewish community together to fund hundreds of nonprofits in New York, Israel and globally. According to the UJA, charitable donations support people in need, respond to crises and shape the Jewish future. As of Tuesday, the UJA said they have authorized an initial $10 million from the UJA endowment to address immediate relief efforts, in addition to more than $20 million raised from leaders in their community. "This number grows by the minute, and we are grateful for the outpouring of support," they said. Original article source: Fox Corporation donates $1 million to United Jewish Appeal for urgent aid in Israel Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chairwoman of the Education and the Workforce Committee, is asking the Biden administration for information about workplace safety at the White House after multiple reports of the presidents dog Commander biting staffers or U.S. Secret Service officers. The White House has the responsibility to set an example for ensuring workplace safety and health for its employees. Unfortunately, it has recently come to our attention that it is failing to uphold this responsibility, Foxx wrote in a letter to President Biden and acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Foxx says the recent reports of White House staff and U.S. Secret Service personnel regularly incurring dog bites indicate that occupational hazards are prevalent at the White House. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Bidens 2-year-old German shepherd Commander was moved out of the White House last week after reports of roughly a dozen biting incidents. In 2021, Bidens dog Major another German shepherd was sent to Delaware to live with family friends after multiple reported incidents. Foxxs letter raises serious concerns that the White House is not following the law and providing a safe working environment for White House employees, her committee said in a release. Foxx is asking the White House and the Labor Department for information on file related to workplace accidents and injuries at the White House to ensure the White House is living up to its expectations of the private sector, and to check that the White House is in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. SANGER, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE) Free health screenings are going to be available from the Migrant Education Program and Health Services Departments in Sanger on Thursday. Organizers say services available will be from basic medical check-ups, basic vision and dental screening, BMI body mass index, and vaccines. This will be available on October 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sanger Family Resource Center at 1436 P St. Sanger CA, 93657. For more information, you can contact Monica Mendoza at 559-497-3848 or visit the Sanger Scene on Facebook or Instagram. You can also contact or visit the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. A French court on Wednesday sentenced the controversial Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky to six months in prison for his role in a sex tape scandal which ended a campaign by an ally of President Emmanuel Macron to become Paris mayor. Pavlensky, 39, will serve his sentence outside jail with an electronic bracelet while his partner Alexandra de Taddeo, 32, was given a six-month suspended sentence for her role. Benjamin Griveaux , 45, a former French government spokesman and prominent figure in Macron's ruling party, was seeking in 2020 to end years of Socialist control of Paris city hall when explicit videos emerged that he had sent to a woman. Pavlensky, who before moving to France in 2017 had gained notoriety in Russia for actions that included in 2013 nailing his scrotum to Red Square in Moscow, claimed the stunt saying it was an artwork called "Pornopolitics". De Taddeo, who had a brief relationship with Griveaux in 2018, had been accused of keeping the videos and also taking part in their publication, which she denied. The videos, which Griveaux had sent to de Taddeo, showed a man masturbating and had been edited to show screen shots of the message exchanges between the two. Griveaux pulled out of the mayor race and has quit politics. The two defendants were also ordered to pay 15,000 euros in damages to Griveaux, as well as 5,000 euros in legal fees. - 'Justice done' - Pavlensky, who had accused the married Griveaux of hypocrisy during the Paris mayor campaign, indicated as he left the courtroom that he would not appeal. "My work of art 'Pornopolitics' is now finished, because the judge's conviction is the last point in my works of art, it's always like that. That's why I'm not going to appeal." For Benjamin Griveaux's lawyer, Richard Malka, "the artistic fantasies of one and the denials of the other were rejected by the court". Of Griveaux he said: "Obviously, he is pleased that justice has been done, but the wrongs done to him will never be made good." At the time the scandal prompted rare unity in French politics, with voices on left and right uniting to condemn the actions of Pavlensky and what they saw as a threat to democratic life in France. The trial, which started on June 28, was marked by the absence of Griveaux and incidents which exasperated the judge including applause in the courtroom and actors called as witnesses only to quote lines from French playwright Moliere. Pavlensky was sentenced in 2019 to three years in prison, two of them suspended, for setting fire to the facade of a branch of France's central bank in Paris. alv-sjw/bp A Black Lives Matter chapter from Chicago said it stands with Palestine and posted an online graphic of a paratrooper in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel. The organisation is affiliated to a group of similar BLM chapters in the United States A Black Lives Matter chapter from Chicago said it stands with Palestine and posted an online graphic of a paratrooper in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel. The organisation, which is affiliated to a group of similar BLM chapters in the United States, drew criticism for the image on a day of widespread condemnation of Hamas and its terrorist acts in Israel. Black Lives Matter Chicago is one of the #BLM10, a group of anti-racist organisations that is not affiliated to the main parent organisation, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. The post drew condemnation on social media - TWITTER On Tuesday the group posted a black-and-white image of a paratrooper, with a Palestinian flag and the caption: I stand with Palestine. The image appeared to refer to the Hamas paragliders that invaded Israeli territory on Saturday, using motorised flying vehicles and engines attached to parachutes. Hamas members used the parachutes to evade Israels sophisticated air defence system on the Gaza border, reaching a music festival on the other side of the border wall. There, they shot 260 people, raped women and took hostages back to the Gaza strip. Black Lives Matter Chicago was criticised for its post online. Tamar Schwarzbard, the head of digital operations at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replied: You stand for Hamas terrorists parachuting into Israeli territory, butchering and burning children alive? Elon Musk, the Twitter CEO, said: Your position is clear. One Twitter user called for the group to be investigated by Illinois police for an act of terrorism. Earlier on Wednesday, the group posted a graphic on Facebook arguing that the few Israeli hostages taken during Hamass attack are in fact Israeli soldiers and Israeli army generals who are responsible for keeping Palestinians hostage in the worlds largest open air prison, Gaza. Reports from the ground in Israel show that many civilians, including children, have been taken as hostages taken by Hamas and some have been killed. A third graphic claimed that reports of violence by Hamas against civilians were actually misinformation with absolutely no evidence that had been used to dehumanise the Palestinian civilians that Israel has declared genocide upon. Black Lives Matter is a decentralised political organisation and there is no official version of the movement. The largest group of chapters belong to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, an international conglomerate of campaign groups. Black Lives Matter Chicago, which is verified on Facebook and has more than 100,000 followers on its combined social media platforms, is a member of the #BLM10, which represents chapters in Philadelphia, Washington DC and Nashville, among others. The group campaigns against the actions of Chicago police, delivers petitions to the citys council and runs food banks. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. FILE PHOTO: Japan's vice minister of finance for international affairs, Masato Kanda, poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo By Leika Kihara MARRAKECH, Morocco (Reuters) - Finance leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced nations may discuss the impact escalating tensions in the Middle East could have on the global economy, a senior government official of this year's group chair Japan said on Wednesday. While not included in the official agenda of Thursday's G7 gathering, there is a good chance the fallout from the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas will be discussed, Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs Masato Kanda told reporters. "The conflict is already affecting markets in the form of a risk-off reaction due to heightening uncertainty," Kanda said. "We'll closely monitor the situation and respond as needed," he added. The Japanese yen, which tends to be an investor safe haven in times of uncertainty, rose against other currencies this week as investors keep a close eye on the conflict. The G7 finance leaders are scheduled to meet on Thursday on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings held in Marrakech this week. (Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Rod Nickel) The Georgia Supreme Court reversed a ruling that threw out indictments against six former Fulton County jail employees charged in the death of an inmate. In 2018, Antonio May was booked into the Fulton County Jail on a misdemeanor charge. An investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found he was dealing with mental health and substance abuse problems when he was shocked with a stun gun and pepper sprayed. May died in jail. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A grand jury indicted deputies assigned to jail: Aaron Cook, Guito Dela Cruz, Omar Jackson, Jason Roache, Kenesia Strowder and William Whitaker. The deputies were indicted on murder charges. In Nov. 2022, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney quashed the indictment, ruling that the State did not give the six defendants a chance to appear before a grand jury. TRENDING STORIES: The Georgia Supreme Court heard an appeal from the State in June 2023. On Wednesday, the judges unanimously reversed the lower courts decision. Today, the Court has reversed the trial courts order, concluding that while the trial court generally defined peace officer correctly, it employed the wrong analysis in doing so. The Court further concludes that the six defendants do not meet the definition of a peace officer and, therefore, are not entitled to the pre-indictment protections afforded by Georgia Code 17-7-52. Channel 2s Audrey Washington spoke with Mays grandmother, April Myrick, on Wednesday. Im very thankful, very thankful, Myrick said. This has been a roller coaster of emotion...He was murdered and I want justice for his sons. Channel 2 Action News reached out to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Her office issued the following statement. We are pleased the Georgia Supreme Court recognized that the special privilege for peace officers to appear before a grand jury is limited and does not apply to the defendants in this case. We will now move forward to trial to seek justice for Antonio May and his family. IN OTHER NEWS: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) celebrated the House GOPs nomination of Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) for Speaker on Wednesday. Im excited for him, Gaetz told reporters. I cant wait to go vote for Steve Scalise. Long live Speaker Scalise. Gaetz previously said he would be pleased with either Scalise or House Judicial Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as the nominee for Speaker. However, he didnt officially endorse either contender. I want to hear both of their specific plans on spending and on single-subject appropriations bills, Gaetz said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. He said both would be a monumental upgrade over former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was ousted from the position in a historic vote led by Gaetz last week. Eight Republicans and all of the Democrats voted 216-210 to vacate the Speakership. McCarthy, after he was removed from his leadership role, hit back at Gaetz during a press conference. You all know Matt Gaetz, McCarthy said. You know it was personal. It had nothing to do about spending, it had nothing to do about everything he accused somebody of he was doing, he added at the time. It all was about getting attention from you. Scalise clinched the nomination in a 113-99 vote behind closed doors Wednesday, narrowly defeating Jordan. Ive got a long history of bringing people together, uniting Republicans, focusing on the issues that weve got to do to address the issues we came here to do to get our country back on track, Scalise said Tuesday. Scalise now takes his candidacy to the House floor against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who Democrats nominated for Speaker on Tuesday night. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gov. Gavin Newsom tours a tiny home after announcing on March 16 that the state will have 1,200 tiny homes built and delivered throughout California in an effort to help house the homeless population. Seven months after Gov. Gavin Newsom promised that by the fall California would gift 1,200 tiny homes for unhoused residents to cities across the state, including 350 to Sacramento, officials have not selected a builder nor awarded any contracts. All 1,200 homes will likely not be delivered and ready to house people until early to mid-2024. That will be roughly a year after the governor, touting the states investment, acknowledged that people are dying on our watch. The delay comes as Newsom has been demanding accountability from cities and counties to address the states worsening homelessness crisis and eliminate encampments. Earlier this year, the governor briefly withheld the release of state funding because he said local leaders lacked ambitious plans and were failing to meet the urgency of this moment. He needs to be held accountable as well, said Bob Erlenbusch, executive director of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness.Its not acceptable to have a double standard to critique cities and counties up and down the state and then turn around and not deliver on your promises in a timely way. Failing to live up to his pledge and deliver the tiny homes before the winter months will have fatal consequences for those sleeping outdoors, according to Erlenbusch. Its just unconscionable to tell you the truth, he said. Californias delivery of tiny homes gets delayed The California Department of General Services, which oversees state purchasing, has moved back its timeline at least three times, according to documents on the Cal eProcure website. A presentation given during a bidding conference in May stated that the agency anticipated awarding a contract by July 14. That date was later pushed back to August 31. Contracts are now expected to be finalized by the end of October, according to the latest update from the Newsom administration. The governors office and the Department of General Services declined multiple interview requests for this story. The Department also did not respond to questions about the delay and when the homes will be ready to start welcoming tenants. The state has made significant progress on this project, Newsom spokesperson Daniel Lopez wrote in an email, adding that officials are currently working on reviewing and finalizing those bids for inclusion in the final contract. Following questions from The Sacramento Bee, the governors office late Tuesday sent out a release detailing the governors latest efforts to combat homelessness, including an update on the tiny home projects. The statement said the largest delivery of small homes in state history continues to gain momentum and that the state anticipates the first groundbreaking to take place before the end of the year. Officials also announced an additional $179 million in Homekey grants to convert hotels, motels and other residential or commercial properties into 710 new units for homeless individuals in Fresno, Los Angeles, Modesto, Sacramento, San Buenaventura, San Diego and Visalia. The states homelessness crisis has been decades in the making, Newsom said in the release. While theres more work to be done, we are challenging the status quo with new, innovative solutions to get Californians off the streets and into housing. Housing manufacturers were asked to provide dozens of designs Under the plan announced by Newsom in March, Sacramento will receive 350 tiny homes, Los Angeles will get 500 units, San Diego County 150 and San Jose 200. The state anticipates spending about $30 million to build, deliver and install the homes, the governors office said in March. The local jurisdictions will then own the units and pay operating costs. Foldum Corporation, a Tiny House manufacturer, is one of the companies in the running for the state contract. Ryan Rossi, co-founder and CEO, said he has submitted more than 600 pages of drawings and paperwork to the state and that the company has been asked to revise its application about six times. We were expecting them to be done with the review and approving the (request for proposals) and get started on the manufacturing several months ago, Rossi said. But at the same time, they have been communicating with us almost every week. The state asked bidders to submit drawings for more than 50 different cabin designs from standard studio rooms to two-bedroom units with accessible showers and bathrooms and dozens of variations in between. Once the contracts are finalized and cities have selected their desired designs, the state is asking contractors to deliver their first 50 units within three months. Every month thereafter, theyre asked to complete another 50. At that pace, Rossi estimates that the full 1,200 units could be installed by mid-2024, depending on how many manufacturers the state selects. Sacramento and San Jose prepare for homeless housing The tiny homes represent only a small fraction of the housing needed for Californians currently living on the streets. More than 6,000 people are sleeping outdoors in Sacramento on any given night, according to the latest homeless count. Sacramento County this summer opened a tiny home project with about 100 units at 8144 Florin Road. The county expects to open a second, smaller site in the fall with 45 cabins on East Parkway. As for the units gifted by the state, Sacramento leaders have selected two sites, one at an abandoned office park in the citys Little Saigon neighborhood on Stockton Boulevard, which WellSpace Health plans to turn into a medical campus, and another at the 350-acre Cal Expo campus. The WellSpace Health site is expected to hold 175 homes, which will be operated by the county, for temporary use while construction of the companys health and wellness campus is underway. It is unclear what will happen to the tiny homes once WellSpaces medical campus nears completion. The governors office said this week that Cal Expo is a confirmed site but that they are still working on specifics with Cal Expo and local leaders. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinbergs office did not return requests for an interview. In a statement included in the governors release, Steinberg celebrated the Stockton Boulevard site as a model for the rest of the state. Residents will be embedded in a community wellness campus specializing in substance abuse disorder treatment and mental health care, his statement read. This combination of housing and assertive treatment is the recipe for helping our unhoused neighbors and providing relief to our neighborhoods. The mayor previously told The Bee city plans to prioritize the new housing units for people camping under overpasses along the W-X corridor, in hopes of tidying up that area. Meanwhile, San Jose secured an agreement earlier this month to place the citys allotment of 200 homes on 7.2 acres owned by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said hes excited about the governors investments but that the city is not waiting on the state. In addition to the homes that will be gifted from the state, San Jose is working to build another 400 new emergency interim housing units within the next year. We are full steam ahead, Mahan said. ... I have always had the belief that solving this crisis will require every city, every county, every jurisdiction that has public land to identify sites for interim and permanent affordable housing, and we will need to move forward many sites at once. Several neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip were demolished overnight Tuesday after Israeli forces pounded the area with numerous strikes, forcing Palestinians out of their homes as Israel ramps up its counteroffensive against Hamas. The Israeli military said Wednesday that fighter jets struck dozens of targets in the Gaza Strip, including bank branches, operational command centers, Hamas compounds used for weapon storage and training, and the Islamic University, which was being used as a training camp and for weapons production. The series of strikes come after Hamas, a militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on Israel over the weekend, invading multiple towns by land, sea and air while firing off rockets from the area. Israeli forces quickly vowed to destroy the group and forcefully avenge the attacks. The Israeli military has claimed that more than 2,290 Hamas targets have been hit. At least 200,000 Gaza residents have been displaced so far, with many taking shelter in dozens of schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tuesday. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip earlier this week, vowing to halt the supply of food, electricity and water to the region. The OCHA estimated the lack of resources would impact hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, as basic supplies and electricity were already running low before Gallants order. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the last remaining access from Egypt was shut down following airstrikes near the border crossing. The OCHA said Palestinians in Gaza only have electricity for around three to four hours per day as a result, which could soon be shortened even further. Gazas sole power plant is set to run out Wednesday, the area power authority said, according to the AP, with power blackouts expected in the territory as a result. Generators were typically used to power buildings and homes in Gaza, with the order cutting off any fuel imports. The strikes have also damaged or destroyed several medical facilities and infrastructure, hindering the ability to reach and treat those injured, the OCHA said. The conflict has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, a total expected to increase as fighting continues. Hamas also claimed to be holding around 150 hostages from Israel and has vowed to execute them if the strikes continue. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This weeks crisis in Israel-Palestine began with a vicious, unprecedented offensive against Israeli communities. Now the flare-up is expected to mostly play out in occupied Palestinian territory specifically in Gaza, the coastal enclave from which Hamas militants launched their Oct. 7 attack. The Israeli military has been bombarding Gaza since the weekend, killing nearly 800 people. Many international officials and national security experts believe Israel will soon launch a ground invasion of Gaza with the stated goal of exacting revenge upon the territorys ruling party, Hamas, and other armed Palestinian groups. Its clear that Israels operation will have dire consequences for nearly everyone in the densely populated area. Already, the chief hospital in Gaza City looks like a slaughterhouse, Mahmoud Shalabi of the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians told the BBC. The United Nations said Tuesday in a statement that nearly 200,000 Gazans have been displaced from their homes. Israel is imposing what its defense minister called a complete siege on Gaza no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel and has repeatedly bombed the only exit point from Gaza into another country, the Rafah crossing into Egypt. The emphasis is on damage and not on accuracy, Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari told journalists on Tuesday, while Mark Regev, an adviser to Israels leader, told CNNhe expected a new reality in Gaza. Amid worldwide shock over the assault on Israel, theres little international pressure for Israeli restraint in the name of recognizing the difference between the perpetrators and ordinary people. Asked by reporters on Monday evening whether the U.S. wants its Israeli counterparts to refrain from collective punishment of Gazans, White House spokesperson John Kirby said: Israel has the right to defend itself We and Israel, as democracies, we have a lot of shared values, [and] one of those shared values is respect for life, the kind Hamas is not showing at all. The toll of Israels operation and the prolonged conflict that will likely ensue as Hamas and its allies retaliate against Israeli targets, prompting more Israeli retribution will be tremendous. Gaza, a battered strip of land that hosts 2.3 million people in desperate conditions, is set to be one of the worlds bleakest battlefields. A Dark Familiarity Gazans are among the globes most impoverished groups, with the majority living in refugee camps and relying on humanitarian aid. They have repeatedly suffered during fighting between Israel and militant Palestinian organizations. After Israel withdrew from the territory in 2005 retaining control of most of its borders and critical infrastructure Hamas won elections there in 2006 and took over in 2007. Since then, Israel has blockaded Gaza and launched major offensives against it in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021, as well as several smaller operations. Some involved significant civilian casualties, like a monthslong Israeli crackdown on protesters at the Israel-Gaza border in 2018. The current Israeli campaign has so far targeted a number of residential areas and damaged multiple hospitals, mosques and aid facilities. Israels pledges to make Hamas pay a massive price suggest it will continue to hit a broad range of targets. And its self-proclaimed siege, which U.N. experts described as collective punishment, will likely lead to painful shortages. During the darkest hours of our presence in Gaza we never envisaged a scenario where 2 million civilians could possibly live through heavy bombing, deprived of water, food, electricity [and] medicines, Fabrizio Carboni, the regional director for the International Committee of the Red Cross, wrote on X on Monday. All measures to avoid such a situation should be taken immediately. Ghada Kord, a freelance journalist in Gaza, told HuffPost she already feels like shes in a nightmare. She cant shake the scent of the dead bodies of humans, dogs and cats that she saw on the ground immediately after a recent Israeli airstrike hit the center of Gaza City. The lack of fuel and closed-down streets mean that ambulances cant access people who have been killed and injured, Kord said. She has no electricity, and her internet is spotty. Pharmacies and clinics have shut down. A blanket of smoke has filled the sky. Two million people live in Gaza not all of them belong to [armed] factions. They are civilians, she said. Kord hasnt been able to contact her own family yet. She knows its only going to get worse. We are going to face a huge disaster, she said. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 10, 2023. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 10, 2023. Israeli officials have warned Gazan civilians before striking particular neighborhoods and suggested that some should consider leaving the Palestinian territory altogether. Fear of assaults on certain areas has fueled massive displacement, with the U.N. estimating that 187,518 Gazans have left their homes to seek shelter elsewhere in the strip more than 137,000 of them at U.N. schools, which are becoming overcrowded and face concerns about their water supply. Meanwhile, fleeing Gaza is almost impossible. The regions southern neighbor Egypt is reluctant to open the Rafah crossing into its territory which both the U.S. State Department and the Israeli military have highlighted as an option amid Israeli airstrikes and Egypts fear of a huge refugee influx, and Israel has blocked all other routes into and out of Gaza. The total disruption of life in the strip has already limited residents access to vital supplies. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency, which focuses on Palestinian refugees and is a major player in Gazas fragile economy, has been unable to provide this weeks food rations to nearly 500,000 people one-fifth of the regions population the agency said in a Tuesday statement. One-third of Gazas health centers are closed, and only 13.5% of its health care staff is at work, the UNRWA statement continued. Gaza typically relies on the Israeli power grid but is currently dependent on its own small local power plant, which only runs for four hours a day, and private fuel supplies, which have limited diesel reserves, the Israeli human rights group BTselem and the charity Oxfam said in Tuesday press releases. Electricity shortages will make it harder to purify drinking water, charge cellphones and access the internet. Airstrikes have so far disrupted access to water and sanitation for 400,000 Gazans and shut down Gazas wastewater treatment plant, leading to raw sewage being emitted into the Mediterranean Sea, according to Oxfam. Its a very difficult situation not knowing if youre going to live the next day, the next hour or the next minute.Nadia Hararah, Palestinian American marketing manager with family in Gaza Abood Okal, a 36-year-old Palestinian-American, arrived in Gaza two weeks ago to visit family members there whom he hadnt seen for six years. He was happy to introduce his 1-year-old to his uncle, aunt and cousins. But now, Okal is sheltering in place, unable to see his parents American citizens who are just 10 minutes away. A bomb has blown out the windows and doors of their home. Its a difficult humanitarian situation thats unthinkable, Okal told HuffPost. Thousands of people are on the streets with no shelter, no power, and very soon will run out of water. Okal and his wife have been trying to distract their son from the bombs, clapping and telling him the booming noises are from fireworks. But as the strikes keep pouring down, its becoming increasingly difficult to hide the truth: Were running out of tricks up our sleeves to keep him unaware, Okal said. Gazans will also have to contend with the challenge of living in tightly packed communities where street fighting is likely to be extremely dangerous. Additionally, regular Gaza residents have little say over the battle strategy of Hamas, which has tightened its control over the strip, declining to hold elections and rarely tolerating local dissent. Hamas has suggested it might kill Israeli hostages in retribution for Israeli airstrikes a tactic that could lead to an even bloodier escalation and its sophisticated military bulwarks throughout the strip will likely ensure any direct clash with Israeli forces is prolonged. A view of a building destroyed by an Israeli missile strike in Gaza on Oct. 10, 2023. A view of a building destroyed by an Israeli missile strike in Gaza on Oct. 10, 2023. The death toll has already spiraled in just four days. In Virginia, Palestinian American Hani Almadhoun learned Monday morning from a Telegram chat that an Israeli airstrike killed 14 members of his family, including five children and elderly relatives. Death comes very fast, Almadhoun told HuffPost. We dont get any solidarity. He hasnt been able to reach his family in Gaza for the last four days. Almadhoun, who was just in the region two months ago, fears what is to come. We are afraid to look at media, Almadhoun said. Its going to be another trauma. Slim Hopes Few observers believe Israel can be persuaded to refrain from a major operation in Gaza. The countrys foreign partners are encouraging caution to some degree. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said he asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abide by international standards. Terrorists purposely target civilians and kill them. We uphold the laws of war, Biden said. It matters. Theres a difference. The foreign ministers of the 27 nations in the European Union said they would like to see humanitarian corridors out of Gaza and urged Israel not to fully cut off supplies to the strip. Yet demands for a broader halt in hostilities like a ceasefire remained marginal. And humanitarian aid for Gazans was not mentioned in a joint statement that Biden and the U.S.s closest allies released Monday, drawing ire from some aid workers. In 2014, when Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza, it ultimately killed 2,251 Palestinians including 551 children and injured more than 11,000, per U.N. estimates. Nadia Hararah, a Palestinian American marketing manager in Seattle, is unable to process her grief. Five of her cousins were killed on Saturday, and shes worried about other relatives in the region. Its a very difficult situation not knowing if youre going to live the next day, the next hour or the next minute, she said. She feels helpless and frustrated, unpacking a trauma she said is never-ending. I wish more Americans knew about how long and how deep the suffering has been at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces, Hararah said. They dont recognize that this isnt out of thin air. That me and my family have been suffering differently, but suffering for a long time. Related... JERUSALEM (AP) The Hamas -run Gaza Strip is a tiny enclave, measuring 40 kilometers (25 miles) long and no more than 12 kilometers (7 miles) wide, surveilled continually by Israel, surrounded by its guns. But rescuing or even locating more than 150 hostages hustled there by Palestinian militants who overran Israels southern border on Saturday will be a daunting task. Gazas densely populated terrain, its network of underground tunnels and the sheer numbers of men, women and children taken captive present Israel with the most complex hostage crisis that the country has ever faced. Mounting rescue operations in the midst of the massive Israeli bombardment of Gaza that followed the deadly Hamas rampage in southern Israel would only make an already difficult mission even more formidable. The situation is unprecedented, said Gershon Baskin, who helped to negotiate the 2011 release of Staff Sgt. Gilad Schalit after more than five years of Hamas captivity. I think Hamas was surprised at the ease it was able to take hostages. Israel was completely bewildered by everything thats happened. Images of hostages have become seared into Israels collective consciousness. The panicked woman being dragged off by militants on a motorcycle, her boyfriend marched across the border on foot. The terrified mother, wrapped in a blanket, clasping her two young children. Eli Elbag had tried for 12 hours to contact his soldier daughter Liri, 18, who was training to be a lookout at the Gaza border. Then a friend sent a video showing her crowded into the back seat of an Israeli military truck that militants had commandeered, sitting next to two other hostages, one with blood covering his face. As Israel pummels neighborhood after neighborhood in Gaza, Elbag and his wife have been glued to the television, looking for any sign of her. He said he understands the Israeli operation but remains concerned for Liris safety. Nobody," said Elbag, can understand what we are feeling. AN EXTREMELY COMPLEX SITUATION Hamas has demanded freedom for all 5,200 prisoners the Palestinians say are held in Israeli jails in exchange for the captives. It has warned it will kill a hostage every time Israels military bombs civilian targets in Gaza without warning. The group is also holding the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, as well as two Israeli civilians who entered its territory years ago. Information about the hostages seized Saturday remains sketchy days later. No complete list has been released, and its not clear who is alive and who is not. Many are Israelis, but a long list of other countries have said their citizens have been taken hostage. Hamas has traditionally treated hostages as valuable assets, revealing little to no information about their conditions or whereabouts and refusing to grant the International Committee of the Red Cross access to check on their well-being. On Tuesday, United States President Joe Biden confirmed that Americans were among the captives. The United States has offered to share its expertise in hostage recovery with Israel, said John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National security Council at the White House. Nothing is more important to President Biden than make sure we look after the safety and security of Americans overseas, Kirby told Israel's Channel 12 TV in an interview. And we will continue to work with the Israelis on this hostage recovery crisis, and do whatever we can do, do whatever is appropriate to do, to help them as they work their way through those kinds of decisions. Some hostages are dual nationals, and that will further complicate Israels efforts to free them, Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a briefing. He said the captives have likely already been dispersed throughout Gaza, and their hiding places and perhaps even the hostages themselves are likely to be laden with traps. This is a challenge of a magnitude that has never been faced before," Hoffman wrote. How this crisis will end is anyones guess, but the shedding of more innocent blood Israeli, Palestinians, and indeed non-combatant citizens of other countries is certain. HOW HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN HANDLED IN THE PAST The unique nature of the crisis does contain advantages for Israel, Baskin said. Because there are so many captives, information about some of their locations might leak, even though they are likely dispersed around the territory in homes or underground, he said. That could favor rescue operations. Israel has historically made big concessions to win freedom for hostages, almost all of them over soldiers or their remains. Its history of lopsided prisoner exchanges included the trading of Schalit for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including the current Hamas leader in Gaza, Yehia Sinwar. The fate of prisoners is emotionally charged on the Palestinian side, too; most Palestinians have either spent time in an Israeli jail or know someone who did. But as Israels military strikes Gaza with unprecedented ferocity, its not clear whether the safety of hostages is playing a role in decision-making. At least one member of the government, the hard-line Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also plays a role in the Defense Ministry, was quoted as demanding Saturday that the military hit Hamas brutally and not take the matter of the captives into significant consideration. Reports of Egyptian, Turkish and Qatari mediation efforts dont appear to be going anywhere. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamass incursion, so Baskin doesnt expect Israel to engage in a negotiated deal that would reward the militant group. In Israel, he said, no one has the appetite to give Hamas any kind of prize." (Bloomberg) -- Opening an escape route for thousands of Palestinians trying to flee Israeli strikes on Gaza isnt an easy proposition for neighboring Egypt, as it struggles to balance humanitarian support with national security concerns. Most Read from Bloomberg The North African nations stance is increasingly in focus as the US and others discuss with Egypt the possibility of safe passage for civilians, as well as providing vital aid to Gazas 2 million residents after Israels decision to cut off access to food, water and power. After Hamas Attack, Middle East Braces for Another War A safe route is something we are focused on and we are working on, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday, according to a transcript. He declined to give details on specific locations. Still, Israeli shelling near the border post has complicated any attempts for people or aid to cross. Israeli officials have warned that any trucks bringing in supplies could be targeted, according to Israeli media. More than 1,200 Israelis and 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since Saturdays surprise attack against Israel by Gaza-based militants Hamas, which the US and Europe have declared a terrorist group. Meeting with United Nations officials on Wednesday, Egypts foreign ministry said it voiced full support for UN efforts to ensure the continuation of vital services and the arrival of relief supplies to Gazans. But fully opening Egypts tightly controlled Rafah border crossing, which connects the Sinai peninsula with Gaza, and letting in sizable numbers of refugees is another issue and something, local media and a populist lawmaker suggest, the country neither wants nor can afford. State-run Ahram Online on Tuesday revived fears of what it called a frequently proposed Israeli scheme to resettle Gazans in Sinai, with a story citing Egyptian security sources rejecting the historically and politically corrupt idea. Israel Latest: Top US General Warns Iran to Stay Out of Conflict President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said guarding Egypts national security is his top responsibility, and there will be no compromise or complacency under any circumstances. He warned Tuesday that further escalation between Israel and Hamas could cause regional instability. Egypt, which in 1980 became the first Arab country to normalize relations with Israel, has mediated between the warring sides during previous conflicts in Gaza. Ahram Online on Monday reported Cairo was working to facilitate a prisoner-exchange deal. IMF Boss Says Egypt to Bleed Reserves Unless It Devalues But any escalation that sees Palestinians flee to Egypt is seen by authorities as posing fresh challenges just as the country is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades. El-Sisi spearheaded a war against militants in northern Sinai after taking office in 2014 and has touted ambitious plans to develop and invest in the region. An Egyptian humanitarian organization on Tuesday said it was preparing a convoy of food and medical assistance for Gaza. It wasnt clear if it would be able to cross. Egyptian lawmaker Mostafa Bakry, whos widely seen as close to El-Sisi, wrote on X that neither Egypt nor the Palestinians would accept Palestinians being displaced to Sinai. Egypts security and Egypts land are not permissible, Bakry said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. North Carolina Republicans authorized vote-count restrictions and weakened Gov. Roy Cooper s ability to oversee elections and other state regulatory bodies by overriding his vetoes. GOP supermajorities in the General Assembly overturned five vetoes Tuesday. Two new laws address elections and voting, which will probably be a presidential battleground. ALSO READ: Elections board, absentee, early vote changes heard by North Carolina Senate panel The new laws eliminate the governors power to appoint the State Board of Elections and give it to legislative leaders. Another ends a three-day grace period to receive and count absentee ballots if they are postmarked by Election Day. If you value fair elections, bipartisan election management, an Election Day deadline, and having only citizens vote in elections, then you have much to celebrate today, said Sen. Warren Daniel, R-Burke, and Sen. Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus, in a joint statement. These are commonsense reforms that restore faith in our elections. Senate Democrats had a chance to support increasing transparency in our elections, but they chose to mislead voters and spread hyperbolic rhetoric. Overriding this veto ensures voters can go to the polls knowing that elections are being conducted in a fair, nonpartisan manner. Democrats immediately announced legal action after the General Assembly overrode the veto of Senate Bill 747, known as the Elections Law Changes bill, WTVD reported. Republican efforts to change the voting laws have nothing to do with election security and everything to do with manipulating elections to entrench their power, Cooper said. Every single eligible voter deserves fair access to the ballot box and to have their vote count, and North Carolinians will not stand for this voter suppression. The state elections board has five members, with the governors party historically holding three of the seats. Beginning Jan. 1, the board will be eight members, chosen by legislative leaders from both major parties and likely creating a 4-4 split among Democrats and Republicans. Critics say these changes will lead to board impasses that will scale back the number of local early in-person voting sites and could send the outcomes of contested elections to the courts or the General Assembly to settle. The law says the new state board also would have barely a week to decide whether to keep current state elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell on the job or hire someone else. If the board cant decide, the decision would fall to Republican Senate leader Phil Berger. Republicans were unhappy with Brinson Bell - hired by the Democratic majority in 2019 - for her role in a legal settlement that extended in 2020 the time for mailed-in ballot envelopes postmarked by the election date to be received and counted from three days after the election to nine days. An omnibus voting law also enacted Tuesday in part would eliminate that three-day window and instead require mailed-in ballots be received by county election offices by the time in-person balloting ends at 7:30 p.m. on the date of the election in order to count. The Associated Press contributed to this story. New Yorks embattled Third District congressman, George Santos, finds himself in deeper legal waters as the Department of Justice unveiled a 23-count superseding indictment against him Tuesday afternoon. A superseding indictment amends and replaces an original indictment. This is done through a grand jury, which will usually approve a superseding indictment after new details or information is found. Usually, the superseding indictment adds charges. Santos was originally handed a 13-count indictment. The development has triggered stern calls once again for his resignation. The indictment, spotlighting charges like conspiracy, wire fraud, and falsifying records to the Federal Election Commission, lays bare two alleged fraudulent schemes orchestrated during the 2022 election cycle, termed the Party Program Scheme and the Credit Card Fraud Scheme. The Party Program Scheme highlights an alleged conspiracy between Santos, 35, and his campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, 58, to misrepresent the campaigns financial standing to the FEC. Related: George Santos's Ex-Campaign Treasurer Implicates Congressman and Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charge Last week, Marks pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, implicating the gay Republican in the process. She admitted to lying on finance reports about a fictitious $500,000 loan from Santos to his campaign, a maneuver to inflate the campaigns fundraising success artificially. Marks disclosed providing the FEC with a fabricated list of donors, utilizing real names without the individuals consent for fictitious donations. This guilty plea by Marks, a once-trusted aide of Santos, adds a layer of complexity to the already intricate legal scenario surrounding Santos. The scheme allegedly involved falsely reporting substantial contributions from family members and concocted loans from Santos to mislead the FEC, a national party committee, and the public about the campaigns financial health. The other alleged plan Credit Card Fraud Scheme puts Santos in the spotlight for allegedly stealing personal and financial information from campaign contributors between December 2021 and August 2022. Unauthorized charges on contributors credit cards were allegedly orchestrated to channel funds to his campaign, other candidates campaigns, and his personal bank account. The indictment alleges that Santos went to the extent of masking the true source of these contributions by falsely identifying the contributors. United States Attorney Breon Peace emphasized the gravity of the indictment, stating, As alleged, Santos is charged with stealing peoples identities and making charges on his own donors credit cards without their authorization, lying to the FEC and, by extension, the public about the financial state of his campaign. U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who has been vocal in his critique of Santos, aired his frustrations and called for Santoss resignation on X, writing, Ive been calling for the expulsion of liar and fraud George Santos for 6 months. We filed an expulsion resolution and every Republican voted to keep him in office. Now, theres a 23-count indictment and hes about to vote for a new Speaker. He must resign immediately. I\u2019ve been calling for the expulsion of liar and fraud George Santos for 6 months. We filed an expulsion resolution and every Republican voted to keep him in office. Now, there\u2019s a 23-count indictment and he\u2019s about to vote for a new Speaker. He must resign immediately. Congressman Robert Garcia (@Congressman Robert Garcia) 1696974522 The legal turmoil sets the stage for Santoss upcoming court appearance on October 27. Santos now grapples with the escalating allegations and a precarious political future. The Advocate asked Santoss spokesperson, Gabrielle Lipsky, for comment on Tuesday regarding the developments and whether the congressman had plans to resign. Official offices do not comment on these matters, Lipsky responded Wednesday morning. Editors note: This story was updated to include a response from Rep. Santoss office. Fulton County prosecutors and attorneys for two defendants in the sweeping Georgia election interference case involving former President Trump on Wednesday sparred over the validity of a racketeering charge that all 19 alleged co-conspirators face. Defense attorneys for Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell two Trump-aligned lawyers argued before a Georgia judge Wednesday that the state Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act counts the defendants face were wrongly charged. Chesebro attorney Manny Arora said that Georgias RICO statute requires two elements to be satisfied in order for a charge to stand: financial gain, or physical threat or harm. The case, which charges Trump and 18 others with entering a criminal enterprise bent on keeping the former president in power after he lost the 2020 election, does not meet those standards, he argued. We are not trying to narrow the scope of the RICO statute, and were not saying its unconstitutional; were saying its unconstitutional as applied, because theyre not following the rules, Arora said of Fulton County prosecutors. Theyre coming up with novel theories to indict people, he added. Prosecutors with the Fulton County district attorneys office refuted Aroras claims, asserting that a previous legislative amendment to the states RICO statute was enacted to counter arguments like those made by the defense. The idea that this was intended to limit the scope of the statute to organized crime is exactly the opposite, said special prosecutor John Floyd, a state RICO expert. The statute aside, Floyd firmly pushed back against the defenses claim that no financial gain or physical harm was sought by the defendants. A would-be second Trump presidency alone qualifies as financial gain, Floyd argued, pointing to the presidential salary, retirement benefits, transportation via the worlds most prestigious aircraft and housing in the worlds most prestigious home for four years. Floyd also cited threats faced by Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman as evidence of physical threat or injury, noting that members of the alleged enterprise namely defendant Trevian Kutti attempted to convince Freeman she was in danger because of her role in purported election fraud. She was scared to death absolutely scared to death, Floyd said of Freeman. Arora and an attorney for Powell objected to those assertions in their arguments. Under the governments theory, there could be thousands millions of co-conspirators in the case, Arora argued, including those who protested against Trumps 2020 election loss. Judge Scott McAfee questioned prosecutors over Aroras claim that millions could be prosecuted on RICO charges without limits of financial gain or physical threat or harm. Its a floodgates argument. A sky is falling argument. And the idea is that anybody who supported Donald Trump is subject to indictment under this case thats absurd. Thats absolutely ridiculous, Floyd replied. The state has never said it. The indictment doesnt say it. Wed never do that. McAfees future decision on the motion, which will determine whether the RICO charge stands, could significantly alter the course of the case. Georgias broad RICO Act allows prosecutors to weave the seemingly disparate defendants and their alleged actions into one enterprise with a common goal: returning Trump to the White House. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) case presents a multitude of schemes prosecutors say were meant to undermine the outcome of Georgias election. Chesebro and Powell are set to face trial beginning Oct. 23, after the pair invoked their right to a speedy trial, significantly expediting their cases. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. Trump and the other co-defendants who waived their speedy trial right will go to trial at a later date. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office said it is seeing an uptick in the number of alligator sightings in the Chattahoochee River. So far this season, the sheriffs office said it has spotted 30 gators near the river, WTVM-TV reports. The Chattahoochee runs from Georgia Mountains, down into Florida, making it an easy path for the large reptiles to work their way north. Deputies with the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office are warning people in the Columbus area to keep an eye on the small pets and little ones if they are going near the river. You need to be aware of while youre on the river walk, and you need to be aware of why youre in the Chattahoochee River and enjoying yourself, Muscogee County Underwater Criminal Investigator Russell Sharman told WTVM. RELATED STORIES: In August, Channel 2 Action News reported that a UGA student had spotted a gator in the Oconee River near Athens. I thought it was a log when I first saw it. But I got a closer look, UGA senior Alexa Leahy said. The biology major has spent a lot of time in Florida and coastal Carolina and knows an alligator when she sees one. Its a rare sighting this far north of what is known as Georgias Fall Line, or what scientists say was the prehistoric shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Leahy says she has heard some of her professors suggest that global warming could bring a gator this far, or maybe somebody once had a one-footer in their terrarium and let it loose when it got too big. Alligators usually remain in the area where they were born for two to three years and then begin looking for their own range. Females generally have small home ranges while a male may occupy a range of more than two square miles. Severe drought conditions may cause alligators to move considerable distances in search of suitable waters, The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said. There are approximately 200,000-250,000 alligators in the state of Georgia, DNR said. From 1980 until July 2023, there were only nine reported cases of alligator attacks on humans in Georgia, including one fatality in 2007. RELATED NEWS: Shani Louk was last seen alive at the Tribe of Nova party A young German-Israeli woman who was spat on and paraded half-naked through the streets of the Gaza Strip after being abducted by Hamas terrorists is alive, her mother said on Tuesday. Shani Louk, 22, a tattoo artist, was captured by gunmen after they attacked a music festival in the Negev Desert, close to the border with Gaza. In video footage that emerged subsequently, she was seen lying seemingly unconscious, face down in the back of a pick-up truck in Gaza that was full of jeering Hamas militants. In one of the many distressing videos to emerge from the surprise attack on the desert rave, in which at least 260 people were slaughtered by Hamas gunmen, a man pulled her hair while another, outside the truck, spat on her head. Her mother, Ricarda Louk, told German television that she had received fresh information that her daughter was alive but that she has a severe head injury and is in critical condition in a hospital in Gaza. We now have more information that Shani is alive, she said, adding that the information had come from Palestinian sources. Every minute is critical. Ms Louk is a citizen of Germany and Israel Addressing the German authorities, she said: You have to act quickly and get Shani out of the Gaza Strip. She appealed to the German government not to argue about questions of jurisdiction. Ms Louks credit card was reportedly used at a shop in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Prosecutors in Germany announced on Tuesday that they were launching an investigation into Hamas on suspicion of kidnap and murder of German citizens following the bloody assaults launched by the terrorist group at the weekend. Prosecutors have opened an investigation against unidentified members of the radical Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas, said a spokeswoman for the federal prosecutors office. Several Germans with Israeli nationality were among those kidnapped by Hamas militants. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor, said Berlin was working intensively with Israeli authorities to try to find out the fate of German citizens among the hostages, how many people it is and what we can do to secure their freedom. 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. PARIS Germany will send about 1 billion (U.S. $1.1 billion) worth of air defense systems to Ukraine as part of a second winter package for the embattled country, the German Defence Ministry said in a statement Tuesday. The support will include a Patriot air defense system and two IRIS-T surface-to-air systems, as well as 10 more Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks, three Gepard anti-aircraft guns, armored trucks and ambulances, in addition to more than 20 million in kit specifically for Ukraines special forces. The latest support follows a 400 million package for Ukraine announced in September that included ammunition, mine-resistant combat vehicles and drones. After initial reluctance to provide Ukraine with military aid following Russias invasion of the country, Germany has now overtaken the U.K. and Poland in terms of support, with only the U.S. providing more equipment. Im grateful to Germany for todays large military aid package, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. As winter approaches, this is exactly the support we need. Im grateful to Germany for todays large military aid package. Patriot, IRIS-T, Gepard, tanks, armored vehicles, and other items. As winter approaches, this is exactly the support we need and the one we discussed with @Bundeskanzler in Granada. Our agreements are working Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) October 10, 2023 The new package includes a second Patriot air defense system to be supplied by Germany, including a fire control unit, radar array and eight launchers, as well as more than 60 missiles, the ministry said. The equipment will come directly from the German militarys stocks, and the country plans to start training Ukrainian personnel on the system in the coming weeks. Germany will also supply Ukraine with a third IRIS-T system with medium-range missiles, plus a second IRIS-T for short-range defense, also with missiles, with delivery to take place this month. The announcement comes ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the alliance of countries backing Ukraine with military equipment. To protect critical infrastructure at the onset of winter and to provide further military support, Germany is supplying Ukraine with additional air defense, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said. With this new `winter package we are further increasing the operational readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces in coming months. Germany had promised Zelenskyy last week it would deliver Ukraine a second Patriot system, while the delivery of further IRIS-T systems fulfils commitments made in a prior month, the ministry noted. The additional Leopard 1 tanks and Gepard guns, 15 armored transport vehicles, and 20 armored ambulances will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks, the ministry said. Germany said more 155mm ammunition is currently being supplied. Germany said a total of 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers will have been trained in the country by the end of 2023. Patriot air defense system Anticipating a renewed Russian air strike campaign against Ukraines energy infrastructure this winter, Berlin will provide Kyiv with another military aid package largely focused on advanced air defenses, the German government announced on Oct. 10. It will include two IRIS-T anti-air systems and one fully integrated Patriot air defense complex (command-and-control center, radar, eight launchers, and 60 missiles). The total value of anti-air assets in the package is around EUR 1 billion ($1.06 billion). Read also: U.S. may offer Poland Iron Dome in exchange for Patriot Systems for Ukraine Politico Additionally, Ukraine will also receive 10 Leopard-1A5 battle tanks, three Gepard self-propelled anti-air systems, 15 armored vehicles, and 20 medevac vehicles. Read also: White House prepares new aid package for Ukraine and responds to Kremlin's fatigue claims Finally, the package also includes EUR 20 million ($21.22 million) in equipment for Ukraines Special operations Forces. Read also: Poland provides evidence to Germany suggesting Russian role in Nord Stream blasts, but doubts linger in Berlin The message notes that this second winter package of Berlins security assistance to Ukraine will bolster the effectiveness of the Ukrainian military in the coming months. Germany remains one of the top suppliers of military aid to Ukraine second only to the United States. 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 BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency said it would close its account on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, because of increasing intolerance of minorities expressed by users on the site, and urged other bodies to follow suit. The rapid spread of misleading claims and doctored images in the aftermath of a deadly rampage by Hamas gunmen in Israel over the weekend has put renewed focus on Elon Musk's platform, which most recently drew the ire of the European Union. Due to a surge in racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, trans and queer hostility and other misanthropic content, "X is no longer a sustainable environment for a public agency", the agency's commissioner, Ferda Ataman, said in a statement. German government officials have so far resisted calls to quit X, saying there was no substitute channel at present through which leaders like Chancellor Olaf Scholz are able to reach a broad swathe of the public online. X officials couldn't be immediately reached for comment on the Germany agency's decision. X said on Tuesday it had taken steps to curb the spread of inappropriate posts over the past few days, and removed newly created Hamas-affiliated accounts as part of efforts to "prevent terrorist content from being distributed online." The German anti-discrimination agency could only deal with the massive rise in hate comments by throwing more staff at the problem, which was a questionable use of tax money, Ataman said. Other state agencies and government ministries should ask themselves whether it made sense to remain on a platform that has "become a disinformation network," she said. Germany's foreign, economy and finance ministries, as well as the government still maintain profiles on X, though Economy Minister Robert Habeck has not had a presence there since 2019. (Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Butler Place is Fort Worths oldest public housing complex. It is wedged on 42 acres of land between U.S. Highway 287, Interstate 35W and Interstate 30 on the east edge of downtown. But its brick buildings are deserted with boarded-up windows. Boarded-up doors have housing numbers spray painted on them. The former Fort Worth Housing Solutions administrative building, which, before that, was Carver-Hamilton Elementary School, is empty on the north side of the property. I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and Visual and Performing Arts is on the south side. The property is owned by Fort Worth Housing Solutions, which is in the process of deciding how the property will be used in the future. City officials see it as a unique opportunity for economic development and to create a cultural hub. We intend for it to be a catalytic development for downtown, said Mary-Margaret Lemons, president of Fort Worth Housing Solutions. So we want it to be meaningful, we want to honor the past, but we also really want to be creative in how we use it for the future. A committee was formed in 2016 to figure out strategies for historic preservation and potential uses for the property. Fernando Costa, assistant city manager, is part of the committee and says while the history of Butler Place is important, it is in an ideal location for urban development adjacent to downtown Fort Worth. It represents one of the various opportunities we have in the central city of Fort Worth to attract young talent who might bring entrepreneurship and innovation to Fort Worth and would appreciate the cultural diversity of our community, Costa said. Discussions about the future of the property have touched on a variety of uses: industry, offices, residential, and as a campus for higher education. According to Costa, the idea of using the property for affordable housing was not popular with the committee because of the floor plans of the existing buildings would be unappealing to modern families. The expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center, the planned extension of TexRail into the Medical District, and Texas A&Ms expansion downtown are major projects that developers will see as valuable when they consider how Butler Place could be used, according to Andrew Taft, president of Downtown Fort Worth Inc. Taft sees Butler Place as an asset to Fort Worth because of its location. He noted that it is close to a major transit hub, with direct rail access to DFW Airport and a possible high speed rail line in the future. I.M. Terrell Academy also adds value, he said. It has an opportunity to move the economic needle in Fort Worth to help redefine what Fort Worth is going to be in the future, Taft said. And so I think everybody involved in the project recognizes that this is a rare piece of land and a rare location, and we should be aspirational about what should be attracted to be built in that location. History of Butler Place Butler Place was one of 52 Works Progress Administration projects for low-income housing under former president Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. It opened in the early 1940s. It was named after Henry H. Butler, a Civil War veteran and the first African-American teacher in the Fort Worth school system. The housing project has over 400 units but in December 2020 the last families left with help from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Developments Rental Assistance Demonstration program. The program helped move residents while maintaining their housing assistance as part of a strategy to deconcentrate poverty by providing affordable housing throughout the city. There are a few hurdles that need to be cleared before redevelopment can occur. They involve the National Historic Preservation Act and the declaration of trust that ties Butler Place to its old use with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The National Historic Preservation Act was created in 1966 to provide a framework for federal, state, and local governments to identify and protect historical landmarks that would be affected by federal projects. Butler Place was listed on National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Justin Newhart, Fort Worths historic preservation officer, helped write a list of mitigation steps to complete with the help of Fort Worth Housing Solutions, Tarrant County Black Historical & Genealogical Society and other stakeholders retain the historical relevancy of Butler Place. We try to give Fort Worth Housing Solutions time to meet all these requirements, Newhart said. Because theres a lot that goes into them, especially with the community engagement and public education pieces, so well be working on this for the next 10 years. These steps will help preserve the historical significance of Butler Place including the construction of an amphitheater, applying for a Historic and Cultural Landmark designation for the former Carver-Hamilton Elementary School building, developing interpretive signage regarding the history of public housing in Fort Worth, and saving a minimum of 1,000 bricks from the Butler Place property. A video history and a collection of historical photos of Butler Place have already been created. The declaration of trust is a legal obligation that binds HUDs interest in Butler Place because 179 apartments at the complex are still considered to be in HUDs system. According to Lemons, Fort Worth Housing Solutions is working to remove these units from the HUD system by using a Rental Assistance Demonstration conversion. This allows for the transfer of the units to new properties to maintain affordable housing and create mixed income communities in Fort Worth. This will allow Housing Solutions to close Butler out of HUDs system. Lemons and Housing Solutions have not made a decision yet on what entity will take over the property. In any case, Lemon wants the land to be an asset to the community for generations by leveraging its redevelopment to provide funding for affordable housing. Were being very intentional and thoughtful about how we move forward for the next chapter at Butler place, Lemon said. When my grandmother gave birth, and was told shed had a girl, she said: Poor thing. When I had two girls, I greeted their little lives like hopeful presents. I knew from my experience and that of the women in my family that my daughters faced challenges. I also knew that girl energy drives a better world. The world was very different in some ways when my grandmother had my mum. Men were in charge of households, mortgages and bank accounts. Divorce was rare and scandalous. Abortion was illegal. Schools prepared girls for a life of sewing, cooking and ironing. Few girls went to university, and married women in middle-class households were expected to stay at home. Medical and law schools discouraged young women; so did parliament, the seat of all decision-making, where a total of 38 women were elected as MPs before 1945. Domestic violence was not talked about, much less campaigned against. When Nana worried about the life my mother would have, she had grounds for concern. My nana forgot her worries when she watched musicals, and my mum inherited her love for them. As a little girl, Mum adored Annie Get Your Gun, and in particular, the number sung by Betty Hutton to a patronising Howard Keel: Anything you can do, I can do better. It was a mantra she followed her whole life becoming the first woman in her family to go to university (she did two degrees, one in French and one in Russian, and is the only person I know who has read War and Peace in the original text). She campaigned as part of the Womens Liberation Movement for equal pay, childcare and abortion rights. When she read fairy stories to me, she would always change the ending so that Cinderella said no to the Prince, because she had to go to university first. My sisters and I were told not to marry until we had travelled the world and earned enough to be independent. We would roll our eyes, but we listened. Sophie as girl with her mother (Provided by author) My mum and her generation did so much to pave a better future for girls. On their watch women won laws that enshrined equal pay, made sex discrimination illegal, outlawed rape in marriage, enabled women to apply for bank loans in their own names. They and their sisters supported each other into tertiary education, into mens jobs, into businesses and institutions and often helped each other stay there when it was hard. But progress is not linear. And having laws does not mean they are heeded, or that those who break them face repercussions. In 2023 our justice system is systemically incapable of prosecuting rapists and our police forces are stained deeply by misogyny and sexist attitudes. Women still earn less than men at work , and childcare is unaffordable and inaccessible for many. And young women are feeling daunted. Last month, a poll by Girlguiding found the happiness of girls and young women at its lowest level since 2009. Nine out of 10 girls and young women say they are worried and anxious, their life aspirations shrinking along with hopes that anything will change. Our female MPs include dogged and brilliant feminist campaigners, but overall women still represent only a third of Parliament. Worse: all of this is happening against a rising tide of complaints from some men that women have it better than them, and are taking away mens chances of happiness and success. That mens mental health is much worse than that of women, despite data that shows men and women are suffering equally, in different ways. That boys are suffering because girls do well in school, ignoring the scourge of sexual harassment ruining girls educations, and the subsequent sexism that still keeps them out of jobs in science (as one example.) Sophie on the beach with her mum who, she says, brought her up to fight for a better world (Provided by author) Abuse and harassment is rife online, where toxic social media influencers tell unconfident young men a way to secure their own futures is to bully and intimidate women. A recent discussion about a proposed minister for men culminated in GB news presenter Laurence Fox commenting on whether a female political journalist was sufficiently sexually appealing. He was sacked, and the conversation became about broadcasting standards, instead of why men are so very angry with women. Given all of that, the idea that one day can make a difference seems hopelessly optimistic in this atmosphere but hope is the ultimate act of defiance, and headway comes one day at a time. This International Day of the Girl (Oct 11) is a day to remind us how important it is to celebrate and to look after our girls. Its also a good day also to remember the importance of role models who showgirls dont have to put up with being patronised, pigeon-holed or disempowered. When I was a girl, I loved women in cinema who stood up to men: I sat up during Star Wars when Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia strode in and served; my favourite part of the Indiana Jones movies was the fighting, drinking Marion Ravenwood and throughout the Superman franchise Margot Kidders Lois Lane made me want to be the reporter, not the superhero. Laurence Fox (above, right) made sexist comments about Ava Evans as he appeared on a GB News show hosted by Dan Wootton (main) (GB News) Of my two sisters, one loved Madonna, because: She always looked like she didnt give a s*** what anyone thought of her. The other loved all the Spice Girls and all the wives of Henry VIII, explaining: Girls dont have to be just one thing. These days my girls also admire women who defy criticism and challenge negative voices. My youngest loves Katherine Johnson, whose mathematical calculations enabled Nasa to land a man on the moon and Taylor Swift, the music nerd who made billions from doing her favourite thing and always seems to know how girls are feeling. My older daughter, who is neurodiverse, loves that the fight for the future of the planet was led by a plain-talking, impatient autistic teenager called Greta who turned top bully Donald Trumps mockery back to him. To me now the biggest role models of all are girls themselves. My daughters and nieces and their friends, the young women I see and hear, are kind and funny and tolerant. They understand the layers and intersections of womens lives constituted by race, sexuality, disability and more. They are keenly aware of the girls we dont hear from, those living in poverty, forced out of school and into marriage, hurt by war and forgotten when leaders negotiate. My mum made the world better for me. Ive tried to make the world better for my girls. And when I look at them I see that theyre already making it better with their hopes for the future. Lets cheer them - and all of our girls - on today. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A former girlfriend of Gavin Maloof was accused of stealing more than $400,000 from the businessman in a plot with her friend, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Jennifer Jean-Kathreen Courtemanche, 44, and Brittany Anne Burgess were named as co-defendants in a criminal complaint filed on Oct. 4 in Las Vegas Justice Court. Both women face a total of six charges, including three counts of felony theft, along with conspiracy to commit theft, conspiracy to launder or attempt to launder money, and launder or attempt to launder money or property, which are gross misdemeanors. The investigation began earlier this year after Maloof, a co-owner of the Vegas Golden Knights among other ventures, reported receiving harassing messages from unknown numbers, according to sources. Las Vegas Metro police traced the numbers to Courtemanche, his girlfriend at the time, sources said. Courtemanche gained access to Maloofs cell phone and sent approximately $93,448 in AppleCash payments in 2021, approximately $275,600 in 2022 and approximately $75,600 in 2023 totaling about $445,000, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Clark County District Attorneys office. Attorney David Chesnoff was representing Maloof. Mr. Maloof is grateful for the effort of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Clark County District Attorneys office, Chesnoff told the 8 News Now Investigators. Maloof and Courtemanche are no longer dating. Courtemanche is a SAG-AFTRA actress, according to her Instagram account, which had approximately 182,000 followers as of Tuesday. When reached by a reporter by phone Tuesday, Courtemanche hung up. An attempt to reach Burgess was unsuccessful. As of Tuesday, a Las Vegas Justice Court judge had not yet reviewed the case or approved a warrant for arrest. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Despite efforts to shift toward low-carbon energy, global emissions from energy use will increase through 2050, according to a new analysis. A new report from the U.S. government found that population and income increases will offset the impacts of efficiency and lower carbon intensity. The report, from the independent Energy Information Administration (EIA), said that while there will be some shift away from fossil fuels, current policies are not enough to cut global emissions from energy use. The burning of fossil fuels releases planet-warming emissions and is the main driver of climate change. The United Nationss Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said the world needs to cut its emissions all the way down to carbon neutrality by 2050 to limit global warming to a level that evades some of the worst impacts of climate change. China will still be the primary source of carbon dioxide emissions through 2050, the EIA said, though its share of emissions is expected to decline. India is expected to be the second-biggest emitter by midcentury, a title the U.S. holds. China has said it hopes to see its emissions peak by 2030 and reach net zero by 2060. India has said it hopes to be carbon neutral by 2070. Globally, emissions from the transportation sectors energy use are expected to grow between 8 percent and 41 percent between 2022 and 2050, while emissions from the industrial sectors energy use are slated to grow by between 9 and 62 percent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Kenya Nut Company, near Nairobi, will be the first farm in the world to produce fertilizer, on site, thats free of fossil fuels. A small fertilizer plant, built by U.S. startup Talus Renewables, will use solar power to strip hydrogen from water. The liberated hydrogen will then bond with nitrogen in the air to form liquid ammonia. Every day, the plant will produce 1 ton of ammonia, which can be applied to crops as fertilizer. Typically, ammonia is made by isolating hydrogen from natural gas, not water, in a process that unleashes large volumes of heat-trapping gas. Globally, the climate impact of ammonia production rivals that of air travel. Because ammonia production relies so heavily on natural gas, it is also vulnerable to supply disruptions. Russia, a leading gas producer, is the worlds second-biggest maker of ammonia. Sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine have hindered fertilizer exports, driving up prices globally, with farmers in Africa hit especially hard. Green ammonia, made from water using clean power, promises to curb the climate impact of fertilizer. If produced on site, it could have the added benefit of insulating growers from supply shocks. The average bag of fertilizer in sub-Saharan Africa travels 10,000 kilometers, Talus founder Hiro Iwanaga told Bloomberg. With a small green ammonia plant, like the one coming online in Kenya, you can locally produce a critical raw material, carbon free. ALSO ON YALE E360 From Fertilizer to Fuel: Can Green Ammonia Be a Climate Fix? Traffic lights are the worstnot only do they put stops in your journey, but all those stopped cars pollute the local environment. According to one paper , pollution can be 29 times worse at city intersections than on open roads, with half the emissions coming from cars accelerating after having to stop. Many companies are developing tech that can make intersections "smarter" or help drivers navigate around jams . Google, though, has an AI-powered system-level plan to fix things. Called Project Green Light , Google Research is using Google Maps data and AI to make recommendations to city planners on how specific traffic light controlled intersections can be optimized for better traffic flowand reduced emissions. Green Light relies on Google Maps driving trends data , which Google claims is one of the strongest understandings of global road networks. Apparently, the information it has gathered from its years of mapping cities around the world allows it to infer data about specific traffic light controlled junctions, including cycle length, transition time, green split (i.e. right-of-way time and order), coordination and sensor operation (actuation). From that, Google is able to create a virtual model of how traffic flows through a given citys intersections. This allows it to understand the normal traffic patterns, like how much cars have to stop and start, the average wait time at each set of lights, how coordinated nearby intersections are, and how things change throughout the day. Crucially, the model also allows Google to use AI to identify potential adjustments to traffic light timing at specific junctions that could improve traffic flow. [Related: Googles new pollen mapping tool aims to reduce allergy season suffering ] And this isnt just some theoretical research project. According to Google, Green Light is now operating in 70 intersections across 12 cities around the world. City planners are provided with a dashboard where they can see Green Lights recommendation, and accept or reject them. (Though they have to implement any changes with their existing traffic control systems, which Google claims takes as little as five minutes.) Once the changes are implemented, Green Light analyzes the new data to see if they had the intended impact on traffic flow. All the info is displayed in the city planners dashboard, so they can see how things are paying off. Google A big part of Green Light is that it doesnt require much extra effort or expense from cities. While city planners have always attempted to optimize traffic patterns, developing models of traffic flow has typically required manual surveys or dedicated hardware, like cameras or car sensors. With Green Light, city planners dont need to install anythingGoogle is gathering the data from its Maps users. Although Google hasnt published official numbers, it claims that the early results in its 12 test cities indicate a potential for up to 30 percent reduction in stops and 10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across 30 million car journeys per month. And city planners seem happy too, at least according to Googles announcement . David Atkin from Transport for Greater Manchester in the UK is quoted as saying, Green Light identified opportunities where we previously had no visibility and directed engineers to where there were potential benefits in changing signal timings. Similarly, Rupesh Kumar, Kolkatas Joint Commissioner of Police, says, Green Light has become an essential component of Kolkata Traffic Police. It serves several valuable purposes which contribute to safer, more efficient, and organized traffic flow and has helped us to reduce gridlock at busy intersections. Right now, Green Light is still in its testing phase. If youre in Seattle, USA; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Manchester, UK; Hamburg, Germany; Budapest, Hungary; Haifa, Israel; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, India; and Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia, theres a chance youve already driven through a Green Light optimized junction. However, if youre a member of a city government, traffic engineer, or city planner and want to sign your metropolis up for Green Light, you can join the waiting list. Just fill out this Google Form . Rep. Derrick Van Orden has moved on from cussing out teenagers to cussing out White House staff providing Congress with national security briefings. Van Orden reportedly interrupted a congressional briefing by White House officials on the unfolding conflict between Israel and Hamas, cursing at the presenters, calling them pathetic, and yelling fuck you at Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), according to Politico. Phillips, a Jewish Democrat, had reportedly interjected into Van Ordens verbal tirade with an exclamation of shame on you. He was rude and attacked the presenters, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) told Politico. I thought they had very substantive things to say. But he just had this blanket attack saying that this is the worst information Ive ever had basically attacking them for being incompetent. Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) reportedly apologized to the presenters for Van Ordens behavior. Van Ordens office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Rolling Stone, although he did tell Fox News on Thursday a day after he yelled obscenities at Biden administration briefers that now is not the time to attack the Biden administration. surprising to hear this from a Republican on Fox & Friends pic.twitter.com/CLHMRRflBt Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 12, 2023 The outburst over the Israel-Hamas conflict isnt the first time the Wisconsin Republican has displayed an explosive temper. Van Orden was criticized in July by both Republicans and Democrats after he publicly berated a group of Senate pages. One of them had briefly laid down on the floor of the Capitol Rotunda to take a picture of the buildings historic dome. Wake the fuck up you little shits, Van Orden reportedly screamed at the group of teenagers. Get the fuck out of here. You are defiling the space. The representative allegedly called the pages jackasses and lazy shits. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the following day on the Senate floor that he was shocked when I heard about it and I am further shocked at his refusal to apologize to these young people. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said everybody on this side of the aisle feels exactly the same way. Van Orden also reportedly threatened a 17-year-old library employee over a book display featuring LGBTQ-related titles while he was campaigning for office in 2021. The employee, Kerrigan Trautsch, described Van Orden as being loud, he was aggressive, he had his finger jabbing into (the book) constantly, and called the incident very uncomfortable, and threatening. Van Orden never apologized for this incident, either. His reputation for having one of the shortest fuses in Congress was once again reaffirmed on Wednesday. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to media during a press conference in the offices of Blakemore & Associates in Houston on June 13, 2023. Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Wednesday that he does not plan to return any of the $3 million he received from a group whose leader recently hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes . Patricks statement follows a Sunday report by the Texas Tribune showing that Jonathan Stickland, the president of Defend Texas Liberty and a former lawmaker from Bedford, hosted Fuentes on Friday at the offices of a consulting firm, Pale Horse Strategies, that Stickland also owns. Defend Texas Liberty is a major donor to Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and other Republicans, and is funded primarily by two far-right West Texas oil billionaires, Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. Patrick said Wednesday that he spoke to Dunn, who told me unequivocally that it was a serious blunder for Stickland to meet with Fuentes, and assured him that the political action committee would have no future contact with the well-known white supremacist and Adolf Hitler admirer. Dunn stated emphatically that everyone at the PAC understands that mistakes were made and are being corrected, Patrick said. I accept Mr. Dunn at his word. I know him to be a man of integrity and an avid and staunch supporter of Israel. Patrick then explained that he would not return the PACs contribution because there were no hints of any links to any antisemitic organizations or other hate groups when he accepted it. He then blamed the blowback from the meeting on House Speaker Dade Phelan, claiming he had orchestrated a smear campaign. Phelan's chief of staff Enrique Marquez responded on social media: "Mismatching socks is a 'blunder,'" he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Meeting with a pro-rape, pro-Taliban, pro-Hitler, anti-Semitic, Holocaust denier like Nick Fuentes for 6.5 (hours) is NOT a blunder." [What to know about Nick Fuentes, the white supremacist who was just hosted by a major Texas PAC leader] Fuentes has frequently praised Hitler and questioned if the Holocaust happened. He has called for holy war against Jews, said he wants the United States under authoritarian, "Catholic Taliban rule" and fantasized about marrying a 16-year-old when he is older because thats right when the milk is good." He has said that he would beat a "disrespectful" woman so hard that she would collapse like a building on Sept. 11, 2001. And he has routinely pushed conspiracy theories that claim there is an intentional, Jewish-driven effort to replace white people through immigration, interracial marriage and the LGBTQ+ community. All I want is revenge against my enemies and a total Aryan victory, Fuentes said last year. Other Republicans said Wednesday that they are donating the groups donations following the Tribunes revelations, which have set off a firestorm in Texas politics this week. In a statement, Frisco Rep. Jared Patterson said that he has given $2,500 to a pro-Israel charity, to account for the in-kind contribution of the same value he received from Stickland. I was appalled to learn Defend Texas Liberty PAC hosted a Nazi sympathizer and Holocaust denier for six hours, Patterson said in a statement. I could not rest until I washed my campaign from the stain of this organization and its leader. In his statement, Patterson said he was surprised that other conservatives including Reps. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, Steve Toth, R-Woodlands, Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, and Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth have either outright refused or dont appear willing to distance themselves from Defend Texas Liberty. Those members have released statements denouncing Fuentes or antisemitism, but were silent on Defend Texas Liberty and Stickland. Rep. Stan Kitzman, R-Pattison, also said Wednesday that he is returning money from Defend Texas Liberty. Citing Fuentes visit as well as the Tribunes August reporting on Defend Texas Libertys ties to a company that pays influencers for undisclosed promotional work Kitzman said he will donate the $5,000 he received from the PAC to local charities, including two Jewish groups. While I have no intention of labeling the members of Defend Texas Liberty as antisemites or racists, their decision to engage with someone like Nick Fuentes is a step too far, Kitzman said in a statement. I respectfully urge the leadership of this PAC to reflect upon their choice to associate with such individuals and consider aligning themselves with more principled allies. Other conservative lawmakers have pushed back against criticisms of Defend Texas Liberty. On social media this week, Toth accused Patterson of pandering to progressives through his statements on Fuentes. After a Houston-area activist noted that Fuentes has said white people are in a holy war against Jews and will make them die, Toth responded by calling her a typical liberal liar. Every time Republicans panders [sic] and apologize to progressive Democrats on issues of race they show the world how little backbone they actually have, Toth also said. Paxton has not sought to distance himself from Fuentes or the PAC either. The attorney general has not responded to repeated requests for comment or released a statement this week about Defend Texas Liberty. Over the course of his career, Paxton has received nearly twice as much in donations from the Dunn and Wilks families than he has from his second-largest donor, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC, which condemned Fuentes on Monday The disavowals by Kitzman and Patterson the latter of whom was ranked as the states most conservative lawmaker this year based on an analysis of his legislative votes are the latest fallout after the Tribune published photos on Sunday of Fuentes at the offices of Pale Horse Strategies, a consulting firm for right-wing candidates that is also owned by Stickland. His appearance which comes as antisemitic and racist violence skyrockets in Texas and nationally has set off a firestorm that has further escalated an ongoing civil war in the Texas GOP. Citing Hamas recent attacks on Israel, House Speaker Dade Phelan said Monday that fellow Republicans should redirect any money they received from Defend Texas Liberty to pro-Israel charities. Soon after, 60 members of the Texas House Republican Caucus released a similar statement. Patrick who took $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty earlier this year responded forcefully, accusing Phelan of politicizing Hamas attack, calling for him to step down and condemning Fuentes but not Stickland or Defend Texas Liberty. Other major beneficiaries of the PAC followed suit throughout Monday, and have still yet to say whether they will cut ties with the deep-pocketed Defend Texas Liberty, Stickland or his West Texas funders. Fuentes' relationship with Republicans meanwhile continues to make headlines. On Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked by CNNs John Berman how he feels about Republicans associating with Fuentes, as former President Donald Trump did at Mar-a-Lago last year. I would not do that, responded DeSantis, whose campaign fired a Fuentes follower earlier this year after it was revealed that he had made and then shared a pro-DeSantis video that featured Nazi symbols. Also on Wednesday, members with the activist group Indivisible Houston protested outside of a radio station in Houston that often hosts Patrick. Dan G. Patrick takes Nazi cash, read one of their banners. Disclosure: Texans for Lawsuit Reform 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. Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) is in Israel to aid Americans in escaping the country, which has been ravaged by fighting over the last few days. Mills, an Army veteran and then a defense contractor, previously assisted with the withdrawal of refugees from Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal when he was a congressional candidate in 2021. According to his office, he is working with the same team that assisted with those withdrawals. Millss office said he helped 32 Americans evacuate on Wednesday, and he is hoping to make another trip on Thursday. By embarking on the trip, Mills missed the internal House GOP Speaker nomination vote, which Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). Mills had said he intended to support Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for the position. Former Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) posted a photo of the Florida Republican in Israel on social media, saying that he is helping evacuate U.S. citizens in the wake of Hamass attack over the weekend and the ensuing bloodshed. My friend, Florida Representative Cory Mills, is currently on the ground in Israel, helping to evacuate American citizens who are trapped in Israel. May God keep them safe as they continue their rescue efforts! @CoryMillsFL, Flores wrote in a post on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. Mills told The Floridian that his trip to Israel was helping and showing solidarity with our Israeli brethren and helping Americans evacuate. The State Department confirmed Wednesday that 22 American citizens have died in Israel since Saturday. The White House also said that Americans were among those being held by Hamas in the wake of its unprecedented attacks over the weekend. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The city of Franklin, Tennessee, has exploded into a political firestorm in the wake of an alliance between conservative mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson and a white supremacist Active Club. Last week, Hanson arrived at a candidate forum with members of the Tennessee Active Club acting as her escort. Rolling Stone reported last month on Active Clubs, which are an emerging form of open-network groups that blend martial arts and combat training with white supremacist ideology. According to a report by the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), more than 46 of these clubs have been established in the United States since 2020, one of them in Tennessee. When the group arrived in Franklin, they claimed to be there to protect Hanson, a current alderman for the city. Brad Lewis, who has described himself as an actual literal Nazi and owns a gathering place and training center for the Active Club, told News Channel 5 that Hanson was a friend and that they came at her request. The members of the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (save for Hanson) released a statement last Wednesday declaring they would not tolerate any form of hatred, intimidation, or violence directed at our residents, media representatives, or anyone else attending or participating in the democratic process. Tuesday night, members of the board took Hanson to task in person, accusing her of sowing division and endangering the community. Hanson refused to condemn the group. This is the old adage of you reap what you sow, Hanson told the board, claiming the Active Club was in Franklin partially as a result of alleged discrimination against Christians. Youve planted seeds for years and years against our citizens, and they are coming to harvest, this is what the citizens of Franklin are getting because of bad decisions. Its easy to shift all the blame, Hanson added. I just happened to arrive at a time when everything was starting to crumble. BREAKING: Controversial Franklin mayoral candidate Gabrielle @HansonforMayor refuses to denounce actual literal Nazis who came to forum to protect her and blames her colleagues for the division in the community. You reap what you sow. 1/ pic.twitter.com/ZaJCbiH3OD Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) October 11, 2023 Active Clubs are the brainchild of Robert Rundo, a California white supremacist who, after failing to launch one racist group and being charged with incitement of riots in the U.S., moved to Eastern Europe to craft what he calls White Supremacy 3.0, a style of white supremacist ideology that eschews flashy, aggressive public displays of past neo-Nazi movements. Active Clubs have also taken on a self-appointed status as a stand-by militia, primed for violent action. Hanson claimed that the Tennessee Active Club came to Franklin because they were an anti-antifa group and the dark web is showing massive antifa activity in and around the city. At one point on Tuesday, Hanson referred to Brad Lewis, the actual literal Nazi, as her client. Im a realtor, Im not going to denounce anybody their right to be whatever it is that they want to be, whether I agree with what they do in their personal life or not, she said, adding that we dont discriminate in this community and that the Active Club never laid a hand on anyone and they were very respectful while they were here. Alderman Matt Brown rebuffed Hanson, questioning the assertion that her relationship with the Tennessee Active Club was just a business. Brown pointed out that Hanson had publicly shared social media posts from the group, including screenshots of Telegram chats that contained the phrase there is no political solution, and accused Franklins current mayor of having antifa connections. We cannot allow this kind of hate to take hold in Franklin or else we have lost everything, Brown said, before addressing Hanson directly. Is it your mission to divide our city? Because you are doing a bang-up job of it right now. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. The White House may soon request more aid for Israel in the wake of the Hamas attack. At least one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie, is signaling that he's likely to vote against it. "I don't believe in foreign aid," he said, indicating that it's not solely about Israel. Rep. Thomas Massie signaled on Wednesday that he's likely to oppose any further US aid to Israel in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack especially if it comes in the form of a standalone bill. "I am opposed to foreign aid," the Kentucky Republican told Insider in an interview at the Capitol. "Some people say my position on opposing all foreign aid is radical. I think what's radical is sending money to other countries when we're going bankrupt." And he doesn't care how much heat he gets for it. "I'm basically at this point, immune. I've got the antibodies to almost every attack that can be leveled at me," said Massie. "I'm not worried, and if I don't end up coming back here, I'm not worried either." Massie, an idiosyncratic libertarian, has long been opposed to both foreign aid and imposing sanctions on foreign countries. Last year, he joined Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in voting against more than a dozen bills targeting Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. He was also the lone Republican to vote against sending an additional $1 billion to Israel to help replenish the country's "Iron Dome" missile defense system in September 2021. After facing attacks ads from the pro-Israel group AIPAC over that vote, Massie doubled down, accusing the American lobbying group of "foreign influence." It's not yet clear what kind of aid the White House will request for Israel, and Massie stressed that he didn't want to "answer about a bill I haven't seen, regardless of what it is." "But infer what you want from my other votes," he added. Asked about what role the United States should play in the Israeli response to the Hamas attack, Massie argued that more scrutiny is needed of existing foreign aid. Israel has long been the top recipient of US foreign aid, totaling $158 billion to date and $3.8 billion annually since 2019. "I think one of our questions should be, are you allocating that money properly?" said Massie. "How did this happen? Did you put too much emphasis on technology, and not enough on just basic defense?" Massie also pointed out that he voted for the House's defense spending bill, which includes the $3.8 billion in Israeli aid that the US provides annually. "As a consequence of voting for that bill, you know, I voted for it," said Massie. "If there's a standalone package I've never voted on a standalone package for foreign aid to anybody." Beyond Massie, other lawmakers likely to oppose further US aid include progressives such as Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri or Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, both of whom have called for ending US aid to Israel in the wake of the attack. The White House is also said to be considering a strategy in which US aid to Israel and Ukraine would be paired together in an effort to ease the passage of more Ukraine aid. While Republicans are increasingly opposed to Ukraine aid, they remain overwhelmingly willing to provide aid to Israel. But many conservatives, including Massie, have protested against such a strategy. "I think that's a really bad idea to link that," said Massie. "It's a step backwards, why wouldn't we have separate votes?" Read the original article on Business Insider An aerial view shows damage caused following a mass infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Beeri in southern Israel An aerial view shows damage caused following a mass infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Beeri in southern Israel By Emily Rose and Ilan Rosenberg BEERI, Israel (Reuters) - Israeli paramedic Hami Atias has seen much death and gore over 21 years of treating victims of violent attacks, natural disasters and war wounded. But the scene that greeted him at a leafy kibbutz near Gaza at the weekend will haunt him forever. Atias was one of the first-responders who went into Beeri in southern Israel in the aftermath of a raid by Hamas, part of a wider assault that was the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history. "I thought I'd seen enough but nothing could prepare me for what happened there. The smell of bodies - as many times as I've showered this week - I can't get that smell out," the 36-year-old Atias told Reuters on his way back from Beeri. Atias said he saw the bodies of scores of men, women and children who had been gunned down or blown up by militants. "There were bodies lying on the street in huge quantities, wounded people screaming for help, and we had to decide who to treat because we didn't have enough manpower," he said. "It was disgusting." On the grass of the kibbutz on Wednesday evening, bodies in white body bags were laid out in rows. Israeli media have reported that the militants killed at least 100 people in Beeri. The Israeli military said it killed dozens of Hamas gunmen in the Beeri area. The Hamas surprise attack on Saturday involved a rocket barrage and assaults by teams of gunmen on kibbutzes and towns in southern Israel surrounding the blockaded Gaza Strip, which the group controls. The attack has sharply escalated violence between Israel and Palestinian militants. Israel has bombed Gaza in response, amid reports of a potential ground assault against Hamas, killing more than 1,000 people, Palestinian officials say. Israel's death toll from the Hamas attack has reached 1,200 with more than 2,700 wounded, the Israeli military says. Beeri, an agricultural kibbutz three miles from Gaza which once hosted Gazan farm workers - and still supports the families it has had contact with - was one of the first towns hit by Hamas's attack. GUNFIGHTS AND HOSTAGES Militants killed indiscriminately and kidnapped children and elderly people, witnesses and family members said. "My son was kidnapped. He'll be 16 years old in two weeks," said Mir Shani, a 46-year-old physiotherapist from Beeri. Militants stormed Shani's ex-wife's home, got into the shelter she and her children were hiding in, and took all males present - Shani's son, the father of another family from the kibbutz and another boy, Shani said. "They took them ... into a black car and they drove away," he said. "I believe he's alive and hope he's being treated well. I'm hopeful he'll come back." Beeri resident Golan Abitbul said he got into a brief gunfight with militants. "I saw a group trying to enter my front yard. I opened fire and they replied with a burst. I don't know why but they decided to go away," he said, speaking from a hotel near the Dead Sea where victims and families were still taking shelter. "I hope we get all our friends back from Gaza," he said, referring to the scores of Israelis Hamas has taken back into Gaza as hostages. Hamas has threatened to execute hostages in retaliation for Israeli bombings. Nahar Neta, a Beeri native who lives in central Israel, said he knew nothing of the fate of his mother, missing since the attack, but assumes she has been taken hostage. Neta and his siblings were speaking to his mother on the phone trying to reassure her while militants stormed her home, and then got cut off. "We haven't heard anything from my mom or anything else regarding her whereabouts," he said. "Our conversation when the terrorists entered her home was the last contact we had." (Reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Ilan Rosenberg in Beeri and Dedi Hayun at the Dead Sea; Writing by John Davison; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Gov. Greg Abbott has opened a second front is his multibillion-dollar border security operation, this time installing barriers between Texas and its neighboring state of New Mexico. "Migrants are entering New Mexico illegally then crossing into Texas," the three-term Republican said this week on X, formerly Twitter. "We are stopping it." Texas National Guard troops placed concertina wire along the Rio Grande by Mount Cristo Rey in New Mexico and Texas The social media post featured photos of National Guard soldiers in camouflage fatigues laying concertina wire along the Rio Grande as the river bends north from its border with Mexico to form Texas' border with New Mexico. The activity makes good on Abbott's promise during a trip to New York City late last month when he told a conservative audience that migrants were bypassing the miles of razor wire and fencing along the Texas side of the Rio Grande near El Paso by moving to the west. "Not only are we building a border of barriers between the border of Texas and Mexico," Abbott said during a Sept. 27 appearance sponsored by the Manhattan Institute. "We're also having now to build border barriers between Texas and New Mexico." Texas National Guard place concertina wire near the banks of the Rio Grande that is directly in front of Sunland Park, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas, Monday, October 9, 2023. The Texas Military Department said the newly installed razor wired north of downtown El Paso across from New Mexico's Sunland Park builds in the 18 miles of concertina wire the National Guard has laid on El Paso's border with Mexico. "We are now fortifying the border between Texas and New Mexico to block migrants who are entering New Mexico illegally and then crossing into Texas," the Military Department said in an unsigned statement. "The effort in El Paso was bolstered by the recent deployment of the Texas Tactical Border Force to El Paso. The Texas National Guard remains focused on operations to prevent, deter, and interdict transnational criminal activity and illegal immigration along the border." Once migrants cross into New Mexico they typically travel by vehicle or they, if seeking asylum, surrender to Border Patrol agents. The Border Patrol staffs checkpoints along at least six roadways near the Texas-New Mexico state lines. A spokesperson for Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declined to comment on Abbott's latest move. Migrants breach concertina wire set by the Texas National Guard at the border between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas on Sept. 20, 2023. More: Abbott to New Yorkers: Biden at fault for the 15,000 migrants Texas has sent to their city The area along the Texas-Mexico border near El Paso is heavily fortified with wire and fencing. Mayor Oscar Leeser and the El Paso City Council on Tuesday extended emergency orders relating the influx of migrants crossing unlawfully from Mexico. The council said the pace has dipped to about 700 per day, according to city of El Paso's dashboard that monitors migrant activity. Under the extended orders first issued in late May and now in effect for 30 more days, the city and non-profit organizations can provide shelter for the migrants. A migrant from Venezuela walks south on a highway heading to Chihuahua, Mexico after deciding to head back home after an unsuccessful attempt to enter the U.S. to seek asylum The migrant did not have money to return home and was determined to walk back to South America. More: Biden administration plans to build border wall in Starr County despite campaign promise In late September, Leeser warned that the pace of immigrants flooding into El Paso had put the city at the "breaking point." On a single day, about 2,000 migrants were processed by federal authorities and that many more were waiting across the border in Juarez, the mayor said at the time. Texas National Guard troops placed concertina wire along the Rio Grande by Mount Cristo Rey in New Mexico and Texas. Texas lawmakers have allocated around $10 billion to date for the border security initiative called Operation Lone Star that Abbott launched in 2021. During the special legislative session that began this week, the governor is calling on lawmakers to enact additional measures to crack down on human smuggling and "stash houses" and to increase penalties for entering Texas from Mexico without legal authorization. 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. Migrants walk along the north embankment of the Rio Grande as they look for an area to breach the concertina wire set by the Texas National Guard on the border between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas on Sept. 20, 2023. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Gov. Greg Abbott is now fortifying Texas border with New Mexico Russian air defense forces destroyed two drones flying over Bryansk Oblast, Governor Alexander Bogomaz claimed on Oct. 11. Bogomaz said the drones were shot down over the region's Surazhsky district. No casualties or damage were reported. Reports of drone attacks and attempted strikes within the Russian Federation have increased in recent weeks. On Oct. 4, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 31 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight. On Sept. 30, Bogomaz alleged that a Ukrainian strike disrupted the local power supply in the village of Pogar. The Ukrainian government does not typically comment on these reports. Read also: Every family affected: Devastated village copes with aftermath of Russian strike on funeral Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An inmate already serving a life sentence was indicted by a grand jury last month after he was charged with murder in a fellow prisoners death earlier this year. He was identified for the first time Wednesday at an initial appearance in Ada County Court. Juan Santos-Quintero Jr., 27, is charged with one count of felony first-degree murder in the June death of inmate Junior Garcia, 26, of Idaho Falls, at Idahos maximum security prison in Kuna. Santos-Quinteros arraignment, where he will be asked to enter a plea, was scheduled for Oct. 23. Santos-Quintero is one of two inmates who the Idaho Department of Correction alleges were involved in an attack on Garcia on June 14. Garcia was left in critical condition and died four days later at a Boise hospital. If convicted by a jury, Santos-Quintero could face the death penalty. Under Idaho law he would receive no less than a 10-year prison sentence if found guilty. It is unclear whether another inmate at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution will face charges related to the fatal incident. Ada County Prosecutors Office spokesperson Emily Lowe told the Idaho Statesman on Wednesday that she cannot discuss cases that involve a grand jury until a warrant is served or a hearing is held in court. If there are other defendants I would be prohibited from talking about it until they are served, Lowe said in a statement. On Wednesday, Santos-Quintero appeared in court from the prison before Ada County Magistrate Judge Adam Kimball. Santos-Quintero was seated with his hands restrained behind his back. Kimball stated that Santos-Quintero was charged with the premeditated murder of Garcia by kicking, stomping, striking and/or smashing (his) head, and/or chest, from which he died. Santos-Quintero issued no statements during the six-minute virtual hearing. He was granted a public defender and is represented by Ada County chief public defender Anthony Geddes, as well as Amy Mitchell and Abby Broyles from that office. Broyles appeared by video Wednesday at Santos-Quinteros side. Ada County deputy prosecutor Tanner Stellmon is prosecuting the case for the state. The grand jury indicted Santos-Quintero on Sept. 19, Stellmon said during Wednesdays hearing. A grand jury is an intentionally secretive process available to state prosecutors. Defendants and their attorneys are not permitted to participate, or even know if a grand jury is empaneled. It has not been disseminated either publicly or privately for that matter, Stellmon told Kimball on Wednesday. But now that we are here and were anxious to get him to district court, we can talk about this event. Idaho State Police investigated the fatal assault. Idaho State Police did not respond to a Statesman request for comment Wednesday. Garcia was seriously injured during the attack at about 3:45 p.m. June 14, IDOC said in a news release from that time. A follow-up news release days later announced Garcia died at the hospital from his injuries just after 8 p.m. June 18. An IDOC spokesperson declined to comment further on the incident as state police began their investigation. Idaho State Police completed that review and turned over their findings Aug. 15, the prosecutors office said in a news release. Santos-Quintero is serving 11 felony sentences out of Bonneville and Bingham counties. His life sentence stems from a conviction for aggravated assault or battery upon certain personnel. He is eligible for parole in December 2044. Garcia reached an agreement to plead guilty to felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon or instrument in a Bonneville County case from 2018. He received a sentence of no less than three years in prison, and a maximum of 10 years. Grazer is a proud mother to two litters of cubs and one of the best fishers on the water The wait is over. After a highly anticipated week of competition, voters have crowned a new winner of Fat Bear Week. They chose 128 Grazer, a defensive mother bear and first-time winner of the sought-after title. She beat second placed 32 Chunk, a larger bear, by more than 85,000 votes. "The gutsy girl grounded the guy with a gut," the Alaska Katmai National Park & Preserve, which hosts the event, said in a tweet. "32 Chunk, proved his prominent posterior was worthy of a whopping win. But in the end, Chunk got Grazered," the park service added. Fat Bear week, an online event founded in 2014 by former park ranger Mike Fitz, has become an internet sensation, attracting millions of viewers each year. Each year, fans pick their favourite of 12 plump brown bears from Alaska's Katmai National Park that have gathered along the Brooks River to chomp on salmon and pack on as many pounds before winter. This year, Grazer received a whopping total of 108,321 votes, according to Explore.org, which tracks the contest for the park service. A large mother to two litters of cubs with a long muzzle and "conspicuously blonde ears", Grazer is one of the fattest bears to hunt for salmon in the Brooks River, the National Park Service said. She was introduced to the area as a young cub in 2005, and has since become one of the most successful fishers on the waters. "She can chase down fleeing salmon in many parts of the river or patiently scavenge dead and dying salmon after they spawn," the National Park Service said. She has guts, too. The National Park Service said Grazer often preemptively confronts and attacks much larger and more dominant male bears to ensure her cubs' safety. This year, she beat two favourites for the title: 480 - aka Otis - a 27-year-old brown bear weighing roughly 1,200lb, and 747 - or Colbert - a two-time Fat Bear Week champion weighing about the same. Her final rival, Chunk - a large adult male with a low-hanging belly - has come out of his shell in recent years, growing from a fairly deferential bear to one of the river's largest and most dominant males. Still, he proved no match for Grazer, whose "combination of skill and toughness makes her one of Brooks River's most formidable, successful, and adaptable bears", the National Park Service said. While Israel may seem like half a world away, the violence there is keenly felt by the Ozarks' Jewish community. "Everybody knows somebody. It's a small country, and it's not like it's something that happens in some strange far-off place," said Rabbi Sam Radwine of Springfield's Temple Israel. "We have congregants who have children who live there, grandchildren. There are those of us that visit there often and we have friends." Radwine shared that a member of the synagogue's board of directors has been in southern Israel on a yearlong program, and that they were able to eventually find out he was safe. Radwine called the violence "great trauma for the American Jewish community," as well as for the Israeli Jewish community. The Israel Defense Forces said it regained control over the border with the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, three days after Hamas militants crashed through the barrier and launched an invasion that saw more than 1,000 Israelis killed or kidnapped. According to the United Nations, at least 687 Palestinians have been killed. The attack took place during Simchat Torah a holiday celebrating the end of the Torah cycle and it beginning anew and coincided with the 50th anniversary of the start of the the Yom Kippur War. At least 11 Americans are among the dead, U.S. officials said, including a woman who was born in Boone County, Missouri. More: Israel regains control of Gaza border; Iran warns of 'heavier slap': Live updates Ilan Troen, professor emeritus from Brandeis University and former University of Missouri faculty member, told CNN that he was on the phone with his daughter Deborah Matias when she was killed shielding her 16-year-old son from gunfire. Matias and her son are both U.S. citizens. In his own congregation, Radwine has seen trauma, fear, anger and confusion, as they process the events of the past week and seek answers. "There are a lot of emotions; sometimes it's very confusing," Radwine said. "We want to point fingers. We want easy answers to try to comprehend. We want to say either 'Biden didn't do this' or 'Trump did this' or 'Netanyahu did this.' It's not helpful right now. Over 700 Israelis were murdered." No formal events planned yet for Springfield, but rabbi urges support The synagogue is working on a "Stand in Solidarity with Israel" event, Radwine said, though there are no solid plans yet. Temple Israel held a prayer session during its Saturday study group, said Irene Francis, president of the synagogue's board of directors. "Temple Israel of Springfield, Missouri, firmly stands against all acts of hatred and violence. We unequivocally condemn the divisive forces of hatred and injustice that would perform, condone or encourage any acts of bias, discrimination, abuse, harassment, threats, defacing of property, or violence," Francis said in an email. "Such acts do not represent the values of our faith, nor do they further the essential tenets of our democracy. We believe that all people should be treated with dignity and given a full and fair opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without fear or intimidation." More: Timeline of conflict: Why the 2023 Israeli-Palestinian fighting is among the most brutal in years While the Council of Churches of the Ozarks does not have anything planned, CEO Jaimie Trussell said that the recent events are troubling. "While we do not have any specific events planned as of yet, we are deeply grieved by recent events," Trussell said in an email. "Obviously as people of faith, we are encouraged to pray for the situation and all involved." The Islamic Center of Springfield Missouri's board also expressed grief over the situation and prayers for all involved. "It is with a profound sense of grief that we, here at the Islamic Center of Springfield Missouri (ICSM), mourn the ongoing loss of innocent life in Gaza and Israel. On the one hand, we, in our diverse congregation, have individuals from Palestine who have strong family ties to Gaza and are being directly affected by the ongoing cycle of violence. And on the other, as members of the community here in Springfield, we have close friends, colleagues, and fellow faith members with strong links to Israel. We continue to stand in support of both these communities." "We hope and pray for strength for anyone who has been visited upon with violence and lost family members in the conflict," the board said in a statement. "We hope that International Laws are implemented and aid organizations are allowed to reach those who are without food and shelter and needing emergency assistance during this crisis situation. "ICSM will always condemn violence of any sort, and would always stand by in solidarity with our friends of the faith community. May we continue to honor our common humanity that binds us and may we all continue to coexist with unity and harmony in our beloved Queen City despite conflicting and divisive narratives. Amen." In the meantime, Radwine encouraged people to show solidarity however they can. "Express solidarity with your Jewish friends, your Jewish neighbors. I think people need that," Radwine said. "They need the reassurance that we have friends I know that we do but I think we need that reassurance." This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield faith communities pray, grieve for those in Israel Group of Floridians stuck in Israel as war rages: 'It's unnerving knowing that missiles are headed toward you' At least 11 Americans have already been killed in Israel, and thousands more U.S. citizens are still in the country. Among them is a group of Floridians, led by a pastor who used to live in Sanford. This is Pastor Alan Brumbacks 10th time in Israel, but it's the first time hes heard air raid sirens and had to hunker down in a missile shelter. "This one is totally different than anything I've ever experienced," said Pastor Brumback. "They don't kind of teach you this in seminary." Among those in Pastor Burmbacks group are the parents of Detroit Lions and Florida Gator linebacker Alex Anzalone. He told the Detroit News that his parents were all he was thinking about during Sundays game, and then tweeted to the President, "Please get my parents home." Pastor Brumback says its been hard to know what to expect. "A lot of people come on a trip like this as a spiritual pilgrimage and as an opportunity to grow their faith," he said. "We are getting a crash course in growing our faith." Right now, Pastor Brumback feels the group is in the safest part of the state they could be, explaining neither side is likely to bomb the holy land of Jerusalem. "But it's still unnerving knowing that, you know, missiles are headed toward you," the pastor added. Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza on October 08, 2023. (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) MORE ISRAEL HEADLINES : Pastor Brumback said hes spoken with Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, as well as two Congressional representatives who represent his area. Theyre trying to fly the group out as soon as possible, but so far, they still arent set to leave until later this week. "There are going to be innocent people on both sides who are going to lose their life in these coming weeks. We need to stand for life and we need to pray for peace in this land," said Pastor Brumback. How this group of pilots is helping rescue pets displaced by disasters Furry and feathered family members are often displaced during hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters, but a group of pilots is helping ensure pets are found and rescued. The nonprofit Wings of Rescue swoops into disaster zones and flies animals from overcrowded shelters to make room for the displaced pets. "Each flight has a rewarding story," said Ric Browde, president and CEO of Wings of Rescue. According to Browde, the Wings of Rescue team has responded to nearly every disaster in North America since 2017, including hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes, freezing weather and floods. Their planes have landed in all 50 states and in 13 countries, and have flown 69,000 pets to safety. A woman holds a shelter animal in the cockpit of a Wings of Rescue plane. The Wings of Rescue team works with overcrowded shelters in areas struck by natural disasters to fly homeless animals at the shelter to rescues in unaffected locations. In doing so, Browde said the team makes space for pets who have recently become separated from their owners during a disaster. "You want to give them every opportunity to be reunited with their families," he said. WHY COMMUNITIES INCLUDE PETS IN DISASTER PLANNING AND RECOVERY Some of their recent rescues occurred after Hurricane Idalia struck Florida in late August. The deadly tropical cyclone made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, producing storm surge, flooding and powerful winds that destroyed many homes. The Tampa Police Department is out assessing the damage and flooding from Idalia on Wednesday after making landfall in Florida. The day after the hurricane hit, Wings of Rescue traveled to Tampa to work with the municipal shelter Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center. Browde said his team emptied out the shelter so that they could have space for the pets that were coming in after the storm. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WITH PETS DURING A HURRICANE They loaded up the homeless animals into planes and flew them to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, a shelter system in Pennsylvania and Delaware and far away from areas devastated by Idalia. A Tampa shelter animal is rescued after Hurricane Idalia. The next day, they helped a shelter in Jacksonville that was also affected by Idalia to fly their homeless animals out by plane, as well. "It made space so that so many people could rest easy knowing that their pets were safe while they got their lives back together, to get their homes salvageable, get back into their homes, get their pets back and create more happy endings," Browde said. In addition to facilitating family reunions after a natural disaster, flying out animals that were already at affected shelters helps save the lives of shelter pets. According to Browde, many of those animals are in danger of being euthanized when natural disasters strike in order to make space for the recently displaced pets. By relocating them, they have a chance at finding their forever homes. A shelter animal in a Wings of Rescue plane. For Browde, this mission is rooted in a passion that has grown to incredible heights. He was working as a prolific producer and songwriter in California, selling more than 20 million records, when he found out about the dire state of pets in overcrowded shelters. "My wife and I woke up one day and said, Well, you know, we don't need another heavy metal record, but we need to do something for our lives," he said. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER They then began volunteering at a local shelter to help save the lives of shelter pets. This volunteer work then grew into involvement with Wings of Rescue, which Browde began to lead. "It's become my life," he said. "I never thought I was going to abandon rock-and-roll to do this, but it has been my life for the last 10 years." To support the mission of Wings of Rescue, donations can be made on the Wings of Rescue website. According to Browde, all the donations go to saving pets. Original article source: How this group of pilots is helping rescue pets displaced by disasters By Eva Mathews and Maggie Fick (Reuters) - GSK on Wednesday said it agreed to settle another lawsuit in California alleging its discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, as the British drugmaker sought to end costly litigation that has weighed on shares. The company, which has so far only settled cases in California, did not give the financial details of the settlement but said it was a "non-material" sum. Citi analysts estimate GSK will settle all the Zantac cases against it for a total of about $5 billion in the first quarter of 2024, clearing what it called a "still relevant" overhang for its investment case and a distraction for management. The trial for the Cantlay/Harper case, which was set to begin on Nov. 13, will now be dismissed, GSK said, adding it had also settled three remaining breast cancer cases in California related to the same drug. The latest settlements in California were related to cases due to go to trial in November, with a further set scheduled to begin in Delaware courts in January, GSK said. The company still faces about 79,000 cases related to Zantac in the United States, with 73,000 of them in Delaware. By closing these cases before the bigger cases in Delaware in January, GSK takes away the potential risk of losing the California cases and being subject to greater settlement demands from the plaintiffs, a GSK shareholder who declined to be named told Reuters. Shares in GSK rose more than 2% to a 10-month high of 1,559 pence on Wednesday, briefly making it the best performer on London's blue-chip FTSE 100. There were last up 0.65%. GSK did not admit any liability and said it would vigorously defend itself in any other Zantac cases. IMMEDIATE OVERHANG REMOVED The settlement removes a risk for next month, enabling investors to focus on the launch of GSK's new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), called Arexvy, said JP Morgan analysts. Barclays, Jeffries and other analystS expect strong third-quarter results from GSK next month based on better-than-expected sales so far of Arexvy in the United States after its regulatory approval there in May. First approved in 1983, Zantac became the world's best selling medicine in 1988 and one of the first-ever drugs to top $1 billion in annual sales. Originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK, it was later sold successively to Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim and finally Sanofi. Those companies also face lawsuits over the drug. In 2019, some manufacturers and pharmacies halted Zantac sales over concerns that its active ingredient, ranitidine, degraded over time to form a chemical called NDMA. While NDMA can be present in low levels in food and water, research has found it causes cancer in larger amounts. The FDA in 2020 pulled all brand name Zantac and generic versions of the drug off the market, triggering a wave of lawsuits. Concerns about protracted legal wrangling and compensation wiped almost $40 billion off the market value of GSK, Sanofi, Pfizer and GSK-spinoff Haleon over roughly a week in August 2022. In June, GSK agreed to settle a similar lawsuit in California. California is generally seen as a more challenging legal environment for multinational companies as courts are known to be friendlier to plaintiffs. Citi expects the company to settle another 15 cases in the state for "larger considerations". (Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru and Maggie Fick in London; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Bernadette Baum, Louise Heavens and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) A beloved St. Petersburg tradition returns this fall: the Shine Mural Festival, running from Oct. 13 to Oct. 22. Now in its ninth year, the festival will feature 14 more murals created by local, national and international artists, as well as three community murals. Its always a festive time to see new artwork as its being created. There are also events, activities and more art on display as part of the festival. Heres what you need to know. How to tour the murals You can visit the artists while theyre still painting, and since many of them are on the Pinellas Trail, you could bike, skate or park and walk. You can also take a guided Shine bike tour through Florida CraftArt but you must bring your own bike. It includes more than 30 murals and background on the artists and their inspiration. It covers an approximately 22-block radius, covering the back streets and alleys of four arts districts. The tours are happening at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Oct. 22; and at 3 p.m. Oct. 21-22. $40. A portion of the proceeds fund future Shine murals. Purchase tickets online at floridacraftart.org/product/shine-mural-tours-by-bike. Once the festival has ended, through the magic of technology, folks can take a free, self-guided audio tour of the completed murals with the PixelStix app. You can also use this app to tour Shine murals from previous years. For more information, visit stpeteartsalliance.org/shine-2023. Artist lineup and locations Bryan Beyung, Canada, Stewart Moving Co., 2875 Seventh Ave. S. Loretta Lizzio, Australia, Stewart Moving Co., 2875 Seventh Ave. S. Chris Dyer, St. Petersburg/Peru, Stewart Moving Co., 2875 Seventh Ave. S. Fabstraq, Tampa, Clay Coop, 2724 Sixth Ave. S. Bunnie Reiss, California, MTBH Studios, 2700 Central Ave. Sarah Sheppard, St. Petersburg, New Dawn Coffee Co., 2336 Fifth Ave. S. Rhys Meatyard, St. Petersburg, The Werk Gallery, 2210 First Ave. S. Michael Vasquez, St. Petersburg/Miami, Little Philly, 2063 Central Ave. HOXXOH, Miami, Morean Workshop Space, 2025 Third Ave. S. Andrea Wan, Canada, Trails Edge, 155 17th St. S. Dave Bonsai, London, Cappa & Cappa, 1229 Central Ave. Hannah Eddy, Nevada, CASA Support Center, 1019 Arlington Ave. N. Max Sansing, Chicago, Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 Fifth St. N. Artist Jones, Tampa, PSTA Ticket Office, 350 Second Ave. N. Bright Spots Community Mural Projects Girl Power, The Happy Mural Project and Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, CrossFit 9, 2727 Sixth Ave. S. The Path We Came, Chenlin Cai (Philadelphia) & The James Museum, Lantmannen Unibake, 1927 Fourth Ave S. Fluid Structures, Greater Public Studio & USFSP, University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus, Sixth Avenue South and Second Street South. Events and activities All City: Shine Kickoff Event: Presented by the Vitale Bros. and Diana Bryson, this weekendlong event celebrates the origins of graffiti with live painting, Letterheadz extension and tag wall curated by Tasko, tunes by DJ Hogie, cocktails from Brewed Awakening and food by Vegan Halal Cart and Nah Dogs. The party kicks off from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with the Art of Lettering workshop for kids from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (space is limited). Located at Overspray, 1934 Second Ave. S. Shine Artwalk: From 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, several galleries are showcasing current and former Shine artists: Morean Arts Center: Shine 9 Group Exhibition featuring the work of Andrea Wan, Artist Jones, Bryan Beyung, Chris Dyer, Hannah Eddy, Fabstraq, HOXXOH, Michael Vasquez, Rhys Meatyard and Sarah Sheppard. 719 Central Ave. ARTicles Art Gallery: Featuring the paintings and sculptural work of artist Cecilia Lueza. 1234 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. The Good Folk Gallery at Creative Clay: SHINE 2016 artist Ali Vasquez and Creative Clay artists. 1846 First Ave. S. St. Pete ArtWorks: An interactive sidewalk chalk mural. 2604 Central Ave. Craftsman House Gallery: A showcase of work from Alyssa Marie of The Happy Mural Project. 2955 Central Ave. Spraycation Release and Arts Leader Happy Hour: Bayboro Brewing Co. is releasing Spraycation, a craft beer made for the festival. Try it out and rub elbows with local arts leaders from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 19. 2390 Fifth Ave. S. Dark/Space: Curated by Michelle Tannu and Chad Mize and held at Space, this exhibition celebrates the darker-themed side of art, drawing inspiration from punk, metal, horror and science fiction. Participating artists include Dea & Saint, Rebekah Lazaridis, Palehorse, Calan Ree, Michelle Sawyer and Jeff Srsic. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 21. 855 28th St. S. With gun violence persisting in Erie, a gun buyback program has been scheduled in the city for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Erie County District Attorney's Office will put on "its first in a series of gun buyback events" on Saturday, Oct. 28, the office said in a statement on Tuesday. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Erie Central Fire Station, 208 W. 12th St., just west of Sassafras Street. The District Attorney's Office is promoting the event with the catchphrase, "Save a Life. Turn in a Gun." The buyback is "entirely anonymous," the District Attorney's Office said. "Residents do not need to show proof of ID and will receive payment ranging from $100 to $200 in cash gift cards based upon the type of weapon" that is turned in. The Erie County District Attorney's Office is holding a gun buyback event in Erie on Oct. 28. It will be the first such event in the city since 1994. The District Attorney's Office is financing the event using drug forfeiture funds, and the event "will have no cost to Erie County taxpayers," the office said. The office said it will accept rifles and shotguns ($100 gift cards for each), handguns ($150) and semiautomatic weapons ($200). Ammunition can also be dropped off, but will not result in payment, the office said. When did Erie last have a gun buyback? The buyback will be the first in the city since 1994. Critics of that event, called Return-A-Pistol, said it was largely unsuccessful because it led to the collection of mostly antique or inoperable weapons. Others said the event which, as will be the case for the Oct. 28 event, let residents turn in guns with no questions asked still helped get firearms out of residences or off the streets. The city of Erie held the buyback in 1994 in response to a surge in gun violence. In announcing the Oct. 28 event, District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz said the gun buyback program is meant to reduce gun violence and help prevent the theft of guns in burglaries and help curb accidental discharges of guns, particularly firearms stored improperly in residences where children live. "Our gun buyback event will provide a safe and anonymous way for the community to turn in firearms they no longer need or want," Hirz said in a statement. "The event will help keep our community safe by reducing the chance of theft, self-harm and accidental discharges. Improperly stored guns pose a serious risk in homes with children." Do gun buyback programs work? Public officials in Erie County in 2015 discussed holding a gun buyback, with the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority possibly funding it. The authority did not provide funding after a review of studies that said gun buyback programs are ineffective in reducing gun violence. The debate over gun buybacks continues. A report by the Pew Charitable Trusts in September 2022 found that buybacks remain popular across the United States, but said "most research shows these events are ineffective at reducing homicides and suicides." "It's a waste of resources if the entities that are sponsoring believe that it's going to have a positive effect on reducing crime," said Keith Taylor, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, which is part of the City University of New York system said in the Pew report. "But if the purpose is to provide a means for individuals to get rid of weapons from their households that they don't want to have anymore, it absolutely is a good option." In an interview, Hirz said she was aware of the debate about the effectiveness of gun buybacks, but said "I don't think that is a reason not to try. I don't see a downside." "It is not costing any money for taxpayers," she said. "We have to try something. If it doesn't work, we will go back to the drawing board and try something else." In 2015, as ECGRA studied funding a gun buyback, Joyce Savocchio spoke about how such a program worked in 1994, when she was mayor of Erie. The city raised about $35,000, mostly in private donations but with $5,000 in public money, to fund Return-A-Pistol '94, or RAP, which Erie City Council approved. The city gave out $50 vouchers for each working handgun and $25 vouchers for each working long gun. "Gun buyback programs were initiatives going on around the country then," Savocchio said in 2015. "My attitude was that everything was worth a try." The idea was noble, Savocchio said. But she said a major problem developed once the Erie program got started. "What we really got were guns that might have been in the homes of the elderly or deceased people and people didn't know how to get rid of them, or guns that were broken and useless, that type of thing," Savocchio said. "If people had expected that guns from the street being used to commit crimes were going to find their ways into the collection bins, that didn't happen." The program began in February 1994 and collected 645 weapons. The city halted it after three days when it ran out of money. What to know about the gun buyback program When: Saturday, Oct. 28, from noon to 4 p.m., no matter what the weather. Where: The Erie Central Fire Station, 208 W. 12th St., just west of Sassafras Street What: The Erie County District Attorney's Office will accept unloaded shotguns, handguns and semiautomatic weapons. The weapons will be accepted anonymously, with "no questions asked," the office said. Ammunition will be accepted, but will not result in payment. Surrendered weapons and ammunition will become the property of the detective bureau of the District Attorney's Office, which will arrange for their destruction, the office said. How much: The District Attorney's Office said it will provide cash gift cards in exchange for the weapons: $100 for rifles and shotguns, $150 for handguns and $200 for semiautomatic weapons. Other details: Residents are to transport unloaded firearms in the trunks of their vehicles and enter the fire station's parking lot from West 12th Street, according to the District Attorney's Office. The office said residents are to remain in their vehicles while the firearms are removed and they get their appropriate gift cards. Vehicles are to leave via the exit onto Sassafras Street. More information: The District Attorney's Office said to call its office at 814-451-7023, send questions to Dacrimewatch@eriecountygov.pa or go to www.ErieDA. org. The office said not to contact the Erie Bureau of Fire. Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: DA to hold Erie's first gun buyback event since '94. How will it work? FILE PHOTO: Hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture By Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter (Reuters) - Hacktivist groups say they are hitting Israeli targets online amid the war in Israel and Gaza, disrupting and defacing websites like the Jerusalem Post. The conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors routinely attracts both intense global interest and politically minded hackers - dubbed hacktivists - who piggyback on the fighting, either to support their favored side or simply get attention. "There are dozens of victims per day, claimed by both pre-established and new (hacktivist) groups," cyber intelligence firm Recorded Future said. Examples of serious or long-term damage are still thin, but the activism shows how a subset of supporters use digital tools to bring the war online. So far, among other incidents, a set of hackers supporting Hamas, known as AnonGhost, have claimed they disrupted an Israeli emergency alert application, according to their social media channel. Another group, named AnonymousSudan, said on Telegram they were actively targeting Israel's critical infrastructure, although it provided little by way of evidence for its claims. More than 100 websites in Israel have been either defaced or temporarily disrupted through simple distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS), which work by flooding a site with a rush of inauthentic traffic, according to security analysts. "The attackers have managed to knock us offline for extended periods over the past few days," Jerusalem Post Editor-in-chief Avi Mayer said in an email. "This is a blatant assault on freedom of the press." Israel's Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It is often difficult to determine the accuracy of hacktivists' claims. The same dynamic played out in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which saw a volunteer army of pro-Ukraine hackers claim credit for numerous attacks on Russian websites and other online services. Analysts do however expect significant cyberespionage activity to happen behind the scenes. Last week, Microsoft released a report which recorded how one Gaza-based hacker group known as Storm-1133 had ramped up its cyber spying efforts on Israeli companies involved in telecommunications, defense and energy earlier this year. "We assess this group works to further the interests of Hamas," the report stated. Omri Segev Moyal, the chief executive of Israel cybersecurity firm Profero, said his firm had recently picked up some hacking activity tied to an Iranian spy group nicknamed Muddy Water and intrusion attempts potentially linked to Molerats, another group that researchers believe acts for Hamas. Molerats activity "stopped after the bombing started," he said. (Reporting by Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter in Washington; additional reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in San Francisco; editing by Chris Sanders and Sonali Paul) A Kenyan-led multinational force will hopefully help bring some semblance of stability to Haiti, where gang violence has escalated into a form of "urban guerrilla" warfare, the Caribbean country's police chief tells AFP. The UN Security Council gave the green light this month for the deployment of a thousand-strong support force led by Kenyan police, after a year of repeated calls for help from Haiti. Frantz Elbe, who has led the Haitian National Police for two years, told AFP in an email interview that his force "was not created to confront armed criminal urban guerrilla groups." The gangs, which control about 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince, have "military grade weapons and connections with mafia networks, transnational criminals and major financial resources," he said. The Western Hemisphere's poorest nation has been in turmoil for years, even before the assassination of president Jovenel Moise in 2021 created a spiralling political crisis. The economy and public health system are in tatters, there is barely a functioning government, and elections have not been held since 2016. - From pistols to AR-15s - The gangs have continued to grow in size and have attained more and more powerful weapons, said Elbe. "Fifteen years ago or so, gangsters had a pistol, a revolver." But today "they are armed with assault rifles." Thousands have been forced to flee from their homes and vigilante groups have emerged as Haitians try to defend themselves. Police have scored some wins, Elbe said, citing raids in which suspected gang members were arrested or severely wounded in shootouts with security forces. He said police have also managed to seize a large amount of guns and ammunition. But the country remains in a state of "generalized terror" because of the urban guerrilla gang presence, with not enough police who specialize in tackling this kind of problem, he said. "So a strong, specialized and dissuasive international force could join in with the Haitian National Police in major operations to dismantle armed gangs," said Elbe, who was appointed by Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Elbe said the Kenyan force will probably be equipped with materiel suited to fighting gangs and expressed hope that it will help his people "carry out their operations more efficiently." He hopes the force will be able to "conduct joint training and simulation sessions with specialized units" of the national police and be able to "transfer technology" and equipment at the end of their mission. The UN did not give a timetable for when the deployment might start, and a court in Kenya put the whole thing on hold Monday amid complaints that the mission is not backed up by any law or treaty. But Kenyan President William Ruto has defended the mission as a humanitarian gesture for a country he said has "borne the brunt of colonial plunder and repression." He also noted that Kenya's lengthy history participating in peace-keeping missions. str/iba/dw/des The level of armed violence in Haiti has become so extreme that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has to engage with hundreds of gangs in order to be able to deliver humanitarian aid, ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini says. About 300 gangs are active across Haiti and 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is under gang control. Many health facilities have stopped operating because of the gang violence. Health staff are often threatened. Powerful gangs like the G9 and its leader Jimmy Cherizier control large parts of the capital ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini spoke to the BBC from Port-au-Prince following a two-day visit to the Caribbean nation. "In my 27 years serving the ICRC, I have rarely seen such a toxic and terrible combination of adverse factors hitting communities living in shanty towns," he said, describing streets flooded with sewage-contaminated water in the impoverished neighbourhood of Cite Soleil. "With armed violence endemic, people live in constant fear of the next clash, the next kidnapping," he added. The levels of insecurity have been such that many health care facilities have stopped operating and large parts of the population lack access to essential services. Mr Mardini described speaking to one young doctor at a clinic who was "performing miracles" with just the most rudimentary tools available. With much of the capital fought over by rival gangs, locals are often confined to their neighbourhood and cannot cross the "fault lines" dividing their area from that controlled by another group. One man described to Mr Mardini how, in order to get his heavily pregnant wife to hospital to give birth, he had had to first push her in a wheelbarrow through the flooded streets to where he could transfer her onto a motorbike, before finally being able to lift her into a car for the last stretch of the journey. A lack of ambulances means the wounded are often transported by motorbike In order to gain access to areas where there is no state control and armed groups roam freely, the ICRC engages in "continuous dialogue" with the gangs. "We do it systematically, one zone after the other. The number of groups is overwhelming and I can't pretend we have a dialogue with all of them," Mr Mardini explained, adding that the ICRC's ability to help Haitians depended on being known and accepted by the people on the ground. Mr Mardini says the dialogue with the gangs is something that the ICRC has to do, day in day out. "If we interrupt it for seven or 10 days, we can't take it for granted that we can resume from where we left off, because very often there is a loose chain of command within the groups and there's infighting," Mr Mardini said of the constant changes within the gangs themselves. The ICRC's director-general said that his organisation would increase its humanitarian efforts in Haiti in 2024 in response to the growing needs there. The ICRC plans to step up its training for emergency health staff and Haiti's ambulance service to make accessing emergency services easier for those most affected by the violence. It will also increase the number of hospitals it provides with medical kits to treat wounded patients. Mr Mardini also urged the international community to "invert Haiti's downward spiral". "When you have five million people depending on humanitarian aid, there is an ethical and moral responsibility to boost aid to Haiti," he concluded. If the skeleton lawn displays, pumpkin spice lattes and monster size candy bags werent a dead giveaway, were here to tell you the Halloween countdown has begun. Because we have chosen to live in the subtropics, we wont have the peak fall experience of that zesty chill in the air or crunchy leaves in our open toe sandals. But what Miami does have is a lot of fun stuff going on all over the place. Now for the not so hot news: Oct. 31 falls on a boring Tuesday so many parties will take place over the weekend before, natch. But some events have already started so you an get a jump on the fun. READ MORE: Whats a Treat Map? And why are you adding your Miami home address? COCONUT GROVE Halloween in the Grove Halloween in the Grove, a big hit with locals in the pre-cellphone era, is getting a 2023 version in a really cool location indoors. We want to bring that moment back, but with a grown-up nightlife vibe, like that of our beautifully renovated Grove, says Alexandra Corzo, whose A-List Events is throwing the shindig at the glamorously spooky Cruz Building. Expect three levels of entertainment over 10,000 square feet, with premium open bar, butler-passed hors doeuvres and live performances. The creepy atmosphere is ideal, with its dramatic staircase, travertine columns, iron balconies, gas-flame lanterns and Gothic stone sculptures unmatched for selfies. Info: 9 p.m. Oct. 27. Cruz Building, 3157 Commodore Plaza. $200 at halloweeninthegrove.com. A portion of HITG ticket sales benefit Bring Change to Mind, Glenn Closes mental health organization for teens. Email info@alistevents.net. DORAL One of the actors from 2021s House of Horror in Doral. House of Horror Haunted Carnival Prepare to be petrified. The House of Horror Haunted Carnival promises thrill seekers will not be disappointed as it celebrates its 21st installment at the Miami International Mall through Oct. 31. Every year around this time, the place where you go to buy T-shirts and earbuds transforms into a cryptic labyrinth of inescapable dread. Enjoy feeling like youre having a heart attack? This joint has all jump scares your crave. Among the freaky activities are more than 20 rides including the Scarecoaster, a ghoul-themed rollercoaster; the Mayhem Museum, where ghosts will definitely be all up in your business; and the Theater of Terror, which is, safe to say, not your average movie-going experience. Celebrity trivia bonus: Pop star Camilla Cabello has been known to drop by unannounced. Info: Through Oct. 31, except Mondays. Miami International Mall, 1625 NW 107th Ave., between JCPenney/Sephora and the food court. Tickets, from $20 to $50 at https://houseofhorrorcarnival.com, offer varying levels of access, depending on the night. MIAMI BEACH Lincoln Road Halloween on Lincoln Road Festive, sweaty block parties more your jam? Halloween on Lincoln Road is one of the countrys largest, most spooktacular parties (yes, we wrote that), welcoming over 50,000 revelers every year. Starting at 7 p.m., eight blocks of the iconic promenade transform into a parade full of zombies, superheroes, witches, vampires and matchy matchy couples (Travis and Taylor, anyone?) Pro tip: If you prefer to watch the colorful insanity from afar with a cocktail in hand, grab a table at an outdoor cafe right, starting around happy hour for the specials. Info: 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Lincoln Road, 17th streets, starting at Alton Road, stretching to Washington Avenue. Little ones are invited from 5 to 7 p.m. to trick or treat at a bunch of stores that will put out candy stations. Free. MIAMI SPRINGS Havana Haunted Mansion at Curtiss Mansion Bartender at Havana Haunted Mansion at the Curtiss Mansion in Miami Springs Think Halloween is for kids? The storied Curtiss Mansion is the perfect backdrop for those in need of an adult thrill. Through Oct. 31, the former estate of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss has opened its doors for the occasion. The Havana Haunted Mansion is an immersive, theatrical cocktail popup that takes visitors back to early 20th-century Cuba. Walk about the vast space filled with a cast of questionable characters as you sip. One room is set up like an clandestine casino, with intimidating looking card dealers; in the kitchen, a witch will attempt to serve you a batch of her special brew. Be afraid, very afraid, because this place has serious cred, founded by Kristina Drobach, a partner at the Museum of Illusions in Miami Beach. Info: Havana Haunted Mansion, 500 Deer Run, Miami Springs. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 29 and then Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. There are three, two-hour shows a night, at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets from $59 include general admission and a welcome drink. https://hauntedmansionmiami.com WYNWOOD HalloWYN HalloWYN revelers Costumes, the zanier the better, are encouraged at HalloWYN at Wynwood Marketplace, now in its 11th year. Put on by Swarm, which specializes in getting multitudes of people together in one place, this block party on steroids is pretty much guaranteed to be lit. Check off all the boxes of a successful night in the 305 here: Drinks, dancing, DJs and debauchery. Did we mention the fire eaters? Info: 7 p.m. Oct. 31, Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW Second Ave., Miami; www.hallowynblockparty.com. Admission is free but there are food and beverage vendors on site. The first 500 folks to RSVP through Eventbrite get a free drink. BRI helps Bangladesh reap dividends 10:30, October 11, 2023 By Chen Qingyun ( China Daily A modern town built by a Chinese company on a plot of barren land in Khulna, Bangladesh, aims to provide support for a large power plant. [Photo by Ma Rui/For chinadaily.com.cn] Mostak Ahamed Galib got an opportunity to study abroad after high school in Bangladesh in 2002.He chose to study at the Wuhan University of Technology in Central China's Wuhan city, got a PhD later, and became a teacher there. Galib, director of cross-cultural communication and the BRI research center at Wuhan University of Technology, now considers Wuhan his home. The scholar is now engaged in passing on to Bangladesh and other developing countries China's development experiences. Living in China for two decades, Galib has witnessed great changes in China, especially in the development of rural areas. Whether as a student or a teacher, he would use the time during his vacation to volunteer or teach in impoverished areas. He visited rural areas in Hubei, Shaanxi, and Hunan provinces, which deepened his understanding of China's poverty alleviation policies. Galib said what impressed him the most was that China not only solved its own poverty problem, but through its Belt and Road Initiative, it brought tangible benefits to ordinary people in many countries, including Bangladesh. A typical example is the Chinese-built Padma Bridge in Bangladesh, the longest bridge over the Padma River, which opened in June 2022.The bridge cuts travel time from parts of southwestern Bangladesh to the capital Dhaka from seven to eight hours to as little as 10 minutes. Despite having two seaports and two dry ports with a relatively cheaper labor force, southwestern Bangladesh was relatively poor. The key reason was the geographical challenges created by the Padma River. Hundreds of trucks loaded with watermelons would get stuck on the banks of the river because the ferries were incapable of carrying heavy trucks. Trucks had to wait for six to seven hours due to bad weather or the ferries weren't big enough to carry them. As a result, farmers had no hope of reaping the fruit of their labor. Offering hope "Thus, Padma Bridge is the hope for a new future for around 45 million people in the zone," he said. However, the journey toward the dream project wasn't that easy for the Bangladesh government, said Galib. After the World Bank and other global lending agencies pulled out of the project in 2012, the Bangladesh government decided to fund the bridge project, which cost more than $3 billion, through its own finances. The amount was more than one-tenth of the country's foreign reserves at that time. So, the first challenge for Bangladesh was to make international contractors believe in its financial capability, he said. "That was the time when China entered into the scene. Their decision to believe in the government of Bangladesh is a great example of Global South cooperation," he added. "It's a great positive example of China's responsibility as a major country, along with China's true intentions of creating a better community for the people," he said, adding that one year after it became operational, around 6 million vehicles had crossed the bridge. He said the bridge has boosted the economy of southwestern Bangladesh. For instance, the dry port in the region, Bhomra Land Port would handle 30 to 50 trucks per day on average. With the bridge cutting the travel time, around 160 fully loaded trucks pass through the port every day, turning it into a busy hub along with Mongla and Payra seaports. Busier ports mean more trade, which has increased employment opportunities for people residing in the region. China's goal is to create a community of shared future by creating a people-to-people bond, he said, adding: "Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project is not only a token of friendship between Bangladesh and China, but also a beautiful project under the BRI." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Israel strikes Gaza in response to Hamas attack Three Ukrainians were killed, nine others were injured and six are missing following the bloody Hamas militant attack on Israel, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said in a post on Facebook on Oct. 11. Read also: Over 14,000 Ukrainians registered with Ukrainian embassy in Israel, Foreign ministry makes list of those needing aid He confirmed the death of the third Ukrainian, but did not specify where exactly it happened. Ukrainian diplomats remain in close contact with Israeli law enforcement to determine the location and condition of the injured and to search for the missing, Nikolenko said. More than a thousand inquiries from Ukrainians in Israel and the Gaza Strip have been processed by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. Diplomats and Ukrainian authorities are working around the clock to arrange the safe return home of some 700 Ukrainians who were unable to leave Israel due to canceled flights. "Some 170 Ukrainians have expressed their desire to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip, Nikolenko wrote. The MFAs Operational HQ, Ukrainian embassies in the region and other relevant Ukrainian agencies are working on possible evacuation routes. The ongoing hostilities complicate the situation. Two Ukrainian citizens, who had been living in Israel for an extended period, have tragically lost their lives, Nikolenko confirmed to NV on Oct. 8. Unconfirmed reports that three more Ukrainian citizens have been killed in the Gaza Strip are being verified. War in Israel What is known Large-scale hostilities in Israel began on Oct. 7. From the early morning, Hamas repeatedly targeted the country with thousands of rockets and missiles. Armed Palestinian militants then invaded southern Israel, killing people and taking hostages. As a result, nearly 1,000 people have lost their lives in Israel. Over 100 are thought to have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants, and video evidence shows some of the hostages have since been murdered. Read also: Israeli ambassador to Ukraine on the aftermath of Hamas attack interview It was revealed on Oct. 8 that Palestinian militants on Oct. 7 may have killed approximately 260 people at an electronic music festival near the Kibbutz Reim, 30 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. Efforts are currently underway to identify the bodies of the murdered festival goers. In response to the Hamas attack, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Swords of Iron, striking the Gaza Strip. During the night of Oct. 8, Israel announced the restoration of control over the majority of the populated areas that had been penetrated by Palestinian militants. Israels Cabinet declared a state of war for the first time since 1973, and the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that the war would be long and challenging. On Oct. 9, the Israeli military managed to regain control of all the towns on the border with the Gaza Strip, but Hamas militants may still be there. The Israeli army launched an offensive. Later, on Oct. 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they were completing the clearing of the south of the country of Hamas units. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The three leading candidates for Californias Senate seat have presented voters with sharply contrasting styles. On substance, however, their differences have tended to be more nuance than schism. What about their their history with Israel? Are Reps. Adam Schiff , Katie Porter and Barbara Lee united today in how Israel should proceed after the horrific Hamas attacks? There are differences, but as usual, they can be tough to find. On so many issues, the three top candidates are almost indistinguishable, said Sara Sadhwani, a professor of American politics at Pomona College. But this might be one area where they really begin to divide. Schiff, D-Burbank, has been full-throated in his support for Israel since Hamas invaded the country Saturday. Porter, D-Irvine, has a strong record of support for Israel while also expressing concern for Palestinian victims. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, says she has always backed Israel against terrorist attacks, and has called for a ceasefire. Like Schiff and Porter, she firmly criticized Hamas action. I unequivocally condemn the ongoing acts of brutal terrorism by Hamas. Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, Lee told The Bee. The three, along with other candidates, are vying for the Senate seat held for 31 years by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who died last month and was regarded as a reliable friend of Israel. At their debate on Sunday, Schiff had arguably the most direct, succinct response to the Hamas invasion. He declared his unequivocal support for the security and the right for Israel to defend itself. Porter had the same idea, but went further. I stand with Israel at this time and I condemn the loss of lives both of Palestinians and of Israelis who are being victims of this terror, she said. There are lost lives in Gaza, there are lost lives in Israel and its because the United States has allowed terrorism to flourish and has refused to take a strong enough stand against Iran, who is backing Hamas and Hezbollah. Schiffs campaign said Porter was sounding like members of the Houses Squad, a group of far-left lawmakers who have been sympathetic to Palestinian interests. There is no both sides to this attack. Hamas is a terrorist group mass murdering hundreds of innocent Israelis and taking women and children hostage, Schiff said in a statement. The campaign noted that on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had the same view, telling reporters, There are not two sides here. But Porters campaign said she has a long history of backing Israel. She visited the country along with 14 other House members on a trip sponsored by J Street, a pro-Israel organization that supports a democratic Palestinian state and has been critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She met with top officials, including Netanyahu, in late February and March. After learning of the Hamas invasion Saturday, Porter tweeted I stand with the Israeli people, condemn this violence, and reaffirm Israels right to defend itself. She reiterated that stand Sunday, tweeting Israel has every right to defend itself against Hamas. How they voted Porter and Schiff have voted the same way on key Israel-related legislation this year. Lees record is somewhat different. In May, Porter and Schiff supported creation of a special envoy for the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab countries. The House passed the measure overwhelmingly, while Lee voted no. Schiff voted yes in June on a measure calling for expansion of the Abraham Accords. Porter was not present but inserted language into the Congressional Record saying she would have voted yes. The bill passed easily. Lee did not vote.. In July, Lee, Porter and Schiff all voted for a resolution expressing support for Israel and condemning antisemitism after Rep. Primal Jayapal, D-Washington, called Israel a racist state. The nonbinding resolution passed 418 to 9. All nine no votes were from Democrats, though Jayapal apologized and supported the measure. Lee, Porter and Schiff all backed a 2021 bill to provide $1 billion for Israels Iron Dome defense system. Israel reportedly used the system to destroy most of the rockets Hamas launched at that time. In 2019, Schiff and Porter joined 396 other House members to condemn the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which promotes action against Israel because of its treatment of Palestinians. Lee was one of 17 House members to oppose the proposal. Not every one of these Senate candidates has valued Palestinian lives, said Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, chair of the California Democrats Progressive Caucus, who has endorsed Lees campaign. We see moderate Democrats, and some progressive Democrats, not being bold, and ignoring Palestinian lives lost, she said. Weve seen Barbara Lees records, and if you have someone whos actually for the people, and not special interests, theyre going to speak to human rights being violated no matter where they are. At the Sunday debate, Lee explained she has always stood for Israel not having to deal with terrorist attacks and have condemned over and over and over again terrorist attacks against Israel just as I have called for a ceasefire Lee is the top Democrat on the House appropriations subcommittee on state and foreign operations, which has a powerful say in spending. Tuesday, she said she was heartbroken by the senseless loss of life, and am continuing to pray for the victims, their loved ones, and the Israeli and Palestinian civilians impacted.. She said she would be working with the Biden administration to address the hostage crisis and prevent the cycle of violence from escalating. In the coming days and weeks, we must remain committed to long-term security and a just and lasting peace in the region. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin , D-Lansing, said Wednesday the Biden administration should "pause" its plans to release up to $6 billion in humanitarian assistance to Iran because of that country's support of Hamas, which staged a deadly attack against Israel last weekend and plunged the Middle East into war. No evidence has been made public that Iran was directly linked to the planning ahead of Hamas' attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip last Saturday, which has led to some 1,200 deaths including those of 22 Americans so far both in the first surprise assault and Israel's counterattacks. But Slotkin, who received a briefing on the situation from Biden administration officials on Wednesday, said it is well known that Iran has supported Hamas in the past. "While so far none of that money has been transferred ... based on what I heard today I think we should be considering a pause on those funds," Slotkin said. "I think it makes total sense that we hit the pause button on any further movement on that deal." The Biden administration last month secured the release of five Americans held in Iran by agreeing to have financial institutions release $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil revenues. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said those funds were only to be released directly to vendors for humanitarian purposes and were to be closely monitored. Slotkin, who is also running for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat next year, became one of a handful of Democrats, including U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana, to advocate freezing the funds to be transferred to Iran. Republicans have been critical of the funding going to Iran since it was announced and, on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland Township, also introduced legislation that would prohibit the Treasury Department from authorizing any transaction by U.S. financial institutions to Iran for goods, services or technology, though it wasn't immediately clear it would affect the Biden administration's release of frozen assets. "The Iranian regime routinely provides about $100 million annually to terrorist groups that have killed Americans while others were taken hostage during the barbaric assault on Israel," Huizenga said. "The No U.S. Financing for Iran Act legislation cuts off the Iranian regimes access to our financial system." Meanwhile, Slotkin a former intelligence official and former acting assistant Defense Department secretary said her office has been "inundated" with calls from both constituents and others in and out of Michigan looking for assistance in getting out of either Israel or the neighboring Gaza Strip, a narrow section of land between Israel and Egypt which is controlled by Hamas but has been blockaded by Israel since 2007. In a teleconference call with reporters on Wednesday, Slotkin said she has heard from church groups and tourists trying to leave Israel ahead of an expected invasion of Gaza and possible expansion of the war and from Palestinians who also have American citizenship trying to get out of Gaza. In some cases, she said, she has been able to help arrange to get people into Jordan where they can catch flights out, with American carriers shutting down travel between the U.S. and Israel. Slotkin, who said her contacts helped her office get more than 100 people out of Afghanistan two years ago, also said someone she knew from outside Michigan whose son is close to someone being held as a hostage in Gaza by Hamas contacted her for help. She noted that the person held hostage lost an arm in the initial attack over the weekend. "Really just gut-wrenching stories," she said. The U.S. State Department has been engaged in talks behind the scenes with both Israel and Egypt to try to get Americans out of Gaza. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden expressed unequivocal support for Israel, calling the Hamas attack, which saw fighters break through barriers to massacre civilians in several areas of southern Israel, an act of terrorism and "pure, unadulterated evil." Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Elissa Slotkin calls on Biden to 'pause' release of funds to Iran Demonstrators in support of Palestinians wave Palestinian flags during a protest in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on October 9, 2023.(Cole Burston/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images) The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has led to intense and emotional rallies across the world as the conflict stretches into its fifth day, with gruesome details continuing to emerge from southern Israel and the Gaza Strip coming under intense aerial assault. Both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protests have broken out, with heated rhetoric in some cases devolving into ugly displays of antisemitism, including chants of gas the Jews in Sydney. Those protests can be an expression of solidarity but also of long-simmering tensions political leaders had failed to resolve. Recommended reading: Middle East: Arab street shows solidarity with Palestinians A boy holds up a Palestinian flags during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, at Bourj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Bilal Hussein/AP) (AP) Since the founding of Israel more than 75 years ago, the Palestinians plight has been a rallying cry for neighbors such as Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt, even though they have also been criticized for not doing enough to materially improve the lives of Palestinian refugees. Palestine today appears like an afterthought in the Arab political order, the policy scholar Imad K. Harb wrote last May for Al Jazeera. Saturdays attacks came after a years-long normalization of diplomatic relationships between Israel and the Arab world, a Trump-era initiative known as the Abraham Accords. Some believe Hamas carried out its attacks to scuttle a similar agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which would transform the Middle East and potentially push the Palestinians pleas for statehood even further into the background. From Ramallah to Beirut, Amman, Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo, people have distributed sweets, danced and chanted prayers in support of resistance to Israel's long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories, reported AFP. As Israelis grieve and Gazans brace for a heavy reprisal, Israel once again finds itself isolated in the Middle East. Weve been telling you guys over and over again that if you ignore the Palestine issue the regions going to explode, scholar Yousef Munayyer of the Arab Center told the Associated Press. Recommended reading Europe: Long-simmering tensions erupt A woman waves an Israeli flag during a demonstration in support of Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in front of landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. (ODD ANDERSEN / AFP) Demonstrators gathered in front of the Israeli Embassy in London on Monday, waving placards with messages such as Israel are the new Nazis, as well as the green Hamas flag. Attendees danced and called for a Free Palestine. Fireworks were let off, flares were lit and chants of Israel is a terrorist state, Free Palestine and Allahu akbar rang out, the Evening Standard reported. The glass of a kosher restaurant was smashed in Golders Green, a Jewish neighborhood, recalling the horrors of the 1938 Nazi rampage known as Kristallnacht, when Jewish businesses and temples across Germany were destroyed in a cascade of violence There were smaller such gatherings in Stockholm, Rotterdam and elsewhere. The rallies in European capitals reflect complex realities of migration from the Arab world, legacies of antisemitism and the challenges of globalization clashing in vivid images of jubilation, grief and confusion. There were also vigils for the 1,200 slain Israelis, including in the very heart of Berlin, where the poisonous ideology of the Nazis once reigned. Germans gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate illuminated by an image of the Israeli flag to sing Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem. Arab migration to Europe is a centuries-old phenomenon. Arab workers were essential to rebuilding Europe after World War II; there have been recent influxes of migrants fleeing war in Syria and North Africa. Recent migration has only exacerbated those trends. In 2017, 55% of Europeans said they wanted immigration from Muslim countries stopped altogether. In countries like Germany and France, political and cultural clashes have sometimes devolved into chaos and police violence; in June, Paris exploded in protests after Nahel M., a 17-year-old from North Africa, was shot and killed during a police traffic stop. To make matters more complex, many of these pro-Palestinian protests, with their occasional shows of antisemitism, are taking place in cities from which Jews were deported to the Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Those scars are deep and can reopen at times like these. There have already been dozens of antisemitic incidents in France, Reuters reported. In their eyes, attacking French Jews is a way of doing their share in the fight against Israel, a representative of the French community said. Recommended reading: U.S.: Demonstration, condemnation and dismay People march in support of Palestinians in New York on Oct. 8, 2023, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. (BRYAN R. SMITH / AFP) Saturday saw a pro-Palestinian rally take place in the middle of Times Square, with speakers endorsing the killing of Israelis by Hamas to cheers and applause. One young man held up his phone to show a Nazi swastika. The socialist group involved in promoting the rally later distanced itself from the demonstration; liberal elected officials condemned the demonstration as well. Still, the episode revealed tensions within American society about Israel, Palestine and social justice. There are about 3.5 million Muslims in the United States, and many of them have roots and family in the Middle East. Accordingly, there were large rallies for the Palestinian cause in communities like Dearborn, Mich., that have large populations of immigrants from Muslim-majority countries. Some of the rallies took place on college campuses, where support for the Palestinian cause has been building for decades and was galvanized by the Black Lives Matter movement, which sought to tether the fight against domestic racism to struggles abroad. While the parallels are inexact disingenuous, critics would say the campaign has been effective. (In some cases, those pro-Palestinian college activists are themselves Jewish.) That has frustrated Jewish students who say that their peers and administrators have not done enough to support them. On campus, were seeing students either turn a blind eye to the conflict, the leader of the Jewish community at Tufts told The Hill, or were seeing those who are openly celebrating our pain, you know, glorifying it, justifying it. Recommended reading: Participants of a pro-Palestinian rally react outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia on October 9, 2023. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image via Reuters) (via REUTERS) Israel's defense minister ordered a siege of Gaza with "no electricity, no food, and no fuel." Intentionally starving a civilian population is a war crime, human rights lawyers say. President Biden emphasized the "rule of law" on a call with Israeli PM Netanyahu, he said. There is no special carve-out in international law that allows the victims of war crimes to commit war crimes in return. Nevertheless, there are signs that the logic of retribution may be prevailing within Israel's military leadership. On Monday, following a horrific series of atrocities committed by Hamas, including the mass killing and kidnapping of Israeli women and children, Israel's minister of defense ordered that the border with Gaza be closed and no food be allowed to enter. The Israeli government also cut off Gaza's electricity and water supply. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces reportedly said that the waves of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza would seek to emphasize "damage, not accuracy." Starving civilians is a war crime. "There is no context in which such a policy can be legal," Michael Sfard, an Israeli human rights lawyer, wrote on X. Bombing a military objective without taking into account the potential loss of civilian life is also war crime. Tom Dannenbaum, a professor of international law at Tufts, wrote on X that Gallant's orders violated prohibitions against starvation and possibly the crimes of "extermination," and genocide as well. "Food, water, and essentials for survival must be allowed in," Dannenbaum wrote. Not only does the Israeli government's emerging scorched-earth doctrine violate international law, it also violates Israeli Defense Forces' own code of conduct, known as ruach tzahal. The code obliges Israeli soldiers to "above all, preserve human life" and "limit his use of force so as to prevent unnecessary harm to human life and limb, dignity, and property." But in Gallant's view, the targets are less than human. "We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly," he said. The following day, Gallant said that he was removing "all restraints" from Israel's response. Gallant's rhetoric was echoed by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu himself, who referred to the adversary as "savages," a word also used by US Senator Marco Rubio, who said "they have to be eradicated." Rubio's official website clarified that by "they," he meant Hamas, not the whole of Gaza. But the scope of all three statements is less than clear in context. Netanyahu's scorched-earth doctrine Israel argues that the root-and-branch destruction of Hamas is a reasonable response to the October 7 attacks. Most observers acknowledge that Hamas, as an organization, is a legitimate military target and that its continued existence now poses an obvious ongoing threat to Israel's security. But the emerging doctrine of Netanyahu's government appears to go much further than the objective of eliminating Hamas. While Israel's campaign is still in its early days, cutting off food and water suggests it could become a scorched-earth campaign of retribution against two million people who have been suffering for years under a combination of Israel's blockade and Hamas' rule. Make no mistake the objective of such a scorched-earth campaign would have little to do with Israel's security. Instead, a campaign of retribution against civilians of war crimes would have a political objective: satisfy hardliners and erase the memory of the intelligence failure that allowed Hamas to carry out the attacks in the first place. A man walks with mattresses through destruction in the Gaza Strip's Jabalia refugee camp on October 11, 2023, following overnight Israeli airstrikes. Mahmud Hams/Getty Images Of course, there is indeed a carve-out for such acts in international law an unwritten one. War crimes are seldom punished if they are endorsed by a superpower. So far, the US and Europe have done little in public to push back against the Netanyahu's stated policy of vengeance. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said he told Netanyahu that democracies "are stronger when we act according to the rule of law. Terrorists purposely target civilians, and kill them. We uphold the rule of law. It matters. There's a difference." But so far, Gallant's public order to begin starving two million people, a clear violation of international law, has gone unmentioned. Donald Trump endorsed and pardoned war crimes For Americans, much of this the horror, the missed warnings, the near-instant promises of retribution carries echoes of 9/11. So do the 22 dead Americans among more than 1,000 who perished from the Hamas attacks. What's different is the openness with which Netanyahu's government is declaring their intent to set international law aside. In the past, such extreme actions usually happened under a shroud of deniability. Violent US interventions in Southeast Asia and Latin America that killed hundreds of thousands of civilians were conducted in secret, not as a matter of official policy. Even during the bloody post-9/11 period, Western governments refrained from announcing that they intended to commit war crimes. The CIA had its lawyers arguing that indefinite detention could be reconciled with due process, and that waterboarding and beatings were not torture. The US military set mathematical limits on civilian casualties the more collateral damage, the higher the level of approval required within the chain of command. This attempt to impose the legal principles of proportionality and necessity on drone strikes was deeply flawed, but an attempt was made. Donald Trump was different. When it came to terrorists, he said during his first campaign, "you have to take out their families," an explicit endorsement of war crimes. As president, Trump took some small steps towards institutionalizing his stated preference for a higher volume of killing with less discriminate standards. He dropped the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal on Afghanistan and mused about using nuclear weapons. He loosened the rules governing drone strikes. But it was his rhetoric most of all that changed how his base talked about war. He made little distinction between political opponents, immigrants, and armed enemies on the battlefield. He pardoned Americans convicted of intentionally killing unarmed civilians. In his view, respect for the lives of civilians in a conflict zone was not a sign of strength, but weakness. The shamelessness with which Trump called for the intentional killing of civilians was something new. But it took Vladimir Putin's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to fully put Trump's stated doctrine into practice a modern military, in uniform, openly committing war crimes at scale. In Bucha and elsewhere, there is ample evidence of Russian soldiers going house to house to murder civilians, and forcefully deporting hundreds of thousands of children. A number of legal experts have argued that Russia's actions meet the legal definition of genocide, a term that President Joe Biden has also used to describe Russia's aggression. Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court at the Hague issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. They were assisted by the US Justice Department, despite the US not recognizing the ICC's jurisdiction. Israel's military has found itself accused of widespread crimes against Palestinians in the past. Its bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza in 2014, an overwhelming response to kidnappings and rocket fire, has led the ICC to open an ongoing war crimes probe. Gallant's order would have likely provoked more outcry had Israel's policy towards Gaza not resembled a siege already. More than 90 percent of Gaza's aquifer is contaminated; Gazans spend as much as a third of their income on potable drinking water. Electricity blacks out for ten or eleven hours each day. Hamas, the governing authority responsible for the terrorist attacks, maintains control over its own territory through less visible forms of terror abductions, torture, and murders of Palestinians in Gaza who dissent from their rule. And these were the conditions of life in Gaza prior to the five-day-old war. Already, according to the U.N., Israeli attacks have displaced 130,000 Gazan civilians and left 400,000 without running water. "The laws of war weren't designed only for situations in which our blood is cool," Sfard, the Israeli human rights lawyer, wrote today. "It's not easy for Israelis to think about Gazans' rights in a week when Hamas committed crimes that are still impossible to digest and our whole society is mourning and crying. But Gaza's catastrophe won't wait for the end of our seven-day shivah." Read the original article on Business Insider Gilad Shalit , pictured in 2011, is a former Israeli soldier who was kidnapped in 2006 and later exchanged for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners - AFP Hamas has held direct phone calls with the families of hostages calling for prisoner exchanges that would involve freeing thousands of terrorists. Speaking in limited English after picking up phone-calls from distressed relatives, the terrorists said simply: Kidnap. Gaza. Gilad Shalit. Gilad Shalit is a former Israeli soldier who was kidnapped in 2006 and later exchanged for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. Details of the phone calls with Hamas were revealed to The Telegraph by relatives of a family of 11 who were apparently taken hostage from the Beeri kibbutz. The extended family, which includes parents, three young children aged three to 12, cousins, a disabled uncle and his carer were kidnapped at gunpoint by Hamas, their home found burned to the ground on Saturday with the entire family missing. It came amid reports that Qatar was mediating a potential prisoner swap for women and children between Israel and Hamas. Hamas officials have publicly declared that they will not negotiate for the around 150 hostages they hold while Israel is bombing Gaza. At least 17 British people are missing or dead following Hamas deadly assault on Saturday, the BBC reported. It was a significant rise from the original figure of at least 10 cited by the broadcasters source earlier this week. On Wednesday, British national 26-year-old Jake Marlowe was confirmed to have been killed in the attacks. Mr Marlowe had been a security worker at the Supernova music festival near the Gaza border, when it was stormed by gunmen. On Wednesday night, his parents said they were heartbroken by the crushing news and said plans were being put in place to repatriate his body. Annalee Milstein, who was out of the country with her husband Yuval when their 11 family members were taken by Hamas, pleaded with European governments. The Israeli government, the UN, European countries need to do whatever they can to get all of these hundreds of people kidnapped out of Gaza safe and sound. Get whoever is still safe and has a chance to continue living their lives out safe. Eight of the 11 family members have German, Austrian or Italian nationalities. The couple were in communication with their relatives when rockets started landing at 6.30am on Saturday and then as Hamas fighters entered the kibbutz. They said they were very scared together at home in the panic room. They didnt know if they would make it. I had never heard Yuvals father speak in such a hopeless way, she said. A video shows the devastation of their family home in Beeri, where over 100 bodies were found. After Ms Milstein had tried for many hours to reach her missing relatives by phone, a man with a strong Arabic accent answered and said in broken Hebrew that they had been kidnapped. Their phones locations show that they are in Gaza. On Wednesday, Germany called on Qatar, where Hamas leaders live, to mediate for the release of hostages. Various actors in the region, including Qatar, must play an important role, because they have channels that we do not have, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock told MPs, ahead of a visit by Qatars emir to Berlin on Thursday. Ms Milstein, a psychotherapist, expressed anger at the failures of Israels security, but most of all at the terrorists who took her family. Im furious and mad at whoever didnt help keep them safe but Im most mad at Hamas, the people who kidnapped them. This is like an Isis move. It was so professional, they were practising for months. Ms Milstein even appealed to Hamas members to let the family go. The great-grandfather of the family, who died last year, had survived the Holocaust in Europe. When I heard about this on Saturday morning, I thought how crazy that these were a family of Holocaust survivors, they are huddled together scared of being taken away again, Ms Milstein said. Its absurd that this is happening again, in our own country. She described life on the Kibbutz, a semi-socialist farm rooted in Israels history, as a big family. Ms Milstein added: Its not only my house, my whole community was destroyed. Even if people survived this, it will never be the same community again. No one in this country will live like they before. 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. Fox News host Sean Hannity confronted presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday about his decision to leave the Democratic Party and run for the White House as an independent. So I hope you dont mind, but I did a little research on you. Youre pretty liberal, Hannity told Kennedy as he appeared on his nightly program. The host rattled off a list of left-leaning policies and positions that Kennedy has supported before noting youve supported over the years Democrats Gore, Kerry, Obama, Hillary. You praised Bernie Sanders multiple times. You support affirmative action. He then asked Kennedy directly: So why is this party of yours why didnt they even want to allow you to compete, because thats as pretty liberal of a record as anybody I know? You have a litany of talking points from statements Ive made over 40 years, Kennedy replied. Some of them are stale, some of them I never said, but you know, what is your question why the Democratic Party why Im not running at the Democratic Party? Why did they kick you out? Hannity shot back, adding, Im not sure why the Democratic Party wouldnt allow you to compete. Do you want to read talking points from the Trump campaign? the Democrat-turned independent responded. Excuse me. These are not talking points. These are called Hannity points, the popular conservative media personality said. I do my own research. Kennedy announced earlier this week that he would leave the Democratic Party and continue is bid for the White House as an independent after his primary challenge to President Biden failed to gain traction. I must declare my own independence. Independence from the Democratic Party, he said Monday. And from all other political parties. He has come under fire from medical experts and others for years for controversial statements on vaccines, childrens health care and other issues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Hanson residents are being asked to safeguard their pets after a bear reportedly killed livestock. The black bear and a residents livestock had a negative interaction, according to Hanson police. If you have small domestic animals please take steps to protect them and discourage the bear from trying to make them his/her next meal, police wrote. The Boston Herald reported that the bear killed a goat around 60 yards behind a Hanson home. For the best ways to avoid confrontations with bears, click here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Ahmed Zakot / SOPA Images/Sipa USA/Newscom "The first thing smart militants do is recognize that civilian attacks are a recipe for political failure," writes Max Abrahms, a political science professor at Northeastern University and author of Rules for Rebels: The Science of Victory in Militant History, a lengthy study of terrorism and insurgency. "You might say that the first rule for rebels is to not use terrorism at all." It's for this reason that Abrahms believes that Hamas' brutal attack on Israeli civilians is not only immoral but "a major strategic mistake" for the Palestinian cause. Abrahms traveled to the West Bank shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks amid a wave of Palestinian terrorism known as the "Second Intifada." What he found became the subject of his dissertation. While a previous influential study had concluded that Palestinian terrorism often resulted in "success" in achieving "significant territorial concessions," what Abrahms discovered by talking with Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank is that the terrorism "eroded support for territorial concessions while creating support for a fence" and likely blocked the possibility of independent statehood. Join Reason's Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe this Thursday at 1 p.m. Eastern on Reason's YouTube channel or Facebook page for a live discussion with Abrahms about how the lessons of his work apply to the current Israel-Hamas war, what is likely to happen to Gaza in the short- and long-term, and what the role of the U.S. should and shouldn't be in the conflict. The post What Happens Next in the Israel-Hamas War? appeared first on Reason.com. Beauty pageants have given Stephanie Skinner a platform that she's devoted toward empowering women nationwide. People will listen to me as Stephanie but Ive found that more people pay attention when I have a sash and a crown on, said Skinner. Last month the New Hartford teen placed first runner-up at the Miss Teen USA Pageant on September 28th in Reno, Nevada. My new title has offered me a platform to give back to the Mohawk region, Skinner explained. New Hartford teen Stephanie Skinner gets crowned Miss Teen USA The terrain and social landscape of New York is multifaceted. I approached the national competition wanting to showcase that to put our state back on the map. About the Miss Teen USA Pageant The last time New York placed as high was in 1988, with Jessica Collins. Skinner was the first contestant to land a best interview win since 1983. She was able to break history largely in part of her accomplishments outside of the pageant world. What many people dont see is the true definition of pageantry its all scholarship, academics, and community-based outreach, said Skinner. Stephanie Skinner smiles alongside young girls from her philanthropy group, Hands of Hope Taking a look at Skinner Currently a sophomore at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania she maintains both her studies and philanthropic endeavors. After taking an AP economics course her junior year of high school she set her sights on obtaining a bachelors degree in science and economics. In addition to my studies at UPenn Im involved in Wharton Women and the Quaker Dance team, said Skinner. In 2019 Skinner founded Hands of Hope, an organization that strives to encourage young women to use their voice for advocacy. Seeing women's voices diminished I grew up in a house with a single mother and it was really hard for me to see womens voices so freely diminished, said Skinner. Our saying is lend a hand and take a stand. I believe that confidence at a young age allows generative behavior to take the lead: compassion, kindness, and empathy. Confidence is the touchstone of her curriculum. By informing young women of the power of their voice she intends to counteract bullying. Skinner began implementing her curriculum with the Utica School District. This past year she also partnered up with local YMCA Boys and Girls Club and YWCA/Girls Inc. chapters in Syracuse. Moving forward she intends to transform Hands of Hope into a national program by teaming up with other non-profit organizations. Stephanie Skinner celebrates the release of her first published children's book: Holding Hands with Hope It doesnt stop there. This past August she released her first children's book Holding Hands with Hope: A Story About Self Love and Acceptance. I have plans to extend my reach across the East Coast, said Skinner. My next step is a book tour, teaming up with local libraries to read Holding Hands with Hope to children. At just 19 years old, Skinner has already connected over 20,000 teenagers nationwide, in over 40 states. I remember presenting at a school in Virginia during the pandemic when afterwards a young girl ran down the hallway to catch me. Out of breath she just wanted to tell me, thank you, said Skinner. There are so many little moments like this example that I hold onto. When I see myself in these young girls it reiterates why I do what I do. This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Miss Teen USA runner-up Stephanie Skinner wants to empower women A Harvard law student claims she resigned from her post on the board of a student group that co-signed a statement solely blaming Israel for the horrific attacks carried out by Hamas terrorists. Danielle Mikaelian, a Harvard law student involved in multiple campus groups according to information she has posted online, announced Tuesday that she had stepped down from her role as a board member of one of the student groups that co-signed the controversial statement, calling it "egregious." She also claimed the group subsequently removed its name from the list. She also claimed that she didn't read the statement before her group signed on because of a lack of a "formal process" for approval. "I am sorry for the pain this caused. My organization did not have a formal process and I didnt even see the statement until we had signed on," Mikaelian stated on X Tuesday evening. BIDEN SHUNS CALLS TO DE-ESCALATE, VOWS US 'HAS ISRAEL'S BACK' AS IT PREPARES FOR GROUND WAR WITH HAMAS A man looks at his mobile phone beside a sign for Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. The statement, which was released Sunday evening just a day following the terror that resulted in the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust, said that Hamas' killing, torturing, and abduction of Israeli's "did not occur in a vacuum." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "For the last two decades, millions of Palestinians in Gaza have been forced to live in an open-air prison. Israeli officials promise to "open the gates of hell," and the massacres in Gaza have already commenced. Palestinians in Gaza have no shelters for refuge and nowhere to escape. In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israels violence," the statement signed by two-dozen Harvard student groups read. "The apartheid regime is the only one to blame," the statement read. "Israeli violence has structured every aspect of Palestinian existence for 75 years. From systematized land seizures to routine airstrikes, arbitrary detentions to military checkpoints, and enforced family separations to targeted killings, Palestinians have been forced to live in a state of death, both slow and sudden," it said. ISRAEL LAUNCHES MASSIVE AIRSTRIKES ON DOWNTOWN GAZA CITY, NETANYAHU SAYS: 'WE HAVE ONLY STARTED Harvard banners hang outside Memorial Church on the Harvard University campus. "Today, the Palestinian ordeal enters into uncharted territory. The coming days will require a firm stand against colonial retaliation. We call on the Harvard community to take action to stop the ongoing annihilation of Palestinians," it concluded. Mikaelian claimed that she "prevented another student group I remain on the board of from signing on when I saw the statement" and that the statement, "is not representative of my values and my heart is with those impacted." Mikaelian's comments come roughly 48 hours after the statement was released. The centuries-old university came under sharp criticism when the university didn't immediately condemn the statement. And when Harvard president Claudine Gay issued an official statement Monday condemning the attacks and that "no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership,"one of its top alumni said it was too little too late. "Why cant we find anything approaching the moral clarity of Harvard statements after George Floyd's death or Russia's invasion of Ukraine when terrorists kill, rape and take hostage hundreds of Israelis attending a music festival?" questioned Lawrence H. Summers, president emeritus of Harvard. "Why cant we give reassurance that the University stands squarely against Hamas terror to frightened students when 35 groups of their fellow students appear to be blaming all the violence on Israel?" Summers, who served in senior leadership posts under Presidents Clinton and Obama, asked in a post on X on Tuesday. CAUSALITIES, KIDNAPPED AND MORE NUMBERS SINCE HAMAS' ATTACK ON ISRAEL Several CEOs of major companies like Delta Airlines and Hewlett Packard Enterprises, vocalized their support for Israel and offered support. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said that all employees working in Israel and traveling in the region are safe and that the bank supports the country. "This past weekends attack on Israel and its people and the resulting war and bloodshed are a terrible tragedy," Dimon said Sunday in an internal memo obtained by CNN. "We stand with our employees, their families and the people of Israel during this time of great suffering and loss." Tuesday afternoon, Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square, posted on X that "a number of CEOs" have asked if Harvard "would release a list of the members of each of the Harvard organizations that have issued the letter assigning sole responsibility for Hamas heinous acts to Israel, so as to insure that none of us inadvertently hire any of their members." "If, in fact, their members support the letter they have released, the names of the signatories should be made public so their views are publicly known. One should not be able to hide behind a corporate shield when issuing statements supporting the actions of terrorists, who, we now learn, have beheaded babies, among other inconceivably despicable acts," Ackman said. As of Tuesday evening, the original Google document of the signatory groups had been edited to remove the names of the groups that signed it. Earlier on Tuesday, Chicago law firm Winston & Strawn announced they rescinded an employment offer from a New York University (NYU) law student and NYU Student Bar Association president after she issued a statement saying she "would not condemn Palestinian violence" and that "Israel bears full responsibility for this tremendous loss of life." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP On Tuesday, Israeli media reported Israels military has discovered unspeakable horrors in an Israeli community that was attacked by Hamas on Saturday, including the bodies dozens of babies who were beaded by the terrorists. According to local Israeli outlet i24News, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers moved into Kfar Aza, one of the communities Hamas terrorists invaded early Saturday morning, and discovered about 40 dead babies, some decapitated highlighting the brutality of the invading forces. IDF were removing the bodies of victims found in the area when they found the children's remains. Israeli soldiers are attempting to use bones to identify the victims, according to the report. Fox News Digital's Danielle Genovese contributed to this report. Original article source: Harvard law student linked to statement blaming Israel denounces contents, says she didn't read it Activities ELKHART Enjoy hiking a different park trail every month, make new friends, get a little exercise and glimpse the bounty of nature at every curve and corner. The Hiking Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month through October. On Oct. 17, meet at 6 p.m. and take a hilly 1.25-mile hike through the beauty of Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 County Road 131, Bristol. Meet at the Briar Patch Shelter, located on the south side of the park. There is no fee for the Hiking Club. Maximum participants per event is 50 people. Please follow current CDC guidelines. Register at elkhartcountyparks.org/events/ by Oct. 16. Classes SOUTH BEND Alzheimers and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class Is it Delirium or Dementia? from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 16 in the Care Partner Academy. Patty Piechocki, director of the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care, will lead this live/interactive web session. Participants can connect through their computer. Register online at https://alzni.org/caregivers/caregiving/. SOUTH BEND RiverBend Cancer Services Wellness House, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., will offer the following Living Well with Cancer classes. All classes are free and open to cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers; register for all classes by calling 574-287-4197. Oct. 15: 1:30 p.m. Head and Neck Cancer Support Group. Oct. 16: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 1 p.m. Halloween Fun Craft; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga. Oct. 17: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. MELT. Oct. 18: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Massage; 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 2 p.m. Dominoes; 2 p.m. Reiki; 4:30 p.m. Game night; 4:30 p.m. Tai Chi; 5:30 p.m. General Support Group. Oct. 19: 10 a.m. Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. Debbies Wig Salon; 2 p.m. Personal Training. Events LAKEVILLE Attend a free educational presentation at the Lakeville Branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library, 120 N. Michigan St. from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17. Titled Medicare 101, the presentation is for anyone already on or approaching Medicare age, spouses or children who help make these type of decisions, and anyone under 65 who is on disability and receiving Medicare benefits as well. Information will include explanations of Part B and Part D, how to enroll, when to enroll and more. GOSHEN Goshen Health is offering free advance planning seminars every third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Advance care planning is a process to document the medical care you want to receive if you would become unable to communicate your wishes. The seminar will explain the role of an advance care plan, what to include in a plan and how to designate a healthcare representative. Participants will have the opportunity to schedule a private appointment to complete their document. The seminar is held in the Arbor Conference Room at Goshen Hospital, 200 High Park Ave. Registration is required at GoshenHealth.com/Plan-Ahead or by calling 574-364-2288. Participants are encouraged to bring a family member or close friend who will be involved with their healthcare decisions. The next seminar will be held Oct. 17. SOUTH BEND The St. Joseph County Department of Health will provide free lead screenings, for children ages 1 to 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 in Study Room L105 at the St. Joseph County Public Library, 304 S. Main St. Screenings are done via blood draw and take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Risks of lead poisoning for a child include living/spending time in homes built before 1978; siblings with elevated blood lead levels; family members working in high-risk environments that include working with metals or lead based items; and household members with high-risk hobby (stained glass, refurbishing antiques, etc.) SOUTH BEND The South Bend Police Department will host a free car seat safety check from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at 701 W. Sample St. Follow the signage to enter the inspection site. SBPD Car Seat Technicians will ensure car seats are installed properly and that children are in the appropriate seat for their age, height and weight. Children must be present for the safety check. Techs will also inspect infant car seats for babies that havent yet arrived. The event is in partnership with State Farm and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institution. GOSHEN Working through grief alone can be difficult. Goshen Health is offering a half-day event on grief and loss, depression and the spiritual elements of grief. The workshop, Understanding Grief, will provide information about grieving and how to develop comforting ways of remembering people you have lost. The schedule will allow for questions and small group discussion. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Arber Conference Center at Goshen Hospital, 200 High Park Ave. Registration is encouraged and can be completed at goshenhealth.com/forms/grief-workshop or by calling 574-364-2533. Dr. James Wheeler of Goshen Center for Cancer Care will lead the event. Support Groups MISHAWAKA Michiana Hematology Oncology will hold its monthly Breast Cancer Survivor Support Group meeting from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at 5340 Holy Cross Parkway. The group is led by Dr. Zon, physician emeritus of MHO. This months guest speaker is Katherine Leng, medical science liaison, who will present Find Your Finish to Anti-Estrogen Therapy with Precision Testing. All are welcome including current patients, family members and cancer support advocates. Sign-up is not required. If you would like to RSVP or ask a question, contact Monica Chan at 574-231-6479; monica.chan@mhopc.com. Vaccinations GOSHEN Goshen Physicians will host drive-thru flu shot clinics this fall. All community members, age 10 and older, are eligible. The shot is free with most insurance plans. Cash, check and credit card will also be accepted. Self-pay is $40 for the low dose and $107 for the high dose. No prior registration is necessary. Bring a photo ID, insurance card and payment method. Parent/guardian signature is required for those under 18. Oct. 14 8:30 a.m. to noon, Urgent Care Goshen Physicians, 2824 Elkhart Road, Goshen. Oct. 24 6 to 8 p.m., Goshen Physicians Family Medicine/North Webster, 301 N. Main St., Suite 121, North Webster. Nov. 4 10 a.m. to noon, Goshen Physicians/Parkway at 17, 851 Parkway Ave., Elkhart. Dates and times are subject to change for inclement weather. Blood drives Medical Foundation will hold the following drives. Register at givebloodnow.com: Elkhart Health and Aquatics, 200 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 13. North Liberty Fire Department, 305 S. State St., North Liberty, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14. St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 203 S. Lincoln Ave., Niles, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 15. Tenneco, 3605 W. Cleveland Road, South Bend, 5 to 9 a.m. Oct. 17 and 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 19. Saint Joseph Health System-Mishawaka, 5215 Holy Cross Parkway, Mishawaka, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17. VFW Post 985, 1201 W. Pike St., Goshen, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18. Lab Corp, 3575 Moreau Court, South Bend, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19. The American Red Cross will hold the following drives. Register at redcrossblood.org: St. Pius X Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13. St. Mary of Assumption Church, 28 W. Ash St., Three Oaks, noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 13. Shipshewana Church of the Nazarene, 2695 N. 900 W., Shipshewana, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14. Mishawaka High School, 1202 Lincoln Way E., Mishawaka, 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 16. Caretel Inns of St. Joseph, 3905 Lorraine Path, St. Joseph, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17. Knights of Columbus, 901 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18. Silver Beach Center, 333 Broad St., St. Joseph, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area from Oct. 13-19, 2023 The Ralph J. Anderson Womens Health Symposium was supposed to begin on the morning of Sept. 8. Speakers and attendees from across the state were traveling to Fort Worth for the day-long conference, organized by the UNT Health Science Center. The conference has been held for decades. But the morning before this years conference, at 10:40 a.m., one of the organizers sent an email to her colleagues saying that one of the conferences sponsors, JPS Health Network, was abruptly withdrawing funding because the event schedule included talks about abortion and gender affirming surgery. Hours later, the event was canceled completely, leaving would-be attendees and speakers baffled. I am just blown away, wrote Kelly Zarwell, HSCs educational program assistant director. Zarwells emails, obtained by the Star Telegram through a public records request, said she had heard from Dr. Christine Hoang, the head of graduate medical education for obstetrics and gynecology at JPS lauded residency program. According to Zarwells email, JPS had decided to withdraw its financial sponsorship of the symposium because of the controversial topics on the agenda. Hoang was also prohibited from having her residency booth at the event, the email said. JPS wants no connection due to the medical abortion and gender affirmation surgery topics, Zarwell wrote in the message. Zarwell and Hoang did not respond to the Star-Telegrams request for comment for this article. Both abortion and gender-affirming care are considered part of the standard care by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Although abortion is illegal in most cases in Texas, medical residents specializing in obstetrics and gynecology are still required to participate in the management of participation of abortions in their training, according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. One Texas professor, who attended the conference regularly, said she was disheartened by the decision to cancel the conference and by JPS decision to withdraw. The Star-Telegram agreed not to publish the professors name because she feared retaliation for speaking openly about these topics without her employers permission. People who are considering gender-affirmation surgery or abortions are vulnerable people, the professor said. I think it sent a message to the community of scientists and physicians and health providers in the community that these lives and issues they are facing werent that important. And that saddens me, she said. In an interview on Sept. 8, the day the symposium was canceled, the Star-Telegram asked JPS CEO Dr. Karen Duncan about the symposium and whether JPS had withdrawn from the event. Im not sure what you are actually referring to and why our name would be brought into it, Duncan said at the time. That was not a JPS symposium. There should not be any because of JPS, that something would get canceled. She added: Its not clear to me how JPS participation would affect the cancel. Im a little confused. She declined to respond to questions about the symposium agenda. In an email on Tuesday, JPS spokesperson Jessica Virnoche said: We have no additional comment beyond what we have already communicated. The decision to cancel the event was and is the sole decision of UNTHSC. The HSC communications office did not respond to an email or phone call asking why the symposium was canceled. Zarwells email appears to have spurred a flurry of discussion at HSC, which is home to a medical school as well as graduate programs for public health, pharmacy and nursing. John McKenzie, the executive director of HSCs division of academic innovation, wrote to a colleague at 12:14 p.m. on Sept. 7 that JPS was withdrawing its financial sponsorship of the symposium, equivalent to about $6,000. They just decided this today, and the symposium is tomorrow, he wrote. McKenzie added that JPS had a representative on the symposiums planning committee who was involved throughout the planning process. Due diligence was done here on HSCs side, and it sounds like higher ups at JPS were nervous about the inclusion of these important topics, McKenzie wrote. By 3:23 p.m., with less than 17 hours before the conference was scheduled to start, the conversation had made its way to the top echelons of HSC leadership: HSC President Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams asked Dr. Priya Bui, who was serving as the co-chair of the symposium, to call her to discuss the symposium. Trent-Adams added that she was on the phone with UNT chancellor Michael Williams as she was asking Bui to call her. Within the hour, a decision was made to cancel the symposium. At 4:01 p.m., Bui emailed Trent-Adams: Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know. I would like the opportunity to postpone to the Spring and revisit the agenda. The annual conference was previously known as the Pelham P. Staples Jr., MD, Educational Symposium before it was renamed in honor of the late Fort Worth obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Ralph Anderson. These types of conferences are standard for health professionals, because they offer what are known as continuing medical education credits. Virtually all health professionals are either required or encouraged to fulfill a certain number of CME credit hours every year to maintain their license to practice and to stay up to date on the latest research in their field. The symposium at HSC was scheduled to cover a range of topics related to womens health care, including sessions on postpartum maternal health care and vaccine uptake during pregnancy, as well as the panels on abortion and gender-affirming care. In the emails released by HSC, symposium organizers reiterated that the agenda had gone through all necessary vetting and was deemed appropriate for the venue. All courses that are used for continuing medical education credits must meet evidence-based guidelines. In July, Dr. Frank Fillipetto, dean of the medical school at HSC, wrote to a colleague that after speaking with McKenzie, he was reminded that as a public institution that must protect free speech on campus that we shouldnt limit discussion because of its controversial nature. A low-flying helicopter sparked a mating frenzy at a crocodile farm in Australia. It's currently courtship season for saltwater crocs on the continent. The crocs may have mistaken the chopper's sound for a storm or rival males. You might expect the whirring blades of a helicopter to spark concern or annoyance from animals in the vicinity. But for the reptilian residents of a crocodile farm, a low-flying chopper seemed to signal mating season. "All of the big males got up and roared and bellowed up at the sky, and then after the helicopters left they mated like mad," John Lever, owner of the Koorana Crocodile Farm in Queensland, Australia, told ABC. It's not quite clear what about the Chinook helicopter excited the crocs, but experts suspect the animals may have mistaken it for a thunderstorm. That's right, thunderstorms really get crocs riled up. Crocodilian courtship October and November are spring months for Australia and are typical mating periods for the country's saltwater crocodiles. It's also the rainy season, when thunderstorms are common for parts of the continent. "Usually, mating is a seasonal thing because [crocodiles] want to coincide with the best time to lay their eggs in a burrow or nest," herpetologist Mark O'Shea from the University of Wolverhampton told Live Science. Mating during the stormy season means that when females lay their eggs weeks later, the weather is usually less severe so their eggs will have a lower risk of drowning in a flood. So the timing seemed right, and the sound and vibrations from the chopper may have mimicked a thunderstorm signaling to the male crocs that it was go time. The motion of the Chinook's blades may have also caused changes in the barometric pressure similar to a storm. Or, another theory, is that the crocodiles may have mistaken the helicopter's roar for the bellows and splashing tails of other males, O'Shea said. Whatever the cause, the next step will be for the female crocodiles to make nests for their eggs. Using soil and rotting vegetation, they create mounds where dozens of eggs incubate. Over the course of about three months, the mothers then aggressively protect their eggs. Lever's farm has about 3,000 of the reptiles, which he raises for their meat and leather and as a tourist attraction. Read the original article on Business Insider Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the event has been postponed. A Bucks County business has postponed their Guinness World Record attempt planned for this Friday. "No one is more disappointed than us. We apologize for any inconvenience. We will reach out with the new date when it has been rescheduled," Tague Lumber of Doylestown announced in a Facebook post, noting the Women in Construction event will still take place as scheduled. The local lumber and building materials company, located in Plumsteadville, was attempting to secure its place in history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most people knocking on wood simultaneously. The event was originally set to take place this Friday, which uncoincidentally falls on Oct. 13. We all know the superstition about Friday the 13th, so what better way to conjure up some good luck than by knocking on wood. As a lumber company, we certainly have plenty of wood products on hand, said Tague Lumber president Jerry Kapp. The rescheduled event will most likely take place in the spring, according to Kate Connor, director of advertising and marketing for Tague Lumber. Tague Lumber's Women in Construction event is still on Despite Guinness World Record event being postponed, Tague Lumber will still host their Women in Construction event as planned, where guests will meet successful women in the construction industry and gain professional insights from: M arly Carmona, Ph.D and leadership development candidate at Weyerhaeuser. M onica Miraglilo, contractor and founder of GirlBuild, guest speaker and host of window installation clinic. Leslie Kinsman, Sr. Sales Director of Andersen USA The event runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. It will include a vendor expo, dinner and drinks. Doylestown news: Two-year roundabout construction in Doylestown starts Oct. 9 When and where will the Guinness World Record event take place? File photo: Tague Lumber employee, Kris Wetzel loads wood onto shelves during a move the company made from Doylestown to its Plumstead Township location in 2015. Where: Tague Lumber of Doylestown, 6100 Easton Road, Plumsteadville When: The event has been postponed and a new date has not been announced yet. How to take part in the Tague Lumber world record attempt? Participants are required to register in advance. A new registration link will be available once it gets closer to the rescheduled date. What is the current record for knocking on wood? A Guinness World Record was set by DZI Insurance Company, when 295 people in Sofia, Bulgaria knocked on wood simultaneously on Aug. 13, 2021. Things to do in Bucks County: Check out fall fun in Yardley, Fallsington, Quakertown, Bristol Twp. and more this weekend This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Plumsteadville lumber company plans to break Guinness World Record A man evacuates a wounded girl from the site of an Israeli strike on Gaza City on Oct. 10, 2023. Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas as the war's death toll on both sides passed 3,000. Credit - Bashar TalebAFP via Getty Images The Israel-Hamas war, which began on Oct. 8 after Hamas militants launched a surprise, unprecedented attack by storming into Israeli towns from the blockaded Gaza Strip, has so far claimed at least 1,600 lives on both sides. Scores of Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as dozens of foreigners, are being held hostage by Hamas, which has threatened to execute a captive each time Israeli airstrikes hit a home in Gaza without prior warning. Read More: Whats Next for Israel and Its Democracy Israeli airstrikes have razed whole districts and put Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, under total siege after blocking water, food, and power supplies. On Tuesday, Gaza's health ministry said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 770 people and wounded more than 4,000. According to the United Nations, more than 180,000 Gazans have been displaced so far, with many taking refuge in shelters and schools or huddling in the streets. Humanitarian aid groups operating in Gaza and neighboring Israeli towns say they are scrambling to assist civilians caught in the war from both sides. U.N. agencies have also appealed for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza, which had already been subject to a 16-year land, air, and sea blockade that left two-thirds of families depending on humanitarian aid. Read More: A New Book Tells a Palestinian Story from Behind the Wall While showing support from afar can come in many different forms, below is a list of humanitarian aid organizations currently helping victims of war that are seeking donations. Kibbutz Nir Oz Residents of the Kibbutz in Nir Oz in the Gaza Strip were attacked on Oct. 7, hiding in shelters as their houses and vehicles were burned down by Hamas militants with a standby squad standing in front of them until the army arrived at noon. They are accepting donations here. Magen David Adom Israels national emergency medical service is on the frontlines of saving lives in Israel. With emergency ambulances, boats, helicopters, and motorcycles, MDA aims to provide the best of care in critical situations. More information on how to donate here. IsraAID An Israel-based humanitarian aid organization, IsraAID's Emergency Fund aims to meet the immediate and long-term humanitarian needs of affected communities by partnering with local organizations and civil society initiatives. More information on how to donate here. Jewish Agencys Fund for Victims of Terror An American charity, JAFINAs Fund for Victims of Terror, is a first responder when terror strikes, providing immediate assistance to terror victims within 24-48 hours of an attack and following up with long-term rehabilitative support. More information on how to donate here. Alliance for Middle East Peace ALLMEP is a coalition of over 170 non-governmental organizations, including tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis, for Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilding. It is currently assisting in emergency response. More information on how to donate here. Medical Aid for Palestinians MAPs Emergency Appeal is responding to the current emergency in Gaza, where MAPs team is releasing essential drugs, disposables, and essential healthcare supplies to hospitals struggling to cope with an influx of serious injuries. More information on how to donate here. Palestine Children's Relief Fund PCRF is a humanitarian organization in Palestine delivering medical relief and humanitarian aid to conflict victims in Gaza. It is serving immediate medical attention and basic necessities to children affected by the newest round of airstrikes. More information on how to donate here. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency UNRWA estimates that more than half of the 123,000 people internally displaced in Gaza from the latest round of fighting are sheltering in dozens of schools. It has designated emergency shelters to host them and provide critical aid. More information on how to donate here. The International Red Cross ICRC is an impartial, neutral, and independent organization with a humanitarian mission to help victims of armed conflict and violence. It has called for an end to the violence between Israel and Hamas militants. More information on how to donate here. Doctors Without Borders MSF is an independent charity providing medical care and supplies to victims of conflict, disease outbreaks, and disasters. It has called on all parties to ensure the safety of civilians. It is donating medical supplies to hospitals in Gaza. More information on how to donate here. Save the Children The global charity has called on all parties to show restraint and keep children and families safe. It is providing assistance, notably for mental health impact, to children affected by the attacks. More information on how to donate here. Write to Astha Rajvanshi at astha.rajvanshi@time.com. [Source] Henry Golding and Liv Lo celebrated the arrival of their second child, a daughter, named Florence Likan Golding. The couple took to Instagram on Oct. 11 to share their emotional journey through childbirth via short clips that capture moments of joy and challenges. Among the challenges, the couple would later reveal, was the health scare baby Florence had right after her birth on Sept. 9. The journey of childbirth is full of its ups and downs, but glorious none the other, Lo wrote in the caption. More from NextShark: 'Masked Singer: Latest episode shows Rudy Giuliani's controversial unmasking, Ken Jeong's walkout Challenges of childbirth: Lo detailed her birthing experience on her FitSphere website, sharing that she was admitted to the hospital a day after her due date after experiencing heavy bleeding. The couple, who hoped for a vaginal birth, were nearly forced to do an emergency C-section after she developed a fever and the baby went into distress. "The team started prepping the OR for an emergency C-section and rushed to get me antibiotics, but in the meantime, I went from 4-10 cm so quickly that there was no time for that plan. My doctor came in and said, luckily, that I had the option to push, but the baby would have to be born right away. Any mother with the threat of a C-section would do as I did. In 3 pushes, Florence Likan Golding was born at 7lbs at 9:03 am on 9/9/23." Further complications: Due to breathing problems, baby Florence was temporarily placed in the NICU. The doctors discovered that she had swallowed meconium, leading to pneumonia. More from NextShark: Marvel Gives Simu Liu a Birthday Surprise With Shang-Chi Teaser Trailer Lo was also hospitalized for a blood infection, which required medication, regular check-ups and reiki healing, an energy healing technique that involves guiding the "flow of healthy energy. " Healing and joy: It took the mother and newborn daughter about two to three weeks before they were fully healed. The couple is now overjoyed to be spending quality time with both their daughters and embracing the joys and challenges of parenthood. Family first: Golding, who married Lo in 2016, shared in an interview with People last year how fatherhood has transformed his life and career priorities. He emphasized the importance of balancing family life with his work commitments, often considering his family's presence while choosing projects. For the last 30 years of her life, Myra McCants spent her days doing all she could to try and talk to people about the dangers of a police officers job. Because in September of 1992, her son, 23-year-old York County Sheriffs Office deputy Brent McCants, was shot to death during a traffic stop on Dave Lyle Boulevard in Rock Hill. Myra McCants, of Lancaster, died Friday at age 79, according to an obituary published Wednesday from Burgess Funeral Home of Lancaster. But her fight for justice for her son, and others who are victims of violence, will always remain. I told my son that day to be careful in his job and how much I loved him, Myra McCants told The Herald about the last time she saw her son alive in 1992. After officers showed up to her home to say her son was dead in 1992, she recalled: It was like half of my heart was ripped right out of my chest. In her last interview with The Herald, in 2022 when one of her sons convicted killers was denied parole, Myra McCants said her son died protecting others. He (Brent) was so proud to be a cop, Myra McCants said. File photo of Myra McCants, mother of slain York County deputy Brent McCants, at her home in Lancaster with a portrait of her son. The 1992 traffic stop Brent McCants pulled over a car on Dave Lyle Boulevard, then was shot and killed. Hours afterward, police caught two convicted felons from Charlotte hiding in woods near Interstate 77. Both Dwayne Eric Forney and Mar-Reece Hughes were later convicted in the mid 1990s of murder and remain in South Carolina prisons. Forney was sentenced to life. When Forney sought parole in 2022, Myra McCants told the S.C. Parole Board that her sons convicted killer should die in prison. Hughes, the other man convicted of the murder, was sentenced to the death penalty, and remains on South Carolinas death row. Bond with police, prosecutors York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said often at events honoring deputies and officers that Myra McCants would always be a part of the sheriffs office family. For 31 years, Ms. Myra was a symbol of strength, hope, and resilience as she waited patiently for justice in Brents death, Tolson said Wednesday. S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope, the former 16th Circuit Solicitor whose late father was the York County Sheriff decades ago, talked weekly with Myra McCants for 30 years. Pope and current Solicitor Kevin Brackett prosecuted Forney and Hughes in the 1990s and both stayed close with McCants for the rest of her life. Myra McCants also remained dedicated during her life to the care of another son who was injured in a crash more than 30 years ago, Pope and Brackett said. Myra McCants was a woman of dignity and kindness who cared about every person she ever met, Pope said after learning of her death. She believed in justice for her son, but she also believed in love for others. She was a great lady who cared for us all. Brackett also spoke often with Myra McCants and said she remained a positive person who cared for others despite the tragedies of her life. No victim I have ever worked with endured more hardship and tragedy in their life than Myra McCants, Brackett said. She never lost faith, though. While she could be overcome by it all sometimes, she remained relentlessly cheerful overall. She came to us for help and ended up giving us more than she got. She was and is an inspiration, and I treasure my memories of her. Myra McCants after her deputy son died Myra McCants and her dedication to other officers was part of the community and coverage in The Herald and other media in the region for the three decades afterward. She urged people in uniform to always serve others, and urged those in uniform to treat all they met with dignity and respect and service. Then-York County Sheriff George Eaton presents the American flag from Deputy Brent McCants casket to his mother, Myra McCants, during the funeral on Sept. 28, 1992 in Lancaster. She is comforted by her brother Bill Estridge, right, and her son Billy Dale McCants. She attended memorials for other officers and would drive to York and Rock Hill from Lancaster to give deputies and police gifts and hugs. Each year in May, Myra McCants went to an annual fallen officers event in Rock Hill where families of the officers killed on duty were invited as honored guests. The York County Sheriff would always send patrol cars to escort Myra McCants to the event. She never forgot where her son died. She often drove from her home in Lancaster to plant flowers along Dave Lyle Boulevard near I-77 where her son died. A memorial to Brent McCants was put up near the location over a decade ago near Manchester Village shopping center. Then with her urging and support and pushes from officials, the stretch of Dave Lyle Boulevard in 2017 was dedicated in Brent McCants name. When York County deputy Mike Doty was shot and killed on duty in 2018, Myra McCants offered her support to Dotys family and the sheriffs office. She went to sheriff functions and the funeral and hugged every deputy she could find in 2018. I told them I loved them and I always will, she said in 2018. A memorial service will be held for Myra McCants at a later date, the obituary said. Smoke rises from a hillside in southern Lebanon as it is shelled by Israeli forces following cross-border missile fire by Hezbollah (Mahmoud ZAYYAT) Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it fired missiles on Israel Wednesday drawing retaliatory Israeli fire, after three of its members were killed earlier this week amid soaring border tensions. The exchange of fire came as Israel massed troops and heavy armour around Gaza in its retaliatory campaign against Hamas militants in a conflict that has left hundreds dead on both sides. Hezbollah "targeted a Zionist (Israeli) position... facing Dhayra village, with guided missiles," in a "firm response to Zionist attacks... which led to the martyrdom of a number of brothers," the group said in a statement. The group warned of a "decisive" response to Israeli attacks "targeting our country and the security of our people, especially when these attacks lead to the deaths of martyrs". The Israeli military said that "in response to the anti-tank missile fired at IDF soldiers a short while ago, an IDF aircraft struck a military observation post belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organisation in southern Lebanon". Israeli artillery shelled "the area from which the launch originated," the military added. Lebanon's National News Agency said three civilians had been wounded by Israeli fire on a border village, adding that "around 10 houses have been directly hit". An AFP correspondent in the border village of Dhayra earlier reported shelling close to residential areas that triggered fires in nearby groves. The NNA said Israeli fire on several locations along the border had been "countered by resistance (Hezbollah) machine guns". On Monday, Hezbollah said three of its members had been killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon after Palestinian militants tried to slip across the border. Both Israel and its closest ally the United States have warned Hezbollah against opening a second front as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli army is "prepared for any scenario", spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. "Hezbollah is observing what Israel is doing in Gaza, it sees the volume of the destruction. Hezbollah sees this and understands," he said. Israel has been retaliating to daily fire from Lebanon, which began after Hezbollah launched rockets on a disputed border area on Sunday. The Lebanese army said it had found "the rocket launcher that fired a number of rockets" on Tuesday -- an attack that Hamas said it carried out. In Israel, the death toll from Hamas's shock cross-border assault rose to 1,200, the great majority of them civilians, while Gaza officials reported 1,055 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel fought a devastating 34-day war that left more than 1,200 people dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers. burs-aya/kir Deputies jumped into action at a Florida high school after a fight between students turned into a massive brawl, leading to 11 student arrests, a sheriffs office said. Student resource deputies with the Flagler County Sheriffs Office were in Matanzas High School when they received reports on Oct. 9 of students fighting in the hallways between buildings, according to a Facebook post. They found a large group of students surrounding other students throwing punches at one another, deputies said. When the deputies and school administrators tried to break up the fight, the students turned against the adults, shoving the deputies out of the way to keep fighting and in some cases punching administrators, according to the post. The Flagler County Sheriffs Office released a blurred video of the brawl. Warning: This video contains graphic content. The lack of respect demonstrated by these students is simply shameful, Sheriff Rick Staly said in the post. But actions have consequences. A 14-year-old student shoved one of the deputies in order to attack another student, the sheriffs office said, leading to her arrest on charges of disorderly conduct, disruption of a school function, and felony resisting a law enforcement officer with violence. A 17-year-old student charged an administrator and swung his hands at them, hitting them in the shoulder, deputies said, leading to his arrest on charges of felony battery on a school official. Another 17-year-old student attacked an administrator while they were trying to remove another student from the fight, according to the post, grabbing them and hitting them. The student was charged with disorderly conduct and felony battery on a school official. Charging affidavits were filed against other students on misdemeanor breach of peace and disturbance of a school function, deputies said, and their ages were not released. I agree with what our Sheriff has said in the past; this type of behavior is not to be tolerated by anyone. That said, these actions are not indicative of the thousands of students who come to our campuses each and every day to learn. There are so many students, teachers, administrators, and staff who work every day to promote and celebrate a positive school culture at their schools, Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said in the post. Matanzas High School is in Palm Coast, about 60 miles south of Jacksonville. 15-year-old dies after collapsing during no-contact football practice, officials say 18-year-old hiker missing for days was last seen camping at Montana lake, rescuers say School finds loaded handgun in substitute teachers backpack, Maryland cops say Social worker engaged in sex acts with 13-year-old she was counseling, Ohio cops say A hiker with a severe head injury trekked across two canyons to call for help in Idaho, deputies said. Rescuers received an SOS message at about noon on Oct. 10 from Indigo Lake, the Idaho County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post. They found a hiker who said he had fallen off a cliff the night before and was knocked unconscious for an unknown amount of time, deputies said. He found his pack and crossed two canyons so he could contact authorities at the lake, deputies said. When rescuers reached him, he had a severe head injury and also injured both ankles, a knee and a hip. A helicopter couldnt be used because of weather conditions, so rescuers helped him walk four miles to a four-wheeler. Indigo Lake is about 220 miles north of Boise. Hiker slips on dark, icy mountain trail and nearly falls down steep cliff in Colorado 18-year-old hiker missing for days was last seen camping at Montana lake, rescuers say Runner vanishes on 28-mile trek through national park. Two weeks later, clues elusive Holly Willoughbys announcement of her resignation from ITVs This Morning on Tuesday (10 October) comes as little surprise. Over the past 13 months, the 42-year-old British television staple has been at the centre of a queue-jumping row, witnessed her co-presenter Phillip Schofields sudden fall from grace and faced an alleged kidnapping plot. It was only one year ago that Willoughby and Schofield were celebrating their 13th consecutive win at the National Television Awards, which they had consistently dominated over the years. Both presenters are now in limbo, albeit for very different reasons. In her statement announcing her departure from the show after 14 years, Willoughby said it has been an honour to just be part of its story, but I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. Though the presenter did not refer to the incident in the statement, her exit comes days after Gavin Plumb, 36, of Potters Field, Harlow, was charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield at the 2022 NTA Awards (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Mother-of-three Willoughby was placed under police guard in her 3m home in southwest London and is reported to have been left shocked and distraught after learning of the alleged plot. Below, The Independent has created a timeline tracing how This Mornings beloved presenting team abruptly went off-air. Queuegate September 2022: In September last year, Schofield and Willoughby faced intense scrutiny for skipping the queue for Queen Elizabeth IIs lying in state. The presenting duo were allowed to jump the queue as members of the media to film a segment for This Morning while tens of thousands of members of the general public queued for as long as 24 hours. They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the worlds media to report on the event, ITV producers said in a statement. During This Mornings 20 September episode, the pair addressed the issue live on the programme, with Willoughby telling audiences: Please know that we would never jump a queue. We of course respected those rules, however, we realise it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction. Meanwhile, a petition to have the duo axed from the show garnered more than 75,000 signatures. Holly Willoughby (PA Wire) Phillip Schofields affair scandal 10 May 2023: The Sun reported that Schofield and Willoughby were barely speaking after viewers spotted tension between the presenters. 11 May 2023: Schofield called Willoughby his rock and said they are the best of friends in a statement. He added: The last few weeks havent been easy for either of us. Schofield had recently returned to the show following a short hiatus after his brother was convicted of sexually abusing a teenager. 15 May 2023: The pair put on a united front on This Morning and made no reference to stories in the press about their relationship. 18 May 2023: Schofield presented what would turn out to be his last episode of This Morning. 20 May 2023: Schofield stepped down from This Morning with immediate effect. ITV said he will continue to present peak-time shows, including The British Soap Awards and a new prime-time series. Willoughby released a statement saying the sofa wont feel the same without him. 26 May 2023: Schofield parted ways with ITV completely after admitting to lying about an affair with a colleague on This Morning. In a statement, Schofield said: I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. In an effort to protect my ex-colleague I havent been truthful about the relationship. I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife. It was also revealed that Schofield had been dropped by his agents after 35 years. ITV issued a statement saying it was deeply disappointed by Schofield, and felt badly let down by him. Holly Willoughby sat alongside Josie Gibson after she addressed Phillip Schofield upon her This Morning return (ITV) 27 May 2023: Willoughby shared a statement on Schofields admission, saying she asked him if rumours about the relationship were true back in 2020. She said her co-host assured her they were not, adding: Its been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. 1 June 2023:The Sun published an interview with Schofield in which he said he was sorry to Willoughby but owes his greatest apology to his former lover. He reiterated that he did not groom the man, and that although his wife was very, very angry about the affair, his daughters have been guarding him during the fallout. 2 June 2023: The BBC aired its own interview with Schofield, conducted by media editor Amol Rajan. Schofield said he has lost everything and the affair has had a catastrophic effect on his mind. Speaking about the criticism he had faced he said he can see nothing ahead except blackness and sadness and said he has started to speak about his career in television in the past tense. Schofield also urged the media to leave the younger man alone. He also said that he texted Willoughby in the immediate aftermath of the scandal, telling her he was deeply sorry. He said she never replied, and that he understands why. 5 June 2023: Willoughby returned to This Morning and opened the episode by saying she was shaken and troubled by Schofields admission. She said: You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth. Who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process. 14 June 2023: ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall was questioned by MPs alongside ITV managing director Kevin Lygo and general counsel and company secretary Kyla Mullins about Schofields exit. Dame Carolyn told the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee that Schofields lover denied 12 times that he had an affair with the TV presenter She pushed back strongly against allegations that the relationship was an open secret at ITV as people including Piers Morgan, James Haskell and Kevin Maguire had suggested. Phillip Schofield left ITV after admitting to having a relationship with a younger male former colleague (PA Wire) Alleged kidnapping plot emerges 5 October 2023: Willoughby was notably absent from This Morning with Alison Hammond filling in, though she did not address Willoughbys absence. It was later reported that police alerted This Morning bosses to the alleged plot early on Thursday morning, when it was decided that Willoughby would not appear on the show. 6 October 2023: A shopping centre security officer was remanded in custody over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Willoughby. Gavin Plumb, 36, was charged at Chelmsford Magistrates Court with soliciting a man named David Nelson to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap between October 2 and 5 in Harlow, Essex. The other man was due to arrive in the UK the following week from the US, the court heard. 10 October 2023: Willoughby announced she was stepping down from presenting This Morning after 14 years, saying on Instagram that it was an honour to just be part of its story. Following Willoughbys announcement, Lygo said: She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future. Additional reporting by the Press Association Two people are safe after their hot air balloon went down in a rural part of Georgia. The Johnson County Sheriffs Office said the balloon went down Tuesday along Killingsworth Road. The deputy who responded to the call put up a drone and quickly spotted the balloon in a wooded area among some pines. Two citizens, Will Killingsworth and Bruce Roberts, helped rescue crews bring the balloon flyers to safety. After rescuing the two individuals, they learned the crew was part of a race team that began their journey in Albuquerque, New Mexico and had flown nonstop since liftoff. TRENDING STORIES: The Gordon Bennett Cup race began Saturday as part of News Mexicos international balloon fiesta. It is billed as one of the biggest events in aviation. The winner is the one who flies the farthest distance. There are no stops to refuel or to pick up extra supplies. The racers will be in the air for days, carrying everything they need to survive at high altitudes as they search for the right combination of wind currents to push their tiny baskets as far as they can go. Prevailing winds are expected to carry the competitors through the Midwest toward the northeastern U.S. and potentially into Canada. There are a total of 17 teams from around the world competing in this years race. There is no word on which crew landed in Johnson County. As of Tuesday morning, there were at least another seven teams still in flight, according to a news release. The Associated Press contributed to this article. IN OTHER NEWS: House Republicans on Wednesday voted to nominate House Majority Leader Steve Scalise , R-La., for speaker but his ascent to the job is far from assured. Scalise narrowly defeated Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and many of his allies in a secret ballot by a 113-99 vote, according to The New York Times. But Scalise, who reportedly once compared his politics to KKK leader David Duke without the baggage, will still need to capture at least 217 votes on the floor and cannot afford to lose more than four of his partys members. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., needed 15 ballots to secure the speakership in January after conceding to numerous far-right demands including lowering the number of members needed to force a vote on the removal of the speaker to one, which ultimately cost him his job just months later. Some Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy are already opposing Scalises bid. Reps. Max Miller, R-Ohio, and Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., told Axios that they will vote for Jordan on the floor. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., vowed to vote for McCarthy. The House may hold a vote as early as 3 pm on Wednesday. The News The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has launched a broad investigation into the Biden administrations Iran policy and the activities of its suspended special envoy to Tehran, Robert Malley , accusing the State Department of concealing from Congress the reasons behind his departure. Know More The investigation, described in a letter sent Wednesday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken , also seeks information on Malleys ties to an Iranian government information operation, called the Iran Experts Initiative, which Semafor revealed last month based on a large cache of Iranian government communications acquired by the Persian-language television channel, Iran International. One of the members of this initiative, according to the documents, is Ariane Tabatabai, who currently holds a senior position inside the Pentagon and was initially brought on to Malleys Iran negotiating team in 2021. The administrations lack of transparency is even more troubling in light of press reports about Irans direct role in this weekends horrific attack on Israel by Hamas and additional revelations that former Special Envoy for Iran (SEI), Robert Malley, and members of his negotiating team have had compromising ties to the Iranian regime, the letter reads. The Committee is demanding from the Biden administration access to Malleys communications with Iran as well as documents tied to the State Departments investigation and revoking of his U.S. government security clearance. The Committee is also seeking access to the paper trail surrounding the approval of Tabatabais security clearance. Chairman James Comer is requesting a State Department briefing on these issues by October 18. Separately on Wednesday, the top Republicans in the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees released their own letter to Blinken demanding answers on Malleys activities and departure, as well as his potential ties to Tehran through the Iran Experts Initiative. Our concerns over the potential national security implications of Mr. Malleys activities and those of his associates continue to grow, the letter states. Malleys security clearance was pulled in April, and he was placed on unpaid leave in June. Jays view The Biden administration is facing a perfect storm of bad news when it comes to Iran. Republican scrutiny intensified last month when the U.S. agreed to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil money as part of an agreement with Tehran to secure the release of five Americans held in Iranian prisons. Republicans accused the White House of paying a ransom and questioned the legality of the funds transfer. This Republican criticism was only stoked further by the disclosure of the Iran Experts Initiative and the State Departments months-long refusal to address the reasons behind Malleys suspension. Hamass attack on southern Israel has driven this scrutiny to a fever pitch. Iran is Hamass primary funder and arms supplier, and meetings between Hamas and Iranian officials in Beirut and Tehran have been documented in the weeks before the attack. reported on Monday that Iran was operationally involved in the attack, though both the Biden administration and Israel have said theyve yet to confirm this involvement. Republicans are now seeking to block the disbursement of the $6 billion. The View From the White House The Biden administration has pledged unwavering support for Israels war on Hamas but has been careful not to directly blame Tehran for involvement in last weekends attack. Iran has long supported Hamas and other terrorist networks throughout the region with resources, capabilities, training, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told MSNBC on Tuesday. Iran is complicit here, but in terms of specific evidence on this, these sorts of attacks, no, we dont have anything. The Pentagon has moved its Gerard R. Ford carrier strike group to the waters off Lebanon and Gaza as a clear warning to Tehran and its allies not to get involved in the Gaza war. Our force posture movements are not only in support of Israel but also to deter any other entities that might decide to support Hamas, said the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q Brown, on Monday. House GOP members will a hold closed-door vote on who should be the next Speaker of the House. >>Having ousted Kevin McCarthy, House Republicans are hitting trouble trying to nominate a new speaker They are hoping to unify behind one candidate to void a repeat of January when it took 15 votes on the House floor to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy. There are two men vying for the job. Miami Valley Congressman Jim Jordan has proposed a long-term, stop-gap funding bill with spending cuts. The second is House Majority Leader Steve Scalise . He says he wants to get Senate Democrats to negotiate when it comes to the budget. >>Lawmakers expected to vote on new House Speaker this week The GOP will vote on two items. The first is a proposed rule change that would ensure a candidate has enough support to take the gavel before a floor vote. I think we got to get 217 votes to go to the floor, said Jordan. Without a speaker, the House cant vote on any legislation, including any aid for Israel. Weve got to get back on track. This is a dangerous world right now, said Scalise. Let me say it again. We stand strongly with Israel. The house needs to get back to work. >>McCarthy was ousted as Speaker: Heres what happens next It is unclear if either candidate has enough support to get elected. Former Speaker McCarthy says he will be whichever nominee gets party support. Republican members of the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic are threatening to subpoena former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) over his alleged failure to respond to the committees investigation. Committee Chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said Cuomo failed to produce any documents or communications related to his states COVID-19 nursing home policies. They said he has until Oct. 17 to cooperate. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. To date, we have not received a single document from you. The Select Subcommittee is comprised of physicians from both sides of the aisle and members who take our responsibilities seriously, Wenstrup wrote in a letter dated Tuesday. A spokesman for Cuomo slammed the lawmakers for playing political games, and said the former governor doesnt have the information they are asking about. This letter is a farce, said Rich Azzopardi. The data they seek which has already been reviewed twice by the DOJ, as well as the State Assembly and the AG . is with the state. Once again, its unfortunate that some DC politicians are seeking to transparently weaponize peoples pain to advance a political agenda. The panel is investigating COVID-19 nursing home policy decisions made by Cuomo, as well as the Democratic leaders of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Specifically, the panel is looking into Cuomos must admit order, which said nursing homes could not turn away patients who tested positive for COVID-19, as long as they were medically stable. The facilities were also prohibited from requiring hospitalized residents to be tested for the virus before their admission or readmission in nursing homes. The move was made early in the pandemic and was meant to help relieve overburdened hospitals, which were sending patients elsewhere to help free up capacity. The virus decimated nursing homes, killing more than 15,000 people. Cuomos policies have come under state and federal investigation, and former members of his administration are facing waves of civil lawsuits on behalf of those who died. Attorney General Letitia Jamess (D) office issued a report in 2021 that found the state health department undercounted COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes by as much as 50 percent. Wenstrup and Malliotakis said the panel requested a transcribed interview with Cuomo and called for any documents and communications related to the states pandemic-era nursing home policy decisions. Updated at 12:05 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. House Republicans have chosen Majority Leader Steve Scalise , R-La., as their nominee for speaker after huddling behind closed doors for over two hours on Wednesday. GOP lawmakers voted via secret ballot. Scalise won 113 votes, while Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan won 99. House Republicans voted minutes earlier to table a motion to raise the threshold for electing a speaker to 217 a majority of the conference. It comes after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted in a vote by eight members of his own party and all House Democrats last week. That moment marked the first time in history the U.S. House of Representatives voted to remove its own leader. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, left, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise. UNMITIGATED S---SHOW: HOUSE REPUBLICANS FUME OVER SPEAKER VACANCY AMID ISRAEL CRISIS The contest to replace him quickly became a two-man race between Scalise and Jordan, R-Ohio. Scalise has been McCarthys longtime No. 2, despite a yearslong rivalry between the two. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Two Republicans Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, right, and Steve Scalise of Louisiana both launched bids for House speaker. Jordan, who is closer to McCarthy, nabbed early support from top conservatives in the GOP conference like House Freedom Caucus Policy Chair Chip Roy, R-Texas. Jordan himself is one of the original cofounders of the group. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a vote by eight members of his own party and all House Democrats last week. Original article source: House Republicans choose Scalise as their candidate for speaker after McCarthy's ouster House Majority Leader Steve Scalise , R-La., speaks to reporters as he arrives for a meeting of House Republicans to vote on candidates for speaker of the House on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press House Republicans nominated Majority Leader Steve Scalise to be speaker during an internal GOP conference election Wednesday. He will now face a bipartisan vote on the House floor, likely later this week. Scalise, a nine-term congressman from Louisiana, beat his opponent, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, 113-99, in a secret ballot vote by the Republican conference. After losing the vote, Jordan confirmed to multiple sources he is throwing his support behind Scalise, improving the current majority leaders odds at winning the speakership and revealing a GOP ready to move on from the last few weeks of legislative dysfunction and party infighting. I dont think there was a negative word said during our several hour meeting about either one of them and almost everybody led off by saying, Hey, Im supporting Steve or Im supporting Jim but Ill get behind whoever gets the majority, Utah Rep. John Curtis told the Deseret News. So thats a real positive note. Curtis, who along with Utah Rep. Burgess Owens voted for Scalise, says Jordans decision to back Scalise was the right thing to do for the conference and hopes others will follow his lead. However, he cautions theres still a lot of work to do. Until we go to the floor and get the 217, we dont have a speaker. And as everybody has seen, it just takes a few members to thwart that, Curtis said, adding he felt optimistic the party would show a united front when the speakers vote is brought to the floor. As of Wednesday evening, at least seven Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Chip Roy, R-Texas, had signaled that Scalise cant count on their vote, setting up what could be another prolonged speakership battle. Republican conference speaker forum The Republican conference previously met Tuesday night for a closed-door candidate forum to hear the two well-known figures make their case for why they are up to the task of leading the party after last weeks contentious removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. Scalise has navigated GOP party leadership elections for the better part of a decade and relies on a well-trained staff and extensive whip operation to grow his tally of supporters. He has emphasized his ability to forge unlikely agreements and come back from devastating setbacks to his personal health. He narrowly survived a politically-motivated shooting in 2017 and is currently undergoing treatment for a form of blood cancer. While Jordan came to Wednesdays vote with a longer list of endorsements from his colleagues, and from former President Donald Trump, Scalise was considered the favorite by political observers who cited his increased appeal among House moderates and his past leadership positions. Related Despite general skepticism that the fractious House Republican conference could quickly unite around a new speaker, Scalise appeared one step closer to snagging his partys nomination Wednesday morning when a proposal from Texas congressman Chip Roy that would have required nearly unanimous Republican support before a Republican nominee could be presented for a bipartisan floor vote, failed to pass. McCarthy was back in the race then out again Earlier in the week, three Republican congressmen vowed they would only vote to reinstate McCarthy as speaker. However, McCarthy said on Tuesday he did not want to be nominated for the position after he had expressed openness to running again over the weekend. The eight Republicans who sided with Democrats to evict McCarthy from his position last week have not yet publicly endorsed any candidate, according to Punchbowl News. However, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who was at the forefront of McCarthy opposition, has implied that hell support Scalise. With the House Republicans narrow majority of just three seats, only a handful of GOP lawmakers could decide to oppose the GOP nominee in a floor vote to obstruct the process or extract concessions. This is what happened in January when McCarthy was elected to the speakership after 15 rounds of voting and numerous commitments to the partys most conservative members. The currently vacant leadership position is the result of some of these promises being broken by McCarthy, according to the disaffected Republicans who voted to remove him. Curtis, who represents Utahs 3rd Congressional District, says he doesnt know anybody pushing to undo the rule changes made as part of Januarys speaker race, which included a return to regular order, passing spending bills individually to avoid a massive, last-minute omnibus package. He says that while McCarthys ouster represented an institutional low, it is more likely the party can heal and govern with a replacement that enjoys better relationships with the most conservative members of the conference. Its become more and more evident that what the real problem was just Kevin, and that it was personal and I dont think they have those same feelings for Steve, Curtis said. I clearly do think that it was a low for us, but I think we can heal ourselves, that we can become what the American people expect of us, and that we can govern, and do so in a way thats in harmony with those in our district. But avoiding the ire of hardline Republican lawmakers while governing a divided conference and addressing issues requiring bipartisan support, like passing annual spending bills prior to Nov. 17 and parsing U.S. aid packages to Israel and Ukraine, will likely prove difficult for any politician. In an op-ed for the Hill, Owens, who represents Utahs 4th Congressional District, argued that Scalise is just the man for the job. Ive been in the room with Scalise, strategizing, debating, and ultimately finding results, Owens wrote. His unifying leadership is not just a nice-to-have; its essential for the work we are elected to do. Scalise vs. Jeffries Scalise will now face off against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., in a floor vote before the entire House. Nearly every Republican, including those who voted for Jordan or preferred McCarthy, will have to rally behind Scalise for him to secure the necessary 217 votes. Reporting from inside the Capitol suggests a full-House speaker vote will likely wait until Saturday, further delaying Congressional action in support of Israel or Ukraine and making another shutdown battle in November all but inevitable. WASHINGTON Some GOP lawmakers are expressing concern that the House could see a drawn-out fight for speaker, leaving the House paralyzed as the war in Israel rages. House Republicans will meet in a closed-door conference meeting Wednesday evening, where they will hold a secret-ballot vote to nominate a candidate for the highest position in the lower chamber. But unlike other previous races, this one follows the historic ouster of former speaker Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. The speaker election is contested and there is no clear path to victory for either major candidate: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Judiciary Committee chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Both lawmakers, considered giants within the House GOP conference, have racked up endorsements from their fellow GOP lawmakers, revealing a split within the party. Scalise and Jordan made the rounds around Capitol Hill Tuesday, meeting with various House Republican groups including the Republican Governance Group and House Republicans Florida delegation. House Republicans also held a candidate forum Tuesday evening, in which Scalise and Jordan presented their visions for the speakership and were grilled by lawmakers for over two hours behind closed doors. Exiting the forum, GOP lawmakers had mixed feelings as to whether they could coalesce behind a speaker quickly. U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, talks to reporters as he walks in the U.S. Capitol on October 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., opted not to bet big on the House having a speaker by the end of Wednesday: I put it at 2%, he said. The conflict in the Middle East has put a new sense of urgency on House Republicans to elect a new leader. But its unclear if that sentiment will quicken the process. I dont know if by the end of this week if well have a speaker, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., told reporters Tuesday evening. But, Cammack added, she thought it would have been possible for the House to be speaker-less for as long as a month. But the war broke out and the conflict has added pressure for lawmakers to unite behind a new leader. Israel-Hamas War newsletter: Sign up to get the latest news and analysis on the conflict in your inbox Rep. Anthony DEsposito, R-N.Y., told reporters that getting a new speaker is an important priority. I think that this is a priority for the American people and to (the) continuity of government, DEsposito said. It shouldnt depend on current events. It should depend on the fact that we want to get our government back in action. McCarthy, speaking to reporters outside the candidate forum, said there was a need to elect a new speaker to get the House moving again to act on Israel. Some GOP lawmakers floated the idea of reinstating McCarthy as speaker. But the California Republican appeared to shoot down the plan Tuesday, dissuading lawmakers from nominating him. He suggested instead that they decide on either Scalise or Jordan for speaker. ouse Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks to reporters outside a candidate forum with House Republicans to hear from members running for speaker in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2023. Many lawmakers are still undecided on their choice, even after leaving the candidate forum where Scalise and Jordan took questions for over two hours. Im gonna sleep on it, Cammack said. No, I havent (decided), Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., said. I havent (endorsed) publicly, no, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., said. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the conservative hardliner who spearheaded the efforts to oust McCarthy from his post, hasnt decided yet either. Some members who have already endorsed a candidate, such as Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, have not committed to supporting the alternative prospective speaker even if they win the nomination. If that is the strategy by this conference, that whoever gets the majority, everyone else gets behind, I will not do it, said Nehls, who is backing Jordan. He would only consider voting for Scalise, he said, if it was clear he could earn the 217 votes to become speaker. GOP lawmakers still held out hope they could elect a new speaker by the end of this week, but acknowledged the risk of a protracted battle that could keep the House virtually powerless. Theres always a risk for everything. Democracy is always ugly, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., said. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.,followed by reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House GOP risks drawn out speaker fight as Israel war rages As the whole world watches the events unfolding in Israel in slack-jawed horror, I think most people are vastly relieved that the person who won the 2020 American presidential election was not Donald Trump. As Israel's most powerful ally, President Joe Biden has been a steady hand at the wheel. Trying to ensure that the war doesn't spread beyond Israel's borders, Biden has reassured everyone that the U.S. is not going off the rails despite its ongoing political turmoil. But you can't say the same for the putative Republican nominee for president in 2024, Donald Trump, whose only contribution to the discourse has been to repeatedly assert on his Truth Social feed that this never would have happened if he were still president and proclaim I KEPT ISRAEL SAFE! NOBODY ELSE WILL, NOBODY ELSE CAN, AND I KNOW ALL OF THE PLAYERS!!! He has also taken the time to insult Forbes magazine, New Yorl Attorney General Letitia James, Rosie O'Donnell and others. He held a raucous rally in New Hampshire where his brief comments about the war included a rousing recitation of "The Snake." Let's just say that Trump has never seemed more out of his depth. Meanwhile in Washington, the Republicans are hardly any more serious. In the Senate, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is still refusing to allow the promotions of 300 military officers unless they agree to change some rules about abortion that are more to his liking. We have a conflagration in the Middle East happening as we speak but his hobby horse still takes precedence. He obviously believes that he can wear the Democrats down and get his way. So at some point, the Democratic majority needs to step up and change the rule that allows him to continue with this silly tantrum. This has gone on long enough. Israel is facing existential threat. Any funding for Ukraine should be redirected to Israel immediately Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 9, 2023 Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, galloped around on his hobby horse this week demanding that all Ukraine aid be immediately redirected to Israel. I don't know how he's going to break it to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene , R-Ga., who has been demanding for months that the Ukraine aid be diverted to the southern border, which she now claims is leaving Americans vulnerable to Hamas terrorists. She's not alone in that. Her mentor, Trump, posted this on Monday: The same people that raided Israel are pouring into our once beautiful USA, through our TOTALLY OPEN SOUTHERN BORDER, at Record Numbers. Are they planning an attack within our Country? Crooked Joe Biden and his BOSS, Barack Hussein Obama, did this to us! Recognizing that sometimes you have to do more than one thing at a time, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has reportedly been working with a bipartisan group of senators and the White House to put together a spending package linking Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan aid. Since the Senate is marginally more functional than the House there's a decent chance they can get it passed. Unfortunately, the House is still in chaos so it's still very much up in the air if anything will get done before the deadline to keep the government open is upon us. There has not been a lot of progress on the quest for a new Speaker since Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ignominiously removed last week. They are set to vote today and it does not appear that anyone has the votes to win it. McCarthy announced that he would not run again last week and then re-opened the door to it earlier this week. He reportedly told members since then not to nominate him but it's fairly clear that if duty calls he will be available. The first meeting of the caucus after McCarthy's ouster last week was apparently something of a free-for-all all with some members almost coming to blows. And the anger and resentment against the eight members who voted to oust McCarthy is still raw today. One of them, the rather bizarre Rep. Nancy Mace of North Carolina posted this on social media: https://x.com/Acyn/status/1711888986841776320 I don't think she understands what "The Scarlet Letter '' was all about but she seems to think that she is being targeted in her caucus as a woman when in reality she's been ostracized because she inexplicably threw in with Matt Gaetz and his band of rebels. It's unlikely this sort of stunt will get her or any of the rest of them back into the caucus's good graces. After taking a few days to cool down, the caucus met again this week to clear the air and set forth a plan. It doesn't sound as if anything was resolved. There is much talk of reforming the rules to require that the vote not come to the floor unless someone can earn 217 votes from Republicans. I guess they don't want any more public humiliation. You'd think they'd have already agreed to get rid of McCarthy's suicidal agreement to allow one member to make a motion to vacate the chair but there's no sign that's happened yet or if it will. That means the new speaker will have the same sword hanging over his head that McCarthy had. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Some of the more centrist members are vowing to keep voting for McCarthy over and over again in protest over the other two choices Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Oh., and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., both of whom are hardline right-wingers. Scalise appeals more to the more traditional far-right conservatives and has experience in the leadership while Jordan is a MAGA standard bearer who has Donald Trump's endorsement. (I'm a little surprised that hasn't carried more weight in this contest since Trump is almost certain to win the presidential nomination.) It will be surprising if these centrists follow through but you never know. Both Jordan and Scalise have promised to keep the impeachment of Joe Biden on track so at least we know they do share the top priority of the nation. Jordan had said that he would shut down the government but according to CNN he offered a plan in Tuesday night's meeting for "a long-term, stopgap spending bill that would cut current spending levels by 1% in order to give them more time to pass individual spending bills." This appealed to some of the alleged moderates which may be the kiss of death. We'll just have to see if that marks him a RINO-squish in waiting or if his credibility as a MAGA warrior will keep the right-wingers with him anyway. At this point, we have no idea if this can be resolved this week or even this month. There is no consensus and feelings are still running high. But one thing we do know is that whether it's Scalise, Jordan, McCarthy or some dark horse we haven't heard of yet, nothing is going to change. The dynamics that brought them to this place are exactly as they were last week. The Republican Party is still completely dysfunctional and they have no idea how to fix it. Republican New York lawmakers will introduce a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Rep. Anthony DEsposito says. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Republican lawmakers from New York will introduce a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Rep. Anthony D'Esposito says. Speaking to reporters in the halls of the House, D'Esposito, R-N.Y., and Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said they have the support of New York's freshmen lawmakers to remove Santos, R-N.Y., after 23 new federal charges were announced against him on Tuesday. "He has no business being in the halls of the House of Representatives," LaLota said. "He is an immoral person. He's an untrustworthy person. He scammed hundreds of thousands of voters. This is the most provable case of election fraud we have before us. He should be out of Congress right away." Santos faces new allegations of credit card fraud. Prosecutors have accused him of charging a donor's credit card multiple times without permission. Santos has denied the new allegations against him. When asked if the House should wait until Santos has had his day in court, LaLota said representatives are held to a higher standard. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., said he will introduce a resolution on Wednesday to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from the House of Representatives. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI "What he is known to be guilty of beyond any doubt -- is that he lied about his entire background," LaLota added. "That to me and how he defrauded voters, defrauded Long Island voters, should disqualify him from holding this office." House Republicans are meeting privately to bring forth a new candidate for the speaker role that was vacated last week with the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. The two expected frontrunners, Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Steve Scalise, R-La., have not committed to bringing a vote to the floor to expel Santos. New York Rep. George Santos faces 23 new charges relating to alleged wire fraud. File Photo by John Nacion/UPI D'Esposito said the contingent of lawmakers that have co-sponsored his resolution have not had discussions with House leadership, including potential speakers, about the move. Expelling Santos would require a two-thirds vote on the House floor. "I predict this resolution is going to catch fire," LaLota said. "Many people feel how we do. He is a stain on this institution. People on both sides will support his removal from these halls." Cy-Fair Independent School District officials said they completed their investigation, and the assistant principal, Tyvon White, returned to campus on Oct. 6. A Houston-area high school administrator is back on the job following an investigation into an altercation with a student. According to the Houston Chronicle, Cy-Fair Independent School District officials said they completed their investigation, and the assistant principal, Tyvon White, returned to campus on Oct. 6. District staff asserted in an email: The administrator will complete a training course titled LifeSpace Crisis Intervention, which its website states offers educators and others a six-stage approach for de-escalating confrontations. A Cy-Fair High School administrator has returned to work after a hallway altercation in which he allegedly injured a student. (Photo credit: Screenshot/YouTube.com/KHOU-11 News) The school district suspended White after the Sept. 26 hallway incident at Cy-Fair High School. In a statement issued last week, district officials said the encounter resulted from the student ignoring repeated requests to return to class. Community activist Quanell X, on behalf of Whites family, said the student claims the assistant principal placed him in a chokehold and forced him to the ground, injuring him. Whites kin previously called for the administrator to be terminated and arrested for physically assaulting the teen, KHOU-11 News reported. Quanell X asserted that the students family first alerted school officials about problems involving him and the assistant principal last school year, but they only did something following last months altercation. This young man has been the victim of targeted hate and targeted bullying by an assistant principal, Quanell X said last Wednesday, KHOU reported. We demand he be arrested and charged for assaulting this young man. The activist reportedly said that after holding a news conference with Whites family last week, the teens kin had a productive meeting with district officials and learned the Cy-Fair High student had five incident reports this year and 28 in prior years, the Chronicle reported. The activist believes the school administration should have arranged a meeting with parents, teachers and counselors earlier to discuss and resolve any concerns. However, district officials have now agreed to do so. The youths family previously stated that another altercation occurred between the student and administrator in May. Cellphone video released to the Chronicle last week shows the student refusing to go to the office and questioning why the administrator pulled his sweatshirt. In the video, the school official says he was attempting to attract the students attention, encouraging him to go to the office to discuss the situation. According to the Chronicle, Quanell X stated Tuesday that video evidence from the May incident confirmed that the administrator did not yank the students hoodie, as the student and administrator discussed in the videotape. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Houston-area assistant principal returns to school after viral altercation with student appeared first on TheGrio. In the wake of Hamass deadly attacks in Israel over the weekend, and the retaliatory strikes against Gaza, misinformation is teeming across social media and some mainstream news outlets. Many of the issues stem from the degradation of X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, following Elon Musks acquisition of it last year. While the platform previously had a system to verify actual journalists, Musk scrapped it in favor of allowing anyone to purchase a verification check. Because of this decision, actual journalists on the ground in the Middle East arent being surfaced in searches on the network and arent easily identifiable as trustworthy, while influencers and bad actors are seeing their erroneous posts showing up for more users. The level of disinformation on israel-hamas war being algorithmically promoted on twitter is unlike anything ive ever been exposed to in my career as a political scientist, posted author and professor Ian Bremmer. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X, leaves the AI Insight Forum on Capitol Hill on Sept. 13. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) (Getty Images) On Tuesday evening, NBC News reported that the community fact-checking system put in place on X had serious delays when it came to news surrounding the conflict, including false claims about emergency American aid being granted to Israel and a church being destroyed in Gaza. That report came shortly after the European Union sent a letter warning Musk that his network was potentially violating the EUs Digital Services Act. Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we have indications that your platform is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton wrote, noting the spread of fake and manipulated images and facts circulating on your platform in the EU, such as repurposed old images of unrelated armed conflicts or military footage that actually originated from video games. While X has been a leading spreader of misinformation, its not alone as honest mistakes and purposeful propaganda proliferate following cuts to trust and safety teams across the tech sector in recent months. Examples from the past week People inspect the damage following overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on Wednesday. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto) (NurPhoto via Getty Images) There have been numerous examples of blatant misinformation being spread almost immediately after the initial Hamas attacks on Saturday. As with any fast-developing breaking news story, the past few days have also seen the rapid circulation of information that, while potentially true, has not yet been verified by legitimate sources. For example, a viral story about Hamas beheading 40 Jewish infants was reported in numerous publications on Tuesday, although Israel Defense Forces officials said they did not have confirmation as of Wednesday morning and a New York Times report from the town where the alleged atrocity occurred does not mention that detail. There was also confusion over a German woman attending the music festival that was attacked who was initially reported dead but whose mother has since said she believes she is alive in a Gaza hospital. The Los Angeles Times issued a correction to a column from conservative Jonah Goldberg, noting that an earlier version of this column mentioned rape in the attacks, but such reports have not been substantiated. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran had helped plot the Hamas attack, but to this point the United States has said that while Iran has long supported the organization, theres no concrete evidence at this time of Irans direct involvement in the latest attacks. Iran, meanwhile, has dismissed the claim. In a televised address Wednesday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that men and women were were burned alive, young women were raped and soldiers were beheaded, while a Netanyahu spokesperson said earlier Wednesday that babies and toddlers were found decapitated, according to CNN, after the IDF had previously said it wouldn't be seeking further evidence of the claims. In response, Hamas spokesman and senior official Izzat al-Risheq claimed in a statement Wednesday that reports of members of the Palestinian resistance behead[ing] children and attack[ing] women were lies with no evidence to support them. Earlier Wednesday, rumors swirled that the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, was being evacuated, becoming so prevalent that the State Department issued a notice saying that wasnt true. How to avoid misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war Smoke billows from a fire following a rocket attack in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Wednesday. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images) Gordon Pennycook, a professor of psychology at Cornell who studies misinformation, said its important for users to just verify that you know something is accurate before sharing it. One way to do that is to check the credentials of who youre reading or listening to, as suggested by the Poynter Institutes Alex Mahadevan. There are a lot of self-proclaimed experts in Middle Eastern geopolitics on social media right now, writes Mahadevan. To sift through the noise, search for their name, the organization with which theyre affiliated, the university on their LinkedIn page and their username and scan results to gauge their expertise. If youre seeing a photo attached to a story thats not from an outlet or reporter you know, you can double-check its accuracy to determine if something is new and legitimate or if it has been repurposed from a previous news event. To do that, you can run the image through a service like Google reverse image search or TinEye. CNN reported that Israeli parents were urged to delete social media apps from their childrens phones to avoid the chance of seeing disturbing videos of hostages being taken. If you want to keep your social media apps but avoid being potentially exposed to violent imagery, you can change the settings on the apps so that videos no longer play automatically. The Washington Post has detailed instructions on how to do this for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X and WhatsApp. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the federal building in Westwood on Tuesday to show their support for Israel after the bloody incursion on Israeli soil by the militant group Hamas over the weekend. The rally, which was sponsored by StandWithUs, comes on the heels of a news conference held today at Los Angeles City Hall where councilmembers and leaders of the Jewish community stood side by side, describing the war as ethnic and religious violence and an attack on democracy everywhere. The surprise attack by Hamas by air, land and sea killed hundreds of Israeli citizens and soldiers, prompting Israels leaders to declare war and retaliate, bombarding the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The toll stands at some 1,800 dead on both sides, but that number is expected to grow. L.A. is home to the second largest Jewish community in the United States and the largest Israeli population outside of Israel. Hundreds rally in support of Israel in Westwood Its very possible that if you talk to a Jewish community member here in L.A., they do either have a relative or a close friend that is suffering right now. God forbid, that might be a death. That might be being called up now to serve in the Israeli Army Reserves or it might be hiding in a bomb shelter, Rachel Wallace with the Greater Jewish Federation of L.A. told KTLA 5. Live updates | Day 4 of the latest Israel-Palestinian war Earlier this afternoon, L.A. City Councilman Bob Blumenfield joined colleagues and Jewish leaders at the podium to show solidarity with Israel. This weekend we saw the largest killing of Jews since the Holocaust. For those with friends and family living in Israel, the pain is profound, and it is personal, the councilman said. We are seeing the unprovoked, deliberate killing of civilian Jews, men, women and children slaughtering people at a peace concert, raping and slaying families indiscriminately, hurling more than 3,000 rockets with no military objective other than to maim and kill innocent people, burning a child alive and posting it on social media. City leaders stressed that they are doing everything they can and are working with multiple law enforcement agencies to protect the Jewish community in Southern California. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Hungarian government has lifted the ban on the import of Ukrainian cane and beet sugar, which was introduced after 15 September 2023. Source: European Pravda, citing a decree of the Hungarian government Details: From now on, Ukrainian sugar can be freely imported to Hungary, as it has been removed from the list of products subject to the import ban. Earlier, Hungary decided to introduce its own, unilateral ban on the import of Ukrainian grain and some other products after 15 September despite the compromise found by the European Commission on the abolition of restrictions on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products. Hungary decided to close its borders to 24 types of Ukrainian products, including meat of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats as well as chicken meat; wheat, rye, barley, corn (and products made of them), vegetables, sugar and wine. Herewith, the ban did not concern the cargos that leave the territory of the country within 15 days and are considered as such that entered the territory of Hungary for transit. 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 most significant threat to nuclear safety is a direct attack" on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told The Guardian in an Oct. 10 interview. President Volodymyr Zelensky promised Grossi that Ukrainian troops would never launch such an attack in their efforts to liberate the facility from Russian occupation. President Zelensky has personally assured me that they will not directly bomb or shell it, Grossi said. He added that the president told him "all other options are on the table" for retaking the nuclear plant. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022. The IAEA has sent teams of inspectors to the facility since September 2022, though Russian administrators at the plant have not allowed monitors full access to requested units. Grossi has repeatedly warned that intensifying military activity around the plant poses grave risks to nuclear safety. Im often asked, is [the power station] safe now? No. Its in the middle of a war zone with a counteroffensive, he told The Guardian. The agency director also said that staff numbers at the ZNPP are "growing again" as more Russians are brought to the plant. Grossi said that despite difficulties with access and security, IAEA inspectors are still able to conduct safety evaluations. However, he said that a land war surrounding a nuclear reactor was an unprecedented situation. Ive had to cross the front line three times, and as a diplomat I was not expecting to do that in my career," Grossi said. Read also: Locals near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant brace for potential disaster: It would be the end of us Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A 23-year-old man could spend over two decades in prison after he attacked two people at a Caldwell gas station last year. Third District Judge Randall Grove on Tuesday sentenced Isaiah Magdaleno, of Caldwell, to 23 years in prison with the possibility of parole after 11 years, according to a news release from the Canyon County Prosecutors Office. Magdaleno pleaded guilty in June to two counts of aggravated battery and a single count of the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Three other felonies were dropped against him as part of a plea deal, according to online court records: burglary, rioting and an enhancement for criminal gang with a felony conviction Magdaleno who police say is a member of the Norteno gang was arrested in December 2022 after he attacked two rival gang members with a knife at a Chevron gas station, off of Freeport Street, according to the release and prior Idaho Statesman reporting. Authorities said Magdaleno attacked the two males, one of whom is a minor, while they were sitting in their parked car. The minor fled into the Chevron, and Magdaleno followed him and continued to stab him, according to the release. Both victims were stabbed several times, the release said. This was a senseless act of gang violence at a busy convenience store, witnessed by innocent members of the public, Canyon County Prosecutor Bryan Taylor said in the news release. The victims did nothing to provoke this and suffered significant injuries, which could have resulted in their deaths. The sentence imposed by Judge Grove sends a clear message to the community that this type of gang violence will not be tolerated. Magdaleno is also restricted from contacting the victim for 20 years, according to the release. Magdaleno is expected to pay court costs and reimburse his public defender. Syria aimed a number of launches at Israel on Tuesday evening, prompting Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to respond with shelling aimed at the launch site, the military said in a statement. A number of launches from Syria aimed for Israel were identified a short while ago. Part of the launches crossed into Israeli territory and presumably fell in open areas, the IDF said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. IDF soldiers are responding with artillery and mortar shells toward the origin of the launching in Syria, the IDF said in a subsequent statement on X. The attack comes after rockets from Lebanon also targeted northern Israel on Tuesday, and Iran-backed Hezbollah on Tuesday claimed credit for firing a guided missile at an Israeli tank, according to a statement reported by Reuters. Syrias reported move also follows an Axios report Monday that claimed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) warned Syria not to interfere in the Hamas-Israel war. The attacks from Syria and Lebanon come just three days after Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, launched the deadliest attack against Israel in its history, leaving more than 1,000 Israelis killed and an estimated 150 people taken hostage. As of Tuesday, Israel said it had regained control of the border with Gaza. Israel also called jp more than 300,000 reservists in the country to bolster defenses as it readies what is expected to be a ground attack in Gaza. Israel has launched air strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza that have resulted in more than 900 deaths, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli officials announced a siege on the Gaza Strip, effectively cutting off fuel, food, electricity and other supplies from entering. President Biden and his administration have pledged support to Israel and condemned the Hamas attacks as terrorism. National security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday compared Hamass brutality against Israelis to the tactics deployed by ISIS. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Reuters) -Illumina Inc said on Wednesday it will divest cancer test maker Grail as expeditiously as possible if the life sciences company loses either of the final appeals in U.S. or European courts. The company also said that if it wins both the cases, it will reassess Grail's assets, which might result in integrating or divesting part or the entire unit. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Illumina is expected to get an order from EU antitrust later this week to sell Grail, which develops blood-based early cancer detection tests. Illumina completed its $7.1 billion takeover of Grail in August 2021, despite opposition from the European and U.S. regulators, and was fined a record 432 million euros ($458.65 million) by the EU earlier this year over the deal. The deal was opposed on concerns that the takeover would stifle competition in the U.S. market, giving Illumina an incentive to cut off Grail's rivals from accessing the genetic testing company's technology to develop early cancer detection tests. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also ordered Illumina to divest Grail, which the San Diego, California-based company appealed against in June. The FTC, which enforces antitrust law in the United States, first filed a complaint in March 2021 to stop Illumina's bid for its former subsidiary, Grail. In 2016, Illumina had spun off Grail, and retained a 12% stake. ($1 = 0.9419 euros) (Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 I'm a Columbia University student and an Israel Defense Forces reservist. I immediately made plans to return to Israel following Hamas' attacks even before I got my official call-up. Shira Guez (right) is a 24-year-old Columbia University student and reservist in the Israeli Defense Force. Courtesy of Shira Guez/Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images Shira Guez, 24, an Israeli student at Columbia University, flew back to Israel on Monday night. Guez is a reservist in the Israeli Defense Forces and was preparing to return even before she was called up. She told Insider that she was horrified by images of children who were hurt in Hamas attacks. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shira Guez, a 24-year-old Israeli student at Columbia University who is also a reservist in the Israeli Defense Forces. She spoke to Insider from the airport on Monday about her decision to leave New York and go back to Israel after Hamas launched a wave of attacks in the country over the weekend. I've been at Columbia University for two years. I study computer science. I am also an Israeli Defense Forces reservist from Ashdod, Israel. It's a city in the South. I woke up on Saturday morning to a call from a friend and she told me there is a war. It's a serious war and from my personal experience, I feel we have never had something like this. It's like a movie. It takes me back to the Holocaust. One picture really touched me of a child who was kidnapped there. There is a lot of war and conflict around the world. But no matter what you are fighting about, no matter what the history is, there is no cause to make kids and women suffer. That, honestly, is what really affected me to go and fight in this war. There is no reason that civilians should not just be killed but suffer before. When I saw this image I said I don't know what I will do in Israel. I just will go and find out. Because I can't be in the States when this is a kid that could be my brother. There was no question I would volunteer. When I saw all those videos of what's happening, I said, I am so privileged to be here in New York and study computer science. But I can't do that. It felt to me like it would not be aligning with real life. On Saturday night, I sent a message to all my commanders and said I wanted to come back, even before I got my official call. For two years I was an officer in the military system and I know that I can contribute. I decided I would go even before I got called. I planned all my flights before I got the official call. And then this morning, I got called up. I will not do the duty I got called back for. I will do a duty that I volunteered to do. I will be at Pikud (home front military command) it is basically the largest unit the army has. Whenever there is a situation, we need to figure out who to call, whether it be medical people or fighters. I don't fear. I was eager to get back because I feel there is a need. My country needs me and I will do whatever there is a need for. I believe that when we stick to our values, we win and we win only because we really care about this. Every building that we bomb and every different action we do, it comes with a lot of thought about the right response. We don't know how long the war will last. I told my university I believe I will be back when it ends. A friend and I estimated it could be six months. But of course, there is no guarantee. I have always believed in peace. I came here to the United States because I wanted to be an ambassador. I came with zero English. I think that everyone can help. They just need to think about how. I have a song in the back of my head that there is a hope of peace for the next generation of kids. Read the original article on Business Insider TechCrunch Thursday on X (Twitter), all users saw the same pinned topic under the "What's happening?" sidebar. As part of a "timeline takeover" -- which gives advertisers "priority access to logged-in users' first impression of the day" -- conservative media nonprofit PragerU is promoting the hashtag "#DETRANS" to advertise its new film about "the stories of detransitioners." "PragerU has chosen X/Twitter specifically for this campaign, as it is one of the least censored social media platforms," the organization wrote in a press release. Over the past few weeks, a handful of extremist members of the Wisconsin State Legislature have been finding new ways to undermine Wisconsins democracy by threatening to impeach a newly elected Supreme Court justice and voting to oust Wisconsins nonpartisan top election official Meagan Wolfe. These legislators do not care that Justice Janet Protasiewicz was elected by over 55% of Wisconsin voters, an 11-point margin from her opponent. Theyve decided that they want to impeach her before she even has a chance to decide any cases simply because she could be the swing vote on a case that could return fair maps to Wisconsin for the first time since 2010. New voting maps could return democracy to the people of Wisconsin and make all legislative officials accountable to their constituents once again. This is something our democracy was built on, but certain extreme legislators see accountability to constituents as a road block for them to retain power. Wisconsin residents support abortion rights, legal marijuana Why are they afraid of losing power? Because some Wisconsin legislators ignore the will of voters on many key issues, knowing that gerrymandering will protect them from the consequences. For example, according to a Marquette Law School Poll, 69% of Wisconsin voters support weed legalization, but Wisconsin legislators refuse to legalize it. More opinion: Critical race theory ad with young Black father, daughter isn't what it claims Over the past decade, 60% of Wisconsinites, on average, have supported abortion being legal in all or most cases but Wisconsin legislators ignored that. In 2019, 80% of Wisconsin voters said they supported expanding background checks on all firearm sales, including private and online sales but Wisconsin legislators ignored that. Jon McCray Jones Instead of responding to Wisconsins voters' demands, earlier this year Wisconsin legislators passed a law that, with limited exceptions, prohibits a county or municipality from holding an advisory referendum, practically silencing Wisconsin voices in an official capacity. Wisconsin State Legislature ignores will of the majority Wisconsin is governed by a few legislators that are only accountable to a small percentage of their base. If the majority of the people in this state do not have a say over the laws and the people that represent them then democracy in Wisconsin is dead. Letters to the Editor: Voters have spoken on Wisconsin Supreme Court. GOP should stop impeach Protasiewicz talk. This is not about Protasiewicz, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, or even Wolfe; its about reviving democracy in Wisconsin and giving back power to the people. Tell your legislators that you want them to honor Wisconsin voters and put impeachment talks to rest. Jon McCray Jones is a policy analyst for the ACLU of Wisconsin. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Legislators ignore voters on abortion, weed laws and gun control A Vivo smartphone store as seen at a street in Kolkata, India. India's financial crimes agency has arrested a Chinese employee of smartphone maker Vivo, the firm said. Indian officials have not commented yet but Vivo said it "will exercise all available legal options" on behalf of its employee, Andrew Kuang. Authorities raided Vivo's office last year, accusing it of illegal remittances from India to China. It is the second-biggest smartphone brand in India, after Samsung, according to industry data. Vivo has denied any wrongdoing and said it complies with Indian law. The arrest comes on the back of a widening rift between India and China. Last week, Reuters reported that Indian police had formally accused Vivo of helping transfer funds illegally to NewsClick, a news portal that is under investigation on charges of spreading Chinese propaganda. Tuesday's arrest happened under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It is "a very stringent law and allows for criminal cases to be filed, unlike regular foreign exchange violations which are majorly considered civil offenses," according to Atul Pandey, Senior Partner at legal firm Khaitan. Vivo has also been accused of customs evasion by the tax enforcement agency. The firm is owned by China's BBK Electronics, which also operates brands such as Oppo and Realme in India. In the past 18 months, Indian authorities have also targeted other Chinese mobile phone companies such as Xiaomi by freezing $670m of assets. Earlier this year, India's minister of state for electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar told parliament that Chinese companies had evaded taxes to the tune of $1.1bn. He said the government had managed to recover only about 18% of this amount. Speaking to the BBC on the condition of anonymity, a senior legal counsel who represents several Chinese companies in India said that the crackdown was initially meant to put pressure on the Chinese government in the aftermath of a deadly border clash in 2020 that killed 24 soldiers. India had responded then by banning hundreds of Chinese apps, including TikTok. But subsequent investigations have led to major Chinese firms such as Xaomi and Oppo India being accused of financial crimes. Both firms have denied the allegations. Relations between the neighbours have deteriorated since, with India most recently registering "strong protest" over a new Chinese map that it said laid claim to its territory. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly. Most Read from Bloomberg An Indian crime investigating agency raided the office of an online news portal and the home of its founder, according to people familiar with the matter, as a crackdown intensifies against a media outlet critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation raided NewsClicks office and founder Prabir Purkayasthas home in New Delhi on Wednesday morning, said the people who asked not to be identified as the matter is sensitive. The agency filed a case against the media outlet on allegations of improper foreign funding, they added. The Press Trust of India first reported on the raid. This second round comes after local police searched the NewsClick office and homes of reporters last week. Purkayastha and another employee were arrested under sweeping anti-terrorism laws and have remained under custody since. India has used investigative agencies and a raft of laws, including anti-terrorism, to intimidate and punish reporters since Modi took office nearly a decade ago. The South Asian nation fell to 161st of 180 countries and territories in a 2023 press freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders, a press advocacy group. The CBI said in a statement that theres an investigation into illegal foreign funding but stopped short of identifying the news organization. India previously accused NewsClick of having funding ties to China, which it denies. NewsClick came into prominence two years ago with its reporting of the farmer protests against government plans to liberalize the agriculture sector, the clashes between the Hindus and Muslims in Delhi, and Indias response to the pandemic. In 2021, the authorities raided NewsClicks office and the homes of seven staff members for what they described as improper foreign investments. The online publication called the allegations at the time misleading, unfounded and without basis in fact or law. This year, the New York Times described NewsClick as an organization allegedly being used for Chinese propaganda overseas. Indias Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said at the time the media outlet was being funded by Beijing. (Updates with CBI statement in paragraph five.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Noted Author and Activist Of India Arundhati Roy reaches Jamia to show solidarity with Students and participated in Anti CAA Protests in New Delhi, India, on January 11 2020. Credit - Nasir KachrooNurPhoto/Getty Images Amid growing concerns surrounding Indias declining free speech, renowned author Arundhati Roy has been charged for public comments she made thirteen years ago about Kashmir, widely regarded as a disputed territory. Indian media reported Tuesday that VK Saxena, the lieutenant governor of Delhi, said there is sufficient evidence to charge Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a Kashmiri law professor, as part of a 2010 complaint that accused them and two others of sedition. Roy has long been a critic of Indias Prime Minister Narandra Modi and some experts say the case is an effort to silence her. Roywho became Indias first citizen to win the prestigious Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel The God of Small Thingsand Hussain have been charged by Indian authorities with offenses related to provocative speech and the promotion of enmity between groups. According to the New York Times, Hussain said he was not formally made aware of the charges, while Roy told the publication she would speak to her lawyer before discussing the case. Two other co-defendants Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a Kashmiri separatist leader, and Syed Abdul Rahman Geelani, a professor, have died since the original complaint. The original complaint was brought by a right-wing Kashmiri Hindu activist against speakers at a conference titled Freedom the Only Way. The activist claimed that Roys speech, and a number of others, jeopardized public peace and security by advocating for the separation of Kashmir from India. Kashmir, an Indian-administered territory home to a Muslim majority, is a hugely controversial topic as India and Pakistan both claim its land in its entirety. The two nations have fought two wars and continue to engage in countless skirmishes over control of the territory. During her speech, Roy recalled an incident where she was pressured by a television reporter to answer the question, Is Kashmir an integral part of India? According to video footage of the event, she told the audience: So, I said, look, Kashmir has never been an integral part of India. However aggressively and however often you want to ask me that, even the Indian government has accepted that it is not an integral part of India. In the immediate aftermath of Roys comments, her Dehli home was swarmed with protesters. Tensions surrounding Kashmir were particularly high at the time, following the death of a teenage boy who was hit with a tear-gas canister by Indian forces. The death caused outrage in Kashmir and ignited a year of protest action that saw 120 demonstrators die. A number of high profile literary and legal figures have since expressed concern over Roys charges, calling out Modi for the decision. Message to @narendramodi: Hands Off #ArundhatiRoy! You have no idea what you will unleash is [sic] you pursue this political prosecution aimed at silencing your most eloquent critic. She is a hero to millions and we see you, writer Naomi Klein posted on X on Tuesday. Indian poet Meena Kandasamy, who also criticized Modi and the decision on X, tells TIME, For a case like that to be revived a dozen years after it was clamped against [Roy] shows the extent of their desperation. She adds, It is not only a punishment to Roy, but a deterrent deployed against India's radical writers. It is the regime's way of saying-we have contained herdo you dare to speak? If convicted of sedition under Indias draconian sedition law, Roy could face punishment ranging from a fine to life imprisonment. The case comes amid a government crackdown on freedom of expression under Modi. Since 2014, the South Asian nation has dropped from 150 to 161 in this years media freedom rankings by Reporters Without Borders, which orders 180 countries in total. Meanwhile, the homes and offices of journalists linked to online publication NewsClick, a prominent critic of the government, were raided in early October. On Tuesday, NewsClicks founder Prabir Purkayastha, and another person associated with the site were denied bail after facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, a stringent antiterrorism law. Similarly, BBC offices in India were raided by tax officials in February in the wake of a documentary that outlined Modis involvement in Gujarats 2002 religious riots that left over 1,000 people dead. What Modi's regime has managed has been to make the entire media landscape into a lapdog media, a pitiable pliant media. The few journalists who did not cower were forced to leave their jobs, says Kandasamy. She adds that the space for critics to safely critique the government is depleting. What is brilliant about Roy is that she never needed this traditional media, this crony-capitalist, pro-regime corporate media in order to be heard. They cannot stage-manage her, they cannot contain the PR damage that her criticism will inflict, Kandasamy says. Write to Armani Syed at armani.syed@time.com. Indian Harbour Beach police have questioned the driver in a fatal traffic crash involving a pedestrian struck by a pickup truck while walking in a crosswalk over the weekend. The crash happened about 3 p.m. Saturday on South Patrick Drive near the exit from the Pinch-A-Penny pool supply store at 284 Eau Gallie Blvd., police reported. No charges have been filed in the case. The pedestrian, identified as Indian Harbour Beach resident Michael Miller, was treated by paramedics at the scene and transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, where he was later pronounced dead, reports show. The driver has not been identified. Its an ongoing, active criminal investigation, so the records are not releasable, said Jeannie Hoffhine, director of the records office for the Indian Harbour Police Department. "The driver's name is not releasable; it's protected from release because it's part of a criminal investigation," Hoffhine said of the traffic homicide case. Indian Harbour Police are investigating deadly crash involving pedestrian. Florida's public records law allows for each agency to use discretion in the release of non-exempt information in an ongoing investigation. More: Cocoa Beach police investigate suspicious death after body found in Banana River Police said the unidentified driver was traveling in his Toyota Tundra pickup and was attempting to exit the Pinch-A- Penny parking lot when Miller was struck in the crosswalk. The driver, an Indian Harbour Beach resident, gave a statement and was cooperative, police said. J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jdgallop@floridatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Police investigate death of pedestrian in Indian Harbour Beach crosswalk Pennsylvania state police said the mass shooting at a party near Indiana University of Pennsylvanias campus left several people who were not intended targets injured. PHOTOS: Pennsylvania State Police investigate mass shooting in Indiana County According to state police, investigators believe shots may have been fired after a confrontation between several people inside the building. Its not known at this time if these people were invited guests to the party. RELATED >> Indiana County mass shooting: 1 killed, at least 8 hurt during party at community center State police also said people not involved in the confrontation were hit by gunfire. Jamar Montae Porterfield Herriot, 22, from Homestead, was identified as the person killed in the shooting. Eight others, aged 18 to 23, were injured. RELATED >> Coroner identifies man killed in mass shooting at Indiana County community center An 18-year-old from Chicago is still listed in critical condition but is expected to survive. The other victims were last reported in stable condition and have been treated and released. RELATED >> Father describes terrifying phone call from daughter during mass shooting at Indiana County party At this time, state police have not released anymore information on potential gunmen except they believe there is more than one. On Wednesday, White Township supervisors held their first meeting since the shooting. They praised the quick response by State Police to the scene, and said its hard to prevent something like this from happening. There isnt anybody to blame as far as Im concerned but the perpetrator or perpetrators, said Supervisor Gail McCauley. You cannot make people behave well. If you do know any information, there is a $15,000 reward for an arrest. Anonymous tips may also be submitted via the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers website, www.crimewatchpa.com/crimestoppers. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: $1K a week for life winning lottery ticket sold at local Sheetz Pennsylvania state police searching for missing woman, her 9-month-old baby 2 people charged after stolen car fled traffic stop, led police on chase in Ross Township VIDEO: New website offers information on topics like safety, economy in Downtown Pittsburgh DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts MUNCIE, Ind. (WXIN) Police claimed an Indiana woman didnt think it was a big deal when she stole a Kia from a car dealership in order to drive to Indianapolis for a job interview to be an exotic dancer. According to court documents, 20-year-old Kasia Shelton, of Muncie, acted like this whole thing was a joke and did not understand what she was going to be arrested for after police tracked her down and questioned her about the stolen car. Police learned of the theft on Monday, after an employee at a Muncie car dealership called to report a 2013 Kia Optima was stolen from the lot. Metro police arrest man who allegedly left wallet in stolen car The employee told officers that Shelton came to the dealership and asked to look at the 2013 Kia Optima. The employee had been preparing the car for a test drive but said the phone kept ringing, though he said no one was ever on the other end of the line when he answered. The employee reportedly told Shelton to wait a moment while he answered the phone yet again, but Shelton allegedly drove off in the Kia. According to the documents, police used surveillance cameras to track the stolen car and spotted it going south toward Indianapolis and then later returning to Muncie. Police connected Shelton to the car theft because she reportedly filled out a form on the dealerships website to buy another vehicle prior to stealing the Kia. Officers went to Sheltons home where she initially lied to officers about her identity, according to police. Court documents reveal that Shelton admitted to stealing the car after police informed her that they knew who she was and what she had done. 10 people arrested for selling nitrous oxide balloons outside concert in downtown Nashville Shelton reportedly told police she stole the Kia in order to drive to Indianapolis for an exotic dancer job interview. She didnt understand what the big deal was, since she returned the vehicle later. Shelton returned the vehicle by dropping it off in the parking lot of a mall located next door to the dealership she took it from and leaving the keys in the Kia, court documents detail. According to the investigator who interviewed Shelton, Shelton did not understand what she was going to be arrested for since she did not have the vehicle any longer. Shelton was arrested on preliminary charges of auto theft and identity deception, both felonies, and faces up to two and a half years in prison if convicted. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong statement expressing solidarity with Israel in a significant diplomatic moment for a country that has historically taken a more neutral position in international conflicts, including the ongoing Ukraine war. The brutal assault by Hamas on Israeli civilians and Israels intense retaliation on Gazans is being exploited by online rightwing factions in India to perpetuate their own nationalist anti-Muslim propaganda. Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus close bond has often been described as a bromance, writes Kavita Chowdhury for The Diplomat. India historically did not consider itself an ally of Israel, and diplomatic relations were not established until 1992 because many anti-colonial Indian leaders sympathized with the Palestinian cause, viewing their struggles as a consequence of British imperialism. But that resistance changed in 2014 with the election of Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party and its Hindu nationalist followers champion Israels exclusionist policies toward Palestinian Muslims. They also want India to mirror the Israeli model of a muscular military state, Chowdhary argues. Hindu nationalists sympathize with the religious significance of Israeli sovereignty, but many proponents of Hindutva have also historically admired Nazis, Siddharth Kapila writes for left-leaning Indian outlet The Wire. Some Hindu nationalist leaders have proposed using Nazi exclusionary policies against Jews as a way to purge India of Muslims, Kapila writes, with some of those ideas being subtly enshrined in national policies. Indias 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, which accelerated the naturalization process for millions of non-Muslim refugees, was deeply reminiscent of the Nuremberg Laws whereby the Nazis revoked Reich citizenship for Jews, Kapila argues. Rightwing Hindu groups and trolls are flooding social media with misinformation about the fighting in Israel and Gaza, branding themselves as the digital champions" of Israel, according to regional Indian newspaper Siasat Daily. Several posts showing old footage of ISIS attacks and beheadings were purported as Hamass attacks on Israel and used to inflame anti-Muslim sentiment in India. Its a concerning development that amplifies the polarizing tactics employed by these groups, which can have severe implications for communal harmony and national unity, a former sociology professor told the paper. TOKYO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government on Wednesday said it plans to step up the reduction and replacement of cedar and cypress trees, a source of pollen known to trigger hay fever which causes allergies for millions of people in Japan. The government would initially focus on areas ringing major cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka, and cut down 70,000 hectares of forest annually over the next 10 years, higher than the current annual removal rate of 50,000 hectares, according to a hay fever-themed ministerial meeting held at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Wednesday. The package compiled at the meeting also included initiatives to introduce machines that can chop down trees more efficiently, improve cedar timber distribution facilities and create a system for releasing data regarding the use of domestic timber among home builders within fiscal year 2023, national news agency Kyodo reported. Regarding the use of immunotherapy medicines for alleviating allergy symptoms, the government will work on securing raw materials and help increase production to ensure sufficient supply for 500,000 people from 2025 onward, up from the current 250,000, the report added. Earlier in May, the government unveiled measures against hay fever consisting of allergy prevention, pollen forecasts and treatment. It plans to reduce the total area covered with cedar trees by around 20 percent in the next 10 years. Hay fever, referred to as "kafunsho" in Japan and in most cases cedar pollen allergies, has been a long-standing seasonal concern. Cedar trees, primarily Cryptomeria japonica, release copious amounts of pollen during the spring months, leading to allergic reactions and respiratory issues in many people. Maria Butina, the notorious Russian agent who admitted to working with her American ex-boyfriend to infiltrate U.S. political circles, is finally speaking out about her whirlwind romance with conservative operative Paul Erickson. Five years after her confessionin which she admitted to trying to establish unofficial lines of communication with Americans having power and influence over U.S. politics, according to her plea dealButina is living large as a media personality and Duma member back in Russia. She was deported from the U.S. in 2019, after serving a fraction of her prison sentence for conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent. Since then, the 34-year-old has emerged as a prominent advocate for the Russian war effort in Ukraine, lambasted by some as a Kremlin propagandist. In an interview with the Infamous podcast set for release Thursdaya transcript of which has been shared exclusively with The Daily BeastButina lamented the downfall of her five-year relationship with Erickson, who had allegedly helped the Russian agent establish connections with the National Rifle Association through his ties to the organization. It still hurts, Butina told Infamous host Paul Glader. You love a person, youre about to get married to a person who knows your parents and is so nice [and he] turns out to be a monster. Erickson, 61, was never charged with a crime in connection with the Butina case. In 2020, however, he was accused of running a fraudulent, years-long investment scheme linked to home-building projects in North Dakota. He pleaded guilty to the charges, and was handed a seven-year prison sentenceonly to be pardoned by then-President Donald Trump less than a year later. In her interview, Butina accused Erickson of spending thousands of dollars from her Russian bank account on himself while she was in prisonmoney she said was sent to her account by her parents to help pay for her legal fees. The Daily Beast made multiple attempts to reach Paul Erickson for comment on this story, but has not heard back by time of publication. Not Very Nice He actually used my card because all his credit cards were blocked because of his FBI case. So they blocked everything, she said. I am his girlfriend. I am in jail. Im in solitary confinement facing 15 years. And with no questions asked. He didnt ask me, my parents, he just takes this money, she went on. The Daily Beast has not been able to independently verify the claims made by Butina, who said she only found out about the alleged spending splurge after asking Erickson for bank documents that she needed for the legal case. She claimed he failed to deliver the documents despite being repeatedly asked to. Well, eventually my sister contacted my lawyer and she delivered this piece of paper to the lawyer and I saw all the payments, she said, later adding that: I made the decision after your podcast came out to tell the truth, because honestly, I dont think hes gonna stop. I dont think he got his lesson, I think by being pardoned. GOP Felon Dishes About Ex-Lover, Russian Spy Maria Butina Butina was referring to a previous episode of Infamous that had been shared with The Daily Beast in advance of its release, which included an interview with Erickson, who appeared to have fonder memories of Butina than she did of him. The ultimate insult of her travails in the United States was that not only was she not a spy until she was treated harshly by the justice system, she was once a potentially future ally to America in global relations in a post-Putin world, Erickson said in his interview, which was released in May. The governments charge against her was so flimsy, he added in defense of his ex-girlfriend. She was a reformer, an enemy of the state, Top 10 dissident. Speaking of their eventual split, Erikson had alleged that it was just too difficult for them to continue their relationship given the legal issues that plagued the couple. When my arrest happened we just said, right, this is farewell for now, until we didnt know when, if ever. Because we couldnt, he said in the January 2021 interview. Every communication, everything would have been monitored or used against her or against me. Butina, however, appears to have a different perspective on the downfall of their relationship. By taking and spending money for himself that were actually for my lawyers, for my defense, its not very nice. So do I see it as a betrayal? Absolutely do. And thats the most painful betrayal in my life, she said. Despite having moved on with her life back in Russia, where she serves as a member of parliament and frequents Russian state media shows, Butina said in her interview that she still cannot process the two people I know, referring to Erickson. The person I knew during my five years of dating him, and the person who lied to me when I was in prison. You can listen to the Infamous podcast here. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. By Jonathan Landay and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Iran likely knew that Palestinian Hamas militants were planning "operations against Israel" but initial U.S. intelligence reports show that some Iranian leaders were surprised by the Islamist group's unprecedented attack from Gaza, U.S. sources said on Wednesday. Those Iranian officials would ordinarily have been informed about such a massive operation by Hamas, which Tehran has long supported with weapons and funds, according to a person familiar with the intelligence. A U.S. official said, however, that Iran, Israel's regional arch-foe, had likely been aware that Hamas was planning to take action against Israel "but without the precise timing or scope of what occurred" last weekend. White House spokesman John Kirby reiterated on Wednesday in an MSNBC interview that Iran was complicit because of its longtime ties to Hamas but "we haven't seen anything that cites specific support to this specific set of attacks." Iran lauded the multi-pronged assault that the militants carried out from Gaza on Saturday, killing more than a thousand Israelis and abducting dozens more, but has denied any involvement. The New York Times was the first to report that the U.S. had collected multiple pieces of intelligence showing that key Iranian leaders did not know the attack was coming and were caught by surprise. The source familiar with the intelligence told Reuters that U.S. intelligence agencies were still digging for any evidence of Iranian involvement as well as reviewing older intelligence for clues. The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the investigation was ongoing and it was "premature to draw any final conclusion." "We will be looking at additional intelligence in the coming weeks to inform our thinking on this issue, including whether there were at least some within their system that either had a clearer sense of what was coming or even contributed to aspects of the planning," the official said. In Brussels on Wednesday, General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. military had yet to see any sign that other Israeli adversaries were preparing to move against Israel following the Hamas attack. He had earlier warned Iran not to get involved in the crisis. Some outside analysts have said Iran could be emboldened to step up its long-running shadow war with Israel after seeing a militant raid pierce the Israeli militarys reputation of invincibility, and use its regional proxies to target U.S. interests in the region. Israeli forces continued to pound Hamas-ruled Gaza on Wednesday seeking to root out militants and deployed forces north of the densely populated Palestinian enclave for a possible ground offensive. Israel's death toll rose to 1,200 with over 2,700 wounded, its military said, from the militants' hours-long rampage after breaching the border fence enclosing Gaza on Saturday. Retaliatory Israeli strikes have killed 1,055 people and wounded more than 5,100, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Matt Spetalnick; writing by Matt Spetalnick and Jasper Ward; Editing by Howard Goller and Jonathan Oatis) Security forces gather outside the Tacumbu prison as a fire burns inside (Norberto DUARTE) Inmates at Paraguay's largest prison on Wednesday freed 22 guards they had taken hostage during a riot that left one person dead. Hundreds of inmates set alight mattresses and lobbed rocks at officers from the roof of the overcrowded Tacumbu jail during the riot, which began Tuesday and ended after negotiations with authorities. The guards were held hostage for 15 hours, and dozens of women who had come to visit relatives were also trapped inside during the unrest. Police said a 26-year-old prisoner had been found dead during the clean-up of the penitentiary, with deep slashes to his abdomen. "Order has been restored," President Santiago Pena told a press conference. "Rest assured that the government's response will be firm. We have the resources and the capacity." Tacumbu prison houses around 3,000 inmates, or six times the capacity it was built for, criminologist Juan Martens told AFP. Pena admitted the crisis was due to overpopulation in the prison, with 1,600 residents awaiting or undergoing trial. "The case of Tacumbu prison is not new," he said, vowing to accelerate the construction and completion of three new prisons in the country. "Much of the crime that is committed in the streets is related to the problem of prison policy," said Pena. Police have not said what the negotiations with the inmates entailed, although one of the prisoners' demands was the resignation of Justice Minister Angel Barchini. The violence comes after the minister last week announced a plan "to regain power in the penitentiary centers," where the Rotela Clan and Brazilian gangs reign supreme. Barchini had warned that the plan would "cost human lives." Paraguay, a country of 6.5 million inhabitants, has around 16,000 inmates spread across 18 prisons. hro/gm/mtp/fb/md Being a homeowner in 2023 is already challenging, from a high cost of living to a lack of affordable housing in the real estate market. But thanks to extreme weather events, owning (and insuring) a home is becoming even more expensive. When an individual purchases insurance, the company bets on the idea that it will make more money off the deal than it will pay out. But in an unstable climate in which severe weather events are becoming more and more common, insurance companies are in a losing battle. To offset the costs, the companies raise the premiums, meaning that homeowners will pay more for policies than ever before. A set of maps created by Axios with data from a First Street Foundation study reveals that about 12 million properties across the country should expect possibly higher insurance premiums because of flooding, 24 million because of possible wind damage, and about 4.4 million because of wildfire risk. Areas with the most flood, wildfire, and wind risk are expected to see the highest bumps including vulnerable states like the Carolinas, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and California. About 12 million properties may see premium hikes because of the risk of flooding, nearly 24 million because of potential wind damage, and about 4.4 million because of wildfire risk, per estimates from the First Street Foundation, a climate data nonprofit. https://t.co/Jn8JB3JFqf Axios (@axios) October 1, 2023 About 640,000 of these price hikes are expected to impact those with delinquent mortgages, increasing the risk of default. Many insurance companies across the United States have announced that they will be increasing their rates or backing out of insuring policyholders altogether because of the higher risk proposed by climate change. Farmers Insurance joined three other insurance companies in announcing that it will not offer policies to residents living in Florida as of July 2023. Similarly, State Farm announced it would not cover new policyholders in California, which has made it more difficult for homeowners to find insurance let alone affordable policies. However, the rate hikes (and impending danger of human-caused weather events) have not discouraged some from flocking to disaster-prone areas; Redfin reported a 103% increase in immigration to these areas between 2019 and 2020, as Bloomberg reported. Some states have instituted policies to cap rate hikes to stop insurance hikes. The California state law, for example, forbids private insurance companies from raising rates more than 7% annually but public insurance companies do not share the same standard. California also announced that it will allow companies to factor climate risks into policy prices, which was made to prevent companies from leaving the state. However, there is very little protection for homeowners on these price hikes otherwise. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. FILE - Jenny Beth Martin, president and co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots speaks during a rally organized by Tea Party Patriots on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 9, 2015. Dysfunction within the Republican Party isn't limited to the leadership chaos in the House of Representatives playing out in the nation's capital. The hard-right forces that increasingly steer the direction of the GOP also have gained strength in numerous state legislatures, making it virtually impossible for the party to effectively governor even in states where it has the majority. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) After Ohio Republicans bolstered their statehouse majority last year due to their dominating showing in the midterm elections, they split into rival camps over who should lead the lower chamber. The division between younger, more impatient conservatives and more traditional ones was only settled when Democrats crossed party lines to end a standoff over who would become speaker of the Ohio House. Since then, despite their power over all levels of state government, Ohio Republicans have been convulsed by infighting as party leaders censured everyone who had voted for their new speaker, Republican Jason Stephens. Amid the divisions, the Legislature managed to pass only 10 bills this year. Childish would be my word, said Republican state Rep. Sara Carruthers of her colleagues who persist in opposing the speaker and even slapped him with a lawsuit. Were on the right path, doing the right things, wanting to get good legislation passed and he's helping them do that. And then, bam, it blows up. From Columbus to Phoenix to the halls of Congress, the Republican Party has been stuck in a prolonged internal conflict, with power struggles and primary challenges becoming as much of a GOP staple as tax cuts and tough-on-crime rhetoric. In Michigan, the chair of one county party told police he was kicked in the crotch by a rival during a party meeting. In Arizona, Democrats last year swept four statewide races after insurgent Republicans won their party's nomination. In Texas, the Republican attorney general, after successfully fighting off removal from office following his impeachment by the GOP-controlled state House, this week suggested he could request criminal charges against some in his own party for allegedly violating state privacy laws. The party scuffling peaked last week when a small group of conservative U.S. House members banded with Democrats to depose Speaker Kevin McCarthy, leaving the post vacant just as war broke out in the Middle East. The internal tussle over who will become House speaker a position that is second in the constitutional line of succession to the presidency exemplifies the perpetual chaos inside GOP ranks. McCarthy was the fifth member of his party to hold the speaker's position in the 19 years the GOP has controlled the House of Representatives since 1995, and the first to be ousted in a vote. In contrast, during the eight years Democrats controlled the House during that time, they had a single speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Democrats have plenty of their own internal conflicts too currently New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has rebuffed calls from some inside his party to step down after his indictment on corruption charges last month, triggering multiple primary challenges. But Democrats have seen nothing like the perennial GOP internal clashes. Republicans have had an aggressive wing of activists who have challenged the establishment ever since former congressman Newt Gingrich moved from being a congressional backbencher to House speaker in 1995, after he targeted members of his own conference for not being conservative enough. On the right, there's been a push, certainly since the Tea Party movement, to shift how Washington operates, said Jenny Beth Martin, a veteran activist who runs Tea Party Patriots Action, which has repeatedly clashed with the GOP establishment. To get a shift like that to happen, you need to push against the people on your side who support the status quo before you confront the other side. Many Republican politicians also cite a media environment, especially on the right, that rewards polarizing, grievance-filled rhetoric. On Monday, McCarthy blamed his ouster on "a few individuals that love a camera more than they love the American public. But, in the end, the conflict comes from the party's base. Repeated polls have shown Republican voters are more opposed to compromise than Democratic ones, laying the groundwork for repeated struggles. You have a party consisting of constituencies that see themselves as under siege white Christians who see a country that is less white Christian, working-class people who see a country where all advantages go to the college-educated, said Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College in California. In contrast, Democratic constituencies immigrants and their children, African Americans and younger college graduates see themselves as having brighter prospects. It's the coalition of the ascendant versus the coalition of the resentful, Pitney said. The fight played out nationally in 2022, as a wave of insurgent Republican candidates, often backed by former President Donald Trump, beat party picks in key swing state primaries, only to fall short on Election Day. Most dramatically, in Arizona, insurgent Republicans who castigated the more moderate members of their own party who had once supported the late Sen. John McCain won nominations for governor, U.S. Senate, secretary of state and attorney general. All of them lost to Democrats last November. Arizona is one of several states where hardline activists forced out established Republican leaders as the party struggled in elections. That also happened in Michigan, where activists only increased their hold on the state party after a disastrous midterm cycle when their own insurgent candidates got crushed by Democrats. One of those candidates, secretary of state nominee Kristina Karamo, became party chair as feuding became so intense that a physical fight broke out at a party gathering earlier this year. In Ohio, some contend the Republican dysfunction is a product of the party's new dominance in the state. Its easy to agree and compromise when you need each other to overcome the Democrats, said Ryan Stubenrach, a GOP strategist in the state. But when there are no real Democrats in power, you dont have to agree with each other and you start fighting with each other. It's not just the House speakership that's pitted Republican against Republican. After the state supreme court rejected seven rounds of new legislative and congressional maps as illegally favoring the GOP, some legislative Republicans threatened to impeach then-Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a member of their own party who had cast key swing votes in the cases. When the state redistricting commission reconvened last month to fix the maps, business was stymied for days by Republican infighting over who should be the panel's co-chair. This is a civil war that has been happening since 2015, said David B. Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Akrons Bliss Institute of Applied Politics. It began in earnest when Donald Trump entered the fray and when he became the party's nominee. Then, when he became president, there was a transformation that took hold across the country and a lot of old-school Republicans were forced out. Carruthers said she ran for state office to pass policies that would improve the state, but the party feuding is getting in the way. Nobody gets 100% of what they want. You have to negotiate," she said. And its not that were doing liberal bills, I mean, my god. But it's still not good enough. ___ Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan, contributed to this report. Participants of the International Donor Conference on Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine pledged almost 500 million euros ($530 million) to Kyiv in demining assistance, the Croatian news agency HINA reported on Oct. 11, citing Croatia's Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic. The two-day conference that started in Zagreb on Oct. 11 serves as a platform for Kyiv's partners to mobilize resources for Ukraine's recovery efforts with a particular focus on humanitarian demining. On Oct. 10, Croatia signed a bilateral agreement with Ukraine on joint demining operations in the war-torn country. Specifics of the agreement included the transfer of technical expertise and special safety equipment, as well as educational programs for civilians and capability development. Croatia has also disbursed over $1 million for demining operations in Ukraine. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on March 1 that nearly one-third of Ukraine's territory had been mined since the start of the full-scale invasion. According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, 250 people have been killed by mines in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war, and over 500 have been injured or maimed. The State Emergency Service earlier reported that after the end of the war, Ukraine would need at least 10 years to demine its territory. Read also: Russia is covering Ukraine with landmines. Clearing them will be extremely difficult Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The twin babies of Itay and Hadar Berdichevsky, who were murdered by Hamas thugs, are now orphans - Facebook Several years ago, I was chairing a panel of writers talking about motherhood when an Orthodox Jewish author made an observation I have never forgotten. Twins were not viewed as a blessing in her community, Sally said. Why? Because when they come for you, its too hard to pick up both of them and run. The other mums on the panel were stunned into silence. When they come for you, the Jewish mother said, not if. On Saturday October 7, Itay and Hadar Berdichevsky realised that they had come for them. Gunmen were breaking down the door of their house in a kibbutz not far from the border with Gaza. The couple, both aged 30, placed their 10-month-old twins in a secure place. In their panic and dread, with seconds to spare, the parents locked away their treasures for safekeeping. Itay and Hadar were murdered by Hamas thugs. Twelve hours later, Israeli soldiers (IDF) found the two babies in their hiding place. They were alive, but they were orphans; the mother and father, who spent their last minutes on earth protecting them, were gone. In the five days since Hamass monstrous attack on Israel, we have heard many such devastating stories, flinched at graphic videos like the one of the battered young woman meekly being bundled into a Jeep, her jogging pants full of blood. Such images make you feel physically sick. But watching the TV news, and listening to the radio, I notice how quickly certain broadcasters prefer to move the conversation on from these so-called unimaginable traumatic events to the plight of the Palestinians. (In particular, Jeremy Bowen, the BBCs International Editor, has provoked the ire of some British Jews with his flinty lack of compassion for Israels sorrow). With indecent haste, before the 900-plus victims have even been laid to rest, reporters seek the opinions of extremists who are permitted to explain that mass murder, rape and the abduction of children and ladies in their 80s are somehow justified because the Palestinians are oppressed. One Hamas representative actually told Radio 4s World at One that his side had not killed any civilians. Would presenter Sarah Montague have interviewed the head of an Einsatzgruppen Nazi death squad in 1943 to provide similar balance? Just imagine: Some critics claim youre implementing a thing called the Final Solution, Commander? Sorry, Sarah, I think youll find all our actions have been proportionate. To Montagues credit, she responded to her interviewees grotesque falsehood with stony fury, but he should never have been given a platform to spew out his propaganda in the first place. Does a nervous media want to move on quickly from the war crimes committed by Hamas to avoid riling those who, quite appallingly, have taken to the streets in London to show their support for those Islamist fiends? I definitely think thats part of it, yes. Which is why its vital that the atrocities are shared on social media, and go on being shared and talked about, so everyone understands why Jews feel as they do right now and why the action that the IDF is about to take in Gaza is justified. Some sins are so evil that they cry to Heaven for vengeance. The fact that the atrocities in Israel are horrible to contemplate does not make them unimaginable. They are frighteningly easy to imagine actually. All we have to do is think of our own young adult children, or grandchildren, having the time of their lives at Supernova, an outdoor trance festival, when the milky, early-morning sky is suddenly speckled with black dots a demonic squadron of paragliding Hamas terrorists. Its the start of a horror film, only the kids at Supernova (a journey of unity and love) dont know it yet. Lovely girls lift their hands above their heads, long dark hair and willowy bodies swaying dreamily under twinkling fairy lights. The drone of the invaders is drowned out by the thump of the music so they keep on dancing and laughing. The slaughter that is about to be unleashed upon them will enter the history books. The aftermath of the Hamas attack on the Supernova music festival in southern Israel Never forget. The Supernova Massacre saw the murder of at least 260 young Israelis. They were hunted down and shot like game, stumbling across the desert in their clubbing gear, bullets felling their friends, clinging to the roofs of speeding cars, hiding for six hours in a forest. Those who werent dead played dead. One shaken guy said he covered himself in blood from the bodies around him; a ruse his great-grandparents generation used if one happened to survive after an entire village in Poland was machine-gunned into a pit by the SS. Are survival tactics, like hatred, hereditary? One survivor who returned to the festival site to look for his girlfriend found defiled, half-naked corpses, many shot at point-blank range. Body bags containing those dreamy young dancers are piled high on top of each other in a party marquee. Parents have sent hairbrushes and toothbrushes so their mutilated darlings can be identified by their DNA. For some reason, that particular detail wrecks me. Never forget. Another festival-goer, Shani Louk, a 23-year-old German-Israeli, was identified by her dreadlocks. A Hamas victory video featured Shanis almost-naked body, flung like a carcass on the back of a pick-up truck, the boot of one of her machine-gun-toting tormentors resting on her flank. Another brute pulled Shanis head up by her hair and spat on her. Proudly they drove to Gaza to show off the spoils of war. Allahu Akbar! the gang chanted jubilantly. If God is great,would he really give his blessing to the violation of helpless young females? Shani Louk, 23, is a dual German-Israeli citizen, according to reports - Instagram Whatever the apologists may say, this was not a case of soldiers engaging the enemy with some regrettable civilian casualties. Hamas targeted women and children, in one case live-streaming the killing of a grandmother on Facebook so her horrified family could see her lying in her own blood. Another video shows a bewildered little girl (she cant be more than two or three) with a mop of curls and eyes like chocolate buttons, staring at the Arab who has taken her hostage. Her beseeching eyes seem to say, Youre not my Daddy. Any civilised country must surely recoil at such cruelty. At least you would hope so, but unfortunately the Barbarians dwell among us and our country is grown so weak and pathetic that the Barbarians must be appeased in the name of diversity and cultural sensitivity. On Monday night, while Rishi Sunak was taking a robust and much-appreciated stand at Finchley United Synagogue, alongside the Chief Rabbi, with a plain-speaking approach the BBC would do well to emulate (They are not militants. They are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists!), thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators staged a rally outside the Israeli embassy. It was a dismaying sight, repellent in its callousness. A young Jewish woman I know attempted to reach the embassy to show her solidarity, but she was terrified and driven away. Guidance from the Metropolitan Police on this matter was so bland it amounted to a surrender IOU. We are engaging with protesters in Kensington High Street We encourage those taking part to do so safely and responsibly, burbled our capitals police force, Do not put yourself or others at risk of injury by climbing street furniture or buildings. Officers will take action if any criminal activity occurs. Itay and Hadar Berdichevsky placed their 10-month-old twins in a secure place to hide them from gunmen - Facebook Well, as Hamas is a proscribed organisation under the Terror Act 2000, and it is a criminal offence to support them, the coppers should have been busy making hundreds of arrests, but they largely hung back. (Personally, Id have the offenders deported immediately to Gaza where some of the progressive, purple-haired student element could entertain Hamas with their LGBTQ ideas: see how that goes down with their Stone Age heroes). Bear in mind that, only a week ago, six members of the Met yes, six turned up at the house of Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox to arrest him for allegedly posting support for vandalising Ulez cameras on social media. I think we know which of those threats to public order the vast majority of us are concerned about, but the law is increasingly a politicised affair. After all, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has a Muslim constituency to keep sweet for the forthcoming election. When Suella Braverman claimed recently that multiculturalism has failed because it allowed people to come to our society and live parallel lives in it And, in extreme cases, they could pursue lives aimed at undermining the stability and threatening the security of society, she was heavily criticised. She was right, though, wasnt she? Since the invasion of Israel, the failure of multiculturalism has been on shameless and shocking display in Western capitals. In Sydney, Hamas sympathisers chillingly chanted, Gas the Jews! Outside the Labour Party Conference, one lone, very brave Jewish gentleman tried to explain to a rabble of Palestine flag-wavers that Hamas terrorists had murdered people. As Dr Rakib Ehsan, an expert on social cohesion and race relations, put it yesterday: The importation of foreign geopolitical grievances and aggressive tribal loyalties from the Middle East (and the Indian sub continent) is quite the problem for modern Britain. It certainly is. Specifically, right now, its a problem for our Jewish community, a model for how you retain distinctive traditions, worship and language while pledging yourself wholeheartedly to British values. Its a dark day when the headmaster of the Jewish Free School in north London has to tell pupils that wearing the school blazer is optional if theyre worried about their safety. Anti-Semitism has not been taken seriously enough. The CPS did not prosecute four men who drove through north London in cars draped in Palestine flags in May 2022, shouting anti-Semitic abuse and threats to rape Jewish women. Why ever not? Or can you only commit a hate crime against Muslims and black people? There comes a time when taking care not to offend one community, at the expense of another, becomes morally indefensible appeasement. That time is now. And we know how appeasement worked out for European Jews the last time, dont we? As I write, early reports are coming in of 40 babies murdered, and some of them beheaded, at the Kfar Aza kibbutz, which was stormed by 70 Hamas terrorists. (So much for no civilians being killed.) We must stand against such savagery, or what has this country become? This is not a Jewish problem; its a question of humanity. Civilisation stands at a historic crossroads; in one direction there are deluded progressives cheering on nihilistic mass murderers, in the other is everything we hold dear: decency, innocence, family, the right of beautiful young people to dance. Itay and Hadar Berdichevsky hid their babies from Hamas psychopaths so they could grow up and have a future without them. I stand with Israel for the Berdichevsky twins, for Shani Louk, for all the hostages, for Ezra Yachin, 95 years old, who just put on a uniform to join Israels reserves, for the dead yet unburied and for those who grieve for them. Because, if we dont, one day they may come for 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. Iowa activist organizations gathered in Des Moines Tuesday evening, calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and roundly criticizing U.S. leaders' response to the Israel-Hamas war. Around 80 people participated in chants and listened to local speakers from the Party of Socialism & Liberation, Democratic Socialists of America and other groups. "(President Joe) Biden and (Iowa Gov.) Kim Reynolds and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and every single world leader, both Democrat and Republican, are saying that Israel has the right to massacre innocent people," said Aya Salem, 27, who emceed the rally for the Party of Socialism & Liberation. "We are going to say Palestinians have a right to exist and Palestinians have a right to defend themselves and they have the right to free themselves." The rally, held in Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines, comes three days after members of the militant group Hamas attacked Israel, leading Israel to declare war on the group and launch reprisals in Gaza. People gathered at Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and rally in support of the Palestinian people on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. As of Tuesday evening, more than 1,000 Israelis have been killed or kidnapped; among the dead are at least 14 Americans. Around 900 Palestinians have been killed and 4,500 wounded in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces intensified its military response Tuesday, tightening a blockade on food, fuels and medicine and ramping up rocket attacks on the Gaza Strip. "We say no more U.S. aid to Israel," Salem said, echoed by the crowd. "No more taxpayer dollars going to a genocidal colonial state." Israel-Hamas War: Follow updates from USA TODAY The executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, Jarad Bernstein, on Tuesday criticized similar events being held by DSA and other pro-Palestinian organizations across the U.S. He said at other events, anti-Semitic remarks had been made and Hamas' actions had been endorsed. "Frankly, it's disgusting that they're going to lead an event today," Bernstein said. "Now's not the time to be protesting occupation. Now is the time to be condemning, full-throatedly, terrorism against civilians." Julie Brown, who serves as outreach coordinator for Community Peacemaker Teams in Des Moines, said her "heart fell" as she saw news of civilian deaths and kidnappings play out on television, and the war's eruption "was a result of a system of structural violence." "We know what's happening in Gaza, in Israel, today," Brown said. "We know that only by dismantling the occupation there can be peace." Several attendees who spoke to the Register said they desired a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict but doubted one was possible. "Seeing all the violence, it breaks my heart, but I know it's a byproduct of 70-some-odd years of occupation and violence," said Kelly Banfield, a 22-year-old Grinnell College student who attended Tuesday evening's event. "So ignoring that precedent and just saying Hamas is attacking people, it ignores all the context of what's been going on in the region for years." Several women who attended the event with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom said they were calling for a ceasefire while urging a halt to U.S. aid. More: After Israel attacked by Hamas, Des Moines Jewish community prays for peace but braces for war The breakout of the war has spurred rallies across the U.S. both supporting Israel and backing the Palestinian cause. Jewish community leaders in Iowa gathered at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Monday evening, mourning and preparing for war while sharing stories of those living, dead and kidnapped. They were joined by several elected officials, including Reynolds, who said in a statement this week that "today and every day, Iowa stands in solidarity with Israel and their right to defend themselves." Robert Packnett, a 28-year-old associated with PSL, said Tuesday night that their opposition to the Israeli government was "not a condemnation of the Jewish people." "This is a condemnation of the state, the government of Israel, of their colonialist practices," he said. Correction: Grinnell College was incorrectly identified in an earlier version of this article. More visual stories on the Israel-Hamas war: This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa activists rally for Palestinians, calls to end US aid to Israel Several Middle Eastern countries and other regional authorities have weighed in on the war between Israel and Hamas forces in Gaza, which started when Hamas terrorists, which rule the Gaza Strip, carried out a massacre of Israeli civilians in border towns and at a music festival on Saturday. It has claimed more than 2,200 lives on both sides in just five days. Leaders in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and a prominent school in Egypt have expressed support for fighters in Gaza and have condemned Israel, where more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have died. The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 1,050 of their own people have been killed. The war is expected to escalate as Israel has amassed forces near its border with Gaza, ahead of a potential ground operation. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has also moved troops to its northern border, which it shares with Syria and Lebanon, after the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli soldiers. Rocket fire from Gaza continued to fall onto Tel Aviv Wednesday and, as night falls on the region, additional rocket fire is expected. ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS AFTER SURPRISE ATTACKS, MORE THAN 1,200 ISRAELIS DEAD Participants of a solidarity rally for Israel hold Israel's flag in their hands after terrorists carried out a massacre among Israeli civilians in border towns and at a music festival on Saturday on behalf of Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Other leaders, including the Vatican, have called for an end of the warring and the killing of innocent civilians. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Palestinian factions based in the Syrian capital of Damascus have expressed their support to fighters in Gaza, promoting the claim that Hamas is helping liberate their land. The officials, from factions including the "Palestinian Islamic Jihad" and the "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command," have called for Arab foreign ministers, who are meeting in Cairo on Wednesday, to clearly state their support for the Palestinian people in Gaza. ISRAEL RESPONDS TO HEZBOLLAH ATTACK FROM LEBANON DEPLOYING 'TENS OF THOUSANDS' TO NORTHERN BORDER Israeli forces have launched rockets into southern Lebanon, striking Hezbollah forces, the IDF said. An IDF spokesman said Wednesday that Israel received rocket-fire from Lebanon and Syria and was mobilizing "tens of thousands" of troops toward its northern border in response. Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus did not say whether the rockets were fired by a Syrian militant group, Hezbollah or another faction. IDF returned fire, striking where the rockets were fired, he said. A column of Israeli Merkava battle tanks is amassed in the upper Galilee in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on Oct. 11, 2023. There have been concerns this third front in addition to fighting in Gaza and, separately, in Lebanon heightened tensions and could escalate into a regional war. The Kataib Hezbollah, a prominent Iranian-backed terrorist group in Iraq, released a statement Wednesday threatening to attack American bases if the United States intervenes in the current Israel-Hamas war. "Our missiles, drones, and special forces are ready to direct qualitative strikes at the American enemy in its bases and disrupt its interests if it intervenes in this battle," Ahmad al-Hamidawi, head of the Kataib Hezbollah militia also known as "Abu Hussein," said in a statement. US AMMO ARRIVES IN ISRAEL AHEAD OF EXPECTED GROUND OPERATION IN GAZA Al-Hamidawi also threatened to launch missiles directly at Israeli targets and has called on Iraqis to demonstrate their support for the Hamas military campaign. They are also collecting money for to support Hamas. Israel is currently fighting a multipronged war after rockets were fired in from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, an IDF spokesman said. Iraq does not share a border with Israel as it is separated by Jordan and Syria. King Abdullah II of Jordan has called for peace between Gaza and Israel but said Israeli-Palestinian relations could never be stable without a "two-state solution." Such a proposal includes Palestinian people getting their own land and country, which Israel opposes. AT LEAST 40 BABIES, SOME BEHEADED, FOUND BY ISRAEL SOLDIERS IN HAMAS-ATTACKED VILLAGE "There will be no security, no peace, no stability without just and total peace that comes through a two-state solution," King Abdullah II told the Jordanian parliament Wednesday, calling for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. King Abdullah II of Jordan called for peace between Gaza and Israel, after Hamas militants killed over 700 Israelis on Saturday. The King of Jordan has also mobilized medical and humanitarian aid teams to the blockaded Gaza Strip through Egypt. Al-Azhar al-Sharif, the Sunni worlds foremost seat of religious learning, released a strongly-worded statement Wednesday alleging Israel has committed "genocide and war crimes" against civilian Palestinians in Gaza. The Cairo-based religious institution called for Arab and Islamic countries to take "a serious and unified position against the Wests inhuman rally." It also condemned its "inhuman siege" of Gaza and claimed Israels attacks were killing "innocent Palestinian civilians," which Israel has denied. The statement called for an investigation into the alleged actions. ISRAEL LAUNCHES MASSIVE AIRSTRIKES ON DOWNTOWN GAZA CITY, NETANYAHU SAYS: 'WE HAVE ONLY STARTED' Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi warned about "grave security and humanitarian repercussions" in a statement Wednesday amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. He said his government, which has mediated previous cease-fires between Israel and Palestinian militants, is seeking to "contain the situation," according to the Egyptian leaders office. Egypt has closed the Rafah border, which it shares with Israel and the Gaza Strip, according to an Egyptian security official. On Wednesday, Pope Francis called for the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas. Pope Francis blesses the crowd at the end his weekly general audience on St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on Oct. 11, 2023. On Saturday, Hamas fighters carried out the most serious assault on Israel in its 75-year history. The attack, which took place on a religious holiday in Israel, included Hamas terrorists killing 260 Israelis at a music festival and the taking of more than 130 hostages. These hostages include Americans and European nationals. Pope Francis said he is praying for those who saw "a day of celebration transformed into a day of mourning." He also said that he is following events in Israel and the occupied territories with "pain and apprehension," with "many dead and injured. The pope clarified that "whoever is attacked has the right to defend himself" but said he was "very worried about the total siege under which the Palestinians in Gaza are living, where there are also many innocent victims." Thousands of people on both sides, Israel and Gaza, have been wounded. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Iraq, Jordan, Egypt condemn Israel for attacking Gaza as Holy Land fends off strikes from Syria, Lebanon The accounting practices of US big tech companies have long posed a problem for authorities (Josep LAGO) The US Internal Revenue Service is asking that Microsoft pay a whopping $29 billion in unpaid taxes from 2004 to 2013, the company said in an official filing on Wednesday. "We disagree with the proposed adjustments and will vigorously contest the (demand) through the IRS's administrative appeals office and, if necessary, judicial proceedings," the company said. In a blog post, Microsoft said the issue with the IRS was with this transferring of revenue across international jurisdictions during the period. The practice, called cost-sharing, is practiced by "many large multinationals...because it reflects the global nature of their business," the company said. "We strongly believe we have acted in accordance with IRS rules and regulations and that our position is supported by case law," the blog post added. Microsoft said that the appeals process with the IRS would take years and if it failed, the company would fight in the courts. The Windows maker said the IRS claim erupted from decade-long talks "to address questions about how we allocated our income and expenses for tax years beginning as far back as 2004." "We have changed our corporate structure and practices since the years covered by the audit, and as a result, the issues raised by the IRS are relevant to the past but not to our current practices," it said. Microsoft added that "since 2004, we have paid over $67 billion in taxes to the US." The accounting practices of US big tech companies have long posed a problem for authorities. Governments have accused companies such as Apple, Amazon or Microsoft of shifting revenue through low or zero tax jurisdictions in order to escape taxation in their main markets and maximize profits. This spurred a major international agreement among 140 countries brokered by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that is designed to better share and regulate the tax revenue of the giants. The OECD on Wednesday published a draft agreement implementing that deal with hopes of having it ratified by the end of the year. arp/md SINGAPORE, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese legislator He Wei led a delegation to visit Singapore between Monday and Wednesday at the invitation of Singapore's parliament. He Wei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Singapore's parliament speaker Seah Kian Peng and deputy speaker Christopher de Souza. China-Singapore relations maintained strong momentum under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries. The two sides elevated bilateral ties to an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership, which is a milestone, He noted. The vice chairman stressed that China is willing to work with Singapore to enhance political mutual trust, expand win-win cooperation to deliver mutual benefits, and deepen practical cooperation in various fields including green development and digital economy. The NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Singapore's parliament and make positive contributions to bilateral relations, He said. He also introduced the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, the content of the three initiatives and whole-process people's democracy to the Singaporean side. Noting that Singapore-China relations are forward-looking and have continued to deepen in recent years, the Singaporean side agreed to work with China to strengthen exchanges at all levels, including those between the legislative bodies, implement existing cooperation projects and promote bilateral relations to keep pace with the times. The Chinese delegation during the tour also visited the Sustainable Singapore Gallery and the Bank of China Singapore Branch. Dozens of island nations agreed a declaration to boost solidarity and cooperation at a meeting in Indonesia (SONNY TUMBELAKA) Dozens of island nations signed a declaration in Indonesia on Wednesday to boost solidarity and cooperation on fighting climate threats, including rising sea levels. Smaller nations at risk of the effects of climate change have sounded the alarm about the threat posed to their existence, seeking a bigger voice on climate diplomacy and issues that may decide their fate. Thirty-two island states across the world -- from Saint Lucia to Vanuatu, Japan to the United Kingdom -- signed the joint declaration and took part in the two-day meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum, which brings together nations at risk of common climate challenges. The forum "agreed to uphold the principles of solidarity, equality and inclusiveness as a common basis for cooperation", Indonesian President Joko Widodo told a press conference on the resort island of Bali. Members agreed that "developing countries and the archipelagic states have the same rights to be developed, have the same rights to carry out development", he said. The declaration document, seen by AFP, called for all members to prioritise "climate change mitigation, adaptation and disaster management" as well as protection of the marine environment. It also called for "good maritime governance" and "creation of sustainable economic development" of the blue economy, a term for activity on the world's oceans, seas and coastlines. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said leaders had tasked ministers to create a road map towards formalising the 51-member forum -- which was created in 2018 -- as an official charter-based bloc. Alongside tiny Pacific nations like Micronesia and the Marshall Islands were bigger developed nations including Japan, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom, who are all threatened by climate change. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says sea levels rose by 15 to 25 centimetres (six to 10 inches) between 1900 and 2018. A two-degree Celcius (3.6-degree Fahrenheit) warming compared to the pre-industrial era would raise the sea levels by 43 centimetres by 2100. Crunch UN climate talks will be held in the United Arab Emirates later this year, several months after the UN's first official progress report on climate concluded the world is perilously off course in meeting goals for slashing carbon pollution. str-mrc-jfx/aha Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan rebuked recent statements on the Hamas terrorist attacks from the Human Rights Council and its commissioner, calling them "false" and "immoral." A seemingly anti-Israel statement from the HRC was delivered by Ambassador Zaman Mehdi from Pakistan on Monday. "On behalf of the IOC member states, we express our deep concerns over the loss of innocent lives in the occupied Palestinian territory and elsewhere," Mehdi said. "Regrettably, this huge loss of lives and unabated violence is a sad reminder of more than seven decades of illegal foreign occupation, aggression and disrespect for the international law, including UNESCO resolutions." In a Tuesday statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for both the IDF and Hamas to "respect international humanitarian law" and defuse tensions. He also criticized Israel's "full seige" of Gaza. ISRAELI COUPLE CLAIMS COOKIES, SONGS DISTRACTED HAMAS INVADERS FROM LETHAL SWAT TEAM RAID: REPORT Israel's Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan speaks to reporters during a stakeout before the United Nations Security Council on October 8, 2023 in New York City. "They must immediately cease attacks targeting civilians and attacks expected to cause disproportionate death and injury of civilians or damage to civilian objects," Turk said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Speaking to Turk, Erdan said that the HRC had "lost its moral compass." NYPD, IN RESPONSE TO ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, SAYS IT HAS SURGED RESOURCES TO SENSITIVE LOCATIONS "Israel just suffered the gravest human rights atrocity since the Holocaust," Erdan said. "How many dead Jews does it take to justify a proportionate response against a genocidal terror organization? Is it 1,000? Six million? Maybe its 10 million - the population of Israel? This is, after all, Hamas publicly declared goal. So I ask you, how many murdered Jews does it take for you to support Israels right to self defense?" Erdan also added that Israel will "continue to protect itself" and that the HRC has been making "false, immoral comparisons." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The world cannot accept such a distorted moral standard that sadly guarantees that these atrocities will continue," the ambassador concluded. "We will obliterate Hamas terror infrastructure!" Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report. Original article source: Israel ambassador slams UN council's statement criticizing Israel: 'How many murdered Jews does it take?' US aid is being unloaded in Israel A first aircraft carrying additional U.S. weapons for Israel arrived at Nevatim Air Base in the south of the country late on Oct. 10, the Israeli Defense Forces have announced on X (Twitter). Read also: Hamas attack on Israel killed three Ukrainians, nine injured, six missing, hundreds stranded Cooperation between the militaries of Israel and the United States is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war, the IDF said. The Israeli military also published a video of the cargo's arrival. U.S. President Joe Biden has said he will appeal to Congress for urgent financial assistance to Israel, which has declared war in response to the invasion of Hamas militants. Biden emphasized that the United States supports Israel in its fight against "pure, unadulterated evil" as people in Israel have suffered at the "bloody hands" of the Islamist Hamas organization, which kills children and rapes women. He also mentioned the brutal murders by Hamas militants of guests at a music festival in southern Israel. Read also: US intelligence found no indication of impending Hamas assault on Israel, White House says War in Israel What is known Large-scale hostilities in Israel began on Oct. 7. From the early morning, Hamas repeatedly targeted the country with thousands of rockets and missiles. Armed Palestinian militants then invaded southern Israel, killing people and taking hostages. Read also: Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel photos and videos As a result, over 1,000 people have lost their lives in Israel. Over 100 are thought to have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants, and video evidence shows some of the hostages have since been murdered. It was revealed on Oct. 8 that Palestinian militants on Oct. 7 may have killed approximately 260 people at an electronic music festival near the Kibbutz Reim, 30 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. Efforts are currently underway to identify the bodies of the murdered festival goers. In response to the Hamas attack, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Swords of Iron, striking the Gaza Strip. During the night of Oct. 8, Israel announced the restoration of control over the majority of the populated areas that had been penetrated by Palestinian militants. Israels Cabinet declared a state of war for the first time since 1973, and the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that the war would be long and challenging. On Oct. 9, the Israeli military managed to regain control of all the towns on the border with the Gaza Strip, but Hamas militants may still be there. The Israeli army launched an offensive. Read also: Israeli envoy cautions against drawing direct links between Hamas attack and Russian aggression Later, on Oct. 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they were completing the clearing of the south of the country of Hamas units. So far, three Ukrainians have been reported dead. Reports that three more Ukrainian citizens have been killed in the Gaza Strip are being verified. On Oct. 9, the Israeli defense minister ordered a siege of the Gaza Strip. In his address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas militants would be destroyed after their "atrocities," kidnappings, and murders of children and women. Hamas and other enemies of Israel "will pay a price they will remember for decades to come," Netanyahu stressed. On Oct. 10, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they had fully regained control of the border with the Gaza Strip and advised its residents to leave for Egypt. As of Oct. 10, more than 1,000 people have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the Hamas attack in Israel. 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 As Israel considers the prospect of a ground invasion of Gaza, it confronts an agonizing human and strategic dilemma: how to deal with a hostage crisis that is inextricably connected to any potential military operation. Christopher Costa, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council who convened a team focused on hostage recoveries, says hes never seen a situation quite so complicated. In this case, the scope of the civilian hostage problem still isnt entirely clear. Some 150 Israelis were seized by Hamas militants in Saturdays massive surprise attack. President Joe Biden has confirmed that there are American citizens among those captured and that there are also Italian, Thai and Austrian citizens some of whom had dual citizenship with Israel who are reportedly among the captives. With Israel preparing for a major offensive, it must contemplate the risks a ground campaign will pose to the lives of those hostages. After four days of sweeping airstrikes on Gaza, Hamas is already threatening to kill a hostage every time Israel bombs a civilian Palestinian home without warning. And Gaza is a small, densely packed strip of land where the hostages invariably will be put in harms way by an invasion. We spoke to Costa this week about how Israel is likely thinking about this dilemma and what a resolution could look like. The following has been edited for length and clarity. Calder McHugh: What details are Israels top intelligence officials scrambling to figure out right now? Christopher Costa: Whats likely happening right now is Israel is trying to develop intelligence to identify the locations of where hostages are being held. So at the highest levels of the Israeli government, theyre laying out their intelligence and asking: Do we have anything thats predictable, continuous and thorough on where the hostages are being held? There is no plan for a rescue until you can identify where the hostages are. And I will say that this problem that the Israelis are dealing with is not like the Iranians holding Americans in one location in 1979. In that case, the United States was able to put together a rescue because all the hostages were held in one place. My conjecture is thats not what Hamas would do they would not consolidate hostages in one location. They would put them all over Gaza in different locations, probably underground. McHugh: Hamas is threatening to kill a hostage every time Gaza is attacked by the Israeli military without warning. How does that affect the Israeli governments response? Costa: I dont think Israel has ever been in this position. This is so immense, that at the end of the day, Israel is going to have to make some tough calls. And there may be hostages that are killed, although Hamas doesnt have a long track record of killing hostages. Its just a tough, tough problem. Another difficulty is that one of the forces that would do the rescue the YAMAM [Israels National Counter Terror Unit] just took on significant casualties; multiple individuals have sadly been killed in the initial battles that played out in the first 24 hours. So its going to be a tough problem. I think the United States moving a carrier in the region provides some deterrence, but mostly that deterrence, I think, is directed at Iran, even though that hasnt been explicit. I should say all of this is right out of the Iranian playbook. They were the ones that started exploiting hostages in Beirut in the 1970s and 80s. McHugh: What happens if hostages start to be publicly killed? Costa: When you start showing videos, hypothetically, of Israelis being killed as a reprisal for an Israeli strike that didnt meet some kind of criteria, that Hamas was unaware of the strike or they were unable to move people (regardless, theyre not going to be honest brokers), then theres going to be more pressure on the government. In a similar way, there was pressure on the United States to act when ISIS started beheading Americans in orange jumpsuits. Its an emotional issue and passions are going to be unleashed on all sides of this fight by Israelis as well as Palestinians. Unbridled passion. So I dont know how this is going to end. But I do know that it poses the ultimate strategic dilemma for Israel. I will say, there is hope that there are brokers in the region that can start to have communications with Hamas, like the Qatari government they have a relationship, they can start talking to Hamas. Those arent going to be direct Israeli talks. But they certainly have a track record of de-escalating problems in the region, and they brokered with Afghanistan. So there is some diplomatic outreach that could play out, but the Israelis have to consider diplomatic, intelligence, military rescue responses, and they have to worry about the long-term and the calculus of Iran as well. All of that has to be factored into the decision-making. McHugh: Can you think of any comparable situation in terms of scale or scope of hostage-taking in recent decades? Costa: I dont think there is an equivalency. But Boko Haram, for example, will go into a village and go to a girls school and take 70 to 100 people. The Western press doesnt really cover that in detail, but those kinds of things have happened. Hostages are taken into the hinterland and held as bargaining chips against governments in West Africa. So thats one example that I can think of. And then we go back to the 1970s, when the United States had individuals held by a malign nation, Iran, in the midst of a revolution. But I dont think weve ever seen anything like the convergence of all these lines that are happening today. Thats the idea of Iran, the threat of Hezbollah in the north and Israel under pressure to do something dramatic, and they have declared war. This is not an operation, this is a declaration of war. Thats going to slow the economy down while Israel galvanizes all of its national resources. McHugh: How long will it take Israels government to get a more accurate count of the hostages? Costa: Its hard to say, its hard for me to even conjecture. I think Israel is doing the math. And that might sound insensitive. But theyre doing the math based on witnesses that survived and identifying the bodies and interviewing witnesses. So I would say, in the next couple weeks, if not quicker than that, there will be a better accounting. McHugh: And once it has that accounting, what will Israel do? What should it do? Costa: It is a small nation. People are one or two people removed from the tragedy. I spoke to someone that lost a niece just this morning. So, if there are individuals that are killed and videos are posted, theres going to be a demand to maybe slow down and calm the passions of the moment. The other problem we have is, if Israel moved into Gaza, thats exactly what Hamas wants. Thats certainly what Iran wants. Israel has had their challenges with counterinsurgency, in particular in Lebanon. Think about the casualties that could play out on the ground in Gaza. And then think about the converse of all of a sudden, videos of other civilians: Palestinian innocents and children dying. So, many countries in the world are going to suggest caution and restraint. The lessons that I would share with Israel, if they would listen to me, is they have to prepare for a long war, which means not taking their eyes off Iran. But they do have to kill and capture as many Hamas as they can, just like the U.S. did with al Qaeda. And I think the enemy stands to circumvent some of Israels strength if Israel does do a full-fledged invasion on the ground in Gaza, where Israel doesnt have a lot of room to maneuver. So theyre gonna lose troops there. At the same time, I caution that Israel has to act proportionally. But whats a proportional response to this? This is where Im wading into Israeli politics, so Ill be really careful here, but Ill just say that Israel has to unify their nation somehow, because polarization just like it is in the United States is a crucial strategic vulnerability. McHugh: Is hostage-taking an effective strategy for Hamas? Cost: I think it is. And its just another tool in the toolbox, like indiscriminate killing of civilians is as cold as that sounds. From a terrorism calculus, hostages give them some leverage. If you put Israel in a lose-lose situation, where does that put Hamas? They took hostages, but if the Israelis killed them in strikes, Israel looks like the bad guy. McHugh: What will the coming days and weeks and months look like on the ground? Costa: I want to see the West Bank stay stable. I want to see the Palestinian Authority step up. I want to caution Israeli settlers in the West Bank to remain calm. Terrorists want to cause an overreaction. Passions have come unleashed. So what I want to see is a proportional response, that destroys Hamas leadership and rank and file to the extent they can, just like the U.S. went after al Qaeda. And yet, I want to see a limited response so that civilians, to the extent that they can be protected, can be protected. The problem is, Hamas will hide among civilians. The worst case scenario is Iran and Syria get involved more directly, or Hezbollah in the north. Thats what Im very concerned with. But I think there are possibilities in the next 30, 60, 90 days, where this can be de-escalated. A lot depends on what Iran does. A lot depends on what happens in the north. I think this is likely going to be a protracted conflict over months, not weeks. Thats only my calculus. Israeli soldiers carry a body in Kfar Azza, a village just across the border from Gaza that was attacked by Palestinian gunmen, in Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Sergey Ponomarev/The New York Times) TEL AVIV, Israel Shortly before attackers from Gaza poured into Israel at dawn on Saturday, Israeli intelligence detected a surge in activity on some of the Gazan militant networks it monitors. Realizing something unusual was happening, they sent an alert to the Israeli soldiers guarding the Gazan border, according to two senior Israeli security officials. But the warning wasnt acted upon, either because the soldiers didnt get it or the soldiers didnt read it. Shortly afterward, Hamas, the group that controls Gaza, sent drones to disable some of the Israeli militarys cellular communications stations and surveillance towers along the border, preventing the duty officers from monitoring the area remotely with video cameras. The drones also destroyed remote-controlled machine guns that Israel had installed on its border fortifications, removing a key means of combating a ground attack. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times That made it easier for Hamas assailants to approach and blow up parts of the border fence and bulldoze it in several places with surprising ease, allowing thousands of Palestinians to walk through the gaps. These operational failures and weaknesses were among a wide array of logistical and intelligence lapses by the Israeli security services that paved the way for the Gazan incursion into southern Israel, according to four senior Israeli security officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss a sensitive matter and their early assessment of what went wrong. The brazen infiltration of more than 20 Israeli towns and army bases in that raid was the worst breach of Israels defenses in 50 years and shattered the nations sense of security. For hours, the strongest military in the Middle East was rendered powerless to fight back against a far weaker enemy, leaving villages defenseless for most of the day against squads of attackers who killed more than 1,000 Israelis, including soldiers in their underwear; abducted at least 150 people; overran at least four military camps; and spread out across more than 30 square miles of Israeli territory. The four officials said the success of the attack, based on their early assessment, was rooted in a slew of security failures by Israels intelligence community and military, including: Failure by intelligence officers to monitor key communication channels used by Palestinian attackers; Overreliance on border surveillance equipment that was easily shut down by attackers, allowing them to raid military bases and slay soldiers in their beds; Clustering of commanders in a single border base that was overrun in the opening phase of the incursion, preventing communication with the rest of the armed forces; And a willingness to accept at face value assertions by Gazan military leaders, made on private channels that the Palestinians knew were being monitored by Israel, that they were not preparing for battle. We spend billions and billions on gathering intelligence on Hamas, said Yoel Guzansky, a former senior official at Israels National Security Council. Then, in a second, he added, everything collapsed like dominoes. The first failure took root months before the attack, as Israeli security chiefs made incorrect assumptions about the extent of the threat that Hamas posed to Israel from Gaza. Hamas stayed out of two fights in the past year, allowing Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a smaller armed group in Gaza, to take on Israel alone. Last month, Hamas leadership also ended a period of rioting along the border, in an agreement brokered by Qatar, giving the impression that it was not looking for an escalation. Hamas is very, very restrained and understands the implications of further defiance, Tzachi Hanegbi, Israels national security adviser, said in a radio interview six days before the assault. When Israeli intelligence officials briefed senior security chiefs last week about the most urgent threats to the countrys defenses, they focused on the dangers posed by Lebanese militants along Israels northern border. The challenge posed by Hamas was barely mentioned. Hamas is deterred, the briefers said, according to one of the security officials. In calls, Hamas operatives, who talked to one another when tapped by Israeli intelligence agents, also gave the sense that they sought to avoid another war with Israel so soon after a damaging two-week conflict in May 2021, according to two of the Israeli officials. Israeli intelligence, they said, is now looking into whether those calls were real or staged. The next failure was operational. Two of the officials said that the Israeli border surveillance system was almost entirely reliant on cameras, sensors and machine guns that are operated remotely. Israeli commanders had grown overly confident in the systems impregnability. They thought that the combination of remote surveillance and arms, barriers above ground and a subterranean wall to block Hamas from digging tunnels into Israel made mass infiltration unlikely, reducing the need for significant numbers of soldiers to be physically stationed along the border line itself. With the system in place, the military started reducing the number of troops there, moving them to other areas of concern, including the West Bank, according to Israel Ziv, a retired major general who commanded ground forces in the south for many years, served as the head of the Israel Defense Forces Operations Division from 2003-05, and was recently recruited into the reserves again because of the war. The thinning of the forces seemed reasonable because of the construction of the fence and the aura they created around it, as if it were invincible, that nothing would be able to pass it, he said. But the remote-control system had a vulnerability: It could also be destroyed remotely. Hamas took advantage of that weakness by sending aerial drones to attack the cellular towers that transmitted signals to and from the surveillance system, according to the officials and also drone footage circulated by Hamas on Saturday and analyzed by The New York Times. Without cellular signals, the system was useless. Soldiers stationed in control rooms behind the front lines did not receive alarms that the fence separating Gaza and Israel had been breached, and could not watch video showing them where the Hamas attackers were bulldozing the barricades. In addition, the barrier turned out to be easier to break through than Israeli officials had expected. That allowed more than 1,500 Gazan fighters to surge through nearly 30 points along the border, some of them in hang-gliders that flew over the top of the barricades, and reach at least four Israeli military bases without being intercepted. Photos shared by one of the Israeli officials showed that scores of Israeli soldiers were then shot as they slept in their dorms. Some were still wearing their underclothes. The second operational failure was the clustering of leaders from the armys Gaza division in a single location along the border. Once the base was overrun, most of the senior officers were killed, injured or taken hostage, according to two of the Israeli officials. That situation, combined with the communication problems caused by the drone strikes, prevented a coordinated response. This kept anyone along the border from grasping the full breadth of the assault, including the commanders who rushed from elsewhere in Israel to launch a counterattack. Understanding what the picture was of the different terrorist attacks was very difficult, said Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfuss, an Israeli commander who helped lead the counterattack. At one point on the ground, the general encountered by chance a commander from another brigade. There and then, the two men decided on an ad hoc basis which villages their respective units would try to retake. We decided just between ourselves, the general said. And thats how we went by, from one village to another. All of this meant it was hard, especially in the early stages, to communicate the gravity of the situation to the military high command in Tel Aviv. As a result, no one there sensed the immediate need for a massive, rapid air cover, even as social media emerged with reports of attacks in many communities. It took hours for the air force to arrive over much of the area, even though it has bases just minutes away in flying time, according to two of the Israeli officials and survivors of the attacks. The fallout has been catastrophic for Israels security, as well as potentially damaging to its reputation in the region as a reliable military partner. Before Saturday, Israel was an asset to many countries in the region on security issues, Guzansky said. The image now is that Israel is not an asset. The Israeli security services do not dispute the scale of their initial failure. But they say that it can be investigated only after the war ends. Well finish this, said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a military spokesperson, as the army attempted to regain control of the communities Saturday. But, he said, You know that this will be investigated. c.2023 The New York Times Company Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached an agreement with a top opposition leader Wednesday to form an emergency unity government as the country continued its siege on Gaza, days after Hamas fighters launched a brutal attack on Israel. Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz was among the opposition members who had pushed for Netanyahu to form the unity government to allow them to more effectively respond to the conflict. Gantz said Wednesday that the government will form a war-management Cabinet consisting of five members, The Associated Press reported. As a former defense official, Gantzs involvement will significantly strengthen the security experience around the decision-making table, Axios Barak Ravid reported. The government will not pass any legislation that is not connected to the war in Gaza as long as it continues. Its unclear where the news about the unity government leaves opposition head Yair Lapid, who previously said he would only join an emergency government if hard-right ministers, including Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, werent involved in handling security issues. Ben-Gvir has made a number of controversial comments since Israel declared war, including that he wanted to prepare for intra-community violence in Israels mixed Jewish-Arab cities by arming residents. Netanyahu and his government have been under scrutiny after Israeli forces were caught off guard by Hamass massive attack. Israel-based writer Cole S. Aronson wrote in Politico that forming the unity government would benefit him as well as Israels unity, security and international standing, partly because he can now share responsibility for what happens in the conflict moving forward. But Israeli political scientist Neve Gordon made the case in Al-Jazeera that Netanyahu may not survive the crisis, as more Israelis realize that Hamass success is intricately tied to the governments colossal failures. Over a dozen countries have formed some type of unity government before, typically in times of war or crisis. For example, Sweden formed a unity cabinet during World War II aimed at keeping the country out of the war. Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghis cabinet, formed in 2021 amid a pandemic and economic crisis, was described as a unity government. Israel formed one in 1967 just before the start of the Six-Day War. More recently, Israel swore in an emergency coalition in 2020 to deal with the economic impacts of COVID-19 amid a political crisis. (Bloomberg) -- Israel formed a rare emergency government with a key opposition member on Wednesday to see the country through its war with Hamas. Most Read from Bloomberg A war management cabinet will be established with three members, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s office. They are Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and ex-Defense Minister Benny Gantz , who heads an opposition party. Ron Dermer, whos strategic affairs minister, and Gadi Eizenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, will be observers. Click here for Bloombergs coverage of the Israel-Hamas war During the war period, no bills or government decisions will be promoted that do not concern the conduct of the war. All senior appointments will be automatically extended during the period of conflict. A place in the war cabinet will be reserved for Yair Lapid, whos head of the opposition and was prime minister until late last year, when Netanyahu succeeded him. The move follows Saturdays devastating attacks by Hamas, which killed at least 1,200 Israelis and shocked the nation to the core. Gantz has, until now, been a bitter political rival of Netanyahu and especially his plan to weaken the power of the Supreme Court, which triggered mass protests in Israel this year. The ex-general joining the government underscores Israels unity ahead of what its saying could be a prolonged military campaign. The government is widely expected to move troops into the southern Gaza Strip, where Hamas is based, and has said that the Iran-backed militant group must be completely destroyed. The makeup of the war cabinet means far-right members of Netanyahus coalition, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, will not be part of helming Israels military operations. Israel is also facing pressure on its northern border with Lebanon. On Wednesday Israeli forces exchange fire with Hezbollah militants, who, like Hamas, are funded and supported by Iran. Hezbollah has expressed solidarity with Hamas. It is thought to have tens of thousands of missiles and analysts have said it may opt to attack Israel more forcefully, especially if Israeli troops move into Gaza. Soon after the announcement of the emergency government, the central bank said Governor Amir Yaron would extend his term, which ends in December, until at least the end of the conflict period. Theres been widespread speculation in Israel that he wants to step down once his five-year term ends, and hed said he would announce his decision around now. (Updates with context.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz , an opposition party leader, announced they have reached an agreement to form an emergency unity government in the wake of attacks launched by the militant group Hamas. The Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday that both sides came to an agreement after meeting at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters in Tel Aviv. The agreement allows Gantz, a former military general, and his fellow party members to be officially sworn in as ministers for the duration of the war. Gantz will join a security cabinet that includes Netanyahu, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and opposition party member Gadi Eisenkot. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will serve as an observer in the war cabinet, while a spot will be open for opposition leader Yair Lapid to join the cabinet, according to The Jerusalem Post. The agreement also states no law should be passed in the countrys legislature throughout the duration of the war. The formation of the emergency government comes after Hamas, a militant group that is the de facto authority in Gaza, launched its deadly attack against Israel on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Israelis. Israeli officials have said that more than 150 soldiers and civilians are being held hostage. Israeli armed forces have launched a counteroffensive against the group, with Netanyahu saying that his countrys forces will exact a huge price against Hamas for the attack. President Biden publicly condemned the terrorist attacks, confirming Americans are among the many people being held hostage by the militant group, and that 20 Americans remain unaccounted for in the country. In this moment we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel, Biden said in a televised address Tuesday, noting that the number of Americans killed in the attacks has risen to 14. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack. Theres no justification for terrorism. Theres no excuse. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Israel Police announced the freezing of cryptocurrency accounts belonging to Hamas. It said it worked with Binance to locate and freeze the accounts. Binance said it had worked to help "ongoing efforts to combat terror financing." Israel froze cryptocurrency accounts belonging to Hamas, with the cooperation of Binance, Israeli police announced on Tuesday. Israel Police said in a post on X that its Cyber Unit worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, the Israeli Security Agency, and other national intelligence agencies to pinpoint and freeze the funds. These accounts contained cryptocurrencies that had been amassed through fundraising campaigns conducted by Hamas on social media, police said in a statement provided to Reuters. Israeli police told Reuters that it took immediate action to locate and freeze the accounts, with Binance's assistance, "in order to divert the funds to the state treasury." It is unclear if the accounts were simply frozen or if the money had been seized. It is also unclear how many accounts were frozen or what the value of the cryptocurrencies in them was. Israel Police did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. A spokesperson for Binance told Insider in a statement that its team had been "working in real time, around the clock, to support ongoing efforts to combat terror financing." The spokesperson added that Binance "actively partners" with global law enforcement agencies and regulators, using intelligence provided by them to pinpoint individuals, addresses, and infrastructures associated with specific organizations. In an X post, Israeli police said it will continue to fight against "terrorist financing" by "targeting the strategic financial assets of terrorist organizations." The Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas may have funded its surprise attack on Israel through cryptocurrency. The news outlet, citing Israeli government seizure orders and blockchain analytics reports, said that Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and their Lebanese ally Hezbollah received large amounts of funds through crypto. Wallets connected to Hamas received about $41 million in crypto between the summer of 2021 and around June of this year, according to research by crypto analytics firm, BitOK, per The Journal. Read the original article on Business Insider The British Broadcasting Corporation The wife of Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said her parents, who have been trapped in Gaza since the Hamas attack on Israel, are "terrified" about what might happen next. Nadia El-Nakla also told BBC News some relatives have had their homes destroyed in missile strikes. Elizabeth El-Nakla and Maged El-Nakla, who live in Dundee, travelled to Gaza last week to see a sick relative. Days into their trip Hamas killed hundreds of people inside Israel. On Tuesday Mr Yousaf called for the creation of a humanitarian corridor in and out of locked-down Gaza. Mr and Mrs El-Nakla were visiting their son - a father-of-four - and Mr El-Nakla's 92-year-old mother, who is ill. Ms El-Nakla said: "They are now caught up in a war situation. "My mother says that there is continual bombardment from land, sea and air." She said her mother had not slept since Monday and feels as if "every part of her body is shaking". The family had hoped to escape on Tuesday but the Rafah border, between Gaza and Egypt, was bombed and there was currently no way out. Speaking in Bute House, the first minister's official residence in Edinburgh, Ms El-Nakla said: "They are just terrified, absolutely terrified, about what is to come and what is happening right now as we speak." The Dundee City councillor said she was troubled by the language emanating from the conflict, especially claims Gaza would be "obliterated" in response to the Hamas attacks. She added: "It puts the complete fear into me that I am never going to see them again." Since the air strikes started, her aunt and cousin have had their homes reduced to rubble. Ms El-Nakla spoke to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Wednesday but at the moment there is no way out. Should that change, she believes her parents would face an "impossible decision" as her other relatives do not have UK passports. Ms El-Nakla said: "At times my arms feel like lead and it feels like I am just living in a nightmare for them. So I can't understand how they feel." The mother-of-two has a number of scenarios going through her head and has warned against any cuts to aid. She said: "This needs to be a time when medical resources, food, water, basic human needs are met. That is international law. It is really vital. "That's my fear. First is they die. Second is they are starving. Three is the house is put to rubble and they are in camps. "That is really scary." Ms El-Nakla is also worried about the impact on her brother's young children, especially her eight-week-old nephew. She added: "Every time the bombs go off his arms just flail in fear. I fear that his little heart can't take that continual bombardment." Earlier, her mother recorded a moving 40-second video clip from the city of Deir al-Balah in which she detailed the family's plight. Close to tears, she said: "We have no electricity. We have no water. The food we do have, which is little, will not last because there is no electricity and it will spoil. "I have four grandchildren in this home - a two-month-old baby, a four-year-old and, today, two nine-year-old twins. Their birthday. "I ask the world to help the Palestinians." Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, international spokesman of the Israel Defense Forces, said that Gaza "was not a good place to be" for the family and added that as far as he knew it was not possible for them to leave just now. He told BBC Scotland News: "I think this will be a very long war, our military aim is to strip Hamas of all its military capability." More on Hamas-Israel attacks Meanwhile, Mr Yousaf has urged the foreign secretary to call for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. In a letter to James Cleverly, the first minister urged him to use the positive relationship between the UK and Israel to push for civilians in Gaza to be allowed to leave through the Rafah border. He wrote: "Too many innocent people have already lost their lives as a consequence of these completely unjustifiable and illegitimate attacks by Hamas. "However, innocent men, women and children cannot, and should not, pay the price for the actions of a terrorist group." The Glasgow Jewish community has held a "silent and peaceful" vigil for the victims in Israel on the steps of the Royal Concert Hall. Among those remembered was grandfather Bernard Cowan, who was confirmed on Monday as the first Scottish victim of the Hamas assault on Israel. Mr Cowan grew up in the Glasgow area and settled in Israel, near the Gaza border, with his wife and three children. On Wednesday an official UK source told the BBC 17 British nationals, including children, are dead or missing in Israel. CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian people seek strong political and humanitarian support from Arab states over the ongoing deadly Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said Mohannad Aklouk, Palestine's permanent representative at the Arab League (AL), in an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday. Aklouk called on Arab states to use their diplomatic, political, economic and legal tools and their influence in regional and international organizations "to stop the Israeli aggression and to support and protect the Palestinian people." The AL is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing deadly Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Aklouk expects the AL meeting to send several messages to Israel and the international community, including a call for an immediate halt of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and the demolition of their houses. On Saturday, the Hamas militant group that controls Gaza launched a surprise attack with thousands of rockets on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza enclave, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The conflict has caused heavy casualties on both sides. The death toll and injuries in Gaza from the Israeli attacks rose to 830 and 4,250, respectively, according to an update by the Palestinian Health Ministry on Tuesday. However, according to Israeli Defense Forces, about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in southern Israel. "This is a new peak in the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people," Aklouk told Xinhua. Meanwhile, at least 1,008 people in Israel have been killed in the Hamas attacks, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported on Tuesday. Being a long-time peacemaker in the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and having a peace treaty with Israel since 1979, Egypt has been intensifying contacts with regional and international players in a bid to halt the ongoing escalation between the Israelis and the Palestinians. "The Palestinian people are looking forward to an urgent, leading Egyptian role through Egypt's regional and international relations to stop the Israeli aggression and spare the bloodshed of the Palestinian people," said the Palestinian diplomat. "Palestine, and the Gaza Strip in particular, is considered an integral part of Arab national security," he emphasized. Aklouk said that the Palestinians also count on the roles of other Arab players including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, as well as every Arab country that can help stop the ongoing Israeli aggression. He regretted the duplicity of the United States and Europe in addressing the current Israeli-Palestinian crisis. "The United States adopts a policy of double standards," Aklouk said. Describing China's position on the Palestinian issue as "very balanced," Aklouk commended China's official position that considers the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as the fundamental way to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. At least 22 American citizens are confirmed to have died after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel, the US state department has said. At least another 17 Americans are missing, the White House confirmed. It is unclear how many of those may been taken captive by the Palestinian militant group. The death toll from the attack in Israel has reached 1,200. More than 1,100 people have died in Israeli air strikes on Gaza. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the updated figure on Wednesday, posting on X: "We join families in Israel, in the US, and around the world mourning the loss of loved ones killed in Hamas's heinous attacks. "We continue efforts to secure the release of those hostages, and the US remains steadfast and unwavering in our support for Israel," he wrote. White House spokesman John Kirby warned the numbers could rise: "I think we all need to steel ourselves for the very distinct possibility that these numbers will keep increasing, and that we may in fact, find out that more Americans are part of the hostage pool," he said. Speaking at a roundtable discussion with Jewish leaders on Thursday, President Biden accused Hamas of mounting a "campaign of pure cruelty" and said it was among the darkest days for the Jewish community since the Holocaust. Regarding the ongoing hostage situation, he told the audience that if he shared all the details of efforts to free Americans he "wouldn't be able to get them home". More on Israel-Gaza attacks A number of Palestinian-Americans are also reported to be stuck in Gaza, though it is unclear if any of them have been injured in the bombardment. The US Embassy in Jerusalem said in a security alert on Monday: "US citizens in Gaza who wish to leave and can do so safely are advised to check the status of the Rafah Crossing into Egypt." The state department increased its travel alert warning level on Wednesday, advising Americans to reconsider any plans to visit Israel and the West Bank. Among the missing Americans is 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Golberg-Polin, who was at a music festival in the desert when it was stormed by militants. His parents told the Jerusalem Post they received two messages from him, reading "I love you" and "I'm sorry". "We just want him safe," Jonathan Polin, his father, said. Another US citizen living in Israel, Abbey Onn, told the BBC's partner CBS that five members of her family, including a 12-year-old boy, were taken hostage. On Saturday, she received a WhatsApp message from her family that Hamas fighters were in their home at Nir Oz, a kibbutz near Gaza. Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie were in southern Israel when the attacks began Judith and Natalie Raanan, a mother and teenage daughter from Chicago, Illinois, were visiting relatives in southern Israel when the attack began. Judith's ex-husband, Natalie's father, told a local news station the pair had texted him that they were hiding in a safe room, but he had not heard from them since. A soldier with dual US-Israeli citizenship, Itay Chen, has been reported missing in action since Saturday. His father, Ruby Chen, told CBS he had sought the state department's help in finding his son, who he said had grown up in New York City. He added that it is "a fair assumption" his son was taken to Gaza. Mr Kirby said the US wants to get all hostages back with families, particularly the American ones, but the US does not know where the hostages are, whether they are all together or how often they are being moved. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the US was in regular contact with the families of the missing. The identities of all the Americans killed have not yet been officially released, but some family members have been announcing the news online or speaking to local media. Ilan Troen, a professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, said his daughter Deborah Matias, 50, and her husband, Shlomi, were killed when Hamas fighters attacked their community in southern Israel. Mr Troen said his daughter died while shielding their son, Roten. "They made sure to fall on him and thereby saved his life," he told CBS. "Although a bullet actually entered his abdomen, but he was saved." Long-time Israel resident Hannah Katsman, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, wrote on Facebook that her son Hayim Katsman was killed at his kibbutz near the border with Gaza. Mr Katsman, an academic who specialised in Israel studies, graduated from the University of Washington. Gaya Kalderon says she has no tears left to cry after many members of her family vanished during the Hamas attacks. (Reuters) An Israeli woman has revealed the heartbreaking message left by her teenage sister in a family WhatsApp group before she disappeared amid fears she was taken by militant Hamas gunmen along with her little brother. Gaya Kalderon, 21, said she had no tears left after her father, sister, brother, grandmother and cousin went missing on Saturday from their homes in Nir Oz kibbutz. It came on the day Hamas sent fighters across the border of Gaza and fired thousands of rockets into Israel. In retaliation, Israel sealed the Gaza Strip off from food, fuel, and other supplies as the death toll rose to nearly 1,600 on both sides. Kalderon, speaking to the Reuters news agency from Tel Aviv, revealed how she was woken by sirens on Saturday morning and called her family to ask if they were okay and they told her they were not and did not know what was happening. In a WhatsApp family chat, Kalderons 16-year-old younger sister then wrote: "Mom I love you." Gaya Kalderon revealed the final message from her 16-years-old sister on WhatsApp before she disappeared. (Reuters) Recommended reading Kalderon said: "I knew it is probably because she knows it is the end or something. Video emerged on social media, which has so far not been independently verified, showing what Kalderon says is her younger brother Erez, 12, being taken away by gunmen. She said: He's hurting, they're hurting him here, it was so hard to watch I don't even have tears anymore in my eyes, I can't cry because I cried so much." "He had his pyjamas on, he just woke up in the middle of the night and someone came and took him." Gaya Kalderon says the boy in a video being taken by Hamas gunmen is her brother, Erez. (Reuters) I tried to protect them Kalderon said that her siblings being taken had now made her feel helpless. She added: My sister and brother I tried to protect them my whole life and now I cant do it. Kalderon said that in the video Erez did not appear to have blood on him, which gave her hope that he was alive and the family were all together. Her brother and sister were in a house with their father, while her grandmother and cousin were in a separate house. The whereabouts of all five is unknown. Her mother and elder brother were in another house and survived. The whereabouts of Gaya Kalderons brother, Erez, is currently unknown. (Reuters) Outrage over Hamas massacre The international community has largely condemned the attacks by Hamas, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Gilad Erdan, Israels ambassador to the United Nations, said this week that Hamas fighters were holding as many as 150 people hostage in locations across Gaza following the weekend raids. Abu Obaida, the spokesperson of Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades, said the group would start executing civilian hostages if Israel targets Palestinians without warning in retaliatory strikes. An Israeli soldier holds a rescued dog as he takes position near a bomb shelter in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in southern Israel. (Reuters) (Ronen Zvulun / reuters) On Tuesday, reports suggested that dozens of babies had been found dead in an Israeli kibbutz just outside of the Gaza Strip. Hamas says its escalation of attacks are in response to the ongoing blockade of Gaza and the Israeli occupation, according to Mohammed Deif, the leader of the groups military wing. Deif said: Weve decided to say enough is enough This is the day of the greatest battle and the last occupation on earth. Watch: 'I have no tears left' Israeli military forces on Friday ordered 1.1 million people in Gaza to evacuate a sign that Israel is setting up a ground operation against Hamas. But a United Nations spokesperson said it's impossible to evacuate civilians without devastating humanitarian consequences, and said the U.N. strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation. A Reuters journalist was killed on Friday when his crew was struck by Israeli shelling near the Lebanon border. More than 3,000 people in Israel and Gaza have been killed in the conflict, with thousands of others injured. According to U.S. officials, at least 27 Americans are among those killed in Israel since Hamas launched its assault last weekend, and another 14 U.S. citizens remain missing. "Less than a handful" of Americans are believed to be held hostage by Hamas. Our live coverage has ended for today. Map of Israel and Palestinian terrorities. Cover thumbnail photo: Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images An array of false and misleading claims have spread widely on social media in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israel formally declared war after the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on the morning of Oct. 7. The ensuing wave of misinformation echoes the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Again, major social media platforms are awash in claims that old photos and videos actually showed the present conflict, while other posts fabricate or exaggerate the nature of the conflict and the American response. Here's a roundup of claims about the Israel-Hamas conflict from the USA TODAY Fact-Check Team: Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks CLAIMS ABOUT THE FOREIGN RESPONSE Claim: Photo shows Joe Biden lounging on the beach amid Israel-Hamas war, search for US House speaker Our rating: False The picture of the Bidens at the beach predates the Israel-Hamas war and the search to replace the U.S. House Speaker in Congress. It was taken in August. Read more. Claim: Video shows Irish ambassador criticizing Israel's treatment of Palestinians in October 2023 Our rating: False The video shows a member of the Irish parliament, not an ambassador, speaking at a 2014 committee meeting. The clip is unrelated to the current Israel-Hamas war. Read more. Claim: Video shows Putin warning US not to interfere in the Israel-Hamas war Our rating: False The video predates the ongoing Israel-Hamas war by nearly a year and does not match the caption. It shows Putin discussing the threat of nuclear war in December 2022. He did not mention Israel or the U.S. in his remarks. Read more. Claim: Emir of Qatar threatened to cut off world's natural gas supply if Gaza bombing continues Our rating: False A disinformation expert in Qatar says the emir has not made such a threat, and there are no credible reports of one. Read more. Claim: Israel defense minister announced Israel has abolished all the rules of war Our rating: False There is no evidence Gallant said this. Versions of the claim reference Gallant's message to Israeli troops along the Gaza border, but media accounts of those remarks include no mention of abolishing the rules of war. Read more. Claim: Department of Defense evacuated US embassy in Beirut and told Americans to leave Lebanon immediately Our rating: False The embassy published a statement saying it's still open and operating like normal. It announced a regional security alert, warning U.S. citizens to avoid travel in the area and to exercise caution. Read more. Claim: Donald Trump said Israel 'hypnotized the world,' committed 'evil doings' Our rating: False Trump was quoting a social media post made by Rep. Ilhan Omar, not expressing his own position. The short video clip omits the attribution at the start of Trump's comment. Read more. Claim: Joe Biden approved $8 billion military aid package for Israel Our rating: False There's no evidence the White House approved an $8 billion aid package for Israel. The supposed memo announcing the aid is a fabrication, according to officials. Read more. Claim: Saudi Arabia has ended 'all negotiations' to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel after Hamas attack Our rating: False There are no credible reports that Saudi Arabia has called off talks to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel. The post claims Saudi Arabia told Secretary of State Antony Blinken as much, but Blinken made no mention of it in multiple recent interviews. The post cites The Jerusalem Post, but there is no evidence the newspaper published such a report. Read more. FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT COMBAT Claim: Israeli newspaper investigation found no babies were beheaded during Oct. 7 Hamas attack Our rating: False Haaretz said the claim is baseless. There is no evidence the news outlet conducted any such investigation. It reported the decapitated bodies of babies had been found following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. An international group of forensic pathologists also have confirmed babies were found decapitated, though it's unclear if that happened before or after death. Read more. Claim: The Islamic Black Flag raised in Iran signifies a call to war Our rating: False The black flag was raised over the Imam Reza shrine as a call to mourning, not war, as confirmed by experts and statements from the shrine. Read more. Claim: Hamas attack on Supernova music festival was a false flag Our rating: False An abundance of evidence, including graphic footage from the attack, shows it was Hamas that perpetrated the massacre at the Supernova music festival. Read more. Claim: Israeli spokesperson said Israel bombed Gaza hospital Our rating: False The man who shared the post on X is a self-described "media personality," not a spokesperson for the Israeli government. Israel hasn't taken "credit" for the hospital blast. The original X post was later deleted. Read more. CLAIMS ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND PROTESTS Claim: Video shows pro-Palestinian protest in France Our rating: False The video predates the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. It shows fans of a Brazilian soccer team marching before a game. Read more. Claim: Image shows a crowd of Israelis waving at marching soldiers Our rating: Altered The image was made using artificial intelligence, and it was originally labeled as such. An expert found multiple signs that the image is not genuine. Read more. Claim: There was an insurrection at the Capitol on Oct. 18 Our rating: False The crowd hosted a demonstration, not an insurrection, and it wasn't at the Capitol. Demonstrators entered the building legally and were arrested after they began protesting. No property damage or major injuries were reported. Read more. Claim: McDonalds changed its wrappers to support Israel Our rating: False The wrapper shown in the video is one of several similar designs used for special orders, limited-edition products or temporary shortages of standard wrappers, McDonalds said. The blue and white wrappers have been in use since well before the Israel-Hamas war. Read more. Claim: Video shows pro-Palestinian protestors attacking police in Barcelona Our rating: False The video shows a 2020 protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Barcelona. It's unrelated to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Read more. Claim: Video shows protestors burning down Israeli Embassy in Bahrain Our rating: False The video was filmed in 2012 and shows protestors attacking a police station in Bahrain. It's unrelated to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Read more. Claim: University of Pennsylvania students chanted We want Jewish genocide at pro-Palestinian protest Our rating: False The transcription is wrong. The group was chanting, We charge you with genocide, a phrase thats been repeated at pro-Palestinian rallies around the country. Both the student group that organized the rally and the schools student newspaper said there were no chants advocating the genocide of Jewish people. Read more. Claim: Video shows Lebanese people scaling Israeli border wall in October 2023 Our rating: False The video was captured in 2021. It is unrelated to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Read more. Claim: Video shows Egyptians bringing 'water, food and supplies' to Gaza Our rating: False The video is unrelated to the Israel-Hamas conflict and was published online before the current conflict began. There is no evidence it shows Egyptians bringing supplies to Gaza. Read more. Claim: Image shows Benjamin Netanyahu sending son to fight against Hamas in 2023 Our rating: False The photo dates back to 2014, when the prime minister's youngest son, Avner Netanyahu, began his mandatory military service. It was not taken during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Read more. Claim: Image shows the Las Vegas Sphere lit up with an image of the Israeli flag Our rating: Altered The venue debunked the claim in a post on X, saying the viral image is altered. Read more. Claim: Video shows pro-Palestine march in Chicago in October 2023 Our rating: False The video shows a 2021 march in support of Palestine in Chicago. It's unrelated to the Israel-Hamas war that began in October. Read more. Claim: Irans parliament recently chanted 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America' Our rating: False The video is from 2020, not a response to the current Israel-Hamas conflict. It shows Iranian lawmakers protesting the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. There are no credible reports that any of those chants mentioned Israel. Read more. MISCAPTIONED COMBAT FOOTAGE AND PICTURES Claim: Photo shows 'corpse' using phone in Gaza Our rating: False The photo is from a Halloween event in Thailand. It is unrelated to the conflict in Gaza. Read more. Claim: Egypt has sent hundreds of tanks into Gaza to fight Israel Our rating: False There are no credible reports of Egypt joining the war or sending troops into Gaza. Read more. Claim: The Wall Street Journal reported American-made MK-84 bomb caused Gaza hospital explosion Our rating: False There is no reference to an MK-84 bomb in the Wall Street Journals reporting on the hospital blast. A company spokesperson said the claim is false. Read more. Claim: Hamas surrendered and Gaza now belongs to Israel Our rating: False As of Oct. 20, the Israeli military has not seized Gaza, and Hamas has not surrendered. The Israel-Hamas war is ongoing, according to numerous news outlets. Read more. Claim: Video shows Israel's new Iron Beam laser defense system being fired in October 2023 Our rating: False Defense experts say the Iron Beam is not shown in the video and is not yet operational. There are no credible reports of the air defense system being used in combat. Read more. Claim: Photo shows Palestinian children killed in Israel-Hamas war Our rating: False This photo predates the Israel-Hamas war that began in October by more than a decade. It was taken after a chemical weapons attack in Syria in 2013. Read more. Claim: Video shows CNN faking coverage of a rocket attack in Israel Our rating: Altered The video combines authentic footage with an audio track added by a "social commentary" YouTube channel. A CNN spokesperson said the audio was not genuine. Read more. Claim: Video shows children held hostage in cages during the Israel-Hamas conflict Our rating: False The video is unrelated to the Israel-Hamas conflict and was published online before the current conflict began. Read more. Claim: Video shows Israeli airstrike destroying Gaza tower in October Our rating: False The video is miscaptioned. It shows an Israeli airstrike that destroyed a building in Gaza in May 2021. Read more. Claim: Video shows a childs injuries being faked in Israel-Hamas conflict Our rating: False The video shows a behind-the-scenes clip from a short film that was released online in April 2022, almost 18 months before Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Social media users have previously shared it while claiming it showed actors fabricating videos of other acts of violence. Read more. Claim: Video shows rockets fired during 'new air assault' against Israel Our rating: False The video is miscaptioned. It shows rockets fired at Israel from Gaza during a conflict in May 2021. Read more. Claim: Israel bombed and destroyed the third oldest church in the world Our rating: False The post shows the Saint Porphyrios Orthodox Church in Gaza. As of Oct. 9, the church said it had not been damaged and that it was open to worshipers and refugees. Read more. Claim: Video shows missile attacks by Hamas against Israel Our rating: False The video is miscaptioned. It has been online since 2020 and appears alongside references to a conflict in Syria. Read more. Claim: Video shows Hamas fighters parachuting into Israel Our rating: False The video has been on the internet since at least September, predating the Hamas attack on Israel in October. It is unrelated to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Read more. Claim: Video shows Israeli airstrike on Gaza following Hamas attacks in October Our rating: False The video predates the Hamas attacks on Israel in October. It was taken in May and shows an Israeli airstrike against the militant Islamic Jihad group in Gaza. Read more. Claim: Post implies video shows Israel shooting down a Hamas fighter plane Our rating: Missing context The implied claim is false. The footage is from the video game "Arma 3" and does not show actual combat. Read more. Claim: Video shows Israeli generals captured by Hamas fighters Our rating: False The video shows several leaders of an Azerbaijani separatist group after they were arrested, not Israeli generals. The arrests took place four days before the Hamas attack on Israel. Read more. 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: Roundup: What's true and what's false about the 2023 Israel-Hamas war The News Three Hamas leaders have emerged at the top of Israels most wanted list for their suspected roles in overseeing Saturdays massacre of at least 1,000 Israelis and their central roles in coordinating military and terrorist operations with Iran, according to current and former Israeli officials. Know More The Israel Defense Forces placed a bounty on Hamass top political leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, earlier this week and pledged to kill him as part of the broader campaign to dismantle Hamas. Yahya Sinwar is the commander of the campaign, and he is a dead man, an IDF spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, told reporters on Monday. [Hamass] military and political leadership, all of its assets, are attackable, and doomed. Current and former Israeli officials told Semafor theyre also focused on Hamass top operative in Lebanon, Saleh al-Arouri. The long-standing Hamas leader, these officials said, is the point man in coordinating with commanders from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, or IRGC, and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Israeli officials and Arab media have tracked meetings in Beirut between Arouri and IRGC and Hezbollah officials before Hamass Saturday assault on southern Israel. They said theyre still assessing whether Iran and Hezbollah were directly involved in planning the attacks. And they said theyre concerned Arouri could be planning to open a northern front against Israel through his collaboration with the IRGC and Hezbollah. The third on the Israeli hit list is Mohammed Deif, the one-eyed commander who oversees Hamass military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. Deif is believed to be the operational planner of the Saturday attack, which included the infiltration of 1,000 Hamas fighters over Israels southern border. Jays view Targeting Hamass leaders will be challenging for Israel, both because of their disparate locations and their secretive maneuverings. Many of the Palestinian movements top brass are in Qatar, under the protection of the Gulf emirates security forces. Others are based in Turkey, Lebanon, and the West Bank. Sinwar and Deif both have survived multiple assassination attempts conducted by the Israeli military and intelligence services over the past three decades. The Israelis, ironically, know both Sinwar and Arouri well. Both spent years in Israeli prisons and were debriefed regularly during their incarcerations by both security officials and journalists. The Israeli commentator and analyst Ehud Yaari recounted this week interviewing Sinwar multiple times and discussing his hopes to essentially merge Hamass military operations into those of Irans and Hezbollah in order to create a united front against Israel. Sinwar didnt want to fight Israel on his own, Yaari said Tuesday at an event hosted by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. In case the knife is on your throat, in case the Israeli army invades Gaza forcefully, there will be an activation, the ignition, of a Lebanese front and, to a lesser extent, Syrian front. Sinwar was released by Israel in 2011, after serving 22 years in prison, as part of a prisoner exchange for the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Hamas was created in the late 1980s as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, a pan-Islamist movement that seeks to rule through Islamic law. Hamas, as a Sunni Islamic organization, has its roots in the Brotherhoods Egyptian founders and initially drew its support from Arab countries in the Levant and the Persian Gulf. But as many of these states normalized relations with Israel over the past three decades, Hamass leaders turned toward revolutionary Iran, a Shiite Muslim state, for funding and money. Israeli officials cite both Sinwar and Arouri as critical players in aligning Hamas with the IRGC and Hezbollah. There were tensions in relations between these sides in the early 2010s, when Irans ally in Syria, President Bashar al Assad, launched a war against his countrys Muslim Brotherhood organizations. But Sinwar and Arouri were central in healing this rift. Theyre too close to the Iranians, Neomi Neumann, the former head of research of the Israel internal security forces, or Shin Bet, said of Sinwar and Arouri on Tuesday. Saleh al-Arouri is sitting in Lebanon meetings on a regular basis [with] Hezbollah and people from Iran. Theyre meeting, theyre coordinating, theyre getting money and new knowledge. Israeli officials feel particularly duped by Sinwar. In recent years, hed talked of prioritizing economic development in the Gaza Strip over the struggle against Israel. Thats now seen as a ruse and that contributed to Israels lax defenses on its southern border. Room for Disagreement A number of the U.S.s military partners and allies in the Middle East are already opposing Israels military campaign in Gaza and the targeting of Hamass leaders. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday warned that the IDF is preparing to massacre Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Preventing people meeting their most fundamental needs and bombing housingwhere civilians live - in short, conducting a conflict using every sort of shameful method - is not a war, its a massacre, he said in Ankara. Qatar is also protecting many of Hamass leaders and has started mediations to guarantee the release of Israeli women and children currently being held in the Gaza Strip. Part of these negotiations could include the free passage of Hamass leaders there. Notable (Bloomberg) -- Israel targeted Hamas commanders and vowed to wipe the group off the face of the Earth as its new unity government signaled a major ground offensive soon in retaliation for an attack by the militant group that killed at least 1,200 people. Most Read from Bloomberg I say here, to everyone we will wipe out this thing called Hamas, Defense Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . The address came hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel in a push to show US support. Israel has cut electricity to the Gaza Strip, where airstrikes continued. Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the US and European Union, is holding an unknown number of Israelis hostage and officials suggested the invasion would start before they had been brought to safety. For more on the Israel-Hamas war, click here. All time stamps are Israeli time. Israel Targets Hamas Leaders, Infrastructure (4:45 a.m.) Israeli Defense Forces are prioritizing strikes on Hamas commanders and officials as well as its intelligence and financial infrastructure within the Gaza Strip, spokesman Jonathan Conricus said in a video briefing on the X social media platform. He added there are about 300,000 members of Israels ground forces positioned nearby and they are making preparations for the next stage of the war, which will come when the timing is opportune and fit for our purposes. There are extensive attacks currently happening on many Hamas locations, the IDF also said in a separate social media post. China Envoy Expected to Speak to Israel (4:40 a.m.) Chinas special envoy on Middle East issues is expected to speak Thursday with Israeli officials, according to Israels Ambassador to China. China has so far avoided blaming any party for the violence and repeated its support for independent Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution. Beijing said its a friend to both sides, but its refusal to condemn the violence from Hamas risks upsetting Israel, a key trade and technological partner. Read: China Middle East Envoy Expected to Speak to Israel on Thursday Iran Knew of Attack Plans But Not Timing, WSJ Says (3:03 a.m.) A preliminary unclassified assessment by US intelligence agencies shows Iran had some indication Hamas was planning an attack against Israel but Tehran didnt know the timing or scale of the assault, the Wall Street Journal reported. The assessment also said US intelligence agencies have not yet reached a definitive conclusion on whether some in Iran may have been aware of what was being considered or helped direct the assault, the paper reported. Iran likely knew Hamas was planning the attacks, but the US has no confirmation Tehran was involved in the preparations, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a White House briefing. Hamas wouldnt have been able to function at all had it not been for propping up by the Iranian regime, he added. Biden Condemns Hamas in Call With UAE Leader (1:05 a.m.) President Joe Biden condemned Hamass terror and warned against anyone who might seek to exploit the current situation in Israel during a call with United Arab Emirates leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the White House said. The two leaders also spoke about the importance of ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. The UAE signed the Abraham Accords with Israel in 2020. Biden has conducted a series of calls with leaders in Europe and the Middle East seeking to rally support for Israel in response to last weekends deadly attacks. Netanyahu Says Every Hamas Member is a Dead Man (12 a.m.) Netanyahu described the horror of the weekend attack, saying people had been beheaded and women had been raped. He vowed to crush and destroy Hamas. Opposition leader Benny Gantz foreshadowed the looming ground campaign, as officials said all Israelis are soldiers now. There is a time for war and time for peace, Gantz said. Now is time for war. Blinken Heads to Israel With Fate of Hostages Uncertain (9:45 p.m.) Blinken took off for Tel Aviv, saying the point of his trip, which may include other stops in the region, is to show the US has Israels back at a time of crisis. The US is also investigating the fate of the at least 17 Americans who remain unaccounted for following the Hamas attack in Israel. The White House is only aware of a very small number who are believed to be hostages, spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. The US has not received proof of life regarding the suspected hostages and does not know where they are, Kirby added. Israel Says Reports of Intrusion Were False Alarm (8:30 p.m.) Air-raid sirens sounded in northern Israel and local residents were told to go to bomb shelters, but authorities later said reports of an airspace intrusion from Lebanon were a false alarm. Israelis have been on high alert for any sign Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon to the north might step up attacks after Hamass deadly attacks from Gaza in the south over the weekend. About 90 minutes after the first report of an intrusion in the north, the Israel Defense Force said, a suspected infiltration has been ruled out. It blamed human error for an earlier alert telling residents across the country to remain in shelters. Biden Speaks to Netanyahu as US Death Toll Rises (7:21 p.m.) Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Netanyahu to discuss ongoing US support for Israel as Israel defends itself and protects its people, the White House said in a statement. Around the time of the call, the State Department said the death toll among US citizens rose to at least 22. Its still not clear how many Americans are being held hostage by Hamas. Israel Engaged in War of Extermination, Palestinian Official Says (7:15 p.m.) The Palestinian people are facing a war of extermination by Israel, the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki said, adding that Israel is heading toward an option of total destruction of Gaza. We have repeatedly warned about the danger of the continued occupation of our land and the Israeli violations, Malki told an Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo. Malki detailed what he said were Israeli transgressions, including using illegal weapons in a blitz aimed at destroying Gazas infrastructure and its ability to support its residents. Shale Boss Warns of Oil-Market Peril If Iran Is Swept Into War (6:38 p.m.) Oil prices will surge if the Israel-Hamas war escalates to include Iran, shale magnate Scott Sheffield told Bloomberg Television. The founder and chief executive officer of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. issued the warning during an interview on Wednesday, hours after Exxon Mobil Corp. agreed to buy the shale giant for $59.5 billion. If Iran gets involved, [the war is] going to get bigger and bigger and itll significantly affect oil prices, he said. US to Send Iron Dome Interceptor Missiles, Other Munitions (6:12 p.m.) The US is sending interceptor missiles for Israelis Iron Dome air-defense system, as well as other munitions as part of initial support, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Brussels. The first munitions arrived Tuesday and the interceptors will be sent soon, Austin said, speaking after a meeting of the contact group supporting Ukraine. He said the US will keep supporting Ukraine and Israel. Were going to do whats necessary to help our allies and partners and were going to also do whats necessary to make sure that we maintain the capability to protect our interests and defend our country, Austin said. Israel Forms Rare Emergency Government (5:30 p.m.) Israel formed a rare emergency government with some opposition members on Wednesday to see the country through its war with Hamas. A war management cabinet will be established with three members, according to Netanyahus office. They are Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and ex-Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who now heads an opposition party. Gaza Runs Out of Power After Plant Stalls (4:02 p.m.) Electricity went out in Gaza after its only power plant stopped working. The station is unable to receive additional fuel after Israel cut off supplies in the wake of the Hamas attack. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said hospitals in Gaza will soon be without power. Hospitals are using backup generators to provide reduced emergency services, it said. --With assistance from Nurin Sofia. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. TechCrunch Following a content moderation warning from European Union regulators earlier this week, Meta has published an overview of how its responding to risks on its social media platforms stemming from the Israel-Hamas war. Its blog post covers what it frames as "ongoing efforts", with some existing policies and tools for users rehashed. Under this change Meta says it will be removing content that "clearly identifies hostages when were made aware of it, even if its being done to condemn or raise awareness of their situation". Israel told Chevron to shut down a major natural gas field, and it's threatening to further spike prices of the fuel. The world's natural gas market has already been rocked by the war in Ukraine and threats of a strike in Australia. Some Israeli gas from Tamar is exported to Egypt, which processes the fuel into LNG that's exported to the EU. Brace for bad news ahead of winter: Natural gas prices could spike as energy giant Chevron halted operations at a major Israeli gas field following orders from authorities. "In the wake of the situation, Israel's defense establishment ordered the temporary suspension of natural gas supplies from the Tamar field," Israel's energy ministry said Monday. The Tamar offshore gas platform off Israel's southern coast is within range of rocket fire from the Israel-Hamas war. The shutdown could be a dire development in the energy markets. Energy markets have already been rocked by the war in Ukraine and threats of a strike in Australia, another major gas producer. While Israel isn't a top natural gas producer, the country's output has grown after production started at several fields, including Tamar. Chevron owns a 25% stake in Tamar, while Houston-based Isramco holds 28.75%. Some Israeli gas from Tamar is exported to Egypt, a key player in the European Union's energy security. That's because Egypt processes the fuel into liquefied natural gas which is then exported to EU countries that are weaning themselves off Russian energy amid the war in Ukraine. It's not immediately clear how much LNG Eygpt has been shipping to Europe, but investors have already been spooked by Tamar's shutdown, as evidenced by the surge in prices of natural gas futures. After news of Tamar's shutdown circulated, the benchmark Dutch gas futures surged nearly 30% this week to 49.455 a megawatt-hour on Tuesday, their highest level since August. As natural gas is primarily used for electricity generation and heating, higher prices of the fuel could lead to higher power bills. Chevron told Insider it will continue to supply its customers in Israel and the region from the Leviathan gas field, another major facility, in the Mediterranean Sea. However, the suspension of Tamar's operations has already cut Israeli gas shipments to Egypt by 20%, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing Egyptian officials. "If we take out Israeli pipe gas imports from that equation, it will harm the ability of Egypt to export LNG over the coming months," Gergely Molnar, an International Energy Agency analyst, said on Tuesday, per S&P Global. Dutch TTF natural gas futures closed 12.5% higher at 49.455 a megawatt-hour on Tuesday. They are down 41% so far this year. Read the original article on Business Insider In the aftermath of Hamass surprise and brutal assault over the weekend, officials from Israel and the U.S. are saying the terrorist group must not be allowed to survive. Just as the forces of civilization united to defeat ISIS, the forces of civilization must support Israel in defeating Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address to the nation this week. But its a goal that has no clear timeline or road map and one that will be difficult to carry out. Israeli officials and regional experts are warning of, at least, a months-long Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip. And there are immediate fears the conflict could spill out across the region and beyond. While Hamass main base of military operations is in Gaza a narrow strip of sandy land sandwiched between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea its leadership lives across the world. Its funding and military materials are largely provided by Iran, whose militant network extends to Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. We understand that you cannot kill ideas, but you absolutely can demolish the regime or the leadership, said Neumi Neumann, former director of research for Israels internal security agency, the Shin Bet, now a visiting fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. She said a narrow campaign could avoid a larger conflict, focused on targeting Hamass two top leaders, Yahya Sinwar, the groups leader based in Gaza, and Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of Hamass political bureau, who lives in Lebanon. They both are trying to incite Palestinians in the West Bank, they incite Israeli Arabs inside east Jerusalem. They are trying to do a multi-front campaign against Israel, Neumann said. Democrats and Republicans have come out to say Hamas cannot survive. The group needs to be taken off the battlefield, that could mean kill or capture, whatever the Israelis need to do, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said to reporters Tuesday evening after a classified briefing on Israel. Its clear that Hamas needs to be fully neutralized here, and theres bipartisan consensus around that issue. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), speaking to Fox News from Jerusalem after leading a congressional delegation across the Middle East, said Israel will not be safe until Hamas is gone. It is extremely important that Israel proceed and make sure that they are absolutely destroying Hamas, she said. This organization I would equate to ISIS. They are barbarians, and yes there will be some horrible tragedies along the way, but Israel is warning the people of the Gaza Strip, please move away from those Hamas targets. But Israel will not be safe, the people will not be safe until Hamas is gone. The European Union and United Nations have already warned that Israel is committing war crimes in its response to Hamas, pointing to Jerusalems announcement of a sweeping siege on Gaza. Biden has avoided similar public statements, giving Israel space to target Hamas in what is likely to be a brutal military operation on the densely populated Gaza Strip, where the terrorist group has blended its infrastructure among the civilian population. Israel is reportedly preparing to launch a ground assault on Hamas-controlled territory, which would begin a bloody new phase in the war. The calls in Israel to topple Hamas now are loud. I do not know if they will win the day, but I would not rule it out, said Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, on a panel Tuesday. It is possible that Israel will try to go all the way in or find itself going all the way in [to Gaza]. And what would be the day after? I dont know. And more importantly, the Israeli leadership doesnt know. It would be an extremely difficult, possibly terrible scenario afterwards. Shibley Telhami, a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings and a former senior adviser to the State Department, said in the panel discussion that the U.S. has a critical role as a level-headed advisor to Israel. I also think that one cannot be confident that the policies that are being made right now whether its by Hamas or by Israel, anybody else is sound policy, Telhami said. Its on the fly. This came as a shocker. The urge to respond is not necessarily going to lead to wise decisions. And I think the United States has a critical role in counseling. Israeli hearts are hardened amid the trauma of Hamass assault, a barrage of missile attacks alongside more than 1,000 of its fighters infiltrating nearly a dozen communities in the south and attacking a music festival. Hamas massacred people in their homes and kidnapped others, with estimates putting the dead in Israel at more than 1,000 and at least 150 hostages taken into Gaza. And now, Palestinians in Gaza are suffering under punishing Israeli air strikes against Hamas targets and are caught behind a hermetically sealed blockade. Gazas Ministry of Health, which operates under Hamass control of the strip, said that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since Saturday when Hamas launched its assault on Israel and more than 5,000 injured, with 60 percent of those women and children. Nearly 200,000 Gazans are believed displaced amid punishing Israeli air strikes. U.S. officials are so far silencing calls for a cease-fire and holding back criticism of Israels decision to cut off electricity, water and supplies to Gaza and to send extra military support for the Israel Defense Forces. Israel has a right to conduct an aggressive response to respond to the terrorism thats been committed against its citizens, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday when asked whether cutting off supplies to Gaza constituted a war crime. We expect them to follow international law, we believe that they will, and we will remain in close contact with them about it. Biden is also challenged with avoiding a larger outbreak of war in the region, sending the U.S.s most advanced carrier strike group to deter Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon from trying to open up separate fronts against Israel. Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation, I have one word: Dont. Dont, the president said in Tuesday remarks at the White House. American and Israeli officials say theres no evidence Iran had a direct hand in the Hamas attack, even as they acknowledge Tehrans longtime military backing of the terrorist group. Its a delicate distinction. A more direct Iranian role in the attack could push the U.S. and Israel into a direct confrontation with Tehran particularly with at least 14 Americans believed to have been killed in Hamass assault and at least 20 Americans taken hostage. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. acknowledges Iran is complicit in Hamass assault, but said theres no confirmation that Iran knew about the attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack. Even as Republicans are irate at the Biden administrations policy towards Iran, their calls for action have largely centered around freezing $6 billion of Iranian funds the U.S. freed up in exchange for releasing American prisoners, along with calls for imposing more sanctions. Theres near-unanimous support in Congress to fulfill what is likely to be a White House request for more aid to Israel. However, the request may also inflame ongoing debates about U.S. support for Israel, and how it should be balanced with Americas other military commitments, like aid for Ukraine. The House is largely paralyzed until Republicans can elect a new Speaker after ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) earlier this month. However, interim Speaker Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has suggested Congress might act to support Israel without a permanent speaker if necessary. Meanwhile, the White House has dispatched Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel in a signal of solidarity. In the days ahead, we will continue to stand with our Israeli partners, Blinken said in a statement ahead of his departure Wednesday. As I head to Israel, I will be working to ensure they are equipped to defend themselves and making sure any hostile parties know they must not seek to take advantage of the situation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Israeli warplanes continue to bombard Gaza as ground forces mass in the surrounding area. The country's defense chief said the air attacks are just the start and would be followed by action on the ground. Israel vowed to crush Hamas after the militant group launched its brutal attacks on Saturday. Days after Israel officially declared war on Hamas following deadly attacks and atrocities, the country's continuous bombardment of the Gaza Strip has not let up. And as forces continue to mass near the border, Israeli officials continue to signal that this is just the beginning. "We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told soldiers near the Gaza border on Tuesday, asserting this is how the war will end. "We've been controlling the area since day two and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began striking what it has said are Hamas targets throughout Gaza on Saturday, immediately after the militant group carried out a series of brutal surprise attacks across the country that killed over 1,200 people mostly civilians and some foreign nationals and injured thousands more. By Tuesday, the IDF said its fighter jets had hit over 2,300 Hamas targets, and this figure continues to rise as the military reported ongoing airstrikes into Wednesday evening local time. The bombardment of Gaza a densely populated sliver of land home to roughly 2 million people has reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble and left over 1,000 Palestinians dead and over 5,000 injured, according to health officials. Israeli soldiers arrive at Sderot, a town close to the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Oct.11, 2023. AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Israeli soldiers have mobilized near Gaza, alongside tanks and other heavy weaponry, as officials vow to completely crush Hamas and strip it of its military capabilities and ability to govern the enclave, which it has done for over 15 years. In what may be preparation for a coming ground invasion, the IDF on Wednesday announced a "closed military zone" of the area surrounding Gaza to its northeast and southeast (Gaza borders Egypt to the southwest and the Mediterranean Sea to the northwest). "Entry is strictly prohibited and constitutes a serious security risk, as well as a criminal offense," the military said. "IDF soldiers are conducting combat activity in the area and entering it endangers lives as well as harms the IDF's activities. The IDF asks the public to be alert, and not to enter the prohibited area in order to allow the security forces to continue to carry out their missions." Any ground offensive could be a tough fight. It's been nearly a decade since Israel last invaded Gaza, giving Hamas ample time to prepare. It is also has the potential to be a very complicated battlespace. Although Israel boasts a vastly superior military to the capabilities possessed by Iran-backed Hamas, war experts told Insider that a ground invasion would likely still leave the IDF engaged in a brutal campaign, given how difficult it is to fight in an urban environment. In Gaza, Israeli forces may be vulnerable to traps, surprise guerrilla warfare tactics, and well-armed militants who have the advantage of defending the complex terrain. Hamas could use buildings as pre-made military fortifications and leverage its elaborate network of tunnels beneath the strip. Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. AP Photo/Fatima Shbair Also complicating a potential ground invasion are the roughly 150 hostages Hamas is suspected of having abducted during the initial attacks against Israel on Saturday and the scores of civilians who remain trapped in Gaza and are scrambling to find safety after Israeli officials announced a complete siege of the enclave. United Nations officials say they're deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis that's currently unfolding there and continue to warn against potential military escalation. Israel, nonetheless, retains strong international support from the US in its fight with Hamas, which the US regards as a terrorist organization. The first batch of US security assistance arrived in Israel on Tuesday, complementing the arrival of a heavily armed US Navy carrier strike group in nearby waters. The Biden administration said that the force posture changes are meant to be a signal of deterrence to other groups or militaries that may be looking to exploit the bloody crisis and join the fight. The White House said in a statement that military aid to Israel will include ammunition, interceptors for its Iron Dome, and "other defense materiel." "Tonight the first US aircraft has landed in Israel. It carries equipment for our troops, as well as the symbol of our partnership and bond with the United States," Gallant said late on Tuesday. "This is the first of many to come." Read the original article on Business Insider CARACAS, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States is conducting "multifaceted aggression" against Venezuela, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Tuesday at the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. "Venezuela continues to be under constant threat from foreign powers that seek to infringe (on our country)," Gil said in his speech at the committee's 139th session. The U.S. actions against the South American country have had a "negative" impact on the rights of its people, he said. The United States and other countries have adopted more than 930 "restrictive or punitive" measures against Venezuela, Gil said. He warned that these measures have drastically reduced the state's capacity to obtain the resources and services necessary to fully meet the needs of the Venezuelan people. Israeli forces struck militant group Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in response to the groups anti-tank missile at an Israeli army position, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday. The Israeli military claimed its aircraft struck the area where Hezbollah launched its missile earlier this week and a military observation post belonging to the group in southern Lebanon. Israeli shelling injured three civilians in the town of Marwahin in southern Lebanon and damaged around 10 houses, Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported. The outlet claimed the attacks prompted escalating fires in Marwahin and the town of Al-Dhahira Hezbollah, backed by Iran, argued its recent attack was retaliation for the deaths of three fighters, who were reportedly killed during Israeli strikes Monday. The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel comes as the Jewish state ramps up its counteroffensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched a surprise attack against the country. The initial strikes left hundreds dead mostly civilians. Hezbollah and Israel also exchanged fire Sunday, with the Lebanese group reportedly claiming it fired off guided rockets and artillery to show it stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people. An Israeli military spokesperson on Tuesday later warned of very severe consequences if Hezbollah joined the rising conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah has engaged in fighting with Israeli forces in recent years, prompting concerns from the U.S. and its allies that the militant group will exploit Israels war with Hamas to initiate a second front in the conflict. No other party hostile to Israel should try to exploit these despicable attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday while in Brussels, Belgium. Israel continues to ramp up its retaliatory attacks against Hamas, destroying several neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip. Food, water and medical supplies are running low after Israel ordered a complete siege over such supplies in Gaza. The death toll continued to climb Wednesday to an estimated 2,200 lives on both sides, with numbers expected to keep rising, according to The Associated Press. Gazas Health Ministry estimated around 1,055 Palestinians have been killed so far in the conflict, with thousands of others injured. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival Wednesday to create a wartime Cabinet to oversee the fight to avenge the gruesome weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighborhoods and the only power plant ran out of fuel. Netanyahu vowed to crush and destroy Hamas. Every Hamas member is a dead man, he said in a televised address. The new Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics and at a time when the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Netanyahu alleged that the attackers engaged in atrocities, including binding boys and girls and shooting them in the head, burning people alive, raping women and beheading soldiers. The prime ministers allegations could not be independently confirmed, and authorities did not immediately offer further details. Rescue workers and witnesses have described horrifying scenes, including the slaughter of elderly people and finding bloody rooms crowded with massacred civilians. Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults and they have fired thousands of rockets into Israel over the past five days. The Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will be led by Netanyahu; Benny Gantz, a senior opposition figure and former defense minister; and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Still, Israels political divisions remain. The country's chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join the Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. Israel's increasingly destructive airstrikes in Gaza have flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath debris. A ground offensive in Gaza, whose 2.3 million residents are densely packed into a tiny, coastal strip, would likely result in a surge of casualties for fighters on both sides. The death toll in Gaza rose to 1,200 early Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said, including 51 people killed in what the Israeli military called a large-scale attack in the hours before daylight. Hamas on Wednesday launched a fresh barrage of rockets into Israel aimed at the southern town of Ashkelon. The UN said late Wednesday the number of people displaced by the airstrikes had soared 30 percent within 24 hours, to 339,000, two-thirds of them crowding into U.N. schools. Others sought shelter in the shrinking number of safe neighborhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territory's only power station ran out of fuel and shut down. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. Israel on Monday halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The sole remaining crossing from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit nearby. The Gaza Strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, has only enough fuel to keep power on for three days, said Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a reconstructive surgeon at al-Shifa, said he had 50 patients waiting to go to the operating room. Were already beyond the capacity of the system to cope, he said. The health system has the rest of the week before it collapses, not just because of the diesel. All supplies are running short. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days. Residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. In Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp, rescue workers and civilians carried men covered with blood and soot toward ambulances after strikes toppled buildings. Streets were left blanketed with metal, chunks of concrete and thick dust. Medical teams and rescuers struggled to enter other areas where roads were too damaged, including Gaza City's al-Karama district, where a large number were killed or wounded, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. Strikes have killed at least four Red Crescent paramedics, the organization said. The risk of the war spreading was evident Wednesday after the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. U.S. President Joe Biden called Saturday's Hamas attack the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty, not just hate, but pure cruelty against the Jewish people, Biden said at a meeting with Jewish community leaders at the White House. On Tuesday, he warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The U.S. is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the territory's health ministry said. More than two dozen Palestinians have died in fighting in the West Bank since the weekend. Israel has mobilized 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near Gaza and evacuated tens of thousands of residents from nearby communities. Toppling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would likely require reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas said it launched its attack Saturday because Palestinians suffering had become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. In the kibbutz of Beeri near Gaza, Israeli troops were still removing the bodies of dead Hamas militants who stormed the community and killed more than 100 residents, then battled soldiers for nearly three days. Major General Itai Veruv told visiting journalists that the military found evidence of Hamas militants cutting throats of bound captives, lining up children and killing them and packing 15 teenage girls in a room before throwing a grenade inside. Shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas are running high in Israel. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighborhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then leveling large swaths in waves of airstrikes. Israels tone has changed as well. In past conflicts, its military insisted on the precision of strikes in Gaza, trying to ward off criticism over civilian deaths. This time, military briefings emphasize the destruction being wreaked. Even with the evacuation warnings, Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no notice, survivors say. There was no warning or anything, said Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike late Tuesday leveled his home in Gaza City. Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public, and his whereabouts are unknown. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israel, and that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members. ___ Shurafa reported from Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writers Amy Teibel and Isabel DeBre in Jerusalem, Sam McNeil in Be'eri, Israel, Jack Jeffrey and Samy Magdy in Cairo and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to this report. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to destroy Hamas. It comes after the group launched the worst terror attack in Israel's history. Analysts say the group is deeply embedded in Gaza and may be difficult to destroy. In the wake of the devastating terror attacks by militant group Hamas in Israel, the country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to destroy the group. "All the places that Hamas hides in, operates from, we will turn them into ruins," Netanyahu said. Israel now appears to be preparing for a full ground assault on Gaza, the densely populated coastal strip that Hamas has governed since 2007 and from where it launched a series of attacks on Saturday that left more than 600 dead. Netanyahu has called up 300,000 reservists, and troops are massing at the border in signs a ground attack could be imminent. But it's a campaign that would face enormous challenges, say analysts. And even if Israel succeeds in its assault, it is unlikely to completely destroy Hamas. The logistics are complex. Israel would have to seize control of a convoluted network of bases and underground tunnels Hamas operates within an urban environment, as previously reported by Insider's Jake Epstein. "I don't think there's a way to overstate how extraordinarily difficult it will be," Tobias Borck, a Middle East expert at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank, told NBC News. "It's not going to just be street by street but house by house and tunnel by tunnel." Another obstacle for Israel is the hundreds of hostages Hamas seized in Saturday's attack, including women, children, and the elderly. Hamas threatened to murder a hostage in response to every Palestinian civilian killed in the offensive. Hamas could use the hostages as human shields, placing them at military and other sites likely to be targeted by the Israeli military. Israel has long understood the scale of the challenge. According to a 2017 study by RAND, Israel has sought to contain Hamas, but not outright destroy it. The report said that Israel didn't want to be responsible for Gaza in the power vacuum that could result from the group being ousted, and fears another, more extreme group could take its place. After Israel left Gaza in 2005 and Hamas took power, Israel imposed an economic blockade on the strip and launched a series of attacks and assassinations amid outbreaks of violence by Hamas. It has mainly confined itself to airstrikes, with the last ground operation launched back in 2014. "Israel's grand strategy became "mowing the grass" accepting its inability to permanently solve the problem and instead repeatedly targeting leadership of Palestinian militant organizations to keep violence manageable," said the report. There are question marks over what defeating Hamas would actually entail, and whether it's possible to meaningfully destroy a movement rooted in Islamist ideology and political grievance. "I have no doubt that through targeted killings and combat Israel can kill a large number of Hamas's fighters and destroy a lot of its military capabilities," Michael Eisenstadt, director of the Military and Security Studies Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Time, "but you can't destroy an idea." A total military occupation of Gaza of the kind necessary to eliminate Hamas, or massively reduce its capabilities, would be an operation of a different magnitude to recent operations, and there are concerns over how long Israel could sustain a war. Israel would likely have to battle not only Hamas but fighters from a myriad of other militant groups based in Gaza, who prepared to ferociously defend the territory from an Israeli attack they have long planned for. "The last thing Israeli politicians would want would be a steady drip-drip of casualties from Gaza, where every week there's more Israeli death," Daniel Byman, of Georgetown University, told The Economist. What, specifically, a Hamas defeat looks like even if these challenges can be overcome remains to be decided. "Would it be sufficient to force Hamas's leadership to leave Gaza? Would they have to be killed? Or is Hamas inevitably a permanent fixture of Palestinian politics, so long as there isn't a permanent resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?" wrote Anchal Vohra, a columnist for Foreign Policy. Read the original article on Business Insider The American death toll rose to 22 and Israeli fatalities surpassed 1,200 Wednesday while desperation swept across Gaza as Tel Aviv's response to the brutal attack by Hamas left neighborhoods destroyed, homes dark and hospitals low on medical supplies. Thursday's live updates: US backs Israel amid strikes in Gaza, Blinken says "At this time, we can confirm the deaths of at least 22 U.S. citizens," the State Department said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected." In addition, 17 Americans remain unaccounted for, the White House said. Israeli soldiers retaking communities near the Gaza border encountered streets littered with the bodies of civilians, including women and children. The Israeli health ministry said the death toll is likely to increase amid continued fighting and the discovery of more bodies in the settlements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush and destroy Hamas. Every Hamas member is a dead man, he said. Palestinian officials say more than 1,100 militants and citizens in Gaza have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded. Israeli rockets smashed into neighborhoods for a fifth day Wednesday, destroying homes and infrastructure. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territorys only power station ran out of fuel and shut down. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. The territory, home to more than 2 million Palestinians, fell into darkness after its only power station ran out of fuel Wednesday, and residents faced the grim prospect of limited supplies of food and water. The U.N.s World Health Organization said supplies pre-positioned at hospitals were depleted. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers. I have removed every restriction. We will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Hamas denied targeting children and issued a statement condemning Western media for promoting the Israeli occupations propaganda, which is full of lies and fabrications, as an attempt to cover up the crimes and massacres committed by the Israeli occupation around the clock." An IDF Artillery solider covers his ears as a shell is fired towards Gaza on October 11, 2023 near Netivot, Israel. Israel has sealed off Gaza and conducted airstrikes on Palestinian territory after an attack by Hamas killed hundreds and took more than 100 hostages. On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza by land, sea, and air, killing over 700 people and wounding more than 2000. Israeli soldiers and civilians have also been taken hostage by Hamas and moved into Gaza. The attack prompted a declaration of war by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel-Hamas War newsletter: Sign up to get the latest news and analysis from USA TODAY into your inbox. Developments: In the Beeri kibbutz near Gaza, where Hamas fighters killed more than 100 residents, Major General Itai Veruv said the military found evidence of militants cutting the throats of bound captives, lining up children and killing them and packing 15 teenage girls in a room before throwing a grenade inside. Key Iranian leaders had no advanced warning that Hamas would attack Israel, the New York Times reports, citing U.S. intelligence officials it did not name. The information supports previous Biden administration statements that there was no indication Iran was involved in the attack. An estimated 260,000 people have fled their Gaza homes, most taking shelter into packed U.N. schools. Israeli forces exchanged gunfire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria amid concerns of an expanded regional conflict. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed to have killed and wounded troops, which the Israelis did not confirm. Family's painful tale: An American mom, 67, spent her life advocating for Palestinian rights. Then, Hamas came for her. State Department updates travel advisory to Israel, West Bank The State Department upgraded its travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 on Wednesday, advising U.S. citizens to "reconsider travel." The department kept its advisory for Gaza at the departments highest level, Level 4, warning citizens "do not travel." The State Department said some areas have increased risk and cited the possibility of attacks in public areas, including tourist locations, transportation hubs, and local government facilities. "Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning," the travel advisory states. "There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning." According to a department spokesperson, State Department teams are providing assistance and are in constant communication with U.S. citizens who are trying to return to the United States. The department advised citizens to take commercial flights that "involve transiting a third country if they are unable to book a direct flight to the United States." "We are acutely aware of the currently limited capacity on commercial flights and the high demand from U.S. citizens wanting to depart," the department spokesperson said. "In order to meet high demand for flights, we are also exploring other contract options by air, land, and sea to nearby countries." Francesca Chambers, Thao Nguyen Some are choosing to leave U.S. to fight On Sunday morning, Logan walked into a Fort Myers-based temple and told Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz that he was leaving for Israel to join in the fight against Hamas. Im going, Logan told Minkowicz. He was holding his tefillin in his hands, leather wraps inscribed with verses of the Torah. Logan had come to the temple to pray one last time, and to tell Minkowicz what he had decided. Minkowicz, who leads Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida, has been working to counsel those distraught by the attack. Many in his congregation have lived in Israel or have family there, sheltering in bunkers or joining the army. A number of them feel adrift, terrified for their loved ones abroad, he said. Some, like Logan, have left to join the fight. Others wish they could help protect their country and their families. But the fact that they cant is a constant source of pain and anger. Logan, who holds dual citizenship with the U.S. and Israel, is one of roughly 360,000 reservists Israel has mobilized, and could soon be deployed on a ground offensive into Gaza. When Logan FaceTimed Minkowicz for a press event Tuesday morning, gunfire could be heard in the background. The situation is very bad, Logan said via FaceTime. Were working very hard. Were training, were doing everything we can. It changes every second. Read more here. Kate Cimini, Fort Myers News-Press Israel was warned attack was coming, congressman says Israel officials were notified by neighboring Egypt that an attack was possible three days before it happened, according to a congressman with insight into such matters. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas who's the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Hamas onslaught Saturday likely resulted from a "failure of intelligence'' and that it was uncertain how both the U.S. and Israel were caught by surprise. We know that Egypt had warned the Israelis three days prior that an event like this could happen, McCaul told reporters. "We know that this had been planned perhaps as long as a year ago.'' McCaul added that "a warning was given,'' but it wasn't clear at what level of government. Netanyahu has denied having prior knowledge of the attack, calling those reports "absolutely false." Other reports indicate the information may have been passed along but never reached his desk because it lacked details. McCaul said the focus now is on keeping the conflict from expanding with the involvement of other militant groups in the region. "We're very concerned about the fidelity of our intelligence and the escalation of a conflict in the Middle East that could turn into a global Jihad movement in Israel,'' he said. US casting wide net in search for missing Americans In addition to the 22 Americans killed, 17 Americans are still missing in Israel following the Hamas attack, the White House said Wednesday and the figures could rise further. "I think we all need to steel ourselves for the very distinct possibility that these numbers will keep increasing," said John Kirby, a White House spokesman on national security matters. "We might find out that more Americans are part of the hostage pool." Kirby said the U.S. knows some of the Americans a "very small" number are being held hostage by Hamas but does not know their condition or location. He said the administration is doing "everything we can" to locate them and bring them home. "We don't know if they're all in one group or broken up into several groups. We don't know if they're being moved and with what frequency and to what locations," Kirby said. Tough to get more detail." Kirby said the U.S. is "casting the net wide" on hostage-recovery efforts, citing discussions with the Israeli government, other Middle East allies and countries such as Qatar that "that have open lines of communication with Hamas." The rising death toll is eight more than the 14 Americans who were confirmed dead Tuesday. The number of unaccounted Americans decreased from 20 to 17. Joey Garrison Second US aircraft carrier heading to Mediterranean A second U.S. aircraft carrier will be sent to the Mediterranean Sea and will be ready to help defend Israel if needed. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group will be leaving in the coming week on a long-scheduled deployment to the European Command Area, Kirby said Wednesday. "She will be deployed into the Mediterranean and will be an available asset as well as her escort vessels,'' he said. Kirby pointed out no decision has been made on whether the warship will join the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier off the coast of Israel, where it was deployed shortly after the Hamas attack. But the combination gives the U.S. a powerful presence in those waters. "Were sending a loud and clear message that the United States is ready to take action should any actor hostile towards Israel consider trying to escalate or widen this war," Kirby said. Israel announces bipartisan war Cabinet: 'Israel first of all' The Israeli government established a bipartisan war Cabinet to focus on war issues. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be joined by a leading opposition figure, former Defense Minister Benny Gantz and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. "Israel first of all," Gantz tweeted. Hamas has said it kidnapped more than 100 Israeli soldiers, men, women, children and older adults and are holding them in Gaza. The Israel government, under intense public pressure to eradicate Hamas, has mobilized 360,000 reservists and could be preparing to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, possibly within days. EU will continue to financially support Palestinians EU foreign ministers, meeting in a teleconference, agreed overwhelmingly to continue financial support for Palestinians, said Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Borrell cited a "clear distinction" between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which controls the smaller West Bank enclave. Hamas is a terrorist organization while the Palestinian Authority is an EU partner, he said. "Not all the Palestinian people are terrorists," Borrell said. "So a collective punishment against all Palestinians will be unfair and unproductive. It will be against our interests and the interest of the peace." The ministers also reiterated a long-term commitment to a political solution based on creation of a free Palestinian state. Israel has balked at any plan that would allow Palestinians to have their own military. EU warns Musk to halt war 'disinformation' on X The European Commission warned Elon Musk that X, formerly known as Twitter, could face penalties if it does not take action against "illegal content and disinformation" since Hamas' attack on Israel. A letter from Thierry Breton, European commissioner for the internal market, said the company may be non-compliant of "very precise obligations regarding content moderation" in Europe's new social media laws. The company could be fined up to 6% of its global revenue under EU rules. In response to the letter, Musk wrote on X: "Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on , so that that the public can see them." Breton replied: "You are well aware of your users and authorities reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk." Christopher Cann Son with missing mother hoping Blinken can help Secretary of State Antony Blinken will have more than officials and dignitaries waiting to meet him when he arrives Thursday in Israel. Nahar Neta, whose mother is missing, would like a word too. Neta said he has reached out to U.S. embassy officials in Tel Aviv but has had no new information or contact since he believes his mother, dual Israeli-American citizen Adrienne Neta, 66, was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Beeri on Saturday morning. He's hoping Blinken can provide updates on his mother and the 16 other Americans who remain unaccounted for. Neta said he was on the phone with Adrienne when Hamas fighters stormed in. "We heard a lot of shouting and screaming, but no shots were fired and its our belief she was taken, he said. He took an immediate flight to Israel and arrived Monday. Now he awaits Blinken. I expect the administration and secretary of state to act as responsible for the lives of the American citizens held hostage by Hamas, Neta said. Nick Penzenstadler Gaza communities devastated by 'belts of fire' Israeli aircraft and artillery are pounding Gaza towns with what Palestinians are calling "belts of fire." The term refers to intense, successive raids launched against a small target in a short period of time, the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam reports. The raids began at dawn Wednesday and continued into the day, targeting farmland, police stations, government buildings, factories and other crucial locations, the online outlet reported. Emergency vehicles have been unable to reach some of the battered areas because of the intensity of the raids. Who is Hamas leader Mohammed Deif? Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said. Deif has not been seen in public and Israeli authorities say they don't know where he is. Online hate heats up as war intensifies Groups that study online hate speech say it has spiked in recent days not just for Jewish communities but also for Palestinians. And representatives of both communities agree on one thing: U.S.-based social media companies are still not doing anywhere near enough to rid their platforms of hate against targeted groups. When it comes to serious crises like these where you're going to see the worst of the worst types of violent content, gore, incitement to violence, it's really incumbent on social media companies to coordinate across platforms, said Daniel Kelley, director of strategy and operations at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center for Tech and Society, in order to make sure that the platforms play the minimal amount of role possible in inflaming further violence. Read more here. Will Carless and Jessica Guynn Some colleges pull students from study abroad programs USA TODAY reached out to more than two dozen colleges, many with a history of having a presence in Israel or large study abroad programs, to ask how their programs have been affected by the unfolding crisis. Some schools confirmed students have safely left the area. Others said students and staff remained in the region while their institutions monitor the situation and put in place new safety protocols. A small number of schools reported that by chance this semester they have no students and faculty studying in Israel. Read more here. Zachary Schermele Americans struggle to get home from war zone At least 22 Americans have died in the onslaught and an unknown number are hostages of Hamas, the Biden administration says. The struggle to come home and the fear for loved ones left behind in the deadly war zones of Gaza and Israel is very real for many Americans as the world watches the violence abroad unfold. The U.S. citizens longing to return to America include several people from church groups, including those in Naples, Florida, visiting Jerusalem for religious reasons, Salt Lake City-based Palestinian-Americans visiting family members and New Jersey Jewish residents who were celebrating the Simchat Torah holiday. They told the USA TODAY Network their trips turned from a tranquil, joyous crusade away from home into a nightmare from which they needed to swiftly escape. Mark Schwartz, a councilman and volunteer firefighter in Teaneck, New Jersey, and his friends where among those who traveled to Israel for Simchat Torah. "I got a flight to Bulgaria and will somehow get to New Jersey," Schwartz told NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. Everyone is in a mournful mood." Read more here. Kayla Jimenez Why did Hamas attack Israel now? Hamas has vowed to annihilate Israel and for years has been responsible for numerous suicide bombings and other deadly attacks. On Saturday, about 1,000 Hamas fighters stormed across the Israeli border by land and sea in an attack that caught Israel's military off-guard. Hamas says the assault was a response to activity at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem that is the third holiest site in Islam. The site, which is also located on the holiest site for Jews who refer to it as the Temple Mount has long been a flashpoint between Israelis and Palestinians. Israeli security services routinely raid the compound. But Hamas leaders also say they were pushed to attack because of unrelenting Israeli crackdowns on militants in the West Bank, continued construction of settlements which the international community considers illegal thousands of prisoners being held in Israeli jails and Israel's blockade of Gaza. Israel countered by declaring war against Hamas and ordered its military to undertake take a "complete siege" of Gaza. Online hate surges: Why everyone is blaming social media. What is Hamas? Hamas an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, or the Islamic resistance movement was founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank by a Palestinian activist connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. The State Department designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1997. Several other nations also consider it a terrorist organization. In 2006, Hamas won parliamentary elections, and in 2007 the group violently seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, which was controlled by the rival Fatah movement that still governs the West Bank. There have been no elections since. The group calls for establishment of an Islamic Palestinian state that would replace the current state of Israel and believes in the use of violence to carry out the destruction of Israel. Hamas receives financial, material and logistical support from Iran, though so far, international leaders, including in Israel, have said there is no evidence that Iran was directly involved in Hamas attack. How large is the Gaza Strip? Gaza, or the Gaza Strip, is a densely populated Palestinian exclave of about 2.3 million people. The narrow strip of land about 150 square miles, or less than half the size of New York City is about 25 miles long and six miles wide. Gaza shares a northern and eastern border with Israel and a southwestern border with Egypt while its western side abuts the Mediterranean Sea. Who controls the Gaza Strip? Hamas won the 2006 parliamentary elections and in 2007 seized control of the Gaza Strip from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority, controlled by the rival Fatah movement, administers semi-autonomous areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Hamas has fought four wars against Israel since taking power. How did the hostilities between Israel and Palestinians start? The current war is a culmination of decades of conflict between Israel, which prides itself on its military prowess, and the Palestinian territory, which has been occupied since 1948 when Israel was founded and where Hamas rules the Gaza Strip. At the center of the conflict: Who has the right to the land? Both Jewish people and Muslims have some of their holiest sites in Jerusalem. Before Israels founding, the land was known as the Palestinian mandate, officially ruled by Great Britain. In 1947, the United Nations adopted a resolution that aimed to divide the Palestinian mandate into two states, Arab and Jewish. Large-scale migration of Jewish people to escape persecution, including by Nazis, prompted the U.N. solution. A war between Israel and its Arab neighbors surrounding its founding in 1948 led to Israeli expansion into 77% of Palestinian mandate territory, and over half the Palestinian Arab population fled or was expelled, according to the U.N. Several conflicts between Israel and Arab states in the region followed over the next decades, and peace efforts that improved relations with other nations did not solve the issue of Palestinian self-determination. Israel captured the Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has since imposed restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinians there. These are all territories sought by Palestinians for their future independent state. The war also led to a second expulsion of Palestinians, according to the U.N. Hamas rejects proposals for a two-state solution and believes in the eradication of Israel altogether through violent means. Palestinian uprisings, or intifadas, brought military clashes and protests against Israeli occupation beginning in 1987 and led to crackdowns by Israels military forces, and many were killed and injured on both sides. In 2006, Hamas won parliamentary elections, and in 2007 the group violently seized control of the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority, which was controlled by the rival Fatah movement that governs the West Bank. There have been no elections since. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war news updates: US death toll rises; did Egypt give warning? The Israeli army has struck over 450 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours. Source: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Telegram Quote: "For the third time in 24 hours, the IDF continues conducting extensive strikes in the Gaza Strip; dozens of fighter jets struck over 200 targets in Al-Furqan. This is the third strike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which the IDF struck over 450 targets." Details: Israeli defence officials point out that Al-Furqan is an area in the north of the Gaza Strip used by the Hamas terrorist organisation as "a terror hub for the Hamas terrorist organisation, where a large number of terror attacks against Israel are directed". Previously: Earlier, the IDF said it had struck over 70 targets in Hamas' "terror hub" in the Gaza Strip. Background: Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! OTTAWA, Ont. Israels ambassador-designate to Canada says he believes Iran was involved in the weekends deadly Hamas rampage on Israel. It's clear that there is direct involvement in what is happening right now, Iddo Moed told POLITICO on Tuesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the U.S. has yet to see evidence. French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters Tuesday that hed seen no formal trace that Iran was directly involved. The Israel Defense Forces said Irans involvement cant be ruled out despite the lack of proof. Asked for evidence, Moed pointed to August meetings that took place in Beirut between the heads of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Al-Quds Force, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and Hamas. With the presence of the Iranian minister of foreign affairs, then you see there is a clear link, he said. Irans response to the surprise onslaught is another sign of Irans backing, he added. The praise that they received from Tehran, from the highest leadership from President [Ebrahim] Raisi and others the cheers in the streets, all of that points to very clear support material and moral support and political support for Hamas and Palestinian organizations." More than 1,200 Israelis have been killed after Hamas launched surprise, coordinated attacks on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Hamas in response, and initiated a blockade of the Gaza Strip. The escalation in violence has seen more than 900 people in Gaza killed from retaliatory airstrikes and shelling by Israel. The death toll is expected to climb. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced Wednesday that an airlift of Canadians will begin in the coming days. A Canadian Armed Forces aircraft is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv to transport people to Athens where a chartered Air Canada plane will bring people home. This includes dual nationals, Joly said. Because a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. She declined to confirm if Canadians are among those taken hostage. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that the United States is looking for evidence. As I stand here today, while Iran plays this broad role sustained, deep and dark role in providing all of this support and capabilities to Hamas in terms of this particular gruesome attack on Oct. 7, we dont currently have that information, Sullivan told reporters. Blinken is expected to travel to Israel on Thursday. Moed, a cybersecurity expert who previously served as deputy head of Israels foreign ministry's African affairs division, has been on the job for six weeks in Ottawa. The ambassador-designate has yet to present his credentials to Canadas governor general, a technicality that bars him from making direct contact with politicians until after a formal ceremony. Asked about Israels short-term needs from Ottawa, Moed said it needs political and moral support in the fight against terrorism, specifically against Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He added: And, of course, looking at Iran as a player that is behind these attacks as a source for further escalation in the region. The trance music festival in southern Israel where Hamas militants killed 260 people on Saturday was supposed to be an escape a tightknit communitys peaceful celebration of love, nature, and electronic dance music, event staffers who spoke to Rolling Stone say. It turned into hell on Earth. Offering new details of the worst civilian massacre in modern-day Israel, festival staffers say the tranquil open-air event quickly devolved into a chaotic, bloody nightmare. They described Hamas fighters descending from the sky on motorized paragliders and heavily armed militants chasing terrified festivalgoers with trucks and motorcycles. Its crazy to do a massacre like that on innocent people. Young people with dreams. Not one of these people wanted war, Chen Mizrachi, a music manager who was working backstage at the Supernova Sukkot festival, an offshoot of Brazils Universo Paralello, tells Rolling Stone. I knew so many of them. They just wanted peace, love, and to travel the world. They were people of love, like Woodstock people. Mizrachi, 34, helped plan logistics for the gathering, including parking for security. At one point, he found himself inside the security RV as rockets flew overhead and grenades tore through the trees outside. We called the Army to let them know we were in the security station, stuck. We asked, Where are you? Then we heard in Arabic Hebrew, We are on the way for you,' he said, explaining Hamas had overheard the radio communication and responded with an ominous threat. While trying to get to a vehicle, Mizrachi saw what looked like an Israeli policeman stop a car. He quickly realized it was a Hamas fighter wearing a uniform likely stolen from a kidnapped or dead officer. I could see just two in the car. Then shooting. After that, the car was still moving, but he killed them. The car was driving in a straight line without anyone [steering], he said. He said the paragliders wasted no time attacking revelers fleeing in vehicles. I saw them landing and shooting at the cars, he said. I see the look in their eyes, just murdering people, he said of the militants. I didnt see even one percent peace in their eyes. They just wanted to kill innocent people. You dont mess with young, unarmed people like that. This is not human. He said watching so many people being slaughtered in the dusty field near Kibbutz Reim on the border with Gaza, he kept thinking, How am I alive? It seemed like death was closing in without escape. I told myself, Dont look back, just run. Mizrachi linked up with friends, broke through a fence, and jumped into a police officers van. His two friends were hit by bullets shot through the exterior, he said. A rocket propelled grenade hit the back of the vehicle, wounding some passengers with burns and lacerations, he said. Chen Mizrachi (with wounded friend) and Sofia Nikitin. The friend has since been released from the hospital and is recovering. The badly damaged van stopped near an abandoned Israeli tank. They took cover behind the tank and were pinned down in a firefight. Mizrachi said he tore his shirt into strips to make tourniquets. He also helped carry a young woman to a hiding spot after she had been run over by a Hamas vehicle and couldnt walk, he said. Eventually, Israeli forces arrived to rescue them. Mizrachi sent his wounded friends ahead first. He later rode with a wounded soldier who kept passing out. Mizrachi roused him back into consciousness to keep him alive, he said. Now back home in Ramat Gan, Mizrachi is grateful his friends made it to the hospital and will survive, but hes consumed with worry for those who were kidnapped. My best friend living in Costa Rica, his two sisters are missing. Who gave them the free passes? It was me. Its on my heart, Mizrachi said. Were talking with the police, to get the information, but they dont have information. I think Hamas doesnt even know how many prisoners they have. My best friends two sisters are missing. Who gave them the free passes? It was me. Its on my heart. Chen Mizrachi Sofia Nikitin, 26, was working as a bartender at the festival when the surprise attack on the 3,000 festivalgoers began. She tells Rolling Stone everyone was confused at first and had a hard time grasping the magnitude of the threat. She and other staff stayed behind as people started to leave, believing they were still on the clock. She was pitching in, trying to comfort and calm young women who were brought to a makeshift triage center near where festival police were staged. When everyone realized the militants were getting closer, she first tried to flee by car but then realized it was a trap and ran into the forest and hid. They were shooting at our backs. You can see the guys that are falling down, she tells Rolling Stone in a phone interview. She was with a few dozen people, hiding in the trees, hoping the fighters wouldnt see them as they tried to contact police to get them out. There was shooting from every direction. Suddenly, one of the girls screamed that someone was aiming a missile at us. After a second, there was a big boom that hit in the middle of our group. It was like in the movies. You see all gray, theres wind in your face, and sound. Then you dont hear anything in your ears, you hear only buzzing. I just started to run, she recalls. We knew they saw us. We knew they could come and kill all of us. Nikitin ran back into an open field and eventually saw some soldiers. She was scared to approach them at first because shed heard the militants were disguising themselves. The forces were friendly, and she was taken to a police station when she waited for hours before it was safe enough to travel back to Tel Aviv. On Tuesday, she attended a funeral for her fellow bartender, Liron Barda. She broke down crying describing Barda and the other bartenders she recommended for the job who are still missing. She said surviving staff have been in tight communication, describing the group as a family. She said one bartender returned to the stage of the party and put blood on her face to hide amid the bodies. Hamas found her and ordered her to open a bar refrigerator where people were hiding, as well as a cash register, Nikitin says. Its believed they did this so if the people inside the refrigerator were armed, they would shoot the bartender first. Everyone hiding in the refrigerator, they opened it and killed them. Then the people hiding in the trunks. They opened the trunks and killed them, she said. (The bartender was later released.) Nikitin said the festival, organized by Tribe of Nova, had been a mini utopia before the attack, with revelers camping in nature, sharing reusable cups to cut down on waste, and dancing under the open sky. She could never imagine it would devolve into death everywhere. It was like hell, and it hasnt ended yet. Its only getting worse, she said. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. An Israeli lawmaker says Israel should use nuclear weapons against Hamas. Revital "Tally" Gotliv wrote on X that she thinks it is time to fire "powerful missiles without limit." Benjamin Netanyahu previously said Hamas "will pay a price it has never known before" for its attacks. An Israeli lawmaker has urged her government to consider using nuclear weapons in their war against Hamas. "Jericho missile! Jericho missile! A strategic alert, before we consider introducing our forces. A doomsday weapon!" Revital "Tally" Gotliv, a member of the Israeli parliament, wrote in a post on X on Monday. "This is my opinion. May God preserve all our strength." Gotliv's post which had been viewed over 2.1 million times at press time referenced Israel's Jericho ballistic missiles. Israel's government has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of its nuclear arsenal. The lawmaker said in a subsequent post on Tuesday that Israel needs to be merciless when dealing with the Palestinian militant group. "Only an explosion that shakes the Middle East will restore this country's dignity, strength, and security! It's time to kiss doomsday," Gotliv wrote in her post on X. "Shooting powerful missiles without limit. Not flattening a neighborhood. Crushing and flattening Gaza," she continued. "Otherwise, we would have done nothing. Not with passwords, with penetrating bombs. Without mercy! Without mercy!" Gotliv's follow-up post received over 250,000 views as of press time. The post was, at press time, tagged with a disclaimer from X, stating that its visibility had been limited because it "may violate X's rules against Violent Speech." Gotliv, who comes from the same political party as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has often courted controversy for her charged remarks. In September, Gotliv said in an X post that an imprisoned Israeli army commander was "punished for being a hero" when he shot a Palestinian motorist. Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza. On Sunday, Israel declared a state of war, with officials saying their goal was to vanquish Hamas and take complete control of Gaza. Netanyahu said on Saturday that Hamas "will pay a price it has never known before" for its attacks. And yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces launched over 200 airstrikes on Gaza. Civilian deaths and injuries have been reported on both sides. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said that at least 1,200 Israelis have been killed. The war has claimed at least 830 lives in Gaza, with thousands more injured, per the Gaza Ministry of Health. Representatives for Israel's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Near Sderot, Israel Israeli emergency responders with years of experience doing the grim work of recovering bodies broke down in tears Wednesday as they told CBS News what they'd witnessed in the aftermath of Hamas' brutal terror attack on Israel. The depth of the horror unleashed by Hamas Saturday on Israeli communities near the border with the Gaza Strip was still emerging five days later. After finally wresting back control of the small farming community of the Kfar Aza kibbutz, Israeli security forces discovered the aftermath of what a military spokesperson said could only be described as "a massacre." Residents were murdered wherever the Hamas gunmen found them on the kibbutz, a type of communal living enclave unique to Israel, witnesses have said. "We see blood spread out in homes. We've found bodies of people who have been butchered," said Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Maj. Libby Weiss. "The depravity of it is haunting." IDF soldiers remove the body of a civilian killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas militants on the Kafr Azah kibbutz near the border with Gaza, Oct. 10, 2023. / Credit: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Weiss told CBS News that more than one of the Israeli soldiers who first reached Kfar Aza reported finding "beheaded children of varying ages, ranging from babies to slightly older children," along with adults who had also been dismembered. Yossi Landau, the head of operations for the southern region of Zaka, Israel's volunteer civilian emergency response organization, told CBS News he saw with his own eyes children and babies who had been beheaded. "I saw a lot more that cannot be described for now, because it's very hard to describe," he said, speaking of parents and children found with their hands bound and clear signs of torture. Israel is accustomed to living in close proximity to its enemies, but the last four days have shocked the nation and shaken its sense of security. Yehuda Gottlieb, a dual U.S.-Israeli national who works as a first responder, was outside the Be'eri kibbutz, another small farming community, as Israel's security forces battled the militants over the weekend. Security camera video shows the gunmen breaking into the compound and opening fire on its defenseless residents. Israel says more than 100 people were killed in that community alone. Gottlieb said he'd never seen anything like it as he recalled driving into the town, carefully avoiding bodies that littered the road. For many both in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the small Palestinian territory run by Hamas and used as a launch pad for its terror attack the question on Wednesday, five days after the brutal assault, was how Israel would respond. It was raining down deadly airstrikes on the blockaded strip of land Wednesday for a fifth consecutive day, perhaps trying to soften Hamas' defenses ahead of a widely expected ground invasion. Palestinian officials said the strikes had killed at least 950 people as of Wednesday morning, with some 5,000 more wounded most of them purportedly women and children. "We do whatever we can, whatever is operationally feasible, to minimize the impact on the civilians within the Gaza Strip," the IDF's Weiss told CBS News. "They are not our targets." "The loss of life here is tragic," she said, but added that Israel "must make sure Hamas cannot launch massacres and slaughter civilians as they did this past weekend. It's just a reality with which we cannot live anymore." How the Israel-Hamas war differs from past conflicts in region Lawmakers propose bipartisan resolution supporting Israel House Republicans unsure how quickly they can elect speaker NEW YORK (WPIX) There are more than 2 million Jewish people living in the New York City area, making it the second largest metropolitan Jewish community in the world, behind Tel Aviv. Now, some are heading back to Israel following attacks by the militant group Hamas. I dont think theres another option, Itay, an Israeli soldier who only wanted his first name used, told Nexstars WPIX. I cant stay in New York. I just want to go and help my friends out. Israeli, Palestinian supporters rally in NYC streets The 22-year-old said Monday that he and his Israeli army buddy Koren are flying back to Tel Aviv. After serving the mandatory two years and eight months in the Israel Defense Force, they arrived in New York City on Saturday night for a two-month tour of the United States. But when they heard of the surprise Hamas attack in Gaza, killing hundreds of Israeli civilians, they knew they would be recalled to fight for their homeland and willingly wanted to go. Its a weird feeling about the situation. I need to go back, Koren said. When asked if his mother is worried, he said, She says just stay on your trip, have fun, but I cannot do that. They stocked up on items that are needed and in short supply in Israel at Browns Army Navy store in Astoria, Queens. Absolutely horrific: Former PIX reporter Rebecca Solomon stuck in Israel We were looking for tourniquets but couldnt find any, Itay said. A 49-year-old retired reservist was helping them collect the much-needed items. Money doesnt really help, Adem, the retired reservist, said. The stores are empty. Im working on shipping supplies and adopting a unit so we can help them with equipment. New York real estate broker Lihi Biton, from south Israel near Gaza, was close to tears Monday night, so worried about two close friends, Elkana Bohbot and Noa Argamani, who were taken hostage during a music festival on Saturday. My prayers and thoughts are with Noa and Elkana. I pray for them to be safe and secure and going back to Israel safely, Biton said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ten years after the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched, China will continue to work with participating countries, aiming to take economic and trade cooperation to a new level, a Chinese official said. In an interview with Xinhua, Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting said BRI cooperation has delivered mutual benefits over the past decade, featuring deepened trade and investment cooperation, more abundant connectivity projects, and improved cooperation mechanisms. "China's super-large market has provided important development opportunities for BRI participating countries, which contributed nearly half of China's total imports," Guo said. As the major trading partner of over 110 BRI countries, China saw its total goods trade with all BRI countries reach close to 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022. China's direct investment in BRI partner countries topped 30 billion dollars last year, while BRI countries invested more than 20 billion dollars in China. This strengthened cooperation has promoted the integration of industrial and supply chains and delivered more momentum to the construction of an open world economy, Guo said. In terms of project cooperation, the past ten years witnessed an array of projects that have genuinely improved people's lives, including the China-Laos Railway, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, and the introduction of agricultural technologies such as Juncao and hybrid rice to BRI countries. "These cooperation projects have helped BRI countries improve infrastructure construction, promote connectivity, enhance people's well-being, and strengthen their development capacity," Guo said. Demonstrating the efficiency of project construction, the actual turnover of Chinese contractors in BRI countries topped 100 billion U.S. dollars each year over the past decade. Cooperation platforms and mechanisms have also been improved, Guo said. China has signed free trade agreements with 20 BRI countries, with the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement creating the world's largest free trade area. A total of 47 memorandums of investment and cooperation in green, digital and marine sectors were inked between China and BRI countries, and the number of countries participating in Silk Road e-commerce cooperation grew to 30. A series of exhibitions, including the China International Import Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, helped support businesses in seizing BRI opportunities. BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE Infrastructure construction is crucial to BRI cooperation. Guo said China's construction contracts with BRI countries reached 2 trillion U.S. dollars in the past decade, and the actual turnover of Chinese contractors stood at 1.3 trillion dollars. These projects covered a wide range of areas from transport to power and water conservancy, featured green development and emerging sectors, and helped improve people's lives, Guo said, citing some landmark projects including the China-Laos Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, and the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway. China also carried out more than 1,600 foreign aid projects in BRI countries, in the fields of education, health, environmental protection, and poverty reduction. Looking forward, Guo said more efforts will be made to build more high-quality projects, improve infrastructure connectivity, encourage the integrated development of investment, construction and operation, and guide businesses to expand green and new-type infrastructure cooperation. DEEPENING TRADE COOPERATION China has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with 28 countries and regions, including 20 BRI countries, Guo said. In the past ten years, China signed bilateral FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Georgia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, and upgraded FTA agreements with ASEAN, Chile and New Zealand. The RCEP agreement signed in Nov. 2020 took effect in June this year for all 15 members. China will continue to expand the high-standard free trade area network, work actively towards joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, and push forward negotiations on more FTAs or agreement upgrades, Guo said. A volunteer organises flowers to prepare wreaths for at least 1,200 Israelis killed following rocket fire and the assault on Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Moshav Zeitan near Tel Aviv ZEITAN, Israel (Reuters) - Butcher Tali Yehuda says her tears are with the families of those who have perished as she firmly sticks in a pin to secure a yellow sunflower into one of hundreds of wreaths being prepared by volunteers for funerals across Israel. She and her teenage daughter are among more than 100 volunteers working to prepare flowers for the more than 1,200 Israelis who have been killed since Hamas gunmen burst into Israel from Gaza on Saturday. "It's sad. It's very sad. The least we can do is to do something like this," an emotional Yehuda said. Other women gathered in the safe room in Zeitan, central Israel, wrapped black ribbons around the stem of roses and sifted through piles of multi-coloured blooms. One black ribbon in the centre of a wreath reads in Hebrew: "With you in your grief." "You have to understand that there are no wreaths left in Israel anymore," said flower exporter Lihi Salpeter Danziger, who organised the initiative. "People cannot get and cannot find flowers to take to funerals for the size of this event. More than 1,200 people are already identified as dead and are being buried as we speak. Sadly, many more to still be identified." Danzinger explains that the women work in shifts as the safe room can only accommodate 100 at a time. Once completed, the wreaths are loaded onto cars and trucks and sent out free of charge to funerals taking place all over the country. "It was important for us to gather together. It also gives us a lot of comfort. When we sit together and make these bouquets and we talk, we are less connected to news and to all of what's going on along the media, and we support each other. People cry here, hug here, make bouquets together, and then send it to our families," Danzinger said. (Writing by Sharon Singleton; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Some Israelis desperate to flee to the United States in the wake of the Hamas terror attack are struggling to get visas because a new system to facilitate easy visa-free travel between the U.S. and Israel is not scheduled to go into effect until Nov. 30. Yotam Lior with his wife Rachel Forbes and their children. (Family photo) The new visa waiver status for Israel was announced by the Department of Homeland Security in late September, and officials tell NBC News they dont plan to speed up the launch of the program. Adi Rosenbaum, 35, spoke from the Tel Aviv apartment she shares with her husband and her two young daughters. They want to go to Manhattan to stay with her sister, but her 1-year-old doesnt have a U.S visa. Her husband went to the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv this week to apply for a visa for the baby, but said it was closed. She said the family has called and emailed without success. Rosenbaum broke down in tears, confused by the U.S. governments failure to move up the start date for the visa waiver program. If there is anyway the U.S. government can help Jewish people so we wont get slaughtered, please help, she said. We are just lost. We have no idea how to make it happen. The videos wont leave my mind. I dont want my kids to see my crying. I hope things dont escalate, she said. We are just trying to make it here until the end of November. We are trying to be strong to my girls. We are praying for this to end. A State Department spokesperson said that the embassy branches in Israel are prioritizing helping U.S. citizens: "At this time, visa processing at the U.S. Embassy in Israel has been suspended and visa appointments have been cancelled. Visa applicants should monitor the U.S. Embassy website for updates. Visas require in-person appointments. The embassy website states, "All in-person Passport Unit appointments are by online appointment only. No consular appointments are made by phone or email. No walk-ins are permitted." One DHS official told NBC News that visa-free travel for Israeli citizens and nationals will not begin immediately due to operational steps that must be taken prior to the commencement of travel. Said the official, We expect that starting no later than November 30, 2023, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated to allow Israelis to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a U.S. visa. Another DHS official said the administration has no plans at this time to open other expeditious pathways for Israelis seeking to flee to the U.S. such as Special Immigrant Visas and humanitarian parole, both of which were recently made available to people escaping violence in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Forty other countries have a reciprocal visa waiver program agreement with the U.S., which means red tape for travelers is limited. Countries with agreements include Australia, Japan and nearly every nation in Europe. The visa waiver program is a reciprocal arrangement, in which a citizen of one country is granted a visa waiver when traveling to the other country. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides described how a new waiver program would work in a January Twitter post, saying that once the program is implemented Israelis would be able to travel to the United States with no visa. He added, Any American regardless of their national origin, religion or ethnicity will be able to travel to Israel, for an example Arab-Americans including Palestinian- Americans will be able to get on a plane and fly directly to Ben Gurion airport [in Tel Aviv] and go see your aunt in Bethlehem. Yotam Lior, 40, and his wife, Rachel Forbes, decided that they could not wait for visa approval to get to the United States with their two children. The family chose to flee to Cyprus amid warnings from the Israeli government that they needed to conserve food and water in the coming weeks. Lior spoke to NBC News from the Tel Aviv airport, where he was juggling his two young children as he waited for his Cyprus flight. The U.S. is sending battleships and aircraft carriers to Israel, but Israeli citizens still have to go through this tedious process. If you ask me it doesnt benefit anyone. Forbes told NBC News she feels they had no choice but to leave because they fear theyre in danger, Its a real war and Israel is in serious risk, she said. We are attacked from north to south with an enemy that has nothing to lose. In early September, 15 Senate Democrats wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken opposing the addition of Israel to the visa waiver program, citing Israels request for a special separate visa category for residents of the West Bank or Gaza. Residents of Gaza are not included at all, according to the letter. We do know that it would be a violation of law to rush to admit a country that does not meet a key requirement of the program in one year simply because it may not be able to comply with a different requirement the following year, the senators wrote. Israel has proposed that it could implement a new system that included residents of the West Bank as of May 2024. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Israeli authorities have withdrawn a warning issued earlier in the day after reports of a possible incursion from neighboring Lebanon. Just before noon EST, Israeli authorities urged some residents to take shelter after a report of a hostile aircraft entering the countrys north. This is a matter of human error, there is no such instruction, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, later on Wednesday. Israels Air Force also acknowledged that the initial reports of a Lebanese incursion has been ruled out. Further to the reports of infiltration from the Lebanese border into Israels airspace, as of this moment fear of infiltration has been ruled out, the air force wrote in an X post. IDF has previously relayed a report regarding a suspected infiltration from Lebanon into Israeli airspace. Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon claimed to have killed and wounded Israeli troops after firing anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position. Israel confirmed Hezbollahs attack and said it responded by shelling the area where the attack was launched. The Israeli military didnt comment on possible causalities. President Biden on Tuesday warned outside actors to stay out of the conflict, amid fears that groups like Hezbollah or its Iranian backers may try take advantage of the situation. Israeli government officials on Wednesday announced the formation of an emergency unity government in the wake of the Hamas attack against the country. The new government will also lead to the establishment of a security cabinet, that will consist of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, senior opposition party leader Benny Gantz, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and opposition party member Gadi Eizenkot. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will serve as an observer in the war cabinet, while a spot will be open for opposition leader Yair Lapid to join the cabinet. The agreement also states that no law should be passed in the countrys legislature throughout the duration of the war. It has been five days since Hamas, a militant group that is the de facto authority in Gaza, launched its deadly attack against Israel on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Israelis. More than 150 soldiers and civilians are being held hostage by the militant group, according to Israeli officials. Israeli armed forces have launched a counteroffensive against the group, with Netanyahu saying that his countrys forces will exact a huge price against Hamas for the attack. In a televised address Tuesday, Biden publicly condemned the terrorist attacks, confirming Americans are among the many people being held hostage by the militant group, and that 20 Americans remain unaccounted for in the country. Updated: 3:32 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Confronted with the war raging between Israel and Hamas, Arab countries which have normalised relations with Israel in recent years have been forced to balance diplomacy with fiercly pro-Palestinian Arab public opinion. But as analysts predict a long and violent response from Israel in Gaza, the position faced by those nations is expected to become increasingly troublesome. In the wake of the Palestinian militants' surprise attack into southern Israel, the United Arab Emirates condemned the kidnapping of Israeli hostages in a break with other regional players. The oil-rich state was the first Gulf country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. "We are very grateful to the United Arab Emirates for its stance supporting Israel", said Liron Zaslansky, Israel's Consul General in Dubai. On Tuesday, as Israel bombed the besieged Gaza Strip, the UAE was also swift to announce $20 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians. Joseph Bahout, director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs in Beirut, explained the UAE and other signatories to the Abraham Accords -- Bahrain and Morocco -- would have to walk a "fairly narrow line" as they weighed commitments to Israel with public sympathy for Palestinians. For the time being, they are navigating this "very uncomfortable" situation by "focusing on the idea of protecting civilians", said Cinzia Bianco, Gulf specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations. However, Bahout explained the tactic would "not hold for long in the face of Israeli reprisals, which will probably be very violent". In Bahrain and Morocco, which have so far not moved beyond denouncing civilian casualties, demonstrations in support of the Palestinians were organised in the first days of the offensive. - 'Utopian' idea - But these kinds of expressions of public support will only gain momentum if the conflict persists, said King's College London analyst Andreas Krieg. "Even countries like the UAE, where there is no civil society, have to make sure that public rallying around the Palestinian cause is consistent with government policy and communication," he added. The escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has undermined one of the arguments made at the time of the signing of the Abraham Accords, negotiated under the administration of former US president Donald Trump. Kuwaiti analyst Bader Al-Saif explained the move had "national interests in mind; but it has also been partly marketed as an outside-in approach to peace that could flip the stalemated conflict". "Now is the time for normalising states to use whatever capital they have with Israel to positively influence policy... as much as other states are expected to do the same with Hamas," he added. Karim Bitar, an associate researcher at the Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), in Paris said the normalisation process did not address problems at the root of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians -- occupation, colonisation, the status of Jerusalem, water resources, and the fate of refugees. "The idea of an economic peace, of a de facto solidarity that would be created and lead to a political peace, turned out to be utopian", Bitar said. Saudi Arabia, the pre-eminent power in the Gulf, has faced pressure to conclude its own normalisation with Israel at the urging of the United States. Randa Slim, a researcher at the Middle East Institute think-tank in Washington, explained the Abraham Accords were "here to stay", but "any future normalisation between Arab countries and Israel is on hold for the foreseeable future". saa-csp/phz/ Israel designed its vaunted Iron Dome air defense system for instances just like this as rockets have rained down from Hamas militants in neighboring Gaza. The short-range system, which became fully operational in March 2011, has been "tested consistently" and "successfully prevented countless rockets from hitting Israeli communities," according Israel's Ministry of Defense. The Israeli Iron Dome missile system in Ashkelon, Israel (Uriel Sinai / Getty Images file) It's designed as a mobile anti-rocket, anti-mortar and anti-artillery system that should be able to intercept launches from from 2.5 to 43 miles away, according to a Congressional Research Service report on March 1. It has radar that can detect where a rocket has been fired from, analyzing its route, trajectory and intended target spot. A command and control center can then launch its own Tamir missile to intercept the enemy missile. "Israel has at least ten Iron Dome batteries deployed throughout the country, each designed to defend a 60-square-mile populated area," according to the CRS report. "Israels Defense Ministry claims that Iron Dome successfully intercepted 97% of all targets it engaged during a summer 2022 confrontation in which Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fired rockets into Israel." The Iron Dome's importance to Israeli defense isn't lost on American lawmakers, who have voted frequently over the years to support its funding. The United States has provided nearly $3 billion in Iron Dome funding, according to the report. An Israeli missile launched from an Iron Dome system attempts to intercept a rocket (Mahmud Hams / AFP via Getty Images) Hours after the surprise attack on Saturday, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson lauded the system for number of lives it had saved. "Thanks to the Iron Dome, we have not sustained tremendous casualties from the rockets that have been fired," Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an IDF spokesperson, said in a video statement, adding that most casualties have been from close-contact fighting and cold-blooded killings of civilians and soldiers. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com They were laughing and cheering the savage and horrific murders of Israelis. A group of protesters who bill themselves as "Pro-Palestinian" are actually pro-Hamas supporters, say critics, who point to the inflammatory statements and signs that emerge from the demonstrations. "I am shocked to see here people on the streets of New York calling for the murder of innocent civilians in Israel, supporting a genocidal, Islamist organization like Hamas," said Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan . "There are people who want to see death to Israel, death to America. It makes me very sad to see these people here in New York." NYPD, IN RESPONSE TO ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, SAYS IT HAS 'SURGED RESOURCES TO SENSITIVE LOCATIONS' A pro-Israel supporter, left, argues with people marching in support of the people of Palestine on Oct. 8, 2023, in New York City. Erdan can hear the chants against his nation from his office, and he can hear pro-Israel supporters, on the street in front of Israel's U.N. mission, separated from each other by police on different sides of the street. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP But it is the echo of the radical Islamic terrorist philosophy, the same that propelled the Nazis to embark on the Holocaust at the price of more than 6 million Jews 70 years ago, that remains the same today. People protest in solidarity with the Palestinians in New York City on Oct. 8, 2023. "We don't believe that those who support a genocidal organization like Hamas, and Hamas equals ISIS, and they behave exactly like the Nazis, the death squads of the Nazis what can I tell them?" he asks. ILHAN OMAR CONDEMNS ISRAELS MILITARY RESPONSE TO HAMAS, SAYS SOLUTION IS NEGOTIATED PEACE Demonstrators attend an "emergency rally for Gaza" outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City on Oct. 9, 2023. Supporters of both Palestine and Israel clashed at the event as Israel remains at war with Hamas. "These people should be treated as [pariahs]. They should be delegitimized. No one should listen to them. Seeing them here, I dont think that they can be convinced. It's like talking to some members of Congress who hold antisemitic ideology, Rashida Tlaib or Ilhan Omar. What can I tell them? I mean, they cannot be convinced." "We just saw 700 innocent civilians, babies, mothers, grandparents, Holocaust survivors were butchered, butchered by barbaric Hamas operatives. And you are standing here supporting them? What can I tell these people? Really, it makes me cry," he said. That number has now risen to more than 1,000. The protesters say they are merely supporting the rights of the Palestinian people, demanding that the U.S. cut off funding for Israel, and they demand an immediate cease-fire. But observers note that their harsh rhetoric that celebrate the terrorist killings, and calling for even more, can be seen as betraying their apparent principles. ISRAELI AIR FORCE UNLEASHING 'EXTENSIVE ATTACK WAVES' ON GAZA STRIP, KILLS 2 SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIALS Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan speaks to reporters on Oct. 8, 2023, in New York City. The criticism has not deterred Erdan from pressing his nation's case. "We are grateful to the American people and to the administration for offering every assistance," he said, noting that there has been support from some unexpected sources. "Even at the U.N. right now, I'm being hugged. I am being approached by many of my colleagues, some of them are ambassadors who hardly speak with me. But they now pay their condolences and offer their help." Supporters of Israel are shown in New York City on Oct. 9, 2023. As Erdan spoke in his office, he did so in front of a framed Israeli flag, tattered and torn. The flag flew at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and was recovered from the rubble. Fox News' Seth Andrews contributed to this report. Original article source: Israel's UN ambassador 'shocked' to see terror supporters in NYC, thanks Americans who support Jewish state Last week, Or Shoval, a 29-year-old Israeli tech start-up CEO, was on holiday in a seaside Egyptian town, celebrating his recent engagement. His 18-month-old medical software start-up was thriving, and he was preparing to fly to the United States for a major health-care conference. But on Saturday morning he woke up to a barrage of news alerts and texts that Israel was under attack from Hamas, and hundreds had already been killed. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Now, Shoval is one of around 360,000 reservists, or 4 percent of Israel's entire population, called up to join the country's fight against Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. About 15 percent of his company is now on active duty, but the work goes on, especially since his firm, like most start-ups, serves clients and has investors outside Israel. "I have a weapon on my knees, I have a helmet on my head and I have a vest, but I'm waiting for half an hour . . . so I'm working for half an hour," Shoval said in a phone interview while driving back to his base from attending the funeral of a friend who was killed in Hamas's attack over the weekend. "You're fighting, then two hours after you have a conference call with the rest of your team." Thousands of Israeli tech workers, venture capitalists and start-up founders are among those being called up to serve in the military's combat units as they prepare to invade the Gaza Strip. The tech sector contributes about a fifth of Israel's gross domestic product, and many big U.S. tech companies including Intel, Amazon and Google have big offices in the country. Israeli start-ups account for a large amount of the country's exports and many people in tech refer to it as the "start-up nation" for its high concentration of tech companies. "It's not just men. There's women who are being called up, and there's wives whose husbands are being called up - the disruption is all over," said Eyal Bino, founding partner of venture capital firm 97212 Ventures. Still "the morale is high in making sure there's no disruption to services, and also defeating Hamas." Not all of the tech world supports Israel's war with Hamas. On Tuesday a coalition of workers at Amazon and Google urged their employers to stop selling technology to the Israeli government through a cloud-computing partnership called Project Nimbus. The employee group called Amazon and Google "complicit in this devastation" in the Gaza Strip. Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser said the company is "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life" and is focused on the safety of its employees. Regarding Nimbus, he said Amazon Web Services "is focused on making the benefits of our world-leading cloud technology available to all our customers, wherever they are located." (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, and interim CEO Patty Stonesifer sits on Amazon's board.) All Israelis are required to do compulsory military service after high school, and most remain in the reserves after completing it. The country's tech founders and venture capitalists often come out of elite cyberintelligence divisions like Unit 8200. But many tech workers completed their military service as regular infantry, meaning that as reservists they could be called to serve in front-line combat units. On Saturday, hundreds of Hamas militants breached the high-tech perimeter fence Israel had built around Gaza, a Palestinian territory home to 2 million people and one of the world's most densely populated places. The attackers rampaged through southern Israeli communities, killing at least 900. Israel has responded with a blistering bombing campaign on Gaza, killing at least 680. But the war is just beginning. With a grueling ground search of Gaza for around 100 Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas likely, and the potential for more attacks from Hezbollah in the north and other militant groups in the West Bank, it's unclear how long Israeli reservists will be fighting, and away from their companies. The impact on tech companies and the rest of the economy could be serious. Workers who are called to reserve duty still get compensated from their employer for the time they spend in the army, said Ofir Angel, chairman of Auren Israel, the Tel Aviv branch of an international consulting company. Angel estimates that the majority of the companies in Israel are having 10 to 25 percent of their personnel recruited. Most of the workers being called to reserve duty are ages 21 to 35, Angel says, which is also the prime age of tech workers in Israel. Angel predicts that Israel's tech sector will have higher percentages of workers absent from their day jobs than other sectors like agriculture. Within his firm's 30 employees, five - mostly young men - have been called to reserve duty, a number that could grow if the war drags on. Meanwhile, some of his remaining female workers are having to cut back on their hours because they're now doing more at home as their spouses are being called to reserve duty. "The real challenge is that usually we like to do general calculations that each employee is generating three times their salary for the company," Angel says. If the employee is going to serve, Angel adds, that's less productivity and activity for the company. He predicts that the conflict's damage to Israel's GDP will be "significant." Israeli companies are accustomed to young workers leaving their jobs for reserve duty; workers under 35 generally have a week or two of scheduled reserve duty per year, Angel says. But those stints are planned well ahead of time, and companies have more time to adjust to changes to their workforce. Now, Angel's employees are getting notices to report to a base and leaving within hours. On Saturday morning, David, a venture capitalist who declined to share his full name because he is on active military duty, was busy getting his kids ready for the day when sirens began blaring, warning of an incoming rocket attack. An Orthodox Jew, David's phone was turned off for the Sabbath. But as the attacks kept coming, he knew something was deeply wrong. He turned on his phone and saw the news, then called his reserve commander. By 1 p.m., David was on a military base, in uniform. The scale of the attack and the mobilization is unlike anything he's ever seen, he said. Even an older friend who had served in the 1973 Yom Kippur war, when Israel was also taken by surprise by an invasion from Syria and Egypt, told David this time was different. "Thousands and thousands of soldiers, everyone just making their way onto base," David said. "A lot of anger, a lot of frustration, a lot of shock, a lot of people were completely blindsided, myself included." Tech founders, venture capitalists and engineers who haven't been called up are contributing by donating funds to help equip reservists with better gear, and are organizing support for people who lost family members in the attacks. "My wife and I just moved out so we could give our apartment to a bereaved family, a woman whose brother was killed," said David Stark, a general partner at Ground Up Ventures in Jerusalem. Large American venture capital firms such as Index Ventures and General Catalyst have also pledged to donate to humanitarian relief efforts in Israel, and mental health start-ups are offering free services to Israelis. Many of the networks of tech workers who are rallying to provide support were formed over the past year, as many tech founders and venture capitalists joined the political opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempts to weaken the power of the country's judiciary, a move seen by many Israelis as anti-democratic. The months of political turmoil have put Israel's tech sector in an already-difficult position, said Amir Mizroch, a former tech journalist and former head of communications for Israeli start-up hub Start-Up Nation Central. Major foreign investors pulled their money out of Israel over the political uncertainty. "While start-ups and the tech economy might be bouncing back in Europe and America, it's not here," Mizroch said. But the war is pushing divisions among Israelis into the background, he said. Bino, the venture capitalist, agreed. "This is a very big moment in the history of Israel, and right now I think the mission of everyone is to come together to defeat Hamas," he said. "We'll deal with the rest later." - - - Lisa Bonos and Caroline O'Donovan contributed to this report. Related Content Israel transforms itself for war as Gaza invasion looms Florida approved an SAT alternative, but experts say the test is unproven Scenes from a massacre: Inside an Israeli town destroyed by Hamas FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A coyote found loose in a Fresno neighborhood Tuesday afternoon has yet to be taken in by officials, leaving homeowners worried and unsure what to do. Around 1 p.m. a resident says he received a call from a neighbor who informed them of a coyote that was loose and last seen in their home. I immediately ran outside, put my dogs away, locked the garage, front door we have kids under two years old, said Kobe Alqatami. He, along with his mother then began surveying their yard and found the coyote hiding. Instinctively they began reaching out for help but were left with no avail. I contacted the local police and other relevant agencies, seeking assistance and a resolution to this situation. However, I was informed that there were limited resources available for handling such incidents, Alqatami explained. Now, Alqatami and his family are unsure how to handle this situation on their own. We just have a coyote stuck in our yard and were not really sure what to do with it, Alqatami continued, I do feel lost now with it being my responsibility to figure out what to do with the coyote. As for Kobes father, Ali Alqatami, his concern lies with the potential threat the loose coyote could pose to the many families and pets that frequent the neighborhood. Since 1:30 till [6:30] no one has shown up There is a lot of kids and families that walk around at this time of night and we fear that the coyote is gonna run and go to another location and cause more danger to kids or animals, Ali Alqatami expressed. And while others might think to take care of the animal themselves, Kobes father does not want to harm the coyote. We just want him out of my yard and into a safe place or taken to a habitat outside. We dont want to harm him or nothing, hes probably fearing for his life as well, he continued. Despite their efforts, Ali Alqatami believes nothing will happen unless someone gets hurt. It seems like nobody cares unless something happens and [its] dangerous, then they will start moving and doing something about it, he expressed. Kobe Alqatami speaks for his community when he says the lack of response raises concern. This incident has raised concerns not only for my family but for our entire community. The lack of available resources and action to address this issue is troubling, Kobe Alqatami expressed, It highlights the need for a better approach to wildlife management and a clearer understanding of how to protect our community in such situations. As a taxpayer, Ali Alqatami believes these resources should be readily available. I was hoping with paying all that tax money when something happens like this, for them to come immediately and take care of it because it is a dangerous situation, he said. Kobe Alqatami says local authorities should review their procedures to ensure more resources are available to handle wildlife that makes its way into residential areas. Our safety should always be a top priority, and we must work together to ensure that our community remains a safe place for everyone, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Russia is increasing offensive operations in the Avdiivka area of Donetsk Oblast, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Oct. 10. Ukrainian officials confirmed that up to three Russian battalions launched a ground assault on Avdiivka, one of the most heavily fortified areas of Donetsk Oblast, starting Oct. 9. ISW analysts said the fresh offensive coincides with other local operations in Luhansk Oblast and the eastern part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, all aimed at preventing the movement of Ukrainian forces to key regions on the front line. Russian attacks along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line are meant to prevent Ukrainians from transferring forces to Zaporizhia Oblast," the ISW said. Russian forces have struggled to make any significant gains near Avdiivka for the past year. According to the ISW, in order to gain ground near Avdiivka, Russian troops "would require more and higher-quality units than those currently deployed in the area." Ukrainian forces also continued defending positions near Bakhmut and in parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the ISW reported. According to the Ukrainian military, counteroffensive operations "achieved partial success" southwest of Bakhmut. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance southeast, east as weather worsens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Two brothers from Jacksonville will spend the next few years in federal prison after being sentenced for pleading guilty to sexual exploitation offenses. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard gave Jonathan William Brown, 26, Jacksonville, five years for receiving photos and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children. His brother, Joshua Thomas Brown, 28, Jacksonville, received four years and six months for possessing similar photos. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Jonathan Brown pleaded guilty to the charges on Mar. 16, 2023 and Joshua Brown pleaded guilty on Jun. 1, 2023. According to a Department of Justice press release, in January of 2022, an internet service provider documented several uploads of child sexual abuse material associated with an online account with the user name Jonathan Brown. The provider forwarded this information to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office for investigation. On Jul. 8, 2022, a federal search warrant was executed at Jonathan Browns home by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, and the Clay County Sheriffs Office. Read: Ponte Vedra Beach man accused of possession of child sexual abuse material Agents seized computers, cell phones, and storage media. Jonathan Brown admitted to investigators that he had downloaded child sexual abuse materials. He stated that he began this behavior, a long time ago. Analysis of his electronic devices revealed Jonathan Brown had downloaded more than 400 photos and 10 videos of child sexual abuse materials, including photos depicting infants and toddlers being sexually abused. Read: Neighbors shocked after former youth golf instructor arrested on child sexual abuse material charges Further investigation also revealed that Jonathans brother Joshua also lived at the residence. A phone belonging to Joshua contained hundreds of images and video files of child sexual abuse. In total, Joshua was in possession of more than 2,100 videos and 600 photos of this material that were recovered on several different electronic devices. HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent K. Jim Philips released this statement about the investigation: This disturbing investigation exposed the Brown brothers, who admittedly shared child sexual abuse materials on the internet for many years. These images included vile depictions of infants and toddlers being sexually abused. Thanks to the law enforcement partnerships forged under the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, we were able to identify these brothers and put a stop to their victimization of our most vulnerable. During Wednesdays sentencing announcement, Jonathan Brown was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay $46,000 in restitution to child victims upon his release from prison. Joshua was ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay $95,000 in restitution to child victims. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Both of these cases were investigated by the Northeast Florida INTECEPT Task Force, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, the Clay County Sheriffs Office, and the Columbia County Sheriffs Office. They were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. 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. Most Chinese and Japanese respondents acknowledge the importance of bilateral relationship: survey 13:56, October 11, 2023 By Global Times ( Global Times Photo: WeChat account of China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration A latest survey of public opinion on China-Japan relations released simultaneously in China and Japan on Tuesday shows most Chinese and Japanese respondents acknowledge the importance of the relationship between the two countries. The respondents also exhibit both notable similarities and distinct differences in their choices in terms of the major factors that influence bilateral relations. The survey result was released by China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration and the Japanese nongovernmental organization Genron NPO at the 19th Beijing-Tokyo Forum held online in Beijing, China, and Tokyo, Japan. Gao Anming, deputy director and editor-in-chief of China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, introduced the data, basic details and the main findings of the survey from the Chinese side while Yasushi Kudo, representative from Genron NPO, introduced the major findings from the Japanese side. The survey results indicate that respondents from both China and Japan acknowledge the significance of China-Japan relations. They highly expect for the future improvement and development of bilateral relations, as well as the promotion of regional peace and prosperity. Respondents from both countries express a desire for a peaceful, stable and developing international environment. They hope that China and Japan, while supporting and promoting economic and trade cooperation, engaging in cultural exchanges and maintaining strategic autonomy, can collaborate in addressing regional and global challenges, jointly constructing a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that aligns with the requirements of the new era. The data shows that 60.1 percent Chinese and 65.1 percent Japanese respondents acknowledge the importance of the relationship between the two countries, with the major reasons given including China and Japan "being important neighbors and major trading partners," "playing a crucial role in regional peace and development" and their "highly interdependent economies and industries." However, in terms of the current state of bilateral relations, 41.2 percent of Chinese respondents and 68.4 percent of Japanese respondents believe that the relationship between the two countries is not good. In terms of the factor that hinders the development of bilateral relations, the choice with the biggest proportion from both countries is "territorial disputes" with 39.5 percent Chinese and 43.6 percent Japanese respondents. Other major options chosen by Chinese respondents are relatively concentrated on issues such as economic frictions, with 28.6 percent thinking trade disputes, technology transfer and intellectual property hinder the development of bilateral relations. Another 28.2 percent choose disputes over maritime resources, 21.3 percent choose Japan's teaming up with the US to militarily contain China, and 19.2 percent choose the lack of political mutual trust between governments of both sides. Other major options chosen by Japanese respondents are relatively concentrated on issues like the issue of discharging contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea, with 36.7 percent choosing it. Another 28.2 percent pointed to the lack of political mutual trust between the governments. On August 24, 2023, the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) officially initiated the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. Respondents' attitudes toward this issue from both countries present a complex situation. A considerable proportion of respondents from both countries express concerns, while another segment of respondents from both sides mentioned "unable to assess at the current stage." On the credibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) review report on the ocean discharge plan and the appropriateness of Japan's ocean discharge actions, many Chinese respondents believe "regardless of the IAEA's review results, nuclear-contaminated wastewater should not be discharged into the ocean," while some claim "the review results of the IAEA can be trusted, but the Japanese government should make further efforts to eliminate international distrust." The Japanese respondents' choices are more concentrated on the latter, believing that the Japanese government still needs to make efforts to eliminate distrust. Only 25.2 percent of Japanese respondents expressed a positive attitude toward the credibility of the IAEA review results and the appropriateness of the ocean discharge behavior. Besides, the Chinese and Japanese respondents agree on the significant role of economic factors in the bilateral relationship, and they also have high prospects for future economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan. Meanwhile, Chinese and Japanese respondents expressed concerns about the negative impact that China-US relations have on China-Japan relations. Japanese respondents, in particular, urged their government to launch a balanced and neutral foreign policy for their country. The construction of China-Japan cooperative relations in the new era is increasingly widely recognized by respondents from both countries. Chinese and Japanese respondents share consistent views on jointly shouldering the responsibility of maintaining regional peace and development, enhancing coordination and cooperation in international affairs and endeavoring in addressing global challenges. Moreover, Chinese and Japanese respondents highly recognize the significance of people-to-people exchanges. The domestic news media remains the primary source for respondents from both countries to obtain information about each other and the China-Japanese relations. According to the survey, Chinese and Japanese respondents hold high expectations for promoting peaceful and friendly development of bilateral relations based on the spirit of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Since the Beijing-Tokyo Forum was initiated in 2005, the public opinion survey on China-Japan relations, as an important part of the forum, has been conducted 18 times in a row. It has become an important reference reflecting the public opinions of the two countries and enhancing mutual understanding. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) TRIPOLI, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, on Tuesday reiterated the support of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) to hold elections. Bathily made the remarks during a meeting with HNEC's Chairperson Emad Al-Sayeh, where they thoroughly discussed the implementation of the new election laws, prepared by the 6+6 Joint Committee and recently approved by the House of Representatives (parliament). The 6+6 committee is a joint legislative committee composed of six members from the High Council of State and six members from the parliament, with the task of producing laws for the upcoming elections. "I commended HNEC's announcement of its technical readiness to put these laws into implementation, thereby meeting the aspirations of millions of Libyans who are eager to fulfill their political rights, elect their leaders, and restore legitimacy to Libyan institutions," Bathily said on X, formerly Twitter. "I reiterated the continued support of UNSMIL to HNEC for the full success of their challenging task of organizing elections as a step towards peace, stability, and progress of Libya," Bathily said. The parliament unanimously approved the laws during a formal session last week. However, the Tripoli-based High Council of State rejected the new laws and canceled its 6+6 representation. The High Council of State said it only approves the 6+6 committee outcomes produced during talks held in June in Morocco, as those outcomes are "unanimous and binding to both Councils." The HNEC on Monday announced receiving the presidential and national assembly election laws officially, stressing its "high technical readiness to implement the election laws in accordance with international electoral principles and standards." Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties. Before he was cracking jokes about her appearance and getting slapped, Chris Rock wanted to date Jada Pinkett Smith . The actress claimed he had asked her out amid rumors she and Will Smith were divorcing. She told PEOPLE this happened around the summer of 2016, about six years before Smith slapped him onstage at the 94th Academy Awards. I think every summer all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce. And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce, she explained. So he called me and basically he was like, Id love to take you out. And I was like, What do you mean? He was like, Well, arent you and Will getting a divorce? I was like, No. Chris, those are just rumors. He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that. Pinkett Smith said she hasnt spoken to Rock since that infamous slap on Oscar night, but told the outlet she hopes those involved can move on. [Do I have] any desire to talk to Chris? Heres my desire. I just hope that all the misunderstanding around this can be cleared up and that there can be peace, she told the outlet. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith I talk about this in the book, I think that there might be some misunderstanding between Chris and I as far as the 2016 Oscars, she continued. I think that he mightve taken offense, which I meant no harm in offending. That wasnt my intention. But I do think that theres a big misunderstanding there. During the 2016 Oscars, the Bad Moms star posted to social media in support of the #OscarsSoWhite campaign and called for a boycott of the awards show after she felt the academy wasnt recognizing the artistic accomplishments of people of color. Rock was the host of the awards show at the time and said Pinkett Smith asked him to bow out in support. Now, Pinkett Smith realizes she didnt understand things from his perspective. I probably should have called him and gone, Hey, are you okay? And just know that although Im speaking out about the Oscars, I do wish you the best and I just want you to know that, me taking the time to have called him just to touch base. But his feelings mightve been hurt, she said. All we can ever do is just look at our part and see where could I have done something that wouldve seemed as if, whatever misunderstanding mightve been created, what could I have done to avoid that misunderstanding? The one thing that I think about is that call. She said Rock called her in 2016 and thought they were now cool. He apologized and I apologized to him as well, she revealed So I actually thought that we were good, that the hatchet was buried between us. And we hadnt talked since then until 2022 came. Following the slap, she said the comedian attempted to immediately apologize to her. Chris came down to the end of the stage and tried to apologize to me. He said, I didnt mean you any harm. I said, I cant talk about this now, Chris. This is some old s. I thought this was (about) the Oscar 2016 and their stuff that they had before I even came into the picture in the late 80s. Ive got to leave that to Will and Chris to talk about, but they got their stuff for sure. Will Smith, right, slaps Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 27, 2022. (Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images) The slap came after Rock poked fun at Pinkett Smiths shaved head. The Girls Trip star suffers from alopecia. When the outlet asked her if she was offended by the jab, she said this: I mean, thats what comedians do, she reasoned. I would just have to say that I am not really here to make any judgment on how people decide to express themselves and express their art. Ill say that several times Ive had my feelings hurt, for sure. Ive had my feelings hurt a lot by Chris. But at the end of the day, too, being in the spotlight, it comes with the territory. Pinkett Smiths memoir, Worthy is set to hit shelves on Oct. 17. In a recent interview with the Today Shows Hoda Kotb, Pinkett Smith revealed she and Smith have been separated since 2016. In the interview that aired on Wednesday, Pinkett Smith explained that she thought about getting a divorce but never went through with it. I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever. And I just havent been able to break that promise, she explained. NBC is set to devote a full hour in primetime to all things about the actress on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The British Broadcasting Corporation The UK backs Israel's self-defence but is keen to see as few civilian casualties as possible, James Cleverly has said on a visit to the country. It comes as the Israeli government continues to retaliate following the attacks by Hamas last weekend. The foreign secretary was earlier seen dashing into a building as warning sirens started. His visit is to signal the UK's "unwavering solidarity" with Israel, a Foreign Office spokesperson said. Speaking to reporters in Israel, Mr Cleverly said the country had a right to defend itself and also to "try and regain those people who have been kidnapped". He added that he had discussed Israel's work to minimise the risk to non-combatants, saying "we would want to see as few civilian casualties as possible". But he warned: "Hamas habitually embeds its military capability, its terrorist capability, within civilian populations." The UK and US governments have given firm backing to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration in the wake of Saturday's attacks. There are fears that the conflict, which has claimed at least 1,200 lives in Israel - and more than 1,000 people in Israeli air strikes on Gaza - could escalate further. Attacks on Gaza continued on Wednesday as Israel targets Hamas. However, concerns have been expressed in the United Nations and elsewhere about the impact on civilians. The Israeli government has stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory, with the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down on Tuesday after air strikes near the border crossing. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps earlier said that while Israel needed to respect international law, the UK would "absolutely defend Israel's right to do what they need to do now to go after Hamas". Support for Israel was echoed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. More on Israel Gaza war Meanwhile, King Charles is "appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel", according to Buckingham Palace sources. tAt least 17 British nationals, including children, are dead or missing, an official UK source told the BBC. Concerns have also been raised for the safety of British citizens who wish to leave Israel. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said he had asked the Foreign Office for clarity on the help being offered. In a letter to Mr Cleverly, he said: "While Israeli airspace has not officially been closed, most UK airlines have been forced to cancel their flights for the foreseeable future. "This is obviously deeply concerning for all those who are desperate to return to loved ones in the UK. "Several countries... have announced rescue flights to return their nationals who are stranded. Does the UK government have plans to do the same?" British Airways has now suspended flights to Israel after one of its plane returned to London shortly before arriving in Tel Aviv. Both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman have stressed the need to protect the UK's Jewish community. Ms Braverman told police chiefs on Tuesday that waving a Palestinian flag on British streets "may not be legitimate" if it is deemed to be a show of support for acts of terrorism. Labour's Sir Keir suggested that flag-waving could be an issue in certain contexts. He added: "It's very important that at times like this we don't conflate peaceful discussion of Palestinian issues with Hamas." A blazing red star is seen with just part of a planet in the foreground. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has taken a closer look at a volatile star at the heart of a system of seven potentially Earth-like worlds, some of which might be able to support life as we know it. The powerful space telescope studied four flares erupting from the star TRAPPIST-1 , a cool red dwarf that's located about 41 light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo. Researchers decrypted the flares' radiation from the star's regular light, something that could aid the hunt for habitable conditions in this extraordinary system. "Because of JWST, it is the first time in history that we've been able to look for planets around other stars that have the sorts of secondary atmospheres you could find around, say, Earth , Venus, or Mars ," research lead author Ward Howard, a NASA Sagan Fellow at the University of Colorado, Boulder, said in a statement . "If we want to learn more about exoplanets, it's really important to understand their stars." Related: James Webb Space Telescope finds no atmosphere on Earth-like TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet Red dwarfs like the Jupiter-sized TRAPPIST-1, which has a mass around 9% that of the sun , are the most common stars in the Milky Way and, despite their small stature, are also the most active. TRAPPIST-1 emits powerful blasts of energy as flares several times a day. Our own sun, by contrast, erupts with similar outbursts just once a month or so. The violent activity of red dwarfs makes studying the atmospheres of their exoplanets a challenge. Astronomers study alien atmospheres by observing light as it passes through them, and chaotic emissions of stellar radiation complicate this process. Howard and his colleagues addressed this challenge by observing flares emerging from TRAPPIST-1 over a period of roughly 27 hours. They then separated these bursts of light from the regular light coming from the star , filtering out around 80% of the flare-based radiation. "If you don't account for flares, you could detect molecules in the atmosphere that aren't really there or get the amount of material in the atmosphere wrong," Howard explained. Additionally, not only was the team able to observe a stellar flare in certain wavelengths of infrared light for the first time with JWST, but they also captured the evolution of those four flares in detail, watching over several hours as they grew in brightness before peaking and becoming dim again. This method could be key for obtaining clearer images of planetary atmospheres and will likely be applied to the TRAPPIST-1 system in particular, the researchers said. Related: The search for alien life illustration showing jagged rocks sticking out of a calm sea, with a setting sun and several large planets in the background sky. What makes TRAPPIST-1 a prime target for scientists? TRAPPIST-1 has been a tantalizing target for astronomers since three planets were first discovered around the red dwarf star in 2016. The fascination with the system in the astronomical community intensified with the discovery of a further four planets around the red dwarf star, itself discovered in 1999. Not only do these planets seem to be rocky like Earth, but three of them exist in the habitable zone of TRAPPIST-1, the region in which it is neither too hot nor cold to allow water to exist as a liquid on a world's surface a vital condition for life as we know it. JWST is already starting to investigate the atmospheres of the TRAPPIST-1 worlds. A recent study of one of those planets, TRAPPIST-1b, revealed that it seems to lack an atmosphere. This new breakthrough should allow astronomers to get an even clearer picture of the conditions around the planets of this fascinating system. RELATED STORIES: Exoplanets in the Trappist-1 system more likely to be habitable than scientists once thought, study suggests The TRAPPIST-1 solar system not bombarded by space rocks like early Earth, study suggests James Webb Space Telescope could help hunt for habitable alien worlds "With TRAPPIST-1, we have a really great opportunity to see what an Earth-sized planet around a red dwarf would look like," Howard said. "There are only a handful of stellar systems where we have the opportunity to look for these sorts of atmospheres. Each one of these planets is truly precious." The team's research has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, and a preprint version is posted on the paper repository arXiv . Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667. Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx. Reading inspection scores: Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations. Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature. Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing. If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days. If red points exceed 100 and theres a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a reinspection. Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection. Kinja Japanese Restaurant 1304 E. Yelm Ave., A-102, Yelm Sept. 28: 65 red points; 12 blue points. Comments: Rice greater than 2 inches deep was cooling while covered. Miso soup was hot held below 135 degrees. Some TCS foods were stored at room temperature. Some TCS foods were cold held at temperatures above 41 degrees. An internal food thermometer was not used to verify food temperatures. The inspector noted there was inadequate equipment for temperature control. They instructed the establishment to provide space and racks in the cold hold walk in or provide a dedicated cooling unit. Wiping cloths were stored on counters rather than in a container. The storage area was inaccessible. The area near the door was in disrepair. The shelving was inadequate. Lemon Grass Restaurant and Lounge 8125 Quinault Drive NE, Lacey Sept. 28: 45 red points; 5 blue points. Comments: The bar sink was being used as a dump sink because two other sinks were not working. TCS foods were improperly cold held in a prep unit and on a countertop. TCS foods in cold holding must be at or below 41 degrees. The high temperature warewashing facilities needed to reach 180 degrees. Old Highway 99 Co. Bar and Grill 12743 Old 99 Highway SE, Tenino Sept. 28: 30 red points; 2 blue points. Comments: Some TCS foods were cooled improperly. The menu lacked a consumer advisory reminder statement for applicable items. The kitchen floor was in disrepair. Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant 312 Sussex Ave. W., Tenino Oct. 2: 25 red points; 5 blue points. Comments: Improper cold holding of TCS foods such as cheese. TCS foods must be at or below 41 degrees. A thermometer was not used to monitor food temperatures. The menu lacked a consumer advisory reminder for cooked-to-order items. A hot well was improperly used with ice to hold TCS foods. BBQ Junkies Bar and Grill 5805 Lacey Blvd. SE, Lacey Sept. 27: 20 red points; 5 blue points. Comments: One worker was unable to present their food worker card during the inspection. Cooked pasta in the walk-in cold hold was at 55-60 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees as required. The menu lacked a disclosure statement on its consumer advisory statement. The inspector noted a deficiency related to the proper use and storage of wiping cloths. Pizza Hut/Wingstreet 1412 E. Yelm Ave., Building C, Yelm Sept. 28: 15 red points; 7 blue points. Comments: TCS food items in a prep cold hold unit were greater than 41 degrees. A thermometer was not used to monitor food temperatures in a cold hold unit that was known to be malfunctioning. A warewashing machine was not working properly. The establishment was directed to clean a walk-in and provide at least 6 inches of clearance from the ground to shelving. Mr. Dougs Restaurant 210 NE 103rd Ave., Yelm Sept. 28: 10 red points; 5 blue points. Comments: The kitchen/cooking area lacked a dedicated hand sink. A merchandiser was used to store open TCS foods. The inspector directed the establishment to relocate food to a proper unit or get a commercial unit. Eagans LLC 472 Sussex Ave. E., Tenino Oct. 2: 5 red points; 7 blue points. Comments: An employees food worker card was expired or unavailable. The menu lacked a proper consumer advisory for cooked to order items. Food contact surfaces were not properly cleaned. Shelves were not at least 6 inches off the ground. Prairie Lanes 202 E. Yelm Ave., Yelm Sept. 28: 5 red points; 7 blue points. Comments: A proper thin-tip food thermometer was absent during the inspection. Workers only had an inaccurate dial thermometer on hand. The menu lacked a consumer advisory reminder for cooked to order foods. Dorm-style refrigerators were in use rather than a commercial unit. Kitchen lights did not have a shield to protect from a splash zone. Subway 698 Sussex Ave. E., Tenino Oct. 2: 10 red points; 0 blue points. Comments: Cold held chicken in a silicone bowl was above 41 degrees. No violations Olympita, Mobile Food Unit. Jared Kushner: My hope and prayer is that Trump is reelected in 2024 Son-in-law and former senior adviser to Donald Trump , Jared Kushner , said he is backing his father-in-law for another term in 2024 because of how the former president helped the Middle East while in office. Kushner headed Middle East policy in the Trump administration, specifically policy on peace between Palestine and Israel. I do think that the job [Trump] did as a foreign policy president was tremendous. Now, more and more people are beginning to recognize that, he said in an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman released Wednesday. He discussed Middle East policy, specifically surrounding the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which began Saturday and left thousands dead. Now, under President Biden, this is the second war thats broken out in the world, and when you have weak leadership, the world becomes a less safe place, he said. My hope and prayers are that President Trump is reelected and that hes able to then restore calm and peace and prosperity to the world. Kushner said the foreign policy goals under Trumps administration represented the potential for the Middle East to become a significant economic and diplomatic region for the U.S. I do think that the region has tremendous potential, its just been held back by bad policy, bad leadership, bad objectives, he said. When President Trump left office in 2021, the Middle East was really on a very positive trajectory, and if the right things happen, it can continue to be so. Also in the interview, Kushner, who is Jewish, described the violence in Israel and Gaza as heartbreaking. He compared the attacks by Hamas to the 9/11 terror attacks in the U.S., and he called on the global community to back Israel in the conflict. The U.S. and its Western allies are among the states that have publicly shown the most support for Israel in the wake of the attacks. Im praying at this moment in time that we navigate the current crisis, that the important objectives are achieved that were eliminating the terrorists and their threats, Kushner said. And allowing the leaders who are focused on giving their citizens and their neighbors an opportunity to live a better life are able to work together and really dream and be ambitious and find ways to create a paradigm where humans can flourish. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Some Jewish parents have been told by schools to delete social media from their children's phones in the wake of the Israel-Gaza war. One of the main concerns is over possible hostage videos being shared which they say could cause distress. The warnings are circulating not just in Israel itself but also in the US and UK - with some some singling out TikTok and Instagram in particular. Footage of civilians being killed has been shared online. A number of schools in Tel Aviv have been communicating the message to parents since the weekend. The following message is being sent to Israeli parents from their childrens schools: Dear Parents, It has been brought to our attention that videos of hostages begging for their lives will soon be released. Please remove the @TikTok and @instagram apps from your children's Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) October 10, 2023 Elsewhere a school in New Jersey in the US sent an email to parents suggesting they tell their kids to delete their social media platforms. "Local psychologists have reached out to us and informed us that the Israeli government is urging parents to tell their children to delete Instagram and TikTok immediately," read an email sent to the school. Another school in New York said it was encouraging parents to monitor their social media usage and to "discuss how to avoid opening these videos and what to do should they encounter such media." Social media has been flooded with graphic and disturbing images and videos since the attacks began. Just saw an email from a noted Jewish high school telling parents to have their kids delete TikTok and Instagram, in anticipation of Hamas posting videos of Israeli hostages begging for their lives or worse. (Some videos of taunting of hostage kids are already circulating.) Yair Rosenberg (@Yair_Rosenberg) October 10, 2023 A Tel Aviv school's parent's association said that it has been told to expect a video of hostages "begging for their lives." "We cannot allow our kids to watch this stuff. It is also difficult, furthermore - impossible - to contain all this content on social media" it said in a note to parents. David Lange, who runs the Israeli advocacy group Israellycool, told the BBC his daughter's school had communicated the message on a parents WhatsApp group, encouraging parents to delete TikTok from their children's phones. Other Jewish organisations have advised parents to monitor their children's online activity to mitigate exposure to the violence. This approach has been echoed by some schools in the UK. One of the leading Jewish schools in the country told the BBC that the use of social media is "a difficult, delicate matter" because pupils are using the platforms all the time. Instead of an outright ban, they have encouraged parents to talk to their children about the content they are seeing. "I think this always applies but particularly at the moment where what they are seeing might be very distressing," they said over email. The UK's technology secretary earlier met with the bosses of social media companies Google, Meta, X, TikTok and Snapchat where asked the platforms to clearly set out what action they were taking to remove illegal material that breaches their terms and conditions. Michelle Donelan said she had asked the tech giants to detail their plans in writing. TikTok and Instagram did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have welcomed the endorsement of their reelection campaign by three major national LGBTQ+ rights groups. Biden and Harris have been endorsed by Equality PAC, the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund, and the Human Rights Campaigns political action committee, the groups announced Tuesday. Next years election will determine whether LGBTQ+ Americans have more freedoms or less, said a statement from Biden-Harris Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. Across the country, MAGA Republicans are hell-bent on taking away LGBTQ+ Americans' hard-fought freedoms and are using our fellow Americans identities for political warfare. Its shameful and not who we are as a country. The stakes of this election could not be higher for LGBTQ+ Americans, and President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to fighting for every Americans fundamental freedoms. We are deeply honored to earn this historic, unified endorsement from the nations leading LGBTQ+ groups. With their support, we will activate the more than 60 million equality voters nationwide to reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris, and equality legislators up and down the ballot. HRC announced its endorsement early Tuesday, and a joint announcement with Equality PAC and NCTE followed. The National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund is proud to announce its endorsement of President Joe Biden for a second term, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of the NCTE Action Fund, said in a press release. Since taking office, President Biden has surpassed the efforts of all preceding administrations in his dedication to advancing the protections and rights of the transgender community. Without question, the Biden Administration has been the strongest advocate for the needs of transgender Americans of any presidential administration in American history." Heng-Lehtinen added that Biden had focused significantly on the rights of trans Americans. We anticipate and look forward to further momentum for the advancement of transgender rights that could be accomplished in a second term, and toward a future where collaborative initiatives continue to thrive, he said. Related: 89 Images of Vice President Kamala Harris Behind the Scenes from The Advocates Exclusive Equality PAC is proud to stand with the most pro-equality Administration in the history of the United States and we will do everything we can to help re-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris next year, said Equality PACs cochairs, Democratic U.S. Reps. Mark Takano of California and Ritchie Torres of New York. Since taking office, President Biden and Vice President Harris have worked tirelessly to expand LGBTQ rights, protect our community, and advocate for passage of the Equality Act. The LGBTQ community is under seemingly constant attack from extremists that want to roll back history and take away the basic rights that we have fought for and won in recent years. It is critical that we elect strong allies into office at every level of our government, including the presidency and vice presidency allies like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris that will stand up for our community and speak out against injustice and hate. Make no mistake, LGBTQ rights are on the ballot in 2024 and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the only candidates where we can put our faith, trust, and vote next year. At a time when the forces of hatred seek to divide us by race, place, and identity the choice in this election is clear, added HRC President Kelley Robinson. LGBTQ+ Americans are living in a state of emergency and the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration is needed now more than ever. Together, these groups represent 60 million Americans. They all have plans to mobilize pro-equality voters in the 2024 election. TV host John Oliver is essentially a court jester for people who consider themselves political and cultural elites; the topics he addresses reflect their concerns. So when he does an extended take on homeschooling, you can assume that, after years of innovation and growth, DIY education is on the radar of the tut-tutting class. And when he accepts homeschooling as a potentially beneficial practice, but one that needs more oversight from the right people, you know anti-homeschoolers are in retreat, fighting a rearguard action to maintain a degree of control because it's too late to abolish a practice they dislike. "Getting To Be Homeschooled Can Be Transformative" "By one estimate, there are now around 2 million children being homeschooled in this country, and parents can choose that for all sorts of reasons," the host allowed on the October 8 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. "Maybe their kids have social or health problems, or disabilities that aren't being accommodated. Maybe they're families with legitimate fears about school safety, or who are in the military and move around a lot. And there's also a growing number of black parents opting to homeschool due to whitewashed curriculums and zero-tolerance policies in schools that disproportionately criminalize their kids at an early age. So, there are a lot of reasons to do it. And the fact is, for some kids, getting to be homeschooled can be transformative." That's quite a shift from a few years ago when Harvard Law School's Elizabeth Bartholet penned a sniffy Arizona Law Review piece favoring a "presumptive ban" on homeschooling. Oliver showed a brief clip of Victoria, a Detroit girl who described switching to homeschooling as "just like a kind of like a sunshine, like the clouds opening a little bit." But then we get the cautionary note. Who Is In Charge Here? "The ceiling of how good homeschooling can be is admittedly very high," Oliver added. "But the floor of how bad it can get is basically nonexistent. Because to an extent you may not realize, in many parts of the country, homeschooling is essentially unregulated." "Let's start with the fact there's a lot we don't know about homeschooled kidsfrom exactly how many there are, to what they're learning," he added ominously. Who is this "we" who doesn't know how many homeschooled kids there are or what they're learning? Because I'm pretty sure those kids' parents have a handle on things. I don't know where John Oliver sends his kids to school, but that doesn't keep me up at night. Of course, I may not be part of "we." "In most states, there is no oversight, and no evaluation by anyone of the academic program and of students' progress," Oliver further frets. To show that's bad, he points to a clip of Michael Donnelly of the Home School Legal Defense Association describing his kids dissecting specimens in the kitchen. "Are kitchens the best lab for this kind of thing?" Oliver asks in horror. Hard counter surfaces that are easy to cleansounds pretty sensible. Would he prefer to use the living room coffee table? This is silly. My homeschooled son used the kitchen counter for dissection, too, as well as for chemistry and other science lessons. Lots of families do, as evidenced by an industry selling homeschoolers lab equipment and dissection specimens. Oliver continues from there, though the discourse never rises above the level of some people I don't like are choosing homeschooling for reasons with which I disagree. He points to the religious nature of some publishers of crappy textbooks (as well as a tiny group of Nazi parents who self-published teaching materials because there was so little demand for Hitler-themed readers), but families can take them or leave them, unlike the spun texts assigned in public schools. "The books have the same publisher. They credit the same authors. But they are customized for students in different states, and their contents sometimes diverge in ways that reflect the nation's deepest partisan divides," The New York Times' Dana Goldstein wrote in 2020 of history textbooks produced for state-level buyers in California and Texas, "customized to satisfy policymakers with different priorities." Then, Oliver huffs: "In many states parents don't ultimately have to teach their kids anything at all." Apparently, Nobody Is in Charge of Public Schools, Either Uh huh. A RAND Corporation survey of public school teachers finds that "since 20192020 it's become more common for math teachers to skip math content that's covered by their state's math standards." Test scores fell off a cliff in recent years, accelerated by public schools' failures during pandemic shutdowns ("a majority of states saw scores decline for fourth- and eighth-graders in mathematics and reading between 2019 and 2022," according to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics). Many schools (we're looking at you, Los Angeles Unified School District) promote underperforming kids anyway, with a nothing-to-see-here attitude. Who isn't teaching "anything at all?" That public schools can be terrible is obvious from Oliver's joking allusion to his own misery in school, as well as the clip of Victoria, who was so delighted to find "sunshine" in exiting government offerings for DIY education. Victoria is in good company. Families Stepped Up When the Pros Fumbled "In the first full school year after the onset of the pandemic, K-12 public school enrollment in the U.S. fell by more than a million students," according to an Urban Institute report published in February of this year. "And these enrollment losses persisted through the 2021-22 school year." By contrast, private school enrollment increased by 4.3 percent and homeschool enrollment increased by 30 percent. "To put this in perspective," adds the Urban Institute report, "in the 22 locations with homeschool data, K-12 public school enrollment fell by 710,513 students while private school enrollment increased by 102,847 students. The corresponding increase in homeschool enrollment was 184,047 students." Who regulates education? Parents yanking kids from failing public schools and choosing alternatives, like homeschooling, have taken on that regulatory role. They clearly care more about the responsibility than "professional" educators neglecting standards and promoting kids they haven't taught. The flood of families looking for something better is why John Oliver put on his concerned face over homeschooling. But the flood is also why he has to acknowledge the legitimate concerns of homeschoolers, because the ranks of DIY-educating families have grown beyond early adopters to include people of all sorts of backgrounds and motivations, including some who might watch his show. That a court jester for self-appointed elites is reduced to fretting over worst-case scenarios among homeschoolers while glossing over public school failures shows just how far battle lines have shifted between families and control freaks who, just recently, pushed to ban the practice. For an (admittedly aging until I update it) list of homeschooling resources, check here. The post John Oliver Grudgingly Accepts Homeschooling appeared first on Reason.com. House Republicans will huddle Wednesday morning aiming to nominate a new Speaker to take to the House floor, with the choice of two powerhouses in the GOP conference: Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). The two men are well liked in the conference and have portrayed themselves as unifiers, focused on border issues and spending. They both have different strengths. They both bring unique attributes. Their policy differences are probably zero, said Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), who is supporting Scalise. Each would bring a distinctly different style to the top slot in the House but both carry risks that are prompting hesitation among some members. It is a close race, opening the door to a wild-card third option if GOP members cannot coalesce around Jordan or Scalise or an attempted resurrection of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). And bitterness about the eight Republicans who voted with Democrats to oust McCarthy remains. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) said he will not vote for anyone for Speaker until he sees a plan on how to avoid the ousted Speaker situation again. The dynamics come as lawmakers are racing the clock to elect a new Speaker and restart legislative business in the chamber, with members concerned that the House is unable to formally support Israel in the wake of Hamass deadly attack. McCarthy, who was ousted as Speaker last week, did not shoot down the prospect of returning to the post if the conference is deadlocked when asked multiple times this week. Several moderate members have indicated they may nominate and vote for him, further complicating the race. For instance, Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) has said he will only vote for McCarthy, unless the former Speaker definitively takes himself out of the running. But on Tuesday evening, McCarthy said he had discouraged members from doing so. I asked the members in there not to nominate me, McCarthy said. Neither Scalise nor Jordan has pulled ahead as a front-runner, and McCarthy does not have a clear path back to the gavel, leaving lawmakers unsure of who will lead the House when all is said and done and when exactly that process will wrap up. Scalise has the advantage of a staff with years of experience in leadership and that knows how to run a leadership race. And he is also a stronger fundraiser than Jordan, which has helped him build goodwill across the conference. Members in support of Scalise, including Texas Reps. Tony Gonzales and Pfluger, have pointed to his work on the two major policy bills that the House GOP passed this year: the H.R. 1 Lower Energy Costs Act and the H.R. 2 Secure the Border Act. A tested, longtime leader should be speedily chosen and elected, particularly in light of the crises across the globe, Scalises supporters say. We dont have days or weeks. Youre seeing the urgency of whats happening across the globe, Gonzales said. What happens next? No one saw this Hamas attack in Israel. But Scalises August diagnosis of multiple myeloma, described as a very treatable blood cancer, has some members hesitating. I was honest with Scalise. I think his health is an issue. I dont want somebody that is gonna deteriorate in the job, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said Monday evening. This is a tough job. Youve got to be everywhere. But Scalise has said that his doctors have cleared him to run for the spot, and that his treatment has gone phenomenally well. Gonzales also noted that Scalises wife, Jennifer, signed off on the bid. Jennifer is the one that has said, I wouldnt allow him to do this if he wasnt healthy enough to do this, Gonzales said. When his wife says, Were in this to win this thats all I needed to know. Jordan, on the other hand, comes to the table with deep conservative bona fides that resonate with the right flank of the party. The Ohio Republican was the first chairman of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus, a group of roughly three dozen hard-line lawmakers that has exerted outsized influence in this Congress. He was once a thorn in the side of GOP leaders, prodding them to take more aggressively conservative stances and even challenging McCarthy for the GOPs top spot in 2018. But as he and the right flank gained more power, Jordan became more of an ally of party leadership. Now, Jordan is no longer a gadfly. As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he is front and center in congressional investigations into the Biden administration, Hunter Biden and various probes focused on former President Trump. His supporters see the fast-talking, confrontational Ohioan as the person who can unite the conference at its current juncture. [He] has the relationships with moderates, he has relationships with the ultraconservatives and everyone in between, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said Tuesday. Others point to his pugnacious style. How many rounds was it in Rocky? Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a Jordan supporter, asked reporters Monday. Look, youre talking about some tough characters. Jim Jordan was an all-state champion wrestler, he can go the equivalent of 15 rounds. Im not sure how they do rounds in wrestling, but hes capable of doing whatever it takes. But while Jordans history as a political flamethrower endears him to fellow hard-line conservatives, it could pose problems for him in locking up support with moderates. Privately, GOP members wonder how a Speaker Jordan would be more helpful or harmful to the members in toss-up districts who are critical to securing and keeping the Republican majority. Im as real as they come yes its a conversation, Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.), who represents a district President Biden won in 2020, said when asked about the next Speaker being attentive to his district and Jordans firebrand background. DEsposito said he and Reps. Nick Lalota (R-N.Y.) and Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) two other moderate Republicans are sticking together amid the Speaker showdown but had not endorsed a candidate as of Tuesday afternoon. But another Biden-district Republican brushed aside concerns regarding Jordans history as a hard-liner, noting that they could help improve their standing with ultraconservatives in the district. Seventy percent of the people I represent dont know who the Speaker is, let alone care. 15 percent are Democrats who will never support anybody I support and will hate them. 15 percent are right-wing MAGA Republicans who frankly dont necessarily trust members like me, the Biden-district Republican said. Voting for Jim Jordan is not insurmountable because he buttresses us with those voters. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. After the impact of renewed Hamas attacks in southern Israel swiftly escalated and culminated in war, concerns over the safety of travel to Israel and countries in the surrounding region haven risen. Jordan, a popular winter sun destination for tourists, shares its northern border with both Israel and Syria, and travellers with trips booked may be questioning the wisdom of holidaying there amid the conflict. Heres the latest travel advice for Jordan, plus all the key questions and answers. What does the Foreign Office say? On Tuesday the Foreign Office (FCDO) strengthened its stance on travel to Jordan updating its guidance to read: The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 3km of Jordans border with Syria. Crossings from Jordan to Israel may also be closed at short notice as a result of the conflict in southern Israel close to the border with Gaza. The Foreign Office says the situation in Syria is fragile and security threats in the form of instability or terrorist activity could arise with little or no notice, advising against all travel to the country. What do the Jordan authorities say? The Jordan Tourism Board said in a statement: In light of the recent developments in Gaza, we want to emphasise that Jordan continues to be a safe and welcoming destination for tourists from around the world. Our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all visitors remains unwavering. We want to reassure everyone that Jordans borders are open to tourists, and we are eager to share our extraordinary experiences with the world. We understand that tensions around the world can raise concerns, but we believe in the power of travel to foster understanding and build bridges between nations. As always, the Jordan Tourism Board is here to assist and support tourists in making the most of their visit. Jordans deputy Prime Minister and minister of foreign affairs, Ayman Al-Safadi, stressed the need to stop the dangerous escalation in Gaza and its surroundings and highlighted the ongoing Jordanian effort to launch immediate international action to stop the escalation, the necessity of protecting civilians and respecting international humanitarian laws. Al-Safadi said that the need to protect civilians, whose killings are condemned by international laws, fuelled Jordanian efforts to stop the escalation and end the war on Gaza, in order to avoid their repercussions on the entire region. Are Jordan flights continuing? Yes. Queen Alia International Airport, south of Amman remains operational as does King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, Jordans southernmost point. The main airlines that fly from the UK to Jordan include British Airways, easyJet, Tui, Royal Jordanian and Wizz Air out of London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Luton. In 2021, Jordan and Israel reached a historic agreement to open up the Jordan-Israel air corridor and allow flights that previously flew around Israel to cross over into each countrys airspace, cutting flight times from the west. An international aviation group, OpsGroup warns: Lessons learned regarding civil operations in conflict zones over the last nine years since MH17 need to be applied. The risk of a passenger aircraft becoming a casualty of this war is high. What if I have booked a package holiday to Jordan? Travellers who have booked package holidays to Jordans new no go zone as advised by the FCDO can cancel without penalty for a full refund, although the main tourist spots are a fair distance from here anyway. Outside of the 3km radius between Jordans northern border and Syria, the conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund you if you want to cancel and you will not be able to claim on travel insurance due to safety concerns unless FCDO advice changes. BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Equestrian Association (CEA) responded Wednesday after losing its Paris 2024 eventing team ticket, saying to be "deeply shocked" for their top-placed horse testing positive for a controlled medication at last June's Olympic qualifier. According to a statement released by the sport's world governing body FEI late on Tuesday, one of the two Paris 2024 team quota slots delivered at the Groups F&G Olympic qualifier in Millstreet, Ireland, where Australia finished first and China second, has been reallocated to Japan following a positive test of China's top eventer Alex Hua Tian's ride Chicko for controlled medication altrenogest, better known under its UK trade name, Regumate. The drug, a hormonal treatment for mares, is listed as a controlled medication (not doping) for stallions and geldings on the FEI clean sport database, despite an independent investigation "found conclusively that the trace amount of altrenogest detected" was owing to Chicko eating contaminated hay from the next-door stable. The positive test, however, means Hua Tian and the 13-year-old gelding Chicko, who finished fourth individually, the Chinese team's best result in the qualifier, were disqualified from the competition, and the formerly third-placed Japanese team, as a result, moved ahead of China in the team standings. "As a passionate supporter of clean sport, with a pristine record at international level for 18 years and knowing how careful we are as a team with any risk of contamination, I was in total shock," Hua Tian, who's in "total disbelief," said in a statement responding to the positive test. CEA also confirmed that Chicko was "cross-infected," but said, "The Chinese Equestrian Association has always pursued the goal of "zero occurrence" with a "zero tolerance" attitude in anti-doping work," indicating that the nation's equestrian ruling body has accepted the FEI decision. As altrenogest is a controlled substance, not banned, Hua Tian has not been subject to a provisional suspension but offered an "Administrative Procedure", including a fine of 1,500 Swiss Franc but no ban or further sanction. "However, the core principles of the FEI, clean sport and the level playing field which I not only accept but support wholeheartedly is that a horse that is found to have a controlled medication in its system during competition is a rule violation and as a result is automatically disqualified from that competition, regardless of how that substance entered the horse," Hua Tian said, adding that he took full responsibility for the consequences. "I intend to continue flying the flag for Chinese equestrianism on the international stage, uphold the principles of clean sport and the Olympic movement whilst taking every possible measure to ensure that issues related to doping and controlled substances for both humans and horses do not occur," Hua Tian stated. An Oklahoma judge could be booted from the bench after an investigation found she texted her way through a trial over the beating death of a 2-year-old boy, with court records revealing she laughed about a prosecutors baby hands, wondered whether a juror was wearing a wig, and drooled over a pretty police officer testifying on the stand. Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom swapped more than 500 texts with her bailiff during the seven-day murder trial, according to court records filed Tuesday. In those messages, the judge also speculated that a key prosecution witness might be a liar and praised the defenses performance in the courtroom, asking the bailiff in one text if she could clap during opening arguments. In a 47-page petition, John Kane, the chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, recommended that Soderstrom be removed. Kane accused Soderstrom of gross neglect of duty, gross partiality in office, and oppression in office. The totality of the text messages give the appearance [Soderstrom] believed the defendant was innocent and that she wanted a particular outcome in the case, Kane wrote. Her fate will be determined in a hearing by the states Court on the Judiciary, which handles complaints against, and the disciplining of, judges. Soderstrom was suspended without pay on Tuesday pending the outcome of that hearing. Judge Soderstrom takes these allegations very seriously, her attorney told The Oklahoman. We are in the process of requesting the entire record from the Council on Judicial Complaints so that she can respond appropriately. Soderstrom, 50, was sworn in on Jan. 9. In June, she was assigned to her first murder trialthat of Khristian Tyler Martzall, who was charged in the 2018 death of toddler Braxton Danker. The Lincoln County District Attorneys Office, which called it one of the worst cases of child abuse its prosecutors had ever handled, asked the jurors to find Martzall guilty of first-degree murder. Soderstrom was on her phone for minutes at a time during jury selection, opening statements, and testimonyand was caught scrolling, checking Facebook, and typing on courtroom security video. A 51-minute cut of that footage, showing Soderstrom holding the phone below bench level in her lap, was published by The Oklahoman a month after the trial. At one point in the video, the judge can be heard asking the jury to turn off their phones to allow you to concentrate on the evidence without interruption. Kanes Tuesday petition revealed the contents of some of the messages Soderstrom exchanged with her female bailiff. Of the Lincoln County District Attorney Adam Panter, Soderstrom observed that he was sweating thru his coat and asked Why does he have baby hands? They are so weird looking. When the bailiff later made a crass and demeaning reference to the genitals of two male prosecutors, including Panter, Soderstrom replied with a Ha Ha and laughing-face emoji, according to Kane. As Martzells girlfriend and Braxtons mother, Judith Danker, gave emotional testimony about the abuse Braxton had suffered, Soderstrom asked in a text Can I please scream liar liar, the petition alleges. (Danker was given a 25-year prison sentence by a different judge after pleading guilty to enabling child abuse in 2019.) In another message, Soderstrom snarked that prosecutors just couldnt accept that a mom could kill her kid so they went after the next person available. The judge was warmer towards Martzalls lawyers, calling one defense attorney awesome, and other witnesses, including a police officer, whom she called pretty, and added, I could look at him all day. In other bizarre messages to the bailiff, Soderstrom speculated as to whether a juror was wearing a wig. Look at that hair line, she wrote. The bailiff later wrote back: OMG. LOL. Soderstrom also failed to recognize that these types of communications should never be made at all, according to Kane, who wrote in his petition that shed told the Council of Judicial Complaints that she could have waited to send the messages. It was like, Oh, thats funny, she said. Move on. Panter noted Tuesday that Soderstrom had spent many hours of a murder trial involving the brutal beating death of a child, glued to her cell phone on social media rather than pay attention to the evidence, and said that the texts about his genitals were especially disgusting and outrageous, according to The Oklahoman. After the weeklong trial and eight hours of deliberation, the jury found Martzall guilty of second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to time served. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A York County judge has dismissed murder charges against one of three men accused in the shooting death of a 27-year-old man last year, in which nearly 100 bullets were fired. Antonio Joseph Jones was originally charged with first-degree murder and homicide in the death of Shaheim Carr on July 6, 2022. Last week, York County Court of Common Pleas Judge Maria Musti Cook dismissed the charges against Jones, throwing out the case. "While the Commonwealth has an abundance of video footage of the vehicle used to transport the perpetrators to and from the scene of the homicide, there is no video evidence that identifies (the defendant) as one of the occupants of that vehicle or places him at the scene of the homicide," the judge's order read. The defendant was charged on April 11, 2023, and on July 6, 2023, attorney Michael Diamondstein filed an omnibus pretrial motion, which included a request for discovery, suggesting the evidence was insufficient to move the case forward. According to the judge's order, Detective Clark's identification of the defendant in this investigation "could have identified any number of Black males in York County." "Mr. Jones is grateful that the court recognized what we alleged from the very start. This was simply nothing more than speculation to suggest he was involved in any way in this homicide," Diamondstein said. Kyle King, spokesman for the York County District Attorney's Office, said the office is reviewing the order and considering options. Previously reported: Police arrest second and third suspects in the brazen July shooting death of Shaheim Carr What happened On the morning of July 6, 2022, in the neighborhood around West Philadelphia and North Newberry streets, camera footage shows Carr stepping out of his home just after 11 a.m. As he walked to his car, four men got out of a gold Ford Fusion parked across the street in front of a vacuum shop, and all four began shooting at Carr. The driver took a few steps toward Carr while shooting, then got back into the vehicle. The other three continued shooting as they walked toward Carr. One of the men reloaded his gun before all three chased Carr into the breezeway. When they came out, one could be seen holding a cell phone and another had a bag. About five minutes after the shooting began, the men drove away in the Ford Fusion. Police said nearly 100 shots were fired. A neighbor said it sounded like machine gun fire. Rashad Colon and Jaquez Brown are currently facing homicide charges in the death of Shaheim Carr. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Judge dismisses murder charge in York, Pa. homicide (NEXSTAR) A judge in San Francisco gave final approval to the massive Facebook privacy settlement on Tuesday. The social media company has agreed to pay $725 million to settle claims it violated users privacy by sharing their data with third parties. While Meta agreed to the payout, it denies wrongdoing. After months of court proceedings, Judge Vince Chhabria overruled several objections to the settlement Tuesday and granted the settlement his final approval. Theres one more key step before payments can go out: a window for appeals to be filed. How big will Facebook settlement checks be? Lawyers reveal estimated payment per person A representative for Angeion, the settlement administrator tasked with processing and paying out claims in this case, told Nexstar its still uncertain whether any appeals will be filed in the next 30 days. If there are no appeals filed, the company is prepared to send out payments soon after the window closes, the representative said. An exact date or timeline has yet to be determined. Whenever you do get your payment, dont expect it to be a life-changing sum. The exact amount will depend on how long youve had an active Facebook account, but lawyers told Judge Chhabria they expect the median payment to be around $30. When will Facebook settlement payments be sent out? Heres what we know Angeion is still working through the approximately 28 million claims it received in the huge lawsuit, validating which claims are valid and throwing out duplicative or fraudulent ones. As far as we can tell thats the largest number of claims ever filed in a class action in the United States, Lesley Weaver, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the case, said in court last month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. ADA A district judge ruled Tuesday to vacate the conviction of a man advocates say was wrongfully imprisoned in a 1987 rape case. Perry Lott, 61, sought to have his conviction overturned after 2014 testing on DNA evidence from a rape kit excluded him as the source. His sentence was reduced to time served and he was released in July 2018, three decades after a jury trial convicted him of the rape and robbery of an Ada woman inside her home. Tuesday morning Pontotoc County District Judge Steven Kessinger dismissed Lott's case "with prejudice," meaning the case can't be refiled. Lott is now officially considered a free man. "I feel exonerated, vindicated, free," Lott told The Oklahoman. "I feel confident, a confidence I never had in 30-something years. So now I'm going to just start all over and become better and better every day." Perry Lott leaves the courtroom as Barry Scheck, founder of the Innocence Project, wipes his eyes after Lott's conviction was vacated by Pontotoc County District Judge Steven Kessinger. More: I was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. We need to do more to help exonerees. Dismissal of Lott's conviction after two district attorneys' differing approaches District Attorney Erik Johnson, for Pontotoc, Seminole and Hughes counties, agreed to vacate Lott's conviction Tuesday, saying he had reviewed the case and spoken with the victim since taking office in January. "Numerous individuals within my office have been involved in reviewing the record, but at the end of the day, I must do what I believe the facts and the law require," Johnson said. "In my mind, the post-conviction DNA evidence was the pivotal fact. Pursuant to state statute, if post-conviction DNA testing is 'favorable' to the defendant then an appropriate remedy is vacating the judgment of the conviction. That's exactly what we did (Tuesday)." Advocates with the Innocence Project, a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating people, had requested the previous district attorney, Paul B. Smith, vacate Lott's conviction, but he would not. Smith instead cited Lott's poor health among the "humanitarian reasons" to release him from prison, arguing the test results could have been of contaminated DNA and that the victim had identified Lott during a police lineup because of his appearance and voice. Perry Lott, left, goes to hug Innocence Project founder Barry Scheck on Tuesday after the judge vacated his conviction. But the Innocence Project noted that the victim in a 2014 interview said, "I can't think of anything that overly stands out that made me select him. I kept thinking, what if I chose the wrong one?" Smith attracted nationwide criticism for previously declining to vacate Lott's conviction after Mississippi author John Grisham, known for his best-selling legal thrillers, publicly called for him to be voted out. Smith won the 2018 election but did not seek re-election in 2022. "With a population of 18,000, Ada ranks as one of the worst places in the country for wrongful convictions, per capita," Grisham, a member of the Innocence Project's board of directors, said in a 2018 letter to the Ada News. "It's time to stop convicting innocent people." Other Innocence Project officials, including co-founder Barry Scheck and senior staff attorney Adnan Sultan, said "there should be no doubt" of Lott's innocence. "Mr. Lott has shown nothing but persistence and resilience in his 35-year-long pursuit of justice," Sultan said Tuesday. "He would not give up on proving his innocence. Five years ago, all evidence pointed to his innocence, but he was denied justice. We are grateful to District Attorney Erik Johnson for his commitment to righting this wrong." Related: John Grisham-supported candidate loses Oklahoma DA race Lott's conviction follows similar patterns as high-profile exonerated cases Lott's conviction came around the same time as those of Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, whose Pontotoc County convictions in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway became the subject of heightened scrutiny after Grisham included them in his 2006 nonfiction novel "The Innocent Man," later adapted into a Netflix series. Grisham's book also focused on the exonerations of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz, who were both wrongfully convicted of the 1982 killing of Debra Sue Carter in Ada. Fontenot, Fritz and Williamson were all eventually freed from prison, but Ward is still behind bars. Scheck said these convictions involved the same prosecutors and police officers, but he said he was hopeful that "a new day in Ada" had arrived. He also said the Innocence Project would continue advocating for eyewitness procedure reforms that could avoid false identifications from suggestive police lineups. "We've done a lot of work with scientific evidence, showing the kinds of things that will prevent mistaken identifications," Scheck said. "Procedures ... that would greatly reduce (misidentifications) without reducing correct identifications, so that's a win-win. We would love for the Legislature to do it, but police departments can voluntarily adopt these procedures." Perry Lott poses Tuesday with the actual court order vacating his conviction. Observers also have drawn strong parallels between Lott's case and the case of Glynn Simmons, another Oklahoma inmate who recently saw his murder conviction and life sentence vacated after 48 years in prison. One of the lawyers representing Lott, Tulsa-based attorney Joe Norwood, also represents Simmons, and he told The Oklahoman he felt like he was experiencing "deja vu" over the similarities in the cases. "These cases rob people like Perry of their earning lifetimes," Norwood said. "And when they get out, they don't have an education because that was taken from them. He doesn't have work experience, because that was taken from him. He needs help." Related: Man freed after 48 years in Oklahoma prison seeks reform, compensation Lott, who now lives in Oklahoma City, developed health issues while in prison that affect his ability to walk. Supporters hoped the public would donate to Lott's new GoFundMe so he could better afford medical expenses while he continues reintegrating into society. "Up until this point, Perry's been officially a convicted felon of a heinous crime that he did not do, and that gets in the way of being able to be gainfully employed, find housing, all kinds of things," Norwood said. "He's gotten some help this far, but he needs more. He needs money." Lott hopes to move on by leaning on faith, mentorship In the meantime, Lott said he would move forward by helping others. Since his release in 2018, he has actively attended Skyline Church in Oklahoma City, and he told The Oklahoman he hopes to start a foundational "character and faith" program for young men, continuing the type of mentorship work he began while incarcerated. Members of the church staff attended the hearing Tuesday in support of Lott. "From the moment Perry started coming to Skyline Church, he's been one of the most joyful men I have ever met," said pastor Todd Lovelace. "And for me, I just couldn't wrap my head around how a man who's been wrongfully convicted and in prison for 31 years could be so full of joy. But that's what stands out to me when I think of Perry: a guy who just loves the Lord and loves the freedom and life that he's found, and his faith." Perry Lott takes a minute in the sun before heading into the courthouse on Tuesday. Cecily Burge, a 25-year-old post-conviction paralegal for the Innocence Project, noted similar qualities in Lott's behavior, describing him as her "greatest hero" whose "superhuman perseverance made this day possible." "I think it speaks to his character after so much of his life was stolen, the only words he speaks are the words of grace and gratitude," Burge told The Oklahoman. "Representing him is the honor of a lifetime." Sultan said so many years in prison nearly changed the outgoing Lott into a much more introverted person, but that his mentorship to troubled youth gave him renewed purpose and transformed him into a charismatic speaker. "My 31 years in prison, I must have died 1,000 deaths," Lott said. "But what inspired my motivation was not to prove anyone wrong, but to just work harder and harder to hold on to my truth," Lott told The Oklahoman. "It takes a lot longer to win that war, but that's why it's important that we stand for the truth, no matter what comes against us." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma man's conviction officially vacated through DNA testing WEST PALM BEACH The Jupiter father on trial for allegedly confining one of his children to a box-like structure in the garage of his home elected not to take the stand in his own defense Wednesday. Defense attorney Prya Murad made the announcement in court, and Timothy Ferriter confirmed his decision during a colloquy with Circuit Judge Howard Coates. The defense rested its case, setting the stage for closing arguments to begin after five days of trial. Jurors could begin deliberating the case as soon as Thursday. Ferriter, 48, faces charges of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment, and child neglect after Jupiter police alleged that he and his wife, Tracy, kept the child confined for multiple hours at a time in an 8-foot-by-8 structure in the garage of the familys Egret Landing home. Tracy Ferriter is set to face trial on charges of aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment at a later date. 'It's dehumanizing': Jupiter teen forced to live in garage room tells jurors about experience Police found garage room after teen ran away from home Timothy Ferriter, Jupiter, talks with his attorney Prya Murad during jury selection in his aggravated child abuse trial at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on September 29, 2023. Both were arrested in February 2022, days after police discovered the structure while conducting a missing-child investigation when the teenager at the center of the abuse allegations ran away from home. The Palm Beach Post is not identifying the teenager by name or gender. Statements to police by the Ferriters suggest that their teen got in trouble at Independence Middle School on Jan. 27, 2022, the day before the child ran away. Officers found the child outside the school on Jan. 31, 2022, according to an arrest report. The room in the garage: Did Florida's adoption system fail Jupiter teen? Investigators said the Ferriters had the room built in their garage shortly after buying their home in late 2021, police investigators said. They had it demolished 12 days after their arrests. The teenager testified during Timothy Feritters trial, describing confinement to the garage structure as dehumanizing. The teenager also described Timothy and Tracy Ferriters actions as a mistake. "I don't have a bad image of Tim or Tracy," the teen said during cross-examination by Murad. "They just made a mistake. They were just acting of out of frantic surprise of my actions. I believe that they weren't trying to do any harm. I believe that people should recognize that that was a mistake and forgive them and move on." Psychologist for defense: Parents made mistakes but meant no harm Judge Howard K. Coates Jr. listens to attorneys at a bench conference during jury selection in the aggravated child abuse trial of Timothy Ferriter, of Jupiter, at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on September 29, 2023. Ferriters attorneys described his actions as those of a frustrated father struggling to deal with the difficulties of a childs behavior. They argued that Ferriters actions did not equate either to abuse or neglect. The defense began presenting its case Friday and resumed Tuesday with testimony from Dr. Sheila Rapa, a licensed psychologist who testified as an expert for the defense. Rapa told jurors the teens medical records indicated symptoms indicative of an attachment disorder. She told jurors that she found parts of Timothy and Tracy Ferriters responses to the childs behavior to be inappropriate but did not believe the couple intentionally tried to harm the child. What it means: Jupiter parents say adopted teen locked in garage room had attachment disorder I dont believe they were malicious in so far as they were deliberately trying to abuse or hurt their child, Rapa said. I think they were responding to behaviors that they were very concerned about. I think in their mind they were trying to control some behaviors and keep everybody safe in the process. The defense played videos showing the teen interacting with family members outside the garage structure, countering hours of videos presented by the state during the final two days of its case. Prosecutors show video of father warning child kept in garage room A small room is demolished inside the Ferriter family' garage in Jupiter's Egret Landing neighborhood on March 5, 2022. Timothy and Tracy Ferriter were arrested Feb. 8 and charged which child abuse and false imprisonment after investigators learned they locked their 14-year-old teen in the room for up to 18 hours at a time when they were misbehaving. Prosecutors presented the jury with a different picture of the teens life, showing numerous video recordings from footage captured by a Ring surveillance camera installed inside the garage structure. The teen could be seen interacting with one or both parents at times, and alone in the structure at others. The teen could be heard screaming at points while alone in the room. In one clip, Timothy Ferriter could be heard admonishing the teen over the use of an air-conditioner unit inside the structure. Dont touch the air conditioning, Ferriter is heard saying. Do I have to say it again and again and again? Dont ever touch it. In another part of the video Ferriter is heard asking the teen, Why do you have a (expletive) attitude? The videos also showed less hostile interactions, with Ferriter at one point speaking to the teen about books and encouraging the teen to keep reading. Prosecutors alleged that the Ferriters' pattern of abusive behavior toward the child began during the family's time living in Arizona and continued when the family moved back to Florida. They alleged that the during the teen's periods of confinement, the teen was provided with a bucket to use as a toilet. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Father won't testify in case of Jupiter teen locked in garage room Jury deliberations to resume Thursday in the trial of 2 officers charged in Elijah McClains death Jury deliberations are set to resume Thursday morning in the trial of two Colorado police officers who arrested Elijah McClain, an unarmed 23-year-old Black man who died in 2019 after being subdued by police and injected by paramedics with ketamine. Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt have pleaded not guilty to charges of reckless manslaughter and assault in connection with McClains death. Rosenblatt was fired by the police department in 2020 and Roedema remains suspended. The court recessed Wednesday evening without the jury reaching a verdict after the panel deliberated for eight hours. Jury deliberations began Tuesday after closing arguments and will resume Thursday at 8:30 a.m. local time. The jury on Wednesday asked the court several questions throughout the day, including three related to the two officers field experience. The court told jurors they had received all the evidence and testimony you may consider in deciding these cases. In closing arguments of the weekslong trial on Tuesday, prosecutors said Roedema and Rosenblatt used excessive force, failed to follow their training and misled paramedics about his health status. They were trained. They were told what to do. They were given instructions. They had opportunities, and they failed to choose to de-esclate violence when they needed to, they failed to listen to Mr. McClain when they needed to, and they failed Mr. McClain, prosecutor Duane Lyons said in court. In contrast, defense attorneys placed blame on the paramedics and on McClain himself. Rosenblatts attorney Harvey Steinberg painted his client as a scapegoat and said its the paramedics responsibility to evaluate a patients medical condition. Rosenblatt was facing charges, Steinberg argued, because he didnt grab the paramedic by the shoulders and throw him down and say do something. Roedemas attorney Don Sisson said his clients use of force was justified because McClain resisted arrest. He said McClain had been given 34 commands to either stop or stop fighting. Because he (McClain) made a different choice, the officers were forced to make a different choice, Sisson said. The case focuses on the events of August 24, 2019, when officers responded to a call about a suspicious person wearing a ski mask, according to the indictment. The officers confronted McClain, a massage therapist, musician and animal lover who was walking home from a convenience store carrying a plastic bag with iced tea. In an interaction captured on body camera footage, police wrestled McClain to the ground and placed him in a carotid hold, and paramedics later injected him with the powerful sedative ketamine. He suffered a heart attack on the way to a hospital and was pronounced dead three days later. Prosecutors initially declined to bring charges, but the case received renewed scrutiny following the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests in spring 2020. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis appointed a special prosecutor to reexamine the case, and in 2021 a grand jury indicted three officers and two paramedics in McClains death. A third officer, Nathan Woodyard, and two paramedics who treated McClain, Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec, are set to go on trial in the coming weeks. They have also pleaded not guilty. How the trial has gone Former Aurora Police officer Jason Rosenblatt, left, and Aurora Police officer Randy Roedema have pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and assault. - Andy Cross/Pool/The Denver Post The trial began last month and featured testimony from Aurora law enforcement officers who responded to the scene as well as from doctors who analyzed how McClain died. The defense did not call any witnesses. In closing arguments, the prosecution played body-camera footage of the arrest and said the footage showed officers used excessive force for no reason. McClain repeatedly said he couldnt breathe, yet the officers did not tell that to anyone on the scene. His name was Elijah McClain, and he was going home. He was somebody. He mattered, Lyons, the prosecutor, began his argument Tuesday afternoon. Officers chose force at every opportunity, instead of trying to de-escalate the situation, as theyre trained, he said. One of the key focuses of the trial was analysis of how McClain died and whether the officers actions caused his death. The jury heard from a pulmonary critical care physician who testified that he believed the young man would not have died if the paramedics had recognized his issues and intervened. Dr. Robert Mitchell Jr., a forensic pathologist who reviewed McClains autopsy, testified the cause of death was complications following acute ketamine administration during violent subdual and restraint by law enforcement, emergency response personnel. He testified there was a direct causal link between the officers actions and McClains death. Meanwhile, defense attorneys argued there was no evidence the officers actions led to his death, and instead pointed to the ketamine injection. Though an initial autopsy report said the cause of death was undetermined, an amended report publicly released in 2022 listed complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint as the cause of death. The manner of death was undetermined. Dr. Stephen Cina, the pathologist who signed the autopsy report, wrote that he saw no evidence that injuries inflicted by police contributed to McClains death, and that McClain would most likely be alive but for the administration of ketamine. In the prosecutions rebuttal, Jason Slothouber told the court that while the officers did not inject McClain with the ketamine, their failure to protect McClains airway allowed him to become hypoxic then acidotic, and thats what made the ketamine so dangerous to McClain. Officers didnt provide accurate information to the paramedics when they arrived on scene, and in doing so they failed Elijah McClain, Slothouber said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The American cousin of a missing Israeli man, who was last seen helping women to safety as Hamas militants launched a horror attack at a music festival near the border with Gaza, told The Independent their family is desperate for answers. The car that he used to save people that is still on the side of the road smashed up right now is the car he picks us up at the airport with, Keren Shimoni, cousin of Ben Shimoni, told The Independent on Wednesday. Thirty-one-year-old Mr Shimoni was among more than 3,500 festival-goers at the Supernova Festival near Kibbutz Reim. The celebration, a marathon trance music event held in honour of the Sukkot festival, came under attack by Hamas terrorist fighters early on Saturday morning as attendees were indiscriminately murdered and taken hostage. Keren told The Independent that her cousin drove strangers out of harms way and managed to escape before he decided to return to the site of the terror. We know that he rescued a car with four young women that he dropped off to safety at their home and they all begged him not to go back towards the danger, but he felt called to go and rescue more people, she said. These are four women he didnt know personally, Keren said. We know from them that they begged him to stay in the area that was safe and he went back in to collect more people. Mr Shimoni called his girlfriend as he fled. While on the phone with her, he told her hat he had other people in his car. There were loud noises in the background and the call cut off shortly after four days later, family members have grown increasingly worried as they have not heard from Mr Shimoni since. Ben Shimoni was last seen at the Supernova Festival rescuing people. His family has not been able to locate him since (Courtesy of family) Theres a lot of missing pieces in between when everything started, Keren told The Independent. Were shocked by the situation, but were not shocked that Ben would go do what he feels is right, regardless of the risk to himself. Thats within his character. An Israeli rescue service told the BBC that its paramedics removed more than 260 bodies from the site of the festival in the Negev desert, while hundreds remain missing. At large, at least 1,200 have been killed in Israel while more than 1,100 have died in Palestine as a result of the ongoing conflict. Keren described the situation as surreal, noting that Israeli officials have not been able to provide any updates. Mr Shimonis phone has been found, and his family is reviewing any footage or photos taken at the festival in an attempt to put the pieces together. [The government] is really bogged down with so many injured, so many missing, so many dead, she said. Our family in Israel is physically safe in their homes or their bomb shelters. However, emotionally we are all wrecked by the news of our family member being missing and not having contact or knowing where he could be. The Israeli government has ordered a complete siege of Gaza after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack over the weekend, killing hundreds and taking hostages near the Gaza border. The US State Department said that at least 22 Americans have died in the conflict and President Biden confirmed reports of American hostages. A man reacts outside a burning collapsed building following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11 (AFP via Getty Images) Jonathan Conricus, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, said up to 300,000 troops had been deployed to the countrys border with Gaza to make sure Hamas wont have any military capabilities in the future. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said authorities would cut supplies of food, electricity and fuel to the Palestinian enclave. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has formed a unity government and emergency war cabinet with members of the opposition. Officials said that at least 100 Israelis have been taken as hostages, ABC reports, and a hostage negotiator has been appointed. Retaliatory attacks launched into Gaza by Israel have destroyed apartments in residential areas and health facilities and have left more than 123,000 people displaced, according to the United Nations. Palestinian authorities have said that the death toll in Gaza has now risen to at least 1,100, including dozens of children. An Israeli soldier walks by a house destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Beeri on Wednesday, Oct. 11 (AP) The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland said he is engaging with both parties as well as key stakeholders, but fighting between Hamas and Israel has escalated in the last few days. Despite all the horrors, Keren isnt giving up hope yet of hearing from her beloved cousin, whom she often saw in Israel or when he came on trips to the US to visit his family. Were extremely close, she said. Were just hoping he somehow got out. AUSTIN (KXAN) Kaitlin Armstrong, the woman accused of killing professional cyclist Moriah Mo Wilson in 2022, tried to escape the custody of corrections officers in Travis County, Texas, on Wednesday morning, sources have confirmed to Nexstars KXAN. Armstrong ran from officers while leaving a medical office building, according to a sheriffs office spokesperson. After about 10 minutes, officers caught up and restrained her. Officers did not lose sight of Armstrong during the pursuit, according to the spokesperson. Former NFL player to be charged with first-degree murder after mother found dead Armstrongs trial is set to begin Oct. 30 in Austin, where she faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Wilson, who was shot and killed at a home in east Austin in May 2022. Armstrong was questioned at the time, but not arrested. When a warrant was issued for her arrest days later, it was discovered she had fled the country. In June 2022, after more than a month on the run, Armstrong was re-apprehended at a hotel in Costa Rica and brought back to Texas. It was later revealed in court documents that Armstrong was believed to have traveled from Texas to Newark, New Jersey, before taking a flight to Costa Rica using her sisters name and passport. Upon her arrest in Costa Rica in June, U.S. Marshals noted Armstrongs appearance had changed, including a difference in how her nose looked. Court documents obtained by KXAN revealed that officials found paperwork that indicated Armstrong had undergone plastic surgery in Costa Rica. In addition to first-degree murder, Armstrong now faces additional federal charges for misusing a passport, according to court records. Las Vegas Police provide details on Tupac Shakur murder charge, suspect The sheriffs spokesperson could not disclose any additional details of the security measures being used during Wednesdays transport. A spokesperson for the sheriffs office did say, however, that it is not uncommon for their agency to transport an inmate to a doctors office or hospital when they require specialized medical treatment that is not available in their clinic. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Kaitlin Armstrong, the Austin, Texas, woman suspected of fatally shooting pro cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in an alleged love triangle murder last year, is now accused of trying to flee from deputies on her way out of a Wednesday morning doctor's appointment. She has been in custody since last year after leaving the country during the early stages of the investigation into Wilson's death. "Armstrong was transported this morning for a doctors appointment," Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) spokesman Drew Knight told Fox News Digital. "As she and two corrections officers were exiting the medical building after the appointment, Armstrong ran." The former high school track star led police on a 10-minute foot chase, he said, but she couldn't shake them. TEXAS CYCLIST SLAYING SUSPECT KAITLIN ARMSTRONG: BIASED PUBLICITY MAKES FAIR TRIAL VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE: LAWYER A photo combination of a U.S. Marshal handout of Kaitlin Armstrong and her booking photo after her extradition to the U.S. from Costa Rica. "Once Armstrong was apprehended, she was transported to a local hospital to be checked out," he said. "She is now back in TCSO custody." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The 35-year-old former yoga instructor was arrested in Costa Rica last year after a 43-day manhunt stemming from Wilson's shooting death on May 11, 2022. Armstrong had allegedly dyed her hair and assumed a new identity and one local ex-pat American there claimed he'd even gone on dates with her. Armstrong's defense attorney Rick Cofer did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the alleged escape attempt. KAITLIN ARMSTRONG: TEXAS FUGITIVE USED ALIASES UNTIL COSTA RICA COPS DETAINED HER ON IMMIGRATION CHARGE Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson smiles after a gravel cycling race. Police allege Armstrong gunned down Wilson minutes after the 25-year-old victim returned to a friend's apartment following a night out with Armstrong's live-in boyfriend, Colin Strickland . Like Wilson, Strickland was a professional gravel cyclist, and the two allegedly had a brief fling in 2021. KAITLIN ARMSTRONG: DETECTIVE ADMITS CYCLIST SHOOTING SUSPECT WAS ALLOWED TO LEAVE COUNTRY AFTER INTERROGATION Court filings show Strickland, Armstrongs boyfriend, repeatedly told detectives he did not believe she would have shot Wilson, and that he did not think she was the jealous or violent type. Kaitlin Armstrong in this image from her 2004 yearbook. She was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in track and field as well as volleyball. "Shes an incredibly kind, caring, sweet person who has helped me take care of my aging mother," Strickland told detectives, according to a transcript of the interview. But Armstrong is accused of gunning down Wilson in a bathroom, where a friend found her slumped over in a pool of blood hours later. On the night of the slaying, Strickland drove Wilson to her friend's apartment on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Moment after he pulled away, according to Austin police, Armstrong's Jeep appeared on surveillance video taken from a neighboring home. CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS The friend came home separately and found Wilson with gunshot wounds. Police said shell casing discovered at the scene matched a handgun they later seized from Armstrong and Strickland's home. Kaitlin Armstrong, left, pictured during an interrogation with Austin Police Department Detective Katy Conner on May 12, 2022. She was released without being charged. By the time police obtained an arrest warrant on May 17, Armstrong had left the state. Police questioned Armstrong on May 12 and told her she was not under arrest. They let her go. She then took a plane to New York, where she visited her sister before hopping on an international flight out of New Jersey. After weeks on the run, Armstrong was captured on a beach in Costa Rica. Authorities there sent her back to the U.S. on an immigration violation, and authorities booked her in to the Travis County Jail in Austin, where she has been held on $3.5 million bail ever since. Before the court issued a gag order on the case, Armstrong's defense disputed prosecutors' claim that she saw Wilson as a "romantic rival" as "misogynistic and fictitious." Unrelated to the Wilson case, Armstrong is also accused of running out on her tab for a $650 Botox procedure at a Westlake spa in 2018. Original article source: Kaitlin Armstrong, Texas yoga instructor charged in 'love-triangle' murder, accused of escape attempt When Johnson County Rev. Adam Hamilton heard about the war in Israel, he was standing on a ship in front of nearly 500 people, preparing them for a pilgrimage into the Holy Land planned for the next day. The pastor at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood said his heart immediately went out to the Israelis and Palestinians suffering. He prayed. On Sunday, the ship filled with 480 members of the United Methodist Church, including 30 from Hamiltons congregation, was supposed to dock in Ashdod, a port city between Gaza and Tel Aviv. But on Saturday, Hamas led a major attack on Israeli civilians in areas surrounding the Gaza Strip, killing and kidnapping hundreds of civilians, including in settlements and at a music festival. Israel declared war on Hamas as a result, sending a barrage of rockets into the densely populated Palestinian territory. In the days since, more than 1,200 Israelis and more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed. Back on the ship, Hamilton said hes grateful everyone is safe. The folks who are here, some of them are older adults who saved up for years to go to the Holy Land, he said. This is their trip of their lifetime ... but their primary concern was not that they dont get to do those things, but for the people who were on the ground in Israel and Palestine. Hamilton spoke to reporters over Zoom on Tuesday afternoon as he floated somewhere near the Aegean Sea. They re-routed to Cyprus Saturday, with plans to head to Egypt next. But following an attack on Israeli tourists in Alexandria, they again changed their plans, heading instead for Turkey. The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, was supposed to dock in southern Israel the day after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli civilians. As the grim news continues, Hamilton worries for his friends in Israel. He said hes reached out to many of them, including a Palestinian Christian friend in Bethlehem. Hes not heard back yet. While Hamiltons focus is on serving those on the ship, hes also thinking about the message he will bring home to his larger congregation in Johnson County. Hamilton, who has traveled to Israel dozens of times, knows the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is nuanced. Its a complex story and soundbites dont do it justice on either side, he said. Every time he visits the Holy Land, Hamilton said he takes his pilgrimage group to meet with both Israelis and Palestinians. Often he finds Americans without ties to Israel or Palestine dont understand the complexity of the struggle. They are surprised to see Palestinians and Jews living in co-existence. They are shocked by the security wall, and the checkpoints, around the West Bank. It has to be really clear that what Hamas has done is unacceptable and immoral. Its criminal, its wrong, no matter what the underlying causes are for whats happening, he said. But Hamilton said hes also trying to teach about the Palestinian struggle. After receiving news of the war, he read aloud to the hundreds of people on the ship the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes, which begins What happens to a dream deferred? There has to be security for Israelis, but there also has to be a future for Palestinians, he said. This photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows boxes of China-aided dengue kits at a hospital in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 1,109 people have died of dengue fever, out of 228,779 cases reported across Bangladesh so far this year, Bangladeshi health department figures showed. (Xinhua) DHAKA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- China will provide anti-dengue aid to Bangladesh, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen announced Wednesday while addressing the donation ceremony of China-aided dengue kits to a major hospital in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka. A total of 1,109 people have died of dengue fever, out of 228,779 cases reported across Bangladesh so far this year, Bangladeshi health department figures showed. Yao expressed his sympathy for those who died of the disease and his condolences to their family members. Bangladeshi State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Enamur Rahman, who was present at the ceremony, said China is a development partner and longtime friend of Bangladesh. "It is a great day today," the state minister said, adding, "We are very grateful to the Chinese government and Chinese people," said the Bangladeshi official. This photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows the donation ceremony of China-aided dengue kits at a hospital in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 1,109 people have died of dengue fever, out of 228,779 cases reported across Bangladesh so far this year, Bangladeshi health department figures showed. (Xinhua) A Kansas City man was sentenced to life in federal prison for tracking down and killing a rival marijuana dealer who was fatally shot while shielding his then-8-year-old daughter from a barrage of gunfire in 2018, prosecutors said Tuesday. Lester E. Brown, 36, was given the life sentence plus 15 years by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays for convictions stemming from the shooting death of 30-year-old Christopher Harris. It comes five months after the close of a jury trial where Brown was found guilty of three felonies, including cyberstalking resulting in death. Prosecutors say Brown and two other conspirators put GPS trackers on Harris vehicle and surveilled him while sending threatening messages. There was a longstanding feud between them, according to prosecutors, that included the 2013 kidnapping and killing of Ryan Cobbins, 25, described as a close friend and business partner of Harris in high-potency and high-level marijuana distribution. In 2013, Cobbins was reported missing after an appointment at a barber shop. He was found dead months later, bound by his hands and feet and shot in the head, when a city code inspector visited a vacant home in Kansas City. Harris at one point paid Brown a $20,000 ransom to free Cobbins, according to prosecutors. Brown allegedly continued to threaten Harris and, at the time Harris was killed, was demanding Harris pay $10,000 per month or end up like Ryan (Cobbins). On March 14, 2018, Harris picked his daughter up from a dance class at a Raytown studio and drove her to her mothers Independence home. Brown allegedly followed them there with Michael Young, 32, Ronell Pearson, 36, as passengers and blocked them in the driveway. After exiting his vehicle, prosecutors said, Brown fired a volley of bullets into Harris car while Harris yelled that his young daughter was inside. Harris was shot in the head while getting his daughter to safety, according to prosecutors. After Harris fell, and the girl escaped without injury, Brown allegedly stood over Harris and shot him twice more in the face. Investigators discovered the GPS device underneath Harris car after he was killed. It led them to the manufacturer in New York and an account registered to the username LesterBROWN87. Brown was born in 1987. A witness who knew Harris told police that Harris and Brown had a confrontation a few weeks before the homicide. Brown was first charged and arrested in March 2018. He was among three ultimately convicted. Earlier this year, Young and Pearson pleaded guilty to conspiracy counts for their alleged involvement. Young was sentenced to 15 years in prison and Pearson was sentenced to five years. OLATHE, Kan. (WDAF) Stephen Taylor has been a teacher for six years, most recently at Mill Creek Campus, an alternative school in Olathe, Kansas. He has also been a stand-up comedian for the last eight years, but it seems the school district employing him wasnt amused by his jokes about students. So unamused, Taylor says he was fired for posting videos on TikTok. The reason Im doing comedy on TikTok is to make money because [the school] only [pays] me $45,000 a year, and I work all the time, Taylor explained to Nexstars WDAF. Jets Aaron Rodgers challenges Chiefs Travis Kelce to vaccine debate But a series of videos at the beginning of the school year had him facing an unusual question from administrators: How often does he really pass gas near students? Thats something he claimed to do on his TikTok account. I tell my students the wrong thing all the time when they annoy me. I tell them Abraham Lincoln invented the car, thats why its named after him, Taylor said in a video. He was told to take the videos down, to which he asked to see the districts social media policy. The district wouldnt comment on this personnel matter but gave WDAF a copy of the policy, which requires staff on social media to maintain the same level of personal responsibility, discretion, and professionalism expected in any other form of communication. They dont understand it. The social media policies are designed for Myspace. They are years behind where we are currently at in the world, which is TikTok is alive and well, everyone is on it, Taylor said. The policy goes on to say you shouldnt post anything online you wouldnt say at a public meeting or to a member of the media. Taylor says he has spoken to both as the district moved for termination after he said he refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement and resign. Missouri teacher resigns after suspension over OnlyFans account You are going to vote at the end of this to fire a teacher who has incredible evaluations, great relationships with students, and cares deeply about their success. I am that teacher, and this is all because of TikTok, Taylor told the Olathe School Board before they voted to fire him. Taylor reiterated that his TikToks and the jokes he told his students were just that jokes. He added that he was sure his students understood that. But he has had to post a video to them to say he is sorry he is not their teacher anymore. Its the thing I feel the worst about, is the students are the ones suffering, and I know deep down theres nothing I could have done besides sacrifice all my values and delete the videos and never make another TikTok, he said. With no immediate plans to try to return to teaching Taylor says he has 30 standup gigs booked on what hes calling The Teacher Shortage Tour. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Kari Lake announced her Senate bid Tuesday, entering the race for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema s (I-Ariz.) seat as the heavy favorite for the GOP nomination. Lake, an ally of former President Trump who has denied her loss in last years Arizona governors race, will face off against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Republican primary. Last week, Lake filed paperwork to run in the critical swing state. Im really tired of watching our politicians retreat from every single important battle. Theyre cowards, she told supporters Tuesday evening, vowing to be the most pro-America senator in the entire country. Thats how we got into the mess were in right now, because they have surrendered far too many hills. We are on were on the final hill right now, and Im not surrendering this hill, she said. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Trump immediately endorsed Lake in the GOP primary in a video posted on his Truth Social platform. When Im back in the White House, I need strong fighters like Kari in the Senate, he said in a more than two-minute video. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is running on the Democratic side, while Sinema has stayed mum on any campaign plans. NBC News reported last month that her political team had been sharing a prospectus aimed at showing what her pathway to reelection would look like among Democrats, Republicans and independents. Gallego pointed to Lakes failed GOP gubernatorial bid in a statement after Lakes announcement and said he was tackling the very real problems that impact Arizona families. Arizonans know exactly who Kari Lake is and thats why they rejected her the first time around. While she runs her same, tired playbook of undermining our democracy and pushing to ban abortion, Im focused on addressing the very real problems that impact Arizona families, like creating good-paying jobs, securing our water future, and taking care of our veterans, he said. Should Sinema run again, it would set up a high-stakes, three-way race for a seat that both Republicans and Democrats see as key to determining the partisan balance of the Senate next cycle. Polling from Noble Predictive Insights, which looked at a three-way race between Gallego, Sinema and Lake, and separate polling from Emerson College Polling, which looked at a three-way race between Gallego, Sinema and Lamb, suggested Gallego would place first in both match-ups. However, 15 percent of respondents in both polls said they were undecided. Lakes campaign announcement is Senate Republicans worst nightmare. She has dangerous views and harmful policies: an abortion ban without exceptions, ending Medicare and Social Security, and fringe conspiracies that are far out of step with normal Arizonans. Even Republicans didnt want Lake to run because voters rejected her before, and theyll do so again in 2024, said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Democrats campaign arm, in a statement upon Lakes announcement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Editors Note: Reality Check is a Kansas City Star series focused on holding those in power to their word and pulling back the curtain on decisions happening behind closed doors. This newsroom-wide project will bring fast facts as stories unfold making sure our local officials and institutions are telling the truth, serving our communities well and following through on their promises. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email tips@kcstar.com. A majority of candidates running for seats on the Board of Public Utilities in Kansas City, Kansas, have vowed to work to remove a fee from residents bills that, if left unpaid, could leave them without water or electricity. Those pledges come ahead of the Nov. 7 election, when voters will cast ballots for three of the six seats on the publicly owned utility, known as the BPU, which provides electricity and water across Wyandotte County. The issue is likely to be top of mind for voters after the board voted 4-2 this summer to increase water and electric rates. Residents rallied against the increases, with some saying it could put their neighbors out on the streets. During a forum hosted last month by The Beacon, a digital news outlet, and Churches United for Justice, a coalition of congregations, BPU candidates pledged to work with the Unified Government commissioners, who sit on the countys governing body, to remove the PILOT fee from utility bills. The UG fee was added to BPU bills more than a decade ago. The PILOT fee, which stands for payment in lieu of taxes, helps the Unified Government manage revenue losses from property taxes that are not collected from the BPU, since the municipal utility is tax exempt. The money is used to help fund city operations. I know people have had their utilities cut off for not being able to pay their PILOT bill, in addition to their utilities bill, said Pastor Stevie Wakes Sr., who is running against Alex Sanchez for BPU District 1 in KCKs northeast region. Sanchez did not attend the forum and could not be reached by phone for comment. Speaking at last months Unified Government meeting, during which numerous residents called for PILOT relief, Sanchez said people get bills even if they dont use any service. If you break down the cost for the actual service itself, its very low. The majority of that bill are fees and taxes, Sanchez said, adding later: We are getting pinched at every corner. At the forum, Jeff Bryant, who has served as BPUs District 3 member since 2011, said many cities use PILOT fees to bring in additional revenue. But he said the tax the UG adds to each BPU bill is higher than comparable utility company fees across the U.S. In most cities, the amount is around 5%, Bryant said, citing data that is confirmed by the American Public Power Association. But we have been stuck at 12% for far too long. Some KCK residents report that their BPU bills each month cost hundreds of dollars. In each recent year, the PILOT has collectively brought more than $30 million in for the UG, according to the BPUs annual report. Bryant called it unfortunate that in the past few years, UG commissioners have added a string of fees to BPU bills, which give people the perception that the BPU is solely responsible for rising costs. Challenging Bryant in the race is Brett Parker, a Democrat who served in the Kansas House from 2017 to 2021. He said he would also advocate for removing the PILOT fee and lobby the Legislature in Topeka for ratepayers. There is also another issue here, which is: How big of a burden are our lowest income folks carrying when it comes to paying rates? Parker said, noting that a neighboring utility has a rate structure where people who use the least water pay the lowest rates. That would be a tremendous help for residents in our community. Months ago, some anguished residents, including from low-income households, begged BPU members to not increase rates. They said they have had to decide between paying their utility bills and buying food. The BPU voted in July to increase electric rates for its tens of thousands of customers by 2.5% this year and another 2.5% next year. Water rates increased by 6%. It was the first water increase since 2013 and the first energy rate increase since 2018. Bryant voted yes for the increases, saying that it would be unacceptable if BPU did not maintain its financial responsibilities. BPU member Rose Mulvany Henry, who has served in the AtLarge Position 3 since 2019, voted no. At the Beacon forum last month, she said residents are hurting, something she sees at every single board meeting. Mulvany Henry noted that she sat on a PILOT reduction task force that was put together by CEO and Mayor Tyrone Garner and led by District 1 Commissioner Melissa Bynum. The UG is now working to provide PILOT relief for people ages 65 or older who have an income of $37,750 or less, or are disabled. Commissioners will vote on moving forward with that program at a future meeting. One way or another, Mulvany Henry agreed, the UGs charges need to get off BPU bills. It doesnt make sense, she said, to cut off service to someone who cant pay their PILOT fee. CeCe Harlin, a community advocate who is running against Mulvany Henry, said there should be another remedy in place instead of turning off access. There also needs to be representation on the BPU for people who have struggled to pay their bills, she said. If you have an issue with your bill, I will go with you to BPU or to the meetings and speak for you, Harlin said, also noting that some BPU employees have received large salary increases. Last year, The Star reported, the BPU voted to increase General Manager Bill Johnsons salary. It will rise by nearly $100,000 after five years on the job, to $366,687 in 2024. Burdensome PILOT fee Frustrations over the PILOT fee was front of mind for residents who spoke at the UG meeting Sept. 28. One resident, Fannie Hill, described the increasing fees as skyrocketing. Another, Roxie Armstrong, said some people may leave the county because they can no longer afford to live there. That night, Garner issued a veto that he said would have provided relief from tax and fee increases, but the move was overridden by a majority of the rest of the governing body. In a Facebook post the next morning, Garner said the commissioners who voted to override his veto ignored the pleas of countless residents demanding relief. Commissioners Tom Burroughs, At-Large District 2, and Chuck Stites, District 7, were the only two to vote in the mayors favor. Before the vote, Commissioner Angela Markley, District 6, noted that the UG had to pass a budget by the next day. Commissioner Andrew Davis, District 8, said constituents tell him they want tax relief and improved services that are not in the budget. This is not an easy decision, he said. WASHINGTON Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) says he refused to vote for either of the Republican candidates for House speaker on Wednesday because they both dodged his question about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Buck asked Reps. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) whether President Joe Biden won the 2020 election fair and square, and he said neither man gave a straight answer during a Republican speaker candidate forum Tuesday evening. So when House Republicans held a closed-door election to decide their next nominee for speaker on Wednesday, Buck said he simply voted present. If we dont have the moral clarity to decide whether President Biden won or not, we dont have the moral clarity to rule in this country, period, Buck told HuffPost. They werent direct. They evaded the question, Buck said. I wasnt happy, so I voted present. The House has been leaderless since a far-right faction led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speakers office last week. Buck was one of the eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy after he prevented a government shutdown by moving legislation with Democratic votes. Scalise wound up winning a majority of Republicans in Wednesdays vote, with 113 in support compared to 99 for Jordan. Its still unclear if Scalise can consolidate his support in a vote on the House floor in order to actually become speaker. Jordan and Scalise were among the 147 Republicans who voted to object to the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, 2021, even after a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol as part of Trumps multifaceted scheme to undo his loss. Buck spoke out against objecting to the election result. Jordan was a major promoter of Trumps lies about the election, and as chairman of the House judiciary committee, hes defended Trump from the various criminal investigations into his conduct during and after his time in office. The false idea that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, and that the Justice Department has been weaponized against him, has formed the centerpiece of Trumps campaign to retake the White House in 2024. Jordan has also helped lead the effort to impeach Biden, an enterprise that Buck has said lacks all merit. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) confirmed Bucks account of asking about the 2020 election and not getting a straight answer. Id say thatd be very accurate, he said. Related... ALLEN PARK, Mich. (FOX 2) - A member of the famous Kardashian family, Kendall Jenner will be in metro Detroit this week to showcase her new tequila brand. Jenner will be at Top Shelf Liquor in Allen Park for a meet-and-greet and she looks to spur interest in 818 Tequila. Located at 6660 Allen Road, the socialite and businesswoman will be meeting with fans between 1 and 2 p.m. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 20: A general view of bottles during the launch of 818 Tequila in the UAE hosted by Kendall Jenner with an after party at Cloud22 during the Grand Reveal Weekend for Atlantis The Royal, Dubais new ultra-luxury hotel on January 20, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal) According to its website, the name 818 Tequila was inspired by Jenner's home area code. The brand works with local family-owned farms based in Jalisco, Mexico. The agaves grown for the tequila are fermented for 70 hours before being distilled. The brand has three flavors, its website said. Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad can cause serious offence to Muslims A Kenyan publisher has withdrawn a school book that included a drawing depicting Prophet Muhammad following an outcry by Muslim leaders and parents. They complained that it was blasphemous to draw the prophet and to ask pupils to colour in the illustration. Mentor Publishing Company said it regretted the "grave" mistake in the book on Islamic studies for pupils in the second year of primary school. About 11% of Kenyans are Muslims, the second largest religious group. Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad can cause serious offence to Muslims, with most of Islamic religious leaders saying that tradition explicitly forbids images of Prophet Muhammad and Allah (God). A Muslim scholar from the coastal city of Mombasa, Sheikh Rishard Rajab Ramadhan, told the BBC that the book "dangerously" misled young children. "No-one should imagine, leave alone attempt, to draw Prophet Muhammad. This can even cause war," Mr Ramadhan said. In a letter to the Muslim community, the publisher said it had come to its attention that the content in one of its books, Mentor Encyclopaedia Grade 2, was "sacrilegious to the Islamic faith". The drawing had been "inadvertently inserted" in the book, and "mistakenly identified it as the image of Prophet Muhammad", said Mentor director Josephine Wanjuki. "We sincerely and wholeheartedly apologise for the error and we commit to ensure that such an error will never be repeated," she added. The publisher said it would immediately remove the offensive drawing from all subsequent editions and has committed to work with the Muslim Education Council to review all its books. All teachers, students and school administrators holding copies of the book have been advised to return them to the publisher. Mr Ramadhan welcomed the move to recall copies of the book, but urged publishers to consult Muslim leaders before publishing Islamic books. Religious studies are part of the curriculum in Kenyan schools. The issue of depicting Prophet Muhammad has been a long-running controversy and has inflamed tensions, especially in Europe. In 2020, a school teacher in France's capital, Paris, Samuel Patywas was beheaded after using cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a lesson about freedom of speech. In 2021, a teacher at a school in the British town of Batley was suspended after protests from Muslim parents for showing an "inappropriate" cartoon of Prophet Muhammad. The teacher was later reinstated. An investigation found the teacher did not intend to cause offence by showing the image. There is no specific or explicit ban in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, on images of Prophet Muhammad. But there is a reference to not depicting Allah and many Muslims believe the same applies to Prophet Muhammad. Kevin R. Johnson, the dean of UC Davis School of Law, a legal leader in immigration law, and one of the nations most senior law deans, will step down from his leadership post at the end of the academic year, university officials announced Wednesday. Johnson, the longest-serving dean in King Halls history, has led the University of California, Davis, law school since 2008. During his tenure, the school has drawn praise for its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and, a rarity, its minority-majority faculty. Johnson, a UC Davis faculty member since 1989, will continue to teach at the university, officials said in a statement. I have drawn inspiration from our brilliant law faculty, remarkable students and larger King Hall community, Johnson said Wednesday in a statement. I also tried to follow the example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by pursuing equal access to a great legal education to students from all backgrounds. UC Davis will launch a nationwide search in November for Johnsons replacement. University leaders hope to have a new dean in place by July 1. The King will acknowledge "painful aspects" of the UK's relationship with Kenya during a state visit later this month, Buckingham Palace says. Queen Camilla will join him on the four-day trip to Kenya, his first to a Commonwealth nation as monarch. It coincides with the country celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain. That followed a violent uprising in which thousands of people were killed. Kenyans consider the Mau Mau rebellion to be one of the most significant steps towards the end of British rule in the country. The uprising began in the early 1950s, as the country's major ethnic grouping, the Kikuyu, grew increasingly resentful of their British rulers over white settler expansion and a lack of political representation. Being a British colony often meant locals had British laws and customs imposed upon them and lost the ability to govern themselves - as well as experience the arrival of British settlers. British Army reinforcements were moved into the country in 1952, after Kikuyu fighters began attacking political opponents and raiding white settler farms. In one such incident in the village of Lari, rebels killed more than 70 people, mostly women and children, while the settlement's male population fought with the British Home Guard. Over a period of eight years, thousands died in a violent counter-insurgency. Operation Anvil, a British military operation, saw the mass detention of suspected Mau Mau fighters and supporters. At these detention camps, many were subjected to brutal treatment at the hands of the colonial government. The Kenyan Human Rights Commission has previously said it believes 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed in the crackdown. After a lengthy legal battle, in 2013 the British government paid compensation to 5,228 Kenyans over human rights abuses, saying it "sincerely regrets" the abuses that took place at the time. The King will use the visit, his fourth to the country, to "deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya", the palace said. Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi, the daughter of one of the leaders of the Mau Mau uprising, Dedan Kimathi , told the AFP news agency that she hoped the visit would bring "closure". "We are hoping that he will bring a national apology," she said, "once we have the goodwill from the UK government, everything else will be OK." In Kenya, he will meet President William Ruto, attend a state banquet, and meet Kenyan Marines training with the UK Royal Marines. One place the King will not be visiting however is the Treetops hotel, the lodge where his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, found out about the death of her father, and that she would be acceding to the throne. The late monarch would remain as Queen of Kenya until December 1964, one year after the country's independence, when it became a republic. A Foreign Office spokesperson said the trip will "celebrate and drive forward" the UK's partnership with Kenya. They added that the government is "committed to ensuring Kenya sees the UK as a partner of choice". Knife used in 'suicide' of Philly woman stabbed 20 times was never tested for fingerprints, lawyer says The knife found piercing the chest of 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg has never been fingerprinted, according to the attorney for her parents, who are suing city officials over an alleged coverup of her murder. Greenberg was discovered dead in her kitchen in January 2011 with 20 stab wounds, including 10 from behind. But city authorities have said for years that her death was a suicide and are still embroiled in a court battle over evidence in the case, which her parents want access to. One piece of that evidence is the knife itself. PHILADELPHIA TEACHER'S SUSPICIOUS SUICIDE CRIME SCENE WAS CLEANED UP BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED WITH SEARCH WARRANT A younger Ellen Greenberg smiles in an undated photo provided by her childhood friend and Penn State classmate. "We would like to have it tested, minimally, just to see if there are fingerprints on it, because if there aren't any fingerprints, that says a lot," said Joseph Podraza, the attorney for Joshua and Sandee Greenberg and their daughters estate. It would mean someone a potential killer wiped them off after she was dead, he told Fox News Digital. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "And if there are fingerprints other than Ellen's on that knife, well, that says a lot too: Somebody clearly did stab her," he said. "And it's never been fingerprinted." ELLEN GREENBERG SUICIDE: PENNSYLVANIA COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS IN FAMILY'S BID TO OVERRULE MEDICAL EXAMINER A computer illustration showing four of Ellen Greenberg's knife wounds to her head and torso. Dr. Michael Baden, a renowned forensic pathologist who is not connected to the case, said if the knife has been stored properly all this time fingerprints can be analyzed. "Fingerprints usually don't go away unless they are wiped away," he told Fox News Digital. "If the knife has been properly preserved, a foreign fingerprint might still be findable." A lot of evidence in the case deserves scrutiny, according to Podraza and the family's private investigator, Tom Brennan. Despite collapsing with nearly two dozen stab wounds in a bloodstained kitchen, Greenberg was found clutching a "pristine" white towel in her left hand, the lawyer said. A rendering showing more than a dozen of Ellen Greenberg's stab wounds. "I think that that towel that's in her left hand was used to wipe it (the knife handle)," Podraza told Fox News Digital. "And I think that somebody may have come upon the scene quicker than they thought, and that's how that towel ended up in her left hand." "How many people are cutting up fruit for a fruit salad to eat for lunch, then decide, 'Oh, you know something, I'd rather kill myself now?'" Podraza said. "'So let me go get a white towel, hold it in my left hand while stabbing myself 20 times to death.'" Last month, a panel of appellate judges ruled against the parents' request to force the Philadelphia medical examiner to reclassify Greenberg's death from suicide to homicide or undetermined. But the panel also slammed the city, police and the medical examiner's office for the investigation. Ellen Greenberg smiling in an undated family photo provided by her mother, Sandee Greenberg. Ellen was found dead at the age of 27 with 20 stab wounds, half of them to the back of her head and neck, in a gruesome death that Philadelphia authorities ruled a suicide. "The facts surrounding this matter are extremely disturbing and the Parents tireless efforts over the past 12 years to learn exactly what happened to their daughter on the evening of January 26, 2011, warrant our sincere sympathy," Commonwealth Judge Ellen Ceisler wrote in the majority opinion. "The experts they enlisted have all raised serious factual questions about Dr. [Marlon] Osbournes and Dr. [Sam] Gulinos conclusions, and even the [medical examiner's office] now concedes that there 'is no dispute that evidence in the record could support other conclusions about the manner of death.'" Parents of Ellen Greenberg talk to "Crime Stories" host Nancy Grace for new Fox Nation show. PHILADELPHIA SUICIDE DESIGNATION FOR WOMAN WITH 20 STAB WOUNDS, BRUISES, IGNORES HOMICIDE EVIDENCE: EXPERTS Ceisler outlined glaring flaws in the investigation. Osbourne's initial finding was that the death was a homicide, but his determination came after the crime scene had been cleaned up and before police arrived with a search warrant. And Dr. Cyril Wecht, a famed forensic pathologist who conducted an independent review of the autopsy, found the evidence "strongly suspicious of homicide" and "noted that the investigators made no effort to examine the knife found in the Victims chest for fingerprints," she wrote. A separate judge is expected to hear oral arguments on the familys request for evidence in the case as part of a separate lawsuit alleging a conspiracy to cover up a murder. The city is actively fighting against the disclosures. According to authorities, the door to Greenberg's apartment had been kicked in from the outside while bolted shut. A photo taken at the crime scene shows the latch attached on both sides, which Greenberg's family says makes that version of events impossible, arguing it should have broken off from either the door or the frame. Officials have said they cannot answer questions directly related to the case, citing the pending litigation and an ongoing outside investigation in the hands of the neighboring Chester County District Attorneys Office. A Philadelphia spokeswoman told Fox News Digital last month the city was "pleased" with the appellate ruling in its favor. "The city is now, and has always been, deeply sympathetic to Joshua and Sandra Greenberg's pain and deep grief over the loss of their daughter," she said in a statement. "If Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg have new evidence about their daughters death, we urge them to present it to the investigators in Chester County, as they have the authority to reopen the investigation." Dr. Marlon Osbourne, the former assistant Philadelphia medical examiner, has not responded to emails or phone messages. He continues to work as a forensic pathologist and is an associate medical examiner in Palm Beach, Florida. The parents plan to appeal last month's appellate decision to the state's Supreme Court, Podraza said, which he called "a road map" on how to get away with murder. "That's the most astounding aspect of the opinion. You have, as I read it, three judges saying this young woman was murdered. The investigation is grossly flawed and embarrassing. There is a murderer or murderers out there. But our hands are tied, and nobody can do anything except the government officials, and you're therefore subject to their whims," he told Fox News Digital. Original article source: Knife used in 'suicide' of Philly woman stabbed 20 times was never tested for fingerprints, lawyer says This photo taken on July 31, 2023 shows the Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid, Spain. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) An employee of the Yiwu International Trade Market shows a bottle of wine imported from Spain in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) A shop owner of Spanish goods slices Iberian ham at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) A man paddles in a pond in the El Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain, Oct. 4, 2020. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) This photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows the Yiwu Railway Port in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) A staff member works in a Yiwu Cainiao bonded warehouse in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 19, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) This photo taken on July 25, 2023 shows a view of Madrid, Spain. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) A staff member works at a Cainiao logistics center in Madrid, Spain, July 31, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) This photo taken on July 25, 2023 shows the "Faro de Moncloa" transmission tower and Arco de la Victoria in Madrid, Spain. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) Staff members work at a Cainiao logistics center in Madrid, Spain, July 31, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) Staff sort parcels at a Cainiao logistics center in Guadalajara, Spain, Nov. 11, 2020. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) A staff member inspects a container at a railway station in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) A staff member works in a Yiwu Cainiao bonded warehouse in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 19, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) A China-Europe freight train heading for Yiwu of China departs from Madrid, Spain, March 9, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) This aerial photo taken on Aug. 28, 2023 shows a view of Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Photo by Lyu Bin/Xinhua) This combo photo shows the Yiwu International Trade Market on Oct. 24, 2018 (upper, photo taken by Xinhua photographer Tan Jin), and a local market in September of 1982, in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua) A China-Europe freight train departs from a railway station in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 29, 2023. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Photo by Shi Kuanbing/Xinhua) This aerial photo taken on Aug. 28, 2023 shows a view of Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Photo by Lyu Bin/Xinhua) This photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows the Yiwu Railway Port in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. The train service from the Chinese small commodity hub of Yiwu to the European commodity center of Madrid was officially launched in November 2014, spanning eight countries in Eurasia with a total length of more than 13,000 kilometers. The train service from Yiwu to Madrid has become a carrier of economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between countries along the railway and has built a new bridge for opening and cooperation between countries and peoples along the line. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) An unknown number of Americans were among those taken hostage by Hamas during its bloody attack on Israel, President Joe Bidens Administration officials said. Few details have been released about the captured U.S. citizens, but White House officials said they are working hour by hour to gather more information and are working hand-in-hand with their Israeli counterparts on recovery efforts. The safety of American citizenswhether at home or abroadis my top priority as President, Biden said in an Oct. 9 statement. What we know so far Between 100 and 150 people are believed to have been taken captive by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan told CNN. Some of them are American citizens, 20 or more of whom are believed to be unaccounted for, Jake Sullivan , the presidents national security advisor, said during an Oct. 10 White House briefing. But I want to underscore and stress that does not mean, necessarily, that there are 20 or more American hostages, Sullivan said, just that is the number who are currently unaccounted for. Its not known what condition the missing Americans are in, Sullivan added. We will work hour by hour both to determine whether we can account for any of those Americans or to confirm exactly what the number of Americans are being held hostage, Sullivan said. Biden Administration officials are in very regular contact with the families of the missing, Sullivan said. Some of those family members living in Israel held a news conference Oct. 10 during which they recounted their harrowing stories and urged Biden to help bring their loved ones home, according to Reuters. The mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old born in California, said her sons arm was blown off by Hamas militants shortly before he was taken captive, according to KTVU. She was able to track his cell phone, but it lost signal at the Gaza border, the mother told the news outlet. Itay Chen, an American serving in the Israeli army, disappeared after telling his family he was under attack Oct. 7, according to Reuters. The U.S. has a lot of resources at its attention, Chens father said at the news conference, held in Tel Aviv. It is able to do many things that can be different than what the Israeli government could do. And we are asking, on behalf of my family for President Biden... and (the) Secretary of State to do what they can to make this end for us as soon as possible. Biden has no plans to send military forces into Israel to take part in hostage recovery efforts, Sullivan said. In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden discussed sending intelligence experts to Israel who can work on overall planning, who can work on coordination with the Israeli government, Sullivan said. In addition to providing experts on the ground, the Biden Administration has begun supplying Israel with munitions and has deployed aircraft carrier groups to the eastern Mediterranean. Further context Hamas militants attacked parts of southern Israel on Oct. 7, a major Jewish holiday, killing more than a thousand people and taking others as hostages, according to the Associated Press and Haaretz. The savage attacks that Hamas perpetrated against innocent Israelis are mindboggling: slaughtering families in their homes, massacring hundreds of young people at an outdoor festival, kidnapping scores of women, children and elderly, even Holocaust survivors, Netanyahu said in a statement. Biden, in an Oct. 10 White House speech, called the attack an act of sheer evil, adding we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack. Following the surprise attack, Netanyahu declared war on Hamas, and the Israeli military began bombarding and besieging Gaza, cutting off food, water and electricity, the Israeli Defense Minister said, according to Al Jazeera. Bombing has targeted civilian homes, and 1,100 residents have been killed by the Israeli militarys onslaught, according to the Palestinian officials. Hamas has threatened to execute civilian hostages if Israel continues bombing civilian homes without warning, according to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper. More than 2 million people, half of whom are children, live in Gaza, a small Palestinian territory on the Mediterranean, according to the United Nations. They have lived under an Israeli blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the territory, and have no way out. The territorys economy is devastated and most residents are food insecure and without access to clean water. The recent engagement is the latest in a string of conflicts between the Israelis and Palestinians that have claimed the lives of hundreds of Israelis and thousands of Palestinians since 2008, according to the Associated Press. The bloody fighting has stemmed from Israels long-standing occupation of Palestinian territory, which is illegal under international law, according to a 2022 United Nations report. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war is unprecedented, experts say. Here are 5 reasons why US aircraft carrier sent toward Israel is worlds largest warship. What can it do? 5,000-year-old wine hidden in hundreds of jars at Egyptian queens tomb. Take a look White House officials said on Tuesday that 14 American citizens were killed and 20 or more were missing after the brazen attack on Israel, which President Joe Biden condemned as an act of pure unadulterated evil. Jake Sullivan , Bidens national security adviser, told reporters Tuesday that it remains unclear how many of the missing were in the hands of Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls Gaza and carried out the attacks that began Saturday morning and have killed more than 1,000 people in Israel. Sullivan said the government was in regular contact with the families of the missing, some of whom have pleaded with authorities in the United States and Israel to help find and bring back their loved ones. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world, Biden said in his speech from the White House on Tuesday. U.S. officials had not shared identities of any of the missing or dead Americans, but based on media and family reports, many appeared to be dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, with family in both countries, at least some of whom lived in small agricultural communities near the border with Gaza that came under attack from Hamas. The Missing: Family Members Plead for Help At a news conference in Tel Aviv, Nahar Neta fought back tears as he described being on the phone trying to calm his 66-year-old mother, Adrienne Neta, who was born and raised in California but living in a kibbutz near the border with Gaza as Saturdays attack unfolded. His siblings were on the phone with her as attackers broke into her home in Beeri, he said. They heard screaming, he added, and have not heard from her since. Rachel Goldberg said she woke up Saturday in Jerusalem to the sound of sirens warning of incoming rocket fire. Her 23-year-old son, Hersh Golberg-Polin, was at a music festival near Gazas border. When she turned her phone on 10 minutes later, she saw two consecutive text messages from him that read I love you and Im sorry. Goldberg who moved with her family from California to Jerusalem in 2008 has not heard from her son since. She said the only thing the police could tell her was that his last known cellphone signal was near the border with Gaza. Also among the missing Americans were a mother and daughter from Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, who were visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a kibbutz less than a mile from the Israel-Gaza border. Rabbi Dov Hillel Klein, the executive director of Chabad of Evanston, said Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter, Natalie, who recently graduated from high school, had not been heard from since Saturday. This was a woman that was full of hope, Rabbi Klein said of Judith Raanan. And I know she has a resilience to overcome her tormentors. The Lost: A Mother Shielded Her Son From Bullets In her final moments, Deborah Martias, who was born in Missouri and whose father is a longtime professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, covered her teenage son with her own body to protect him, her relatives told several news outlets Tuesday. In the moments before she and her husband were killed by the assailants who burst into the familys home, Martias was on the phone with her father, Ilan Troen, he recounted in a televised interview, saying that she heard glass breaking, gunshots and people speaking in Arabic. In an email to The New York Times, Troen, who also teaches at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, said that he was heading to a hospital in Israel to visit his 16-year-old grandson, Rotem, who had been shot in the stomach but survived, hiding until he could be rescued. Troen described his daughter and son-in-law in the interview with MSNBC as idealists. They lived at Kibbutz Holit, a small community just over a mile from Gaza, and had sent their children to a school that taught both Hebrew and Arabic, he said, in the hope that somehow Jews and Arabs would learn to understand more about each other, and change the course of history here. c.2023 The New York Times Company WASHINGTON The Biden administration is reserving the option to halt Irans access to $6 billion it is set to receive as part of a prisoner exchange deal the White House and Tehran reached last month, but so far, it sees no need to do so, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. The White House has faced bipartisan pressure since Hamas attacked Israel to block Iran from accessing any of the $6 billion, particularly as the U.S. tries to assess whether Iran had any direct involvement in the attack. Follow along with lives updates on the Israel-Hamas war here. These funds should remain frozen until we can determine whether Iran played a role in the attack and what the appropriate U.S. response should be, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said in a statement Wednesday. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., issued a similar statement, and Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Tuesday called for the U.S. to refreeze the assets. Critics of the White Houses decision to give Iran access to the $6 billion argue that the money is fungible and that any funds Iran receives for humanitarian assistance frees up more money for it to spend on nefarious activities in the Middle East. Administration officials, while suggesting that freezing the $6 billion is on the table, have not said what the trigger to do so would be or how the process would work. Refreezing the Iranian funds also could have an effect on the administrations efforts to negotiate future deals for other wrongfully detained Americans abroad. President Joe Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said that none of the $6 billion in unfrozen Iranian oil revenue has been spent, while he declined to say whether the administration would seek to refreeze it. Jon Finer, the deputy national security adviser, told Jewish leaders in a call Tuesday that, if necessary, we have options available to us if it is not spent for the purpose to which it is restricted. Iran cannot directly access the funds on its own, according to U.S. officials, who stress that the money is sitting in a Qatari bank and is intended only for humanitarian use. The officials insist there are already several safeguards to ensure the money is not misused, including monitoring by the U.S. Treasury Department and by the Qataris, as well. Any approved withdrawal for goods such as food, medicine and agricultural equipment would be monitored by both entities, officials said. The funds had been held in a South Korean bank under a mechanism that allowed Iran to keep selling oil to South Korea and several other countries. U.S. sanctions had prohibited Iran from accessing the money. The funds in Qatar are subject to identical restrictions as the funds in South Korea and may only be used for the same types of humanitarian trade. Such transfers are consistent with our Iran sanctions, which include long-standing authorizations and exceptions for the provision of humanitarian goods and assistance to Iran, one of the administration officials said. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told NBC News' Lester Holt in an interview last month that his government would spend the money wherever we need it. The U.S. has pledged to take action immediately if it notices Iran using the money for anything other than the stated humanitarian purposes, the official added. The National Security Council spokesman, Adm. John Kirby, said Tuesday on MSNBC, That money can be frozen at any time, we can stop any transaction. The U.S. government has accused Iran of funding and arming Hamas since the 1990s. So far, administration officials have said they have not found a smoking gun that directly links Iran to Saturday's attack in Israel. Still, some congressional Democrats say the administration needs to hit pause. In the House, Reps. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., and Colin Allred, D-Texas, called on the Biden administration to refreeze the funds, as did the Blue Dog Coalition whose members are moderate Democrats. Money is fungible, and there is a well-documented history of Iran funding Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations opposed to the existence of Israel, the coalition said. Doing what we can to prevent the financing of future acts of terrorism by a regime in Tehran whose leaders praised these attacks is the least we can do to ensure our ally Israel can defend itself. Separately, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced legislation Wednesday that would block Irans access to the funds. Over the weekend, Biden administration officials pushed back against accusations from Republicans that the $6 billion had been used to fuel the attack by Hamas in Israel, saying Iran had not yet accessed any of the money. Its very unfortunate that some are playing political at a time when so many lives have been lost, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday. These were not U.S. taxpayer dollars. These were Iranian resources that it had accumulated from the sale of its oil that were stuck in a bank in South Korea. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com After five days of moving farther from missile strikes in the Israel-Hamas war, a group from First Baptist Church in Knoxville on a spiritual pilgrimage has scheduled new return flights and expects to be back on U.S. soil by Oct. 19, senior pastor Brent McDougal told Knox News. Four members of the group of 12 split off and traveled to Jordan to secure flights in the next few days. The rest of the group booked flights on Israeli airlines out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, the same airport where they arrived a day before Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, invaded Israel from land and sea. From Tel Aviv, the group plans to fly to an airport where a U.S. carrier could take them home. Major U.S. airlines like Delta and American Airlines have suspended flights into Israel as Israeli airlines focus on bringing thousands of reservists in and getting foreign travelers out. The First Baptist group has moved north of Jerusalem, the capital city where its members had stayed for several days, but found itself closer to a potential new front in the war. Sirens blared across north Israel on Oct. 11 as the Israeli military warned of "hostile aircraft" from Lebanon, where the militant Hezbollah group is based. "We are in a very secure location. Unfortunately, as we've moved further north to try to get away from the violence to the south, now there's this intensification of the border to the north with Lebanon. So we're concerned about reports of drone infiltration, and have heard one siren today that we're told went off all over the north part of Israel," McDougal said on Oct. 11. "We are concerned about the possibility of other places in Israel just not being safe to stay at all." The war is rapidly evolving, and McDougal said the group's plans to return to the U.S. next week could be disrupted again. Already, the itinerary of their trip, which follows the footsteps of Jesus, has been put largely on hold and they are set to cut the trip short. "Our itinerary at this point has been very limited. It has only has been carried out when we knew that we were in a safe place," McDougal said. "We find ourselves in a kind of waiting game. As much as we would like to get out quickly, that's just not possible in the moment. It's been very strange to visit just a few places that have so few people around. Normally there will be hundreds of pilgrims visiting." Most of the First Baptist group is set to be in Israel for over a week still, but McDougal wanted church members and concerned Knoxvillians to know he and other travelers were safe. "We want people to know that we love them and that we're doing everything we can to stay safe and make wise decisions," McDougal said. "We are so grateful for the love we feel from East Tennessee and look forward to being back home soon." What's happening in Israel as Tennessee church group considers next steps In September, Israel accused Iran, which financially supports both Hamas and Hezbollah, of building an airport in southern Lebanon from which to strike Israel, according to the Associated Press. Israel answered rocket strikes from its northern border with counterstrikes on Oct. 11, as apparent coordination between Hamas and Hezbollah became clearer. Hamas killed more than 1,000 civilians in Israel, including 22 U.S. citizens, the U.S. State Department said on Oct. 11. In the days since, more than 1,100 militants and civilians in Gaza, including hundreds of children, have been killed by heavy Israeli missile strikes and a choking blockade set to leave the territory in darkness. The visiting Knoxville group has gotten an experience in Israel that McDougal said was "certainly unique." Many travelers hear of simmering tensions between Israel and neighborhood Palestinian groups, but rarely experience when they boil over. At an unprecedented time in Israel's history, the members of First Baptist Church have heard firsthand how the war is affecting locals and, even as they are safe, they have heard sirens and the sounds of missile strikes in the distance. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel this week to show the U.S.'s support for Israel's blistering response to Hamas atrocities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to "crush and destroy" Hamas in a televised address on Oct. 11. Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee church groups sets return date as Israel-Hamas war rages MUNCIE, Ind. A wrestler known as "Kreepy the Clown" has been charged with battering a local man at a professional wrestling event held at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Michael Ray Keihn, 42, was arrested Tuesday on a preliminary count of battery on an endangered adult, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison. An affidavit described the victim as a 34-year-old "special needs adult with autism (who) is mentally handicapped." An investigator with the Delaware County Sheriff's Department reported that man attended an Indiana Powerhouse Wrestling event at the fairgrounds on the evening of Aug. 13. The man's loud "boisterousness" at the event angered some fellow spectators, his caretaker told investigator John Branson, and security at some point moved the man and his caretaker to "the other side of the venue to prevent any issues." As they were leaving the event, the caretaker said, "Kreepy the Clown" came up behind the man and elbowed him in the back of the head. The man responded by striking the wrestler later identified as Keihn in the face with a soft-drink can. In an ensuing struggle, the witness said, "Kreepy" who was not wearing clown makeup at the time was holding the man on the ground when another person kicked the victim in the face. Police were called to the scene, but the man's alleged assailants had left before officers arrived. The victim was taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for a broken nose, cuts on his face, a bump on the back of his head and an injured right shoulder. An Indiana Powerhouse Wrestling official told the deputy that Keihn had been fired as a result of the Sept. 12 incident. Interviewed on Oct. 1, Keihn told another deputy he had not been present when the fight broke out at the fairgrounds. The Muncie man was released from the Delaware County jail on Tuesday after posting a $5,000 bond. Court records reflect Keihn has four battery-related convictions. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Professional wrestler charged with battering spectator at Muncie event Russian lawmakers have been advised to follow Vladimir Putins example and blame the U.S. for the bloodshed in Israel, according to a new report. Citing sources in both houses of parliament, the independent outlet Verstka reports that lawmakers were told to exercise restraint when commenting on the conflict but to accuse Washington of fueling such wars in the Middle East. Putin, a day earlier, broke his silence on the unrest by calling it a clear example of the failure of U.S. policy in the Middle East. The Kremlin believes the violence in Israel and Gaza will ultimately work in Moscows favor by distracting the West from Ukraine, according to Bloomberg. Read more at The Daily Beast. The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice fired a male correctional officer June 6 and notified Kentucky State Police after a review of security video footage suggested the officer kissed and had other inappropriate contact with one or more teenage girls inside the all-girls Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Newport. The officer, Neil Moorman, told a state police detective that he kissed a girl at the facility on three occasions twice in her room and once in a closet and hugged her. Moorman said he also accepted her phone number, calling her home to check on her once she left the facility, according to an Aug. 21 report by the Justice and Public Safety Cabinets Internal Investigations Branch. Only after Moorman was fired did the cabinets internal investigators substantiate several complaints about him. Among them, investigators said, he engaged in any sexual activity with a girl at the facility, and he violated rules by taking girls into a part of the facility the laundry room where there are no security cameras. The 35-bed detention center held girls, age 11 to 18, awaiting the disposition of juvenile or criminal charges. Last winter, Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all girls in state juvenile custody to be housed at the Campbell County facility to keep them separate from boys following a girls rape at a juvenile detention center in Adair County. Youths can be held in detention for weeks or months, depending on the circumstances of their case. Moormans firing came a year after another male correctional officer resigned while under investigation at the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Lexington for exchanging inappropriate texts with a girl held in custody there. Investigators said that officer asked for passwords to the girls social media accounts so he could help her sell photographs and video of a sexual nature. In the more recent Campbell County case, Moorman has no public comment because investigations are continuing, his attorney, Bradley Fox of Covington, said Oct. 5. Moorman has not been charged with a crime, Fox said. The state police post in Dry Ridge, which is handling the investigation, did not respond to calls last week and this week seeking comment. Internal investigative reports obtained by the Herald-Leader show that the Department of Juvenile Justice did not act swiftly when presented with allegations about Moormans behavior. Instead, the agency long troubled by riots, assaults, abuse of youths and chronic under-staffing allowed Moorman to continue working in the Campbell County juvenile detention center until May 31, despite weeks of warnings from his colleagues and safety concerns shared by several girls housed there. A 15-year juvenile justice employee, Detention Alternatives Coordinator Traci Hudson, told investigators looking into Moorman after his firing that she is aware there must be concrete evidence before action against an employee is taken. But she feels this situation went unaddressed too long. The warnings in Campbell County appeared to fall between the bureaucratic cracks. As far as the Justice Cabinet can tell, nobody at the Campbell County facility reported their fears about Moorman to anyone higher than facility Superintendent Kraig McWhorter, said cabinet spokeswoman Morgan Hall. McWhorter neither fired Moorman nor told anyone above him about the concerns, Hall added. The former superintendent did not report those verbal concerns to his supervisors or take further action. He was demoted to assistant superintendent on May 24, relieved of duty on July 5 and officially terminated Aug. 11, Hall said. Only after McWhorter was removed as superintendent did Department of Juvenile Justice higher-ups hear about Moorman, she said. With the superintendents position vacant, the assistant superintendent, upon returning from leave on May 31, notified the DJJ detention center division director of concerns about Mr. Moorman, and immediate action was taken, she said. Instructions were issued that Mr. Moorman was not allowed any contact with juveniles in DJJ custody. McWhorters official dismissal letter, issued by Juvenile Justice Commissioner Vicki Reed, did not mention Moorman. Vicki Reed Ryan C. Hermens/rhermens@herald-leader.com The letter said McWhorter violated policy by releasing a girl from custody June 15 without asking the adult who collected her to present identification or fill out the necessary paperwork. And it said McWhorter came into work the previous day noticeably staggering and smelling of alcohol, not for the first time. In a brief phone interview Monday, McWhorter said he forwarded all concerns that he was given about Moorman to his Department of Juvenile Justice supervisor, Division Director David Kazee. He referred further questions Monday to his attorney, Niroshan Wijesooriya of Cincinnati, who did not return calls seeking comment. No records indicate that McWhorter reported anything about Moorman to Kazee, Hall said in response to the former superintendents explanation. McWhorter was demoted for poor performance and terminated for being intoxicated in the facility and having a juvenile forge a government document, she said. Red flags quickly raised Moorman began working at the Campbell County facility on April 16. His colleagues started to raise red flags about his behavior shortly thereafter. According to internal investigative reports, facility employees said Moorman was known to be excessively flirty and physical with girls at the facility. He violated rules by taking girls with him into areas that had no security cameras, and he cultivated romantic relationships with one or more girls who lived in one of the housing units. He violated still more rules by visiting the girls in that housing unit even after he repeatedly was ordered to stay away from the unit, employees said. On May 7, several facility employees, including assistant superintendent Tera-Beth Sweetland, had a discussion about Moorman going alone into one of the girls rooms, where kissing sounds could be heard. The employees said they pulled video footage of the incident and immediately notified McWhorter, the superintendent. Sweetland told investigators she was startled, upon returning from two weeks of medical leave May 31, to find Moorman still working at the facility. She had assumed he would be fired for misbehavior, she said. But McWhorter told her there was no evidence of wrongdoing by Moorman, she said. Sweetland confirmed most of the supervisory staff were aware of the allegations, investigators wrote. Sweetland stated the normal procedure for a probationary employee disregarding a supervisors orders should be to dismiss the employee from employment, investigators wrote. However, Sweetland stated the atmosphere for a long time was not to do so. She stated that since approximately 2021, the atmosphere at Campbell RJDC was flat disrespect for captains and supervisors, with no consequences. Everybody knew about it On May 21, several other facility employees warned Correctional Capt. Robin Pruitt to carefully watch Moorman if he went near the girls housing unit that was off-limits to him. Moorman entered the unit and interacted with the girls there anyway, ignoring her directives, Pruitt told investigators. If he could not be trusted to be with the females in Unit [redacted], then why is he working the floor? Pruitt asked her colleagues, according to investigators. No answer was provided, she said. At least six employees said they told their superiors or called the agencys internal hotline with firsthand or secondhand reports about Moorman allegedly kissing or groping girls or looking into girls rooms after bedtime. In his state police interview, Moorman denied groping any of the girls, according to internal investigators. Some of the girls said Moorman would come to their doors and try to talk to them smiling, calling himself Big Daddy and making them uneasy. Moorman did special favors for girls he liked best, they said. Everybody knew about it, one girl at the facility told investigators June 6. Another girl told investigators that Moorman kissed her and grabbed her buttocks. She went along with the relationship, but it made her feel strange, uncomfortable and scared, investigators wrote. Employees and youths speculated that Moorman was kept on the job despite his misbehavior because the facility was so poorly staffed that management did not believe it could spare anyone, not even him, investigators wrote. Another fumble for DJJ Beshear announced last December that the Campbell County facility would house all teenage girls in state custody, keeping them separate from teen-aged boys, following a girls rape that occurred during a riot at the juvenile detention center in Adair County. An essential step to protect these individuals, Beshear called the reorganization at that time. Beshear changed course in June, shortly after Moorman was fired. The governor said girls now would be sent to a Boyd County lockup because of a severe staff shortage in Campbell County. Boys held at the Boyd County facility were transferred to Breathitt County to make space. Last month, Beshear told WLWT-TV in Cincinnati he hopes to reopen the Campbell County facility with boys who are charged with lesser offenses as soon as the Department of Juvenile Justice can hire and train enough staff to run the place safely. But it appears from the way Moormans case was fumbled that the Department of Juvenile Justice still isnt protecting youths, said state Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield, who has held a number of oversight hearings focused on problems inside the agency. The General Assembly has called for Reed, Beshears appointed juvenile justice commissioner, to resign over her handling of problems at the detention centers, including staff and youth violence and chronic neglect, with youths locked in their cells for most of the day. It also authorized a $460,000 independent audit of the detention centers, with a report due to lawmakers this winter. Given the nature of the accusations and the fact multiple staff and supervisors reported the behavior, I find the delay between first hearing about the misconduct and (Moormans) termination unconscionable, said Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill. Again, there seems to be a great disconnect between whats happening on the front lines and the leadership at both the agency and cabinet levels. KY juvenile justice facility faces police probe, firings despite promises of reform KY juvenile justice workers pepper sprayed youths as punishment, violating policy A lot of attention and approximately $460,000 Kentucky tax dollars for a new audit are being spent on Kentuckys pre-adjudication juvenile detention centers, commissioned by our state auditors office. Recent allegations of assaults, escapes, riots, and mistreatment of youths held inside the detention centers deserve this scrutiny and a thorough investigation. While the report will be presented by CGL Companies LLC of Lexington, a consulting firm for criminal-justice facilities, to legislators in early 2024, a discerning eye should also examine the suitability of alternatives to detention alternatives- specifically, those that are home-based (HBDA). We can all agree that troubled teenagers deserve the same security, if not more, provided to any citizen serving time behind bars. Add substance abuse or mental health issues to a developing mind, and finding affordable resources to help our children overcome their struggles can be overwhelming for both their families and the government entities tasked with holding them criminally accountable while providing a pathway to redemption. In 1996, House Bill (HB) 117 created the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to address the high numbers of at-risk youth, delinquent behaviors, and alternative programming to keep children out of prison. In turn, Kentuckys General Assembly established the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council (JJOC) to independently evaluate the DJJs work, facilitate legislative reforms, and secure funding for the Commonwealths juvenile justice system. I recently attended a JJOC meeting which provided a snapshot of the complexity and concern involved in Kentuckys fight to redirect youth offenders from a life behind bars. I witnessed an inspiring assembly of Kentuckys leadership executives, legislators, professionals, and advocates all collaborating to address the complex challenges. Ms. Margo Figg, the Director of the Division of Classification and Placement at the Department of Juvenile Justice, discussed alternatives to detention (ATD) and highlighted the remarkable work of her Detention Alternative Coordinators (DACs) and their practice of housing alleged juvenile offenders in their own homes. As a seasoned criminal justice practitioner, I cannot ignore the reality that many of the negative influences conducive to juvenile criminal behavior often originate within the very homes and neighborhoods to which youth are returned under these alternative programs. In providing oversight to home-based detention alternatives, the JJOC must ensure the homes provide a Safe Space for youth. While I respect the autonomy of each household in the commonwealth to uphold its values and moral code, I urge the JJOC to prioritize three essential components of successful home-based placements. Every home considered for home-based placement must undergo a comprehensive assessment to consider the physical conditions and the well-being of all the occupants. All DACs should also provide training and development programs validated by trained professionals and tailored to the unique needs of each household. This individual approach requires funding allocations that are flexible and customized for each household. Home-based ATD solutions became the predominant program choice after COVID-19 shuttered many privately run alternatives which often cost almost three times as much as their home-based counterparts. Unfortunately, the systemic factors often driving criminal activity, have their roots in some of those homes and neighborhoods. By transforming home-based solutions through comprehensive assessment, tailored training, and flexible funding, we can significantly improve the home environment while also reducing the risk of recidivism and offering a more cost-effective and positive outcome for Kentuckys youth. We have a golden opportunity to fortify our approach and create a safer, more nurturing environment for our youthone that truly aligns with the overarching mission of the DJJ and the values of the Commonwealth. It is our collective responsibility to seize this opportunity and invest in a brighter future for Kentuckys young citizens. Joey Comley is the Kentucky State Director of Right On Crime. For the record: 8:47 a.m. Oct. 17, 2023: An earlier version of this article implied that Israel has controlled the Gaza Strip. Israel has controlled its border with Gaza, but not the territory itself. Kobi Danans Hollywood nightclub Sound is a home base for Israeli dance music expats in Los Angeles. Danan, who is Israeli, has lived in L.A. for two decades but cherishes the close-knit circle of musicians, DJs and festival industry pros that pass through his venue. Last weekend in Israel, Hamas fighters attacked the Supernova rave in the Negev desert, just a few miles away from the border with Gaza, as part of a broad offensive into Israel. Danan, 42, was intimately familiar with that area's festival scene, now turned into a site of unimaginable grief. At least 260 people were killed, with hundreds more injured or kidnapped and still unaccounted for out of a crowd estimated at several thousand. Its affected me deeply, Danan said. He said that a close Israeli friend who lives in L.A. was killed at the festival, and that the friends daughter was badly injured and her whereabouts are still unknown. "We canceled some of the shows we're promoting with a lot of Israeli fans because its the right thing to do. Its really hard for our music community to talk about what happened there. The tragedy at Supernova, an otherwise typical desert festival with Burning Man-style music and art installations, has deeply shaken those with connections to that country's dance music scene. Israel has a globally prominent dance music industry, with dozens of festivals and nightclubs catering to locals and travelers. For those abroad who grew up in that world, many like Danan knew fans who were killed or kidnapped. Were used to missiles being fired there, which is terrible too, Danan said. But this. Its a horror story. Read more: This Israeli couple's son is in enemy hands. They're determined to get him back For decades, Israel has controlled its border with the Palestinian territory of Gaza on the Mediterranean, where many residents are impoverished and cannot leave. While Israel and Palestinians each live under threats of violence, the attack on the Supernova festival was something different and devastating. Raz Gaster is an Israeli artist manager who booked a number of acts at Supernova, an offshoot of the Brazilian dance music festival Universo Paralello. Hes worked with L.A. EDM promoter Insomniac and festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. Israel is one of the biggest countries for this music, you can party 24/7 and hear electronic music in weddings, gas stations, coffee shops, he said. Gaster was at the Supernova site when the attack began early in the morning on Saturday. He was close to the main stage and artist area when rockets began hitting nearby, and was able to gather some friends and colleagues into a car and drive south to an artist compound 30 kilometers from the festival site. Then the calls poured in about the scale of the violence happening inside the festival grounds. He did his best to coordinate with local officials about where friends and colleagues were located, but he said he lost many friends and peers in the attack. Its super hard, Gaster said, in a phone interview from his home in northern Israel. Its my friends, its my colleagues, its people I go out with every week. So many of our community are still missing. Those abroad who know the scene well have been frantic to get news of loved ones. Ariel Vromen, an Israeli film director and electronic music DJ based in L.A., said he knew several friends who were attacked at Supernova including some whose children were killed. He grew up in Israels dance music scene attending similar events, and performed at a different dance music festival near the Supernova site in March. When you play these events, youre on cloud nine, trying to connect with people, he said. It doesnt matter what else you believe. Being murdered just because you were there, that level of brutality, its really alien for everyone. Dance music was a safe haven for kids in a very stressful, high-pressure life there, he continued. These were just unarmed ravers in the their 20s being chopped down. Read more: As strikes devastate Gaza, Israel forms unity government to oversee the war with Hamas For Erez Sivan, a 30-year-old Israeli musician and DJ who moved to L.A. from Tel Aviv six years ago, the attack shook her extended family in Israel and the U.S. She said a cousin was kidnapped from a town just outside the festival site. I feel very helpless being here. Every single Israeli friend of mine knows someone who was there, someone who was murdered, Sivan said. Its such a small country, and when you work in music youre only two degrees of separation from all those people. The fact that it happened at a celebration, a sacred and peaceful place like that, it just makes you want to vomit. I feel for any civilian on both sides about to be hurt. No one deserved this. Music fans here and abroad have grown sadly familiar with mass violence at concerts, with attacks at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, where a gunman killed 60 in 2017, and at local clubs like the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, a country-music venue where a shooter killed 12 in 2018. The attack on Supernova recalled the 2015 assault on the Bataclan club in Paris, where Islamic State-aligned terrorists killed 130 as Palm Desert's Eagles of Death Metal performed. For those connected to the Israeli dance music scene, an event meant to be a joyful celebration is now associated with an unimaginable atrocity. Our community knows how to cope with grief, Gaster said. Our solution will be to listen to our music and dance and try to come out of it together. "I hope there will be peace one day soon," Danan said. "No one can live like this. Read more: Ex-Israeli soccer player Lior Asulin among more than 260 killed by Hamas at rave Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded millions to L.A. Metro to help cover the costs of a grade separation project at one of the most dangerous crossings in Los Angeles County. The $38.3 million grant will be put toward Metros plans to construct a grade separation at Doran Street and San Fernando Road in Glendale. That railroad crossing has one of the highest numbers of safety-related incidents in Los Angeles County, including dozens of incidents involving vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles, according to the State of California. A grade separation is a roadway that is re-aligned over or under a railway to eliminate hazards, according to the California High-Speed Rail Authority. As many as 90 trains per day use the tracks in the area and that number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. That same same corridor will be used by the California High-Speed Rail when it begins operation in the Los Angeles region and officials said as many as 335 trains per weekday could travel along it. California High-Speed Rail gets big boost from Biden Administration The project will involve the construction of a grade-separated structure that will link Glendale to Los Angeles by connecting San Fernando Road, which runs parallel to the Los Angeles River, to the Fairmont Avenue overpass, and eliminating the at-grade crossing at Doran Street. The Federal Railroad Administration technically awarded the grant in June, but Metro officials will hold a press conference at the site on Wednesday, serving as an unofficial first step toward the projects future. The project is expected to cost around $58.3 million and could be completed by 2026. The grant funding is part of the federal governments Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. Metrolink makes major expansion on Antelope Valley line The Doran Street crossing is in use by Metrolink, Amtrak and multiple freight train companies. While none of Metros light-rail trains use the crossing, Metro owns the right of way. Metro is working to make massive improvements to transportation connectivity and ease of access as part of its Vision 2028 project, which coincides with the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Thanks to support from the Biden Administration and additional fundraising by L.A. Metro, the project on Doran Street is fully funded. A second project just a few blocks south to construct an overpass that will cross the tracks and link Sperry Street and Salem Street, is expected to cost more than $220 million. Wednesdays event will feature speakers from the L.A. Metro board, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, as well as Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. Editors Note: L.A. Metro initially said that California High-Speed Rail service could come to the Los Angeles region as soon as 2033. HSR officials clarified Wednesday that there is currently no timeline for when that service might reach Los Angeles. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi held talks on Wednesday with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Cairo, where they discussed the ongoing deadly Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. Sisi and Tajani, also vice president of Italy's Council of Ministers, underlined the gravity of the situation and the importance of defusing tensions and bringing about calm between the Palestinians and the Israelis in order to ensure the stability of the region. They also affirmed that "a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution represents the utmost necessity for the stability of the region." The Egyptian president warned of the serious security and humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the important role of Europe and the international community in restoring peace and carrying out negotiations. Later in the day, Tajani held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, during which they also discussed the conflict. Tajani asked for Egyptian mediation to free the hostages being held by Hamas, including at least two Italian nationals. For his part, Shoukry said that Egypt had stepped up communication with regional and international partners as well as the Palestinians and Israelis to contain the crisis. He added that Egypt was keen to keep the Rafah border crossing open in order to provide humanitarian aid for the innocent civilians who were subjected to a siege, raids and a shortage of services in the Gaza Strip. The Lake City Police Department has made a second arrest in the murder of 12-year-old Mariah Smith. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Action News Jax first broke this story on Aug. 25 when, according to police, around 9:06 p.m. a young girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound in her home. Officers and EMTs conducted first aid at the scene, but Mariah was declared dead after succumbing to her injuries. Related Story: Child shot and killed in her home, Lake City PD says During the investigation, LCPD followed leads which led investigators to several suspects being identified. On Mon., Aug. 28, 14-year-old Jatarious Rashad Fluellen was arrested in connection to the shooting death of Mariah. Jatarious Fluellen was arrested and charged with 1 count of murder and 2 counts of attempted murder in connection to the shooting death of 12-year-old Mariah Smith. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Police said in a statement just released on Wednesday that over the last seven weeks, investigators traveled to Miami to continue interviews while processing evidence. In doing so, the department announced that a second arrest was made in the case. On Wed., Oct. 11, Jayden Tyler Burch was taken into custody without incident and charged in the murder of Mariah. I am extremely pleased with the efforts put forth by investigators from the Lake City Police Department, State Attorneys Office along with agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement who have been working this case, Chief of Police, Gerald Butler said. The tragic loss of Mariah has deeply impacted us all, and we continue to work diligently to identify and arrest all those involved in her murder. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] LCPD is asking that anyone with more information on this incident should contact the department at 386-752-4343. Ask for Investigator Sapp. 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. If theres one thing eastern Lincoln County has an abundance of, its gas stations and another one could be on the way. Atits Oct. 2 meeting, Lincoln County commissioners were presented with a rezoning request to permit a gas station and restaurant at the intersection of routes NC 150 and NC 16, near the Catawba County line. If the plan is approved, the number of gas stations in eastern Lincoln County would rise to 14. Denver, which makes up most of eastern Lincoln County, is estimated to have 20,000 residents. Already spread along a 9-mile segment of NC 16, to NC 73 to NC 10 are nine gas stations, The Denver Citizen reported. Businesses along NC 73 from Pilot Knob Road to the NC 16 bypass, also have gas stations, driving the total to 13. For comparison, Cornelius, which had an estimated population of around 32,000, according to the last census, has less than 10 gas stations. Our small, quiet rural community would be disrupted At the meeting, Todd Wulfhorst, a Denver attorney spoke on behalf of the property owners seeking the rezoning permit. He pointed out that there arent isnt a gas station or restaurant in the area to serve residents. Most of the gas stations that were at 16 and 150 closed long ago, Wulfhorst said. There used to be gas stations at all four of those corners. Residents who live near the proposed site said a gas station and restaurant would only generate more traffic and heighten the potential for crime. Our small, quiet rural community would be disrupted, Kim Beal, whose property borders the proposed site, told the board in a written statement. Ive lived here for 67 years and would like to keep the peace here for the remainder of my days. In 2019, Lincoln County commissioners denied a similar rezoning request to allow a gas station at the intersection of NC 16 and Unity Church Road, citing traffic concerns. The Lincoln County Planning Board voted to approve the rezoning request at their meeting on Oct. 2, Robert Shugarman, who chairs the board, told The Charlotte Observer. Commissioners will vote on the request at their meeting on Oct. 16. William Roebuck, the former U.S. ambassador to Bahrain, said a large-scale ground assault in Gaza is expected soon. With a 300,000-person mobilization, Israels military is sending a clear message as to what they plan to do, Roebuck said. I suspect what theyre going to do or try to do is decapitate the leadership, destroy Hamas command and control and their ability to operate as a paramilitary terrorist force, Roebuck told CNBC on Wednesday. Achieving that goal will be difficult, he said. Its not the first time Israel has gone into Gaza, and previous attempts will inform how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) will respond this time, Roebuck said. Roebuck said he thinks one of the most important things that will inform Israels counteroffensive is the hostages being held by Hamas. I think that the Israeli officials so far have indicated that theyre not going to be swayed by that at least thats what Ive seen in the media, but I think its going to be a factor, he said. In 2011 when one Israeli hostage was in Hamas hands in Gaza, the Israelis released 1,100 Palestinian detainees in order to get him back. The number of those kidnapped by Hamas is likely to exceed 100, and the Biden administration believes that Americans are among them. Roebuck said he thinks the Hamas will use the hostages as a powerful bargaining chip. Since declaring war against Hamas on Saturday, the Israeli military has demolished several neighborhoods in numerous airstrikes and created an iron wall of tanks, helicopters and additional aircraft around Gaza. Roebuck believes the IDF will try to reassert its strategy of deterrence. In the past, he said, that has involved retaliatory levels of response that are overwhelming to reassert their strategic dominance. I think theyre going to try to do that this time with this attack on Gaza, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CHULA VISTA The Chula Vista man accused of murdering his wife, May Maya Millete, appeared in court again on Tuesday to provide an update on issues with funding his defense that prompted a six-month delay earlier this year. During a hearing in July, Larry Millete, 41, asked a judge to push the start of his trial date to early next year due to issues securing costs to pay for his defense attorney, Bonita Martinez. The judge presiding over his case, Enrique Camerena Jr., approved the move to give him time to sort out the issue with his counsel and rescheduled the trial date to Jan. 16, 2024. On Tuesday, however, Camerena relieved Martinez as Milletes retained attorney at a follow-up hearing and assigned new private counsel to his case at his request. Timeline: The disappearance of Chula Vista mom Maya Millete To allow time for the lawyers to prepare, the judge also pushed the trial back again by over six months, setting its new start date on Aug. 26, 2024. This case started almost two years ago today, it needs to go to trial, Camerena said at Tuesdays hearing. If it is going to trial, we need to get ready and conclude your case as soon as possible. Millete was arrested at his home in October 2021 nine months after Maya, then 39-years-old, was reported missing by her sister. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was deemed eligible to stand trial after a 10-day preliminary hearing in January. Mayas sister, Maricris Drouaillet, told FOX 5 that she is disappointed by the delay after the courts decision Tuesday. Our family has been in this nightmare for almost three years, so its really heartbreaking for me, Drouaillet said, especially for my mom and my dad not knowing anything yet. With his original counsel relieved, Millete requested the judge appoint Liann Sabatine and Colby Ryan from the Virtus Law Group, LLP to represent him. Camerena approved it, but warned him that further changes to his counsel due to financial issues can not be made. I dont intend to let Ms. Sabatini off the case if you dont pay her, so that is where we are at, OK? he told Millete during Tuesdays hearing. Youve made arraignments. They are with them; they are happy about it. If they are happy, Im happy. When asked by FOX 5 if they would be prepared for the trial by August, the new attorneys declined to comment. Gretchen von Helms, a criminal defense attorney not related to the Millete case, explained that murder trials are usually pushed back a year even two years because of changes to defense counsel that require the attorneys to essentially start all over. They have to do investigation, they have to hire experts, they have to interview experts, they have to talk to the client, they have to spend hours and hours going over discovery, von Helms said. Trial date set in case for guardianship of Millete children Maya, whose body was never found, leaves behind three children. After more than two years, her family is still searching for answers. We still believe she is still out there. We have no idea where she is, said Drouaillet, Mayas sister. We are doing this for the public to know we asking the public, the community, for their help. I still have faith, we are still doing our monthly prayer, she continued. Larry is due back in court for another hearing in January 2024. The judge said he would check back with Larrys new defense team closer to the August trial date on how they are proceeding with the case. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two men were sentenced to six months in prison for violating the Clean Air Act when renovating a Las Vegas warehouse into a marijuana grow facility. Rene Morales and Hector Vasquez of Top Rank Builders were hired to renovate the warehouse on Western Avenue just east of I-15. According to court documents, they had workers remove the drywall and ceiling texture they should have known would contain asbestos. No abatement measures were used which resulted in asbestos fibers being released into the air. Asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer and other diseases. The defendants knowingly ignored regulations on the safe management of asbestos, putting workers and the public at risk, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Carr of EPAs Criminal Investigation Division in Nevada. The sentences demonstrate that the EPA and our law enforcement partners will pursue and prosecute those who intentionally violate environmental laws and endanger our communities. The men also admitted to lying to investigators about their involvement in the project and also took steps to cover up what happened. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Police arrested a man last Tuesday for allegedly shooting at his wife and her friend after he assumed she was cheating on him, an arrest report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated. On Oct. 3 at around 5 a.m., police arrested Malik Moran, 27, on two charges of attempted murder with a deadly weapon, the report stated. On Oct. 2 around 11:50 p.m., a man and a woman were exiting a house when a black car pulled up, the driver got out, pulled out a gun, and started shooting at them. The man ran and called 911, giving the police the womans number, according to the report. Police called the woman and she told them she was hanging out with a friend, but when they went to leave the house, her husband pulled up with a gun and started shooting, the report said. She identified her husband as Moran and hung up. When police called again, she told them she was in front of her apartment and Moran came out and put a black handgun in her front passenger seat when she hung up, according to the report. The police met the woman at a park where she showed them the gun and told them her husband had chased her friend while he was running and was shooting towards him numerous times, then she got in her car and left, the report said. According to the report, LVMPD officers responded to a residence in the 1400 block of Stonelake Cove Avenue to contact Moran. When they called him on the phone, he was cooperative, exited the apartment, and was taken into custody. In an interview with Moran, he stated he had not heard from his wife in a while so he tracked her with his iPad and went to the location. When he got there, he saw her hugging a man in the driveway. Thinking she was cheating on him, he pulled out his handgun and blacked out, the report said. Moran said he remembered shooting the gun, and that he usually has a lock on it with the magazine separated, but he did not that day, according to the report. On Oct. 3 around 1:28 p.m., a man called the police after finding a bullet hole in his air conditioning unit. LVMPD officers responded to the house and after observing the hole, they determined that was the house where the shooting occurred. The charge of discharging a firearm at an unoccupied structure or vehicle was later added to Morans arrest charges. He is currently in custody at the Clark County Detention Center with bail set at $50,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024 at 10 a.m. For a list of local and state resources for domestic violence and abuse victims, visit this link. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham has used the Biden administrations response to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel to argue that charges should be dropped against Donald Trump. Reacting to remarks made by Mr Biden on the current state of affairs in the Middle-East, the right-wing anchor called for a prosecutorial ceasefire on the former president. It comes as Mr Biden announced on Tuesday that at least 14 American civilians had been killed in the brutal attacks on Israel, condemning the unadulterated evil unleashed by Hamas. Speaking from the State Dining Room of the White House he said: This is a moment for the United States to come together to grieve with those who are mourning. Lets be real clear. There is no place for hate in America. Reacting to the clip on Fox News Live, Ingraham said: Okay, well if hes really against hate, then he should call a prosecutorial ceasefire against his political adversaries like the former president. And [he should] direct his DOJ [Department of Justice] and DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to stop making conservative Americans feel like they are the enemy, or like, theyre the violent extremists out there. Following Mr Bidens remarks on Tuesday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he could not confirm a precise numberof US citizens currently being held hostage by Hamas. We believe that there are 20 or more Americans who at this point are missing, but I want to underscore and stress that does not mean necessarily that there are 20 or more American hostages, he told reporters. We do not know the number of hostages we have at this time. Fox News Laura Ingraham bizarrely found a way to use President Joe Bidens remarks about the latest Israel-Hamas conflict to suggest dropping prosecutions against his predecessor Donald Trump. She played an excerpt from Bidens White House speech during Tuesdays broadcast of The Ingraham Angle. This is a moment for the United States to come together, to grieve with those who are mourning, Biden said in the clip. Lets be real clear: There is no place for hate in America. Ingrahams take? If hes really against hate, then he should call a prosecutorial cease-fire against his political adversaries like the former president, and direct his DOJ and DHS to stop making conservative Americans feel like theyre the enemy or like theyre the violent extremists out there, she said, referring to the departments of Justice and Homeland Security. More than 2,000 people have died across the two sides of the Middle East conflict, which erupted Saturday when Hamas militants stormed into Israel and massacred hundreds of people, including many civilians, and took scores of hostages back to Gaza. Israel has retaliated with relentless airstrikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza, devastating the dense civilian population in the Palestinian enclave. If we dont change course, politically and policy-wise, we could be next. pic.twitter.com/6p4aFqFNe6 Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) October 11, 2023 In his Tuesday address, Biden condemned Hamas attack and pledged support to Israel, while urging against seeing the militants as representative of the entire Palestinian cause. He said there was no place for hate in the U.S. against Jews, Muslims or anybody else. What we reject is terrorism, he said. Trump has been accused of 91 felonies across four indictments. They relate to his handling of classified documents, his attempted coup, his push to overturn Georgias 2020 election results, and the alleged falsification of business records over a hush money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. A prominent law firm in New York City said it had rescinded a job offer to a college student who made inflammatory comments about the Hamas militant groups deadly attacks on Israel over the weekend. The student in question had, hours earlier, placed the blame for the death toll of at least 1,600 people in Israel and Gaza squarely on the formers government. In a statement, Winston & Strawn LLP did not explicitly identify the student beyond characterizing them as a former summer associate whod distributed their remarks to the NYU Student Bar Association. Reuters reported that a newsletter circulated by the NYU Student Bar Association earlier on Tuesday had included a message by its president, Ryna Workman, whod said Israel bore full responsibility for Hamas incursions. The wire noted that Workmans now-deleted LinkedIn page previously listed them as a summer associate at Winston & Strawn. This regime of state-sanctioned violence created the conditions that made resistance necessary, Workman, who uses they/them pronouns, wrote in part. I will not condemn Palestinian resistance. They went on to say that they, instead, condemned the violence of apartheid, settler colonialism, military occupation, and the violence of trapping thousands in an open-air prison, among other things. I condemn the violence in removing historical context, they wrote. I condemn the violence of silence. Palestine will be free. The company said that the students comments were profoundly in conflict with Winston & Strawns values as a firm. It added that it remained outraged and deeply saddened by the violent attacks on Israel over the weekend, condemning Hamas in the strongest terms possible. New York University also took steps to distance itself from its Student Bar Association on Tuesday, saying the newsletter statement does not in any way reflect the point of view of NYU. Acts of terrorism are immoral, a university spokesperson said. The indiscriminate killing of civilians and hostage-taking, including children and the elderly, is reprehensible. Blaming victims of terrorism for their own deaths is wrong. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The third-largest automaker in the world by revenue in 2022, Stellantis, recently made an announcement that could have a huge impact on the electric vehicle marketplace worldwide. Ned Curic, technology chief at Stellantis, said at the companys new Battery Technology Center in Italy that the company plans to develop an EV battery that weighs half as much as current batteries, per Reuters. So what I have in mind and a very hard goal for my team by 2030 is to change the battery weight to at least 50% lighter battery, Curic said at an event, as reported by MarketScreener. Curic admitted, though, that he isnt quite sure how the company will achieve that goal. We will have to think about completely new materials, new chemistry, new way of replacing this heavy, heavy, heavy materials to something much lighter, Curic said. While Stellantis may not yet know how it plans to achieve this goal, its certainly putting forth the resources to try. Stellantis invested $43 million in the new battery facility, as MarketScreener reported, which will strengthen the companys capabilities to design, develop, and test every component of the batteries it manufactures, according to CleanTechnica. Stellantis is also in the process of constructing another Battery Technology Center in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, per CleanTechnica. The companys global network of battery development facilities also includes six gigafactories. The company, whose brands include Fiat and Jeep, also recently shared plans for a more affordable EV in the very near future. According to Fiat CEO Olivier Francois, a new economically priced EV will cost less than $27,000. The upfront cost of many EVs is a main reason why many consumers dont consider buying one. A recent survey showed that 46% of buyers in the United States earning less than $30,000 a year cited the cost as a reason not to go that route. Stellantis hopes to change that. Curic said that the goal for Stellantis is to create a vehicle that just about any member of our societies can afford to buy. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. KHARTOUM, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Wednesday said nearly 5.8 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan due to the prolonged conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). "The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Sudan estimates that 4,551,795 individuals have been internally displaced," the IOM said in its latest update. It added that the conflict has also caused "the mixed cross-border movements of 1,237,103 individuals into neighboring countries, namely Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Ethiopia." Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, which have resulted in at least 3,000 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries, according to figures released by the Sudanese Health Ministry. Federal prosecutors requested that a judge compel former President Donald Trump to disclose, several months before his trial for alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, whether he plans to mount a defense centered on blaming his lawyers for giving him poor legal advice. The prosecutors filed a motion to Judge Tanya Chutkan to direct Trump to inform them by Dec. 18 if he plans to employ the advice of counsel defense a strategy which involves blaming his former legal team for providing poor advice, The New York Times reported. In the time since the grand jury returned the indictment against the defendant on August 1, 2023, the defendant and his counsel have repeatedly and publicly announced that he intends to assert the advice of counsel as a central component of his defense at trial, prosecutors wrote in their filing. The formal order would force Trump to tell them his plans by mid-December thereby preventing any disruption of the pretrial schedule and delay of the trial. Early disclosure could also provide prosecutors with a strategic advantage. If Trump opts for the advice of counsel defense, he would waive his attorney-client privilege, requiring him to share all communications or evidence related to his defense team, including potentially privileged information that could weaken his position. Knowing this will enable the prosecutors to prepare to counter that defense through witnesses and arguments showing the weakness of that defense, and indeed, that such defense is completely untenable given Trumps statements and actions that show he himself made all the critical decisions relating to subverting the 2020 election results, Bennett Gershman, a former New York prosecutor and law professor at Pace University, told Salon. The prosecutors have proof that Trumps lawyers, especially White House counsel Pat Cipollone, gave him advice which he disregarded, he explained. By raising such a defense, Trump will automatically forfeit any reliance on the attorney-client privilege, thereby freeing lawyers and other persons to testify about conversations with Trump, Gershman said. But its questionable whether Trump could even assert the advice of counsel defense unless he testified, Stephen Gillers, a professor of legal ethics at New York University School of Law, told Salon. The defense depends on the claim that lawyers assured Trump that his contract was lawful, so that even if the lawyers were wrong, Trump lacked criminal intent because he relied on the advice, Gillers said. But I dont see how Trump can create that defense, unless he testifies to his reliance on the advice of counsel, and we doubt very much that Trump will ever testify in any of his criminal cases. Lawyers have played a central role in the election interference case since prosecutors initiated grand jury subpoenas in spring of 2022, The Times reported. These subpoenas primarily targeted lawyers like John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro, who joined Trump's inner circle during the election and played a pivotal role in guiding him on the "fake elector" scheme, that declared him the winner in key swing states that had actually been won by his opponent, Joe Biden. The subpoenas also sought information about other lawyers, including Jenna Ellis and Rudy Giuliani, who were involved in advising Trump on the false elector plan and also promoting baseless claims of widespread election fraud. Conceivably, the judge may allow lawyers who allegedly gave Trump advice that his conduct was lawful would be sufficient to create the defense, if believed, even without Trumps testimony, Gillers said. But I doubt it. Trump will have to say that he relied on the advice of counsel in order to create the defense and to get a jury instruction on it. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Trump could also use this strategy to his advantage by claiming that his lawyers told him that it was perfectly legal, to commit these acts, former Assistant U.S. Attorney William "Widge" Devaney told Salon. In his defense, the former president could claim that he didn't have the state of mind to commit a crime and his lawyers instructed him that it was fine, Devaney said. But the bottom line here is that the prosecutors will have significant investigation demands since so many documents now claimed as privileged will then become available for them to review, Gillers pointed out. The timing of all of this is still critical, Devaney said. Trump's main strategy here is can I delay this long enough, get elected president again and stop the cases. So youre going to see every effort to delay, drag the trial out. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a giant witness list, giant exhibit list. Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat speaks Oct. 3 before the Senate voted to adjourn during the first day of the legislative special session at the Oklahoma Capitol. In September, the governor called for the Legislature to convene for special session on Oct. 3 to put the state on a pathway to zero personal income tax. The Legislature answered the call and fulfilled our constitutional duty by gaveling into special session at the state Capitol, but we have nothing to show for it. The governors call was vague, and clearly rooted in his desire to have the national spotlight on himself for whatever he is aiming for next. If his intention was to lead on the issue of eliminating the state income tax, he would have taken the time to meet with his fellow Republican legislative leaders to come up with a detailed plan that would have produced legislation for us to vote on. Since he didnt, our do-nothing special session cost taxpayers $30,000 a day for us to sit at our desks at the state Capitol a far cry from fiscal responsibility. Gov. Kevin Stitt called a special session for October. The result was a cost of $30,000 to Oklahoma taxpayers. The truth the governor does not want to accept is that there isnt any appetite to cut the state income tax. Why? Because while cutting income taxes is a great campaign promise, it isnt wise to do without a realistic plan to fund core services of state government in place. Let me break it down with what the kids are calling girl math: If the state were to cut the income tax to zero, that would eliminate nearly $3.5 billion of recurring revenue to the states General Revenue Fund each year. That kind of cut would cost us our public education system, cause roads and bridges to collapse, lead to state troopers being removed from our highways and result in Republicans decimating their newly created private school tuition voucher program. I think even the most anti-government voter who lives in our state would like a few of these amenities to stay in place, even if it means no income tax cut this year. There is proof that the math aint mathing just look back to 2016 and 2017 when the state suffered a $1 billion budget deficit, which resulted in a two-week teacher walkout in 2018. Why would we do that to ourselves again? More: Oklahoma's special legislative session fizzles out in disappointment. What's next? What happens when you shout out an idea but refuse to meet with the people who make the laws? You miss out on the opportunity to provide tax relief to the Oklahomans who need it the most. I am proud of the measures the House Democratic Caucus put forth to provide real relief for working Oklahoma families. These measures not only help everyday Oklahomans, but also have broad bipartisan support: eliminating the state sales tax on groceries, expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, and expanding the sales tax relief credit. There is broad bipartisan support for two reasons: These proposals help nearly all Oklahomans, not just the wealthy, and have a fixed cost to the state to plan for annually, without dismantling our state budget. This is responsible, sound fiscal policy that we should consider in 2024. Unfortunately, the dysfunction continues at a time when we don't need D.C.-style politics in state government. Im often asked why the governor doesnt get along with the people in his party. While I dont have the answer to that question, I can tell you that a state ruled by one party is not good for any of us. The partisan pandering and insistent infighting of the Republican supermajority must calm down. Meanwhile, Oklahomans are lining up at 3 a.m. to get their drivers license. Wouldnt our time be better spent solving problems like that one? Its also why we must fund state government. Rep. Cyndi Munson House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson represents House District 85, which includes Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village. She is the first Asian American woman elected to the Oklahoma Legislature. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Legislator: We don't need D.C.-style politics in Oklahoma government An Israeli soldier on the grounds of the Supernova electronic music festival on Oct. 10, 2023, three days after the deadly attack by Hamas militants. (Ilia Yefimovich / Picture Alliance via Getty Images) To the editor: Thanks to David N. Myers for his insightful opinion piece on the path Israel should take after the attack by Hamas. Though we are all reeling from reports of the brutality and savagery of the attacks, we must also understand that 2 million Palestinians with little hope cannot be confined to a small area such as the Gaza Strip and expected to remain peaceful. Before the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had lost support both outside and inside Israel. There were massive demonstrations, and even some groups in the Israel's Defense Forces had threatened to refuse to serve under him. Now, Netanyahu is emboldened to carry out whatever plan he wants, as no one will oppose the leader of a country during a war. Meyers proposes two different paths forward. Which will Israel take? The state of Israel was born the year after my birth. For decades, I have hoped that a fair and realistic solution might be found to bring peace to the region. Now, I doubt that I will live long enough to see it. Laurie Jacobs, San Clemente .. To the editor: Myers hopes that Israel will repeat the wisdom of having made peace with Egypt after the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and do the same with the Palestinians after the current attack by Hamas. Apples and oranges. Egypt is a nation-state. Hamas is a terrorist organization committed to the annihilation of Israel. To make peace with any Palestinian entity that might be tempted to accommodate Hamas would be suicide for Israel and for the Palestinians. Hamas killed other Palestinians when it took over the Gaza Strip in 2007. Did the United States make peace with Al Qaeda after Sept. 11, 2001? Peter Brier, Altadena This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican on Aug. 23. (Andrew Medichini / Associated Press) To the editor: Los Angeles has a special opportunity to alter the course of the automobiles role in climate change. One valuable action would be the rapid installation of a fully functional, citywide, protected bikeway network. ("Pope Francis is right. World leaders have a moral imperative to abandon fossil fuels," editorial, Oct. 8) Such a system would finally give anyone willing to ride a bike, scooter or other small mobility device the ability to make local trips safely without a car, thereby eliminating countless motor vehicle miles traveled in our city. Yes, many streets would need modifications, likely causing minor delays for motorists. But examples seen in other cities including U.S. cities demonstrate that legions of people are eager to leave their cars at home if a safe alternative mobility network is available. Pope Francis has warned that our timid, incremental climate actions, careful not to impose significant change on the public, are failing to alter our catastrophic trajectory. Here then is a cost-effective, rapid-to-implement action that our city can take and model to the world, if only we can tolerate a little inconvenience. Kent Strumpell, Los Angeles .. To the editor: The editorial on the pope's exhortation of world leaders to take serious action on climate change is right on the mark. Why is it that the leader of the largest religious organization in the world can issue such a straightforward message to do much more to counter climate change, and yet so many world leaders continue to take little or no action? Is it because he is concerned with the fate of humanity, whereas our politicians love the money they get from the fossil fuel industry and prioritize getting elected? We need leaders who care about people first. Is that asking too much? Larry Kramer, San Juan Capistrano This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Miami Beachs iconic Lincoln Road outdoor mall finally should get much-needed renovations, although some area residents are unhappy they will come with a new nearby condo building. Designed by architect Morris Lapidus the same visionary behind the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Lincoln Road today looks nearly the same as it did since its last major makeover in 1960. The mall starts on Alton Road and runs for six blocks east before hitting the beachfront and the adjacent Ritz-Carlton South Beach hotel and condominium Decoplage. Although many agree the shopping promenade has seen better days, its proven difficult in recent years to forge a consensus agreement on improvements. And new retailers and restaurants continue to open, including five slated to make their debuts by the end of October. Developers and the city had proposed two plans to draw more people to the area, but they havent panned out. One of them, a James Corner Field streetscape plan, has been on pause for years since first being discussed in 2015. Last year, Miami Beach voters rejected another plan to redevelop several surface parking lots adjacent to the mall into offices and retail stores. Now, things are looking better for the mall, under a new deal. The Kanavos, Lowenstein, and Ben-Josef families, the owners of the South Beach hotels the Ritz-Carlton at 1 Lincoln Road and Sagamore at 1671 Collins Ave., received support from the citys Historic Preservation Board on Tuesday to build a condominium behind the Ritz-Carlton South Beach. That support included a carrot for the community money to improve a portion of Lincoln Road. Through a public-private partnership between the three families and the city, renovations will be coming to the last three eastern blocks of the mall closest to the beach. They include a pavilion, trees, flowers, and the Lapidus Arch, a monument architect Lapidus originally wanted to install at the intersection where Lincoln Road meets the beach. Preservationists and certain residents arent happy improvements to the shopping mall will come with a 15-story condo building behind the Ritz-Carlton. That, they said, will pose a threat to South Beachs rapidly changing skyline. Most members of the citys Historic Preservation Board disagreed Tuesday. This team has proposed a strong, bold vision. I would even say its innovative. I know were not supposed to talk about Lincoln Road. I dont view it that way. I think thats how a city evolves, said Brian Ehrlich, a member of the city of Miami Beachs Historic Preservation Board. Its unfortunate the (condo) neighbors will have a reality different than it is today, but in the interest of evolution and moving forward this feels right to me. Miami Beach officials and developers have agreed to a $12 million public-private partnership to add a park, arch and other renovations on the 100 block of Lincoln Road. The Boundary The developer families consented to a minor change to the condo building, a 15-foot setback on the western side to allow for more space for pedestrians on the adjacent beach walk. Designed by well-regarded architect Kobi Karp, the building would have 30 residences, carrying price tags of at least $1 million. It is the second attempt for the hotel owners to land a condo development on their site. Back in 2021, they had submitted plans for a larger 17-story condo project and no offer to help pay for Lincoln Road improvements. The public-private partnership consists of $12 million for the first phase of upgrading Lincoln Road a park, arch, and renovated streets on the 100 block. The Kanavos, Lowenstein, and Ben-Josef families will together contribute $4 million, the city will put in $4 million, and they hope to get $4 million from the state. The state, however, has yet to commit to providing the money. Also, the families havent committed funds to renovate the 200 and 300 blocks of Lincoln Road. After Tuesdays preservation board vote, Peter Kanavos, co-owner of the Ritz-Carlton and Sagamore South Beach, told the Miami Herald, I feel good about it. The board fully considered all of the different angles. Improvement plans include a pavilion, trees, flowers and a Lapidus Arch, a monument to Lincoln Road architect Morris Lapidus. He originally wanted to install an archway at the intersection where Lincoln Road meets the beach. The Boundary/Design by Naturalficial Now, the families plan to apply for permits. The process will likely take six months, Kanavos said. After that, construction will begin on the condo development by early 2025. The condo project will be in full swing before the Lincoln Road improvements, since the families will depend on condo sales to generate money to improve the mall. Opponents raised concerns Tuesday, and in earlier interviews, about the changing South Beach skyline. Developer Michael Shvo is building a condo behind The Raleigh, and the Witkoff Group in partnership with Monroe Capital are also rolling out a condo behind another iconic hotel, the Shore Club. Peter Kanavos, co-owner of the Ritz-Carlton South Beach and Sagamore hotels, stands in the pool area of the Ritz-Carlton South Beach hotel on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Pedro Portal/pportal@miamiherald.com Our fear is that were not going to be Miami Beach. Were going to be more like Sunny Isles Beach, said Daniel Ciraldo, executive director of the Miami Design Preservation League. The group promotes protection and public appreciation of the Beachs historic architecture. The skyline means a lot to residents like Anne Blume, an Illinois transplant. She started visiting South Beach in 2003. It was the perfect escape and distance for the retired Chicago lawyer who could leave her office during lunchtime on a Thursday and be in town for a late dinner that same day. She now lives in the beachfront Decoplage condo building at 100 Lincoln Road. If youre looking at these iconic hotels the Ritz-Carlton, Sagamore, Delano (Beach Club) its a postcard. Its part of Art Deco history. It is long revered, Blume said. This tower is out of scale. It is not consistent with the neighborhood. While some of her neighbors views would be obstructed, Blumes would remain the same. This is a rendering of the planned Ritz-Carlton South Beach condo building. Designed by well-regarded architect Kobi Karp, the building will have 30 residences, carrying price tags of at least $1 million. Above: A rendering of the condo./Kobi Karp Some nearby businesses worry, too, about the effects the new condo construction will have on them, including Stephane Mercier, general manager of the National Hotel Miami Beach at 1677 Collins Ave. Hes concerned the new condo building when built behind the Ritz-Carlton will cast a shadow over the National Hotels pool, possibly reducing overnight bookings. What is uncommon is to connect this little portion of Lincoln Road to a tower that would change what makes Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Mercier said. Other residents and nearby business owners support the package of a condo building and Lincoln Road improvements. A new condo seems like a small price to pay for a nicer, safer Lincoln Road, said part-time Decoplage resident Carl Bender. Bender often visits Miami Beach from Washington, D.C. with his family and said he fears walking down parts of Lincoln Road at times due to the homeless population. Youre walking into a store or restaurant and they will verbally assault you, Bender said. When youre with your child in a stroller it hits you twice as a hard. You see another store boarded up or it didnt make it. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) A Memphis pastor who was in Israel to watch his son perform with Bruno Mars when the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas militants started is sharing his story. Pastor Kenneth Whalum Jr. with New Olivet Worship Center in Cordova had been touring Israel for a week and was scheduled to leave the day the first rockets struck. What to know as war between Israel and Hamas militants rages on for a third day There was a moment of calm Wednesday night as people of all backgrounds, religions, nationalities came together to hear Bruno Mars perform in Israel for the first time. Pastor Whalum Jr.s son plays in Brunos band. You know they dont speak English, but they were singing, Just the way you are! They were singing the same words Bruno was singing, Thats the way I like it,' Whalum said. Ive never heard Bruno perform so pristinely as he did. That calm was shattered days later when Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel. Pastor Whalum said he woke up Saturday morning to sirens. Israel strikes and seals off Gaza after incursion by Hamas, which vows to execute hostages It wasnt like the sirens you hear around Memphis, the tornado warnings and whatever. It was a much deeper kind of sound, and it almost literally shook the ground while it was going off, he said. He said he learned from a driver while on the way to the airport to head back to Memphis what was going on. He was so calm. He said, We have to deal with this all the time. We live under a constant threat of violence, but never had it ever been like this,' Whalen said. He said hes thankful to be alive and home safely. As Israel now declares war, Pastor Whalum said the experience has given him a new perception on the crime Memphis residents face. Israeli survivors recount terror at music festival, where Hamas militants killed at least 260 When you see 11-year-olds carjacking and murdering people, its out of a sense of hopelessness. And the Hamas attack is an extreme example of what can happen when people feel hopeless, when they feel rejected, when they feel like theyre not being heard. Thats what stands out in my mind, he said. Whalum said he isnt sure what the answer is, but he thinks the power of prayer can help. Meanwhile, the devastation in the Middle East is also felt throughout the Memphis community, with several organizations, including Temple Israel, hosting vigils and prayers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. A little over three months after a Russian missile strike in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk killed writer Victoria Amelina , her colleagues and readers gathered at the 30th annual Lviv BookForum festival to honor her memory. British journalist Christina Lamb moderated the event titled Women, War, and Justice: In Memory of Victoria Amelina. The panel featured PEN Ukraines Executive Director Tetyana Teren, Lviv BookForums Program Director Sofia Cheliak, and human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk. They delved into Amelina's enduring legacy as a writer and war crimes researcher, highlighting the importance of ensuring that her work lives on, even in her absence. Its still very difficult and poignant to be talking about Victoria without her, especially in her native town, the town that was so dear and close to her, and especially within the festival that she was so closely affiliated with, Teren said. Twenty people from across Ukraines cultural sphere, including Amelina, are listed by PEN Ukraine as having been killed by Russias war in just 2023. The organization estimates that over 70 have been killed since the full-scale invasion began last year. Amelina's death propelled her to an even greater global recognition, reaching beyond her admirers in the literary world. However, one of the driving messages of the event was that Amelina and indeed every victim of Russias war should not be reduced to a symbol or statistic. They were individuals with their own aspirations and dreams, and those close to them continue to grieve their absence daily. Anguish and honor This years BookForum included 150 events across five locations in central Lviv from Oct. 4-8, and the festival organizers informed Suspilne Kultura that more than 20,000 people are estimated to have attended despite the ongoing threat of Russian missile and drone strikes. In previous years, Amelina was a regular participant in the festival, and had it not been for her death, Lamb noted that she would have taken part in this years festivities. Festival goers gathered to listen to Women, War, and Justice: In Memory of Victoria Amelina speakers at the Powder Tower, the remnant of a 16th-century fortification. The event began with a reading of Amelinas 2022 poem Story for Return, which explores the uncertainty civilians face when they are forced to flee their homes during war: When Mira left home, she took a necklace from the jewelry box. When Tim left the city, he picked up a small stone on the street. When Yarka left the garden, she took an apricot pit. When Vira left home, she didn't take anything at all. "I'll be back soon," she said, and she didn't take anything. After a collective moment of silence, Teren noted that it was the first major event to commemorate Amelina since her death. This was a realization that brought great anguish and pain, but it was a great honor to be her voice, Teren added. The panel participants recalled how Amelina was known for her willingness to lend a helping hand to others, including strangers. At the start of the full-scale invasion, she volunteered in warehouses to organize humanitarian aid, transport refugees to the border, and even take in peoples pets. Teren said Amelina was plagued by the feeling her work was insufficient and was always determined to do more, so she went on volunteer trips with PEN Ukraine to liberated and front-line territories. Some of the intended purposes of these trips include documenting Russias crimes against Ukrainian culture, providing aid from writers and journalists for humanitarian and military needs in the region, and collecting stories of the people who survived the Russian occupation or siege. According to Teren, these trips were likely one of the factors that motivated Amelina to become a war crimes researcher with the human rights organization Truth Hounds. Read also: How a celebrated Ukrainian writer turned into a war crimes researcher As a war crimes researcher, Amelina traveled to recently liberated territories in eastern and southern Ukraine and spoke to the survivors of Russian occupation. She documented the crimes they witnessed firsthand and passed these findings to the Prosecutor Generals Office, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and other relevant legal bodies. Matviichuk, who heads the non-profit organization Center for Civil Liberties and was the first Ukrainian recipient of the Nobel Prize for her work in human rights, noted that Amelina had a talent like no one else when it came to using her skills as a war crimes researcher. Law is about human beings ultimately, or at least it should have people at the center; this is what makes law similar to literature, Amelina explained to the Kyiv Independent in April. Amelinas work was cut short when she became a victim of Russian aggression herself. In late June, she accompanied a delegation of Colombian journalists to Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast. They were dining at a restaurant in the city center that was popular with volunteers, journalists, and soldiers when a Russian missile struck. The State Emergency Service reported in late June that 12 people were killed, and 60 people were injured, including a child. PEN Ukraine announced that Amelina had succumbed to her injuries on July 1. Her death sent shockwaves not only through the Ukrainian literature community but also resonated with people worldwide. In the wake of Russias full-scale invasion, she had started to become more widely recognized for her efforts to promote Ukrainian culture abroad. While her death made her a symbol for many of Ukraines struggle against Russian aggression, those who knew her personally want her to be remembered for more than that. During the panel, Cheliak recalled how she had become upset when a well-meaning friend of hers repeatedly remarked shortly after Amelinas death that it was a great loss for Ukraine. She was a person, she was funny, she was my friend. For me, the biggest loss is not someone who is supposed to stand up there on a pedestal, someone who becomes a symbol, even though she is now clearly turning into a symbol. Its the loss of someone near and dear to you, Cheliak said. Since Amelinas death, some have even called her a member of a new generation of the Executed Renaissance, a reference to the Ukrainian artists during the 1930s who were imprisoned and killed during the Stalinist purges. Volodymyr Vakulenko, a childrens book author who was killed in the spring of 2022 during the Russian occupation of his village in Kharkiv Oblast and whose occupation diary Amelina later found buried under a cherry tree outside his house, is often referred to as another member of this so-called new generation. Yet Amelina was very wary about such comparisons for Ukraines current generation, according to Cheliak. Read also: Why Ukrainian writers refuse to share stages with Russian authors at festivals Continuing Amelina's mission During Lviv BookForum, Teren told the audience that it was important for the deaths of Ukrainians to be remembered as more than just statistics, which is why the Ukrainian literature community is finding ways to continue the causes and testaments left behind by these people and tell the stories of our fallen artists. One example of this is the ongoing efforts to secure the future of Amelinas New York Literature Festival. Amelina founded the New York Literature Festival in 2021, which took place in the front-line town of Niu-York in Donetsk Oblast. The exact origins of the towns name are disputed, but it dates back to the 19th century. Some believe the name originates from Mennonites from the city of Jork in northern Germany who settled in the region. In 1951, the Soviet regime changed the town's name to Novhorodske, which it continued to be called until Ukrainian authorities officially changed it back to Niu-York in 2021. In the scope of the New York Literature Festival, Amelina also organized camps for local children, which included events like an essay competition, film screenings, and lectures. According to Cheliak, the purpose of the festival was twofold. Amelina envisioned the festival as a way to bring something meaningful to the front-line community, which has been impacted by Russias war since 2014. Amelina also wanted her colleagues who knew little about or had never been to eastern Ukraine to discover this part of the country. Like many Ukrainians, Amelina wanted to break down the preconceived notions of a strong cultural divide between the east and west of the country. This was partly due to her roots. Amelina was born in Lviv, but her family came from the Slobozhanshchyna, a historical region of northeastern Ukraine. Read also: Two sisters capture the beauty of Ukraines villages before its gone The festival was postponed in 2022 due to Russia's full-scale invasion, but Amelinas friends and colleagues are determined to resume holding the festival in Niu-York as soon as it becomes safe enough to do so. In the meantime, the festivals camps for children from eastern Ukraine are still being conducted. Fourteen children who participated in the festival events two years ago were invited to the village of Slavske in Lviv Oblast this September. Olya Rusina, a childrens book author and radio presenter, announced in late September that a fundraising drive to continue the work of the New York Literature Festival through a non-governmental organization had been successful. Over half a million hryvnias ($13,700) in donations have been collected to support the continued work of the NGO, Teren said during the event at Lviv BookForum. The most important thing Victoria would have wanted is for her work to continue and for the New York Literary Festival to continue, according to PEN Ukraines executive director. It is very important that the cultural community is doing everything possible to continue the work of the person we all loved so much. Note from the author: Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, sharing an important culture-related story from Ukraine. Due to Russias ongoing genocide, most stories about Ukrainian culture will, unfortunately, be related to war for years to come. But Ukrainian culture is finding ways to persevere and sharing these stories is important. If you liked reading this article, please consider continuing to support our reporting to see more like this. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Lithuanian flag As part of a new security assistance package to Ukraine, Lithuania will transfer two NASAMS anti-air systems and 155mm artillery ammunition, Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced on Oct. 11. Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said that Lithuania will continue providing aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and will stand with Kyiv until victory. He added that Lithuania is tailoring its support packages to Ukraine's essential needs and priorities. Read also: Buying time for NATO Lithuanian President responds to Zelenskys warning of potential Russian attack on Baltics According to him, Lithuania will soon hand over additional NASAMS air defense systems to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In collaboration with several other EM members, orders have been placed for 155mm artillery ammunition for the military. Read also: Russia confirms use of Iranian 122mm rockets in attacks on Ukraine report The minister also noted that winter preparations have begun, meaning that Lithuania will soon transfer generators and other critical equipment Ukraine needs to get through the winter. 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 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) California deputies found a pizza topped with pepperoni, cheese, sausage and a loaded handgun during a routine traffic stop early Tuesday morning, according to authorities. The Kern County Sheriffs Office said deputies pulled over a vehicle for simple code violations around 3:00 a.m. in Rosamond, located about 74 miles southeast of Bakersville. Investigation underway after suspect with handgun found dead inside KC-area home During the stop, deputies said they found a sawed-off shotgun, two handguns (one of them concealed inside the pizza box), methamphetamine, Xanax, cocaine and fentanyl. They also found cash, scales, drug paraphernalia and packaging, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies said the driver, 47-year-old Danny Carson, had a misdemeanor warrant and was on post-release community supervision for weapons violations. Carson was arrested along with three passengers who deputies said were in the vehicle: 18-year-old Saydee Vandehey, 30-year-old Krista Rutledge and 47-year-old Benjamin Vasquez. All four were booked into the Kern County-Lerdo Justice Facility in Bakersfield for multiple weapon and drug violations, the sheriffs office said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei The nature of the operation indicates extensive planning by Hamas. More precisely, by their Iranian instructors Be that as it may, there is a fact in addition to the capture of the base of an IDF division (with a photo of trophy equipment), there are street battles in Israeli cities. Information-wise, Israel has lost so far. It is not about the "Western world" - these countries are not the target group. For the Arab states, a picture has been created that "guerrillas" can defeat the Israeli army. The image of a formidable and almost invincible Israeli force has cracked. Given the chosen pretext for activation the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque (one of the three main shrines of Islam) broken down by Israeli radicals and the "performance of rituals" and tourists' presence on the Temple Mount - Hamas' activation is seen as a kind of "defense of the faith." Even the Turks and Saudis, who were restrained in their initial assessments, were forced to emphasize in their statements the inadmissibility of the desecration of Islamic shrines. What else did the attack lead to? Intelligence. Iran received excellent information on Israeli security forces' response protocols and weaknesses in such algorithms. Political results (intermediate). The planned dialog between Israel and Saudi Arabia and between Israel and the UAE will likely be put on hold. Against the backdrop of the thawing of these countries' relations with Iran, Tehran comes out ahead. A ground operation will inevitably lead to a large number of casualties among the residents of the Gaza Strip. This will naturally increase anti-Israeli sentiment in the Arab world. Simply put, the longer the war lasts, the less likely Israel's long-standing disputes with the Arab monarchies will be resolved. If the conflict drags on, there is a possibility of its escalation In addition, regardless of its results, the ground operation in the Gaza Strip will increase radical sentiment among Palestinians. Here, it is appropriate to mention the crisis of Fatah led by Mahmoud Abbas. This is the West Bank, and the weakening of Tel Aviv's partners in the peace process will inevitably lead to a vacuum filled by more radical political forces. For Israel itself, the outcome of the war (and the events can already be called a war) may result in significant reshuffling of the government and leadership of the military bloc. Can Israel regain ground? Yes, it can. But it will require a demonstrably powerful and fast-paced operation a few days at most. Again, we return to the role of Iran. Tomorrow morning will show a lot. Suppose Hamas fighters suddenly master the Israeli armored vehicles they seized and use them against the IDF. In that case, this will be almost direct evidence that highly professional Iranian military experts are in their ranks. If the conflict drags on, there is a possibility of its escalation. In particular, it could escalate into a regional war. Meanwhile, the massive rocket attack showed the limits of the strength of the Israeli Iron Dome. Any air defense system can be overloaded with enough targets. Let's not forget about the West Bank, where the situation for Israel is much more complicated. This includes the territory, the population, and Israeli settlements on Arab territory that need to be protected. What are the consequences for Ukraine? So far, we can state one thing: the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian war has dropped off the media agenda for at least a week. It will be possible to return even to the conditional secondary importance in three cases: an openly shocking war crime by the Russian Federation, events at the front (a large-scale success of either side), or the long and painstaking work of Ukrainian diplomats and media professionals. Disappearance from the agenda does not give an immediate result, but it significantly complicates lobbying for increased assistance to Ukraine. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A girl shows her drawing during the 22nd Dreamland China Bangladesh Children Art Competition-2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Oct. 8, 2023. At the event, some 350 Bangladeshi children and juveniles depicted China in their drawings, featuring the Chinese national flag, the Great Wall and the Chinese-built Padma Bridge. (Xinhua) DHAKA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At the 22nd Dreamland China Bangladesh Children Art Competition-2023 held in Bangladesh recently, some 350 Bangladeshi children and juveniles depicted China in their drawings, featuring the Chinese national flag, the Great Wall and the Chinese-built Padma Bridge. Sendi Haider, a Bangladeshi youngster who participated in the contest, said that he learned a lot about China because of this competition. "I have known those which were unknown before, and I try to draw the famous elements in China." "China is very lovely in all aspects, their culture is very abundant and wonderful," said Noor Oishi, adding "I really want to go to China and learn about their culture. So it's hoped that better friendship between China and our country will continue." Addressing the event, ASM Kamal Uddin, president of Bangladesh-China Friendship Center, said the competition aims to enhance the understanding of Bangladeshi children about China, so that the cause of the Bangladesh-China friendship will be carried forward. For his part, Yue Liwen, cultural counselor from the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, said the children used their paintbrushes to express the Chinese cultural elements in their eyes and the story of the China-Bangladesh friendship, which is a faithful portrayal of the Belt and Road Initiative's focus on the people-to-people connection. Young people are the future of a country. It is hoped that these children will become the pillars of China-Bangladesh friendship in the future, Yue added. The competition was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, Bangladesh-China Friendship Center and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. A child draws during the 22nd Dreamland China Bangladesh Children Art Competition-2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Oct. 8, 2023. At the event, some 350 Bangladeshi children and juveniles depicted China in their drawings, featuring the Chinese national flag, the Great Wall and the Chinese-built Padma Bridge. (Xinhua) A child draws during the 22nd Dreamland China Bangladesh Children Art Competition-2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Oct. 8, 2023. At the event, some 350 Bangladeshi children and juveniles depicted China in their drawings, featuring the Chinese national flag, the Great Wall and the Chinese-built Padma Bridge. (Xinhua) Up to 40,000 passengers have been affected by flight cancellations after a large fire broke out at one of Londons Luton Airports car parks. The airport has now suspended all flights until at least 3pm, as firefighters remain at the site of blaze that broke out just before 9pm. The newly-built car park building at the airports Terminal 2 has partially collapsed, the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said. It was not known if any passengers were trapped on the tarmac, inside the airport or in the Terminal 2 car park. The fire service said it was called to the incident just before 9pm and over 10 fire engines were at the scene. It added that 80 per cent of one of the car parks third floors was impacted by the blaze. Up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged. In a statement posted to X on Wednesday morning the airport added: Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time as access remains severely restricted. Key Points All flight services at Luton Airport cancelled till 3pm today 40,000 passengers affected at Luton Five injured as massive fire engulfs Luton Airport How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? About 1,200 vehicles damaged in airport fire 40,000 passengers affected at Luton 08:36 , Athena Stavrou The number of passengers affected is thought to be around 40,000, Simon Calder reports. Luton Airport have suspended all flights until 3pm, the airport said in a statement on X. Emergency services are still at the site of the blaze, which began at 9pm last night in newly built Terminal 2 car park. It was not known if any passengers were trapped on the tarmac, inside the airport or in the car park, but 1,200 vehicles are thought to be damaged. Britain Luton Airport Fire (Molly Bullard) 04:08 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Good morning and welcome to The Independents live blog where we bring you the latest updates from the fire at Luton Airport. Firefighters among five injured as fire engulfs Luton Airport 04:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Firefighters and an airline official have been taken to hospital as emergency services battle a blaze that broke out at Luton Airport just before 9pm on Tuesday. Footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal. Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was incredible. Joe Middleton reports. Flights suspended at Luton Airport after fire engulfs car park All fights cancelled till 12pm Wednesday 04:34 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar All flight services have been temporarily cancelled after a massive fire broke out in Terminal Cark Park 2 that resulted in the partial collapse of the structure. "All flights are suspended until 12pm on Wednesday," the airport said in an update on social media X. It advised passengers to not travel to the airport at this time due to restricted access. In pics | Emergency services respond to a fire at Luton Airport 04:44 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) People leave as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at Luton Airport (REUTERS) Flames are seen as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) Fire services still battling Luton Airport blaze 04:58 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Firefighters are still battling to extinguish the blaze at Luton Airport, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has said in an update. The fire broke out at the newly-built car park building at Lutons Terminal 2 just before 9pm on Tuesday. At least 10 fire engines and over 100 firefighters were pressed into action to bring the fire under control, it said.We are continuing to protect surrounding airport infrastructure, vehicles and the Luton DART, it said in a statement. According to the authorities, about 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged. Cars going up in flames: Witness shares what he saw at Luton Airport 05:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh. There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm, he told PA news agency. A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible. Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 05:20 , Simon Calder The airport is saying: Emergency services continue to respond to a significant fire in Terminal Car Park 2, which has resulted in partial structural collapse. All flights are suspended until 12pm on Wednesday 11 October, please contact your airline for the latest flight information. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted. Whats the effect on flights? Twenty-three incoming flights were diverted on Tuesday night and in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Passengers arrived as far away as Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Bristol late at night. Ten outbound departures were cancelled on Tuesday evening, including flights which had already been boarded. On Wednesday morning, 85 planes are due to depart by 12 noon when the airport may re-open. With the inbound cancellations, that means a total of 170 flights with an estimated 27,000 passengers booked. Adding in last nights cancelled and diverted flights and thats about 30,000 passengers. Even if the airport is able to reopen at noon, more travellers likely to be affected due to knock-on effects from the closure. What happens to those people? Under European air passengers rights rules they are entitled to alternative flights and hotel stays as necessary, but such is the scale of this that its likely many people will need to try to find alternative flights and claim back the cash. Presumably some people will come back and find their car has gone up in smoke? Yes. The airport says: For passengers who have queries regarding a parked vehicle or future booking please contact luton.customerservices@apcoa.com. Hotels around Luton Airport fully booked as passengers forced to cancel tickets 05:39 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Hotels around Luton Airport were fully booked as passengers were forced to cancel their tickets last minute following a massive blaze at the car park. Got last three rooms in Ibis hotel, we were lucky, there are so many cant get into any hotels. Staff at Luton very helpful, wrote a passenger on social media X. Firefighters taken to hospital after fire at Luton Airport 05:48 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Firefighters and an airline official have been taken to hospital as emergency services battle a blaze that broke out at Luton Airport just before 9pm on Tuesday. Five people have been admitted to Luton and Dunstable hospitals for smoke inhalation. A sixth person was treated at the scene but did not require further medical treatment. More here. Firefighters taken to hospital after fire at Luton Airport Passengers told to get off the flight amid fire at Luton Airport 05:59 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Passengers on board a plane that was due to take off were asked to get off the flight after a massive fire erupted at the Luton Airport last night just before 9pm. We were all just told to get off the flight, that there was an incident and then we were left in the airport with no proper explanation, an unnamed passenger was quoted by the BBC as saying. The passengers were informed two hours later that there had been a major incident and they would need to leave the airport. It was all a little bit confusing because I dont think the staff knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing. Another passenger told the broadcaster that some of us were very frightened because wed travelled by ourselves and didnt have anywhere to go. In pics | Emergency services battle blaze at Luton Airport 06:09 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Firemen battle a fire at London's Luton Airport which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure (AFP via Getty Images) Firemen battle a fire at London's Luton Airport which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure (AFP via Getty Images) Flames are seen as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 06:16 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Flights have been suspended at Londons Luton Airport after a significant fire broke out at a terminal car park, and passengers have been told to not go to the airport at this time. Twenty-three incoming flights were diverted on Tuesday night and in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Passengers ended up at airports as far away as Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Bristol late at night. Ten outbound departures were cancelled on Tuesday evening, including flights that had already been boarded. About 30,000 passengers have been impacted, adding in last nights cancelled and diverted flights. Simon Calder has more. Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? Bus service at Luton Airport suspended due to fire 06:26 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Buses were unable to serve the Luton Airport terminal following a fire at the multi-storey car park at the airport, Arriva Beds and Bucks said. All services are unable to serve the airport terminal, it said in a social media post this morning. Services A and 100 are operating up to Vauxhall, terminating at Luton bound stop on Kimpton Rd. Significant structural collapse of car park at Luton Airport 06:42 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The multi-storey car park at Terminal 2 of Luton Airport suffered significant structural collapse following a massive fire that erupted just before 9pm last night. Upto 1,200 vehicles were in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged, according to the fire services. One half of the structure is fully involved in fire and the building has suffered a significant structural collapse, a spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire Service told PA news agency. Fire crews are working to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings and vehicles on air side of the airport. Passengers wait at Luton Airport after all flights cancelled 06:46 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Passengers wait at Luton Airport after flights cancelled until Wednesday noon following fire at the car park (Simon Calder) How important is Luton airport? 06:49 , Simon Calder Luton airport is the fifth-busiest airport in the UK, normally with several hundred flights a day across Europe typically carrying 40,000 passengers daily. It is the location for easyJets headquarters, and a base for many of the flights on Britains biggest budget airline. Luton is the main UK base for Wizz Air, which has many flights to and from destinations mainly in eastern Europe. Ryanair has a substantial operation, with dozens of flights to destinations in Ireland and Continental Europe. Flights suspended at Luton Airport after fire engulfs car park 07:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Flights have been suspended at Luton Airport because of a large fire that has engulfed one of its car parks. Footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal on Tuesday evening. Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was incredible. Joe Middleton reports. Flights suspended at Luton Airport after fire engulfs car park Watch | Fire engulfs Luton Airport car park as all flights suspended 07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar All flights to and from Luton Airport cancelled till 3pm today 07:22 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar All flight services to and from Luton Airport have been cancelled till 3pm on Wednesday after a massive fire broke out in Terminal Cark Park 2 that resulted in the partial collapse of the structure. Emergency services remain on the scene following last nights fire in Terminal Car Park 2, the airport said in an update this morning. It advised passengers to not travel to the airport at this time due to restricted access. How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 07:38 , Athena Stavrou As flights are cancelled until 3pm today, Simon Calder looks at how the Luton Airport fire affects passengers: Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 1,200 vehicles believed to be in car park at time of blaze 07:54 , Athena Stavrou Up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged, fire service say. In their latest update on the blaze Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: Firefighting operations were undertaken to control the blaze and protect nearby buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and the Luton DART. They added: It is believed that up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged. (AFP via Getty Images) Simon Calder reports from a silent' Luton airport 08:03 , Simon Calder Normally the first wave of flights would be departing from Luton airport for destinations across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe. The three biggest budget airlines in Europe easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have substantial operations at Luton, which is one of the five busiest airports in the UK. But no flights have arrived or departed since around 9pm on Tuesday night after a severe fire broke out in a car park just 200m from the passenger terminal and adjacent to the main access road. Firefighters have put out the blaze during the night, and work is now going on to drain the water used in dousing the flames. The terminal area is completely closed to traffic, and the Dart shuttle from the nearby Luton Airport Parkway rail station has been suspended. Some airport staff have walked into work, but for operations to restart at 3pm as currently hoped will require considerable coordination. Flight crew, aircraft and passengers are all out of position, and anyone booked to fly to or from Luton on Wednesday will face disruption. Passengers wait at Luton Airport after flights cancelled until Wednesday noon following fire at the car park (Simon Calder) Over 100 firefighters tackled blaze 08:44 , Athena Stavrou Over 100 firefighters tackled the car park blaze at Luton Airport, fire chief says. He added that at the peak of the fire, firefighters used 15 fire appliances to battle the blaze, which caused the new Terminal 2 car park to collapse. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: At its peak we had 15 fire appliances, over 100 firefighters and a number of specialist resources including the one you will see over my right-hand shoulder, with resources provided by neighbouring fire and rescue services. He added that the car park as a capacity of just over 1,900 cars and that they estimate up to 1,500 cars have been affected. Watch: Video shows flames engulfing terminal car park 08:59 , Athena Stavrou Footage shows flames raging from a fire that broke out at Londons Luton Airport on Tuesday evening (10 October). All flight operations have been suspended at the airport after the blaze engulfed one of its car park buildings. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have said the newly-built car park, at Terminal 2, has partially collapsed. Video shows flames engulfing Luton airport terminal car park as flights suspended Between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers are out of position as a result of the closure of Luton airport. 09:26 , Athena Stavrou Around 273 flights have been either diverted, suspended or cancelled as a result of the fire at a London Luton Airport car park. Simon Calder reports that, assuming 160 passengers were due to fly on each plane, 44,000 passengers are thought to be affected. Ten outbound flights were cancelled on Tuesday night after being boarded and 23 inbound flights were diverted. There were 120 flights due to depare from the airport before 3pm today, as well as 120 corresponding inbound flights. (PA Wire) The Luton airport blaze is out, so why arent flights already taking off and landing? 09:30 , Athena Stavrou The reason: a temporary water main is blocking the main access road. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, told Simon Calder at The Independent: Weve had to do is close a number of roads in the surrounding areas in order to lay a temporary water main to supplement the on-site water supplies. Were keen to get that released. Its really about the access and egress of travellers getting to and from the airport. The flights can probably start to resume and I know the airport are working with the airlines to get things back up and running. But really, its about getting the travellers to and from thats causing, you know, the delays at this time. Fire controlled and extinguished" 09:37 , Athena Stavrou The blaze at London Lutons Terminal 2 car park has been controlled and extinguished, fire service says. In a post on X, the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: Crews have controlled and extinguished the fire at Luton Airport. Four crews and an aerial appliance remain at the scene. All flights are suspended until 3pm. If you have a flight leaving before 3pm, please do not travel. Please avoid the area owing to severe traffic delays. Crews have controlled and extinguished the fire at Luton Airport. Four crews and an aerial appliance remain at the scene. All flights are suspended until 3pm. If you have a flight leaving before 3pm, please do not travel. Please avoid the area owing to severe traffic delays. pic.twitter.com/ji5HR1Qmug Beds Fire and Rescue (@BedsFire) October 11, 2023 Local residents hear explosions as car park collapsed 09:51 , Athena Stavrou Local Luton residents have shared the terrifying sight of the airport car park as it burnt down. A 19-year-old Luton resident, who lives close to the car park, told deputy travel editor Benjamin Parker:It was terrifying. We saw multiple stages of the car park collapsing and there were constant loud popping sounds from what I suspect were car tyres exploding, and probably the cars too. A few times when a large section of the building went down, a huge cloud of smoke almost like a mushroom cloud would form. It was crazy Flames are seen as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) Cause of fire confirmed 10:12 , Athena Stavrou The cause of the huge blaze at Londons Luton Airport has been named as a diesel powered vehicle. We have no intelligence at this stage to suggest that this was anything other than an accidental fire that started in one of the vehicles that had not long arrived at the airport. It was not an EV, Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service told reporters on Wednesday morning, The Mirror reported. He added: This was a diesel powered vehicle. Luton airport on course to reopen at 3pm 10:25 , Simon Calder Officials have confirmed to The Independent that arrivals and departures will resume at Luton airport at 3pm. By that stage 120 outbound flights are likely to have been cancelled though some airlines may hold earlier flights to depart after operations start up. Access for passengers and staff remains difficult, with the entire central area at Luton airport cordoned off.It is not clear when passengers will be allowed through to begin formalities. A temporary drop-off zone will be installed at the mid-term car park, close to the Holiday Inn Express, a 10-minute walk from the airport terminal. Buses may provide a shuttle service. The Independent understands that airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air will despatch aircraft to Luton ahead of the 3pm reopening. No sprinklers in car park 10:59 , Athena Stavrou There were no sprinklers in the Luton Airport car park that collapsed due to a huge blaze, fire chief says.. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service told reporters at the scene: We are already talking to the airport about ensuring that any future, and the existing, car parks have sprinklers fitted because this building is not sprinkler protected. He added: Sprinklers may have made a positive impact on this incident. Ramp to be put in place for exit route 11:11 , Athena Stavrou A ramp is currently being installed in the collapsed car park to allow safe exit for undamaged cars. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire at Luton Airport has been stood down from a major incident. He told reporters at the scene that a ramp is being installed into the unaffected car park because the normal exit route is not safe to take vehicles out. He went on: Weve currently got four fire appliances and a couple of other specialist crews but we are very much focused on getting a handover and getting this airport open as quickly as we can. He said there are just shy of 1,500 vehicles in the affected car park. He added: There is a substantial number that are not damaged and our focus as well is can we remove those vehicles safely without causing any danger to the responders? Today: Ask Simon Calder anything as Luton Airport fire disrupts journeys for 30,000 passengers 11:30 , Athena Stavrou The Independents travel expert Simon Calder will be answering your questions live from Luton Airport at 2pm today. Ask Simon Calder anything as Luton Airport fire disrupts journeys Tourists sleep on the floor amid cancellation chaos 11:55 , Athena Stavrou A Polish family who came on holiday to London have told how they slept on the floor at Luton Airport after a fire at a multi-storey car park caused flight cancellations. Gregorz Szmit, 46, said their flight to Gdansk should have departed at 9.50pm on Tuesday and is now scheduled to leave at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Mr Szmit, speaking from the terminal building where he is waiting with his wife and their two sons aged seven and 15, said: We were on holiday for five days to visit London British Museum, Trafalgar Square. This is difficult, I must say. He added:This is our first journey to England, to London. Its been an adventure. Ambulance Service releases statement 12:10 , Athena Stavrou It went on: We assessed five people suffering from smoke inhalation at the scene. Three firefighters and one member of airport staff were transported to Luton and Dunstable Hospital. One firefighter was discharged at the scene. In relation to the Luton Airport car park fire, East of England Ambulance Service said in a statement it sent two ambulances, seven hazardous area response team vehicles and ambulance officer vehicles to the scene of the Luton Airport fire. (PA Wire) Brand-new car park may need to be demolished 12:43 , Simon Calder The fire inside the car park at the heart of Luton airport was so intense that the whole structure may need to be demolished with up to 1,500 vehicles still inside it. A senior fire officer has told The Independent that the extreme temperatures during the blaze will have weakened the multi-storey car park so much that attempting to recover vehicles could be deemed too dangerous. Theyll probably fly a drone around to assess the damage, they said. But once steel gets above 600 degrees [C] it become brittle. It was a lot more than 600 degrees in there. Some vehicles appear undamaged and were some distance from the worst of the fire damage. But if a decision is taken to demolish the structure they will be lost. Demolition itself will prove extremely complex due to the car parks proximity to one of the busiest airport terminals in the UK, together with the main access road and live aircraft taxiways. The scene at Luton Airport (Sam Russell/PA) (PA Wire) Airlines release statements after car park inferno 13:15 , Athena Stavrou Major airlines EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have all released statements on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Luton Airports attempts to reopen. An EasyJet spokesperson said their flights were currently unable to operate as planned and say they are doing all possible to minimise the impact on customers. Meanwhile, Ryanair say that affected passenfers will be advised via email, Push and SMS as soon as possible but regret to advise passengers of possible delays or cancellations on flights to/from Luton. Wizz Air similarly told customers that they would be provided updates on their flight via email and SMS and apologised for the situation that was beyond our control. Flights are expected to begin departing from Luton Airport at 3pm today. (PA Archive) First passengers re-entering airport 13:17 , Athena Stavrou Luton Airport said it expects flights to resume at 3pm and passengers are now re-entering the terminal. They said in a statement: Following last nights car fire in Terminal Car Park 2, emergency services have now downgraded the incident but remain on the scene as a precaution. The teams have worked hard to get the airport operational, with the first passengers now re-entering the terminal and the first flights expected to depart from 3pm. For those arriving by car, the long and mid-stay car parks are fully operational, and a temporary drop-off area has been established in the mid-stay car park. For those travelling to the airport by rail, the Dart shuttle remains out of service with replacement buses in operation. Additional staff remain on hand to assist passengers across the airport. (PA) (PA Archive) No room at the (Holiday) Inn or any other hotels in the Luton area 13:40 , Athena Stavrou Airport hotels in the Luton area are reportedly fully booked as passengers remain unceratin of their travel plans. The Luton Airport Holiday Inn had this sign posted on their door. No room at the (Holiday) Inn or any other hotels in the Luton area (Independent) Proposed strike cancelled after fire 14:00 , Athena Stavrou A planned strike by cleaners and parking attendants at Luton Airport has been suspended because of the fire which has halted flights. Members of Unite employed by a cleaning contractor were due walk out for five days from Saturday, while parking attendants were due to strike for a week from Friday. Tens of thousands of airline passengers suffered disruption on Wednesday, with Luton Airport closed after a vehicle fire caused a car park to collapse. Woman forced to leave airport without her car 14:21 , Athena Stavrou A woman whose car is stuck in a car park at Luton Airport has told how she saw a fire take hold in a multi-storey soon after her flight landed. Cristina Cristea, 25, had been at her sisters wedding in Romania and landed back at Luton at around 8pm on Tuesday, hearing sirens afterwards. By the time we came out of the airport it was 9.10pm and we heard more noises and saw flames, said Ms Cristea, of Towcester, Northamptonshire. She said her car is stuck in terminal car park one, next to car park two where the fire broke out. Ms Cristea, who has two jobs at a dry cleaners and at a restaurant, said she had missed a day of work and was told around lunchtime that no cars would be able to come out of the car park for the next three hours. At first we thought it was shotguns or something as we couldnt see any flames, then we saw what happened, she said. Slowly, slowly they blocked all the access. She said she paid to stay in a local hotel overnight. Speaking from a grass bank in view of the car park on Wednesday, she said: Thank God our car isnt affected. Workers are constructing a new exit ramp to get cars out. Watch: First flames of car park inferno 14:45 , Athena Stavrou An alleged video of the Luton Airport car park fire from inside the building has surfaced. Originally posted to Instagram, the footage appears to show flames engulfing cars hours before the structure partially collapsed. Watch below: Insurance industry issues advice to drivers affected by fire 15:04 , Athena Stavrou In a statement on the Luton Airport car park fire, a spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said: Owners of vehicles caught up in this fire will naturally be very concerned. Comprehensive and third-party fire and theft motor insurance policies will cover fire damage. Drivers affected should notify any claim to their motor insurer. We will continue to work with our members and Luton Airport to understand the situation, as and when more information becomes available. They went on to say that it is too early to estimate the insured cost of the fire, and added that Some travel polices may offer limited cover for delays or any abandonment of travel. Flights resume but tens of thousands affected 15:44 , Athena Stavrou Luton Airport has reopened after a vehicle fire caused a car park to collapse, sparking disruption for tens of thousands of passengers. The Bedfordshire airport suspended flights from when the fire happened at around 9pm on Tuesday until 3pm on Wednesday. Its thought that at least 150 flights were cancelled, with almost 30 more diverted to cities as far as Cardiff or Manchester. Airlines including EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have all issued statements apologising for the ongoing disruption that was beyond our control. Luton airport passenger flights resume first in and out both on Ryanair 15:51 , Simon Calder The first passenger flight to leave Luton airport for over 18 hours took off shortly before 3.30pm. The Ryanair aircraft was the delayed 1pm from the Bedfordshire airport to Cork. More than 200 flights have been grounded as a result of the serious fire in a car park adjacent to the main access road and close to the passenger terminal at one of the UKs five busiest airports. Britains biggest budget airline, easyJet, has made more than 100 flight cancellations due to the prolonged closure of the airport. The carrier will operate only 19 Luton flights today, barely 15 per cent of its planned schedule. The first arrival, also on Ryanair, is expected to arrive from Barcelona shortly before 4pm. (PA Archive) London Luton issue update as airport reopens 16:25 , Athena Stavrou Londons Luton Airport has issued a statement as flights resume after an 18-hour hiatus. In a post on X, formerly twitter, the airport said the runway is now open, and flights are beginning to arrive and depart. Update at 15:48 pic.twitter.com/9jMwcA7p5g London Luton Airport (@LDNLutonAirport) October 11, 2023 Reminder: Cause of inferno named as diesel car 16:45 , Athena Stavrou Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service revealed on Wednesday morning the cause of the blaze was a diesel car. We dont believe it was an electric vehicle, Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said. Its believed to be diesel-powered, at this stage all subject to verification. And then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread. Read more below: Cause of Luton Airport car park inferno revealed Simon Calder issues advice on Luton Airport fire chaos - from travel insurance to flight compensation 17:30 , Joe Middleton Simon Calder tackles a wide range of your questions - from what you can be compensated for and what to do if youre stranded and your flight is cancelled Luton Airport fire: Simon Calders insurance and compensation advice Flights return to Luton airport after dramatic car park fire 18:19 , Joe Middleton British Airways flight to Tel Aviv returns to Heathrow as BA and Virgin Atlantic suspend flights 19:15 , Joe Middleton British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv is returning to the UK after a decision not to land at Israels main airport. The Airbus A350 had flown almost all of its 2,233-mile journey before turning around. BA has now suspended flights on the route until further notice, as has Virgin Atlantic. A spokesperson for British Airways said: Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation were suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv. British Airways flight to Tel Aviv returns to London as BA and Virgin suspend flights Fire chief says lessons must be learnt from car park blaze at Luton airport 20:15 , Joe Middleton Luton Airport fire: Cause of car park inferno that damaged 1,500 vehicles revealed 21:22 , Joe Middleton The cause of a huge blaze at Londons Luton Airport that damaged up to 1,500 cars and sparked travel chaos has been revealed. More than 100 firefighters battled through the night to extinguish the car park inferno, which left tens of thousands of passengers facing cancelled or diverted flights. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service revealed on Wednesday morning the cause of the blaze was a diesel car. Cause of Luton Airport car park inferno revealed Feras Al-Jayoosi pleaded guilty to a Section 4 Public Order Act offence and will be sentenced on Nov 9 - SWNS A convicted Hamas supporter told a UK shop worker Im going to cut your head off just two days after the Israel attacks began, a court heard. Feras Al-Jayoosi followed the woman around One Below, in Swindon, Wiltshire, before she started her shift, repeatedly shouting Dont ignore me on Oct 9. The court heard Al-Jayoosi, 36, followed her into a staff-only storage room, where she told him: Please leave me alone, Im not on shift yet. He then shouted: Im going to take your head off, Im going to cut your head off, said Keith Ballinger, prosecuting. Al-Jayoosi was ushered out of the storage room by another staff member who rushed to the victims aid. At Swindon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to a Section 4 Public Order Act offence. Dirty look In custody, he told officers that the shop worker had given him a dirty look and had been rude to him on a previous occasion. Stephen Collins, mitigating, said his client accepts a lot of upset was caused by his actions and confirmed that no bail application is being made due to Al-Jayoosi being recalled to prison. He was previously convicted of terror offences after wearing T-shirts supporting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Golders Green, London, which has a large Jewish community. Both groups are proscribed as terrorist organisations in the UK. At Westminster Magistrates Court in December 2021 Al-Jayoosi was given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for two years. The latest case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the same court for sentencing on Nov 9. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A general view of the quake-hit area in the district of Zinda Jan, in Herat A general view of the quake-hit area in the district of Zinda Jan, in Herat By Mohammad Yunus Yawar KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) -A strong earthquake rattled Afghanistan's western province of Herat on Wednesday, forcing authorities to redeploy relief and rescue teams already in the field following a series of deadly quakes on Saturday. There were no details on casualties so far, disaster management spokesman Janan Sayeeq told Reuters, but provincial officials said hundreds of homes had been destroyed. The office of Herat's governor said some areas had suffered "huge losses", without giving details. "Mobile medical teams and officials have been working together and have transferred several injured people to hospital," the governor's office said in a statement. Saturday's tremors killed at least 2,400 people and injured more than 2,000, the Taliban-run government said, making the quakes one of the deadliest in the world so far this year. Most of the casualties in that quake were women and children, the World Health Organisation said. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said the latest quake was a magnitude 6.3, and occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). Hemmed in by mountains, Afghanistan has a history of strong earthquakes, many in the rugged Hindu Kush region bordering Pakistan. Herat province borders Iran, which said it would send humanitarian aid. In the central district of Rubat Sangi, which was rattled by Saturday's quakes, at least 200 homes were partially or completely destroyed, Governor Noor Ahmad Shahab said, adding that residents had suffered "huge financial losses". There were no casualties reported so far, he said, as many villagers were already sleeping out in the open or in tents since the earlier earthquakes. "People need urgent aid," Shahab said, adding that survivors were falling ill from the colder autumn weather. Relief and rescue efforts after Saturday's earthquakes have been hampered by infrastructure left crumbling by decades of war and a lack of foreign aid which once formed the backbone of the economy but which has dried up since the Taliban took over. Afghanistan's healthcare system, largely reliant on foreign aid, has also faced crippling cuts. The European Union said it would provide 2.5 million euros ($2.65 million) to humanitarian partners working to provide relief, in addition to the 89 million euro humanitarian aid already allocated in 2023. It also offered shelter kits, winter tents and hygiene kit, among other relief supplies. Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and China have already pledged to send in food, blankets, medicines, tents and funds. The United Nation's humanitarian office has also announced $5 million worth of assistance. ($1 = 0.9433 euros) (Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Writing by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Jacqueline Wong & Simon Cameron-Moore and Miral Fahmy) Charles Skold, a Maine state representative who previously identified as bisexual, has posted on social media that he now identifies as gay or queer. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Skold wrote, Last month I was listed as one of 35 bisexual lawmakers to know! This #NationalComingOutDay Ill share I now describe myself as gay or queer. Our journeys evolve. Whats important is living our authentic self every day. I'm a man who loves other men, learning to love myself too! (@) twitter.com Skold, a Democrat, is in his first term in the Maine House of Representatives, having been elected in 2022. He has pledged to fight back against right-wing efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ and minority rights, and he is an advocate for the poor and working class. The advances we have made in equal rights are being threatened, and we need people who will fight for them, he told the Portland Press Herald in 2022, ahead of the Democratic primary. He gained some attention in June, as legislators debated a rating system for books with sexual content, he wondered aloud what rating the Bible would receive, as it includes stories of sex, incest, rape, murder, as reported by the Maine Wire (which, it should be noted, is a far-right site). Skold knows his Bible; he earned a master of theological studies degree at Harvard University (along with a master of public administration degree) in 2019 and worked for five years in college ministry at Tufts University. He did his undergrad studies at Tufts, where he graduated with a degree in political science in 2011. He attends St. Lukes Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, where he volunteers with the congregations Public Policy and Environmental Action Team. He also volunteers with another environmental group, the Portland Climate Action Team, and Greater Portland Family Promise, which assists low-income and unhoused families. He is a veteran Democratic Party activist as well. Skold lives in Portland, the states largest city, and he grew up in Freeport, Maine. When hes not legislating, he trains business leaders in the practice of negotiation as director of program development at SAB Negotiation Group. His legislative achievements include sponsoring a bill to bring Maine into line with federal law regarding tipped workers, which was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills in June. Maine law previously said tip-pooling arrangements couldnt include restaurant employees who arent servers cooks and dishwashers, for instance. Since federal law now allows their inclusion, Skold sponsored legislation to allow Maine restaurants to include them in tip pools as well, something he says will foster teamwork. Also this year, he introduced a bill designed to help low-income Mainers get reimbursed for attorneys fees and court costs if they win a lawsuit, but so far it has not passed. The training exercise to combat the risk of contamination at sea is being held off Aberdeen A major training exercise to prepare for a worst-case scenario oil spill is being held off Aberdeen. The three-day counter-pollution training is being led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is described as its biggest such rehearsal of 2023. A flyover of a plane practicing surveillance is part of the air and sea exercise. No real oil or real dispersant spray is be used during the operation. Among the kit being deployed are booms to limit the spread of pollutant and equipment known as skimmers to suck it up, as well as storage equipment to hold it ready for disposal. Oil exercise Equipment to limit the spread of pollution is being tested The Braer disaster What is regarded as the worst environmental incident off Scotland happened in 1993. The Braer oil tanker ran aground off Shetland in hurricane-force winds, spilling almost 85,000 tonnes of crude oil. The captain and crew were airlifted to safety by helicopter after its engines failed and it became clear the disaster was imminent. According to WWF Scotland, at least 1,500 birds died and up to a quarter of the local grey seal population was affected. However, the weather limited the full extent of the damage as much of the oil was swept out to sea. MCA chief executive Virginia McVea has been on the water assessing this week's operation off Aberdeen. She said "honing our capability and spotting any gaps" was the aim. Virginia McVea said the UK was well prepared "The exercise is a clear demonstration of how well prepared we are as a country to protect our offshore habitats, coastline, economy and communities from pollution at sea," she said. The MCA regularly trains across the UK to prepare for contamination incidents. The MCA's head of counter pollution and salvage, Stan Woznicki, said: "Major training exercises such as these are key components of a wider training programme as they familiarise the teams with the considerable size and complexity of the response equipment, as well as the number and diversity of the personnel needed to deliver an effective response. "Where delivery of response must be delivered quickly, this experience is crucial." Representatives from Port of Aberdeen, the Marine Directorate of the Scottish government and other oil spill response organisations from across the UK are among those involved. Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, right, and conductor Rafael Payare pose for a portrait at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in San Diego. The couple are on a four-concert cross-country run that ends Friday night at Carnegie Hall. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) NEW YORK (AP) When cellist Alisa Weilerstein and conductor Rafael Payare fly for work, they need six plane tickets: one each for mom and dad, two for daughters Ariadna and Elina, one for the nanny and one for the cello. On all companies but one, Weilerstein said, the cello has to go with me. On Air Canada, on the lie-flat seats, where it actually matters, the cello is not allowed to go in business. I can go on business and the cello is allowed to sit separately. Getting this classical music glamour couple together for tours has become quite complicated. Payare, 43, is in his fifth season as music director of the San Diego Symphony and leads the orchestra in a four-city, cross-country run that concludes at Lehighs Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Thursday and New Yorks Carnegie Hall the following night. Weilerstein joins him for the Dvorak Cello Concerto in B Minor, part of her schedule of roughly 80 performances each season. A joint rehearsal with a special guest occurred in Gibraltar seven years ago. A monkey stole his baton and chomped off the tip. He just chewed on it and threw it down the cliff, Payare said. Ali took photos of me going down the cliff. I still have it. Weilerstein, 41, is a daughter of Donald Weilerstein, founding first violinist of the Cleveland Quartet, and pianist Vivian Hornik Weilerstein. Her brother is conductor Joshua Weilerstein. She was drawn to the cello when she was 2 1/2. She had chicken pox while her parents were on tour, and grandmother Lotte Hornik Weininger created a toy music ensemble. She knew how much I loved listening to my parents practice and rehearse, and so she came up with a string quartet of instruments made out of cereal boxes, Weilerstein said. There were two violins, viola and cello, and the cello was made from a Rice Krispies box. The endpin was an old green toothbrush and the bow was a chopstick or a stick from outside, and I just scrubbed away at this thing. So my parents came back and they would rehearse and they put out a small stool for me so that I could participate if I felt like it on a tiny little stool. When Weilerstein was 4 she asked for a cello and a teacher, and her parents arranged them a half-year later. The family moved from Rochester to Cleveland when she was 7 and at 13 she made her professional debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in October 1995 with Tchaikovskys Variations on a Rococo Theme. She signed with ICM Artists (now Opus 3) and started playing one week per month with regional orchestras. By 2011, she won a $500,000 MacArthur Foundation genius grant, the youngest of that years 22 recipients. Since 2014, shes played a Domenico Montagnana cello that turned 300 this year airlines stopped allowing her instrument its own frequent flyer account in 2008. Payere grew up among five siblings in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela, and played horn as a child. He was introduced to Gustavo Dudamel while in the national childrens orchestra and they got to know each other in 1995 when Dudamel and his friends broke the top of a bunk bed. Payare fixed it with a piece of blinds, earning the nickname MacGyver. He first thought of conducting when playing in a childrens orchestra in the late 1990s with Giuseppe Sinopoli. After winning the 2012 Malko Competition for conductors in Denmark Weilersteins brother won the previous edition Payare encountered Lorin Maazel. I was terrified. There was this urban legend about Maazel being a dictatorial, cold person, Payare said. Maazel invited him to conduct Beethovens third Leonore overture at his Castleton Festival in Virginia that summer. He was like a proud grandfather, Payare recalled. Payere met Joshua in 2007 when Weilerstein was a guest violinist on the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestras U.S. tour, which included Dudamels Carnegie Hall debut. Alisa first came across Payare in February 2009 at Goteborg, Sweden, where she was auditioning for Dudamel and Payare was invited to play horn in a Bruckner Symphony No. 7. I had no idea Josh had a sister, Payare recalled. I said, `Oh, say hello to your parents and to your brother.' She was asked by Dudamel to play the Dvorak concerto in Caracas. Payare was in the orchestra that Dec. 6 for Strauss An Alpine Symphony and she requested he sit in the seats during her rehearsal. After the concert, they went to a sushi restaurant and have been a couple ever since. Three years later he proposed in his hometown. They married in August 2013 at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York. Weilerstein and Payare own a home in San Diego and rent a house in Canada, where he is in his second season as music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal. Ariadna is 7 and plays violin and piano. Elina turns 2 in January. Alisa tried to teach Elina to ask for daddy by playing the Pa-pa-pa from the Papageno-Papagena duet from Mozarts The Magic Flute. It didn't quite take: Elina calls him Ta-ta. Music is a part of the family routine. Sometimes around five and six theres always that peak hour that they go a little nuts, Payare said. We call it hora loca in Spanish. And we created a playlist of second movements of Mozart symphonies and that somehow is like a sedative. They always immediately relax." A man has been arrested in connection with breaking into a jewelry store in Birkdale Village months ago. On July 27, witnesses told police that they saw a blue van parked outside of Finks Jewelers. They also reported seeing the front window of the store smashed out and several people inside. Police said the people inside ran out of the store and tried to leave in the van, but it broke down. They ended up running away instead. ALSO READ: Several break into Birkdale Village jewelry store that was recently robbed Derrick Lamar Brooks, 33, was identified as a suspect in this case. He was charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, possession of a stolen vehicle, and injury to personal property. Brooks was arrested by the South Carolina Highway Patrol on Sept. 20 and was extradited back to Mecklenburg County on Sept. 27. He was later released on a $10,000 secured bond. VIDEO: Heavy police presence spotted in Birkdale Village NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) One person has been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of a man, whos badly burned body was found inside the trunk of a vehicle in September. Homicide detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department launched an investigation on Wednesday, Sept. 27 after a worker arrived to clear brush off Franklin Limestone Road and found the car, which was still smoldering. RELATED: Badly burned body discovered inside abandoned vehicle in Nashville Kevin Joel Castro-Garcia (Courtesy: MNPD) Before the vehicle was towed, authorities said they looked inside the trunk and found the badly burned body, which was later identified as 37-year-old Elmer Nahum Miranda-Martinez. Detectives believe Miranda-Martinez was shot and killed before he was placed in the trunk. After further investigation, authorities said they identified Kevin Joel Castro-Garcia, a native of Honduras, as a suspect. He was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. Police said Castro-Garcia was previously deported from the United States in 2010 and 2018. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com As of Tuesday, Oct. 10, he remained jailed without bond. Police are still working to determine a motive for the shooting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Just how lucky is the No. 7? Just ask one particular Missouri Lottery player. The man from Vernon County already won $77 on a Triple Red 777 ticket when he decided to purchase more tickets at a store in Nevada, Missouri. He bought seven more tickets on that second purchase and won big, Missouri Lottery officials said in a Tuesday, Oct. 10, news release. This time, he was a $77,777 winner. I took my glasses off and rubbed my eyes because I thought I was seeing double, he told Missouri Lottery officials. Triple Red 777 costs $10 to play and offers a top prize of $777,777. There is one unclaimed jackpot prize and four unclaimed $77,777 tickets. Vernon County is along the states border with Kansas and is about 100 miles south of Kansas City. Lottery player thought she won $1,000 on scratch-off but the zeros kept coming Friends of more than 30 years play Powerball together and win big prize in Michigan Woman cant believe her big Missouri lottery win. I had to put my reading glasses on A passenger was yanked off his flight and arrested after police say he exposed himself to a young traveler inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The man was charged with public indecency in connection with the Sept. 28 incident, per an arrest report obtained by McClatchy News. Atlanta officers responded at about 1:20 a.m. to a report of someone masturbating in a gate area at Concourse D, police said. A fellow traveler who filmed the incident told officers the man in question was sitting at gate D1, although she didnt realize what had happened until later. She noticed the man was shifty and suspiciously looking around, according to police, so she started recording him. The video showed the man touching himself under his shorts, police said, then exposing himself while sitting across from a young female traveler. Police didnt disclose the travelers age, but a witness told officers she looked very young and was possibly a minor. Moments later, the man boarded a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, police said. Atlanta police officers arrested the man without incident on Sept. 29. Screengrab from Atlanta Police Department body-worn camera video The plane took off around 12:15 a.m. and had all but arrived to its destination by the time Atlanta officers arrived at the gate area, per the report. After viewing airport surveillance video and speaking with Frontier gate agents, police confirmed the mans identity and got information on his return flight. Officers were waiting for him when his flight arrived back in Atlanta at 7:30 a.m. the next day, according to the report. He was arrested without incident. In 2017, a man with the same name was accused of following two women around a Massachusetts fitness center and fondling himself, Boston 25 News reported. He has had some previous dealings with law enforcement for similar acts, Atlanta police Maj. Kelley Collier told WAGA. Were hopeful that this time things are put in place to change his behavior. Naked man keeps attacking women hiking alone, fleeing into Colorado woods, cops say Woman was flashing inmates while standing in jail parking lot, Tennessee cops say Man exposes self to school bus as teens inside receive graphic images, TX cops say CHICAGO - A man was fatally shot after intervening during an armed robbery in Logan Square Tuesday morning. At about 10:46 a.m., a 50-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man were in the 1600 block of North Lawndale when two armed offenders exited from a white sedan and approached the victims, police said. The offenders demanded property at which time the man intervened. One of the offenders then fired shots, striking the man in the head. The offenders then fled the scene inside the sedan without taking any belongings, police said. The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The woman was uninjured. No one is in custody. Area Five detectives are investigating. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 38-year-old man on trial in the shootings that killed two tourists in 2016 has been found guilty. A Clark County jury convicted Talley on two counts of murder, and one count of attempted murder. The February 2016 shootings killed two tourists who were in Las Vegas to celebrate a graduation Jennifer Chicas and Melissa Mendoza. Jerraud Jackson, the third shooting victim, survived and testified against Talley on the first day of trial. Prosecutors play interrogation of man they say chased, shot, killed 2 women on Las Vegas Strip During the trial, in a surprise move, Talley decided to take the stand and testify in his own defense. During a police interrogation, which was played during the trial, Talley denied the shooting, often saying he was so drunk he could not remember leaving the Planet Hollywood parking lot, where he engaged with Jackson and the other two victims. The group brawled until security intervened, but police said Talley chased the victims by car and shot them as they drove along the Las Vegas Strip. In 2009 Talley was convicted of first-degree kidnapping and pandering of a child, court records show. Those court documents say he forced a minor into prostitution. Talley is expected to be sentenced on Jan. 30, 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A crash in Payette County killed one person and blocked traffic for eight hours, according to police. A 38-year-old man from Homedale was driving a Chevrolet truck north on U.S. 95 on Tuesday afternoon when the vehicle crossed the center line into the southbound traffic lane at about 1:41 p.m., Idaho State Police reported in a news release. The Chevrolet collided with a semitruck hauling a trailer driven by a 45-year-old man from Grand View, according to the release. Police said the Chevrolet driver died from his injuries at the scene near milepost 55. His name has not been released. Law enforcement blocked the highway, allowing police and emergency services to investigate and clear the scene. Idaho State Police said they were continuing to investigate the incident. UPDATE: The body of a man who jumped into the San Joaquin River to save a woman and her daughter has been recovered, California officials say. The story continues below. A mom and daughter escaped an SUV crash into the San Joaquin River, but a bystander who tried to help vanished and was later found dead, California authorities reported. An SUV hit a tree and crashed into the river near Tracy at 1:29 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release. The driver and her 5-year-old daughter escaped the sinking SUV, officers said. A bystander helped the girl to shore but her mother disappeared beneath the water. The bystander dove in to look for the injured woman, officers said. She was later found on shore with major injuries, but its unclear if she was rescued or what happened to the man, officers said. Officers initially were not sure whether the man drowned or left the scene, but searchers found his body at 11:58 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, the CHP reported. The San Joaquin County Coroners Office identified him as Eddie Gerardo Cervantes Lora, 41, of Manteca, KOVR reported. It just shows everyone in this community what a quick response and what a true hero is, and honestly, its unfortunate the way that it ended today, Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office, told the station. The mother was taken to a hospital, officers said. She is in critical condiiton, KOVR reported.The 5-year-old was unhurt. Investigators ask anyone with information to call 209-319-4300. Tracy is about 70 miles south of Sacramento. Deputies find odd topping on pizza in traffic stop a loaded gun, California cops say Sharp stop to avoid crash injures six aboard cable car, San Francisco officials say Grumpy elk rams Nissan at Canada national park, video shows. Respect their power The Marine Corps expeditionary unit capable of special operations has departed early from a scheduled exercise with Kuwait as a result of a emerging events, days after war broke out in the Levant following a deadly attack on Israel by a Palestinian militant group. Among those killed in Hamas surprise attack on Israel Saturday were at least 22 U.S. citizens, with at least 17 still unaccounted for on Wednesday. Hamas is holding some Americans hostage in Gaza, according to the White House. When the Israel-Hamas war broke out, elements from the special operations capable 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit already were forward-deployed in the Middle East in the Persian Gulf nation of Kuwait rather than in the Mediterranean. But those Marines and sailors, who have been traveling on the amphibious assault ship Bataan and the dock landing ship Carter Hall, are no longer in vicinity of Kuwait, Capt. Angelica White, a spokeswoman for the unit, told Marine Corps Times on Wednesday. The Marines and sailors received orders to get back on their ships within 48 hours after disembarking in Kuwait to prepare for further tasking as a result of a emerging events, White said in an emailed statement. They are now in the vicinity of Bahrain, according to the spokeswoman. White declined to specify where the ships were headed next, citing operational security concerns. Her statement did not confirm whether the events in question were those in Israel and Gaza. White added in an email to Marine Corps Times a few hours after this story was published that the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit had not yet been tasked with supporting a particular mission but rather is posturing our force in effort to be prepared so that in the case that we are tasked or directed, we are able to respond promptly. In that follow-up email, the spokeswoman declined to speculate on any future tasking and direction of the unit and the amphibious ready group, as the naval element is called, because of operational security. As a crisis response force, we stand ready, White said. The Navys Ford carrier strike group arrived Tuesday in the Eastern Mediterranean as a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation, Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, said in a news release. The Eisenhower carrier strike group is heading toward Europe on Friday as part of a scheduled deployment. We stand ready to move in additional assets as needed, President Joe Biden said in a speech Tuesday in which he condemned Hamas as sheer evil. What is the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)? The Corps Marine expeditionary units are groups of more than 2,000 Marines and sailors, embarked across three amphibious ships operated by the Navy, who are forward-positioned abroad in case emergencies arise. In August 2021, for instance, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit already was in the Middle East as the Taliban approached Kabul and the United States worked to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies from Afghanistan. Marines from that unit were some of the first to deploy to Kabul to assist in the evacuation. In 2023, however, Marine expeditionary units didnt provide support to Turkey following a devastating earthquake in February or assist in the evacuation of Americans from the Sudanese embassy in April. Marine leaders have said a dwindling number of amphibious ships hamstrung the Corps ability to respond quickly to those regional crises. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is the first Marine expeditionary unit with the special operations capable designation in more than a decade, according to the unit. It has approximately 2,400 Marines and sailors from II Marine Expeditionary Force, the Corps North Carolina-based force. Back in 1985, the units predecessor, the 26th Marine Amphibious Unit, was the very first to be designated special operations capable. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit received that designation again in July. The special operations capable designation means service members in the unit received enhanced training before their deployment, practicing the recovery of aircraft and people, raids, stealthy insertion and extraction of special patrols, maritime interdiction and noncombatant evacuations, according to the release. The unit doesnt contain Marine Raiders, the Corps special operators, but the units Maritime Special Purpose Force practiced integrating with special operators, including Navy SEALs, White noted. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is meant to complement, not duplicate, special operations forces capabilities, according to White. The units capabilities are complementary and in support of geographic combatant commanders, the Navys numbered fleets and the Joint Force, White said. In training, the Marines and sailors in eastern North Carolina ran through scenarios involving evacuations of U.S. personnel from the fictitious coastal nation of Obsidian as protestors surrounded the consulate all while Americans were being evacuated from Sudan in real life. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit practice crowd-control techniques during a noncombatant evacuation operation simulation at Stone Bay, North Carolina, April 25. (Cpl. Kyle Jia/Marine Corps) Marines from the unit even trained with the FBIs hostage rescue team on tactics for close-range environments. What has the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit been up to? In May, in the midst of training, 17 Marines from the expeditionary units low-altitude air-defense detachment were deployed on short notice to Kuwait in support of U.S. Army Central, the Army formation focused on the Middle East and surrounding countries, Marine Corps Times previously reported. The 26th MEU LAAD served as a link in a chain of layered air defense programs, systems and capabilities designed to defeat adversary Unmanned Aerial Systems within the U.S. CENTCOM Area of Responsibility, White told Marine Corps Times in June. The Marine Corps has remained tight-lipped about the specific impetus for that deployment. After the 26th Marine Expeditionary Units full deployment kicked off in July, more than 100 Marines from the unit received training on how to protect commercial vessels transiting the strategically important Strait of Hormuz from harassment by Iran, the U.S. Naval Institute reported, citing an anonymous U.S. official. But deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Sept. 7, Theres no plan right now for Marines to go on commercial vessels. The Marines and sailors from the unit aboard the amphibious transport dock Mesa Verde have been in Europe, stopping in Norway and Latvia for training exercises, according to news releases from the unit. On Oct. 4, the Mesa Verde docked in Cartagena, Spain, for mid-deployment maintenance. Meanwhile, the amphibious assault ship Bataan and the dock landing ship Carter Hall have been in the Central Command region. A Marine with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) provides obscuration while his buddy suppresses a simulated enemy position during an integrated platoon reinforced live-fire attack executed alongside Kuwaiti Marines at Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait, Sept. 6. (Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Cordero/Marine Corps) On Sunday, the Marines and sailors who have been traveling on those ships kicked off a bilateral exercise with Kuwaiti forces on Kuwaiti military bases, following two small-scale exercises with Kuwait involving an element from the Marine unit. The latest exercise had been slated to end Oct. 22, according to a news release from the unit. Then, however, came the emergent tasking that prompted Marines and sailors to get aboard the amphibious ships once more. The news release about the exercise, published a day after Hamas attack, didnt directly address the war in Israel and Gaza. But the commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Col. Dennis Dolf Sampson, said in the release, this exercise comes at an opportune time to truly showcase the relevance and operational capabilities of the 26MEU(SOC). Editors note: This story was updated Wednesday with additional context from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Units spokeswoman. House Republicans just narrowly nominated Rep. Steve Scalise to be their candidate for speaker. But Marjorie Taylor Greene is withholding her support, citing his cancer diagnosis. She says he shouldn't "sacrifice his health" and needs to put his "full efforts" into the job. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is vowing to oppose her party's nominee for speaker of the House when it comes to a vote on the floor because he has cancer. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise narrowly clinched the nomination for speaker during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, defeating Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio in a narrow 113-99 vote. The Georgia Republican, who supported the Trump-endorsed Jordan, said that Scalise's recent multiple myeloma diagnosis, a rare blood cancer, made him less capable of doing the job. "I like Steve Scalise, and I like him so much that I want to see him defeat cancer more than sacrifice his health in the most difficult position in Congress," Greene wrote on Twitter. "We need a Speaker who is able to put their full efforts into defeating the communist democrats and save America." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) October 11, 2023 Scalise, whose office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, has insisted that he's still capable of doing the job as he seeks treatment. After his diagnosis in August, he said in a statement that he would be "continuing my work as Majority Leader" and that he would "tackle this with the same strength and energy as I have tackled past challenges." Scalise survived an assassination attempt in 2017. Greene is not the only holdout. Several hardline House Republicans have said that they will continue to vote for Jordan on the House floor, presumably in a bid to extract concessions from Scalise. But she is the only lawmaker so far that has publicly made an issue out of Scalise's cancer diagnosis. Read the original article on Business Insider A fundraiser created by Mary Lou Rettons daughter to pay for medical bills while the Olympic gymnast battles a rare form of pneumonia in intensive care has raised a quarter of a million dollars already, blowing past the $50,000 goal. McKenna Kelley, a retired gymnast herself, disclosed Rettons health crisis on social media this week and also revealed that her 55-year-old mom does not have any health insurance. Donations have poured in from hundreds of people who remember Retton as the pint-sized powerhouse who beat the Romanian favorite to take all-around gold at the 1984 Summer Games. Retton has been retired from competition since 1986 but has worked as a broadcast gymnastics commentator and even had a stint on Dancing With the Stars five years ago. Her pro partner, Shaun Farber, said he spoke with her on Tuesday. Shes fighting, shared Farber, who stayed close to Retton after they were eliminated. She kind of wants to give up, but Im sending her videos of her dancing and Im telling her, Theres only one Mary Lou Retton. Youve got this! Among those donating to the fundraiser are Jim Mattress Mack Mcingvale and his wife, Linda, who kicked in $50,000. They live in Houston, where Retton launched her elite gymnastic career. Kelley has not provided any updates on her mothers condition, but said Tuesday that she was both able to breathe on her own and had been in the ICU for a week. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. LOGANVILLE, Ga. - Two Georgia church groups are trying to get their members home who were in or traveling to Israel at the time of the violent attack by Hamas over the weekend. A group from Logansville's Greystone Church was on their way to Tel Aviv when the bombing started. Forty-two people were on the trip. Some of them will be returning home over the next few days. Eight members of the church group were still abroad in Cyprus on Wednesday morning. Speaking to FOX 5, the group said they were still processing what they experienced at the time of the attack. "We were the first ones to fly in - there were four groups - and on the highway going from Tel Aviv to Netanya we came across an exit that was going to the Gaza Strip that was blocked off by the military," one member of the group said. "That was our first indication that something was wrong." They said it was "really terrifying - knowing that we could possibly be in the middle of everything." DELTA CANCELS FLIGHTS TO, FROM ISRAEL FOR THE REST OF OCTOBER Ten members of the group were at New York's JFK airport waiting to fly to Israel when they learned that their plane experienced an unknown delay. When they took off, they didn't have any idea that anything was going on. "The Wi-Fi apparently wasn't accessible, and our monitors didn't work for the first half of the flight, so we didn't really know what was going on until about an hour outside of Tel Aviv," she said. It was then that a flight attendant came and explained to passengers that rockets had been fired out of the Gaza Strip. After landing at the airport, the group learned that they couldn't go back to the U.S. and had to just go to their hotel in Netanya. On the way to the hotel, they saw people pulling off on the side of the highway and crawling under their vehicles for shelter. "We didn't understand what was happening," they said. At the hotel, the group was told there was a bomb shelter underground in case of an emergency. After days of sheltering in place, some of the members of the group were able to get a flight to Cyprus. But at the airport, they saw panicking crowds due to a bomb scare. MORE: Thousands rally in Sandy Springs to show support for Israel "In that airport when those sirens went off, and it was just mass chaos, all we could do was hang on to each other and stay together," one member said. The group had a simple message for those in the United States: "Pray for Israel." Another church group from the First Baptist Church of Loganville is still trying to coordinate travel home. Right now, there are no flights out of the country. WHITE PLAINS A crowd of 1,500 listened somberly and roared with applause on Tuesday night as speakers recounted the unspeakable butchery of civilians by Hamas terrorists and vowed to back Israel's response every step of the way. With the Israeli death toll climbing past 1,000, supporters of a shocked and grieving nation packed the Temple Israel Center with Israeli flags in hand for a show of solidarity organized by the Westchester Jewish Council. So many people had registered to attend that the council had to close its signups by 2 p.m. when it reached capacity. For more than an hour, speaker after speaker rabbis, Jewish community leaders, elected officials listed the heinous acts that invaders from Gaza carried out in a surprise attack on southern Israel Saturday. They called for unified support for Israel regardless of political differences, and vehemently rejected any attempts to cloud or even justify the stark horror. Over 1500 people attended the Westchester Stands With Israel Rally held at the Temple Israel Center of White Plains, Oct. 10, 2023. The event was organized by the Westchester Jewish Council and the UJA Federation New York. "We cannot let others play the comparison game between Israel and Hamas, and not just for all the reasons that we already know," said Belle Yoeli, chief advocacy officer for the American Jewish Committee. "The sheer brutality of Saturday stands on its own as evidence. Hamas must be strongly condemned and held accountable, period." "There is no justification for their actions," she added, "and anyone who tells you otherwise or says otherwise is sympathizing with terrorists." Rockland rally: 'Incandescent with rage': Rockland stands with Israel at candle lighting rally A slew of Westchester County elected officials attended the rally and several made speeches, including state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers, County Executive George Latimer and Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi. Latimer was greeted with thunderous applause after he excoriated any fellow Democrat who "stands behind this action." Attendees listen to remarks as over 1500 people attended the Westchester Stands With Israel Rally held at the Temple Israel Center of White Plains, Oct. 10, 2023. The event was organized by the Westchester Jewish Council and the UJA Federation New York. "How dare they! How dare they try to put a human face on the inhumanity," he said. "We stand with Israel. There are government policies that are popular with some Israel politicians and officials that I deeply oppose. But it is a long stretch from those disagreements to allowing for the termination of Israel as a country." Israel connections: Israel and Hudson Valley: Residents talk of anxiety as they track down family, friends Latimer warned: "Democracies are imperfect ours is imperfect, Israel's is imperfect. But if we do not back democracy here, we will see democracy fail in every corner of the world. This is a time for unambiguous American unity. Evil cannot be countenanced in any form." State Sen. Shelley Mayer urged the audience to stand fast in spite of the horror of what happened. New York State Senator Shelley Mayer hugs an attendee as over 1500 people attended the Westchester Stands With Israel Rally held at the Temple Israel Center of White Plains, Oct. 10, 2023. The event was organized by the Westchester Jewish Council and the UJA Federation New York. "Our hearts are broken, but we are here and full of resolve," she said. "We will not be weary, we will not be broken, we will not be divided by politics or anything else. We put all that aside. We show up for the people of Israel." News moves quickly. We break it down: Sign up for USA TODAYS Israel-Hamas War newsletter for a run-down of the days headlines. Among those in the audience was Andrea Lightman of Westchester, who said she had 75 relatives living in Israel. None had been harmed, but some were being mobilized for Israel's military response. "We're here because we stand with Israel," she said before the program began. "We feel helpless; this is one of the things that we can do. And we need to share this with people who are Jewish, who are non-Jewish, so they understand the atrocities and that Hamas is not the Palestinians. Hamas is a terrorist organization, and it's barbaric." Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester solidarity rally for Israel draws crowd of 1,500 In a single block, a shopper at Raleigh s Seaboard Station can grab a haircut at Sola Salon, sip an espresso at Mon Macaron, shove down a bacon cheeseburger on steroids at Bad Daddys then stop for a hard-to-find IPA at Hunky Dory where the bartender also spins vintage vinyl. Its a business strip that thrives on reputation and foot traffic, tucked back off Peace Street along with the historic railroad station that became Logans garden shop. But that district at the north end of Raleighs is now dominated by a massive, seven-story apartment and retail development under construction. Its consuming multiple blocks and all but halting the traffic through Seaboard, whether on foot or by car. The businesses persisting through the construction are fighting blocked streets, lost parking and steep declines in business conditions that could persist for at least another year. Raleigh has offered little help, they say, and some do not expect to survive to the constructions finish. A sign directs pedestrians to a parking deck while construction continues through Seaboard Station. Small businesses there say it is not enough to keep customers coming. The downturn stings because shop owners feel their businesses made the north downtown district desirable in the first place, and it contributes to the impression that Raleighs new development is coming at the expense of everyone already there. Were being squeezed out, said Michael Bell, who owns Hunky Dory. Theres been times when we couldnt even open our businesses because we couldnt find a place to park. Bell said he hopes that his business will be able to stick around. But at the rate were going now? Absolutely not. Apartments where people can come together The first phase of Hoffman & Associates development at Seaboard started in 2021, including the 298-unit apartments and 30,000 square feet of retail. New residents started moving into The Signal early this year. Construction on the second phase started in 2022, adding another 279 units in two seven-story buildings, a Hyatt House hotel with a rooftop bar and another 55,000 square feet of retail space scheduled for 2024. The project also calls for a third phase, details of which have not been released. The new Seaboard Station advertises itself as a lively central corridor where people can come together. And while its neighbors agree the new development will bring thousands, they feel like they will be replaced by that lively central corridor, not absorbed into it. Bell says a Friday night at Hunky Dory, when the shop plays newly released records, once brought in $1,500. Now that total stands closer to $200. Michael Bell owns Hunky Dory, a record store and craft beer shop on Seaboard Avenue in Raleigh, where construction is cutting business by more than half. Next-door, the Mon Macaron dessert shop reports business down 50% over the past year. At times, customers have needed to complete a loop around several blocks of construction to dodge shut-down streets, and a Peace Street sign announcing retail businesses are open is only about the size of a speed limit posting hard to see in the chaos of building. It think it was done quickly and large-scale, said Autumn Hicks, Mon Macaron owner. This wasnt really done with plans to protect these businesses. Most people coming around here assume that were closed. Down the street on Seaboard Avenue, Ariane Erickson, stylist at Pin It Up in Sola Salons, cites a significant decline in business especially since construction closed Abel Alley a turn off Peace Street next to Bad Daddys. Discombobulated and frazzled She said parking is so scarce that she is paying $80 a month to leave her car in the deck at The Signal, the new luxury apartments now being leased, so her customers might find a space. Meanwhile, a salon appointment can take several hours, and when customers come back out, they find themselves ticketed at metered spots. People are doing what they can do to survive in this dynamic, she said, also citing a significant downturn. Everyone is all discombobulated and frazzled by it. New development fronts on Peace Street but construction blocks the businesses on Seaboard Avenue around the corner. Asked about it Tuesday, City Councilman Corey Branch directed a city staffer to say Raleigh will look into what assistance it can provide. Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin did not immediately reply to the N&Os email seeking comment, nor did Downtown Raleigh Alliance CEO Bill King or a leasing agent with the development. Bell said he has been emailing back and forth with the city for more than a year, seeking some kind of relief with no success. In July, he received an email from city staff describing an orange sign directing traffic on Peace Street as already large, and explaining that Raleigh cannot provide any custom-made signage without subsidizing private business a no-no with taxpayers dollars. Empty state parking lot no help Bell had asked if the city could approach the state government about an empty lot across Peace Street, at least for his employees. He offered to sub-lease them. The citys email said while the state agreed many spots were being left empty, it was not willing to risk conflicts. I realize this does not resolve your concerns in contacting the City, read the citys email, however I do believe that resolution is best addressed within the private sector between yourself as a tenant, your landlord, and the private business that is conducting the disruptive construction activity. Meanwhile, the businesses struggle to adjust to a situation in constant flux. The businesses on Seaboard Avenue say they get fliers with announcements about closures, and they try to alert their customers via social media. But the closures change so often that as soon as a regular patron learns a workaround, it no longer works. Many of the businesses endured COVID-19 restrictions, serving people in masks, and emerged from that challenge to find themselves surrounded by new buildings too tall to see past. None of them deny Raleigh growth. But they ask, Who is it for? India's UPI is "fantastic at many levels" but remains an "incredibly painful experience" for ecosystem participants, Mastercard's CFO said at a recent conference, underscoring tensions around the mobile payments rail that facilitates over 10 billion transactions monthly in the nation with low card penetration. When questioned about Mastercard's prospects in emerging markets such as India, CFO Sachin Mehra praised UPI for helping with digitization but voiced reservations about its commercial sustainability. "It is an incredibly painful experience for ecosystem participants who all end up losing money as part of that proposition," he said at the UBS conference. While card giants such as Mastercard and Visa charge merchants a fee for consumer transactions, UPI -- established seven years ago by a consortium of banks and supervised by the Reserve Bank of India's special unit, NPCI -- largely functions at no cost to the merchants. The reduced cost, coupled with support from the Indian government and regulatory bodies, has fueled a surge in the adoption of mobile digital payments in the world's most populous country. Share of different modes of cashless payments. UPI payments now account for ~56% of cashless payments (by value) in India more than twice the share of credit cards. Image and Data Credits: RBI, Bernstein To be sure, this isn't the first time Mastercard has expressed reservations about UPI's economic model. "The banks who actually enable those payments tend to lose money on those transactions. So it's a proposition which we are asking the question is this long-term sustainable or not. And who knows? We'll see where it goes. But in the meantime, debit continues to flourish in that market, as does credit," Mehra said in May this year. Mastercard is also not alone with this view, though few have publicly critiqued UPI's economic framework in recent times. Several fintech executives have appealed to the government over the years to impose a fee on merchants. But what's interesting is that many firms in India have innovated and built businesses around UPI in recent years. Take Paytm's soundbox, which offers real-time auditory notification when a transaction has completed, as an example. Paytm's soundbox processes UPI transactions at no cost to merchants, but charges them a monthly subscription fee or a one-time payment of as low as 999 Indian rupees ($12) for using the device. The soundbox business is growing fast for Paytm and is increasingly contributing to its bottom line. (Mastercard, Visa and AmEx, on a side note, recently partnered with Paytm to accept cards payment on the soundbox in an attempt to expand their reach among merchants in the country.) Furthermore, the soundbox has paved the way for businesses to access a wealth of cash flow data from merchants. Previously, many of these merchants solely accepted cash and evaded tax. Having access to this cash flow data, businesses are now developing modern underwriting capabilities and extending credit to previously underserved merchants who were dependent on predatory lenders. (Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India this month acknowledged the potential of the soundbox and added its deployment to the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund, an initiative that aims to subsidize the rollout of payment acceptance tools in India's smaller cities.) Moreover, nearly all stakeholders have benefited from the shift from cash to cashless transactions, and AllianceBernstein analysts argued this month that these benefits outweigh the costs involved in facilitating UPI transactions. "Banks have benefited from a sharp decline in (expensive) ATM transactions (ATM transactions per capita has fallen from ~7 to ~5 in the last 4 years). The cost savings from this decline itself equals ~20 bps of the current UPI (P2M) transactions. Banks could also reap benefits from an eventual decline in the cash to deposits ratio and the lending opportunities linked to the increasing cashless payments," AllianceBernstein wrote in a report last week. The report adds: "The government has benefited from lower currency printing costs (costs as % of private consumption have declined from ~5 bps pre-FY18 to ~2.8 bps now). The cost savings from this decline itself equals ~12 bps of the current UPI (P2M) transactions. The bigger benefit for the government is the increased tax collection efficiency. Consumers and merchants potentially earned greater interest income from a decline in the holding of physical currency, but the direct gains are less apparent as the costs of alternatives (cash and eventually CBDC) is zero." Image Credits: AllianceBernstein For Mastercard and Visa, both of whom identify India as a key overseas market, the path ahead in the country appears fraught with more obstacles. New Delhi is increasingly promoting the homegrown RuPay card network, which is beginning to see fast-adoption thanks to some unique features such as credit linkage with UPI. "The MDR (merchant discount rate) on RuPay debit card transactions is zero and not surprisingly, 100% of the volume growth in the last 5 years and ~50% of value growth has been led by RuPay cards with the volume of transactions through debit cards linked to other networks declining by ~40% over the last 5 years," AllianceBernstein analysts added. Brendan Depa, who is accused of beating a teacher's aide at Matanzas High School in an attack that was captured on a viral video, will enter a plea to the charges. Depa will enter his plea at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30 before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. Depa did not make a statement during his brief appearance on Wednesday. Depa, 18, is being held at the Flagler County jail on $1 million bond in the attack on the teacher's aide. He was charged with aggravated battery on a school board employee, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Brendan Depa talks with his defense team, Friday, June 16, 2023, before the start of his competency hearing before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell. Depa attacked paraprofessional Joan Naydich on Feb. 21, a beating that was caught on a school security video that went viral video and drew international attention. Depa, whose previous diagnosis included autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, according to testimony, was 17 at the time of the attack. Depa was transferred from a juvenile facility in Jacksonville to the Flagler County jail on Aug. 22 when he turned 18. Check back for more information on this developing story. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Matanzas High student accused of attacking teacher's aide to enter plea A few hours before midnight on 1 October, Kevin McCarthy , a Republican congressman and then-House Speaker, appeared to pull off a major victory by brokering a bipartisan deal to avoid a costly government shutdown. But his moment in the sun was short-lived, extinguished just two days later by his long-time political rival, Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, who filed a motion to remove Mr McCarthy from his post. "It's to the benefit of this country that we have a better Speaker of the House than Kevin McCarthy," Mr Gaetz said, as he celebrated Mr McCarthy's ouster. The manoeuvre not only devastated Mr McCarthy's political ambition, but disoriented Washington and plunged the House back into chaos. Republicans once again must decide who they want to be Speaker, just nine months after the tumultuous vote that elected Mr McCarthy in the first place. For Mr Gaetz at least, the revolt was a rousing success, removing his political nemesis from power and making himself, a relatively junior congressman and reliable flame-thrower, a main character in the drama now consuming Capitol Hill. But it has also made the already unpopular Mr Gaetz, 41, even more isolated in Washington. So why did he do it and what does he want now? The coiffed Mr Gaetz, who declined multiple requests for comment, began his political career in Florida state politics, following in the footsteps of his father, the wealthy and connected former state Senator Don Gaetz , who reigned over Panhandle politics for decades. During his six years in the Florida House, Matt Gaetz - then known as "baby Gaetz" - built a reputation, like his father, as a serious lawmaker. He cut bipartisan deals and voted alongside Democrats to remove a ban on adoptions by same-sex couples, convincing his father to do the same. But he also passed a series of trademark right-wing legislation, including a bill that would hasten the execution of inmates on Florida's death row. In 2016, Mr Gaetz turned his gaze to Washington, running successfully for a seat in the US House from Florida's 1st Congressional District, a Republican stronghold. His early days as a backbencher were slow and ineffectual. "I would end my days exhausted," the Republican told the New York Times in a 2019 interview of his first months in Congress. "If you can't impact an outcome in this town you are an extra in the movie, and I do not want to do that." So Mr Gaetz - media savvy or attention seeking, depending on who you ask - found a wider audience within then-President Donald Trump's brand of bombastic populism, endearing himself to Mr Trump in the process. Cable hits and headlines soon followed, spotlighting Mr Gaetz's increasingly antagonistic moves in Washington. In 2018, he brought a right-wing Holocaust denier to the State of the Union address, and attended an event in 2020 where he said Proud Boys provided security. He later tried to expel two fathers who lost children in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School from a hearing after they stood up to object to a claim he made about gun control. And last summer, he told a group of conservative students that abortion supporters were less likely to get pregnant because they were unattractive. "Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb," he said. The abrasive approach has earned him a growing chorus of critics, who describe him as a shameless limelight seeker. "Matt Gaetz doesn't care one bit about making a difference as a legislator," said Whit Ayres, a long-time Republican strategist. "He will leave no footprints whatsoever on the legislative history of the United States but I guess he is enjoying starting fights and getting famous." But Mr Gaetz's estrangement from the political establishment seems only to have fuelled his popularity back home in Florida, where he won re-election last year by 35 points. "I think the American people are frustrated by the lack of results coming out of Congress," said Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler. "Matt is one of their outlets to express that frustration." Controversy has continued to dog Mr Gaetz. In the spring of 2021, it emerged that he was under investigation by the justice department for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paying for her to cross state lines, which would amount to sex trafficking. Mr Gaetz denied the allegations, and in February of this year announced that the justice department had closed the case with no charges against him. But the Florida congressman remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, in a wide-ranging probe into allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and misuse of campaign funds. The inquiry, opened while the House was under Democratic control, was re-opened this year, while Mr McCarthy was in charge. The scandal helped cement Mr Gaetz's reputation as one of the most broadly and openly despised members of Congress. "I think Matt would be a great dictator in a small island nation in the Pacific or something," said Louisiana Representative Garret Graves last week to Semafor. "That's probably the best next step for him." But many who know Mr Gaetz from Florida, including Mr Ziegler of the Florida GOP, have praised the congressman for his shrewd political instincts and expert communication. "There are only a few people I'd be terrified to debate and Matt Gaetz is one of them," Mr Ziegler said. "He is one of the most skilled members up there." "The last thing Matt cares about is the political class," he said. The British Broadcasting Corporation Regardless of his unpopularity on the Hill, Mr Gaetz was handed outsized power after the 2022 midterm elections left the Republican party with an unexpectedly slim majority in the House. His party needed nearly every member of its caucus on side to pass legislation without Democratic support. He used it almost immediately by leading a right-wing attempt to block Mr McCarthy from becoming speaker. He relented only after 15 rounds of balloting and a number of concessions, including a new House rule requiring just one member of Congress to bring a motion to vacate - the procedural tool he used to remove Mr McCarthy at the beginning of October. So why did he do it? Mr McCarthy claimed his removal was the result of a long-simmering grudge, personal payback for not squashing the ethics inquiry into Mr Gaetz. "He's blaming me for an ethics complaint against him," Mr McCarthy said last week. "He wants me to try to wipe that away. I'm not going to do that. That's illegal." Mr Gaetz has swatted away those accusations, insisting his aims are purely ideological. His primary stated objective is to balance the country's books and cut down its booming deficit, currently sitting at around $33.5tn (27.25tn). "I am here to fight for my constituents and I am here to make sure America is not on a path to financial ruin," he said last week. But Mr Gaetz's critics disagree. "I think it's pure ambition," said veteran Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. Mr Bonjean told the BBC he believed Mr Gaetz's ultimate objective lay inside Florida's state house - echoing growing speculation that Mr Gaetz would run for governor in 2026. "He recognises that he can stop everything and have the spotlight put on him for national attention and fundraising, in order to fuel his political efforts to achieve higher office," he said. "It's the only rational explanation." Mr Gaetz has denied he plans to run for governor, but the removal of Kevin McCarthy has appeared lucrative for the Florida congressman, serving as the basis for a fresh round of fundraising. In the ongoing battle for Mr McCarthy's replacement, Mr Gaetz has so far thrown his support behind Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Mr McCarthy's former deputy. But it is still unclear who will come out on top, and how Representative Gaetz will fit in with the new order. Whatever his ultimate ambition might be, as the Republican party scrambles to stabilise after weeks of disorder, Mr Gaetz is unlikely to accept a role of bit player. Matty Healy has defended kissing his bandmate on stage during a 10-minute speech which he read out from his phone at a concert in Dallas, Texas. The 1975 frontman said he was told not to speak about Malaysia but he was p***ed off and read out the statement at the bands show in Dallas on 9 October. Unfortunately, theres so many incredibly stupid people on the internet that Ive just cracked. And everyone keeps telling me that you cant talk about Malaysia, dont talk about what happened in Malaysia, so Im gonna talk about it at length I am p***ed off, to be frank. He argued that 1975 didnt waltz into Malaysia but were booked by festival organisers who were well aware of the bands political views and stage show. He added that kissing his bandmate, Ross McDonald, was not a stunt simply meant to provoke the government but an ongoing part of The 1975 stage show which had been performed many times prior. Had the band omitted any routine part of the show to appease the Malaysian authorities bigoted views of LGBTQ people that wouldve been a passive endorsement of those politics, Healy said. As liberals are so fond of saying, silence causes violence, use your platform so we did that. And that is where things got complicated, he added. On 22 July, British rock band The 1975 performed on the first day of Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their performance was cut short when the 34-year-old frontman kissed bassist MacDonald while criticising the countrys anti-LGBT+ laws under which homosexual acts were illegal. The festival was called off after the first of three planned days, with Malaysias government calling the band extremely rude. At the time, it was reported that the group will not be permitted to perform in the country again. Healy said during the Dallas concert that it was puzzling that lots of people, liberal people, contended that the performance was an insensitive display of hostility against the cultural customs of the Malaysian government and that the kiss was a performative gesture of allyship. After the onstage kiss in July in Malaysia, the countrys communications minister Fahmi Fadzil wrote on X/Twitter: I have called the organisers of Good Vibes Festival 2023, which is Future Sound Asia, following the very rude actions and statements displayed by UK artist The 1975 in Sepang last night. Everyone please take 5 minutes to watch matty healy call out the Malaysian government for banning them out of their country this was long overdue and he went IN on them and rightfully so I love how he always uses his platform to speak on this stuff pic.twitter.com/x18k4IM3Xe esra (@1989healy) October 10, 2023 There will be no compromise against any party that challenges, disparages and violates Malaysian laws, Mr Fadzil added. Healy also claimed other apparent liberal people criticised the kiss as a form of colonialism, and that the 1975 was forcing its Western beliefs on the Eastern world. He rejected both notions vehemently and reiterated that they were invited despite the band being amateur jiu-jitsu enthusiasts, were not very good, and we have no power at all to enforce our will on anyone in Malaysia. In fact, it was the Malaysian authorities who briefly imprisoned us. He continued: If doing the same things which made you aware of them could land them in jail in your country, youre not actually inviting them to perform, youre indirectly commanding them to reflect your countrys policies by omission. This goes against the very idea of a site of cultural exchange where differences are allowed to coexist. This fact is a more valuable idea to protect than the bigoted sensitivities of those who wish its demise. The idea that its incumbent upon artists to cater to the local cultural sensitives of wherever theyve been invited to perform sets a very dangerous precedent. It should be expected that if you invite dozens of Western performers into your country, theyll bring their Western values with them, he concluded. The Bidens' dog Commander, a German shepherd, was removed from the White House after biting multiple Secret Service agents. The Bidens' dog Commander, a German shepherd, was removed from the White House after biting multiple Secret Service agents. Commander, President Joe Bidens dog, has made headlines recently for something various dog owners can, unfortunately, relate to: reactivity and biting. The 2-year-old German shepherd joined the Bidens at the White House as a puppy in 2021. He has bitten several Secret Service agents a known total of 11 times, including one incident in which an officer had to go to the hospital after Commander bit his arm and thigh. Last week, a spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden revealed that Commander was moved out of the White House while next steps are evaluated. Very few of us have famous dogs that live at the White House, but its unfortunately common to have a dog that bites, even if its a familiar dog that never bit you before. One common mistake is that people believe that a dog that theyve seen or interacted with before is going to interact with them the same way. And thats not necessarily true, said Dr. Cherese Sullivan, a veterinarian at Houstons Skyline Animal Hospital. More than 4.5 million people get bit by dogs in the U.S. each year. And in the worst cases, bites can be fatal. An average of 43 people die every year from dog bites, according to the CDC. Thats why biting is not a behavior to ignore. In general, no behavioral issue in your dog is going to fix itself. And a lot of people wait for that. Theyll say, Oh, he bit this person. That was weird ... maybe it was just a freak accident, said Nick White, a former Secret Service agent and owner of Off Leash K9 Training. What we see is it progresses and gets worse, as weve seen with Commander. Heres how to figure out what could be causing that reaction, and how to address it: Identify whats triggering the biting. New homes or new people can be common reasons. Although your dogs reaction can feel random to you, its often tied to environmental stressors that are causing the dog to feel startled, scared or like they need to defend their territory. If a dog bites a person and then they leave them alone, it is teaching the dog that biting is a mechanism to get away [from] the stressor that I have, White said. They can also bite because they feel threatened. Or because they are trying to protect something thats valuable to them, Sullivan said. Any of these scenarios could potentially apply to those Secret Service agents, depending on the relationship they have with the dog. Biting incidents could also be because the dog is stressed. To me, with the amount of traffic, the amount of different people, the loudness, the noise, I just think being in the White House full-time is a perfect environment to create anxiety, said Dr. Blake Hardin, a veterinarian at pet telehealth company Dutch. White said the White House is a tough proving ground for a dog to handle, with every distraction possible and hundreds of people coming in and out. Thats why a dog that has not done desensitization and confidence-building drills would be at a disadvantage, he said. As for why Commander bit so many Secret Service agents, White suggested it might be simply because theres so many of us throughout the White House, inside and out. Socialization is a big factor, too. Exposing dogs to different people and situations when they are eight to 20 weeks old is critical. That way, they start life with humans equals something great, White said. Generally, what were seeing when it comes to aggressive dogs, whether its people aggression, dog aggression ... the vast majority of the time its based solely off a lack of socialization at a young age, White said. When Commander was eight weeks to 20 weeks, were they taking him out a lot, getting him around a lot of different types of people? If you miss that socialization window when your dog is an impressionable puppy, it will take more work to address reactive behavior but its not too late to do training, White said. He shared a positive-association drill in which he would expose an under-socialized dog to different people and environments and give them a high-value reward each time. So they say, Oh, I heard a loud noise, but he gave me a reward for it. So maybe loud noises are a good thing, White said. And thats kind of how the system works of building a super confident dog. Illness or injury can also be reasons dogs bite. Sometimes, dogs also bite when they do not feel well. If you touch something and an animal naturally kind of comes back and nips, it might be the way that theyre saying, That hurts. Please dont do that, Hardin said. Your dogs newfound reactivity could also be hormonal. At a certain age, dogs will come into their sexual maturity and they will have a tendency to have more aggressive types of episodes, Sullivan said. Consider the personality of the breed and their genetic predisposition. Your dogs breed can also influence what triggers them. A lot of people just arent getting breeds of dogs that are conducive to their lifestyle, White said. If you have a working dog ... and its not actually doing the purpose it was meant to in life, that creates anxiety in the animal, restlessness, Hardin said. And that restlessness can turn into a bite or nip if approached in the wrong way. He gave the example of Australian shepherds, which are hardwired to herd sheep by running five or six miles a day. Hardin said he has treated more Australian shepherds having reactive issues after being cooped up in apartments during the COVID pandemic. Beyond giving them more exercise, one way to address these dogs restlessness is to have these dogs solve puzzles to get a treat instead of just giving them a treat, he said. That way, theyre working their brain and when theyre working that brain, that anxiety goes down. And that risk for biting or or attacking also goes down, Hardin said. Hardin said he always recommends starting behavioral training before anti-anxiety medication. These herding breeds have that genetic predisposition to [go] Hey, this person is running really quick in front of me, Im going to chase them and go nip at them. Thats just in there, White said But thats where the training comes in, it can certainly override that. There are several ways you can address this issue. Hardin acknowledged that some dogs with have anxiety or reactivity might need medication full-time, too. And thats totally OK. Medication may also help you and your pup as you work on behavior modification and training. With those animals where were fighting a physiological mechanism, we need to just keep them on that medication for their own safety [and] for the safety of other people, too, Hardin said. Commitment to treating the issue through these routes will likely result in improvement. That said, part of addressing your dogs repeated biting behavior means knowing when its time to escalate the situation and re-home your pet with someone else or move them to a new environment, like what happened with Commander. The stakes are high if biting behavior is not addressed, especially if your dog is around kids. Children are going to be the most common victims of dog bites, and are more likely to be severely injured. So dogs that are biting children, I tend to get very, very cautious about keeping that dog in a home, Sullivan said. Its always best to talk with your vet.In extreme or more uncommon cases, a doctor may suggest measures like euthanizing, particularly if theres something medically wrong with the dog that is affecting their quality of life, such as tumors or other medical issues that are causing new aggression. Ultimately, though, its a humans commitment to helping their dog that matters most. A lot of people see, We re-home the dog, and now hes doing well. Well, its not necessarily just because you changed that dogs environment, White said. Now that new owner says, Hey, this dog was re-homed because he had aggression issues. So I need to take this seriously. So Im going to get him in training, Im going to try to do all the right things. And thats why the dogs successful. Related... Kelvin Vickers with one of his attorneys Michael Schiano during closing arguments for his murder trial. Amon the charges he is accused of killing Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz. Why kill a police officer? From the start, the question of intent has loomed over the trial of Kelvin Vickers Jr., a Boston man accused of killing three people including a Rochester police officer last summer. In the final moments of Vickers' trial Tuesday, District Attorney Sandra Doorley offered her theory: Rochester police were closing in on a Laser Street drug house after a dizzying 48 hours of rival gangs brazenly unloading dozens of bullets on homes and street corners, sometimes in broad daylight. Vickers and his accomplices simply needed time to move their stash, she claimed. So, after they noticed two undercover police officers staking out the home, the group sent Vickers shrouded in darkness to ambush them, Doorley told the jury. Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. His partner, Officer Sino Seng, was wounded but survived the shooting. "Who better to take care of that problem than a guy with no footprint in Rochester?" Doorley asked the jury Tuesday. "They figured he could leave as quickly as he arrived." Vickers trial defense: 'Answers they don't have' used to make claims During this trial the prosecution has not introduced any evidence that directly identifies Vickers as the shooter in any of the three homicides. The evidence links him to the weapon, according to court testimony. The prosecution also has not presented direct evidence that the shooter, whether it was Vickers or not, knew their target was an undercover cop. Defense attorney Michael Schiano said the case fails on the issue of identification. "The (prosecutors) want you to guess and speculate," he told the jury. "They want you to fill in the blanks to the answers they don't have." Rochester killings including police officer: Closing arguments in Vickers trial Defense attorney Michael Schiano during his closing arguments for his client Kelvin Vickers who is charged in the murder of Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz. In closing arguments Tuesday, both sides called the city that week a drug gang "war zone." The week started with a gun battle between dueling drug-dealing operations on North Clinton Avenue on July 19. The next night, Richard Collinge and MyJel Rand were killed around the same area. Another man was injured. Doorley pointed to surveillance footage that shows Vickers carrying a gun and entering and exiting a gray Dodge Caliber just before and after a similar car appeared at the scene of the shooting. She said that is evidence that Vickers and two others were responsible for the murders. Schiano said there are no direct witnesses that could definitively place Vickers at the scene of the July 20 killings and video of the shooting itself was unclear. "You see three individuals recklessly shooting down the street, but you don't know who they are," he said. Did a shooter think it was a rival Rochester gang amid spree? During their investigation of the homicides, police traced the Dodge Caliber back to a Laser Street home and, after sending a marked police car to the area, set up an undercover detail on July 21, Doorley said. She points to surveillance footage to make the claim that Vickers was responsible for Mazurkiewicz's death. Video shows Vickers and others looking toward the direction of the undercover police van multiple times that evening. Schiano said the video shows those individuals eventually taking "defensive positions," suggesting they believed the car belonged to their rivals who had already shot up the home twice that morning. Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley listens to the closing arguments by defense attorney Michael Schiano in the murder trial of Kelvin Vickers. Doorley said the group watched the van for about 18 minutes while standing on their porch and the front lawn. "Unobstructed targets but nothing happens," she said. That's when, Doorley argues, they realized they were now dealing with police: Earlier, their rivals had shot brazenly and escaped quickly. This van was acting differently. "If they honestly believed the other group was in that van, why didn't they move? Why didn't they take care of that threat?" she said. "If it wasn't the rival gang, who could it be but the police?" Vickers downloaded an image of the Rochester Police Department logo on his cell phone, she said. The video shows Vickers leaving the Laser Street with a gun in hand, crossing the street and moving into a neighboring backyard, but again, there is no footage of the actual shooting. Following the shooting, police found Vickers shirtless in a crawlspace in an abandoned home. His sweatshirt was wrapped around a gun that was later determined to have fired the bullets that killed Mazurkiewicz. The gun had DNA from multiple individuals on it, including Vickers. "This is not a trial of a gang war," Doorley said. "This is a trial of Kelvin Vickers and his actions." The jury will begin deliberations Wednesday. Vickers faces multiple charges including several counts of aggravated murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon. News about the Kelvin Vickers murder trial in Rochester Opening statements: Three days of violence in Rochester neighborhood ends in officer's murder, prosecutor says Supervisor: Final phone call from Officer Mazurkiewicz started calmly, then the gunfire erupted Police testimonies: Emotional Rochester police officers recall night of officer's ambush DNA evidence: DNA from handgun linked to Kelvin Vickers, accused of killing police officer, two others Seng's account: 'My body collapsed': Officer Sino Seng testifies in Rochester court about night of gunfire An unexpected connection: These two Rochester women share a terrible tragedy. How does grief bonding connect them? Kayla Canne reports on community justice and safety efforts for the Democrat and Chronicle. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com or on Twitter @kaylacanne. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Kelvin Vickers trial closing arguments: Was it clear police in van? Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) criticized Democratic leaders in a Tuesday interview for not condemning more forcefully Rep. Rashida Tlaibs (D-Mich.) statement calling on the United States to halt aid to Israel after the country suffered the deadliest terror attack in its history by Hamas early Saturday. And if you watched Tlaib, Tlaib said, our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government. The cycle of violence will continue, saying America caused this because we stand with Israel, McCarthy said in an interview on Fox News Radios The Guy Benson Show, paraphrasing Tlaib. The sad part here is, Biden didnt denounce that. Hakeem Jeffries havent denounced that, McCarthy continued. At another point in the interview, McCarthy said: Hakeem Jeffries cant stand up to the antisemitism in his own conference. The Hill has reached out to Jeffriess office for a response to these claims. The White House did respond Tuesday to statements from members of Congress that called for a ceasefire and or didnt issue their full support to Israel, calling them wrong and disgraceful. Ive seen some of those statements this weekend. And were gonna continue to be very clear. We believe theyre wrong. We believe theyre repugnant and we believe theyre disgraceful, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday when asked what President Bidens message is to those members who seem to be equating Hamas terror attacks with actions taken by Israel. Jean-Pierre did not mention any members by name. Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped, hundreds, hundreds of Israelis, Jean-Pierre added. There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here. There are not two sides. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) previously made his support for Israel clear, saying Sunday that his commitment to Israel was ironclad and said its important to provide Israel with the assistance it needs. The most important thing that needs to be said is that the United States will continue to stand strongly behind Israel. Americas bond with Israel is unshakeable and unbreakable. We have stood strongly behind Israel during its first 75 years. We will stand strongly behind Israel for the next 75 years and beyond, he said. Tlaib said in her statement over the weekend: The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue, she continued. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) made similar remarks, saying, As part of achieving a just and lasting peace, we must do our part to stop this violence and trauma by ending U.S. government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid. Their remarks were met with swift backlash from members of both parties. Two of my colleagues called for America to end assistance to Israel, despite the countless images of Israeli children, women, men, and elderly, including Americans, murdered by radical Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said in a statement. It sickens me that while Israelis clean the blood of their family members shot in their homes, they believe Congress should strip U.S. funding to our democratic ally and allow innocent civilians to suffer, he added. U.S. aid to Israel is and should be unconditional, and never more so than in this moment of critical need, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) said in a statement to Jewish Insider. Shame on anyone who glorifies as resistance the largest single-day mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. It is reprehensible and repulsive. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said Wednesday the U.S. government is not quite sure how both itself and Israel missed foreseeing Palestinian militant group Hamass surprise attack against the Jewish state over the weekend. Weve heard from the administration, there seems to be a failure of intelligence as well. Were not quite sure how we missed it. Were not quite sure how Israel missed it, McCaul told reporters Wednesday following a closed-door intelligence briefing with lawmakers about the conflict. Hamas, a militant group that has received support from Iran, launched a multipronged surprise attack against Israel over the weekend, invading multiple Israeli towns by land, sea and air while sending a barrage of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. The initial attack claimed hundreds of lives mostly civilians and wounded thousands of others. The White House confirmed Wednesday at least 22 Americans have died in the ensuing violence, and 17 Americans remain unaccounted for. The attack immediately prompted skepticism over a potential intelligence failure within the Israeli government, which appeared somewhat unprepared for the onslaught of attacks. McCaul said he was informed Egypt warned Israel three days prior that an event like this could happen, but did not provide further details on the claim. We know that this had been planned perhaps as long as a year ago, McCaul said. Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) said the U.S. governments intelligence failed us, and he expressed concerns over the implications of such a failure on U.S. soil. If our intelligence failed, where we didnt pick up on this, Ive got concerns about our own homeland, Kustoff said Wednesday. So from a long-term perspective, we need to make sure that we get our own house in order to prevent [to] make sure that we dont suffer an attack on our homeland like Israel did over the past several days. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken sidestepped questions on this weeks Sunday morning show circuit about whether the conflict was a result of an intelligence failure, but he reiterated the U.S. and Israel plan to look into what they missed to prevent another surprise attack. In the hours that followed Saturdays attacks, Mark Esper, the former U.S. secretary of Defense, said such an intelligence failure will have a ripple effect in multiple ways on the Israeli government. The conflict has claimed at least 2,300 lives from both sides in just a matter of days as the fighting rages on in both Israel and Gaza. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Wednesday unveiled legislation to immediately freeze $6 billion in Iranian funds that have been held in South Korea but are due to flow back to Iran because of a prisoner exchange deal with the United States. The Biden administration last month finalized a deal to grant a waiver to allow Iran to recoup $6 billion in assets that had been stuck in South Korea in exchange for the release of five American prisoners. The United States also agreed to release five Iranian nationals held in its custody. That deal is now getting strong bipartisan pushback in Congress after Hamas, an Iranian-backed group, killed more than 1,000 Israelis over the weekend. McConnell and Cotton say they will seek unanimous consent to pass legislation to block Iran from accessing the $6 billion in funds. The path of resources, training, and lethal weapons from Tehran to terrorists throughout the Middle East is crystal clear. On Saturday, it enabled cold-blooded killers like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to perpetrate the deadliest day of violence against Jews in decades, McConnell said in a statement. The civilized world must re-impose serious consequences on the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis. The United States must lead that effort by our example, and freezing Iranian assets is an important first step, he said. Cotton called Iran the worlds worst state sponsor of terrorism. He said the regimes proxies have attacked dozens of American targets in the Middle East in recent years and demanded action from the Biden administration. The civilized world must re-impose serious consequences on the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis. The United States must lead that effort by our example, and freezing Iranian assets is an important first step, Cotton said. The legislation is likely to pick up bipartisan support after three Senate Democrats facing tough reelection races next year said Biden should freeze the money transfer to Iran. The latest Democrat to call for freezing the Iranian funds is Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. As we work to hold anyone who supports terrorism accountable, the administration must freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets, Brown said. Brown, who is up for reelection next year in a state former President Trump twice won, said his committee will investigate the financing behind Hamass attacks on Israeli civilians and whether cryptocurrency was used to evade sanctions. Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) also called for freezing the Iranian funds Tuesday. At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal, Tester said. Moving forward, we need to ensure our ally Israel can defend itself from these ongoing deadly attacks against its civilians. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said at a conference in Morocco on Wednesday that the administration is exploring all of its options to tighten sanctions, including holding up the $6 billion in funds that were part of the prisoner deal. These are funds that are sitting in Qatar that were made available purely for humanitarian purposes and the funds have not been touched, Yellen said. I wouldnt take anything off the table in terms of future possible actions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. My mother was the hardest worker I knew. She was known for her hard work ethic. She rarely called in sick. And she worked long hours in the service industry. In 2016, my world changed. My mother was diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The healthcare bills added up quickly. My mom didnt have health insurance. She earned too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private health insurance. She fell in the gap. We were able to self-fund $500 of her initial cancer treatment. She died eight days later. In 2017, the Kansas Legislature sent a bill to expand Medicaid to then-Governor Brownbacks desk. I was elated. I thought no family would have to go through what my family did. But Brownback vetoed the bill that would have expanded healthcare for 150,000 hard-working Kansans. Kansans like my mom. So, what does expanding Medicaid have to do with my story? If we had expanded Medicaid, my mom would have had access to routine health care that she desperately needed. That routine healthcare could have caught the cancer earlier in time for treatment to have had a chance of curing it. That routine healthcare could have saved her life, and shed be with me and my daughter today, going out for dinner. And I would not have to write once again to our legislators, asking them to finally pass Medicaid expansion once and for all. I write this as an appeal to my personal story. But the truth is that all Kansans would benefit from expansion. Not only would 150,000 hard-working Kansans get health insurance, but expanding Medicaid would reduce healthcare costs for everyone. Costs are rising, and as Kansans, we are paying more to take care of ourselves and our families. Healthcare costs are no exception. Currently, if someone cant afford their hospital bill, it becomes uncompensated care. That means hospitals have to cover it, which means our bills get bigger. Its time to help Kansans get more for their money when it comes to healthcare. Additionally, we could help stop rural hospitals from closing. Expanding Medicaid would provide coverage to hard-working Kansans and result in much-needed investments in our communities to strengthen our hospitals, clinics, and provider networks. We could stop bleeding healthcare talent to neighboring states all of which have expanded Medicaid. Expansion will also protect and bring in thousands of new jobs, keeping us competitive for local businesses and keeping Kansas a good place to live, work and raise a family. My home is in Sedgwick County. If we expanded Medicaid, more than 15,000 Sedgwick County residents would become eligible for healthcare coverage. Expansion would also bring more than 5,000 new jobs to Sedgwick County, and inject more than $130 million into our local economy. Now is the time to invest in our state and ensure that Kansans have access to the care they need when they need it. No one should have to go through what my mom and my family went through. Now is the time to expand Medicaid, or all of us will keep paying the price. I urge the Legislature to finally allow a vote on the floor. Do what we sent you to the statehouse to do listen to the people of Kansas who overwhelmingly support expanding Medicaid. Chandra Dickson is a Wichita teacher and writer who recently appeared with Gov. Laura Kelly in Winfield to urge the Legislature to expand Medicaid. A congressional bipartisan group is calling on the Biden administration to expand deportation relief for Nicaraguans in the United States, arguing that people cannot return safely because of dire conditions in the Central American country. The Miami Herald and McClatchy recently reported that Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said the agency has no intention right now to re-designate Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status, the program that allows people from countries in turmoil who are already in the U.S. to legally work and live here. A Temporary Protected Status redesignation for Nicaragua would undoubtedly save lives and be one of the most consequential immigration policies to date for the administration, said a letter the lawmakers sent the administration on Wednesday. The government first designated TPS for Nicaragua in January 1999 in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, which killed more than 11,000 people and devastated Central America. There were 4,250 TPS recipients from Nicaragua in 2021, according to DHS data. But Nicaraguans who have arrived in the U.S. in the past nearly 25 years are not eligible. In June, the Biden administration reversed the Trump administrations termination of the protections for Nicaragua and extended them for another 18 months. A TPS extension renews the protections for current beneficiaries, but does not change the cut off date, which would allow more people to become eligible for the program. The lawmakers said that the extension falls short of the response needed to address the multiple ongoing and emergency crises. The congressional letter also follows the Biden administrations recent decision to expand TPS protections to an additional 472,000 Venezuelans. Immigration advocates and lawmakers have commended the move, but say Nicaragua also merits a redesignation. This year, the Biden administration has also expanded TPS for Cameroon, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, and South Sudan. Florida U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Maria Elvira Salazar and Maxwell Frost, along with Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro , led the writing of the letter, which 44 Congress members signed. This includes Florida Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Darren Soto, Frederica Wilson, and Kathy Castor. Nicaraguans have experienced political repression, environmental disasters and economic woes in recent years, leading over 260,000 people to flee as of June 2022, according to the United Nations. In recent years, President Daniel Ortega has cracked down on the media and jailed his opposition. This year alone, the government has stripped hundreds of their citizenship and sent 222 political prisoners to the the United States. The country also experienced back-to-back hurricanes in 2020 that destroyed its northern Caribbean coasts, home to the indigenous Miskito people. We expect that a closer examination of the dire humanitarian situation in Nicaragua and the uncertainty of thousands who reside in the United States... will lead to a finding that TPS redesignation is necessary, the letter says. Nicaraguans have fled to neighboring Costa Rica as well as Panama and the U.S., among other countries, in recent years. In fiscal year 2022 alone U.S Customs and Border Protection had nearly 164,000 encounters with Nicaraguan nationals at the U.S.-Mexico border. Between Oct. 2022 and Aug. 2023, that number was almost 98,000. The Biden administration launched new parole processes earlier this year so Nicaraguans, Haitians, Cubans, and Venezuelans could legally come to the United States for a two-year period. But Texas, Florida, and other Republican-led states filed a lawsuit asking the federal courts to declare the new paroles unconstitutional. The federal lawmakers argued in Wednesdays letter that the legal uncertainty around the parole programs are another reason to expand TPS for Nicaragua. The lawmakers addressed the correspondence to President Joe Biden , as well as to Mayorkas, who has the legal authority to designate TPS, and U.S. Citizenship and Services Director Ur Jaddou, the head of the agency that processes and approves TPS applications. South Florida activists and officials have held a year-long campaign to redesignate Nicaragua for TPS. They have hosted roundtables, sent postcards to Mayorkas, and written public letters signed by hundreds of organizations. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also penned a recent editorial asking the Biden administration to expand the protection for the Central American country. Wednesdays letter is one of several federal lawmakers have sent the Biden administration. Cherfilus-McCormick and Castro sent another one in February. Last July, U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez, Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Dick Durbin led one, and Charlie Christ, the former Florida Rep. and previous state governor, delivered one signed by several South Florida lawmakers. We believe this would be a missed opportunity to stand up for the values of human rights, democracy, and compassion for communities around the United States, the letter said. A group of Oklahoma hunters are accused of killing endangered whooping cranes and hiding the bodies but one of the birds wasnt dead. The four men, all between 32 and 43 years old, shot the rare birds while hunting at Tom Steed Reservoir in southwest Oklahoma, in early November 2021, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Western District of Oklahoma said in an Oct. 6 news release. Standing almost 5-feet tall with a wingspan of 7.5 feet, whooping cranes are the largest bird in North America, and there are fewer than 600 remaining in the wild, according to wildlife officials. The men shot four cranes and hid the carcasses in the area, officials said. Their crime went unnoticed for about a month, until other hunters stumbled across a wounded whooping crane and contacted game wardens, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The crane was taken to a veterinary clinic where it died, officials said, but a necropsy revealed the cause of its wounds: a shotgun blast. Investigators searched the area where the bird was found and uncovered the remains of three more whooping cranes, according to the ODWC. This is sickening to see such a wanton waste of wildlife, and our Game Wardens are very eager to visit with the individual or individuals who committed this crime, Wade Farrar, assistant chief of law enforcement with the wildlife department, said at the time. Somebody out there knows something that will help in this investigation, and I trust that they will do the right thing and come forward. On Aug. 22, authorities charged the four men in the crane killings, the U.S. Attorneys Office said, adding that whooping cranes are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Each of the men was ordered to pay $17,000 in restitution to a whooping crane conservation organization, plus a $750 fine, officials said. Additionally, their shotguns were taken away and they are barred from hunting anywhere in the United States for the next five years. Each of us bears responsibility to protect endangered wildlife so that the species is preserved for future generations, said U.S. Attorney Robert Troester. My office stands with and commends the work done by our federal and state law enforcement partners, and we hope this case serves as a warning for those who would harm endangered species. Tom Steed Reservoir is roughly 95 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. Deer wearing collar and marked pet raises eyebrows in Missouri. Unbelievable!! Neglected husky puppies tossed over shelters fence, group says. Now they have a home Couple killed by grizzly bear took the proper precautions. Why didnt it save them? Adorable spotted kitten sold in parking lot leads to Texas couples arrest, feds say MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis Police Department is looking for seven men involved in an incident where a woman was shot at in Cordova. Police say the incident started on October 6 when a waitress at a restaurant on Houston Levee Road was harassed by a male customer wearing a bright blue cap. The suspect was reportedly accompanied by six other men dining at the restaurant. After the waitress got off of work, the men were waiting for her outside the restaurant. Police say that the victim left the scene after the male in the blue cap continued to bother her. The group reportedly split up into two vehicles, a white Ford F-150 and a black Chevy Silverado, before following the victim. Police look for stolen Maserati with dog inside Reports state that the driver of the white Ford pulled up beside the victim and fired four to five shots at her. The victim was not injured and was able to get away, according to reports. If you have any information about this incident, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. TAMPA, Fla. - Nearly three million people in Florida have a mental health condition, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. Tuesday was World Mental Health Day. Advocates continue to push for more awareness about mental health, better access to care and more resources around the Tampa Bay Area. "There is not a person out there, a family out there, community out there that doesn't experience mental health issues," Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, a counseling psychologist said. Advocates what more resources in the Tampa Bay Area. Mental health counselors in the Tampa Bay Area said the COVID-19 pandemic started a movement to break down longstanding barriers around mental health. "We are seeing investment in mental health," Dr. LaDonna Butler, the Executive Director of The Well shared. "Number two, community members are coming out, and they're talking about mental health, and they're talking explicitly about the needs." READ: Citrus County Sheriff's Office launches campaign focused on mental health, substance abuse issues Dr. Butler explained that one of the biggest needs in the area is better access to the right care. "Whether it's through insurance, whether is location, transportation or hours of operation or the type of therapeutic interventions needed," Butler said. She said they also need to rebuild the workforce and invest in credentialed providers and providers who reflect different communities. Providers who reflect different communities are essential to mental health care. "Nurses were super stressed, and we saw a decline in the workforce," Butler said. "The same thing happened in mental health care. And so we are now needing to train new people and reclaim providers who, for a while, walked away." October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Law enforcement leaders say mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence are oftentimes interconnected. On Monday, Pasco County deputies responded to a domestic double-murder suicide in Wesley Chapel. RELATED: Three found dead in Wesley Chapel home after apparent double-murder suicide: Pasco sheriff Sheriff Chris Nocco said there was a history of mental health issues. "Its unfortunately a bad formula, and this is what happens when those things come together, and we have a horrible situation," Nocco explained. Counselors and psychologists hope that the more positive discussions there are surrounding mental health can lead to more lives being saved. "The stress that is often in our communities, that's often in society, that no one is immune to it," Butler said. In St. Petersburg, Butler said her practice, The Well, is leading the charge on a new project to establish social support hubs. She said this project will help expand outreach throughout the city and give people better guidance to finding the help they need. Pc Rupert Edwards wept as the not guilty verdict was read out - Jamie Lorriman A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been found not guilty of raping a woman he met at a bar while off duty. Jurors at Inner London Crown Court cleared Pc Rupert Edwards, 30, of raping the woman in Epsom, Surrey, on Aug 26 last year. However, the jury was unable to return a verdict on a second count of rape, relating to a different woman whom Pc Edwards met at a bar on Sept 5 that year. Pc Edwards wept in the dock as the jurys verdict was returned following eight hours and 22 minutes of deliberation. In a prepared statement given to police, Pc Edwards said all sexual activity with the first claimant was consensual and at no point did she indicate that she was not consenting, the court was previously told. Pc Edwards told police the second complainant never said she did not want sexual intercourse without contraception, and that they engaged in consensual sexual activity. Prosecution case Robert Brown, prosecuting, previously told the court that the first complainant met Pc Edwards on a night out and danced with him, before kissing the defendant, who she found attractive at a bar. They later got a taxi back to her home and had consensual sex at least once, possibly twice. The complainant claimed she later told him I cant go again but the defendant pulled her leg up and initiated further sexual intercourse, said Mr Brown. Asked if the woman told him she did not want to have sex again because she was tired and sore, Pc Edwards told the court: I do not agree with that. The second complainant recalled engaging in consensual sex with Pc Edwards in Lambeth, south London, but told him from the outset there could be no intercourse because they did not have any condoms. The woman said Pc Edwards agreed to this but she was later awoken when he raped her, jurors heard. The prosecutor said: Isnt the truth that she said you couldnt have sex because she had no condoms? Pc Edwards replied: No. When pressed by Mr Brown, the suspended officer said: At no point was she asleep [during sex]. Edwards said the woman had been a similar level of drunk to him, adding he was shocked and surprised to be arrested the next morning. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The gods seemingly dont want Zarahy Pacheco, 41, to save her Miami home from the bulldozer. For more than three years, Pacheco has fought to correct code problems that have resulted in stop work and repair or demolish orders on her home on Northwest 18th Street. The paperwork documenting her struggle, sheathed in plastic like a parents scrapbook celebrating a childs achievements, fills several binders. The problems predate her purchase of the house nearly 20 years ago. She has bounced between county and city offices, pored over microfilm records, hired a contractor and advanced him money only to have the contractor (and his wife) die of COVID during the pandemic. Like a lot of governments, the city of Miami was harder to get face-to-face service from during the pandemic. Since then, however, she has haunted the hallways of Miami City Hall, seeking audiences with the chief of zoning, the building department and various elected officials. She tried to interest Mayor Francis Suarez in her case, only to lose track of him when he went off to Iowa to run unsuccessfully for president. She lined up the support of Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla whose chief of staff admonished her for speaking to the press only to see him indicted on unrelated corruption charges and suspended from office. At one point the city estimated it would cost $6,573,750 to bring her home which actually seems quite nice up to code. Permits fees are affected by the scope and cost of the project. It was an obvious mistake but took a while to rectify. To assist with the overall effort, she hired a permit runner, someone who helps with getting permits, paying him $11,000 which would have cost more, except for the $1,500 cash discount. Some of the binders and photos detailing Zahary Pachecos battle over code enforcement issues. After one particularly excruciating encounter in September 2022 in front of the citys unsafe structures board, Pacheco ended up in a restroom, sobbing. Now, finally, this week, the commission may shes crossing her fingers take up an ordinance that could help her out. Commissioner Manolo Reyes has promised to bring the matter forward. It has caused me years of stress. Pacheco said. Pachecos troubles can be traced back to Jan. 16, 2020. That was when, as she recalls it, a city inspector wandered by as her father was working on the stucco. The inspector asked whether a permit had been pulled for the work. He said yes. Alas, the permit was for the roof, a separate project. Pacheco says she mistakenly believed that the permit she had acquired was a master permit allowing her to make other repairs. Not so. The inspector left, only to return later with a stop work order. In the course of trying to correct that problem, she was informed of a much more ominous situation. An addition to the house one made long before she bought it in 2005 violated the citys setback rule, the requirement that said there must be a five-foot buffer between her structure and the neighbors property line. Shes been fighting the city ever since, including pointing out there are plenty of other properties in the city that seem to have similar setback issues. Lost permits, lost in bureaucracy At some point, around when they corrected the $6 million estimate, her survey and plans had expired so she needed to submit updated documents to the unsafe structures people for them to remove the hold on her property so she could move forward. She says a meeting did not go as expected. An official said it had been discovered that there was no permit on file for construction of her garage and deemed it an illegal structure. Pacheco had to dig up a record from the county showing the garage was on the property since 1983 and was included in her tax bill. She was told that wasnt sufficient and to legalize the structure or demolish it. She went back to the county, which contacted the city, which conceded she could keep her garage. But there was still the matter of the setback. Pacheco missed many days from work trying unsuccessfully to retrieve her property records from the citys microfilm archive. Eventually, she quit her job as an insurance auditor to focus exclusively on saving the house. On Sept. 9, 2022, Pacheco appeared before the unsafe structures panel at ready to plead her case. Every Friday morning at 9, the panel decides the fate of the properties on the days docket sometimes ordering the demolition of those deemed unsafe. Its no joke. City records show that Miami has ordered the demolition of 860 properties in the past five years. Of those, 153 were residential. As part of her fight with City Hall, Zahary Pacheco has documented instances of homes with setback issues similar to hers, Pacheco said she came to the hearing prepared to present her exhibits, including a deed, survey plans and copies of email correspondence with city officials. But she was not allowed to make her presentation when it was pointed out that there were two names on the deed. The other was Pachecos mother. A city lawyer said it appeared on the quit claim deed that Pacheco had transferred the house to her mother. Pacheco argued that she hadnt, that she had simply added her mothers name to the title, according to the meeting transcript. A board member suggested that she get her mom to sign a power of attorney. The discussion lasted a while and Pacheco asked if she could just present her case. A board member said no, according to the transcript, noting were already burning a lot of daylight with this conversation as it is. The panel rescheduled her hearing for the following week. Although the city had since acknowledged she was indeed the property owner, things did not go much better for Pacheco overall at the next hearing. A member of the panel asked why she seemingly ignored a stop work order. Pacheco tried to explain that she did not ignore the order but was unable to obtain permits because the city mistakenly charged her an upfront fee of over $30,000, based on the inflated $6 million+ estimate. But she couldnt convince the board. Thats the hearing that sent her to the restroom in tears. The issue is that during the pertinent time, even before Ms. Pachecos ownership, the setback by code was five feet and we have no permits on file evidencing the addition, said Kenia Fallat, the citys director of communications. That means that the addition that brought the structure within 2.5 feet of the side lot line was likely performed unlawfully. Sometimes a city will grandfather in effectively legalize something that violates the current code, especially if it was done by a prior owner. But Fallat said that only occurs when something was done lawfully under a prior code and subsequent change in the law makes it so one could not do that thing again. After the arrest of Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner Reyes finally agreed to sponsor an ordinance that would address her problem. If adopted, it would create a short-term amnesty pilot program designed to grant relief to homeowners with setback issues like Pachecos. If the structure does not meet the five-foot setback requirement but causes no detriment to the neighborhood, the zoning director would have discretion to grant a variance. If that actually happens, it could be good for Pachecos health as well as her wealth. On Sept. 18, she ended up hospitalized with chest pains. Her doctors told her to try to limit her stress. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) is revoking his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) over its promotion of what he said was an antisemitic rally in New York City. Today, I am officially renouncing my membership in the Democratic Socialists of America. After the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel, which included the indiscriminate murder, rape, and kidnapping of innocent men, women, and children, I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms, he wrote in a statement Wednesday. Thanedar, formerly one of the six members of the DSA in Congress, said that a rally in Times Square on Sunday pushed him to make the decision. The rally, held just one day after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel, was also denounced by other lawmakers and officials. Sundays hate-filled and antisemitic rally in New York City, promoted by the NYC-DSA, makes it impossible for me to continue my affiliation. I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself. There is no place for moral equivocation in the face of unadulterated evil as we have seen from Hamas, Thanedar added. The NYC-DSA had reposted a statement on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, promoting rallies against funding for Israel on Saturday, the same day Hamas first infiltrated the nation. Take to the streets to join a protest for peace and against funding the Israeli state. Find out what actions local DSA and YDSA chapters are taking and join in, the group wrote. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), another member of the DSA, also denounced the rally held in New York City in a statement earlier this week. It should not be hard to shut down hatred and antisemitism where we see it. That is a core tenet of solidarity, Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement obtained by The Hill. The bigotry and callousness expressed in Times Square on Sunday were unacceptable and harmful in this devastating moment. It also did not speak for the thousands of New Yorkers who are capable of rejecting both Hamas horrifying attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices and violence Palestinians face under occupation, she said. The NYC-DSA posted a statement Tuesday addressing the criticism in the wake of the rally. On Saturday, in anticipation of escalatory violence to come, we tweeted a promotion of a rally in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We understand why many, including our allies, were shocked by the timing and the tone of this message in a moment of profound fear and grief. We are sorry for the confusion our post caused and for not making our values explicit, the group wrote. More than 1,000 Israelis have been killed since Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, launched attacks against Israel over the weekend. Hundreds of Palestinians have also been killed in ensuing fighting in Gaza. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Tennessee man is accused of sending imagery of children being sexually abused during his time working at a middle school, officials say. The Coffee County man, identified as 48-year-old Daniel Gregory, was a middle school counselor for several years in Rutherford County, officials say. He was arrested Monday, Oct. 9, on several charges of child sexual crimes, according to an Oct. 10 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation news release. A Rutherford County Schools spokesperson sent an email alerting students parents at Siegel Middle School, where Gregory worked, and Siegel High School, about the recent charges. Gregory had worked within the school system since Aug. 15, 2006, according to the email. School officials clarified no children from Rutherford County Schools are involved in the alleged crimes. An investigation was initially launched Sept. 25 to look into an online user who was sending child abuse material via a website on the internet, according to officials. Through their investigation, TBI special agents eventually identified the suspect as Gregory, officials say. Gregory was arrested Monday by agents with the TBI Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, as well as deputies from Coffee County and Rutherford County, according to officials. His charges were 11 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, investigators say. Gregory resigned from his position upon learning of the charges, the Rutherford County Schools spokesperson wrote. We know this information is concerning to parents and students, and we too are disturbed by the charges, the email read. Gregory was booked in the Coffee County Jail following his arrest, TBI officials said. He is held on a $950,000 bond. TBI did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on Oct. 11. Rutherford County borders Davidson County, where Nashville is located. Coffee County borders southeastern Rutherford County. Day care workers plan to pay $150 to sexually assault teen foiled in Florida, cops say Worker punished after reporting Florida city hired registered sex offender, lawsuit says Social worker engaged in sex acts with 13-year-old she was counseling, Ohio cops say Israel has amassed 100,000 troops as well as a number of tanks on the border to Gaza as part of a likely build-up for an anticipated land attack on Gaza. The army is mobilizing a total of 360,000 reservists, even as airstrikes have hammered the Gaza Strip in the days following the Palestinian militant group Hamass surprise attack that killed more than 900 Israelis. Read More: A Surprise Attack Upends Israel and the Middle East Israelis and Palestinians alike are now anticipating what just a few days ago seemed almost unimaginable: a large-scale Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Oct. 10 that Israel is moving to a full offense and will attack Hamas without restraint or compromise. Israel has declared war on Hamas, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed that the Israeli military will use all its might to destroy Hamas military capabilities. Heres what to expect from Israels war against Hamas and the consequences it will have on Israel, Gaza, and the region: A long, ground operation is likely The Israeli government has not yet announced what will follow the Israel Defense Forcess total blockade of Gaza and the bombardment of more than 1,300 targets in the sealed-off Palestinian territory. But according to experts, a ground invasion seems increasingly likely. The Israeli Security Cabinet announced on Oct. 8 that the goal of Israels military operation is to achieve the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas. For Israel to land a decisive blow on Hamas, air strikes alone will not be enough, military experts say. If you look at the objectives, they can only be achieved through a ground maneuver, says Yaakov Lappin, an Israel-based military analyst. Read More: What an Israeli Ground Invasion Would Mean for Gaza The initial picture that I believe is forming is one of an extensive ground operation that will involve large numbers of infantry, armored artillery units, close cooperation with the Air Force, intense urban warfare, and searching out Hamas leaders and operatives until most of Hamass military is dead, says Lappin. While it is too early to know how long Israels military response will last, experts believe that extensive military operations will last into the weeks and months ahead. Difficult fighting ahead An attack of the scale that seems likely would be the most extensive Israeli ground operation since at least the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, says Michael Eisenstadt, director of the Military and Security Studies Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. If Israeli troops do get sent in, they face an adversary in Hamas that knows the terrain and has a track record of hiding behind the civilian population, making military action more difficult. Gaza is particularly challenging and youve had an adversary who has probably spent the last decade and a half since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip preparing for such a moment, says Eisenstadt. Complicating efforts further is the elaborate web of tunnels Hamas has built that crisscross Gaza, says Daphne Richemond-Barak, assistant professor and counterterrorism expert at Reichman University in Israel. These provide Hamas with a mode of subterranean transport, a place to hide, and a covert means of communication that are not easily disrupted by Israeli military action. It neutralizes or diminishes the asymmetry between Hamas and Israel, says Richemond-Barak. Despite these challenges, Israels military capabilities far outstrip those of Hamas. It should be able to seriously weaken Hamas, experts say. The important question is how many many lives this will cost on both sides. Hostages will complicate the conflict Even as President Netanyahu has promised that every place from which Hamas operates will turn into ruins, the hostages that Hamas has already taken may complicate Israels aims of a swift and decisive response. Hamas fighters are holding dozens of captives and have already threatened to kill civilian hostages if Israel hits civilians in Gaza. So far, however, there is little sign that Hamass threats will slow Israels response. Netanyahus far-right partners in government have called for the Israeli army to prioritize an overwhelming response over the captives. Even as Israelis worry about captured loved ones, there appears to be little appetite among leaders to negotiate a deal, which could involve freeing thousands of imprisoned Palestinians, with the group responsible for so much bloodshed. Its a secondary consideration, says Efraim Inbar, President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security. I dont think we will give in to the blackmail of Hamas. That could still change as the conflict drags on. In 2011, Israel exchanged more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for a single captive Israeli soldier. Both Qatar and Egypt are reportedly holding talks with Hamas and Israel in the hopes of arranging a possible prisoner swap. But so far, Israeli officials have denied any involvement in negotiating an exchange of captives. Hamas may also decide to use the hostages as human shields, spreading them out across key military locations in an attempt to protect Hamas strongholds from Israeli strikes, warns Richemond-Barak. Read More: Biden Faces Hard Choices on American Hostages in Gaza Israels government will have to weigh the political costs of the potential loss of hostages up against the risk of setting a precedent by allowing the enemys taking of hostages to get in the way of a military response, says Anthony H. Cordesman, an expert on warfare in the Middle East at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. By not reacting, you may see a lot more hostages taken in the future. How heavily will Hezbollah get involved? Israel Defense Forces and various militants in Lebanon exchanged strikes across Israels northern border on Tuesday, raising fears in Israel that Hamass ally, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, may get more directly involved in the conflict by opening a second front in the Galilee and Golan Heights. Hezbollah is far better armed than Hamas, and the exchanges along the northern border risk escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict into a regional war. There is this kind of incremental ratcheting up by Hezbollah, activities that both test Israels responses and also tie down Israeli forces in the north so that there are less forces available to operate in Gaza, says Eisenstadt. So far, Hezbollahs actions seem aimed at demonstrating solidarity with Hamas while avoiding an all-out conflict with Israel, some experts believe. But as Palestinian casualties inevitably continue to grow, the group may face increasing pressure to do more to prove their support to the Palestinian people. In this region you never know. It could happen in a blink, says Richemond-Barak. I really think that this will determine the impact of the conflict on the rest of the world. What happens after war? As the war looks set to intensify, there is little consensus about who will control Gaza if Hamass political and military wings are destroyed, which the Israeli government hopes to do. The group has ruled Gaza since 2007, and some experts worry that the destruction to come may radicalize a new generation of Gazans. Read More: Five Lessons for the U.S. and the World From the Hamas Invasion of Israel The unfortunate problem is if you are too thorough in destroying Hamas, you may create a worse successor, says Cordesman. Some experts speculate that Gaza may be placed under Israeli military administration or that Israel will launch extensive military operations every few years to weaken future iterations of Hamas yet again. Others hope that the more moderate Palestinian Authority, which has partial control over the West Bank, will be able to regain a foothold in the Gaza Strip. Few experts think that Hamas can be destroyed outright. I have no doubt that through targeted killings and combat Israel can kill a large number of Hamass fighters and destroy a lot of its military capabilities, says Eisenstadt, but you cant destroy an idea. Contact us at letters@time.com. MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee pastor is fighting for his life in the hospital. He is the victim of a carjacking while driving for Uber. On the court, you can find Kevin Simmons, an assistant pastor at Miracle Temple, behind the whistle. Simmons is the senior official for Cream Skills, Inc. It is a youth basketball organization. Its goal is to curb violence in Milwaukee. That is where Simmons met Nigel Harvey. "Kevin is a big prominent member the community and he is loved very much," Harvey said. Kevin Simmons Harvey said his friend was shot multiple times around 3 a.m. Monday. Police say it happened near 55th and Custer Avenue. "He is in stable condition, its not fatal and that's the best thing I have heard all day," Harvey said. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Police say the shooting was related to an attempted robbery. Harvey said Simmons was carjacked. "Kevin would have gave him the car, and they could have just had the car," Harvey said. Nigel Harvey Police say the car was taken during the robbery and has been recovered. But they did not confirm if the car belonged to Simmons. Officials have no one in custody and are looking for the shooter. Harvey said his friend did not deserve this. Kevin Simmons "Of course I want justice, to be served because that is a horrible act to a very good man," Harvey said. Harvey said he is looking forward to the day seeing his friend back on the court. "He is a fighter and we have all the confidence and I have all the confidence he is going to pull through," Harvey said. Nigel Harvey SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips. Beijing's first ICH Week to show world China's change from rescue to innovation 14:01, October 11, 2023 By Li Yuche ( Global Times Photo: Xinhua In about a week, the first Beijing International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage (BIWICH), an event promoting international collaboration in the field of Chinese intangible cultural heritage (ICH), will be launched at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing. Beijing, an international metropolis and also China's capital city, seems to never lack in cultural events, yet the upcoming agenda denotes Beijing's first attempt to showcase its ICH legacies to the world. Cultural sociologist Chu Xin told the Global Times that the ICH Week suggests "a move to globalize Chinese traditions." More than 500 participants from nearly 200 countries worldwide will join the four-day event that kicks off on October 22. Visitors can expect to see around 2,000 ICH treasures from both China and other parts of the world such as Southeast Asia and Africa, regions closely tied to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Although most ICH legacies are "indigenous to a particular cultural context," their sustainable growth is a global issue, making it important for countries to share their "designed mechanisms, technologies and skills" concerning ICH management. Xiang Xinshuang, an expert in the field and an art critic, told the Global Times. Taking the theme of "the great beauty of ICH and worldwide harmony," the Beijing event includes numerous exhibitions. A Chinese tea culture display is the domestic hall's stellar event. Featuring interactive experiences, it displays the variety and different cultural connotations of the tea traditions in 16 Chinese provinces. Among them, Yunnan Province is iconic. The pride of the province, Jingmai Mountain, has recently been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. While sticking to tradition, the BIWICH will highlight an exhibition called "ICH+Tourism," which mainly focuses on promoting tourist destinations across China that are rich in ICH resources like the provinces of Yunnan and Fujian. The "ICH + Tourism" combination has proven to be very powerful. Prior to the current Beijing ICH week, the Danzhai ICH Week was launched in 2020 in Southwest China's Guizhou Province. The nine-day event attracted 260,000 visitors. "Years of development, China's ICH management has gone beyond just saving endangered traditions but also seeking ways to extend their value to crossover fields like tourism, the cultural creative market as well as the educational sector," Xiang noted, adding that such crossover maneuvers are "innovative approaches for contemporary ICH management." Beijing, a city embracing 114 national-level ICH projects such as woodblock watermarking art and silk figurine techniques is only one piece of the puzzle that is China's ICH landscape. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Province ICH Exhibition at the event paints a broader picture for visitors to see the ICH developments of North China. Cultural expert Xu Shuming told the Global Times that the ICH folk traditions in China are known for their "extremely diversified regional characteristics." Taking "traditional Chinese Opera" as an example, the Northern school of Qinqiang Opera differs greatly from China's oldest opera Kunqu (lit: Kun Opera), which originated in Jiangsu Province. "No matter if it is the singing styles or stories, these ICH opera forms go beyond mere singing, instead acting as a documentary of the social life, cultural beliefs and historical stories of particular regions in China," Xu noted. The main BIWICH organizers are the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and the People's Government of the Beijing Municipality. Other than exhibitions, the forum discussion "ICH Protection and Contemporary Practice" will also be launched. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) City officials and community members including (from 4th left) Ald. Bob Bauman, Sharlen Moore, director of Urban Underground and a member of Merrill Park Neighbors, Barb Scotty, community engagement coordinator for Near West Side Partners, Valerie Langston, a Merrill Park resident, Milwaukee Fire Department Chief, Aaron Lipski, Milwaukee County Supervisor, David Crowley, and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, celebrate the ribbon cutting during a Milwaukee Fire Department ceremony commemorating the recommissioning of Engine Company 28 on 424 North 30th Street in Milwaukee on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Its the first fire station added to the Milwaukee Fire Department since 1956. In recent years, one of the biggest recurring themes in budget season in Milwaukee is learning which fire stations could close the following year due to budget cuts. This year, its the opposite. With a new state law in place that increases local government funding, and allows Milwaukee to pursue a sales tax, the talk this year is where and when the city can start reopening fire stations. It is no small matter for the city, Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said during a budget hearing for his department Wednesday. In 2024, the Fire Department expects to reopen one station and create another paramedic unit under Johnsons proposed budget. And in the years to come, Lipski said, another four stations could reopen and two more paramedic units could be created. Coupled with the surprise reopening of a station on the citys west side in January of this year as a result of a partnership with the nearby Wauwatosa Fire Department reopening another five stations in the coming years would nearly return the Fire Department to the footprint it had in 2018. Seven fire stations have closed in Milwaukee since then a 20% reduction which Lipski has frequently said has strained emergency services and burnt out first responders. I feel like Ive been a broken record for a long time, Lipski said. Which Milwaukee fire station might reopen in 2024? At Wednesdays hearing, Lipski said he and other fire officials were days away from selecting a fire station to reopen under the proposed 2024 budget. He listed three candidates at these locations: South 13th Street and West Layton Avenue East Brady Street and North Franklin Place West 8th Avenue and South Hayes Street He said he's considering geographic positioning and the calls for service from the past four or five years to select one of the three stations. During his presentation, Lipski displayed data showing that the departments average time to get all the necessary units to the scene of a structure fire doubled in recent years. The average time had stayed relatively flat at five minutes and 45 seconds from at least 2016 to 2021. The average time then climbed to 10 minutes in 2022 and has stayed flat in 2023. Lipski said the reopening of a fire station on the citys west side in January at 424 N. 30th St. helped keep that average time flat in 2023. He said the reopening of additional fire stations should result in improved response times. Were starting to get our arms around it, he said. What other stations could potentially open in the next few years? Earlier this year, a new state law known as Act 12 helped Milwaukee avoid deep service cuts by boosting local government funding and allowing Milwaukee to institute a sales tax. Those two mechanisms could result in a combined increase of more than $200 million in funding in 2024. The law also mandates that the Milwaukee Fire Department increase its daily staffing from the present 192 workers to 218 by the end of the 10th year after the sales tax goes into effect. With that roadmap of increased resources, Lipski anticipated the Fire Department could potentially reopen another four fire stations after 2024 and add two more paramedic units. In addition to the three stations Lipski said could be selected for reopening in 2024, other recently-shuttered stations that could reopen include: South 1st Street and West Virginia Street North 13th Street and West Reservoir Avenue South 84th Street and West O Connor Street Private ambulance companies stabilizes, Lipski says Two years ago, Milwaukees private ambulance system experienced a breakdown that continued to strain resources for first responders. On Wednesday, though, Lipski reported the private ambulance system has since stabilized. Its doing loads better, he said. Private ambulances respond to lower-level 911 calls to provide basic life support services in Milwaukee. The breakdown was caused in 2021 when multiple companies began struggling with a worker shortage and as a result, their calls for service. The Fire Department tried several creative solutions to navigate the issues. It agreed to train people in EMT services before handing them off to work for the private ambulance companies. The department also assigned at least two of its own ambulances to assist private companies with lower-level emergencies. Lipski said those efforts have since ended. Ambulance companies have been able to raise pay and retain workers, he said. But the city is still helping those companies. In 2023, the city allocated $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to the industry. In Johnsons 2024 proposed budget, the city would allocate $6.25 million in tax levy funding. Lipski said he expects those subsidies to decrease over time as the private ambulance industry continues to claw back from its worker shortage. Alison Dirr of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 1 of these 3 Milwaukee Fire Department stations could reopen in 2024 People hold up signs and flags to show their support for Palestinians impacted by Saturday's bombing in Gaza on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. For the few hundred Palestinian-Americans and their supporters who gathered Tuesday evening outside the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis needs to be seen in much larger context than last Saturday and days since then. They see Israel as an occupying force that has long mistreated and subjugated the Palestinian people. "The anguish that the members of the Jewish community feel, we've been feeling it for 75 years," said Munjed Ahmad, a board member of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest mosque. "We've felt that pain for decades." In front of a crowd waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyeh, or black and white checkered scarves, Ahmad read a statement from Mohammad Hamad, of Brookfield, who said his 66-year-old sister was killed during Israeli airstrikes Monday in Gaza while on a trip to the market for food and supplies. The woman, Faheemah Jameel Hamad, was educated in Egypt and worked as a speech therapist, special education teacher and school principal in Gaza, a narrow strip of territory with over 2 million residents. She worked with children who had suffered trauma and lost their ability to speak. She also was the caregiver for her elderly mother, Hamad said. "During her short trip to the market, Faheema was murdered by massive bombs dropped into the civilian market by Israel's ruthless army," Hamad said in the statement. Mohammad Hamad of Brookfield is pictured with his older sister, Faheemah Jameel Hamad, 66, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Monday while out at a market buying food and supplies. She worked with children who suffered trauma and lost the ability to speak and was her mother's caregiver. More: US death toll rises to 22; Hamas denies targeting kids; misery across Gaza: Live updates The airstrikes were in retaliation for Hamas launching a massive, coordinated attack on Israeli towns Saturday, killing hundreds of civilians and taking over 150 people hostage. Militants gunned down people in their homes and cars, at bus stops and at a music festival. Israel declared war in response and vowed a complete siege of Gaza. Its bombing campaign has intensified in recent days, reducing buildings to rubble in the densely populated strip of land. Israel has cut off food, water and fuel to Gaza; hospitals there said supplies and fuel for generators were running out. Hamas has warned it will kill an Israeli hostage every time Israel bombs civilian targets in Gaza without warning. President Joe Biden on Tuesday condemned Hamas' attack on Israel as "pure, unadulterated evil" and an act of terrorism, using terms such as "butchered," "slaughtered" and "atrocities." Biden said Hamas' threat about killing hostages violates "every code of human morality," comparing Hamas' "blood-thirstiness" to the worst rampages of ISIS. The United States and the European Union have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel as of Wednesday. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. People hold up signs and flags to show their support for Palestinians on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Palestinian-Americans decry deaths of innocent civilians Ahmad, the mosque board member, argued it was important to call attention to the deaths of Palestinian civilians as well as Israelis. "Any death of any innocent person is tragic, and no one in their right mind would be celebrating or happy at the death of innocent people, period, full stop," he said. "But that has to be any innocent people. It's not selective." The Gaza Health Ministry said 60 percent of the wounded were women and children, a statistic those at the Milwaukee rally argued was evidence of Israel's "inhumane attacks." Othman Atta, director of the Islamic Society, said it amounted to collective punishment, a war crime under international law, which punishes a group for the actions of individuals. "This is not, as Israel is trying to say, a war against Hamas. It is a war against the millions of Palestinians who reside in Gaza," Atta said. Those at the rally criticized Biden for siding with Israel and called on the U.S. to end military aid to Israel. "Mr. President, you couldn't be a bigger hypocrite when it comes to human rights," Ahmad told the crowd, earning cheers and applause. "The lives of Palestinian people are worth just as much as anybody else." Palestinians are one of the largest ethnic groups in the local Muslim community, leaders said. Atta estimated there are roughly 10,000 Palestinian-Americans in southeast Wisconsin, a region that includes Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. Esam Sakalla, of Franklin, who brought his three children to the rally, said bombs destroyed his relatives' homes in Gaza. He tried to figure out a way to get them out of the territory, but it's impossible, he said. They are worried for their safety and have been sending him texts that read, "This might be the last time you talk to us." "There is no differentiation between women, elderly people, or even kids," Sakala said. A Israeli military spokesperson said the country was trying to evacuate civilian populations from areas where Hamas has a military presence before unleashing powerful destruction. The name Hamas was largely absent from the speeches Tuesday in Milwaukee. The focus was on civilian deaths. Palestinian-Americans are feeling the pain of the loss of innocent lives, said Khadijah Sarsour, 22, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student studying psychology. "It hurts us when we wake up, when we go to sleep, because everyone's dying," she said. Othman Atta speaks at a rally in support of Palestinians on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Protesters criticize Israeli mistreatment of Palestinians Those at the rally looked beyond the recent outbreak in violence and said they wanted an end to what they see as an Israeli occupation. Wasim Mohamed, 20, a UW-Milwaukee student in computer engineering, lived his first 18 years in the West Bank, another Palestinian territory. It is controlled by the Palestinian Authority, but the Israeli military maintains numerous checkpoints across the territory. While back home last summer, at a checkpoint between towns, he handed an Israeli soldier his American identification card and the soldier pointed a gun at him for no reason, he said. His point was that such actions create an environment of fear. "They try to shoot us when we don't do anything," Mohamed said. Tensions have been high in recent months in the West Bank amid clashes between Jewish settlers living in unauthorized outposts and Palestinians, who say mounting settler violence has gone unchecked. One woman at the rally, Khitam Atshan, who is originally from Ramallah in the West Bank, criticized a comment from the Israeli defense minister who said, "We are fighting human animals," apparently referring to Hamas fighters. Atshan argued it was another example of Israel's dehumanizing treatment of Palestinians. "We like peace. But give it to us," she said. Ahmad Owais, of Milwaukee, at the rally with his two children, ages 5 and 4, is grateful to be able to raise his kids safely in the U.S. But he worries about his brother's children, who live in the West Bank. Making a point about their shared humanity, Owais said his children are smart and will have opportunities in America, but they'd be smart if they lived in Palestinian territories, too. "The kids here or there are the same," he said. Abeer Ayesh, of Franklin, who brought her four daughters to the rally, said it has been nerve-wracking to see the death toll of children rise in Gaza, which she called "a literal prison." Advocates are concerned that safe places in Gaza are dwindling as Israeli airstrikes level entire city blocks. A border crossing to Egypt has been blocked, and aid groups are calling for corridors to bring in supplies. "All they want is to be able to live freely and have the rights that every other human being wants, and they are not given that fair right," Ayesh said. Ahmad believes the death toll will rise "exponentially" in the coming days. But he also believes in the strength of the Palestinian people. "The Palestinian people will show what they've always shown in the last 75 years, which is resilience. They will show a steadfastness and a resolve to be free," he said. "I don't think they have a choice." "You can put a lion in a corner for so long and it's not going to come out purring," he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also covered a gathering of Jewish community members Monday evening in Fox Point as they pledged support for Israel. Read the story here. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Palestinians denounce deadly Israeli airstrikes in Gaza Minnesota DFL chair Ken Martin lambasted the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America on Tuesday after the group shared a "statement of solidarity with Palestine" in the wake of Hamas attacks on Israel. In its statement Monday, the Twin Cities socialist chapter made no mention of the Israeli civilians who were killed by Hamas militants, instead saying its members "are heartbroken" over the "violence, harassment, and intimidation" that Palestinians have endured from Israel over the years. "We are resolved to proclaim 'From the River, to the Sea, Palestine will be free!' today and until liberation," the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter's statement said. Martin called the statement "appalling" in a social media post Monday. "'From the river to the sea' is a chant used by extremists to support the destruction of Israel. It is appalling to embrace this rhetoric in this statement, which also doesn't even acknowledge the slaughter of Israeli & American civilians," he wrote. "This is disgusting." Martin further criticized the socialist group on Tuesday. "The Twin Cities DSA ignored despicable inhumane acts of Hamas terrorists, acting as if this is all justified by previous wrongs," Martin said Tuesday. "When 9/11 happened we didn't try to two-side the issue terrorists attacked our country, people died, and it needed to be loudly condemned." Martin said his mother is Jewish and they have relatives who died in the Holocaust. The state DFL leader said people "can hold two truths at once" that Hamas' attacks on Israel were wrong and that Palestinians' human rights should also be protected. Kip Hedges, co-chair of the Twin Cities socialist chapter, did not respond to a request for comment. Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey , who is Jewish, also criticized the chapter's statement on Tuesday, as did state Republican leaders. Frey said "critique of the policies of Israel's ruling coalition is fair game, but to do so while ignoring the atrocities committed against Jews, days ago and historically, will only let history repeat itself." Minnesota House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said elected officials who have been endorsed by the Twin Cities socialist group should denounce its recent statement. "This is a time where all Minnesotans should be coming together to denounce the horrific terrorist attacks and offer our prayers and support for the Israeli people, including the 11 American citizens who lost their lives," Demuth said in a statement Tuesday. Rift among Democrats Tensions between the established DFL Party and the ascendant Democratic Socialists of America chapter have been growing inside Minneapolis politics in recent years. A potential inflection point is happening right now: Voting is underway for all 13 City Council seats, with the balance of power between Democrats and a more progressive coalition including a slate of DSA-backed candidates at stake. The DSA's growing influence in the political grassroots this year reached a point where a number of DSA-backed candidates also won DFL endorsements, to the chagrin of relatively moderate figures, including Frey. The Star Tribune asked all five DSA candidates in the Minneapolis election to comment on the chapter's latest statement. As of late Tuesday afternoon, none had. A similar intra-left fight has surfaced in St. Paul, where all seven City Council seats are on the ballot and two candidates claim DSA membership and the group's endorsement. Those two candidates also didn't respond to requests for comment. Over the weekend, leading congressional lawmakers from Minnesota were quick to show support for Israel. "America stands firmly with Israel and condemns the heinous attacks being perpetrated by Hamas terrorists," GOP U.S. House Minority Whip Tom Emmer posted Saturday. "We will support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves." Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, who is Jewish, said on social media Saturday morning that "America stands with Israel. The thousands of rockets and attacks on innocent civilians by Iranian-backed Hamas is depraved." A bipartisan congressional resolution supporting Israel "as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists" was announced Tuesday, initially drawing around 390 sponsors and co-sponsors in the U.S. House, according to a news release. Every member of Minnesota's House delegation signed onto the resolution except Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, according to a list provided by a spokesperson for a lawmaker leading the resolution. Omar's spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Omar and fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum have been outspoken defenders of Palestinian human rights over the years. In a Saturday post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Omar condemned the attacks by Hamas on civilians in Israel. On Monday, Omar posted that "As the world is condemning Hamas's attacks, we must also oppose an Israeli military response that has already taken the lives of hundreds of Palestinians, including nearly two dozen children." "Instead of continuing unconditional weapons sales and military aid to Israel, I urge the United States at long last to use its diplomatic might to push for peace," Omar added. Staff writers Dave Orrick and Hunter Woodall contributed to this report. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Clark County School District Police arrested a minor at a Las Vegas high school Wednesday morning after a weapon was found on campus. According to a message sent by the principal at Green Valley High School, CCSD police officers were made aware of the possibility that a student had a weapon on Oct. 11. Shortly after, they located a firearm. The message sent to parents stated that a minor was arrested. Additional police were on campus out of an abundance of caution. The letter sent by the principal is as follows: This is Kent Roberts, principal at Green Valley High School. As principal, my top priority is to ensure your child is safe at school, and to keep you informed of important issues happening within our school community. Today, our Clark County School District Police officers were made aware of the possibility that a student was in possession of a weapon and located a firearm. A juvenile was arrested. Additional police were on campus out of an abundance of caution. Please take this opportunity to discuss school safety with your students. Parents, please remind your student to never hesitate reporting anything that may be a possible safety issue to an adult. Students and parents can also make reports through the SafeVoice reporting system by calling 1-833-216-SAFE (7233), through the website at safevoicenv.org or through the free downloadable phone app. Thank you for your continued support. It is only with your help by sharing information about possible disruptions on campus and talking with your students that we can become aware of potential safety concerns and take proper action to protect our campus. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us at 702-799-0950. This was the 16th gun seized so far this school year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A minor earthquake rattled Los Angeles San Gabriel Valley Wednesday morning. The quake, a magnitude 2.9, struck at 8:35 a.m., according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter was just north of the 10 Freeway in the area of San Gabriel, Rosemead and Alhambra, at a depth of approximately 5.5 miles. KTLA viewer Jack Witte in Alhambra described the quake as a strong jolt. There were no immediate reports of damage. California Earthquake Map Tens of thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California each year but the vast majority of them are extremely minor. Only several hundred are greater than magnitude 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 are greater than magnitude 4.0, according to the USGS. In the continental United States, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. CLINTON COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - A 3-year-old boy who went missing after he wandered from his home in Clinton County was found deceased after more than 24 hours of searching. According to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the child's body was found Tuesday. Authorities began searching for the child after he left his home in Watertown Township around 2 p.m. Monday, which is just north of Lansing. The boy had autism and was nonverbal, police said. When the boy went missing, an outpouring of support came in the form of donated resources and volunteers. Police said they would hold a press conference later Tuesday and may release more details at that time. A man missing for months under suspicious circumstances was found dead in a burnt SUV, Indiana authorities say. Patrick Stern, of Noblesville, had last been seen March 2 in Indianapolis driving a black Cadillac Escalade, Indiana State Police said. That Escalade, state police said in a Tuesday, Oct. 10, news release, was discovered in Indianapolis in early September severely burnt. A body, believed to be Sterns, was found inside the SUV, according to state police. Authorities are waiting on DNA analysis but said Tuesday they are confident the remains are of Stern. The car is believed to have been set on fire in March, the Marion County Coroners Office told WTHR. Sterns death is being investigated as a homicide. Anyone with information is asked to contact Indianapolis State Police at 317-899-8577. 23-year-old called mom for ride then vanished in 2012, CA cops say. Remains now IDd Missing mans body found wrapped in rug off South Carolina road, cops say. 2 arrested Abandoned car spurs search for man shot, taken from Walmart parking lot, TX cops say DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. (WREG) The mother of a 13-year-old DeSoto County student is outraged after her daughter was arrested and held in juvenile court. Cassandra Newbern is still fuming about what happened on September 28 at DeSoto Central Middle School. I couldnt sleep. I paced the floor. Im like, What could my child have done that bad to keep her incarcerated overnight as a juvenile?' she said. According to Desoto County Schools and Southaven Police, her 13-year-old daughter became upset about an unexpected change in her class schedule. Its hard for her to adjust to change, and that was a sudden change, so I feel like the whole situation could have been prevented, Newbern said. The situation reportedly escalated when the teen tore up her new schedule and became insubordinate to administration and flipped off two tables with her middle finger while walking out of the school lunchroom. The act was caught on a security camera. I actually saw the video. She flipped off a table of students, but she didnt use no profanity, but they used that as basically everyone knows what the middle finger means, Newbern said. The school resource officer reportedly contacted a youth court judge who granted a custody order, and the 13-year-old was booked into the Desoto County Juvenile Center in Hernando, a move Newbern calls totally unnecessary. Newbern also said her parental rights were violated when juvenile authorities reportedly questioned her daughter without her being present. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Download the WREG App today and stay up to date with breaking news and weather. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid South. Have you ever been in trouble? Do you know why you are here? What does your mom do? Just questions I feel I should have been present, she said. Newbern said her daughter was released after 19 hours and the charges of insubordination and using profane gestures were dropped, but the teen is reluctant to go back to school. She cried the morning I told her she had to go and shes been crying since she came home like she was traumatized, she said. The teen was suspended for three days. DeSoto County Schools has not returned our request for clarification on whether the 13-year-olds actions warranted being arrested. Southaven Police said the incident is still under investigation. Cassandra Newbern said she is considering legal action. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Two Missouri Republican lawmakers will face off in the race for lieutenant governor in 2024. House Speaker Dean Plocher, a St. Louis Republican, on Wednesday launched a campaign to succeed current Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe , who is running for governor. He joins a Republican primary that features state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder from Sikeston who jumped into the race in July. I believe leadership takes action, so today I am officially announcing my candidacy for lieutenant governor, Plocher said in a statement Wednesday. Together we can lead our state to the next season of conservative accomplishments. In Missouri, the lieutenant governor is elected separate from the governor and runs independently. However, the lieutenant governor is second in line to take the governors office if the current governor fails to complete their term. The office is the ex-officio president of the Missouri Senate and also in charge of advocating for Missouris senior citizens. Plocher, the top Republican in the Missouri House, was first elected to the General Assembly in 2015. In a statement announcing his candidacy, he vowed to protect our farmland from China, our classrooms from liberal indoctrination, our families from Bidens failed economy, and our communities from the progressive crime wave. This year, Plocher was the first major Missouri Republican to publicly acknowledge that efforts from lawmakers to make it harder for voters to amend the state constitution were an attempt to prevent voters from legalizing abortion. In May, on the last day of the legislative session, Plocher said that he believed a majority of Missourians would vote to legalize the procedure, which is almost entirely banned in the state. Rehder was elected to the Senate in 2020 after serving eight years in the Missouri House. The Sikeston Republican successfully sponsored legislation this year that bans transgender student athletes from competing on teams that match their gender identity. I will be the hardest working candidate in the race, just as I have been in my previous elections and working for my constituents, Rehder said when she announced in July. I am a proven fighter in all walks of life, and I stand firm in my Christian conservative beliefs and campaign promises. The match between the two Republican lawmakers comes as Kehoe seeks the Republican nomination for Missouri Governor. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Richard Brown from Kansas City has filed paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission and launched a website to run for lieutenant governor. The city of Modesto has won a $16.1 million state grant to renovate a rundown motel into 54 studio apartments for homeless people. The work at the Travelers Motel on North Ninth Street will likely be done by next October, city spokeswoman Diana Ruiz-Del Re said by email Wednesday. The project includes health and social services for the new residents and relocation help for long-term motel guests. The latter totaled 38 households when the City Council approved the application in May. The grant was among nine announced in the third round of the Homekey program. It seeks quick-turnaround solutions to Californias housing shortage. The money helps us to provide stable housing, which can significantly improve the lives of individuals and families in need, said Jessica Hill, the citys director of community and economic development, in a news release. City joins with Fresno-based developer Modesto partnered on the application with RH Community Builders, based in Fresno. Funding secured from other sources brings the total to about $22.3 million. The site will have 38 apartments for residents 18 to 25 years old and 16 for the general homeless population. Another unit will be for the live-in manager. The prospective tenants will have to go through an assessment of their needs for mental and physical health and other services. The providers will include two nonprofits, Aspiranet and the Center for Human Services, along with Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. The city also is teaming on the site purchase with UPholdings, an Illinois-based real estate firm with a Fresno branch office. We are excited to work in Modesto with such committed partners to create a safe, healthy foundation of housing coupled with the supportive services needed for residents to achieve their goals, President and Principal Jessica Hoff Berzac said in the release. Three other sources of money The funding also includes a $2.27 million loan to RH from the citys federal housing funds, $2.15 million from the Health Plan of San Joaquin, and $1.78 million from a county effort called Community System of Care. The latest Homekey funding totaled nearly $180 million around the state. None besides the Travelers Motel was in or near Stanislaus County. Turlock had sought $9.95 million for 50 apartments made from old shipping containers along South Walnut Road. The City Council canceled the project last month after learning that the homes must be permanent, contrary to a pledge to neighbors. The Claim Management Office (CMO) uncovered 29 inappropriate MediShield Life claims since the adjudication of such claims began in October 2022. (PHOTO: Getty) (Chanin Nont via Getty Images) SINGAPORE The Ministry of Health (MOH) has uncovered 29 inappropriate MediShield Life claims involving 10 doctors during its investigation into all 32 cases processed by the Claims Management Office (CMO) since the adjudication of such claims began in October 2022. In a statement released on Tuesday (10 October), MOH said that among the common errors discovered were the use of wrong surgical codes, over-servicing of patients, and submission of claims not covered by MediShield Life a basic health insurance plan compulsory for Singapore citizens and permanent residents. In one case, a doctor was said to have submitted multiple surgical codes to claim more than S$95,000 for performing surgery on a patient with stomach and intestinal cancer. The doctor submitted a claim with 10 codes when only four were warranted, resulting in an inflated bill. The submission of multiple overlapping codes can result in higher bills for the patient, leading to additional out-of-pocket payments and unnecessary MediSave withdrawals, said MOH. The subsequent higher insurance payouts will also eventually result in higher premiums for all. Another case involved wrongful claims of more than S$5,600 when a doctor performed cross-linking surgery a two-step procedure using eye drops and UV light on a patient presented with blurry vision and long-sightedness. Upon investigation, it was found that the patient had cataracts and should have been treated with cataract surgery instead. A third case involved a private sector doctor submitting a claim of more than S$10,000 for the repair of ptosis, also known as droopy eyelids. Subsequent investigations revealed that the criteria for droopy eyelids affecting visual function were not fulfilled and that the surgery was done for cosmetic reasons, but claimed as therapeutic treatment. MOH said that it is stepping up its monitoring of inappropriate claims and will not hesitate to act against the small minority of doctors who are found to be repeatedly non-compliant despite warnings. Repeat offenders may have their accreditation status under the MediShield Life and MediSave schemes suspended or revoked. In addition, such offenders may also be referred, where relevant, to the Commercial Affairs Department under the Singapore Police Force for investigation of potential fraud, or to the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for breaches of the SMC Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines. Establishing the Claims Management Office The establishment of the CMO in 2022 is part of various MOH efforts to manage healthcare costs, alongside other measures, such as the development and publication of fee benchmarks, the use of evidence-based care practices, and regular surveillance audits. Those efforts, MOH said, will moderate the escalation of healthcare costs, and help ensure the long-term sustainability of MediShield Life funds to protect Singaporeans against large bills for medically necessary treatments, whilst keeping premiums affordable. The CMO also develops claims rules to provide clarity on appropriate claims. With the claims rules and adjudication process in place, the small minority of doctors who may be making inappropriate claims will have an opportunity to clarify and rectify their practices, said MOH. (IMAGE: Ministry of Health) (The Ministry of Health) Support for doctors in submitting appropriate claims MOH has also launched a webpage on the Health Professionals Portal to support doctors in better understanding appropriate claims under MOHs prevailing guidelines. The webpage serves as a repository of resources for doctors to reference claims rules and case studies for educational purposes. "MOH has engaged the Councils of the Singapore Medical Association and the Academy of Medicine, Singapore on the claims management initiatives and will work closely with them on further education and outreach to doctors and patients," said MOH. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Yahoo Singapore Telegram Content warning: This article discusses thoughts of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. Mary Alice Hatch, 53, was desperate to find a doctor who could properly diagnosis and treat her daughter Emily's chronic pain. "We were going to some of the best facilities in the world and no one was giving us answers," Hatch tells TODAY.com. "I mean, one doctor even told us that she had functional pain meaning 'it's all in your head.'" At 14, Emily had been experiencing debilitating pain, primarily in her abdomen, for over a year. She could barely walk. It was painful to eat. She couldn't attend school or, sometimes, even get out of bed. "I was so depressed," Emily, now 26, tells TODAY.com. "I felt like I wasn't living my life, so what was the point of living anyway? If I'm just a couch potato and I'm not feeling well, and if a doctor can't end this, then I have to end it for myself. I got to a really dark place." Emily Hatch, now 26, in the hospital preparing for endometriosis treatment. (Courtesy "I remember her telling me: 'I don't know how much longer I can live like this,'" Mary Alice says. "It was very scary, as a parent, to have your child verbalize their desire to kill themselves," she adds. "We held hands and we said a prayer ... I felt like faith and works lead to miracles, and that has happened for us." What is endometriosis? Desperate to help her daughter, Mary Alice signed Emily up for pain management therapy. During her first session, a pain therapist told her it "sounds like you have endometriosis," a condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining from the uterus grows outside of it and in other areas of the body. Dr. Cynthia Arvizo, a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon who treats patients with endometriosis at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, says the uterine tissue stroma and glands most commonly presents in the pelvis. "Other implants can be in the bowel and bladder," Arvizo tells TODAY.com. "It's also been reported to occur in the chest and diaphragm." Emily Hatch, being weighed prior to receiving endometriosis treatment. (Courtesy Arvizo, who did not treat Emily and has not viewed her medical records, says endometriosis symptoms are most commonly pain, infertility or both, adding that "some people actually have no symptoms and are incidentally found to have it." One in 10 women and girls of reproductive age have endometriosis, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and on average will suffer for 10 years before receiving a correct diagnosis. Emily's experience trying to find a treatment was part of the 2023 documentary film Below the Belt, which followed Emily and three other endometriosis patients as they navigated the healthcare system. I couldnt find any doctor who knew what was going on, Emily says about her pain. They told me I had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and that I just had to be on MiraLAX for the rest of my life. Arvizo says endometriosis has been historically difficult to diagnose, in part because "technically the diagnosis is made with surgery." "Of course, there are other things that can cause pelvic pain, such as fibroids which are also very common and ovarian cysts and IBS that can muddy the picture," Arvizo adds. "There's also the factor that people don't talk about these issues. People have to deal with it for years sometimes and they just get used to being in a miserable state and making things work, which is I think the history of women in a nutshell." After first hearing about endometriosis, Emily and her mom traveled to Boston to see a pediatric gynecology specialist, who after examining Emily also believed she had endometriosis and performed a surgery to confirm. "I had stage two endometriosis," Emily says. "My left ovary was attached to my pelvic wall, which was why I was in so much pain on my left side and couldn't walk very well. "That began my journey with endometriosis," she adds, "and figuring out my treatment." Finding treatment for endometriosis Learning that Emily had endometriosis was also the start of Mary Alice learning how to best advocate for her daughter in a doctors office. The tricky thing with endometriosis is there is no cure for it, Mary Alice says. So you end up going to multiple doctors; multiple therapies; multiple treatments its all so exhausting financially, emotionally and physically ... I remember having a nervous breakdown." For years, Emily underwent countless procedures an upper endoscopy, lower endoscopy, a colonoscopy, and pelvic floor therapy, in addition to countless CAT scans and ultrasounds. She also had a 30-minute epilation surgery to burn off the visible endometriosis, but it just caused more inflammation and pain. Emily Hatch, preparing to receive a scan prior to receiving treatment for endometriosis. (Courtesy "It was very defeating," Mary Alice says. "And overwhelming, because I kept trying to find the next opportunity to help her and we kept getting no answers ... You start losing hope. "You're trying to advocate for your child and you want to be there to support them, but you also are trying to support yourself to be a strong ally for your child," she continues. "I fought with her school, because she was going to fail out of certain classes she was missing so much, and I was fighting for her mental health and physical health. It was exhausting. It's a full-time job." Fed up with the medical community, Mary Alice started making acupuncture, chiropractor and Reiki massage therapy appointments for her daughter, too. While there were moments when she felt like she couldn't trust doctors, Mary Alice says "the medical community has also helped us out significantly." I was very prayerful about where I needed to go and the treatments she needed to have, she says. When she finally got excision surgery I really prayed about that." Mary Alice says that Emily, then in her late teens, was scared to do the surgery. "It was a very difficult decision. But we decided to move forward and it has been a critical component of her recovery that really saved her and reduced her pain significantly. Excision surgery involves cutting and removing visible areas of endometriosis inside a patient's body. Recovery can be excruciating, and there is no guarantee that a physician will be able to excise all the uterine tissue. Mary Alice Hatch, pictured with Shannon Cohn, the director and producer of the documentary film "That surgery changed my life," Emily says. "I could eat food again. I'm off birth control. I feel like I'm finally getting my life back. I still have pain, but I am able to manage it so much better and I've been able to take on therapy for my mental health, trying to rewrite my brain from all the trauma that I went through as a teenager." The years of pain, treatments, doctor's appointments and self-advocacy also brought Mary Alice and Emily closer together, Mary Alice says. "I was very tethered to her emotionally and physically, because I was her caregiver," she says. "We are so connected on such a deep, deep level." "My mom was there for me in every single way that I could ever need her to be," Emily adds. "Without her, truly, I wouldn't be here." This article was originally published on TODAY.com This photo reviewed by the US military shows the United States Department of the Navy emblem hanging on a wall at the Joint Detention Forces Headquarters at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba, April 09, 2014. (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES - A Monterey Park man and U.S. Navy sailor based out of the base in Port Hueneme has pleaded guilty to sending military secrets to China in exchange for bribes, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Petty Officer Wenheng "Thomas" Zhao, 26, has been in custody since he was arrested on Aug. 3. He recently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with a Chinese intelligence officer and one count of receiving a bribe. Zhao worked at Naval Base Ventura County and had a security clearance. According to the plea agreement, Zhao spent between about two years at least between August 2021 and May 2023 sending military secrets to that Chinese officer in exchange for just under $15,000 in bribes. SUGGESTED: US Army identifies 2 soldiers killed after transport vehicle flips in Alaska training area According to the DOJ, Zhao specifically admitted to sending plans for a large-scale military training exercise in the Pacific, operational orders, and diagrams and blueprints for a radar system on the Japanese island of Okinawa. "Mr. Zhaos admission makes it clear that he abandoned the oath he swore to uphold by providing sensitive information to a U.S. adversary in exchange for cash," said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. "Zhao put his fellow servicemen at risk when he yielded to overtures from the Chinese government, a nation actively targeting Americans who have access to state secrets. Im proud of the strong partnerships and hard work that resulted in todays successful outcome." SUGGESTED: Navy officers involved in 2021 Pearl Harbor fuel spill get written reprimands instead of firing or suspension "The swift action by the Department of Justice in prosecuting this case should serve as a warning to anyone who willingly or through willful negligence attempt to compromise the Department of the Navys sensitive information or the security of our warfighters," said A.D. Cruz Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Office of Special Projects. "No matter how long it takes, we will find you and hold you to account. To those still working to assist our adversaries, find your nearest NCIS or FBI office and cooperate before we come for you." Zhao is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 8, 2024. He faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. A Texas Highway Patrol trooper reportedly discovered more than 54 pounds of suspected cocaine in 20 plastic-wrapped bundles, along with four bundles of suspected methamphetamine weighing more than two pounds during a traffic stop Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 along Interstate 40 in south Carson County. PANHANDLE An Arizona man is behind bars after a traffic stop uncovered dozens of pounds of cocaine and meth Monday afternoon near Conway. A Texas Highway Patrol trooper stopped a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a traffic violation around 4 p.m. Monday along eastbound Interstate 40 in southern Carson County, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Christopher Torres, 22, of Tucson, Arizona, was driving the Jeep. During the stop, the trooper discovered more than 54 pounds of suspected cocaine in 20 plastic-wrapped bundles, along with four bundles of suspected methamphetamine weighing more than two pounds, DPS said. A Texas Highway Patrol trooper reportedly discovered more than 54 pounds of suspected cocaine in 20 plastic-wrapped bundles, along with four bundles of suspected methamphetamine weighing more than two pounds during a traffic stop Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 along Interstate 40 in south Carson County. The drugs were reportedly found in a hidden compartment in the Jeep's floorboard and in luggage in the trunk area of the vehicle. Investigators believe Torres was transporting the drugs from Mexico to Oklahoma City. Torres was arrested and taken to the Carson County Jail, charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. DPS special agents and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration assisted with the investigation. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: 54 pounds of cocaine, meth discovered in Carson County traffic stop A jury has issued a $135-million verdict in a molestation case involving a middle school teacher, finding that negligence by the Moreno Valley Unified School District was largely responsible for the abuse two students suffered. The jury in Riverside County Superior Court found the school district was 90% responsible for the damages, while former teacher Thomas Lee West was 10% responsible. That leaves the district with responsibility for $121.5 million in damages. In their lawsuit, the two former students said they were repeatedly sexually abused by West from 1996 through 1999 at Vista Heights Middle School. They said West had previously faced charges of molesting his foster son, and that the districts officials knew, or should have known, that West posed a threat to students. Now adults, the two alleged in their suit that the school district fostered an environment for its students to fall victim to sexual abuse, molestation and harassment. West was arrested on felony molestation charges in 2003. According to court documents, he was found guilty of 10 felony counts of child molestation in 2006. Read more: Moreno Valley Unified superintendent fired after $27-million settlement in a wrongful-death suit The jury recognized the severe and profound effect that this long-term abuse had, said Brian Panish, a lawyer representing one of the former students. I'm proud of the plaintiffs for coming forward and bringing this case and facing the school district in court, Panish said. It was hard, but they had a lot of courage. As for the school district, Panish said, there were many red flags for years, but school officials didnt do anything about it. This is totally preventable, 100%. It should have never happened. They should have protected the kids, Panish said. I think that it shows that this systematic problem is affecting a lot of people, and we've got to do more and more to make sure this doesn't happen again anymore. A spokesperson for the school district called the verdict "unprecedented" and said the district "is weighing its options moving forward." "The Moreno Valley Unified School District deeply regrets what happened to these individuals. Although it happened under a previous administration over 27 years ago, the district understands the lifelong impact of these traumatic experiences," a statement from the school district said. "The district knows that it can never undo the past, the hurt and anguish suffered by these individuals. We truly hope they continue to recover from these incidents." Lawyers for the school district and West could not be reached to comment about the verdict. The decision follows a recent case in which the Moreno Valley Unified School District reached a $27-million settlement with the family of Diego Stolz, a 13-year-old boy who was bullied, beaten and fatally injured in an attack by two students in 2019 at Landmark Middle School. Following the settlement, the school districts Board of Education voted last month to fire the superintendent, Martinrex Kedziora, without cause. The board appointed Robert Verdi, the districts chief human resources officer, as interim superintendent. 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. BALTIMORE Morgan State University President David Wilson pledged a package of infrastructure and policy changes Tuesday night at a town hall with students and faculty, a week after a shooting on campus injured five people. Wilson said the university will ask the Maryland state legislature and congressional delegation for $22,225,000 to spend on security upgrades, including $6.4 million for a wall, $4 million for electronic locks and $3 million on cameras. We are now exploring as a goal to enclose 90% of the campus in order to eliminate unfettered access, Wilson said. In order to enter campus, youll have to show ID or show you are coming for a purpose for which this campus actually exists, which is learning, research, service, outreach and things like that. Thats what the plan is. Wilson said the plan would add approximately 1 1/2 miles of walls around campus, and that the university is also exploring metal detectors and artificial intelligence to detect guns. Wilson, who said he received a vote of confidence for support from Gov. Wes Moore in a phone call the night of the shooting, did not offer a timetable for the changes beyond as soon as possible. Four of the five people injured in the shooting Oct. 3 around the area of Thurgood Marshall Hall, one of Morgan States six on-campus residential facilities that has a first-floor dining hall, were students. All victims have been released from the hospital, The Associated Press reported. Classes resumed Monday after both academics and homecoming activities were canceled last week. No arrests have been made as police released new photos of suspects Tuesday. Wilson said that over the past week an armed officer has been stationed outside Thurgood Marshall Hall around the clock while contracted security patrol has been increased across campus. During the town hall, students described mass confusion in the aftermath of the shooting and criticized the campus alert system and security infrastructure. Over 200 students attended the town hall, which lasted nearly three hours. Some people were in the Thurgood dining hall when all that happened, Kae Dennis, a sophomore from Harford County, told Wilson. They were left scrambling around and wondering what to do. Joshua Hamlett, a senior computer science major from Baltimore, told Wilson the shooting occurred at 9:27 p.m. but that he did not receive any official communication from the university until an email arrived over an hour later. In the moment we were very confused about what was going on. We had all just run out of a building, and then as we get outside, were asking questions like Wait, this was a shooting? I didnt hear any shots. And then were trying to run back into the building, Hamlett said. Morgan State University Police Chief Lance Hatcher said he sent out a text message emergency alert about the shooting at 9:30 p.m. but that students are not automatically enrolled in the emergency alert system. It is an opt-in program right now. Opt in means you have to physically opt into it, Hatcher said. We are exploring with our vendor to see if we can have an opt out, meaning once you register as a student or become an employee, you are automatically opted into the program. Students also said blue light emergency call boxes are not always functional, prompting Wilson and Hatcher to pledge to personally examine each one this week. If you put up walls, who is going to actually watch the walls? Hamlett said after the town hall. If youre not actively enforcing these ingress and egress points, then there really wont be any change. Youll just be confining the area where there might be a problem. Morgan State officials declined to answer questions following the town hall. ------- Morgan State University President David Wilson speaks at a news conference after a shooting on campus, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Baltimore. Multiple people were wounded, none critically, in a shooting that interrupted a homecoming week celebration at the university in Baltimore on Tuesday and prompted an hourslong lockdown of the historically Black college. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) BALTIMORE (AP) In the wake of a shooting that left five people injured during homecoming festivities, Morgan State University leaders announced Tuesday they plan to build a wall around most of the northeast Baltimore campus and station security personnel at entrances and exits. The wall would extend existing barriers by about 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) to encircle 90% of campus and effectively eliminate unfettered access, university President David Wilson said during a campus town hall. Were doing this, let me be clear, not to keep out our neighbors and our community writ large; we are doing it to keep out the bad actors, Wilson told an auditorium filled with students, faculty and staff of the historically Black university. After the shooting the night of Oct. 3 following a coronation ceremony for this years Mister and Miss Morgan State, university leaders canceled classes and homecoming activities for the remainder of the week. Theyre now grappling with how to keep students safe as gun violence becomes an ever-growing threat in American schools. During Tuesdays town hall, Wilson and others faced a litany of questions from students and staff demanding to know what more could have been done to prevent the shooting. Students were walking from an auditorium to the campus student center, where a coronation ball was scheduled to start, when the gunfire erupted. The campus was placed on lockdown and students were told to shelter in place because police initially thought there was an active shooter threat. No arrests have been made, but Baltimore police have released surveillance images of persons of interest and asked the public for help identifying them. Police said they believe the violence stemmed from a dispute and involved two shooters. They said the five victims, including four Morgan State students, likely were not intended targets. All the victims were released from local hospitals last week. University officials said significant security upgrades were underway before the shooting, but theyre now moving forward with more urgency. In addition to the wall, other potential upgrades include installing more metal detectors in campus buildings, exploring weapons detection technology, increasing police patrols and building additional security guard booths. Wilson said the anticipated total cost is more than $22 million. Previous Morgan State homecoming celebrations have also been subject to violence. In October 2022, a young man was shot during what officials called an unsanctioned homecoming after-party on campus, and the year before, a freshman was arrested and charged with shooting his classmate over homecoming weekend. The university, which has about 9,000 students, was founded in 1867 with an initial mission of training men for ministry, according to its website. It moved to its current site in northeast Baltimore in 1917 and was purchased by the state of Maryland in 1939 as it aimed to provide more opportunities for Black citizens. Wilson began his presentation Tuesday with reminders of the universitys mission and core values. He said he spoke with the injured students earlier that day and one of them had a message for the university community: Today may look grim but tomorrow is bright. Wilson also promised to reschedule the homecoming ball that was thwarted by gunfire. Less is going on in this weeks episode of The Morning Show, which isnt saying all that muchwere dialing it down to 95 from the usual 100. Last weeks episode was about the insurrection and the pandemic, two weeks ago saw UBA facing a racial reckoning, and this season opened with a huge network hack. So an episode with just one fiery interview is pretty tame, in comparison. The interviewee is Paul Marks (Jon Hamm), The Morning Shows own version of Elon Musk, who is currently working on a merger that would see him buying UBA for $40 billion. The newsroom throws together a last minute Q&A session with Paul, offering employees the chance to ask him any questions about his plans with UBA. No, he doesnt want to fire a bunch of employees. Stella (Greta Lee) will still be in charge of the newsroom, meaning there wont be a conflict of interest if UBA ever has to cover anything relating to Paul and his company, Hyperion. Alex (Jennifer Aniston) wants to interview Paul on Alex Unfiltered. Just a few episodes ago, the pair began some short-lived flirtations that led Paul back to UBA after the racial reckoning. Now, their relationship is strictly professional. Although Paul is camera shy, he agrees to the interview with Alex. Chip (Mark Duplass) will research talking points, Paul will host the camera crew in his Hamptons home, and Cory (Billy Crudup) doesnt need to know about any of this. Meanwhile, tensions rise between Paul and Stella, who was once an employee at Hyperion. Paul tries to clear things up with Stellahe will kiss the ground she walks upon; he will offer up anything she wants for the news division of UBA. Stella is hesitant about all of this. Instead of accepting Pauls offers, she goes to Chip and Alex with some sort of secret she suggests they should broach in the interview. Scandalous! Apple TV+ It is scandalous, until the actual interview. Alex puts Paul on the spot: Was he responsible for stealing a Stanford students brilliant new tech, leading the student into a spiral of depression where they attempted suicide? He allegedly took the students face identification technology and sold it to police departments around the country, who have been using it to racially profile people. Its all kind of confusing. (He legally bought the tech, so isnt this all squared away? Also, how many times will we hear Alex say tech?) Plus, its not as dramatic as other historic big reveals in The Morning Show. Paul shields himself from the allegations and apologizes. If this were a recreation of Elon Musknot saying it has to be, but come on, you dont get a number like $40 billion out of nowhereit would be a bad one. Musk is unfunny, uncharismatic, and terrible at interviews. He stumbles over his words. He is not sexy. Hamm as Marks is the opposite of all of the above: super hot and incredibly conversational. Paul spends the night with Alex in his bed, thanks to his undeniable allure. Musk could never. Apple TV+ Although Pauls situation with the stolen tech is a bit of a bore, theres a spicier twist. That Stanford student was actually Stella. She offers to quit the company because she hates the idea of working with Paul, but he wants to make amends. Paul will fire Cory when the merger is complete. Stella will take over as the President of UBA. By signing this deal with Paul, Cory is shooting himself in the foot. Meanwhile, Bradley (Reese Witherspoon) has a far more interesting storyline, as she continues covering up her brother Hals (Joe Tippett) involvement at the insurrection. Bradley has deleted the footage of her brother, but every other video she took at the Capitol was used on TMS. Now, in 2022, Hal brings his daughter and wife to New York to visit Bradley. When the pair step away for a second, Hal tells Bradley these are their last moments together as a familyhes going to turn himself in to the FBI. Apple TV+ This is a real Catch-22 for Bradley. If Hal turns himself in, shes vindicated from hiding the footage from the FBI because hes been imprisoned. But then again, the FBI could accuse her of concealing evidence. To convince her brother to stay quiet, Bradley invites him and his family to a live taping of the evening news at UBA, where she not-so-subtly interviews a rioter who has been imprisoned for treason. Hes lost everythinghis family, his life, his joband he regrets his choices. Its Laura (Julianna Margulies) who eventually saves the day, begging Hal to reconsider his plans to imprison both himself and his sister. She begs him to give her a chance at life. Hal agrees and leaves Bradley with a note saying hes changed his mind about everything. But this is The Morning Show, and theres no chance Hal and Bradley are escaping this situation unscathed. They cant stay safe for much longer. Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 12: Daniel Penny is escorted in handcuffs by the NYPD after turning himself into the 5th Precinct on May 12, 2023 in New York City. Penny turned himself in after being charged with 2nd Degree Manslaughter in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely. Neely was killed last week on the F train after being placed in a chokehold at the Broadway-Lafayette station by Penny. Witnesses reported that Neely was acting erratic on the train and screaming about being hungry and tired but had not physically attacked anyone before being placed in the chokehold. Penny was initially taken into custody by the NYPD for questioning and later released. Neely's death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner's office, days after the incident. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images) NEW YORK - FIRST ON FOX: A mother and son hid behind a stroller and a high school student prayed as Jordan Neely yelled "someone is going to die today" before he was placed in a fatal chokehold inside a packed NYC subway train, new court papers revealed. A woman described the erratic homeless man's demeanor on May 1 as "sickening" and "satanic." She allegedly said she believed she "was going to die" as Neely approached her and called the confrontation "absolutely traumatizing." The details were disclosed publicly for the first time in a motion to dismiss the charges against Marine veteran Daniel Penny, who's accused of choking Neely to death in an effort to protect other passengers. The court papers cite testimony from more than a dozen witnesses who were called by prosecutors to testify before the grand jury that indicted Penny, 24, on one count each of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. DANIEL PENNY: MARINE VET ACCUSED OF FATAL SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD REVEALS WHY HE STEPPED IN Daniel Penny (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital) Neely boarded the F train at the Second Avenue station in Manhattan at 2:23 p.m., threw his jacket on the ground and started barking threats and lunging at passengers, according to the motion filed by defense attorneys Thomas Kenniff and Steven Raiser. Jordan Neely and Moses Harper do their Michael Jackson impersonations in front of Regal Cinemas in Times Square, New York City, on Oct. 27, 2009. (Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) Neely, who suffered from mental illness, has a long history of violent attacks on subway riders. A woman, who was taking her son to a therapy appointment, recounted hearing Neely say, "I want to hurt people, I want to go to Rikers. I want to go to prison." She shielded her son behind his stroller as Neely allegedly charged at passengers, she allegedly testified in the grand jury. WITNESS TO JORDAN NEELY CHOKEHOLD DEATH CALLS DANIEL PENNY A HERO A student commuting from her high school heard Neely say "someone is going to die today" then she "put her hand on her classmate's chest and began "praying them [sic] doors would open," the filing says. A retiree told grand jurors that in three decades of riding the subway nothing had ever "put fear into me like that." As the riders tried to back away, Penny grabbed Neely from behind and dragged him to the ground. The pair struggled on the floor for several minutes as two other men helped restrain Neely. Penny continued to hold him in a chokehold after he'd gone limp, according to prosecutors. READ THE DEFENSE MOTION ARGUING THAT THE INDICTMENT AGAINST DANIEL PENNY SHOULD BE TOSSED The city medical examiner concluded that Neely died of homicide from compression of the neck. In the motion, the defense argues that the indictment should be thrown out because Dr. Cynthia Harris, who performed the autopsy, failed to explain in her testimony to the grand jury that Neely suffocated to death due to a chokehold. The lawyers wrote in the filing that the prosecution's expert witness, a Marine sergeant, testified that Penny was trained to use non-lethal chokeholds to subdue an aggressor and that he carried out those instructions. He did not push Neely's head forward and apply consistent pressure on his arteries, which would increase lethality, the expert said, according to the filing. KID ROCK TOP DONOR TO DANIEL PENNY'S DEFENSE IN NYC SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD DEATH Screenshot from bystander video shows Jordan Neely being held in a chokehold on the New York City subway. (Luces de Nueva York/Juan Alberto Vazquez via Storyful) The caught-on-video killing sparked widespread protests with many New Yorkers divided on whether Penny was justified. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's decision to prosecute Penny has been both celebrated and condemned. Neely's family has said he should be charged with murder. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A campaign to raise money for Penny's legal defense on GiveSendGo has amassed over $2.9 million. Penny previously told Fox News Digital in an interview that he doesn't regret his actions, which have turned his life upside down and thrust him into the public spotlight. "If [Neely] had carried out his threats, he would have killed somebody," Penny said. If convicted, Penny faces five to 15 years in prison. A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office declined to comment. Movement of US warships toward Israel could lead to massacres: Turkish president Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is warning against the movement of U.S. warships toward Israel amid its ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. In our bilateral talks, I expressed to my dear friend the U.S. is sending its aircraft vessel to Israel, but what is it doing in Israel? What is it coming to do? Erdogan asked during a joint press conference with visiting Austria Chancellor Karl Nehammer , per a translation by TRT World News. And around the aircraft carrier, which is coming here with the boat and aircrafts on the carrier, what will it do? It will hit Iran, Gaza and demolish it, and it will be a step towards a serious massacre, Erdogan continued. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday to deter any actor looking to escalate or widen the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Biden administration announced. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the decision to move the carrier strike group Sunday in the wake of Hamass multipronged, surprise attack over the weekend. The initial attacks left hundreds dead mostly civilians. The strike group includes the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navys most advanced aircraft carrier, along with multiple missile cruisers and missile destroyers. Earlier this week, Erdogan reacted to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, calling for a restraint from all parties. They must refrain from aggressive acts, he said, per The Jerusalem Post. Pushing for negotiations, the Kremlin on Monday similarly warned of the high risk of a third party entering the conflict. In addition to the aircrafts movement, Austin said the Pentagon is taking steps to bolster the U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft squadrons in the region, with the U.S. maintaining other ready forces around the globe to reinforce those in the Eastern Mediterranean as needed. In a televised speech Tuesday, Presidnet Biden condemned the abhorrent terrorist attacks and vowed the U.S. will fully support the Israeli people. The Biden administration said it also repositioned military assets in the region and began sending munitions and interceptors to supply Israels Iron Dome defense supply. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday it is ready to evacuate Filipinos once the tension between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas further worsens. An evacuation plan has already been crafted, according to AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar. I assure everybody that, with the guidance of our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to execute evacuation operations should there be any further attack, he said during a Palace briefing. What is important for us is the safety of our countrymen in conflict areas, he added. He said the AFP has identified a temporary safe haven for affected Filipinos, as well as airports where they would consolidate those who will be evacuated. Two aircraft will be used for the evacuation, the AFP official said. In the same briefing, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said 70 Filipinos have already requested repatriation from Gaza. For those residing in Israel, de Vega said evacuation is not required yet. Earlier today, the government confirmed that two Filipinos were killed during the attack on Saturday. READ: DFA: 2 Filipinos killed in Israel-Hamas war University of Missouri hazing defendant Blake Morsovillo on Monday hesitated when Judge Hasbrouck Jacobs asked him if he was pleading guilty because he was actually guilty of misedemeanor supplying alcohol to a minor. "Do you need time to talk with your lawyer?" the judge asked Morsovillo, of Springfield. Morsovillo said he didn't and Jacobs repeated: "Are you pleading guilty because you are actually guilty?" "Yes," Morsovillo responded. Originally charged with felony hazing, Morsovillo is the sixth of orginally 11 MU hazing defendants to plead guilty. The charges relate to the Oct. 19, 2021, hazing incident at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, then on the MU campus. During the night, freshman pledge Danny Santulli consumed large amounts of alcohol, becoming unresponsive in the early morning of Oct. 20. The alcohol consumption left Santulli with brain damage, resulting in his inability to see, speak and walk. He's cared for constantly by his parents in Minnesota. Under the plea agreement, Morsovillo will spend two days in jail, but his attorney had arranged for him to start his jail time on Oct. 28, when it wouldn't interfere with school or work. He is ordered under the agreement to participate in-person in a drug education program. He can't drink alcohol or consume intoxicating substances or enter any establishments where they are served. If Santulli's family desires it, he must participate in restorative justice mediation. It involves a defendant admitting wrongdoing and hearing from those he has harmed how they have been harmed by him. Columbia Public Schools does a form of this in dealing with some discipline incidents. The Mizzou Greek Alliance, a not-for-profit organization, recently produced a hazing prevention video for fratnernities. Trials for the remaining defendants are scheduled in December and January. Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on X at @rmckinney9. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Blake Morsovillo receives two days jail time related to 2021 MU hazing UPDATE @ 4:51 P.M. The Mustang Police Department is advising drivers to avoid Highway 152 between Sara Road and Mustang Road as they work to clear the wreck according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the photo Mustang Police shared, a semi truck has caused significant damage to utility poles in the areas. OG&E has also updated their outage map, which shows the number of customers experiencing outages has dropped significantly to an estimate 1,594. ORIGINAL STORY MUSTANG, Okla. (KFOR) Several residents in Mustang are experiencing power outages after a vehicle crashed into utility poles near Highway 152 and Mustang Road on Tuesday afternoon. At least eight utility poles are down as a result of the crash. According to OG&Es outage map, an estimates 4,723 customers are experiencing outages as of 4:38 p.m. For the latest information on reported outages, visit OG&Es website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The Pentagon has confirmed it is sending "new" air defense systems that fire AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles to Ukraine. The U.S. military says it will soon deliver "new" air defense systems to Ukraine that fire AIM-9M Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles. What these systems are remains a mystery, but The War Zone has previously discussed the possibility of a surface-to-air Sidewinder capability for the Ukrainian forces. This followed the unexplained inclusion of AIM-9Ms, an older air-to-air version of the Sidewinder, in previous U.S. military aid packages earlier this year. A new tranche of U.S. military aid for Ukraine "includes AIM-9 munitions for a new air-defense system that we will soon deliver to Ukraine," U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said earlier today at the sixteenth meeting of the multinational Ukraine Contact Group in Brussels, Belgium. The new U.S.-supplied air defense systems for Ukraine will fire AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, an example of which is seen here. David Monniaux via Wikimedia The Sidewinders are just part of the full aid package the Pentagon announced today , which is valued at $200 million. It also includes "precision aerial munitions" (a term used in the past to refer to Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range precision-guided bombs), TOW anti-tank missiles , artillery and small arms ammunition, unspecified counter-drone and electronic warfare "equipment," and more. No details have emerged so far about what these air defense systems consist of beyond the AIM-9M Sidewinders working as their effector. The War Zone has asked the Pentagon multiple times in the past for more information about how Ukraine would use these Sidewinders. As The War Zone has noted in the past, the idea of a ground-based Sidewinder air defense system is not new. Between the 1960s and the 1990s, the U.S. Army fielded such a system, called the Chaparral . This consisted of a turreted four-round launcher mounted on either a tracked vehicle based on the M113 armored personnel carrier or a trailer. Chaparral used derivatives of the AIM-9 Sidewinder known as MIM-72s . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVYocmyJ9I8 Chaparral was exported to a number of countries during the Cold War and remains in limited service today, including in ground-based and navalized forms in Taiwan. A Sea Chaparral missile is launched from one of Taiwan's six French-made Lafayette class frigates (also known as the Kang Ding class) during an exercise. TAO-CHUAN YEH/AFP via Getty Images There is the possibility that the "new" air defense systems for Ukraine could just be modernized and/or modified Chaparrals capable of firing AIM-9Ms. If the U.S. military no longer has any suitable Chaparrals left in storage, it could look to acquire them from third countries for re-transfer to the Ukrainian military. Chapparal launch systems, or just the AIM-9Ms themselves, could also potentially be ported over onto a different carrier vehicle or even a palletized platform. There is some precedent already for this latter course of action with the previously announced plans to send AIM-7 Sparrow/RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles to Ukraine for use as surface-to-air interceptors fired from the country's Soviet-era Buk launchers . Creating an all-new, but potentially more improvised AIM-9M-based air defense system is another option. The United Kingdom has already done something similar with its short-notice delivery of air defense vehicles designed to fire infrared-homing AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) air-to-air missiles to Ukraine earlier this year. However, unlike the AIM-132, the AIM-9M does not have high off-boresight engagement or a lock-on-after-launch capability. So, some sort of sensor, such as a slaved infrared scanner/tracker, would be needed to cue the Sidewinders to the target. One of the British-supplied AIM-132 ASRAAM-armed air defense vehicles in Ukrainian service. Ukrainian Armed Forces Any system making use of AIM-9Ms has the additional and perhaps most important benefit of having vast sources of additional missiles. In the United States, for instance, these older Sidewinders are increasingly available for transfer as they are being phased out in favor of newer AIM-9Xs . Many NATO members who already assisting Ukraine have stocks of AIM-9M or other similar older Sidewinder variants that they are also in the process of replacing. These could be sent to Ukraine to 'feed' these new air defense systems, as well. The War Zone has previously highlighted the similar value of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) supplied to Ukraine using the equally popular AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. Whatever the case, air defense systems armed with AIM-9Ms can only help meet Ukraine's still significant need for short-range point defenses against various aerial threats, especially Russian kamikaze drones and cruise missiles . These have become well-established now as Russia's primary tools for striking targets deeper inside Ukraine, including high-value sites like air bases and critical civilian infrastructure . Just yesterday, a video appeared online claiming to show a Russian Lancet kamikaze drone striking a Ukrainian Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack jet at Kryvyi Rih Air Base in south-central Ukraine. This follows the emergence of footage of an apparent Lancet strike on one of Ukraine's MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters at the same base in September, as well as reports that the range of these drones has been increased. https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1711843075998269528 https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1712160756261646340 Ukrainian forces on the front lines also face significant aerial threats, including from drones and attack helicopters . This only further increases the country's need for short-range air defense systems. With this in mind, other Western countries are also working to further bolster Ukraine's short air defense capacity. The United Kingdom announced a new aid package for the Ukrainian armed forces of its own today that includes MSI-Defene Systems Terrahawk Paladin palletized short-range air defense systems. The Terrahawk Paladin is a self-contained system that includes a turreted automatic cannon and a small radar array, as well as its own power source. Terrahawk Paladin can accommodate multiple different types of guns, including the very popular U.S.-made 30mm Bushmaster II . It is not immediately clear exactly how the examples that Ukraine is now set to receive will be configured. A Terrahawk Paladin system armed with a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon. MSI-Defense Systems The palletized Terrahawk Paladin loaded on a truck. MSI-Defense Systems MSI-Defence Systems says that the Terrahawk Paladin can also be armed with surface-to-air missiles and laser-guided rockets. Ukrainian forces are already using Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) 70mm laser-guided rockets in counter-drone and surface-to-surface roles . Germany separately announced today that it will be transferring more Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine. Gerpards have already proven themselves to be indispensable short-range air defense assets in Ukrainian service. German authorities plan to send other air defense assets, including another Patriot long-range surface-to-air missile system and additional medium-range surface-launched IRIS-T systems , too. https://twitter.com/KpsZSU/status/1712039747323883926 When it comes to the new AIM-9M-based systems that the United States says it will send soon, these look set to be another useful and sorely needed addition to Ukraine's short-range air defense arsenal. UPDATE 10/12/2023: Jakub Palowski, the Deputy Editor-In-Chief of Polish outlet Defence24, has raised the possibility that Soviet-era Osa wheeled surface-to-air missile systems could be adapted to fire Sidewinder missiles. Palowski highlighted this potential combination in a story last year that also noted that Polish defense contractor PGZ had previously pitched a modernized Osa capable of employing IRIS-T missiles. https://twitter.com/JakubPalowski/status/1712379481401278785?s=20 Osa has the benefit of an integrated radar, which can be used to slave its turreted launcher in the direction of the target. An AIM-9M would still have to lock on to the target using its seeker before it could be fired. Combining Osa with AIM-9M, or even IRIS-T, could be even more attractive to the Ukrainian military from a logistical perspective. It has Osas in service now , but has limited options for acquiring additional stocks of the 9M33-series command-guided missiles they were originally designed to fire. Poland has notably already sent some of its modernized Osas to Ukraine, too. https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1616133892993318912 https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1577805710754209792 Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com South Carolina U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace strutted the halls of Congress Tuesday night on her way to a closed-door candidate forum wearing a white t-shirt with a large red letter A printed, drawing plenty of attention. Im wearing the scarlet letter after the week I just had last week being a woman up here and being demonized for my vote and my voice, she told reporters, referring to the U.S. House vote a week earlier to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from leadership. Mace was one of eight Republicans who voted with House Democrats to depose the speaker, the first such ouster in history. Maces vote on McCarthy has sparked speculation about why she did it, as the typically moderate congresswoman sided with members of the hard-right Republican faction on the vote. Some South Carolina political watchers said it was a media grab for Mace, while others suggested it was because of personal issues she may have had with McCarthy. Mace publicly said her vote was because of McCarthys unkept legislative promises to her. Whatever the reason was, she has gained national attention the past week and has continued to find the spotlight since the vote. https://twitter.com/GaryGrumbach/status/1711850806503182435 The scarlet letter A is a well-known allusion to Nathaniel Hawthornes famed 1850 book about a woman who was punished for adultery and forced to wear an A for shame. In 2010, the comedy movie Easy A, also referenced the letter, following the high school life of a teenage girl swarmed by drama. Mace caught attention as she walked in with the outfit and further told reporters, Im here to let the rest of the world know, the country know, Im on the side of the people. Im not on the side of the establishment. I dont answer to anybody in D.C., I dont answer to anyone in Washington. I only answer to the people. Social media users on X, formerly known as Twitter, have reacted with memes and jokes at her decision, some simply making fun of Mace while others implore her. https://twitter.com/nagy_minaj/status/1711856583427137551?s=46&t=rnJk0Ld1i8S74yGu29ly-w https://twitter.com/andreagail_k/status/1711937565212000383 https://twitter.com/JasmineForUS/status/1711905754112823542 It's thought that Bennu formed from pieces of a larger asteroid in the asteroid belt, following a massive collision between one and two billion years ago (HO) A sample collected from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu contains abundant water and carbon, NASA revealed on Wednesday, offering more evidence for the theory that life on Earth was seeded from outer space. The discovery follows a seven-year-round-trip to the distant rock as part of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which dropped off its precious payload in the Utah desert last month for painstaking scientific analysis. "This is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth," NASA administrator Bill Nelson said at a press event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the first images of black dust and pebbles were revealed. Carbon accounted for almost five percent of the sample's total weight, and was present in both organic and mineral form, while the water was locked inside the crystal structure of clay minerals, he said. Scientists believe the reason Earth has oceans, lakes and rivers is because it was hit with water-carrying asteroids 4 to 4.5 billion years ago, making it a habitable planet. All life on Earth meanwhile is based on carbon, which forms bonds with other elements to produce proteins and enzymes as well as the building blocks of genetic code, DNA and RNA. The findings were made through a preliminary analysis involving scanning electron microscopy, X-ray computed tomography and more. "This stuff is an astrobiologist's dream," said scientist Daniel Glavin, adding there was much more work to be done and the sample would be shared with labs around the world for further study. - Biggest asteroid sample - OSIRIS-REx wasn't the first probe to rendezvous with an asteroid and bring back samples for study -- Japan succeeded in the feat twice, returning celestial dust in 2010 and 2020. But the amount collected -- an estimated 250 grams (half a pound) -- dwarfs that returned by the Japanese missions, with Hayabusa2 managing only 5.4 grams. Named after an ancient Egyptian deity, Bennu is a "primordial artifact preserved in the vacuum of space," according to NASA, making it an attractive target for study. Its orbit, which intersects that of our planet, also made the journey easier than going to the Asteroid Belt, which lies between Mars and Jupiter. In addition to scientific insights, better understanding of Bennu's composition could prove useful if humanity ever needs to steer it away. While there is no risk of it hitting Earth through the mid 2100s, the chances rise to around 1 in 1,750 between then and the year 2300, NASA says. Data gathered by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft revealed the particles making up Bennu's exterior were so loosely packed that if a person were to step onto the surface, they might sink in, much like a pit of plastic balls in children's play areas. - Future study - Researchers have so far focused their efforts not on the main sample itself but on "bonus particles," that lay on top of the sample collecting mechanism. An inspection of the remainder of the sample will follow later. Back in October 2020, when the OSIRIS-REx probe shot nitrogen gas at Bennu to collect material, a flap meant to seal the sample got wedged open, allowing some of the material to flow out into another compartment. "The very best 'problem' to have is that there is so much material, it's taking longer than we expected to collect it," said deputy OSIRIS-REx curation lead Christopher Snead, in a statement. NASA says it will preserve at least 70 percent of the sample at Houston for future study -- a practice first started in the Apollo era with Moon rocks. "The samples are then available for new questions, new techniques, new instrumentation far into the future," said Eileen Stansbery, division chief of astromaterials research at the Johnson Space Center. Additional pieces will be sent for public display at the Smithsonian Institution, Space Center Houston, and the University of Arizona. ia/dw Another day, another thing to celebrate. Wednesday is National Coming Out Day (NCOD) in the U.S., a day meant to bring attention and support to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and the many ways they choose to share their identifies with the world. The term "coming out" is abbreviated from the commonly used phrase "coming out of the closest," a metaphor used to describe the process of an LGBTQIA+ person revealing their identity to the people around them. While the term sounds like it refers to a single moment in time, being "out" can mean something different for everyone and often includes a longer process of accepting one's own identity before sharing with a chosen group of people and the world at large. Happening on Oct. 11 every year, NCOD exists not only to encourage and support people in sharing their authentic selves with the world, but also brings awareness to the experiences -- and challenges --members of the LGBTQIA+ community face when deciding how and when to disclose who they are. Nonbinary student wins lawsuit: Nonbinary student ready for 'normal' after winning Oregon school discrimination lawsuit What is National Coming Out Day? National Coming Out Day is celebrated on Oct. 11 every year in the U.S. and is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Besides offering public support and encouragement to people still in the closet, in the process of coming out or who are already proudly out, it also aims to increase visibility around the LGBTQIA+ community. Members of the community (and allies!) are everywhere and initiatives like NCOD serve to remind people not only that the community is present and should be supported but also drives home the importance of acceptance and education. The spirit of National Coming Out Day has always been that the most powerful act of resistance as an LGBTQ+ person is to live our life loudly in a world that tells us to be quiet, President of the Human Rights Campaign Kelley Robinson, said in a statement. The hard truth is we still live in a world where it is hard for many LGBTQ+ people to come out publicly for fear of interpersonal or institutional harm. For those of us for whom it is safe to come out, it is crucial that we do so vocally and make it clear that we will not stand for anything less than the equality we deserve." Why do we have National Coming Out Day and when did it start? National Coming Out Day is meant to recognized and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and the act of coming out, which is a different experience from person to person. National Coming Out Day was founded in 1988 and inspired by the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights that occurred the year before. On Oct. 11, 1987, 500,000 people participated in the march past the White House and through the National Mall, demanding an end to sexual orientation discrimination and asking for more funding for the fight against AIDS, which had become a highly deadly epidemic in the U.S. at that point. Rob Eichberg and Jean OLeary, prominent activists who headed organizations The Experience and the National Gay Rights Advocates respectively, first proposed NCOD to commemorate the monumental moment that was the 1987 march. Eichberg, who later died in 1995 due to complications from AIDS, said in interviews before his death that one of the most important components of the movement and, by extension, NCOD is helping people realize how many LGBTQIA+ people exist in society and even in their owns families, social circles and lives. "Most people think they dont know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact everybody does," he once said, according to his New York Times obituary. "It is imperative that we come out and let people know who we are and disabuse them of their fears and stereotypes. The Human Rights Campaign announces a new theme for NCOD every year, such as Coming Out Still Matters" or the first ever-theme in 1999, "Come Out To Congress. Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, This year's theme is Coming Out Against Hate," which encourages allies to join "with HRC and countless LGBTQ+ people to stand up against hate in schools, libraries, and everywhere they live, work, and play." Taking public action is especially vital this year, said HRC, thanks to the hundreds of pieces of legislation aimed at attacking LGBTQIA+ people in the last year alone. This legislation remains at an all-time high, said HRC, which prompted the organization to declare a National State of Emergency in June. While significant progress has been made for the LGBTQ community in recent years, we still have a long way to go in the U.S. Right now, many LGBTQ young people report living in homes or communities that are unaccepting of LGBTQ people," Keygan Miller, Interim Director of Public Training LGBTQ youth advocacy organization The Trevor Project told USA TODAY. "Its also important to consider the context of our current political environment. More than 650 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in states across the country this year alone. The dangerous rhetoric we hear from lawmakers about these bills trickles down into LGBTQ young peoples everyday lives, and can impact the ways in which they are treated." Trips for trans travelers: Trips can bring joy to trans travelers. Here are tips to make the most of your getaways. Where to go for support and how to find resources People looking to support loved ones in the process of coming out and beyond can also find a wealth of resources online and in their communities. According to HRC, there are an estimated 20 million LGBTQ+ adults and more than 2 million LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. Every person's journey to finding their voice and sharing their identity is different, but access to support and resources are helpful to any and everyone, allies and loved ones included. The Human Rights Campaign The HRC has released three new Coming Out Guides for people who may need advice and guidance to honor NCOD. They also offer webinars and an entire coming out resource page, which features intersectional guides regarding coming and living out for people of different demographics and backgrounds. People looking for a local group in their own community can use the websites' "in your area" tool to find local groups, ways to participate and volunteer and what activity the HRC is involved in near you to support LGBTQIA+ people. The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is an organization which aims to end suicide amongst LGBTQIA+ youth. Their website is chockfull of helpful links, information and access to mental health services. Perhaps most importantly, their website offers a free, 24/7 suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth which can be accessed via text, online chat or phone. Staffed by trained counselors, the hotline is available 365 days a year. They also offer TrevorSpace, an "affirming, online community for LGBTQ young people between the ages of 13-24 years old" with over 400,000 members across the globe, offering a potential lifeline of companionship to people looking for support outside the people in their offline lives. Like HRC, The Trevor Project has a Coming Out Handbook and resource center full of valuable information for people at any stage in their journey. Keygan Miller told USA TODAY resources on their site, such as the handbook, can help allies looking to support their loved ones as well as LGBTQ people. "Coming out is a very personal, individual journey that can look very different for each LGBTQ person. There is no right or wrong way to come out, and there are plenty of valid reasons for why a person may choose not to come out," they said. It is important for anyone considering coming out to know that they are deserving of being loved, respected, and supported exactly as they are. For any young person who feels unaccepted by the people around you know that that is on them." The SAGE National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging The SAGE National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging recognizes that not only young people struggle with the prospect of coming out. An organization focused on supporting and connecting older members of the community, their website includes not only a wealth of information for LGBTQIA+ older adults and their families, but any person looking to get involved. The center also offers their own hotline specifically for older LGBTQ+ people which runs 24/7, 365 days a year and is staffed by people certified in handling crisis situations. They also offer information and referral forms to connect LGBTQ+ older people and their families with aging services, a technical assistance program that provides best practice information to aging network providers, programming to support further education and research for the community and local opportunities to volunteer. You can also use their state search tool to find local resources or check their coming out later in life guide. GLSEN (formerly Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) Another resource aimed at youth, specifically people in grades K-12, GLSEN focuses primarily on education and awareness. GLSEN helps to develop inclusive curriculum, supportive educators, safer school environments and opportunities for people to participate in local chapters, trainings and find help with education-based resources. They have also created their own coming out guide. If you are struggling with your identity and experiencing a crisis, suicidal thoughts or are in need of someone to talk to, contact the Trevor Project 24/7 hotline at www.thetrevorproject/get-help/, by phone at 1-866-488-7386 or by text at 678-678. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Today is national coming out day 2023: How to find support, resources CHICAGO - The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen is celebrating Dia de Muertos for the 37th year. The exhibit remembers thousands of people who died this year in earthquakes in Turkey, Syria, and Morocco. The local community also lost dear friends whose lives and work are celebrated. A commissioned piece, made entirely out of colored paper, includes photographs of victims of the earthquakes, while incorporating Middle Eastern cultural symbols in the artwork. There are multiple altars designed to memorialize loved ones. A leader in Chicago's Puerto Rican Community, Myrna Salazar died this year at age 75. Her daughters created an ofrenda to tell the story of her life. She served under six Chicago mayors, beginning with Jane Byrne. A photograph of the two of them depicts two powerful women. Cesareo Moreno, Visual Arts Director & Chief Curator at the museum said Salazar was a powerhouse in Chicago's Puerto Rican community and promoted theater and the arts. She brought people together through her work at Chicago Latino Theater Alliance. Another Chicago woman honored is Guadalupe Jimenez. Moreno said Chicagoans would recognize her name as a popular neighborhood grocer. "This ofrenda installation by her family sort of resembles that early first little store that she and her husband started in Chicago. Every neighborhood has a mom and pop store, right? And now of course, the name is a well-known grocery store chain in the Chicagoland area," Moreno said. The museum encourages visitors to think about the ofrenda they might set up in their own homes in honor of loved ones who have passed away. "The most important thing is to make it your own. We put up photographs we tell stories, we put their favorite things, their favorite foods is always, always important. And it really is mostly about telling their stories. It's about sharing the things we remember. It's about teaching the next generation about what that person did for them. And it's really a way of keeping them alive in our family even though they're not with us any longer at the end," Moreno said. The exhibit runs through December 10th. The National Museum of Mexican Art is hosting multiple events to share the spirit of Dia de Muertos. By Anne Kauranen and Benoit Van Overstraeten HELSINKI/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO will discuss damage to a gas pipeline and data cable running between member states Finland and Estonia, and will mount a "determined" response if a deliberate attack is proven, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday. Damage to the Balticconnector pipeline and telecommunications cable was confirmed on Tuesday after one of the two pipeline operators, Finland's Gasgrid, noted a drop in pressure and possible leak on Sunday night during a storm. Helsinki, which is investigating, has said the damage was probably caused by "outside activity". That has stoked concern over regional energy security and pushed gas prices higher. "The important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen," Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels ahead of a meeting of the military alliance. "If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO-critical infrastructure, then this will be, of course, serious, but it will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO." Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said "external marks" had been found on the seabed beside the damaged pipeline and that it was reviewing the movements of vessels in the area at the time of the rupture. "We are now focusing on the technical investigation of the pipe damage site and examining the seabed at the scene," bureau chief Robin Lardot told reporters on Wednesday. Risto Lohi, the bureau's chief investigator, told a news conference that anchor damage had not been ruled out, adding: "At the moment it looks like the damage was caused by mechanical force, not an explosion." The pipeline runs between Inkoo in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia across the Gulf of Finland, part of the Baltic Sea which stretches eastward into Russian waters and ends at the port of St Petersburg. TALKS THURSDAY NATO defence ministers will discuss the damage on Thursday when they gather for a second day of meetings in Brussels, Finnish defence minister Antti Hakkanen told reporters late on Wednesday. "We do know that the infrastructure is vulnerable and needs to be better protected," Hakkanen said. Balticconnector is jointly operated by Estonian electricity and gas system operator Elering and Finnish gas transmission system operator Gasgrid, which each own half of the pipeline. The operators said in a statement that planning and carrying out repairs to the pipeline would take at least five months, with gas transfers unlikely to resume before April. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the incident as "disturbing" and told a regular news briefing that the September 2022 attack on the Nord Stream pipelines that cross the Baltic Sea between Russia and Germany have set a dangerous precedent. Those larger gas pipelines were damaged by explosions that authorities have said were caused by sabotage. Henri Vanhanen, research fellow at the Finnish Institute for International Affairs, said the central issue was how NATO would react if there was evidence that a state actor was behind the new pipeline damage. "I think the big question in the long term is ... do we have a clear set of potential countermeasures for such (sabotage) activities? What is the deterrence?" he said. President Sauli Niinisto and other officials were briefed on Wednesday and preparedness levels raised at critical infrastructure facilities, the Finnish government said. Meanwhile, Norway and Lithuania moved to tighten security at onshore energy installations. PIPELINE 'PULLED FROM ONE SIDE' "It can clearly be seen that these damages are caused by quite heavy force," Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told Reuters, with possible causes including "mechanical impact or mechanical destruction." The pipeline and telecoms cable run in parallel at a "significant" distance from each other, according to the cable operator, Elisa. The two were damaged "within the same time frame" early on Sunday, Finnish investigators said, with the pipeline break believed to have been in Finnish waters while the cable breach was in Estonian waters. The pipeline, encased in concrete for protection, looks like "someone tore it on the side", Estonian Navy Commander Juri Saska told public broadcaster ERR. "The concrete has broken, or peeled off, specifically at that point of injury." The damage would not impact Finland's electricity system, grid operator Fingrid said. Gas accounts for 5% of Finland's energy needs. The Balticconnector pipeline opened in December 2019 to help integrate gas markets in the region, giving Finland and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania more flexibility of supply. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, Tom Little in Malmo, Benoit Van Overstraeten in Brussels, Nerijus Adomaitis, Elviira Luoma in Gdansk, Louise Rasmussen in Copenhagen, writing by Gwladys Fouche and Niklas Pollard; Editing by Terje Solsvik, Bernadette Baum and Catherine Evans) BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that while Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks, he expects the response to Hamas' weekend assault to be proportionate. "(I) expect that of course when we see Israel responses it will be proportionate and it is important as this conflict continues to do whatever is possible to prevent the loss of innocent civilian lives", he told reporters. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Alex Richardson and Jonathan Oatis) LOS ANGELES A U.S. Navy sailor charged with providing sensitive military information to China pleaded guilty in Los Angeles on Tuesday to conspiring with a foreign intelligence officer and receiving a bribe, federal prosecutors said. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, originally pleaded not guilty when he was charged Aug. 4. The Justice Department alleges that Zhao, based at Naval Base Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, conspired to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for information, photos and videos of involving Navy exercises, operations and facilities. The information included plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which detailed the location and timing of naval force movements, prosecutors said. The Chinese officer told Zhao the information was needed for maritime economic research to inform investment decisions, according to the indictment. Zhao, who also went by the name Thomas Zhao and held a U.S. security clearance, admitted he engaged in a corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the intelligence officer in violation of his official duties, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release Tuesday. Zhao, of Monterey Park, California, faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He has been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 3. Zhao was charged on the same day as another California-based Navy sailor who is accused of similar crimes. But they are separate cases, and federal officials havent said if the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme. Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, is charged with providing detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in San Diego. Last week, a former U.S. Army soldier was charged in Seattle with attempting to provide classified defense information to the Chinese security services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sgt. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 29, was arrested Oct. 6 at San Francisco International Airport as he arrived from Hong Kong, where he had been living since March 2020, the Justice Department said. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with retention and attempted delivery of national defense information. U.S. District Court records in Seattle did not yet list an attorney representing Schmidt on the charges, and neither the U.S. attorneys office nor the federal public defenders office had information about whether he had a lawyer. An FBI declaration filed in the case quoted Schmidt as telling his sister in an email that he left the U.S. because he disagreed with unspecified aspects of American policy. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) An Investigation into the alleged abduction of three indigenous peoples (IP) rights advocates by state forces in Oriental Mindoro last month is underway, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Tuesday. The CHR said its office in MIMAROPA has deployed a team to conduct an independent investigation into the disappearance of Alia Encela, Job Abednego David, and Jimby del Monte. Encelo, David, and Del Monte were last seen on Sept. 19. They were allegedly taken by the 4th Infantry Battalion (IB) and 203rd IB in Sitio Malaglag, Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. Citing its previous statement, the Philippine Army said the three activists were captured during a legitimate military operation on Sept. 23. It also insisted that improvised landmines and grenades were found in the bags of the activists. BGen Randolph Cabangbang, commander of the 203rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, also claimed that former communist rebels who have surrendered to the government have identified the three advocates as members of the New Peoples Army. The CHR, meanwhile, emphasized the need to implement Republic Act 10353 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 in this case. CHR has the duty to investigate any suspected case of enforced or involuntary disappearance as part of our mandate to protect individuals from grave violations especially when such persons are allegedly put into circumstances that place them outside the protection of law, its statement read. It added that the right to life, liberty and security of all, regardless of political background, affiliations, and ideological beliefs, must be guaranteed by the government. The three IP advocates were reportedly investigating human rights violations caused by the bombing for a "test fire" of the 203rd IB in Mangyan communities when they were abducted. Traditionally crewed ships and aircraft teamed up with 12 unmanned platforms to conduct enhanced maritime security operations in the Strait of Hormuz last month. The exercise involved tracking Iranian navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy ships and small boats in the region, according to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. The integration of new, multidomain unmanned platforms into routine fleet operations provides more eyes on the water, enhancing maritime domain awareness and increasing deterrence in the region, said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, in a Navy news release Friday. The operation came after the Navy sent the amphibious assault ship Bataan and dock landing ship Carter Hall, with more than 3,000 sailors and Marines embarked, to U.S. 5th Fleet in July to bolster scurity in the region. That move was in response to recent attempts by Iran to harass and seize merchant vessels. U.S. Central Command claims Iran has attacked or seized approximately 20 vessels since 2021. These unmanned platforms can assist keeping navigation safe and promoting the free flow of commerce in the region, Cooper said. This enhanced maritime security serves as a deterrent against malign activity and strengthens regional stability, which is good for everybody, he said. The Navy did not disclose which type of unmanned platforms participated in the exercise, but said they included underwater, surface and aerial vehicles. Seven task forces were involved. Navy creating unmanned, AI operations hub within US Southern Command Among them was Task Force 59, which was established in September 2021 to foster experimentation and integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with maritime operations. The task force operates more than 100 unmanned vessels, and it has paved the way for similar initiatives involving unmanned systems in Central and South America. Capt. Joe Baggett, director of maritime operations for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, noted that the command has operated unmanned systems for years, but said manned-unmanned teaming operations will become the norm moving forward. Adding our new USVs, and then integrating all of these platforms into fleet operations, is how we expect to fly and sail well into the future, Baggett said in the release. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told Navy Times sister publication, Defense News, in December 2022 that integrating unmanned platforms into maritime operations would require perfecting the technology so they can operate safely and independently, and ensuring that the Navy develops a concept of operations needed to match the unmanned technology with the manned technology. The third part of that is continue to refine the training and the cultural changes that are necessary so we can train our workforce to be able to integrate those technologies into our warfighting structure, as well as provide the data, the intel and the warfighting capability necessary to support the joint force, Del Toro said. The Department of Defense has deployed multiple assets to deter Iranian maritime hostility. In addition to the Bataan and Carter Hall, the department sent Air Force F-35 and F-16 fighter jets and the destroyer Thomas Hudner to the region in July after Iran tried to seize two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman on July 5. In one instance, an Iranian ship fired upon one of the merchant vessels, Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters in July. The U.S. Navy destroyer McFaul intervened in both cases and the Iranian vessels subsequently departed the scene. Last month, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy shined a laser at a Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed with the Bataan. These are not the actions of a professional maritime force, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command spokesman Cmdr. Rick Chernitzer said in a statement last month. This unsafe, unprofessional and irresponsible behavior by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps navy risks U.S. and partner nation lives and needs to cease immediately. For the first time in over 100 years, a gray wolf has been spotted in Giant Sequoia National Monument in southern California, the LA Times reported. Michelle Harris, who saw the wolf in early July, described seeing a big, gray canine cross a fire road in the area. Then it tilted its head back and let out a really decent howl, Harris told the LA Times. All I could think was, It doesnt look like a coyote, but it has to be, right? Later analysis of the tracks, hair, and scat left behind proved that the animal was a female gray wolf, the leader of what has now been dubbed the Tulare Pack, the LA Times claimed. With her came four of her offspring, two male and two female. DNA analysis also showed that they are direct descendants of the wolf OR-7, who in 2011 was the first wolf in California in 90 years. Environmentalists were excited about the reappearance of wolves in the area and urged the U.S. Forest Service to halt logging projects in the region until their impact on the endangered wolves could be assessed. But not everyone is happy about the news. According to the LA Times, logging companies are resistant to putting their projects on pause, while livestock owners worry that their animals could become food for these large predators. That same fear was behind the original project to exterminate wolves across the U.S. in the 19th and 20th centuries. Unfortunately, removing an apex predator had unexpected effects on the environment thanks to booming deer and elk populations. As in Yellowstone National Park, the absence of wolves affected the entire ecosystem and landscape, and restoring them could have an incredible balancing effect. Farmers and ranchers also have little to fear, as the state of California already has a system in place for reimbursing the owners of livestock killed by wolves, the LA Times revealed. While humans sort out their response to the new pack, Harris said the wolves themselves might have moved on. I havent noticed any fresh evidence of the pack since July, she said. Theres been a lot more activity in the area since then. Maybe theyve moved to a quieter place with room to roam. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Women wearing only "g-strings" while bending over in front of traffic has become an increasingly common sight in National City, California, as prostitution issues spiral after the implementation of a controversial state law, the citys mayor told Fox News Digital. "They're waving to people on the freeway or, just to be honest with you, they are bending over for the freeway. I dont know how else to put it; they're showing their wares," National City Mayor Ron Morrison told Fox News Digital in an interview this month. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 357 in July 2022, which repealed a previous law that banned loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution. The law took effect in January this year, with Morrison arguing that the moment Newsoms pen touched the bill, pimps in the state knew they could expand their prostitution ventures with little repercussions from law enforcement. "The moment it was signed by the governor, boom, everyone knew the rules were out the window," Morrison told Fox News Digital. CALIFORNIA CITIES RATTLED BY PROSTITUTION, HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AS COPS PIN BLAME ON NEW LAW A woman is seen on the streets of National City, California, as she wears very little clothing. "Those that are out there on the street, most of them are wearing less than what you would consider a scanty negligee. It is just flaunting in everybody's face. And so a lot of people are screaming, Hey, you know, can't you get them on indecent exposure? And the problem is the way our laws read in this state. The definition of indecent exposure is as long as the genitals are covered. Anything else is fair game out in public." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP CALIFORNIA PROSTITUTION LAW ALLOWS SEX ABUSE TO 'RUN RAMPANT' IN LOS ANGELES STREETS, VICTIM ADVOCATES WARN California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 357 in July 2022, which repealed a previous law that banned loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution. National City is a diverse working-class city of roughly 60,000 residents just outside San Diego on the bay, Morrison said. Prostitution issues are no stranger to the city, with the mayor explaining that as an urban area, sex workers have been known to cross the San Diego city border but never at the rate hes currently seeing. "Very much beyond brazen," Morrison said of what hes seeing on his streets. Prostitutes gather in a downtown area that faces a freeway and are most often seen early in the morning and around 3 p.m. Morrison added that another new California law that legalized jaywalking has compounded the issues as some women stand in traffic to attract a john. "I was driving on one of the streets the other day, and there's this young lady standing there in the middle of the street wearing basically a G-string, and that was it, and a couple pasties. But she's right in front of my car, I couldn't move. So, I did ask her very politely, Would you please move out of the street? And she looked at me and says, 'If you don't want to talk to me, you can go around,'" Morrison said. Businesses, ranging from mom-and-pop stores to national hotel chains, have sounded off to the mayor that the prostitutes are driving away business and have forced some businesses to refund families who were appalled at seeing nearly naked women while on their California getaway. A suspected prostitute is seen walking past a family enjoying their dinner in National City, California. Even a local school covered its windows after prostitutes were repeatedly found hanging out near its gates, Morrison said. SUSPECTED PROSTITUTION RING MOVES INTO CA NEIGHBORHOOD OUTSIDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL: 'PIMP IS BLOCKING MY DRIVEWAY' A woman in a skimpy outfit walks past a school in National City, California. The windows of the school have been covered up amid an increase in prostitution issues, the city's mayor says. The mayor argues that the issue comes down to Senate Bill 357, which he called an "idiotic law" that should be known as the "Safe Streets for Pimps Initiative," which has allegedly not only left his town and other municipalities in the state dealing with an increase of sex workers on the street, but it has also incentivized human trafficking. "This one has just opened the doors to prostitution, sex trafficking, child sex trading, I mean, you name it. This has obviously done that. And I don't think anyone that is not just purely politically motivated could disagree with that," Morrison said. A suspected sex worker walks the streets of National City in fishnets and underwear. The mayor described himself as a "nonpartisan" who has worked at various levels of government over more than 30 years, whose main focus is to "look out for people in National City and their businesses" and not play politics in Sacramento. Senate Bill 357 was authored by Democrat state Sen. Scott Wiener, who championed the bill as one that would help protect transgender women from being targeted by police. "[The previous law] allowed police officers to arrest a person, not based on what they did but based solely on how a person looks," Wiener told local media earlier this year. "So, an officer could arrest someone because they were wearing tight clothing, high heels and extra lipstick." Fox News Digital previously spoke with members of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), which is one of the largest and oldest direct service providers for sex and labor trafficking survivors in the U.S., who said they supported the bill "because we know that reducing the criminalization of survivors will help prevent human trafficking." NATIONWIDE PUSH TO LIBERALIZE PROSTITUTION LAWS PROMPTS CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING "Traffickers rely on our systems to criminalize victims so that they are unable to access safety due to their records and are vulnerable to continued exploitation," Leigh LaChapelle, CAST's associate director of survivor advocacy, told Fox News earlier this year after the law took effect. "The impact of these encounters with law enforcement reinforce already heightened stigma when someone is arrested for this offense due to the difficulties securing employment and safe housing with an arrest record relating to the sex trade," LaChapelle added. "Violation of this discriminatory law also puts immigrants in jeopardy of deportation, loss of residency or denial of reentry due to a misdemeanor conviction." Prostitution is still illegal in California, but Morrison said the new law has effectively legalized the crime as police back off from intervening or interacting with the women. A woman wearing what appears to be just a bra and underwear walks on the streets of National City, California. "Senate Bill 357, which for all intents and purposes made prostitution legal because what it said is that officers can no longer contact people based on the idea of loitering for the purpose of prostitution. So, it basically tells the police your hands are off," Morrison said. AS CALIFORNIA POLICE FIGHT RAMPANT PROSTITUTION, JOHNS LINE UP LIKE THEY'RE AT 'FAST-FOOD DRIVE-THROUGH' He noted that some of the girls on the street appear underaged, though the amount of makeup the sex workers wear makes it difficult to gauge an age, and the city has previously seen girls as young as 12 working on the streets. "A lot of the times [police] found out that these were juveniles or that they were basically being sex trafficked, and they could get them out of that. Now, they basically have no legal opportunity to even talk to them," Morrison said. National City Mayor Ron Morrison said prostitution spiraled in his city after the governor signed SB 357. With prostitution blatantly on the streets, other crimes have also followed, including shootings and assaults. Morrison said that just weeks ago an eight-month pregnant prostitute was kidnapped, beaten and raped. CALIFORNIA POLITICIAN SUGGESTS FIX TO STATE'S BRAZEN PROSTITUTION: LEGALIZE IT "Those [crime incidents] go on our crime stats. We've had shootings, everything else involving the prostitutes and the pimps. So, those crime stats go on us. These people don't live here in National City and people here don't want them, but we're getting the crime stats," he said. People run and walk past a major bluff collapse on Black's Beach in San Diego on March 24, 2023. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Morrison said he is working with the local district attorney and the police department to craft avenues on how to navigate the state laws while cleaning up the streets. The police department has carried out "john stings" in the past, but such operations require a team of roughly 30 officers, which would translate to half of the citys police force, and weeks of planning, Morrison said. "People here are not happy about this in the least. And the problem is they expect us locally to do something about it. And we're sitting here with our hands behind our back with handcuffs on that Sacramento was placed on us," Morrison said. Original article source: Nearly naked prostitutes prowl streets in broad daylight, but California law ties police hands: mayor About 75 residents angered by the citys plan to open a migrant shelter in the Amundsen Park field house surrounded Ald. Chris Taliaferro , 29th, Tuesday night. Amundsen Park is off the table, off-limits, not an option, Cata Truss, 58, shouted into a cellphone held by Taliaferro, who was on the line with Mayor Brandon Johnsons chief of staff, Richard Guidice. I appreciate that, maam; l understand what youre saying, Guidice said, his answer through the phone amplified by a red and white bullhorn, before Truss cut him off, jamming her finger in the air. No, no, sir, she said. We are not asking you a question. Were saying to you, we want this park off the table. Were saying to you that if you dont take this park off the table, then were going to start looking at other means of having our wrath felt. Although the plan had been put on hold as city officials explored an alternative site, the residents were still wary a shelter could end up in the field house because staff had been reassigned to other parks. So they wanted to send Johnson, who lives in the Austin neighborhood, a loud and clear message. They cant have this park, said Zerlina Smith-Members, 46, who was prepared to chain herself to the field house door should migrants approach the building to sleep there. A silver chain and padlock was draped around her shoulders. The emotionally charged scene Tuesday night is just the latest example of residents from around the city and suburbs who are pushing back against migrant shelters opening in field houses, community gathering sites and empty warehouses. In Joliet, news that the local township would get nearly $9 million to handle incoming migrants prompted immediate opposition from city officials and some residents. Mayor Terry DArcy asked township officials to withdraw the grant application. On Tuesday night, the Joliet Township Board faced residents at an hourslong meeting as they pushed back against the townships request for the funding. A lack of federal leadership on this issue has resulted in asylum-seekers reaching our borders, being bused by the thousands to cities for a political stunt to create chaos and attention, Township Supervisor Angel Contreras said to shouts from the audience. Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants arrive every day in Chicago on buses sent from the southern border. As the weather turns rapidly colder, city officials are increasingly turning to neighborhood public spaces to house them. As of Wednesday, more than 18,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in Chicago since last fall, with many coming to the sanctuary city from Venezuela, fleeing economic or political turmoil in their country of origin. In Ukrainian Village, the city is moving forward with a proposal to house migrants in an industrial two-story building with two bathrooms in the 500 block of North Western Avenue. A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Chopin Elementary, 2450 W. Rice St., to discuss plans with the city, said Ald. Gilbert Villegas , 36th, whose ward encompasses the proposed shelter site. Villegas said the building needs major renovations. Right now we continue to put bandages on something, he said. Villegas said he has public safety concerns, and hopes the city will invest in wraparound services. Hed heard about the strong community response in the 29th Ward and the decision to halt plans there. The community stepped up and said they didnt want that, he said. So is that the key? Just get loud and we will move it? If thats the case, I will let my community know they need to get loud about this whole situation here. The neighborhood has in the past rallied to support Ukrainians seeking refuge, but Villegas said the wave of migrants on buses is different. You have an infrastructure thats already in place here for the Ukrainian community, he said. Theres been Ukrainians in this community for over 100 years. Theres already a network in place, so its a lot easier for them to assimilate here. There are now over 10,700 migrants staying in city-run shelters and over 3,000 awaiting placement in police stations and more than 700 at OHare International Airport. There isnt a large established Venezuelan community in Chicago. nsalzman@chicagotribune.com ckubzansky@chicagotribune.com JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Hamas beheaded soldiers and raped women in their attack on Israel, and he vowed that Israel would crush and destroy the militant group. Speaking in a late-night televised address as Israeli planes pounded Gaza, Netanyahu said every Hamas member was a dead man. We will crush and destroy it," he said of Hamas. He said boys and girls were shot in the head by the invaders, and that people had been burned alive. At least 1,200 Israelis were killed in the attack, which set off fierce Israeli response in the Gaza Strip that has left more than a thousand dead. An estimated 150 people, including children and senior citizens, are being held captive in Gaza by Hamas. Netanyahu was speaking after forming a war-time Cabinet that included his top political rival, Benny Gantz, a former defense minister. The new Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. Still, Israels political divisions remain. The countrys chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join the Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. Israels increasingly destructive airstrikes in Gaza have flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath debris. A ground offensive in Gaza, whose 2.3 million residents are densely packed into a tiny, coastal strip, would likely result in a surge of casualties for fighters on both sides. Hamas launched a fresh barrage of rockets into Israel Wednesday aimed at the southern town of Ashkelon. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza, most crowding into U.N. schools. Others sought the shrinking number of safe neighborhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territorys only power station ran out of fuel and shut down Wednesday. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. Israel on Sunday halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The sole remaining crossing from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit nearby. The Gaza Strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days, said Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, Kannes said. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a reconstructive surgeon at al-Shifa said he had 50 patients waiting to go to the operating room as more critical wounded are treated. Were already beyond the capacity of the system to cope, he said. The health system has the rest of the week before it collapses, not just because of the diesel. All supplies are running short. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days. Residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. Earlier in the day, President Joe Biden said that he and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone on Wednesday with Netanyahu. Biden sought to connect the weekend attacks by Hamas to decades of antisemitism and violence endured by Jews around the world. This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people. And this moment we have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale. Beyond the pale, he said. It was at least the fourth call between Biden and Netanyahu since Saturdays attack. JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forged an emergency government on Wednesday to direct war against Hamas, and his defence minister vowed to wipe the Palestinian militant group "off the face of the earth" over its deadly weekend attack. Islamist Hamas gunmen invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip on Saturday in a surprise assault that killed at least 1,200 people, the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israeli history. Israel has responded with a massive bombardment of Gaza that has killed 1,055, and deployed thousands of troops around the enclave amid growing expectations it will launch a ground invasion to destroy Hamas. In a joint statement, Netanyahu and former defence chief and centrist opposition party leader Benny Gantz said they had agreed to form an emergency government comprising the two leaders and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu said later in televised remarks they had put aside their differences "because the fate of our state is on the line." "We are fighting a cruel enemy, worse than ISIS," Netanyahu said alongside Gantz and Gallant, comparing the group's attack with brutal killings carried out by Islamic State. Gallant, the defence minister, said: "We will wipe this thing called Hamas, ISIS-Gaza, off the face of the earth. It will cease to exist." Gantz, a former Israeli defence chief and general, said it was a time to join together and win. "There is a time for peace and a time for war. Now is a time for war," he said. During the fighting with Hamas in Gaza, the emergency government will not take up any unrelated policy or laws, Netanyahu and Gantz said in their joint statement. Opposition leader Yair Lapid was not expected to join the emergency government at this stage. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Alison Williams and Alex Richardson) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to attend a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem on Feb. 23. Credit - Ronen ZvulunPool/AP Four days after the most catastrophic attack on Israel in its history, the scope of the fatalities and extent of the mental and physical damage have yet to become fully clear. But several things are already apparent. One is that the staggering human toll is almost surely going to rise significantly, as civilians on both sides bear the brunt. The second is that Israel was caught by surprise amid a major intelligence failure, despite all its sophisticated, high-tech resources and capabilities that make it the regions dominant military power. The third (one that very few Israelis may want to hear at the moment, or even be able to absorb, as they keen for their dead and fear for their hostages) is that Israel's decision to divide and control millions of Palestinians, put them behind walls and fences, deprive them of their rights, and implement what leading human rights organizations have called apartheid is not a tenable approach for the long term security and stability of its Jewish citizens. The pressure cooker so many of us warned would explode has exploded. Benjamin Netanyahu , the longest serving Israeli Prime Minister, has made sidelining and ignoring Palestinian demands for freedom and dignity his mantra and legacy. He has repeatedly formulated his policies around the idea that Israel can resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict and proceed to normalize relations with Arab countries without engaging with the Palestinians. More From TIME Read More: 'I Was Saved by a Miracle.' A Survivor Recounts the Horror of the Hamas Attack on Israel's Supernova Festival Netanyahu may have taken this approach further than any other Israeli leader but he is hardly an outlier. Just two years ago, for example, Naftali Bennett, who briefly served as Prime Minister leading a broad coalition government after Netanyahu was ousted amid a graft probe, stood at the United Nations General Assembly and announced that Israelis dont wake up in the morning thinking about the conflictnot mentioning the Palestinians once. And it was current opposition leader Yair Lapid, while serving as Foreign Minister in that same government, who epitomized Israels failing policies by releasing a plan for Gaza based on providing basic economic and humanitarian gestures (such as rebuilding housing and transport infrastructure) in exchange for quiet. For years now, as the peace process has been moribund and the Palestinian political leadership fragmented between factions and geographical areas and is in shambles, Israel has continued to proceed apace with expanding and entrenching its hold over them. Instead of investing in a strategic vision for solving its conflict with the Palestinians, Israel has invested its strategic energy into consolidating more military might and control. Over the last 20 years, and more rapidly the last 10 months under the most far-right government in Israeli history, Israel has provoked instability at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, detained more and more Palestinians without charge, allowed soldiers and settlers to shoot and rampage through Palestinian areas in the West Bank with impunity, and waged several devastating and ineffective military assaults in Gazaall without any enduring international consequences. Instead it has gained diplomatic traction, signing normalization deals with four Arab countries, and was most recently admitted into the coveted U.S. visa waiver program. Even before Hamass surprise attack, 2023 was already the deadliest year for both Israelis and Palestinians in over 20 years. It has also been a record-breaking year for approval of settlements and incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Read More: A Palestinian Story from Behind the Wall Israel does not face any good or easy options right now. Exerting its military might in Gaza is not expected to bring a different outcome than every other time it has done so in the last two decades. Some Israelis, shaken by trauma and helplessness, have called on their government to recognize the common humanity of those on the other side of Gazas security walls. As one mother whose children were taken to Gaza said on live TV, pleading with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to leave the children out of this game, Israels military operations are only endangering their lives further. Lightning strikes as smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Oct. 9. Mohammed AbedAFP/Getty Images If there is any hope at this awful moment, it is that the carnage and despair will at some point prompt all of the partiesboth Israel and its Western backers, as well as Hamas (a group the U.S. classifies as a terror organization that also operates as a political party)to get serious about resolving this decades-old conflict. That would take mutual concessions that no one is prepared to consider right now. The great fear is that these concessions will only happen at a point when the horrors of war grow even further and the limited effectiveness of constant force becomes more apparent. For all of our sakes, I hope we come to our senses sooner. Contact us at letters@time.com. As a national reporter, Laura Meckler is generally introduced as The Washington Posts Laura Meckler. But, as her new book, Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity, makes clear, shes also Shaker Heights, Ohios Laura Meckler. Shes a product of that communitys public schools, which host one of the countrys longest-running, and evolving, school integration experiments. We sat down to discuss her new book, which came out Aug. 22 to much attention and strong reviews, as well as the past, present, and future of racial equity in the Cleveland suburb. You have to do a lot of different things and you have to keep at it, Meckler told me. Thats why I came away from writing Dream Town with optimism. This is a community that is still trying and still looking at all sorts of different things a community that hasnt given up whereas in a lot of America, people dont even care or dont even try. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Lets start with some context: what makes Shaker Heights unique? Whats its history? Well, I think of Shaker Heights as a story in three acts. The first act is its founding at the turn of the 20th century as an elite refuge for wealthy Clevelanders escaping the city at a time when the number of black residents in the city was rising with the Great Migration. Shaker was developed as a sort of best of the best community, with very high standards for architecture and for the people who they let in. And thats how it was for a few decades. Then we move into what I think of as the second act. Of course, Black families could not get in for a long time, but in the mid-1950s, a few Black families did manage to get into Shakers Ludlow neighborhood, and once a few got in, more got in, and soon that neighborhood was rapidly moving towards resegregation. But something different happened in Shaker, something that really sets it apart from most of the country, which is that the white people living there and the Black people living there decided to get together and fight against all the pressures that were leading towards segregation and white flight. With the blockbusting and fear mongering that was being driven by the real estate and banking industries, they chose something different. So they got together and formed a community association. It started out with just getting to know each other, but then it moved into actual real estate, showing houses to white families and even offering second mortgages again to white families. They viewed it as a way to counter the forces that were pressing down against them. This spread to other Shaker Heights neighborhoods, and eventually to the city itself, which chose to be a place that was embracing diversity and promoting integration. So Shaker developed a national reputation as an integration leaderfirst in housing and then in schools. In 1970, a very forward-looking superintendent led the district to a voluntary school busing plan to desegregate the elementary schools. This, of course, was at a time when lots of communities across the country were fighting court orders to do the same. Shaker was embracing it, white families voluntarily sending their kids into the predominantly Black school, and vice versa. Related WATCH: Court-Ordered Desegregation in the 1960s, 70s and 80s May Have Actually Made Race Relations Worse The third act comes in more recent years: a struggle over what racial equity means, over whether the schools are delivering it. Shaker Heights is your hometown, youre a product of its school district. But what brought you to this particular project for this particular moment? Why Shaker Heights? Why now? I first started thinking about reporting on my hometown back in 2013, when I was coming off of the White House beat and onto a beat covering demographics. I heard about a new Shaker superintendent who was taking on the achievement gap and taking on the question of racial equity. I was interested and intrigued. It took a while, but it ultimately led to a story about Shaker. Usually, when Im done with a big story, I sort of take a deep breath and move on to the next one. This time it felt like I had just scratched the surface. There had never been a book about Shaker Heights. There had been a lot of media coverage, a lot of academic work, but never a book for the general public and I felt like I was really in a great position to tell this story. And then the pandemic hit, and I thought, Well, if not now when I have some time then when? So I started working on it in earnest. The book is a story about, as you put it, the promise and problems of Shaker Heights, about its efforts to advance racial equity in the past and present. In recent years, various tracking systems honors and AP classes and so forth threatened the districts equity efforts. How? For a long time, Shaker Heights had this glow, like it felt really good about itself. Hey, were doing this. Weve got this. Maybe you guys out there have trouble with race, but were enlightened, and we are a model. But in more recent years, there was growing discomfort with the academic achievement gap and the racially disproportionate placement of students by academic levels. The top levels the Advanced Placement (AP) classes, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, the honors classes were all disproportionately white, and the regular and remedial classes were disproportionately Black. When you walked into Shaker Heights High School youd look at the hallways, and it would be incredibly diverse. And then youd walk into a particular classroom, and youd say, Is this an all-white school or is this an all-Black school? depending on which level it was on. There were a variety of things tried over the years to try to address this, none of them successful. When a new superintendent arrived a few years ago, he started combining some of the honors classes with what were called core classes, regular-level classes. So thered be kids in honors and kids in core learning together in the same classrooms, with maybe different assignments or workloads. Then, in the summer of 2020, the superintendent made a huge change to dismantle the tracking system. In one fell swoop, he moved all children into the honors level, basically starting in fifth grade all the way through ninth grade. Essentially everything up until you got to AP and IB classes. How did the community react? I mean, thats the central theme of the book, right, Shaker Heights wrestling with its sense of itself, with its priorities and what those actually require it to do. There was a lot of confusion, because a lot of other pandemic stressors were in the air and this change was not well explained. Some people didnt know about it at all. Other people thought that they were getting rid of AP classes. Both sides of that were wrong. Some people were thrilled. A lot of very equity-minded people, Black and white in the community, were very pleased. They thought, Its about time. Were finally taking this on. Others, who felt like these classes werent truly being taught at the honors level because they had such a wide range of academic ability in the class, were very unsettled. Related Where Are the Black Kids? Tracking, G&T and NYC's Top High Schools At the same time, the district was reducing homework and was giving people more time to do work, just sort of lightening the load. That happened in other communities also during the pandemic. But here, it happened at the same time as the detracking. So some people felt like the standards were dropping. Shaker, in addition to having a national reputation for integration also had a national reputation for excellence. So there were parents and students who felt like, Are we no longer valuing, you know, real academic achievement? Are the very top kids gonna be lost in this? Finally, this was sort of sprung on teachers at the last minute. They did not have any training before it happened. It was particularly hard for math teachers. Think about it: all eighth graders were put into Algebra I, which is typically a ninth-grade class. On the honors track its an eighth-grade class. But there were eighth graders in there who had never had pre-algebra, and maybe they didnt do all that well in whichever seventh-grade math class they took. Now, all of a sudden, theyre not doing seventh- or eighth-grade math. Theyre taking ninth-grade math. Teachers told me that the training they got was mostly about the moral urgency of the matter, not the nuts and bolts of implementation. This is exactly what I was thinking as I was reading. Im a former teacher and I feel like differentiation gets treated like a magic wand. It pops up when folks have theoretical priorities that run into practical headaches. Somebody says, OK, well, what are you gonna do about the fact that a bunch of these kids havent had pre-algebra? And then people go, Well differentiate! as though thats just an easy, obvious answer. But differentiation is wildly difficult to do, even if its easy to say! How is Shaker Heights wrestling with the possibilities and limits of differentiation? I did observe some classrooms where I saw teachers trying, and I saw some good things happening. The thinking is that you know, if everybodys talking about the same thing, they can all be in the class together learning together, even if they show that learning in different ways. For example, they can all read the same novelmaybe some kids are writing long papers in response and other kids are doing a graphic panel. Someone else is maybe doing a podcast. I saw an eighth-grade math class working on probability. There were two girls working together, one Black and one white, and the Black girl was lost. I mean she was really lost. I could see she didnt really understand it. The white girl definitely had it mastered, but she was very patiently explaining it to the Black girl. It was helping both of them, because the girl who was struggling was getting this one-on-one help, and she seemed to be getting it. And the girl who already understood, told me later that explaining it to somebody else solidified it in her own mind. Weve all had that experience. At one point in the book, Shaker Heights High School principal Eric Juli asks: what if high schools focused on teaching kids to live and work together as opposed to looking up the Battle of Gettysburg? We dont need you to memorize that, really. But we do need you to be able to live with one another and work together. We often talk about school integration as this strategy in and of itself integrating schools means changing the demographics of a school and its classrooms. Thats the work. Shift the demographics and youve done the reform. We dont always talk about the necessary, discomforting system changes that come next. Julis view is that there are all sorts of ways to learn. And hes very interested in project-based learning. His view is that lets aim for a class thats fun and cool, where you build and set off rockets, instead of just aiming for AP Physics. When I asked him, Is there any value to, you know, reading a novel and being able to write a paper where you explore the characters and themes and show that youve understood it? And he said, Yes, but not every semester for all four years. Racial equity work isnt just about in-class differentiation. Its about shifting things like dress codes, disciplinary systems, the PTO, and such to help all kids and families feel like they belong, right? Absolutely. That might even be the most important thing. What does it mean to feel like you belong? Why does that matter? You think, Oh, you dont go to a PTO meeting, someone else will plan the carnival. You dont need to go. But it does matter, because thats the place where informal information is exchanged. Thats where people find out about the cool new classes or the teachers you really do or dont want. Thats the information that affects kids lives. If you dont feel comfortable walking into the school, are you gonna show up at the parent-teacher conferences? Its easy not to. Maybe its hard because youve been working all day, youre exhausted, your kids havent had dinner, and you dont have any energy left. Maybe you also think, by the way, I dont really like it there. Maybe thats because you didnt do well in school, maybe school doesnt feel warm and fuzzy to you. But if you have a sense of belonging and youre part of this community, then yeah, youre gonna go to Back to School Night. Youre going to the parent-teacher conferences. Youre going to the PTO meeting. Obviously, it also matters for students. Do you see yourself in the curriculum? Are your strengths and accomplishments reflected in the schools trophy cases? How do you experience the schools discipline system? If the Black kids are always, just always getting in trouble, you know, how are you feeling about this? Is school your place, or are you feeling like this is a place I have to go and just make it through the day? One day, Eric Juli was talking to a science teacher whod asked a kid in his class to remove his durag, a tight skull cap that some Black boys and men wear, and the mother complained. The teacher says to Juli, Its against our dress code. Youre not allowed to wear any sort of hood. And Juli said, Yeah, technically, this is against the dress code, but were not enforcing it. He even said, there are skinny white girls walking around here half naked, and no ones stopping them. We cant be seen as just selectively enforcing it for this one kid. We dont have bandwidth as a staff to start enforcing it evenly, so were gonna let this go. The teacher goes, You know what? I hear you and I understand. Its one small thing, but I think it was reflective of something larger. Because how do you feel like you belong in this school when you dont get to wear the thing you want to wear when it really isnt bothering anybody. Exactly. School integration isnt an alternative to structural education reforms. Its not like we get to choose between integrating schools and changing the internal systems and dynamics of how schools operate. We have to do both a serious push towards racial equity that begins with student demographics and race at the center ends up requiring all kinds of uncomfortable things from adults, right? Its definitely both, and theres no magic bullet. Theres no five-point plan for fixing your schools. Its not that simple. You have to do a lot of different things and you have to keep at it. Thats why I came away from writing Dream Town with optimism. This is a community that is still trying and still looking at all sorts of different things a community that hasnt given up whereas in a lot of America, people dont even care or dont even try. So no simple plug-and-play plan for the world beyond Shaker, fair enough. But is there a message for the rest of the country? For other schools? Different places have different demographics. Different places have different challenges. Different places have different potential for integration. Different places have different levels of achievement gaps. Everybodys got their own, their own puzzle to solve. But I think if they look at the different kinds of strategies that Shaker has tried, communities can pull out different things and give people in their communities things to think about. So much of the conversation about education today is rooted in culture wars. Should you even be talking about racial equity? Is that critical race theory? Is that offensive? Is that racist in and of itself? Some people feel that way so this may not be for them. But theres also another part of the country that is interested in a different conversation, in exploring these issues and looking under that hood. I wouldnt say that theyve cracked the code, but I would say that theyre still at the decoder. Claim: During the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, Iranian officials said that if Iran were attacked, it would respond with missile strikes on Israel from Lebanon, Yemen and Iran, and send Iranian fighters into Israel from Syria. Rating: Rating: Unproven Context: The only cited source for this claim, which appeared in a Wall Street Journal exclusive report, was an anonymous Iranian official. As such, we cannot independently verify whether such a threat was sanctioned by the Iranian state. We will update this story as more information comes to light. On Oct. 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of more than 900 Israelis in the days following. Israel subsequently launched attacks on Gaza and blockaded the region, including banning the transport of food and water, resulting in a death toll of at least 830 Palestinians in Gaza, as of this writing. Hamas' attacks came after a surge in settler violence against Palestinians and months of routine raids on Palestinian cities on the West Bank by Israeli military forces, resulting in the killings of numerous Palestinians. Israel has blamed Iran for backing Hamas, even if indirectly, in the attacks. The Iranian government has publicly denied this, despite historically supporting the militant group. An Oct. 8 tweet from The Spectator Index, a profile that appears to do news aggregation on X, claimed that Iranian officials said, if their country is attacked, there will be strikes on Israel from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq [sic], as well as the sending of fighters from Syria. BREAKING: Iranian officials say that if their country is attacked, there will be strikes on Israel from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq, as well as the sending of fighters from Syria. The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) October 9, 2023 That tweet appeared to rely on the statement of one anonymous Iranian official cited by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in a report published Oct. 8, 2023, titled Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks. According to The Wall Street Journal, an anonymous Iranian official addressed any threat of retaliatory attack on Iran in response to its reported backing of Hamas attack: The Iranian official said that if Iran were attacked, it would respond with missile strikes on Israel from Lebanon, Yemen and Iran, and send Iranian fighters into Israel from Syria to attack cities in the north and east of Israel. (The quote in the WSJ does not mention Iraq, unlike the above tweet from The Spectator Index.) Relying on unnamed senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah as sources, the report also stated that Iranian security officials helped plan the attack in Israel and gave the green light for an assault during a meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, the week prior. However, Mahmoud Mirdawi, a senior Hamas official, told the WSJ the attack had been planned on its own. This is a Palestinian and Hamas decision, he said. Meanwhile, Iran has also publicly stated it was not behind the attacks on Israel, though it has historically backed Hamas. The WSJ reported that after the attack, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi talked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on Oct. 8. Irans highest authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also said Iran supports Palestinian resistance, but was not behind the attack: We kiss the hands of those who planned the attack on the Zionist regime, he said in a televised speech. "This destructive earthquake [Hamas' attack] has destroyed some critical structures [in Israel] which will not be repaired easily [...] The Zionist regime's own actions are to blame for this disaster. Even U.S. officials said they have so far not found evidence of Iranian involvement. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN on Oct. 8: We have not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack [...] Thats something were looking at very carefully, and weve got to see where the facts lead. According to a Reuters report on Oct. 11, 2023, U.S. intelligence learned that Iran likely knew of planned operations by Hamas militants but some Iranian officials were taken by surprise by the militant groups attack into Israel from Gaza. Such officials would normally have been informed of the planned attack by Hamas, according to an unnamed U.S. official who spoke to Reuters. Iran has a number of paramilitary allies in the region. In addition to its long history with Hamas, it has documented ties with Lebanons armed Shia group Hezbollah, and has backed pro-Iran militias in Syria. Iran has also backed the Houthi rebels in Yemen. While an unnamed Iranian official reportedly made the claim in question in a Wall Street Journal exclusive, the Iranian government has officially distanced itself from the attack, and the U.S. government has not assigned blame to Iran. As such, we are unable to independently confirm that Iranian officials threatened to attack Israel from Iran's neighboring countries in response to any Israeli retaliation against Iran. We therefore rate this claim as Unproven until more information comes to light. Sources: "Israel-Hamas War in Maps and Charts: Live Tracker." AJLabs. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Bertrand, Natasha and MJ Lee, Jim Sciutto, Pamela Brown, Katie Bo Lillis,. US Still Seeking to Determine Irans Connection to Israel Attack | CNN Politics. CNN, 8 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/08/politics/us-intelligence-iran-connection-israel-attack/index.html. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Ebrahim, Nadeen. Hamas and Iran Are Longtime Allies. Did Tehran Help with Its Attack on Israel? CNN, 9 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/09/middleeast/hamas-iran-israel-attack-analysis-intl/index.html. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Factbox: Iranian Influence and Presence in Syria. Atlantic Council, 5 Nov. 2020, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/factbox-iranian-influence-and-presence-in-syria/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. How Much Influence Does Iran Have in Iraq? Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/how-much-influence-does-iran-have-iraq. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Irans Khamenei Says Tehran Was Not behind Hamas Attack on Israel. Reuters, 10 Oct. 2023. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-khamenei-says-tehran-was-not-behind-hamas-attack-israel-2023-10-10/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Kalin, Stephen, and Summer Said, Benoit Faucon. WSJ News Exclusive | Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks. WSJ, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Landay, Jonathan, and Matt Spetalnick. Hamas Attack Surprised Some Iranian Leaders, Says US Source, Citing Initial Intelligence. Reuters, 11 Oct. 2023. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/initial-us-intelligence-shows-hamas-attack-surprised-iranian-leaders-ny-times-2023-10-11/. "Palestinian Killed in Israeli Settler Attack on West Bank Town." Al Jazeera, Oct. 6, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/6/palestinian-killed-as-israeli-settlers-attack-west-bank-town-of-huwara. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Two Palestinians Killed during Israeli Military Raid in West Bank Refugee Camp. PBS NewsHour, 24 Sept. 2023, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/two-palestinians-killed-during-israeli-military-raid-in-west-bank-refugee-camp. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. War in Yemen. Global Conflict Tracker, https://cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/war-yemen. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. We Support Palestinian Resistance, but Those Saying Recent Operation Is Done by Non-Palestinians Are Wrong. Khamenei.Ir, 10 Oct. 2023, http://english.khamenei.ir/news/10159/We-support-Palestinian-Resistance-but-those-saying-recent-operation. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. What Is Hezbollah? Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hezbollah. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Wrona, Aleksandra. Video Shows a Pro-Hamas Demonstration in Barcelona in October 2023? Snopes, 9 Oct. 2023, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pro-hamas-demonstration-spain/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. Updates: Oct. 10, 2023: The story was amended to note that the quote from the WSJ article is slightly different from the tweet, which mentions Iraq. Oct. 12, 2023: The story was updated to include the latest U.S. intelligence reports detailing the responses of some Iranian officials. A Macedonia man pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to 13 charges related to sexually abusing several children and using secret cameras to capture video and photographs of them. William Lupica, 72, was scheduled to go on trial Wednesday morning in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Joy Malek Oldfields courtroom. William Lupica, shown at a hearing last week, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Zoom hearing to sexually abusing and secretly videotaping several children. He will be sentenced Nov. 21. Instead, Lupica accepted an agreement with prosecutors that involved him pleading guilty Tuesday via Zoom to two counts each of rape and gross sexual imposition, as well as numerous counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other charges against Lupica. He initially faced 21 felony charges. The plea deal doesnt include an agreed-upon penalty, with attorneys free to argue this when Oldfield sentences Lupica on Nov. 21. For the rape charges, Lupica faces a sentence of life in prison without parole or with parole eligibility after 15 years. He could face additional prison time on the other charges, or those penalties could be run concurrent to the sentences for the rape charges. Investigation finds Lupica had secret cameras, prosecutor says Lupica was arrested last May at his Apache Run home in Macedonia after he was secretly indicted on 21 charges. More: Macedonia man arrested on child sex charges used 'secret cameras,' prosecutor says Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Jon Baumoel said at the time that the rape counts involved multiple children under the age of 5. Baumoel said numerous images of children, both nude and in sex acts, were found on Lupicas phone. He said the investigation found that Lupica used secret cameras throughout his house to capture these images. Lupicas wife had operated a child care business at their home. Lupica changed his mind about pleading Friday, then changed it again Lupica initially planned to enter a plea Friday morning, but then changed his mind. I'm not going to plead guilty to something I didnt do, with all due respect, Lupica said at that hearing. William Lupica was expected to enter a plea last Friday, but he then changed his mind. He changed it again Tuesday when he decided to accept a plea agreement rather than going on trial Wednesday. John Greven, Lupicas attorney, said he met with Lupica Tuesday afternoon to prepare for trial, and Lupica told him he had changed his mind after talking to his family and praying. Lupica told him he would accept the plea agreement. Baumoel said the parents of the victims and Macedonia police agreed to the plea deal. Oldfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation by the probation department and victim impact statements. Several of the parents of the children were present during Lupicas Zoom plea. They did not speak but will be given that opportunity at the sentencing. Lupica will be a Tier 3 sex offender, which would require him, if he were released from prison, to report his address to the sheriffs office every 90 days for the rest of his life. Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: William Lupica pleaded guilty to sexually abusing and videotaping kids Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that Alert Level 2 is up in Israel. This means non-essential movement for Filipinos are restricted and there will be no new deployment of overseas Filipino workers. According to the DFA, Alert Level 1 is the precautionary phase, while Alert Level 2 is the restricted phase, meaning new hires will not be deployed. Alert Level 3, meanwhile, would mean voluntary repatriation, while Alert Level 4 means there is a breakdown in order and "practically full-scale war." RELATED: PH military ready to evacuate Filipinos in Israel amid Hamas attack At a joint briefing on Tuesday, Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said while there is no deployment ban in place, there is a hold on the sending of workers to Israel. There are around 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, with most of them outside the conflict areas near Gaza. Meanwhile, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed two Filipinos were killed in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. In a social media post, Manalo said the Philippines condemned the killing "and all other acts of terrorism and violence." RELATED: Embassy recommends Alert Level 3 in Gaza DFA California State University will soon be required to publicly disclose the outcome of sexual harassment complaints and investigations and strengthen several other measures of accountability under a bill that Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law. Senate Bill 808, authored by state Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), was introduced in February after a series of investigations by The Times found breakdowns in how Cal State handled sexual misconduct allegations against powerful campus figures, executives and students across the 23-campus network. A recent state audit also found flaws in how CSU officials investigated and tracked complaints at the nations largest public four-year university system. The audit faulted the chancellors office for a lack of oversight and said campus officials failed to investigate accusations and improperly documented complaints. Discrimination of any kind [and] harassment of any kind, particularly on our college campuses, just cannot be tolerated, Dodd told The Times on Tuesday. This bill will make sure that our policies are followed in the state to make sure that laws are followed, and also that there's repercussions when the law is not followed. Read more: What you need to know about the sexual misconduct scandals at CSU Under the bill, which had overwhelming support in the Assembly and Senate, the university is required to report annually to the Legislature the number of sexual harassment reports made to each campus and the chancellors office; the outcome of a sexual harassment case; whether a case was settled or informally resolved; the number of hearings associated with a complaint; and the amount of time an investigation took to complete. Campuses will also be required to publish the outcome of settlements. The new measures take effect next year. The Times detailed breakdowns in investigations and reporting of sexual harassment and sexual assault accusations at two CSU campuses in Dodds Northern California district. At Sonoma State, CSU agreed to a $600,000 settlement with the campus provost, who reported that several women had accused the presidents husband of sexual harassment. The former provost alleged she then faced retaliation by the president. The claims against the presidents husband were not formally investigated at the time they were reported. Both the president and her husband, who are no longer with the university, denied wrongdoing. At California Maritime Academy, The Times found that long-standing concerns among faculty and students about sexual harassment and a culture of hate and misogyny toward transgender and nonbinary students went ignored by officials at the Vallejo campus for years. Some students who reported sexual misconduct and sexual harassment said their investigations dragged on, adding to fears of retaliation. The Times also reported that discipline was not always imposed even when allegations against employees were substantiated. In one instance, for example, investigators found that a vice president acted inappropriately toward several women who alleged sexual harassment, but he was never disciplined or instructed to undergo training. There has to be a higher set of standards to be able to ensure that our students and our faculty members remain safe on campus to do the work that they need to do, Dodd said. Read more: CSU didnt investigate some sexual harassment reports, track repeat offenders, audit finds At a recent state hearing, lawmakers questioned whether top officials in the chancellors office would make changes without oversight from the Legislature. I dont see how anyone at the top is going to be held accountable. I dont see timelines and I dont see a commitment at getting this done, Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) said in response to comments by CSU officials. In a follow-up letter to the CSU chancellor, lawmakers accused university officials of providing evasive answers and displaying a lack of transparency during the Aug. 31 hearing. Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Leora D. Freedman wrote in a response that Cal State would implement all the recommendations in the audit and in an outside review by the Cozen O'Connor law firm by the end of 2026. We are instituting a broad array of solutions and improvements as quickly as resources and solutions allow, Freedman said. Dodds bill was co-sponsored by the California Faculty Assn. and CSU Employees Union, and was supported by the Board of Supervisors in Solano County, where the Maritime Academy is. "By providing an annual report, it certainly is a step in that direction toward transparency and accountability," said Charles Toombs, president of the faculty association, adding that he hopes the newly signed bill will enhance "protections for workers and students on our campuses." The CSU did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the legislation but has said previously that it will implement comprehensive changes and is hiring additional staff to improve the investigative process. 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. Coming forward to report a serious crime can no longer get you deported in California. On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1261, dubbed the Immigrant Rights Act, his office announced. The bill, which was authored by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon and sponsored by Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), is designed to encourage undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime to come forward without fear of being turned over to immigration officials. Crimes covered under the new law include stalking, extortion, domestic violence, prostitution, rape, human trafficking and kidnapping, among others. Your immigration status should never be a barrier to safety, Gascon said when the legislation was first introduced. Public safety for everyone and equal access to the justice system is possible if we protect those that are most vulnerable. Californians should not lose their livelihoods simply because they came forward to report a crime, said Assembly Member Santiago. With AB 1261, we not only have a chance to reduce crime but also protect some of our most vulnerable community members. The bill had broad support from immigrant rights advocates including L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, the Koreatown Youth & Community Center, Chinatown Service Center, and the Thai Community Development Center. It passed overwhelmingly in both houses of the legislature without a single nay vote. Gascon says undocumented people who fall victim to crime decline to come forward 83% of the time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Niger's military leaders have ordered the United Nations coordinator to leave the country within 72 hours, blaming the world body for hindering international recognition of the post-coup regime. The expulsion order comes a day after the United States cut off more than $500 million in assistance to Niger and as France begins withdrawing its troops after they were also ordered out. The Nigerien foreign ministry said in a statement, seen by AFP on Wednesday but dated Tuesday, that the government was expelling Louise Aubin, the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator, instructing her "to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deeply regretted the order, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, confirming that Aubin had been given 72 hours to leave. Dujarric said the decision would disrupt the world bodys work in Niger, but reiterated "the unwavering commitment of the UN to stay and deliver for the people in Niger through continued humanitarian operations". Aubin, a Canadian, was appointed to the job in January 2021. - 'Obstacles' - At last month's UN General Assembly in New York, Niger's military leaders said "obstacles" had prevented their "full and complete participation" in the meeting. Bakary Yaou Sangare, who before the coup was Niger's ambassador to the UN and is now its foreign minister, was the new leaders' chosen representative for the assembly. But, according to a diplomatic source, there was also an application by the ousted government to represent Niamey. Because of the competing credentials, the matter was deferred and no representative from Niger was added to the speakers' list. Sangare did not address the General Assembly. Previously, Niger's coup leaders had said "the perfidious actions" of the UN chief were "likely to undermine any effort to end the crisis in our country". In December, neighbouring Burkina Faso expelled its own UN coordinator, with the military leaders there taking issue with the UN's decision to withdraw non-essential staff from the capital. - French troops withdraw - Separately, Niger's military regime said it had escorted the first convoy of French soldiers from their base in the western town of Ouallam headed towards Chad. According to a report on Niger's national television on Wednesday evening, "a total of 116 French soldiers and equipment left Niamey for N'Djamena in Chad" on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, a plane with "a first contingent of 49 soldiers" took off from Niamey, reported Tele Sahel. The following day, there were reportedly three flights from Niamey, and on Wednesday another plane took off with 14 soldiers aboard. The evacuations were said to have been carried out by A400M military transport aircraft travelling from Niamey's Diori Hamani airport to Chad's capital N'Djamena. N'Djamena, about 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) from Niamey, is the base for French forces in the Sahel command. Around 1,000 French troops were stationed in Niamey, with another 400 deployed at two forward bases in the northwest, near Mali and Burkina Faso, an area known as a hotbed of insurgent activity. Niger's military leaders, who ordered the troops' withdrawal and assured the operation would happen with "complete safety", said the disengagement would continue on "a timetable agreed to by both parties". - Sent packing - It is the third time in 18 months that French troops have been sent packing by a former African colony, dealing a severe blow to France's influence on the continent and prestige on the international stage. France's ambassador to Niger was also given his marching orders by the soldiers who toppled the French-backed president on July 26. The United States formally acknowledged on Tuesday that Niger's ousting of democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum had been a military coup detat. "Any resumption of US assistance will require action... to usher in democratic governance in a quick and credible timeframe," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. The United States, along with West African nations and former colonial power France, has pressed the military to restore Bazoum. Washington is keeping about 1,000 military personnel in Niger, but is no longer actively training or assisting Niger forces, another US official said. bur-bam/pvh/lb The New Jersey-born Israeli soldier who was killed on Saturday in a Hamas attack was not even required to be at his military base that day, according to a relative. As The Daily Beast first reported, Itay Gliskos family in the U.S. finally learned late Tuesday that his body had been found, capping an excruciating four-day wait in which they had no idea what had happened to their beautiful boy. Glisko, 20, was celebrating the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah and had exchanged work shifts with another soldier, his Israel-based cousin, Dana Glisko, told the Daily Voice. She said she talked to him on Saturday morning when he notified her that the base had been overwhelmed and she didnt hear from him again. At 2 a.m. on Wednesday, she received a visit from Israel Defense Forces officials who informed her of Itays death. His family said that he helped save other soldiers before he was shot and killed. He was a hero, Dana said. He was a fighter. He wasnt supposed to die this way. Itay was one of the roughly 1,500 victims of the Hamas attacks over the weekend. Read it at Daily Voice Read more at The Daily Beast. The Elizabeth Detention Center continues to operate despite calls for its closure from immigrant advocates and elected officials. Most recently, two of New Jersey's Congress members, Reps. Rob Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman , urged the federal Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to close the facility, the last immigration detention center operating in the state. The center held 211 people as of Monday, according to ICE. "We have made it clear, both from legislative action and community action, that we have no desire to have a poorly managed for-profit detention center in our vibrant immigrant community that runs counter to our values," Menendez said Monday in an interview with NorthJersey.com. Elizabeth and the center are both in the Democrat's 8th Congressional District. Demonstrators gather outside the Elizabeth immigration detention center on July 2, 2019 as part of nationwide "Close the Camps" events. They raise their arm as airplanes fly overhead to show their solidarity with immigration detainees. The letter was sent on Sept. 27 to federal Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and to Patrick Lechleitner, acting director of ICE. It asked them to immediately terminate ICEs contract with CoreCivic, one of the worlds largest prison companies, which runs the detention center. The facility on Evans Street, which can hold up to 300 detainees, houses people accused of federal immigration violations. Detainees are usually asylum seekers, others waiting for immigration cases to be resolved and those who have incurred criminal violations. The letter comes during a legal battle over a New Jersey law prohibiting local jails from entering into new contracts to house immigration detainees. CoreCivic has sued Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew Platkin, claiming the statute, AB 5207, is unconstitutional and superseded by federal law. A federal judge in August ruled in the company's favor, allowing the site to stay open, but the state has appealed. Letter urges 'immediate steps' to end contract In the letter, Watson Coleman and Menendez urged the federal agencies to take immediate steps to terminate the government's contract with CoreCivic. They also asked them to move those housed at the facility to alternatives to detention. Such programs allow detainees 18 years and older who have a pending immigration case to remain in their community pending the outcome of the case. Menendez, the son of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez , said he heard from Homeland Security that the agency is putting together information before issuing a response. "We'll continue to follow up ... there is a time-sensitive element to this," he said. "While we appreciate the need for them to go through their administrative process, we're eager to move this issue forward and deal with it on a substantive level." U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, called on the Biden administration to shut the immigrant detention center in his district. In August, according to a an ICE report, CoreCivic and the agency reached a contract extension for the company to continue operating the center for another year for $19.9 million. Two deaths cited at Elizabeth detention center But Menendez and Watson Coleman said the center should close due to its record of lawsuits, complaints, and media reports alleging inhumane and abusive conditions over nearly three decades, including the deaths of two detainees. During a rally in Newark in September calling for the closure of detention centers nationwide, a former detainee at the site, Juan Regalado, told NorthJersey.com that he suffered through servings of poor food and unsanitary conditions and feared deportation to his home country of Honduras. Watson Coleman could not be reached by phone or email for comment. Critics of the center commended the two Democrats for their efforts. Gabriela Viera, senior advocacy manager for Washington, D.C.-based Detention Watch Network, said in a statement, "It's reassuring to see the states congressional representatives like Reps. Watson Coleman and Menendez push back against this decision and fight to defend New Jerseyans long-sought victories." More: Protesters in Newark demand Biden close ICE detention centers, do more on climate ICE cites positive inspection reports Emilio Dabul, an ICE spokesperson, said any comments about the letter should come from Mayorkas' office. Dabul also pointed out that the inspections of the center by the Office of the Inspector General in November 2022 and May 2023 gave it a "superior" rating. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to an email for comment. Todd Field, a spokesperson for CoreCivic, did not comment directly on the letter. Instead, he said, "It is important to remember that CoreCivic is subject to robust oversight and accountability by our partners at ICE." Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Reps. Menendez, Watson Coleman want ICE detention center closed California has passed a law banning four food additives commonly found in soda and candies - though the measure does not block the sale of Skittles, as social media posts suggest. The law had been dubbed the "Skittles ban" because an earlier bill targeted titanium dioxide, a chemical found in the sweet. But last month lawmakers removed that specific chemical from the bill. It instead bans several other chemicals that other countries already prohibit. The California Food Safety Act blocks the sale of foods containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye 3, some of which have been linked to cancer in animals. Companies have until 1 January 2027 to remove the additives from their products. After signing the bill, California Governor Gavin Newsom called it "a positive step forward" until the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "reviews and establishes national updated safety levels for these additives". Still, that did not prevent misinformation from circulating online. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the pop culture account Daily Loud falsely stated that California would ban Skittles candy in 2027. The post was viewed 20 million times. American actor and television host Mario Lopez also spread the false news, writing on X: "Crime is through the roof, worst drug epidemic ever & homelessness at an all time high in CA Let's focus on Skittles". The four additives included in the California law have already been banned by the European Union. Titanium dioxide, the chemical found in Skittles, is also banned in several other places, including the EU, however the FDA has said the chemical can be safely consumed in small quantities. Help victims Roger Golubski could likely die before he faces justice, but his victims trauma, fear, hate, anger and angst will continue perpetually. (Oct. 5, 11A, With Roger Golubski in hospital, victims fear hell die before trial) How ironic that, when news broke of Golubskis hospitalization, several clergy abuse survivors held their monthly get-together to process experiences over the trauma endured decades ago. Discussion centered on credibly accused sexual abuser Bishop Joseph Hart, who died this past August before the courts could deliver justice for his criminal acts. Whether or not perpetrators live to face trial, the institutions that covered up corruption and enabled criminal behavior must be held accountable. Those who have suffered the consequences of these dastardly acts seek nothing less. Victims must continue to speak truth to power lest future generations bear the lifelong scars from wounds suffered in the past. The Star deserves praise for its critical role in holding the feet of these institutions to the fire. - Ron Fugate, Overland Park Get covered During the annual Medicare open enrollment period Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, people eligible in Missouri can select a plan that provides them with the affordability, convenience and benefits they need. As a physician, I encourage my patients to make a list of whats necessary and what theyd like to have included in their plans, such as: Specific doctors and hospitals Dental, vision and hearing coverage Prescription drug coverage Additional benefits including transportation, fitness programs and healthy food allowances The Medicare plan finder on Medicare.gov can help compare plans and benefits and get an estimated cost for each plan. For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. You can learn about Humanas plans at Humana.com/Medicare or by calling 1-800-706-1368 (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. - Liz Peterson, Vice president of health services for Missouri, Humana, Overland Park Tune it out There lives another soulmate from TV Land to the author of a recent letter to the editor who abhors those commercials with their zooming music and noise that split your eardrums. (Aug. 18, 6A) I love my mute button. - Willa M. Pierce, Kansas City Yes, accountable In recently reading about a Donald Trump-supporting Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionist, I was struck by the irony of his comment that politicians should be truthful and moral, and if not, they should be help accountable. For the sake of the 2024 presidential election and our countrys future, I certainly hope he is right. - Marvin Burris, Topeka Claim: The U.S. military is planning to reinstitute the draft. APs Assessment: False. Defense officials confirm the armed forces have made no such recommendation to Congress or the president, which are the entities empowered to authorize a draft. The Facts: With Americas allies in Europe and the Middle East embroiled in conflicts with no end in sight, social media posts are claiming the U.S. military is considering mandating regular citizens to enlist in the armed forces. A number of those are sharing a headline from a Sept. 25 article from the Mises Institute, a libertarian group in Alabama that reads: The US Military Is Laying the Groundwork to Reinstitute the Draft. Other posts include passages from an essay in Parameters , a quarterly journal published by the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. The essay, entitled A Call to Action: Lessons from Ukraine for the Future Force, highlights military lessons from the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its also cited in the Mises Institute article. Biden Set To Bring Back The DRAFT.. For War With Russia Or China, wrote one Facebook user who shared a video that included screenshots of the Parameters essay. But theres no plans to bring back mandatory conscription in the U.S., military officials confirmed this week. Nicole Schwegman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, dismissed the claims as false, noting in a phone interview that only Congress and the president have the ability to call for a draft and the military has not recommended elected officials even consider it. She also pointed to the disclaimer at the bottom of the Parameters essay that makes it clear the defense department doesnt exercise any editorial control over the publication. The disclaimer also states that articles represent the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the US Army War College, or any other agency of the US government. Robert Kenny, a deputy associate director at the Selective Service System, which maintains information about U.S. residents who potentially qualify for the draft, confirmed the Virginia-based agency hasnt had any discussions regarding reinstituting conscription and isnt aware of any legislative proposals in Congress to reinstate the draft. He said one of the agencys top priorities remains ensuring all men ages 18-25 years-old are aware of the federal requirement to register for the Selective Service in the event the president and Congress enact a draft. We are a readiness organization and continually work with federal and state partners in active stand-by status to ensure that the Selective Service System is prepared to mobilize during a national emergency if called on by the President and Congress to do so, Kenny wrote in an email Monday. John Nagl, a professor at the U.S. Army War College who co-authored the Parameters essay, said the piece doesnt even recommend the resumption of the draft. It states the U.S. Army faces recruiting shortfalls and a shrinking reserve corps, meaning it likely could not sustain the rate of casualties seen in the conflict in Ukraine at its current troop levels. The implication is that the 1970s concept of an all-volunteer force has outlived its shelf life and does not align with the current operating environment, Nagl and the other authors write in the essay. Large-scale combat operations troop requirements may well require a reconceptualization of the 1970s and 1980s volunteer force and a move toward partial conscription. Zack Yost, who authored the Mises Institute piece, stressed his item does not say that the military is reinstituting the draft, rather that the U.S. military in the context of this piece in the War College journal is laying the groundwork to do so. There is obviously a difference between these two claims, he wrote in an email. The U.S. drafted soldiers to fight in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Active conscription ended in 1973 , during the waning days of the Vietnam War, after which the country moved to an all-volunteer military. This is part of APs effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP . A pedestrian walks past Dianne Feinstein Elementary School in San Francisco in 2020. Noncitizen parents will once again be able to vote in San Francisco school board elections after a conservative group that challenged the practice said it won't take the fight to the state Supreme Court. (Jeff Chiu/Associated Press) Noncitizen parents of school-age children will once again be able to vote in San Francisco's school board elections after a conservative group that challenged the practice said it won't take the fight to the state Supreme Court. Noncitizen parents cast votes in four school board elections after San Francisco voters in 2016 approved Proposition N, which allowed them to vote in those races but not in state or federal contests. But in 2022, a conservative legal group dubbed the U.S. Justice Foundation challenged the law and sued the city. A judge struck down the law in July 2022, siding with the group and ruling that only citizens may cast a vote. The ruling applied to both San Francisco and Oakland, which had also allowed noncitizens to vote in school board elections. But that decision was overruled in August by the 1st District Court of Appeals, which found the proposition did not violate the California Constitution. On Wednesday, the leader of the conservative nonprofit group said the organization won't continue to fight the measure in court. Its next step would have been an appeal to the state Supreme Court. "We think it is unlikely we can receive a fair review of our Superior Court victory by further using limited resources to another appeal in an overtly liberal California court of Appeals system," James Lacy, founder of the U.S. Justice Foundation, said in a statement. Read more: California lawmakers vote to ban mandatory evictions for arrested tenants In August, the appeals court ruled that the state Constitution did not limit voting rights to citizens. "Neither the plain language of the [California] Constitution nor its history prohibits legislation expanding the electorate to noncitizens," the court ruled in rejecting the argument from the U.S. Justice Foundation. When Proposition N was introduced, proponents argued that allowing noncitizen parents of schoolchildren to vote in school board elections could increase parental involvement and, as a result, improve educational achievement, according to court records. The court ruled that it was particularly true for charter cities, like San Francisco, whose authorities of home rule "permits the voters of each charter city to determine whether it is good policy for their city or not," to expand voting rights to noncitizens. While most cities in California, known as general law cities, are governed and organized under state laws, charter cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, are governed and organized by local laws. Read more: Pulitzer Prize board expands eligibility pool for arts awards to non-U.S. citizens Lacy pointed to the state court's Democratic judge appointments as the reason why his organization would not continue to fight the law in state court. But he said it would continue to challenge additional cities that took up similar measures in federal court. "We will, however, sue again any other city in California that attempts to enact noncitizen voting, though most likely in the future in the federal court system, where we think we will not be met by such one-sided opposition at the appellate level," Lacy said in the statement. Allowing noncitizens to vote in local and school elections is not a new practice, but one that has caught the eye of conservative groups that have been critical of immigration policies. Residents in Takoma Park, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park and Mount Rainier in Maryland allow citizens and noncitizens alike to vote in local elections. In California, the Santa Ana City Council has discussed expanding the right to noncitizens as well. "If Santa Ana follows through with implementing noncitizen voting in their school board elections, we will sue them," Lacy said. In 2019, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education approved a measure to study allowing noncitizen parents to vote in school elections. It wasn't immediately clear what the result of the study was. A spokesperson for LAUSD did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the study. 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Wednesday said it will be vulnerable to a data breach if it will not be granted enough budget in 2024 to renew and maintain its cybersecurity systems. Speaking to CNN Philippines The Source, DICT Secretary Ivan Uy said the department needs 600 million to ensure a strong cybersecurity system at least for a year. He warned that if the department does not get the budget, it will "end up like PhilHealth" which was a recent victim of a ransomware attack. Officials said the PhilHealth data breach may have exposed the state insurer personnels information, and possibly even its members. According to Uy, the DICT had a 600-million cybersecurity fund in 2022. The same amount was given to the department in 2023, but this was equally divided to cybersecurity and confidential funds. For 2024, it was allocated only 300 million for cybersecurity. The DICT chief said the 600-million budget was intended for training cybersecurity experts, upgrading equipment, and renewing security system subscriptions, many of which are expiring next year. House lawmakers on Tuesday also announced that the DICT was one of the agencies whose confidential funds will be realigned to those that focus on national security. Uy said as a token, the DICT was given 25 million under its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which he said will be only enough for salaries. He also pointed out that payment for informants cannot be sourced from the regular budget. What will happen there is that say we get an informant, we have to ask them to issue us a receipt and then we have to get their identification, those things, which will mean that these guys will be floating in the Pasig River by tomorrow, Uy said. He also said in a briefing: "If its a cyberattack on our banking system, on our energy transmission, on our telecommunications system, you can imagine the scale of the damage and disruption." "With that kind of damage well probably be thrown back to the stone age," he added. The DICT secretary said the department plans to appeal to Congress. Today, the threat is real, its not a potential threat, that warfare today is not just physical, in fact most of the warfare is now done online, Uy said. Cyberwar is a reality, its increasing in sophistication, its increasing in scale and the threats to our infrastructure are serious. The Finnish government suspects foul play in the disruption and damage to a key gas pipeline after a regional seismic observer discovered evidence of an explosion. The Norwegian Seismic Array (NORSAR) announced Tuesday that the reported damage to the Baltic-connector pipeline was caused by "external activity." "NORSAR have detected a probable explosion along the Finnish coast of the Baltic Sea at 01:20 (local time in Finland) on 8th October 2023," the foundation said. "This explosion was detected using stations in Finland." UNDERSEA GAS LINE, TELECOM CABLE CONNECTING FINLAND, ESTONIA DAMAGED BY 'EXTERNAL ACTIVITY' Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo addresses a press conference in Helsinki on the gas pipeline leak in the Gulf of Finland. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto that a leak leading to the shutdown of a natural gas pipeline from Estonia to Finland this weekend was probably caused by "external activity." Finnish government officials have been quick to blame foreign powers for the disruption of the crucial energy supply line. "The discovered damage could not have been caused by normal use of the pipeline or pressure fluctuations," said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Some observers have suggested the damage could be retribution for Finland's decision to join NATO in April. EX-FINLAND PM SANNA MARIN, WHO WENT VIRAL FOR RAUNCHY DANCE VIDEO, SPARKS FUROR WITH EARLY EXIT Strategic Military Intelligence Analyst Rebekah Koffler told Fox News that Russia must be considered a suspect in the destruction of key infrastructure. "Russia obviously must be on the list of suspects as it would benefit from the damage of this pipeline. Putin had also warned of retaliatory measures, in the aftermath of Finlands ascension into NATO." Koffler suggested Russian leaders may be seeking to complicate international affairs in order to bring attention away from the invasion of Ukraine. "If Russia is behind, the intent of the timing would be to overwhelm the US and Europe with geopolitical crises, so they take eyes off of Ukraine." Original article source: NORSAR blames gas pipeline explosion on foul play, investigating sabotage In the month after North Carolinas new abortion law took effect, the number of abortions performed in the state dropped by an estimated 30%, according to a new analysis from the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research group. The researchers said this drop likely represents hundreds of North Carolinians and out-of-state women who could not access abortion services due to restrictions outlined in the law, including a 12-week gestational ban and a mandatory in-person appointment 72 hours before the procedure. About 2,900 abortions were performed in July, down from about 4,200 abortions performed in June, according to the groups estimates, which are based on historical data and data sampled from select abortion clinics. Dr. Jonas Swartz, an OBGYN who provides abortions at the Chapel Hill Planned Parenthood, said he found it notable that this drop was far greater than what you would expect if the laws only stopped abortions that occurred after 12 weeks these abortions accounted for just 7% of cases in 2021, according to the most recent state data. Its not like you only eliminated those cases that were beyond that first trimester, he said. They put barriers in place so that those under the legal limit were unable to access care. A mandatory, in-person appointment three days before the abortion was one of the largest new barriers that went into effect on July 1, he said. Now that women have to show up for two appointments, Swartz patients have to organize several days of childcare, time off work and accommodations near the clinic, he said. This is particularly onerous for women traveling hours from other states. Until the NCs new abortion restrictions took effect, North Carolina had been a hub for patients coming from Southern states where the procedure was more heavily restricted or banned. Shortly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the number of abortions performed in the state increased by 37% the largest increase in any state. Now, some women cancel their appointments after hearing the new rules over the phone, he said. Its just not feasible to come and spend three to five days in North Carolina to get the abortion, he said. Swartz also said the new law forced abortion clinics to pack their schedules with newly required appointments, which limited their capacity. The law also requires clinics to document their attempts to schedule patients for a third in-person appointment, further adding to the staffs workload. I think were still working to figure out how you provide twice as many visits with the same number of clinic slots, he said. Advocates feared in the face of these new obstacles, patients would make longer trips to states with less restrictive rules. But Isaac Maddow-Zimet, the lead data scientist on the Guttmacher project, said their analysis did not find that abortion numbers in neighboring states rose a comparable amount. Thats one of the things thats really a big question in our mind, he said. It might mean that people are obtaining care outside of the formal health care sector. It might be that some people are being forced to continue their pregnancy. Maddow-Zimet said there are a few caveats to this data. There was a small decline in the number of abortions provided nationwide by about 7% likely due to seasonal changes in when people become pregnant. He said that could have played a small role in the states decline but that the drop-off in North Carolina was too large to be seasonal variation alone. North Carolinas drop was so much steeper than anywhere else, he said. Its very clear that what were seeing especially because its timed specifically with when the law came into effect is largely the impact of that law. 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. The reality of not having a House speaker became apparent Saturday as war broke out in Israel a dark day for a close ally of the United States and the deadliest day for Jews, the Times of Israel reported, since the Holocaust. This is a premeditated, long-planned attack by terrorists of a sovereign democracy, and it is gruesome and its unacceptable, said Rep. Kathy Manning, a Democrat from Greensboro, who is Jewish and co-chairs the House Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. Manning one of many state and federal lawmakers from North Carolina speaking out in support of Israel this week talked to McClatchy by phone Monday. She detailed the horror of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip and is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, invading Israel by land, sea and air and targeting civilians. Manning talked about the families who tried to hide in their safe rooms but were smoked out when Hamas set their homes on fire. She described the tragedy of 270 young people massacred at an all-night concert in the desert, with those who werent killed being taken hostage. And then there were the rockets shot by Hamas into Israel. I want to emphasize that these are not militants, Manning said. These are terrorists, who literally went house-to-house slaughtering families in their homes. And their stories only got worse. On social media Tuesday, Sen. Thom Tillis detailed numerous reported war crimes. Hamas is pure evil, Tillis wrote. We must stand unequivocally in support of our ally and friend Israel. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden told the nation that more than 1,000 civilians had been slaughtered, including 14 Americans. Israel launched a counterstrike against Hamas, killing hundreds of Palestinians. Around 1,900 people had been killed on both sides by Tuesday night, The Associated Press reported. Gridlock in Congress with no speaker But Congress has a potential problem. An intraparty battle between Republicans stopped House members from passing any legislation after eight Republicans asked Democrats to join them in a vote to fire House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And it worked. For the past seven days, Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina, has been filling in as House speaker pro-tem. But theres debate about whether this role is there only to facilitate the election of a new House speaker or if he can help legislate. Immediately, McHenry recessed the House. He gave his colleagues a week off to regroup and figure out what to do next in terms of getting a speaker. No one expected the surprise attack in Israel to happen before they returned Tuesday. As McHenry made his way off the House floor Tuesday morning, he told reporters that Israel is in his prayers. If we need to act as a government, we will, he added. A source familiar with McHenrys schedule told McClatchy that McHenry participated in a White House-organized call Sunday night for bipartisan House leadership and top members from both parties of key committees. Manning said she, too, had sat through several briefings on Israel. A classified briefing was scheduled for House members at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Congressional action Manning, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said Israel needs to know the United States stands firmly behind its ally and will help once Israeli leaders determine what its needs are. I believe that President Biden, and a wide variety of secretaries of state have stood firmly with the President, in saying that we stand wholeheartedly with Israel, Manning said. We will be there with them and we will give them the support they need to win this war. Tuesday morning, Rep. Don Davis, a Democrat from Snow Hill, filed legislation with Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican from Iowa, to declare unwavering support of Israel. As members of Congress focused on bipartisanship, we remain unwavering in our commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel in defense of those who seek her destruction, Davis said. The resolution: Declares its unwavering support for the State of Israel and stands ready to consider urgent requests for additional assistance Israel may require to defend its people and safeguard its sovereignty; Affirms that Israel, as a sovereign state, is entitled to act in self-defense against Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and associated forces, and their state sponsors; Finds that cross-border attacks, murders, and kidnappings constitute acts of international terrorism and aggression; Calls on the President to provide intelligence, military, and diplomatic support to the Government of Israel in response to this terrorist attack and Calls on all governments harboring Hamas personnel to immediately expel those individuals from their territory. More than two dozen members of the House from both parties signed onto the bill. NC lawmakers react Back in North Carolina, the state House took up a bipartisan resolution filed by Speaker Tim Moore urging Congress to support Israel financially and otherwise for as long as it takes for Israel to bring justice in light of the unprovoked attacks on innocent Israeli civilians. Speaking on the House floor, Moore, who is not running for reelection and has not yet said if he will run for Congress or seek some other position, recalled visiting a kibbutz during a trip to Israel a few years ago. Over the weekend, he said he found out that the same community hed visited, which was along the border with Gaza, was attacked by Hamas militants who had paraglided into the country. Moore said they killed many, including women and children. That is senseless violence. That is terrorism, Moore said. Just in the way that we as a nation were attacked on 9/11, so too Israel has been attacked, and we owe it to a freedom-loving democracy to stand with them in their time of need. Rep. Caleb Rudow, a Buncombe County Democrat, signed on to the resolution as a primary sponsor. Rep. Amos Quick, the House Democratic whip, spoke in favor of it on the floor, as did Rep. Marvin Lucas, a Democrat from Cumberland County, who said he believed in Israels right to exist, and felt the U.S. should insist and assist with that right. Lucas added that he felt it was important for the U.S. to be cautious in our haste to reach, or strike retribution, and remember that most of the people in Gaza are innocent. The resolution was ultimately adopted unanimously, by a vote of 104 to 0. Four Democrats had excused absences, and 12 did not vote. Around the same time, over in the state Senate, lawmakers signed onto a statement that among other things condemned Hamas for the cowardly act of targeting civilians, including children and the elderly and affirmed Israels right to defend itself. The statement, which was read into the record by Sen. Ted Alexander, a Cleveland County Republican, similarly urged Congress to reaffirm that America stands with Israel against all who seek its destruction. It included the names of every Republican senator and all but four Democratic senators. (All the lawmakers listed on the statement signed it except for Sen. Mike Woodard, who had an excused absence while running for Durham mayor in Tuesdays primary election.) Antisemitism Since the war in Israel began, the FBI has not received specific or credible threats to the United States stemming from the Hamas attacks, the bureau said in a news release. But it added that its closely monitoring the situation. Manning said antisemitism is on the rise and she worries about it daily. She said it is carried out by the left and the right. There has been antisemitism on both extremes, because the unfortunate thing about antisemitism is it is based on conspiracy theories that attribute to the Jews whatever evils our society is confronting, Manning said. The Jews have always been a convenient scapegoat that societies could blame their troubles on with no back behind it, but just because Jews, a small minority, have always been an easy scapegoat. Mannings great-grandparents emigrated from eastern Europe to the United States to escape religious persecution. We are very fortunate that President Biden put together a team of experts who have released the first ever National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, Manning said. Its a very comprehensive document. It has deliverables, it has timelines, it has accountability and we so far have had several meetings with members of the administration to make sure that they are moving forward on the things that are addressed in the national strategy. Manning said she is working on legislation that would help implement some of those strategies needing congressional action. Prior to joining Congress, Manning served as the first female chair of the Jewish Federations of North America. LGBTQ+ rights group Lambda Legal announced on Wednesday that it filed a federal lawsuit in the Middle District of North Carolina challenging HB 808, a law in the state that prohibits the provision and state-funded coverage for gender-affirming care for minors. Lambda Legal healthcare strategist and legal counsel Omar Gonzalez-Pagan explained in a press call that along with the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) and two private law firms, the advocacy group represents several plaintiffs. One of the plaintiffs, a 9-year-old transgender boy, Victor Voe, and his parents, Vanessa and Vance, live in the state and are affected by the prohibition of care. Out of respect for the familys privacy, they use a pseudonym. PFLAG National; GLMA, an association that seeks to advance LGBTQ+ equity in health care; and Dr. Riley Smith, a North Carolina family physician, are additional co-plaintiffs. Gonzalez-Pagan said the law violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which provides for equal protection under the law; parents fundamental rights to make decisions for their children; and the Affordable Care Act; and the Affordable Car Act by prohibiting Medicaid coverage. He said children and parents should not have their rights curtailed because the child is trans. Related: 80% of LGBTQ+ People Feel Less Safe Due to Gender-Affirming Care Bans NHeLP senior attorney Catherine McKee explained that challenging HB808 is a continuation of the organizations effort to fight these laws as it has in Wisconsin. She explained that young people who cannot access gender-affirming care through Medicaid cannot afford to receive this necessary medical treatment. PFLAG National CEO Brian Bond thanked co-plaintiffs GLMA, Dr. Riley Smith, and the Voe family. Bond pointed out the hypocrisy among legislators who, on the one hand, scream about parents rights and, on the other, want to deny loving parents the opportunity to work with their kids and their doctors to determine what care they need. This #NationalComingOutDay, we\u2019ve sued North Carolina to protect the rights and well-being of trans youth joining forces with @NHeLP_org, @PFLAG, @GLMA_LGBTHealth and in partnership with @equalitync. \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83d\udcaa Lambda Legal (@Lambda Legal) 1697041351 GLMA executive director Alex Sheldon noted that healthcare should be in the hands of health professionals. They explained that as a nonbinary person living in North Carolina, they understand the first-hand damage the legislation has on the community. They said that under the law, medical providers can either comply with the law and harm their patients or violate the law and risk losing their medical licenses, thereby making it impossible for physicians to do their jobs. Sheldon highlighted that care that is otherwise legal for cisgender people is made illegal for the care of transgender patients under the current legislation. Smith, who treats patients with gender dysphoria through gender-affirming care, said that the evidence is clear that keeping this care from patients has detrimental effects on them. Gonzalez-Pagan said that he is not in the business of speculating on how quickly a court will move, but he has said that the group seeks a preliminary injunction against the law. HB 808 passed the Republican-controlled legislature and was enacted into law after Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed the legislation in July. GOP lawmakers overrode that veto in September. By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea leader Kim Jong Un exchanged letters with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, vowing to advance their ties and wishing him victory over what he called hegemony and pressure from imperialists, Pyongyang's state media KCNA said. The letters mark the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations, and came about a month after Kim's rare trip to Russia during which he and Putin discussed military cooperation, including over North Korea's satellite programme, and the war in Ukraine. In his letter, Kim said he was extremely satisfied with their "candid, comprehensive" discussions during the visit. He pledged to further develop relations to a "new height" and wished Putin good luck in resisting Western pressure over Ukraine. "I hope that the Russian people, who have set out to build a strong nation, will always achieve only victory and glory in their struggle to protect the country's sovereignty, dignity, security and peace by crushing the imperialists' persistent hegemonic policy and anti-Russia scheme to isolate and stifle it," Kim said. Putin, in his message to Kim, said their recent meeting was more evidence of developing ties. "I am convinced that to implement the agreements will contribute to further expanding the constructive bilateral cooperation for improving the well-being of the peoples of the two countries and ensuring security and stability in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia as a whole," he said. Kim's visit has stoked U.S. concerns that a revived Moscow-Pyongyang axis could bolster Russia's military in Ukraine and provide Kim with missile technology banned under U.N. resolutions. Washington has accused has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, including artillery shells, shoulder-fired rockets and missiles. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied any arms transactions, but promised to deepen defence cooperation. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Many in North Texas are looking for ways to help those affected by the war in Israel and let the world know they stand with Israel. Hundreds came together Tuesday for a solidarity gathering in North Dallas. MORE: Israel Hamas War News The Consul General of Israel to The Southwest, with pointed remarks aimed at Hamas, the Islamic terrorist organization that attacked Israel by surprise on Saturday. The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas hosted the community solidarity gathering for Israel. Senator Ted Cruz and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson were among those showing they stand with Israel. Cruz did not address the crowd. Johnson read a resolution he plans to present Wednesday to city council members condemning Hamas attack. With more than 1,000 people registered in attendance, the temple coordinated security with Dallas police to ensure safety. Registration was required for enhanced security at Temple Emanu-EL. The temples rabbi prayed for Israels decision makers. A former teacher in Israel spoke to the sheer terror happening in the country. She described the horror of one of her former students being taken. "My 11 and 12-year-olds wrote me theyre coming. Im scared. And my beautiful, most amazing student, the funniest most wonderful little bit was taken.," Aya Margalit said. A Placerville man was arrested in connection with the stabbing death of his girlfriend, the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office said. Sheriffs deputies on Thursday went to Prado Vista Court and found a woman dead inside a house; her boyfriend was also inside and had suffered traumatic wounds, a news release said. Michael Thompson, 43, who lived on the same street as his girlfriend, was arrested on suspicion of murder enhanced by an allegation of using a deadly weapon, deputies said. They added he will be booked into jail once hes released from the hospital, where he remained Wednesday morning. The El Dorado County Sheriffs Office identified the victim as Cristina Lee Humlick, 36, of Placerville. A Placer County man is reunited with his pilfered tools once he confronted the alleged thief whos accused of stealing about $10,000 worth of goods, authorities said in a news release. The victim, who Placer County sheriffs deputies said had some tools stolen from work, spotted them over the weekend being allegedly sold on social media by Brandon Bridges, 31, Rocklin. The victim arranged to meet with the suspect and deputies accompanied the victim to the in-person meeting. An investigation showed Bridges had taken the mans equipment, deputies said in a news release. The Sheriffs Office said they also found the suspect with cocaine and other stolen items, such as drills, saws and nail guns, all worth about $10,000. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reaching out to law enforcement if you fall victim to theft and come across your stolen property being sold online, the news release said. Bridges pleaded not guilty to grand theft, possessing of stolen property and possessing a controlled substance at his arraignment on Tuesday. Hes due back in court Oct. 25 for a status conference. Norway, Sweden and Denmark will jointly buy artillery shells for Ukraine. Source: European Pravda, citing the Ministry of Defence of Norway Details: Norway, Sweden and Denmark have jointly established the so-called Nordic ammunition initiative. Quote from Bjrn Arild Gram, the Minister of Defence of Norway: "The three countries are contributing a total of about NOK 600 million together, and Ukraine will receive these ammunition rounds in 2023." More details: The minister explained that this initiative will simultaneously help Ukraine with ammunition, which is an urgent need in the conditions of a high-intensity war, and also strengthen its own industrial base and security of ammunition supply. The countries considered various options for continuing to deliver ammunition to Ukraine as quickly and efficiently as possible and agreed that it was most practical to use the framework agreement that the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (FLO) has with the Norwegian company Nammo. The minister added that NAMMO's ammunition production for Ukraine will not affect the pace of supply of products that the company should produce for Norway. Norway will finance its participation in the initiative through the military block of the Nansen support programme for Ukraine. Background: Norway will allocate about EUR 17 million from this programme for demining territories in Ukraine where hostilities occurred. 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! GAZA CITY, Gaza After days of devastating Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, residents of the besieged enclave say there is no way to escape death. The airstrikes are in retaliation for the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas, the militant group that is considered a terrorist organization by several countries. Hamas controls the Palestinian enclave, where 2.2 million people live in about 140 square miles making it one of the most densely populated places in the world. Schools have been flattened, walls blown off houses and entire families buried under tons of concrete. Residents are scrambling to rescue relatives from the rubble as smoke and dust from the relentless bombing make it difficult to breathe. Its all collateral damage. We are all civilians, normal doctors, nurses, teachers, students. Were not Hamas, Mohamed Mughisib, a Palestinian doctor and a deputy coordinator with Doctors Without Borders, said in a telephone interview from Gaza. Its the children who are dying, he said. A Palestinian man carries the body of a child killed in overnight Israeli shelling (Said Khatib / AFP - Getty Images) Hamas, which took control of Gaza after elections in 2006, considers itself a freedom-fighting movement against occupation, but it is divisive among Palestinians because of its use of violence. Since 2007, Israel has had blockades by land, air and sea in Gaza, also enforced by Egypt, and critics say it has allowed Hamas to fill a power vacuum there. With the Egyptian border also damaged by airstrikes, Nowar Diab, 20, said, there is nowhere to flee from the barrage of missiles. My safety is not guaranteed, because Im in a house that can be bombed any moment, she said. People think that we can protect ourselves. This is impossible. This is really impossible. We cant leave, and we cant escape, she said. This is a literal prison. Palestinians carrying personal belongings walk past heavily damaged buildings following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City's al-Rimal district (Mahmud Hams / AFP - Getty Images) The population in the Gaza Strip is overwhelmingly young, with 7 out of 10 residents under age 30. The Israel Defense Forces say 1,200 people have been killed and more than 2,700 have been injured since Hamas surprise attack Saturday, the deadliest incursion into Israeli territory in 50 years. The status of scores of people, including children, kidnapped by Hamas in Israel remains unknown. Nearly 1,100 people in Gaza have been killed in Israels retaliation and 5,000 have been injured, the health ministries in Gaza and the West Bank said Wednesday. On Monday, a spokesperson for the military wing of Hamas said it would kill one civilian hostage every time Israel targets civilians in their homes in Gaza without warning. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised a devastating response to the attack, saying, What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations. Anticipating a full-scale war, Suhaib Abu Haleina, who lives near the border in the Gazan city of Beit Lahiahad, sought refuge with her family at schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the U.N. body charged with supporting Palestinians. The children were terrified and afraid, she said of the Israeli governments bombardment. They were terrified, terrified, and tired, as well. The relief agency said Wednesday that more than 175,000 internally displaced people were sheltering in 88 schools across the Gaza Strip, a number that is expected to increase. Twenty of its schools have been affected by the Israeli airstrikes, the agency said, and nine of its personnel have been killed. A Palestinian woman reacts as bodies of people killed in overnight Israeli shelling (Said Khatib / AFP - Getty Images) While the last few days have brought a big escalation in the conflict, life has been difficult for many in Gaza for years. I carried water in 2008, more than 10 years ago, when my son was not born, and now my son is the one who carries water in 2023, said Haleina, who comes from a family of farmers. Amid heavy bombing in Gaza of what Israel says are military targets, hundreds of residential buildings, mosques and medical facilities have been destroyed. Everyone freezes, starts shaking and tries to find their moms or sisters or brothers to hang on tight, Gaza resident Ahmad Alghari said. Sometimes we jump when we hear the sound of a bomb. Most people are like zombies. The U.N. said Wednesday that more than 260,000 people in Gaza had been displaced, either because their homes had been destroyed or because they had sought shelter in fear for their lives. An intensifying Israeli siege has cut off supplies of water, food and power to the territory, where electricity is available only a few hours a day and only 5% of residents had access to clean drinking water in their homes even before the current war. Gaza City's al-Rimal neighborhood (Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images) On Wednesday, Gaza announced its only power plant had stopped working after Israel blocked fuel imports. The pace of attacks is likely to accelerate with Israels full siege, which could include a ground operation. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said Wednesday that the scenes coming out of Gaza in the coming days will be difficult to understand and cope with. Netanyahu on Saturday warned all civilians in Gaza to get out of there, but that is nearly impossible under the Israeli land, air and sea blockade. Israel, which had controlled Gaza since 1967, defends the blockade as necessary to prevent Hamas attacks on Israelis. It has long been condemned by the U.N. and human rights groups, who say it has turned Gaza into an open-air prison, ravaged its economy and only increased local support for Hamas. This most recent violence does not come in a vacuum, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday. The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict, with a 56-year-long occupation and no political end in sight. Palestinians mourn the death of their relatives (Mahmud Hams / AFP - Getty Images) Mughisib and others say the retaliation from Israel is the worst theyve experienced in decades of conflict. Every 30 minutes you wake up from a severe strike and shaking of the building and shrapnel flying, he said. Afraid that his home, which is near many government offices, would be hit, Mughisib rushed his wife and three children to his office before Israel began retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, hours after Hamas launched its attack. But even at his office, Mughisib said, his family barely escaped a direct hit a few blocks away Monday night. You see your neighbor has been injured, someone that you know has been killed, he said. Every minute there is some sad news. Wajjeh Abu Zarifa reported from Gaza, Mithil Aggarwal from Hong Kong and Yasmine Salam from New York. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) Two Filipinos were killed in the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the Philippine embassy in Israel confirmed Wednesday evening. In a Malacanang briefing, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. said the identities of the two Filipinos will not be disclosed upon the request of their families. Embassy officials only said the victims were a 33-year-old female from Pangasinan working in Israel for six years, and a 42-year-old male from Pampanga. They were killed when Hamas fighters attacked on Saturday, officials said. Vice Consul Patricia Narajos said the third reported death will be confirmed through DNA testing. In a statement on Wednesday, the embassy said four other Filipinos were unaccounted for, while 26 others initially reported missing have been transferred to safe locations. It added that one Filipino was recovering in a hospital after getting wounded during his rescue. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo condemned the killings of two Filipino nationals in a social media post Wednesday morning. Manalo said the government was committed to cooperate with other nations for the "long-lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the general principles of international law." He said the government will assist Filipinos in conflict areas. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also expressed grief over the deaths. "My heart is heavy upon hearing confirmation of the deaths of two Filipinos in Israel," Marcos said in a statement. "The Philippines condemns these killings and stands firmly against the ongoing terror and violence." Laylo said Marcos is set to personally speak with the wife of the 42-year-old male on Wednesday. Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said he ordered the agency's operations group to locate the families of the two Filipinos. The DSWD said Gatchalian told Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez to send teams of grief counselors to the bereaved families and extend all possible financial assistance. In a text message, Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos said 70 Filipinos in Gaza have requested repatriation. READ: PH embassy in Jordan coordinating with Israel, Egypt for possible exit routes Speaking to CNN Philippines on Tuesday, Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said around a tenth of the 30,000 Filipinos in Israel are in conflict areas in the south. North Carolina is different from other states. It has beautiful scenery from the mountains to the coast. It has great barbecue, phenomenal college sports and a plethora of longleaf pine trees. It also has a habit of passing a state budget that is about way more than spending taxpayer money. Theres a lot of policy in there, too, and this year much of it is about giving more power to the General Assembly. The budget was written by the leaders of the legislatures Republican supermajority, and became law in early October without the signature of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. If he had vetoed it, there were enough votes to overturn it. Lawmakers gave their branch of government more power to choose judges and higher education leaders, to explain to the public what theyll be voting on, and to keep their communications secret. But possibly the most controversial change is an expansion of powers for a committee most people have never heard of. The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, or Gov Ops, is a committee of lawmakers led by the majority party who have the power to hold oversight hearings on anything ranging from hurricane relief to the states high school athletic association. Critics of lawmakers giving themselves more investigative powers described the policy change in language that invoked dictatorships, with Sen. Graig Meyer describing it as dark government and Gov Ops Gestapo powers and Rep. Allison Dahle as a secret police. Republican House Speaker Tim Moore called the idea of secret police powers just ridiculous. I mean, theres no basis, Moore said. Theres no arrest powers. I mean, theres nothing like that. He called it creative, political hyperbole. On Tuesday Sept. 19, 2023, Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore announced that a deal had been reached on the state budget, almost three months late. The budget included several policy provisions that give the legislature more power. What Gov Ops can do now Gov Ops role, lined out in the new state law, is to study the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of any State agency, public authority, unit of local government, or non-State entity receiving public funds. It also evaluates implementation of policy, as well as investigating possible misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, mismanagement, waste, abuse, or illegal conduct at state agencies, local government or non-state entities that receive public funds. The law also allows Gov Ops members and staff to have access to buildings as part of its investigations. The penalties for not cooperating with an investigation include getting fired or facing criminal charges. The commissions hearings are public, but the investigations are now even more opaque. All the documents obtained or produced by Gov Ops staff are exempt from public records law. State employees and others are not supposed to talk about requests by Gov Ops staff. Rep. Allison Dahle speaks during a House floor debate on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in Raleigh, N.C. This is about the access of legislative staff to the publics homes, businesses and records, Meyer said on the Senate floor before the final budget vote. Moore, a Kings Mountain Republican, told reporters on Oct. 5 that hearings on the states hurricane relief were a reason for the expansion. It goes back to the oversight role that we were looking at on the hurricane relief. Why years later, when hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer dollars have been spent, why some people are still living in temporary trailers, and all these kinds of things. Why homes havent been fixed, why infrastructure hasnt been repaired, why those things havent been done. And when our committee was bringing folks in to ask those questions, they were getting stonewalled and delayed and couldnt get the information, Moore said. Sen. Phil Berger, an Eden Republican, said in September that said Gov Ops staff saw some roadblocks, when they were investigating issues related to hurricane repairs that fell under the Cooper administration. Gov Ops House Majority Staff Director Joe Coletti told The N&O in an interview that some of the commission changes in the budget have been in the works since it was started. He and others in Gov Ops work in the Legislative Office Building in space previously occupied by the nonpartisan Program Evaluation Division, which was eliminated in 2021 and replaced by Gov Ops. Coletti said that the Program Evaluation Division already had the ability to make unannounced site visits, and the state auditor already has the ability to take a look at contracts and audit records of contractors. So we were going through those and saying, What powers do folks already have, that we need to make sure that will transfer over to this group? he said. Those former Program Evaluation Division powers, however, did not include the ability to make criminal referrals and keep state employees and others from being able to talk about being the subject of an investigation. The new state law says that a person who conceals, falsifies, or refuses to provide to the Commission any document, information, or access to any building or facility with the intent to interfere, mislead or impede an investigation is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Asked about the secret police criticism, Coletti said any criminal charges are just referrals; theres no Gov Ops law enforcement. From left, SBIs General Counsel Angel Gray, Gov. Roy Coopers Chief of Staff Kristi Jones, center, and General Counsel Eric Fletcher, respond to accusations of meddling in the SBI by its Director Bob Schurmeier Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at the State Legislative Building. Coletti said the reasoning for the new confidentiality rule is to protect whistleblowers and to prevent someone from giving investigators the run-around. He said the rule also keeps someone from facing undue pressure from other officials who learn the person is talking to Gov Ops. Whos in charge of Gov Ops? While Gov Ops is an oversight group, there is no oversight of Gov Ops outside of the corner offices where Moore and Berger work. The two leaders co-chair the commission. Ann Webb, the policy director of government watchdog group Common Cause North Carolina, said an agency that is designed to protect the interests of the public spending, state funds should be operated in such a way that it reflects the public interest in its structure not simply the interest of a couple of very powerful individuals. Sen. leader Phil Berger answers questions from the media following a final vote on the state budget bill Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 on the Senate Floor of the General Assembly. The bill passed the Republican-controlled General Assembly on Friday after a final Senate vote. Berger argues that Democrats have staff on Gov Ops too, not just Republicans. It is something that is designed to assist the General Assembly, and all members of the General Assembly, in carrying out our constitutional obligations to oversee the money thats being spent and the policies that are being carried out by the executive branch and by other branches, Berger said. Republicans have the most Gov Ops staffers, while Democrats have just a few. Moore and Berger, sometimes with recommendations from Republican staff, decide who will be the subject of investigations and hearings. Republicans say thats simply because they hold the majority in the General Assembly. A legislative staffer for Democrats told The N&O there isnt much interaction between the partisan sides of Gov Ops. The staffer described the work as a lot of side-by-side investigations with not much collaboration. Coletti said theres a little bit of joint work. Coletti and others on the Republican staff report to the chiefs of staff for Moore and Berger, and Democratic staff members report to the chiefs of staff for Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue and House Minority Leader Robert Reives. The minority party staffer said the gag order on people talking to Gov Ops could have a chilling effect on businesses that might want to work with North Carolinas state government. This confidentiality provision would prevent not only, like, the public from knowing about these investigations, but also other staff and other members of the commission. Because essentially its putting a gag order on the agency employees that are being reached out to by Gov Ops, the staffer said. By not clearly laying out how a criminal referral is made, and by who, the change to Gov Ops powers fails to provide guardrails that would make the referral process legitimate, the staffer said. Public records exemption Another major policy change in the budget thats now law pertains to records. Obtaining public records from state lawmakers was already difficult. Lawmakers could claim so-called legislative privilege to deny records requests, though they did grant some of them. The law now omits them entirely, allowing the lawmaker herself or himself to decide whats a public record and whether or not to keep it. Gov Ops and redistricting records are now exempt, too, under state law. Democracy requires transparency, Webb said. Sen. Graig Meyer, a Caswell, Orange and Person County Democrat,debates the state budget bill Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 on the Senate Floor of the General Assembly. Sen. Meyer raised numerous concerns with public records language in the budget bill. More power to the NCGA overall Webb, with Common Cause, said its really important to look at the holistic picture. All the ways that the legislature has been grabbing power for itself. She said Gov Ops is just the latest example. Webb said that Common Cause is always concerned with balance of power, and checks and balances disrupted, and thats not only the balance of power among the three branches of government but also the ability of the people to oversee what their government is doing. There are several more policy changes that allow the legislature to wield more power: Power to write the official explanations of proposed amendments to the state constitution will be given to the person who runs the Legislative Building: Legislative Services Officer Paul Coble, who is a former Raleigh mayor and Wake County commissioner. Instead of the Constitutional Amendments Publication Commission in the Secretary of States office, it will be the legislative service officer who shall prepare an explanation of the amendment, revision, or new Constitution in simple and commonly used language. The LSO consults with the Secretary of State, who prints the amendment summary. The budget also removed the governors appointment power for the State Board of Community Colleges. Instead of 10 appointed by the governor, the General Assembly will now appoint those 10 in addition to eight positions they already controlled, The N&O previously reported. The legislature also gave itself more power in a different branch of government: the courts. The House speaker and Senate leader will get to pick 10 new special superior court judges. The General Assembly will also get to pick four judges on the Judicial Standards Commission, which hears complaints against judges, who were previously appointed by the State Bar Council. These changes are a dangerous consolidation of power within the North Carolina General Assembly, Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed said in a video he posted on Facebook criticizing the judicial provisions. We cannot allow North Carolina to become a place where the pillars of our state government crumble for the benefit of extreme partisan political gain. Another policy change in the budget targeted the states insurance commissioner. Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is no longer also the fire marshal. Causey objected to the change, calling it needless. The fire marshal will be filled by a new person within the Department of Insurance. The lack of communication with the Department of Insurance and no input or discussion allowed on changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal is very disturbing, Causey said in a statement in late September. North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore presides over the N.C. House session in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Policy in budgets not common The National Conference of State Legislatures told The N&O there are only a few states that include policy in their budgets, like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in addition to North Carolina. Berger said policy provisions in the budget are things that have been discussed in committees or in bills that passed one chamber but not the other. I think its just a continuation of the practice has been in place in North Carolina for a pretty long period of time, he said. The Supreme Court should guarantee gun rights for an accused domestic abuser, several Second Amendment defenders finally wrote in court filings last week. The Second Amendment movement had not, to date, voiced much public support for Zackey Rahimis cause. But the amicus filings offer a window into gun groups thinking on the questions posed by USA v. Zackey Rahimi, which promises to define how the Court will interpret the right to bear arms in the coming years, and specifically whether laws banning domestic abusers from gun possession are constitutional. The Court will hear oral arguments in the case next month. The Supreme Courts last three major decisions to expand gun rights all emerged out of civil court cases brought by law-abiding firearm owners and an advocacy group. The Supreme Courts last three major decisions to expand gun rights all emerged out of civil court cases brought by law-abiding firearm owners and an advocacy group. The Supreme Courts last three major decisions to expand gun rights all emerged out of civil court cases brought by law-abiding firearm owners and an advocacy group. Rahimi, on the other hand, features a potentially unsympathetic defendant accused of repeatedly shooting guns at people, into houses, at cars, and into the air. In addition to the alleged domestic violence against his former partner, with whom he has a young child, Rahimi faces felony prosecutions in Tarrant County, Texas, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against three separate people, recklessly discharging a firearm and possession of fentanyl. He publicly discharged firearms at least six times, including repeatedly shooting at a separate young woman he lured into a parking lot, according to court filings and police records obtained by HuffPost. After landing in prison to face his state criminal charges, he attacked a prison guard, according to an incident report. Those allegations are beside the point, says a filing submitted by nine gun rights groups. The Government focuses on the alleged criminal activities of Mr. Rahimi, with five pages of detailed facts, conflating his alleged felonies with his entirely unrelated disarmament based on a civil order, the filing reads. No matter how unsympathetic Rahimi is, gun owners should not be stripped of their Second Amendment rights without first convicting him of a crime with a high standard of evidence, the groups say. Rahimi should not only lose his Second Amendment liberties, but he should also lose all of his liberties if the allegations against him are ultimately proven true with sufficient due process, the NRAs filing reads. But constitutional safeguards cannot be set aside to obtain those ends. Both filings downplay the legitimacy of many protective orders, with the 9-group coalition saying, the Government desires the power to disarm untold thousands of Americans subject to civil protective orders, which are based on all manner of marital or relational discord. Setting that high of a standard to disarm an alleged abuser would mark a seachange in U.S. law. People facing domestic abuse can access two broad types of court orders to protect themselves temporary restraining orders and longer-term protective orders issued by a court. They typically are issued though civil processes rather than criminal ones and neither requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the high standard used to mete out criminal convictions that can result in jail sentences. Congress made it a felony to possess a firearm while subject to a protective order for domestic violence in 1994. The law survived constitutional challenges for nearly three decades. Several states go further than that, barring firearm possession for people subject to a temporary restraining order. Measures that bar abusers from easily accessing firearms have a research-backed record of shielding victims and survivors of domestic violence from their tormentors. Gun reformers, advocacy groups and public health researchers say current laws dont go far enough. But the Supreme Court, with a lopsided conservative majority inherited from the Trump administration, issued a sweeping reinterpretation of the Second Amendment last year, making long-standing gun safety laws newly vulnerable to constitutional challenges. The decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, penned by Justice Clarence Thomas, said that neither state nor federal government could weigh public safety concerns anymore when considering the constitutionality of firearm restrictions. Instead, courts would have to judge whether a given gun restriction had a historical tradition dating back to some time between 1791 when the Bill of Rights passed and the end of the Civil War. The ruling spurred chaotic enforcement, with courts across the country issuing competing rulings about the constitutionality of long-standing gun safety measures and dissuading state legislators from passing new laws. Rahimis case is the first that the Supreme Court will take since issuing the landmark ruling last year. Gun groups say the federal government cant come up with the historical analogs that the Supreme Court now demands. Domestic violence was not taken as seriously as it should have been for much of the nations history, the NRA filing notes. When the government did try to disarm certain classes of people historically, it often did in flatly discriminatory ways that would not be considered constitutional now. In the early years of the Republic, for example, some states barred Black people or Native Americans from possessing firearms. Reformers and researchers have also wondered how the Supreme Court will approach that issue when they reconsider it. Colonial and early republic authorities only occasionally punished people for battering their spouses. Punishments might include fines or whipping, and routine offenders might have to post a bond to avoid jail time, but courts did not typically disarm them. The movement that led to modern laws criminalizing domestic violence only gained steam in the late 19th century, likely putting it outside the scope of the Bruen decision. The Government seeks to turn Americans who have never committed a felony into felons based on their mere act of possessing a firearm, and claims to justify this with historically unsupportable rationales, the coalition filing says. CORRECTION: This story has been amended to state that the law making it a felony to possess a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order passed in 1994, not 1996, and to clarify the difference between temporary and long-term orders. Related... A Michigan woman is facing charges after officials say her neglect led to a mans death. Jessica Struhar, 26, was working as a certified nursing assistant at a Richmond nursing facility in 2021, according to a news release from the Michigan Attorney Generals Office. (Struhar) ignored multiple standing orders in relation to a 58-year-old residents plan of care during mealtime, the release said. While at the facility, the resident choked and died, the release said. Officials say it was Struhars neglect that led to the incident. Struhar is also accused of making several false medical records entries about the victims care while he was receiving life-saving care from EMS and hospital personnel, the release said. The overwhelming majority of those who provide long-term care in Michigan do so with integrity and respect for their important role, said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. But when there is a serious breach in the responsibility entrusted to them, there are criminal consequences, and my office will seek accountability. Struhar faces charges of second-degree vulnerable adult abuse and intentionally placing false information in a medical record. She was arraigned on Oct. 6, and is due back in court on Oct. 17, the release said. Nurse stole pain medicines for herself, forcing patients to go without, Iowa cops say Nurse was caught swapping pain medicine meant for surgery patients with saline, feds say Nurse swapped anxiety medication used in patients procedures with saline, feds say Volodymyr and Dmytro Mamon The brothers accused of directing a Russian missile strike on a public gathering in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, killing 55 people, have been described as animals and fascists by a former neighbos. Ukraines SBU security service identified the two brothers as 30-year-old Volodymyr Mamon and his younger brother, 23-year-old Dmytro Mamon, the SBU reported on Telegram on Oct. 11. Read also: UN experts visited Hroza after Russias deadliest missile strike of 2023 wipes out half the community The brothers Russian passports and their so-called police certificates in the ranks of the occupation "authorities" were shared by the SBU. Both suspects and their families fled to Russia before the Kharkiv oblasts liberation and continued their service to Russia. They remotely recruited and formed their own network of Ukrainian informants to collect information on the Ukrainian Armed Forces deployment and regional mass events under the pretext of friendly correspondence. NV correspondent Serhiy Okuniev arrived in Hroza immediately after the tragic Oct. 5 attack. The next day, the locals gave him the names of their former neighbors, calling them torturers and collaborators. Larysa Shevchenko (the woman's name has been changed for security reasons and is known to the editors - ed.) lives very close to the cafe that was hit by a Russian missile on Oct. 5. Her family survived the Russian occupation of Hroza, during which Larysa's house was searched several times, her husband was threatened with execution, and her son was kidnapped and sent to a torture chamber. Shevchenko says that these and other crimes were committed by the Mamon family, who immediately agreed to cooperate with the Russians and became so called policemen in the village. She called them fascists 11 times during a 20-minute conversation with Okuniev, which occurred a week before the SBUs report. Read also: Documenting Russia's deadliest strikes against Ukrainian civilians During the Russian occupation, her son was abducted, and for a long time there was no information about his whereabouts or status. The woman says she walked 35 kilometers to Kupyansk in search of her son and was ready to be killed at Russian checkpoints. "I came to the police station where they (the occupiers) keep prisoners. They don't say whether this or that person is here or not. But if you want to pass a parcel and it is accepted, then apparently he is here. That's how I found out that my son was in the torture chamber in Kupyansk. Larysa says her son was electrocuted and tied to metal bars. At one point she saw the occupiers leading a column of Ukrainian hostages down the street. They were beaten and forced to walk in a bent position with their heads as low as possible. When people fell, they were beaten and forced to stand up again. Later, the occupiers began to force the prisoners to work. In particular, they forced people to clear up the rubble of the former customs office. This building housed the headquarters of the occupiers, and was destroyed by a Ukrainian strike. Larysa claimed that hundreds of people may have been held in various torture chambers and basements in Kupyansk. During the rapid counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the fall of 2022, the occupiers literally fled the city and lost control over some of the prisoners. Shevchenko's son was lucky enough to escape the day before Kupyansk was liberated. Okuniev reported to the SBU and the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office the information he had received from Hroza residents about alleged crimes committed by the Mamon family. The suspects began gathering information about the planned reburial of a fallen Ukrainian soldier in Hroza village in early October. They understood that civilians, including their acquaintances and those who provided them with information, would certainly die as a result of the hostile attack, the SBU claimed. Having learned the exact address and time of the wake of a fallen soldier, Volodymyr Mamon passed this information to the Russian occupiers, who launched a targeted Iskander-M tactical missile attack on Hroza on Oct. 5. The Iskander missile hit a cafe in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, where about 60 villagers had gathered on Oct. 5. The building collapsed and people were trapped under the rubble, resulting in 55 deaths, including that of a six-year-old child. Only 49 bodies were identified. Six children were orphaned. Read also: Relatives bidding final farewell to fallen defender among 52 killed in Hroza The regional prosecutor's office said that the cafe was hosting a wake, attended only by civilians, who were saying their final goodbyes to the deceased and buried soldier Andriy Kozyr, who was fatally wounded in Popasna. He was buried in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, but his son Denys decided to rebury his father in his home village. His son and his 20-year-old wife, Nina, were also killed in the cafe. About half of the village of about 100 people were there. Investigators believed that the attack on the cafe was highly precise, so they had been looking for those who may have directed it among the local population. On the basis of the collected evidence, the SBU charged both brothers with state treason and a crime committed by prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 111 and Part 2 of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Volodymyr Mamon's criminal acts were additionally qualified as aiding and abetting a crime, committing a criminal offense by a group of persons, and violating the laws and customs of war (Part 5 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). This was the deadliest Russian attack against Ukrainian civilians in 2023. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A New York City corrections captain was arrested in White Plains after allegedly pistol-whipping a woman in a parking lot behind Mamaroneck Avenue restaurants and bars following an Oktoberfest celebration, an attack that was broken up by off-duty cops from Yonkers and Westchester County. Tony Montague, 45, of White Plains, was taken into custody shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday in the Waller-Maple parking lot. According to city police, two off-duty cops who observed the altercation drew their own guns and ordered Montague to drop his, although video shows he already had when the second cop approached. The cellphone video seen by The Journal News/lohud begins with a crowd already gathered in the parking lot. Montague then gets sucker-punched from behind by another man. As they scuffle, Montague is punched numerous times and tears the man's shirt. The woman then tries to intervene. Montague pulls a gun and seemingly starts to pursue his attacker. But that man had run behind some cars and Montague instead hits the woman twice in the head with the gun as he holds her hair. He dropped the gun at one point and when he picked it up and started after the woman again, the off-duty Yonkers cop approaches with his gun drawn. Montague sees that, drops his gun, raises his hands and after a few seconds gets down on the ground, one hand still raised the other on the ground. The second off-duty cop then enters the picture with his gun drawn as well and a third man secures Montague's gun. The Yonkers cop puts his gun in his waistband as Montague seems to be telling him that he's a cop. The Yonkers cop puts his hand on his gun prepared to draw it again but does not as Montague removes what appears to be a badge from his pocket. He lays it on the ground and the officer picks it up to check it. Montague was arraigned Tuesday in White Plains City Court on charges of second-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, both felonies. According to the criminal complaint, Montague took a loaded Glock 19 handgun from his waistband and hit the 34-year-old woman in the face and head. She sustained a concussion and complained of pain in her shoulder. The gun was licensed, according to police, but Montague is accused of using it unlawfully in the assault. A spokeswoman for the NYC Department of Corrections said Montague, a 19-year veteran, has been suspended without pay for the next four weeks. Montague was released on bail and is due back in city court on Nov. 6. His lawyer did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday. Police said they were still investigating what led up to the incident and asked that anyone with information or cellphone videos contact Detective Steven Silfa at ssilfa@whiteplainsny.gov or call 914-422-6200. The Yonkers PBA president, Det. Keith Olson, said his colleague showed "incredible bravery and restraint." "Things could've easily gone horribly wrong but they didn't because of the actions of our off-duty officer," he said in a text. Neither he nor Yonkers police spokesman Sgt. Frank DiDomizio would identify the officer, who joined the department in early 2020 and has also served seven years as an Army National Guardsman. "As mandated by Department policy with all uses of force, we are conducting a routine review of the actions taken by our Officer and can preliminarily determine that the actions taken to stop this potentially deadly assault were appropriate, authorized, and within department policy," DiDomizio said in an email. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: White Plains pistol whipping leads to assault charge NEW YORK If someone tries to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge, they shouldnt do so from its walkway, the city Transportation Department says. Street vendors would not be allowed to set up shop on the bike lane or walking path of any city bridge, according to a draft of a proposed DOT rule published last week in the City Record. The rule change would bar any peddler, vendor, hawker, or huckster from the pedestrian or bike lane of any bridge. Its aimed squarely at the Brooklyn Bridge, where vendors gather near the Manhattan approach to sell food, art and tourist-oriented tchotchkes. The Brooklyn Bridge has been called Americas Eiffel Tower, and its important that all New Yorkers and the millions of people who visit our city each year can enjoy it without impediments to safety and pedestrian mobility, Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriquez said in a statement to the Daily News. These proposed rules would make it safer and easier for pedestrians to enjoy the Brooklyn Bridge and take in the world-renowned view of New York Harbor, he added. Transportation officials wrote in the City Record that the change would enhance pedestrian safety, ease overcrowding and promote the safety and security of the bridges. Department data shows an average 34,000 pedestrians walked the bridges central wooden deck on weekend days last fall up from an average of 17,000 in the fall of 2021, when the walkway was closed to bicycle traffic. These high pedestrian counts make vending along the walkway an unsafe condition, particularly in areas where the width of the elevated pedestrian walkway narrows to 5 feet, the rule proposal reads. The average width of the pedestrian walkway is 16 feet, with narrower sections throughout. When bikes were moved off the bridges pedestrian pathway, more space opened up for vendors, said Mohamed Attia, managing director of the Urban Justice Centers Street Vendor Project. Now there is even more space for pedestrians and vendors to coexist, he told The News. That fact gives the city less cause to remove the vendors, Attia said. More than a dozen vendo tables stretched nearly to the center of the bridge from the Manhattan side on Tuesday. We were surprised that they allowed the stalls to be here, because its such a busy area, said a tourist from New Zealand who gave her name as Elaine. And New York City is quite security conscious, so to have this here was quite surprising. Its nice to be able to have these things if you feel the urge to purchase, absolutely, she added. Anthony Vas, who was selling paintings made on maps of the city sees the setup as good for visitors. They can get souvenirs for a fair price, you know? Not overpriced souvenirs, he said. Vas, 33, said hed been vending on New York City streets for 14 years, first in Times Square, then on Fifth Avenue. Each time, he said, the city eventually pushed him out. Where are people supposed to work? he asked. Whats the purpose? Vas said police have recently been showing up multiple times a day to ensure all bridge vendors are licensed with Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Most of the vendors have proper licenses, said Attia, the vendors advocate. Attia called the DOT proposal to ban vendors from the bridge disappointing. Vendors make the bridge more welcoming to tourists, he said. They want to see activity happening on the bridge. Banning vending shouldnt be the answer to any question, he added. The city should really take advantage of street vendors as an industry. The DOT has scheduled a virtual public hearing on the proposed changes for Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. _____ An international law firm will not be hiring the NYU Law School Bar Association student president after he made a series of inflammatory comments regarding the Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend. Ryna Workman declared unwavering solidarity with Palestinians in a school-wide newsletter. Ryna Workman lost her job offer after making pro-Palestine remarks. (Photo: Facebook/Ryna Workman) I want to express, first and foremost, my unwavering and absolute solidarity with Palestinians in their resistance against oppression toward liberation and self-determination, Workman wrote in an excerpt that has since been shared on social media. Trending Today: The remarks continued, Israel bears full responsibility for this tremendous loss of life. This regime of state-sanctioned violence created the conditions that made resistance necessary. I will not condemn Palestinian resistance. Workman went on to condemn the violence of apartheid, settler colonialism, military occupation, dispossession, stolen homes, and an entire litany of accusations against the Israeli government. Workman did not condemn the violence of Hamas that has ignited warfare and has killed more than a thousand Palestinian and Israeli people. Winston & Strawn LLP, a firm that has offices in New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., London, Hong Kong, Paris, and Shanghai, took note of Workmans comments, causing them to rescind an employment offer to their company in a tweet from its corporate X profile. The firm stated their office learned that a former summer associate published certain inflammatory comments regarding Hamas recent terrorist attack on Israel and distributed it to the NYU Student Bar Association. These comments are profoundly in conflict with Winston & Strawns values as a firm. Accordingly, the law firm has rescinded the law students offer of employment. Ryna Workmans pro-Palestine remarks. (Photo: X/@JammieWF) Also noted was that a communication was sent to all Winston personnel that, as a company, they remain outraged and deeply saddened by the violent attack and standing in solidarity with Israels right to exist in peace, condemning unequivocally Hamas and the destruction it has caused. New York University released a statement reprimanding Workman on the schools website. The statement issued by the president of the Student Bar Association does not in any way reflect the point of view of NYU, which condemns the terrorist attack on Israel, the statement read. Acts of terrorism are immoral. The indiscriminate killing of civilians and hostage-taking, including children and the elderly, is reprehensible. Blaming victims of terrorism for their own deaths is wrong, the comment concluded. Following the Oct. 7 attack, over 1,200 fatalities and 2,900 injuries have been recorded. Palestinian authorities confirm 1,055 deaths and 5,184 injuries in Gaza from Israeli retaliation to the Hamas attacks. Since 2008, the United Nations has reported roughly 6,400 Palestinian and 300 Israeli casualties, excluding recent incidents. It will only get worse, as Israel has declared war on Hamas and is striking the occupied territory of Gaza, increasing the likelihood of further widespread destruction and casualties. Read the original story here. An employee of the Ocean Springs Fire Department was charged with embezzlement Wednesday, according to a press release from the city of Ocean Springs. The employee, who was not named in the release, was arrested by the Ocean Springs Police Department after money that was donated through fundraisers to the Ocean Springs Firefighters Association went missing. The employee was an accountant for the organization and had direct access to the funds. According to the release, the discovery was made after reviewing financial records. According to the fire department, the money was not taxpayer money, but donations gained through fundraisers. Fire Chief Derek McCoy placed the employee on administrative leave with pay after the employee allegedly admitted to the misspending. A disciplinary hearing at a special meeting of the mayor and Board of Aldermen was held on Tuesday in which the board approved termination of the employee following a recommendation from Fire Chief Derek McCoy. Chief McCoy contacted the Ocean Springs Police Department and provided documentation for a formal criminal investigation to be conducted. We are a team both professionally and personally. It is most bothersome for me that this former employee chose to forego the opportunity to ask for help from his OSFD family who trusted and respected him but rather he chose to betray all of us by making a repetitive conscious decision to steal, McCoy said in a press release. His behavior and apparent lack of judgment does not meet the standards that I, his former co-workers, or this community deserve and will not be tolerated. Do you have eclipse glasses for the Great American Eclipse 2023? If not, you could potentially get a pair for free at your local library. Below are things to know about the Great American Eclipse aka "ring of fire" eclipse in October and a roundup of which libraries in Florida are giving them away (while supplies last). Florida solar eclipse: Even without 'ring of fire,' social media takes these great photos 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. Eclipse schedule: Best time to see it in Florida, weather permitting Can the Great American Eclipse 2023 or 'ring of fire' eclipse be seen in Florida? 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? 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 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." Will we see October 2023 solar eclipse from Florida? Though Florida is not in the path of annularity, skywatchers would still have a 50 percent to 60 percent chance of seeing a phase of the annular eclipse in October, weather permitting, of course. To see all phases of an annular eclipse, you must be within the path of annularity. According to a map on greatamericaneclipse.com, the 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. 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. 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. Are libraries in Florida giving away solar eclipse glasses for free? In celebration of National Library Card Signup Month, some Florida libraries are giving away solar eclipse glasses at no cost and while supplies last. Are libraries in Brevard County, Florida, giving away solar eclipse glasses? Brevard County libraries will provide free solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last) for the Oct. 14, 2023, Great American Eclipse aka "ring of fire" eclipse. "These same glasses can be used again for the total solar eclipse happening on Monday, April 8, 2024," the site states. The eclipse glasses were provided via the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Space Science Institute and SEAL (Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries) program. Are libraries in Palm Beach County, Florida, giving away solar eclipse glasses? Palm Beach County Library System will provide a pair of eclipse glasses per library card (don't forget the card!) through Oct 13. On Oct 14, any remaining eclipse glasses will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to library cardholders, a notice on its site states. Are libraries in Broward County, Florida, giving away solar eclipse glasses? Broward County Library will distribute 8,000 free solar eclipse glasses to Broward library cardholders during regular service hours. One pair of glasses will be distributed per library card shown, the site states. An Oct. 11 check online shows eclipse glasses are available (for now) at these libraries in Broward County: African American Research Library and Cultural Center Beach Branch Carver Ranches Branch Century Plaza/Leon Slatin Branch Dania Beach Paul De Maio Branch Davie/Cooper City Branch Fort Lauderdale Reading Center Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center Hallandale Beach Branch Hollywood Beach Bernice P. Oster Branch Imperial Point Branch Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library Lauderdale Lakes Library/Educational and Cultural Center Lauderhill Central Park Library Lauderhill Towne Centre Library Margate Catharine Young Branch Miramar Branch Library and Education Center North Lauderdale Saraniero Branch North Regional/Broward College Library Northwest Branch Pembroke Pines/Walter C. Young Resource Center Pompano Beach Library and Cultural Center Riverland Branch South Regional/Broward College Library Southwest Regional Library Stirling Road Branch Sunrise Dan Pearl Branch Tamarac Branch Tyrone Bryant Branch Weston Branch 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." The 'ring of fire' solar eclipse will be visible in North America in October. Are 3D glasses the same as solar eclipse glasses? No. 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 wear sunglasses and watch the solar eclipse? No. 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: Do I need glasses for Great American Eclipse, ring of fire on Oct. 14? An Oklahoma City Police Department vehicle sits ahead of train tracks with a railroad signal in the background. An Oklahoma City police officer arrested and accused of falsifying overtime claims is the same officer involved in a fatal car crash nearly a decade ago. Lt. Bryant Holloway, 48, a 10-year veteran with the Oklahoma City Police Department, was arrested Friday, and put on paid administrative leave after allegedly altering times on citations to claim overtime pay, police said. Officer also accused of negligent homicide in 2015 crash Police confirmed Tuesday that Holloway was the officer accused of negligent homicide in a high-speed crash in 2015 that resulted in the death of a 79-year-old motorist at an intersection. In that incident Holloway was chasing a speeder near NW 150 and Pennsylvania Avenue when Marinan Reese attempted to make a left turn onto NW 150 from a stop sign and Holloway crashed into her vehicle. According to court records he was driving 30 mph over the speed limit without using lights or sirens. He was driving 78 mph when he applied the brakes and was going 60 mph at impact. The charge of negligent homicide a misdemeanor is used when someone is alleged to have acted in willful and reckless disregard for the safety of others. More: Oklahoma City police officer faces negligent homicide charge in deadly crash Former Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater told The Oklahoman on Tuesday that Reese misjudged Holloway's speed and pulled in front of him from a residential side street.. Prater said Holloway pleaded guilty after a meeting with the family in which he apologized. He said he agreed with the family's suggestion that Holloway be given probation. "I did, however, tell the chief of police he should be fired," Prater said. In the overtime case, police told The Oklahoman that Holloway came under investigation several months ago after a supervisor noticed a discrepancy in citations he had issued. Capt. Valerie Littlejohn said Holloway altered the time of citations to align with an overtime program for traffic shifts. He wasn't working the overtime when he was supposed to be, Littlejohn said. Holloway turned himself in and was processed through the Midwest City jail. He faces felony charges in Oklahoma District Court of perjury, embezzlement of more than $1,000 and publicly circulating an altered document. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police officer on leave, accused of falsifying records Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel dares President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to set an example and give up his confidential funds amounting to more than 2 billion. This comes after a small committee at the House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously decided not to allot confidential funds to some civilian agencies in the 2024 budget bill and realign them instead to those focused on national security. These are the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). READ: Zero confidential funds in 2024 budget for OVP, DepEd, DICT, DA, DFA Speaking on CNN Philippines The Final Word on Tuesday, Manuel said almost half of the total amount of confidential and intelligence funds (48.9%) in the 2024 budget were allocated to the Office of the President (OP). Siya [Marcos] at ang kaniyang opisina ang may pinakamalaking allocation for confidential funds na lumalampas sa 2 billion, the lawmaker said. [Translation: Marcos and his office has the biggest allocation of confidential funds which exceeds 2 billion.] Manuel added that the combined confidential and intelligence funds of Marcos' office is at 4.56 billion, or equivalent to 12 million if spent per day. Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said the funds should be realigned to address the pressing needs of society, particularly in basic social services such as education, healthcare, housing, and livelihood programs. The quest continues Manuel said the House committees move to scrap the confidential funds of some agencies mirrors the sentiments of the public. He said the probe into the unreported 125 million confidential funds of the OVP will continue. Hindi natin titigilan, kasi lalo nat debatable na nga ang confidential funds kahit na nasa general appropriations act. How much more ang 2022 confidential funds ng OVP na hindi talaga dumaan sa Congress? he questioned. [Translation: We will not stop, because confidential funds are already debatable even though they are included in the general appropriations act. How much more are the 2022 confidential funds of the OVP that did not actually go through Congress?] Brosas also said their call to completely do away with confidential funds in all agencies and realign them to social services and programs still has a long way to go. "We will continue to champion the interests of the Filipino people, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed," she said. Hindi maaaring ang mga opisyales at malalaking negosyante ang nakikinabang sa pondo ng taumbayan." [Translation: We cannot allow officials and big businessmen to dip into the countrys coffers.] OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice wants a Lincoln County Judge off the bench, after an investigation found 500 text messages sent to her bailiff during her first murder trial, and possibly her last. The alleged text messages appear to be making fun of prosecutors, witnesses, and jurors. As first reported by The Oklahoman, Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Kane, said he wants Lincoln County Judge, Traci Soderstrom, taken off the bench. You can find the full petition here, under the October 10th entry. Picture of Chief Justice M. John Kane IV Chief Kane said Soderstrom, 50, texted her bailiff, Angela Miller, during the June trial of a 2-year-old beaten to death in 2018. Kane said Judge Soderstrom seemed to have her mind made up, believing the boyfriend of the childs mother was innocent. Headshot of Judge Traci Soderstrom on KFOR background The judge texted her bailiff, that prosecutors just couldnt accept that a mom could kill their kid so they went after the next person available. The judge added Can I please scream liar liar? The text messages also appear to be mocking prosecutors asking Why does he have baby hands? They are so weird looking, while adding he was sweating through his coat. The judge also allegedly made crass comments about one of the prosecutors genitals. In other messages, they allegedly accused witnesses of not having teeth, being constipated, and a juror of wearing a wig. Meanwhile, Soderstrom allegedly called a testifying officer pretty and told Bailiff Miller I could look at him all day. The judge also described the defense attorney as awesome asking Can I clap for her? Court document detailing Judge Soderstrom's alleged text messages Chief Kanes harshest criticism is the judges apparent influence on the trials outcome, never giving the jurors an opportunity to consider 2nd degree murder. They ultimately handed down a manslaughter conviction and recommended he be released with time served. The childs mother is serving a 25-year sentence for enabling child abuse. After the trial, a video of Judge Soderstrom on her phone was leaked to the media. She then had cameras moved away, then put back, but asked for black privacy boxes be put up over her desk. Theyre able to zoom in on her handwriting on the bench, Tracy Schumacher, Judge Soderstroms attorney told News 4 in August. Thats not possible, said Sheriff Charlie Dougherty. During an August meeting, the county commissioners voted to remove the privacy boxes. News 4 called Schumacher for a comment several times. She never called back. We called Bailiff Miller. She hung up. News 4 called back twice but got a dial tone. News 4 also called the District Attorneys office three times, but never heard back. Chief Kane and The Council on Judicial Complaints declined to comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma City Fire Department is reaching out to residents who are in need of a smoke alarm. The Oklahoma City Fire Department says it will provide free, long-life smoke alarms to OKC residents. Find more Top Stories from KFOR.com Fire officials say they will need to come to the home to install the units. If an OKC resident needs new smoke alarms, they can request them by calling 405-316-BEEP (2337). For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An Oklahoma City police officer was one of 50 people arrested last week during a sting operation to combat prostitution. An Oklahoma City police officer is on paid administrative leave after getting arrested during a sting operation to combat prostitution. Sgt. Jurden Brown, community relations officer for the Santa Fe Division, was among 50 arrested during the joint operation conducted last week with the human trafficking unit of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. Brown was released from the jail Oct. 5 on $5,000 bond. I think it's important to note that as officers, we're supposed to lead by example in our community, and I want people to know that regardless of who you are, even if youre an officer, you are going to be held accountable for your actions, Capt. Valerie Littlejohn, a spokesperson for the police department, told The Oklahoman. Littlejohn said the operation took place Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 near the area of 3600 S Robinson Ave. Those arrested were booked into the Oklahoma County jail on a complaint of offering to engage in prostitution. The operation also led to the recovery of two firearms and the seizure of a small amount of narcotics, police said. Authorities said 48 vehicles were towed and had holds placed on them for nuisance abatement. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police officer arrested during prostitution sting, on paid leave FILE- Mary Lou Retton reacts to applause after her performance at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles on Aug. 3, 1984. Retton. 55, is in intensive care in a Texas hospital fighting a rare form of pneumonia, according to her daughter McKenna Kelley. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis, File) Olympic gymnastics champion Mary Lou Retton remained in intensive care on Wednesday while dealing with a rare form of pneumonia. Retton's daughters posted a message on Instagram saying their mother continues to fight and thanked the thousands who have donated money to help take care of Retton's medical bills. Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, the oldest of Retton's four daughters, said in a video update on Instagram that the family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Retton, 55. We didnt even realize that there are so many people out there that love her just as much as we do, Schrepfer said. "And its been a really hard time for our family. And so just seeing that people love her like that and showing her that support has just meant the world to us and to her, so thank you. Nearly 5,000 people had donated over $275,000 in the 24 hours since her family launched an online fundraiser on Tuesday. The family said Retton does not have medical insurance and indicated they were asking for donations with an initial goal of $50,000 to help pay for Retton's care. Schrepfer declined to get into specifics about Retton's situation, saying only that it's going to be a day-to-day process." Retton was 16 years old when the Fairmont, West Virginia, native made history at the Los Angeles Olympics, scoring perfect 10s on floor exercise and vault in the final two rotations to become the first American woman to win the Olympic all-around title. She ended the Olympics with five medals two silvers and two bronzes to go with the all-around gold and became a pop culture sensation while earning the nickname America's Sweetheart." Her Olympic success made her the first female athlete to appear on the cover of a Wheaties box. Retton retired from competition in 1986. Her newfound fame made her a household name in the U.S. She made several film and television appearances, including a stint on Dancing with the Stars. She and her husband, Shannon Kelley, divorced in 2018. ___ AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games One Of The Last Living Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors, Hughes Van Ellis, Dies At 102 | Photo: Brian Stukes via Getty Images Hearts around the nation are mourning the loss of Hughes Van Ellis, one of the last living survivors of 1921s Tulsa Race Massacre. On Oct. 9, the 102-year-old activist passed away in Denver, Colorado, reported CNN. Unfortunately, he was unable to receive reparations for what his family endured. As many know, from May 31 to June 1, 1921, a White supremacist mob committed one of the deadliest acts of violence in the U.S. near an area nicknamed Black Wall Street. They used guns, aerial bombings and arson to kill community members. He died waiting on justice, the army veterans grandnephew, Ike Howard, said in an interview with CNN. Unsurprisingly, the massacre created an uphill battle that negatively impacted Van Ellis and his family. Unable to get back to the life they knew before being pushed out of their home, they struggled, which is something he didnt want anyone else to endure. I lost 102 years. I dont want nobody else to lose that, he told CNN back in June. Throughout the rest of his life, Van Ellis fought for justice and made strides along with his sister, Viola Fletcher. Together, they shared their story with Congress about the burdens their families faced following the two-day tragedy. Their testimonies led President Joe Biden to commemorate May 31 as a day of remembrance. Please do not let me leave this earth without justice, Van Ellis said at the time, per NPR. Oklahoma Representative Regina Goodwin released a statement on behalf of Van Ellis family. Mr. Hughes Van Ellis, 102, passed Mon. Oct. 9th at 11:30 am in Denver, Colorado. A loving family man, he was known as Uncle Redd. He was among the three last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the most horrific acts of racist terrorism on American soil, Goodwins statement began. She continued, A WWIl, war veteran, Mr. Ellis, bravely served America, even as he spent a lifetime awaiting atonement related to the Tulsa Race Massacre. Mr. Ellis was aware, that survivors, his sister Mrs. Viola Ford Fletcher, 109, Mrs. Lessie Benningfield Randle, 108, and family descendants were recently at our state capitol interim study focused on 2001 state commissioned reparation recommendations. After noting Van Ellis continuous fight for justice, Goodwin concluded her statement with, The scripture of Jeremiah 6 reads This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths; ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. We celebrate the rare life of Mr. Hughes Van Ellis who inspires us still! Nearly 3,000 South Floridians chanted, prayed and sang Hebrew songs in solidarity with Israel at a rally at the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach Tuesday night. The event was held in the wake of a deadly attack in Israel thats reverberated across the world. During the rally, hosted by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and joined by 36 other community groups, Jews and non-Jews held signs reading We stand with Israel and Stop Hamas now just days after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel, killing more than 1,200 civilians as of Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor of Florida Jeanette Nunez attends a rally at the Holocaust Memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. People gathered to the event, which was hosted by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, to show solidarity with Israel after Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on the country from Gaza. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com The rally began with a choir of cantors from various South Florida synagogues singing the American and Israeli national anthems. Its unbelievable that after 80 years, were still struggling to find peace in our land, said Ariel Bentata, board chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. He mentioned President Bidens remarks from earlier in the day. Nobody could have said it better: This is an act of sheer evil. A violation of every code of human morality, Bentata said, quoting the president. READ NEXT: These South Floridians were in the region when Israel was attacked. Theyre still there U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson and Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez were among the Florida politicians who spoke to the energized crowd, a sea of people wearing blue and white and waving Israeli flags. This cannot continue, said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in her speech about the situation now unfolding in Israel. The darkest moments must fortify us. That is what has always happened with our people. Cava spoke about her own family ties to Israel, citing community and strength as a way through the tragedy. We must not let hope die, she said. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava speaks during a rally at the Holocaust Memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. People gathered to the event, which was hosted by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, to show solidarity with Israel after Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on the country from Gaza. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, in his speech, first thanked law enforcement for keeping everyone safe. The police presence was heavy, with security guards checking bags upon entry to the rally and police officers stationed on top of nearby roofs. This is the greatest honor for our city, Gelber said about hosting the rally. I am Dan Gelber and I am a Zionist. Ive always thought its important for public officials to say that loudly and proudly. As he stood in front of the memorials main sculpture, an outstretched arm tattooed with a number from Auschwitz, Gelber likened the seriousness and cruelty of the Hamas attacks to that of the Holocaust. We proudly support Israel, period. Its right to defend itself, period. Its right to exist, period, Gelber told the cheering crowd. We can no longer be the scapegoats of people who hate us. Elinor Ben David and her daughter Liel Abissidan, 8, sit near the Holocaust Memorial during an event hosted by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com We are at war The assault on Israel from Gaza, the narrow strip of densely populated land between Israel and Egypt thats fraught with violence, has killed over 1,200 civilians, including 155 soldiers, as of Wednesday, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades, local officials have said. At least 14 Americans were killed and 20 or more were missing, White House officials said Tuesday. The attack involved aerial, sea and ground operations, and was initiated by the Palestinian group, Hamas, which the United States and European Union have designated a terrorist organization. In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared, We are at war. Since Saturday, Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, restricting all residents access to many necessities, including food, water and gas, Israeli officials said. On Wednesday, the death toll in Gaza climbed to at least 1,055 Palestinians, including 260 children and 230 women, according to reporting from the Associated Press. The war is expected to escalate. Miami Beach has deep roots to Israel Whether its a friend living in Tel Aviv or relative fighting in the Israel Defense Forces, many attendees at the rally had direct connections to Israel. Surfside residents Miriam Bimblich and George Minski were in Israel a few months ago for their wedding. The spirit that we saw there, so much unity, so much support, so much love for the land, Bimblich said Its unbelievable that this happened now. We were in shock. The couple said theyre worried about their family and friends in Israel. Everyone knows someone who has lost someone close, she said. Not being here today and not having a huge crowd would have sent the wrong message, said Minski, who was born and raised in Miami Beach. The message that had to be sent was a message of unity, strength and compassion. Miami Beach resident Philip Namiech, 54, moved from France over 20 years ago to escape antisemitism he was experiencing in Europe. Fay, 3, sits on the shoulders of her father, Menachem, 33, at the rally at the Holocaust Memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com As they say, we are one people, said Namiech, who has family in Israel. The least we can do is come here and express our solidarity. The support of the state of Florida for Israel is amazing. The rally remained peaceful throughout the evening. As the crowd began to disperse at around 8 p.m, Debbie Heber lingered with her granddaughter, who was draped in an Israeli flag. This hatred is unthinkable, unimaginable, said Heber, whos a teacher at Scheck Hillel Community School, a private Jewish day school in North Miami Beach. Its going to spread throughout the world if we dont eradicate it right now. Hebers granddaughter, Aviella Kunis, is a student at the Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach. She said shes experienced bullying due to her Jewish identity. I came today mostly because I know what its like to be Jewish and for people not to like that, said Aviella, 14. It was really nice seeing that so many people were here just to support Israel and to have love for the country like I love my country. Bob Kunst, 81, of Miami Beach holds a sign as he shows his support for Israel at the Holocaust Memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com This report was created with philanthropic support from Christian, Muslim and Jewish funders in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all work. Hello OnPolitics readers. After Hamas launched a shocking attack on Israel over the weekend, the Israeli death toll has reached more than 1,200 people as of Wednesday morning. More than 1,100 Gaza residents have been killed. Thousands more are wounded across the area, and more than 100 Israeli soldiers and civilians have been kidnapped by Hamas. Catch up quickly: Whats happening in Israel? After Hamas attack, understanding the conflict in Gaza Two of those people may be Cindy Flash, an American, and her Israeli husband, Igal. Flash, 67, lives in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz in southern Israel near Gaza, where some of the most harrowing and grisly stories have been emerging during the last few days, USA TODAYs Kim Hjelmgaard reports. Flashs daughter, Keren, described her mother, who worked as an administrator in a local college, as someone who had the "sweetest biggest heart," who everyone knew and loved, and who had spent a lifetime advocating for the rights of Palestinians, including those who live in Gaza where she may now be held. "They didn't deserve this,'' her daughter said Tuesday on the grounds of a hotel and resort northeast of Tel Aviv, where hundreds of people affected by the Hamas attack temporarily evacuated. "No one deserves this." You can read more here, and keep up with USA TODAY's live updates on the war. Want to keep up with the Israel-Hamas war? USA TODAY has launched a special edition newsletter to stay informed on the conflict, from the latest developments to contextual deep-dives on the repercussions of the war. Sign up here to get the headlines delivered straight to your inbox. Stay in the know on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israeli couple kidnapped by Hamas after war breaks out Editors Note: Peter Bergen is CNNs national security analyst, a vice president at New America, a professor of practice at Arizona State University, and the host of the Audible podcast In the Room With Peter Bergen, also on Apple and Spotify. He is on the advisory council of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, which advocates for US hostages. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN. Up to 150 hostages are being held in Gaza, according to Israeli officials. Meanwhile, 17 Americans are missing, and Hamas may be holding an unknown number of them, according to the White House. Peter Bergen - CNN Hamas has threatened to execute hostages and broadcast video of the execution if Israel strikes targets in Gaza without warning. The approach with the likely lowest risk to the hostages is a negotiated release. Few governments have much leverage with Hamas, but Qatar does, as it has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to poor Gazan families in recent years. Qatar also has a track record of brokering such releases; for instance, last month, Qatari officials helped to secure the release of five American prisoners held by Iran, which included $6 billion of Iranian oil revenues being unfrozen and sent to a Qatari bank to be used for humanitarian purposes in Iran. Already, Qatari officials are in communication with Hamas about what deal could be made to release the hostages they are holding. If there were to be some prisoner exchange, Hamas in the past has driven a hard bargain, exchanging Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011 for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. There are options other than negotiated releases. There are rescue operations, typically by special operations forces. But those are predicated on knowing exactly where the hostages are located. US special operations forces are offering their expertise and support to Israel, but are not part of a ground mission to rescue hostages. So far, there is no indication about where the hostages are being held, and Gaza is laced with underground tunnels that Hamas controls, making it hard to locate hostages should they be secreted in these tunnels. When ISIS kidnapped American journalists and aid workers beginning in 2012, the US launched a rescue operation in 2014 based on indications that they were being held in a particular location in Syria, but the hostages had been moved by the time the operation happened. ISIS subsequently murdered the Americans. Rescues can also be dangerous for the hostages, even when the most skilled special operations forces are deployed. In 2010, the Taliban kidnapped British aid worker Linda Norgrove, and US Navy SEAL Team Six launched a rescue operation. Subsequent investigations revealed that Norgrove was killed by a fragmentation grenade thrown by a SEAL team member during the operation. Hostage-takers can also kill their prisoner during rescue operations. In 2014, during a SEAL Team Six rescue operation in Yemen, American journalist Luke Somers was killed by his al Qaeda captors. A 2017 study that I co-authored for New America, a research institution, found that in the previous decade and a half, in 42 cases of Western hostages being taken by terrorist groups in which a rescue attempt operation was made, it was fatal to the hostages 20% of the time. In short, a negotiated release of the hostages, mediated perhaps by the Qataris, is the lowest-risk approach to freeing them. If Hamas could release the children and elderly hostages the group appears to be holding, that would be a good start. The promise of this approach was shown on Friday when, as a result of negotiations between Hamas and Qatar, Hamas released two US citizens, a mother and her daughter. This article has been updated with news of the release of two hostages. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com unknown content item - Editors Note: Amy Klein is a New York-based writer covering health, fertility, parenting and Jewish issues. Her most recent book is The trying Game: Get Through Fertility Treatment Without Losing Your Mind. The opinions expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion at CNN. From the moment we woke up last Saturday morning to news of the war in Israel, my husbands and my phones started buzzing with the question, Is your family okay? My husband is an Israeli-born naturalized American who served in the Israeli army. Most of his family still lives in Israel: his mother as well as 34 cousins and their families. Because his family lives in the Tel Aviv area, they were mostly unharmed, hiding out in shelters when the sirens went off and alerted them to incoming rockets from Gaza. They were safe, but they were not all right. Same for most of my relatives and friends in Jerusalem, where I lived for almost a decade (Im American but a naturalized Israeli citizen). With over 1,000 Israelis dead and counting, thousands injured and as many as 150 Israelis feared kidnapped graphic videos showing scores of twentysomethings being shot point blank at a desert rave, women stripped and bloodied, the elderly, children and babies snatched and tormented, people screaming for their lives on terrorists motorcycles, piles of bodies found at kibbutzim no one in Israel is all right. And most Jews in America are not all right either. Whether we know someone who was killed, kidnapped, injured or among the 300,000 reservists called up for military service, we are not all right. We might be safe for now, security is beefed up at synagogues, schools, Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) but we are not all right. Even Israelis and Jewish Americans who do not support Israels current government or its policies over this last year the very fabric of American and Israeli Jewry has been bitterly divided over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus so-called judicial reform to strip power from the Supreme Court have put their political differences aside because they are shaken to the very core. Whatever we believed about Israel and how it should behave, we were sure the country had a strong military with excellent technology and defense capability to protect its citizens but any sense of security has been shattered. In synagogue on Saturday night and Sunday, where we were supposed to celebrate one of the most joyous religious holidays, Simchat Torah, the rabbis cried while holding the holy Torah scrolls. How could this have happened? my husband kept saying. There are so many layers of defense along the Gaza border, how could they all have failed? Like many, he declared: Its our 9/11. My husband is not all right. For him, like many others, this attack brought up the devastating Yom Kippur War, which occurred when Egyptian and Syrian armies invaded Israel on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar 50 years ago. His cousin went missing in action and was never found. My American Jewish friends are not all right. Even if they dont know anyone in Israel. Even if they support the formation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Even if they oppose a military retaliation in Gaza that will kill so many more. When I heard the news on Saturday evening, I thought it was a mistake, said a religious mom, who had turned off her phone for the Jewish holiday and heard about the conflict from the synagogue security guard. She and I were attending our kids Jewish day schools morning prayer vigil, where leaders recited Psalms and said the prayer for peace for Israel. Most parents at our tight-knit school were wiping the tears from their eyes, knowing that this prayer for peace and divine intervention was already too little, too late. We werent sure our 8-year-old daughter should attend the school vigil, but wed already explained to her there was a war going on in Israel, that bad people had attacked Israel but our family and friends were safe. Did you talk about the war in school today? I asked her. She said it was the talk of the playground, with some kids saying, First there were grenades and then came the bullets. Then, for us parents, came a letter from school saying Hamas might be releasing videos of Israelis being tortured so be mindful of our kids on social media. With New Yorkers on high alert (our Israeli scouts hike was canceled Sunday at the behest of the Israeli consulate), as the New York Police Department and FBI increase security around places of worship, I know that she, too, is safe. But watching her father glued to his phone and the two of us speaking Hebrew in hopes she wont understand, I know she might also not be all right. Pro-Israel demonstrators rally outside the Consulate General of Israel on October 9 in New York City. - NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx/AP American Jews are scrambling to help but dont know how. What can we DO?? What can I do? What can anyone do? lamented well-known bookfluencer Zibby Owens. Its 3AM and your Jewish friends are not OKAY, I noticed a friend doom-posting in the middle of the night. Debates rage in my neighborhood synagogue and school WhatsApp groups over whether its better to donate money to established organizations or to buy equipment and supplies for soldiers and send them directly to Israel. Meanwhile, synagogues, JCCs and schools are hastily arranging community events of song, prayer and discussion groups. And here in New York, as in other cities, we are engaging in demonstrations of support for Israel to provide a counterdemonstration to pro-Palestinian groups. Many American Jews are also beginning a different battle: the one on social media. Nobody wants to repost the mother and her two redheaded sons being abducted by Hamas militants. Or the story of the grandmother they murdered on video that they then uploaded to her Facebook page. But we see that even though most countries are decrying Hamas and lending unprecedented support for Israel, on college campuses such as Harvard, the pro-Palestinian brigade is still blaming Israel for the atrocities. Jews and Israelis including activist Noa Tishby say its important for the world to see the true face of Hamas. Because we know the drill: Even if the world is on our side today, once the death toll rises on the other side even if its without pillaging and baby-snatching, even if its because the heavy military response may be the only way to stop this, even if its what any other country would do to defend its citizens much of the world will turn against us again. But there are also other messages we are receiving, personally and on social media. So much love to my Jewish friends right now. I cant imagine what youre going through but I know it must be very scary. What a tragic and heartbreaking time for everyone, one of my writer acquaintances posted on Facebook. Hi, were thinking of you, Im not sure where your friends and family are in Israel but we wanted to check in, an old friend texted me. Thank you for your texts, WhatsApps emails and calls, they mean a lot, posted a good friend who served in the US Navy and the Israeli Army and moved to Israel permanently five years ago. But what comes in the future will be very tough, both to us here in Israel and to supporters out of Israel. So no, we Jews are not all right. But thank you for asking. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley wants to redirect funding from Ukraine to Israel. Which raises the question: Why does the senator care about Israels borders more than our own? At least that would be the rejoinder if the premises of populist opponents of Ukraine funding like Hawley himself were turned against him. There is near-universal support for aiding Israel in the Republican Party, while support for aiding Ukraine is eroding. But the same isolationist-tinged arguments that have been used, unconvincingly, against Ukraine could just as easily be used against Israel. This is not to say that there arent legitimate reasons to want to limit our commitment to Ukraine, or to favor bolstering our most important ally in the Middle East and a reliable ally for roughly 50 years over other strategic priorities. Yet support for Israel, too, would fail by the demagogic standards that have been set for Ukraine funding by certain Republicans. First of all, elements of the right have presented a false choice between favoring the sovereign borders of Ukraine and favoring border security in the United States. Of course, it is perfectly possible to want both, and to secure the border here at home a matter of enforcing the rules as much as anything while aiding a country fighting off a brutish assault by one of our adversaries. Why is a restoration of, say, the Remain in Mexico policy impossible as long as we are providing artillery shells to Ukraine? Did Republicans fail to fund the border wall when they had unified control of government in 2017 and 2018 because of a full-on Russian invasion of Ukraine that didnt happen until 2022? Its preposterous. But so embedded is this trope in the Republican conventional wisdom that in the last Republican debate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took a question about Ukraine and made it entirely about enforcing the U.S. border. Ordinarily, this would have been considered a head-spinning non sequitur, but everyone knew what he was getting at. Hawley and others have gone further and suggested caring about Ukraine means not caring about Americans. I would just say to Republicans, Hawley remarked back in February, Listen, you can either be the party of Ukraine and the globalists or you can be the party of East Palestine and the working people of this country. But its time to say to the Europeans, no more welfare for Europeans. Let the Europeans take the lead on Europe. It is time to put the working people of this country first, to make those folks strong again, and to make this country strong again. East Palestine, of course, is a reference to the small Ohio town that was the site of a freight-train derailment earlier this year. Again, if giving High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to Ukraine means the railways in the United States will be less safe, or we become incapable of providing disaster assistance to our own communities, its not obvious why continued, high-level support for Israel wouldnt have the same effect. Does all military and foreign aid have these direct, deleterious consequences for the working people in America? Or, coincidentally, does it happen just to be military and foreign aid that is increasingly unpopular with the Republican base? Hawley has made many other arguments against Ukraine that quickly fall flat. Hes said theres no end in sight to our aid. Well, weve been supporting Israel for decades. Hes maintained that support to Ukraine has been ineffective because Kyiv is still fighting Russians on its territory. OK, but weve backed Israel for half a century and its still surrounded by terrorist enemies. On the other hand, hes dismissed the idea that the Russian military can sweep through Ukraine and threaten NATO countries. True, but Hamas isnt strong enough to conquer Israel, either. Finally, hes argued that Ukraine is a distraction from the imperative to prepare for a conflict with China over Taiwan. By his lights, Israel should constitute another such diversion. Its not really fair to hold Hawley to any of this since hes been making kitchen-sink arguments of convenience against Ukraine for a while not to delineate a worldview or enunciate consistent principles. If Ukraine and Israel are different places facing different threats, theres much about both of them that should call on our sympathy and support. They both have been brutalized by a wholly unjustified invasion. They both have been the victims of hideous war crimes their civilians rocketed, raped and kidnapped. They both are battling forces that hate the United States and the West and that receive backing from Iran. Finally, they both are blamed for acts of aggression against them while supposedly not doing enough to placate their implacable enemies. There are differences, too. Israel is a well-established, stable democracy. The level of support required by Ukraine, which has been invaded by a much larger country and is now engaged in a large-scale, grinding war of attrition, is much higher. And the Ukraine conflict, involving a nuclear-armed Russia willing to make threats to try to stay the Wests hand, ultimately holds more dangers. That said, we should and can support both Ukraine and Israel. In the near term, Ukraine needs weapons, while Israel, for the most part, needs diplomatic support, especially in the coming days and weeks when the initial wave of international sympathy for its cause begins to wear off. If the war in Gaza drags on, or theres a second front in Lebanon, Israel may need more munitions. But much of what is most useful to Israel materiel for its air force, Iron Dome interceptors doesnt directly overlap with Ukraines needs. Where the populist critics of Ukraine are correct is that theres a growing threat from China that is potentially more dire than the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the scale of support we are providing Ukraine is a major strain on our stocks of weapons. The solution isnt to dump Ukraine and hope for the best, but to make it an emergency priority to revitalize our defense industrial base. It should be on a footing commensurate with the changing nature of the international environment and the need to supply our allies and ourselves. If nothing else, the past year or so shows that artillery shells are just as necessary today as they were in 1914 or 1943. Recent international events also should expose the folly of the notion that what the United States does around the world to maintain its leadership and advance peace and security is inherently wasteful and makes us weaker at home. To the contrary, the threats abroad are real, and our allies on the front lines, whether Ukraine or Israel, are fighting forces hostile to the United States that we dont want to have to engage directly ourselves and that we dont want to become more powerful. Thats an investment worth making, and it doesnt prevent us from pursuing whatever priorities we want here at home yes, even securing the border. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 1O) The Office of the President (OP) spent 4.5 billion in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) last year, according to the Commission on Audit (COA). Based on COAs 2022 Annual Financial Report on national government agencies, the OPs confidential expenses comprised 61% of the total disbursement at 2.25 billion. It also disbursed 2.25 billion in intelligence funds which is almost 40% of the total. For other executive offices, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) had the highest confidential fund disbursement at 500 million followed by the National Security Council with 182 million. The justice departments Office of the Secretary spent 150.5 million, while the National Bureau of Investigation spent 141.5 million in confidential funds. The Department of National Defense only spent 37.4 million in confidential funds but disbursed 1.7 billion in intelligence funds. The Department of Interior and Local Government spent 1.1 billion in intelligence funds. Confidential expenses are used for surveillance while intelligence funds are spent on activities related to gathering information mostly by uniformed personnel. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives reported the highest expenditure on extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses at 4.9 billion. These cover expenses on meetings, seminars, public relations, subscription to books and magazines, among others. The world is becoming a more dangerous place by the minute. Now is not the time for the United States to project weakness, with its leaders divided by petty partisan differences. Last weekends attack on Israel by Hamas militants further demonstrated this point. Without a speaker of the House, Republicans have put the nation in a difficult position, absent the leadership to respond to the presidents request for an emergency funding package for Israel. As House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, told CNN, I look at the world and all the threats that are out there. What kind of message are we sending to our adversaries when we cant govern, when were dysfunctional, when we dont even have a speaker of the House? At press time, House Republican leaders were expected to meet privately to decide on a new speaker, although news reports said there was skepticism by some that a decision could be made quickly. We urge them to lay aside squabbles and find a leader who can unite both parties behind major issues of the day. Another drawn out process similar to the one that chose former Speaker Kevin McCarthy would be counterproductive. We also urge Democrats to join with the Republican majority to rally behind a speaker who could bring credibility to the leadership of the body. The current world situation demands that type of bipartisan leadership, and Democrats hold a pivotal role in potentially helping a majority of Republicans bypass a small group of fringe party members. We hope by the time you read this the situation has been resolved. McCarthy was ousted for cooperating with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September. The only thing worse than confronting this international emergency without a functioning House would have been to confront it with an entire government that had shut down for a lack of congressional action. The nation faces another shutdown deadline on Nov. 17. Washington cannot appear to be fiddling with petty partisanship as the world catches fire. It needs to come together on aiding Israel in a conflict that may be lengthy and difficult. As the worlds only legitimate superpower, and as its largest and most effective democracy, the United States has a long-standing role to play as a beacon and a defense against tyranny and terrorism. The situation in Gaza has the potential to broaden in troubling ways. Reports published in The Wall Street Journal indicated that Iran had helped plan and approve the weekend attacks against Israel. Israel says it has yet to determine whether this is true, and the Biden administration also has downplayed the reports. If further evidence emerges, the situation could become grave, and the United States needs a fully functioning government to confront whatever comes next. Many are critical of the executive branch and President Joe Bidens role in recently freeing Iranian assets in exchange for Americans being held in Iranian prisons, and for the breakdown in U.S. and Israeli intelligence that failed to anticipate the attack. But the legislative branch of our government is also due criticism for allowing a very small minority of Republican House members to control the speakership when bipartisan work witnessed by keeping the government running only days earlier failed to keep leadership in place. Hamas attack on Israel comes at a time when much of the world is focused on the fight between Ukraine and Russian invaders, and amid tensions between China and Taiwan. Each is important to the security, influence and power of the United States abroad. Congress faces many other important issues in addition to these, not the least of which are border security, immigration and an overspending problem that continues to add to a growing national debt. The United States needs to project stability, strength and leadership to the world. That requires an ability to rise above pettiness. It requires a functioning House and Senate, and a House led by someone who can grasp the big picture and provide a sense of unity. NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) A long-standing tradition at the University of Oklahoma is seeing some changes this year. According to OU, Homecoming Reunion Week may look a little different as the Homecoming Parade is now scheduled for Friday, October 20 at 8 p.m. with glow-in-the-dark features and lighting. LOCAL NEWS: Dad makes mini OU football field for 5-year-old son We are excited to offer a fresh perspective to the OU Homecoming celebrations this year, said Emma Williams, Campus Activities Council Homecoming executive chair and senior visual communications major in the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts. The 2023 parade will also follow a new route. It will begin going north on Elm Street, turn east on Boyd Street and then south on Parrington Oval. Floats will line the North Oval to end the parade, says OU. I look forward to seeing how all our parade participants interpret this years theme of Game On! and how they uniquely present it at our new glow parade. We are excited to invite more of the Norman community to visit our Homecoming events this year and experience the vibrant spirit of our OU campus community. added Williams. Officials say the parade will finish near where the recently relocated Rah! Rally will happen in front of Jacobson Hall, located at 550 Parrington Oval, at 9 p.m. Rah! Rally is the annual choreographed competition between student organizations. LOCAL NEWS: Community votes on Mid-Del Schools, Norman bridge bond proposals OU plans to begin the competition shortly after the parade ends to give parade viewers plenty of time to see this exciting event as well. We are excited to introduce a reimagined OU Homecoming Parade experience that will truly set us apart, said David Surratt, vice president of student affairs and dean of students. Our innovative glow parade promises to electrify Homecoming Week and generate considerable enthusiasm throughout the entire university. To learn more, visit OU.edu. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A statewide appeals court affirmed Friday the reinstatement of a fired State College police officer, a ruling that clears a path for him to return to a department thats fought for years to keep him off the force. The state Commonwealth Courts ruling marked the boroughs third loss in the case. It was not immediately known if it planned to appeal and mount a fourth attempt; a spokesperson did not respond by Tuesday afternoon. The 17-page ruling, however, was a victory for ex-State College police officer Joseph Scharf. He argued his firing was improper because the borough violated his due process rights by failing to follow its own regulations. Messages left with Scharfs attorney were not returned as of Tuesday. The State College Police Association the union that represents the police departments rank-and-file officers declined comment Tuesday. Its unclear if or when Scharf will again don a State College police uniform. It could be the return of an officer described through extensive litigation as anything but exemplary. Arbitrator Kathleen Jones Spilker who ordered Scharfs reinstatement did not dispute the allegations against him after listening to at least three days of testimony. She wrote in a November 2021 opinion it was understandable for borough police Chief John Gardner to recommend Scharf be fired. A reasonable person in the place of an arbitrator could justifiably recoil in disgust and horror at his admitted conduct, Spilker wrote. One has but to put oneself in the place of an innocent bystander who may have been injured or killed because of the grievants hijinks. He was pursuing cowboy justice, without proper regard for the possible consequences. Scharf was fired in December 2020 after an internal investigation into three allegations of misconduct. In one incident, Scharf drove 87 mph in a 25 mph zone and passed a civilian vehicle at 72 mph while in pursuit of a speeding driver. The driver did not even realize a police officer was attempting to catch up to him. In another, he failed to report a high-speed pursuit until three days after it happened, despite being told by two detectives to make a timely report. Borough leadership found the third to be the most serious, one that warranted termination on its own. While on bicycle patrol, Scharf improperly deployed pepper spray into the drivers side window of a moving vehicle during what should have been a routine traffic stop for a headlight violation. Scharfs conduct, the borough argued, exhibited a persistent tendency to act on his own, a disregard of police rules and training, proceeding on his own an inflated sense of urgency. An internal affairs board made up of four officers of different ranks and a division commander found Scharf violated 10 department policies during the three incidents. It recommended a five-day suspension and a written reprimand. The departments top officer didnt buy it. For the first time in his career, Gardner recommended one of his officers be fired. The boards recommended discipline, Gardner said, would not prove effective in bringing about the positive change in performance and behavior that is required. Borough Manager Tom Fountaine signed off on Scharfs firing. No one wants to get criminals or bad guys off the street any more than I do, but theres a right way and a proper way to do it. And oftentimes the end doesnt always justify the means, and I think thats the perfect illustration of this point here, Gardner testified during an arbitration hearing. I applaud him for his aggressive nature in how he wanted to pursue his job, but sometimes you have to take a step back and look at what am I doing, what am I trying to accomplish here and am I going to make things better or am I going to make them worse by my actions. But Scharf argued Gardner violated department policy by considering other incidents beyond the three that led to an internal investigation. Spilker agreed, finding his termination was not supported by just cause. She rescinded his termination and ordered a five-day suspension. As part of his reinstatement, Scharf was ordered to undergo rigorous retraining to curb his rogue, lone wolf tendencies. She described it as a last chance agreement, warning that any repetition of the conduct and violations seen in this case would result in immediate termination without recourse. The borough sought to have Spilkers ruling overturned, but Centre County Judge Brian Marshall upheld the ruling. Spilker, he wrote, neither exceeded her authority nor ordered the borough to violate public policy. While the mandatory reinstatement of a police officer that has been found by both the Borough of State College and the Arbitrator herself to be a danger to public safety and a threat to the citizens of Pennsylvania is certainly repugnant to public policy, this Court is constrained to follow the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts determination that such a result is in fact the intention of the legislature, Marshall wrote in his eight-page ruling. Scharf was employed by the Johnstown City Police Department. It was not immediately known Friday if he still worked for the department. He testified during an arbitration hearing he would love to go back to State College. State College is a place, you know, near and dear to my heart. I really enjoy policing in that community. It is a great place to raise a family. It is a well paying job, Scharf testified. I feel like I can make a tangible difference in the community. I live in our jurisdiction. It is something that I take seriously, as far as keeping this community safe. Ive often argued that Floridians are subjected to such a steady stream of bonkers headlines that they get numb to news that would make most folks heads explode. We saw another example this week when Gov. Ron DeSantis Department of Health agreed to settle a two-year lawsuit over its attempts to hide public data about COVID deaths by finally agreeing to release the data and paying $152,500 in legal fees. Florida settles COVID-19 public records lawsuit, agrees to release weekly data on its website again Lets stop here for a moment to recap what you just heard. First of all, you had a public health department caught hiding public information about human deaths, no less. That is not normal. Then, when caught keeping secrets about the health data that was assembled with tax dollars, the agency used more public resources to wage a legal battle to try to continue keeping secrets. Finally, when that agency ran out of legal options to defend its clearly indefensible behavior, it was forced to spend an additional $152,500 of your tax dollars paying the legal bills of Floridians who never shouldve had to hire attorneys in the first place. Joseph Ladapo says anti-vaccine crusade was Gods plan. It cost him his peers trust I realize that in the grand scheme of Florida nuttiness, this may seem like just another wacky news cycle. But understand: None of this is normal. Nor OK. This is government at its worst, trying to hide data about a public health crisis, no less from the very citizens who paid for its collection and whom government is supposed to serve. And you have to ask yourself: Why? Why was the DeSantis administration so scared of letting citizens see unfiltered COVID data? More on that in a moment. Listen, I know there are still plenty of diehard DeSantis fans out there. What I dont understand is why so few of them have the spine or moral compass to say: I may like this governor, but I do not like my government keeping secrets from me and using my tax dollars to do so. Especially since this governors penchant for secrecy has been documented over and over. Keep in mind: This is only the latest time state officials have tried to keep COVID data and other public records from the public. DeSantis tried to hide public info on COVID. And you paid for it | Commentary Two years ago, the state had to cough up public records and more taxpayer dollars after the Orlando Sentinel sued for access to earlier COVID data the state was hiding. In that case, the records were White House reports about what was happening in each state. They were records created by public officials for the public. Other states were automatically posting the reports online for all the world to see. Florida, however, was not only hiding the reports but refusing to produce them when requested. So the Sentinel sued. It was a slam-dunk case. And the state had to provide the records plus $7,500 for our legal bills a relatively small yet ridiculous waste of money. Again, you have to ask yourself: Why? The answer seems pretty clear: Because the data, records and facts undercut the governors political narrative. How many people are dying of COVID in your Florida county? New White House data released See, the governor who used to wear masks and aggressively promote vaccines wants the world to believe Florida survived the pandemic better than other state. But the health data simply doesnt support that. So he keeps trying to hide the data. The strangest part of all this is that, based on most metrics Ive seen, Floridas overall COVID results werent dreadful. They were about average below average in some cases and above in others, based on varying factors like death rates and death rates adjusted for age. In other words, they werent as rotten as some Democratic critics claimed nor as brilliant as DeSantis spin machine tried to claim. But nobody was looking for nuance. For its part, the DeSantis administration claims it didnt really lose the most recent public-records case since the settlement included a statement acknowledging no wrongdoing. But when you end up providing the records you were trying to hide and paying the other sides legal bills, you clearly lost. Still, in a defiant statement to the Miami Herald, a spokesman for DeSantis health department called the lawsuit a political stunt and whined about having to provide public information to armchair epidemiologists. Yes, the administration whose surgeon general has been roundly panned by the nations leading medical experts and who was the recent guest of an online streamer who has claimed humanity is controlled by the illuminati and a Babylonian blood cult didnt want anyone other than respected medical professionals interpreting the data. Of course, it doesnt matter whos asking for the records. Public records are public records are public records. They should always be provided to whomever requests them. Yet the DeSantis administration has routinely stonewalled on everything from COVID data to reports about problems at voucher schools and questionable hires in his education department. Editorial: Floridas secrecy around far-right education activist is shameful Usually when government wont provide public information in a timely manner, its either because the people in charge dont want to follow the law or theyre too incompetent to do so. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the former Democratic legislator from Orlando who filed the most recent lawsuit for COVID data, along with the Florida Center for Government Accountability and with support from a number of Florida newspapers, says it was the latter. The DeSantis administration has withheld data during the worst surge of the pandemic, restricted information and downplayed the severity of the outbreak to feed their politician narrative and help DeSantis run for president, he said in a statement. If you disagree, you should welcome dissemination of the data that proves the case. Regardless, the solution is never trying to hide public information no matter how bad you think it looks. smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party called it "shameful". Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar even ordered an investigation. Online chatter amongst Pakistani men in particular has been scathing. But what is sparking such outrage? A 24-year-old woman. Erica Robin , a Christian from the city of Karachi, is going to represent deeply conservative Pakistan at the Miss Universe beauty pageant. Ms Robin was chosen as Miss Universe Pakistan from among five finalists at a competition held in the Maldives. It was organised by Dubai-based Yugen Group, which also owns the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt. It said the Miss Universe Pakistan competition had received an "overwhelming" number of applications. The Miss Universe finals will be held in El Salvador in November. Backlash and support "It feels great to represent Pakistan. But I don't understand where the backlash is coming from. I think it is this idea that I would be parading in a swimsuit in a room full of men," Ms Robin told the BBC. Those criticising her nomination say she is representing a country that does not want to be represented, especially as beauty pageants are rare in Muslim-majority Pakistan. Miss Pakistan World, a pageant for women of Pakistani descent from around the world, is probably the most well-known. It was first held in Toronto in 2002 but moved to Lahore in 2020. The competition has also seen various spin offs such as Miss Pakistan Universal, Mrs Pakistan Universal and even Miss Trans Pakistan. In the competition's 72-year history, Pakistan has never nominated a representative for Miss Universe. Ms Robin recalled that during the second selection round of the pageant which was held over Zoom, she was asked to name one thing she wanted to do for her country. "And I replied, I would want to change this mindset that Pakistan is a backward country." This may be difficult, given some of the hostile responses to her nomination. Nevertheless, models, writers and journalists alike congratulated Ms Robin, with journalist Mariana Babar hailing her "beauty and brains" on X, formerly known as Twitter. But as Pakistani model Vaneeza Ahmed, who first encouraged Ms Robin to get into modelling, told Voice of America Urdu: "When these men are fine with international competitions called 'Mister Pakistan', why do they have a problem with a woman's achievement?" From rock and roll to Islamic Republic "We are a nation of many contradictions and women and the marginalised trigger us the most," Karachi-based writer and commentator Rafay Mehmood told the BBC. "Pakistan is at large an authoritarian state and that reflects in the harsh patriarchal values it enables both institutionally and socially. Erica Robin and the policing she has faced is an extension of that," he added. But there exists an archive of a Pakistan that was once far more liberal. Copies of the Dawn newspaper from the 1950s to the late 1970s have advertisements of cabaret and foreign belly dancers performing at a club near the former Elphinstone Street in downtown Karachi. These nightclubs were frequented by activists, diplomats, politicians, air hostesses and young people. The historic Metropole Hotel in Karachi was also a favoured spot for singing and jazz performances. But in 1973, Pakistan's parliament created a constitution that declared the country an Islamic Republic and Islam as the state religion. Four years later, military leader General Zia ul-Haq overthrew the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. What followed in the decade after has been called a "draconian phase" by activists and lawyers as Islamic law was enforced and Pakistani society was drastically altered. By the mid-1980s, General Zia had even resurrected public flogging to show his commitment to Islamic law. Today, the nightclubs and bars are long gone, and the Metropole Hotel looks more like it is in danger of collapsing. Just down the road, a skeletal structure of what was initially supposed to be a casino stands abandoned. But the yearning for a freer, more tolerant Pakistan has not gone away, and Ms Robin is just one of those pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not. The graduate of St Patrick's High School and Government College of Commerce and Economics, is adamant that she has done nothing wrong. "I'm not breaking any law by representing Pakistan on a global platform. I am doing my bit to quell any stereotypes about it," she said. FILE PHOTO: United Nations Security Council meets on Israel and the Palestinians at U.N. headquarters in New York FILE PHOTO: United Nations Security Council meets on Israel and the Palestinians at U.N. headquarters in New York By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations on Tuesday described Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip and vow to impose a complete siege on the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave as "nothing less than genocidal." Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel's history on Saturday, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. Israel has retaliated with air strikes on Gaza that have razed entire districts as it prepares for a possible ground offensive. Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant drew international condemnation by announcing on Monday a "total blockade" to stop food and fuel reaching Gaza, home to 2.3 million people. Gallant said Israel was battling "beastly people." "Such blatant dehumanization and attempts to bomb a people into submission, to use starvation as a method of warfare, and to eradicate their national existence are nothing less than genocidal," Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour wrote in a letter to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, seen by Reuters. "These acts constitute war crimes," he wrote. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that his understanding was that "the concept of siege is not something that in fact is going to be pursued by the Israeli government," adding that Washington was speaking with the Israeli government "about their actions in this regard." Sullivan also said U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday discussed "the difference between going full bore against Hamas terrorists and how we distinguish between terrorists and innocent civilians." Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan on Sunday accused Hamas of war crimes and said it was time to "obliterate Hamas terror infrastructure," as the 15-member U.N. Security Council met behind closed-doors on the conflict. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said he was "deeply distressed" by Israel's announcement of a complete siege on Gaza. "The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities; now it will only deteriorate exponentially," Guterres said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool) Migrants heading north line up to take a boat in Bajo Chiquito in the Darien province of Panama, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco) PANAMA CITY (AP) Panama and Costa Rica announced a plan to quickly bus thousands of migrants through Panama to the Costa Rican border, as the countries continue to grapple with a steady increase in the number of migrants moving through the jungle-clad Darien Gap. Panama estimates that 420,700 migrants have crossed the Gap from Colombia to Panama so far this year, making it likely the full-year number will top a half million. Industrial-scale smuggling operations in Colombia have now reduced the dangerous crossing to a little over two days for the strongest walkers. The expedited bus service in Panama will likely decrease further the amount of time migrants take to reach the U.S. border, now down to about two and a half weeks. Panama hopes the new plan will disrupt the smuggling networks that charge migrants to get through the country, as well as reduce crowding at reception camps in Panama where migrants stay once they exit the Darien Gap trail. Panama's National Immigration Service said 30 buses carried a group of almost 1,600 migrants Tuesday from Panama to a Costa Rican migrant center in Corredores, just inside Costa Rica. In April, the U.S., Panama and Colombia announced a campaign to slow migration through the Darien jungle, but migrants numbers have only grown forcing the Biden administration to seek other options. The majority of the migrants are from Venezuela, with others from Ecuador, Colombia and Haiti. ____ Follow APs global migration coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/migration Inmates at Paraguay's largest prison have freed 22 prison guards they had held hostage for more than 15 hours. They had seized the guards during a riot at the Tacumbu jail in the capital, Asuncion, on Tuesday. The prison director said members of a prison gang called Rotela Clan were behind the unrest. The riot erupted days after Paraguay's justice minister had announced that he wanted to wrest control of the prison from the Rotela Clan. One of the demands made by the inmates in exchange for freeing the guards was for the justice minister, Angel Barchini, to resign. This has not happened - but it is unclear what, if anything, was agreed in the negotiations between the two sides. Mr Barchini had earlier said that the government would not let itself be blackmailed by criminal gangs and insisted that the security forces would regain control of the jail. The inmates relayed their demands through the prison director, Luis Esquivel, whom they allowed to speak live with local radio stations. They pushed for a guarantee that the police would not storm the jail, a signed document guaranteeing that there would be no reprisals for the riot, and a promise that the overcrowded Tacumbu would be reopened for new inmates. Local media reported that the last demand was an attempt by the Rotela Clan to further strengthen its influence in Tacumbu by having even more of its members sent to it, even though the jail is already holding thousands more inmates than it was designed for. More than two dozen women were also stuck inside the jail as the riot unfolded. Paraguay is not the only country in the region to struggle to regain control of jails which for years have been run by inmates. In Venezuela, the leader of a "luxury" jail complete with mini-zoo and baseball pitch escaped before thousands of soldiers were deployed to transfer inmates and establish order. And in Ecuador, prison gangs have become so powerful that they control much of the criminal enterprises across the country from behind bars. ASUNCION (Reuters) - Inmates at Paraguay's largest prison rioted on Tuesday, taking 11 guards hostage and setting fire to facilities in the crowded Tacumbu penitentiary on the outskirts of the capital. Two hostages were later released as government and military forces responded to the revolt, according to Interior Minister Enrique Riera. He said two police officers were injured in the clashes. Tacumbu houses nearly 4,000 inmates in a ramshackle, tin-roof building and, according to local security experts, gangs exert near-total influence over life inside. Images from a Reuters photographer showed a shirtless inmate standing on top of a prison wall, throwing a rock at security personnel while protecting himself with a wooden board. Police braced behind riot shields while the entrance to the prison was in flames, though authorities said later that firefighters had brought the blaze under control. Meanwhile, prisoners' families gathered outside as they awaited news on their loved ones. Interior Minister Riera said Paraguay would push for prison reform once the riot was quelled. (Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) Earths only natural satellite will shade the center of the sun on Saturday, creating a blazing halo of light in the sky from the sea cliffs of Oregons coast to the beaches of Corpus Christi, Texas. In South Florida, about 60% of the midday sun will be covered by the moon, enough to cast surreal specters on the ground and leave a lingering crescent of black overhead near midday. The Oct. 14 annular solar eclipse, which is dubbed the ring of fire because the distant moon will not fully cover the sun, will begin at 11:56 a.m. in West Palm Beach with the deepest point of the eclipse occurring at 1:32 p.m. All 48 contiguous states, plus Alaska, will be able to see part of the eclipse, but the amount of darkness wanes farther from the direct path, which passes through Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. In northern Maine, just 10% of the sun will be blocked by the moon, while San Diego will see about 70% of the sun blocked. Florida Atlantic University astronomer Eric Vandernoot, a veteran eclipse watcher, is less excited about Saturday's celestial show than the total solar eclipse in 2017 and the upcoming total solar eclipse in April 2024. Still, he will be hosting an event at the FAU observatory, 777 Glades Road, building 43, from noon to 3 p.m. He will have solar eclipse sunglasses to give out and there will be telescopes with special filters to watch the event. "I would recommend coming here so you can look at it safely," Vandernoot said. "I don't want people staring at the sun in any way, shape or form." Dear God, go away!: A cloud covered the eclipse, then something amazing happened Don't look at Saturday's partial eclipse without special protective glasses It is not safe to watch the event without special protective eclipse glasses. Even sunglasses wont keep out damaging rays that can burn a hole through the retina. Vandernoot said glasses left over from the August 2017 total solar eclipse probably are no longer viable protection. The Cox Science Center & Aquarium, in West Palm Beach, will be hosting a livestream event in its lobby for the eclipse beginning around 11 a.m. and will have astronomers available to answer questions. The telescope will not be open for viewing. Because South Florida will only see a partial eclipse, Vandernoot said people are unlikely to notice the event if they dont know to look for it. There wont be any change in light levels, he said. But if you happen to walk outside and go under the shadow of a tree, the light passing through the gaps of leaves will leave the projection of a crescent sun on the ground. Its the same concept as creating a making a pinhole viewer that projects an image of the eclipse onto the ground. You can also simply hold up both hands with fingers overlapping at right angles to create the equivalent of pin holes. William Cooke, who leads NASAs Meteoroid Environments Office, said Saturdays eclipse is the most notable solar eclipse in the United States since Aug. 21, 2017 when the moon covered the sun completely in a path from Newport, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. In South Florida, about 80% of the sun was covered during the 2017 event. Before that, the last total solar eclipse viewed in the United States was in February 1979, but it crossed only six states in the northwestern part of the country. The next total solar eclipse is on April 8, 2024 and will cross the United States from Texas to Maine and up through Canada. Cooke called Saturdays event the "warm-up act" for 2024. If you are in the path of annularity, there will be a nice ring of fire at maximum eclipse, Cooke said in an email. Thats pretty cool. Eugene, Oregon is in the direct path and will see the moon cover the center of the sun for four minutes. Eugene was just south of the path of totality in 2017. A deadline set by unforgiving boss: Pilgrims flock to path of totality for Great American Eclipse of 2017 The reason only the sun's center is covered by the moon is because the moon is at apogee to the Earth, meaning it's farther away. That allows the edges of the sun to leak around the edge, creating the ring of fire. This one isnt full but its still pretty awesome in terms of near totality and the ring of fire, said Andy Vobora, vice president of stakeholder relations with the Travel Lane County tourism service, which includes Eugene. Hopefully we get a clear day. In South Florida, the forecast for Saturday is for mostly sunny skies, but also a 40% chance of rain. Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Saturday's partial solar eclipse a preview for next year's full one Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The Philippine Embassy in Jordan is working with its counterparts in Israel and Egypt to identify possible exit routes from Gaza, as the number of Filipinos seeking repatriation from the Palestinian enclave continues to rise. In a message to CNN Philippines on Wednesday noon, Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos said 70 Filipinos in Gaza and 20 Palestinian family members are requesting repatriation. Santos told reporters earlier that those asking to return to the country feel their safety is at risk amid ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and the militant group Hamas. RELATED STORIES: 2 Filipinos killed in Israel-Hamas war, 1 death still for confirmation embassy We have no water: Gaza faces deeper humanitarian crisis as Israel tightens its hold The three embassies are actually coordinating to ensure the safety of our nationals out of Gaza, Santos said. Since the start of this conflict, we have remained in touch to map out the preparations that we need for the safe passage of our nationals. In a Malacanang briefing, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said included in those requesting repatriation are Filipino women married to Palestinian nationals. When asked if the Philippines will allow Palestinian nationals to enter the country, De Vega said an issue that might be raised on whether they will be permitted to leave Gaza by local officials or border authorities. He also said Palestinians are restricted nationals in the Philippines, meaning they need to secure a visa, but they are also allowed to enter the country as spouses of Filipino nationals. I cannot answer that now, but we are not preventing them from flying home to the Philippines with their wives if we are able to extract them, De Vega said. Santos said the repatriation plan for Filipinos is to go through the exit point beside Israel, while the alternative is through Egypt. He added clearance is also needed from both Israeli and Egyptian authorities to pass through the countries. He said a cessation of hostilities is among the factors needed to guarantee the safe passage of civilians, including Filipino nationals and other foreigners. We just cannot leave a border with clashes, continuing attacks, we are just waiting for the proper time, the ambassador added. But, of course, the best time is really as soon as possible. Santos said 137 Filipinos in Gaza are safe and have stocked up on food and water, adding the Philippine Embassy in Jordan, which has jurisdiction over Filipinos in the Palestinian enclave, has not received reports of injury or death so far. RELATED: Embassy recommends Alert Level 3 in Gaza DFA He advised them to follow public advisories especially staying indoors and contact the embassy if there are significant developments in their area through the following hotlines: +962-7-7907-7775 7-7907-7778 Editors note: This story describes sexual violence. A Paso Robles man was sentenced to more than 25 years in state prison for breaking into a womens home and sexually assaulting her, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office said in a news release. Courtney Allan Quiros, 36, pleaded no contest on Sept. 8 to first-degree residential burglary, forced oral copulation and sexual battery by restraint all felonies. A no contest plea functions the same as a guilty plea without admitting direct fault. On Feb. 8, 2022, Quiros broke into a home in the 400 block of Kenton Court through an unlocked sliding door. He then sexually assaulted a woman who had been sleeping inside the residence. After the home invasion, a Police Department K9 tracked Quiros to a nearby house, where he was arrested and taken to San Luis Obispo County Jail, according to Tribune reporting at the time. The idea of a stranger coming into the very place we are supposed to feel safest is terrifying, San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Kristin Barnard said in the release. What this young survivor endured not only during the crime itself, but through the prosecution of Mr. Quiros, took incredible courage. We are extremely grateful for her bravery and cooperation in holding this predator accountable for his actions. Quiros was sentenced to 25 years and 8 months in state prison and must register as a sex offender for life. Quiros was previously convicted of assault with a deadly weapon a strike under Californias Three Strikes law in 2018. Quiros has also been convicted of misdemeanor vandalism and resisting arrested, the release said. The Paso Robles Police Department investigated the crime with assistance from the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office Bureau of Investigation. Barnard, part of the sex crimes prosecution unit, litigated the case. How to get help If you or someone you know are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673. The hotline offers a range of free services including confidential support from a trained staff member, help finding a local health facility, legal and medical advice and referrals for long-term support. If you or someone you know are a survivor of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. The hotline offers a range of free services including confidential support from a trained staff member, help finding a local health facility, legal and medical advice and referrals for long-term support. Survivor support and resources are also available through Lumina Alliance at luminaalliance.org or their Crisis and Information Line at 805-545-8888. A Texas pastor has been arrested after investigators say he repeatedly sexually assaulted a family member when she was a child, news outlets report. The 40-year-old man was arrested Oct. 9 on charges of sexual assault of a child and continued sexual abuse of a child, according to court records. McClatchy News is not identifying the suspect to protect the identity of the victim. When he learned of the charges, he turned himself in, so he can clear his name, defense attorney Eric Davis said after the hearing, according to KHOU. And wed ask before theres a trial, that he be presumed innocent, that people can keep an open mind and hold to them the Constitutional presumption of innocence. McClatchy News reached out to Davis but did not immediately hear back. An arrest warrant accuses the Houston area man of sexually assaulting a girl beginning when she was 7 years old, according to KPRC. Court records say the abuse continued for years and happened over 600 times. The victim told police the assault happened when family members were sleeping and sometimes in a vehicle on the way to school, KTRK reported. She also told police he would take her to a church where he worked to rape her. Too often people in positions of power abuse and take advantage of people that trust them. I look forward to allowing the complainants voice to be heard, the prosecutor told KHOU in a statement. The victim told police that when she was 16 years old, she secretly gave birth to the mans baby in a closet. She said he dropped the baby off at a fire station, KHOU reported. The victim is now in her 20s and working to get the child back, according to KPRC. The man is currently being held in the Harris County Jail on a $200,000 bond, court records show. Doctor pressured patient into phony medical exams to sexually assault her, lawsuit says Social worker engaged in sex acts with 13-year-old she was counseling, Ohio cops say Officer sexually assaults 16-year-old driver involved in car crash, Georgia police say Seven people who underwent invasive surgeries at a Yale University fertility clinic endured excruciating pain during their procedures after a nurse stole pain medication and replaced the drugs with saline, according to a newly filed lawsuit. The patients were supposed to receive fentanyl for pain relief during the surgeries but were given saline instead as a result of the nurses theft at the Yale Reproductive Endocrinology Clinics New Haven location, a complaint filed Oct. 10 in Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford says. Their fertility procedures including an In vitro fertilisation egg retrieval, a procedure involving the draining of an ovarian cyst, and a testicular sperm extraction left the patients with torturous pain after the surgeries in 2019 and 2020 at the clinic, according to the complaint. One patient who underwent an egg retrieval procedure in September 2019, was in so much pain during the procedure that she thought her organs were going to come out through her groin, the complaint says. She recalls the experience as nightmarish, according to the complaint. This woman and the six other individuals are suing Yale University, accusing it of failing to prevent and detect the nurses theft of fentanyl and failing to inform them of the drug diversions, the complaint shows. This is the latest lawsuit filed against the university by former patients who were given saline instead of pain medication at Yales fertility clinics, according to a news release from Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder PC law firm, which previously filed a similar lawsuit. Sixty-eight people sued Yale in November 2021, accusing it of ignoring multiple complaints from women that they had experienced excruciating pain during IVF egg retrievals, and other painful procedures at another Yale REI Clinic located in Orange, the news release said. What started as a case that focused exclusively on treatment at Yale Universitys Orange Fertility clinic, has now extended to the Universitys care at its (New Haven) clinic, the release said. For the seven individuals involved in the lawsuit filed on Oct. 10, their painful procedures in 2019 and 2020 came before the nurse admitted any wrongdoing, according to the release. In 2021, a former Yale nurse pleaded guilty in connection with using a syringe to steal fentanyl and reinjecting saline into the fentanyl vials at the REI Clinic in Orange, according to federal prosecutors in the District of Connecticut. In May 2021, the woman was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release, four weekends in federal prison, and three months of home confinement, prosecutors said. The seven plaintiffs in the latest lawsuit realized what happened to them after listening to The Retrievals, a New York Times podcast about women who experienced painful fertility treatment at the universitys REI Clinic, according to the release. The podcasts first episode was released on June 29. When I learned years later that the excruciating pain I experienced was a direct result of the institutions failure to properly manage controlled substances, and that nobody on my care team or administrators at Yale had reached out to tell me about this, I felt betrayed, one of the seven plaintiffs, who is an obstetrician-gynecologist, said in a statement. McClatchy News contacted Yale University for comment on Oct. 11 and didnt receive an immediate response. A university spokesperson told WTNH it alerted law enforcement and fired the nurse after the drug diversions were discovered. Since this time, we have instituted additional measures to ensure we have the right processes, procedures and safeguards in place, the spokesperson told the TV station. These measures include training and enhanced management systems. Hundreds of vials replaced with saline, suit says The latest complaint filed against Yale says the nurse swapped out hundreds of vials of fentanyl for saline in 2020 and before 2020. A federal investigation found about 75% of the vials of fentanyl patients received during procedures from June 2020 to October 2020 at the REI Clinic in Orange were adulterated with saline, according to prosecutors. On Oct. 4, 2022, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut announced Yale University agreed to pay $308,250 as part of a civil settlement in connection with the fentanyl diversion at the universitys clinic in Orange. The settlement resolves allegations that Yale failed to maintain complete and accurate records concerning the controlled substances it purchased and dispensed at the Yale Fertility Center, and failed to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances, a news release issued by the attorneys office at the time said. The lawsuit filed by the seven patients argue its possible hundreds of Yale patients underwent the most painful surgeries and procedures offered at the REI Clinic with little or no pain medication. These victims spent years blaming their own bodies for the excruciating pain they experienced during their fertility procedures, after their Yale providers ignored and discounted their complaints, Kelly A. Fitzpatrick, an attorney at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, said in a statement. They are coming forward and seeking justice now, after having only just learned that their experience was not unique and instead that they fell victim to Yale Universitys inexcusable systemic failures, Fitzpatrick added. The lawsuit comes a week after a Connecticut nurse was indicted on federal charges in connection with swapping out anxiety medication meant for patients medical procedures with saline, McClatchy News previously reported. Its unclear where the nurse worked, as it wasnt specified by prosecutors or in court documents. The indictment filed Oct. 3 against the Southbury nurse, whose nursing license is now suspended, charges him with five counts of tampering with a consumer product, according to federal prosecutors. Nurse was caught swapping pain medicine meant for surgery patients with saline, feds say Nurse swaps fentanyl with saline, then emergency patient gets tampered drug, feds say Nursing student stole fentanyl and injected herself in hospital bathroom, feds say Nurse practitioner prescribed pills to have sex with women, promote TV show, feds say FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been arrested as a suspect in a hate crime case against a business in Fresno, the Fresno Police Department announced. Officers say they have been diligently working on the hate crime/vandalism case since it was brought to their attention. Glass smashed at Jewish temple, bakery in Fresno On Tuesday at around 8:30 a.m., an employee found two windows broken. According to officials, there was a newspaper with a handwritten message left behind threatening Jewish-owned businesses. Detectives say they identified the suspect in the incident at the Noahs Ark restaurant and within the last hour have taken him into custody. They say they are confident the suspect was working alone and there are no additional threats to the community. This is an ongoing investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. The US Department of Defence has detailed the contents of the latest military aid package to Ukraine in the amount of US$200 million, announced by Lloyd Austin, the United States Secretary of Defence, at a Ramstein-format meeting. Source: European Pravda, citing the Pentagons website Details: It is said that the US aid package is the 48th since August 2021, which is provided to Ukraine from American stocks, which means its prompt dispatch. Quote: "This security assistance package is an important signal of United States' continued commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression." More details: The package contains, among other things, AIM-9M missiles for air defence, Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) equipment, additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, and precision aerial munitions. Electronic warfare equipment, TOW anti-tank missiles and AT-4 anti-armor systems, small arms and more than 16 million rounds of ammunition for them, explosive munitions, spare parts, training munitions, maintenance and other field equipment are also mentioned. Background: It has already been reported that this aid package will be financed from funds the Pentagon saved due to an accounting error. It allows weapons and ammunition to be sent to Kyiv despite removing new aid to Ukraine from a temporary spending bill passed by the House of Representatives last weekend to avert a shutdown. Earlier, the Pentagon said that the US Congress should approve additional funding so that the US could simultaneously provide the necessary military assistance to Israel and Ukraine. At the weekend, the Western media reported that Biden wanted to approve up to US$100 billion for Ukraine through Congress. Read also: Crisis that must be averted: how Europe is preparing for possible cut in US military aid. 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! WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday announced a $200 million military aid package for Ukraine that includes ammunition for air defense and artillery ammuniton and anti-tank and -drone weapons. Austins announcement, after a meeting of allies in Brussels, comes a week after a Russian missile attack killed more than 50 people at a cafe and market in eastern Ukraine. The new weapons shipment is the latest since the Russian invasion in Feb. 2022, bringing total American military support to more than $40 billion. The lack of House speaker has cast doubt on congressional approval for future aid to Ukraine. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there is enough funding to supply Ukraine through the end of the year. The lack of a breakthrough by Ukrainian forces in their months-long offensive has also caused unease among allies and softening support in the United States. But Austin noted that several nations, including Germany, Great Britain, Spain and Sweden, made commitments valued at hundreds of dollars to Ukraine. F-16 warplanes, long sought by Ukraine, will be ready for combat in the spring at the earliest, Austin said. Concerning Israel, Brown said there was no indication that adversaries such as Hezbollah had sought to attack Israel following the assault by Hamas militants on Saturday. The Pentagon moved the USS Gerald Ford Strike Group, an aircraft carrier, destroyers and 5,000 sailors to the eastern Mediterranean to deter such attacks. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pentagon shipping $200 million more in ammunition to Ukraine Israel is stopping food, fuel, and medicine from entering Gaza after announcing a "complete siege." An NGO said the move may "lead people to going hungry, thirsty, and ultimately towards dying." Israeli troops are gathering on the border with Gaza ahead of an expected ground invasion. Following Israel's announcement of a "complete siege" of Gaza, fears are mounting over an impending humanitarian crisis in the territory. Hamas' surprise attack on Saturday, which Israel said has led to the deaths of at least 1,200 Israelis, prompted Israel to declare war on the group and increase airstrikes on Gaza. Palestinian authorities say at least 950 Palestinians have been killed so far. Even before Hamas' attack, Israel controlled most of the Occupied Palestinian Territory 's food, water, and power. The UN's special rapporteur described the city as an "open-air prison." And conditions in the territory now look set to get even worse. Israel's defense minister reportedly said on Monday that Gaza will get "no electricity, no food, no fuel," adding that "everything is closed." Israel has since stopped food, fuel, and medicines from entering the territory, The Associated Press reported. Ivan Karakashian, the head of advocacy in Jerusalem for the NGO Norwegian Refugee Council, condemned Hamas' attack but told Insider that Israel's announcement amounted to "a policy of starving" Gaza's roughly 2.2 million population. Karakashian, speaking to Insider from Jerusalem on Tuesday, said the organization had 52 staff in Gaza, who report depleted stores of basic goods, and that his group believed the siege would create a "humanitarian catastrophe for Gaza's besieged civilians." Around 80% of the city's population depended on humanitarian assistance even before the weekend's events, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Food could run out by Saturday, Karakashian said, adding that water capacity had been reduced to 40%. The siege will "quite literally starve the population and lead people to going hungry, thirsty, and ultimately towards dying." One Gaza resident told Insider he fled his home after a warning from Israel, and doesn't know where his family can stay or get food and water. Karakashian also said that almost half of Gaza's population was under 18, "and cutting off these essentials would represent a grave breach of international humanitarian law." The head of the Gaza Energy Authority said Wednesday that Gaza's only power plant will stop at 2 p.m. local time due to a lack of fuel. Without that power, hospitals will also struggle to treat patients, Karakashian said. A man works to remove causalities from under the rubble in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who condemned Hamas' attacks, said he was "deeply distressed" by Israel's siege announcement. "The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities; now it will only deteriorate exponentially." Israel has told people to move from some areas before attacks, but those in the city one of the world's most densely populated areas say it is so small and tightly packed that there is nowhere safe to go. Israel and its neighbor Egypt also control movement from the city, stopping almost everyone from leaving. Humanitarian workers in Gaza say there are few safe areas, while the UNRWA said that 175,500 people were sheltering in 88 of its schools in Gaza as of Wednesday, adding that these numbers were continuing to increase. Karakashian said nowhere in Gaza provides proper safety. "Residents don't know where to go to get to feel safe and secure as Israel widens its bombardment of large areas," he said. A relative reacts next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, at a hospital in Gaza City, October 11, 2023. EUTERS/Mohammed Salem Giora Eiland, a retired Israeli security official and former general, said causing a humanitarian disaster could be justified to "completely eliminate the threat of Hamas." "The only way we can achieve this is by using all the aggressive measures that we have including, if needed, to create a terrible humanitarian crisis in Gaza," he said, per France 24. Karakashian called for humanitarian pauses and humanitarian corridors to get aid to civilians. "But right now, it doesn't seem that there's much interest in negotiating such terms." Read the original article on Business Insider APACHE, Okla. (KFOR) The teen who posed as a Physician Assistant in Corpus Christi has been charged with several more crimes, along with his 16-year-old wife and 74-year-old father, according to Apache Police. News 4 has been following the tale of 19-year-old Zachry Bailey since the summer. Bailey pleaded guilty in 2022 to acting as a Physician Assistant without a license in Corpus Christi. He was given a 6-year deferred adjudication. Baileys probation was later transferred to Oklahoma where he has lived for the last several months. State Sen. hosts interim study on human trafficking in Oklahoma In his time in Oklahoma, Bailey has made his way through the court system. He has cases in Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, and Comanche County. As of last week, Bailey was facing half a dozen obtaining property by deception charges. He currently sits in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond. Theres some stuff that Ive done, yes. I mean, you know about that. You know, the stuff Im being held on for is actually accidental stuff or civil stuff, Bailey told KFOR at the end of September. News 4 has spoken with Bailey several times over the phone since August. Since the first phone call, Bailey has maintained his innocence. However, he admitted to KFOR he had committed some stuff. Bailey was arrested at his fathers Apache home in August. Apache Assistant Police Chief Ben Lehew said their department has been investigating the teen ever since. Over the course of the investigation, pretty much one day led us to another, said Lehew. A Caddo County probable cause affidavit reveals Apache Police have interviewed three potential victims. One appears to be from Ohio, another from Texas, and one from Oklahoma who News 4 has previously interviewed. In each case, court documents show Bailey paid for a car with money that was later returned as fraudulent. Lehew said hes working to find concrete evidence, but he has been informed of Bailey using a forged letter from a bank to show as proof he had money. I think based on that letter being presented to these various financial companies, thats what made them either pay off the vehicle or show it as paid, added Lehew. Then when the funds were going to be collected, it looked like there was no funds there. So therefore, they recall all the transactions and the owner subsequently reported the vehicles as stolen. As Bailey first sat in the Oklahoma County Detention Center, an affidavit claims his 16-year-old wife and father dropped off a vehicle at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City in an attempt to sell it for a part of Baileys bond money. On August 15th, 2023, [Baileys teenage wife] drove the 2023 Toyota Camry HV to the Oklahoma City Will Rogers Airport to dispose of the vehicle by selling the vehicle. Subject #3 Phillip Gerald Bailey, followed [Baileys teenage wife] in his vehicle to provide [Baileys teenage wife] a ride back home after selling the vehicle to the new owner, court records read. [Phillip Bailey] was fully aware of what was transpiring regarding the sale of a vehicle that [Phillip Bailey] was confident was fraudulently obtained by both [Zachry Bailey] and [Baileys teenage wife]. Despite these beliefs, [Phillip Bailey] still fully and willingly assisted with the illegal sale of a vehicle that was actually stolen. Court documents also reveal Baileys wife had contact with multiple alleged victims. I dont believe for a moment that her or his father are innocent in any part of this. They are part of the conspiracy to commit the crimes that were committed, said Lehew. Police chase ends in violent crash with one in critical condition, another behind bars The probable cause affidavit also accuses Bailey and his wife of taking part in a chop shop ring. Based on the voluminous evidence obtained through this investigation, this affiant believes that there is sufficient probable cause exists to criminally charge Zachry Brent Bailey a/k/a Zachry Brent, [Baileys teenage wife] and Phillip Gerald Bailey with the various intentional violations of Oklahoma Criminal State Statutes in which all 3 persons created, conspired, and engaged in overt acts to scheme and defraud persons of money and vehicles, an affidavit reads. Apache Police have recommended Baileys teen wife face charges, including: 21 O.S. 1715 Brings stolen property into State.47 O.S. 4-103 Receives, possesses, conceals, sells, or disposes a stolen or converted vehicle. 21 O.S. 421(C) conspiracy to commit felony 21 O.S. 1958 Communicates with, stores data in, or retrieve data from a computer system for the purpose of violating provisions of the Oklahoma Statutes. 21 O.S. 1953(A)(2) Uses computer, computer system, or computer network in order to defraud or extort money, property or services by false pretense. 21 O.S. 1541.2 With intent to cheat and defraud, obtains any money, property or valuable thing of a value $1,000 or more by means of trick or deception, false statement, instruments or device called confidence game, false or bogus checks, or other printed instrument Putting all those pieces together It became very clear about how this operation was working, said Lehew. Because Baileys wife is a minor, News 4 is unable to access any court documents regarding her charges. The Apache Police Department said it has evidence indicating Baileys teen wife initiated some unlawful actions and followed Baileys orders though. The Apache Police Department confirmed with KFOR charges have been filed against her. News 4 asked if Baileys teen wife could be tried as an adult in this case. Im not sure because theres like 13 crimes in the state of Oklahoma that allow a juvenile to be charged as an adult and I dont think white collar crimes is going to be one of them, stated Lehew. If she is found guilty, Lehew said she could spend time in a juvenile detention center. Bailey has been charged with: Knowingly receiving stolen property Conspiracy to commit a felony Computer fraud/unlawful use of computer/system Obtaining property by false pretense Most of the stuff Im in here for isnt even the stuff Ive done, said Bailey. Theres just so many things theyre trying to throw at me. News 4 has asked Bailey about the potential of these charges sticking and he said, Im not saying that thats not right but Im saying that also at the same time the crime had to be committed in Apache and being that [Bailey and his teenage wife] were only there for two days, I think it proves otherwise. Baileys father, Phillip has been charged with: Knowingly receiving stolen property Conspiracy to commit a felony Computer fraud/unlawful use of computer/system Obtaining property by false pretense Causing, aiding, abetting or encouraging minor to become in need of supervision or dependent or neglected Phillip Bailey turned himself into the Caddo County Detention Center on Saturday, according to Lehew. He was previously arrested by Apache Police for harboring his son in August. Lehew believes there are more victims out there. It looks like we may be on to an interstate car theft ring and a possible chop shop operation, explained Lehew. Im not shocked because theyve perfected this operation. They perfected the scheme, if you will, and I think that they have done nothing but gotten better at it. And, you know, when you look at the dealerships theyve victimized and individuals theyve victimized literally, as I said earlier, you know, larger dealerships were victimized. Regular people on the street didnt stand a chance. These people, they moved on them so fast and took their money and took their belongings so quickly. By the time all the dust settled, they didnt know what happened. As of August, the U.S. Secret Service was also investigating Bailey. One of the alleged victims News 4 has previously interviewed showed KFOR an email from an agent confirming their investigation. That victim said the U.S.S.S. agent told her Bailey, his wife, and his father were all being investigated for wire fraud. The difference between what I was doing and a wire are two completely different things. I think thats why they havent picked up on it so lets just hope that they dont, said Bailey. Preliminary hearing begins in 2022 deadly, fiery crash case According to the Caddo County Sheriffs Office inmate search, Phillip Bailey has bonded out. Bailey is still in the Oklahoma County Detention Center and his wife has not been arrested as of Tuesday morning, according to Lehew. Baileys wife called News 4 Tuesday morning asking about charges and an arrest warrant. She called Apache Police shortly after inquiring about the same topic, but was directed to the Caddo County District Attorneys Office. News 4 reached out to the Caddo County District Attorney both Monday and Tuesday, but never heard back. News 4 has requested Baileys recorded phone calls while he was in the Caddo County Detention Center. Those recordings were requested almost a month ago through the Caddo County Sheriffs Office under the Freedom of Information Act. Despite several emails to the Caddo County Sheriff, the recordings have not been released to News 4 as of Tuesday. There are 42 recordings, according to a probable cause affidavit. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. As we wait to see the outcome of the U.S. House speaker election, its worth pausing for a moment to remember a time when both parties came together to pass a much-needed reform with broad bipartisan support. Was the issue national security, veterans benefits or one of the other areas that are perennially important for both sides? No, it was a subject that regrettably has become yet another front in the culture wars, one that our two parties today often seem at loggerheads over religious liberty. In 1993, Congress enacted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, commonly known as RFRA. My former boss, longtime Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican, was one of the bills principal authors. The lead Senate sponsor was Ted Kennedy, a Democrat from Massachusetts. And the lead House sponsor was none other than now-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. RFRA stands for the simple proposition that religious liberty is essential. It gives religious freedom the highest level of protection afforded by federal law the same level of protection we give other fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, the right to vote and the right to trial by jury. RFRA says if government takes action that substantially burdens a persons religious exercise, it must have both a really good reason for doing so and no other way to achieve that compelling interest. The legislation corrected a mistaken Supreme Court decision that had reduced the level of protection for religious liberty. Thats why its called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act: It restored religious liberty to its preeminent place as a fundamental right for all Americans. In the 30 years since it became law, RFRA has given people of all faiths a powerful tool to protect their rights against government interference. From Native Americans seeking to protect sacred lands, to a Muslim prisoner who wanted to keep his faiths grooming standards, to a Sikh army officer who asked for an exemption that had been granted to thousands of other soldiers for nonreligious reasons, RFRA has allowed Americans of all stripes to challenge government decisions that unnecessarily, and unfairly, restricted their religious practice. RFRA is one of the most important laws Congress has ever passed. It stands as an example of lawmakers taking seriously their oaths to support and defend the Constitution and their responsibility to work for the benefit of all Americans, no matter their background. Related One of the truly great things about RFRA is that it treats people of all faiths equally. No religion is preferred above another. The smallest religious minority receives just as much protection as the largest denomination. Indeed, RFRA was passed primarily to protect religious minorities. The majority, after all, rarely need special protection. It can protect its interests through the ballot box. Its minority groups those with beliefs the majority may find inconvenient or odd that need an added measure of security. Thirty years on, RFRA remains as important as ever. As our nation continues to grow more diverse, with increasing numbers of Americans ascribing to different faith traditions, or no tradition at all, the need to protect the rights of all believers is critical. Add in the political polarization that seems to grow worse with each passing year, and you have a recipe for serious discord. RFRA offers an antidote to this downward spiral, a unifying principle that the vast majority of Americans can agree on. In honor of RFRAs 30th anniversary, the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation is partnering with Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., to celebrate the laws numerous successes and enduring importance in 21st-century America. The foundation will host a webinar with Lankford and other legal experts on Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. MST. (Click here to register.) Lankford has emerged as one of the strongest defenders of religious freedom in todays Senate. As an ordained minister, he knows firsthand the critical importance of faith in peoples lives and how burdens on religious exercise can present people with impossible choices. Religious liberty was once a unifying issue for our country. It can be, and should be, again. But for that to happen, we need to get past the TV talking points and the notion that religious liberty is just one more front in our ongoing culture war. We need to understand what RFRA is really about, and that its purpose is to benefit all Americans. As we celebrate 30 years of RFRA, its important to underscore why protecting religious liberty is just as important now as it was three decades ago, when almost every single Democrat and every single Republican in Congress came together to pass the bill. RFRA was an example of bipartisanship at its best. Lets make religious liberty a rallying point for both sides as we look forward to the next 30 years. Matt Sandgren is executive director of the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation. A 15-year veteran of Capitol Hill, he served as a senior counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee and as Sen. Orrin Hatchs chief of staff. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was chased from an event in Baltimore on Tuesday evening after left-wing climate activists stormed the stage and demanded he stop fossil fuel infrastructure projects. Buttigieg was forced to depart the event a Maryland policy forum at the city's Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall hosted by local outlet Baltimore Banner after more than a dozen activists with the group Climate Defiance stormed the stage yelling slogans. The protesters called on Buttigieg to reject two proposed oil transport projects, the Sea Port Oil Terminal and Texas GulfLink, under review by his agency's Maritime Administration. "Petro Pete is a coward. As we write he is ramming down our throats the Sea Port and GulfLink oil terminals each worse than Keystone," Climate Defiance tweeted following the event. "We must resist him with all we've got. And we will." "Your DOT just approved the Seaport Oil Terminal, a project that will have 80 coal plants' worth of greenhouse gas emissions and will worsen air quality in areas that already live in cancer clusters," one of the Climate Defiance activists told Buttigieg on stage. "This is about environmental racism and it's about climate impacts this project will have. Will you commit to stopping these projects?" REPUBLICANS URGE BIDEN ADMIN TO STOP DELAYING MAJOR GAS PIPELINE PROJECT During the protest, activists were filmed calling Buttigieg "Petro Pete," demanding he "end fossil fuels," and chanting "Which side are you on, Pete?" repeatedly. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP When the event's moderator then asked about the specific projects the protesters mentioned, Buttigieg said he didn't want to "speak off the cuff." But he added he respected "where they're coming from" in reference to the protesters. BIDEN ADMIN QUIETLY REVERSES TRUMP-ERA RULE, BANS TRANSPORTING FOSSIL FUELS BY TRAIN "I get the urgency. By the time my kids are old enough to ask, were going to have a really good answer to get out of climate change," he said, according to the Baltimore Banner. "But my hope also is that some of those folks who are just here saw what happened when I was in front of the Transportation Infrastructure Committee two weeks ago trying to persuade or help the members of Congress [understand] that the seasons changing is not the same thing as climate change," Buttigieg continued. "And if this literally came up, and so weve got literal climate deniers who cant be bothered to admit that climate change is real." Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was forced to leave an event in Baltimore on Tuesday after climate activists stormed the stage. The Seaport Oil Terminal project was proposed years ago and would consist of an offshore pipeline network in the Gulf of Mexico along the coast of Texas. The project, which is expected to enter operations in 2025 and allow for greater U.S. oil exports, received an initial approval by the Maritime Administration last year, but has yet to receive a license. The Texas GulfLink crude oil export terminal is also located off the coast of Texas, but has yet to receive approval by the Maritime Administration. BIDEN ADMIN STONEWALLING ON PETE BUTTIGIEG'S PRIVATE GOVERNMENT JET RECORDS: WATCHDOG Environmental groups have loudly opposed both projects, pointing to the expected greenhouse gas emissions that would be produced indirectly by the oil that would be transported. Groups led by the Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in January challenging the record of decision for Seaport Oil Terminal project, listing Buttigieg as a defendant. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks during a press conference in New York City on June 28, 2021. "Considering the administrations stated commitment to tackle the climate crisis, it is particularly troubling that MARADs review of SPOTs environmental and community impacts entirely fails to account for the projects significant contributions to climate change, including impacts from excessive greenhouse gas pollution that will push temperatures higher in the Houston area and disrupt global climate," said Sierra Club senior attorney Devorah Ancel. The event Tuesday is one of many that Climate Defiance has interrupted and shut down as part of its goal to force lawmakers to do more on climate issues. It has also targeted events featuring federal officials like Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and senior White House climate adviser John Podesta . Original article source: Pete Buttigieg chased from event by climate protesters chanting 'Stop Petro Pete' China's rail-sea intermodal trains make 30,000 trips over past 6 years People's Daily Online) 14:01, October 11, 2023 A rail-sea intermodal freight train of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor departed from Qinzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Oct. 8, carrying 110 containers of Indonesian ghee, Vietnamese sweet potato starch and Hainan coconut juice. Bound for southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the train made the 30,000th trip along the trade corridor since the service was launched in 2017. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is a new channel of international trade jointly built by provincial-level regions in western China and ASEAN members. A rail-sea intermodal train of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor departs from the Qinzhou railway container center station in Qinzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 8. (Photo/Lao Guangwei) According to Huang Jiangnan, head of the Qinzhou Port East Station, the station was once merely a supporting facility for the bonded port area in Qinzhou, containing only three tracks and staffed by just two people, and only one or two freight trains departed from the station each week. The expansion of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has transformed the Qinzhou Port East Station into a bustling international cargo hub. It now boasts 12 tracks and 43 employees, with approximately 20 land-sea intermodal trains arriving and departing on a daily basis. Reliable data showed that the number of rail-sea intermodal trains on the trade corridor increased from 178 in 2017 to 8,820 in 2022, with an annual growth of more than 30 percent. The trains are expected to make more than 9,000 trips in 2023. Driven by the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, rail-sea intermodal trains of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor have recorded a steadily growing number of trips. Due to its proximity to ASEAN countries, Guangxi has become a key hub of the trade corridor. More and more agricultural products from ASEAN and other countries, such as Cambodian rice, Thai coconuts and mangosteen, Vietnamese passion fruits and sticky rice, as well as Brazilian frozen beef, have entered the Chinese market through the trade corridor, said Li Hongfeng from Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Transport Development Co., Ltd. Meanwhile, China's new energy products, new materials, and mechanical and electrical products are being shipped abroad through this kind of rail-sea intermodal transportation, Li added. According to statistics, in 2022, the total foreign trade of provincial-level regions along the trade corridor through Guangxi's ports exceeded 500 billion yuan (about $68.54 billion), a record high. In the first half of 2023, total trade exceeded 290 billion yuan. The trade corridor has basically formed three main routes in the east, middle and west, as well as three logistics modes - rail-sea intermodal transportation, international railroad intermodal transportation and road shuttle buses. It serves 69 cities in 18 provincial-level regions in China. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The Senate finance committee on Wednesday approved the proposed 10.7-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) in just 20 minutes. "There [are] no callings that means I think they have a vote of confidence in your budget, so we will favorably endorse your budget for plenary consideration," Senator Sonny Angara said during the deliberations. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who presented the OP's budget, said its department believes the proposed allocation would be enough for the president to meet the demands as head of government. "We crafted this budget within the parameters and processes set by the DBM from which we sought no special treatment," Bersamin said. Amante Liberato, the deputy executive secretary for finance and administration of the OP, said the proposed budget allocates P1.676 billion for capital outlay, P1.284 billion for personnel services, inclusive Retirement and Life Insurance Premiums (RLIP) and pensions, and P7.746 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE). Included in the approved allocation is the proposed 834,382 million budget of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), with 232,875 intended for personnel services, 545,776 for MOOE, and 34,317 for capital outlay. Asec. Zhielah Gatchalian said the proposed budget for PMS is 47.64% lower than that of last year. P.G. Sittenfeld, former Cincinnati City Council member, walks out to a car after being sentenced for bribery and attempted extortion at Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse in Cincinnati. He is free on bond pending an appeal. Former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld made plenty of speeches during his nine years on Cincinnati City Council, but none of them as important or impassioned as the plea he made for his freedom Tuesday in federal court. Dressed in a blue suit, noticeably thinner than when he was convicted on federal corruption charges 15 months ago, Sittenfeld walked slowly to the front of the courtroom to address the judge. Already almost 200 people had written letters to U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Cole pleading for leniency. Now, it was Sittenfeld's turn. This is a very daunting day for me and my family and everyone who loves us, Sittenfeld said. What followed was a tearful plea to be given probation, not prison time, an admission that he might have been "too ambitious" in his political career, and a long pause that brought everyone in the packed courtroom to the edge of their seats. But there was never an apology for the crimes or the words Im sorry. Sittenfeld maintains that he did nothing wrong when he accepted campaign contributions in exchange for supporting development projects, a notion a jury rejected when it convicted him on charges of bribery and attempted extortion. Yet Sittenfeld did speak of his deep responsibility and contrition in his remarks to the judge. Upon reflection, Sittenfeld said, he realized he was moving too fast. I wish I had slowed down, he told Judge Cole. Sittenfeld, at 27, was the youngest person ever elected to Cincinnati City Council in 2011. He was hailed as a promising up-and-comer and widely predicted to be Cincinnati's next mayor before he was arrested in November 2020, derailing his political career. The person I was when this case began is not who stands before you today, Sittenfeld said. He has spent time since he was convicted volunteering and being a father to his two young sons. Ive grown and I changed a lot, most of all in the role of husband and father, Sittenfeld said. The tears and a pause followed, prompting tears from many in the courtroom who had come to support him. "I hope for an outcome today that lets me stay present in the lives of Sarah (his wife) and the boys. He added that he wanted to be a source of kindness in a world that needs more of it. Cole sentenced Sittenfeld to 16 months in prison but delayed the start of that sentence to give Sittenfeld the chance to ask an appeals court if he could remain free while he appeals his convictions. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: PG Sittenfeld: What did former Cincinnati councilman say in court Maridon Romney, left, hugs Tal Dvir during a Solidarity Gathering for Israel put on by Jewish community and state leaders at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Utahns gathered at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night to express solidarity and support for Israel in light of the ongoing attacks by Hamas militants and retaliatory strikes by Israel. Kol Ami Rabbi Sam Spector was joined at the event by Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Dozens of people gathered outside the synagogue in mourning of those killed in the terrorist attacks. Earlier Tuesday, President Joe Biden in an address from the White House said 14 Americans were among at least 1,000 people killed in the attacks and that Hamas militants were holding other Americans hostage. Rabbi Avremi Zippel of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah reported Tuesday that Lotan Abir, a 24-year-old Israeli who recently relocated to Utah, was killed in an attack Saturday. Community members listen during a Solidarity Gathering for Israel put on by Jewish community and state leaders at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Community members listen during a Solidarity Gathering for Israel put on by Jewish community and state leaders at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Rabbi Samuel L. Spector, rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, speaks during a Solidarity Gathering for Israel put on by Jewish community and state leaders at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Tamara Kipper hands a flag to Virginia Hecker during a Solidarity Gathering for Israel put on by Jewish community and state leaders at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Community members listen during a Solidarity Gathering for Israel put on by Jewish community and state leaders at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Tamara Kipper passes out flags during a Solidarity Gathering for Israel put on by Jewish community and state leaders at Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News A retired merchant marine suspected of using his small plane to stalk a woman for more than four years in Upstate New York denied knowing the victim Tuesday as he was arrested for the third time in a single week for allegedly tormenting her. "I dont know her, shes crazy," Michael Arnold, 65, said of 42-year-old Cassie Wilusz on his way into Saratoga Town Court. He said he'd only eaten at her restaurant once and didn't return after coming down with food poisoning. But Wilusz, who owns Revolution Cafe in the small village of Schuylerville, shared videos that allegedly show him circling her home in his plane and following her in his car. Arnold was arraigned Tuesday on nine counts of criminal contempt that stem from an arrest on Friday for using a Facebook account with a fake name to allegedly harass her and threaten her daughter in violation of an order of protection. PILOT, 65, ACCUSED OF USING PLANE TO STALK WOMAN FOR 4 YEARS: ITS A NIGHTMARE' Michael Arnold is escorted out of the Saratoga Town Court in Schuylerville, New York, on Oct. 10, 2023. Arnold is suspected of flying his single-engine plane over Cassie Wilusz's home and posting threatening messages online. As he left court, deputies slapped him in handcuffs again on a fresh stalking charge, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "I feel relieved that he's in custody at the moment," Wilusz told Fox News Digital in an interview at her cafe on Tuesday. "He hopefully realizes the time has come, and he has to actually answer to the charges." Minutes later, Arnold was released on bail. He was arrested on Oct. 3 at an airport in Vermont for repeatedly circling Wilusz's home in his single-engine Cessna in violation of an order of protection that banned him from flying, according to a release from the Bennington Police Department. The FBI, which is now involved in the investigation, tipped off the local police. He was released on $5,000 bail. LAWYER CLAIMS NYC TEEN CHARGED IN POET SLAYING IS GREAT KID WHO WASN'T LOOKING FOR TROUBLE Wilusz, whose husband recently died, told Fox News Digital that Arnold is a former customer who has terrorized her and her family since she rejected his vulgar advances in November 2019. Wilusz said she's been living a nightmare ever since Arnold emailed her photos of him posing with nude women. She told him he'd crossed a line. That's when he allegedly began his campaign of harassment, flying over her home several times a week and following her in his car when she headed to work, walked her dog or took her daughter to school. FORMER VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY DEAN'S HUSBAND PENS HEARTBREAKING POST ABOUT HER MURDER As her husband was dying of colon cancer earlier this year, he'd fly so low that their roof shook and the windows rattled. "I didn't know if he'd fly into our home. I didn't know what he was capable of," Wilusz previously told Fox News Digital. She filed at least 10 police reports and contacted the local prosecutor's office, but Wilusz said they didn't take her complaint seriously. "I would dispute that characterization," Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen told Fox News Digital. Schuylerville Mayor Dan Carpenter said that part of the problem was that authorities had difficulty determining whether Arnold was flying low enough for the conduct to constitute stalking. WATCH CASSIE WILUSZ RESPOND TO HER ACCUSED STALKER MICHAEL ARNOLD'S LATEST ARREST The most recent order of protection includes a ban on flying, which has made it much easier to arrest and charge him, he said. Carpenter began fielding numerous calls from concerned residents after Arnold allegedly dropped tomatoes from his plane on the properties of Wilusz and her neighbors. "The community has concerns about his mental stability," he said. "What is the next escalation? If it goes too far, is he willing to fly a plane into Cassie's house? We live in a small residential area. That's not going to just affect Cassie." Prosecutors say that Arnold's stalking crusade has included posting sick messages online by using a Facebook account with a fictitious name. "Nobody ever stalked that. As our member mike said, not my type.' He said he has way better standards," Arnold allegedly wrote, referring to himself, in a Facebook post on Wilusz's business page. CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS Michael Arnold enters the Saratoga Town Court in Schuylerville, New York, on Oct. 10, 2023. After Wilusz's husband died in May, Arnold allegedly implied that her karma was responsible for his death and suggested that her 14-year-old daughter would be next, according to prosecutors. Arnold's lawyer declined to comment. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Julia Bonavita and Ashley Papa contributed to this report. Original article source: Pilot suspected of using plane to stalk woman for 4 years says they've never met Police have arrested the mother of three of six suspects accused of luring a woman to the U.S. to join a religious group, and then beating and starving her to death. Mihee Lee was booked into the Gwinnett County jail Wednesday morning. The victim, See Hee Cho, was found dead in the trunk of a Jaguar in front of a popular Korean spa in Gwinnett County last month. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police later announced the arrests of six people -- five adults and a 15-year-old boy, in the womans death. They are identified as Eric Hyun, 26; Joonhyum Lee, 22; Joonho Lee, 26; Hyunji Lee, 25; Gawon Lee, 26; and Junyeong Lee, 15. Mihee Lee is the mother of Juoonhyum, Joonho and Junyeong Lee. All seven have been charged with felony murder, imprisonment, tampering with evidence and concealing a death. Mihee Lee has also been charged with making false statements. TRENDING STORIES: Police said in a news conference Cho was from South Korea and was lured to Atlanta over the summer under the guise of joining a religious organization. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Police said that after she arrived, she was beaten and starved for months until she died. They called themselves Soldiers of Christ, police said. Apparently, the victim was subjected to beatings and malnourishment, which subsequently, and what the medical examiners office believes led to her death. The official cause of death has not been determined. Cho, who is believed to have been in her 20s or 30s, was approximately 70 pounds when her body was found, police said. They believe she may have been in the trunk for several days. Police said they believe Hyun drove the Jaguar to the parking lot of the sauna, then called a family member and asked to be picked up and taken to a hospital to be treated for an unrelated injury. He then sent the family member back to the vehicle to retrieve something, and that person discovered the body and called 911. Police said that after the body was found, the investigation led them to a home on Stable Gate in Lawrenceville, where they determined that the crimes happened in the homes basement. On Wednesday, the attorney for Eric Hyun, David Boyle, released a statement saying that Hyun was actually a victim of the group. Eric was recruited to join the church by Joonho Lee, Boyle said. Eric was physically tortured... He was stripped naked and shot with an airsoft gun all over his body, causing over a hundred wounds. Boyle said Cho was lured to the familys house on Stable Gate Lane in July and then kept in the basement for weeks and physically tortured under the guise of religious ritual to gain entry to the church. Boyle said Hyun was at the home at the same time as Cho and that he escaped the basement with Chos remains in the trunk on Sept. 12. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] According to Hyuns lawyer, Hyun is still suffering from extensive injuries and is in the medical wing of the Gwinnett County jail. If Eric had not escaped the Lees house, he also would have died, Boyle said in the statement. Boyle also accused the Lee family of convincing Hyun to wire thousands of dollars to Korea and using his credit to buy a home in Suwanee to house the church. There are still other members of this religious extremist group at large and the Gwinnett County Police and District Attorneys Office continue to investigate this case, Boyle said. Boyle says his client is innocent. On Wednesday, the judge allowed Hyun to bond out of jail. Channel 2s Courtney Francisco was outside the Gwinnett County courthouse Wednesday, where Joonho Lee was attempting to bond out of jail. Prosecutors argue that Joonho Lee was the mastermind of the group. He told police that the victim, Ms. Cho, was undergoing this admission process voluntarily, prosecutor Han Chung argued. Chung described evidence of torturous initiation rituals like starvation, skin sanding and bloody beatings of the face and genitals, some of which was recorded on cell phone video. The defendant himself is beating Eric Hyun with what appears to be a leather belt, Chung said. Chung said that Junyeong Lee, 15, said he thought that Cho wanted to quit the group, which the group did not allow. Joonho Lees attorney, Scott Drake, argued that his client was a student at Emory wth no prior record whos only crime is going to school and trying to better himself. Drake was trying to get Joonho Lee released on $50,000 bond, arguing hed wear a GPS tracker, but the judge denied the request. You are a threat to commit additional felonies and a risk to intimidate witnesses in this case, Judge Tamela Adkins said. Nearly 2,000 people whose phone numbers were recovered in a number of drugs raids have been texted advice on substance misuse by police. Serious Organised Crime Unit officers seized mobile devices during intelligence-led operations across the greater Belfast area. Texts have now been sent to mobile numbers that had been in contact with those devices. Police said the demand for illicit drugs in Northern Ireland has grown. Drug seizures and drug arrests are both up 10% this year, they said. Det Sup Emma Neill said: "It is important that we not only arrest and search and seize these drugs that are openly available but also take a public health approach and support those who are affected by drug misuse, often the most vulnerable in our society." During the most recent raid in the greater Belfast area, the PSNI focused its activity on the supply of Class A and Class B drugs that were being sold through social media apps and groups. This is a growing trend within Northern Ireland and the drugs market has transformed over the last number of years through the development of social media apps. Det Supt Neill said police had used the apps to identify supply lines and undertaken a "significant" arrest and search operation. "Drug use is a complex issue and we are focused and determined to disrupt and frustrate the supply of controlled drugs in Northern Ireland," she said. "There is other work that needs to be done in terms of those that need help with addiction abuse. It is an incredibly difficult cycle to break." Operation Dealbreaker was in the making for a number of months and was a huge operation for the PSNI. There have been 18 searches, 14 arrests and nine people charged across the greater Belfast area. The PSNI also offers support through a drugs and alcohol service. Mobile numbers that have been sent texts by the PSNI provided details of where support and assistance for substance misuse can be obtained, though the message acknowledged the contacts may not have purchased drugs. The PSNI also said it was working with national and international law enforcement partners, including An Garda Siochana (Irish police) to target suppliers and supply lines. UVF and INLA working 'hand in hand' Det Supt Neill has quite a job on her hands heading up the unit responsible for the seizure of drugs in Northern Ireland, disrupting criminal gangs and their illegal activity. Her assessment is that paramilitaries such as the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) are working "hand in hand" with organised crime groups and are responsible for the importation and distribution of drugs across Northern Ireland. There are currently about 60 criminal gangs working in Northern Ireland. "Drugs are coming into Northern Ireland via our seaports and our airports - they are being distributed through many of the criminal networks," Det Supt Neill said. "The drugs are secreted in very sophisticated hides in vehicles. "It is getting increasingly elaborate, technical and sophisticated in how they go about concealing the drugs." The gangs involved in the drugs trade range from "homegrown groups" to cartels in South America and Mexico. "In recent months we have undertaken activity in relation to north west INLA whereby we seized 50,000 worth of cannabis and 20,000 worth of cash," Det Supt Neill said. "We undertook activity in relation to east Belfast UVF who were involved in the supply of cocaine and also cannabis as well - it is across a number of paramilitary groups. "Seventy percent of the organised crime groups that we are investigating we assess to be involved in the supply of drugs." The British Broadcasting Corporation Drug seizures and arrests rising The PSNI says that the number of drug seizures it has made has "shown a mainly upwards trend" since 2006-7. It says drug-related arrests increased between 2006-7 and 2019-20, then dropped the following two years. They increased again last year. In the 12 months from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023: There were 8,934 drug seizures in Northern Ireland, an increase of 802 (9.9%) on the previous 12 months Seizures of class A, B and C drugs all rose The most commonly seized drug was cannabis, followed by cocaine, benzodiazepines and pregabalin Ten policing districts showed an increase in drug seizures There were 3,340 drug-related arrests, an increase of 318 (10.5%) compared to the previous 12 months Ten policing districts showed an increase in drug-related arrests, with the largest rise in Lisburn and Castlereagh 'High-harm organised groups' She said paramilitaries are exploiting the drugs market for financial gain. "Individuals will be groomed to use drugs and then will be brought in to be forced to undertake activity for paramilitaries." Det Supt Neill said in the Organised Crime Branch which targets "high-harm organised crime groups and those paramilitary crime groups, our drug seizures is up 40% this year". In 2022, the PSNI seized just over 9m worth of drugs, but from April 2023 the force has seized 7m worth of drugs. The PSNI says it is working closely with Border Force to prevent drugs coming into Northern Ireland's ports. If you have been affected by addiction, help and support is available at BBC Action Line. South Fulton police and other agencies were called to a Christian school after reports of a shooter in the parking lot on Wednesday afternoon. Police confirm they were called to Arlington Christian School on Ridge Road to reports of a person with a gun on campus. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] School employees told Channel 2 Action News there were threats of a shooter outside of the school. No weapons were found at the school. Investigators say a 14-year-old student at Arlington Christian School called 911 with the threat. The student was taken to the hospital for medical attention. Its unclear if the student will face any charges. TRENDING STORIES: No one was injured during the incident. The safety of our students and the community remains our utmost priority. We are grateful for the rapid response and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the schools administration during this incident, police said in a statement. Parents are allowed to pick up their children from school. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police are searching for a man they say threw a rock at a car, shattering a window. According to OKCPD, the incident happened near NW 16th and Portland Ave. Police searching for man they say threw a rock at a car window. Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department. Police searching for man they say threw a rock at a car window. Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department. Officials are asking anyone with information about the man to call Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300 or submit an anonymous tip at okccrimetips.com. Police say a cash reward may be available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. BONNEY LAKE, Wash. - Police are asking for the publics help in identifying two men who stole nearly $6,000 worth of beauty products from Kohls in Bonney Lake. The Bonney Lake Police Department (BLPD) released photos of the suspects on Tuesday. They stole about $5,809.80 worth of Sephora beauty products from the store located near the corner of S Prairies Rd. E and SR-410. Bonney Lake Police Department One suspect was seen wearing a green and navy Seahawks hat, and a dark-colored jacket. The other was seen wearing green and brown camouflage pants, a black hoodie with yellow stripes on the sleeves and a dark-colored hat. Anyone with information is asked to contact the BLPD Tip Line at 253-447-3231, or email detective@cobl.us. Bonney Lake Police Department This is a developing story. The High Street chain collapsed into administration in August, putting more than 12,500 jobs at risk. Shoppers have lost hundreds of pounds after being conned by a website pretending to be that of troubled retailer Wilko. South Yorkshire Police said they had received 19 reports of people losing cash to a fake site. The High Street chain collapsed into administration in August. PC Angela Senior said: "Unfortunately, cyber scammers are often very good at making fake shopping websites look realistic." PC Senior said the reports had been received in August and September with each victim losing up to 200 as a result. "It's really important that people remain vigilant to the fact that these fake websites are out there and make the necessary checks before making any purchases," she added. A force spokesperson said: "We know how tempting discounts and clearance sales can be, however, we encourage people to stop and query whether the deal is too good to be true before they make a purchase." The spokesperson advised online shoppers to research retailers before purchasing. All 400 Wilko stores across the UK were due to close by the end of October. More than 12,000 staff had been made redundant as a result. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. Pope Francis called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to free hostages abducted from Israel, adding he is concerned over Israels siege of the Gaza Strip. I continue to follow what is happening in Israel and Palestine with tears and apprehension: many people killed, others injured, Francis said Wednesday in his address to the general audience in St. Peters Square at the Vatican. I pray for those families who have seen a feast day transformed into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be released immediately. It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very concerned about the total siege under which the Palestinians are living in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims, he continued. Hamas launched a surprise attack Saturday on Israel that killed hundreds; most of the dead appear to be civilians. Details of atrocities have emerged since the incursions; 14 U.S. citizens have been killed and others are believed to have been taken hostage. Hamas, recognized as a terrorist group by the U.S. government, has threatened to kill hostages if Israel bombs Gaza without warning. Israel has responded to the attacks with hundreds of strikes on Gaza. The Israeli government has declared war against the militant group and vowed to avenge the deadly attacks. Israeli forces have ramped up retaliatory strikes in recent days while Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip, vowing to halt the supply of food, electricity and water to the region. Between the cutoff in resources and the destruction of several neighborhoods in Gaza, more than 200,000 of Palestinians were forced to flee their homes and take shelter in U.N. humanitarian-run buildings, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In a push for peace, Francis stressed terrorism and extremism does little to resolve the ongoing conflict, but rather fuel[s] hatred, violence, revenge, and only cause each to other suffer. The Middle East does not need war, but peace, a peace built on dialogue and the courage of fraternity, Francis said. The death toll continued to climb Wednesday to an estimated 2,200 lives on both sides, with numbers expected to keep rising, according to The Associated Press. Gazas Health Ministry estimated around 1,055 Palestinians have been killed so far in the conflict, with thousands of others injured. This story was updated at 11:27 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) At least two senators said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) must secure confidential funds amid the proliferation of cybercrimes. This comes after a committee in the House of Representatives decided to realign the budget and strip off 300 million from the DICTs proposed spending for 2024. READ: Zero confidential funds in 2024 budget for OVP, DepEd, DICT, DA, DFA Reacting to the move in the lower chamber, Sen. JV Ejercito said on Wednesday that confidential and intelligence funds are better left with departments or agencies that have something to do with national security and fight against criminality. He said he would particularly push for the allocation of confidential funds to the DICT so that it would be better equipped in its campaign against criminal activities in cyberspace. Because this also pertains to national security and cybercrime which victimizes thousands everyday especially the more vulnerable in the society. Cybercrime is the new enemy of society, Ejercito said. Sen. Joel Villanueva echoed Ejercitos sentiments, saying he would fight for DICT confidential funds. After the executive session with DICT officials for hours, I am convinced that we need to empower our cybersecurity measures. Rampant din ang cybercrimes so that's a no brainer for me, Villanueva said. Other departments and agencies that were left with no proposed confidential funds were the Office of the Vice President, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Education, and Department of Agriculture. A popular bakery plans to take over the former Worlds Window space in Kansas Citys Brookside neighborhood. Nothing Bundt Cakes filed a tenant finish/remodel application with the city for 332 W. 63rd St. The retail space is roughly 3,200 square feet, plus storage. New renderings show Pennway Putt mini golf, dining in Kansas City Worlds Window, founded in 1984, closed in March after failing to find a buyer. The boutique was owned locally by Jan and Lonnie Buerge and sold a mix of clothing, accessories, gifts and home decor. The couple was ready to retire and spend more time with family and pursuing their hobbies. Founded in 1997, Addison, Texas-based Nothing Bundt Cakes has eclipsed 500 franchised and corporate bakeries in the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S., its bakeries span more than 40 states, including Kansas and Missouri. Locally, it operates eight stores. Keep reading in the Kansas City Business Journal. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. FILE - Chairman of SMER-Social Democracy party Robert Fico arrives at his party's headquarters in Bratislava, Slovakia, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 the day after an early parliamentary election. On Wednesday Oct. 11, 2023, Fico and his winning party in Slovakia's last month parliamentary election signed a memorandum with two other parties to form a new coalition government. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File) BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) A former prime minister of Slovakia who plans to end the country's military support for Ukraine is poised to return to office after his political party signed a deal Wednesday with two other parties to form a coalition government. The leftist Smer, or Direction, party captured 22.9% of the vote in Slovakia's Sept 30 parliamentary election. The party's leader, populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico, needed to find coalition partners to rule with a majority in the country's 150-seat Parliament. The memorandum signed Wednesday provides for a coalition of Smer, which holds 42 seats; the left-wing Hlas, or Voice, party, which placed third in the election and has 27 seats; and the ultra-nationalist and pro-Russia Slovak National Party, which has 10 lawmakers in the new parliament. Fico's former deputy in Smer, Peter Pellegrini, is the leader of Hlas. Pellegrini parted ways with Fico after the scandal-tainted Smer lost the previous election in 2020. Their reunion was a key to Ficos ability to form a government. It was not immediately clear when President Zuzana Caputova might swear in the new government. Fico said he hoped to represent Slovakia at the next summit of the leaders of European Union member nations, which is scheduled for late October. As part of the coalition deal, Smer will get to appoint the prime minister and six other ministers, opening the way for Fico to serve as Slovakia's head of government for the fourth time. Hlas will get to name the parliament speaker and seven Cabinet ministers, and the Slovak National Party three ministers. The deal struck by the three groups means that the Progressive Slovakia party, a liberal, pro-Western newcomer that took second place in the election with 18% of the vote, will end up in the opposition. The party holds 32 seats in parliament. Fico campaigned on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. He has vowed to withdraw Slovakias military support for Ukraine, and his victory could further strain the fragile unity in the European Union and NATO. He said he wants Slovakia to remain a member of the EU and NATO but with full respect for his country's sovereignty. The protection of sovereignty and national interests of Slovakia will be the government's priority, Fico said. He pledged the protect his country against illegal migration that has been recently on the rise in Europe. Ficos critics worry that his return to power could lead Slovakia to abandon its course in other ways, following the path of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban and to a lesser extent of Poland under the Law and Justice party. The Post Office tried to cover up evidence that could have helped postmasters defend themselves against wrongful prosecution, a public inquiry has heard. The inquiry into one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history heard on Wednesday that staff had been ordered to delete or shred documents that suggested issues with the IT system behind the scandal. The Post Office privately prosecuted more than 700 innocent men and women for theft, false accounting and fraud based on defects in its recently installed IT system, Horizon. Many spent time in prison, were ostracised from their communities, and several took their own lives. The inquiry has now heard that the Post Office not only repeatedly ignored evidence that there were issues with the Horizon IT system but also tried to cover it up. The inquiry heard that barrister Simon Clarke advised the Post Office in 2013 to set up a single central hub for gathering any issues around the integrity of Horizon. He said participants should meet regularly to raise issues relating to Horizon, and that minutes should be taken, retained and given to those who needed the information. However, the Post Offices security team prevented the information from being properly recorded and retained, the inquiry heard, thereby depriving innocent postmasters of details about issues with the flawed IT system. Many wrongful convictions of former post office workers have been overturned - Yui Mok/PA The inquiry heard that a JScott had instructed that typed minutes be scrapped, according to a note of a phone call between two lawyers that was presented as evidence to the hearing on Wednesday. It was suggested this could be former Head of Security for the Post Office, John Scott. Mr Scott, a former police officer, said he did not recall giving his staff the instruction to delete or shred documents. He also said that by telling staff to keep handwritten notes he was following orders from his line manager, Susan Crichton, former general counsel at the Post Office, in order to reduce the risk of the documents being widely circulated or disclosed publicly. The inquiry heard that Ms Crichton wrote an email to Mr Scott to say she had received very worrying feedback that meetings were not being chaired, the participants are unclear as to its purpose and no minutes are being kept. Mr Scott replied the following day to say he had been briefed by her to keep the meetings under the radar and that she did not want any electronic communication which may be subject to [a Freedom of Information request] or disclosure. Mr Scott also denied it, when Jason Beer KC asked if there was a meeting of minds within the Post Office security department that not creating records was a way of avoiding disclosing documents about Horizon integrity issues in future. The inquiry also heard there was a toxic culture within the security department that prevented staff members from speaking up. A former member of the security team, Andrew Hayward, told the inquiry: There was very much for me, a command and control operation that worked. One, again, from a personal perspective, didnt challenge, if you did, it was probably frowned upon. Last month, the Government announced 600,000 of new compensation for every wrongly convicted postmaster. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The author at a wedding. Courtesy of the author I needed a plus-one for a wedding and posted a Google form on TikTok to find one. I got over 70 applications, and some of them were really creative. Here's what I decided to do and what happened after the wedding. I'm 28, meaning that I'm two years away from being 30 and that at any given moment, I'm five minutes away from receiving a wedding invitation. So it was no surprise when, in June 2022, I was invited to be a bridesmaid at my cousin's wedding in Croatia. Given my single status, I immediately felt the threat of being seated at the dreaded "kids and singles" table. I'd avoided thinking about the wedding for most of the past year. I'm not good at finding dresses, planning trips, or hunting down a plus-one. So when the summer rolled around, and with my cousin's nuptials on the Adriatic Sea fast approaching, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I would be the only bridesmaid in history without a plus-one. So I did what I typically do I opened TikTok. I posted a video on TikTok with a Google form to help me find a wedding date I'm a comedian with a modest but sizable following on TikTok (66,000 at the time of writing). I host the viral digital dating show " Hot & Single ," on which I interview New Yorkers about the woes of modern dating to find out whether they're the problem or everyone else is. As such, I have come to be known as a sort of de facto dating expert, despite often having zero romantic prospects myself. I go to other creators on TikTok for advice, inspiration, and humor, as well as to look at hot guys doing pottery (my version of unwinding). So when the task of finding a wedding date appeared, it made sense to me to use the platform to find a solution. So I made a video inviting strangers on the internet to apply to be my wedding date. I created a public Google form , which I posted in the comments of the video and had prompts such as: "Which convo would you bomb if seated next to my mom: "Deep Dive into Divorce: Why Her Marriage Failed & Why She Hasn't Taken Accountability. "The Bermuda Triangle: What We Knew Then and What We Know Now. "Vaccines." Another prompt was: "How hot are you on a scale of 1-1,000, and if you're above a 840, do you have a non-expired passport, and if you're above a 960 why are you still single, what's wrong with you, are you cheating on your wife and if so do you think she'd like me?" I also made a prompt asking candidates to edit themselves into a picture of me wearing a dress to see how we would look together. I got 73 applications to go with me to the wedding Within hours, my TikTok post went viral, and applications started tumbling in. The response was overwhelming. Picture a digital deluge of charming men from all corners of the internet, each vying for the coveted role of my wedding date. It turns out, there's no shortage of men willing to step into the role of Prince Charming when a trip to Croatia is on the line (though some didn't seem to realize I would not be paying for their flight). The next morning, I was knee-deep in a sea of prospective wedding dates. And people got creative , especially in the Photoshop section. One guy even made me a slideshow of all the weddings he'd been to so he could prove he'd be a perfect wedding partner. With 73 applications, I felt I'd never have to be single again. As I screened these applications on my TV via AirPlay with the company of my closest girlfriends and a bottle of cabernet sauvignon I realized that this entire experience was hilarious, not because of the potential for romance but because of what I had created, all by myself. I had taken matters into my own hands, turned a seemingly dreadful task into a fun game, and found a way to celebrate myself by getting a bunch of no offense to them simp-y guys to download the Adobe suite. I realized I could have a pretty good time on my own and didn't need a wedding date in one of the most beautiful countries to make the experience worthwhile. I decided I was my own best company So with a heavy heart (OK I wasn't too sad about the prospect of not having to make awkward small talk about where I grew up with an internet stranger), I decided to decline all the eager applicants and venture to the wedding solo. Once I got there, I realized that being single didn't equate to being alone. I could chat freely with everyone there without the burden of a guest whom I needed to stick by. I also MCed the entire rehearsal dinner and gave a great bridesmaid speech, which I believe is up for a Golden Globe. Most importantly, I found another single bridesmaid to sit next to who was willing to go halfsies on both the chicken and pasta dinner options with me (a move I commonly refer to as "couple privilege"). The best part? I got a bunch of solo pics in a gorgeous dress, which means my dating-app profile got a revamp. After the wedding, I was ready to go home and get back into dating at my own pace. I met someone right after I got home from the wedding As fate would have it, however, I met someone pretty soon after returning home (unsurprising, as I was tan and glowing after my relaxing solo vacation). He's also a comedian, and we met you're going to want to sit down for this in person, which these days feels almost impossible. So for now, I'm one of those people who can check "plus-one" when I'm invited to a wedding. That doesn't mean I necessarily always will, though, now that I know how enjoyable my own company is. In fact, I might opt to go to a few more by myself. Read the original article on Insider No one won the $1.57 billion Powerball jackpot on Saturday night, but there are a handful of people who won a million bucks or more. The winning numbers for Monday night's drawing were: 16, 34, 46, 55, 67 and a Powerball of 14. One lucky ticket from Florida won $2 million for matching all 5 white numbers and adding the Power Play option. 4 other tickets, which were sold in California, Indiana, Oregon and Virginia, matched all 5 white balls to win a $1 million prize. 272,638 tickets sold in Texas won at least $4, according to the Texas Lottery. 4 people won a $150,000 prize for matching 4 of the 5 white numbers, the Powerball and choosing the Power Play option. The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday night. The jackpot for the drawing has climbed to $1.73 billion. This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the companys Titan submersible. | OceanGate Expeditions via Associated Press The U.S. Coast Guard finished recovering the remaining Titan submersible debris and presumed human remains from the ocean floor. According to a press release issued Tuesday by the Coast Guard, the recovered debris was transported for cataloging and analysis, and the presumed human remains were handed over to U.S. medical professionals for analysis. This summer, five passengers Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British aviator; Shahzada Dawood, a British Pakistani businessman; Suleman Dawood, son of Shahzada Dawood; and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, director of Underwater Research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc. went on board the Titan submersible to visit the Titanic wreckage. Related After the sub began its descent on Sunday, June 18, it lost contact with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, an hour and 45 minutes into its trip. The Coast Guard searched until Thursday, June 22, then announced it found debris consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. The five passengers were then presumed dead. The collection of evidence, presumed remains and debris from the Titan sub implosion is part of an ongoing investigation into how the implosion occurred. The MBI (Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation) will continue evidence analysis and witness interviews ahead of a public hearing regarding this tragedy, the Coast Guard said. The conclusion of the salvage mission comes on the heels of a recent movie announcement: Salvaged. The Titan incident is slated to be chronicled in this film with E. Brian Dobbins as a producer and Justin MacGregor and Jonathan Keasey as co-writers. What happened to the Titan sub? The Titan sub was a research submersible (different than a submarine) that could hold up to five people. The sub would take passengers down to the floor of the Atlantic ocean to see the Titanic wreckage and had successful voyages before June 2023. Tickets would cost up to $250,000 per person, according to Insider. The OceanGate sub had drawn controversy before the June 2023 dive. In 2018, a joint letter signed by over three dozen people in the sub craft industry warned of possible catastrophic problems with the submersibles development, per The New York Times. After the sub began its initial descent on a Sunday in June, it lost contact with its mothership. Unlike submarines, which are autonomous, submersibles need to remain in contact with a mothership throughout the dive. After the sub lost contact, a sprawling, multinational search began. The sub only had a 96-hour oxygen supply, according to The Associated Press. The search area was twice the size of Connecticut and 21 2 miles down into the ocean. The U.S. Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, OceanGate Expeditions, a French team, a submariner from the British Royal Navy and Wood Holes Oceanographic Institution all joined the effort to find the Titan. Then, on the fifth day of the search (a Thursday), the Coast Guard announced the sub was believed to have imploded. Later, The Wall Street Journal reported the U.S. Navy believed it had heard the Titans implosion. A top secret military acoustic detection system designed to spot enemy submarines first heard what the U.S. Navy suspected was the Titan submersible implosion hours after the submersible began its voyage, officials involved in the search said, according to The Wall Street Journal. The U.S. held off making public what noises it had detected because it wanted to ensure search-and-rescue operations continued and couldnt say for sure it was an implosion, per The Wall Street Journal. The U.S Navy relayed that it had detected a possible implosion to the Coast Guard. It looks that the Titan imploded on Sunday on its way down to the Titanic shortly after contact was lost at a depth of around 9,000 feet, an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the matter told The Wall Street Journal. Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's prime minister, in New York on Sept. 21. Credit - Stephanie KeithBloomberg/Getty Images Anwar Ibrahims political journey is the stuff of legend. As an Islamist student leader, he was plucked out of his relative youth in the early 1980s to join Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamads government. He rose through the ranks for a decade and a half, becoming heir apparentonly to give it up in 1998 to create a movement demanding a set of political changes known as reformasi. He endured repression, trumped-up sodomy charges, and torture during the quarter-century that followed. But power finally came back to Anwar, now 76: last November, after a divisive election, he cobbled together a unity government that made him Prime Minister. Now, nearly a year into office, hes grappling with the rise of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) that is polarizing society, a flagging economy, and the continued fallout from the scandal that saw former Prime Minister Najib Razak of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party convicted of corruption in 2020. Anwar spoke to TIME about these issues and morefrom Malaysias place in great-power competition to a civic culture of corruption. Read More: In Conversation With the Journalist Who Exposed the World's Biggest Corruption Scandal TIME: The Biden Administration sees a global war between democracy and autocracy, between a rules-based, U.S.-led world order and one led by Russia and China. Where does Malaysia fit in? Anwar: The bifurcation has not helped regional or international cooperation. But theres not much that small countries like Malaysia can do about it, except maintain the centrality of ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], in our foreign policy. We should be fiercely independent, and interact and engage with both. Fortunately, we have excellent relations with both East and West. My intention is to make sure that Malaysia emerges as a viable and mature democracy. The U.S. wants you to pick a side. How do you plan to stay out of this? We make it very clear that China is an important neighbor, an important trading nation. We do have issues [with China] like the South China Sea, but the engagement has been working, in the sense that we have stated our position and Im reassured that China said they will not do anything without meaningful exchanges and dialogue. At the same time, the U.S. is a longtime ally and friend, and we continue to engage with them. But we cannot be intimidated in any way. A good example is our decision on 5G. The previous administration, my predecessor, decided to have just one network system, [from Swedish firm] Ericsson. My position was to continue it because it is an important technology. But why shouldnt we utilize the best of both worlds? So we chose [Chinese tech giant] Huawei to also participate. Of course, this displeased some people. But I cant help it. My commitment and loyalty are to the people of Malaysia. More From TIME Your government recently objected to a map China released that lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea. Have you raised it with China? Yes, in fact, I raised it publicly. I was one of the few ASEAN leaders who said it publicly in front of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the ASEAN East Asia dialogue. But to me, what is reassuring is the categorical statement by Li that they will honor and respect the claims of others. Have they? There've been reports of Chinese ships in Malaysian waters, for example. Weve raised objections if our navy identifies what we consider incursionsalthough they claim its also their territory. But thus far, when things are raised, or a polite note of concern is expressed, they do not necessarily withdraw but at least give some deference or consideration. Which means they do not, for example, aggressively enter our waters. Not aggressively? Yes, yes. When we identify cases of them entering our waters, and give a note of protest, then they have steered away on a number of occasions. Anwar waves as he leaves after Friday prayers at a mosque in Gombak, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 14. Fazry IsmailEPA-EFE/Shutterstock Malaysia is a rare example of a democratic Muslim-majority country. But Malay-Islamist supremacist rhetoric is on the rise. How do you plan to combat it? First, economic development. A more just, equitable system so that no community or part of the country is seen to be ignored or marginalized. Second, of course, is education, because extremism, racism, religious bigotry, breed easily among the more ignorant segment of the population. When I say ignorant, I dont mean youre not qualified, you dont go to university. I mean the lack of understanding of the total message of a religion dependent on some of the mullahs and sheiks, with their very narrow, obscure interpretation. Third, to make them realize that Malaysia, although it is a predominately Muslim country, is a multiracial country. And we have survived hundreds of years with the presence of Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians. There is no reason why you should upset this and cause enmity. Have you ever considered asking PAS to come on board, because your government is a coalition government? On whether we are prepared to engage with them, of course we do. We must. And Ive sent [an invitation] to them ... Yes, I have been open to the idea from the beginning. After all, this is a unity government and we do what is best for our country. But of course, we are going to draw a line. Islam is the religion of the Federation [of Malaysia], but this is a multireligious country and I want every single citizen in this country, of all religious persuasions, to know that they have a place in this country. What has PAS's response been? There has not been a clear rejection nor a positive response. The political climate is still a bit heated, so well let it cool off for some time. OK, so is it possible at some point? I dont want to preclude that. Of course, contingent upon these major policy conditions being accepted. You cannot achieve all the reformasiwhatever you thought about it back thenin one year or in the next few years. So if you were to prioritize two or three things, what would they be? Governance. I mean, in this country, the plundering was a mess and corruption is systemic. And if you stop that, it is a major success story. Not a single tender in the past nine months has been awarded through a negotiated process. There is [now] a proper tender, a transparent system. This is a major departure from the corrupt practices of the past. In Parliament, we have formed umpteen select committees. They can summon ministers and civil servants, question them. In the judiciary, there is not one case of appointments or decisions that Ive interfered with. Your coalition partner UMNOs stated demand is to have a pardon for Najib. You would be one of the members of the pardoning board if it ever came to that. How would you treat it? As Ive said publicly, our system in the pardoning board is a process. It is the sole discretion of King [Yang di-Pertuan Agong]. But on your advice? There are a few issues that the King may not seek the advice of the Prime Ministeron the issue of pardons, on the issue of investiture, and some issues pertaining to Islam and Malay customs. I trust the wisdom of the King to protect the Constitution. So you would be impartial to it? I mean, every single convicted person has a right to submit his or her appeal to the pardons board. And it is the duty of the pardons board to consider each case professionally. Thats all that we will do. And each member will give their views to the King. The King has a final say. Of course, they say the King can act on the advice of the Prime Minister. But unlike normal government duties, this advice has its limit, because the King has discretion, as I said. I get that. But if the case came to you tomorrow, what would you do? I will think about it. Statesmen and leaders think about legacy. What would you want yours to be as Prime Minister? Sounds like you are asking me to retire early? I would say this: this man from the village who came up, suffered in the process, and really wanted to do his best for his people and his country. Thats it. That is a very diplomatic answer. No, no, its not. I just want them to remember, here is Anwar, who is probably crazy in many ways, fought hard, suffered immensely in the process, but he really meant well. Theres an honest answer. Do you have any regrets? Hmm, Frank Sinatra, My Way. Yes, regrets, I have a few. I should probably have been a bit more patient, a bit wiser. But no one in their younger days was patient and wise. Contact us at letters@time.com. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex surprised a Brooklyn school on Tuesday to connect with students in honor of World Mental Health Day. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an appearance at Industry Citys Marcy Lab School, which offers high school graduates from underprivileged backgrounds a one-year college alternative to prepare them for careers in technology. Students at the school learn not just how to code, but how to use a purpose-driven mindset to solve the worlds problems through tech. During their visit, Harry spoke with a small group of students, where he stressed the importance of looking out for one another. Everyones got their own story, a reason for being here, he said, according to People. Your life is still going to be filled with complications and challenges. And if one of you starts to go quiet, doesnt show up, you need to find out why. The couple then asked about the students experiences in todays online landscape, which Meghan described as a place where so much community can be built, but theres also so much vulnerability. Theres a lot of saturation, and as parents, we can be hopeful knowing that your bright minds [are at work], she said. Knowing that they will be seen, valued and growing in the right direction. And thats why its so important what youre doing at The Marcy Lab. In January, the former royals provided a grant to Marcy Lab through their Archewell Foundation, and have continued to meet with students and parents throughout the year. The tuition-free school was founded in 2019 by teachers Maya Bhattacharjee-Marcantonio and Reuben Ogbonna, who set out to change the opportunities for young Black and Brown students in the tech sector. Ogbonna said he was grateful for the time and effort the Duke and Duchess gave during their visit, describing the couple as so cool and down to earth. Harry and Meghans appearance on Tuesday coincided with their visit to New York to host Archewells first-ever in-person event, Parents Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age. The event, held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day and moderated by Carson Daly, was designed to give voice to families who are passionate about building a safer online world for children and teens. According to the foundation, the discussion was centered on how we as a community, both globally and locally, are developing solutions to empower families and uplift our collective mental well-being. The conversation featured Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, along with parents who have experienced tragic loss connected to their childs use of social media. Tuesday marked the couples first time back in New York City since May, when Meghan was honored at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in Midtown Manhattan. The pair were swarmed by paparazzi as they were leaving the event, leading to a near catastrophic car chase that Mayor Adams called reckless and irresponsible. Prince William cant take the heat. On Tuesday 10 October, both William and his wife Kate Middleton appeared on Going Home with Vick and Jordan on Radio 1, where they were asked what they were planning to have for dinner that night after arriving back home in Windsor. The two of them seemed unsure on who would be the one to do the cooking. Are you cooking? Kate asked William. William responded that they would likely be eating curry that night, which is a dish that Kate normally makes. So youre looking to me? she jokingly clarified while they were talking to the radio host. The Prince of Wales explained that the final decision on what they would eat for dinner would be based on when exactly they would get home. Yeah, it probably will be a curry or teriyaki salmon, something like that, Kate said. The hosts were then curious how the royal couple preferred to eat their curries: spicy or mild? In response, William and Kate revealed the differences in their food preferences. I cant do too much spice, I start sweating. Its not attractive, William said. However, Kate prefers hers to be spicy. Whereas I like the spice so I have to sort of cook the curry and then add the spice, extra spice at the end, she said, explaining that she needs to make her curry more spicy after serving her husband. Kate and William were also a part of a mental health forum on Tuesday with BBC Radio 1 and a charity called The Mix in honour of World Mental Health Day. During the forum, the pair participated in various workshops that focused on processing emotions. At one point, the Prince of Wales was asked what techniques he uses when hes struggling with his mental health. For me, just general maintenance, general mental well-being, he said. When naming specific activities, he listed walking, getting fresh air, and taking time away from screens. He continued: Having a laugh. Humour for me is a big deal I love to laugh. Youve got to look at the lighter things in life sometimes to feel good. For the member of the royal family, this also includes spending time with his loved ones. Part of the forum also included a speech from the Princess of Wales, in which she praised peoples ability to be as open as they are about their mental health. Today, more people feel empowered to talk about their mental health than ever before, Kate said in her speech. This is a major step forward. William and I continue to be inspired to see young people, like you all here today, leading this charge being particularly brave in having some of those conversations yourselves. As a generation, you value and talk more about your mental health than any before you something we truly admire and applaud. William and Kate were not the only members of the royal family that participated in World Mental Health Day. Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, also marked the holiday by hosting a mental health summit in New York City. On 11 October, the Court of Appeal considered the appeal against the preventive measure against MP Nestor Shufrych and left him in custody. Source: Suspilne news outlet Quote from the judge: "The measure of restraint remains unchanged. The appeals filed by the attorneys shall be dismissed." Details: During the hearing, the court allowed Shufrych to sit next to his lawyers. Background: On 15 September, it became known that the Security Service of Ukraine had searched the home of MP Nestor Shufrych, elected from the now-banned pro-Russian party Opposition Platform For Life. St George's ribbons, medals and coats of the Russian armed forces were found in his possession. The Security Service of Ukraine also found a document with a plan for the autonomy of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, dated 2014, signed by former MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who is now deprived of Ukrainian citizenship, and Shufrych himself. At the same time, the court imposed a measure of restraint for Shufrych, a detention for two months without the right to bail. 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, October 11) Its been days and yet overseas Filipino worker Rosielyn Aluya still cant sleep well at night as the sound of rockets and bombs randomly fill the air especially at night. Rosielyn, who is in Tel Aviv, told CNN Philippines that while they are considerably far from the center of conflict, there were instances when rockets would hit nearby structures. Grabe na yung trauma ko hindi na po talaga nawawala," she said. "Tuwing may giyera makakarinig ka lang ng kaunting kaluskos yung puso mo sobrang kaba. [Translation: This has been a traumatic experience for me. In times of war, your heart is always pounding and you get nervous a lot even with small sounds.] The OFW said the Israel-Hamas war has been the worst she has witnessed after being in Israel for the last couple of years. She said she even witnessed how a rocket hit a neighboring bakeshop where she usually bought bread in the morning. Nakita ko po talaga pagbagsak ng rocket. Ang laki ng butas na ginawa, at saka sa kabilang building ang daming wasak-wasak na bintana pati mga pader dahil sa impact ng rocket yun, she recalled. [Translation: I saw how the rocket destroyed the building. Other establishments were destroyed too, there were broken windows due to the rockets impact.] Hotel worker Rosielyn Asistores also shared her harrowing experience in the last three days. Malapit lang po sa amin yung target area ng mga rocket," she said. "Habang nasa duty kami at ginagawa ang mga room, yung mga bintana biglang yumanig talaga pati yung pader dahil sa impact ng bomba." [Translation: Our hotel is near one of the target areas of the rockets. While we were on duty we suddenly felt the building shake. We saw the windows and walls vibrate due to the bombings impact.] Daily Banga, another hotel worker in Israel, said she and her co-workers decided to stay in their hotel rather than go home every day." She said the bomb shelter in their hotel is also much bigger. Mas mabuti na po na nasa hotel na at hindi na lumabas-labas pa," she said. "Mahirap din abutan ng sirena sa labas habang naglalakad." [Translation: Its better to stay in the hotel for safety rather than go outside. It's also difficult if the (air raid) siren goes off while you're walking home.] Banga also disclosed that one of their co-workers was kidnapped and killed by Hamas militants. Ang receptionist po namin nabalitaan na lang namin na dinukot siya at pinatay ng Hamas, she said. [Translation: We learned that our receptionist was taken and killed by Hamas.] Despite these experiences, the OFWs in Israel still opt to stay for now. The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the crisis alert level in Israel to Alert Level 2 which means non-essential activities are restricted and there will be no deployment for new OFWs. WASHINGTON Project Convergence started relatively small, with limited soldier participation. At its inception in the Arizona desert in 2020, the U.S. Army hoped to use the event to evaluate its materiel upgrades, including a potent brew of artificial intelligence, autonomy, robotics and radiating connectivity. The scale at which experimentation took place paled in comparison to the global presence the service touts. The technology crucible, however, quickly grew. In 2021, Project Convergence welcomed Air Force and Navy participation, highlighting the military-wide expectations of future fighting. The next year, it added international forces: Australia and the U.K. directly participated, while others, such as Canada, looked on. The endeavor, critical to shaping the Armys future formations and employment of tech, soon became a breeding ground for Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or CJADC2, the Pentagons larger connectedness campaign. But the blossoming left some in Army leadership with questions. Was there enough time to fully absorb the results? Was there enough time to plan successive events? Sluggish deployment of emerging tech hampers US military, officials say Digesting all of that data and analyzing what it really meant was a major undertaking, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told Defense News. And frankly my concern for Army Futures Command was: Are we rushing through this? That organization helps shape Project Convergence year to year as well as bridge the so-called valley of death, the metaphorical chasm between technological development and its purchase and deployment. The next iteration of Project Convergence with the suffix 24 bucks the annual approach amid greater emphasis on smaller, cumulative demonstrations in the preceding months. When its showtime, the project will offer a grander setup, reflecting the Armys transition to large-scale combat operations and potential international battlefields of the future, both service and defense industry officials told C4ISRNET and Defense News. It would be foolish, in my view, to spend the time and resources to do that kind of complex experimentation and not give ourselves the time to get the lessons and the insights out of it, Wormuth said. Its not activity for activitys sake. Californ-AI Project Convergence 24 will be executed in two phases, from a pair of locations and with previously uninvolved partners. The first will be at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with eyes locked on the Indo-Pacific. The Biden administration considers the region critical to international stability and trade; it is home to some of the worlds largest militaries, namely China and India, as well as some of its largest ports. Operations there will concentrate on the air, sea, space and cyberspace domains, as well as focus on interservice cooperation, offensive and defensive fires, and ensuring the right sensors deliver the right information to the right force at the right time, Lt. Gen. Ross Coffman, the deputy chief of Army Futures Command, told Defense News in an interview ahead of the Association of the U.S. Armys annual conference. Fort Irwin, California, will serve as the epicenter of the second phase, which will zero in on the land domain and involve foreign troops. A visualization of the Pentagon's Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept, which aims to better connect sensors and shooters across vast distances. (RTX) This is an Army effort, and its going to take the entire Army, the joint force and our coalition partners to really learn the lessons that we need to so that we can transform together and win on future battlefields, Coffman said. The lessons we learn are applicable globally. They can be applied to Europe. They can be applied to Africa. They can be applied to the Pacific. The service is attempting to overhaul its far-shooting weapons, air and missile defense capabilities, aviation fleet, communications systems, and more as relationships with Russia and China ice over. The U.S. Defense Department considers the former a more immediate threat, while the latter poses longer-term hazards. The service at the same time is trying to revamp the way it develops and procures the latest gear and machinery after a variety of its modernization efforts the sprawling Future Combat Systems program, centered on a network that connected new vehicles, drones and other technology; the Crusader weapon system, intended to replace aging artillery; and the Comanche helicopter all foundered. The Army is transforming, Coffman said. And as we look to the future, as we look out the windshield moving forward, we really are focused on pulling together all of the incredible work by [the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology] in the modernization space, and then looking forward, taking into account whats happening in real time in Ukraine and other places, and anticipating what will come next. The ties that bind Testing in the spring will feature a buffet of the defense industrys latest developments, including robots paired with soldiers on foot, specialty drones (dubbed launched effects) putting eyes on a target for long-range fires, and a means of managing contested logistics. It will also put the Armys networks under serious stress. To outwit, outmaneuver and outshoot tech-savvy adversaries such as Russia and China, the Army and its sister services are betting big on CJADC2. The new era of command and control would see forces and databases across air, land, sea, space and cyberspace seamlessly interlinked, providing the best-positioned or best-equipped unit the chance to strike first and strike hard. Navys Project Overmatch boss pushing hard for international synergy Its an incredibly complicated task to take on, to bring all those networks together, Bob Ashley, a retired Army lieutenant general and former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, told C4ISRNET. The key thing is that theres different kinds of radios that dont talk to other kinds of radios, and different formats of data, because we never really thought through the full interoperability for all of that stuff. The Defense Department requested $1.4 billion in fiscal 2024 for CJADC2. Project Convergence is often regarded as the Armys contribution to the odyssey. The Air Force, likewise, pitches in its Advanced Battle Management System, and the Navy is workshopping Project Overmatch. Concerns about coordination have cropped up; the Air Forces principal cyber adviser in July 2022 publicly fretted about disjointedness, and lawmakers that same year sought in annual defense legislation an audit of CJADC2 timelines and spending. For all these weapon systems to talk to one another, for all this data to be interoperable, thats really what CJADC2 is about, said Ashley, who served as a senior adviser to the Army secretary. How do we bring all this stuff together? In that regard, defense companies are playing a major role. The increasingly intricate webs that need digital weaving with data flowing from aircraft to soldier, from shore to ship, to and from command posts that quickly break down or bounce between locations are made possible by their hardware and software. Project Convergence 22 featured a so-called gateway where firms could test emerging kit in a relevant environment, all without breaking the bank. The initiative proved effective, according to Coffman, and will make return appearances. Thats the challenge were trying to take on. How do we go make the lightning bolts real in all these pictures that the Department of Defense likes to draw? Adil Karim, a Northrop Grumman vice president, said in an interview with C4ISRNET. How do we help the Army and the broader Department of Defense be more like the internet that we have in our personal life? Military contractors extract a drone from a recovery net Nov. 4, 2022, at Fort Irwin, Calif. (Pfc. Samuel Brandon/U.S. Army) Northrop Grumman is one of more than 100 companies that have participated in Project Convergence. The Virginia-based business furnished its Integrated Battle Command System, among other products. Its always useful to have a real warfighter kick the tires on your capability and say, Hey, could this be a circle instead of a square? Or, Can we paint it red instead of blue? That kind of thing, Karim said. Thats always been true in exercises. Continued complexity Coffman, Army Futures Commands deputy chief, remembers when Project Convergence comprised two enemy, two sensors, two effectors. He was in charge of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team. At the time, the service wanted to prove the tech, he said, without getting too complex too early. So we started very small. That has changed. In just three years and as many versions, Project Convergence has become a sculptor of budget blueprints, policymaking and joint force modernization. It has ushered hundreds upon hundreds of pieces of high-tech equipment into the dirt and into the hands of soldiers who may one day rely on them. It has also shed its annual rhythm a symptom of the data avalanche produced and ultimately parsed. We have learned a tremendous amount. It is, I think, the biggest and most successful joint opportunity for experimentation, Wormuth said at a September event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. But Project Convergence cant just be about a splashy capstone event, the new Army chief of staff, Gen. Randy George, said during the same discussion. Futures Command faces identity crisis as Army shifts mission The idea is for Project Convergence to be a hotbed for capability, whether thats a new weapon, or a novel way to tie sensors together, or how formations might fold in automaton assistance. Much of what is demonstrated successfully there ends up growing in other exercises and activities in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, where it can then translate to real-world firepower. The Army is trying to look at this as continuous transformation, George said. What we want to do is tie all the pieces that were learning together and make sure were doing this in a continuous fashion, and kind of spinning it off. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. On Saturday, an annular solar eclipse will create a scintillating ring of fire in the skies across the Americas. Astronomers are encouraging everyone within the 125-mile-wide (201-kilometer-wide) eclipse path stretching over North, Central and South America to enjoy this rare sight for the last time until 2046 but only if they can do so safely. And sunglasses wont be enough to protect your eyes for this celestial event. The ring of fire nickname comes from the appearance of annular solar eclipses. They are like total solar eclipses, except the moon is at the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, so it cant completely block the sun. Instead, the suns fiery light surrounds the moons shadow, creating the so-called ring of fire. Weather permitting, a crescent-shaped partial solar eclipse, where only part of the sun is covered by the moon, will also be visible in all 49 continental US states, including Alaska, according to NASA. Regardless of whether your location affords a view of the annular or partial solar eclipse, some of the suns powerful light will always be visible. And any glimpse of the suns brightness with the naked eye is not only uncomfortable, its dangerous. Why you shouldnt look directly at the eclipse The only time its safe to view the sun without eye protection is during the totality of a total solar eclipse, or the brief moments when the moon completely blocks the light of the sun, according to NASA. A total solar eclipse will cut a path across North America on April 8, 2024. There are different types of eclipses, which means there are different types of safety that need to be paid attention to, said Dr. Carrie Black, National Science Foundation program officer for the National Solar Observatory. During an annular eclipse, because the surface of the sun is not completely covered, you must wear glasses or view indirectly at all times. Directly staring at the sun can result in blindness or disrupted vision. During the 2017 total solar eclipse, a young woman was diagnosed with solar retinopathy, retinal damage from exposure to solar radiation, in both eyes, after viewing the eclipse with what doctors believed were eclipse glasses not held to the safety standard. There is no treatment for solar retinopathy. It can improve or worsen, but it is a permanent condition. Using eclipse glasses and solar viewers To view the annular eclipse, wear certified eclipse glasses or use a handheld solar viewer. Separately, you can observe the sun with a telescope, binoculars or camera that has a special solar filter on the front, which acts the same way eclipse glasses would. You need certified ISO 12312-2 compliant solar eclipse glasses. There are plenty of safe sellers online, said Alex Lockwood, strategic content and integration lead for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters. We cannot stress enough how important it is to obtain a pair of safe certified solar eclipse glasses in order to witness this annular event. Sunglasses wont work in place of eclipse glasses or solar viewers, which are 100,000 times darker and held to an international safety standard. The lenses of solar eclipse glasses are made of black polymer, or resin infused with carbon particles, that blocks nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light, according to The Planetary Society. Sunglasses dont block infrared radiation. For safe manufacturers and resellers of eclipse glasses and filters for optical devices, including cameras and smartphones, check out the list curated by the American Astronomical Society. Put on your eclipse glasses before looking up and remember to turn away from the sun before you remove them again. Always keep an eye on any children wearing eclipse glasses to make sure they dont remove them while looking at the sun. If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on and put eclipse glasses over them or hold a handheld viewer in front of them, according to the American Astronomical Society. Dont look at the sun through any unfiltered optical device camera lens, telescope, binoculars while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer, according to NASA. Solar rays can still burn through the filter on the glasses or viewer, given how concentrated they can be through an optical device, and can cause severe eye damage. Its also possible to use welding filters to safely view the eclipse because the international safety standard was partially derived from using such filters to view the sun. Welding filters made of tempered glass or metal-coated polycarbonate and with a shade number of 12 or higher allow for safe viewing, but many find shade 13 or 14 to be the best and similar to wearing eclipse glasses, according to the American Astronomical Society. Just know that the sun will appear green instead yellowish-orange or white. These filters arent usually on the shelf at supply stores, but they might be available online. Auto-darkening or adjustable welding helmets arent recommended because they may not darken quickly enough to view the sun. Prepare for the next eclipse As long as the eclipse glasses or solar viewers youre using comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard and arent torn, scratched or damaged in any way, they dont expire and can be used indefinitely. Also, there is no limit on how long you can view the sun while wearing them. Some glasses and viewers carry outdated warnings about using the glasses for more than three minutes at a time or recommend throwing them away after more than three years, but these do not apply to ISO 12312-2-certified viewers, according to the American Astronomical Society. Save your eclipse glasses and viewers for the total solar eclipse in April by storing them at room temperature in an envelope or their original packaging to avoid scratches. Never use water, glass cleaner, baby wipes or other wet wipes to clean eclipse glasses the moisture could cause the carboard frames to detach from the lenses. Instead, carefully wipe the lenses clean with a tissue or cloth. Indirect viewing of the eclipse If you dont have certified glasses on hand, eclipses can also be viewed indirectly using a pinhole projector, such as a hole punched through an index card. These work when you stand with your back to the sun and hold up the card. The pinhole projects an image of the crescent or ring-shaped sun on the ground or other surfaces. But never face the sun and look directly at it through the pinhole. Other pinhole projectors you may already have on hand include colanders, straw hats or anything with small holes in it. Or you can simply hold up your hands, space out your fingers and cross them over each other to create a waffle pattern. The small space between will reflect the suns crescent during a partial eclipse or a ring during the annular eclipse. Standing by a leafy tree? The small spaces between leaves will dapple patterns of the eclipse phase on the ground. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com More than 100 bodies were found at a Colorado funeral home that was improperly storing bodies, causing an overwhelming odor in the community. According to a document obtained by KUSA, someone reported an abhorrent smell coming from the Return to Nature Funeral Homes Penrose, Colorado, location last Tuesday, Oct. 3. This led to the Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration reaching out to the owner, identified as John Hallford, the next day. Officials responded to Return to Nature Funeral Home In Colorado following reports of a foul odor. (Photo: 9News/Youtube screenshot) During the conversation with the program director, Hallford said that he practices taxidermy and he has a problem at the Penrose property, the document stated. Additional details on those statements were not included. Hallford also gave officials the green light for an inspection at the property. Trending Today: Per the document, authorities found human remains that were not adequately stored when they responded to the scene. It also says the owner was trying to conceal the remains. KUSA reported that over 115 bodies were discovered, and the Department of Regulatory Agencies summarily suspended the business on Thursday. Now, its under investigation by local and federal law enforcement. Local officials described the property as a hazardous scene, with Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller saying they removed the unidentified bodies from the facility, KKTV reported. The county sheriffs office urged people who used the homes services to contact them as it could take months to identify the remains. This is going to be a very, very lengthy process, Keller said, per the outlet. The loved ones at this facility will be treated with the utmost care and respect. According to the reports, the facility was also hit with a cease and desist after officials learned that it was acting without proper registration, which expired last November. There have been no arrests connected to this incident. Return to Nature Funeral Home offers clients green burials where no chemicals, metal, or unnatural materials are used, its website says. Many families who turned to the funeral home for their services have created a support group online during this time of uncertainty. The thought that anybody could take advantage of people that are at their most vulnerable Theres no excuse for it, said Anna Davisson, whose late brother-in-law was sent to the funeral home in August, Fox 21 News reported. Its pure evil, she added. I dont know how else to look at it. Read the original story here. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that participants of the Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based think tank and discussion forum, meeting in early October were engaged in "irrelevant verbiage"; ironically, Putin himself took part in the meeting. Source: Vladimir Putin during a Russian Energy Week (REN) meeting Details: Putin explained the difference between the REN meeting audience and that of the Valdai Discussion Club forum. Quote from Putin: "During the Valdai Club [meeting] I said But here [at the REN meeting] we have a different audience, business people engaged in real work, not irrelevant verbiage. So Ill repeat for this audience: the war in Ukraine started in 2014." Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Israel's settlement policy has become one of the reasons for the war in the region, and that the so-called Palestinian problem is perceived as a great injustice by everyone who professes Islam. Source: TASS and RIA Novosti, Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlets, quoting Putin during an energy forum Quote from Putin: "The Palestinian problem is in the heart of every person in this region. And I think that in the heart of everyone who professes Islam, this is the way of life, these are obvious things. And everything that is happening not only now, but what has been happening for decades is perceived as a manifestation of injustice, which has been elevated to some incredible degree." Details: Putin said that Israel's settlement policy is one of the reasons for the war. "Some of the land that Palestinians consider and have always considered to be part of the original Palestinian land has been occupied by Israel at different times and in different ways. Mostly, of course, with the help of military force," Putin said. Putin stated that during the creation of Israel, there were also talks of creating a sovereign Palestine at once, but this was never done. Instead, he said, the United States supposedly tried to substitute the solution of political problems with "material handouts" to Palestine. Putin also said that Russia supports the creation of a Palestinian state. "We have always advocated the implementation of the UN Security Council's decisions, meaning, first and foremost, the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state," Putin said. Background: Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin 's foreign intelligence chief said on Wednesday that the issue of support for Ukraine was becoming toxic in the United States and that the divisions would deepen ahead of next year's U.S. presidential election. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, the United States and the European Union have made more than $160 billion in commitments to Ukraine, including tens of billions of dollars in weapons. However, President Joe Biden last week expressed fears that U.S. aid to Ukraine could be hurt by congressional chaos while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly warned of the dangers of allowing Russia to win the war. "The Ukrainian topic is becoming more and more toxic on the eve of the upcoming presidential election," Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), said during a visit to the Azerbaijani capital Baku. "It is becoming a bone of contention," Naryshkin said, casting the struggle in Washington as one between those interested in improving the lives of Americans and those who were gripped with a hatred of Russians. Diplomats and intelligence analysts have said for months that Putin is betting that American resolve over Ukraine will weaken as Washington faces different global crises and it becomes clear just how arduous a task it is to defeat hundreds of thousands of well-dug-in Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Republican lawmakers' ouster of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy has raised questions about the future of aid to Ukraine. The United States has also repeatedly urged Kyiv to do more to tackle corruption, CNN reported this month. Naryshkin, who has served as Russia's foreign spy chief since October 2016, said the ouster of McCarthy illustrated the "malignancy" of the Ukraine issue in the U.S. body politic. He said that Moscow's counter-terrorism cooperation with Western spy services was continuing, though he said the scale of such contacts had been reduced due to the West's "aggression" against Russia over Ukraine. Moscow casts its military operations in Ukraine as defensive against what it says is a hostile and aggressive West. Kyiv and its Western backers say this is absurd and that Russia is waging an unprovoked war of aggression and land grab. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Gareth Jones) The Navy's most advanced supercarrier arrived in the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday. Its presence is a show of support for Israel, one of America's closest allies. But a Middle East expert told Insider the move was probably more for optics. The deployment of the US Navy's newest supercarrier to the eastern Mediterranean to deter regional powers from joining the war in Israel is probably more for optics, a Middle East expert says. The attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel over the weekend prompted the Pentagon to announce it was sending the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the area "to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war." US military officials said earlier this week that escalation could occur if Israel's Middle Eastern neighbors including Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group became heavily involved. But Hayat Alvi, an associate professor at the US Naval College who focuses on the Middle East, told Insider that both Iran and Lebanon were still reeling from political and economic disasters in their own countries and that they would not be in good enough shape to engage Israel. "The thing is that they cannot, in all likelihood, face off with the United States, especially combined with the Israelis," Alvi told Insider. "It's just not going to happen. It's a losing fight." Alvi added that she wasn't sure whether the US "even needs to flex its muscles for major deterrents against Hezbollah or Iran in this particular conflict given the calculations politically, economically, militarily of all of those players." Lebanon has found itself in a crushing economic crisis in the past four years, which Human Rights Watch reported had pushed more than 80% of the population into poverty. Iran is facing continued political instability, the organization noted. Alvi said that because of their domestic issues, the US carrier was there "more for optics," adding: "It's showing the Americans' strong support and alliance with the Israelis." The US carrier strike group sent toward Israel arrived Tuesday afternoon, the Pentagon said. The Washington Post reported the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, another carrier, was expected to leave the US later this week. Defense officials told the Post they hadn't decided whether Eisenhower would replace the Ford or join it as a deterrent. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this week said the carrier deployment could lead to "massacres." "What is the US aircraft carrier doing in Israel? What is it coming to do? It will take down Gaza by striking the surrounding areas and start committing serious massacres," he said in a press conference. It's the USS Gerald R. Ford's first full deployment, which began months ago and has mostly involved exercises with military partners. The Wall Street Journal quoted Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman, saying earlier this week that the decision to deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford near Israel was a "participation in the aggression against our people." On Saturday, Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian exclave that has been controlled politically by the militant group since 2007. Israel has since retaliated with full force. Read the original article on Business Insider Qatar will supply 3.5 million tonnes of gas a year under the deal, following two agreements with Total last year (Lou BENOIST) Qatar has agreed to supply France's TotalEnergies with natural gas for 27 years, its state energy company announced on Wednesday. Qatar will supply 3.5 million tonnes of gas a year under the deal, QatarEnergy said, following two agreements with Total last year for a share of the Gulf state's huge North Field gas expansion project. "These two new agreements we have signed with our partner TotalEnergies, demonstrate our continued commitment to the European markets in general, and to the French market in particular, thus contributing to France's energy security," Qatari Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi said. Total signed a $1.5 billion deal with QatarEnergy in September last year giving it a 9.3 percent stake in Qatar's North Field South project, the second phase of the field's expansion. In June 2022, the French energy giant became the first partner in the first phase of the expansion, North Field East, investing more than $2 billion for a 6.25 percent total share. Deliveries of the gas to southern France are expected to begin in 2026. "Our commitment to ensure continued and reliable supplies of energy to Europe and the rest of the world is underpinned by our substantial and ongoing investments across the entire gas value chain," al-Kaabi, who is also chief of QatarEnergy added. - Energy Security - After Moscow invaded Ukraine last year, European nations have scrambled to replace lost deliveries of natural gas following the withdrawal of Russia from the market. Under Qatar's North Field expansion of the world's biggest natural gas field, which extends under the Gulf into Iranian territory, Qatar is set to raise its output of liquified natural gas (LNG) by 60 percent or more to 126 million tonnes a year by 2027. The main market for Qatari gas has traditionally been found in Asia, led by nations like China, Japan and South Korea. Qatar's deal with Total is equal in length to those agreed by the China National Petroleum Corporation in June and China's Sinopec in 2022, making it the third such deal, all of which have been the longest in the liquefied gas industry. Speaking to reporters at the start of construction at the North Field expansion last week, the chairman of TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanne, told reporters the North Field Expansion would offer energy security. "We need more supply. That's clear. Still the market is fragile," Pouyanne said. "This project is a major one and will give some relief to this market," he added. Britain's Shell, Italy's ENI and US giants ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil have also signed deals to partner in the expansion. Qatar is one of the world's top LNG producers, alongside the United States, Australia and Russia. Qatar Energy estimates the North Field holds about 10 percent of the world's known natural gas reserves. csp/rox Afghan men search for victims after an earthquake in Zenda Jan district in Herat province, of western Afghanistan, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Saturday's deadly earthquake killed and injured thousands when it leveled an untold number of homes in Herat province. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) ZINDA JAN, Afghanistan (AP) Nurullah crossed the border into Iran to earn money for his family, like so many men from his village in western Afghanistan. On Sunday, he stood on the side of the road crying. The 55-year-old was heading home to bury his wife, three children and a grandchild killed a day before, when an earthquake left at least 2,000 people dead in Afghanistans Herat province. On Wednesday, another quake of the same magnitude 6.3 struck nearby, in the same region in Herat where the initial quake hit on Saturday. It is not yet clear what further damage it caused to the already devastated region. The hearses arrived, following Nurullah's directions to find the remote village, and mourners took the dead to the cemetery. Nurullah's sister Maahzaad, 53, kept repeating her daughter's name. She had a son, who she'd already lost to war and misfortune. Now she had lost her only remaining child, a young woman married three months earlier. Nurullah many Afghans use only one name got out of the car and people came over to welcome and him with hugs. In the nearby village of Naib Rafi, people picked up debris after coming from elsewhere to help survivors and pull bodies from the rubble. The entire village of around 300 homes was destroyed, leaving nothing but mounds of dirt. Almost all of the 2,500 residents were killed or hurt, except men who were working outside when the earthquake hit. One man lost 12 members of his family. While 11 bodies had been pulled from the rubble, he could not find the body of his 4-year-old daughter. After searching for it for two days, he gave up and called for help. Sometimes dead animals could be seen among the ruins. In the twilight, a man with a blanket wrapped around him walked around crying and talking to himself. Mullah Abdul Basir said he was working outside the village when the quake struck, killing five members of his family. When I left home, he said, everyone was fine. My children were playing in the yard. When I returned, There was nothing. Survivors were mostly those who were working outside when the quake struck: The dead were mostly children, women and old people who could not leave the house. People were searching the debris when a cleric asked them to start digging graves, and it took a day to dig enough with a front-end loader, a bulldozer and many people. People stood on the hilltops outside the next village, burying hundreds of bodies. A man who had lost his wife and child embraced his wifes grave, crying silently. A boy sat in the crowd next to his brothers grave, mourning and reminiscing. A man handed his own childs body to his father and said: Here, come bury your grandson. Another man who had lost his father cried and said that he'd lost not only his father, but his teacher and his guide. A little girl begged for people to show her her younger brothers face before burying him. As it got dark outside the village of Naib Rafi, bodies were spread out in the plain, as people were putting them in the graves. Hundreds of bodies were laid in the trenches. The only sound was the noise of picks, shovels, and digging machines. ___ Ebrahim Noroozi is an AP photographer based in Kabul, Afghanistan, who is traveling to quake-affected areas in the west. A railroad company is blaming a 23-year-old Waterloo man who was hit and killed by a train, as well as the farm that employed him, for a derailment in Monroe County four years ago. Union Pacific Railroad Co. filed a federal civil lawsuit against Glendell H Farms in August. It argues that the farms owners are responsible for damages to its locomotives, railcars, signals and tracks due to the actions of their hired hand, the late Jonah Matthews. Matthews was talking on a cellphone at the time of the crash and failed to reduce the speed of his tractor or look out for trains, according to the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis. Union Pacific prays for judgment against Defendants in an amount in excess of $3,636,000, and for whatever other relief the Court deems just, it states. David A. Nester, a St. Louis attorney who represents Glendell owners Kenneth Hartman Jr., Anita Hartman and Joann Hartman, filed an answer in September. It denies many of the complaints allegations. We think (the derailment occurred) because of the way they loaded the cars, Nester said Friday, noting that one engine and about 10 railcars left the tracks after the train hit Matthews. Its the second civil lawsuit filed over the crash, which occurred on June 14, 2019, in a farm field southwest of Fults. Two years ago, Matthews father, David, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the railroad, the farm and the Hartmans in St. Clair County Circuit Court. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 12, 2024. Nester, who represents the Hartmans in both lawsuits, said he has advised them not to speak to the media during litigation. He called the train accident a terrible tragedy. Jonah Matthews was like a son to the farm, Nester said. Hed been working for Mr. Hartman for quite a while. Riley Caroline Mendoza, a Chicago attorney who represents Union Pacific in the property-damage lawsuit, declined to comment. She referred questions to the railroad companys media-relations department, which didnt respond to a request for comment. Troy E. Walton, an Edwardsville attorney for the Matthews family in the wrongful-death lawsuit, couldnt be reached for comment. Illinois State Police investigators took a series of photos to document the crash of a farm tractor and freight train at a railroad crossing near Fults on June 14, 2019, that killed a Waterloo man. Matthews helping to plant corn The death of Jonah Matthews prompted an outpouring of community support for his father, mother Debra and five brothers. The family operates Deer Creek Farm in rural Monroe County, where he raised cattle. On the day of the accident, Matthews was helping the Hartmans replant corn after their original crop got flooded. He approached the double-track railroad crossing with one train going north and another going south, his father told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time. (Jonah) stopped for the first one and didnt see the second one, David Matthews was quoted as saying. The accident occurred about 8 p.m. on a Friday. Jonah Matthews was pronounced dead at the scene by Monroe County Coroner Bob Hill. Illinois State Police investigators interviewed several witnesses, including the Union Pacific engineer, Lance Pugh. The ISP report reached the following conclusions based on observations at the scene and witness interviews: The railroad tracks were elevated at the crossing, which had signs but no cross bars or lighting. The freight train was traveling southeast at 48 to 49 mph in a zone with a speed limit of 70 mph. The train was 9,928 feet long with three locomotives, 17 laden cars and 145 empty cars. The John Deere tractor with an enclosed cab was headed southwest on Fults Road, pulling a six-row planter. Pugh failed to check the crossing in advance but applied emergency brakes when he saw Matthews and blew an air horn to warn him. Matthews was talking on a cellphone to Glendell employee Zachary Eagan when the crash occurred, and Eagan heard it. Eagan had called Matthews to tell him that he had left his wallet in a tractor that Eagan was driving. A northwest-bound train cleared the crossing about two minutes and 30 seconds before the accident. At no time on the video is the John Deere stationary, ISP Trooper Ray Sutton wrote in the report. The Tractor is in constant motion as it approaches the crossing, passes the stop sign, and is impacted with the train. Toxicology tests showed that Matthews body contained no substances that would cause impairment, according to the report. This Google Earth photo was included in an investigative report prepared by the Illinois State Police related to the fatal crash of a farm tractor and freight train on June 14, 2019, near Fults. Both sides claim negligence Union Pacific Railroad Co. calls the owners of Glendell H Farms negligent in its federal property-damage lawsuit and argues that they had the right to control the manner by which Jonah Matthews performed his work. The complaint states that Matthews was talking on a cellphone while operating heavy machinery and failed to stop, reduce speed or exercise reasonable lookout for an oncoming train when he approached the tracks. The complaint also alleges that the Hartmans failed to properly train employees on safe passage of railroad tracks and allowed unsafe work practices such as cellphone use. In its answer, Glendell denies many of the complaints allegations. (The railroad) negligently and carelessly, improperly loaded the train with heavy, loaded rail cars to the rear of the train which caused the train to derail and cause an alleged property damage, the answer stated. On Sept. 26, U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn issued an order sending the case into the courts mandatory mediation program. The wrongful-death lawsuit filed by David Matthews in St. Clair County Circuit Court names Glendell, its owners, Union Pacific and its parent company as defendants and alleges safety issues related to the railroad crossing and farm practices. The complaint asks for more than $50,000 in damages for each of five counts. Thats the maximum that can be sought in filings under jurisdictional limits and less than what attorneys will argue that the family is due, attorney Walton told the BND in 2021. What were going to ask is for the family to be fairly and reasonably compensated for the very tragic and avoidable loss of their son and brother, as determined by a jury of their peers, he said. The complaint states that the crossing had no gates or arms that went down or signal lights that warned drivers of approaching trains and that the steep grade of the road leading up to it made it difficult for people traveling west to get a clear view. The complaint also argues that Union Pacific land northeast of the crossing had overgrown vegetation that would obstruct a drivers line of sight to southbound trains. In regard to Glendell, the farms owners failed to meet their obligation to provide a reasonably safe work environment, according to the lawsuit. (CNN) A humanitarian crisis is swiftly unfolding in Gaza, as trapped residents, many cut off from food and electricity, face a fourth day of Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas deadly attack on Israel, during which it has killed 900 people and taken up to 150 hostages. Nadine Abdul Latif, 13, of Gaza Citys Al Rimal neighborhood, said she and her family were told by neighbors and relatives to leave on Monday after Israel said it would target the area. But they decided to stay as we have no safe place to go to, she said. Her father Nihad has been missing since Saturday. He had been working in Israel, but after Hamas Saturday attack, the family lost touch with him. The Gaza strip the coastal enclave that Hamas controls has been pummeled by airstrikes since Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a complete siege on the area, including halting supplies of electricity, food, water and fuel to the enclave. We are fighting barbarians and will respond accordingly, Gallant said. Israeli fighter jets struck more than 200 targets in Gaza overnight, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. The death toll in Gaza now stands at over 800 people according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. The Palestinian interior ministry said most of the targets were towers, residential buildings, civil and service facilities, and many mosques. Hamas denied that it used any of the targeted towers. Tariq Al Hillu, a 29-year-old resident of Al Sudaniya in northern Gaza, described complete chaos when airstrikes struck his neighborhood Sunday morning. My family members began screaming and rushing out of the house, each of us fleeing in different directions, he told CNN, adding that his entire neighborhood had been destroyed without any prior warning. His neighbors were trapped under the rubble, and he could hear their calls for help, he said. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said it has turned 83 of its schools in Gaza into makeshift shelters but on Monday they were already at 90% capacity, with more than 137,000 people taking cover from Israeli strikes. Unlike cities in Israels south, the territory doesnt have dedicated bomb shelters or bunkers that shield civilians from airstrikes. Situation to deteriorate exponentially Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on earth, where some two million people live in an area of 140 square miles. More than half of its residents are food insecure and live under the poverty line, according to the UNRWA. Israel, which controls most of Gazas electricity, its water, fuel and some of its food, already imposes a strict land, sea and air blockade on Gaza, but used to allow some trade and humanitarian assistance through the two crossings that it controls. The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was already extremely dire before these hostilities and now it will only deteriorate exponentially. Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized Gallants call for a complete siege as a form of collective punishment and a war crime. Omar Shakir, the regional director of HRW, told CNN the comments by Gallant were abhorrent and accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war. Shakir also condemned Hamas attacks on Israel, saying the deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate attacks, and taking of civilians as hostages also amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law. The Gaza Strip has been the target of Israeli airstrikes in multiple conflicts since Israeli forces withdrew from the territory in 2005. The fighting has often taken place between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. A potential Israeli ground invasion, if it were to happen, could significantly worsen the humanitarian situation there. Israel controls the movement of residents from Gaza into Israel through two crossings, Erez and Kerem Shalom, both of which have been shut. Some goods, food and fuel also enter Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, but Eyad al-Bozom, spokesperson for the Palestinian Interior Ministry, said on Tuesday that Rafah had been struck. In previous wars between Hamas Gaza and Israel, Egypt has allowed aid to enter through the Rafah crossing and helped the wounded exit for treatment. The World Food Programme said Sunday that while most shops in the territory maintain one-month stocks of food, these stocks risk being depleted swiftly as people stock up in fear of a prolonged conflict. Repeated electricity cuts also risk food spoilage, it said. The situation remains desperate for Nadine and her family. We have no water; it was cut off yesterday (Monday). We barely get electricity or internet, and we cant leave the house to buy food as its getting more and more dangerous. Whenever she hears aircraft, she said, we hide under the table. Democrats and Republicans alike have blasted two members of Congress for calling for the United States to end its unconditional support of Israel. Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush, who are half of the progressive congressional group called The Squad, came under fire for releasing statements where they called the country an apartheid state immediately after it was attacked by Hamas, the terrorist-designated organization that governs Palestinians in the Gaza Strip occupied territory. Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent, said in her statement, I grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day. I am determined as ever to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights, and human dignity. Trending Today: The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance, she wrote. The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. The Michigan congresswoman concluded, As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue. Bushs statement released around the same time noted how heartbroken she was by the violence between the two entities and mourned that over 250 Israeli and 230 Palestinian lives were lost by Hamas militants surprise attack. I strongly condemn the targeting of civilians and I urge an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation to prevent further loss of life, the Missouri representative wrote and posted on her X account. Violations of human rights do not justify more violations of human rights, and a military response will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis alike, the statement said. Bushs remarks became more pointed, with her stating that she believes the path to achieve lasting peace and stop this violence and trauma is by ending U.S. government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid. My statement on the ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel pic.twitter.com/NIt9G7aLMI Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) October 8, 2023 Right-wing personality Megyn Kelly criticized Tlaib and Bushs remarks on her show on Monday, claiming there are raging anti-Semites in the halls of Congress. Several politicians viewed their comments as inappropriate and lashed out. New York Rep. Ritchie Torres was one of the loudest voices condemning the womens comments, calling them repulsive in a statement delivered to the Jewish Insider. U.S. aid to Israel is and should be unconditional, and never more so than in this moment of critical need, Torres wrote in part. Shame on anyone who glorifies as resistance the largest single-day mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. It is reprehensible and repulsive. .@RepRitchie responds to comments from Reps. Bush and Tlaib on the situation in Israel. "Shame on anyone who glorifies as resistance the largest single-day mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. It is reprehensible and repulsive." Full statement: pic.twitter.com/KP0L1eAnNU Marc Rod (@marcrod97) October 8, 2023 Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democratic representative, also released a statement to the same publication. Two of my colleagues called for America to end assistance to Israel, despite the countless images of Israeli children, women, men and elderly, including Americans, murdered by radical Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists, he wrote. It sickens me that while Israelis clean the blood of their family members shot in their homes, he continued, They believe Congress should strip U.S. funding to our democratic ally and allow innocent civilians to suffer. .@RepJoshG statement to me on Tlaib and Bush comments: It sickens me that while Israelis clean the blood of their family members shot in their homes, they believe Congress should strip U.S. funding to our democratic ally and allow innocent civilians to suffer. pic.twitter.com/gkluNeyEFU Marc Rod (@marcrod97) October 8, 2023 Israels Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, also spoke out against the congresswomen. He asked Tlaib primarily, How much more blood needs to be spilled for you to overcome your prejudice and unequivocally condemn Hamas? Much blood has been shed. More than 1,000 people have been killed (both Israeli and Palestinian) and 3,418 injured as a result of the Hamas attack and the subsequent Israeli retaliation on Gaza. Numbers are continuing to rise as emergency relief assesses damages. Read the original story here. Family members of U.S. citizens believed to be taken hostage during Hamas Israel incursion this past weekend are wondering what the Biden administration is doing. Speaking at a Tuesday press conference in Tel Aviv, Ruby Chen expressed frustration that he had not heard from government officials about efforts to find his 19-year-old son, Itay, who went missing while on active duty for the Israeli military. We heard from a person from here in the Tel Aviv embassy, but beyond taking note that we filled out forms and defined him as missing, theres been no formal communication to me as an individual or to us as a group communicating what do they know, what do they plan to do, he told NBC News. He said he had no formal communication with the U.S. government. Chen and relatives of three other missing persons with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship begged the Biden administration and Israeli government to do more to negotiate the releases of their loved ones. I dont think it is my place to tell the policymakers and decision-makers how to go about this process, Nahar Neta, whose 66-year-old mother, Adrienne, is missing, said at the press conference. I care about the result, and the result that I care about is for my mom to come home and for me to be able to hug her. I trust these people to do what they need to do in order for that to happen. Speaking with CNN, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui is missing, asked for more information. The United States administration and its various services have relationships in the world with countries that Israel does not and it could be helpful for the United States and its various parts to engage with those friends, those acquaintances, to help negotiate in some way [to] secure the release or at least get solid information, he said. Dekel-Chen said that his children and grandchildren who were on a kibbutz raided by Hamas experienced a living hell for the better part of 20 hours. Abbey Onn, who has five family members who lived north of Tel Aviv who have gone missing following the incursion, told CBS News she thought this Israeli government should be prepared to find her relatives. This is not the first time this country has been up against this kind of challenge, she said. And they have an army and a government that knows how to solve this. And they just need to do that. These are civilians who are being terrorized, and we want them brought home. Jonathan Polin and his wife, Rachel Goldberg, are searching for their 23-year-old son Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who disappeared after attending the music festival near Gaza that Hamas attacked, on their own. Its a war, so we realize that there are a number of things that are important on a national level, Polin told the Los Angeles Times. But this is the most important thing for us, so we need to do it. Family and friends have aided them in searching through videos, calling hospitals and police, and contacting festivalgoers they know made it out safely to try to find Hersh. The couple, who like Hersh are American citizens, said theyd reached out to current and previous U.S. ambassadors to Israel, the White House, the U.N., and diplomats from around the region. They told the Times that they dont know if there will be hostage negotiations. Yael Abramov, aunt to Laor Abramov a 20-year-old aspiring DJ who was at a rave when Hamas attacked and was reportedly pulled away into a truck by Hamas soldiers expressed despair over his whereabouts in a New York Post interview. Her mother-in-law, Rachel Meijer, echoed the other family members grief. The feeling of safeness is gone totally, she said. Where is Biden? Why arent the Americans taking care of their own citizens? This is the child of an American. There are a number of U.S. citizens who are unaccounted-for, a State Department spokesperson tells Rolling Stone. State Department personnel have been in contact with the families of the missing U.S. citizens that we know of. The U.S. government is working around the clock to determine the whereabouts of the missing U.S. citizens and is working with the Israeli government on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to advise the Israeli government on hostage recovery efforts, the spokesperson continues. For privacy and security reasons, we have nothing further to share. A rep for the Israeli government did not respond to Rolling Stones requests for comment. We are dealing with a brutal terrorist group whose depravity was on display on Saturday we know very clearly who were dealing with, Matt Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, told MSNBC. But at the same time we do want to get messages through to them that we are serious that you do need to release these hostages, that you do need to do so immediately, and thats what you need to do. Biden, at a Tuesday press conference, said that rescuing American hostages was paramount. His administration was sharing intelligence with the Israeli government in their efforts, NBC News reports. The president believes that more than 1,000 civilians had lost their lives during the attacks, according to The New York Times, and that 14 of those casualties were Americans. Jack Sullivan, the administrations national security adviser, said that at least 20 U.S. citizens were missing and that it was unclear how many are now hostages. This is terrorism, the president said at a press conference. The Israeli government reported that it had recovered the bodies of 1,500 Hamas attackers since Sunday. The Times reports that health officials in Gaza claim 900 Palestinians have been killed in the airstrikes, including 260 children. Thousands of others have been wounded. Israel has asked the United States for more weapons. Miller told MSNBC the U.S. government would give Israel whatever it needs to defend itself, including weapons and munitions. This article was updated at 4:29 p.m. on Oct. 12 to reflect comments from a State Department spokesperson. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. A University of Kentucky student reported they were sexually assaulted by another student earlier this week. The incident occurred twice over the weekend, once at the suspects off-campus residence and again in the victims dorm. UK Police is investigating, and a notice was sent to the campus community in accordance with the Clery Act. Women between the ages of 18 and 24 are at an elevated risk of sexual violence, and more than 50% of college sexual assaults occur between August and November, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Male college-aged students are also more likely than non-students of the same age to be a victim of sexual assault. Here are resources available for UK students, and information on how to report an assault. Where to report sexual assault Instances of sexual assault can be reported to UK Police, or to the universitys Title IX coordinator. It can also be reported through a form on UKs website. In an emergency situation, UK Police can be reached by dialing 911. The non-emergency phone number is 859-257-UKPD (8573) The Interim Title IX Coordinator, Brandon Williams, and the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity can be reached at 859-257-8927 The Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct Report Form is available on UKs website For assistance outside of the university, the national sexual assault hotline operated by RAINN is 800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.org. What resources are available? The university offers several supports for students who are struggling with mental health or experiencing a crisis, including the Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support (TRACS), which provides virtual and in-person support for students. The office can provide support related to mental health and physical needs. TRACS is located on the third floor of the Gatton Student Center, or can be contacted through a form or by calling 859-21-TRACS (8-7227). The universitys Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center also provides confidential services, support and referrals for students. It is located in the Gatton Student Center, room C316, and can be reached by calling 859-257-3574 for an appointment. Training for students All incoming UK students go through an online training related to sexual assault prevention to make students aware of policies and resources related to sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence, according to the Office of Student Success website. It is required for undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The course is approximately 30 minutes, and gives an overview of safe and healthy relationships, as well as potential issues that can arise in relationships, like dating violence, domestic violence and sexual assault, according to the website. Incoming students under the age of 21 are also required to complete a course called AlcoholEdu, which gives an overview of best practices for healthy communities and educates you about the University of Kentucky policies. UK also offers a course for incoming freshman students called UK 101. Its not required, but is an introductory course that gives an overview of study skills, as well as tips for general well-being and creating healthy relationships. Included in that course is lessons on by-standing and safe intervention strategies. Additional training is available through the universitys VIP Center upon request from individuals or organizations. A group of House Republicans from New York is introducing a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from Congress. "Today, Ill be introducing an expulsion resolution to rid the Peoples House of fraudster George Santos," Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., said Wednesday on X. He told reporters he considers Santos "a stain" on the House and on New York state. "It's time that we move on from George Santos," D'Esposito said. He said the resolution will be co-sponsored by fellow New York House Republicans Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro , Nick Langworthy and Brandon Williams. LaLota said he considers Santos an "immoral" and "untrustworthy" person. "The sooner he's gone, the better," he said. Booting Santos would require a two-thirds vote of the entire House, a benchmark LaLota seemed confident of meeting. "I predict this resolution is going to catch fire. Many people feel how we do," he said. Federal prosecutors Tuesday issued a 23-count superseding indictment alleging Santos committed identity theft, fraud and other offenses. Santos, who was first indicted in May, has said he plans to fight the charges. He pleaded not guilty in the original 13-count indictment earlier this year. If they want to be judge, jury and arbitrator of the whole goddamn thing, let them do it, Santos said, responding to the resolution as he ran to his office from a Republican Conference meeting. They just want to silence the people of the 3rd Congressional District, he said later. Santos' New York GOP colleagues had previously called for him to step down in light of the criminal charges and revelations that he'd fabricated large parts of his resume. "I said he should resign and he should still resign," Molinaro said on X Tuesday after the additional charges were announced. House Democrats moved to expel Santos in May after he was initially charged, but Republicans voted to refer their motion to the Ethics Committee, which has been investigating him since March. D'Esposito suggested he and his colleagues have waited long enough. "I know that Ethics has been a little busy, but, you know, its time that we see some results," he said. Santos first came under scrutiny late last year before he was sworn in when The New York Times published a bombshell investigation indicating that much of his resume appeared to have been manufactured, including claims that he owned numerous properties, was previously employed by Goldman Sachs and Citigroup and had graduated from Baruch College. It also raised questions about how he was able to lend his campaign $700,000 after having claimed on a campaign finance form during his earlier unsuccessful run in 2020 that he was making $55,000 per year. Santos acknowledged "embellishing" parts of his background but insisted that he hadn't done anything criminal and that he had earned his money legitimately. The indictment unsealed in May alleged he'd been using campaign donations for personal expenses, including designer clothes, that he had applied for pandemic unemployment benefits at a time when he was making $120,000 a year and that he lied about his income in House financial documents. He was hit with 10 additional charges Tuesday alleging he stole people's identities, made charges on his own donors' credit cards without their authorization and "falsely inflated the campaigns reported receipts with non-existent loans and contributions that were either fabricated or stolen, said Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. One of the alleged schemes included falsely claims that 10 relatives of Santos and his then-campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, had donated big bucks to his campaign to make it appear that he was raising more money than he actually was in order to qualify for assistance from the national party. "Santos and Marks both knew that these individuals had neither made the reported contributions nor given authorization for their personal information to be included in such false public reports, prosecutors said. Marks pleaded guilty to related conspiracy charges last week. Santos, who was released on $500,000 bond after he pleaded not guilty to the original charges, is scheduled to be arraigned on the superseding indictment Oct. 27. Santos has called the charges a witch hunt, and he has vowed not to resign. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., speaks to reporters as he arrives for a meeting of House Republicans to vote on candidates for Speaker of the House on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 in Washington. Stalemated over a new House speaker, the Republican majority is scheduled to convene behind closed doors to try to vote on a nominee. But lawmakers say Wednesday's private ballots to replace ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy could take a while. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana narrowly scraped together enough Republican support Wednesday to become his partys choice to lead the House, but deep divisions in the GOP ranks threatened to complicate his election as speaker. Mere minutes after a slim majority of Republicans voted in a closed-door party meeting to select him as the partys candidate, Scalises fate was thrown into doubt. Several Republican lawmakers announced they would not back him on the House floor without concessions, complaining of a rushed process to choose a new speaker and voicing skepticism that he could unite their fractious conference. Republicans delayed an election of the full House that had been planned for midafternoon while the party regrouped, and adjourned Wednesday evening with no resolution. They scheduled another meeting of the House for noon Thursday, but there was no sign that the GOP was any closer to an agreement that would allow them to elect a speaker at that point. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times A week and a day after the abrupt and historic ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy , at the hands of a small right-wing bloc, Republicans voted behind closed doors, 113-99, to name Scalise, their second-ranking leader, as his successor. Scalise turned back a challenge by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chair of the Judiciary Committee and a favorite of the hard right who had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. But he still had to win a majority on the House floor, where chaos reigned the last time Republicans tried to elect a speaker, and it was clear that Scalise did not yet have enough votes. Scalise toiled Wednesday evening to try to win over his detractors, meeting one-on-one with several of them, but he appeared to be losing votes, rather than gaining them. The Republican leadership vacuum was fueling the infighting just as Scalise was working to quell it. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, the policy director for the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus who engineered what he called a power sharing agreement with McCarthy during his excruciatingly drawn-out election in January, pledged not to vote for Scalise. The two met Wednesday evening, and Roy said afterward he wanted to see Scalise commit to changes demanded by hard-line conservatives to how Congress operates. What were trying to do is make sure we can make this institution represent the people and not just represent the swamp, Roy said. After his slender loss, Jordan met with Scalise privately and offered to nominate him on the House floor, according to a spokesperson, but he made no public statement of endorsement, and his supporters did not appear to be swayed. I just voted for Jim Jordan for speaker on a private ballot in conference, and I will be voting for Jim Jordan on the House floor, said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican from Georgia. Im not switching my vote, said Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, another right-wing member. Im Jim Jordan all the way. Complicating the picture, a variety of Republicans were refusing to back Scalise, including some in the mainstream who represent districts won by President Joe Biden and even a powerful committee chair. He came out with 110 votes; he needs 217, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, chair of the Intelligence Committee, said on CNN. Hes going to have to give us a message or an understanding of how hes going to bridge that gap and make certain that he brings Congress together and not divide the Republican conference more. The situation underscored the formidable challenge any Republican speaker would face in navigating the same dynamics that made the party ungovernable for McCarthy. The partys minuscule margin of control and its many divisions make maintaining a governing majority difficult. Those factors also have empowered a far-right faction that will not tolerate compromise with Democrats who control the Senate and the White House. The Republican infighting has left the House largely paralyzed since McCarthys ouster. Lawmakers were growing increasingly worried about the effect of continuing to operate without a duly elected speaker, including that the chamber might not be able to support Israel after an invasion by Palestinian group Hamas that has led to more than 1,000 Israeli deaths and scores of hostages being taken. Early in the day, Scalise gained ground after Republicans killed an effort to change their party rules for nominating a candidate for speaker by requiring a public roll-call and a higher threshold that would have made it more difficult for him to prevail. It had been billed as an attempt to minimize chaos on the House floor and avoid another situation like what played out in January, when it took McCarthy 15 rounds of votes to win the speakership. The nomination of Scalise, 58, who has been the No. 2 leader in the chamber, was a vote of confidence for a deeply conservative Republican who once described himself, according to a local columnist, as like David Duke without the baggage. He represents the Louisiana congressional district that elected Duke, the former Ku Klux Klan leader, to the state Legislature in 1989. His conservative governmental philosophy, the columnist wrote, was not much different from the one Duke embraced as a politician, including oppositions to taxes and social safety net programs. Scalise apologized in 2014 for having attended a white supremacist gathering more than a decade earlier, saying he had not known the nature of the group. On Wednesday, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., cited that episode as a reason not to support him, saying that she would back Jordan instead. I personally cannot, in good conscience, vote for someone who attended a white supremacist conference and compared himself to David Duke, she told CNN. In Congress since 2008, Scalise was diagnosed with blood cancer over the summer and is now undergoing intense treatment, which has prompted him to wear a mask to vote on the House floor and to attend news conferences. And in 2017, during a practice for a congressional baseball game, an anti-Trump extremist shot and seriously wounded Scalise. He still walks with a limp. Over the past year, Scalise has been marginalized by McCarthy, who has privately described him to colleagues as ineffective, checked out and reluctant to take positions, and cut him out of all major decision making. Their icy relationship made it more difficult for Scalise to consolidate support in the badly fractured Republican conference. c.2023 The New York Times Company New Jersey Republicans are practically giddy at a prospect that had been virtually unthinkable until now: Could they retake control of one or both houses of the state Legislature? Its a longshot scenario in a state where Democrats have a nearly one million voter registration advantage and have controlled the Statehouse for two decades. But, buoyed by Republicans surprising gains in the 2021 election and the sudden fallout of Sen. Bob Menendez's indictment GOP leaders see a narrow path to scoring key upsets that could put them on top in Trenton. It feels really different. We havent seen this type of favorable Republican environment in, I would say, 20 years, said state Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco. The GOP winning either or both chambers would have significant implications for Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in the last two years of his term. But any gains by Republicans could spell trouble for President Joe Biden and the national Democratic Party offering a dire warning about the tough environment theyll face in 2024. It isn't just New Jersey Republicans who see a possible shift in power. Murphy and Democratic leaders have openly worried of losing legislative control if the party's base does not turn out in force in November. "We are looking at a razor-thin proposition of holding the majorities in both houses this year. It's going to come down to a few districts," Kevin McCabe, the Middlesex County Democratic chair and one of the leading power brokers in the state, said at a party meeting in June. Republicans have been the minority party in the Assembly since 2002 and the Senate since 2004. Democrats hold a 25-15 majority in the Senate and a 46-34 majority in the Assembly. Flipping either chamber would take an extraordinary run in swing districts and at least some upsets. But now, signs abound of a favorable electorate for the GOP come Nov. 7: Murphy has become the face of lawsuits against school districts adopting policies to inform parents of childrens changed gender identity a national issue that at least one poll shows most New Jersey voters favor. Wind energy, once a popular bipartisan issue, has taken a big hit in public opinion and become a major campaign target of Republicans as Murphy pushes to jumpstart offshore development. Biden is unpopular in New Jersey, with an August poll showing 52 percent of voters disapproved of his job performance. Though vastly outnumbered, Republicans have repeatedly outpaced Democrats in monthly new voter registrations. And Republicans, having worked out a compromise legislative district map with Democrats last year, are for the first time in decades running under a map that wasnt drawn exclusively by their opponents. Democrats after Labor Day began a near-universal pushback against Republicans on protecting abortion rights, highlighting Republican opponents sometimes inflammatory anti-abortion statements. Feeling the strength of the issue, some began to grow more at ease about their electoral prospects. But not even a week later, federal authorities released an explosive indictment of Menendez (D-N.J.) that has dominated media coverage since. Republicans hope the indictment could cause voters already souring on the president to rethink casting ballots for Democrats, even though Biden and Menendez are not on the ticket. Culture wars and alleged corruption werent the campaign issues Democrats prepared for. Following the 2021 election, when Murphy defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a surprisingly close three points and Democrats lost seven seats in the Legislature, party leaders promised to focus more on affordability a perennial issue in this high-cost, high-tax state. "We clearly need to touch more people. We need to get at more kitchen tables, Murphy said shortly after the election. That culminated in a StayNJ tax credit for seniors that would provide up to $6,500 for incomes up to $500,000. The credit engineered by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin was one of the last actions Democratic legislative leaders took before breaking for summer. And while most Republicans joined Democrats to vote for it, it drew their skepticism as an election year stunt, as it wont take effect until 2026 and includes provisions that would allow it to be delayed. The main issue we have is a proven track record of running the state appropriately. Thats why our coffers look good, our budgets were solid the last two years and people trust our leadership, state Senate President Nick Scutari said. Scutari called the culture war issues manufactured and said hes cautiously optimistic about Democrats chances this year. Weve focused in the last two years, basically on affordability for New Jerseyans without wavering, he said. But Democrats brought a kitchen table to a culture war, according to Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray. Economic issues were only the message on the surface of the 2021 election, Murray said, while reverberations from the 2020 election helped motivate Republican voters. Even the moderate Republican nominee for governor, Jack Ciattarelli, attended at least one Stop the Steal rally and sought to capitalize on backlash to sex education guidelines. Underneath was that Republicans were able to motivate their base and turn out voters that didnt normally turn out in these elections by focusing on national culture issues, Murray said. So now theyre focusing on them a lot more. Historical trends point to a low-turnout election. In 2011, the last time the state Senate and Assembly races together topped the ballot, turnout was just 27 percent. Considering how well the Republicans have done at framing the terms of the debate for this election, its not clear that Democrats have responded strongly enough to motivate their own base in what was going to be a low-turnout election, Murray said. The two most competitive races in the state are concentrated in Central Jersey, where Democrats are playing defense in historically swing districts against Republican attacks over school gender identity notification policies and offshore wind construction. In South Jersey, which has become more Republican in the Trump era, Democrats are hoping to hold onto one Senate seat and reclaim another they lost in one of the country's biggest upsets of 2021 the defeat of then-Senate President Steve Sweeney by unknown challenger Ed Durr. For all the Republican optimism and sense of doom some New Jersey Democrats are feeling, Democratic strategist Mike Muller, whos working on the South Jersey Democratic campaigns, doesnt think his party is truly in danger of losing their majorities. Muller said 2021 was a toxic tonic in which Republican turnout was juiced. It was a red wave. But Democrats better-than-expected performance in the 2022 midterms showed many of those voters didnt turn out again. So it would be far less likely theyd show up for a state legislative midterm election. You had business lockdowns. You had masking in schools. At that point, we were coming off the insurrection and Trump spewing his rhetoric that was hot off the presses and he thought the election was rigged, Muller said. These cycles do happen. Theyre historic when you look back at them over time. In the short term, people wonder if its a new normal, but 2022 proved its not. Meanwhile, Democrats have focused on building vote-by-mail operations that Republicans just now are beginning to try to counter with significant resources, aided by laws they passed in 2018 and 2019 that automatically send vote-by-mail ballots to people who previously requested them. In targeted districts this year, theres an average of 6,000 Democrats signed up for automatic vote-by-mail ballots who didnt vote in state legislative races four years ago, Muller said. Democrats had returned 84,431 mail-in ballots to Republicans 27,473 as of this week, according to the Associated Press. Theres always a chance for anything to happen in an election. Im not going to say theres guarantees here. But its possible, said John DiMaio, the state Assembly Republican leader, of a GOP takeover. I have to believe its possible or Im in the wrong job. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise speaks to reporters at the US Capitol in Washington, DC (SAUL LOEB) Republicans nominated Steve Scalise as their candidate for speaker of the US House of Representatives Wednesday as they sought to heal bitter internal divisions paralyzing their domestic agenda and preventing action on the Israel crisis. The party has been in a tailspin since a handful of hardliners forced out Kevin McCarthy eight days ago, leaving the Republican-controlled lower chamber of Congress unable to respond to mounting international and domestic challenges. Scalise, McCarthy's longtime deputy, pipped firebrand Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan to the nomination by 113 votes to 99 -- dealing a blow to Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, who had endorsed the defeated Ohioan. "We have a lot of work to do, not just in the House for the people of this country, but we see how dangerous of a world it is and how things can change so quickly," Scalise, 58, told reporters after the secret ballot. "We need to make sure we're sending a message to people all throughout the world, that the House is open and doing the people's business." A gregarious lawmaker seen as a bridge between the most hardline conservatives and the party's mainstream, Scalise has been in the leadership for almost a decade and has enjoyed an at times strained relationship with McCarthy. He now faces a scramble to win over almost all of Jordan's supporters before a speaker vote by the full House, where all 212 Democrats will back their own leader, New York congressman Hakeem Jeffries. The vote could come as early as Wednesday afternoon, although the House went into recess without scheduling any floor action as Scalise and his allies worked the halls and corridors of Congress to corral as much support as possible. Wednesday's victory marked a stunning turnaround for Scalise, just one month after he returned to work following a blood cancer diagnosis for which he has been undergoing chemotherapy. The Louisiana native underwent surgery five years ago for a gunshot wound to the hip in an attack at a baseball practice near Washington. - 'Moral clarity' - Jordan, a darling of the hard right, went into Wednesday's contest with more public support than Scalise. But Trump's endorsement proved less effectual than it is in public votes, where he can hold dissidents' feet to the fire. While Scalise now has momentum, his path to victory in the full House could be rocky. Colorado's Ken Buck, one of the rebels who ousted McCarthy, told reporters he had declined to vote for either potential replacement after asking them if the 2020 election was stolen and getting non-committal responses. Jordan and Scalise were among 147 Republicans who voted to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election despite having no evidence of significant irregularities. "If we don't have the moral clarity to decide whether President Biden won or not, we don't have the moral clarity to rule," said Buck, who spoke out against objecting to the election result at the time. Texas lawmaker Troy Nehls told NBC he was unconvinced Republicans would unify behind any nominee while two fellow members of the far-right Freedom Caucus and Ohio's Max Miller said they'd be voting for Jim Jordan on the House floor. The drama has been playing out against the backdrop of an escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas militants who launched a deadly attack at the weekend, with a paralyzed Congress unable to authorize new emergency aid for the US ally. Lawmakers have until November 17 to reauthorize federal spending levels and avert a damaging government shutdown. ft/md Rock and dust from asteroid Bennu on the outside of the OSIRIS-REx sample collector. Rock and dust from asteroid Bennu on the outside of the OSIRIS-REx sample collector. The OSIRIS-REx canister still contains the bulk of the asteroid sample inside, but pieces of the ancient space rock found on the outside have already shown evidence of organic matter embedded within tiny bits of debris. On Wednesday, NASA revealed the first look at samples returned from asteroid Bennu through its OSIRIS-REx mission. Scientists performed an early analysis of the asteroid sample and found an abundance of carbon and water molecules, supporting the theory that the building blocks of life may have made their way to Earth via asteroids. Read more A closer view of the asteroid material, all found on the canister exterior. A closer view of the asteroid material, all found on the canister exterior. Although they havent even opened the sample canister yet, extra bits of the asteroid were found outside TAGSAMan articulated arm on the spacecraft with a round sampler head at the end used to grab the sample. The entire sample far exceeded NASAs goal of collecting 60 grams from the surface of Bennu. Whats been revealed so far from the bonus sample is a combination of fine dust, as well as some of what we call intermediate sized particles, Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx Lead Curator, said on Wednesday. In order to fully preserve the asteroid debris on the outside, its taking the team more time to open the canister. The only problem is a great problem and thats weve found a lot more sample than were anticipating before even getting into the TAGSAM, Francis McCubbin, curator at NASAs JSC, said at the event. Because we need to very meticulously and carefully collect every grain, its taking us a little longer to get inside, but the view so far is amazing. Over the past two weeks, the team has been analyzing some of the bonus sample using an electron microscope, infrared measurements, X-ray diffraction, and chemical element analysis. The collected sample so far is 4.7% carbon by weight, making it the highest abundance of carbon ever measured in an extraterrestrial sample, according to Daniel Glavin, OSIRIS-REx sample analyst. It also contains abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals. We picked the right asteroid, Glavin said. And not only that, we also picked the right samplethis is an astrobiologists dream. Bennu is a small, near-Earth asteroid that makes a close pass to Earth every six years or so. Scientists believe Bennu might have broken off from a much larger carbon-rich asteroid about 700 million to 2 billion years ago and drifted much closer to Earth since then. Analyzing bits of the asteroid in a lab will help scientists piece together clues on the origins of the solar system. Bennu is also a near-Earth potentially hazardous asteroid, therefore studying it closely can help us learn more about its potential threats to our planet. The OSIRIS-REx mission launched in September 2016 and reached asteroid Bennu in December 2018. After nearly two years of observations, the spacecraft landed on Bennu and snagged a sample from its surface in October 2020. On May 10, 2021, OSIRIS-REx said goodbye to Bennu and began its journey back home to drop off its precious cargo. Once the samples touched down on Earth, the work on the ground was only just beginning. The returned asteroid pieces will be divided among a sample analysis team of 230 global scientists for a deep dive into Bennus composition. NASA will keep at least 70% of the sample at Johnson Space Center for future research to take place decades from now, hoping to take advantage of advanced technology in the coming years. Some of the asteroid bits will also be made available for public display at the Smithsonian Institution, Space Center Houston, and the University of Arizona. For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and bookmark Gizmodos dedicated Spaceflight page. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. DELPHI, Ind. Libby German and Abby Williams' accused killer, Richard Allen, continues to file documents that cast doubt upon the investigators' truthfulness in an attempt to get a hearing. On Sept. 18, Allen's attorneys asked for a hearing to present evidence that investigators withheld and misled Carroll Circuit Judge Benjamin Diener to get a search warrant for Allen's house. Allen is accused of killing the teenage girls on Feb. 13, 2017, at a clearing on the north banks of the Deer Creek about a quarter-mile from the Monon High Bridge. He was arrested Oct. 26 and formally charged Oct. 28. His trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 8. On Sept. 18, Allen's attorneys filed a 136-page memorandum in support of a Franks hearing to challenge the truthfulness of the testimony and affidavit used to get the search warrant for Allen's house last year. In a Franks hearing, a defendant must first make a substantial showing that a false statement, knowingly or intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, was included by the affiant in the warrant affidavit, and the allegedly false statement was necessary to a finding of probable cause, according to Office of Justices website. That lengthy memorandum alleged that Libby and Abby's killings were part of an Odinist ritual sacrifice, and it names at least four suspects who were questioned, but never pursued in the investigation. One of the defense suspects had knowledge of the crime scene not known by the public and confessed his involvement in the killings to relatives, according to the memorandum. That memorandum noted that information about the state's investigation into Odinists had been discontinued after an unknown Purdue professor said the branches covering the girl's bodies were not Germanic letters used as part of an Odin sacrifice. A filing last week now casts further doubts on that. "... (Indiana State Police) Sgt. Jerry Holeman swore under oath at his August 10, 2023, deposition that the Purdue professor said that the sticks found on the girls did not represent 'Odinism or any type of cult worshipping or any type a group that would have conducted the crime.'" " Tony Liggett swore under oath at his August 8, 2023, deposition that a Purdue professor did not believe that the sticks found on Abby's and Libby's bodies consisted of 'runes,'" the defense's Oct. 3 filing states. As late as Sept. 18, no one knew the name of the Purdue professor, according to the defense filings. But Sept. 19 the day after the 136-page memorandum became national news, according to Allen's defense the Purdue professor was identified as Jeffrey Turco, and Holeman went to interview him again, according to last week's filing in support of the Franks hearing. "Dr. Turco stated that after viewing the pattern of the sticks on the girls that 'it was a given' that someone was trying to replicate a Germanic runic script," the defense's Oct. 3 filing states. Turco's claims were affirmed by a Harvard professor, too, according to Allen's defense filing. Allen's attorneys claimed in the 136-page memorandum that Allen has no ties to Odinism, but cited several people, including at least one Delphi man, who does have ties to Odinism. Allen's attorneys and Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland both agreed that there needed to be a deadline set for discovery so that both sides can be prepared for the Jan. 8 trial. Special Judge Frances Gull published an order Tuesday setting Nov. 1 as that deadline. Gull has not yet set a Franks hearing to consider Allen's evidence that law enforcement lied during presentations to get the search warrant for Allen's house, and she has not ruled on whether to suppress evidence gathered from that search. Late last month, McLeland filed motions requesting subpoenas for the Westville prison, where Allen is incarcerated, to produce Allen's medical records. Allen's defense objected to those subpoenas in filings on Tuesday. Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Richard Allen's attorneys allege inconsistencies from investigators A ride operator at the Coosa Valley Fair in Rome was arrested for making terroristic threats. On Saturday, October 7 at about 8:30 p.m., an officer with the Rome police department at the Coosa Valley Fair was asked to respond to the Midway area. The officer spoke with a patron of the fair, Enrique Moreno, Jr., who told the officer that the man operating the Orbiter ride that their family was on didnt secure the seatbelt all the way. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Moreno began arguing with the ride operator, Carl Schindler, 61, of Tampa, Florida, about the seatbelt. Police say the argument ended when Schindler threatened to kill Moreno if he didnt get off his ride. Several members of Morenos family confirmed his statements. TRENDING STORIES: Schindler admitted to the officer that he lost his temper and that he had threatened to kill the man he was arguing with. Moreno told the officer that he wanted to press charges and the officer arrested Schindler. Schindler was taken to the Floyd County Jail and will be charged with making terroristic threats or acts. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Gaza and Jerusalem (CNN) Israel has stepped up its offensive in Gaza following Hamas weekend assault as soldiers who retook villages from the Islamist groups fighters unveiled the brutality that had been meted out to civilians. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel and thousands more injured in Hamas October 7 onslaught when armed militants poured over the heavily-fortified border into Israel, raiding homes, rampaging through farms and communities and taking as many as 150 hostages back to Gaza. In Kfar Aza, a kibbutz in southern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told CNN that militants carried out a massacre in which women, children, toddlers and elderly were brutally butchered in an ISIS way of action. Less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) away, the farming community Beeri was among the worst-hit, with more than 100 bodies recovered and eyewitnesses describing assailants going door to door, breaking into homes and executing civilians. In retaliation for the atrocities, Israeli jets have been pounding Gaza the densely-inhabited coastal strip that Hamas controls with hundreds of airstrikes, reducing homes and neighborhoods to rubble and a complete siege has trapped residents, with many cut off from food and electricity. Hamas warned Wednesday that its electricity generator will completely stop within hours, limiting the ability to provide basic services. All basic services in Gaza depend on electricity, and it will not be possible to partially operate them with generators due to the prevention of fuel supplies through the Rafah gate, the government media office said in a statement. The IDF has also bolstered troops and tanks along the border as speculation of a possible Israeli ground incursion into Gaza grows. Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he has released all restraints for the IDF in their fight against Hamas, saying the response will permanently change Gaza. They will regret this moment Gaza will never return to what it was, Gallant said. That has deepened fears that Palestinian civilian casualties will continue to rise in the days ahead as Israel responds to the worst attack on its territory in decades. Airstrikes have killed at least 950 people in Gaza, including hundreds of children, women, and entire families, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. It said 5,000 had been wounded. Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck more than 70 targets in the Daraja Tuffah area of Gaza Wednesday, where the IDF claimed a large number of terror attacks against Israel are directed. The IDF also said it had struck Hamas naval targets in Gaza early Wednesday, which it claimed were used to carry out attacks on the Israeli coastline. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior Affairs said residential areas in the eastern part of Jabalia and the Qizan al-Najjar region of Khan Yunis came under intense airstrikes, with attacks targeting civilians homes and roads, resulting in direct injuries among citizens, the ministry said. US President Joe Biden on Tuesday pledged that the US would make sure Israel has the tools needed to defend itself and is surging military assistance to it. Part of that includes ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome anti-missile system. The first supply of US weapons since Hamas attack arrived in Israel late Tuesday evening, according to the IDF. Biden also confirmed that 14 Americans are among the dead and that American citizens are among those held hostage by Hamas. He called the attacks by Hamas pure, unadulterated evil that bring to mind the worst rampages of ISIS. Humanitarian crisis Civilians in Gaza are facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as Israel ramps up its bombardment for a fifth day and what the Israeli government said would be a complete siege of the enclave starts to take effect. The siege, ordered by the Israeli Defense Minister on Monday, would include the halting of supplies of electricity, food, water and fuel, which Israel mainly controls. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said imposition of sieges that endanger civilians by depriving them of essential goods is prohibited under international humanitarian law. These risks (are) seriously compounding the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the capacity of medical facilities to operate, especially in light of the increasing number of injured people, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said Tuesday. Cutting off the water supply to Gaza affects over 610,000 people and will result in severe shortage of drinking water, UN OCHAs Jens Laerke added. The strikes have already damaged Gazas medical infrastructure, say Palestinian officials, and have forced more than 263,000 Palestinians to flee their homes, the United Nations said. Destruction of infrastructure and streets by Israeli bombs is hampering efforts by medical teams to reach victims, according to the UN. Officials with the UNs Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said four of its employees have died as a result of airstrikes on Gaza and at least 14 of their facilities there have been damaged directly or indirectly. The agency has been unable to bring any aid into Gaza since Saturday, according to UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma. Israel controls the movement of residlents from Gaza into Israel through two crossings, Erez and Kerem Shalom, both of which have been shut. The only border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was struck by Israeli warplanes Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Interior Ministry Eyad al-Bozom said. The tightly controlled Rafah crossing is the only one available to Gazans looking to flee. The IDF said it struck the Rafah area Tuesday, including an underground tunnel used for smuggling weapons and equipment. Plea for hostages Several countries are evacuating their citizens from Israel as the conflict threatens to escalate. The US State Department said it has been in conversation with various airlines to encourage them to consider resuming travel in and out of Israel so that people can leave. Mexicos foreign ministry said 135 citizens were evacuated on a military flight from Israel on Tuesday evening. Germany said it will evacuate citizens from Israel on Thursday and Friday, and the French government is in contact with Air France to organize a flight Thursday to evacuate French citizens, according to the foreign minister. There are also rising fears of the Lebanon-based Shia militant faction Hezbollah entering the conflict, potentially opening a second front in the war. The IDF said Tuesday that it has added tens of thousands of additional troops to its northern border with Lebanon in anticipation of an attack by the Iran-backed group. It came as rockets were fired from south Lebanon toward Israel, according to Hezbollah-run media outlet Al Manar. Hezbollah claimed Wednesday that many Israeli soldiers were killed and injured in an attack on an Israeli site on the Lebanon-Israeli border. The IDF did not immediately respond when asked by CNN about the casualties. Rockets were also launched from Syria into Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday, adding that they landed in open areas. Families in Israel are left with little information about their missing loved ones, as Hamas warned it will start executing hostages if strikes on Gaza continue. Israels Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog on Tuesday strongly urged the international community to pressure Hamas to unconditionally release people taken as hostages. He told CNN that they are still in the process of forming a complete understanding of the number of hostages, their identities, and their status. Herzog said he was not sure if any hostages had been killed. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the US has special operators who are going to help the Israeli military with intelligence and planning for potential operations regarding hostages taken by Hamas. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Israel steps up Gaza offensive as brutality of Hamas attacks laid bare." SAN DIEGO A highly-anticipated solar eclipse will be visible from numerous U.S. states on Saturday, creating a ring of fire as the moon passes in front of the sun. Called an annular eclipse, the spectacle is different than other types of eclipses, as the moon will be at its farthest distance from earth on its ellipse-shaped orbit when it moves to block the light from the sun. When it is at this distance, known as the apogee, the moons positioning blocks less of the sun, causing a bright ring effect around its shape. When an object is closer, it occupies a greater angle in the sky than when its further away, explained Douglas Leonard, associate professor of astronomy at San Diego State University. What youll get is the moon blocking the sun, but there will be a ray of the solar disk around the moon thats still visible. Its called the Ring of Fire.' Fall foliage is soon to arrive in San Diego County: When and where to see it However, the ring will only be visible in the U.S. across a roughly 150-mile-wide tract, known as the path of totality, running diagonally from Oregon to Texas. In California, only residents living in towns at the very tip of the state may catch a glimpse of the eclipse in perfect alignment. A map of the path where the ring with the annular eclipse will be seen is below. While Southern California is outside the eclipses path, San Diegans will still get to enjoy a partial view of the phenomenon. If youre not quite on that line, like we are in San Diego, that just means the moon will be slightly offset as it passes around the sun, said Dr. Adam Burgasser, professor of physics at UC San Diego. Well still get a blockage of the sun, but it wont be as full as that kind of line across the globe there. Projections of the eclipses movement estimate that there will be a roughly three-hour period from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday morning where San Diego residents will see the moon pass in front of the sun, reaching its maximum coverage around 9:26 a.m. During its peak in the region, the moon will cover about 68 to 75% of the sun, creating a sort of crescent sun before it continues on its path. The blockage will also likely make a perceptible difference in the sky, dimming and changing the color of light slightly. A solar eclipse is a very exciting event particularly when you have this much blockage, even in San Diego, it will get noticeably dark, Burgasser continued. You will notice the environment change a little bit. Whats the best way to see Saturdays eclipse from San Diego? For those looking to catch a glimpse of the eclipse, experts suggest finding a spot with clear skies and a direct view of the southeastern sky. As Burgasser explained, viewing locations that have any type of cloud cover are likely to obstruct your view of the eclipse. Although, theres no need to head up to the mountains or into rural East County unless thats your preference, given that the sun will be relatively high in the sky at the time of day when the eclipse reaches its peak. If you plan on watching the event, its important to note that you should not look directly at it unless you have special solar eclipse glasses that are certified ISO 12312-2, meaning they have a darker tint than average sunglasses. Experts say that looking at it with bare eyes can severely damage your vision. Solar eclipse glasses can be purchased online, but be sure to double check a listings certification to make sure theyre not counterfeit. Several stores throughout the county, like the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, also have them available. For those that are not able to get their hands on a pair of glasses, there are other creative ways to enjoy the eclipse indirectly, such as holding up a piece of thick paper or cardboard with a tiny hole to the sun that will cast a shadow of the suns shape. According to Leonard, some trees will also do this naturally with their leaves. When will the next visible eclipse be for San Diego? Visible solar events like Saturdays eclipse are quite rare, occurring every five to 10 years in any given place. As Leonard explained, the moon passes directly in front of the sun at least twice a year, but its concurrent orbit with the Earth makes it so each events path of totality is unique. In other parts of the world, people may be able to see an eclipse while its a normal day in San Diego. How to see the ring of fire eclipse this October, total solar eclipse in April 24 In a few months, though, San Diego is going to get another partial view of a total eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024 that will pass northeast from Mexico through Texas, up towards New York and Canada. After that, the next solar eclipse visible from San Diego wont be until 2029. When in the path of totality, total eclipses are generally more exciting spectacles than the annular eclipse, Leonard says, since its a complete coverage of the sun. However, Saturdays eclipse will be a slightly better viewing for San Diegans than the Apr. 8 event. Projections for the Apr. 8 eclipse estimate that the moon will block about 54 to 62% of the sun. Either way, its exciting, Leonard continued. These things dont happen very often where you dont have to go somewhere else to see it People should make a little effort to, to go witness it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. GOSHEN - A Walden man was sentenced to prison Wednesday for his manslaughter conviction in a 2021 road rage case. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said Anthony Jones, 26, of Walden, was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in state prison for his conviction for second-degree manslaughter, a felony, and six years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision for his conviction for second-degree assault, a felony. The sentences are to run concurrently. Jones was convicted of the charges at a jury trial in August. Hoovler said it was alleged at trial that Jones was driving a Ford Escape east on Route 17 in the town of Wallkill at about 7 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2021, when he became angry at the driver of a van carrying eight people, and caused his car to collide with the van. More: Walden man indicted in 'road rage' Wallkill crash that killed three people Proposed village: Monroe town supervisor rejects petition to form village of Seven Springs The collision resulted in the deaths of three people in the van, including the driver, and serious physical injuries to four other occupants of the van. The eighth person in the van suffered less serious injuries. Jones was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for complaints of pain and released. An investigation by state police and Hoovler's office determined that the collision was a result of reckless and negligent actions by Jones, and he was arrested on Sept. 12, 2022. "While the sentence imposed in this case can never bring back the lives of those who were killed by the defendant's reckless actions, it nevertheless holds the defendant accountable for his consequential choices," Hoovler said in a statement released by his office. Marijuana sales: New York's first cannabis growers market has opened in New Paltz: What to expect However, Jones' attorney, Merrick John Dammar, said he plans to appeal the case on the grounds that the jury was tainted by one member who did extracurricular research on the case and brought that to the attention of other jurors. "Mr. Jones was treated by the system in an unfair manner," Dammar said. "The jurors did their best but they took the position that someone had to pay for what happened. Mr. Jones has always maintained his innocence and refused several plea offers" Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845. This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: 2021 'road rage' Wallkill crash killed three. Walden man sentenced It sounded like fireworks. But it turned out to be the sound of missiles. Dexter Noblefranca is among 44 people whose pilgrimage to Jerusalem the "Holy Land" from St. Patrick Catholic Church in Memphis, Tennessee, was cut short by destruction. On Saturday, the group heard the missiles over the Israeli capital and it triggered a frightening realization, the priest told The Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network. "I never thought in my life I would see war, but its really happening here," Noblefranca said. "Please pray for our safe travel home and the peace here in the Holy Land, especially the innocent people from Israel and Palestine that are dying." The group left Jerusalem following the violence to a safe location as they awaited their flight home to Memphis on Tuesday. The struggle to come home and the fear for loved ones left behind in the deadly war zones of Gaza and Israel is very real for many Americans as the world watches the violence abroad unfold. The news moves quickly. We break it down for you. Sign up for USA TODAYS Israel-Hamas War newsletter for a run-down of the days headlines. The U.S. citizens longing to return to America include several people from church groups, including those in Naples, Florida, visiting Jerusalem for religious reasons, Salt Lake City-based Palestinian Americans visiting family members and New Jersey Jewish residents who were celebrating the Simchat Torah holiday. They told the USA TODAY Network that their trips turned from a tranquil, joyous crusade away from home into a catastrophic nightmare from which they needed to swiftly escape. Some Palestinian Americans told CNN they were abandoned by the US Embassy and told to use the Rafah Crossing into Egypt if conditions were safe. Now panicked, they are struggling to return to the U.S. as American airlines cancel flights into and out of Tel Aviv and Israel escalates strikes on the Rafah border crossing path between Gaza and Egypt. What happened? On Saturday morning, Hamas launched a surprise attack, launching a barrage of rockets and sending gunmen onto Israeli territory. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli cabinet declared a retaliatory war against Hamas and ordered its military factions in Gaza to undertake a "complete siege." Israeli leaders have sent airstrikes into Gaza City, destroyed buildings including a 14-story tower and threatened to cut off essential needs including electricity, access to food and fuel, the news outlet Al Jazeera reported. More than 1,600 people, including at least 14 Americans, have been killed so far and many others are missing. At least 900 people from Israel and at least 765 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Israels Army Radio and the Gaza Health Ministry, CNN and CBS News reported. The tension derives from decades of conflict between Palestinian territories and Israel, which has left tens of thousands of people dead and even more displaced, Al Jazeera reported. Flights canceled in and out of Tel Aviv; dangerous conditions on Rafah border crossing to Egypt Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines have halted flights into and out of Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport, joining several other airlines around the world, said representatives from the airlines. American Airlines flights are canceled through Friday, Delta flights are canceled through Oct. 31 and United flights are canceled indefinitely. "Our hearts are with those who are impacted as our people work to find safe alternatives for customers trying to depart TLV," said Savannah Huddleston, a spokesperson for Delta, in an email to USA TODAY. "Delta will continue to explore options for customers to safely exit TLV via seats that become available on our partner airlines. There is congressional support to help people escape in other ways. In New York, Democratic Rep. Grace Meng is "calling on the State Department to help get her constituents out of Israel and back home to Queens." "While I appreciate the steps the Biden administration is taking to provide additional security assistance to Israel, I urge the State Department to use all resources at its disposal to help those Americans that remain in Israel return to the United States," she wrote in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In Gaza, the U.S. Embassy is telling U.S. citizens "who wish to leave and can do so safely" to monitor the Rafah Crossing into Egypt. But the escape route they're recommending comes with risk as Israel attacks the border with missiles. "U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning," the U.S. Embassy wrote in an alert on Monday. The uncertainty has affected Americans who live across the nation. 'Turn worries into worship:' US church groups from Memphis to Florida were in Israel at the time of the attack Another Catholic Church group from Naples, Florida, awaited their flight home from Israel, members gathered to pray for Jerusalem and visited holy sites. "We're going to turn the worries into worship, and we're going to turn fear into faith, said the Rev. Alan Brumback, who is on the trip with his family, in a Facebook Live update according to The Naples Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Some of the 53 people from the First Baptist Church of Naples who traveled to Israel to visit holy sites flew home before a previously planned flight scheduled for Thursday, while others who had booked separately had their plans disrupted. The rest remain hopeful they will depart as planned, as many airlines have canceled flights due to the war, Brumback said. Jewish Americans visiting Israel for Simchat Torah holiday scramble to get home Mark Schwartz, a councilman and volunteer firefighter in Teaneck, New Jersey, had traveled to Israel with friends for Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday, with other Jewish people from New Jersey. He was expecting a joyous trip but now is rushing to get home. Flights out of the country were canceled and he and others resorted to booking tickets to Europe on El AI, the Israeli airline, hoping to get a flight home, Schwartz said. "I got a flight to Bulgaria and will somehow get to New Jersey," Schwartz told NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. Everyone is in a mournful mood." In a phone interview with the news outlet on Monday, Schwartz said: "The sirens keep going off, and everyone has to run to a shelter, which is dark and not well stocked because nobody prepared for this. Another woman from New Jersey, Dena Levie, told the news outlet that her 20-year-old son was trying to leave the country to start school on time in the U.S. "He's at the airport now and a siren just went off and he was told to leave his bags and run for the safe room with hundreds of other people," said Levie. For Americans being held hostage, the plight is enormous Hamas is also holding dozens of hostages in Gaza. They include Israeli civilians and military personnel, according to Israel's ambassador to the United Nations. Some Americans are among them, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. Officials are unsure exactly how many are in hostage situations, said Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser. At least 20 Americans are unaccounted for, he said. Contributing: Minnah Arshad, John Bacon, Jorge L. Ortiz, Joey Garrison, USA TODAY; Micaela A Watts; Memphis Commercial Appeal; Emma Behrmann, Naples Daily News; Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com; Associated Press Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @kaylajjimenez This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Americans struggle to escape deadly conflict in Gaza Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said he encouraged Democratic Sens. Cory Booker (N.J.) and Mark Warner (Va.) to challenge President Biden for the partys 2024 presidential nomination. Deseret News reported on Romneys remarks at the E2 Summit in Park City, Utah, this week. The former GOP presidential candidate said Booker and Warner were not receptive and that Democrats wanted a more progressive heir to Biden, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Romney also invited four GOP candidates for 2024 to his donor summit: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Vice President Mike Pence. During his conversation with former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Romney said hed be happy with any of the four candidates winning the nomination over former President Trump. Booker, who became a senator in 2013, ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 among a crowded field of candidates, including Biden. He announced in January 2020 that he was suspending his campaign, and he eventually endorsed Biden for the nomination. Warner was sworn into the Senate in 2009 after shutting down speculation that he would run for president in 2008. He previously served as the governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006. The Hill has reached out to the offices of Romney, Booker and Warner for comment. The only current Democratic challenger to Biden is author Marianne Williamson, after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday he is now running as an independent. Romney is not the only lawmaker to encourage others to run against Biden in the primary. Last week, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) who has sparked some speculation of his own for 2024 said that an open Democratic primary would make Biden a stronger candidate. Democrat Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) has not yet ruled out a primary challenge to Biden for next year, arguing the party needs a competitive primary. Earlier this month, Phillips stepped down from his Democratic leadership role, fueling speculation that he could make a late entry into the race. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced plans to expand sanctions against Iran in Florida, following reports that the nation aided in Hamas' devastating attacks on Israeli civilians this weekend. "As a state and a nation, we must stand with Israel following the heinous attacks over the weekend," said Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday. "With Iran helping plot the barbaric attack against Israel, I want to make it abundantly clear: Florida supports the State of Israel against the Iranian terror state." Since early May, Florida has banned Iranian citizens, as well as citizens from six other nations, including China, Russia, and North Korea, from buying land in much of the state. Under this legislation, Florida government organizations were also prohibited from contracting many businesses located in these "countries of concern." According to DeSantis, this newest set of proposed sanctions is in direct reaction to reports that the Iranian regime helped plan Hamas' deadly terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. While the extent of Iran's involvement in the planning of Hamas violence this weekend has not yet been fully confirmed, it has long been acknowledged that the Iranian government provides significant cash and weapons aid to the terrorist organization. According to a one-pager on the proposed legislation, Florida's state and local governments would be prohibited from doing business with any part of the Iranian "financial, construction, manufacturing, textile, technology, mining, metals, shipping, shipbuilding, and port sectors." The additional sanctions would not be removed until "both the President and United States Congresscertify that Iran has stopped supporting international terrorism and acquiring weapons of mass destruction," and the federal government lifts all sanctions against Iran. "These will be by far the strongest Iran sanctions that any state has enacted of all 50 states throughout this county," DeSantis said during his announcement of the proposal on Tuesday. While expansive, it's unclear how this set of proposed sanctions, if passed, would act as much more than a symbolic gesturelike most political sanctions, it's unlikely they will actually affect the decisions of the foreign government they're targeting. "While political sanctions are justifiable in principle, they're tough to justify in practice," University of Richmond philosophy professor Jessica Flanigan and William & Mary professor Christopher Freiman wrote in Reason in March 2022. "For one, public officials are not generally reliable in determining whether and how to effectively impose sanctions against unjust regimes. According to a recent analysis of political sanctions, they're generally unlikely to achieve major policy changes, regime change, or military impairment." The post Ron DeSantis Announces Intentions to Sanction Iran in Florida appeared first on Reason.com. Salman Rushdie after being appointed as a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) at Windsor Castle on May 23, 2023 (Andrew Matthews) British author Salman Rushdie is to release a memoir about the stabbing attack that nearly killed him last year when a knife-wielding assailant jumped on stage at an arts event in New York state. Rushdie, who lost sight in one eye in the attack, has faced death threats since his 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses" was declared blasphemous by Iran's supreme leader. "This was a necessary book for me to write: a way to take charge of what happened, and to answer violence with art," he said in a statement via his publishers, Penguin Random House. The book, entitled "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder," will be released next April. Rushdie said in May he was working again, having struggled to write for several months. Nihar Malaviya, CEO of Penguin Random House, described it as "a searing book, and a reminder of the power of words to make sense of the unthinkable." She hailed "Salman's determination to tell his story, and to return to the work he loves." Rushdie was stabbed multiple times in the neck and abdomen at a literary conference in the small town of Chautauqua, before attendees and guards subdued the attacker. The Booker Prize-winning author, 76, has since worn glasses with a black lens over his right eye at rare public appearances. Rushdie lived in hiding for years after Iran's first supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ordered his killing. A naturalized American based in New York, he has also been a leading campaigner for free speech. Rushdie's attacker, Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old from New Jersey with roots in Lebanon, has pleaded not guilty to assault charges. bur/bgs/dw Russia launched a missile strike against a high school building in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on Oct. 11, killing two of its employees, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. According to the governor, two men were also injured, aged 24 and 71. Rescuers are looking for school employees who may be trapped under the rubble, he added. The high school sustained serious damage. The strike also affected 42 houses, 18 commercial buildings, an infrastructure facility, 17 solar panels, a shop, and a car, Lysak reported. The city of Nikopol lies at the mostly dried-up Kakhovka Reservoir, just across Russian-occupied Enerhodar and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. It is a regular target of Russian attacks. Nikopol and the surrounding area were targeted several times with artillery and drones over the past day, resulting in damage to multiple buildings and a 78-year-old woman injured, the governor said earlier. Read also: The dead villages: Hope and despair side-by-side in the liberated south Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The main goal of the enemy remains the capture of Kupyansk Russian invasion forces are resuming attacks in the Lyman-Kupyansk sector of the front, increasing the intensity of shelling and conducting air strikes, the Ukrainian militarys Eastern Grouping spokesman Ilya Yevlash said on Ukrainian national television on Oct. 11. The enemy cannot advance along 140 kilometers at once, so is focusing its attention near the towns of Ivanivka and Synkivka in Kharkiv Oblast, as well as near Makiyivka, Yevlash said. Read also: Ukrainian anti-tank unit burned down 25 tanks in 4 days, more than Russia can produce in month Earlier, Russian troops tried to advance near Novoyehorivka, but "having received a good kick in the teeth from the Ukrainian Armed Forces," they abandoned their plans, Yevlash said. "For some time we have been observing a kind of lull," he said. Read also: Russia deploys over 100,000 troops at strategic Lyman-Kupyansk front And now, about a week ago, they started to resume their offensive actions. The first ones were such short isolated incidents, when mostly these Storm Z and Storm assault units were assaulting. Now we are seeing more serious intrusions. Yevlash added that Russians are also increasing the intensity of shelling in the Lyman-Kupyansk sector. The main goal of the enemy remains the capture of the town of Kupyansk, as there is a railroad there and it is an important logistics hub in this area. Earlier, the spokesman said that the most difficult frontline area is currently the Lyman-Kupyansk sector, where the situation is more dynamic than in the Bakhmut sector. The Russians are reportedly forming 12 assault companies in the Lyman-Kupyansk sector, numbering about 2,000 people. Read also: Ukraine used mannequins to fool Russian reconnaissance crucial in liberation of Kharkiv Oblast The head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, Oleg Synegubov, reported that the Russian occupation forces have been trying to form a "striking fist" on the Kupyansk axis for several months. On Aug. 27, Yevlash said that Russia had deployed about 110,000 troops in the Lyman-Kupyansk area. 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 Russia failed to gain enough votes in the United Nations General Assembly on Oct. 10 to win back its seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council. Russia attempted to compete with Albania and Bulgaria for the council's two open eastern European seats. Bulgaria won 160 votes and a seat on the council, while Albania took 123 and the second open slot. With only 83 votes, Russia's bid was unsuccessful. Russia was kicked out of the U.N.'s human rights body during a special session on April 7, 2022, shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The motion passed with 93 votes cast in favor, 25 against, and 58 abstentions. Officials backing the motion said it signaled the "international community's strong censure of Moscow's aggressive actions toward a neighboring state." Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us In the days leading up to the Oct. 10 vote, officials raised concerns that Russia would leverage its control over wartime grain shipments and arms and energy sales to gain support. In addition, diplomats cited growing fatigue of the war among African and Asian countries as a factor Russia could exploit in order to secure votes for the council. Despite these concerns, Russia did not manage to win enough support to sway the election in its favor. Russia has committed a number of human rights violations during its all-out war against Ukraine. These include deliberate murder of civilians, shelling of civilian areas, torture, sexual violence, and abduction of children. Several countries have recognized Russia's crimes against Ukraine as genocide. A report by the U.N. Watch, the Human Rights Foundation, and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights published in September concluded that Russia is "unqualified" for membership in the Human Rights Council. Read also: Russias influence on Africa exaggerated, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia's foreign ministry officially filed a complaint with the U.N.'s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Oct. 11, saying that some of its members were acting in a discriminatory fashion towards Russian aircraft. The ministry called unfair the ban placed by EU countries, as well as the U.S., U.K., and Canada on Russian airlines from operating in their airspace, the export of aviation parts and insurance for Russian airlines, and the sharing of meteorological information. These actions "jeopardized the safety of international civil aviation and seriously undermined the mutual trust that has been the basis of the international aviation system for almost 80 years," according to the complaint. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the E.U. and other countries named in the complaint swiftly moved to sanction and isolate Russia. Among these policies was a ban on the ability of Russian airlines or Russian-owned airplanes to use E.U. airspace, as well as prohibiting the export of aviation-related technology. Attempts to circumvent sanctions ran afoul of international safety regulations, effectively preventing a majority of international flights. According to a report on Russia's airlines by the Carnegie Endowment, domestic flights accounted for 90% of all routes flown by Russian airlines in 2022. In 2019, this number was 57%. The Russian government staved off disaster by propping up the industry and focusing on domestic flights, but sanctions on airplane parts and technology have continued to deplete airline stocks. Russian airplanes have become increasingly less safe- in one illustrative incident, three planes from Russia's largest carrier Aeroflot broke down within one day. Read also: Media: Ruble drops to lowest point since start of Russias all-out war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Gaza (CNN) Gazas only power station has stopped working after the fuel needed for generating electricity ran out on Wednesday, Gaza officials said. Gaza is currently without power, the head of the Gaza power authority, Galal Ismail, told CNN. The power plants shutdown comes two days after the Israeli government said it would order a complete siege of the Palestinian enclave, closing off access to electricity, food, fuel and water in response to the surprise attack launched by Hamas on Israel that killed at least 1,200 people. People in Gaza still use power generators for electricity, but with a blockade on all sides of the border, the fuel needed for generators to work is running out, Ismail said. The Palestinian health ministry warned that hospitals are set to run out of fuel on Thursday, leading to catastrophic conditions. The Hamas-controlled coastal enclave has been hammered by Israeli airstrikes that have killed 1,055 people and wounded 5,184 others, according to the health ministry. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it is targeting Hamas terrorists, but the dense population of Gaza 2 million people living in 140 square miles means that civilians are often caught in the crossfire. The result has been a humanitarian crisis that has displaced more than 236,000 Gazans, according to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). That number is expected to rise further. At least 11 employees working with the UNs Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have been killed in Gaza airstrikes since Saturday, according to the agency. Citizens need protection, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesdau, adding we want to see a humanitarian corridor. Israel also seems to have removed some of its previous guardrails on its rules of engagement meant to protect civilians. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday that he had released all restraints on the IDF in their fight against Hamas. Further Palestinian casualties are feared as Israel maintains its bombardment for a fifth day and the complete siege ordered by Gallant on Monday takes effect. Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck more than 70 targets in the Daraja Tuffah area of Gaza Wednesday, where the IDF claimed a large number of terror attacks against Israel are directed. The IDF also said it had struck Hamas naval targets in Gaza early Wednesday, which it claimed were used to carry out attacks on the Israeli coastline. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior Affairs said residential areas in the eastern part of Jabalia and the Qizan al-Najjar region of Khan Yunis had come under intense airstrikes, with attacks targeting civilians homes and roads, resulting in direct injuries among citizens, the ministry said. OCHA said that imposition of sieges that endanger civilians by depriving them of essential goods is prohibited under international humanitarian law. These risks (are) seriously compounding the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the capacity of medical facilities to operate, especially in light of the increasing number of injured people, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said Tuesday. Cutting off the water supply to Gaza affects over 610,000 people and will result in severe shortage of drinking water, UN OCHAs Jens Laerke added. Destruction of infrastructure and streets by Israeli bombs is also hampering efforts by medical teams to reach victims, according to the UN. Officials with the UNs Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said 11 of its employees had died as a result of airstrikes on Gaza and at least 14 of their facilities there have been damaged directly or indirectly. The agency has been unable to bring any aid into Gaza since Saturday, according to UNRWA director of communications Juliette Touma. Israel controls the movement of residents from Gaza into Israel through two crossings, Erez and Kerem Shalom, both of which have been shut. The only border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was struck by Israeli warplanes Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Interior Ministry Eyad al-Bozom said. The tightly controlled Rafah crossing is the only one available to Gazans looking to flee. The IDF said it struck the Rafah area Tuesday, including an underground tunnel used for smuggling weapons and equipment. Palestinian terrorist group Hamas shocked the world on Oct. 7 by launching an unprecedented deadly offensive against Israel, brutally killing over 1,000 people and taking at least 150 Israelis hostage. As Iran-backed terrorists rampaged through Israeli cities, some including many in Ukraine pointed fingers at Russia, a country with established ties with Hamas and a clear beneficiary of a war set to diverge attention from its own atrocities in Ukraine. "Russia is interested in igniting a war in the Middle East so that a new source of pain and suffering will weaken world unity," said Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 9. Ukraine's intelligence even reported that Russia gave Hamas captured Ukrainian weapons in an effort to discredit Kyiv, while Polish President Andrzej Duda said, "This (war) certainly helps Russia and Russian aggression against Ukraine, it distracts the world's attention." While experts agree that the tragic events in Israel benefit Moscow and its propaganda that actively supported the Hamas-ignited war in the Middle East, they remain skeptical of Russia's direct involvement in the attacks for lack of evidence. Read also: A wave of terror: Hamas attack brings back haunting memories of war for Ukrainians in Israel Hamas and Gaza Hamas is a radical Islamist militant group in control of the Gaza Strip one of the two parts of Palestinian territories, along with the West Bank. The group was founded in 1987 by Sheik Ahmed Yassin , a cleric active within the Muslim Brotherhood movement. Yassin and Hamas opposed the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza following the Six-Day War in 1967. The group doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist and sees Zionism as a colonial project that has led to the occupation of historically Palestinian lands. Hamas has waged armed resistance against Israel, carrying out terrorist attacks like suicide bombings, kidnappings, and summary executions of Israeli soldiers and civilians. The United States, European Union, and a number of other countries designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Iran is the main benefactor of Hamas, according to Israel and the U.S., funding it with tens of millions of dollars, as well as providing training and weapons. Following the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel occupied the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza, withdrawing its forces from Gaza only 38 years later, in 2005. The West Bank remains occupied by Israel to this day, with the international community criticizing Israel for recurrent violence and crimes against Palestinians there, including the displacement of Palestinians by Jewish settlers. An aerial view of Gaza on May 11, 2023. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Gaza, albeit not occupied, has been under an Israeli land, air, and sea blockade since 2007. Israel has argued that the blockade prevents the movement of weapons and terrorists and is necessary to Israel's safety, yet human rights groups and the UN say the measure is an illegal collective punishment against Palestinian civilians. Gaza has been de-facto governed by Hamas since the last election in 2006. Meanwhile, the West Bank has been under the control of Fatah, the leading political party of the Palestinian Authority, which was established as the internationally recognized Palestinian governing body after the Oslo Accords of 1993. The two territories have been isolated from each other for years due to an ideological rift between Hamas and Fatah. Seeing Fatah as corrupt and weak in its stance against Israel, Hamas ousted its members from Gaza after the 2006 election. Fatah responded similarly in the West Bank. Hamas, and to a lesser extent, the Palestinian Authority, have been criticized for severe corruption and disregard for democratic processes while in power, canceling and postponing elections for more than a decade. Hamas has also been accused of gruesome human rights violations, including killings and systematic torture of its opposition, violence against women, and repression of civil society in Gaza. Most people in Gaza also suffer from poverty and food insecurity. More than two million people there roughly half of them children, according to UNICEF live with virtually no access to clean water, relying on Israel and international aid for basic utilities like food and electricity. Aftermath of Israeli strikes on Gaza on Oct. 10, 2023, in retaliation to Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel. (Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images) Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have resulted in many violent clashes over the years. The UN says 6,319 Palestinians and 308 Israelis were killed in terrorist attacks and retaliation strikes from January 2008 to September 2023. More than 152,000 Palestinians and 6,200 Israelis were injured in that same period. Hamas links to Russia As Hamas terrorists rampaged through Israeli cities, murdering hundreds of soldiers and civilians, Russian propagandists rejoiced in triumph. "Not a drop of pity or sympathy (for the Israelis)," Dmitry Steshin, Russian military correspondent known for his support of ethnic cleansing of Ukrainians, wrote on his Telegram channel. "This mess is beneficial for RussiaIran is our real military ally," said Russia's prominent propagandist Sergey Mardan. Such a response from the Russian pro-war speakers, as well as the Kremlin's ties to Hamas and Iran, spurred allegations of Moscow's involvement in the deadly attacks against Israel. The Soviet Union indeed fostered relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its leaders, largely to ensure the spread of communism in the region and oppose the so-called American influence. Read also: Zelensky, world leaders condemn Hamas attack on Israel Russia's relations, specifically with Hamas, have varied. Moscow has condemned some of the group's terrorist attacks yet has not designated it as a terrorist organization to this day. After Hamas' victory in the 2006 Palestinian elections, the Kremlin and Hamas leadership held several meetings. Trying to stay relevant in the Middle East, Russia attempted to mediate peace talks between Hamas and other Palestinian actors. There were also reports of Hamas using Russian-made Kornet anti-tank weapons. Relations worsened following the group's involvement in the Syrian civil war on the side of the opposition since Moscow backed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, but normalized soon, given the numerous meetings between Russia and Hamas leadership since 2020. The latest meeting between Hamas representatives and Russian officials took place in March 2023, when Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas, in Moscow. A photo of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) with with the head of the Political Bureau of Hamas terorrist group Ismail Haniyeh (R) and a senior Hamas member Musa Abu Marzouk (C) in March 2020, during a meeting in Moscow. (Russian Representitive Office in Palestine / X) Yet, experts say that while the Hamas-Israel war may benefit the Kremlin, there is no evidence that Russia was directly involved. Instead, the blame falls largely on Iran. "Iran is acting with an increased sense of emboldening in the region," Hanna Notte, an expert on Russia's foreign and security policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the Kyiv Independent. "And that is a product of the changed Russian-Iranian relationship on the back of the war in Ukraine," she added. Russia and Iran grew increasingly close following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Iran now supplying Russia with weapons. Notte thinks this is related to Iran's willingness to be more aggressive with its foreign policy, including against its archfoe Israel. She says she hasn't seen any evidence of Moscow's backing of Hamas terrorist attacks. "Just because (Vladimir) Putin may benefit from the chaos doesn't mean that he sponsored it or initiated it in any way," Oz Katerji, a British-Lebanese journalist who covered conflicts in the Middle East for more than a decade, told the Kyiv Independent. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) attend their meeting at Netanyahu's office on Jan. 23, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israel. (Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) Both Notte and Katerji emphasize the Kremlin's close relationship with Israel, and especially its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as a crucial restraining factor for Russia. Ties between Israel and Russia, especially their operations in Syria, have been so close that they limit Israel's aid to Ukraine. Read also: Israels reluctance to choose sides strains relations with Ukraine "Putin's relationship with Netanyahu is one of his most important relationships in the world so just because Russia and Iran are allies, and they cooperate, doesn't mean that they agree on everything," Katerji said. Nevertheless, "Russia wants to foster pressure points globally in order to undermine Western support for Ukraine in this war of attrition," Notte said. "Whether that is putting pressure on global food supplies by walking away from the Black Sea Grain initiative, whether that is keeping up the specter of nuclear escalation, or whether that is also causing instability in Africa or the Middle East," she added. Pro-Hamas rhetoric Russia's recent rhetoric in support of Hamas can be explained, with Moscow using the attacks as an opportunity to discredit Ukraine. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that "the Kremlin is already and will likely continue to exploit the Hamas attacks in Israel to advance several information operations intended to reduce U.S. and Western support and attention to Ukraine." Ukraine's Military Intelligence said that Russia had given Hamas Western weapons that it captured from Ukraine during the war. "The next step, according to Russia's plan, should be fake accusations against the Ukrainian military for allegedly selling Western weapons to terrorists on a regular basis," the Military Intelligence said, warning of a Russian disinformation campaign. A young woman reacts as she speaks to Israeli rescuers in Tel Aviv, after the city was hit by rockets fired by Palestinian Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images) Russia is also seizing the moment to advance its anti-American propaganda, playing the fictitious role of an anti-colonial champion. "(Russians) present this disorder as a 'win' for Russia not just because it supposedly weakens the West but also because it is proof their worldview is correct," Jade McGlynn, a research fellow at the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told the Kyiv Independent. Russian sense of patriotism and nationalism revolves around the country's opposition to other powers, mainly the U.S., Dr Ian Garner, lecturer in political studies and fellow at the Centre for International and Defence Policy at Queen's University, said. "If America supports Israel, no matter what happens, no matter the reality on the ground, it is always a good thing to see Israel suffer. Because it must mean that America is suffering too," Garner told the Kyiv Independent. "Russia presents itself as a friend of the colonized against the imperial West and the U.S.," McGlynn added. "Of course, empirically speaking, this is absurd: Russia is conducting a nakedly imperial war in Ukraine," she added. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. On the evening of 11 October, the Air Force of Ukraine recorded the launch of attack UAVs from the area of the Chauda training ground (Crimea). Source: Air Force on Telegram Quote: "The launch of several groups of attack UAVs by the enemy from the area of the Chauda training ground (Crimea) towards southern oblasts was recorded. It is possible that the air-raid warnings will spread along the direction of the attack UAVs movement. Do not ignore air-raid warnings!" Details: Later, Ukraines Air Force reported the threat of Russians launching assault UAVs in the direction of Sumy, Poltava, and Kharkiv oblasts from the north-eastern direction. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukrainian Defence Forces have killed about 820 Russian soldiers and destroyed a Su-25 jet, an air defence system, 34 tanks, 91 armoured combat vehicles, 18 artillery systems and 20 motor vehicles over the past 24 hours, on 10 October. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 11 October Quote: "The Ukrainian Air Force launched 11 strikes on areas where Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated over the past 24 hours, and also attacked 9 enemy anti-aircraft missile systems. Our defenders also shot down a Russian Su-25 fighter jet and seven operational-tactical level reconnaissance UAVs. Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery struck a command post, an ammunition storage point, areas where Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated, seven artillery pieces and an electronic warfare station belonging to the Russians." Details: The total combat losses of Russian troops between 24 February 2022 and 11 October 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: 283,900 (+820) military personnel 4,863 (+34) tanks 9,220 (+91) armoured combat vehicles 6,731 (+18) artillery systems 809 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems 545 (+1) air defence systems 316 (+1) fixed-wing aircraft 316 (+0) helicopters 5,226 (+19) tactical UAVs 1,530 (+0) cruise missiles 20 (+0) ships and boats 1 (+0) submarines 9,145 (+20) vehicles and tankers 965 (+4) special vehicles and other equipment The information is being confirmed. 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! Russias desperate bid to rejoin the UNs top human rights body with a charm offensive involving stolen Ukrainian grain and arms was defeated by a significant majority in a General Assembly vote on Tuesday. Russia received 83 votes from the 193-member UN, significantly more than the 24 countries who supported Moscow when it was booted out of the Human Rights Council in another vote more than one year ago. Russia was competing against Albania and Bulgaria for two seats on the Geneva-based UNHRC, representing the East European regional group. Bulgaria secured 160 votes, Albania received 123, while the Vladimir Putin-led nation managed only 83. In the run up to the voting, Russia made efforts to lure African allies and other friendly nations with stolen Ukrainian grain and arms in exchange for their votes a charm offensive that experts said could work on some nations in need of the bartered goods. Moscow had claimed it had support from a silent majority at the UN, something which Tuesdays vote shows was not the case. But experts said even its ability to win over 83 countries shows it maintains a surprisingly high level of support on the international arena. I think the Russians will be pleased that they persuaded a sizable minority of UN members to back them (which) suggests that Moscow is not a total pariah in the UN system, despite repeated Western criticism, Richard Gowan, UN director of the International Crisis Group, said. That said, the US and Ukraines allies were still able to ensure that Albania and Bulgaria swept the contest for the two seats, he said. So, Kyivs friends still have a solid majority in the assembly, Mr Gowan said.Yousuf Syed Khan, senior lawyer at Global Rights Compliance, said that declining to accept Russias bid for HRC membership means that vulnerable member states were not assuaged by Russias bid to provide arms and grain in exchange for votes. Today, Ukrainians and the world community alike can welcome this glaring diplomatic success, he told The Independent. The US and its allies had discouraged many of the UN General Assemblys members and asked them to vote against Russia, the diplomats aware of Moscows attempts to woo nations with grains said. US deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council that Russias re-election while it openly continues to commit war crimes and other atrocities would be an ugly stain that would undermine the credibility of the institution and the United Nations. Russian envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, accused the US of preventing Russias return to the council with its campaign. The main phobia of our American colleagues today is electing Russia to the Human Rights Council, he told a Security Council meeting called by Ukraine on last weeks strike by a Russian missile on a Ukrainian soldiers wake in a small village that killed 52 people. Experts have called it a near-unprecedented event where the UN body has acted consistently for 18 months to suspend a member nation. It is close to unprecedented that the UN Human Rights Council acted as it did 18 months ago, it being only the second time in the Councils history that a member has been suspended for committing gross and systematic violations of human rights, said Catriona Murdoch, partner at international human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance. She added that the impact of this war on civilians and the apocalyptic devastation it is leaving meant the stakes were higher with this vote. The other closely watched race was in the Asia group where four countries China, Japan, Kuwait and Indonesia were candidates for four seats. While all were expected to reach the majority of votes needed and therefore gain a seat each, some rights groups campaigned hard against Beijing and the size of the vote was closely watched. Indonesia topped the ballot with 186 votes followed by Kuwait with 183 votes and Japan with 175. China was last with 154 votes. Additional reporting by agencies A Crimea apartment belonging to the family of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been put up for sale by Russia in an open auction, Russian state media reported Wednesday. The auction, which is set to begin on Oct. 30, has listed the seized 1,300 square-foot property with a minimum cost of around $250,000. In May, the Kremlin-installed governor of Crimea announced that the property registered in the name of Zelenskys wife, Elena, had been seized along with other Ukrainian-owned assets. Vladimir Konstantinov, the head of the State Council of Crimea, said the proceeds from the sale of the seized assets would go toward supporting Russian soldiers involved in the invasion of Ukraine and their families, along with development projects in Crimea. Read it at RIA Novosti Read more at The Daily Beast. See the stranded Airbus A320 that a Russian airline will attempt to fly out of a field in Siberia after an emergency landing there last month Russian carrier Ural Airlines ditched an Airbus A320 into a field in Siberia last month. Ural is repairing the jet, protected by security, in hopes it will take off from the field. The event comes as Russia faces sanctions that have taken a toll on its aviation sector. A Russian airline's Airbus A320 could take off from the same wheat field where it made an emergency landing last month, Reuters reported. Nearly 170 people were onboard the Ural Airlines flight from Sochi to Omsk on September 12 when a hydraulics fault forced the pilot to land in the field in Siberia's Novosibirsk region, per the BBC. No one was injured in the emergency. "According to the preliminary technical assessment of specialists, the aircraft is in good condition," Ural Airlines said in a statement, per Reuters, adding that the plane will likely be able to operate flights in the future. The plane will first need to undergo tests and safety inspections before it could be "transported" out a process Ural has said could take months, FlightGlobal reported. Ural has made progress, though, taking to Telegram on Tuesday with photos and a status update as it continues to prep the jet's rescue. Investigators at the accident scene in September. Alexey Malgavko/Reuters According to the airline in the original post in Russian, the A320's two CFM International CFM56 engines "will not require refurbishment," saying the engines were cleared of "soil and straw." A few damaged fan blades will be replaced, and the evacuation slides that were removed for servicing will eventually be re-installed, according to FlightGlobal. Moreover, currently underway is an in-depth assessment of the aircraft's structure, Ural said in the post. But, the airline is still waiting on equipment that will help it carry out studies on the landing gear and other components, it said. Considering the plane's restoration could go into the winter months, Ural also noted that the A320 is being prepped for storage to avoid the freeze. And, physically getting the plane off the field is still up in the air. Ural said that it was considering "several options," including removing the plane's seats to make the jet lighter. While maintenance is carried out, Reuters reported that a fence has been built around the A320 and security has been hired to guard it. Wooden platforms have also been constructed to steady the jet, as well as temporary buildings for those working on and guarding the plane, FlightGlobal wrote. Sanctions have taken a toll on Russia's airline sector Workers inspecting the Ural Airlines A320 jet in September. Alexey Malgavko/Reuters Ural's A320 ended up in the field after its hydraulic systems failed and it risked running out of fuel, forcing the pilots to perform an emergency landing. The event comes as Russian airlines face crippling sanctions amid its ongoing war with Ukraine, which includes banning the shipment of spare parts from the likes of Boeing and Airbus. Moscow has since been forced to turn to seedier methods of accessing supplies, like "cannibalizing" their own planes or buying under-the-table parts from Iran. Ural Airlines general director Sergei Skuratov rebutted any claims that the event occurred due to a safety oversight amid the sanctions, the Associated Press reported. According to FlightGlobal, Skuratov said the company only uses authorized parts on its fleet of Airbus planes and that it invests heavily in training and maintenance, but noted the process of getting supplies is "very difficult." "We will never allow 'wrong' spare parts to be used," he said. "All the spare parts used on our aircraft are certified." Despite the sanctions, Russia has managed to get US-made parts into the country. According to a May 2023 New York Times report, millions of dollars worth of supplies entered the country in 2022 via illegal schemes including those used on Airbus planes. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian forces used a variety of weapons systems to attack Ukraine over the past 24 hours, killing one and injuring 7 others, regional authorities reported on Oct. 11. The attacks targeted a total of seven Ukrainian oblasts- Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. One person was killed and two more were injured as a result of Russian attacks in the village of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast, according to acting governor Ihor Moroz. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces attacked civilian areas with tanks, artillery, mortars, multiple-launch rocket systems, drones, and other military equipment, causing damage in the Beryslav district and injuring 0ne, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Governor Serhii Lysak said that Russian forces shelled Nikopol, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, damaging several buildings and injuring a 78-year-old woman. In Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov wrote that Russians again attacked the village of Velykyi Burluk, injuring two 45-year-old women and a 34-year-old man. The village had been attacked the previous day. A 47-year-old man was also injured in the town of Kulyivka. More than 125 strikes were recorded in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, reported the regional military administration, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure but no casualties. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance southeast, east as weather worsens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Russian drone struck a funeral vehicle at a cemetery in Kherson Oblast on the morning of Oct. 11, injuring three cemetery workers, the Prosecutor General's office of Kherson Oblast reported. The attack appeared to be intentionally targeted at the vehicle. At the time of this publication, the severity of the injuries sustained is unclear, but one of the workers was hospitalized. Russian forces routinely attack civilians and other civilian infrastructure that have no military value, including funerals. On Oct. 5, a Russian Iskander missile struck a funeral ceremony in the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast, killing at least 55 people, in what became the deadliest strike on Ukrainian civilians in 2023. Read also: Every family affected: Devastated village copes with aftermath of Russian strike on funeral Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Flags of Romania and the European Union Having completed the investigation of UAV debris found near the Ukrainian border, Romania has concluded the drones are Russian in origin and were shot down by Ukraines air defenses, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar said on Oct. 11. The minister stated that the investigation had completed the technical examination of drone fragments "found in two locations," and had forwarded the report to the Prosecutor General's Office. Read also: SBI launches investigation after two soldiers assault man at Lviv recruitment center that the drones were hit by means of Ukraine's air defense during attacks on the port of Izmail, and took an uncontrolled course near the target, leading to accidental intrusion into national airspace and falling near and onto Romanian territory, Romanian outlet Digi24 quotes Tilvar. Read also: Ukraine-Romania ferry crossing closed after Russian kamikaze drone attack We did not recognize any intention in either of these situations; Romanian territory was not the target; the strike was of an accidental nature. The official added that "for objective reasons" low altitude, relief of the terrain, etc. Romanian air defense could not detect the drones in advance. Read also: Fearing pro-Russian lawmakers would disrupt address, Romania nixes Zelenskyy's parliament address Drone wreckage was discovered on Sept. 4 in Romania, 2.5 kilometers southeast of the settlement of Plauru, after Russia carried out a massive aerial attack on southern Ukraine. Ukrainian border guards recorded two detonations of Shahed kamikaze drones on Romanian territory during the Russian attack on Ukraine in the early hours of Sept. 4. 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 Moscow's ambitions for a quick, sweeping victory in Ukraine were foiled soon after it invaded. In the 19 months since Russia attacked, its forces have faced logistical and leadership challenges. As a result, Russia's military is ditching one of the main reforms lauched under Vladimir Putin As Russian troops massed along Ukraine's borders in late 2021 and early 2022, some Western experts warned that Vladimir Putin's army was not the army of Josef Stalin. The bulky Red Army divisions of World War II and the Cold War, each of which numbered about 10,000 troops, had been replaced in the 2000s by smaller, more agile battalion-size formations of between 500 and 1,000 troops an effort to create a force more like that of the US and other Western armies. Or so the theory went. The performance of those units in Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, where they faced outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian defenders, was a fiasco. The feared Battalion Tactical Groups, or BTGs, proved as unwieldy as Russia's divisions were rigid. Russian troops during a drill near the Chechen border in March 2015. SERGEY VENYAVSKY/AFP via Getty Images Now Russia is returning to division-size formations to create more resilient formations that can sustain intense attritional warfare like that in Ukraine at the cost of agility, according to Olesya Tkacheva, an expert on the Russian military at the Brussels School of Governance. "Mobility is being sacrificed in exchange for resilience," Tkacheva said during an online event hosted by the Wilson Center in Washington DC. Despite the hype, the BTG was hardly a revolutionary concept. The German Army in World War II routinely formed combined-arms battlegroups ("kampfgruppen"), as did the US Army's task forces. Sometimes it was deliberate, and other times it was out of desperation as commanders scraped together whatever was available for a given mission. The Red Army in World War II tended to fight as separate branches infantry, armor, and artillery that were only combined just before a battle, two analysts with the US Army's Foreign Military Studies Office noted in an April 2022 report for Britain's Royal United Services Institute think tank. Troops training in southern Russia in March 2015. SERGEY VENYAVSKY/AFP via Getty Images The Soviet Army experimented with various combinations of units, which formed the basis for the BTG in the post-Soviet era. "The most common BTG variant is based on a motorized rifle battalion with an attached tank company, self-propelled howitzer battalion, air defense platoon, engineer squad, and logistic support," the RUSI report said. BTGs were composed of professional contract soldiers, who are generally more capable, competent, and motivated than the sullen conscripts that still hamper Russia's army today. BTGs were intended for the new at least for Russia concept of expeditionary warfare. This required small units that could remain at a higher state of readiness, be deployed quickly, and be somewhat self-sufficient all-arms formations. The Russian military's failure to deploy and operate effectively in Georgia in 2008 had driven home for Moscow the need for such a force, which it has been able to put to use, most notably in Syria in the mid-2010s. "Mobility and deployability outside of Russia's territory was one of the key strategic objectives," Tkacheva said of the thinking behind the embrace of BTGs. Russian soldiers exit an armored vehicle during a drill in the Krasnodar region in July 2015. SERGEI VENYAVSKY/AFP via Getty Images Before World War II, the British Army was configured as an expeditionary force for policing its empire, but when it encountered heavily armed German forces, its equipment proved inadequate. Russia had the same problem when its BTGs had to engage in large-scale conventional warfare in Ukraine. "Those battalion battle groups turned out to be highly unstable," Tkacheva said. "They were not resilient. They lost a lot of equipment and [had a] high casualty rate. As a result, the Ministry of Defense announced that they're switching back to the Soviet-style organization of the Russian Armed Forces, which is based on divisions." Other experts point to issues with the entire Russian force structure. A few high-readiness battalions can't compensate for the low-readiness conscripts that make up about one-third of Russia's army. Lack of manpower also resulted in BTGs being smaller than designed and having fewer infantry than needed, even though they had plenty of armored vehicles. It also meant there were insufficient forces to rotate tired and depleted units out of the line. Russian armored vehicles at a military park outside Moscow in August 2017. ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images "The Russian military is well-suited to short, high-intensity campaigns defined by a heavy use of artillery," Michael Kofman and Rob Lee, both experts on Russia's military, wrote in June 2022. By contrast, that military is poorly designed for a sustained occupation or for a grinding war of attrition, either of which would require a large share of Russia's ground forces exactly the conflict the Kremlin now finds itself in. Switching from battalions to divisions as primary units may be a sensible move, depending on how static the Ukraine conflict becomes. As trench warfare froze the Western Front during World War I, armies emphasized resilience over mobility to endure grinding losses, but when Germany launched a devastating last-ditch offensive in 1918 a sort of pre-blitzkrieg their forces lacked the mobility to exploit breakthroughs. If Russia can repel Ukraine's counteroffensive and the conflict becomes one of trench warfare and limited battles fought over small chunks of ground, then resilient but low-mobility forces will be useful. But if Ukraine achieves a breakthrough, and Russian troops have to maneuver quickly, they may struggle to keep up. Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian occupying forces have stepped up their activities near several settlements on the Avdiivka front, launching attacks on the Kupiansk, Lyman and Bakhmut fronts, with a total of 108 combat engagements taking place on the contact line over the past 24 hours, which is significantly more than has been recorded on a daily basis lately. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 11 October Quote: "108 combat engagements occurred over the past 24 hours. In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, the Russians, consisting of up to three battalions supported by tanks and armoured vehicles, intensified their offensive near the settlements of Avdiivka, Tonenke, Keramik and Pervomaiske in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled all enemy attacks and avoided losing their frontiers and positions." Details: In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled over 30 Russian attacks near the settlements of Synkivka and Ivanivka in Kharkiv Oblast. On the Lyman front, the Ukrainian Defence Forces are holding back the Russian offensive near the settlements of Makiivka and Dibrova in Luhansk Oblast. On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian troops repelled Russian attacks near the settlements of Klishchiivka and Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Defence Forces pursue their assault operations south of the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, gaining ground east of Klishchiivka and east of Andriivka. On the Marinka front, Ukrainian forces successfully repelled over 10 Russian attacks near the settlements of Marinka and Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast over the past 24 hours. On the Shakhtarsk front, the Russians undertook unsuccessful offensives near the settlements of Zolota Nyva and Volodyne in Donetsk Oblast. On the Zaporizhzhia front, Ukrainian defenders are holding back the Russians in the vicinity of the settlements of Inzhenerne and Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. On the Melitopol front, the Ukrainian Defence Forces are pursuing their offensive, improving the tactical situation in the area west of the settlement of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, inflicting losses in military personnel and equipment on the Russians, and exhausting them. In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, Ukrainian troops are conducting counter-battery operations, destroying supply storage points and effectively hitting the Russian rear. In the zone of responsibility of the Pivnich (North) Operational Strategic Group on the Volyn and Polissia fronts, the operational situation remains without significant changes. On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians are maintaining a military presence in the border areas and undertaking active sabotage activities to prevent Ukrainian troops from being deployed to vulnerable areas. Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 11 strikes on clusters of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment and 9 attacks on Russian anti-aircraft missile systems. The Ukrainian defenders also shot down a Russian Su-25 jet and 7 tactical reconnaissance UAVs. Ukraine's Rocket Forces struck a command post, an ammunition storage point, 3 clusters of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment, 7 artillery pieces and an electronic warfare station belonging to the Russians. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Heavy fighting continues near Avdiivka Russian invasion forces are trying to advance in the area of Avdiyivka, Donetsk Oblast, supported by a large number of tanks and armored vehicles, Ukrainian military and civil officials said on Oct. 11. The speaker of the joint press center of the Tavria Defense Forces, Oleksandr Shtupun, and the head of the Avdiyivka City Military Administration, Vitaliy Barabash, reported the large Russian attack on national television. Read also: What to expect after Russias new mobilization Ukrainian troops have already knocked out over 60 units of enemy equipment, the Ukrainian military says. Russian attacks are recorded in the areas of Avdiyivka, Keramik, Tonenke, and Pervomayske, said Shtupun. The aggressor "has gathered some scrap metal and personnel" and is trying to make a breakthrough, he said. All enemy attacks were repelled and the Ukrainian Armed Forces did not allow any losses of positions in this area, Shtupun said. Read also: Ukrainian Armed Forces continue operations on the Melitopol and Bakhmut fronts, 60+ engagements in last day "We were waiting for them," he said. Our guys mined the approaches well. Our anti-tank weapons are well deployed. Combat work is going on, artillery is working quite accurately and quite powerfully. At the same time, governor Barabash said that the situation in this area remained very tense. The Russians launched a large-scale assault, using dozens of armored vehicles, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already destroyed a significant portion of them, he said. "Since the beginning of the full-scale war, they have never been used like this before," said Barabash. Read also: Russia escalating offensive around Lyman, Kupyansk in eastern Ukraine, says Ukrainian military It was previously announced that about 50 pieces of equipment went on the offensive yesterday, but we actually know that more than 60 pieces of equipment were knocked out on our axis. A warplane was shot down, and a Mi-8 helicopter was shot down. On Oct. 10, the Russian military conducted a massive shelling of Avdiyivka, Donetsk Oblast. The city was hit with artillery and tank shells. Barabash said that heavy fighting continues to the north of the city. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Sergei Naryshkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, has claimed that the West is using Ukraine to counter Russia and is even training Ukrainian fighters to attack nuclear power facilities in Russia. Source: Sergei Naryshkin at the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Bodies and Special Services of the CIS member states, quoted by TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet Quote from Naryshkin: "It has come to the point where Western intelligence services are training Ukrainian sabotage and terrorist groups to attack nuclear power facilities in the Russian Federation. This has been established. Such attacks were, of course, prevented by our secret services... There were attempts to damage the Kursk, Smolensk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants [ZNPP is located in Ukraine and has been occupied by Russia since March 2022 ed.]. And, of course, in such circumstances, it is already difficult to maintain the level of cooperation with Western special services." Details: Although it is Russia that is waging a war against Ukraine, destroying entire cities, Naryshkin, in the spirit of familiar Russian propaganda, claims that the West is using Ukraine to counter Russia, and Ukraine is "using truly terrorist methods against Russia, against the entire Russian world". He envisions "terrorist attacks" against journalists, writers and opinion leaders, as well as "against residential areas, cities and towns of the Russian Federation, against civilian infrastructure". Naryshkin is convinced that "big events are happening in the world, the world is in the process of transition to multipolarity". That is why "Russia's secret services, to a large extent, interact and cooperate with special services of other states", namely the states of the global South and "allies from the special services of the CIS states", Naryshkin said. 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! Shelling by Russian forces on the morning of Oct. 11 in the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi in Kharkiv Oblast wounded a 72-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, Governor Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. Two more villages in Kharkiv Oblast were also attacked in the past 24 hours, the regional prosecutor's office added. In the village of Borova, about 36 kilometers from Izium, a Russian Tornado-S anti-aircraft missile struck, causing damage to residential buildings and vehicles. The previous evening, a bomb hit the village of Petropavlivka, damaging buildings. There were no reports of casualties in Borova or Petropavlivka. On Oct. 5, a Russian Iskander ballistic missile hit a grocery store and a cafe in Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, during a memorial service for a fallen soldier who was being reburied in the village. Read also: Every family affected: Devastated village copes with aftermath of Russian strike on funeral Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Shelling by Russian forces on Oct. 11 in Kharkiv Oblast injured three people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported via Telegram. A morning attack on the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi wounded a 72-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man. Shortly before midnight, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported another attack in a city district. Syniehubov said this strike left one man with shrapnel wounds, and that a woman received medical attention due to an "acute stress reaction." He also said the shelling damaged a house. Two more villages in Kharkiv Oblast were also attacked in the past 24 hours, the regional prosecutor's office added. In the village of Borova, about 36 kilometers from Izium, a Russian Tornado-S anti-aircraft missile struck, causing damage to residential buildings and vehicles. The previous evening, a bomb hit the village of Petropavlivka, damaging buildings. There were no reports of casualties in Borova or Petropavlivka. On Oct. 5, a Russian Iskander ballistic missile hit a grocery store and a cafe in Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, during a memorial service for a fallen soldier who was being reburied in the village. Read also: Every family affected: Devastated village copes with aftermath of Russian strike on funeral Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The shelling of the gymnasium in Nikopol Two staff members were killed in yet another case of Russian shelling of a civilian target this time destroying a gymnasium in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram on Oct. 11. Read also: Russia escalating offensive around Lyman, Kupyansk in eastern Ukraine, says Ukrainian military The victims were two men, aged 24 and 71, the regional military administrations head Serhiy Lysak later clarified, saying that the gymnasium suffered significant damage. /Telegram /Telegram There is a possibility that other people remain trapped under the rubble. Forty-two private houses, 18 outbuildings, one infrastructure object, 17 solar panels, one shop and a car were also damaged in the attack. Emergency services are on the scene continuing search and rescue efforts. /Telegram 18:10 Update: The General Prosecutor Office has announced a criminal case for violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code) in connection with the shelling of Nikopol. Two people were killed and two other residents were injured, law enforcement agencies reported. The rescue and search operation is ongoing. /Telegram Read also: NV correspondent reveals terrifying details of collaborating Mamon brothers, accused of directing Russian missile strike on Hroza Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has been consistently targeted by the Russians. A 78-year-old woman was injured, administrative buildings, a dormitory, and residential buildings were damaged in the latest night attack on Nikopol, Marhanets and Myriyvka communities early Oct. 11, the regional military administration reported. The Nikopol gymnasium was also shelled on Oct. 10, but no civilian casualties were reported. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian forces shelled the Nikopol district with heavy artillery overnight, injuring one woman, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak reported on Oct. 11. Lysak said that a 78-year-old woman was injured in the attacks and received necessary medical treatment. The shelling also damaged two administrative buildings, a utility company, a dormitory, and five apartment buildings. As of this writing, no further casualties have been reported. Lysak said the night's attacks targeted the district center, Nikopol, as well as the communities of Myrove and Marhanets. Nikopol is located across the Dnipro River from the city of Enerhodar, home to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russian forces have repeatedly used the plant as a base to launch attacks on Ukrainian-controlled territory. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance southeast, east as weather worsens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia carried out a strike against Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast on Oct. 11, killing one civilian and injuring two, the Prosecutor General's Office reported. According to prosecutors, Russian forces launched the attack in the town in the morning, targeting residential districts. An 85-year-old man was killed on the porch of his house, and a 44-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man were injured, the report said. Both wounded residents were hospitalized, and the man is in intensive care, the prosecutors reported. The front-line town of Avdiivka, less than 10 kilometers north of occupied Donetsk, is the site of heavy battles and a regular target of Russian strikes. According to media reports, only 1,700 people of the town's pre-war population of 30,000 had remained in Avdiivka by March, as most of the residents fled the destruction caused by Russian aggression. Read also: The dead villages: Hope and despair side-by-side in the liberated south Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The combat capability of the Russian army has deteriorated due to mental health problems among Russian soldiers, the UK Ministry of Defence states. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 11 October, as reported by European Pravda Details: UK analysts noted that Russian soldiers are facing a mental health crisis. Quote: "In December 2022, Russian psychologists identified approximately 100,000 military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This number is almost certainly now higher as the Russian military fails to provide sufficient rotation and recuperation from the battlefield," the UK MoD stressed. Details: Many commanders pointed out this problem, including Major General Ivan Popov, former Commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, who was sacked in July 2023. UK analysts say there is additional evidence that Russian medical staff are sending servicemen who are unfit to fight to the front. The number of appeals filed against Russian military medical commissions increased in 2023 compared to 2022, with many cases being dismissed or left unheard. "With a lack of care for its soldiers mental health and fitness to fight, Russias combat fighting effectiveness continues to operate at sub-optimal levels," the review reads. Background: Earlier, UK Defence Intelligence suggested that the Kremlin would avoid unpopular political steps, such as announcing new waves of mobilisation, until the presidential elections scheduled for 2024. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russian forces attacked the border territories and settlements of Sumy Oblast 21 times during the past day, killing a child. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Details: A total of 82 explosions were recorded in Sumy Oblast on 10 October. The hromadas of Krasnopillia, Khotin, Bilopillia, Velyka Pysarivka and Svesa came under Russian attacks. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] Russian forces deployed artillery (31 explosions) and mortars (16 explosions) to attack Krasnopillia hromada. A child (a 14-year-old girl) was injured during artillery shelling. She died in an ambulance. Russian forces fired mortars (6 explosions) on Khotin hromada. Two artillery explosions were recorded in Svesa hromada. Russian forces launched unguided missiles from a helicopter (8 explosions), and deployed AGS grenade launchers (10 explosions) and mortars (6 explosions) to attack Velyka Pysarivka hromada. Attacks using SPG-9 recoilless guns (2 explosions) and mortars (1 explosion) were recorded in Bilopillia hromada. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russian forces attacked a residential building in the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi in Kharkiv Oblast on 11 October, injuring two civilians. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote from Syniehubov: "Today, [11 October ed.] the enemy shelled the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi in the Kupiansk district with artillery. One of the enemy shells hit a residential building. Two civilians were injured, a 72-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man." Details: Syniehubov reported that doctors are helping them, and emergency services are working on the spot. The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported that the shelling occurred at 11:30. 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! Two staff members of a secondary school were killed as a result of a Russian attack on the city of Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Source: Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, on Telegram Quote: "The enemy attacked Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A secondary school was destroyed. Two people were killed. Search and rescuers are still searching for people under the rubble. It has been established that the killed people were employees of the educational institution. We continue search and rescue operations." 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! Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that Russian invaders are escalating the situation around Avdiivka and in the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast to draw Ukrainian Defence Forces away from Robotyne. Source: ISW Details: On 9 October, Russian troops launched localised offensive operations near Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast and southwest of Orikhiv in the west of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which were likely aimed at pushing Ukrainian troops away from Robotyne. The Russians intensified offensive operations northwest of Avdiivka in the area of Ocheretyne, Tonenke and Berdychiv and the area southwest of Avdiivka on the Vodiane-Opytne line. They also attacked southwest of Orikhiv on the Piatykhatky-Zherebianky line, with Russian military bloggers claiming that Russian troops had advanced two kilometres in the area. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has confirmed that up to three Russian battalions have launched an attack and there is video footage of fighting in the area, but at the time of writing, ISW had not seen any evidence of Russian troops advancing. Analysts added that the encirclement of Avdiivka, one of the most heavily fortified sections of the front in Donetsk Oblast, will likely require more forces than Russia has currently committed to the Avdiivka-Donetsk operation. Quote: "The increased Russian offensive operations in the Avdiivka and Zherebianky areas coincide with other localised offensive efforts in Luhansk Oblast and eastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, all likely aimed at fixing Ukrainian forces and preventing Ukrainian command from transferring reserves to critical areas of the front in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast." To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 10 October: Russian forces launched localised offensive operations in the Avdiivka area of Donetsk Oblast and southwest of Orikhiv in western Zaporizhia Oblast on 9 October, which are likely intended to fix Ukrainian forces away from the Robotyne area. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed up to three Russian battalions conducted an attack in the Avdiivka direction, and ISW has observed footage of fighting in the area, but ISW has not observed any confirmation of these claimed Russian advances as of this writing. Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and made confirmed advances in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area. Russian military leadership may have once again replaced the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA), suggesting ongoing pervasive Russian command and control issues in western Zaporizhia Oblast. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to open a new corridor through Moldova and Romania for the export of Ukrainian grain. Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, in western Donetsk Oblast, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in some areas on 10 October. The Ukrainian Resistance Center reported that Luhansk Oblast occupation authorities are cracking down against Ukrainian underground communication networks. 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! Under steady rain and a gloomy sky, about a hundred people gathered Tuesday evening outside a Jewish school in Granite Bay. In Hebrew and English they heard scripture wishing for the Lord to send help and support during moments of trouble. God is with us at all times, said Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum, one of the organizers of the event. Thousands of miles away from the erupting conflict in the Middle East, Grossbaum spoke of a spiritual war that he and other rabbis were trying to wage by bringing together supporters of Israel in the Sacramento area. Each one of us has the ability to contribute and to engage in the effort to be victorious over the forces of evil and darkness in this world, said the rabbi, who leads the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Folsom. Grossbaum was referring to recent attacks by Hamas militants, which have resulted in the death of more than 900 Israelis, according to the countrys military. Dozens of people, including children, were also abducted by the group, which governs the Gaza Strip area, and are being held hostage. Hamas, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, has threatened executions. Israel has waged its own military attacks in response, leading to the death of at least 1,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Basim Elkarra, who leads the Council on American-Islamic Relations efforts in the Sacramento Valley, did not attend Tuesdays event. But in a phone interview after it, he condemned the killing of civilians on either side of the conflict. Beyond that, he pointed to what he believes is the root cause of the latest fighting: the ongoing occupation and the daily killing and humiliation of the Palestinian people. Unfortunately, he said, United States officials have strayed away from supporting separate states for Israelis and Palestinians to try and resolve long-running tensions. If people really care about Israel they would really push them to end the occupation and bring justice to all people in that land, Elkarra said. At the event, there was no talk of Israeli occupation or the possibility of a two-state solution. The focus was on prayer and support for people in Israel as well as the local community. U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, is one of the politicians who addressed the crowd. He did so from Washington, D.C. via a video call. I believe it is vitally important that America stand united and offer unified and bipartisan support for Israel going forward, Kiley told the supporters, many of whom clutched Israeli flags along with umbrellas. Earlier in the day, President Joe Biden offered a similar message during a speech: We stand with Israel. Those and other comments from Biden brought tears to Nir Peleds eyes. So moved, the native of Israel bought an American flag, which he set up in the front of his home. Peleds wife, Jerami Shecter, said in that moment her husband told her: Ive never been more proud to be an American citizen. Since the weekend, the Granite Bay couple had spent sleepless nights as they tried to follow the fighting and keep in touch with family and friends. Shecter said they showed up Tuesday because: We needed to hear the prayers. Amid the death and fighting, and possibility of a protracted war, rabbis preached the importance of remaining positive. Today, more than ever, we must ask: What can I do? said Rabbi Yossi Korik, of Chabad of Placer County. There is no time for despair. It was a message echoed by Limor Bitterman, of West Roseville. She was one of a group of supporters who led an impromptu singing of Israels national anthem at the end of the event. We need people not to be down, she said, clutching an Israeli flag draped over her shoulders. Bitterman said getting together with others, to pray and support her native country, helped her. And it showed people in Israel they are not alone. They tried to break our spirit, she said. Thats why we need to stand together. In the background, while Bitterman spoke, the setting sun broke through the clouds. Buildings erected in Israel since the 1990s have built-in safe rooms to avoid bombs and air strikes. Residents told Insider what they're like, showing spaces with sparse furnishings and barricaded entries. While safe rooms are commonplace in Israel, they're essentially non-existent in Gaza. Residents all over Israel are making use of emergency shelters in their homes and public spaces as the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas escalates. Air raid sirens warning of rocket attacks blare without warning at all hours, giving Israelis just 60 seconds to find shelter. It's commonplace for homes in Israel to have a specially-built safe room inside to shelter in place after a law was introduced in 1992 by the Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command, establishing new civil defense regulations. The regulations required the inclusion of a residential protected room, a communal protected space, or an institutional protected space in every newly constructed building. Residents of Israel said that, inside, the safe rooms are often just like an extension of the home, sometimes appointed like a living room or bedroom, while others are more sparsely furnished. They often have steel doors with reinforced locks, thick walls of concrete and, if there are windows, they're made of shatter-proof glass. This photo taken on Oct. 8, 2023 shows a sparsely-furnished safe room in a building in Jerusalem. While the room only has a few chairs to sit in, it does have a refrigerator to keep food and water cold. Chen Junqing/Xinhua via Getty Images Reut Aisenberg, a resident of east Tel Aviv, told Insider, that "almost everyone," has a safe room in Israel, adding that, while some people keep dried food and other supplies inside, they're "not meant for you to live in for weeks." "The rooms are meant to keep you safe from rockets," Aisenberg said. "They are not meant to keep you inside for days at a time. You don't have toilets, you don't have water." While the rooms aren't equipped for long-term sheltering in place, they're still life-saving in an emergency. Insider previously reported on the account of a pregnant mother who hid with her small child inside their safe room while Hamas militants tried, and failed, to get inside. Some shelters in Israel are more fully furnished, with beds and supplies for a longer-term shelter-in-place, while others have very sparse decor and furnishings. ACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images When the sirens sound, the goal is to move as quickly as possible to the safe room, Sacha Roytman Dratwa, the CEO of Combat Antisemitism Movement and a resident of Tel Aviv, told Insider. Inside, you stay low and quiet, listening to hear how close the fighting is. "The procedure is going to the shelter with the kids, with everyone. I think the most complicated part is to explaining to the kids what's happening that you have an enemy, but you don't want to create animosity in your kids," Dratwa said. "You don't want to make your enemy sound so bad. You don't want to tell what they did to people of the same age as them, so I think the kids are the most complicated part. You need to educate them in this time of war to not create more animosity because you want to build for them a better future." But Israel's safe rooms aren't foolproof in preventing break-ins, and they can't protect citizens who aren't able to get inside fast enough in the midst of the fighting. So far, at least 1,200 Israelis have died, and another 3,000 injured since the surprise attack on Saturday, according to early Wednesday estimates published by The Jerusalem Post. People and their pets take refuge in a dark, sparsely furnished shelter as sirens heard on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Amir Levy/Getty Images "Today I had to take my daughter to the doctor," Aisenberg told Insider. "I had a dilemma, should I take a car, which would take me 5 minutes, or should I walk? Now it's a time where no one should be outside if they don't have a good reason. Even if the car would take there faster, if a siren would go off, I would have to stop the car and get to a safe place. This is going to cost me at least 30 seconds, and this is a waste of precious time." She added: "If we walk to the clinic, maybe I spend more time outside, but if there is a siren, I can grab my baby and run to one of the buildings. And then I don't waste precious time. This is the kind of cuckoo mathematics Israelis are doing on a daily basis." While this is the kind of math residents of Israel are doing with widespread access to emergency shelters, those living in Gaza are making different calculations as they are left wildly unprotected in the face of Israeli counter-strikes, which have left at least 900 Palestinians dead and 4,250 wounded since the start of the escalation on October 7. Gideon Harari, deputy head of the first responders and emergency team, speaks during a media tour inside a shelter equipped with emergency supplies and kids' toys in Moshav Shear Yashuv in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon on August 2, 2023. JALAA MAREY / AFP via Getty Images "People in Gaza do not have safe rooms or shelters," Tahani Mustafa, senior Palestine analyst at International Crisis Group told Insider, adding that the "only shelters they have are UNRWA schools that are currently holding more than 200,000 displaced people," referring to temporary shelters developed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. In a Sunday statement formally declaring war against Hamas, Lt. Col. Richard Hech of the Israel Defense Forces said the Israeli military has one goal in mind as it bombards targets in Gaza: "To control the entire enclave and kill all the terrorists in our territory." Israel's ferocious counter-attacks against Hamas have leveled entire buildings in Gaza, reducing portions of the Palestinian territory to rubble. Residents, left without protection, describe fleeing from their homes along with thousands of other residents, with no idea what will happen each minute or how they will get food or water. "I lived in Gaza for a year and a half. Gaza is the most densely populated place on earth. There are no shelters in Gaza. There is no place to go when Israel bombs," Diana Buttu, a lawyer and analyst, told Insider. "There are no safe spaces. Israel has bombed mosques, hospitals, universities, and schools, including UN facilities. But even worse is that the equipment that is needed to build such safe spaces is banned by Israel. In short, people are sitting ducks waiting for a bomb to be dropped on their heads." Read the original article on Business Insider About 4,000 security forces were deployed to seek out gang members (Handout) With rifles, helmets, and bulletproof vests, about 4,000 soldiers and police on Wednesday encircled sections of two Salvadoran cities as part of a massive crackdown on gang activity. President Nayib Bukele imposed a state of emergency in March 2022 that has seen tens of thousands of alleged gang members rounded up -- a move popular among the people, but which has alarmed rights groups. "Since this morning, 3,500 soldiers and 500 police have established three security perimeters" in parts of Apopa and Soyapango, cities which abut the capital San Salvador, Bukele wrote on social media Wednesday. Soldiers guarded entry points to the neighborhoods to block anyone trying to flee, while police went house-to-house asking for identity documents and even rental contracts -- as many gangsters seize houses from locals. Some officers even took up positions in a small church, while others checked passing vehicles, an AFP journalist observed. Gangsters are often identified by their tattoos or IDs if they have police records. Locals typically know who they are too, and might tip off the police. Defense Minister Rene Francis Merino said the operation "is a response to a call from the population indicating that there are some gang members trying to reorganize" in the area. "We are not going to stop until we capture the last remaining terrorist (gang member). We will not allow small remnants to regroup and take away the peace that has cost us so much," said Bukele. The new anti-gang raid came as Congress approved later that same day a nineteenth extension of the country's state of emergency. Bukele imposed the state of emergency, which allows arrests without a warrant, after a particularly bloody weekend in March 2022 left 87 civilians dead at the hands of gang members. Since then, about 73,000 alleged gang members have been arrested. More than 7,000 were later released. In February, Bukele inaugurated a mega-prison considered the biggest in the Americas, with a capacity of 40,000, in central Tecoluca. Bukele is expected to seek re-election in February 2024. cmm/mis/ltl/fb/mlr/dw/nro/aha Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was charged with 10 new criminal counts Tuesday over accusations he inflated his campaign finance reports and charged donors credit cards without authorization. Santos pleaded not guilty in May to a 13-count indictment, and the new charges bring the total to 23. The charges add new criminal exposure for the embattled lawmaker, who began his first term in January after admitting to embellishing parts of his background while campaigning. Santos is due to appear in court Oct. 27. The additional indictment comes days after Santoss former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, reached a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to conspiring with the then-candidate to carry out a scheme prosecutors are dubbing the Party Program, in which the duo committed fraud on Santoss campaign finance reports. The scheme was meant to ensure that Santos and his campaign qualified for a national party committee program that would provide financial and logistical support to Santoss bid for Congress, prosecutors said. To qualify, the New York Republican had to show his campaign raised at least $250,000 from third-party contributors in a single quarter. After failing to qualify for the program in October 2021, an agent of the national party committee told Santos that the only driver that matters is raising $250K, according to the indictment. We are going to do this a little different. I got it, Santos allegedly replied, the charging document says. To make that representation, Santos and Marks agreed to falsely report to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that at least 10 family members made significant contributions to the campaign, despite knowing they had not, according to prosecutors. The defendant George Anthony Devolder Santos and Marks knew that none of these reported contributions were true, the indictment reads. Santos also falsely reported to the national party committee and the FEC that he loaned his campaign $500,000 an impossibility, since Santos had just $8,000 in his personal and business bank accounts, prosecutors claim. The second alleged scheme involved Santos stealing the identities and financial information of contributors to his campaign and charging their credit cards repeatedly without authorization, prosecutors said. Through these unauthorized transactions, Devolder Santos transferred funds to the Committee, to the campaigns of other candidates for elected office and to his personal bank account, the superseding indictment reads, asserting that Santos falsely represented that those contributions were made by other individuals, including his relatives and associates. The new charges comprise one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States; two counts of wire fraud; two counts of making materially false statements to the FEC; two counts of falsifying records submitted to obstruct the FEC; two counts of aggravated identity theft; and one count of access device fraud. The Hill has reached out to Santos for comment. Santoss congressional office said it doesnt comment on legal matters, and Santoss lawyer declined to comment. Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said Santos is accused of stealing peoples identities and making charges on his own donors credit cards without their authorization, lying to the FEC and, by extension, the public about the financial state of his campaign. Santos falsely inflated the campaigns reported receipts with non-existent loans and contributions that were either fabricated or stolen Peace said. This Office will relentlessly pursue criminal charges against anyone who uses the electoral process as an opportunity to defraud the public and our government institutions. In May, the embattled lawmaker pleaded not guilty to 13 federal charges connected to separate accusations that he misled campaign donors, fraudulently received unemployment benefits and lied on financial disclosures. Since the original indictment, two of Santoss former staffers have faced charges. In August, Samuel Miele, Santoss former fundraiser, pleaded not guilty to five charges over accusations he impersonated a top aide to a member of House leadership while soliciting contributions for Santoss campaign. Marks struck the plea deal with prosecutors earlier this month. Mychael Schnell contributed. Updated at 6:35 p.m. ET For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The office of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders oversaw the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for use by the governor by way of a state credit card in June, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported, shedding new light on the podiumgate scandal. Emails obtained by the Democrat-Gazette show aides to the governor and Department of Transformation and Shared Service staff were behind the purchase of the pricey dais. Sanders has said the purchase was later reimbursed by the Republican Party of Arkansas, meaning taxpayers ultimately did not bear the costs. Sanders spokeswoman Alexa Henning told the Democrat-Gazette that the scandal is nothing more than a manufactured controversy by left-wing activists to distract from the bold, conservative reforms the governor has signed into law and is effectively implementing in Arkansas. Sanders herself has acknowledged that I think the process wasnt as clean as it should have been. Read it at The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Read more at The Daily Beast. Saudi Arabia hosts an Israeli delegation in Riyadh for a UNESCO meeting last month, before Hamas's shock cross-border assault jolted a burgeoning breakthrough in relations (Fayez NURELDINE) The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas risks hardening anti-Israel sentiment in Saudi Arabia, which Washington has spent months trying to coax into a landmark normalisation deal. Saturday's surprise attack by Hamas militants and the Israeli military's response disrupted speculation about a possible breakthrough that could reorder the Middle East, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman telling Fox News last month that "every day we get closer". Public visits by two Israeli government ministers to the Saudi capital generated even more buzz, even as some ordinary Saudis made clear their staunch disapproval of warming ties. Days before fighting began, Mohammed Bandar, a 20-year-old university student, told AFP he opposed normalisation because of Israel's "occupation" of the Palestinian Territories. "To take their money and lands and take the greatest symbol of Islam, which is Al-Aqsa mosque (in Jerusalem), I see this as an occupation," he said. With Israel now unleashing thousands of air strikes and vowing a "total siege" of the Gaza Strip, such views are only going to intensify, said Mohammed, a retired engineer in his fifties who agreed to be identified only by his first name because of the sensitivity of the topic. "Normalisation is now in the drawer," he said while sipping coffee at a cafe in south Riyadh. "I cannot imagine Saudi Arabia announcing normalisation with Israel while there is continuous bombing of the Palestinians. Impossible." - 'On hold' - Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, has never recognised Israel and did not join the 2020 Abraham Accords that saw its Gulf neighbours Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as well as Morocco establish formal ties with Israel. Saudi officials have long insisted their country would not take a similar step without a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Under Prince Mohammed, son of the ageing King Salman, Riyadh has laid out conditions for normalisation including security guarantees from Washington and help developing a civilian nuclear programme. But the 38-year-old de facto ruler also told Fox News that "we need to ease the life of the Palestinians". The kingdom's first statement after Hamas staged its attack on Saturday stressed "the continued occupation and deprivation of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights". And in a phone call with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas this week, Prince Mohammed said Saudi Arabia continued "to stand by the Palestinian people". That does not mean normalisation will be altogether abandoned, but Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the government, said: "I think everything will be on hold until we see what happens." As for public opinion, it can be difficult to gauge in an absolute monarchy that places strict limits on political speech. A rare poll commissioned by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and published in May showed only 20 percent of respondents thought the Abraham Accords would benefit the region. Flashes of open debate occurred at a recent book fair in Riyadh, where organisers turned heads with their decision to display a 500-year-old Torah scroll on loan from King Fahd National Library. Among a small crowd who gathered at the display one evening was 21-year-old university student Faisal bin Mohammed, who unlike most people nearby seemed open to considering what Saudi Arabia stood to gain from relations with Israel, notably a security pact with the United States. "Anything that puts my country first and helps it develop, and makes it a leader among the countries of the world, I welcome it and accept it for sure," he said. - 'Core issue' - But it is unclear whether such views will hold up amid around-the-clock news coverage of the air strikes now raining down on Gaza. "The more blood Israel sheds in Gaza, the more difficult it will become to announce a peace agreement," said 30-year-old Fahd, a salesman who agreed to be identified by only his first name for fear or angering the government, as he sat glued to news broadcasts in a Riyadh cafe. Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi political scientist and international relations expert, said the war was reaffirming the centrality of the Palestinian issue to how Saudis view Israel, regardless of what happens on the diplomatic front. "The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been always the core issue between the Arabs and Israelis, and as long as this conflict is not solved, peace and stability in the region will be difficult to achieve and maintain," he said. "The kingdom can only hope that Israel will realise this, and its position remains the same as it was before these events: Progress on resolving the conflict is a precondition for normalisation." ht-rcb/kir Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) named two Ukrainian collaborators on Oct. 11 who allegedly worked with Russian forces to carry out the Oct. 5 attack on Hroza that killed 53. In a post on Telegram, the SBU announced they were in pursuit of the individuals involved. Brothers Volodymyr Mamon, 30, and Dmytro Mamon, 23, both locals from Kharkiv Oblast, began working with Russian forces during the occupation of the area, the SBU claimed. Following the liberation of the region in late 2022, the brothers fled to Russia, where they continued to collaborate with Russia, creating a network of local informants and other contacts. The brothers used these contacts to identify Ukrainian troop movements or gatherings, which they reported back to their Russian controllers. According to the SBU, they often used unwitting informants, whom they asked seemingly innocent questions in order to hide their collaboration. The SBU alleges that the brothers explicitly worked to gather information about the memorial service for a fallen soldier who was being reburied in Hroza. They provided these details to Russian forces, likely knowing full well that those who relayed the information would be there at the time of the upcoming Russian attack. In the missile strike that followed, 55 people were killed- more than half of the village's population, in the deadliest Russian attack on civilians in 2023. The SBU, along with the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's office, shared text exchanges that implicated the brothers in the attack. Read also: Every family affected: Devastated village copes with aftermath of Russian strike on funeral Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the police detained a man in Kharkiv who was allegedly attempting to blow up a gas station on the instruction of Russian military intelligence, the SBU announced on Oct. 11. According to the report, the suspected saboteur was caught while planting explosives at the gas station. The device was deactivated immediately after the suspect's arrest, the SBU said. The man was allegedly tasked by the Russian military intelligence (GRU) to detonate the gas station to cause civilian casualties and panic. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered that the suspect was reportedly involved in other acts of sabotage in the past, namely in the detonation of two gas stations and a railway track in Kharkiv Oblast. According to the report, the man was a former member of a disbanded police unit. He was recruited by GRU shortly after the start of the full-scale invasion and tasked with carrying out sabotage against the critical infrastructure using homemade explosives, the SBU said. The investigation of the suspect's activity and his alleged accomplices is ongoing. If proven guilty, the perpetrators face life imprisonment. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance southeast, east as weather worsens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical of a racial gerrymandering case brought forward by South Carolinas NAACP over how the states 1st Congressional District map is drawn. The future of whether the district needs to be redrawn is in the hands of the high court, which heard arguments Wednesday over whether the district was unlawfully drawn during the 2021 redistricting process. At the heart of the case is whether lawmakers intentionally packed Black voters into the 6th Congressional District, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn , D-Santee. In the redistricting process, lawmakers moved Black voters out of the coastal 1st Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Isle of Palms. When drawing the congressional map, the Republican-controlled state Legislature said it used partisan demographics to determine where to draw the lines, not the racial makeup of the regions. However, because Black voters make up most of the Democratic voting base in the Palmetto State, the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP said the states congressional map unfairly diluted the Black vote by making the states 1st Congressional District more likely to vote Republican as opposed to being a swing-district. We are confident that after a full review of the record, the Supreme Court will agree with the panels ruling because the law and facts are on plaintiffs side. South Carolinas Congressional District 1, anchored in Charleston County, is a blatant example of racially discriminatory redistricting, Leah Aden, the attorney representing the NAACP in the case, said after the hearing. Aden argued that race was in the mind of mapmakers when putting together the congressional map. At the heart of this, they served their purpose by focusing on the the precincts with the highest (Black voting age population), leaving alone white precincts within Charleston and moving out Black precincts, Aden said during the hearing. Chief Justice John Roberts said the case brought by the NAACP is purely based on circumstantial evidence, while the state has provided a great volume of political evidence in defense of the maps legitimacy. Youre trying to to carry it without any direct evidence, with no alternative map, with no odd-shaped districts, which we often get in gerrymandering cases, and with a wealth of political data that youre suggesting your friends on the other side would ignore in favor of racial data, Roberts said to Aden. However, assistant U.S. Solicitor Catherine Flynn said other maps were proposed during the legislative mapmaking process, including by S.C. State House staff and one from state Sen. Ronnie Sabb, D-Williamsburg, that would have met Republican goals. There were maps that remained Republican-leaning that were rejected. And instead, there was this unusual movement in and out based on race, Associate Justice Sonya Sotomayor said. Thats what the experts show that you cant explain the movements based on partisanship, that they can only be explained on the basis of race. The Supreme Court has said that race cant be used as a proxy reason to achieve a political goal. If you cant reach a goal, no matter how laudatory it is, if the only way that you can satisfy yourself, for whatever your political reasons are, is by using race, thats illegal, Sotomayor said. The NAACP sued the state over the congressional maps, and a federal three-judge panel in January ruled the coastal district is an unlawful racial gerrymander that discriminates against Black voters in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The state then appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although arguments were heard Wednesday, both parties in the case have asked the justices to rule by Jan. 1 because of next years elections. If the Supreme Court ruled the congressional map needs to be redrawn, this would add to state lawmakers plate to address the issue during the upcoming session. The South Carolina case follows a ruling on the Alabama congressional maps in which the Supreme Court said mapmakers needed to draw a second district where Black voters could elect a representative of their choosing, instead of just one majority-Black district. Federal judges have since chosen a congressional map for the state that includes a second district where Black voters make up a substantial portion of the voting population, according to CBS News. Attorney John Gore, who is representing South Carolina in its gerrymandering case, argued that the only alternative maps for the state would have produced a majority-Democratic 1st District and not one with a Republican tilt. Mere awareness of race does not prove racial predominance, Gore said. The question here is whether race was used to draw lines in a predominant manner. That did not happen on this record. Gore also argued that when the lines were drawn, state Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, wanted to make sure Charleston County had two U.S. representatives representing the county, which meant extending the 6th District, represented by the influential Clyburn, into Charleston County. What Sen. Campsen explained is that Joe Biden wouldnt be president if it werent for Congressman Clyburn, so of course, he wants Congressman Clyburn representing the interests of his home county of Charleston, but he also wanted to keep a Republican representative there, too, in case theres a change in administration here in Washington, Gore said. Gore argued that the mapmakers use of only 2020 election data was the most accurate way to determine political voting trends because absentee ballot data was specific to the precinct level, as opposed to just the county level. Mapmakers did not use any other election year data. If they are disregarding race entirely, and looking only at politics, where race and politics are so closely aligned, it isnt surprising that when you want to get a district that has a certain Republican percentage, youre going to get a district that has a steady (Black voting-age population), said Associate Justice Samuel Alito. South Carolinas environmental agency has fined the state-owned Santee Cooper power company $99,000 for allowing harmful air pollution to escape multiple times from an aging coal-fired power plant on the coast. The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Controls enforcement action against Santee Cooper centers on the companys failure to control sulfur dioxide, a pollutant that can irritate peoples lungs and cause hazy skies if not kept within federal and state limits. All told, sulfur dioxide exceeded government limits for more than 130 days, beginning in early 2021, according to an Aug. 7 enforcement order made public this week. The action brings to at least $121,950 the amount of fines levied by DHEC against Santee Cooper for air pollution involving its Georgetown County coal plant in the past two years. In 2021, the agency fined Santee Cooper $22,950 over a failure to control particulate matter, another type of air pollutant, records show. Particulate matter, or soot, can be embedded in peoples lungs and make it harder to breathe. Both problems involved the companys Winyah coal-fired power plant, a more than 40-year-old Georgetown County facility that Santee Cooper said it will eventually close. The 2021 order also involved two other Santee Cooper plants. DHEC had no immediate comment on its action against the utility. The agency found the sulfur dioxide violations in March 2022 after reviewing a series of company reports, according to the most recent enforcement action. Santee Cooper blamed the excess sulfur dioxide pollution on a computer error from two years ago. Software programming from 2021 omitted a key calculation that would have flagged rising air pollution levels, the companys Mollie Gore said in an email. Unknown to the company, a software vendor switched off a key calculation, meaning the air pollution went unnoticed, the email said. Santee Cooper takes any violation seriously and strives to achieve compliance at all times, according to the email from Gore. We are confident we have addressed the circumstances that led to the 2021 issue. We have created additional tests and controls to ensure compliance with the emissions rule, and we have received DHEC approval to use a different compliance strategy. The company has paid the $99,000 fine, which is large by DHEC standards. Gore said the issue involving the previous fine of $22,950 occurred during a test and was not related to the most recent problem. Despite the assurances from Santee Cooper, one leading environmental attorney said the pollution violations show why its important to shutter the Winyah plant as soon as possible and move to cleaner forms of generating energy, such as solar. Coal plants are known for fouling the air and polluting rivers and groundwater. This is an old coal-fired plant that has been struggling for a long time, said Frank Holleman, a Greenville attorney who has fought Santee Cooper in court over pollution from coal plants. This plant is expensive to operate and it has been polluting for years. Its time to move on. The latest DHEC findings indicate that it is polluting the air that people in the surrounding area are breathing. According to DHECs most recent enforcement action against Santee Cooper, the company failed for 137 days in 2021 to meet government limits on the amount of sulfur dioxide that can be released from the Winyah power plant. All told, the company failed to meet the limits for 97 days in the first six months of 2021 and for 40 days in the second half of 2021, the enforcement order said. In addition to the $99,000 fine, DHECs most recent action against Santee Cooper requires the company to maintain compliance with all applicable emission limits. Santee Cooper, founded in 1934 to bring electricity to rural parts of South Carolina, provides power to more than 2 million people, many in the eastern part of the state. The company, also a regional water provider, operates lakes Marion and Moultrie. At one time, it operated multiple coal plants across eastern South Carolina, but it has moved to close many of them. Those include the now shuttered Grainger power plant in Conway. The more than 1,000 megawatt Winyah plant is scheduled to close by 2030, but Santee Cooper indicated earlier this year that it may delay the closure as it looks for alternative power sources. A member of Israel's security forces inspects a damaged building at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza which was overrun by Hamas militants Saturday when they launched a shock surprise attack on Israel (JACK GUEZ) From blood-streaked homes to swollen body bags, the scars of the shock raid by Hamas militants on communities in southern Israel remain as troops mass on the border with Gaza. A pile of corpses at the entrance to the Beeri kibbutz less than five kilometres (around three miles) from the border warns of what happened inside the gated community, which was overrun on Saturday by militants who killed more than 100 residents, the military said. "The devastation here is absolutely massive," said Doron Spielman, an Israeli army spokesman. The mounds of rubble ripped from homes indicate the ferocity of Saturday's fight between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, whose assault on the country's south left at least 1,200 dead according to officials. Outside one house, there were wide streaks of blood beside multiple abandoned magazines of bullets. An overturned barbeque and a cool box beside a pile of rubble hinted at what had been the life of the countryside community. White bags containing corpses lay ready for collection outside homes, and will be taken for DNA testing the Israeli military said. "It's very difficult for us, we still don't know who's a hostage and who was killed," said Spielman. Families across Israel and abroad have made desperate appeals for information about their missing relatives, with around 150 people estimated to have been abducted and taken back to Gaza. - Troops gather - While scores of militants withdrew to the Palestinian enclave, ruled by Hamas since 2007, Israel said its forces had killed around 1,500 fighters on its own territory. In Beeri and elsewhere near the Gaza border, AFP correspondents on Wednesday saw the decaying bodies of militants. "Our first priority is of course to cover, and to gather and to move away all the Israelis, and after that we will do it for the terrorists," said Spielman, when asked about the pile at the kibbutz entrance. Two Toyota trucks with Palestinian numberplates stood near destroyed homes in Beeri, one with a gun mount. Across the kibbutz, Israeli military vehicles massed along with hundreds of troops. The army launched swift retaliatory strikes across the Gaza Strip, which have destroyed swathes of the densely-populated territory. The intense bombardment has killed at least 1,055 people, according to Palestinian medics, and Israel has vowed a long battle in the wake of the Hamas killings. The United Nations estimates more than 260,000 people have been displaced in the Palestinian enclave by the strikes. As hundreds of thousands of reservists were called up for the war, deep booms of the conflict could be heard repeatedly from Beeri. rsc/jd/hkb [Source] A group of scientists led by researchers at the University of Southern Californias Dornsife College has published evidence pointing to a sixth basic taste. What they discovered: The scientists found that the tongue responds to ammonium chloride through OTOP1, the same protein that detects sour taste. They cited salt licorice a type of candy common in Scandinavian countries as an example of food containing ammonium chloride. If you live in a Scandinavian country, you will be familiar with and may like this taste, said USC Dornsife neuroscientist Emily Liman, who led the study. What they worked with: After identifying OTOP1 in their previous research, the team hypothesized that the protein might also respond to ammonium chloride. Upon testing with lab-grown human cells, they found that ammonium chloride can activate OTOP1 receptors as effectively as or even better than acids. More from NextShark: Traditional Chinese medicine more effective for childrens respiratory infections than standard drugs: new study Released ammonia moves inside the cell and raises the pH level, making it more alkaline. This pH difference drives a proton influx through the OTOP1 channel, said Ziyu Liang, first author of the study. Further tests with mice showed that those genetically engineered to not produce OTOP1 drank water containing ammonium chloride with no issue. Meanwhile, normal mice were repulsed. Possible evolutionary protection: Ammonium is somewhat toxic, the researchers said. They believe the ability to taste ammonium chloride has evolved to help organisms identify harmful substances. More from NextShark: Why daughters in Chinese families that favor sons often lose friendships, feel suicidal: study Ammonium is found in waste products think of fertilizer and is somewhat toxic, Liman said. So it makes sense we evolved taste mechanisms to detect it. The team also found that sensitivity to ammonium chloride varies among species, likely due to environmental differences. Chicken OTOP1, for one, is more sensitive to the compound than that of zebra fish possibly because chicken coops are often filled with ammonium that should be avoided, Liman said. Whats next: The scientists plan to conduct further research to determine whether ammonium sensitivity is conserved among other members of the OTOP proton family. For now, their findings show that ammonium chloride makes a candidate for the sixth basic taste, joining sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. More from NextShark: Dallas and Boston rated safest large US cities in new poll The scientists' findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. More from NextShark: Watch: Chinese auntie brings rice cooker on high-speed rail train to serve fresh meal Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) hit President Biden and progressives Tuesday over their response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel. While Hamas carried out these attacks, Joe Biden has blood on his hands, Scott said in an address at the Hudson Institute. His weakness invited the attack. His cash giveaway to Iran helped fund terrorism. And after the attack, his administration suggested Israel should stand down. Its a disgrace, the presidential candidate continued. A deal in September between the Biden administration and Iran, in which the U.S. transferred $6 billion in frozen Iran oil proceeds to Iran as part of a prisoner exchange agreement, has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of Hamass attacks. Officials have pushed back on criticism of the deal, which made the money available for limited humanitarian transactions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday disputed unsubstantiated claims that the Iranian assets may have helped pay for terror attacks outside the Gaza Strip, telling ABCs This Week that not a single dollar from that account has actually been spent to date. Scott went on to criticize progressive members of Congress, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Cori Bushs, (D-Mo.), for their responses to the attacks and conflict in the region. The far left in this country has become incredibly hostile to the state of Israel. The most extreme statements have become a daily routine. They even dabble openly in anti-Semitism, Scott said. But President Biden will not stand up to them. Because he cares more about his own power. Radical liberals are choosing their own political power over peace, he said. They would rather invite attacks on our allies than stand up to the fringe in their own party. It is cowardice that makes them complicit. And it has to stop. Scotts remarks came shortly after Biden delivered a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, condemning the attacks by Hamas. In this moment we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel, Biden said in remarks from the White House. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack. Theres no justification for terrorism. Theres no excuse. Biden said that American citizens are among those being held hostage by Hamas and said that the number of Americans killed in the terrorist attacks had risen to 14. The Israeli death toll from Hamass attacks has surpassed 1,000. Authorities in Gaza and the West Bank say 850 people have been killed in fighting there, according to The Associated Press. Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three times since the attacks. Additionally, he has met with his national security team each day since the crisis began Saturday, and the U.S. and European allies put out a statement on Monday affirming support for Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Israel this week. The administration has also repositioned military assets in the region. Meanwhile, some progressive Democrats have condemned the violence on both sides of the conflict, but have criticized Israels treatment of Palestinian civilians. Over the weekend, the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America sponsored a pro-Palestinian rally that took place in Manhattan on Sunday. Prominent New York Democrats including Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Rep. Ritchie Torres have condemned the rally. In a statement on Monday, Ocasio-Cortez condemned what she called the bigotry and callousness seen at the rally. In his remarks on Tuesday, Scott called for the progressive members of Congress to condemn the Democratic Socialists of America or be expelled from Congress. Every member of the Squad should either quit the D.S.A. and repudiate the people who are cheering on deadly terrorism, or they must be expelled from Congress, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is leading a group of nine Republican senators calling on President Biden to convene the nations of the Group of Seven (G7) to jointly sanction Iran after attacks by Iran-backed Hamas militants killed more than 1,000 people in Israel. We know that the Iranian regime is behind the brutal attacks on innocent civilians being carried out by terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Jihad. The United States and our allies cannot ignore this reality for a second longer, they wrote. The GOP senators said they appreciate the statements of support for Israel from leaders in France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany, but they said it doesnt go far enough. The statement failed to direct any action toward the evil behind these attacks: Iran, they wrote. The lawmakers urged coordinated action between Western allies to impose severe sanctions in response to the attacks they said threaten Israels very existence. We the undersigned senators urge you to immediately convene the G7 nations and take coordinated action to further isolate Iran with severe sanctions and action that will strike directly at the wealth that this evil brings to the Ayatollah and the Iranian mullahs, they wrote. The other signatories include Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The members of the G7 last held a summit in Hiroshima, Japan, in May, where they discussed new sanctions and export controls on Russia and economic security and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific related to China. Now Scott and his colleagues want to put Israels security and the regional threat posed by Iran at the forefront of the G7 agenda. Iran is not a normal country. It is not a negotiating partner nor does it pretend to follow the rules based order of the civilized world. Every dollar within the grasp and control of the Iranian regime is used to fund terrorism and fuel its power. That is why we must isolate Iran and cut it off economically, they wrote. The members of the G7 are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Seabee stationed at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to taking bribes in exchange for sending military information to a Chinese intelligence officer. The U.S. Navy sailor, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, also known as Thomas Zhao, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with the officer and one count of receiving a bribe, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. Zhao, of Monterey Park, admitted he engaged in a "corrupt scheme" to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the People's Republic of China officer in violation of his official duties, federal prosecutors said in a news release. He held a U.S. security clearance. Zhao admitted to receiving at least $14,866 in 14 separate bribe payments over nearly two years, between August 2021 and at least May this year, authorities said. In exchange, he "surreptitiously" collected and transmitted information about Navy operational security, military training and exercises and critical infrastructure. He entered restricted military and naval installations to collect and record the information. He specifically admitted to transmitting plans for a large-scale maritime training exercise in the Pacific theater along with operational orders and electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system at a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan. Authorities have previously said the information included photographs, videos and other details about operational security at the Ventura County base and on Navy-owned San Clemente Island. In addition, he admitted to using "sophisticated encrypted communication methods" to transmit the information, prosecutors said, and to destroying evidence and concealing his relationship with the Chinese officer. Zhao is a construction electrician serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, according to the federal indictment. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Zhao "betrayed his country and the men and women of the U.S. Navy by accepting bribes from a foreign adversary." Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen said in a statement the intelligence services of the Peoples Republic of China actively target clearance holders across the military," adding that Zhao chose "greed" rather than reporting the foreign officer's contact to the Navy. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles field office of the FBIs Counterintelligence and Cyber Division and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS. The IRS Criminal Investigation unit provided substantial assistance. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, when Zhao faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, which includes 15 years for the bribery charge and five years for the conspiracy offense. He has been in custody since he was arrested in early August. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Sailor at Naval Base Ventura County pleads guilty in bribery case A Sebastian man was sentenced to nearly two decades in prison for what federal prosecutors said were armed robberies of a bank, restaurant and discount store over six days in July 2022 in Melbourne and Orlando. Bernard Rogers, 35, of the 1100 block of Barber Street, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the mid-July robberies of a T.D. Bank and Cracker Barrel restaurant in Melbourne along with a Dollar General store in Orlando, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Middle District of Florida in Orlando. Robberies: The robberies occurred July 14, 18 and 20 of 2022 and all involved demands for cash from cashiers at gunpoint, a black handgun and a rented vehicle. Prosecutors said he fled the restaurant July 14 with $1,000 in a rented vehicle. He fled the store July 18 with $300 in the same rental vehicle. He left the bank July 20 in that vehicle with more than $3,000. Arrest: He was arrested July 20, 2022 by Brevard County deputies and charged with robbery with a firearm and grand theft after the bank robbery. Law enforcement officers stopped a 2022 blue Hyundai Genesis at U.S. 1 and State Road 520 in Cocoa after following an activated GPS tracker in the bag of money Bernard took from the bank. Rogers was arrested in his rental car with more than $3,000, the GPS tracker, and a black Ruger .380 firearm loaded with six bullets. License plate readers and other electronic information from Rogers phone and rental car placed him at the scenes of all three robberies. Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter(X) @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Sebastian man sent to prison for armed robberies in Orlando, Melbourne Kari Lake speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference 2023 on March 4, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. The Kari Lake Try-Try Again Tour launches on Tuesday evening as Arizonas self-proclaimed real governor kicks off her continuing campaign to get elected to something (anything?). This time, shes set her sights on the United States Senate. History suggests Lake is on her way to becoming a two-time loser as Republican primary voters, with their embrace of Trump and his stooges, have gifted both of Arizonas Senate seats and all the top statewide posts to the Democrats in recent years. So does 11 months of angry performance art. The perpetually aggrieved Lake has consistently shown herself to be not only a conspiracy kook she boldly proclaims that she won last years election for governor in a landslide but an exceptionally sore loser. Oh, theres a slim chance that Lake could actually win this thing. To do that, however, she would have to do a couple of things that are decidedly unLake-like. She'd have to swallow her pride Shed have to swallow her pride and pull out that stake she proudly proclaimed to have shoved into the heart of the McCain machine after defeating Karrin Taylor Robson in last years Republican gubernatorial primary. Shed have to quit sneering at moderate Republicans and right-leaning independents the ones she told to get the hell out of one of her final campaign rallies last year. Shed certainly have to pop a U-turn on some of her most strident views, like her embrace of that great territorial-era law that criminalizes abortion even in the case of rape or incest. And shed have to stop ranting about stolen elections and put her 2022 loss to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs behind her. Her best shot is to expand her base voter, show aspiration not contempt, longtime Republican consultant Chuck Coughlin told me. Even walk back her dumbest stuff, give Independents and unaffiliated voters a chance to reconsider her. Will she have humility and discipline? It would require humility, discipline and a maturity Yeah, thats so not going to happen. Really, Lakes only hope of becoming Arizonas newest senator and even then it's a slim one lies with Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema . Will she or wont she run for reelection? Ive, at various times, been convinced that Sinema wont run again what with her face now the bulls-eye on every Democratic dart board only to then wonder if maybe she will. If Sinema is out, Democrat Ruben Gallego would likely win as moderate Republicans either hold their nose and vote for a progressive or sit this one out. (See: 2018, 2020, 2022.) If Sinema is in, then Lake has at least a chance A recent Noble Predictive Insights poll showed that a majority of Arizona voters just dont like Lake. But, of course, she wouldnt need a majority of Arizona voters to win a three-way race. She (Lake) can get 34% to 38% of the vote, Coughlin told me. Thirty-eight is her ceiling though in a competitive three-way race that could be enough. Perhaps you recall Evan Mecham, the Pontiac dealer and far-right perennial politician who couldnt get elected to anything. Until, that is, he ran over then-House Majority Leader Burton Barr, the GOP establishments pick for governor in the 1986 Republican primary. That year, Arizona had a three-way race for governor: Mecham, Democrat and former state school Superintendent Carolyn Warner and Bill Schulz, a well-connected apartment developer who jumped into the race as an independent. Mecham won, with 40% of the vote, and proceeded to take the state on a 445-day roller coaster until finally he was kicked out of office by legislators from of his own party. Yeah, it could happen again. Still, Coughlin and most other political analysists I've talked to, both Republicans and Democrats, see Sinema bleeding off more votes from Lake than Gallego. "She may act as somewhat of a spoiler for Lake ...," Roy Herrera, a former Democratic congressional staffer who now serves as Gallego's campaign attorney, told me. "There is no way Sinema can get to the 30-40% of Rs she says she needs to win but she can still take some of them which makes Lake's path also impossible," More likely, Lake's Tuesday entry into the race and her inevitable victory in next year's Republican primary will mean that once-reliably-red Arizona stands poised to elect a dyed-in-the-wool progressive to the Senate. That is, unless we see a new and improved Lake, one who has seen the error of her ways and broadens ... yeah, that's so not going to happen. I expect that among those cheering Lake's campaign announcement tonight, Democrats will be clapping the hardest. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @LaurieRoberts. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sen. Kari Lake? Here's what she would have to do to win Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah, speaks with former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., during the E2 Summit at Stein Eriksen Lodge on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Park City. | Alex Goodlett, for the Deseret News Speaking to a room full of Republican donors and influencers, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney made another plea for his party to coalesce around a single choice to take on President Donald Trump in the Republican primary. He also said hes encouraged several Democratic senators naming two to run against President Joe Biden , but so far hes found no takers. Romney made the remarks Tuesday evening during a Q&A with his former running mate and former House Speaker Paul Ryan at the E2 Summit in Park City, a gathering of influential Republican donors and thinkers. During their conversation, Romney addressed a series of domestic and foreign policy issues including Hamas attack on Israel and both he and Ryan raised concerns about the future of the Republican Party. Related Four presidential candidates spoke to summit attendees earlier in the day Tuesday, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was at the dinner Tuesday night; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley; former Vice President Mike Pence; and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Romney said he would be happy with any one of them winning the Republican nomination. When they ran in 2012, Romney and Ryan were known for their free-market, fiscally conservative positions, which were the dominant positions among Republican voters and candidates at the time. Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., top left, speaks with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, during the E2 Summit at Stein Eriksen Lodge on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Park City. | Alex Goodlett, for the Deseret News That shifted after the election of Trump in 2016, who brought a more populist message to the GOP, along with blue collar voters who had traditionally voted for Democrats. The shift has left the Republican Party at odds with itself, Romney said. But, he pointed out, Democrats are facing the same problem as they learn how to keep a new crop of suburban, college-educated supporters happy. Related I think our party has multiple personality disorder, he said. And I think the Democratic Party does as well. I think were schizophrenic. We dont know what we are or what we stand for within our party right now. Ryan echoed Romneys concerns, and his take on the Democratic Party, saying he tells his progressive friends they have a harder mess to clean up than Republicans because their base is battling from an ideological standpoint, while Republicans are battling a cult of personality around Trump. But its frankly not that simple, Ryan said. What does the Republican Party, the conservative movement, look like after this? Romney said hes encouraged Democratic senators including Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia to challenge Biden. But, he said, Democrats have told him that the likely heir to Biden is a more progressive Democrat like Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts or independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. And they dont want that they dont think thats right for the country, either, he said. Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., left, speaks with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, during the E2 Summit at Stein Eriksen Lodge on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Park City. | Alex Goodlett, for the Deseret News Romneys friends in the Senate Romney also spoke about a group of eight senators four Republicans and four Democrats who worked together to pass bipartisan legislation. It started with a dinner at Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowskis home during COVID-19, he said. The senators grabbed takeout, opened the windows, sat 6 feet apart and discussed policy. The Republicans in the group included Romney, Murkowski, Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Rob Portman. The Democrats were Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester and Jeanne Shaheen. Eventually that group was influential in passing a series of bills, including a COVID-19 stimulus bill under Trump, then an infrastructure bill, the CHIPS Act, and the Respect for Marriage Act under Biden. WASHINGTON Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Wednesday joined calls for the Biden administration to re-freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets following the Hamas attack on Israel that has left thousands dead in both Israel and Gaza. President Joe Biden un-froze the billions in Iranian oil revenues last month as part of an agreement with Iran to release five American prisoners. But that deal is now facing bipartisan scrutiny following the attack on Israel by the militant group Hamas, which has long been tied to Iran. Until I have full confidence that Iran did not play a role in these barbaric terrorist attacks on the Israeli people, the United States should freeze the $6 billion dollars in Iranian assets," Baldwin said in a statement. Baldwin's position drew a quick reaction from her top potential Republican Senate challenger Eric Hovde, who told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Baldwin was right to call on the administration to re-freeze the funds. He also, however, took a shot at the Madison Democrat for supporting the Iran nuclear agreement. "Iran would like to destroy our country. They are the biggest supporter of global terrorism," said Hovde, a multi-millionaire businessman who has yet to declare a 2024 Senate bid. "They never complied with the requirements of the deal. Money flowed quickly to multiple terrorist groups and the deal blew up in their face. It is unimaginable to think Pres. Biden and Sen. Baldwin supported this second deal." Baldwin's statement puts her among a bipartisan group on Capitol Hill calling on Biden to undo last month's move. A group of Republican senators this week sent a letter to the White House criticizing the release of the funds, and Democrats, like U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who like Baldwin are up for re-election, soon followed suit. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Arkansas Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton planned to introduce legislation Wednesday to reinstate the freeze. The move also comes as Iran's involvement in the war between Hamas and Israel remains murky. Iran has long backed Hamas' military wing with training and other support, but U.S. officials have yet to link Iran directly to the attack on Israel launched Saturday. "As to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not as of the moment Im standing here at the podium have confirmation of that," Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor, told reporters on Tuesday. The $6 billion in now un-frozen funds stems from the United States' 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal under former President Donald Trump. The U.S. at the time imposed sanction that included a partial ban on Iranian oil exports, and some of that money had been held in South Korean banks. The $6 billion in revenue was transferred from South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar as part of last month's deal. The White House has said those funds can only be used by Iran for humanitarian purposes, like to purchase food and medicine. Hamas' attack on Israel has drawn bipartisan condemnation, and every member of Wisconsin congressional delegation has spoken out about the terror attacks, which includes mass killings of civilians. More than 1,200 Israelis have been killed so far, and Palestinian officials say more than 1,100 militants and citizens in Gaza have also been killed. At least 22 Americans have died in the fighting, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday. "I strongly condemn Hamas for their unprovoked terrorist attacks against Israel," Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, this past Saturday. "Israel has a strong ally in the U.S., and we unequivocally stand behind them as the country seeks to defend itself from this senseless terrorism." Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan wrote: "I condemn the heinous attacks by Hamas on Israel. Any hostages should be released immediately & the violence must end. Violence against the people of Israel only makes the situation worse & hope for understanding that not everyone in Gaza is Hamas." Baldwin isn't the first Wisconsin lawmaker to address the $6 billion. Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson has criticized Biden's move to release the funds. And Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher said freezing those funds is Washington's "most practical and useful next step." We need to return to a policy of maximum pressure on Iran," Gallagher said on the Hugh Hewitt show. Later on Wednesday, Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil called on Biden to "enforce financial sanctions on Iran now." "We know Hamas is backed by Iran," Steil wrote. "The U.S. must demonstrate our ironclad commitment to our ally Israel and our mutual stand against terrorism." Daniel Bice of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baldwin urges Biden to re-freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark., introduced a bill Wednesday with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky., to immediately freeze $6 billion in Iranian funds following Hamas attacks on Israel, calling Iran "the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism." File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI Oct. 11 (UPI) -- In the wake of recent Hamas attacks on Israel, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced a new bill Wednesday to immediately freeze $6 billion in Iranian funds. The funds currently are being held in South Korea and are due to be released to Iran following a prisoner swap with the United States. The two-page bill reinstates certain sanctions on Iran and prohibits the "Waiver of Sanctions with Respect to the Transfer of Funds from the Republic of Korea to Qatar," which was transmitted to Congress on Sept. 11. "The path of resources, training, and lethal weapons from Tehran to terrorists throughout the Middle East is crystal clear. On Saturday, it enabled cold-blooded killers like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to perpetrate the deadliest day of violence against Jews in decades," McConnell wrote in a statement Wednesday. The bill, which is now getting strong bipartisan support, comes two days after former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called on President Joe Biden to refreeze the funds, saying "Biden's policy on appeasement, including money for hostage deals, must come to an end." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduced a bill with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Wednesday to immediately freeze $6 billion in Iranian funds. The money is currently being held in South Korea and due to be released to Iran following last month's prisoner swap with the United States. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI McConnell and Cotton said they will seek unanimous consent to pass the bill with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, among the Democrats supporting it. "As we work to hold anyone who supports terrorism accountable, the administration must freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets," Brown said, while calling for an investigation into the financing behind Hamas's attacks. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and John Tester, D-Mont., have also called for freezing Iranian funds. "At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal," Tester said. Last month, five U.S. citizens who had been wrongly detained in Iran were released in exchange for $6 billion in frozen oil revenue to Iran. The funds are currently being held in South Korea and "have not been touched," according to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. While the agreement called for Iran to spend the funds on humanitarian causes, including food and medicine, critics argued the United States had no way to police Iran's expenditures. On Saturday, Hamas militants killed 260 people at a music festival and took an unknown number of hostages. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, also launched an assault on Israeli military positions and other civilian areas. More than 1,200 Israelis have been killed, while Palestinian officials say more than 1,100 died in retaliatory attacks on Gaza. On Wednesday, the American death toll rose to 22 with 17 citizens unaccounted for, according to the White House. "Iran is the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism. In addition to funding Hamas's devastating terrorist attacks against Israel, the regime's proxies have attacked dozens of American targets in the region in recent years," Cotton said in a statement Wednesday. "The Biden administration's decision to let Iran access the $6 billion immediately freed up other money for the regime to fund its attacks in Israel. The Biden administration should immediately re-freeze the funds," Cotton argued, as McConnell called for more sanctions. "The civilized world must re-impose serious consequences on the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis. The United States must lead that effort by our example, and freezing Iranian assets is an important first step." WASHINGTON A bipartisan group of senators sent a letter asking Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to send Israel two Iron Dome batteries the systems that launch interceptors to block incoming rockets as soon as possible. The letter, first reported by NBC News, was led by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and sent Tuesday evening in the aftermath of a vicious attack on Israel by Hamas that has shocked the world. It is co-signed by Sens. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., who wrote that they believe "Israel may urgently require additional missile defense capacity to protect its citizens and territory, including new Iron Dome batteries." "As you know, the United States Army is currently in possession of two Iron Dome batteries that have not been deployed and have no operational use inside the United States where they are currently stored," they wrote. "Immediately transferring these two Iron Dome batteries that are not in use to Israel would provide tangible, life-saving and sustained support to our ally as it faces rocket and missile salvos that threaten to overwhelm its defenses." "We likewise implore you to provide Israel with other defensive assets that could be useful as it faces this unprecedented onslaught of terrorist violence," added the senators, all four of whom are on the Armed Services Committee. President Joe Biden and Congress are grappling with how to help Israel as the conflict in the Middle East grows. The Israel Defense Forces says Hamas has fired more than 4,500 rockets since Saturdays initial assault. The Iron Dome intercepted most of them, saving lives and infrastructure in Israel. The Iron Dome is a short-range system that fires interceptors at incoming rockets, artillery and mortars, striking them mid-flight and causing them to explode in the air. It focuses on low-altitude projectiles, usually unguided. Iron Dome batteries can be moved around, and Israel has at least 10 spread throughout the country to protect population centers. A battery of Israel's Iron Dome defense missile system (Ariel Schalit / AP file) The U.S. has spent nearly $3 billion on Iron Dome batteries, interceptors and other costs, according to the Congressional Research Service. Israel uses a variant known as Tamir interceptors, many of which are manufactured at Raytheons missile and defense facility in Tucson, Arizona, and then assembled in Israel. During Operation Shield and Arrow in May, the IDF said, Islamic Jihad fired over 1,469 rockets, aimed at the most populated parts of the country, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Only 1,139 crossed into Israeli territory, the IDF reported, with Iron Dome intercepting 437. The IDF called that a 95.6% success rate, including rockets that were determined on trajectories that would not hit populated areas. The Iron Dome has a radar and tracking system that calculates whether a projectile poses a threat to a populated area. If it does, the Iron Dome fires an interceptor. In a speech Tuesday, Biden announced that the U.S. will send Iron Dome interceptors to Israel to replenish stockpiles that have been depleted in the past four days. He called the attack an act of "pure, unadulterated evil" against Israel by the "bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas." "We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack," Biden said. "There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A group established by a senior adviser to President Biden has vowed to protect pro-Hamas demonstrators in New York City. Ramzi Kassem, a member of Biden's Domestic Policy Council, founded CLEAR at the City University of New York (CUNY) in 2009. CLEAR works to "create law enforcement accountability" by providing free legal aid to Muslims "targeted by local, state, or federal government agencies under the guise of national security and counterterrorism." Following Hamas' deadly attacks on Israel, pro-Hamas demonstrators took to the streets in New York City. CLEAR vowed to defend the protesters if anything were to happen to them. "New Yorkers have the right to protest for Palestinian rights," CLEAR wrote over the weekend. "They did today, they will tomorrow, and they'll continue on until Palestine is liberated. And we'll make sure they're protected." 'SQUAD' DEMS FACE BACKLASH CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE AFTER ISRAEL ATTACKS: CANT MERELY CONDEMN TERRORISM' According to the Washington Free Beacon, which first reported on Kassem's ties to the group, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) hosted Sunday's initial protest in Times Square. DSA boasts six U.S. House of Representatives members, including members of "the Squad." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The DSA blamed Israel for the attack shortly after it transpired. "Todays events are a direct result of Israels apartheid regime a regime that receives billions in funding from the United States," the group wrote on social media. Police arrested three people for disorderly conduct at the Sunday protest, though it's unclear if CLEAR has stepped in to help those individuals. Kassem, a CUNY law professor tapped to work in the Biden administration as a senior adviser on immigration issues, is the founding director of CLEAR. The group's "allies" include Soros' Open Society Foundations, Black Lives Matter, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), among dozens of other left-wing organizations. CLEAR provides representation and advice to individuals questioned by the New York Police Department, FBI, Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies. The group has served 430 clients since its founding, its website states. IRAN-LINKED TERRORISTS, GUERRILLAS SURROUND ISRAEL: HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THEM Demonstrators attend an "emergency rally for Gaza" outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City on Monday, October 9, 2023. New York City protests continued Monday as groups took to the streets to support Palestinians and condemn Israel for retaliatory airstrikes and military operations. Hamas launched thousands of missiles at Israel and invaded towns along the Gaza border on Saturday, killing over 1,000 Israelis, a death toll not seen in Israel in decades, wounding thousands more, and prompting Israel to declare war against the Iran-backed group. Hamas also took hostages, including young children, Israel has said. The "emergency rally for Gaza" outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. The number killed in the conflict has surpassed 1,600, with thousands more wounded on both sides. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on Kassem's group. CLEAR also did not respond to an inquiry. Original article source: Senior Biden adviser's group vows to protect pro-Hamas demonstrators in NYC Police lights Yancy Davis looked at the spot outside his friend's apartment where he parked his 2020 Kia Forte. In the dim light, there was only broken glass. "I just stood there, stunned, pressing the button on the keys," he said. The vehicle he had bought only a month ago was gone. Yancy Davis had his 2020 Kia Forte stolen late September in Louisville. It was later recovered by police about a week later with damage to the interior where the thieves were able to start it without a key. October 10, 2023 At that moment in the early morning of Sept. 27 off Dixie Highway and despite using a steering wheel lock Davis joined a rising number of car owners across the nation who have seen their Kias and Hyundais stolen by thieves taking advantage of a flaw that doesn't require them to have a key. The flaw has led cities across the country to sue the two automakers, saying it has caused a drain on resources and, in at least one city, has led to a rise in violent crime. But Louisville, which has seen an uptick in auto vehicle thefts in recent years, is not among them. When asked by the Courier Journal about a potential lawsuit, the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office referred the question to Mayor Craig Greenberg's office. Our administration continues to examine potential legal options which may benefit our city and its residents," Greenberg spokesman Kevin Trager said. "We are committed to holding accountable everyone responsible for the increase in Kia and Hyundai thefts. How often are Kias and Hyundais stolen in Louisville? Yancy Davis had his 2020 Kia Forte stolen late September in Louisville. It was later recovered by police about a week later with damage to the interior where the thieves were able to start it without a key. Davis shows the back window of the car where the window was smashed with a hammer that is still in the back seat. October 10, 2023 In Louisville, nearly 20 vehicles are reported stolen each day, and half of those are either a Kia or Hyundai. That's up from last fall, when Louisville Metro Police released a video saying thefts of those two brands accounted for more than a third of auto thefts in the city. Louisville Metro Police Maj. Shannon Lauder said then the department believes the increase was the result of youths watching viral social media videos that showed them how to steal the vehicles. Kia and Hyundai thefts have only grown since then. More than 4,600 vehicles had been reported stolen in Louisville this year as of Sept. 1, and 53% of those were Kias or Hyundais, according to LMPD data. Ford and Chevrolet automobiles were the third- and fourth-most stolen, at 9% and 7%, respectively. The difference between the vehicles is the use of engine immobilizers. While many of their competitors quickly adopted the anti-theft mechanism that greatly hinders stealing vehicles, Kia Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. did not. Vice News reported only 26% of their cars included them in 2015, compared to 96% among other manufacturers. (While Kia and Hyundai are separate entities, Hyundai Motor Co. is Kia's parent.) Yancy Davis had his 2020 Kia Forte stolen late September in Louisville. It was later recovered by police about a week later with damage to the interior where the thieves were able to start it without a key. This is the broken ignition part. October 10, 2023 Thieves seized on the cars. Under the hashtag Kia Boyz, TikTok users posted videos showing how to steal them with only a screwdriver and a USB cord in a matter of seconds. Colby Lentell, a University of Louisville student from the Boston area, remembers seeing those videos online before his car a Hyundai 2011 Elantra was stolen from a campus parking lot in September. He'd just had the vehicle in Louisville for around a month, borrowing it from his mother for the semester until he could return home for Thanksgiving and purchase his own. While Lentell remembers seeing crushed glass around the space, he initially assumed the car had been towed. But once he started calling campus parking and police, there was no record of his vehicle. "Did you drive a Hyundai or a Kia?" One of the employees asked him. When he answered yes, the person said: "Oh, it probably got stolen." Who has sued Kia and Hyundai over the thefts? The two motor companies' lack of immobilizers was seized on by government agencies. Cities like Seattle, Baltimore, Cleveland, New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Columbus have all sued Kia and Hyundai for selling cars without them. New York's lawsuit says: "This case is a clear example of what happens to public safety when car manufacturers choose not to include standard anti-theft technology in their cars." The city claims the car thefts impede public safety, strain its police department resources and negatively impact other emergency responses. USA TODAY reported dozens of attorneys general across the nation have also urged the leadership of Kia and Hyundai to take action. Daniel Cameron, Kentucky's attorney general, was not among those who have made a public comment on the two motor companies. The state attorney general's office did not respond to The Courier Journal's calls and email seeking comment. Yancy Davis had his 2020 Kia Forte stolen late September in Louisville. It was later recovered by police about a week later with damage to the interior where the thieves were able to start it without a key. October 10, 2023 Claims made in a lawsuit represent only one side of a case, and Kia and Hyundai have previously told USA TODAY they dont comment on pending litigation. But they acknowledged the increase in thefts. Hyundai said criminals are targeting its vehicles without engine immobilizers, which became standard on all of its cars produced after Nov. 1, 2021. Kia, meanwhile, said that criminals are seeking vehicles solely equipped with a steel key and 'turn-to-start' ignition system. All 2022 Kia models and trims have an immobilizer applied either at the beginning of the model year or as a running change, it said. The automakers have tried to make amends with car owners whose cars have been stolen. In August, a federal judge declined to approve a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit between them and vehicle owners, saying it failed to provide fair and adequate relief to the owners. When the deal was announced in May, the companies said the deal was valued at $200 million and covered about 9 million 2011-2022 model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S. Missouri-based attorney Ken McClain is part of the legal team in the class-action lawsuit on behalf of the vehicle owners, and he said a resolution could be coming soon, with an upcoming court date for another proposed settlement later this month. "The class action committee is working diligently to try to find a solution to this problem that's achievable in court. And we continue to push Kia and Hyundai for better and better responses to the concerns that have arisen and we think that we now have one that can be approved in the court and that is scheduled for October 30," McClain said. Have car thefts impacted crime in Louisville? In its lawsuit, Chicago specifically said the car thefts have resulted in a "steep rise in vehicle thefts, reckless driving, property damage, and a wide array of related violent crimes. "The surge in thefts has hit Chicago especially hard placing pedestrians, drivers, and bystanders in harms way," the lawsuit says. "This crime wave has also further stressed Chicagos law enforcement and emergency services. Chicago is bearing the cost of Defendants unlawful conduct, as it pays for property damage, diverts law enforcement resources, and strives to keep the public safe from harm." LMPD spokesperson Aaron Ellis declined to comment on whether Louisville has experienced a rise in violent crime as a result of Kia and Hyundai thefts, as Chicago claims in its lawsuit. But he said: "We can say that in Louisville we have seen a trend in which stolen vehicles are used ... to commit other crimes." A recent example happened in the early hours of Sept. 7 when LMPD Officer Brandon Haley was shot in the Chickasaw neighborhood after following a car police say had been driving suspiciously. The car at the center of the altercation was later discovered by police to be reportedly stolen, according to court documents. In an arrest citation, the vehicle is listed as a 2006 Kia Altima. Davis said his car was found about a week after it was stolen, a few blocks from his friend's apartment complex. While there was no exterior damage, the steering column, which thieves hacked into to start the car, was "just wrecked," he said. Davis added he didn't notice any of his personal belongings stolen and even found some parting gifts from the thief. "All of their tools I guess they used, like, screwdrivers and hammers were all just still in the car," he said. Meanwhile, Lentell, the U of L student, still doesn't know where his car is. He said the theft has majorly impacted his life. While he's been able to get to class easily as a resident on campus, Lentell said he had to quit his restaurant job at Chili's since he didn't have reliable transportation. He and Davis both said they would like to see Louisville take action against the surge of thefts that has directly impacted them. "I would absolutely like to see something like that," Davis said. "I mean, what else are the city officials there for if not to look out for their residents?" More: 'Crisis of thefts': 23 attorneys general demand Kia, Hyundai take action More: Kia, Hyundai among 3.3 million vehicles recalled last week: Check car recalls here Reach reporter Rachel Smith at rksmith@courierjournal.com or @RachelSmithNews on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Car theft in Louisville surges among Kia, Hyundai in 2023 On the morning of June 6, 1944, Cpl. Waverly Woodsons battle began before the young medics boots ever touched the fine golden sand of Omaha Beach. Woodson, then just 21, would later recall the blasts and the chaos that followed when his boat hit an enemy mine andan exploding mortar shell sprayed the steel deck with burning metal. All around lay the bodies of young men who, moments earlier, had been amped up on pre-combat adrenaline or heaving into their helmets from seasickness. Woodson grimly surveyed his own inner thigh and buttocks, ripped open by shrapnel. He would later write in an unpublished account that he thought he was dying. With a dressing hastily slapped on his wounds, Woodson splashed into the rising surf and hit the beach as the tank he was trailing burst into flames. The pre-med student from Lincoln University had signed up for the Army in 1942, determined to serve his country. He would endure dehumanizing treatment in an Army segregated by race and later miss the chance to become a doctor because medical schools had quotas for Black students. While we can speculate on what Woodsons post-war life could have been like if hed had an equal shot to fulfill his dream, we know for certain that on D-Day, he ignored his own pain, braved punishing German sniper and small arms fire, and worked for 30 hours to treat more than 200 men and save countless lives. D-Days Forgotten African-American Heroes We also know that Woodson was nominated for the Medal of Honor. He never got it; in fact, no African Americans received the nations highest honor for heroism during World War II. The Woodson family and bipartisan allies on Capitol Hill have waged a campaign to persuade the Army to right a historical wrong and award the medal to Woodson, who died in 2005. After another appeal, the Army agreed last year to open a formal review. That decision is pending. On Wednesday, the First Army, which was in charge of the troops that fought in Normandy, will present 94-year-old Joann Woodson with the Combat Medic Badge, a basic acknowledgement of her husbands service that he should have gotten, but didnt, in 1944. Organizers are hoping the gesture will cast a spotlight on the greater injustice done to Woodson. Its clear, Waverly Woodson deserves the Medal of Honor, and but for the color of his skin, he wouldve received it a long time ago, said U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who has led the fight to persuade the Army to change its mind. These Black Soldiers Fought for America. It Didnt Protect Them From Jim Crow. Nearly 80 years after the D-Day landings, an emerging body of evidence reveals that the racism baked into Army policy during World War II was not the only factor that worked against Woodson. For the past two years, First Army historian Kevin Braafladt has sifted through thousands of existing records on his own time in a quest to find documents supporting research that Woodson was nominated for the Medal of Honor. Connecting many dots, Braafladt believes that infighting among Army leaders in 1944, among other factors, likely contributed to Woodson, and many other men whose units served under the command of the First Army missing out on the medals they deserved. The Army demands an official paper trail to revisit a case for high honors. Yet after the war, the Army culled millions of files. Braafladt has traced the dates when hundreds of linear feet of reports for Woodsons unit, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, were destroyed. And scores of personnel records, including Woodsons, were lost in a fire in 1973. What is unique about Woodsons case is the remarkable evidence that still exists today. We have no eyewitness testimony to Woodsons actions, as the Army requires. Yet on Aug. 28, 1944, the Army issued a news release, apparently taken from first-hand accounts, singling out the modest Negro who treated more than 200 men for extraordinary bravery. The Philadelphia soldiers story of heroism was left to his buddies to tell, the news release says. That piece of paper sits in a folder in the Truman Presidential Library. Stapled to it is a handwritten note informing an aide to President Roosevelt that a recommendation for a Negro from Philadelphia was elevated to the Medal of Honor. The author, an assistant director in the War Department, wrote, This is a big enough award so that the President can give it personally, as he has in the case of some white boys. There is no doubt this exchange is about Woodson who, with his injuries, could have opted for a hospital bed. Instead, braving relentless enemy fire, Woodson repeatedly raced into the sea to save drowning men. He dispensed blood plasma, amputated a right foot, and worked until he collapsed. His sacrifice is particularly notable when you consider that a white private named Carlton Barrett received the Medal of Honor for actions that were strikingly similar except Barrett wasnt injured. In January 1945, Woodson got the Bronze Star, the fourth-place award for minor acts of heroism, without even the V add-on indicating the recipient acted with valor. He got the absolute lowest award available, Braafladt said. It is disheartening. Privately, veterans use much stronger language to describe the snub. Over the years, the Army has sometimes sought to make amends for past injustices. A soul-searching study resulted in the award, in 1997, of seven Medals of Honor to Black soldiers who served in World War II. There have been other medals and belated tributes to forgotten units of Black men and women. But when it comes to the most sacred of military honors, critics contend the Army and Navy have been inconsistent, even rejecting their own requirements to reopen the case for the Medal of Honor. Their methodology and how they judge these requests is totally inscrutable, said D-Day historian Joseph Balkoski, who was among a team that made a failed bit to secure the Medal of Honor for Norman Dutch Cota despite ample eyewitness testimony that the storied 29th Division general exceeded the call of duty. Only three soldiers, including Barrett, received the Medal of Honor for their actions on Omaha Beach, the most iconic battle in modern history. By comparison, 21 Medals of Honor were awarded after the Battle of the Bulge. The heroism of those 18 hours on Omaha Beach has been vastly underappreciated, Balkoski said. There was no one taking notes. The Black Heroes Who Protected U.S. Troops on D-Day Retired Lt. Gen. Thomas S. James, Jr., the former First Army commander, who believes Woodson deserves the Medal of Honor, told The Daily Beast, We have a saying, We stand on the shoulders of giants, that those who came before us define us today. What Waverly Woodson did on the beaches of Normandy, with all the injustices he had to navigate to get to that point, he is one of those giants we need to remember. The First Army has taken a special interest in Woodson and other soldiers who fought under their command and were denied the honors they deserved. Beyond supporting Woodsons case, officials in 2022 renamed the medical clinic at their post at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, in honor of Woodson. At Wednesdays graveside ceremony, James and another retired commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, have a surprise for Joann Woodson: Inside a shadow box, sitting alongside the Combat Medic Badge is a shiny new Bronze Star medal. Joann Woodson had donated the original medal to her husbands alma mater, and she has missed it. But just like the original, this replacement is missing the little V for valor pinned to the red ribbon. That upgrade, too, would require an Army review. Joann Woodson appreciates the attention, but shes holding out for the big one. I hope I live long enough to see this Medal of Honor, she said in a gentle Maryland drawl. Its been a long time. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Demonstrators block an avenue as part of a national strike to demand the resignation of authorities from the attorney general's office, in Guatemala City Demonstrators block an avenue as part of a national strike to demand the resignation of authorities from the attorney general's office, in Guatemala City By Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemalan prosecutors are seeking to block the landslide winner of the country's presidential election from taking office, the head of the Organization of American States (OAS) said Tuesday, denouncing the push as a "shameful example for the hemisphere." Luis Almagro , the chief of the Washington-based OAS, called the ongoing investigation by the Guatemalan Attorney General's Office into the party of President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and the electoral authority an unprecedented attack on Guatemala's democracy. Running on an anti-corruption platform, Arevalo won the August run-off with a 20-point margin of victory. Since last week, tens of thousands of Guatemalans have taken to the streets to protest what many have called a slow-motion coup, while demanding the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras and other judicial officials collaborating with her inquiries. "The prosecutors' office has chosen to ignore numerous calls from the international community and its behavior violates democratic norms," Almagro said. "It continues to take measures that appear to be designed to override the will of the electorate," he added. Porras' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the past, her office has justified its raids on Arevalo's Semilla party and the electoral body as necessary for lawful investigations into alleged irregularities during the election, especially claims that Semilla's registration six years ago was tainted by falsified signatures. Isolated violent incidents were reported on Monday, which have since led to some banks, schools, supermarkets and restaurant chains, including McDonald's, to temporarily close. Overall, the protests have been largely peaceful. Arevalo described the violent incidents as caused by "hit groups" looking to destabilize the protests. Outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei has called the demonstrations illegal and warned that organizers - whom he accused of receiving funds from abroad - would be arrested. Giammattei's office, in the run-up to the August vote, said it respected the autonomy of the government powers and that it would not interfere with judicial processes. The president has not publicly questioned Porras' investigations. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Gerry Doyle) Shani Louk's grandmother begged German authorities to save her granddaughter. Nicole Louk said her granddaughter has a "serious head injury," per French media. "If you need me, if I can get to her, please do everything you can," she told French broadcaster LCI. In a desperate plea for help, Nicole Louk asked German authorities to take her to her granddaughter. "If you need me, if I can get to her, please do everything you can," she told French broadcaster LCI. "I want to be by her side," she added, before breaking into tears. A video circulated on social media on October 7 appeared to show Shani Louk, a German tattoo artist, on the back of a pickup truck being driven by Hamas militants after an attack on the Tribe of Nova music festival in Israel . The festival was going on when Hamas launched its surprise raids into southern Israel on October 7. More than 260 festival-goers were killed, according to reports. Nicole Louk said her granddaughter has a "serious" head injury after she was "cruelly" taken hostage by Hamas. "She has been cruelly kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza," she told the French broadcaster, adding: "She is still alive and badly wounded in the head." Louk continued by saying she didn't understand "why the German government isn't going to Gaza to save my sweet granddaughter and get her the urgent care she needs." Germany's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Shani Louk's mother, Ricarda Louk, made similar statements to German outlet Bild on Tuesday. She cited Palestinian sources who told her that her daughter was still alive at a hospital in Gaza. "We now have reasons to believe that Shani is alive but has had a severe head injury and is in critical condition. Every minute is critical," Ricarda Louk told Bild. "Peace activists have told us that Shani will now only get help if the German authorities officially intervene," she said, per the outlet. Ricarda Louk told Bild that the last time she spoke to Shani, she was at the music festival. She told her 22-year-old daughter to seek refuge at a local shelter. She heard gunfire ring out on the other end of the phone, per the outlet. Ricarda Louk said her daughter wanted to flee the massacre with her boyfriend and others, but lost contact when the group took cover in bushes. Shani Louk and her partner are still missing. Neither Israeli, German, nor Palestinian officials have confirmed Shani Louk's whereabouts, or whether she is still alive. Read the original article on Business Insider Miranda Michel, 26, learned at 16 weeks that the twins she was carrying would not survive. But Texas law does not allow abortions in cases of lethal fetal anomalies. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune Editor's note: This story includes images some people may find distressing. DALLAS Miranda Michels eyes popped open on the operating table, panic gripping her body. Was she too late? Doctors had said her twins might only survive two or three minutes. She didnt know if theyd already been born, how much time had passed, if she had missed it entirely, if they were already gone. During the two-hour surgery, as doctors sawed through scar tissue from three previous C-sections, Miranda tried to fight the sedation, waking in alarm, then slipping back to sleep after her partner and mother-in-law assured her the babies were still safe inside her. Mirandas prognosis was as clear today as when she first heard it, four months ago: a zero percent chance of viability, for either twin. But Texas new abortion laws, which make no exception for lethal fetal anomalies, required Miranda to carry this pregnancy through to the bitter end. Now, that end was here. Sliding in and out of consciousness, Miranda flashed through the possibilities shed spent months preparing herself for. Maybe her babies would be born dead, so deformed the doctors wouldnt show them to her. Maybe theyd live for a few hours. Maybe theyd be strong enough to go to the neonatal intensive care unit. Maybe shed at least get to say hello and goodbye, a cataclysm of joy and grief she wasnt sure she would ever recover from. Or maybe maybe it would all work out. For the eight months leading up to her August delivery, shed fought to keep hope at bay, forcing herself to focus on the finality of the diagnosis. But now, with oxytocin flooding her body, she couldnt resist. Miracles happen every day. Doctors can be wrong. Why would the state of Texas make her carry this doomed pregnancy if there wasnt some chance? As a blur of blue scrubs bobbed around her, Miranda listened for the word uterus. The nurses had told her when she heard that word, it meant the doctors were preparing to move the twins from the safety of her womb into a world they couldnt survive in. She tried to stay awake long enough to find out whether she was going to get to meet her children. But it was no use. Darkness swirled around her. Her vision faded to black. In December 2022, Miranda and her partner, Levi Langley, packed up the whole family, all their possessions and their pet chameleon and set out for Texas. It was time to come home. The couple met at a Dungeons & Dragons game near Texarkana, in the northeastern corner of the state. Miranda, now 26, was a tattooed single mom with bright pink hair who had moved around a lot, seeking a better life for her two children; Levi was younger, goofier, very into video games, but easily stepped into a fatherly role. The family had spent the last few months in Utah, where Levi, 25, worked as a coal miner. But after they had their first child together, they decided to return to this rural corner of the country, where Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas meet, to be closer to Levis family. They rented an apartment in New Boston, deep in the East Texas Pineywoods, and Levi got a job at the nearby Tyson chicken plant. Miranda and her partner, Levi Langley, 25, moved back to Northeast Texas from Utah in December 2022. Theyd just had their first child, Eros, and wanted to raise him and Mirandas two other children among Levis tight-knit family. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune When Miranda and Levi learned they were pregnant with twins, they told Levis mom, Angela, that she was becoming Nana Boo to two more babies. They threw a gender reveal party and started anxiously planning for five kids younger than 5. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune All that was left was to surprise his parents. In late December, Levi called and told them to check the mailbox for an early Christmas present. When they got outside, they saw Levi and Mirandas dusty minivan making its way up the driveway. Angela Langley, Levis mom, was thrilled, rushing to the store to buy more presents for Christmas morning. Miranda had a difficult upbringing and wasnt close to much of her family, so she loved the idea of raising her children surrounded by Levis tight-knit clan. They embraced her and her children, wrapping the young mother in unconditional love and free babysitting. When Miranda found out she was pregnant again in February, it felt like a blessing to be back in Texas. She and Levi always planned to have another child, but not quite so soon. But as Miranda would soon learn, rural Texas is a difficult place to bring new life into the world. [How new regulations impact abortion and birth control access in Texas] Early on, she felt an unfamiliar, gnawing anxiety about this pregnancy, but she struggled to get an appointment with an obstetrician. When the nurse practitioner said she might be having twins, she didnt want to wait for a follow-up appointment. She went to the emergency room in Texarkana, half an hour away, where she learned there were two babies, and they might be conjoined or mono mono, developing in the same amniotic sac. We couldnt get a straight answer, and it was just a run-around game, she said. To be sure, shed have to go to a specialist three hours away in Allen. By the time she got the appointment, Levi found time off work, they coordinated travel with Angela and figured out child care, it was May and Miranda was four months pregnant. During the ultrasound, Levi and his mom, Angela, watched the little digital screen, but Miranda kept her eyes on the techs face. She alone saw the moment it fell. She ran out of the room, and my heart sank, Miranda said. I knew. Something was wrong. This time, there was no weekslong wait for a follow-up appointment. Within a few hours, Miranda was sitting across from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Dallas as he pulled out a whiteboard and illustrated all the ways this pregnancy was headed for disaster. The babies spines were twisted, curling in so sharply it looked, at some angles, as if they disappeared entirely. Organs were hanging out of their bodies, or hadnt developed yet at all. One of the babies had a clubbed foot; the other, a big bubble of fluid at the top of his neck. It was, in many ways, a simple diagnosis: As soon as these babies were born, they would die. Levi burst into tears, big, ugly crying, he said. Miranda was paralyzed, her mind frantically scrabbling for something to hold onto. These babies shed hoped, dreamed and planned for were suddenly being ripped away from her. How did this happen? How could they fix it? What were they going to do to save her babies? She looked desperately to the doctor for answers, but hed left the room. A few minutes later, the nurse came back and handed them a Post-It note. Written on it was the name of an abortion clinic in New Mexico. After the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Texas became the largest state in the nation to ban abortion, to protect the life of every child with a heartbeat, as Gov. Greg Abbott put it. Doctors who perform an abortion can face up to life in prison, unless its to save the life of the pregnant patient. But when it is the fetus that will die, there is nothing they can do but wait. Mirandas twins were developing without proper lungs, or stomachs, and with only one kidney for the two of them. They would not survive outside her body. But they still had heartbeats. And so the state would protect them. Miranda arrived home in New Boston sick with grief, and facing an agonizing decision, which she would have to make with no guidance from her health care professionals. A few years ago, Miranda would have been able to terminate this pregnancy at a doctors office or hospital, at whatever point she felt ready to do so. Even in Texas, doctors could perform abortions beyond 20 weeks if the fetus had a severe and irreversible abnormality. But now, Miranda was boxed in by abortion bans in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas; her doctors were terrified to even talk about the options, and she was alone. Miranda had never considered abortion for herself, and didnt have much of an opinion on the issue. Levis family, though, was more religious, and conservative, with a big Trump 2024 flag looming over their one-story house on six acres backing up to a quiet river. But Angela, Levis mom, had been in the room with the doctor. She knew the odds. And she knew the sacrifice it would take to carry a futile pregnancy to term. The family would support Mirandas decision, whatever it was. Im not for it, Angela recalls telling her. But But I wouldnt be shamed if I did it, Miranda filled in. Which put the decision right back into Mirandas hands. Miranda was 16 weeks pregnant when she learned her twins spines were twisted; their organs were developing incorrectly; and they were not expected to survive outside the womb. Credit: Photo courtesy Miranda Michel She couldnt go to New Mexico. It was a 12-hour drive from Northeast Texas. How would Levi get the time off work? Who would watch her newborn? How would they pay for gas, hotels and the procedure? And when she thought of the fear radiating off of her doctor, the idea of circumventing the law and fleeing the state for medical care terrified her. I don't know the precautions, the risks or the aftercare, Miranda said. Just all the what ifs. What if they continued with heartbeats? What are we going to do then? But she also couldnt wait another five months, taking on all the risks of a complicated multiple pregnancy, with no hope of healthy babies at the end. If this had happened when she was a single mom, solely responsible for her two young children, she is certain she would have found a way to get an abortion, even if it meant breaking the law. Would I have regretted it? Most likely, but at the same time, there [were] two children counting on me that I have to stay alive for, she said. Its just different, where I stood then, and on top of the mountain where I am now. Miranda, who dropped out of high school but later finished her diploma online, was left to make sense of a horrifying medical diagnosis entirely on her own. What if shed misunderstood? What if the doctors were wrong? What if some miracle occurred? What if the babies developed more and the glaring deformities turned into mild disabilities? What if what if? In the beginning, there was a chance, and all of these things can be fixed, she said. Now, theyre unsaveable. I wasnt sure I believed him. I didnt want to believe him. There was no good option, and so, in the absence of information, or guidance, she ultimately decided not to decide. Time passed, the window closed, and the pregnancy proceeded in accordance with Texas law. But Mirandas fear and frustration didnt disappear, especially as the burden of carrying this pregnancy began to take a toll on not just her, but her entire support system. As spring slid into summer, Mirandas body began to transform. Her organs shifted, her hips widened, her back ached. She had heartburn and constant, creeping exhaustion. When she laid down, it felt like the whole world was pressing down on her. She couldnt lift her 9-month-old, or sit on the floor to help her 4-year-old tie her shoes. It was uncomfortable and inconvenient, and deliciously familiar. So much of this pregnancy was unfolding as usual the doctors appointments, the little kicks, the strangers cooing at her on the street. It was all so normal, it was hard to believe there might be a tragedy unfolding inside her. But she knew things were different this time. Miranda wasnt buying tiny baby clothes or decorating a nursery. Instead of planning a baby shower, she was preparing for a funeral. She spent more and more time online, desperately searching for some nugget of hope to get her through to the next day. Youre Googling this, and that, and what if I put these two words together? she said. All to understand what it will look like, what Im facing, what Im supposed to expect. Miranda looked into surgeries, experimental treatments, miracle stories of children who beat the odds. She posted her diagnosis in mom groups on Facebook and chased down leads from commenters. It was love packaged as defiance, believing that, with enough research, she could find some way for even one of these babies to survive, even for a little while. I know they wouldnt have a normal life, she said. Even if they couldnt talk [or] walk, I feel like I could handle it. I would try my best to give them the best. Each week, Miranda would storm into her doctors office in Dallas, brimming with optimism and research and loopholes and workarounds, demanding more tests, more interventions, more answers. She got an MRI, met with specialists, had her doctors look at the pregnancy from every angle, and still, the answer was the same: These babies would not survive. The brief high of believing shed found a solution was nothing next to the devastating crash that followed, plunging her back into the worst of her despair. As her pregnancy progressed, she forced herself to be militant about hope. When Angela said with a guilty smile that shed dreamed about Miranda delivering two smiley, shiny babies, perfectly healthy, Miranda nodded politely. I am pretty sure I am going to walk into my C-section with these twins and walk out with just me, she countered. Over the next few months, Miranda would learn how difficult it is to carry a high-risk pregnancy in rural Texas. New Boston was 30 minutes from the nearest hospital, and three hours from the specialists she needed. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune With Miranda on bedrest and Levi taking on extra shifts at the Tyson chicken processing plant to keep up with bills, Mirandas sister moved in to help with the kids. Mirandas children are all named after Greek gods: Ares, 5, Artemis, 4, and baby Eros. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune By Mirandas 29-week appointment, more than seven months in, she had white-knuckled her emotions into submission. When I go and do the ultrasound, Im still going to get bad news, she said, almost as a mantra. There might be some more sprinkles and whipped cream to add on top, but I dont think theres anything they can say right now where its a surprise. Unless they [say] they dont have heartbeats, she added as an afterthought. That would be the cherry on top. To get to her appointments in Dallas, Miranda had to wake up at 2 a.m., heaving her pregnant body out of bed. Her 9-month-old sits up in his crib, a cheeky smile rounding his cherubic cheeks like it isnt the middle of the night. Miranda woke up her sister, who moved in to help with child care. Instead of fighting with a newborn, Im fighting with a 24-year-old, who is not registering what Im saying, Miranda said. She thinks shes dreaming. Miranda and Levi typically left for these appointments by 3 a.m., a suitcase of her clothes in the backseat, just in case. They drive an hour to Angelas house in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, so she and Miranda can go on to Dallas together. Levi usually cant join them. He works a 4:30 a.m. shift at Tyson doing live hang, sending chickens off to slaughter for hours at a time. Shes fighting hard for them, so the only thing I can really do is just keep the house clean, keep her happy and work, he said. Even with Miranda on Medicaid and Angela covering the gas and meals for these Dallas trips, this pregnancy was crushingly expensive for the young family. Levis sister organized a fundraiser, which helped. But theres always more bills, Levi said. In late July, Miranda, 29 weeks pregnant, met with her maternal-fetal medicine specialist, the obstetrician who will deliver her, and, for the first time, doctors and nurses with the neonatal intensive care unit. Briefly, a pinprick of hope why would they need a plan for medical care for the babies if theres no chance theyll survive? But its more bad news. The NICU would be on standby when she delivered, prepared to do anything they could. But that was merely a precaution. She was still likely to get only a few minutes with the babies after they are born, if anything. Disappointment flooded Mirandas body. She was angry with her doctors for not finding an answer. She was angry at the state for not giving her choices. She was angry with herself for allowing hope to creep in. I had hope. I fought for them, Miranda said later. I tried not believing what [my doctors] were saying. And now, I have no other options. In the face of her anguish, unable to offer her the medical solutions she so desperately wanted, Mirandas doctors offered all they had left. Have hope, they said at the end of each appointment. Have hope, Miranda. What is hope? she wanted to shout. You told me there was a zero percent chance. What can I do to get it to 3%, 5%? Nothing. What can hope get me? When Miranda returned to Broken Bow that night, 18 hours after she left her house, she started crying and couldnt stop. She thought about what continuing this pregnancy had cost everyone her, her family, even her babies. Instead of going back to her children, she allowed Angela to tuck her into bed. She turned off her phone. I fucked up, she said, grief lacing every word. I dragged them through this. At least I can be there to say hello and say goodbye. The day after the grief pulled her under, Miranda slowly bobbed back to the surface. She couldnt afford to dwell too much on the babies inside her body; there were three children out in the world who still needed their mother. All of Mirandas children are named after Greek gods Ares, 5, Artemis, 4, and Eros, 9 months. She had to get Ares enrolled in kindergarten, track down medical records from Utah and deal with Artemis persistent ear infections. She also had to find a way to parent her children through a tragedy she herself has not yet come to terms with. Ares, with his first-day-of-school hair cut, is too smart for his own good. He had gotten used to the rhythm of pregnancy, and couldnt wait to play with the siblings he was sure his mother would bring home. Artemis, who goes by Missy, quickly got over wanting a sister and now wanted to buy her new brothers clothes. Miranda and Levi tried to explain death, God and heaven. They say the babies got sick inside Mommys belly and wouldnt be coming home. But it was not clear how much was sinking in. At the end of one of these heavy conversations, Miranda made an off-hand comment to Levi: Maybe some gods are just needed back on Olympus. That was the part that stuck. Ares told the neighborhood kids that his baby brothers were Greek gods who had to return to Mount Olympus, setting off a minor religious panic among the other parents. Every week, Miranda traveled from New Boston to Dallas for doctors appointments. Early on, she looked forward to these trips, sure her doctors would find a solution, but by the end, she forced herself to stop looking for caveats where none existed. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune How am I supposed to answer their questions when I dont have my own answers? Miranda has struggled to parent her children through a tragedy she herself hasnt come to terms with. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune The closer Miranda got to her due date, the more the pregnancy was tearing everyone apart. Jay, her father-in-law, couldnt talk about it without bursting into tears. Angela got on anxiety medication, and fretted about whether she was strong enough to be in the delivery room. Levi took on side jobs, trying to stay on top of the bills. Miranda felt guilty about the sacrifices everyone was making. I don't want people to put themselves into a hole because theyre trying to help us, or they don't have enough time to emotionally process what theyre going through because theyre worried about our mental well-being, she said. Its not just affecting me it's affecting everyone, Miranda said. Were crashing and burning and everyone is trying to help and Im worried about lighting everyone else on fire. In July, she and her doctors agreed shed relocate to Dallas for the last month of her pregnancy. It was too risky for her to be in New Boston, hours from the hospital, when she went into labor. Angela would come with her, and theyd stay at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. If there is even a chance, Miranda said in late July, she wanted the babies to have the best care from the get-go and not risk an airplane or a helicopter ride here. What if in that 30 minutes it takes to get here, they passed, because it took too long? But it comes at a cost, especially for the young children shell leave behind. Ive never been away from my kids, and Im just going to be worried about them the whole time, I know, she said. What are they doing? Are they bored? Are they gonna miss me or they're gonna forget about me? I'm going to be at the hospital and they're gonna think I ran away, even though I told them where I'm at. Miranda never made it to the Ronald McDonald House. In early August, at 31 weeks along, her body decided it was time to bring this pregnancy to an end. It was everything Miranda wanted to avoid: She was in labor with a high-risk pregnancy that the state required her to carry, 30 minutes from the nearest hospital and three hours from one that could best care for her and her twins. She had to be airlifted to Dallas. Levi and his parents took off in their truck, leaving Miranda to be loaded onto a plane all alone, her body wracked with contractions. Levi couldnt stand being separated from Miranda and the babies at this crucial juncture. He and his parents made the 200-mile drive in record time, praying they hadnt missed the birth or death of his children. He neednt have worried. Their car was almost halfway to Dallas before her plane even took off; when she landed in McKinney, north of the hospital, she had to wait on the tarmac for an ambulance to transport her the last 20 miles. In the end, they arrived almost three hours before she did. At the hospital, there were more delays, as her doctors debated whether she was ready to deliver. Miranda was sick of the waiting. But when they finally gave her the go-ahead, panic clawed up her throat. I wanted to change my mind, she said later. I wanted to go home. I wasnt ready. I dont think I was ever going to be ready. I wanted to keep them in my stomach and keep them safe a little longer. The momentum was against her. They were in the surgical suite. Levi and Angela scrubbed in. The epidural took over Mirandas senses, stronger than in her past pregnancies, pulling her in and out of consciousness. In her dream state, all the hope Miranda had kept locked away flooded back in. As the doctors removed the babies from their safe harbor, the whole room seemed to hold its breath. And then, as one, they exhaled. There was no miracle. The diagnosis was right. These babies would not survive. Helios and Perseus Langley were born and died on Aug. 9, 2023. Miranda, Levi and his parents spent the next day with the babies, before they went to the funeral home, and invited a reporter and photographer to document the experience. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune From the shoulders up, the twins looked normal, although premature. They are tucked into each other, almost kissing, their hands tangled in a tender embrace that belies the horrors below. Each had two arms and two legs, but they were conjoined in the middle, like theyd waffled back and forth on whether to become separate people. They gasped, slowly, inconsistently, their tiny, underdeveloped lungs too far from their misplaced stomachs. Quickly the doctors swaddled the babies in a blanket decorated with cartoon ducks, covering up the worst of the deformities, put tiny pink hats on their heads, and handed Levi the six-pound bundle. A couple of minutes, that was all we were expecting, Levi said. And then I noticed that they weren't moving at all, and I thought they had died in my arms. I was crying, holding onto them for dear life. He started to hyperventilate. Wordlessly, Levi handed the babies to his mother and sat down in the corner of the operating room, sure he was going to pass out. Angela held the babies as close to Mirandas head as possible, hoping to give her time with her children before they die. The babies stopped breathing, but their hearts were still intermittently beating, so the doctors didnt declare them dead. In the recovery room, while Miranda slowly returns to consciousness, the family passed the bundle around, marveling at their sweet faces and discussing their deformities. After a few hours, the rest of the family left to get dinner, giving Miranda a quiet moment with the babies. Shed ushered these boys into existence, gave them a safe home, helped them develop and brought them into a world in which they couldnt survive. It was hard, now that she had them in her arms, to imagine a different path, with different choices. It was also hard to imagine shed ever recover from the experience of holding her babies in her arms as they died. She held them close. She stroked their cheeks and booped their noses and tried to project a lifetime of love onto their frail little bodies. She apologized to them, again and again, for any pain, any suffering, they experienced. Finally, at 8:14 p.m., four hours after they were born, their hearts stopped. Helios and Perseus Langley died in the arms of the mother who loved them as best she could, as long as she could. A tidal wave of grief washed over Miranda, and this time, she let it take her under. A week after giving birth, Miranda stood at the front of a funeral home in Oklahoma, wearing a black dress. The doll-sized casket sits open, giving her one last look at the babies she carried inside her for eight months. I feel like Ive had my heart ripped out of my chest a couple of times, Miranda said before the funeral. I know I want to be there, but I dont know that I am ready to say goodbye. After months of heartbreak, a two-hour surgery and watching her sons die in her arms, Miranda was surprised she had any grief left inside her. Saying goodbye at the funeral was one of the hardest moments of her life. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune Levis father and brother easily lifted the doll-sized casket to carry it to the hearse. It isnt right, Jay Langley, Levis father, said at the funeral. Theyre supposed to be burying us, not us burying them. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune The past seven days had been a blur. One minute, she was at the hospital, preparing to let the funeral home pick up the babies. The next, she was back at Angelas house in Broken Bow, picking out a prayer and a hymn for the funeral. Her C-section scar still seared. She felt heavy, weighed down, like she could sleep forever. But at night, her mind raced. Several times that week, she woke in a panic, convinced that Eros had stopped breathing, that his sleepy snuffles were him gasping for air. As much as they prepared for this, living through it was like having open-heart surgery without anesthetics, Levi said. Every heartbeat feels like your heart is going to explode. When Levi daydreamed aloud about meeting his sons on the other side, Miranda worried his grief would make him do something stupid. But thats not what I meant, he said. I know Ive got kids here who need me too. But those boys all they gotta do is wait for me. Ill teach them hunting, fishing. Well get in a buggy and drive around. Were going to have some fun when its my time. At the funeral home, a photo slideshow played in the background, documenting the entirety of the twins time on earth. Artemis, Mirandas 4-year-old daughter, watched the proceedings curiously. These are my baby brothers, she said, more confused than sad. They got sick inside my mommys belly and cant come home with us. As the pastor tried to make sense of the familys double helping of grief, the kids grew restless. Eros climbed from lap to lap. Artemis waved at her cousins. Ares poked his head into the casket and recoiled, running back into his mothers arms. But once they got to the cemetery, even the children grew quiet. A pitifully small pile of dirt sat next to a square hole in the family plot, in the corner of a remote cemetery, right over the state line in Oklahoma. There were cows in the field next door, and a big live oak tree shaded the graves of Levis ancestors. It was peaceful. It was devastating. Levis father and brother lifted the tiny casket, its weightlessness a burden all its own, and lowered it into the ground. This experience, this loss, this life-changing grief settled onto Mirandas shoulders, and she nearly buckled. But Levi and Angela were on either side, holding her up. Her children leaned against her legs, relying on her steadiness. Everyone placed a white flower on top of the casket before, one by one, they drifted back to their cars. Miranda didnt want to leave. She wasnt ready to return to normal life, where shed go to work and make lunches and run errands like she hadnt just birthed and buried two babies in the span of a week. She wasnt ready to say goodbye. Eventually, she got into the minivan with Levi and the kids. With one last look, they drove away. Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 19:14, the bible verse the family chose for the funeral program. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune I told Levi, be there for her when she needs you, and shes going to be there for you when you need it, Angela said. And if yall both break down at the same time, just hold each other up. Thats how youre going to get through this. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune Text by Eleanor Klibanoff. Photos by Shelby Tauber. This story was supported by the International Womens Media Foundation's Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice in the Americas Initiative. Hundreds of Bangladeshi children draw China in their eyes Xinhua) 14:25, October 11, 2023 DHAKA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At the 22nd Dreamland China Bangladesh Children Art Competition-2023 held in Bangladesh recently, some 350 Bangladeshi children and juveniles depicted China in their drawings, featuring the Chinese national flag, the Great Wall and the Chinese-built Padma Bridge. Sendi Haider, a Bangladeshi youngster who participated in the contest, said that he learned a lot about China because of this competition. "I have known those which were unknown before, and I try to draw the famous elements in China." "China is very lovely in all aspects, their culture is very abundant and wonderful," said Noor Oishi, adding "I really want to go to China and learn about their culture. So it's hoped that better friendship between China and our country will continue." Addressing the event, ASM Kamal Uddin, president of Bangladesh-China Friendship Center, said the competition aims to enhance the understanding of Bangladeshi children about China, so that the cause of the Bangladesh-China friendship will be carried forward. For his part, Yue Liwen, cultural counselor from the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, said the children used their paintbrushes to express the Chinese cultural elements in their eyes and the story of the China-Bangladesh friendship, which is a faithful portrayal of the Belt and Road Initiative's focus on the people-to-people connection. Young people are the future of a country. It is hoped that these children will become the pillars of China-Bangladesh friendship in the future, Yue added. The competition was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, Bangladesh-China Friendship Center and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Sheetz is expanding access to electric vehicle charging throughout Pennsylvania, thanks to grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The grants Sheetz was awarded are a part of 54 projects PennDOT selected to increase the availability of EV charging, an investment worth $33.8 million. Sheetz got 12 grants half of which are for expanding access to charges, the other half to build chargers at locations that currently dont have them. Several of the Sheetz locations awarded grants are in Western Pennsylvania, including: 1910 Mt Nebo Road, Sewickley, PA 15143 300 Racetrack Road, Washington, PA 15301 205 N Center Avenue, New Stanton, PA 15672 398 E Roy Furman Highway, Waynesburg, PA 15370 2604 West State Street, New Castle, PA 16101 This expansion of EV access is something Sheetz is excited to participate in. Ensuring that we remain innovative is at the forefront of everything we do as a company. After celebrating a significant EV milestone earlier this year, we remain committed to increasing the reach of our EV charging network to meet the needs of current and future customers, said Vice President of Petroleum Supply Management at Sheetz Trevor Walter. The milestone Walter mentions is Sheetz surpassing 2 million EV charging sessions, which they reached in April. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: PNC Bank laying off employees, spokesperson confirms 2 adults, teen accused of stealing thousands of dollars in makeup from local Ulta, Sephora Man accused of ripping off local businesses in Cranberry Township VIDEO: Plans to turn old Bally Fitness into movie theater fall through DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on Wednesday urged the Biden administration to freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets that were part of a deal to free American hostages over the countrys support for Hamas amid the ongoing attacks against Israel. Brown, who is among the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for reelection, called on the White House to freeze those assets as the fighting escalates between Hamas and Israel following Saturdays terrorist attack. He added that the panel will investigate who is funding Hamas. [T]he Banking and Housing Committee will examine the financing behind Hamass attacks, including whether cryptocurrency was involved, and what additional economic tools we need to stop state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran, from supporting Hamas and other terrorist groups, Brown said in a statement. As we work to hold anyone who supports terrorism accountable, the administration must freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets. Brown also threw his weight behind providing robust military, economic and humanitarian aid for the top U.S. ally in the region and called on the Senate to confirm top national security nominees who would be involved in helping Israel. Senators are currently waiting to confirm former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, President Bidens nominee to become U.S. Ambassador to Israel, but that likely wont happen for a couple of weeks. The administrations deal with Iran freed five American prisoners but has come under fire since Hamass attack and subsequent reports that the group took hostages and beheaded children. In addition to Brown, Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Bob Casey (Pa.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), and Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) all of whom are also up for reelection next year have backed calls for the administration to claw back that payment. As American intelligence officials continue to investigate the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should review our options to hold Iran accountable for any support they may have provided, Tester said in a statement. At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal. Republican senators fiercely criticized the Biden administration when the deal was announced last month. The White House has maintained that the Iranians have not yet accessed the $6 billion in question, which currently sits in a restricted Qatari bank account and may not be accessed for anything other than humanitarian purposes. The administration also has not confirmed that Iran is aiding Hamas in their attacks on Israel. That has not stopped lawmakers from weighing in and offering up legislation to remedy the situation. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said on Wednesday they will seek unanimous consent on a bill that would block Iran from getting those funds. Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), the top Republican on the Banking Committee and a presidential candidate, is also offering legislation to freeze the assets. The bill would also force the Treasury Department to further study assets held by Iran to allow lawmakers to greenlight future legislation to cut off access to those funds in the future. The Senate is out this week and will return Monday. Updated at 5:09 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Charles Dressler, President of Surgere, explains how encoded RIFD tags work as he stands in front of a mock up loading dock equipped with Surgere Portal and Dock Door Scanners. On Massillon Road in Green, some pretty high-tech, '70s sci-fi stuff is going on at Surgere. There are no flying cars or cyborg hands in a glass case, but its inventory tracking capabilities are the stuff of 1975 speculation that's become 2023 reality. The company, founded in 2004 at CEO William Wappler's kitchen table, has evolved from a packaging consultant to a supply chain powerhouse. From its headquarters building visible from Interstate 77, Surgere keeps track of inventory around the world for thousands of clients. At any second, the company knows where that ECM in Mexico is stashed, where that valve was misplaced in Southeast Asia and when the traction motor went on the move in Europe. The company works with some of the world's largest manufacturers, keeping track of inventory down to the widget on a corner shelf in the broom closet. Surgere works with industry giants like Toyota and Honda It does so with a tracking accuracy touted by Director of Market Intelligence Michael Schwabe as the industry's best. Charles Dressler, President of Surgere, explains how encoded RIFD tags are constructed and how they work. "When we say 99.9% accuracy, we have the data to back it up," he said. Surgere's client list is impressive: Toyota, Honda, Caterpillar, Cummins among them. It has nearly 2,000 clients in the "automotive space," according to the company's website. 15 billion transactions a month, 1,000 a second "We're manufacturing supply chain focused," Surgere President Charles Dressler said in a recent interview at the company. "We're collecting about 15 billion transactions on a monthly basis. We can read 1,000 of them a second." Dressler said the company anticipates it will double in size in the next two to three years. "We are the dominant player in automotive and industrial manufacturing," he said. Bob Groh, a production assistant at Surgere, check on a roll encoded RFID tags at the facility in Green. Currently, the company has more than 75 employees, and that number keeps growing. In recent years, it has shifted its software development effort from 90% offshore to 90% Northeast Ohio, Dressler said. "We believe we can serve our customers better by having our people close at home," he said. " We have access to a great technological base in Northeast Ohio." Software that integrates current, emerging technologies The Green company uses a proprietary software that's able to integrate data it receives from RFID chips and other tracking technology to keep tabs on its clients' inventory. The company, Dressler said, can supply a multi-layered approach if needed, using GPS, Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband technology. At its headquarters on Massillon Road, a lineup of video screens display on-time movement and charted information from around the world. The website puts it this way: Interius provides "always-on access to your supply chain metrics, reports and insights that provide real-time information and alerts for exactly the intelligence you need." Surgere touts the software's flexibility, with applications for transportation and distribution, production control and sustainability. The software is programmed and updated by its software development team in Northeast Ohio. AI chat, Surgere-style Surgere has recently added an artificial intelligence, chatbot-like feature, which further streamlines the inventory control process and can help with decision-making and assigning routine tasks, said Dressler. "Where that goes in 10 or 20 years, the sky's the limit," he said. Michael Schwabe, director of market intelligence, shows a RIFD Smart Label for larger pallet loads of parts in Surgere in Green. The integrated approach has put the company on a growth path, said Schwabe. "Business is growing," he said. "Business is good. Demand out there is very high." Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Sky's the limit': Inside supply chain wizard Surgere in Green Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) took aim at Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) for her statement on the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas, which launched an unprecedented, deadly attack on Israel over the weekend. It shouldnt be hard to condemn terrorists and terrorism, she said on CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper. Right? And that doesnt mean you dont have beef with the Israeli government. Lots of people we saw a fifth of the Israeli population had beef with the Israeli government, but it should be easy, especially with the details coming out to condemn terrorism and terrorists. And Hamas is a terrorist organization and do not represent all Palestinians. You shouldnt connect those two, she continued. So to me, I think that was the hardest part not just about that statement, but a number of statements that have come out from organizations and individuals. I dont I dont question whether someone has the right to be angry at the Israeli government. I question their inability to condemn grievous, grievous violence and thats what I think is. Tlaibs statement on Sunday urging the Biden administration to halt funding to Israel was met with a swath of pushback. She called for lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip and for ending the occupation in her lengthy statement. The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other, she said. Tlaib, who is the first Palestinian-American woman to be elected to Congress, said she continues to grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day, before calling for dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance. She had previously criticized the Israeli government and had denounced a House resolution supporting Israel in a floor speech in July. Her statement, along with a similar statement put out by Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), was met with criticism by both the right and the left. Two Democratic lawmakers Reps. Josh Gottheimer (N.J.) and Ritchie Torres (N.Y.) condemned the statements by Tlaib and Bush on Monday. Israeli officials confirmed Tuesday that the nations death toll surpassed 1,000 from the attacks launched by the Hamas. Another 850 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during retaliatory action taken by Israel. The Hill has reached out to Tlaibs office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Jan Lopatka (Reuters) -Slovakia's former prime minister Robert Fico reached a deal on Wednesday with centre-left and nationalist parties to form a new government which is expected to scale back the country's support for Ukraine. Fico, whose SMER-SSD (Direction-Slovak Social Democracy) won an election on Sept. 30 with pledges to halt military aid to Ukraine and criticism of sanctions on Russia, would lead the planned government expected to be in place ahead of an EU summit on Oct. 26-27 where Ukraine will be high on the agenda. A Fico-led government would move Slovakia closer to Hungary at a time when the European Union and other Western countries have tried to keep unity on support for Ukraine. It would also signal a further shift in the region against political liberalism, which may be reinforced if Poland's conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party wins parliamentary elections this weekend. On Wednesday, SMER-SSD, the centre-left HLAS (Voice) and nationalist SNS signed a memorandum on forming a coalition and parliamentary leadership with pledges to keep the country's basic foreign policy stance as a member of NATO and the EU. "The parties... guarantee foreign-policy orientation of the Slovak Republic on the basis of membership of Slovakia the European Union, NATO, and other significant international organisations, while fully respecting sovereignty and national interests," the memorandum said. The memorandum did not specify any foreign policy details. HLAS COULD TEMPER POLICY TURNS Fico had pledged to halt official Slovak military aid for Ukraine, after previous cabinets shipped materiel including fighter jets, the S-300 air defence system or fighting and de-mining vehicles. He has not been specific on commercial supplies from the country's defence industry which include ammunition and heavy equipment makers. Prior to the election, also said he wanted to re-negotiate a defence cooperation treaty with Washington. He backs humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Ukraine, and wants the EU to force peace talks - a line similar to that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban but rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies, who say halting weapon supplies would only encourage Russia's aggression. Diplomats and analysts have said that the involvement of the more moderate HLAS, as well as Fico's past pragmatism when he led governments in 2006-2010 and 2012-2018, would partially blunt Slovakia's policy turn. Fico said after signing the memorandum that his focus would be on a careful approach to cutting the budget deficit - expected this year to be the highest in the euro zone at 6.85% of gross domestic product, widened by pre-election spending. "The most important task is to set fiscal consolidation of public finances in a way that we do not have to cancel or change anything on the achieved social standard and at the same time we will have resources to restart growth," Fico said on Wednesday. He has backed re-introducing a special tax on bank profits. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet in Prague;Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) File - Supporters wave the Palestine flag at a march in Toronto, on Oct. 9, 2023. Before it transformed into X, Twitter was the place to turn to for live and reliable information about big news events, from wars to natural disasters. But as the Israel-Hamas war has underscored, that is no longer the case. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP, File) While Twitter has always struggled with combating misinformation about major news events, it was still the go-to place to find out whats happening in the world. But the Israel-Hamas war has underscored how the platform now transformed into X has become not only unreliable but is actively promoting falsehoods. Experts say that under Elon Musk the platform has deteriorated to the point that it's not just failing to clamp down on misinformation but is favoring posts by accounts that pay for its blue-check subscription service, regardless of who runs them. If such posts go viral, their blue-checked creators can be eligible for payments from X, creating a financial incentive to post whatever gets the most reaction including misinformation. Ian Bremmer, a prominent foreign policy expert, posted on X that the level of disinformation on the Israel-Hamas war being algorithmically promoted" on the platform "is unlike anything I've ever been exposed to in my career as a political scientist. And the European Unions digital enforcer wrote to Musk about misinformation and potentially illegal content on X, in whats shaping up to be one of the first major tests for the 27-nation blocs new digital rules aimed at cleaning up social media platforms. He later sent a similar, though toned-down, version of the letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram. While Musk's social media site is awash in chaos, rivals such as TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are also coping with a flood of unsubstantiated rumors and falsehoods about the conflict, playing the usual whack-a-mole that emerges every time a news event captivates the world's attention. People are desperate for information and social media context may actively interfere with peoples ability to distinguish fact from fiction, said Gordon Pennycook, an associate professor of psychology at Cornell University who studies misinformation. For instance, instead of asking whether something is true, people might focus on whether something is surprising, interesting or even likely to make people angry the sorts of posts more likely to elicit strong reactions and go viral. The liberal advocacy group Media Matters found that since Saturday, subscribers to X's premium service shared at least six misleading videos about the war. This included out-of-context videos and old ones purporting to be recent that earned millions of views. TikTok, meanwhile, is almost as bad as X, said Kolina Koltai, a researcher at the investigative collective Bellingcat. She previously worked at Twitter on Community Notes, its crowd-sourced fact-checking service. But unlike X, TikTok has never been known as the No. 1 source for real-time information about current events. I think everyone knows to take TikTok with a grain of salt," Koltai said. But on X "you see people actively profiteering off of misinformation because of the incentives they have to spread the content that goes viral and misinformation tends to go viral. Emerging platforms, meanwhile, are still finding their footing in the global information ecosystem, so while they might not yet be targets for large-scale disinformation campaigns, they also don't have the sway of larger, more established rivals. Meta's Threads, for instance, is gaining traction among users fleeing X, but the company has so far tried to de-emphasize news and politics in favor of more friendly topics. One of the reasons why you're not hearing a lot about Facebook is because they have something called demotions, said Alexis Crews, a resident fellow at the Integrity Institute who worked at Meta until this spring. If something is labeled as misinformation, the system will demote it and send it to independent fact-checkers for assessment. Crews cautioned that if Meta which has been cutting costs and laid off thousands of workers deprioritizes its fact-checking program, misinformation could flood its platforms once again. The Associated Press is part of Metas fact-checking program. Meta and X did not immediately respond to AP requests for comment. TikTok said in a statement that it has dedicated resources to help prevent violent, hateful or misleading content, including increased moderation resources in Hebrew and Arabic. The company said it also works with independent fact-checkers to help assess the accuracy of material posted to its platform. A post late Monday from Xs safety team said: In the past couple of days, weve seen an increase in daily active users on @X in the conflict area, plus there have been more than 50 million posts globally focusing on the weekends terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. As the events continue to unfold rapidly, a cross-company leadership group has assessed this moment as a crisis requiring the highest level of response. While plenty of real imagery and accounts of the carnage have emerged, they have been intermingled with social media users pushing false claims and misrepresenting videos from other events. Among the fabrications are false claims that a top Israeli commander was kidnapped, a doctored White House memo purporting to show U.S. President Joe Biden announcing billions in aid for Israel, and old unrelated videos of Russian President Vladimir Putin with inaccurate English captions. Even a clip from a video game was passed on as footage from the conflict. Every time there is some major event and information is at a premium, we see misinformation spread like wildfire, Pennycook said. There is now a very consistent pattern, but every time it happens there's a sudden surge of concern about misinformation that tends to fade away once the moment passes." "We need tools that help build resistance toward misinformation prior to events such as this, he said. For now, those looking for a central hub to find reliable, real time information online might be out of luck. Imperfect as Twitter was, theres no clear replacement for it. This means anyone looking for accurate information online needs to exercise vigilance. In times of big breaking news such as the current conflict, Koltai recommended, going to your traditional name brands and news media outlets like AP, Reuters, who are doing things like fact checking and active reporting on the ground. Meanwhile, in Europe, major social media platforms are facing stricter scrutiny over the war. Britains Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan summoned the U.K. bosses of X, TikTok, Snapchat Google and Meta for a meeting Wednesday to discuss the proliferation of antisemitism and extremely violent content following the Hamas attack. She demanded they outline the actions theyre taking to quickly remove content that breaches the U.K.s online safety law or their terms and conditions. European Commissioner Thierry Breton warned in his letter to Musk of penalties for not complying with the EUs new Digital Services Act, which puts the biggest online platforms like X, under extra scrutiny and requires them to make it easier for users to flag illegal content and take steps to reduce disinformation or face fines up to 6% of annual global revenue. Musk responded by touting the platforms approach using crowdsourced factchecking labels, an apparent reference to Community Notes. Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports, Musk wrote on X. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them. Breton replied that Musk is well aware of the reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk, he said. ___ Kelvin Chan in London contributed to this report. The sole power plant in Gaza officially ran out of fuel and was shut down Wednesday amid fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel cut off supplies including food, water, fuel and medicine to the area after Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on the neighboring country over the weekend. The access point into Egypt was also closed Tuesday as a result of airstrikes. Counterattacks from Israel have destroyed neighborhoods in Gaza, which is home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians. At least 2,200 have been killed on both sides, officials said. There is no safe place in Gaza right now, journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian reporters were killed in the bombardment of a downtown neighborhood, per the Associated Press. I am genuinely afraid for my life. As of Wednesday morning, the region is being powered by generators but they also run on fuel, which is scarce in the territory. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said supplies it prepositioned to hospitals are already out. [W]e consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once, Matthias Kannes, WHOs head of mission in Gaza said about one hospital Wednesday, according to the AP. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation on the group. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said while meeting with soldiers close to the southern border. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people including 155 soldiers have died in Israel since the initial attacks. Gazas health ministry said more than 1,050 people have been killed and more than 5,100 injured in Gaza. The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency says 250,000 people have been displaced in Gaza. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Hill) The sole power plant in Gaza officially ran out of fuel on Wednesday amid fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas and was shut down. Israel cut off supplies including food, water, fuel and medicine to the area after Hamas, who controls the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack over the weekend. The access point into Egypt was also closed on Tuesday as a result of airstrikes. Counterattacks from Israel have destroyed neighborhoods in Gaza home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians. At least 2,200 have been killed on both sides, officials said. Israeli strikes demolish entire neighborhoods as Gaza power plant runs out of fuel There is no safe place in Gaza right now, journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian reporters were killed in the bombardment of a downtown neighborhood, per the Associated Press. I am genuinely afraid for my life. As of Wednesday morning, the region is being powered by generators but they also run on fuel, which is scarce in the territory. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said supplies it pre-positioned to hospitals are already out. [W]e consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once, Matthias Kannes, WHOs head of mission in Gaza said about one hospital Wednesday according to the AP. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation on the group. Israel pounds Gaza, threatening punishing retaliation for weekend attack We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said while meeting with soldiers close to the southern border. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. As a result of the war, the Israeli military said more than 1,200 people including 155 soldiers have died in Israel since the initial attacks. In Gaza, the health ministry said more than 1,050 were killed and over 5,100 injured. The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency says 250,000 people have been displaced in Gaza. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A Superior Court judge sentenced Kyle David Petty to eight years in prison as part of a plea agreement in the 2020 shooting death of 30-year-old Jose Molina in a west Phoenix neighborhood. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Warren Granville sentenced Petty, 34, following a half-hour hearing in Phoenix's Central Court Building on Tuesday. Court records show Molina's death stemmed from Petty becoming upset and provoked over Molina's friend not giving him money. After being arrested, Petty was initially charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault and attempted armed robbery. However, in August, he signed a plea agreement to one count of manslaughter. At Tuesday's sentencing, Molina's mother and sister showed up for him, and they gave an emotional testimony about how their lives had changed since losing him. "My son was taken away from me. It's not normal, it's not logical," Consuelo Garcia, Molina's mother, told the court through a Spanish interpreter at the hearing. Just over half a dozen members of Petty's family and friends also showed up in court to support him. Nne of them spoke to the court, but they comforted one another through side embraces on a gallery bench during the hearing. Members of Molina's and Petty's families declined to comment after the sentencing. Though in passing, a family member of Petty's told The Arizona Republic that justice was not served. Some court documents filed by Petty's defense in the past argued that he was not the one who pulled the trigger on Molina based on crime scene evidence, something Petty briefly touched on when he spoke at Tuesday's hearing. This case is one of nearly 40 that were worked on by former Phoenix police detective Jennifer Diponzio, who was later found to have multiple allegations of misconduct some minor, but others involving the mishandling of evidence and failing to interview key witnesses. Prosecutors also told Petty's defense that they had to test additional evidence in the case as late as this year, as DiPonzio "did not test certain items in this case," according to a May court filing by Petty's defense counsel. What court records say happened in 2020 According to Petty's presentence report, Phoenix police stated that around 3 a.m. on July 23, 2020, a woman reported she was leaving a Motel 6 near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road in a car when Petty spoke to her in the parking lot. She told police she knew him as an unhoused person for nearly one year. Court records show that Petty asked the woman to give him a ride, though he became aggressive in doing so and lifted his shirt to show her he had a firearm on his waist. Molina, a friend of the woman, got into the passenger side of the car. Petty got in the back seat. Petty then told the woman where to go and to park her car on the side of the road, court records stated. He asked for her phone, but she did not give it to him. Petty demanded money from her, court records show, but the woman refused. Petty then got out of the car near 91st and Whyman avenues and told the woman to also get out, according to court records. She told police she got out because she knew he had a weapon. Court records stated Petty then pointed the gun at the woman. In response, Molina yelled out, "No" to him from the car. Petty pointed the gun at Molina and fired, hitting him once, according to court records. Petty told the woman to take Molina to the hospital, and he walked away from the scene, court records show. The woman drove away in the car, called 911, and flagged down a nearby police car for help near 91st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. Molina was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Police later found Petty around the area and took him into custody. Court records showed that police found he had an empty gun holster and brass knuckles. Police were unable to find a gun in the area, court records stated. Petty initially told police that he lived on the street and had asked someone to take him to a restaurant, according to court records. Defense argues that evidence suggests Petty was not shooter In a court document filed last year, Petty's defense counsel argued there was some evidence that suggested he was not the one who pulled the trigger. Rather, it may have been the woman involved in the incident, according to the document. Last August, Petty's defense counsel received the results of the gunshot residue test that was performed on him after the shooting. According to the court document, results stated there were "no particles characteristic of gunshot residue detected" on Petty after he was arrested. The document stated police officers did not conduct such a test on the woman involved in the incident, who they say was the only eyewitness to what happened. Petty's defense counsel also received the expert opinion of Dutch Johnson, who worked in forensic biomechanics. Counsel stated in the court document that Johnson concluded based on the police reports, body-worn camera footage, lab results, Molina's autopsy, and more, that the woman was "more likely than not" the shooter responsible for Molina's death. Other details in the document included the woman having "extreme" credibility issues based on her criminal record, how well she actually knew Petty, and conflicting accounts of what occurred the morning of the shooting. Grieving families: One for Molina's death, the other for injustice Garcia, Molina's mom, and her daughter expressed in words and heavy tears at Tuesday's sentencing how much they missed Molina, who they said was a great son, brother, dad and uncle. Garcia spoke of the hardships Molina grew up with. However, he grew up taking great care of her and his family, she said. But his absence from their lives, Garcia said, harmed their family of which she said Petty did not understand the extent. "This man doesn't know what terrible harm he's caused. He didn't just take a life, he didn't just take the life of my son, he took mine too." Molina's sister, Guadalupe Nickerson, also spoke to the court, saying it was unfair that Petty's projected sentence was smaller since he signed a plea agreement. "Her pain is my pain," Nickerson said, of how the death affected her and Garcia. Petty also made a statement to the court, clarifying with a tone of minor frustration, that he did not sign the plea agreement to say that he took Molina's life. Rather, he signed it saying that he left his property in the car and was an accomplice liability. "I didn't pull the trigger," Petty said, adding that he is not the one who can be blamed. He said some of the things said in the courtroom Tuesday made him sound like he was some sort of monster that took another person's life. "But there is another monster out there that took his life," Petty said. He later added, "And I'm the one that's going to do time for this. They're not even going to go after this person, they don't even care. There's no justice." This reporting follows crimes The Republic began to cover in 2021 and is part of our commitment to telling the story from start to finish. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kyle Petty sentenced to prison in death of Jose Molina [Source] A South Asian mom went viral after posting a video in which she helped her daughter remove her facial hair, a gesture that garnered much support from other users. Viral post: TikTok user Vidya Gopalan's video has amassed over 22.9 million views since its upload on Sept. 29. The video shows Gopalan helping her daughter, Sahana, who is now in middle school, remove her facial hair. I tried doing this myself secretly at her age since I wasnt allowed to do this until HS and it didnt end well, the mother wrote in the video's description. More from NextShark: Why Trader Joes sold-out frozen kimbap is a hit Full support: Speaking to Parents, Gopalan recalled a time in middle school when her mother turned her down after she asked about removing some of the facial hair around her eyebrows. She noted that her mother told her she was not old enough for it. Gopalan, who also goes by the online moniker Queen City Trends, now wants to change that for her daughter Sahana, noting that when she wants something taken off, facial hair-wise, I will 100% support her. Why it matters: Gopalan aims to normalize facial hair removal so that it is seen in the same way applying make-up or brushing hair is. More from NextShark: Chinese influencers are posing by Ikea lockers for photos as part of 'American high school' trend Its a normal thing. [Im just] creating normalcy around it, she said, according to Parents. Drawing a line: While Gopalan expressed full support for her daughter, she noted that parents still need to make judgment calls and set a line. Age is an important thing. Shes in middle school if she had asked me when she was 3 or 4 years old, I would have probably said no, Gopalan said, adding that parents should be supportive in a way that makes sense [and] is age-appropriate. More from NextShark: Thai YouTuber discovers the only known bamboo-dwelling tarantula species in the world Reactions: Several TikTok users shared how their mothers or guardians never let them experience what Sahana has with her mother, with one TikTok user sharing, [I] was raised by my grandma and she wouldnt let me shave my facial hair and unibrow [because] she said it will grow back thicker like a mans. Youre like the best mom. My grandmother made me go to school with hairy legs and armpits because its for grown people, another TikTok user commented. Receiving support: Gopala told Parents that since she posted her video, people have reached out and told her, This has really helped me, This has spurred a conversation with my mom and even This is really helpful, my daughter has asked me about doing this and I said no, but I think Im going to do it. More from NextShark: Man arrested after being filmed sniffing women from behind at California bookstore One was awakened by sirens and ran to a bomb shelter in his friends home. Another saw war planes flood the sky. A third was in Jerusalem to honor two family members who died in the Surfside condo collapse. These are among the South Floridians who found themselves in Israel or the West Bank when Hamas militants launched a full-scale attack Saturday from the Gaza Strip into Israel, killing more than 1,000 civilians, including at least 14 Americans, President Biden said Tuesday. Palestinian authorities said more than 800 people have been killed in an Israeli counterattack in Gaza, which Hamas has governed since 2007. South Florida, with one of the largest Jewish communities in the nation, has many ties to Israel, through faith, families and culture. We all know somebody; were all connected, said Sharon Israel Moskovitz, executive director of Temple Judea in Coral Gables. READ MORE: We are one people: Thousands of Floridians support Israel at rally in Miami Beach Here, then, are their stories: How do we navigate this unprecedented time? Sharon Israel Moskovitz, who was born in Israel, says shes been checking in daily with her family in Tel Aviv Facetiming with cousins and calling her mother to make sure everyone is safe. The things that are going on are horrible. Theyre heinous crimes; It is unfathomable, said Moskovitz. When something is going on your innate response is to do something. You feel helpless. During Sunday school at Temple Judea, the day after the attacks, the air in the packed room was heavy, the mood, solemn, Moskovitz said. People were hugging, crying, conversing about the people they know who are affected. Because South Florida has such a huge population of Jewish people and Israelis were all kind of walking around, like what can we do? How can we support? How do we listen? How do we navigate this unprecedented time? In Israel, where the military plays a large role in protecting the country, everyone knows someone whos being drafted to fight in the Israel Defense Forces, said Moskovitz. It could be your friends parents. It could be your teacher. Its not so much removed that its just the people who are in the military today that we know, she said. Its your friends. Its your neighbor. Its everybody whos being called to come and fight for survival and to defend our citizens. Its barbaric. Theres a lot of hatred for people they never met Guy Gil, a 29-year-old real estate developer from Sunny Isles Beach, was visiting his family in Herzliya near Tel Aviv at the time of the attacks. On Saturday, he was supposed to sit Shiva to mourn his grandfather, who passed away last week in Israel. But he was awakened early Saturday morning to a missile siren. He ran to the bomb shelter in his friends home where he was staying as he has done many times before and after waiting 10 minutes for the explosion and debris to settle, Gil went back to sleep. A few hours later, Gil woke up to 20 missed calls from family and friends, soon realizing this wasnt a one-off missile attack, but the beginning of a war. My mom panicked that I had died at that point because I didnt answer, said Gil, referring to his moms call from South Florida. I look at my phone. And theres thousands of notifications: Siren, siren, siren. Red Alert, Red Alert, Red Alert. Guy Gil, a 29-year-old real estate developer from Sunny Isles Beach, was visiting his family in Tel Aviv at the time of the Hamas attacks. The woman behind him is his 22-year-old cousin, who was attending the Supernova Music Festival near the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, where Hamas militants killed more than 260 Israelis and took people hostage. She was injured and hospitalized. The photo was taken about 10 hours before the festival. Guy Gil Gil remembered that his 22-year-old cousin was going to a party the night before the attack, soon realizing she was among the 3,500 young people who attended the Supernova Music Festival near the Gaza Strip, one of the first targets of the Hamas attacks. Hamas militants killed more than 260 people at the festival site and took hostages. We started putting two and two together like, Okay, this is a terrorist attack, Gil said. Theyre going through the gate. Theyre kidnapping people. Theyre murdering. Is she alive? Is she not alive? Is she hurt? Is she not hurt? I heard shes hurt, is she actually? We dont really know whats going on. For more than five hours, Gil had no idea what happened to his cousin. After a scramble through social media posts and phone calls, her family eventually picked her up from a holding area and transported her to a local hospital, where shes been recovering. She has grenade pieces in her skin and in the back of her skull, Gil said. Shes a tough cookie. Theres no denying that. This girl is tough as nails. Through an app called Telegram, Gil has been receiving disturbing videos and photos of the horrid attacks. His friends who have been deployed are sending photographs of body bags and sharing horror stories of women and babies being killed, he said in a phone interview with the Herald from Israel, pausing at times to collect himself. Its barbaric. Theres a lot of hatred for people they never met, he said. Were all one Jewish people and we all have to learn to stick together and persevere otherwise there wont be the Jewish people. Everyone was in shock. It was like the calm before the storm Lana Shehadehs Palestinian parents came to America in the 1970s in search of the American dream. Shehadeh, who was born and raised in Parkland, moved to the West Bank with her two daughters, Lilly and Talia, in 2020 to finish her Ph.D on religion and politics. Shehadeh was at the grocery store in the West Bank on the day of the attack; she saw war planes flying above. Everyone was in shock. It was like the calm before the storm, said Shehadeh, who is an assistant professor of political science at the Arab American University. Nobody knew what to do. We were nervous to get out because if the military comes in, they might raid the town. The village that Shehadeh and her daughters live in is near a large Israeli settlement in the West Bank, which means she lives under control of the Israeli authorities. Soon after the attack, her village was locked down. Shehadeh recognizes how her experience differs from a Palestinian living in Gaza the narrow strip of densely populated land between Israel and Egypt thats fraught with violence. But life in the West Bank also means restricted access to water and electricity. What I would want the average American to understand, aside from whats going on, which is extremely unfortunate events, is that in the day-to-day life of Palestinians in the West Bank, the occupation affects every aspect of our lives, said Shehadeh. During her morning commute to her daughters school in Ramallah, Shehadeh passes two Israeli settlements, Ofra and Beit El, which means passing through checkpoints she describes them as man-made tunnels and encountering soldiers with machine guns who ask questions about where they are headed. This became a daily image for these two little girls who were born in Boca Raton, Florida, she said. Her daughters are 7 and 9 years old. Lana Shehadeh poses with her daughters Lilly and Talia. Shehadeh, who grew up in Parkland, Florida, is an assistant professor of political science at the Arab American University and lives in the West Bank. Lana Shehadeh As an American with Palestinian roots, Shehadeh considers herself a privileged member of society as evidenced by her ability to travel easily throughout Israel and the Middle East something that is restricted for Palestinians. Shes told the purpose of the checkpoints is for security reasons, but she says they they feel like a way to keep tabs on the Palestinian town. Regardless of what I feel about the Israeli authorities, these soldiers are doing their job and their job is part of a military occupation, she said. Its colonialism. Its some form of colonialism. Shehadeh thinks both sides are looked at as the enemy, depending on the context. She wants people especially Americans to see Palestinians as individuals. I think Palestinians are not humanized. Theyre looked at as the other she said, referring to how Hamas militants and everyday Palestinians are often grouped together. Im not giving them any kind of excuses, but we do need to contextualize whats going on, she said. When youre allowing your government to manipulate and oppress a full society, that society is going to lash out. Its just part of human experience. This war started on the most joyous day of the year Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus of the Chabad of South Broward has been in Jerusalem with his wife, Goldie, to celebrate the Jewish holidays. They were at a synagogue for festivities when they received news of the Hamas attack. We are safe and feel 100 percent safe because Israel is the safest place in the world, he said. We believe what the Torah says, that the eyes of God are upon this land. He said they heard no alarm sirens and observed no panic and that people in Jerusalem remain calm as they go about their daily lives. They have been struck by the sight of many young people, dressed in their Army uniforms, in the streets of the city, awaiting transportation to their posts. This war started on the most joyous day of the year, Simchat Torah, and everyone in our movement learns that with joy we will overcome obstacles, he said. Tennenhaus said he is saddened by the never-ending cycle of vengeance in the region. His uncle served in the Israeli Army during the 1967 war between Israel and neighboring Arab countries. We are shocked and pained at how our brothers and sisters were murdered, kidnapped and publicly humiliated to the cheering of terrorists, he said. Not since the Holocaust, in which both Goldies grandparents and my grandparents were paraded in public and ruthlessly murdered, have Jews been subject to such a horrific level of torture and abuse as they have the last few days. During his visit, Tennenhaus is picking up a Torah Scroll being written in memory of Goldies sister and brother-in-law, Itty and Tzvi Ainsworth, who died in the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside that killed 98 people on June 24, 2021. READ MORE: Ordinary moments turned extraordinary in the final hours before Surfside condo collapse We will leave a few letters unfinished, and when I return we will have a tremendous completion ceremony in honor of all who died, he said. The dedicated Torah will have a permanent home at our Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch in Hallandale Beach. Is peace possible? Tennenhaus does not foresee a diplomatic solution. The only answer is in the prophecy of our Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, that the messiah is on the way, and the final redemption will soon unfold, he said. I do not see any other solution. This report was created with philanthropic support from Christian, Muslim and Jewish funders in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all work. WASHINGTON The Space Force is taking applications from companies and universities for the first round of space domain awareness projects at its Colorado Springs, Colorado-based technology hub, Project Apollo. The technology accelerator, focused on improving the services ability to identify and track objects in space, will kick off its first three-month innovation cycle Oct. 26. The initial projects will get after capability gaps in three areas: space launch custody, object identification and decision aids. Project Apollo aims to fill those gaps quickly by providing a tools- and data-rich sandbox for industry, academia and government to quickly formulate, test and prove solutions, Space Systems Command said in an Oct. 10 statement. In the area of space launch custody, the service is interested in capabilities that use unclassified and commercially available data to quickly detect a space launch, predict its orbit and trajectory and pass that information to a sensor that can then track that object. Object identification involves using things like behavior, frequency and radar emissions and orbital data to detect space objects. Project Apollo is also focused on capabilities that can take data gathered through launch custody and object analysis and provide it to decision-makers in a simple and intuitive manner. These decision aids should require minimal training and help users make quick decisions about the implications of engaging a potential threat. Maintaining insight about whats happening in orbit is a top priority for the Space Force. The service maintains a network of ground and in-space radars and sensors aimed at supporting that mission, but they lack cohesion. A Defense Department space strategy review released last month highlighted these stovepiped systems as a barrier to creating a comprehensive understanding of the complex and congested space operational environment. In an increasingly dynamic and congested space domain, [space domain awareness] requires an integrated sensor system that leverages DoD, other U.S. Government, and international and commercial partner services, according to the September report. Project Apollo is one of the Space Forces two Tools, Applications and Processing, or TAP Labs. The first of those labs is located Boulder, Colorado, and is focused on battlespace awareness and missile detection. The intent is to drive collaboration among various agencies and institutions and use that work to quickly field new capabilities. To date, the Project Apollo hub is partnered with Mitre Corp., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Aerospace Corp. and the Space Forces Supra Coder initiative, which supports data and coding within the service. Update: Liftoff of SpaceX's triple-core Falcon Heavy with NASA's Psyche spacecraft at 10:19 a.m. EDT on Friday from Kennedy Space Center, followed by a double booster landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station a short time later. Read our full post launch story here. Update: (Wednesday night) NASA and SpaceX are standing down from the Oct. 12 launch of the agencys Psyche mission due to unfavorable weather conditions. NASA and SpaceX are now targeting launch at 10:19 a.m. EDT Friday, Oct. 13, from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX teams at Kennedy Space Center are gearing up for a Friday morning launch attempt of a triple-core Falcon Heavy rocket packed with NASA's Psyche spacecraft, though weather conditions are projected to be less than ideal for liftoff. Meanwhile, at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, after standing down on Monday, SpaceX is set to try again later this week to launch its latest Falcon 9 Starlink mission. SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch: NASA's Psyche mission If the rumble of nearly 5 million pounds of thrust produced by 27 Merlin main engines at liftoff from pad 39A at 10:19 a.m. EDT isn't enough to capture attention, then window-rattling, low-frequency sonic booms generated by tandem booster landings at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station minutes later should be. About three minutes into Falcon Heavy's flight, the side boosters will shut down and simultaneously fall away from the center core, which will continue on to help push NASA's Psyche spacecraft to a distant orbit between Mars and Jupiter. The dual booster landing of the Falcon Heavy will sound like two slightly separated booms as the boosters target Landing Zone 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral. Each Falcon 9 booster generates a triple boom on its way back for landing, though by the time the noise reaches spectators on the ground, it's interpreted as one combined sound. The largely harmless but oftentimes startling sonic booms occur when a vehicle crosses the speed-of-sound threshold. They only last a fraction of a second but can be heard within a 100-mile radius depending on trajectory, humidity, cloud cover, wind direction, and more. SpaceX launch possible tonight: What to know about the Falcon 9 Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Sonic boom or thunder? What you need to know as SpaceX ramps up Cape Canaveral landings What is NASA's Psyche mission to study an asteroid? To escape Earth's gravitational pull and make the 2.2 billion mile journey to study the 144-mile-long, potato-shaped 16 Psyche asteroid, NASA's Psyche spacecraft must launch from KSC exactly on time or delay until another day. "Psyches mission is to study an asteroid that may be like Earths core, composed of a mixture of rock and iron-nickel metal," NASA said in a release. "The asteroid offers a unique window into these building blocks of planet formation and the opportunity to investigate a previously unexplored type of world." According to NASA, it will take the spacecraft about six years to complete the journey to its final home in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. 'Asteroid Autumn': NASA's Psyche mission to orbit and study rare metallic asteroid Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch: What's the weather like for liftoff? An updated weather forecast for a launch attempt Friday wasn't immediately available. "Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations 45th Weather Squadron predict a 20% chance of favorable weather conditions for Thursdays launch," NASA said Tuesday in a release. The National Weather Service in Melbourne calls for an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds as high as 25 mph around the spaceport throughout the day on Thursday. The primary weather concerns for liftoff were listed as anvil and cumulus clouds associated with thunderstorms, as well as the threat of lightning. Teams have daily opportunities to launch the first interplanetary mission aboard a Falcon Heavy through October 25 if needed. For the latest schedule updates, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule. Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on X at @AlteredJamie. Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. Launch Friday, Oct. 13 Company / Agency: SpaceX for NASA Rocket: SpaceX Falcon Heavy Location: Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center Launch Time: 10:19 a.m. EDT Trajectory: East Weather: 40% "go" Landing: Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space About: SpaceX will launch a triple-core Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida with NASA's Psyche spacecraft that's designed to study a metal asteroid orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch delayed until Friday because of bad weather The News House Republicans took another baby step toward picking their next speaker Tuesday night, as they gathered for an official candidate forum. The event gave the two official contenders Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan a chance to make their pitches to colleagues, but didnt seem to resolve much of the races uncertainty. Here are our takeaways from the evening. 1. This is going to take a while. As they left the meeting, Republicans poured cold water on any hope that they might coalesce around a new speaker quickly. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said there was maybe 2% chance theyd pick a nominee by the end of Wednesday, when voting is set to begin. I dont think its gonna happen in a day, he told reporters. I think its gonna be less than a week or two.Fewer than half of House Republicans have endorsed a candidate so far. Tuesdays forum gave members of the opposite wings of the House GOP an opportunity to press the frontrunners on their plans to fund the government and working with Democrats both controversial topics. Not everyone was impressed: Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., who voted to topple McCarthy last week, said he wasnt thrilled with either candidate, and predicted that up to 30 House Republicans might simply vote present or be undecided on the first speaker ballot. 2. Jim Jordan might have some momentum. While there still isnt a decisive frontrunner, the Judiciary Chair did seem to quell some of the concerns moderates have about his ties with the hard-right. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a member of the Main Street Caucus, who said he was leaning towards voting for Scalise, told reporters he was convinced Jordan would do his best for every faction of the party. Because of his past, I think youd expect to hear the Freedom Caucus message. It was not that tonight. I thought it was very pragmatic. Still, not everybody seemed swayed. I dont think anything changed for anybody, Rep. Mike Lawler, a moderate member from New York, told Semafor when asked if Jordan had managed to win him over. 3. McCarthy says hes out. Former speaker Kevin McCarthy finally quieted this weeks comeback speculation, telling reporters hed urged his supporters not to nominate him for speaker. He also promised to back whoever his party picks. McCarthy hasnt endorsed a successor though his staff have worked the phones for Jordan. 4. One candidate promised to avoid a shutdown. Both Jordan and Scalise were asked what they would do if Congress fails to pass a budget by Nov. 17, when the governments funding is scheduled to lapse again. According to Massie, Jordan committed to passing a long-term continuing resolution in order to take a government shutdown off the table, while Scalise did not. Jordans plan would keep the government funded through at least April, when 1% across-the-board spending cuts are set to kick in if Congress doesnt pass its appropriation bills. The lawmaker suggested the threat of those cuts would force the Democratic-led Senate to the negotiating table. Hard-right Republicans have generally resisted the idea of passing temporary spending bills, but some seemed ready to accept it as a necessary evil going forward. It wasnt my first choice of a plan, obviously, but it is a plan that you that I can live with as a next best strategy, if Jim Jordan is speaker at this point, Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C. said. 5. Theyre still arguing about process. Republicansremain split on a potential rule change meant to avoid another embarrassing floor fight. About half the conference is rallying around a proposal that would increase the minimum number of GOP votes a candidate would need in order to be nominated for speaker, bumping it up from a simple majority to near the 217 necessary to also guarantee a win once the full House votes. But theres serious resistance to a last minute rule change; Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, suggested that it would throw us into chaos. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Ky. told reporters the idea was discussed, but no decisions have been made. Unity might not be entirely elusive, though. Both Jordan and Scalise promised to back whichever candidate wins their partys support. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are pushing for more assistance to Israel in the aftermath of an unprecedented attack by Hamas, but the path for further aid is complicated as the House enters a second week without an elected Speaker. Biden administration officials say theyre maintaining constant contact with Israel to determine the need for additional aid, on top of the more than $3 billion in defense assistance provided annually to the Middle Eastern country. The Biden administration has already sent munitions to Israel after more than 1,000 were killed in the attack this past weekend. But some lawmakers say more help is likely needed as Israel goes into its counterattack. President Biden said Tuesday that he would ask Congress when they return to Washington to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. The White House is expected to ask Congress to pair new aid for Israel with funding for Ukraine, with a $24 billion supplemental request still sitting with lawmakers. But administration officials have also indicated that existing authorities for funds for Israel allow the U.S. to respond. The president spoke nearly four days after Hamas launched its surprise assault on Israel. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Israel, and the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reports more than 560 people have been killed in Israeli retaliatory attacks. The war comes little more than two years after an 11-day fight between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza strip, which led to the deaths of more than 200 Palestinians and a dozen Israelis. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), chairman of the subcommittee that oversees annual funding for the State Department, on Monday recalled the bipartisan push that led to lawmakers approving $1 billion to help Israel, a key ally, replenish its defenses in 2021. And that was nothing compared to what Israel is about to have to go through, Diaz-Balart said. I think this is going to be long. Its gonna be very, very painful, and so I think Israel is going to need help, he told The Hill. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) introduced legislation Tuesday calling for $2 billion in funding to replenish Israels Iron Dome, which intercepts rocket fire. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) floated the idea of a larger package that would include aid for Israel along with further assistance for Ukraine, after a bipartisan push for more additional assistance fell apart amid pushback from House conservatives. I think theres discussion about putting Israeli funding with Ukraine funding, maybe Taiwan funding and finally border security funding. To me, that would be a good package, he told reporters later Monday. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the administration will be pressing for aid for Israel and Ukraine when pressed about McCauls comments during a press briefing Tuesday. But he didnt say whether the White House would ask for a joint package for both. The president was very clear today that we will be making a request to the Congress, and it will include a request for funding for support to Israel, he said. And he has also been equally clear we are going to renew our request to the Congress for aid to Ukraine. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters Tuesday that lawmakers are waiting for the administration to present its request. At the same time, some Democrats are also signaling openness to a bigger package that links aid for Ukraine and Israel, along with measures addressing border security. What I think needs to happen is we need to look holistically at all of the threats that America faces, and it is time for a global security supplemental, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said. We have very urgent Ukraine needs. We have needs to support Israel. We have to look at the issues and the needs of the border and we dont have much time to do that. But the idea of such a package has met opposition from some House Republicans, more of whom have voted against Ukraine aid in recent months amid scrutiny over the continued assistance. They shouldnt be tied together, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told reporters this week. I will not vote to fund Ukraine. Absolutely not. Israel is totally separate. At least two progressive Democrats have also called for ending aid to Israel, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) who is Palestinian American, and Cori Bush (D-Mo.), but have drawn rebuke from their colleagues. Some supporters of the Ukraine aid also are hopeful Congress will be able to pass another round of relief, given the broad bipartisan support in both chambers. But uncertainty shrouds the road ahead, as the House has been in limbo while Republicans prepare for an internal election for a new Speaker. Thats why its so dangerous to not have a Speaker in place when youre living in such a dangerous world right now, McCaul said Monday, telling reporters that members cant do anything in the House right now without a Speaker. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted as Speaker a week ago, after a group of 8 hard-line conservatives forced a vote to vacate the chair, with Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) was named Speaker pro tempore shortly after. The conference is expected to vote in the days ahead on a new leader, but theres not yet a clear front-runner in the race and not everyone is confident the House will have its next Speaker by the weeks end. Theres already been some mumblings about temporarily affording power to McHenry in order for the House to take certain action, as pressure mounts on the House amid the ongoing threats abroad and a mid-November deadline to avert a shutdown creeps closer. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) called for McHenry to be given powers with the ability to make decisions to keep the country moving. At some point, youre gonna have to deal with this, and we got to deal with it in a way that makes sense and moves it forward, he told reporters. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a left-wing organization that tracks and labels so-called "hate groups" across the country, is remaining silent on whether Black Lives Matter (BLM) and the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) actions following Hamas's deadly attack on Israelis raise 'hate' concerns. BLM Grassroots called the Iran-backed terrorist group's attacks "desperate acts of self-defense." The DSA promoted a New York City pro-Hamas rally and said the incursion was a "direct result of Israel's apartheid regime." Demonstrators at the rally burned and stomped on an Israeli flag and taunted supporters of Israel with an image of a swastika. Others displayed signs that read, "Palestinian return by any means necessary," "Israeli apartheid & genocide funded by the U.S." and "End all U.S. aid to Israel!" Dozens of student groups at universities such as Harvard also defended Hamas and held Israel "entirely responsible for all unfolding violence." SENIOR BIDEN ADVISER'S GROUP VOWS TO PROTECT PRO-HAMAS DEMONSTRATORS IN NYC Demonstrators attend an "emergency rally for Gaza" outside of the Israeli Consulate in New York City on Monday, October 9, 2023. Supporters of both Palestine and Israel clashed at the event as Israel remains at war with Hamas. Fox News Digital contacted the SPLC to see whether the actions of BLM, DSA and the dozens of student organizations raised problems. Additionally, Fox News Digital sought comment on whether the group's actions met SPLC's "hate & extremism" definition or label. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The SPLC, however, did not respond to the inquiry despite its self-proclaimed status of being the "premier" monitor of "domestic hate groups," including the antisemitic movement. The SPLC has avoided slapping "hate" labels on left-wing groups while regularly incorporating mainstream right-leaning organizations in its reports. Meanwhile, the SPLC itself has faced a long history of allegations of discrimination as it simultaneously purports to be a "catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond," including accusations of rampant internal racism and sexism that have led to upheaval among its top ranks. TOP REPUBLICAN SLAMS ALMA MATER HARVARD AFTER STUDENT GROUPS BLAME ISRAEL FOR HAMAS ATTACK But as the SPLC remains silent, some Democrats have criticized the events. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y, who is among six DSA members in Congress's lower chamber, slammed the "bigotry" displayed at the New York City rally promoted by the local DSA chapter, which included the pro-Hamas demonstrators ridiculing Israel supporters with images of a swastika. "The bigotry and callousness expressed in Times Square on Sunday were unacceptable and harmful in this devastating moment," Ocasio-Cortez told Politico. "It also did not speak for the thousands of New Yorkers who are capable of rejecting both Hamas' horrifying attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices and violence Palestinians face under occupation." Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D.-Minn., called for a "ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas on Saturday, the day of the attacks that saw hundreds of Israelis brutally slaughtered, including women, children and babies. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez condemned the "bigotry" displayed by pro-Hamas demonstrators at a New York City rally. New York state Rep. Zohran Mamdani, who was elected with support from DSA and delivered a keynote address at the group's national convention in August, also spoke out against the rhetoric at the DSA rally. "My support for Palestinian liberation should never be confused for a celebration of the loss of civilian life," Mamdani told Politico. "I condemn the killing of civilians and rhetoric at a rally [on Sunday] seeking to make light of such deaths." On Tuesday, the DSA's New York City chapter apologized for promoting the rally but did not condemn Hamas. Original article source: SPLC silent on whether BLM, Dem Socialists' pro-Hamas activism raises 'hate' concerns A stabbing attack that left three people hospitalized temporarily shut down the security line at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airports domestic terminal on Wednesday evening. Posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, first documented the incident at around 5 p.m. ET. The Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Airport confirmed the incident on X about a half hour later. Sarah Nagem, who was at the scene, tweeted a photo of people sitting on the ground in line at security with the caption, Female with a knife tried to stab someone. In additional tweets, Nagem said it was a domestic situation and the security line resumed once deemed safe. Female with a knife tried to stab someone at ATL airport pic.twitter.com/JAD0iTMotB Sarah Nagem (@sarah_nagem) October 11, 2023 Three people were injured in the attack, according to a statement by the Atlanta Police Department. Officers were first notified that a woman was armed with a knife outside of a security checkpoint at 4:45 p.m. She stabbed an adult male before engaging with officers. During the encounter the female suspect stabbed an adult female and then an APD lieutenant as he attempted to take her into custody. Another officer was then able to tackle and disarm the female and take her into custody. Sarah Nagem was at security when a woman stabbed three people. All victims are conscious and have been taken to the hospital. The suspect has been taken to the airport precinct, and an investigation is underway. TSA firearm detections are on the rise: Here's what we saw at one of the airports with the most cases A spokesperson for the Atlanta Airport told USA TODAY that impacts to operations are minimal and there is no threat to public safety. Updates will be posted to the airports social media. Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 stabbed at Atlanta Airport security checkpoint The shooting death of a Fort Worth ISD elementary school worker on campus Wednesday morning left parents and students shocked and fearful for their safety. It also left some parents outraged over how the school district and police have handled the tragedy. Forest Hill police responded to a shooting call at David K. Sellars Elementary School, at 4200 Dorsey St., around 6:50 a.m., according to DFW Scanner. They found a woman in a back parking lot with a gunshot wound. She died at a local hospital. Parents soon received a vague notice that classes were canceled, followed by another saying school would indeed open. When word spread about what had happened, some parents were angry. One father called it unacceptable to bring our kids to an open crime scene. The victims name had not been released as of 4 p.m., nor had any information about suspects either in custody or on the run. Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV reported that, according to a teacher, the victim was a cafeteria worker at the school. The district has not confirmed this, but a parent also told the Star-Telegram that the woman worked in the cafeteria. A security guard returns to his vehicle after closing the gate to the back parking lot of David K. Sellers Elementary School on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in Forest Hill. A staff member was fatally shot Wednesday morning in the back parking lot. Forest Hill Mayor Stephanie Boardingham said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that police have not communicated any details to her. Detectives have been in contact with the city manager, Venus Wehle, but Boardingham told the Star-Telegram that Wehle also has not been given any information by police other than that an investigation is ongoing. >> BREAKING NEWS << Today's other top stories in Fort Worth: Man shot after fight at Fort Worth game room spat Groups dressed like Nazis visit Torchy's Tacos, Botanic Garden Family of man restrained by security not surprised by homicide ruling Get free alerts when news breaks. Boardingham said she could not assure the public that there was not an ongoing threat, and she didnt know if police had identified a suspect. The Forest Hill Police Department did not return Star-Telegram requests for information. When asked if she could share any details, Boardingham told reporters she didnt even know if the incident was a shooting. She said that police were not communicating with her or any other city leadership. Reading from a prepared statement, Boardingham said the incident is a stark reminder of the importance of community. She called it a deeply distressing incident and a senseless act of violence and said that her thoughts and prayers are with the victim, her family, the school district and the community. When asked if she had any concerns about a lack of transparency from police leadership in Forest Hill, Boardingham said only that the investigation was ongoing. A staff member was fatally shot in the back parking lot of David K. Sellers Elementary School on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in Forest Hill. Police from agencies across North Texas are typically quick to release information on violent incidents that draw public attention, even as investigations are in their earliest phases. That information typically includes any preliminary details about what happened, whether authorities have made any arrests or identified any suspects and whether there is an ongoing threat to the public. No such information had been released in Forest Hill as of 4 p.m. In a statement to the Star-Telegram, Fort Worth ISD confirmed the woman who died was a staff member at David K. Sellars Elementary. The tragic incident took place in a back parking lot, the district said, adding that there was no ongoing threat to the school. The district referred all questions regarding details of the incident to the Forest Hill Police Department. The staff member was dedicated to serving their campus and had a profound impact on students and the staff, district officials said in the statement. ... Emergency personnel responded swiftly, and we have worked closely with our safety and security team in collaboration with the Forest Hill Police Department to ensure the safety of our campus. The shooting occurred before classes were scheduled to begin at 7:50 a.m., according to the schools website. Greg Joseph, a Sellars Elementary parent, told the Star-Telegram the school district was negligent in its communication with parents and the decision to hold classes on campus. Teachers on Wednesday morning sent a message to parents through the districts student-parent portal, Class Dojo, announcing that classes had been canceled, though initially parents didnt know why. In later communication, though, Joseph said parents were told that decision to cancel classes had been reversed by leadership above the campus level. He believes that was irresponsible on the districts part. We entrust our kids to you guys and you say to bring our kids to an open crime scene? Joseph said. Thats not right. Thats unacceptable. District spokesperson Jessica Becerra told the Star-Telegram that she wasnt aware that teachers had told parents classes would be canceled. Joseph applauded the schools leadership for attempting to cancel classes, but said he doesnt believe district leadership was informed enough to responsibly reverse that call. Before they knew that a shooting happened on campus, Joseph said, his mother had tried to drop his child off for school. When she arrived, she was turned away at the start of the school zone. After the message that classes were back on, he tried to take his child to school. With the number of police and district security around campus, he decided it would be best to keep his child home for the day. A staff member was fatally shot in the back parking lot of David K. Sellers Elementary School on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in Forest Hill. Keisha Braziel has a son in the fourth grade at Sellars and said she knew the woman who was killed. Braziel described her as a big personality and a no-nonsense woman who was always happy and energetic. She said the employee had been at the school as a cafeteria worker for 20 years and was getting ready to retire. She will leave a void because she was such a personality, Braziel said. Braziel decided Wednesday morning that it was safe to take her son, a 9-year-old, to school despite what happened. She felt that communication from the school district could have been faster, but said she didnt have any issues with it. The lack of communication from police, though, is concerning, Braziel said. I think it adds to the fear and the uncertainty, Braziel said. When she arrived about a block away from campus, Braziel said she couldnt get any closer because police had blocked off roads. When she got out of the car to ask someone if they could walk the rest of the way, her son grabbed her and said not to go. He was scared she would be shot. The mayor described the police response as swift, but no information had yet been released as to how long it took for police to arrive after the incident was reported. Their work assisted in ensuring the safety and well-being of others at the start of our school day this morning, Boardingham said. Norma, the aunt of a student who asked to be identified only by her first name, told the Star-Telegram that she watched paramedics perform chest compressions on the woman while wheeling her into an ambulance. School staff were diverting parents and students away from the parking lot and toward other entrances, Norma said. Later in the morning, school leaders sent out messages letting parents know that they could keep their kids at home for the day. Norma said her niece stayed home. She did not want to be at school, and I dont blame her, she said. Norma grew up in Forest Hill and attended David K. Sellars. Shes worried about students who were traumatized, and said adults in the community need to find ways to show support and love for the school in the months ahead. Im very much in shock and I cannot believe that somebody came to violate our school property in such a horrific way, she said. Students who were on campus were initially held in the auditorium. The school was fully open by the afternoon, according to a message sent to parents. Police respond Wednesday morning, Oct. 11, 2023, to David Sellars Elementary School in Forest Hill, where officials say a staff member was fatally shot in the back parking lot. The school is part of the Fort Worth Independent School District. Eva Torres, a grandmother and aunt to two students, told the Star-Telegram that the shooting makes her concerned for campus safety even though it happened before school started. Torres said students start arriving to campus well before classes start so they can eat breakfast. By the time the doors open at 7:20 a.m. to let those students inside, theres usually already a line. Torres said the school district never actually told families that an employee was shot on campus. They told us a teacher had passed away, Torres said. They just said there was an incident. She shared the email with the Star-Telegram: Our hearts are heavy, as we learned of an incident that took place in the back parking lot of the campus this morning that led to a staff member passing away, it said. This staff member was a valued team member who proudly served the campus and cared deeply for our students. The email also said, We extend our love and sympathy to their family during this time. This is an emotional time for us all, and experiencing a loss is always difficult to understand for students and staff. Counseling services will be available at the school to assist those who have been impacted, the district said. This is a developing story. For the latest updates, sign up for breaking news alerts. Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research, leaving Manhattan Federal Court during the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried on Oct. 10, 2023. Credit - Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images When Sam Bankman-Frieds defense lawyer Mark Cohen delivered his opening arguments at the FTX founders fraud trial on Oct. 3, he attempted to redirect the blame for the disappearance of over $8 billion in customer funds away from his client and toward Caroline Ellison . When she took the stand a week later, Ellison, who was the CEO of Bankman-Frieds hedge fund, Alameda Research, and his on-and-off girlfriend, laid the blame squarely on him. Bankman-Frieds lawyers have suggested that FTX and Alameda combusted partially due to Ellisons leadership failures and her refusal to mitigate risk, despite warnings from Bankman-Fried. He relied on her and he trusted her, Cohen said. Ellisons trading mistakes, Cohen claimed, became an issue later on, when the storm hit. Ellison, the prosecutions star witness, responded forcefully on the stand, alleging that it was the other way around: that she was the one to caution Bankman-Fried about his risky financial practices, but that he ignored her advice and instead spent $3 billion more of Alamedas money, increasing their reliance on customer funds. Ellison has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy, and is widely considered to be the star witness for the prosecution. He directed me to commit these crimes, she said while on the stand, facing Bankman-Fried. Her testimony, combined with evidence presented by the prosecution, contradictsBankman-Frieds defense argument: that he borrowed his customer funds in good faith and was undone by forces outside of his control, like Ellisons alleged incompetence. Ellison and Bankman-Fried met when they were traders at the trading firm Jane Street Capital. Later, in March 2018, Bankman-Fried hired Ellison to trade cryptocurrencies for Alameda Research, the trading firm he had co-founded in 2017. She said in court that the pair started sleeping together, several months later. This kicked off a tumultuous on-and-off relationship that Bankman-Fried preferred to keep secret, Ellison said. In October 2021, a month before Ellison says they got back together again, Bankman-Fried appointed Ellison as co-CEO of Alameda Research. I felt like it was a big job, and I wasn't very experienced, Ellison says of the position. I would always ultimately defer to Sam if he thought that we should do something. The pair ultimately ended up living together in a penthouse apartmentalong with many other FTX colleaguesin the Bahamas, where the crypto exchange was headquartered. Alameda Research and the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, which was founded in 2019, were supposed to be distinct entities. But Ellison says that Alameda used FTX as a piggy bank from the crypto exchanges inception, at Bankman-Frieds direction. He said that FTX would be a good source of capital, and he set up the system that allowed Alameda to borrow from FTX, she said. Over time, $10 to 20 billion of FTX customer funds would be moved to Alameda, Ellison said. She said that some of those funds were then used to repay loans, cover expenses and make other investments. The crux of Ellisons testimony on Tuesday came when the prosecutors presented to the jurors a spreadsheet of Alamedas finances from the fall of 2021. Ellison says she had created the spreadsheet at the behest of Bankman-Fried, who was trying to decide whether to put $3 billion more into venture capital investments. When Ellison combed through Alamedas books, she found that while the company was earning billions of dollars, it arguably owed even more to lenders, including the major crypto lender Genesis. Alameda, she wrote in the spreadsheet, had a negative asset value of $2.7 billion, excluding their holdings of highly volatile cryptocurrencies like FTT that were unlikely to fetch much actual money if sold on the open market. This made the company very vulnerable if the larger overall crypto market were to suddenly crash. Ellison said in court that she shared the document with Bankman-Fried, and told him that making $3 billion more in venture investments would put Alameda in a significantly riskier position and make it much less likely or almost impossible that we would be able to pay off our loans if all of our loans were called at once. But Bankman-Fried went ahead and created the FTX Ventures Fund, which started with $2 billion. The prosecutors then proceeded to show a follow-up document from May 2022, in which Ellison once again warned Bankman-Fried of how precarious Alameda and FTXs financial situation would be in the event of the crypto crash. The document shows Bankman-Fried himself acknowledging her prediction: Yup, and could also get worse, he commented on the Google Document. This comment from Bankman-Fried seems to fly in the face of a crucial part of his defenses argument: that he was blindsided by swift market forces and unable to respond to them due to Ellisons leadership at Alameda. Instead, the evidence seems to suggest that Ellison warned Bankman-Fried about the high risk of his business decisions, that he acknowledged the risk to customer funds, and that he decided to imperil them anyway. Ellison made other claims that suggested that Bankman-Fried did not act in accordance with his public declarations. She said that Bankman-Fried used market manipulation tactics to maintain the price of FTTa cryptocurrency he had createdso that he could use it as collateral for loans, but would get upset if she talked about FTT trading too openly in the office. She said that Bankman-Fried oversaw the use of FTX customer deposits to buy back about $2 billion worth of FTX shares owned by their rival crypto exchange Binance, but did not disclose that information. Ellison also added some personal details about Bankman-Fried, including his political ambitions: He thought there was a 5% chance he would become president some day, Ellison said. Ellison returns to the stand on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Contact us at letters@time.com. At least 22 U.S. citizens have reportedly been killed in the Israel-Hamas war with at least 17 more missing, the State Department said Wednesday, up from 14 confirmed deaths on Tuesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken , who is heading to Israel on Wednesday in a show of support, added, That number could still go up, and it probably will. President Joe Biden added on Wednesday that several Americans were among the roughly 150 hostages captured by Hamas soldiers. He was expected to meet with Jewish leaders later Wednesday and has linked the assault on Israel to generations-long antisemitism. Speaking to reporters, he said, We have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale. On Tuesday, Biden sent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu U.S. military provisions and shared intelligence to aid in hostage recovery. Read it at The Hill Read more at The Daily Beast. SAN DIEGO The State of California has awarded $20.75 million in Homekey funds for two San Diego affordable housing projects. On Wednesday, the city said the allocated money will go towards creating additional affordable homes and supportive services for those experiencing homelessness. Overturned tanker truck prompts lane closure on I-5 Outreach and shelter are critical components of our efforts to address homelessness, but what truly will solve this crisis is housing. Thats why this Homekey funding is crucial to our progress in meeting our citys top challenge, Mayor Todd Gloria said. Im grateful to Governor Newsom and our partners at the county and state for helping us put a roof over peoples heads with supportive services to permanently end their homelessness. The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) will use these funds to produce 75 new affordable rental housing units in City Council District 2. Specifically, the state awarded $16.85 million for SDHCs proposed purchase and rehabilitation of the Ramada Inn at 3737-3747 Midway Dr. in the Midway Community. A total of 62 affordable single-room occupancy units known as Pacific Village will be created. Padres break ground on $20 million Gallagher Square renovation An additional $3.9 million from the state will support SDHCs collaboration with Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation to rehabilitate a vacant multifamily housing property at 2147 Abbott St. in Ocean Beach. There will be 13 affordable housing units created. The evidence could not be clearer. Housing ends homelessness specifically homes with support services that meet the unique needs of people experiencing homelessness, said Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. This Homekey funding will allow us to rapidly transform the lives of 75 of San Diegos most vulnerable residents. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Bravon Tukes appears in court during his trial at the Polk County Courthouse. For someone allegedly taking part in a premeditated triple murder conspiracy, Bravon Tukes didn't seem to act like it, his attorneys say. Tukes is charged with murder and other crimes in a Jan. 23 shooting at the Starts Right Here education program in downtown Des Moines. Preston Walls, 19, was convicted last month in a separate trial of second-degree murder and manslaughter for killing Rashad Carr, 16, and Gionni Dameron, 18, and seriously wounding program founder William Holmes, also known as Will Keeps. Tukes is accused of planning the attack with Walls and acting as his getaway driver. Police had warned Bravon Tukes was making threats before shooting During Tukes' trial, now in its second week, prosecutors have argued that Tukes and Walls planned the shooting well in advance, pointing to nearly a month of text messages between the two about killing Dameron and Carr. Much of Monday and Tuesday at the trial was taken up with testimony from Des Moines police Detective Jeffrey George, who said Tukes and Walls are both known members of the OTR or Strap gang, which was engaged in a bloody feud with the rival OMB gang, including Dameron and Carr. George pointed to a text message Walls sent the day before the shooting that "imma play it cool till I pass this test then I'm bussing off them n****s," slang he said indicated Walls' plan the day before to kill the two once he was finished with his final schoolwork at Starts Right Here. Tukes also was motivated to kill members of the opposing gang, George said, especially after his brother was killed in a December 2022 police shooting and Carr and other OMB members mocked his death in a rap video. Tukes posted a string of social media threats and posts displaying firearms, and George said police had issued an intelligence bulletin to officers five days before the shooting warning them about his online statements. Defense: Bravon Tukes not acting like conspirator Tukes' attorneys, though, argued both Walls and Tukes didn't act like people who were planning such a killing. Even on the morning of the shooting, Walls was texting about an upcoming job interview. It was a detail a juror who spoke to the Des Moines Register after Walls' trial said the jury which convicted Walls of second-degree rather than first-degree murder found very significant. Also, Tukes' attorneys made a major point of phone records showing that, while waiting in the parking lot of Mullets restaurant to pick up Walls after the shooting, he spent 20 minutes on his phone shopping online, looking up news stories and watching pornography. "Hes looking at a large dog crate for his dogs while hes waiting for his friend to commit a triple homicide and jump in his car with him?" defense attorney Jamie Deremiah asked. Preston Walls to testify for the defense Prosecutors finished their case Tuesday afternoon, and the defense opened with testimony from private investigator Scott Gratias, who noted many of the threatening messages Tukes posted in the days before the attack were made up of lyrics from rap songs. In addition, Tukes' attorneys have indicated they plan to call Walls as a witness, saying in pretrial filings that Walls intends to testify that Tukes was not involved in planning the attack. Walls previously testified at his own trial that there was no planning, and that he was afraid for his life when he opened fire on the two teens, who he thought were about to try to kill him. William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at @DMRMorris. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines school shooting trial continues, co-defendant to testify More than 200 politicians and business and community leaders were invited onto the airfield at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Wednesday morning to celebrate federal approval to begin building a new main runway. But along with speeches and the symbolic shoveling of dirt came a message, delivered mostly in one-on-one conversations: RDU still needs your help in securing money from the Federal Aviation Administration to finish the runway. Thats the purpose of this event, Michael Landguth, airport president and CEO, said in an interview. All of our board members are engaging all of these people, to have a conversation that says, We have a victory, we have a decision, but the FAA has not committed to a long-term funding plan. .... So thats got to be an ongoing campaign. The new runway, 5L/23R, will be built northwest of and parallel to the existing one near Terminal 2, the larger and busier of the two passenger terminals. After the new runway opens later this decade, the existing one will be converted into a taxiway. More than 200 politicians and business and community leaders take part in a groundbreaking ceremony on runway 5L/23R at RDU International Airport in Morrisville, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. A new, longer 5L/23R, will be built northwest and parallel to the existing runway near Terminal 2. RDU estimates the new runway and taxiway will together cost $534 million. That money is expected to come from a variety of sources, including the state and federal governments and RDUs own revenues from parking, landing fees and other income. But RDU doesnt have all of it in hand, and a theme of Wednesdays groundbreaking event was to stay engaged and help keep the pressure on federal officials to provide more. Landguth said the Triangle business community has been particularly helpful with a letter-writing campaign to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. State legislators shovel dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony on runway 5L/23R at RDU International Airport in Morrisville, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. A new, longer 5L/23R, will be built northwest and parallel to the existing runway near Terminal 2. Every single time I go to D.C., they tell me the same thing: Can you get them to stop sending letters? Landguth told the crowd. And I tell them the same thing every time: At the point you can provide us consistent funding for this runway, well stop sending the letters. The letter-writing campaign will continue, said Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance, a program of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Were going to be nice and continue to politely do it, because the need is still there, Milazzo said after Wednesdays event. So far, the FAA has committed just $15 million to the runway project. The big infrastructure bill Congress passed in late 2021 will provide another $75 million. The RDU Airport Authority will also use its share of the state Airport Improvement Program, which comes to about $24 million a year. $30 million in emergency repairs so far The new 5L/23R will replace RDUs existing main runway, which was completed in 1986 and is near the end of its useful life. The airport informed the FAA in 2017 that it needed replacing. To keep it viable in the meantime, the airport has replaced 275 slabs of crumbling concrete, one at a time. The carefully choreographed process takes place overnight, when the airport is closed, providing just enough time for the new concrete to cure before the long-haul flights from Europe, which need the 10,000-foot runway, land in the afternoon. Those repairs have cost RDU $30 million so far, Landguth said. A diagram of the proposed new main runway at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, just northwest of the existing one. The runway would be 10,639 feet long, 639 longer than the existing one. And we are going to have to continue to do that for the next five to seven years until we can get this new runway constructed, he said. The new runway will stretch 10,693 feet, or 693 feet longer than the existing one. The additional length will allow all cargo and passenger carriers now doing business at the airport to operate their planes fully loaded. The runway is one part of a larger construction plan at RDU that will include new parking, additions to both passenger terminals and new ground transportation and rental car centers in and adjacent to the parking decks. Altogether, RDU expects to spend $2.8 billion on construction in the coming decade. All of this work was conceived before the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning was paused when the pandemic caused demand for air travel to plummet in 2020. But people are flying again. July was the busiest month in the airports history, with nearly 1.4 million passengers, and the Friday before Labor Day set a new single-day record. RDU is on track to exceed its previous annual record of about 14 million passengers set in 2019. Airlines have responded. Since February, theyve added 46 routes, including 21 to new destinations. By next summer, Triangle passengers will be able to fly nonstop to four countries in Europe: France, Germany, Iceland and the United Kingdom. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Steve Aoki will be headlining One Night for One Drop at Marquee Nightclub inside of The Cosmopolitan in November to raise funds for the One Drop Foundation. On Nov. 15, along with Steve Aoki, One Night for One Drop will include performances from Neon Trees, Just Kool Featuring: The Iconic Robert Kool Bell of Kool and The Gang and The Legendary Mohamed Moretta, and an appearance by artists from Cirque du Soleil, Lorena Peril, and the ladies of Fantasy. The nights headliners will help the crowd raise funds for the One Drop Foundation and contribute to ensuring sustainable access to safe water for millions of people around the world. Presented by MGM Resorts International, Cirque du Soleil, and in partnership with One Night for One Drops official carrier Air Canada, the evening will be filled with dining, dancing, and a curated tasting with fine wines and spirits from places like Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, Opus One, Domaine Faiveley, and more. The evening will feature a live auction including the premiere item, Laffite Automobilis flagship model, Laffite LM1, the first Le Mans-type hypercar of the modern era to be produced for road use. One Night for One Drop has raised more than $40 million since its inception in 2013 to improve the living conditions of communities facing extreme barriers and to support life-changing water projects worldwide as well as local Las Vegas water initiatives. Through fundraising initiatives in Las Vegas, the One Drop Foundation has donated over $1.5 million to organizations, including Springs Preserve, Discovery Childrens Museum water education program, Desert Research Institute, and WaterStart. These donations have helped raise awareness and educate the community about access to safe water, water conservation, and ongoing water innovations. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, call 702-355- 0334 or email one.night@onedrop.org. For more information about One Drop and the organizations initiatives, visit One Drops website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Jens Stoltenberg , the Secretary General of NATO, has stated that Ukraine primarily needs air defence equipment, as the Russian President will again try to use winter as a weapon of war. Source: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, before the start of the Ramstein-format meeting of defence ministers of NATO countries, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent from Brussels. Quote: "First of all, we need today to mobilise more support for Ukraine, and as President Zelenskyy just said, this is about air defence, its about artillery, its about ammunition," he said. Stoltenberg welcomed the new announcements made in the last few days from Romania and Germany. "I expect more NATO allies to make further announcements today for more support to Ukraine because we need to sustain and step up the support," he said. "Air defence is critical to protect the cities, the economy, the critical infrastructure of Ukraine, and that helps them to help themselves, because then their economy can function, then things can work in Ukraine and that will help the Ukrainians to produce, to trade, to function as a normal country and that will increase their ability to finance and to provide also ammunition for themselves for the war," Stoltenberg emphasised. "What we are seeing now is that President Putin is preparing once again to use winter as a weapon of war, meaning attacking the energy system, the gas infrastructure. We need to prevent that and with more advanced and increased capabilities for air defence, we can make a big difference," he added. Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine expects announcements regarding air defence, long-range weapons and artillery from the Contact Group Ramstein-format meeting on Defence of Ukraine. On 11 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on an unannounced visit. 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! (NEXSTAR) Anime streamer Crunchyroll has agreed to pay $16 million to settle claims it shared users information with third parties without peoples permission. Included in the settlement are direct payments to millions of Crunchyroll users and subscribers. To qualify, you dont need to be a paying subscriber. If you were in the United States between the dates of Sept. 8, 2020, and Sept. 23, 2023, and you were a registered user (even for Crunchyrolls free version) and you watched a video on one of their platforms, you are eligible for a piece of the fund. Anyone who watched videos on Crunchyrolls website, streaming apps or mobile apps may qualify. Registered users and paying premium subscribers are both eligible. Largest number of claims ever filed: 17M people validated to receive Facebook settlement payment Court documents state that by mid-2021, Crunchyroll had 5 million paying subscribers and 120 million registered users. Sony acquired Crunchyroll in August of that year. While the settlement fund is a massive $16 million, dont expect your payout to be anywhere near that big. Lawyers for the settlement class estimate individuals will receive around $30 each. The exact amount will depend on how many people file a claim. If you believe you qualify, you have until Dec. 12 to send in a claim. You can do so online or by mail. Youll need to fill out a form with your contact information and the email address associated with your Crunchyroll account. A final approval hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19 in Chicago. If the judge gives the green light, payments will be sent out some time after that date. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed she found losing her hair to cancer treatment so traumatic she could not bear looking in the mirror. She said that she had given up brushing her hair because so much was falling out. Appearing on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, the dancer from Caerphilly said she had surprised her family with the snap decision to shave her head. She added she hoped it would help inspire other people with cancer. Wearing a wig as as chatted to the BBC Two show's host and fellow dancer Janet Manrara, she said "no amount of preparation" could have readied her for rapidly losing her locks. "I found it really traumatic - I couldn't even brush my own hair after a while," the 33-year-old said. "So I'd get my husband Ben to do it for me instead. "I'd gone bald on top and, in the end, I couldn't even look in the mirror anymore." She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer after she discovered the first lump back in April, a day before she was due to fly to the Maldives for her honeymoon. After undergoing a mastectomy, she was told the tumours had spread and another type of cancer was discovered. She ended up in hospital with sepsis after a previous cycle of chemotherapy. Amy Dowden is a familiar face on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing last month she shared an emotional video of her with loved ones taking turns to cut a lock of her hair. "One night I just surprised my family by telling them, 'I'm shaving it tomorrow', she said. "So we all got together and tried to make it as fun as possible." Having previously described losing her hair as "empowering and positive" she told It Takes Two that she hoped it would inspire courage in others going through the same ordeal. She described how, now more than halfway through her chemo treatment, she had been overwhelmed by messages of support from colleagues on the show and viewers all over the world. She made a surprise cameo in last weekend's episode of Strictly. "Everyone's been amazing, from the dancers to all the people in makeup and wardrobe. They've all been messaging and Facetiming me, for which I'll be forever grateful." She also called the show's fans "the best in the world". "Their support always comes on the days I really need it the most - I'll never be able to thank them enough." Listen on Sounds banner Listen on Sounds footer A student at a north Georgia high school was arrested after being found with a loaded handgun on campus. The incident happened at East Jackson Comprehensive High School in Commerce on Wednesday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] School officials said someone made building administrators aware of the gun and administrators and school resource officers took swift action to find the gun. The student was immediately taken into custody and removed from campus. TRENDING STORIES: The student, who hasnt been identified, will face disciplinary consequences as well as criminal charges, school officials said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] We are grateful that this concern was reported immediately so we could work with our partners from the Jackson County Sheriffs Office to take action and ensure that our school is safe, school officials said. The student has not been identified. Its unclear what charges he or she is facing and why the student brought the gun to school. College students in the U.S. are facing strong pushback after organizations at multiple schools released statements on the Hamas conflict that appeared to defend the loss of life in Israel. One of the most controversial statements came from Harvard, where a group of more than 30 student-led groups signed a letter saying that Israel was entirely responsible for all unfolding violence happening in the region, which has seen at least hundreds killed on both sides after Hamass original attack on Saturday. The statement, led by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, has since removed the names of its signing groups for safety reasons, while at least five of the organizations that originally signed the letter have withdrawn their support. Amnesty International at Harvard, Harvard College Act on a Dream, the Harvard Undergraduate Nepali Student Association, the Harvard Islamic Society and the Harvard Undergraduate Ghungroo have pulled back their original endorsement of the letter, according to The Harvard Crimson. As a board member of a Harvard group that signed the statement on Israel, I think it was egregious and have resigned from my role. I am sorry for the pain this caused. My organization did not have a formal process and I didnt even see the statement until we had signed on, said Danielle Mikaelian on X, the platform formally known as Twitter. Top Stories from The Hill Mikaelian added she prevented another student-led group where she was also a board member from signing the letter after she discovered its content. Harvard Undergraduate Ghungroo put out a statement on Instagram to formally apologize for its involvement in the letter and to clarify that we stand in solidarity with both Israeli and Palestinian victims and families. Harvard Undergraduate Ghungroo strictly denounces and condemns the massacre propagated by the terrorist organization Hamas, the statement reads. The letter also saw condemnation from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for its failure to denounce Hamass actions. Terrorism is never justified nor someone elses fault. As hundreds of Israelis and others, including several Americans, remain kidnapped, injured, or dead, the 31 Harvard organizations that signed a letter holding Israel entirely responsible for Hamas barbarous terrorism should be condemned, as should Harvard leadership for whom silence is complicity, said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) before Harvards president released a statement on the matter. I cannot recall a moment when Ive been more embarrassed by my alma mater. Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter The University of Virginias Students for Justice in Palestine also drew sharp criticism for its statement that the violent attack on Israel was a step towards a free Palestine. The group is participating in a Day of Resistance Thursday with its national organization, which said this was a historic win for the Palestinian resistance: across land, air, and sea, our people have broken down the artificial barriers of the Zionist entity. And New York University Student Bar Association President Ryna Workman lost a promised job with law firm Winston & Strawn after putting a statement in the groups student newsletter that said Israel bears full responsibility for this tremendous loss of life and refused to condemn Hamas for the attack. These comments are profoundly in conflict with Winston & Strawns values as a firm. Accordingly, the Firm has rescinded the law students offer of employment, the law firm said in a statement. As communicated yesterday to all Winston personnel, we remain outraged and deeply saddened by the violent attack on Israel over the weekend. Our hearts go out to our Jewish colleagues, their families, and all those affected. Other pro-Palestinian student organizations, however, have made a concerted effort to distance themselves from Hamass actions. We just stand for peace, its an emotional conflict, one member of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee at Indiana University told the student newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student. We dont represent Hamas, and we dont condone the actions of Hamas. But we also dont condone the actions of the Israeli military. We do not want to see Palestinian children or Israeli children killed in this siege. It is a tragic event, and we hope things deescalate as soon as they can, the student added. Sign up for the latest from The Hill here The tension on college campuses over the situation has caused university leadership to even step in in some cases. Such inhumanity is abhorrent, whatever ones individual views of the origins of longstanding conflicts in the region, Harvard University President Claudine Gay wrote in a statement after the student-led group letter was released. Let me also state, on this matter as on others, that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group not even 30 students groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership, she added. The Presidential Blog for the University of Washington lamented the attack on Israel while pleading for calm heads on campus as fears of antisemitism and anti-Arab violence will rise in the U.S. due to the conflict. And at a time when we have seen increased acts of antisemitism and anti-Muslim and anti-Arab violence, I want to reiterate that we must not allow our opinions, grief or anger about the conflict to spill over into abusive behavior or harassment of anyone civility remains a core value of our academic community, the blog reads. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A rate of $13 million a minute thats how quickly money in government subsidies went to oil, gas, and coal industries worldwide in 2022, according to a recent analysis by the International Monetary Fund. At the same time, these dirty energy industries boasted record profits and topped the charts as producers of planet-warming pollution. How do dirty energy subsidies work? The subsidies generally aim to keep fuel prices low for consumers. Governments achieve this in different ways, including directly paying down some of the price and also reducing costs for fuel producers through other means, such as tax breaks. The IMF reported in August on record total subsidies of $7 trillion for oil, gas, and coal in 2022. The total was more than education spending by governments worldwide and about two-thirds of healthcare spending, as noted by the IMF Blog. Two reasons for record subsidies in 2022 were that governments sought to ease the blow of spiking energy prices caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine and also that they aimed to keep costs low for ongoing pandemic recovery. Even so, the IMF Blog noted, fuel subsidies have increased by $2 trillion over the past two years, while governments have vowed to reduce them. The IMF explains that there are two forms of fuel subsidies: explicit subsidies (undercharging for supply costs) and implicit subsidies. Its the second type that involves undercharging for environmental costs. Fossil fuel subsidies rose to a record $7 trillion last year. With world temperatures rising to unprecedented levels, subsidies should be scaled back to help slow climate change. https://t.co/VE965QdR0G pic.twitter.com/uaA5QnSUVc IMF (@IMFNews) August 27, 2023 Why you should care about dirty energy subsidies One big problem with subsidies is that they keep fuel artificially cheaper and encourage more fuel use, as The New York Times notes. This comes at costs to human health, the planet, and investment in new technologies such as renewables. There is also an equality issue: People with higher incomes benefit more from low fuel prices because they use more fuel, per the IMF. On its blog, the IMF acknowledges that removing fuel subsidies is tricky but has long-term benefits. The political difficulty of removing subsidies when they keep fuel prices low could be why governments have talked about it without much progress. Yet the IMF points out that phased-in reform of subsidies could a) reduce pollution to help limit planet-heating to an internationally accepted 2.7 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, b) free up tax revenues for investment in other areas, and c) avoid 1.6 million deaths due directly to pollution yearly. The IMF report shows that, at a time when the world is starting to experience worsening impacts of climate change, governments continue to pour fuel on to the fire by providing record levels of subsidies for fossil fuels, Ipek Gencsu, a subsidies expert, told the Guardian. If we are to have any chance of avoiding irreversible and tragic consequences of climate change, governments simply have to show bolder leadership, by phasing out their support for production and consumption of fossil fuels. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan The United States has sufficient capabilities to simultaneously support Ukraine in its war against Russia and Israel in its war against Hamas, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a White House briefing on Oct. 10. We firmly reject the notion that the United States of America cannot at once support the freedom-loving people of Ukraine and support the state of Israel, Sullivan said. We believe we have the resources tools and capacities to be able to effectively do that. Sullivan also confirmed that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden plans to submit an aid package for Ukraine and an aid package for Israel to the U.S. Congress in the near future. However, he did not specify whether it would be a combined request or two separate ones. Read also: Veteran explains war in Israel impact on Ukraines international support In conclusion, the national security advisor emphasized that helping Ukraine is in the interests of the United States because it requires far fewer resources than if Russia were to defeat Ukraine and spread its aggression to other countries in Europe. This could lead to the involvement of U.S. troops in direct combat operations, Sullivan said. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said on Oct. 9 that the U.S. Congress should approve additional funding to provide military assistance to Ukraine and Israel. On the same day, it emerged that U.S. senators from both parties intend to approve an annual aid package to Ukraine worth between $60 and $100 billion in the coming weeks much more than President Joe Biden had requested. On Oct. 10, the U.S. aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in the eastern Mediterranean to prevent the escalation and expansion of the Hamas attack on Israel. Read also: Blinken dismisses speculation that Hamas hoped to distract from Ukraine war, groups true motives remain uncle On the same day, it was reported that the first transport plane with "advanced" U.S. ammunition had landed at Nevatim Air Force Base in southern Israel. The United States has urgently sent air defense equipment and ammunition to Israel, offering assistance in planning special operations and intelligence support for the rescue of hostages. On Oct. 8, media reported that the U.S. military was moving a carrier strike group and military aircraft closer to Israel. The possibility of sending a second aircraft carrier is also being considered. 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 KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) A total of 48 adult and youth members of Sunnyside Baptist Church landed in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday following a trip to Israel. The group was visiting the country to tour religious sites when an unexpected attack from the militant group Hamas hit near the Gaza Strip. The group stayed in a hotel from that point on, awaiting their flight back to America. On Tuesday evening, they landed at Atlanta International Airport and boarded a bus bound for Kingsport. Hundreds gather in Nashville to show support for Israel; Gov. Bill Lee says TN stands with Israel Associate Pastor David Luster told News 2s sister station, WJHL, Tuesday night that as he awaited the groups return, he felt at ease since the church members and Sunnysides lead pastor Bill Sims are back stateside. Its hard to express how you feel, Luster said. Theres so many emotions that go through us, when we see this, when we hear this, when we get all the phone calls, and the things that we dont know. Its the unknown. Now we know, as much as we can. Theyre on their way home, theyre nearly home. So those fears that we had have been dissolved, and I am so thankful for that. Director of Childrens Services at Sunnyside Tammy Rogers was on the trip. She told WJHL that while on the bus home, she saw looks of relief on everyones faces. Nashville Jewish community responds to Hamas attacks in Israel There [have] been lots of smiles and looks of relief on everyones faces, Rogers said via text while traveling home. We are all so appreciative of the prayers of our families, church, community, and all over the states. Its been a comfort knowing weve had so many interceding on our behalf for our safety and travels. Im not going to lie, its been very scary at times and going into a safe area from air strikes is something I pray we never have to do again. But God is in control and He holds our tomorrows. The group arrived at the church at around 2 a.m. Wednesday. God took care of us. We prayed about it. There was just a peace that came over me about things and I think the whole group it did, longtime church member, Jeff Dill said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Supreme Courts conservatives were highly skeptical on Wednesday of arguments that Republicans in the South Carolina legislature unconstitutionally relied on race while drawing congressional district lines. At issue in Wednesdays case, Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, is whether a three-judge federal district court erred when it ruled that the state legislature had unconstitutionally manipulated racial demographics when drawing lines for the states 1st Congressional District, in an effort to achieve a Republican district in the Charleston region. That district court panel ruled that the states movement of white voters into the district, and Black voters out of it, had the effect of bleaching... African American voters out of the Charleston County portion of [the 1st District], in violation of the 14th Amendments equal protection clause, which forbids the predominance of race in redistricting. But the conservative justices appeared ready to side with the state, which argued that changes to the district were made solely to entrench a Republican political advantage the kind of partisan gerrymandering that the court gave a green light to in its 2019 decision in Rucho v. Common Cause. In Rucho, the court ruled that the Constitution has nothing to say about partisan gerrymandering and, therefore, such cases cant be judged in federal courts. During arguments, the conservatives repeatedly questioned the reliability of the evidence presented to the district court, and whether the Black South Carolinian plaintiffs had needed to show direct evidence that the state relied predominantly on race to draw the map lines Republicans desired. We have never had a case where there has been no direct evidence, no map, no strangely configured districts... and, instead, it is all resting on circumstantial evidence, Chief Justice John Roberts said. Activists gather outside the Supreme Court for oral arguments in the gerrymandering case Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of the NAACP. Activists gather outside the Supreme Court for oral arguments in the gerrymandering case Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of the NAACP. Throughout the arguments, the liberal justices tried to explain that Supreme Court precedents, including in the 2017 case of Cooper v. Harris, stated that this kind of direct evidence of heavy reliance on race as a factor in redistricting is not actually required. The court ruled in Cooper that plaintiffs may show direct evidence, provide circumstantial evidence, or supply a mixture of both to prove that a state improperly relied on race when drawing district lines. I think Cooper was petulantly clear that you dont need smoking-gun evidence, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said. Instead, the district court panel based its ruling in the South Carolina case on expert analyses showing that without taking race into account, the legislature could not have configured the exact balance of Black voters in the district they needed to achieve a Republican-weighted district. The ruling also factored in testimony from lawmakers and map drawers. The district court found that the evidence showed that South Carolinas limit of a maximum 17% Black voting population for the district could not have been accomplished without using race as the major factor. The Supreme Courts conservatives sought to undermine this expert evidence on a number of grounds, particularly for not taking political partisanship into account. How can we possibly give any weight to an expert account that did not take politics into account? Justice Samuel Alito said during an extended cross-examination of Leah Aden, an NAACP Legal Defense Fund lawyer arguing on behalf of the Black South Carolinian plaintiffs. Aden explained that one of the four expert analyses did in fact use some partisan political data, but noted that the analyses were also conducted in response to the states defense, which argued that it drew the map to follow traditional redistricting criteria, like compactness, contiguity and maintaining communities of interest. Aden added that the state only shifted its rationale to claim it was pursuing a preferred partisan outcome after the case had gone to court and the analyses had been submitted. The states reliance on the argument that it was simply engaged in blatant partisan gerrymandering loomed over the arguments. What once may have been a damning argument politicians drawing district boundaries for naked partisan gain is now a legitimate defense. With racial polarization incredibly high in Southern states like South Carolina, the courts conservatives argued it was impossible to separate racial motives from partisan ones. This seemed to be a point in favor of dismissing the prohibition on race as a factor, so as to continue allowing partisan motives. At least as a practical matter ... there is no way to disentangle race and politics, Alito said. Rep. Nancy Mace (R) represents South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, at issue in the case before the Supreme Court. Rep. Nancy Mace (R) represents South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, at issue in the case before the Supreme Court. The liberal justices and the lawyers arguing on the side of the plaintiffs, Aden and Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General Carolina Flynn, sought to raise the fact that the state relied on scant partisan political data, looking only at the 2020 election, while also regularly checking more detailed racial data when drawing the district lines. South Carolinas use of only a single presidential election stood out as odd, as the data from that one election cannot properly provide information on how voters behave in non-presidential elections. Without such historical election data to evaluate voting trends, race serves as the best stand-in for partisanship, especially in a state where 90% of Black voters cast their ballots for Democrats. Everybody can tell you that if you really want to draw a stable partisan gerrymander, you do not rely on a single presidential year election data, Justice Elena Kagan said. They had not only the opportunity sitting there on their computers but the clear incentive to be looking at this race data, which is more predictive of future voting behavior than a single presidential year election. The entire argument showed what the world of redistricting looks like in the wake of the courts 2019 decision in Rucho, which found that claims of partisan gerrymandering are non-justiciable in federal courts. In the South, if the courts conservatives overrule the district court, that will mean more freedom for Republican legislatures to use partisanship as a proxy for race discrimination in future rounds of redistricting. Related... The Supreme Courts conservatives expressed doubt at oral arguments Wednesday that South Carolina GOP lawmakers engaged in impermissible racial gerrymandering when they redrew congressional lines for a House seat to benefit Republicans. The case is one of several racial and political gerrymandering-related lawsuits that could impact which party controls the House after next years congressional elections. The district at issue was reworked in 2020 to benefit the GOP and current incumbent, Rep. Nancy Mace one of the eight Republicans who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker last week. The South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP and a Black voter named Taiwan Scott say the use of race dominated the decision-making process and that the state worked to intentionally dilute the power of Black voters. A federal court agreed, referring to the revised map as bleaching. Several of the conservative justices on Wednesday suggested that map drawers had taken politics into consideration, not race. Chief Justice John Roberts said those challenging the map had no direct evidence that race had predominated in the decisionmaking process. He said that there were no odd-shaped districts drawn and that there existed a wealth of political data that would justify the chosen boundaries. He said the challengers had only presented circumstantial evidence and suggested the court would be breaking new ground in its voting jurisprudence if it were to side with them. Justice Samuel Alito repeatedly suggested that a lower court had made serious legal error in invalidating the map by relying upon erroneous expert testimony. He said the Supreme Court could not rubber-stamp the district courts finding and he noted that the individual charged with drawing the maps had years of experience and had worked for both Democrats and Republicans. Alito contended that there was nothing suspicious if a map drawer is aware of race as long as it is not a predominant factor when drawing lines. Justice Neil Gorsuch said there was no evidence that the legislature could have achieved its partisan tile in any other way. For their part, the liberals on the court suggested that the Republican-controlled South Carolina Legislature adopted the maps by considering race as a predominant factor, in violation of the equal protection clause of the US Constitution. Justice Sonia Sotomayor said that Republicans were launching pot shots at the experts who claimed the maps could only be explained by race. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that the challengers are not required to produce a smoking gun to prove their point. The dispute comes as the justices this year ordered Alabama to redraw its congressional map to account for the states 27% Black voting population. That decision, penned by Roberts, came as a welcome relief to liberals who feared that the court was poised to make it harder for minorities to challenge maps under Section 2 of the historic Voting Rights Act. A federal court approved a new map last week that significantly boosts the Black population in a second district, which could lead to the pickup of a Democratic seat next year. The South Carolina case raises different questions rooted in the Constitution concerning when a state crosses the line between permissible partisan goals and illegal racial discrimination. The state chapter of the NAACP and Scott are challenging the states 1st Congressional District, located along the southeastern coast and anchored in Charleston County. Although the district consistently elected Republicans from 1980 to 2016, in 2018 a Democrat was elected in a political upset. Two years later a Republican candidate, Mace, regained the seat in a close race. When the state House and Senate began considering congressional reapportionment in 2021, the Republican majorities sought to create a stronger GOP tilt in the district, one of seven in the state. A new map could make the seat more competitive. After an eight-day trial featuring 42 witnesses and 652 exhibits, a three-judge district court panel in January held that District 1 amounted to an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment because race was the predominant factor in the districts reapportionment plan. To achieve a target of 17% African American population, the court said, Charleston County was racially gerrymandered and over 30,000 African Americans were removed from their home district. The court referred at one point to the bleaching of Black voters out of the Charleston County portion of the district. State legislators are free to consider a broad array of factors in the design of a legislative district, including partisanship, but they may not use race as a predominant factor and may not use partisanship as a proxy for race, the court concluded. South Carolina Republicans, led by state Senate President Thomas Alexander, appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing that the maps had not been drawn impermissibly based on race, but instead with politics in mind. The person who devised the map testified in federal court that he was instructed to make the district more Republican leaning, but that he did not consider race while drawing the lines. He did, however, acknowledge that he examined racial data after drafting each version and that the Black voting-age population of the district was viewed during the drafting process. If left uncorrected, the panels holding would place States in an impossible bind by exposing them to potential racial gerrymandering liability whenever they decline to make majority-white, modestly-majority Republican districts majority-Democratic, argued John Gore, a lawyer for the Republicans. Mace filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the high court in support of the Republicans, charging that the lower court ignored one of the most important traditional districting principles the preservation of the core of existing districts. Joined by other GOP members of Congress from South Carolina, Mace argued that constituent services, voter education and the seniority of long-serving members of the House are vital interests and that the lower court was bent on destroying the legislatures duly enacted and carefully negotiated map. Lawyers for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund told the justices in court papers that the state impermissibly used race as a predominant factor when drawing the district. Using race as the predominant means to sort voters is unconstitutional even if done for partisan goals, they argued. They said the lower court made clear that the state intentionally exiled more than 30,000 Black Charlestonians from CD1 predominately because of their race. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Fredreka Schouten contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FILE - Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., speaks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, May 24, 2023. The Supreme Court is taking up a new congressional redistricting case, this time from South Carolina, that could shape the fight for partisan control of the House of Representatives. Arguments taking place at the high court on Oct. 11 will focus on a coastal district that is held by Mace. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to preserve the Republican hold on a South Carolina congressional district against a claim that it treats Black voters unfairly. The outcome could shape the fight for partisan control of the House of Representatives. The court's six conservative justices signaled skepticism with a lower court ruling that ordered South Carolina to redraw a coastal district that is held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. Chief Justice John Roberts said a ruling for Black voters who challenged the district would be breaking new ground in our voting rights jurisprudence. When Mace first won election in 2020, she edged Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham by 1%, under 5,400 votes. In 2022, following redistricting driven by the 2020 census results, Mace won reelection by 14%. She is one of eight Republicans who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. With Republicans holding a thin margin in the U.S. House, the loss or gain of one seat could alter the balance of power after the 2024 elections. The Republican-led legislature's 2022 redistricting moved 30,000 Black residents of Charleston out of Mace's district. The state argued that partisan politics, not race, and a population boom in coastal areas explain the congressional map. The General Assembly had no reason to and did not use a racial target. It used political data to pursue its political goals, lawyer John Gore told the court on behalf of the state. But the lower court concluded that the state used race as a proxy for partisan affiliation in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, one of three liberals who sounded sympathetic to the challengers, noted that the old and new districts kept the Democratic-leaning Black voting age population at 17%, low enough to keep electing a Republican representative. How do you explain the consistency? I mean, my understanding is that thousands of people were moved in and out of this district, and yet that line, the line concerning the amount of, you know, Black voter -- adult voter participation remained the same, Jackson said. Justice Brett Kavanaugh , on the other hand, seemed to have little trouble with the state's explanations for how the map ended up as it did. Kavanaugh asked what the court should do if it finds the state relied on solid political, rather than racial, data to draw the district. If that data is good, should we reverse? he asked. Kavanaugh and Roberts split with the other conservatives and joined the liberal justices when the Supreme Court in June said Alabama diluted Black voters political power. Democrats seem likely to gain a seat in Alabama following a court-ordered redistricting that will give Alabama two congressional districts where Black voters comprise a substantial portion of the electorate. A similar pending Louisiana case could lead to a second mostly Black district there, too. In South Carolina, Black voters wouldnt be as numerous in a redrawn district. But combined with a substantial set of Democratic-leaning white voters, Democrats could be competitive in the reconfigured district. Civil rights groups challenged the map in federal court and won a ruling from a unanimous three-judge panel in January. Leah Aden, arguing in defense of the lower-court ruling, told the justices that four of the five heaviest Black precincts were moved out of Mace's district, while a much lower percentage of majority-white voting precincts were moved. The lower court put its order on hold to allow the state to appeal to the Supreme Court. Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said in January that we dont need to draw anything until five members of the Supreme Court say we have to. Both sides want a decision by Jan. 1 so that the state can use a congressional map in the 2024 elections that complies with the Supreme Courts ruling. A new survey asking Americans how they want Congress to address racial equity has shown some variation on the top priorities among different racial groups. The survey, conducted by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and NORC at the University of Chicago, presented Americans with several race-conscious issues and asked respondents to identify the priorities they feel congressional leaders need to address to achieve a more racially equitable society. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. These options included hiring staff representative of them and their interests and reflective of the diversity in their community, ensuring laws do not racially discriminate, passing legislation that helps to decrease racial inequality and passing legislation to make sure that every American has the right to vote. Priorities differed among racial groups, but Black Americans were most likely to rank all the race-conscious issues as top priorities for members of Congress. Nearly 80 percent of Black Americans said that ensuring Congress passes anti-discrimination laws is their top priority. White Americans, however, said passing legislation to ensure every American has a right to vote was their top priority. Fifty-four percent of respondents said that congressional members hiring staff that is representative of them and their interests should also be an important or top priority for Congress. When broken down along racial lines, 68 percent of Black respondents said hiring a reflective staff should be a top priority, compared with 54 percent of Hispanic respondents and 52 percent of white respondents. Racially conscious leadership and policymaking is crucial to maintaining American democracy; it enables leaders to provide different policy perspectives to comprehend the priorities of diverse communities, said Dr. LaShonda Brenson, senior researcher for the Joint Centers Hill diversity work and co-author of their blog. With Americans continued prioritization of racial equity in hiring, legislation, and voting rights, especially in light of the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, legislators must reflect the needs of their constituents. Priorities varied by gender and education level. Women were more likely than men to rank race-conscious priorities as top priorities, and those with a bachelors degree ranked race-conscious policy priorities higher than those with no high school diploma. Still, 73 percent of respondents said passing legislation to make sure that every American has the right to vote should be an important or top priority for Congress. Black respondents were most likely to say this, with 80 percent of Black Americans agreeing with the statement, compared with 74 percent of white respondents and 61 percent of Hispanic respondents. Race-conscious policies have come under heavy fire this year. This summer, the Supreme Court struck down race-conscious admissions in higher education. Soon after, House Republicans introduced legislation to abolish the Office of Diversity and Inclusion of the House of Representatives. These developments followed the 2022 midterms, where voting rights and the underlying racial inequity concerns were a top issue in several states. Through the survey results, Congress can see direct data points of what the American public wants and expects from them to accurately prioritize their racial equity concerns, said Kimberly Victor, research associate and co-author of the blog. The results are a call to action to ensure Congress prioritizes diverse hiring, promotes nondiscriminatory legislation, and ensures every American utilizes their right to vote. The data for the survey was collected online from more than 1,200 Americans between Jan. 26 and Jan. 30, 2023, using NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak panel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A kibbutz attack survivor says Hamas turned his "little piece of paradise" into "pure hell." Avidor Schwartzman told Reuters that he hid in his safe room with his family when Hamas attacked. Schwartzman said he saw bodies and blood everywhere after he was rescued by the military. A man who survived a Hamas attack on his kibbutz said the militant group turned his home into "pure hell." Avidor Schwartzman, 38, and his family stayed in a kibbutz in Kfar Aza, located three kilometers from the Gaza strip. Schwartzman told Reuters in a story published on Tuesday that he hid in his house's safe room with his family when Hamas attacked on Saturday morning. The Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza. Schwartzman said the family went into hiding after they were woken by the sound of rockets. They were later rescued by Israeli soldiers, after hiding in the safe room for more than 20 hours. "There were bodies everywhere. Dead bodies everywhere. We saw our little piece of paradise, our little piece of heaven, was totally burnt and with blood everywhere," Schwartzman told Reuters. Schwartzman's wife, Keren Flash, told Reuters the family heard the sound of shooting outside while they were barricaded in the room. "We kept hearing shootings and gunfire and bombs and alarms, and we just didn't know what was happening," Flash told Reuters. Our worst nightmares." Nir Dinar, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, told Insider on Tuesday that soldiers have found decapitated corpses of babies at a kibbutz in Kfar Aza. Dinar said in a later statement that they weren't able to confirm the number of bodies. "What happened in Kibbutz Kfar Aza is a massacre in which women children, toddlers and elderly were brutally butchered in an ISIS way of action," Dinar told Insider. CNN correspondent Nic Robertson, reporting from the ground in Israel, said he saw "bodies everywhere" when he visited the kibbutz. "There were so many murdered members of this kibbutz. Men, women, children, hands bound, shot, executed, heads cut," Robertson said in his report. Israel declared a state of war on Sunday, with officials saying their goal was to vanquish Hamas and take complete control of Gaza. Civilian deaths and injuries have been reported on both sides. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday that at least 1,200 Israelis have been killed. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the war has claimed at least 830 lives in Gaza, with thousands more injured. Read the original article on Business Insider MERIDIAN, Miss. - A man suspected in the shooting deaths of a woman and her 8-year-old son was arrested Tuesday about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of where the deaths occurred, authorities said. Lauderdale County sheriff's deputies arrested a suspect they identified as James Salento Fulgham Jr. one day after the bodies were found in Scott County. Coroner J. Van Thames identified the victims as Zina Williams, who Thames said was in her 40s, and her son, Zacchesus Williams. Lauderdale County investigators determined a vehicle that was wanted in connection with the homicides was found in a wooded area near a home where the suspect previously lived, said Lauderdale County Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun, III. Investigators saturated the area and began the process of a search warrant for a residence, he said in a statement. While in the process of preparing to approach the residence, the suspect was spotted in a vehicle (that) stopped at another residence across the road. Fulgham was taken into custody without incident. It was unknown if Fulgham has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Calhoun said Scott County investigators had arrived and are taking over the investigation. Exact charges were not immediately available. The Scott County Sheriffs Office confirmed the bodies were found Monday after firefighters responded to a house fire in Forest. Thames said it appears the victims were shot and then their home was deliberately set on fire. "This is a small neighborhood. Everybody knows everybody, Thames told WAPT-TV. It doesnt just affect the family, it affects the friends of the family, school teacher this is an 8-year-old child. From the information that we have, a very joyful little guy. Its a sad occasion. Investigators believe an argument between Zina Williams and Fulgham, who authorities said was her boyfriend, preceded the shooting and fire. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mother, son found shot to death in burned home in MS; Suspect arrested PHILADELPHIA - A fugitive is now in custody after a Philadelphia Streets Department worker was gunned down on duty last month. The 22-year-old worker, identified as Masir Williams, was shot twice outside a corner store in Grays Ferry on September 7. Sources told FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce that a fight erupted inside the store before Williams attempted to run away. An arrest warrant was issued a day later for 22-year-old Senaaj Jackson, who was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals Wednesday. This morning at 6:30 a.m., @USMS_Philly and @PhillyPolice arrested Senaaj Jackson, 22, in the 2400 block of Arlington Street. Jackson was wanted for the September shooting death of a Philadelphia Streets Department worker, which took place in the 2300 block of Oakford Street. pic.twitter.com/FtKhudr0s0 U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia (@USMS_Philly) October 11, 2023 This is the second time in less than a year a city worker was killed on the job. In November 2022, a sanitation worker was shot and killed while on the job in Holmesburg. Sussex Central High School Principal Bradley Layfield denies creating and circulating a meme of a students breast exposed during a school fight captured by a surveillance camera, according to a court filing Tuesday that places the blame on the assistant principal. Layfield and Assistant Principal Matt Jones have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by the student. Both administrators are on leave. Defendant Jones created a meme solely on his own and any circulation of it in the workplace was without Defendants participation, according to Tuesday's filing on Layfield's behalf. Layfield's lawyer, Thomas Neuberger, told Delaware Online/The News Journal in September that neither he nor his client had any knowledge of a meme and didn't know why Jones was being investigated. "A lot of water's gone over the dam since September," Neuberger said when reached by phone. Jones could not be reached for comment. Neuberger filed the response to former student Aniya Harmons September complaint in Superior Court, denying any wrongdoing by his client. He also asked for the case to be dismissed with costs and legal fees assessed against Harmon. The lawsuit centers on an altercation that occurred at the Georgetown school early in the morning of May 17, 2023. Harmon, an 18-year-old senior at the time, encountered two students arguing on her way to class and spoke to the female involved, by all accounts. Aniya Harmon, right, with mother Latosha White at a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 12. Assistant Principal Aerin Donovan attempted to pull Harmon away from the scene, causing her clothes to come apart, exposing her entire right breast, the lawsuit says. Layfields response claims she was exposed for 1-2 seconds, for 2-3 steps. The situation was resolved by the time Layfield arrived. He later spoke to Harmon and told her she should leave school for a few days, according to the complaint. When she returned May 19, she learned Jones had created a meme from the surveillance video, the lawsuit claims, showing her exposed breast and superimposing Janet Jacksons face over her own. In addition, Layfield admits to showing the video to nine Sussex Central employees, an Indian River School District administrator and a Delaware State Police officer throughout the day. Reviewing video of student fights with staff is commonplace and necessary for safety, according to Layfield. Background: Lawsuit claims Sussex Central High principals created meme of student's exposed breast Harmons lawyer contends that showing the video to staff was highly offensive and objectionable and would be to any reasonable person. Layfields response counters that unless the video is viewed frame to frame, which was not done that day, Harmons breast cannot be viewed. According to Harmons attorney, Emeka Igwe, he, Harmon and her family were allowed to view the video but do not have a copy of it. Principal Bradley H. Layfield welcomes everyone to the Sussex Central High School graduation ceremony at Sussex Central Stadium in 2016 The lawsuit, along with Layfield and Jones, names Sussex Central and the Indian River School District and alleges invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other counts. Layfields response denies them all. Indian River School District: Teacher charged with misdemeanor after 3-year-old left unattended on playground for hours Jones and Layfield have been on administrative leave since May. Both are still employed by the district, according to spokesman David Maull. Delaware State Police were investigating the incident, but according to spokesperson India Sturgis, the investigation was completed last month and turned over to the Department of Justice, where any decision on whether to file charges will be made. Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Sussex Central principal files response to student's lawsuit This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. The hallways of public schools have become a newfound political battleground this year. Across the nation and all the way up to the halls of Congress, political leaders are investing more and more energy in determining school curriculum and books have become a new target. During the 2021-2022 school year, more than 1,600 books were banned from school libraries, affecting 138 school districts in 32 states, according to a report from PEN America. For many, such bans are dangerous. For others, its a way to protect students. On this episode of The Switch Up, we talked with Kimberle Crenshaw, George M. Johnson and Tiffany D. Jackson all authors whose books have been banned and the impact censorship can have on our democracy. The Switch Up podcast series hosted by The Hills Cheyanne M. Daniels explores the intersection of race and politics through intimate conversations with leading scholars, advocates and legislators from communities of color. Follow The Switch Up on Spotify. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Challengers bested two Cary Town Council incumbents in district races Tuesday night, but one may be headed to a runoff to secure the spot. Newcomer Michelle Craig defeated four-term council member Don Frantz in District B. Sarika Bansal and Rachel Jordan finished first and second ahead of incumbent Ryan Eades in District D. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht ran unopposed, and at-large incumbent Lori Bush finished far ahead in her council race. Mayor Weinbrecht took 95% of the vote with all 44 precincts reporting to win his sixth term as mayor. At-large There were three candidates for one of the councils at-large seats. Bush led opponents Mary Insprucker and Matthew Gronke with nearly 71% of the vote. Insprucker finished second with 24% of the vote. Gronke had 4%. District B With all 12 precincts reporting, Craig won 61% of the vote, to incumbent Don Frantzs 39%. Craig, a substitute teacher for the Wake County Public School System and a former pre-K teacher, moved to Cary 10 years ago with her young family. Frantz, first elected in 2007, has served four terms on the council. Craig told The News & Observer that she was filled with gratitude and was grateful for Frantz for the time he served on the town council. I am grateful to the voters who chose to invest in me and our community, she said. We saw a vision of making Cary more affordable, equitable and sustainable, and with the help of many volunteers, we worked to share that vision throughout Cary, District B. District D With all six precincts reporting in Wake and Chatham counties, Bansal finished with 49% of the vote, followed by Jordan with 28%. Because Bansal did not reach the 50% plus one vote threshold required to win, Jordan may call for a runoff. If she does, the runoff will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7. Eades, who was appointed to fill a seat vacated by Ya Liu in December, finished third with 23%. Jordan has been a Democratic Party precinct chair and served on the Alston Ridge Elementary Schol PTA. If elected, Bansal will be the first Indian American and the second woman of color to serve on the Cary Town Council. Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine has said that the negotiations of Ukraines accession to the European Union will begin in the first half of 2024, when Belgium holds the EU Council presidency. Source: European Pravda; Ihor Zhovkva following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys meeting with Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander de Croo Details: Zhovkva said that it is during Belgiums presidency in the EU Council in the first half of 2024 that the "negotiations on Ukraines membership in the EU will actually begin". "Belgiums presidency will be more than symbolic. Our partner will support Ukraine from the EUs very institutional heart," Zhovkva added, stressing the fact that key EU institutions are located in Brussels. Background: On 3 October, Politico reported that EU leaders were preparing to give their political consent to what is expected to be a positive decision by the European Commission on Ukraines readiness to start accession talks in December. The European Commission is expected to publish a report on how well Ukraine and other EU accession candidates are fulfilling accession conditions in November. It is, however, the EU member states and not the European Commission that will have to vote on the beginning of accession negotiations. They will have to vote unanimously to approve the decision. Ukraine has not yet fulfilled the seven criteria for accession and continues to fail to implement one of the EU recommendations that several EU member-states consider crucial: legislation on Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). 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! CNNs Jake Tapper pressed an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson over Palestinian civilian casualties from the countrys offensive in Gaza on Wednesday as part of a contentious interview covering the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hamas militants launched a wide-scale attack on Israel on Saturday, and fighting has continued apace since, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to Israeli media and the Palestinian government. Tapper spoke with Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus, who defended the nations airstrike campaigns on Gaza, which have demolished entire neighborhoods. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that nearly two-thirds of the wounded in Tuesdays airstrikes were women and children. Conricus said the IDF only targets Hamas military buildings. With all due respect, how good is your intelligence in Gaza anymore? Tapper asked. Conricus said Israels ability to track military targets is intact while acknowledging criticism of the countrys military, which was caught off guard by the Hamas attacks Saturday. Ive seen, personally, many types of targets that we have. The resolution of the intelligence, as in whose house it is, which Hamas commander uses the facility or what the offices in a certain building are used by Hamas for, Conricus said. I can tell you that the intelligence is solid and it is focused and that we are striking targets that are directly related to Hamas and not targets that dont have anything to do with them. But Tapper continued to push back. Youre not saying that every missile that hits within Gaza and I dont even know how many have hit since Saturday, and again I understand the desire and the need to go after the Hamas threat, Im not questioning that but you cant really be arguing that every single missile is hitting a Hamas target, Tapper said. Every single missile is intended for a Hamas target, Conricus responded. There is definitely, clearly, in any campaign or any bombardment in dense urban terrain, there is collateral damage. Yes, that is clear and yes, that is unfortunate. It is unfortunately part and parcel of combat in urban terrain. Israel has blocked Gazans from leaving the territory, briefly closing its only border crossing with Egypt on Monday while continuing to prevent humanitarian aid from entering the area despite pleas from the United Nations. Hospitals are at capacity and running out of medical supplies, while the regions only power station shut down over a lack of fuel Wednesday, the Palestinian government said. Israels chosen military strategy to bombard Gaza with an unprecedented amount of airstrikes all over the small, 141-square-mile territory has raised questions about how Israel will move forward after the campaign ends. Is the end game here the elimination of Hamas totally? And if so, what comes after that? Tapper said. Conricus replied, Those are questions that will be answered a little bit ahead of time, and I dont have answers for them now. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. " Taylor Swift : The Eras Tour" movie was shot during her six-night stand at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium in August. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) It's official: The Grove is closed for the day. Barricades and security guards were seen encircling Los Angeles' popular luxury mall, closing it off to workers and would-be shoppers. LAPD officers plan to rove the area later in the afternoon. The reason: Taylormania. In an invitation distributed to attendees, AMC Theatres confirmed that the highly anticipated Taylor Swift: Eras Tour concert film will premiere Wednesday at AMC's the Grove 14 and that all of the mall's shops and restaurants will be shuttered for the event. The film's wide release is scheduled for Friday. Here's what to know about the event and how the Swiftie madness is expected to affect the Fairfax area. Read more: It's a love story, L.A. just says yes: How Taylormania took over the world What's closed and what's open? The Grove at Farmers Market announced its closure Wednesday morning on social media. "The Grove will be closed today," the mall said on its Instagram stories, alongside a photo of the AMC theater. Red carpet covered the brick pavement leading to the theater's entrance, according to video shared on social media, with plenty of photo-op backdrops with the film's poster. The neighboring Original Farmers Market remained open Wednesday, The Times confirmed with businesses at the shopping center and food hall. They reported seeing hordes of security guards posted at the Grove's main entrances, alongside metal barricades. TMZ reported that Rick Caruso's eponymous company, which runs the Grove, plans to compensate businesses for revenue losses during the closure. (A spokesperson for the Grove did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment.) Should I be worried about traffic? If Swift's six-show run of sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium is any indication of Swifties' willingness to show up for their icon, Wednesday night's movie premiere may draw large crowds to the area. But the scale should be much smaller SoFi Stadium has a seating capacity of 70,000+, while AMC the Grove 14 has seats for somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 moviegoers. Even so, an officer at the LAPD Wilshire Community station told The Times that its rank-and-file were warned of traffic congestion in the area due to the event. An LAPD detail was to be assigned to the area to help with traffic demands starting at 2:30 p.m. Although the officer said no road closures would be in place, the surrounding streets of Fairfax Avenue, 3rd Street and Beverly Boulevard may see a surge in traffic before, during and after the premiere, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Read more: The unofficial fan chants to learn ahead of Taylor Swifts L.A. shows Friendship bracelets encouraged! Swift's film arrives with much anticipation and some controversy after her original announcement in late August, which encouraged "Eras attire, friendship bracelets, singing and dancing." "1, 2, 3, LGB!!!! (iykyk)," she added in the Instagram announcement, referring to one of her raucous chants, started by a fan who attended Swifts Pasadena show in 2018 during her Reputation tour. The movie, directed by Sam Wrench, has been promoted as an extension of Swift's record-breaking Eras tour, with moviegoers expected to pack theaters in the same vibrant and playful outfits seen throughout the tour. However, the invitation for dancing and singing has generated criticism from theater workers who worry the rush of fans will leave theaters trashed and concerns about attendees using their phones and filming during screenings and disrupting others by talking and singing during the film, according to Rolling Stone. Screenings are expected to last two weeks, with each AMC theater and other theater chains hosting at least four showings each day and four a week, the report said much longer than other recent concert films, such as "Billie Eilish: Live at the O2". Last week, AMC announced ticket presales had already reached $100 million globally. Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A teaching assistant abandoned his dog in his car for over an hour as temperatures rose higher than 95 degrees while he bought guns for another man at a Georgia pawn shop, federal prosecutors said. The former school paraprofessional, 34, of Woodstock, Georgia, is accused of illegally buying nearly four dozen guns for the other man, a 54-year-old from Kingston, Jamaica, with the mans money between February 2022 and June 2022, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia. The other man, who prosecutors said is an undocumented alien previously deported from the U.S. after he was convicted of attempted murder, is accused of trafficking firearms the teaching assistant bought on his behalf. He distributed guns to other people, with at least two of the weapons used in shootings in Connecticut, according to prosecutors. The pairs gun trafficking crime spree came to an end when the teaching assistant left his pet inside his car outside of a Jonesboro pawn shop on June 15, 2022, prosecutors said. According to an indictment, he bought nine guns at Arrowhead Pawn Shop that day. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confronted the man and saw the dog suffering from extreme heat stress, according to prosecutors. Clayton County animal control officers responded and tried saving the mans pet, but the dog died as a result of being abandoned in the car, prosecutors said. On Sept. 20, the teaching assistant was sentenced to four years and two months in prison after he was previously convicted of conspiracy to make false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, the attorneys office announced in an Oct. 10 news release. Its unclear where the man worked as a teaching assistant, as prosecutors didnt provide details of his prior employment. He pretended to be the actual purchaser of the guns he bought for the other man in the metro-Atlanta area, according to prosecutors, who said he sometimes illegally purchased up to 17 firearms a week. A federal public defender representing him declined a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 10. In a sentencing memorandum submitted on his behalf, his public defender, Takiya J. Wheeler, wrote his financial struggles led him to where he is today and that hes deeply remorseful for his actions and has accepted responsibility. The other man was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison on Aug. 2 after he was convicted of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, conspiracy to make false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer, and reentry after deportation, according to the attorneys office. McClatchy News contacted a defense attorney who represented that man in the case and didnt receive an immediate response. Firearms traffickers fuel gun violence in our communities placing citizens at risk of injury and death, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said in a statement. Woodstock is about 35 miles northwest of Atlanta. School finds loaded handgun in substitute teachers backpack, Maryland cops say Man shoots down drone harassing him during burglary investigation in Florida, feds say Pentagon official accused of killing dogs that performed poorly in dogfights, feds say FRESNO, Calif (KSEE/KGPE) Detectives have identified and arrested a suspect they say was involved in the stabbing of a 20-year-old woman in Tulare on Tuesday. When officers arrived at the scene in the parking lot area of Country Estates near 900 E Rankin Avenue they learned the woman had been stabbed multiple times. She was then transported to a local hospital for her injuries. 20-year-old woman stabbed in Tulare, police say Investigators say through the investigation, detectives learned there was a physical altercation between the two people. Officials say the suspect was identified as a 17-year-old from Visalia and was booked in Tulare County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of attempted homicide. Tulare Police Department says the investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective German Brrios at (559 )685-2300, ext. 2152. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. The Israel-Hamas war has upended activity on U.S. college campuses, pitting student groups against their own university leaders as long-simmering tensions between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian organizations boil over. Some student groups have long denounced what they call Israels occupation of Palestinian territories and brutal treatment of its residents, and while politicians from across the political spectrum were swift to condemn Hamass attack over the weekend, there were those at U.S. schools who laid the blame at Israels feet, leading to fears of potential antisemitic violence. More than 30 student groups at Harvard released a statement after the attack saying that Israel was entirely responsible for all unfolding violence, and the University of Virginias (UVA) Students for Justice in Palestine said Hamass actions, while left hundreds of Israeli civilians dead, represent a step towards a free Palestine. We stand in solidarity with Palestinian resistance fighters and all oppressed people around the world seeking freedom and a better world, the UVA group said. The Harvard letter received so much backlash, including from the universitys president, that the names of all the original signing organizations have been taken off. Harvard Hillel responded by saying it is deeply pained that instead of finding solace and support among our Harvard community in the days following the bloodiest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, we encountered further hatred and anti-Semitism here in Cambridge. Micah Gritz, COO of Jewish on Campus and a senior at Tufts University, says the campus environment has been horrifying. He said Jewish and Israeli students are incredibly scared, and he had friends in Israel who have been hiding in bomb shelters and family getting redrafted into the Israeli army. On campus, were seeing students either turn a blind eye to the conflict, or were seeing those who are openly celebrating our pain, you know, glorifying it, justifying it, Gritz told The Hill. Theyre casting the murder of Jews and Israelis as progressive, as liberation. Its just honestly very, very scary as a Jewish student on campus who has friends and family in Israel. The distinction between the actions of Hamas and support for the Palestinian people more broadly has been a key one, with lawmakers seeking to draw a sharp line between the two. It should not be hard to shut down hatred and antisemitism where we see it. That is a core tenet of solidarity, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in a statement after a rally in New York City in support of Hamas. The bigotry and callousness expressed in Times Square on Sunday were unacceptable and harmful in this devastating moment. It also did not speak for the thousands of New Yorkers who are capable of rejecting both Hamass horrifying attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices and violence Palestinians face under occupation, she added. College campuses in the U.S. have been a hotbed on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for years, with each flare-up of violence in the Middle East sparking renewed frustrations on both sides. Students for Justice in Palestine at Arizona State University held a rally in support of Palestine on Sunday, saying in a post that the event was used to learn about the Palestinian liberation struggle against the U.S. and Israeli war machine. Since then, the student organization has been reposting on X, formerly known as Twitter, posts tracking the number of dead Palestinians from Israeli counterattacks, and informational videos on the surprise attack from Palestinian resistance in Gaza. While the actions by some student-led groups have been seen as dismissive of the loss of life in Israel over the weekend, others worry schools and lawmakers are vilifying all Palestinians. The level of anti-Arab hate and rhetoric hasnt been this high since the aftermath of 9/11. It is far worse than the Trump years, Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said on X. Weve received many calls for assistance in dealing with threats and intimidation. Schools across the country are vilifying Palestinians, and elected officials are setting up the stage for hate crimes against Arabs. Indiana University (IU) saw a minor clash between peaceful protests for Israel and Palestine at its campus on Monday night, with the student newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student, reporting that the two sides yelled at each other as they were separated by a police line. We just stand for peace, its an emotional conflict, one member of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee at IU told the Daily Student. We dont represent Hamas, and we dont condone the actions of Hamas. But we also dont condone the actions of the Israeli military. We do not want to see Palestinian children or Israeli children killed in this siege. It is a tragic event, and we hope things deescalate as soon as they can. Moving forward, campuses are looking at how to support their students, as it is unclear how long the war between Israel and Hamas will last. We expected home campus communities to offer solace. Thats what the college campus is about, and grieving these vicious and cruel attacks on Israeli civilians, said Debbie Yunker Kail, the executive director of Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University. A recent Ipsos survey from before the conflict showed 57 percent of Jewish students on college campuses say they have witnessed or experienced antisemitism, either at their school or in the general public. This feels personal, for many students, whether they have family or friends in Israel, whether theyve traveled there and met people there, whether they feel connected to Israel as a Jewish homeland, Kail said. And so any support that students need, we feel like its really important just to start with the individual and what theyre feeling and to ensure that they have space to process this. Updated Wednesday at 10:48 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. IG Metall, a major German union, says signups have surged among Tesla workers in the country. German media has reported on a number of apparent safety concerns at Tesla's Berlin Gigafactory in recent weeks. Tesla has denied that it lacks proper health and safety measures at the plant. Tesla has denied accusations from a German union and the country's media that workers at the Berlin Gigafactory are subject to inadequate health and safety provisions, Reuters reported. Serious injuries like burns, incidents involving hydrochloric acid, and amputated limbs are among those detailed in documents from the local authority, according to Reuters Reuters reported those documents also noted the Tesla factory has an unusually high number of work-related accidents that required workers to take three or more sick days as a result. An investigation from the German newspaper Stern found that Tesla reported 190 accidents at the factory over six months leading up to November 2022 significantly more than an expected 64 based on statistical averages. IG Metall, the union, announced on Monday that it had seen a steep rise in membership from Tesla workers, per Reuters. It added that it wasn't unusual for 30% of the workforce to be signed off sick. "This frequency of accidents at work is not normal," said Dirk Schulze, a spokesman for the union told the Daily Telegraph in late September. "I am really concerned that at some point someone will be killed." On Tuesday, Elon Musk's company fired back at the allegations that its factory lacks proper health and safety measures, per Reuters. It said workers received training on necessary safety measures and the plant is subject to regular inspections from local officials, according to Reuters. Tesla did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. This is not the first time Tesla has been accused of issues around its safety protocols. Last November construction workers who helped build the Austin Gigafactory said a subcontractor used fake workplace safety certificates. And in 2020, Insider reported that Tesla failed to disclose dozens of factory injuries to California regulators. Read the original article on Business Insider Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who are both facing tough re-elections next year, on Tuesday said the Biden administration should immediately freeze the $6 billion in funds that are set to be released to Iran as part of a prisoner exchange. The leading Democratic centrists voiced their opposition to releasing Iranian assets that have been frozen in South Korea in the wake of reports linking Iran to the Hamas attacks that have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people in Israel. As American intelligence officials continue to investigate the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should review our options to hold Iran accountable for any support they may have provided, Tester said in a statement. At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal. Tester, the chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said: Moving forward, we need to ensure our ally Israel can defend itself from these ongoing deadly attacks against its civilians. Manchin on Tuesday afternoon said he didnt support the Biden administrations decision to issue a waiver allowing Iran to access $6 billion in funds frozen in South Korea in exchange for the release of five Americans held in Iran. I wasnt supportive of the initial $6B transfer. We should absolutely freeze these Iranian assets while we also consider additional sanctions, he said Manchin, the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released a statement earlier Tuesday expressing strong support for Israel and calling for strict sanctions on any country linked to Hamass brutal attacks on Israeli civilians. Any country or government that is found to be supportive of this terrorist organization should have the most severe sanctions imposed upon them immediately to shut down the support of these terroristic, barbaric actions, he said. Both Democrats are up for re-election next year in states that former President Donald Trump won in 2016 and 2020. Tester has announced his plans to run for another Senate term while Manchin is still weighing his political future. Twenty Senate Republicans, including Testers home-state colleague, Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.), wrote a letter to President Biden Tuesday urging him to refreeze the Iranian funds that have been held in South Korea. The State Department should immediately rescind the waivers that allowed Iranian funds to be converted and moved to more accessible bank accounts, as well as work with U.S. ally Qatar to immediately freeze the accounts containing these funds, the GOP senators wrote. We must stand with Israel to restrict access to these Iranian funds. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Hamas militants who killed hundreds of Israeli civilians over the weekend began planning their assault a year ago and received military training, logistical help and millions of dollars in weapons from Iranian allies. The report cited Western and Middle Eastern intelligence officials. A spokesman for Hamas told the BBC that the group had received support from Iran and other benefactors for its attacks on Israel. Iranian officials have publicly praised the attacks on Israel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jedidiah Murphy had served time for over two decades before he was executed on Tuesday (AP) A death row inmate in Texas was executed hours after an order that delayed his death was overturned, despite his attempts to change his fate by questioning evidence set against him. Jedidiah Murphy, 48, was pronounced dead on Tuesday after he was given a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. Murphys execution makes him the sixth inmate who has died due to the death penalty and the 20th in the US in 2023. He was executed for the fatal shooting of an elderly woman, Bertie Lee Cunningham, in the Dallas suburb of Garland, during a carjacking in April 2000. He allegedly forced Cunningham, 79, to give him a ride while he held her at gunpoint, then forced her into the trunk of the car and shot her while she was getting in. He then allegedly drove her car and removed the victim from the trunk to drown her in a creek. He then used her credit cards to buy alcohol and cigarettes, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. To the family of the victim, I sincerely apologise for all of it, Murphy said while he was strapped to a gurney, before his planned death. I hope this helps, if possible, give you closure. A Christian pastor was present with Murphy and had his right hand placed on the inmates chest while he prayed for him, his family and the victims family. He told the warden he was ready, then turned towards a friend who was behind a window and said, God bless all of yall. Its OK. Tell my babies I love them. Then he shouted out, Bella is my wife! He was given a lethal dose of pentobarbital, a drug that is often used as a sedative, but also used in euthanasia and the death penalty administrated in high amounts. The inmate took two breaths before he appeared to go to sleep. The pastor who was with him placed his left hand over Murphys heart until around 20 minutes and a physician entered the room. The physician pronounced him dead at 10.15pm, 25 minutes after the drug was administered. Leading up to his death, Murphy had made many attempts to stay his execution. Murpheys attorneys filed a lawsuit over evidence around a kidnapping and two robbery charges alongside the killing of Cunningham. This allowed his execution to be delayed by a federal judges order and was upheld by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. For the death penalty to be bestowed in Texas, Murphy would need to be seen as a future danger. The subsequent charges were used as a persuasion for jurors to decide on execution in his trial. While Murphy has admitted to killing the woman, he has fervently denied that he committed the robberies and the kidnapping. A death chamber used for an execution in Huntsville, Texas back in 2000. (AFP via Getty Images) His attorneys claimed that the evidence that was given for these crimes was problematic and that Murphys identification by one victim was dubious. They requested that DNA testing of this evidence should be performed, but prosecutors argued that testing is only allowed by the state during a guilty or innocent verdict, rather than for penalties. They also said they had significant other evidence to suggest Murphy was a future danger. The 5th Circuit said another case, before this one, was filed by a different Texas death row inmate that raised similar issues, so it was best for that initial one to be resolved before a ruling was given on Murphys. The state attorney generals office appealed the 5th Circuits decision, so the Supreme Court ruled that his execution could take place mere hours before Murphey was then given the lethal dose. A capital inmate who waits until the eleventh hour to raise long-available claims should not get to complain that he needs more time to litigate them, the attorney generals office wrote in its petition to the high court. However, his attorneys tried one last time to stop his death penalty within the hours before his death and argued that the drug he would be injected with could be possibly damaged in a fire at the Huntsville prison on 25 August. The Supreme Court denied this request without giving further comment. Murphys death fell on World Day Against the Death Penalty, an annual day to raise awareness of the campaign for the abolishment of the death penalty. Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference as Texas National Guard troops deploy in May from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for border duty. The Texas Senate Committee on Border Security advanced legislative proposals Tuesday to crack down on human smuggling and "stash houses" and to increase penalties for "improper" entry into Texas from Mexico. Senate Bill 4, which the committee's three Republicans and two Democrats passed unanimously, would increase the penalty for human smuggling to at least a third-degree felony with a 10-year minimum jail sentence, though a lighter sentence of five years could be possible if individuals are willing to cooperate with state law enforcement, said Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, who authored the bill. "They cooperate with us to take these entities apart, we'll give them a reduced sentence," Flores said while laying out his bill. Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, voted for both border-related bills approved Tuesday by the Senate Committee on Border Security. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw was present for the hearing and opened the panel discussion with a 20-minute status report on the Texas-Mexico border. McCraw fielded questions on slow transit times for trucks coming into Texas, the difficulty and scale of securing the state's vast border regions and the obstacles to stopping human smuggling rings. More: School choice, border security, COVID mandates on the table for October special session Speaking about SB 4, McCraw said that stash houses that are often occupied by dozens of captive people are hard for law enforcement to repossess because those properties are often being used by someone who rents or leases them. In some cases, smugglers are using abandoned homes, but despite those challenges, the DPS has had success in finding and freeing people who have been trafficked into the country and then held for ransom payments from family members in their home countries, McCraw said. "We have identified 374 stash houses and rescued over 338 people," McCraw testified. "I say 'rescue' because that's what you're doing." Levying stricter penalties for both human smuggling and illegal entry into Texas were a large focus for the Border Security Committee earlier this year during the regular legislative session, with similar proposals to those it passed Tuesday having advanced from the Senate multiple times this year. None of those proposals, however, have passed in both chambers. Joking that he had forwarded the same language six times since the regular session began, the committee's chair, Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, laid out Senate Bill 11, which authorizes state law enforcement to arrest and prosecute anyone who illegally crosses the border anywhere outside a port of entry. Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, right, is the chair of the Senate Committee on Border Security. Anyone caught crossing the border illegally could be subject to a Class A misdemeanor and that penalty could increase to a state felony or second-degree felony depending on whether there were prior attempts to improperly enter the country and the person's criminal record. Birdwell said the bill includes exceptions for asylum-seekers, those with a lawful presence and individuals who arrived in the country under the now-expired Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Despite the exceptions, some rights advocates railed against the bill as being overreaching and dangerous for Texans as the law does not require a law enforcement officer to visibly observe a suspected illegal crossing. "This could be and will be Texas' own version of 'show me your papers' law," testified Priscilla Lugo, the Texas justice advocate coordinator for LatinoJustice, a New Yorkbased national civil rights group. More: Texas Senate panel advances school choice, education funding bills to full chamber Other concerns included overrunning county jails with hundreds of thousands of possible arrests if SB 11 were passed into law. "Well, that's what I'm talking about," said Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, before voting against the bill. "Some of the practical impact or effects of this legislation is not practical." Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, voted against Senate Bill 11, saying it could overrun county jails with hundreds of thousands of people possibly being arrested. Hinojosa's concern was echoed by Charles Reed, who testified on behalf of the Dallas County Commissioners Court, saying there simply wouldn't be enough space in county jails to accommodate the likely hike in arrests. "Once the border county jails fill up, they're going to go to the next county, then they go to the next county, and we have a duty to accept," Reed said. McCraw said that in recent months the state has had more than 130,000 illegal entries per month. Some fear that a possible influx of such arrests could jeopardize state jails' compliance with jail standards. "We are absolutely terrified that this bill will take us over our cap, or allowable capacity for our jail, which puts us out of compliance with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which subjects us to incredible amounts of fines," Reed said. After a 3-2 committee vote along party lines to advance SB 11 to the full Senate for consideration, Birdwell said the bill is not yet in its final form and that work will continue on the Senate floor Thursday. "We'll work on the floor version, got a little bit of work to do" Birdwell said. Related: Bill preventing employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccines clears Texas Senate panel As the Senate panel finished its lengthy border discussion Tuesday evening, the House hadn't yet met to discuss the litany of border proposals that have been filed in the chamber. With a broader range of legislation than in the upper chamber, House bills are seeking to revamp many border polices that had been discussed but ultimately failed in the regular session. Republican lawmakers in the House are seeking to create a new law enforcement unit to patrol the border; begin an investigation into the Colony Ridge development, a housing development northeast of Houston with a booming immigrant population; conduct rapid DNA testing on certain individuals crossing the Texas-Mexico border; and urge state Attorney General Ken Paxton to file a lawsuit against the federal government for the U.S. Border Patrol's practice of "destroying barriers placed by Texas along its international border." The Senate and House are scheduled to reconvene Thursday at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Legislature: Senate panel advances border bills to full chamber MANHATTAN, N.Y. (WPIX) Thousands of people gathered to attend a rally in support of Israel on Manhattans East Side Tuesday evening. The crowd packed into Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at 47th Street and Second Avenue, located up the street from the Israeli consulate and near the United Nations. Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel Gov. Kathy Hochul , Mayor Eric Adams , other elected officials and religious leaders were expected to attend. The rally is being held in the wake of the deadly attacks in Israel by the militant group Hamas. New York City is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, with about 2 million Jewish people living in the city and surrounding areas. Watch the video player for more on this story; this story is developing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. DALLAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) - Tuesday night, around 2,000 people came together for an interfaith gathering of solidarity and support for Israel and the Jewish community at Temple Emanu-El in North Dallas. "What our aim is is to give them a sense of comfort, a sense of relief, a sense of community, "Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas Board Chair Dot Haymann said. "What happened has been brutality to the max," Sofia Poliak said. "They took out the Jews and they murdered them just because they were Jews... that's exactly what has happened," Jorge Poliak said. "We have a lot of people who are directly affected by this," Haymann said. Aya Margalit has been working in North Texas but owns a home two miles from the Gaza Strip. She's still in constant contact with her neighbors. "We saw people saying they're here, they're coming, they're breaking the windows, they're shooting the door... help us," she said. "Help and there is nothing we could do." Locally, the FBI says it appears there are no credible threats to the community, but law enforcement is working with faith leaders to address any needs. "We offer security services to the local religious organizations, the schools and also other organizations that have Jewish members and participants," Haymann said. "Unfortunately, with the levels of antisemitism unprecedented in America at the moment we have to be alert," Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas President & CEO Igor Alterman said. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson were both in attendance Tuesday. Johnson said he intends to offer a resolution for adoption to the city council Wednesday, in part condemning Hamas for the attacks and stating the city stands with Israel. "What I'm asking the body to do is to do our small part to add what I will just call moral clarity to a situation that you would like to think would be clear to everyone but isn't," he said. Now, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas is asking everyone to publicly show their support for Israel. They've also set up a donation website. For more information, click here. Doctors say RSV antibody shot for babies is still challenging to find Steve Scalise speaks after GOP selects him as House speaker nominee How Steve Scalise became GOP House speaker nominee, and why the vote is still an uphill road Ladislav Harman's Agency has collected thousands of pieces of evidence during Russia's invasion of Ukraine (Handout) An international team of prosecutors seeking to put Russia's top brass on trial over Ukraine has already gathered "thousands" of pieces of evidence, the president of EU judicial agency Eurojust told AFP on Wednesday. Prosecutors are sifting through wiretaps, videos, satellite imagery and witness testimony, building a mountain of evidence that could eventually run into the "hundreds of thousands", Ladislav Hamran said in an interview at his office in The Hague. Eurojust is coordinating an unprecedented team from several European countries, Ukraine, the United States and the International Criminal Court seeking to bring the Kremlin's senior leadership to justice over the Ukraine invasion. Set up just three months ago, the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA) aims to plug a hole in international law laid bare by Russia's February 2022 invasion. Sometimes dubbed "Nuremberg 2.0", the ICPA is the first attempt since the Nazi war crimes tribunals to build a case against the top leadership of a country for the crime of aggression. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for the alleged abduction of children but cannot prosecute Kremlin leaders for the specific crime of aggression, as Moscow is not an ICC member. "We are speaking about an unprecedented amount of evidence," said Hamran, 50, whose agency stores the evidence in a secure facility and translates it into English and Ukrainian for any future special tribunal. "We are now speaking about thousands of pieces of evidence. But this is something which is changing on a daily basis," he said. "More submissions are coming to Eurojust from different countries so I understand that at the end we will be speaking about hundreds of thousands of pieces of evidence." - 'Wiretappings' - The ICPA is historic in many ways. It is the first team to be collecting evidence while fighting is still underway, but also the first to deal with such a huge amount of digital evidence from modern warfare. The bulging case file is an interesting mix of "classic" prosecutors' evidence such as testimony from witnesses and victims, but also high-tech items, Hamran said. "We are getting wiretappings, we are getting aerial evidence, like satellite images, drone footage. We are collecting videos, photographs, also 3D scans which document to what extent different buildings were damaged... how they were destroyed," he explained. There is a long road until any Russian leader could face justice, including the thorny issue of how any tribunal should be set up, where it should be based, and what laws it should follow. Hamran said his agency was not involved in these discussions and his priority was to ensure there was a watertight file available in English and Ukrainian for any future tribunal. "We don't want to waste time and we are also preparing for different scenarios which may arise," he said. Could the ICPA eventually lead to the world seeing Putin in the dock? International law clearly defines the crime of aggression as being committed by someone in a position to "exercise control over" or "direct the political or military action of a state" that invades another. This could be interpreted as meaning just Putin, an inner "troika" of a handful of advisers, or a broader circle of ministers and military leaders. Hamran confirmed the evidence collected so far was aimed at the "political and military leadership of the country", as defined in international law, but noted that different countries involved in the ICPA, including Ukraine, have broader definitions. "In the case of some countries, the definition of the crime of aggression is much broader. And this is so far the case also of Ukraine, in which the investigation is looking at a much broader scale of people." ric/ Three men appeared at Beverley Magistrates' Court on charges on Monday, following an incident in December last year Three men have been sentenced after pleading guilty to hare coursing offences in East Yorkshire. John Langan, Shane Hooton and Joseph Foster were charged last year after being stopped by police as they left private farmland in Leven. At Beverley Magistrates' Court on Monday, Langan was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and he was fined 239. Meanwhile, Hooton and Foster were each fined a total of 785. Langan, 37, of The Hawthorns, Great Ayton, Hooton, 31, of Thistle Hill, Knaresborough, and Foster, 35, of Manton Crescent, Worksop, had all pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to pursue hares with dogs. The three were arrested with a fourth man in December 2022 after being found trespassing on farmland while in possession of running dogs, according to Humberside Police. In addition to a suspended prison sentence, Langan was issued with a ban on entering the area. He was also given a 10-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) covering England and Wales, with conditions around the control of dogs and not being on private farmland without permission, police said. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for 56 days and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid supervised work within the next 12 months. The court sentenced both Hooton and Foster to a 500 fine each, and they were also each ordered to pay 85 costs and 200 victim surcharges. Hooton was also given a three-year CBO with the same conditions as Langan's. Speaking after the sentencing, Sgt Kevin Jones said: "This is Humberside Police's first suspended prison sentence for hare coursing offences, our longest CBO of 10 years and fines and costs totalling over 1,800. "It certainly sends out a message such offences are taken seriously by the criminal justice system and will not be tolerated by Humberside Police." A fourth man, Dean Adams, 27, of Hebron Drive, Stokesley, faced similar charges, but failed to appear in court and a warrant for his arrest had been issued, police said. Hare coursing - in which dogs are used to chase and kill the animals - was made illegal in 2004. New measures to tackle the activity were introduced in August 2022. Since then anyone caught hare coursing can face an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk For Tiffany Trump , Friday the 13th isnt an unlucky day. The youngest daughter of former President Donald Trump and his second (ex) wife Marla Maples is turning 30. READ MORE: Ivanka Trump celebrates grandmothers 97th birthday in Miami Mom posted an homage to Tiffany on Instagram a few days before with an adorable throwback picture taken by a pool in Palm Beach, ostensibly at Mar a Lago. At the time, Maples and Trump were not married yet; they wed at the Plaza Hotel in New York City two months later, on Dec. 20. The exes separated in May of 1997 and officially divorced in June 1999, amid negotiations over an ironclad prenup. According to Vanity Fair magazine, which obtained the document, the real estate mogul forked out $1 million since they separated within five years, plus gave her another $1M to buy a home. The prenup also says Trump would stop making child support payments for Tiffany, a Georgetown Law grad, when she turned 21. In the photo, Maples, 59, is in a yellow one-piece bathing suit, looking ready to pop. @tiffanytrump, the Georgia native wrote, I loved you long before you breathed your first breath. READ MORE: See a photo editing fail at Tiffany Trumps wedding Tim Ballard used a tactic called "couple ruse" to fool sex traffickers and to "coerce" women into sexual acts, according to a new lawsuit He achieved fame by going undercover to rescue children from sex trafficking. Now Tim Ballard is facing allegations of assault. In a lawsuit filed on Monday, five women said they were coerced into sexual acts after joining Mr Ballard on his sting operations. Mr Ballard, whose life story was the basis of the hit film Sound of Freedom, denies the allegations. He resigned from the non-profit behind the rescue missions this summer. Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), the organisation co-founded by Mr Ballard, was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit filed in Utah's third district court. Through OUR, Mr Ballard travelled overseas to rescue women and children who were the victims of sex trafficking. According to the lawsuit, Mr Ballard used a tactic called the "couples ruse" to fool traffickers by pretending he and a female partner, who travelled with him, were a married couple. The lawsuit said that initially Mr Ballard, a Mormon, kept to a strict set of rules while undercover, including "no kissing on the lips and no touching or exposing of private parts", but that over time things changed. Mr Ballard began to use his religion and "spiritual manipulation to coerce [the women] into sexual contact", the lawsuit alleges. Many of the alleged victims were also Mormons, says the lawsuit. Under the "couples ruse", according to the lawsuit, Mr Ballard "engaged in a ploy where he would tell the women that if they were offered alcohol, which is forbidden by the Mormon church, that she should take the drink and then open mouth, kiss him and spit the alcohol in his mouth, and then he would spit it out when the traffickers weren't looking". Claims included in the lawsuit include an allegation that Mr Ballard pressured the women to share a bed and shower with him on sting operations, and coerced sex acts from them, purportedly "to maintain the appearance of a romantic relationship at all times" to avoid making sex traffickers suspicious of them. The lawsuit also claims that OUR and its board members knew of Mr Ballard's behaviour but either ignored or silenced the alleged victims. The non-profit said in a statement obtained by the Washington Post that it "categorically denies the allegations as they relate to OUR". The BBC has contacted OUR and the Spear Fund, also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, and on which Mr Ballard serves as a senior adviser, for comment. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last month rebuked Mr Ballard, accusing him of exploiting his friendship with a Mormon leader, M Russell Ballard (no relation), for personal advantage. Tim Ballard shot to national fame this year after the release of Sound of Freedom, a film based on his work. He says the missions have saved "hundreds, maybe thousands, of children". Sen. Tim Scott is the only GOP presidential candidate with federal sway over a U.S. response to Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. And hes using it to levy penalties on Iran. The South Carolina Republican is working on a bill that would immediately freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets held in Qatar that were unlocked as part of a prisoner swap in September, according to a person familiar with the legislation. His plan would also require the Treasury Department to study Iranian assets worldwide so Congress can pass legislation to restrict access to those funds should the U.S. want to further curb Irans influence. Not only is Scott the only member of Congress running for president, he also has a prime perch to go after Iran and Hamas as ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee. The panels chair, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, said on Wednesday that as we work to hold anyone who supports terrorism accountable, the administration must freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets. Brown and Scott have worked closely on the Banking Committee on legislation clawing back CEO pay from bad-acting executives and cracking down on fentanyl distribution. The politically charged issue of Iran and the response to the Hamas attack on Israel may further test that partnership. U.S. officials are still investigating whether Iran directly approved Hamas weekend attacks on Israeli civilians. Scott made clear on Wednesday he thought there was little question that Iran and Hamas have been coordinating to some extent. "When you negotiate and give $6 billion, you create a market for hostages, and the response to that has been Iran and Hamas working together without much of a question," Scott said on CBS News. Scott has been talking about the attacks frequently this week, and heads to Iowa on Wednesday afternoon to continue campaigning for the GOP nomination. He's trailing former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and several others in the race and his direct sway on foreign policy in the Senate could help animate his campaign. The Banking panel has broad sway over sanction legislation, and Scott is using his position as the committees top Republican to ask for an investigation into the unfrozen funds and call for Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to testify on whether there are sanctions gaps with Iran. As chair, Brown said on Wednesday that his committee will look at how the Hamas attack was financed, whether cryptocurrency was involved, and what additional economic tools we need to stop state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran, from supporting Hamas and other terrorist groups." Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who also serves on the committee, said that crypto is the not-so-secret financial weapon funding terrorist organizations like Hamas." Any legislation would need 60 votes in the Senate and a majority on the Banking Committee. And broadly, its clear where the politics are going among Democrats who face tough reelection campaigns. Senators in both parties began clamoring this week to pull back Iranian access to the $6 billion that was part of the September prisoner swap. That could mean Scotts bill or something like it could gain steam in the chamber. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said they will seek to quickly pass a bill blocking the $6 billion on the Senate floor, a move that would require unanimous consent of all 100 senators. McConnell said that the civilized world must re-impose serious consequences on the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis. Seven Democratic senators Brown, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Jon Tester of Montana, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada endorsed freezing those assets this week. All are up for reelection except for Cortez Masto. Importantly, both Tester and Cortez Masto serve on the Banking Committee with Brown and Scott. The Biden administration says Iran has not been able to access any of that money yet. Even so, some Democrats are taking an increasingly hard line on the issue. None of the sanctions funds have been transferred to Iran. These funds should remain frozen until we can determine whether Iran played a role in the attack and what the appropriate U.S. response should be, Casey said on Wednesday afternoon. NEW YORK Colleges across the country on Tuesday were facing a bitter divide on campuses over Hamas attacks on Israel, with administrators at odds with far-left student groups that were pushing a pro-Palestinian narrative. What started on campus email lists and in student papers quickly spiraled into a battle involving members of Congress in both parties, the lightning-rod conservative Sen. Ted Cruz and Cornel West, the star professor-turned-left wing presidential candidate. Comments from college presidents calling for calm and compassion have been met with strong condemnation by student associations that took Israel to task over its control of the region. And Pro-Palestinian messaging from students has caused an uproar among political leaders on the left and the right. Harvard, Stanford and Georgetown were among those caught in the maelstrom, which also spread to other top schools. At New York University School of Law, the president of the student bar association drew swift rebuke Tuesday after writing in the association's newsletter to "not condemn Palestinian resistance." "This week, I want to express, first and foremost, my unwavering and absolute solidarity with Palestinians in their resistance against oppression toward liberation and self-determination, Ryna Workman wrote in a newsletter message. Israel bears full responsibility for this tremendous loss of life. The missive which was shared widely across X, the platform formerly known as Twitter was met with scores of outraged comments from leaders, advocates and lawmakers. "If you are speaking to an Israeli mother whose child has been beheaded, I cannot think of anything more callous and cruel than telling a grieving mother: you had it coming, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) shot back. The school's Jewish students and alumni also pledged to take action, and university officials sought to distance themselves from the communique. "The statement issued by the Student Bar Association does not in any way reflect the point of view of NYU," John Beckman, an NYU spokesperson, said in a statement. "Acts of terrorism are immoral." NYU President Linda Mills and board chair Evan Chesler dubbed the onslaught a multi-pronged and deadly terrorist attack on Israel. Workman later lost a job offer at Winston & Strawn, a law firm, over the comments. Campus ideological battles often serve as indicators of national culture war issues and particularly of divisions within the Democratic Party. Similar discontent was breaking out in coastal U.S. cities, pushing some leading progressives to distance themselves from the anti-Israel rhetoric. After the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America promoted a pro-Palestinian rally over the weekend, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) one of six DSA members in Congress spoke out against the antisemitic messages from the rally. Former Harvard University professor Cornel West, an independent presidential candidate, said he agreed in part with a student-led statement pinning the the assault on Israel and rebuked some critics of Harvard for not showing concern for Palestinians. Some of Harvards prominent political alumni, including Cruz (R-Texas) and former Harvard president Larry Summers, slammed the school for not condemning the student statement. Harvard President Claudine Gay maintained Tuesday that no student group speaks for Harvard or its leadership. At Columbia University, another Ivy League institution, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine argued the responsibility for the war and casualties "undeniably lies with the Israeli extremist government and other Western governments." Columbias president, Minouche Shafik, said she was devastated by the attack and the ensuing violence that is affecting so many people. Stanford University is also under fire for refusing to denounce the banners celebrating the bombardments. Members of Stanford Students for Justice in Palestine's leadership wrote an op-ed Tuesday arguing that Palestinians have a legal right to resist occupation. Several California chapters of the pro-Palestinian group signed onto a statement saying Hamas attack now stands as a revolutionary moment in contemporary Palestinian resistance. Multiple banners hung around campus over the weekend, according to the paper, reading The Illusion of Israel is Burning, and The Land Remembers Her People. Theyve since been taken down. Pro-Palestinian students at CSU Long Beach planned a rally Tuesday afternoon, writing in an Instagram post announcing the plans, titled From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the U.S. War Machine. California offices of the Anti-Defamation League were tracking and condemned the student rallies and statements at Stanford, UC Berkeley and CSU Long Beach. It is painful to see the glorification of violence by these misguided student groups, Central Pacific Office regional director Marc Levine, a former Democratic Assemblymember, said. At Georgetown University, Law Students for Justice in Palestine also reaffirmed their "support and full solidarity" with Palestinians after the university's president, John DeGioia, referred to the offensive as "an unprecedented terrorist act. Other groups had a more measured response. The student bar association at Fordham Universitys law school criticized all acts of violence against innocent civilians and acknowledged Israeli, Palestinian and American casualties. Acknowledging that Israeli-Palestinian conflict often ignites both antisemitism and Islamophobia, we ask that you keep the severity and immediacy of these events in mind over the coming days and weeks, and treat one another with care, respect and kindness as we navigate difficult and sensitive conversations, Fordhams student board wrote. Blake Jones contributed to this report. (Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images) Ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hinted at potentially re-running for the position after he was removed from power by fellow Republicans last week. Ousted House speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested that he could run for the position again after being ousted by his fellow Republicans as the GOP remains divided on who to replace him. So far, two other Republican lawmakers have announced their candidacy for House speaker, namely, Reps. Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise. Following the removal of McCarthy, the House became rudderless and paralyzed. Since then, he has worked on projecting normalcy and leadership in the face of the war in Israel. Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker The conflict began after Hamas militants conducted an invasion that has already resulted in hundreds of deaths and the capture of scores of civilian Israeli hostages. McCarthy summoned reporters to the Capitol to devise a plan to defend Israel and rescue American captives in the region. The situation had everything that McCarthy's former role had to, where he spoke behind a podium in the Rayburn Room, where the speaker often holds official ceremonies. He also used the language of a party leader during a crisis, as per the New York Times. During the event, McCarthy said that now is the time for action, saying that the United States must be there for "our friend Israel." However, the Republican lawmaker no longer holds the position of House speaker, and the situation only underscored the disarray among House Republicans. GOP lawmakers are set to gather on Tuesday to discuss whom to nominate as McCarthy's successor. Furthermore, a party vote is scheduled for Wednesday, followed by a formal election on the floor. There was also little doubt that McCarthy's remarks during the event suggested that he remains angry and saddened by his sudden removal as House speaker at the hands of rebellious lawmakers within his party. He lamented how only 4% of his party's members succeeded in effectively removing a speaker who was supported by 96%. Read Also: House Speaker Race: Steve Scalise Becomes 2nd Republican To Announce Candidacy Unprecedented Ouster from Power On Monday, McCarthy criticized United States President Joe Biden's administration over the strength of its defense of Israel. He also positioned himself as the de facto Republican leader despite being ousted from the speakership, according to the Associated Press. The situation has placed Congress at a crossroads during a crisis. It is the first time a speaker has been booted from power, operating without a constitutional officer second in line to the presidency. This has caused House business, mostly congressional action, to a standstill. There are also broader demands on Congress, which include Ukraine's requests for aid as it continues to defend itself against Russia's invasion, as well as the need for funding for the U.S. government by Nov. 17. Meanwhile, the Senate is out of session and will only convene again next week. During an interview, McCarthy said he is willing to return to the role of House speaker if enough Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of his ouster last week become open to his reinstatement into the position, said the Washington Post. Related Article: Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan Runs for House Speaker, Boasts Accomplishments @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Bloomberg) -- Two top Polish army generals resigned days ahead of a tight election contest after a scandal involving an errant Russian missile triggered a rupture between the nations military brass and the ruling party. Most Read from Bloomberg The decision by General Staff Chief Rajmund Andrzejczak and the head of Polands operational command, Tomasz Piotrowski, deals a potential blow to the nationalist Law & Justice party ahead of the Oct. 15 election. The government has cast itself as a guarantor of national security with a plan for military spending increases in response to the war in neighboring Ukraine. The rift began earlier this year when Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak blamed senior officers for failing to clarify the circumstances of a missile that landed in a Polish forest some 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the Ukrainian border last December. The incident raised issues about Polands security during Russias military campaign in Ukraine. The projectile, which didnt contain explosives, was discovered by a civilian near Bydgoszcz, northwest of Warsaw, in late April, prompting accusations of how it was made public only five months after falling on Polish soil. President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday appointed Wieslaw Kukula and Maciej Klisz as successors to outgoing commanders. The moves were reported earlier by Rzeczpospolita newspaper, which said that the generals, two of the three highest commanders in the army, felt left out of the ministers decision-making process including this weeks evacuation of Polish citizens from Israel. Polands main opposition party leader Donald Tusk said on Tuesday the resignations jeopardize national security. His Civic Platform party is seeking to deny the Law & Justice its third term in power, but has faced governments criticism of being soft on defense. So many soldiers, officers and generals are fed up with the relations between the rules of one party and the army, Tusk told reporters. (Upates with presidential appointments in fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. For foodies who like a little Caribbean spice in their dishes, this is a common question: Where can I get Haitian food in Miami? Well for one day this Saturday, the answer will be simple: from any number of the chefs who will be part of Goute Peyi M or Taste My Country: A Culinary Tour of Haiti hosted by Ayiti Community Trust, a local grant-making foundation working to support sustainable development in Haiti. The centerpiece of the groups annual gala at 7 p.m. Saturday at Level Three Miami, 19565 Biscayne Blvd., will feature not just a taste of Haitian cooking but a lesson in the countrys Creole cuisine. Its an opportunity for us to think of the narrative of the country, which is not just a single story, said Guerda Nicolas, co-founder of Ayiti Community Trust along with Pierre Jonas Imbert. Founded seven years ago, Ayiti Community Trust supports organizations in rural communities in Haiti that are focused on sustainable development. While the event seeks to raise funds for its support of Haiti-based grassroots organizations involved in civic education, the environment and entrepreneurship, organizers also want to use it as an opportunity to bring together Haitians and non-Haitians around a cultural experience. It allows us the opportunity to expose Haitians and to expose friends of Haiti to the cultural aspects of Haiti that they oftentimes may not be paying attention to, Nicolas said. Haitian cuisine, she said, emerged as a theme this year because its such a significant part of our culture. Nicolas said often people think of Haitian cuisine as being only about griyo, the fried pork chunks that are a staple of almost every Haitian party, or rice and beans, the countrys national dish. Most of people, including Haitians themselves, dont realize that the different regions of the country not only cook different things, but also have a different approach to cooking common dishes, she said. For example, in the GrandAnse, coconut milk is a common ingredient thats used in the cooking of rice. The region is also known for its Tomtom, which is made from breadfruit and is the Haitian version of West Africas Foofoo, which is made with cassava, also known as yuca. Nicolas also notes that there are reasons why soup or fish are only eaten on certain days in Haiti, and rice, despite its popularity, is not an everyday meal for some. This gives us an opportunity to educate people about the different foods in the various regions and also the links of those foods to Africa, she added. By hosting these different cultural events, it allows us to connect people to the larger aspects of the culture, and also to show the link between who we are and our African roots, but also it allows us the opportunity to celebrate folks who we dont oftentimes pay attention to, our chefs. Griyo or griot is a dish of deep-fried pork chunks that is typical of Haitian cuisine. Throughout the event, attendees will be able to visit the different regions, get a tasting and also see live cooking demonstrations from the chefs. Among the dishes on the menus: Djondjon, the black rice thats flavored and dyed with Haitian mushrooms; Diri ak pwa, rice and red beans; and of course griyo, the popular fried pork. But if one thinks, theyve had the dish before, Nicolas warned be ready to be surprised. For instance, the popular mouthwatering vegetable stew known as Lalo isnt cooked the same way in Haitis Central Plateau as it is in the GrandAnse. Tickets for the event start at $300, and include access to a cocktail reception, live auction, open bar with premium spirits, dinner, an awards program and after party with live performances and DJ. For $150, attendees can just enjoy admission to the after party starting at 9 p.m. There will be live performances and musical selections by a DJ, complimentary Haitian desserts, and an open bar with premium spirits. The event also will feature performances by Tafa mi-Soleil, Lakou Mizik, DJ Nicky Mix, NSL Dance and JQues Alamod, a hip hop artist who is flying in from Australia. A dozen Haitian chefs from Haiti, Canada and South Florida will be honored during the evening. They include Chef Jerry Dominique of North Miami and celebrity chef Ron Duprat of Bravo TVs Top Chef competition. One chef in particular, Joseph Gerard Therilien, will receive the grand award. Born in Petit-Goave, a rural town just south of Port-au-Prince Therilien, studied at both Cornell University in New York and Haitis famed hospitality school, Ecole Hoteliere. Several of the nights honorees trained and worked under him, Nicolas said. We cant honor all of the chefs, but this gives us an opportunity to shed light on what it means to be a Haitian chef, she said. Helping to celebrate them will be a dozen locally elected officials as well as representatives from 20 community organizations including eight that are based in Haiti that will be coming to the event. Elissa Vanaver, a member of the host committee who became involved with Ayiti Community Trust when she served as national chief executive officer of the Breakthrough Collaborative, said given the ongoing multidimensional crisis in Haiti, she believes its important to support those who continue to do the work inside the country, despite the gang violence and dysfunctional government bureaucracies. Ayiti Community Trust, said Vanaver, who is also a former managing editor of the Miami Herald, is able to funnel money to rural communities that are doing quality of life projects, she said. They are continuing the work even as Haiti goes through this chaotic time. Vanaver said she also values the fact that the foundation is working to help build a national community of Haitians in the diaspora so that when times are better and the strategy for major investment is clear, the diaspora in this country will already be unified and be able to act, perhaps in a more coordinated way. IF YOU GO What: Goute Peyi M: A Culinary Tour of Haiti When: 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Level Three Miami, 19565 Biscayne Blvd. Cost: $150 or $300 The Air Force is shaking up its Officer Training School as it looks to prepare a new generation of airmen for an era of increasingly complex, fast-paced military operations. OTS aims to grow operationally skilled, emotionally intelligent officers under a curriculum that is more flexible and realistic than in the past, officials told Air Force Times in an interview Tuesday. Its new approach may also allow the Air Force to pump out more officers in a crisis. The school welcomed its first class of trainees into the new program at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, on Tuesday. We can confidently say that this is the most historic transformation within OTS history since weve been around as an institution, said Col. Keolani Bailey, the schools commandant. Since launching in its current form in 1959, OTS now trains around 3,000 new Air Force and Space Force officers each year. Its one of three programs that prepares college graduates for military service, along with the Air Force Academy in Colorado and Reserve Officer Training Corps units at campuses around the country. Shifts in the geopolitical landscape, changes to how the Air Force deploys around the globe and new insights into student learning have spurred the schools leadership to rethink how it will shape the next generation of officers. After decades at war with terror groups across the Middle East and Southwest Asia, the United States is now changing its focus to vie with China and Russia for influence around the globe and bolster its allies on each continent. The Air Force, in turn, is enacting an ambitious slate of reforms to better respond to conflicts that flare up in the physical and digital realms. What we knew coming into great power competition was, the way that we train obviously had to be different, OTS Vice Commandant Col. Derrick Iwanenko said. The new program known as OTS Victory will give trainees more experience with mock deployments, in simulated operations centers and using new technology, to begin immersing them in the daily work of air and space operations at home and abroad. Trainees will move from learning the basic building blocks of military life, like keeping a dorm clean and how to march with precision, to more advanced lessons in mission command, wargaming, artificial intelligence and more. Each day will begin with a presentation on how those lessons apply to real-world situations, to better understand why they matter, Bailey said. Then students will head to the classroom for more traditional instruction, before hands-on practice in what theyve learned. Classes will end each day with time to reflect on what theyve learned. Trainees will tackle each lesson in a way that more closely reflects what theyll do in an operational squadron, Iwanenko said. Now students will have to plan briefings and set objectives for a days events, to more accurately understand what went well and what needs more work to achieve those goals, he said. Theyll have access to more wargames and a multidomain operations lab, where software will prompt them to plan, brief and execute missions in response to simulated combat scenarios. And theyll practice expeditionary combat skills in an imitation deployment. Classes will also be tested on how well they react to 25 surprise situations over the course of the program, ranging from a security breach at a base to a force-on-force fight. No one else is doing that level of training when it comes to mission command, Iwanenko said. Instead of moving five classes of more than 500 trainees through the pipeline each year, OTS will now bring in a new class of around 150 students every two weeks. Once a class arrives at Maxwell, theyll progress through the 60-day OTS curriculum in five stages that each last about two weeks. That offers the Air Force the flexibility to hold back struggling students until theyre ready for the next module. In the past, trainees were sent home if they couldnt keep up. The new approach can have benefits for instructors, too. Breaking the curriculum into five sections lets teachers specialize in one portion of the coursework, rather than covering the entire program, Iwanenko said. That, as well as a 14-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, may curb burnout among OTS instructors, and ensure students are fully grasping the material, officials said. Teachers will also get 10 weeks of non-instructional time each year for leave, professional development and class prep, the Air Force said. Restructuring the schedule can make OTS more responsive to the Air Forces needs if war breaks out. The school could bring in as many as 175 trainees per class, and up to 26 classes per year, to surge new officers to the field in an emergency, the service added. Were the shortest commissioning source within the department, Bailey said, noting that it takes new officers up to four years to graduate from USAFA and ROTC. We have that ability, that responsibility, to be that shock absorber. Above all, the school will focus on cultivating good troops as well as good people, Bailey said. Its the first time that OTS will purposefully try to instill a slate of core Air Force values, from accountability to digital literacy, alongside its typical focus on test-taking and basic military skills. Airmen will be judged on how well they embody those traits in job performance reviews throughout their careers. An OTS graduate should be a warrior-minded leader who lives with honor, lifts others and elevates the performance of their teams, Bailey said. The commandant hopes the reforms will turn OTS into a premier leadership institution for the profession of arms. Our intent is to create such a transformative leadership development and an impactful experience that they are beating down the door to try to get in, Bailey said. NextDoor users are starting to see Treat Map hashtags popping up in their feeds. Spooky porch and lots of Halloween candy!!! Happy Halloween!!, advertises Jeannette of Westwood Lakes, an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade bordered by Westchester on the north, Olympia Heights to the east, Sunset to the south and Kendale Lakes to the west. Thats five exclamation marks. Must be some candy. Halloween is almost here! #treatmap, Bambi of Hollywood announces with a pumpkin emoji and a photo of her yard decked out with witches, ghosts, ghouls and enough purple lighting to bring the spirit of Prince to her Broward community. Tasty treats and scary decor, who could want more? #TreatMap, Steve asks, certain to bring neighbors to his pinned home in the Sunset Park area of Kendall near Snapper Creek Canal. Why are all these people in South Florida beckoning strangers to their houses with offers of tricks and treats, with a pinned map location to help them find their homes? READ MORE: Halloween already started in Miami. Heres where to celebrate all throughout October What is the Treat Map? Treat Map has been a fixture of the NextDoor app almost since the apps launch in 2011. By 2021, Nextdoor reported the Treat Map was its most popular holiday feature, even during the pandemic. (People wore masks, after all.) NextDoor is a hyperlocal social networking service founded in San Francisco 12 years ago. Users report on news and events in their neighborhood and members generally ask each other for local service-provider recommendations. (Anyone know a good mechanic whos honest?) People warn of suspicious activity and porch thieves. They sell things. They tip others to sales down the block. (BOGO on Publixs blueberry muffins!) Its like talking over your fence but on your smartphone from the kitchen counter or couch. Treat Map serves as an interactive local guide so that users can let their neighbors know how they plan to celebrate Halloween. Handing out candies? Heres where theyll be and what you can expect. (Reeses Pieces, please. ) Want to take selfies in front of lavishly costumed abodes? Heres where youll find the grooviest ghouls on lawn and porch displays. Want to include your dog and gobble up pet treats? Last year, NextDoor introduced a Beggin pin feature to the map enabling pet owners or pet-welcoming neighbors to include their pets in the trick-or-treating. A neighbor in Hollywood posted her house decked out in Halloween purple on the Nextdoor app and pinned its location to the social media sites Treat Map feature. Nextdoor Whats new on Treat Map this year? For the first time, neighbors can move the Treat Map and Search this Area to see pins in neighborhoods beyond their own, the company announced in early October. This feature allows neighbors to open the Treat Map, which is available through Oct. 31, and find decorated homes and places to trick-or-treat in other neighborhoods and towns. You may want to use this feature if youre spending time visiting family and friends outside of your own community. The Treat Map will help you explore new neighborhoods that are in the Halloween spirit, NextDoor touts. Local businesses can also get onto the Treat Map fun this year, the company said. Some ways include showcasing decorated storefronts and running promotions for those who drop by in costume. How to navigate Treat Map Heres what you can pin on your homes Treat Map through October: Select the candy pin for treats: If you are handing out Halloween candy, mark your home on the map with the candy icon so trick-or-treaters know. Select the decorating outside pin for a decked-out home: If you took the time to decorate your home like a haunted house or an enchanted castle, tap the haunted decor icon to attract eyes to the bubbling cauldrons and gravestones in the front yard and the plastic skeletons hanging from your rafters, clacking ghoulishly against the hurricane shutters from the warm night breeze. Select the Beggin pin for pet-friendly treats: If you are giving out pet treats for dogs accompanying trick-or-treaters, select the Beggin pin on the map. Halloween safety tips Jamie Lee Curtis, left, as Laurie Strode and Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in Halloween Ends. (Ryan Green/Universal Pictures/TNS) Ryan Green/Universal Pictures NextDoors Treat Map isnt vetted. If Michael Myers moves into your neighborhood from the home hes haunted at 45 Lampkin Lane in Haddonfield, Illinois, since 1978, and pins his new address with a candy pin, know this: The masked ghoul may not just be after Jamie Lee Curtis in the 472 Halloween movie sequels. Adults, keep an eye on your children and pets the way you would on any occasion when they are roaming about. You know what to do. Heres what NextDoor suggests on its page. Stay safe: Always prioritize safety. Stick to well-lit areas and only visit homes that are participating on the Treat Map. Respect privacy: Be mindful that not all neighbors may want to participate. Only visit houses that have opted in. Follow local guidelines: Adhere to any local guidelines or recommendations to ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween for everyone. A mostly cloudy sky is forecast for the Tri-Cities Saturday morning for the first partial eclipse of the sun in 11 years. It is possible the weather could break long enough to see it and, if not, you can still see it on a big screen. The LIGO Hanford observatory and Columbia Basin Colleges Planetarium plan a viewing event and activities on the LIGO campus near Richland. If skies are too cloudy to see the eclipse, a NASA livestream is expected to be shown in the LIGO Exploration Center, or LExC. In addition, the Goldendale Observatory will hold its 50th anniversary celebration the same day with live views of the sun and replays of the eclipse streamed from the solar telescope to big screens. In the Tri-Cities the eclipse, if visible through the clouds, can be seen starting at 8:07 a.m., says Erin Steinert, director of the CBC Planetarium. Maximum eclipse, when most of the sunshine is blocked, will be at 9:22 a.m. and the eclipse will be over at 10:43 a.m. About 86% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon as it passes between the Sun and the Earth at 10:43 a.m. as seen in the Tri-Cities. A sceenshot of the path of the Sat. 14 partial solar eclipse from an interactive NASA map at science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2023/where-when/. More of the Sun will be covered if viewed from Oregon, but it will still not be the full solar eclipse as seen in North America in 2017. For the partial eclipse Saturday the moon will be at its farthest point from the Earth as it passes between the moon and the sun. Because it will be smaller than the Sun it does not completely cover the star. This creates a ring of fire in the sky, according to NASA. Tri-Cities eclipse event The LIGO viewing event will be from 7:30 to 11 a.m. It is free and no signup is needed. Eclipse viewing glasses and cards will be given out while supplies last. Planned activities include making pinhole projectors to view solar eclipses. Handouts on the eclipse will be available in English and Spanish. An annular ring of fire solar eclipse on May 20, 2012. Oct. 14, 2023, will be the first annular solar eclipse since then, with the moon near its farthest point from Earth and not fully covering the sun. Visitors also can spend time in LExC, a 13,000-square-foot-education center that opened at LIGO last year. It has hands on exhibits to demonstrate principles of gravitational waves and related sciences to children and adults. Exhibits include a wave machine that can be manipulated to show who the amplitude of gravitational waves are affected by the energy from the event that caused them and by the distance the wave has traveled. A giant Slinky stretches across part of the center for a hands-on demonstration of what happens to waves of traveling energy. And rubber balls can be dropped to roll and spin around each other in a gravitational field. Tours of the LIGO Hanford observatory are being planned the same day with tickets required. Ticket signup ends Oct. 13 and all tickets for tours of two of the four tour times are already gone. Go to bit.ly/LIGOTourtickets to get a tour ticket or to bit.ly/LIGOHanfordtours to learn more about the tours. LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, detects gravitational waves predicted by Einsteins General Theory of Relativity. The Hanford observatory uses laser interferometry to measure minute ripples in space-time caused by gravitational waves passing through Earth from cataclysmic cosmic events such as colliding neutron stars or black holes or by supernovae. To reach the LIGO campus take Highway 240 northwest from Richland and turn north onto Route 10, also called Horn Road at the roundabout. LIGO is about six miles north on the left hand side. Goldendale Observatory The Washington State Parks observatory in Goldendale, which is a little less than a two hour drive from the Tri-Cities, will celebrate its 50th anniversary the day of the eclipse. Visitors can start arriving at 7 a.m. to view the eclipse. No appointment is needed, but the observatory warns that parking may be limited and requires a Discover Pass. People who cannot find parking will still be given eclipse viewing glasses before they leave. Hundreds of people gather to view the solar eclipse at the Columbia Basin College campus in Pasco. The eclipse viewing event ends at 11 a.m. and the anniversary event starts at 2 p.m. The Saturday anniversary event will have speakers, educational programming, live views of the sun streamed from the solar telescope to bit screens and replays of the mornings eclipse. The Goldendale Observatory houses one of the largest publicly accessible telescopes in the nation. A night sky program begins at 7 p.m. and reservations are required. More information is available about the days events at goldendaleobservatory.com/special.html. To help with parking, shuttles will leave the Goldendale High School between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. The observatory is at 1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale, and the shuttle leaves from 525 E. Simcoe Drive, Goldendale. Watch the eclipse from home NASA plans to show telescope livestreams of the eclipse on the internet and with the NASA app starting at 7:30 a.m. PDT. Go to nasa.gov/nasatv for the internet livestream. NASAs coverage also will include interviews with scientists and a question and answer segment. Anyone can submit questions by using #askNASA. If you plan to try to watch the eclipse in the sky from your home, you will need eye protection. August 22, 2017 - Eclipse glasses fitted to paper plates add an extra measure of safety for viewing Mondays historic event at the Pasco campus of Columbia Basin College. In the back row are: Lora Cahoon, left, 10 and her brother, Cole, 13. Twin brothers Triston, left, and Trenton Humphreys are in front. The youngsters were part of a three-family group from West Richland watching the historic event. Steinert, with the CBC Planetarium, cautions that they must be purchased from a reputable dealer to make sure your eyes are protected. The American Academy of Ophthamology posts recommended suppliers of eclipse eye protection at eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/eyewear-viewers. Is says that eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers must meet the worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2 and should have no scratches or other damage. Eclipse classes are not regular sunglasses, which are not safe for viewing the sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker, says NASA. Viewing any part of the sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury, says NASA. You can make your own eclipse projector using a cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors, and aluminum foil. With the Sun behind you, sunlight will stream through a pinhole punched into aluminum foil taped over a hole in one side of the box. During the partial phases of a solar eclipse, this will project a crescent Sun onto a white sheet of paper taped to the inside of the box. Look into the box through another hole cut into the box to see the projected image. If you dont have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use an indirect viewing method, which does not involve looking directly at the Sun. One way is to use a pinhole projector, which has a small opening (for example, a hole punched in an index card) and projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface. With the Sun at your back, you can then safely view the projected image. But do not look at the Sun through the pinhole, says NASA. WOLFEBORO, N.H. Former President Donald Trump has been insinuating for weeks that former President Barack Obama is secretly still in control of the White House. On Monday in New Hampshire, he explicitly said it. Its never been worse than it is now under crooked Joe Biden and, frankly, his boss, Barack Hussein Obama, Trump told a crowd of hundreds at a campaign stop. I think its his boss. Its not a new conspiracy theory: A 2020 video of Obama on late-night television circulated in conservative corners of the internet this fall, showing him deadpanning to late-night TV host Stephen Colbert that in an ideal world, he would have a stand-in with an earpiece so he could deliver lines and stay out of the spotlight. There has never been any evidence to suggest Obama has more influence over the current White House beyond providing suggestions or offering help at an occasional meeting with Biden. And reporting since the Obama presidency has painted a more complicated and cooler picture of the Obama-Biden relationship than the "bromance" lauded during their days as ticket-mates. But the general notion that someone else is in charge percolated in Trumps speeches in recent weeks, until he fully adopted the premise in New Hampshire. I dont believe hes smart enough to be doing this stuff, Trump said about Biden at an Iowa campaign stop on Oct. 1. I believe its the people that are surrounding him, he said, alluding to the idea that other decision-makers are operating in the background. Less than a week later, Trump implied that Biden was not really the president as he discussed then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthys handling of budget negotiations. I don't ever think he knows what's going on, Trump said of Biden in an interview with the conservative political commentator John Solomon. I said Kevin I think this is the presidents, whoever the president is, its not yours, he said, recalling a conversation he said he had with McCarthy about who should be taking responsibility for budget negotiations. On Monday, Trump seemed to answer his own question. Suggesting the possibility of a third world war at his Wolfeboro campaign event, he said, This is obliteration, and Obama has plenty to do with it. Obama has plenty to deal with. I call him, I call him Bidens boss, he said. The idea of Biden as a shadow leader has circulated in some parts of the internet since before his inauguration. The Colbert clip that aired in 2020 proved it to some never mind the humorous context. In June, Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro posted a meme of the Colbert interview on Instagram captioned with an ambiguous LOL. Shortly afterward, conservative media outlets ran with the interview and began writing probing headlines fitting it in with broader questions about Bidens age and capabilities, which public polling shows are concerns for voters. Even before Trump explicitly called out the conspiracy theory Monday, a number of Trump supporters had long been all in on the baseless claim that Obama is still at the helm. Somebodys got to be behind the scenes doing it, said Craig Gingrich, 75, a retired teacher from Cedar Falls, Iowa, who was waiting in line for a Trump rally in nearby Waterloo on Saturday. Obama is probably running the show, said Gingrich, who plans to support Trump in the upcoming Iowa caucuses. Kenny Mracek, a professional sanitation technician from Lawler, Iowa, said he thinks Obama signaled his intention to remain in power before the end of his second term. Barack Obama made a statement before he finished his second term that itd be nice if he could stay in office the rest of his life and be a dictator like some of the other smaller countries, he said. That might be a reference to a speech Obama gave to the African Union in 2015. Africas democratic progress is also at risk when leaders refuse to step aside when their terms end. I love my work. But under our Constitution, I cannot run again. I cant run again. I actually think Im a pretty good president I think if I ran, I could win. But I cant, he told the gathering of African leaders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nobody should be president for life, he added. That is, of course, far from the first time Trump has peddled unproven and outlandish conspiracy theories. He has retweeted QAnon-promoting accounts, furthered claims of election fraud in 2020 and repeatedly led the charge on the false claim alleging Obama wasnt born in the U.S. All these years later, Obama is once again in the middle of Trumps public conspiracy theorizing and that of his supporters. How come Barack Obama didnt move out of Washington, D.C.? asked Nick Rooff, 58, of Waterloo, Iowa, who saw Obamas post-presidential home purchase in the city where his daughters were still in school as evidence that hes still in control. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Allen Weisselberg (on the left) testified in the fraud case of his former boss only months after being released from jail for tax fraud One of Donald Trump 's former employees has admitted he knew that the former president was inflating the size of his apartment in his signature Trump Tower. Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organisation's former chief financial officer (CFO), made the admission at a civil trial in New York. He said records overstated the size of the flat by some 20,000 sq feet. Mr Trump is accused of inflating the value of properties by more than $2bn (1.6bn). The ex-president, two of his children - Donald Jr and Eric - the Trump Organisation and several executives are all accused of fraud, falsification of business records, issuing false financial statements and conspiracy. In a summary judgement before the trial began, the judge ruled that Trump properties were worth less than the former president and his company stated. Mr Trump has called the trial a "witch hunt", pursued by what he said were his political enemies. But on Tuesday, Mr Weisselberg said the apartment in Trump Tower measured some 10,000 sq feet ( 929sq m) - not 30,000 sq feet (2,787 sq m) suggested by financial records. Mr Weisselberg first had difficulty addressing the size discrepancy, but then said he was more concerned about other disclosures. "Looking at the value of that apartment relative to his net worth is not material. It's about 1%," Mr Weisselberg said. "Looking at the statement of financial condition there were much larger items on there that I was more concerned about." The judge, Arthur Engoron, interrupted Mr Weisselberg at one point, saying: "Your role is to answer the questions, not to give speeches. Please just answer the questions." In 2017, Forbes inquired about the triplex's size - referencing an obtained document from October 1994 where Mr Trump said the penthouse measured 10,996 sq ft (1021 sq m). Starting in 2012, the triplex was listed as being 30,000 sq ft. Mr Weisselberg then conceded that the true size of the apartment is about one third of what financial statements read - which were given to banks and insurers to make deals and secure loans. This testimony comes six months after Mr Weisselberg was released from jail. He pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 2022 and served about three months in jail. Prosecutors in his case said he benefited from a company scheme, which awarded him $1.76m (1.43m) along with a rent-free furnished apartment, private school tuition for his grandchildren and expensive cars. Because there is no jury, if the judge sides with prosecutors, it would mean that Mr Trump and his company would have to pay a $250m (204m) fine and Mr Trump would be banned from doing business in New York. Former President Trump on Wednesday joined the GOP calls for President Biden to refreeze the $6 billion in Iranian funds released by the U.S. last month during a prisoner swap. CROOKED JOE BIDEN MUST TAKE BACK AND FREEZE THE 6 BILLION DOLLARS RIGHT NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, Trump wrote Wednesday in a Truth Social post. HOW COULD ANYONE BE SO INCOMPETENT AND STUPID? BIDEN CAUSED THIS WAR, AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE!!! Last month, the Biden administration agreed to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets in exchange for the freedom of five wrongfully detained American citizens. In doing so, the Biden administration granted clemency to five Iranians and issued a blanket waiver for international banks to allow the transfer of the Iranian oil sale proceeds, which were frozen in South Korea, to a bank in Qatar. U.S. officials said the funds were to be used only for food, medicine and other humanitarian goods. The deal promoted criticism from some Republican lawmakers, who argued that the move would free up resources for Irans military spending and support of terrorism. The $6 billion transfer came under renewed scrutiny over the weekend after Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that has been supported by Iran, launched a multipronged attack against Israel. Hamas fighters invaded multiple Israeli towns by land, sea and air, leaving more than 1,000 dead, mostly civilians. A group of Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), wrote a letter to Biden dated Oct. 9, asking him to stop the release of funds into Iran. The senators argued the money is fungible and at risk of being used by Hamas or Iran to further attacks against Israel or could be used by the Iranian regime to fund terrorism. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed back against suggestions that the Biden administrations deal may have contributed to Hamass recent attacks, claiming the $6 billion in frozen funds have remained unspent. Pressed over whether Iran used other funds to support the attacks in anticipation of the funds being unfrozen, Blinken emphasized the humanitarian clause in the deal, while noting, Iran has, unfortunately, always used and focused its funds on supporting terrorism, on supporting groups like Hamas. Iran has dismissed allegations that it played a role in Hamass attack and denied claims it supplied the group with military aid or intelligence. Israeli forces were quick to launch a major counteroffensive against Hamas over the weekend and have continued to launch retaliatory strikes into the Gaza Strip. The death toll in the Israel-Hamas conflict rose to 2,200 lives Wednesday, with that number expected to climb as fighting rages on. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trump is reportedly planning to be back in court in New York next week to watch his former lawyer Michael Cohen testify in the civil fraud trial against him. Judge Aileen Cannon chastises federal prosecutors for wasting the courts time while postponing a conflict-of-interest hearing for Walt Nauta , Trumps valet and co-defendant in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. New York financial Fraud Trump plans to watch former lawyer Michael Cohens testimony Key players: Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, New York Attorney General Letitia James Trump is planning to return to the New York City courtroom where he and his company are being tried for fraud to watch the testimony of his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, according to NBC News and the Associated Press . Cohen is slated to take the stand on Tuesday, and his testimony is expected to last two days, during which time his former boss is expected to be watching from the audience. In testimony given before Congress in 2019, Cohen alleged that, as a businessman, Trump "inflated his total assets when it served his purposes and deflated his assets to reduce his real estate taxes. In 2018, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for what a federal judge called a veritable smorgasbord of criminal activity at the former presidents behest, including lying to Congress about Trumps business dealings with Russia and making secret payments to women who said theyd had affairs with Trump. Cohen is also expected to be a key witness in the criminal case brought against Trump by the Manhattan district attorneys office for hush-money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Why it matters: James has said that Cohens 2019 congressional testimony is what prompted the investigation resulting in the $250 million lawsuit against Trump and his business. Cohen, once Trumps loyal foot soldier, told NBC News that its been five years since he has seen his former boss. It is set to be a dramatic moment. Classified documents Judge chastises prosecutors for wasting the courts time before postponing conflict-of-interest hearing Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, special counsel Jack Smith, Trump valet Walt Nauta, Nauta lawyer Stanley Woodward, Mar-a-Lago IT worker Yuscil Taveras Cannon, a Trump appointee, reprimanded prosecutors on Smiths team for wasting the courts time Thursday by raising new questions without first submitting them in filings ahead of the hearing, Politico reported. The judge had been set to hear federal prosecutors conflict-of-interest claim against Woodward, who had previously represented seven of the witnesses in the investigation, including three who are expected to testify. Thursdays hearing was intended to help Nauta understand the potential conflicts that could emerge for his attorney during the trial and decide whether he still wants Woodward to represent him. Nauta faces felony charges of conspiring with Trump to obstruct the investigation into the former presidents handling of classified documents and deleting surveillance footage sought by authorities. Cannon reportedly became angry when an attorney on Smiths team asked her to consider prohibiting Woodward from cross-examining Mar-a-Lago IT worker Yuscil Taveras, referred to by prosecutors as Trump Employee 4, a former client of Woodwards. According to prosecutors, Taveras had told a grand jury in Washington, D.C., that he didnt know of any effort to delete security footage at Mar-a-Lago. Taveras later recanted this earlier testimony after switching his attorney from Woodward to a public defender. Woodward argued that the prosecutors should have raised their additional concerns in court filings prior to the hearing so he could discuss them with his client Nauta. Cannon agreed and ultimately decided to postpone the conflict-of-interest hearing. Why it matters: Postponing the hearing could mean the documents trial, which is currently scheduled to begin on May 20, 2024, could be further delayed. This would be good news for Trump, whose attorneys have sought to push back the trial date until after the 2024 election. Read more: Associated Press: Executive at Donald Trumps company says 'presidential premium' was floated to boost bottom line CBS News: Trump's GOP opponents bristle at his response to Hamas's assault on Israel Time: In 10th day without a speaker, House Republicans see no end in sight _____________________ Thursday, Oct. 12 _____________________ Photo Illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Alex Kent/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Win McNamee/Getty Images, Christian Monterrosa/AFP via Getty Images, Getty Images (3). Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis offers another harsh rebuke of House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who has launched an investigation into her indictment of former President Donald Trump, and Judge Aileen Cannon hears arguments to decide conflict of interest claims for the lawyers representing Trumps co-defendants in the classified documents case. Georgia election interference Willis to Jordan: You are abusing your authority Key players: Fulton County DA Fani Willis, House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan In a scathing response to Jordans request for documents detailing her investigation and indictment of Trump, Willis reiterated her reasons for refusing to do so, the Daily Beast reported. A charitable explanation of your correspondence is that you are ignorant of the United States and Georgia Constitutions and codes, Willis wrote. A more troubling explanation is that you are abusing your authority as Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary to attempt to obstruct and interfere with a Georgia criminal prosecution. In a letter to Willis requesting documents, Jordan accused her of targeting federal officials for political reasons. Jordan is a close political ally of Trump, who last week endorsed him to become the next speaker of the House. The House Judiciary Committee launched an investigation into Willis in August on the same day Trump was booked at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta for 13 felony counts stemming from his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Why it matters: As Judiciary Committee chairman, Jordan has launched investigations of all those who have investigated and brought criminal charges against Trump. Willis contends Jordan has no legal authority to compel her cooperation. Classified documents Judge hears arguments on conflict of interest claim for lawyers of Trump co-defendants Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, special counsel Jack Smith, Trump valet Walt Nauta, Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, Nauta lawyer Stanley Woodward, De Oliveira lawyers John Irving and Donnie Murrell Cannon heard arguments Thursday on potential conflict of interest claims brought by lawyers on Smiths team, USA Today reported. Prosecutors have charged Trump, Nauta and De Olivera with mishandling classified documents and attempting to obstruct the recovery of them by the federal government. In a previous filing to Cannon, Smith lawyers said that Woodward and Irving represented several witnesses who may testify during the trial, putting them in the position of cross-examining past or current clients. Woodward, who represented seven of the people questioned in the investigation, including three who will be called to testify, told prosecutors that he had alerted his clients to potential conflicts of interest, but did not think there were any. Murrell also denied that Irvings past representation of those questioned by Smiths team presented a conflict. Here, the Government seeks a hearing based on only what it believes is a potential for a conflict, and not any actual conflict, he wrote in a filing. Why it matters: Lawyers on Smiths team want to make sure that confidential information lawyers for Nauta and De Oliveira may have learned from other Trump employees is not used in a way to obscure the truth during the trial. If she rules there are conflicts, the defendants could need to find new lawyers. _____________________ Wednesday, Oct. 11 _____________________ Judge Arthur Engoron. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Getty Images) Judge Arthur Engoron explains in court why Donald Trump isnt entitled to a jury trial in his $250 million New York civil lawsuit. And a lawyer for right-wing media personality Alex Jones says the notorious conspiracy theorist will plead the Fifth if he is forced to testify in the Georgia election interference case. New York financial fraud Judge clarifies why Trump did not get a jury trial Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump lawyer Alina Habba On the seventh day of Trumps $250 million civil trial to decide what punishment he, his adult sons and family business must pay after being found liable for years of financial fraud, Engoron addressed a persistent rumor that there was no jury in the case because Trump's lawyers forgot to check a box on a form requesting one, ABC News reported. "We are having a non-jury trial because we are hearing a non-jury case," Engoron said, adding, "It would have not helped to make a motion. Nobody forgot to check off a box." But Engoron also noted that James had requested the trial be decided by him, and that Trump's lawyers did not request a jury. "The AG checked off non-jury, and there was no motion for a jury," the judge said, adding that if Trump's lawyers had made a request for one, he would have rejected it anyway because James sought "equitable relief," the return of profits illegally obtained, that, under New York's constitution, precludes a jury trial. Trump has often complained in social media posts that Engoron, who ruled Trump was liable for fraud, is biased against him, adding that he was denied a jury trial. After Engoron clarified why Trump was not entitled to a jury, Habba said, "I would like to say thank you, your honor." Why it matters: Trump's lawyers have appealed Engoron's rulings, sought to have him recuse himself and have unsuccessfully tried to delay the trial and have it dismissed outright. Whatever the judge's final ruling on penalties, Trump's lawyers are certain to appeal it and could try to challenge Engoron's assertion that a jury trial was not required. Georgia election interference Alex Jones to fight being called as witness Key players: Far-right media personality Alex Jones, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, pro-Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, Jones lawyer Norm Pattis In response to a court filing Tuesday from Willis saying Jones would be called as a witness in the trial of Chesebro and Sidney Powell the first of 19 defendants to be tried for their attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia Joness lawyer said he would plead the Fifth Amendment if forced to testify, Politico reported. "We're not going to help Fani's fantasy life come true any more than we did that of the J6 committee," Pattis said. In her filing, Willis said Chesebro, who is credited with helping craft Trump's legal strategy for contesting the election, had contact with Jones that is relevant to the plot to overturn the election. "[Jones] possesses unique knowledge concerning communications between himself and Kenneth Chesebro and other known and unknown individuals involved in the multi-state, coordinated efforts to influence the results of the November 3, 2020, election in Georgia and elsewhere," Willis wrote. On Jan. 6, 2021, Chesebro was captured on video walking with Jones in a restricted area on the Capitol grounds. In 2022, Jones was ordered to pay $956 million to the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary school massacre, which Jones falsely claimed had been staged. Why it matters: Even if Jones pleads the Fifth, establishing a conspiracy theorist's ties to Chesebro could make an impression on the jury. Recommended reading The Palm Beach Post: Trump didnt make cut for new Forbes 400; more than 30 other Palm Beach billionaires did Sun Sentinel: Donald Trump and ally Matt Gaetz to speak tonight at event in West Palm Beach _________________ Tuesday, Oct. 10 _________________ Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images, Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images(2), Getty Images (2). Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO of the Trump Organization, testifies that the former president gave false information on bank and insurance forms about the size of his Manhattan penthouse apartment. Lawyers on Jack Smiths team ask the judge in the election interference case to make Trump reveal his defense strategy and seek to keep the identity of jurors secret. New York financial fraud Weisselberg concedes Trump inflated size of his Trump Tower penthouse on financial forms Key players: Former Trump Org. chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg, Judge Arthur Engoron, New York Attorney General Letitia James Weisselberg took the stand Tuesday in day six of the $250 million financial fraud trial of Trump, his adult sons and their family business and testified that Trump had grossly exaggerated the size of his penthouse apartment on financial statements made to banks and insurers, the Associated Press reported. In October of 1994, Trump signed a document certifying the triplex apartment was 10,996 square feet. In 2012, however, he listed the apartment at 30,000 square feet, prosecutors said. I never even thought about the apartment, Weisselberg testified, adding, It was not something that was that important to me when looking at a $6 billion, $5 billion net worth. But after being admonished by Engoron, Weisselberg, who served 100 days in prison on tax evasion charges from his time working for Trump, eventually conceded that the actual square footage of the triplex was 10,996. Why it matters: Engoron has already ruled Trump is liable for years of financial fraud carried out in New York. In court, James is building her case that that fraud was systemic and calculated. The case will decide the amount of money the defendants will have to pay as punishment, as well as the limits to their ability to conduct future business in the state. Jan. 6 election interference Prosecutors ask judge to compel Trump to reveal his defense strategy in Jan. 6 case Key players: DOJ special counsel Jack Smith, Judge Tanya Chutkan, Trump lawyer John Lauro Lawyers on Smiths team submitted a 14-page court filing Tuesday requesting Chutkan require Trump to declare whether he intends to put forth an advice-of-counsel defense when the case goes to trial, Politico reported. That defense states that Trump was simply acting on the advice of his lawyers when he sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. In the filing, prosecutors said that if Trump uses that defense at trial, it would allow them to seek additional testimony from 25 witnesses including members of Trumps family who withheld information, communications, and documents based on assertions of attorney-client privilege with Trump. Using that defense would invalidate claims of attorney-client privilege, according to the prosecutions filing. Smiths team asked Chutkan to issue a ruling so that Trumps lawyers would be forced to file notice of their intent to use the advice-of-counsel defense by Dec. 18, allowing them time to conduct further investigations without delaying the March 4 start of the trial. Why it matters: Lauro has indicated several times that Trump will mount a defense that states the former president was guided by the advice of his lawyers when contesting the 2020 election results. Smith is intent on keeping the trial on schedule. Trump has asked the judge to dismiss the case altogether. Smiths team asks judge to keep identity of jurors secret Key players: special counsel Jack Smith, Judge Tanya Chutkan, Judge Arthur Engoron In a separate court filing Tuesday, lawyers on Smiths team asked Chutkan to conceal the identity of prospective jurors in Trumps forthcoming trial stemming from his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, the Hill reported. In the filing prosecutors cited the defendants record of using social media to attack others, such as his recent attack on social media of Engorons clerk in the New York civil fraud case. The parties should also be precluded from any form of investigation whether online or otherwise that could reasonably be perceived as vexatious or harassing, prosecutors added. Lawyers on Smiths team have already requested that Chutkan issue a gag order on Trump to block him from attacking prosecutors, potential witnesses and others involved in the case. Chutkan will hear arguments on that matter on Oct. 16. In their new filing, prosecutors are seeking to keep Trump and his lawyers from following or making contact with potential jurors on social media. Why it matters: In his post attacking Engorons clerk, Trump posted a picture of her along with false information about her relationship with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to his 6 million followers on Truth Social. Keeping the prospective jurors anonymous in the case would deprive Trump of the opportunity to call their motives into question. _________________ Monday, Oct. 9 _________________ Photo Illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Scott Olson/Getty Images, Getty Images (4). Special counsel Jack Smiths team submits a filing saying former President Donald Trumps lawyers used distorted and exaggerated claims in their motion to delay the classified documents trial until after the 2024 election. In Trumps financial fraud civil trial, debate continues to rage over a tax appraisers valuation of Mar-a-Lago. Classified documents DOJ prosecutors: No reason to delay Trump documents case Key players: Special counsel Jack Smith, Judge Aileen Cannon, Trump lawyer Christopher Kise In a court filing submitted Monday, Department of Justice lawyers told Cannon that Trumps lawyers had made distorted and exaggerated claims in their request to delay the start of the classified documents trial until after the 2024 presidential election, CBS News reported. Their unfounded claims of Government noncompliance with discovery obligations do not support their request, prosecutors in Smiths office wrote. In a filing last week, Kise argued that the trials May 20 start date should be moved back because lawyers had not been able to review all of the classified documents at issue. On Friday, Cannon paused the deadlines for the review of classified documents in the case, potentially pushing the trial schedule back. She has yet to rule on whether to reschedule opening arguments. Kise, who was hired by Trump in late August, has yet to receive the security clearance required to view 32 of the sensitive classified documents in the case, but prosecution lawyers noted in their filing Monday that four Trump lawyers and one legal analyst for the defense had already received clearances. Why it matters: If Cannon grants a delay in the start of the trial, that would free up Trump to continue his presidential campaign rather than sit in court on 32 felony counts of willfully retaining defense information in violation of the Espionage Act and eight counts of obstructing the efforts to recover classified documents. Financial fraud How much is Mar-a-Lago worth, exactly? Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump lawyer Alina Habba A contentious issue in the civil trial to determine the penalties Trump, his adult sons and his family business must pay for overinflating the value of their assets is the value of the former presidents Mar-a-Lago home and private club, the Associated Press reported Monday. Engoron relied upon a valuation done by the Palm Beach County tax appraiser's office, which put the amount between $18 and $37 million for the club Trump purchased in 1985 for $10 million. In court, Habba has repeated Trumps claim that the property would sell for $1 billion or more if put on the market, earning a rebuke for Engoron. Real estate professionals told the AP that the actual value is likely between $300 million and $600 million. A private club, Mar-a-Lago charges a $500,000 initiation fee for members and annual dues of $20,000. Mar-a-Lagos tax bill is $602,000 this year, according to records, and Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida, is asking officials in Palm Beach County to examine Trumps claim that the property should be valued at $1 billion, which would result in much higher annual property taxes. Why it matters: Engoron has already ruled that the defendants are guilty of having inflated their assets. But the punishment in the $250 million suit brought by James will depend on an understanding of the amount Trump benefited from doing so. The Aliyan oil facility on the outskirts of Rumaylan in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeastern Hasakeh province was damaged in the strikes (Delil SOULEIMAN) Turkish bombardment has damaged more than half of Kurdish-held northeast Syria's power and oil infrastructure, dealing a blow to its energy-dependent economy, the Kurds' top commander said. Mazloum Abdi , who heads the Kurdish-led, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), also criticised Washington for failing to do more to prevent the strikes, during an interview with AFP in the northern city of Hasakeh. On October 5, Turkey launched a bombing campaign in Syria's northeast after it said militants who were behind an attack in Ankara came from and were trained in Syria. The semi-autonomous Kurdish administration has denied the claim, and says at least 44 people, including security personnel and civilians, have been killed in the attacks. "More than half of oil and electricity facilities were damaged" as Turkey struck dozens of sites including power plants and gas infrastructure, Abdi said. His forces spearheaded the battle to dislodge Islamic State group (IS) fighters from their last scraps of Syrian territory in 2019. The assault has left residents without power since Thursday, in a region already struggling to provide just 10 hours of electricity per day. "The Unites States' position has been weak" in the face of the attacks, Abdi said. "American forces limited their action to protecting their positions... but did nothing to stop" the onslaught, he said. - 'Directly targeted' - Ankara views the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) that dominate the SDF as an offshoot of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against Turkey for decades. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Wednesday to intensify strikes against Kurdish fighters in Syria and Iraq. A branch of the PKK -- listed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies -- claimed responsibility for the Ankara bombing, the first to hit the Turkish capital since 2016. Abdi said Turkey "directly targeted infrastructure, services and resources" used by Kurdish authorities in order to cut off sources of income and "prevent the SDF from carrying on". "They couldn't target the SDF directly, so funding sources were targeted," he said in Tuesday evening's interview. Last Thursday, the United States shot down a Turkish drone deemed a threat to American forces in northeast Syria. Hundreds of US personnel are stationed in the country's north and northeast as part of an international coalition fighting IS jihadists, alongside the SDF. "Forces present in the region, be they Russia, American or the (international) coalition, must... keep these attacks from happening" and help rebuild damaged facilities, Abdi demanded. - 'Lukewarm' - Since 2016, Turkey has carried out successive ground operations to expel Kurdish forces from Syrian border areas, and it has maintained a military presence and proxies in parts of northern Syria. Ankara has long condemned its NATO ally Washington's support for the SDF. In March 2020, Turkey and the Syrian government's ally Russia agreed to establish a security corridor in the region, with joint Turkish-Russian patrols along designated Kurdish-held areas. The SDF is the largest armed force in Syria after the country's army, and controls roughly a quarter of Syrian territory and most of its oil resources, largely located in the Arab-majority Deir Ezzor province. In recent years, Kurdish authorities have held several unsuccessful rounds of talks with President Bashar al-Assad's government, which rejects their self-rule and accuses them of "separatism". The two sides never cut ties but Abdi described their latest meetings as "lukewarm". In September, days of clashes between Arab fighters, some of them formerly part of the SDF, and Kurdish-led forces in Deir Ezzor province left dozens dead. Although security in the area has since improved, Deir Ezzor still suffers from a multitude of problems "that have yet to be resolved", Abdi said, citing administrative and service issues. The SDF has denied any tensions with Arab tribes in the area, and has instead accused the Syrian government of supporting local fighters and sending reinforcements. rh/aya/lg/dcp/phz (Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images) Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing widespread scrutiny over the purchase of a $19,000 lectern following the release of public records from her office. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing widespread scrutiny after public records released relating to her office showed that she purchased a $19,000 lectern. Sanders is also accused of changing records to cover up spending. The controversy first came to light late last month and showed that the state purchased the lectern and an accompanying traveling case in June. The amount paid was $19,029.25 and was given to Beckett Events LLC, which is an events management company with ties to Sanders, a Republican lawmaker who took office in January. Purchase of a $19,000 Lectern The information regarding the issue was obtained by a lawyer and blogger, Matthew Campbell, who had filed a broad public records request. He posted the invoice for the purchase of the lectern on X, formerly known as Twitter. The expenditure on the lectern has been a matter of contention in the state over the last few weeks, including among some of the governor's fellow Republicans. One of her colleagues, State Sen. Jimmy Hickey Jr., asked the state's Legislative Joint Auditing Committee to investigate the matter, as per the New York Times. Based on the documents that Campbell shared online, the Republican Party of Arkansas reimbursed the state for the $19,000 lectern with a check that was dated Sept. 14. This date was three months after the purchase of the item. Campbell said that the reimbursement occurred several days after he filed the Freedom of Information Act request for the records and a day before he received a response from the state. An anonymous whistleblower claimed in late September that Sanders' office improperly altered and withheld public records related to Sanders' office's spending on the item. The lawyer for the whistle-blower sent a letter to Hickey on the day that he requested the audit, offering his client's testimony and documents. A development that further complicates the issue is the lawyer, Tom Mars, served as the director of the Arkansas State Police under Sanders' father, former Gov. Mike Huckabee. In Mars' letter, he said that his client had documents that could substantiate how people in the governor's office "interfered with the production of nonexempt FOIA documents" that were intended for Campbell. Read Also: Judge Aileen Cannon Orders Temporary Pause of Deadlines in Donald Trump's Hush Money Case Alteration of Spending Records Now, a legislative panel is expected to vote this week on a request for an audit of the purchase of the lectern. An email about the reimbursement note is among the dozens of documents released on Monday following Campbell's request, according to Yahoo News. Sanders said that she welcomes an audit of the purchase of the item but has also dismissed questions regarding the issue. An executive assistant and office manager for the governor, Laura Hamilton, added the note after being instructed that she or the agency that handles state purchasing should put it on the original invoice. A state employee who processes the state's financial paperwork at the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, Cassie Cantlon, said that Hamilton was instructed with regards to the note. When asked if she wanted the note to be dated, she refused, saying that instructions were simply to add the note to the original invoice, said the Arkansas Times. Related Article: George Santos Faces Superseding Indictment, Accused of Identity Theft, Wire Fraud @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Bloomberg) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the US for sending a group of warships to the eastern Mediterranean to show support for Israel after this weekends deadly attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Most Read from Bloomberg What is the US aircraft carrier doing in Israel? Erdogan said at a joint press conference with visiting Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Ankara late Tuesday. In an escalation of rhetoric against the US, he warned that their involvement in the Gaza Strip would risk massacres. The US said on Sunday it was dispatching the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which includes an aircraft carrier, guided missile cruiser and missile destroyers, as a deterrent. The US has offered Israel equipment and munitions as it hits back against Hamas but there has been no suggestion so far that American warships would enter the fray. US Sends Warships, Aid in Show of Force as Israel Strikes Back Erdogans criticism comes as Turkey, which supports the Palestinian quest for an independent state, works to avert a broader escalation. The Turkish leader warned that a prolonged conflict risks engulfing the Middle East and criticized Israels decision to cut off water and electricity to the isolated enclave. The combined death toll on the fifth day of the war has already exceeded 2,000, including more than 1,200 Israelis. Israel has in the past accused Turkey of supporting Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. The US considers the Islamist militant group a terrorist organization. Turkey does not. The US and Turkey are NATO allies. What will it do with all its boats and planes on the aircraft carrier that comes here? Erdogan said. Erdogan discussed in a phone call with Russias Vladimir Putin late Tuesday ways to stop the conflict from spreading, the Turkish presidency said. His comments come after the US shot down an armed Turkish drone that flew too close to American ground forces during air raids last week against US-backed Kurdish militants in Syria. Erdogans comments threaten to set back a nascent thaw in Turkeys ties with Israel. Relations nosedived in 2010 over a deadly Israeli raid on a civilian Turkish flotilla that was carrying pro-Palestinian activists to Gaza. (Updates with Erdogan-Putin phone call in eighth paragraph, edits.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A top official within Turkeys Ministry of National Education has posted a message on X telling Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "One day they will shoot you too" and "You will die." The inflammatory remarks by Nazif Yilmaz, a married father of three and deputy minister of the Turkish agency, was posted in response to a video Netanyahu shared on his account Tuesday appearing to show the Israeli military carrying out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. The same day, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan raised concerns about the U.S. moving a carrier strike group closer to Israel following Hamas attacks on the country. "What will the aircraft carrier of the U.S. do near Israel, why do they come? What will boats around and aircraft on it will do? They will hit Gaza and around, and take steps for serious massacres there," Erdogan said, according to Reuters. LIVE UPDATES: ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS A Turkish official told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X "you will die" after Netanyahu shared a video relating to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. A U.S. military official had told Fox News over the weekend that the U.S. Navy is moving warships and aircraft closer to Israel as a result of the unprecedented assault. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Fox News in a statement that he directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea following detailed discussions with President Biden. The warships include U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). ISRAEL RESPONDS TO HEZBOLLAH ATTACK FROM LEBANON DEPLOYING TENS OF THOUSANDS TO NORTHERN BORDER "In addition, the United States government will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions," Austin said. "The first security assistance will begin moving today and arriving in the coming days." Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday that the aircraft carrier strike groups movements send "a very strong message of support for Israel." "But it's also to send a strong message of deterrence to contain broadening this particular conflict," he added, according to Reuters. Fox News Stephen Sorace and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. Original article source: Turkish education official tells Israel's Netanyahu 'you will die' "Turtleboy" blogger Aidan Kearney is arraigned on witness intimidation charges in connection with the Karen Read murder case at Stoughton District Court on Monday, Oct. 11, 2023. Kearney was released on his own recognizance. Aidan Kearney, better known as Turtleboy, was arrested Wednesday morning by State Police on witness intimidation charges in connection with the prosecution of a woman accused of killing Braintree native John O'Keefe, said Ken Mello, a special prosecutor investigating the allegations against Kearney. The woman, Karen Read , of Mansfield, is accused of second-degree murder in the death of O'Keefe, her boyfriend, who was a Boston police officer. Her trial is scheduled to start March 12. Read is charged with hitting O'Keefe with her vehicle after a night of drinking Jan. 29, 2022, in Canton. WCVB reported Kearney wore a "Free Karen Read" sweatshirt as he was escorted into Stoughton District Court on Wednesday morning before his arraignment. Kearney is a Holden-based writer behind the "Turtleboy" blog. In court Wednesday, in arguing for bail, a prosecutor detailed a handful of alleged instances of harassment, including a message left on the cellphone of a state trooper. The prosecutor said Kearney mentioned personal information about the trooper and said he would share the trooper's phone number with followers of his blog if he didn't return the call. Avon police dispatcher suspended pending investigation The prosecutor also said a "local dispatcher" at a police department unlawfully accessed motor vehicle records to help Kearney identify owners of vehicles. He used that information to harass people, the prosecutor said. A dispatcher from the Avon Police Department has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged inappropriate and illegal use of law enforcement databases, Chief Jeffrey Bukunt announced in a written statement Wednesday. The incident is apparently linked to the Kearney investigation, according to reporting by Patriot Ledger media partner WCVB. The unidentified dispatcher will remain on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation by the Avon Police Department and a special prosecutor under the Norfolk County district attorneys office. No further information about the dispatcher is being released at this time, the Avon Police Department said. Kearney looked on without expression Wednesday as the prosecutor argued for $1,000 bail and GPS monitoring, plus stay-away orders. Aidan Kearney, better known as blogger "Turtleboy," right, is escorted by authorities after his arrest on witness intimidation charges Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The judge rejected the GPS request and allowed Kearney to leave on personal recognizance, pending trial. The judge issued several stay-away orders, stating that Kearney should not contact witnesses in the case, either in person or by electronic means. Kearney's lawyer, in arguing against bail, said Kearney has a First Amendment right to his blog. "He's merely giving his opinion," said the lawyer. Kearney has been a vocal critic of District Attorney Michael Morrissey and his handling of the case, which has been marked by accusations of a cover-up expressed by Read's supporters. Morrissey released an out-of-the-norm video statement in August condemning the dissemination of what he called false narratives and harassment of witnesses involved in the case. "We try people in the court and not on the internet for a reason," Morrissey said in his statement. "The internet has no rules of evidence. The internet has no punishment for perjury. And the internet does not know all the facts." Kearney has blogged and made media appearances over the last several months about the case. He joined Read and her attorneys in promoting the idea that the charges against her are part of a cover-up effort and that others were responsible for OKeefes death. Kearney is a former teacher at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley. Hours after his release, Kearney talked about his arrest in a video stream on the Turtleboy Facebook page. He described being taken into custody Wednesday morning soon after putting his two children on a school bus. Unmarked police vehicles pulled up behind the bus, he said. "Thugs with guns," Kearney said of the state troopers who showed up at his house with a search warrant. He said he was unsure how much his children saw as the bus pulled away. He criticized the timing of the troopers' arrival. Kearney said the troopers searched his car and his house, taking his cellphone and computer. He was taken to the State Police barracks in Holden, where he was booked, and then to the courthouse in Stoughton. Kearney's next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5, WCVB reported. Worcester Telegram & Gazette reporter Mike Elfland and Enterprise reporter Amelia Stern contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Turtleboy blogger accused of witness intimidation in Canton slay case One of the Russian informants who led to the Russian attack on Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast Ukraines SBU security service has identified the two individuals who directed the Russian Iskander missile strike on a cafe in Hroza village, Kharkiv Oblast, killing 55 people, the SBU reported on Telegram on Oct. 11, sharing photos of two local residents. Thirty-year-old Volodymyr Mamon and his younger brother, 23-year-old Dmytro Mamon, got positions in the so-called Internal Affairs Department of the Kharkiv Oblasts Military-Civil Administration during the Russian occupation of the oblast. One of them was appointed as a "convoy group driver" and the other as a "road patrol inspector." SBU SBU Both suspects and their families fled to Russia before the oblasts liberation and continued their service to Russia. They were remotely recruited and formed their own network of Ukrainian informants to collect information about the Ukrainian Armed Forces deployment and regional mass events under the pretext of friendly correspondence. Read also: UN experts visited Hroza after Russias deadliest missile strike of 2023 wipes out half the community The suspects began gathering information about the planned reburial of a fallen Ukrainian soldier in Hroza in early October They understood that civilians, including their acquaintances and those who provided them with information, would certainly die as a result of the hostile attack, the SBU said. Having learned the exact address and time of the wake of a fallen soldier, Volodymyr Mamon passed this information to the Russian occupiers, who launched a targeted Iskander-M tactical missile attack on Hroza. SBU SBU On the basis of the collected evidence, the SBU charged both suspects with state treason and a crime committed by prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 111 and Part 2 of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Volodymyr Mamon's criminal acts were additionally qualified as aiding and abetting a crime, committing a criminal offense by a group of persons, and violating the laws and customs of war (Part 5 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Russian strike on Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast what is known A Russian Iskander missile hit a cafe in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, where about 60 villagers had gathered on Oct. 5. The building collapsed and people were trapped under the rubble, resulting in 55 deaths, including six-year-old child. Only 49 bodies were identified. Read also: Documenting Russia's deadliest strikes against Ukrainian civilians The regional prosecutor's office said that the cafe was hosting a wake, attended only by civilians, who were saying their final goodbyes to the deceased and buried soldier Andriy Kozyr, who was fatally wounded in Popasna. He was buried in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, but his son Denys decided to rebury his father in his home village. His son and his 20-year-old wife, Nina, were also killed in the cafe. About half of the village of about 100 people were there. Investigators said they believed that the attack on the cafe was highly precise, so they would be looking for those who may have directed it among the local population. This was the deadliest Russian attack against Ukrainian civilians in 2023. Six children were orphaned. 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 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two South Jersey men have admitted guilt to taking part in U.S. Capitol riot in January 2021. Peter Krill Jr. of Sewell and James "JD" Rahm III of Atlantic City pleaded guilty to different charges at separate hearings in Washington, D.C., federal court on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Krill, 55, admitted guilt to a felony charge of civil disorder, court records show. Rahm, 29, pled to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. The two men took part in the riot separately. Patrick Steman's videos used as evidence Jury got to see Capitol rioter's Jan. 6 videos; what they show likely caused conviction Krill, a contractor, was accused of moving a barrier outside the Capitol, allowing other rioters to push against a line of police officers. He spent about an hour inside the Capitol with other supporters of then President Donald Trump , and defied police orders to leave the building, according to the Justice Department. Capitol riot defendants to be sentenced in January Krill, who was arrested in December 2022, received a Jan. 9 sentencing date from U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.. He faces an estimated sentencing range of 10 to 16 months incarceration, a plea agreement says. Krill would be allowed to oppose any fine, which could range from $4,000 to $40,000, the agreement says. A photo included with a criminal complaint shows a man believed to be James D. Rahm III of Atlantic City in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Rahm allegedly joined other rioters in overpowering officers who were trying to block a door inside the Capitol, the Justice Department alleged. It said he also used a GoPro camera to film violence against police officers, and recorded rioters in the Rotunda and the office suite of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rahm, who was arrested in March 2021, is to be sentenced Jan. 16 by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper. He faces an estimated sentencing range of zero to six months incarceration, according to a plea agreement. Some Capitol riot charges dismissed for Rahm, Krill Rahm also would be able to oppose any fine, which could range from $2,000 to $20,000, the agreement says. Under the plea bargain, the prosecution requested dismissal of a felony charge of civil disorder and three misdemeanor offenses against Rahm. It asked for dismissal of four misdemeanor charges against Krill. Both men are free pending sentencing. Rahm's father, James D. Rahm III, also was charged with participating in the riot by supporters of then President Donald Trump. The elder Rahm was found guilty at an October 2022 bench trial, and received a one-year prison term for a felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding. He is appealing his sentence. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Peter Krill Jr. and J.D. Rahm III to be sentenced in January Two drivers have been sentenced to prison for convictions on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide for killing other people with vehicles in separate, unrelated cases in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. Two people have been sentenced in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to prison time for killing somebody with a vehicle in separate, unrelated incidents, one involving a hit-skip and the other a wrong-way, head-on crash. Anthony D. Lee, 38, will spend 6 years in prison for the 2021 hit-skip death of 26-year-old Kaine Ratcliff, of Reynoldsburg, following sentencing Wednesday by Common Pleas Judge Andria Noble. Lee's driver's license was also suspended for life. Lee, whose last known address was the streets of Columbus, pleaded guilty on Aug. 31 to one count of vehicular homicide and one count of failure to stop after an accident. He entered an Alford plea, meaning he maintains his innocence, but acknowledges the evidence against him would likely mean a conviction at trial and a longer sentence than he will get with the plea deal. Just before 2 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2021, Ratcliff was struck by a van while standing in an alley located off 2600 Beulah Road in North Linden, according to court records. Witnesses observed a heavily damaged white 2007 GMC van leaving the area around the time Ratcliff's body was discovered, according to court records. Officers found the abandoned van at a nearby Shell gas station. According to a sentencing memo written by Lee's defense attorney, Franklin County Assistant Public Defender Rachel Craig, a woman told authorities in February that she, Ratcliff and Lee were together committing crimes the night before Ratcliff was struck. The woman said they were inside a white work van that Ratcliff had recently stolen, according to the memo. The two men were smoking crack, she said, and Lee became paranoid and erratic. Man sentenced for deadly wrong-way crash Eric C. Hunter, 25, will spend at least four years in prison for killing 30-year-old Allegra Zambarrano, of the South Side, in a wrong-way crash on State Route 315 in 2020. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Carl Aveni sentenced Hunter, of Gambier in Knox County, on Oct. 5 to an indefinite prison term of four years to six years. Aveni also suspended Hunter's driver's license for life. Hunter pleaded guilty in August to aggravated vehicular homicide. In exchange, county prosecutors dismissed charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2020, Zambarro was driving south on Route 315 when Hunter, driving the wrong way, struck her vehicle head-on near the Interstate 670 interchange, Downtown. Both drivers were taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, where Zambarrano died the next day. jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Two drivers sentenced to prison in unrelated deadly Columbus crashes Two Indigenous artists say they won't display their work at a Mesa museum, even after the city changed course on an exhibit that was abruptly postponed in July. Thomas Breeze Marcus and Douglas Miles declined an invitation from Mesa officials to include their art in the exhibit, which opened earlier this month. They said they were discouraged by what happened earlier this year and felt undervalued by the city. They had postponed the exhibit two months ago, and then you look back and you see the articles online and see there was a great public outcry about it, said Miles, who is San Carlos Apache. And then they rescheduled it after the public outcry. Once they rescheduled it, they asked me and as time went on I didnt want to be a part of it anymore. I was disappointed with the way things were handled and disheartened by it too. They really devalued my art practice and work. Marcus, who is Tohono O'odham, said the work he created will now never be seen in its intended form. Professional Skateboarder Douglas Miles Jr. (left) and his father, Douglas Miles Sr., pose for a photo at the old San Carlos Apache Skate Park on June 15, 2022. Miles Sr. painted the mural seen in the background. In July, the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum abruptly postponed the anticipated exhibit, which was to feature two world-famous artists, Swoon and Shepard Fairey , along with Marcus and Miles, two prominent Indigenous artists from Arizona. In an email sent to Marcus and Miles, city officials said they were delaying the original exhibit due to aspects of the exhibitions that still needed to be finalized. Postponing it would give the city and the museum time to work out details to ensure the quality of experience our community deserves and has come to expect. There had been requests to remove one piece by Fairey that depicted a skeletal police officer in riot gear holding a large flower. The decision drew backlash from the art world, and attention from the Arizona chapter of the ACLU, which suggested the exhibit was postponed due to censorship. Government-run agencies may determine what arts projects to fund and display, but their First Amendment obligations explicitly prevent them from denying projects with messages they dislike while permitting those they support, the ACLU letter said. ACLU Arizona didn't respond to The Republic's questions about the rescheduled exhibit. Exhibit will still include controversial piece Muralist Thomas Breeze Marcus works on a mural he hopes will drive home the importance of Native voting power. The city decided to reschedule the show for early October, and "extended invitations to all artists to return to the museum for the rescheduled exhibition dates and sought ways to ease inconveniences caused by the delay, said Amanda Urrea, public relations manager for Mesas Art Center in an email to The Republic. Miles and Marcus were approached again to show their work at the rescheduled exhibit, but they decided the damage was done and declined. I told the city of Mesa it was unrealistic for me to participate with the original works I had intended for it, said Marcus. He had worked over a year to create the work he intended for the exhibit and found that the only option was an alternative that I knew they wouldn't go for but I pitched it anyway. When they said they wouldn't be able to do that, thats when I said we can cut all ties. The rescheduled exhibit, named "Just Cause: The Power of Contemporary Art in Social Engagement," will run until January. Other artists featured in the exhibit are Russell Biles, Christian Black, Aaron S. Coleman, Sarah Conti, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Michelle Erickson, Patrick Earl Hammie, Josh Keyes, Kris Kuksi, Annie Lopez, Narsiso Martinez, Jacob Meders (Mechoopda/Maidu), Gabriel Garcia Roman and Alexi Torres. The Fairey piece that triggered the backlash and was the cause for the postponement is still part of the exhibit, according to Urrea. Miles said the extensive artwork he created for the exhibit, which required assistance from others because of the size and weight of the canvases, is currently in storage. He hopes it can either be sold or find a new home in another exhibit or gallery. Its gathering dust, said Miles. I dont have plans for it at the moment. I am open to anyone that wants to show it. I am open to other offers for it, or collectors, other institutions who want to see it. I am always open to that. As for Marcus, the projects he designed were tailored to fit the museum's specific dimensions and have all been sent to various galleries separately. They will never be displayed together as originally intended, he said. Muralist Thomas Breeze Marcus works on his newest mural on the outside of the Fry Bread House in Phoenix. I was able to send a couple pieces to another gallery, said Marcus. So, that body of work I have broken up and sent out to various places. Unfortunately, It will never be seen as a whole as it was intended to and created to fit that specific gallery space. Artists say the incident devalued Indigenous art Fairey and Swoon are renowned for their advocacy art. Fairey, in particular, has created artwork featuring individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Indigenous people. His "We the People" series and another piece titled "The Black Hills" are notable examples of this, but Marcus and Miles said when it came to speaking out about the postponement and the negative effects on the artists, Fairey said nothing. Silence is compliance, said Marcus. When it comes to someone like Shepherd Fairey, who bases his whole entire persona on this kind of against-the-grain, sort of want-to-be-a-rebel artist, and has made a name for himself worldwide for it, but when push comes to shove he was completely silent over this. Fairey did not respond to attempts by The Republic to seek comment. Both Marcus and Miles believe the controversy surrounding the event generated significant attention and publicity for the rescheduled show, as well as for Swoon and Fairey. They both expressed the view that, in the end, it didn't really matter to others what happened to the Native artists, especially considering they were left waiting for a month by the curator. When somebody is in the arts and their job is a curator you should really look out for your artists, said Marcus. All this did was give him (Fairey) more publicity. This entire episode is not about one piece, it's about an entire system rooted in conservative, racist, institutional values by city management. Last November, Eric Descheenie, executive director of Indigenous Baaja Adaani Al Son, the first statewide tribal political organization in Arizona, was able to get Marcus to create a mural on the Frybread House in Phoenix to represent the Native vote. He said he is disappointed at what Marcus and Miles have gone through with Mesa, and said the reason he chose Marcus to draw the mural for his organization was because his work stands out. Marcus has created murals in practically every city in metro Phoenix. When I think of artists who are Indigenous to these lands, I immediately think of how Native people are art, said Descheenie. Everything we do is rooted in some form of art, be it painting, weaving rugs, putting together baskets, storytelling, singing chants in ceremony, sandpainting, the list goes on and on. Everything we do is art. We embody art. Miles said the draw for him to show in the exhibit was Marcus, and once he found out he wouldnt be in the show it solidified his decision to not be a part of the new exhibit at all. I didn't want to be in the show if he wasn't in the show, said Miles. To me what was the biggest, most exciting part of the show was that I would get to show alongside an artist of his caliber. For him not to be in it, for me, it was disappointing. In the end, Swoon and Fairey will have their work showcased, and this moment won't significantly affect their already global recognition. But Marcus and Miles, two Arizona-based artists who have created art and collaborated closely with their local communities, say the situation highlights the minimal consideration that museums often give to Indigenous art and artists. "I didn't feel they valued out work," said Miles. "Not only our work, but our work in the community that we've been doing for many years." Arlyssa Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 Native artists say they won't display work at a Mesa museum The first plane carrying American ammunition to Israel ahead of a possible invasion of Gaza arrived in the country on Tuesday. Following the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on Saturdaywhich officials say led to the deaths of at least 1,200 Israelisthe U.S. has committed to sending supplies of air defenses, munitions, and other support to Tel Aviv. Gaza is already being bombarded by Israel, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promising that a ground offensive would follow. Hamas wanted a change and it will get one, Gallant said Tuesday. What was in Gaza will no longer be. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the U.S. is currently in talks with Israel and Egypt about arranging safe passage for civilians in Gaza to leave the area. The IDF confirmed that 300,000 Israeli reservists had been sent south on Wednesday morning in an apparent prelude to a ground offensive. Read it at Al Jazeera Read more at The Daily Beast. Nicholas Alahverdian aka Nick Rossi, a U.S. fugitive being held in Scotland after allegedly faking his own death, has been arrested on suspicion of a 2017 rape in England, according to reports in Scottish media. The arrest raises questions over whether an investigation will further delay Alahverdians extradition, which was finally approved by Scotlands justice secretary on Sept. 28 following months of litigation. The new arrest concerns a woman who says Alahverdian raped her in Essex after the two met online, according to The Daily Record. Alahverdian, who is facing two charges of rape in Utah, has long claimed he is Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan who is the victim of mistaken identity. In August, a Scottish court ruled that the extradition process against him could go ahead, after concluding in Nov. 2022 that the man calling himself Knight was Alahverdian, originally of Rhode Island. Read it at The Daily Record Read more at The Daily Beast. The Pentagon is concerned about the potential for new attacks on American troops stationed in the Middle East from Iran and its proxy forces as the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants escalates in an already tumultuous region, according to Defense Department officials. DOD officials are specifically worried that Iranian proxy groups in Iraq and Syria, or Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf, could take advantage of the instability in the region to attack American or partner forces operating in those two countries as they have done in the past, two DOD officials said. That presents an opportunity, said one of the officials, who like others interviewed for this story, was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive operations matters. U.S. military forces in the Middle East are aware of malign actors who may seek to capitalize on conflicts and instability in the region, said Maj. Geoffrey Carmichael, the spokesperson for the American military operation to counter ISIS in Syria and Iraq. We will not let nefarious actors pull us into engagements that detract from our mission, Carmichael said. He did not mention Iran by name, but said: Make no mistake, we reserve our inherent right to self-defense whenever faced with threats that place our forces in harm's way. The U.S. military has stationed roughly 900 troops in Syria since the Trump administration, focused on countering ISIS terrorists with the Syrian Democratic Forces, which is the Syrian Kurdish militia. And while the U.S. ended its combat mission in Iraq in 2021, about 2,500 U.S. troops remain in the country advising the Iraqi military. Iranian proxy groups have periodically attacked U.S. troops in both countries over the years, including in March. Although he did not mention Iran by name, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned outside actors not to try to widen the conflict in a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday. "For any country, or any organization, or anyone thinking about trying to take advantage of the agonies in Israel, to try to widen this conflict or try to steal more blood. We have just one word: Don't," Austin said. The potential for escalation is particularly high as Israel weighs launching a ground invasion of Gaza in addition to airstrikes on the Palestinian exclave. While the White House has said it has no intention of putting American boots on the ground, the Biden administration has strongly condemned the attacks and said it would send additional aid to Israel. The brutality of Hamas this bloodthirstiness brings to mind the worst the worst rampages of ISIS, President Joe Biden said Tuesday. This is terrorism. Pentagon officials declined to say whether any additional measures had been taken to protect American forces in Iraq and Syria, citing operational security. However, Austin did order the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and additional fighter aircraft to the Middle East in response to the attack on Israel, and is weighing sending a second aircraft carrier to the area. Those forces could be used to respond to any Iranian or proxy attacks on American troops. Iranian proxy groups have ceased attacks on U.S. troops in the region in recent months. Yet those forces are already on heightened alert as they navigate another conflict Turkish airstrikes on the Syrian Democratic Forces. The group is made up of Syrian Kurdish militia members who partners with U.S. forces in the counter-ISIS fight and which Turkey views as terrorists. On Friday, a U.S. F-16 fighter jet shot down a Turkish drone after it came within half a kilometer of U.S. positions in northeast Syria, posing a threat to the troops on the ground. Turkey has in recent weeks launched an air campaign against the Kurds in Syria and Iraq in response to a terrorist attack in Ankara by the Kurdistan Workers Party. While Turkey did not provide assurances that it would stay away from American forces in Syria, so far additional strikes have not come close to U.S. troops, said a third DOD official. Senior-level engagement led to a better understanding of the need to deconflict and not come into contact, the official said. They are targeting what they say are PKK, and some of those leaders are the SDF leaders who are near us, the official said. They will try to avoid killing US troops. But they are willing to risk injuries. There have been no decisions yet to add or remove American troops from Syria, but the drone shootdown will likely prompt those types of discussions, the official said. The Turkish airstrikes have created chaos in northeast Syria, providing ISIS the opportunity to launch new terrorist attacks, said Gen. Mazloum Abdi, SDF commander in an interview with POLITICO coordinated over WhatsApp for security purposes. ISIS also poses a direct threat to the joint patrols conducted by U.S. and SDF in the region, he said. These attacks hinder counter-terrorism efforts and regional security threats, demanding international condemnation and an immediate action to counter them, Mazloum said. A bipartisan group of senators of the US Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin late Tuesday night (October 10), asking him to send two Iron Dome batteries to Israel as soon as possible. NBC News was the first to report about the letter - signed by senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Rick Scott (R-FL) - in the aftermath of a viscous attack on Israel by Hamas that shocked the world. Read Also: 2 Filipinos Confirmed Dead in Israel-Hamas War, Officials Say United in Helping Israel Defending Itself The senators wrote that they believed Israel might "urgently require" additional missile defense capacity to protect its citizens and territory. "As you know, the United States Army is currently in possession of two Iron Dome batteries that have not been deployed and have no operational use inside the United States where they are currently stored," they wrote. "Immediately transferring these two Iron Dome batteries that are not in use to Israel would provide tangible, life-saving, and sustained support to our ally as it faces rocket and missile salvos that threaten to overwhelm its defenses." The senators also asked Austin to provide Israel with "other defensive assets" they could use in repelling Hamas rocket and missile strikes in the face of an "unprecedented onslaught of terrorist violence." US President Joe Biden addressed the public on Tuesday that Hamas's attack on Israel was an "act of sheer evil" and promised to provide material and diplomatic support to the Jewish state. About the Iron Dome The Iron Dome anti-missile system launches interceptors to block incoming rockets, artillery, and mortars, striking them mid-flight and causing them to explode in the air. It focuses on low-altitude projectiles, usually unguided. An advantage of the Iron Dome batteries is that they could be moved around to prevent them from being hit by enemy rockets or falling into enemy hands in the worst-case scenario. Israel has at least 10 batteries spread throughout the country to protect population centers. Israel Defense Force officials said Hamas has already fired more than 4,500 rockets since Saturday's (October 7) initial assault. While the Iron Dome intercepted most of the rockets, saving lives and infrastructure in Israel, a few hit their targets. The U.S. has spent nearly $3 billion on Iron Dome batteries, interceptors, and other costs, according to the Congressional Research Service. Israel uses a variant known as Tamir interceptors, many of which are manufactured at Raytheon's missile and defense facility in Tucson, Arizona, and then assembled in Israel. Related Article: Biden Vows To Provide Support to Israel After Confirming Americans Among Hostages, Killed @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. American spy agencies have obtained "exquisite" intelligence that shows Iranian leaders were surprised by Hamas' attack on Israel last Saturday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. A second source described the intelligence as good evidence. The intelligence has prompted U.S. officials to question whether officials in Tehran had a direct role in approving or planning the deadly assault. The sources said that the Biden administration has not reached a definitive conclusions about whether Iran had any direct role in the attack in part due to that intelligence reporting, the sources told NBC News. The sources did not name the Iranian officials who were surprised by the Hamas operation. But the officials were high enough that they would usually be informed about Tehrans support for Irans proxies before an attack. The White House National Security Council and the CIA declined to comment. Follow live updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict The New York Times first reported on the intelligence about Iranian leaders being taken by surprise. The question about Irans precise role in the Hamas onslaught has become a politically charged issue in Washington, with Republicans contending that Iran was behind the attack and accusing the White House of trying to play down Tehrans responsibility. Israel has condemned Iran for arming Hamas but so far has not accused Tehran of directing the attack. In the unprecedented attack, hundreds of Palestinian militants breached Israels southern border at dozens of points, killing at least 1,200 Israelis and taking an estimated 150 people hostage, including an unknown number of Americans. Biden administration officials have said publicly and privately that the U.S. does not have firm evidence yet that Iran directed or ordered Saturdays assault on Israel. But President Joe Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters Tuesday that Iran was complicit in the attack because it has armed, financed and trained Hamas militants for decades. At a briefing for lawmakers Tuesday evening on the crisis in Israel, Republican lawmakers pushed back against an administration intelligence official who said that there was so far no direct link between Iran and the Hamas attack, two congressional sources said. The deputy director for mission integration at the Office of the Director of Intelligence, Morgan Muir, told senators that it was premature to draw final conclusions about Irans role and that the administration was still reviewing intelligence, the congressional sources said. Muir also said there was some intelligence that contradicted claims that Iran planned the operation. The attack, which was more sophisticated than past Hamas operations, would not have been possible without the funding, weapons and training Iran has supplied to the militant group for decades, current and former U.S. officials say. NBC News reported Tuesday that U.S. officials are investigating whether some of the Hamas militants who carried out the attack on Israel received advanced training from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They are also examining whether Hamas used recent Palestinian protests along the Gaza border fence as cover to place explosives that were later used to breach the Israeli barrier. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Wenheng Zhao, a Navy sailor, pleaded guilty Tuesday to selling sensitive U.S. military information to a Chinese intelligence officer. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Oct. 11 (UPI) -- A U.S. Navy sailor has pleaded guilty to sending sensitive U.S. military information to a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for less than $15,000 in bribes. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, of Monterey Park, Calif., was stationed at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme where he held security clearance. Prosecutors in the indictment said that from August 2021 to at least May 2023, Zhao surreptitiously collected sensitive information on Navy operations security that he sent to an unnamed Chinese intelligence officer who is identified in the charging document as Conspirator A. Court documents state that he was paid $14,866 in exchange for the information. Zhao pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner to federal offenses of conspiracy and bribery. "The intelligence services of the People's Republic of China actively target clearance holders across the military, seeking to entice them with money to provide sensitive government information," Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen said Tuesday in a statement. "When contacted by his co-conspirator, rather than reporting it to the Navy, the defendant chose greed over protecting the national security of the United States. He is now being held accountable for his crimes." Zhao has admitted to sending the Chinese officer photos and videos of restricted areas of the Naval Base Ventura County and San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands of California and which is administered by Naval Base Coronado. Among the information he sent the Chinese officer included that about a large military exercise being planned in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically plans and details regarding locations and timing of U.S. naval force movements. Photographs of a diagram concerning the exercises as well as a dozen other photos of computer screens that displayed operational orders for the military training exercises were among the details he sent to the Chinese officer about the exercises. He also sent his coconspirator five photographs of diagrams and blueprints outlining an electrical system at a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan. Zhao has been in U.S. custody since he was arrested and charged in August along with Jinchao Wie, another U.S. Navy sailor accused of conspiring to send national defense information to a Chinese intelligence officer. While Wie has pleaded not guilty, Zhao faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 8. "Officer Zhao betrayed his country and the men and women of the U.S. Navy by accepting bribes from a foreign adversary," U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California said in a statement. "While he and the PRC officer he served took great pains to conceal their corrupt scheme, investigators were vigilant in uncovering this shameful plot." A U.S. Navy plane passes by a Chinese flag as it flies over the Second Thomas Shoal atoll in the South China Sea. U.S. Naval Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao has pleaded guilty to passing sensitive information to a Chinese intelligence officer. (Aaron Favila / Associated Press) A U.S. sailor and resident of Monterey Park admitted he passed sensitive information and files to a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for money, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Naval Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, also known as Thomas, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to one count of conspiring with a foreign intelligence officer and one count of receiving a bribe. Zhao, a Chinese-born naturalized U.S. citizen, could spend up to 20 years in prison, five years for the conspiracy count and 15 years for bribery. Zhao is scheduled to be sentenced at a hearing on Jan. 8. Hes been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 3. Officer Zhao betrayed his country and the men and women of the U.S. Navy by accepting bribes from a foreign adversary, U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada said in a statement. The petty officer was stationed at Port Huenemes naval base when he started to pass sensitive material to a Chinese official between August 2021 and May 2023, according to Justice Department officials. Read more: Two U.S. sailors arrested on suspicion of espionage, selling information to China Zhao used his security clearance to enter restricted military installations and collect information on the Navys operational security, training, exercises and critical infrastructure. Some of the specific information included large-scale maritime training exercise plans in the Pacific, operational orders and electrical diagrams. Blueprints from a radar system on Okinawa Island were also included. Zhao then transmitted the information, using a "sophisticated encrypted communication method," officials said, afterward destroying evidence and keeping his relationship with the official a secret. Zhao received at least $15,000 paid out over 14 payments, though more money may have exchanged hands, Justice Department officials say. While he and the [Chinese] officer he served took great pains to conceal their corrupt scheme," Estrada said, "investigators were vigilant in uncovering this shameful plot. Read more: China sentences 78-year-old U.S. citizen to life in prison on spying charges The FBIs Counterintelligence and Cyber Division of the Los Angeles Field Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service conducted the investigation, with the IRS Criminal Investigation agency providing assistance. "Zhao put his fellow servicemen at risk when he yielded to overtures from the Chinese government, a nation actively targeting Americans who have access to state secrets, said Donald Alway, FBI assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles field office. "Im proud of the strong partnerships and hard work that resulted in todays successful outcome. An attorney for Zhao did not respond to The Times' request for comment. Zhaos arrest was announced on Aug. 3 along with that of Jinchao Wei, 22, another active-duty sailor serving at a Southern California base. Wei was charged that day with espionage and pleaded not guilty . A status hearing is set for Feb. 12. 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. Grant Shapps A new package of military support for Ukraine, worth more than GBP 100 million ($120 million), will be announced by UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps on Oct. 11, the UK government has said. The fresh aid will support Ukraine's counter-offensive, help its armed forces clear minefields, maintain its vehicles, and shore up defenses to protect critical national infrastructure. The support package, which will be provided using money from the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), was expected to be jointly announced on Oct. 11 by the Defense Secretary and his counterparts from the IFU partner nations at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels. It comes as the final contract from the previously announced IFU package of air defense capability was signed, which will see more than GBP 70 million ($85 million) worth of capabilities provided to Ukraine including the MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin, an air defense system which can trackand destroy drones and protect critical national infrastructure. Read also: Germany to transfer more IRIS-T and Patriot systems to Ukraine This latest package will also provide crucial equipment to help Ukrainian soldiers cross minefields, bridging capabilities to assist with river and trench crossings, and heavy duty plant vehicles to destroy Russian non-explosive obstacles and help build defensive positions to protect Ukraines critical national infrastructure. This winter, Russia will seek to undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and divide the international community, but in both cases Putin underestimates the strength and resilience of his opposition. If we stick together, and stay the course, then Russia will continue to lose, Ukraine will prevail and the rules that matter to global security will endure, said Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the UK Defense Staff. Ukraine is now the most mined country on earth, which has provided the biggest obstacle in the path of Ukraines counter-offensive this year, and mine clearing capabilities will be essential to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in pushing forward. Read also: White House pivots to alternative ways of financing Ukraine aid report Equipment from both the air defense package and mobility support package will arrive in the coming months, joining other IFU-funded equipment already in Ukraine, including around 100 uncrewed aerial systems. It was previously reported that the United States will also announce a new military aid package, including missiles, shells, and grenade launchers. A meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels was scheduled to take place on Oct. 11. This would be the 16th Ramstein format meeting since April 2022. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The U.K. Defense Ministry revealed plans for a new package of military support for Ukraine using 100 million (about $122 million) from the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), according to a press release on Oct. 11. The package will include a variety of military equipment that can be used to breach minefields, as well as the provision of the multi-use MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin, a remote-controlled air-defense system that also has the capability to defend against ground threats. Exact details on the rest of the package's content were not yet specified. U.K Defense Minister Grant Shapps said that the package will help "protect civilians from Putins barbaric bombing campaign," as well as assist in offensive capabilities against minefields and other Russian defenses. He also reiterated that the "U.K.s support for Ukraine and their most urgent needs is unwavering." The press release noted that as of Oct. 11, the IFU has contributed 785 million (about $965 million) to Ukraine, raised together in an international coalition with Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, and Sweden. Earlier on Oct. 11, it was reported that the U.S. will soon announce a $200 military aid package for Ukraine, amid increasing concerns that support for Ukraine has become politicized in the country. In September, the U.S. Congress did not include more aid to Ukraine as part of a bill passed to keep the federal government operating. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance southeast, east as weather worsens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LONDON (Reuters) - British foreign minister James Cleverly took shelter as a siren went off during his visit to Israel on Wednesday, a video clip posted on social media by the Israeli foreign ministry showed. Cleverly, who is visiting Israel to show solidarity following attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, could be seen running into a building in Ofakim in southern Israel. A siren, which the ministry said warned of incoming Hamas rocket fire, rang out in the background. "Today Ive seen a glimpse of what millions experience every day. The threat of Hamas rockets lingers over every Israeli man, woman and child," Cleverly said in a post on social media. "This is why we are standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel." A British Foreign Office spokesperson said Cleverly met survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline Britain's support for Israel's right to defend itself. They discussed the United Kingdom and Israel's ongoing security, military and diplomatic cooperation. Cleverly visited Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and southern Israel, the Foreign Office said. Britain, along with its Western allies, has expressed steadfast support for Israel and condemned the attacks by Hamas. Earlier the BBC reported 17 British nationals, including children, were dead or missing in Israel. (Reporting by William James, writing by Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Kylie MacLellan) When Vodafone and Hutchison-owned Three in the U.K. announced their plan to merge in a non-cash deal to create a $19 billion mega mobile operator in June of this year, we noted that it would likely face a sizeable regulatory hurdle. The next chapter in that story opened today: The country's Competition and Markets Authority, its main antitrust regulator, said that it was taking the first steps toward an investigation into the deal. Today's announcement formally opens the invitation to comment, when competitors, the companies themselves and any other stakeholders that have something to say about how this deal will help or hinder competition, can submit their two cents. They have until November 1 to do so. The combined business will have roughly 28 million subscribers as of this summer's announcement, Vodafone has nearly 18 million and Three had just over 10 million and would be worth some 15 billion (nearly $19 billion at todays rates). The merged operator, as hammered out by the two companies, would be 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% owned by Hutchison, and would bring the number of major mobile network operators in the country down to three from four (the others are O2 and EE). The CMA has yet to announce dates for the official commencement of phase 1 of the investigation and the formal opening of the merger inquiry, which will happen following the commenting period and are the following two steps in the process. Investigations overall can take months or years: an attempt in 2015 by Hutchison, Three's parent, to acquire O2 trudged through the courts for years and appears still to have some cases hanging over it. The implications for startups, and the tech landscape, come in at a couple of levels: For one, for those looking to launch new kinds of virtual operators, it reduces the competitive landscape of carriers with whom any new operator might need to negotiate for bandwidth and other services. That might simplify service deals, or make them more expensive, but it will also make competing against incumbents more formidable. Those building and selling services to carriers -- whether they are consumer-facing OTT apps or adtech or software or tools for managing services at the back end -- will also have a smaller footprint of potential customers. Consumers also will ultimately have less competitive choice as a result. "Millions of consumers and businesses in the UK rely on Vodafones and Threes mobile networks to stay connected," said Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, in a statement. "We will be carefully considering how this deal may affect competition in the UK, which could affect the options and prices available to customers. We will also assess how it may affect incentives to invest in the quality of UK mobile networks. This is an opportunity for those with an interest in this merger to let us know their views before we launch a full investigation." On the other side are the unit economics of telecoms: Three amassed substantial debt over the years as a newish entrant itself (it only emerged with the rise of 3G data-based services, hence its name), and one of the key points of this merger is that while Vodafone is not paying any cash, it's taking on that debt. The companies said that the combined entity would help them make needed investments into 5G, and they have said they would put 11 billion into building new mobile and fixed-line networks, with an intention to have its fiber network for fixed broadband access cover 82% of households by 2030. The CMA added that by law, it "cannot consider other potential effects that a merger might have, for example, on employment or access to personal data." It said that any national security concerns -- perhaps a reference to Hutchison's Hong Kong and thus Chinese ties -- would "be a matter for the U.K. government, which may choose to intervene under the National Security and Investment Act if it finds concerns." Corrected to clarify that phase 1 has not officially commenced and a date has not yet been provided for it to open and close. An aerial picture shows freshly dug graves at the cemetery in the village of Hroza, near Kharkiv, where at least 52 people were killed in a missile attack amid Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine By Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's domestic intelligence service on Wednesday accused two villagers who fled to Russia of helping guide a missile strike that killed dozens of people, mostly civilians, at a soldiers' wake in the Ukrainian village of Hroza. The Oct. 5 strike was the deadliest attack in Ukraine this year, and one of the worst since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukrainian prosecutors put the death toll at 55, and a local official told Reuters a sixth of the northeastern village's population of about 300 people had been killed. Moscow denies targeting civilians in its full-scale invasion, a position it repeated in response to a question at a Kremlin briefing about the strike on Hroza. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the briefing that Russia strikes Ukraine's military infrastructure, as well as concentrations of troops and the Ukrainian military leadership. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app that the two suspects, who were brothers, worked for Russian occupation authorities when Moscow controlled the village for several months in 2022. The SBU said the men fled to Russia shortly before Ukraine regained control of the village in September last year. After this, the agency said the men continued to work for Russia by building a network of informants in Ukraine. When Reuters visited the village last Friday, two residents said that SBU officials had visited the village and checked residents' phones after the attack. According to the SBU, the brothers started gathering information on the wake in Hroza at the beginning of October. "Under the guise of friendly conversations and correspondence in the messenger (service), the traitors asked people for information about the deployment of the Defence Forces and mass events in the region," the SBU said. The agency posted images which appeared to show Russian passports and other documents belonging to the men, as well as screenshots of messenger conversations where the men obtained information about the wake. Reuters could not independently verity the information. (Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Mark Heinrich) Ihor Klymenko Ukraines Interior Ministry is proposing to introduce fines for establishments and restaurants that violate curfew hours, under a bill submitted to the parliament, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on Oct. 11. We have prepared a bill; tomorrow, it will be sent to the [parliamentary] law enforcement committee, said Klymenko. Read also: Parliamentary committee clears medial cannabis bill This bill makes changes to the administrative code of Ukraine regarding the responsibility of business owners and individual entrepreneurs for the operation of such establishments. Read also: Ukrainian ombudsman accuses Hungary of violating international law by holding Ukrainian POWs Klymenko specified that he was referring to night clubs and restaurants, the restrictions on their operation, and the control over their work when it comes to violating the curfew that has been in place since February 2022. Read also: Ukrainian Parliament reiterates unwavering support Israels right to defend itself We propose that these fines should amount to UAH 34,000170,000 ($9304,660) for first-time violations, the minister clarified. If such violations are detected for the second time within a year from UAH 340,000 ($9,320) to 680,000 ($18,640). Klymenko said he believes the Ukrainian parliament will consider the bill in the coming weeks. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukrainian military personnel Despite worsening weather conditions, Ukraine will carry on with offensive operations during the winter, chairman of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown said on Oct. 11. Brown made the comment after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Brussels. Read also: Zelenskyy addresses possibility of major breakthrough in Ukraines counteroffensive this year We listened to President Zelenskyy and the Defense Minister today, and I see no changes in their plans [to continue the counteroffensive during winter], said Brown. Read also: UK announced major new support package for Ukraine's counter-offensive General Brown assured that the Joint Chiefs of Staff, under his leadership, will continue to work on providing Ukraine with necessary support. "Our mission and goals, as well as our support for Ukraine, remain unchanged," he emphasized. Read also: Ukrainian forces partially retake territory in the south, near Bakhmut General Staff Brown noted that Russian leadership miscalculated when they decided to invade Ukraine. According to his words, Russia "encountered the firm determination of the free people of Ukraine a nation that did not wish to return to the chains of oppression." The general is convinced that constant international support for Ukraine, in the form of providing armaments, will enable Ukraine to "protect its people and reclaim its territory." Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A British Airways airplane decided to make an emergency U-turn before landing in Tel Aviv. After BA officials learned about the incident, they decided to suspend flights going to Israel. Israel's airport authorities and British Airways officials explained what scared the pilot of the BA165 flight, forcing him to make the U-turn. British Airways Israel Flight Suspension Announced After U-Turn Incident According to BBC News, the flight BA165 of British Airways was supposed to make a landing in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Oct. 11. However, the airplane's pilot decided to make a U-turn to land in Heathrow instead. An Israeli spokesperson for the country's airport authority said that when the BA flight was on its way to Tel Aviv, missiles were flying around the city. However, the official clarified that those rockets were not an immediate threat to the British Airways flight. But, a BA spokesman argued that the U-turn was critical since their highest priority is the safety of employees and passengers. When the BA165 was approaching Tel Aviv, British Airways said that air raid sirens could be heard in the city. When they got this information, BA officials immediately requested the airplane captain to make a U-turn around and return to the United Kingdom. "Following the latest assessment of the situation, we're suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv," said the U.K.-based airlines. "We're contacting customers booked to travel to or from Tel Aviv to apologize for the inconvenience and offer options including a full refund and rebooking with another airline or with British Airways at a later date," added BA officials. As of writing, British Airways said that it is still monitoring the situation in Israel since the conflict between the Israeli government and the Hamas terrorist group is intensifying. Read Also: Israeli Soldiers Discover Dozens of Dead Babies, Some Beheaded, in Hamas-Attacked Village Other Airlines Canceling Flights To Israel Before British Airways announced its Israel flight suspension, other airlines already canceled their flights going to the Middle Eastern country. Reuters reported that hundreds of international flights to and from Tel Aviv have been halted after the deadly Hamas attack, which happened on Oct. 7; killing hundreds of Israelis and injuring thousands of them. If you are in Israel or planning to visit the Middle Eastern nation, here are the international airlines that suspended their flights: American Airlines Delta Air Lines Royal Air Maroc United Airlines Air Canada Azerbaijan Airlines Ryanair Finnair Hainan Airlines Norwegian Air EasyJet Air France Cathay Pacific Korean Air Air Astana These are just some of the flight companies that suspended their flights to and from Israel. You can click this link to see more. Related Article: Hamas Attack Update: AA, Other Major Airlines Cancel Flights to Israel-Here's What FAA Says In Updated NOTAM @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic have signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of mine clearance. Source: Ukrainian government portal Quote: "Croatian-made mine clearance machines are already working on Ukrainian fields, making the land safe." "The intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of mine clearance begins a new stage of cooperation between governments, experts, specialists in the field of mine clearance and manufacturers of both countries. [To begin] Cooperation, the ultimate goal of which is to clear the territory of Ukraine from mines, ensure the safety of Ukrainians, and restore and develop our state." Details: The Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on partnership in the field of mine clearance provides for cooperation in the following areas: measures for non-technical and technical inspection, mine clearance and cleaning of territories; training the population on the risks associated with explosive ordnance, providing assistance to victims of mine explosions; development of a regulatory framework and standard procedures in the field of mine clearance activities; trainings for specialists, exchange of experience among experts, instructors in the training of mine clearance specialists, transfer of expert knowledge and best practices; exchange of knowledge and experience on the development of capabilities for the production of protective equipment, equipment for mine search and mine clearance, as well as in the field of training and certification of mine detection dogs; facilitating the exchange of experience in the practical use of equipment used in the field of mine clearance, etc. In July 2023, the Croatian government donated 1 million for humanitarian mine clearance of Ukrainian agricultural land to help Ukrainian farmers resume their work in the regions most affected by explosive remnants of war. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Zelenskyy does not undertake to announce the timing of the end of the war Ukraine is now in the last stage of the war against Russia, but it is the most difficult, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with the Romanian TV channel Digi24 on Oct. 10. "This is the last part of the war," Zelenskyy said. This is not the middle of it. The first period is occupation, then stopping the offensive and seizing the initiative. I think were in the last part. We have a lot of fears, we have money, we have weapons, but we are in the last, most difficult part. Read also: Ukraines victory depends on collaboration with EU Zelenskyy Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Russia would leave Ukrainian territory, but did not give an exact timeline. "I know for sure that we are launching a counter-offensive, that Russia will withdraw from our territories," the Ukrainian president said. I think I know when, but I cannot tell you that. Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that there would be no quick end to the war in Ukraine, so the alliance should prepare for a long conflict. Read also: Zelenskyy speaks in Kyiv on Ukrainian Statehood Day Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, also said that the path to victory in the war would be long and difficult, and Ukrainians should prepare for a long struggle. 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 BRUSSELS (AP) For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined a meeting of more than 50 defense leaders from around the world, making a personal pitch Wednesday for military aid in the face of lagging political support in the United States and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israels war with Hamas. His presence underscored growing concerns about cracks in what has been staunch international backing for Kyiv in its war against Russia's invasion, and worries that Ukrainian forces haven't made measurable progress in the counteroffensive as winter closes in. Asked about concerns that Ukraine could get less military support because of the Mideast conflict, Zelenskyy said there is a very understandable volume that the U.S. and Europe can provide. Zelenskyy said he has asked that question himself, adding he thinks nobody really knows but he is still assuming U.S. and European support. As for the Israel complication, of course, everybodys afraid, and I think also Russias counting on it, on dividing support, Zelenskyy said in remarks at a news conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dismissed suggestions that support to Kyiv could suffer as the U.S. sends help to Israel. In terms of our ability to continue to support both the efforts in Ukraine and support the efforts in Israel as well -- absolutely, we can do both and we will do both," Austin said. The meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by the U.S., comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress has stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers to any increase in spending. Speaking as he entered NATO headquarters, Zelenskyy noted the Israel war and said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraine's ongoing need for air defense systems and long-range missiles to push Russia out of our land. Next Monday, we will mark the 600th day of our resistance to Russias full scale aggression against our people, against Ukraine. And today, no one can say for sure how many more days we will have to defend our independence and to defend our identity, Zelenskyy told the gathering at the opening of the meeting. But we can already say several things which I think are important. First, Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, Russia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle. Austin told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv. A key demand has been more air defense systems and munitions. The energy, in my view, is still there, said Austin. And I will reassure them that we remain committed to this. Austin also announced that the U.S. will take on a new leadership role in the broader effort to build Ukraines air force, specifically with F-16 fighter jets. He said the U.S. will co-lead a coalition along with Denmark and Netherlands, and will help organize donation of the aircraft, plans to sustain and maintain them and pilot training. That training has already started in the U.S. Austin said the training will likely take months and it may not be until next spring that Ukraine is operating the F-16s. He asserted that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war. And he said allies are focusing not only on meeting Kyivs immediate needs but also on setting up plans to coordinate investments in Ukraines future force. This was also the first Ukraine contact group meeting for Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who started the job October 1. He said that additional commitments of weapons and conversations with allies convinced him were putting Ukraine in a good spot ahead of the winter fight. The contact group is the main forum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyivs war effort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering. Zelenskyy, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immediately into a private session with Austin and Brown. Speaking to reporters as he came in, Zelenskyy reiterated his country's need for long-range missiles and ammunition. Its very important that there are priorities. There are air defense systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them, Zelenskyy said. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. The new package of U.S. aid includes AIM-9M missiles that Austin said will be used with a new surface-to-air missile defense system that the U.S. will soon deliver to Ukraine. In addition, the U.S. will provide counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armor systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, so will be taken from Pentagon stocks and sent to the battlefield. Later in the day Zelenskyy spoke by video to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other top finance officials who met to discuss economic aid to Ukraine at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. Yellen said she believes there is bipartisan support to fund Ukraine and provide resources to Israel, but added, "I cant tell you precisely what the timetable is for getting this done"." Other nations also announced new support for Ukraine. Belgium's defense minister, Ludovine Dedonder, said Belgium will deliver F-16s to Ukraine and provide technical and maintenance assistance, but they won't be sent before 2025. She said the number of aircraft will depend on how soon Belgium gets its new F-35s. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the Netherlands will make three unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drone systems available to monitor NATO's eastern flank for at least six months beginning in the first quarter of 2024. The drones will operate out of Campia Turzii airbase in Romania and be used to gather intelligence. ___ Associated Press writers Raf Casert, David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, and Tara Copp in Washington contributed from to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made an urgent plea to NATO defense ministers for air defenses during a visit to Brussels as Kyivs counteroffensive is set to extend into the winter months. Most Read from Bloomberg Air defense is a significant part of the answer to the question of when this war will end, and whether it will end justly for Ukraine, Zelenskiy told the ministers. We all need this kind of push now, a step forward in our defense, air defense. Ukraines allies discussed military aid for Ukraine as the Israel-Hamas conflict risks diverting weapons and focus away from Russias military campaign. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters after the meeting in Brussels that the US can do both, continuing to help arm Ukraine while also aiding Israel after it was attacked by Hamas militants. He also said Ukraine wont be ready to fly F-16 jets contributed by allies until at least spring. Latest Coverage Israel-Hamas Conflict Adds Dangers for Ukraines War Effort NATO Pledges Response If Finland Pipeline Damage Intentional UN Denies Russia a Seat on Human Rights Council in US Victory Yellen Backs EU Windfall Tax on Frozen Russian Assets Slovakias Fico Set to Return to Power With EU Unity at Risk Markets Russias exports of oil products declined in the first week of October, with diesel flows dropping to a three-year low amid a ban on some shipments of the fuel for most of the period. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Serhiy Marchenko, Minister of Finance of Ukraine Ukraine has received $1.2 billion in another tranche of financial assistance from the United States, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said in a Twitter post on Oct. 11. The United States has been providing unprecedented assistance to Ukraine since February 2022, said Marchenko. Read also: Ukraine receives $890 million tranche from IMF Today, Ukraine has received a tranche of $1.2 billion; thus U.S. Direct Budgetary Support [for Ukraine] has reached $10.9 billion in 2023. Read also: Ukrainian embassy in Israel struggles to help more than thousand people without budget and resources The minister expressed deep gratitude for this unprecedented financial support to Jay Shambaugh, the Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for International Affairs, with whom he met in Morocco during annual IMF and World Bank meetings. Read also: Ending Russias war against Ukraine key for global improvement, says IMF Earlier media reports suggested that Kyiv was counting on receiving an additional $3.3 billion in Direct Budgetary Support from Washington in 2023. However, the vacant speakership in the U.S. House of Representatives is hindering congressional approval for further aid to Ukraine. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Rustem Umierov, Ukraines Minister of Defence, has said that Ukraine has received US$500 million worth of military support as a result of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting. Source: Umierov during a conversation with journalists in Brussels, as reported by the correspondent of European Pravda Quote: "We received almost half a billion [dollars] worth of support: this is air defence, ammunition, preparations for the winter, and F-16s," Umierov stated. According to Umierov, it is important that the military is supplied with everything they need for the winter now. "We received both commitments and supplies. When it comes to the commitments, they involve a lot of things we did not anticipate. There are positive commitments too. If were talking about supplies, we are getting everything in time," he said. Umierov did not specify what kind of commitments were discussed. Background: Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukraine is to start evacuating its citizens from Israel, Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk said on national television on Oct. 11. The ambassador said that around 1,000 people have applied for help from the embassy following the Oct. 7 attack on the country by Palestinian armed group Hamas. In response, the Israeli military launched an offensive against Gaza and declared a blockade of the Palestinian enclave. Ukraine's embassy is currently providing assistance to the "most vulnerable categories" of people, such as those who are undergoing medical treatment, families with children, and tourists whose flights were canceled, Korniychuk said. The embassy has arranged a flight for 200 people to Romania on Saturday from Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international airport. Another flight is planned for Sunday, Korniychuk said. Almost 15,000 Ukrainians are registered at the embassy in Israel, according to Korniychuk. However, there is a large Ukrainian community in Israel, estimated to be around 500,000, many of whom arrived in Israel after the fall of the Soviet Union. Read also: Is Russia involved in Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel? Earlier on Oct. 11, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that the number of Ukrainians killed in Hamas' attack on Israel has risen to three. Nine more Ukrainian citizens have been injured in the hostilities; their condition and place of hospitalization are being clarified, according to the Foreign Ministry. Separate work is being carried out to evacuate Ukrainians in Gaza, according to the embassy, as there are another 1,000 citizens on Ukraine's consular register who live in Palestinian territories. Of this number, around 300 Ukrainians live in the Gaza Strip, and the embassy has compiled a list of 160 people who have requested evacuation, though "the number is constantly growing," Korniychuk said. The embassy hopes to evacuate them to Egypt and through to a third country by the end of the week. However, this is complicated by the fact that the Egyptian government does not allow anyone who enters as a refugee from Gaza to stay on their territory for more than 48 hours, the ambassador explained. "This is a complex problem that we are working with in cooperation with our embassy in Egypt, the coordination headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President's Office," he added. Read also: A wave of terror: Hamas attack brings back haunting memories of war for Ukrainians in Israel Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) has published a list of art works in the private collection of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich . The total value of works of art in his possession is estimated at almost US$1 billion. Source: press service of the NAPC Details: The collection of the Russian oligarch Abramovich included 368 works of art. The list is posted here. Quote: "Russian oligarchs use works of art to avoid and circumvent sanctions, preserve, and conceal their wealth. The best way to counteract this is to make information about the works of art owned by sanctioned persons public," the NAPC notes. Information published by the agency cannot be found on the official websites of auction houses that sell works of art. The NAPC recalled that Roman Abramovich was present at Putin's meeting with Russian oligarchs before the start of the large-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, where the consequences of the war were discussed, including future sanctions. The oligarch handed over the rights to this particular collection to his ex-wife a few weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, presumably to avoid the consequences of sanctions. The NAPC calls on all responsible participants in the art market to reveal information about art pieces owned by Russian oligarchs and use the data from the War and Sanctions portal. "By having such an open database of artworks, we can prevent their circulation in the industry and use them to circumvent sanctions," the agency concluded. Background: Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and his ex-wife Daria Zhukova hid a collection of 369 paintings worth US$962 million in a Cypriot offshore. 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! During the day, the Defence Forces of Ukraine repelled 10 attacks by the Russian army near Avdiivka and eight more near Stepove and Sieverne in Donetsk Oblast. In total, 72 combat clashes took place on the contact line. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 11 October Details: Russia launched one missile and 36 air strikes. More than 35 times, it attacked the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas with multiple-launch rocket systems. On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled three Russian attacks near Synkivka and five attacks near Ivanivka in Kharkiv Oblast. On the Lyman front, the Defence Forces repelled eight Russian attacks near Makiivka in Luhansk Oblast and another four in the Torske and Serebrianske Forest areas in Donetsk Oblast. On the Bakhmut front, the defenders repelled three Russian attacks near Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast. The Ukrainians hold the defence on the Avdiivka front. There, they repelled 19 Russian attacks near Avdiivka and another eight near Stepove and southeast of Sieverne in Donetsk Oblast. On the Marinka front, during the day, the Defence Forces successfully repelled eight Russian attacks near Marinka, Pobieda and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast. On the Shakhtarsk front, our defenders repelled Russian attacks south of Zolota Nyva and southeast of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. Quote: "At the same time, the Defence Forces of Ukraine continue offensive operations on the Melitopol front and offensive (assault) actions on the Bakhmut front, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupying troops, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line. During the day, the Air Force of the Defence Forces carried out 12 strikes on areas where the enemy's personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated. Units of the Rocket Forces hit the area of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, nine artillery pieces, an ammunition warehouse and an enemy's radar 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! Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that it is countering the forces of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) in Africa. Source: Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, representative of DIU, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "We are countering them everywhere. We use different methods. So far, they [the Wagner Group ed.] have maintained their presence [in Africa]. Still, the Russian Ministry of Defence is doing everything possible to replace Wagner, primarily with private companies controlled by the Ministry of Defence." Details: Skibitskyi said that Russia is interested in a military presence on the African continent because it gives it control over these countries' natural resources and leadership. Background: On 20 September, CNN reported, citing a source in the Ukrainian military, that Ukrainian special services were probably behind the drone strikes on the bases of local militants affiliated with the Wagner Group near the Sudanese capital. On 24 September, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, neither confirmed nor denied this, but stressed that the Wagner Group was "our enemy, and we will act anywhere in the world". 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! Hong Kong: DC review committee named The Government announced the Chief Executive's appointment of the District Councils Eligibility Review Committee members whose terms start today. In accordance with the District Councils Ordinance, the DCERC is responsible for reviewing and confirming the eligibility of people proposed to be appointed as a District Council (DC) member, registered as an ex-officio member, or nominated as a candidate for DC elections. Pursuant to section 10A of the ordinance, the Chief Executive appoints the chairperson, three official members and three non-official members of the committee. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki is appointed as the chairperson. Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak are appointed as official members, while Maria Tam, Prof Wong Yuk-shan and Johnny Mok serve as non-official members. The ordinance has been amended to establish the DCERC to ensure candidates of DC elections, people proposed to be appointed as DC members, and those eligible to be registered as ex-officio members meet the requirement of upholding the Basic Law and bearing allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Government said. This is to fully implement the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong at the district governance level of the Hong Kong SAR and firmly place the DCs in the hands of patriots, it added. Noting that the non-official members appointed to the committee are staunch patriots who love the country and Hong Kong, the Government said they have a deep understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and are well-respected by all sectors of society. The Government is grateful for their acceptance of the appointments as the committee members who will assist in reviewing and confirming the eligibility of candidates and members of the DCs, providing an important institutional safeguard for the implementation of patriots administering Hong Kong. The appointments were gazetted today and reported to the Central People's Government for record. This story has been published on: 2023-10-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. We Are China Ebinur Lake in Xinjiang hosts flock of migratory birds Ecns.cn) 14:27, October 11, 2023 A flock of gray cranes forage at Ebinur Lake wetland natural reserve in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. (Photo: China News Service/Qin Guilian) Ebinur Lake is the largest salt lake in Xinjiang and home to a variety of endangered species. It was listed as a national nature reserve in 2007. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released dashboard camera footage from a 2017 incident that featured officers who ignored a robbery and instead played Pokemon Go. Read Also: Van Gogh Museum Collaborates with Pokemon for 50th Anniversary Celebration LAPD Officers Attempt to Catch Pokemon In 2017, two officers namely Louis Lozano and Eric Mitchell decided to skip their on-duty responsibilities to play Pokemon Go. After years of requests, the dashcam footage is now publicly available shedding more light into what transpired during that day. The new footage released showed that the driver deliberately ignored stop signs, sped in quiet residential areas, and even drove the wrong way on a one-way street. All of these actions were done in pursuit of a Snorlax and Togetic. In addition, the footage also revealed how the police officers received a call for backup in an active robbery that was happening. The footage showed how the officers were dismayed by the abrupt backup call. The police officers had a combined 28 years of experience on the force were fired right after an investigation. Pokemon Go's Popularity Among Police In an edited and shortened video made by 404 Media, the two officers were able to catch Togetic. Mitchell in the background shouted in joy and even mentioned that the guys back at the station were "going to be jealous." Mitchell and Lozano were afterward questioned by a senior officer after failing to respond in the backup call even if the duo was just near the area of the incident. The two officers lied by claiming that they did not hear the radio which was found to be concerning for their superior. The full dashcam footage lasted three hours with most of the conversations being about Pokemon Go. Related Article: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hints New Tera Type The Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and the Freedom of Russia Legion have disappeared from the media because they are "preparing for extensive operations" that will be "a surprise for Russia". Source: Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "They [the RVC and the Freedom of Russia Legion] are acting. They are preparing for extensive operations. When they entered [crossed the border into Russia in May and June UP], Russia was not ready and did not realise what was happening at the time. But since then, Russia has significantly increased its presence in the border area near us. Secondly, there is the equipment of the territories in terms of engineering, the strengthening of air defence, the strengthening of intelligence systems, and other things designed to prevent the activities of such groups. Accordingly, planning is difficult now, but actions are being planned. They are being carried out using not only manpower but also other assets and resources in order to strike the most critical targets on the territory of the Russian Federation." Background: On 22 May, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and the Freedom of Russia Legion, armed groups which consist of Russians fighting for Ukraine, declared the "liberation" of several settlements in Belgorod Oblast, Russia, from Putin's government. By 23 May, the Russian authorities had announced the defeat of the fighters, who are referred to as "saboteurs" in Russia, and the completion of a "counter-terrorist" operation in Belgorod Oblast. On 23 May, the RVC stated that its equipment remained intact and accused Russias Ministry of Defence of spreading lies. 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! Ukraines Embassy in Israel is evacuating Ukrainian citizens from Israel and the Gaza Strip. Source: Interfax-Ukraine, with reference to Yevhen Korniichuk, Ukraines Ambassador to Israel, on Ukraines national 24/7 newscast Details: Korniichuk said that around 1,000 Ukrainians in Israel have appealed to the embassy for help. A total of around 15,000 Ukrainian citizens are registered with the consular authorities in Israel. Korniichuk also said that the Ben Gurion International Airport, Israels main airport, is operating normally, but ticket prices have hiked in light of the recent events. The Ukrainian Embassy is supporting Ukrainians who cannot afford a plane ticket to leave the country. Quote: "As an embassy, we are helping the most vulnerable groups: people who were [in Israel] for treatment, people with children who were [in Israel] for a visit, and tourists whose flights have been cancelled and who have no way of leaving the country. We have already distributed 200 tickets for the first evacuation flight to Romania on Saturday [14 October], at the pre-war price. I think we will organise another flight on Sunday. We are providing emergency assistance to people who have proven that they have no means of subsistence. We have sponsors who are helping us with this, and five to seven people have received this type of help. Sponsors are paying for them to stay in motels until the flight. They will be sent to Europe as soon as possible." Details: The embassy is also undertaking efforts to evacuate Ukrainians living in the Gaza Strip. The Embassy of Ukraine in Palestine has about 1,000 people registered with the consular office, including about 300 who live in the Gaza Strip. Quote: "The goal is to evacuate our citizens. A task force has drawn up an evacuation list that includes around 160 people, and this number is constantly growing. [These people will be evacuated] to Egypt via Rafah, and then to a third country, because Egypt does not allow anyone not even Ukrainian citizens who enters as an evacuee from Rafah, to stay [in Egypt] for more than 48 hours. This is a complex issue, and we are working on it in cooperation with our embassy in Egypt, the coordination headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the President [of Ukraine]. I think that we will be able to evacuate as many of our citizens as possible from Gaza on Thursday and Friday." Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukraine's Chief Intelligence Directorate has explained why Ramzan Kadyrov is still alive, despite the statements of Ukrainian intelligence about the "very difficult condition" of the head of Chechnya. Source: Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Ukraines Defence Intelligence representative, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "The fact that he was in a very difficult condition is a confirmed fact. He has been in this serious condition for some time. He was treated in the United Arab Emirates. Many treatments were also carried out on the territory of Russia (including in Moscow). Probably he is tenacious." Background: On 15 September, Andrii Yusov, representative of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, stated that Ramzan Kadyrov is in critical condition. On 17 September, Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-controlled Head of Chechnya, posted a personal video on social media for the first time in two weeks amid rumours of a sharp deterioration in his health or even death. 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 Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has established the identities of two traitors who guided the Russian missile attack on a cafe in the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast on 5 October. Source: SSU press service Details: The perpetrators turned out to be two local residents 30-year-old Volodymyr Mamon and his younger brother, 23-year-old Dmytro Mamon who sided with the Russians during the occupation of Kharkiv Oblast. Photo: Ukraine's Security Service The persons involved received "positions" in the ranks of the occupying "Department of Internal Affairs of the Military-Civil Administration of Kharkiv Oblast" for this. One of them was appointed "convoy group driver", the other "road patrol service inspector". However, as the liberation of Kharkiv Oblast approached, both traitors and their families fled to Russia, where they continued to work for the aggressor country. On the instructions of the Russian occupiers, they began to remotely form their own network of informants in the territory controlled by Ukraine. They covertly involved their relatives, neighbours and acquaintances from the liberated towns and villages of Kharkiv Oblast in subversive activities. Under the guise of friendly conversations and chatting in a messenger app, the traitors asked people for information about the deployment of Ukraine's Defence Forces and mass events in the oblast. According to the investigation, since early October this year, both of the men involved began to collect information about the planned reburial of a fallen Ukrainian defender in the village of Hroza. At the same time, they understood that as a result of the Russian attack, civilians would surely die their acquaintances from the village of Hroza, including those who provided them with information, the SSU emphasises. Having learned the exact address and time of the peaceful event, Volodymyr Mamon passed this information to the Russian occupiers. The Russians used the information received to carry out a targeted attack on the Ukrainian village using an Iskander M operational-tactical missile system. Fifty-three civilians were killed as a result of the Russian air attack, including a minor. Six more civilians were injured. Based on the evidence collected, Security Service investigators served a notice of suspicion on both persons involved, accusing them of high treason committed under martial law by prior conspiracy of a group of individuals. In addition, the criminal actions of Volodymyr Mamon are additionally qualified under Art. 27.5, Art. 28.2 and Art. 438.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (assistance in the commission of violations of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder, committed by a group of persons with prior conspiracy). Since both perpetrators are hiding in Russia, comprehensive measures are underway to locate and punish them. Background: Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! By Andrew Gray and Idrees Ali BRUSSELS (Reuters) -NATO members assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday that they would sustain military aid to his country as it braces for another wartime winter, even as Western attention focuses on the fallout from Hamas' attack on Israel. Defence chiefs issued the assurances as Zelenskiy visited NATO headquarters in Brussels for the first time since Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February last year. His visit came against the backdrop not only of violent turmoil in the Middle East but also political turbulence in the U.S. Congress, which has held up approval of aid for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was confident that members of the military alliance would continue to support Ukraine as it was in their own security interests. "We have the capability and the strength to address different challenges at the same time," he added. "We don't have the luxury of choosing only one threat and one challenge." U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered a similar message. In terms of our ability to continue to support both the efforts in Ukraine and support the efforts in Israel as well, absolutely, we can do both and we will do both, Austin told reporters. After attending a meeting of the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group of some 50 nations that support Kyiv, Zelenskiy welcomed the assurances but acknowledged there was uncertainty. "My question was ... will your support be less than now?" Zelenskiy told reporters. "The partners say 'no'. But who knows how it will be? I think nobody knows." Zelenskiy stressed Ukraine's need for more air defence systems - as it braces for Russian attacks on its energy grid through the coldest months of the year - as well as artillery and ammunition to allow its forces to keep fighting in winter. Ukraine started a counteroffensive over the summer to try to retake territory in the south and east but has so far failed to make major breakthroughs in Russia's network of fortifications and minefields. "The winter air defence is a significant part of the answer to the question of when this war will end and whether it will end justly for Ukraine," Zelenskiy said. FRESH PLEDGES Stoltenberg pointed to a series of fresh pledges of military aid to show NATO members remained committed to Kyiv. Austin announced a new $200 million defence package for Ukraine on Wednesday, including air defence munitions and weapons to counter Russian drones. Washington has provided $44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition, but support is falling among Americans of both main political parties. On the eve of the meeting, Germany announced a new "winter package" worth around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) that includes new air defence systems, while a UK-led group of countries announced help with mine-clearing. Zelenskiy also secured promises of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and Belgium, though the latter were slated for delivery in 2025. He made explicit comparisons between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. "Terrorists like Putin or like Hamas seek to hold free and democratic nations as hostages and they want power," he said. Russia has denied targeting civilians and has blamed the West for the war in Ukraine, saying it had no choice but to launch what it calls a "special military operation" there. It describes as baseless suggestions from Ukraine that Moscow is seeking to inflame the situation in the Middle East. Hamas, which calls for Israel's destruction, says its attack was justified by the plight of Gaza under a 16-year-old blockade and the deadliest Israeli crackdown for years in the occupied West Bank. (Reporting by Marine Strauss, Andrew Gray, Idrees Ali, Sabine Siebold, Olena Harmash; Writing by Andrew Gray and Matthias Williams; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten, Andrew Cawthorne, Angus MacSwan and Cynthia Osterman) El Al Israel Airlines planes on the runway at Ben Gurion International Airport More than a thousand people have already contacted the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel for help, and the number is growing, Ukraines ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Oct. 11. "We are paying particular attention to those in greater need, to those who call us from Ukrainian numbers, not from Israeli ones, Korniychuk said. Read also: Hamas attack on Israel killed three Ukrainians, nine injured, six missing, hundreds stranded We understand that these people are in Israel temporarily, who came to visit (friends or relatives), came either as tourists or for religious pilgrimages or for some other reason, and are left without the possibility of staying (somewhere)," Korniychuk said, saying that consuls had managed to find hotel rooms for some of them. "We are doing everything we can." The situation with the Gaza Strip evacuation, for which 160 Ukrainians have applied for, is even more complicated. Read also: Over 14,000 Ukrainians registered with Ukrainian embassy in Israel, Foreign ministry makes list of those needing aid "We are tentatively planning the evacuation for Thursday-Friday (Oct. 12-13), provided that the Rafah crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt is open, as it was bombed twice yesterday," Korniychuk said. He said the Ukrainians will be taken from Gaza to Egypt and then transported to another country within 48 hours. The evacuation will be carried out by the embassy at the expense of sponsors, as there's no money for this in the budget. Three Ukrainians were killed, nine others were injured and six are missing following the bloody Hamas militant attack on Israel, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said in a post on Facebook on Oct. 11. Read also: Longtime Russian assistance to Hamas permitted latest brutal attack on Israel, Zelenskyy says Ukrainian diplomats remain in close contact with Israeli law enforcement to determine the location and condition of the injured and to search for the missing. 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 Hungary will allow the import of Ukrainian sugar again after amending its list of prohibited Ukrainian agricultural products, the Hungarian government said in a resolution on Oct. 9. Budapest introduced a unilateral ban on Ukrainian imports on Sept. 15 after the European Commission (EC) abolished restrictions on Ukrainian goods in five EU countries: Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. The amendments cover cane and beet sugar, as well as hard sucrose. Hungarys ban included 24 types of products including various meats, wheat, rye, vegetables, and wine. The restrictions dont apply to goods that are scheduled for transit to other countries as long as they leave Hungary in 15 days. The EU imposed the food ban on May 2 after growing complaints from farmers in Ukraines neighbors, known as the frontline five," that Ukrainian goods were flooding the market. It was extended in June until mid-September. The EC allowed the ban to expire on Sept. 15 after Kyiv pledged to take action to tighten export controls to neighboring countries. Poland and Slovakia also imposed unilateral bans, with Warsaw expanding the list to cover rapeseed cake and meal, wheat flour, and corn bran. In response, Kyiv officially filed a complaint with the WTO against the three countries on Sept. 18, according to a statement published on the Economy Ministry's website. Read also: Ukraines grain overload sours countrys relationship with key allies Subscribe to the Newsletter Ukraine Business Roundup Subscribe Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The UK government wants to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. The Supreme Court is deciding whether to back the Court of Appeal's ruling in June that the policy is unlawful. What is the Rwanda asylum plan? The five-year trial - announced in April 2022 - would see some asylum seekers sent to Rwanda to claim asylum there. They may be granted refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in another "safe third country". The government says the plan will deter people arriving in the UK through "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats which cross the English Channel. More than 45,700 people used this route to come to the UK in 2022, the highest figure since records began. By the end of September 2023, the number of small boat crossings was about 20% lower than at the same point the year before. No asylum seeker has actually been sent to Rwanda so far. The first flight was scheduled to go in June 2022, but was cancelled after legal challenges. Chart showing the number of small boat crossings in the UK 2018-2023 (11 October 2021) Is Rwanda safe and is the scheme legal? The UK Supreme Court began its hearing to determine the fate of the Rwanda scheme on 9 October, with a decision expected at a later date. In June 2023, the Court of Appeal overturned an earlier High Court ruling that the Rwanda plan was lawful. The Court of Appeal judges ruled that the east African nation was not a safe third country because "deficiencies" in its asylum system mean that some claimants could be sent back to their home countries, where they might face persecution. It said that "unless and until" those deficiencies are corrected, removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful. The ruling also said that the Rwanda policy breaches Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman treatment. Legal challenges meant the first Rwanda flight was cancelled shortly before take-off in June 2022 It was not a unanimous decision. Two judges agreed to reverse the High Court decision but a third did not. The judges said their decision did not imply a view about the "political merits" of the policy. Asylum Aid, the charity which brought the case against the government, said the judgement was a "vindication of the importance of the rule of law and basic fairness when fundamental rights are at stake". The UN's refugee agency, which advised the court on matters of international refugee law during the appeal, also welcomed the ruling, and urged the UK government to "pursue other measures" instead. However, the government confirmed it wanted the issue to go to the Supreme Court. While legal proceedings continue, flights still cannot take off for Rwanda. How many people could be sent to Rwanda? It is unclear exactly how many asylum seekers could be sent to Rwanda. The UK government previously said "anyone entering the UK illegally" after 1 January 2022 could be sent, with no limit on numbers. Under the deal, Rwanda can also ask the UK to take in some of its most vulnerable refugees. But in October 2022, Privilege Style - the airline which was scheduled to take asylum seekers to Rwanda - withdrew from its Home Office contract, after a campaign by refugee charities. At the time the Guardian reported that two other airlines which had previously conducted deportation flights had also ruled out participation in the Rwanda scheme. Map showing Rwanda How much will the plan cost? So far the UK has paid the Rwandan government 140m for the scheme but it has not provided an overall cost. An economic-impact assessment prepared for the government's Illegal Migration Bill estimated that removing each individual to a third country, such as Rwanda, would cost 63,000 more than keeping them in the UK. That figure is the difference between the total cost of removing an individual - estimated to be 169,000 - and the 106,000 spent on housing support if they remain in the UK. The 169,000 total includes a payment to the third country of around 105,000 per person, as well as 22,000 for flights. The Home Office said no cost would be incurred if the policy deterred an individual from entering the UK illegally. But it said it was "uncertain" how many people would be deterred because the policy was "novel and untested". The UK's asylum system costs 3bn a year. About 8m a day is spent on hotel accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers. Critics say the daily cost is so high because of the time taken to decide on applications, and a ban on asylum seekers working while waiting for confirmation of their status. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed F-16s in a phone call with his Belgian counterpart, Ludivine Dedonder, on Oct. 10, the Defense Ministry reported via Telegram. "We discussed the provision of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine and the training of our pilots," Umerov said. The defense ministers also spoke about the upcoming Ramstein summit and next meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Umerov called the talks "productive." On Sept. 15, Dedonder announced Belgium's participation in the international coalition assembled to train Ukrainian personnel on F-16 fighter jets. Shortly after, on Sept. 21, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the nation was considering providing F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, despite earlier reports that the jets in Belgium's arsenal were too old for combat. Kyiv has placed high hopes on the fighter jets, which could shift the balance in the war by lending the Ukrainian military air superiority in the occupied territories Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE - South Sudanese who fled from Sudan sit outside a nutrition clinic at a transit center in Renk, South Sudan, on May 16, 2023. Four Western countries have floated a proposal on Wednesday Oct. 4, 2023 for the U.N.'s top human rights body to appoint a team of experts to monitor and report on abuses and rights violations in war-wracked Sudan. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File) CAIRO (AP) The United Nations top human rights body voted Wednesday to establish a face-finding mission to probe allegations of abuses in Sudans monthslong war. Sudan was engulfed in chaos in mid-April, when simmering tensions between the military and a powerful paramilitary group exploded into open warfare in the capital, Khartoum, and other areas across the east African nation. The U.N. Human Rights Council narrowly adapted the resolution, with 19 out of the councils 47 members voting in favor of establishing the mission. Sixteen members opposed it, while 12 countries were absent. Proposed by the U.K., the U.S. and Norway, the resolution says the mission will investigate and establish the facts, circumstances and root causes of all alleged human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Sudans war. The conflict in Sudan has turned Khartoum and other urban areas into battlefields, wrecking civilian infrastructure and an already battered health care system. Left without basic supplies, many hospitals and medical facilities have closed. More than 9,000 people have been killed in the conflict, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project, which tracks Sudans war. The fighting has forced over 4.5 million people to flee their homes to other places inside Sudan and more than 1.2 million to seek refuge in neighboring countries, the U.N. migration agency says. In the first weeks of the war, fighting centered in Khartoum, but it then moved to the western region of Darfur, which was the scene of a genocidal campaign by Arab militia groups, known as jajaweed, against ethnic Africans in the early 2000s. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and its allied jajaweed militias have again attacked ethnic African groups in Darfur, say rights groups and the U.N., which has reported mass killings, rape and other atrocities in Darfur and other areas in Sudan. Civilians in Sudan are bearing the brunt of the ongoing devastating conflict," Erika Guevara-Rosas, a senior director with Amnesty international, said a day before the vote. Parties to the conflict have also committed war crimes, including sexual violence and the targeting of communities based on their ethnic identity. The International Criminal Courts prosecutor announced in July an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the latest fighting in Darfur. Lego artist Colin Jin spent countless hours shifting through his Lego bricks, as if playing a treasure hunt, to find the perfect piece to build a traditional Korean music performance. His recreation of performing "Jongmyo Jeryeak," the majestic orchestral music for regular royal rituals at Jongmyo, the Joseon royal mausoleum, finally went on display after 18 months at Moryham Exhibition Center in Seoul. "It was really challenging to find the right pieces, not to mention express the colors and details," the artist said during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday. "As the saying goes, the straight line belongs to men and the curved one to God. I feel thrilled and content to be able to express the Korean curve with Lego bricks," he said. His first solo exhibition, Colin Jin's HEstorical Lego, offers a wide array of artworks that recreate traditional Korean dance moves, dining tables, masks and books, among many others, using Lego pieces scoured from pre-made Lego sets. The 49-year-old artist found the pure lack of Lego sets that represent Korean history and culture very disappointing, while there are many Japanese and Chinese culture-themed Lego sets available, he said. "There is the Sungnyemun Lego model, launched back in 2012, but it is very simple and not sophisticated. It had soon even gone out of production," he said. The historic gate Sungnyemun, built in the 14th century, also known as Namdaemun, is Korea's National Treasure No. 1. The Sungnyemun set was part of the Lego Architecture series for iconic architecture around the world. It was officially launched in the Danish Pavilion at the EXPO 2012 exhibition in the southwestern port city of Yeosu. As a child, Colin Jin enjoyed an abundance of toys, even from overseas, to play with, thanks to his dad who ran a toy company. "I remember my dad always busy with his work. After all, his generation focused more on being a good provider than being a dad who plays with their children," he said. The young Colin Jin often played alone, making toys on his own using various materials like wood and paper. He learned a lot while building and dismantling Lego sets to eventually create a new world of his own, he said. After becoming a dad himself, he was determined to spend more time with his daughter, building -- not just buying -- Lego sets for her. Objects on display include the Lego artworks that he created for his daughter, like a purse, pencil case and lamp. While he was very "nervous" to show his Lego creations to the public, which he used to make for fun for his daughter and wife, rendering Korean cultural heritage in brick form has given him a new sense of purpose, he said. "I hope my works can pique the interest of the Lego company and eventually encourage it to make more products related to Korean culture," he said. "After all, Lego can serve as a great tool to promote Korean culture, as it is enjoyed worldwide by children and adults alike." (Yonhap) NEW YORK The Democratic Socialists of America is coming apart at the seams. Rep. Jamaal Bowman let his membership lapse. Colleague Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ripped the New York chapter over a pro-Palestinian rally Sunday. And others on the left are struggling to reconcile their views with the group even disavowing it amid criticism from across the political spectrum. The reckoning for the DSA in the wake of Hamas attacks on Israel could mark a realignment at the extreme end of the Democratic Party. Progressive politicians looking for an endorsement from the DSA have long faced a Middle East litmus test , answering questions about whether theyll boycott Israel and if they back Palestinians living under occupation. The brutality Saturday violence of a greater scope and intensity than earlier Israeli-Palestinian clashes has shaken some who had been boosted by the DSA. And the blowback has been felt across Congress, statehouses and city halls where the party has made inroads. In Michigan, Rep. Shri Thanedar officially renounced his DSA membership, saying in a statement Wednesday that he wont associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms. In Los Angeles, DSA-endorsed City Council member Nithya Raman rejected the groups rhetoric late Tuesday, saying a national DSA statement on the attacks failed to reckon with the horrors committed by Hamas and was unacceptably devoid of empathy for communities in Israel. In New York, the DSA lost one of its most prominent members in Bowman, a vocal critic of the Israeli government. His spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that he let his membership expire last year following disagreements on funding Israels missile defense system. The bloodshed and budding war in Israel are shining a brighter spotlight on tensions between the often younger, left-leaning DSA-backed politicians and their mainstream Democratic colleagues. The disagreement, which mirrors disputes breaking out on leading college campuses in recent days, could serve as an indicator of broader divisions within the Democratic Party. And the debate over how to respond to the declared war between Israel and Hamas has caused the beginnings of a major rift within the DSA, a group thats viewed the Jewish state as an oppressor of Palestinians and has tried to link the issue to racial justice causes in the United States. Theres an inflection point thats happening now, said David Greenfield, a former Democratic New York City Council member who now works with the Met Council, a Jewish nonprofit. The core membership of the DSA has not shown any sympathy at all for innocent victims of Hamas barbaric terrorism, where the adults in the room have realized that thats not a viable path forward for any political party in the United States, Greenfield added. In New York, several far-left Democrats boosted to elected office by the DSA condemned a pro-Palestinian rally in Manhattan that the New York City DSA had promoted but later distanced itself from. Attendees had chanted resistance is justified when people are occupied and one was shown displaying a swastika in a widely circulated photo. A day later, the NYC-DSA toned down its rhetoric, apologizing in a statement . But the DSA has still held firm to its core beliefs about Israel: Its statement went on to call for a cease-fire and the end of Israels occupation of the West Bank, the end of the 16-year siege on the open-air prison that is the Gaza Strip and the end of U.S. military aid for occupation and apartheid. The local DSA chapter noted it didnt organize or sponsor the rally, which was not attended by any elected officials. No. 1 is that the DSA is anti-war and pro-peace organization that stands for the full thriving of all human beings, Jeremy Cohan, a co-chair of NYC-DSA, said in an interview, adding: The idea that we would celebrate or glorify any death I find absurd. He dismissed the notion that the party is in peril. I dont see it as an inflection point because I think, in part, unfortunately, Americans are going to see a war coming, Cohan said of the DSAs stance against war. The tensions are highest in New York, a state with the most Jewish residents in the world outside of Israel and also the place where the DSA has made its greatest electoral gains. But the divisions are playing out across the country. DSA-affiliated elected leaders reactions to the war have been seized upon by political opponents, moderate Democrats and Republicans. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker, who is Jewish, has declared full support of Israel. But there are divisions within the General Assembly and the Chicago City Council, whose Jewish members have written supportive statements about Israel while more left-leaning members have carefully walked a line to say they support peace. The sides were even at odds over a resolution supporting Israel , with Chicago Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, a member of the Councils DSA caucus, saying the situation is more nuanced than what this resolution expresses. In Los Angeles, City Council candidate Ethan Weaver posted Monday of his rival, Raman: 24 hours has passed since her biggest endorser, Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles, sided with terrorists who violently murdered innocent Israeli civilians Nithya Raman still has not condemned DSA-LA or rejected DSA-LA endorsement. After Raman criticized the national DSA's rhetoric, Weaver pushed her further still to disavow the party. In Massachusetts, DSA chapters in Boston and Worcester have called for an end to U.S. military aid for Israel. But even the most left-leaning members of the states all-Democratic congressional delegation, Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, have refused to go that far. Both have called for de-escalation on both sides of the conflict, and Pressley called for an immediate ceasefire. Markey was booed at a stand with Israel rally in Boston on Monday for saying exactly that showing the competing pressures on Democrats in the deep-blue state. He was also swiftly rebuked by a fellow delegation member, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Jewish military veteran who offered full-throated support for Israel and said de-escalation is not possible when [Hamas is] taking hostages. Sara Forman, executive director of the New York Solidarity Network, which promotes the American alliance with Israel, said candidates should reject a DSA endorsement going forward. Are you going to be a candidate, in New York, especially, who understands that New York Jews increasingly see the DSA as explicitly an antisemite organization?" she asked in an interview. Republicans have sought to link DSA members to mainstream Democrats. In New York, GOP state senators urged Democratic leadership to strip its handful of DSA members of their committee and leadership posts a move that will put pressure on moderate Democrats to address. At City Hall in New York City, Republicans and Democrats who run on the GOP line told their DSA-aligned counterparts in statement: There is no equivalency. There is no both sides argument. There is no moral relativism. This is pure evil. Some DSA members continued to push back against the Times Square rally. We were disturbed to hear reports of statements from individuals who attended which minimized or justified civilian deaths, state Sen. Julia Salazar and state Assemblymember Emily Gallagher said in a joint statement. But Salazar, 32, said in an interview she has seen a political shift among younger voters and activists in their views toward Israel, especially given its right-wing government, she said. Naturally, as young Americans and young American Jews adopt a more progressive ideology, theyre going to adopt a more sympathetic view of the Palestinian cause, she said. The younger generation is going to continue to become actively involved in the Democratic Party and over time sort of reshape the partys position on this to make it more nuanced, Salazar said. Still, some Democrats see greater room for nuance in the wake of the attacks. Amy Spitalnick, a former press aide to the progressive Democrat Bill de Blasio, recalled a trip to Israel in 2015 when the then-New York City mayor visited a school for both Israeli and Palestinian kids. His appearance at the school was no-brainer even if it stirred criticism at the time. This weekend has made a few things enormously clear: Israel has a right to defend itself from brutal attacks, and this conflict requires a long-term peaceful solution, said Spitalnick, now the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Spitalnick said Ocasio-Cortezs denunciation of the rally struck the right tone. Its important to acknowledge that she actually did the right thing there and called out this rally, whether its a DSA rally or whoever sponsored it, Spitalnick said. She added, There are definitely some voices that have not been able to express that moral clarity this weekend. Lisa Kashinsky in Boston, Dustin Gardiner in Sacramento and Shia Kapos in Chicago contributed to this report. [Source] Frank Chin , a beloved community activist in Boston's Chinatown, has died peacefully at the age of 91. A trailblazers passing: Chin, affectionately known as "Uncle Frank" within the community, passed away in his Boston home on Monday evening, his family confirmed with NewsCenter 5. Upon his death, the political trailblazer left behind a legacy of leadership and tireless dedication to his community. Lifelong advocate: A former City Hall official, Chin was hailed as the "anchor of civic life in Chinatown" by Mayor Michelle Wu , according to The Boston Globe. The mayor noted how his influence extended from city hall to national politics. He was not just a mentor to Wu but a guiding force for many, including those who sought to bridge the gap between the Asian and Black communities in Boston. More from NextShark: Singer Resorts to Using Brownface in Music Video for Skin Whitening Product "My heart aches for the entire Chin family and all who loved Uncle Frank," Mayor Wu wrote in an X post on Wednesday. "As he reunites with Auntie Kay, his memory, impact, and legacy will be cherished forever in Boston and beyond. Rest in peace, Uncle Frank" Champion of Chinatown: Referred to as the unofficial mayor of Chinatown, Chin worked with his brother Billy in helping develop businesses, affordable housing, social service organizations and agencies that aided new residents in their transition to becoming citizens and voters. He was able to bring much-needed improvements to Chinatown, including multi-day garbage pickup and safer streets. Influential figure: In 1969, Chin was appointed by Mayor White to co-chair a grievance committee addressing neighborhood issues and initiating a door-to-door voter registration drive. What started with just 300 registered Chinese voters in the city grew to 3,600 in a few years, effectively enhancing Chinatown's political clout and ensuring that the community's concerns were heard. More from NextShark: Man involved in multiple physical altercations with passengers on Los Angeles Metro Rail Profound legacy: Born in Boston's Chinatown in 1932, Frank Chin's life was a testament to resilience and love for his community. He overcame personal challenges, including early loss and hardship, to become a father figure and role model for countless individuals. In 2019, he and his wife, Kathleen, were honored when a section of the Rose Kennedy Greenway was renamed "Auntie Kay and Uncle Frank Chin Park." He is survived by his son, Mark. Funeral arrangements for this beloved community leader are currently being finalized. More from NextShark: Over 100 Dead as Vietnam is Hit With Most Severe Flood in Decades A Ukrainian developer prepares to present his technology in humanitarian mine action, Zhytomyr Oblast Ukraine is currently thought to be the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. In this fascinating blog post, Paul Heslop, the head of the Mine Action Programme at UNDP in Ukraine, describes how new technologies could dramatically increase the speed and effectiveness of mine clearance. The landmines now contaminating Ukrainian agricultural lands harm both people's safety and the economy. Farmers cannot use their fields until deminers clear the area. Clearance is usually done using conventional methods deminers search for mines while traversing fields with special equipment. Recently, I visited Zhytomyr Oblast along with Ukraine's Minister of Economy, Yuliia Svyrydenko; the CEO of the Kyiv School of Economics, Mykhailo Shneyder; U.S. investor Howard Buffet; and our partners from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). The purpose of our visit was to explore Ukrainian technologies that have the potential to revolutionize this sector. It was truly inspiring to witness how rapidly local technologies are being developed to support humanitarian mine action. UNDP is committed to bringing together the best of both international and national innovation. Presentations of innovative demining technologies during a visit to Zhytomyr Oblast UNDP in Ukraine Presentations of innovative demining technologies during a visit to Zhytomyr Oblast. UNDP in Ukraine In June, UNDP in Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy, and the Kyiv School of Economics started testing a range of robotic technologies for demining. During the first phase, we trialled seven UAV/sensor technologies. The trial was supported by UNDP and generous funding from the Government of Denmark. Two technologies were consistently able to detect surface-laid mines and unexploded ordnance, while another one was consistently able to detect sub-surface (buried) mines and unexploded ordnance. The Ministry of Economy provided a test site covered in mines and unexploded ordnance where the trials could be conducted safely. Innovative technologies in action One of the companies participating in the trials detects explosive objects by analysing changes in the Earth's magnetic field caused by the presence of mines. This technology can detect mines both underground and on the surface. A magnetometer is suspended under a drone, which flies over the minefield on a specified trajectory. During the flight, the device records the parameters of the magnetic field, matched to precise coordinates. After landing, the information that has been collected is processed using specialized software, creating a map of the minefield, with bright points indicating the location of mines or unexploded ordnance. Example Phase I trial data showing surface and sub-surface mines and unexploded ordnance detected within the Chernihiv trial area Another technology allows the detection of mines and ordnance using artificial intelligence. By analysing images taken by UAVs, the system can pinpoint the locations of explosive objects autonomously and describe the type of object located on the terrain. Example Phase I trial data showing surface mines and unexploded ordnance identified using artificial intelligence (AI) within the Chernihiv trial area These technologies will serve two important purposes: first, to determine whether mines are actually present on the territory, and second, to confirm the absence of mines. Both tasks are crucial outcomes. If no mines are detected, the fields can swiftly be returned to farmers. If mines are present, they will be handled by the SESU or other organizations. If these tools are effective, UNDP and partners would like to scale them up for use all over the country. A comprehensive and innovative approach What's next? We will continue testing these three technologies, which have already shown good results. A further more extensive trial for the shortlisted technologies is planned for OctoberNovember 2023, run for the Ministry of Economy with the support of UNDP. First and foremost, these technologies will be offered to the SESU for use, but other demining operators could also use them. Deminers gets ready to inspect the contaminated field, Zhytomyr Oblast UNDP in Ukraine The approach to demining must be comprehensive and innovative. The level of contamination with mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine is very high, with some areas of the country likely among the most contaminated parts of the planet at this moment in time. The problem of mine contamination is also a global economic issue, affecting food security. Lower production in Ukraine could lead to ever-higher food prices, which would hit countries that import food hard. To help reduce global food insecurity, we need to remove mines from Ukrainian land to allow it to be farmed again. This will require a new mindset, and focusing on impacts and positive outcomes from the use of such technology. There are many ways new technology can help: working with the SESU using powerful computers, A.I. and satellite imagery, we can evaluate around 800 square kilometres of territory for farmers a week, giving them the confidence to use land previously thought to be unsafe. Clearing Ukraines territories of mines currently costs $300 million annually. With our project, using a high impact, low-cost technological solution that costs just a few thousand dollars, we could save millions of dollars. There is no silver bullet in mine action, but if we think outside of the box, Ukraine can remove much of the economic impact from perceived explosive contamination within the next 10 years. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Jake Sullivan , the United States national security advisor to President Joe Biden , has said that the US has enough resources to simultaneously support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and Israel in the defence of its territory and citizens. Source: Sullivan at a briefing, quoted by Voice of America Quote: "And we firmly reject the notion that the United States of America cannot at once support the freeding freedom-loving people of Ukraine and support the State of Israel." "We believe we have the resources, tools, and capacities to be able to effectively do that." Details: Answering journalists' questions, Sullivan also confirmed that the Biden administration planned to submit an aid package for Ukraine, as well as an aid package for Israel, to Congress in the near future. He did not comment on whether it would be a combined request or what form it would take. Sullivan also reiterated that helping Ukraine is in the US interest now and requires far fewer resources than it would if Russia were to potentially defeat Ukraine and spread its aggression to other countries in Europe, including the potential need for US troops to engage in direct combat, as has happened in the past. Background: Earlier, the Pentagon said that the US Congress should approve additional funding to enable the US to provide the necessary military assistance to Israel and Ukraine at the same time. Over the weekend, Western media reported that Biden wants Congress to approve up to US$100 billion for Ukraine. Read more on the topic: Crisis That Must Be Averted: How Europe Is Preparing for Possible Cut in US Military Aid 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! U.S.-Israel travel has become more challenging following the Palestinian militant group Hamas deadly attack against the country. American carriers have halted flights to Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport with at least one U.S. airline also limiting flights to Jordans Queen Alia International Airport. There are no active airports in Gaza or the West Bank because Israel controls the airspace. Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank must obtain permits, which are often denied, to be able to travel abroad. Those who have the opportunity to travel usually do so through Jordan, which has become increasingly challenging. However, in 2022, Israel began allowing some Palestinians to travel to Turkey from the southern city of Eilats Ramon airport. Palestinians in Gaza can also cross a land border controlled by Egypt, though it only opens a few times a year. Heres what to know about possible flight impacts between Israel and South Florida: Whats going on with U.S. carriers? American Airlines has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv through Dec. 4. Delta has suspended flights to and from Israel through Oct. 31, though an advisory states travel may be affected until September 2024. United has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Amman, Jordan until Oct. 31. Whats the situation in the Miami airport? Miami hasnt seen a decrease in flights to or from Israel, airport spokesperson Greg Chin said. El Al Israel Airlines, Israels national airline, is the only carrier with nonstop service between MIA and Tel Aviv. So far, it hasnt made changes to its six weekly scheduled flights. However, many travelers may fly out of Miami and stop at a connecting airport before making it to Israel. We have no way of tracking what passengers are now not flying to a connecting airport (i.e. New York JFK) because that airport no longer has flights to Israel, Chin said. Flights between MIA and other connecting airports continue because there are connecting flights from those airports to many other cities outside of Tel Aviv. Dear Valued Customers At this moment, the State of Israel finds itself facing a challenging and deeply painful situation, one that has placed unprecedented demands on all of us at EL AL. We are working tirelessly to navigate this difficult period, ensuring that we can continue pic.twitter.com/HuURxGKuW4 EL AL USA (@ELALUSA) October 11, 2023 Whats the situation in Fort Lauderdale? Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport currently only has seasonal nonstop service to Tel Aviv through El Al Airlines, airport spokesperson Arlene Satchell said. The last flight on the airlines seasonal schedule will operate as previously planned on Thursday. For the remaining El Al seasonal flights this week, FLL will have a heightened law enforcement and security posture in an abundance of caution, Satchell said. As such, passengers are likely to see uniformed law enforcement personnel in airport areas where El Al flights operate. Satchell also said El Al will begin year-round service to Tel Aviv from the Fort Lauderdale airport in April 2024. WASHINGTON An aerial electronic jammer the U.S. Army slated for use aboard a reconnaissance and attack drone successfully underwent testing using a turboprop aircraft, an outcome officials said demonstrates the payloads future battlefield flexibility. The Multi-Function Electronic Warfare-Air Large, or MFEW-AL, is part of the Armys focus on sophisticated electronic warfare technologies after years of divestment. Lockheed Martin is handling development of the self-contained pod, which was initially meant to be slung beneath an MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone, made by General Atomics. This summer, the MFEW-AL was put through its paces on an MC-12W Liberty, a plane typically used to conduct medium- to low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The Air Force previously expressed interest in integrating the EW pod onto an A-10 attack plane. MFEW-AL is an innovative converged technology that addresses our customers vision for combined cyber and electronic warfare capability and dominance, Deon Viergutz, vice president of spectrum convergence at Lockheed, said in a statement to C4ISRNET. In collaboration with the U.S. Army, this demonstration expanded upon all testing of the MFEW-AL system to date, bringing to bear a more complete hardware and software configuration that gets us closer to delivering this technology to our EW soldiers. Electronic warfare is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse tied to the electromagnetic spectrum. Militaries rely on the spectrum and its manipulation for connectivity, navigation and weapons guidance. The MFEW-AL is designed to detect, locate, disrupt and degrade adversary communications and radars. Key to MFEW-ALs flexibility is a Lego-like, plug-and-play approach known as the C5ISR Electronic Warfare Modular Open Suite of Standards. The CMOSS backbone embeds critical capabilities like communication, timing and mission planning into cards that are then inserted into a standardized, ruggedized chassis. The interchangeable setup is expected to reduce development cycles, shrink equipment downtimes and improve the Armys elasticity. Brig. Gen. Ed Barker, the program executive officer for intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors, in August told C4ISRNET developmental testing of MFEW-AL took place at the China Lake weapons range in California. He noted the service is getting the tech into the hands of troops. Weve had soldiers both at China Lake and then up at 10th Mountain Division, Barker said in an interview on the sidelines of the AFCEA TechNet Augusta conference in Georgia. The software and hardware is stable. I think were in pretty good shape. Additional flight tests are expected in the coming months, on top of the 200-plus hours MFEW-AL has already logged. Lockheed said it will use the feedback to further refine its technology. Airworthiness certification is anticipated for fiscal 2024. Lockheed is also involved with two additional Army electronic warfare and signals intelligence systems: the Terrestrial Layer System-Brigade Combat Team and the heftier Terrestrial Layer System-Echelons Above Brigade. The service tapped the company in April to fit Terrestrial Layer System technology onto Stryker combat vehicles, made by General Dynamics, and to begin planning for the same aboard BAE Systems Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle. The arrangement was worth nearly $73 million. Months later, Lockheed was selected to continue development of TLS-EAB in a deal worth nearly $37 million. The Maryland-based company reaped $63 billion in defense-related revenue in 2022, earning it the No. 1 spot on Defense News Top 100 list, which ranks companies worldwide by defense revenue. It secured $64 billion the year prior. Officials from the US Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday that a salvage mission successfully recovered the remaining debris from the OceanGate Titan submersible . The 22-foot-long vessel suffered an implosion en route to the Titanic almost four months ago. Five passengers died during the privately funded, $250,000-per-seat voyage intended to glimpse the historic tragedys remains, including OceanGates CEO and Titan pilot, Stockton Rush. According to the Coast Guards October 10 press release , salvage efforts were underway via an agreement with the US Navy Supervisor of Salvage & Diving following initial recovery missions approximately 1,600-feet away from the Titanic wreckage. Searchers discovered and raised the remaining debris on October 4, then transferred them to an unnamed US port for further analysis and cataloging. The US Coast Guard also confirmed additional presumed human remains were carefully recovered from inside the debris, and have been sent for medical professional analysis. [Related: OceanGate confirms missing Titan submersible passengers have sadly been lost .] OceanGates surface vessel lost contact with the Titan submersible approximately 105 minutes into its nearly 2.5 mile descent to the Titanic on June 18. Frantic, internationally coordinated search and rescue efforts scoured over 10,000 square surface miles of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the North Atlantic ocean floor. On June 22, OceanGate and US Coast Guard representatives confirmed its teams located remains indicative of a catastrophic implosion not far from the voyages intended destination. Submersible experts had warned of such catastrophic issues within Titans design for years, and repeatedly raised concerns about OceanGates disregard of standard certification processes. In a March 2018 open letter to the company obtained by The New York Times , over three dozen industry experts, oceanographers, and explorers expressed unanimous concern about the submersibles experimental approach they believed could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry. Your [safety standard] representation is, at minimum, misleading to the public and breaches an industry-wide professional code of conduct we all endeavor to uphold, reads a portion of the 2018 letter. Although salvage efforts have concluded, the Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) plans to continue conducting evidence analysis alongside witness interviews ahead of a public hearing regarding this tragedy. A date for the hearing has not yet been announced, although as The Washington Post notes, the Coast Guard could recommend new deep-sea submersible regulations, as well as criminal charges to pursue. OceanGate announced it suspended all commercial and expedition operations on July 6. The British Broadcasting Corporation Confusion reigned on Capitol Hill on Thursday as Speaker of the House nominee Steve Scalise struggled to win enough votes to secure an overall majority in the chamber. He defeated hardliner Jim Jordan in a private vote on Wednesday. Mr Scalise, 58, must now work to unite the divided Republicans and secure their backing in a full House vote. Republicans hold a slim majority, meaning he can only afford to lose the support of five party members. With no elected Speaker in place, the House finds itself leaderless at a critical time. It is unable to pass any bills or approve White House requests for emergency aid, such as for Israel following the weekend attacks by Hamas, and it must also pass a spending bill in the coming weeks to avoid a government shutdown. House Republicans gathered behind closed-doors on Thursday as Mr Scalise and his supporters feverishly sought to sway the people that remained in opposition. But the meeting ended without a plan for a House vote. "We're continuing to work to narrow the gap," Mr Scalise told reporters after the meeting. "And we're going to continue to go through this process as we grow our support." A simple majority, 217, is required for Mr Scalise to win the job. Whether he can accomplish that, however, remains unclear. Several Republicans have insisted they will not vote for Mr Scalise, including New York's George Santos, South Carolina's Nancy Mace, Colorado's Lauren Boebert, Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene and Florida's Anna Paulina Luna. He can only afford to lose five votes. Speaking to reporters as he entered the Capitol on Thursday, ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that while "it's possible" that Mr Scalise can gather the necessary votes, it remains "a big hill". Steve Womack of Arkansas said it remains unclear when a vote will take place and whether Mr Scalise will win. Any suggestion otherwise, he added, remains "conjecture" partly driven by Representatives "saying one thing and then Tweeting something else". If Mr Scalise were to successfully win a floor vote, he would become Speaker and end days of paralysis in the lower chamber of Congress, which began when Kevin McCarthy was ousted by hardliners in his own Republican Party. The slim margin of Mr Scalise's victory in the closed-door meeting on Wednesday - 113 votes to 99 - highlights the deep divisions within the party, and some lawmakers have expressed scepticism that, even now, he has the votes necessary to secure the position. Among those still opposing him is Texas Congressman Chip Roy - a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus - who told reporters on Wednesday evening that "there are a number of votes that are very much in question for Steve," he said. "I don't think it's a good idea for us to be barrelling towards the floor," he added. Mr Scalise is the more traditional candidate in this race. He worked his way up through the party's leadership, built a reputation as a formidable fundraiser and tried to build connections to the party's full range of interest groups and constituencies. The Democrats will nominate Hakeem Jeffries but as they are the minority party in the House, he has zero chance of getting the job. By David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday nominated Steve Scalise to serve as speaker following last week's ouster of Kevin McCarthy , but delayed further action when he appeared to be short of the support needed to win a vote of the full chamber. Scalise, now No. 2 on the Republican leadership ladder, edged rival Jim Jordan in a secret ballot vote to secure his party's nomination for the top post. Lawmakers had been told to expect a 3 p.m. ET (1900 GMT) vote, but that hour came and went with no action after several of Jordan's backers said they would not support Scalise in a vote on the House floor. Republicans can afford only a handful of defections as they control the chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority and Democrats are not expected to vote for any Republican candidate. "We're working hard to get unified. We need to get unified because the world is not waiting," Scalise, 58, told reporters. "Obviously we still have work to do." Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry told reporters a vote "could be as early as today." "It's not over yet. That was the inside race. Now the outside race starts," said Representative Thomas Massie, who had voted for Jordan. Massie and said he expected to meet privately with Scalise ahead of a floor vote. The tally was 113 for Scalise and 99 for Jordan, lawmakers said. Jordan plans to vote for Scalise on the floor and is encouraging his colleagues to do the same, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. McCarthy in January had to endure 15 rounds of voting before clinching the speakership. Before selecting Scalise, Republicans rejected a proposal that would have required their nominee to secure 217 of their 221 votes. That allowed Scalise to win the nomination quickly, but left open the question of whether he would face a repeat of the battle in January for the role of speaker, which played out over four days. Republican Representative Kat Cammack predicted the floor vote would be a "bloodbath ... a continuation of the chaos that has plagued the House." Republicans say they need to quickly resolve a leadership vacuum that has prevented the House from addressing the war in Israel, approving more aid to Ukraine and passing spending bills before current government funding runs out on Nov. 17. Scalise said his first action as speaker would be to schedule a vote on a resolution making clear that the United States stands with Israel in its war with Hamas militants in Gaza. It took only eight Republicans to oust McCarthy last week, a fact that could make leading the caucus a challenge for any new speaker. While McCarthy was the first speaker in U.S. history to be removed in a formal vote, the last two Republicans to hold the job wound up leaving under pressure from party hardliners. Americans have little confidence in Congress' ability to overcome its partisan differences - and the Republican infighting that led to McCarthy's ouster on Oct. 3. Some 64% of respondents to a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week said they did not believe Washington politicians could put aside partisan disagreements for the good of the nation. (Reporting by David Morgan, Moira Warburton, Makini Brice and Richard Cowan, writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Deepa Babington, Howard Goller and Grant McCool) The US intelligence community is digging through its stores of data and tasking the nations spy agencies to hunt for fresh clues to determine whether Iran played a direct role in Saturdays deadly attack on Israel by Hamas, a senior Biden administration official said Tuesday. Even as the US believes Iran is complicit in the attack, given its years of support to the Palestinian militant group, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that the administration still does not have direct evidence linking Tehran to the planning and execution of the assault. Were looking to acquire further intelligence, Sullivan told reporters at the White House. But as I stand here today, while Iran plays this broad role sustained, deep and dark role in providing all of this support and capabilities to Hamas in terms of this particular gruesome attack on October 7, we dont currently have that information. Privately, multiple intelligence, military and congressional officials with access to classified intelligence tell CNN the same thing that Sullivan said publicly: No direct evidence has been found indicating Iran was directly involved. Waiting to see if we get a smoking gun in the intel, said one military official. Israeli intelligence is also going back and examining previous evidence, a senior Israeli official told CNN. I doubt that Iran had no knowledge whatsoever, the official said. Weve seen meetings and weve seen the close coordination between them. US and Israeli intelligence had no advance warning of the attack something US officials say is stunning given the scale of the assault and now, the Biden administration is treading cautiously. Where else would it have come from? Iran has for years been Hamas chief benefactor, providing it with tens of millions of dollars, weapons and components smuggled into Gaza, as well as broad technical and ideological support. Hamas maintains a degree of independence from the Iranian regime. Tehran doesnt have advisers on the ground in blockaded Gaza, according to former security officials and other regional analysts, and it doesnt command the groups activities. But the unprecedented scale of the weekends attack combined with analysts broad belief that Iran sees the attack as a net positive for its interests in the region have fueled questions of whether Hamas could have pulled off such a sophisticated operation without direct Iranian assistance. We spend a lot of time and resources worrying about what Iran is doing and how to counter what Iran is doing, a State Department official said. This certainly opens up a new chapter in that discussion. In 2022, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said publicly that the group had received about $70 million from Iran that year and that it used the money to build rockets. A State Department report from 2020 found that Iran provided about $100 million annually to Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas. Former US officials say there is little question the massive stockpile of weapons used in Saturdays attack was acquired and assembled with help from Iran. Hamas didnt build the guidance system and those missiles in Gaza, said retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former commander of US Central Command. They got them from somewhere. And the technology assistance to put it together certainly came from Iran where else would it have come from? Still, the Biden administration has for days stopped short of attributing a role in the tactical planning and execution of the attack to Tehran, and current and former US intelligence analysts who spoke to CNN cautioned that past Iranian support to the group isnt enough evidence to prove its direct involvement. A plume of smoke rises in the sky over Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on October 9. - Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images Even if they didnt give the instruction, you see it in the support, said Zohar Palti, the former head of the Political-Military Bureau at Israels Ministry of Defense. Is Hamas a complete Iranian proxy that does everything Iran wants? No. But the relationship is much closer than it was even three years ago. Tehran has denied any involvement in the attack, even as it has lauded it publicly. Israel has also expressed caution publicly. We have no evidence or proof that Iran was behind the attack, Maj. Nir Dinar, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, told Politico on Monday. We are 100 percent sure that the Iranians were not surprised. Disrupting Saudi, Israeli negotiations Privately, some US officials believe its likely Iran had at least some involvement in the planning of the attack. But those personal assessments are largely based on the belief that Iran would likely look for any opportunity to disrupt the fragile negotiations that had been in the works to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Saturdays attack is widely seen as having endangered those talks. Other analysts say its equally likely that Iran would have wanted to maintain its distance from any Hamas operation against Israel even if it was aware of the attack in advance. It is not in Irans interest to have more direct involvement, said Norm Roule, the former national intelligence manager for Iran at the CIA. Iran identifies regional proxies and then provides them with the political, financial and security support to dominate their particular geography, Roule said. Iran encourages military operations, but its proxies manage those actions. Fire burns in Ashkelon, Israel. after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. - Amir Cohen/Reuters Its possible that Iran provided some operational and planning support in advance of the attack, but that it told Hamas, Youre on your own once it happens, said Mike Knights, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute who specializes in Iran-backed proxy groups. This looks like Hamas learned some very significant new tricks from someone else and that may well have been the Iranians, Knights said. But that doesnt necessarily mean that Iran is up for broadening the war. An evolving relationship The relationship between Iran and Hamas has evolved over the years. In the early days of the Syrian civil war a decade ago, Hamas and Iran found themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. For years, the two had a fraught relationship driven by two different Islamist ideologies: Sunni Muslim Hamas and Shia Muslim Iran. But Hamas saw Irans influence expanding in the region, especially as Americas shrinking role in the Middle East created a power vacuum for Tehran to exploit, according to Michael Milshtein, the former head of the Department for Palestinian Affairs in the Israeli militarys intelligence directorate. More recently, Tehran has stepped up the training assistance it provides Hamas inside Iran, according to a former Western defense official. Iran was being more proactive in logistics and training of these people, the former official said. Theyve gone full on in last few years with explicit desire to destabilize the region. According to Knights, the closest relationship that Shia Iran now has with any Sunni group is Hamas. Tehran has provided Hamas with precision loitering munitions drone systems that it has not even provided the Iraqi militias, (with) which it has had relationships since the 1980s. This suggests a level of actual operational arming, training, equipping that weve only previously seen with Lebanese Hezbollah, and then with the Houthis in Yemen, Knights said. But Hamas is not a proxy of Iran, Milshtein said. Unlike terror groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza or Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas maintains a large degree of independence from Tehran, even as the assistance has dramatically expanded. Hamas became comfortable getting close to Iran, Milshtein said, but the relationship remains largely based on military cooperation. Hamas received Iranian weapons and military technology, and learned from the Iranians about planning operations. But the power to make a decision remained with Hamas leadership. Everything we have seen in the last four days, we cant say its an Iranian plan or an Iranian effort, Milshtein said. Its a Hamas plan that got Iranian help. Searching for a motivation US intelligence officials are also working to understand Hamas immediate motivation for launching the attack. Unlike the Palestinian Authority, the militant group does not recognize Israel and is committed to the destruction of the Jewish state. Broadly, the more than 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip live in crowded and substandard conditions, partly as a result of a yearslong Israeli blockade and recurring airstrikes on the densely populated enclave. McKenzie and others said Hamas was likely motivated by its own parochial cause more than it was by any interest in disrupting normalization talks. I think the Hamas calculation is very little on normalization, McKenzie said. I think its less the larger geostrategic things in the theater. Its the Hamas-Israeli relationship, not the larger, What does this mean to Saudi Arabia? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com K-pop quintet makes fresh start with self-titled debut album By Pyo Kyung-min Recently rebranded K-pop girl group Loossemble presented its self-titled debut album released on Sept. 15, and discussed their emotions regarding their fresh start as a new group. Comprising the five former members of Loona Hyunjin, Yeojin, Vivi, Gowon and Hyeju the group parted ways with its previous agency to unite under the name "Loossemble," which combines "Loona" and "Assemble," signaling their new beginning. During a press event held at Ilchi Art Hall in southern Seoul's Gangnam District, Tuesday, Vivi, the eldest member of the group and a Vietnamese national, explained the concept behind the newly formed group. "Including the concept of this album, we will persistently sing about the value of each other as fellow members of the 'Loossemble' spacecraft, embarking on a fresh narrative," Vivi said. Member Hyeju exuded confidence regarding the album, remarking, "We've embraced a more mainstream and accessible musical style compared to our time in Loona." The strategy resonated well with the public, as the album exceeded 70,000 sales during the first week of its release, a strong performance for a girl band. The members expressed their surprise and gratitude for the enthusiastic fan response. Hyeju noted, "I believe the results reflect the foundation we've built through our previous pursuits." They unanimously acknowledged the challenges of debuting again under a new name. Gowon shared her personal experience, stating, "Embarking on this new journey was quite daunting for me. However, after numerous discussions with my fellow members, we realized our shared desire to accomplish more, reconnect with our fans and rekindle the excitement. This spirit motivated us to join hands and wholly embrace this re-debut." Loossemble also revealed that fans and fellow members played pivotal roles in surmounting the hardships. Yeojin expressed how crucial the support of their fans was during the decision-making process. "Taking on this new challenge wasn't without its difficulties, but having such dedicated and brave fans behind us made a significant difference," she said. The group's leader Hyunjin attributed their progress to the unity among the five members. "I believe we've come this far because all five of us are completely aligned in our purpose," she noted. As former Loona members like Chuu and Yves have resumed their activities, fans are hopeful for a full Loona reunion. Yeojin expressed optimism about the possibility of such a reunion. "The members of Loona continue to support one another. We always maintain an open-minded outlook towards the prospects of full-fledged group activities. I'm willing to wait with an open heart, ready to deliver a stellar performance to our fans whenever the time is right," she said. Jake Sullivan U.S. intelligence saw no signs of preparations for an attack by the Hamas militant group on Israel, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a briefing at the White House on Oct. 10. When asked whether U.S. intelligence had information indicating that Hamas was preparing for an attack on Israel, Sullivan said that Washington had no such information. We did not see anything that suggested an attack of this type was going to unfold any more than the Israelis did, he said. Read also: Sullivan says US can simultaneously back Ukraine and Israel against aggressors At the same time, asked how Israel missed the attack, the advisor suggested journalists ask the Israeli government. Obviously, the Israeli government has placed a high premium on its intelligence capacity as it relates to Hamas, as it relates to the West Bank, as it relates to Hezbollah, Sullivan said. And why it is that they did not have a warning from this is not a question that I can answer from this podium. War in Israel What is known Large-scale hostilities in Israel began on Oct. 7. From the early morning, Hamas repeatedly targeted the country with thousands of rockets and missiles. Armed Palestinian militants then invaded southern Israel, killing people and taking hostages. As a result, over 1,000 people have lost their lives in Israel. Over 100 are thought to have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants, and video evidence shows some of the hostages have since been murdered. It was revealed on Oct. 8 that Palestinian militants on Oct. 7 may have killed approximately 260 people at an electronic music festival near the Kibbutz Reim, 30 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. Efforts are currently underway to identify the bodies of the murdered festival goers. Read also: Israeli envoy cautions against drawing direct links between Hamas attack and Russian aggression In response to the Hamas attack, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Swords of Iron, striking the Gaza Strip. During the night of Oct. 8, Israel announced the restoration of control over the majority of the populated areas that had been penetrated by Palestinian militants. Israels Cabinet declared a state of war for the first time since 1973, and the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that the war would be long and challenging. On Oct. 9, the Israeli military managed to regain control of all the towns on the border with the Gaza Strip, but Hamas militants may still be there. The Israeli army launched an offensive. Later, on Oct. 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they were completing the clearing of the south of the country of Hamas units. So far, twoUkrainian women have been reported dead. Reports that three more Ukrainian citizens have been killed in the Gaza Strip are being verified. On Oct. 9, the Israeli defense minister ordered a siege of the Gaza Strip. In his address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas militants would be destroyed after their "atrocities," kidnappings, and murders of children and women. Hamas and other enemies of Israel "will pay a price they will remember for decades to come," Netanyahu stressed. On Oct. 10, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they had fully regained control of the border with the Gaza Strip and advised its residents to leave for Egypt. As of Oct. 10, more than 1,000 people have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the Hamas attack in Israel. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Navy's most advanced supercarrier arrived in the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday. US Central Command said the ship was moved to deter anyone from escalating the Israel-Hamas war. US defense officials said they were also considering sending the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier and its strike group arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, where it's been positioned to deter anyone from capitalizing on the chaos of the Israel-Hamas war. US Central Command said the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was among several forces deployed to the area in order "to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war." The forces included the actual aircraft carrier and support aircraft, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. "The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation," General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander at U.S. Central Command, said in a statement. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group would be sent to the region. The move came during the supercarrier's first full deployment, which began months ago and has mostly involved exercises with military partners, Insider's Chris Panella previously reported. The decision to send the supercarrier came a day after the Hamas militant group launched a wave of attacks in Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and taking some hostage. In response, Israel launched attacks on Gaza, the Palestinian territory controlled by Hamas. Israeli officials said as of Tuesday 1,000 of its citizens had been killed. Meanwhile, Israel's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 830 residents of Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. US defense officials are still considering sending another aircraft carrier to the region, in addition to the Ford. Officials told The Wall Street Journal and ABC News on Tuesday that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower may also be sent to the Mediterranean waters near Israel. Read the original article on Business Insider A US Navy sailor who was accused of spying for the Chinese government has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for transmitting US military information. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, of Monterey Park, California, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of conspiring with a Chinese intelligence officer and another count of receiving a bribe, according to court records. Both counts are felonies, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Officer Zhao betrayed his country and the men and women of the US Navy by accepting bribes from a foreign adversary, US Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement on Tuesday. While he and the PRC officer he served took great pains to conceal their corrupt scheme, investigators were vigilant in uncovering this shameful plot. Zhao admitted to accepting approximately $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence agent between August 2021 and May 2023, according to the New York Post. He was stationed at Naval Base Venture County in Port Hueneme, California, at the time of the exchange. The sailor possessed a security clearance and used it to access training information, operational order, and blueprints for a Japanese radar system, which he then sold to the Chinese government. The intelligence services of the Peoples Republic of China actively target clearance holders across the military, seeking to entice them with money to provide sensitive government information, said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen. When contacted by his co-conspirator, rather than reporting it to the Navy, the Defendant chose greed over protecting the national security of the United States. US Navy Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from a Chinese intelligence agent in exchange for providing sensitive military information (US Navy) Zhao is scheduled to be sentenced on 8 January, 2024. He is facing up to 20 years in federal prison. He is now being held accountable for his crimes. To others tempted to put personal profit ahead of patriotic duty, know that we are committed to identifying you and bringing you to justice, Mr Olsen said. Another Navy sailor, Jinchao Wei, was also arrested around the same time in a separate case. He is accused of passing sensitive security information to Chinese officials. He allegedly provided Chinese intelligence officials with detailed information about the USS Essex and its crew. The White House The White House plans to include assistance for Ukraine and Taiwan in its request for congressional approval of funding for Israel, NBC News reported on Oct. 11, citing White House and Capitol Hill sources. According to the report, U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has privately informed lawmakers that the White House is preparing an additional funding request, which includes money for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and U.S. border security. Read also: Agreement on joint arms production key outcome of Zelenskyy-Biden meeting, Ukraines envoy says Besides providing military aid to the three countries from U.S. Department of Defense stockpiles, this funding would also be used to expand domestic U.S. arms production. On Oct. 10, Biden announced his intention to ask Congress to "to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners." Read also: Ukraine used 3% of US defense budget to destroy half of Russian army Lindsey Graham The report also quoted U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who said that the Office of Management and Budget is preparing a draft of the additional request. Read also: Republican resistance to aid for Ukraine targets Biden, claims national security expert What exact form that all takes, that will be worked out, Sullivan said. Previous media reports suggested that the White House and the U.S. Congress are discussing combining U.S. military aid to Israel and Ukraine into a single congressional request. The Wall Street Journal has reported that U.S. senators are discussing a year-long 2024 aid package to Kyiv ranging from $60 to $100 billion. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Rustem Umierov, Ukraines Defence Minister, said that US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin assured that support will be provided to Ukraine for this and next year. Source: Umierov during a conversation with journalists in Brussels, as reported by the correspondent of European Pravda Details: The minister said that he had two important meetings with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. According to the Ukrainian minister, at the meeting with Austin, they talked about the critical needs of Ukraine and provision of additional ammunition, as well as long-term security support. Quote: "Secretary Austin assured that the United States will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary, there will be no delays either until the end of the year or after that," Umierov said. He added that Austin assured that the United States will be able to provide support both to Israel and Ukraine. "Russia is manipulating things a little, intense propaganda is utilised, but we have Austins answer: there will be support this and next year," Umierov stressed. Earlier it was reported that in his conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on 11 October, Lloyd Austin assured that the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the necessary armaments without interruption. Confidence in US support has been shaken by the exclusion of funding for Ukraine from the temporary budget of the US federal government, as well as the blocking of the decision-making process in Congress after the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Read also: Crisis That Must Be Averted: How Europe Is Preparing for Possible Cut in US Military Aid Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukraine's state budget has received a $1.15 billion grant from the U.S. via the World Bank's Multi-Donor Trust Fund, Ukraine's Finance Ministry announced on Oct. 11. This is part of the fifth additional package provided under the program called Public Expenditures of Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) in Ukraine, designed to support the country's social and humanitarian expenditures. In particular, the funding will be used to cover social support expenditures namely payments for internally displaced persons (IDP), people with disabilities, and low-income families and salaries for state employees. The PEACE project in Ukraine was established in June 2022 to help the country in supporting around 13 million beneficiaries. Those include 10 million pensioners, 500,000 education employees, 145,000 government employees, 56,000 emergency workers, and over three million social assistance beneficiaries and IDPs, according to the World Bank. In 2023, Ukraine has already received $10.9 billion in direct budget support from the U.S. in the form of grants, the ministry said. Read also: Belgium creates $1.8 billion fund for Ukraine by taxing frozen Russian assets Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the necessary armaments without interruption. Lloyd Austin, the United States Secretary of Defence, stated this at a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on 11 October, as reported by the Office of the President of Ukraine. Source: a statement by the Office of the President of Ukraine on the meeting results The message reads that President Zelenskyy thanked the US for the new military aid package and informed Austin about the urgent needs of the Ukrainian army. "For his part, Lloyd Austin assured [Zelenskyy] of continued steady and uninterrupted supply of all necessary weapons to Ukraine. He emphasised that the United States has the necessary resources and capabilities and remains focused on supporting Ukraine," the Office of the President of Ukraine said. Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defence, at the opening of the 16th meeting of the Contact Group on defence of Ukraine, announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine for US$200 million. Against the backdrop of the US Congress disapproving the continuation of support for Ukraine, it has been reported that this assistance package will be financed from funds the Pentagon saved due to an accounting error. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Brussels on 11 October, where, among other things, he will take part in the meeting of the Contact Group on defence of Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! FILE PHOTO: OpenAI and ChatGPT logos are seen in this illustration taken, February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ FILE PHOTO: OpenAI and ChatGPT logos are seen in this illustration taken, February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Space Force has paused the use of web-based generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for its workforce over data security concerns, according to a memo seen by Reuters. A memo dated Sept. 29 and addressed to Guardians, the name Space Force calls its workforce, prohibits personnel from using such AI tools including large-language models on government computers until they receive formal approval by the force's Chief Technology and Innovation Office. It said the temporary ban was "due to data aggregation risks." Uses of generative AI, powered by large language models that ingest huge troves of past data to learn, have exploded in the past year, underpinning ever-evolving products such as OpenAI's ChatGPT that can swiftly generate content like text, images or video off of a simple prompt. Lisa Costa, Space Forces chief technology and innovation officer, said in the memo that the technology "will undoubtedly revolutionize our workforce and enhance Guardian's ability to operate at speed." An Air Force spokesperson confirmed the temporary ban, which was first reported by Bloomberg. "A strategic pause on the use of Generative AI and Large Language Models within the U.S. Space Force has been implemented as we determine the best path forward to integrate these capabilities into Guardians' roles and the USSF mission," Air Force spokesperson Tanya Downsworth said in a statement. "This is a temporary measure to protect the data of our service and Guardians," she added. Costa said in the memo that her office had formed a generative AI task force with other Pentagon offices to mull ways to use the technology in a "responsible and strategic manner." More guidance on Space Force's use of generative AI would be released in the next month, she added. (Reporting by Joey Roulette; editing by Jonathan Oatis) The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to deter any actor looking to escalate or widen the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Biden administration announced Tuesday. The forces include the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford; its eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft; the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy; and the Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt, according to a Pentagon statement. In addition, Washington has moved U.S. Air Force F-15s, F-16s and A-10s to augment existing fighter squadrons in the region. The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation, U.S. Central Command head Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in a statement. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin first announced Sunday that the U.S. carrier strike group had moved closer to Israel in response to the Palestinian militant group Hamas launching a major attack on Israel. Politico reported Tuesday that the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was previously scheduled to deploy from Norfolk, Va., may join the USS Gerald R. Ford in the eastern Mediterranean. In a coordinated surprise attack that began Saturday, Hamas sent forces into multiple Israeli towns by land and sea and struck multiple targets with rockets. More than 1,000 Israelis and Palestinians have been killed in the conflict along with 14 U.S. citizens as of Tuesday. American citizens also are among those being held hostage by Hamas, the White House has confirmed. The violence has prompted the United States to send air defenses, munitions and other equipment to Israel, with promises to send more. Moving the U.S. ships and aircraft to the Eastern Mediterranean is also meant to act as a deterrent to other nations or groups stepping into the conflict, according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Let me be clear, we did not move the carrier for Hamas, Sullivan told reporters Tuesday at the White House. We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or nonstate actors that might seek to widen this war. Though he did not identify specific groups at the time, U.S. officials have said theyre worried the Lebanese group Hezbollah could make the wrong decision and choose to open a second front to the conflict. Sullivan added that President Biden ordered contingency planning. The president has also tasked us with engaging in contingency planning for any and all escalation scenarios, he said. And we are now deeply engaged in that planning. And were consulting with allies and partners as well about all of the potential scenarios that might unfold in the days ahead. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By John Kruzel and Andrew Chung WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority on Wednesday appeared poised to revive a Republican-drawn electoral map in South Carolina that was blocked by a lower court for racial bias after 30,000 Black residents were moved out of a congressional district. During arguments in a case that could help decide control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2024 elections, the conservative justices signaled sympathy toward arguments made by South Carolina officials defending the changes in composition of the district as driven by partisan benefit for Republicans. At issue was a map adopted last year by the Republican-led state legislature that redrew the boundaries of one of South Carolina's seven U.S. House of Representatives districts - one that includes parts of Charleston along the Atlantic coast. A federal three-judge panel in January ruled that the map sorted voters along racial lines and diminished the clout of Black voters in violation of the U.S. Constitution's 14th and 15th Amendments, which guarantee equal protection under the law and prohibit race-based voting discrimination. Black voters tend to favor Democratic candidates. A practice called gerrymandering involves the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to marginalize a certain set of voters and increase the influence of others. In this case, the state legislature was accused of racial gerrymandering to reduce the influence of Black voters in South Carolina's 1st congressional district. Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts expressed skepticism that the plaintiffs - Black voters who challenged the map - met their burden in the case, noting that they challenged the it "without any direct evidence, with no alternative map, with no odd-shape districts which we often get in gerrymandering cases." Roberts added, "Have we ever had a case before where all it is is circumstantial evidence?" The Republican legislators and other state officials who appealed the lower court's ruling argued that the map was designed to secure partisan advantages, a practice that the Supreme Court in 2019 decided was not reviewable by federal courts - unlike racial gerrymandering, which remains illegal. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch wondered whether the challengers had overcome the presumption of good faith courts must give legislatures. "Here, there's no evidence that the legislature could have achieved its partisan tilt - which everyone says is permissible - in any other way," Gorsuch said. The new map increased the district's share of white voters while reducing its share of Black voters, which the lower court referred to as "bleaching." The Republicans faulted those judges for finding that the district's composition was motivated primarily by race rather than Republican interests. Leah Aden, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund who argued on behalf of challengers to the map, said the evidentiary record "reflects that there was a racial target, it reflects that there was a significant sorting of Black people, it reflects unrebutted expert evidence of race rather than party explaining the assignment of voters." 'I DON'T BELIEVE THAT' The court's liberal justices questioned the arguments made to defend the map. "Your defense was, 'We didn't look at the racial data for this purpose.' And what the (lower) court said was, 'I don't believe that,'" liberal Justice Elena Kagan told a lawyer arguing for South Carolina. The eventual ruling by the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, may determine whether Democrats have a realistic shot to win the 1st district, currently represented by Republican Nancy Mace. The map shifted 30,000 Black residents into the neighboring 6th congressional district that stretches 125 miles (200 km) inland from Charleston. These voters were unlawfully "exiled," the three-judge panel wrote. The 6th district has been held for three decades by Democrat Jim Clyburn , one of the most prominent Black members of Congress. Clyburn's is the only one of South Carolina's House districts held by a Democrat. Legislative districts across the United States are redrawn to reflect population changes documented in the nationwide census conducted every decade. With the district's previous boundaries in place, Mace only narrowly defeated an incumbent Democrat in 2020 - by just over 1 percentage point, or 5,400 votes. With the redistricting, Mace won re-election in 2022 by 14 percentage points. The parties in the case have asked the Supreme Court to decide the case by the end of the year to enable the map to be finalized ahead of the Nov. 5, 2024, congressional elections. Similar legal battles over electoral maps in other states could influence which party ends up controlling the House. The Supreme Court in June ruled against Alabama Republicans in one such case, ordering that state to devise a second majority-Black U.S. House district in a ruling that gave a boost to Democrats. Republicans hold a slim 221-212 House margin. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) By Yi Whan-woo The maximum legal cap on the loans and guarantees provided by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) on government-backed exports is standing in the way of Koreas biggest-ever arms deal with Poland. According to financial and military sources, Wednesday, chances for a second round of arms contracts between Korean defense companies and the Polish government are fading after the previous deal in 2022 worth 17 trillion won ($12.6 billion). The 2022 deal, involving supplies of tanks, howitzers and fighter jets, drew the spotlight as the biggest arms export in Korean history. It was made possible as Eximbank and the Korea Trade Insurance Corp., both state-run institutions, offered 6 trillion won each in financial support in the form of loans and guarantees to the Polish government. This year, Korean defense firms seek another contract worth 30 trillion won to better capitalize on last years success. However, Eximbank cannot currently afford to provide the necessary financial support, according to a law concerning its governance. The law stipulates that the maximum amount of Eximbanks financial support to a borrowing country should not exceed 40 percent of its equity capital. That capital totaled 18.4 trillion won, meaning it can finance Poland up to 7.36 trillion won as part of the arms deal. Having already financed 6 trillion won last year, Exmibank can only support 1.36 trillion won this time around, far short of the second-round 30 trillion won arms contract to be realized. The deal was expected to be concluded by the end of the first half of the year, but it is getting delayed indefinitely, said a defense source, attributing the delay to Eximbanks lack of support. The defense industry correspondingly is calling for amendments to the law in a swift manner. A bill was proposed at the National Assembly in July to double the equity capital of the lender and subsequently increase its maximum legal cap on loans and guarantees. However, little progress has been made due to political factors. Under the circumstances, an official at Eximbank said the lender will "address the issue if there is a question at their upcoming audits in the National Assembly" jointly with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The bank operates under the wing of the ministry. The audit for the ministry will run from Oct. 20 to 21 and for the bank on Oct. 24. Were well aware of the concerns on the arms deal caused by Eximbanks maximum legal cap on financial support, the official said. Janet Yellen Funding for Ukraine, both military and direct budget support, along with resources for Israel, are absolute top priorities of the Biden administration, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 11, citing US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during her press conference in Marrakech, Morocco. Weve made that completely clear to (the U.S.) Congress, and we believe there is substantial bipartisan support, Yellen said. Read also: US Army Secretary urges congressional approval for additional military aid to Ukraine and Israel Were going to leave it to members of Congress to figure out how to move forward on the promises once a speaker is in place. She also said shes receiving some positive responses to her appeal to other governments to follow the U.S. lead in promising more funds for the World Bank to increase its lending capacity. Read also: Sullivan says US can simultaneously back Ukraine and Israel against aggressors The U.S. Congress should act swiftly to approve additional military aid to both Israel and Ukraine, U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said on Oct. 9. On the same day, it emerged that U.S. senators from both parties intend to approve an annual aid package to Ukraine worth between $60 and $100 billion in the coming weeks much more than President Biden had requested. Read also: Germany to transfer more IRIS-T and Patriot systems to Ukraine Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a White House briefing on Oct. 10 that the United States has sufficient capabilities to simultaneously support Ukraine in its war against Russia and Israel in its war against Hamas. Helping Ukraine is in the interests of the United States because it requires far fewer resources than if Russia were to defeat Ukraine and spread its aggression to other countries in Europe, Sullivan said. Failure to support Ukraine could lead to the involvement of U.S. troops in direct combat operations, he said. It has been reported that the White House and the U.S. Congress are actively discussing the possibility of combining aid to Israel with additional funding for Ukraine. Read also: UK announced major new support package for Ukraine's counter-offensive Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The student group Spectrum: Gender and Sexuality Alliance at the University of South Dakota hosted its biannual drag show Tuesday night, complete with dozens of performances, costume changes, dance moves, cartwheels, flips and tips given out to the performers. This show marked the first student-led drag show held on any public college campus in South Dakota since the Board of Regents passed a policy barring minors from attending events like this one. That minors on campus policy was sparked by outrage from conservative lawmakers about a drag show held at South Dakota State University and hosted by the Gender and Sexualities Alliance, which initially promoted the event as being family-friendly. At one point, lawmakers tried last legislative session to prohibit such shows from being held on public college campuses, but both bills failed by the end of session. More: USD student group prepares to host first drag show since SDBOR 'minors on campus' policy passed Multiple USD staff and students were checking attendees drivers licenses and student identification at the door to prove they were 18 or older before they could enter the event. More than 100 people attended the show, including USD students, professors and staff, as well as Vermillion community members. Many of them applauded and screamed as the drag artists revealed their outfits, flipped, lip synced to songs or did death drops. Some gave tips to the drag artists as they performed and danced through the crowd. The show included first-ever performances from new student drag artists Catha Dor, Brandon Cattle and Marie Bell Peep and repeat performances from Pollie Esther, Kassie Kain, Brandi Sour, Vodka Lynn Shakers, Kyra Rose Shakers, Devin Shakers, Viola Velvet and Alessandra Jacobs. Kyra Rose Shakers performs during USD Spectrum's drag show on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 at Muenster University Center in Vermillion, South Dakota. Catha Dor, a USD sophomore whose drag name is a play on catheter, said their drag look is inspired by goth fashion and goth music. They wanted their first performance to make people question who and what they are. Drag shouldnt have been in a negative political eye, she added. More: USD, Duke grad won national LGBTQ+ award for research on drag bans violating 1st Amendment Brandon Cattle, a USD freshman whose drag name is a play on branding cattle, said he got into drag on a dare and came up with his persona because he wanted to poke fun at his small town roots. He giddied up the crowd with a dance routine set to Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) by Big & Rich. Marie Bell Peep, a USD freshman, said they wanted to try drag out with their friends and their look Tuesday night was inspired by their love for Beetlejuice, which they recently saw in Sioux Falls at the Washington Pavilion. Vodka Lynn Shakers, the drag persona of Judas Holmberg, started their drag career at USD before graduating in 2021. While at USD, Holmberg was an active member of Spectrum and served as the organizations president for two years. Kyra Rose Shakers performs during USD Spectrum's drag show on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 at Muenster University Center in Vermillion, South Dakota. When I first started, it didnt make a big wave, Holmberg said about the politics or public attention surrounding college drag shows. By my second or third year, it was mentioned in the Legislature. In the last two years since the first anti-trans bills made it a bigger thing, (drag) has been lumped into the same issue. Once the SDSU drag show gained negative attention last year, Holmberg said USD started seeing more of the same unnecessary hype. The politicization of drag has made Holmberg and their fellow drag artists feel more restricted, they said, adding the policy change has left out high school students who wanted to see the show. More: Taking aim at drag shows, South Dakota Board of Regents pass 'minors on campus' policy Campus drag shows are more student-oriented, Holmberg explained, and its not the same kind of performance one might see at an LGBTQ+-friendly bar. Elias Donstad, an English graduate student at USD and a Spectrum member for the last two to three years, said the politicization of drag has meant the student group takes more care in organizing the event because we dont want there to be any room for criticism. Martina Shakers emceed the event, as shes done for more than a decade at USD. She said shes also emceed for student-led drag shows at South Dakota State University and Augustana University. Throughout the event, she offered humorous social commentary about the performances. More: Political activism is not 'seeping' into SD universities, Regents say Student organizations at SDSU, USD and other colleges in South Dakota have hosted drag events for decades on campus. USDs Spectrum group has held drag shows at least once each semester since 1991. Spectrums drag show is part of its event schedule for LGBTQIA+ History Month, including a trivia night, movie showings, history night, and an appearance in the Dakota Days parade. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: USD Spectrum: Gender and Sexuality Alliance hosts fall 2023 drag show Utah sued TikTok on Tuesday, saying it knowingly uses technology to keep children engaged with material that is often harmful. "The harms to children need to stop," Gov. Spencer Cox said as he announced the suit at a news conference. The consumer protection lawsuit, filed in Salt Lake City state court, says TikTok uses technology that aims to keep children on the app despite known mental health harms that correlate to time spent engaging with social media. Utah has accused the app, based in Culver City, California, of using algorithms to target children with content that is sometimes violent and distressing through its "recommendation engine" to keep them looking at the app. The company rejects Utah's allegations. "TikTok has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts," a spokesperson for the app said. "We will continue to work to keep our community safe by tackling industry-wide challenges." In March, amid lawmakers' efforts to ban it, company CEO Shou Zi Chew told Congress that TikTok is safe and secure for teenagers. At the time, it reached 150 million active U.S. users nearly half the population. Its ad revenue last year was nearly $10 billion, according to Utah's suit. At Tuesday's news conference, state Attorney General Sean Reyes likened TikTok to "a slot machine that hooks kids' attention and does not let them go." Among the technology it deploys is "infinite scroll," which provides fresh videos targeted at a particular user, the suit claims. Another tool is "filter bubbles" that feed a user more extreme reels of the types of videos that pique their interest, it alleges. "TikTok directly profited from addicting children to the app and continued to capitalize on the addictive nature of the app despite knowing the harm that addiction would cause Utahs children," the suit says. Utah has the highest percentage of children per capita in the country, more than 1 in 4 people, the attorney general's office said. Nearly 80% of the state's K-12 students spend two or more hours every day on screens, not counting learning engagement at school or for homework, it said in the suit. In the lawsuit, Utah also alleges that claims TikTok fails to verify users' ages, does not remove all child abuse sexual material or clips dealing with self-harm and eating disorders, fails to adequately address negative mental health effects associated with teens' use of social media, does not adequately screen out child predators, fails to rein in dangerous video challenges involving asphyxiation and bone-breaking and lies to the public about its commitment to protect children and about its ties to China, where the app originated in 2017. "TikTok has lied to parents to create a false sense of security," Reyes said. Some of the company's actions or lack of action amount to violations of the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act, the suit claims. It seeks corrective action and damages "well in excess of $300,000," according to the court filing. Other states, including Arkansas and Indiana, have also sued TikTok with similar allegations. Montana was the first state to ban it; creators and the app have challenged the move. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Vanessa Feltz has said that Jewish people living in England are living in fear amid the Israel-Hamas war. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war after Hamas terrorists and Islamic Jihad launched a massacre of civilians from Gaza. More than 1,200 Israeli people were killed in the attack and hundreds more taken hostage, with Natanyahu warning that Palestinians would pay a heavy price. In what has been called a complete siege, Israel has cut off water, fuel and electricity supplies to the Gaza strip, while tens of thousands of Israeli troops have massed at the border. The death toll in Gaza from Israels retaliatory strikes has passed 900, with around 4,500 wounded. You can follow The Independents live blog for updates here. Appearing on This Morning on Wednesday (11 October), panellist Feltz shared her heartbreak at the situations in Israel and Gaza and the impact on people back home in the UK. Leading into the discussion, her fellow panellist Tom Warbrick said that people in Israel are scared, adding: There will be people in Gaza who are also absolutely terrified about the bombs that are going to be raining down. Feltz, who is Jewish, agreed, saying: I have very close family members, lots of them, in Israel, lots of friends. The presenter said that she knew families based in the UK who have lost family members in the atrocities. Feltz voiced her concerns on This Morning' (ITV) There are people in England today, fearful, she said. Fearful for their children who go to Jewish schools, fearful if they run a kosher restaurant, a kosher supermarket. Fearful if they live in whats known as a Jewish area. People are scared just to go to the shops today, going, Should I go to synagogue? Should I not go? I dont know. I dont want to risk my life in my own country. Its absolutely frightening here. But for people in Israel, and obviously now in Gaza too, its absolutely terrifying. Ive got cousins sitting in bomb shelters even as Im talking to you now. Feltz went on to brand the events in Israel as unthinkable, saying: Hamas are terrorists. They dont speak for Palestinians at all Its so inhumane and so appalling, I feel like Ive got a stone in my heart Its all real and its frighteningly real. Feltzs comments come after model Gigi Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, shared a statement condemning the terrorising of innocent people. On Instagram, she wrote that her dreams for a free Palestine came not at the cost of Jewish people, and added that inflicting terror on innocent people is not in alignment with and does not do any good for the Free Palestine movement. The idea that it does has fueled a painful, decades-long cycle of back & forth retaliation (which no innocent civilian, Palestinian or Israeli deserves to be a casualty of), and helps perpetuate the false idea that being Pro-Palestine [is equal to] antisemitic, she wrote. A Camarillo real estate agent was sentenced to six months in jail for forging clients signatures on documents. Daniel Montano, 29, was also ordered to repay more than $102,000 in restitution and will be on probation for two years, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a Wednesday press release. Of that restitution, $68,500 has already been repaid. Montano pleaded guilty in August to four felony counts of forgery, though he initially faced 15 counts of theft and forgery. He also admitted that the crimes indicated planning, sophistication, and professionalism, and that he took advantage of a position of trust and confidence when he committed the offenses, the release said. A licensed real estate agent for RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors in Ventura, Montano was representing victims in 2020 when he forged the victims signatures on multiple California Association of Realtors forms. After forging the victims signatures, Montano sent the documents to escrow on the sale and purchase of residential properties located in Ventura, prosecutors said. Montano is also barred from working in a role that requires a real estate license for the length of his probation. County residents rightfully place a lot of trust in real estate agents they choose to represent their families, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum, who prosecuted the case. When those agents violate that trust, the District Attorneys Office will hold those individuals responsible by vigorously investigating and prosecuting their violations of the law. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Vermont police have released a sketch of a person of interest in the killing of a retired college dean on a popular trail in Castleton. The individual depicted in the sketch was seen on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail on Oct. 5 at about 4:30 p.m., near the location where 77-year-old Honoree Fleming's body was discovered, Vermont State Police said in a news release. Witnesses described the person of interest as a 5'10 white man in his 20s with short red hair, last seen wearing a dark gray T-shirt and carrying a black backpack, according to state police. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the person of interest portrayed in the sketch to contact authorities or provide anonymous tips. / Credit: Vermont State Police Composite police sketch artist Detective Sgt. Adam Temple of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office prepared the sketch after traveling to Vermont and meeting with witnesses who reported seeing the person of interest on the trail, according to police. "Sgt. Temple interviewed the witnesses, obtained their descriptions of the person of interest, and then spent multiple hours creating the sketch, reviewing it with the witnesses, and making revisions based on their feedback," police said. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the person of interest in the sketch to contact authorities or provide anonymous tips. Authorities are continuing to review potential evidence as the investigation into the killing continues, police said. There are no other details currently available, according to police. An autopsy by the Burlington Medical Examiner's office determined Fleming died from a gunshot wound to the head, state police said. Her death has been ruled a homicide. A witness said that they heard gunshots and saw a "possible suspect" walking northbound on the trail, police said. The suspect should be considered "armed and dangerous," the Vermont State Police said. The Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail is a 19.8-mile-long stretch of former railroad. There are two sections of the trail in Vermont, separated by a segment of trail in New York state. The trail is open to pedestrians, cyclists and horseback riders. The incident comes about two months after another woman was found dead on a popular hiking trail in Maryland. No arrests have been made in that case and there is a $30,000 reward. SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood studios resume talks as strike nears 3-month mark House adjourns without electing new speaker Breaking down Israel's complex global relations as war erupts Vice President Kamala Harris will be visiting South Carolina to continue her Fight for Our Freedoms college tour at the College of Charleston. This will be the seventh stop on Harris nationwide tour that kicked off in September. The college tour is a high-energy national swing that is mobilizing thousands of young people in the ongoing fight for fundamental freedoms and rights. ALSO READ: Kamala Harris visits N.C. A&T, Greensboro in college tour Harris will be visiting around a dozen campuses, including historically black colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and state schools. At each stop, she will be focusing on key issues that disproportionately impact young people across America, from reproductive freedom and gun safety to climate action, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, mental health, and book bans. So far, Harris has been to 16 college campuses this year. VIDEO: Kamala Harris: What you need to know From this week, 15,000 disadvantaged women in Vienna can get free period products (JOE KLAMAR) Austria's capital Vienna on Wednesday rolled out a programme to combat "period poverty" with drugstores offering free sanitary products to disadvantaged women. In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to sign free universal access to period products in public buildings into law. Starting from this week, 15,000 disadvantaged girls and women in Vienna can each get a free packet of sanitary pads or tampons at a drugstore chain for their monthly period needs. "Access to period products is a basic need," said Vienna's Social Democrats deputy mayor Kathrin Gaal. "They should under no circumstances be a question of money." Vouchers for the packets will be distributed in the city's approximately 80 youth centres and food banks "to target those really in need," Kristina Hametner, head of the Vienna office for women's health, told AFP. The "Red Box" programme follows a successful pilot scheme in the capital's underprivileged Brigittenau district in 2021. Under the three-month scheme, 80,000 tampons and 95,000 sanitary pads were made available in Brigittenau, where about 20 percent of women are at risk of poverty. Period poverty occurs when women and girls lack the money for tampons, pads or other sanitary products. Studies suggest that a woman needs approximately 17,000 tampons or pads on average throughout her life, with costs amounting to about 3,000 euros. Globally, campaigners say the issue has a direct effect on girls' education, with a knock-on impact on work opportunities, thus deepening gender inequality. kym/jza/jj A private Ventura hospital can no longer treat involuntary psychiatric patients under a suspension that starts Monday because of repeated issues with patient care, including deaths, discharges against medical advice and physical restraint in violation of policy, county officials disclosed. In an Oct. 9 letter to Vista del Mar Hospital CEO Colton Reed, acting county Behavioral Health Director Loretta Denering cited two dozen issues centering on negative results, failure to meet requirements and "chronic and continuing" errors since at least 2021. Denering said she was suspending the hospital's authorization based on those issues and a "lack of progress" by officials at the psychiatric facility to correct the problems. Reed did not return three telephone calls from The Star seeking comment. Ventura County will have just one hospital authorized to admit psychiatric patients on an involuntary basis after the suspension takes effect at 8 a.m. Monday, leaving the 43-bed Hillmont psychiatric unit at Ventura County Medical Center as the only local option. Vista del Mar has traditionally admitted both adolescents and adults. The institution has 87 licensed beds, according to state records. It is the only psychiatric hospital in the county that admits adolescents, meaning youths being treated involuntarily will have to go elsewhere. Vista del Mar is losing its designation to treat and evaluate involuntary patients under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, a landmark California law that allows forced treatment under limited circumstances. The action lasts until Dec. 5, when Denering intends to ask the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to confirm the decision and terminate the hospital's authorization. The hospital will remain licensed and voluntary patients may still be treated there, according to Denering's letter. Hillmont's medical director, Dr. Jason Cooper, said he expected that the suspension would mean longer waits for patients in emergency rooms before they can get into a psychiatric hospital and more placements in hospitals outside Ventura County. Denering cited a series of issues arising directly after patient discharge as well as during hospitalization. Included is the May 2022 "unsafe discharge" of Camarillo man David Hoetzlein, who is suspected of killing and dismembering his mother shortly after his release. In June, county Behavioral Health Director Scott Gilman issued a notice to Vista del Mar that the institution had violated patient rights. He cited the Hoetzlein case but also said state officials had substantiated violations resulting in patient-on-patient assaults, disclosure of protected health information, patient injury and improper administration of anti-psychotic medications. Denering has taken Gilman's spot while he is on leave for undisclosed reasons. Her letter cited 22 findings involving problems with care inside the facility and errant planning for discharge. She said two patients died within days of discharge, one patient was released with another patient's medications, five patients were restrained or secluded without a doctor's orders and a patient's allegation of rape within the hospital was not reported. Additionally, several patient units were operated without the required level of staff, she said. Two of the findings involved what were described as continued and chronic errors. They involved the discharge of patients despite their doctors' wishes and the fact that legal orders holding them were still in effect. The hospital submitted a plan of corrective actions in response to the notice that Gilman sent four months ago, but Denering found the response inadequate. The response indicates staff training has been upgraded to address findings on planning for patient discharges, administration of psychotropic drugs, patient privacy and prevention of suicides. Based on the response and subsequent information the county continues to receive about the hospital's practices, officials could not find evidence of a "detailed, reliable and routinely monitored plan" to protect patient rights, Denering said in her letter. Instead, it appears that Vista del Mar is taking a "reactive strategy," letting problems continue until they come to the attention of regulators before the institution drafts a plan of corrections, she said. Denering said frequent staff changes result in deficiencies being blamed on former employees, while requests for necessary equipment are unheeded or deferred to corporate officials versus those in charge of the facility's day-to-day operation. Denering indicated that she was taking the action at least in part because patients receiving care under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Acts involuntary treatment provisions are uniquely vulnerable. "They usually have not sought out treatment and enter your facility in a stage of their illness that prevents them from being effective advocates for their own rights and needs," the letter says. Denering informed officers of the county Behavioral Health Advisory Board about the action Monday, said Janis Gardner, chair of the panel. She knew of no complaints about the hospital that had come to the advisory board, but said the group would be monitoring the outcome of the county's action. "Our concern is, and always will be, that the community at large and clients are safe," she said. Kathleen Wilson covers crime, courts and local government issues for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at kathleen.wilson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0271. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Vista del Mar Hospital can no longer treat involuntary patients Washington is expected to provide an additional $200 million in military aid for Ukraine, an unidentified U.S. official told VOA. The package will contain critical defense capabilities and include the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, artillery munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), TOW anti-tank missiles, and 155mm and 105mm rounds. It also includes anti-UAV tools and electronic warfare equipment to help Ukraine counter Russias growing drone capabilities. The Biden administration has provided $44 billion in security assistance to Kyiv since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. In September, the U.S. Congress did not include more aid to Ukraine as part of a bill passed to keep the federal government operating. The Department of Defense still has about $5 billion approved funding for military aid to Kyiv. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance southeast, east as weather worsens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Historic epitaph plaque of wife of first Korean minister to US returns to Korea Oskar Alexander Koksvik Johansson, the Danish volunteer paramedic, has been killed in combat in Ukraine. Source: Pastorate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in Denmark on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda The statement said that Johansson died on the front line while saving the lives of others during the Russian attack. No other details were provided. Quote: "Oskar began to help Ukrainians without hesitation actively since the beginning of the large-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. He did what he considered necessary: from transporting an ambulance and other medical equipment to saving lives in the most dangerous areas of the front," the message says. Background: Earlier, Tanel Kriggul, Estonian serviceman and scout battalion captain, who joined the Ukrainian forces after the full-scale invasion of Russia, was killed in a Russian drone attack near the city of Lyman, Donetsk Oblast. A Spanish and a Canadian volunteer were killed in Ukraine by a Russian bombardment in the frontline area of Donetsk Oblast at the beginning of September. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Following years of work from the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, several high-profile state and federal officials celebrated the complete destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile Wednesday. Both Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Gov. Andy Beshear (D) were in attendance for the event and gave speeches, expressing their gratitude for the work done at the plant. Vice President Kamala Harris also wrote a letter to the bluegrass community celebrating the weapons destruction, which was read by Deborah Rosenblum, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs. I extend my most sincere congratulations to all of you for helping the United States achieve a critical milestonethe verified destruction of the last declared chemical weapons stockpile in the world, Harris wrote in her letter. Since 2019, your team has shown the utmost care for the safety of each other, your neighbors in Kentucky, and the environment as you completed this noble mission. The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant began safely destroying more than 523 tons of chemical agent stored in rockets at Blue Grass Army Depot four years ago on June 7, 2019. The chemical agent was stored in five different types of rockets that had been stored at the depot as early as the 1940s into the mid 1960s. In July, officials with the project announced they had destroyed the last rocket in the stockpile, an M55 rocket containing GB nerve agent, also known as sarin. Harris wrote that the team helped support the countrys commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the advancement of international rules and norms. For years to come, we will look back on this accomplishment with gratitude for your service and a deeper resolve to prevent the stockpiling, production, and use of chemical weapons around the world, Rosenblum read. Thanks to you, we are one step closer to realizing a world free of chemical weapons. You have made our country proud. McConnell called the completion of the project not only an accomplishment for Madison County, but for the world. We stand on the threshold of a new era in American defense, one without the weapons of terror, McConnell said. This achievement is as much a global victory as it is a global triumph. McConnell also called his involvement with the project one of his greatest honors of his career in politics. Today we achieved what once seemed unimaginable, McConnell said. And together now, Madison County celebrates the triumph at close of this chapter in American history. Beshear told the audience Wednesday that the community and the country are safer as a result of the work done with the project. In Kentucky, we know how to get things done, and thats exactly what we did here for our country, Beshear said. After a four-year absence, coffee is returning to Vermont's rest areas, courtesy of a Johnson-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people recover from addiction. Jenna's Promise, the nonprofit, has several social enterprises in Johnson, both to raise operating money and to provide employment for those people the organization is helping. One of those social enterprises is Jenna's Promise Roasting Company, which will be providing the coffee to weary drivers in Vermont. Jenna's Promise was created by Greg Tatro and his wife, Amy, and his parents, Greg and Dawn, after the death of his sister, Jenna, of an opioid overdose in February 2019, when she was 26 years old. Jenna's Promise Roasting Company is located in Johnson, as seen on Sept. 6, 2023. "We are excited and honored to partner with the State of Vermont in bringing back the tradition of providing quality coffee at rest areas," Greg Tatro said in a statement. A cup of coffee and an education about drug addiction The Johnson roasting company placed the winning bid with the Vermont Information Centers Division to provide coffee to the state's rest areas. A ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at the Northbound Williston Rest Area kicked the collaboration off, where Gov. Scott and representatives of Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vermont, planned to make remarks. The coffee roaster at Jenna's Promise Roasting Company, as seen on Sept. 6, 2023. "It's great to see Jenna's Promise Roasting Company step up to fill this important role in our rest areas," Scott said in a statement released before Wednesday's event. "Visitors will not only get a cup of coffee, but learn how Jenna's Promise is working to support their community and those in recovery." Balint said in a statement that returning coffee to rest areas not only "reflects Vermont's hospitality," but also will help break the stigma around the crisis of substance abuse disorder by spreading the message behind Jenna's Promise that people suffering from addiction deserve help, not disdain. "I'm grateful to Jenna's Promise for providing all of us, Vermonters and visitors to Vermont, the opportunity to make an impact while learning about the important work we all need to share in supporting recovery," she said. Vermont's welcome and information centers attract more than 2.5 million visitors each year, according to a news release, including a substantial number of visitors from out of the state. Andrew Bunting, roastmaster of Jenna's Promise Roasting Company, as seen on Sept. 6, 2023. "The rest areas serve as a gateway for visitors and residents alike as they travel through Vermont, and we recognize the potential for real impact through this partnership," Roastmaster Andrew Bunting of Jenna's Promise Roasting Company said in a statement. Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont rest stops have been without coffee for four years, until now. The Wall Street Journal is moving a top Washington editor away from his job leading the D.C. bureau to focus on securing the release of detained reporter Evan Gershkovich . Paul Beckett, who has led the Journals coverage from Washington since the Trump administration, will transition into the new role in the coming weeks, editor Emma Tucker wrote to staff this week in a memo. Beckett has for months been tirelessly lobbying for government action on the Gershkovich case since he was arrested, Tucker wrote. Gershkovich, a reporter at the Journal, was arrested in Russia on espionage charges in March while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,200 miles east of Moscow. The U.S. government has said the charges against Gershkovich are baseless and has urged the Russian government to release him to the United States. The reporter lost a second appeal in his case this week, meaning he will be imprisoned until at least Nov. 30. Tucker took over as the Journals top editor earlier this year and has communicated to staffers repeatedly that securing Gershkovichs release is among her top priorities. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Kamala Harris faces extreme political challenges ahead of the 2024 presidential election, and as the first female Black and South Asian vice president, she is being criticized by both Republicans and Democrats alike. The former Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said of Harris, We have to make sure we win this, because the thought of Kamala Harris being president should send a chill up every American spine. Vice President Kamala Harris. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump who is running against Biden in 2024 attacked and mocked Harris during an interview with Tucker Carlson, calling her weird and not a president. Trending Today: According to The New York Times Magazine, Democrats have also insulted Harris and questioned her skill set. A top Democratic consultant reportedly claimed that the vice president has a little Ron DeSantis in her. Another Democrat donor said that Harris serving as the vice president is not ideal, but theres a hope she can rise to the occasion as Bidens running mate. One particularly petty microaggression revealed in the article noted the amount of time that the countrys first Black vice president spends grooming her hair. Sometimes the arguments against her feel more petty, said the article. A member of Harris staff remarked on the amount of downtime the vice president schedules on trips, which includes an inordinate amount of time dedicated to hair care. The New York Times article also claimed that a group of female Black Democrats are increasingly becoming incensed with how shes being treated. Their disgust is as close as youll get to hearing it from Harris herself. Part of the article was shared on X, the platform formally known as Twitter, by user Caitlin Legacki, with a caption noting that the staffer undermined and violated their boss. From a staffing perspective, this is unforgivable. Its such a violation, it completely undermines the boss and completely misreads the reality of being a woman in the public eye. There are plenty of valid critiques to discuss but this aint it, wrote Legacki. The more I think about this the more I want to scream. That paragraph alone made me want to go in and start flipping over desks, she added. One X user replied, Yeah, its also racist as hell. Extremist so-called leaders are trying to erase America's history and dare suggest that studying and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion is a bad thing. They're wrong. pic.twitter.com/rheesDCzEA Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 6, 2023 Other X users were equally unnerved by the staffer commenting on the vice presidents grooming habits and aptly noted that proper Black hair care takes time. Shes half Black and our hair care takes time, noted another X user. How much time is subjective? So saying its inordinate when the ordinary or usual VP is a white man with shorter hair? Its false. Its VERY ORDINARY for women, curly-haired women, and especially Black women. Update the standards. Another X user shared a meme of Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn with messy hair at the Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson last year and the caption, If Kamala Harris showed up to work looking like this it would be on the front page of every newspaper far and wide. FOH with that st. If Kamala Harris showed up to work looking like this it would be on the front page of every newspaper far and wide. FOH with that shit. pic.twitter.com/NWCufKhYsl chris evans (@notcapnamerica) October 10, 2023 A Black woman especially. Her hair requires time or else she would be dragged for being unkempt or not serious. This is clearly a white staffer, added another user. One user replied that the racial undertones are deafening. Yet if she went natural, all hell would break loose, added one. The staffers comment is a reminder that the nations first Black first lady, Michelle Obama, never felt comfortable wearing braids while her husband was in office because she feared that America wasnt ready to see her natural hair. Obama made the revelation while promoting her book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times in Washington, D.C., back in 2022. You know as first lady, I did not wear braids, said Obama. Being the first Black yeah, we had to ease up on the people. Cause I thought about it! I was like, it would be easier Nope, nope, theyre not ready. Read the original story here. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) LaDana Duncan-Johnson said her son Michael was serving time for a bank robbery when he was sent to the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City. The FTC is a federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility that temporarily houses federal inmates who are in transit to other facilities or awaiting hearings related to their cases. Then she got a call from prison staff. I was notified that something happened to my son, that he was brain dead, and they wanted to remove him from life support, and I said absolutely not, she said. Due to the assault, LaDana said Michael was left with a Traumatic Brain Injury associated with Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and can no longer walk, talk or do anything for himself. She says the prison told her Michaels injuries were from a suicide attempt. He doesnt have but a few years to go before he comes home, she said, adding that hed served nearly twelve years of a seventeen-year sentence. Why would he hang himself ?, she continued. Shes gotten few other answers, but what the staff said didnt line up with what she saw; the mother now believes Michael may have been assaulted by FTC staff. He had defensive scratches all over his left shoulder [and] down on his chest. He had blood on his wrists as if he had been handcuffed to something. Both his knees were scraped. And I said, What is this? Because I know that this does not come from hanging. When I inquired about those injuries, I kind of got silence, she added, while saying Michael did not have typical hanging injuries. Medical professionals who treated Michael were afraid to go on camera, but said they believe he was beat up. Read more of Michaels story. Hes still fighting, which is why Im here. I want to make sure that we get justice for my son. He deserves that. He didnt deserve this, LaDana said. In a statement to KFOR, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said the agency does not discuss any individual in their custody: For privacy, safety and security reasons, the Federal Bureau of Prisons does not comment on or discuss the conditions of confinement for any individual in our custody, including their health status. Office of Public Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, Federal Bureau of Prisons But this isnt the first time claim of wrongdoing at the facility. Back in 1995, there was a high-profile case, claiming Kenneth Michael Trentadues death by hanging may have been a cover up for murder. Kameron Jenkins, wanted for shooting deputy and death of bystander, found dead Trentadue died at the FTC on Aug. 21, 1995. Located in Oklahoma City, the FTC is a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility that temporarily houses federal inmates who are in transit to other facilities or who are awaiting parole revocation hearings. According to FTC correctional officers, at approximately 3:00 a.m. on August 21, they found Trentadue hanging by a bed sheet around his neck from a grate in his cell. FTC staff treated Trentadues death as a suicide. Following a series of investigations over three years, investigators said the man died by suicide, but found the Bureau of Prisons response to what happened was significantly flawed: As a result of our review, we concluded, like the Medical Examiner and the Oklahoma County District Attorney, that Trentadues death was a suicide and that he had not been beaten and murdered by correctional officers or inmates. We did not find that the BOP participated in any conspiracy to cover up his death, as some have alleged. But we did find that the BOPs response to his death was significantly flawed. FTC employees made various mistakes, including delaying their entry into Trentadues cell, attempting to videotape the scene rather than immediately providing medical attention to Trentadue, failing to assess Trentadues condition properly, failing to inform the FBI expeditiously and fully about the circumstances of his death, and rushing to clean the cell the day of his death. A Review of the Justice Departments Handling of the Death of Kenneth Michael Trentadue at the Bureau of Prisonss Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City, December 1999 They perfected the scheme: Caddo Co. DA files charges against teen who posed as PA, his wife, and father The inhumane treatment, the assaults happening in jail, the deaths in jail, we have to stand up, said LaDana. As for Michael, he was released from prison because he needs round-the-clock care. Im not only speaking up for my son, but Im speaking for all the other men that are in prison, LaDana said, nearly a year later. She wants the Bureau of Prisons to do a full investigation into what happened to her son. A GoFundMe has been set up to help offset long-term costs for the family. This doesnt make any sense that I gave them my child walking and talking in his right mind as a whole person and they gave him back to me in the worst condition that you could give anybody, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A recent photo shared with The War Zone reveals a surprising piece of repair work undertaken on a British Army Warrior infantry fighting vehicle. The IFV, broadly equivalent to the U.S. Armys M2 Bradley , is shown moving along a road, close to an exercise area, still running on its tracks despite the loss of a road wheel from one side, and with a broken idler the wheel at the rear that serves to maintain tension on the track. The photo soon led to quips about a Half-Track Warrior version, a nod to the combined wheeled-and-tracked vehicles of the same name . Photographer David Cole posted the photo on the Plain Military Facebook group . It was taken on September 20, 2023, near Copehill Down, a U.K. Ministry of Defense training facility on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England. Copehill is specifically a FIBUA , or Fighting In Built-Up Areas training center used to practice urban warfare and close-quarters combat. The vehicle was apparently taking part in Exercise Iron Titan , billed as the British Armys largest maneuvers of this kind in 20 years, with around 8,000 troops involved. A Warrior IFV is guided over a small bridge during Exercise Iron Titan on Salisbury Plain. Crown Copyright The photo not only reveals an ingenious workaround to a serious malfunction, but also provides a good idea of how the tracked IFV works mechanically, with its combination of road wheels, drive sprockets, idler wheels, and track return rollers. While its unclear what fate befell the Warrior in question, it was clearly severe enough to shear off the rearmost road wheel on the left-hand side of the vehicle, or at least to require its complete removal. To deal with this, the crew and/or supporting engineers fashioned an extemporized repair job, shortening the track, and coupling it back together, with the IFV now running on five road wheels on one side (the opposite side of the vehicle appears to be unscathed). Since power is provided to the Warriors tracks by the drive sprocket at the front, the vehicle can still run even with the track depleted in this way. A Warrior IFV is put through its paces at a firepower demonstration at Warminster, Salisbury Plain. Note the full set of six road wheels, idler, and three track return rollers. Crown Copyright The idler wheel, at the opposite end to the sprocket, is, like the roadwheels, unpowered, and operates somewhat like a pulley wheel. It carries the track back off the ground and returns it to the drive sprocket, ensuring there is tension on the track. Its worth noting that not all armored vehicles have the drive sprocket at the front, with most modern tanks , for example, having the sprocket at the back and the idler at the front. While there will have been a speed and mobility penalty as a result of the repair, the workaround appears to have been enough to get the Warrior back to its base. In particular, losing a roadwheel means an imbalance in the distribution of the weight of the vehicle. The suspension system will also have been affected, with one of the three track return rollers on the affected side having been lost as well, or at least put out of action. These are small rollers that support the weight of the track as it moves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKuL64rKu5I The War Zone spoke to a member of the Royal Engineers (RE), the engineering arm of the British Army. While they wanted to remain anonymous, they shared some interesting personal opinions on this particular repair: This technique is used for emergencies and allows the vehicle to be moved from the battlefield for repair at a rear area. Its not standard and not a tactic that is common or evenly commonly taught as it can cause further damage to the running gear. As to the difficulty in making this kind of repair, the same soldier added: Its fairly quick to split the track by a well-trained crew. Its simply a case of removing the section of track that is damaged or not required and then reattaching it. Most armored vehicles tracks and running gear are modular and repairs are pretty standard. The only caveat is the final drive and sprocket which is critical and internally pretty complex. We tend to take equipment care seriously and Id assume that they wouldnt take unnecessary risks with equipment. While clearly unusual, the kind of repair job seen on the Warrior is not totally unheard of. Comments posted in response to the photo from former British soldiers recall similar incidents, including the claim that an FV432 armored personnel carrier the Warriors predecessor was operated in a half-tracked configuration for three whole weeks during one exercise in Poland. British Army Bulldogs (upgraded FV432s) during a winter exercise in Germany. Crown Copyright Another British ex-serviceman recalls having seen similar repairs on two other occasions. In both those, there was extreme damage to both the roadwheel and the track tensioner [idler wheel], as the crew would not keep to a very limited speed. Ive also seen it done on Chieftain [tank]. Yet another account refers to an incident at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada in 2002. Here, it is alleged, there were so many tracked vehicles losing roadwheels that spares had to be borrowed from an old Abbot self-propelled gun that was serving there as a gate guardian. The Abbot used an FV430-series chassis, providing a degree of mechanical commonality with the FV432 and other vehicles. The Abbot 105mm self-propelled gun displayed as a gate guardian at Camp Crowfoot, HQ British Army Training Unit Suffield, Canada. Crown Copyright https://www.twitter.com/ArmouredSapper/status/1710586270580101255?s=20 As to the Warrior itself, this vehicle entered service with the British Army in 1988 and has seen operational use in the 1991 Gulf War, in Bosnia and Kosovo, and subsequently in both Afghanistan and in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. In 2021, the U.K. Ministry of Defense announced its intention to replace the Warrior with the Boxer , an 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier, rather than upgrade the IFV. U.K. Boxer trials started at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire in July 2023 with the first U.K.-built Boxer vehicle being put to the test around a series of terrains and hills. Crown Copyright This was a controversial decision and has become only more so since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine put the utility of armored mechanized forces very much back into the spotlight. While the British Army is due to receive a new tracked armored fighting vehicle, the Ajax , this program has so far consumed billions of pounds and has been beset by problems. In particular, trials with the new Ajax vehicles had to be abandoned after crews reported injuries due to excessive noise and vibration. The Ajax is now not expected to be combat-ready until late 2028 at the earliest . Ajax is put through its paces at Kirkcudbright Ranges in Scotland. Crown Copyright While the last of the Warriors are officially slated to be withdrawn from 2025, there are reports that the Cold War-era IFV could still remain in use into the early 2030s , albeit without a major upgrade. For the time being, the Warrior still has a place in the British Armys order of battle and running repairs like the one seen recently on Salisbury Plain wont yet be consigned to history. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com FILE - People walk by the One Franklin Square Building, home of The Washington Post newspaper, in downtown Washington on Feb. 21, 2019. The Washington Post plans to cut 240 jobs in the coming weeks through the offering of voluntary buyouts. In an email to staff, interim CEO Patty Stonesifer cited overly optimistic growth projections made in recent years. She said that the buyouts would be offered to certain jobs and departments, but didnt specify which ones yet. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW YORK (AP) The Washington Post plans to cut 240 jobs through the offering of voluntary buyouts, the newspaper announced Tuesday. In an email sent to staff, interim CEO Patty Stonesifer said that The Post had been overly optimistic about growth projections for the past two years and into 2024. We are working to find ways to return our business to a healthier place in the coming year, she wrote. Stonesifer said that the buyouts would be offered to certain jobs and departments, but didn't specify which ones. Eligible employees will be notified after an all-staff meeting Wednesday morning, she said, and can later choose to decline or accept the separation package in the coming weeks. "A much larger group of employees will receive the offer, but acceptances will be capped at approximately 240 people," Stonesifer wrote. She added that the company was taking the voluntary buyout route in efforts to avert more difficult actions like layoffs a situation we are united in trying to avoid." The incoming cuts which are set to impact about 10% of The Posts 2,500-person staff arrive following previous, but smaller, reductions seen at the company not long ago. The Post went through rounds of layoffs late last year and in early 2023, and saw cutbacks including the ending of its Sunday magazine. Tuesdays announcement came as a surprise. The Washington Post Guild, the union representing Post employees, wrote that it was infuriated by the decision and concerned for our dedicated, brilliant colleagues. We cannot comprehend how The Post, owned by one of the richest people in the world, has decided to foist the consequences of its incoherent business plan and irresponsibly rapid expansion onto the hardworking people who make this company run, the union added in its statement shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Tuesday. Stonesifer became The Post's interim CEO after longtime publisher Fred Ryan left in June. Ryan had been at the helm of the the publication for nearly a decade, getting appointed one year after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos purchased The Post in 2013. Ryan angered several at the Post late last year when he refused to take questions about layoffs from his own companys journalists at a newsroom meeting. The Post also saw some decline in digital subscribers over the last few years of his tenure, but Ryan said that his departure had nothing to do with the recent downturn. In July, The New York Times reported that The Post is on track to lose about $100 million this year. Beyond The Post, many other media publications have seen job cuts in recent months. In June, the Los Angeles Times said last week it was cutting some 10% of its newsroom staff, and NPR said the same thing earlier this year. Gannett, the nations largest newspaper chain, also laid off hundreds of journalists in 2022. TACOMA, Wash. (KFOR/Storyful) Dont try this at home, kids! A couple of brave deputies in Tacoma, Washington delicately and cautiously freed an elk whose antlers were entangled in the rope of a tree swing. The angry elk even charged one of the deputies, who then took a tumble. Video at the top of this story was shared by the Pierce County Sheriffs Department. Usually these can require deputies to put the injured animal down, which is not a fun thing to have to do With a delay for other agencies to respond, our deputies stepped up to the challenge of freeing this young bull elk, the department stated on social media. With mating season in full swing, police say the bull was likely searching for a female, which briefly went awry. Rutting elk often rub their antlers on trees to impress females, or to show dominance. The video shows the deputies calmly using different tools to cut the rope, while trying to shield themselves on the other side of the tree. In the end, the deputies joked about the ungrateful elk, who sprinted off into the woods to continue his quest. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A rocket lifts off from a launch pad with trees behind it. China added a trio of new satellites to its clusters of Yaogan orbital reconnaissance spacecraft last week. A Long March 2D rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 8:24 p.m. EDT on Oct. 4 (or 1224 GMT; 8:24 a.m. Beijing Time on Oct. 5). The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed launch success within an hour of liftoff. As with the later launches, neither CASC nor Chinese state media provided many details of the spacecraft, describing them only as remote sensing satellites. Chinese state media reports noted only that a "Yaogan 39 satellite" was aboard the rocket. Related: China launches mysterious new spy satellite a rocket lifts off from a launch pad with trees behind it However, U.S. Space Force space domain awareness reveals that three satellites were sent into orbit. This is thus a third batch of three satellites in the Yaogan 39 series, following launches on Aug. 31 and Sept. 17 . Yaogan satellites are, in general, classified Chinese remote sensing satellites considered by Western observers to be for military purposes. They include optical, radar and electronic intelligence gathering satellites. RELATED STORIES: China launches Yaogan 40 spy satellite on Long March 6A rocket (video) China launches classified Yaogan remote sensing satellites (video) China adds yet another Yaogan spy satellite to its orbital fleet (launch video) The new group joins the earlier-launched satellites in roughly circular orbits with an altitude of 307 miles (495 kilometers) orbits and inclined by 35 degrees. The different groups will pass over the same points above Earth at different times, providing more frequent coverage over areas of interest. The mission was China's 46th orbital launch of the year. State-owned CASC said in January that it wants to launch more than 200 spacecraft across 2023. China also has an active commercial launch sector adding to this activity. Helping balance women's careers with child care crucial for stimulating stagnant economy By Lee Yeon-woo Korea is so screwed. Wow! This is what Joan Williams, an emeritus professor at UC San Francisco School of Law, exclaimed after being informed of Koreas 2022 fertility rate 0.78 per woman. Ive never heard of such a low fertility rate, she was quoted as saying in a documentary made by Koreas Educational Broadcasting System (EBS). Her astonished expression and voice became a meme circulating in Korean social media. The country keeps setting new records for the worlds lowest fertility rate, despite the government investing $200 billion over 16 years to encourage women to have children. At the current rate, 40.1 percent of the total population will be older than 65 by 2050. Desperately attempting to bolster the birthrate, politicians have been pledging constantly to expand the period of maternal leave and guarantee paternal leave whenever the general election arrives. The Yoon Suk Yeol government also plans to extend guaranteed maternal leave from one year to a year and a half. However, according to Pauline Grosjean, an economics professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia, such measures dont address the fundamental reasons why women decide not to give birth. Maternal leave undoubtedly has a positive effect in enabling women to return to their professional lives after childbirth. However, its not the most effective tool for instigating this societal change, Grosjean said during a recent online interview with The Korea Times. When women opt for maternity leave, it interrupts their career trajectory, potentially causing them to miss out on opportunities, especially promotions. The adverse effects become even more pronounced the longer the leave and if the woman was on track for promotion before taking it, the professor continued. One-year maternity leave sounds good for some, but its not good for everybody. For instance, if you have a clerical job, you can leave for a year, and you dont get to lose your human capital. However, if you do a specialized job or high-ranking job, taking one year off is huge. Trading your skills for a long maternity is not the option. As an expert who has devoted significant time to researching gender norms and their role in economic development, Grosjean said the more pressing problem is rooted in unequal structure. In her book, she terms this phenomenon Patriarcapitalisme (patriarchal capitalism), seeing it as an inevitable outcome of capitalism developing within a patriarchal society. For instance, female workers with newborns often find it inevitable to seek a workplace with a flexible schedule or to reduce their working hours, particularly when they don't have external support for child-rearing. Such career interruptions diminish women's competitiveness in the job market. This is especially true for "greedy jobs" as this year's Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Claudia Goldin, suggests. These roles demand considerable time flexibility and expect individuals to prioritize work in exchange for high salaries and elevated social positions. Consequently, these high-stress, well-paying positions drive the other parent to be more available at home, and this role often falls to women. Some say that women now can do any job they want, and they can have any education they want. And its true most of the time. But as long as there are social expectations as a mom, its going to be a hindrance, Grosjean said. This sentiment appears to be prevalent among Korean women as well. In June, a survey conducted by Shinhan Life revealed that 34.3 percent of men and women aged 25 to 39 have no intention of having children. The primary reason women cited was the demanding social environment of balancing work with child care, while men pointed out the excessive child care and education costs. The declining interest in child-rearing is concerning due to its potential impact on the economy. An increasing ratio of elderly dependents to the working-age population will escalate social expenditures and welfare costs, putting pressure on the national budget. Some studies even suggest that a 1 percent decline in the working-age population might lead to a 0.59 percent reduction in the gross domestic product. Grosjean noted that gender norms are key drivers of economic development, even though they are slow to change. "If you keep half of your labor force at home, we all know the results will not end up good. Putting more women in the labor force is a good idea because it increases the active labor force for the same number of old people that you need to feed," she said. "I also do think that this structure also puts men under pressure, because they have to generate all the income. And sometimes this can generate very unequal situations at home because men can use their economic power to oppress their wives." Then, what would be the most effective policy that serves dual purposes? Grosjean believes the solution lies in expanding public child care. "Helping mothers balance their lives and roles at work and home can be more important than the length or allocation of parental leave." Still, it would be more beneficial for everyone to head home earlier to tuck in the child than to work through the night. "You are talking about 52 working hours per week (at its maximum) and wonder why women don't have babies?" she said. "Who would dare to have a baby in such a situation?" A former Connecticut state worker's meltdown was caught on police surveillance video of a distraught woman repeatedly banging her handgun on the protective glass at a police department before shooting multiple rounds directly at the glass. According to a press release from the Office of Inspector General, 51-year-old Suzanne Laprise walked into a Bristol Police Department office at about 11:30 p.m. on October 5 carrying a handgun. Suzanne Laprise can be seen on the footage in the lobby of the Bristol Police Department slamming a handgun several times on the glass separating police and records staff from the public area before she firing multiple rounds. Suzanne Laprise is being held on $3 million bond while she faces nine charges, including attempted murder. Security video footage captured Laprise making her way to the empty front desk and knocking on the front desk windows with her hand before repeatedly banging the gun on the glass. WATCH: PHILADELPHIA LOOTERS BREAK INTO, RANSACK LOCALLY OWNED PHARMACY WITH AXES, HAMMERS, STEAL MEDICATION As the woman continues knocking on the glass, she turns and fires multiple rounds. Police said the bullets "did not penetrate the bullet-resistant glass." She is also seen firing a round into the police station ceiling. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In additional body camera footage, officers are seen assessing the situation with police saying that they had "open dialogue" with Laprise before moving in. Despite attempting to talk with Laprise, she continued to fire additional rounds in the direction of the officers. Officer Spencer Boisvert fired two shots in her direction but no one was hit, police said. SHOOTING INSIDE CONNECTICUT POLICE STATION LEADS TO ARREST OF WOMAN ACCUSED OF FIRING AT OFFICERS The video shows multiple officers rushing towards Laprise when she sets the gun down. Officers "deployed an electronic defense weapon" before taking her into custody, police said. Suzanne Laprise was seen on police surveillance footage repeatedly firing at the bullet-proof glass at the police station in Connecticut. Police said that Laprise was taken to Bristol Hospital for evaluation. Laprise was charged with Criminal Attempt/Murder with Special Circumstance, Illegal Discharge of Firearm, Illegal carry of firearms under the influence of drug/alcohol, Criminal use of Weapon, Violation of Pistol Permit Requirements, Illegal Possession of Large Capacity Magazine, Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree and Breach of Peace 2nd Degree. She is being held on a $3,000,000.00 bond and was arraigned at New Britain Superior Court on October 6. Original article source: WATCH: Former Connecticut state worker meltdown at police station, fire rounds at glass Surveillance video shows a group of thieves ransacking a local Philadelphia pharmacy while armed with axes and hammers during a wild night of looting across the City of Brotherly Love. The Philadelphia Police Department Northwest Detective Division released footage from September 26 in an attempt to identify suspects who are wanted by police for looting commercial properties. Footage from the Philadelphia Police Department show a group of looters smash into a gated pharmacy store. The group of alleged thieves stole "all medication" from a local mom-and-pop pharmacy, police said. Law enforcement said that estimated damages and theft are $150,000. Police say that the group of looters ransacked Fairmount Pharmacy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 10:50 p.m. Authorities say that the group, who were armed with hammers and axes, broke into the property by smashing the front window and door. LAWYER FOR LOOTER KNOWN AS MEATBALL CLAIMS CRITICISM AGAINST LIVE-STREAMER IS RACIST Surveillance footage captures the moment the large group of thieves gains entry into the gated pharmacy and begin pocketing medication in their sweatshirt pockets. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Footage captures the group of thieves ransack a local pharmacy store, stealing approximately $150,000 worth of medication. Fairmount Pharmacy owner, Gerald Volgraf, said that the thieves were only in his store for "under two minutes" but managed to do a "tremendous amount of damage." The group also stole about $68 from the register along with prepackaged prescriptions inside the pharmacy. Volgraf said that he was first notified about the robbery from his tenants, who live directly above the pharmacy. "About 3 oclock this morning, I actually got a phone call from our tenants in the apartments above the pharmacy," Volgraf told FOX 29. "When I got down here, the gates were ripped off, the store was mess, there was a ton of debris, a ton of damage. There were medications missing." The group of thieves were caught on surveillance camera looting the pharmacy store. The Philadelphia Police Department is looking for the suspects. The small business owner said that the theft was a setback, but not the end. PHILADELPHIA MOTORCYCLIST CHARGED AFTER ALLEGEDLY KICKING IN WINDSHIELD, WAVING GUN AT DRIVER IN VIOLENT VIDEO "We opened at 9 oclock this morning, and well be open 9 oclock tomorrow," Volgraf told FOX 29. "We wont allow someone to do something like this thats gonna break our spirit and break our commitment to the community." The footage of the pharmacy looting comes weeks after Philadelphia was faced with dual nights of looting across the city on September 26 through 27. Photos of the destructive wake show a sporting goods store at a mall with mannequins and sneakers scattered about; an Apple Store and a T-Mobile store with phones and accessories toppled over; and several businesses with shattered glass windows and smashed metal door gates. Authorities made more than 50 arrests, including one burglary suspect who was out on bail for a major murder case from last year. Original article source: WATCH: Philadelphia looters break into, ransack locally owned pharmacy with axes, hammers, steal medication The latest prediction from the International Energy Agency (IEA) is that demand for three major polluting energy sources oil, gas, and coal will peak and begin to decline sooner than anyone expected: before 2030, the Guardian reports. The IEA is an international watchdog organization tracking the energy policies of countries around the globe, with a goal of transitioning away from polluting options and toward eco-friendly energy like solar, wind, and water power. This is widely considered the most essential step in stopping the Earths warming caused by manmade air pollution. According to the IEA, were closer than ever before. The official energy outlook report is set to be released in October, the Guardian explains, but ahead of that release, the IEA has shared its preliminary findings about the expected timeline for the change from oil, gas, and coal to more affordable energy. Many countries are making policy changes with that goal in mind. The EU will ban all new gas cars starting in 2035. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has created new rules for automakers that will strongly favor electric vehicles, and the Biden administration is investing billions in clean energy. According to the Guardian, Chinas economy is also turning away from heavy industries that cause air pollution. All the while, energy options like solar panels and EVs are expanding. The IEA claims these changes are making a difference. The world is on the cusp of a historic turning point, said IEA head Fatih Birol in the Financial Times in September. Peaks for the three fossil fuels are a welcome sight, showing that the shift to cleaner and more secure energy systems is speeding up and that efforts to avoid the worst effects of climate change are making headway. There was one sour note in the announcement: While these predictions are better than expected, they may not be enough. As the Guardian explains, to prevent catastrophic damage to the climate, we need to stop the world from getting more than 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above its pre-industrial temperature. Were already getting dangerously close to that benchmark and according to the IEAs projections, the current energy policies worldwide wont turn off the heat in time. That will require significantly stronger and faster policy action by governments, said Birol. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Expanding Lake Michigan water access to northern Lake County municipalities was a feat of intergovernmental collaboration, leaders said. On Tuesday, the County Board approved paying off part of the bonds for the water system expansion a full 15 years early, saving millions of dollars for taxpayers. Residents of Lake Villa, Lindenhurst and nearby unincorporated areas of the township that were connected to the Lake Michigan water supply will see tax levy savings through 2037 due to the early payoff. Because no further work is required for the water access project, excess funding was available to pay the outstanding balance of $4.75 million from the first $7 million general obligation bond, which will result in taxpayer savings of $3,565,500 in interest, according to the countys Finance and Administrative Services Department. After the general obligation bond is paid off early, residents are expected to garner tax levy savings of $428 per $100,000 market value through 2037. For a $250,000 home, the cumulative taxpayers savings will be about $1,070 between fiscal years 2023 and 2037, according to estimates from the county finance office. Paying the bonds earlier was a unique and first-time experience for Lake Countys finance director Patrice Sutton. We had to be very careful, because the only way to have this type of collaboration was through a special service area arrangement, Sutton said. I would say in this particular case, we were a little bit more conservative than we normally would have been because this was such a unique arrangement. Austin McFarlane, who was appointed Tuesday to the position of director for the Lake County Public Works Department after serving as the interim director, agreed with Suttons assessment of the surplus. The last thing we wanted to do was go back to the residents for shortfalls, McFarlane said. The conservative approach was certainly the right approach to take. Due to the uncertainty of the future water supply, the county, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst entered into an agreement with the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency in 2013 to purchase Lake Michigan water. Under the agreement, the county and villages agreed to pay for necessary water system improvements. To expand Lake Michigan water access to northern Lake County municipalities in 2013, the county estimated the construction would cost as much as $40 million and took out loans accordingly. A $7 million Series 2013 bond provided capital for the design, land acquisition and other initial engineering costs. Additional low-interest loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agencys water revolving fund for the water system totaling $32 million were acquired for the project and are expected to be paid off by 2038. Lake Villa Village Administrator Michael Strong said the need to find an alternative water source became critical as the community was experiencing rapid growth. There are a lot of communities that are still trying to figure out what they are going to do (about future water access), but were fortunate that the county was able to facilitate a mechanism for us to fund the infrastructure we needed to put these pipes in and provide means to pay for those improvements, Strong said. Native Governance Center announced on Tuesday the departure of its executive director effective on November 17, 2023. After seven years of dedicated leadership, Wayne Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux) recently made his decision to step down from his role. Native Governance Center (NGC) is a Native-led nonprofit dedicated to assisting Native nations in strengthening their governance systems and capacity to exercise sovereignty. Under Ducheneaux's leadership, the organization has experienced substantial growth, initiated impactful programs, and advanced its mission of empowering Native nations to strengthen their sovereignty. Throughout his tenure as executive director, Ducheneaux has exhibited unwavering dedication to the organization's goals and values. He has played a pivotal role in cultivating new partnerships, securing a robust financial foundation for the organization, and launching initiatives that have left a palpable mark on the communities served by NGC. I am incredibly proud of the work weve accomplished, Ducheneaux said. Ive been truly honored to have served alongside a team of passionate and dedicated leaders. While I am stepping down as executive director, I remain deeply committed to the organizations mission. I feel confident in Native Governance Centers continued success and financial stability. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Native Governance Centers board of directors expressed their gratitude for Ducheneauxs service and contributions. Waynes passion, dedication, and vision have been invaluable to our organization. He has set a high standard of excellence, and we are grateful for his many years of service, Native Governance Center board chair Caleb Dogeagle said Native Governance Center will soon begin the search for a new executive director. In the interim, Danielle Gangelhoff, NGC's present director of finance and administration, will assume the role of interim executive director. Danielle is a strong leader who will guide the organization during this time of transition. I look forward to supporting NGC in identifying a successor who will build on our current progress and move this important work into the next chapter. Ducheneaux said. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net There's a solar eclipse on Saturday, but will anyone in the slice of Earth that is Southern New England notice? The weather might not cooperate, as clouds could obscure the sun as they have on so many recent weekends. Will we be able to see the solar eclipse in Rhode Island? Over the United States, the path of the moon's shadow will run from Oregon to Texas, and Rhode Island will get only a partial eclipse, but Scott MacNeil, director of the Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center in Charlestown, says it will be a good show if clouds don't ruin it. "Even though we will only experience a 19.11% partial eclipse, it will still be a fantastic view to be had, especially since the sun is closing in on solar maximum the period of the 11-year solar cycle with maximum sunspot activity," MacNeill wrote in his column on the observatory's website. "So keep your fingers crossed for a break from the weather bomb of 2023 so we can enjoy an autumn Saturday out under the sun." More: Solar eclipses will be visible in Rhode Island in 2023 and 2024. Here's what to know On Saturday, Oct. 14, an annular solar eclipse known as a ring of fire will briefly dim the skies over parts of the western U.S. and Central and South America. A partial eclipse may be visible in Rhode Island, depending on the amount of cloud cover. Saturday's solar eclipse is an annular eclipse what that means Saturday's eclipse is called an annular eclipse because it will happen when the moon is at the farthest point in its orbit from Earth and won't completely block the sun, instead causing a "dramatic 'ring' effect ... as the bright edge of the sun will be visible around the black silhouette of the moon," according to the Night Sky Network. "The distinct appearance of this style of eclipse is why its called an annular eclipse, as annular means ring-like," the Night Sky Network wrote. "If you are standing under a tree or behind a screen you will see thousands of ring-like shadows projected everywhere during maximum eclipse, and the light may take on a wan note, but it wont actually get dark outside; it will be similar to the brightness of a cloudy day." RI weather forecast for the Oct. 14 solar eclipse clouds likely As of Friday, the weather forecast was calling for mostly cloudy skies with a chance of rain. MacNeill and other sky watchers are hoping that forecast improves. After all, he wrote, the observatory plans to host an event for the eclipse "which will bring the buzz of solar telescopes, live streams, presentations and more to our campus for the day." Ways to watch the solar eclipse Frosty Drew is planning to hold a viewing event from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., which is open to the public. The eclipse starts at 12:15 p.m. Saturday and will continue until 2:35 p.m. with maximum eclipse at 1:26 p.m. when the moon will obscure 19.11% of the sun over Southern New England, MacNeill wrote. Over the United States this Saturday, the path of the moon's shadow will run from Oregon to Texas, and Southern New England will get a partial eclipse. Tickets are required for the Frosty Drew event and cost $5. (Children 4 and under are admitted for free.) The ticket price includes a pair of eclipse glasses. Experts emphasize that it isn't safe to view the eclipse without proper eye protection. Another Rhode Island observatory, Seagrave Memorial Observatory in North Scituate, will be open for viewing from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, if the weather permits, according to Linda Bergemann, president of Skyscrapers Inc., which operates the observatory. No formal program is planned, but members will be at the observatory with eclipse glasses for anyone "who happens to pay us a visit," she said. There's no charge. In addition, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium at Roger Williams Park in Providence will host activities where the family can learn about eclipses and also receive a pair of eclipse glasses. The event is from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is free with museum admission. At the Community College of Rhode Island, operators of the Margaret M. Jacoby Observatory are taking a wait-and-see approach. "The current forecast seems to suggest it will not be possible to observe, but we will mobilize and show up if the conditions change," said Brendan Britton, associate professor of astronomy. ""If the skies suddenly clear up, a group of us will be there from 12-2:30 p.m. Saturday to view the eclipse, and members of the public are welcome to join," Britton said via email late Tuesday. How to make eclipse glasses Can I look directly at the eclipse? According to NASA, it is never safe to look directly at the sun during an annular eclipse without specialized eye protection as you could permanently damage your eyes. When watching an annular (or even partial) solar eclipse people should always look at it using approved solar viewing glasses (AKA eclipse glasses) or a handheld solar viewer. How to make a do-it-yourself eclipse viewing projector Here's how to safely make an eclipse viewer and how to use it: Get cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors, and piece of aluminum foil. Punch a pinhole into the aluminium foil. Tape it over one side of the box. Tape the white sheet of paper to the inside of the other side of the box. Stand with the sun behind you. Light will stream through the pinhole and project a crescent sun onto the white sheet of paper in the box. Look into the box through another hole you cut into the box to see the projected image. Do not look at the sun through the pinhole How long can you look at the eclipse without glasses? You can view the eclipse for a short period of time without glasses. But only during the period known as totality when the sun is completely covered by the moon. Depending on where you are, the totality could last about four minutes, according to NASA As soon as even a tiny slice of the sun reappears after totality, NASA says, put your eclipse glasses back on or use your handheld solar viewer to relook at it. Additional tips for viewing an eclipse: Additional tips for safely viewing an annular eclipse include: Inspect eclipse glasses or handheld viewers before using them. Throw them away if they are torn, scratched, or damaged. Instruct children how to properly watch the eclipse. Supervise children using eclipse sunglasses or handheld solar viewers. Total solar eclipse will happen on April 8, 2024 If Saturday's eclipse does get blocked out, residents of Southern New England won't have to wait too long for another chance to witness such a spectacle. A total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8, 2024, and with the path of totality nearby, it will create a much darker show in this area, obscuring about 90% of the sun over Southern New England, according to Bergemann. That is, if the clouds don't get in the way. With reports from USA TODAY This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI weather forecast: Will clouds ruin view of weekend solar eclipse? On Oct. 11, 1973, Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker found themselves at the center of an otherworldly encounter that forever altered their lives. The incident, now known as the Pascagoula alien abduction, is set to mark its 50th anniversary this week. After completing an evening shift at work, voluminous news reports indicate Hickson and Parker decided to take a detour on their way home to fish along the Pascagoula River. According to their testimony, their peaceful night took a bizarre turn when they were confronted by mysterious figures sporting claw-like hands and head spikes. Both men claimed to have been immobilized and pulled into a portal, where they underwent a 30-minute examination by these strange beings before being released. Shaken, they contacted Keesler Air Force Base, before being referred to the Jackson County Sheriffs Department. Sheriff Fred Diamond, suspecting a hoax, had the men secretly recorded, expecting to hear the men laughing or discussing a hoax. To Diamonds surprise, the men stayed silent, and seemed completely shaken up by the incident, the Sun Herald reported. In the five decades since that fateful night, the incident has gained international attention, particularly as discussions surrounding UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena have become more mainstream. The creatures as described by Parker, Hickson, and other witnesses. Beyond reasonable doubt UK based UFO researcher, Philip Mantle, found the incident to be of interest and acquired the rights to Hicksons 1993 book about the incident. After Hicksons passing in 2011, Mantle initially intended to interview Parker to add a modern chapter at the end of the original book. During their meeting, Parker expressed his desire to share his side of the story, leading Mantle to encourage him to write his own account for a more comprehensive and accurate narrative. Under Mantles publishing company, Flying Disk Press, Parker published his first book, Pascagoula - The Closest Encounter: My Story in 2018, which detailed his half of the incident. According to Mantle, Parkers book encouraged others to come forward with their own sightings of the peculiar UFO that night. I asked Calvin if he had any documents or photographs, but he said he lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, said Mantle. So I set about looking for these documents, newspaper cuttings, photographs. As an influx of new witnesses and information emerged, Mantle sought the help of Dr. Irena Scott in Ohio to conduct interviews and research the incident more thoroughly. Dr. Scott carried out approximately 30 interviews, while Mantle authored over 20 new articles on the subject. But you can only write so many articles on it, said Mantle. So it kind of dawned on us that the 50th anniversary is looming, so maybe we should put it all in a book. Together, they unearthed long-forgotten evidence, including medical examinations conducted on Parker and Hickson in the 1970s which corroborated the puncture wounds the figures supposedly caused. Their book also features new eyewitness testimonies, including those who crossed the bridge or were on the opposite side of the river when the event unfolded, as well as the police dispatcher who answered the original police call. With this newfound information, Mantle and Dr. Scott authored Beyond Reasonable Doubt: The Pascagoula Alien Abduction in June. Parker, who provided the foreword, unfortunately passed away back in August. We argue at the end of the book that if you could take all these people, these witnesses, plus the documentary evidence into a courtroom, we could prove beyond reasonable doubt that something extraordinary happened that night, said Mantle. Its up to you ... the readers are like the jury, here is the evidence ... you decide. During their experience with the creatures, Parker and Hickson reported being pricked by a device. The wounds were visible during their medical exam in the days after the incident. The 50th anniversary Mantle emphasizes that this incident stands out because of its unique elements: two abductees, its proximity to busy U.S. 90, multiple witnesses, and the collection of physical evidence and photographs taken immediately afterward. These factors contribute to its lasting cultural significance on the Mississippi Coast, even half a century later. Mantle said you will not find all that in any other case. To commemorate this iconic event, the city of Pascagoula, in collaboration with Main Street Pascagoula, will host a special celebration dubbed The Closest Encounter. The event will be held in Downtown Pascagoula from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 20. Alien costumes are welcomed and encouraged! an invitation reads. We invite you all to join us for this celebration of not only a favorite local story, but to celebrate the life of Calvin Parker. Calvin Parker holding a copy of Beyond Reasonable Doubt. He provided the forward to the book prior to his passing back in August. Andrew Grascia's first visit to Israel will be memorable, but it certainly was not what he expected. After Grascia flew to the Mideast nation for seminars under Israeli trainers on practical approaches to dealing with antisemitism and terrorism, war broke out on Saturday when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel by land, sea, and air. Grascia, a deputy chief investigator for the Westchester District Attorney's Office, went with a contingent of 24 law enforcement leaders, including five Rockland police chiefs and four from Westchester. After less than 24 hours in Israel on Saturday, "We woke up at 6 a.m. to air raid sirens," Grascia said Tuesday in a media availability hosted by the Westchester District Attorney's Office. "We saw rockets and missiles." - Andrew Grascia, in a 2006 file photo. Grascia estimated the Hamas missile barrage pounding the seaside community lasted on a regular basis until 1 p.m. He said he and his fellow law enforcement officers were told to stay inside the hotel and were taken at times to reinforced stairwells for their safety, he said. "During the day we could see rising smoke," he said, from the missiles and rockets that bypassed Israel's Iron Dome defense system. "We're all law enforcement officers and we've been trained for different types of scenarios," Grascia said. "None like this." At one point, Grascia said, some of them stepped out on their room balconies to watch the explosions light up the sky. He said the explosions contrasted with the natural beauty of beaches and the Mediterranean Sea. "My son, who is 8 and a surfer, would have loved this," he said. "The view changed very quickly as the smoke came up." Hamas, catching Israel off guard, fired off thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel as their terrorists marauded across towns and kibbutzes bordering the Gaza Strip, shooting men, women, children, and soldiers, as well as raping and taking people as hostages, Israeli authorities said. The latest: Israel regains control of Gaza border; Iran warns of 'heavier slap': Live updates Estimates are the Hamas invaders killed more than 1,000 people, wounded 2,800 more since Saturday, and kidnapped hundreds, according to media reports. At least 260 bodies were recovered at the site of a music festival near the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip is an impoverished area controlled by Hamas that borders Israel and Egypt. It is separated from Arabs living in the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. Israeli communities exist in the West Bank. Palestinian authorities have claimed that in Gaza, Israeli strikes have killed at least 830 people and injured 4,250, according to the reports. Grascia was guarded in what details he could discuss as the Westchester County DA's Office made the 55-year-old, 26-year investigator available. The office emphasized that Grascia spoke for himself, not his colleagues. He would not disclose where the hotel was but The Journal News/lohud has learned it was in Ashdod, about 20 miles north of the Gaza Strip. Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Wanamaker photographed at Clarkstown Police Headquarters in New City on Thursday, May 6, 2021. The trip was arranged by Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and organized by the Community Security Initiative of New York and Community Security Service, groups at the forefront of security efforts for the region's Jewish institutions and residents. The 24-member contingent included NYPD and Long Island officers and from Rockland, Ramapo Police Chief Martin Reilly, Clarkstown Chief Jeffrey Wanamaker, Orangetown Chief Donald Butterworth, Spring Valley Chief Richard Oleszczuk, Sheriff's Police Division Chief Ted Brovarsky and Rockland DA Chief of Detectives Peter Walker. Those from Westchester included Pleasantville Chief Eric Grutzner, Larchmont Chief Christopher McNerney, Rye Commissioner Michael Kopy and White Plains Chief Joseph Castelli. Grutzner and the others from Westchester declined to comment. He is first vice president of the Westchester County Chiefs of Police Association, which issued a statement Tuesday urging prayers "for the people of Israel as they mobilize and come together to deal with the biggest threat and security challenge they have faced since 1973." They also thanked CSI's Mitchell Silber and CSS' Richard Priem for their efforts as the attacks unfolded. "Their outstanding leadership during this unprecedented act of terrorism was witnessed and appreciated by all law enforcement personnel present," the statement read. None of the Rockland chiefs returned telephone messages on Tuesday. Ethan Erlich, a retired NYPD officer who is regional security director for the Community Security Initiative/Jewish Federation of Rockland County, said he was preparing for two rallies for Israel and could not discuss the aborted trip. In a news release, Erlich said the intended purpose of the trip "was to share practical approaches to the challenges of terrorism and antisemitism" and was supposed to include seminars, meetings with Israeli security leaders and visits to historical and holy sites. Grascia said the program would be beneficial since no community throughout the world is totally safe from terrorism. Aside from the seaside views, there was no sightseeing. After hours in the hotel, they were escorted by Israeli authorities to the airport. They were flown to the Arab nation of Dubai. After a six-hour layover, he said, they were flown to the United States. He said the officers bonded during the trip. "All of us really looked forward to traveling around Israel,," he said. "We all want to go back." Staff writer Jonathan Bandler contributed reporting. Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal. Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Israel-Hamas War: Hudson Valley law enforcement in country as war began NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg closed day one of the defense ministerial meeting on Oct. 11, welcoming allies newly pledged military aid for Ukraine which includes F-16 fighter jets, crucial air defense systems for winter, and much-needed ammunition. Speaking at a press conference at Brussels NATO headquarters, Stoltenberg applauded the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group a U.S. initiative involving more than 50 nations in which he says world leaders focused on Ukraines most urgent needs. The long day of meetings at various levels kicked off with President Volodymyr Zelensky making an unannounced visit to the headquarters his first since 2021. Some of the new pledges include the U.S.s more than $200 million of aid in air defense, artillery, and rocket ammunition, as well as Germanys one billion-euro package that includes powerful Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems. Other developments include Belgium and Denmarks confirmation to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, and Canadas tens of millions of dollars worth of donations to provide winter clothing and equipment for Ukrainian soldiers as the cold weather approaches. In a tweet posted by Zelensky right after the days end, the president thanked allies, particularly Croatia, Sweden, Poland, Greece, and Latvia, for powerful decisions on military aid for Ukraine and reaffirming earlier commitments at the meeting. The international coalition works to ensure our common victory, Zelensky said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R), and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (L) attend the NATO-Ukraine Council session of the NATO Defense Ministers Meeting at the NATO's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on October 11, 2023. (Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images) The timeframe for the long-awaited F-16 fighter jets arrival also became clearer. At a press conference on Oct. 11, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that Ukraine could receive F-16s as early as the Spring of next year after Ukrainian pilots go through the training currently taking place in the U.S. and Europe. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told the Danish TV2 state-owned broadcaster that his country is expected to supply Ukraine with six of its 19 F-16s in March or April 2024. "This is a natural move following the leading role Denmark already has in relation to the military support for Ukraine and especially in relation to the donation of F-16 fighter jets," he told TV2. Both Ukraine and the U.S. leaders said they discussed the war-torn countrys most vital needs ammunition and air defense systems as Russia resumes targeting critical infrastructure countrywide with missiles and attack drones. Though much of the Oct. 11 meeting focused on Ukraine, the agenda for day two of the defense ministerial includes discussions on strengthening NATO security, suspected damage to the gas Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Read also: A wave of terror: Hamas attack brings back haunting memories of war for Ukrainians in Israel Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A week after President Joe Biden s dog, Commander, was removed from the White House following a series of biting incidents involving staff members and the Secret Service, one member of Congress is demanding details about what kind of workplace safety measures are in place to protect workers at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, sent a letter to Biden and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su on Wednesday morning to request recent annual reports and any employee workplace safety complaints filed with [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] or any office or agency within the White House since January 20, 2021. The White House has the responsibility to set an example for ensuring workplace safety and health for its employees. Unfortunately, it has recently come to our attention that it is failing to uphold this responsibility, Foxx wrote, citing recent reports concerning White House staff and U.S. Secret Service personnel regularly incurring dog bites, which, she said, indicate that occupational hazards are prevalent at the White House. Over the summer, 196 pages of internal communications made public after a Freedom of Information Act request from the conservative legal organization Judicial Watch unveiled that Commander, Bidens 2-year-old German shepherd, was involved in several biting incidents including one that sent a Secret Service agent to the hospital. In September, the Secret Service confirmed that Commander bit another Secret Service agent, bringing the total number of reported incidents to 11. On Thursday, CNN reported that that number is higher, and includes members of White House staff beyond the Secret Service after which Commander was promptly removed from the White House campus. Commander was the second Biden dog to be sent away from the White House. Major, also a German shepherd, was sent to live with friends of the family after his own biting incidents. Foxx wrote the letter to remind the White House that it is not immune to the laws of the land, she told POLITICO in an interview. If 10 people had accidents in a private plant, or if there had been dog bites in a private plant, I'll guarantee you OSHA would have been down on the heads of the owners and operators of that plant, she added. OSHAs standards for federal employees differ slightly from that for public sector employees. But federal law does require agencies to establish and maintain an effective and comprehensive occupational safety and health program, and to report occupational accidents and injuries annually to the secretary of Labor. Though the legal recourse available to staffers on the receiving end of a Commander bite is murky, the most likely path for redress would be through a workers compensation claim, John Mahoney, a D.C.-based federal employment lawyer, told POLITICO. The Secret Service employees are federal employees, so they could file workers compensation claims through the agency which would go up to the Department of Labor, in case ultimately they have injuries or they need medical attention or they lose time at work because of the bites, Mahoney said. They cannot sue. You're dealing with the Executive Office of the White House, the president, so they're exempt from a lot of statutes that would apply in the private sector. This week marks 10 years since arrest of Christian missionary Kim Jung-wook By Jung Min-ho North Korea has been a merciless land for Christian missionaries over the decades. But for South Korean believers, it has been even more so. Since the early 2010s, several pastors and other religious people from the United States, Canada and Australia were convicted of spying and other anti-state crimes in North Korea. But through diplomatic negotiations, all of them were eventually freed. However, this has not been the case for six South Korean nationals, including Kim Jung-wook, a Baptist missionary who was arrested 10 years ago this week for such charges. Our family is still praying and hoping that he is alive and will be able to return home soon, Kim Jung-sam, his elder brother, told The Korea Times on Tuesday. For more than five years before the arrest, he was on a humanitarian mission in Dandong, a Chinese border city where he provided food and other necessities for North Korean visitors and escapees. After sentencing the missionary to hard labor for life several months later, the authorities in North Korea have refused to reveal any information about him, including whether he is alive a rule applied only to South Korean captives. For American Kenneth Bae and Canadian Lim Hyeon-soo, the North permitted visits by diplomats through the Swedish Embassy there. The regimes apparent neglect of the South Koreans also suggests even more vicious, rights-violating treatment, said Lee Kyu-chang, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a state-funded think tank. There is a possibility that Kim has been suffering from the aftereffects of torture, Lee said. South Korean citizens are believed to be under harsher conditions. The human rights situation is terrible for everyone in North Korea, not to mention the life of a prisoner. But the regime tends to show some restraint with foreign prisoners as they are potential diplomatic bargaining chips, according to experts. This is why the government in Seoul should continue to raise the issue, said Shin Hee-seok, a legal analyst at Transitional Justice Working Group, a Seoul-based NGO. This issue has largely been overlooked by the government, which I believe could affect how North Korea treats our citizens there as well as the prospect of their release, he said. Over the past two decades, the Japanese government has consistently raised the issue of North Korean abductions of its citizens at the U.N. General Assembly, while the government here has not What message would its inaction and silence send to North Korea in regard to the detainees? As the release of foreign missionaries shows, bringing the South Koreans back is not entirely impossible, he said. North Korea has little incentive to keep them, which makes it a relatively more negotiable issue, he said. This could bring about a new phase of the inter-Korean relations but only if the South Korean government demonstrates its will. Christian missionaries and activists offer food and other types of support for North Koreans near its border, putting their own lives at risk. The North Korean constitution protects conditional religious freedom. But in reality, it is non-existent as the regime considers religious activities as an attempt to sabotage its rule. The Ministry of Unification issued a statement calling for the regime to immediately free all six South Korean captives. The five others include two other missionaries arrested in 2014 Kim Kuk-gi and Choe Chun-gil and three North Korean escapees who were arrested in 2016 after obtaining South Korean citizenship. US President Joe Biden 's administration officials have privately told members of Congress that the White House is preparing a request for additional funding with funds for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and strengthening border protection. Source: NBC News with reference to two congressional officials, a Biden administration official and a defence official, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to NBC News sources, the White House's request for funding will be aimed at reducing the burden on the Pentagon, which is responsible for military support to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as increasing the production of more weapons. Earlier, it was reported that the White House is considering combining funding for Ukraine and Israel into one request to Congress, hoping that this will increase the chances of approval of assistance to Kyiv. Some Republicans in the US House of Representatives have spoken out against the idea. On 11 October, it was reported that the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the necessary armaments without interruption. Lloyd Austin, the United States Secretary of Defence, stated this at a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels. Confidence in US support has been shaken by the exclusion of funding for Ukraine from the temporary budget of the US federal government, as well as the blocking of the decision-making process in Congress after the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Read also: Crisis That Must Be Averted: How Europe Is Preparing for Possible Cut in US Military Aid 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! White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre turned up the heat on members of the far-left "Squad" during Tuesday's press briefing, blasting their comments on the war between Israel and Hamas as "wrong," "repugnant," and "disgraceful." "I've seen some of those statements this weekend, and we're going to continue to be very clear. We believe they're wrong, we believe they're repugnant, and we believe they're disgraceful," Jean-Pierre said when asked for the administration's reaction to comments made by Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. "Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped hundreds, hundreds of Israelis. There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here. There are not two sides," she added. BIDEN SHUNS CALLS TO DE-ESCALATE, VOWS US HAS ISRAELS BACK' AS IT PREPARES FOR GROUND WAR WITH HAMAS From left to right: Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. In their statements following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas over the weekend, Tlaib and Bush ignited outrage when they called for U.S. assistance to Israel to end. "I grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day," Tlaib's statement read. "As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Bush's statement said, "As part of achieving a just and lasting peace, we must do our part to stop this violence and trauma by ending U.S. government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid." DEMOCRAT BLASTS SQUAD MEMBERS OVER CALLS TO END ISRAEL ASSISTANCE: IT SICKENS ME Ocasio-Cortez and Omar both called for a "ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas on Saturday, the day of the attacks that saw hundreds of Israelis and many from others countries brutally slaughtered, including women, children and babies. Additionally, in a Monday social media thread, Omar seemed to equate the Israeli victims killed by Hamas terrorists this weekend and Palestinians killed in the ongoing Israeli response. "Just as we honor the humanity of the hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians and 9 Americans who were killed this weekend, we must honor the humanity of the innocent Palestinian civilians who have been killed and whose lives are upended," she wrote on X, going on to highlight the hardships of living in Gaza and accusing Israel of operating an "apartheid" state in an attempt to explain violence by Hamas. BIDEN RIPPED FOR NOT MENTIONING IRAN BY NAME IN SPEECH ON HAMAS ATTACKS: UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND WEAK Israeli forces establish heavily armed control points along the border as Israel tightens measures by the army, police and other security forces after Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in Sderot, Israel over the weekend. "Palestinian residents of the West Bank have scarcely better lives than Gazans with the routine destruction of their ancestral homes, destruction of their crops, and violent attacks by Israeli settlers," she wrote. "Palestinians have few recourses for justice and accountability. Attacks by the IDF and settlers against Palestinians are regularly met with impunity. Efforts to seek justice in international courts are stonewalled by the Israeli government, with U.S. support," she added. "As the world is condemning Hamass attacks, we must also oppose an Israeli military response that has already taken the lives of hundreds of Palestinians, including nearly two dozen children." Fox has reached out to the offices of Omar, Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez and Bush for comment. Fox News' Houston Keene and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. Original article source: White House roasts 'Squad' Democrats for 'repugnant' comments after brutal Hamas murders: 'Disgraceful' National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that there are at least 20 Americans missing in Israel amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has already claimed the lives of 1,600 people. Speaking during a press briefing at the White House, Sullivan stressed that while at least 20 Americans are missing in Israel, it doesn't mean they're being held hostage. "We believe that there are 20 or more American who at this point are missing. But I want to underscore and stress, that does not mean necessarily that there are 20 or more American hostages. Just that is the number who are currently unaccounted for," Sullivan said. He said that the number of Americans being held hostage by Hamas is currently unknown. WHITE HOUSE SPOX PRESSED ON IRAN'S $6 BILLION IN UNFROZEN FUNDS AFTER HAMAS UNLEASHES TERROR IN ISRAEL Israeli soldiers take position at the southern Israeli town of Ofakim on Sunday, after Hamas militants stormed over the border fence Saturday, killing hundreds of Israelis in surrounding communities. The burning car was used by the gunmen and set on fire by the residents. "We will work hour by hour both to determine whether we can account for any of those Americans or to confirm exactly what the number of Americans who are being held hostage," Sullivan said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Sullivan stressed that the figure of Americans who are unaccounted for could rise. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan President Biden said during a Tuesday speech that at least 14 Americans have been killed since the war began Saturday morning. "There are moments in this life, I mean this literally, when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world," Biden said. "The people of Israel live through one such moment this weekend," he added. "The bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas, a group who stated purpose for being is to kill Jews, which was an act of sheer evil." Biden also said Americans are being held hostage by Hamas. ISRAEL LAUNCHES MASSIVE AIRSTRIKES ON DOWNTOWN GAZA CITY, NETANYAHU SAYS: 'WE HAVE ONLY STARTED' President Joe Biden speaks Tuesday in the State Dining Room of the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Washington, D.C. A total of 1,600 people have been killed, with over 1,000 of them being in Israel. Fox News Digital's Andrea Vacchiano contributed to this report. Original article source: White House says '20 or more' Americans are missing in Israel amid Hamas attacks The White House said Wednesday that details are scant regarding the location and conditions of Americans it believes are being held hostage by Hamas following the terrorist attacks against Israel. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that there are a very small number of Americans believed to be held as hostages, but that he wasnt aware of proof of life and he couldnt provide details about their whereabouts or condition. So far, the administration has determined 17 Americans to be unaccounted for, and it is unclear precisely among those how many may be held hostage. The administration on Wednesday also updated the number of Americans killed to 22. Of the 17 that we know are missing, right now and again, this is going to change right now, we think the number that we know, or we believe are held hostage, is very small, very small, like less than a handful. But that could change over time, Kirby said. We just dont have a lot of granularity on where the people are or what condition they might be in or whether theyre being moved, he added. So, I truly wish I had more that I could provide, because there are a lot of families out there really, really worried. Kirby said that the U.S. is working with the Israelis, as well as the families of the hostages and unaccounted for Americans, to help bring hostages home. Its tough, tough to get more detail. Were obviously talking to the Israelis about what they might know. Theyre on the ground and theyve, unfortunately, had to deal with this sort of a scenario before. They been tremendously forthcoming with the information that they have, he said. Kirby said there are conversations with family members who may have known where their loved ones were or who were with them when they were abducted. Kirby added that the U.S. is casting a wide net to get support from other countries in the region to save American hostages, including allies in the region. When asked if President Biden has ruled out sending any American forces into Gaza to help secure the hostages release, Kirby said that no decisions have been made on that. We havent made any decisions about hostage recovery at this time. We just dont also have enough information to be able to make decisions like that, he said. Well do everything we can anywhere around the world to make sure Americans held hostage have a path home, he added. Were casting a wide net. Were also keeping the options wide open right now as we get more information. We just dont have enough granularity to be able to fine tune those options. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The White House has remained silent on any future relationship with Iran in light of Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist leaders claiming Iran helped plan the surprise attacks against Israel. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House at least three times this week inquiring if the U.S. would participate in negations and return to the nuclear deal if evidence is found that Iran helped plan the brutal attacks against Israel. The White House's press office ultimately referred Fox News Digital to the National Security Council Monday, which did not respond to the inquiry. News broke Sunday that Iranian security officials allegedly approved Hamas' plan to attack Israel during a meeting in Beirut last Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported. Hamas and Hezbollah leaders said Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps worked with Hamas since August on air, land and sea attack plans. Following the report, U.S. leaders said they have not found direct evidence of Iran planning the attacks in coordination with Hamas but noted that Iran has long supported Hamas, and the nation holds "a degree of complicity" in the attacks. HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH SAY IRAN HELPED PLAN DEADLY ATTACK ON ISRAEL: REPORT President Biden delivers remarks to service members, first responders and their families on the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Sept. 11, 2023. "We are looking through the information streams. We havent seen hard, tangible evidence that Iran was directly involved in participating in or resourcing and planning these sets of complex attacks that Hamas pulled off over the weekend," Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby said Tuesday, something echoed later on in the day by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan , who again stressed that the U.S. has no evidence that Iran knew about the attacks in advance or that it helped Hamas. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP BIDEN'S APPEASEMENT OF IRAN LOOMS OVER ISRAEL ATTACK: 'IT'S DUMB POLICY AND IT'S EVIL' Both Sullivan and Kirby's comments this week echo what a U.S. official told Fox News Digital on Sunday evening, that "of course" Iran is in the picture, but that U.S. officials currently do not have information corroborating the report. REPUBLICAN SENATORS BASH BIDENS $6B IRAN DEAL IN PUSH TO SUPPORT ISRAEL When asked specifically about the future of the U.S. relationship with Iran, however, the White House has not said if leaders would return to the negotiating table for the Iran nuclear deal or if the U.S. strategy with Iran will change in light of terrorist leaders claiming Iran helped with the attacks. The White House in Washington, D.C. World powers, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom, reached a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015, formerly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, after years of international tensions that Iran was working to build a nuclear bomb. The agreement limited some of Iran's nuclear activities, while allowing international authorities to carry out inspections. Sanctions on Tehran were lifted in exchange. Former President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement in 2018 after slamming it as "defective at its core." IRAN-LINKED TERRORISTS, GUERRILLAS SURROUND ISRAEL: HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THEM "At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction, that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful, nuclear energy program," Trump said at the time. "Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie." Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with nuclear scientists and personnel of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday, June 11. Under the Biden administration, officials have signaled they hope to return to the deal if Iran comes back into compliance. "The JCPOA has not been on our agenda since September, when Iran turned its back on a deal that was on the table, but we are still very much open to diplomacy," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital back in April. Rockets into Israel from Gaza Strip. The Biden administration has also come under scrutiny this week for a $6 billion prisoner swap deal with Iran last month. Republicans have claimed that the money helped free up resources to fund the attacks, though Biden administration leaders have pushed back on the claims. "I think it's important for people to remember that not a single dollar of those funds has gone into Iran," Kirby told Fox News' Bret Baier on "America's Newsroom" Tuesday. "Not one not any. Nothing's been allocated out of that fund, and we're going to watch it." A man wails after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, Gaza, on Oct. 9, 2023. Search and rescue works continue. Chaos broke out in Israel early Saturday morning when Hamas launched attacks that took the nation by surprise. The terrorist organization has since fired more than 4,500 rockets at residential areas from the Gaza Strip, which has contributed to killing an estimated 1,000 Israelis and injuring thousands of others. The U.S. confirmed that 14 Americans are among those killed in Israel, and an undisclosed number of other Americans are unaccounted for and being held hostage under Hamas terrorists. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has meanwhile praised the attacks on social media, saying at the beginning of the war, the "Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region," WSJ reported. Original article source: White House silent on Iran nuke deal after claims Tehran helped plan attacks on Israel The White House has slammed members of the so-called Squad of progressive Democrats for their repugnant and disgraceful comments about the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists. In the White House press conference on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked for President Joe Bidens response to the statements from some lawmakers calling for an immediate ceasefire and for his administration to stop funding Israel. So, Ive seen some of those statements this weekend. And were gonna continue to be very clear, Ms Jean-Pierre said. We believe theyre wrong. We believe theyre repugnant and we believe theyre disgraceful. She added: Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped, hundreds, hundreds of Israelis. There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here. There are not two sides. Following the surprise invasion on Saturday morning, several members of the Squad, including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Cori Bush called for the US to halt funding to Israel, labelling the nation an apartheid system. Ms Omar, along with other members of the Squad including Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also called for a ceasefire and de-escalation in the Middle East. Ms Tlaib, who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, wrote in her statement: I grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day. I am determined as ever to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights, and human dignity. She added: The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance. The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. Left to right: congresswomen Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as the Squad (Getty Images) The comments from the lawmakers were quickly met with pushback, including from fellow Democratic Rep Ritchie Torres, who described the comments from members of his own party as reprehensible and repulsive. US aid to Israel is and should be unconditional, and never more so than in this moment of critical need, he said in a statement to the Jewish Insider. Congress must act decisively to provide Israel with whatever it needs to defend itself in the face of unprecedented terrorism. Shame on anyone who glorifies as resistance the largest single-day mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. It is reprehensible and repulsive, he added. Mr Torres called for the US to provide Israel with whatever it needs to defend itself from the attacks, which have so far left over 900 Israelis dead. Just hours after the conflict began, Mr Biden called the attack by Hamas terrorists appalling and vowed that the US would stand by Israel as an ally. Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel early on Saturday morning, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens captive across the Gaza border. Hamas militants reportedly killed babies and decapitated women, according to Israeli officials. Karine Jean-Pierre was asked how President Biden responded to comments by the Squad (Getty Images) At least 14 American citizens are among the dead, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared a state of war and promised mighty vengeance on Israels attackers. On Monday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the complete siege of Gaza, saying authorities would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel. Gaza has also been hit by retaliatory airstrikes by Israel, which have left at least 765 Gazans dead. An Israeli defence official vowed no buildings would remain in the region, saying, Gaza will eventually turn into a city of tents. Human rights experts have warned that the blockade of Gaza will have devastating consequences for the region, which is expected to run out of fuel within hours. BlueOval SK Battery Park will train 5,000 new workers at the new Elizabethtown Community and Technical College BlueOval SK Training Center, located on the 1,500-acre BlueOval SK Battery Park site. In the midst of an ongoing nationwide autoworkers strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) against the Detroit Three automakers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis the Ford joint venture electric vehicle battery plants in Glendale and Stanton, Tenn., announced an increase for those hired to work at the facilities. Hourly wages at these two BlueOval SK facilities will start at $24 and go up to $37.50 based on experience, according to a Wednesday release from BlueOval SK. On July 31, the company announced its starting hourly wage would be $21. These new, higher wages are more competitive and in line with the current market, BlueOval SK Human Resources Director Neva McGruder Burke said in a press release. The top wage for current Ford employees is $32 per hour, company sources previously said, and a worker typically earns this wage after eight years. The electric vehicle and battery facilities will now offer wages that can surpass what unionized Ford workers can earn and at a quicker rate and benefits including performance bonuses up to 5% annually, vision and dental insurance, low-cost medical premiums and 401(k) matching. "Hourly employees will be eligible to receive regular pay increases every six months. Once an employee reaches the top wage range, our human resources team will regularly assess pay increases to maintain competitiveness," the release from BlueOval SK said. Neither of these battery parks are open or operating. In fact, the 1,500-acre twin battery plants in Kentucky, which is slated to be the largest in the world, won't start production until 2025. However, at BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky, workers are being hired and trained. Tennessee is expected to begin the process this month. Wage increase comes in midst of UAW strike Regardless, this wage increase announcement comes at a crucial point in the automotive industry. On Sept. 14, the UAW labor contract with the Detroit Three expired, and the union started a stand-up strike against all three automakers, the first in its history. One of its demands, in addition to the elimination of pay tiers and conversion of temp workers into full-time employees, was "a just transition" to electric vehicle and battery production. The UAW which represents roughly 150,000 employees, has continued to vocalize concerns about these in-development battery plants. Concern over the new battery parks has been a hot-button issue throughout negotiations, with Ford CEO Jim Farley previously saying the union is holding negotiations "hostage" over the battery plants. If the UAWs goal is a record contract, they have already achieved this, Farley said. It is grossly irresponsible to escalate these strikes and hurt thousands of families. Ford sources have said the BlueOval SK facilities would be built as non-union and once workers had been hired and started working, they would have the opportunity to unionize. While Ford remains open to working with the UAW on future battery plants in the United States, these are multi-billion-dollar investments and must operate at competitive and sustainable levels," Ford said in a statement emailed to the Courier Journal. "Employees at BlueOval SKs battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky will be able to choose whether they organize, a right that Ford fully respects and supports. Last Friday, however, GM proved it is possible for joint venture electric vehicle battery plants to be included under the existing national agreement by including the company's future electric vehicle plants under the national master agreement, International UAW President Shawn Fain said Oct. 6. Ursula Madden, external affairs director for BlueOval SK, said the wage increase was not related to the ongoing UAW strike. "We have adjusted our wages based on our benchmark studies and our goal of providing competitive wages and benefits for our employees," Madden said, adding that BlueOval SK "has had no contact with UAW." She also said that any employees hired under the old rate would have their pay raised to match the new rate. What is BlueOval SK battery park? The electric vehicle battery park in Kentucky is expected to create 5,000 new jobs in the Commonwealth. The new workers will be trained on-site at the new Elizabethtown Community and Technical College BlueOval SK Training Center, the lone co-branded learning center within the state community college system. It's "the biggest economic development project this state has ever seen," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear previously said. The battery production site will consist of two battery production plants across a more than 2.3-square-mile campus. Each production plant on the campus will employ about 2,500 people, the Courier Journal previously reported. UAW did not respond to a Courier Journal request for comment. This story may be updated. Contact reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Electric vehicle battery plant starting salaries TechCrunch There's been a bit of FUD around the decision to use a form of AI to resurrect John Lennon's voice in what Paul McCartney called "the last Beatles record." What they've done is far from the sketchy AI imitations of artists we see cluttering Soundcloud today, and has much more in common with a more prosaic application of machine learning: noise reduction. As the members of the band recall in a sweet short film about the making of the song, "Now And Then" was originally a piano demo Lennon made shortly before he was killed in 1980. The Iron Dome has been a crucial part of Israel's first line of defense for the past decade. Israel claims the automated system is around 90% effective in intercepting rockets. Saturday's attacks by Hamas militants appeared to overwhelm the system. Israel's Iron Dome its first line of defense was put to the ultimate test on Saturday, when Hamas pummeled the missile defense system with thousands of rockets in an attempt to overwhelm it. Under their cover, militants from the terrorist group launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 700 people and taking hundreds of civilians and military personnel captive. The automated system, which tracks and intercepts rocket and artillery fire, has been a crucial part of Israel's first line of defense. Israel claims the Iron Dome has been around 90% effective in intercepting rockets over the past 12 years. But questions have been raised over why it wasn't able to stop Saturday's attacks. What is the Iron Dome? The Iron Dome is arguably the most advanced defense system in operation today. The system is made up of an array of 10 mobile batteries that can be deployed across Israel, each made up of three to four launchers carrying dozens of Tamir interceptor missiles and a sensitive radar, US military Iron Dome contractor Raytheon Technologies said. An archive picture image shows a missile array from the Iron Dome, on July 8, 2014, in Ashdod, Israel Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images The radar detects incoming fire within a 70-kilometer area around the array (about 43 miles). An algorithm then calculates the munition's trajectory. If a rocket is thought to pose a significant threat, interceptor missiles are launched to destroy it mid-flight. Since it was first rolled out in 2011, with substantial backing from the US, the Iron Dome is reported to have stopped more than 2,000 rockets with a success rate of about 90%, the tech's operator Rafael Advance Defense System says on its website. Still, like any anti-missile defense system, it has its limitations, John Erath, Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, told Insider Wednesday. "Iron dome has been very effective against small-scale attacks, which are the norm," Erath said. "In the past, it has not been on the scale that we have seen last week. This is new territory," he said. Overwhelmed by a barrage of fire Insider wasn't able to immediately verify what proportion of the rockets were intercepted during the attack from Hamas on October 7. Hamas has claimed it launched at least 5,000 rockets, all aimed at southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Israel Defense Forces, meanwhile, said 2,200 rockets were fired. By comparison, in 2014, about 4,000 rockets were fired from both sides over the entirety of the 50-day war, per CNN. "That's generally the challenge with missile defense systems. You can overwhelm it by shooting more missiles in various sectors," said Erath. "So the math remains very much on the side of the attacker," he said. Videos shared by CNN and others show the system did manage to block at least some of the rockets in flight, but reports on the ground suggest at least some of the fire breached the defense system. At least one rocket was reported to have hit a strategic location after a hospital in Ashkelon, a coastal town North of Gaza was destroyed by the fire, per ABC News. The hospital was burnt but there were no casualties, a spokeswoman for the healthcare facility said Wednesday, per Al Jazeera. An Israeli missile launched from the Iron Dome defence missile system attempts to intercept a rocket, fired from the Gaza Strip, over the city of Netivot in southern Israel on October 8, 2023. MAHMUD HAMS/Getty Images While some have reported that Hamas may have switched to a new missile system known as Rajum that could have made the rockets harder to intercept, Erath thinks that's not likely to be the case. "It doesn't really matter what the brand name is, it will have relatively the same performance," he said. The cost of the Iron Dome is under scrutiny An ongoing controversy about the Iron Dome is its cost some of which has come out of US pockets. In 2014, the US signed a co-production agreement with Israel to manufacture some of the Iron Dome's components in the States. The deal also offered the US access to information then-proprietary military system. Since then, the US has put about $3 billion to support the system in Israel, which includes its co-production costs, batteries, interceptors, and general maintenance, a move that has been controversial. The system itself is costly to operate. Each interceptor fired by the Iron Dome racks up a substantial bill $40,000 to $50,000 per rocket fired. Still, its effectiveness has been so impressive in the past that the US has ordered its own version of the Iron Dome and Germany was reported to be considering doing the same. Israel was also reportedly considering sending its defense system to Ukraine. If the Iron Dome were shown to be less effective under heavy fire, that cost-to-benefit ratio might shift. "That's a question for the decision-makers in Congress and in the Knesset to make if they feel that it is cost-effective," he said. "Missile defense skeptics would say that the fact that even a few missiles are getting through shows that it's a waste of money and that it can never be perfected," said Erath. On the other hand, having to stand up against a barrage of missiles "will provide some more experience that missile defense advocates would say would help improve their systems for the future," said Erath. How will the Iron Dome fare in coming attacks? Like any system, the Iron Dome is limited by the sheer number of interceptor missiles it can launch. Per reports, the Iron Dome has continued to intercept short-range fire coming from Gaza over the past few days. It's not clear how much ammunition Hamas has access to, and whether they will aim to continue hitting the Iron Dome with the same intensity. "If I was a military planner [for Hamas], I would base my consumption of the stockpiles on what kind of kind of conflict I was planning for. And that's something that we don't know," Erath said. "As a diplomat, I can speculate that this was done to achieve a particular set of short-term objectives, which would indicate that the bulk of whatever capability Hamas had would have been used in the initial day or two," he said. It's also not clear how Israel's stockpiles are faring. Israel has asked the US to help it replenish Interceptor missile stocks, which President Joe Biden has said on Tuesday he would do. "This could either mean they are running out or they want to make sure they are not running out," said Erath. One of the unique things about Iron Dome to date has been its ability to learn as it goes on and become more effective. "So this will provide some more experience that missile defense advocates would say would help improve their systems for the future," added Erath. Palestinian authorities said at least 1,055 people have been killed and another 5,184 have been injured in Gaza due to Israeli retaliatory attacks. In Israel, at least 1,200 people have died and more than 2,900 others have been injured by Hamas forces. Read the original article on Business Insider The Ocean Springs Yacht Club is suing its insurance carriers for failure to pay for hurricane wind damage to the beachfront property. In its lawsuit filed this month in Jackson County Circuit Court, the yacht club says it sustained significant damage after Hurricane Zeta hit the Mississippi Coast in October 2020. The damages were reported to the propertys insurance carriers, Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London, Hamilton Insurance DAC and Starstone Speciality Insurance Co. Based on an inspection by loss consultants in May 2021, the Yacht Club submitted a claim for about $434,000 in damages to its building and swimming pool. The Yacht Club had paid for $1.73 million in coverage on the building and $85,000 on the swimming pool. The insurers had the property inspected in July 2021, concluding they owed nothing after the Yacht Club met its deductible. The amount of the deductible was not listed in the lawsuit. The inspection was brief and failed to document the full scope of the damages, resulting in an estimate grossly underreporting the extent of damage, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit also says the insurers applied too much depreciation to the losses. The insurers have refused to evaluate the Yacht Clubs information and facts surrounding the loss, the lawsuit says, instead relying entirely on the incorrect assumptions and conclusions of its agents, employees or consultants. The lawsuit says the companies acted in bad faith and breached their contract, even manipulating computer software to lower the cost of repairs. The Yacht Club is asking a judge to force the insurance companies to pay its claim, plus a penalty for acting in bad faith, attorneys fees and expenses. The insurance companies are expected to respond to the lawsuit once they have reviewed its contents. China sent back around 600 North Korean defectors earlier this week right after the end of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, a local human rights group claimed Wednesday, despite Seoul's repeated calls against forced repatriation. Justice For North Korea said hundreds of North Korean defectors detained in China's Jilin and Liaoning provinces were deported Monday night to their reclusive home country against their will through cities near the border with North Korea, such as Dandong and Hunchun. China has begun sending back around 90 North Korean defectors on two buses since late August and completed the forced repatriation of around 2,600 defectors, according to the group. Earlier in the day, a local media outlet carried a similar report about China's mass repatriation of such defectors. If the group's claim proves true, it would mark China's first large-scale repatriation of North Korean refugees since Pyongyang recently opened its borders after three years and seven months of COVID-19 lockdowns. "We are keeping close tabs on the issue," Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said during a parliamentary audit of the ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs. "We are continuing to verify the facts," he said, adding the ministry expressed its position on several occasions via diplomatic channels that China should not forcibly repatriate defectors. The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency, said it is aware of what the civic group disclosed over the repatriation and is working to verify details. Elizabeth Salmon, the U.N. special rapporteur for North Korea's human rights, has estimated that more than 2,000 North Korean defectors are currently detained in China. Concerns have grown over their fate, as North Korea has started to lift border closures. (Yonhap) Hila Klein spoke to Insider about her career and goals as a public figure and a parent. She and husband Ethan Klein have decided to keep their children largely out of the public eye. She said she wants to protect them for as long as possible from the darkness of the internet. Hila Klein dominates many corners of the internet she's the cohost of a famous podcast, the CEO of a streetwear brand, and a style influencer. But the privacy of her kids in all this is something that's not up for debate. Klein and her husband Ethan the other half of the H3 Podcast they have been running since 2017 are "obsessed" with their boys, Theodore (4) and Bruce (18 months), and have another baby on the way. "Little children are just so beautiful," she said, adding that it's the children and family time that keep her grounded. "They're a sponge and they just want to learn from you, and it's a beautiful experience." But while she wishes she could share them with the world, Klein told Insider she and Ethan made the decision to keep them largely off the internet. They said they know better than anyone how much of a "dark place" it can be. "It's also hard for me not to share because they're so cute," Klein said. "I feel like I want to show them, but it's a choice that we made. We want to keep it private for them, and I think it's the responsible choice." Klein has been a public person since H3 took off and became a staple of YouTube. The podcast's channel has 2.9 million subscribers and is known for covering pop culture news, as well as hosting debates with and about the internet's biggest stars. Klein is used to negative comments, and knows it's just part of being in the limelight. But the relentlessness of it still gets to her sometimes, she said, when people "dissect every little thing that you do." "I personally feel as an adult, as a grownup, being online is so hard," Klein said. "To think about a child going through that to me is just like, I would never want to do that to them." One of Hila Klein's biggest passions is her streetwear brand Teddy Fresh. Cindy Romero Klein said she also questions whether children can even consent to their lives being shared on social media. It's the "Wild West," she said, with many family vlogging channels having built their fame and fortunes through their children. Since the genesis of the momfluencer in the early 2000s, parenting YouTubers have made their own rules of what can be made public. Some children grew up with millions of eyes watching their most vulnerable moments. As public opinion shifted towards protecting children from the spotlight, some family channels have found themselves in murky water. Stories such as that of Ruby Franke a Mormon momfluencer who was recently arrested and charged with child abuse are also a cautionary tale, where a once-loved family imploded in front of the world. "It's really hard to balance because Theodore loves watching YouTube and he loves watching other kids on YouTube," Klein said. "It's a very weird conversation. Should we even watch those channels? Because I don't know if I even technically support family channels." Klein said Theodore is begging to be on the podcast regardless of their rules. Maybe one day, she said, but right now "he doesn't fully understand the consequences." "Once they're more grown up, if they really still want that, once they have a better understanding of the negative sides that comes with that, then I would have no problem at all," she said. "I just know that we are the grown-ups in the situation and we are the ones with the responsibility to make the right choice for them." For now, the podcast remains an activity solely for the parents, who built their following slow and steady, Klein said. She said she and Ethan often talk about how fortunate they were that their success didn't all come at once. "When it happens fast, you can kind of lose yourself really quickly in it and not know how to handle things properly or how to react when something happens and you say the wrong thing," Klein said. "You see people go up really fast and go down really fast." The couple cover a lot of these stories, where influencers burn out, or come under fire for shoddy working conditions and dangerous behavior. They were the first to interview Seth Francois, for example, whose report of sexual assault by a member of David Dobrik's Vlog Squad signaled the start of the group's downfall. Klein and Ethan have different approaches she is more discerning and chooses her moments to speak her opinion carefully, whereas her husband is more of an open book, never afraid to voice his thoughts. That dynamic is something that's always worked for them from the beginning, Klein said. She said when she was growing up, she was the quietest person in the room, and would sometimes be afraid to even be seen or heard. She said her friends say she's unrecognizable now compared to her 20s. "I was such a shy person that I would barely speak in a group setting or open up at all," she said. "When I met Ethan, he really pushed me in ways that were so healthy for my personal growth. He made me more open and confident and he would always just compliment me or push me to do whatever it was that I was inspired to do." In return, she helps him pick his battles (even if it doesn't always work). "I get him to be a little bit more responsible maybe, or think twice," she said. "It doesn't always help. He's going to do what he is going to do. But I do think we both influence each other." Her kids have had a positive impact on her too, she said. They make her feel more confident and push her to "just care less and explore more." At age 35, she feels she's just now finding herself. "It's kind of cool I guess for the younger people to know that you don't have to figure yourself out in your twenties," she said. "You have a lot of time still." With her brand Teddy Fresh, dedication to the podcast, and a growing following on Instagram of young people who see her as a mentor, Klein has her hands full. But she doesn't see H3 ending any time soon. Klein said she and Ethan have talked about one day retiring, but they both think they'd get bored. The podcast and company, she said, are a needed outlet for all the energy they have. "I don't think we'll want to retire, to be honest with you," she said said. "I think that we might do it forever." Read the original article on Insider A year after provoking student protesters, controversial right-wing speaker and self-proclaimed professional troll Alex Stein is set to return to Penn State later this month. The BlazeTV host, who gained headlines last summer for sexually harassing U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, will perform a politically provocative comedy night at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 in Room 154 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Stein last appeared on campus in October 2022, when he was set to speak alongside Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes , both of whom were hosted by student group Uncensored America. Ultimately, Penn State canceled that event about 45 minutes before it was set to begin due to the threat of escalating violence and not the speech itself after supporters of the Proud Boys, one of whom gave a Nazi salute, pepper-sprayed a number of protesters and reporters. Stein was initially set to return in April, but the university could not accommodate a last-minute request to change Steins speaking date, so Uncensored America canceled it and rescheduled it for the fall. University President Neeli Bendapudi released a video last month that warned the community she had no doubt controversial speakers would soon return to campus. So what can we do about speakers who come to Penn State to anger, hurt and incite members of our community? Bendapudi asked in the video. Speak out, clearly and firmly, against hateful speech as well as other instances of discrimination. Hurtful rhetoric causes real fear and anxiety among our community, and those individuals need your support. ... And, if you wish to exercise your free speech rights by protesting the speaker, we support you in this action since rejecting hate-filled speech is the responsibility of everyone. University leaders have repeatedly said they cannot cancel such speeches due to the First Amendment, something multiple legal experts also previously confirmed to the CDT. Stein is also set to receive $7,000 in speaking fees from the student-run University Park Allocation Committee, with experts previously telling the CDT that such funding decisions must remain viewpoint-neutral, meaning that funding cannot be decided for speech-based reasons. Still, in and around Happy Valley, students and community members have overwhelmingly opposed the messages of right-wing speakers and thats led to the Penn State campus becoming a battleground for free speech, tolerance and conservative vs. liberal ideals. All-American swimmer Riley Gaines, who opposes the inclusion of trans women in female sports, spoke on campus Tuesday amid a national spotlight. Gaines initially claimed Penn State canceled her speech. But Penn State said it did no such thing, explaining it never received Gaines booking confirmation. (Gaines attempted to challenge Penn States narrative over social media, but was only able to show confirmation of a reservation request.) Regardless, Gaines ended up speaking on the lawn of the HUB-Robeson Center, where two non-students were removed from Tuesdays event and are issued summary citations. Gaines is hardly the only right-wing speaker to visit University Park. The first post-pandemic incident happened in October 2021 and involved Milo Yiannopoulos and his Pray the Gay Away speaking event. (A counter-event called Love is Louder outdrew him by more than a 7-to-1 margin.) A year later, in October 2022, McInnes and Stein were set to speak in Thomas Building before the speechs eventual cancellation. Before the cancellation, Stein walked through the crowd of protesters with a smile and recorded their interactions, from one person spitting on him to him tearing up a protesters sign. Ill be honest, probably the best content of the whole show, Stein said at the time. Stein likely wont be the end of controversial speakers at Penn State even when it comes to this semester. Another recognized student group, Young Americans for Freedom, a conservative activism organization, previously told the CDT it is planning to bring two speakers to campus this semester including James Lindsay, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled an extremist due in part to his anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. No official announcements have yet been made. Editors note: A previous version of this article stated incorrectly how many females had won Fat Bear Week. Grazer is the third, following Holly and Beadnose. We regret the error. (WTAJ) The results are in, and the 2023 Fat Bear Champion has been crowned. Grazer, a female bear, tipped the scale this year to claim the crown. Runner-up Chunk is an adult male who was first identified in 2007. In 2023, hes among Brooks Rivers most dominant males. Chunk and Grazer, who call Brooks River in Katmai National Park in Alaska home, were the top competitors this year when the final face-off took place on Tuesday, Oct. 10. About the champion Grazer is an adult female who was first seen at the river in 2005 as a cub. Grazer is a particularly defensive mother bear who has successfully raised two litters of cubs. She often preemptively confronts and attacks much larger bears, even large and dominant adult males, in order to ensure her cubs are safe. The competition began on Oct. 4 with 12 big bears competing against each other for the coveted crown of Fat Bear Week 2023. While it was a fight to the finish, only one bear can reign supreme each year. Bear cub recovering after getting pet feeder stuck on its head Grazer was voted by the fans, and there is no bear more deserving. Grazer is a first-time winner of the competition, but she is no stranger to packing on the pounds. She has been a strong competitor each year and is of course a fan favorite. Read more about Grazer here. Runner-up isnt a bad spot either. Chunk may not have a crown, but he is heading into winter with some proud fans and showing he is a great example of a fat bear. Notable mentions Despite not advancing to the final round, each one of the bears from this years competition is a legend in our hearts. Take a look at some of the notable names that competed this year. Otis The four-time champion and the inaugural Fat Bear champion returned this year and did his very best. Otis arrived at Brooks River in late July this summer. With his age catching up to him, Otis did not look like he had eaten much of anything before his arrival. He was emaciated when he first got to the falls, but patience and persistence paid off and he was able to pack on the pounds. Otis was already 4 6 when he was identified in 2001. Hes now one of the oldest bears at Katmai National Park and is easily identifiable through his blocky muzzle and floppy right ear. Holly aka 435 Holly is also a past competitor of Fat Bear Week and won the title in 2019. She returned to the falls this year as a bachelorette and used that time to eat as much as she possibly could. She was a hefty competitor this year but lost to Grazer. Despite not winning this year, fans are hopeful that shell be able to return with umph next year and try for the title once more. Read more about Holly here. 747 747. The Jumbo Jet. Bear Force One. He goes by many names, and its safe to say he has worked hard to get to his current figure. According to Explore, he may have weighed up to 1,400 pounds last year and was first identified in 2004. He is a skilled and efficient angler who is found fishing most often in the jacuzzi or near the far pool of Brooks Falls. Hes a two-time champion having won in 2020 and 2022. Whilst he hasnt taken back-to-back titles yet, its safe to say hes always a strong competitor! Learn more about the Fat Beer Week here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. FILE - Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz attends her first hearing as a justice, Sept. 7, 2023, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin's Republican Assembly speaker revealed the names of the three former state Supreme Court justices he asked to investigate possible impeachment of a current sitting justice for the first time in a court filing made public Wednesday, Oct. 11. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos floated impeaching current liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz if she did not recuse from a redistricting lawsuit seeking to toss GOP-drawn legislative district boundary maps. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) A second conservative former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice asked to investigate taking the unprecedented step of impeaching a liberal justice on Wednesday came out against it. Former Justice Jon Wilcox told The Associated Press that there was nothing to justify impeaching Justice Janet Protasiewicz , as some Republican lawmakers have floated because of comments she made during the campaign about redistricting and donations she accepted from the Wisconsin Democratic Party. I do not favor impeachment, Wilcox told AP in a telephone interview. Impeachment is something people have been throwing around all the time. But I think it's for very serious things. The Wisconsin Constitution reserves impeachment for corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes and misdemeanors. Wilcox, along with former justices David Prosser and Patience Roggensack, were tapped by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to look into possible impeachment. Prosser advised against impeachment in an email to Vos on Friday, saying there should be no effort to impeach Justice Protasiewicz on anything we know now. Prosser told Vos he did not think Protasiewicz had met the standard for impeachment. Roggensack has not returned numerous messages seeking comment, including Wednesday. Vos did not respond to a text seeking comment Wednesday. Vos floated impeaching Protasiewicz if she did not recuse from a redistricting lawsuit seeking to toss GOP-drawn legislative district boundary maps. On Friday, she declined to recuse herself, and the court voted 4-3 along partisan lines to hear the redistricting challenge. Vos asked three former justices to review the possibility of impeachment, but he refused to name them. Prosser told the AP that he was on the panel, but other justices either said they weren't on it or did not comment. In a court filing, Vos identified the other two as Roggensack and Wilcox. All three of those picked by Vos are conservatives. Roggensack served 20 years on the court and her retirement this year created the vacancy that Protasiewicz filled with her election win in April. Wilcox was on the court from 1992 to 2007 and Prosser served from 1998 to 2016. A state judiciary disciplinary panel has also rejected several complaints lodged against Protasiewicz that alleged she violated the judicial code of ethics with comments she made during the campaign. Prosser turned that email over to the liberal watchdog group American Oversight as part of an open records request. The group is also suing, arguing that the panel created by Vos is violating the state open meetings law. Vos, in his court filing Wednesday, said he never asked the three retired justices to prepare a report or any other written work. Wilcox said he had no plans to submit a written report. He said he, Prosser and Roggensack met one time and he told them then that he didn't think impeachment was warranted. Wilcox said he informed Vos of his opinion within the past two days. Vos said that his seeking advice from the former justices was no different from any lawmaker meeting privately with someone and is not a violation of the state open meetings law. I have never asked them to meet with one another, to discuss any topics, or to conduct any governmental business, Vos told the court. I do not know whether the retired justices have or will collaborate with one another, as I have not given them a directive on how they are supposed to research the topic of impeachment. Vos raised the threat of impeachment in August just after Protasiewicz joined the court, flipping majority control from conservatives to liberals for the first time in 15 years. Vos argued that Protasiewicz had prejudged the redistricting case when during her campaign she called the maps rigged and unfair. Vos also said her acceptance of nearly $10 million from the Wisconsin Democratic Party would unduly influence her ruling. Protasiewicz on Friday rejected those arguments, noting that other justices have accepted campaign cash and not recused from cases. She also noted that she never promised or pledged to rule on the redistricting lawsuit in any way. Other justices, both conservative and liberal, have spoken out in the past on issues that could come before the court, although not always during their run for office like Protasiewicz did. Current justices have also accepted campaign cash from political parties and others with an interest in court cases and havent recused themselves. But none of them has faced threats of impeachment. Prosser and Roggensack accepted in-kind donations from the Wisconsin Republican Party when they were on the court. Roggensack also accepted campaign cash from Republican candidate committees and county parties during her last run in 2013. Roggensack and Prosser voted to enact a rule allowing justices to sit on cases involving campaign donors. In 2017, a year after Prosser left the court, Roggensack voted to reject a call from 54 retired justices and judges to enact stricter recusal rules. Both Roggensack and Wilcox donated $1,000 each to a Protasiewicz opponent, Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow. She finished third in the primary behind Protasiewicz and another conservative candidate, Dan Kelly. Wilcox in 2020 gave Kelly $500. Prosser also donated $500 to Kellys campaign this year. Roggensack didnt give money to Kelly, but she did endorse him after he advanced in the primary. Republicans should not pursue impeachment of a liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, concluded a conservative former justice whom Wisconsin Republicans tasked with looking into the matter. To sum up my views, there should be no effort to impeach Justice [Janet] Protasiewicz on anything we know now, David Prosser wrote in a letter dated Friday to state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , a Republican. Impeachment is so serious, severe, and rare that it should not be considered unless the subject has committed a crime, or the subject has committed indisputable corrupt conduct while in office, he continued. Prossers letter was obtained Monday by American Oversight, a left-leaning government watchdog, as part of a public records request related to a suit alleging that a panel Vos convened to explore whether Protasiewicz could be impeached had violated state laws by not letting members of the public attend its meetings. American Oversight shared the documents with NBC News. Prossers letter was first reported by The Associated Press. Protasiewicz's win in April was a significant success for liberals, because it gave them their first majority on the technically nonpartisan court in 15 years. Weeks after she was sworn in, Wisconsin Republicans, including Vos, began discussing the possibility of impeaching her if she refused to recuse herself from a redistricting lawsuit that could upend the GOPs power in the Legislature. Last month, Vos convened the panel of three former state Supreme Court justices to explore whether it would be possible to impeach Protasiewicz. Prosser a Republican former Assembly speaker is the only member whose identity is publicly known. Prosser said the Wisconsin Constitution clearly outlines that the Assemblys powers to impeach civil officers are limited to those who have engaged in corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes and misdemeanors, adding that Protasiewiczs previous comments about her views on the Republican-drawn maps did not amount to such conduct. Corrupt conduct is not a term that is open to a mere political grievance, he wrote. During her campaign for Supreme Court, Protasiewicz criticized the states maps as being unfair and rigged statements that Wisconsin Republicans have used to demand that she recuse herself from all redistricting cases before the high court. On Friday, Protasiewicz formally said she would not recuse herself from one such suit, leading to a 4-3 vote of the justices to hear the case during the current term. Prosser, however, seemed to defend Protasiewicz at times in his letter, pointing out that she had also repeatedly stated that she could not say how she would decide a case about the reapportionment maps" and that she would not participate in a case in which the Democratic Party of Wisconsin was a party. These two statements reveal that Justice Protasiewicz is conscious of the Supreme Courts ethical rules for justices and judges, he wrote. A spokesperson for Vos did not respond to questions about whether he would still move forward with impeachment efforts. The release of Prossers letter is the latest development in a monthslong saga following Protasiewiczs win, which gave the courts new liberal majority the power to determine the future of several pivotal issues the court is likely to decide in the coming years, including abortion rights and the states legislative maps. The current map, which experts have said is one of the most gerrymandered in the country, was approved by the state Supreme Court last year. (As is the case in many states, in Wisconsin, if the governor and the Legislature cannot agree on legislative maps, the issue falls to the state Supreme Court.) A map more favorable to Democrats could threaten to undo decades of Republican lawmaking. Just days after Protasiewiczs victory in April, some Republican lawmakers began openly talking about the possibility of impeaching her. Such chatter among Republicans never abated. In a Sept. 13 announcement, Vos said he had tasked a panel of former members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review and advise what the criteria are for impeachment and directed the group to come back with an analysis to say whether or not impeachment is possible and how it should occur. The secretive group has still not disclosed the identities of its two other members, though text messages Prosser released in response to the American Oversight suit indicate that former state Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack the conservative jurist whom Protasiewicz replaced after she retired was part of it. A spokesperson for Roggensack didn't immediately respond to questions. In recent weeks, momentum against the feasibility of impeachment proceedings against Protasiewicz has grown. Last week, for example, before the release of the Prosser letter, the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, which handles disciplinary matters of state judges, rejected a lawsuit alleging that her comments about the maps during her campaign had violated the states Code of Judicial Ethics. Meanwhile, the courts new liberal majority got off to a tense start, with the initial days of the fresh term kicking off in August with the firing of a longtime court officer and days of bitter news releases and tweets among the justices. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com One of the defendants charged with torturing of a woman in Port Huron is asking for their trial to be severed. Aaaron Schoenrock and Jolynn Hirsch both face multiple felony charges for reportedly torturing a woman whom Schoenrock believed to be an informant for law enforcement in a drug investigation. Hirsch's attorney filed a motion to sever the trial on Oct. 5, arguing that it would be prejudicial against Hirsch to be tried alongside Schoenrock, as he faces charges unrelated to hers, including an incident where he allegedly stabbed a man in the neck. The victim reportedly escaped and Schoenrock was arrested after the stabbing incident was reported. Schoenrock reportedly thought the victim was at the man's house. Hirsch was arrested after the female victim talked to police. The victim said she was beaten over an eight-hour period by Schoenrock, raped, force-fed a concoction of drugs and forced to write a suicide letter at gunpoint. Hirsch reportedly helped in the beating by hitting the victim with a cane, checked online to see if anyone was searching for the victim, retrieved a chainsaw Schoenrock used to threaten the victim and stopped her from escaping the residence she was imprisoned in by blocking the exit. Defense Attorney Lisa Dwyer began representing Hirsch on Sept. 20. In her motion to sever, Dwyer cites the need to review extensive court records as another reason to separate the defendants' trials, saying she will need more time to catch up on the case. "(G)iven the complexity and nature of the evidence, the drain on the party's resources, and the party's readiness for trial, severance of the defendants' trials will 'promote fairness to the parties and a fair determination of the guilt or innocence of one or more of the defendants,'" Dwyer wrote in her brief quoting Michigan court rules. St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Sparling opposed the motion, saying the court should only sever the trials if the defendants' are accusing each other with contradictory arguments. "The witnesses and evidence to be admitted will be almost the exact same in both cases and the Defendant and Co-Defendant's statements are not completely at odds with each other," Sparling wrote in his response. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Oct. 16. Schoenrock's attorneys also filed a motion to compel that argued the prosecution and Port Huron Police Department had been too slow in turning over evidence and may have withheld exculpatory evidence. The motion asks the court to require the prosecution to give information on police efforts to retrieve data from the victim's phone. The defense suggests the phone may have had messages that contradicted the victim's statement. Police reportedly found data on the phone had been deleted and could not be recovered. "It is necessary for Mr. Schoenrock to know what efforts have been made to obtain data from this phone so that he can determine whether he would like to obtain his own expert to attempt a data retrieval," the motion states. The defense is also requesting data from several social media accounts belonging to the victim, as well as social media accounts and phone data from an ex-boyfriend she was in contact with after reportedly escaping from Schoenrock. Sparling responded to the motion with a brief stating all evidence had been turned over to the defense. He said the defense had offered no evidence that the phones or social media accounts contained any exculpatory evidence and that police could not search those devices without a warrant. "Defense accuses police conduct to be borderline 'unconstitutional' but fails to understand that in order for a search warrant to issue there must be a basis of probable cause," Sparling wrote. Sparling also pointed out the defense could file a subpoena with social media companies if they believed there was relevant information in the social media accounts. A hearing on the motion is scheduled at the same time as the motion to sever in Hirsch's case. Sheonrock has been charged with 10 felonies including torture, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, and three counts of possession of felony firearm possession. Hirsch has been charged with torture, unlawful imprisonment and two counts of felony firearm possession. Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Woman accused of helping in torture case asks for a separate trial MEMPHIS, Tenn. A 22-year-old woman allegedly pulled a gun out on her sister and chased her with a sledgehammer after she refused to babysit her daughter. On September 27, around 8:00 a.m., officers say that the suspect, Zaria Thomas, came into the house yelling at her sister. The sister said she did not want to babysit Thomass daughter, which escalated the argument. Woman accused of ramming car with children inside at McDonalds Their mother said that Thomas pulled out a black gun on her sister and that the brother had to wrestle the gun away from her, according to reports. Thomas then stabbed her sisters work laptop with a kitchen knife. Police say Thomas also chased her sister out of the house with a sledgehammer, and the brother had to intervene again to take it away from her. There were no reported injuries, police say. Zaria Thomas is charged with aggravated assault and vandalism. Her next court date is scheduled for Thursday morning. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. An Israeli woman and her daughter survived Hamas 12-hour siege of their kibbutz by barricading themselves into a safe room using a vacuum cleaner and a rolling pin. Theirs was just one of the remarkable stories of survival against the odds to have emerged following the Gaza-based militant groups surprise weekend attack on Israel, with others telling CNN of how they escaped by hiding in bushes and under bodies. Irit Lahav, a resident of the Nir Oz kibbutz, told CNNs Erin Burnett Tuesday that when she heard Hamas fighters had entered her community Saturday, she and her daughter took refuge in a safe room as if it were a regular bombing, which were used to for years and years now. But she soon realized the room, used previously as a bomb shelter, was ill-equipped to keep out the advancing militants because it didnt even have a lock. All Israeli buildings erected after 1993 are required to have bomb shelters reinforced rooms with concrete walls and heavy steel doors. But these safe rooms are designed to withstand a rocket attack, not an armed incursion. The doors are heavy, but they dont have locks they are not supposed to be lockable, for safety reasons. As fighting erupted around her, Lahav feverishly reached out to her family and other residents of the kibbutz for advice. Everywhere endless, endless, endless shooting and grenades. So Im trying to figure out what to do. Are they going to maybe break into our door? How can I make sure its locked? And I started texting and calling people from the kibbutz how to lock the door, and nobody knew, Lahav said. Salvation came from an unlikely place when her brother sent her a picture of how he had locked his door with two broomsticks. I thought, I dont have any brooms. How would I do that? But then I remembered I had a rolling stick and I took that and then I took my Dyson vacuum, Lahav said. Its hard to imagine how, you know that youre just going to die if they break in. And I was just tying these things to the door, Lahav said. Its just fear, fear, fear. Irit Lahav said she and her brother both used household items to barricade themselves - CNN As she was assembling the makeshift barricade, Lahav said she could hear mens voices screaming and banging everything. There was nothing we could do except we were hugging, my daughter and I, under the table, hiding in the dark, Lahav said. We started saying to each other, I love you. My daughter says Mom, I love you, I really appreciate everything you did for me. And I told her how much I love her. We thought we were just going to die and they kept banging the door trying to open. And I was sure that whatever I did, the vacuum cleaner and the rolling stick wouldnt hold, but it did. Lahav said she and her daughter felt lucky when after eight or 10 minutes of trying and screaming and shooting everything the attackers left their house. But the relief was short-lived, as more fighters returned approximately an hour later, trying to break into the door once more, she said. It was so scary, Lahav told CNN. Then the third time again they came. It was like an endless nightmare. Lahav estimates that 30% of those living in the kibbutz either died or were kidnapped during Saturdays surprise attacks. Nir Oz kibbutz was one of several kibbutzim, or small farming enclaves, that bore the brunt of Hamas ground assault. Kibbutzim predate the founding of Israel, when small groups of people set up communities based on the idea of communal living. About 125,000 people live across approximately 250 kibbutzim in Israel, according to the Jewish Agency for Israel. I just covered myself with dead people Hamas fighters also gunned down and took hostage revelers at the Nova music festival in a rural farmland area near the Gaza-Israel border. Among the audience that day was Rafael Zimerman, who survived by hiding in a bunker and covering himself with bodies to avoid detection. Zimerman told CNNs Anderson Cooper that he and his friends had initially run from a hail of rockets, then got in a car that took them to a nearby bunker where other people were hiding. He was near the back of the bunker as he was one of the first of the 50 or so people to get there, but could hear police fighting the attackers at the entrance. Zimerman said that at one point gas was thrown into the bunker. With the gas, you cannot breathe, he said. Its impossible to breathe after 30 seconds. Following the gas, the attackers entered the bunker and began shooting and throwing flash-bang grenades. I just covered myself with dead people, a lot of dead people, he said. So I stayed there inside like for hours, like just waiting to die, you know? I just wanted to die in peace because I suffered so much from the gas. Zimerman, who has shrapnel wounds from the attack, said he was one of a handful of people to get out of the bunker alive. Im a miracle. Im a survivor and I have to be glad, Zimerman added. Lee Sasi, 25, who was also huddling in the bunker, said she saw her uncle and another woman in the shelter get hit by grenades. I saw so many things that I cant even explain. I saw guts, I had flesh all over my body. We had to bury ourselves under these dead corpses to protect ourselves from these grenades that were hitting, and from the rifles and the (rocket-propelled grenades), she told CNNs Jake Tapper. Multiple people can be seen crammed together in a video Sasi took from inside the shelter. What appear to be bullet holes can be seen in one of the shelters walls. She said half the people near that wall were dying. I was in shock. I couldnt even cry. I was in survival mode, she told CNN. According to Sasi, some of her fellow survivors cant even speak following the ordeal. Theyre not eating. Theyre not sleeping, she added. Taking refuge in bushes Amir Ben Natan, another festival goer, survived by hiding in a bush. Natan said he decided not to run to the nearby field where numerous others were fleeing. That decision may have helped save his life, as video obtained by CNN shows several of those who ran to the field were later shot. I saw a bush on my left side and I thought that maybe I could hide there, and I decided it is the best option, so I went inside of this bush, Natan said. About after one hour, two policemen arrived and I was there with a few other people and the policemen told us to move from there, Natan added. I did not feel safe, so shortly (after) I decided to hide again in another bush. While I was in the second bush, I heard like war outside. I knew that at any time a bullet or a grenade or something can fall on me. And then after a while, it was silence and I heard the terrorists talking right nearby and I just prayed that they would not discover us. Israeli rescuers counted about 260 bodies near the site of the Nova festival following the slaughter. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Pittsburgh police are investigating the sexual assault of a senior citizen in Homewood. According to police, the assault happened early on Oct. 7 at a home on Rosedale Street. The victim is described as a woman in her 80s. She was taken to the hospital by medics for evaluation after speaking with police. The departments Special Victims Unit detectives have been speaking with neighbors and are looking for any available video that could help with the investigation. At this time, a suspect has not been identified. Anyone with information or video should call Pittsburgh police at 412-323-7800 and ask for SVU detectives. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: PNC Bank laying off employees, spokesperson confirms 2 adults, teen accused of stealing thousands of dollars in makeup from local Ulta, Sephora Man accused of ripping off local businesses in Cranberry Township VIDEO: Plans to turn old Bally Fitness into movie theater fall through DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts POLK COUNTY, Wis. (FOX 9) - Search crews are combing Cedar Lake in western Wisconsin for a missing man after a woman was rescued from the water on Monday evening. According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, a homeowner on Cedar Lake called 911 around 5:35 p.m. for a boat going in circles on the water and hearing a woman yelling for help. People on a passing boat pulled the woman out of the water before authorities arrived. The woman, who has not been identified, said she was on the boat with a man and her dog, but when the boat stopped, law enforcement said only the dog was on board. As crews search for the missing man, law enforcement is asking boaters to stay off the lake and has closed a nearby boat landing. The search is ongoing as of noon on Tuesday. Authorities did not say how the boaters entered the water or how long the woman was in the lake before being rescued. The sheriffs office said they are not releasing further details about those involved at this time. The incident remains under investigation. A total of 192 Korean nationals returned home early Wednesday from Israel, where tensions are escalating amid an armed conflict between the Jewish state and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. A Korean Air plane carrying them arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, at 6:08 a.m., after departing from Tel Aviv at 1:45 p.m. the previous day (local time). It is the first flight that has brought Koreans back home since the conflict erupted Saturday when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. The airport was crowded with family members anxiously waiting for their loved ones to come home. Many of the travelers are known to have been visiting Israel on a pilgrimage. As the travelers appeared from the exit, there were sighs of relief heaved by the families and friends, followed by moments of embrace. Those who returned home were among some 480 Korean tourists visiting Israel for a short stay. Of the 480 people, 27 were expected to cross into Jordan via a land route. Another 30 people are expected to fly out of Israel on Thursday aboard a Turkish Airlines flight. The deadly clashes have so far killed more than 1,800 people from both sides and wounded thousands. No casualties have been reported among Koreans in Israel, the foreign ministry said. Korean nationals living in the Gaza Strip have taken refuge in a safe location, the foreign ministry said earlier. Approximately 230 Koreans remain in Israel. The Korean Embassy in Jerusalem is providing assistance to help them leave the country safely. A total of 570 Koreans are estimated to be living or staying in Israel, with some 480 others traveling in the country, according to the foreign ministry. (Yonhap) A woman told Channel 9 about her harrowing journey from war-torn Israel to Charlotte. READ: Israel-Hamas war: Biden calls Hamas attack pure evil (live updates) Suzy Johnson, of Charlotte, said she was on a trip to Israel with her sister, who is an Episcopal priest in Virginia, and some of her parishioners. Johnson is back home but her sister is still there because she wouldnt leave her parishioners behind. Johnson said she stayed calm when the violence erupted Saturday. Security -- the gates were walled, and locked, and they had 24-hour security, and they were watching the cameras, so I felt very, very safe there, she said. Johnson had been planning the 10-day trip for about a year with her sister. They had been there for two days when the violence began. They were in a group of about 33 people staying in a secure compound in east Jerusalem. Johnson said she felt safe on Saturday until friends started calling and telling her that she needed to get out. At the time, they were hunkered down in the basement of the compound close to the bomb shelter. It was daunting because youd hear the alarms go off, she said. I think only one bomb got close to Jerusalem, but youd hear all day long the sirens. And you could hear the Iron Dome, the anti-aircraft missiles. You could hear those very clearly. Johnson got to the airport to fly out the next morning. She said there were 3,000 people at the airport at 3 a.m. A Charlotte woman recounts her harrowing journey escaping Jerusalem. Johnsons sister and the four parishioners are hoping to get to Jordan on Thursday and head home from there. VIDEO: Israel-Hamas war: Impacts reach the Carolinas The News Prominent African leaders including Kenyas president and the head of the African Development Bank argued in a New York Timescolumn Sunday that rich countries and the World Bank are trying to solve the problem of climate finance backwards: Strategies to expand lending for clean energy and climate resilience projects in developing countries wont do any good, they said, absent greater relief for borrowing already on these countries books. We cant fix the climate issue unless we fix the debt issue, they wrote. But for political and practical reasons, debt relief remains on the margins as World Bank and International Monetary Fund leaders meet this week in Marrakech. This inconvenient truth isnt getting the attention it deserves, Kevin Gallagher, director of the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, told Semafor. Weve left a number of countries behind. Tims view Economists estimate that developing countries need to raise at least $1 trillion per year by 2030 in climate finance from external sources for the world to meet the Paris Agreement warming goals. Multilateral development banks are generally happy to get behind this goal and do what they can to lend more theyre banks, after all. But for many countries, new lending may be deeply counterproductive, as it adds to what is already a crushing debt burden. The U.N. reported last week that 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health and education. Yet debt relief is a solution that none of the decisive players are incentivized to advocate for. In a recent study, Gallagher and his colleagues found that the 61 countries under the greatest debt distress mostly in Africa, South Asia, and island nations owe about $992 billion in external debt, of which 40% is due to multilateral development banks (MDBs) and the IMF. About 80% of the overall figure needs to be restructured, Gallagher argues. The question is how. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and other leading advocates for climate finance reform have proposed that countries debt repayments be postponed following natural disasters. The Seychelles and Gabon have experimented with innovative debt-for-nature swaps, in which debt is reduced in exchange for new conservation policies. Barbados is also considering such a deal, its finance minister told Reuters this week. But most of it will have to be simply written off, a haircut that could amount to $500 billion, according to Gallagher. Historically, MDBs have been willing to take sizable haircuts on developing countries debt (especially when prodded by Bono). Helping countries out of debt distress ultimately saves MDBs money, because highly-indebted countries can more easily qualify for MDB grants (as opposed to loans). But MDBs are reluctant to support debt relief now because doing so would jeopardize their AAA credit ratings, which are essential for them to lend money more cheaply than commercial banks. At a deeper level, individual bankers within MDBs are incentivized only to get as much money out the door as possible. Gallagher proposes a two-part solution. One, MDBs should be responsible for a smaller share of debt relief, to reflect the fact that they are already lending money at lower rates than the private sector or China, the other top lender (in Gallaghers analysis, private lenders would need to cover some of the difference, no small obstacle). And, he suggests, the wealthiest countries should direct more of their contributions to the MDBs into debt relief trusts, which already exist to cover MDBs losses from haircuts but are currently close to empty. But thats a political challenge, since wiping out a pile of old debt isnt a sexy way to spend money in the eyes of taxpayers. Politicians can barely get it together to raise the balance sheet, Gallagher said. Theres no momentum to clean up a mess from the past. Know More The key to breaking this impasse might lie with China, which has also tended to resist calls for debt relief. Under Gallaghers approach, Beijing should also be responsible for a smaller share of the overall haircut, because it also lends at concessional rates. If China were more open to taking a haircut, then I think you could unblock the rest, because of the moral pressure, said Michael Jacobs, a senior fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, a London-based think tank, and former climate adviser to U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Room for Disagreement Debt relief negotiations are no fun, usually requiring painful and unpopular domestic measures to curb government spending and raise taxes, as Ghana and Zambia found over the last year as they went through an IMF-led default process that is universally regarded as too slow, too cumbersome, and basically failing, Jacobs said. Asking too loudly for debt relief can also spook potential investors, and drain MDB resources that would otherwise go to badly-needed new projects, said Annalisa Prizzon, ODIs principal research fellow. It comes down to a question of lend or suspend, she said. The important thing is the net flow of resources: new funds should exceed debt payments. The View From Luxembourg One other change that could help prevent future debt distress is for MDBs to make their loan books more transparent. The Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs) is a trove of nearly two decades of data on loan defaults in developing countries from all kinds of private and public lenders. The data is only available to MDBs, and not to the private sector, which a growing number of African leaders say contributes to a misconception that their countries are higher-risk than they really are, leading to poor credit ratings and higher borrowing costs. If the data were public, it would likely drive an increase in foreign investment, said Karen Mathiasen, a researcher at the Center for Global Development and former U.S. Treasury Department official. GEMs is administered by the European Investment Bank, which is considering releasing some of it, but with a lot of crucial details stripped out, Mathiasen said. Notable The World Bank should work harder to draw in private investors to climate projects it lends to, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Marrakech Tuesday. ARLINGTON, Va. An African American combat medic who was wounded while landing on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion in northern France but went on to tend to dozens of troops was posthumously honored Wednesday in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. His family and supporters continue to push for an even higher recognition they believe his heroism is owed. Family and members of his former unit gathered next to Waverly B. Woodson Jr.s gravesite to present his widow with two medals honoring his service. A band played Taps and his family laid a wreath at his grave. WWII medic to receive posthumous awards as push for MoH continues Imagine the unforgiving crucible of ground combat. The explosions, the hail of bullets, machine gun fire, artillery rounds, the smoke, the blood, the sweat. And then you hear that familiar cry: Medic! Medic! said retired Lt. Gen. Thomas James during the service. From the explosions, smoke and hail of bullets runs a young corporal. Corporal Waverly Woodson with an aid bag. Woodson was a 21-year-old Army medic assigned to the only African American combat unit to land in Normandy, across the English Channel from Britain, on June 6, 1944. His landing craft took heavy fire and he was wounded before even getting to the beach, but for the next 30 hours he treated 200 wounded men while under intense small arms and artillery fire before collapsing from his injuries and blood loss, according to accounts of his service. Woodson, who was born in Philadelphia and lived in Maryland with his wife, died in 2005. He spoke to The Associated Press in 1994 about his harrowing journey. The tide brought us in, and thats when the 88s hit us, he said of the German 88mm guns. They were murder. Of our 26 Navy personnel there was only one left. They raked the whole top of the ship and killed all the crew. Then they started with the mortar shells. He survived and was awarded the Bronze Star, but by the time the award was finalized he was in Hawaii preparing for the invasion of Japan so there was little in the way of ceremony. And he was never awarded a Combat Medic Badge, which denotes that a medic has been in combat. His former unit, First Army, applied for Woodson to receive the badge and it was approved in August. A soldier, right, holds the Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge to be posthumously presented to Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr. during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2023 in Arlington, Va. (Kevin Wolf/AP) His widow, Joann, two of his children and extended family attended the ceremony where Joann was presented with both honors. At a time when the U.S. military was still segregated by race, about 2,000 African American troops are believed to have taken part in the D-Day invasion. Woodsons unit, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, was the only African American combat unit there that day. The battalion was responsible for setting up balloons to deter enemy planes. The ceremony Wednesday also focused on a situation Woodsons supporters consider an injustice they have been seeking to correct. For years they have been pushing to see him awarded the Medal of Honor. Retired Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty spoke during the ceremony about how he had attended many ceremonies over the years for Black troops who hadnt received the recognition they deserved. He noted that Woodson was born during a time of deep segregation in America Yet he still raised his hand to serve, said Twitty. He noted how once in the military Woodson still faced discrimination. He was denied an officer position due to his race before he eventually became a combat medic: The Medal of Honor that he truly deserves, he does not have. Although 1.2 million Black Americans served in the military during World War II, none was among the original recipients of the Medal of Honor awarded in the conflict. The Army commissioned a study in the early 1990s to analyze whether Black troops had been unjustly overlooked during an era of widespread racism and segregation in the military. Ultimately, seven Black World War II troops were awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997. At the time, Woodsons case was part of the study and the authors interviewed him. But, they wrote, his decoration case file couldnt be found and his personnel records destroyed in a 1973 fire at a military records facility. Capt. Kevin Braafladt, the First Army historian, said the U.S. military made a conscious effort to reduce paperwork after the war, and that the fire at a military records facility in Missouri also destroyed countless documents. Joann Woodson, in green, is joined by family at the headstone of her husband, Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr., following a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2023 in Arlington, Va. (Kevin Wolf/AP) First Army and Braafladt have been on a mission to document Woodsons actions on D-Day in hopes of getting the Medal of Honor for him. Braafladt is convinced 100% that Woodson was recommended at the time of the war for the medal. One of the pieces of information pointing to that conclusion is a memo talking about how Woodson had been recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross but a top general decided the recommendation should be for the Medal of Honor instead. Braafladt first heard about Woodsons case around 2020 and has been obsessively searching for documents that will help make Woodsons case. He has not yet found the Medal of Honor recommendation letter, but along the way he has found documents he thinks buttress the case. Just last week he received the text describing Woodsons Bronze Star citation. Im one document away from getting an answer here and righting a wrong. he said. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, where Woodsons widow now lives, has also been pushing since 2015 to have Woodson honored with the Medal of Honor, and has introduced legislation to that effect in Congress. In a 2022 letter to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, Van Hollen and colleagues asked for a formal review of Woodsons case. Speaking Wednesday, Van Hollen said the service was an important step to ultimately awarding Woodson the Medal of Honor. It is clear from looking at our history that Corporal Woodson has not yet been presented with the Medal of Honor because of historic discrimination, Van Hollen said. Woodsons son said in a telephone interview ahead of the ceremony that his father rarely talked about World War II until late in his life and then only in bits and pieces. The family would like to see him honored with the Medal of Honor not only to shine a spotlight on his heroism but to highlight the efforts of Woodsons unit and all Black troops. One thing about my dad that I will always remember is his care for other people and fellow man. It did not matter the race of the person, Steve Woodson said during the ceremony. Santana reported from Washington. PATERSON Michael Taylor, the grieving father of one of Patersons recent homicide victims, seized control of the mayors community meeting about a new city recreation center on Tuesday night, venting his anger and frustration. Taylors 22-year-old daughter, Mary, was fatally shot in the head on Oct. 1 while standing with a group of people outside the Question Mark bar in the citys Great Falls Historic District. This is bigger than Mary Taylor, her father shouted to the group of more than 80 people at the community meeting, in a diatribe that lasted about 15 minutes. Every day people is getting shot, and yall being quiet. During the past week, Mayor Andre Sayegh repeatedly said, including in social media posts, that he has spoken frequently with Taylor and tried to offer comfort to a father he described as inconsolable. Michael Taylor, the grieving father of one of a Paterson homicide victims, confronts Mayor Andre Sayegh on Oct. 10, 2023 about the fatal shooting of his daughter, Mary. Taylor interrupted a community forum on the construction of a new recreation center. But Taylor on Tuesday lashed out at the mayor. Get off me, man, he barked as Sayegh approached him. I dont trust your [expletive]. Sayegh: 'I let him grieve' Paterson Press interviewed Sayegh on Tuesday night after the incident. Sayegh said he has set up a face-to-face meeting with Taylor for Wednesday afternoon at City Hall. Hes grieving, so I let him grieve, the mayor said of the victims vocal attack. Taylor also targeted the Attorney Generals Office and the Paterson Police Department, ridiculing new policies preventing city cops from chasing suspects in most cases, guidelines put in place a few days before his daughter was shot. A Paterson cop had witnessed the fatal shooting and was pursing a suspect who was fleeing in a stolen car, but the officer was directed over the departmental radio to stop his pursuit, according to a police report. Beyond insensitive: Sayegh wants Murphy counsel to apologize for Paterson crime post The AG has given a green light for the youths to do crime, Taylor shouted at the community meeting. At one point, someone told Taylor police were being called to the meeting. Let them call the police, he said. If I get in a car, they wont even chase me. As of Tuesday night, nine days after the killing, authorities had not yet announced any arrests in the case. Taylor was one of three people fatally shot in separate incidents in Paterson on Oct. 1. Another person was shot and killed on Oct. 3. Related: Ousted police chiefs lawsuit seeks to end state control of Paterson force 'Is yall safe in this city?' Tuesdays meeting at the Great Falls community center on Front Street started out quietly, as officials said they were seeking public input on what activities the proposed new $19 million recreation center should house. Taylor, who was sitting in the middle of the front row, raised his hand and asked if officials were looking for suggestions. He called the proposed center a great idea. Then he stood up and faced the audience, turning his back on the mayor and other people on the official panel. Is yall safe in this city? he yelled to the crowd. No, responded a few dozen people in the audience, many of them wearing T-shirts with Mary Taylors picture on them, demanding justice for the deceased young woman. Is yall safe in this city? Taylor asked again, more loudly. No, came the response, also louder. Do yall want change in this city? Taylor asked. Yes, his supporters in the crowd shouted back. City officials sat back and allowed Taylor to continue. Police: Paterson police fall further behind in handling internal affairs complaints I dont want to talk over anybody, he said. "But right now, we need change. We need answers. When someone on the dais tried to get Taylor to end his attack, he responded, Im not stopping. No, no, no. A woman who identified herself as Mary Taylors mother joined the father in standing at the front of the room, shouting at officials, complaining that the mayor had not reached out to her. Afterward, the woman refused to provide this reporter her name. Taylor also would not speak to a reporter about Tuesday nights tirade. During Taylors takeover, city officials shut off the live video feed of the meeting on the citys Facebook page. When Taylor left the meeting, more than a dozen people followed him out of the room. People who had organized the meeting checked with the audience and decided to go ahead with the discussion of the recreation center. Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Grieving father takes over Paterson NJ forum, decries shootings Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen kept open the possibility of refreezing $6 billion worth of Iranian oil revenue currently being held in Qatar. "I wouldnt take anything off the table in terms of possible future action, but I certainly dont want to get ahead of ourselves now," Yellen said at a press conference Wednesday at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank being held this week in Marrakech, Morocco. The funds, released to Iran under certain conditions as part of a prisoner-exchange deal in September, have come under new scrutiny since Hamas's attack on Israel. Some Israeli officials say there is a direct link between Iran and the attack by the Gaza-based group, which the U.S. and other Western nations have designated as a terrorist organization. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, this week called for Yellen to testify on the release of the $6 billion. "The Senate should also investigate what led the Biden administration to allow a transfer of $6 billion to Iran and how it could expect Iran to not use that money to continue to fuel terrorism," Scott said. Yellen said the funds were made available solely for humanitarian purposes, such as food and medicine. "These funds have not been touched," she said. The Biden administration has previously said it has the power to refreeze the funds, which were released after the U.S. waived sanctions allowing banks to convert the money that had been blocked in South Korea and transfer it to Qatar's central bank. Yellen also said the U.S. has "not in any way" relaxed sanctions on Iranian oil. "We have sanctions on Hamas, on Hizbollah," she said. "This is something weve been constantly looking at, and using information that comes available to tighten sanctions, we will continue to do that." Paola Tamma contributed to this story. The message behind a rally Tuesday in Yolo County attended by dozens of elected officials across the region came through words and action: Numerous speakers moved to huddle around a transgender person as a man interrupted her speech with expletives about gay people. Roughly 100 people gathered at Central Park in Davis to spread messages of unity and support for the LGBTQ+ community after a series of bomb threats rattled the Davis Joint Unified School District in about a month. The emailed warnings, containing anti-gay rhetoric that were sent to schools and the Mary L. Stephens branch of the Yolo County Library system, came after a Moms for Liberty local chapter held a meeting about transgender people at a library, where the speaker reportedly called trans women athletes biological males. It was very, very powerful, Davis resident Kathryn Sylva, 76, said of the rally after it concluded. The Davis Police Department has said there are no connections between the Moms for Liberty chapter and the bomb threats but the correlation between the two cannot be ignored as part of the overall criminal investigations, in a Sept. 25 statement. Event organizers, consisting of Yolo County advocacy groups, garnered attention after writing a letter denouncing such extremism. It was signed more than 900 including doctors, UC Davis, numerous community organizations, faith leaders and area residents. Members of the LGBTQ community and supporters stand in unity during a rally Tuesday at Davis Central Park after recent bomb threats against the citys schools and library. Attendees noted many of them have been doxxed a practice of having personally identifiable information such as home addresses disclosed online after speaking in support of transgender people. The Police Department has said it has turned over its investigation of the doxxing to the Yolo County District Attorneys Office for possible criminal charges. Kelly Wilkerson, a Los Rios Community College District trustee and an event organizer, recalled the terrifying moments after she learned her personal information had been posted online. The high school teacher said other educators who have hung rainbow flags in their classrooms have also been targeted and have been pulled out of their homes at 3 a.m. so police could search their homes for explosives. Ever since a tiny group of extremists have organized in Yolo County, I have not felt safe and many of my students no longer feel safe, Wilkerson said. Unity in the wake of divisive politics is the only solution forward, speakers told the crowd. Every breath taken by a transgender person is an act of resistance, transgender speaker Jessica, who declined to give her last name out of fear of being doxxed. And, every action you take as an individual to help this community thrive bolsters the strength of that resistance. During Jessicas speech, a man strolled by the rally and yelled a vulgarity at her. However, the rally concluded with no other incidents or disturbances. Concerned citizens stand together in support of the LGBTQ community at Davis Central Park on Tuesday in the wake of recent bomb threats made at city schools and its main library. A rainbow forms above rally in support of the LGBTQ community in Davis Central Park on Tuesday in the wake of recent bomb threats made at city schools and the its main library. Speakers line up on stage during a rally at Davis Central Park Tuesday to support the LGBTQ community after recent bomb threats against the citys schools and its main library. Authorities in New York have accused a man of trafficking more than $200,000 worth of dead specimens of protected butterflies. Charles Limmer, 75, is facing charges of conspiracy to smuggle wildlife into the United States, smuggling wildlife into and out of the United States, and violations of the Lacey Acts prohibitions on falsely labelling and trafficking in wildlife. Mr Limmer allegedly smuggled protected butterflies known as birdwings because of their large size and wings and flight resembling a bird through his shop, the Limmer Business, according to an indictment. The shop had obtained a license to import and export wildlife from the Fish and Wildlife Service that was revoked in October 2022. Between then and September 2023, Mr Limmer reportedly imported and exported over $200,000 worth of shipments of dead wildlife specimens. He then allegedly sold the wildlife on the internet to customers around the world. Mr allegedly Limmer told the people sending him wildlife to label the shipments as decorative wall coverings, origami papercraft and wall decorations. He also noted to one co-conspirator, Screw USFWS[.] They are a gang of Orangutans, the indictment alleges. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of over 1,000 butterflies, moths and other insects alleged to have been illegally trafficked. Mr Limmer will be arranged at a later date. The mother of a young woman who was killed by Hamas militants at an Israeli music festival has compared the terrorist group to the Nazis. Hannie Ricardo, whose 26-year-old daughter Oriya Ricardo was one of the victims at the Supernova psytrance festival on Saturday, described the attackers as monsters and said the world needed to stand against them. The rave, held in the Negev desert, not far from the Reim millitary base, was directly in the path of Hamas fighters, who stormed over the border from Gaza into Israel on Saturday. Israeli rescuers said at least 260 bodies had been recovered from the site of the festival. By Sunday, Israel announced that 600 people had been killed, with 100 more being taken hostage. Speaking to MSNBCs The ReidOut, Ms Ricardo said she had not known that her daughter had been attending the music festival before she received a call at her home in New York telling her that her daughter was missing. She said that Oriya, the youngest of her three daughters, was the source of power of my life. Its pretty hard to speak in past tense about her, Ms Ricardo said, audibly emotional. She brought light everywhere she came a very happy girl. [She] loved to party and was always the centre of everything. Oriya Ricardo was among those killed at a music festival attacked by Hamas (MSNBC/ TheReidOut) She continued: I think that I need to speak about her and for her and for all those young people that were massacred by the Hamas. They have not a bit of humanity in them. These kids went to dance. And these kids, I know for sure, at these parties are peace people, you know they all fight for peace. And now theyre gone. And among them, my youngest daughter. The only thing I can compare these monsters, these inhuman beings [to], are the Nazis during the Holocaust. Hannie Ricardo, mother of 26-year-old Oriya Ricardo, killed in the Hamas attack at the music festival in Israel: "She brought light everywhere she came." #TheReidOut pic.twitter.com/OKQ8VZQjCI The ReidOut (@thereidout) October 10, 2023 [They are] the same kind of people and the world needs to know and the world needs to fight them. Some commentators have suggested that Saturdays terror attack may be the worst loss of life for Jews in a single day since the Holocaust, with The Times of Israel quoting Eylon Levy, a former spokesperson for Israeli President Isaac Herzog saying: Its no exaggeration to say yesterday was the darkest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust. Lazar Berman, The Times of Israels diplomatic correspondent, made a similar reference, writing on X: October 7, 2023 saw the most Jews slaughtered in a single day since the Holocaust. Ms Ricardo said that Hamas would next target the US with its attacks, and that the attack on Israel was worse than 9/11. Hannie Ricardo said she felt she needed to speak out on behalf of her daughter and those others killed (MSNBC/ The ReidOut) I feel for these Palestinians. These people I feel for them but they are hostages, she said. They are hostages in the hands of the Hamas, and Iran and all of these terrorists. [Those groups] have no other focus in life rather than killing as many as possible. And when theyre done with the Jews, they will come for the Americans they did it already in 9/11 . I call this massacre that happened in the south of Israel even worse than 9/11. This is our 9/11, and my daughter is one of them. She added: This wonderful, beautiful, cheerful, amazing girl is dead now and Im going to bury her the day after tomorrow. My heart is broken to pieces, but I will go everywhere to speak about her, for her and against this terrorism. GOP Rep. George Santos ' fellow New Yorkers have had enough. All six of his fellow freshmen Republican New York colleagues now support kicking him out of Congress. Their move comes on the heels of a new indictment that alleges Santos stole the identities of some of his donors. Rep. George Santos' fellow New York Republicans have had enough. All six of Santos' fellow New York freshmen GOP lawmakers said on Wednesday that would support an effort to expel Santos from the House, on the heels of a superseding indictment that carries the new bombshell accusation that Santos stole the identities of some campaign donors so he could pay his own campaign more. "George Santos' many deceptions coupled with the ever-expanding legal case against him further strengthen my long held belief that he is unfit to serve in Congress, and for that reason, I will be sponsoring a resolution to immediately expel George Santos from the House of Representatives," Rep. Anthony D'Esposito said in a statement post on X, formerly known as Twitter. D'Esposito said that fellow Reps. Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, Nick Langworthy, and Brandon Williams all support his efforts. Santos, who has repeatedly professed his innocence, slammed the resolution, arguing it would "set a dangerous precedent" to throw him out. "Amidst this chaotic mix, more wrenches are being thrown, further complicating matters," Santos said in a statement. "It is disheartening to witness my colleagues prioritize their campaigns over the essential work that needs to be done." The New Yorker's move against Santos is notable as they previously led the effort in May to sidestep House Democrats' push to expel Santos. At the time, the House voted on party lines to refer Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia's expulsion resolution to the House Ethics Committee. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy previously said the ethics panel should complete its own probe before the House takes action, though McCarthy no longer holds a leadership position for the time being. "Great to hear that the New York Republican Freshmen are finally ready to expel fraudster George Santos from Congress. Months ago, every single one of them voted against expelling Santos," Garcia said in a statement. "He has been able to get away with his fraud and lies for far too long while House Republicans have sat by and protected him." The House has only expelled five lawmakers in its history, underlining the severity of the punishment. It requires 2/3rds of the chamber to vote in favor of kicking a member out. If only the seven New Yorkers were to change their votes, the House would still fall well short of that high threshold. The last time the House voted to expel a lawmaker was in 2002 when it kicked out Rep. James A. Traficant, an Ohio Democrat, following his conviction on ten felony counts, including bribery. Expelling Santos would further narrow House Republicans' increasingly slim majority. Right now, the GOP can only afford to lose four votes on any measure if Democrats unite in opposition. Unlike in the Senate, House vacancies must be filled by special election meaning there is no quick way to replace Santos if he is kicked out. Right now, Santos' status is overshadowed by broader House GOP drama following McCarthy's historic ouster. There is some debate if acting Speaker pro tempore Patrick McHenry holds any meaningful power until a new speaker is elected. House Republicans are meeting behind closed doors on Wednesday with the hopes of completing the first step in finding a new leader. Read the original article on Business Insider FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Republicans meet at the U.S. Capitol ahead of a looming government shutdown in Washington By Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of New York state Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives will introduce a motion to expel indicted fellow Republican George Santos from the chamber, two of the members said on Wednesday. The move comes a day after federal prosecutors filed 23 fresh criminal counts against the first-term U.S. representative, accusing him of inflating his campaign's fundraising numbers and charging campaign contributors' credit cards without their consent. Santos, who represents a district including parts of New York City and its eastern suburbs, has been enmeshed in scandal since his November 2022 election, first facing accusations that he fabricated much of his resume and then criminal indictment. But with a narrow 221-212 majority, the House's Republican leadership has not taken action. Santos pleaded not guilty to an initial May indictment and has said he will do the same for the new one. The charges against Santos include false statements, aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud, accusing him of using the credit card information of people who had already donated to his campaign to make additional contributions. "He has no business being in the halls of the House of Representatives. He's an immoral person, he's an untrustworthy person, he's scammed hundreds of thousands of voters," Representative Nick LaLota, a Republican who also represents a New York suburb, told reporters on Wednesday. A motion to expel would require support from two-thirds of members in the House, meaning 290 votes. Democrats have repeatedly called for Santos to be expelled, and over a dozen Republicans have done the same. "If they want to be judge, jury and arbitrator of the whole goddamn thing, let them do it," Santos said on Wednesday. LaLota said the group did not yet have support from the required two-thirds of the House, but predicted the resolution would "catch fire." It is unclear when the motion would get a vote on the House floor, given that Republicans are currently trying to elect a new nominee for speaker after eight Republicans sided with all Democrats to oust Kevin McCarthy in a historic first last week. (Reporting by Moira Warburton; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis) The reigniting of the Israel-Hamas conflict, coupled with Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, could shift the United States' attention further away from North Korea's nuclear quandary, analysts said Tuesday. The conflict flared up following the Palestinian militant group's deadly surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, as Washington's stated commitment to diplomacy with Pyongyang has fallen on deaf years amid the North's unceasing drive for nuclear armament. President Joe Biden pledged "full support" for Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean while Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the U.S.' "solidarity" with Israel. The U.S.' apparent reapportioning of diplomatic and security resources for conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe has raised speculation that it would be harder for the U.S. to pay more attention to addressing the North Korean conundrum. "With the president being the only commander-in-chief, the focus on security on the Korean Peninsula could weaken as a new front has emerged," Nam Chang-hee, a political science professor at Inha University, said. "As the contours of global security have gotten more complicated, chances are that Washington could try to manage the status quo, seeking to ensure that the overall situation on the peninsula would not further deteriorate," he added. The U.S. is expected to focus its foreign policy attention on the Israel-Hamas conflict for the time being as it has led to at least 11 American deaths. Washington has also been striving to maintain a prominent presence in the Middle East, where China has apparently been eyeing greater influence, particularly in the wake of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Biden told his team to "do everything we can" to ensure that Israel has what it needs, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters, though Kirby noted there is "no intention to put U.S. boots on the ground" in Israel. The U.S.' support for Israel was on full display when Austin ordered the deployment of the carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean, while the defense department also decided to jack up support for Israeli air defenses and additional munitions. "The versatility and mobility of the strike group, which can conduct a full spectrum of missions, from intelligence collection, maritime dominance, to long-range strike, will ensure the U.S. is postured to respond to any contingencies and minimize the risk of a wider spread conflict that would threaten stability," a senior U.S. defense official told reporters. Washington's attention pivoted to Israel just as it has been heavily consumed with supporting Ukraine's fight to repel Russian invaders -- an undertaking that has slowed amid partisan wrangling in Congress. The two crucial military fronts raised concerns that the North Korean issue could be put on the back burner. "Of course, but North Korea doesn't just pause their activities because there are other things going on in the world," Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, said. "If anything, it goes to show why we need a full time special envoy to keep working on this issue while the administration's attention is divided." The U.S. has repeatedly signaled its desire to restart diplomacy with the North, but skepticism has persisted over whether the two sides can resume dialogue, particularly when the reclusive regime has been seeking closer ties with its traditional partners, Russia and China. Amid the absence of dialogue with the U.S., Pyongyang has enshrined a policy, which fortifies its nuclear capabilities, in the constitution and doubled down on various defense projects, including its push to develop tactical nuclear arms and put a spy military satellite into orbit. In recent months, North Korea's place in the Biden administration's key diplomatic agenda appears to have diminished though Washington has cranked up diplomacy with China under its "de-risking" mantra and sought a degree of interaction with Iran as seen in its recent prisoner swap deal. "The Biden administration wasn't interested in taking any diplomatic risks with North Korea prior to Ukraine and Israel and it's even less interested after Ukraine and Israel," Frank Aum, a senior expert at the United States Institute of Peace, said. Amid the reemergent questions over America's will to tackle the North Korean nuclear issue, Washington has decided to deploy USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to South Korea for a five-day visit, starting Thursday (Korea time), in a major show of force. Direct diplomatic talks between the U.S. and the North have been stalled since the two countries held working-level nuclear talks in Sweden in October 2019 in the wake of the bilateral no-deal summit in Hanoi in February that year. The pandemic-driven border closures further darkened the prospects of reengagement between the two countries. However, the North reopened its borders last month, fueling hopes that it could set out to engage in more diplomatic exchanges with the outside world. The North's unconditional release of Pvt. Travis King, detained for crossing the inter-Korean border into the North in July briefly raised cautious hopes for the resumption of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, but Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, has dismissed the notion that the release could be a potential sign of breakthrough in the two countries' fraught relationship. Patrick M. Cronin, Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute, dismissed concerns that two conflicts at hand would make it difficult for the U.S. to refocus on the North Korean issue as he noted the readiness of American diplomats to engage in diplomacy with Pyongyang. "More realistically, we should be examining North Korea's military support for Hamas, Russia and other aggressors," he said. Radio Free Asia, a Washington-based media outlet, reported on the suspected use of North Korean weapons by Hamas fighters, citing a video shared by on the X, formerly Twitter, account @War Noir. Andrew Yeo, a senior fellow and the SK-Korea Foundation chair at the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies, said that although the Hamas attack will take up the U.S.' diplomatic bandwidth, Washington will continue to monitor any new development on the peninsula closely. But he added, "I don't expect any proactive diplomatic engagement on North Korea for the rest of this year." (Yonhap) NEW YORK New York states beleaguered ethics commission can continue its work for now, an appeals court said Tuesday, as it considers a challenge to a lower court ruling that sapped the power of the ethics body. In a brief, unanimous order, the appellate court in Albany granted a stay that restored the power of the ethics panel and scheduled the appeal for next Februarys term. Last month, an Albany Supreme Court justice sided with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo s arguments that the year-old ethics panel, the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, was created in an unconstitutional manner. The state promptly appealed the decision. Tuesdays order marked a small step in a case that could ultimately reach the states highest court, the Court of Appeals. But the decision came as a welcome victory for the ethics commission. The commissions chairman, Frederick Davie, and its executive director, Sanford Berland, issued a joint statement saying the order would allow the panel to continue its work and fulfill its mission as the appeal works its way through the judicial process. We look forward to resolving this matter expeditiously, they added. The appeals court carved out one exception in its stay: The commission cannot pursue proceedings against Cuomo. Justice Thomas Marcelle of Albany Supreme Court ruled on Sept. 11 that the ethics panel created by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature violates the state Constitution by operating without sufficient oversight from the governor. Marcelle wrote that the commissions latitude to issue sanctions rendered it more than a watchdog, it is an attack dog. Cuomo has engaged in a long-running legal effort to protect his COVID-19 book earnings from the ethics commission and its predecessor, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. Both the current and former ethics panels moved to penalize the disgraced former governor over his pandemic memoir. The book was published in October 2020, before a blizzard of sexual harassment allegations pushed Cuomo to resign. A state Assembly report published in November 2021 said that Cuomo deployed state resources to produce the 320-page book, a claim he has disputed. Cuomo has also denied the sexual harassment allegations. _____ NEW YORK If he wont quit, theyll try to expel him. And aim to help themselves in the process. Five of New Yorks vulnerable first-year House Republicans sponsored a resolution Wednesday to expel colleague Rep. George Santos five months after joining their conference in effectively voting down a measure to do so in May. Now they say the circumstances have changed after Santos was hit with new fraud charges on Tuesday, even if the likely outcome remains the same: The resolution wont pass the full House. The move aims to head off expected Democratic attacks next year that will try to use Santos troubles as an albatross in critical House seats in the state. Today, Ill be introducing an expulsion resolution to rid the Peoples House of fraudster, George Santos, Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.) posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. DEsposito, who represents a Long Island district neighboring Santos, said Reps. Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, Brandon Williams and Nick Langworthy, would be co-sponsoring. With the exception of Langworthy, who represents a deep red district in western New York, theyre all facing difficult reelection battles in 2024. The effort is a way to defend against criticism that theyre protecting Santos, who represents Long island and a part of Queens and was hit with 10 more federal charges , including conspiracy, in a superseding indictment. His campaign treasurer also pleaded guilty last week to filing false campaign finance reports for Santos. Santos pleaded not guilty in May to charges including wire fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds. Santos suggested he would plead not guilty to the new charges too, telling reporters Wednesday, I can prove my innocence. And he dismissed attempts to oust him from Congress, which would further shrink the GOP's four-seat majority. They can try to expel me, but I pity the fools that go ahead and do that and think that that's the smartest idea, Santos said. They're in tough elections next year, but they're setting precedent for the future. The resolution to expel wouldnt be able to be taken up quickly. Legislation cant move, currently, since theres no speaker of the House, after the House passed a motion to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the role. And if it were to come to a vote, the resolution would need a two-thirds majority to pass. When Democrats pushed a similar measure in May, after the initial charges were filed against Santos, the Republican majority instead moved to refer the matter to the House Ethics Committee, which hasnt publicly taken any further action. McCarthy, at the time, told New York Republicans he was worried about setting the precedent of expelling members before an ethics report was completed, or a conviction reached in court. In a closely divided House, it also helped to have Santos reliably Republican vote. Beyond the legal charges, the Santos saga of lies has become a spectacle, and political opponents have been eager to project his unpopularity onto fellow Republicans. Democratic activists rallied outside of Molinaros office in Binghamton in August, urging him to expel Santos. Molinaro, and other members of New Yorks Republican delegation, have publicly criticized Santos and called on him to resign. But McCarthy and other Republican leaders, like Rep. Elise Stefanik, have not, instead saying they prefer to let the process play out. DEspositos office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Lawler said on CNN that the new charges were the final straw. Myself and my New York colleagues wanted to allow the time for the investigation to be handled. But with the guilty plea of his treasurer admitting to the very scheme that he has been now twice indicted on with 23 felony counts, he cannot serve, he said Wednesday. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is flooding resources into New York swing seats, said that's too little, too late. Is your increasing vulnerability the reason that youve changed your tune since first having the opportunity to expel criminally-indicted George Santos back in May? DCCC spokesperson Ellie Dougherty said in a statement. Santos himself may no longer have an ally leading the House, either. While House Republicans announced that Rep. Steve Scalise won a secret ballot Wednesday to be their next choice for speaker, Santos had publicly thrown his support behind Rep. Jim Jordan instead. Democrats are already making moves, in anticipation of a potential special election if Santos were to resign, or be forced out of office. Former Rep. Tom Suozzi filed Tuesday to run for his old 3rd Congressional District seat, now held by Santos. By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Whoever wins New Zealands election on Saturday is going to have to make some difficult decisions on investment and staffing for a defence force struggling with aging equipment and personnel shortages. Three of New Zealands nine navy ships are idle because of staff shortages and any military response to a humanitarian emergency in the region over the coming cyclone season would be curtailed because of constraints, a spokesman for New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said in an email. The NZDF is able to provide a range of responses, but at reduced capacity, the spokesman said. The centre-right National Party led by Christopher Luxon is expected to emerge as the largest party in the Saturday vote with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins Labour Party coming second. A mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system has made coalitions the norm since it was introduced in 1996. Both Labour and the National Party have said they'd like to increase defence spending but have not promised to do so. A possible National coalition partner, the ACT party, has said it will increase spending to 1.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the short term. New Zealand now spends less than 1%. Underspending on the military and the challenges it faces are well documented and it is becoming increasingly difficult to postpone costly decisions, defence analysts say. As well as three of the navys ships being idle, plans to build a ship suitable for patrolling the harsh Southern Ocean have been suspended pending a decision on the country's two aging frigates, which are likely to need replacing. A review of what the government needs to spend to make the force fit for purpose is due in 2024. A new government is going to have to make a series of significant choices about the future the New Zealand Defence Force and its ability to match New Zealands foreign policy in the Pacific with its material capability to do so, said Anna Powles, senior lecturer in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University. For New Zealand, a stable and open Indo-Pacific region is vital to protect trade and telecommunication connections and China's growing presence in the South Pacific is a major concern for it and its allies. The government has taken steps to address some of the problems the military faces and this year it announced a pay rise for military personnel. The Labour Party has campaigned on a policy of introducing an authority to set pay rates. It has funded several new aircraft, vehicles and one ship during its six-year rule. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; editing by Robert Birsel) (Bloomberg) -- New Zealands main opposition National Party retained the prime position to win Saturdays election, though it would require the support of smaller parties to govern, according to two opinion polls published Wednesday in Wellington. Most Read from Bloomberg Support for National rose 1 percentage point to 37% in a 1News/Verian poll, leading the ruling Labour Party which improved 2 points to 28%. However, National would need the help of both the libertarian ACT Party, on 9%, and the nationalist New Zealand First Party, on 6%, to reach a majority in parliament. If the poll results were replicated at the Oct. 14 ballot, National would have the only path to power because Labour and New Zealand First have ruled out working together. Labours ally, the Green Party, was on 14% in the poll, while the tiny Maori Party, another likely partner, had 2% support. Thats not enough to reach a majority between them. The poll results reinforce the prospect that New Zealand First leader Winston Peters could return from the political wilderness. The 78-year-olds career looked over when his party failed to surpass the 5% threshold at the previous election in 2020. Separately, a Newshub-Reid Research poll published Wednesday showed National dropped 4.6 points to 34.5% its lowest reading since February last year. It still has a lead over Labour which gained 1 point to 27.5%. The Newshub poll also showed National would need the help of ACT on 8.8%, and New Zealand First on 6.8% to reach a majority. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Oct. 11 for a meeting with the alliance's defense ministers in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the first time the Ukrainian president will participate in the format in person. In a short press conference together with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Zelensky said he planned to discuss a variety of issues, but stressed that one of the priorities remains air defense systems in anticipation of a new campaign of Russian missile strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure over winter. "We have very concrete needs....and we need them in very concrete geographic points on our land," he said. Zelensky also stressed the need for more artillery support from NATO partners. "The counteroffensive is one direction, but you also need to defend," he said. "I expect more NATO allies to make further announcements today," said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in response to a question from the Kyiv Independent. "We need to sustain and step up their support." Stoltenberg also emphasized the need for strengthened air defense for Ukraine, stressing that it is crucial for Ukraine's ability to protect its critical infrastructure and economy, as well as enabling Ukraine "to function as a normal country." Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance southeast, east as weather worsens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday directly lobbied dozens of Western defense officials for more military aid, assistance that is sure to stretch thin following an ever-widening conflict between Israel and Hamas. Zelenskys attendance at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a meeting of more than 50 defense leaders in Brussels, is the first time the Ukrainian leader has attended such a gathering. The event offered a gain for Kyiv, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing that the U.S. will send another $200 million in new weapons and equipment to Ukraine. That package includes munitions for air defense systems, anti-tank and anti-drone weapons and various artillery rounds. But Austin also signaled that the Defense Department was preparing to offer more support to Israel in its war against Palestinian militant group Hamas, telling reporters that it stands fully ready to deploy additional assets if necessary even as he assured that Washington could aid both countries. Make no mistake, the United States will remain able to project power and to direct resources to tackle crises in multiple theaters, Austin said following the meeting. So we will stand firmly with Israel as we continue to support Ukraine. And as the gathering kicked off, Austin, flanked by Zelensky, said U.S. support for Israel will remain ironclad. The meeting comes as Ukraine hopes to gain more Western weapons for its fight to reclaim territory from Russian troops ahead of winter. Political infighting in Congress, however, has slowed approval for new Ukraine aid, with opposition to any assistance coming from far-right GOP lawmakers. There are also signs of the Western world growing weary of continuous funding for Ukraine as the country has only made minimal progress in its counteroffensive launched earlier this spring. Zelenskys attendance at the meeting Wednesday appeared to try to counterbalance that fatigue. There is a very understandable volume of lethal aid that the West can give, Zelensky said when asked if he was concerned Ukraine may receive less assistance due to the war in Israel. Of course, everybodys afraid of diminishing Western assistance with the Israel and Hamas conflict, he said at a press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. And I think also Russias counting on it, on dividing support. He later reiterated Ukraines need for long-range missiles and ammunition. Its very important that there are priorities, Zelensky said ahead of a private meeting with Austin and new Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Charles Brown. These are very concrete things and we need them. But the war in Israel has thrown a new wrench into Ukrainian efforts to shore up additional help, as it is sure to further strain weapons stocks already running low thanks to 19 months of helping Kyivs military. Austin pledged that the United States will stay in close contact with our Israeli partners and ensure that they have what they need to protect their country. The U.S. has already sent weapons to Israel including munitions and interceptors to replenish the countrys Iron Dome air defense system. In addition, the Pentagon ordered a U.S. carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea in a move to be closer to Israel, with the vessels arriving Tuesday. The Biden administration has pledged additional help in the conflict after Hamas on Saturday began a coordinated surprise attack on Israel that included forces striking multiple Israeli towns by land, air and sea. More than 1,000 Israelis and Palestinians have been killed in the conflict along with 22 U.S. citizens as of Wednesday. American citizens also are among those being held hostage by Hamas, according to the White House. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ukrainian leaders and NATO defense ministers have convened in Brussels on Oct. 11 for a two-day summit to mobilize allied support for Kyiv ahead of the coming winter. In a surprise visit, President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at NATO headquarters this morning as alliance officials prepare for the 16th Ramstein-format meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and a session of the Ukraine-NATO Council, and the first with Zelensky physically present. Several of Ukraine's main defense partners announced major new military aid packages for Ukraine, including Belgium, which joined Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway in the so-called "fighter jet coalition," pledged to deliver an unspecified number of F-16 combat aircraft to Ukraine starting from 2025. In a short press conference together with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg , Zelensky said he planned to discuss a variety of issues but stressed that one of the priorities remains air defense systems in anticipation of a new campaign of Russian missile strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure over winter. On Sept. 21, Russian forces launched its first mass strike against Ukraine's energy infrastructure in six months. Ukrainian officials warned that Russia will seek to cripple the country's power grid with large-scale attacks, as it had attempted during the fall and winter of 2022-2023. Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of reinforcing Ukraine's air defense capabilities, as they are critical in protecting "cities, economy, and critical infrastructure." "This will help Ukraine to produce, trade, to function as a normal country, and that will increase their ability to finance and provide ammunition themselves," Stoltenberg said. Stoltenberg warned that Putin plans to use the winter as a "weapon of war," and NATO allies are working to prevent that through air defense support. "We have now $2.4 billion in what we call forward contracts for increased ammunition production, out of which $1 billion is firm contracts, and we are constantly working on ramping up production." According to Stoltenberg, individual allied countries are expected to present new assistance packages during the summit. Ahead of the Brussels meeting, Germany's Defense Ministry announced a "winter" aid package for Ukraine worth around $1 billion, including an additional Patriot air defense system, as well as IRIS-T and Gepard air defenses. Following his talks with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest on Oct. 10, Zelensky also touted new military aid from Romania, which is said to focus on artillery and air defense. Read also: Iohannis: Almost 60% of Ukrainian grain exports transit through Romania The U.S. and the U.K. have also presented new aid packages. According to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Washington will provide Ukraine with $200 million worth of security support in the latest tranche, containing air defense ammunition, artillery, and other equipment. Austin also said that the allies are working to establish new "capability coalitions," akin to the "fighter jet coalition," to coordinate the provision of specific defense capacities to Ukraine. "But now we're taking this concept a little further. We're asking countries to create coalitions focused on broader opportunities that go beyond specific platforms," the defense secretary added. Read also: With winter approaching, is Ukraines energy system ready for renewed Russian attacks? London is readying a new defense assistance package of $123 million, encompassing demining, vehicle maintenance, and fortification equipment. The U.K. has also joined the allied effort in reinforcing Ukraine's air defenses. "During my recent visit to Kyiv, I assured President Zelensky that the U.K.'s support for Ukraine and their most urgent needs is unwavering," U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said. "Today, I am proud to announce that the U.K., alongside our allies, is delivering on that promise with new contracts to provide Ukraine with critical air defense systems to protect civilians from Putin's barbaric bombing campaign." Zelensky is also expected to meet Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss the provision of the F-16s to Ukraine. Apart from the jet fighters, the talks between the two leaders will focus on the reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, Zelensky said. The president pointed out that Russian assets frozen at Western banks could be used to finance Ukraine's recovery. U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken announced last week that the U.S. and the EU are working on legal procedures to transfer over $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine for that purpose. The summit will also address other common security issues aside from Ukraine. NATO representatives are expected to discuss the recent Hamas attack against Israel or the reported sabotage of an underwater gas pipeline and a communications cable between Finland and Estonia. Read also: A wave of terror: Hamas attack brings back haunting memories of war for Ukrainians in Israel Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine expects announcements on air defence, long-range weapons and artillery from the Contact Group's Ramstein-format meeting on Ukraines defence. Source: European Pravda; Zelenskyy at a Brussels meeting of NATO defence ministers. "There are priorities: air defence systems, a defence shield. These are not just words but concrete things, and we need them in very specific geographical points of our land to preserve the power network, people, grain and its supply routes to Africa, Asia, and the world," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy said long-range missiles and weapons are needed as well. "No matter what you call it, the problem is how to get it. Because we need it for the main reason to oust Russia from our land," Zelenskyy said. "And the third thing: how to defend and stand up every day and defend yourself. This is not about a counteroffensive. A counteroffensive is one direction, but we also need to defend ourselves because on the other side is Russia, a large army of terrorists," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy explained that he was talking about the need for artillery. As reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived on an unexpected visit to Brussels on 11 October. Brussels is hosting a meeting on 11 October of the Contact Group on the defence of Ukraine (Ramstein format), a meeting of NATO defence ministers and the Ukraine-NATO Council. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukrainian intelligence services are aware that Russia supports the operations of the Hamas militant group against Israel, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with France 2 on Oct. 9. He said he was convinced that Russia supports Hamas operations in one way or another. "It is obvious to our special services," Zelenskyy said. We have every reason to believe that Russia is facilitating certain terrorist operations. Zelenskyy also said that this was not the first time that Russia has supported terrorists. Read also: Russians disseminate fake news about supposed Ukrainian weapons in Hamas CCD It did this in Syria, it did this in Ukraine. It seeks to sow instability around the world, the Ukrainian president said. Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) previously reported that the Russian authorities were aware of Hamas militants' preparations for an attack on Israel. Ukraines Defense Intelligence is also convinced that Moscow provided Western weapons to the militants that the Russians had captured in the war against Ukraine. ISW analysts noted in their report that Russia will try to use the Hamas attack to advance its information operations aimed at reducing Western support and attention to the war in Ukraine. HUR said on Oct. 9 that Russia's intelligence services are conducting a campaign to discredit Ukraine in the Middle East and want to use the Islamist Hamas movement's attack on Israel for a large-scale provocation. War in Israel What is known Large-scale hostilities in Israel began on Oct. 7. From the early morning, Hamas repeatedly targeted the country with thousands of rockets and missiles. Armed Palestinian militants then invaded southern Israel, killing people and taking hostages. As a result, over 1,000 people have lost their lives in Israel. Over 100 are thought to have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants, and video evidence shows some of the hostages have since been murdered. It was revealed on Oct. 8 that Palestinian militants on Oct. 7 may have killed around 260 people at an electronic music festival near the Kibbutz Reim, 30 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. Efforts are currently underway to identify the bodies of the murdered festival goers. Read also: Israeli envoy cautions against drawing direct links between Hamas attack and Russian aggression In response to the Hamas attack, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Swords of Iron, striking the Gaza Strip. During the night of Oct. 8, Israel announced the restoration of control over the majority of the populated areas that had been penetrated by Palestinian militants. Israels Cabinet declared a state of war for the first time since 1973, and the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that the war would be long and challenging. On Oct. 9, the Israeli military managed to regain control of all the towns on the border with the Gaza Strip, but Hamas militants may still be there. The Israeli army launched an offensive. Later, on Oct. 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they were completing the clearing of the south of the country of Hamas units. So far, two Ukrainian women have been reported dead. Reports that three more Ukrainian citizens have been killed in the Gaza Strip are being verified. On Oct. 9, the Israeli defense minister ordered a siege of the Gaza Strip. In his address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas militants would be destroyed after their "atrocities," kidnappings, and murders of children and women. Hamas and other enemies of Israel "will pay a price they will remember for decades to come," Netanyahu stressed. On Oct. 10, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they had fully regained control of the border with the Gaza Strip and advised its residents to leave for Egypt. As of Oct. 10, more than 1,000 people are reported to have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the Hamas attack in Israel. 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 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Brussels on an unannounced visit. Source: European Pravda journalist from Brussels Details: A meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (Ramstein format) as well as a meeting of NATO defence ministers and a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council will take place in Brussels on 11 October. Prior to the meeting, President Zelenskyy will appear before the press with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. This is not Zelenskyys first visit to Brussels since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. His previous visit was in February 2023. Background: Earlier, Zelenskyy visited Romania, where he met with the chairmen of both houses of the Romanian parliament, Nicolae Ciuca and Alfred Simonis, as well as Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Following his meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis , President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and Romania had signed a declaration on cooperation in key sectors and had discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defence. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! By Kim Hyun-bin The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) is set to host the 19th Tripartite Meeting among the secretaries general of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC), the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), Thursday, at the International Peace Center on Jeju Island. This marks the first in-person gathering of the Tripartite Meeting in three years and is important for fostering cooperation between ASEAN and its neighboring countries. Established respectively in Korea, China and Japan, these three centers have consistently shared work programs and best practices through regular meetings. Chaired by the AKC, this year's meeting will bring together the secretaries general of these three centers: Shi Zhongjun from the ACC, Kunihiko Hirabayashi from the AJC and Kim Hae-yong from the AKC. They will deliberate on three key areas: directions and work programs post-COVID-19, possible collaborations and key issues in cooperation with ASEAN. Following the meeting, participants will have the opportunity to visit the Jeju ASEAN Hall, an exhibition space established by the AKC in September 2022, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and collaborative efforts between ASEAN and Korea. AKC Secretary-General Kim Hae-yong emphasized the historical significance of Jeju in hosting this important meeting. She reflected on the past, noting that "Jeju was the venue for the meeting among the three centers in 2017, where the secretaries general gathered to exchange views for greater cooperation." Additionally, she highlighted the significance of the Jeju ASEAN Hall as the first of its kind outside of Seoul, further underscoring the importance of this year's meeting. Kim expressed optimism for the upcoming event, stating, "Amid the growing significance of ASEAN Plus Three cooperation in the aftermath of the pandemic, this years Meeting would serve as a meaningful platform for sharing perspectives not only for cooperation with ASEAN but also for peace and security in the region." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit on Wednesday to a meeting of NATO defense ministers at which both the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine wars are on the agenda. Zelenskyy, in Brussels to urge further backing for Kyivs military, has voiced his support for Israel while warning that conflict in the Middle East risked distracting from his countrys war efforts. U.S. politicians are struggling to agree on a new aid package for Ukraine, and the crisis in Israel has led some Republicans to argue in favor of directing funds away from Kyiv. Russian propaganda outlets have seized on that discourse, with Sputnik, a state-linked news site, questioning if the U.S. could supply sufficient ammunition to both nations. Russia is correct in suggesting that the wars are connected, Josh Rogin writes for The Washington Post: The Kremlin, together with Iran and Hamas, is working "to wage war against democracies and upend the world order the United States and its partners spent decades building. Republicans cant claim to resist this challenge but provide resources for only one of its battlefields." There is little overlap in the types of arms requested by Israel and Ukraine, but the joint asks could present some strain on supplies, analysts believe. Israel will require precision munitions for its offensive, and it's possible Ukraine will soon need the same if it hopes to hit targets beyond the war's frontlines. The issue then becomes the speed at which those munitions can be manufactured, Mark Cancian, an adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told Bloomberg. The U.S. may have to pull them from already-depleting stockpiles, and that means Ukraine "could only shoot at the highest-priority targets." The fallout of the Israel-Hamas crisis could be good for Moscow, which would like to see Western nations at odds with each other, a top Latvian diplomat told Foreign Policy this week. The "Russians hope somebody will say its too hard," to supply arms to both Israel and Ukraine, the diplomat said. The Office of the President of Ukraine has sent a formal request for the Israeli government to approve an official visit to the country by Volodymyr Zelenskyy . Source: Axios, quoting sources from Ukrainian and Israeli governments, as reported by European Pravda Details: Axios sources report that Zelenskyys office has sent an official request to the Prime Minister of Israel to approve an official visit. The talks on the visit are preliminary and the exact date has not been approved yet. The purpose of Zelenskyys visit is to show solidarity with Israel, which suffered an attack by the terrorist group Hamas on 7 October. Earlier in Brussels, where he was attending a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Zelenskyy called on other leaders to visit Israel to show solidarity, drawing a parallel with the trips that world leaders made to Kyiv during the early months of the Russian invasion. "This is why I urge all leaders to visit Israel and show their support for the people. I'm not talking about institutions, but about support for the people who suffered from terrorist attacks and are dying today," Zelenskyy said. The Czech and UK foreign ministers are the only state officials who have visited Israel since the hostilities began. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also expected to visit Israel this week. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has equated Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Islamist group Hamas, calling them terrorists trying to hold free countries hostage. Source: Zelenskyy in his speech at NATO headquarters at the Ramstein-format meeting, reported by European Pravda Quote from Zelenskyy: "Terrorists like Putin or Hamas seek to hold free and democratic countries hostage. And they want power over those who seek freedom. Terrorists will not change. They simply have to lose. And that means we have to win." Details: Zelenskyy expressed confidence in victory, but noted that patience is needed. "This requires constant and ongoing support. We need to take the right steps. Steps that save lives in fact, vital steps and strengthen the defences significantly. Air defence is a must. And I am sure you heard me," Zelenskyy said. In his speech, Zelenskyy made a strong call for strengthening Ukraine's air defence before winter, stressing that this would bring the end of the war closer. Background: On 11 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels with an unexpected visit. 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 President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy , during his speech at the Ramstein-format meeting, called for strengthening the air defence of Ukraine, saying that this would bring the end of the war closer. Source: Zelenskyy during the first personal participation in the Ramstein-format meeting on 11 October, as reported by European Pravda Zelenskyy said that Russia will try to repeat its tactics of destroying Ukrainian infrastructure this winter, "but with clear conclusions and with greater terrorist efforts". The president said the current task is to get through this difficult winter. At the same time, the challenge is much bigger, Zelenskyy says. Quote: "Air defence is an essential part of answering the question of when this war will end and whether it will end fairly for Ukraine," the president said. The president said that "everyone can see what provides the protection of the skies". "This is a guarantee that the cities will have a normal life, there will be an economy, there will be people. Long-range air defence can also guarantee the functioning of our corridors in the Black Sea and the Danube region. Air defence guarantees that Russian aircraft will not be able to reach our Ukrainian borders, and thus it will solve the problem of Russian-guided bombs," Zelenskyy said. He emphasised that a "push and a step forward" in providing air defence systems to Ukraine is now necessary, as this will be a failure of the key strategy of the Russian Federation the "strategy of terror". Background: On 11 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on an unannounced visit. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine expects announcements regarding air defence, long-range weapons and artillery from the Contact Group Ramstein-format meeting on Defence of Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine keeps advancing "step by step" despite Russia's attempts to attack. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with France 2 Quote: "Russia attempts to counterattack, but to no avail, while we carry on advancing step by step." "...we are not moving as fast as we would like or as we had hoped." Details: The Ukrainian president also added that "time is on the side" of the Russian forces, so assistance to Ukraine should not be interrupted. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy The situation on the battlefield in Ukraine is now at a "very special" stage, as Russia has lost the initiative, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a Ramstein format meeting in Brussels on Oct. 11. In order to speed up the end of the war, full protection of Ukraine's territorial integrity and full guarantees of security after it is over are needed, Zelenskyy said. Read also: Russia escalating offensive around Lyman, Kupyansk in eastern Ukraine, says Ukrainian military "We have a very special situation on the battlefield now," the Ukrainian leader said. It is a situation where we need to press on without any pauses. It is very important that there are no pauses. We need to understand the principles of effective defense. Defense should not allow the enemy to stop and recover, to choose new tactics. Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that Russia's counterattacks are currently unsuccessful, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are moving forward "step by step" on the frontline. Read also: Ukraine advances on Lyman while discontent with mobilization rises in Russia, says ISW He said that if attention is diverted from Ukraine, time will be on Russia's side. 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 Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on October 11, 2023 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked to explore the possibility of visiting Israel as an act of solidarity with the Israeli people, local outlet Ynet reported on Oct. 11. Read also: Ukrainian embassy in Israel struggles to help more than thousand people without budget and resources According to the report, the visit is not yet planned, but initial discussions have already begun between the relevant officials of the two countries. During a Ramstein format meeting in Brussels earlier on Oct. 11, Zelenskyy called on global leaders to visit Israel and support the country, stating that Ukraine knows what it means to be under a terrorist attack and how crucial it is not to be left alone in such circumstances. Zelenskyy condemned the brutal Hamas attack on Israel, drawing parallels with the terror tactics Russia has been pursing in the war against Ukraine. On Oct. 8, Zelenskyy had an urgent phone conversation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Read also: Hamas attack on Israel killed three Ukrainians, nine injured, six missing, hundreds stranded Large-scale hostilities in Israel began on Oct. 7. From the early morning, Hamas repeatedly targeted the country with thousands of rockets and missiles. Armed Palestinian militants then invaded southern Israel, killing people, and taking hostages. Read also: Austin tells Zelenskyy US remains focused on supporting Ukraine and will dig deep to meet most urgent needs As a result, over 1,000 people have lost their lives in Israel. Over 100 are thought to have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants, and video evidence shows some of the hostages have since been murdered. Read also: Israel bolstered by first US arms delivery as operation against Hamas continues On Oct. 9, the Israeli defense minister ordered a siege of the Gaza Strip. In his address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas militants would be destroyed after their "atrocities," kidnappings, and murders of children and women. Hamas and other enemies of Israel "will pay a price they will remember for decades to come," Netanyahu stressed. On Oct. 10, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they had fully regained control of the border with the Gaza Strip and advised its residents to leave for Egypt. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Nelson County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission reviewed and discussed comments received from a recent public hearing regarding its comprehensive plan draft, in what was the groups last joint meeting conferring about the blueprint for growth and development. Catherine Redfearn, principal planner for Berkley Group, the consultant on the plan, gave updates on residents comments and a summary of their biggest concerns. Comments were submitted through the Nelson 2042 online comment forum, verbally and through print comment cards available at the open house Aug. 29. According to Berkley Group, the most common concerns from residents are Virginia 151 vehicle, bike and pedestrian safety; future growth of Nellysford; multi-family dwellings and land use types; and additional engagement, community development and planning processes. Redfearn said initial plans were submitted to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) 729 review process, where VDOT looks at the plan and offers any edits. VDOT didnt have any changes as a representative said the plan meets the base requirements per state code, according to Redfearn. The group first discussed Virginia 151. Redfearn said there was a lot of concern about introducing bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the highway, as well as concern that the group wasnt adequately addressing truck traffic. She said comments regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety can potentially be resolved by verifying the addition of parallel routes, which buffers the proposed lane or expanding the road. Central District Supervisor Ernie Reed said its an important piece of the traffic plan to try and reduce cars and tractor-trailers. He mentioned the proposed speed cameras in the school zones on Virginia 151, which can only be used during student dismissal and arrival, can be a vehicle to reduce speed. Reed also suggested crafting an amendment for the corridor study, which was conducted by VDOT to identify strategies and improvements to address existing and future traffic congestion, safety concerns and improve multi-modal accessibility on the corridor. How realistic it is and the vehicles by which we do that are limited or perhaps non-existent but I think we should not close the door on trying to initiate that process, he said. The group then discussed Nellysford. According to comments submitted by residents, theres concern with the language and land use designation on page 44 of the draft. Residents, according to comments, want the board to continue to preserve agriculture in Nellysford instead of promoting economic development. South District Supervisor Robert Barton said no one on the board is promoting economic growth in Nellysford. This is not something the county has decided on, he said. Reed said the description is fairly accurate on page 44 of the draft. I would propose that we prioritize the protection of the rural landscape and a moderate small village residential commercial development, he said. Through discussion, the board decided to add language to specify the scale, which Reed suggested for the more intense residential elements such as multi-family, business and commercial. He recommended adding small-scale to the chapter. I think small scale speaks to the intention of not having intensive development, he said. Residents also had some comments on engagement and wanted more opportunities to review and comment on the plan. Barton said over the years, the board has tried to make decisions that are in the best interests for those who cannot speak up or who are less represented. One public comment claimed that the survey issued to residents was top loaded with retirees from Nellysford, for example. We need to think and realize that were representing and not just responding to those who are used to speaking up, he said. Reed believes the board has done an exemplary job of soliciting the public and getting input, noting that the board has added an additional public meeting to what was already proposed. He said his only concern is having a sufficient amount of time to review the final draft before the next public comment. Whether thats two weeks or three weeks, I think we should be pretty specific about it. So, people do want to read it and do want to, you know, focus on the things that theyve been focusing on all along, he added. Redfearn said surveys were distributed to churches also and the same can be done with the draft, including adding them in the library. She said following this work session, the only things left to do is incorporate edits into the plan and have public hearings for each board. In the coming months, there will be two separate public hearings, one for the planning commission and the other at a board of supervisors meeting. Redfearn said theres a tentative agreement, that the group can get the revised edits by Oct. 26 and can have a final draft available for review and posted by Dec. 7, with a public hearing planned for both boards within the first few months of 2024. The board did not set a date for the next public hearing for residents to give their comments on the upcoming proposed edits. Redfearn said the website will remain open for comment throughout the end of the process and at that point, turned over to the county. Residents can continue to submit comments and concerns at https://www.nelson2042.com/. Spotsylvania schools superintendent Mark Taylor has removed 23 more books from county high school libraries, the division announced late Monday night, bringing the total number of titles he has removed to 37. "The decision, based on State Code and SCPS Policy IIA, defines criteria for removing materials that contain sexually explicit content," a news release from the division states. The books that have now been banned from high school libraries include "Song of Solomon" by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison; "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi, which traces a Ghanaian family through enslavement and racial prejudice in the U.S.; and "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher, a novel about a teen's suicide. PEN America, a nonprofit that protects free expression, 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." The state code referenced in the school division's news release, section 22.1-16.8, requires school boards to adopt policies that ensure parental notification of instructional material that includes sexually explicit content. This language was added to state code by a 2022 law that also states "That the provisions of this act shall not be construed as requiring or providing for the censoring of books in public elementary and secondary schools." The School Board in December adopted the model policies developed by the Virginia Department of Education, which "establish clear procedures for schools to identify all instructional materials with sexually explicit content (and) ensure parental notification of any instructional materials with sexually explicit content." The policy, IIA, states that library materials are considered instructional materials "when used for completion of an assignment, or as part of an academic or extracurricular educational program." However, Taylor, in a March memo announcing the removal of 14 other books from high school libraries, wrote that because the library books had been initially challenged last year under the existing process for challenging instructional materials, he intended to continue treating library books as instructional materials. The ACLU of Virginia in April said Taylor's interpretation of Virginia code as requiring the automatic removal of challenged library books is "misguided" and "neither required by nor consistent with the stated intent of Virginia Code section 22.1-16.8." Monday's news release states that the decision to remove the 23 books comes "upon the completion of the book challenge process." Part of the existing book challenge process includes review by an ad hoc committee of community members assembled by school principals. According to information received from the school division earlier this year, these ad hoc school-based committees overwhelmingly recommended that the books stay in high school libraries, though they did recommend that two of the titles "Fade" by Lisa McMann and "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews be removed from middle school libraries. The school division in Monday's news release also said "the decision to remove these books aligns with the recently conducted survey in which parents were asked if they wanted their children to have access to sexually explicit literature. "Approximately 70% of parents expressed their preference against such access." The survey referenced in the news release was a question that parents and guardians initially had to answer before being able to continue completing registration paperwork over ParentVue for the 2023-24 school year. Parents were required to answer "yes" or "no" to the question, In accordance with SCPS Policy IIA and IIA-R, do you want your student to have access to books with sexually explicit content in school libraries? The question was accompanied by the Virginia Code definitions of sexually explicit content as outlined in sections 22.1-16.8, 2.2-2827 and 18.2-390. In a message posted to the division's website, Taylor wrote, "Your yes-or-no answer will be stored in Destiny, our online library catalog, to assist librarians with carrying out the wishes of parents/guardians." An unidentified spokesperson for the division said Tuesday that there were "approximately 18,500" responses to the question. The school division spokesperson said the plan is for all the pulled books to be donated to the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, although the copies of the 14 titles removed this spring are still "at SCPS." In addition to the titles listed above, the books removed Monday are: "The Nowhere Girls" by Amy Reed "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins "All the Things We Do in the Dark" by Saundra Mitchell "Chosen: A House of Night Novel" by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast "Damsel" by Elana Arnold "Shine" by Lauren Myracle "Deogratias A Tale of Rwanda" by J. P. Stassen "Breathless" by Jennifer Niven "Real Live Boyfriends" by E. Lockhart "The Duff" by Kody Keplinger "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein "Little and Lion" by Brandy Colbert "Speak The Graphic Novel" by Laurie Halse Anderson "Mondays Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson "You Too?" by Janet Gurtler (Editor) "Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok "Twisted" by Laurie Halse Anderson Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, on Tuesday condemned a statement from a University of Virginia student organization that expressed support for the right of colonized people everywhere to resist the occupation of their land by whatever means they deem necessary. The statement, released by Students for Justice in Palestine at UVa, described Saturdays Hamas attacks as an unprecedented feat for the 21st century, and said that resistance fighters in Gaza had broken through an illegal border fence and had taken occupation soldiers hostage. Gilbert took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to urge his alma mater to also condemn the remarks. Some students at my alma mater @UVA fully endorse the rape, murder and kidnapping of innocent people which we now know includes the beheading of babies, Gilbert wrote. I implore the University and (president Jim Ryan) to condemn this vile statement in the strongest possible terms and to take action. Representatives for Ryans office could not immediately be reached for comment. The controversy comes as the death tolls in both Israel and Gaza rise. Speaking Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., characterized the Hamas attacks as barbaric, and said it is essential the the United States continues to support Israel and Ukraine. Warner said it would be a disaster if any country stepped back from its commitment to either nation. He said he will support an expected request from President Joe Biden for Congress to approved military aid for both Israel and Ukraine under the stalled federal budget. Warner said he thinks the Senate would approve a combined aid package for Israel and Ukraine, but he acknowledged that Congress can do little until the U.S. House of Representatives elects a new Speaker after a band of eight conservative Republicans forced the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Meanwhile, Gov. Glenn Youngkin plans to meet with Jewish community leaders Wednesday in Virginia Beach. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min will visit Japan this week to look for ways to revive regional towns facing extinction and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the face of a demographic crisis, the interior ministry said Wednesday. During the three-day trip, Lee is expected to visit Kamiyama, a town in Tokushima Prefecture, 650 kilometers from Toyko, on Thursday to meet local youth at one of the satellite offices in the region and visit a technical school founded to resolve the education issue for local children, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Tokushima Prefecture, which faced a risk of extinction after its population peaked at around 20,000 in the 1950s, is now home to some 690,000 people as of 2023. It recently saw the number of people moving into the area exceed those moving out, after projects to attract immigrants and revitalize the region were implemented. On Friday, the interior minister will pay a visit to an art museum in Tokyo that was built with the country's hometown taxes, a donation of tax payments made to a municipality in exchange for gifts. Lee will also examine the security and emergency evacuation facilities of government buildings and pay a visit to the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park. The interior ministry said Lee will have bilateral talks with Internal Affairs Minister Junji Suzuki, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Hiroya Masuda, the former minister of internal affairs and communications. (Yonhap) Republican General Assembly candidates dont always stress their abortion stands when wooing swing voters, but Gov. Glenn Youngkins political action committee is spending big money to do just that. In its bid to flip the Democratic-led state Senate and widen the GOP majority in the House of Delegates, Youngkins Spirit of Virginia PAC is launching a $1.4 million statewide ad campaign to lean into an issue that Democrats have been campaigning fiercely on. Its an effort to directly counter a central campaign message from Democratic candidates, the PAC says. The ad accuses Democrats of falsely claiming GOP control of both House and Senate would clear the way for an outright ban on abortions. It also asserts that Democrats dont want any limits on abortion, although Democrats say that misrepresents their position that Virginias current law should stand. On the campaign trail, Republican candidates at times downplay the abortion issue, saying voters arent telling them that abortion is a major issue in the campaign. Democrats say it is the top issue they hear about, with fears that Youngkins proposal to bar most abortions after 15 weeks is stalking horse for an outright ban or the still tighter limits some other states have enacted. I have been really clear I am supportive of a bill to protect life at 15 weeks when a baby can feel pain, with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. Fifteen weeks. Thats where we are, Youngkin said. Thats what were going to work for to protect life at 15 weeks. A number of Southern states have enacted abortion restrictions or bans since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, sending the issue back to the states. Abortion looms as a key issue in the fight for control of the legislature. During this years session, Democrats had a four-seat edge in the state Senate and Republicans had a four-seat edge in the House of Delegates. The PACs ads are focused on what it sees as 17 battleground races. Virginia law allows abortions for the first 26 weeks without limit; in the small number of cases when an abortion is later, it is allowed only when a womans doctor and two other physicians say it is necessary. State Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said, I think most Virginians are offended by the idea of politicians and law enforcement injecting themselves between a woman and her doctor. Speaking of the new GOP ad, he said: I think it will blow up in their faces. Every poll Ive seen says Virginians dont think the law should be changed. Youngkin says he thinks the 15-week limit is reasonable because it is the point at which a fetus can feel pain. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says a human fetus does not have the capacity to experience pain until after at least 2425 weeks. Most Republicans running for the legislature, including some of the most ardent abortion opponents such as Del. Karen Greenhalgh, R-Virginia Beach, generally say 15 weeks is a reasonable compromise. House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said in an interview: Look, I know everyone in our caucus understands Virginians as a whole do not want a ban. Weve been full-throated and clear that 15 weeks is where we are as public policy. What were hearing is that Virginians want reasonable limits; were not hearing that the other side has any number for limits. Surovell said Democrats believe the limits in current law ought to remain. Whether they admit its a ban or claim theyre just changing the law to take away abortion rights, it means women wont have the rights they have now, said House Minority Leader Don Scott, D-Portsmouth. We are living in a world where my daughter has less rights than my mother. ... Theyre trying to buy a ban, theyre trying to buy an election, and theyre trying to buy control of Virginia, he said. The PACs ads will run on broadcast media, cable, streaming services and digital media beginning this week and through Election Day. The campaign dwarfs what the PAC has spent so far on messaging: $268,000 for placing TV and radio ads and $225,000 for ad production, as well as about $610,900 for digital ads. Some of the hottest state Senate races have seen bigger ad spending, though. In Loudoun county-anchored 31st district, Republican Juan Pablo Segura has so far booked $1.8 million of broadcast ads, according to Federal Communications Commission and social media data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. Democrat Russet Perrys spending is $1.35 million. In Henrico County, state Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, has so far spent $1.49 million while her opponent, in District 16, Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, has spent $929,000. The 17 battleground races that the PAC is targeting with the ads include the Segura-Perry and Dunnavant-VanValkenburg contests. The others include two state Senate races on the fringes of the Northern Virginia suburbs, a Fredericksburg-area Senate district and three Senate races in Hampton Roads. House battlegrounds include three Richmond area races: Democrat Susannah Gibson versus Republican David Owen in House District 57; Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico versus Republican Riley Shaia in House District 58 and Del. Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie, versus Democrat Kimberly Pope Adams in House District 82. (While many GOP candidates back the governors stance, Shaia says she believes the state should allow abortion through the second trimester.) In addition, the PACs House battlegrounds include two Prince William county districts in Northern Virginia and three in Hampton Roads. SAPPORO, Oct 12 ( News On Japan ) - A record number of accidents and severe agricultural damage in northern Japan are the result of a flourishing deer population. Police are warning residents that deer, which inhabit all of Hokkaido, can potentially jump onto nearby roads and sidewalks. Two years ago, a herd of deer ventured onto Shinkansen tracks, causing train operations to be suspended for about 7 hours. The number of deer-vehicle accidents has also reached a record high of 4,480 cases. Agricultural damage is severe. Deer are selective when grazing on cattle pastures, eating only the delicious parts, leaving the cows with food low in nutrients and rich in fiber. Deer that ravage pastures and crops are considered pests, causing about 150 million yen in damage annually, according to a veteran hunter in Akkeshi-cho, Hokkaido. While deer hunters are strengthening extermination efforts, new utilization methods are also emerging. The Kushiro City Zoo started using deer meat for feeding tigers and lions. The Amur tiger is a natural predator of deer in the wild, and they especially like deer meat, according to a Kushiro City Zoo specialist. Not only meat but also deer leather is becoming popular. Deer leather, often referred to as "Kashmir of leather," has gained significant attention from the fashion industry in recent years. When John Helton and Ann Polich moved into their sprawling Queen Anne home in Council Bluffs in early 2006, they had seven children under age 7, including 5-month-old triplets. Helton, a contractor, stayed at home, thinking he could remodel the 4,800-square-foot house and take care of the kids at the same time. Ann is a physician. I must have been nuts, he said. Shed come home from work, and I would work on evenings and weekends. The house, which sits on more than an acre of land at 1300 Canning St., had been divided into five apartments and was in rough shape. Helton took on the challenge, one room at a time. Years later, the kids are grown, the house has been transformed, and the couple are moving to Arizona, where Ann took a job with the Veterans Administration. The house has been listed for $485,000, with Theresa Martin of NP Dodge handling the sale. We found Phoenix, and we decided we needed a little excitement, a little adventure, so we are going for it, Helton said. They arent leaving family behind. Triplets Anna, David and John are freshmen at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Clare transferred there from Iowa. Grace is a senior at Iowa State, Ellie is in medical school in Kansas City, and oldest daughter Celine lives in Denver. Shes off the payroll, Helton says. The house now has five bedrooms and five baths. But the kids at first slept in the main-floor apartment and the parents on the second floor until Helton would finish a room and they could move in. Doing almost all the work himself, Helton updated the electrical and plumbing and installed central air. Half of the second floor was turned into a suite for him and his wife. Along the way, each of the kids learned a trade, whether it be plumbing, painting or electrical. From an early age, like in any big family, they had to keep up their room, do chores and help with the laundry. Theyve graduated from microwave macaroni and cheese to becoming accomplished cooks. They were good helpers. Helton said. Those kids know how to work. When the triplets were older, Helton began working as the building and grounds director at Council Bluffs St. Albert, where all the kids attended school. He still had plenty of renovating to keep him occupied. But the house is now just about done, except for an area in the basement and a larger rehaul of the kitchen. Although he and his wife love their second-floor suite, its the large wraparound porch the family will remember the most. Our wraparound porch was perfect for graduation parties and entertaining, Helton said. Were definitely going to miss that. They are looking for a house on a large lot in Arizona, so they wont overwhelm their new neighbors when all of the kids come home for the holidays. Helton calls the work hes done on the house a labor of love, although much of it is now just a blur because of all the demands of a large family. We look back, and theres hardly any pictures of the triplets when they were young, he said. Wed rather sleep than take pictures. It was just a zoo. Photos: 1912 Queen Anne home gets brought back to former glory in Council Bluffs Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. John Fetterman will headline the Iowa Democratic Partys 2023 Liberty & Justice Dinner on Nov. 4, the party announced Tuesday. Fetterman, the former lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, won election to the Senate in 2022 in one of the most hard-fought Senate races that year. "Ive always believed that Democrats need to be making our case to voters in every part of the state and every part of the county, Fetterman said in a statement Tuesday. I ran on a slogan of every county, every vote and I think thats how Democrats can still win in rural areas, whether in Pennsylvania or in states like Iowa. Fetterman, who regularly dons gym shorts and a sweatshirt at official functions, drew some criticism from Republicans earlier this year after the Senate briefly ditched its informal dress code. Shortly after, the Senate passed a formal dress code rule requiring business attire. The annual fundraiser has in the past been a place for Democratic presidential candidates to garner support ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses. Iowa Democrats lost their spot in the national partys nominating calendar earlier this year, and last week the party approved a new system that will have Democrats announce the results of a mail-in presidential preference process on March 5, Super Tuesday. (Fettermans) well-earned victory in his Senate race last year is proof that Democrats can win rural voters as well as urban ones by sticking to our values, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a statement Tuesday. John is just the kind of authentic, passionate leader Iowans are drawn to and we cant wait to hear from him in person. Haley, DeSantis expand Iowa footprint Former United Nations ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is expanding her campaign operations in Iowa, following a pair of well-received debate performances that have helped invigorate her presidential campaign. Haley has made gains in recent months, both in fundraising and polling. She has surged into second place ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the early nominating states of New Hampshire and South Carolina, which follow the Iowa caucuses. A Real Clear Politics rolling average shows Haley surpassing several of her rivals to move into third place in Iowa, with 8.8% support, behind former President Donald Trump and DeSantis, who is at 16%. Trump, though, continues to hold a commanding lead at 49.2% support. The Republican presidential candidate also picked up the endorsement of former Texas U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, who suspended his 2024 presidential campaign on Monday and endorsed Haley for the GOP nomination. First reported by the Des Moines Register, Haleys campaign is opening its first headquarters in Clive, adding two staffers with Iowa political experience and actively hiring others. According to the campaign, it has added Hooff Cooksey, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds campaign manager in 2018, as an Iowa adviser. Cooksey also worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Republican Governors Association during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. Team Haley also hired Troy Bishop, who served as field director for Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley in 2022, to serve as the campaigns organization director in Iowa. A Haley campaign spokesperson, in an email, said it is actively bringing on other Iowa campaign veterans as regional directors across the state. DeSantis presidential campaign said last week it will move about one-third of its staff from Florida to Iowa, underscoring the critical importance he is placing on Iowas leadoff caucuses. We currently have an office in Des Moines but will have a presence across the entire state, a campaign spokesperson said. DeSantis has invested heavily in Iowa, conducting a flurry of local media interviews in addition to intense campaigning. As of Monday, DeSantis had visited 74 of Iowas 99 counties, according to his campaign. His campaign employs 56 people, including four Iowa staff members. The shift would give DeSantis the biggest organizational footprint in Iowa by far. Much of DeSantis organizational work in Iowa has largely been carried out by Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting his campaign, which has about two dozen Iowa staffers. Hinson reports raising more than $740,000 in third quarter Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, reported raising more than $740,000 from July through September, with more than $1.3 million cash on hand. Hinson also contributed more than $50,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and targeted races across the country to help Republican candidates win key seats. Hinson is running for re-election to a third term representing Eastern Iowas 2nd Congressional District. She is currently running unopposed. Hinson, a former state lawmaker and former KCRG-TV news anchor, won re-election last year to a second term by eight percentage points against Democratic former state lawmaker Liz Mathis of Hiawatha in Iowas new 2nd District. Hinson unseated first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer in 2020. Teamsters union supports Cedar Rapids school bond measure The Future Ready Schools Committee, which collected signatures to place a $220 million Cedar Rapids Community School District bond referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot, announced it has earned the support of Teamsters Local 238. Its no secret that strong schools lead to thriving communities. To attract the workers of the next several decades, we must ensure that our communities priorities reflect our values that means investing in sustainable education infrastructure that meets the needs of tomorrow, Teamsters Local 238 Business Agent Scott Punteney said in a statement. Working together to build our communities from the bottom up is a centerpiece of sustainable growth and prosperity for working people not only in Cedar Rapids, but across the state of Iowa. Were proud to offer our support to the Vote Yes to Invest effort. Teamsters Local 238 represents more than 5,000 members working in industries ranging from transportation and warehousing to manufacturing and public service. Photos: Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in Davenport campaigning for president. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is leading a group of states in a court brief in a lawsuit challenging a Massachusetts law that limits the sale and transport of pork and other animal products in the state unless theyre raised in humane ways. The brief was filed Tuesday in support of the lawsuit brought by Triumph Foods against the Massachusetts law, which was passed as a ballot measure called Question 3 in 2016. The law bans the sale of pork in the state that comes from sows unless they are given enough room to lie down and turn around, including pork that is raised outside the state. Sows are generally kept in restrictive gestation crates. It also bans the sale of eggs and veal unless they are raised in certain conditions. The law mirrors a California law, Proposition 12, that has many of the same restrictions and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. Massachusettss radical pork ban hogties Iowa pork producers, Bird said in a statement Tuesday. With these strict new mandates in effect, Iowa farmers will face extreme costs and regulations to compete in the industry, forcing many family hog farms to close shop. Massachusetts doesnt get to dictate how Iowans farm. We are fighting to support our pork producers and protect Iowa family farms. Attorneys general from Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and nine other states joined the brief, led by Birds office. Birds office said in a press release the law goes even further than Californias, barring the transportation of pork through the state to other states in New England. According to the brief, Massachusetts is a major distribution hub for surrounding states, and the prohibitions affect warehouses that ship from Massachusetts to other states. The law took effect on Aug. 25 after state officials and industry groups came to a deal amid ongoing litigation, according to a Boston NBC affiliate. The regulations on pork being transported through the state have not taken effect. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the California laws constitutionality. The Massachusetts case is being argued on different grounds, with the meat processing company arguing the law violates equal protections under the Constitution and the Import-Export Clause, among other things. Many of Iowas members of Congress have co-sponsored legislation that would make it illegal for states to pass laws like the ones in Massachusetts and California. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would prohibit states from passing laws regulating agricultural products that originate outside the state. The Humane Society of the United States and other animal rights groups have opposed the proposed legislation, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers opposed adding it to the 2023 farm bill, saying it would limit the power of states to make local decisions about food and agriculture. Iowa absentee voting opens Oct. 18 Iowans can begin casting absentee ballots in November's city-school elections beginning Wednesday, Oct. 18. That marks the first day Iowans can vote in person at their county election office, and is also the first day county auditors can begin mailing absentee ballots to voters who requested them. More than 5,500 Iowans have requested an absentee ballot thus far, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23. Iowans can also vote absentee by mail or in person at the polls on Election Day, Tuesday. Nov. 7. Absentee ballot request forms are available at VoterReady.Iowa.gov. Iowans can also track the status of their request and absentee ballot at that website. Absentee ballots must be turned in to county auditors by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7 to be counted. We want to see every Iowan participate in the upcoming City-School Election, and the best way to be successful in voting is to have a plan for how you want to vote, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement. Iowans have several secure ways to vote, including early and in-person at their county auditors office. Iowans should make a plan early and take the necessary steps to ensure their voice is heard this November." Reynolds appoints Hunter Thorpe as district associate judge Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday she had appointed Hunter Thorpe, an assistant county attorney at the Boone County attorney's office, as a district judge in Iowa's Judicial Election District 2B. Thorpe, of Ankeny, received his undergraduate degree from Central College and his law degree from Drake University. His appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Steven Van Marel. Daniels Manufacturing Co. donated cattle working facilities to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's new Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead. Shown here are (from left) Josh Benton, feedlot unit manager at ENREEC; Ruth Woiwode, UNL assistant professor of animal science; Kade Blake, Daniels Manufacturing sales manager and design consultant; Mark Shaul, Daniels Manufacturing Board of Directors; Tim Iverson, Daniels Manufacturing Board of Directors; Teri Daniels, Daniels Manufacturing owner and board of directors; and Doug Zalesky, director of ENREEC. The Brian Moes Family of Osmond recently received the Natural Resources Districts Tree Planter of the Year Award. They were nominated by Lower Elkhorn NRD. The award presentation took place during the annual conference in Kearny with (from left) Nebraska Association of Resources Districts director Judy Ridenour, Jolene Moes and LaVon Moes and Lower Elkhorn NRD interim general manager Brian Bruckner in attendance. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Foreign Minister Park Jin held back-to-back talks with top officials of South American countries and Caribbean states in Seoul on Wednesday, and discussed bilateral relations and cooperation, the foreign ministry said. In the meeting with his Ecuadorian counterpart, Gustavo Manrique, the two ministers welcomed that the two countries have reached their strategic economic cooperation agreement, equivalent to a free trade agreement, saying it will open a new chapter for two-way trade cooperation. The ministers expressed hope for an early official signing of the bilateral pact so that it will serve as a channel for close cooperation on the global supply chain of raw materials once it comes into force, according to the ministry. The two sides also signed an agreement on coordinating in the criminal justice system, with details to be fine-tuned going forward. Park met separately with his counterpart of Suriname, Albert Ramdin, and discussed efforts to boost bilateral cooperation in agriculture, climate change, food security, health and other areas. As part of such efforts, Park and Ramdin signed a joint declaration on comprehensive bilateral cooperation, the ministry said. Earlier, Park also met with Rodolfo Sabonge, secretary-general of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), an intergovernmental organization representing 25 member states in the Caribbean and 10 other associate states in the region. Korea became an ACS observer in 1998. Park also held talks with his counterpart from Jamaica and a minister of the islands of Grenada. The officials were visiting Seoul this week to attend a high-level forum between Korea and the Caribbean states that took place the previous day. (Yonhap) Russian President Vladimir Putin held Tuesday October 10 a telephone conversation with Malis interim President for the transitional period Assimi Goita, with talks focusing on the strengthening of economic ties and security cooperation. At the initiative of the Malian side, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with the President of the transitional period of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita. The course of implementation of the agreements reached at the talks between Vladimir Putin and Assimi Goita within the framework of the second Russia-Africa Summit in July 2023 was discussed, Putins office said in a statement. The Kremlin also indicated that the two leaders discussed the mutual commitment to further strengthening trade and economic ties, as well as security cooperation and the fight against terrorism. Goita seized power in 2021 in a military coup. Under his rule, Mali has tilted towards Russia at the expense of former colonial power France. Ties between Mali and France have since been severed. Russia has become the leading security and defense partner of Mali which has been struggling with Tuareg rebels and terrorist groups operating in the north, near the joint border with Burkina Faso and Niger. Goita in September 2023 received a Russian Defense delegation led by the Deputy Minister Yunous-Bek Evkourov. Talks then focused on strengthening cooperation ties in defense and security between the two countries, as well as the security situation in the Sahel. The UN Security Council holds this Wednesday in New York a closed-door meeting on the MINURSO, whose mandate expires on October 31. Ahead of the mandate renewal, Council members will be briefed by Head of MINURSO Alexander Ivanko on the UN Mission activities, the situation on the ground and Polisario provocations. Ivankos briefing comes following the draft report submitted to the Security Council by UN Chief Antonio Guterres on the Sahara. On October 16, UN Sahara Envoy Staffan De Mistura is expected to brief the Council on his efforts to advance the UN-led political process for the resolution of the Sahara regional conflict. Last September 4, De Mistura embarked on a regional tour with a visit to the Moroccan Sahara cities of Laayoune and Dakhla where he held a series of meetings with elected officials, Chioukhs, local notables and economic stakeholders. He also met with representatives of civil society, young people, and women. The trip has enabled the UN Sahara envoy to see the tangible economic and social progress as well as the local democratic governance and inclusive development prevailing in the Sahara provinces. On September 8, De Mistura met Moroccos foreign minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat. During the meeting, Bourita underlined the constants of Moroccos position, as reaffirmed by King Mohammed VI in the speech he delivered on November 6, 2022 on the Green March celebration, advocating a political solution, based exclusively on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, within the frame of the Kingdoms national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara also met separately with Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani and polisario chief Brahim Ghali. De Misturas regional tour aimed at re-launching the roundtable political process with the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the polisario, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, notably resolution 2654, adopted on October 27, 2022. Prior to De Misturas trip, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Josh Harris visited Morocco and Algeria to reaffirm full U.S. support for the UN political process for Sahara. The U.S. official urged Algeria and the Polisario to support the UN Sahara envoy in a spirit of realism and compromise to achieve an enduring political solution to the Sahara issue. Morocco has called from Geneva for a global commitment to integrate refugees into national health systems. As a constructive partner pursuing a realistic and pragmatic approach, Morocco believes that including refugees in national health systems will help to respond to the immediate humanitarian emergency, said Omar Zniber, Moroccos Permanent Representative in Geneva, during a side event held on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the Executive Committee of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As part of the mobilization of collective action through multi-stakeholder commitments at the World Forum on Refugees, scheduled for December, the diplomat stressed that Morocco is engaged with various partners, including UNHCR, WHO, the Global Fund, GAVI, and Johns Hopkins University, on a multi-stakeholder approach that appreciates the significant progress made in the three High-Level Meetings on Health at the UN General Assembly (September 2023) and the historic 3rd Global Consultation on Refugee and Migrant Health (Morocco, June 2023). This approach aims to facilitate the inclusion of refugees, other forcibly displaced persons, and stateless persons through policy changes supported by financial, material, and capacity strengthening, and to foster equitable access to quality health services for refugees and host communities. The diplomat also hoped to emulate the good practices already in place in Morocco, recalling that, in November last year, the Moroccan Ministry of Health signed an agreement with the UNHCR to conduct joint actions to support access for refugees and asylum seekers to basic health services and specialized care. He also expressed Moroccos determination to pursue its pioneering work to support sustainable development with measurable objectives and tangible contributions, in line with its moral commitment to refugees and host communities. Commenting on the Moroccan diplomats speech, Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with UNHCR, praised Moroccos role as a model for refugee integration as well as the commitments it embodies in its relationship with UNHCR. Moroccos Phosphate Group (OCP) and the World Bank agreed on Wednesday in Marrakesh to strengthen cooperation ties and programs benefitting five million farmers in Benin, Guinea, Mali, and Togo, covering 10 million hectares. The agreement was inked by OCP CEO Mostafa Terrab and WB Vice-Pdt.for Central Africa Ousmane Diagana during the ongoing WB-IMF Annual meetings taking place in Marrakesh. The OCP-WB cooperation aims at accelerating investments and reforms to make fertilizers more accessible and affordable to farmers. The goal is to drive a just and sustainable agricultural transition, by widening the access of farmers in West Africa to customized fertilizers that nourish the soil and improve crop yields, which in turn enhances the livelihoods of farmers, thereby contributing to African development and prosperity, said Terrab. Both our institutions believe in accelerating investments and reforms to support a resilient agriculture that promotes sustainable development and creates jobs. This partnership between the World Bank and the OCP Group is turning the Lome Declaration into action, said Mr. Ousmane. The partnership will focus on five areas of cooperation, namely improving soil health and fertility through digital soil mapping analysis and customized fertilization; establishing agricultural technology and service centers to train and support smallholder farmers; launching a Digital Farming School program to foster local capacities and entrepreneurship to transform the agri-food sector; strengthening the capacity of ECOWAS to operationalize its Roadmap on fertilizers and soil health; and supporting the establishment of a Regional Center for Soil Health and Fertility management in West Africa hosted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). With this partnership, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 2 on hunger and food security, and SDG 13 on climate change. On Tuesday, the OCP Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) unveiled an ambitious agri-finance platform. The initiative aims to mobilize a substantial $800 million in blended capital by 2030, in an effort to bolster agricultural growth and enhance food security in Africa. The platform aims to build and support sustainable food production and distribution systems across the African continent, said OCP in a press release. By providing access to finance and comprehensive skills training, the initiative plans to strengthen 30 agricultural value chains, via 60 agri-finance operations. These operations will encompass various crop types and address prevalent challenges hindering the sectors growth and resilience. The press release underlined that agriculture holds immense economic significance for Africa, contributing approximately 20% to the continents GDP and employing over 60% of its population. Despite the continents agricultural potential, Africa currently relies heavily on food imports. This leaves the continent vulnerable to external disruptions, such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The targeted investment strategy of the platform aims to address these challenges, and foster sustainable growth within the sector, ultimately enhancing food security across Africa. Mostafa Terrab was quoted in the press release as saying that the partnership with IFC will help unlock the full potential of Africa to feed not only itself but the world. Today we take a major step towards a just African agricultural transformation by mobilizing substantial new financing for African farmers and for the value chains that support them, Terrab added. Meanwhile, Managing Director of IFC Makhtar Diop emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Africa and expressed enthusiasm about scaling up the partnership with OCP to attract investment and improve food production on the continent. Morocco is on course to break its tourist arrivals record with 11.5 million people visiting the country up to September this year, a figure that exceeds total arrivals in 2022, the tourism ministry said. Timing couldnt be more perfect to announce record September arrivals than during the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF in Marrakesh, Moroccos tourism minister Fatima Zahra Ammor said. She said Morocco is poised to attract 14 million visitors by December, breaking the pre-covid 2019 record of 13 million tourists. Tourism professionals in Marrakech had at first voiced fear the earthquake could trigger a wave of cancellations. But that didnt happen as the vast majority of hotels in Marrakech were fully booked on the occasion of the visit by some 12,000 people for the IMf-World Bank annual meetings. Moroccos tourism promotion plan aims to attract 17.5 million tourists by 2026 generating revenue of $12 billion and 80,000 direct jobs and 120,000 indirect. Photo: VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA/REUTERS This weekend in Israel, a far-right Islamist group perpetrated the largest mass killing of Jews since the Holocaust, murdering entire families, including babies, in their beds and slaughtering 260 concertgoers. More than 1,000 Israelis were killed in all, and over 100 others taken hostage. Israels far-right government predictably responded by choking off food, electricity, and fuel to Gazas 2 million residents and then preparing a military assault more untempered by concern for civilian casualties than ever before. Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, made the brutality of what is to come plain on Monday, saying, We are fighting human animals, and we will act accordingly. And no small number of supposed leftists found in all this cause for celebration. Others, meanwhile, loudly refused to condemn Hamass atrocities, insisting it was not their place to decry the military strategy or violent resistance of oppressed Palestinians. In my view, these responses constitute a betrayal of the lefts most fundamental values. Either one upholds the equal worth of all human lives, opposes war crimes, and despises far-right ethno-nationalist political projects or one doesnt. Whats more, cheering (or publicly announcing your refusal to condemn) the murder of children isnt just morally grotesque but also politically self-defeating. The Wests apologists for Palestinian war crimes have far less power than its apologists for Israels brutal domination of the Palestinian territories and discrimination against Arab citizens of Israel. But precisely because left-wing critics of Israeli apartheid lack power, we must not forfeit our moral authority. For decades, the Israeli governments knee-jerk defenders have sought to equate opposition to the occupation with contempt for the security of Jewish Israelis. Now, a loud minority of Palestines self-styled champions are blithely affirming this smear, insisting that solidarity with Palestine requires callous indifference toward (or, at the very least, silence about) the mass murder of Jews. In so doing, they are making it easier for their adversaries to discredit and marginalize the broader cause of Palestinian liberation. And that cause has never been more vital. It is therefore imperative for progressives to disavow all apologia for Hamass atrocities and for the broader public to understand that the lefts analysis of the conflicts origins, and its prescriptions for its resolution, are wholly extricable from the blood lust of a loud minority of pseudo-radicals. It is not hyperbole to say that many left-wing supporters of Palestine celebrated Hamass atrocities. The national leadership of Students for Justice in Palestine declared the weekends events a historic win for the Palestinian resistance, touting Hamass success in catching the enemy completely by surprise. The Connecticut chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America applauded the Palestinian resistances unprecedented anti-colonial struggle, pledged its solidarity to that struggle, and vowed, No peace on stolen land! At a rally co-sponsored by socialist organizations in New York City, one speaker spoke approvingly of the mass murder of Israeli teenagers, saying, There was some sort of rave or desert party where they were having a great time, until the resistance came in electrified hang gliders and took at least several dozen hipsters. Some left-wing intellectuals, meanwhile, chose to gussy up their ardor for war crimes in layers of impenetrable jargon. Speaking plainly would have required such thinkers to acknowledge that they were endorsing the mass murder of children, and thus to assume the extraordinary burden of justifying this stance; which is to say, the burden of explaining why we should believe that Palestinian liberation can be achieved through the killing of Jewish children and only through the killing of Jewish children. Its understandable, then, that instead of forthrightly making this case, many chose to convey the sentiment Oppressed people have a right to commit mass murder with as much opacity and pseudo-profundity as their hard-won vocabularies would allow. These remarks from an editor at Harpers are exemplary: to search for an analogue seems almost inappropriate to Palestinians world-historical(!) audacity to seize the components of self-determination for themselves, if only because the idiom of liberation invents itself anew with each instance that the yoke of bondage is sloughed off a near-centurys pulverized overtures toward ethnic realization, of groping for a medium of existential latitude these things culminate in drastic actions in need of no apologia. the thrum of history as it develops is one of force; its inertia and advance require some momentum In this intellectuals telling, the killings of entire families in their beds are not atrocities that contradict the lefts fundamental commitment to the inherent worth of every human life; they are drastic actions in need of no apologia. Such sentiments were not altogether aberrant among left-wing public intellectuals. A Marxist professor at Birkbeck University of London declared that the murder of 260 Israelis at a rave was a consequence for partying on stolen land. Other academics, and a wide variety of campus student organizations, issued statements pointedly refusing to criticize Palestinian resistance. Meanwhile, social media was replete with claims that Hamass atrocities constituted heroic progress toward decolonization and that Jewish Israeli civilians were fair targets for violence as they are settlers occupying stolen lands. All this is morally sick and intellectually bankrupt. From my vantage, it looks as though a few leftists were eager to demonstrate their superlative moral clarity by fighting with liberals about the legitimacy of a Palestinian uprising aimed squarely at the IDF and conducted in the name of democratic equality; so eager that they would not be deterred by the fact that the weekends events bore scant resemblance to that scenario. What we actually witnessed was not the Palestinians mounting a violent struggle for justice but a far-right theocratic organization committing mass murder in the name of blood-and-soil nationalism. Hamass project is antithetical to the lefts foundational values of secularism, universalism, and egalitarianism. And it is also completely at odds with the progressive vision for Palestinian liberation. Western radicals predominant prescription for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict is a one-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians all enjoy democratic equality in a single binational state. Hamass atrocities have not advanced this ideal but set it back, lending credence to those who insist a one-state solution is a recipe for ceaseless civil war. This weekend was not a triumph for the lefts project in Palestine but a disaster. Meanwhile, although many aspects of Israels relations with the Palestinians can be justifiably described as neocolonial, analogies between the conflict and paradigmatic anti-colonial struggles can be misleading. This is not Algeria, and the Israelis arent the pied-noirs. Much of Israels Jewish population descends from people who were expelled from other Middle Eastern countries; which is to say, people who suffered the same sort of dispossession endured by the Palestinians. These people did not have anywhere else to seek refuge. And their grandchildren do not have any metropole to return to. The idea that they deserve to be shot to death while dancing because they were born in Israel, or for the crimes of a government many actively opposed, is hateful. More broadly, the notion that an ethnic group can boast the exclusive right to occupy any stretch of land is not a left-wing one. Virtually all land is stolen land if one rolls the tape back far enough. Individuals who were dispossessed of property as a result of their ethnicity have a right of return and reparation. But ethnic groups do not have a right to cleanse any geographic area of outgroup members, whether they are Israeli or Palestinian. For these reasons, it is a moral imperative for progressives to condemn Hamass atrocities, affirm the human rights of Jewish Israelis, and reject the ethno-nationalist claim that Palestinians have a unique right to reside in the region. And it is also a political imperative for them to do so. Those who approve or condone Hamass atrocities constitute a small minority of the left. Yet since algorithmic social media favors incendiary speech, from the vantage of many X and Instagram users, the lefts response to last weekends events is characterized by bloodlust. In the face of that response, multiple progressive-leaning people in my life have expressed a sense of estrangement from leftists and newfound doubts about their worldview. Seeing an ideological group embrace a position that one knows to be intellectually bankrupt and morally odious will naturally lead one to view that groups other claims especially those concerning matters one knows little about, such as the intricacies of the Israel-Palestine conflict with greater skepticism. Its important, therefore, to ensure that the majority of progressives who abhor all war crimes makes itself as visible as possible. In the present context, pointedly refusing to condemn Hamass atrocities might help a leftist to perform a more radical solidarity than squishy liberals can muster and thus win some points in a subcultural status game. But doing so will make it harder for them to actually advance their ostensible aims. The political necessity of criticizing Israel on universalist grounds, rather than ethno-nationalist ones, is similarly urgent. In defending their apologias for war crimes, leftists tend to cite the gross power imbalance between the Palestinians and Israelis as somehow exculpatory. But precisely because Palestinians cannot hope to prevail in a contest of brute force, it is incumbent on their champions to make the case for their liberation in terms that honor the basic rights of Israelis. If we posit that some ethnic groups have a unique claim to specific stretches of land, and that they also have the right to commit war crimes so as to secure this heritage, then we will do the Israeli far-rights ideological work for it. When supposed leftists embrace calls for the expulsion of all Jewish settlers from the river to the sea, they pit one groups account of why its historical victimization gives it carte blanche to commit ethnic cleansing against another groups account of the same. In a contest between competing visions of ethno-nationalist domination, the Palestinians cannot win. Their primary strength is the moral force of egalitarian universalism; in other words, of the idea that all people are entitled to security, self-government, and equality under the law. The moment that Palestines western supporters treat this idea as negotiable, they kick the legs out from under their own movement. And that movement is needed now more than ever. The current Israeli government is the most far-right in its history and has been working to de-facto annex the West Bank and entrench Jewish supremacy in that occupied Palestinian territory. Israeli settlers in that region have been carrying out attacks that even Israeli officials recognize as pogroms. Meanwhile, last year, Israeli troops in the West Bank killed a record number of Palestinians. And even before the present war, they were on pace to set a new one in 2023. Israels national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is an open anti-Arab racist who has called for the mass expulsion of disloyal Arab Israelis and whose sympathies for Jewish terrorists prevented him from serving in the Israeli army. The nations finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has called for wiping out Palestinian villages. This is a government that needed no provocation to demonstrate its contempt for Palestinian life. Now, Hamas has given it the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. Israel has responded by promising that its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza will be unconstrained by concern for the lives of the 2 million civilians who are tightly packed into a strip of land twice the size of Washington, D.C. On Tuesday morning, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced that hundreds of tons of bombs had already been dropped on Gaza and noted that the emphasis is on damage and not on accuracy. A member of Netanyahus Likud Party in Israels parliament tweeted in response to the attacks, Right now, one goal: Nakba! A Nakba that will overshadow the Nakba of 48. This is a reference to the original ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Israel. At present, Israels allies in the West are giving it little incentive to temper its thirst for vengeance with concern for, say, the majority of Gazans who are under 18 years old. In his remarks on the attacks, Joe Biden offered the unqualified support of the U.S. for Israels response while lamenting Hamass use of Palestinian civilians as human shields. This is a real practice, but it also serves as an alibi for Israel to pursue aerial campaigns that emphasize damage over accuracy. A precondition for a durable peace in Israel-Palestine is an Israeli government that honors its commitments under international law, ends its occupation of the West Bank, and forswears collective punishment as a tool of war against Hamas. To assert this is not to pretend that Hamas is an eager partner for peace. But that organization owes much of its popular legitimacy (and power) to Israels crimes. The Israeli government will not honor the legal and moral rights of Palestinians absent concerted international pressure. And mounting such pressure requires a progressive movement with the moral authority to challenge popular narratives about the conflict that elide the crimes of the Israeli state. Admittedly, the prospects for success on that front in the near term look bleak, irrespective of whether progressives denounce Hamass atrocities or justify them. But a left that refuses to condemn mass murder will ensure (and deserve) its own political irrelevance. To celebrate the slaughter of Jewish children as decolonial struggle, or to refuse to condemn the military strategy of far-right war criminals, is to place the performance of radicalism above the demands of moral integrity and political efficacy. Photo: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock Representative George Santoss legal troubles just keep getting worse but he insists it will take more than bipartisan condemnation and 23 federal charges to get him out of Congress. On Tuesday evening, federal prosecutors unveiled a superseding indictment against the freshman New York congressman alleging that Santos personally committed identity theft and credit-card fraud by making unauthorized donations using donor information and that he conspired with his campaign accountant to submit fraudulent information about contributions to the Federal Election Commission. The additional charges filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York include two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, two counts of making materially false statements to the FEC, two counts of falsifying records submitted to obstruct the FEC, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of access-device fraud. These ten new charges come in addition to the 13 counts that have been pending against him since May. As alleged, Santos is charged with stealing peoples identities and making charges on his own donors credit cards without their authorization, lying to the FEC and, by extension, the public about the financial state of his campaign. Santos falsely inflated the campaigns reported receipts with non-existent loans and contributions that were either fabricated or stolen said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in a statement. Prosecutors claim Santos defrauded donors by using their credit-card information to make additional campaign contributions without their knowledge. In one instance, a donor listed in the indictment as Contributor #12 texted Santos billing information for two credit cards with the intent of making a donation. The indictment alleges that Santos took the information and used it to make $15,800 in contributions without the donors consent, an amount that far exceeded the limit on individual contributions. To subvert that statute, Santos is believed to have attributed two of the donations as coming from his own family members. Prosecutors allege that Santos repeatedly used the credit card billing information of Contributor #12 in attempts to make at least $44,800 in unauthorized charges in others names and his own. He also reportedly used this same donors credit-card information to transfer about $12,000 through a Florida-based LLC to his personal bank account. In addition, prosecutors allege that between December 2021 and November 2022, Santos and his campaign accountant, Nancy Marks, conspired to lie to the FEC by fraudulently inflating the amount of contributions the campaign had received in order to qualify for financial support from a Republican Party committee program. Per the indictment, Santos and Marks reported multiple fake donations under the names of the congressmans family members to make it look as if the campaign had reached the $250,000 benchmark required for additional monetary and logistical support from the party committee. At one point, Marks reportedly lied to the commission and the national party about Santos making a $500,000 loan to himself. Records from that time show the congressman actually had less than $8,000 in his business and personal bank accounts, meaning such a loan would have been impossible. Marks, who worked on Santoss 2020 and 2022 campaigns, pleaded guilty last week to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with this investigation. Santos, who is expected back in federal court on October 27, told reporters on Wednesday morning that he would neither accept a plea deal nor resign in light of the new charges. Im going to continue to fight this as much as Ive said in the past I did. Nothing changes, Santos said per the New York Post. He also denied he was blaming Marks for the alleged crimes: Im not blaming that on her. Im just saying it wasnt me. I didnt handle the finances. In May, House Republicans voted to refer the Santos matter to the House Ethics Committee rather than expelling him. The committee is still conducting its investigation. In response to the new charges, New York House Republicans Nick LaLota, Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler, and Anthony DEsposito reiterated their calls for Santos to resign. Hes a terrible human being, said LaLota, whose Long Island district neighbors Santoss. He does not deserve to be in the House of Representatives. He deserves to be in a federal prison. And I think the issue of expulsion is going to be something that a lot of my colleagues are going to talk about. On Wednesday, DEsposito announced on social media that he would be introducing a resolution to expel Santos backed by his New York Republican colleagues. Today, Ill be introducing an expulsion resolution to rid the Peoples House of fraudster, George Santos. The resolution will be co-sponsored by fellow #NewYork freshman @RepLaLota @RepMikeLawler @RepMolinaroNY19 @RepLangworthy @RepWilliams. Our statement will follow. Rep. Anthony DEsposito (@RepDesposito) October 11, 2023 In turn, Santos railed against DEspositos proposed expulsion resolution, calling it anti American. I look very much forward to seeing the anti American attempt by WEAK RINOs to oust me without giving me my right to Due process. Remember if Im in fact ousted fascism will officially be well and alive in the United States of America and these members will be the champions of George Santos (@MrSantosNY) October 11, 2023 There likely wont be much movement on the resolution or any other House business until the chamber elects a new speaker, a task that has grown more contentious as the week has gone on. Such a delay might benefit Santos who has weighed in on the race himself, putting himself in opposition to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and declaring his support for Congressman Jim Jordan on social media. Photo: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/REUTERS The only light in the Gaza Strip at night will be from fires started by Israeli bombs and a handful of hospitals powered by sputtering generators. The territorys last functioning power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday, two days after the Israeli defense minister announced that there would be a complete blockade during the siege: No water, no food, no electricity. And almost no information either. Israels war on Hamas for killing more than 1,200 people this weekend has effectively turned the home of 2.3 million people into a deadly prison. Dwindling electricity and the destruction of civilian infrastructure have left very few ways for Palestinians in Gaza to communicate with one another or the world outside. No one, including reporters, is allowed in. As of Tuesday, the eight internet providers servicing Gaza have almost completely stopped functioning, according to NetBlocks. Paltel, the largest telecoms company in Gaza, has already been bombed and reportedly expects a full communications blackout if any more of the lines connecting the territory to Egypt and Israel are hit by bombs that Tel Aviv says are targeting Hamass underground tunnels. Even if Palestinians had a way to charge their cell phones when the power goes out, the 2G service available in the territory severely limits communication. There are a lot less eyes on the ground that can report to the world, from their cell phones, relaying their first-hand experiences, documenting criminality on the ground for future accountability, said Yousef Munayyer, head of the Palestine/Israel Program at the Arab Center in Washington, D.C. Gaza has been turned into a black box where atrocities can take place. One of the few reports from inside Gaza since the war started was from a filmmaker for Britains Channel 4, who described pure panic everywhere you look. Official reports relay the grim tally of the past few days. The Palestinian Health Ministry said on Thursday that more than 1,400 people have been killed, with another 6,000 wounded 60 percent of whom are women and children. As Israel amasses forces on the border for a potential ground offensive, the bombing raids are not letting up with hundreds of air strikes every day. Entire neighborhoods, such as the Rimal district in Gaza City, have been obliterated. Some 180,000 people are holed up in United Nations schools and shelters, with the rest left unprotected. The trauma center at Gazas largest hospital, Dar Al-Shifa, is reportedly so overwhelmed that doctors have stopped treating bones crushed by debris and are focusing only on life-threatening injuries. The hospitals director, Dr. Muhammad al-Salmiya, said that the number of injured patients waiting for treatment is four times Dar Al-Shifas capacity. You know, it is very difficult to run an electrical generator for 18 hours a day, Salmiya told NPR. And, of course, the generators we have do not support the amount of equipment we need to use. The hospital has already limited its electricity usage to essential tasks, but the generators will soon go offline too: Gazas health minister said that the fuel needed to operate them will run out on Thursday. A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that such a scenario will turn hospitals into graveyards. By Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry stated that Gazas health system has begun to collapse. The siege, and Israels refusal to allow for humanitarian corridors to supply relief, is making life virtually impossible for everyone in the territory. Refrigerated food is quickly going bad without power and former United Nations officials expect that food will run out within days. Weve got supplies for 12 days for food and water, Jennifer Austin, deputy director of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, told Al Jazeera. Roads are blocked, we dont have telephone lines, we have had networks hit by air strikes. It is really difficult for us to know whats happening. One of the U.N. shelters suffered a direct hit from an Israeli bomb on Sunday, and five more schools being used as shelters were damaged on Monday. The IDF stated on Thursday that it has dropped 6,000 bombs on the Gaza Strip in six days. The day of the attack in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Palestinians in Gaza to get out now to avoid being hit in the retaliatory strikes against Hamas. But there is nowhere to go. Since Hamas took over the territory by force in 2007, Israel has almost completely banned Palestinians from leaving Gaza through Israel or the Mediterranean Sea. On Gazas southern border with Egypt, the Rafah gate the lone entry point into the Sinai has been shut down by Cairo, fearing a mass exodus into its territory. Negotiations were underway this week between Israel and Egypt to establish a safe corridor to bring in supplies and get foreign nationals out, but for now the Egyptian president said on Thursday that the residents in Gaza must stay steadfast and remain on their land. Israeli officials have also retracted Netanyahus earlier advice to get out, with an Israeli Defense Forces spokesman acknowledging on Tuesday that there is, in fact, no way out. An aerial picture shows the abandoned site of the Supernova Festival, following an attack by Hamas militants, in the Negev desert in southern Israel, on Oct. 10, 2023. Credit - Jack GuezAFP/Getty Images Arbel Ashkenazy attended the Supernova festival on Friday night, a desert rave that coincided with the start of the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which celebrates the fall harvest and commemorates the Old Testament story of the Jewish people wandering in the desert for 40 years after escaping slavery in Egypt. The festival featured Brazilian psy trance music and focused on free love, spirit, and environmental preservation. But in the early hours of Saturday morning, Hamas militants paraglided into the outdoor festival and began shooting indiscriminately at partygoers. At the same time, Hamas also launched thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and sent fighters to other border towns in the south of the country. Hamas says that they have taken over 100 Israeli hostages so far. Over 700 hundred Israelis were killed, with the death toll soaring over 1,200 on both sides on Monday. The Supernova festival had one of the highest concentrations of casualties. More than 260 bodies have been found from the festival so far. Below is Arbel's account of the events that unfolded at the festival. More From TIME Read More: Pres. Isaac Herzog: Israel Needs Support We arrived at the party Friday night, and at around 6 in the morning on Saturday they stopped the music and sirens started to sound. We heard the sound of rockets over our heads in huge numbers. During this time we werent that stressed, we just stayed put at the party and lied down on the floor. Slowly, slowly we started to see many people leave and head to their cars despite the fact that we were supposed to stay. During this time, I started looking for my friend Eden. Even though we didnt arrive at the party together, she is my best friend so I immediately started to look for her. Me and my friend found her and we left and started heading for the direction of the cars at around 7 a.m. At this point, we were getting more stressed but we still didnt totally understand exactly what was happening. There also wasnt any reporting on it in the news or internet yet. Story continues We started to leave the party and get into vehicles, but because everyone was leaving at the same timethere were 3,000 people at the partythere was a crazy amount of traffic in the street. We ended up making a left turn and we immediately saw all these cars with shattered windows from the gunshots. We heard a lot of people screaming that they needed an ambulance. We didnt know what to do so we stayed in our vehicles. By that time, I had lost contact with my friend Eden, because she was in a different car and hid there when the gunshots started. Then, we heard somebody screaming, get out of the cars, so we left the cars, and just started running. There was an area with an empty field since it was a nature party. It was very bare with no trees or anything and we started to run toward it. At that same time, we also started to hear gunshots from every direction and voices shouting Allahu Akbar. While we were running in that open field, we could see in the distance some of the Hamas people. They were wearing all black with black masks and had these huge guns. For some time, we hid in these bushes before we started to run further east. But as we started running east, we saw other people from the party running toward us and they told us, run to the other side because there are terrorists on this side. They had just circled all around us from every direction. We kept running when suddenly I saw a personan angelthat had a big white van. He picked up a bunch of people into the van and me and my friend climbed onto the van. It was a miracle that even though he was driving in this open field, and there were gunshots all over the place, we were able to get to a police station in the city of Netivot at around 10:30 a.m. We stayed there until the evening until things calmed down, if you can even say calmed down, because it didnt really calm down. In our area, they captured some of the perpetrators. I heard that my friend Eden, who had hidden in the car during the gunshots, was on the phone the entire time with her mother for four hours straight. At some point she made it to the bushes as well, but then suddenly, four hours into the phone call, they heard her say on the phone, they caught me. You can hear for a moment in the recording the voices of the Hamas people and then the phone disconnects. We have been looking for her but have not heard from her since. The hardest part is to see all the bodies of young kids our age with blood laid out on the floor. We were in an environment of pure chaos. I was saved by a miracle and was left in peace, but many of my friends including my best friend Eden are still there and I just want everyone to return safely and in peace. I just want this horrible story to end because it doesnt feel real. Its not normal, in any country, any place, nobody should have to go through something like this. It didnt make any sense. We ran like crazy people in the middle of an open field while they were shooting at us, there was no place to run, no place to hide. Im grateful to be alive but I just want Eden back. Contact us at letters@time.com. By Chantal Terblanche The St. Andrew's Scottish Society of Seoul is gearing up to host its highly anticipated St. Andrew's Ball on Dec. 1 at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul's Yeouido area. After overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic, this grand event promises to be a memorable celebration of Scottish culture, complete with a formal dinner, traditional Scottish dancing and a sumptuous early morning cooked breakfast. "We are thrilled to be able to host our first St. Andrew's Ball since the pandemic after two very successful smaller events in 2023!" Sally McEachen, the chieftain of the society, told The Korea Times. "We hope that as many of you as possible will join us to celebrate Scottish culture now that we are able to freely meet up again. It's an honour to have been able to help our committee who have gamely kept things going over the last few years. Here's to a wonderful St Andrew's Ball!" The St Andrews Society of Seoul was founded in 1976. Its main function is to serve as a focal point for all things Scottish in Korea. The St. Andrew's Ball is an all-night extravaganza, beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing until 4 a.m. the following morning. Attendees can expect an evening filled with the elegance of Scottish tradition, lively dancing and a five-course meal. The formal dinner will include a haggis course, a true Scottish delicacy, ensuring that attendees get a taste of authentic Scottish cuisine. The event's dress code is formal kilts or black tie, encouraging everyone to embrace Scotland's rich heritage in their attire. For those who already plan to attend, early bird tickets are available until Oct. 15. These tickets are priced at 230,000 won per person and must be paid by the end of October. After Oct. 16, regular ticket prices will apply, with tickets available at 250,000W per person. Given the event's popularity, it's advisable to secure your ticket early to avoid missing out. Individuals who plan to attend with a group of nine or fewer people may have the chance to join others at a table. To ensure that everyone is ready to dance the night away, dance practices will be held on Wednesday evenings leading up to the event. These practice sessions will take place on Oct. 11, 18 and 25, and Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the British Embassy in downtown Seoul. Attendees should remember to bring identification, as access to the embassy requires proper identification, and their names must be on the guest list at the gate. This year's St. Andrew's Scottish Society of Seoul's Ball is not just a celebration of Scottish culture; it's a testament to the resilience and determination of the society's committee members who worked tirelessly to keep the flame of tradition alive during challenging times. Whether you have Scottish roots or simply want to experience the warmth and spirit of the St. Andrew's Ball, prepare for a night of enchanting music, lively dances and lasting memories. Visit standrewssocietyofseoul.com for more information and tickets. Chantal Terblanche, from South Africa, lives here with her dog, Samsung. She runs the blog ClumsyinKorea.com and the Korea Events group on Facebook. Considering Bio-Based Fibers in Protective Apparel How the protective apparel industry is integrating sustainability alongside traditional pillars of protection, comfort, and value, ushering in a new era of eco-conscious choices without compromising safety. Millions of American workers require flame-resistant, arc-rated (FR/AR) apparel to safely perform their jobs. Historically, apparel manufacturers and their suppliers focus on three key areas of consideration when designing workwear for these professionals protection, comfort, and value. But as science and the industrys insight into how we must operate evolves, an additional consideration is quickly ascending to a must-have feature: sustainability. The textile industry broadly has been challenged to find ways to become more sustainable. Its thanks to a variety of considerations: the energy and water use needed to manufacture, transparency in supply chains, waste generation during the development process, and end-of-life considerations for garments. For example, the fast fashion industry is producing twice the amount of clothes today than in 2000, leading to an increase in pre- and post-production textile waste. With a closer eye on the impact the textile industry places on the environment, regulations and operational requirements are following suit. In the United States and Europe, proposed legislation will require brands and retailers to report on pollution and waste, pressure-testing the industry in ways it has never felt before. Making the Right Decisions of the Long Haul But the protective apparel industry, still in its infancy with sustainability, has something that fast fashion never will longevity. When designed correctly, durable materials that last longer without sacrificing comfort or performance are the best way for the protective apparel industry to reduce its environmental impact, whether end users are calling for it now or not. Seemingly small decisions when choosing fabric for FR/AR programs can have a big impact. The longer a garment can maintain its protective properties for a worker on the job, the longer that garment stays out of the landfill. Beyond longevity, choosing materials that contain renewable fiber sources is an environmentally conscious choice for an apparel program. Thats why, in part, the industry is beginning to see more incorporation of bio-based fibers to offset some of the use of traditional synthetic fibers, which are typically petroleum-based and more difficult to biodegrade. Synthetic fibers are widely known and used in protective apparel due to their durability and performance capabilities. Nylon, for example, is often used in many fabrics to improve abrasion resistance, while a synthetic fiber like spandex is typically used in denim applications that require a bit more give or stretch to the garment. But what exactly are bio-based fibers? Bio-based fibers are made from renewable resources, like plants or trees and are typically categorized into two camps natural and regenerated. This article originally appeared in the October 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Navigating the Hidden Dangers of Confined Spaces Understanding the invisible dangers and the critical importance of preparedness in confined work environments. Your workmate enters a confined space and collapses. What do you do? Most would follow their instinct and try to immediately rescue him. The problem is, would-be rescuers account for 60 percent of fatalities in confined spaces. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 1,030 workers died in confined space incidents from 2011 to 2018. According to Certified Safety Professional Mark Cangemi, Senior Technical Training Specialist at Honeywell, an overall lack of training and hazard recognition contributes to these risks. He adds, The No. 1 cause of fatalities in confined spaces is preventable atmospheric hazards. When a person collapses due to invisible hazards, the same dangers are present for those attempting a rescue, putting them at risk of succumbing to the same hazard as the initial victim. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) defines confined space as any space that: Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit Is large enough for a person to enter to perform tasks Is not designed or configured for continuous occupancy OSHA mandates testing the confined space atmosphere in this order: For oxygen For combustible gases For toxic gases and vapors Examples of confined spaces include wind turbines, sewers, manholes, storm drains, crawl spaces, septic tanks, silos, vats, boilers, pumping/lifting stations, ducts, pipelines and more. They are located across numerous industries and may be encountered in virtually any occupation. The main reason workers enter confined spaces is to perform their work functions of routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections of the confined space. Permit Spaces If confined spaces are present on a worksite, the employer must have a competent person determine whether the confined spaces are permit spaces. A permit space has one or more of the following characteristics: (1) contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; (2) contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant; (3) has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or (4) contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard. This article originally appeared in the October 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Rethinking Manual Material Handling in Warehouses Unpacking the training of manual material handling from current challenges to future trends, and the strategies warehouse managers can employ for a safer, more efficient workplace. Manual material handling is critical to warehouse operations, but it can be extremely challenging and dangerous for employees. Warehouse managers can implement best practices to improve safety and efficiency and embrace emerging technologies to make manual material handling more efficient and ergonomic. Among the various tasks involved in warehouse management, manual material handling plays a key role in ensuring goods are properly stored, organized and transported within the facility. While automation and technology have brought significant changes to the industry, manual material handling remains essential due to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness and adaptability. Challenges in Manual Material Handling Manual material handling involves workers physically moving goods and materials without the aid of machinery such as forklifts. This can include order picking and loading pallets by hand, as well as using pallet jacks and carts to move products. While this process has its advantages, it also presents several challenges that warehouse managers and workers need to be aware of and address: Ergonomic hazards Worker inefficiency and inconsistent performance Safety concerns Labor costs One of the most significant challenges of manual material handling is the risk of physical strain and other ergonomic injuries to workers. Repeatedly lifting, carrying, and moving heavy objects can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, back injuries, and other health issues. Manual material handling can be time-consuming and less efficient than to automated processes. Workers may need to cover longer distances and expend more energy to move goods, leading to reduced productivity. It is also important to note that work capabilities from worker-to-worker can vary greatly, leading to differences in employee performance in handling, lifting, and transporting goods. This can result in errors, damaged products, and uneven workloads among workers. Warehouse environments can be hazardous due to factors such as slippery floors, limited visibility, and the presence of powered industrial trucks. Manual material handling increases the risk of accidents, especially when workers are not adequately trained on the hazards in their work areas or when safety protocols are not followed. While manual labor can be cost-effective in some cases, it also comes with associated labor costs. These costs include employee wages and overtime, training time, insurance, correcting errors, and potential medical expenses resulting from injuries. This article originally appeared in the October 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. There are signs that tensions are abating in relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. They come in the wake of Baku's lightning offensive to take back Nagorno-Karabakh and the subsequent exodus of the region's ethnic Armenian population. Iran officially welcomed the region's return to Azerbaijan's fold. On October 7, Iran's road and urban planning minister, Mehrdad Bazrpash, while on a visit to Azerbaijan, said that Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran could resume its work soon. "The Iranian side has asked for the quick restoration of the activity of the Azerbaijani embassy, and Azerbaijan has promised to take steps in this direction in the near future," Azerbaijan's APA news agency reported, quoting Bazrpash. Azerbaijan evacuated its embassy in Tehran following a gun attack in January that left one embassy staffer dead and two wounded. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev directly blamed "some branches of [the] Iranian establishment" for the attack and said that any normalization of relations could happen only after "those who sent the terrorist, those representatives of the Iranian establishment who did this brutal act against Azerbaijan" are brought to justice. On October 1, Azerbaijani state television AzTV reported that the alleged embassy gunman had been sentenced to death by an Iranian court and welcomed the development as a "restoration of justice." A short time later, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor-General's Office said the report was mistaken, and that in fact the criminal investigation had been completed and submitted to the court and Iranian prosecutors were pushing for the death penalty. "We are carefully monitoring the progress of the criminal case investigated in the Islamic Republic of Iran and are in regular contact with the other party," the statement read. "We hope that the court will soon pronounce a fair verdict, ensuring the deserved punishment for the guilty person." (Indeed, Iranian media have not reported that the suspect has been convicted and sentenced.) The January embassy attack and the shooting in March of an Azerbaijani MP known for loudly criticizing Iran are the proximate reasons for the recent straining of relations, but Iran-Azerbaijan tensions have deeper roots. Azerbaijan has long accused Iran of favoring Armenia in the decades-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, especially after the 2020 war, when Azerbaijan established control over its entire frontier with Iran. Azerbaijan accused Iran of sending oil and other goods, and even weapons, to "separatist authorities" in Karabakh. For its part, Tehran has been anxious that a proposed "Zangezur Corridor" connecting Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave could cut off its access to Armenia and destinations further north. It is also worried about Azerbaijan's strong and growing friendship with Tehran's archrival, Israel, which helped arm Baku ahead of its Karabakh offensive last month. In the new reality that took shape after the offensive, Azerbaijan has no need to worry about Iranian supplies to Karabakh, but Iranian apprehensions about the "Zangezur Corridor" remain. Tehran has long called on Azerbaijan to scrap the idea and instead further develop existing routes through Iranian territory to connect with Nakhchivan. Ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to Nakhchivan last month, there was an expectation that Erdogan, alongside Aliyev, would revive the "Zangezur Corridor" demand. There was no mention of the corridor during the joint briefing of the two, and later Erdogan told Turkish media that if Armenia didn't agree to host a corridor, an alternative corridor would be set up through Iran. Indeed, Bazrpash, the Iranian roads minister, made his remark while attending the groundbreaking of construction of a bridge on the Iran-Azerbaijan border that would form part of a mainland Azerbaijan-Nakhchivan corridor project that was agreed in a memorandum last year. Bazrpash was later received by Aliyev. Although the president didn't mention recent tensions, according to the readout, he did say that the new projects "would contribute to the further strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries." The establishment of an alternate corridor through Iran would seem to put the "Zangezur Corridor" idea to rest, but officials in Azerbaijan and Turkey, Baku's main strategic ally, continue to make references to it, though now in the form of overtures to Armenia. (Armenia has always strongly resisted the proposal.) ADVERTISEMENT Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 9 said that if Armenia agrees to open the corridor, Ankara will be "ready to develop relations step by step" with Yerevan. And in an article published in the state newspaper on October 10, Azerbaijani National Security Council Secretary Ramil Usubov wrote that the opening of a Zangezur Corridor would ring in a new era of peace and security in the Caucasus and "bring great economic benefit to Armenia." By Heydar Isayev via Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China is likely to have saved $10 billion on crude oil imports so far this year as it has imported record volumes of cheaper oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuelaall three under U.S. and Western sanctions, a Reuters analysis showed on Wednesday. As international benchmark prices rose from July due to tightening supply, China has managed to save billions of U.S. dollars from its crude oil import bill, taking advantage of cheaper crude cargoes from the three oil exporters under sanctions. China imported a record-high volume of 2.765 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela between January and September, per the Reuters analysis of data by vessel flow trackers Kpler and Vortexa. If China had bought those volumes from non-sanctioned oil exporters, it would have paid $10 billion more on its crude imports, according to Reuters calculations. Those imports are estimated to have accounted for 25% of overall Chinese crude oil purchases in the first nine months of 2023. Russia, Iran, and Venezuela made up around 21% of Chinas crude oil imports in the same period of 2022, and just 12% in the same months of 2020, according to the Reuters analysis. Despite higher oil prices in recent months and narrower discounts of Russian crudes to international benchmarks, Russia remains the single largest crude oil supplier to China. During the first half of 2023, Chinese imports of Russian crude oil averaged 2.13 million bpd, which helped Russia oust its OPEC+ partner Saudi Arabia from the top spot as the single biggest supplier to the worlds top crude importer so far this year, per Financial Times estimates based on Chinese customs data. China has also boosted imports of crude from Iran, amid increased competition with India for cheap Russian oil and a more lenient U.S. sanction enforcement on Iranian oil trade so far this year. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Climate change is the single largest motivation of investment institutions to decide to exclude companies from their portfolios, a newly launched exclusion tracker shows. Investors have become increasingly wary of investing in sin industries, which for many now include fossil fuel companies alongside the weapons and tobacco sectors. Pension funds and other institutional investors in Europe have excluded some major oil and gas companies from their portfolios, while some European banks have scaled back financing for fossil fuel projects. But in the United States, there has been growing pushback against ESG investing, and fossil fuel-producing states have blacklisted and vowed not to do business with funds they believe are boycotting their oil and gas industries, which finance large parts of the state programs including for schools. Despite the recent shift of the market narrative from ESG to energy security after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis, investors continue to push for more transparent emissions disclosures and for credible action plans to reach net zero by 2050. Not all investors are dumping fossil fuelssome believe that owning stocks could help them influence decisions at oil and gas firms regarding emissions reductions. Not all banks are ditching financing for oil and gas, either. Yet, many investors have excluded stocks of oil and gas companies in recent years due to concerns about the impact the business of fossil fuels has on climate. Climate Is The Most Common Reason For Portfolio Exclusion The most common motivation for excluding companies is climate/fossil fuels, with 40%, or 13,929 out of 34,882 investors and banks citing this reason for dumping a particular stock, according to the Financial Exclusions Tracker launched this month by several NGOs. The second most common reason for exclusion is controversial weapons at a distant 17%, and tobacco is third, accounting for 12% of exclusions, according to the research and the dynamic tracker the NGOs have published. In the climate change category, the top 5 companies most excluded by investors and banks are Canadas Cenovus Energy and Suncor, China Energy, ExxonMobil, and Shandong Energy, according to the tracker. Energy companies are also being excluded in the human rights and business practices categories. Energy Transfer and ConocoPhillips are among the companies most excluded in the human rights category, while Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) feature among the top 5 excluded companies for business practices because of suspected corruption or tax evasion, the research showed. Related: U.S. Oil Exports Hit Record In H1: EIA Commenting on the launch of the tracker, Peer de Rijk, campaigner Paris-proof corporations at Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands), said, We welcome the fact that several financial institutions exclude companies due to the links with detrimental climate impacts from financing. It demonstrates that some financials are willing to take steps to reduce their financed emissions, and we hope more financial institutions follow this example, de Rijk added. European Funds Dumps Oil Stocks In Europe, Norways $1.4-trillion sovereign wealth fund, the worlds largest, excluded in 2020 the biggest Canadian oil sands producers Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Cenovus Energy, Suncor Energy, and Imperial Oil, due to unacceptable greenhouse gas emissions. The funds Council on Ethics recommended excluding the companies because of carbon emissions from production from oil sands the first time this criterion was applied at the Norwegian fund, which owns, on average, 1.3% of all listed companies in the world. The fund, which is commonly referred to as Norways oil fund because it was created with Norways oil and gas revenues, is a shareholder in many large oil companies, including stakes in Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell, and TotalEnergies, valued at billions of U.S. dollars each. Last month, the fund updated its expectations to companies on climate, highlighting the need for companies to move from target setting to transition planning. Many companies now need to move on from disclosures and target setting to the execution phase. They need to show investors credible transition plans and explain how they will ensure delivery, said Lead Investment Stewardship Manager Tim Smith. While the Norwegian fund still holds stakes in Big Oil, the Church of England said in June that it is dumping all remaining oil and gas majors from its portfolio for failing to align with the 1.5 degrees Celsius pathway. The Church of England decided to exclude from its portfolio BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Eni, Equinor, Ecopetrol, Occidental Petroleum, Pemex, Repsol, and Sasol, after concluding that none are aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, as assessed by the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI). Banks in Europe are also reducing funding to oil and gas projects. The most drastic measure yet was taken earlier this year by Frances biggest bank, BNP Paribas, which said in May that it would no longer provide any financing for developing new oil and gas fields regardless of the financing methods. The bank also pledged to reduce its financing for oil exploration and production by 80% by 2030 as part of its energy transition goals. ADVERTISEMENT U.S. Pushback Against ESG Mania But in the United States, there is growing pushback against hasty and economically harmful decisions to reduce financing to conventional energy projects. Last month, Goldman Sachss CEO refused to yield to pressure from climate activists calling for the bank to stop financing oil and gas companies. Traditional energy companies are hugely important to the global economy, they are hugely important to Goldman Sachs, David Solomon said at the American Energy Security Summit in Oklahoma in September, as quoted by Bloomberg. We are all going to continue to finance traditional companies for a long time. In addition, U.S. states with large fossil fuel industries, such as Texas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Montana, and Oklahoma, have blacklisted funds managed by the worlds biggest asset manager BlackRock and other major banks and financial institutions, which, the states say, show that those financial firms are boycotting the oil and gas industry. By Tsvetana Paraskova fo Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By Jack Greenberg While politicians in this country have come under scrutiny for their alleged ties to shamans and popular television dramas like "The Glory" have portrayed shamanism as a "backward" or "evil" practice, the 2023 Shamanism Festival highlighted a very different picture. It demonstrated the richness of shamanic practice as a cultural symbol that traces its roots to traditional societies around the world while showcasing regional forms of shamanism as vibrant and engaging parts of contemporary life. The festival was held over two days, from Oct. 6 to 7, at the Museum of Shamanism in northwestern Seouls Eunpyeong District. It also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the museum and the first anniversary of the World Shamanism Forum (WSF), which was founded at its premises. Initially established in nearby Seongbuk District at the home of Dr. Yang Jong-sung, its founder and WSF president, the museum has occupied the historic Geumseong Shamanic Shrine since May 2016 per an agreement with the local government. The shrine is the only one of its kind in Seoul that remains in its original location. It is believed to have been constructed before the 1880s and functioned until circa 2004 as a site dedicated to the worship of various gods, including its namesake the Great Prince Geumseong the sixth son of King Sejong the Great. Yang and others had fought tenaciously for the shrine to be preserved when it was threatened with demolition during the construction of Eunpyeong New Town, a project that was designed to build a residential area for about 16,000 households. The first day of the event was focused on shamanism-related academic research, which the WSF fosters as part of its mission. Dr. Laurel Kendall, curator of Asian Ethnographic Collections at the American Museum of Natural History, delivered the first of two keynote presentations. She spoke about the role of museums in caring for and preserving objects and artifacts that some believe to be sacred, empowered and possibly dangerous. Kendall first came to South Korea in the 1970s as a Peace Corps Volunteer, during which time she had a chance encounter with a female manshin (shaman). She has been awarded several recognitions for her anthropological fieldwork and the books and articles she has written about Korean shamanism over the last four decades. The second keynote was delivered by Dr. Diana Riboli, a professor and head of the Department of Social Anthropology at Athens Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. She is also president of the International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism. In her address, she argued that the objective of studying shamanism ought to involve its reinterpretation as a set of practices and beliefs that are deserving of respect and capable of "fully expressing, interacting with, [and evolving alongside] the contemporary." One of the most interesting speakers during the subsequent panel discussion was Prasana Kumar Dash, a retired civil servant from India. In 2017, Dash, who is also a hobby painter, founded the Odi Art Centre also home to the Purvasha Tribal Art Museum. It is located in Odisha, an eastern state with Indias highest number of Adivasi or Indigenous tribes, including the Saora. He presented how Langia Saora shamans liaise with spirits of dead ancestors in the underworld and while in a trance they direct locals to draw paintings in their homes solely for such spirits to reside in and protect them. The paintings must be done to the satisfaction of the spirits, as conveyed by the shaman, otherwise, the whole process is started again from the beginning. The paintings are usually linear drawings in a single white color on the saffron surface of a homes mud wall. An exhibition of paintings in the Saora style was displayed around Geumseong Shrine throughout the festival to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and India, while Odissi folk and classical dances were performed by renowned dancers Sagarika Mohanty and Saswat Ranjan Joshi following a celebratory "pansori" (traditional musical storytelling) recital. Another aspect of the museum and WSFs work is to strengthen international networks and cooperation between practitioners of different shamanisms. Korean shamanism has much in common with the shamanism practiced in continental Northeast Asia, including Mongolia and Siberia, although it would be difficult to confuse a Korean manshin at work with one of their counterparts from these areas. In August, Yang led a delegation of Korean manshin to Mongolias Khovsgol Lake, an important site of shamanic ritual. They also went to the capital, Ulaanbaatar, where they toured the Mongolian Museum of Shamanism and performed an abbreviated version of the Seoul (Hanyang) Gut at the National Centre for Cultural Heritage. The exchange between Korean and Mongolian shamanisms continued at the Seoul festival with a riveting execution of Mongolian rituals by three male shamans (zairan), including Angar Tungalag, who is the eighth generation of his family to practice, Basandorj Odontuya and Ochirbat Gantulga, who is also a young lawyer. It began with the offering of milk to the gods and the playing of a Jews harp (huur) to communicate with them and allow the shamans to access their supernatural realm. Large drums wrapped in animal skin were also thumped by the shamans to connect with the heavens. They wore robes weighing at least 20 kilograms, which are supposed to safeguard them from bad spirits during the ritual. Amid their drumming, all three zairan became possessed. They danced, spun around and chanted as they received luck and other good wishes from the spirits before sending them back to the sky. The festival concluded with a three-hour performance of the Seoul (Hanyang) Cheonsin Gut, a four-step ritual, to appease the local earth and grain gods, and to pray for an abundant harvest, the peace and safety of the community and the health and wealth of each individual attending. Throughout the afternoon, the courtyard of Geumseong Shrine was packed to capacity while neighbors from the surrounding apartments and other spectators surrounded its mud and stone fence to catch a glimpse as officiating manshin, Kang Min-jeong and her assistants, donned colorful and elegant robes, sang sacred songs accompanied by traditional instruments and paraded before an altar decorated with offerings of food, drink, money and paper flowers. At times a fan was wielded, at other moments symbolic weapons such as a sword and trident or five square flags of different colors that audience members were directed to choose from. An event like this festival does important work towards dispelling destructive prejudices and denigrations that are the result of government policies, religious organizations and others who are against the practice of shamanism. For the observer, it is indeed an enlightening experience, no matter how many times one has witnessed the rituals being performed. It is an opportunity to appreciate age-old practices in harmony with the rhythms of the present. The Museum of Shamanism can be visited for free on Thursdays and Fridays. Public shamanic rituals are held annually, normally in the spring and autumn. Visit shamanismmuseum.org for more information. Jack Greenberg is a recipient of the Global Korea Scholarship, currently pursuing a master's degree at Korea University's Graduate School of International Studies. Follow him on Twitter at @jackwgreenberg. Venezuela is deploying a secret weapon to defeat strict U.S. sanctions aimed at blocking the OPEC members economically crucial crude oil exports, a dark fleet of tanker vessels using a range of strategies to conceal their location. Recently the dark fleet shipping Venezuelas oil to key customers, mainly in Asia, grew significantly with the assistance of Russia and Iran. Indeed, from 2020 authoritarian Iran emerged as a key strategic ally that is propping up the autocratic Maduro regime. Tehran supplies Venezuela not only with a steady supply of condensate for blending with the countrys extra-heavy crude oil but also the parts and technical know-how required to rebuild vital petroleum infrastructure. This includes access to Irans fleet of tanker vessels which ship Venezuelas crude oil to buyers, primarily in Asia, generating urgently needed hard income for a near-bankrupt Caracas. The dark fleet is a term for the flotilla of tankers and other bulk chemical transportation vessels that disguise their identity, location, and origin through a range of techniques. Those include cloaking the vessels identity by using multiple flags of convenience, turning off the identification system, or using the ships transponder to spoof its location. While the vessels are concealing their identity so the cargoes of U.S.-sanctioned crude oil cannot be tracked, they also do so in order to maintain vital insurance coverage which for many ships is issued by U.S.-based companies. Those insurers automatically exclude coverage if the vessels they have issued policies to are engaging in activities in violation of U.S. sanctions. Aside from the impact of Washingtons strict sanctions on Venezuelas oil exports, the extremely poor condition of national oil company PDVSAs tanker fleet is weighing heavily on Caracass ability to ship crude oil to customers. According to a recent Reuters article, a report from PDVSA declared that more than half of the companys fleet of 22 tanker vessels were so run down they were essentially inoperable and required immediate repairs or be taken out of commission. The report, as quoted by Reuters, went on to state that years of postponed maintenance had left vessels at risk of suffering a catastrophic failure such as flooding, fires, or sinking. Those events all have the potential to cause calamitous environmental and other damage. To circumvent those constraints, Caracas regularly utilizes a flotilla of Iranian tanker vessels to ship crude oil exports to Asia which is the primary destination for Venezuelas U.S.-sanctioned petroleum. It is China, formerly a staunch supporter of the Maduro regime which receives most of the crude oil exported by Venezuela. For 2022, it is estimated that Beijing received 300,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil per day while for the first eight months of 2023 that has grown to 430,000 barrels per day. The Venezuelan petroleum purchased by China is typically branded as sourced from Malaysia. Iran and India also receive shipments of Venezuelan oil while Chevron, after receiving U.S. Treasury approval to recommence lifting oil in the OPEC member, is exporting the petroleum produced to U.S. facilities as per the terms of its license. To further boost exports of sanctioned oil PDVSA, and overcome the constraints imposed by its existing rundown fleet of vessels, has bolstered efforts to buy and lease additional tankers. This has seen Venezuelas national oil company paying significantly more than the market rate when leasing vessels to transport its U.S.-sanctioned oil. According to Reuters, PDVSA was paying roughly double the market rate during 2022 when leasing tanker vessels, a financial burden that a near-bankrupt Caracas can ill-afford. For that reason, Venezuelas national oil company is focused on expanding its fleet by acquiring additional tankers. Earlier this year, PDVSA contracted an Iranian state-controlled shipyard to build two new Aframax tankers, which have the capacity to transport 500,000 to 800,000 barrels of oil. The Bushehr shipyard where the vessels will be built is owned by Iran Marine Industrial Company, known by its Persian initials SADRA, a company controlled by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard. It is the considerable assistance rendered by Tehran, which is also strictly sanctioned by Washington, that not only allowed the autocratic Maduro regime to survive but for PDVSA to significantly boost oil production. Venezuelas oil output has climbed from a 2020 all-time low of 500,000 barrels per day to 730,000 barrels daily during August 2023. While PDVSA has little to no spare capacity the ability to maintain current production volumes depends not only on Iran maintaining a supply of condensate but also the clearing storage tanks by shipping existing oil inventories to overseas buyers. For that reason, it is essential that PDVSA continues to expand the dark fleet of tankers that are capable of shipping U.S.-sanctioned petroleum from Venezuela to key markets in Asia. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Finland and other Baltic countries are on high alert as a natural gas undersea pipeline leak was detected on Sunday from Finland to Estonia. EU officials already suspect the leak was caused by a 'deliberate act of destruction,' which fuels concerns about 'Nordstream 2.0' and Europe's energy security ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter. On Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with EU officials about the damage sustained on the 77-kilometer (48-mile) Balticconnector pipeline, first detected by one of the two pipeline operators, Finland's Gasgrid, on Sunday morning. Stoltenberg said he also plans to meet with defense ministers in Brussels and discuss more about the pipeline leak. He said, "The important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen ... and if it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure, then this will be serious but will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO." "If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure... it will be met with a united and determined response" Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says NATO is examining whether a gas pipeline from Finland to Estonia was sabotaged https://t.co/DHq7erSyoD pic.twitter.com/QCqdhUTPFb Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) October 11, 2023 On Tuesday, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the leak was triggered by an "external source" but failed to speculate on who caused it. Earlier today, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Putin, said the damaged pipeline is very "alarming news." According to the state media Tass News, Peskov said the Kremlin awaits further details. He added explosions that damaged the nearby Nord Stream pipeline one year ago have set "dangerous precedents" across the Baltic Sea. Source: Reuters Meanwhile, Estonian Navy Commander Juri Saska told public broadcaster ERR Tuesday night, "Something has dragged this pipe from one side to the other." "If I try to paint a picture of what I've seen without showing it to you, then the pipe itself is covered with a concrete shell," Saska said. "And it looks just as if someone has torn it from the side and the concrete has broken off or peeled off from the damaged area." Bloomberg quoted seismologist Jari Kortstrom at the University of Helsinki, who said Finland detected a small seismic event around the time the pipeline sustained damage. To note, the pipeline sits above a heavily trafficked shipping lane in the Baltic Sea. ADVERTISEMENT "While the rupture of the pipeline is not significant for the wider European gas market, it raises questions about the security of supply just as Europe goes into winter," Bloomberg said. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Exxon is later today expected to announce an all-stock acquisition offer for Pioneer Natural Resources, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources. Bloomberg, also citing unnamed sources, said that the deal could be worth $58 billion, with the price per share at $250, representing a 16% premium to Pioneers closing price last Thursday when the Wall Street Journal reported on the acquisition negotiations. By Tuesday this week, the stock of the target company had gone up to over $237 per share, Bloomberg noted. The size of the deal is roughly the same as Exxons record profit for 2022. Consolidation has become the preferred method of growth for the large players in the U.S. shale patch. The last two years saw a string of large deals, including Occidentals acquisition of Anadarko for some $38 billion. Pioneer also grew through acquisitions, buying Parsley Energy for over $7 billion in 2020 and DoublePoint Energy for over 6 billion in 2021. Earlier reports on the tie-up between Exxon and Pioneer said that the deal would be subjected to meticulous scrutiny from antitrust authorities but there was a good chance it would be allowed to proceed, Reuters reported last week. The reason for this is that the Federal Trade Commission does not have a strong argument against an all-U.S. merger between oil companies. According to legal professionals, the oil industry has already argued successfully that a local merger, even between such large players, would not represent a cause for antitrust concern because of the global nature and size of the oil market. Also, upstream was not the focus of antitrust authorities attention when it came to the oil industry. ADVERTISEMENT "This isn't a refinery deal or a retail deal, which are usually the main drivers of antitrust risk. Those are the deals where we see problems," antitrust attorney Andre Barlow told Reuters. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Indias diesel exports loading for Europe hit a record high in September amid open arbitrage for westbound shipments, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing tanker-tracking data and analysts. Last month, diesel cargoes loading from India and bound for Europe averaged between 280,000 barrels per day (bpd) and 303,000 bpd or roughly half of all Indian diesel shipments in September, according to vessel-tracking data by LSEG, Vortexa, and Kpler cited by Reuters. At the same time, Indian diesel shipments eastwards to Singapore slumped in September. The east-west arbitrage on diesel futures in Europe and in Asia jumped last month, which incentivized traders to ship more of the India-produced fuel to Europe, analysts told Reuters. But the differentials have narrowed in the past week, which means that Indias diesel shipments to Europe are unlikely to repeat in October the highs from September, they added. The high Indian exports of diesel to Europe last month could help Europe stock on fuel supplies ahead of the winter, on one hand, and potentially ease the downward pressure on refining margins in Asia, on the other hand, according to the traders and analysts who have spoken to Reuters. The higher shipments in September may have also been the result of the temporary Russian ban on diesel exports to most markets, including Turkey, Serena Huang, Vortexas head of APAC analysis, told Reuters. At the end of last week, Russia lifted the ban on most of its diesel exports, two weeks after announcing export restrictions on diesel and gasoline to curb soaring domestic prices. ADVERTISEMENT The ban on diesel and gasoline exports, enforced on September 21, affected Russias diesel exports which have been diverted away from the EU after the embargo kicked in in February. Russia is now shipping diesel to Turkey, the Middle East, North and West Africa, and Brazil in South America. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: One of the worlds exploration hotspots, Namibia, expects first oil from the recent major offshore discoveries by 2030, the countrys Petroleum commissioner Maggy Shino told Reuters on Wednesday. For the oil project, deep water we are thinking of having an FPSO and then exporting the crude to the market, the commissioner told Reuters on the sidelines of a petroleum conference in South Africa. Over the past two years, TotalEnergies and Shell have made large discoveries offshore Namibia. The supermajors are currently carrying out appraisal drilling and tests to evaluate the volumes of oil in place and their commercial potential, Shino said today. Shell made in July 2023 a fourth hydrocarbon discovery offshore Namibia. A month earlier, Zoe Yujnovich, Integrated Gas and Upstream Director at Shell, said on Shell's Capital Markets Day that the supermajor would continue with its exploration efforts after making three discoveries in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia in the past two years. What we're most pleased about in Namibia is that we have so far out of the three exploration wells and the one appraisal well that we have drilled, we have had top-quartile well performance in every single one of our activities in Namibia, Yujnovich said. Earlier this year, Shell, QatarEnergy, and Namibia's state oil firm NAMCOR discovered light oil in a deepwater exploration well. Last year, Shell and its partners made two discoveries in the same Orange basin. French supermajor TotalEnergies also made a significant discovery of light oil with associated gas on the Venus prospect in the Orange Basin early last year. Venus in Namibia could be a giant oil and gas discovery, TotalEnergies said in an investor presentation in September 2022. ADVERTISEMENT The massive deepwater discoveries offshore the African country, Shells Graff and TotalEnergies Venus, could be transformational for Namibia, the southern neighbor of OPEC member Angola, energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie has said. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Police in west Norway have increased security measures and patrols at and around oil and gas infrastructure, after the suspected sabotage of the gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea, a police representative told Norwegian daily Bergensavisen (BA). We have increased our focus on preventive patrolling at oil and gas installations in our area, operations manager Helge Blindheim in the West police district told BA in Bergen, which is home to or close to many oil and gas installations. The West police district in Norway is closely following the situation, Blindheim told BA. After the Nord Stream sabotage last year, Norway posted soldiers from its Home Guard to protect energy infrastructure as Western Europe's largest oil and gas producer. The deployment of the soldiers came after Norwegian police requested assistance from the Army to prevent incidents. Securing and guarding critical civil and military infrastructure is one of the Home Guards core tasks, the Norwegian Army said in October 2022. After a leak of suspected unnatural causes shut down the Balticconnector offshore pipeline between Finland and Estonia this weekend, Norway hasnt resorted to similar measures, yet. One year after the Nord Stream pipeline blasts, the specter of sabotage on critical energy infrastructure in Europe is back. Based on information from the Finnish Border Guard, Gasgrid Finland has given its expert assessment according to which the damage was not caused by the normal gas transmission process, the Finnish government said on Tuesday. It is likely that the damage to both the gas pipeline and the data cable is caused by external activity. What specifically caused the damage is not yet known, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a statement on Tuesday. The investigation continues in cooperation between Finland and Estonia, and NATO is ready to assist with it, the president added. Finland joined NATO earlier this year after its neighbor to the east, Russia, invaded Ukraine in February 2022. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russian President Vladimir Putin told an energy conference in Moscow on Wednesday that Russia and Saudi Arabia would most likely extend output cuts into 2024 and warned that clashes in the Middle East could impact oil exports with higher shipping and insurance costs. "I am sure that the coordination of the OPEC+ partners' actions will continue," Putin told the conference. "This is important for the predictability of the oil market, and ultimately for the well-being of all mankind," Putin added, noting that while Russia and Saudi Arabia would likely continue [their] cooperation, we need to consult with colleagues - our decisions are made by consensus. In the last days of September, OPEC+ decided to keep current oil production cuts in effect until the end of the year, extending 1-million-barrel-per-day supply cuts that began in July through December 31, 2023. Russia also extended its 300,000 barrels per day export cut until the end of the year. After Brent crudes brief flirtation with up to $97 per barrel in late September, oil prices have pared gains, again rallying briefly with the Hamas missile attack on Israel over the weekend, which has led to a declaration of war by Israel. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz formed an emergency unity government for conflict decision-making as Israel places the Gaza Strip under siege, stripping it and its 2 million people of all power and electricity. That second rally on the potential for a Middle East conflict to threaten supplies was short-lived. On Wednesday at 12:34 p.m. ET, Brent crude was trading at $86.61, down 1.19% on the day. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at $84.46, down 1.76% on the day. At the Moscow conference, Putin was standing beside Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who has asked the Russian leader to mediate in the Israel-Hamas conflict. ADVERTISEMENT Putin is calling for the creation of a Palestinian state to resolve the conflict, and is using this as a platform to bring attention to what he calls the failure of Washingtons Middle East policy, The Moscow Times Reports. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies have signed two long-term LNG agreements under which Qatar will supply up to 3.5 million tons per year of LNG to France for 27 years beginning in 2026, Qatars state giant said on Wednesday. TotalEnergies is a minority partner in Qatars huge LNG expansion projects North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS), from which the volumes to be delivered to France will be sourced. TotalEnergies partnership in the expansion projects is made up of a 6.25% share in the NFE project and a 9.375% interest in the NFS project. The LNG will be delivered on an ex-ship basis to the Fos Cavaou LNG receiving terminal in southern France. Qatar will thus increase its shipments to France, which has been receiving some Qatari LNG since 2009. These two new agreements we have signed with our partner TotalEnergies, demonstrate our continued commitment to the European markets in general, and to the French market in particular, thus contributing to Frances energy security, said Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatars Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy President and CEO. Our efforts span from bolstering production capacity in Qatar to the development of the Golden Pass LNG export project in the United States, in addition to our commitments in various LNG receiving terminals in Europe, including the Montoir-de-Bretagne LNG Terminal in France, Al-Kaabi added. The deal with TotalEnergies is the first 27-year deal for QatarEnergy to supply LNG to Europe, a deal that follows similar 27-year deals with Chinese firm Sinopec and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Earlier this month, Qatar broke ground for the worlds largest LNG project, the North Field expansion project, which will boost the tiny Gulf countrys export capacity by 48 million tons per annum (mmtpa) by 2027. ADVERTISEMENT In July this year, Al-Kaabi said that 40% of all the new LNG that will come to the market by 2029, when all our projects are up and running, is going to be from QatarEnergy. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Pioneer Natural Resources CEO Scott Sheffield has warned that while oil prices have given up their brief rally following Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend, prices could soar significantly if Iran becomes directly involved in the conflict. If Iran enters the war, were going to see much higher oil prices, obviously, Sheffield said Wednesday on CNBCs Squawk Box. After gaining more than $3.50 on Monday and closing at $88.15 on Monday, October 9, Brent crude prices have now fallen to $86.63 as the market considers the regional conflict will have no immediate impact on supply. Should the conflict widen to a point at which Iran is no longer deploying only proxy forces, Sheffield says oil prices will rise amid a threat to global crude supplies, which are already under pressure from output cuts by OPEC+ members Saudi Arabia and Russia. Sheffield appears to place the future of an conflict-based oil price surge directly in the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying it depends on how much evidence he has that theyre [Iran] behind it and whether or not he decides to do anything about it. The death toll in both Israel and the Gaza Strip continues to rise as the conflict enters its fifth day, with a reported 3,600 people reportedly killed in clashes. On Wednesday, AFP cited the Israeli army as saying they suspect Hezbollah has infiltrated Israeli airspace from Lebanon after Iran-backed Hezbollah fired missiles on Israel in retaliation for the killing earlier this week of three of its members. Israel has responded by striking a Hezbollah outpost in south Lebanon. In the meantime, oil markets continue to view this as an isolated conflict that will not extend to Iran, with a New York Times report on Wednesday saying that U.S. intelligence reports indicated Iran was caught off guard by the Hamas attack on Israel. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Tellurian has applied for a three-year construction permit extension with the Federal Energy Regulatory Authority to complete the construction of the Driftwood LNG facility. The Driftwood LNG plant, currently under construction, would be one of the biggest in the world, with a capacity of up to 27.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually. The price tag of the project is $25 billion at the moment. The reason for the extension request is that construction appears to be moving forward more slowly than expected. Tellurian said it would only receive key equipment for the first phase of the plant in 2027 and further equipment for the second phase of development in 2029, which would push the launch date for the facility to 2029 as well. In all, Driftwood LNG will comprise five liquefaction trains, with the first phase of development to add 11 million tons of LNG annually to the U.S. total. Earlier this month, Tellurians president and chief executive told Petroleum Economist that first production was scheduled for 2027. "Driftwood LNG is under construction and we are comfortable with the FERC processes and procedures," a spokesperson for the company said, as quoted by Reuters. Currently, LNG export facilities in the United States have a combined operating capacity under real-world operating conditions of 11.4 billion cubic feet daily, the EIA said in its Annual Energy Outlook 2023 earlier this year. There is an additional 7.3 billion cubic feet daily of capacity under construction, while a further 18.3 billion cu ft of possible LNG export capacity has received full regulatory approval from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission but has not yet received a final investment decision. In the short term, U.S. LNG exports are also expected to increase, from 10.59 billion cubic feet daily last year, when Freeport LNG was shut down after June 2022, to 12.07 billion cubic feet daily this year, and to 12.73 billion cubic feet daily in 2024, per the Energy Information Administration. ADVERTISEMENT By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S.-led price cap on Russian oil exports has significantly cut revenues from oil sales for Russia, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday. The G7 price cap on Russian oil has significantly reduced Russian revenue over the last 10 months while promoting stable energy markets, Reuters quoted Yellen as saying at a news conference during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Morocco. The price cap of $60 per barrel of Russian crude oil set by the G7 and the EU says that Russian crude shipments to third countries can use Western insurance and financing if cargoes are sold at or below the $60-a-barrel ceiling. The measure took effect at the end of 2022 when the EU imposed an embargo on imports of Russian crude oil. We must continue to impose severe and increasing costs on Russia and continue efforts to ensure Russia pays for the damage it has caused, Yellen said today. The U.S. Treasury Secretary also said that the U.S. government had not in any way relaxed sanctions on Irans oil exports, Bloombergs energy and commodities columnist Javier Blas reported. Analysts have attributed the recent surge in Iranian oil production and exports especially increased shipments to China to weaker enforcement of the U.S. sanctions. If the Hamas-Israel war escalates and Israel is to blame Iran for either direct or indirect involvement in this weekends attack by Hamas on Israel, the enforcement of the U.S. sanctions against Iranian oil trade could be tightened, according to analysts. The softer approach from the US is likely due to concern over rising energy prices. However, it would be difficult to see the US maintaining this stance if Iran is connected to these attacks, whether directly or indirectly, Warren Patterson, Head of Commodities Strategy at ING, said earlier this week. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Hamas militants beheaded soldiers and raped women in their attack on Israel, and he vowed that Israel would crush and destroy Hamas in response to the attack. Netanyahu said every Hamas member was a dead man. Netanyahu made the remarks in a late-night televised address on the war's fifth day as Israeli planes pounded Gaza. The prime ministers allegations could not be independently confirmed, and authorities did not immediately offer further details. Rescue workers and witnesses have described horrifying scenes, including the slaughter of elderly people and finding bloody rooms crowded with massacred civilians. U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, and a campaign of pure cruelty. In the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, residents are facing ever-growing uncertainty after the territory's only power plant ran out of fuel and shut down Wednesday. Israel imposed what it called a complete siege on Gaza on Monday. The U.S. announced Wednesday that it is working with Egypt and Israel to open up safe corridors to get civilians out of Gaza. The war, which has claimed more than 2,300 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival Wednesday to create a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge the stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. Israel is now determined to crush the groups hold in Gaza. Here's what's happening on Day 5 of the latest Israel-Palestinian war: STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS US CITIZENS TO RECONSIDER TRAVEL TO ISRAEL, WEST BANK WASHINGTON The State Department upgraded its travel warning for Israel and the West Bank on Wednesday to Level 3, reconsider travel. It kept its travel advisory for Gaza at the departments highest warning level, Level 4, meaning do not travel. The State Department cited extremists continuing to plot attacks, the possibility of violence erupting without warning, and increased demonstrations. The travel warning comes as five days of rocket fire and missile barrages between the Hamas militant group and Israel already have led many airlines to suspend commercial flights. BIDEN SPEAKS WITH UAE PRESIDENT ABOUT HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE WASHINGTON U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed on Wednesday about ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need as the war between Israel and Hamas extends into a fifth day, the White House said. The UAE was the first Gulf country to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which saw Bahrain and Morocco also establish diplomatic ties with Israel. FAR-RIGHT PROTESTERS RIOT OUTSIDE HOSPITAL IN TEL AVIV TEL AVIV, Israel More than a hundred far-right protesters rioted outside one of the main hospitals in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night after hearing reports that doctors there were treating a militant from Hamas, according to Hagai Levine, Chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians. Protesters from La Familia a group of notoriously racist Jerusalem fans of the Beitar soccer team blocked the main entrance to the emergency room for three hours, according to videos circulated by doctors on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The ultranationalist soccer fans clashed violently with police and disrupted the passage of emergency crews into the hospital. At the time of the riot, Sheba hospital was not treating any militants from Hamas, Levine said. It's unclear if militants have been treated in Israels public hospitals since the Hamas rampage on Saturday. The protest came on the heels of a letter circulated Wednesday by Israeli health minister Moshe Arbel that barred Israels public hospitals from treating militants. Arbel wrote that injured militants should be referred to the Israeli military or Israels intelligence services. IRANIAN PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO SAUDI ARABIAN CROWN PRINCE ABOUT WAR, NEWS AGENCY SAYS JERUSALEM Iranian hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi has spoken by telephone to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time to discuss the Israel-Palestinian war, the state-run news agency reported Wednesday. IRNA cited an online message from an adviser to Raisi acknowledging a 45-minute call between the two men on Wednesday. There was no immediate acknowledgment from the kingdom. Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a Chinese-mediated detente earlier this year. BIDEN CONNECTS HAMAS ATTACK TO DECADES OF ANTISEMITISM WASHINGTON U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday once again condemned the weekend attack by Hamas militants on Israel, and sought to connect it directly to decades of antisemitism and violence endured by Jews around the world. This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people, Biden said. We have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale, beyond the pale. Biden had what was at least his fourth phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. He said that during conversations with him, he stressed that it is really important that Israel operate by the rules of war" as it strikes back against Hamas. And there are rules of war, Biden said. TURKEY NEGOTIATING FOR RELEASE OF HOSTAGES HELD BY HAMAS ANKARA, Turkey Turkey is holding negotiations for the release of civilian hostages held by Hamas, a Turkish official said Wednesday. The official said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had instructed Turkish officials to hold talks with Hamas for the release of the civilians. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, could not provide further details on the negotiations. Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and has frequently hosted members of the group. Turkey also recently restored full diplomatic ties with Israel after the two countries fell out following a U.S. decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. - Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser contributed to this report. UN ENVOY IN CAIRO WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO END WAR UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Mideast envoy is in Cairo working with other key regional and international partners and the Egyptian government on ending the Hamas-Israel conflict, preventing its expansion, and opening a humanitarian corridor to deliver fuel, food and water to access to Gaza which Israel has cut off, the United Nations said Wednesday. Tor Wennesland is following up on Egypts offer to facilitate humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing and to make the El Arish airport available for critical assistance, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Meanwhile, the U.N. humanitarian office reports that 263,000 people have been displaced in Gaza, a 40% increase since Tuesday, Dujarric said. More than 1,000 housing units in Gaza have been destroyed and about 560 severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable in the past day, the U.N. said. MOURNERS FILL EUROPE'S LARGEST SYNAGOGUE TO REMEMBER VICTIMS BUDAPEST, Hungary Mourners filled Europes largest synagogue in Hungarys capital on Wednesday in remembrance of the hundreds of people that were killed in unprecedented attacks against Israel over the weekend by Hamas fighters. The rabbinic service and solidarity commemoration in Budapests Dohany Street Synagogue drew around 3,000 people, including the countrys president, its chief rabbi, the Catholic Primate of Hungary and the mayor of Budapest. Waving Israeli flags and lighting candles following the service, those gathered listened to the names being read aloud of some of the Israelis killed so far in the war. Some wept as the names were read. PALESTINIAN WORKERS ARRIVING IN WEST BANK FROM GAZA RAMALLAH, West Bank Palestinians who have been expelled from their workplaces in Israel have begun showing up in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where a temporary shelter was set up to house them. The sudden influx of about 600 workers created an overwhelming situation that is bound to get worse as more arrive, Ramallah Governor Laila Ghannam said Wednesday. At the shelter where men sat on mattresses, some workers said they had been abused by Israeli soldiers. We were working and everything was fine, and suddenly they came to us and detained us, said Raed Al-Moghribi. When we told them that we are from Gaza, they started beating us. The workers began arriving in Ramallah on Wednesday after Israeli security forces brought them to checkpoints in the West Bank. Khader Achour, another Gaza resident who had worked in Israel, said he wanted to return home but it had been demolished and his nephew, cousin and neighbor had all been killed. I wish to return to my family in Gaza to die among them, Achour said. Violence in the West Bank continued to flare Wednesday, with Palestinian health officials reporting that 29 Palestinians had been killed in the Israeli-occupied territory since the start of the Hamas invasion. THE DEATH TOLL OF US CITIZENS RISES TO 22 AFTER HAMAS ATTACK WASHINGTON The number of U.S. citizens who have died in the Israel-Palestinian war has risen to 22, a White House official said Wednesday. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said he did not have details on where exactly the Americans were killed. He said there are at least 17 missing, and of those a handful are believed to be held hostage. NO CLEAR SIGN THAT IRAN WAS BEHIND HAMAS ATTACK, WHITE HOUSE SAYS WASHINGTON White House National Security spokesman John Kirby reiterated Wednesday that there is no clear sign that Iran was behind the Hamas attack on Israel. We havent seen anything that tells they have specifically cut checks to support this set of attacks, or that they were involved in the training," Kirby said. "And obviously, this required quite a bit of training by these terrorists. Kirby said officials are going to continue to review the intelligence to see "if that leads us to a different conclusion. Earlier Wednesday, a U.S. official said information collected thus far suggests that while senior Iranian government officials were likely aware that Hamas was broadly planning operations against Israel, they appeared to be caught off-guard by the exact timing and scope of the multipronged attack carried out by Hamas militants on Saturday. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the intelligence and spoke on condition of anonymity. - Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report. WHITE HOUSE SAYS US WORKING TO ALLOW SAFE PASSAGE OUT OF GAZA FOR CIVILIANS WASHINGTON The U.S. is in active conversations to achieve safe passage out of Gaza for civilians, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. Kirby noted that Israel and Egypt are the two most significant players in the efforts. We are having active conversations about trying to allow for that safe passage, Kirby said. Its the civilians who did nothing wrong so we want to make sure they have a way out. Kirby did not release any other details, such as whether aid groups would be able to use the safe corridors to bring in supplies. ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE CAIRO Arab foreign ministers called for an immediate cease-fire Wednesday in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza. The ministers call came in a statement released after their meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, which was called by the Palestinians to discuss the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war. The communique condemned the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of all detainees held either by Israel or the Palestinians. The ministers also called for Israel to end its siege on Gaza, and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, food and fuel to Palestinians in the enclave. DEATH TOLL OF UN STAFFERS IN GAZA RISES TO 11 BEIRUT The deputy director of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says 11 staffers have been killed in Gaza since Saturday. Jenifer Austin said in a statement Wednesday that the dead include five teachers at UNRWA schools, one gynecologist, one engineer, one psychological counselor and three support staff. She said some of the victims were killed in their homes with their families. UNRWA mourns this loss and is grieving with our colleagues and the families, she said. NETANYAHU AND OPPOSITION AGREE ON UNITY GOVERNMENT, WAR CABINET AFTER HAMAS ATTACK JERUSALEM A top opposition Israeli politician says he has reached an agreement to enter a wartime unity government with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff, released what he said was a joint statement with Netanyahu. The statement said they would form a five-member war-management Cabinet. It will consist of Netanyahu, Gantz, current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and two other top officials serving as observer members. It said the government would not pass any legislation or decisions that are not connected to the war as long as the fighting continues. It was not immediately clear what would happen to Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. PROMINENT MOSQUE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO WAR CRIMES BY ISRAEL CAIRO Al-Azhar al-Sharif, the Sunni worlds foremost seat of religious learning, on Wednesday called for an international investigation into allegations of war crimes by Israel against civilian Palestinians in Gaza. In a strongly worded statement, the Cairo-based religious institution called for Arab and Islamic countries to take a serious and unified position against the Wests inhuman rally behind Israels attacks against innocent Palestinian civilians. It said Israels inhuman siege, which included cutting off electricity and water, and preventing the delivery of food and humanitarian aid to the strip, is a genocide and war crimes. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Renting a home, rather than owning it outright, may speed up the body's aging process, a new study suggests. Researchers found that when compared with people who owned their home outright (no mortgage), those who rented showed signs of faster "biological aging" which meant their body cells and tissues were a bit "older." On average, the impact was equivalent to just a small fraction of a year of aging. Even so, the study found, that was greater than the effects of being unemployed or being a former smoker. In addition, the link was specifically seen among people who rented privately not those in public housing. While that might seem puzzling, the researchers said it makes sense: At least in the United Kingdom, where the study was conducted, "social" housing is often better maintained, more affordable and more stable than private rentals. "We believe that the typically poorer physical conditions in privately rented housing is likely one factor," said lead researcher Amy Clair, of the University of Adelaide, in Australia, and the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. Beyond that, she said, private renters face more insecurities around their housing. And based on past research, Clair added, that kind of stress could speed biological aging. Biological aging is determined by certain physiological markers of the rate at which the body's cells and tissues are aging. In the latest study, that marker was DNA methylation chemical changes to DNA that determine whether a gene is turned "on" or "off" at different times. That process changes with age, and DNA methylation is considered one of the key drivers of aging. The findings, published online Oct. 10 in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, are based on 1,420 U.K. adults who took part in a long-term study that began in the 1990s. The participants gave information on their housing circumstances, as well as income, education and health factors like smoking habits, body weight and any chronic medical conditions. They also gave blood samples that were analyzed for DNA methylation. On average, Clair's team found, people who lived in private rentals showed somewhat faster biological aging, versus those who'd paid off the mortgage on their homes. That was with all other household and health factors taken into account. There was no such difference, however, between those homeowners and people renting social housing. Clair said the fact that private renting, but not public, was linked to faster aging suggests there is an effect of the housing circumstances, per se. The researchers also found signs of faster aging among people who reported a history of falling behind on the rent or living in a dwelling that exposed them to pollution or other environmental contaminants. The findings came as no surprise to Giselle Routhier, co-director of the Health x Housing Lab at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in New York City. She said it's clear that housing circumstances can affect people's health in both direct and indirect ways. In the first case, exposure to poor conditions like peeling lead paint, cockroaches or mold can contribute to health conditions such as asthma. In the second case, Routhier said, the stress of living in those conditions or being unable to keep up with the bills can take a toll on people's health. Plus, she noted, renters in unaffordable housing may be forced to choose between paying rent or going to the doctor and filling prescriptions. It's not clear whether, if the same study were done in the United States, the findings would be the same. Public housing in the United States differs from the U.K.'s system of social housing, Routhier said. So, it's not known whether Americans in publicly funded housing would show signs of speedier aging. Regardless, the central implication is the same, Clair said. "What our findings show is that less secure, lower-quality housing is associated with poorer health outcomes, and therefore should be a target of policy intervention," she said. Routhier agreed. "If you don't have a home where you feel safe and secure, how much more challenging is it to manage your daily life, let alone any medical conditions?" she said. She also noted that the most extreme version of housing insecurity homelessness is known to be linked to "accelerated aging." They can develop conditions normally seen in elderly adults, such as frailty and cognitive impairment, up to 20 years earlier than the norm, Routhier said. More information Habitat for Humanity has more on housing and health. SOURCES: Amy Clair, PhD, Australian Centre for Housing Research, University of Adelaide, Australia, and research associate, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, U.K.; Giselle Routhier, PhD, co-director, Health x Housing Lab, research assistant professor, department of population health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City; Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, Oct. 10, 2023, online Check out eight mystery books for kids and adults recommended by The Bookworm. MYSTERIES FOR KIDS 'Agent Lion and the Case of the Missing Party' By David Soman and Jacky Davis Petunias birthday is today, and shes got everything a birthday girl needs: An excited smile. The perfect bow. A big party. Wait where is the party? It was just here a second ago. The balloons, streamers, and guests are all gone! In a mad dash to find it, Petunia calls the best detective in town, Agent Lion. He runs through the halls and follows clues but will Agent Lion find Petunias celebration in time? 'Nate the Great' By Marjorie Weinman Sharmat Illustrated by Marc Simont The worlds greatest detective, Nate the Great has a new case. His friend Annie has lost a picture. She wants Nate to help her find it. Nate the Great must get all the facts, ask the right questions, and narrow the list of suspects so he can solve the mystery. This long-running chapter book series will encourage children to problem-solve with Nate, using logical thinking to solve the mystery. 'Sisterhood of Sleuths' By Jennifer Chambliss Bertman Illustrated by Vesper Stamper Maizy always assumed she knew everything about her grandmother, Jacuzzi. So when a box full of vintage Nancy Drew books gets left at her moms thrift store, Maizy is surprised to find an old photo of her grandmother and two other women tucked beneath the collection. Stranger still, when Maizy shows the photo to Jacuzzi she feigns ignorance, insisting the woman is someone else. Determined to learn the truth and inspired by the legacy of Nancy Drew Maizy launches her own investigation with the help of new friends, Nell and Cam. What they discover not only points to the origins of the iconic series, but uncovers a truth from the past that will lead to self-discovery in the present, connecting three generations of women. MYSTERIES FOR ADULTS 'Death on the Nile' By Agatha Christie Beloved detective Hercule Poirot embarks on a journey to Egypt. The tranquility of a luxury cruise along the Nile was shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway had been shot through the head. She was young, stylish and beautiful. A girl who had everything until she lost her life. Hercule Poirot recalled an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: Id like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger. Yet under the searing heat of the Egyptian sun, nothing is ever quite what it seems. A sweeping mystery of love, jealousy, and betrayal, Death on the Nile is one of Christies most legendary and timeless works. 'Magpie Murders' By Anthony Horowitz When editor Susan Ryeland is given the manuscript of Alan Conways latest novel, she has no reason to think it will be much different from any of his others. After working with the bestselling crime writer for years, shes intimately familiar with his detective, Atticus Pund, who solves mysteries disturbing sleepy English villages. Conways latest tale has Atticus Pund investigating a murder at Pye Hall, a local manor house. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but the more Susan reads, the more shes convinced that there is another story hidden in the pages of the manuscript: one of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder. 'Suspect' By Robert Crais Nine months ago, a shocking assault by unidentified men killed Scott James' partner, Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty until he meets his new partner. Maggie is not doing so well, either. A German shepherd who survived two tours in Afghanistan sniffing explosives before losing her handler, her PTSD is as bad as Scotts. They are each others last chance. And theyre about to investigate the one case no one wants them to touch: identifying the men who murdered Stephanie. But what they find could ultimately break them both. 'Mother-Daughter Murder Night' By Nina Simon High-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon has a lot to be proud of: her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire shes built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is hoping that boredom wont kill her before the cancer does. Then Jack tiny in stature but fiercely independenthappens upon a dead body while kayaking. She quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. Shell pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power. As their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing theyve always resisted: depend on each other. 'The Maid' By Nita Prose Molly Gray struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by. Since Gran died a few months ago, Molly has thrown herself into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. But Mollys orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black dead in his bed. Before she knows whats happening, Mollys unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black but will they be able to find the real killer before its too late? * * * Find these titles and many more by shopping locally at The Bookworm. Located at 90th and Center Streets, The Bookworm is an independent, family-owned bookstore with over 6,000-square-feet of space. The Bookworm offers an excellent selection of books, an outstanding childrens section and friendly, knowledgeable staff who know the books they sell. Learn more at www.bookwormomaha.com. Wendy Pete has been involved with rescue work for a decade. She has friends who rescue, foster and volunteer at adoption events, but she saw a need in the community. I wanted to focus on helping people keep pets in their home, because there were so many that were being returned, not wanted, that sort of thing, Pete said. In 2013, among her network of friends, she began collecting dog food in her home garage and distributing it to people she met in need. Soon enough, someone she knew through rescue connected her with a bulk pallet of dog food. I didnt know what it was, she said. Shes like, Well, its in Tecumseh, Nebraska, and youre going to have to have a trailer or something. Pete rented a truck and trailer and drove to Tecumseh, where she was greeted with a 2,000-pound pallet of food. Im driving home and Im like, What am I going to do with this when I get home? Im going to my neighborhood. I dont have a crane; I dont have a forklift. So, I started calling friends and asking them if they could bring over totes, litter buckets, trash cans. So here I am, in the middle of the street ... unloading by hand into these containers all this bulk dog food. Since then, Ive learned quite a bit, she said. She operated the efforts from her home for years, getting connected with Town and Country Humane Society in 2017. The nonprofits president had asked if she would start doing some food pickups from local stores who would donate broken bags. At first, the pantry operated out of a small building on the property. In 2018, a Conex storage box was added. Over the course of a year, donations of broken bags, split litter and food nearing expiration was donated to the pantry much of it used to aid Town and Countrys population of pets searching for homes. In 2022, the storage area grew, and another Conex box became the bulk of the pantry. The pantry is open to anybody whos fallen on hard times, Pete said. They ask that those utilizing the pantry are honest with them, that they only come once every 30 days and only use the pantry six times in a rolling 12-month period. The pantry is available to residents of the Omaha area only, and it particularly aims to be a resource to Sarpy County. Use this, not as your sole resource for food, but just until you can get back on your feet, she said. The pantry offers information on how to stretch the food farther as well as how to be a responsible pet owner, including resources for vaccinations, licensing and affordable spays and neuters. Wet and dry food and treats are available for dogs and cats. Sometimes they even have critter or fish food available. The volunteers ask a lot of questions to try and find the most comparable food they have to what the pet is currently eating. Theyve helped people impacted by divorce, death, job loss, cancer you name it. We try and help people get through tough times in life, Pete said. The need is greater than ever before and the donations, and whats available, is less than ever before. Donations have slowed down quite a bit, she said. The pantry coordinates with area stores and local school and Scout groups often help out when needed. The public is encourage to donate, and theres a drop box near the Humane Society entrance for donations. If you buy dog food and your dog doesnt like it, tape it up and drop it off, Pete said. Well put it in our pantry. We dont let anything go to waste. Over the summer, they averaged about 10 to 15 people with about 20 to 30 animals between them each week. Were out here when its 100 degrees, sweating, and well be out here when its snowing and cold, Pete said. Well share if we have it, and well help just about anybody, but we ask people not to abuse it. Its been fun helping people, she said. The pantry is only open set hours, which are offered every other Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Future dates include Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 16, Jan. 6 and Jan. 20. Its dogs being fed, its cats being fed, and thats always a good thing, said Heidi Winter, who joined Pete in operating the pantry this past year. BLOOMINGTON Nearly 100 people gathered inside historic Moses Montefiore Temple on Tuesday night as Trent Spoolstra from the Anti-Defamation League presented the "State of Hate" for the state and the nation. Spoolstra, associate regional director of ADL's Midwest Regional Office, covered topics from recent antisemitic actions and attacks in the state as well as education for how to combat hate across a wide variety of avenues. Attendees included Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilwambwe, Normal Mayor Chris Koos, police chiefs from both communities and faith leaders from various local congregations. "I'm encouraged that so many people came together tonight from all walks of life and the different congregations, to speak boldly about the fact that this community won't put up with hate and antisemitism," Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington said, speaking after the roughly two-hour presentation. Spoolstra said ADL attacks hate three ways investigate, educate and advocate and each action is equally important. One of the most effective ways to fight hate and discrimination is to stop it before it becomes bigger, Spoolstra said. He encouraged people to challenge biased statements and perceptions, even in day-to-day life. One way, he said, is to question "off-color" comments, sometimes with a simple question: "What?" Spoolstra said, "It's important to show coalition, a wide variety of coalition for folks, the vast majorities of Americans to stand up and say 'We're not going to take this. We're not going to allow this hate in our society, and we're going to do something to fight back.'" Hate on the rise Unfortunately, the presentation highlighted a national increase in hateful beliefs. Spoolstra showed statistics from a fall 2022 ADL survey of 4,000 Americans and their views concerning the Jewish population. He said the data shows an increase in antisemitic sentiments, the highest in over 30 years. "It's been shocking to see what's been happening in this country over the last several years," he said, speaking after the presentation. The survey asked responders a series of questions with a "disagree-agree" scale. Crucially, Spoolstra said, a previous option for "unsure/don't know" had been eliminated. Some past respondents may have used such answers as a crutch of sorts to disguise their true feelings, he said. Spoolstra shared five questions and the percent of respondents who either "slightly agree" or "agree": Jews don't acre what happens to anyone but their kind - 21% Jews have too much control on Wall Street - 24% Jews have too much power in the United States today - 20% Jews are more loyal to Israel than America - 39% Jews have a lot of irritating faults - 19% When Spoolstra showed this data, several members in attendance audibly gasped. Significant history Besides his presentation, Spoolstra visited Bloomington-Normal for another historical reason: its connection to Sigmund Livingston, the German immigrant who founded the American Defamation League. Livingston earned his law degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1894, practiced law in Bloomington and attended the city's original Moses Montefiore Temple. He and his wife, Hilda, are buried in Bloomington's Jewish Cemetery on the city's south side. Spoolstra said he has gained a new appreciation for Livingston. "Being here today to see Sigmund Livingston's grave, to see the old synagogue ... being here tonight in the congregation that still exists that he attended," Spoolstra said. "It really personalized him." In his Chicago office, he said, pictures of Livingston and significant documents decorate the walls. Until now, Spoolstra said, "those documents were just pictures on walls." He said the journey was contemplative, in many ways, especially given the work Livingston began over a century ago is ongoing. "I like to think it would be bittersweet for (Livingston) that, unfortunately, ADL still has to exist 110 years later," Spoolstra said. "But, at the same time, seeing the organization and what it has become, I really hope that he'd be proud of the work that ADL and our lay leaders (have done.)" Ongoing mission Spoolstra said though ADL was founded with a focus on protecting the Jewish community, "we really are an anti-hate organization." He said the League's founders, including Livingston, knew "the Jewish population would not be safe unless all marginalized groups were safe in the United States." He said ADL combats racism, xenophobia, prejudice against the LGBTQ community, sexism and, most recently with the proliferation of social media, cyberhate. "Long story short," he said, "if hate is involved, ADL is going to be there and is going to fight it." Simington said the increase in antisemitism means "we have a long way to go. And education is important. We have to latch onto that and look for the best values (we can have.)" Still, both men said discussions like the ones that took place Tuesday give them cause to believe in the future. "Having events like this tonight and being able to be here to support Moses Montefiore, all of our sponsors it gives me hope, both professionally and personally, that we can overcome this latest wave of hate," Spoolstra said. Close Aadhya Medipally, grade 5, Benjamin Aaron Espinosa, grade 1, Epiphany Abigail Highland, grade 1, Epiphany Abigail, grade 2, Colene Hoose Abraham Kebede, grade 5, Fairview Addy Ruiz, grade 2, Oakland Addy Tulley, grade 1, Epiphany Adrianna Buenrostro, grade 1, Epiphany AJ Frederick, grade 5, Northpoint Alex, grade 2, Stevenson Amaya, grade 2, Colene Hoose Amelia M., grade 4, Fairview Amere Johnson, grade 2, Stevenson Amir Taylor, grade 2, Stevenson Annakyn Wherry, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Ariyah Brown, grade 3, Stevenson Ary Brooks, grade 2, Oakland August Hansen, grade 2, Glenn Aurora Jones, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Autumn Smith, grade 2, Stevenson Avery M., grade 4, Fairview Barion Swarn, grade 3, Stevenson Beatrice Kostelnick, grade 1, Epiphany Bella Riggs, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Brady Falkner, grade 1, Epiphany Brendan O'Kelley, grade 1, Epiphany Brissa Arreola, grade 2, Stevenson Brock Beer, grade 2, Stevenson Bryson Hutton, grade 2, Oakland Caleb, grade 5, Fairview Callan Kintner, grade 2, Stevenson Callista, grade 2, Colene Hoose Cami Brubaker, grade 5, Northpoint Carolyn Shoemaker, grade 5, Northpoint Carter Young, grade 4, Northpoint Castlul R., grade 4, Fairview Cooper McNamara, grade 3, Stevenson Cruze Hilgenbrinck, grade 1, Epiphany Damian, grade 2, Colene Hoose Daphnie Connelly, grade 3, Stevenson Dillan Moustry, grade 4, Fairview Dontrell, grade 4, Fairview Dylan Yontz, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Edison, grade 4, Fairview Elijah Corkill, grade 3, Stevenson Ellie Holcomb, grade 1, Epiphany Ellie Truttmann, grade 1, Epiphany Elora Jennings, grade 2, Stevenson Emerson Baker, grade 1, Epiphany Ethan Weech, grade 4, Fairview Evan Polanco, grade 1, Epiphany Ezra Whitworth, grade 1, Washington Faith Mbuilu, grade 4, Fairview Felicity Bussan, grade 1, Epiphany Gabby G., grade 4, Fairview Gigi Swanson, grade 2, Oakland Grace Lawrence, grade 1, Epiphany Grace Pappas, grade 5, Benjamin Gracilynn Ridgeway, grade 2, Oakland Grant, grade 5, Fairview Grayson, grade 2, Colene Hoose Haddie Sphar, grade 2, Glenn Hannah Drake, grade 1, Epiphany Harper Joyner, grade 4, Fairview Harper Rackauskas, grade 4, Fairview Harper S., grade 4, Fairview Hasna Fathima Samyee Farooqi, grade 5, Benjamin Indy Duncan, grade 2, Oakland Isaac Bravo, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Isaac, grade 4, Fairview Isabella, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Jaxon Turner-Harps, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Jazzmyne, grade 4, Fairview Jiya Twegyia, grade 4, Northpoint Jordan Trice, grade 2, Stevenson Josiah Brooks, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Josiah Joes, grade 2, Stevenson Joslyn Smith, grade 2, Stevenson Kaden Lopez, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Kamran Eggleston, grade 2, Stevenson Kamryn Beymer, grade 1, Epiphany Kassandra Thurston, grade 2, Stevenson Kennedy Davis, grade 3, Washington Kiaall Chhabra, grade 3, Grove Kingsley Ellis, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Kingston Williamson, grade 2, Oakland Ky Williams, grade 2, Oakland Kyle McCully, grade 3, Grove Kylee, grade 4, Fairview Kyndal Beymey, grade 1, Epiphany Kyra, grade 4, Fairview Lake, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Leilani, grade 2, Colene Hoose Leo Carter, grade 1, Epiphany Lexi Hakes, grade 3, Grove Liam Wright-Longkumer, grade 2, Oakland Liam, grade 5, Fairview Logan Tomlinson, grade 2, Stevenson Maci Shepherd, grade 3, Stevenson Malachi, grade 2, Colene Hoose Malcolm Hinshaw, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Malika Abubakrova, grade 2, Oakland Marcos Beltranantaves, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Marshon Williams, grade 2, Stevenson Max Cook , grade 3, Washington Miles McGrew, grade 5, Northpoint Millie Fuller, grade 1, Epiphany Mithra Arun Vasagan Jayanthi, grade 2, Glenn Miyanna, grade 5, Fairview Mollie, grade 5, Fairview Naomi Garrison, grade 2, Oakland No name, grade 2, Oakland No name, grade 2, Stevenson Noah Diaz, grade 4, Fairview Noah Herman, grade 1, Epiphany Oliver Luchies, grade 2, Glenn Olivia Bishop, grade 4, Northpoint Olivia Mullins, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Payton Elliott, grade 3, Stevenson Peyton Petersen, grade 1, Epiphany Ravi Zacharius, grade 2, Stevenson Rikshith, grade 2, Colene Hoose Ruth Harris, grade 2, Oakland Ruth Harris, grade 2, Oakland Ryan Rudicil, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Ryker Crockel, grade 4, Fairview Sam Gavin, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Ryker Crockel, grade 4, Fairview Samvi Reddy Karre, grade 3, Glenn Scarlett Sweeny, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Scarlett, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Selah Walker-Smith, grade 2, Oakland Shannon Alomot Casco, grade 4, Fairview Sharindna, grade 2, Colene Hoose Sheelah Higgins, grade 4, Fairview Shelbylynn, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Tegra Muma, grade 2, Stevenson Tessa Hoffman, grade 5, Benjamin Will Nicholson, grade 2, Stevenson Zoey, grade 4, Fairview Flying Horse: What makes me happy Aadhya Medipally, grade 5, Benjamin Aaron Espinosa, grade 1, Epiphany Abigail Highland, grade 1, Epiphany Abigail, grade 2, Colene Hoose Abraham Kebede, grade 5, Fairview Addy Ruiz, grade 2, Oakland Addy Tulley, grade 1, Epiphany Adrianna Buenrostro, grade 1, Epiphany AJ Frederick, grade 5, Northpoint Alex, grade 2, Stevenson Amaya, grade 2, Colene Hoose Amelia M., grade 4, Fairview Amere Johnson, grade 2, Stevenson Amir Taylor, grade 2, Stevenson Annakyn Wherry, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Ariyah Brown, grade 3, Stevenson Ary Brooks, grade 2, Oakland August Hansen, grade 2, Glenn Aurora Jones, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Autumn Smith, grade 2, Stevenson Avery M., grade 4, Fairview Barion Swarn, grade 3, Stevenson Beatrice Kostelnick, grade 1, Epiphany Bella Riggs, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Brady Falkner, grade 1, Epiphany Brendan O'Kelley, grade 1, Epiphany Brissa Arreola, grade 2, Stevenson Brock Beer, grade 2, Stevenson Bryson Hutton, grade 2, Oakland Caleb, grade 5, Fairview Callan Kintner, grade 2, Stevenson Callista, grade 2, Colene Hoose Cami Brubaker, grade 5, Northpoint Carolyn Shoemaker, grade 5, Northpoint Carter Young, grade 4, Northpoint Castlul R., grade 4, Fairview Cooper McNamara, grade 3, Stevenson Cruze Hilgenbrinck, grade 1, Epiphany Damian, grade 2, Colene Hoose Daphnie Connelly, grade 3, Stevenson Dillan Moustry, grade 4, Fairview Dontrell, grade 4, Fairview Dylan Yontz, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Edison, grade 4, Fairview Elijah Corkill, grade 3, Stevenson Ellie Holcomb, grade 1, Epiphany Ellie Truttmann, grade 1, Epiphany Elora Jennings, grade 2, Stevenson Emerson Baker, grade 1, Epiphany Ethan Weech, grade 4, Fairview Evan Polanco, grade 1, Epiphany Ezra Whitworth, grade 1, Washington Faith Mbuilu, grade 4, Fairview Felicity Bussan, grade 1, Epiphany Gabby G., grade 4, Fairview Gigi Swanson, grade 2, Oakland Grace Lawrence, grade 1, Epiphany Grace Pappas, grade 5, Benjamin Gracilynn Ridgeway, grade 2, Oakland Grant, grade 5, Fairview Grayson, grade 2, Colene Hoose Haddie Sphar, grade 2, Glenn Hannah Drake, grade 1, Epiphany Harper Joyner, grade 4, Fairview Harper Rackauskas, grade 4, Fairview Harper S., grade 4, Fairview Hasna Fathima Samyee Farooqi, grade 5, Benjamin Indy Duncan, grade 2, Oakland Isaac Bravo, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Isaac, grade 4, Fairview Isabella, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Jaxon Turner-Harps, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Jazzmyne, grade 4, Fairview Jiya Twegyia, grade 4, Northpoint Jordan Trice, grade 2, Stevenson Josiah Brooks, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Josiah Joes, grade 2, Stevenson Joslyn Smith, grade 2, Stevenson Kaden Lopez, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Kamran Eggleston, grade 2, Stevenson Kamryn Beymer, grade 1, Epiphany Kassandra Thurston, grade 2, Stevenson Kennedy Davis, grade 3, Washington Kiaall Chhabra, grade 3, Grove Kingsley Ellis, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Kingston Williamson, grade 2, Oakland Ky Williams, grade 2, Oakland Kyle McCully, grade 3, Grove Kylee, grade 4, Fairview Kyndal Beymey, grade 1, Epiphany Kyra, grade 4, Fairview Lake, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Leilani, grade 2, Colene Hoose Leo Carter, grade 1, Epiphany Lexi Hakes, grade 3, Grove Liam Wright-Longkumer, grade 2, Oakland Liam, grade 5, Fairview Logan Tomlinson, grade 2, Stevenson Maci Shepherd, grade 3, Stevenson Malachi, grade 2, Colene Hoose Malcolm Hinshaw, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Malika Abubakrova, grade 2, Oakland Marcos Beltranantaves, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Marshon Williams, grade 2, Stevenson Max Cook , grade 3, Washington Miles McGrew, grade 5, Northpoint Millie Fuller, grade 1, Epiphany Mithra Arun Vasagan Jayanthi, grade 2, Glenn Miyanna, grade 5, Fairview Mollie, grade 5, Fairview Naomi Garrison, grade 2, Oakland No name, grade 2, Oakland No name, grade 2, Stevenson Noah Diaz, grade 4, Fairview Noah Herman, grade 1, Epiphany Oliver Luchies, grade 2, Glenn Olivia Bishop, grade 4, Northpoint Olivia Mullins, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Payton Elliott, grade 3, Stevenson Peyton Petersen, grade 1, Epiphany Ravi Zacharius, grade 2, Stevenson Rikshith, grade 2, Colene Hoose Ruth Harris, grade 2, Oakland Ruth Harris, grade 2, Oakland Ryan Rudicil, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Ryker Crockel, grade 4, Fairview Sam Gavin, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Ryker Crockel, grade 4, Fairview Samvi Reddy Karre, grade 3, Glenn Scarlett Sweeny, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Scarlett, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Selah Walker-Smith, grade 2, Oakland Shannon Alomot Casco, grade 4, Fairview Sharindna, grade 2, Colene Hoose Sheelah Higgins, grade 4, Fairview Shelbylynn, grade 3, Cedar Ridge Tegra Muma, grade 2, Stevenson Tessa Hoffman, grade 5, Benjamin Will Nicholson, grade 2, Stevenson Zoey, grade 4, Fairview BLOOMINGTON Egg Republic, 511 Chancellor Drive in Bloomington, is this week's pick for Eats of the Week. Owners Jon and Mirie Pinjoli opened the brunch restaurant in January, having run Jack's Cafe at 210 Sunset Drive in LeRoy for the last 10 years. The couple said they wanted to elevate their restaurant experience and bring the new brunch concept to the Bloomington area. The design for the family-owned restaurant was inspired by their travels and various eateries they have visited. "It represents a diverse atmosphere, a very unique experience for our guests," Jon Pinjoli said. "We want our guests to feel like they're on vacation somewhere, willing to feel relaxed and happy about being here, and also with that comes a great experience." Pinjoli said he was inspired by a line of San Diego restaurants called "Breakfast Republic" and felt the word "republic" represented having one's own unique identity. The couple added the word "egg" after conducting some market research, he said. Popular menu items at Egg Republic include the creme brulee French toast, which is two thick slices of French toast topped with homemade vanilla custard, caramelized sugar and fresh berries, and the fig tree omelet, which is a Mediterranean-style omelet made to be sweet, savory and crunchy, with scallions, Havarti cheese, prosciutto, fig jam and spiced honey pistachios. Egg Republic also offers seasonal specials; for fall, those include an autumn skillet, tiramisu pancakes and apple cider mimosas. The restaurant is known for its mimosa flights. Fitting the slogan of "brunch and bubbles," a bubble gun is used to add carbonation that enhances the fun of the guest experience, Jon Pinjoli said. In addition to breakfast fare, Egg Republic offers appetizers, wraps, sandwiches and salads. Their drinks include flavored lemonades, a full bar and cocktail menu, coffee, teas, juices and more. Organic and fresh ingredients are used throughout the entire menu. Jon Pinjoli also praised the restaurant staff, whom he described as exceptional. Though it can be challenging to own multiple restaurants, he said he is happy when he comes to work every day a feeling that he hopes his customers share, from the moment they walk into the business until the moment they leave. "We've worked very hard to be here, and it has been our dream to have this restaurant coming to reality for us," he said. "It's all about the people. You know, this place is great because the people we have working for us, our guests that come in here and the smiles we see on their faces, the quality of food we bring them, and the hard work we put into our service." Pinjoli said he would use the words "elevated, diverse and vibrant" to characterize the overall feel of the restaurant. "This restaurant was built with a lot of love and passion, and my wife has put her soul and heart into this place. And all the details you see in this restaurant are her design," he said, adding that the couple intends for Egg Republic to enjoy a long future: "Our goal is that we don't want to be a one-hit wonder. ... We're very proud of what we built, and we want to see it become successful. "We want to be the best." IF YOU GO What: Egg Republic Where: 511 Chancellor Drive, Bloomington Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily Phone: 309-585-4052 Website: eggrepublic.com BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington man was sentenced to 45 years in prison Tuesday following a guilty plea in a McLean County sexual assault case. Judge Jason Chambers sentenced Ryan S. Godsil, 32, to 45 years in prison after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor under 13 years old (Class X felony). Godsil was previously charged with three additional counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor under 13 years old, but the charges were dismissed by the state. According to previous reporting, the offenses occurred Nov. 6, 2021, and sometime between Nov. 7 and Dec. 1, 2021. Officers from the Normal Police Department were dispatched to Godsil's residence Dec. 8, 2021, and a warrant for his arrest was issued Dec. 16, when a judge found probable cause. Assistant State's Attorney Mary Lawson recommended that Godsil's sentence be upward of 60 years in prison because the victim was younger than 13 at the time of the incident, and because Godsil, as a foster parent of the victim, held a position of trust and supervision. Lawson noted that Godsil had never had more than a speeding ticket prior to the offenses, but said sexual crimes are ones that are not usually committed openly, and often are without multiple witnesses. "Your Honor, you have the opportunity to send a message not only to the community that if you prey on kids, if you will harm those that are the most vulnerable among us, that need our protection the most, that the punishment will be severe," Lawson said. "You also have an opportunity to send a message to those who are too scared to come forward and that justice will be served against individuals who commit these crimes." Defense Attorney Brendan Bukalski said Godsil's choice to plead guilty to one of the charges instead of going to trial and prolonging the case for the victim should be considered, along with his compensation to the victim and lack of a prior record. Bukalski recommended a 12-year sentence with a focus on counseling and treatment to rehabilitate Godsil rather than sentencing him to most of his life in prison. "How do we cure illness? We don't lock that person up away for the rest of their life," Bukalski said. "What we do is we sentence them harshly ... but as a condition of their parole, will be continued counseling and then registration for the rest of his life for that same monitoring that the professionals say will keep them on a straight path." Chambers said he did not think the state's recommendation of 60 years was unreasonable, and that there were factors weighing both in favor and against Godsil. Chambers noted the nature of Godsil's relationship to the victim, and that he was entrusted by the victim to be their foster parent, but also was entrusted by the state and courts to supervise and protect the child. "You were the foster parent of this (child) ... the state entrusted you with taking care of this (child)," Chambers said. "You didn't protect (them) from harm, you caused the harm." Chambers ordered Godsil to 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with credit for 247 days already served. He is required to serve a minimum of 85% of his total sentence. Godsil is also required to serve three years to life of mandatory supervised release, register as a sex offender and not have contact with any minor children. Before the sentencing, Godsil took a moment to apologize to his family and the victim. "I can't process it, I can't say the words of why I did what I did, and I'm truly sorry," Godsil said. Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones Brittany N. Greiner BLOOMINGTON A California man has been sentenced to 36 years in prison after a McLean County jury found him guilty of trafficking almost 90 pounds of cannabis through Illinois. Martin Bonilla Hernandez, 59, of Red Bluff was arrested two years ago after a traffic stop off Interstate 55 in McLean County turned up about 86 pounds of cannabis. Police said when they found the cannabis in his vehicle, Bonilla Hernandez told them he grew it in California and he was on his way to Ohio to sell it. He was charged with two Class X felonies: cannabis trafficking and unlawful possession of cannabis. The second charge was dismissed before his jury trial in August, during which a McLean County jury found him guilty of cannabis trafficking. However, Bonilla Hernandez failed to appear for his jury trial and again did not appear Tuesday for his sentencing. In his absence, Judge William Yoder sentenced Bonilla Hernandez to 36 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with credit for 30 days already served, which aligns with Assistant States Attorney Spencer Chikahisas request. The sentence, which must be served at 50%, will be followed by an 18-month term of mandatory supervised release. Yoder said a no-bond warrant had previously been issued against Bonilla Hernandez and remains in place. The judge also noted the defendants attorney had reported during the trial that Bonilla Hernandez had contacted him through another attorney located in California. The defendant also has an outstanding warrant in California, Yoder said. Attorney Joseph Cassidy of the Peoria area, who was filling in for Bonilla Hernandezs usual attorney, declined to comment on the outcome of the case. Cannabis tax boom: States collect a whopping $15.1 billion in revenue since weed legalization Cannabis tax boom: States collect a whopping $15.1 billion in revenue since weed legalization Cannabis Tax Revenue State By State ADEX 2023 to kick off next week on largest-ever scale By Lee Hyo-jin The KF-21 Boramae fighter jet will be unveiled to the general public for the first time during next week's Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX), according to its organizers, Wednesday. The exhibition, held every two years, will also showcase the ground assets of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), marking the first time for such weapons to be displayed at ADEX. Plus, there is a high possibility for at least one American strategic bomber to participate in the event. Starting Tuesday, the six-day event featuring cutting-edge aerospace and defense industry technology will take place at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, gathering 550 companies from 35 countries that will run 2,260 booths at the venue. This will mark the largest-ever edition of the exhibition since the first one was held in 1996 under the name Seoul Air Show. "The focus of this year's event is to serve as the momentum for Korea to leap toward becoming one of the world's top four defense export countries, and an opportunity to promote advanced technologies in the space and advanced air mobility (AAM) industries, along with the enhancement of national security awareness among the general public," Han Bong-soo, an official at the Korea Aerospace Industries Association (KAIA), said during a press briefing held in Seoul. The event will include various aircraft demonstrations and exhibition of advanced military assets, such as KF-21 Boramae, F-35 fighter jets, FA-50 light attack aircraft, K2 battle tanks and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers. Han said that the locally developed KF-21 figher jet is set to make its public debut. He also told reporters that the U.S. military has been showing great support for the upcoming event as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the alliance between Korea and the United States. As such, U.S. military assets including an F-22 Raptor stealth jet and an FA-18G Hornet will be on display, according to the organizers. The defense exhibition will also provide marketing opportunities for defense contractors and a diplomatic venue for participating military leaders. The business days from Tuesday to Friday will gather about 100 foreign delegations from 55 countries. They include defense ministers of nine countries such as Malaysia, Australia and Iraq, Air Force chiefs of staff of 14 nations and heads of procurement agencies. According to local reports, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may also visit the exhibition. But event organizers did not immediately confirm his attendence during Wednesday's briefing, saying that related discussions are underway at the presidential office. The fair will be open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday, during which some 300,000 visitors are expected. They will be able to enjoy various attractions, including two congratulatory flights by the ROK Air Force aerobatic team Black Eagles, drone contests, as well as demonstration performances by honor guards of the Army, Navy and Air Force. "While major countries' defense exhibitions and air shows have been experiencing slow growth, Seoul ADEX is recognized as one of the fastest-growing defense exhibitions in the world, with its scale more than doubling the in the past decade," Lee Jong-ho, co-organizer of ADEX, said in a statement. "With an aim to make ADEX one of the top three air shows in the world, we will increase efforts to better satisfy the needs of international military leaders, high-ranking officials and buyers, while ensuring the convenience and safety of the general public who visit the event." BLOOMINGTON A man will be sentenced in December after pleading guilty to a McLean County charge of violation of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act. Clifton Smith, 60, was arrested in March after Bloomington police said he failed to report weekly to the department. He was required to report as a registered sex offender who did not have a fixed residence. Smith pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of the Class 2 felony offense. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Dec. 21, when a McLean County judge will determine his sentence. R. Kelly timeline: Shining star to convicted sex offender 1990s 2001-2002 June 5, 2002 May 9, 2008 June 13, 2008 2012 2017-2018 January 2019 February 2019 March 6, 2019 May 30, 2019 July to August 2019 March to August 2020 Aug. 18, 2021 Sept. 27, 2021 June 29, 2022 2022 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. State prosecutors will on October 16, this year, address a seven-member jury on why the 14 persons accused of the murder of Major Maxwell Mahama at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region should be convicted. The Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu, Justice of the Supreme Court sitting as an additional High Court Judge, fixed the date after the prosecution led by Chief State Attorney, Mrs Evelyn Keelson, had called 14 witnesses to firm up its case against the accused persons. After the prosecution had addressed the jury, the defence counsel would also rebut arguments of the prosecution before the seven-member jury. Following that, the trial judge would address the jury on their role and the charges before finally giving the jury the opportunity to bring their verdict on the accused persons. Murder Major Mahama was the captain of the 31-member military team sent to the town to guard the properties of C&G Mining Company as a result of illegal mining activities in the area. The then Assembly member for the area, William Baah, aka Misty, is standing trial for abetment of murder while the other 13 are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and substantive charge of murder. The rest of the accused persons are Bernard Asamoah, alias Daddy, Kofi Nyame aka Abortion, Charles Kwaning aka Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim and Bismarck Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Asante, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga and Kwadwo Anima. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and have since 2018 been in custody. Brief facts The facts presented by the prosecution were that Major Mahama was the commander of a military detachment stationed at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region to check illegal mining activities. At 8a.m. on May 29, 2017, Major Mahama, wearing civilian clothes but with his sidearm, left his detachment base for a 20-kilometre jogging. At 9:25 a.m., the military officer got to the outskirts of Denkyira Obuasi, where a number of women were selling foodstuff by the roadside. He stopped to interact with the women and even bought some snails, which he left in their custody to be taken up on his return from jogging. While he was taking out money from his pocket to pay for the snails, the woman from whom he had bought the snails and a few others saw his sidearm tucked to his waist. Soon after he left, one of the women telephoned the assembly member for Denkyira Obuasi to report what they had seen. Without verifying the information, the assembly member mobilised the accused persons and others, some now at large, to attack the military officer, the prosecution stated. It added that the mob met Major Mahama near the Denkyira Obuasi cemetery and, without giving him the opportunity to explain and identify himself, attacked him with implements such as clubs, cement blocks and machetes, killed him and burnt a portion of his body. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Makers House Chapel International has supported the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital in the Greater Accra Region with cash donation of 100000 and 50000 Ghana Cedis respectively to help in healthcare delivery in both facilities. The donation is also to support renal dialysis patients seeking treatment in both facilities. Speaking with UTV News was the wife of the Head Pastor of The Makers House Chapel International, Lady Yaa Achiaa Boadi Nyamekye who disclosed that the cries of dialysis patients touched the church informing their decision to financially assist them. She added that this gesture is going to be a monthly thing by the church to these health facilities. Receiving the donations on behalf of the hospitals were the CEO of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Daniel Asare and the Head of Dialysis Unit of the 37 Military Hospital, Dr. Louis Serebour. They called on Ghanaians to show compassion in these trying times to the Renal Department of the both health facilities to help them save lives. Head of Nephrology Department, Dr. Louis Siriboe Agyeman, who received the cheque on behalf of the 37 Military Hospital, disclosed that the facility records not less than 10 kidney failure cases each day. This figure he noted, could go up as patients are unable to meet the cost in treating the condition while at the same time, the treatment cost keeps going up by the day. At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, urged government to consider instituting a legal framework to guide organ transplantation in the country. Transplantation he noted, is the ultimate cure for end-stage kidney failure and a long-term survival treatment as dialysis has become an expensive treatment for renal patients. According to Dr Ampomah, Korle Bu has already started a kidney transplantation program which aims to take dialysis patients off any financial constraints and burdens. This he said, stems from the commitment of the facility in ensuring that it provides quality services to Ghanaians, especially in area of liver and kidney transplantation. Source: Nadia Donkor/UTV News and Faith News Gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mali's interim president and Russian president Vladimir Putin have discussed economic and security co-operation during a phone call. During a telephone conversation, I spoke to President Putin about our co-operation in the economic, security and counter-terrorism fields. I expressed my gratitude for all the support Russia is giving Mali, Mali's Col Assimi Goita said in a statement published on X. This was echoed by Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a statement on Telegram, it said the two leaders "reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further enhance trade and economic relations, cooperation in providing security, and fighting terrorism. The Mali side expressed appreciation for the diverse assistance provided by Russia". This is the third phone conversation between the two leaders in months. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group are playing a prominent role in the Malian armys ongoing offensive against Tuareg ex-rebels in the town of Kidal, including the army's capture of the strategic town of Anefis on 6 October after days of heavy fighting. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana's Consul General to Lebanon, Mr Ali Samih Jaafar, has urged Ghanaians in Lebanon to take their personal security seriously. This comes in the wake of the escalation of violence in the Gaza area. In a statement, he said Ghanaians, especially in the South Litani Sector, are urged to either leave to safer places or avoid panic and unnecessary movement especially at night, until the security situation improves. In case of emergency, kindly call +961- 3554- 694 or +961- 3400- 017 Meanwhile, Ghanaians in Israel are not ready to return home. Some Ghanaians living in Israel say they are not ready to return home even as the countrys war with Palestine takes a full-blown turn. Seth Cudjoe, a Ghanaian resident in Israel in an interview with Accra-based Joy FM, said seeking an exit will be his last option because he has a newborn who needs all the care and stability. I am not planning to come back to Ghana I cant also leave my wife and jump to Ghana and the Ghana community is not ready to leave to Ghana unless the worst confronts us, he said. According to him, the Ghanaian community in his area is not ready to leave until they have no other option. Seth Cudjoe adds that he is in touch with Ghanaian officials and receives update regularly on what to do to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Update on Israel-Palestine War The Israeli military said dozens of its fighter jets struck more than 200 targets overnight in a neighbourhood of Gaza City. On Saturday, Hamas fighters from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, in the deadliest Palestinian attack in Israels history. Israel has called up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists, as Israeli airlines added flights to bring reservists back to the country. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israeli strikes had since Saturday destroyed more than 22,600 residential units and 10 health facilities and damaged 48 schools. Two members of Hamass political office were killed in an air strike in Khan Younis, a Hamas official said. They were the first senior Hamas members killed since Israel began pounding the enclave. Diplomacy US President Joe Biden called the attacks by Hamas an act of sheer evil and added that at least 14 Americans were killed. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel on Thursday, in a show of solidarity. Egypt is moving to prevent a mass exodus south from the Gaza Strip, as Israeli bombardments halted crossings. European Union foreign ministers met to try to resolve divisions over whether to continue aid payments to Palestinians. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Israel was breaking international law by imposing a total blockade against the Gaza Strip in retaliation against the Hamas attack. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran was not involved in the Hamas attack, though he kissed the hands of those doing damage to Israel. Russian President Vladimir Putin is blaming US policy failures for the Israel-Hamas war. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Eggs are currently South Africa's hottest commodity. The country has been grappling with one of its worst outbreaks of bird flu - millions of chickens have been killed over the past few weeks, supplies of poultry meat have been threatened and supermarkets across the nation have run out of eggs. Experts predict the egg shortage will cause the popular ingredient to jump in price - far from ideal considering it is one of the most affordable sources of protein for the millions living in poverty. Retailers, farms and industry giants have also been hit, with the nation's largest chicken producer stating the flu had "ravaged" a sector already burdened by rising costs and an electricity crisis. In an effort to stop the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - a deadly, extremely infectious type of bird flu - farmers have culled more than seven million egg-laying chickens. That amounts to 20-30% of the country's entire chicken stock, according to South African Poultry Association. As a result, social media sites have been inundated with pictures of bare supermarket shelves, while many shoppers found that shops still selling eggs have set limits on how many can be bought. Online shopping sites are no better - several consumers hoping to buy eggs on the web have been met with "unavailable" or "low in stock" messages. No more cheap eggs Domestic worker Nomalanga Moyo buys eggs every week in order to make muffins for her children's lunchboxes. Her store of choice is a spaza shop - the term for a small informal outlet - in her township of Diepsloot. Here, she can buy any quantity of eggs - when funds are low, she is able to get just two eggs for about 2.50 rand (13 cents; 11p). However, this week, the store was totally out. "I am now going to wait until I go to work during the week to see if I can find eggs at the normal shops. However, it will cost me more," a worried Ms Moyo said. More than half of South Africans live below the poverty line. They already spend about 35% of their income on food and according to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity research group, this share will likely increase as a result of the egg shortage. "Not only will consumers spend more for eggs but the rising price of eggs will affect all other food products where producers use eggs and other poultry products," it said. Businesses have also been impacted by the flu. In a trading update at the end of last month, leading South African poultry producer Astral Foods said the outbreak had so far cost it $11.5m. Astral said the flu has "spread at an alarming pace" and ravaged the poultry industry. The company also joined other producers in warning that South Africa could experience a shortage of chicken meat over the next few months. Small businesses, which are less able to weather market shocks, have also voiced concerns. "After baking scones for a client yesterday I was left with three eggs. I went shopping after to find more eggs but the price was too much for me," Zamapholoba Ngcobo, a bakery owner in the city of Pietermaritzburg said. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In a remarkable display of solidarity and shared values, the esteemed Mirigu Naba, Anthony Anonsoena Abisa-Atasige III, the Overlord of the Mirigu Traditional Area and Vice President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, made a significant appearance at the heart of Ghana's cultural tapestry. His presence was felt and respected at the Asogli State Yam Festival in Ho, upon the invitation of the revered Agbogbomefia, Togbe Afede XIV, marking a milestoneTogbe Afede's 20th Anniversary as the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State of the Volta Region. Amidst the vibrant festivities and the aroma of freshly harvested yams, Mirigu Naba stood as a beacon of wisdom and responsibility in addressing the media at the sidelines, echoing the concerns of many about the pressing issues of corruption and galamsey (illegal mining) that plague Ghana as earlier on bemoaned by the Agbogbomefia himself. He told the curious press men that Ghana has become what it is today because of the recklessness and profound corruption perpetuated by our leaders and that is the more reason why he (Naba Abisa-Atasige III) passionately agrees with his brother Togbe Afede's strong stance against these issues of corruption and galamesy that threaten not only the environment but also the very fabric of our communities and the depletion of our national coffers. A distinguished police officer by profession, Mirigu Naba brought a unique perspective to the discourse. He highlighted the abundance of precious resources like gold and clay within his traditional area. However, he vehemently opposed the exploitation of these resources through galamsey activities. His firm stand emanated from the understanding that such practices would not only lead to irreparable environmental damage but also plunge our communities into abject poverty. Naba Abisa-Atasige III emphasized the vital role of traditional leaders as custodians of the land. He stressed that no one should be allowed to enter a community and start mining without the explicit permission of the chiefs and tindaanas. Sand winning, another rampant activity in his region, had already caused extensive erosion in river bodies and the destruction of farmlands. Therefore, he stood resolute against permitting gold and clay mining, further safeguarding his people's livelihoods and the natural heritage. The presence of other esteemed leaders such as the Paramount Chief of the Sakote Traditional Area and former Upper East Regional President of the House of Chiefs, Naba Sigri Bewong, Dormahene Osagyefuo Agyeman Badu, and Tepahene Nana Adusei Ampem, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, underscored the collective commitment towards a sustainable and prosperous Ghana. Mirigu Naba's participation symbolized more than just a ceremonial presence; it epitomized a burgeoning bilateral relationship between the people of the Mirigu Traditional Area in the Upper East Region and the Asogli State in the Volta Region. A relationship founded on mutual respect, shared values, and a common goala peaceful coexistence for all Ghanaians. Mirigu Naba expressed his well-wishes for his brother, Togbe Afede, on his 20th Anniversary and the Yam Festival. His words resonated not just as a gesture of goodwill but as a commitment to a shared future, where the wisdom of traditional leaders guides the nation towards progress, harmony, and environmental stewardship. Mirigu Naba was accompanied with chiefs and distinguished opinion leaders of the Mirigu Traditional Area. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nigeria has announced the suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel following the deadly violence that erupted over the weekend. A group of Easter pilgrims was supposed to fly to Israel and Jordan on Tuesday, but the trip has been cancelled until further notice, the government's Christian Pilgrim Commission says. The war has created uncertainties in our planning for the main pilgrimage in December... we do hope the hostilities will end before the end of the year, Sunny Udeh, the commissions director for mobilisation and sensitisation, told the BBC. On average, about 18,000 Christian pilgrims fly from Nigeria to religious sites in Israel and Jordan each year. The commission said it would continue to monitor the situation in Israel as the safety of Nigerian pilgrims remained paramount. Last Saturday, Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. At least 1,200 Israelis have been killed in the ongoing hostilities, while at least 1,000 Palestinians have died following retaliatory strikes on Gaza Strip from Tel Aviv. The Nigerian government has called for the de-escalation of the hostilities and a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters, while advocating for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue. Despite the chaos, commercial flights to Tel Aviv from Nigeria have remained undisrupted. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An appellate court on Wednesday upheld a 40-year prison sentence for a man charged with fatally stabbing the 8-year-old son of his ex-girlfriend after she had filed a complaint against him for stalking. The 48-year-old is accused of stabbing the woman and her son during a dispute at the victim's house in Daegu, 240 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and killing the boy on Nov. 28. The man was also charged with confining the woman in his car and attempting to rape her. He confessed he committed the murder after the woman filed a complaint against him for stalking. The Daegu High Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeals filed by both the defendant and prosecutors, and confirmed the lower court's conviction of 40 years. The court also ordered him to undergo 40 hours of sex offender treatment and wear an electronic tracking device for 20 years and banned him from working at child-related facilities for seven years. The court stated that the defendant had premeditated the crime by preparing multiple weapons against the victim, and neglected the victim's call to save her son. (Yonhap) Civil society organisations (CSOs) have appealed to the President to pardon those on death row and commute their sentences to life imprisonment. They made the appeal at a round table discussion as part of programmes to mark the 21st commemoration of the Death Penalty in Accra yesterday which was organised by Amnesty International. Various speakers at the event said those currently on death row had the benefit of the abolition of the death penalty as no one on the death row had been executed since 1993. Ghana abolished the death penalty with the exception of high treason in July this year through a private members Bill led by Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament (NDC) for Madina. Significance The Country Director of Amnesty International, Genevieve Partington, said pardoning of those on death row will "improve the country's reputation and standing in the global community. It will also help maintain consistency in our legal system that values the preservation of human lives," she added. Ms Partington further said that it would also allow the rehabilitation and personal growth of inmates who had turned their lives around. The Founder of Advocate for Fair Legal Access, Ghana, Rita Nupe Demuyakor, described conditions at the condemned cell as terrible and inhumane. They come out for an hour or two to enjoy the sunshine. Mentally, they go through a lot," she said. The Executive Director of Perfector of Sentiments (POS) Foundation, Jonathan Osei Owusu, acknowledged the role played by various stakeholders in advocating the abolishment of the death penalty. The discussants were also unanimous that commuting the sentences of those on death penalty would resolve infrastructural challenges, especially for male prisoners. There are about 185 prisoners on the death row, out of which six are females. Facilities for males serving life sentences which were for 10, 265, now accommodate more than15,000 inmates. They also entreated international organisations to lend financial support to provide adequate accommodation for the prisoners. Mr Sosu asked the CSOs to take advantage of the goodwill the President exhibited during the passage of the Anti-death Penalty Bill. If you consider the role of the President in the abolition process, I have no doubt he showed a lot of commitment, and so it will be easy to take advantage of the goodwill, he added. Awards Amnesty International presented plaques of appreciation to Martin Kpebu and Mr Sosu for their immense contributions towards deepening the frontiers of human rights. The French Ambassador to Ghana, Jules-Armand Aniambossou, assisted by Amnesty International Ghana Board Chair, Francis Nyantakyi, presented the mementos to them. The ambassador applauded Ghana for achieving a key milestone in abolishing the death penalty. He said it took many years of advocacy and amendments for France to also abolish the death penalty some 42 years ago. Ghana became the 24th African country and the 124th globally to abolish the death penalty, although high treason offence still attracts the ultimate punishment. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A young Israeli couple were murdered by Hamas terrorists in their home in Israel after they managed to save their 10-month-old twin babies from the same tragic fate by hiding them in a hidden shelter. Itay and Hadar Berdichevsky, both 30, quickly reacted when they heard the gunmen trying to smash down their front door. The terrified parents frantically bundled their two babies into a hidden shelter moments before the Hamas terrorists stormed into their home, the Israeli ambassador to Colombia Gali Dagan revealed. Itay and Hadar 'bravely fought' the gunmen before they were shot and killed during their assault on Israel, which has left more than 700 Israelis dead. Luckily, their two babies were found and rescued by Israeli soldiers after being left alone for more than 12 hours, Dagan said, hailing the couple as 'heroes' who did 'everything they could to save their children'. 'They hid their 10-month-old twin children in the shelter while terrorists infiltrated their home,' Dagan wrote on Twitter. 'Itay and Hadar were brutally murdered after bravely fighting the terrorists. The babies were left alone for more than 12 hours until they were rescued. Imagine the horror. Two terrified parents doing everything they can to save their children, who are now orphaned. Blessed be the memory of these heroes.' Itay and Hadar are now among the more than 700 Israelis who have been killed by Hamas terrorists, after the gunmen launched a surprise assault on Israel at the weekend. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In a bid to secure his position as the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is appealing to delegates to offer him the opportunity to take on John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Speaking to over 1,300 delegates in the Sunyani East Constituency, Dr Bawumia stated that he knows Mr. Mahama too well and would face him with the monumental achievements of the NPP and the new vision he is bringing to the Party, to defeat him in the 2024 general elections. Dr Bawumia went ahead to list several initiatives he had led as Vice President including the strong feat Ghana has achieved under digitalization, the 1 Constituency-1 Ambulance policy, the Agenda 111 hospital projects, the Gold for oil policy, and the drone delivery project. He therefore challenged Mr. Mahama to tell Ghanaians what achievements or legacies could be associated with his 30 years of political experience, from Assemblyman to President. The Vice President reminded all party members of the need to maintain unity and avoid attacking one another throughout the campaign. Dr Bawumia reiterated that the internal elections are not a contest and therefore every member must conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the party. The communication officer for Sunyani East Constituency, Abubakari Yakubu, has shared captivating scenes from the event with the media. Bawumia also called for unity and a clean campaign within the Party. He cautioned every member against attacking others and reminded them that this was not a contest but rather an internal election. It is expected that the NPP will hold its presidential primaries on the 4th of November 2023. However, the call by Dr Bawumia may have set the tone for what is expected to be a highly contested Presidential election. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has said that the exit of even a polling station executive could possibly pose a disaster for any political party in any given election. He has therefore cautioned that the leadership of the NPP must work to ensure total unity before entering the 2024 general elections. He implied that the exit of Alan Kyeremanten could mean a potential disaster for the electoral fortunes of the NPP in the 2024 general elections, he said. To lose any party faithful to other political parties, he noted, is a disaster. you cant downplay it. We are looking for numbers, and politics is about numbers. So, one person turning his back for me is a disaster. We are all in this game together, and together, we must fight and win. That is my attitude. Discussing his chances in the NPP presidential primary and related matters with the media in Accra, the former Minister of Food and Agriculture said politics is about numbers, stressing that a free and fair November 4 presidential primary will keep the flock intact since no one will have any complain to make. Established Candidate Many of the candidate vying for the flagbearer position of the NPP have often criticized the leadership of the party that there is already an established candidate where delegates are being whipped to tow to a certain line in favor of that candidate. However, the Cambridge University-trained Economist disagrees and when asked about it, he noted that none of that exists in the NPP, noting that for me, it really has to do with the conduct and making sure that there is a level playing field for all the candidate. The former two-term Member of Parliament for Kwadaso constituency in the Ashanti Region further buttressed his point that if there should be any established candidate in the race, that should be the polling station executives and Electoral Area Coordinators. Who is more established than those at the grassroots? They have more power to decide who should lead the NPP. They are more than 200,000. They are the kingmakers, he underscored. Dr. Akoto, who worked in the UN systems for more than 18 years, was hopeful that the processes leading to the November 4 NPP primary will be peaceful and transparent for all the candidates to compete without any misgivings. Ghanas longest Minister for Food and Agriculture in the 4th Republic on Monday, October 2, 2023, announced the suspension of his campaign tour to the Ashanti Region following the demise of the former First Lady of the Republic, Theresa Kufuor, whose sad event occurred on Sunday, October 1, 2023. At a press conference held in Kumasi, Dr. Akoto said the suspension of his campaign tour was a sign of respect for the loss of the former First Lady. He had officially scheduled October 2 6, 2023, to begin his week-long tour to the Ashanti Region by holding strategic meetings with key party members at different locations in the region. This was to scale up efforts in rallying support for his presidential bid. The NPP goes to the polls on November 4, 2023, to select a presidential candidate who will lead the party to the 2024 general elections. Dr. Akoto is number 3 on the ballot paper. He placed 4th in the Super Delegates Conference held on August 26, 2023. Over 200,000 delegates are expected to vote in the National Delegates Conference on November 4, 2024. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Daniel Bugri Naabu, the former Northern regional chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party says he feels vindicated after both Superintendent Eric Gyebi and Superintendent George Asare both confirmed their voices and details of the conversation on the leaked tape which had voices of some officers plotting the removal of the Inspector General of Police. Both Police officers, contrary to their earlier position during the public hearing, according to Bugri Naabu, conceded to the full details of their engagement with the politician as captured on the tape. Speaking to the media after the Tuesday hearing, Bugri Naabu said You were all there when they told the committee in public that Im a liar but now before the committee they have all, including Gyebi, admitted their voices on the tape. I want to tell you all that as a chief I dont tell lies I was in my office and then these people came to say the things they said. I felt it was important for the national security of this state and for the NPP government to know what they were doing in there so I taped them and went to give the tape to the president, he said. He stressed Now they have all admitted that it is their voice so I want everyone to know that I am not a liar. And if they come out to challenge anything now, we will play what happened in there for all Ghanaians to hear. Meanwhile, the committee which was supposed to sit in camera till Saturday has indefinitely suspended sitting. The chairman of the committee told the media after Tuesdays sitting that the committee will meet to listen to the audio again and also assess other evidence presented before them and begin writing their report. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain On Oct. 12, National Farmers' Day, Americans honor the hardworking people who keep the world fed and clothed. But the farming labor force has a problem: It's aging rapidly. The average American farmer is 57 and a half years old, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's up sharply from 1978, when the figure was just a smidge over 50. As researchers who study well-being in rural areas, we wanted to understand this trend and its implications. So we dug into the data. Amber waves of graying We found that the average age of farmers was fairly consistent across the country, even though the general population's age varies quite a bit from place to place. For example, the average Maine farmer is just a few months older than the average farmer in Utah, even though the average Maine resident is more than a decade older than the average Utahn. To be fair, we did find some local differences. For example, in New York Countybetter known as Manhattanthe average farmer is just north of 31. Next door in Hudson County, New Jersey, the average farmer is more than 72. On the whole, though, America's farming workforce is getting older. If the country doesn't recruit new farmers or adapt to having fewer, older ones, it could put the nation's food supply at risk. Before panicking, though, it's worth asking: Why is this happening? A tough field to break into To start, there are real barriers to entry for young peopleat least those who weren't born into multigenerational farming families. It takes money to buy the land, equipment and other stuff you need to run a farm, and younger people have less wealth than older ones. The ups and downs of farm life take center stage in On the Farm, a docuseries produced by Mississippi State University. Young people born into family farms may have fewer opportunities to take them over due to consolidation in agriculture. And those who do have the chance may not seize it, since they often report that rural life is more challenging than living in a city or suburb. The overall stress of the agriculture industry is also a concern: Farmers are often at the mercy of weather, supply shortages, volatile markets and other factors entirely out of their control. In addition to understanding why fewer younger people want to go into agriculture, it's important to consider aging farmers' needs. Without younger people to leave the work to, farmers are left with intense laborphysically and mentallyto accomplish, on top of the ordinary challenges of aging. In other words, the U.S. needs to increase opportunities for younger farmers while also supporting farmers as they age. Opportunities to help The USDA already has programs to aid new farmers, as well as farmers of color and female farmers, and those who operate small farms. Expanding these programs' reach and impact could help bring new talent into the field. Congress could do just that when it reauthorizes the farm billa package of laws covering a wide range of foodand agriculture-related programs that get passed roughly every five years. The farm bill also includes nutrition aid and funds telehealth and training and educational outreach for farmers, all of which could help meet the needs of young and aging farmers alike. Notably, the Cooperative Extension Service offers programs that range from 4-H and youth development, including introduction to agriculture, to providing on-site technical help. Congress was supposed to reauthorize the farm bill by Sept. 30, 2023, but it missed that deadline. It now faces a new deadline of Dec. 31, but due to dysfunction in the House of Representatives, many expect the process to drag on into 2024. Also in 2024, the USDA will release its next Census of Agriculture, giving researchers new insight into America's farming workforce. We expect it will show that the average age of U.S. farmers has reached a new all-time high. If you believe otherwisewell, we wouldn't bet the farm. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: National Guard members on their way to do search and rescue after Hurricane Sandy. Credit: Photo: Georgia National Guard Climate change is affecting practically everything on Earth, from natural systems to human endeavors. National security is no exception. The National Intelligence Council has found that "climate change will increasingly exacerbate risks to U.S. national security interests as the physical impacts increase and geopolitical tensions mount about how to respond to the challenge." The U.S. Defense Department recognizes that climate change is a "threat multiplier" as it exacerbates existing environmental stresses and security risks. In a 2021 Department of Defense report, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that almost everything the U.S. Defense Department (DOD) does to defend the American people is jeopardized by climate changethe department's strategies, plans, capabilities, missions, and equipmentand the risks are growing, especially since the world is not on track to meet its Paris Agreement goals. The risks lie not only within U.S. borders; our partner countries impacted by climate change affect American national security interests as well, he said. Jason Bordoff, director of Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, goes further. "DOD and the wider national security community need to broaden their definition of 'climate risk,'" he said. "There's been plenty of analysis conducted on the exposure and risk to military infrastructure from rising sea level, storms, etc., but there will also be less direct impacts of climate change, such as competition over critical minerals or political instability in resource-rich nations as fossil fuel use eventually dwindles." Here is a look at the national security challenges posed by climate change. Direct threats Infrastructure Sea-level rise and extreme weather are affecting both the military's infrastructure and its supply chains. Installations and facilities near coasts are eroding and flooding. In 2013, Fort Irwin in California experienced flash flooding that cost over $65 million in damages. In Virginia, the Norfolk Naval Station, the world's largest naval base, experiences routine flooding during rainstorms and high tides. This impacts the Navy's ability to conduct operations in the Atlantic Ocean, and hampers its work on ships and submarines in the shipyard. U.S. military bases on Guam and the Marshall Islands are also vulnerable to sea-level rise. Damage from 2018's Hurricane Michael shut down Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida for months; rebuilding it was estimated to cost $3.6 billion. Rising temperatures and extreme precipitation at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri can prevent stealth nuclear bombers from taking off. Global supply chains are also disrupted by extreme weather, which may hinder the military's ability to access critical supplies. Technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and semiconductors are essential to U.S. national security. But in 2021, severe flooding in Malaysia, a major hub for semiconductor assembly and packaging, disrupted the supply chain, contributing to a global semiconductor shortage. Extreme weather makes outdoor training and military exercises difficult and can affect the maintenance and effectiveness of weapons systems and other equipment. This means existing and new equipment will need to be redesigned to enable it to operate in all climate conditions. Weather conditions can also limit the amount of land available for training and reduce water supplies. Heat waves and other extreme weather can decrease personnel productivity and impact military members' health. Demand for military resources The physical impacts of climate change increase the frequency, scale, and complexity of defense operations and make them more costly. Because natural disasters are increasing, the military is being called on more frequently as first responders for disaster and humanitarian relief and must respond to situations beyond their usual scope. For example, between 2016 and 2021, the number of National Guard personnel days spent fighting wildfires increased by 162,000 as droughts have lengthened fire seasons. During Hurricane Sandy, the DOD helped distribute 6.2 million meals, 7.8 million gallons of fuel, medical supplies, and other staples. Indirect threats Displacement and civil unrest Climate change also affects food and water security, degrades the environment, increases the spread of diseases, and disrupts essential services like electricity production. These impacts can drive migration. One study found that if we continue our fossil fuel use trajectory, the probability of multiple simultaneous droughts could increase from the late 20th century average by 40 percent by 2050 and 60 percent by late century. These droughts could potentially affect 120 million people around the world, triggering crop failures, threatening water supplies, and forcing people to migrate. The World Bank has warned that 143 million people particularly in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America could end up migrating due to climate impacts. As migrants enter countries or regions unprepared to deal with them, tensions rise. As we already see on the U.S. southern border, migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, and other nations fleeing poverty, violence, and extreme weather are causing enormous political turmoil. Climate impacts contribute to poverty, social inequality, political instability, and violence. Weak governments have trouble meeting their people's basic needs, so civil unrest increases. These conditions can lead to shifts in the regional balance of power or result in the failure of states. In some of these cases, the U.S. military may be called upon to come to the aid of its partners to restore stability. Joshua Fisher, director of the Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, and Complexity at Columbia Climate School, said that most of the conflicts he sees in the world are not directly driven by climate change. "What climate change is doing is impacting already vulnerable societies," he said. "So if there are tensions, if there are large sectors of the population who are marginalized, by and large those same sectors of society are going to be impacted disproportionately by climate change. This opens up a mechanism where climate change can further marginalize and harm already vulnerable people. And that can be the mechanism that leads to increased conflict." Conflicts around decarbonization According to a National Intelligence Council report, tensions are also likely to grow as countries argue about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The conflict will be about which countries bear more responsibility to act and to pay, due to their historic emissions. "As pressure to decarbonize increases, you can expect more animosity between the developed and developing worlds as poorer countries wonder, rightly so, why the richer countries, who have created the climate crisis in the first place, are now asking them to limit their consumption of fossil fuels," said Bordoff. Developing countries will continue to demand more money from developed countries, which have failed to mobilize the promised $100 billion a year by 2020. The UN estimates that developing countries will need at least $300 billion per year by 2030 just for adaptation. Meanwhile, countries that rely on fossil fuels to support their economies see the energy transition as a threat and are attempting to slow progress towards decarbonization. "The pressure of the energy transition may, if not managed carefully, increase geopolitical tensions, creating new risks to energy security," said Bordoff. "Many of these tensions will be seen in who is wielding influence in the emerging clean energy economy, and who the winners and losers are in a shrinking fossil fuel economy." Competition for resources Efforts to achieve decarbonization will hasten the race to secure resources. For instance, as countries try to reduce their own vulnerability by becoming greener and more energy self-sufficient, the demand for rare minerals for batteries and solar panels will increase. According to Bordoff, to get to net-zero emissions by 2050, the demand for critical minerals will go up sixfold. Competition between countries to acquire and process the minerals needed for renewable energy technologies could result in conflict. "One example of this is a recent rift in the U.S.-E.U. relationship, where we've seen historical allies at odds over perceived unfair protectionism in new clean energy investments," said Bordoff. "Another is the heightened tensions between China and the West with regards to critical minerals, batteries, or solar panels, with Western leaders concerned about China's dominance over the production of clean energy and the potential weaponization of this market dominance. The longer the world takes to get to net zero, the worse these problems will get." The Arctic The melting Arctic ice is opening up the Northwest Passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This could lead to competition for sea lanes for commercial shipping between the United States, Russia, China, and Canada. Countries are also vying for the region's unclaimed land, fish, natural gas, minerals, and other resources. Most legal matters in the region are determined by the Arctic Council, which is made up of the United States, Russia, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. Other countries, such as China, Germany, and India, are considered observer countries. Because the Arctic Council's resolutions are nonbinding, however, it has no enforcement power. Consequently, as military and commercial activity in the region grows, so too could the risk of miscalculation and conflict. Geoengineering The U.S. intelligence community is also increasingly concerned about geoengineering, which is now being discussed more often as a viable option for dealing with climate change. This is particularly the case with solar geoengineering, which involves sending reflective sulfur dioxide particles into the atmosphere to reflect solar radiation away from Earth and imitate the cooling effect of a volcanic eruption. Research on geoengineering is being done around the world, particularly in the United States, China, and India. As there is currently no international governance for geoengineering, it's conceivable that in the future, a single country suffering from climate impacts could decide to conduct geoengineering on its own. This could cause weather patterns around the world to shift, disrupt monsoons, degrade the ozone layer, or trigger droughts that affect agriculture; it could also be weaponized. This could exacerbate tensions between countries or even lead to war. What the military is doing It is now DOD policy to consider climate change in all its operations, activities, business processes, decision making, and resource allocation to ensure that military forces continue to be capable and effective. The DOD is investing $3.6 billion to enhance the resilience of its infrastructure, improve its energy and water capacities, and modernize its operations. This includes funding for microgrids, energy storage, and renewable energy, electric vehicles, and charging installations. $106 million will be used to improve the energy efficiency of operations. $1.3 billion will be invested into research and development in cutting-edge technology and prototypes of new conveyances. $54 million will go toward incorporating climate impacts into war games and exercises to ensure that the military can operate in all conditions. "In a warming climate, you're going to see rising seas threaten critical infrastructure, growing geopolitical tensions, larger flows of migration away from the most climate-vulnerable nations, civil conflict driven by resource scarcity, and new venues for conflict," said Bordoff. "Each one of these by themselves would be worrying, but having them play out simultaneously will cause not only a drain on limited resources to counteract them, but will exacerbate today's worsening geopolitical trends." He added, "Military leaders need to devote more attention to some of these more complex consequences of climate change so that they can better prepare for them." The DOD is one of the only organizations in the world with the ability to move materials anywhere around the world in 24 hours, according to Fisher. "And so understanding the national security interest we have in preventing conflicts from escalating into outright violence should be one of the DOD's priorities," he said. The DOD should look at areas that are vulnerable to climate change, as well as at near- and mid-term forecasts for risks in various regions. "They should utilize the resources they have to prevent conflict, not with military action, but rather by supporting rule of law programs or emergency support, or providing provisions, to try to prevent conflicts from escalating." Fisher has been impressed with the DOD's handling of the topic of climate change. "The DOD has been able to be frank and sober about it, but understand that it is a national security threat, and treat it as such, rather than getting mired in the politics of it," he said. "The more they can maintain that focus, the better I think they'll be." Provided by State of the Planet This story is republished courtesy of Earth Institute, Columbia University http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Artist impression of a donut shaped cloud that was formed after two ice giant planets collided. The cloud glows dull red with the heat from the collision. An asteroid and smaller debris from the collision is in front of the donut shaped cloud. The parent star, ASASSN-21qj, is off in the distance to the left of the cloud. Credit: Mark Garlick For the first time, an international group of astronomers have seen the heat glow of two ice giant planets colliding, and the resultant dust cloud then move in front of the parent star several years later. The star ASASSN-21qjnamed after the network of telescopes that first detected the fading of the star at visible wavelengthswas then studied intensively by a network of amateur and professional astronomers including Dr. Matthew Kenworthy at Leiden Observatory (the Netherlands), who monitored the changes in the star's brightness over the next two years. The study, "A planetary collision afterglow and transit of the resultant debris cloud," has been published in Nature. A chance post on a social media site from an amateur researcher led to the discovery that the system doubled in brightness at infrared wavelengths some three years before the star started to fade in visible light. "To be honest, this was a complete surprise to me," says Dr. Kenworthy. "When the ASASSN survey shared the light curve of this star with other astronomers, I started watching it with a network of telescopes and observers. Out of the blue, an astronomer on social media pointed out that the star brightened up in the infrared over a thousand days before the optical fading. I knew then that this was an unusual event." Leiden graduate student Richelle van Capelleveen (who did the work as a master's student) continues, "I worked on the light curve with Dr. Kenworthy and during our work, we realized that this could be a collision of two planets." The most likely explanation is that two ice giant exoplanets collided together, producing the infrared glow picked up by the NEOWISE mission, and the resultant expanding debris cloud then moved in front of the star some three years later and caused the star to dim in brightness at visible wavelengths. Animation of a planetary collision at ASASSN-21qj. What happens when two planets collide? Astronomers were fortunate enough to have unique views of the collision and aftermath of two Neptune sized planets colliding. When these ice giant planets crashed, they left behind a hot, loose ball of gas, dust and rocks, with an even hotter core. Over hundreds of years this will thin out around the orbit, the core will grow by accretion and moons may even form from the debris. Credit: Alice Hopkinson/Las Cumbres Observatory Planetary collision "The temperature and size of the glowing material and the amount of time the glow has lasted is consistent with the collision of two ice giant exoplanets, as we infer from our calculations and computer models," says co-author Dr. Simon Lock (University of Bristol, United Kingdom). "What's new is that we think this is the first time we see the glow from the body that is produced by the planetary collision," says Dr. Grant Kennedy (University of Warwick, United Kingdom), also a co-author on the paper. "This is really a fantastic opportunity to find out about the interior of giant planets," says Dr. Ludmila Carone from the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Graz. Normally, giant planets hide their heavy elements under thick layers of hydrogen and helium. In this collision, however, material from the interior was ejected or dredged up into the outer regions of the body created by the merger of the two planets. Carone adds, "We can already conclude that a lot of water vapor was released that helped to cool the post-impact body down to 1000 K." A simulation of a collision between two ice giant bodies showing the simulation particles (top) and density (bottom) in a slice through the midplane of the impact. The scale bar gets smaller during the simulation to follow the expanding post-impact body and debris. Credit: Jingyao Dou/Bristol University Smear out Over the next few years, the cloud of dust will start to smear out along the orbit of the collision remnant, and a tell-tale scattering of light from this cloud can be detected with both ground-based telescopes and the James Webb Space Telescope. Astronomers will watch closely what happens next in this system. Ultimately, the cloud of material around the remnant may condense to form a retinue of moons that will orbit around this new planet. More information: Matthew Kenworthy, A planetary collision afterglow and transit of the resultant debris cloud, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06573-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06573-9 Journal information: Nature 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: Archaeologist Alberto Sarcina (C) oversees the work of a mainly Indigenous team unearthing traces of the distant past of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien. With brushes and trowels, Indigenous Colombians are unearthing traces in the jungle of a tragic period in history, when their ancestors were violently supplanted by colonists from Spain. Working as amateur archaeologists, they carefully brush away dirt to reveal pottery and other artifacts left behind by ancient inhabitants of what in 1510 became Santa Maria la Antigua del Darienthe first-ever city built by the conquistadores in the Americas. Watched over by archaeologist Alberto Sarcina, an Italian with an Indiana Jones-like aura, what appears to be an ancient cobblestone road emerges from the patient tap, tap, tap of the workers' tools. At first it was "difficult" to convince the local population of Unguia, a municipality in the middle of the Darien jungle, to get involved, recounted Sarcina, who works for the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, which is funding the project. Many, he said, "didn't want to know anything about the city that started the tragedy" of Indigenous annihilation. But 10 years into the project, dozens now partake with gusto and pride. They are mainly of Indigenous and Afro descent. Most are women. "I like to find things that we don't even know how to make today... they made their own clay and didn't have to buy it. They were very resourceful," 28-year-old Karen Suarez of the Embera Indigenous community told AFP after digging up a piece of pottery. The dig has unearthed numerous ceramics and artefacts. 'A dramatic turn' Christopher Columbus first arrived on the island of Hispaniola (now the Dominican Republic and Haiti), in 1492, on his ultimately unsuccessful quest to find India at a time that world maps were still being developed. From there, he led expeditions to the mainland Americas. Several temporary settlements were created along the way, but it was the founding of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien that really marked the beginning of colonial entrenchment. "It's one of those moments in history where the story takes a dramatic turnone of those moments with a before and an after," said Sarcina, 55. "The conquest of an entire continent began here, which means the Indigenous genocide began here." Researchers have estimated that European colonizers killed some 55 million Indigenous people in the Americas. Yaqueline Zarco is one of the amateur archaeologists. The Colombian project seeks to glean more about this period from what the colonizers, and their victims, left behind in and around the 33-hectare (80-acre) city in the northwestern Choco department. Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien lasted for only 14 years until 1524, when the original inhabitants of the region killed the invaders and set fire to the settlement. At its height, the city had some 5,000 inhabitants, but many had already left before its ultimate demise as the headquarters of the so-called Castilla de Oro Spanish territories moved to what is Panama today. 'The best thing' The source of much historic misery is today helping to lighten the burden for a few descendants of those who survived the Spanish invasion. The amateur archaeologists at Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien receive payment for their efforts and can earn money from hosting tourists at their homes. Most of the amateur archaeologists are women. "We have felt good in this work, we benefit a little from the economy (generated) and from learning... about the history of the ancestors," said participant Antonio Chamarra, 40. Jeniffer Alvarez, 32, told AFP her job on the project was "a respite" from the machismo and violence in an area ravaged by the Gulf Clan drug cartel. "This site has been the best thing" to happen in a society that tends to relegate women to housework, she added. The site also boasts a museum displaying some of the finds. The site also hosts a museumanother income generator. After dark, the horseshoe-shaped museum becomes a cinema for the children of surrounding villages in a community with very basic access to services such as health and education. The project also serves as a sort of open-air university. It has inspired 16-year-old Hector Monterrosa from the nearby Tanela village to aspire to an career in archaeology, like his idol Sarcina. Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien was the first city erected by Spanish colonizers in the Americas. "Here, in general, it is very difficult to get an opportunity to go to university," the teen, who spends much of his free time after school at the dig site, told AFP. "There are very few who can go and since my family's finances are not so good, this would be a great opportunity for me to start preparing" for an academic career, he said. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Rubbish collecting in North Addis in Ethiopia Credit: The Donkey Sanctuary Donkeys are vital to the lives of women in Ethiopia and could be the difference between destitution and modest survival, new research has found. The study also revealed that societal perception of donkeys as low-status animals has an impact on both the owners' lives and the well-being of the donkeys. The findings of the University of Bristol led study, published in Society & Animals, are being released to coincide with the United Nations' International Day of Rural Women on Sunday 15 October 2023. Researchers analyzed the responses of 137 participants who worked with donkeys from 12 workshops to understand how humans value and treat their donkey co-workers. Despite the lower status of donkeys in comparison to other domesticated animals, such as cows, their contribution was valued by both female and male co-workers. Through their work, donkeys can help their human co-workers sustain and improve their livelihoods by helping them to earn an income, send their children to school, acquire land and contribute to savings schemes. They make a vital contribution to women's domestic work and substantially reduce the physical burden of carrying water, firewood, and crops from the fields to homesteads. However, the study also revealed that both donkeys and their human co-workers experience marginalization by the wider population and their communities, and this was most keenly felt by poorer women in rural areas. Both are subjugated, given lower status, their labor under recognized and undervalued. Importantly, the study also demonstrated that while owning a donkey can be the difference between modest survival and destitution, the bond formed between women and their donkeys was based on more than just utilityone woman described her donkey as 'a member of my family', and another as 'my friend'. Supporting these women by giving them access to employment opportunities, education, and donkey welfare programs, has the potential to improve the lives of both women and donkeys. It is also possible to elevate the status of both by highlighting the value they bring to their communities and broader Ethiopian society. Martha Geiger in the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), formerly at the University of Bristol, and corresponding author, said, "We hope our work brings attention to the nuances and complexities of human and donkey lives in Ethiopia, where both work in often difficult circumstances in harsh environments at the margins of society, with little protection or support from the state." "Our research highlights the important, but often under-recognized and undervalued labor women perform with donkeys to support their families. When my fieldwork revealed that donkeys and women were equated and that their alignment affected both their respective social status and well-being it became clear to what degree both women and donkeys are marginalized." "This research underscores the important and valuable role donkeys play in the lives of poor women who are often the most disadvantaged in their communities. Donkeys and their labor should therefore be considered within development work that is focused on elevating the status of women." Becky Whay, Vice-President International and Professor of Sustainable Global Animal Welfare at the University of Galway, formerly at the University of Bristol, and one of the co-authors, added, "When I first heard the quote 'Women and donkeys are the same, they both like to be beaten', it caused a feeling of physical shock. That shock has never gone away and reminds me why research which gives a voice to these issues is so important." "The link between the social status of women and donkeys also highlights the opportunity for partnerships between animal welfare organizations and NGOs who focus on the empowerment of women, to deliver mutually beneficial interventions." Dr. Faith Burden, Executive Director of Equine Operations at The Donkey Sanctuary, explained: "To support donkeys and those who depend upon them, it is necessary to further our understanding of the value placed on donkeys and the subtleties of their impact on people's lives. This study demonstrates the crucial economic and social role donkeys play in some of the most marginalized communities in Ethiopia." "Donkeys and the communities that depend on them, in Africa and around the world, are currently under threat from the growing demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese remedy made from donkey-skin gelatin. " "Around 4.8 million donkeys are slaughtered each year to meet this demand, and the decimation of China's own donkey population has led skin traders to target countries like Ethiopia to meet this growing demand. It's crucially important that governments enforce legislation to protect their precious donkey populations and the citizens who rely on them." Dr. Getachew Mulugeta, Senior Global Researcher at The Donkey Sanctuary Ethiopia said, "These animals are often invisible, ignored by governments and policymakers despite their huge number and immense socio-economic contribution. The main reason, often raised, is the lack of in-depth quantitative socio-economic studies that show their contribution to a country's GDP." "I believe studies such as this are invaluable and contribute to making these animals more visible, not only to the communities and the government, but also to the scientific community. Further in-depth study is needednot only of their socioeconomic value, but also the health and welfare of these animals. Poor welfare often hampers their working efficiency and reproductive performance, which can have a direct or indirect impact on the livelihoods of donkey-dependent and resource-limited communities." Gebre Engida from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Addis Ababa University, said, "Donkeys are the backbone for the livelihoods of rural communities in Ethiopia where there is little access to clean water in the dry season. The typography of the land and distances make this task even harder. People must travel long distances to find water and this responsibility falls on the rural women. So, donkeys are the only means of reducing this burden, the time and effort they spend collecting water." Ethiopia has the largest donkey population of any country and is home to approximately 19 percent of the estimated global donkey population of 45.8 million. Despite their important contribution to many of Ethiopia's impoverished communities, donkeys remain absent from government animal health and welfare policies and are overlooked in sustainable development goals. The researchers suggest their research could be included in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The contribution of donkeys is significant to many of the goals and currently policymakers don't recognize, protect or support the role of donkeys in delivery of the SDGs. The study's findings could inform the thinking of governments, especially when donkey populations are vulnerable and under pressure. More information: Martha Geiger et al, Being with Donkeys: Insights into the Valuing and Wellbeing of Donkeys in Central Ethiopia, Society & Animals (2023). DOI: 10.1163/15685306-bja10134 Nearly 40,000 Koreans took their own lives over the past three years, with the suicide rate increasing among the younger generation, data showed Wednesday. A total of 39,453 people killed themselves from 2020 to 2022, according to data from the health ministry and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency submitted to Rep. Baek Jong-hean of the ruling People Power Party. The tally was greater than the 32,156 COVID-19 deaths recorded over the same period. The suicide rate has slightly decreased over the past five years to 25.2 people per population of 100,000 in 2022, but the suicide rate of teenagers and those in their 20s has been showing an upward trend. The teenage suicide rate rose from 5.8 per 100,000 individuals in 2018 to 7.2 in 2022, while the rate for those in their 20s rose from 17.6 to 21.4 over the same period. The number of suicide attempts also increased. Last year, 36,754 people visited an emergency room after hurting themselves or trying to take their own lives, up 68 percent from 21,875 in 2012. "The government should declare suicide as a national disaster and put in all-out efforts to fight it," Baek said. (Yonhap) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers are urging an evidence-based approach to the use of simulations to train medics and teachers, amid signs that technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality could reshape education in both professions. In a new special issue of the journal, Learning and Instruction, academics highlight the expanding use of 'simulation-based learning' in both fields. While acknowledging its huge potential, they emphasize that evidence about how best to use new simulation technologies in professional education is still emerging. Without this evidence base, they suggest, rapid adoption could lead to subpar training. "Simulation-based learning" refers to educational methods that, by emulating real-life situations, offer students a safe environment in which to develop and test their knowledge and skills. Recent advances in AI and mixed reality have dramatically expanded the range of ways it can be integrated into professional education. One such innovation is "Holoscenarios"; a mixed reality tool co-developed by University of Cambridge researchers, clinicians, and the tech company GigXR, which allows medical students to train with a realistic holographic patient and was one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2022. Studies in the new special issue refer to other emerging tools, including one in which students interact with a virtual radiologist, and a web-based simulation for dental students learning intricate procedures. Teacher education is not far behind. In a recent trial in Germany, AI was used to 'mark' and feedback on the work of trainee teachers who were learning to assess students for potential learning difficulties and was found to improve their diagnostic reasoning. Virtual classrooms have also been used to help teachers practice how they talk with students and cultivate oracy, which is a focus of the Labor Party's latest education plans. The special issue, while broadly supportive of these developments, raises the need for a proper understanding of how to use these resources, so that they can be integrated thoughtfully into professional training, rather than according to Facebook's erstwhile mantra, "move fast and break things". It is one output from a partnership between the University of Cambridge and Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich (LMU). Academics from both institutions edited the special issue, along with colleagues from the Technical University of Munich; and there are contributions from a wide range of experts in simulation-based learning. Riikka Hofmann, Professor of Learning Sciences at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, said, "Tools like HoloScenarios show how simulation-based learning can positively widen students' access to resources and democratize training; but we need to ensure that new innovations aren't just developed blindly, without a clear sense of what makes them effective. Given the rate of progress in simulation technologies, there is a risk we could end up investing in tools that don't really deliver." Dr. Nicole Heitzmann, a Research Fellow at LMU, said, "Simulations open up new possibilities in terms of what students can learn and how they can do it. Not every trainee teacher will, for example, meet students with specific learning difficulties during their school placements, and not every trainee medic will meet real patients with rare illnesses. Simulation-based learning addresses those gaps. The challenge is using it wisely." Several contributions to the special issue suggest that a pressing challenge for developers is how to design simulation-based learning tools that are not only accurate and authentic, but sufficiently versatile to work for students with different levels of experience and learning styles. Researchers studying the virtual radiologist simulation, for example, found that students with different degrees of prior knowledge responded differently to challenges thrown up by the program, and needed specific information, guidance and navigational aids to surmount them. Similarly, a study of a video-based simulation which trained teachers to assess students' mathematical argumentation skills, found that trainees who already had a reasonable grasp of the training content needed a completely different style of prompting and support compared with those who were less experienced. Researchers point out that simulation-based learning can adapt to these different learner needs, but that building simulations capable of this rely on having evidence about which approaches are effective, and with whom. Other studies highlight issues such as the importance of sequencing the use of simulation-based tools appropriately within training environments. For example, trials of a web-based tool for dental students found that it worked best as the first stage in a three-part sequence in which they then role-played the procedure from the simulation, before undertaking a final exercise which tested their understanding. Professor Tina Seidel, Friedl Schoeller Chair of Educational Psychology at School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich said, "The evidence we have strongly suggests that learners' prior experiences and predispositions as students shape their engagement with simulation-based tools. If we just give new doctors and teachers standardized, one-size-fits-all simulations we will probably find that they underperform. What we need are adaptable simulations, underpinned by an in-depth grasp of learner needs." Despite the need for caution and care in development, Hofmann believes that thoroughly-tested and effective simulation-based resources, like HoloScenarios, are likely to feature in medical and teacher education in the years to come. "Because we don't know enough about how to optimize learning through these tools, the danger, as with any technology, is that we will end up with solutions that are poorly designed and attempt to use tech to compensate for real expertise," she said. "Fortunately, fields like medical and teacher education still draw heavily on expert, professional advice. They are also fields where the consequences of bad training are so clear and drastic that risks tend to be managed carefully. As long as we continue to value evidence and expert advice, and put simulation-based learning under continual scrutiny, we should be able to harness it in ways that benefit everyone." More information: Nicole Heitzmann et al, Editorial for the special issue "Advances in simulation-based learning in higher education", Learning and Instruction (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.learninstruc.2023.101774 Journal information: Learning and Instruction This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A team of scientists has presented a five-step approach to through which governments can plan a transition away from high levels of industrial meat production and consumption that is fair and just for affected stakeholders. As part of a policy forum article published in CABI One Health, researchersled by Cleo Verkuijl of the Stockholm Environment Instituteargue that a just transition in animal agriculture is necessary for more effective and equitable One Health outcomes. The scientists highlight that motivated by both environmental and public health concerns, policymakers in several countries are adopting regulatory and financial measures to address the overconsumption of animal products. They argue that while these changes are clearly necessary and long overdue, it is crucial that they be planned carefully and inclusively to ensure a just transition. A One Health approach aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Drawing on expertise from health, climate, biodiversity, and animal welfare policy and science across several regions, the policy forum article demonstrates how current levels of animal product production and consumption threaten One Health. The scientists stress that under current trends, daily per capita animal protein consumption is projected to increase by 17% by 2050 from 2012 levels, while total meat production is projected to increase more than 60% between 2010 and 2050. They say that the world's large and growing appetite for meat and other animal products has profound implications for One Health, given its impacts on human health, the environment, and animal health and welfare. So far, however, policymakers have given more attention to just transitions in other areas, such as energy policy. Ms. Verkuijl said, "There is robust evidence that a reduction of animal product consumption is also needed in regions where these consumption levels are currently high. "A shift away from industrial animal production should be prioritized, given the high levels of animal product consumption this kind of system enables, its relatively high environmental toll, linkages to increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance and zoonoses emergence, and harm to animal welfare." To help policymakers prepare for a transition from high levels of industrial meat production and consumption, the scientists present five guiding principles that are just and in line with the One Health approach. They include phasing down existing policies, programs and fiscal support that promote industrial meat production and consumption, increasing support for alternatives to industrially produced meat, and providing support to stakeholders to help offset the impacts of a transition. These include workers and communities of color, migrant and female workers, smallholder farmers, and informal and seasonal workers. Of fundamental importance to a just transition is that the root causes of injustices in the meat sector should be addressed and that inclusive and participatory planning processes can enable stakeholders to participate meaningfully and produce plans that reflect and account for their concerns and needs. The scientists add that support measures should seek to proactively address existing inequalities, rather than to simply avoid worsening them. This includes ensuring that solutions to tackle health or environmental impacts of animal agriculture do not worsen animal welfare. Jonathan Green, a Senior Scientist at the Stockholm Environment Institute, added, "Planning and support for just transitions in animal agriculture is essential if we are to successfully address the climate, biodiversity, and human health crises. Such an approach can help ensure disruptions are minimized and benefits maximized for workers, rural communities, and others affected by our food system." More information: A just transition in animal agriculture is necessary for more effective and equitable One Health outcomes, CABI One Health (2023). DOI: 10.1079/cabionehealth.2023.0021. www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi ionehealth.2023.0021 Provided by CABI 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: Spatial patterns of simulated Ordovician biodiversity. ag Landmasses are shaded gray. Continental shelves are outlined in black. Robinson projection with parallels drawn every 30 latitude. G Gondwana, L Laurentia, B Baltica, S Siberia, C South China, Lr Laurussia (after docking of Baltica with Laurentia at 430 Ma). Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41685-w A team of Earth scientists affiliated with several institutions in France, working with a colleague from Norway, has developed a model to help explain the advent of the Great Ordovician Biodiversificationthe largest surge in marine biology in Earth's history. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the group describes the factors that went into their model. Prior research has shown that approximately 450 million years ago, the Earth experienced a massive surge in the numbers and types of ocean speciesa time that has since been named the Great Ordovician Biodiversification. Earth scientists have not been able to find a definitive reason for the sudden increase in ocean diversity, however, with suggestions including increases in atmospheric oxygen (due to an increase in plant life), continental drift and changes wrought by a meteor strike. In this new effort, the researchers suggest the increase was due to cooling of global sea surface temperatures. They note that prior studies have suggested that global temperatures may have dropped from an average of 40C to 30C, which would have been much more favorable to sea life. To find out if cooling was the most likely reason for the onset of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification, the team collected climate model data and combined it with fossil data and findings from ecological models to create a new model that could be used to depict conditions approximately 440 to 490 million years ago. The model showed that as atmospheric temperatures fell, ocean surface temperatures fell along with them, most particularly in shallow regions. That led to cooling gradients, with the coldest water around the pools and the sea growing warmer toward the equator. The researchers suggest that led to conditions that were much more conducive to sea life. They note that prior to the Great Ordovician Biodiversification, ocean temperatures were too warm to support much diversity, particularly in the tropicsmost such sea life would have lived around the poles. But as the sea cooled, species would have moved toward the equator, with different types of species evolving to suit the different temperature gradients. More information: Daniel Eliahou Ontiveros et al, Impact of global climate cooling on Ordovician marine biodiversity, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41685-w Journal information: Nature Communications 2023 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (a) Escape probability of female common frogs during avoidance behavior as a function of female body size (SVL), or (b) the female-to-male SVL ratio. Dots represent individual females and their respective avoidance behavior, light orange = rotating, orange = rotating and calling, red = rotating, calling and tonic immobility. Dots are jittered for better visibility. Credit: Royal Society Open Science (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230742 A new study shows that, contrary to previous assumptions, female common frogs can reject males and have developed a variety of mate avoidance behaviors to do so. The research was led by Carolin Dittrich and Mark-Oliver Rodel from the Museum fur Naturkunde in Berlin and was published in the open access journal Royal Society Open Science. Explosive breeding species are frogs or toads with a very short reproductive period. Breeding is usually limited to a few days to two weeks in early spring. During this time hundreds to thousands of animals gather at a pond. The females must grow older to breed and are often unable to breed every year, but the males still gather at the pond every year. Thus, the males outnumber the females by a large margin and compete for the rarer sex. The males are not choosy and will cling to anything that moves with great vigor. If another male is caught, he will give a "release-call" to indicate the mistake to the grabbing male. It was previously thought that the females in these spawning aggregations could not defend themselves against male coercion. It is not uncommon for many males to cling to a single female, forming a "mating ball." The female often dies in the process. Dittrich and Rodel have now shown that females do know how to defend themselves using very different behaviors. The most common behavior used by females to escape the male's grip was to turn around her axis. The researchers also observed females uttering two different calls: a deeper, lower-frequency "grunt" that mimics the male's "release" call, and a higher-frequency "squeak." The meaning of the latter is so far unclear. The final and most astonishing behavior was tonic immobility, commonly known as feigning death, in which females stiffly extend their arms and legs away from their bodies and remain immobile until the male releases them. "Tonic immobility in the context of mating is exceptional and very rarely observed. I know of only a few studies that have found tonic immobility associated with mating, for example in spiders or dragonflies. It is generally assumed that this strategy is used as a last resort to avoid predation," says Dittrich. Rodel adds, "We therefore suspect that this defensive behavior has evolved to protect the female from the formation of 'mating balls,' which can often lead to the death of the female. Calling allows females to show that they are not ready to mate, and if this is of no use, stressed females can fall into tonic immobility." Dittrich says, "Our study shows impressively that even very common and well-studied native species can still hold big surprises." More information: Carolin Dittrich et al, Drop dead! Female mate avoidance in an explosively breeding frog, Royal Society Open Science (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230742 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain As the world's second-largest producer of rice, wheat, vegetables and fruit, India is a country that no multinational corporation involved in genetically modified (GM) crops can ignore. Genetic engineering of cropswhere genes are inserted from the same or another organismcan boost a plant's resistance to pests, help it grow in difficult conditions such as drought, and increase its nutrient levels. So, how is it that multinational firms have failed to make a dent on any leading farm food producer and consumer in India? The U.S. multinational Monsanto, through an Indian subsidiary, Mahyco, did manage to push through Bt cotton, a non-food. Genetically engineered to produce proteins borrowed from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, it is intended to kill the deadly pink bollworm pest. But that was 20 years ago and no other GM crop, food or non-food, has since gained entry into Indian farms. Food crops are proving particularly difficult to crack for GM companies. For a start, India's large population of vegetarians, reckoned to be 40% of its 1.4 billion people, do not take kindly to the idea of engineered food in any form on the table. Secondly, while GM crops are being promoted as a way to save on toxic pesticides, most require the use of herbicides with glyphosate and glufosinate, which are no less toxic. In 2015, the World Health Organization identified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, adding fuel to the debate over the safety of GM crops. Moreover, additional genes from foreign species are layered in to protect the plants from herbicides which makes them more costly to produce. The way in which Bt cotton surfaced in India, catching the country's regulators off-guard and forcing them to approve an accomplished fact, also did not inspire public confidence. Bt cotton now dominates the 12,000 hectares that India has under cotton farms. However, the pink bollworm pest is beginning to show signs of resisting the Bt proteins, prompting some farmers to return to pesticides. The stealthy entry of Bt cotton into India galvanized environmentalists and activists into approaching the Supreme Court in 2004 to ensure tighter regulation of all GM crops. So far, the court, which set up its own expert committee, has not been sympathetic to pleas by government counsel that GM food crops are essential to feed India's large population. At the last hearing on 29 August, the Supreme Court indicated that it would not be rushed into allowing the planting of GM mustard in the September sowing season. "One year here or there does not matter," Justice BV Nagarathna, a member of the bench, said. "This is only one season. Next year there will be another season. However, environmental harm cannot be reversed." The court was hearing affidavits filed by litigants against the government approval in February of the "environmental release" of GM mustard. Environmental release is a step away from full commercial cultivation. The government did, however, caution that the matter was under adjudication before the Supreme Court. U-turn on GM GM mustard was not the first genetically engineered food crop developed in India and then banned. Mahyco used genes from the same B.thuringiensis to produce Bt eggplant (also known as brinjal or aubergine) only to see the government ordering a moratorium on sowing, based on feedback from consultations with stakeholders. Mahyco, though frustrated by the moratorium, successfully negotiated with neighboring Bangladesh to accept Bt eggplant. In 2018, the German conglomerate Bayer bought out Monsanto, gaining control over Mahyco and by 2022 the new owners had secured a similar deal with the Philippines. The FAO acknowledges concerns over potential risks of GM crops raised by scientists, the public and regulators, including pests becoming resistant to pesticides and GM foods posing safety issues to humans and animals. However, it insists the benefits outweigh these risks. The FAO says that more than 17 million farmers are planting GM crops in 29 countries and "reaping higher yields with reduced use of pesticides and better management of weeds among other benefits." But that does not sound convincing in India which alone has 120 million farmers. Pro-vegetarian sentiments, farmers' fears that the accompanying weedicides could destroy other crops planted on a rotational basis, and the demands for tighter and more transparent regulation by litigants have stayed the government's hand. Litigants cite the case of the herbicide-tolerant (HT) variety of Bt cotton, or HTBt cotton, compelling Indian cotton growers to add weedicides to their growing list of costly farm inputs. India, a major edible oil importer, was expected to buy up to 14 million tons of edible oil during the September 2022 to October 2023 season. Paradoxically, India is also the world's leading exporter of edible oilsespecially mustard oil. Glyphosate concerns But closer examination shows that the "white" mustard oil that Indian traders import is actually canola, extracted from rapeseed, a variety of mustard genetically engineered to be herbicide tolerant. In Canada, where canola is one of the country's leading crops, herbicides, especially glyphosate, save growers the cost of uprooting weeds. Citing the apparent laxity over glyphosate use, a study published January charges Canada's regulators with "embracing industry narratives" and resorting to "opaque decision-making and lack of transparency" to promote commercial interests over the imperatives of public health and environmental protection. Those are also the charges that litigants are leveling at India's regulatorsgranting clearances for GM mustard and the glufosinate herbicide that goes with it. Banned in the EU since 2020, glufosinate presents additional dangers to Indians who use not only the oil but also the seeds and leaves in traditional cuisine. Switching to GM crops to save on pesticides has resulted in growers having to use herbicidesso that it is a toss up between one type of toxic agrochemical and another. GM also typically addresses only a single pest when there are several that demand the use of pesticides. With the pink bollworm becoming resistant to Bt proteins, the reality is that farmers are far from being free of pesticidesalready a costly farm input to which herbicides will need to be added. For now, the main stumbling block for the proponents of GM food crops is the fact that the Supreme Court's own technical expert committee has strongly recommended a complete ban on herbicide-tolerant crops in the country. Since the government has preferred to leave the matter to the court, it is safe to say it could take years before GM food crops enter India's farm gates. Provided by SciDev.Net 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: NASA Floating at 250 miles above the planet, the International Space Station (ISS) provides a unique laboratory to conduct pioneering investigations. By being permanently in orbit, it allows scientists to carry out experiments with the help of on-board astronauts and gain new insights into challenges we face on Earth. This April, a machine designed at Strathclyde and built by UK-firm QinetiQ, was launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida into orbit on the station for the cutting edge "particle vibration" experiment. The station, a joint program between U.S., Russia, Japan, Europe (ESA) and Canada, is equipped with a host of modern research equipment. The experiments needed three months of continuous activities, a period of microgravity that only the ISS can provide. "Microgravity" removes the effect of gravity to see the effects of other forces that can be hard to reveal on Earth and enabled researchers to test the behavior of solid particles dispersed in a liquid in a variety of operating conditions. New materials The trial showed that by heating and shaking complex fluidsliquids that contain fine solid particles or other liquid dropletsin space's microgravity environment, new materials can be created. The hope is it will create future new medicines and environmentally friendly metals, as well as generate theories to explain how planets, moons and asteroids are formed. It follows a chance discovery by Project Leader, Professor Marcello Lappa from the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, that the combined influence of vibrations and heat applied to a liquid containing particles can be used to force particles to self-organize and form very regular structures. Professor Lappa said, "Space is not only a place to be explored. It is also a fantastic place or laboratory to develop new ideas, test new theories and implement new technical solutions." "We discovered this phenomenon by conducting sophisticated numerical computer simulations. Now this principle has been successfully verified in a real microgravity environment and it will lead to future materials with better properties or completely new materials with properties that cannot be obtained on Earth." The method works by precisely controlling the position of particles dispersed in a fluid. Many materials, before being solid, pass through a liquid state that consists of particles or droplets dispersed in an external liquid or matrixjust like a cake with raisins inside. Many metal alloys and protein crystals used for the production of medicines are also produced in the form of small particles inside a larger matrix. The properties of these materials in their final solid state depend on the position of these particles. Incredible things In the past control of particles dispersed in a fluid has been attempted using magnetic or electric fields. The new method doesn't require the materials to be sensitive to these fields, which means it can also be used to produce organic materials. Professor Lappa added, "We have demonstrated that by shaking a fluid-particle mixture in the absence of gravity, particles can do incredible things. Instead of being randomly displaced, surprisingly particles can be forced to cluster and form perfect networks and their position can be controlled very precisely." The new methods would mean manufacturing processes could produce materials directly in space, which could then used on Earth for advanced applications. This could include special metal alloys characterized by an internal framework or backbone able to address stresses or forces acting in specific directions, or non-metallic materials able to conduct electricitymaterials essentially made of plastics but which can also conduct electricity, and protein crystals used in vaccine delivery. Microgravity research Professor Lappa added, "The next step will be making the method available to industry, pharmaceutical companies, academia and research centers. I am already working with the UK Space Agency and the UK Satellite Application Catapult on creating an academic and industrial network to take advantage of other research projects in microgravity. The experiment enlisted the assistance of on board astronauts. But while Professor Lappa said that being able to personally visit the ISS is a "dream" for most researchers, it would take years of training and an exceptional ability to bear adverse conditions. He added, "I suffer from seasickness and probably I would not be in a condition to bear an environment where there is no gravity. It would be like swimming through a liquid. But during the experiment execution, I did enjoy monitoring all the activity remotely through a real-time connection." Science Minister George Freeman said the experiment paved the way for "exciting scientific discoveries that could transform methods of manufacturing, demonstrating just how valuable a resource space can be for growth and industry in the U.K. and around the world." Particle Vibration is the third experiment funded directly by the UK Space Agency to fly to the ISS. The first, called Molecular Muscle 2, launched in June 2021 and saw scientists from Nottingham and Exeter University send thousands of tiny worms to live on board the space station for several days to help understand spaceflight-induced muscle decline. The second, called MicroAge, launched in December 2021, with scientists from the University of Liverpool, sending tiny human muscle cells, the size of a grain of rice, into space to understand what happens to human muscles as we age, and why. Libby Jackson, Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency, said, "Particle Vibration shows how investing in space exploration, and the research in space that it enables, can benefit us here on Earth. "In-space manufacturing harnesses the benefits of the space environment to create materials that are of much higher quality that those we can create on Earth, and that can be used to improve production of all sorts of materials crucial to our health and growth." Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Strathclyde said, "At Strathclyde we are proud of our track record in space innovation and this is a great example of the cutting edge research happening across the University." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: AI-generated image Europe is pushing to create a network infrastructure based on quantum physics. In May 2023, Dr. Benjamin Lanyon at the University of Innsbruck in Austria took an important step toward creating a new kind of internet: he transferred information along an optical fiber 50 kilometers long using the principles of quantum physics. Information in quantum physics differs from the units of databinary digitsstored and processed by computers that form the core of the current World Wide Web. The quantum physics realm covers the properties and interactions of molecules, atoms and even smaller particles such as electrons and photons. Particle power Quantum bits, or "qubits," offer the promise of transmitting information more securely because the particles get changed by the act of observing and measuring them. That means an eavesdropper can't go undetected. Lanyon said his work makes the quantum internet appear feasible within cities, after which longer intercity distances will be the goal. "You could imagine this being a large-city scale," he said. His breakthrough was part of an EU research project to bring the goal of a quantum internet closer. Called the Quantum Internet Alliance, or QIA, the project brings together research institutes and companies across Europe. The initiative is receiving 24 million in EU funding over three and a half years until the end of March 2026. "It is not meant to replace the classical internet, but to work together," said Stephanie Wehner, a German native who coordinates the QIA and is a professor of quantum information at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. "We're not going to replace Netflix." A key concept in quantum physics is entanglement. If two particles are entangled, no matter how far apart they are in space, they will possess similar propertiesfor example, both having the same measurement of something called "spin," a quantum version of the direction that the particles are spinning. The spin state of the particles isn't clear until they are observed. Until then, they're in multiple states called superposition. But when one is observed, the state of both particles becomes known. Possibilities aplenty This is useful in secure communications. People hacking a quantum transmission would leave behind an obvious trace of their attempt by causing a change in the state of an observed particle. "We can use the properties of quantum entanglement to achieve a means of secure communication that is probably secure even if the attacker has a quantum computer," said Wehner. The secure communications afforded by a quantum internet could open up a much broader range of applications that are well beyond the bounds of the classical internet. In medicine, for example, the physics of entanglement allows for a level of clock synchronization that can improve telesurgery. "If I want to perform surgery on some remote node, I want this to be very precisely timed in order to not make any mistakes," said Wehner. Astronomy is another potential beneficiary. Telescopes making distant observations could "use a quantum internet to generate entanglement between the sensors to get a much better image of the sky," Wehner said. A further example might be ATM machines. At present, were an ATM to crash when a person was withdrawing money, the machine would assume no cash had been delivered while another dispenser would register a money withdrawal. A quantum internet could remove that discrepancy. Many applications of a quantum internet will likely become apparent only after the technology is created. "It offers a whole range of new possibilities for making precise measurements of space and time and studying how the world and the universe work," said Lanyon. Distance test The trick now is scaling up a quantum internet to use many particles across long distances. Lanyon and his team have also demonstrated communicating not just between single particles but also 'trains' of particlesin this case light particles called photonsspeeding up the rate of entanglement between quantum nodes. "If you just sent one photon at a time, you have to wait for the travel time," he said. "But if you can make trains of many photons at once, this allows you to increase the rate of entanglement between quantum nodes for the distances we want." The ultimate goal is to extend quantum nodes to much bigger ranges, perhaps 500 kilometers, and create a prototype of a quantum internet that can link remote citiesmuch like the classical internet relies on different nodes to create a global internet. While a quantum internet could exist for specialized applications as soon as 2029, experts are wary of hazarding a guess about when a full version might be available for a wide range of uses. "It's a very difficult question," said Wehner. As the QIA advances the components and systems of the quantum internet, Europe is also working to develop quantum computers themselves. In June 2023, an EU public-private partnershipthe European High Performance Computing Joint Undertakingannounced that six countries in Europe would host quantum computers. The countries are the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. The aim is to ensure that Europe is at the forefront of the quantum technologies revolution. Quantum computers are expected to have unprecedented calculation power with many uses, including the ability to break the cryptographic algorithms that secure most of the exchanges of the current internet. Crowded field With projections that half of the most used cryptographic systems will be broken by the end of the decade, Europe is hardly the only interested party. China and the U.S. have made advances in quantum computing and the quantum internet in recent years. Back on the infrastructure front, Europe is taking other steps. It's developing an integrated space and terrestrial infrastructure for secure communicationsa building block of sorts for the quantum internet. "I'm very proud to say we are world-leading in many domains," said Wehner. While in all interested countries much work remains, the potential benefits signal further advances and breakthroughs before too long. "People are developing new applications of quantum networks at quite a high rate," Lanyon said. The number of adolescents getting medical treatment for gambling addiction has nearly tripled so far this year compared with six years ago, data showed Wednesday. A total of 111 people aged 19 or under have been treated for obsessive gambling from January to August this year, marking a 2.8-fold increase from 39 in 2017, according to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data released by Rep. Seo Dong-yong of the Democratic Party of Korea. The figure has been on a steady rise since 2017, increasing to 65 in 2018, 93 in 2019, 98 in 2020 and 127 in 2021. It posted a slight decline to 102 last year before rebounding to 111 in the first eight months of this year. The number of adolescents receiving counseling for gambling-related issues came to 1,406 in the first eight months of this year, soaring about 28-fold from 52 in 2015, according to data released by Seo. Last year, seven children aged 14 or under committed gambling crimes, compared with only one in 2017, according to the lawmaker. Seo called on the government to step up prevention measures, saying "Adolescents are increasingly exposed to illegal gambling in their daily lives and don't take illegal gambling seriously." (Yonhap) An Atlantic City man faces up to one year in prison for being among the rioters who breached the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington. Prosecutors say in court records that James Rahm III spent at least one hour inside the Capitol after attending a rally at the Washington Ellipse held by then-President Donald Trump. Rahm pleaded guilty Tuesday to disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, according to a filing in U.S. District of Columbia District Court. In addition to a maximum one-year prison term, Rahm faces a fine of $100,000 and up to one year of supervised release, according to his plea agreement. He also agreed to pay $500 in restitution to the U.S. Capitol, which, according to court records, suffered about $2.92 million in damage from the riot. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper is scheduled to sentence Rahm on Jan. 16. H. Heather Shaner, Rahms attorney, who has represented about 30 people charged in the riot, said Rahm also may be ordered to perform community service. His whole life is dedicated to community service, so it wont cost him anything, Shaner said Wednesday. Hes a wonderful young man. Rahm is free as he awaits sentencing. Shaner said she hopes Cooper will allow him to avoid prison. Atlantic City man expected to plead guilty to Jan. 6 riot charges An Atlantic City man who, along with his father, joined a mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is expected to plead guilty next month to charges related to the riot. A representative for the U.S. Attorneys Office couldnt immediately be reached for comment Wednesday. Both the prosecution and defense asked the courts in late August to present their plea agreement to the court. Rahm also had been charged with obstruction of justice/Congress; knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and parading, demonstrating or picketing. Under the agreement, the U.S. Attorneys Office agreed to drop those charges, records state. Rahm initially pleaded not guilty to those charges. He and his father, James Rahm Jr., a former Atlantic City resident now living in Philadelphia, both traveled to Washington to attend Trumps rally. Afterward, they documented themselves joining the riot that sought to disrupt Congress certification of Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election. Shaner said her client went to Washington to accompany his father, not to support Trumps efforts to overturn his election loss. He wanted to prevent his father from doing anything crazy, Shaner said. More than 1,100 people have been charged with Jan. 6-related federal crimes. About 800 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted. More than 650 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds of them receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from three days to 22 years. Ex-Atlantic City man sentenced for role in Jan. 6 riot WASHINGTON A former Atlantic City man who filmed himself being a part of the mob that brea Rahm III and his father were separated from each other at the Capitol, according to court documents. Rahm III was seen with a GoPro camera inside the Capitol, documenting the riot as it unfolded. He spent about an hour inside the building, according to prosecutors. He entered the building to film the chaos and had no criminal intent, Shaner said. While inside, Rahm briefly entered former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office and joined rioters clashing with police at the East Rotunda Lobbys doors. His footage has been used to prosecute other rioters, Shaner said. Rahm was arrested in Northfield in March 2021. Both cases against the father-son duo arose from a tip to federal agents in Philadelphia disclosing Rahm Jr.s presence at the Capitol. Agents subsequently learned that Rahm III had accompanied his father, according to a criminal complaint. An unidentified person interviewed by agents linked Rahm III to Snapchat posts he made at the riot, the complaint states. Former Atlantic City resident found guilty in Jan. 6 riot WASHINGTON A former Atlantic City man who filmed himself breaching the U.S. Capitol during Shaner said Rahm was interviewed by the FBI and also testified before the Jan. 6 House Committee, but his statements were not among those televised. Rahm Jr. was sentenced in January to one year in prison for his participation in the riot. He also was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and to undergo three years of parole supervision upon release. But a judge in February granted a motion for emergency release pending appeal, court records show. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Images of chaos: AP photographers capture US Capitol riot PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE Despite a last-minute plea from members of a union representing county workers, the Cape May County Board of Commissioners approved a 10-year lease agreement with Allaire Health Services for the operation of Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The contract starts Jan. 1, with an option for a nine-year extension. As they have at county meetings since plans to bring an outside operator to Crest Haven were made public in August, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spoke against the plan, which they described as privatization. For about an hour at the meeting, members told the county governing body that an outside operator would cut staff and reduce the quality of care, compared to a county-run facility. County officials, however, say the facility operates at a deficit of millions of dollars a year. County records show a loss of between $4.5 million and $47.5 million a year from 2015 through 2022. Under the agreement, the county is set to instead bring in money. According to county counsel Jeffery Lindsay, the agreement will give Allaire a brief rent-free period, and after that, the company will pay $1.4 million a year on the lease, with a built-in annual increase of 2%. There was no immediate response to a phone message left with Allaires offices after the meeting. Four companies submitted proposals to take over the center, according to a county evaluation provided by Lindsay. The evaluation indicates Allaire had strong references. But several of those who spoke to the board said a privately operated facility will be bad for patient care, suggesting there will be worse food and a smaller staff. Cape May County workers say no to Crest Haven plan Union members and supporters packed the Tuesday meeting of the Cape May County Board of Commissioners, calling on the county to call off plans to bring an outside operator to the Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Speaking at the meeting, Lindsay said the county has worked to protect the residents of Crest Haven and the employees. The county has looked at multiple options to keep the facility viable, including pivoting more toward veterans care, as suggested by union members. The county also has invested in marketing the facility, which is currently underused. Weve done a number of things. This isnt something where weve just sat back and watched it sink, he said. There are 126 employees at the center, Lindsay said after the meeting. Of those, 26 are set to take other county jobs and remain county employees, and some have left the center since the county sought proposals from an outside contractor this summer. According to Lindsay, the county agreement requires Allaire to hire all of the current county employees. So how can a company make a profit, keep current staff and still pay the county more than $1 million a year? After the meeting, Lindsay said as a governing body, the county pays top rates on contracts for almost everything, such as linen services. Also, he said, by the standards of private care homes, Crest Haven is overstaffed, he said, with some of those on shifts that are covered entirely by contract nurses rather than county employees. Union representatives said the cost for the residents is far lower than at private facilities, and that the union has suggested increasing the rates. David Beckett, an attorney representing AFSCME, said the members had multiple suggestions for ways to keep the facility under county operation. Lindsay responded that the county had looked into those possibilities, and more, and that the county-run nursing home was no longer a viable option. This isnt something where were just saying, alright, lets let go of 100 employees and move on. This has been carefully examined by professionals, he said. Four companies presented proposals to run Crest Haven. Two were later removed from consideration, and a county evaluation put Allaire, of Freehold, at the top of the list. After the meeting, he said its just not a business that government can operate effectively. Cape May County seeks operator for Crest Haven nursing facility After two centuries managing residential care facilities, Cape May County may be getting out of the nursing home business, with a request for proposals for a contractor to operate the Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. According to Lindsey, the county has sought to meet with union representatives about the plans, and could not arrange a time. Those talks would include county efforts to protect the people who will no longer be county employees. Beckett said that was because the union did not want to talk about how to cushion the blow, but rather about ways to keep the center open. They seem ready to talk now, with a meeting planned in the coming weeks. Several of the speakers at the meeting expressed anger and frustration, and accused the county of a lack of communication with employees. When you dont talk to the very people that elect you, who depend on your decisions for their livelihood, its a slap in the face, said county employee Henry Lloyd Hayes. Hayes and other members argued that the county rushed the process and should have taken far more time on the matter. Resident Jeff Trout blamed mismanagement for people losing their county jobs, and another resident said Crest Haven employees have not been shown the respect or appreciation afforded to other employees. Another employee was accompanied by his son, who said he was worried about what would happen if his dad lost his job. Board members said before the vote that they have worked for years to find ways to keep the center open. At one point, when Commissioner Andrew Bulakowski was speaking, several of the county workers got up and left, some making their frustration clear on their way out of the meeting room. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP The Township Council decided to table its vote authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement with Grasshopper Farms NJ LLC to establish an indoor cannabis cultivation and manufacturing business Tuesday evening. A resolution regarding the matter was on the councils agenda Tuesday, but Mayor Anthony Coppola Jr. opened the discussion by saying the council had received some last-minute documents on the project the day of the meeting. The new documents totaled a couple hundred pages, Councilman Tom Bassford said. Bassford compared the situation to when members of Congress receive hundreds of pages for an omnibus spending bill and are told to vote on it. He doesnt like that. Im not necessarily against it. I would like to review it, Bassford said, later making the motion to table the resolution until the Oct. 24 meeting. All seven members approved Bassfords motion. The township has a cannabis committee. Coppola said he would like the committee to meet, and if any single council member has an issue, he would like for them to contact someone on the cannabis committee. Please be patient with us, Coppola told the developer. Grasshopper Farms NJ would be run by Duane and Pam Demaree, farmers in the township, and Will Bowden, a Delaware resident who is also the CEO of Grasshopper Farms in Paw Paw, Michigan. The Demarees run Homestead Nursery at Galloway LLC, a division of Absecon Irrigation that focuses on growing trees and is located on South Cologne Avenue. The applicant originally wanted to pursue the outdoor growing of marijuana, but the townships ordinance doesnt allow outdoor grow, Coppola said. If Grasshopper Farms receives approval from the township in two weeks, it will be the first time the council will have allowed the pursuit of an indoor cannabis manufacturing facility. The current all-Republican council is dealing with the consequences of decisions that were made in July 2021, when the council decided to allow for the issuance of six different cannabis licenses and was controlled by three Democrats and a former Republican who became an unaffiliated member. In other township news, council: Introduced an ordinance cracking down on canvassing, peddling and soliciting. Any canvasser, peddler, solicitor, itinerant vendor or employee or owner of a door-to-door sales enterprise who violates any provision will be subject to a maximum penalty of $1,000 per offense and subject to a one-year revocation of any license issued. Amended the 2023 budget to add an automated license plate reader initiative grant in the amount of $60,325 from the state Department of Law and Public Safety. Authorized the purchase of a 2023 Dodge Durango for the Police Department at an amount not to exceed $39,031. By Jun Ji-hye Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) opportunities will double next year for people outside the country, according to the Ministry of Education, Wednesday. The ministry said the number of opportunities to take the TOPIK overseas will increase to eight next year from the current four. This is a follow-up measure for the ministrys Study Korea 300K Project, under which the country aims to attract 300,000 foreign students to study at domestic universities by 2027. The ministry announced the project in August in a bid to preemptively secure skilled foreign workers for high-tech industries and boost the country's global competitiveness. A decision to increase the overseas availability of the TOPIK was made in response to complaints over a lack of test opportunities despite rising demand. The ministry also plans to expand the opportunities for the paper-based TOPIK test to more than 90 countries and internet-based testing to 10 countries next year. We will drastically expand the test availability in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and India where demand for studying in Korea is high, so students there can be admitted to Korean universities without any troubles, a ministry official said. The TOPIK, introduced in 1997, measures the Korean language proficiency of non-native speakers wishing to study at Korean universities or be employed at Korean companies. The number of test takers surpassed the 400,000 mark for the first time this year on the back of growing global interest in Korea and its language. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP The second building in the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park has been designed for workforces with some work-from-home employees, officials said at the groundbreaking Thursday. We built it for the post-COVID market, said NARTP President Howard Kyle, as about 125 attendees sat under a tent next to the second buildings site, just yards away from the first building. Companies are downsizing to take smaller spaces. The new building will be 40,000 square feet compared with the 60,000 square feet in the first building, and individual spaces for companies will be smaller, Kyle said. To get companies to come to an area that is economically challenged, there has to be a way to make a profit and facilities to do the work, Kyle said. Many companies do classified work that requires a lab setting, Kyle said. Were not just building a building, said Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, were building an industry and our future. Leo Schoffer, of Schoffer Enterprises in the township, said the second NARTP building will spur private-sector growth, and announced his company will build a 111-room hotel on property it owns near the park. We are planning two more hotels, and future phases include a conference center if needed, Schoffer said of the 26-acre Airport Business Center. Atlantic County introduces $2.4 million bond ordinance for second aviation park building The Atlantic County Board of Commissioners introduced a $2.38 million bond ordinance at its meeting Tuesday to fund the second building at the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park in Egg Harbor Township. The company has all permits needed and will begin construction on the first hotel in 2024, he said. Todays groundbreaking not only gives a shot in the arm to the public sector but is highly important as well for the private sector, Schoffer said. The expansion of the aviation industry will have a significant spin-off effect ... throughout the county and the region. Schoffer said it will attract private investment to support the new aviation industry with projects like his hotel, to support the technical companies. Other speakers included state Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, who helped get funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, who spoke via recorded video. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., also has helped secure federal funding, and he sent a staffer to represent him, as did Gov. Phil Murphy. Polistina and others said it took people from both parties working together to get the research park built. NARTPs first building, built in 2019, is fully occupied, officials have said. One of its tenants, General Dynamics Information Technology, conducted a drone demonstration during the ceremony, taking video of the second buildings cleared site and the groundbreaking ceremony. Last month, the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners approved a $2.38 million bond ordinance to fund the design and some construction costs of a second building in a planned seven-building development. Agreement to bring aviation technology testing to Egg Harbor Township EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP An agreement among county, state and national organizations will allow The building is estimated to cost about $18.5 million to complete and would be built in a partnership with the Atlantic County Improvement Authority, which will obtain additional funding, according to the ordinance. The Improvement Authority managed the construction of the first NARTP building for the county. Levinson has said he hopes the Economic Development Authority will provide $10 million toward construction. In 2021, the U.S. Economic Development Administration gave the county a $3 million grant toward construction of a second building. A Federal Aviation Administration laboratory is located in the first building of the research park, which opened in June 2019. The NARTP has agreements in place to allow members to jointly work on projects with the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center and Atlantic City International Airport. On June 1, the park announced it had entered into an agreement to create a test and evaluation corridor to develop unmanned aerial systems and automated advanced air mobility technologies. The NARTP also has worked on the Airfield Autonomy Initiative with Air Mobility Command and the FAA that tests and demonstrates automated lawn mowing, foreign-object debris sweeping and perimeter patrol for military and civilian airfields, according to Kyle. Earlier this year, the NARTP won a $2.249 million congressionally directed spending request to advance the Airfield Autonomy Initiative. GALLERY: Groundbreaking of second NARTP building in Egg Harbor Township A 22-foot-long female minke whale that repeatedly washed ashore last week was euthanized after it again made its way into shallow water and was found unfit to return to sea, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said Friday. The whale was first spotted last week in Barnegat Bay and was monitored after it was returned into deeper waters after being beached. The Brigantine-based Stranding Center said the whale was located about one mile inside of the inlet west of Sedge Island on Thursday. Euthanasia was carried out after a veterinarian considered the animal to be suffering from multiple stranding incidents. "To say that it has been an extremely busy and taxing week for our team is an understatement, and we thank every single person that assisted us in the field or offered moral support to our team as we navigated this stranding event over the course of six days," the center said in a statement. After being euthanized, the animal was brought to Island Beach State Park on Thursday evening. The team decided to bring the animal to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center on Friday morning, the Stranding Center said. A necropsy performed by the center found the whale was suffering from froth in its lungs and an infection in its digestive system. Fish bones were found in its stomach, and feces was lodged in its colon. More results from the tests should be forthcoming. The animal showed no signs of trauma, the center said. Officials monitoring minke whale that stranded itself twice in Barnegat Bay The Marine Mammal Standing Center in Brigantine is monitoring a minke whale that stranded itself twice at the beginning of the week. The center first responded to the northwest side of Conklin Island in Barnegat Bay on Oct. 1 after the whale was stranded in shallow water. State Police Marine Services and Sea Tow helped the center free the whale from the sandbar, after which it swam toward open water. On Oct. 2, the center was called back to the scene, where the same whale was found stranded slightly over 2 miles away from its previous stranding site. The Stranding Center was able to walk the whale three-fourths of a mile into deeper water. Once there, the whale was observed resting at the surface, lowering its tail to anchor itself in position. The center continued to monitor the whale's actions until dusk. The animal again was stuck in shallow water Oct. 3. As the tide came in, the whale began moving out of the shallow water and swam northwest toward the middle of the bay. The U.S. Coast Guard assisted in monitoring the whale, which was last seen before dusk that day swimming about a mile from the inlet on an outgoing tide. The center said the whale's health declined with each incident. It was found again Thursday with skin shedding from exposed portions of its body. The species is federally protected, according to the center. Enjoy the sunshine and warming temperatures as much as you can this week, as itll be another weekend with at least some rain in the forecast. This time, itll come from a coastal storm with wind, rain and tidal flooding. Well start with the positive weather well have through Friday. In a sign that were near the cool season, its not high pressure that is keeping us dry but counterclockwise-spinning low pressure thatll stay stationary as it spins itself out over Ontario. This is actually related to a small piece of the polar vortex that broke off of its natural resting place at the North Pole and dropped into southern Canada. Places just north of the Great Lakes in Canada had a white Thanksgiving, which was on Monday and, yes, even unusual for them. So were in a cool-season pattern. But that doesnt mean we cant get T-shirt weather. Morning lows Wednesday and Thursday will be in the 45- to 50-degree range inland, with 50 to 55 degrees at the shore. On Friday, well be in the 50s everywhere. Daytime highs will be around 70 degrees all three days, even at the beaches as an offshore breeze around that low-pressure system keeps the sea breeze back most of the day. Thursday will be the warmest, with places like Hammonton and Buena in the mid-70s. All three days should have a general mix of sun and clouds, perfect to enjoy the outdoors. Then we get to the weekend. Ill dust off a phrase I havent used since last winter, and that is a Miller B storm. Thats the type of coastal storm well have this weekend. Thats when a low-pressure system moves across the Appalachian Mountains and transfers its energy to the coast. From there it strengthens as a coastal storm as it moves to the northeast. So what does this all mean for us? Well, there will be rain Saturday and Sunday, no doubt about that. However, Im convinced you will have dry time. The wetter of the two days will be Saturday into Saturday night. Unless youre OK getting wet, or its something like walking the dog, outdoor plans and events should be moved. Ill need another day to give you the exact timing of the rain. Roadway flooding will be possible in isolated areas. Sunday looks to have a few showers, but I can see the sunshine coming out, too. Probably 20% of the day will actually have rain in it. However, winds will kick up Sunday. Gusts 25 to 35 mph will be likely from the northeast. Consider that for plans, too. If theres coastal flooding, itll be minor flood stage with the p.m. high tides Sunday and Monday. In another sign of the cool-season times, temperatures will be chilly. Expect highs of 60 to 65 degrees. Finally, our Across the Sky weather podcast speaks with Mark Elliot, the principal meteorologist for AT&T in Atlanta. If the name sounds familiar to you, thats because he had a near 20-year career at The Weather Channel, where he still freelances. Plus, hes a Rutgers University alumnus. Listen at PressofAC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a leading opposition figure on Wednesday created a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighborhoods and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel. The number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to 22, the State Department said Wednesday. That's an increase from the 14 who'd been confirmed dead one day earlier. We have to be crystal clear. There is no justification for terrorism," President Joe Biden told reporters Wednesday. "The United States has Israels back and were going to be working on this through the day and beyond. The new war-time Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will consist of Netanyahu, Benny Gantz a senior opposition figure and former defense minister and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a statement released by Gantz said. The government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Still, Israels political divisions remain. The country's chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join to new Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. A ground offensive in the tiny, coastal Gaza Strip, densely populated with 2.3 million people, is likely to dramatically hike casualties in a war that has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. So far, Israel has unleashed an increasingly destructive bombardment in Gaza that has flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Militants in Gaza continued to fire rockets at Israel on Wednesday, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza more than a tenth of the population most crowding into U.N. schools. Others crowded into a shrinking number of safe neighborhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After the attack by Hamas, Israel halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Gazas only power plant shut down Wednesday afternoon after running out of fuel, the Energy Ministry said. That leaves only private generators to power homes, hospitals and other facilities. With no fuel able to enter, those were on a ticking clock until individual stocks of diesel run out. The Gaza Strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days, said Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, Kannes said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days. Residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. The risk of the war spreading was evident Wednesday after the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. After nightfall, Israel urged residents in the north to shelter after hostile aircraft entered from Lebanon. It did not specify the kind of aircraft. But Hezbollah and Palestinian militants are known to have drones and gliders. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The U.S. is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the West Bank-based Palestinian Health Ministry said. It has mobilized 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near the territory and evacuated tens of thousands of Israeli residents from communities nearby. Toppling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would likely require prolonged ground fighting and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas said it launched its attack because Palestinians suffering has become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. But the shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas among Israelis have brought a new ferocity after past conflicts with Hamas that saw heavy bombardments of Gaza but ended with the group still in power. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighborhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then levelling large swaths in waves of airstrikes. Israels tone has changed as well. In past conflicts, military spokesmen repeatedly insisted on the precision of strikes in Gaza, trying to ward of criticism over civilian deaths. This time, military briefings emphasize the destruction being wreaked. They say targeted neighborhoods broadly are being used by Hamas, but rarely give specifics to justify strikes as they did in earlier wars. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Defense Minister Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. The military tells residents to evacuate neighborhoods about to be struck, and tens of thousands flee. But Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no warning at all, survivors say. They directly targeted our house, and there was no warning or anything, said Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike late Tuesday leveled his home in Gaza City. We were sitting there as civilians, dressed like anyone else. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighborhood in Gaza City, with a large number of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials say they have struggled to enter other areas as well. At least four Red Crescent paramedics have been killed in strikes, the organization said. Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. On Wednesday, waves of rockets rained down on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, with shrapnel slamming into the street. Israels Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted at least one overhead. Tuesday night, Israeli troops stopped an incursion by militants into Ashkelon, killing three, the military said. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there. In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli police during clashes with stonethrowers. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israeli territory and contends that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members. Photos: Scenes from the Israel-Hamas war In the Region Russia Starts Shipping Gas to Uzbekistan For the first time in history, Russia is exporting natural gas to Central Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev attended an October 7 ceremony in Moscow to launch the start of Russian gas shipments to Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has suffered through three straight winters of electricity and heating shortages and reached a deal to import 2.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian gas annually. Uzbekistan signed a two-year contract for gas supplies with Russian state gas company Gazprom in June. Ironically, the gas is being sent through the Soviet-era Central Asia-Center pipeline that was built in the 1960s to ship gas from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to Russia. Kazakhstan also experienced severe energy shortages last winter and is in talks with Gazprom about buying gas. Uzbekistans gas consumption for 2023 was 48 bcm. The Russian gas is welcome, but Uzbekistan does not risk becoming dependent on Russian gas supplies, as Russian gas is a mere five percent of Uzbekistan's total consumption. Why Its Important: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the only two Central Asian countries that publicly supported Ukraines territorial integrity after Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine. Kazakhstans and Uzbekistans energy problems are fortuitous for Moscow as the shortages provided Russia with an opportunity to bring the two Central Asian states closer to Russia through gas sales. Toqaev and Mirziyoev were in Moscow on October 7 for Putins birthday and launching gas exports to Uzbekistan was timed for that day. Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev said on October 4 that final repairs were being done on the pipeline and would take to the end of October to complete, so it appears work was sped up to be operational by Putins birthday. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Send Aid for Afghan Earthquake Victims On October 7, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit western Afghanistan near the city of Herat reducing many of the mud-brick homes to rubble. Taliban officials said on October 8 the death toll had risen to 2,245, but on October 9, there were reports at least another 350 bodies had been discovered. Kazakhstan announced on October 9 it would send humanitarian aid, including food, tents, medicine, and clothing by plane and rail to Afghanistan. The Kazakh governments press service said the country was also sending rescue crews from the Ministry for Emergency Situations specially trained in rescuing people trapped in the debris. Uzbekistan borders Afghanistan and of all the Central Asian states has the best ties with the Taliban government. On October 10, Uzbekistan sent a plane loaded with nearly 100 metric tons of food, medicine, and other goods to Afghanistan. The governments in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, the other two Central Asian countries bordering Afghanistan, have not officially reacted to the tragedy. Herat is only 60 miles from the Turkmen border, but Turkmen media have not mentioned the earthquake even though residents in Turkmen areas bordering Afghanistan also felt the tremors. Why its Important: International aid agencies are already working on the ground in the area affected by the earthquake, but the Taliban government is still under sanctions relating to drug trafficking, human rights violations, and more, which complicates aid efforts. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on October 8 that 11,585 people are assessed to have been affected to date That number will probably rise as rescue crews make their way to remote areas in the region. With the worlds attention on Russias full-scale war in Ukraine and the heavy fighting in Israel and Gaza, the earthquake in Afghanistan is not the current priority. That makes help from neighbors even more important. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have started to send aid, but Turkmenistan (which has provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in the past) has yet to indicate if they will send help. The Latest Majlis Podcast This weeks Majlis podcast looks at the most recent revelations about the court system and police procedure in Kyrgyzstan after a womans nose and ears were cut off by her former husband. The law in Kyrgyzstan seems to be failing to protect women, and this Majlis podcast looks at how and why this is true. This weeks guests are: Askana Ismailbekova, a research fellow at Leibniz-Zentrum-Moderner Orient researching kinship, migration, ethnicity, patronage, conflict and gender in Kyrgyzstan; Adina Masalbekova, a non-resident Europe-Central Asia Monitoring research fellow at the Centre for European Security Studies; and Leila Seiitbek, chairwoman of the NGO Freedom for Eurasia, and member of a working group for the treaty to end all forms of violence against women and girls (the working group is for a supplemental treaty to the global CEDAW treaty). What I'm Following Corruption in Tajikistan RFE/RLs Tajik Service, Ozodi, released an investigative report on Parvina Rahmonova, one of the Tajik presidents seven daughters. The report looks at how Parvina built a health-care empire that benefits from government largesse, state promotion, and lobbying from her husband, an ambassador for the Central Asian nation Central Asian Countries Abusing Artificial Intelligence Freedom House released its Freedom on the Net 2023 report on October 4, which highlighted how bad the situation with the Internet is in Central Asia. The report focused on The Repressive Power of Artificial Intelligence, including Internet connectivity restrictions; blocks on social media platforms; blocks on websites; blocks on VPNs; and forced removal of content. All of the Central Asian governments are guilty of using these techniques. Fact of the Week The press service of Kyrgyzstans Cabinet of Ministers said on October 8 that Kyrgyz and Tajik officials had agreed on the dividing line for another 27 miles of their 600-mile frontier. That leaves some 165 miles of unmarked border between the two countries. Thanks for Reading Thanks for reading Central Asia in Focus! I appreciate you sharing it with other readers who may be interested. Feel free to contact me on X (formerly Twitter) or by responding to this email, especially if you have any questions, comments, or just want to connect about topics concerning Central Asia. See you next week for more on whats happening in Central Asia. Until next time, Bruce Veterans Day might be a month away, but The Rust Belt is offering a gift early. Thursday night, the venue is hosting a free country concert, headlined by Austin Wahlert and Liza Jo, dedicated to celebrating veterans and first responders. The event is being sponsored by East Moline's Respect Abilities, a community service organization founded in 2015 that focuses on serving locals with intellectual or physical disabilities. Currently, it's working with 82 individuals to provide employment, mentorship and other service opportunities. Founder Michelle Horton said the organization had had a great relationship with The Rust Belt, where people that Respect Abilities serves regularly work. At Thursday night's show, Respect Abilities workers will help across the board you'll see them working, sometimes in tandem with Rust Belt staff, as bartenders, security guards, emcees, musicians and stand-up comedians. Horton said the show had been in the works for a while, since she first saw a video years ago of Wahlert performing. While the pandemic and other interruptions delayed planning, this week their collaboration finally can come to fruition. Wahlert is a Colorado-based musician and former bull rider who was inspired to pursue music while attending college in West Odessa, Texas. He learned to play guitar from lessons with his grandfather, who served in the military during the Korean War. He's made performing at fundraisers for first responders and veterans a priority, and Horton said the show at The Rust Belt will be a merging of his mission and that of Respect Abilities. Opening for the show will be Liza Jo, another Coloradan country act who released her debut album in May. Horton is hoping the show will be a uniting experience. "We just wanted to provide a 'we're all in this together' attitude," she said. "Let's just have some fun with it." There will be two showings of the concert on Thursday, with the main performance taking place at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. There will also be a toned-down version of the show at 1 p.m. on Thursday, that'll have less sensory stimulation. While free tickets can be reserved on the Respect Abilities Facebook page, Horton said the show will be free for anybody who shows up. A Davenport teen has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the shooting and wounding of another teen at a Davenport Kwik Star in July of 2022. During a sentencing hearing Oct. 6 in Scott County District Court, Judge Henry Latham sentenced Cazmier Alano Shaw, 19, to 10 years in prison on a charge of willful injury causing serious injury. Latham then sentenced Shaw to a consecutive term of 10 years in prison, with a three-year mandatory minimum, on a charge of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. Sentences that are consecutive are served back-to-back, as opposed to concurrent sentences that are served at the same time. Shaw will get credit for the time he has served in the Scott County Jail awaiting trial and sentencing. According to a search warrant, at 1:37 a.m. July 21, 2022, officers responded to a report of shots fired at the Kwik Star at 2850 W. Locust Street. Officers arrived on the scene to find another teen, Bruthius DaWayne McDonald, then 17, with a gunshot wound to his upper thigh. According to the arrest affidavits, one of the officers used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until other officers had secured the area, allowing medical personnel to approach. Officers also located several 9mm shell casings in the front of the store. The glass doors to the store had been shot through several times. Through the investigation, which included witness statements and security video camera footage, officers were able to determine that Shaw, who was in the store with a teen female, got into a verbal argument with McDonald and a 26-year-old man who was with McDonald. Shaw and the girl exited the store. McDonald and the other man started to follow Shaw and his companion out of the store when Shaw produced a black 9mm Springfield handgun and fired approximately seven to eight times through the glass doors at McDonald and the other man. McDonald was struck in the thigh. Shaw and the girl fled in a 2005 Buick LeSabre. Officers were able to read the vehicles license plate on the video surveillance footage and go to Shaws residence where he and the girl were taken into custody. Shaw initially was charged with two counts of attempted murder in addition to the charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury causing serious injury. On Aug. 4, 2023, Shaw pleaded guilty to the charges for which he was sentenced. The charges of attempted murder were dropped in accordance with the plea agreement. Shaw was transported to the Iowa Department of Corrections on Monday. From flintlock muskets to AR-15s: A history of guns in America From flintlock muskets to AR-15s: A history of guns in America Flintlock muskets Percussion caps Revolvers Repeating rifles Smokeless powder Automatic firearms Bolt-action rifles Polymer manufacturing Armalite civilian rifle 3D printing and beyond According to the pornography charges, Daniel N. Carlson, 56, possessed 11 images of child pornography of a victim under the age of 13 on or about Sept. 18. He was also arrested for public indecency in the area of East First Street and North East Street in Kewanee on that same date. A clear-blue sky, a chill in the air and a pair of bickering crows greeted Nick Grande as he walked up to the Duck Creek Park Lodge to cast his ballot. Davenport residents voted Tuesday in a primary election to winnow the fields of five races for city office. All city residents had at least one race to vote for mayor, an office that four candidates are seeking. Residents in Davenport wards 2, 3, 4, and 7 also voted to narrow those fields. The top two vote-getters for each race will advance to the Nov. 7 regular election. The 54-year-old Grande said he was new to the city and didn't have strong opinions on any issues but felt it was important to vote as a first step in his civic involvement. "Even primaries are important," he said. "I moved here from Kansas just over a year ago and I want to learn all I can about the city and what's going on." Grande was one of very few voters who didn't express strong opinions Tuesday, as the fallout from the May 28 partial collapse of The Davenport was an issue mentioned by 11 of the 16 voters the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus interviewed outside polling places. Three men were killed and a rescued woman's leg was amputated when the west wall of The Davenport fell. The tragedy sparked protests and prompted criticism of the city's handling of rescue efforts and communication on demolition, its building-inspection process, and perceived failure to hold individuals responsible for not alerting residents of the building's condition. 'A total disaster' Gail Glockhoff-Long said she considered voting a "responsibility." "I can't complain if I don't vote," the 70-year-old said outside Duck Creek Park Lodge after casting her ballot for mayor. "And, actually, I think there's a lot to be worried about. "I think the city's response to the collapse of the building has been a total disaster. Too many things were not done properly and too many issues were ignored before and after that building fell. That all goes back to this city's leadership." Glockhoff-Long said she had a favorable opinion of Davenport Mayor Mike Matson until the collapse. "I didn't think he had done too bad of a job, but what has gone on since that building fell down has been a real shame," she said. "Who I'm picking for mayor really has a lot to do with that building, yes it does." 'Time for a change' Shelley Klaas and Sylvi Summers have been together for 40 years. The married couple's daily routine includes a walk through Duck Creek Park. That routine included casting ballots Tuesday. "There are a couple of issues, I think, that really stand out for us," Klaas said. "There is just a lot of chaos at the city and with the aldermen. I don't think some of them are doing particularly well." Both Klaas and Summers said they voted for Matson in the past. "We do not think Mike (Matson) is a bad person. Not at all," Klaas said. "We just think maybe it's time for a change, time for some new leadership. The issues around the building collapse and how it was handled showed that, I think." Summers added that she and Klaas know mayoral candidate Ken Croken and feel he brings some important perspective. "From just what I've heard in the news, it seems like maybe concerns about the building and its safety should have been important," Summers said. "And the people who lived there should have been treated as important." Ballots and bingo The parking lot in front of the Expo Center and Keppy 4H Hall was crowded just before noon Tuesday. Some of the folks were there to vote in Keppy. The vast majority were there for bingo in the Expo. "I haven't voted yet, but I plan to," DeeDee Berry said. "I'm not going to miss the chance." Berry, 59, said the collapse of The Davenport was "one factor" in her decision to vote. She also cited the Davenport School Board's recent decision to close buildings. "I think the classrooms are overcrowded as they are, and I want to make sure there are aldermen and a mayor who know that and can maybe understand that," she said. Berry said she didn't know anyone in The Davenport, but she "knows about slumlords." "The way people live in this city is an issue," she said. "I care very much about the homeless and the way people are forced to live. And that goes back to tearing down schools. Why can't we repurpose these buildings and offer people safe places to live. "I just don't see a lot of forward thinking about the city's problems. And I don't see the caring for people." Photos: Davenport City Council Meeting, June 7, 2023 Henry Dinkins has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the kidnapping and murder of Breasia Terrell. Judge Henry Latham gave the sentence at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday. Dinkins will also have to pay $150,000 in restitution to Aishia Lankford, Breasia's mother. The life sentences are without parole. Looking back at the verdict Latham found Dinkins guilty of kidnapping and murdering Breasia Terrell, announcing the verdict Sept. 15 in Scott County court. Latham said the testimony and evidence given by Breasia Terrell's younger brother identified as D.L. in the courtroom was crucial in solving the case and in Latham's verdict. The judge called the boy's testimony "remarkable." D.L. was 8 years old when Breasia disappeared. He is now 11 and testified in court. During his testimony, D.L. told the court how he and Breasia spent the night with Dinkins and his girlfriend, Andrea Culberson, in her apartment. He testified he saw Dinkins leave with Breasia in the early morning of July 10, 2020, and how Dinkins later picked him up and drove him to the Clinton Walmart. Latham pointed to D.L.'s interviews with police, and how he told investigators about putting the battery back in Dinkins' cellphone while Dinkins was in the Walmart. That action allowed investigators to track Dinkins' movements. Latham said he found the testimony of every single state witness credible except for D.L.'s testimony about seeing Dinkins shoot Breasia. The trial lasted 14 days, included 47 witnesses and roughly 70 hours of testimony and concluded Aug 29. History of the case In the early morning of July 10, 2020, Breasia was taken from an apartment No. 8 at the Jersey Ridge complex in Davenport. She was reported missing just before 8:30 a.m. that day. Over the course of days, weeks and months, law enforcement officers from Davenport, Scott County, Clinton County, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol and even the Federal Bureau of Investigation searched for the 10-year-old girl. Countless volunteers private citizens from both sides of the Mississippi River walked through fields and ditches and woods, hoping to find some sign of Breasia. From the day she disappeared, the Davenport Police Department considered Dinkins "a person of interest" in the case. Three fishermen found Breasia's remains on March 22, 2021, near a small, tree-shrouded pond behind Kunau Implement, an isolated area roughly two miles north of DeWitt. Dinkins was charged with her murder in early May, 2021. Dinkins was granted a change of venue, moving the trial to the Cedar Rapids Courthouse in Linn County. As jury selection started on Aug. 8, Dinkins asked for a bench trial. The trial was moved back to Scott County. Establishment symbolizes Korea-US alliance By Jung Da-hyun Memorials for two Korean War veterans, late Maj. Gen. John Singlaub and late Col. William Weber, are set to be unveiled at Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, according to the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUSAF), Wednesday. The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for today. These two war heroes are celebrated as symbolic figures of the enduring alliance between Korea and the United States. Singlaub, who passed away at the age of 100 last year, took part in the Korean War, as well as World War II and the Vietnam War. During the Korean War, he participated in a brutal battle in Gimhwa, Gangwon Province. He was relieved of his position as military chief in South Korea in May 1977 due to his opposition to former U.S. President Jimmy Carters decision to withdraw American troops from South Korea. In 1976, President Carter planned to bring 32,000 U.S. ground troops stationed in South Korea back home. Singlaub criticized the decision, warning that it could lead to another invasion by North Korea. His statement highlighting the importance of saving lives and preventing invasion, regardless of achieving higher military rank, became renowned. Weber, who also passed away last year at the age of 97, served as a member of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team and took part in key missions during the Korean War, including the Incheon Landing Operation. He lost his right arm and right leg in 1951 during a battle in Wonju, Gangwon Province. Weber is remembered as a highly decorated Korean War veteran who dedicated his efforts to ensuring that the American people remember the 1950-53 conflict, which is often referred to as the Forgotten War. From 1993, he served as the president of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation (KWVMF) and spearheaded the initiative to construct 19 stainless-steel statues in South Potomac Park, Washington, D.C. He also took the lead in building the Wall of Remembrance, starting from 2006. This wall, featuring the names of more than 36,000 American soldiers and 7,000 Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army (KATUSA) soldiers who died during the Korean War, was opened to the public on July 27, 2022. The unveiling ceremony will be attended by Lt. Gen. Willard Burleson, the commanding general of the Eighth U.S. Army, and Yoon Jong-jin, the vice minister of patriots and veterans affairs. Officials of the KUSAF and other Korean War veterans from the U.S. will also be present. The KUSAF is also set to reveal to the public the blueprint for a memorial monument during the Korea-U.S. Alliance conference, scheduled for Friday in Seoul. The memorial monument aims to honor 100 soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty and training after the settlement of the Korean Armistice Agreement in July 1953. Discussions are ongoing regarding the construction of this monument in central Seoul's Yongsan Park. SAC CITY, Iowa A criminal charge has been dropped against an Iowa legislator who was accused of refusing to obey a Sac County law enforcement officer's orders during RAGBRAI's swing through the county. Magistrate Joshua Walsh on Friday dismissed a simple misdemeanor charge of interference with official acts filed against State Sen. Adrian Dickey. Sac County Attorney Ben Smith had moved for dismissal, saying in his motion he did not believe there was enough evidence to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt and that it was in the best interests of justice to dismiss the case. Dickey, 49, a Republican from Packwood who represents District 44 in southeast Iowa, was arrested July 24 near Carnarvon, where a big party had stopped in the middle of a road. According to a complaint filed by Sac County Sheriff's Sgt. Jonathan Meyer, he approached Dickey and asked the party to move so he could open the road. Meyer said Dickey refused to move and continued to argue with Meyer until he was arrested. Dickey pleaded not guilty to the charge and continued to maintain his innocence. "It was a total misunderstanding, and I was innocent," Dickey said in a news release. "It is typical of today's news outlets to pile on and assume someone's guilt without knowing all of the facts. ... I was not drinking, and I was not a part of the party that was taking place. I was only walking my bike on this short part of a gravel road attempting to get on the bike trail." Dickey was jailed briefly until posting bond. He said the incident does not change his attitude toward law enforcement. "In 50 years, I have never been arrested," he said "I appreciate the Sac County Attorney for correcting this and restoring my reputation. I have always been a huge supporter of law enforcement, and I continue to back the blue today. I look forward to championing the efforts of the men and women who protect our communities." Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst met in person Tuesday with top Israeli leaders, four days after the Iran-backed Hamas militant group launched a surprise assault on Israel from Gaza. Ernst last week led a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, including Iowa GOP U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, of Ottumwa, to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, Bahrain, Jordan and Israel to support peace in the region and deter Iranian aggression. The group left on its envoy before the attack over the weekend. Tuesday, Ernst met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders, as well as American civilians in Israel, as that country bombarded Gaza in response. Ernst, co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, left the United State last week as part of congressional envoy to the Middle East aimed at encouraging Arab and Israelis leaders to move toward normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Axios reported. Saudi Arabias crown prince this week pledged to stand by Palestine, dealing a blow to U.S. efforts to form a diplomatic relationship among the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. We want to see peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Ernst told Radio Iowa in an interview Tuesday from Jordan after spending much of the day in Israel. We know that Iran fears peace. They want more chaos and terror in the region. Its time that these allies and partners in the region stand united against Iran and these extreme terrorist proxies. Ernst said she and a few U.S. House members met with Netanyahu as well as the leader of the opposition party in Israel to reassure the leadership in Israel as well as a number of American families that were there that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel. She said the last three days have been filled with absolute terror for American and Israeli families. They rounded up women and children and were beheading Israeli soldiers, raping women and executing children, Ernst told Radio Iowa. It was terror. Ernst said she talked to a brother and his sister whose 80-year-old father was taken away at gunpoint by terrorists. They have no idea where he is now, what has happened to him, she said. In that same event, their other brother was killed. (Hamas) went house to house, destroying the homes, burning them down. They lit bodies on fire. They were intent on a reign of terror. Ernst, a retired Iowa National Guard officer who did a tour of duty in Iraq, said Hamas is a terrorist organization no different from ISIS or al-Qaida that needs to be destroyed. They are barbarians. They are savages, and the only way we move forward from this the only way that Israel and Palestine will find a two-state solution is if Hamas is gone, Ernst said. They need to be eradicated from the face of the Earth. This is a time when the United States needs to stand with our strongest partner and ally, Israel. She said the sadness and terror in Israel is palpable, listening to stories of family members that were hauled away by Hamas, children that were burned alive. Ernst also called for freezing $6 billion of Iranian assets that are part of a prisoner swap the Biden administration announced in August between the United States and Iran. Congress needs to come in and lean in heavy on this and make sure that those assets are frozen once again and make sure that Iran cannot access that money, Ernst said. We cannot continue to enable terrorism. U.S. intelligence officials have said they do not have any evidence so far of a direct connection between Iran and Saturday's attack, but the country has historically supported Hamas. Ernst also told Radio Iowa the United States must provide Israel with additional intelligence as well as munitions to restock its Iron Dome missile-defense system, and that House Republicans must quickly select a new speaker so Congress can act and protect the interests of the nation abroad. Miller-Meeks has been in some of the overseas meetings with Ernst, including a visit Sunday to Saudi Arabia and Monday to Bahrain, but was not part of the delegation that visited Israel on Tuesday. Chadron Community Hospital is proud to announce that theyve received the Harvester Award for their Wellness program. They were honored with the award during the Panhandle Safety & Wellness Conference in Gering, NE on September 21, 2023. This award is for businesses that are reaping the benefits of an advanced wellness program, a developed wellness culture, and can demonstrate high-quality outcomes. Each year the Nebraska Governor recognizes organizations across Nebraska for offering wellness programs in the workplace. These programs encourage team members to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle. Organizations are eligible for the Sower, Grower, or Harvester award level. Chadron Community Hospital is the first recipient of the Harvester award in the panhandle. This is the highest level awarded to employers that are reaping the benefits of an advanced wellness program and can demonstrate high-quality outcomes. Our Wellness committee is especially proud of this award considering the many challenges encountered with the pandemic. Despite the obstacles they were able to adapt and revise the program to a level worthy of this award. The Prohibition era in the United States (1920-1933) was marked by the nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. This period, however, did not deter individuals from seeking out alternative, illicit sources of alcohol, leading to the emergence of a dangerous practice: the production of rotten gut or rotgut alcohol. This bootlegged alcohol was often concocted from subpar and even toxic ingredients, including industrial alcohols unfit for human consumption. To mask the unpalatable taste and scent of these impurities, bootleggers resorted to adding various substances, such as ginger extract. This seemingly innocuous addition, however, concealed a perilous secret, ultimately resulting in a tragic condition known as ginger jake paralysis or Jake leg. Speakeasies, secret bars that operated discreetly, became havens for patrons seeking to circumvent the legal restrictions on alcohol. Bootleggers, too, seized this opportunity, creating makeshift distilleries that churned out substandard spirits. These bootlegged concoctions were often brewed with industrial alcohols, substances never intended for human consumption. One of the most notorious practices among bootleggers was the inclusion of ginger extract in their illicit brews. Ginger, renowned for its pungent and spicy flavor, was employed as a potent cover for the unpleasant taste of impure alcohols. However, not all ginger extracts were created equal. Some batches were tainted with harmful contaminants. It was this perilous concoction that unwitting consumers ingested, setting the stage for a tragedy that would unfold. The calamity known as ginger jake paralysis emerged, bearing a direct connection to the consumption of improperly prepared ginger extract. The culprit was identified as tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP), a neurotoxin found in the tainted ginger concoction. TOCP, when ingested in sufficient quantities, inflicted severe nerve damage, resulting in debilitating symptoms. Victims experienced muscle weakness, numbness, and, in grave cases, paralysis. The devastating impact of this condition left many individuals permanently afflicted, their lives forever altered by this avoidable tragedy. The widely consumed Jamaica Ginger brand played a prominent role in the ginger jake paralysis outbreak. This popular ginger extract, touted for its purported health benefits, was a favored choice among bootleggers. Unbeknownst to consumers, the improperly manufactured Jamaica Ginger harbored TOCP, making it a potent threat to those who partook. The reason TOCP was used: the federal government issued a new directive that the amount of non-alcohol in a bottle had to be doubled. But, doubling the amount of ginger would result in an unpalatable taste. Adding TOCP solved the government requirement with taste unaffected. By the way, TOCP was developed to prevent cellulose film from becoming brittle. It was originally thought to be non-toxic. In 1930, the National Institutes of Health traced the paralytic illness to the ginger extract produced by a single company, Boston-Hub Products. No law required ensuring the safety of ingredients, so the company had violated no law by adding a poisonous substance. Ultimately, Hub president, Harry Gross, and his brother-in-law and part owner, Max Reisman, were charged with violations of the Prohibition Act and for selling ginger extract that differed from the standard for fluid extract of ginger as set in the USP. Each was fined $1,000 and given a two-year suspended prison sentence. The total number of victims was never accurately determined, but is frequently quoted as between 30,000 and 50,000. Many victims were immigrants to the United States, and most were poor, with little political or social influence. The victims received very little assistance. University of Montana Bitterroot Colleges class enrollment increased by 95% this fall semester from fall semester last year. The achievement was touted by administration as a result of recruiting efforts and course changes designed to better address the needs of the community. We are thrilled to see such a substantial increase in enrollment for the autumn semester of 2023, UM Bitterroot College Director Kristina Berger said. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and administration. It also underscores the importance of our mission to provide accessible education that aligns with the needs and aspirations of our rural community. Student credit hours have increased from 595 last fall semester to 1,116 this semester. Credit hours refers to the number of credits a student might receive from a course, with one credit typically representing one hour of instruction per semester. Total student enrollment numbers increased significantly as well from 74 students in last years fall semester to 213 students this fall semester, according to census enrollment numbers. Its the highest student enrollment theyve seen in years. This follows last falls student enrollment numbers which were at their lowest in several years. Last years enrollment numbers were part of an overall decline in enrollment at UM Bitterroot College going back to at least 2015. Berger, who started in the position of UM Bitterroot director this May, said the university has focused on offering courses that meet the needs of a greater number of people. Weve really looked at the courses that we were offering and what modality students prefer, Berger said in an interview with the Ravalli Republic. Do they want to take courses in person or online? What industries do we have here in the Bitterroot? And what degree programs can we offer to help students graduating from our campus? So, I think theres better alignment with the courses that were offering as well. The university has seen some of the largest increases in enrollment with the certified nursing assistant program and with phlebotomy programs, he said. The college has also seen increases in enrollment in their commercial drivers license program after changes were made to the schedule. Additionally, UM Bitterroot added new options for degrees in applied science centered in the medical field in response to identified needs for health care, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in the Bitterroot Valley. The university has also added workforce certificate programs like accounting, legal studies, clinical medical assisting, and more. We have degree programs and courses that are directly related to industries here in the Bitterroot, Berger said. And as more people are attending courses here and the word gets out, I think they will find this a very viable option for continuing education. Berger, in her fifth month as director, said much of her job so far has been engaging with groups in the community to better understand Ravalli County needs. My vision for Bitterroot College is to match our unique needs here in the valley with programming that allows students to start here at our campus and stay here at our campus and not need to leave the valley, Berger said. And so Ive been working with the Chamber of Commerce and other industry partners to see how we can best meet the needs of the workforce here and get people living wage jobs. UM Bitterroot has been more proactively recruiting students in high schools and the broader community to let people know of the classes and programs available too. The University of Montana remains committed to its vision of providing accessible higher education to the rural residents of the Bitterroot Valley and empowering individuals to achieve their goal of social and economic mobility through higher education, UM Associate Vice Provost Tom Gallagher stated. NEW YORK Millions of Americans must start repaying their federal student loans again this month, with monthly payments averaging hundreds of dollars. To get ready, borrowers are cutting expenses, taking on additional work and looking for options to reduce their monthly payments. Megan McClelland, 38, said she started asking for October shifts with a catering company and a winery to help supplement her income. McClelland's main job is as a counselor at Petaluma High School in California. During the more than three years payments were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she paid off her car loan and was able to save for the first time. She'll put the $235 she was spending on her car payment toward her student loan, but that still leaves another $270 or so she'll have to reallocate or earn. "It had been a huge relief the past few years to not have that financial burden," she said. "In the next months, I'm looking to see where I can scale back in my budget. Probably less going out to eat, and more picking up side gigs." Justin Cole, 35, of Little Rock, Arkansas, said he doesn't know how he's going to come up with the $166 a month he'll owe starting in October. That's the estimated payment on his roughly $19,000 of loans from paying for college more than 10 years ago. "I'm already in a mountain of debt, and while I just got a raise at work, it doesn't go into effect until we're full staffed at my family practice clinic," he said. Cole works the front office at a medical practice, checking in patients, handling records and managing payment collection. Some of his other debt comes from medical expenses after a car accident early in the pandemic. "If those loans were forgiven, I could finally work on getting my credit up and actually saving money for once," he said. "If they were forgiven out of the blue, I'd be ecstatic." The Supreme Court in July rejected a plan by President Joe Biden's administration to wipe away $400 billion in student loan debt. For now, Cole applied for adjustments to his payments based on both the new SAVE plan and prior income-driven repayment options, which are listed as processing and "in review" on his account. The SAVE, or "Saving on a Valuable Education," plan allows borrowers to make lower payments based on a percentage of their discretionary income. His major household expenses are "rent, car payments, groceries, and utilities the same as everybody else," he said. Not yet clear is how millions of people suddenly having less discretionary income might affect the economy. On an earnings call last month, the chief financial officer of Target said student loan payments restarting will "put additional pressure on the already-strained budgets of tens of millions of households," a sentiment echoed by the financial chiefs of Best Buy and other retailers. In the Federal Reserve's latest survey of economic conditions, one restaurant-industry observer in Boston said workers are taking on more hours and, for the first time, credit card debt topped $1 trillion. According to credit bureau TransUnion, more than half of student loan holders added credit card debt during the pandemic. Meanwhile, consumer savings, which peaked in 2021, are on the decline. McClelland qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness as a public school teacher who will have worked in the field for 10 years next March. She's putting her loans in order to hopefully receive that cancellation next year. The program erases remaining debts for federal student loan holders who work in public service while making 10 years of payments. "I only have six payments to go, but it's still stressful," she said. "I have to find about $500 a month starting next month towards this payment that I haven't had in so long." The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is one of several avenues for relief still available to many with student debt. After the Supreme Court struck down Biden's original plan for forgiveness in July, the White House said it will use the Higher Education Act to bring cancellation to more borrowers. It's currently undergoing a process known as "negotiated rule-making" to determine the details of that plan. Other sources for relief for borrowers include: false certification, borrower defense, closed school, total/permanent disability discharges, and alternate repayment programs such as income-driven repayment. McClelland, for her part, said she now spends a lot of time counseling high school students on how to avoid taking on burdensome loans. "I had no financial guidance when I was younger, from my own parents or from school," she said. "I didn't ever understand the long-term impact." Despite working while in school and since moonlighting at Starbucks, wineries and restaurants as well as counseling McClelland still has a balance of about $38,000 in debt, from original loans of $10,000 toward her undergraduate studies and $40,000 for her masters in counseling at Sonoma State. "I knew I wanted to go to college, and my parents didn't have any money," she said. "I tell kids all the time, openly, 'As someone who was once in your shoes, I highly recommend finding a way to avoid taking out loans.' When you're 17 or 18 years old, you think, 'Oh, sure, I'll figure this out.' Then it's frustrating to still be in this financial situation." Americans have shed more than 10% of total student loan debt since March 2020 Americans have shed more than 10% of total student loan debt since March 2020 Student loan debt has declined since the start of the repayment pause Average student loan balance highest among Generation X borrowers Percent of Gen Z with student loan debt grows; only generation to see increase Majority of borrowers have a total balance above $20,000 Which state has the most student loan borrowers? 02-24-1953 (cutline): River, Stay 'Way from my Door. The James River, swollen by rains upstream, edges up on Sharp's Island, west of Mayo Island. The rive was due to crest at 12 feet here this afternoon. More rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow. In March 1963, the roiling waters of the James River surrounded a dwelling on Sharp's Island near the 14th Street bridge. While the rain-swollen river didnt crest as high as originally feared, it did reach more than 4 feet above flood stage at Westham and about 5 feet above flood stage at the City Locks. From the Archives: Sharp's Island in the James River and its residents Sharps Island in the James River, is part of a unique archipelago of islands adjacent to Mayo and Vauxhall islands close to the 14th Street Bridge. The area marks the convergence of a fall zone and tidewater sections of the James River. Historically, a variety of activities have taken place on the islands, including commercial fishing operations during spring shad season and granite quarrying for construction of bridges and retaining walls. In the 1950s, the islands had residents as well. The house survived on the island for 75 years. It was purchased in 1970 by Richmond architect Henry Tenser Jr. for about $1,500. After the house was damaged beyond repair by flooding, Tenser decided to burn the house down instead of deal with the undertaking of demolishing it. With three matches, a can of kerosene and permission from the Richmond Fire Bureau, the house on Sharp's Island, built around 1895, washed away in ashes. The latest episode of Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles is in partnership with the Tulsa World to introduce the story of the Osage Reign of Terror and the upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon. In this episode, show producer Ambre Moton is joined by two writers from the Tulsa World, Randy Krehbiel and Jimmie Tramel, to explore the history of the Osages and what led to the crimes committed against them. Read all of the coverage of the film Killers of the Flower Moon and related stories here. Episode transcript Note: The following transcript was created by Slack and may contain misspellings and other inaccuracies as it was generated automatically: Welcome to Late Edition Crime Beat Chronicles, a Lee Enterprises podcast. I'm Ambre Moton, the producer and editor of the show, filling in for Nat Cardona, who is taking some well-deserved time off. Our next few episodes are going to take us back to the late 1800s through the 1920s to Osage County in Oklahoma. With the help of and in partnership with reporters from the Tulsa World, the daily newspaper for the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and primary paper for the northeastern and eastern parts of the state. Before we dive into those conversations, a tiny bit of background over the next set of episodes we're going to cover the Osage reign of terror, a series of murders of members of the Osage tribe and those who supported them that took place in the 1920s. By all accounts, these crimes are committed by people attempting to gain control of the Osage as oil rights and the profits from it. We'll cover some of the history of the tribe, the crimes themselves, the investigation by the be a lie, which later became the FBI, and later a look at the crimes place and pop culture captured in books, newspapers and the soon to be released Martin Scorsese film Killers of the Flower Moon, which was filmed in the same area that the events took place. But back to the beginning, I spoke with Randy Krehbiel of the Tulsa World, someone we'll hear from several times as we tell this story about how the Osage tribe ended up in what is now Oklahoma. My name is Randy Krehbiel. I've been at the Tulsa World since 1979. I came here as a sportswriter, did that for about 13 years, switched over to news. And over the years, I've written a lot of things. I've written about a lot of different subjects, but I've written a lot about history and the history of this area era. I actually published the book several years ago on the 1921 race massacre, and I've written a book on the history of the Tulsa World and the city of Tulsa. And so all of these things are really interesting to me. And and some things, you know, you kind of know about for a while and some things you don't. My main job actually is covering state and federal government. What kind of led you to writing about the Osage tribe, the the reign of terror and everything that goes into the story of killing of the flower moon? You know, I had actually written a little bit about it probably 15 years ago or something like that. And there's nothing in-depth like, you know, the book or the David Green book or some of the other books that have been written about it. And I got into it and, it's just like a lot of other things. It's, you know, part of our our story. It's part of how we we got here and, you know, I think I was probably somewhat fascinated, if that's the right word, by just just how terrible some of these people were. And also, you know, the people who were victimized by them, too, you know. So it's you know, it's part of who we are. And not only, you know, in Oklahoma, but really across the country. And it's it's part of it's part of the history that, you know, we probably don't like to think about as much It does it doesn't make us feel as good as 4th of July. Kind of, I guess, on that topic. I think people obviously in Oklahoma, but people of a certain age, I guess I should say, because I'm not sure that it's necessarily being taught as widely as it used to be, are aware of, you know, like the Trail of Tears and the establishment of, you know, Indian territory. But like people may not be familiar with the existence of the Osage people and everything they went through. So can you just kind of talk a little bit about how they ended up in what is now Tulsa and kind of what what went into that? Yes, ages originally were a very large tribe and they they're they're sort of their home grounds, at least at the time of, you know, European encounter was most of the state of Missouri and and some of Arkansas and then out onto the plains in Kansas and Oklahoma and then in the 1800s and they were kind of pushed by treaty into an area in Missouri and then that and then into Kansas and in 1872, they sold their reservation in Kansas and bought 1.7 million acres from the Cherokee Nation. And for their what became their final reservation. And because they bought their reservation, they they owned it. They they had a title to it. It gave them a little different status going forward and and it allowed them to get some concessions. Then when the state of Oklahoma was created really in 1960 to accommodate and become a state until 1907, but by that time, they had been reduced to, you know, just a few thousand people. They all all of that moving around and man squished together. And they'd undergone a lot of illness and so forth. So they they were down by statehood. They were down to fewer than 2500 people living on the reservation. It's my understanding that the Osage land that they had, it wasn't, I guess, the most hospitable, especially when it comes to like agriculture. So how did they initially I'm assuming they didn't buy it and then strike oil immediately? No, actually, yeah. So the story is, is that they actually chose that land because they thought it was the least attractive to white people and they would be left alone. And the story the chief Standing bear tells and there's a tell the story, too, is that they sent out these scouting parties and they told them to throw their spear into the ground. And if the spear stuck, they were supposed to move on because it meant the soil was too thick and too rich and there'd be white people coming for it. But if they threw their spear into the ground and it fell over because it had hit rock, that's where they wanted wanted to be. And so the story is, again, that they actually chose pretty poor agricultural land. Now, it almost immediately didn't work out that way because it wasn't very good for farming, but it was very good for for grazing. And they had, you know, the cattlemen from Texas driving cattle up into Kansas. So they wound up, you know, making a fairly good living off leasing their their land to the cattlemen for grazing. That's a great visual, though. The story that you said that it was cheap standing there. Right, that he said that the steers. That's a great visual. We have to take a quick break, so don't go too far. An important thing to note is that in 1887, the Dawes Act divided up communally owned reservations into privately owned allotments as a way to force Native Americans to assimilate, to make each member of the tribe an owner of 160 acres and selling the quote unquote, surplus land to non-natives. This made tribal members, private property owners and effectively ended their communal way of living since the Osage bought their land outright. They were exempt from the allotments under the Dawes Act. Instead, Chief James Big Heart insisted on what is known as the Osage Allotment Act in 1906, where the Osage allotted all of their land to their people, giving 657 acres each to the over 2200 registered Osage. I also spoke with Jimmie Tramel, pop culture writer at the Tulsa World. Hey, I'm Jimmie Tramel. I'm a pop culture writer at the Tulsa World, a newspaper in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and TulsaWorld.Com. I was a sportswriter for 25 years, but for the last ten years, I've been our pop culture person. You know, I think everybody or most people of a certain age anyway, should be familiar with the Trail of Tears, everything with how Oklahoma was formed. But they may not have, you know, all of the insight into what happened with the Osage people. What you just said is fascinating and said you should know. I think maybe the words you use, we should have known about this. But like the Tulsa race massacre of the 1920s, the Osage reign of terror occurred in the same era. And until recently, I think many people not I mean, Oklahomans and around the world, we're not familiar with these things. Sometimes it takes pop culture to bring awareness to these things that the history books haven't told us. Like the movie HBO's Watchmen brought the Tulsa Race massacre into the consciousness. And I think this movie, Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, is Bring is doing the same thing to bring the awareness to the Osage reign of terror. Yes. And thank you for mentioning the film is called Killers of the Flower Moon. Yes. Filmed in Oklahoma, we're on the same turf where the actual Osage reign of terror happened. At one point in history, the the Osage nation of It's a Tribe, one of many tribes in Oklahoma was prior to statehood. Oklahoma was known as Indian Territory because all the tribes had land here that were there. People could live, and maybe this would never be a state, but actually it became a state in 1907. But the Osage land, I think a lot of people would say was not the best land in Oklahoma. But guess what? Oil was found under that land and the Osage people became like the wealthiest people on Earth overnight almost. And then what happens when moneys are involved is greed, betrayal, and in this case, even murder, where there were several murders of the Osage, because people wanted their oil money. It's funny how money can motivate people to do such heinous things, right? Yeah. I mean, brings out the worst in people and in many occasions. And and eventually you hope someone will step up and do right. But if you when you read the book Killers of the Flower Moon, you'll see that many people who should have known better were conspirators in this. What kind of wealth? Do you know how that translates into terms to current day? Well, this kind of wealth, when they would run out of gas in an automobile they had purchased rather than just fill up with a new tank of gas. They would be so like, here's a new car. So that kind of money. That does incite less scrupulous people to do bad things, definitely. About this story: This is part of a series about Confederate symbols across the state and elsewhere. Read the series here. The contentious issue of removing imagery of the Confederacy and relics of the Old South from public spaces isnt isolated to Virginia. Monuments like Stone Mountain Park, a colossal carving of Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson in a hillside near Atlanta, have been a continued source of controversy. Alabama and Mississippi, which still close most government offices for Confederate Memorial Day, also have grappled with how to handle memorials and honors. Disputes continue today, and lawmakers in several states, including Arkansas, have passed legislation to forbid local officials from taking down Confederate monuments. Rivka Maizlish, a senior research analyst for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks the use of Confederate images, said it's likely that trend will continue. "There are dedicated activists all over the country who are trying to get rid of Confederate symbols in their state," she said. "But seven states have these preservation laws that make it extremely hard and sort of illegal sometimes to change or alter any memorial that's been around for longer than a year even." And more than 150 years after the Civil War ended, artwork honoring the Confederate States of America remains in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Seven people with ties to the Confederacy are featured in the National Statuary Hall Collection, which includes two statues that each state selects. One statue is of Davis, who represents Mississippi. The statue of Lee, which represented Virginia, was removed in December 2020. It was added in 1909, about 44 years after the end of the Civil War. Elsewhere in the nations capital, the Washington National Cathedral recently installed stained-glass windows depicting themes of racial justice in the spaces that formerly held depictions of Confederate generals. The new windows, titled Now and Forever," show African Americans marching for equality. The previous ones were installed in 1953 and donated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. You can't call yourself the National Cathedral, a house of prayer for all people, when there are windows in there that are deeply offensive to a large portion of Americans, said the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of the cathedral. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Prosecutors on Wednesday raided the offices and other locations linked to an aide to opposition lawmaker Kim Byung-wook and an online media reporter over allegations of a fake news report in the run-up to last year's presidential election. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office sent prosecutors and investigators to four places related to the aide, surnamed Choi, and the home of Repoact reporter Heo Jae-hyun to seize evidence on the suspicion that they colluded to produce fake news on March 1 last year to back up speculation at that time that Yoon Suk Yeol, then opposition party presidential candidate, was behind the scandal-ridden Daejang-dong development scandal. Choi and Heo have already been booked on charges of defaming Yoon with their fake news report. Yoon won the presidential election held on March 9, 2022. The prosecution has been separately investigating allegations that Kim Man-bae, a key suspect in the Daejang-dong project pushed in the mid-2010s by opposition leader Lee Jae-myung as the mayor of Seongnam, south of Seoul, falsely suggested in his interview with journalist Shin Hak-lim in September 2021 that Yoon was the mastermind of the development scandal. (Yonhap) Liberty University has named former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as Distinguished Chair of its Helms School of Government. Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State under then-President Donald Trump, considered a 2024 run for the GOP presidential nomination, but announced in April that he would not run. Mike Pompeo has served our country with honor and distinction as a tank platoon leader during the Cold War, as a successful business leader, as a member of Congress, as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and as our 70th Secretary of State, Liberty President Dondi Costin said. More importantly, his faith in Jesus Christ and his love and devotion as a husband and father make him a true Champion for Christ and a role model for our students. We are proud to welcome Mike Pompeo to the Liberty University family as a distinguished chair for the Helms School of Government. Pompeo was a member of Congress from Kansas from 2011 to 2017. Trump named him CIA director in 2017 and as Secretary of State in April 2018. Liberty, founded in 1971 by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, calls itself the worlds premier Christian university. Its ranks have included a number of former GOP officials. Former Rep. Robert Hurt, R-5th, who served in Congress from 2011 to 2017 was dean of the Helms school from 2019 until he stepped down in June of this year to become general counsel at a Virginia-based health care data analytics firm. Former Rep. Dave Brat, R-7th, who lost the congressional seat to Democrat Abigail Spanberger in 2018, first served as dean of Libertys School of Business and is now the schools vice provost for engagement and public relations. Today in history: Oct. 11 1779: Casimir Pulaski 1884: Eleanor Roosevelt 1968: Apollo 7 1986: Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev 1991: Anita Hill 2001: George W. Bush 2002: Jimmy Carter 2006: Adam Yehiye Gadahn 2014: Kennedy International Airport 2020: The Los Angeles Lakers 2022: NASA Kathy Byron and John Cosgrove are friends of Gov. Glenn Youngkin with benefits. Byron and Cosgrove are veteran state legislators who announced their retirements earlier this year, probably leaving many of their constituents with the impression that they were, Cincinnatus-like, humbly surrendering power to return to the fertile fields and happy homes that they had forsaken for public life. But a funny thing happened on the way to retirement from their part-time jobs as lawmakers: Byron, a member of the House of Delegates, representing the conservative countryside outside Lynchburg, and Cosgrove, a delegate-turned-senator from swingy Chesapeake, took political appointments from Youngkin to work in his administration full time. Their jobs Byron will be a deputy director of the new workforce development agency created under a bill she wrote; Cosgrove, a higher-up in the department that polices sport and commercial fishing largely in the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters pay six-figure salaries roughly eight times what they made in the General Assembly: $17,640 a year in the House; $18,000 in the Senate. Those legislative salaries, by the way, havent been increased since the 1980s and are among the lowest in the nation. Only six states, including nearby North Carolina and South Carolina, pay their legislators less than Virginia, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The new jobs for Byron and Cosgrove have a big advantage beyond heftier paychecks and continued health insurance: fattened taxpayer-provided pensions generated with relatively little effort. Its part of an often-overlooked, time-honored tradition upheld by Democrats and Republicans that ensures comparatively outsize retirement pay for selected insiders. Executive branch jobs and the promise of a bigger pension have been used as bait by governors to tip party control of a closely divided General Assembly. Thats how Gov. Jim Gilmore pushed the Senate and House to the GOP in the late 1990s. He enticed Democrats Charlie Waddell of Loudoun and David Brickley of Prince William to give up their seats in what was then Republican territory. Sometimes, migrating to the executive branch is a matter of economic necessity. Sen. Warren Barry, a contrarian Republican from Fairfax, quit the General Assembly after 22 years to become a full-time, $88,000-a-year employee of the state liquor monopoly appointed by Democratic Gov. Mark Warner, whom Barry endorsed in 2001 because he needed money to support his disabled wife in long-term care. Having taken back the statewide offices in 2021, now its the Republicans turn to shower their own with jobs and emoluments. Tending to this particular subset of patronage, at-will employees just-retired members of the General Assembly brings to mind a quip attributed to Woody Allen: That in sex and politics, timing is everything. Byron, at $150,000 a year, and Cosgrove, at $137,000, arent the only Republican ex-legislators making the jump to the executive branch and, in most cases, to more generous pensions paid for the rest of their lives, atop Social Security, savings outside their government work and retirement benefits through their private-sector employers. Rob Bell, from Albemarle, which he represented in the House for 21 years, is now a $168,000-a-year deputy attorney general for health, education and social services. Glenn Davis, a Virginia Beach delegate from 2014 to 2023, runs the energy agency, making $173,000, though his pension could be comparatively modest because of his limited House service and changes in the legislative pension plan. Jeff Campbell, who also quit the House after eight years, became a $183,000-a-year general district court judge in Southwest Virginia. Now eligible for the even more generous judicial retirement plan, Campbell was appointed by a higher-court judge who, like many on the bench these days, owes his position to a GOP-controlled legislature. How former lawmakers boost their retirement is driven by several factors: That theyre enrolled in the traditional retirement program in which their pension a fixed monthly payment, a so-called defined benefit is largely financed by the state. Also, that the legislators are at least 50 years old and are closer, than not, to 30 years of service, helping maximize their monthly benefit. Especially important, however, are wages, because the Virginia Retirement System the $105 billion fund that finances the current and future pensions of 800,000 active and retired state and local government workers calculates a pension using the average of an employees three highest years of salary. For example, a 32-year senator whose annual salary was no more than $18,000 would average that amount over his or her three highest years. Service is combined with a 1.7% multiplier, set by law and which is slightly lower for more recent employees, to determine what percentage of the final average salary for which the senator would be eligible. That percentage in this case, about 54% is then multiplied by the average salary to determine the state-issued benefit: approximately $9,800 a year. The pension would be more a lot more for a senator in the defined-benefit plan with 28 years in the legislature and four in the executive branch, making, say, $150,000 annually. Length of service again, 32 years paired with the 1.7% multiplier and that final average salary would push annual retirement pay to nearly $82,000. Not bad for only four years of full-time government work. This is not to suggest there is a one-size-fits-all formula for calculating pensions, which are available to lawmakers in 41 states, per the NCSL. Local government service can push up a pension. Ditto a teaching gig. Educators, incidentally, make up the largest share of VRS-supported pensioners. But the full advantages of a big bump in pay through an executive branch job dissipate if an appointee is fired or replaced before reaching that magical three-year threshold. That might be a consideration for Byron and Cosgrove, knowing a Democrat could be governor in 2026. Other complications: Legislators who took office in 2014 and afterward, such as Davis of Virginia Beach, are covered by a retirement plan that requires they pick up part of the cost of their pension. Its whats called a defined-contribution plan. Lawmakers who were police officers and firefighters get special health considerations. And judges can receive multiple years credit for each year on the bench. When it comes to public service, virtue is supposed to be its own reward. But whos going to quarrel if its followed by five or six figures? Today in history: Oct. 11 1779: Casimir Pulaski 1884: Eleanor Roosevelt 1968: Apollo 7 1986: Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev 1991: Anita Hill 2001: George W. Bush 2002: Jimmy Carter 2006: Adam Yehiye Gadahn 2014: Kennedy International Airport 2020: The Los Angeles Lakers 2022: NASA Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, on Wednesday expressed gratitude after University of Virginia President Jim Ryan released a statement in which he described Hamas' attacks on Israel as "atrocities." "There can be no justification for, and we must condemn, the actions of Hamas and the horrific violence that has taken place against civilians, including children," Ryan said in the statement, released Wednesday morning. Ryan added that the university has a "longstanding tradition of not just allowing free speech, but promoting civil discourse, even when ... we strongly disagree." He did not explicitly reference the Students for Justice in Palestine at UVa, the organization that made the initial remarks. On Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Glenn Youngkin met with members of the Jewish community in Virginia Beach. Youngkin on Tuesday night condemned what he called the "barbaric and horrific terrorist acts" of Hamas and urged the U.S. to speed assistance to its ally Israel. "The United States only has one decision here, which is how much support can we get to Israel as fast as we can," Youngkin said in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News. "They are our brothers. We will stand with them and there can be no, no hesitancy in committing everything they need to defend themselves." We stand with Israel against Hamas, a terrorist group that must be met with force. pic.twitter.com/erl5aI38kQ Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) October 11, 2023 Youngkin noted that on Monday he met with Jewish leaders in Northern Virginia's Loudoun County. "Not only were they grief-stricken, like all of us, but angry and they were filled with fear, as well. This is what terrorists do. This is what Hamas is a terrorist group and they must be met with force." Richmond activists of all backgrounds, ideologies and faiths Jews, Muslims and Christians called Tuesday for an end to the violence that has erupted in Gaza. It hurts you to your stomach to see the killing, said Zulfi Khan, 65, originally from Pakistan, a Muslim community activist in central Virginia who serves on the board of the Islamic Center of Henrico County. Violence against any civilians is unacceptable, and in this world should never exist, Khan said, even as the death toll among Israelis and Palestinians alike climbed Tuesday afternoon. And in Gaza, where Israeli warplanes pounded neighborhoods Tuesday, aid organizations said hospitals were overwhelmed with the wounded and were quickly running out of supplies after Israel blocked the entry of water, food, fuel, electricity and medicine into the region. The fighting had already displaced nearly 200,000 people by Tuesday afternoon, according to the United Nations, which also reported that hospitals, a school and infrastructure in Gaza were hit. Nancy Wein, 76, a member of Richmonders for Peace in Israel-Palestine (RPIP), said the violence is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by any person or government. We are all horrified by the loss of life, and what went on in Israel (on Saturday), Wein said. We are ... horrified by what has gone on and is continuing to go on in Gaza and the West Bank. Wein, who is Jewish, condemned the horrors Hamas committed. She said they were a result of the way in which Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank have been treated for decades. Gaza is an open air prison. They do not have water they do not have health care, (or) freedom of movement ... they have no control over their own lives. They have loss of hope, she said. I take this very personally, she added. You cannot imagine how painful this is to me as (a) Jewish person who wants to feel my religion stands for something moral and ethical and good. Wein said that the United States should not be contributing weapons to the conflict, but should focus its time, effort and resources on sending relief to the Israelis and Gazans who are in trouble. Stop the killing now, she said. This does not accomplish anything theres nothing to be gained (through violence). Matt Haddad, 53, of Henrico also a member of RPIP, and the son of a Palestinian refugee described the loss of life on all sides as horrific. Haddad, who said he grew up in a Palestinian Christian household, said his father was ejected from Jerusalem in 1948. He lost his home, his belongings ... everything, Haddad said. He said his father relocated to Lebanon before ultimately immigrating to the United States in the 1960s. This is a massive humanitarian crisis, Haddad said of past, present and future conditions in Gaza. And its a continuation, for Palestinians, of a disaster thats been happening for 70 years. Until each of us can see the humanity of the other, were destined to continue this path of pain, Haddad said. Haddad said he accompanied his father five years ago on his return, at last, to his homeland. He described the visit as incredibly moving. The problem is intractable only because we allow it to be, Haddad concluded. You have to recognize the humanity of each other. Khan agreed. He forcefully rejected the idea that the conflict could be framed as simply an Israel-Palestine or Muslim-Jewish issue. Every person has a right to exist, whether you are Jewish, Muslim or Christian, he said, emphasizing that all people are obligated to be peaceful and good neighbors and to become better human beings. There is one perspective, he said. And that is the humanitarian perspective. Photos: Scenes from the Israel-Hamas war Democrats in Virginias congressional delegation are asking the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate election administration issues in Virginia. We request immediate action by the Department of Justice to investigate how these recent removals happened and what is being done to ensure that those whose names were illegally removed from the voting rolls are informed so that they will know that they are in fact properly registered to vote in this election in a timely manner, insofar as early voting has already begun, the elected officials wrote. Their request comes days after reports that the Virginia Department of Elections is working with Virginia State Police to identify people whose voting registrations were canceled in error. Because of the lack of clarity and transparency of exactly what happened and whats being done to correct the issue, we welcome an investigation by the DOJ, said Shawn Weneta, a policy strategist with ACLU. Some of the issues might be attributable to the changes made earlier this year regarding the restoration of voting rights. The process which three previous governors from both political parties had streamlined over the past three administrations is no longer automatically started when someone completes their sentence. Now, people must apply for a case-by-case consideration and the Youngkin administration has restored significantly less people compared to predecessors. The move prompted a lawsuit from the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and scrutiny from the the Virginia conference of the NAACP. In a letter obtained by The Times-Dispatch, Kay Coles James, then secretary of the commonwealth, wrote to the Virginias NAACP that Youngkin will be less likely to quickly restore the voting rights of anyone who used a firearm in the commission of a crime, and that, generally speaking, but not always, he will work to restore the voting rights of those who committed nonviolent crimes. As to the Department of Elections error, the Youngkin administration has attributed the issue to misclassification of parole violations for ex-felons whose rights have been restored as having committed new felonies which resulted in people being removed from voting rolls who shouldnt have been. The governor asked for (Virginia State Police) to correct the process and ordered a review, Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said. While analysis is still ongoing, we are aware of fewer than 300 voters who were impacted and those individuals are being reinstated. The governor is committed to ensuring those that are eligible, can vote. Today in history: Oct. 10 1845: U.S. Naval Academy 1957: The Milwaukee Braves 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: Olympics 1973: Spiro T. Agnew 1985: Orson Welles 1985: Yul Brynner 1997: Jody Williams 2004: Christopher Reeve 2014: Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi 2015: Ankara, Turkey 2021: Daniel Craig In the center of a roundabout on the western side of Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, a bronze statue with a green-blue patina towers over a field of headstones. Its quiet there: The cemeterys bus tours do not stop at the site, and several cemetery workers said they didnt even know it existed. But the monument, simply named the Confederate Memorial, has caused quite a commotion outside the cemetery gates. The 109-year-old, 32-foot-tall work, the largest remaining Confederate memorial on public land in Virginia, is slated for removal by Jan. 1 under the terms of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibits names related to the Confederacy on any base, installation, facility, aircraft, ship, equipment, or any other property owned or controlled by the Department of Defense or a military department. The dismantling is part of a wave of Confederate symbols, names and statues that have been erased from view in Virginia after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis three years ago. The killing of Floyd, who was Black, by police reignited calls to rid public spaces of Confederate iconography. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimated more than 160 symbols of hate in 2021 alone were removed from public property after the death of Floyd, more than in the previous four years combined. For three consecutive years now, Virginia has led the nation in the removal of Confederate symbols from public spaces. Since 2020, the law center estimates 116 Confederate symbols have been removed from public spaces in Virginia. Of the 48 removed last year nationwide, 13 were in Virginia. But some, such as the massive Arlington work, remain. The statues removal has faced legal and logical challenges that its predecessors have not. Unlike the statues commemorating our Confederate dead or honoring individual generals funded by Confederate veteran groups, the Confederate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery was authorized by Congress. In the wake of the Spanish-American War, President William McKinley supported the memorial as an act of reconciliation and national unity. While the bulk of the cost was fronted by donations collected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the memorial also found support among Union veterans; the 23rd New Jersey Regiment donated $2,961 in todays money to the construction. Unlike other Confederate icons, the Arlington memorial does not depict a real historical figure, but rather a figurative one: a woman representing the American South in classical garb, wrapped in a robe and crowned with olive leaves. Below her feet, a mount depicts 32 life-size figures: soldiers and civilians, men and women, white and Black. Rare for a Confederate memorial, the installation includes two Black figures: a body-servant compelled to follow his white master into war and a weeping woman holding a child up to a departing soldier. And then there is the artist behind the artwork. Moses Ezekiel was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, a Confederate veteran and one of the first American-born Jewish artists to win international acclaim. Ezekiels involvement with the memorial went well beyond its construction. He is buried at its base alongside the nearly 500 bodies of Confederate veterans and widows. Those opposed to removing the Arlington memorial have argued that what makes it different is what makes it worth preserving. There are those such as former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., who argued that removing the statue is outside the scope of the National Defense Authorization Act. I cannot imagine that the removal of this memorial, conceived and built with the sole purpose of healing the wounds of the Civil War and restoring national harmony, could be within the intent of a sweeping sentence placed inside a nearly trillion-dollar piece of legislation, Webb, who also served as U.S. Navy secretary under President Ronald Reagan, wrote in an Aug. 18 Wall Street Journal commentary. About this story The killing of George Floyd three years ago resulted in the removal of Confederate statues and symbols in numerous communities across Virginia. In a three-part series, we look at which ones remain and what comes next. Part one: More than 100 of Virginias Confederate memorials have come down. But the process has been complex. Part two: How statues created mythological characters from Confederate generals. Part three: In the Lynchburg region, less movement towards dismantling iconography Then there are those such as Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The governor, who declined to comment for this piece, has had a hands-off approach to the debate over Confederate icons: neither supporting their removal nor directly intervening when localities choose to remove them. His approach has been so hands off that Ann Hunter McLean, a noted defender of Confederate memorials whom he had appointed to the state Board of Historic Resources, said she resigned. We have a wonderfully rich heritage in Virginia, and I think we are destroying that by destroying and removing it, McLean said in the wake of her departure. The looming January deadline, however, has moved Youngkin to speak out against the Arlington memorials removal. I have a strong opinion on this. I dont believe that statue should be removed, Youngkin said March 10, while speaking with radio host John Reid. During the interview, Youngkin cited the memorials origin as a monument to reconciliation and the numerous visits both Democratic and Republican presidents have paid to the site, as well as Ezekiel and his faith, noting that under Jewish law transferring a dead body from one grave to another is strictly prohibited. Ezekiel is buried underneath it, and by Jewish tradition he cant be moved, Youngkin said. With U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin making no move to keep the statue in place, Youngkin has since requested the Virginia Military Institute accept the memorial and place it at its Civil War museum at New Market Battlefield, roughly 80 miles from campus. The schools board of visitors has voted to accept the request, but said in a statement that it still needs permission from the Army and all the necessary funding from available federal or state resources for the project which means the artworks fate is still very much in limbo. Groups supporting the statues removal have said that the arguments posed by Youngkin, Webb and others are distorting and misrepresenting history in order to defend Confederate iconography. - We have a wonderfully rich heritage in Virginia, and I think we are destroying that by destroying and removing it." Ann Hunter McLean, a former member of the state Board of Historic Resources, on removing Confederate statues. The Southern Poverty Law Center has argued that not only must the statue go by law the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act makes that much clear but that the notion that the memorial symbolizes any sort of national unity is an outright lie. McKinley, the group says, was after Southern votes not reconciliation. If the Confederate memorial at Arlington born from McKinleys act of political expediency is a symbol of unity at all, it is this false unity created by erasing the cause of freedom from American memory and from American priority, the group said in a statement. Karen Cox, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who specializes in Southern history, said she concedes the Arlington statue is different, but that doesnt make it better than its counterparts. Even though the Arlington memorial is different and just pays homage to the dead and was built as a symbol of peace and reconciliation, it still perpetuates the Lost Cause and white supremacy, Cox said. It should be taken down. Neither side in the debate actually has any authority to preserve or remove the memorial, but the substance of the debate is significant, historians say. Its significant because it has changed. It appears the fight has shifted from monuments and symbols that glorify leaders of the Confederacy to more nameless statues and ones that simply commemorated the dead, said Thomas Brown, a University of South Carolina history professor specializing in the Civil War. The figurative and the literal Although the monuments have had their detractors since they were erected, the movement to rid the state of them really picked up momentum after the deadly Unite the Right rally-turned-riot in Charlottesville over the fate of that citys statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. It only picked up speed in 2020, when the states Democrat-controlled General Assembly passed a bill allowing localities to decide the fate of their war memorials, including Confederate monuments. But one of the real reasons Virginia has removed so many is because it had so many to begin with, said Caroline Janney, director of the John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History at the University of Virginia. Virginia was in many ways the most important state to the Confederacy, in part because they sent the most men to fight, the most famous officers like Lee and Johnston were from the state, and Richmond embraced the image as the head of the Confederacy during the war and in the Lost Cause years, Janney said. So how have some survived? Brown argues that its perhaps because pieces such as the Arlington memorial are more figurative and less visible. The mammoth statues erected across Virginia in the likeness of Lee and other Confederate officials were lightning rods, sparking mass protests and violent riots. Charlottesville in 2017 and Richmond in 2020 attracted the largest crowds and the most attention. Their memorials to Confederate leaders were also among the largest: The monument to Lee that once sat on Richmonds Monument Avenue stood more than 60 feet tall, and the monument that sat in what was once called Lee Park in downtown Charlottesville weighed roughly 1,100 pounds. Less literal monuments and more obscure tributes have attracted less attention and remain standing. Just last year, The New York Times proclaimed, Richmond's Last Confederate Statue Is Removed, after a memorial to Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill at West Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road was toppled. (The remains of Hill, who was buried beneath the statue, were reinterred in Fairview Cemetery in Culpeper, his hometown, following a long legal battle.) But The Times was wrong. Hill was the last city-owned statue to fall, but not the last statue of a Confederate in Richmond. In fact, just outside the doors of the Capitol sit three Confederates in a neat row. In the center sits a 7-foot-tall statue of Gen. Stonewall Jackson on a 9-foot pedestal; to his left on a 7-foot base is a 6-foot-tall Hunter Holmes McGuire, the Confederate doctor who removed Jacksons arm and a lifelong defender of slavery; and to his right on a 9-foot base is a 7-foot William Extra Billy Smith, a Confederate veteran who served as governor before and after the Civil War. Like with the Arlington memorial, several visitors just steps away were not even aware the statues were there. Unlike the Arlington memorial, the statues fall under the jurisdiction of the governor. And one of the key reasons they remain standing is because Youngkin has made no effort to remove them. Asked last year about their fate, the governors spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said in a written statement that he firmly believes that we must not airbrush our history. The governor believes that we must not overlook or excuse the sins of our past, but we must resist the movement to cleanse our history. But in many cases, it is exactly because Confederate memorials can be overlooked that they go undisturbed. Just south of Fredericksburg, a 23-foot-tall pyramid of rough-hewn Virginia granite stands as a monument to the 1862 Confederate victory at the battle fought there. Commissioned in 1897 by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, the pyramid has stood untouched in a field for more than a century. Perhaps because it sits on the other side of a set of railroad tracks or perhaps because its name Meades Pyramid suggests it might be a monument to Union Gen. George Meade, the pyramid largely goes unvisited and unnoticed; it doesnt even have a Wikipedia page. In Amherst, a plain obelisk stands in the grass in front of the county courthouse dedicated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1922 to the memory of the sons of Amherst County who from 1861 to 1865 upheld in arms the cause of Virginia and the South. In May, years after other Confederate memorials were toppled, the Amherst chapter of the NAACP asked that the county reconsider the monument. In a letter sent to the board of supervisors, the group never calls for the removal of the structure but rather the removal of the language used on the structure, specifically citing references to a noble cause. Our goal is a solution that is amenable to our community, the group wrote. We stand ready to collaborate. While Washington & Lee Universitys tributes to its second namesake are far from figurative or obscure Lee is in the name, after all the college has been making moves to both preserve its physical monuments while making them less visible. Chief among them: the recumbent statue of Lee in the universitys chapel. In 2014, the university removed the Confederate battle flags that once circled the statue. In 2021, it opted to change the name of the sanctuary from Lee Chapel to University Chapel. And in February, after two years of back-and-forth, the school and the city of Lexington came to an agreement to build a partial wall obscuring the statue of Lee from public view within the chapels auditorium. Rather than make their monuments less noticeable, localities in other corners of the commonwealth have added more memorial markers, contextualizing those that already exist. In a small grassy square in Christiansburg on the corner of Main and Franklin streets, a 15-foot obelisk stands in the shade of an enfeebled oak. The unadorned pillar was dedicated in 1883, honoring Montgomery Countys sons who fell in the Lost Cause. The gnarled tree standing beside it, stunted by years of nearby development, is likewise a monument to that cause. Planted in 1902 by Montgomery County treasurer and Confederate veteran Arthur O. Sullivan, the Constitution Oak celebrates the adoption of Virginias 1902 state constitution. Basically what it did was disenfranchise African American voters at that time, said Montgomery County Museum of Art & History Executive Director Casey Jenkins. And in its way of reclamation, it tried to disenfranchise any freedoms that they had guaranteed for themselves after the Civil War. The two symbols still stand, but next to them now stand three storyboards describing Black community life, education and slavery in the area. They were developed by the Christiansburg Institute, a grassroots Black cultural heritage and historic preservation organization, along with public input over a four-year process that began in 2018. Those storyboards in tandem with the other memorials provide a sense of balance, according to Jenkins. For lack of a better term, that square is no longer whitewashed, Jenkins said. Were telling those fuller stories, making sure that all voices are a part of those stories. Impounds, graveyards and museums These are the circumstances that most Confederate memorials will likely remain standing, according to historians. Those that are taken down, often with the promise of future relocation and contextualization, are frankly never going to be seen again, they say. A lot of statues may end up in storage facilities like impound lots or somewhere that can hold them, Janney said. Many we wont see again. Thats despite the promises many of the statues procurers have made once the monuments were removed. Museums such as Richmond's Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia were supposed to receive multiple statues removed from Monument Avenue in 2020, according to Mayor Levar Stoney. But three years later, workers at the museum, who declined to be quoted, said they havent received and never will receive them simply because the weight of the statues would break the floors of the museum and some are too tall to even fit through the doors. Theoretically, leaders can say, Let's put a statue in a museum, but logistically, physically and financially, it makes no sense, Janney said. Museums have a hard enough time storing small collections, much less storing and displaying 20-foot-high statues that weigh tons. The Black History Museum said in a statement that it remains committed to ensuring the Confederate monuments, objects that were created and intended to glorify and ultimately perpetuate the ideology of those who led the fight to enslave African Americans, are repurposed so they are no longer used in that way. The museum, however, did not say how it planned to ever accept the statues that cant fit in its facility, nor did the mayors office answer what the city planned to do with the statues in the meantime. Similarly, Charlottesvilles statue of Jackson, removed in 2021, was loaned to the LAXART museum in Los Angeles after removal, but two years later, it has not even left the East Coast. LAXART obtained the statue along with two other Confederate monuments from the city of Baltimore. Those statues are being held at a car impound lot on the side of a Baltimore highway surrounded by a chain-link fence. Though clearly visible, when employees at the lot were asked if the statues were still there, they said they could neither confirm nor deny their presence. LAXART has, however, confirmed that the statues are not on the West Coast, and the exhibition meant to feature them is still only in the planning stages. 'MONUMENTS' will feature existing and newly commissioned works of contemporary art displayed alongside decommissioned Confederate monuments, including the Stonewall Jackson monument. Planning for the exhibition is still underway, Danielle Bias, a spokeswoman for LAXART, said. Moving the monuments poses a financial and logistical challenge, and placing such large statues in museums risks overshadowing neighboring exhibits and essentially establishing them as attractions for both tourists as well as the white supremacists, neo-Nazis and neo-Confederates who once defended them from removal. Until they were threatened with removal, they rarely attracted large crowds. Thomas Chapman would know. He leads the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society, and works across the street from the park in downtown Charlottesville where Lee once stood. According to Chapman, most of the time, the park was quiet. People would not travel out of their way from far and wide to see these statues, Chapman said. There werent even any large ceremonies with the statues besides a couple of Confederate anniversaries. They werent a mecca for white supremacists. Placing them in an art or history museum could incidentally attract more visitors to the statues post-removal than when they were originally standing. This could be ameliorated by following the lead of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center in Charlottesville, which obtained the citys Lee statue free of charge after its removal in 2021 and has so far successfully fought off legal challenges to its ownership. The center plans to melt down the statues bronze and use the material to build a more inclusive and appropriate piece of public artwork that expresses the citys values of inclusivity and racial justice, according to a statement. The organization has christened the project Swords Into Ploughshares. The two groups that attempted to block the statues destruction, Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation and the Ratcliffe Foundation, expressed concerns that the statue had already been melted down. But the citys attorney Richard Milnor has said Lee had merely been disassembled and stored at an undisclosed location. Because of the legal challenges, a gag order had been imposed guarding the location of Charlottesvilles Lee statue. A Freedom of Information Act request, however, identified a foundry in Nashville, Tennessee, as its current location. When contacted, the foundry denied the statue was there. Other monuments locations are even more ambiguous. In 2020, the United Daughters of the Confederacy removed a statue that once stood in the heart of Alexandria. Erected in 1889, the Appomattox portrayed an unarmed Confederate soldier facing south with a bowed head, standing on a base inscribed with the names of Confederate soldiers from Alexandria who died in the Civil War. The statues location was unknown for two years before the base, without its crowning figure, resurfaced at Bethel Cemetery in the city by the graves of 10 members of Col. John Singleton Mosbys rangers and 15 soldiers of the 17th Virginia Regiment from the Alexandria area. Neither the city of Alexandria, the United Daughters of the Confederacy nor cemetery owner James Clink would say when, how or why the pedestal had been moved to the cemetery or where the missing statue is being kept. Clink has publicly said he would like to have the rest of the memorial installed at the cemetery, but has acknowledged the United Daughters of the Confederacy ostensibly the group fostering the statue wont even tell him where it is. They wont say, Clink told local news outlet ALXnow in February, just that its in a big crate. The fates of Alexandrias, Charlottesvilles and Richmonds statues essentially unknown suggest Arlingtons memorial will likely join them in the ether. Will we see it again? Brown of the University of South Carolina asked. Once its down, I doubt it. Haley Sandow with The Daily Progress contributed to this report. We are a nation besieged by sedition and paralyzing division, rife with politicians taking a jackhammer to democracy and the rule of law. But the true menace to our body politic is a woman who engaged in online sex. Thats the conclusion I drew from the opinion piece in Sundays Times-Dispatch by Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia. Its headline posed the provocative question: If performing sex online is not disqualifying, what is? Well, I can think of a lots of things. Well get to those later. Its not as if I wasnt taken aback at the news that Susanna Gibson, a Democrat running for the House of Delegates, had livestreamed sex acts with her husband on a site called Chaturbate. I wondered: What in the world was she thinking? Did the Democratic Party of Virginia vet her at all? But I share the conclusion voiced by Larry Sabato, head of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, who told Times-Dispatch reporter Charlotte Woods that we live in a completely different era and almost nothing is disqualifying. Who could dispute that? Frankly, sex scandals involving men are old hat in U.S. politics. And certainly, the actions of Thomas Jefferson and Bill Clinton were far more egregious than what Gibson was caught doing. This hasnt prevented her detractors from saying her actions are disqualifying. That includes Cobb, whose nonprofit describes itself as a non-partisan, faith-based organization that advocates for policies based on Biblical principles that enable families to flourish at the state and local level. Thats a dubious goal in a nation based on religious pluralism, but whatever. Susanna Gibsons behavior speaks to poor moral character and little integrity, Cobb wrote in Sundays Commentary section, in a piece that included lurid details of Gibsons online behavior. The pornography industry, she wrote, has destroyed lives, marriages, and abused countless women. Gibson has clearly put her political ambitions in front of her children and her family. She continues to seek office despite the intense scrutiny she invited into her life, knowing this was out there, Cobb writes, before concluding that Gibson has proven she is unfit for office. The voters in the 57th House of Delegates district have an important decision to make, Cobb said: I hope they make the right one. Whether Gibson remained in the race or not was a matter between her and her family, not The Family Foundation. Whether shes fit for office or simply less preferable than her opponent is a decision for voters to make. But seriously? In a nation on the precipice of collapse for want of decency and democracy, this is the moral high ground upon which The Family Foundation is planting its flag? Where is this outspoken outrage as Donald Trump, the darling of Americas Christian right, so clearly demonstrates his poor character and a lack of morality, integrity and fitness for office? Lets start with the porn. Thats awful stuff. Now lets move on to his existential threats to Americas future. Trump lied repeatedly and continues to lie about the 2020 election he falsely claims was stolen from him. He refused to do what all of his predecessors had done: peacefully submit to the transfer of power to his successor. Instead, he incited the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his supporters seeking to overturn the election of Joe Biden. For hours, he did not intervene as a violent insurrection took place that imperiled Congress and Vice President Mike Pence and resulted in loss of life. When he finally told the insurrectionists to leave the Capitol, he said: We love you, youre very special. And in May, during a CNN town hall, he said he would likely pardon a large portion of Jan. 6 rioters convicted of federal charges. And now, facing 91 felony counts in four criminal cases in Washington, New York, Florida and Georgia, he has resorted to bullying and menacing language that places judges, jurors and prosecutors at physical risk. This is the definition of disqualifying. But dont take my word for it. Its there in black and white in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. Lest you dismiss or disregard this as yet another inconvenient passage in our foundational document, you should know that assorted legal scholars say this amendment disqualifies Trump from seeking the presidency again, including retired conservative federal judge J. Michael Luttig and Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Laurence Tribe. Trump not only is disqualified by his deeds, but his words. In a recent interview with The National Pulse, Trump the runaway frontrunner for the GOP nomination and the leader in some head-to-head polls against President Joe Biden said undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Thats language straight out of Mein Kampf, where Adolf Hitler wrote: All great cultures of the past perished only because the originally creative race died out from blood poisoning. Finally, in a post last month on his Truth Social website, Trump wrote that if hes elected president, the LameStream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events. He added: They are a true threat to Democracy and are, in fact, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! The Fake News Media should pay a big price for what they have done to our once great Country! A wannabe autocrat and his feckless acolytes are willing to take a wrecking ball to democracy and the constitution. Its hard to see how families would flourish under those circumstances. We dont have the luxury to clutch pearls over a novice politicians pornography. The stakes are much higher. Voters have an important decision to make, alright. I hope they make the right one. Close 05-22-1962 (cutline): Tiny neighbor (left) of Poe Shrine has been refurbished. After opening tomorrow building will be available for meetings. 09-19-1965 (cutline): Poe Museum stands a few feet from throb of industry. Thomas Jefferson Garden Club keeps garden. 09-30-1969 (cutline): Poe Museum garden requires chores for each season. P.H. Arnall, Herman Brauer, Stevens Hughes, F.K. Bekh. 12-30-1962 (cutline): Schedule change The Poe Shrine, administered by the Poe Foundation, was opened yesterday for the first winter season in a decade. Mrs. Mary Nash Goodwin (center), administrator, and Miss Mary Mason Hold, hostess, watch George Clark paint over the old schedule. Mrs. Goodwin said national interest in the shrine, partially because of the discovery of some first editions of Poe's letters in an attic there, prompted the foundation to open it for the winter. The shrine's Tuesday-through-Saturday hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday and Monday the hours will be from 1:30 to 4 p.m. 04-16-1964 (cutline): New foundation for oldest house Threats of rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the guests at the reception help yesterday at the renovated Poe Museum. Mrs. David C. Morton (from left), Mrs. John Bell Williams, Mrs. Frank S. Johns and Mrs. Richard S. Reynolds look at the fountain which has just been erected in memory of the late Turner Arrington, a former president of the board. From the Archives: The Poe Museum Richmond's Poe museum pays tribute to the American author and poet Edgar Allan Poe. Although Poe never lived in the house, the museum contains the largest collection of his manuscripts and personal items in the world. 05-22-1962 (cutline): Tiny neighbor (left) of Poe Shrine has been refurbished. After opening tomorrow building will be available for meetings. 09-19-1965 (cutline): Poe Museum stands a few feet from throb of industry. Thomas Jefferson Garden Club keeps garden. 09-30-1969 (cutline): Poe Museum garden requires chores for each season. P.H. Arnall, Herman Brauer, Stevens Hughes, F.K. Bekh. 12-30-1962 (cutline): Schedule change The Poe Shrine, administered by the Poe Foundation, was opened yesterday for the first winter season in a decade. Mrs. Mary Nash Goodwin (center), administrator, and Miss Mary Mason Hold, hostess, watch George Clark paint over the old schedule. Mrs. Goodwin said national interest in the shrine, partially because of the discovery of some first editions of Poe's letters in an attic there, prompted the foundation to open it for the winter. The shrine's Tuesday-through-Saturday hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday and Monday the hours will be from 1:30 to 4 p.m. 04-16-1964 (cutline): New foundation for oldest house Threats of rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the guests at the reception help yesterday at the renovated Poe Museum. Mrs. David C. Morton (from left), Mrs. John Bell Williams, Mrs. Frank S. Johns and Mrs. Richard S. Reynolds look at the fountain which has just been erected in memory of the late Turner Arrington, a former president of the board. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, reviews honor guards Tuesday with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest, Romania. Zelenskyy met with his counterpart in Romania for talks on regional security and to strengthen bilateral ties against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia was defeated in its bid to regain a seat in the U.N.'s premiere human rights body by a significant majority in Tuesday's election in the General Assembly, which voted last year to suspend Moscow after its invasion. Mexican wanted in Panama for sexual abuse extradited Mexico City, Mexico The Government of Mexico has extradited a Mexican man to Panama wanted for sexual abuse. The man, identified as Moises B, has been accused of sexually abusing two minors. The charges date back to 2013. In an FGR statement, the Attorney Generals Office (FGR) reported that in compliance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the Republic of Panama, Moises B was extradited after being arrested in Mexico in 2022. In 2013, Moises B sexually abused two minors. After being arrested in February 2022 in Leon, Guanajuato, the Government of Mexico granted the extradition of the defendant to the Government of Panama, they reported. Moises B, of Mexican nationality, was wanted by the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, for crimes against sexual freedom and integrity in the form of rape, and other sexual crimes to the detriment of two minors, the FGR detailed. The fugitive was handed over at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Panamanian agents Tuesday. Quintana Roo joins National Health Agreement to ensure free care for less fortunate Riviera Maya, Q.R. The State of Quintana Roo has signed an agreement that will ensure the less fortunate received free health care. On Tuesday, Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa signed the agreement, joining 22 other states across Mexico. The National Agreement for the Federalization of Health Services was promoted by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Governors of 23 states have joined this Agreement to have a single, universal, public, free, preventive and social justice health system. In Quintana Roo, the Oncological Hospital of Chetumal, the Community Hospital of Tulum and the Nicolas Bravo Hospital, currently in charge of the IMSS-Bienestar, have been transferred to INSABI. INSABI (Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar), is the Institute of Health for Welfare. It is a government agency that provides medical services to those people who are not covered by the Mexican Social Security Institute or the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers. Based on the New Agreement for Wellbeing and Development in Quintana Roo, work is being done so that the people who need it most have access to health services. On Tuesday, Lopez Obrador reported that with the signed National Agreement for the Federalization of Health Services, 53.2 million Mexicans will have the right to receive free medical care. The agreement will benefit 80 percent of the population that does not have social security in the country. In addition, it will allow the transfer of 707 hospitals and 13,966 health centers to the IMSS Bienestar network, he explained. With this, IMSS Bienestar becomes the largest public health care system on the planet. It is a challenge that could only have occurred in a transformative government such as the government of President Lopez Obrador, the General Director of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), Zoe Robledo Aburto said. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday called an emergency meeting to discuss the economic and security impact of the escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, his office said. The meeting will be held in the afternoon with the attendance of Foreign Minister Park Jin, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, Industry Minister Bang Moon-kyu, National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyou-hyun, First Vice Finance Minister Kim Byoung-hwan, presidential chief of staff Kim Dae-ki and National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong. Yoon instructed the government during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday to remain alert and respond closely to the external uncertainties surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while thoroughly preparing safety measures for Korean residents and travelers in Israel. (Yonhap) Two military planes repatriate hundreds of Mexicans from Israel Mexico City, Mexico Nearly 300 Mexican nationals have been repatriated from Israel on two humanitarian flights into the war-torn zone. The first plane left the war-torn country Tuesday carrying 140 Mexican men and woman. It was the first of two flights sent to return Mexicans wanting to leave the country home. The crew of the first flight of the Mexican Air Force successfully completed the boarding of the compatriots who will soon be safe in Mexican territory, thanks to the repatriation plan of the Government of Mexico. We will be able to take another second humanitarian flight to Mexico with 140 people, said Mauricio Escanero, the Mexican Ambassador to Israel. According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), the first plane took off from the Ben Gurion International Airport in the city of Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 10. The plane will make technical stops in Antalya, Turkiye, Shannon, Ireland and Gander, Canada before finally landing in Mexico City. At least 140 Mexican nationals boarded the first of two flights. Photo: SRE October 10, 2023. According to Mauricio Escanero, 140 Mexicans were able to board on the first flight, he said after the arrival of the Boeing 737-800 in Tel Aviv. We are going to continue providing all the protection and support that the Mexican community requires to return to our country, he added through a video shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE). Mexicans stranded in Israel board humanitarian flight for home. Photo: SRE October 10, 2023. On Wednesday, the second Humanitarian Flight of the Mexican Air Force took off from Israel. The flight crew is made up of officials sent by the SRE, Consular Protection and Social Communication, as well as military personnel from Sedena, including military medical specialists, the SRE reported in their statement. Conservatism doesnt really produce or nurture writers nowadays. The notable exception in the past couple of generations is Tom Wolfe, who died in 2018. Wolfe was universally beloved. He sold millions of copies of his various writings. Wolfe had a distinctive Southern-gentleman look, complete with trademark white suit and vest, a high-necked blue-and-white-striped shirt complemented by a creamy silk necktie as Time magazine once put it; a distinctive reportorial style of writing that borrowed from the wild and flamboyant habits of his subjects; and an ironic view of liberal pieties, which liberals couldnt help but admire. His novels, journalism, and essays have, furthermore, a kind of unity as an exploration of the crazy and wonderful uses Americans make of their freedom, as best he was able to document. Wolfe took from his Southern upbringing an interest in Stoicism as the defining feature of American manliness, which may be connected to his willingness to look at the various revolutionary goings on in America since the 60s without hysteria or enthusiasm. Yet it is hard to say if he will have a legacy because, as I noted, conservatism today is largely uninterested in such eccentric figures, and Wolfe nevertheless was a conservative. Five years after his death, we begin to reckon with this question. We now have our first Wolfe documentary, Radical Wolfe, directed by Richard Dewey and distributed by Kino Lorber. Its based on Michael Lewis long Vanity Fair profile of Wolfe back in 2015. Lewis might be the only famous writer to imitate Wolfe in trying to find exorbitant or shocking American adventures to chronicle in bestselling nonfiction accounts like Moneyball and The Big Short, which have since become famous Hollywood movies. He guides us through the documentary competently, he exudes admiration for Wolfe, and he makes us wonderWhy is no one imitating Wolfe in our times? The documentary follows Wolfes career chronologically, from his first success, The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby (1963), to his last, the novel A Man in Full (1998). It largely respects his privacy, which he always guarded, and proceeds instead to talk about his writing on the reasonable presumption that audiences dont really know him, so they need an introduction in the manner of Wolfes greatest hits. This is safe, since, if you already know Wolfe, youll no doubt want him celebrated, and if you dont, youre likely only to care if he was a big success. Wolfe was a success, a big success, and so Radical Wolfe is a success as well. About halfway through the film, we get to the most important of Wolfes stories, Radical Chic, about a fundraiser that composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein threw for the Black Panthers. The book, composed of two long essays, was a remarkable hit in 1968 and is the only time Wolfe satirized the liberal elites on a political issue. Here, the documentary makes a most predictable and unwittingly comic choiceit gets a Black Panther to applaud Bernstein and moralize. After all, liberalism must be above satire and race questions must be sacred. This is the documentarys only real defect: it demonstrates not only that the people behind the documentary, though they may applaud it, do not share Wolfes daring, but also that, since the turbulent 60s, weve gradually grown very timid. Thats in part why we cannot have anyone like Wolfe anymore. The documentary shares some quotes from Radical Chic, adds photos, and tells some of the stories about its inception and reception. One brief clip is of a Bernstein daughter complaining about hurt feelings. That struck me as silly but very revealing. We cannot have Wolfe nowadays because no public figure can stand hurt feelings, and there are lots of ways for celebrities to protect themselves when it comes to such matters. Celebrity worship is the order of the day; our endless PR includes occasional scandals and some moralistic crusades, but satire is intolerable and talent is accordingly warned off. But theres a deeper meaning to satire. The Bernsteins were obviously very vain people who knew next to nothing about American politics but believed they could improve it and be celebrated for it. A silly utopianism may be imputed to them, as to many rich liberals today; ordinary people would say that its easy to be liberal when you dont live with the consequences of your beliefs. Wolfe humiliated rich liberals and thus briefly restored the order of political rank in which the American consensus regarding law counts more than celebrity and the elites dont get to defy the people with impunity. Obviously, this is impossible today because the consequences are dire. We might remember therefore that the function of satire is something not far from crying to God about the injustice of the world. Moralism helps our elites hide from themselves their iniquity; the ruin of freedom of speech also helps them hide from popular disapproval. So it really is up to God to chastise them at this point. I think youre likelier to understand Wolfe and appreciate his writing if you keep this in mind. As for the documentary itself, it comes well recommended, in a way. Wolfes daughter, Alexandra, a writer herself, makes a few appearances. Celebrity historian Niall Ferguson, too. Then there are some of Wolfes longtime collaborators in journalism and publishing. Finally, angel investor and public intellectual Peter Thiel. In this way, the documentary allows some of Wolfes conservatism a hearing. But Radical Wolfe is too short at 73 minutes and suffers from not allowing these guests much more than blurbs. It does let Wolfe speak for himself, however, but it fails to consider what he might have wanted to achieve or how America would be different if Wolfe had more imitators. Our understanding of Wolfe hasnt really begun. We still live with the aftereffects of liberal ideals we dont really believe anymore. Wolfe seems to fit a lot of them: local boy made good, hero against the establishment, stylistic revolutionary, youth worshipper, iconoclast, part of the mad rush of events whose art of writing a flattery made us believe we experienced Progress not merely questionable novelties. Radical Wolfe recaptures all these cliches and serves them at the same time as standards by which we should remember and admire Wolfe. Thats why it will gain countless viewers as soon as it hits streaming. Wolfe is something else, though: hes a writer who wanted Americans to face up to the radical conflict between science and morality embodied in his time, especially in men. But one of his novels, I Am Charlotte Simmons, shows that the future of America is womenmanly women who insist on themselves and their pronouns, if you allow the remark. Its not an accident that its a college novel, since thats how women have come to dominate so much of America. Maybe now, with this accomplished, we can finally see how strange Wolfes male protagonists are, and how strange and delightful America is. A vehicle ran into the Childrens Nest Learning Center in Troutville on Tuesday, state police reported. The crash happened at the learning center, located on Laymantown Road at its intersection with Knollwood Drive. A 2014 Toyota SUV struck the building and two infants and a teacher were injured, according to a state police news release. They were transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and there was no immediate details on their conditions, according to the release. The SUV was operated by Bertha Marie Elliott, 84, of Troutville, according to the release. She was injured in the crash, and was transported to the hospital, according to the release. Elliott was charged with reckless driving, according to the release. About this story: This is part of a series about Confederate symbols across the state and elsewhere. Read the series here. The contentious issue of removing imagery of the Confederacy and relics of the Old South from public spaces isnt isolated to Virginia. Monuments like Stone Mountain Park, a colossal carving of Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson in a hillside near Atlanta, have been a continued source of controversy. Alabama and Mississippi, which still close most government offices for Confederate Memorial Day, also have grappled with how to handle memorials and honors. Disputes continue today, and lawmakers in several states, including Arkansas, have passed legislation to forbid local officials from taking down Confederate monuments. Rivka Maizlish, a senior research analyst for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks the use of Confederate images, said it's likely that trend will continue. "There are dedicated activists all over the country who are trying to get rid of Confederate symbols in their state," she said. "But seven states have these preservation laws that make it extremely hard and sort of illegal sometimes to change or alter any memorial that's been around for longer than a year even." And more than 150 years after the Civil War ended, artwork honoring the Confederate States of America remains in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Seven people with ties to the Confederacy are featured in the National Statuary Hall Collection, which includes two statues that each state selects. One statue is of Davis, who represents Mississippi. The statue of Lee, which represented Virginia, was removed in December 2020. It was added in 1909, about 44 years after the end of the Civil War. Elsewhere in the nations capital, the Washington National Cathedral recently installed stained-glass windows depicting themes of racial justice in the spaces that formerly held depictions of Confederate generals. The new windows, titled Now and Forever," show African Americans marching for equality. The previous ones were installed in 1953 and donated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. You can't call yourself the National Cathedral, a house of prayer for all people, when there are windows in there that are deeply offensive to a large portion of Americans, said the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of the cathedral. The Associated Press contributed to this report. PHOTOS: The fall of Richmond's Confederate monuments Some nursing students at Radford University Carilion are moving to a new building after fall semester, as the school works around growing demand and limited learning space in downtown Roanoke. Nursing programs are moving about a mile away from the medical school facilities at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital, over to the Roanoke Higher Education Center in December, the university announced recently. There is an increased demand for new nursing graduates, the announcement reads. The move will allow us to enroll more students in the nursing programs. The move applies to graduate and undergraduate nursing students in upper-level courses at RUC, not nursing students on main campus in Radford, or first and second-year students at RUC. Services are unchanged for all students, its just an expansion of learning space. The move allows for additional instructional space for high-impact practices focused on student success, including laboratories and classrooms, according to the announcement. Additionally, the Radford School of Nursing Clinical Simulation Center in Roanoke is located at RHEC on the first floor. The move will be completed in time for spring semester starting January 2024. School officials in March discussed plans to construct a new Radford University Carilion building by 2028. The school is cramped for space inside its current confines at the community hospital, officials said at the time. Radford Universitys presence in Roanoke could further expand as officials previously said they were contemplating the need for a residence hall downtown to serve medical school students. Concrete is the foundation for nine students initially benefitting from a new scholarship fund at Virginia Tech. A $10 million donation created the Preston and Catharine White Endowed Diversity Scholarship, the university announced Tuesday. Its a program that will expand to provide scholarships between $5,000 and $7,500 for as many as 80 students annually. First-year computer science student Elroi Elias is one of the first recipients. Being a first-generation college student and the oldest sibling in her family, Elias said she is something of a guinea pig when it comes to college. I dont want to leave a big burden, and this scholarship allows me to just focus hard on school, Elias said in the announcement. My biggest fear was to be in debt, and this scholarship eases that. Preston White, a former university Board of Visitors member and past owner of Century Concrete, said he decided to start the fund after considering three founding members from the early days of his firm that now employs more than 500 people. I ate lunch with them, worked with them, took them home and picked them up, White said in the announcement. I got to know them pretty well but never thought about the fact that I had a college degree and they didnt have high school degrees, it was just where we were in life. That was 57 years ago, when White started Century Concrete with one excavator and those three employees: B.C. Cross, Earl Carter and Sylvester Riddick, each middle-aged, Black men who worked for years with White. They were hard workers and never missed a day and put a lot into it, White said in the announcement. I never really thought a lot about it until my wife and I got talking. When they sold Century Concrete in spring 2022, White and his wife, Catharine, discussed how they could make a difference by helping others, and circled back to those three hardworking employees who helped set the business foundation. We thought, if we give back why not give back to honor people who never had the same opportunities we did? she said in the announcement, thinking of those three early employees. They went to school before integration, and certainly before college was as welcoming to them as it might be now. Preston White, class of 1963, and family have given more than $21 million to the university across various programs, the announcement said. This scholarship fund, their largest donation, adds to Virginia Tech diversity efforts, a top university priority. I look at the divisions of all the people in this country and the world, and a lot of it comes from lack of education, probably the bulk of it, White said in the announcement. If we can educate everybody, things will change. The Whites namesake scholarship will prioritize in-state applicants who as high schoolers attended Virginia Techs Black College Institute, as well as students seeking to participate in Black student groups, plus aspiring engineers, construction and real estate students. Among a mix of other possibilities, some scholarship students could go on to jobs with Champion Concrete. White is otherwise involved in educational advocacy efforts nowadays, according to the announcement. But the Virginia Tech legacy continues at the company he started. The presidents a Hokie, our vice president of operations is a Hokie, and I would say half of our project managers are Hokies, White said. We recruit heavily at Virginia Tech. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed two laws to require the California State University system and urge the University of California system to update the state on their progress to return Native American remains to tribes In its upright position, the Seven of Swords represents lies, scheming behavior, and a lack of conscience. If this card appears in a reading, it suggests that you may be resorting to unscrupulous methods to achieve your goals. Manipulative behaviors, such as deceit and trickery, may be employed to gain an advantage in personal relationships or professional endeavors. It serves as a reminder that there are alternative ways to attain your objectives, ones that are more ethical and authentic. When the Seven of Swords represents another individual in a reading, it serves as a warning to remain vigilant. Someone may be attempting to take advantage of you or deceive you in some way. Take a closer look at the people in your life and assess whether their intentions align with your best interests. Trust your instincts and be wary of hidden motives, as they will soon be revealed if you remain attentive. Advertisement Money and Career Meaning In the realm of career and finances, the Seven of Swords suggests that improvements can be made in how you handle professional matters. If you find yourself resorting to deceitful tactics, such as inflating product descriptions or making promises you cannot keep, it is time to reassess your approach. Honesty and transparency are more likely to yield positive results, fostering trust and building lasting relationships with colleagues and clients. Avoid the allure of get-rich-quick schemes and instead focus on building a solid foundation for success. Love and Relationships Meaning When it comes to matters of the heart, the Seven of Swords in an upright position can indicate that you are grappling with thoughts of infidelity or deceit within a relationship. It is crucial to consider the consequences of your actions and the impact they will have on your partner. Engaging in open and honest communication is essential to maintain a healthy and genuine connection. If you are single, be cautious of potential suitors who may exhibit deceitful tendencies. Take the time to get to know them before committing to a long-term relationship. Health and Spirituality Meaning In matters of health, the Seven of Swords suggests the need for further investigation and testing. If your symptoms persist despite previous medical advice, seek a second opinion to ensure a proper diagnosis. Additionally, this card serves as a reminder to avoid engaging in behaviors that may jeopardize your well-being. Listen to your body's signals and take appropriate action to maintain your health. On a spiritual level, the Seven of Swords urges you to trust your intuition and conscience. Beware of individuals who may try to manipulate or deceive you in matters of spirituality. Stay true to yourself and follow your inner guidance, allowing it to guide you on your spiritual journey. A rodeo clown from the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo gives a smiles as she walks down Austin Street to the Guadalupe County Fair and Rodeo during the fair parade on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. The by-election for the chief of Seoul's key district kicked off Wednesday, with the result expected to serve as a key barometer of voter sentiment ahead of the parliamentary elections slated for April next year. Eligible voters in Gangseo Ward started casting their ballots at polling stations at 6 a.m., according to the National Election Commission (NEC). The voting is to run until 8:00 p.m. The turnout was tallied at 35.9 percent as of 1 p.m., the election watchdog said. The tally reflects the results of the two-day advance voting over the weekend. Although the election will only decide who will become one of Seoul's 25 ward chiefs, it has gained much attention, with the turnout for the advance voting recording the highest ever in the country's by-election history. During the early voting on Friday and Saturday, 113,313 out of the 500,603 eligible voters cast their ballots, representing a turnout of 22.64 percent, the NEC said. The by-election takes place after former ward chief Kim Tae-woo was removed from the post in May due to a suspended prison sentence for leaking secrets he gained while working for a special inspection team under former President Moon Jae-in. Although the seat was vacated due to Kim's conviction, the ruling People Power Party has named him as its candidate after his right to run in the election was reinstated following a special presidential pardon in August. Kim's rival in the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is Jin Kyo-hoon, a former deputy chief of the national police. A total of six candidates are running in the by-election, including Kim and Jin. (Yonhap) Higher debt costs, weak forex to impact S-REITs 3Q2023 performance as reporting gets underway on Oct 16 A JP Morgan update on the outlook for S-REITs just ahead of their 3QFY2023 business updates and financial results makes for a sobering read. Higher borrowing costs and weak forex are likely lead to y-o-y declines in 3Q2023 DPU for S-REITs reporting results, says JP Morgan in the update. Keppel DC REIT which reports business updates on Oct 16 kicks off the reporting season. Rents signed by tenants during Covid are likely to be renewed this year and next. In 1H2023 and 2Q2023, rental reversions in particular for industrial S-REITs were positive. The hotel sector should also benefit from record high July 2023 RevPAR, JP Morgan says. Risk-free rates have been rising on an overall basis, accounting for the 10% decline rear-to-date in prices based on the iEdge S-REIT Leaders Index. We recommend investors continue to stay on the sidelines and for those that need to stay invested in the sector to hide in CapitaLand Ascendas REIT A17u , CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust and Frasers Centrepoint Trust J69u . We remain underweight on Mapletree Logistics Trust, Keppel REIT and Suntec REIT, JP Morgan adds. On the whole the research note says that positive rental reversions are likely to continue for retail and industrial REITs, given that tenant sales are above pre-Covid levels, with occupancy costs ranging in the teens (16% to 18%), and the potential moderation in electricity costs. Singapore office rents moderated in 3Q2023, falling by 0.3% q-o-q, to $11.29 psf pm. JP Morgan says office REITs should still be able to report reversions as spot rents are up 12% since 3Q2020 (office leases are generally three-year leases). For office, investors should be alert to possible shadow space given WeWorks travails. CICT has rented an entire building to the operator. For industrial REITs, the key focus could be the degree of negative rental reversions in China. Both MLT and CapitaLand China Trust (CCT) have warehouses in China, and CLCT also owns business parks where conditions have been challenging. Story continues The exception to the positivity around the hospitality/ lodging sector could be CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS). Although it reported sterling 1H2023 financials with revenue up 30% y-o-y, gross profit up 31%, distributable income up 26% and distribution per stapled security up 19%, the dilution caused by its capital raising is likely to be immediate. Since its acquisitions and capital raising were announced, CLAS stapled security price is down more than 20%, and trading 10% below the offer price of $1.02 for the preferential equity fund raising. Since its acquisitions are from its sponsor, an EGM is required, and this will be will be held on Oct 24. Elsewhere, investors may be focused on vacancies in Mapletree Industrial Trust Me8u s data centres in the US, and CLARs business parks. Given 19% increase in business/science park supply over the next four years, updates on pre-commitment for CLAR and MINTs developments will be sought with investors also focused on backfilling of Googles space at ATP for Frasers Logistics and Commercial Trust (FLCT). In addition, FLCT and FCT will be undertaking their annual valuation exercise. This is likely to be positive for FCT. However, FLCT may provide details on its Australian and European portfolio which could be impacted by forex and in the case of Europe cap rate expansion. JP Morgan warns it may cut valuations if 3Q2023 results show that S-REITs are weighed down by higher cost of debt, weak foreign currencies, and stubbornly high risk-free rates. See Also: Foreign food delivery trio hit with fines for working without valid work passes in Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty Images) (Getty Images) SINGAPORE Three foreigners were fined on Tuesday for illegally working as food delivery riders in Singapore without valid work passes. In a statement on Wednesday (11 Oct), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also said that two other individuals, a Singaporean and a permanent resident (PR), have also been fined for abetting illegal activities by providing the foreigners with access to food delivery platforms. Currently, only citizens and PRs are legally allowed to work as food delivery riders in Singapore. How much were the foreign nationals fined for working as food delivery riders? Ng Teik Chuan, a Malaysian national, was fined $10,000 for working as a food delivery rider on the MilkRun and LiveExpress platforms from May 2022 to March 2023. According to the MOM, the 36-year-old had earned around $17,000 before being caught by ministry officers during a delivery in March. In the same month, Indian national Amanullah Faizal Navas, 37, borrowed the Foodpanda account of Singaporean Muhammad Mubeen Muthibbi Sahul Hameed. Mubeen, 47, shared his login information with Amanullah, enabling him to access the Foodpanda platform using his facial recognition. Both individuals were fined $3,800 each. According to The Straits Times, Amanullah, who had been working in Singapore for 12 years, was between jobs and discontinued his food delivery work after public intervention. He did not withdraw his earnings of $540 from Mubeen's account. Meanwhile, a third foreign individual, Chaw Soon Yaw, 28, used his brother's Deliveroo account from December 2022 to March 2023. His brother, Soon Song, a 23-year-old PR, was also fined $5,000. On 10 March, Soon Yaw, a cook in Singapore, discovered that his brother's Deliveroo account had been suspended after a member of the public alerted him to the illegality of foreign workers in the food delivery sector, reported The Straits Times. By that time, Soon Yaw had earned more than $2,000 as a rider. MOM takes action to curb unauthorised food delivery work by foreign nationals In September, the MOM announced its ongoing efforts to collaborate with major food delivery platforms to strengthen account security and prevent unauthorised use by non-eligible individuals. Story continues Foreigners who are self-employed without a valid work pass can face imprisonment of up to two years, fines of up to $20,000, or both. Upon conviction, they are permanently barred from working in Singapore. Local delivery platform workers who enable foreigners to use their accounts may also face similar penalties. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. [Source] Chinese actor Liu Haoran was called out by many on Chinese social media after he walked for Balenciaga at Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 1. Why theyre angry: Netizens took issue for two reasons: first, Balenciaga was once accused of mistreating Chinese shoppers, and second, Lius modeling coincided with Chinas National Day. Walking for a brand that disrespected China on National Day? Bro, are you out of your mind? one comment said, according to Singapore outlet Today. Others expressed frustration at those who have forgotten. Sure enough, the Chinese people have no memory, one wrote, as per Sin Chew Daily. More from NextShark: Canada and Australia Pull Out of Tokyo Olympics as Coronavirus Continues What happened in 2018: The Spanish-founded, French-based fashion house sparked outrage in China in 2018 after one of its Paris stores allegedly mistreated two Chinese shoppers. At the time, the store was holding a sales event. Reports say the mistreatment started after a Chinese shopper called out a group of five non-Chinese individuals for cutting a queue. One of them allegedly shoved and threatened to beat her. More from NextShark: Apples Adult Filters Block the Word Asian in Browser Search The womans son tried to protect her, but the rest of the group allegedly ganged up and beat him. A security guard reportedly intervened but only handled that Chinese guy." Below are clips from the incident: The aftermath: The chaos led to the cancellation of the sales event. Footage of the incident also spread on Chinese social media, drawing fury. More from NextShark: Blackpink's Jisoo to star in K-drama 'Snowdrop' coming soon to Disney Plus Shortly after the incident, Balenciaga released a statement to apologize. Balenciaga sincerely apologizes to the customers who were present and reaffirms its strong commitment to respect equally all its customers, the company said. Criticizing Balenciaga: Chinese netizens have also been vocal in their criticism of Balenciagas products in recent years. In 2020, Weibo users slammed the brand for releasing ugly, tacky and tasteless bags, which came with an ad campaign that reminded them of photography studios in rural China in the 1990s. Story continues Last May, Chinese social media users roasted Balenciaga for releasing extremely worn sneakers for $1,850. Months later, they torched the brand yet again for its $1,800 trash bag, as well as a Lays collaboration bag (of the same price) that they say looked like something worth $3 on AliExpress. More from NextShark: China claims to have a better 'democracy that works' after not being invited to Biden's Summit for Democracy A view of the skyline in Singapore, January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia (Caroline Chia / reuters) By Daniel Moss (Bloomberg Markets) Rarely has a piece of antique office machinery been so venerated. The 1970s Hewlett-Packard calculator occupies a special place in Singapore storytelling. One of the first to roll off HPs production line in the city-state, the number cruncher sits inside a glass case at the National Museum. The display is intended to showcase the republics openness to and prowess in attracting investment. Its also an homage to the role state muscle played in attracting the likes of HP and assuring the company that Singapore was a place it could call home. This is no ordinary exhibition. Its part of a series of events to mark the centenary of the birth of Lee Kuan Yew, the founding prime minister of Singapore, a man lionised for his role in crafting a prosperous society and laying out the welcome mat for business. The retrospective encourages Singaporeans to see their country as an entrepot, with some justification. The port is one of the worlds busiest, Changi Airport is consistently ranked highly, and the government is spending tens of billions of dollars to upgrade them both. The commercial activity coursing across the island has helped make its gross domestic product per capita among the highest in the world: more than $80,000, a level inconceivable when Singapore split with Malaysia in 1965. Lee and his successors embraced free trade as a route out of poverty. They also wielded government brawn in the name of economic and social development. Right-wing American think tanks and fans of Brexitwho dreamed of a Singapore-upon-Thames as a kind of free port of Europehave held the country up as the epitome of a hands-off approach. Income taxes are low, though levies on consumption are rising. Infrastructure is top notch, businesses can be set up easily, and contracts are readily enforced. Strikes are almost unheard of. Government corruption is so rare that it makes a splash whenever a senior official is probed, as is currently happening to one cabinet minister in a case thats grabbed headlines even though few specifics have been spelled out. The city-state ranks high on surveys measuring ease of business. According to one measure, Singapore overtook Hong Kong last year as Asias top financial centre. Story continues But this is just part of the story. Officialdom is never far away. Curbs on the sales of chewing gum and bans on jaywalking have long been staples of tourism folklore, but they tend to trivialise the pervasive role of government. State-backed companies play a big role in commercial life; the government-owned investment company Temasek Holdings is the largest shareholder in key publicly traded companies such as Singapore Telecommunications, DBS Group Holdings and Singapore Airlines. Most people live in public-built housing. Contributions to the Central Provident Fund, the national pension and savings plan, are mandatory for citizens and permanent residents; not only does it help fund retirement, but deposits on Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats can be paid by drawing on ones account. The leading grocery-store chain was founded by the central labor union group, a partner of the ruling Peoples Action Party. The main preschool operator boasts its status as a PAP community foundation. An identity card with fingerprints and a raft of biometric data are required for basics, such as visiting a clinic, opening a bank account and buying a phone, or the superfluous, such as getting a foot massage. The policies that steer existence from cradle to grave are, of course, for Singaporeans to choose. Theres nothing inherently wrong with energetic administration. A functioning, competent state is among the foundations of successful society. Its vital to meeting some of the centurys critical tests, like public-health emergencies, the demands of an aging society and climate change. As essential especially for those outsiders who deem the country as a model for their own is recognising that modern Singapore, for all its strengths and attractiveness as a place to live, didnt just happen. Little has been left to chance, as John Curtis Perry, a professor at Tufts University, wrote in his 2017 book, Singapore: Unlikely Power: Carefully planned and skillfully executed, under the firm guiding hand of Lee Kuan Yew, a centralised highly bureaucratic state concentrating on economic development began to take clear form. Government served as the avant garde of change, acting on behalf of the people, perceiving their wants as a comfortable life with political stability sustained by a rational pragmatic rule. The people, voicing their favorite pursuits as eating and shopping, fell into line nicely, voting overwhelmingly and continually for the PAP. Stamford Raffles typifies the shading in economic life. Raffles is remembered for establishing a free port on behalf of Britain in the early 1800s. Yet he was no dyed-in-the-wool free trader. He worked for the East India Co., a behemoth that championed monopolies, conquered territories, levied taxesand then required a bailout by the Bank of England. Today the Raffles name adorns elite schools, medical clinics and a subway station downtown. Theres the Raffles Hotel, even a brand of beer. As Singapore endeavours to straddle escalating US-China commercial and diplomatic tensions, the imagery of Raffles may be even more valuable and his statue downtown sacrosanct. He tells people that the past, and authority, is far from banished, merely updated to reflect contemporary needs. This change doesnt have to produce sinister results or dire outcomes. The way in which government is enmeshed in Singapore life is illustrated by the handling of the coronavirus. Singapores low number of deaths and hospitalisations and limited school closures meant the country was considered a model. What wasnt sufficiently appreciated beyond Singapores shores was how sui generis were the conditions for such success. The country has a single chamber of Parliament and no pesky federal system to complicate decision-making and provide a forum for pushback. A contact-tracing app was required for entry into everything including the workplace and public bathrooms. Failure to comply with masking and limits on social gatherings risked fines, prison sentences and, in some circumstances, expulsion. Showing the undulating lanes of state enterprises, furloughed staff from Singapore Airlines joined the ranks of safe-distancing ambassadors, clad in red, quick with their cameras to report in cafes and on nature trails folks not complying. They were sometimes a benign, even helpful presence; other times, intimidating and bordering on the punitive. Did Singapore go overboard, keep restrictions too tight for too long? Many foreign businesses were beginning to wonder. The 2020 recession was the worst the country had experienced. Officials prevailed upon bosses to protect the Singapore core at their workplace. Employers insufficiently attentive to advancing the careers of locals were on a watchlist, one minister told Parliament. Who was on that list? Hard to know, other than that Temasek-linked companies werent included. There was real fear of straying from not only the governments directives but also its perceived preferences, and, problematically, gray areas. Stuff such as this doesnt have to be the end of the world. Future pandemics will surely come, and Singapore has a template ready to go, warts and all. The biggest challenge Asian societies face is demographics. Although Japan has long been the poster child of an ageing and greying society, that countrys birthrate looks hearty compared with its neighbourhood. Singapores total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman can expect to bear, retreated to 1.04 last year; 2.1 is considered the rate at which a population naturally replenishes itself. Singapore is on its way to becoming a super-aged society, according to the government, which estimates that by 2030, almost a quarter of Singaporeans will be 65 and above. Theres a natural role for policymakers to arbitrate and cater for this shift. In his National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the eldest son of the founding prime minister, outlined plans to top up state pensions and refit HDB townships for coming changes. This demographic challenge, like many, is framed in terms of collective will. If all segments of society, not least the state, come together, then the Singapore story has room to run. Nobody expected us to survive, much less to flourish, the premier said in his speech. But each time, we beat the odds. Each time, we showed the world what Singapore can be. This focus on the group, and the emphasis on cohesion, has become a significant part of Singapores fabric. The drawback is that it discourages risk-taking and fosters an embrace of the conservative. Speaking at a recent conference, Larry Summers, the former US secretary of the treasury, questioned whether, for all the attention Singapore showers on the knowledge economy, creativity is accorded the value it deserves. I wonder how a person with the mixture of traits that Elon Musk has, or that Steve Jobs had, would function and would or would not be permitted to flourish in the Singaporean system, Summers said. The optimal amount of rule-breaking in a creative society is substantially greater than zero. It prompts the question, with just months left in the LKY centennial year, whether another truly mould-breaking leader could climb to the top today. It hung over the conference, as it has over many gatherings dedicated to celebrating the city-states achievements and canvassing ways to prolong them. The agency at the core of the campaign to lure HP and its descendants is the Economic Development Board, which almost functions as a hotel concierge, albeit with a stick. In an interview for the book Neither Civil Nor Servant by Peh Shing Huei, former EDB chief Philip Yeo recounts bullying the principal of the Singapore American School to find a place for the child of the man Western Digital Corp. appointed to run its local operation. SAS is a private institution, older than the Republic of Singapore itself. No matter, the industrial czar called. Fall into line. Yeo didnt quibble with terms like social engineering provided it delivered for Singapore. It was jobs that mattered, he told Peh. In effect, survival. Im not your theoretical kind of guy. I dont really care about the structure of the Singapore economy, because to me the structure is provided by the companies. What we provided were land, educated people, utilities, water. What I wanted was to provide a home for them, a place for them to operate. Whatever Singapore looks like in its second half-century, the state will have a mighty role in getting there. The hand isnt invisible, and thats the way Singaporeans like it. Moss is a Singapore-based columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. This column doesnt necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Bangladeshi worker dies after worksite incident at Sun Sails Build-To-Order Project in Sembawang. (PHOTO: Screengrab/Google Maps) (Google Maps) SINGAPORE A 29-year-old Bangladeshi construction worker died after an accident on Monday (9 October) at the Sun Sails Build-To-Order project site in Sembawang. According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the worker was struck by a material waste bucket that was being hoisted by a crane, and fell 10 storeys. Construction site accident at Sembawang Avenue In a statement to the media, the MOM said the worker had been on the 10th floor of a building under construction at Block 371B Sembawang Avenue, assisting a crane operator in guiding the material waste bucket's lifting operation. The MOM said the bucket swung and struck the worker, causing him to fall 10 storeys to the ground together with the fall protection barriers. The worker was brought to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. According to the MOM's statement, the worker had been employed by Jian Xin Construction. "As a general safety measure, lifting crew, such as riggers and signalmen, should maintain line of sight of the lifted load, and ensure their positions are free of danger," the MOM said in its statement. The Ministry also instructed BHCC Construction, the worksite's occupier, to halt all lifting operations. Sun Sails housing project, featuring a total of 726 two-room flexi, three-room, four-room, and five-room units, encompasses eight residential blocks varying in height from six to 13 stories. The project was initiated in November 2020, with an expected completion date set for 2025. This incident marks the latest in a series of workplace fatalities in 2023. According to the MOM, there were 14 reported workplace fatalities in the first half of 2023, compared to 30 workplace deaths in 2020, 37 in 2021, and 46 in 2022. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. Iran has denied any involvement in the attack (-) A potential intervention by Tehran-backed Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and uncertainty over the role played by Iran itself are risk factors that could push the unprecedented conflict between Israel and Hamas into a wider regional war, analysts say. For now, there is no indication of an impending offensive by Hezbollah against Israel, despite growing border tensions. Iran, officially at least, has insisted it has no involvement in the Palestinian militant group's assault on Israel. While some neighbouring Arab countries -- which have been keen to improve relations with Israel -- see a chance to play a role as mediator. But the situation is extremely volatile. Thousands have already been killed on both sides since Hamas on Saturday launched its devastating attacks against Israeli civilian targets, prompting massive Israeli retaliatory strikes on the densely-packed Gaza Strip. But even as Israel contemplates a ground offensive in Gaza, it could face a nightmarish second front on its northern border against Hezbollah, with which it went to war in 2006. On Wednesday, the two sides traded fire for a fourth day. Earlier this week, Hezbollah said three of its members had been killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon. "We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict," a senior US defence official, who asked not to be named, told journalists in Washington. - 'Contained reaction' - So far there is no sign of Hezbollah, which analysts say is a more formidable fighting force than its Palestinian ally Hamas, launching a similar offensive of its own. "A conflagration is not in the interest of Lebanon which is going through a major political and economic crisis", said Hosni Abidi, director of the Geneva-based Center for Studies and Research on the Arab World and the Mediterranean (CERMAM). "Yes, there is a risk of spillover but even Hezbollah has a contained and calibrated reaction," he said. Story continues For Agnes Levallois, vice-president of the Institute for Mediterranean Middle East Research and Studies (IREMMO), Hezbollah's activity in southern Lebanon is a warning. "But I don't think it's in their interest for this to escalate," she said. Key regional powers such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia also appear more eager than in the past to seek to calm tensions and boost their international prestige by playing the role of mediator. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de-facto ruler who had been seeking a normalisation of ties with Israel, told Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in telephone talks he was working to prevent "an expansion of the conflict". Steven Cook, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations said it's "unlikely" there would be any kind of "interstate conflict" between an Arab army and Israel. But he added there is "a real danger" of an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, a "nightmare scenario". "It's something that I think everybody should be on high alert for," he added. - 'Taking the risk'? - The greatest risk may be from Iran's clerical leadership, which has always refused to recognise Israel and regards it as the Islamic republic's arch regional enemy. Iran has long backed Hamas financially and militarily but supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday denied "rumours" that Tehran was involved in the Hamas assault, while urging "the whole Islamic world" to support the Palestinians. The intervention was unusually swift and explicit by Khamenei, who often waits days before commenting on such issues. French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said he considered it "likely" that Hamas had received outside "help" in its attack against Israel while stressing there was "no formal trace" of any "direct involvement" by Iran. For its part, Israel has never ruled out military action to thwart Iran's nuclear programme and is believed to have been behind several operations inside Iran in recent years including the November 2020 assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. "Iran's cooperation with Hamas is not new but I do not see Tehran taking the risk of a regional conflagration," said Levallois. For Denis Bauchard, advisor for the Middle East at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), the key issue is who is Israel's main enemy in this conflict: "Is it only Hamas or is it Iran?" "There is above all a risk of a conflagration if Israel considers -- rightly or wrongly -- that this operation was instigated by Iran," he said. dt-sjw/cb/jm YES 933 DJ Hazelle Teo got in trouble with her boss because of a revealing outfit. (PHOTO: Instagram/heyhihazelle) (Instagram/heyhihazelle) She was feeling happy with her outfit at Blackpink's concert in Singapore, but her sartorial choice wasnt a fashion hit with everyone. Local radio DJ Hazelle Teo, known for her body positivity, revealed to 8days that she later got a text from her boss over her concert attire. Teo, 29, said, I went to the concert in this outfit by Moschino. I thought it was very cute. It's this short black cropped top with an inflated heart at the front. I was happy to wear it there, and I felt happy in my own skin. However, her boss texted her a few days later, suggesting that she reconsider your choices of outfit next time. Teo enquired whether the remark was due to the outfit itself or the way she shot her photos and videos at the concert. Her boss then said she should consider the stations image and Teo apologised for overlooking that. Sometimes, when I go out for personal reasons, like attending a concert, I tend to forget that I have other things to think about, said Teo, adding that if it was an event for the station, she would never have worn that. That said, Teo doesnt feel like shes restricted, as the station is a second home that all 12 DJs work hard to contribute to, and she doesnt want to pull everyone down by being uncooperative. Very comfortable about how she looks When asked about the criticisms she has received, Teo said she has many an inevitable situation as someone in the public eye. Though she has received nasty comments about her appearance, she isnt bothered by them as she is very comfortable with how I look. What weighs on her more is when she receives feedback about her command of Mandarin not being up to par. She clarified that she doesnt see it as a personal attack, and its something that will make me reflect very hard on myself. Teo said to 8days, It is a form of criticism, but it is actually constructive. It makes me think about the things I said on air to make them leave that comment. I'm hard on myself when it comes to performing well. Story continues Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. SIOUX CITY -- The Iowa Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld the murder conviction of a Sioux City man who stabbed another man to death outside a Sioux City apartment building. A three-judge panel ruled District Judge Steven Andreasen did not abuse his discretion when he denied Michael Landrum's attorney's request during the August 2021 trial to introduce a toxicology report showing the victim had methamphetamine, marijuana and alcohol in his system at the time of the fatal fight inside and outside the apartment. Andreasen had ruled the report's possible prejudice to the victim outweighed its probative value to the defense. A jury found Landrum, 57, guilty of first-degree murder for the Sept. 11, 2020, stabbing of 37-year-old Salahadin Adem and attempted murder and willful injury for the stabbing of Natasha Drappeaux. Landrum was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Landrum stabbed the pair after the three had been drinking in the apartment that Adem and Drappeaux shared at 2103 Nebraska St. Drappeaux testified Landrum became upset after she rebuffed his sexual advances. He left and returned with a knife, then stabbed her five times in the arm and chest with a steak knife before Adem stepped in and scuffled with Landrum. The fight moved outside, where Adem was stabbed 24 times in the face, chest, back and arms. Landrum testified he had had enough of Drappeaux "mooching" off of him by coming to his home to use the shower. Landrum said that on the night of the stabbing, he had gone to her apartment to confront her about it. Drappeaux became furious, grabbed a knife from her kitchen and attacked him, he said. Landrum said he took the knife from Drappeaux, fending her off before fighting with Adem. Landrum testified he had acted in self-defense, and Adem was the aggressor in the fight. His lawyer had attempted to introduce Adem's toxicology report at trial, but was denied. The appeals court said the report had little to no value because the defense never showed during trial that Adem's alcohol and drug use caused him to become violent, and a medical examiner said she couldn't determine what effect the substances could have had on Adem's behavior that night. SIOUX CITY Sioux City voters on Tuesday reduced the field of candidates for a lone seat on the City Council from three to two, with the results of the primary election pushing incumbent Julie Schoenherr and challenger Tom Murphy onto the Nov. 7 general election ballot. Unofficial election results from the Woodbury County Auditor's Office showed Schoenherr got 42%, while Murphy received 31% of the vote. Challenger Tricia Frederick, vice president of mortgage lending at Guaranteed Rate, received 26% of the vote. "I'm very, very happy that I made the next round; and I would like to thank everybody that voted for me and all the people that supported my campaign," Murphy said by phone Tuesday night. Schoenherr said in a statement provided to The Journal Tuesday night that she is confident she can "build a better tomorrow for Sioux City" with voters' continued support. "I want to express my appreciation for the incredible support that I have received. I am truly humbled by the overwhelming show of encouragement and trust that you have shown me. It is not easy to come out on a weeknight, especially when there is only one item on the ballot," she wrote. "Yet, here you are, standing with me and showing your unwavering support. As we move forward towards the November elections, I want you all to know that your support means the world to me. With your help and dedication, we can achieve great things for Sioux City. Together, as a united community, we have the power to make a significant difference." There are 26,234 people registered to vote in Sioux City. With 2,390 votes cast, turnout was just 7.83%. "It was a pretty light turnout. I'm kind of disappointed, but that's the way it goes," Auditor Pat Gill said Tuesday night at the Woodbury County Courthouse. "I sent a letter to every active registered voter, told them where the election was and different methods to cast your ballot. Apparently, it just didn't generate a lot of interest." Any time there are three or more candidates, a primary election for the Sioux City Council is required. Schoenherr, a Sioux City business woman who previously owned and operated SoHo American Kitchen & Bar on Fourth Street, was elected to her first four-year term in 2019, after she edged incumbent Rhonda Capron by 361 votes. Schoenherr told The Journal last month that she is seeking a second term because she feels a commitment to serve the community. "I have witnessed firsthand the kind of impact a new thoughtful person can add to the council and what differences they can make to the city," she said. "I have a lot of projects started and a lot of conversations that are open that are leading to projects, and I really want to keep those projects going in a forward motion. I don't want them to die out." Murphy, a life-long Sioux Cityan, has a background in construction. He worked for the Sioux City Assessor's Office as a residential and commercial appraise for nine years, before joining the Sioux City Inspection Services as a residential and commercial building inspector. Murphy, who was promoted to chief building inspector, retired after serving the city for 32 years. "My goal, if I am elected, is to ensure Sioux City is a safe place to live and raise families. I enjoy listening to what people have to say and am very approachable," he said in a statement provided to The Journal, last month. "It is essential that the City of Sioux City promote economic growth, public safety, infrastructure and tax relief. I definitely have a common-sense approach and have been well-respected by my peers." SIOUX CITY Less than 8% of registered voters turned out for Tuesday's City Council primary election. Even though there are 26,234 people registered to vote in Sioux City, just 2,390 ballots were cast. Unofficial election results from the Woodbury County Auditor's Office showed incumbent Julie Schoenherr netted 42% of the vote, while challenger Tom Murphy received 31%. Another challenger, Tricia Frederick, vice president of mortgage lending at Guaranteed Rate, received 26% of the vote. After the votes were tallied, Auditor Pat Gill expressed his disappointment in the turnout, which was lower than that of the last primary election. In October 2019, 43,934 people were registered to vote in Sioux City. With 4,456 votes cast in the previous primary, turnout was just over 10 percent. "It was a pretty light turnout. I'm kind of disappointed, but that's the way it goes," Auditor Pat Gill said Tuesday night at the Woodbury County Courthouse. "I sent a letter to every active registered voter, told them where the election was and different methods to cast your ballot. Apparently, it just didn't generate a lot of interest." Any time there are three or more candidates, a primary election for the Sioux City Council is triggered. Gill explained Wednesday that state law requires every city in Iowa to have the primary format for the nominating process, but he said lots of cities have gone to nominations by petition. He said the other option is a runoff election. The City Council could change the nominating process by ordinance, according to Gill. "All cities have the primary format to begin with unless they take action to change the nomination process," he said. "It is state law. I've heard people comment that I was the one who decided to do a primary." Gill said $50,000 was budgeted for the City Council primary election, but he said he doesn't yet know what the exact cost will end up being. Gill said the city was billed $27,000 for the 2019 primary, but noted that costs have gone up since then. He said there were fewer precinct elections officials this go-round. Voters will head back to the polls on Nov. 7 for the general election. Gill expects the voter turnout to be a bit more robust with ballots also being cast in the race for school board. Eleven candidates are vying for five open seats on the seven-member board. "Yes. I think there will be far more interest in the November election," Gill said. When you see a lot of candidates in the school race, that will probably generate a lot of interest." Schoenherr, a Sioux City business woman who previously owned and operated SoHo American Kitchen & Bar on Fourth Street, was elected to her first four-year term on the City Council in 2019, after she edged incumbent Rhonda Capron by 361 votes. Schoenherr said in a statement provided to The Journal Tuesday night that she is confident she can "build a better tomorrow for Sioux City" with voters' continued support. "I want to express my appreciation for the incredible support that I have received. I am truly humbled by the overwhelming show of encouragement and trust that you have shown me. It is not easy to come out on a weeknight, especially when there is only one item on the ballot," she wrote. "Yet, here you are, standing with me and showing your unwavering support. As we move forward towards the November elections, I want you all to know that your support means the world to me. With your help and dedication, we can achieve great things for Sioux City. Together, as a united community, we have the power to make a significant difference." Murphy, a life-long Sioux Cityan, has a background in construction. He worked for the Sioux City Assessor's Office as a residential and commercial appraiser for nine years, before joining the Sioux City Inspection Services as a residential and commercial building inspector. Murphy, who was promoted to chief building inspector, retired after serving the city for 32 years. "I'm very, very happy that I made the next round; and I would like to thank everybody that voted for me and all the people that supported my campaign," Murphy said by phone Tuesday night. Murphy told The Journal last month that his goal, if elected, is "to ensure Sioux City is a safe place to live and raise families." "I enjoy listening to what people have to say and am very approachable," he said. "It is essential that the City of Sioux City promote economic growth, public safety, infrastructure and tax relief. I definitely have a common-sense approach and have been well-respected by my peers." Schoenherr told The Journal last month that she is seeking a second term because she feels a commitment to serve the community. "I have witnessed firsthand the kind of impact a new thoughtful person can add to the council and what differences they can make to the city," she said. "I have a lot of projects started and a lot of conversations that are open that are leading to projects, and I really want to keep those projects going in a forward motion. I don't want them to die out." First lady Kim Keon Hee met Wednesday with a group of Korean women residing in Japan, thanking them for their contributions to the Korean community there and their help in promoting bilateral exchanges, the presidential office said. Kim held a tea meeting at the presidential office with leaders of an association of Korean women in Japan, which was established in 1949 and claims a membership of more than 100,000, according to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon. "As daughters and mothers of the Republic of Korea, you are working hard for the Korean community, and for exchanges between South Korea and Japan," Lee quoted Kim as saying, referring to South Korea by its formal name. "It is more meaningful to have you here today in the sense of renewing the South Korea-Japan relationship." South Korea-Japan relations have improved significantly under President Yoon Suk Yeol, after his administration decided in March to compensate Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor without asking for contributions from the Japanese companies involved. Cho Hyeon-ja, the leader of the association's Hiroshima chapter, relayed the deep emotion she felt when Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida jointly paid tribute to Korean victims of the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bombing at a memorial in the city during the president's visit there in May. Kim responded that the joint tribute resulted from the president's decision to "give strength" to the Korean community by reestablishing South Korea-Japan ties, Lee said. "Historically, South Korea and Japan grew together through competition and cooperation," she was quoted as saying. "I, too, will help so that our compatriots, including our compatriots in Japan, can live with even greater pride." (Yonhap) SIOUX CITY A proposed merger between Iowa's UnityPoint Health, operator of UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's and other clinics in Sioux City, and the New Mexico-based Presbyterian Healthcare Services, has fallen through, UnityPoint announced Wednesday. In March, UnityPoint announced it had signed a letter of intent to explore the formation of a new healthcare organization with Presbyterian Healthcare. As a combined organization, the system would have employed around 40,000 people, including nearly 3,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians working alongside independent clinicians, educational partners and colleges. The merged organization would have seen as much as $11 billion in operating revenue, according to projections from earlier this year. As a not-for-profit health system, we must pave a sustainable path forward to continue serving our communities with care and coverage. While weve done that successfully independently, we know that partnering with like-minded health systems will allow us to accelerate our efforts, Dale Maxwell, president and Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, said in a statement earlier this year, when the letter of intent was signed. UnityPoint Health St. Luke's UnityPoint Health and Presbyterian Healthcare Services have called off their merger. UnityPoint operates UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, shown The statement from UnityPoint did not indicate why exactly the deal collapsed. "We believe this decision allows us to better meet the needs of our patients, team members, communities, and key stakeholders, Sally Gray, UnityPoint board chair, said in a statement. As we move forward, UnityPoint Health is focused on identifying new, innovative ways to deliver low-cost, high-quality care to those we serve. In another -- apparently related -- turn of events, UnityPoint's president and CEO, Clay Holderman, who had ties to Presbyterian, is departing. Holderman, previously executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer at Presbyterian, began his tenure with UnityPoint in early 2021. UnityPoint Health and Presbyterian are two organizations rooted in similar values, Holderman said in a statement earlier this year, when the potential merger was announced. In its press release Wednesday, UnityPoint said Holderman's departure came "as a result" of the unsuccessful merger, adding that he will "explore other professional opportunities and we wish him well." Attorney Scott Kizer has been named UnityPoint's new president and CEO. He was previously the organization's Chief Legal Officer. Were confident in Scotts leadership going forward, and we remain committed to showing our people, patients and communities how much they matter, Gray said in the statement. West Des Moines-based UnityPoint, the nations fifth-largest nondenominational health system and one of the states largest medical providers, operates or has relationships with scores of clinics and hospitals in metropolitan and rural communities and home care services in Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This is the second time in four years that UnityPoint has announced the exploration of a merger, then called it off. In 2019, UnityPoint signed a letter of intent to merge brands with the Sioux Falls-based Sanford Health. That transaction fell through later that year. Kelby Krabbenhoft, Sanford Health's then-president and CEO, said at the time that "the UnityPoint Health board failed to embrace the vision." JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival Wednesday to create a wartime Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighborhoods and the only power plant ran out of fuel. The new Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives. The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. In a televised address Wednesday night, Netanyahu detailed alleged atrocities that took place during the attack. "Every Hamas member is a dead man," he said. "We will crush and destroy it." The number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war rose to at least 22 with at least 17 more Americans unaccounted for, the State Department said Wednesday. That's an increase in the death toll from 14 the day before. A handful of U.S. citizens are among the estimated 150 hostages captured by Hamas militants during their weekend assault, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. In a further sign of U.S. support for Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken left for meetings with officials there. The U.S. military is moving a second aircraft carrier toward the Mediterranean Sea as part of efforts to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict. Kirby said the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its ships would be an available asset if necessary. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navys most advanced aircraft carrier, and its strike group already arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean. The new Israeli Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will be led by Netanyahu, Benny Gantz a senior opposition figure and former defense minister and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. A former chief of staff and another government minister were named as "observer" members. Still, Israel's political divisions remain. The country's chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join the Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Netanyahu's existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. Israel's increasingly destructive airstrikes in Gaza flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath debris. A ground offensive in Gaza, whose 2.3 million residents are densely packed into a tiny, coastal strip, would likely result in a surge of casualties for fighters on both sides. Hamas launched a fresh barrage of rockets into Israel on Wednesday aimed at the southern town of Ashkelon. Hamas said it launched its attack Saturday because Palestinians' suffering became intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. The UN said late Wednesday the number of people displaced by the airstrikes soared 30% within 24 hours, to 339,000, two-thirds of them crowding into U.N. schools. Others sought the shrinking number of safe neighborhoods in the strip of land only 25 miles long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territory's only power station ran out of fuel and shut down Wednesday. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. Israel on Sunday halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The sole remaining crossing from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit nearby. The Gaza Strip's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days, said Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. "We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days," Kannes said. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a reconstructive surgeon at al-Shifa, said he had 50 patients waiting to go to the operating room as more critical wounded are treated. " We're already beyond the capacity of the system to cope," he said. The health system "has the rest of the week before it collapses, not just because of the diesel. All supplies are running short." The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals' generators will run out in five days. Residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Medical teams and rescuers struggled to enter other areas where roads were too destroyed, including Gaza City's al-Karama district, where a "large number" were killed or wounded, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. Strikes have killed at least four Red Crescent paramedics, the organization said. Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst met in person Tuesday with top Israeli leaders, four days after the Iran-backed Hamas militant group launched a surprise assault on Israel from Gaza. Ernst last week led a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, including Iowa GOP U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, of Ottumwa, to Saudi Arabia, United Arab emirate, Bahrain, Jordan and Israel to support peace in the region and deter Iranian aggression. The group left on its envoy before the attack over the weekend. Tuesday, Ernst met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders, as well as American civilians in Israel, as that country bombarded Gaza in response. Ernst, co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, left the United State last week as part of congressional envoy to the Middle East aimed at encouraging Arab and Israelis leaders to move toward normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Axios reported. Saudi Arabias crown prince this week pledged to stand by Palestine, dealing a blow to U.S. efforts to form a diplomatic relationship among the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. We want to see peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Ernst told Radio Iowa in an interview Tuesday from Jordan after spending much of the day in Israel. We know that Iran fears peace. They want more chaos and terror in the region. Its time that these allies and partners in the region stand united against Iran and these extreme terrorist proxies. Ernst said she and a few U.S. House members met with Netanyahu as well as the leader of the opposition party in Israel to reassure the leadership in Israel as well as a number of American families that were there that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel. She the last three days have been filled with absolute terror for American and Israeli families. They rounded up women and children and were beheading Israeli soldiers, raping women and executing children, Ernst told Radio Iowa. It was terror. Ernst said she talked to a brother and his sister whose 80-year-old father was taken away at gunpoint by terrorists. They have no idea where he is now, what has happened to him, she said. In that same event, their other brother was killed. They went house to house, destroying the homes. burning them down. They lit bodies on fire. They were intent on a reign of terror. Ernst, a retired Iowa National Guard officer who did a tour of duty in Iraq, said Hamas is a terrorist organization no different from ISIS or al-Qaida that needs to be destroyed. They are barbarians. They are savages, and the only way we move forward from this the only way that Israel and Palestine will find a two-state solution is if Hamas is gone, Ernst said. They need to eradicated from the face of the Earth. This is a time when the United States needs to stand with our strongest partner and ally, Israel. She said the sadness and terror in Israel is palpable, listening to stories of family members that were hauled away by Hamas, children that were burned alive. Ernst also called for freezing $6 billion of Iranian assets that are part of a prisoner swap the Biden administration announced in August between the United States and Iran. Congress needs to come in and lean in heavy on this and make sure that those assets are frozen once again and make sure that Iran cannot access that money, Ernst said. We cannot continue to enable terrorism. Ernst also told Radio Iowa the United States must provide Israel with additional intelligence as well as munitions to restock its Iron Dome missile-defense system, and that House Republicans must quickly select a new speaker so Congress can act and protect the interests of the nation abroad. Miller-Meeks has been in some of the overseas meetings with Ernst, including a visit Sunday to Saudi Arabia and Monday to Bahrain, but was not part of the delegation that visited Israel on Tuesday. STORM LAKE, Iowa -- Three juveniles are in custody on suspicion of placing a prank phone call reporting a shooting at Storm Lake Elementary School Wednesday. Authorities received 911 calls at 7:51 a.m. and 7:53 a.m. in which the caller requested police at the school because of a shooting. All Storm Lake schools were subsequently locked down, and school staff and police officers escorted elementary school students into the building, where Storm Lake police officers and Buena Vista County Sheriff's deputies were positioned inside and outside while the school was under lockdown. According to a Storm Lake Police news release, investigators on the scene determined there was no credible threat and that the 911 calls were placed by a Storm Lake Middle School student. The school lockdowns were lifted. Police took an 11-year-old male from Storm Lake into custody and issued a juvenile referral on misdemeanor charges of third-degree harassment, false reports to a public entity and willful disturbance. Two other 11-year-old boys from Storm Lake both were charged with misdemeanors aiding and abetting third-degree harassment, aiding and abetting false reports to a public entity and aiding and abetting willful disturbance. All three were transported to the Cherokee Youth Emergency Services Center in Cherokee, Iowa. Police said the investigation continues, and more arrests are possible. I don't understand the stripe of Americans whose first response to Hamas' recent attack on Israel is "yeah, but ." Hundreds of attendees at a music festival murdered. Children and elderly people taken hostage. Civilians shot dead in the streets. When it comes to war, there are no angels. But there are demons, and what Hamas did on Saturday represents the latter full stop. But I do understand the many Americans who see what Hamas did and think about the danger at our southern border the Americans who are genuinely worried about the drug cartels' growing influence in border towns and beyond. I do understand the part of America who saw Saturday's horror and wondered how vulnerable we are to infiltration and attack, given the surge of asylum seekers and the U.S.'s inadequate systems for processing them. I do not agree with Nikki Haley, the GOP presidential candidate and former ambassador to the U.N., on much. But I found a lot of truth in her comments on Sunday. "I have been terribly worried about the fact that Iran has said the easiest way to get into America is through the southern border," she said on "Meet the Press." "People are coming through. They're not being vetted. Israel is the front line of defense for the Iranian regime and terrorists that want to hurt us and want to hurt our friends, and we need to be honest with the American people about that." She's right. This point is one reason conservatives are able to get elected by campaigning on immigration and border security despite offensive language. Pragmatism. They're taking seriously the Americans who are motivated not by racism or xenophobia but by well-founded fears of a dangerous world. After all, it wasn't just Israel's intelligence that missed what Hamas was planning. U.S. intelligence apparently missed it as well. It's only pragmatic to ask what else we may be overlooking and where. We just don't have a great history of being able to answer that question without racism. Quote The chaos of cartel violence, such as Hamas-style public kidnappings, looks familiar because it is. It's terrorism. Incarcerating Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor. Rampant Islamophobia after 9/11, continuing right up through former President Donald Trump's Muslim ban. Shameful chapters of wrongheaded overreaction. Can we show now that we've learned from those mistakes? The wave of migrants coming to the U.S. will test that. This summer we saw Democrats across the country, particularly Mayor Eric Adams of New York, being critical of the Biden administration's handling of asylum seekers. After announcing in August that the city had cared for more than 100,000 since April 2022, Adams said the issue "will destroy New York City." Maybe that's political theater. But I found his comments about the longevity of the crisis to be uncomfortably honest: "I don't see an ending to this." America's demand for drugs and war on drugs keep "this" thriving. Last month, the mayor of El Paso, a border town accustomed to receiving 2,000 migrants a day, said the city had reached a "breaking point" and could not continue to pay for shelter space and other services. Having received 8,000 migrants in a two-week period recently, San Diego County was similarly overwhelmed and declared a humanitarian crisis for asylum seekers late last month. Desperate civilians in Central America and Mexico take great risks to escape the drug cartel violence swirling all around them, much like Iraqis and Syrians who fled Islamic State and other destabilizing groups in recent years which is why Republicans in the House and Senate brought bills this year to designate cartels as terrorist organizations. The backers of the bills were war hawks mostly, and some of the proposed responses such as bombing Mexico are downright reckless. But the chaos of cartel violence, such as Hamas-style public kidnappings, looks familiar because it is. It's terrorism. That's why Haley's comments ring true for a lot of people, including me. Whether or not she uses her presidential campaign to guide a thoughtful conversation about border security remains to be seen. But I do know one needs to happen. Nicole is out today, so were publishing a few of her classic Care and Feeding letters. Have a question? Submit it here or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Dear Care and Feeding, Recently, I ran into another mother picking up her first-grade son from the after-school program he attends with my 10-year-old daughter, Jane. Her son (lets call him Joe) seems to have some difficulty fitting in with other kids. The boys mom stopped me and thanked me for having such a kind daughter who was nice to her son when very few other kids had been, and always made him feel included. I was really proud of Jane when I heard thatI was a bullied kid and Im glad to know that she has taken my lessons to heart about being kind. However, a few days later Jane asked if she could talk to me in private and confessed that she was having some problems with Joe. Apparently in the after-school program he has been telling everyone that Jane is his girlfriend and basically wont leave her side the whole time she is there, even sitting next to her and staring at her while she is working on her homework. She said that she knows its important to be kind and make people feel included, but hes sort of driving her insane, and she doesnt like him calling her his girlfriend. She said she had asked him directly to give her some space, told him that she doesnt like being touched when he tries to hold her hand, and has asked the teachers to help her, all to no avail. Advertisement Advertisement I want to raise a daughter who has a sense of her own worth and is willing to confront men behaving badly. I also feel a lot of sympathy for Joe, who sees a popular and (I may be biased) cute girl who is nice to him and has grabbed on for all hes worth. How do I advise her in this situation? And is it worth me calling the after-school program and asking them to do better about enforcing my daughters boundaries? Where Do I Draw the Line? Dear Where Do I Draw the Line, Advertisement This is so unfortunate. Joe is not being done any favors in this situation; learning how to hear and abide by social boundaries is as important a skill as any that we learn as children. He is, however, only in first grade, which means this is a great opportunity for him to work on this issue. Advertisement I would absolutely talk to the after-school program (be especially clear about the no-touching rule), and in the meantime, ask your daughter to treat him with the civility she would treat any other younger child in the program with, while also being extremely firm if he does something that makes her uncomfortable. If the people running the program continue to whiff on this issue, youll have to talk to Joes mother. Its so common for younger kids to get crushes on older kids, you can say, but Joe is getting a little too attached to Jane and wed like him to back off. Advertisement Advertisement This doesnt have to be about Joe being weird, or bad, or different. This is very standard kid stuff, everyone has to learn it, and youll get a lot further with Joes mother if you seem firm but unfazed by his behavior. Your daughter sounds like a lovely young woman, and very kind. Well done! Read the original column. Advertisement Help! How can I support Slate so I can keep reading all the advice from Dear Prudence, Care and Feeding, Ask a Teacher, and How to Do It? Answer: Join Slate Plus. Dear Care and Feeding, I am a mother of a 13-month-old girl, and another girl on the way! My daughter is sweet and lovely, and always smiling and laughing at everyone. She loves the attention. Ever since she has been able to smile back, people keep making the joke that she is flirting with the men. I know they are being harmless, and I am surely reading too much into it. But I am beyond weirded out. No one makes the joke when she smiles at my aunts or my girlfriends, just the menwhy would people say this?! I want to be clear: I do not feel any discomfort or danger from these people. They are not inappropriate with my daughter. I just hate the joke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She obviously does not understand what they are saying, so its no harm, no foul, right? Ive never said anything about it before. I usually move the conversation along, but I leave these interactions feeling like I didnt stand up for her. Isnt it my job as her mother to feel this way? Should I say something when it happens? Is this no big deal? Shes a BABY Dear Shes a BABY, I think you are correct both that this is a weird, heteronormative thing people say to babies (along with Is this your little boyfriend? when your baby with a vagina is obliviously stacking blocks next to a baby with a penis) and also not a huge deal. Advertisement I think that you will not be failing your tiny blob by simply maintaining a neutral expression as though no joke had been made and then changing the subject. Calling people out will usually get you an extremely defensive Are you saying I am sexualizing a baby? and things will become worse than if they simply noted that their joke appears not to have landed and moved on. If they push it, or are repeat offenders, you can get a bit crisper. I dont think Betsy is romantically interested in her Uncle Chad, no. I predict a steep decline in these comments. Read the original column. Advertisement Advertisement If you missed Thursdays Care and Feeding column, read it here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, How do I get my daughter (22 months) to stop getting completely naked at night? The first time it was funny. Shed waited till morning, had previously showed no skill or interest in taking her PJs off, and was really quite pleased with herself. The second time it was much less funny, as shed smeared poop on pretty much every available surface. Another time recently, shed done it early in the evening (we checked on her when we went to bed, and found her curled up completely asleep and completely naked) so we had to wake her up and put everything back on. Shes not doing it every night, but its often enough that its a problem. In addition to the potential mess, she wakes up pretty early in the mornings, probably because shes naked and cold. Advertisement Advertisement Most nights shes wearing the basic Carters one-piece PJs, with a diagonal zipper and a snap at the top or something similar. (Also cloth diapers with snaps, but I think any diaper is probably easy to get off.) I know she can definitely get a shirt off and is getting good with pants, as well. Just Keep Your Clothes On! Dear JKYCO, Advertisement Hahahahahahahahaha. Well, yes, this is extremely common and also annoying as heck (especially when it gets messy). But marvel at her fine motor control! My solution is actually pretty straightforward (and has been tested in the field): You gotta put the jammies on backward. Most of the time you can do it fairly easily (and I sense its worth it to you to acquire a few new PJs that can be worn backward with ease). Either that will hold her, or she will become a Cirque Du Soleil performer and you can be proud of her and tell all your friends. Advertisement One quick question, though: Hows the temperature in that room? She may wake up naked and cold, but is it warmer when she goes down at night? Just something to think about. Read the original column. Dear Care and Feeding, My husband and I are expecting our first child, and we happen to live in a city where day care is extremely competitive. Im talking two-plus-year waitlists everywhere we toured. I want to increase our chances of getting into one of these coveted programs any way I can. The majority of these great programs are run by churches. While we happen to be atheists, Im not opposed to religion, and I think its good to expose our child to it as an option they may want. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My in-laws are super religious and will demand we get baby baptized in their religion. Im fine with that. Its just a little water, and theyre not trying to make me convert (yet). Advertisement Heres the problem: In an effort to dramatically increase our chances of getting into a good day care, I want to join the church of my No. 1 pick. Its not the religion of my in-laws. My husband thinks we should just hope for the best and let the chips fall where they may. Is it ethical for me to join a church because I want the day care, given that I like the community aspects but dont currently believe in God? My husband thinks this is a horrific abuse, since I am directly benefiting from a community I dont belong in and would not be a part of without the day care. Advertisement He has no issue with the baptizing, since we get no benefit other than making his parents happy. I think theyre both on the same ground ethically, since I am not particularly fond of my in-laws religion and will never attend a service there or join that community. Wolf in Sheeps Clothing Dear Wolf, Advertisement I agree that both of these ideas are pretty much ethically equal, and that your husband obviously prefers the one that gets his parents off his back. I myself am a practicing Christian, and let me tell you: All kinds of people show up. Cold people, hungry people, believers, immigrants seeking sanctuary, unbelievers praying to be freed from their unbelief, unbelievers who just want to get out of the rain, people who are mentally ill, unbelievers who have been showing up for 20 years to stay in Aunt Margos will, smug believers who are annoyed by the cold and hungry people, people who thought they were entering a museum, etc. Advertisement Is it a church whose values you think are appropriate for your child? This is what matters. I couldnt enter a homophobic church if it meant my child ascending directly to the finest school in all the land, but could I hang out an hour a week with the Episcopalians and stand and sit when everyone else does and sort-of listen and then steal some cookies on my way out and say, Great sermon, Pastor Tim? Why not. If getting into this day care means enough to you to show up, go for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, they know your little game. Plenty of churches attached to day cares are keeping the lights on by contributions from uninterested parents hoping to get a leg up on the competition. Advertisement Whats ethically broken is the lack of universal day care in this country. What youre proposing is up there with jaywalking. I am more comfortable with the idea of you showing up and being technically open to what this church is saying than I am with you verbally pledging to raise your child in your in-laws faith, knowing as you say so that its a lie. But, you know, thats because I think God can hear you. If you dont, why would you care? If it all turns out to be malarkey, Ill see you in the great Void or in Valhalla or the afterlife of whoevers right soon enough. But yeah, your husband is totally overplaying his hand. Have a day with the exact amount of blessing you desire! Read the original column. Nicole This article was originally featured in Foreign Policy, the magazine of global politics and ideas. For news, expert analysis, and background on the conflict, read FPs latest coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. I can only compare their attack to ISIS, Haim Regev, Israels ambassador to the European Union and NATO, told Foreign Policy from his office in Brussels. It was a reference to the hundreds killed and dozens more abductedincluding women, children, and older peoplewhen armed Palestinian militants infiltrated southern Israel early Saturday morning. The world must put pressure on Hamas to release Israeli hostages unconditionally, Regev said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, promised to unleash fury. He called up 300,000 reservists and alluded to an imminent ground incursion. Netanyahu warned Gaza residents in Hamas areas to get out, as Israeli armed forces amassed at the de facto border with Gaza in preparation. Their ostensible mission, judging from the fiery statements of Israeli officials, will be to decapitate Hamas and definitively end the threat it poses to Israel. But its less clear what that might mean in practice. Is Israel in a position to eliminate Hamas? Would it be sufficient to force members of Hamas leadership to leave Gaza? Would they have to be killed? Or is Hamas inevitably a permanent fixture of Palestinian politics so long as there isnt a permanent resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Advertisement Advertisement Although Netanyahu may not admit it, he likely understands that Hamas has a lifeline in the form of its Israeli hostages. As long as Israeli citizens are in Hamas hands, Netanyahu will be under pressure to eventually negotiate their release. In 2011 the Israeli government released more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, captured by Palestinian militants who entered Israel through a tunnel. Advertisement In an interview with Al Jazeera, a senior Hamas leader said the group has captured enough Israelis to seek the release of all Palestinians in Israeli prisons. What we have in our hands will release all our prisoners, said Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy chief of Hamas political bureau. Al Jazeera reported that there are more than 5,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails. That includes 33 women and 170 minors, according to Addameer, a prisoners rights NGO. Advertisement According to a report first published by Xinhua, Chinas state news agency, Qatar is mediating a deal between Israel and Hamas to get female Israeli hostages released in exchange for female Palestinian prisoners. With U.S. support, Qatar is seeking to accomplish an urgent agreement, an anonymous source told Xinhua. But thus far, there is no official word on any such deal. So far, the Israel Defense Forces have increased Israels leverage by arresting a senior Hamas leader, Muhammad Abu Ghali, the deputy commander of the southern division of Hamas naval force. They are also building pressure on Hamas leadership by blockading Gazas supply of food, fuel, and power. Advertisement Advertisement Rescuing Israeli hostages is a priority for Israel, but that is only one of the many reasons holding Israel back from a definitive ground incursion that it has long contemplated and decided against. The Israeli security apparatus has long believed that decapitating Hamas will require far more than a one-off, short-term military operation, and a wider campaign presents a host of challenges to Israeli authorities. It was not an accident that Israel unilaterally decided to evacuate the strip in 2005, decades after occupying the territory in 1967. Advertisement Yet the pressure is high in Israel not just for retribution against Hamas but for some significant strategic victory. Our civilians have been slaughtered, retired Col. Eran Lerman, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser, told Foreign Policy. We cannot live under this exterminatory threat. Two years ago, in a previous conflagration between the IDF and Hamas, Lerman advocated a more cautious response. Hamas capabilities must be destroyed but not to zerothat has been our idea, Lerman told me then. Iran and Hezbollah are the bigger threat, and we must remain focused on them. Advertisement Even relatively liberal and peace-seeking Israelis are expressing a shift in perspective in the aftermath of Hamas latest attack. Its scale and brutality have shocked Israel and united the diverse and quarreling political landscape, with many now seeking a permanent solution to Hamas. For many, this means removing the group entirely from its sanctuary in Gaza. Lerman said Israel can no longer allow Hamas to operate in Gaza, not after its recent murderous attack on the people of Israel. Regev, the ambassador, said Israel cannot tolerate such attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Any ground incursion that seeks a permanent diminution of Hamas, however, requires not just going in but staying back and reoccupying the strip. Israel thus faces a dilemma. Without boots on the ground, it cannot stop Hamas, but being on the ground means not just spending vast sums of money to take responsibility for the Palestinians post-conflict but also inevitably losing a lot of lives on both sides. As in the past, Israel can bomb buildings and other infrastructure in Gaza used by Hamas, such as its underground tunnel network. But events this week are proof of how such measures have been insufficient to deter Hamas from inflicting terrorism on Israel. To find and destroy capabilities not in sight and to decimate the leadership, the IDF would need to go inside Gazasupported by intelligence and air powerand scour each neighborhood, every single home, in the highly contested strip. The humanitarian cost alone of such an undertaking could be enough to deter Israel. Advertisement Moreover, the sympathy that Israel has garnered this week, despite often being seen as an aggressor in the conflict reluctant to make concessions and find peace, might soon deplete if unarmed residents of Gaza have nowhere to go and die in droves in Israeli bombings. And an armed conflict inside a Palestinian territory that threatens the lives of its 2 million inhabitants could lead to a wider conflict with Iran or its proxy Hezbollah, which has already heeded Hamas call and launched a few attacks on Israel this week. It may even inflame passions on the dormant Arab street, forcing the hands of Israels new friends in the Islamic world to stand with fellow Muslims and against Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The U.S. and Israel Are Walking a Tightrope Read More There have been demonstrations in Bahrain, Morocco, Turkey, Yemen, Tunisia, and Kuwait. Two Israeli tourists were killed in Egypt. Abdul Majeed Abdullah Hassan, who joined a rally with hundreds of people in Bahrain, told the New York Times: This is the first time that we rejoice in this way for our Palestinian brothers. In the context of the Israeli occupation and blockade, the Hamas operation warmed our hearts, he said, calling his governments participation in the Abraham Accords shameful. Advertisement A limited ground incursion could be one way out. Israelis could go in quickly and destroy current stockpiles and factories where medium- to large-sized rockets are built. But to make sure Hamas does not manufacture weapons in the future, the IDF would have to remain in Gaza. Hamas has, time and again, proved that it can adapt and build rockets in local workshops with products in daily use. For instance, it assembles crude but effective Qassam rockets with industrial metal piping and homemade fuel of potassium nitrate fertilizer and commercial explosives. None of this should come as a surprise. It has always been true that unless the IDF is permanently stationed inside Gaza, Israel cannot contain Hamas threat effectively. In 2021, while I was researching Hamas capabilities, Michael Armstrong, an associate professor of operations research at Brock University in Canada who has written about the operational performance of weapons built by Hamas, told me that unless Israelis want to stay in Gaza and occupy it, he couldnt really see how they could disarm Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, targeting Hamas members inside Gaza, where many people may support the group, especially at a time like this, requires extremely good intelligence, which probably isnt as readily available as Mossads folklore would have you believe. Regev downplayed Israels intentions toward Hamas when speaking with Foreign Policy, describing them simply as destroying their capabilities rather than occupying Gaza. At the same time, however, its safe to assume that this time Israel isnt bluffing. Even if hostages are released under an exchange, Hamas leadership faces a threat like never before. Some of its leaders are already in Lebanon and Qatar, and the group in the past has also operated from Turkey. More of its members might now be planning an escape as Israels counteroffensive intensifies. In January, the process of electing Kevin McCarthy to be speaker of the House was a circus. It lasted 15 ballots over three days and was a chaotic tire fire. There were fisticuffs live on C-SPAN, and members eventually cast their ballots for the third person in the line of presidential succession by mimicking internet memes. The race to succeed McCarthy after he was ousted last week is likely to be just anarchic, only slightly less of a scene. As Republicans prepare to select their choice to be speaker designate, the rules may more closely resemble a papal conclave than anything were used to on Capitol Hill. But the votes wont be taken in any place resembling the Sistine Chapel, and no one can accuse an electorate that includes George Santos and Lauren Boebert of being particularly holy. Instead, House Republicans will gather in a large committee room in one of the office buildings on Capitol Hill and hope that they can somehow emerge with a consensus over who the next speaker will be. It will most likely come down to one of two candidates: Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio. [Update, Oct. 11, 2023, at 2:15 p.m.: Republicans narrowly nominated Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise as their choice to lead the House, but Scalise still needs to get 217 votes on the House floor before he has the position.] Advertisement Advertisement Before the vote, on Tuesday, members listened to both candidates answer roughly three dozen questions from fellow congressional Republicans and try to make their case. It was a diverse audience that left many members skeptical for very different reasons. Mike Garcia of California, who represents a swing district in suburban Los Angeles, tried to ask both candidates what they would do to appeal to the middle third of the country. He thought that the answers were less than satisfying. I think theyre both going back to their happy places, which is a rah-rah Republican Party kind of mindset. You know, I dont think that thats the right solution, he told reporters afterward. Advertisement Ken Buck of Colorado, an idiosyncratic conservative who was one of the eight to vote to oust McCarthy, was disappointed with the lack of specificity he got on the federal budget from either of the two candidates in the forum. I am not thrilled with either one of them in terms of giving us a number that were going to spend towards. Advertisement The Colorado Republican went so far as to say that he was planning on voting for neither of the two candidates on the first ballot and that he thought that as many as 30 or 40 of his colleagues would do the same. Advertisement Advertisement In a normal world, even dealing with these issues wouldnt be terribly complicated. There are 221 House Republicans and two candidates for speaker. Scalise is an established member of House leadership who was second in line under McCarthy, while Jordan is a longtime right-wing firebrand turned McCarthy ally who currently serves as chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Republicans would gather in a room and hold a secret ballot vote. One of the two men would eventually get a majority, and all 221 House Republicans would abide by that result and vote in unison for the winning candidate on the floor of the House. But in case you havent been paying attention, things arent normal. Getting to a consensus is going to be messy. Advertisement Now the goal is simply to air as little of it on C-SPAN as possible. As Thomas Massie of Kentucky told reporters on Tuesday, January was a coronation that was really hard to pull off, and this is a legitimate speaker race. The result is that even before Republicans vote on who they will nominate to be speaker, they will first vote on a complicated rules proposal offered by Chip Roy of Texas to create a multistep process for the closed-door election. First, a candidate has to get a majority of the conference via secret ballot. Then, after a question-and-answer period, there will be a second vote via secret ballot, during which members are asked if they would support that candidate on the floor of the House. If there are less than 217 votes on that second ballot 217 is the number required for a majority on the House floor to do sothe process continues. Eventually, the ballot shifts to a roll-call vote, and if the candidate doesnt receive the support of 217 Republicans, the process starts over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the closed-door election rule passes, House Republicans could be in for a long week trapped together in their committee room until a consensus is finally reached. If it doesnt, were simply back to where things were in January, when Republicans duked it out, sometimes literally, on the floor of the House. Regardless, it will be a long week. Republicans were less than confident when asked if anyoneor anythingcould get the support of 217 members of their conference Tuesday night. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona simply repeated the phrase Thats to be seen tomorrow. He added, Hopefully members can go home or go to their beds tonight, reflect on whats at stake, and then we can just move on. It can be tricky to determine how a conflict starts in the Middle East. This region is so weighed down by disputes over land and identity that theres always some bit of nuance or scrap of context you run the risk of leaving out. But heres how the start of Hamas war with Israel felt on the ground: It was Saturday morning, Shabbat. Thats when the assault startedone rocket after another, more than 2,000 of them. Then it starts to become clear, as the morning goes on, that the rocket fire was almost cover for something else, and that the real point of this attack was to sneak people across the border, says Gregg Carlstrom, who covers the Middle East for the Economist. After the rockets, he says, militants streamed into Israel on paragliders, drove through border fences, even swam ashore from the Mediterranean Sea. Then they started going house to house. Soon, the full extent of the incursion became clear. Now Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promising a complete siege of Gaza. What does that mean for Israelis and Palestinians? In Tuesdays episode of Slates daily news podcast What Next, I spoke with Carlstrom about the immediate reasons the conflict happened when it did, and where it might be going next. A portion of our conversation is transcribed below; it has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Mary Harris: There are still so many questions about this attack. How was Hamas able to so easily take down Israels border defenses? How was the Israeli intelligence service caught so off guard? But the biggest question is: Why now? Until this weekend, Israelis seemed confident that Hamas was not looking for another large-scale conflict. Some observers have speculated that this attack has something to do with a normalization deal in the works between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The two countries have been negotiating over opening up diplomatic relations. Maybe Hamas goal was to whip up tension and disrupt those talks? Advertisement Gregg Carlstrom: I think it will certainly delay efforts at a normalization deal, and that is not for Hamas an unwelcome side effect of this, but I think their considerations are much more local or are domestic. If you look at the situation in the Palestinian territories, you have a succession crisis brewing in the West Bank, where the presidentMahmoud Abbas, 87 years old, not in great healthdoesnt have a clear successor, but theres going to be a change of power soon. There havent been elections in Palestine in almost 18 years now, but theres a moment where it seems like a political change is coming. And to me, a lot of this has to do with those domestic politics, with Hamas trying to do something that boosts its popularity amongst Palestinians ahead of a political change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And of course, at the same time, Israel has moved to the far right, and its in a strange political situation as well. It is, and we dont know exactly what happened, this intelligence failure that everyone has talked about. We dont know why it happened, and I think it will be months before we know, but one thing that Ive heard from a number of Israelis is that it has something to do with this far-right government. First, the Israeli army, the Israeli security servicestheyve really been focused on the West Bank, not Gaza, in recent months, because this government, through planned expansion of Israeli settlements and other actions, has pushed tensions to a boil in the West Bank. And so theres been much more concern about the West Bank than about Gaza. This is also a government where, you look at some of the ministers in this government, they have no experience in security matters. The minister in charge of the police, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is a right-wing ideologue who has no background at all in security. So, you combine an army that is focused elsewhere with a cabinet that is very inexperienced on these matters, and I think that that goes some way towards explaining how Israel was caught so unaware by this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, youre talking about this intelligence failure, and I feel like its worth pausing to just explain why this attack was so surprising, which means explaining a little bit about what exactly the Gaza Strip is, which is a small sliver of land surrounded by fencing and watchtowers. Its been called an open-air prison. Its also incredibly dense. So its kind of a big deal that somehow Hamas was able to launch an attack from there without Israel knowing it was coming. It is. Its a very big deal. On the intelligence side, every phone call that you make in Gaza is routed through an Israeli phone network. The Israeli security services have the ability to eavesdrop on any phone call that takes place in Gaza. They also have a network of human informants across the territory. Its remarkable when you talk to Israeli security officials; they have not been to Gaza in 18 years, since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Advertisement Because they dont feel like they need to worry about it? Theyre not able to go into Gaza. The Israelis decided in 2005 to do what they call a disengagement, to withdraw all of their troops and essentially seal it off from the world. But they are still able to, from the outside, penetrate a lot of whats happening inside. Advertisement Advertisement Then you talk about the security situation. Again, fenced off is really an understatement. In some parts of the border, there are massive concrete slabs with automatic robot-controlled weapons mounted on top of them. In other areas, they are just fences, metal fences, but they are studded with high-tech electronic sensors. The Israelis spent almost a billion dollars a few years ago creating an underground barrier to try and stop Hamas from digging tunnels out of Gaza. All of this money, all of this effort thats been put into constructing this barrier, and when it came down to it, [Hamas] just cut their way through it and drove across on motorbikes. Advertisement Advertisement I do want to note something else here, which is that Hamas does not represent all Palestinians. What has happened is between Hamas and Israel, but Hamas is only part of the picture when it comes to representation of the people who are within Gaza, right? It is, and they like to say that they are an elected government, which is narrowly true, but again, the last election, the last parliamentary election, was in 2006. The average person in Gaza is 18 years old. The median person is 18 years old, which means the last time there was a Palestinian election, most people in Gaza werent even born. So they literally have had no opportunity to choose their leadership. Ive been going to Gaza for more than a decade now, and one thing that I find increasingly when I go is: Theres a level of popular anger and popular resentment aimed at Hamas. Of course, theres anger towards Israel, theres anger towards Egypt, both of which maintain a blockade on Gaza, but the group has lost a lot of popular support. It was elected in 2006, partly as a protest vote against Fatah, which is the nationalist party that controls the West Bank. Its an incredibly corrupt party. People opted for Hamas in 2006 not necessarily because they agreed with the groups ideology but because they thought it was a cleaner alternative. Advertisement Advertisement It has turned out not to be that. Most people in Gaza think that Hamas is equally corrupt, and they think that it has done an atrocious job running the territory over the past 16 years, but they have no opportunity to change their leaders, and so theyre stuck with this unpopular, ineffective government. Lets talk about what happens now, as far as we know. My understanding is, theyre still fighting off Hamas fighters inside Israel itself. Is that so? Advertisement They are. There were some ongoing hostage situations for almost two full days after Saturdays attack, where militants were holed up inside of houses and they had taken hostages, and it took the [Israeli] army a long time to deal with those hostage situations. They also dont know how many people, how many militants crossed the border. The border fence was cut open for a long period of time, and so theyre concerned that even if theyve cleared out the towns and villages along the border, that there might be more militants elsewhere in Israel who theyre not aware of. Advertisement So, you have Israel still dealing with that internally at the same time, as you say, preparing for what will likely be a very large response in Gaza. Theres airstrikes that began a couple of days ago, but theres a debate over whether Israel will launch a ground offensive. Thats something it hasnt really done in any of its past wars in Gaza. Its something the army hasnt wanted to do because it would mean prolonged bloody urban combat, but its something that theres a lot of public demand for right now in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Yeah. Youve called attention to this analysis in Haaretz, the Israeli newspaper, saying that Israels got four bad options. Now, can you just lay out what those options are? Advertisement The first one is not a military option. Its to make a deal, a prisoner swap with Hamas [around] these dozens of Israelis whove been taken hostage and brought back to Gaza. The point of capturing them was obviously to exchange them, as Israel has done in the past. In 2011, for example, [Israel] freed about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who had been held in Gaza for five years. Hamas would like to make a similar deal and hand over these hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinians who were being held in Israel. Advertisement Related From Slate Where Israel vs. Hamas Is Heading Read More That does not seem likely, given how brutal the attack was. No, it doesnt. I think neither the political class nor the public right now is in any mood to make a deal. Advertisement So that leaves you with more-military responses, one of which is what Israel has done in past wars, which is a campaign of aerial bombing against Gaza, which has already started. That has been in the past, and that will be, again, devastating for Palestinians. In 2014, during that long war, you had thousands of people killed. You had tens of thousands of people who were left homeless afterwards. And at the end of that, the concern in Israel is that you do all of that and you dont actually change the status quo. In Gaza, you dont remove Hamas from power by doing that. You dont, perhaps, seriously degrade its military capabilities, and so this cycle might continue to repeat. Advertisement Advertisement So then, the other two options that have been floated, one of them is to tighten even further this blockade of Gaza and essentially try to starve not just Hamas but 2 million people into submission. That is more or less what Israel has been doing for the past 16 or 17 years, and it hasnt worked. The blockade has immiserated Gaza. It has left it at a point where two-thirds of the population is unemployed; 80 percent of people need humanitarian aid to survive. It has destroyed the economy, but it has not brought political change. So thats not really a viable option either. And the last is to go ahead with a ground offensive, which will be devastating for everyone involved. Advertisement Youve actually argued that what happened this weekend basically tells you about how Israels approach to Palestinians has failed, because it was assumed that if you divided the Palestinians so they couldnt reach each othertheres the West Bank; theres the Gaza Stripit would sort of dilute the power of this group. And something else happened instead, which, as you said: It just lays out that there are not good options here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I think whats particularly a grim irony about the divide-and-rule concept is: You have two entities in the Palestinian territories. You have Hamas, which is a militant group, which has been bent on Israels destruction for decades. And then you have the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank, which is led by a party that is open to a two-state solution, is open to negotiating with Israel about an end to the conflict, and has been committed to that for 30 years now. What Prime Minister Netanyahu has donewhat he has made policy over the past decade and a half that hes been in power, for that almost full stretch, uninterruptedwhat he has done is tried to empower Hamas and weaken the P.A. Because his ultimate goal is: He doesnt want to negotiate. He doesnt want to have a two-state solution. He doesnt want to make a deal with the Palestinians, and so he has done everything in his power to weaken the P.A. Hes refused negotiating with it. He has, at various times, imposed economic sanctions on it, cut off tax revenues that are meant to be handed over to the P.A. Hes tried to weaken the more moderate body. And at the same time, he has empowered Hamas by being willing to cut prisoner deals with it, negotiate with it on various economic concessions to Gaza, and we see where that has led. Listen to the full conversation on What Next here. K-pop boy group EPEX dropped its latest album, "Can We Surrender?", bringing its "Prelude of Anxiety" series to a compelling close while highlighting continued growth. The octet, featuring members Wish, Keum, MU, A-Min, Baeksung, Ayden, Jeff and Yewang, officially launched its sixth album, Wednesday, giving a captivating performance at a press event held on the same day at Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul. The "Prelude of Anxiety" series continues a narrative the group initiated since its debut, alongside "Prelude of Love." It delves into the tragedies of school violence, challenges of growth and accompanying frustrations and hopes faced by today's youth. This video was produced by Do Hien Thao, a K-pop team video producer at The Korea Times. The formation of a unity government in Israel, with power shared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and one of his most popular political opponents, is a major developmenta necessary step to sustain support for the war, on the home front and among Israels allies, as the fighting is about to intensify. Just as important as the step itselfwhich was announced on Wednesday and will last only as long as the war doesis the new governments co-leader: Benny Gantz, a former Israeli defense minister and army chief of staff whose party won more votes than Netanyahus in the 2019 election but failed to piece together a majority coalition. Until Saturday, Gantz had said he would never join a government with Netanyahu. After Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, Gantzas well as other opposition leadersdecided to put nation above party. The fact that it nonetheless took four days to form an emergency governmenta delay due mainly to resistance from Netanyahus wife, Sara, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretzspeaks volumes about the divisions within Israeli politics, though also about the united front when it comes to this war. Advertisement As part of the arrangement, Gantz demandedand Netanyahu ultimately agreedthat all decisions about the war would be deliberated by a small emergency cabinet consisting only of those two men and the current defense minister, Yoav Gallant. This will exclude the other cabinet members in Israels governing coalition, all of whom are to the right of Netanyahu and, therefore, are distrusted by half of the country. (Gallant announced the complete siege of Gaza over the weekend, declaring, We are fighting human animals, and we are acting accordingly.) Advertisement The two men also agreed that, for as long as the war lasts, the Knesset, Israels parliament, will not consider any legislation unrelated to the war. This means that Netanyahus most controversial motiona package of laws to slash the supreme courts powers, a proposal that has spurred hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens to protest in the streets every Saturday nightis off the table. The proposed laws have been the biggest source of political dissension. Just a few weeks ago, many reservists refused a call-up in protest of the pending law. Over the weekend, when the call-up did come, in response to a real, possibly existential threat, the reservists all turned up. Many Israelis living outside the country have flown back in the past few days to rejoin the army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former senior U.S. official with long experience in the Middle East told me in an email on Wednesday, The main thing Benny brings is credibility and rationality. His presence will strengthen the argument that, whatever the Israelis do in Gaza, it will be based on national interests, not on Bibis personal political interests. The former official added that Benny is no softy on either Hamas or Iran. But during his time as the armys chief of staff, he was among the generals that pushed back against Bibi taking direct military action against Iran. That suggests to me that he will caution Bibi against widening the conflict before the situation in Gaza is resolved. Related From Slate Israel Is at War. What Happens Next? Read More This is particularly important, as danger signs of a widening war are flashingnot yet brightly or accompanied by loud sirens, but bright enough to raise concerns. Hezbollahlike Hamas, an Iran-backed Islamist militiahas been firing drones and mortars into northern Israel from southern Lebanon. So far theyve caused little damage, and Israel has been retaliating in kind. But Hezbollah has more than 100,000 rockets in southern Lebanon, and if its leaders decided to enter the war full-bore, they could unleash catastrophic damage. If they do enter the war, it would almost certainly be on the ordersor with the active encouragementof their patrons in Iran. And that would mean a widening of the war not only in Israel but across the entire region, probably including the United States. Advertisement President Biden has sent two aircraft carrier task forces into the region. The point of doing so is to deter Hezbollah, Syria, or Iran from getting involved in the war. If they ignore the deterrent and intervene anyway, Biden may feel compelled to carry out the threat and attack one or all three of them directly. Advertisement If Hezbollah enters the war, it will probably be in response to civilian deaths caused by Israeli actions in Gazaairstrikes, which are already in process, and a land invasion, which is likely to get underway in the coming days. (About 1,100 Palestinians, including civilians, have been killed so far.) Israels intent is to crush Hamas as a political force and a terrorist movement. But Gaza is so densely populated2.2 million people crammed into an area of 140 square miles (less than half the size of New York City)that its impossible to do this without killing civilians. Officials in Washington and Cairo are discussing a plan to evacuate Gaza through the southern border into Egypt. But given Israels complete siege against Gaza, which includes the bombing of the border crossing, this is, for the moment, difficult. Israeli leaders may face some horrendous choices in the coming days. The value of a unity war cabinet, which at least seems to reflect a broad range of views, is that the decisions it makeswhatever they are and whatever they provokewill be seen as professional judgments, not as the whims of a single man, especially one as divisive and distrusted as Netanyahu. If someone told me, a couple of weeks prior, that I would be taking pictures of everything that crossed my path, I would have laughed in their face. But there I was, sitting on the sidewalk, looking to capture the perfect shot that would allow me to learn a little more about the world I am a part of: the expression of the guide dog who is always by my side; the bustle of a busy street full of buildings, cars, and signs; the box of desserts I just bought, wondering whether it looked appetizing enough to bring to a family dinner. I cant see these things, which are so easy to take for granted, with my own eyes. But A.I. has now brought me as close to being able to do so as Ill probably ever be. I was born totally blind, and my visual world has always been determined by what well-meaning people can tell me about my surroundings. To appreciate all the details of a room or to read a menu in a restaurant, I was dependent on someone else. When I took photos, I often recorded short voice notes describing where I was and how I felt, hoping I could someday pair the two and bridge the gap. Most of my camera roll was filled with photos taken for others to appreciate, since no one could sit for hours with me to describe the way the sea crashed against the rocks or the details of a busy, lively street in Italy. The more concrete details, in the end, were always left to my imaginationwhich, though vivid, always needed more. Advertisement Advertisement When I first heard about Be My AIa new collaboration between Open AI and Be My Eyes, an app that connects sighted volunteers with blind people who need help via video callI didnt let myself get too excited. Be My AI promised to allow blind people to receive an A.I.generated description of any photo we uploaded. This was a tantalizing prospect, but it wasnt the first time a tech company had promised to revolutionize the way people with disabilities access visual content. Microsoft had already given us Seeing AI, which in a very rudimentary way provided a rough idea of what was going on in the images we shared, and which allowed usagain, in a fairly basic wayto interact with information contained in written texts. But the details were missing, and in most cases we could know only that there was a person in the picture and what they were doing, nothing more. Be My AI was different. Image description generated by Be My AI: The picture shows a young woman sitting on a wooden chair in what appears to be a cozy cafe with wooden interiors. She is wearing a black jacket and blue jeans, and holding a white paper cup, possibly with a hot beverage. She has a somewhat serious expression on her face. To her right, there is a black Labrador dog standing on the wooden floor, looking directly at the camera. The dog is wearing a guide dog harness and looks serious. On the table next to the woman, there are condiments like salt and pepper, and a red bag of chips. The atmosphere seems relaxed and casual. Suddenly, I was in a world where nothing was off limits. By simply waving my cellphone, I could hear, with great detail, what my friends were wearing, read street signs and shop prices, analyze a room without having entered it, and indulge in detailed descriptions of the foodone of my great passionsthat I was about to eat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even colors, which are as important to many of us as they are to a sighted person, were not left out. Suddenly I could use my phone to match my favorite clothes in ways I wouldnt have thought of on my own. One of my favorite hobbies became discovering the colors of objects in my daily lifefrom brand logos to furniture in my environmentthat Id never thought to ask about. Image description generated by Be My AI: The picture shows a box of assorted pastries and sweets. The box is being held by someone with their left hand, and their right arm is extended towards the box. The person is wearing a bright pink sweater. The pastries in the box are a mix of small cakes, tarts, and chocolates. There are some with a swirl of chocolate or pink frosting, some with nuts on top, and others with a dusting of powdered sugar. The box is white and the pastries are arranged neatly in rows. The background shows a wooden surface, possibly a table. I felt as if I had a little personal assistant in my pocket, ready to describe anything that crossed our path. Unlike other apps, this assistant could also answer my questionsthe integration with GPT-4 meant that I could also have conversations with the artificial intelligence about the photos I sent. I started taking pictures of restaurant menus and asking the A.I. for prices or for specific dishes that met the criteria I was looking for. It was all strangely liberating, even though I knew I was still relying on something that was imperfect, could always fail, and wasnt guaranteed to last. Advertisement As this independence came, so did the memories. All the photos that were gathering dust in my camera roll came to life before me, transformed into vivid descriptions of moments and situations, of people who are no longer with me and whom I never thought I could visualize on my own without having to ask a loved one. The seemingly mundane details in the A.I. descriptions allowed me to understand decades-old photos in new ways. Image description generated by Be My AI: The picture shows a family of four standing in a room with wooden floors and a light green wall. There is a man on the left wearing a blue checkered shirt, and next to him is a young woman in a white sweater. To her right is an older woman, also in a white sweater. In front of them is a young boy in a black shirt and grey pants. The man and the young woman have their arms around the boy. Behind them, there is a wooden door on the left and a framed artwork on the right. They all seem happy and content. This application is still in beta, and for now its available only on iOS. But Be My AI has said it will soon roll out across Android devices, and as new data is added and user suggestions are incorporated, the descriptions will likely continue to improve. Similar technology will also continue to pop up elsewhereChatGPT subscribers, for example, can now request image descriptions. But these advances come with their own questions and fears. Artificial intelligence can be wrong, and a blind person like me would have little way of noticing unless I knew in advance what was in an image. Preserving the privacy of shared data and images, especially given how opaque the companys terms of use are, is also a concern that haunts me. But my greatest fear is that just as suddenly as this technology arrived to change my life, it could disappear. This has happened to other apps for visually impaired people, and each time, its a deeply disorienting betrayal. I cant imagine having the doors slammed on this visual world Ive been dropped into but have yet to truly discover. So thats what Ill dokeep discovering, for as long as it lasts. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. This is part of Slates daily coverage of the intricacies and intrigues of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, from the consequential to the absurd. Sign up for the Slatest to get our latest updates on the trial and the state of the tech industryand the rest of the days top storiesand support our work when you join Slate Plus. This article has been updated following Ellisons Wednesday afternoon testimony. Folks, its Wednesday afternoon, and the vibes at the Southern District of New York are nothing less than scandalous. The second day of the much-hyped testimony from former Sam Bankman-Fried partner/direct report/confidante Caroline Ellison is, so far, even more stunning than what she revealed on Tuesday. This round, weve ventured beyond the glitz of American finance and Bahamian luxury into the thick of foreign-bribery allegations. To be very clear, as Judge Lewis A. Kaplan stated outright, Sam Bankman-Fried himself is not facing charges to that effect in this trial; the focus is on his alleged fraud and domestic conspiracies. That being said, Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon thought it, well, pertinent to question Ellison on SBFs possible foreign entanglements, primarily as a means of 1) spelling out the defendants possible motives for the charges being currently tried, and 2) demonstrating Ellisons viability as a witness, not least through her familiarity with both FTXs various tendrils of (alleged!) criminal activity and the language by which SBF and co. discussed such matters. Advertisement Some important background: As the prosecution pointed out, various communications between SBF and Caroline Ellison (among others at FTX and Alameda Research) no longer exist. Bankman-Fried insisted on keeping sensitive work communications in encrypted Signal group chats that would disappear after a week. However, the evidence so far has included some preserved Signal messages, Telegram chats, Google Suite interactions, andmost explosivelythe sworn word of Caroline Ellison, who chatted with SBF in coded terms that shes now decoded for us. Heres what she said Wednesday: Advertisement Advertisement First up, Ellison told the court that Alameda paid a large bribe to Chinese government officials to get its accounts unlocked. This allegation had been previously aired, thanks to a March Department of Justice indictment of SBF that laid it out somewhat hazily. Ellisons answers offered new details. You see, she says, Alameda had accounts on dozens of exchanges, including OKX, an FTX-like crypto business originally headquartered in China. In November 2021, the Chinese governmentalready in the middle of a wide-scale cryptocurrency crackdownfroze Alamedas accounts on OKX because it was investigating someone (still unnamed) whod traded with Alameda. This meant Alameda could not withdraw any money from OKX and, later, it also meant that it could no longer engage in OKX trades. This put $1 billion out of reach, which, as Ellison put it, was a substantial amount of Alameda trading capital. An FTX-Alameda brain trust that then gathered to workshop solutions to this problem included the usual suspects (SBF, Ellison, Gary Wang, Nishad Singh) as well as FTX Chief Operating Officer Constance Wang, FTX Business Development Manager David Ma, and another employee referred to simply as Handi. (Here is a possible X/Twitter account for Handi?) These last three were included, Ellison noted, because they were all Chinese and had connections with China and its government. Specifically, Handis father (also not identified) was a mainland government official. The group proposed various strategies, including 1) making several sock-puppet OKX accounts named for real Thai prostitutes so Alameda traders could sidestep the freeze, 2) hiring a lawyer so that the company could negotiate with Chinese officials, which ultimately proved fruitless, and 3) in what Ellison said was Mas suggestion, sending at least $100 million of cryptocurrencies, in piece-by-piece installments, to specific wallet addresses whose owners, it was presumed, would help solve the issue. In other words: a bribe. SBF initially resisted this tack, according to Ellison, but later came to embrace it. Handi, however, was quite upset about the whole thing, which apparently led Bankman-Fried to yell at her to shut the fuck up, as Ellison stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a January 2022 Signal group chat, a screenshot from which was presented to the jury, SBF, Ellison, and Alameda co-CEO Sam Trabucco discussed the China/Handi issue. The Bankman-Fried message seen by the court led off with btw, Handis being pretty shitty/antagonistic. By that time, Ellison said, Handi had already quit Alameda. In a February 2022 chat, Trabucco wrote, did Handis father immediately turn us in or something, to which SBF responded, lol. (Ellison pronounced the message lawl, and she was asked to explain to the court what the abbreviation meant.) In another document from late 2021, an Alameda balance sheet prepped by Ellison and shared with SBF, a bullet point headed a list of notable/idiosyncratic pnl stuffwhich, the witness explained, referred to factors affecting Alamedas business. One of the list items read: 150m from the thing? The thing, Ellison declared, was referring to the alleged Chinese crypto bribe, in an example of the coded terms alluded to earlier. Advertisement Related From Slate The First Blockbuster Testimony of the SBF Trial Read More One more! When you run out of money, whom do you usually turn to? If your answer to that is Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, well, you and SBF have similar minds. In the fall of 2022, after the summers crypto-market downturns had worsened Alamedas already precarious financial situation, SBF was apparently considering raising further capital by selling FTX equity shares to the, um, controversial Saudi royal. In an Ellison-penned to-do list from that time, which included a leading section on hedging/getting more capital for the embattled Alameda, one of the listed options was raising from Saudis, an idea that was entirely SBFs, Ellison said. Another Ellison list shown to the jury was an often-updated log entitled things Sam is freaking out about. What was Sam freaking out about? Well, for one, he was really antsy about hedging Alameda/FTX losses by raising from MBS and getting regulators to crack down on Binance. This also popped up in another piece of evidence from Oct. 1, 2022, a separate Alameda balance sheet from Ellison that included a note for a fundraising planto sell a couple billion dollars worth of Bitcoin at a point when its price exceeded $20,000, as well as a method by which FTX may raise. This, Ellison informed us, was pointedly referring to SBFs plan to sell off FTX equity shares to potential investors including Saudi Arabias MBS. Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution finally ended its questioning of Caroline Ellisonits longest witness, as the government lawyers put itclose to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Next up, the defenses cross-examination of this closely watched testifier, which will kick off in earnest Thursday morning. Outside of the thing and the other international tangos detailed above, the former Alameda CEO offered several other noteworthy revelations. To catch you up: In June 2022, with the entire crypto industry struggling, execs from the now-bankrupt Genesis crypto exchange hit up Ellison and Bankman-Fried on the Telegram messaging app to call back the hefty cash bags itd previously loaned to Alameda, citing its own business troubles. Ellison attempted to hold off the Genesis guys for a bit, letting them know that Alameda was getting loans called from everyone across the board (which, true!). But eventually, she knew shed have to repay the crypto lenders with wait for it be patient keep waiting say it with me now FTX customer funds, especially since SBF kept directing her to pay back loans. I was in sort of a constant state of dread at that point, Ellison stated on the stand, calling this period a time of crisis for Alameda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (A key side note: Genesis, you might recall, is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, the influential asset-management company that also owns CoinDesk, the outlet that published a leaked Alameda balance sheet in November 2022 and helped set off the ensuing FTX-Alameda collapse. Unfortunately, it appears CoinDesks own reporting blew back on DCG, which had multiple subsidiaries with financial exposure to the Alameda tree; as a result, the parent company laid off 16 percent of CoinDesks staff in August. DCG has been purportedly exploring options for selling off the website altogether.) Advertisement Ellison told the court she lived in fear of the prospect that customers would pull their money from FTX en masse and thus screw up Alamedas balances (which, again, consisted of ample FTX customer trusts). Despite the significant deficit, SBF ordered Ellison to keep paying off Alamedas multibillion-dollar loans, which involved more dips intoyep!the FTX customer pot. Advertisement When Genesis asked for a snapshot of Alamedas balances, Ellison submitted to it a cooked-up Google Sheet that, per SBFs direction, combined plenty of Alameda third-party loans into general assets, including long-term investment in equity securities. (Needless to say, these were not actually liquid assets.) This sheet was just one of seven different alternative records Ellison put together for this purpose. She showed them to SBF, who picked his favorite. Advertisement Ellison told SBF that this move seemed dishonest, after which her ex-boyfriend explained to her his utilitarian outlook on the whole thing. TL;DR: Telling people not to lie or steal is not a workable strategy, and the greater moral good (in SBFs case, the Future of Humanity) matters far more than the means used to get there. As such, Ellison said, over time, [lying] became something I was more comfortable with. Advertisement Notably, this all sounds quite similar to how SBFs mother, the legal scholar Barbara Fried, also approaches the utilitarian philosophyi.e., that good ends tend to justify their means. SBF approached written communications with what he called the New York Times test: Anytime an employee sends a message in an internal company forum, it should be something theyd feel comfortable having published on the Times front page (i.e., something thats not incriminating). Bankman-Fried was also really, really touchy about PR and about shaping his image. Group chats displayed in the courtroom showed how SBF embraced the idea of Michael Lewis shadowing him for a book projectdespite Ellisons skepticismbecause, the effective altruist Will MacAskill told him, if Bankman-Fried was going to attract more attention to himself anyway, then getting ahead of the game and controlling the narrative is necessary. This also fueled SBFs interest in backing Elon Musks Twitter acquisition, as he believed that the network was essential to control the narrative around FTX. Too bad, then, that SBF apparently reneged on supporting the deal and Binance instead helped Musk cover the price tag, eh? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SBF apparently claimed to Ellison that his shaggy hairstyle had earned him bonuses while he was a trader at Jane Street Capital. Sure, why not. There was one document presented as evidence in which SBF seemed to have penned his own All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy typewriter sheet, forgoing The Shining for a 10-times-repeated emphasis on how what matters most is being aligned and always doing what you think is best for the company. When the FTX-Alameda house finally buckled under (as she recounted the saga, Ellison choked up on the stand), SBF floated a bunch of potential investors who could maybe bail out the companyincluding Silvergate Bank, the California entity that hosted the Alameda bank account in which FTX depositors were directed to wire their money. Yes, thats the same Silvergate Bank that went under earlier this year and foreshadowed the falls of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic. A pretty nasty fallout from an ill-advised crypto bet. WASHINGTON (Oct. 6, 2023)Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, the newly-appointed chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has announced plans to block future U.S. military aid and arms sales to Egypt unless that country shows "concrete, meaningful, and sustainable steps" to improve its human rights record. "It is imperative that we continue to hold the government of Egypt, and all governments, accountable for their human rights violations," Cardin said in a statement. Cardin's decision marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Egypt, a long-standing ally in the Middle East. The senator plans to block $235 million in foreign military assistance that the Biden administration approved on September 14. The move starkly contrasts with the actions of Cardin's predecessor, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, who was indicted Sept. 22 for allegedly accepting bribes to influence U.S. policy in favor of the Egyptian government. Cardin's action is colliding with the Biden administration's efforts to foster closer ties with Egypt. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in a press briefing Wednesday that the United States aims to advance a strategic partnership with Egypt that ensures regional security and fosters significant progress on human rights issues. Patel added that Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes waiving certain conditions for Egypt's foreign military financing in fiscal 2022 aligned with U.S. national security interests. A total of $1.215 billion in military aid has been allocated for Egypt and discussions with Congress and Egyptian partners are ongoing, Patel said. "I was very open in my disappointment in the administration using the waiver on the use of funds, but I want to have a chance to meet with the administration," Cardin told Politico. Before assuming his current role, Cardin had criticized the Biden administration for overriding a human rights prohibition on $320 million of military aid to Egypt. He was among a group of senators, including independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Tom Carper of Delaware that urged the Biden administration to withhold the $320 million from Egypt. The senators argued that the Egyptian government had failed to make "meaningful progress in addressing human rights concerns" and that withholding the funds was "required by law" in the fiscal 2022 spending bill. In a July 28 letter to Blinken, the senators charged that the Egyptian government had "not only failed to investigate allegations of human rights abuses, it has also continued to commit 'significant human rights' violations such as extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance, torture and life-threatening prison conditions, and severe restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, as documented in the State Department's latest human rights report." According to Amnesty International, Egyptian authorities severely restrict civil liberties, including freedom of expression and assembly. In the lead-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November 2022, 895 political prisoners were released but nearly triple that number were arrested, according to Amnesty International. "Sexual and gender-based violence remained prevalent, amid the authorities' failure to adequately prevent and punish it," Amnesty International said. Workers' rights and religious freedoms are also suppressed, and refugees are mistreated. The decision to freeze aid could have geopolitical implications. As a result of the aid hold, "the anti-America(n) camp will be empowered domestically," Haisam Hassanein, an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Jewish Insider. He predicted that the group would publicly push for Egypt to strengthen its relations with Russia and China. "This could force President (Abdel Fattah El-) Sisi in his current election campaign to release some (inflammatory) statements to save face in front of his constituents," Hassanein said. On Wednesday, Cardin also announced plans to halt security assistance to Azerbaijan due to its "brutal campaign" in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, effectively erasing its Armenian population. Cardin emphasized the need to document war crimes and atrocities and to support efforts to repatriate prisoners of war. He called for increased humanitarian support for ethnic Armenians who have left Nagorno-Karabakh and for the United States to continue supporting democratic reforms in Armenia. WASHINGTON (Oct. 6, 2023)Maryland lawmakers secured $400,000 in funding last month for an Anne Arundel County-based diversion program for youths accused of low-level offenses. The program is called Fresh START (which stands for Fresh Safe, Trauma-Informed, Accountable, Restorative, Transparent). Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, as well as Maryland Democratic Reps. Steny Hoyer and John Sarbanes, secured the funding through the Department of Justice's Byrne Discretionary Grants Program. Fresh START began in 2021 and at the time was one of the only programs of its kind in the country. Here is how it works: When an Anne Arundel County police officer responds to a low-level offense committed by a minor, the officer can refer the minor to the program. Minors who complete the program do not get a criminal record. By contrast, most other diversion programs only are started after the minor has been charged, according to Anne Arundel County Sgt. Stephanie Hinson. The 90-day Fresh START program begins with a one-on-one meeting with parents or guardians to try to figure out certain factors that could have contributed to the minor committing the crime, such as troubles at home, at school, past trauma or mental health issues. "They're more than just that incident," Hinson said. Those going through the program range from 13 to 18 years old and the majority are African American, said Carol Parreco, program manager for Fresh START. The officers act as mentors to the teenagers in the program. The new funding will go towards expanding the different components that are offered with Fresh START and forming more partnerships with local businesses like restaurants and faith-based groups. One of the components in Fresh START is called "School of Charm," where the teenagers in the program are able to learn life skills like financial literacy, interviewing and writing resumes, as well as proper grooming and even dining etiquette. At the end of the course, the teens go shopping with a sponsor to buy professional clothes they can wear to networking events or interviews, Parreco said. Another course called "Badges for Books" teaches literacy and critical thinking skills. For children who are too young to be charged with an offense but have shown signs of troubling behavior, they can still be referred to the program. Many of the teens who successfully complete the program keep in touch with officers and come back to visit into adulthood, Parreco said. "We want them to see that it's not just their family that cares about them; it's the police department, it's the community members, everybody that we partner with on the outsidethey're all rallying for these kids," Parreco said. In a statement, Van Hollen commended the program's "strong record of putting young people who committed minor offenses back on the right track." Cardin also praised the program, saying in a statement that it will "spare families and young people from the heartbreak often caused by routine offending." "Upholding accountability, reducing ethnic and racial disparities in the justice system, and promoting better outcomes for at-risk youth, the Fresh START program is crucial to the safety and prosperity of our community," Hoyer said in a statement. ANNAPOLIS (Sept. 20, 2023)Gov. Wes Moore apologized Wednesday, Sept. 18, to a Baltimore man who was wrongfully imprisoned on an erroneous murder conviction after the man was awarded more than $300,000 in compensation by the Board of Public Works. "I am deeply sorry for the fact that our justice system failed you not once, but our justice system failed you twice," Moore said to Demetrius Smith. "And, while no amount of money can make up for what was taken from you, the action this board is taking today represents a formal acknowledgment from the state for the injustice that was caused." The room erupted and most of the audience stood with Moore to applaud Smith. The total compensation comes to $340,802, including legal fees and housing accommodations. The compensation is equal to the number of days that Smith was wrongfully confined multiplied by the daily rate of Maryland's most recent annual median household income. The total also includes $25,000 in legal fees and $89,100 toward housing. "Mr. Smith is extremely pleased with the outcome of his Walter Lomax case," Smith's attorney Ralph Mayrell said. "He was wronged by the state twice over, convicted for crimes he didn't commit and he's waited many years to finally get some form of compensation from the state." It was a long road for Smith to win the consideration. In 2008, then 25-year-old Smith was charged with the murder of Robert Long. During Smith's bail hearing the judge noted that the case against him was "probably the thinnest case I have ever seen," Moore told the BPW audience. Less than two months after the arrest, Smith was out on bail awaiting trial when he was arrested for a first-degree assault. According to Moore, the prosecution in both the assault and murder cases relied on witnesses who recanted their testimony. In 2010, Smith was sentenced to life in prison plus 18 years for first-degree murder. A year later, Smith entered an Alford plea for the charge of first-degree assault. An Alford plea acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence to achieve a conviction, but maintains the defendant's innocence. While continuing to maintain his innocence in both crimes, Moore said, Smith had lost faith in the justice system. For the assault charge, Smith was sentenced to 10 years, served concurrent to his life sentence. In 2011, the U.S. Attorney's Office found information showing another man was responsible for the murder. Then in 2012, the state dropped the murder conviction against Smith and Smith later petitioned the court to revisit the assault case. The prosecutor altered Smith's sentence to time served plus three years probation. When evidence came out that a witness in the assault case was not telling the truth, Smith's sentence was reduced to probation before judgment. Smith was released from prison after five years. In 2021, Smith applied for compensation through the Walter Lomax Act, which also passed in 2021. The act is named for Walter Lomax who spent 39 years in prison for a series of robberies he did not commit. Since its passage, the state has paid $5.7 million in compensation and attorney's fees to 10 wrongfully convicted individuals, including Smith. Administrative Law Judge Edward J. Kelley ruled Smith was eligible for compensation, but not entitled to it because he was also serving a sentence for the assault. That decision was upheld by Baltimore Circuit Judge Gregory Sampson. Smith appealed the decision to the Appellate Court of Maryland in February 2023, but the BPW awarded the funds in lieu of that case. "We're here today, more than 10 years after he was released from incarceration, providing Mr. Smith with long overdue justice that he was deprived of," Moore said. "An apology from the state of Maryland that until today, he's never received." "We are deeply sorry for what happened," Moore said. "And look forward to the continued contribution that you are going to continue making to our society." Director of Kiska's company found guilty as well. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The Poprad District Court found former president Andrej Kiska (2014 - 2019) guilty of tax fraud along with Eduard Kuckovsky, director of the former's company KTAG. On Wednesday, the judge sentenced the ex-president to two years in prison with a three-year suspended sentence, a 15,000 fine, and banned him from executive or statutory positions in a commercial company for six years. Kuckovsky received two years with a two-year suspended sentence, a 10,000 fine, and was banned from holding a statutory position in a company for 5 years and 8 months. Kiska said that he disagreed with the court's decision and appealed. Political target KTAG, originally named Kiska Travel Agency, is co-owned by Andrej Kiska and his brother Jaroslav. The company was alleged to have billed costs that were in fact related to Andrej Kiska's 2014 presidential election campaign as legitimate business expenses, thus committing tax fraud. According to the charges, the company unjustly claimed a VAT refund of 155,000. Both Kiska and Kuckovsky denied the charges and their guilt. During the initial hearing on June 29 of this year, Kiska claimed that he was being politically targeted, stating that no one in Slovak and Czech legal history had been prosecuted for recording legitimate company expenses that the tax authorities did not dispute. He emphasised that the investigation had spanned more than eight years and had been suspended twice before the charges were finally brought. Kiska claimed that the process is part of a political campaign against him. 'Deliberately designed fraud' After the verdict, the judge concluded that Kiska and Kuckovsky had unlawfully exercised the right to deduct tax from invoices related to the election campaign, with the intention of obtaining an unauthorised benefit. The judge said that Kiska was the organiser and he deliberately designed and managed the fraud. Kuckovsky then made sure that all the costs for the presidential campaign were included in the company's accounting. According to the verdict, these costs were neither related to the business of the company nor to the contract that the company signed with Kiska. The former president said that the court refused to hear the forensic expert and did not take into account the statements of some witnesses. Smer, Hlas and SNS have signed a declaration on cooperation. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Smer chair Robert Fico wants to replace the interim government as soon as possible so that he could attend the upcoming EU summit, which takes place in late October in Brussels. Fico, whom the president is expected to appoint the next Slovak premier at some point this month, announced his plan after he signed a declaration with two other parties, Hlas and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), on Wednesday. The three parties agreed on signing a coalition deal in the days to come, a document that should define the priorities of Ficos fourth government in the next four years. The agreement mentions that the post of prime minister belongs to Smer, the post of speaker of parliament to Hlas, and that a new ministry will be established from January 2024. Also, Smer will have six ministers, Hlas will have seven, and the SNS party should be responsible for three ministries, including the new one. The ministry is said to be responsible for tourism and sports. Fico attacks LGBT+ people In the declaration, the parties guaranteed that Slovakias foreign policy would formally remain unchanged, but that they would also respect Slovakias sovereignty and national interests. Fico, a leader with pro-Russian views and a critic of the EU when it comes to refugees or unanimous voting, wants to control the foreign ministry. The parties want to reform the criminal system and the human rights protection mechanism as well. Fico dedicated some of his time to the LGBT+ community, attacking transgender people in particular. He started with a story about a school girl's dream in which she changes from a girl to a boy and back, and then she is asked to write an essay about her dream in school. I say clearly that we reject these gender ideologies, these gender adventures and want the return of common sense, traditions, a return to what's normal, what's natural, while fully respecting the diversity of Slovak life, Fico said. Sharon Sen, originally from the small town of Kulai, Malaysia, shares her transformative journey from her close-knit hometown to settling in Slovakia. Sharon Sen's narrative encapsulates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of change. (Source: Sharon Sen) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Growing up in Kulai, Sharon Sen found the confines of formal education stifling. Her candid admission that she didn't enjoy school, particularly in her secondary years, illuminates the struggle many face when conforming to societal expectations. Despite her reluctance, Sharon's tenacity pushed her through, setting the stage for her future adventures. https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4qemmB7kfD5nVKFIwYlRYt?utm_source=generator Family ties and hardships Sharon's family, marked by her father's industriousness and her mother's resourcefulness, weathered its share of trials. Her father's demanding work in machinery repair, coupled with a short temper, painted a picture of determination in the face of adversity. Her mother, despite limited formal education, displayed remarkable adaptability, excelling in skills like languages. Sadly, the unforeseen tragedy of her brother's kidnapping and subsequent death marked a turning point for Sharon's family. The heart-wrenching experience forced a reevaluation of familial bonds, bringing them closer. Sharon's father, profoundly affected, found solace in work, while her mother's strength shone through in caring for the family. Art, travel, and love Sharon's artistic inclination emerged as a beacon of light during her tumultuous years. University in Kuala Lumpur became her sanctuary, fostering her love for art. It was during this time that she embarked on a transformative solo backpacking trip across Europe. This journey ignited her passion for travel and a deeper appreciation for European culture. In a twist of fate, Sharon's path crossed with her future husband, in a bar. Their love story defied borders and expectations, illustrating the power of connection beyond nationality. Her parents, no strangers to international unions, welcomed the match with open arms. This young couples's nomadic lifestyle led them from Malaysia to Vietnam, where they had their first child. When the opportunity to settle arose, Slovakia called to them. Sharon's love for Slovakia had been kindled by her husband, and the quiet, serene atmosphere beckoned. The decision was solidified by the convenience of obtaining permanent residency. Adapting to Slovakia While Slovakia offered an idyllic setting, it wasn't without its challenges. The language barrier and the slower pace of services proved to be a significant adjustment. Sharon, accustomed to the efficiency of Asian countries, had to acclimate to a different rhythm. Sharon's artistic talent took center stage as she navigated the intricate world of Slovak markets. From Sashe to Kosice, she encountered both the thrill of showcasing her work and the apprehension of handling sales and communication, especially in a language foreign to her. Nevertheless, she has persevered. Motherhood in a new land Sharon's journey through motherhood in Slovakia was buoyed by her supportive mother-in-law. Despite language barriers, their unspoken understanding created a nurturing environment for her son, Oliver. Sharon gracefully balanced her artistic pursuits with the demands of caring for her young child. As Sharon re-enters the workforce after her maternity leave, the challenges of being a foreigner, language constraints, and the competitive job market have posed hurdles. Despite setbacks, Sharon's resilience shines through, as she finds creative outlets, conducts workshops, and explores avenues to further her career. Sharon's narrative encapsulates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of change. Her journey from Kulai to Slovakia is a testament to the transformative power of love, art, and the pursuit of one's passions. In every challenge, Sharon emerges stronger, demonstrating that the truest adventure lies in the path less traveled. This episode of Na Slovensku Aj Po Anglicky was created with financial support from the Fund for the Support of the Culture of National Minorities. When it comes to choosing an airline, I am a single-issue voter: I want the cheapest flight possible. (Ok maybe 1.5 issues, because Im not trying to figure out which ghastly airport bar to run out the clock at during a four-hour layover. Ill pay a little extra for direct.) But theres a new mile-high development that priority boarded one airline to the front of the list. Alaska Airlines is going to start serving Stumptown Coffee. Announced today, October 11th, the Seattle-based airline has tapped Stumptown Coffee to provide the coffee for all Alaska flights. To Canada, to Costa Rica, to Mexico, to Belize or any of the other 120 destinations foreign and domestic that Alaska flies to, if its an Alaska Airlines flight, the coffee served on board will be Stumptown. The roll-out will begin this fall, and by December 1st will include every flight. Having flown millions of miles fueled by countless cups of coffee, Stumptown stands out as first class, said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. Like travel, coffee has a remarkable way of bringing people together. I cant wait for our guests and employees to enjoy a cup of Stumptown when they fly with us. The coffee served will be a custom blend based on Stumptowns Holler Mountain. We wanted a crowd pleasersomething that would delight folks who enjoy milder coffees and also speak to guests who enjoy medium-bodied roasts, states Stumptown President Laura Szeliga. For the blend, Stumptown is pushing the development into the medium-dark range and have done over 200 tests, both on land and in the sky, to make sure the coffee performed well no matter where it was consumed. And, as the press release notes, it was even taste tested to make sure it paired beautifully with Alaskas in-flight milk option and a Biscoff cookie. Stumptown and a Biscoff, we must be at 5,000 feet because I think I just touched Heaven. With the new partnership, Stumptown joins other quality-focused locally-based brands served on Alaska flights, including Salt & Straw, Seattle Chocolates, and Freemont Brewing. I have to admit, this news makes me unreasonably excited. The in-flight coffee is one of the great little joys of travel, regardless of the quality. Theres just something comforting about it. So the prospect of that experience getting enhanced with actually good, specialty coffee? Whats not to love about that. For more information, visit Stumptown Coffees official website. By Trevor Findlay While the goal of merely shoring up the existing non-proliferation and disarmament regime may seem to lack ambition, the current international situation is, regrettably, the least conducive to pursuing radical nuclear disarmament initiatives since the end of the Cold War. Certainly, the danger of a nuclear holocaust, whether intentional, inadvertent or accidental, continues to pose an existential threat to humanity and the planet, now joined by global warming, that should be tackled urgently. Yet various fissures in the bedrock of international peace and security, not least the Russian invasion of Ukraine (including veiled nuclear threats by Russia and Belarus), the continuing nuclear aspirations of Iran and North Korea, the relentless qualitative and quantitative advances in the nuclear weapon arsenals of virtually all possessor states, and the faltering U.S.-Russian nuclear arms limitation regime, bode badly for achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world anytime soon. Those of us who lived through the Cold War recall, however, that even in its bleakest moments indeed because of those bleak moments the two superpowers were able to see mutual advantage in constraint, beginning with confidence-building and threat reduction measures before moving on to verifiable quantitative and qualitative reductions in the SALT and START processes. Multilaterally, the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, today the key bulwark against nuclear weapon acquisition by non-nuclear weapon states, was negotiated at the height of the Vietnam War. Today, the strategic situation is increasingly trilateral due to the rise of China, both as a global power and as an advancing nuclear-weapon state. Chinas nuclear capabilities are expanding quantitatively, qualitatively and geographically. China, therefore, holds one of the keys to re-energizing the nonproliferation and disarmament regime, both globally and regionally. By acceding to the NPT in 1992 and signing the CTBT in 1996, China clearly recognizes the value of multilateral disarmament treaties, but to date, it has not engaged in the type of bilateral arrangements that the United States and the Soviet Union did during the Cold War. Today a trilateral China-Russia-U.S. agreement would seem most logical. But China claims it sees no benefit in doing so while its nuclear forces remain numerically limited relative to those of the United States and Russia. Yet sheer numbers are irrelevant to the danger of an accidental or inadvertent nuclear episode, exacerbated today by cyber and artificial intelligence complications that may lead to escalation, mutual misapprehensions, pre-emptive action and ultimately a nuclear holocaust. Surely, at the very least, such possibilities support the case for nuclear threat reduction initiatives and confidence-building measures, such as enhanced hotlines between militaries and leaders, transparency initiatives, de-escalation protocols and rules-of-the road in space, in the air and at sea. In the Asia-Pacific region, with its numerous island, archipelagic, and sea-lane-dependent states, maritime rules of engagement are particularly urgent. As NATO and the Warsaw Pact discovered during their decades-long strategic dance throughout the Cold War, confidence-building measures, through mechanisms such as the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, were an essential starting point. The United Nations has an important role to play in advocating for these measures. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his July 2023 New Agenda for Peace, was characteristically blunt in setting out what is immediately needed. He urged states possessing nuclear weapons, pending their eventual elimination of such weapons, to commit to never using them. In addition, they should take steps to avoid mistakes or miscalculation; develop transparency and confidence-building measures; accelerate implementation of existing nuclear disarmament commitments; and reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security strategies. Finally, he urged the nuclear weapon states to engage in a dialogue on strategic stability and elaborate next steps for further reductions of nuclear arsenals. These are all eminently sensible proposals, yet they cannot be achieved by expecting states to suddenly discover a sense of morality, ethics or altruism, or magically locate their political will, a lazy expression that begs a multitude of questions about how such a phenomenon is to be generated. Rather, states must be convinced that avoiding nuclear war is aligned with their own national security interests. As Gareth Evans and Yoriko Kawaguchi, co-chairs of the 2009 Australia-Japan International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, sagely noted, The will to do something difficult, sensitive or expensive will rarely be a given in international or domestic politics. It usually has to be painfully and laboriously constructed, case by case, context by context. This is indeed how all elements of the current non-proliferation and disarmament regime were constructed. Evans and Kawaguchi identified four main elements needed to foster political will. The first was leadership: China, Russia and the United States this means you. The second was knowledge: the U.N. plays a notable role here, especially its Department of Disarmament Affairs and the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research. Japans recent initiative to fund disarmament professorships worldwide is most welcome. The third was strategy. There are already multiple disarmament action plans, including those of the 1996 Canberra Commission, the 2006 Blix Commission, and the 2004 U.N. High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. There is no need to reinvent these, but to revisit and begin implementing them. Finally, there is process, bilateral, trilateral and multilateral, including at the U.N. General Assembly, the U.N. Security Council, the benighted Conference on Disarmament (in urgent need of reform), and at the International Atomic Energy Agency, the guardian of nuclear safeguards that is deserving of greater support. There is much to do and no time to spare. Trevor Findlay is a Principal Fellow at the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne as well as a member of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (APLN). He was chair of the U.N. Secretary-Generals Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters in 2017 and is author of Transforming Nuclear Safeguards Culture: The IAEA, Iraq and the Future of Nonproliferation (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2022). This article is published in cooperation with the APLN (www.apln.network). https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/uk-labour-leader-keir-starmer-glitter-bombed-as-protester-storms-stage-1114079599.html UK Labour Leader Keir Starmer Glitter Bombed as Protester Storms Stage UK Labour Leader Keir Starmer Glitter Bombed as Protester Storms Stage Polls show Keir Starmer, the leader of the United Kingdoms center-left Labour Party, is on track to win the next general election, although he is viewed with suspicion by some party activists. 2023-10-10T22:11+0000 2023-10-10T22:11+0000 2023-10-10T22:07+0000 world united kingdom (uk) keir starmer jeremy corbyn england labour party uk parliament protester /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0a/1114078748_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f066ff17e328b08d91909691267912a0.jpg Keir Starmer was confronted with a theatrical form of protest Tuesday as a pro-democracy protester covered the UK Labour Party leader in glitter.The act occurred as Starmer prepared to speak before party members at their annual conference in Liverpool, England. Shortly after Starmer arrived at the lectern a protester, now identified as 28-year-old Yaz Ashmawi, rushed the stage and tossed glitter on the party leader.Local police later issued a statement saying Ashmawi had been arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance for his act of political protest.At the time, Starmer shrugged off the act of protest before continuing his speech. If he thinks that bothers me, he doesn't know me, said the politician.Protest or power. That's why we changed our party conference. That's why we changed our party. The politician continued by delineating some of his partys recent proposals, which include increased funding for police and additional resources for the UKs public National Health Service.The UK activist group People Demand Democracy claimed responsibility for the disruption, stating the Labour Party has been captured, donors and lobbyists have more control over Keir Starmer than his members.We need a democratic alternative that gives the people of the UK a voice to deal with the major challenges of our time: rampant inequality, an escalating climate crisis, political corruption and on, read the online statement from People Demand Democracy. But what do we have instead? A Labour Party offering very little in terms of real change.A House of Citizens will realign power in society, it will empower people to set the agenda, guide policies and keep politicians in check. We all need a chance for a seat at the table, we all deserve a voice in the room. A Peoples House brings people together like a jury, and provides the time to hear from experts and scientists to decide what policy is best for everyone.The incident demonstrated the strained relationship between Starmer and some Labour Party activists, many of whom supported the partys former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Starmer initially demonstrated a collegial tone towards Corbyn, but has since ejected the populist leader from the party.Currently, the Labour Party is engaged in legal action against former Corbyn loyalists within the party after a report was leaked that provided damning evidence of internal bias against the former party leader.Starmer has been criticized for alleged links to the UKs secretive MI5 intelligence service. Investigative reporting website The Grayzone has documented how intelligence-linked operatives in the UK worked to undermine and discredit Jeremy Corbyn. united kingdom (uk) england Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International keir starmer, uk, uk parliament, labour party, protester https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/all-eyes-on-israel-and-gaza-as-major-conflict-breaks-out-1114079098.html All Eyes on Israel and Gaza as Major Conflict Breaks Out All Eyes on Israel and Gaza as Major Conflict Breaks Out On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss top news, including the war between Israel and Gaza. 2023-10-11T04:05+0000 2023-10-11T04:05+0000 2023-10-11T09:39+0000 the final countdown gaza hamas israel palestine robert f. kennedy jr radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0a/1114078941_0:70:320:250_1920x0_80_0_0_86fa068b8f12752c556c3fe49e91e591.jpg All Eyes on Israel and Gaza as Major Conflict Breaks Out On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss top news, including the war between Israel and Gaza. The show kicks off with human rights activist Issa Amro who weighs in on the situation out of Gaza, and Hamas fighting with Israel. He discusses the conditions in Palestine amid Israel's bombing of Gaza and shares his personal experiences as a Palestinian.Then, Rachel Kastner, a US Citizen in Israel, provides context for what Israelis are feeling amid the Hamas attacks that have killed 1,000 and kidnapped over 100. She shares her own experience as an American living in Israel.The second hour begins with International Relations and Security Analyst Mark Sleboda weighing in on the war that Israel has declared on Hamas and provides an analysis of the military situation in the region.The show closes with Ryan Cristian, the founder, and editor of The Last American Vagabond, weighing in on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running as an independent candidate for the 2024 US presidency.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 in the US at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM gaza israel palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Angie Wong Angie Wong News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Angie Wong the final countdown, war between israel and gaza, situation in israel, situation in gaza, hamas attacks on israel, robert f. kennedy jr. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/balticconnector-pipeline-to-be-recommissioned-in-april-2024-at-earliest---operator-1114108472.html Balticconnector Pipeline to Be Recommissioned in April 2024 at Earliest - Operator Balticconnector Pipeline to Be Recommissioned in April 2024 at Earliest - Operator The recently damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline, located between Finland and Estonia, could be recommissioned in April 2024 at the earliest, the Gasgrid Finland pipeline operator said on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T16:34+0000 2023-10-11T16:34+0000 2023-10-11T16:34+0000 finland estonia europe balticconnector energy crisis in europe lng terminals lng liquefied natural gas (lng) gas leak /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/0a/1101694190_0:200:2935:1850_1920x0_80_0_0_edfc4c67a348fce4f8e8dbc420b877a2.jpg "Based on preliminary expert assessments, it can be assumed that the planning of the repair work, the mobilization of the necessary underwater equipment and the actual repair measures, including the inspection of the repaired pipe section and commissioning, will last at least five months. Therefore, the earliest possible commissioning date of the Balticconnector pipeline would be at the beginning of April 2024," the operator's statement read. It added that the Finnish gas system remained stable and that the supply from the LNG terminal near the Finnish city of Inga had been secured. The terminal's capacity should be sufficient to meet demand even in the coming winter, when gas consumption is usually higher, the operator said. On Tuesday, NORSAR, an independent seismic monitoring organization, stated that it had recorded what appeared to be an explosion at the pipeline. The suspected explosion was measured at 1.0 on the Richter scale, which NORSAR said was much smaller than the explosion at Russia's Nord Stream pipeline in September 2022. Balticconnector was shut down early on October 8 after a sudden drop in pressure raised concerns that gas was leaking from the 48-mile undersea pipeline, which has an annual capacity of up to 2.6 billion cubic meters. Pipeline operator Gasgrid Finland said the pipeline appeared to have been damaged. Balticconnector is a gas pipeline connecting the Finnish city of Inga and Estonia's Paldiski. The pipeline gives Finland access to Latvia's Incukalns underground gas storage facility. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/nato-chief-vows-united-response-if-balticconnector-pipeline-leak-proves-to-be-sabotage-1114095390.html finland estonia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International finland, estonia, balticconnector, gas pipeline, energy crisis, energy shortage, gulf of finland, gasgrid finland, norsar, gas pipeline, gas leak, pipeline explosion, natural gas, natural gas pipeline https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/belgian-defense-minister-confirms-plans-to-supply-ukraine-with-f-16-from-2025---reports-1114088454.html Belgian Defense Minister Confirms Plans to Supply Ukraine With F-16 From 2025 - Reports Belgian Defense Minister Confirms Plans to Supply Ukraine With F-16 From 2025 - Reports elgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder confirmed on Wednesday her country's plans to supply Ukraine with several F-16 fighter aircraft starting from 2025, as well as to keep training Ukrainian pilots, Belgian broadcaster reported. 2023-10-11T08:50+0000 2023-10-11T08:50+0000 2023-10-11T08:50+0000 military f-35 belgium ukraine f-16 f-16 fighter jet /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/18/1108751428_0:605:2566:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_ece280d04d7b2a82a5edeab839bf55a2.jpg In September, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval said Belgium would consider the proposal by the government's liberal wing to send from two to four F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in 2024. Dedonder, for her part, said that the amount of F-16 fighter jets to be sent to Kiev would depend on the development of Belgium's new F-35 capabilities, the broadcaster reported. In mid-July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said any delivery of the F-16 fighter jets would lead to a further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine because the aircraft have been modified to make them nuclear-capable and, as such, represent a direct threat to Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231006/f-16s-atacms-and-taurus-missiles-to-ukraine-could-spark-nato-russia-escalation-1113959199.html belgium ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International belgian defense minister, supply ukraine with f-16, ukrainian pilots https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/belgium-to-create-18bln-aid-fund-for-ukraine-using-russias-assets-1114093392.html Belgium to Create $1.8Bln Aid Fund for Ukraine Using Russia's Assets Belgium to Create $1.8Bln Aid Fund for Ukraine Using Russia's Assets Belgium will create a 1.7 billion euro ($1.8 billion) fund to support Ukraine using proceeds from frozen Russian assets, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T12:05+0000 2023-10-11T12:05+0000 2023-10-11T12:05+0000 belgium ukraine russia europe financial aid military aid frozen assets frozen funds world volodymyr zelensky /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/06/1113983095_0:159:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_37314de3a3f6a0c067bb54d142164cdd.jpg "The third element is the constitution of a 1.7 billion Ukraine fund. That fund, the source of that fund are the billions of Russian assets that are being frozen in Belgium. In Belgium, we have taxation on the proceeds of those frozen Russian assets. Last year, it was very clear to us that the taxation on the proceeds of those assets should go a 100% to Ukrainian population," de Croo told a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels. Belgium will also provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, the prime minister added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/ukrainian-pilots-operating-f-16s-would-be-flying-targets-heres-why-1111974402.html belgium ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International alexander de croo, belgium-ukraine relations, belgium-ukraine talks, belgium-ukraine ties, belgium-ukraine negotiations, volodymyr zelensky, russian assets, confiscation of russian assets, frozen funds, frozen assets, illegal appropriation, illegal confiscation, illegal seizure, russian property, frozen property, aid to ukraine, support for ukraine, europe for ukraine, belgium for ukraine, weapons for ukraine, f-16 for ukraine, aid to ukraine, funding of ukraine, f-16 jets, f-16 aircraft, financial aid, military aid, aid fund https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/canada-will-donate-184mln-worth-of-winter-gear-ammunition-to-ukraine-1114097916.html Canada Will Donate $18.4Mln Worth of Winter Gear, Ammunition to Ukraine Canada Will Donate $18.4Mln Worth of Winter Gear, Ammunition to Ukraine Canada will send winter gear and several types of ammunition rounds as part of its new C$25 million ($18.4 million) military assistance package for Ukraine, Defence Minister Bill Blair said on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T13:44+0000 2023-10-11T13:44+0000 2023-10-11T13:44+0000 bill blair us ukraine canada justin trudeau brussels armed forces of ukraine financial aid military aid world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0b/1114098793_0:15:3076:1745_1920x0_80_0_0_5e0d1e4931de55ebd318e1f9acfa3906.jpg Earlier in the day, Blair attended the 16th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Brussels, hosted by Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin. The package also includes 2,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition, smoke ammunition, 277 1,000-pound aircraft bombs and associated fuse assemblies, and various types of 76mm naval ammunition, as well as 2260 gas masks. The ministry also reported that it delivered last week 8,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition, 10,000 rounds of 105mm artillery rounds, and nearly 2 million rounds of 7.62mm small arms ammunition to Ukraine. Since January 2022, the Canadian government has provided over C$9 billion in financial, humanitarian, development, immigration and other assistance to Kiev, including C$2.4 billion in military support. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/canada-commits-482mln-in-military-assistance-to-ukraine-to-send-f-16-pilot-trainers-1113592099.html ukraine canada brussels Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian troops, ukrainian losses, ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian counteroffensive, canadian aid to ukraine, canada's aid, canada's support for ukraine, canada's assistance to ukraine, military equipment, arms for ukraine, foiled counteroffensive, counteroffensive attempt, thwarted counteroffensive, counteroffensive effort, canadian arms for ukraine, canada for ukraine, funding of ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/fact-check-hamas-beheading-babies-story-based-on-weak-evidence-1114092768.html Fact Check: Hamas 'Beheading Babies' Story Based on Weak Evidence Fact Check: Hamas 'Beheading Babies' Story Based on Weak Evidence Sputnik fact-cheked Hamas 'beheading babies' story based on weak evidence. 2023-10-11T14:46+0000 2023-10-11T14:46+0000 2023-10-11T14:46+0000 world israel palestine-israel conflict massacre false flag organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons (opcw) israel defense forces (idf) hamas sputnik's fact check /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0b/1114094266_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0e90ed387694f59610c428ef5f6b5de3.jpg The Western mainstream press has yet again dipped into its playbook of hawking unproven claims and peddling what are often false narratives. Gut-wrenching headlines like Hamas cut the throats of babies, An act of sheer evil, and Massacre of innocents were emblazoned across a plethora of media outlets after an Israeli reporter claimed that bodies of babies, including some with their heads cut off, had been stumbled upon by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza.Amid the latest spiral of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, an i24NEWS reporter was among the journalists invited to survey the aftermath of the infiltration of southern Israel by Hamas fighters. As IDF soldiers went from house to house removing the bodies of victims in the kibbutz near the Gaza border, the reporter, Nicole Zedeck, said:Sputnik fact-checked the media hype around the swirling Hamas "beheadings" story, and found it to be based on weak evidence.The unverified news of Hamas fighters reportedly beheading 40 Israeli babies swiftly took off on social media platforms, shared and retweeted despite not being verified by any news outlet.The Israeli military does not have any data confirming the alleged massacre of women, elderly people, and children in Kfar Aza, an army representative told Sputnik.The Israel Defense Forces, alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal, is not in possession of any information regarding allegations that Hamas beheaded babies, Turkiyes Anadolu news agency reported, after requesting a comment from the IDF. "We have seen the news, but we do not have any details or confirmation about that," an IDF spokesperson was cited as saying.The Palestinian movement Hamas has also vehemently dismissed reports that Gazan fighters allegedly attacked civilians and killed children during the operation near the Gaza Strip.The [Hamas] movement categorically rejects the false accusations fabricated by certain Western media outlets, most recently of the alleged killings of children, their beheadings and attacks on civilians," it stated on its Telegram account. Hamas added that such false claims are "aimed at covering up war crimes and [Israel's] genocide against the Palestinian people."The movement noted that it exclusively targets [Israels] military machine and the security system built [by the Israeli authorities]," calling on Western media to "be objective and professional in reporting the latest events around the Gaza Strip."Incidentally, the correspondent who eagerly spread the "Hamas beheaded 40 children" news, without any images or official statements to buttress them, later retracted her claim, and was quoted in media reports as saying:I just wanted to clarify that I did not tweet 40 babies had been beheaded. I tweeted that foreign media had been told women and children had been decapitated but we had not been shown bodies - which was my response to reports which had gone viral about the 40 babies. I realized the way my tweet was written was too short to explain the full context, so deleted it. My headline of my story references that toddlers were killed.However, the reporter's words fell on deaf ears, as the media frenzy had already caught fire.There is no shortage of similar instances when the mainstream press has devoured deliberate distortions of facts to fit the Western narrative.Bucha Frame-UpAmid Russia's ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, in early April, 2022, the Kiev regime's media and social networks published graphic photos and videos of allegedly dead bodies strewn in the streets of Bucha. Russian troops had withdrawn from the Ukrainian town on March 30 as Ukrainian forces shelled it with artillery, tanks, and multiple launch rocket systems. After Ukrainian forces, including the neo-Nazi Azov* regiment, entered the city, they did not report any casualties among the locals. On April 2, Ukraines National Police, which also entered the town, filmed a video showing the city's streets and damaged buildings. Shortly after, Kiev claimed that Bucha was full of corpses, accusing Russia of war crimes and providing a video showing numerous alleged bodies lying in the streets - while the previous clip had failed to show any.Ukrainian authorities blamed the alleged killings on Russia, despite many corpses in the videos wearing white armbands, which may have been considered Russian insignia by Ukrainian troops. Moscow denounced the allegations, with the Russian Ministry of Defense saying that this was yet another provocation, and stressing that not a single Bucha resident had been harmed by the Russian military while the city was under its control. It underscored that Ukrainian forces shelled the city after Russian troops had already withdrawn from the area. It should be noted that before reports of the mass killings surfaced, the Ukrainian police announced an operation in the settlement to "clear the area of saboteurs and accomplices of Russian troops," which also raises questions about possible preparations for a false flag operation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called on the international community to conduct an impartial investigation into the provocation in Bucha. While Moscow demanded that international leaders should not rush to make sweeping accusations, but listen to Russia's arguments, the Western mainstream media wasted no time in jumping on the graphic footage and peddling the uncorroborated "Bucha massacre" story, while branding Russia as the culprit.Alleged Chemical Attack in Douma, SyriaOn April 7, 2018, a number of NGOs, including the White Helmets, alleged that chemical weapons were used in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, by the Syrian government. Chlorine bombs were allegedly dropped on the city, killing dozens and poisoning many locals, who were rushed to hospitals. Russia dismissed the report as fake news, with its Defense Ministry pointing out that the White Helmets were notorious for spreading falsehoods. On April 9, 2018, Russian military chemists visited the site of the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, including the health facility shown in the White Helmets footage, but found neither cases of exposure to chemical weapons nor traces of toxic agents. Yet the Donald Trump administration used the frame-up to justify massive US and allied strikes on Syrian government targets.Both Moscow and Damascus lambasted the US attacks, citing the fact that Syria had joined the OPCW agreement in 2013 and destroyed its chemical stockpiles by 2014.However, the US narrative was supported by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in its 2019 report. Soon after, both a WikiLeaks release and whistleblower accounts revealed that the organization had suppressed evidence confirming that the Douma incident was a staged provocation.Kuwaiti Incubator HoaxThe so-called Kuwaiti incubator hoax in 1990 was based on unverified reports and a testimony given to the United States Congressional Human Rights Caucus by a 15-year-old girl named Nayirah. She claimed that during the August 1990 invasion, Iraqi soldiers took Kuwaiti babies out of hospital incubators and left them to die. The horrendous story was resorted to by then-US President George H.W. Bush as a rationale behind supporting Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War against Iraq. However, when the war was over, it turned out that the story lacked any evidence.*Azov is a terrorist organization banned in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220801/french-volunteer-i-witnessed-bucha-frame-up-1098000423.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220404/kievs-bucha-provocation-aimed-at-disrupting-peace-talks--prolonging-conflict-observers-say-1094478685.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230821/ghouta-chemical-attack-showed-how-west-will-do-everything-to-disrupt-others-1112744495.html israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko israel, israel-hamas conflict, israel-hamas war, middle east, palestine, palestinians, palestinian arabs, gaza, gaza strip, siege of gaza strip, israeli-palestine conflict, false flag provocation, bucha provocation, bucha frame-up, alleged chemical attack in douma, syria https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/hamas-surprise-october-offensive-israeli-intelligence-failure-or-conspiracy-1114113527.html Hamas Surprise October Offensive: Israeli Intelligence Failure or Conspiracy? Hamas Surprise October Offensive: Israeli Intelligence Failure or Conspiracy? The infiltration of thousands of Palestinian fighters into Israel from Gaza seems to have briefly caught Israels military and intelligence services totally off guard. As Israel recovers, questions have swirled about exactly what Tel Aviv may have known ahead of time. Sputnik asked two senior former Israeli intelligence officials for their takes. 2023-10-11T19:03+0000 2023-10-11T19:03+0000 2023-10-11T19:19+0000 analysis yakov kedmi benjamin netanyahu palestinians middle east israel defense forces (idf) hamas israel gaza egypt /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0b/1114113175_0:1:1023:576_1920x0_80_0_0_abfad5f9d5f305a14aac2eaa23653a9b.png The blame game for the intelligence failure which allowed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters to flood over the heavily fortified border between Gaza and Israel has officially begun, with senior Israeli security officials telling US media that intel picked up on a spike in chatter by Gazan militant networks shortly before the attack, but that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops either didnt receive or didnt read the warnings.Separately this week, an Egyptian intelligence official alleged to media that Cairo sent a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office warning of something big in the offing related to militants in Gaza, with the Israeli side apparently underestimating the warning to focus on tensions in the West Bank instead. We have warned them an explosion of the situation is coming, and very soon, the anonymous official said.Netanyahus office dismissed the latter reporting as totally fake news, stressing that no message in advance has arrived from Egypt and the prime minister has neither spoken, nor met, with the head of Egyptian intelligence since the formation of the government, either directly nor indirectly. A 'high-profile Egyptian official source' backed up the Israeli prime minister on Wednesday, similarly denying that any warning was given.These reports have fed into conspiracy theories on social media about how the 65 km long Iron Wall separating Gaza from Israel which is six meters tall and equipped with a complex array of cameras, radars, and sensors, and guarded by remote-controlled machine gun emplacements and drones, could be breached by lightly-armed Palestinian fighters using paragliders, pickup trucks, small boats and bulldozers, and all without being immediately noticed.Theres no way I [would be] awakened at night by a pigeon, by a stork approaching the wall. A cockroach crawling under the barrier would put the whole sector on alert, a flustered woman claiming to have served in Gaza as an IDF reserve sergeant said in a viral video. How did they manage to enter on tractors 400 people and nobody noticed? This simply cannot be.Others characterized the surprise attack as a successful deception operation, with additional Israeli intelligence officials telling media that Hamas unprecedented intelligence tactic to mislead Israel gave Tel Aviv the impression that it was not ready for a fight.This is our 9/11. They got us, IDF spokesperson Nir Dinar lamented. They surprised us and they came fast from many spots both from the air and on the ground and the sea.Indeed, the first stage of the operation was so well-coordinated and flawlessly executed from a military standpoint that Israeli President Isaac Herzog accused proxy commanders in Iran of supporting and directing Hamas claims which Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei slapped down on Tuesday.Supporters of the usurping regime, and even some people from the regime itself have said some nonsense over the past couple of days and its still continuing. They have said the Islamic Republic of Iran is behind this move. They are wrong, Khamenei said. Those who say what the Palestinians did was caused by non-Palestinians have not yet got to know the Palestinian people, he added, praising the smart and wise planners behind the operation.How Did Israel Get Duped So Badly?There was nothing conspiratorial about the intelligence failure leading to Saturdays surprise Hamas-led assault, says Alex Wexler, a political analyst and former advisor to Israels internal security minister.This was just our failure as Israel. It was a holiday, it was a Saturday, Wexler told Sputnik. Exactly 50 years ago, on October 6, 1973, we experienced something similar, he recalled, referring to the so-called Yom Kippur War.How the crisis will proceed from now on is hard to say, Wexler emphasized. But the government that allowed such an attack to take placeincluding the prime minister, the defense minister, the head of military intelligence should have resigned, in my point of view, he added, saying this could still take place soon after the hot phase of the conflict ends.Wexler attributes at least part of the success of Hamass ability to plan the operation in secret to the lack of chatter about it using radio and other communication technology. Because our intelligence 56 years ago managed to record a closed-circuit conversion between President Nasser of Egypt and King Hussein of Jordan on the first day of the Six Day War. Now I think our capabilities are much stronger."Musing over Israels possible plans for a ground war in Gaza, Wexler said such an operation will take place, but will have to be done very carefully, because everything is mined there, and they are constantly waiting for us to enter. But we will enter, I dont know if tomorrow, the day after or three days from now.Intelligence Not an Exact ScienceYaakov Kedmi, former head of the Nativ intelligence agency specializing in repatriating Jews from the former Soviet space to Israel, similarly dismissed the idea of the Israeli military or state deliberately ignoring Hamas preparations for an attack, telling Sputnik that more time will be needed to figure out exactly what happened.Kedmi pointed to the folly shown by the IDF in apparently being over-reliant on its high-tech impenetrable border wall without padding out the rear with actual troops on the ground. Dozens, hundreds of cameras can be completely disabled by any sniper rifle. This doesnt require intelligence. The antennas on the towers that exist for communication with command can be neutralized by the most primitive kinds of drones that children play with by attaching a grenade to them this does not require intelligence, he said.Even after the assaults began on Saturday, commanders failed to take advantage of Israels capabilities, Kedmi said.Ultimately, the observer believes that ideas about the power and capabilities of Israels military and its intelligence services may have proven a little exaggerated in the public imagination. Intelligence is a complex system, and the breakdown witnessed Saturday was a failure of operational intelligence, including of those agents working among the Palestinians, Kedmi said.The most difficult thing in intelligence that you can never fully rely on is assessing enemy intentions. They can change, and they change very often," Kedmi said, evoking former Egyptian Army Chief of Staff Saad el-Shazly, who once recalled that he wasnt sure that the 1973 Yom Kippur War against Israel would commence until 15 minutes before it actually began, when then-President Anwar Sadat entered the command post in a field marshals uniform. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/israels-intel-operational--logistical-lapses-failed-to-stop-hamas-attack---report-1114087825.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/why-us-warship-deployment-nearby-israel-spells-escalation-risks-1114110822.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/scott-ritter-israeli-assault-on-gaza-is-doomed-to-fail-1114109205.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/what-is-israels-merkava-iv-tank-that-ukraine-wanted-and-hamas-destroyed-1114074692.html israel gaza egypt Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov israel, palestine, benjamin netanyahu, surprise attack, hamas, islamic jihad, intelligence, failure, mossad, yakov kedmi https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/israel-delays-regional-elections-by-at-least-3-months-amid-escalating-conflict---reports-1114108180.html Israel Delays Regional Elections by at Least 3 Months Amid Escalating Conflict - Reports Israel Delays Regional Elections by at Least 3 Months Amid Escalating Conflict - Reports The Israeli Interior Ministry has announced that upcoming elections for local municipal and regional councils have been postponed amid the escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict, an Israeli newspaper reported on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T16:12+0000 2023-10-11T16:12+0000 2023-10-11T16:12+0000 israeli-palestinian conflict palestine-israel conflict israel palestine hamas gaza strip middle east world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101963/50/1019635086_0:150:5760:3390_1920x0_80_0_0_dcbecbbc7492d62ccabfb1702b3fbdd4.jpg The interior ministry said that the elections would be delayed by at least three months, the newspaper reported. The last time such measures were taken was during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when the country fought with a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria, the report said. Earlier on Wednesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry stated that the death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israeli attacks had reached 1,055 and another 5,184 people had been injured. At the same time, media reported that the number of those killed among Israeli citizens as a result of the escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict had surpassed 1,200 people and nearly 3,000 had been wounded. The fate of the 150 people brought to the Gaza Strip as hostages by the Palestinian movement Hamas reportedly remains unknown. On October 7, Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to declare a state of war the following day and launch retaliatory strikes. On Monday, Israel ordered a full blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million, stopping supplies of water, food and fuel. Both Israel and Palestine have so far reported hundreds of dead and thousands of injured as a result of the escalation. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/mideast-escalation-may-end-palestines-existence-lead-to-wider-conflict---former-us-official-1114081927.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International regional elections, postponed elections, israeli elections, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, middle east crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/israels-defense-industry-can-tel-aviv-survive-without-american-weapons-1114097192.html Israels Defense Industry: Can Tel Aviv Survive Without American Weapons? Israels Defense Industry: Can Tel Aviv Survive Without American Weapons? The escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has demonstrated Tel Avivs precarious security situation, with Americas focus on the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine sparking questions about whether Washington can afford to back two allies simultaneously. In this light, its worth taking a closer look at Israels domestic defense sector. 2023-10-11T16:51+0000 2023-10-11T16:51+0000 2023-10-11T19:04+0000 israel tel aviv washington palestinians military & intelligence israel defense forces (idf) elbit systems iron dome palestine palestine-israel conflict /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082116651_0:0:1600:900_1920x0_80_0_0_0a472aca28a6291f2bf610b8a901136e.png The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed late on Tuesday that the first plane carrying US weapons had touched down in the Holy Land.The Israeli military did not elaborate on the nature of the weapons provided, nor what these "other scenarios" might entail. However, US President Joe Biden vowed that American assistance would include interceptor missiles "to replenish Iron Dome" - Israel's much-touted air defense system.Alongside weapons, Washington demonstratively deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean, and moved additional Air Force resources to the region to augment existing fighter squadrons, all to send a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation, in US CENTCOM chief Michael Kurillas words.The current situation is eerily reminiscent of a scenario Israel experienced exactly 50 years ago this week, when, during the Arab-Israeli War of October 1973, Washington organized a massive strategic airlift mission known as Operation Nickel Grass to funnel tens of thousands of tons of urgent aid to Tel Aviv, including ammunition, tanks, and artillery systems.There is one important difference this time around, however. During the 1973 crisis, Israels Syrian and Egyptian adversaries enjoyed direct support from Soviet bloc countries, and expeditionary and advisory assistance from half-a-dozen nations in the Middle East. Today, while about half-a-dozen countries have expressed moral support for the Palestinian militias (among them Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah in Lebanon), none have provided military support.Does Israel Actually Need American Arms?Israel has one of the largest, most diversified, complex, and profitable military-industrial complexes in the world, with only Iran able to compete with the Jewish state regionally when it comes to the ability to design, produce, and field a broad array of advanced weapons systems. Unlike Iran, Israel also gets a booster of over $3 billion in annual US military aid, or more precisely, grants for the acquisition of US military equipment and services, plus first in the region (and often in the world) access to cutting edge US military tech, like Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets.What Prompted the Birth of Israels Defense Industry?Israels defense sectors earliest roots lie in the 1930s in the British colony of Mandatory Palestine, where underground Jewish militants seeking to establish a Jewish state created secret underground weapons factories to produce small-arms and explosives, which would then be used to target the British colonial administration and Palestinians.As in the case of Iran after the 1979 Revolution, necessity proved the mother of invention for Israels defense sector. French President Charles de Gaulles decision to put an embargo on weapons exports to the region shortly before the Arab-Israeli War of June 1967 crippled the Jewish states ability to produce an array of advanced weaponry and components, particularly aircraft. Paris lifted its embargo in the mid-1970s, but the damage was done, and Tel Aviv began an unprecedented, decades-long effort to build up the technical and production-related capabilities of its defense industry.In recent years, thanks to a series of mergers, acquisitions, and large-scale expansions to foreign markets, Israels defense sector has come to be dominated by a handful of major weapons conglomerates responsible for the production of a broad array of weapons, among them:Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI): A state-owned defense giant responsible for the production of an array of homegrown and conversion/derivative aircraft, drones, missiles, space-based defense systems, radars, and electronic warfare components. IAIs best-known products include the Iron Dome, the Arrow series of anti-ballistic missile systems, Barak series surface-to-air missiles, Gabriel anti-ship missiles, Jericho I, II, and III nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, LAHAT anti-tank laser-guided missiles, Griffin laser guided bombs, and SkySniper air-to-surface missiles.The company also produces the Dabur, Dvora, and Super Dvora Mk II and Mk III-series fast attack boats, designed for coastal anti-ship and air defense patrols. A broad range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are produced by IAI, among them the Heron family of long-range spy drones, and Harpy and Harop loitering munition suicide drones.IAIs lineup further includes light armored reconnaissance vehicles, including the RBY MK 1 and RAM MK3, the TopGun artillery platform, and components for the IDFs Caterpillar armored bulldozers, used extensively to demolish buildings, plant life, and obstacles in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and to assist in the construction of walls and other barriers along the border with Gaza.Rounding out the range of major systems produced by IAI are Israels AMOS-series lightweight communications series satellites, EROS-series spy satellites, and launch vehicles to carry the spacecraft into orbit.Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Another major state-owned defense and aerospace conglomerate, responsible for the creation of the Tamir series missiles used by the Iron Dome, elements of the experimental Iron Beam laser air and missile defense system, the Davids Sling air defense system (developed jointly with Raytheon), the Python-5, I-Derby, and Sky Spear series of air-to-air missiles, the Spike and Matador anti-tank missiles, Windbreaker Trophy active protection system for tanks, and an array of remote-controlled weapons platforms, including the Samson machinegun platform equipped on board IDF vehicles and pillboxes.Elbit Systems: A key defense electronics company producing much of the "guts" of Israeli weapons systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles and digital radio equipment. The companys portfolio includes the production of the Hermes series of reconnaissance drones, E-LynX radios, spyware, and, after Elbits acquisition of Israel Military Industries (IMI) in 2018, a variety of other products, from small arms to MRAP vehicles, Delilah cruise missiles, bombs, grenades, and cluster munitions.Israel Weapon Industries (IWI): Primary producer of small arms for the IDF, including Jericho 941, Masada and Desert Eagle series pistols, Galil ACE assault rifles, Negev light machine guns, the Tavor lineup of bullpup-style assault rifles, and the Uzi the world-famous series of submachine guns that gained international prominence and notoriety after becoming a go-to weapon of choice for everyone from the US Secret Service to Latin American drug cartels.Israeli Military: Some weapons are deemed too important to be entrusted to any one company, with the Merkava series of main battle tanks being a perfect example. Developed by the Israeli Defense Ministrys Tank Program Administration (MANTAK), Merkava tanks are produced by the IDFs Ordnance Corps, with major defense companies producing its components (Rafael providing armor, Elbit Systems-owned IMI the 120 mm smoothbore tank gun, and US defense giant General Dynamics Land Systems the engine and transmission).A Little Help From Their FriendsWith Israeli defense manufacturers capable of producing so many different weapons types from small arms to tanks and even ballistic missiles, there are only a few areas where Tel Aviv really needs US help either in actual production or the full cycle of design and manufacturing. For example, the Saar 5-class of Israeli Navy corvettes may have been developed by Israeli defense engineers, but were built by Northrop Grumman subsidiary Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The F-35I Adir fighter is produced by Lockheed Martin at its Fort Worth, Texas plant, with the Israelis then modifying the aircraft to include a custom main computer, and the ability to carry Israeli-made missiles and bombs.Global Arms MerchantsBuilding up its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Israel has gone on to become a major global arms exporter, with the country estimated to account for some 2.3 percent of global arms sales 10th in the world overall. Major clients of Israeli weapons include India, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, the United States, and the Philippines. Earlier this year, authorities announced some $12.5 billion in Israeli defense exports in 2022, with drone systems, missiles, rockets, as well as air defenses and radar and early warfare components making up the majority of sales (25 percent, 19 percent, and 13 percent, respectively).To summarize: if Israeli defense companies remain unaffected by Palestinian militias attacks, and if the crisis does not escalate into a major regional conflagration, Israels arms industry will quickly be able to provide the IDF with a massive quantitative and qualitative edge over Hamas and its allies whose weapons-making capabilities are limited almost exclusively to rockets and drones, made from whatever materials are available at underground garages in the Gaza Strip. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/israels-intel-operational--logistical-lapses-failed-to-stop-hamas-attack---report-1114087825.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/what-is-israels-merkava-iv-tank-that-ukraine-wanted-and-hamas-destroyed-1114074692.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/biden-says-us-will-make-sure-israel-has-everything-it-needs-to-respond-to-hamas-attacks-1114075932.html israel tel aviv washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov israel, palestine, conflict, crisis, weapons, arms, industry, manufacturing, defense, military industrial complex Seoul may need to address some GOP voters By Troy Stangarone Is the United States a reliable ally? Its a question that seems to increasingly be on the minds of South Koreans. Even with the creation of the Nuclear Consultative Group, questions linger about whether South Korea should take steps toward developing an independent nuclear capability or continue to depend on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. With the prospect of Donald Trumps return to the White House, Hamas brazen attack on Israel, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and North Koreas growing weapons capabilities, questions about U.S. capabilities and reliability are bound to arise. They may also seem more salient with polling in the United States suggesting that Americans are also less willing to defend South Korea, but U.S. policy to date should ease some of those concerns. Despite not being a formal ally, the U.S. has a long security relationship with Israel and that has come into play with Hamas recent invasion. The U.S. is sending air defense systems and munitions to support Israels defense against Hamas. It has also dispatched the Ford carrier group to provide support. Politically, it is working to dissuade Iran and Hezbollah from becoming directly involved in the conflict. The U.S. has and will continue to stand by Israel during this difficult time. Ukraine is a more complex story. The existing U.S. security ties with Ukraine were much looser than those with Israel prior to Russias invasion, but Washington has been Kyivs strongest supporter in the war. It has rallied together a stronger NATO while providing Ukraine with $75 billion in aid, including $42.1 billion in military aid by far the largest amount. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economys Ukraine aid tracker, the second largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine is Germany which has only provided $17.1 billion. Despite strong U.S. support to date, the efforts of some Republicans in Congress to end U.S. support for Ukraine raises doubts about U.S. staying power. Neither Israel nor Ukraine has mutual defense treaties with the U.S., so there is no obligation for Washington to provide troops in these conflicts. This is different from the U.S. security relationship with South Korea. However, what they do demonstrate is the U.S. commitment to support its friends abroad. Both conflicts also show that nuclear weapons do not deter all types of conflict. While undeclared, Israels nuclear weapons did not deter the largest attack on Israel in decades and neither the U.S. nuclear umbrella nor a South Korean nuclear weapon will deter small-scale North Korean attacks. Russia has consistently threatened nuclear strikes on Ukraine, but that has not deterred Ukraine or its supporters from providing it the means to defend itself. If governmental support is strong, public opinion could be a factor that weakens that support on a political level. Recent polling by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs shows a majority of Americans willing to defend South Korea against North Korean invasion, but also down since last year and only at 50 percent. This level of support is higher, however, despite the decline, than any year prior to 2015. To an extent, the question is not so much why support for defending Korea has declined, but why it grew above historical levels during the late Obama years and the Trump administration. If the shift in American support for defending South Korea in a historical context still looks strong, it could be concerning that there is a small majority of Republicans who are against doing so. Context may explain this change as well. U.S. political parties have been undergoing a shift in supporters with more working-class voters shifting to the Republican Party and more upper-middle-class and highly educated voters shifting to the Democratic Party. This trend has been accelerated by Trump and may help explain why Democratic support has strengthened and Republican views declined since 2020. Other polling numbers also suggest strong Republican support for the alliance. In polling that I oversee for the Korea Economic Institute that was in the field just before the Chicago Council poll, 75 percent of Republicans believe that the U.S.-Korea alliance is in the interest of the U.S. In addition, 70 percent of Republicans believe that the U.S. should maintain or increase the current level of troops in South Korea. While these questions differ from the Chicago Councils question, they do suggest that public support for South Korea among Republicans is relatively strong. Concerns about U.S. reliability are understandable given the current state of the world, but U.S. support for Israel and Ukraine demonstrates continued U.S. reliability. U.S. public support for South Korea also remains relatively robust. In the long run, the best way to maintain that support and address potential concerns among Republicans is for Korean officials to talk to Republican voters. Republican voters dont always agree with Trump, so making Koreas case to the American public is critical. Troy Stangarone is senior director and fellow at the Korea Economic Institute of America. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/israels-intel-operational--logistical-lapses-failed-to-stop-hamas-attack---report-1114087825.html Israels Intel, Operational & Logistical Lapses Failed to Stop Hamas Attack - Report Israels Intel, Operational & Logistical Lapses Failed to Stop Hamas Attack - Report The Hamas attack into Israel became possible due to an array of intelligence lapses, along with operational and logistical weaknesses of the military, a US report has claimed, citing senior Israeli security officials. 2023-10-11T10:59+0000 2023-10-11T10:59+0000 2023-10-11T10:59+0000 world palestine-israel conflict israel hamas israeli air force (iaf) palestine gaza /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0b/1114087453_0:0:3640:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_a0778f0bf7e57863c1a9be985e410cd0.jpg The Hamas attack into southern Israel became possible due to an array of intelligence lapses, along with operational and logistical weaknesses of the military, a US report has claimed, citing senior Israeli security officials.Hamas Barely MentionedIn the months preceding the attack, Israeli security chiefs had drawn erroneous assumptions as to the degree of threat that the militant group Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, posed to Israel, sources were cited as saying. They pointed to the fact that Hamas had kept a low-profile throughout the past year, with a smaller Gaza-based group - Palestinian Islamic Jihad more in the limelight. Hamas leadership had also agreed to a deal brokered by Qatar to end rioting at the border fence in September also contributing to the impression that the militant group was not aiming for any escalation.The publication recalled that several days before the attack, Israels National Security Adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, gave a radio interview where he claimed that Hamas is very, very restrained and understands the implications of further defiance.Furthermore, the emphasis shifted to threats emanating from Lebanese militants flanking Israels northern border in Israeli intelligence briefs to senior security chiefs several days ago. Meanwhile, Hamas was described as being successfully deterred by the intelligence officials.Feeding into these assumptions were also wiretapped calls between Hamas operatives. Israeli intelligence agents reportedly got the impression that after the escalation of the Mideastern conflict in May 2021, Hamas was not seeking to become embroiled in fighting with Israel.'Operational Failure'The horrendous breach of security that happened on October 7 was also facilitated by the fact that the Israeli border security system is predominantly reliant on surveillance cameras, above-ground barriers, a subterranean wall to prevent the digging of tunnels, and remotely operated machine guns. The setup was ostensibly deemed impregnable by Israeli commanders. Accordingly, it was felt that there was no need to physically station significant numbers of soldiers along the border.Accordingly, the Israeli military opted to slash troop strength there, while redirecting the soldiers to other areas, such as the West Bank, as per the publication.However, Hamas had exploited the vulnerability of the remotely-controlled Israeli security system at the border by sending aerial drones to attack cellular towers that transmit signals, clarified the report. This appeared to be confirmed by drone footage released by Hamas.After the drones rendered the system inoperable, soldiers behind the front lines failed to get the alarm that the border fence had been breached. As for the physical barrier itself, Hamas infiltrators bulldozed through it with greater ease than ostensibly anticipated by the Israeli officials. Accordingly, over 1,500 fighters were able to reach at least four Israeli military bases after breaching close to 30 border points, some using hang-gliders to get past the barricades.Another fatal operational flaw was the fact that leaders from the Israeli armys Gaza division had all been crammed into one location on the border, according to Israeli officials. As a result, once the base was swarmed by attackers, a major part of the senior officers were killed, injured or taken hostage.All the above-mentioned factors hampered a coordinated response, amid an inability to communicate just how grave the situation was to the top military command in Tel Aviv. With the Israeli Air Force bases just minutes away in flying time, said officials, swift air cover was not provided, with hours of response time wasted.Well finish this You know that this will be investigated, Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht was cited as saying. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/israels-gaza-land-op-may-turn-into-urban-meat-grinder-1114071390.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231007/hamas-sneak-attack-on-israel-deemed-major-failure-for-israeli-intelligence-1114006542.html israel palestine gaza Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko israel, israel-hamas conflict, israel-hamas war, middle east, palestine, palestinians, palestinian arabs, gaza, gaza strip, siege of gaza strip, israeli-palestine conflict Over 338K People Flee Their Homes in Gaza - OCHA More than 338,000 people in the Gaza Strip have been forced to flee their homes since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict escalated, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Wednesday. "Mass displacement across the Gaza Strip continues. The cumulative number of displaced people increased by 30 percent over the past 24 hours, now totaling 338,934," the office said in a statement. The office added that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East now hosts a total of 218,597 displaced people, or 65%, in 92 schools, and 14,837 internally displaced people have taken refuge at 18 Palestinian Authority schools. Putin Says North-South Route Project Being Implemented Russia is implementing the North-South route project, there are agreements with all participants in the process Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are showing interest, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. "Today... everything is possible. We have agreements with all participants in this process there are relevant documents with Iran, with Azerbaijan, and now I will meet with [Azerbaijani] President Aliyev within the framework of the CIS summit in Kyrgyzstan. We will definitely talk about this topic. Azerbaijan has many current problems, but no one rejects this project. Turkmenistan is also showing interest, and Kazakhstan," Putin said at the Russian Energy Week. Preparations for the implementation of the North-South project are being completed, a consortium is being created for these purposes, Putin added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/members-of-13-european-pmcs-fighting-against-russia-in-ukraine---fsb-head-1114087339.html Members of 13 European PMCs Fighting Against Russia in Ukraine - FSB Head Members of 13 European PMCs Fighting Against Russia in Ukraine - FSB Head Members of 13 private military companies (PMCs) from Europe and members of nine foreign paramilitary proxy formations are participating in military operations against Russia in Ukraine, Federal Security Service (FSB) chief Alexander Bortnikov said on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T07:45+0000 2023-10-11T07:45+0000 2023-10-11T08:02+0000 russia alexander bortnikov russia ukraine federal security service nato kursk smolensk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102846/98/1028469837_0:123:2048:1275_1920x0_80_0_0_2bb9f8578b4b5a03f6d43272c8cc3abb.jpg "We record the participation of employees of 13 European PMCs and members of nine foreign paramilitary proxy forces in hostilities," Bortnikov said at a meeting of the CIS Council of the Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services. Additionally, the identities of 794 mercenaries from 35 countries fighting against Russia in Ukraine have been established, the official said.There are 17 training camps in EU countries under the auspices of NATO special services, where militants from members of international terrorist organizations and mercenaries are trained for Ukraine, Alexander Bortnikov said. Ukraine, thanks to the efforts of Washington and its NATO allies, has become a source of military and terrorist threats on the border of Russia and Belarus, Bortnikov added.The priority of the international terrorist organizations, actively directed by the American and British special services, is to seize power primarily in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and incorporate them into the so-called "world caliphate," Alexander Bortnikov said.The undermining of the power lines of the Smolensk and Kursk nuclear power plants by the Ukrainian saboteurs was aimed at disrupting the technological process of the nuclear power plants' operation; as a result of their actions, the No. 2 unit of the Kursk nuclear power plant was stopped in an emergency, Bortnikov said. In August this year, the FSB detained members of the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group, which was trained by the British Army Special Forces and whose task included sabotage of the Smolensk and Kursk nuclear power plants, Bortnikov stressed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230907/fsb-uncovers-supply-channel-of-aircrafts-spare-parts-from-russia-to-ukrainian-military-1113174869.html russia ukraine smolensk Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International european pmcs, fighting against russia in ukraine, military operations, federal security service https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/musk-fires-back-at-eu-regulator-x-content-on-palestine-israel-conflict-open-source--transparent--1114085475.html Musk Fires Back at EU Regulator: X Content on Palestine-Israel Conflict 'Open Source & Transparent Musk Fires Back at EU Regulator: X Content on Palestine-Israel Conflict 'Open Source & Transparent Elon Musk fires back at the EU regulator's complaint that his platform allegedly spreads illegal content and disinformation about the Palestine-Israel conflict, says "everything is open source and transparent." 2023-10-11T07:30+0000 2023-10-11T07:30+0000 2023-10-11T07:30+0000 world elon musk thierry breton european union (eu) x european commission glenn greenwald /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0b/1114085233_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_f248447cdea24c193bec2ad403dd1d00.jpg Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk went on X (formerly Twitter) to fire back at the EU regulator's complaint that his platform allegedly spreads illegal content and disinformation about the Palestine-Israel conflict.Responding to the allegations, Musk wrote that the platform's policy is "everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports." He also added, "Please list the violations you allude to on , so that that [sic] the public can see them. Merci beaucoup."Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for the internal market, had sent a letter to the tech billionaire, claiming that his office has received "indications" that groups are spreading misinformation and "violent and terrorist" content on X, along with repurposed old images. Breton urged Musk to ensure a prompt, accurate, and complete response, and contact relevant law enforcement agencies within the next 24 hours. Breton reminded Musk that he needed to have proportionate and effective mitigation measures to tackle the risks to public security and civic discourse stemming from disinformation. Furthermore, the commissioner alluded to the platform's updated public interest policy that redefines which posts are 'newsworthy.'Breton, who had shared his letter via an X post, had also included a hashtag referencing the Digital Services Act, used by the European Commission (EC) to exert pressure on online platforms under the pretext of creating "a safer digital space".The tech guru also responded on his social media platform to an X post by Glenn Greenwald. The American journalist and lawyer had tagged the news about the EU commissioners warning to Elon Musk, saying that the EU intended to wield its new censorship law to "punish" X. Greenwald referenced the firm "Reset that the EU had hired as ostensibly "disinformation experts". Reset is an initiative run by UK-based Luminate Projects Limited, a company owned by Luminate, an organization founded by the Omidyar Group. A study by "Reset", the American journalist reminded, had accused X of failing to censor "pro-Russia propaganda." Replying to Greenwalds post, Musk wrote that not only must the public hear exactly what this disinformation consists of and decide for themselves, but that, many times, we have found the official fact-checker to be the very individual making false statements.This May, the social media giant owned by Elon Musk exited the voluntary European Union Code of Practice of Disinformation, launched last June, which presupposes obligations to increase transparency, cooperate with fact-checkers, and track political advertising. Elon Musk insisted there is now "less misinformation rather than more" since he took over the platform in October, 2022. However, Thierry Breton had warned Musk that. "You can run but you cant hide, in a nod at the platform's obligations as a so-called Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EUs Digital Services Act (DSA).Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be legal obligation under #DSA as of August 25. Our teams will be ready for enforcement, Breton had tweeted.Under the pretext of shielding Europeans from undesired information, the European Commission (EC) conceived the Digital Services Act (DSA), which was signed into law and came into effect in November 2022. With the touted aim of creating "a safer and more accountable online environment", the new legislation elevated the European bureaucrats to the position of a supervisor of the media sphere on the continent. After DSA entered into law, online platforms and search engines have been required to improve accountability and oversight by, for example, introducing a new flagging mechanism for what the authors of the law deem "illegal content." Under the rules, digital platforms are obligated to, "increase the protection of minors", and "give users more choice and better information." Firms breaching the DSA will face a fine equating to 6% of global turnover. Those who continue to break the EU's new digital rules may be prohibited from operating in Europe.However, as part of the EU's so-called "disinformation crusade," the bloc stooped to outright censorship of Russian media, banning Sputnik, RT, and their subsidiaries, along with individual media channels of Russian bloggers amid Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine. The ban was met with condemnation from members of the European Federation of Journalists and the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) at the time, who decried the fact that Europeans were being deprived of alternative viewpoints. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/whats-behind-eus-censorship-of-social-media--research-engines-1112894305.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230929/netizens-applaud-elon-musk-for-slamming-politicians-who-neglect-us-in-favor-of-ukraine-1113794034.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko elon musk, x, tesla and spacex ceo elon musk, eu regulator's complaint, illegal content and disinformation, palestine-israel conflict, https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/palestinians-and-israelis-tell-of-suffering-in-new-gaza-war-1114091402.html Palestinians and Israelis Tell of Suffering in New Gaza War Palestinians and Israelis Tell of Suffering in New Gaza War Palestinian human rights defender Issa Amro and Rachel Kastner, a US citizen living in Israel, gave first-hand accounts of the horrors and persecution facing civilians during the latest conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas. 2023-10-11T16:36+0000 2023-10-11T16:36+0000 2023-10-11T16:36+0000 israel gaza gaza strip palestinians benjamin netanyahu palestine hamas israel defense forces (idf) palestine middle east /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/09/1114029845_0:103:3273:1944_1920x0_80_0_0_5ce770e72327def1623c299453f6bd0c.jpg Palestinian and Israeli citizens have related their experiences of the new war raging in the Holy Land.Guerrillas from the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a massive rocket attack on Southern Israel before out from the besieged Gaza Strip on Saturday, wiping out several Israel Defense Forces (IDF) outposts. They captured nearby towns, taking more than a hundred Israeli troops, police officers, and civilians prisoner.More than a thousand Israelis have been killed so far in five days of fighting, including women, children, and young people at a dance music festival held on the edge of the Gaza Strip.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas during the weekend, ordering that electricity and water supplies to Gaza be cut off and for the IDF to begin round-the-clock bombing of the enclave, home to more than two million people, in preparation for a ground invasion.Issa Amro told Sputnik that residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank where he lives have been suffering heightened violence and oppression from the IDF and Jewish settlers since the latest outbreak of fighting.The human rights defender said that when he ventured out to buy food on Saturday, he was arrested by IDF troops and settlers, held for 10 hours, and tortured. He was blindfolded, gagged, and handcuffed so tightly that his hands were still numb days later, and he was still unable to hold anything and his eye was injured."It's not about Gaza. It's not about Hamas. It's about us as Palestinians who are suffering from the Israeli occupation and apartheid, and they want to shut our voices," Amro stressed. "More than 20 Palestinians [have been] killed in the West Bank since Saturday. Every day the Palestinians [are] being killed without even any excuse."He said Palestinians sympathized with Israeli families who had lost loved ones during the Hamas offensive. But he also said the Western media was ignoring the suffering of thousands of civilians in Gaza killed or injured by Israeli bombing with almost 300 children killed to date.He questioned why Israel's backers in the US and Europe have allowed its occupation of Palestine to continue since 1967 while accusing Russia of seizing land from Ukraine.Tel Aviv-resident and US citizen Rachel Kastner told Sputnik that she had just come from a press conference with four American families whose children were among the hostages taken by Hamas but had to take shelter when sirens warned of an incoming rocket attack."One of the families of the American citizens who are missing is a friend of mine," she said. "His son was taken to Gaza, and we have not heard from him in several days."The American said she had taken part in recent mass protests against attempts by Netanyahu's government to reform the judicial system but that was forgotten once an external threat to Israel appeared.Kastner said she had Palestinian friends who told her that Hamas which governs Gaza in alliance with the Fatah party-dominated Palestinian Authority based in the West Bank "has so little regard for their citizens' lives and is putting them all in danger."She underscored that while every Israeli "wants this war to end," what that meant was that "nobody wants to wake up in the middle of the night to bombings and to terrorists infiltrating their homes, and Israel will do whatever it takes to make sure that Hamas is not able to do this."The US citizen said it was "inevitable" that Israel would launch a campaign of air raids against Gaza in "self-defense.""There is going to be loss of life on both sides. Innocent civilians are going to die. It is incredibly sad," Kastner said. "I'm just hoping that this changes the tide and Hamas is no longer going to maintain power. That's just the best that we can hope for."She rejected comparisons to previous conflicts in the Gaza Strip, such as the three-week Operation Cast Lead incursion over the 2008-2009 Christmas and New Year season or even the seven-week 2014 invasion that left 67 Israeli soldiers and some 2,000 Palestinian civilians dead but failed to neutralize Hamas and other militant groups."So to compare it to 2014, when... three soldiers were kidnaped and killed this is not the same thing. This is hundreds and hundreds of families that were slaughtered in their beds. So to make the comparison is honestly very, very irresponsible," she added.For more insightful commentary on major global events, tune in to our Sputnik Radio show The Final Countdown. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/russia-maintains-dialogue-with-both-israel-palestine-balanced-approach-vital---kremlin-1114088271.html israel gaza gaza strip palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png hamas incursion from gaza into israel, israeli bombing of gaza, benjamin netanyahu declares war on hamas, israel prepares to invade gaza https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/pentagon-chief-announces-new-200mln-ukraine-aid-package-includes-air-defense-munitions-1114091921.html Pentagon Chief Announces New $200Mln Ukraine Aid Package, Includes Air Defense Munitions Pentagon Chief Announces New $200Mln Ukraine Aid Package, Includes Air Defense Munitions US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Wednesday a new $200 million security assistance package for Ukraine that includes munitions for a new air defense system that will soon be delivered to Ukraine, among other weapons. 2023-10-11T11:19+0000 2023-10-11T11:19+0000 2023-10-11T11:19+0000 world us ukraine pentagon lloyd austin us arms for ukraine us military aid military aid financial aid ukrainian crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/08/17/1083688243_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b288828fc24d50aba7d1f3ffcbaac5c5.jpg "I am proud that the United States has just announced its latest security assistance package for Ukraine, valued at $200 million," Austin told reporters ahead of a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels. The new assistance package includes AIM-9M munitions for a new air defense system that we will soon deliver to Ukraine, as well as artillery and rocket ammunition, precision aerial munitions, anti-tank weapons, and equipment to counter Russian drones, the official added. The same day, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the US administration is committed to supporting Ukraine for "as long as it takes" and that US allies share the "burden" of assistance with Washington. Western countries have been providing military aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian military operation in February 2022. The aid evolved from artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231004/peace-activists-on-capitol-hill-demand-us-stop-pumping-weapons-money-into-ukraine-1113932320.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian counteroffensive, us weapons, nato equipment, nato-supplied military equipment, us arms for ukraine, foiled counteroffensive, counteroffensive attempt, thwarted counteroffensive, counteroffensive effort, nato arms for ukraine, nato support for ukraine, europe for ukraine, us congress, us weapons for ukraine, us aid to ukraine, us funding of ukraine, air defense munitions https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/report-us-venezuela-in-talks-to-ease-oil-sanctions-1114083319.html Report: US, Venezuela in Talks to Ease Oil Sanctions Report: US, Venezuela in Talks to Ease Oil Sanctions The US is achieving progress in talks that may result in the easing of some sanctions on the Venezuelan oil and banking sectors, according to reports in US media. 2023-10-11T03:36+0000 2023-10-11T03:36+0000 2023-10-11T03:33+0000 americas venezuela us nicolas maduro joe biden george w. bush bolivarian revolution democratic party the united nations (un) sanctions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107414/90/1074149061_0:79:2000:1204_1920x0_80_0_0_fac6c5d475332aa787f4b97e02f702ed.jpg The US is achieving progress in talks that may result in the easing of some sanctions on the Venezuelan oil and banking sectors, according to reports in US media. The information emerged Monday from multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations.Mediation has taken place on two fronts. Most recently, representatives from the US and Venezuela have met in Doha, Qatar, where the US has urged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to provide guarantees regarding upcoming presidential elections.On-again, off-again talks have also taken place between the Maduro government and Venezuelas political opposition over the last several years. The US wants Maduro to agree to resume those talks in Mexico, in exchange for the US permitting a foreign oil company to accept Venezuelan crude oil.The reports come amidst rising oil prices in the wake of Russias special military operation in Ukraine, which saw the Biden administration take significant economic measures against Russia. Prices are up from around $22 per barrel in April 2020 to $85 per barrel as of this month, creating significant upward pressure on fuel prices for American consumers.With oil from other traditional providers now off the table, the Biden administration is hoping to resume greater processing from Venezuelas significant reserves, although it will take time for the countrys heavy crude to be extracted, processed, and brought to market. With US presidential elections about a year away, Biden is operating on a limited timetable.The Maduro government, for their part, hopes to eventually double crude output as the country achieves tentative economic growth after years of crisis. Foreign firms hope to settle long standing debt with the country through renewed acceptance of Venezuelan oil.Chavez frequently attacked the United States for their long history of interference in the region. His rhetoric provoked the ire of the George W. Bush administration, which helped organize a coup that briefly removed Chavez from power before he was restored 48 hours later.Relations worsened in 2015 when, alleging deteriorating democratic conditions, the Obama administration placed economic sanctions on Venezuela, declaring the country an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.Those sanctions were dramatically expanded by US President Donald Trump in 2018 as Washington criticized the reelection of Maduro, a Chavez ally, citing use of state resources for his electoral campaign among other concerns. Sanctions, along with a decline in oil prices, have battered Venezuelas economy in the years since; a UN report alleged tens of thousands of excess deaths in the country caused by sanctions that enforce collective punishment of the civilian population.A political crisis has persisted alongside the economic one. Opposition figures allege unfair electoral conditions, although opposition parties have also remained intensely divided over the question of whether to support the US sanctions. Maduro has criticized the sanctions as a form of electoral interference, stating recently, We want elections free from sanctions, blockades, aggression, [and] economic warfare.Recently, some Democratic Party politicians in the US have also called for the lifting of sanctions against Venezuela. Millions of Venezuelans have fled amidst the political and economic turmoil, although the countrys socialist government continues to invest significant resources into social programs, including a public housing mission thats constructed more than 4.5 million homes for poor Venezuelans. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230924/venezuela-proposes-un-to-create-sanctions-free-zone-1113624275.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/venezuela-calls-oil-price-cap-market-manipulation-violation-of-intl-trade-principles-1113614453.html americas venezuela Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us-venezuelan ties, oil sanctions, nicolas maduro, maduro government, venezuelan banking sector, https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/russias-rosgeo-starts-using-ai-based-deposit-location-technology-in-uzbekistan-1114109973.html Russia's RosGeo Starts Using AI-Based Deposit Location Technology in Uzbekistan Russia's RosGeo Starts Using AI-Based Deposit Location Technology in Uzbekistan Russia's state-owned mining holding Rosgeologia (RosGeo) has started to use its technology for locating hydrocarbon deposits that were overlooked by previous surveys in Uzbekistan and is offering it to other nations, the company's Director General, Sergey Gorkov, told Sputnik on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T17:43+0000 2023-10-11T17:43+0000 2023-10-11T17:43+0000 russia sergei gorkov turkmenistan uzbekistan rosgeologia rosneft lukoil artificial intelligence (ai) science & tech oil /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/17/1108708807_0:188:2975:1861_1920x0_80_0_0_ed3f4e72934e7e48388d11c7f501e4a6.jpg In May, he told Sputnik that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are among those most interested in the artificial intelligence-powered technology developed by RosGeo. He also said that the company was presenting the innovation to UAE partners. RosGeo is now showcasing the technology to Turkmenistan and African states, and is in talks with Kazakhstan and Iran, he added. In November 2022, Gorkov said that the company had developed its own technology, dubbed Geoaudit, for locating hydrocarbon deposits missed while drilling in wells and implemented pilot projects, using it in cooperation with Russia's Rosneft and Lukoil oil companies. In March this year, he said that the company had started to actively promote the technology on international markets, while already implementing it in industrial projects in Russia. The Russian Energy Week is held in Moscow from October 11-13, bringing together high-ranking officials and representatives of leading energy companies from over 60 countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231009/opec-expects-world-oil-demand-to-increase-by-106mln-bpd-to-1102mln-bpd-by-2028-1114034716.html russia turkmenistan uzbekistan uae kazakhstan iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International rosgeo, ros geologia, russian geology, turkmenistan, uzbekistan, russian technology, oil and gas, russian oil, oil production, oil location, oil field, oil fields, oil deposits, reserves of petroleum, petroleum reserves, hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons location, hydrocarbon deposit, hydrocarbon deposits https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/scott-ritter-israeli-assault-on-gaza-is-doomed-to-fail-1114109205.html Scott Ritter: Israeli Assault on Gaza is Doomed to Fail Scott Ritter: Israeli Assault on Gaza is Doomed to Fail Israel has amassed some 300,000 troops, armed with tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery, and supported by helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. 2023-10-11T17:38+0000 2023-10-11T17:38+0000 2023-10-11T17:50+0000 israel analysis israel defense forces (idf) hamas gaza palestine palestine-israel conflict israeli-palestinian conflict hezbollah lebanon /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/09/1114030502_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_0726a046775df55a3d9a436ab65bf73f.jpg Their mission is to secure the perimeter around Gaza to make sure that Hamas fighters are not able to sortie forth and commit atrocities against the citizens of Israel like those that occurred on October 7 and 8. At some point it is estimated that these troops will be ordered into Gaza for the purpose of destroying Hamas as an organization. But the sad fact is that the Israeli Army today is not up to such a mission. It lacks the training and fortitude for a task like that, regardless of outcome, and will cost Israel thousands of lives if seen to fruition. Any Israeli assault on Gaza is doomed to fail before it even begins.A short look back at the preparedness and training of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) helps underscore the reasoning behind such a bleak assessment. Earlier this year, over the course of two weeks, stretching from late May through early June, the IDF carried out a massive exercise, code named Firm Hand, which tested the Israeli capability to wage war on multiple fronts. Like a similar exercise held the year before, code named Chariots of Fire, the Firm Hand event focused on a major air campaign being waged against Iran, and a major ground war being waged against Hezbollah, in northern Israel/southern Lebanon. Both exercises envisioned that there would be outbreaks of localized violence in the West Bank and along the Gaza Strip that would need to be contained by forces allocated to the Central and Southern military commands, respectively.The focus of effort for both exercises was the Northern Command, and more specifically, the border with Lebanon. There, beyond the border, were located the forces of Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party which maintained a militia larger, better trained, and better equipped than most armies. Israel fought a 34-day war with Hezbollah in August 2006, pitting a force that had grown to over 30,000 troops, backed by tanks, artillery, helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft, against a lightly armed unit of around 3,000 fighters.The war was an unmitigated disaster for the IDF. Hezbollah commanders found that Israeli troops were by and large poorly organized and disciplined, with very little training that was relevant to the rigors of modern war. Israeli tank operators were unfamiliar with tactics relevant to the terrain they were operating in, leaving themselves open to Hezbollah attacks that ended up destroying 20 of Israels vaunted Merkava tanks.Israel has been struggling to overcome the stain of its 2006 defeat at the hands of Hezbollah. In 2016, the IDF embarked on Project Gideon, a five-year plan designed to reconfigure and retrain the Israeli Army so that it would not repeat the mistakes of 2006. When Project Gideon was completed, Israel then embarked on what it called the Tnufa (Momentum) plan, intended to build on the changes effected under Project Gideon. Part of the Tnufa plan is something called Ground Horizon, a series of technical innovations designed to make Israeli ground forces more effective.The IDF forces participating in both the Chariots of Fire and Firm Hand exercises had been at the receiving end of the Project Gideon/Tnufa/Ground Horizon changes. Two of the IDFs premier units, the 91st Galilee Division, responsible for defending against Hezbollah from Lebanon, and the 36th Gaash (Golan) Armored Division, which is responsible for the Syrian border, took the lead in the exercises. They carried out a multidivisional exercise where they conducted combined arms training against a Hezbollah-like foe.The Central Command and Southern Command practiced several counterterrorism exercises which emphasized the security of residents in Judea and Samaria.When the Firm Hand exercise was completed, the IDF high command declared it a success.They had not exercised against an event like the Hamas attacks of October 7-8 of this year.Urban combat is extraordinarily difficult. It is made even more so when a defender can settle in amongst the rubble of a destroyed city. Ask the Germans at Stalingrad. Ask the French, British, Indians, and Poles who fought at Monte Casino. Ask either the Ukrainians or Russians about Mariupol and Artemovsk (Bakhmut).The Israeli military today is more comfortable making TikTok videos and posting Instagram photographs than they are in perfecting the skillsets needed to close with and destroy your enemy through firepower and maneuver. This is a military that, with a few exceptions found in the elite reconnaissance units of the IDF, has grown accustomed to a peacetime ritual more akin to the life of a corrections officer than soldier. The IDF has become experts at arresting children, beating up women, and murdering unarmed men.Digging a competent enemy out of the rubble of a destroyed city, especially when they have prepared and organized for such a battle, is deadly work. The Israeli troops who have been assembled outside of Gaza are not ready for this fight. They are not trained or equipped for this fight. They are not psychologically prepared for this fight. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231007/huge-mess-whats-known-so-far-about-hamas-israel-armed-standoff-1114004861.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/what-is-israels-merkava-iv-tank-that-ukraine-wanted-and-hamas-destroyed-1114074692.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/israels-gaza-land-op-may-turn-into-urban-meat-grinder-1114071390.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/roots-of-israel-hamas-conflict-1114064324.html israel gaza palestine lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Scott Ritter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/17/1105733958_0:0:334:334_100x100_80_0_0_b457e4e9c850ef224b0cc79059bb38df.jpg Scott Ritter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/17/1105733958_0:0:334:334_100x100_80_0_0_b457e4e9c850ef224b0cc79059bb38df.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Scott Ritter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/17/1105733958_0:0:334:334_100x100_80_0_0_b457e4e9c850ef224b0cc79059bb38df.jpg scott ritter, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, middle east crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli assault on gaza By Lee Min-hyung Kias labor union is catching flak for making an unlawful demand over the guaranteed hiring of their children, according to industry officials, Wednesday. The demand is widely seen by many as excessive, as it disrupts fair competition in the labor market, they said. Officials in business circles said the unionized workers should drop the demand which they consider undue and unfair. They also urged Kias union to follow in the same footsteps of Hyundai Motor, where the union and management agreed to remove a related clause during wage negotiations back in 2019. The government also urged the carmaker to revise the so-called hereditary employment practice. Last November, the Ministry of Employment and Labor ordered Kia to rectify the unfair employment practice by April 3, but the firms union and management have so far failed to reach a consensus. This is an apparently unfair demand taking away job opportunities from young people, said Yoo Il-ho, head of the employment and labor policy team at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The competition rate for Kias manufacturing jobs last year came in at 500 to 1. This means many young people still have preference for jobs at the carmaker. Against that backdrop, the demand for Kia to mandatorily recruit the children of existing union members is unfair, and hampers fair competition in the job market. Kias union members were scheduled to stage a protest for eight hours on Thursday and Friday. But upon request from its management, the union decided to resume wage talks on Thursday. They also planned to protest between Oct. 17 and 20. In a statement, the union said: "We will resume our 15th round of wage negotiations with management upon request, and suspend our plannned strike on Thursday." Earlier, Kias management offered to reduce the labor intensity of unionized workers in exchange for revising the clause, but the union also rejected the proposal. The union is also making various other demands, such as the introduction of a four-day workweek and the extension of retirement age. We have delivered our request in the most democratic manner each year, but at some point, management has turned negative to our demands and sought to close the wage negotiations on the same footing as that from Hyundai Motor, the union said. Kia is the only local carmaker that has failed to reach a consensus in this years wage talks. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/scott-ritter-untracked-us-arms-to-client-regimes-land-in-terrorists-hands-1114103046.html Scott Ritter: Untracked US Arms to Client Regimes Land in Terrorists' Hands Scott Ritter: Untracked US Arms to Client Regimes Land in Terrorists' Hands Palestinian Hamas militants have shown off US-made rifles they say were gifted to Ukraine to fight Russia then sold onto the black market. Scott Ritter said Washington cared little for where its showers of military aid ended up. 2023-10-11T18:26+0000 2023-10-11T18:26+0000 2023-10-11T18:26+0000 ukraine middle east israel hamas palestine gaza world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0b/1114102882_0:205:3072:1933_1920x0_80_0_0_24d9e554075d00c1e372efb2392c22fb.jpg US military aid to its client regimes goes unaccounted for and often finds its way to terrorist groups, says a former UN weapons inspector.Video emerged this week of a Hamas guerrilla thanking the US for the rifle he carried in the groups incursion into Israel, saying it came from a shipment of weapons to Ukraine that had found its way onto the black market.Scott Ritter told Sputnik that Washington is lackadaisical when it comes to keeping track of arms it gifts to its foreign proxies."Historically we tend to flood a client state with weapons as part of our security agreement," Ritter said. "The American calculation is never about the quality of the assistance being provided, but the quantity, because the quantification is linked to a dollar figure that the US Congress has established." "That dollar figure needs to be translated into a deliverable that could be reported back to Congress, saying that we have provided this much money for this and that. And so weapons is the easiest thing we will send in," he added.He recalled how during the Western occupation of Iraq, advisers to the new police force asked for rifles and handguns from the US which corrupt officers then sold on the black market. The firearms ultimately ended up in the hands of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)* militants in neighboring Turkiye, where they were captured by police and traced back to the US.Washington's failure to keep track of its arms handouts to the Kiev regime is also being felt acutely in West Africa."We see the same thing in Africa, where weaponry that we provided to Ukraine, in particular handheld anti-tank missiles, are showing up in the Lake Chad region in the hands of Boko Haram, the Islamist terrorist group that's using them against Niger forces, the forces from Chad, forces from Nigeria, forces from Cameroon, many of these forces whom we train," Ritter said. "Our weapons that we send to Ukraine get in the hands of the people that are fighting the forces that are ostensibly friendly to us. So this is a big problem."The former US Marine said government officials seemed unconcerned where the billions of dollars' worth of military aid ends up.For more cutting-edge commentary on current affairs, check out our Sputnik Radio show The Backstory.*a militant group Turkish authorities consider terrorists https://sputnikglobe.com/20231009/russia-warned-about-us-weapons-for-ukraine-ending-on-black-market-months-before-bloodbath-in-israel-1114040821.html ukraine israel palestine gaza Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png hamas attack on israel, israeli bombing of gaza, us military aid to ukraine, black market weapons in gaza and israel https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/serbian-president-says-expects-natos-kfor-mission-to-have-impartial-stance-on-kosovo-1114108725.html Serbian President Says Expects NATO's KFOR Mission to Have Impartial Stance on Kosovo Serbian President Says Expects NATO's KFOR Mission to Have Impartial Stance on Kosovo Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday told Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander of NATO's Joint Force Command in Naples, that he expects the Kosovo Force (KFOR) to have an unbiased and proactive position on the situation in the breakaway region. 2023-10-11T16:52+0000 2023-10-11T16:52+0000 2023-10-11T16:52+0000 military serbia kfor nato kosovo aleksandar vucic metohija pristina belgrade nato forces /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105224/88/1052248865_0:239:3842:2400_1920x0_80_0_0_218ee46eef9075fe22551464ec1262f2.jpg Last week, Vucic called on the NATO contingent in Kosovo to take over security in the region's north from local police in light of armed clashes between Serbs and law enforcers in late September. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama also urged KFOR to take control in northern Kosovo to avoid violent incidents. State Secretary of the Serbian Defense Ministry Nemanja Starovic said earlier that his country's armed forces would continue cooperation with NATO's peacekeepers after a new KFOR commander, Turkish Maj. Gen. Ozkan Ulutas, took office on Tuesday. NATO has stepped up its presence in self-proclaimed Kosovo, with 500 Turkish servicepeople arriving there in June after the escalation of the already tense relations between Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians at the end of May, which resulted in clashes that left dozens of people injured. Last Friday, the first group of 200 soldiers sent by the United Kingdom to reinforce KFOR arrived in Kosovo, joining the country's 400-strong contingent. Serbia has still not recognized the self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo, its former province which it continues to refer to as its Kosovo and Metohija region. A large ethnic Serb community is still residing in Kosovo's north, often bearing the brunt of diplomatic tensions between Belgrade and Pristina, and protesting what they consider discriminatory Kosovar policies. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230925/direct-threat-of-resumption-of-ethnic-cleansing-in-kosovo-exists---russian-foreign-ministry-1113661030.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230530/explosion-in-the-heart-of-europe-whats-going-on-in-kosovo-1110799134.html serbia kosovo metohija pristina belgrade Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International kosovo, kosovo conflict, kosovo tensions, kosovo crisis, kosovo serbs, ethnic cleansing, tensions in kosovo, armed conflict, serbian defense minister, nato peacekeepers, nato forces, nato presence, maintain peace https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/slovak-government-to-be-led-by-smer-party-leader-fico-1114089973.html Slovak Government to be Led by Ex-PM Robert Fico Slovak Government to be Led by Ex-PM Robert Fico Slovakia's opposition Smer party leader and former prime minister, Robert Fico, signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding with two coalition partners, according to the broadcast. 2023-10-11T10:09+0000 2023-10-11T10:09+0000 2023-10-11T10:18+0000 world robert fico peter pellegrini slovakia serbian progressive party (sns) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102731/46/1027314602_0:211:4077:2504_1920x0_80_0_0_3238fa1b08005454ff238c422f0d4a1c.jpg The Slovak government will be headed by the leader of the election-winning Smer party, Robert Fico, while the parliament will be headed by the leader of the Hlas party, Peter Pellegrini, a portal reported on Wednesday, citing a document on the terms of the coalition. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Fico, the Hlas party leader Peter Pellegrini and chairman of the Slovak National Party (SNS) Andrej Danko. The Smer party won the September 30 elections with 22.94% of the vote. Its leader, Robert Fico, has held the post of prime minister three times and said he would seek it again. On Wednesday, the leader of the Hlas party, which came third in the parliamentary elections, Peter Pellegrini, said he would hold further coalition talks with Fico's party. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231007/netizens-cheer-as-slovakia-halts-military-aid-to-ukraine-1114003169.html slovakia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International robert fico, memorandum of understanding, slovak government https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/the-world-focuses-on-the-israeli-gaza-conflict-1114080170.html The World Focuses on the Israeli-Gaza Conflict The World Focuses on the Israeli-Gaza Conflict On todays episode of The Backstory, host Rachel Blevins discussed current events including Saudi Arabia expressing support for Palestine, and the UN investigating war crimes by Israel and Hamas. 2023-10-11T04:04+0000 2023-10-11T04:04+0000 2023-10-11T09:37+0000 the backstory radio israel palestine iron dome freedom hamas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0a/1114080013_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_83ae510da48b15e2d4ba945d347d1123.png The World Focuses on the Israeli - Gaza Conflict On todays episode of The Backstory, host Rachel Blevins discussed current events including Saudi Arabia expressing support for Palestine, and the UN investigating war crimes by Israel and Hamas. In the first hour, Rachel spoke with Former Senior Security Policy Analyst Michael Maloof about the goals of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the media portrayal of the people of Palestine, and the way of living for people in the Gaza Strip. Michael described the need to bring international leaders together to solve the situation between Israel and Palestine. Michael reacted to Joe Biden's statements on the attacks by Hamas and America's fault in the situation.Rachel spoke with Former UN Weapons Inspector & WMD Whistleblower Scott Ritter about the Israeli intelligence failures, Egypt warned Israel of potential attacks, and America has the power to stop the war on Gaza. Scott discussed the amount of US weapons meant for Ukraine and ended up sold on the black market. Scott spoke about the crimes of Hamas and the media's ignorance of Israeli crimes committed against Palestine.In the second hour, Rachel spoke with Political Activist, Organizer, and Radio Host Misty Winston about the Israeli-Gaza conflict, some anti-war advocates cheer for more deaths in Gaza, and the need for better media literacy. Misty talked about the sophisticated propaganda from Israel and the videos of the attacks in Israel circulated on social media. Misty spoke about Joe Biden's support for Israel and America's past with enabling the suppression of Palestinian human rights.Rachel spoke with Political Cartoonist, Syndicated Columnist and Co Host of The Final Countdown Ted Rall about China's response to the attacks by Hamas, President Biden speaks in support of Israel, and Russia criticizes Washingtons monopolization of peace. Ted spoke about the US politicians who have called for weapons to be sent to Israel and the American weapons stockpiles have been sent to Ukraine.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 in the US at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM israel palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Rachel Blevins Rachel Blevins News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rachel Blevins the backstory, israeli- gaza conflict, us weapons in the hands of hamas https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/tick-tock-us-house-lawmakers-prepare-for-speaker-showdown-after-ousting-mccarthy-1114082689.html Tick, Tock: US House Lawmakers Prepare for Speaker Showdown After Ousting McCarthy Tick, Tock: US House Lawmakers Prepare for Speaker Showdown After Ousting McCarthy The US House of Representatives is preparing to begin the process of electing a new speaker on Wednesday, after the lower chamber of Congress ousted Congressman Kevin McCarthy from the leadership role. 2023-10-11T03:00+0000 2023-10-11T03:00+0000 2023-10-11T02:57+0000 americas us kevin mccarthy donald trump republicans us congress jim jordan steve scalise house speaker /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/06/1107015825_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_a9c22839c4b76c10ff888822768b6abc.jpg Last week, eight House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a motion to vacate McCarthy as speaker. The motion to vacate was headed by US Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who opposed McCarthys handling of government spending negotiations. Gaetz opposed a short-term government funding deal backed by McCarthy, instead advocating for the passage of separate appropriations bills. Gaetz also alleged the California lawmaker included a secret deal on Ukraine aid as part of negotiations with the White House, although McCarthy denied the allegations. The House of Representatives is unable to conduct normal legislative business, such as passing government funding bills, until it elects a new speaker. House Republicans scheduled a forum for speaker candidates on Tuesday evening, where the conference will consider the bids of Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Jim Jordan (R-OH). Republicans hold a 221-212 majority in the House of Representatives; lawmakers can elect a speaker with a simple majority. McCarthy has ruled out a comeback, and has requested that fellow House Republicans not nominate him to serve as speaker, US media earlier reported, although contradicting reports have hinted the lawmaker isn't entirely opposed to the possibility. Several lawmakers have also pitched the idea of nominating former US President Donald Trump as speaker, given that membership in the US Congress is not required to serve in the role. Trump told US media that he would be willing to temporarily serve as speaker to unify Republicans, but that his focus is on retaking the presidency. However, Trump has also expressed support for Jordan as a speaker candidate. House Republican conference rules may also disqualify Trump from serving in the leadership role due to pending felony charges against him. The House of Representatives is expected to begin votes on electing a new speaker on Wednesday. The US Congress has until November 17 to pass government funding measures, lest the federal government again risk a shutdown. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/who-are-the-contenders-for-house-speaker--whats-their-stance-on-ukraine-aid-1113937381.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us house of representatives, house speakership, us rep. kevin mccarthy, house speaker, us https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/trade-between-russia-saudi-arabia-increased-by-20-in-7-months---novak-1114090432.html Trade Between Russia, Saudi Arabia Increased by 20% in 7 Months - Novak Trade Between Russia, Saudi Arabia Increased by 20% in 7 Months - Novak Trade between Russia and Saudi Arabia has increased by 20% in the seven months, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T10:20+0000 2023-10-11T10:20+0000 2023-10-11T11:12+0000 economy alexander novak russia saudi arabia moscow /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107891/21/1078912136_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_5d2abe0389367ff55bdc9328d4a99e96.jpg "Following the results of seven months, trade between our countries increased by 20%," Novak said at a meeting of the Russian-Saudi intergovernmental commission as part of the Russian Energy Week, adding that the countries aim at reaching $7 billion trade by 2030. Additionally, Russia is ready to increase supplies of petroleum products to Saudi Arabia, the official said. Russia and Saudi Arabia will also discuss the situation on the global oil market, including the changes caused by the recent escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Novak added. Global oil markets are sensitive to current events, and the importance of Moscows coordination with Riyadh and other partners cannot be overestimated, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.The visit of Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to Russia will be a good opportunity to coordinate positions, the official added.The Russian Energy Week is held in Moscow from October 11-13, bringing together high-ranking officials and representatives of leading energy companies from over 60 countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230815/russian-deputy-defense-minister-saudi-counterpart-discuss-military-cooperation---moscow-1112625479.html russia saudi arabia moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, saudi arabia, trade, russian deputy prime minister alexander novak https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/ukrainian-military-casualties-amount-to-330-in-donetsk-direction-1114093052.html Ukrainian Military Casualties Amount to 330 in Donetsk Direction Ukrainian Military Casualties Amount to 330 in Donetsk Direction The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 330 soldiers as killed and injured in the Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. 2023-10-11T11:48+0000 2023-10-11T11:48+0000 2023-10-11T11:48+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine crisis ukraine russia donetsk ukrainian conflict ukrainian crisis ukrainian counteroffensive attempt russian forces ukrainian armed forces /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/12/1100922695_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_4fca8bb25cdf7c8178c859e26ebfa67c.jpg "The total losses of the armed forces of Ukraine in this direction per day amounted to 330 military personnel as killed and injured, a tank, 11 armored personnel carriers, four armored combat vehicles, three cars. During the counter-battery fight, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery mounts, and a D-howitzer were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Ukraine lost up to 155 soldiers in the South Donetsk direction. The ministry also stressed that Russian forces repelled 10 Ukrainian counterattacks in the Kupyansk direction, where Kievs military casualties amounted to 280 in the past day. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230929/ukrainian-troops-reportedly-refuse-battle-orders-in-rabotino-due-to-heavy-losses-1113803090.html ukraine russia donetsk Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian troops, ukrainian losses, ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian counteroffensive, nato equipment, nato-supplied military equipment, foiled counteroffensive, counteroffensive attempt, thwarted counteroffensive, counteroffensive effort, nato arms for ukraine, nato support for ukraine, donbass, donetsk https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/us-aircraft-delivers-first-batch-of-ammunition-to-israel-amid-tense-conflict---idf-1114081269.html US Aircraft Delivers First Batch of Ammunition to Israel Amid Tense Conflict - IDF US Aircraft Delivers First Batch of Ammunition to Israel Amid Tense Conflict - IDF A US aircraft has landed in Israel with the first shipment of ammunition for Tel Aviv since the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday. 2023-10-11T00:26+0000 2023-10-11T00:26+0000 2023-10-11T00:22+0000 world palestine-israel conflict us tel aviv israel defense forces (idf) hamas israel palestine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/09/1114049720_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_9ff464a9cc0fa3980e9f86a1a121b618.jpg "The first aircraft carrying American ammunition has landed in Israel. An airplane carrying advanced munitions landed in the evening at the Nevatim base," the IDF said in a statement."The munitions are designed to carry out significant strikes and organize additional scenarios. We are grateful for the American support and aid to the IDF in particular and the State of Israel in general in this difficult period."Earlier Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said the United States is surging additional military systems to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Israels Iron Dome air defense system. Congresswoman Claudia Tenneys office said Tuesday that a group of US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill to provide $2 billion in security aid for Israel to help the country replenish its Iron Dome air defense system amid the escalation. The United States will announce additional assistance for Israel in the coming days, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/us-may-deploy-2nd-aircraft-carrier-near-israel---reports-1114075013.html tel aviv israel palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel defense forces, us ammunition to israel, palestinian-israeli conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/us-to-lead-coalition-of-countries-workin-with-ukraine-to-develop-its-air-force---pentagon-chief-1114105848.html US to Lead Coalition Working With Ukraine to Develop Air Force, F-16 Capability - Pentagon Chief US to Lead Coalition Working With Ukraine to Develop Air Force, F-16 Capability - Pentagon Chief NATO countries have pledged dozens of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with the warplanes expected to start arriving in 2024 and 2025. The Russian military has... 11.10.2023, Sputnik International 2023-10-11T15:20+0000 2023-10-11T15:20+0000 2023-10-11T16:39+0000 military us ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102508/92/1025089249_0:80:3679:2149_1920x0_80_0_0_fa7e61d93c7c4799689087e4023a3d63.jpg The United States will head up a coalition of nations working with Ukraine to develop its air power, with a focus on developing compatibility with F-16 fighters, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has announced."I'm pleased that Denmark and the Netherlands will be co-leading this coalition together with us," he added.The earliest point by which Ukraine can expect to receive its initial F-16 capability will be "next spring," according to the Pentagon chief."Today we also talked about helping Ukraine to defend itself for the long haul, and to deter aggression for decades to come. So members of this contact group are organizing into what we call capability coalitions," Austin said. "That's gonna make our security assistance more nimble, and help to secure Ukraine's future," he assured.Estonia and Luxembourg, for example, will be tasked with leading the coalition helping Ukraine to strengthen its IT infrastructure, while Lithuania will be charged with assisting Kiev in demining operations, the Pentagon chief said.Touching on the possible delivery of long-range ATACMS missiles, Austin said he had no announcement to make on the matter."As Ukraine's troops face this key moment on the battlefield, we must ensure that America's indispensable assistance to Ukraine continues to flow without disruption," Austin added, saying that to date, the US has committed nearly $44 billion in military assistance, including the latest aid package of $200 million announced Wednesday. Austin counted an additional $33 billion+ in security assistance from Washington's allies.Austin's remarks, made in the course of a two-day NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, come amid an increasingly persistent effort by a small group of Congressional Republicans to halt further aid to Kiev, or to at least prevent assistance packages from being voted on together with other key legislation, such as the budget, or US money for Taiwan or Israel.NATO countries' plans to provide Ukraine with over 70 F-16 fighter jets have prompted the Russian military to prepare for the warplanes' arrival in various ways, including by increasing the fielding of air defense systems like the S-300, S-400 and Buk missile systems, which are designed specifically to target this type of NATO warplane. Last week, an informed source told Sputnik that Russia's electronic warfare systems are also being optimized "to suppress radars and onboard equipment of NATO F-16 fighters."The United States and Denmark are currently training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s. This summer, US Air Forces Europe commander James B. Heckler warned that building up Ukrainian pilots' proficiency to fly F-16s could take "four or five years," and said that while the jets might "help a little bit," they won't be the "silver bullet" Kiev may be hoping for on the battlefield. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/belgian-defense-minister-confirms-plans-to-supply-ukraine-with-f-16-from-2025---reports-1114088454.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/tick-tock-us-house-lawmakers-prepare-for-speaker-showdown-after-ousting-mccarthy-1114082689.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231006/scoop-russia-fine-tuning-electronic-warfare-systems-to-suppress-ukraines-f-16s-1113991192.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov us, ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/war-in-israel-us-economy-in-death-spiral-kenya-troop-deployment-to-haiti-on-hold-1114080624.html War in Israel; US Economy in Death Spiral; Kenya Troop Deployment to Haiti on Hold War in Israel; US Economy in Death Spiral; Kenya Troop Deployment to Haiti on Hold The war in Israel threatens to expand as war hawks in Washington blame Iran for the escalation. 2023-10-11T04:03+0000 2023-10-11T04:03+0000 2023-10-11T09:29+0000 the critical hour radio israel hamas ukraine niger sergey lavrov haiti julian assange /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0a/1114080467_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_bdf67f00107c5d6488dd27419a578645.png War in Israel; US Economy in Death Spiral; Kenya Troop Deployment to Haiti on Hold The war in Israel threatens to expand as war hawks in Washington blame Iran for the escalation. Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Russia, Ukraine, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mark Sleboda says that the Hamas military operation is a long-planned event. Drones were used to take out radar stations, and small boats were used for amphibious assaults. He says the goal is to trade hostages for Palestinians held by the Israeli government. He says that US policies in this region led to this catastrophe.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss the war in Israel. There is a complicated history surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Ray McGovern says that violence of this kind is to be condemned, but that is not enough; looking at the issue's roots is critical. He says that Gaza has been blockaded for 16 years. Additionally, Americans are unaware of the intricate truths of the conflict. He says the mastermind of 9/11 said he was motivated by the US foreign policy favoring Israel.KJ Noh, peace activist, writer, and teacher, joins us to discuss Asia. The raging conflict in the Middle East threatens to increase oil prices and significantly affect world economics. KJ Noh says the ripple effects will be ongoing and felt economically and geopolitically. He says that the Ukraine war has influenced the conflict. He also fears that Iran may also be engaged.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss the Global South. Niger's revolutionary government says that the Western domination is coming to an end. Dr. Horne also spoke on Israel commenting that the US naval flotilla moving to the Middle East indicates that the US may use this crisis to expand the conflict against Iran. He also says that being on the cusp of a new world order means that the masses in Africa refuse to be ruled in the old manner. He said that he expects that the US wants to crack down on the Niger government but it is unclear whether they will be able to do it.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss domestic politics. RFK Jr runs independently, and the system goes after Russell Brand. Steve says that Kennedy represents the bygone era of the Democrats, and he will be painted as a foreign agent spoiler.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss the New World Order. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov penned an article where he outlined critical international relations issues. Dan Kovalik talks about Minister Lavrov's call for countries to stick to the UN Charter instead of the West's "rules-based order" model.Dr. Margaret Flowers, activist and editor of "Popular Resistance.org, joins us to discuss the economy. RFK Jr is leaving the Democrat Party and running as an independent. Americans are rapidly losing their spending power as the neoliberal economic model is in a death spiral. Dr. Flowers says we are seeing the end of the lesser two evil votings. She says we don't have a democracy, and the people don't have a candidate choice. Also, she says that people see that money is going to Ukraine while they suffer with little or nothing, and it is another slap in the face to Americans.Misty Winston, radio host, and political commentator, joins us to discuss Julian Assange. Caitlin Johnstone argues that journalism itself is locked up in Belmarsh prison. Misty Winston says that the people in power have focused the issue on the person Assange as opposed to the future of press freedom and free speech. She says that many people are unaware of the true nature of the charges against Julian Assange.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 in the US at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM israel ukraine niger haiti russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg the critical hour, hamas military operation, us policies in the middle east, israel-palestine conflict, rfk jr. runs independently, julian assange A unit of U.S. retail web giant Amazon.com plans to invest 7.83 trillion won ($5.85 billion) in Korea's cloud computing infrastructure by 2027, company officials said Wednesday. The plan came as competition is intensifying among Amazon and other cloud computing providers in Korea. Amazon launched its Asia-Pacific data center in Seoul in 2016. Since then, it has invested 2.73 trillion won in Korea, according to the local unit of Amazon Web Services. Ham Kee-ho, head of the local unit of Amazon's cloud computing division, said the investment plan would help Korea become a global powerhouse of internet-based cloud applications. (Yonhap) https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/why-us-warship-deployment-nearby-israel-spells-escalation-risks-1114110822.html Why US Warship Deployment Nearby Israel Spells Escalation Risks Why US Warship Deployment Nearby Israel Spells Escalation Risks A US carrier strike group sent by the US in the aftermath of Hamas' surprise assault on Israeli cities on October 7 arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday afternoon, as per the Pentagon. 2023-10-11T17:50+0000 2023-10-11T17:50+0000 2023-10-11T17:50+0000 us hamas analysis larry johnson palestinians joe biden israel russia eastern mediterranean hezbollah /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105422/31/1054223138_0:164:4928:2936_1920x0_80_0_0_f5ef6abd264a0d88cb1a8d492a7fe198.jpg The USS Gerald R. Ford, one of the world's largest aircraft carriers, and its accompanying ships, has been dispatched to the region in order "to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war," according to the US Central Command. Besides the aircraft carrier, the strike group includes Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser the USS Normandy, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers the USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. In addition, the US may send a second strike group, given that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and accompanying warships were scheduled months ago to be dispatched this week to the Middle East. They may reach the Eastern Mediterranean in around two weeks, according to the US press. The US fighter aircraft presence in the region has also been bolstered.On Tuesday, President Joe Biden denounced the Hamas attack on Israelis as an act of terrorism, and expressed full solidarity with Israel. Commenting on the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and US Air Force fighters, the Biden highlighted that these moves are not aimed at deterring Hamas, but any state or non-state actors who may try to take advantage of the unfolding havoc. "To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't," Biden said.Russia has made it clear that it is not taking sides in the conflict, urging the warring parties to stop hostilities and at long last agree on the establishment of two states in the region, as was initially planned back in 1947 by the United Nations. It is important for Moscow to maintain a balanced approach in order to participate in resolving the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. Earlier, Peskov elaborated that Moscow has ties with the Palestinians that go far back, but also maintains relations with Israel, where many Russian citizens live.Meanwhile, despite the American establishment claiming it wants to prevent others from widening the war, US hawks have already pointed the finger at Iran (even though Team Biden and Israel have said there is no evidence to back such a claim) and weighed up the use of military force against Tehran. One of them, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who has previously called for "killing Russians" wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): "How much more death and destruction does the world have to take from the Iranian Ayatollah and his henchman before they pay a real price?" Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley was even more straightforward, telling a US broadcaster that her message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is: "Hamas did this, you know Irans behind this. Finish them." This hawkish stance spells a lot of trouble for the region, according to Johnson. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231010/us-may-deploy-2nd-aircraft-carrier-near-israel---reports-1114075013.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/russia-maintains-dialogue-with-both-israel-palestine-balanced-approach-vital---kremlin-1114088271.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/prevention-of-possible-terrorist-attacks-key-goal-of-israeli-operation-1114105922.html israel russia eastern mediterranean Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova israel, us carrier strike group, eastern mediterranean, gaza, the gaza strip, israel-hamas conflict, israel-hamas war, joe biden, iran, russia, us warship deployment, gaza conflict escalation, israeli ground operation A Rushville woman suffered a medical emergency in a crash in Box Butte County Tuesday, according to information released by authorities. According to information released by the Box Butte County Sheriffs Office, Peggy Kuester had been southbound on Highway 385 when she suffered a medical emergency and lost control of her vehicle. A witness observed the crash, which occurred near the intersection of Highway 385 and Highway 2 near Berea, and called for assistance upon the vehicle coming to a rest in a field. First responders broke into the vehicle, as Kuester was unresponsive and the vehicle was locked. The woman was transported by Air Link to Regional West Medical Center for treatment of the medical emergency. The Nebraska State Patrol and Alliance Fire & EMS assisted the Box Butte County Sheriffs Office in responding to the crash. When emergencies threaten and alarms sound, volunteer firefighters and medical teams stand by, ready and willing to protect citizens in Gering. But what happens if people stop volunteering for their local fire department? The Midwest Theater in Scottsbluff is hosting a free sneak peek of the new Nebraska Public Media News documentary Working Fires: Volunteer Fire Departments in Crisis, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24. The screening will be followed by a community discussion about the future of volunteer fire departments featuring Nebraska Public Media News Senior Producer/Reporter Bill Kelly, Gering Fire Chief Nathan Flowers and Minatare-Melbeta Fire Chief Brandi Ehler. The free screening and community discussion are open to the public. Registration details and more information is available at nebraskapublicmedia.org/engage. Working Fires: Volunteer Fire Departments in Crisis reveals that flames, smoke and the risk of injury arent the only dangers facing local first responders in Gering. Recruiting and retaining volunteers, aging equipment, tight budgets and the shocking increase in extreme weather create a crisis: fewer responders and increasing demand. In more than 450 communities across Nebraska, volunteers answer calls for help, but now the system is sounding alarms. The television premiere of Working Fires: Volunteer Fire Departments in Crisis is at 9 p.m. CT, Thursday, Oct. 26, on Nebraska Public Media. The fate of Nebraska's controversial law providing tax incentives for donors to scholarship funds for private and faith-based schools will be in the hands of voters next November. The Secretary of State's Office announced Tuesday that county officials verified 91,861 signatures collected across a 90-day petition drive this summer enough to place the "Opportunity Scholarships Act" on the November 2024 ballot. A coalition of repeal advocates known as "Support Our Schools Nebraska" in August submitted 117,145 petition signatures to Secretary of State Bob Evnen's office. The group needed 61,308 signatures including 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties to put the act (LB753) before voters next year. The overwhelming success of this petition sends a clear message to the governor and state lawmakers: Nebraskans want to vote on the issue of diverting public tax dollars to pay for private schools, Jenni Benson, a sponsor of the coalition and the president of the Nebraska State Education Association, said in a news release celebrating Tuesday's certification. This was a decisive victory and the first step to ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not private schools," Benson said in the release. Introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn and signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen, LB753 would allow individuals and entities to reduce their tax liability by making donations to scholarship funds that help students attend private schools across the state. The total amount of tax credits available in each of the first two years will be $25 million, according to the provisions of the bill, with the cap set to increase to $100 million after or about one-tenth the amount of money appropriated by the state for public school education annually. Lawmakers passed the bill in a 33-11 vote in May. Opponents of the law, which include teachers unions, school board leaders, education policy organizations, advocates of individuals with disabilities and others say the policy harms students, families and schools by diverting would-be public school funding to private and parochial schools that dont have to accept every student. Linehan, who did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday, said in an August statement that the petition drive against her bill amounted to "efforts to take opportunity away from vulnerable kids, including kids from low-income families and kids trying to escape bullying." Pillen said Tuesday that the law allows families a choice in identifying the best educational environment for their kids, adding "this is not about which one is better public or private schools." Polling conducted on behalf of OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based left-leaning think tank that poured more than $100,000 into the petition effort, indicates a majority of Nebraska voters oppose the law. The phone survey shows 55% of Nebraska voters oppose LB753 and 47% strongly support repealing the law. In his own statement in August, Pillen promised "the fight will not be over" even if the initiative were to make it onto the ballot, which has now happened. The bout ahead figures to be a costly one. Support Our Schools Nebraska had raised $1,743,633 as of Sept. 24, according to the coalition's latest campaign finance filing. Meanwhile, Keep Kids First the group of state senators, community leaders and business owners who led a campaign urging Nebraskans not to sign the petition to repeal LB753 had raised $1,448,037. In a statement Tuesday, the group reprised claims that Support Our Schools organizers had mislead petition signees in their effort to see the law repealed. "The teachers union was willing to say and do anything to take educational freedom away from Nebraska families, so it is no surprise they gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the ballot," the statement reads in part. "Support Our Schools made a mockery of the signature petition process by consistently misleading and misinforming Nebraskans about the Opportunity Scholarships Act and the intent of their petition drive." When signature gatherers submitted the petitions in late August, the Secretary of State's Office had recieved one complaint about Support Our Schools circulators, a spokeswoman for Evnen's office said. Even as it heads to voters for a referendum, the law will take effect in January. The law's opponents, led by the State Education Association, needed about 122,000 signatures approximately 10% of registered voters in the state to suspend the law from going into effect until after the issue appears on the ballot. But the law will head to the ballot next year after officials certified about 30,000 more signatures than Support Our Schools needed, including more than 5% of registered voters in 64 counties. Officials could have certified more of the signatures submitted by the coalition, but the Secretary of State's Office instructs election commissioners and county clerks to stop verifying signatures once the statewide number of verified signatures reaches 110% of the number necessary to place an issue on the ballot. With the signatures verified, Nebraska's Attorney General will now create the ballot language for the measure. And state election staff will schedule three public hearings about the measure in the fall of 2024 and create informational pamphlets that will be available to voters at county election offices. Photos: Last day of the 108th Nebraska Legislature Tri Area Community Health announced last week that Juli Dellorso has joined the Staff at the Floyd Health Center. Dellorso holds a bachelors degree in Social Change and Community Development from Hollins University, and a masters in Counseling and Human Development with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from Radford University. Her life, education and extensive career experiences in nonprofit development and management have provided her with a rich, well-rounded perspective of herself and others. Dellorso has always been driven to connect with and help others. She has worked in various service industry jobs, volunteered in many different capacities, and has seen the best and worst of humanity. Dellorso believes in taking a holistic, strategic approach to connecting with others across a spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds and various cultures, and that kindness, respect, empathy and compassion go a long way. She is currently a resident in counseling, working toward gaining her LPC and is always seeking out additional perspectives, learning new concepts and finding ways to make positive social change, while growing as a professional. Additionally, Dellorso truly believes that for success in healing, there can be, and often is, more than one answer. She has a deep love of music, food and meaningful relationships, and has found that laughter really is the best medicine. Appointments can be scheduled with Dellorso by calling Tri-Area Community Health at Floyd at (540) 745-9290. For more information, call (866) 942-0401 or visit www.triareahealth.org. By Lee Min-hyung HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) has decided to invest 64 billion won ($47.77 million) to build an eco-friendly energy ecosystem by forming ties with a European clean energy tech firm, the Korean company said Wednesday. Under the partnership with Elcogen AS, the affiliate of HD Hyundai plans to advance its solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system technology, which the company said will serve as a stepping stone for the production of green hydrogen. HD KSOE and the Estonia-based company plan to deepen their strategic partnership down the road, with both sides considering establishing a joint venture producing green fuel cells in Korea. The bilateral tie will help expand a value chain for the next-generation core energy sector, HD Hyundai CEO Chung Ki-sun said. The latest investment contract is expected to be a cornerstone for us to establish the sustainable future energy ecosystem. Elcogen founder and CEO Enn Ounpuu and Estonian President Alar Karis also joined the event in Seoul to celebrate the partnership. Elcogens unmatched SOFC technology will play a significant role in boosting HD Hyundais drive for green ocean transformation and carbon neutrality, the Elcogen leader said. The SOFC technology provided by Elcogen is used to produce electricity and heat from a variety of fuels, such as hydrogen, biogas and diesel, according to the company. It is considered a next-generation eco-friendly energy source due to its high energy efficiency. Elcogen was established in 2001 and is a relatively lesser-known company manufacturing core SOFC components, such as cells and stacks. This is not the first time HD KSOE has invested in the green energy industry. Last November, the company invested $30 million in TerraPower, a U.S.-based nuclear energy firm known for designing small modular reactors (SMR). The Korean firm also established an independent SMR research team, with a view to accelerating its technological prowess for developing nuclear-powered ships. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. Syria boycotted a hearing at the United Nations top court on Tuesday where the Netherlands and Canada accused Damascus of a years-long campaign of institutionalized torture against its own people. At the same time, at least 17 children are reported to have been killed, and hundreds of others injured, in five days of violence across Syria. Canada and the Netherlands take Syria to top UN court. They accuse Damascus of widespread torture Syria boycotted a hearing at the United Nations top court on Tuesday where the Netherlands and Canada accused Damascus of a years-long campaign of institutionalized torture against its own people, AP reported. The hearing was focused on a preliminary Dutch and Canadian request for the court to impose orders known as provisional measures on Syria to halt torture immediately to protect potential victims while their case accusing Damascus of breaching the torture convention proceeds through the International Court of Justice. Every day counts, said Dutch government lawyer Rene Lefeber. The persistent and recurring practice of torture in Syria only serves to underscore the pressing need for the court to indicate provisional measures to manifest threats to life and bodily and psychological integrity, Lefeber said. Syrian student officers carry the coffins of their comrades who were killed on Thursday in a drone attack that hit a military graduation ceremony, during a mass funeral procession in Homs, Syria, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. Family members of some of the victims of deadly drone attacks on a crowded military graduation that killed scores gathered outside a military hospital in this central city Friday to collect the bodies of their loved ones who lost their lives in one of Syrias deadliest single attacks in years. (AP Photo/Abdelrahman Shaheen) Canadian government lawyer Teresa Crockett underscored the requests urgency, saying that Syria has systematically committed torture and subjected its population to other ill-treatment on a massive scale. Since 2011, tens of thousands of have died while in Syrian custody. If left unchecked, Syria will continue its violations, she added. The head of Canadas legal team, Alan Kessel, told judges that Syrias decision not to participate in todays proceedings does not shield it from the courts directives. We have given Syria an opportunity to be here today. They chose, regrettably, to be absent, Kessel told reporters outside the court. This doesnt mean that the world is absent. Both Canada and the Netherlands are of the view that the Assad government must respond and stop the torture that is rampant in that country, he added. The US will likely go to war in Israel with air and naval power if Syria or Iran become actively involved, retired 4-star general says The US is likely to directly intervene with air and naval strikes if Israels existence is threatened, Ret. Gen. Barry McCaffrey said. Speaking on Sunday on MSNBCs Weekends With Alex Witt, the retired four-star US Army general said such an escalation would likely occur only if Israels Middle Eastern neighbors became heavily involved. The other shoe were waiting to see if it drops is, will Hezbollah intervene out of Lebanon with their 100,000 some odd rockets? Will the West Bank ignite? And what will the Syrians and the Egyptians do? McCaffrey said. I would suggest to you our support of Israel will be absolute, and if we see Syrian military intervention, active Iranian military intervention, well go to war, McCaffrey added. McCaffrey added that this was his own assessment of the conflict and that there is absolutely no way that any US official would concur publicly that America could go to war in Israel. What I am saying is that if the existence of the state of Israel is at stake, if the Syrian military intervene, if Hezbollah started overwhelming the Israelis, in my judgment, at that point, we would consider actively intervening with air power and naval power, he said. Its unlikely that the US would send troops into Israel, given the Israel Defense Forces ground capabilities, McCaffrey added. When asked whether other US and Israel allies would also step in, McCaffrey said it was too early to discuss such a question with just Hamas directly involved. I think the deterrence factor is what the Biden administration is after right now. They want to make sure that the Syrian military and Hezbollah dont enter this fray, he said. If they do, its going to be a lethal threat to the existence of Israel. Turkeys Erdogan says first phase of Syria operation has concluded Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the completion of the first phase of Turkeys military operations in northern Syria and northern Iraq. Erdogan expressed dissatisfaction with the United States for downing a Turkish drone during the operation and warned that the incident would be remembered. The operations primarily targeted Kurdish militant groups and their facilities, destroying 194 targets in total. The Turkish Defense Ministry reported 51 targets struck in northern Syria since the operations launch on October 5, including bunkers, caves, and oil facilities. While Turkey claimed to target terrorists and their income sources, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused Turkey of damaging civilian infrastructure, including power stations, hospitals, and schools. Turkeys offensive aimed to establish a 30-kilometre buffer zone along its border to clear Kurdish groups. The operation was triggered by a suicide bombing attack in Ankara, with Turkey linking the SDF to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and pressuring the US to end its alliance with the SDF. Tensions escalated when US forces shot down a Turkish drone near a US military base. The PKK is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the US, and the EU. At Least 17 Children Killed in Wave of Violence Across Syria At least 17 children are reported to have been killed, and hundreds of others injured, in five days of violence across Syria, said Save the Children. Schools across Northwest Syria have been closed indefinitely, with at least ten schools either partially or fully damaged in the fighting. An estimated 25,000 people have been newly displaced, with families and children once again being forced to flee their homes in fear. In Northeast Syria, a series of at least 56 drone strikes over recent days has crippled water and electricity supplies for hundreds of thousands of people and left children deeply afraid. Several parents told Save the Children staff their children were showing signs of deep emotional distress after the attacks. Farida (not her real name), a 32-year-old mother of three children living in Tarbaspi city, Northeast Syria, told Save the Children; My children are really scared. They cant sleep at night and have started wetting the bedMy children are terrified at night, and today I didnt send them to school. Were scared that we might have to leave our home, especially with winter coming. Im just a mum, trying my best to keep my children safe and warm. While hostilities have reportedly reduced over the last 24 hours, Save the Children is warning that continued conflict will only continue to risk childrens lives and wellbeing, with widespread school closures threatening the education and futures of thousands of children. Rasha Muhrez, Save the Childrens Syria Response Director said: Children continue to pay the heaviest price in this conflict. Reports of children being killed and injured across Syria are unacceptable. To continue enduring violence and loss of loved ones, will have a lasting impact on their mental health and well-being. These children have been born and have grown up in the shadow of more than 12 years of conflict and crises, survived devastating earthquakes earlier this year and now, once again, live in fear. Their futures are again under threat. SDF claims killing 4 Turkish soldiers, injuring 5 in northern Hassakeh North Press reports that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Tuesday the killing of four Turkish soldiers and injuring of five others in the countryside of the town of Zirgan (Abu Rasin), in northern Hassakeh, northeastern Syria. Between October 5 and late October 9, Turkish forces targeted 209 sites in northern and northeastern Syria, including military posts, residential areas, and infrastructure facilities. The SDF Media Center said in a statement that within the right of self-defence, the SDF targeted with more than 28 mortar shells the Turkish forces posts in the villages of Umm Shuaifa, Bab al-Faraj, Tel Muhammad, al-Dawoodiya, and Abdul Hai in the countryside of the Zirgan, killing four Turkish soldiers and injuring five others. The SDF added that its forces have killed 15 Turkish soldiers and wounded 13 others since the beginning of our legitimate retaliation operations recently. The SDF denied Turkeys claims of killing 162 SDF fighters and destroying 194 military posts, calling them lies and false information. 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. Sindawi stressed the coordination between the resistance factions and the wider axis of resistance, according to al-Watan. In a meeting convened yesterday by the Higher Follow-up Committee for the Palestinian Resistance Factions at the Palestinian National Council headquarters in Damascus, representatives from various factions in Syria came together to deliberate on a comprehensive action plan in support of the Al-Aqsa Flood campaign. The representatives emphasized that the Al-Aqsa Flood marked a significant strategic shift in their ongoing conflict with the Zionist enemy. They reiterated their unwavering commitment to resistance against this adversary, asserting that the operation served as a testament to the Palestinian peoples rightful claim to the land of Palestine, from the sea to the river. Among the key proposals discussed during the meeting, a program of action to bolster and endorse the Al-Aqsa Flood campaign was presented. This plan encompassed initiatives such as hoisting the Palestinian flag at all camp headquarters and institutions, urging faction leaders to convene for the immediate development of a unified action program, and designating the upcoming Friday as a day of solidarity with their people in the Gaza Strip and across their occupied territory, facing Zionist aggression. Additionally, the meeting led to the formation of a follow-up committee tasked with monitoring the progress and developments of the Al-Aqsa Flood campaign. This committee would also establish necessary communication channels with Syrian Arab parties to ensure the success of the event. Speaking to Al-Watan on the sidelines of the meeting, Ismail Al-Sindawi, the representative of the Islamic Jihad movement in Syria, affirmed that the campaign will persist until the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque are reclaimed, along with the liberation of all Palestinian prisoners. He expressed that the presence of American forces and fleets supporting the Zionist entity would not deter the Palestinian people, highlighting their backing from Iran, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and the broader Arab and Islamic communities. He called upon these communities to rally behind the Palestinian cause, promising a victorious outcome. In response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus threats of a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, Al-Sindawi declared, We are prepared for this ground battle, as he cannot practically employ aircraft or artillery from a distance. He underscored the determination of resistance fighters to confront Israeli soldiers should they enter the Gaza Strip. Sindawi stressed the coordination between the resistance factions and the wider axis of resistance, highlighting Syrias crucial role in the campaign. He also mentioned ongoing Arab mediations aimed at facilitating a prisoner exchange process with the Israeli occupation. Regarding the U.S. deployment of battleships and fleets in support of the occupying entity, Al-Sindawi quipped during his speech at the meeting, We urge them to sail to the port of Haifa to escort the settlers, for there is no place for them in Palestine. 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. Human Rights Watch reported that since 2011, they have extensively documented tens of thousands of arbitrary detentions and instances of torture, according to Baladi News. On Tuesday, the International Court of Justice in The Hague commenced a trial session regarding the Syrian regime, prompted by a lawsuit jointly filed by Canada and the Netherlands. The lawsuit centers on allegations of torture and the use of chemical weapons and is anticipated to last for two days. The Court revealed that Canada and the Netherlands had submitted a collaborative application on June 8, 2023, to litigate against the Syrian regime. The allegations pertain to violations of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel and Inhuman Treatment, encompassing the use of chemical weapons since 2011. In their complaint, Canada and the Netherlands detailed the unimaginable physical and mental suffering experienced by victims, attributed to the abhorrent treatment of detainees, inhumane conditions in detention facilities, enforced disappearances, sexual and gender-based violence, and violence against children. The two countries beseeched the court to urgently issue orders to Syria, mandating the cessation of all forms of torture and arbitrary detention, permitting foreign inspectors to access prisons, and facilitating the sharing of information with families concerning the whereabouts of their relatives. They underscored Syrias widespread employment of a pervasive torture system. Established after World War II, the International Court of Justice adjudicates exclusively in disputes between States , with its decisions being final and unappealable. The courts ruling, expected in several weeks, could potentially result in preventive measures, urging the involved parties to refrain from actions that could undermine the effectiveness of subsequent decisions by the judges in this case, a process that may span years. Two days ago, Human Rights Watch reported that since 2011, they have extensively documented tens of thousands of arbitrary detentions and instances of torture perpetrated by regime forces, constituting crimes against humanity. In August 2013, a military defector known as Caesar smuggled photographs from Syria that provided compelling evidence of widespread torture, famine, beatings, and disease within Syrian government detention facilities. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The conflict erupted on Saturday evening, when a Special Forces checkpoint refused passage to a group associated with the Fourth Division, Syria TV writes. A member of the Fourth Division lost their life, and several members of the Syrian regimes Special Forces brigade sustained injuries earlier this week during clashes between these two groups in Masaken Barzeh, located to the north of Damascus. The conflict erupted on Saturday evening, when a Special Forces checkpoint refused passage to a group associated with the Fourth Division, citing the presence of a Special Forces headquarters in the area and asserting that the Fourth Division members were unofficial. The Sowt al-Asima website reported that members of the Fourth Division physically assaulted and verbally abused the lieutenant in charge of the checkpoint in front of both their fellow members and civilians passing by. This led the checkpoint personnel to open fire on the Fourth Group, resulting in the immediate fatality of one of its members. The confrontations, which ended with the intervention of Special Forces supporters and the expulsion of the Fourth Group, resulted in injuries to some of the checkpoint members, according to the same source. In the aftermath of the clashes, officers from the Fourth Security Office requested during a meeting on Sunday morning, that Maj. Gen. Mueen al-Qayyim, the commander of the Special Forces, surrendered the checkpoint members for accountability at the Military Police Branch of the Fourth Division. The source mentioned that Maj. Gen. Qayyim declined the Fourth Security Offices demands, instead referring the dispute to Major General Asef al-Daker, the commander of the Military Police, as it is the responsible body for handling and resolving such disputes. As per the source, the trustee committed not to apprehend any of the participants in the clashes and pledged to refer all parties involved to the military judiciary to conclude the case. While the Syrian regimes media remained silent on the matter, Mohammed al-Helou, the correspondent of the Ministry of Interior of the regime, posted on his Facebook account, reassuring the public that the sounds heard in the neighbourhoods of Barzeh and Qaboun do not indicate a security breach. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The naval power of the United States is being deployed to deter and inflict harm upon Hezbollah and the Assad regime, according to Orient Net. Israel has conveyed warnings to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon regarding the potential risks associated with direct involvement in the ongoing conflict. These warnings underscore that any such intervention would necessitate a confrontation with the entire Israeli armed forces, alongside the formidable presence of the US Navy. According to reports in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, these cautionary messages were delivered to Hezbollahs leadership through high-ranking officials within the French government. These messages also contained a clear threat of utilizing the considerable naval power of the United States to deter and inflict harm upon Hezbollah and the Assad regime, led by Bashar in Damascus. Furthermore, it was noted that the White House is actively pursuing congressional approval to engage in potential actions against Hezbollah. Should Hezbollah decide to align itself with Hamas in the conflict, the messages from Israeli authorities emphasize that Hassan Nasrallah would find himself compelled to confront the full might of the Israeli military, augmented by the presence of the US naval forces, which are anticipated to be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean. We will destroy Assad The messages conveyed a clear warning: In the event that Hezbollah decides to enter the conflict, Israel will take action to dismantle the Assad regime, which is a key ally of the party in Damascus. Israels response may extend to the point of targeting and neutralizing Bashar al-Assads personal security detail. Furthermore, it is worth noting that US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, has directed the deployment of the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford to the region. This aircraft carrier forms a crucial component of a naval task force en route to the eastern Mediterranean, which includes destroyers and other warships. 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. Portland ice cream icon Salt & Straw announced Monday that its set to open a Vancouver outpost early next year at the Waterfront Vancouver. The scoop shop is expected to open a 1,200-square-foot shop at 740 Waterfront Way in January, according to the company. The announcement said the company has spent years looking for the right spot in Vancouver. Co-founders Tyler Malek and Kim Malek both have lived in Washington and the Evergreen State is said to hold a special place in their hearts, the announcement said. Salt & Straw plans to hire around 20 to 25 people from the area for the Waterfront Vancouver operation. The ice cream shop is known for unique and Northwest-inspired flavors. According to the Associated Press, Salt & Straws Thanksgiving lineup features turkey bacon, buttery brittle and jammy cranberry sauce flavors folded into a five-course feast of ice creams. One of Tyler Maleks favorites is Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper ice cream. To showcase flavorful Oregon strawberries, he worked with a local beekeeper whod developed a honey balsamic vinegar. Christopher Ortiz and Erik Halvorson faced off for an appointment to the Longview City Council last year. This year, the two are making their case to voters. Both are vying for position 3 on the Longview City Council in Novembers election. Ortiz was chosen for that vacant City Council seat in March 2022, so this is his first election campaign. The incumbent has experience behind the scenes of public institutions after spending his career as a teacher, assistant superintendent and superintendent at multiple school districts. Ortiz said hes brought his experience working with budgets and bureaucracies to get things done in public government. (Voters) might not agree with all my votes but overall Im thoughtful, careful, and I do my homework, Ortiz said. Halvorson also ran for the Longview City Council in 2019, finishing third in the primary field eventually won by Hillary Strobel. Halvorson said he was running again to continue a history of public service and improve the citys communication. Long-term plans One issue Ortiz and Halvorson agreed on was the need for longer-term planning, especially when it came to the citys finances. Halvorson was involved in creating the strategic plan for the Longview Public Library as a board member. Halvorson said the community listening sessions and multi-year plan that resulted were a model other city departments should follow. Were missing that focus on long-term planning and budgeting. We also need to focus on communication and collaboration between community leaders and our citizens, Halvorson said. Ortiz said one key benefit of a longer-term plan was managing future rate increases to maintain the citys water and sewer systems. Ortiz argued that a 10-year plan would make any rate increases smaller and more predictable each year, which could make those costs an easier sell to the citys residents. It needs to be frontloaded so voters understand this is our reality, these are our rates and what increase will be needed in 10 years to make sure water mains dont burst, the sewers dont back up, Ortiz said. HOPE Village Halvorson and Ortiz had both voiced skepticism about HOPE Village over the last year. Ortiz had originally voted against placing the project on Alabama Street and the original purchase order for the pallet homes. A year later, Ortiz said he was very satisfied with the success stories coming from HOPE Village and the citys commitment to addressing homelessness. It is the right thing to do. Im not saying just one approach works, I think a multitude of approaches should be taken, but at least we started somewhere, Ortiz said. Halvorson said he wanted to look deeper into the data around HOPE Village to determine its future, with a specific focus on the financial side of the program. Halvorson said if the pallet homes are successful, the city should take another shot at working with the Cowlitz County commissioners on funding the project in the future. The commissioners have not agreed to offer any of the countys portion of document recording fees to help pay for the site. The emergency at camp Alabama has been resolved. Now that its fixed, we can move forward with the proper channels, Halvorson said. In addition to continuing HOPE Village, Ortiz said the city should do more to repair substandard housing in Longview, which he said would increase the quality of life and possibly prevent more people from becoming homeless. Police, parks funding Ortiz co-sponsored the police funding levy proposal in July but was out of town during the council meeting when it was moved to 2024. Ortiz said he appreciated the discussion that happened while he was gone and wanted to ensure the levy would remain a priority next year. Halvorson said he would have voted for both the police levy and the parks district to be in front of voters in November. With every decision I make, I want to listen to the voters. They were saying our parks have issues and I think the parks district was a creative way to address that, Halvorson said. 2023 Election Timeline Oct. 19: Ballots mailed. Oct. 30: Deadline to register to vote online and through the mail. Nov. 7: Election Day. Deadline to register to vote in person. Ballots due by 8 p.m. The two candidates offered different priorities to expand the city staff. Ortiz has pushed since last year for Longview to hire a communications expert, which the city is now working toward. Halvorson said the city needed an economic development director who would work closely with downtown businesses and Lower Columbia College. A recently closed hospice center in Longview will reopen later this year through a new partnership between PeaceHealth and Community Home Health & Hospice. PeaceHealth announced Thursday that the nonprofit health care system would take over operations for the hospice care center on 11th Avenue beginning around the end of November. PeaceHealth spokeswoman Debra Carnes said this was the first hospice partnership PeaceHealth made in Southwest Washington. Community Home Health & Hospice closed the hospice care center at the end of April, shortly after the longtime nonprofit was purchased by the Vancouver-based Eden Health. Eden Health was certified for in-home hospice care and focused on that service, leaving Community Home Health & Hospice to look for a new partner to take over the hospice building. "This partnership reflects the commitment of two community-based organizations coming together, Corey Balkan, the chairman for both the Community Home Health & Hospice Board and the PeaceHealth St. John Community Health Board, said in the press release Thursday. "We honor the legacy of (Community Home Health & Hospice) and the families that have supported it for nearly half a century." The renamed PeaceHealth Richard Nau Hospice House will maintain the 12-bed capacity the facility had before closing. The press release said the building will keep donation plaques and previous gifts that had been given to the facility. Carnes said PeaceHealth has been hiring for the new facility but needs to continue staffing, repair minor damage and connect the hospice center to PeaceHealth's computer system before it can open. A public open house is expected to take place in November ahead of the reopening. To the backdrop of the vast Jelling stones, Denmark on Tuesday granted the inventors of Bluetooth technology permission to use the name and symbol of Harald the Bluetooth for the next 1,000 years . "In a spirit of goodwill and cooperation, we hereby authorise you to continue to use the name, Harald Bluetooth, for the next 1,000 years," said a symbolic statement from the Jelling museum, which owns the eponymous runestones that tell the story of the king and his family. King Harald I Blatand -- Harald Bluetooth -- was a key historical figure in 10th-century northern Europe, famous for his adoption of Christianity, turning his back on the cult of Odin and Thor. The man who owes his nickname to a root canal, or according to other sources to his immoderate taste for blackberries and bilberries, was also the father of Norway's union with Denmark, which lasted until 1814. Modern-day Bluetooth, which enables electronic equipment to connect without cables, owes its name to the unifying king. "The idea behind the new technology was that it should connect and unify. Just like Harald Bluetooth did when he unified Denmark and Norway," explained one of the inventors of the technology, Jim Kardach, quoted in a statement. We sincerely regret not seeking your permission before borrowing the name... We acknowledge that it was a rather cheeky move on our part. Samsung SDI, Korea's second-biggest car battery maker, said Wednesday it will build its second U.S. battery plant in Indiana jointly with Stellantis near the first plant under construction. Samsung SDI set up a 51:49 joint company named StarPlus Energy with Stellantis in May last year to build the two plants in the U.S. for the supply of battery packs for Stellantis vehicles manufactured in the world's most important automobile market. The company plans to begin operations of the first 33 GWh plant in the first quarter of 2025 and of the second 34 GWh plant in early 2027. On top of the two factories to be built in Kokomo, Indiana, Samsung SDI is also building a 30 GWh plant in New Carlisle, Indiana, under a joint venture with General Motors Co. with an aim to start production in 2026. Stellantis is a 50:50 joint venture set up through the merger of U.S. carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and French automaker PSA Groupe. Samsung SDI plans to invest $2.5 billion in the No. 1 Kokomo plant, $3.9 billion in the No. 2 Kokomo plant, and more than $3 billion in the New Carlisle plant. Separately from the JV plants in the U.S., the company operates two domestic battery-cell plants as well as four overseas battery cell plants in China, Hungary, and Malaysia. (Yonhap) Editors note: Voters have amended the Texas Constitution 517 times since 1876, and they will get the chance again Nov. 7. This is the fourth of a series of articles examining the intention and implications of the 14 amendments on the ballot. A constitutional amendment that could save property owners hundreds of dollars on their tax bills will appear on ballots in November as another piece of the states $18 billion puzzle to relieve Texans of their property tax burden. Voters on Nov. 7 could approve Proposition 4, which touts a $100,000 school tax exemption for homeowners authorized by House Joint Resolution 2 in the 88th Legislatures second special session. Despite the obvious economic benefit to the average homeowner, some wonder about Proposition 4s sustainability going forward. The resolutions enabling legislation, Senate Bill 2, which took effect Sept. 1 and also passed in the second special session, includes an additional compression of school tax rates that is not part of the constitutional amendment. The bill authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, reduces school tax rates using a formula to balance the reduced local taxpayer funding with more state funding. As local funding increases with rising property values, state funding decreases due to the states funding formula for school districts. Tax rate compression aims to lower local property tax burden and supplement the loss with state money. House Joint Resolution 2, authored by Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, has five parts. A vote yes on Proposition 4: Increases the general homestead exemption for school tax from $40,000 to $100,000 Protects non-homestead properties from increases greater than 20% in market value Allows people over 65 years old with an assessment freeze to enjoy the benefit of homestead exemption increases in the current and 2021 legislative sessions by recalculating the freeze. This means some taxpayers over 65 and those who qualify for disability, who are typically on a fixed income, would get a $110,000 exemption Allows revenue-replacing money to be sent to school districts without counting toward constitutional spending limits Adds three voter-approved members to the board of directors of local appraisal entities in counties with a population of at least 75,000 Chief Appraiser Joe Don Bobbitt said the McLennan Central Appraisal Districts board of directors currently is made up of five members appointed by the taxing entities the appraisal district serves, plus the tax assessor in a nonvoting capacity. The increase in homestead exemptions could save homeowners hundreds of dollars on their school tax bill, which generally makes up for a large proportion of a persons overall tax burden. The new exemption would subtract $100,000 from the amount of taxable value the local school district could apply its tax rate to. For example, take a house with an appraised taxable value of $200,000 in the Waco Independent School District. With the original $40,000 homestead exemption, at the districts compressed tax rate of about $1.03 per $100 per valuation, the homeowner would owe the district $1,648 in property taxes. The same homeowner with a $100,000 exemption would owe Waco ISD $1,030 in property taxes, a saving of $618. Although businesses and other non-homestead properties would not benefit from the exemption, they could experience some relief from the overall tax rate compression and the 20% appraisal cap on increases to their propertys value. The cap would limit the increase in properties appraised value to 20% and benefit rental and commercial properties valued at less than $5 million this year, Bobbitt said. For example, a commercial property valued at $1 million this year may not be appraised at a value greater than $1.2 million next year. The provision is temporary and will expire during the next legislative session if it is not extended. The bill provides funding out of the states $33 billion budget surplus this year to make up for school districts lost revenue, whereas in the past the state effectively only redistributed the tax burden from homeowners to rental properties and commercial, Bobbitt said. Rep. Shawn Thierry, D-Houston, a joint author of the bill, said homeowners all over the state supported the bill in polls, but the only way it could pass is if the state supported school districts rather than taking from them. Although the state was able to come up with the additional funding this year out of gas taxes and other means, some cautious observers of the bill wonder about its sustainability with billions of dollars in yearly property tax relief enshrined in the Constitution. The homestead exemption is expected to cost the state $5.6 billion every two years, Waco-based economist Ray Perryman said. Perryman said the amendments benefit to lower-income homeowners is a good step forward, but he worries about its sustainability in budget cycles when the state is not flush with extra cash. He said he doubts the Legislature and local taxpayers would approve tax rate hikes, but he fears schools may lose funding if Texas experiences a budget crunch. Luckily, the Legislature has formed a committee headed by Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, to study sustainable property tax relief. Thierry will serve as vice chair. She said the cost to the state of the amendment is permanent and will reoccur regardless of the budget cycle, so the committee will look at tax policy and creative means of sustainability. Thierry said the bill overall represents a success for the state, as partisan members of both chambers were able to come to an agreement to limit the burden of rising property taxes. Perryman said he has related concerns with school choice proposals likely to be considered in a third special session that began Monday. The Legislature ended its last session in a stalemate between the chambers over a voucher program that would give parents access to state money to pay for private education. If enacted, the voucher program may lead to public school funding reductions, Perryman said. Looking at the demographics of Texas, it is apparent that how effective we are in educating students in the coming years is the single most important determinant of future growth, and some of the current trends disturb me, he said. The measure is part of a larger $18 billion compromise on property tax relief between the Senate and House. The bill passed with five votes in opposition in the House, all coming from Democratic members, and none in the Senate. Thierry said a previous version of the bill that did not make the final cut included relief for renters to account for landlords decreased school tax burden that may have moved the needle. It is not certain that renters will feel the benefit of their landlords 20% appraisal cap. The amendment also does not include new funding for schools or teacher pay. School districts have already prepared their budgets with the homestead exemption factored in. Bobbitt said earlier that the tax office would have to prepare two bills for everyone, one reflecting the exempted amount and another to make up the $60,000 difference. In recent days, the country has been subjected to a chilling preview of what MAGA rule would look like if Donald Trump returns to power, as Americas allies looked on in shock while its enemies had good reason to cheer. Having failed to shut down the government, but succeeded in axing Ukraine aid, a handful of Trump acolytes on Capitol Hill set out to cripple the U.S. government by other means. Led by MAGA Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose narcissism trumps Trump, these GOP hard-liners axed their own House speaker ousting Kevin McCarthy with no sign they can find a successor. This would leave the government in chaos, with no means of passing a budget, which seems to be Gaetzs intent. Trump, meanwhile, was denouncing the judge who ruled his companies had engaged in big-time fraud. To top that, the former president effectively accused the departing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Americas top military officer, Gen. Mark Milley, of treason, and posted on Truth Social that he deserved DEATH. This outrageous threat from the likely GOP candidate for president forced Milley to take appropriate measures to protect himself and his family. This MAGA madness illuminates the choice that confronts Republicans in Congress and in the voting booth: chaos or a functional government that might get legislation passed despite great differences in ideology. Does our country want a normal leader or a president who encourages violence against his opponents? No one has clarified that choice better than Milley himself, in his parting address last month as his term ended. Add to that the angry words of Gen. John Kelly, Trumps longest-serving chief of staff, in a statement he made to CNN last week. Let me start with the once taciturn Kelly, who confirmed on the record many damning statements he made earlier without attribution. He described Trump as A person who has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about. Kellys barely contained rage was fueled, in part, by Trumps well-known contempt for wounded U.S. military warriors and war dead, whom he has repeatedly dismissed as losers. Kelly confirmed that Trump had told him, on Memorial Day 2017, as they stood in Arlington National Cemetery among the graves of service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, I dont get it. What was in it for them? That anger was raised to a peak by the ex-presidents threat to Milley. Kelly derided Trump as A person who cavalierly suggests that a selfless warrior who has served his county for 40 years in peacetime and war should lose his life for treason in expectation that someone will take action. ... A person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law. There is nothing more that can be said, Kelly concluded. God help us. Kellys fury reflects a host of belated critiques by an astonishing number of former Trump officials such as former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who told CNN in November, He puts himself before the country. Milley and Kelly had to cope with Trumps admiration for dictators such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, who know that Trump clings to his repeatedly disproved belief that he alone can deal with them personally, without any background knowledge of the issues. And as Milley laid out, the biggest domestic threat they faced was Trumps belief that the military is his personal tool. This dangerous fantasy flies in the face of the Constitution and spits on the principles by which the military abides. Milley ran afoul of Trumps wrath when he apologized for being unwittingly dragooned, while in uniform, into a Trump political photo op in Lafayette Square, after the president had ordered a peaceful protest there dispersed with force. As the Pentagons top officer, Milley faced his greatest challenge over Trumps refusal to admit he lost to Joe Biden and his efforts to overturn the election. As Jeffrey Goldberg lays out in a must-read article in the November issue of the Atlantic, Milley rebuffed efforts by Trump loyalists to activate the obscure 1807 Insurrection Act against his opponents. He worried Trump might trigger a war perhaps against Irans nuclear facilities in order to stay in office. This fear was shared by Esper, who tasked Milley to ensure his Chinese counterpart that the United States government was stable. Yet most of all, Kelly and Milley worried about Trumps disdain for the militarys duty to the Constitution, and his insistence that it served him. In his parting speech, the departing chief laid out the reality that Trump still refuses to admit. We are unique among the worlds militaries, Milley said. We dont take an oath to a country. We dont take an oath to a tribe. We dont take an oath to a religion. We dont take an oath to a king, or a queen, or a tyrant or a dictator. And we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator, he spat. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and were willing to die to protect it. The ouster of McCarthy engineered by a small MAGA cabal, the damning words from Trumps mouth along with the chilling critiques from Milley and Kelly confront GOP legislators with the choice they fear to make. Will they keep appeasing a wannabe dictator and his acolytes or fight for responsible leadership? The MAGA-led chaos in Congress should (but probably wont) jolt them into making up their minds. Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas on Tuesday, the fourth day of fierce fighting that has left thousands dead on both sides since the militants launched a surprise attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israel's military campaign following Saturday's onslaught is only the start of a sustained war to destroy Hamas and "change the Middle East." Fears of a regional conflagration have surged ahead of an expected Israeli ground incursion into Gaza, the crowded, impoverished enclave from where Hamas launched its land, air and sea attack on the Jewish Sabbath. The death toll in Israel has surged above 900 from the worst attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials reported 900 people killed so far, and Israel's army said the bodies of roughly 1,500 militants had been found. International NGOs issued a stark warning over the health and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Hamas gunmen killed more than 100 people in the kibbutz of Beeri alone, said Moti Bukjin, a volunteer with the charity Zaka that recovers bodies in accordance with Jewish law. United States President Joe Biden condemned the Hamas attacks as "sheer evil", and Netanyahu said the militants committed "savagery never seen since the Holocaust", including the beheading of soldiers. Condemnation from Western leaders contrasted markedly with pro-Palestinian sentiment in the Arab world where people distributed sweets, danced and chanted prayers in support of "resistance" to Israel's long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories. "My entire life, I have seen Israel kill us, confiscate our lands and arrest our children," said Farah al-Saadi, 52, a coffee vendor from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank who praised the Hamas assault. The Israeli army has called up 300,000 reservists and massed tanks and other heavy armour both near Gaza and on the northern border with Lebanon, where exchanges of fire continued. The military said its forces had largely reclaimed the embattled south and the border around Gaza, and dislodged holdout Hamas fighters from more than a dozen towns and kibbutzim. But late Tuesday in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, troops backed by helicopters and drones exchanged fire with several militants, leaving three fighters dead, the army said. A new barrage of rockets was also fired from Gaza towards Ashkelon. "Around 1,500 bodies of Hamas (fighters) have been found in Israel around the Gaza Strip," army spokesman Richard Hecht said earlier. In Kfar Aza kibbutz, where Israeli forces say Hamas massacred more than 100 civilians, Israeli soldiers prepared to remove several of their compatriots in black body bags. 'Blackmail' In a speech on Tuesday Biden confirmed at least 14 Americans were killed, and others were missing. The U.S. has sent an aircraft carrier and other warships to the eastern Mediterranean as part of efforts to deter an expansion of the conflict, and is also providing other assistance, including sharing intelligence with Israel. Relatives of Americans believed held in Gaza called on the Biden administration to bring them home safely. Western powers and many other nations have reported citizens killed, abducted or missing. These include: Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Ukraine. Hamas has held around 150 captives since its ground incursion, among them children, elderly and young people captured at a music festival where around 270 died. On Monday, Hamas warned it would start killing hostages every time Israel launches a strike on a civilian target in Gaza without warning. French President Emmanuel Macron called the threat "unacceptable blackmail." Fear and chaos reigned among the 2.3 million Palestinians living in the coastal territory that has been hammered by thousands of Israeli munitions. Hamas said the strikes killed two of its senior figures: Zakaria Muammar led its economics section, and Jawad Abu Shamala coordinated ties with other Palestinian factions. Israel's army also announced their deaths. Four Palestinian journalists were also killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza City, media unions and officials said. Explosions again shook Gaza City on Tuesday night. Earlier, for the third time in 24 hours, an Israeli air strike hit Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt, an AFP photographer and an NGO said. White smoke billowed from among fishing boats after an air strike on Gaza's port, and in Jerusalem the deserted streets were targeted by Hamas rocket fire. "Israeli people they are scared of the Arabs and the Arabs are scared of the Jews... everybody is scared of each other," said Ahmed Karkash, a shop owner in the Old City. In Gaza City, streets are clogged with rubble and littered with shards of glass. Mazen Mohammad and his family slept on the ground floor of their apartment block, huddling together as explosions rang out around them. What they woke up to the next day was unrecognisable. "We felt like we were in a ghost town, as if we were the only survivors," Mohammad, 38, told AFP. Israel on Monday imposed a total siege on Gaza, which it has already blockaded for years, cutting off the water supply, food, electricity and other essential supplies. European Union foreign ministers urged Israel not to cut such essentials, and called for humanitarian corridors for those trying to flee. U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said such sieges are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Medical supplies, including oxygen, were running low at Gaza's overwhelmed Al-Shifa hospital, said Mohammed Ghonim, a doctor in the emergency room. Taken 'by surprise' The United Nations said more than 187,500 people had been displaced inside Gaza, most taking shelter in U.N. schools. Israel has been left reeling by Hamas's unprecedented ground, air and sea assault that began with thousands of rockets, likening it to the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.. In the aftermath, soldiers who were on guard duty along the hi-tech security barrier around Gaza recounted how the attack began with an effort to cripple observation cameras and communications. "They took us by surprise and we weren't ready for it," a lookout soldier said in testimony posted on Instagram. Israel faced the threat of a multi-front war after three days of clashes with militants on the northern border with Lebanon. For the first time since the Hamas attack, there was an exchange of fire between Israel and forces in Syria, after Israel's military said munitions were fired towards the Golan Heights it has occupied since 1967. Mourners in the southern Lebanese village of Khirbet Selm carried two caskets, draped in yellow Hezbollah flags, with the bodies of two fighters it said were killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier. A third fighter was also killed, the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said. On Tuesday, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades claimed a fresh salvo of rocket fire from south Lebanon towards Israel, the Israeli army said, adding it retaliated with artillery fire. "It's like a state of war," said Yaakov Regev, sipping coffee at a petrol station in northern Israel, a few kilometres from the Lebanon border. Unrest has also surged in the West Bank, where 15 Palestinians have been killed since Saturday. Netanyahu, the veteran leader at the helm of Israel's hard-right coalition, has called for an "emergency government of national unity" after his administration's proposal for judicial reforms split the nation and even its military this year, before the war brought the nation closer together. (AFP) Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by stock analysts at Barclays from $21.00 to $20.00 in a report issued on Monday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Barclayss target price points to a potential upside of 20.41% from the companys previous close. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Norwegian Cruise Line from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $25.00 price target for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 14th. Truist Financial cut their price target on Norwegian Cruise Line from $23.00 to $20.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 19th. Susquehanna cut Norwegian Cruise Line from a positive rating to a neutral rating and set a $17.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Bank of America upped their price target on Norwegian Cruise Line from $17.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on Norwegian Cruise Line from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $19.43. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line Price Performance Shares of NYSE NCLH opened at $16.61 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 788.03. Norwegian Cruise Line has a twelve month low of $11.19 and a twelve month high of $22.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $16.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.03. The stock has a market cap of $7.07 billion, a P/E ratio of -8.22 and a beta of 2.57. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.03. Norwegian Cruise Line had a negative return on equity of 863.25% and a negative net margin of 11.88%. The company had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($1.22) earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 85.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Norwegian Cruise Line will post 0.5 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Norwegian Cruise Line Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Norwegian Cruise Line by 13.3% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 4,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 1.5% in the second quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 33,057 shares of the companys stock valued at $720,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank lifted its position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 1.2% in the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 50,212 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,093,000 after acquiring an additional 584 shares in the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 46.2% in the second quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 115.4% in the second quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 1,148 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 615 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.49% of the companys stock. About Norwegian Cruise Line (Get Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various locations, including destinations in Scandinavia, Russia, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cousins Properties (NYSE:CUZ Get Free Report) and Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI Get Free Report) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Cousins Properties and Douglas Emmetts gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Cousins Properties alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cousins Properties $762.29 million 3.80 $166.79 million $0.99 19.27 Douglas Emmett $824.57 million 2.45 $97.14 million $0.33 36.79 Cousins Properties has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Douglas Emmett. Cousins Properties is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Douglas Emmett, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cousins Properties 2 1 6 0 2.44 Douglas Emmett 3 7 2 0 1.92 This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Cousins Properties and Douglas Emmett, as provided by MarketBeat. Cousins Properties presently has a consensus price target of $25.50, suggesting a potential upside of 33.65%. Douglas Emmett has a consensus price target of $14.09, suggesting a potential upside of 16.07%. Given Cousins Properties stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Cousins Properties is more favorable than Douglas Emmett. Risk and Volatility Cousins Properties has a beta of 1.19, suggesting that its share price is 19% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Douglas Emmett has a beta of 0.99, suggesting that its share price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends Cousins Properties pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.7%. Douglas Emmett pays an annual dividend of $0.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.3%. Cousins Properties pays out 129.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Douglas Emmett pays out 230.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Cousins Properties has raised its dividend for 5 consecutive years. Cousins Properties is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Profitability This table compares Cousins Properties and Douglas Emmetts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cousins Properties 18.77% 3.23% 1.98% Douglas Emmett 6.36% 1.39% 0.60% Institutional and Insider Ownership 97.4% of Douglas Emmett shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of Cousins Properties shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 13.4% of Douglas Emmett shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Cousins Properties beats Douglas Emmett on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Cousins Properties (Get Free Report) Cousins Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high-growth Sun Belt markets. Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing and management of high-quality real estate assets. The Company has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets and opportunistic investments. About Douglas Emmett (Get Free Report) Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. Receive News & Ratings for Cousins Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cousins Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Get Free Report)s stock price rose 5.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $214.05 and last traded at $213.80. Approximately 76,046 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 331,059 shares. The stock had previously closed at $202.52. Analyst Ratings Changes HII has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $250.00 to $247.00 in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a hold rating and a $217.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $231.43. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Huntington Ingalls Industries Huntington Ingalls Industries Trading Down 0.9 % The stock has a market cap of $8.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $214.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $213.65. Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The aerospace company reported $3.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.13. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 15.13%. The company had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.44 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 14.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Huntington Ingalls Industries Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 25th were issued a dividend of $1.24 per share. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 24th. Huntington Ingalls Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.12%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Chad N. Boudreaux sold 1,612 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.38, for a total value of $350,416.56. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 15,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,306,349.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, VP Jennifer R. Boykin sold 1,370 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.00, for a total value of $304,140.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 9,620 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,135,640. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Chad N. Boudreaux sold 1,612 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.38, for a total transaction of $350,416.56. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 15,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,306,349.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 3,482 shares of company stock valued at $768,152 over the last 90 days. 2.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Huntington Ingalls Industries A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 7,072 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,403,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 27.5% in the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 1,467 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $293,000 after purchasing an additional 316 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in the 1st quarter valued at about $60,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 23.0% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 10,885 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 2,035 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 5,360 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,069,000 after purchasing an additional 332 shares during the period. 89.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Huntington Ingalls Industries (Get Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Manning & Napier Group LLC grew its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 37.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,056,949 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 287,261 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Group LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $38,769,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 98,197.9% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,948,438,709 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $71,468,732,000 after buying an additional 1,946,456,532 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 445,384,893 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $18,171,704,000 after buying an additional 2,516,132 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 9.8% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 218,931,933 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,932,423,000 after buying an additional 19,602,359 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Pfizer by 89,592.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 161,143,638 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $8,257,000,000 after purchasing an additional 160,963,976 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Pfizer by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 109,852,779 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,472,433,000 after purchasing an additional 577,201 shares during the last quarter. 68.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Down 0.1 % PFE opened at $33.17 on Wednesday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $34.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $37.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.82 and a current ratio of 2.12. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $31.77 and a twelve month high of $54.93. The firm has a market cap of $187.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.82, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.61. Pfizer Dividend Announcement Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.36 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 27.55% and a return on equity of 28.36%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 54.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.04 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 4th. Investors of record on Friday, November 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.94%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 9th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.62%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $75.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Pfizer from $40.00 to $38.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Pfizer from $38.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, Credit Suisse Group cut shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $47.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $45.88. View Our Latest Analysis on PFE 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report) by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 46,098 shares of the companys stock after selling 187 shares during the period. Cozad Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $5,319,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MRK. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 102,675.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,860,147,936 shares of the companys stock worth $214,642,470,000 after acquiring an additional 1,858,338,022 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 68,563,817 shares of the companys stock worth $7,294,504,000 after purchasing an additional 6,546,946 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 51,218,756 shares of the companys stock worth $5,438,036,000 after purchasing an additional 2,879,481 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 41,850,081 shares of the companys stock worth $4,643,267,000 after purchasing an additional 4,000,816 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock worth $4,363,385,000 after purchasing an additional 39,289,404 shares during the last quarter. 74.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance Shares of NYSE:MRK opened at $103.61 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $107.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $110.13. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $89.27 and a twelve month high of $119.65. The company has a market cap of $262.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 84.93, a PEG ratio of 4.11 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported ($2.06) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($2.18) by $0.12. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 16.29% and a net margin of 5.34%. The firm had revenue of $15.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.87 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 3.04 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.73 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.82%. Merck & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is currently 239.34%. Insider Transactions at Merck & Co., Inc. In other news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 4,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.01, for a total transaction of $463,292.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 22,935 shares in the company, valued at $2,500,144.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MRK has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. HSBC initiated coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Friday, July 14th. They issued a hold rating and a $123.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $109.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, TheStreet lowered Merck & Co., Inc. from an a- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, September 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $124.74. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Merck & Co., Inc. About Merck & Co., Inc. (Free Report) Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Royal Bank of Canada from $38.00 to $34.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. Several other analysts also recently commented on SNV. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Synovus Financial from $40.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Synovus Financial in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Synovus Financial from $45.00 to $33.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Synovus Financial in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, DA Davidson cut their target price on Synovus Financial from $37.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 20th. Four equities 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, Synovus Financial presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $33.92. Get Synovus Financial alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Synovus Financial Synovus Financial Stock Performance NYSE:SNV opened at $27.46 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.01 billion, a PE ratio of 5.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $30.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.93. Synovus Financial has a fifty-two week low of $25.19 and a fifty-two week high of $44.91. Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 19th. The bank reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.14 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $567.81 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $570.82 million. Synovus Financial had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 19.61%. Research analysts anticipate that Synovus Financial will post 4.3 earnings per share for the current year. Synovus Financial Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 21st were paid a dividend of $0.38 per share. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.54%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 20th. Synovus Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.63%. Insider Buying and Selling at Synovus Financial In related news, major shareholder Eli Samaha acquired 8,884 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 21st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $21.25 per share, for a total transaction of $188,785.00. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 1,643,391 shares in the company, valued at $34,922,058.75. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In the last three months, insiders have purchased 229,804 shares of company stock worth $4,914,082. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Synovus Financial Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Synovus Financial by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,996,954 shares of the banks stock valued at $562,536,000 after purchasing an additional 170,332 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Synovus Financial by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,098,433 shares of the banks stock valued at $434,655,000 after purchasing an additional 228,708 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its position in shares of Synovus Financial by 80.1% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,675,742 shares of the banks stock valued at $236,643,000 after purchasing an additional 3,413,077 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Synovus Financial by 15.7% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,937,880 shares of the banks stock valued at $216,502,000 after purchasing an additional 941,244 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Synovus Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Synovus Financial by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 5,784,933 shares of the banks stock valued at $174,994,000 after purchasing an additional 35,024 shares during the last quarter. 79.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Synovus Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synovus Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Service Co. International (NYSE:SCI Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Bank of America from $80.00 to $70.00 in a research note released on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Raymond James lowered their price objective on Service Co. International from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on Service Co. International in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reduced their target price on Service Co. International from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. Get Service Co. International alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on SCI Service Co. International Stock Up 0.6 % SCI opened at $55.64 on Tuesday. Service Co. International has a 1-year low of $54.06 and a 1-year high of $74.66. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $61.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $64.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.71. The stock has a market cap of $8.39 billion, a PE ratio of 17.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.78. Service Co. International (NYSE:SCI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $986.10 million. Service Co. International had a return on equity of 31.72% and a net margin of 12.11%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.84 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Service Co. International will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current year. Service Co. International Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a positive change from Service Co. Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. Service Co. Internationals dividend payout ratio is 36.94%. Insider Transactions at Service Co. International In other news, CEO Thomas L. Ryan sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.31, for a total transaction of $65,310.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 962,409 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $62,854,931.79. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Thomas L. Ryan sold 47,310 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.37, for a total value of $3,092,654.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 962,409 shares of the companys stock, valued at $62,912,676.33. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Thomas L. Ryan sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.31, for a total value of $65,310.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 962,409 shares of the companys stock, valued at $62,854,931.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 5.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Service Co. International Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of SCI. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Service Co. International by 10.2% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 11,544 shares of the companys stock valued at $760,000 after purchasing an additional 1,068 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in Service Co. International by 15.6% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 6,840 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 922 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in Service Co. International by 2.2% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 8,269 shares of the companys stock valued at $544,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in Service Co. International by 38.1% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 32,245 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,135,000 after purchasing an additional 8,901 shares during the last quarter. Finally, APG Asset Management N.V. raised its position in Service Co. International by 30.1% in the first quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 17,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,047,000 after purchasing an additional 4,100 shares during the last quarter. 84.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Service Co. International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Service Corporation International provides deathcare products and services in the United States and Canada. The company operates through Funeral and Cemetery segments. Its funeral service and cemetery operations comprise funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and other businesses. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Service Co. International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Service Co. International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. trimmed its position in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 11.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,708 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 224 shares during the period. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $269,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in Chevron by 100,509.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 426,861,553 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $67,166,665,000 after purchasing an additional 426,437,277 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in Chevron by 12.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 32,906,060 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,906,309,000 after purchasing an additional 3,711,923 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Chevron by 104,997.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,490,824 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,395,858,000 after purchasing an additional 24,467,521 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Chevron by 76.5% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,667,484 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,839,241,000 after purchasing an additional 10,257,980 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in Chevron in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,058,235,000. 68.87% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE:CVX opened at $166.57 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Chevron Co. has a 52-week low of $149.74 and a 52-week high of $189.68. The company has a 50 day moving average of $163.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $161.10. The company has a market capitalization of $311.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.14. Chevron Dividend Announcement Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.13. Chevron had a net margin of 13.54% and a return on equity of 19.48%. The company had revenue of $48.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $5.82 earnings per share. Chevrons revenue for the quarter was down 28.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 13.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 18th were paid a dividend of $1.51 per share. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.63%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 17th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.30%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently commented on CVX shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Chevron in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $209.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $198.00 to $203.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $209.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $163.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $190.89. Read Our Latest Analysis on Chevron Insider Activity In other news, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The stock was 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 directly owns 6,021 shares in the company, valued at approximately $987,444. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, VP Jeff B. Gustavson sold 3,750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.88, for a total transaction of $603,300.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 1,718 shares in the company, valued at $276,391.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.00, for a total value of $4,100,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 6,021 shares in the company, valued at $987,444. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SVB Wealth LLC trimmed its position in Truist Financial Co. (NYSE:TFC Free Report) by 11.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,488 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 1,451 shares during the period. SVB Wealth LLCs holdings in Truist Financial were worth $349,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in shares of Truist Financial in the first quarter valued at $25,000. United Bank grew its holdings in shares of Truist Financial by 4.1% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 74,457 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,222,000 after purchasing an additional 2,938 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Truist Financial by 33.3% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 26,365 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,495,000 after buying an additional 6,593 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its position in shares of Truist Financial by 3.3% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 22,951 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,348,000 after purchasing an additional 738 shares during the period. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL grew its holdings in Truist Financial by 8.1% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 56,690 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,214,000 after buying an additional 4,234 shares in the last quarter. 71.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Truist Financial alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $40.00 price objective on shares of Truist Financial in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Bank of America cut their price target on Truist Financial from $35.00 to $32.00 in a research note on Tuesday. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Truist Financial in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on Truist Financial from $31.00 to $28.00 in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price objective on Truist Financial from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $38.64. Truist Financial Stock Up 6.7 % Shares of TFC opened at $29.26 on Wednesday. Truist Financial Co. has a 52-week low of $25.56 and a 52-week high of $53.34. The company has a market capitalization of $38.97 billion, a PE ratio of 6.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $29.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $30.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The insurance provider reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $5.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.97 billion. Truist Financial had a return on equity of 11.73% and a net margin of 20.17%. The firms revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.20 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Truist Financial Co. will post 3.73 EPS for the current year. Truist Financial Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.11%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.15%. Truist Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Truist Financial Corporation, a holding company, provides banking and trust services in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer Banking and Wealth, Corporate and Commercial Banking, and Insurance Holdings. Its deposit products include noninterest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Truist Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Truist Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET Get Free Report) (TSE:VET) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $13.39, but opened at $13.93. Vermilion Energy shares last traded at $13.95, with a volume of 218,983 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group assumed coverage on shares of Vermilion Energy in a research report on Friday, July 21st. They set a buy rating on the stock. Desjardins cut shares of Vermilion Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Vermilion Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Vermilion Energy from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vermilion Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $30.75. Get Vermilion Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on VET Vermilion Energy Stock Up 1.7 % The firms 50 day moving average price is $14.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market capitalization of $2.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 2.21. Vermilion Energy (NYSE:VET Get Free Report) (TSE:VET) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.33. Vermilion Energy had a net margin of 41.30% and a return on equity of 16.48%. The company had revenue of $350.94 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $409.87 million. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Vermilion Energy Inc. will post 2.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Vermilion Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a $0.0749 dividend. This is an increase from Vermilion Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.08%. Vermilion Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 5.70%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vermilion Energy Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VET. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Vermilion Energy by 307.6% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,076,265 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $39,899,000 after purchasing an additional 2,321,576 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Europe London LLP acquired a new position in Vermilion Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $15,550,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its position in Vermilion Energy by 145.8% in the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,945,600 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $34,446,000 after acquiring an additional 1,154,150 shares during the period. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Vermilion Energy by 80.8% in the 4th quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,989,012 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $35,223,000 after acquiring an additional 889,012 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH acquired a new position in Vermilion Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $13,498,000. Institutional investors own 28.67% of the companys stock. Vermilion Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vermilion Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company owns 82% working interest in 796,648 net acres of developed land and 85% working interest in 384,237 net acres of undeveloped land in Canada; 149,043 net acres of land in the Powder River basin in the United States; 96% working interest in 258,125 net acres of developed land and 100% working interest in 106,993 net acres of undeveloped land in the Aquitaine and Paris Basins in France; 53% working interest in 1,604,206 net acres of land in the Netherlands; 107,351 net developed acres and 1,549,929 net undeveloped acres in Germany; 975,374 net acres land in Croatia; 614,625 net acres land in Hungary; and 97,907 net acres land in Slovakia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Vermilion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vermilion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday denounced the Hamas militant group's attack on Israel last week as "pure, unadulterated evil" and reiterated America's pledge to "stand with Israel." In a televised address, Biden launched a diatribe against the militant group as its attack on Saturday reignited the conflict with Israel, which has left more than 1,800 people dead, including at least 14 U.S. citizens. The president stressed that his administration is "surging" additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Israel's Iron Dome interception system, so as to ensure the country can defend its cities and citizens. "There are moments in this life, I mean this literally, when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this," Biden said with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken standing behind him at the White House. "This was an act of sheer evil. More than 1,000 civilians just got slaughtered. Among them at least 14 American citizens, he added. Biden reaffirmed America's commitment to supporting Israel, a country that has long lived with the threats of such armed attacks. "We must be crystal clear. We stand with Israel," he said. "We will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack ... There's no justification for terrorism. There's no excuse." The president warned against those who may seek to exploit the conflict to their advantage. "Let me say again. Any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation, I have one word. Don't," he said. Apparently mindful of the political polarization at home, Biden called for national unity over the issue while cautioning against domestic acts of hatred. "This is not about party or politics. It's about the security of our world and security of the United States of America," he said. "There is no place for hate in America, not against Jews, not against Muslims just not against anybody will reject this terrorism." Later in a press briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the U.S. believes there are 20 or more Americans that are missing. "But I want to underscore and stress that does not mean necessarily that there are 20 or more American hostages. Just that is the number who are currently unaccounted for," he said. Biden has tasked his aides to engage in contingency planning for all escalation scenarios, Sullivan said. "We are now deeply engaged in that planning. And we are consulting with allies and partners as well about all of the potential scenarios that might unfold in the days ahead," he said. Asked if Iran had any role in the attack, Sullivan said Iran is "complicit in this attack in a broad sense" though he does not have confirmation of Iran's direct role in the attack. "They (Iranians) have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas. They have provided training, capabilities and support, and they have had engagement in contact with Hamas over the years and years," he said. "And all of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen now." (Yonhap) Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, on Tuesday condemned a statement from a University of Virginia student organization that expressed support for the right of colonized people everywhere to resist the occupation of their land by whatever means they deem necessary. The statement, released by Students for Justice in Palestine at UVa, described Saturdays Hamas attacks as an unprecedented feat for the 21st century, and said that resistance fighters in Gaza had broken through an illegal border fence and had taken occupation soldiers hostage. Gilbert took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to urge his alma mater to also condemn the remarks. Some students at my alma mater @UVA fully endorse the rape, murder and kidnapping of innocent people which we now know includes the beheading of babies, Gilbert wrote. I implore the University and (president Jim Ryan) to condemn this vile statement in the strongest possible terms and to take action. Representatives for Ryans office could not immediately be reached for comment. The controversy comes as the death tolls in both Israel and Gaza rise. Speaking Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., characterized the Hamas attacks as barbaric, and said it is essential the the United States continues to support Israel and Ukraine. Warner said it would be a disaster if any country stepped back from its commitment to either nation. Some students at my alma mater @UVA fully endorse the rape, murder and kidnapping of innocent people which we now know includes the beheading of babies. I implore the University and @presjimryan to condemn this vile statement in the strongest possible terms and to take action. pic.twitter.com/1H5DGWw5gK Speaker Todd Gilbert (@cToddGilbert) October 10, 2023 He said he will support an expected request from President Joe Biden for Congress to approved military aid for both Israel and Ukraine under the stalled federal budget. Warner said he thinks the Senate would approve a combined aid package for Israel and Ukraine, but he acknowledged that Congress can do little until the U.S. House of Representatives elects a new Speaker after a band of eight conservative Republicans forced the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Meanwhile, Gov. Glenn Youngkin plans to meet with Jewish community leaders Wednesday in Virginia Beach. Amkor Technology inaugurates Vietnam factory By Tri Duc Wed, October 11, 2023 | 12:36 pm GTM+7 The U.S.-based Amkor Technology Inc., a leading provider of semiconductor packaging and test services, held a grand opening for its newest factory in Vietnams northern province of Bac Ninh on Wednesday. The Vietnamese facility is set to become Amkors most extensive facility, covering 57 acres (23.1 hectares) in Yen Phong 2C Industrial Park. Beginning with Advanced System in Package (SiP) and memory production, the factory will offer turnkey solutions, from design to electrical testing. Amkor has committed $1.6 billion for the two phases of the project, including $520 million in the first phase, to develop the facility into Amkors most advanced, delivering next-generation semiconductor packaging capabilities. This state-of-the-art factory in Vietnam will help Amkor provide an unrivaled geographic footprint to our customers, supporting global but also enabling regional supply chains, said Giel Rutten, Amkors president and CEO. Its the kind of secure and reliable supply chain our customers need in communications, automotive, high-performance computing, and other key industries, the executive added. Amkor Technology factory in Yen Phong 2C Industrial Park in Bac Ninh province, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the company. According to the investment certificate granted to Amkor in December 2021, the factorys output will be 600 million items a year, equivalent to 210 tons, in the first phase. The second phase will double that output. Bac Ninh province's index of industrial production (IIP) went up 2.38% from August to September, according to provincial data. Notably, the province's IIP inched up 0.01% from September 2022 to September 2023 after decreases in the previous eight months. However, from January-September, the province's IIP fell 13.82% year-on-year. Bac Ninh province, home to two Samsung factories, attracted $860.9 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) from 264 projects in the first nine months of 2023, up 510% year-on-year in terms of capital and 310% regarding project number, according to provincial data. Foreign players may pour $8 bln into Vietnam shares on market status upgrade: VinaCapital By Anh Minh Wed, October 11, 2023 | 10:19 am GTM+7 Foreign investors will likely put between $5 billion and $8 billion into Vietnamese securities if the local stock market is elevated to an emerging one from its current frontier status, a VinaCapital executive has said. The figures correspond to 0.7-1.2% of the emerging market indexes managed by MSCI and FTSE Russell, said Dang Hong Quang, director of the Hanoi representative office of VinaCapital, one of the leading fund managers in Vietnam, at a conference held by The Investor in Hanoi on Tuesday. Dang Hong Quang, director of the Hanoi representative office of VinaCapital. Photo by The Investor/Trong Hieu. An upgrade would also help deepen the stock market by attracting highly stable foreign inflows as retail investors now account for more than 90% of traders, Quang added. The executive noted that the upgrade would also help lure pension funds that are shifting away from Chinese markets due to heightened U.S.-China tensions and large institutional investors that are seeking potential alternative destinations. Quang noted that Vietnam has outsized other peers that are included in emerging market indexes in terms of market capitalization and liquidity. Companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) had a combined market cap of $190 billion as of end-September, larger than the Philippines, Qatar and Kuwait and approaching Malaysia. In addition, daily transaction values are only behind Indonesia in the ASEAN bloc. In terms of GDP and stock market size, Vietnam totally deserves to be classified among emerging markets, Quang stressed. Steve Brown, head of institutional sales at VPS Securities, forecast transaction volumes to double or jump five-fold if Vietnams stock market is upgraded to an MSCI Emerging Market. Foreign inflows would rise an estimated $1-5 billion a year. Hurdles to upgrade The VinaCapital executive pointed out two main criteria that the Vietnamese stock market needs to meet to be upgraded foreign ownership limit (FOL) and prefunding. As per the FOL, under current legislation, foreign investors are not allowed to invest in 25 business lines and have limited access to 59 others. VinaCapital suggested cutting short that list. In addition, the introduction of Non-Voting Depositary Receipt (NVDR) would help overseas players invest in companies that have reached their FOL ceilings. Regarding the prefunding issue, the KRX system, a trading platform provided by the Korea Exchange for the HoSE, is scheduled to go live in December this year. Once the KRX system becomes operational, securities companies will work with other parties to solve the issue of having foreign investors deposit 100% of the money to purchase shares. In the longer term, the Central Counterparty Clearing House (CCP) will technically clear the prefunding requirement, Quang said. Can Van Luc, chief economist at state-controlled BIDV bank. Photo by The Investor/Trong Hieu. Speaking at the event, Can Van Luc, chief economist at state-controlled BIDV bank, cited a survey as saying that just 2% of investors worldwide do not fulfil their payment obligations in stock trading. To solve the prefunding problem, Luc put forward three measures. They are upgrading the information technology system; implementing fines for violating investors; and authorizing securities companies to measure the risks themselves and decide whether to request their clients to deposit in advance. Policy actions Phan Duc Hieu, a permanent member of the National Assemblys Economic Committee, urged the Ministry of Finance and the State Securities Commission (SSC), the stock market watchdog, to form an action plan to facilitate the status upgrade soon. Phan Duc Hieu, a permanent member of the National Assemblys Economic Committee. Photo by The Investor/Trong Hieu. He proposed three levels of policy actions. First, the Vietnamese government needs to make legal adjustments regarding the clearing mechanism and the portfolio that is subject to FOL. Second, the government should make full use of the current legal corridor while awaiting amendments. For example, authorities need to regularly update information on the FOL-restricted portfolio and make it more accessible. In addition, listed companies should be required to announce the FOL themselves instead of it being optional. Third, as a bottom-to-top approach, listed companies should be more active in disclosing information that can impact investors beyond what they are required to do. In this regard, the SSC should take the initiative. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code CARBONDALE On Tuesday evening, the Carbondale City Council decided to have City Attorney Jamie Snyder seek a title for the old Carbondale Community High School property on Springer Street that would allow the city to demolish the old building. During its June 28, 2022, meeting, the Carbondale City Council approved a grant to the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Illinois (BGCSI) in the amount of $518,000 using ARPA funds. The BGCSI had requested the grant to pursue demolition of the old CCHS property adjacent to their Springer Street site to enhance safety and to create additional space to expand their facilities. In December 2022, Carbondale City Manager Gary Williams and Snyder were notified that the club was declining the ARPA offer because they did not have a clear consensus on the club's future plans. In July 2023, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois announced they were ceasing all operations. The organization was located in a part of the lower level and gymnasium of the old CCHS building. In December 2022, city officials walked through the building with Gail White, owner of White & Borgognoni Architects, P.C. They took video and photos of the building, which were shown at previous council meetings. The council had previously approved the city attorneys office pursuing a deed on the property that would in turn deem the property abandoned. The previous owner of the property is a dissolved not-for-profit agency whose owner resides in Bolivia. White attended the council's most recent meeting on Tuesday to answer questions about the building as councilmembers decided what steps need to be taken next. Mike Curtis, a resident of the surrounding Springer Street neighborhood, spoke about the building in detail. The old 1922 building is sitting on Springer Street and every day is getting worse. As a resident of the neighborhood, I urge you with haste to obtain what you need and get it torn down, Curtis told the council. He said the building has broken and open windows and that there is broken glass along the sidewalk surrounding the property. He also said that people are seen coming and going in and out of the building at night. Councilmember Ginger Rye-Sanders asked White if the building could be repurposed, saying it had a cafeteria and auditorium. We did not do an exhaustive study of the building, White said. He continued saying water is pouring into the building, especially in the auditorium. The building was difficult to walk through. It has collapsed ceilings and exposed plaster in some areas. Some of the metal in the building has been salvaged for sale. The building has no lighting or electricity. It would require some cleanup to access it before examining the structure. Parts of the roof would require substantial work," White said. He added that he personally saw no evidence of bowing walls and that it does not appear to have other structural issues. The old gymnasium and rooms underneath it are still owned by the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Illinois despite their closure. The newer gymnasium and long and short hallways are now used as the Dentmon Center. Could the building possibly be rehabilitated? Councilmember Nancy Maxwell asked. White answered yes. He said all finishes inside are damaged and would require intensive repair. He said the building has historical and architectural significance. Several councilmembers asked about the cost to rehab the building. White said he would need more information before he could even give an estimate. It would cost between $25,000 and $30,000 just to evaluate the building. For comparison, staff said the roof on the Attucks School building cost $2.2 million. The building is smaller and had been maintained. Demolition of the building is expected to cost from $500,000 to $600,000. Councilmember Adam Loos said he would vote to rehabilitate the building if three other council members were in favor of doing so. They talked about getting the deed to the property to proceed with a formal evaluation of the building. During that discussion, Snyder, the city attorney, spoke up. He said the building cannot be insured because it is so blighted. He said the city could secure the property better without taking possession of it. Snyder said the city needs to begin work immediately after obtaining the deed to the property. I dont think its a good idea to send people into the building, Williams said. The council then voted to approve Snyder acquiring the deed. Then, they will demolish the building. Council members Jeff Doherty, Loos, Clare Killman and Mayor Carolin Harvey voted in favor of demolition. Maxwell and Rye-Sanders were in favor of rehabilitating the building. CARBONDALE The Illinois APEX Accelerator at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will celebrate National APEX Day on Thursday, Oct. 12, with a mayoral proclamation and a pair of virtual webinars for small businesses. The center, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), will begin the celebration by noting that Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey has announced plans to sign a proclamation Oct. 10 designating Oct. 12 as APEX Accelerator Day in Carbondale, in recognition of the centers countless no-cost services and contributions. Nationally, more than 90 accelerators served over 56,000 clients in 2022, helping them secure more than $24 billion in government contracts and subcontracts. Government contracting can add significant growth to a small business, and the center wants to help facilitate this growth in our regions businesses while increasing the contract dollars that stay in Southern Illinois, said Brenda Henderson, director of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU. In addition, we are a sister program with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU and businesses get the extra benefit of utilizing the complete hub of resources. Our team encourages businesses to reach out and join our network. We are here to help businesses grow and succeed at no cost to them. Sign up now for virtual webinars Two Zoom webinars are planned on the inaugural National APEX Day Oct. 12. While there is no cost to participate, pre-registration is required. Intro to Government Contracting is set for 9 - 10:30 a.m. and provides information about what you need to know to sell products or services to the government, including market research, small business certifications, what registrations are required, valuable resources and more. Sign up online. Intro to Small Business Certifications will be from 3 to 4 p.m. It will cover the benefits and application processes involved for women, minority, veteran, or persons with disabilities to own a business. Register online. In the coming weeks, the center is offering numerous other webinars and workshops, including: How the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Programs Can Benefit Small Innovative Companies (2023 update) Oct. 19, noon - 1:30 p.m. Online registration. Reboot 2023 Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Business, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale. Planning is underway for another Reboot 2023 on Nov. 1 in Cairo. Registration information for these workshops coming soon. Find the complete list of workshops and events on the webpage. For more information about the many services and programs available at the APEX Accelerator at SIU, visit the website, call 618-536-2355 or email Brenda.j.henderson@siu.edu. I guess it's sinful to have such a dislike for another human, as I have toward a past president, this being Donald Trump. Forgive me Lord for my trespasses against a fellow human, for I see him as scum on our beautiful earth. Before I state the reason for my feelings toward him, probably the same as yours, I need to clarify my position. I am 91 years old this month, a registered Democrat that has always voted for the man, not the party. What Im saying is, I have voted for Republicans many times. This feeling I have toward Trump is not because of his politics, but simply him and his verbal actions as a man that held the highest office in our land. I firmly believe in our two-party system, and see a need for a third party. This being said, I will continue. In the courts of New York, charges have recently been brought against Trump for inflating his wealth, nearly twofold, in order to get cheaper insurance rates and increase his stock values. If this is proven, Trump is in violation of a fraudulent act in the state of New York. These charges of course, must be proven in the court. Trump said these charges brought against him in New York are un-American. During Trumps administration, he bad mouthed Senator John McCain, a fellow Republican and called him a loser and sucker, for being a prison of war, stating he didnt have much use for someone that had been captured. This was said by Trump when McCain was in disagreement with him. This was a man who had honorably served his country as a naval pilot, was shot down, parachuted from his plane and was captured during the Vietnam war. Recently Trump made the statement that one of our top generals should be executed because of some of his decisions made. This is a man that served his country well and should have all the praises extended to a hero of our great democracy. How many times have we heard Trump say that judges are criminals, nuts, crazy and other words not becoming of a president. This of course is said by Trump when he has been charged with, so many wrong doings. The people that stormed the capitol, Jan. 6, 2021 were heros according to Trump. They did extensive damage to the capitol in an attempt to overthrow the election results that Biden won and Trump lost. Windows were broken doors torn down, defacing property and much more damage occurred. Serious threats against Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Pence were made but they had been moved to a secured area. Chants were being made, where are you Nancy, we will get you." Trump had witnessed all this on TV and could have stopped it at any time but it was as if he was enjoying this rioting. He was approached by some of his aids to pick up the phone and tell these rioters that this was enough. But he chose to entertain himself with what he was seeing. We all saw and heard Trumps remarks on TV shortly after the riot ended, when he said, all that participated in this event were great Americans and "you accomplished your goal." This was an evil and treacherous act of transgression against the oath by a president, in violation of all our standards. Hate in politics seems to be at a record high by politicians against other politicians. I believe that this increased during Trumps administration. The above are some of the reasons I dislike Trump. He also suffers from an excessive admiration for himself, called narcissism which to me points toward insanity. His encouragement to overthrow the election was also an act of insanity. This is the United States of America, and elections are not over thrown. With our democracy, which is for and by the people, and who wins is decided by the people by the most votes. Trump has no respect for our constitution or the rule of law. A 38-year-old Orangeburg man is in prison for attacking the mother of his child and neglecting the child. Sumorrius Lamont Waverly, of Crossover Road, pleaded guilty to grand larceny valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000, unlawful neglect of a child and first-degree domestic violence, although he was originally charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. Waverly entered his guilty pleas before Circuit Judge Heath Taylor during a recent term of court at the Orangeburg County Courthouse. Taylor sentenced him to five years in prison. The judge gave Waverly credit for having already served 273 days in jail. Waverlys following charges were dismissed: possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, grand larceny valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. Waverlys charges stem from a July 31, 2022 argument he had with the mother of their 2-month-old child at a Cordova home. Waverly punched the woman several times while she was holding their infant. He then retrieved a .380-caliber pistol. The woman told deputies that Waverly fired the gun once in the driveway and then came inside her bedroom and shot the television. She also claimed that he pointed the gun at her head and neck while telling her that she broke his pistol. The woman placed the infant into her car while she went to a neighbors home to call 911. Waverly took off in the car. Hes accused of leaving the infant at Youngs Convenience Store. The infant was not physically injured. In other recent guilty pleas: Charlie Brown, 62, of 283 Redford Court, Santee, pleaded guilty to first-offense failure to register as a sex offender. Taylor sentenced him to one day in jail and gave him credit for time served. Anthony Jaquan Elmore, 21, of 101 Parkplace Circle, St. Matthews, pleaded guilty to non-violent second-degree burglary, although he was originally charged with first-degree burglary. Taylor sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years. He gave Elmore credit for having already served 366 days in jail. Elmores following charges were dismissed: petit larceny valued at $2,000 or less, malicious injury to personal property valued $2,000 or less and malicious injury to personal property with enhancement. David Earl Hart, 51, of 72 Deer Ridge Circle, St. Matthews, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence. Taylor sentenced him to 90 days in jail. Because Hart had already served one day there, he was given credit for having served his jail time. Hes required to successfully complete a domestic violence intervention program. Christopher Allen Miller, 28, of 192 Pepsie Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense driving under the influence less than .10, although he was originally charged with second-offense DUI less than .10. Taylor sentenced him to five days in jail and gave him credit for time served. Millers charge of first-offense driving under suspension, license not suspended for DUI, was dismissed. Charles Aaron Parris, 52, of 739 Morningstar Lake Road, Forest City, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to resisting arrest. Taylor sentenced him to one year in prison, but because Parris had already served eight days in jail, his term was suspended to one year of probation. Taylor ordered him to complete anger management and have his probation term transferred to Florida. Voorhees University has announced the upcoming Homecoming Concert, featuring Grammy award-winning artists Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. The concert will be held at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the Leonard Dawson Center on campus. Bryson is known for hits like "Reaching for the Sky" and "Can You Stop the Rain." He has also collaborated with artists such as Roberta Flack and Celine Dion. In addition to his performance, Bryson will serve as the grand marshal in the Voorhees Homecoming Parade, taking place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, in downtown Denmark. Belle, celebrated for soulful hits like "Baby, Come to Me" and "Make It Like It Was," will be joining Bryson at the concert. Her Grammy-winning duet with Bryson, "A Whole New World," remains one of her most iconic collaborations. "We are delighted to welcome Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle to our Voorhees University Homecoming celebration," said Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, president of Voorhees University. "Their incredible talent and timeless music will make this year's Homecoming Concert an unforgettable night." The university invites alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community to join in this weekend filled with music, celebration and unity. Tickets for the Homecoming Concert tickets can be purchased online in advance for $35 each or at the door for $45. Due to the high demand, early ticket purchases are recommended. The Homecoming Concert will follow the Voorhees University Hall of Fame Gala, where seven individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Honorees include the late South Carolina state Sen. John Scott, Allen Anderson, Julia Byrd-Barr, Tiffany Gary, Dr. LaTonya Gillespie-Johnson, Lt. Col. Brittiane Staton and Douglas Stokes. Scott, an alumnus of South Carolina State University, was a member of the Voorhees University Board of Trustees for over two decades, playing an integral role in the institution's growth and success. During his tenure on the board, Scott's support for Voorhees University resulted in the contribution of millions of dollars, advancing the institution's mission and impact. The other inductees are: Allen Anderson: A native of Georgetown, Anderson earned a bachelors degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Voorhees in 1971. His career spanned 32 years with the Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. Julia Byrd-Barr: A 1975 graduate of Voorhees, Byrd-Barr dedicated 33 years to the McDuffie Board of Education as an educator. She received numerous awards throughout her career, including Teacher of the Year.bachelors degree in biology and a master's degree in healthcare administration. She was named a 2020 Voorhees University National Alumni Association 10 Under 40 Honoree and a 2023 United Negro College Fund Alumni Hall of Fame Recipient. Dr. LaTonya Gillespie-Johnson: After attending Voorhees, Gillespie-Johnson pursued dental school at Marquette University School of Dentistry. She opened her dental office, Southern Pearl Dentistry, in 2019 and is an advocate for oral health awareness. Lt. Col. Brittiane Staton: A 2004 Voorhees graduate, Staton has earned several awards during her military career, including the Bronze Star Medal. Her husband, Joseph, and her mother, Terristine Martin, were both Voorhees graduates. Douglas Stokes: A 1985 Voorhees graduate, Stokes had a 33-year career in law enforcement, serving in various leadership positions. He became the first African American to serve as a commissioner on the Bamberg Board of Public Works. For more information about the Voorhees University Hall of Fame induction ceremony and Homecoming events, please visit A full schedule of homecoming events can be found online at: https://voorhees.edu/homecoming-schedule-2023/ Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Tuesday, with the Kremlin saying the focus was on an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of talks. The Turkish presidency, in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, said the two leaders discussed measures to prevent increasing tensions and initiatives to deliver humanitarian aid. A Kremlin statement deplored the "catastrophic rise in the deaths among civilians." It said the conflict could only be resolved on the basis of a "two-state" plan, with the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Turkish statement said Ankara would maintain its efforts to ensure calm in the region. The Kremlin said contacts between the two leaders would continue. (Reuters) (TBTCO) - Cac quan chuc Cuc Du tru Lien bang My (FED) uoc cho la se giu nguyen lai suat on inh o muc cao nhat trong 22 nam khi ket thuc cuoc hop keo dai hai ngay vao thu tu, 1/11. Tuy nhien, cac nha au tu va nha kinh te se theo doi cac dau hieu e thay lieu lai suat co giu nguyen nhu vay hay khong - hoac lieu ngan hang trung uong co con nghi rang ho co the can phai tang lai suat tro lai trong nhung thang toi hay khong? You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Since 2019, much of the U.S. health care and public health attention has been dedicated to tackling the coronavirus pandemic. At its peak, the federal government was funneling millions of dollars into medical research and vaccine development and distribution, hoping to get a grip on the disease sweeping the country and the globe. But even before the pandemic, a much quieter outbreak was spreading in Wyoming and across the U.S., one that so far has shown no signs of slowing. Cases of syphilis have been rising in Wyoming with a 54% jump in the state since 2018, the Wyoming Department of Health announced last week. Though the states cases remain relatively small in number, the spread of syphilis and growth of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) nationally has sparked concern among health officials who point to serious consequences and broader issues around sexual health. Syphilis is a very clear, drastic increase at least over the past four years that significantly changed over what we were seeing before the pandemic, said Wyoming State Epidemiologist and Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist. Same with nationally, and thats really why we wanted to call attention to it. Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact that develops in a series of stages characterized by sores and rashes. It can cause a number of symptoms, including headaches, weight loss and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The consequences can be serious. Untreated syphilis can damage the heart, brain and other organs, even becoming life-threatening, according to the Mayo Clinic. Critically, the infection can be passed from mothers to babies during pregnancy. It is also easily treatable. Though Wyoming has not recorded any infant deaths in recent years, up to 40% of the babies born to people with untreated syphilis can be stillborn or die, Harrist said in a Department of Health news release. In the same way we talk about maternal health being a marker of community health, we also talk about infant health being a marker of community health, Harrist told the Star-Tribune. Whats very worrisome about this syphilis outbreak is seeing congenital syphilis cases, which are passed from mom to baby ... Those can be devastating infections with lifelong impacts. From 2018 to 2022, Wyoming went from 43 to 66 syphilis cases, Reginald McClinton, the Department of Healths communicable disease surveillance program manager, said in a statement. The figures arent jarring, but they reflect what the CDC has said is a national epidemic of sexually transmitted infections. In April, the federal agency announced that cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis all increased between 2020 and 2021, totaling more than 2.5 million cases. In a single year, syphilis rates swelled by 32%, including a 32% rise in congenital cases. The upswing in congenital cases led to 220 stillbirths and infant deaths nationwide, according to the CDC. Though Wyomings spike in syphilis cases follows the national trend, the state hasnt seen the same jump in chlamydia and gonorrhea, which have remained stable, Harrist said. The surge in syphilis is clear, but the reasons why are less so. Harrist said the rise in syphilis and STIs generally cannot be explained by a single cause. However, state and federal health officials attribute some of the recent growth to the effects of the pandemic. Wyomings STI screening rates fell in 2020 with the pandemic limiting the availability of testing and treatment, Harrist said. Stigma around sexual health, incomplete testing and the inconspicuousness of STIs like syphilis, which can be asymptomatic, could also be contributing to the growth in syphilis and STIs. If people are not able or choose not to get screened, then they are infected for longer and pass infections on to other people, Harrist said. While officials worry about the consequences of syphilis infections especially for mothers and babies, theyre also raising alarm about the broader public health implications. Syphilis can make it easier for people to acquire and transmit HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS if left untreated. Syphilis and STIs in general have significant disparities with young adults, gay and bisexual men, and Black and Native Americans recording higher rates of infection, according to the CDC. The rise in syphilis has also led to a nationwide shortage in the antibiotics used to treat the infection. In June, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced that it would take until the second quarter of 2024 at the earliest for some of its stocks of Bicillin, a type of penicillin used to treat syphilis, to recover. The Department of Health recently sent out notices and recommendations to medical providers about the drug shortage and Wyomings increase in syphilis, Harrist said. Amid rising cases and the antibiotic shortage, Harrist emphasized the importance of testing. Most STIs can be detected with either blood, urine or swab tests available through public health offices or KnoWyo, a website and initiative between the Department of Health and CDC that offers vouchers for low- or no-cost STI testing, including some tests of that can be performed at home. We are trying to make sure that theres resources to make testing as easy as possible, Harrist said. Though abstinence is the only way to entirely protect against syphilis and STIs, the Department of Health recommends talking about STIs with potential partners, using condoms and taking other proactive measures such as PrEP, a daily prescription pill for those at risk of contracting HIV, Harrist said. It is totally preventable with appropriate testing and treatment, she said. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The Casper Police Department, along with the Casper Fire Department, are in support of placing 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline stickers on their vehicles. The effort would be to raise awareness of the lifeline, which went 24/7 in Wyoming just last year, despite being started in 2005. Annie Dundas, wife of Danny Dundas, a Casper police officer who died by suicide in 2021, requested city council put the stickers on all city-owned vehicles at a Aug. 15 city council meeting. She also requested that Mills and Evansville do the same with their vehicles. The Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force, of which Dundas is apart of, introduced the citywide 988 sticker initiative as a way to raise awareness of the help the line provides, she said. They would produce the funds to purchase the stickers; the city would only have to actually place them. At the time, then-mayor Bruce Knell asked that the idea be put on a work session agenda. He promised Dundas that the council would review and discuss it. City Manager J. Carter Napier told council that the police department is supportive of this initiative, as 988 is a federal program, not a nonprofit, meaning that they are more willing to endorse it on city-owned vehicles like police cars. At Tuesdays work session, both the police chief and the fire chief expressed support for the stickers as well. They are considering placement for up to two years. After that, theyll reevaluate for renewal. Police Chief Keith McPheeters noted that when 911 was introduced, police departments had a similar conversation about putting the number on their vehicles as a way to raise awareness. Were choosing to look at this the same way, he said. The stickers would be black or navy blue, no larger than 8-inches by 8-inches and square. They would most likely land on the rear drivers side or passengers side windows or rear bumpers of the police cars. The police department has vehicles that are being outfitted with stickers right now to test out placement and quality, McPheeters added. Casper Fire Department is willing to use whatever stickers the police department approves of, Casper Fire Department Chief Jacob Black said at the work session. Ambulances were also considered for stickers, but as they fall under the purview of the Wyoming Medical Center and not the city, that would be a discussion that Dundas would have to have with medical center staff, Interim Mayor Ray Pacheco said. Dundas was present at the work session, and when city staff finished making their remarks, went up to the podium to speak. Councilor Gena Jensen asked her if the ideas set forth by the police department aligned with her original vision and request. It is, she said. I think its exactly what I had wanted initially. A Casper man who overdosed and died in police custody early this year appeared to be shaking uncontrollably, was unable to speak intelligibly and was complaining of not being able to move before he was cleared by medical staff at Banner Wyoming Medical Center. Wayne Kenneth Sanchez was involved in a car crash on March 8, a crime report states. Sanchez, who was 62 years old, was arrested on a drug charge at the scene. After Casper police brought him to the Natrona County Detention Center, he told them that he ingested an eight-ball, which is 3.5 grams of an unknown drug, the report shows. A jail nurse and at least three sergeants and deputies were also informed. The jail nurse instructed officers to bring him to Banner Wyoming Medical Center for clearance. Sanchez was evaluated by medical professionals for about 20 minutes, according to the report. An emergency room doctor recalled an officer telling him that Sanchez might have taken something, he told authorities, according to the report. The doctor felt that Sanchez might try to get a citation or released to the hospital instead of going to jail. Sanchez received medical clearance and was sent back to the Natrona County Detention Center. He never made it inside the jail. Sanchez died shortly after being released from the hospital losing consciousness during the approximately three-minute drive from the hospital to the jail. During Sanchezs autopsy, a plastic jeweler-style bag with suspected meth residue was found inside his stomach, the report states. The Star-Tribune obtained the in-custody death crime report from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, which includes interviews with Casper police, Natrona County Sheriffs Office staff and Banner Wyoming Medical Center medical professionals detailing what happened to Sanchez in March. It indicates there were many instances in which different authorities were informed Sanchez ingested a mass quantity of drugs and was unwell before he arrived at the hospital, the report shows. It indicates hospital staff was informed, too. While Banner Wyoming Medical Center and the Natrona County Sheriffs Office were unable to comment on the specifics of the incident or the subsequent DCI review, they answered some procedural questions. In line with the Casper Police Departments commitment to transparency, the investigation of the in-custody, overdose death of Wayne Sanchez was referred to the Department of Criminal Investigations for an external examination and, upon completion, to the 7th Judicial District Attorney for review, spokesperson Amber Freestone said in statement. In May, the Natrona County District Attorneys Office was provided with Sanchezs entire case file for review, the report states. District Attorney Daniel Itzen found that law enforcement was without fault and declined to prosecute. Casper police also conducted a rigorous internal review of the incident, Freestone said. Each entity found that law enforcement made reasonable decisions that day and to have worked within their scope throughout the time that Sanchez was in custody. Interviews with authorities Sanchez was a passenger of a vehicle involved in a no injuries crash at Center and F streets in Casper, the report shows. Less than three hours later, he was dead. A Casper police officer, who was dispatched to the scene, was interviewed by DCI special agents, the report shows. He detailed the morning of Wednesday, March 8. The wreck was reported at 7:36 a.m. Authorities were informed that a Dodge truck and a Buick passenger car were involved in the crash, the report states. A witness reported that a passenger of one of the involved vehicles left the area carrying a backpack. When officers arrived, they spotted the Dodge truck with its hazard lights on, the Buick passenger car in front of it and a gold Chevrolet truck parked in the nearby Shell gas station parking lot, the officer told DCI special agents, according to the report. The officer went to speak with a man, later identified as Sanchez, who informed him that he was a passenger in the Buick, the report states. He was now with his gold Chevrolet truck. Sanchez gave a quick statement about what happened with the wreck. Sanchez told the officer that he ran to his truck following the crash, the report states. He was getting a ride to his truck when the crash occurred, the report states. Sanchez told authorities that he grabbed his bag to go get his truck and bring it over to the scene. Officers discussed how they would handle Sanchez fleeing with a backpack, the officer told DCI special agents, according to the report. The driver was ticketed for the crash, and officers then began to deal with Sanchez, the report states. The officer told DCI special agents that he asked Sanchez if there was anything illegal in his bag, the report states. He asked if he could search the bag, and Sanchez said there wasnt and made a statement of we can search it together, the report states. Sanchez eventually allowed the officer to search the bag himself, the report states. He found a syringe in the bottom of the bag. Sanchez alleged it was an old syringe from when he was using meth. Officers then searched Sanchezs truck, the report states. They found what they believed to be a meth pipe and another syringe in the center console. Sanchez allegedly didnt know if the paraphernalia were his and didnt know they were in there, he told authorities, according to the report. He stated he had urine analysis two days prior, but then changed his story and stated he used drugs two weeks ago. It was decided that the pipe and syringe would be field tested, so another officer was requested to respond to the scene with saline. That officer, who was also interviewed by DCI, told special agents that Sanchez appeared sickly looking and did not appear to be doing very well, the report states. But he had complied with officers, appeared to have no injuries and did not complain of any injuries. Both the pipe and syringe tested presumptive positive for meth. Sanchez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. The officer recalled to DCI special agents that Sanchez was conscious, alert and moving around the entire drive to the jail, the report states. He walked into the booking area of the Natrona County Detention Center on his own. Once inside the booking area, Sanchez put his hands on his head while sitting down, the officer told DCI special agents, according to the report. The officer then asked Sanchez if he was high right now, to which Sanchez replied he was and stated, I ate an eight ball, the report states. Sanchez was shaking really badly and began moaning. A jail nurse came in and tried to ask him a few questions for the medical clearance form, but Sanchez could not answer. Casper police officers were instructed to take Sanchez to the hospital, the report states. The officer informed agents that was the first time that Sanchez had advised them he was under the influence, as he had originally stated it had been two weeks ago, the report states. One deputy described Sanchezs health as depleting quickly throughout the contact, the report states. Sanchez was nearly unresponsive. In every instance, jail nursing staff conducts a comprehensive patient assessment prior to admitting an individual to the Natrona County Detention Center, spokesperson Kiera Grogan said in a brief statement. A nurse assesses every arrestee for admittance or refusal as part of the intake process, Grogan said. Officers stood Sanchez up, handcuffed him in front of his body and walked him back to their patrol vehicle, the report states. He was shuffling his feet and moaned and shook all the way to Banner Wyoming Medical Center. Sanchez was walked into the emergency room and put in bed eight, the officer told DCI special agents, according to the report. The officer observed a nurse go into the room and take Sanchezs vitals, the report states. Another nurse came and asked the officer questions about what was going on. He told DCI special agents that he told the nurse that Sanchez admitted to eating an eight ball, but never told the officers what drugs he consumed, the report states. Officers assumed it was meth, but Sanchez never answered that. Shortly after, a doctor went into the room and came out a short time later and told the officers that he was going to clear Sanchez for jail and said something about the movements that Sanchez were making are deliberate and intentional, the officer told DCI agents, according to the report. The officer told DCI special agents that the doctor said, Sanchez had a case of incarceritus, the report states. Incarceritus is a slang, which is used to describe a person exaggerating or falsifying symptoms of a trauma or illness to avoid being taken to jail, according to several online forums. The doctor asked, if this was a real thing or if Sanchez was playing, another officer told DCI special agents, according to the report. He thought the doctor was in the room for maybe sixty seconds before stepping out of the room...and felt Sanchez was putting on an act. They were given a printout of the clearance forms, and they believed they were at the hospital for maybe twenty minutes. A DCI special agent later collected that clearance paperwork, which he observed to not be completed and only have very minimal information on it, to include Sanchez names, DOB and arrival time, the report states. The follow up care information, scheduled appointments, continuing care, emergency department exams/tests/procedures and patient care sections were all left blank. Sanchez was able to stand and shuffle his feet to the patrol car, the officer told DCI special agents, according to the report. On the way to the jail, Sanchez was moving around in the backseat. The officer yelled at him to ask if he was doing okay, and he believed Sanchez sat back or moved. Officers pulled into the garage of the jail and went to the caged portion of their patrol vehicle, the report states. One of the officers said, something like, I dont think hes doing good and started repeatedly saying his name. Sanchez was pulled out of the caged area of the car and laid on his back, as authorities checked for a pulse and started life-saving measures, the report states. The officer recalled finding a baggy in Sanchezs pocket but stated it did not have any drug residue in it. He did not witness the search at the jail but told DCI special agents that deputies had bagged up two syringe caps that had been located on Sanchez. Deputies and officers believed they were doing CPR and rescue breaths for about 20 to 25 minutes, the report states. An ambulance from Banner Wyoming Medical Center eventually arrived and took over life-saving procedures. Narcan was administered multiple times. Sanchez was brought into the emergency room at about 9:20 a.m., according to a medical records review. He was pronounced dead on scene at 10:19 a.m. Although the conversation at the hospital was quick, officers informed DCI special agents that they laid out the reason they were there to medical staff Sanchez had eaten an eight ball and had been acting normal until they got to booking, the report states. Sanchez was convulsing, which was expressed to both the nurse and the doctor. The officer observed Sanchezs vitals being taken but was unsure of any other tests taken while at the hospital. Body and dash-cam footage All available body camera and in-car camera footage was also provided to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. According to the report, the video shows the officers initial response to the crash, as well as Sanchezs arrest, multiple transports and subsequent lifesaving measures. (The footage was not made publicly available, so the descriptions come from the DCI report.) The body-worn cameras show an officer responding to the initial crash and making contact with Sanchez. It goes on to show Sanchez being taken from the patrol vehicle into the Natrona County Detention Center processing station. At first, nothing of note was observed in the recording, the report states. As Sanchez is being walked back to the patrol vehicle to be transported to the hospital, his body appears to be stiff, and he is assisted to the car, the video shows, according to the report. At approximately 43 seconds in the video, Officer [] can be heard stating. Were gonna go get cleared at the hospital, and then well bring him back here, the report states He just wasted a large portion of our day. The body-worn camera video then shows two officers arriving at Wyoming Banner Medical Center and walking Sanchez into the hospital, the report states. Sanchez appears to be shaking uncontrollably and is not speaking intelligibly (making numerous incoherent noises that may be attempts at words) the report states. A little over two minutes into the recording, one officer asks the other, What do you think? the report states. Faking it, or (unintelligible?) one of the officers questions, according to the report. One of the officers then states, Dude I dont know. (Unintelligible) this is the first time Ive ever seen this, the report states. The other officer interjects, (Unintelligible) a lot of faking. They continue to discuss in a low tone, but not much of the conversation was discernable, the video shows, according to the report. Video footage also shows Sanchez being transported from the hospital back to the Natrona County Detention Center. The officers appear to have to physically assist Sanchez to the vehicle and into the seat, the report states. Sanchezs body movements appear to be extremely erratic and uncontrolled, with his body displaying near constant tremors and shaking. About nine minutes into the recording, Sanchez appears to lose consciousness, slumps to the side, his eyes appear to stop moving, and his arms and hands constrict towards his chest, the report states. Then, the patrol car appears to pull up to the garage entry to Natrona County Detention Center. Sanchez then appears to have agonal breathing, or gasping for air, which most often happens after someones heart has stopped beating, the report states. His breathing appears to stop at about 10 minutes and 30 seconds into the video, and his body visibly slumps down against the passenger door of the police vehicle, the report states. It should be noted that, during this time, the CPD officers appear to be preparing to take Sanchez into the jail, the report states. An officer opens the patrol car door about 30 seconds later, and Sanchez was found unresponsive. CPR and other life-saving efforts went on for about 30 minutes. At that time, it appears that the determination of Sanchezs death had occurred, and life-saving efforts appear to cease, the report states. Interviews with hospital staff Almost two weeks after the incident, Sanchezs emergency room doctor returned a Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation special agents phone call. He agreed to sit down for an interview with his malpractice attorney present. The doctor didnt sit for that interview until April 25 48 days after Sanchezs death, according to the report. Hes been employed by Banner Wyoming Medical Center for about nine years. He told special agents that he was advised Sanchez was involved in a car crash earlier as a passenger and was arrested, the report states. He recalled one of the officers telling him that Sanchez might have taken something. Despite Sanchezs shaking and inability to speak, the doctor did not feel he had acute intoxication, the report states. He described Sanchezs movements as being normal and not involuntary, the report states. [The doctor] stated it was common for patients to claim medical issues until the officers leave the hospital. A registered nurse and the doctor observed his heart rate to be in the normal range, the report states. The doctor would have expected Sanchezs heart rate to be elevated with stimulant use, and the nurse agreed. They completed a portion of the clearance paperwork, so that officers could return Sanchez to the detention center, the doctor told special agents, according to the report. The actual completed report is completed later. He informed agents that he did not feel the officers had pressured him to clear Sanchez and allowed medical staff to evaluate him, the report states. At the time, the doctor informed officers that if anything changed with Sanchez to bring him back to the emergency room. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation also interviewed the registered nurse, who was present at the time, the report states. She informed DCI special agents that it was a common occurrence for officers to bring in individuals to get cleared for admittance to the detention center, the report states. She stated nothing seemed out of the ordinary while treating Sanchez that day. Banner Wyoming Medical Center is unable to comment on specific patient cases or law enforcement investigations, Mandy Cepeda said in a brief statement. The patient intake process is consistent for all patients, but individual treatment plans, which include diagnostic tests, are customized based on physician recommendations and patient consent, Cepeda said. In all instances, we strive to provide the very best care possible, regardless of the patients individual circumstances, Cepeda said. It is unknown what, if anything, happened to the involved hospital staff, who cleared Sanchez less than one hour before his death. DCI reports focus solely on potential criminal activities, typically involving law enforcement. Casper police hope that the conclusion of these investigations will bring Sanchezs family and friends a degree of closure, Freestone said in a statement. The loss of human life, in any circumstance, affects our community and our officers, Freestone said. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. In response to previous columns about the appointment, importance and influence of Justice Louis Brandeis, an enthusiastic reader has asked a most welcome question about the jurists contributions to the Supreme Courts development of the law governing freedom of speech. In Whitney v. California (1927), Justice Brandeis penned what most scholars agree was one of the most eloquent and powerful defenses of freedom of expression in Anglo-American legal history. His opinion draws upon the aims of those who declared Americas independence, drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and fought to preserve and protect independent thought from arbitrary governmental action. As a philosophical matter, Brandeis, like other great champions of freedom of speech, believed freedom of expression critical to democracy and integral to human self-fulfillment. As the court was poised to consider the Whitney case, the law governing free speech hinged on the meaning and application of the clear and present danger test, conceived by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in his 9-0 opinion for the court in 1919, in Schenck v. United States. Holmes began with the presumption that the freedom of speech is not an absolute right, but rather subject to congressional regulations in the name of providing for the common defense. Congressional authority is sweeping, of course, but the question of the limits of its authority arises, Holmes noted, when it conflicts with speech. The matter of resolving governmental authority v. freedom of speech, as when in Schencks case, it involved speech that criticized the governments conduct of World War I, turned on whether the speech posed a clear and present danger to the United States. The parameters of the clear and present danger were not spelled out in Justice Holmess opinion for the court, leaving Justices to contemplate questions about the severity of the danger minimal or great and the immediacy imminent or remote of the danger. Brandeis spent the years between Schenck and Whitney contemplating these questions and searching for a reasonable rule. In 1927, Anita Whitney had helped to create the Communist Labor Party of California. She was convicted of membership in an organization advocating criminal syndicalism, a term that was applied to radical groups, and she was sentenced to one to 14 years in the San Quentin penitentiary. Some members of the organization, but not Whitney, had engaged in violent acts, which drew the attention of state officials, who moved to prosecute its members. When the case arrived at the Supreme Court, Justice Brandeis lamented the fact that Whitneys attorney had not challenged the statute under a mere membership v. violent action distinction, but he could not help Whitney. Brandeiss magnificent concurring opinion read in part: Those who won our independence ... believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. They believed that freedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth; that without free speech and assembly discussion would be futile; that with them, discussion affords ordinarily adequate protection against the dissemination of noxious doctrine; that the greatest menace to freedom is an inert people; that public discussion is a political duty; and that this should be a fundamental principle of the American government. In his opinion, Justice Brandeis reversed the presumption of governmental authority to regulate speech and, instead, emphasized the necessary freedom to speak, that is, the importance of protecting the free flow of discussion, subjecting it to carefully proscribed limits. He believed that speech should be protected unless the incitement to violence was likely and the violence apprehended was so imminent, that there was no time for speech to counteract speech. He wrote: To courageous, self-reliant men, with confidence in the power of free and fearless reasoning applied through the processes of popular government, no danger flowing from speech can be deemed clear and present, unless the incidence of the evil apprehended is so imminent that it may befall before there is opportunity for full discussion. Such, in my opinion, is the command of the Constitution. In sum, Brandeiss stout defense of speech was bottomed on a belief that every democratic government must be subjected to constant examination by the electorate. As part of the cause of making ideas available to the citizenry, even speech that might tend to lead to disruption but was unlikely to result in serious injury to the State must be permitted. Most important, while harmful acts should be punished, speech itself should not. Justice Brandeiss opinion in Whitney may well be the most memorable and forceful of all the opinions he wrote during his long tenure on the court. His test for suppression of speech serious, unlawful and immediate harm became the law of the land in 1969, in Brandenburg v. Ohio. In the years between Whitney and Brandenburg punctuated by the fears of radicalism instilled by the Great Depression, the ravages and complexities of World War II, and McCarthyism and repression of Communism in the 1950s the court struggled with the question of the scope of free speech. By the end of the tumultuous 1960s, the court recognized the wisdom in Justice Brandeiss test for freedom of speech. 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. DECKER Petroleum and Marketing Company Ltd (DPMCL), based in Trinidad and Tobago, has written the US District Court of Delaware officially expressing its interest in acquiring the asphalt assets of Venezuelan oil refiner Citgo. The report on the investigation into the death of WASA employee Kern Ettienne will be made public. We understand that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is on the frontline of a significant battle and that their human and other resources must naturally be focused on the unbridled violence the society experiences daily. When it comes to asteroid samples, you can never have too much of a good thing. On Wednesday, jubilant NASA officials offered the first glimpse of their surprising haul from the University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx space mission to the asteroid Bennu: an estimated 250 grams of rocks and dust dating back to the formation of the solar system. Thats about four times more than the missions original objective. The first bits of the material were unveiled during a news conference at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The images show rough, rocky debris the color of coal that scientists said is filled with carbon and other building blocks of life. It also contains tantalizing evidence of water, including clay fibers. Already this is scientific treasure, said OSIRIS-REx principal investigator and UA Regents Professor Dante Lauretta. And thats just the stuff that was stuck to the outside of the spacecrafts sampling arm. The mission team still hasnt cracked open the OSIRIS-REx science canister containing the bulk of what was brought back from Bennu. So much material was collected that it ended up spilling out of the sampling head and coating the avionics deck of its sealed return capsule, which safely landed back on Earth late last month. Nicole Lunning, NASAs curation lead for the mission, called it the extra, bonus sample mostly dust and tiny stones no bigger than the short width of a grain of rice. Specialists at the new OSIRIS-REx Sample Curation Laboratory that NASA built at Johnson Space Center have spent the past three weeks painstakingly collecting every grain from the inside of the capsule and the outside of the sampling head. More than a gram of tiny rocks and asteroid dust have been swept up so far. The science canister, known as TAGSAM, wont be opened until that work is done, though initial analyses suggest there is a great deal of quality in all that quantity. This stuff is an astrobiologists dream, said Daniel Glavin, OSIRIS-REx sample analysis lead from NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. We picked the right asteroid, and, not only that, we brought back the right sample. Special delivery Scientists hope their overflowing cupful of roughly 4.5 billion-year-old dirt will unlock clues about the origins of the solar system, the Earth and life itself. Lauretta said the largest rock analyzed so far is about 2 millimeters across, roughly the thickness of a nickel. The black powdery material contains almost 5% carbon by weight, a concentration that wowed even the scientists who did the initial testing. And when a scientist says, Wow, thats a big deal, Glavin said. During Wednesdays news conference, he showed off an electron microscope image of a dust grain speckled with bits of organic material that glowed like stars under ultraviolet light. This thing is loaded with organics, he explained. Glavin said he is eager to get some samples back to Goddard so he can make what he called Bennu tea and look for amino acids, peptides and other building blocks of life using instruments and techniques that didnt exist yet when the OSIRIS-REx mission was first proposed almost 20 years ago. A few tiny bits of Bennu are already being fussed over at the U of As Kuiper Space Sciences Building, where a world-class suite of labs has been assembled in the basement to probe the asteroid grains down to the atomic level. The first samples were hand-delivered to the university from Houston late last week by U of A professor Thomas Zega and assistant professor Pierre Haenecour, both of whom served on the NASA quick-look team that performed the initial characterization of the asteroid material. It was kind of weird to walk through the airport and know that we had that really invaluable material in our carry-ons, Haenecour said. They brought back one vial and about a half-dozen glass slides containing a few milligrams of asteroid particles. Haenecour said one of his students was already looking at the stuff through an electron microscope on Wednesday. Everybody is very excited and very eager to get to work on it, he said. This has already been an unforgettable experience for Haenecour. His role on the quick-look team was to gather the first optical images of the sample, so he was among the first to look at it under magnification and take its picture. As someone who grew up loving rocks, I would never have imagined I would be looking at asteroid samples one day, he said. From a scientific perspective, the material is considered priceless. But if you had to assign a value to it, this cupful of rocks and dust is worth roughly 71,000 times its weight in gold. (If youd like to double-check that math, gold is currently selling for approximately $1,848 an ounce, while NASA spent $1.16 billion or almost $132 million an ounce to bring back 8.8 ounces of debris from Bennu.) In the coming months, about 25% of the sample will be turned over to the U of A-led science team for two years of detailed analysis at labs in Tucson and around the world. Over 200 scientists at more than 35 research institutions are already lined up to conduct that work. The science team cant wait to get their hands on it, Lauretta said. Most of the Bennu bonanza will be carefully stored at Johnson Space Center for future research, joining the worlds largest collection of extraterrestrial materials from other asteroids, comets, Mars, the moon, the sun and dust from distant stars. Picture-perfect Tucson is one of just three places nationwide where samples from Bennu will be displayed publicly for the first time later this year. The U of As Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum downtown is slated to receive a tiny piece of the asteroid, as will the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and Space Center Houston, the science museum at Johnson. When NASA approved the U of As proposed mission in 2011, its stated goal was to bring back at least 60 grams of pristine asteroid regolith. OSIRIS-REx was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in September 2016. The robotic spacecraft the size of a passenger van arrived at Bennu in December 2018, and briefly touched down on the asteroid on Oct. 20, 2020, to collect its sample. After a journey of almost 4 billion miles, the seven-year mission came to a dramatic conclusion on Sept. 24, when the spacecrafts sample-return capsule streaked through the atmosphere and landed safely at the Utah Test and Training Range west of Salt Lake City. The capsule was flown to Houston the following day and delivered intact to the curation facility at Johnson. All the work in the curation lab is being done in a sterile cleanroom using glove boxes to keep the material as pristine as when it landed, said Francis McCubbin, NASAs OSIRIS-REx deputy curation lead at the space center. Thats the multigenerational gift of a sample-return mission, McCubbin said. Scientists that havent been born yet will be able to use these samples to answer questions about our universe using instruments that havent even been invented yet. Wednesdays news conference doubled as celebration of OSIRIS-REx and its mission team, which includes the U of As Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center and Colorado-based Lockheed Martin Space. The slickly produced sample-reveal event was held in a theater filled with people, including students from Houston-area schools, and broadcast live on NASA TV. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson led the praise for OSIRIS-REx. It was a picture-perfect mission, he said. After the news conference, Nelson and other NASA officials headed to Florida for the launch of the agencys next big asteroid endeavor. Though the conflict is over 7,500 miles away, University of Arizona community organizations and administrators are speaking out amid growing tensions and violence in Israel and the Gaza Palestinian territory. University President Robert Robbins sent an email to the UA community Monday evening, condemning the terrorist attacks in Israel. During this painful time, I ask that everyone remember our core values of compassion and inclusion, Robbins wrote. The University of Arizona stands against all forms of racism and prejudice, and I urge every member of our community to stand together in upholding our values. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally declared war on the terrorist group Hamas on Oct. 8 after a surprise assault on Israel on Saturday. More than 2,000 people have died in the conflict since Saturday, including approximately 1,200 Israeli citizens and 1,050 Palestinians, the Associated Press reports. Despite the distance, the violence in the region has impacted Jewish and Palestinian students at the UA. According to Jennifer Camano, interim executive director of UA Hillel, there has been a significant uptick in students saying they feel scared and unsafe as tensions grow. University leaders at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Middle East and North African Studies, Judaic Studies, the School of Government and Public Policy, Human Rights Practice, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences released a joint statement this week condemning the violence. We disagree, sometimes vehemently, regarding the Middle East who is right and who is wrong yet we work together with mutual respect, as scholars and responsible people, toward maintaining a campus community in which all students, staff, faculty, and visitors may exercise their freedom of speech, and are as safe as possible from bigotry, from incitement to hatred and violence, and of course, from physical violence itself, the statement reads. In his statement, Robbins wrote that students could find support through counseling services on campus, as well as utilizing the schools Hillel foundation and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Camano, of UA Hillel, wrote to Robbins and Jennifer Hatcher, interim associate vice president for diversity and inclusion, over the weekend, urging them to release a statement and share resources for students. I am so far satisfied with their response, Camano said. She also told administrators that a longer-term communication plan will need to be considered, as well. Adam Gelman, a masters student who is involved in Hillel, said the response from the university so far has been good. The statement that President Robbins released was a little equivocating, but in a manner that I feel is unavoidable for a person in his position, Gelman said. The fact that he called Hamas terrorists and not something like freedom fighters, was accurate. Not everyone agrees. Maha Nassar, an associate professor of modern Middle East history and Islamic studies, was disappointed with the statement. I dont think (Robbins) adequately gave attention to the very real suffering that Palestinians in particular are going through, not just in this current war, but in all the years that have led up to it, said Nassar, who also serves as the faculty advisor to Students for Justice in Palestine at the UA. As a historian, Im a first believer in providing context, so I found that disappointing. Nassar often teaches classes about the conflict and said for the most part her students are respectful to one another, and everyone feels safe. Gelman, who is Israeli American, said he feels safe on campus partially because after the attacks, his parents, both of whom served in the Israel Defense Forces, warned him to not wear a Star of David necklace or a yamaka. Im afraid on behalf of my friends who wear yamakas and tzitzits, who dress in a Jewish way, he said. When Hillel hosts services and larger events, it often hires private armed security guards for protection. Both the Hillel center and the Islamic Center of Tucson, which are located on campus, are under the jurisdiction of the Tucson Police Department. We have officers check the area, which can mean driving by them when they have time, doing paperwork there, or just stopped by from time to time, Tucson police Sgt. Richard Gradillas wrote in a statement to the Arizona Daily Star. With recent events, officers are encouraged to do this more frequently. Gelman said he was aware of an upcoming rally led by Students for Justice in Palestine planned for campus but for the most part he isnt too worried and just hoped for respect. PHOENIX The Legislatures top two leaders are trying to dodge answering questions in court about their backing of legislation making it more difficult to register to vote. The Republicans, Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma, are asking the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to issue an emergency order blocking a judges ruling that they must answer questions from challengers who filed suit against a pair of 2022 laws and also produce documents. They contend it runs afoul of legislative privilege. The success or failure of constitutional challenges to laws often turns on whether they were enacted with discriminatory intent. In this case, the groups seeking to void the laws including the U.S. Department of Justice contend the changes amount to intentional race discrimination in voting. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton, who will preside over the trial set to begin Nov. 6, said the challengers need to question Petersen and Toma trumps any claim of legislative privilege. She said the lawmakers, in intervening in the case and responding to the lawsuit, denied the allegations that the voting laws are intentionally discriminatory. That opens the door to the challengers questioning them, Bolton said. The Arizona Legislatures intent or purpose in enacting the challenged laws is thus unquestionably relevant, the judge said. Discrimination alleged The laws, signed by Republican then-Gov. Doug Ducey, contain several provisions. Bolton already blocked one section that sought to limit who can vote for president. She said the state law requiring proof of citizenship to cast a ballot in the presidential race is trumped by the National Voter Registration Act. But several issues still remain, including language that would require county recorders to forward to the attorney general the names of people suspected of trying to register without being citizens. Challengers say that referral can be based solely on the recorders inability to locate these names in certain specific databases. They also say uses of these databases amount to intentional race, national origin, and alienage discrimination. Also yet to be decided is the legality of a new requirement for people to provide documentary proof of residency to vote, above and beyond what already was necessary. The challengers laid out a series of issues they want to discuss with Petersen and Toma ahead of the upcoming trial. One is any instances the Legislature identified of someone who is not a U.S. citizen registering to vote which supported the introduction, passage, and/or enactment of the challenged laws. Ditto about any non-U.S. citizen actually having voted. Motives sought They also want to know whether lawmakers considered if the laws would affect certain groups of voters more than others, including racial or ethnic groups, naturalized citizens, disabled voters, or voters in any particular age group. Also sought are any communications between legislators and outside groups, including the Free Enterprise Club, which backed the restrictions, regarding the purpose or potential effects of the laws. They also want to know the objectives motivating the Arizona Legislatures introduction, passage and enactment of the challenged laws, as well as any state interest believed to be advanced by the challenged laws. Bolton, in rejecting the bids by Petersen and Toma to avoid being questioned, pointed out that the lawmakers could have stayed out of the case. Instead, she said, they made the voluntary decision to intervene, even though the law already was being defended by the Attorney Generals Office. In doing so, Bolton said, they made themselves active participants in the litigation. Not true, attorneys for the GOP legislative leaders are telling the appellate judges. Legislative privilege In its broadest sense, legislative privilege protects lawmakers from being sued over statements they make during debate. But it also has sometimes been applied to shield them from having to discuss their deliberative process or motives. The lawyers for Petersen and Toma said Boltons findings that they waived the privilege by interceding in the case are wrong. They pointed out that Arizona law requires anyone challenging the constitutionality of any law to also serve a copy of the lawsuit on the House speaker and Senate president and grants each of them the authority to intervene. A legislative leaders mere exercise of a statutory right to intervene in such a case shouldnt be penalized by finding a waiver of the legislative privilege, the lawmakers attorneys told the appellate judges. Bolton, in her earlier ruling requiring the pair to sit for questioning, dismissed that contention. This argument would allow the Arizona Legislature to exercise its self-created right to intervene yet shield its leaders from ever waiving the legislative privilege, the judge said. The legislators are not seeking immunity from this suit but instead seek to actively participate in this litigation yet avoid the burden of discovery regarding their legislative activities. The lawyers for Petersen and Toma say even if motive is a factor in this case, it really doesnt matter what the legislative leaders were thinking. The only thing that might be relevant, they said, is the intent of the entire Legislature. PHOENIX The Arizona Green Party is collecting signatures to register as a new party after losing party recognition in the state in 2019. If the party is successful, it will be ballot eligible for the 2024 elections. Parties looking to qualify for recognition must submit at least 34,127 valid signatures to the Secretary of States office by Nov. 30. In order to ensure enough signatures are valid, the Green Party is aiming to collect 70,000 signatures by that date and had collected 41,601 as of Sept. 30. Amee Beck-Jones, the Maricopa County, central and northern Arizona ballot access coordinator for the Arizona Green Party, said the group is looking for volunteers to help distribute petitions and collect signatures as it mainly relies on grassroots organizing. Its a very small organization, Beck-Jones said. Nothing close to what the Democrats and Republicans can run, obviously. So the main gist of this is still based on people, volunteers just getting out there. She said people who are interested in the Green New Deal, climate change, ending global conflict and standing up to large corporations should consider the Green Party. However, the number of voters in Arizona registered as independent or other is on the rise. According to the Secretary of States office, 34.55% of voters are registered as other, slightly more than both registered Democrats and Republicans. Currently, voters cant register with the Green Party but will be able to if ballot access is granted. The number of independent voters is slightly higher in Maricopa County, with 35.5% of voters registered as independent or other, according to County Recorder Stephen Richer. According to data from Gallup, 46% of Americans identify as independent. Jackie Salit, the president of Independent Voting, a political strategy organization, said independent voters often have an affinity for third parties, which could help smaller parties like the Greens pull voters. There is often an equation made between people deciding to identify themselves as independents and their inclination to vote for independent candidates or independent parties, Salit said. Independents really are independent, and they often say they want to vote for the person, not the party. If the Greens qualify for the 2024 ballot, voters will be able to choose from three smaller parties, including the Libertarian Party and the No Labels party, which was recognized earlier this year. Even though these parties could benefit from the rise in independent voters, Salit said those voters might not be enticed by parties with deep ideological ties. If minor parties are presenting themselves to the public primarily as an ideological force, theyll get support from people who are aligned with that ideology, but they wont necessarily get support from the growing number of Americans who feel that we have to move beyond ideology, Salit said. Mike Cease, the Pima County, southern Arizona and statewide ballot access coordinator for the Arizona Green Party, said the goal after regaining ballot access will be registering more voters to the party, which will eventually help maintain party status. If the Arizona Green Party succeeds in its petition this year, the partys candidate for governor or president would need to receive at least 5% of votes cast in 2026 or have 0.67% of registered voters statewide on Oct. 1, 2025, for continued representation. New parties maintain new party status through two federal general elections following their recognition and would have to petition again unless they met the continuation criteria. According to data from the 2018 election the last time the party was on the ballot the Green Party only had 0.17% of registered voters statewide in the general election. That same year, the partys candidate for governor received about 2.1% of the votes cast. Cease said petitioning can be difficult, as each election cycle brings its own challenges, and not having to worry about gaining ballot access would allow the party to focus on recruiting candidates and registering voters. We approach every cycle differently, Cease said. Theres issues with volunteer strength, donation strength and those sorts of things, and those conditions are different each election cycle. (2020) was challenged by the pandemic, so I would say every election cycle is different. Beck-Jones encouraged those who are curious about the Green Party to read about its platform and reach out to local members to get involved. Sick building syndrome (SBS) can make you feel unwell while in a particular building but better when you leave. SBS affects many workplaces, with a high rate in offices, university labs and administrative buildings, making it an environmental health concern. But recent research on the issue is scant, and existing studies could use some updating. This article will explore what SBS is, its causes, symptoms to watch for, how doctors diagnose it, and the available treatments. What is sick building syndrome? Sick building syndrome is a term for situations in which people in a building experience health issues that seem to be linked to time spent there, though no specific illness or cause can be pinpointed, according to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. Complaints can be localized in one area or spread throughout the entire building. In contrast, the term "building-related illness" is used when diagnosable illnesses are directly tied to airborne contaminants in the building. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 1984 that up to 30% of new and renovated buildings worldwide might face excessive indoor air quality complaints. Often, these issues are temporary. But they persist in poorly maintained or designed buildings. Indoor air problems can also arise from occupants' activities. Sick building syndrome causes Inadequate ventilation is a significant contributor to SBS as it compromises indoor air quality, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. The risk of airborne illnesses, such as the flu, increases when there's insufficient outdoor air supply. Moreover, various factors can affect office air quality: Occupant activities : Actions of people inside the building, like smoking, can introduce harmful substances. Environmental tobacco smoke contains toxic air contaminants. : Actions of people inside the building, like smoking, can introduce harmful substances. Environmental tobacco smoke contains toxic air contaminants. Cleaning agents : Use of cleaning products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and benzene, which affect air quality. : Use of cleaning products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and benzene, which affect air quality. Furnishings : Building materials and furnishings can emit pollutants. Carpeting and manufactured wood products can release formaldehyde. : Building materials and furnishings can emit pollutants. Carpeting and manufactured wood products can release formaldehyde. Office equipment: Electronics like computers and photocopiers can produce pollutants like ozone, further affecting indoor air quality. Sick building syndrome symptoms Individuals affected by SBS typically experience a range of nonspecific symptoms, according to an article by Dr. Edward Horvath, director of occupational health in the department of general internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Symptoms often fall into five major categories: Central nervous system and psychiatric symptoms : These may include fatigue, memory problems or difficulty concentrating. : These may include fatigue, memory problems or difficulty concentrating. Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat : Symptoms can show up as dryness, stinging, hoarseness and skin irritation, which may appear as redness or dryness. : Symptoms can show up as dryness, stinging, hoarseness and skin irritation, which may appear as redness or dryness. Neurotoxic symptoms : People may experience fatigue, lethargy, reduced memory or difficulty concentrating. : People may experience fatigue, lethargy, reduced memory or difficulty concentrating. Headache and dizziness : Frequent headaches and bouts of dizziness can be indicative of SBS. : Frequent headaches and bouts of dizziness can be indicative of SBS. Nausea, odor or taste complaints: Unpleasant smells or tastes, as well as changes in sensitivity, can be among the symptoms. Individuals also may report nonspecific reactions such as chest discomfort, asthma-like symptoms and more, making SBS a complex condition with varied manifestations. How is sick building syndrome diagnosed? Diagnosing SBS can be challenging, because its symptoms are specific to a particular space and often resemble those of other health issues. Health care providers use a process of elimination to determine if SBS is the cause. They'll inquire about your lifestyle, work, home environment and symptom frequency. Appropriate tests, like allergy assessments, may be conducted to rule out other conditions. Once SBS is identified as the likely culprit, after excluding other possibilities, treatment can begin. This thorough evaluation helps ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. Sick building syndrome treatments The NHS suggests several steps to alleviate SBS symptoms: Improve ventilation : When possible, open windows to enhance airflow. : When possible, open windows to enhance airflow. Maintain a stable temperature : Set the thermostat at around 66 degrees Fahrenheit and avoid frequent daily adjustments. : Set the thermostat at around 66 degrees Fahrenheit and avoid frequent daily adjustments. Stress reduction : Find ways to reduce stress, which can worsen SBS symptoms. : Find ways to reduce stress, which can worsen SBS symptoms. Screen breaks : If you use a computer regularly, take regular breaks to rest your eyes and reduce screen-related discomfort. : If you use a computer regularly, take regular breaks to rest your eyes and reduce screen-related discomfort. Fresh air breaks: Step outside for fresh air during lunch and other breaks to refresh your senses and improve well-being. This said, SBS doesn't have a specific cure. The primary approach is to avoid or eliminate the root causes, which can alleviate symptoms. However, when that's not possible, treatments are focused on symptom management and may involve: Pain relief : Medications to manage aches and pains. : Medications to manage aches and pains. Anxiety and sleep : Short-term medications to address anxiety and improve sleep. : Short-term medications to address anxiety and improve sleep. Nausea control: Anti-nausea medications to mitigate feelings of nausea. These treatments aim to enhance comfort and well-being for individuals experiencing SBS symptoms. Living with sick building syndrome Workers often worry about the long-term effects of being in a building with SBS. However, there's no definitive evidence linking SBS to chronic medical conditions. Typically, SBS symptoms should improve soon after leaving the problematic building. If steps are taken to improve the indoor environment or if you no longer occupy that space, the outlook for SBS symptoms is positive. In some severe cases, working from a home office part- or full-time may be necessary to reduce prolonged exposure. Addressing air quality and building issues with the manager or landlord can also help eliminate symptoms for affected employees. Resources National Health Service (NHS): Sick Building Syndrome County of Los Angeles Public Health Department: Sick Building Syndrome in Los Angeles U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader Staff Writer Follow Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A second round of public sessions regarding the conversion of U.S. 412 to an interstate highway will be held next week. The come-and-go open houses Tuesday in Tulsa and Wednesday in Pryor will focus on the second phase of information-gathering about a proposal to designate as an interstate a 190-mile stretch of U.S. 412 between Interstate 35 in Noble County in Oklahoma and Interstate 49 at Springdale, Arkansas. U.S. 412 from Catoosa west through downtown Tulsa runs concurrently with I-44 or I-244. West of downtown, its known as the Sand Springs Expressway between Tulsa and Sand Springs and as the Keystone Expressway from Sand Springs to Keystone Lake. Former Oklahoma Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, along with Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, both R-Ark., introduced legislation in May 2021 to give the interstate designation to the highway. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is partnering with the Arkansas Department of Transportation on the U.S. 412 Planning and Environmental Linkages Study in preparation for the corridor to be upgraded to an interstate. The PEL Study is a formal process that allows data collected at the planning stage to be used during the next phase of environmental review, which should help expedite progress, according to an ODOT press release. At the meetings next week, attendees will be able to review how transportation solutions are being evaluated for potential implementation along the corridor. According to the ODOT press release, this second phase of study is focused on improving safety for all travelers on U.S. 412; improving travel time reliability; and connecting rural and urban communities, national airports and inland ports, and freight supply chains. While most major metropolitan areas across the nation have two or more interstate highways connecting their regions, the Tulsa metro area and the northwest Arkansas metropolitan area are both served by just one interstate highway each Interstates 44 and 49, respectively. In a 2021 letter to the senators who proposed the interstate status, transportation officials in Oklahoma and Arkansas said the proposal would connect three key interstate freight corridors in the heartland: Interstates 35, 44 and 49. The letter also notes that U.S. 412 serves major inland ports on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, including the Tulsa Ports of Catoosa and Inola, and says upgrading it to interstate status would improve airport access in both the Tulsa and northwest Arkansas areas. Sand Springs City Manager Mike Carter said in June that he sees no down side to the proposal, pointing to opportunities for greater economic development and improved road safety across the area. What it does for us on economic development is there are some businesses that in their metrics their standards, if you will they want to be located within a certain distance to an interstate, he said then. So putting one running right through the middle of your city, that will definitely help Sand Springs, and we are excited about that. That could mean more jobs in this area and all the things that come with it, so I view it as a very positive thing. About 70 people attended the first Tulsa public meeting June 6. Carter, who was among them, was even more enthusiastic afterward. Because U.S. 412 already runs concurrently with other interstates through much of the Tulsa area, large development opportunities arent as potentially likely in the city as they would be in Sand Springs, which would stand to benefit significantly from the addition of an interstate, he said. I do think its going to be a big thing for Sand Springs, Carter said at the time. I think its all in how we use it and take advantage of the opportunity of that designation, so this is something that our staff and our City Council are already talking about. One effort already underway is the promotion of the citys William R. Pogue Municipal Airport. The city is working to expand the airport by trying to bring in industrial businesses that are aircraft-related, Carter said. There are a lot of companies that would like to be positioned like that on an underutilized airport next to an interstate, he said. ODOT and ARDOT will use information developed throughout the study process to complete any needed improvements before applying to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for interstate designation for the corridor. Some of the projects that are needed in order to bring portions of 412 up to interstate standards are already programmed in our eight-year construction work plan, and then well also need to gauge what else will need to be done and added to future programs when the construction work plan is reevaluated annually, ODOT spokesman T.J. Gerlach said in June. Exactly how long the project could take will be determined in part by the information collected during the study process, he said. Gerlach said he was aware of only one intersection on the western portion of the corridor that needs to be improved, at Diamond Head Drive, just east of where the highway crosses the Arkansas River west of Sand Springs. Just west of there, the highway becomes concurrent with the Cimarron Turnpike from west of Westport until it reaches I-35. The Cimarron, like I-44 and I-244 to the east, already meets interstate standards. The biggest challenge for us is going to be between the Will Rogers Turnpike (east of Tulsa) and the Cherokee Turnpike, which runs east from Mayes County nearly to the state line, he said. There are a lot of at-grade crossings. Neither the Cimarron nor the Cherokee Turnpike would become free roads because of any interstate designation, according to ODOT. Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader Staff Writer Follow Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A 17-year-old girl who was under the influence of drugs when she crashed her car in Sand Springs, killing three other teenagers, was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter and one DUI count. But because Sirrah Mathews was sentenced as a so-called youthful offender, she ultimately could be in custody for as little as six months, although 1 years is more likely. Mathews, then 16, had four of her Charles Page High School classmates as passengers about 12:15 p.m. Sept. 15, 2022, when she lost control of the car while speeding on Park Road about a mile from the high school, authorities said. The car went off the northeast side of Park Road just south of Sand Springs Lake and slammed into a tree, killing Ethan Gibson, 17; Cyra Saner, 16; and Kylee Weaver, 16, all of whom were in the back seat. Mathews, who police said was the only person in the car wearing a seat belt, and front-seat passenger Logan Childers, then 16, were both taken by ambulance to a Tulsa hospital. The Tulsa County District Attorneys Office charged Mathews as an adult on June 30, but those charges were dismissed July 10 after the case was refiled as a youthful-offender case, court records indicate. Mathews waived her right to a preliminary hearing as a youthful offender but requested that she be reverse-certified as a juvenile. Instead, at Tuesdays hearing on that status, Mathews withdrew her motion seeking juvenile status and pleaded guilty to all four counts. Special Judge Kevin Morrison sentenced her to 20 years as a youthful offender on each count with the sentences to run concurrently. The typical sentencing range is four years to life in prison on each of the manslaughter counts and up to a year in prison on the DUI count. Mathews is now in the custody of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, which will compose a treatment plan for her, Tulsa County Assistant District Attorney Madison Shockley said after the hearing Tuesday. A youthful offender who commits no further crimes and follows the OJA treatment plan technically cannot be held past age 18, although the law allows custody to be extended to age 19, and Shockley said she had never seen such an extension not be granted. That means Mathews, who turned 17 in April, could be released in as little as six months but likely will be held for at least 18 months. Should Mathews commit any additional crimes or fail to follow her treatment plan, she could be bridged into an adult prison to serve the remainder of her full sentence. At Tuesdays hearing, the judge quizzed her on whether she was entering her pleas willfully and without coercion, whether she was under the influence of any intoxicating substances while in court, whether she was taking prescribed medication, and whether she understood the charges against her and the consequences of her pleas. Morrison also heard six victim-impact statements from family members of the three teenagers who were killed, including all of their mothers. My life and my twins lives are in extreme turmoil, said a statement by Weavers mother, Kori Fletcher, read by Jeanie Blatchford. A dark cloud has hung its stormy head over our household now. Emotionally we are drained, in pain and wondering why this has happened. Gibsons grandfather, Steve Terrill, said that when we got the news, time stopped. He lamented the days of playing catch with Gibson that would be no more, and he brought Gibsons ball glove to court with him. Its unused now. Mine is, also, he said. Michele Burcham remembered taking Saner, her stepdaughter, to her first manicure, her first concert and her first job interview and said that were it not for her other three children, she would have begged to go into the ground with her. Shockley, the prosecutor, said Mathews conviction and sentencing arent likely to assuage the families grief. In any scenario where you lose a loved one, its not possible to really feel like you get justice, because theres nothing I can do to bring your loved one back to life, she said. But as far as the law goes, she said, the statutes allow for certain things when prosecuting a juvenile, and within the realm of possibility of what the statute provides that I can do, I think its a fair outcome. If she was over 18, we would be having a different conversation, Shockley said, and so it is really just a question of dates. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A former Jenks man has been ordered to serve an 18-month federal prison sentence and pay more than $6 million in restitution after he pleaded guilty earlier to conspiracy to offer and pay health care kickbacks. Christopher R. Parks, 62, will also serve two years of supervision following his release from prison. Christopher Parks violated the trust of patients and abused federal health care programs and private insurance companies to cheat taxpayers and pad his pockets, said U.S Attorney Clint Johnson. Parks was indicted in 2018 by a grand jury in Tulsa federal court on allegations that he had been involved in a scheme that paid doctors kickbacks if they steered patients to one of two compounding pharmacies he controlled. The physicians were provided preprinted prescription pads for compounded drugs that doctors would fill out and fax directly to the associated pharmacies rather than allow the patient to take to a pharmacy of their choice, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Tulsa. Compounding prescriptions is a practice in which a pharmacist or physician combines, mixes or alters ingredients of a drug or multiple drugs to create a medication that is tailored to the specific needs of a patient, the U.S. Attorney said in a statement. The medications are more expensive and reimbursed at a far higher rate by federal and private insurance companies than other forms of the same medication, according to the U.S. attorney. Parks disguised payments to physicians through various sham business arrangements, according to prosecutors. Physicians would enter into agreements with a pharmacy to serve as medical directors, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office; however, the physicians provided no actual services as medical directors. Instead, physicians were paid kickbacks for writing prescriptions for medications, regardless of whether their patients needed them, and sending the prescriptions to Parks-affiliated pharmacies, according to prosecutors. Parks admitted June 27 in a plea agreement with the government that between 2012 and 2019 that he paid doctors kickbacks. Parks was also ordered to pay $6,400,651.57 in restitution to various government entities, including $5.2 million to the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General. Many of the prescriptions were reimbursed by government health care programs, including the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Anna Codutti Tulsa World Breaking News Editor Follow Anna Codutti Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A man who reportedly fled the country after his wifes slaying in 2017 was arrested this summer in Mexico, Tulsa police say. After Jose Gomez-Baca was taken into custody in June, he was extradited on a first-degree murder charge, according to a Tulsa Police Department social media post. Elizabeth Rodriguez was 26 when she was fatally shot around 1:30 a.m. June 22, 2017. According to detectives at the time, Gomez-Baca was believed to have ambushed her outside their home on Second Street near Memorial Drive. He was said to have surprised his wife as she arrived in a car with her family, police said then, noting Gomez-Baca had already reported Rodriguez as missing. The victims brother told a Tulsa World reporter at the time that she had been seeking a separation from her husband. Gomez-Baca, 31, was booked into Tulsa County jail Tuesday evening and remains held without bond, according to online records. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield 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 Tulsa County commissioners have received four options for addressing the shortage of space and poor conditions at the 70-year-old courthouse at 500 S. Denver Ave. downtown. None of them is cheap, and all of them call for building on a new site. It is up to us to see what we can do, how best we can serve our citizens to come up with a plan that serves this county, this metropolitan area for the next 75 years, Tulsa County Commission Chairman Kelly Dunkerley said Wednesday after consultants hired by the county presented their report. Options 1 and 2 call for building a six-story annex on the west side of Denver Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets directly across Sixth Street from the existing courthouse. Under those scenarios, either criminal court or civil and family court would operate out of the annex. The annex projects would be done in two phases at an estimated cost of $305 million to $391 million for the criminal courthouse annex and $249 million to $320 million for the civil and family annex. The price estimates include the cost of modifying the existing courthouse after the criminal or civil and family courts move out. Options 3 and 4 envision new standalone courthouses within the Inner Dispersal Loop. Each comes with an estimated cost of between $245 million and $300 million. The new courthouse proposed in option 3 would be built on property about a block south of the Ray Jordan Tulsa County Administration Building at the corner of Sixth Street and Denver Avenue. Option 4 would be built on the east side of downtown between Fourth and Sixth streets. None of the four cost estimates includes purchase of the land, offsite nonsecure parking or initial repairs to the existing courthouse. County officials have been working for more than a year to assess the conditions of the existing courthouse and its needs for the next 75 years. In January, consultants hired by the county estimated that it would cost $55.4 million to $73.2 million to make basic repairs to the existing courthouse. The estimates do not include soft costs such as architecture fees and material testing, which could increase the bill by 20%, and other associated expenses. The needed upgrades include repairing the facade of the building to stop moisture from continuing to seep into the building, replacing old mechanical equipment, upgrading or replacing plumbing, and bringing the building up to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance where possible. The building assessment also identified multiple safety concerns. Last month, county officials were informed that its court system will need to be about 25% larger approximately 100,000 square feet to accommodate expected growth over the next 20 years. Jeff Lane, who specializes in courthouses for national architecture firm Treanor HL, explained the benefits of building a new courthouse. If I am going to the courthouse and Im going because I have got to pay a fine, which building am I going to? Lane said. If Ive got one building, everybody knows where to go. You walk in that front door, and the public can see where they need to be. Wednesdays presentation planned for programming needs over the next 20 years, Lane said, while construction of a new courthouse would allow for expansion to address the countys courthouse needs over the next 75 years. If I go and build a new facility on one of those other sites, the site has a plethora of acreage so it allows for the county to expand that building, Lane said. Dunkerley acknowledged that there could be a fifth option upgrading and repairing the existing courthouse but its not one he is inclined to support. To me, based on everything I know at this point, I am not sure that is a good use or good investment of dollars, Dunkerley said. I have not made that final decision, but to solve all of these bigger issues, we are probably going to have to think of one of these four options. District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler and Court Clerk Don Newberry each expressed support for building a new courthouse at the the proposed site along Denver Avenue. As the sheriff and I frequently talk, it has got to be about public safety, Kunzweiler said. You have to take into consideration ease of access for the community. You could ask for a better spot where you might actually be able to build out. Newberry said he likes the idea of putting together a complex that would allow the county to put all of its court services at one site. On Monday morning, which is our busiest morning, we have people that stand out front of our office just to direct traffic, because they dont know where to go, Newberry said. The final version of Wednesdays report is expected to be delivered to county commissioners on Friday. Dunkerley said commissioners have a lot to contemplate and discuss but insisted that the project wont move forward without opportunities for the public to weigh in. We want to make this a very open process; we want to be transparent, Dunkerley said. The county has approximately $24 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, at least part of which potentially could be used for the courthouse project, but Dunkerley said that ultimately it will be up to the residents of Tulsa County to approve funding for the project through an initiative such as 4 to Fix the County or Vision 2025. There is no other choice, he said. So we have to factor that in. Is this a good time to make a presentation to the public? The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley 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 If only they could speak. Kathryn Red Corn often found herself wishing that, as she stared at the faces in the old photographs. The images, which date back to the early 1900s and capture many of the Osage Nations original land allotment recipients, were culled from hundreds for a special exhibit at the Osage Nation Museum in Pawhuska during Red Corns time as executive director. Many were from our own collections, but others were brought in by families. It was a real tribal effort all the way around, Red Corn said of the photos, from which the faces seemed to stare right back at her, as if trying to communicate with their eyes what they no longer had the power to say. The exhibit, which the museum plans to bring back in January, was the most popular exhibit in the time I was here, she added. I think it was because everybody had somebody in it. But certain faces in the exhibit later would come into even greater focus. Those of Molly Burkhart, Anna Brown, Henry Roan and others are now known not only beyond Osage County but Oklahoma, thanks to the bestseller Killers of the Flower Moon and the upcoming movie based on it. With the book and film giving a voice to the dead, Red Corn and others no longer are left to just wish that the old photos could speak. In a sense, now they do. But that doesnt mean all the victims of whats known as the Osage Reign of Terror have been spoken for. The testimony of many others remains silenced. And for Red Corn, it includes maybe even a family member of her own whose death remains shrouded in mystery. Secret history of the Reign of Terror A series of murders committed as part of a larger, systematic effort to defraud tribal members and steal their oil wealth, the Reign of Terror affected various Osage County communities, resulting in an estimated 24 deaths between 1921 and 1926. But while that was the toll proposed by federal investigators, its almost certainly just scratching the surface. Undoubtedly, the murders went on for much longer and included, on top of the small group of conspirators fingered by the feds, opportunistic individuals acting on their own. As a result, the true number of victims is impossible to know today. However, that hasnt kept tribal members from engaging in some informed speculation. About 30 years ago we counted who we thought may have been part of this. What about so-and-so? that kind of thing. Very informal, Osage Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear said. And 5% (of the tribes then-population) was what we came up with. That would put the toll at well over 100 killed for their oil wealth. Even then, he added, some thought 5% was too low. A death toll far exceeding the original 24 estimate is supported by evidence uncovered over the years, including by Killers of the Flower Moon author David Grann. In his book, Grann focuses on the central figure of Mollie Burkhart. An Osage citizen, Burkhart ultimately survived an effort to poison her. Other family members, including her sisters and mother, were not so fortunate, falling victim to foul play. Granns research, however, led him beyond the well-established victims. Given the number of suspicious deaths never investigated, he became convinced of strong hints of widespread murder and that the secret history of the Reign of Terror has never been fully told. Standing Bear said the full history is much harder to know today because for years nobody talked about it. Were oral history people, he said. Were used to telling stories, talking about things from 200 years ago like it was just yesterday. But this generation did not talk about that era. And they told their grandchildren not to talk about it. Given the fear of reprisals, keeping silent on the subject was just safer, Standing Bear said. He believes its because of that long silence, though, that the story is so alive now. To many ears, its new, he said. Now were talking about it. The purgatory of Indian boarding schools Framed by ropelike braids that hang down to his chest, Henry Roans solemn expression in the photo offers no clue to what he was thinking. But as for what he mightve been feeling, his great-grandson could venture to guess. Having spent his youth at a Pennsylvania boarding school, where he was forced to abandon his traditional ways and language, Roan had fallen into a purgatory of being considered neither white nor Osage, former Osage Principal Chief Jim Gray said of his great-grandfather. As a result, wherever Roan (short for Roan Horse) found himself, he couldnt help but feel like a stranger, he said. That was true for many indigenous youths whod been stripped of their identities at Indian boarding schools. More recently, the legacy of those boarding schools has come under scrutiny, leading Gray and others to hope they will be further exposed. But in the meantime, Gray takes some comfort in knowing that Roan resisted the effort to erase his heritage. After having his hair cropped short at the boarding school, by the time the photo was taken hed grown it back out to make the braids. In doing so, he also made a statement. They may have robbed him of an Osage upbringing, but they didnt kill the Osage, said Gray, who was given the middle name Roan in his ancestors honor. Roan is a pivotal figure in the Reign of Terror story. Generally, the start of the murders is traced to the slaying of Anna Brown in May 1921. But it was with the death of the 40-year-old Roan, who was found shot in the head in February 1923, that the fear really took hold in the Osage community. Its also his death that ultimately brought legal charges, including against William Hale, suspected mastermind behind many of the slayings. Those charges led to convictions for Hale and two of his associates. Each was given a life sentence, although they eventually were paroled. While the feds were content to close the book there, though, the deaths did not end. Evidence suggests that they continued as long as oil profits fueled greed and provided a motive. And that didnt change until the Great Depression of the 1930s and the decimation of the oil industry. Poisonings common in the 1920s Among the established homicides, some were obvious because of their violence. But with others, the cause was not so evident. Poisonings were common in that era and, depending on the substance and manner, could be hard to detect, especially when corrupt authorities werent inclined to look too closely. Red Corn believes that could be the case with her grandfather. Raymond Red Corn Sr.s death at age 46 in 1931 is cited by Grann as evidence that, if it was a murder, the killings extended into the next decade. Red Corn Sr., who by then was married to his second wife, died after a protracted illness. No investigation was done, though apparently he believed he was being poisoned and it did fit the pattern of other poisonings. His descendants are suspicious of his then-wife, who benefited from his death. Red Corn went so far several years ago as to track the woman down in another state. I just wanted to talk to her, not accuse her, she said. I wanted to learn more about my grandfather, who I never had a chance to know. But the woman died before they could meet in person, she said, leaving her with questions that now can never be answered. In that, Red Corns family a prominent one that includes former Assistant Chief Raymond Red Corn III is like others who lost loved ones in that era under suspicious circumstances. Standing Bear has talked to a lot of those families, he said, along with the families of confirmed victims such as Roan. They are all the same in one respect, he said. Ive learned in this process the pain that they are going through and have gone through its genuine, Standing Bear said. The feelings are a lot deeper than I ever realized. This movie and book process taught me that. Its real. And not much can be done now to fix it, he said. But refusing to forget is at least a start, if not an obligation. If that generation tended not to talk about it, there were subtle ways of keeping the memory alive. Grays mother, who together with his father was active in promoting tribal sovereignty, gave him his middle name for a reason, he said. He believes it was her way of saying never forget. Gray, in turn, passed on the name to one of his sons. He has nieces and nephews, as well, who proudly carry Roan as a first or middle name. In a sense, Gray intimated, the name serves a similar purpose to Henry Roans braids in the old photo: Its an outward sign of an inward resistance. A resistance or even a refusal to letting ones identity and heritage be erased. And thats the most important thing to know about the legacy of the generations that have followed, Gray said. Theres going to be a lot of attention paid to what happened to the Osage in the 1920s. But what shouldnt be lost in this is how we responded. Government, culture, language preservation, all these things that have happened tell a very different story about the Osage. But in focusing on that story, Gray and others dont plan to allow the Reign of Terror victims to be forgotten anymore. Along with their lives, they were deprived of their voices, he said, and so silence is no longer an option. We will not forget, Gray said. We wont stop talking. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The death this week of 102-year-old Hughes Van Ellis underscores the urgency of an appeal before the Oklahoma Supreme Court, attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons said Wednesday. We are hoping and praying that the Oklahoma Supreme Court, if it never understood the urgency (of the case), they understand it now, a subdued Solomon-Simmons said Wednesday at the Greenwood Cultural Center. Ellis, his sister Viola Fletcher, 109, and Lessie Randle, 108, are the plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking damages from the city and others for Tulsas 1921 Race Massacre and for claims of continued harm to the historically Black Greenwood community. Unlike previous such lawsuits, this one seeks relief under the states public nuisance statute. Filed more than three years ago, Randle v. City of Tulsa was dismissed by Tulsa County District Judge Caroline Wall. Solomon-Simmons and the plaintiffs appealed that decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Wednesdays remarks by Solomon-Simmons came one day after plaintiffs filed their brief with the court. The defendants have 15 days to respond, and the plaintiffs will have another 10 to reply. That means the justices are unlikely to get all of the pleadings until next month. Even then, theres no predicting when a decision might be forthcoming. Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has no deadline. The brief challenges the district court decision on two points: failure to state a claim by failing to state a legally cognizable remedy and that the defendants did not uphold an agreed-to stipulation. All we are asking the Supreme Court to do is give us the opportunity to get back into (district) court, Solomon-Simmons said. This is not about the Supreme Court deciding if were ultimately successful; this is not about deciding what remedies we would receive. We are asking the law to be applied equally to everyone. Defendants have argued in previous pleadings that the relevant statute of limitations tolled 80 years ago and that allowing the suit to proceed would be contrary to all precedent. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Japan is among Vietnams key economic partners in various fields such as official development assistance (ODA), investment, trade, labor and tourism, Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong told a reception for Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko in Hanoi on Tuesday. He also affirmed that the cooperation between the two nations localities and people-to-people exchange have flourished mightily. Nearly 100 pairs of localities under Japan and Vietnam are cooperating in numerous sectors, while some 500,000 Vietnamese are living in Japan. During his reception for Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko, Vietnamese State President proposes the Japanese side create favorable conditions for Vietnamese people to live, work and study in Japan. Photo: Vietnam News Agency The top Vietnamese official applauded the guests contributions to the Vietnam-Japan relations in her different positions over the years. The state president proposed the two nations keep boosting all-level delegation exchange to further cement the Vietnam Japan friendship, and deepen political trust. As for regional and international issues, State President Thuong underscored that Vietnam is willing to join hands with Japan to contribute to the success of the ASEAN Japan Summit slated for late 2023. With great strides in the Vietnam Japan relations, the Japanese minister underlined that the bilateral partnership is eligible for a higher level. Japans Foreign Minister Yoko expected the two nations to expand their partnership in new fields such as digitalization and green transition. Vietnam plays an important role in Japans diplomatic strategies, so Japan will continue collaborating with Vietnam at regional and international forums, said the top Japanese official. On the same day, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Japanese Minister Yoko. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko on October 10, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency During their talks, PM Chinh proposed Japan provide Vietnam with new-generation ODA loans for large-scale strategic traffic infrastructure projects such as roads and railways. Appreciating the ODA loans that have been offered to Vietnam over the past many years, the prime minister hoped that the two nations will strengthen their cooperation to speed up work on metro line projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the second campus of Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnamese government leader affirmed that Vietnam will keep improving investment climate, and infrastructure, simplify business procedures, and upskill workforce to make the country more attractive to foreign investors, especially Japanese ones. On the other hand, PM Chinh suggested the Japanese government create favorable conditions for Vietnamese companies to join Japans global supply chain. Yoko told PM Chinh that the Japanese government prioritizes partnership in training with Vietnam. As such, she expected the two nations to team up with to build a Vietnam Japan university, and turn it into one of symbols of the bilateral ties. The top Japanese diplomat also emphasized during a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son that Japan attaches much significance to the relationship with Vietnam, and expects to bolster the Vietnam Japan strategic partnership. Minister Son proposed the Japanese side simplify procedures of granting visas to Vietnamese citizens. He also hinted at listing Vietnam among nations eligible for e-visas, and 5- or 10-year visa validity to move toward visa exemption. Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) shakes hands with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko. Photo: World and Vietnam Report Yoko arrived in Vietnam on the same day, starting her two-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of her Vietnamese counterpart Son. Vietnam is one of the first destinations during her overseas trip after Yoko took office on September 13. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on Tuesday for visiting Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko, during which he applauded the guests contributions to the Vietnam-Japan relations in her different positions over the years. Society -- A diversion dam at the Ia Glae 2 hydropower plant project, which is under construction in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, has ruptured due to extended heavy rain. There have been no reported casualties, but the incident has adversely affected local agricultural crops. -- Police in Soc Trang Province, southern Vietnam on Tuesday said that they had summoned both the drivers of a car and a motorbike featured in a viral video, in which the motorbike rider used his left leg to push the apparently stalled car on a street en route to a repair shop. -- Authorities in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday said that they had fined both the female photo model who was filmed lying down a motorcycle while riding the vehicle on a local street and her trainer. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has opted for the architectural design proposal featuring nipa palm leaf imagery for a pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River. -- Police in Bao Loc City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong are investigating the principal of a high school suspected of having sex with a 15-year-old child. -- TNT Group JSC, a Vietnamese mining company, has submitted a proposal to the central government to import sand from Cambodia for the construction of expressway projects in the Mekong Delta region. -- The traffic police force conducted inspections and addressed over 2.5 million cases of traffic safety violations in January-September, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee. They imposed fines amounting to VND4.8 trillion (US$196.7 million), revoked more than 484,000 drivers licenses and professional certificates, and impounded nearly 780,000 vehicles of various types. -- Heavy to extensively heavy rain is expected in the central region throughout this week, increasing the risk of local flooding in low-lying riverside and urban areas in provinces from Nghe An to Thua Thien-Hue, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A diversion dam at the Ia Glae 2 hydropower project in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai has ruptured due to extended heavy rain, adversely affecting local agricultural crops. There have been no reported casualties, Tu Ngoc Thong, deputy chairman of Chu Prong District, where the contruction of the hydropower plant is underway, said on Tuesday night. Local authorities are currently evaluating the aftermath of the dam breach, whose damaged section is estimated at approximately 10 meters in length. The Ia Glae 2 hydropower plant, as per its design specifications, possesses a 12MW capacity. Khai Hoang Hydropower Joint Stock Company has funded an investment exceeding VND423 billion (US$17.3 million) into this project. Floodwaters damage a road in Chu Prong District, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, October 10, 2023. Photo: B.T. / Tuoi Tre The impact of Typhoon Koinu, the fourth storm to hit Vietnam this year, brought widespread heavy rainfall to Chu Prong District from Monday night to Tuesday morning, with some areas receiving 147-169mm of rain, according to the Central Highlands hydro-meteorological station. The intense rainfall resulted in floodwaters, which isolated four residents of a village in the same district during the small hours on Tuesday morning, prompting a rescue. The four victims were safely evacuated as of 0:30 on the same morning. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Flooding will likely hit low-lying, riverside, and urban areas in central Vietnam as a result of heavy downpours lashing the region from now until the weekend, said the national weather center. Central Vietnamese localities from Ha Tinh Province to Da Nang City are expected to see moderate to heavy rains between Wednesday and Thursday, with rainfall of 60-120mm. Meanwhile, some parts from Ha Tinh Province to Quang Tri Province may see much more rainfall of over 300mm. Phung Tien Dung, head of the Hydrological Forecasting Department, under the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said the department on Tuesday had issued a warning against possible flooding facing rivers in central Vietnam. From Wednesday to Sunday this week, flooding is forecast to hit the rivers from Nghe An Province to Thua Thien Hue Province, adding that flash floods and landslides could strike mountainous areas in these areas. The department warned that flooding could disrupt waterway, aquaculture, agricultural production, as well as daily social activities. In related news, the national weather agency said that a cold spell has affected provinces in northeastern Vietnam since Tuesday before spreading to north-central and northwestern locations. It will become much colder at night and in the morning across northern and north-central localities, with temperatures ranging between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius. Some mountainous areas could see temperatures fall below 16 degrees Celsius. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Two children, aged 12 and 14, died when a fire gutted their house in Da Nang City, central Vietnam early on Wednesday morning. The fire broke out at around 1:30 am in an alley on Tran Cao Van Street in Thanh Khe District. Firefighters approach the fire-hit house. Photo: H.B. / Tuoi Tre A dozen firefighters were dispatched to the scene where they managed to rescue three people, including L.T.T.D., 35; L.T.K.N., 36; and T.L.G.K., 9. Two other children, N.L.T.T., 12, and T.M.G.D., 14, were suffocated by fumes from the blaze on the third floor. The fire was put out at around 3:00 am on the same day. Police cordoned off the scene of the deadly fire and launched an investigation to determine its cause. In related news, a trailer truck cab burst into flames when the trailer truck was traveling southward on the La Son - Tuy Loan Expressway section running through Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang at around 8:00 pm on Tuesday. Immediately, the trucker drove the vehicle to the shoulder and called the fire service. Firemen then arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire at 9:10 pm on the same day. The cab of a trailer truck bursts into flames on the La Son - Tuy Loan Expressway section running through Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam, October 10, 2023. Photo: H.B. / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A phone conversation has been made between a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter and Hong Shurany, a Vietnamese woman settling down in Israel, focusing on the situation of the Vietnamese community in Israel amidst a bloody conflict between the country and the Palestinian group Hamas. The talk took place on Tuesday evening (Vietnam time) and was interrupted a few times due to the sound of explosions from the fighting between Israel and Hamas, the force controlling the Gaza Strip that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The armed conflict broke out on October 7, when Hamas launched a new military campaign called 'Al-Aqsa Flood' against Israel. More than 1,500 people have been killed and thousands of others from both sides have been injured in the Hamas attacks and Israel's counterattacks. Hong married a Jewish man and has settled down in Israel for 21 years. They are now living in the Israeli city of Netanya, about 200 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. This Vietnamese-Israeli woman is currently a member of the Vietnamese Community Liaison Committee in Israel. Through some posts on her Facebook page, Hong said her mood was not good due to worries about the conflict, as her son and four other relatives are serving in the Israeli army. Hong, however, maintained an optimistic spirit to provide Tuoi Tre with the most updated information about the current situation of the Vietnamese community in Israel. The entire community as well as Israeli residents in Netanya were surprised and confused when Hamas forces suddenly launched their fierce attacks last Saturday, only one day after nearly 100 Vietnamese expatriates in Israel gathered to celebrate the birthday of a Vietnamese member in the community, Hong said. The Israeli government quickly controlled the situation and the peoples mood stabilized soon, she added. Currently, the Vietnamese community in Israel includes about 500 people living in many cities and regularly keeping in touch via WhatsApp or Facebook. The Vietnamese people in Israel have always complied with the host countrys laws, tried to motivate and support each other, and encountered no economic difficulties, Hong stated. Most of the Vietnamese citizens there have been in safe conditions, except for about 10 Vietnamese students who are in hotspots of the conflict like Sredot, a city near the Gaza. Hong said she was cooperating with the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel to ask Israeli military or security forces to take them out of the dangerous areas. As Netanya is now less dangerous than other places, Hong and her Jewish husband are ready to welcome any Vietnamese to come and stay with them, the woman said. At this time, whether our home is small or large and how much food we have, we are willing to help others to get through this difficult period, Hong told Tuoi Tre. As an active member of the Vietnamese community, Hong is still in close contact with the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel to promptly obtain information about people in need of support. As far as Tuoi Tre has known, the community has begun to make a list of people who potentially seek help and will send it to the embassy in Israel when necessary. To date, no Vietnamese citizens have expressed their desire to leave Israel, but the embassy has prepared plans to evacuate them from dangerous areas to safe places. Many people have asked why I have not returned to Vietnam. Israel has become my second homeland, so no matter what happens, I will hold on to it until the tough time passes, she confided. Over the past several days, I have been sending my wishes of a peaceful day to the Vietnamese community in Israel." She said Vietnamese people are always united with Israelis to overcome difficulties in everyday life as well as during this stressful period. The planned program to celebrate the Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20) among the Vietnamese community will have to be postponed, Hong said, believing that the community will resume their daily activities in the near future. She also extended her thanks to Vietnamese in the homeland as well as overseas Vietnamese in other countries for their sentiments and concerns toward the Vietnamese community in Israel. Such feelings will help us get over this distress, Hong told Tuoi Tre. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Kinh Duong Vuong Bridge, Vietnams highest steel arch bridge, which carried a price tag of VND1.9 trillion (US$78 million), was opened to traffic in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Wednesday. The inauguration ceremony of the bridge, which links Thuan Thanh Town and Tien Du District, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang. The 1.2-kilometer-long bridge features five main spans with five steel arches, according to the provincial Department of Transport. Two of the five arches are 41.5 meters high, making the bridge the highest of its kind in the Southeast Asian nation. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chairwoman of the Bac Ninh Province Peoples Committee Nguyen Huong Giang asked relevant units to ensure the safety of the bridge and conduct regular maintenance for the structure. After its opening, the bridge will help ease the burden on Ho Bridge, which repeatedly faces traffic jams, and enhance the connectivity between national highways 1, 17, 38 and 18, and provincial road 287. Kinh Duong Vuong Bridge in Bac Ninh Province has five arches. Photo: Thu Huong / Tuoi Tre In addition, the bridge is expected to contribute to the socio-economic growth in the province and the Red River Delta, and strengthen the traffic infrastructure system in the northern region. Furthermore, the bridge is aimed at connecting historical relic sites south of the Duong River such as the Kinh Duong Vuong tomb and temple complex, Dau Pagoda, and But Thap Pagoda, with some historical relics north of the river. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A restaurant employee who daily commutes between Long An Province, southern Vietnam and neighboring Ho Chi Minh City has been confirmed as the first Mpox (monkeypox) case in Long An, the provincial health authority said on Tuesday. The provincial Center for Disease Control was earlier informed by the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City that this 42-year-old- patient tested positive for Mpox after he visited the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology for skin lesions across his body. This patient lives in Long Ans Can Giuoc District and works at a restaurant in Thu Duc City, an administrative district in Ho Chi Minh City, from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm every day. He lives in the same house with a 31-year-old vehicle mechanic. The patient earlier had close contact with a group of his friends in Ho Chi Minh City several months ago. He is in stable condition, with the lesions on his arms already drying up. The health of the vehicle mechanic remains normal. He did not have a fever and swollen lymph nodes. According to the Long An Center for Disease Control, the victim was allowed to quarantine at home and was told to notify healthcare workers of new symptoms, if any. The Mpox victim was also briefed on measures to frequently disinfect his home and other items in shared spaces, use a fan instead of an air conditioner. Since the patient only came into close contact with his housemate, the transmission rate of this Mpox case in the province was said to be very low. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! 7NEWS Spotlight has a world exclusive interview this Sunday as Natalie Barr sits down with Kathleen Folbigg, who was pardoned by the NSW Governor after serving 20 years for the deaths of her 4 children. In 2021 a petition signed by more than 100 eminent scientists indicated their deaths could be explained as the effects of very rare genetic factors. Folbigg, who always maintained her innocence, is yet to apply for her conviction to be quashed. Depending on what you believe, Kathleen Folbigg is either a monstrous serial killer who smothered her four defenceless babies, or the victim of the greatest miscarriage of justice since Lindy Chamberlain. Either way, Folbigg did 20 years behind bars for crimes she has always strenuously denied. She was 36 years old when she was sent to prison for the deaths of her four children Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura who all died in mysterious circumstances between the ages of 19 days and 19 months. Prosecutors argued Folbigg was resentful and couldnt cope with the endless demands of motherhood. While Folbigg always maintained her innocence, it was her own diary entries that would lead to a conviction. Then, earlier this year with just five years remaining on her sentence, Folbigg was dramatically released after new scientific evidence uncovered a possible alternative explanation for the childrens deaths. She has been pardoned but not yet exonerated. So, whats the truth? In this 7NEWS Spotlight world exclusive to air on Sunday at 7.00pm on Channel 7 and 7plus, Australians will finally get the full story as documented by trial records of evidence and, for the first time ever, hear from Folbigg herself, as she sits down with the Seven Networks Natalie Barr for the interview of the year. Plus, the emotional interview with Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton and revelations shes never shared, as the similarities between her and Folbiggs cases are exposed. And the team of Aussie scientists who put their reputations on the line to fight for Folbiggs freedom explain the genetic breakthrough that could now have implications in similar cases around the world. 7pm Sunday on Seven. Conversations between ABC and WA Police are continuing following an Order to Produce footage it captured for its Four Corners story on climate change protests, this week. ABC management has so far indicated it will not reveal its sources but not stated if it will hand the vision to police. In a statement WA Police said, We in good faith offered the Four Corners team a sit down interview which lasted well over an hour. We invested time and resources ensuring all their follow-up questions were answered. Our agency works agnostically to facilitate hundreds of lawful protests every year. Although ABCs Four Corners chose not to include it in the program, the Western Australian Police Forces message to the activists is work with us to stage your protests lawfully. Generally speaking our agency is open to reducing the scope of an Order to Produce, where possible, to protect confidential sources. Conversations between W.A. Police and the ABC are continuing. W.A. Police is hopeful we can find a resolution which will allow us both to meet our respective obligations to the public we serve. The Western Australia Police Force has received numerous request asking us to confirm if the Four Corners team were aware of an alleged criminal act before it was committed. This relates to matters which are currently before the courts. At this time it is appropriate to reserve comment and allow the evidence to be heard in full before the courts W.A. Police can confirm the Four Corners team are not under investigation. MEAA, which represents more than 5000 journalists and other media workers, has urged the ABC to stand firm and not hand over the footage. MEAA Media Federal President Karen Percy said, This is a direct threat to press freedom and the ability of investigative journalists to cover this important story. Protecting sources is sacrosanct for journalists. To reveal sources is contrary to the MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics. In June, Israeli Eurovision broadcaster KAN announced that its 2024 entrant would be the winner of the popular reality series HaKokhav HaBa, better known as Rising Star in English. Filming of the qualifiers from the casting phase was set to begin this week, and was due to air on popular channel Keshet 12 in November. But tragic events of the past week appear to have impacted. While no official announcement has been made by KAN, Israeli media outlet Mako reports: This season, Israels representative for Eurovision will be chosen in Rising Star, the filming of which was supposed to start this week but was postponed according to the directives of the Home Front Command. We note that the Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the beginning of May in Malmo, Sweden, and Israel must notify the contest directors beforehand about a representative and a song that will represent it. Should Rising Star not proceed, Israel would retain the option of choosing an act internally, or withdrawing from Eurovision entirely. But it may not be the only challenge. Russia was banned from the 2022 and 2023 events with their invasion of Ukraine deemed to be at odds with the events vision for harmony. Ukraine, which has been defending its borders, has been permitted to continue, going on to win 2022 in a show of support for the besieged nation. If the conflict escalates in the Middle East, which looks inevitable, Israel will need to hope the EBU allows its inclusion, should the broadcaster be in a position to continue. Tel Aviv hosted the 2019 event following a 2018 win by Netta with her song Toy in Lisbon 2018. Source: ESCbubble NZ born comedian and presenter Cal Wilson, best known for The Great Australian Bake Off, Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Spicks & Specks, has died, aged 53. Token Artists management said in a statement, We are devastated to share the news that Cal Wilson, the much-loved stand up comedian, writer and actor died today, surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. She was 53 years old. Cals generosity, talent and friendship have been constants in the Australian comedy scene for the last twenty years. Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community. A cause of death has not been disclosed. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Cal moved to Melbourne in 2003 to star in the sketch show, Skithouse. She went on to become one of Australias best-known comedians with appearances on Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, Would I Lie To You? and in her own Netflix stand-up special. Cal was probably best known as a stand up comedian who appeared at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times and was a member of its board. Most recently she co-hosted The Great Australian Bake Off for Foxtel alongside Natalie Tran, which was in production when Cal was first admitted to hospital. She hosted Sleuth 101 for ABC while her other credits included The Project, Celebrity Name Game, Show Me the Movie!, Would I Lie to You? Australia, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Hughesy We Have a Problem, Slide Show, Rove Live, Dancing with the Stars, Thank God Youre Here, Good Friday Appeal, The Wedge and Kitty Is Not a Cat. She most recently pressented Who The Bloody Hell Are We? on SBS. In lockdown Cal also made elaborate and ridiculous headdresses that she shared with her online community and a painting of Cal wearing a headdress made of doll parts and Christmas baubles featured in the 2023 Archibald Prize, taking out the Packing Room Prize. What an astounding loss. Cal Wilson has died aged just 53. Photo credit: Portrait of Cal Wilson by Andrea Huelin. (Supplied: AGNSW pic.twitter.com/FzmEPEMe2d FW (Future Women) (@FutureWomen) October 11, 2023 Cal is survived by her Husband Chris and son Digby. The family are asking for privacy at this time. Tributes: Wendy Moore, Group General Manager, Lifestyle, Foxtel Group: We are all completely devastated to lose such an amazing, vibrant person. Cal joined our Bake Off cast last year and instantly brought her unique sparkle to the show. Her professionalism, work ethic and genuine heart-warming humour instantly made her a favourite amongst cast and crew, as well as the Australian audience. We will all miss her so much, and our hearts go out to her family and friends. Kylie Washington, General Manager and Creative Director Production, BBC Studios ANZ:It has been an absolute privilege and joy to work with Cal. Cal joined the Bake Off family last year, she was a hugely talented presenter and comedian who brought so much laughter and warmth to the show. She will be greatly missed by us all and our thoughts are with her family and friends. Channel 10 said, Were deeply saddened by the passing of Cal Wilson. Our thoughts are with her family and many friends. She brought joy and laughter to so many, on screen and off. Vale Cal. Melb Int. Comedy Festival: The Festival team are shattered by the passing of dear friend and colleague Cal Wilson. Cal has always been a beacon of joy and smiles in and around the festival a dedicated board member and mentor to many, she loved and advocated for the comedy community she was part of. Our love, hugs and thoughts go to her family, friends and the whole comedy community. Working Dog: Were devastated to hear of the passing of our friend, Cal Wilson. Her warmth, kindness and effortless ability to make us laugh will be something well remember forever. Sending love to her family, friends and everyone who knew her. Melboure Fringe: Melbourne Fringe, its Board and team are deeply saddened by the passing of comedian, writer, actor, friend and Fringe alumni, Cal Wilson. We will remember her warmth, generosity and the joy she brought to audiences and peers alike. Our love to Cals friends and family. AACTA: We are deeply saddened by the passing of celebrated comedian, writer, actor and presenter Cal Wilson. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. Rest In Peace. Adam Hills: The news of Cals death has broken me slightly but the outpouring of love for her has been so heartwarming. She was one of lifes best people and she made everyone happy. Everyone. Off stage and on. Thats how you live a life. May her spirit live on. Love ya Calbo. X Rebel Wilson: I was very very lucky to work with Cal on multiple projects especially over the last few years where she wrote brilliant material for me. She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind. Julia Zemiro: Most generous. Most excellent. A huge hole in the Arts community and in my heart. Julia Morris: I am absolutely heartbroken by the news of the passing of the magnificent Cal Wilson. My deepest sympathies with Chris, Digby & the whole family. We share the deep loss of Cals shining light. Vale an all time favourite and proper brilliant babe Jx Joel Creasey: I actually dont even know how to put in to words my devastation and just plain shock at the passing of Cal Wilson. She was everybodys friend. You will be missed every so dearly, Cal. Tony Martin: Shocked to hear about Cal Wilson. Loved by all and a favourite on Get This. Cant get really get my head around it. Thinking of her family and cats at this time. Melanie Bracewell: A ray of sunshine. You will be so missed, Cal. Tim McDonald: Very saddened to learn of the passing of Cal Wilson. Such a funny, warm and delightful presence on screen and off screen. My thoughts are with her family, friends and all who were lucky to know her. Toni Pearen: She helped me through a difficult time and stood strong for me and encouraged me beyond measure She is a reminder about whats good in the world. Nazeem Hussain: Completely heartbreaking news. Cal was the most kind and beautiful soul. Sending all our love to her family. John Safran: Im very sad to have to pass on that Cal Wilson, who I was lucky to work with recently, has died. Thinking about her family x Myf Warhurst: What a joy it was to be in her magnificent orbit over the years. Grant Denyer: Oh my goodness. Im shaking. I cant believe what Im reading. How unbelievably sad. The most tender, kind, generous and talented performer Ive ever had the pleasure to work alongside. Urzila Carlson: My heart is broken for her family and for everyone that has ever met her because she was amazing. Today is a terrible day. Magda Szubanski: Oh no! Oh I am so so sad to hear about Cal Wilson. I didnt know her super well but in all the interactions I had with her she was just the nicest bloody person. This is such a shock. My deepest condolences to her loved ones Vale Cal Wilson. RIP Tom Ballard: Its impossible to articulate the enormous loss the comedy community is feeling today over the passing of @calbowilson Dylan Alcott: Absolutely devastating. Cal you are such a beautiful person who always had time for everyone. Was always a pleasure anytime I got to work next to you. Matt Okine: So sad to hear that Cal Wilson has passed away. I was part of a tour of India with Cal and she spent so much of the trip talking about her young son Digby. I hope he knows how much he was loved. Andrew Hansen: Cal Wilson was brilliant and a lovely presence in any room, on or off stage. She had a rare gift of bringing warmth into comedy. A gigantic loss to us all. Lawrence Leung: Devastated. Cal Wilson was of the loveliest comedians and humans I ever met. So generous with advice, hilarious and joyously silly. Her life was full of colour. My heart goes out to all of her loved ones and fellow mates who feeling the loss today. Irreplaceable. Bajo: Rest in Peace, Cal Wilson. What a shock. What a warm, joyful, utterly brilliant person. We were lucky to have her. Shaynna Blaze: I cant even comprehend this right now. The most divine, radiant person who I have watched, admired and worked alongside. This is heartbreaking. So much love to her husband, son and family. This is a very very sad day. Paul McDermott: A beautiful girl has left the room. Heartbroken. Mikey Robbins: One of the funniest, loveliest people to have ever graced the comedy stage is no longer with us Cal Wilson was very special. My heart goes out to those who held her close. Greg Fleet: Vale Cal Wilson. A talent gone too soon. RIP. Ben Pobjie: Cal Wilson was one of the cleverest and funniest performers going round, but much more: as kind and sweet a human being as Ive ever known. I am in shock. I know Ill be one of many many people who are devastated but so grateful to have known Cal. Sami Shah: In this industry its impossible to find someone universally loved and respected. Cal was that impossibility. Tara Moss: Im so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to Cal Wilsons family and loved ones. I love you, beautiful Cal. Thank you for being you, and for giving so much joy in this life. Richard Stubbs: Shocked and saddened by the news of Cal Wilsons passing. A wonderful comedian and a lovely person. My thoughts are with her family and friends. Dan Ilic: So sad to hear about our friend @calbo one of the kindest, just and funniest people in showbusiness such a generous spirit. Sending love to her fam and friends. Alice Tovey: Everyone loves Cal Wilson. And that love will never leave. She was as effervescent and joyus as they come. Everyone in comedy has a story about how Cal touched their lives. She will be so, so missed. Im A Celebrity: Were deeply saddened by the passing of Cal Wilson. Our thoughts are with her family and many friends. She brought joy and laughter to so many, on screen and off. Vale Cal. Language. This post updates. The following statement by the International Marxist Tendency declares our solidarity with the Palestinian people. It answers the disgusting hypocrisy of western imperialism and its lackeys, who are rallying behind the reactionary Israeli state as it unleashes bloody vengeance on Gaza, following Hamas' surprise attack on 7 October. We moreover explain why freedom for Palestine can only be achieved through revolutionary means and the overthrow of capitalism in the whole region. The lightning attack, launched by Hamas on Saturday 7 October, caused shockwaves throughout the world. It was met immediately by a loud chorus of condemnation from Western governments. The attack was instantly presented in the most harrowing terms by the media. Western public opinion was thoroughly prepared by what is comically described as our free press to take sides in the conflict, which, as usual, is depicted as the Forces of Good versus the Forces of Evil. In this macabre comedy of errors, the roles are conveniently reversed. The victims become the aggressors, and the aggressors become the victims. This lie is backed up by a constant stream of moral condemnations of violence, killing and all the other atrocious attributes of terrorism. In Washington, according to the New York Times, President Biden bristled with anger as he characterised the acts as pure unadulterated evil, and vowed unequivocally to stand with Israel against terrorism. The president of the wealthiest and most powerful state in the world lost no time in announcing that the USA will expedite the delivery of additional equipment, resources and munitions to Israel, as well as sending its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, along with a full carrier strike group, to the Eastern Mediterranean. Imperialist hypocrites, or the relativity of morals The killing of men and women is something that naturally evokes feelings of repugnance in most people. We are constantly reminded of the biblical injunction: thou shalt not kill. This commandment, at first sight, bears an absolute character. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that the aversion of the ruling class and the media to violence and killing is not at all absolute, but has an entirely relative content. The killing of men and women is something that naturally evokes feelings of repugnance in most people / Image: Humberto Patrick, Wikimedia Commons When ordinary men and women express their horror and indignation at the atrocities they read about in the press, that is a normal human reaction that we can understand and sympathise with. But when the same words are spoken by an American president, whose hands are stained with the blood of countless innocent people, we can only shrug our shoulders and turn away in disgust. The imperialist scoundrels who pretend to be shocked by violence have repeatedly launched vicious wars of aggression. They did not hesitate in unleashing bloody wars against Iraq and Afghanistan lasting two decades, in which hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed. They bombed Libya, Syria, Sudan, Serbia, without any regard for innocent civilians. The most atrocious case of all in recent times was the barbaric war against the people of Yemen, one of the poorest countries on the planet, which was waged by Saudi Arabia with the full support, complicity and active participation of the USA, Britain and other imperialist powers. If any war can be described as genocidal, Yemen was surely it. According to the UN, over 150,000 people have been killed in Yemen, as well as estimates of more than 227,000 dead as a result of a terrible famine deliberately created by the Saudis and their allies, who also were responsible for the destruction of hospitals and healthcare facilities. These figures undoubtedly represent a serious underestimate of the total number of victims inflicted on the people of Yemen by the Saudis and their imperialist backers. But where were the condemnations of this barbarity? Where were the protests from Washington and London? Where were the giant headlines shouting about terrorism? They were silent, because Western governments were actively involved in this war of extermination against a poor, downtrodden people. They have no right to complain of violence, or to accuse anyone of terrorism. When it comes to war, it is useless to appeal to moral or humanitarian considerations. Wars are about killing people. And there never has been a humanitarian war in history. That is merely a cynical phrase, a convenient fig leaf, which is nowadays used by aggressors to justify their aggression before public opinion. Gaza and Ukraine, or the relativity of the right to self-defence As for the so-called right of Israel to defend herself, here again we see the double standards of Western imperialism / Image: public domain As for the so-called right of Israel to defend herself, here again we see the double standards of Western imperialism. When it comes to Ukraine, they armed her to the teeth to fight Russia on their behalf, under the excuse that a people under occupation have the right to fight back. But when it comes to the Palestinians, suddenly this right vanishes completely. Instead of defending the oppressed, the imperialists arm and supply the oppressors. Evidently the right to self-determination does not apply to everyone! Incidentally, following the twisted logic of imperialism, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has compared Russia's invasion of his country to Hamas, and has added his hoarse little voice to the chorus defending Israels right to defend itself! Do we need any more proof of the reactionary nature of this gentleman? Predictably, Zelensky has accused Russia of wanting war in the Middle East to undermine international support for Ukraine, in comments that reflect concern that the war between Israel and Hamas could distract attention from Kyivs fight. Russia is interested in triggering a war in the Middle East, so that a new source of pain and suffering could undermine world unity, increase discord and contradictions and thus help Russia destroy freedom in Europe, he said. Zelensky is a desperate man, who will resort to anything he thinks will secure the flow of weapons and money when Ukraine has suffered a crushing defeat on the battlefield and there are clear signs of wavering support among allies, including the U.S., Slovakia and Poland. Revenge Once one has accepted the theory of relativity as applied to morality, it becomes a simple matter to justify murder as long as it is carried out by our side. We see this convenient moral relativity in action right now. Israels response to Hamas attack on Saturday has been swift and brutal. Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is at war. He has promised to reduce Gaza to a deserted island. Fighter jets have been pounding the occupied strip, razing high rise buildings to the ground in residential areas, hitting schools, hospitals and mosques indiscriminately. A school run by the UN Agency for Palestinian refugees, where there were no militants, received a direct hit. And many residential blocks of flats were targeted, with no prior warning. Israel continued to hammer Gaza with airstrikes, reducing some buildings to rubble. Officials in Gaza said hospitals and schools were hit, and that 900 Palestinians have been killed already, including 260 children. All this has nothing to do with self-defence, but everything to do with a thirst for revenge. Not for the first time, the Israeli state seeks to punish the people of Gaza for the actions of its leaders by deliberately targeting civilians. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a complete siege of the Gaza Strip: I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. To deprive men, women and children of food, water and electricity is supposed to be a crime under international law. Even the pathetic United Nations found it necessary to remind the Israelis of this small detail, although the results of this polite reminder were predictably nil. Human animals And how do they justify all this? Very simply. Israels Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant put things clearly when he said: We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly. This language is well-known to us. It is common practice of the imperialists to justify slaughter by dehumanising the enemy. If we accept that our enemies are not humans like ourselves, but merely animals, we feel entitled to treat them any way we please. Let us remind ourselves that for decades, Jews were regarded, not as people, but as subhuman beings. That meant that they could be beaten, tortured, starved and murdered, who cares? After all, they are only animals, or human animals. The difference is purely semantic. But the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip are not animals. They are human beings, just as the inhabitants of Israel are human beings. And all human beings are entitled to be treated the same. A chorus of hypocrites All human beings are entitled to be treated the same / Image: Fars News, Wikimedia Commons As if in a well-planned unison, political leaders all over the world have fallen over themselves in their haste to declare their unconditional support for the right of Israel to defend herself. Right and left, Republican and Democrat all are singing loudly from the same well-worn hymn book. The same media that remained silent about the crimes of imperialism have also been highly remiss in reporting the criminal terror inflicted on the Palestinians by the Israeli state for many decades. They have been the victims of constant violent provocations by the ultra-right-wing Jewish settlers. Evidently, this is meant to provide material backing for Israels right to defend itself by pulverising a tiny strip of land filled to overflowing with two-and-a-half million poor people. It has been described as the biggest open-air prison in the world. The whole imperialist camp stands behind Israel as it moves to massacre the Palestinians in Gaza. And in case the bombs, artillery shells and missiles do not kill a sufficiently large number of Palestinians, the European Union planned to eliminate a few more by starvation. The EU announced that it was suspending financial aid to the Palestinians, on which they heavily depend for their survival. The decision was so scandalous that it was later on reversed. Here we see summed up in a few lines the distilled essence of what passes for western civilization. It comes as no surprise that right-wing Labour leaders like Sir Keir Starmer in Britain immediately added their shrill voices to this hypocritical chorus. These ladies and gentlemen sold their souls to the Devil long ago. They are nothing more than agents of imperialism. But the right reformists are not the only culprits. To their shame, many left reformists have joined in the condemnation (Sanders, Ilhan Omar, AOC, the French Communist Party, among others.) Not for the first time, these so-called lefts have displayed their complete cowardice and lack of principle. They have immediately buckled under the pressure of the capitalist mass media and bourgeois public opinion and end up towing the line of the ruling class. The International Marxist Tendency will not join the hypocritical chorus of the imperialists and their hangers-on. Where do we stand? In every war the belligerent parties always make use of stories of atrocities real or invented in order to justify their own acts of violence and murder. The attitude of communists to war can never be based on sensationalist propaganda that is used cynically to provide justification to one side or the other. Nor can a war be justified on the matter of who struck first. Our attitude to war must rest upon other grounds altogether. Our position is very simple: In every struggle, we will always take the side of the poor oppressed people, never of the rich and powerful oppressors. In the given case, the question must be asked: who are the oppressors and who are the oppressed? Is it the Palestinians who are oppressing the Israelis? Nobody in their right mind believes that. It is not the Palestinians who are occupying land that does not belong to them and holding it by force. It is not they who have been driving out Israeli settlers from land that was occupied by them for generations, but precisely the other way around. It is not the Palestinians who are occupying land that does not belong to them and holding it by force / Image: Humberto Patrick, Wikimedia Commons It is not they who are denying Israeli citizens the most elementary rights, or subjecting them to brutal blockades and reducing them to pariahs in their own land. Is it necessary to recite the long list of crimes committed by the reactionary Israeli state against the Palestinians? We have no space to mention these crimes, which continue, day after day, month after month and year after year, turning the lives of the Palestinians into a living hell. Palestinians have been reduced to a status not very different from a kind of slavery. And slaves, when deprived of every other right, can only have recourse to the one right that remains: the right to revolt. Throughout history, slave revolts were usually accompanied with acts of extreme violence, which were merely a reflection of the extreme oppression which they themselves had suffered at the hands of the slave owners. This is a regrettable fact. But it does not acquit us of the obligation of defending the revolt of the slaves against the slave owners. Marx dealt with this question in an article written in 1857, in which he answers the articles in the British press that emphasise the atrocities committed during the Indian uprising against the British: The outrages committed by the revolted Sepoys in India are indeed appalling, hideous, ineffable such as one is prepared to meet only in wars of insurrection, of nationalities, of races, and above all of religion; in one word, such as respectable England used to applaud when perpetrated by the Vendeans on the Blues, by the Spanish guerrillas on the infidel Frenchmen, by Servians on their German and Hungarian neighbours, by Croats on Viennese rebels, by Cavaignacs Garde Mobile or Bonapartes Decembrists on the sons and daughters of proletarian France. However infamous the conduct of the Sepoys, it is only the reflex, in a concentrated form, of Englands own conduct in India, not only during the epoch of the foundation of her Eastern Empire, but even during the last ten years of a long-settled rule. To characterize that rule, it suffices to say that torture formed an organic institution of its financial policy. There is something in human history like retribution: and it is a rule of historical retribution that its instrument be forged not by the offended, but by the offender himself. K. Marx, (The Indian Revolt) Do we support Hamas? Our enemies will say: then you support Hamas. To this accusation we will answer: we have never supported Hamas. We do not share its ideology, nor do we condone the methods it uses. We are communists and have our own ideas, programme and methods, based on the class struggle between rich and poor, oppressors and oppressed. It is this that determines our attitude in every case. But our differences with Hamas, though fundamental, are not nearly so fundamental as the differences that separate us from US imperialism the most reactionary force on the planet and its accomplices in crime, the Israeli ruling class. Our critics will ask: do you agree with the killing of so many innocent civilians? We will answer that we have never advocated such things. Nor do we condone them. Our first task, to quote Spinoza, is neither to weep nor laugh, but understand. Moral considerations are utterly useless to explain anything. In order to understand what is happening, it is necessary to pose the question in a different way: what was it that led to Hamas attack? Can it be separated from the decades of oppression, violence and occupation of Palestine by the reactionary state of Israel? Of course not. Israel is a powerful and wealthy state that has for decades been dispossessing and oppressing the Palestinians by a combination of brute force and economic muscle. And we must also see the chain of events that have led directly to the present situation. It did not drop from a clear blue sky, as we are asked to believe. Betrayal The imperialists promised the Palestinians justice if only they would wait a little longer. But they have waited and waited and the only result has been further destruction of their homeland and further loss of rights. When the patience of the oppressed is exhausted, sooner or later, they will lash out against their oppressor. In such moments, excesses and brutality will inevitably be committed. That is naturally to be regretted. But who is really responsible? If a man or woman commits a cold-blooded murder, that is undoubtedly a crime and is punished as such. But if a woman is subjected to savage brutality for many years by her husband and one day turns against her tormentor and kills him, most people would say that the circumstance that led to her actions should be taken into account. Let us return to the present case. In the weeks before the explosion, constant provocations were perpetrated by Jewish religious fanatics. They stormed the compound of the Al-Aqsa mosque one of the holiest places in the Islamic world. They were acting under police and military protection. Provocation Under these conditions, no one can really be surprised that the Palestinians are fighting back / Image: Tasnim News Agency, Wikimedia Commons Netanyahu is in an alliance with the Zionist far right, some of whom are openly fascists. Their stated aim is to provoke a new Nakba that is to say, to physically remove the Palestinians from the land they live in now, starting in Jerusalem and the West Bank. This policy is not new, but it has escalated in the recent months. Settlers, imported mainly from the US and recruited among the most extreme of religious fundamentalists, have built settlements in the West Bank. These are connected by a network of militarily-defended roads, which dissect the territory formally under the control of the Palestinian territory. The reactionary settlers feel emboldened and protected by the ultra-nationalist Israeli government. Armed gangs of religious zealot settlers have been conducting pogroms against Palestinians with the open or covert support of the Israeli army and police. These land grabs are supposed to be illegal under international law. But all the pious resolutions passed by the UN in a meaningless ritual have done nothing to stop these criminal acts. Under these conditions, no one can really be surprised that the Palestinians are fighting back. Oppressed people have the right to resist. Hypocrites will argue that both sides are to blame because both have used violence. Formally, this statement is true. But its content is fundamentally false. The violence of one cannot be equated with the violence of the other. There is absolutely no equivalence between the two sides. On the one hand, we have a modern advanced capitalist country, equipped with nuclear weapons, fighter jets armed with powerful missiles, advanced technology and surveillance equipment, which counts on the full material and financial support of the worlds most powerful imperialist country. On the other hand, we have the oppressed Palestinians, fighting with whatever weapons they can get their hands on To be surprised by recent events is actually extremely foolish. Given these circumstances, some kind of an explosion was absolutely inevitable, although the time and content of it could not be foreseen even by the Israeli secret services. Israel humiliated It is necessary to approach war on its own terms, and not introduce extraneous considerations that are quite alien to it. What has caused fury in the Israeli ruling class is not the amount of people who have lost their lives. Their concerns are purely of a practical nature. From a merely military point of view, the attack was a success. The unexpected Blitzkrieg caught the much-vaunted Israeli intelligence services completely by surprise. Well-armed groups of commandos penetrated Israels defences, breaking through what was supposed to be an impregnable line and inflicting severe losses on Israeli forces. The unexpected Blitzkrieg caught the much-vaunted Israeli intelligence services completely by surprise / Image: public domain When this became known, it caused a wave of panic and fear in Israel, where the population had been lulled by the authorities in the belief that they were protected by an invulnerable line of defence. Overnight, peoples faith in the myth of invulnerability was shattered. This fact will have incalculable consequences for the future. By contrast, news of the attack was celebrated on the streets of many Arab capitals. The masses were encouraged by the fact that, at last, the mighty Israeli state had suffered a humiliating defeat. Compared to this fact, all other considerations seemed to be of secondary importance. Netanyahu feels supremely confident because he has the firm backing of US imperialism, which supplies Israel with endless quantities of dollars and deadly weapons. They have moved their embassy to Jerusalem a slap in the face of all Palestinians. President Trump took that provocative decision. But President Biden has not reversed it. He is anxious to secure the Jewish vote in next years election, as well as maintaining one of its few remaining unwavering allies in the region. Peaceful or violent? Our enemies very often confront us with the question: are you in favour of violence? They might as well ask us if we are in favour of bubonic plague, since it is just as empty of real content. There are questions that answer themselves, and these are precisely of that kind. But merely to answer in the negative is quite useless. One would have to explain the concrete circumstances in which violence is employed: for what purpose? And in whose interest? Without such information, it is really impossible to provide an accurate answer. That is the case in every conflict, and it is also the case now. Many on the left (as usual) confine themselves to decrying violence in general, calling for a peaceful settlement through negotiations and the intervention of international institutions. But this is a lie and a deception. For 75 years, there have been endless negotiations and talks and that has not advanced the cause of Palestinian freedom one inch. For decades the so-called United Nations have passed resolutions condemning the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories in 1967, but nothing has changed. In fact, the situation has become far worse. The current escalation of the conflict is actually the result of the complete failure of the Oslo Accords. The idea of establishing a Palestinian statelet next to Israel on a capitalist basis was doomed to fail, as we warned at the time. The aim of Israel was to outsource the policing of the Palestinians to the Palestinian National Authority, led by Fatah bourgeois nationalists who were completely demoralised and organically incapable of taking the Palestinian national liberation struggle forward. The last 30 years have revealed the abject failure of the two-state solution imposed by US imperialism and Israeli capitalism on the Palestinians. It is no wonder that in a recent opinion poll, 61 percent of Palestinians said that they were worse off than before Oslo, and 71 percent said that it had been a mistake to sign the agreement. Despite this, the hopeless left pacifists argue that Palestinians should only be using peaceful means of struggle. But when they tried to do this, what was the result? The 2018 march of return protest was carried out by unarmed civilians. The Israeli army used live ammunition killing hundreds and injuring over ten thousand, including children, women, journalists and medics. It is precisely this that has convinced the Palestinians that the only way forward is to meet violence with violence. One may regret this fact, but it is the only possible conclusion the Palestinians can be expected to draw. And that is 100 percent the responsibility of the Israeli state and its imperialist backers. According to the same poll 71 percent believe a two-state solution is no longer practical due to settlement expansion, 52 percent support dissolving the PA and 53 percent think armed struggle is the only way to break the deadlock. Imperialist plans in ruins Prior to the events of 7 October, a so-called normalisation process was underway: which basically means that Israel establishes normal diplomatic and economic relations with the Arab countries (notably Saudi Arabia), As a consequence, the Palestinian problem is declared as ended. This was highlighted by Netanyahus intervention at the UN General Assembly in September, where he showed a map of the region showing Israel and the countries with which it was normalising relations but the Israel in the map included the Golan Heights, Gaza and the West Bank, leaving Palestine completely out of the picture! This blatant cynicism showed the callous attitude, not just of Netanyahu and his reactionary gang, but also of the so-called imperialist democracies, which treat small nations as so much small change in their machinations. This monstrous carve-up was to be carried out behind the backs of the Palestinians. Their very existence is regarded as an irritating inconvenience. Their constant complaints can be safely disregarded, while the unpleasant, but necessary, task of keeping them in order can be entrusted to the jackboots of the Israeli armed forces. That was the theory. But life has an unfortunate habit of contradicting even the finest of theories. And this particular one had one gaping hole at its centre: it assumed that the Palestinians were so cowed, so utterly crushed, that they would not be capable of putting up a real fight. That assumption was smashed to smithereens on Saturday, 7 October. A number of sources have pointed the finger at Iran. Despite the denials of Tehran, this may be true. The skilful execution of the attack and the way it quickly penetrated Israels strong defences showed a degree of professionalism that can hardly be the work of Hamas on its own. As long as the Israeli state can rely upon the backing of the majority of the Jewish population, it will be very difficult to achieve its overthrow / Image: , Wikimedia Commons Moreover, Iran had a vested interest in its success. The immediate effect was to wreck Netanyahus plan to forge close relations with Saudi Arabia. The reactionary gang in Riyadh was quite prepared to sell out the Palestinians, striking a deal with Israel. But those plans which were naturally encouraged by the United States were wrecked. Mohammed bin Salman has pointedly refused to join the chorus of support for Israels right of self-defence. He would place the monarchy itself in danger if he dared to go against the feelings of the Saudi people, who will be fervent supporters of the Palestinians. The Guardian published an article, entitled: Hamas attack has abruptly altered the picture for Middle East diplomacy. These words put the matter very nicely. Patrick Wintour, the diplomatic editor of the Guardian writes: Iran wants to make it impossible for Saudi Arabia to strike a deal with Israel, while others in the region cannot afford mayhem in Gaza. That is correct. The Arab leaders cannot afford it because of the profoundly unsettling effects it has on the masses in their own countries. The threat of a revolt on the streets is ever present in the minds of the Arab ruling cliques, who have not forgotten the lesson of the mass uprisings known as the Arab Spring. This is a nightmare for the Arab rulers and Washington alike. But a new version of the Arab Revolution is the only hope for a lasting solution to the Palestinian question. The oppressed people of Palestine must place no trust in the promises of foreign governments. Their only interest is to make empty declarations of support for the Palestinians, to create for themselves an image of solidarity with the oppressed that is false to the core. It goes without saying that the promises of the imperialists are entirely worthless, as are the fictitious resolutions routinely passed by the so-called United Nations. The Palestinian people can only free themselves through their own efforts. And the only reliable allies they can count upon are the workers and peasants in the region and across the world who are oppressed and exploited as they themselves are. Israel on a dangerous path There is one other factor that cannot be ignored. As long as the Israeli state can rely upon the backing of the majority of the Jewish population, it will be very difficult to achieve its overthrow. Only by dividing the state of Israel along class lines will this be a viable proposition. Under present circumstances, this seems to be an unlikely variant. This is, in part, due to the extreme limitations of the ideology and methods of Hamas, which convinces many Israeli citizens that their lives are threatened by the Palestinian terrorists. Unfortunately, the recent assault and the killing of civilians has convinced many Israelis that the only solution is to rally to the government. This has been encouraged by the scandalous conduct of the so-called opposition, which has immediately dropped all its objections to the reactionary policies of the Netanyahu government and hastened to offer entering a so-called government of national unity. This is a disastrous line of action. The people of Israel must ask themselves the following question: how can it happen that after so many years of conflict, so many wars, and so many military victories they now feel more insecure than at any time since the founding of the State of Israel? All the elaborate measures allegedly designed to guarantee their safety, in the moment of truth, have counted for nothing. It is true that Israel, with its colossal military strength and superior firepower, can easily defeat Hamas in military terms. However, a ground invasion of Gaza, with its narrow streets, myriad of tunnels, and a hostile and embittered population, will not be accomplished without serious loss of life on both sides. And after Gaza has been reduced to a heap of rubble, what then? You do not have enough forces to occupy and hold down a hostile population of 2.3 million people for an indefinite period of time. Sooner or later, new explosions and bloodshed will occur. And matters do not end there. The oppression of the Palestinians serves to inflame feelings across the Arab world. The attempts to forge relations with Saudi Arabia now lie in ashes. Israel now finds itself more isolated than ever before. Surrounded by millions of enemies on all sides, the outlook for Israel is grim indeed. And the recent bloodbath constitutes a serious warning of even worse to come, unless something fundamental changes in Israel itself. Marx pointed out long ago that no nation can ever be free as long as it oppresses and subjugates another nation: It is the special task of the Central Council in London to make the English workers realise that for them the national emancipation of Ireland is not a question of abstract justice or humanitarian sentiment but the first condition of their own social emancipation. (Marx to Sigfrid Meyer and August Vogt, 1870) At present, the voice of reason in Israel is being silenced by the ravenous roar of the counter-revolution. But those who advocate uniting with the reactionary forces of Netanyahu and the ultra-religious zealots, are driving Israel directly towards the abyss. What now? For many years, the Palestinian masses have shown over and over again their selflessness, courage and their willingness to fight. The problem is that they have not had a leadership that is equal to the task. After so many decades of sell outs and broken promises, the patience of the Palestinians is now exhausted. To the militant Palestinian youth who wish to fight against the powerful Israeli state, the rockets of Hamas seem to provide some kind of an answer. This belief has received a powerful boost as a result of recent events. There can be no doubt that the success of Hamas, in breaking through the Israeli defences, that were said to be inviolable, and striking blows against Israel, has been seen as a victory by many in the Arab world, who longed to see Israel humbled. To the militant Palestinian youth who wish to fight against the powerful Israeli state, the rockets of Hamas seem to provide some kind of an answer / Image: Whewes, Wikimedia Commons In the short-term, this will enormously increase the prestige of Hamas. But in the longer term, the limitations of Hamas success will become only too evident. The military balance of forces is overwhelmingly in favour of Israel. The militant youth have concluded that the only way forward is not through talks but through revolutionary struggle. That involves mass action, mass strikes and yes, in the final analysis, the fight against the state of Israel must mean armed self-defence and armed struggle. However, it is important not to lose a sense of proportion. The revolutionary struggle of the Palestinian masses, as long as it remains isolated, will not be enough to defeat the might of the Israeli state. That will require the combined efforts of a mass revolutionary movement throughout the Middle East. But a huge obstacle stands in the way: the reactionary bourgeois Arab regimes support the Palestinian cause in words only, but at every juncture are ready to betray the Palestinians and make a deal with imperialism. Only through the overthrow of these corrupt regimes can the way be open for the victory of the socialist revolution in the Middle East the prior condition for the liberation of Palestine. In the last analysis, only the establishment of a united front between the people of Palestine and the working class and progressive layers of Israeli society will create the possibility of dividing the Israeli state on class lines, opening the way for a lasting and democratic settlement of the Palestinian question. This will be a byproduct of the Arab revolution, which can only succeed if it is carried out to the end. The overthrow of corrupt regimes is only half a solution. The genuine liberation of the people can only be achieved through the expropriation of the landlords, bankers and capitalists. Socialist revolution the only solution! For too long the Middle East, with its colossal potential, natural resources and huge untapped pool of surplus labour power and educated young people has been balkanised a heritage of colonialism that divided the region into small states that could be easily dominated and exploited. This poisonous heritage has been a breeding ground for endless wars, national and religious hatred and other destructive forces. The Palestinian question is only the most evident and monstrous expression of this fact. Workers have no interest in conquering foreign territory or holding other people in a state of subjugation. When power is in the hands of the working people, all the problems facing the Arab world can be resolved peacefully, democratically, by agreement. Under a democratic socialist federation, it would be possible to establish fraternal relations between the peoples Arab and Jew, Sunni and Shia, Kurds and Armenians, Druses and Copts. The way would finally be open for a lasting and democratic settlement of the Palestinian question. There is enough land to create a genuinely autonomous, viable and prosperous Palestinian state, with full autonomy for both Arabs and Jews, along the lines of the Soviet Republics that were established by the Bolsheviks after the October Revolution. Small-minded people will say that this is a utopia. But the same people have always maintained that socialism is a utopia. These self-styled realists cling stubbornly to the status quo, which they say is the only reality possible merely on the grounds that it happens to exist. According to this bankrupt theory, revolution is impossible. But all that exists deserves to perish. And all history tells us that revolutions are not only possible, but inevitable. The capitalist system is rotten to the core. Its foundations are crumbling and it is tottering before a fall. All that is required is that it should be given a good push. And it is not at all discounted that this can come from a new uprising in the Arab world. This is the only way forward for the peoples of the Middle East. The Palestinian revolution will triumph as an integral part of the socialist revolution, or it will not triumph at all. London, 11 October 2023 Google heeft versie 118 van zijn webbrowser Chrome uitgebracht. Google Chrome is beschikbaar voor Windows, Linux en macOS. Er zijn ook versies voor Android en iOS, maar die volgen een iets ander releaseschema. In versie 118 heeft Google diverse verbeteringen met betrekking tot de beveiliging aangebracht. Zo staat Encrypted Client Hello nu standaard aan en kan Google extensies uitschakelen die niet via de Chrome Web Store zijn geinstalleerd. Meer informatie over de veranderingen die in deze uitgave zijn aangebracht, naast de gebruikelijke bug- en securityfixes, kan bij GHacks worden gevonden. Google informs users on the official Chrome Releases blog that it has patched 20 unique security issues in the Chrome web browser. 14 of those are listed on the page, the remaining six were discovered internally. The main issue is CVE-2023-5218. It is a critical security issue, an use after free in Site Isolation. The remaining publicly disclosed vulnerabilities have a severity rating of medium or low. They address additional use after free and heap buffer overflow issues, as well as "inappropriate implementations". Chrome 118 is the first stable version of Google's web browser with Encrypted Client Hello support. Google introduced support in Chrome Canary back in 2022 and has been working on the feature since. Without going into too many details, Encrypted Client Hello protects the domain name from being leaked to network operators when users open sites and services in the browser. It improves privacy as a consequence, as network operators such as the ISP, do not know anymore which sites a user accesses. One effect of this is that DNS-based blocking is no longer working, provided that the site and server in question support the new technology. Mozilla introduced support for Encrypted Client Hello in Firefox 118 and most Chromium-based browsers will support the feature soon. Another security feature gives Google the ability to disable extensions remotely that were not installed from the Chrome Web Store. Enhanced Safe Browsing needs to be enabled in Chrome for this to work and Google claims that it will use the feature only to disable malicious extensions. The disabling may happen manually or through automated detection systems according to Google. Another Enhanced Safe Browsing change improves the deep scanning functionality. Chrome 118 users may now be prompted to provide the password for an archive file to allow Safe Browsing to analyze it. Chrome is now also collecting "telemetry information about chrome.tabs API calls made by extensions" if Enhanced Safe Browsing is enabled. The information is analyzed on Google servers to improve the "detection of malicious and policy violating extensions". Lola Abiodun was named Employee of the Month for August 2023 at Mallard Court Care Home, Bridlington. (Photo: Mallard Court) Ms Abiodun is a trained nurse from her home country Nigeria. She joined Mallard Court Care Home in Bridlington as a senior carer in June. Mallard Court is also pleased to announce that Ms Abiodun has passed the United Kingdom exam for Nursing and Midwifery. Ms Abiodun was nominated by residents, colleagues and residents relatives, who felt she deserved extra recognition for her amazing work. She was also congratulated by the homes General Manager Dianne Peters for the achievement of Employee of the Month, and was presented with a 25 voucher as a special thank you. Dianne Peters, General Manager at Mallard Court, said: Im delighted to have such a caring and talented individual working as part of our team. I hope this Employee of the Month award goes some way towards showing how much Lolas hard work is valued. We are really proud of the way she has settled in at Mallard Court and has become a key member of the Mallard Court team Ms Abiodun said: Thank you for nominating me for this award, Im so proud Visit https://www.barchester.com/home/mallard-court-care-home for more information. Image of people at a pro-'Palestinian resistance' rally called by the IRSP in west Belfast on Tuesday night (Divis tower is in the background) The IRSP protest was held at the International Wall on the Falls Road in west Belfast, a long stretch of peace line which is covered on the republican side with messages of support for POWs, dissidents, and overseas causes including that of the Palestinians. The rally took place on Tuesday night. A young man at the IRSP protest on the Falls Road (Photo: /) A video posted online by the IRSP shows an unnamed young man acknowledging the brutality of the Hamas attack, adding that it had come about in response to brutality from Israel. He said: The Palestinian people have stood with us in solidarity throughout our struggle. We will always stand with them. The IRSP is linked to the INLA, and in the recent days has been commemorating the anniversary of the death of its founder Seamus Costello, with one IRSP member Michael Kelly telling a colour party rally in Dublin that he was one of the finest sons Ireland has ever produced for the cause of freedom. Costello was chief-of-staff of the INLA and was killed in Dublin in 1977; one of his plans for the movement had been to funnel arms into Ireland from Maoist China. The minute's silence for 'the Palestinian resistance' in Dublin on Saturday (Photo: /) At that Dublin vigil for Costello on Saturday, a minutes silence was held for the freedom fighters who are dying in Palestine fighting the Zionist presence there. Miss Portugal and Miss Netherlands are the first two trans women confirmed for Miss Universe 2023 (Credit: Instagram) There will be at least two trans women competing for the crown of Miss Universe 2023, as both Miss Portugal and Miss Netherlands head to the ceremony not only representing their country but also representing the trans community - despite Miss Netherlands getting some backlash after her win, and her fantastic rebuke to her haters. Miss Universe first allowed transgender women to compete in 2012, with Angela Ponce, from Spain, becoming the first to enter six years later. However, the organiser of Miss Italy had been criticised for not allowing trans women to take part, with patron Patrizia Mirigliani insisting in July that contestants should be women from birth. That stance may need to change however, given that Miss Universe changed hands when former owner Donald Trump sold the franchise to Thai businesswoman and trans advocate Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip (also known as Ann JKN) in 2019; Jakrajutatip herself is a trans woman, and now responsible for one of the worlds most revered beauty contests. From now on, its gonna be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism, she said. [On] this stage, called [the] Miss Universe competition, we can elevate all women to feel strong enough, good enough, qualified enough. Who are the trans women competing in Miss Universe 2023? Machete earned her place in the 2023 edition of Miss Universe by virtue of becoming Miss Portugal earlier this year - and with it, the first trans woman to win the contest. A 28-year-old flight attendant from Palmela in Setubal, Marina Machete expressed her pride in becoming the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Portugal. For many years I wasnt eligible to compete, and now its such an honour to be part of this incredible group of candidates, she wrote on Instagram after her win. Another trailblazer for trans women wishing to compete in Miss Universe, Rikkie Valerie Kolle made history as the first trans woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands. Hailing from Breda in the south of the Netherlands, Rikkie overcame backlash following her win and used the opportunity to advocate for trans rights and raise awareness about the challenges faced by the transgender community, including long waiting lists for gender-affirming care. Story continues The only thing I want to say to the haters is: thank you, because youre giving me a bigger platform than I [could] ever imagine, she admitted in the face of the backlash. I want to speak up for the trans people who need it. As a little kid I didnt have someone to look up to, I want to be that role model and inspiration for others. She might also be a familiar face to some - Kolle was featured in the 11th season of Hollands Next Top Model. When is Miss Universe 2023 taking place? Miss Universe 2023 will be held at the National Gymnasium in San Salvador, El Salvador on 18 November 2023, with an English-language stream featuring exclusively on The Roku Channel. MILAN (Reuters) - A major union on Wednesday cut its vehicle production forecast for Stellantis in Italy this year, citing a market slowdown in recent weeks. The FIM Cisl union, presenting Stellantis' Italian output data for January-September, said it now expected the company to produce around 730,000 vehicles in Italy this year. That is up 6.4% on 2022, but below the 800,000 vehicle forecast that FIM Cisl made three months ago when it presented Stellantis' Italian production data for the fist half. Stellantis declined to comment. Fim Cisl official Ferdinando Uliano said the lower forecast reflected a general market slowdown in recent months. "It's affecting all models produced in Italy, especially the fully electric 500," he said, adding another cause was buyers delaying purchases while waiting for new government incentives. In response to weaker demand, Stellantis has confirmed it will halt from late October to early November its Mirafiori plant in Turin, where the 500 BEV small car and Maserati models are assembled. Last year Stellantis produced 686,000 vehicles in Italy, comprising 480,000 passenger cars and 206,000 vans. The Italian government is aiming to agree a long term plan for its automotive industry with Fiat-maker Stellantis, the country's sole major automaker, and other groups. As part of the talks, Rome is pushing for the group to bring its annual production in Italy back to one million vehicles, a threshold Stellantis last topped in 2017. But there is confusion over the goal as Stellantis normally refers to one million vehicles, including vans, while Industry Minister Adolfo Urso repeatedly spoke about one million cars. Uliano said a target of one million passenger cars in Italy would mean doubling current output. "It sounds a very ambitious target. It would require a plan by Stellantis to assign many models to its Italian factories, which I don't see at the moment," he said. (Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Gavin Jones and Mark Potter) Its not just X/Twitter: The European Union also has put Meta on notice about the urgent need to address a flood of misinformation about the Israel-Hamas conflict to remain in compliance with the EUs Digital Services Act. In an Oct. 11 letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, European Union commissioner Thierry Breton did not specifically accuse Meta of hosting illegal content and disinformation on its platforms, but he asked the CEO to be very vigilant to ensure strict compliance with the DSA rules on terms of service, on the requirement of timely, diligent and objective action following notices of illegal content in the EU, and on the need for proportionate and effective mitigation measures. He set a 24-hour deadline for Meta to respond to the request. More from Variety Asked for comment, a Meta spokesperson said in a statement: After the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel on Saturday, we quickly established a special operations center staffed with experts, including fluent Hebrew and Arabic speakers, to closely monitor and respond to this rapidly evolving situation. Our teams are working around the clock to keep our platforms safe, take action on content that violates our policies or local law, and coordinate with third-party fact checkers in the region to limit the spread of misinformation. Well continue this work as this conflict unfolds. In addition, Breton told Zuckerberg that we have also been made aware of reports of a significant number of deepfakes and manipulated content which circulated on your platforms and a few still appear online ahead of recent elections in Slovakia. I remind you that the DSA requires that the risk of amplification of fake and manipulated images and facts generated with the intention to influence elections is taken extremely seriously in the context of mitigation measures, Breton wrote. Story continues According to Breton, regarding the issue of election disinformation, I personally raised your attention when we met in San Francisco in June to the fact that Meta would need to pay particular attention to this issue in order to comply with the DSA, and the topic was covered extensively in the stress test carried out by our teams in July. I remind you that following the opening of a potential investigation and a finding of non-compliance, penalties can be imposed, Breton said in the letter. On the issue of election misinformation, the Meta rep said the companys fact-checking partners covering Slovakia were actively debunking false claims relating to the elections circulating online. Our Community Standards apply to all content, regardless of whether it is created by AI or a person, and we will take action against content that violates these policies, the Meta spokesperson said. AI-generated content is also eligible to be fact-checked by our independent fact-checking partners. When content is fact-checked, we label it and down-rank it in feed, so fewer people see it. Bretons saber-rattling toward Meta comes a day after he delivered a similar warning to Elon Musk over illegal content and disinformation about the Israel-Hamas war on X (aka Twitter), also giving Musk 24 hours to respond. Breton posted a copy of the letter to Zuckerberg on social media. The #DSA is here to protect free speech against arbitrary decisions, and at the same time protect our citizens & democracies. My requests to #Metas Mark Zuckerberg following the terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel and on tackling disinformation in elections in the EU pic.twitter.com/RnetUriRJX Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 11, 2023 Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Israeli army has called up 300,000 reservists for its "Swords of Iron" campaign and massed tanks and other heavy armour near Gaza (Jack GUEZ) The death toll from five days of ferocious fighting between Hamas and Israel rose sharply overnight as Israel kept up its bombardment of Gaza Wednesday after recovering the dead from the last communities near the border where Palestinian militants had been holed up. In Israel, the death toll from Saturday's shock cross-border assault by Hamas militants rose to 1,200, making it the deadliest attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials reported more than 900 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. Hamas said two of its top officials had been killed, while Israel's military said the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas infiltrators had been found. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israel's military response to Saturday's attack is only the start of a sustained war to destroy the Islamist group and "change the Middle East". Fears of a regional conflagration have surged ahead of an expected Israeli ground incursion into Gaza. At least 30 people were killed and hundreds wounded as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with hundreds of air strikes overnight, a Hamas government official said Wednesday. The strikes destroyed several buildings of the Hamas-linked Islamic University in Gaza City, a university official said. The Israeli military confirmed it had hit dozens of Hamas targets during the night. It said fighter jets destroyed "advanced detection systems" that Hamas used to spot military aircraft. They also hit 80 Hamas targets in the Beit Hanoun area of the northeastern Gaza Strip, including two bank branches used by the Islamist group to "fund terrorism" in the enclave, the military said. In response to Saturday's attack, Israel imposed a "total siege" on Gaza, suspending supplies of food, water, electricity and fuel to the already blockaded enclave. Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, is threatening to execute hostages kidnapped in Israel, including young people captured during a music festival where around 270 died. Story continues - 'Discovering bodies' - Israel has been left reeling by Hamas's unprecedented ground, air and sea assault, likening it to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. In announcing Israel's latest death toll on Wednesday morning, army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said the figure was rising not because of the ongoing fighting, but because "we are discovering bodies of dead Israelis in the various communities that Hamas infiltrated and where they conducted their massacres". During Saturday's attack, Hamas gunmen killed more than 100 people in the kibbutz of Beeri alone, said Moti Bukjin, a volunteer with the charity Zaka. US President Joe Biden condemned the Hamas attacks as "sheer evil", and Netanyahu said the militants committed "savagery never seen since the Holocaust", including the beheading of soldiers. Condemnation from Western leaders contrasted with some pro-Palestinian demonstrations in support of "resistance" to Israel. "My entire life, I have seen Israel kill us, confiscate our lands and arrest our children," said Farah al-Saadi, 52, a coffee vendor from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank who praised the Hamas assault. The Israeli army has called up 300,000 reservists and massed tanks and other heavy armour both near Gaza and on the northern border with Lebanon. The military said its forces had dislodged holdout Hamas fighters from more than a dozen communities near the border and were largely back in control. But late Tuesday, in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, troops backed by helicopters and drones exchanged fire with several militants, leaving three fighters dead, the army said. "Around 1,500 bodies of Hamas (fighters) have been found in Israel around the Gaza Strip," army spokesman Richard Hecht said earlier. - 'Blackmail' - In a speech on Tuesday, Biden confirmed at least 14 Americans were killed, and others were missing. The US has sent an aircraft carrier and other warships to the eastern Mediterranean as part of efforts to deter any expansion of the conflict, and is also providing other assistance, including sharing intelligence with Israel. Relatives of Americans believed held in Gaza called on the Biden administration to bring them home safely. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Israel on Thursday. Many other nations have reported citizens killed, abducted or missing, including Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Ukraine. On Monday, Hamas warned it would start killing its hostages every time Israel launches a strike on a civilian target in Gaza without warning. French President Emmanuel Macron called the threat "unacceptable blackmail." Israeli munitions have continued to hammer Gaza, a densely populated territory of about 2.3 million people. Hamas said the strikes killed two of its senior figures: Zakaria Muammar led its economics section, and Jawad Abu Shamala coordinated ties with other Palestinian factions. Eight Palestinian journalists have also been killed in the strikes, according to media unions and officials. The United Nations said more than 263,000 people had been displaced inside Gaza, most taking shelter in UN schools. White smoke billowed from among fishing boats after an air strike on Gaza's port, and in Jerusalem the deserted streets were targeted by Hamas rocket fire. "Israeli people they are scared of the Arabs and the Arabs are scared of the Jews... everybody is scared of each other," said Ahmed Karkash, a shopkeeper in the Old City. In Gaza City, streets are clogged with rubble and littered with shards of glass. Mazen Mohammad and his family slept on the ground floor of their apartment block, huddling together as explosions rang out around them. What they woke up to the next day was unrecognisable. "We felt like we were in a ghost town, as if we were the only survivors," Mohammad, 38, told AFP. After Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza, European Union foreign ministers called for humanitarian corridors for those trying to flee. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said such sieges are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Medical supplies, including oxygen, were running low at Gaza's overwhelmed Al-Shifa hospital, said Mohammed Ghonim, a doctor in the emergency room. - Taken 'by surprise' - Soldiers who were on guard duty along the hi-tech security barrier around Gaza recounted how Hamas's attack began with an effort to cripple observation cameras and communications. "They took us by surprise and we weren't ready for it," a lookout soldier said in testimony posted on Instagram. Israel faced the threat of a multi-front war after three days of clashes with militants on the northern border with Lebanon. For the first time since the Hamas attack, there was an exchange of fire between Israel and forces in Syria, after Israel's military said munitions were fired towards the Golan Heights it has occupied since 1967. On Tuesday, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades claimed a fresh salvo of rocket fire from Lebanon towards Israel, the Israeli army said, adding it retaliated with artillery fire. "It's like a state of war," said Yaakov Regev, sipping coffee at a petrol station in northern Israel, a few kilometres (couple of miles) from the Lebanon border. Unrest has also surged in the West Bank, where 15 Palestinians have been killed since Saturday. Netanyahu, the veteran leader at the helm of Israel's hard-right coalition, has called for an "emergency government of national unity" after his administration's proposal for judicial reforms split the nation. burs-jd/it/hkb/lb/leg Kevin Costner as John Dutton in "Yellowstone." Paramount Network The Washington Post reported not all Montana residents were pleased with "Yellowstone." A Bozeman rancher told the publication that "the show has given our ranchers a bad name." That's because the ranching family on the show often resort to violence to solve their problems. "Yellowstone" might be fueling Montana's tourism boom, but not all residents of the Big Sky State said they were pleased with the depiction of their home on screen in a report from the Washington Post. As the most-watched scripted series in America, it's hardly a surprise that fans have been flocking to Montana, the location of the fictional Dutton ranch, to get a taste of the cowboy life for themselves. A University of Montana study found more than two million visitors were inspired to visit the state (and spent about $730 million once there) after watching the series, led by Kevin Costner, that follows the dysfunctional Dutton family. But one local the Washington Post spoke to said "Yellowstone" was negatively impacting the general public's view of modern-day ranchers who work and live in Montana. Mark Greeno, a rancher at Nine Quarter Circle Ranch, said, "The show has given our ranchers a bad name." The outlet reported that the show's depiction of widespread and deeply-rooted violence and corruption didn't ring true to Greeno, who had spent the last six years at the Bozeman ranch with his wife. In "Yellowstone" which its co-creator Taylor Sheridan previously described as "'The Godfather' on the largest ranch in Montana" in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter acts of violence feature in almost every episode. "Yellowstone" centers on the dysfunctional Dutton family who often resort to violence to solve their problems. Paramount Network Enemies of the Dutton family, including money-hungry real-estate developers, rival cowboys from other ranches, and family members, have all found themselves unceremoniously disposed of at the "train station," a Dutton code word for a roadside ditch a few miles over the Wyoming border (which was inspired by Montana's own 50-square-mile legal loophole). Story continues Elsewhere, other residents criticized the show for romanticizing Montana by not depicting the state all year round. "One thing I've noticed is that 'Yellowstone' was only shot in the summer, so people are blown away that it's cold, that the wind blows up here. It looks like it's 80 degrees and perfect temperatures in 'Yellowstone,'" Nathan St. Goddard, a Blackfeet tribal member and local business owner, told the publication. Hillary Folkvord, a native of Three Forks, added: "They're not showing the hard days when it's below zero and the calves are frozen." Folkvord added, however, that she believed "Yellowstone" had "been good for" Montana. "It shows how beautiful Montana is. And we hope to preserve that as stewards. That's really important to us," Folkvord said. Read the original article on Insider Penny Lancaster has revealed she suffered a knee injury while she on tour with her husband, Sir Rod Stewart. The 52-year-old former model said she has a torn meniscus, which was aggravated by activity while in Brazil with the singer. She was spotted on crutches while attending the launch of Geri Halliwell-Horners book Rosie Frost And The Falcon Queen at the Tower of London on Tuesday night. Penny Lancaster on crutches at the launch of Geri Halliwell-Horners book Rosie Frost And The Falcon Queen at the Tower of London (Yui Mok/PA) Lancaster told the PA news agency she had an initial torn meniscus which has affected the bone above her knee due to activity while away on tour with Sir Rod in Brazil. Her representative added: The cause of the injury is not known, nor at this stage, is the treatment. This will be decided at a later date. They also clarified that the injury was not connected with her activities as a special constable for City of London Police. Lancaster began volunteering with the force after appearing in Channel 4 show Famous And Fighting Crime, in which celebrities swapped their day jobs with those of emergency service professionals. She later completed her training to become a special constable in April 2021. In September 2022, Lancaster took to the streets of central London as part of the force policing the Queens funeral procession. (REUTERS) Britain warned Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that the West will not be distracted from its steadfast support for Ukraine by the atrocities committed in Israel. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stressed it would be a massive mistake for the Russian president to believe that the horrors in the Middle East meant he would get a free hand to pursue his war which has cost the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainians and Russians. Im actually in Brussels today to meet with about 50 countries all of who sit full square behind Ukraine, he told GB News. One of the things we are very determined to do today is ensure that not withstanding problems elsewhere in the world, and of course this horrific terrorism in Israel, we will not lose sight of and will not be forgetting what is happening right here in Europe. It would be a massive mistake for Putin to imagine for one moment that the worlds attention is in any way distracted and that should somehow give him a free hand. Mr Shapps announced that a British-led group of European countries will provide Ukraine with a 100 million pound ($122.70 million) package to support its armed forces including equipment to clear minefields. Britains defence ministry on Wednesday said Ukraine was now the most mined country on earth, which had become an obstacle in its counter-offensive this year, and that mine clearing capabilities were essential to help it push forward. The package will be provided using money from the International Fund for Ukraine - a group of countries including Britain, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. Mr Shapps was attending his first NATO-Ukraine Council, where he is expected to discuss the Israel-Gaza crisis and reported damage to undersea infrastructure between Finland and Estonia. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky was in Belgium, local news agency Belga reported, where NATO defence ministers will discuss issues of concern beyond the war in Ukraine, including damage to a subsea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable linking NATO members Finland and Estonia reported on Tuesday. Sea ice in Antarctica has been declining rapidly in recent years (MARIO TAMA) Members of a multinational group on Antarctic conservation must end a years-long deadlock and agree on new marine reserves in the region as sea-ice shrinks to record lows, the WWF urged Wednesday. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources begins a fortnight of meetings in Australia next week, with the creation of three new protected marine areas once again on the table. The areas were first proposed in 2010, before being scaled down in 2017, in an attempt to win more support. But their creation has persistently been blocked by China and Russia, including most recently at the commission's June meeting in Chile. Environmental NGO WWF called Wednesday for the commission to finally act, given the record low levels of sea-ice in the region and evidence of "mass deaths of vulnerable species." The protected areas "would limit human activity, particularly fishing, in the critical habitats these species need to recover and develop resilience to a changing environment," said Emily Grilly, WWF Antarctic conservation manager. "We can't stop all the effects of climate change in the short term, but we can take the pressure off in other ways." The bid to create the sanctuaries around Antarctica would safeguard nearly four million square kilometres (1.5 million square miles) of ocean from human activities. It would be the largest act of ocean protection in history, WWF said. But there has historically been little appetite for the project from Beijing and Moscow, who have expressed concerns about compliance issues and fishing rights. Last month, sea ice around Antarctica hit its lowest winter levels since records began 45 years ago, the US National Snow and Ice Data Center said. The measurement was preliminary, as continued winter conditions could cause additional ice formation, but it correlates with a trend of declining ice seen since August 2016. There is debate among scientists over the cause of the shift, with some reluctant to establish a formal link with global warming. Story continues Climate models have struggled in the past to predict changes in the Antarctic ice pack. The effect on wildlife in the region is already clear, however, with scientists in August reporting a "catastrophic breeding failure" of emperor penguins as sea ice gave way beneath fledgling chicks. Thousands of baby penguins are believed to have died, with all but one of five sites monitored by scientists experiencing 100 percent loss. sah/ssy The adventurer and author Jordan Wylie said attempting to paddleboard around Britain has been his toughest expedition, after he was made an MBE at Windsor Castle. The former soldier told the PA news agency: Ive ran marathons in the coldest places on the planet like Antarctica to the most dangerous places like Iraq and Afghanistan, but I think trying to paddleboard around Great Britain was one of the toughest adventures both physically and mentally. He said having a sense of gratitude was what kept him going through such extreme expeditions. Jordan Wylie is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle (Jonathan Brady/PA) He added: I often think back to colleagues and comrades that I lost in the military in places like Iraq, people who never made it home. I think about loved ones who are no longer with us and that gives you a deep sense of gratitude to know that youre still here. Mr Wylie said he felt incredibly humble and grateful to be made an MBE and that it was an extra honour to have it presented by the Princess Royal, who was his Colonel-in-Chief when he served in the British Army. The national ambassador for the Army Cadet Force said he wanted to use his story to inspire young people. He added: I was a pretty naughty kid at school, I grew up on a rough council estate in Blackpool and didnt do too well in my education. Ive come a long way and I try my best to inspire lots of young people from challenging backgrounds. Mr Wylie, known for his appearances on the Channel 4 television shows Hunted and Celebrity Hunted, said that he has had his own struggles with mental health. He said: Ive talked openly about being diagnosed with severe depression and chronic anxiety. People need to open up, they need to talk to people, they need to get outside more, he added. I think, for me, running and exercise and adventure is the best medicine. And what I try to do in the Army Cadets is encourage a lot more of that for young people. SWNS A mum 'shunned by locals' in her tiny village because of her OnlyFans career says she's having the last laugh - as she has almost saved enough to leave. Laura Whyte, 30, previously claimed other women in Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire, had complained about her raunchy content - over fears their husbands might see. But Laura, a mum-of-two, refused to stop filming - and is now raking in more than 5,000-a-month, she says. She claims she is now in the top 1.5% of creators and fans have helped her save a deposit of nearly 60k in just two years, which she plans to use to leave Aberchirder. Laura hopes to build a property where she can house rescued animals - her dream - and build a studio she can rent out to other OnlyFans creators. She said: People say I have no money because Im still here, but thats not how it works I dont want to chuck away money. Weve got enough money for an extension on a two-bed but what we want is an acre of land as well and outbuildings as I'm planning on renovating one for a studio for myself. Id also rent it out to other OnlyFans creators, I think it would be quite different to offer a place to do content creation for a small fee And rescuing animals is what I want to do, its always been at the top of my list to do my wildlife courses and hopefully do wildlife rehabilitation and care for them if theyve been hurt. We're not in it for any fanciness or keeping up with Joneses or anything like that I've managed to add 30k to our deposit in just a year. Laura joined OnlyFans in September 2021 to boost her income. She says the money quickly started rolling in and now she has a dedicated following of subscribers who want to see her achieve her dream of owning a house. And she says big tippers have helped her get closer to her dream of owning a house. Despite neighbours in her village disapproving of her career choice - with some even allegedly threatening to phone the police - Laura says feels like shes providing for her family. She said: People assume because you're still here you're making nothing but thats not how you save money, youve got to build it up. Its just a less stressful life now, were not having to wake up worrying about how to get our next meal. When I was younger, we were living off 40-a-week. It was horrible. So now I have an appreciation for managing to achieve for my family. The most I've had tipped in a month was 1k from a man who just wanted to help me achieve the dream of owning a house. Ive got a fair few followers that have been there from when I first started, so I think they're excited as well." Leon Reece was found unresponsive on the festival grounds on Sept. 1 Julie Jammot/AFP via Getty Attendees respond to incoming rain at this year's Burning Man festival The cause of death for the 32-year-old man who died at Burning Man this year has been revealed. Leon Reece was found unresponsive in Nevada's Black Rock Desert on Sept. 1 around 6:24 p.m. local time as the area was inundated with rain, Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said in a statement at the time, per The Daily Beast, The New York Post and the Reno Gazette-Journal. In a statement shared with PEOPLE Wednesday, the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiners Office said the manner of Reeces death was an accident. His cause of death was acute cocaine, ethanol and 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine [also known as Ecstasy, MDMA or Molly] toxicity, per the medical examiners office. The confirmation comes after the regional medical examiners office shared that drug intoxication was the suspected cause of death, per the Post, NBC News and Fox affiliate KTTV. Related: Diplo and Chris Rock Hitch Ride Out of Burning Man on Pickup Truck After 'Walking 6 Miles Through Mud' The Pershing County Sheriffs Office received a distress call reporting an unresponsive male at the festival, which was plagued by heavy rains and muddy conditions this year, Allen said in a statement, according to the Post. Medical personnel were administering CPR, and by the time the Pershing County Sheriffs Office arrived, Reece was pronounced dead. "Due to the unusual rain event happening on the Playa, access to the area and investigative efforts were delayed," Allen said. This years festival faced serious setbacks as the Black Rock Desert area, where its annually held, received between two to three months worth of rain in just 24 hours between Sept. 1 and 2, CNN reported. Julie Jammot/AFP via Getty Attendees at this year's Burning Man festival walk through mud in the desert The festival attracts thousands of attendees every year. According to Travel Nevada, more than 70,000 people attend Burning Man annually. The festival website describes the event as a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance. Story continues As a result of the extreme rainfall, thousands of people were left stranded in the desert area. The event organizers urged people to conserve food, water and fuel and shelter in a warm, safe space as flooding interrupted the festival. Driving was not permitted, aside from emergency vehicles. 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. If you are in BRC, conserve food, water, and fuel, and shelter in a warm, safe space. More updates to come. Burning Man Traffic (@bmantraffic) September 2, 2023 Related: Princess Stephanie of Monaco's Daughter Escapes Burning Man as Rain Dampens Event: 'We're Out' First-time attendee Hannah Burhorn told CNN that the desert sand turned into a thick mud as a result of the excessive rain, making things even more complicated. Its unavoidable at this point, Burhorn said. Its in the bed of the truck, inside the truck. People have tried to bike through it and have gotten stuck because its about ankle deep. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Julie Jammot/AFP via Getty Attendees watching the burning of The Chapel of Babel, an annual event hosted at the Burning Man festival each year On Sept. 4, exodus operations began around 2 p.m. local time in the desert area, according to a festival update shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. A major standstill quickly developed as thousands of people attempted to leave the festival. By 9 p.m., the wait time to exit was 7 hours and climbing, the festival's official channels posted at the time. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Kelly Cornwell speaking on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, May 23. (Picture credit GMB) Charity medic Kevin Cornwell, 53, had been imprisoned by the Talibans secret police since January 11 after he was arrested at his hotel in Kabul. Mr Cornwell, a married father from Cleveleys, had been working in Afghanistan since last year as a lead operations manager for Iqarus, a British-based health firm which assists United Nations missions. He was arrested along with a number of other Britons including the man who was managing the guesthouse where he lived on the outskirts of the Afghan capital. Kevin, a married father from Cleveleys, was working in Afghanistan for Iqarus, a non-profit medical agency that works on United Nations missions to provide free healthcare to people in conflict zones (Photo: Blackpool Gazette) After being held for more than 260 days without charge in a secret prison, Mr Cornwell has been released and was expected to return to the UK on Tuesday (October 10). Three other British captives former para-trooper Ian Purchase, danger tourist Miles Routledge and another man the hotel owner who cannot be named for legal reasons were also released and are due to fly back to the UK. His wife Kelly, 48, made a number of media appearances appealing for his release including Good Morning Britain and told the Blackpool Gazette in April that she feared her husband might die in custody due to a deteriorating kidney condition. Kelly said she had last seen her husband on November 7 last year and he was due back on February 12, expecting to have surgery for a kidney condition that month. Kelly Cornwell had accused the UK Foreign Office of moving too slowly to secure the release of her husband Kevin, who was arrested in Afghanistan in January (Photo: Blackpool Gazette) She spoke of her horror and disbelief as her husband of 22 years remained imprisoned inside a Taliban prison basement 5,000 miles away. Mrs Cornwell said: "Imagine yourself, as a family, as a wife and mother and your husband is held in a country across the other side of the world by a foreign intelligence service. This man, who is the heart of our family, might die from the absence of medical treatment not because he committed a crime, but because he cared for people." You can read Mrs Cornwells heartbreaking interview with the Blackpool Gazette here. Cleveleys charity medic Kevin Cornwell, 53, was detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for 9 months after he was arrested at his hotel in Kabul on January 11, 2023 (Photo: Family handout/Presidium Network) Prior to his release, a desperate Mrs Cornwell said she was considering travelling to Afghanistan to make a direct plea to his captors for her husbands release. Story continues In the nine months he was taken prisoner, the Taliban had permitted Mr Cornwell only a handful of calls with his worried wife. When asked if her journey to Afghanistan was to seek Kevins release or to see him one last time, Kelly said: It's more the latter. I've got no control over this situation, I will never have any control over this situation. I have come to terms with the possibilities of what could happen, and if it's just one last time to see him... What happened? Why was he arrested? Afghan intelligence agents accused Mr Cornwell of being a British spy after a handgun, satellie phone and a cache of documents were discovered in a safe in his hotel room in Kabul. The General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) the Talibans intelligence, security, spy and secret police agency claimed that the phone was a signal jammer and the hundreds of pages of documents were top secret intelligence reports. They also claimed the handgun was illegal but his family said he had been granted a licence for the weapon which may have become separated from the firearm during the police search. Scott Richards, a negotiator from the Presidium Network charity who has been helping Mr Cornwells family negotiate his release, said the documents were standard risk assessments provided to charity staff working in high-risk areas. The satellite phone was also standard for those working in remote areas, added Mr Richards, who explained the phones are commonly used by charities working in places where telecommunications can be unreliable or non-existent. British Government apologises to Taliban The UK Government welcomed his release but said it regrets this episode and apologised to the Afghanistan regime for any violations of the laws of the country. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: On behalf of families of the British nationals, we express their apologies to the current administration of Afghanistan for any violations of the laws of the country. The UK Foreign Office said it advises all British people not to travel to Afghanistan after the country fell into the hands of the Taliban following the withdrawal of US troops in August 2021. Diplomatic relations between the UK and the Afghan regime collapsed in the wake of the withdrawal and Britain does not have any consular contact with the Taliban rulers. Foreign Office guidance states: "The security situation in Afghanistan remains extremely volatile. There is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attacks through Afghanistan, including around the airport. "There is a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in or around religious sites and during religious festivals, such as the month of Ramadan. Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous, and border crossings may not be open." Who is the founder of easyJet and its CEO? The men behind the airline explained. (Photo: NationalWorld/Kim Mogg/Getty Images) The budget airline easyJet has announced plans to order new aircraft and resume dividend payments to shareholders after it made a record profit this summer. The airline said it expects its profit before tax between July and September to be between 650 million and 670 million, while its profit before tax for the year to the end of September is expected to be between 440 million and 460 million. EasyJets chief executive Johan Lundgren said its positive performance shows that our strategy is achieving results and so it is setting out an ambitious roadmap to serve more customers and deliver attractive shareholder returns. It comes after the airline posted a record pretax profit of 203 million for its third quarter in July, above analysts forecasts. Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the airlines trends are encouraging but investors cant rule out disruption from air traffic control constraints due to strike action. Over the August bank holiday dozens of flights were hit by the failure of National Air Traffic Services (NATS), prompting Lundgren to say NATS had let down customers. Ms Lund-Yates said the extent of the damage to the bottom line here will be important to understand but shouldnt be seen as a long-term indicator of the groups health. Lundgren also warned about the potential impact of limited airspace availability and air traffic control strikes in Europe. In 2021 the airline struggled after its stock plunged by 70% to around 400p in the depths of the pandemic and new rivals creeped in including Wizz Air and Jet2. While in 2020 easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou said the company risked insolvency at the same time as his family accepted a 60 million dividend. Here we spotlight both the founder of easyJet and its current CEO - who they are and what their background is. Who is easyJets founder, Stelios Haji-Ioannou? Stelios is best known for creating the easy family of brands beginning with easyJet in 1995 when he was just 27. Six years later he floated the airline on the London Stock Exchange to fund the airlines growth. Story continues He and his family remain the largest shareholders holding around 15% of the shares. Helios alongside his siblings Clelia and Polys have large stakes in the airline. Stelios maintains ownership of the easy brand through his private company, easyGroup. Through easyGroup, he has licensed the easy name to such businesses as easyHotel, easyCar and easyCoffee. At around 40-years-old Stelios began charity work, forming the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation which supports a range of charitable activities mainly in the countries where he has lived and worked including the UK, Greece, Cyprus and Monaco. Stelios, was born in Athens, Greece on 14 February 1967 and was the son of the late Loucas Haji-Ioannou, a self-made Greek-Cypriot shipping magnate. Loucas owned Troodos Shipping which had a fleet of more than 50 tankers, making him the worlds largest independent ship owner and one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in Europe. Stelios started his business career working for his father at Troodos Shipping in Piraeus, Greece until aged 25 when he founded his own shipping firm, Stelmar tankers with financial help from his father. He graduated from a High School in Athens in 1984, the London School of Economics in 1987 and in 1988 obtained a MSc from the City University. By 2006 he received a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II and since 2009 has been the Honorary General Consul for the Republic of Cyprus in the Principality of Monaco where he lives. Recently, Stelios launched legal action against a Leicester-based band known as Easy Life, accusing them of brand theft. EasyGroup claims that Easy Life has infringed upon the rights of the online retailer Easylife, which licences its name from EasyGroup for an annual fee. Easy Life, an alternative indie pop band formed in 2017, has been forced to change their name stating they will not defend the high court lawsuit as the financial burden would be too high. Who is easyJets CEO? Last year the boss of easyJet was paid almost 3 million when the airline made a 208 million loss. Johan Lundgren, received a 1.2 million annual bonus and 925,000 in shares on top of his 833,000 fixed salary and benefits. He joined easyJet as its CEO on 1 December 2017 after more than 30 years working in the travel industry. Before his posting, he worked his way up to be the Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer of TUI AG and Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream Tourism at TUI AG. Prior to this he was the Managing Director for the Northern Region at TUI Travel PLC from 2007 until 2011. From 2003 until 2007, Lundgren was the Managing Director and CEO of TUI Nordic. He studied Music in Sweden, the UK and USA from 1982 until 1985, furthering his studies at the Stockholm School of Economics in 1993 and in 1996 completing the Programme for Executive Development IMD, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Recently he hit out at NATS, telling City A.M, that it is not really fit for purpose and what happened over the summer was unacceptable. He noted that the air traffic control (ATC) tower at Gatwick Airport, sasyjets primary hub, has not been staffed to the level where you should expect it to be and the situation has not been good enough. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has accused Israel of violating international law by imposing a total blockade of Gaza in response to Saturdays attack by Hamas. He also underscored the need for the bloc to continue funding the Palestinian Authority. Israel has the right to defend [itself], but it has to be done [in accordance with] international law, humanitarian law, and some decisions are contrary to international law, he told reporters in Omans capital, Muscat. Some of their actions and the United Nations has already said it cutting water, cutting electricity, cutting food to a mass of civilian people, is against international law. So yes, there are some actions that are not in accordance with international law." Crisis talks The EUs top diplomat was speaking after an emergency meeting to discuss the repercussions of the Hamas attack, which killed at least 1,200 Israelis mostly civilians. While Borrell had invited the Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers to join Tuesdays meeting by video conference, Israels Foreign Minister did not want to participate in a meeting that would also be addressed by a Palestinian Authority minister so neither took part. However the announcement was reversed by the EU Commission.after member countries complained the bloc's executive had overstepped the mark. An "overwhelming majority" of EU foreign ministers supported continuing aid payments for the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, Borrell said. (with Reuters) Read more on RFI English Read also: Israel vows 'mighty vengeance' after Hamas surprise attack France steps up protection for Jewish sites after Hamas attack Child among 14 French missing in Israel after Hamas raids Aaron and Hugo with Home From Home Care staff from the Philippines. (Photo: Submitted) Home From Home Care, which runs 11 care homes in Lincolnshire for adults with learning disabilities, welcomed its first employees from the Philippines in September last year. It now has 14 Filipino colleagues, some of whom have already been promoted to more senior roles, having travelled almost 7,000 miles to fill the posts. Hugo de Savary, director of Home From Home Care, said he was initially cautious about recruiting from overseas, but the scheme with BMB International Recruitment has had fantastic results. Celyne, one of the Filipino staff recruited to work with Home From Home Care. (Photo: Submitted) Mr De Savary said: Its well known that the care sector in the UK is facing a worker shortage, but it was really important to us that we took a great deal of care when we started to explore the idea of recruiting from overseas. Language is important and we need to make sure people have the right skills but, crucially, they need compassion, dedication and empathy. We also pride ourselves on looking after our colleagues so we need to make sure everyone is well supported and treated fairly, ensuring people from overseas can settle in and integrate in our communities. All of this is what led us to BMB International Recruitment and weve been blown away by how well this is going with 14 brilliant colleagues joining our team in the last year. This summer, I had the chance to see things from the other side by visiting our colleagues families and meeting the BMB team in Manilla and Iloilo. It was fantastic to see the impact that the scheme is having on these communities and a real honour to meet the families of colleagues who are doing such great work. BMB International Recruitment provides immigration services for care professionals, international students and discerning employers globally. With offices in the Philippines, UK and Canada, it provides comprehensive recruitment services with a commitment to ethical recruitment. The firm follows the NHS Employers Code of Practice for international recruitment of healthcare professionals and the International Recruitment Integrity System pilot project between the Philippines and Canada. It is also a member of Canadas College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Story continues Shekinah, another member of the team recruited from the Philippines. (Photo: Submitted) BMB was founded in 1998 by Brenda Briddon who left the Philippines to work as a nurse in the NHS before starting the business to help others seeking similar opportunities. Brendas son, Aaron who is director of the firm puts its success down to its ethical practices and diligence in selecting suitable employers. Director of BMB International Recruitment, Aaron Briddon, said: My mum was one of the first Filipino nurses in the UK and it was really tough for her. She had to apply for her own visa, book her own flights, follow vague instructions on how to travel to Leicester and get to work and she found it very hard assimilating into British life, working culture, staying in touch with her family and getting used to English food. Thats what inspired us to do everything we can to provide the service that she wishes she had when she first came to the UK. We connect with potential recruits and their families to make sure they have all the information about the job opportunities, the locations and cultures they need to make an informed decision long before interviews take place and we match people to areas and roles that would suit them best. My mum also meets every person we work with to personally vet them and we visit and meet with every employer to make sure theyre able to meet our expectations. When people are recruited, we book their flights, support them with their visa applications, meet them at the airport when they arrive and drive them to their new homes. We give them a welcome pack of Filipino food and provide ongoing pastoral care to help them get established. We make sure that recruits dont have to pay for any of the costs of relocating so they arent indebted when they arrive, and we expect employers to meet that cost as part of their commitment to supporting people and its not something that needs to be repaid. Vinz is enjoying working at the care homes. (Photo: Submitted) Were very selective about what companies we work with because we take our responsibilities very seriously, and Home From Home Care were just as meticulous because what they do is so important and they expect the very best. Im really pleased with how well each person is doing in their new job and how well theyre settling into life in Britain. The 14 people recruited by Home From Home Care are from all over the Philippines and each has at least a Bachelors Degree in an appropriate subject. Four others have also been offered placements and it is hoped they will be arriving soon. Shekinah from Negros Oriental province joined Home From Home Care as a personal support worker. She said: What I love about working at Home From Home Care is that they give us the opportunity to engage with the individuals we support and do activities with them, and the company really cares about its team. My colleagues have helped me with mentoring and theyre very understanding, friendly and welcoming. Personal Support Worker, Vinz from Laguna province said: Home From Home Care has been very welcoming. They prepared everything for us including our house. Everything has been set up for us and if you need help, theyre always able to help with any queries. We are earning well and if we want to work more, theyre happy for us to earn more which we can send to our families back home. I enjoy working here at Home From Home Care. I love it here. Personal Support Worker, Celyne from Cebu City said: The training is the best. They give us full training, which I really appreciate, and the support from managers is 100 per cent. Also, my colleagues are very, very supportive. You get to experience things you haven't experienced before and I really like a good challenge so I find it really fun. Home From Home Care runs 11 care homes and specialist integration services for adults with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs in Lincolnshire, nine of which are rated Outstanding and with all others rated Good. These include sites at Ruskington, Dorrington, Bardney, Fiskerton and Stallingborough. To find out more about Home from Home Care, including opportunities to join the team, please visit www.homefromhomecare.com and you can learn more about BMB International Recruitment at www.bmbrecruitment.com. Niger's post-coup military rulers have demanded that the United Nations coordinator in the West African country leave Niger before Saturday. The Niger foreign ministry said in the statement dated Tuesday and seen on Wednesday by the press that the government had ordered the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator, Louise Aubin, "to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours". In a statement dated 10 October, Niger's foreign ministry accused the UN of using "underhanded manoeuvres" instigated by France to prevent its full participation at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) last month and in subsequent meetings of UN agencies held in Vienna and in Riyadh. The military regime in power in Niamey has already criticised "the perfidious actions" of the UN chief, saying that they were "likely to undermine any effort to end the crisis in our country". Niger's current foreign minister is Bakary Yaou Sangare. Before the coup, he was Niger's ambassador to the UN. He was scheduled to go to UNGA's gathering, but, finally failed to send an application to represent Niger. The matter was finally deferred and no representative from Niger was added to the speakers' list. The UN in Niamey said it had no immediate comment. US reactions This decision comes as the United States has announced that it has decided to cut aid to Niger. Washington earlier Tuesday declared that Niger's ousting of a democratic government had been a coup. (with newswires) Read more on RFI English Read also: French troops start leaving Niger after coup leaders order them out France to begin withdrawing troops from Niger this week French ambassador to Niger returns to Paris after weeks of tension FILE PHOTO: Oil rigs are seen at Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas drilling, in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina By Nicole Jao NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices fell over 2% on Wednesday as fears of disruption to supplies due to conflict in the Middle East receded a day after top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia pledged to help stabilise the market. Brent futures fell $1.83, or 2.1%, to settle at $85.82 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $2.48, or 2.9%, to settle at $83.49. Brent and WTI had surged by more than $3.50 per barrel on Monday over concern the clashes between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas could escalate into a broader conflict that would disrupt global oil supply. Prices settled slightly lower on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia said it was working with regional and international partners to prevent an escalation, and reaffirmed its efforts to stabilise oil markets. "Both WTI and Brent retreated yesterday as concerns of a sudden and unexpected supply disruption have been swept aside for now," PVM analyst Tamas Varga said. Trading house Mercuria sees oil prices reaching $100 a barrel if the situation in the Middle East escalates further, deputy CEO Magid Shenouda said on Wednesday. "The only thing that is becoming clear for energy traders is that the road for the global growth recovery is getting rockier," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, noting the "U.S. consumer is weakening (and) Germany might be headed for a deeper recession." In Europe, the German government confirmed it expects the economy to contract by 0.4% this year because of persistently high inflation. Russia and Saudi Arabia met in Moscow on Wednesday, when Russian President Vladimir Putin said that OPEC+ coordination will continue "for the predictability of the oil market." OPEC+ is the partnership between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia. Putin also urged companies to prioritise the Russian domestic market. The country's ban on gasoline and some diesel exports was rolled back again last week as diesel exports that arrive at ports by pipeline were permitted. Story continues In the U.S., producer prices increased more than expected in September amid higher costs for energy products and food, but underlying inflation pressures at the factory gate continued to abate. U.S. investors will be looking ahead to the release of the Federal Reserve's September policy meeting minutes due later on Wednesday for clues on future interest rate decisions. Interest rate hikes to tame inflation can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that she still expected the U.S. economy to experience a soft landing, despite "additional concerns" brought about by the situation in Israel. Uncertainty around the path of the U.S. economy pushed Federal Reserve officials into a cautious stance at their meeting last month, according to minutes of the Sept. 19-20 session. In a report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected global oil inventories would fall by 200,000 barrels per day in the second half of 2023 from voluntary output cuts from Saudi Arabia, along with reduced production targets among OPEC+ countries. Exxon Mobil agreed to buy U.S. rival Pioneer Natural Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $59.5 billion that would make it the biggest producer in the Permian shell, the largest U.S. oilfield. Analysts in a Reuters poll forecast U.S. crude inventories rose by 500,000 barrels in the week ended Oct. 6. On U.S. supply, industry data showed crude stocks rose by about 12.9 million barrels in the week ended Oct. 6, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Wednesday. EIA will release data on stockpiles on Thursday. (Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York; Additional reporting by Robert Harvey, Laura Sanicola and Muyu Xu; Editing by Sharon Singleton, John Stonestreet, Rod Nickel, Cynthia Osterman and Deepa Babington) Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has reacted to his clubs 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Champions League. The French champions left St James Park stunned last Wednesday night as goals from Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar inflicted their heaviest group stage defeat since losing 3-0 to Chelsea in September 2004. Meanwhile, it was the Magpies biggest win in the competition having just returned following a 20-year absence. Eddie Howes men sit top of Group F after gaining a point in their opener away to AC Milan at the San Siro. According to French publication Le Parisian, Al-Khelaifi was asked about PSGs loss at the weekends Qatar Grand Prix and said: What a game? I dont know what youre talking about. He continued: This summer, the club had seen considerable positive changes, bigger than anyone had imagined. And that building new foundations takes time, determination, patience, and perseverance. We must not overreact. Luis Enriques side bounced back at the week by beating Rennes 3-1 via goals from Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi and Randal Kolo Muani. PSG will look to gain some revenge when Newcastle visit the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, November 28. Before then however, the Ligue 1 giants take on AC Milan home and away while the Magpies do the same against Borussia Dortmund. When the two sides meet again, the qualification picture from the group will look a lot clearer. Two years ago, Norway's Supreme Court found that two wind farms in the Fosen region of western Norway -- on land used by Sami reindeer herders -- violated the rights of the indigenous people to practise their culture of reindeer husbandry (Javad Parsa) Environment and indigenous Sami activists held protests in Oslo on Wednesday to demand the demolition of wind turbines still in place on reindeer herding land two years to the day after a court ruled them illegal. On October 11, 2021, Norway's Supreme Court found that two wind farms in the Fosen region of western Norway -- on land used by Sami reindeer herders -- violated the rights of the indigenous people to practise their culture of reindeer husbandry. Two years later, the 151 turbines are still operating. In its ruling, the court found that the expropriation and operating permits for the construction of the turbines were invalid. However, it gave no guidance on what should be done with the turbines, which were already in operation. On Wednesday, hundreds of activists, some dressed in traditional Sami clothing, blocked the main Oslo thoroughfare where they erected a laavu, a Sami tent. They called for the wind turbines to be dismantled and the land restored. Some 20 others also made their way into the nearby parliament building and occupied a hall, where they sang traditional Sami chants called "joik". "Prime Minister (Jonas Gahr) Store must take his responsibility, stop the human rights violation and make sure it won't happen again," said Gina Gylver, the head of the Norwegian branch of the environment organisation Friends of the Earth. - Mediation - An indigenous minority of around 100,000 people spread over the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, the Sami have traditionally lived off reindeer herding and fishing. Sami activists have held protests on symbolic dates since the Supreme Court's ruling, with this latest one expected to once again last several days. Swedish climate and environment campaigner Greta Thunberg is due to join the protest on Thursday. She took part in a demonstration held in February to mark the 500th day since the Supreme Court ruling. Story continues Norway's government has apologised to Sami reindeer herding families and launched a mediation process to try to find a solution enabling both the herders and wind farms to continue their activities. "I understand that the despair is even greater when it takes so long to find a good solution," Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Aasland said in an email to AFP. "I think a mediation is the fastest way to resolve this matter by offering the two sides ... the possibility to retain control over the resolution of the dispute," he added. In a post on Facebook, Aasland wrote that "the destruction of all wind turbines was excluded". "This is also not a likely outcome of either a decision-making process or a mediation process." The ruling could set a precedent for other infrastructure projects on the vast lands traditionally used by the Sami across Norway. phy/po/rl [Source] Taiwanese billionaire Pierre Chen is putting up 25,000 wine bottles from his personal collection for auction, the largest wine collection ever offered in one to date. Whats available: The auction, titled An Epicureans Atlas, will include some of the rarest bottles from Chens vast collection, which he amassed in a span of four decades. Among them are red burgundies from the La Tache vineyard a monopole of the iconic Domaine de la Romanee-Conti in France which include 1985 bottles expected to fetch up to $190,000 each. About Chen: Chen, currently Taiwans 10th richest person and the worlds 515th is the founder of top electronics maker Yageo Corporation. He is known for his extensive knowledge and collection of wines, as well as art, which include works from Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon and Gerhard Richter, to name a few. What Sothebys is saying: Organizer Sothebys said Chens 25,000 bottles make the largest and most expensive wine collection to ever be offered at auction. There is currently more wine in his cellars than any one individual could ever hope to drink in a lifetime, but wine is for drinking, said George Lacey, head of Sothebys Wine for Asia, according to CNN. More from NextShark: Biden Signs Initiative Calling for 'Equity and Justice' for AANHPI Community This is the ultimate wine collection, said Nick Pegna, global head of wine and spirits at Sothebys, as per the South China Morning Post. Full of extraordinarily rare bottles and mythical vintages, Mr. Chens cellar will capture the imagination not just of existing wine connoisseurs, but of wine lovers and enthusiasts around the world. Sothebys previously presented The Art of Living: Legendary Wines from the Cellar of Pierre Chen in 2021. The auction reportedly hauled in 116 million Hong Kong dollars ($15 million). Take note: An Epicureans Atlas will come in five parts. The sales will be spread across one year, beginning in Hong Kong on Nov. 23, and later Paris, Burgundy, New York and London. Story continues More from NextShark: Protesters urge Mayor Adams to stop looming construction of 30-story mega jail in Manhattans Chinatown Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! DOJ says Florida law restricting Chinese land ownership is unconstitutional Senior Asian store clerk dies after being struck in the head with scooter by teen shoplifters The UN Human Rights Council is holding its 54th session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva (Fabrice COFFRINI) The UN Human Rights Council voted Wednesday to set up an independent fact-finding mission to probe alleged rights abuses in Sudan's brutal fighting. "There is ... an urgent need to investigate and gather evidence of human rights violations and abuses and violations of international law, no matter where in Sudan they were committed, by whom they were committed," Britain's ambassador Simon Manley said, bringing forward the proposal on behalf of several countries. The draft resolution was only narrowly passed, with Sudan fuming at the plan. The 47-member council decided by 19 votes to 16 in favour of setting up the probe, with 12 countries abstaining. Countries backing the resolution included Argentina, Britain. France, Germany, Mexico, Ukraine and the United States. China, Malaysia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan itself voted against the proposal. India and South Africa abstained. The fighting in Sudan broke out on April 15. The army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, after the two fell out in a power struggle. More than 9,000 people have been killed in the conflict so far, according to a conservative estimate by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project. Fighting has displaced almost 4.3 million people within Sudan, while 1.2 million more have fled abroad, UN figures show. Manley cited reports of civilians being indiscriminately bombed in their homes in the capital Khartoum, and of "horrific" sexual violence, including children being raped. The mission will have three members, with an initial one-year mandate. The probe will "investigate and establish the facts, circumstances and root causes of all alleged human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law", according to the resolution. Khartoum's ambassador Hassan Hamid Hassan slammed the council's decision, which he said was being imposed "coercively" on Sudan. Story continues He slammed the "politicisation, selectivity, double standards and non-respect of state sovereignty". "Those who sponsored the resolution should know that they have put all the scope of cooperation at stake," he said, leaving little doubt as to whether Sudan will facilitate the investigation. Following the vote, Hilary Power, UN Geneva director at the NGO Human Rights Watch, said the probe was an important step. "Following decades of impunity, which has fuelled ongoing cycles of abuses, the Human Rights Council has today sent a strong message to perpetrators -- that there may finally be consequences to their abuses," Power said. rjm/bp Mark Corbett, from Wakefield, is set to climb more than 18,000 feet on a trek through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp. (Photo: Submitted) Mark Corbett, who admitted he is not great with heights, set himself the challenge to raise money for a cancer charity after the impact the disease has had on his family. The epic challenge will see him fly to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, next Saturday (October 21), before taking an aircraft to Lukla from where he will begin the 150km journey. His aim is to head even further than base camp and on to Kala Patthar, with the hope of seeing the sunset over Mount Everest. The 14-day adventure is all in aid of Leukaemia Care, which provides advice and support to the 10,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year. Mark is funding the trip himself, so all the money he raises will go directly to the charity. He wants to raise 5,644, or one pound for every metre above sea level he will have climbed. He said: Im not great with heights so flying into Lukla and having to cross eight high suspension bridges over rivers and valleys is going to test me to my limits, but Im determined Ill do it. Its nothing compared to the battles that sufferers of blood cancers have to go through, which will no doubt spur me on through any low points. Every single pound helps, and whether donating 1, 10 or 100, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. His family has been impacted by leukaemia twice, with the passing of a friend at just 20 years old and the death of his mother-in-law Shirley, who suggested the trip. The journey from Lukla to base camp is 70km, but due to heights, oxygen levels and terrain, the trekking will need to be split up over several days for Marks body to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels. The second day of the trek will see him climb 500m, which is when many turn back once they experience altitude sickness. Day seven will require further acclimatisation and is when severe altitude sickness is possible. The temperatures will be between -15C and -20C in Gorak Shep, which is the last village before Everest Base Camp. Story continues The lodges walls are built from plywood, meaning Mark will need to keep his water bottles inside his sleeping bag to prevent them from freezing. Everest Base Camp sits at a height of 17,598 feet, but Mark and his team will continue to the summit of Kala Patthar, which is over 18,000 feet high around half the height of a domestic aeroplane flight. He has set up a JustGiving page which is accepting donations. Yvonne Mackintosh, a fundraising officer at the charity, said: We are absolutely delighted that Mark has chosen to take on such an incredible challenge in support of Leukaemia Care. It will undoubtedly be an utterly amazing experience for Mark and a real once in a lifetime opportunity. The Healthcare Innovation Forum, a platform that brings together local and international experts to discuss and share experiences on innovative solutions in building a sustainable healthcare system worldwide and to drive the adoption of innovative approaches and technologies to transform healthcare in Vietnam, will take place on October 18, 2023. Diseases never stop developing, nor does innovation to deal with these obstacles. The global life sciences sector has emerged as one of the key drivers of the 21st-century economy, driven by remarkable breakthroughs in healthcare, alongside an increasing social demand to address healthcare challenges. Aiming to inspire a transformative approach to level up Vietnams healthcare, the second Healthcare Innovation Forum, initiated by Pharma Group, will be organized on October 18, 2023, in Hanoi and virtually via Zoom. More detailed information and the opportunity to join the event are available at https://voi.org.vn/en/hif2023/. In the momentum of the 2022 events success, this years forum will centre its discussions around three key factors aimed at expediting the realization of Vietnam's healthcare development vision. It includes: (i) Enhancing research and clinical trial capabilities; (ii) Fostering innovation in healthcare infrastructure construction, from the digitalization of the healthcare system, the adoption of advanced technological solutions like artificial intelligence (AI) and real-world data management to drive innovative practices and establish a resilient healthcare system, to the elevation of Vietnam's competitive position in the field of pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) within the region; (iii) Creating a policy environment that encourages groundbreaking advancements in the industry's growth. The 2023 Forum is honoured to receive Dr. Mary Harney, Former Deputy Prime Minister/Tanaiste (1997 2006), Minister of Health and Children (2004 2011) Republic of Ireland. In 2020, Ireland became the world's largest exporter of medicines, with 19 out of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies establishing their presence in the country. Dr. Mary Harneys term coincides with the decade (1997 2007) of Irelands booming economic growth and what has come to be known as the Celtic tiger area with an annual GDP growth rate of over 9.4% and the countrys transformation from one of the lowest starting points in Europe to one of the most powerful exporters of pharmaceutical products in the world with a value of 71 billion USD/year. Dr. Mary Harneys sharing of practical experiences is sure to offer valuable and useful reference information for the development of policies and strategies in Vietnam. Vietnam's total health spending per capita has increased by an average of 11% annually over the past decade, according to the Ministry of Health. The average number of hospital visits per person in Vietnam has risen from 1.89 visits per year in 2010 to 2.95 visits per year in 2020. Vietnam has the second highest total expenditure on health care in terms of percentage of GDP in the Southeast Asian region, only after Cambodia. The increasing demand for healthcare shows the role and importance of innovation in the healthcare sector to improve the quality of healthcare, enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities, as well as promote progress in medical research, thereby ensuring sustainable development in the healthcare field. Accessing and promoting innovation and development in healthcare is a key factor in the process of restructuring and improving Vietnam's healthcare system to better respond to future challenges. Digital transformation in healthcare has been among the key focal points of the Vietnamese government, in line with the global trend. Recently, the Ministry of Health promulgated the Health Digital Transformation Programme with a vision towards 2030. Some of the proposed goals include ensuring security in medical data management, disease management and public health on digital platforms as well as applying digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), and Blockchain, in healthcare activities. In collaboration with top healthcare experts in Vietnam, the content presented and discussed by international experts in the field of digital technology from IQVIA and Microsoft are expected to offer intriguing insights and valuable experiences for digital transformation efforts in Vietnam. The event this year also marks the anniversary of 25 years of partnership between the health sector in Vietnam with Pharma Group and its members, with the same sustainable goal for a healthy and prosperous Vietnam from an innovation-based foundation. The forum is expected to attract a wide range of attendees, including Representatives of the Government of Vietnam, Embassies, the medical community (Medical Associations, Healthcare Practitioners, Hospital representatives), world-leading universities and research institutes, Medical-Pharma Universities in Vietnam, International experts, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies both domestically and internationally, and Media. HA NOI Viet Nam is focusing on promoting energy conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This effort is aimed at meeting the net zero emissions target by 2050. This shift not only helps reduce emissions, but in the long term, also helps the economy develop in a greener, more sustainable direction, according to recent international press and experts. Mckinsey commented that Viet Nam's renewable energy development rate could increase exponentially to attract manufacturers and ensure energy security. It recommended that to support the trend of foreign direct investment, Viet Nam could deploy more renewable energy projects to meet the growing demand for renewable energy from commercial and industrial customers. Viet Nam even has the potential to become a regional champion in both installed renewable energy capacity and sustainable production. In an effort to attract finance and capital for energy conversion, the Power Technology website said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently loaned US$13.8 million to support the installation of the rooftop solar system in Viet Nam. For ADB, this is the first financing for a rooftop solar portfolio in the commercial and industrial segment in Viet Nam. The VTV online newspapers quoted Christoph Prommersberger, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Viet Nam, as saying that currently, there were tens of billions of climate finance resources around the world looking for places to invest, and if Viet Nam could leverage them effectively through a well-managed carbon market, it could be a huge help in supporting Viet Nam's green transition. To promote energy transition, according to information from Reuters, Viet Nam is building mechanisms and creating policies on carbon credits, completing the National Marine Spatial Planning to facilitate offshore wind development, and building a smart grid that better integrates renewable energy sources. According to the Business Times, Viet Nam, along with Japan and South Korea, are identified as countries with opportunities to welcome strong transaction flows in the field of renewable energy, contributing to maintaining strong growth momentum and great potential of this field in the Asia-Pacific. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam has founded a steering committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, in charge of developing the project of international and regional financial centres. This follows Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs Decision No 1160/Q-TTg dated October 6. The committees deputy head was Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and other members from the ministries of Finance, Industry and Trade, National Defence, Public Security, Information and Communications, Natural Resources and Environment, the State Bank of Viet Nam, the Government Office, and peoples committees of HCM City and a Nang. a Nang and HCM City were starting to research the foundation of financial centres. The Ministry of Planning and Investment said that the project must ensure the maximum exploitation of the potential and advantages of Viet Nam, as well as HCM City and a Nang in particular. Under the draft HCM City introduced in early 2022, the international financial centre included three components: monetary market and banking system, capital market, and commodity derivatives market. To implement the project, the southern city drafted four action plans including the development of fintech, digital banking and digital financial transactions, regional integration for the financial centre, Thu Thien financial trade centre, and commodity market. There was a casino in the draft project. However, the casino would not be the focus but only a factor to attract investors. The southern city aimed to become a global financial centre with a high ranking from 2031. The Politburo on December 30, 2022, issued Resolution No 31 NQ/TW HCM City development orientations and tasks to 2030 with a vision to 2045 which required the issuance of policies to promote the formation and development of HCM City International Financial Centre. The resolution also allowed the pilot implementation of a sandbox for fintech and policies to attract strategic investors in the financial centre. The resolution was regarded as the basis for the southern city to make a big change and accelerate the foundation of the international financial centre. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung in May said that the formation and development of an international financial centre in HCM City was a big and difficult issue. At that time, Dung said that the ministries and local authorities were still confused with the concept, scope, resources model and necessary and sufficient conditions to form an international financial centre in HCM City. a Nang was also taking steps to become a regional financial centre. a Nang had a working session in London with CityUK in June with an aim to seek support from the UK in forming a regional international financial centre in the central coastal city. a Nang is planning an international finance hub on a 6.17ha coastal area in Son Tra peninsula, and reserves 62ha of land area for future expansion. Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Permanent Deputy Secretary of a Nang City Party Committee at a conference held in July, urged the early issuance of the project on turning a Nang into a regional financial centre. VNS HA NOI Exhibitors from around the world convened on October 11 at Ha Noi International Exhibition Centre to open MTA HANOI 2023 the 9th International Precision Engineering and Manufacturing Reinvented Exhibition & Conference. MTA HANOI 2023 gathers over 140 exhibitors from 17+ countries and territories, including USA, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Australia, Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, India, and some domestic exhibitors. This special edition of the MTA Vietnam exhibition series organised by Informa Market is specifically designed for the Northern market annually. MTA HANOI not only offers manufacturing businesses in the North a chance to access cutting-edge equipment and technology from around the world, but also facilitates the development of trade connections with potential suppliers and investors. Additionally, this edition also provides an opportunity for professionals in the mechanical field to stay updated on the latest industry trends through a series of seminars led by top experts in the field. The program covers vital topics such as semiconductor chip manufacturing technology, digitalization and technology transformation processes, and the application of AI/IoT/Deep Learning in manufacturing. With high-quality and highly applicable content, this edition promises to provide businesses with multidimensional and up-to-date perspectives on this industry. The Northern region of Viet Nam is considered a promising area for growth, thanks to its economic potential and strategic geographic location, General Manager of Informa Markets Vietnam BT Tee said. It plays a crucial role in the supply chain of many international companies. A broad range of tech firms and electronics manufacturers have signed contracts with industrial parks in Northern Viet Nam. At the opening ceremony, Bui Quoc Khanh, Vice President and General Secretary of Vietnam Automation Association, said in 25 provinces and cities in the Northern region, the total industrial land area is concentrated in five key cities and provinces: Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen and Vinh Phuc, with about 10,000 hectares. According to the Report on the establishment and development of Industrial Parks (IZs), the northern industrial provinces are extremely attractive markets for high-tech industries, with an average occupancy rate of about 80 per cent. Viet Nam's mechanical engineering industry is expected to see a significant growth in 2023, said Nguyen Chi Sang, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Mechanical Enterprises (VAMI). Data from the General Statistics Office reveal that in the first quarter of 2023, the export volume of machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts amounted to US$19 billion, a 3 per cent increase from the previous year. Primary export markets include the United States, the EU, China, and Japan, with respective turnovers of $4 billion, $1.46 billion, $701 million and $663 million. The value of the mould and precision engineering industry in Viet Nam is now estimated at over $1 billion each year, and with an annual growth rate of 18 per cent in 2022, this industry is attracting the attention of numerous domestic and foreign businesses. The event will last until October 13. VNS KHANH HOA Khanh Hoa Province will host a contest for designing souvenirs for tourists visiting the area. The Designing Tourism Gifts for Nha Trang - Khanh Hoan 2023 competition aims to find high-quality, diverse, and colourful designs for tourist gifts that align with the new direction of Khanh Hoas tourism development. This is an opportunity for organisations and individuals to showcase their artistic creativity and design skills to create tourist gift products, while enriching the local identity, brand, and promotion of tourism. Since the artworks will be used for promotional activities, both domestically and internationally, local authorities have set a requirement for the submitted works to be aesthetically pleasing and to capture the distinctive features of the province's tourism, especially emphasising the connection with Nha Trang Khanh Hoas sea beach tourism. Designs that use environmentally friendly materials, are convenient for mass production, and have reasonable prices for tourists and all consumer groups, are encouraged as well. The submitted products can be individual designs or a collection, with the inclusion of the text "Du lich Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa" in Vietnamese and "Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism" in English, presented in a logical and harmonious layout. The designs for gifts must be original concepts, never before featured in any public media, and must not have been part of any previous contests, whether at the national or international level. The competition is open to all organisations and citizens living and working in Viet Nam. Participants can submit their works to the Khanh Hoa Tourism Promotion Information Centre at 61 Yersin Street, Phuong Sai Ward, Nha Trang City. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2023, and the results will be announced in December this year. Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, has expressed the department's wish to receive numerous submissions to enhance the appealing and welcoming image of the local tourism sector. Upon selecting the winning design for the tourist gift, the Department of Tourism intends to widely utilise and establish it as Khanh Hoas official tourism brand. In the first nine months of 2023, the province's tourism industry welcomed 5.7 million tourists, a 173 per cent rise year-on-year, surpassing the province's target. VNS The promulgation of Decree 73/2023/N-CP represents a significant move towards the policy of promoting and safeguarding dynamic and creative officials for the collective benefit. Luu Binh Nhuong, deputy head of the NA's Ombudsman Committee, talks to Voice of Vietnam about the matter. Two years after the Politburo's issuance of Conclusion 14, emphasising the policy of endorsing and safeguarding dynamic and creative officials for the greater good, the Government recently issued an implementing decree. What salient features can be discerned within Decree 73? Decree 73 presents a relatively novel set of guidelines in comparison to the provisions of the current Law on Civil Servants. Contrary to the broader scope of Conclusion 14, dated September 22, 2021, by the Politburo, Decree 73's title narrows its focus. Specifically, it addresses the protection of officials who exhibit courage in their thinking and actions. Within the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants, it is stipulated that civil servants are legally protected while carrying out their official duties. However, this regulation is generic and lacks the specific factors and attributes articulated in Conclusion 14 and Decree 73. Consequently, it leaves legal scholars such as ourselves somewhat perplexed. Regarding the legal framework and protection mechanisms outlined in Decree 73, could you highlight what you find noteworthy? In Decree 73 the scope of protection for officials is more specific compared to the provisions in the Law on Civil Servants and the Law on Public Employees. Decree 73 delineates the protected subjects as encompassing leading and managerial civil servants within state administrative bodies and organisations, managerial officials in public service entities, as well as individuals holding specific titles and positions, as stipulated by government regulations. Notably, if this definition were to be applied within the context of the Law on Civil Servants, it would exclude numerous other individuals who possess similar qualifications but do not receive such protection. The question arises: Are there any additional regulations in place for National Assembly delegates and People's Council delegates, necessitating separate provisions by the National Assembly Standing Committee or resolutions from the National Assembly on protection matters? In the interest of ensuring unified governance, it becomes imperative that all issued documents and regulations guarantee equitable benefits and responsibilities for all relevant subjects. This entails establishing uniform processes across all agencies to uphold equality among these subjects in accordance with the constitutional provisions. There's also an argument that the current role of state management officers is akin to a "hot seat," given the intense pressure associated with development efforts. If officials do not possess the courage to think, act boldly, and support innovative ideas that have yet to be proven in practice, they may struggle to meet the demands of progress. What are the key factors and indicators identifying officials who have the courage to think and act decisively? When it comes to assessing officials, the establishment of standards is essential. Nevertheless, in most cases, people can naturally discern which officials exhibit the courage to speak out, think boldly, act decisively, and shoulder responsibility. These attributes become manifest in their work; when individuals are entrusted with tasks and excel in their execution, when they fearlessly propose ideas, voice their opinions, defend what is just, and critique what is amiss in meetings or during the course of their duties. In reality, there are indeed such dedicated cadre members. It is precisely because of the existence of such capable cadre members, who at times remain unsupported and even face repression, that the Politburo issued Conclusion 14. This directive underscores the imperative of fostering and safeguarding talented cadre members who are active, creative, and devoted to the common good. It seeks to identify officers who are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. In the past, we lacked a concrete protection mechanism for officials of this calibre, which made imperative the need for specific regulations like Decree 73. Decree 73 underscores the consensus that protecting and empowering officials who embody dynamism, creativity, and the courage to think, act, and shoulder responsibility for the common good is a shared expectation. Some suggest that this mechanism should be enshrined in legislation. During the 5th session of the 15th National Assembly, delegates proposed the development of a law to safeguard enterprising individuals, especially in cases where issues arise that are not covered by existing laws. What are your thoughts on this proposal? These matters are of utmost significance. We are aware that within certain agencies, there are officials who exhibit a strong sense of responsibility and work diligently, yet they may not enjoy full protection. This can be contingent on the leadership's role or the cohesion within the group, including their ability to uphold what is right, confront wrongdoing, and safeguard their fellow officials without resorting to cover-ups. While this phenomenon is indeed real, it is evident that establishing a legal framework is necessary. I don't believe that Conclusion 14 of the Politburo, along with Decree 73, will serve as a panacea for this issue. However, according to numerous constituents, it brings a sense of reassurance, generates a degree of enthusiasm, and acts as a motivator for individuals possessing the capacity and qualities of genuine officials unafraid to confront challenges, willing to make sacrifices for the common good, and advocate for the collective benefit. Such individuals are also ready to combat individualism, which is eroding ethical standards in current public service. Decree 73 directly addresses the issue of promoting and safeguarding officials who dare to explore innovative solutions for practical challenges and to tackle bottlenecks, whether they are related to processes or mechanisms that lack legal documentation but yield practical value, effectiveness, and substantial change. However, many concerns have been raised about whether this straightforward approach can adequately account for the extra-legal dimension, such as incentivising actions not explicitly covered by legal provisions. What do you think? I share these concerns, as per the provisions of Vietnamese law, particularly the Law on Civil Servants and the Law on Public Employees. State civil servants are only permitted to engage in activities explicitly authorised by the law. In contrast, individuals and businesses can undertake actions not expressly prohibited by law. These two paradigms are fundamentally different. Hence, many individuals are apprehensive, primarily regarding the aspect I just mentioned. Additionally, I question whether these regulations will effectively address the recent issues. When implemented correctly, it can be highly rewarding, but if exploited, it can be concerning. Organisations and collectives may protect officials who venture into uncharted territory within their respective localities and agencies. Assessing whether something yields practical benefits or engenders significant change is often challenging, especially since these effects may not materialise immediately and could have a delayed impact. Sometimes, the outcomes might not be discernible within a short timeframe, while the political careers of the officials involved may have already concluded. What are your thoughts? I believe this concern is well-founded. Returning to what I mentioned earlier, if a leader is genuinely responsible and possesses foresight, then during the implementation of innovative proposals, the results may not have fully materialised, or the journey may be ongoing. In such instances, halting progress, criticising individuals, or pushing people away for certain reasons, in my view, would be detrimental. Visionary leaders should maintain a composed stance, allowing officials to continue their work and request periodic reports, ultimately leading to the attainment of positive outcomes. VNS HA NOI National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Nguyen uc Hai held a meeting with visiting Deputy Secretary General of Germanys political foundation Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Gerhard Wahlers in Ha Noi yesterday. Congratulating the foundation on its 30-year presence in Viet Nam, Hai said he hoped Vietnamese NAs agencies would continue to strengthen cooperation with KAS in many areas such as budget and tax management, e-invoice issuance, e-commerce, anti-transfer pricing, commercial fraud combating, digital transformation, and regional and national planning. Hailing the fruitful cooperation and support from Germany and some German research institutes, including KAS, to the NA and its agencies, he asked KAS to continue to increase collaboration with the Vietnamese side, helping enhance the operational capacity of the Peoples Councils at all levels, and sharing experience in legislative activities, budget management, and the application of the global minimum tax. The official suggested that KAS and the NA Finance-Budget Committee and Economic Committee consider the signing of a cooperation agreement. He also proposed that the German foundation expand its partnership with the NA Committee for Science, Technology and Environment. Wahlers said that KAS had conducted many effective cooperation activities with Vietnamese NA agencies, including the Finance-Budget Committee, Economic Committee and Committee for External Relations. He said that NA Vice Chairman Hais suggestions were also areas in which KAS has rich experience and a large database thanks to its network of 100 representative offices around the world. KAS would be keen on working closely with agencies of the Vietnamese legislature to build a more effective cooperation plan in the future, he affirmed. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko in Ha Noi on Tuesday, highly valuing his guests contributions to the two countries relations on different posts she has held over the past years. Congratulating Kamikawa on her appointment as Foreign Minister of Japan, PM Chinh expressed his delight at the increasingly strong, effective, and comprehensive development of the Viet Nam-Japan bilateral friendship and cooperation. He spoke highly of the activities being organised in both countries to mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, which have helped enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, and proposed that both sides promote mutual visits and meetings between their leaders. The Government leader called on Japan to assist Viet Nam in the building of an independent and self-reliant economy and the implementation of industrialisation and modernisation, while providing new-generation official development assistance (ODA) for large-scale strategic infrastructure projects such as road and railway ones in Viet Nam. Appreciating the Japanese Governments ODA for Viet Nam in the recent past, he said both sides should coordinate closely to accelerate the urban railway projects in Ha Noi and HCM City, along with the construction of the HCM City-based Cho Ray Hospitals second facility. The Government of Viet Nam will continue perfecting the investment climate, regulations, policies and infrastructure and developing high-quality human resources, he noted, asking the Japanese Government to provide conditions for Vietnamese businesses to engage more deeply in global supply chains of Japan. The PM also suggested Japan consider simplifying entry procedures for Vietnamese citizens and exempting income and residence taxes for Vietnamese trainees working in the Northeast Asian country. For her part, Kamikawa affirmed Japans support for Viet Nam to realise the goal of becoming a developed and high-income country by 2045. She also underlined her countrys commitment to strengthen ties in such fields as green transition, digital transformation and climate change response, and encourage Japanese businesses to continue investing in Viet Nam. Stressing the Japanese Governments priority for cooperation in manpower training with Viet Nam, the minister voiced her hope that the two sides will work together to turn the Viet Nam-Japan University into a symbol of bilateral relations. She also highly valued the role and contributions by the nearly 500,000 Vietnamese people in Japan to local socio-economic development, stating that the Japanese Government will continue creating the best possible conditions for the community to live, study, and work in the country. With regard to international and regional issues, PM Chinh shared his guests opinions and suggested that the two countries keep exchanging views and coordinating closely in international and regional issues for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation, and development. He added that Viet Nam supports and will work closely with Japan to ensure success for the ASEAN - Japan commemorative summit in late 2023. VNS TOKYO Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army and Deputy Defence Minister, held talks with General Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces Joint Staff in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday. At the talks, both sides agreed that their defence cooperation has deepened and become more collaborative over the past time. Japan and Viet Nam signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Defence Cooperation and Exchanges in October 2011, and the Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation towards the next decade in April 2018, which serve as the foundation for bilateral cooperation in the field. The two countries have promoted delegation exchange, effectively maintained consultation and dialogue mechanisms, worked together in defence industry and settlement of post-war consequences, and supported each other at multilateral forums in the region, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+). Particularly, both sides joined hands to organise the Competency Evaluation Programme for Prospective United Nations Peacekeepers (CEPPP) in Viet Nam last September, fulfilling the role of co-chairs of the 14th meeting of the Experts Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 for the 2021-23 period within the framework of the ADMM+. Cuong and his Japanese host reached consensus on several measures to promote the bilateral defence ties, with a focus on delegation exchange, maintenance of existing consultation mechanisms, human resources training, implementation of a programme to improve capacity in the fields of diving medicine and clearance of naval mines, UN peacekeeping activities, recovery of post-war consequences, and bolstered coordination at multilateral mechanisms. VNS HA NOI Japan's authorities are considering easing entry procedures for Vietnamese citizens to boost tourist numbers, the spokeswoman for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maki Kobayashi stated. The visa issues for Vietnamese travellers were raised during her meeting with the press held in Ha Noi as part of the visit by Japanese top diplomat Yoko Kamikawa to Viet Nam on October 10-11. Kobayashi, the spokesperson for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added that it might take some time for the changes and there are some hurdles against longer validity for visas for Vietnamese on caution of possible higher crime rates. While it may not involve a complete visa waiver, there are other ways to make the visa system more convenient for travellers from Viet Nam to visit Japan, the spokeswoman noted. Between 2015 to 2019, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Viet Nam increased by 1.4 times, from 671,000 visitors in 2015 to 952,000 visitors in 2019, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1 per cent, meanwhile the number of Vietnamese arrivals to Japan is about 495,000, or half of the other direction. This figure needs improvement to increase the number of tourists between the two countries, the spokeswoman said. Earlier on Tuesday, Vietnamese foreign minister Bui Thanh Son in his talks with the Japanese counterpart proposed that Japan take steps to create favourable conditions, and simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens, for example, including Viet Nam in the list of countries eligible for electronic visas, granting long-term visas (5-10 years) to Vietnamese citizens who have visited Japan multiple times without legal violations, and moving toward visa waivers for Vietnamese citizens. About whether ODA (Official Development Assistance) funding for countries could be affected by Japan's budget deficit, Kobayashi mentioned that the Japanese government has decided to continue its cooperation with close partner countries and Japan has recently adopted a new approach to its ODA policy. Japan traditionally waited for ODA recipient countries to express their priorities or desired projects. However, Japan is now actively proposing ideas to partner countries to expedite the preparation process and align with the new policy. Japan has set out key policy priorities for ODA, which include sustainable growth, maintaining and enhancing international order and openness, and leading in addressing increasingly complex and serious global issues such as climate change, public health, and disaster management. During a meeting with the Japanese foreign minister, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that Japan provide new-generation ODA for large-scale strategic infrastructure development projects in Viet Nam, such as roads and railways. PM Chinh praised the Japanese government's allocation of ODA funding to Viet Nam in the past and called for close cooperation to accelerate the progress of long-delayed projects including urban railway systems in Ha Noi and HCM City, as well as the construction of Cho Ray Hospital's second facility. The Japanese spokeswoman said Japan and Viet Nam will have discussions on measures to speed up the progress of these projects, and that Japan is interested in helping the development of not only traditional infrastructure projects in Viet Nam and in ASEAN but also digital ones. The spokeswoman also affirmed that Japan treasured relations with Viet Nam, which it considered a very important partner country, especially within ASEAN that is driving for a stable and prosperous region. "We believe that we share the same challenges, not only security issues, but also all these common challenges, that we should sort of share wisdom and knowledge and work together," she remarked mentioning severe international situations, high speed technological development, and coping with disinformation as common challenges. "We believe that with Viet Nam, we are on the same page on most of, if not all, the issues. That's the reason why we can really work together and we've been working together, but we can work more as good partners," she said. VNS PARIS Viet Nam will work harder to contribute to the common affairs of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) more practically and effectively, Assistant for the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed at the 217th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board which took place in Paris on October 9-10. In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Vu stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation amidst an evolving world, and called on countries to enhance international cooperation, dialogue, trust and solidarity to seek common solutions to the current challenges. He praised efforts by the UNESCO Director General and Secretariat in developing and implementing programmes and activities such as recommendations on ethics of AI and the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development MONDIACULT, among others, saying they have helped member countries implement sustainable development goals by 2030. Vu lauded UNESCO's humanitarian aid programmes in areas under its jurisdiction for countries affected by crises or conflicts such as Afghanistan, Haiti, and Ukraine. Viet Nam will further coordinate in the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation with UNESCO for the 2021-25 period, he affirmed. On this occasion, Vu had meetings with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, Deputy Director General Xing Qu, Chairperson of the Executive Board Tamara Rastovac Siamashvi and leaders of the organisation's departments, and delegation heads of several countries to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The UNESCO leaders and delegation heads spoke highly of good cooperation between Viet Nam and UNESCO and other member countries, as well as Viet Nam's role and contributions to key mechanisms of the organisation. Congratulating Viet Nam on having the first inter-provincial UNESCO-listed world heritage site Ha Long - Cat Ba, the UNESCO leaders and Secretariat pledged to further support the countrys new heritage dossiers, and help it in preserving and promoting values of recognised world heritages. They hoped that Viet Nam will win a seat at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2023-27 tenure. VNS AN GIANG An Giang Province plans to restructure agriculture, developing linkages between various stakeholders to improve production efficiency and value. The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province would transition from conventional agriculture into an agricultural economy, ensuring stable market access for farmers, its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said. This transition would involve a reduction in rice cultivation areas and expansion of vegetable and fruit farming and animal husbandry. Nguyen Si Lam, the department's director, highlighted An Giang's agricultural potential, showcasing key products like rice, tra fish and vegetables, and promising products such as fruits, beef, breeding pigs, and edible mushrooms. Specialised farming areas have been established, fostering vital linkages among companies, co-operatives, co-operative groups, and farmers, according to the department. An Giang leads in developing these critical partnerships with companies to produce agricultural products and establish large-scale rice fields within the delta. It aims for annual agricultural growth of 2.8 per cent between 2021 and 2025, and a 150 per cent increase in farmers' average income to VN64.5 million (US$2,600) by 2025. It solicits investments in agricultural production and collaborations with farmers, co-operatives and co-operative groups. Various methods are employed to encourage such investment, including capital contribution, skilled human resources, and technical consultancy. Agreements have been signed with companies for supporting agricultural co-operatives. An Giang is focused on expanding co-operatives and co-operative groups to represent farmers in signing farm contracts with companies, ensuring stable outlets and prices. Currently, it has 211 agricultural co-operatives with 18,999 members and 1,087 co-operative groups with 15,925 members. Last year 63 co-operatives, two co-operative alliances and 180 co-operative groups with collaborations with companies farmed a total of 123,089ha. The Phu Thanh Agricultural Co-operative in Phu Tan District exemplifies effective linkage implementation, producing organic fertiliser from paddy straw and stubble for mushroom cultivation. This circular economy approach optimises natural resource use and boosts members' incomes. The province prioritises the adoption of advanced farming techniques to enhance product quality. The number of farmers using technology has increased with the implementation of 235 advanced technique farming models covering crops, livestock farming and aquaculture in 2022-23. In crop cultivation, 146 farming models use advanced techniques such as drip and smart irrigation, net houses and polygreen houses to grow vegetables, flowers, mushrooms, and seedlings. This sector is a strength for the province, and farmers are encouraged to form partnerships to produce high-quality products while reducing production costs. Vegetable cultivation using advanced methods yields 20-25 per cent higher than traditional farming approaches. Moreover, the province has initiated 55 biosafety method-based models for breeding chicken, pigs, goats, and cattle. Lam emphasised the effective implementation of advanced farming techniques, labelling them as breakthroughs in the province's new rural area development. These techniques significantly contributed to increased rural incomes, he added. The application of advanced technologies greatly benefited the province's agriculture, resulting in high-yield, high-quality products that are environmentally friendly and enhance competitiveness. VNS YEN BAI The Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling and Economic Crimes (C03) under the Ministry of Public Security has sealed off the Thai Duong Group Joint Stock Company for investigation into signs of law violations. Talking with media on Tuesday evening, major Nguyen Quang Sang, head of the Police in Yen Phu Commune, Van Yen District, Yen Bai Province, confirmed that the Ministry of Public Security's forces have been working at the company's rare earth mine located in Yen Phu Commune. The Thai Duong Joint Stock Company is headquartered on Kim Ma Street in Ha Nois Ba inh District. The company was granted a licence for rare earth mining in Yen Phu mine by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in June 2013. The licensed area covers 6.24 hectares, with a mining depth of 35 metres, and the mining duration is set at eight years and one month from the date of the permit. The estimated reserve for mining is over 1,8 million tonnes of soil ore. Lao ong (Labour) newspaper reported that at the end of 2019, local residents repeatedly raised concerns about the strong chemical odours from the mine that was affecting the community. Authorities from Van Yen District later visited the area and asked the Thai Duong Group Joint Stock Company to review its mining process to ensure it doesn't adversely impact the environment and the daily lives of the local people and neighbouring areas. VNS After President Joe Biden's visit last month, Vietnam may be about to welcome a new wave of investment. Vietnam has already seen three large booms in foreign direct investment. The first time happened when Honda Motor started producing two-wheeled vehicles in Vietnam in 1997. The second wave lasted from the 2000s to 2008 when Lehman Brothers Bank (USA) collapsed, causing a global financial crisis. In 2009, Samsung Electronics purchased a smartphone manufacturing facility in Bac Ninh. The third boom has taken place strongly in the mid-2010s. With increasing purchasing power, Vietnam has become an ideal destination for foreign consumer businesses. For instance, in 2014, the Japanese retail behemoth Aeon launched its first location in Vietnam, the Aeon Mall Tan Phu Celadon. President Biden's recent visit could stimulate a wave of US investment in Vietnam, an opportunity to form a fourth wave of FDI. Before now, US FDI into Vietnam was viewed as extremely moderate compared to other Asian nations like Japan and Korea. By the end of 2022, the total direct investment capital of the US in Vietnam will be 11.4 billion USD, ranking 11th among countries and territories pouring capital into this market of more than 100 million people. By comparison, Korea is pouring 80.9 billion USD, Singapore is 70.8 billion USD, and Japan is 68.8 billion USD. Vietnam wants to shift from traditional labour-intensive industries such as textiles, garments and electronics assembly to high-tech, high-value-added industries. To change the industrial structure of the nation, cooperation with American technological businesses, particularly those with positions in the semiconductor and AI fields, will be crucial. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently requested a human resources development project to train 30,000-50,000 engineers and 100 experts in digital transformation, chip and semiconductor manufacturing. Vietnam is also thinking about new initiatives and regulations to entice global corporations. More time will be needed to determine if Vietnam will experience the fourth FDI boom. During his visit to Vietnam in September, President Joe Biden and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong established a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Large-scale corporate transactions were also made during Mr. Biden's visit. As an illustration, Vietnam Airlines secured a contract to purchase 50 Boeing 737 Max planes for roughly USD 10 billion. Additionally, FPT Software disclosed a strategic partnership with American firm Landing AI. A collaboration agreement with Synopsys, a leader in semiconductor design, intellectual property protection, and software security, was also signed to assist the Vietnamese semiconductor industry in staff training. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh travelled to the US for business. The Prime Minister suggested that Nvidia build a factory in Vietnam while he was at the company's headquarters because Vietnam would provide a good basis for Southeast Asian operations. He also met executives from top US technology companies, including Elon Musk and Bill Gates. Also read: Vietnam will welcome huge FDI capital from the US and EU after a decade of Japanese and Korean capital flows Capital flows may leave Vietnam when the State Bank's 'magic wand' stops working Vietnam enjoys trade surplus of 710 million USD in six months A rendering of Amkor's newest factory in Bac Ninh The Vietnam campus is poised to become Amkors most extensive facility, occupying a substantial 57-acre expanse within Yen Phong 2C Industrial Park. Upon completion, it will feature 200,000 square meters of cleanroom space. Beginning with Advanced System in Package and memory production, the factory will offer turnkey solutions from design to electrical testing to the worlds leading semiconductor and electronic manufacturing companies. Amkor has committed $1.6 billion for the first two phases of the project for facility, machinery and equipment, making a substantial contribution to Vietnams economic growth. The result will be Amkors most advanced facility, delivering next-generation semiconductor packaging capabilities. This state of the art factory in Vietnam will help Amkor provide an unrivalled geographic footprint to our customers, supporting global but also enabling regional supply chains. Its the kind of secure and reliable supply chain our customers need in communications, automotive, high-performance computing, and other key industries, said Giel Rutten, Amkors president and CEO. "A large and skilled workforce, a strategic location, and support from government authorities make it an ideal location for Amkors continued growth. We are proud of what weve accomplished together with Vietnam and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship." US semiconductor manufacturers survey Vietnam opportunities Vietnam was one of the destinations for US semiconductor manufacturers to survey in a recent fact-finding tour of Southeast Asia. Amkor's $1.6 billion plant in Bac Ninh on track for October Amkor Technology's $1.6 billion semiconductor plant in the northern province of Bac Ninh, Amkor's largest facility worldwide, is scheduled for trial production by late October 2023. Nicolas Mangon, vice president, AEC Industry Strategy, Autodesk, presented in Converge Vietnam 2023 How has Vietnam's technological adoption in the construction sector evolved, and how does it compare with other Asian countries? What role is Autodesk playing in this growth trajectory? Vietnam has shown remarkable advancement in the adoption of technology over the past year. Vietnamese users' expertise has been noticeably advanced, even if the numbers are still limited. When we look at the broader Asian context, the region is the second-fastest growing in terms of construction after India and within this frame, Vietnam stands out. It is the fastest-growing nation, even outpacing countries like Indonesia in terms of growth, if not in sheer spending. About half a million Vietnamese use Autodesk software, which is significant for a nation of roughly 100 million people. Most start with foundational tools like AutoCAD, but the potential for them to transition to more sophisticated tech is vast. Aligning with this, Autodesk is heavily invested. We recently signed an MoU with the Ministry of Construction in Vietnam, following the prime minister's announcement in March to adopt Building Information Modelling technology which is known as the foundation of digital transformation in the AEC industry. We are dedicated to assisting the ministry in ushering the nation towards more advanced construction technologies. Our commitment to Vietnam is evident, but we review our initiatives annually. We will finalise our decision for the next year by February. The MoU signing ceremony betweeen Autodesk and the Ministry of Construction Autodesk is known for its prowess in design and manufacturing technology. Could you delve into the practical applications of these technologies, especially in Vietnam, and how they are fostering collaboration in the industry? Autodesk's solutions for design and manufacturing address a wide array of customer challenges. We span from the very onset of design and engineering all the way to production. A significant part of our work also involves bolstering collaboration across supply chains. Vietnam, in particular, has shown a burgeoning interest in refining its design processes. With our data management tools, akin to platforms like SharePoint, we empower engineering teams to refine their computer-aided design and amplify collaboration. However, the journey doesn't end there. In the manufacturing sector, we have bespoke solutions targeting manufacturing job shops, especially for machining. One persistent challenge is the misalignment between design and manufacturing teams, leading to redundancies. Our mission is to minimise such inefficiencies, allowing for a smoother transition from design to production. Amidst the global sustainability concerns, how is Vietnam's construction sector positioned to reduce its carbon footprint, and what hurdles do firms face in the journey to upscale their skills? Sustainability is on the global agenda, and we believe the construction sector plays a pivotal role. Buildings account for roughly 35 per cent of global carbon emissions, a figure that can fluctuate based on regional climate demands. Vietnam has a golden opportunity in this area. By harnessing modern software solutions, the nation can engineer buildings that are not just structurally sound, but also environmentally friendly. Doing so optimally reduces carbon footprints, addressing both ecological and fiscal concerns. A building of Autodesk customers, Glumac and Joeris, includes a geothermal energy system, solar, and a large-scale rainwater and condensation collection system. However, the road is not without its challenges. The Vietnamese prime minister is keen on the entire ACE industry upscaling its skills. Collaboration is the lifeblood of ACE, and ensuring all stakeholders, from architects to construction firms, elevate their competencies in unison is essential. Autodesk is stepping in to bridge this gap. Our commitment isn't just about providing tools, but also about fostering a collaborative spirit, ensuring the Vietnamese construction sector realises its full potential. With Western countries grappling with labour shortages in the digital sector, especially professions like architecture and engineering, how is this influencing the global outsourcing landscape in countries such as Vietnam? The labour scarcity in professions like architecture and engineering in the West, notably America, is undeniably influencing global outsourcing dynamics. Companies are turning to nations like the Philippines and Vietnam for digital outsourcing solutions. Vietnam stands out with its technological evolution, potentially marking itself as a hub for building information modelling. This not only elevates its technological status, but also unveils significant economic prospects. Autodesk, recognising these transitions, has been a beacon of support. Given Autodesk's track record since 2014 of assisting governments globally, can you discuss your plans and strategies for Vietnam? Autodesk's commitment to supporting governments worldwide in shaping mandates has been evident since our initial engagement with Singapore in 2014. Over the years, we've extended our expertise to numerous countries, helping them develop standards. For Vietnam, our intention remains consistent to assist the Ministry of Construction by providing best practices, training, and other resources. Drawing parallels from our experiences in Japan, where we facilitated local adoption of technology by bringing in thought leaders and pioneers from countries like England, Germany, and the United States, we envision a similar approach for Vietnam. By organising events that foster knowledge exchange, we aim to fast-track Vietnam's transformation journey, pooling insights from those who have navigated similar terrains. Our global perspective, coupled with local initiatives, will be pivotal in shaping Vietnam's digital landscape. Every country, including Vietnam, has its unique context, and our approach to event hosting is tailored accordingly. While the underlying intent remains the same across regions offering insights, best practices, and facilitating networking the content is adapted to the audience's level of familiarity and maturity. For example, as Vietnam gains proficiency in certain areas, we might explore more advanced subjects in the subsequent year, while in places like Thailand, our approach might be more foundational. The principle stays consistent creating a platform for sharing and connecting. In Vietnam, we have prioritised discussions about digital transformation in manufacturing and sustainability in furniture, recognising these as key focal areas for the nation. How is Autodesk positioned to assist Vietnam in its environmental goals, especially as the nation emerges as a tech investment hub? Indeed, Vietnam's dedication to a green future resonates deeply with Autodesk's sustainability principles. However, to truly understand our commitment, one must first grasp the challenges. A staggering 70 per cent of global waste comes from the construction sector, which is a by-product of deep-rooted inefficiencies. At Autodesk, we've been pioneering solutions to address this. Our emphasis on innovative manufacturing techniques, notably prefabrication, has the potential to dramatically reduce waste, with our current methods targeting a reduction of up to 90 per cent. Being at the vanguard of sustainable practices and an early advocate for the net-zero approach amplifies our drive. Our tools, such as Autodesk FormIt, are designed to empower nations on their sustainability path, and Vietnam stands as a prime candidate for such empowerment. But our mission goes beyond mere tools. We recognise the importance of adapting to the distinctive challenges and landscapes of each nation. Vietnam, with its growing tech investments and emerging role in the global supply chain, captures our attention. Our initiatives in the country are tailored, focusing on bolstering green manufacturing in sync with Vietnam's unique needs and regulatory landscape. Hoa Binh Construction signs multi-year tech deal with Autodesk Autodesk today announced Hoa Binh Construction Groups commitment to implement Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology in their construction projects as part of the firms efforts to bolster their competitive differentiation as a leader in BIM adoption and accelerate growth in the Vietnamese construction sector. Autodesk and VC Group sign MOU on digital transformation Autodesk and Vietnam National Construction Consultants (VNCC), parent company of Vietnam Construction Consulting Group (VC Group) signed an MOU marking a strategic partnership between the two parties. How do you see the climb of Chinese groups in Vietnams foreign direct investment ranking? Seck Yee Chung, partner at Baker McKenzie Vietnam Its encouraging to see Chinese investors climbing the ranks in Vietnam. Chinese investment in the country is concentrated in the manufacturing sector, particularly electronics, textiles and footwear. These investments reflect the broader trend of shifts in the supply chain and manufacturing operations away from China and into Southeast Asian countries. This is driven in part by geopolitical dynamics and global trade rules among major markets being reformed. Geographically, Vietnams strategic location has been a gateway to Southeast Asia, making it an attractive choice for Chinese investors looking to tap into the growing consumer markets in the region. The relative ease of access to other ASEAN countries is also a significant advantage in this regard. Furthermore, Vietnam has been pursuing a very proactive approach to attracting foreign funding, offering favourable policies, incentives, and a relatively open and continuously modernising business environment. The increase in Chinese investment positively impacts Vietnams economy by helping to create jobs, boost economic growth, and improve the standard of living for people. With this climb in foreign investment ranking, Vietnam will also ensure that Chinese investment aligns with its long-term economic goals, adhere to environmental standards, and create sustainable and high-quality jobs. Could you share the industries Chinese investors are keen on when it comes to Vietnam? Chinese investors are diversifying their interests across various sectors in Vietnam. For example, Chinese tech giants are exploring partnerships in Vietnamese tech startups and e-commerce platforms, contributing to the digital economy of the country. Elsewhere, Vietnams commitment to renewable energy has drawn Chinese investments into wind and solar energy projects. This aligns with Vietnams goal of increasing clean energy production. The next area is infrastructure. China has expertise in infrastructure projects, and Chinese investors are keen on participating in Vietnams infrastructure development, including highways, bridges and ports. Manufacturing, including textiles and footwear, is yet another aspect. Vietnam is a major hub for textiles and footwear manufacturing, and Chinese companies are investing heavily in this sector in Vietnam. Lastly is real estate. Chinese investors are attracted to Vietnams real estate market, particularly in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. They put money into commercial and residential properties and mixed-use developments. This offers opportunities for economic growth and collaboration. At the same time, Vietnam should continue to develop regulatory frameworks to manage these investments effectively and in line with the nations development objectives. What are the pros and cons of the wave of Chinese investment inflows into Vietnam? With the climb of Chinese investment into Vietnam, the first and most significant opportunity would be economic growth. The development contributes to Vietnams growth, creates jobs, and stimulates industries. Tech transfer would also be a field to pay attention to, as Chinese companies advanced technologies and expertise will foster innovation in various sectors here. Along with that, investments in infrastructure and supply chain will enhance logistics and connectivity, as well as trade and development, bringing Vietnam closer to becoming an integral part of the global supply chain. As Vietnams most established international law firm, we have been helping Chinese and foreign companies investing in Vietnam for three decades. Our experience tells us that Chinese and foreign investors need to be familiarised with regulations here related to environmental protection and labour rights, among other requirements governing foreign investments. If Vietnam continues on its course in effectively managing the opportunities and challenges associated with foreign funding, this will ensure balanced and sustainable development that benefits Vietnams economy and also foreign investors. What are your recommendations for Vietnam to improve the quality of its foreign investment inflows, including those that stem from China? Enhancing the quality of all foreign investments should be a continuous effort. Firstly, the Vietnamese government should ensure that only high-quality foreign projects are approved. For large-scale projects, this can be achieved by appraising the capability of the foreign investors and/or putting in place a bidding/tendering process. Secondly, comprehensive regulations for foreign funding should address issues such as licensing, foreign exchange, environmental protection, research and development, and labour. The published information about foreign ventures and improving oversight of foreign investment will help to ensure that foreign financiers comply with Vietnamese laws and regulations. The third aspect is to facilitate incentives for high-quality foreign investment. Good incentives can attract high-quality money, and the government is working on many incentives for investors to draw in foreign funding. Some of these include tax-related incentives, land and water surface rent exemptions, custom duty exceptions, and capital incentives to provide foreign investors with access to funding. China's Haohua to build a $500-million tyre factory in Binh Phuoc On September 11, Chinas Shandong Haohua Tire was awarded an investment registration certificate to build a $500-million tyre factory in the southern province of Binh Phuoc. Chinese rail and power giants seek major investment in Vietnam's infrastructure China Railway Construction Corporation and PowerChina about show strong interest in joining Vietnam's infrastructure endeavours, especially the proposed Lao Cai - Hanoi - Haiphong railway project. On October 10, Coro Energy announced that it has signed an MoU with Mobile World Investment Corporation in Vietnam to install rooftop solar systems across its national portfolio. Mobile World Investment Corporation is a white goods and consumer electronics retailer listed in Vietnam. With 3,600 locations across the country, it has the potential to install 360MW of rooftop solar across all its sites. The MoU grants Coro exclusivity on an initial 900 locations (estimated at 50MW of rooftop solar capacity) in the central and southern regions of Vietnam, where solar irradiation is the highest in the country. Under the MoU, Coro will build, own, and operate each rooftop solar system and sell the generated electricity directly to each Mobile World Investment Corporation location under a 14-year Power Purchase Agreement extendable in certain circumstances with variable pricing and a floor price of 11.2 US cents per kilowatt hour. Michael Carrington, managing director of Renewables at Coro commented, "I am delighted to announce our strategic tie-up with Mobile World Investment Corporation. We are moving to scale at pace, focused on long-term, solid cash flows and funded largely by industry players that we intend to farm into the portfolio." In addition, Coro also announced the acquisition of a 2.39MW rooftop solar portfolio from the shareholders of KIMY Trading and Service JSC. The total acquisition price was $1.3 million ($543/MW), with Coro assuming $600,000 of existing specialist renewables debt with a Vietnamese bank and the remainder being paid in cash and shares. Another 3MW solar rooftop project that has been operational in Vietnam since October 2022 has generated revenue of $116,000 for Coro during the first six months of 2023. Following the interim period, Coro has reported advanced talks with Capton Energy regarding possible co-investment solutions for Coro's 50MW pipeline of Vietnamese rooftop solar projects. Capton Energy, based in Dubai, is a joint venture between Siemens Financial Services and Desert Technologies. Coro Energy enters Vietnamese renewable energy market Coro Energy Plc., a London-based gas explorer, has signed a deal to become an independent power producer in the fast-growing Vietnamese energy market. Coro Energy negotiating to purchase 3.25MW portfolio of leased rooftop solar in Vietnam Coro Energy Plc., a Southeast Asian energy company with a natural gas and clean energy portfolio, has begun exclusive negotiations to purchase a portfolio of leased rooftop solar projects in Vietnam with a combined generating capacity of 3.25MW. Contracted firms must be granted a licence to confirm compliance to environmental regulations, photo Le Toan A fortnight ago, Dong Nai Department of Natural Resources and Environment sent a document to CJ Vina Agri and three other foreign-invested enterprises, requiring them to temporarily suspend their contracts with 328 outsourcing farms that have yet to complete environmental procedures. Of these, CJ Vina Argi has the most farming contracts with 250, followed by C.P. Vietnam with 46, Sunjin Vina with 19, and Japfa Comfeed Vietnam with 13. The southern province of Dong Nai is considered the countrys main farming region, with a total herd of more than 2.5 million pigs and a chicken population of over 26 million in nearly 1,500 large facilities and more than 22,200 small-scale farms. The scale increases the likeliness of environmental-based violations. Earlier in the summer, Nguyen Tan Phats livestock farm in Thong Nhat district was criticised due to discharging wastewater and causing environmental pollution. The facility is used for CJ Vina Agris Dong Nai Branch. An inspection found that the farm had 900 pigs, one biogas tank containing wastewater, and four post-treatment pits with wastewater overflowing into the environment. After analysis, they found that the treated wastewater was not good enough for environmental hygiene and did not meet technical regulations on livestock wastewater. Phats livestock farm was given a VND48 million ($2,000) penalty, requested not to discharge untreated livestock wastewater into the environment, and required to cease livestock farming altogether. In May, the facility had sold 400 of its 900 pigs, and the local peoples committee requested that the remainder all be sold. According to Thong Nhat Peoples Committee, animal husbandry farms processing and constructing wastewater treatment facilities are not guaranteed, and most biogas tanks are overloaded. Wastewater storage pits are not waterproof and could lead to overflow into ditches and streams. The 250 contracted farms of CJ Vina Agri in Dong Nai will have to supplement their environmental procedures and must be granted a licence to confirm their environmental compliance before returning to breeding. In addition to Dong Nai, outsourcing farms of CJ Vina Agri were also blamed in other provinces across the country. Particularly, the majority of husbandry farms in Phu Nghia commune in Hanois Chuong My district that are under contract with CJ Vina Agri have been accused of environmental violations. Tran Manh Quang, a representative of CJ Vina Agri, said that the company wants to support livestock farmers to build technical infrastructure and protect the environment, but the costs are quite high, and the company is also worried about long-term cooperation falling through. If the owner of a farm builds a waste treatment system that is certified by a state agency as qualified and the farmer agrees to sign a 5- or 10-year livestock farming contract, we will consider a contribution to this cost, said Quang. The company requires farms to ensure environmental regulations, construction, land, and resource use but does not always check whether the farms are qualified to operate or not before signing a cooperation contract. A leader of Phu Nghia Peoples Committee said, We can see some irresponsibility and negligence on the part of CJ Vina Agri in these cases. During inspections earlier this year, the farms in Phu Nghia commune did not provide environmental legal dossiers, and had no treatment system for wastewater before discharging into the environment. Some canals were deemed overly dirty and with a foul smell because numerous farms have discharged into them. South Korean conglomerate CJ Group has invested into animal feed production since 1999. CJ Vina Agri delivers pork and chicken to most major supermarkets across the country like Lotte, GO!, King Food, Tmart, and GS25. CJ Vina Agris website boasts that the company deals with more than 800 farms under the outsourcing contracts across Vietnam, and with a scale of herd up to one million pigs and one million chickens. The farms are installed with modern equipment, the breeding environment ensures safety and hygiene, and experts strictly manage the health of pigs, it adds. Pig farm fuss highlights foul plight A big pig farm in the northern province of Ninh Binh is in the centre of a serious pollution scandal, with the owner refusing responsibility and the local authorities woefully lacking oversight to set matters straight. Culinary delights add to allure of Vietnamese tourism, Illustrative image (Photo: vietnamnet.vn) Hanoi - With its rich and diverse culinary heritage and the refinement in cooking and enjoyment cultivated over thousands of years, Vietnam holds huge potential to develop culinary tourism, turning its gastronomy into a captivating advantage to attract visitors. The World Food Travel Association (WFTA) estimated that a staggering 81 per cent of international travellers express a desire to explore local cuisine. They are willing to spend an average of 25-35 per cent of their travel budget on food and beverages during their journeys. Statistics showed that culinary experiences have evolved beyond mere sustenance for travellers and have gradually become one of the primary motivations for tourism. Culinary offerings strongly influence destination choices and stimulate travellers' spending. Therefore, there is no reason for Vietnam not to leverage its culinary strengths to enhance its appeal as a tourist destination, considering that the Vietnamese cuisine has consistently received international recognition. The renowned American travel publication Travel Leisure named Vietnam as the Best Culinary Destination in the Bucket List Places in Asia in 2023. Readers of the world's largest travel platform, Tripadvisor, also voted Hanoi as one of the worlds top 20 food destinations for 2023. Prior to these accolades, many famous Vietnamese dishes such as pho, banh mi (baguette), bun cha (noodles with grilled pork), banh cuon (steamed rice roll) and more had been honoured on various reputable international media outlets. This further emphasises that the Vietnamese cuisine is indeed a valuable resource that could provide a comparative advantage, improving the country's competitiveness on the global tourism map. In recent years, the appeal of culinary experiences has received increased attention in the design and promotion of travel products. The concept of "culinary tourism" has been more widely recognised as some companies have begun to hold culinary tours and experiences. However, these activities remain at a small scale. The Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association (VCCA) has initiated a project titled "Building and Developing Vietnamese Culinary Culture into a National Brand for 2022-2024". In the first phase of this project, VCCA awarded certificates to 121 typical Vietnamese culinary dishes selected from 421 nominations nationwide. The second phase aims to create a comprehensive collection of 1,000 typical Vietnamese dishes and transform this data into an online culinary map and a virtual culinary museum. To create unforgettable experiences, experts suggested customising the culinary experiences of tourists by combining exploration and hands-on participation, allowing them to engage in activities such as farming, food preparation, and cooking with the guidance of culinary experts. This approach helps visitors understand Vietnamese cuisine on a deeper level, appreciating the intricacy and cultural significance of each regional dish. Nguyen Le Phuc, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said culinary tourism is an important part of the Vietnam's tourism development strategy until 2023 to enhance the country's competitive edge and its tourism brand. According to him, the VNAT is focusing on building high-quality, attractive culinary tourism products, enabling tourists to explore the cultural essence and community life at each destination through the lens of local food and beverages. They could also learn about the tradition of eating and cultural etiquette according to the Vietnamese customs. He noted that the sector will also popularise Vietnamese culinary culture to the world through events at home and abroad, especially in countries set as key tourism markets. Energy behemoths set stage for new commitments, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com British multinational oil and gas giant BP is one of those pursuing its ambitions to develop offshore wind power projects in this country. An MoU in the research and transfer of wind power technology between BP and Quang Ninh Department of Science and Technology was signed within the framework of the Techconnect and Innovation Vietnam event on September 30. Alessandro Antonioli, country head for offshore wind at BP based in London, said at the event that the northern province of Quang Ninh, an emerging industrial base in northern Vietnam, had many good natural conditions to build wind power plants. Besides this, the province also attracts millions of tourists each year and is also a locality with the ability to draw in investment and develop clean energy sources. Going forward, we will work with the local authorities to discuss solutions to promote investment, and connect with other stakeholders in the area to collect data and develop energy plans. Wind is suitable for the provinces economic development situation, he said. Last year, BP and Vietnamese private group Sovico proposed a 3GW offshore wind project in the same province. Under that, three phases will be used to build the farm: the first will take place in the 2027-2030 period and have a 500MW capacity; the second and third phases will follow in the 2030-2035 period and have a combined 2,500MW capacity. By 2030, 6GW of capacity is required by the nations Power Development Plan VIII. To make this possible, work is being carried out to finish the maritime spatial plan and other legal foundations needed for Southeast Asias first offshore wind farms. Given the lengthy lead periods involved with offshore wind projects, it is imperative that this framework is established as soon as possible, BPs Antonioli said. The prerequisite factor is policy improvement. Wind energy developers not only need money but also need policies to develop, he added. He proposed that in addition to support from the government through a complete policy framework and reasonable licensing process, power purchase agreements should also be able to borrow capital and find capable financial investors. In March, BP also signed an MoU with VinFast to explore collaboration opportunities in providing integrated energy and mobility solutions for the Vietnamese company and its customers globally. The pair will also explore working together to advocate for commercial and private access to renewable energy sources to power electric vehicle charging networks. Danish energy behemoth Orsted is one of the European businesses spearheading efforts to enter the offshore wind market in Vietnam. One of the biggest offshore wind energy providers in the world, the group started working with another local private T&T Group to investigate related projects. Meanwhile, energy groups such as Equinor and Sumitomo have all shown ambition in offshore wind in Vietnam. Marine planning a prerequisite for offshore investment plans Vietnam may require a more active planning process and appropriate policies to reach its offshore wind capacity goal of 6GW by 2030. HCMC proposes 6,000MW Can Gio offshore wind power plant in PDP8 Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has put forth a proposal to incorporate the Can Gio offshore wind power plant, boasting a capacity of 6,000MW, into the forthcoming Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8). The company (BSR) last week achieved a credit rating of BB, accompanied by a positive outlook and a standalone profile of BB- by international credit rating agency Fitch Ratings. Fiscal health underpins BSRs rating ascent, illustration photo Such accolades reinforce the firms robust fiscal health in an increasingly dynamic energy market. BSRs CEO Bui Ngoc Duong said, Securing an international credit rating not only augments our capital access but emphatically underscores the markets trust in our strategic foresight and operational acumen. BSRs importance in the energy landscape is underscored by its role in refining and processing for PetroVietnam. Currently, it meets 35 per cent of Vietnams fuel requirements and accounts for 43 per cent of the nations total oil refining capacity. A glance at BSRs financial standing showcases a firm in strong stead, with liquid assets amounting to $835.5 million, a charter capital of $1.3 billion, revenues surpassing $1.6 billion, and a total asset base of $3.2 billion. PetroVietnam representative Bui Minh Tien weighed in on BSRs role in buttressing Vietnams energy security, articulating the companys commitment to BSR. Fitch Ratings affirmation serves as an unequivocal testament to our unwavering support for BSR. Our focus is now centred on navigating the roadmap for further rating enhancements, explained Tien. The new rating, according to Tien, is a manifestation of the strategic synergy between Petrovietnam and BSR, spotlighting their financial stewardship. Such recognition not only validates current operations but also sets the tone for future endeavours, he added. BSRs operational prowess is further evidenced by its management of Dung Quat refinery factory, consistently operating at optimal capacity levels. The facility has been instrumental in addressing market needs, even during pressing times, showcasing its role in the national economic framework. Recent market indicators have further burnished Dung Quats reputation, revealing that the facilitys production metrics have either met or exceeded their stipulated targets for the year. This robust performance has not escaped the notice of industry observers. KB Securities Vietnam, in its recent analysis, earmarked BSR as a potentially lucrative stock proposition, attributing their bullish stance to a surprising uptick in the diesel spread. Under the national petroleum-gas reserve infrastructure planning approved in July, Vietnam will develop an infrastructure system near oil refineries with a storage capacity of 1-2 million tons of crude oil. We expect BSRs crude oil input will be stable in both price and supply in the long term once the oil storage facility is built in the Dung Quat area, KB Securities added. Simultaneously, in a strategic alignment bid, BSR has initiated talks with Deloitte Vietnam to streamline its financial reporting in adherence to International Financial Reporting Standards. Duong of BSR heralded the transition as congruent with the Ministry of Finances 2025 vision. Implementing these standards will bolster BSRs eligibility for an international market listing, facilitate capital arrangements, and boost investment appeal, especially during the expansion phase of the Dung Quat refinery, Duong said. The upward trajectory of global crude prices further positions BSR favourably. Amid rising crude oil prices, financial observers predict a robust performance for BSR in the last few months of this year, particularly noting the widening crack spread for diesel and jet A1 fuels. On the equity front, BSR is transitioning its listing from the Unlisted Public Company Market to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HSX), having fulfilled eight of the nine required transfer criteria. Additionally, in a move to expedite this shift, the firm last month sought the State Securities Commissions assistance in regarding outstanding debt criterion. Although a Q3 shift to the HSX was initially proposed, insiders now foresee a potential move in Q4, which is anticipated to bolster BSRs capital mobilisation for business expansion. Transitioning to the HSX represents a pivotal step for BSR, underscoring its growth trajectory and poised to unlock a plethora of opportunities, further elevating its profile within the investment community, a company representative said. Bui Ngoc Duong - CEO, Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC Dung Quat Refinerys expansion and upgrade project is currently in the feasibility analysis phase, with tentative plans for integration and commercial operation by early 2028. The main purpose of the project is to improve refinery complexity, driven by national energy security, greater flexibility in the crude mix, and product slate optimisation. I hold a bullish view on BSRs prospects. Our commitment remains steadfast in driving the national economy forward, acting as both a catalyst for growth and a beacon for energy security. Beyond that, we aim to deliver enhanced economic value to the government, elevate environmental standards, and provide more employment opportunities for our community. Binh Son Refining withdraws HNX listing application Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company (BSR) has sent a document to the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) to withdraw its registration for listing shares on the northern bourse. Huyen Nhu Lanh , coordinator of the project "Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Supply Chains in Vietnam" by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam, AHK Vietnam (left) and Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers , country director of FNF Vietnam (right) How can German companies ensure sustainability under the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, and how should Vietnamese businesses adapt? Lanh: The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), which came into effect at the beginning of 2023, applies to businesses operating in Germany with over 3,000 employees. Starting in 2024, it will extend to companies with over 1,000 employees. Under this legislation, businesses falling within its scope are mandated to implement appropriate and effective measures to manage risks and violations to both human rights and the environment across their global supply chains. Importantly, this law does not establish new standards nor impose a duty of guarantee. Instead, it promotes an duty of effort approach, with a focus on continuously enhancing standards related to corporate social responsibility and environmental protection. As a result, in order to meet the stringent criterias set by this regulation, businesses must meticulously assess region-specific and industry-specific risks and violations regarding these mentioned protected legal positions. Beyond adjusting contractual terms appropriately and systematically ensuring compliance, they should also motivate and support their suppliers in various ways to foster collaboration and alignment with the new sustainability goals. At the moment, many German businesses, in their updated Code of Conducts, require their suppliers to meet specific international standards such as BSCI, SMETA, ISO 14001, and others. These requirements might prove to be overwhelming for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), making them an ineffective and inappropriate measure in the context of the law's criteria. On the contrary, Vietnamese businesses should take into account the need for more frequent compliance checks from the buyer's perspective. Giving specific attention to the new terms within the Code of Conduct and the contractual agreements is crucial. In instances of non-compliance with serious damage, orders may be suspended until the violations are rectified. How do you view the dual nature of the new developments, posing challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese businesses? Stoffers: Compliance with this act presents significant challenges and costs for both German and Vietnamese businesses. There's also the risk of supply chain exclusion for Vietnamese companies. However, it offers an opportunity for adaptable businesses to build trust and become an attractive investment destination. In my perspective, the supply chain law can yield long-term benefits by curbing violations and pollution, enhancing reputation, reducing costs, and expanding into new markets. Despite challenges such as expenses and complexity, Vietnamese companies should prepare to seize these opportunities, boosting Vietnam's economic attractiveness and resilience. In what ways can the Vietnamese economy capitalise on this act? Stoffers: The act opens several avenues for Vietnamese companies to thrive. Firstly, it underscores the importance of human rights and environmental due diligence. Ignoring these risks can damage reputation, legitimacy, and stakeholder loyalty, potentially leading to exclusion from supply chains. By embracing the provisions of the LkSG, Vietnamese firms can position themselves as pioneers in supply chain diversification, a strategy known as "China + 1." This is particularly relevant as Vietnam garners attention from global customers. Secondly, this act ensures legal certainty and equal rules for all, including both German and Vietnamese entities. Currently, companies may hesitate to invest in monitoring labour, social, and environmental standards due to the reluctance of competitors. However, the LkSG obliges them to embrace these standards, reducing the practice of free-riding. While the obligations under the LkSG don't bind Vietnamese firms, they make sense from a risk management perspective. Thirdly, this act yields developmental benefits for Vietnam. By adhering to social and environmental standards, companies can improve working conditions and worker income, contributing to economic growth. Fourthly, local businesses can enhance their resilience. Recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development findings demonstrate that socially and environmentally responsible companies are better equipped to weather crises, fostering long-term benefits. Lastly, Vietnamese enterprises can incubate their competitiveness by early adoption of supply chain law mandates. In the coming years, similar regulations will become more prevalent, especially in connection with the Sustainable Development Goals. Companies that prepare optimally will gain a competitive edge on the global stage and enhance their corporate reputation. What have you observed regarding businesses reactions to social and environmental standards requirements? Lanh: I've had the privilege of engaging with numerous Vietnamese businesses through training sessions, on-site visits, and discussions on these topics. My impression is that tier-1 companies generally exhibit a heightened awareness of compliance, with some actively seeking solutions to bolster their adherence, while a few rely solely on certifications for validation. In contrast, tier-2 and subsequent tiers often respond with phrases like, "Social responsibility and environmental protection? It's a great and meaningful topic, but we just can't manage it." It's evident that businesses have diverse needs, influenced by factors such as their size, objectives, existing management systems as well as the volume of orders they currently handle. Some may need a fundamental shift in their mindset towards sustainable and responsible business practices, while others may benefit from technical support to integrate these criteria into their management systems. Additionally, some may require financial assistance to elevate their standards to the desired level, possibly starting with securing stable orders. Companies from the Global North cannot expect that, despite low purchase prices, adequate wages will be paid, working hours will remain within legal limits, and labour and environmental standards will be adhered to. Following the success of the Hozo International Music Festival 2022, Tuborg continues its role as the strategic sponsor for Hozo's new project "Hozo Inspired Talent 2023". Embracing the spirit of why not and being ready to explore new experiences, Tuborg and Hozo steadily nurture young talents, and ignite a passion for music throughout the city. Over two colourful and exciting nights of music festivities on September 23-24, the audience enjoyed sensational experiences in a diverse and lively musical atmosphere right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. With huge investment into the stage, sound system, and magnificent lighting, the Hozo Inspiration Talented contestants could brilliantly showcase their unique talents. It was the multi-talented and colourful performances of 12 contestants, with outstanding electronic music from 2!MUCH, the dynamic alternative rock from the Dau Van Tay band, the modern combined folk music of contestant Cao Ba Hung, along with other impressive high-quality performances. All of these created an impressive music space, touching upon various emotional nuances among audiences. Besides this, there was also the participation of domestic and foreign guest artists, such as Hoang Dung, Grey D, DJ Determind, DJ Vinjaz, MC Hype Goku, MC Duong Tung, Rapper ICD and many others, inspiring young music lovers to join the fun with Tuborg, and turn on Hozo mood. Tuborg was not only a strategic sponsor, accompanying the contestants of Hozo Inspiration Talented to do their best with their performances, but also treated the audience with the fresh taste of Tuborg ICE beer, along with a series of free activities and endless fun. First, there were check-in points that attracted the audiences hearts at the event with cool Tuborg kiosks and a "million-heart booth" spreading love for the city and providing picturesque backdrops for taking photos. There were also many opportunities to receive hot gifts from Tuborg. Tuborg offered lucky draws with some fantastic rewards: the grand prize winner received a Marshall Kilburn speaker; the second prize winner got a Naturehike cooler; and each of the five third prize winners received two crates of refreshing Tuborg ICE beer. The total prize value was up to VND10 million ($425). With exceptionally cold Tuborg Ice, the brand provided the audience with soaring emotions of music, ensured unforgettable experience. Tuborg is the top-selling premium beer in the Carlsberg Group's product lines and is present in more than 80 countries. Carlsberg Vietnam Beer Co., Ltd. officially introduced the international beer brand Tuborg in the Vietnamese market, and Tuborg quickly became an indispensable international beer brand, creating the fun for young people who love exploration and joyful moments. For more information about Tuborg Vietnam, please visit the website: tuborg.com or the fanpage: facebook.com/TuborgVietnam/ Tuborg FUNTILT Party delivers a multisensory experience Tuborg has been consistently innovating for the past 140 years to bring many fun and unique experiences to young people* as they enjoy a beer. One of the oldest is the simple tilt of the bottle to see the Tuborg logo. In keeping with that spirit, Tuborg is launching the FUNTILT Party with a variety of exciting multisensory experiences. Huda pioneers beach carnival in Central Vietnam Huda promises to bring an explosive summer to people in the central region, with tonnes of memorable activities in an epic beach carnival. Indonesia"s Garuda conducts test flight with palm oil-blended jet fuel, Source: garuda-indonesia.com Jakarta - Indonesia's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia said on October 10 that it has completed a test flight using a palm oil-blended jet fuel on a Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. Garuda Chief Executive Irfan Setiaputra said the plane flew more than 130 km from the capital Jakarta to Pelabuhan Ratu in the southern part of Java island in a one-hour return flight last week, using jet fuel containing 2.4 per cent palm content. He noted that with these results, Garuda Indonesia is ready to explore the use of sustainable aviation fuel on commercial flights and added that a wider use of the fuel would be based on a comprehensive study. Prior to the test flight, Garuda had conducted a static test and engine ground tests since July, 2023. As the world's biggest palm oil producer, Indonesia has been pushing for wider use of edible oils and a reduction in crude oil imports. In 2021, the country ran a test flight with the same fuel on an aircraft made by state-owned Dirgantara Indonesia, flying from the city Bandung in West Java to the capital Jakarta. Indonesia discusses solutions to cope with El Nino Indonesian President Joko Widodo and ministers have discussed solutions to cope with the El Nino phenomenon in the country. Indonesia to set up tourism fund Indonesian President Joko Widodo has instructed relevant ministers to form a fund serving the building of a world-class tourism sector, according to Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno. This recognition highlights the company's integral human resources development strategy and serves as a testament to the significance of investing in people and creating an inclusive and fair work environment in which everyone can thrive. Masan High-Tech Materials (MHT) the owner of the Nui Phao mine in the northern province of Thai Nguyen is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-tech materials with over 2,200 employees working in Vietnam and across its production facilities globally (Germany, Canada, and China). MHT's state-of-the-art mineral processing plant at the Nui Phao mine As a Vietnamese company with a global presence, Masan High-Tech Materials aspires to make substantial investments in its human capital and pursues a people-first strategy. The company not only ensures transparent and attractive employee rewards and recognition but also fosters an environment where everyone is inspired to be creative, make contributions, and reach their full potential. According to the Great Place to Work survey results, 90 per cent of employees consider Masan High-Tech Materials a trustworthy workplace and 92 per cent express a desire to make a long-term commitment to the company, feeling proud to share about it with others. 96 per cent of surveyed employees reported satisfaction and a sense of belonging when joining the company. Furthermore, 91 per cent expressed confidence in the transparent and inspiring leadership of the management team. Masan High-Tech Materials could not have garnered such wonderful survey results without the managements vision and people-focused strategy. The multicultural working environment at MHT Throughout the year, the company conducts regular dialogues with its workforce to publicly share its business results, enabling employees to understand the company's financial performance and to update themselves on the business' policies and development plans. As a result, 91 per cent of employees expressed confidence in the leaderships openness and clear growth strategy. They also acknowledged fair treatment and respect in the workplace. Last year, the company organised hundreds of training sessions, totalling over 46,000 hours and attracting 24,250 participants. Along with professional skills, these training sessions focused on developing soft skills, enhancing job efficiency, and improving the communication and collaboration abilities of employees. The company also provides clear career paths for competent employees who continuously strive to contribute to the company's growth. International friends visit MHT Beyond career development and job performance, MHT management encourages and supports employees to balance their work and home lives. Understanding the employees' desires outside the workplace, the company offers flexible work schedules, comprehensive healthcare programmes, regular outings, and activities such as yoga and running. Competitive compensation packages are also ensured. With an unwavering commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Masan High-Tech Materials focuses not only on business growth but also on the development of a prosperous community. With an unwavering commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Masan High-Tech Materials focuses not only on business growth but also on the development of a prosperous community. The company contributes $42.2 million to the state budget, $1 million to Thai Nguyen province for socioeconomic development and cultural activities, and employs thousands of local personnel. Over the past decade, the company has spent around $168,800 on educational support, benefiting more than 2,500 students. Additionally, by promoting sustainable practices and technological initiatives that minimise its environmental impacts, MHT has demonstrated that commercial activities can coexist with social responsibility and sustainable development, a fact acknowledged by 93 per cent of the surveyed employees. Craig Bradshaw, CEO of Masan High-Tech Materials said, We firmly believe that a great workplace is defined not just by financial success, but also from creating an environment where everyone is respected and encouraged to grow. The Great Place to Work certification is more than just recognition. It motivates Masan High-Tech Materials to keep nurturing a fair, transparent, and happy working environment, he added. Great Place to Work is a global organisation focusing on workplace culture, with over 30 years of experience in data research and business culture certification. Its surveys and the Trust Model make it easy to rate the employee experience and uncover actionable insights. This enables businesses to be recognised for their great company culture and gain the opportunity to be featured among the Best Places to Work in the region and around the world. Global surge in certified financial planning unlocks potential in Vietnam The widespread acceptance of Certified Financial Planning (CFP) standards under the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) magnifies the untapped possibilities for Vietnam's financial advisory sector. Masan Group maintains strong standing in Forbes list Masan Group was recognised during Forbes Magazine's "2023 Top 50 Listed Companies" event in Ho Chi Minh City on August 17, marking the 11th consecutive year for the group. At the conference in Da Nang on October 11, which discusses the planning for the north-central and central coastal region for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi - The planning for the north-central and central coastal region for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, has introduced new and innovative insights and proposals based on the region's advantages and strengths, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung at a conference held in Da Nang on October 11. The plans vision to 2050 aligns with the Politburos Resolution No.26-NQ/TW on the region's socio-economic development and defence-security until 2030, aiming to foster rapid, sustainable, and economically robust development, particularly in the field of maritime economy, according to the minister.In this regard, localities involved need to invest in essential infrastructure, notably in transportation and logistics, energy, information, digital transformation, education, training, healthcare, disaster prevention, and climate change adaptation.The minister also highlighted the expansion of coastal economic spaces with clear priorities, and the restructuring of agro-fisheries-forestry and aquaculture in association with processing. He laid stress on building urban systems especially those in coastal areas with links to the development of economic and industrial zones, contributing to raising the areas density of economic activities and enhancing urban areas' international competitiveness and integration. Particular emphasis should be placed on resource management, environmental protection, and proactive climate change response through comprehensive cross-sectoral and inter-regional management, Dung also said. The north-central and central coastal region is of special strategic importance to the country in terms of politics, economics, culture, society, national defence, security, and diplomacy. The region's growth averaged 7.3% annually between 2005 and 2020, higher than the national average of 6.36%. Their economic scale reached 1,157 trillion VND in 2020, 3.3 times higher than the figure for 2010. The region's economic structure has so far shifted toward greater shares of services and industry. Matsukiyo, a retail chain with nearly a century of experience in the beauty and healthcare industry in Japan, opened its first store in Hanoi at the end of September, bringing the total number of stores in Vietnam to seven. Hiroki Miyaoka, managing director of Matsukiyo in Vietnam, said that Hanoi will be an important highlight in the brands expansion strategy in Vietnam. Top prospects shine through for retailers, Source: Matsumoto Kiyoshi We decided to open the new store because Hanoi represents the diversity and potential of the market and is also the focus of increasing demand in the beauty and healthcare sector, Miyaoka explained. Matsukiyo owns 1,800 stores in Japan. In Vietnam, this retail chain has been present since 2020, but has only operated in Ho Chi Minh City. The retailer plans to open two more stores in October and 15 in total in Vietnam in the next year. Vietnams economy has quickly achieved high growth rates in the Southeast Asia region, and I see many positive growth prospects in the near future, he added. Other retailers from Japan are also in the race to expand market share through opening new stores, such as MUJI, which opened its fifth store in Ho Chi Minh City and sixth store in Hanoi. At the end of September, fashion retailer UNIQLO opened its 10th store in Hanoi, bringing the number of UNIQLO retail stores in Vietnam to 22. Hideki Nishida, newly appointed general director of UNIQLO Vietnam, said, Our retail activities in Vietnam have only just begun, but the strategic partnership in manufacturing has lasted more than 20 years. I feel that Vietnamese customers have a great demand for all of our products and so this is a huge development opportunity, Nishida declared. Meanwhile, AEON Vietnam also shared its plan to continue expanding its scale with a diverse business model in the next few years, including large shopping centres, department stores, supermarket chains, convenience stores, and specialised stores. We will not only continue to open stores in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but will expand to the Central region and neighbouring localities, shared general director Furusawa Yasuyuki. Early in the third quarter, AEON Vietnam was issued a $41 million loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Mizuho Bank to open two new general merchandise stores in the southern provinces of Binh Duong and Long An. The move will also support the development of a distribution network for Japanese ingredients and processed food in Vietnam through AEONs stores. This retailer also just signed a cooperation agreement with 20 Vietnamese university and college training institutions at the end of September to train human resources for the retail industry, preparing for future expansion. Vietnam is identified as AEONs second key market after Japan, and the retailer currently runs six large stores in the country, with plans to open a further 30 by 2030. According to Nobuta Tetsuhiro, counsellor from the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, the close 50-year relationship between the two countries is the reason for the Japanese government to increase support for retailers entering the Vietnamese market. According to a Japan External Trade Organization survey, Vietnam is the second most popular country for Japanese companies after the US to expand their business in the future, Tetsuhiro said. Despite concerns about a global economic recession this year, Vietnam continues to show strong growth and is an attractive investment destination for Japanese companies. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnams retail industry currently has a market size of $142 billion, which is forecast to increase to $350 billion by 2025. Meanwhile, Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC and a number of Thai investors announced that they wanted to buy up to 20 per cent of grocer Bach Hoa Xanh, the third-largest grocery chain in Vietnam, with a valuation of about $1.5-1.7 billion. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024. Bach Hoa Xanh was founded in 2015 and is a member of retail giant Mobile World Investment, currently running more than 1,700 stores across Vietnam. Meanwhile, Thailands Central Retail earlier this year announced investment worth $1.45 billion in the Vietnamese market over the next five years, while South Koreas Lotte Group last month opened the largest retail complex in Vietnam, worth $643 million, in Hanoi. The official opening was attended by Lotte Group chairman Shin Dong-bin. Singapore's GIC eyes potential M&A deal in Vietnam's retail sector The Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund GIC and other investors are vying to scoop up a 20 per cent stake in Bach Hoa Xanh, Mobile Worlds grocery store chain. New Lotte mall expands operating terms amid growth in foreign retail At a meeting on September 22, Lotte Group asked to adjust the operating term of the Lotte Mall Tay Ho complex project to 2060, instead of 2046 as previously approved. Vietnam is preparing to utilise all options towards possible energy difficulties in 2024 and 2025, Photo: Le Toan Vietnam Electricity (EVN) started the construction of the Monsoon-Thanh My 500kV transmission line project on September 30, with a total investment of $45.26 million. The line is expected to be put into operation by the end of 2024 and will transmit a maximum capacity of about 2,500MW, contributing to improving the operating capacity of the national power system through importing electricity from Laos. According to the power purchase agreement (PPA), for the first phase, the line will receive electricity imported from Laos wind power sources with a capacity of 600MW, and the expected average annual electricity output is about 1.7 billion kWh. EVN had previously asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to complete a dossier on importing electricity from hydroelectric and wind power plants in Laos such as the Nam Mo hydroelectric plant cluster and the Houay Kaouan hydroelectric plant. As of August, EVN has signed 19 PPAs with investors to buy electricity from 26 power plants in Laos to sell electricity to Vietnam, with a total capacity of 2,240MW. Negotiating the purchase and sale of electricity from Laos is of great significance, the state utility has said. By 2025, very few new power sources will be introduced, so, during the peak dry season of 2025, the power supply in the northern region will be difficult to maintain. Electricity capacity may be short by 3,630MW and output short of about 6.8 billion kWh in May-July 2025. Therefore, the group believes that adding imported electricity sources from Laos to the northern region will contribute to enhancing the ability to ensure electricity supply in the next couple of years. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien explained that in the newly approved Power Development Plan VIII, there is a direction to export renewable energy electricity to neighbouring countries to ensure economic efficiency. In addition, the mobilisation of domestic renewable energy power sources will be thoroughly implemented by the power industry, if those projects ensure full legal framework. In addition to Laos, Vietnam has imported electricity from China for many years, also considered a long-term measure to ensure electricity supply. Vietnam imports electricity from China mainly through the border gates at Ha Giang and Lao Cai provinces. However, due to limitations on 220kV lines, increasing capacity to import electricity from China is not possible. In a June conference, energy expert Ha Dang Son said that electricity shortages were warned of two years ago, especially for the north. There is a big risk to the power supply because the north has almost no new sources. Even the Thai Binh 2 thermal power plant took nearly 10 years to be successfully connected to the grid, and it also often encounters problems. Renewable energy in the north is simply more difficult to build than in the central region or the south, he said. Energy security deemed more likely with appropriate offshore wind strategy Offshore wind power is not only expected to contribute to Vietnams net-zero goal by 2050 but also help with the countrys ever-increasing hunger for energy. All systems go for energy security The newly approved Power Development Plan VIII for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, is designed to improve the countrys energy security and set out a roadmap for developing energy sources towards a green path. However, realising the targets will be a profound challenge for all involved. The downtown Tax Increment Financing Zone board voted again Tuesday to offer more time for a trio of East Waco hotels that have overrun their original deadline by more than a year. KB Hotels President and CEO Kenny Bhakta requested a second extension to his contract with the city that will provide $3.2 million for the construction of the 132-room Cambria Hotel, 128-room Even Hotel and 101-room Holiday Inn Express along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Bhakta made his original request for funding in 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and Interstate 35 was widened, and was given a 2022 deadline to complete the three-hotel, 361-room endeavor to keep the money. At the time, the estimated cost of the project was $21.7 million. The board in December 2022 voted to extend deadlines for the Cambria and Even hotels until September and the Holiday Inn Express through this December, citing supply chain issues and other barriers to development that spurred from the pandemic. However, a letter from KB Hotels to city management in late July confirmed the projects would not be finished in time. City staffs recommendation to the board Tuesday included six- and two-month extensions for the Even Hotel and Holiday Inn, respectively, to align their completion dates at March 2024. The Cambria Hotel, requiring the least amount of additional time, would get a two-month extension for a Nov. 1 completion deadline. Staff also recommended an amendment to the citys contract with KB Hotels that would remove the possibility of extensions in the future and void the TIF funding if the projects were not completed by their new dates. Bhakta made his request to the TIF Zone board Tuesday joined by Bradley Steele, an attorney out of Longview who also has a home in downtown Waco, and general contractor Ricky Hamblin, owner of Hamblin Construction. Bhakta said problems that arose out of the pandemic have lingered in the construction industry, and he has already sold other real estate to support the three Waco projects. He agreed with the citys recommended deadlines but objected to the provision that would remove the projects funding if the new deadlines are not met. He said more of the kinds of unforeseen circumstances that have hampered the developments progress so far could arise. Steele said after visiting with Bhakta he agrees that the deadlines presented are doable, but the provision that would cancel the TIFs contribution is risky. The board should not corner itself into voiding the contract in case of an unpredictable event, he said. Hamblin, the contractor, said his biggest issue on the ground currently is getting enough skilled laborers back on the job with the amount of construction happening in the area. The proposed deadlines are comfortable for now, but Hamblin also warned of circumstances out of the developers control. Its just a matter of dealing with the skilled labor right now thats available, and thats probably our biggest hurdle right now, he said. The thing is, we dont foresee the future of things to come. We think were going to finish by that deadline, but if something else happens between now and then, we have no recourse to come back to you at that point. During a public comment session on the item, Dallas-based U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade, who spoke as the owner of an adjacent business, 101 Elm, and North East Riverside Neighborhood Association President Jeanette Bell also spoke in favor of the deadline extension. Board member Ricky Turman said he is comfortable with removing the provision to pull funding if the next deadline is not met, given the fact that the developer would have to come back to the board and city council to request additional extensions. Dealing with extensions would be much easier than trying to claw back the provision based on noncompliance, he said. Board Chair Kyle Deaver said although he is thankful for the developers investment, he understands city staffs frustration with the timeline extension and hopes it will not happen again. The board unanimously recommended approval of the extension without the provision that would eliminate funding if the developer does not meet his next deadline. The hotels are also expected to receive $3.2 million from the city in a separate Chapter 380 agreement to rebate a portion of their hotel occupancy taxes for seven years after they open, with a cap of $4.9 million if the hotels generate more occupancy tax revenue than expected. Facade funding Also Tuesday, the board heard a presentation from City Center Waco Executive Director Africa Tarver, who highlighted the organizations TIF-funded facade improvement program that has completed 25 projects since 2008, with four currently underway. The board approved $300,000 to continue the program for another year. Grocery grant The board also recommended granting Peter Ellis $483,261 for a potential grocery project at an old H-E-B store at 1726 Austin Ave. The city and developer are also exploring a Chapter 380 grant that would ensure the sites operation as a grocery store for at least 10 years and potential additional American Rescue Plan Act funding. The TIF boards recommendations will go to the city council for consideration. Editors note: Voters have amended the Texas Constitution 517 times since 1876, and they will get the chance again Nov. 7. This is the seventh of a series of Tribune-Herald articles examining the intention and implications of the 14 amendments on the ballot. Proposition 7 is the Texas Legislatures response to the near-failure of the states electrical grid in 2021 and increasing statewide electricity demand in the years since. The constitutional amendment appearing on ballots statewide Nov. 7, along with related legislation, is designed to strengthen the grid by creating a dedicated fund to incentivize upgrades and new construction of dispatchable energy generating facilities. With $5 billion authorized for the next two years, pending voter approval, the fund would provide grants and loans for natural gas-fired generating facilities able to provide power at any time. Proponents of the amendment said repeated calls for voluntary energy conservation this past summer from the states grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, show the need to strengthen the grid. The conservation notices came amid record-high electricity demand spurred by both record-setting summer heat and growth in the states population. Opponents of the measure agree the grid needs to be strengthened but want more investments in renewable sources, saying the dispatchable sources targeted by the fund would drive further climate change, cited as a reason for the increasing heat in Texas. The legislation defines a dispatchable source as a facility whose output can be controlled primarily by forces under human control, which in practice is expected to mean natural gas generation. Texas is the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S. and the third largest producer globally. Senate Joint Resolution 93 puts the proposed amendment on the Nov. 7 ballot, and Senate Bill 2627 lays out the details of the fund, which would be administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. If authorized by voters, the fund will receive $5 billion from the states general budget, passed as House Bill 1. By putting the proposition to voters as a constitutional amendment, the fund can be created for use year after year, effectively setting aside money for the continued growth of the states electrical grid. Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, wrote in an analysis for Senate Bill 2627, which he authored, that February 2021s winter storm revealed failures in Texas electricity market, in particular, the reliability of the grid. Schwertner also authored legislation that passed in 2021 as Senate Bill 3 that is meant to strengthen the states response to weather emergencies threatening the grid. Schwertners new bill comes after a record-breaking summer in Texas, which saw ERCOT issue repeated warnings for voluntary energy conservation and set an all-time peak demand record of 85,464 megawatts on Aug. 10. The ERCOT grid set 10 all-time peak demand records over the summer, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. Each month this past summer also brought a new monthly peak demand record. Schwertner said the new fund will create electricity production capacity that can be called on at any time. Schwertner said he wanted to prioritize natural gas production as opposed to renewable sources such as wind or solar because natural gas generators can produce no matter if the wind is blowing or the sun is shining. We need better resource adequacy to make sure we have enough electrons to power Texas into the future, so when Texans flip the light switch, the lights come on, Schwertner said. The Waco areas legislators voted in favor of Senate Bill 2627, including Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Itasca; Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco; and Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury. In a statement, Birdwell cited the February 2021 storm as showing major failures in Texas electricity market, specifically the lack of sufficient reliable generation capacity. While reforms from SB 3 from the 87th Texas Legislatures Regular Session addressed many critical system issues, there remained a need for increased reliability related specifically to increasing dispatchable generation, Birdwell said. This (Proposition 7) is an important step in making sure our energy grid has sufficient and reliable power as our State continues to grow. Several corporations and organizations registered in favor of the legislation, including ConocoPhillips Alaska, Koch Companies, the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Texas Oil and Gas Association President Todd Staples said natural gas has been the backbone of Texas energy grid and was there to save the day this summer during peak energy demands. Based on ERCOT data, Staples said natural gas held up 60% of the grids demand. By placing more investments in natural gas, Staples said the right energy mix will be created to keep the lights on and power Texas into the future by creating more on-demand energy sources. Affordability and reliability would be greatly enhanced through more investments in natural gas, Staples said. The state needs to prepare for increasing electricity demand because of its steadily increasing population, Staples said. Late last year, Texas hit 30 million residents, nearly doubling in size since 1990, when the population census counted just under 17 million residents. Beyond the population, growth in industrial activity needs to be accounted for ahead of time, Staples said. Texas Association of Manufacturers CEO Tony Bennett also said business activity has been a driver of increased electricity use. Despite slight regressions during the 2008-09 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas GDP has steadily risen every year since 2000, topping off at $1.9 trillion last year. If Texas was its own country, it would have the ninth highest GDP in the world. Power outages could have catastrophic consequences for manufacturers and other industrial operations, Bennett said. In a semiconductor factory, for example, a power outage could ruin entire batches of product, he said. Bennett said renewable energy sources have their place in the energy market and that ERCOT has done a good job integrating different types of energy into the grid, but dispatchable energy sources need to play a key role. He said they are more reliable than renewable sources and need to be available to back up renewables. Schwertner similarly said renewable energy has a place in Texas, especially as technology advances. However, he said as of now, there are issues with the reliability of storing renewable energy to be used later, an issue he said dispatchable energy does not have. Organizations that registered against the legislation include Environment Texas and the Texas Consumer Association. Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger said it is critical for Texas to move away from fossil fuel production due to the impact it has on the environment through air pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. He said climate change is partially to blame for the record-breaking heat seen in Texas this summer. Metzger said Texas needs to move toward 100% clean energy, which he said has had an instrumental role in propping up the ERCOT grid this summer. This past summer, we saw solar in particular play a critical role in keeping the lights on, even as we had significant outages among gas, coal and nuclear plants, Metzger said. Generally this summer the renewables really helped with the grid. So we think that continuing that direction towards 100% clean energy is critical, and that investing in new gas plants is heading in the wrong direction for the state. In response to the critics of renewable energy who say they are weather dependent, Metzger said wind and solar energies are complementary. He said the wind is typically stronger at night or during storms, when the sun is not out. Gov. Greg Abbott will convene a special session of the Texas Legislature next week to tackle the issue of diverting public money to private schools. He is pitching education savings accounts (ESAs), a mechanism by which the state funds and manages individual accounts that allow parents to apply taxpayer money toward private school costs. As of this writing, there is no specific proposal to pump badly needed funding into public education, one of the main issues left untouched by the springs legislative sessions. What are ESAs? Just another term for vouchers. No matter what you call it, whether its school choice or education savings accounts, it always comes back to vouchers. Voucher fever is at fever pitch in the governor and lieutenant governors offices. Abbott has threatened political retribution for any lawmaker that denies the establishment of a voucher program, even though its been beaten back (including this year) by a coalition of lawmakers from both parties time and time again. Hopefully, that coalition will keep the faith and reject it again, although our own Charles Doc Anderson, who is not running for reelection, voted against an amendment forbidding state funds being spent on private schools last spring. Angelia Orr, who represents 60,000 McLennan County residents in a new, gerrymandered House district, has a background in public education and voted in favor of the same amendment. It will be interesting to see if she caves under the full weight of political pressure from the governor. Taking public money away from underfunded public schools and handing it over to private schools is simply a bad idea. Its often couched under the extreme right-wing mantra of school choice, which already exists in Texas. Parents can transfer their kids from one district to another if they want. All they have to do is read up on each districts transfer policy and pay the fee (if there is one). According to the Texas Education Agencys 2022-2023 transfer report, 225 kids transferred into Waco ISD last year and 2,634 kids transferred out. Almost half of those who transferred out went to the charter Harmony Public Schools, which does not charge tuition. Midway ISD saw 314 kids transfer in and 501 transfer out in the same period. Interestingly, 17 China Spring ISD kids moved to Midway and 12 Midway kids moved to China Spring. (For the record, Midway ISD kids also transferred out to the Crawford, Lorena, Robinson, Valley Mills and Waco districts, among others including Rapoport Academy.) Sounds like school choice is alive and well to me. Public education is the great equalizer in our society. Its free and available to all. Despite the fact that its written into the state constitution as basically job No. 1 of state government, its never been properly funded. The growing teacher shortage is proof enough they are underpaid, as well as underappreciated. Texas had more than $30 billion in additional funds to appropriate during the 2023 session, yet several school districts were forced to approve deficit budgets or make severe cuts just to keep the lights on. Im often amused by the political talking points of voucher proponents. They like to extol the benefits of parents having more of a say in their kids education. Parents already have every opportunity to play a key role in their kids education. Lesson plans and course outlines are available at student portals for parents. There are multiple opportunities for parents to meet with teachers one-on-one and if there are concerns, a process exists to voice them to school officials. Parents have as much power and influence over their childs education as they wish to exercise, including the freedom to change schools, enroll in private school (on their own dime) or educate their children at home. There is no need for taxpayers to fund one single dime of private school costs. Vouchers are jargon for bypassing the universal nature of public education. Public schools cannot turn down students who live in their district. They take in everyone. Public schools are the tangible representation of America as a melting pot, where we learn to socialize and draw upon the experiences of others (good and bad) to form our own unique personality. It is exactly that diversity which enriches our society. The tiny rural school I attended in Oklahoma didnt offer a ton of Advanced Placement classes or electives. But I learned the basic subjects, plus how to type, how to weld and how to treat people with respect. I fear it will be among the first to disappear as that states voucher program begins to expand. Personally, I give it five years before it closes. Texas voters cannot allow vouchers to get a foothold here. Abbott has said he will continue to push for vouchers (or whatever trendy word theyre calling them these days), and might even put the issue on the statewide ballot. Oh, if only. If only we could get a clean, up-or-down statewide vote on vouchers! Id take that bet in a heartbeat. It would be an opportunity to kill the issue for good. But that is not likely to happen. Instead the statewide vote (which could easily be a legislative vote in our now full-time Texas Legislature) will likely include a hefty salary increase for public school teachers and a massive infusion of cash (that diminishes over time) if only we pass a voucher program, despite the fact that money exists now to do both without vouchers. The only way to prevent that is to shore up support against the idea. Lawmakers are under a lot of pressure from state leaders to hand over millions of public dollars to private companies who get to pick and choose their students. We already have our choice of two dozen or so good school districts in McLennan County, so go find one you like and throw your support behind public education for all kids. The world finally has a flying Hawker Tempest! Pete Kynsey made the maiden post-restoration flight in Tempest Mk.II MW763 today (October 10, 2023) at Sywell Aerodrome in Northhamptonshire, England following the airframes extensive rebuild with Anglia Aircraft Restoration Ltd. This marks the first time a Tempest, of any marque, has flown in more than half a century. While the Mk.II arrived too late to see service in WWII, unlike the Mk.V, it was one of the most powerful, piston-engined fighter aircraft ever built, and a worthy successor to its forebear, the Hawker Typhoon. MW763 rolled off Hawkers assembly line at their factory in Langley, Berkshire during 1945. It was built to satisfy an Air Ministry contract (ACFT/2438/C.23(a)) for Britains Royal Air Force, but with WWII over and jet fighters on the way, the Tempest was soon surplus to requirements. Hawker purchased MW763 from retired RAF stocks in 1948, refurbishing the Tempest, along with a number of other examples, for the nascent Indian Air Force. It started its IAF service in 1949, joining No. 5 Squadron. India retired most of their Tempests during the early to mid-1950s, using some of their moribund airframes (including MW763) as decoys at Poona Air Base. About a dozen Tempest IIs lingered at there as derelicts until the late 1970s, when the renowned warbird salvager, Doug Arnold, acquired a half dozen or so of the survivors in various states of disrepair. He shipped them back to Britain in 1979. Arnold soon parted ways with the Tempests, selling them to Nick Grace and Chris Horsley in 1980. Brian Angliss acquired MW763 in 1988, and his company, Autokraft, began restoring it at Brooklands the following year. The project changed hands again in 1996, with Gerry Coopers Tempest Two Ltd taking over the restoration at Sandtoft. Progress seemed good at the time, with the airframe soon regaining its original RAF camouflage colors as MW763 and with the codes HF-L (of 54, previously 183 Squadron RAF) but despite this visual sign of progress, the Tempest didnt make it past the final hurdles into airworthy condition until after Graham Peacocks acquisition in 2014. Anglia Restorations took over the restoration, moving the project to their base at Sywell. They completed all of the structural and most of the systems work, barring the engine, about 18 months ago. North Weald Heritage Aviation overhauled the now very rare Bristol Centaurus Mk.VI powerplant. It is presently the only airworthy example of this variant anywhere in the world, much like the aircraft it powers. Anglia Restorations repainted the Tempest to represent an example from RAF No.33 Squadron during the Malayan Emergency in the late 1940s. The aircraft looks magnificent in the air, as the accompanying images attest. Many thanks indeed to Damien Burke for the photographs and to Ben Brown at the Sywell Aviation Museum for assisting with this article. A pristine asteroid sample that could serve as a time capsule from the early days of our solar system has finally been revealed. The rocks and dust contain water and a large amount of carbon, said NASA administrator Bill Nelson, which suggests that asteroids may have delivered the building blocks of life to Earth. The sample is nearly 5% carbon by weight, making it one of the highest concentrations of carbon to be studied in an asteroid, according to Dr. Jason Dworkin, OSIRIS-REx project scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Far exceeding our goal of 60 grams, this is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth, Nelson said. The carbon and water molecules are exactly the kinds of material that we wanted to find. Theyre crucial elements in the formation of our own planet. And theyre going to help us determine the origin of elements that could have led to life. The sample, collected from the 4.5 billion-year-old near-Earth asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission, arrived on Earth in a capsule on September 24, dropping from the spacecraft and landing in the Utah desert. Since then, scientists have been hard at work studying the wealth of material more than they expected just inside the top of the canister to conduct an early analysis. The results of that analysis, and the first look at the sample, were shared during a live NASA broadcast from the agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston on Wednesday. Its the largest asteroid sample returned to Earth. There was so much bonus material when the scientists opened the canister that the team has yet to open the bulk sample. A treasure chest of extraterrestrial material Over the past two weeks, the science team analyzed some of the rocks and dust using a scanning electron microscope, taking infrared measurements and conducting a chemical element analysis. They also used X-rays to create a 3D model of one of the particles to reveal its composition, revealing a scientific treasure of carbon and water content, said OSIRIS-REx principal investigator Dante Lauretta. The first analysis shows samples that contain abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals, and they contain carbon as both minerals and organic molecules, Nelson said. The team shared detailed images of the particles revealing the water-bearing clay minerals. That is how we think water got to Earth, said Lauretta, who is also a University of Arizona Regents Professor of Planetary Sciences. The reason that Earth is a habitable world, that we have oceans and lakes and rivers and rain, is because these clay minerals landed on Earth 4 billion years ago to 4 and a half billion years ago, making our world habitable. So were seeing the way that water got incorporated into the solid material. The analysis also revealed sulfide minerals, a critical element for planetary evolution and biology, iron oxide minerals called magnetite that react to magnetic fields, and other minerals that could be important for organic evolution, Lauretta said. The science team was excited to detect organic matter and a wealth of carbon, which is an essential element for all life, said Dr. Daniel Glavin, OSIRIS-REx sample analyst and senior scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center. Were just beginning here, but we picked the right asteroid, and not only that, we brought back the right sample, Glavin said. This stuff is an astrobiologists dream. Going forward, the team will look to see just how much chemistry evolved on Bennu to determine whether the building blocks of life created peptides, or chains of amino acids that form proteins, Glavin said. Meanwhile, still waiting inside of the canister is a whole treasure chest of extraterrestrial material, Lauretta said. What the sample could reveal When the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft closely approached Bennu three years ago, it extended a Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism head, or TAGSAM, toward the asteroid and fired a blast of nitrogen gas. The burst of gas lifted rocks and dust all the way from 19 inches (50 centimeters) beneath the space rocks surface. That debris flowed into the TAGSAM head. The TAGSAM also had 24 surface contact pads that touched the asteroid and trapped fine-grained material. The device has been removed from the capture ring, sort of like removing a boot from a ski, Lauretta said. During the removal, material slipped out of the TAGSAM flap, a check valve designed to keep material inside the sample collector. The flap struggled to close due to some rocks that kept it open after collecting the sample in 2020. The rocks measure a couple of centimeters at the longest, he added. Over the next couple of weeks, the curation team will continue to carefully disassemble the TAGSAM head to reach the bulk sample within. Once they do, the team expects to have a good estimate of the entire mass of the sample. Together, the dust and rocks collected from Bennus surface and its interior could reveal the history of how the asteroid formed and evolved over time. These insights will also shed light on the space rocks overall composition, which could help NASA determine how it might deflect the asteroid, which has a chance of impacting Earth in the future. The much-anticipated reveal has been seven years in the making, from the OSIRIS-REx missions launch in 2016 to the capsule landing last month. Some have looked forward to the moment for even longer. Lauretta, who helped develop the mission during its earliest stages, has waited nearly 20 years to see the sample and glean the insights it might reveal about our solar system. Our labs were ready for whatever Bennu had in store for us, said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASAs Johnson Space Center. Weve had scientists and engineers working side-by-side for years to develop specialized gloveboxes and tools to keep the asteroid material pristine and to curate the samples so researchers now and decades from now can study this precious gift from the cosmos. Scientists will analyze the rocks and soil for the next two years at a dedicated clean room inside Johnson Space Center. The sample will also be divided up and sent to laboratories around the globe, including OSIRIS-REx mission partners at the Canadian Space Agency and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency. About 70% of the sample will remain pristine in storage so future generations with better technology can learn even more than whats now possible. Rocks tell you a story, Lauretta said. The greatest mystery that were facing right now is, how do you go from a ball of mud to something thats alive? When do you make that transition? The deepest desire is that were going to make some progress in trying to figure out why is it that were here in this universe. 30 breathtaking images from NASA's public library 30 breathtaking images from NASA's public library The moon from Apollo 11 Earth from the International Space Station Hurricanes on Earth Shuttle space walk Shuttle in silhouette Eruption on the sun Raikoke volcano eruption Rover selfie Cargo craft docks John Young on the moon Canadian aurora Helix Nebula The cracking Brunt Ice Shelf Cassinis capture of Saturn The heart of Madagascar The last landing The eye of the hurricane International Space Station Watercolor of the sea The Great Red Spot of Jupiter Monument Valley Flying through an aurora Pillars of Creation Total eclipse of the sun Untethered in space Marbled Pluto The wild river Supermassive black hole The space selfie An SLS test article A survivor of six heart attacks and a brain tumor, a grumpy bear of a man, whom has declared Russia as his new and wonderful home. His wife is a true Russian Sweet Pea of a girl and she puts up with this bear of a guy and keeps him in line. Thank God for my Sweet Pea and Russia. *** 09.10.2023 (11:35) Briefing by Chief of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on the U.S. military-biological activity The Russian Defence Ministry continues the analysis of U.S. military biological activity on the territory of Ukraine and other states. Materials of Russian Defence Ministry briefing on U.S. military biological activity As we pointed out before, under the pretence of support to develop national healthcare systems efforts on countering bioterrorism and proliferation of biological weapon threats many states got in the sphere of U.S. military interests. Moreover, the U.S. Department of State takes part in bioprogrammes at the territory of a number of states. The Russian Defence Ministry presented documents, which prove direct involvement of U.S. State Department in so-called Biosecurity Engagement Programm launched by ex U.S. president Barak Obama. In priorities of these programmes Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African states, as well as Ukraine, were listed among others. To cover up clients and goals of conducted research Washington involves third-party contractors. These include contractors and intermediary organisations (Metabiota, CH2M Hill, EcoHealth Alliance, and more than 20 companies). Non-profit and non-governmental organizations are used as a cover up to conceal U.S. Department of State involvement. According to acquired documents, in one year alone, sums were allocated to ensure the participation of at least eighty contractors. The documents published by the Russian Defence Ministry drew attention of foreign media. A number of news organizations highlighted the key role of Ukraine in Pentagons military biological programmes. Thus, in the publication of the Greek publication BankingNews it is noted that Ukraine occupies a central position and represents an area of special geographical interest in the bioprogramme of the U.S. State Department. Barack Obamas involvement in the promotion of U.S. military biological programmes abroad was reported by the Romanian information resource Flax-24. The publication noted that the U.S. president has been promoting the military biological programme at the stage of the State Departments involvement in this activity. A number of media resources in the Middle East region (Lebanon, Yemen, Syria) published materials about the unjustified expansion of the network of U.S. biological laboratories abroad. At the same time, the Lebanese edition An-Nahar noted that the geographical priorities of the United States in the Middle East are Iraq, Yemen and Jordan, drawing attention to the clandestine nature of the United States military biological activities. Chinese experts, commenting on the briefing on the discovery of a clandestine bio-lab in Ridley, California, noted that: the United States lacks proper control over the results of its dual-use research and development. I would like to point out that following the publication by the Russian Federation of data on illegal biological experiments at the California laboratory, the United States administration initiated an investigation procedure. Three committees of the United States Congress at once began to examine the activities of Prestige Biotech, which had rented the premises where the federally prohibited research was carried out. The local administration attempted to place responsibility for the organisation of the bio-lab to China, but no conclusive evidence was provided. According to the information available to us, Prestige Biotech is registered in the State of Nevada, and allegedly by accident the bio-lab that was the subject of the investigation is located in close proximity to the U.S. Navy base in Kings County. Earlier we gave a scheme of organisation of military biological activities in the U.S., in which the Navy plays the role of one of the main clients and coordinators of research. According to available documents, Prestige Biotech purchased more than 20 titles of pathogenic microorganisms, laboratory equipment and animals for undeclared purposes. This is confirmed by the materials of an independent investigation conducted by the American human rights organisation Judicial Watch. The documents obtained by the aforementioned NGO prove the presence of dangerous biomaterials at the facility and their improper storage, as well as gross violation of sanitary norms in the handling of laboratory animals. The clandestine nature of the work is evidenced by the fact that the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services refused to provide information about the laboratorys activities, and representatives of these agencies were summoned to the U.S. Congress to provide confidential information. We have repeatedly emphasised the involvement of U.S. security agencies such as the FBI and the CIA in dual-use research and Washingtons desire to cover up the results of these efforts. Note the document on establishing a journal of classified publications on chemical and biological defence by Morgan Minyard of the U.S. Department of Defenses Directorate of Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The Pentagon official proposes the establishment of an editorial committee that would clean up for publication of scientific papers of interest to the U.S. intelligence community, as well as classify dual-use papers that: could cause irreparable damage to national security and accumulate them in a separate repository with limited access. Examples of studies that will be recorded into the database include experiments to increase the lethality of mouse smallpox virus and the identification of the genetic sequence encoding a new type of botulinum toxin. It is noted that the use of the classified journal will allow the U.S. Government to maximise the deployment of chemical and biological research, and to engage with identified contractors and partners. Such censorship of publications indicates Washingtons willingness to avoid publicising results that contradict U.S. international obligations in the field of chemical and biological weapons. The Russian Defence Ministry has information about the development in the United States of a secret Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. The open (unclassified) part of the document was published on 27 September 2023. It specifies the provisions of the National Defence Strategy in the area of responding to WMD-related threats to national security. The Pentagon estimates that the Russian Federation, China, Iran, and the DPRK view weapons of mass destruction as a means of limiting the United States capability to achieve strategic objectives in wars and military conflicts. According to the Strategy, Russia is described as a source of acute threat to U.S. security in the medium to long term. The Peoples Republic of China is identified as a growing threat. It is stressed that Beijing has recently made significant progress in modernising its strategic nuclear forces. The DPRK and Iran are identified as persistent threats. According to the plan of the people involved, the priority areas of the U.S. Department of Defense activity are: ensuring the defence of the states territory against external aggression using WMD; unconditional deterrence of potential adversaries from using WMD against the U.S. and its allies; establishment of combined units capable of effectively fighting and winning in conditions of CBRN contamination. At the same time, the Strategy seeks to coordinate and increase efforts to develop means of defence against emerging chemical and biological threats. Thus, by abandoning work on a verification protocol within the BWC, the United States is creating administrative and technical bodies that can be involved in dual-use research, including for offensive purposes. I would like to point out that Russian efforts to expose illegal U.S. military biological activities and the deteriorating epidemic situation near biosites in the European region have forced the U.S. Administration to withdraw dual-use research to countries in Africa. The documents at our disposal confirm the activities of key Pentagon contractors on the African continent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Uganda and South Africa. Customers on the part of the U.S. Government are DTRA, the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of State. We previously spoke about unauthorised sample gathering by employees of Metabiota, a key Pentagon contractor, during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The companys nontransparent practices immediately raised questions from the World Health Organisation. As a result of the illegal export of samples, live samples of the Ebola virus ended up at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infections. Predictable deterioration of the disease situation near American biosites is forcing the governments of many African States to take another look at the necessity and expediency of co-operation with the United States. For example, in 2022, Metabiota operations in Africa were terminated because the companys illegal practices raised too many questions at the level of national governments. The U.S. activities to establish global biological control are accompanied by the substitution of the BWC provisions and other norms of international legislation with its own rules, which are developed in American interests, supported by the collective West and imposed on third countries for implementation. This can be traced in the work at specialised international platforms, when Western delegations pushed through decision-making only on issues of interest to them, without any regard for the priorities of other states. At the same time, attention is deliberately shifted to the consideration of secondary issues not directly related to the problems of non-proliferation of biological weapons, for example, such as the creation of all kinds of databases, ensuring gender equality, participation in BWC activities by youth organisations, etc. Let me remind you that the Russian Federation has proposed a number of initiatives to strengthen the biological weapons non-proliferation regime and to improve confidence-building measures within the framework of the Convention. Above all, that includes resumption of negotiations to develop a legally binding comprehensive protocol to the BWC with an effective verification mechanism involving lists of pathogens, toxins, specialised equipment. The second is the expansion of the confidence-building measures format by providing information on biological defence research and development performed outside national jurisdiction. The third is the establishment of the Scientific Advisory Committee to evaluate advances in science and technology with geographical representation and equal rights of participants. The fourth is the use of mobile bio-medical teams within the BWC. Practical implementation of our proposals will facilitate the increase the national biological programmes transparency and compliance with the requirements of the Convention by all States Parties without exception, including the USA. The Russian Defence Ministry has already given the names of participants in U.S. military biological warfare programmes. They include officials from the biotechnology corporations and the Pentagon contractors related to U.S. Department of Defense. Today we would like to complete this list with representatives of U.S. and Ukrainian government agencies and private companies involved in the implementation of dual-use research. Thomas Wohl Vice President and official representative of Black & Veatch in Ukraine, supervised the implementation of the electronic PAX system for the management and control of biological agents and materials. Kevin Olival Vice President of Research for contractor EcoHealth Alliance and has been directly involved in the U.S. Department of Defense projects on zoonotic diseases transmitted by bats. Mikhail Usaty Deputy Head of Sanitary and Epidemiological Department of the AFU, since 2018 supervised the organisation of works within the framework of DTRA projects on the territory of Ukraine. Tatyana Kiryazova Executive Director of the Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy. She supervised U.S. joint pathogen research at the Ukrainian Mechnikov Anti-Plague Research Institute in Odessa. The information provided on the people involved in military biological activities will be passed on to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Thus, questions to the U.S. and Ukraines biological-military activities remain unanswered and its number increases. Since the Russian side convened a consultative meeting on Article 5 of the BWC, the questions that could settle the situation still remain unanswered. We will continue to analyse incoming documents and keep you informed. Tags: Most of the time, youll find Sam Sye in the four-bay shop at Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance wrenching on a fleet vehicle that needs some work done before heading back on the street. But occasionally, he will be in one of the ambulances, responding to a medical call when other paramedics or EMTs arent able. Sam, the fleet and facilities manager at Gundersen Tri-State for the past 12 years, wears many hats. Hes a licensed EMT who is responsible for maintaining a fleet of 30 ambulances and fleet vehicles that travel nearly 1 million miles each year. Whats more, he also oversees the maintenance and repair of eight facility locations scattered around the region. And until early this year, when a fellow mechanic was hired, he did it all on his own. For Sams dedication to his work, both in the shop and in the ambulance, hes being awarded a 2023 Star of Life, a recognition from the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin. He, along with fellow Tri-State medic Loren Mitchell, as well as Gundersen Ambulance EMT Mark Schiltz and medic Cynthia Torkelson, wa honored at a reception Tuesday in Madison. Sam is passionate about EMS and ensuring the ambulances and support vehicles are always ready, said Tom Tornstrom, clinical operations director at Gundersen Tri-State. He is a tremendous contributor to our ability to care for patients and save lives, and we are very fortunate to have him as part of the team. Sam has always been interested in fixing cars. From routine maintenance to body repair work to complete engine overhauls, there isnt much that can go wrong on a vehicle that can stump him. He built that trove of knowledge during his time in the auto and diesel technology program at Universal Technical Institute in Glendale Heights, Illinois. But the world of emergency responding has also attracted his attention, which isnt surprising considering his upbringing. Many in my family are in health care of some sort, he said. Ive always kind of been involved with it a little bit, adding that hes also served as a volunteer firefighter in the past. So, although he had more than two decades of auto repair under his belt, he had some extra time and decided to complete an EMT training program through Winona Area Ambulance Service all while still holding down his full-time job at Gundersen Tri-State, maintaining his own snowplowing business and farming 300 acres. That was kind of a grueling process, said Sam, who also teaches an emergency vehicle operations class. I stay busy. Sam estimates he gets out on an emergency call about once a week, which could increase if the call volume is higher or a coworker calls in sick. He has the overhead radio playing in the shop so he can keep an ear on how busy the department is and if hell need to drop what hes doing to jump on a truck. I know if we get a bunch of calls all of a sudden and two of them are in Ettrick, ones in Farmington and ones in De Soto, all the resources are gone, he said, so if theres a traffic crash on Gillette Street, we need another truck. And I can process all of that. But regardless of which part of the job hes doing on a given day, he likes them both for the same reason. Fixing things and helping people, he said. Whether its helping repair a truck that needs something, being able to recognize whats wrong with it, being able to know what to do to repair it its basically the same thing in EMS. Youre assessing the situation, figuring out whats wrong and what you can do to help, and then doing it. Sam gets the same good feeling, he says, when he tears an engine apart and puts it back together so it works once again as he does when he revives a person after cardiac arrest or splints an arm after a traffic accident. Now he has a good feeling for another reason, knowing that his peers notice his work enough to nominate him for a statewide award. Its very humbling. Im very proud of it, Sam said. I feel that I support Tri-State from a lot of different aspects to allow everybody to do their job. The Wisconsin Dells area is not short on things to do, and a Wisconsin author who has written about the tourist community since the 1990s recently published a long list of must-dos. Melanie Radzicki McManus, a Madison resident who was born in Sheboygan, wrote 100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells Before You Die earlier this year. From the Trojan Horse go-kart track at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park to a spa day at Sundara Inn and Spa, McManus details well-known and more obscure activities in the city, Lake Delton and the Baraboo area. Ive been covering the Dells and its environs for more than 25 years, McManus said. I was just eager to let people know that there is so much more to the Dells. Baraboo and other nearby communities and attractions are part of the marketing area for Wisconsin Dells, McManus said. Wineries, music venues, restaurants, bars, natural areas and specialty shops are all recommended in her book. A lot of people focus so often on the big attractions like Noahs Ark, and theres nothing wrong with that, McManus said. Its nice to be able to shine a light on some of the lesser-known places because the Dells and surrounding area really has so many different opportunities for people. The major attractions in the area are featured in the book. Along with Mt. Olympus, the Take Flight Premier Fly Ride at Wilderness, which takes viewers on a flight through short films, is mentioned, along with new attractions such as the Elm Street Plaza and floating waterpark at Land of Natura. It is an ever-changing wonder to watch the Dells, McManus said. McManus visited the Dells a few times as a child and first went back when her children were young. She said indoor waterparks at Wilderness Resort had just been opened at the time, and those and others in the area burgeoned over the years. One of her biggest interests in Wisconsin Dells is the area landscape, said McManus, who is very passionate about the nearby Ice Age Trail. She also mentioned the rich Native American history in the area, as well as renowned Dells photographer H.H. Bennett. The museum dedicated to him in downtown Wisconsin Dells is included in the book. He started out trying to showcase the beauty of the place and it turned into so much more than that over the decades, McManus said. There is so much history and culture that maybe the modern visitor wouldnt necessarily think about. Its really important for people to see the Dells in its entirety. In Baraboo, McManus recommends visiting the Ochsner Park Zoo and Al. Ringling Theatre and Al. Ringling Mansion and Brewery. 100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells Before You Die is part of a series of books published by Reedy Press, which approached McManus with the book idea. People interested in the book can purchase it on the publishers website at reedypress.com/shop/100-things-to-do-in-wisconsin-dells-before-you-die. McManus has also written Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail. One of the activities in McManuss book, eating at Latte Stone Brewing Co., is no longer doable, as the restaurant-brewery closed during the summer. FILE - Students appear at a vigil against violence at Prexy's Pasture on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie, Wyo., on Oct. 10, 1999. The weekend marked the one-year anniversary death of Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student, who was tied to a fence and beaten into a coma from which he died two days later on Oct. 7, 1998. The Tectonic Theater Project is marking the anniversary by gathering the original cast and creators of "The Laramie Project," and some of the people represented in the piece for a staged reading and conversation as part of the 2023 Shepard Symposium at the University of Wyoming. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form If you decide to enroll in original Medicare, one way you can help pay the extra costs the program doesnt cover is to buy a supplemental or Medigap insurance policy. Heres what you need to know if youre in the market for a supplemental policy. 1. Medigap plans are only for original Medicare enrollees They are sold by private insurance companies but regulated by states and the federal government. Original Medicare pays 80 percent of covered Part B health care services. Medigap insurance typically covers the 20 percent that is your responsibility to pay, along with some other health care costs. In contrast, a Medicare Advantage plan doesnt allow supplemental insurance, even though it does have various out-of-pocket costs. 2. Medigap isnt your only supplemental insurance option You may be eligible for a policy offered by a past or present employer. If you qualify for Medicaid, it too will pick up most out-of-pocket medical costs. About 36 percent of original Medicare enrollees buy a private Medigap plan. 3. You likely have eight to 10 Medigap options The federal government, not insurers, determines what coverage a Medigap policy provides (except in three states: Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin). There are 10 federally approved plans, each known by a letter: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N. Theyre standardized, meaning plans with the same letter name must provide the same basic benefits regardless of the insurer or location. 4. Some options arent available to all Starting in 2020, a cost-cutting move by Congress ended sales of Medigap plans C, F and high-deductible F to individuals newly eligible for Medicare. These plans may still be available if you became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020. And if you already have one, you can keep it. 5. Policies are sold by private insurance companies This means youll likely have several choices of plans that have the same letter but are offered by different insurers in your locale. What they charge can vary dramatically. For Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby, both 82, a fondness for the book Around the World in 80 Days prompted them to venture out on their own journey at 80. The pandemic delayed, but didnt halt, their trip. When Hazelip, a hospice medical director, and Hamby, a documentary photographer, completed their trip at 81, they had visited seven continents and 18 countries. Hazelip, who lives in Eastland, Texas, and Hamby, who lives in Abilene, Texas, spoke to AARP about their journey and what they learned along the way. AARP Membership Join AARP for $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Join Now Sandy Hazelip: Our friendship has always meant travel. Ellie is the codirector of Zambia Medical Mission, and Im a physician. In 2000, shortly after my husband died, I signed up for my first mission trip to rural Zambia with ZMM, to provide health care in the bush. Thats where Ellie and I became friends. Ellie Hamby: Five years later, my husband passed away suddenly, right when Sandy was moving her medical practice to our city, Abilene, from her home 60 miles away. She called me and said, Ive got a deal for you. I need a place to stay in Abilene two nights a week. If youll give me a bed, Ill take you out to eat. That was 18 years ago. Its never stopped. She was just here last night. Sandy: A few years ago we were talking about our upcoming 80th birthdays, and I blurted out, Ellie, wouldnt it be fun to go around the world in 80 days when we turn 80? Ellie: I said, Why not! Sandy: We got a little delayed by the COVID pandemic, but this year we did it, before our 82nd birthdays. We toured the globe in exactly 80 days. Ellie Hamby, left, and Sandy Hazelip, both 82, went on an 80-day odyssey when they were 81. Courtesy Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby Ellie: On our trip, we experienced so many mysteries. The moai statues on Easter Island, with their enormous heads and torsos carved from hardened volcanic ash. Who created them, and why? The incredibly sophisticated toilets in Japan we couldnt figure them out! Sandy: We kept a pretty tight budget for ourselves. Wed decide exactly where we wanted to stay for example, in Santiago, Chile, we targeted the beautiful old square. Then wed look up the ratings for local lodgings, and among the top-rated places, wed book the cheapest one. Ellie: The ratings arent based on the price; theyre based on how much people like it. So our average lodging cost was $29 per night, per person. We always shared a room. The cheapest stay was $13.50 per person for a place in Cairo overlooking the pyramid of Cheops. Which is a million-dollar view. Sandy: There were so many times when people stepped up to offer help or just to wish us well. What makes the world feel small isnt the relative ease of traveling great distances by plane, train or ship, or even making hotel reservations with a click on the computer. Ellie: I agree. The real gift is experiencing firsthand that no matter where you go, no matter how people dress or what language they speak, were all much more alike than we are different. A$3 Million Placement to Fund Liberty Lithium Brine Project Perth, Oct 10, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - QX Resources Limited ( ASX:QXR ) has received firm commitments for A$3million in a private placement to assist funding of the Liberty Lithium Brine Project in the USA (ASX announcement 5 October 2023). Placement The Company has received firm commitments for a placement of ~A$3.093 million (before costs) through the issue of 140,577,273 new ordinary shares at an offer price of $0.022 per share to professional and sophisticated investors ("Placement"). 45,727,273 of the Placement shares will be issued utilising the Company's placement capacity under LR7.1 and 89,000,000 shares under LR7.1A. Subject to shareholder approval, the directors of the Company (or their nominees) will apply for up to $128,700 worth of shares on the same terms as the Placement. Settlement of the Placement is anticipated to be 16 October 2023. The Placement was priced at a ~15% discount to the 30 day VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price) of A$0.026. The Placement was organised by the Company with the assistance of various brokers. One of the investors is a US based participant in the battery supply chain. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Placement as follows: - Drilling at the Liberty Lithium Brine Project to identify lithium bearing brine aquifers; - Testwork on lithium brines using direct extraction processes; - Option payments and title maintenance fees at Liberty Lithium Project; - Sampling and geophysics over hard rock lithium projects in the Pilbara; - Queensland Copper-Gold-Moly exploration and General exploration; and - The costs of the Offer and to provide additional working capital. In addition to the Placement, the Company has entered into an At-the-Market Subscription Agreement (ATM) with Dolphin Corporate Investments (DCI). The ATM provides, at DCI's election, QX with up to $3,000,000 of standby equity capital over 24 months. Under the ATM, QX has full discretion as to whether or not to utilise the ATM, the maximum number of shares to be issued, the minimum issue price of shares and the timing of each subscription (if any). There are no requirements for QX to utilise the ATM and QX may terminate the ATM at any time, without cost or penalty. DCI and the ATM do not place any restrictions at any time on QX raising capital through other methods. If QX does decide to utilise the ATM, subject to DCI's acceptance, QX is able to set an issue price floor at its sole discretion, with the final issue price being calculated as the greater of the nominated floor price and up to a 5.5% discount to the VWAP over a period of QX's choosing, again at its sole discretion. As security for the ATM, the Company has agreed to place 50,000,000 fully paid ordinary QX shares (Security Shares) from its Listing Rule 7.1 capacity and without shareholder approval, at nil cash consideration to DCI. DCI may only deal in these shares to the extent QX elects to use the facility, in which case DCI will at the time pay the subscription price for that number of shares paid for. Any further share issues under the ATM in excess of the Security Shares (if any) will, at the time of issue, be in accordance with the Listing Rules; either through obtaining prior shareholder approval or utilizing the then available capacity under Listing Rule 7.1 and/or 7.1. Upon early termination or maturity of the ATM, the Company may buy back (and cancel) any Security Shares not released to DCI for no cash consideration (subject to shareholder approval). An initial one-off fee of $25,000 is payable by the Company to DCI for arranging the transaction. QXR Managing Director, Stephen Promnitz,said: "The Liberty Lithium Brine Project is of a large-scale in the right location, close to downstream supply chain participants which are integral to the energy transition. QXR is finalising contracts with drilling services companies with the aim to commence drilling of the Liberty Lithium Project in the coming weeks. This is a large prize with significant prospectivity. As well, we now have the added financial flexibility to ramp up exploration activities across our Pilbara lithium hard rock project which are also very exciting prospects. We are grateful for the commitments from new investors and existing shareholders to this Placement and look forward to undertaking a more active works program." On Site Activities The first stage of the Agreements over the Liberty Lithium Brine Project involves QXR conducting drilling, sampling, and testwork, starting with two permitted drillholes in the coming weeks over the main part of the surface lithium anomaly. Large volumes of lithium brines will be submitted for testwork with various direct lithium extraction (DLE) providers. The aim is to identify lithium bearing brine aquifers at depth, which is anticipated to lead to detailed drilling towards an initial resource by mid 2024. The vendor and partner, IG Lithium, is able to provide an experienced team to assist in the field work, rather than requiring QXR to assemble a team. Liberty Lithium Brine Project The Liberty Lithium Brine Project, located in SaltFire Flat, California, is made up of 1,269 contiguous claims over 102km2 (10,230 Ha), being one of the largest single lithium brine projects in the USA (for scale, equivalent to 2x area of Sydney Harbour or half the size of San Francisco city). An extensive lithium brine surface anomaly with elevated lithium results up to 215mg/L Li extends over 10km (ASX announcement 26 July 2023). Geophysical analysis shows a large basin over 1,000 metres deep and indicating brine aquifer targets at depth. The Project's geological setting mirrors Albemarle's nearby producing Silver Peak lithium brine deposit in Clayton Valley USA 1 and major Argentina brine projects. Detailed due diligence, together with legal advice, have reaffirmed the local county and regulatory interest in developing projects such as Liberty Lithium towards production because of the support for battery minerals production in this part of California. Evaporative salt operations nearby have been operating for decades. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/O5KL1J42 About QX Resources Ltd QX Resources Limited (ASX:QXR) is focused on exploration and development of battery minerals, with hard rock lithium assets in a prime location of Western Australia (WA), and gold assets in Queensland. The aim is to connect end users (battery, cathode and car makers) with QXR, an experienced explorer/developer of battery minerals, with an expanding mineral exploration project portfolio and solid financial support. Lithium portfolio: QXR's lithium strategy is centred around WA's prolific Pilbara province, where it has acquired a controlling interest in four projects through targeted M&A - all of which sit in strategic proximity to some of Australia's largest lithium deposits and mines. Across the Pilbara, QXR's regional lithium tenement package (both granted or under application) now spans more than 350 km2. Gold portfolio: QXR is also developing two Central Queensland gold projects - Lucky Break and Belyando - through an earn-in agreement with Zamia Resources Pty Ltd. Both gold projects are strategically located within the Drummond Basin, a region that has a >6.5moz gold endowment. Related Companies Clean Hydrogen Investment Perth, Oct 11, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - At a BPH Energy Limited ( ASX:BPH ) shareholders' meeting held on 21 June 2022 shareholders voted unanimously to approve an investment in hydrogen technology company, Clean Hydrogen Technologies Corporation (Clean Hydrogen). BPH and its 36.1% investee Advent Energy Ltd (Advent), together the Purchaser, subsequently settled for the acquisition of a 10% interest in Clean Hydrogen for US$1,000,000 (8% BPH and 2 % Advent) in July 2022. The Purchaser had a first right of refusal to invest further in Clean Hydrogen to a maximum of a further US$1,000,000 for an additional 10% interest. The Purchaser has loaned a further US$950,000 under this agreement and the Purchaser and Clean Hydrogen have now executed a Loan Conversion Agreement which will enable the conversion of the US$950,000 loan into the relevant Subscription Shares Tranche 2, representing the Purchaser's further 9.5% interest in Clean Hydrogen. BPH now has an interest in 2,628 shares (representing a 15.6% interest) and Advent has an interest in 656 shares (representing a 3.9% interest) in Clean Hydrogen. Clean Hydrogen has also issued 760 share options to BPH and 190 share options to Advent, with an exercise price of USD$3,000 each, exercisable immediately, with the option to convert into shares in Clean Hydrogen expiring ten years from the date of issue. About BPH Energy Limited BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes. The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license. BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise. BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT). Related Companies Instagram Celebrity The 'Great Gatsby' actress officially becomes a mother of three after giving birth to a new addition to her growing family with musician husband Marcus Mumford. Oct 11, 2023 AceShowbiz - Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford have welcomed their third child together. The 38-year-old actress - who already shares Evelyn, seven, and Wilfred, five, with the musician - delivered their third baby earlier this year. The baby news is revealed in a new interview with Vogue magazine. Carey was six weeks post-partum at the time of the interview. In the article, it's noted that the actress entered "a London coffee shop with a bemused gesture at the yellow diaper-leak stain streaked across her blouse." She then told her baby, "I'm going to change you, and then we're going to find mum another shirt." Despite this, the name and sex of the baby remain unknown. Carey previously opened up about her experience of motherhood, admitting that it's changed "everything" in her life. The actress also acknowledged that it's "altered" her attitude towards her work. Asked what motherhood has changed in her life, she replied, "Well, your whole life - it's undeniable - it changes everything. As regards [to] my work, I don't know if motherhood is always the first thought on my mind when I read a script, but I would suspect it's altered my attitude." Carey - who has been married to Marcus since 2012 - also revealed that it's helped her to relate to some of her on-screen characters. Reflecting on her role in the 2017 film 'Mudbound', the actress shared, "I'd played mothers before without having ever known what it's like to have your own child." "My daughter was eight months old when we were filming so it was the first time I felt so connected in that way. It felt so much more intense, knowing and experiencing those emotions." You can share this post! Instagram TV On the 'Motown Night', the stars perform new dance styles in front of the judges, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, as well as guest judge Michael Strahan. Oct 11, 2023 AceShowbiz - Celebrities contestants of "Dancing with the Stars" season 32 returned to the ballroom in the Tuesday, October 10 episode. On the "Motown Night", the stars performed new dance styles alongside their pro-dancer partners in front of the judges, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Kicking off the night were Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd, who danced a Tango. Derek said it was a strong tango with good timing, though Barry needed to work on his frame. Michael Strahan, who joined as a guest judge, loved how he took control. Meanwhile, Bruno said he didn't think Barry made any mistakes. The judges gave the pair 25 out of 40. Later, Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong followed it up with a Cha Cha. Michael dubbed it sexy, strong but smooth. Carrie Ann pointed out that Lele lost control at some point and Bruno agreed. Derek also said that the performance was shaky. The pair got 27 out of 40. Dancing a Foxtrot were Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater. Carrie Ann said it was amazing and smooth. Derek claimed the set was better than last week, though Bruno noted that his dancing wasn't entirely there. As for Michael, he congratulated Mauricio for avoiding elimination last week. Mauricio was given 23 out of 40. Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach, meanwhile, opted to dance a Jive. Carrie Ann praised their set, calling it brilliant. Derek dubbed it a "fantastic Jive." Bruno loved that Jason was fast, quick, and precise. The pair received 24 out of 40. Up next were Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber, who hit the ballroom to dance a Foxtrot. Derek commented that it took too long to get into the dance. Bruno pointed out some rough patches, but Alyson managed to sustain the performance. Carrie Ann, meanwhile, loved her confidence. Alyson got 24 out of 40. Also dancing a Foxtrot were Tyson Beckford and Jenna Johnson. Michael said the set wasn't as smooth as he expected. Bruno, meanwhile, thought that Tyson's bum stuck out and he stumbled several times. As for Derek, he urged Tyson to work on his frame. The judges gave the pair 20 out of 40. Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev opted for Foxtrot, which Bruno called a "gold-standard Foxtrot." Carrie Ann also said that she was impressed by the performance. Derek dubbed it gorgeous, while Michael said it was smooth. The pair got 32 out of 40. It was then Mira Sorvino and Gleb Savchenko's turn. The two opted to dance a Rumba. Carrie Ann said her leg line was beautiful, though she needed to sustain the character of the dance. Michael thought the set was sexy, seductive, satisfying and sensational. Derek and Bruno loved it, but they pointed out that it could be better. Mira got 26 out of 40. Dancing a Quickstep were Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov. Derek loved how the set looked effortless. Michael said he liked how they used the entire floor and praised Ariana's facial expression. Bruno loved the classic Hollywood style, while Carrie Ann went to give Ariana a hug. The judges gave them 34 out of 40. Adrian Peterson and Britt Stewart also danced a Quickstep this week. Michael said it was graceful and impressive. Carrie Ann said there was an improvement, but he still had problems with his frame. Derek claimed it was Adrian's best dance so far. The pair received 22 out of 40. As for Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold, they hit the stage to dance a Foxtrot. Bruno said Harry needed more musicality even though he took good care of his partner. Carrie Ann said he moved like a poetry, while Derek praised their chemistry. Michael commented on his hips, saying that he had a lot of elegance. They got 24 out of 40. That night appeared to be a Foxtrot night as Xochitl Gomez and Valentin Chmerkovskiy also chose to perform the dance. Derek said it was a beautiful display of elegance and grace with charm and fun and charisma. Bruno raved over the quality of movement and the musicality. Xochitl got 32 out of 40. It was time for the results. The bottom celebrity dancers were announced to be Tyson, Harry and Alyson. Unfortunately, Tyson was sent home that night. You can share this post! INSTARimages/Roger Wong Celebrity The supermodel, who is of Palestinian descent, takes to Instagram to weigh in on the recent attacks by the Palestinian militant group, stressing that she takes the side of innocent people. Oct 11, 2023 AceShowbiz - Gigi Hadid has weighed in on the recent attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel. The supermodel, who is of Palestinian descent, took to her Instagram account on Tuesday, October 10 to comment on the matter, stressing that she takes the side of innocent people. In her statement, Gigi shared that her "thoughts," "condolences," "love & strength" are with "all" those who have been affected by the "unjustified tragedy." She continued, "I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation; it's a responsibility I hold daily. I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person." The 28-year-old beauty went on condemning the Hamas attacks, saying, "The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with and does not do any good for the 'Free Palestine' movement." She added, "The idea that it does has fueled a painful, decades-long cycle of back-and-forth retaliation (which no innocent civilian, Palestinian or Israeli, deserves to be a casualty of) and helps perpetuate the false idea that being pro-Palestine = antisemitic." Gigi additionally sent her condolences "with my loved ones, both Palestinian and Jewish, I'm sending you my love and strength, whoever and wherever you are." She concluded her lengthy message, "There are a lot of complex, personal, and valid feelings, but every human deserves basic rights, treatment, and security, no matter their nationality, religion, ethnicity, or where they were born. I know my words will never be enough or heal the deep wounds of so many, but I pray for the safety of innocent lives, always." Gigi's post arrived after her best friend Kylie Jenner landed in hot water for showing support for Israel in a now-deleted Instagram Story. Meanwhile, the catwalk beauty's sister Bella Hadid, who has been advocating for "Free Palestine" for years alongside Gigi, has yet to publicly comment on the recent attacks. You can share this post! Warner Bros. Movie The Mera depicter allegedly also claims that his co-star dressed like her ex-husband Johnny Depp and wanted her fired from the sequel, but Elon Musk stepped in and saved her from firing. Oct 11, 2023 AceShowbiz - "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" set was full of drama, no thanks to Amber Heard's own legal problem and her alleged hostile relationship with her co-star. While Jason Momoa never publicly painted her in a bad light during her defamation trial against Johnny Depp, she reportedly accused him of being drunk on the set of their movie. Variety reports that Depp fans paid the court fees for the release of documents from Heard's therapist Dr. Dawn Hughes, which surfaced on Reddit. In the raw notes, scribbled on a legal pad, it was alleged that intoxicated Momoa dressed like Depp and pushed to have Heard booted from the role of Mera. "Jason said he wanted me fired," Heard allegedly said as described on the notes. "Jason drunk - late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too." A rep for Momoa declined to comment, but a DC spokesperson has denied the allegations by Heard. The spokesperson told Variety on Tuesday, October 10, "Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'." Echoing the sentiment, an insider who was on the London set in 2021 told the outlet, "Jason works his a** off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesn't show up drunk to set." Noting that Momoa and Heard got along and were seen joking together, the source added, "And he isn't dressing like Johnny Depp. He has always dressed in that bohemian style." The therapy notes also described Heard feeling unsupported by the film's director James Wan and treated like a pariah because of her high-profile legal battle with Depp. "He raised his voice @ me - 'I can't even post about Aquaman' - made it like it was my fault - I said 'I'm sorry,' " the notes said in reference to Wan. "Nobody could take selfies with me on set given blackout." Wan declined to comment, but the DC spokesperson insisted, "James is known for treating members of his cast and crew with the utmost respect and for fostering a positive, collaborative environment on set - the 'Aquaman' films were no exception." Sources additionally told Variety that following the release of the first film, Warner Bros. sent a letter to Heard's attorney in 2018 (prior to Heard and Depp's lawsuit) notifying them of their decision to drop the actress from the sequel. However, the company did not go forward with the move after Elon Musk, who dated Heard in 2017, stepped in. The X (formerly Twitter) owner reportedly sent "a scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros. threatening to burn the house down" if the actress wasn't brought back for a sequel. Musk didn't respond to a request for a comment on the matter. Heard is eventually still set to return for the sequel, but her role is significantly reduced in "Lost Kingdom", according to the outlet. At least two of her scenes were cut from "Aquaman 2". One was an action sequence that found Mera fighting Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), while the other was a love scene with Momoa. As the outlet pointed out, there's a hidden evidence of friction between the two stars. Momoa unfollowed Heard on Instagram this summer, with one source saying that he even blocked her from following him. The turmoil aside, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is scheduled to set sail for release in U.S. theaters on December 20. You can share this post! INSTARimages.com/Cover Images/ROGER WONG TV On 'The View', ABC News chief National correspondent Matt Gutman can be seen being approached by an Israeli officer during a live broadcast due to sudden security incident. Oct 11, 2023 AceShowbiz - Whoopi Goldberg couldn't help but panic when a live broadcast from Israel got interrupted by a "security incident" during the Tuesday, October 10 episode of "The View". The episode saw Whoopi looking visibly panicked when ABC News chief National correspondent Matt Gutman was approached by who appeared to be an Israeli officer. In the episode, Matt was speaking to "The View" panels from the Israeli city of Sderot to report the latest development after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a sudden attack against Israel in Gaza on Saturday. At one point, the reporter was forced to pause his report when a man in uniform came to him. The officer instructed Matt to leave the area immediately. "The [Israel Defense Forces] has issued an immediate alert that everybody has to leave," Matt told Whoopi. "There is some security incident just near us." The reporter continued, "These armored jeeps are going towards where we've been hearing this incessant gunfire and just on the other side of that bridge, we've seen a large number of troops headed in that direction, you see the ambulances over there." Panicking, Whoopi told Matt to cut short his report and go seek safety. "Get in a car, Matt! Get in the car!" she yelled. Co-host Sara Haines added, "Be careful, Matt!" After Matt's broadcast ended, the "Sister's Act" actress appeared to be rendered speechless. After some time, she finally said, "Well, that's what happens when it's live and you're in the middle of it. We got our fingers crossed that he's safe and he's going to remain safe." Thankfully, Matt is safe as his broadcast returned later in the episode. "There is a pretty significant movement of troops here. We're okay where we are right now, but you can hear booms in the distance. There was significant gunfire, there was a helicopter, gunship in the air," he explained. "Obviously they found something, but we are safe right now, Whoopi." You can share this post! INSTARimages/Roger Wong Celebrity When taking the stage for a talk at Forbes Under 30 Summit, the rocker is confronted by a stranger who rushes onto the platform and refuses to leave until security ushers him away. Oct 12, 2023 AceShowbiz - Machine Gun Kelly was confronted by a stage invader during an appearance in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, October 10. The 33-year-old rapper took to the stage for a talk at the Forbes Under 30 Summit when a man rushed onto the platform and strode towards the star, who stopped talking, stood up and told the stranger to leave him alone. In a video posted on Instagram, Kelly is seen telling the stage invader, "My man, get the f**k away from me ... Yo, what are you doing? What are you doing? This is a bad look. Don't make me do this." The star's microphone was then turned off as a security guard rushed onto the stage and picked the man up, hauling him off into the wings. Kelly then sat down and apologized to the audience for his reaction, saying, "I'm sorry, I try to live the dichotomy more on this side than the other guy. I left that guy in the past. I'm really sorry. I do apologise for my primal reaction." "The Talk" host Kristin Stoller then told the star, "You handled that amazingly by the way," prompting a big cheer from the audience. Kelly was among stars including Kendall Jenner, Halsey and Latto (formerly Mulatto) who all made appearances at the 2021 conference while Kendall's rumoured boyfriend Bad Bunny also took part in one of the talks. During Kelly's event, he went on to speak about his love of coffee after becoming a fan of the drink later in life as he attempted to move away from using drugs and booze and going on to launch his own company 27 Coffee Club in 2020. He explained, "It's more than coffee. As a musician and as an artist, I wanted to build a brand that is for creatives ... You need to have a foundation that is going to be indestructible no matter what. Anything that I build here has a support that isn't gonna break." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The former adult film star's page is removed from Playboy's website following her 'disgusting and reprehensible comments celebrating Hamas' attacks on Israel.' Oct 11, 2023 AceShowbiz - Mia Khalifa's stance on the Middle East conflict has taken a repercussion on her business deals. The former adult entertainer has been dropped by Playboy in addition to losing another job after she voiced her support for Palestine in the wake of Hamas' deadly attacks on Israel over the weekend. As of Tuesday, October 10, Mia's page is no longer available on the company's website. "We are writing today to let you know of our decision to terminate Playboy's relationship with Mia Khalifa, including deleting Mia's Playboy channel on our creator platform," Playboy wrote in a message addressed to "creator community." Justifying their decision, the company added, "Over the past few days, Mia has made disgusting and reprehensible comments celebrating Hamas' attacks on Israel and the murder of innocent men, women and children. At Playboy, we encourage free expression and constructive political debate, but we have a zero tolerance policy for hate speech. We expect Mia to understand that her words and actions have consequences." Canadian broadcaster and radio host Todd Shapiro also told Mia via Twitter that he cut their business deal due to her support for Palestine. "This is such a horrendous tweet @miakhalifa. Consider yourself fired effective immediately. Simply disgusting. Beyond disgusting," he wrote on Sunday. "Please evolve and become a better human being," Todd continued to school Mia. "The fact you are condoning death, rape, beatings and hostage taking is truly gross. No words can explain your ignorance. We need humans to come together, especially in the face of tragedy. I pray you to become a better person. However, it clearly seems like it's too late for you." Mia, however, appeared to be unfazed after losing business opportunities following her controversial statements. In response to Todd's tweet, she wrote back, "I'd say supporting Palestine has lost me business opportunities, but I'm more angry at myself for not checking whether or not I was entering into business with Zionists. My bad." Among Mia's tweets that people might take issue with was one that read, "If you can look at the situation in Palestine and not be on the side of Palestinians, then you are on the wrong side of apartheid and history will show that in time." She also posted, "I can't believe the Zionist apartheid regime is being brought down by guerrilla fighters in fake Gucci shirts - the biopics of these moments better reflect that." On Sunday, the Lebanese-American media personality posted, "I just wanna make sure there's 4k footage of my people breaking down the walls of the open air prison they've been forced out of their homes and into so we have good options for the history books that write about how how they freed themselves from apartheid." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity Despite being bombarded with criticisms for partnering with Shein, the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star does not let it stop her from promoting new products from her 'SHEIN x Giudice Girls' collection. Oct 12, 2023 AceShowbiz - Teresa Giudice appeared unfazed by backlash over her new collaboration with a controversial fashion brand. Despite being bombarded with criticisms for partnering with Shein, the star of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" did not let the matter stop her from promoting products from her "SHEIN x Giudice Girls" collection. On Tuesday, October 10, the 51-year-old made use of Instagram Story to repost Shein's Instagram post featuring products of their new collaboration. In the post itself, Shein penned, "Neutrals never go out of style, especially when they're this alluring [brown heart emoji]. Dive into the chic world of the #SHEINxGiudiceGirls collection at the link in our bio!" Previously, Teresa made a huge announcement that she and her daughters, who go by the name Giudice Girls, have launched products from their collaboration with Shein. In a joint Instagram post with her daughters, 22-year-old Gia, 17-year-old Milania as well as 14-year-old Audriana, they revealed, "We are SO excited to finally announce our partnership with @sheinofficial to curate the ultimate pre-holiday collection, #SHEINxGiudiceGirls." They went on to describe, "All of the pieces are a reflection of us, lots of glamorous, fun, and chic styles that are perfect for everyone! We even made sure to include comfy and luxe sleepwear for your next Girls Night In!" They continued, "We worked so hard to make this special for you all, and we hope you LOVE LOVE LOVE it as much as we do! Thank you so much for supporting the Giudice Girls! #SHEINForAll #SHEINpartner." Instead of compliments, Teresa, Gia, Milania and Audriana were criticized for choosing to partner with Shein, which was deemed a "problematic" fast fashion company. In the comments section of the post, one Instagram user pointed out, "Ugh Shein has a horrible horrible history of labor abuses. Terrible." Similarly, another chimed in, "Cheap, tacky clothes, made off the slave labor industry. Seems EXACTLY like the type of business you'd associate with. Very on brand." Meanwhile, a third stated, "Not only is this post tone deaf with all that is going on in Israel, but to align yourself with a company that has sold swastikas on their website is reprehensible." A fourth, in the meantime, bluntly wrote, "A SHEIN ad? How embarrassing!" The commenter further claimed, "I guess we have confirmation that your bags and designer clothes are fakes as well as those Cartier bracelets from Christmas." You can share this post! The second edition of CMOs Charcha - Bengaluru Chapter 2023, held on October 6, 2023, brought together forward-thinking marketers, industry experts, and thought leaders. Presented by NewsFirst Kannada and hosted by Adgully, CMOs Charcha - Bengaluru Chapter 2023 is more than just a conference; its a celebration of the marketing industrys innovation, resilience, and adaptability. The theme this year was Marketers Blueprint: Embrace Automation, Inclusivity, and Sustainability. The theme reflects the current needs of the marketing industry, especially with the growing importance of automation and inclusivity in reaching diverse audiences. Innovation, of course, is always a key driver of success. The theme encapsulates the marketing industry's quest to adapt, connect, and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Its a recognition that staying ahead in this field requires a multifaceted approach that respects the past, embraces the present, and constantly innovates for the future. The event saw an interesting panel discussion on Personalisation at Scale, which was chaired by Manish Sridhar, Group Marketing Head, Quess Corp. The esteemed panellists included: Vaibhav Puri, Vice President, Marketing, Nobroker.com Jiten Mahendra, Chief Marketing Officer, Ample Technology Ranjith Kumar, Head - Marketing, Digital & E-Commerce, Airasia Meghna Apparao, Director, E-commerce & Retail (India), Meta Taranjeet Kaur, Head of Media, Digital and PR, Tata Consumer Manas Gupta, Consumer Marketing Lead, Lenovo India Manish Sridhar commenced the session by discussing the evolution of personalisation over the years. He stated, Brands are accessing my data, enabling them to observe my online behaviour on social media, and customising content to aid me in making decisions in favour of their brand. The reason personalisation holds such a central role is that it facilitates brand acquisition. There has been a 40% increase in business attributed to personalisation, and 70% of consumers now expect personalisation. The framework for personalisation consists of four key aspects: how you access the data, how you segment the data to facilitate decision-making, how you design content tailored to individual consumers, and how you distribute content across various channels. Speaking on personalisation from an end-user perspective, Meghna Apparao noted, Each one of us perceives or engages with a particular thing from entirely different viewpoints, and this is where personalisation comes into play. It lies at the core of everything. An example of content personalisation is that the same technology powers everything businesses seek to achieve. So, when we, as a business, aim to reach a specific shopper, we rely on personalisation, allowing these machines to make choices on our behalf. Taranjeet Kaur added here that Tata Consumers has been pioneers in creating hyper-local targeting. Essentially, we produce distinct content for different states. We have a separate content creator for each state, ensuring it resonates effectively with the local market. Even our packaging is highly personalized, capturing insights specific to each state. This approach ensures that when someone picks up our product, they see something that resonates with their state, she said. Ranjith Kumar spoke about personalisation in the context of the airlines industry, stating, In India, there are more than 500 aircraft. When we target the flying audience for the years 2022 and 2023, which encompass around 7 lakh passengers. Personalisation plays a crucial role in our communication strategy, especially after the BFSI sectors. It is essential for us to provide relevant and timely communications. It is about delivering the right message, whether it is about a flight delay or recommendations for a holiday. The goal is to remain connected and engage effectively with the right audience through personalised communication. Manas Gupta, focusing on the PC industry, said, The key aspect of personalisation that we must consider is reaching the right audience. We must think of the customer journey from awareness to advocacy, encompassing awareness conversations and advocacy. On the other hand, we must acknowledge the mediums through which we engage with consumers, whether through awareness campaigns on various video platforms or individuals experiencing our products in stores and ultimately making purchase decisions. The entire proposition must be tailored to achieve different objectives. Vaibhav Puri added here, We are transitioning from focusing on reach to prioritising relatability, with affinity becoming increasingly important. This is where personalisation gains significance. One of the key challenges that we encounter is that personalisation relies heavily on data and understanding consumers. Without a proper understanding of the consumer, the entire experience can go awry. These are edited excerpts. For the complete discussion, please watch below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epKkeK-0Qog Creative Newtech (NSE: Creative), Indias foremost brand licensee and market entry specialist, today announced its partnership with Ruark, UKs premium Audio brand, which will see them available in India. Ms. Ajita Hathlia Deputy Director, Trade & UK Exports, South Asia , British High Commission & Farhad Unavala - Senior Trade Adviser, Lead for Western India Technology, Education, Innovation & Smart Cities, were present alongside Ketan Patel, CMD, Creative Newtech, Richard Mckinney , Global Marketing & Sales Director, Ruark UK , at a press conference held to announce its India entry. In her remarks, Ms. Ajita Hathila, Deputy Director, Trade & UK Exports, South Asia, British High Commission, said, The UK Government congratulates Ruark Audio and its partner Creative Newtech on their entry into the premium Indian Audio marketplace. Ruarks arrival in India builds on its export successes in other markets and its strong reputation as a UK export champion. Commenting on the India entry, Richard Mckinney, Global Marketing & Sales Director, Ruark UK, said, We are delighted and happy to be here in one of the worlds fastest growing economies with a growing audience whose appetite for great music is apparent. The credit for us being here entirely goes to the team at Creative Newtech who helped plan the entire India entry meticulously. Their shared passion for quality and consumer delight combined with their in-depth understanding of the Indian market, the nuances of distribution and their large network both offline & online, am sure will help Ruark fins its audience of audio lovers across India. In his comments, Ketan Patel, CMD, Creative Newtech, said, Ruark is a great addition to the ever-growing portfolio at Creative Newtech. Being a premium brand targeted at true music lovers and those with a design bent, its part of our strategy to bring more high-end brands into our portfolio. Indian market for high quality audio is still growing and the appetite has only grown post covid aided by the growing affluence particularly among millennials and GenZ. We thank the team at Ruark for believing in us and am sure it will be a mutually win-win partnership. With this global launch, Ruark is introduction the below mentioned range of products MR1 MK2, R2 MK4, R3S, R410, RS1 available in India. With starting range INR. 69,000/- upto INR 4,99,000/- Authored by Manish Aggarwal, Director, Bikano, Bikanervala Foods The role of technology has been instrumental in providing a competitive advantage for FMCG companies over a significant period of time. Numerous companies are already reaping the rewards of digital transformation initiatives, ranging from early-stage implementations to comprehensive overhauls. Considering this, it is intriguing to observe the immense benefits that Artificial Intelligence (AI) brings to FMCG companies, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness across various business functions. It is evident that the global FMCG/CPG ecosystem is swiftly recognizing the burgeoning AI opportunity. AI offers FMCG companies the ability to gain predictive insights into customer behavior, enhancing the delivery of superior consumer experiences and fostering enhanced engagement. Moreover, AI empowers extensive process automation, resulting in cost reduction and time savings. According to an IBM survey, retail and brand executives anticipate that intelligent automation capabilities can potentially reduce operating costs by an average of up to seven percent. Various Approaches in which AI can revolutionize the FMCG sector FMCG companies have much to gain from embracing the progressions in data-driven technologies such as AI, ML, and deep learning. In the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning have brought about transformative changes. With the enormous amount of data generated in the FMCG industry, ML techniques enable companies to analyze consumer behavior, preferences, and purchase patterns, allowing for better understanding and segmentation of target markets. These insights help FMCG companies optimize product placement and pricing strategies, personalize marketing campaigns, and forecast demand more accurately. Additionally, Deep Learning's advanced image and speech recognition capabilities have improved supply chain management by enhancing inventory tracking and quality control processes. By leveraging ML and Deep Learning in the FMCG sector, companies can achieve greater efficiency, competitiveness, and customer satisfaction, making data-driven decisions that positively impact their bottom line. Below are a few examples of how the FMCG industry can reap the benefits of AI. Enhancing Operational Efficiency in Supply Chains In the past, FMCG companies faced challenges in identifying areas within their supply chains that required operational improvements. However, thanks to the advancement of sophisticated algorithms, it is now possible to analyze entire production lines swiftly and accurately, pinpointing inefficiencies. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) can provide valuable insights to companies regarding wastage levels, potential security vulnerabilities, and areas that require enhancement in terms of food safety standards. AI functions as a diligent personal assistant, dedicated to optimizing efficiency within FMCG operations. Optimizing Product Placement Determining the ideal placement for a product can be a complex endeavor. Several factors, including the purchasing behavior of the target demographic, timing of purchases, and product compatibility, must be carefully considered to ensure the success of a product in the commercial space. Fortunately, AI offers valuable assistance through the implementation of planogramsa visual representation or diagram used in retail stores to plan and organize the placement of products on shelves or display areas. By utilizing planograms, retailers can determine the precise location for each product, establish appropriate stock levels, and set optimal pricing strategies to maximize profitability. This innovative approach leverages AI's capabilities to optimize product placement and drive commercial success. AI can optimize shelf space allocation by considering product popularity, sales velocity, and other relevant factors. By doing so, retailers can ensure that the most profitable and high-demand products receive the appropriate space on the shelves. Forecasting Demand and Inventory Management Understanding customer demographics opens up a world of opportunities for companies, and AI plays a vital role in aggregating and analyzing crucial customer data points. By employing machine learning and deep learning algorithms, companies can effectively interpret these rich customer data sets to enhance their demand forecasting strategies. This empowers companies to proactively respond to customer demand in the most efficient manner. For instance, AI-driven demand forecasting enables companies to devise optimal approaches to cater to evolving demand in rural areas, allowing them to develop communication and messaging strategies that align with these changing realities. Additionally, AI facilitates the maintenance of optimal inventory levels by leveraging demand-gap analytics. Inventory management, which can pose significant optimization challenges for FMCG companies, can be greatly streamlined with the aid of AI technology. Customized Consumer Experiences In today's business landscape, companies are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize customer experiences, taking them beyond the ordinary. By transitioning from reactive to proactive and even predictive approaches, a new paradigm of customer service is emerging, particularly relevant for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Leveraging customer data and insights, businesses can now curate proactive experiences that provide comprehensive support and guidance to customers, even before they articulate their needs. This proactive approach is made possible by analyzing vast pools of customer data, enabling the identification of demand patterns and facilitating cross-selling or up-selling through personalized recommendations. By leveraging AI tools, companies can achieve real-time intelligent customer engagement. When guided by insights that address genuine customer needs, this strategic approach adds significant value to the overall brand appeal. Final Say Consumer demand fluctuations hold numerous correlations and patterns, presenting a wealth of valuable information for FMCG companies. Unearthing these insights is crucial for gaining a competitive advantage in the industry. FMCG companies must process this data to devise effective strategies, such as product placement, product prioritization, workflow optimization, marketing segmentation, pricing decisions, and offer launch timings. The FMCG landscape requires comprehensive planning and streamlining, which can be accomplished through the utilization of advanced tools and algorithms. Consequently, an increasing number of FMCG companies are embracing AI-driven automation to redefine their customer experience and enhance brand engagement. Mackly, the pioneer in kids' clothing has once again set a remarkable milestone by launching a stylish and captivating PAW Patrol collection of kids' wear, in an exclusive collaboration with Viacom18 Consumer Products, the merchandising arm of one of the biggest Indian media conglomerates. This strategic move underscores Mackly's commitment to offering a unique fusion of comfort and style while prioritizing essential factors like comprehending children's daily habits and nurturing their personal growth. In this groundbreaking move, Mackly has not only introduced innerwear but also an extensive range of kids' clothing that is set to revolutionize the way children dress and experience comfort. By incorporating the lovable PAW Patrol characters into their clothing line, the brand aims to make getting dressed an exciting adventure for kids. This collection encompasses a diverse array of garments, spanning from innerwear to everyday casuals, and is designed to be entirely unisex, allowing children of all genders to express their distinct personalities while embracing their favorite animated heroes. Highlighting the collaboration, Ms. Sharmila Srikumar, Founder of Mackly, commented, We are thrilled to introduce a wide range of kids' wear in collaboration with PAW Patrol, offering parents a one-stop solution for stylish and comfortable clothing for their kids. Our collaboration with PAW Patrol is not just about clothing; it's about nurturing a unique and fun approach to children's well-being, where comfort, style, and personal growth go hand in hand. With this exciting collection, Mackly is paving the way for parents to provide their children with clothing that fosters self-confidence, creativity, and an active, positive lifestyle. Just like the PAW Patrol heroes who embark on a mission to safeguard the world, our brand is on a mission to provide children with comfort through their clothing choices. Sachin Puntambekar, Business Head of Consumer Products, Viacom18, added, We, at Viacom18 Consumer Products, are committed to engage with consumers in novel ways. Were delighted to bring this new collection with Mackly to the fans of PAW Patrol, who like to wear their fandom on their sleeves. This is a great collaboration in the expansion of the footprint, of this much-loved animated series franchise.Through this mighty collection, children can embrace the heroic attributes of their beloved PAW Patrol characters, encouraging their creativity and problem-solving abilities. This integration of play into their daily clothing choices adds an extra dimension to their growth journey, reinforcing the idea that learning and development can be both enjoyable and fashionable. Each piece in the PAW Patrol collection is thoughtfully designed to align seamlessly with children's growth and development. The fabrics used are not only soft and comfortable but also durable, allowing kids to explore, play, and learn with confidence. The designs are vibrant and age-appropriate, fostering a sense of fun and positivity in children's daily routines. As Mackly leads the way in India with this innovative collaboration, parents can now discover a comprehensive range of unisex kids' clothing that combines the mighty style, comfort, and magic of PAW Patrol on their website. It's the pawfect collection for theme parties, birthday celebrations, and everyday adventures for kids. #PAWMightyCollection #wearandwatch #KidsFashion #MacklyXPawPatrol" Blog Archive: Nov 2023 (10) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) The rising popularity of private FM channels in the country, numbering over 380 in several Indian languages and in most States of the country, has been an important platform for the Central Government to inform people about the policies and programmes of the Government to help citizens avail of the various schemes and welfare programmes. In this context, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has approved new rates for advertisements to be issued on private FM radio stations for the Government policies and programmes based on the recommendations of the Rate Structure Committee set up by it. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of the Ministry to ensure a fair and sustainable pricing framework for private FM radio stations. The new rates approved by the Ministry in the month of September 2023 includes a 43 per cent increase in the base rate, taking into account the rising costs dynamics for the period of December 2015 to March 2023. With this increase, the Gross Base rate for FM radio advertisement will increase from Rs 52 to Rs 74 per 10 seconds. This adjustment is intended to maintain parity with current market rates. The increase in Gross base Rate will also be beneficial for more than 400 Community Radio Stations that are currently operational in the country. Further building on the base rate, the Ministry has also decided to continue with the existing pricing formula for calculating City Wise rates. The pricing formula takes into various factors like city population and listenership data from the India Readership Survey (IRS) of 2019. Based on this formula along with the enhanced base rate almost all Private FM Radio Stations will benefit from the new recommended rates at varying percentages depending largely on their listenership giving value for both FM stations and the clients of CBC. Based on this formula the rates for 106 stations will increase by 100%, a 50% to 100% increase for 81 stations, and a less than 50% increase for 65 stations for which listenership data is available. The Rate Structure Committee for Private FM Radio Stations was set up by the Ministry last year to evaluate and recommend new rates which were last revised in 2015. The Committee submitted its recommendations after holdings several rounds of meetings with industry experts and stakeholders in addition to taking inputs from bodies like Association of Radio Operators of India. Authored by Chirag Parmar, Lead - Customer Growth and Strategy, WebEngage In the current digital age, WhatsApp has emerged as a powerful platform for brands to engage with their audience. With over 2 billion monthly active users, a 98%+ open and read rate, the ROI for businesses using WhatsApp to engage their customers is no doubt high. That being said, WhatsApp is (especially in India) considered a personal space for people to keep in touch with family and friends, so businesses that do intend to incorporate the platform into their campaigns must bear some things in mind. Ideal Timing for WhatsApp Messages Given that it is a personal messaging tool for most, brands need to be wary of encroaching into their customers personal time or time with family. Sending messages at the right time can make all the difference. Avoid me time and family time: Avoid sending messages first thing in the morning or late at night. Instead, target late morning hours, say 10 or 11 am, or early evenings (not later than 8 pm) when people are more relaxed and likely to engage with their messages. This is typically the time when people are getting home from work, unwinding, and more amenable to scrolling on their phones. Use Geotargeting: If your audience is spread across different time zones, use geotargeting to send messages at the optimal time for each region. Leverage Event Triggers: Send messages based on user actions or events, such as abandoned carts or completed purchases. Timing these messages right after a relevant action can boost conversion rates. Know your Audience - Understanding Demographic Nuances in WhatsApp usage WhatsApp campaigns have proven to be most effective when tailored to specific demographics. Here's what you need to know: Age and Location: It helps to know the age group and geographical contexts of your audiences to make the vehicle most effective for your campaigns. Younger users in the age group of 18-34 have been found to be most active on WhatsApp. Additionally, WhatsApp as a medium of communication has geographical specificities wherein some regions have a higher usage volume than others. Countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia fall under the former category - known as WhatsApp first Markets Language Preferences: Language plays a crucial role. If you're targeting a region where English is not the primary language, ensure your messages are in the local language. Personalization in language can significantly boost engagement. Personal vs. Business: WhatsApp is highly personal. Users are more likely to engage with messages from friends and family. Therefore, your campaign should be designed to mimic a personal conversation rather than a promotional message. Tailoring Communications for Indian Audiences India is a WhatsApp-first market, but it's also a market where users receive a plethora of messages daily. To ensure your messages don't get immediately deleted, there are some best practices that can be followed: Keep it Short and Sweet: Keep your messages concise and to the point. Indians prefer short and impactful messages that provide clear value. Visual Appeal: Incorporate rich media like images and videos to make your messages visually appealing. This can capture the user's attention and encourage them to engage. Personalization: Use the recipient's name and customize messages based on their past interactions or preferences. Personalized messages are more likely to resonate with Indian users. Things not to do! As consumers, we have often found brands finding their way into our WhatsApp inboxes out of nowhere, and have even gone so far as to block messages from these senders. Brands that experience this have a strike rate, and once the limit is reached, they can get banned from using WhatsApp. Somethings to bear in mind to prevent this from happening are: Consent is non-negotiable: There are mechanisms to ensure that your customers are given the option (opt-in) to receive messages from you on WhatsApp. Be clear and transparent in your communication while obtaining this consent! Be relevant: Avoid using WhatsApp to push out blast promotions to your customers. This way, you sidestep the risks that come with sending constant and irrelevant messages to them. Two-way communication: When brands send messages, without giving space for consumers to respond and actually engage, such campaigns often fail. Consumers dont want to be passive spectators at the end of the day, and this can easily result in loss of interest in the brand. AI at the core of everything When attempting to personalize your messages, and open doors for two way communications, the volume of queries would also increase. The role of AI in this is crucial, for brands to enable meaningful conversations with customers. How can brands strengthen their AI deployment for WhatsApp campaigns? Avoid rule based bots: A lot of brand conversations over WhatsApp tend to be with bots. The challenge with rule based bots is that their responses are limited to what has already been fed to it by way of pre-set questions and answers, and this can result in some very frustrating conversations that lead nowhere. Having AI at the backend giving real time responses can result in more intuitive and nuanced conversations. Train your AI to become brand consultants: With the volume of queries increasing, it is next to impossible for brands to anticipate what kind of queries may come, and to ensure that the responses address the specific needs of the customers. Brands that have successfully managed this have even been able to leverage WhatsApp to serve as brand consultants. In our experience, brands that successfully infuse AI at the back-end with two way communications have been able to grow their message volume by 6x. In conclusion, WhatsApp has emerged as a valuable marketing channel with immense potential and a great return on investment. This is a highly effective channel for high-touch sectors - i.e., sectors which have a direct call to action or require customers to take concrete action. For instance, e-commerce brands can use WhatsApp to send order updates, promote products, and provide customer support. Healthcare providers can send appointment reminders, prescription updates, and health tips via WhatsApp, and BFSI brands can send transaction alerts, account balance updates, and financial tips through WhatsApp. Given that it is a cost-heavy channel, brands that use it prudently, and exclusively for personalized campaigns stand to gain more from it. Brands should also bear in mind that pushing out promotional messages on WhatsApp costs more than personalized campaigns, which also results in greater engagement. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with your customers on a platform they use every day. Here are some innovative and out-of the box WhatsApp campaigns that are noteworthy: Nielsen, the global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, announced today that Warren Jenson will now serve as President of Nielsen, in addition to his current role as Chief Financial Officer. In this expanded role, Jenson will oversee Nielsens work to modernize its operations with the aim of creating an agile, innovative company that is best suited to serve the changing needs of the media industry. In assuming this role, he will also manage the companys Information Technology, Corporate Development, and Global Strategy functions alongside his existing leadership of its Finance group. The companys Portfolio Analytics business unit will report into Jenson, as well. He will continue to report to Karthik Rao, CEO. I am humbled to take on the additional role as President of Nielsen and lead the companys vision and transformation, particularly during Nielsens centennial anniversary year, said Jenson. Since joining Nielsen just five months ago, I am encouraged by Nielsens commitment to innovation and shaping the media measurement ecosystem around the globe. I look forward to working closely with our CEO Karthik Rao to help power a better media future for the next 100 years. Warren has made a tremendous impact on our organization since joining Nielsen and proven to be a trusted advisor as weve navigated a changing environment, said Karthik Rao, CEO of Nielsen. His expanded role will be integral to our work as we set out to transform our business now and into the future. Jenson is a seasoned CFO and operations leader who brings over three decades of experience in transformation and value creation in diverse industries, including data and media. He has a track record of driving growth, improving profitability and business development, and creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. He has served as CFO for several Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, Delta Airlines, NBC, and Electronic Arts, and most recently served as President, CFO, and Executive Managing Director of International for LiveRamp. In commemoration of World Mental Health Day, Zee Media Corporation Limited hosted the inaugural Global Mindcare Conclave on 10th October 2023, in partnership with Rotary International (Rotary Club of Delhi North), the Cosmos Institute of Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences (CIMBS), New Delhi, and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). The event focused on global advocacy for mental health rights while also focusing on addressing India's pressing mental health challenges. The prestigious Global Mindcare conclave was inaugurated by former Chief Justice of India Shri UU Lalit, along with Shri Abhay Ojha, CEO Zee Media, Dr. Lalit Khanna, Past District Governor, Rotary, and Dr. Sunil Mittal, Vice President of WFMH. The theme of this year's World Mental Health Day was Mental Health is a Universal Human Right. This conclave served as a comprehensive platform for diverse mental health stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), caregivers, and individuals with lived experiences of mental health disorders. It facilitated in-depth discussions on overcoming barriers, forging partnerships within the mental health sector, and exploring advancements in mental healthcare. Key highlights from the Global Mindcare Conclave : Mental health statistics: Dr. Sunil Mittal emphasized on the gravity of the situation, stating that nearly 1 Billion individuals worldwide grapple with mental disorders, with 20 crore individuals residing in India. Notably, the National Mental Health Survey (2015-2016) unveiled that one in every sixth Indian requires mental health support, demanding immediate innovative interventions. Wide range of mental health topics: The conclave hosted eight informative sessions, encompassing a wide spectrum of mental health topics. These sessions included a global and Indian perspective on mental health rights, discussions on mental health law and policy, and an exploration of advancements in mental healthcare. A particular highlight was the discussion on the Tele-Manas program and the role of private psychiatrists in augmenting mental health services. Rotary Connect and Care Campaign: Rotary, in collaboration with CIMBS and WFMH, unveiled the Rotary Connect and Care Campaign on Mental Health, designed to raise awareness, combat stigma, and provide advanced mental health treatments, including Deep TMS, to underserved populations. Psychological First Aid Training: Rotary also revealed its plan to train 1 lakh individuals in Psychological First Aid, empowering them as First Responders. Abhay Ojha, CEO Zee Media Corporation Limited, expressed full support for this initiative. Recognizing Mental Health Advocacy: The conclave paid tribute to individuals from diverse sectors for their significant contributions to mental health by presenting them with "Excellence in Mental Health Care" awards. Key participants included prominent figures such as Dr. V.K. Paul (Member, NITI Aayog), Dr. Randeep Guleria (Chairman, Dept of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta), Dr. Upasana Arora (MD, Yashoda Superspeciality Hospitals), and Dr. Shikha Nehru Sharma (Founder, Nutriwell Health (India)), among others. Abhay Ojha, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited, highlighted "As media advocates, we have a responsibility to promote positive change. The Global Mindcare Conclave is a step forward towards uniting like-minded partners and advocate for the right to mental health. Our goal is to amplify the conversation, challenge misconceptions, and foster a more inclusive mental health landscape." It was a resounding success in fostering collaborative efforts to enhance global mental healthcare. The Global Mindcare Conclave also delved into the critical relationship between nutrition and mental health and highlighted the importance of communication and relationships in maintaining good mental health. The Federal Council Bern, 11.10.2023 - At its meeting on 11 October 2023, the Federal Council adopted a report on collaboration with Swiss NGOs in the context of international cooperation (IC). The report, covering the strategy period 201720, was drawn up in fulfilment of Schneider-Schneiter Postulate 20.4389 of 2 December 2020. The report sets out the legal bases and funding mechanisms for collaboration with Swiss NGOs and identifies the criteria they must fulfil in order to receive federal funding. It also provides examples illustrating the added value of the collaboration with Swiss NGOs in achieving the goals of Switzerland's IC and thus the 2030 Agenda. Collaboration between state and non-state actors is becoming increasingly important to solving global challenges. The administrative units responsible for implementing the IC strategy the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Peace and Human Rights Division in the FDFA as well as the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs in the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research therefore work together with governments, multilateral organisations, private companies, academic institutions, and international, local and Swiss NGOs. These partnerships benefit from the valuable synergies and multiplier effects generated by the NGOs' knowledge and expertise. Modalities and legal basis for collaboration The administrative units responsible for implementing IC collaborate with Swiss NGOs through mandates and three types of contributions: targeted contributions, programme contributions and core contributions. Collaboration with Swiss NGOs is governed by two distinct legal bases: the mandates are awarded in accordance with the rules of public procurement law and the contributions are governed by the Subsidies Act. The administrative units responsible are legally required to monitor the use of funds to ensure that it is efficient and cost-effective. In order to fulfil this legal mandate, they have a comprehensive system at their disposal to manage and monitor collaboration with NGOs. The system allows them to measure the implementation of IC objectives and to identify and minimise operational and political risks in their collaboration with contracting partners at an early stage. CHF 1.2 billion was allocated to Swiss NGOs over the four years of the IC strategy period 201720. Selection of NGOs and importance of certification NGOs are selected according to transparent and verifiable criteria and in compliance with legal requirements. Independent certification is a key criterion for NGOs to qualify for an SDC programme contribution (programme contribution to the international program of Swiss NGOs). The Federal Council's report therefore also addresses the significance of certification bodies in the awarding of programme contributions. Address for enquiries For further information: FDFA Communication Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch Publisher The Federal Council https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Bern, 11.10.2023 - Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), will be accompanied by a large economic and scientific delegation on a mission to Morocco from 14 to 16 October. Official talks are scheduled with the head of the Moroccan government as well as with the ministers for higher education, scientific research and innovation, industry and commerce, and investment, convergence and evaluation of public policies. The economic and scientific mission will take place after Federal Councillor Parmelin's participation in the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Marrakech. Mr Parmelin will be accompanied by around twenty representatives from Swiss industry and four representatives from the Swiss scientific community. The objective of the mission is to deepen bilateral economic and scientific relations. The delegation's first stop will be at the Universite Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P) in Ben Guerir. In 2020 the UM6P launched the Excellence in Africa initiative in collaboration with EPF Lausanne. The initiative aims to support excellence in research across Africa. The delegation will then visit various companies from the aeronautical sector in Nouaceur. Following that, a meeting will take place in Casablanca between representatives of the Swiss and Moroccan private sectors. On 15 October, Federal Councillor Parmelin will visit Tanger Med, Africa's leading industrial port complex and a regional economic hub that is a gateway to the African continent. There he will meet with economic actors from the complex and with representatives from the Tanger Med Special Agency, the authority responsible for managing the site. High-level meetings On 16 October Mr Parmelin will hold a series of meetings with Moroccan government officials. The first of these will be with Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation (MESRSI), as part of the launch of the Morocco-Switzerland Scientific Days activities. At the event, organised jointly by UM6P and the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Mr Parmelin will announce the launch of a second call for projects between the HES-SO and the MESRSI Research Directorate, scheduled for 2024. The calls for projects aim to strengthen cooperation in the fields of research and innovation. He is also due to meet with Mr Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of Morocco, Mr Mohcine Jazouli, Delegate-Minister to the Head of Government of Investment, Convergence and the Evaluation of Public Policies, and Mr Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Trade and Industry. The official talks will provide an opportunity to discuss the current status of and prospects for bilateral economic and scientific relations. The framework conditions for investment and business opportunities for the Swiss private sector will also be evaluated during the talks. Good bilateral relations Switzerland and Morocco enjoy good bilateral economic relations, which are supported by a broad framework of bilateral agreements, including a free trade agreement (via the European Free Trade Association), an investment protection agreement and a double taxation agreement. Thanks to balanced and diversified trade worth CHF 778 million, bilateral trade volume in 2022 was the highest ever recorded between the two countries. More than 50 Swiss companies are present in Morocco, helping to generate a considerable number of jobs and training opportunities. The two countries also enjoy good relations on the scientific front. These relations are supported by various instruments, such as the mandate entrusted by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) to the HES-SO as Leading House for North Africa and the Middle East, or the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, which enable Moroccan researchers to pursue their work in Switzerland. Moroccans also make up the largest community of African students in Switzerland. Address for enquiries EAER Communications +41 58 462 20 07 info@gs-wbf.admin.ch Publisher Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research http://www.wbf.admin.ch State Secretariat for Economic Affairs http://www.seco.admin.ch State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation http://www.sbfi.admin.ch National Investigation Agency,raids,Tamil Nadu,Coimbatore | Image : Representative/Agency In yet another action against the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) outfit, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out searches at multiple locations in Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. According to NIA sources, the raids were made in the Agencys case number 31/2022, which pertains to the involvement of PFI and its leaders and cadres in violent and unlawful activities, who had assembled for that purpose in Patnas Phulwarisharif area. However, NIA officials have remained tightlipped on the case. The case was initially registered as an FIR on July 12, 2022 at the Phulwarisharif police station and re-registered by the NIA on July 22 last year. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at NATO for Wednesdays meetings with alliance defence ministers to further drum up support for Ukraines fight against Russia. The US is hosting a meeting of the Ukraine contact group to seek more weapons and ammunition for the war-ravaged country. NATO allies and partner countries will be waiting to hear precisely what kinds of military equipment Kyiv needs. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. Southern Living has weighed in on the 40 or so most beautiful college campuses in the South, and two Alabama schools made the cut. Or only two, depending on how you look at it. In fact, one Alabama institution topped the list: Coming in at No. 1 was Mobiles Spring Hill College. SHCs Avenue of the Oaks was listed as a prime attraction, which comes as no surprise since its a beloved local vista. Even the makers of Love in Fairhope, the geographically-challenged romance show that came out last month, offered a glimpse of it in their depiction of an alternate-reality Eastern Shore. Each year, graduates sit among towering trees and rows of pink azaleas, as they face a commencement stage in front of Stewartfield, a white Greek Revival home, gushed the Southern Living report. During students tenures at this liberal arts school the Southeasts oldest Catholic college they hang out at Rydex Commons, a circular green space facing the library and the exquisite St. Joseph Chapel. You can experience the natural splendor of a South Alabama landscape all over campus. Tuskegee University is one of Alabama's oldest historically black colleges and universities. Coming in at No. 11 was Tuskegee University, which Southern Living noted was the first HBCU to be registered as a National Historic Landmark. Each beautiful building is steeped in rich history, adding to their appeal, and the rural locale promises sweeping greenery, said the article. Anyone irked that their beloved Alabama alma mater was snubbed will be tempted to take issue with Southern Livings loosey-goosey definition of the South in this ranking. The University of Delaware was ranked No. 3 (Knowledge is the light of the mind, yall) and the slightly more defensible Georgetown University landed at No. 4. Institutions in Maryland, Missouri and Oklahoma also were included. The whole list of 43 schools can be found at www.southernliving.com. Related: One of the worlds largest free public art festivals is coming to Alabama. Little Amal, the 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl who has traveled across 13 countries, will make a stop in Alabama as part of a 6,000-mile journey across the United States. The production will be in Birmingham on Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12 before departing for festivals in Selma and Montgomery on Friday. Inspired by a character in Joe Murphy and Joe Robertsons play The Jungle, about a refugee camp in Calais, France, Little Amals journeys are produced by The Walk Productions and Handspring Puppet Company with an international network of producers, artists and partners. Little Amals walk is described as a celebration of art and theatre that aims to unite communities and refocus attention on the urgent needs of refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers, as well as highlight the cultures and contributions immigrants bring with them. Amal walks for the hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced people of all ages roaming the world in search of safety, half of whom are children, producers said in a media release about the festival. Amals first stop was in Gaziantep, a city in southern Turkey just 40 miles from the Syrian border where many Syrian refugees have settled, reports the New York Times. Since then, more than 300 artists, museums, and cultural institutions around the world have hosted the production. Little Amal has traveled through cities, towns and villages including Turkey, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Ukraine. The production crossed the Atlantic for the first time last year when it ventured to New Yorks five boroughs. Little Amal visits the site where Martin Luther King Jr was killed. The Lorraine Motel is now the National Civil Rights Museum.ZUMA Press Little Amal in Memphis at the historic Lorraine Motel (Courtesy, Walk with Amal) Amal stands for unity and hope, and we couldnt impart this message without the hundreds of partners, large and small, coming together to support us as we embark on this journey, said Amir Nizar Zuab, the artistic director of The Walk Productions, in a press release. Each artist, organization and institution has a story to tell about their unique slice of American history and culture, and is inviting Amal and all Americans to learn about what makes this countrys heart beat. READ MORE: A beacon of hope: Little Amals journey takes her to Flint All of the events surrounding Little Amals walks are free. Birmingham will host three public events to welcome Little Amal to the Magic City at City Walk BHAM, Sloss Furnaces, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. On Oct. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m, the public is invited to greet Amal at City Walk BHAM for When the Children Gather, a dance performance inspired by the 1963 Childrens Crusade in partnership with Birmingham native artist and musician Lonnie Holley, Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre, Create Birmingham, and the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Little Amal at the Atlanta Beltline (Credit: Steve Eberhardt) The next morning, Little Amal will visit Sloss Furnaces to participate in an interactive art exploration and iron pour. An hour later, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will welcome guests to the citys civil rights district for a sendoff featuring a poetry reading by Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley Jones and a childrens march through Kelly Ingram Park where marchers will lay flowers at the Four Spirits' memorial statue. The march will culminate at the steps of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church with a performance by the Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir. Little Amal will depart for Montgomery and is expected to arrive at the Alabama State Capitol building on Thursday evening for a march to Court Square Fountain. On Friday, October 13, Little Amal will join foot soldiers and community members in Selma to retrace the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. That afternoon, the production will return to Montgomery for a community gathering at Cottage Hill. Planning to see Little Amal in Alabama? Heres the schedule of events. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 When the children gather City Walk BHAM, 6:00 p.m. (Start Point: City Walk BHAM, 18th St N at 6:00 p..m. End Point: City Walk BHAM, 21st St N) The public is invited to greet Amal at City Walk BHAM for When the Children Gather. The performance will begin at 18th St N and travel to 21st St N, and will uplift the power of youth through dance, theater and music. Little Amal will gather with over 40 dancers from the Alabama School of Fine Arts in collaboration with acclaimed artist Lonnie Holley for a celebration of the power of young people. Inspired by the 1963 Childrens Crusade in Birmingham, this production is created by Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre, directed by Alabama native Samar Haddad King, and produced by Create Birmingham in association with the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dance Department. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 Melting pot Sloss Furnaces, 9:00 a.m. Little Amal will take part in an iron pour at the historic Sloss Furnaces featuring artistic direction from Sloss Metal Arts and Birmingham artist Carey Fountain, as well as performances by Birmingham-based West African dance and drumming ensemble, Sahi On Ko Djony. March on! Birmingham Civil Rights District, 10:00 a.m. (Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. and Amal arrives at 11:00 a.m.) As Amal says goodbye to Birmingham, Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley Jones wishes Amal a safe onward journey. Together, they join a childrens march from Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where they pay their respects to the children who died in the 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to make streamers, banners, and tissue paper flowers for the march. Hope unveiled Alabama State Capitol at 5:00 p.m. (Start Point: Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery, AL 36104 at 5:00 PM CT. End Point: Court Square Fountain, Montgomery, AL 36104) In partnership with Alabama State University Department of Theater & Dance, James Atkinson and the National Park Service Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, Amal will explore the hope and resilience that emerged from the civil rights movement, accompanied by a group of civil rights marchers. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Honor the steps11:00 a.m. (Starting point to be announced) Little Amal will join hands with the Selma community to retrace and honor the steps of the foot soldiers along the iconic Edmund Pettus Bridge. Some broken things can be mended Five Points, Cottage Hill, Montgomery, 5:30 p.m. In partnership with Chintia Kirana and the City of Montgomery, Amal will gather with the community at Cottage Hill in Montgomery. Get the Ed Chat newsletter: Enter your email for weekly updates about Alabama schools: Brooke and Breanna Bennett, juniors at Montgomery Academy, will be honored today at the White House for the International Day of the Girl. First Lady Jill Biden will celebrate 15 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States, according to a news release from the First Ladys office. Brooke and Breanna, who are 16-year-old twins, have advocated for ending period poverty in Alabama and ensuring everyone has access to the menstrual supplies they need. The twin sisters were instrumental in passing a law that provides free period products to low-income schools throughout the state. Alongside State Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D), the law, which was signed in April 2022, gives $200,000 to Title I schools to provide free tampons and pads for 5-12th grade students. We are honored to receive this recognition from First Lady Jill Biden and the White House for our work to end period poverty, Brooke Bennett said. Its also really important to me to share this honor with other young ladies who are making a difference in the world. This celebration shows me and my sister, Breanna, that we are part of a community of like-minded people who are making a difference in our own communities. Brooke and Breanna were named Period Heroes by Always as a result of their advocacy. The two companies donated 12,000 pads to Women in Training, an organization started by the Bennetts to provide hygiene kits, called WITKITS, to women and girls across Alabama. The White House ceremony, called Girls Leading Change, will be livestreamed beginning at 2 p.m. CT today. During the ceremony, the First Lady is expected to also announce new programs intended to support young people, including actions to cancel student debt, invest in mental health, reduce gun violence in schools and communities and launch a climate change corps to create pathways for young people to enter into the clean energy field. Authorities are asking for the publics help in finding a 44-year-old missing from Birmingham. Sebastian Deonta Ross was last seen Sept. 30 in the Roebuck area, according to Birmingham police. He has not been seen or heard from since then. Ross is a Black male, 5-feet, 9-inches tall weighting between 125 and 140 pounds. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans when he was last seen. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police at 205-328-9311. The Supreme Court is taking up a new congressional redistricting case, this time from South Carolina, that could shape the fight for partisan control of the House of Representatives. Arguments taking place at the high court on Wednesday will focus on a coastal district that is held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. In January, a lower court ordered the district redrawn after finding that Republicans who control the state Legislature improperly moved Democratic-leaning Black voters into another district to make the seat safer for Mace in 2022. When Mace first won election in 2020, she edged Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham by 1%, under 5,400 votes. In 2022, following redistricting driven by the 2020 census results, Mace won reelection by 14%. She is one of eight right-flank Republicans who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker. Democrats could have a shot at picking up the seat in 2024 if the district is redrawn. With Republicans holding a thin margin in the U.S. House, any change to competitive districts has a chance to alter the balance of power after the 2024 elections. Democrats seem likely to gain a seat in Alabama following a Supreme Court decision in June that led to a court-ordered redistricting. The states new map will give Alabama two congressional districts where Black voters comprise a substantial portion of the electorate. A similar pending Louisiana case could lead to a second mostly Black district there, too. In South Carolina, Black voters wouldnt be as numerous in a redrawn district. But combined with a substantial set of Democratic-leaning white voters, Democrats could be competitive in the reconfigured district. Lawyers for the state argue that partisan politics, not race, and a population boom in coastal areas explain the congressional map. Civil rights groups challenged the map in federal court and won a ruling from a unanimous three-judge panel in January. Black votes were used as political puzzle pieces to insulate the Republicans hold on power, said Mitchell Brown, senior counsel for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. The lower court put its order on hold to allow the state to appeal to the Supreme Court. Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said in January that we dont need to draw anything until five members of the Supreme Court say we have to. Both sides want a decision by Jan. 1 so that the state can use a congressional map in the 2024 elections that complies with the Supreme Courts ruling. An Alabama man is one of two people indicted federally amid accusations they illegally smuggled hundreds of taxidermy bird mounts and thousands of eggs into the U.S. over a four-year period. The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday announced the indictment against Toney Jones, 53, of Eufaula, and Dr. John Waldrop 74, of Georgia. They are charged with conspiracy, smuggling, Endangered Species Act, and money laundering. Authorities said the pair is not accused of importing any live birds. According to the indictment, Waldrop and Jones used online sales sites such as eBay and Etsy to buy birds and eggs from around the world, including Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. The pair imported and collected myriad species of protected birds, such as canary, dipper, duck, eagle, falcon, grouse, gull, hawk, heron, hoopoe, kestrel, kinglet, lapwing, murre, owl, parrot, pochard, rail, teal, snipe, spoonbill, vulture and woodpecker. In addition to the conspiracy, the indictment charges Waldrop and Jones with importing three packages containing birds and eggs in 2020 through John F. Kennedy International Airport in violation of smuggling and ESA laws. The packages contained a Levant sparrowhawk, a grasshopper buzzard-hawk, two gull eggs, two murre eggs and one unidentified bird egg. The final count of the indictment alleges that Waldrop and Jones conspired to commit money laundering by sending funds out of the U.S. to finance bird smuggling. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of 779 bird mounts and 2,594 eggs alleged to have been illegally imported into the United States. U.S. law and regulations require that importers declare wildlife to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Customs. Permits are also required for wildlife protected by the ESA, Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Endangered Species Act is a vital law in the fight against international trafficking of protected wildlife, said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division. Rare and endangered birds have important roles in their habitats, and we are committed to preventing and deterring their unlawful removal. The maximum sentence for the smuggling and money laundering charges is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the economic gain or loss. The conspiracy charge carries a five-year maximum sentence, and the Endangered Species Act is punishable by six months in prison. The USFWSs Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream, New York, conducted the investigation as part of Operation Final Flight. The operation focused on the trafficking of protected birds into the United States. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources assisted with the investigation. Top U.S. Army leaders said this week that they are prepared to lean forward when it comes to delivering arms to Israel, but that lawmakers will need to step up funding to make it happen. The U.S. already has begun sending critical munitions to Israel, which declared war over the weekend after Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israels territory, killing and taking hostage hundreds of civilians in the process. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said the U.S. will provide ammunition and interceptors to Israel to replenish the Iron Dome and reiterated support for Israel. He also confirmed that at least 14 Americans were killed in the violence over the weekend, and that an undisclosed number of U.S. citizens are being held by Hamas. We stand ready to move additional assets as needed, he said. In the days and weeks ahead, the Pentagon likely will be under intense pressure to meet the competing demands of supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia and Israels war with Hamas. We need additional support from Congress. So, I hope well see that soon, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Monday at the Association of the U.S. Armys annual meeting in Washington. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, speaking alongside Wormuth, said he was confident the service is prepared to meet Israels needs. Still, to support two U.S. partners in different wars means an already stretched military industrial base will need to further ramp up production. Were obviously at the early stage of the process of evaluating our ability to support what the [Israel Defense Forces] needs, Wormuth said. And just as we have with Ukraine, were going to weigh obviously the impacts of requests to our readiness. Nonetheless, I would argue that just as we lean forward with Ukraine, I think the intent is to lean forward in support of Israel, she said. But as the Pentagon deals with two crises overseas, political turmoil in Washington complicates matters. The House of Representatives is still without a leader and the threat of a government shutdown looms when a short-term spending bill expires next month. Wormuth said the Armys ability to support Israel and Ukraine simultaneously hinges on additional funding from Congress. Meanwhile, Wormuth called on Congress to act on hundreds of senior officer nominations and promotions that have been held up by Sen. Tommy Tuberville. In blocking the moves, he has cited a Pentagon policy allowing troops to be reimbursed for travel expenses if they must leave the state where they are stationed to obtain an abortion. This hold is hurting our military readiness and causing needless uncertainty for those officers and their families, she said. Its also frankly a discouraging signal for our talented junior and field grade officers as they contemplate their own futures as senior Army leaders. During the three-day AUSA conference, Army leaders are discussing an array of challenges confronting the service, ranging from efforts to modernize the force to recruiting problems and quality of life issues for junior troops. In recent weeks, the Army has come under fire for the condition of barracks where soldiers live. Last month, the Government Accountability Office issued a scathing report that detailed how thousands of soldiers were forced to live in squalor as they endured raw sewage overflows, dangerous gas leaks and rodent infestations. Wormuth said the Army has been pouring resources into improving barracks conditions, spending about $1 billion annually on them. However, the service faces a $6.5 billion maintenance backlog, she said. Theres still so much that we need to do to address the quality of our aging barracks, Wormuth said, adding that support from Congress is required to make barracks upgrades a long-term investment priority. ___ (c)2023 the Stars and Stripes Visit the Stars and Stripes at www.stripes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A woman is charged with murder and child cruelty after Georgia police say she didnt call for help until hours after her infant died. Doneisha Speight, of Atlanta, was booked into Fulton County Jail on Oct. 6 in connection with her daughters death, according to jail records. Speight was arrested about a week after the womans Oct. 1 call, according to documents McClatchy News obtained from the Atlanta Police Department. McClatchy News could not immediately reach the public defender listed as Speights lawyer on Oct. 10. Speight told police she called 911 when she found her 6-month old child, Angel, wasnt breathing normally, according to arrest affidavits obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. But when the child was taken to the hospital, staff said they couldnt take the girls temperature, which indicates she had been dead for an extended period of time, the Journal-Constitution reported. Officials also found bruising around the girls neck, which the mother said was from the girl touching her own neck, WSB-TV reported. An autopsy from the Fulton County Medical Examiner found the girl had bruises around her head and neck and swelling in her brain, according to the news station. Officers say the injuries are consistent with blunt force trauma. The mother initially denied fault but later said she accidentally hit her childs head on the crib when she was cleaning the room and arguing with a man on the phone, WXIA reported. The warrants say Speights story was inconsistent with the findings of the medical examiner, according to the outlet. 2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. As Steven Brickman addressed a gathering of Birminghams Jewish community on Tuesday night, he did not know the fate of two family members in Israel near the border with Gaza. Brickman said his relatives, who live in a kibbutz, have not been heard from since the weekend, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack against Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking dozens of civilian hostages, including Americans. Brickman, a former president of the Birmingham Jewish Federation, which hosted Tuesday nights event at the Levite Jewish Community Center, said the weekend attack was reminiscent of the horrors deep in our Jewish souls, referring to the pogroms of Russia and Eastern Europe and the Nazi death camps during the Holocaust. We as Jews and Christians who love Israel understand this weekend was the worst day in the history of the Jewish people since the Holocaust, he said. Were in pain, were angry and feeling a sense of incomprehension at the magnitude of these barbaric acts. Without naming anyone specifically, Brickman said he was appalled that some in Birmingham and around the country would seek to condone and justify and even celebrate this violence and terrorism, which he pointed out reportedly included the beheadings of Israeli babies. This is disgusting and hurtful and anyone who engages in this behavior is not our friend or ally, he said. Indiscriminately murdering, abducting and raping civilians is pure and evil terrorism and not resistance. Danny Cohn, CEO of the Birmingham Jewish Federation, said the attack has shaken us all. But he said it also strengthened the Jewish community in Birmingham and beyond. Todays sentiments reverberate through the streets of Birmingham and indeed the world, Cohn siad. We are here for Israel .. for our brothers and sisters that face terrorism and fear, reminding them that they are not alone. Terror seeks to divide, to create chasms and to sow the seeds of discord. Yet in its wake we witness the very opposite. He urged attendees of the event to go to the federations website, where donations are being collected to help Israeli victims rebuild. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who has made several trips to Israel, said the attacks became personal to him. He said he stood with Alabamas Jewish community. We cannot be unequivical when it comes to naming what we witnessed this weekend, and that is evil, he said. Im proud to stand with this comm, Im proud to stand with the ppl of Israel, the people that I have grown to love. Denise Gilmore, senior director of social justice and racial equity for the Birmingham mayors office, delivered a message from Mayor Randall Woodfin. Her statement appeared to allude to Woodfin reportedly deleting a tweet that showed support for Israel after criticism from the mayors social media followers. I want to make my position very clear: The attack on Israel was an act of terrorism by Hamas. The killing and kidnapping of innocent people should be unacceptable to everyone, Gilmore said on Woodfins behalf. I support Israel protecting the lives of its innocent citizens, including its children. Gilmore said the city is heartbroken over the senseless attacks in Israel. In Birmingham, we stand in solidarity with our Jewish community and pray that your hearts will be lifted, she said. Gen. Charles Krulak, former president of Birmingham Southern College, told the crowd he comes from a mixed Jewish background and stands with the community. Im also here because Im pissed, with all due respect to the ladies in the audience, he said. Ive been to war three times, Ive been shot twice, I used to be 6-foot-2. This wasnt war. Ive never seen anything like this. This [the attack on Israel] was barbaric. This was disgusting. This was one that raises an anger in me that my wife has now got me sleeping on the couch. It knows no bounds. But Krulak said his feelings about the attack pales to insignificance to whats felt by the [Israeli Defense Forces] and the Israeli people sitting there under the cone of fire. He then referenced the lesson of the Holocaust. We have to say never again, he said. Carlee Russell, 26, was found guilty by a Hoover municipal judge on Wednesday of faking her own abduction. The ruling came after Russell pleaded not guilty to charges of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident. Despite her plea, Municipal Judge Brad Bishop found her guilty based on the recommendation of state prosecutors. Bishop recommended one year in jail and $17,874 in restitution. He also recommended two fines of $831 each. Russell, holding her hands behind her back, fidgeted nervously as she entered her plea at about 2:14 p.m. In municipal court, there is no jury trial. The constitution allows anyone who faces jail time to have their case heard and decided by a jury of their peers. Bishop explained that often defendants will appeal his verdict to Jefferson County Circuit Court to take the case to a jury trial. Russell, represented by attorneys Emory Anthony and Richard Jaffe, is appealing to the circuit court. Anthony said following Wednesdays hearing they are appealing the verdict because state prosecutors want Russell to serve jail time. Theres no need of having a trial here, knowing their position, Anthony said. We have stipulated and appealed the case and it will star anew in the Bessemer Circuit Court. Anthony said Russells legal team completely disagrees with jail time for a Class A misdemeanor, especially when its Russells first offense. If you can find where someone was put in jail for that, bring the file to me and Ill look at it, he said. Generally, theyre not put in jail. Restitution, we dont disagree with that, but to lock her up and put her in jail, we disagree, he said. Russell was clearly nervous in court on Wednesday as she stood before the judge. Nervous is anyone that goes before a judge, Anthony said. I think she understands what has happened. She has apologized. I dont want her to have a break down, he said. So, were handling her with kid gloves and making sure her mental state is just fine. Asked why she did it, Anthony said thats something that will eventually come to light. Were dealing with issues with Carlee, and we want the best for Carlee, Anthony said. We realize a mistake was made but we dont want to just pile on right now. The lawyer said he believes the amount of restitution sounded fair, given the resources expended during the search. Anthony said he doesnt know if more charges will be filed, but said the defense was invited by the Attorney Generals Office to speak before a grand jury. They declined. Asked where she was during the 49 hours that she was missing, Anthony said, I think youll have to ask the AGs office. The AGs office I dont think it being...compassionate,' he said. They know the young lady was not off on a whim. They knew the young lady was not off with some young man. So they know that. Read full coverage of the case here Russell seemingly vanished Thursday, July 13, after calling 911, and a family member, to report seeing a child, about 3 or 4 years old only wearing a diaper, walking alone on I-459. The family member reported hearing a scream, and then only interstate noise through the open cell phone line. Russells disappearance sparked a massive search and widespread concern. Two days later, Russell showed up alone at her parents Hoover home. She was taken to UAB Hospital for evaluation. While at UAB Hospital, Russell told Hoover police she escaped the clutches of a man and woman who abducted her. Authorities determined Russell left her job at Woodhouse Day Spa from which she has since been fired after taking a robe, toilet paper and a small amount of cash. She ordered food from Tazikis at The Colonnade. Carlee then traveled to Target on U.S. 280 where she bought some granola bars, Cheez-its, and a drink. She remained in the parking lot there until 9:21 P.M., then drove to I-459. Russell called 911 at 9:34 p.m. She then called her brothers girlfriend, and about 9:36 p.m. went missing. No one else ever reported seeing a toddler there. Russell traveled approximately 600 yards while on the phone with 911. Police found Russells wig, cell phone and purse near her vehicle. Her Apple Watch was in her purse. The food from Tazikis was in her car. Items from Target, as well as the items taken from the spa, were not at the scene. In her interview after her return the only interview she has given to police - Russell told officers she was abducted. She told detectives that while traveling down the interstate, she saw a baby walking down the side of the road and called 911. When she got out of her vehicle to check on the child, a man came out of the trees, Derzis previously said. That man then picked her up and she screamed. He then made her go over a fence. He then forced her into a car and the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She stated that the male was with a female, however she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying, he said. She told detectives the male had orange hair with a big bald spot on the back. She was able to escape the 18-wheeler and fled on foot, only to be captured again and put into a car, Derzis said. She said that they took her into a house and made her get undressed. She believes they took pictures of her, but she does not remember them having any physical or sexual contact with her. She stated that the next day, she woke up and was fed cheese crackers by the female, according to Derzis. She stated the woman also played with her hair, but she could not remember anything else. She was put back in a vehicle that she claims was able to escape from while it was west Hoover area. She told detectives that she ran through lots of woods until she came out near her residence, the chief said. Detectives noted that Carlee had a small injury to her lip, and she complained of her head hurting. She also had a tear in her shirt. Detectives also noted that she had $107 in cash in her right sock. Police announced the charges against her two weeks after the staged disappearance, which Russell admitted was fabricated in a statement released through her lawyer. As we all know, actions can have consequences and thats why we are here today, Derzis said when announcing the charges. Her decisions that night created panic and alarm for the citizens of our city,, he said, and even across the nation as concern grew that a kidnapper was on the loose, using a small child as bait. Numerous law enforcement agencies, both local and federal, began working tirelessly not only to bring Carlee home to her family, but locate a kidnapper that we now know never existed, Derzis said. Many private citizens volunteered their time and energy into looking for a potential kidnapping victim that we now know was never in any danger. The first court proceeding for Carlee Russell is scheduled today in her arrest on misdemeanor charges following her staged disappearance in July. The pretrial docket is set for 2 p.m. at Hoovers Municipal Court. Russell, her attorney Emory Anthony, and prosecutors will discuss what will happen moving forward in the judicial process. Read full coverage of the case here Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshalls Office is prosecuting the case. Russell, 26, is charged with false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident. Both crimes are misdemeanors. The two charges each carry a $1,000 bond. Russell seemingly vanished Thursday, July 13, after calling 911, and a family member, to report seeing a child, about 3 or 4 years old and only wearing a diaper, walking alone along I-459. The family member reported hearing a scream, and then only interstate noise through the open cell phone line. Russells disappearance sparked a massive search and widespread concern. Two days later, Russell showed up alone at her parents Hoover home. She was taken to UAB Hospital for evaluation. While at UAB Hospital, Russell told Hoover police she escaped the clutches of a man and woman who abducted her. Authorities determined Russell left her job at Woodhouse Day Spa from which she has since been fired after taking a robe, toilet paper and a small amount of cash. She ordered food from Tazikis at The Colonnade. Carlee then traveled to Target on U.S. 280 where she bought some granola bars, Cheez-its, and a drink. She remained in the parking lot there until 9:21 P.M., then drove to I-459. Russell called 911 at 9:34 p.m. She then called her brothers girlfriend, and about 9:36 p.m. went missing. No one else ever reported seeing a toddler there. Russell traveled approximately 600 yards while on the phone with 911. Police found Russells wig, cell phone and purse near her vehicle. Her Apple Watch was in her purse. The food from Tazikis was in her car. Items from Target, as well as the items taken from the spa, were not at the scene. In her interview after her return the only interview she has given to police - Russell told officers she was abducted. More than a week later, her attorney sent a statement to Hoover police Chief Nick Derzis acknowledging there was no abduction. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself, the statement Anthony provided read. It has not been disclosed where Russell was during the time that she was believed missing. Numerous law enforcement agencies, both local and federal, began working tirelessly not only to bring Carlee home to her family, but locate a kidnapper that we now know never existed, Derzis said in announcing Russells arrest. Many private citizens volunteered their time and energy into looking for a potential kidnapping victim that we now know was never in any danger. Charles F. Feeney, a billionaire philanthropist who donated more than $8 billion during his lifetime, has died. He was 92. Feeney died peacefully Monday in San Francisco, his foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, said in a news release. Feeneys first notable business success came when he co-founded Duty Free Shoppers, which became the worlds largest retailer of luxury goods for travelers, in 1960. He co-founded DFS with a former Cornell University classmate after the two graduated. Giving while living was Feeneys philanthropic motto, and he encouraged others with wealth to give back to charities and communities. I cannot think of a more personally rewarding and appropriate use of wealth than to give while one is living to personally devote oneself to meaningful efforts to improve the human condition, Feeney wrote, according to the release. In 1982, Feeney established The Atlantic Philanthropies, which invested more than $8 billion in grants in its 38 years of operation before he dissolved the foundation in 2020. The grants were primarily awarded in the United States, The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Britain, Australia, South Africa, Vietnam, Bermuda and Cuba. RELATED: Food Network celebrity chef dies at 61 from allergic reaction Upon its dissolution in 2020, The Atlantic Philanthropies became the largest foundation ever to intentionally deploy its entire endowment, according to the release. Use your wealth to help people. Use your wealth to create institutions to help people, Feeney often said, according to the release. When it comes down to it, its always people. Feeney is survived by his wife, Helga; five children from his first marriage to Danielle Feeney: Juliette, Caroleen, Leslie, Diane and Patrick; 16 grandchildren; and four nieces and nephews. Welcome back. Its never too early to start a weekend, so Ill be out a couple days but look forward to getting back to it on Monday. Meantime, podcast and newsletter will continue without me. But first, lets get to todays report ... Get the Down in Alabama newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to the daily Down in Alabama newsletter: A Democrat do-over The national Democrats are slapping the wrists of the state Democrats again. The back-and-forth has gone on too long to do all the background here, but you may recall that a few years ago the Democratic National Committee forced changes on the Alabama Democratic Party, and that shift included a turnover of leadership and the introduction of several identity-based caucuses, such as the LGBTQ+ caucus, the Asian/Pacific Islander caucus, the Hispanic caucus, the Native American caucus, the Under-35 caucus and the disabled-persons caucus. Veteran lawmaker Joe Reed is among the old-guard Democrats, and the leader of the Alabama Democratic Conference, which is the Democrats Black caucus. His faction came back into control of the state party, elected Randy Kelley as chair and claimed the new diversity caucuses took power away from the Black caucus. So the state partys Executive Committee did away with the caucuses by voting to change bylaws. But AL.coms Mike Cason reports that the DNC has told the state party to redo the vote that changed those bylaws. That comes after a hearing in September and listening to more arguments last week. The DNC passed a resolution that took issue with the way the vote was held -- claiming some members did not receive notice of the meeting and others were told they couldnt vote because they hadnt paid a fee. It also orders Kelley to propose a new set of bylaws by Nov. 28 and for the Executive Committee -- with all members receiving a 10-day notice -- to vote on the proposed bylaws by Feb. 1. Kelley said theyd do what the DNC has asked. Improper spending? An Alabama judge is under the microscope after an audit found he improperly spent more than $140,000 of court funds, reports AL.coms Howard Koplowitz. The audit was of Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Gil Self in July. It found that although he repaid most of the money, he was not allowed to make some of the purchases and did not have documentation for others. Purchases included those for meals, alcohol, travel expenses for guests, handguns and electronics. Auditors also said Self hired his son, paid bonuses to a former assistant and paid other contract-employee wages, but that work for that money had not been verified. Judge Self told the Alabama Daily News that the COVID pandemic led to sloppy accounting practices in his office. $1 million car collection Earl Trammell of Warrior, Alabama, worked on cars for a living. He also collected them along the way, reports AL.coms Howard Koplowitz. He was 88 years old when he passed away in May of 22. His widow, Patricia, sold one of the vehicles, a 1996 Porsche, to Alabama car wholesaler John Pierce and his business partner, radio talk-show host John Clay Wolfe. Then she reached out to Pierce and Wolfe again to offer to sell a 97 Corvette with fewer than a hundred miles on the odometer. Trammells collection is already sounding pretty cool. But by the time they were done doing the Corvette deal it had expanded to the entire remaining collection -- 22 vehicles in all, worth around a million dollars. Many of the vehicles were purchased new and just put away in basements, warehouses and a barn, some still with the interior covered in plastic and stickers in the windows. It includes numerous Corvettes, including a 71 Stingray and the 98 pace car from Indy, a 65 Mustang convertible, 63 Coupe de Ville. Wolfe said hes never seen anything like it in three decades of buying and selling cars. Hes also unsure of whats next because he knows his partner will sell them and he doesnt want to turn them loose. Just like Earl Trammell never did. Half-staff I didnt mention it yesterday but, for those who noticed American flags at half-staff or those who fly their own, Gov. Kay Ivey has ordered the lowering for this week to honor people in Israel killed by the Hamas attacks, reports AL.coms Mike Cason.. The repeated acts of terrorism and violation of Israels sovereignty must be stopped at all costs, she said. Those responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Israeli citizens are not only the enemies of our Jewish brothers and sisters, but the United States and her people, too. For more than 80 years, Alabama has proudly stood in solidarity with the State of Israel, and we will continue to do so through these challenging times. Quoting If we still have a nonpolitical justice system in this country, then Gen. Hayden will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, in a statement announcing he had reported to Capitol Police former CIA Director Michael Haydens social-media comment that Tuberville should be removed from the human race. Hayden has said he did not mean removed literally. More Alabama news Born on this date In 1967, former NFL offensive lineman Rob Selby of Birmingham. He played college ball at Auburn. The podcast An ExxonMobil senior executive was arrested Thursday in connection with an alleged sexual assault at a hotel near Houston. According to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to a La Quinta Inn in the 6900 block of FM 1488 in Magnolia. The sheriffs office said in a news release that deputies spoke to a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by a man in one of the hotel rooms. The office said in the release that detectives arrived on scene and interviewed David Scott, 49. He was then arrested on a sexual assault charge and sent to the Montgomery County Jail. The sheriffs office said his bail was set at $30,000. Scott did not appear in jail records as of Tuesday evening, and its not clear if he has an attorney. No additional details were immediately released by the sheriffs office. An Exxon spokesperson told CNN in an emailed statement that the company is aware of the allegations and cannot comment on a personal matter. However, the spokesperson added that this individual will not continue work responsibilities as the investigation proceeds. The companys headquarters in Spring is about 17 miles away from the hotel where Scott was arrested. According to his LinkedIn page, Scott is the senior vice president of ExxonMobil Upstream, involving the companys shale business as well as tight gas and other unconventional oil resources. 2023 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Shelby County community is rallying around an Oak Mountain High School custodian who was critically injured in a traffic crash that killed his wife. A GoFundMe has been started for Nitin Jani, who remains hospitalized at UAB Hospital. His wife, 55-year-old Parul Jani, also on staff at the high school, died in the Monday wreck that police say was caused by a wrong-way driver who fled the scene and was fatally struck by a vehicle on Interstate 65. Mr. Jani, our beloved custodian, was in a dangerous car accident the other day. He was severely injured, and his wife unfortunately passed away, according to the GoFundMe. He is currently in UAB hospital in critical condition. Obviously, the medical bills of this outcome would be very high, and we want to help Mr. Jani out, the fundraising organizer wrote. If everyone donated 7 dollars, we could easily make a huge impact on his life. As of Wednesday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised $23,500. Donations can be made here. The first wreck happened about 6 p.m. Monday on Valleydale Road at the I-65 overpass. Authorities said 44-year-old Roger Maurice Jones was driving a Ford Expedition northbound in the southbound lanes on Valleydale Road when he struck the Janis Camry head-on. Jones fled the scene on foot, running onto I-65. As he attempted to cross the southbound lanes, he was hit by an oncoming Mitsubishi Outlander. Jones taken to UAB Hospital where he later died. The Janis were also taken to UAB Hospital. Parul Jani was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the Outlander remained on the scene of the second crash. Parul Jani worked in child nutrition at Oak Mountain High School. She also worked at after-school-care at Oak Mountain Intermediate School. Oak Mountain High School Principal Andrew Gunn released this statement to AL.com: We are saddened by the devastating news of the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Parul Jani. Mrs. Jani worked at Oak Mountain High School for 18 years, and her impact on our school community was immeasurable. Her warmth, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff made her an integral part of our Oak Mountain family. This tragic accident has left us all in shock and mourning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, Nitinchandra, and their 3 children. We hope for his swift recovery and that he finds strength in the presence of his family during this difficult time. A rapidly-growing chicken franchise has set its sights on several Southern states, including Alabama. Franchising.com is reporting that Daves Hot Chicken has a nine-unit development deal to build several restaurants in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, the franchises systemwide sales have increased 156% over the past year, the fastest pace of any chain nationwide. The company has locations in 27 states, and cities such as San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Detroit and Portland. In each new market we enter, we are met with a warm and embracing reception from the community. Having the chance to introduce our brand to more guests is a significant privilege, partner Tony Moyer said. Choosing our first location and then launching subsequent openings in these markets is a venture we eagerly look forward to. A publicist said the first locations are expected to open in the Birmingham and Montgomery areas in the second half of 2024. Founded by Arman Oganesyan and classically trained chef Dave Kopushyan, along with brothers, Tommy, and Gary Rubenyan, Daves Hot Chicken initially opened as a parking lot pop-up. The chain offers hot chicken tenders and sliders, with seven levels of heat ranging from No Spice to Reaper, along with Kale Slaw, Mac & Cheese and crispy Fries or Cheese Fries. It can be the conundrum of a longtime election official: To have past achievements worth celebrating and a vision of the future worth embracing. Its at such crossroads Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle perhaps finds himself as he formally announced a bid for a fifth term as the chief executive of whats now Alabamas largest city. The election is Aug. 27, 2024. History alone suggests he will be successful, having been reelected three times by overwhelming margins at the polls. Still, does the past pave a path to the future? After shaking hands while supporters lunched on hot dogs and apple pie, Battle sought to bridge the past to a continued future of prosperity in addressing his applauding audience. When I first ran for this office, I made promises, Battle said. Through teamwork and your support, we have kept these promises. Weve gone above and beyond in the years since that first term. Since Battle was first elected mayor in 2004, hes aimed to diversity the workforce that will forever lean heavily on Redstone Arsenal and related contractors that make up the nations second largest research park as well as the burgeoning Redstone Gateway. Roads are another priority as Battle frequently speaks of preserving the citys average commute time of 18 to 20 minutes -- a line in his speech Wednesday that received applause -- and more projects are on the way. From an economic standpoint, the city weathered the COVID-19 pandemic as little more than a blip and the city has maintained its perfect Triple-A bond rating for the past 14 years. A new $80 million city hall is under construction downtown to replace the 1960s-era building that has been so outgrown that municipal government offices are scattered across the city. And he talked about working with Huntsville City Schools, a partnership thats been a common thread through Battles first four terms. In sum, maybe, U.S. News & World Report declared in 2022 that Huntsville is the best place to live in America. And in 2023, Huntsville was No. 2 on that list. It verifies what weve been doing, Battle said of Huntsvilles inclusion on what he said was more than 60 Best Of lists since 2020. It validates what weve been doing. But then, of course, a longtime politician needs a future to point to as well. In the next nine months, well continue doing what weve been doing -- building a great community, Battle said. A great community a great community for generations to come. Im running for reelection for our future; we have more to do. If nothing else, though, Battle has been consistent in citing the need for measured growth and not growth for the sake of growth. And while he made sure to mention the accolades the city has received from Best Of lists, Battle repeated that his standard is even higher. Just since I was reelected in 2020, we have been ranked on more than 60 lists, Battle said. Best Place to Live, No. 1 Tech Market, Best Place to Raise a Family, Most Affordable Place to Live, Top Job Market in the U.S. I could go on and on and thats just in the last four years. Those rankings confirm that were on the right track. But its not about being the biggest, its about making our city the best it can be. Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson ruled Wednesday that the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has the authority to rescind its decisions to award licenses to businesses that want to participate in the states new industry. Anderson granted the AMCCs motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Verano Alabama LLC, which applied for an integrated license that would allow it to cultivate, process, transport, and dispense medical cannabis. The AMCC awarded Verano Alabama a license during its first round of awards on June 12. Verano Alabama was one of five companies awarded integrated licenses and one of 21 companies overall that were awarded licenses. On June 16, the AMCC put a hold on those decisions after announcing it had found potential inconsistencies in the tabulation of scores used to rank the applicants. The licenses were not issued. On August 10, the AMCC voided the June 12 awards. The AMCC announced the scoring errors were corrected. It awarded licenses again, this time to 24 companies. But Verano Alabama was not picked during that second round of awards. In its complaint, Verano Alabama claimed the AMCC had no legal authority to rescind the June 12 award. The company said it paid the $50,000 license fee, as requested. Verano Alabama said the AMCCs explanation it voided the June 12 awards because of the scoring errors was a fabrication. The company pointed out that it had the highest score among 38 integrated license applicants in June, that its score was higher after the corrections in August and was still the top score for its category. Anderson agreed with the AMCCs contention that its licensing authority inherently includes the power to void and correct license awards for which it did not have complete and correct information. Lawyers for the AMCC and for Verano Alabama argued their positions in court on Tuesday and in written arguments to the court. In his order, Anderson wrote that AMCCs regulations distinguish between awarding a license and issuing a license. He wrote that a company becomes a licensee only when it receives a license. The AMCC has not issued any licenses. Anderson agreed with the AMCC that the decision to rescind the license award was not a revocation, which would have carried a right for Verano Alabama to appeal. Verano Alabama and other companies denied licenses will have a chance to request an investigative hearing by the AMCC once the license awards are made again. Other companies have sued the AMCC over other issues, including alleged violations of the open meetings act. Because of the litigation, the licenses awarded in August are also on hold. Anderson has consolidated some of the lawsuits. The AMCC will meet on Thursday and, according to its draft agenda, will consider new rules for evaluating applications. Some companies that were not awarded licenses in June and August have challenged the AMCCs rules and use of the scores to rank applicants. On the other hand, Southeast Cannabis Company, which was awarded an integrated license in June and in August, has asked the court to block the AMCC from adopting new rules that would affect the previous license awards. The company has asked the court to order the AMCC to its license. Anderson has scheduled another hearing for next Wednesday. Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson said he will rule by Thursday on a key point in the wide-ranging litigation over state licenses for businesses that want to take part in Alabamas new medical marijuana industry. Verano Alabama LLC, which applied for an integrated license to cultivate, process, and dispense medical cannabis, claims in a lawsuit that the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission had no authority to void licenses it previously awarded. The AMCC maintains it has that authority. At a hearing on Tuesday, Anderson asked lawyers for the company and for the AMCC to file proposed orders by noon Wednesday. Anderson said he would rule before the next meeting of the AMCC, which is at 1 p.m. Thursday. That ruling will not be the last word in the licensing disputes. Other issues are pending in the litigation filed by license applicants against the AMCC. The lawsuits and mistakes by the AMCC have delayed the licensing and the start of the work needed to get medication to patients. The Alabama Legislature approved medical marijuana in 2021 and created the AMCC to oversee the seed-to-sale regulation of a fully intrastate industry. Before the delays, officials had hoped products could be available late this year or early in 2024. Thursdays AMCC meeting could mark another key development. The AMCC released a draft agenda for the meeting indicating it will consider new rules and revised rules for how it evaluates license applications. Companies that have not been picked for licenses support changes. Companies that were picked do not want any changes applied in a way to reverse the AMCCs earlier decisions. Verano Alabama maintains that it should be issued the license the AMCC initially awarded the company four months ago. On June 12, the AMCC awarded licenses to 21 companies. Verano Alabama was one of five picked for an integrated license, the maximum allowed for that category. Evaluators who assigned scores to rank the applicants gave Verano Alabama the highest score among 38 integrated license applicants. Verano Alabama said it received an invoice from the AMCC to pay its $50,000 license fee on June 12 and paid it the next day. On June 16, the AMCC put a hold on the license awards after finding inconsistencies in the tabulation of scores used to rank the applicants. In August, the AMCC announced that the scores had been corrected and voided the June awards. After the corrections, Verano Alabama still had the top score among the integrated license applicants. In fact, its score was higher after the corrections. But Verano Alabama was not one of the integrated licensees picked in August. Verano Alabama claims the AMCC had no legal authority to void the June 12 license awards. And the company claims that the fact that it was passed over in August despite still having the highest score undermines the AMCCs claim that it voided the June license awards because of the scoring errors. Verano Alabamas position has beenand continues to be the Commission did not have authority to use this guise of scoring inconsistencies to change its prior final agency action, throw out the scoring altogether, and re-award licenses to applicants handpicked by the Commission based on personal preference, the companys lawsuit says. The AMCC claims the law does give it the authority to withdraw license awards. The AMCC has asked Anderson to dismiss the lawsuit. The enabling Act and regulations inherently authorize the Commission to rescind license awards it discovers it may have made based partly on erroneous score tabulations, the AMCC said it in its motion to dismiss. The Commission has a vested interest in and a regulatory duty to issue licenses based on merit, necessitating accurate data. That August round of license awards is also on hold. Companies that were not picked have claimed the AMCC violated the states open meetings act, among other claims. Anderson said he plans to resume a hearing on the open meetings act claims next Wednesday. The building blocks of life may be found in the rock. With those electrifying words suggesting life may really exist in the cosmos in a provable way and may have seeded life on Earth, NASA said today that the rocky samples from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu will be studied for generations. The agency revealed its initial findings today in a report on the rock found on top of the sample collecting cannister. From what theyve already seen outside the cannister, scientists expect evidence of abundant carbon and water in the samples inside. Scientists worldwide like those at the Natural History Museum say those are must-have ingredients for life. Water is No. 1 and carbon is No. 2 on the museums list. As we peer into the ancient secrets preserved within the dust and rocks of asteroid Bennu, we are unlocking a time capsule that offers us profound insights into the origins of our solar system, said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. The bounty of carbon-rich material and the abundant presence of water-bearing clay minerals are just the tip of the cosmic iceberg. These discoveries, made possible through years of dedicated collaboration and cutting-edge science, propel us on a journey to understand not only our celestial neighborhood but also the potential for lifes beginnings. With each revelation from Bennu, we draw closer to unraveling the mysteries of our cosmic heritage. The OSIRIS-REx sample is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth and will help scientists investigate the origins of life on our own planet for generations to come, agreed NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. Almost everything we do at NASA seeks to answer questions about who we are and where we come from. NASA missions like OSIRIS-REx will improve our understanding of asteroids that could threaten Earth while giving us a glimpse into what lies beyond, Nelson said. The sample has made it back to Earth, but there is still so much science to come science like weve never seen before. NASA says it will save at least 70 percent of the material for research by scientists worldwide including future generations. More than 200 scientists around the world are already planning for the exploration, NASA said. Samples will also be loaned later this fall to the Smithsonian Institution, Space Center Houston and the University of Arizona for public display, NASA said. OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASAs New Frontiers Program, managed by NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. This is an opinion column. Once Roger Bedford embodied what was supposed to be wrong with Alabama politics a lawmaker who kept getting elected despite his scandals. Hated by his state but adored by his constituents. As one of the last white Democrats in the Alabama Legislature, Bedford became Republicans biggest target and his political demise was supposed to cap off their statehouse revolution. His defeat was supposed to be a turning point. It wasnt. First, he was gone from the Alabama Legislature, having lost his seat in the state Senate in 2014. And today hes gone from this world, having lost a long battle with cancer. READ: Former Alabama Senator Roger Bedford of Russellville dies Alabama is still here. Alabamas not better. Alabama is still broken. And its time to admit, maybe, it was never Bedfords fault. A north Alabama lawmaker, Bedfords influence in Montgomery and at home sprung from his Huey Long style of politics. He spread money around where it suited those he supported, most famously $1.5 million for a fieldhouse at Russellville High School that his colleagues nicknamed the Taj Mahal. Today, after a rainy season of federal COVID money, that might not seem like much, but back then, it looked like a fortune. Bedford took care of the folks who took care of him. And sometimes, he took care of himself, like when he directed $4,500 of state money for a water line in Wilcox County. The only customer hookup on the new water line was Bedfords hunting camp. His campaign expense accounts were a thing to behold, with expenditures for cars and computers. Hes the only lawmaker Ive seen who dared put the state ABC stores as a vendor on his campaign expense reports. More than once, Bedford found himself in the crosshairs of corruption prosecutors. In 2003, then-Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor charged Bedford with extortion, but a state circuit court judge threw out the case three days into the trial. Republicans laughed with him in the statehouse hall and loathed him on the Senate floor. When they took control of the Alabama Senate in 2010, they tried to put Bedford in a corner. Bedford embraced his new role in the minority, becoming a contrarian voice and nimble foil for the new GOP majority. During filibusters in the Alabama Senate, he mocked the Republicans for turning into the things they claimed to despise establishment elites and he stood up for the groups they attacked, including the Alabama Education Association and the teachers it represented. For decades, Bedford seemed bulletproof, but in 2014, his political fortunes ran out. He lost his last election by 70 votes to a Florence OBGYN, Larry Stutts. Bedfords departure from Alabama politics might be the most revealing moment of his story, emblematic of what has happened in the state in the last 20 years. Few folks outside of his district knew Stutts, but many cheered when he defeated Bedford. In one of his first acts in the Alabama Senate, Stutts sponsored a bill to repeal a law named for a patient who died in his care. Roses law ensured that women would be tested for a sometimes fatal complication of childbirth and given at least 24 hours to recover in the hospital after giving birth. Stutts didnt bother to tell his colleagues about the laws backstory or his involvement in the case. Stutts also attempted to repeal a state law requiring doctors to inform women if they had a denser form of breast tissue putting them at a higher risk for cancer. Bedford had sponsored that law, which the Legislature passed unanimously, after his wife battled the disease. Lawmakers quickly killed both of Stutts bills, but the incidents reveal what voters had traded for. And thats the story here, more so than Bedfords direct impact on the state. When Alabama swapped one political party for the other, things didnt get better, just different. We assumed different couldnt be any worse. And we were wrong. We traded smart, funny and crooked for stupid, mean and stubborn. Now its Stutts who keeps getting reelected, despite his scandals. And Alabamas real political problem like a curse passed from one host to the next lives on. A Woodfin administration official on Tuesday night clarified the mayor supports Israel after Woodfin reportedly deleted a tweet appearing to back the Jewish state after it prompted backlash on social media. Denise Gilmore, senior director of the mayors offices division of social justice and racial equity, addressed a gathering of Birminghams Jewish community at the Levite Jewish Community Center when she passed along a message from Woodfin: I want to make my position very clear: The attack on Israel was an act of terrorism by Hamas. The killing and kidnapping of innocent people should be unacceptable to everyone, Gilmore said on Woodfins behalf. I support Israel protecting the lives of its innocent citizens, including its children. On Saturday, Woodfin tweeted and then quickly deleted a message that read stand with Israel along with a picture of the Israeli flag in wake of the attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But 1819 News, which reported on the tweet, said the post was quickly deleted after users began criticizing Woodfins response to the attack. 1819 News is a website that was once owned by the Alabama Policy Institute. The outlets screenshot of replies to the tweet included one user saying, This is the equivalent of being a Neo-Confederate, but I guess you need AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] money. Other replies to Woodfin included, Why would you say that [stand with Israel]? What is your stance on Palestine? and Thats a NO for me big dog [standing with Israel] ... should be a no for you too. At the Jewish community gathering on Tuesday night, Gilmore spoke of the historical bond between Jewish and Black communities during the Civil Rights Movement, which celebrates its 60th anniversary. Today we pledge to stand just as tall with our Jewish neighbors, she said. The City of Birmingham is heartbroken over the senseless attacks. Stories that will make you laugh, cry and question everything you thought you knew. Step into a portal where LGBTQ+ folks can live authentically, free from hate and where their contributions to art and culture are celebrated. Sign up for the QueerVerse newsletter today! The term coming out used to be a heteronormative act, used to describe when well-bred young women in the early Victorian era were introduced to society and the world of eligible bachelors during debutante balls. During and after World War II, an elite group of gay men came out at drag balls that were modeled after the debutante balls in the nations biggest cities, according to historian George Chaunceys Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay Male World, The gay men soon adopted the metaphor of coming out of the closet, in which the word closet comes from close, which in Latin is claudere or to shutalso the source of recluse or someone who shuts themselves away. The first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979 was in October, and the second iteration was held eight years later on Oct. 11a date that would mark the inaugural National Coming Out Day the following year. Today, it marks its 36th year. From personal essays to podcast episodes and articles, todays conversations regarding coming out trends to center celebration and triumph. For Jack Drescher, a queer psychiatrist, coming out is a process that never ends. Coming out to oneself is a subjective experience of inner recognition, he wrote in the Psychiatric Times in 2004. It is a moment that is sometimes charged with excitement and at other times with trepidation. It is a realization that previously unacceptable feelings or desires are part of oneself. It is, in part, a verbal processputting into words previously inarticulated feelings and ideas. It is a recapturing of disavowed experiences. The truth is: closeted trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people feel excitement and trepidation about who they are, too. In light of National Coming Out Day, queer and trans people are taking the microphone, amplifying their voices from inside the closeteven if it still means choosing not to come out. Note: interviewees requested to use a pseudonym for safety reasons. Rejection comes at a cost Valerie, a white cis woman based in Colorado, keeps her queerness in the closet for the most part. She tells Reckon that she didnt become fully aware of her queerness until her late 20s and that the rise of LGBTQ representation on screen was the catalyst to her realization. Raised in a conservative Evangelical church and home, her immediate family is not accepting of queer people. I came out to a sibling, and they have not taken the news well, further exasperating my fear of the rest of my family learning the truth, she said. I dont know if I could handle it mentally and emotionally. For Valerie, her mental health takes priority over the possibility of losing close relationships and experiencing the strain from coming out, because her current choices beckon her to come out and potentially lose love and security or stay in the closet and hold onto the family ties that she has. Today, she is saving up money to become financially independent as she plans to come out to her family and wants to be prepared should she be rejected. She is officially open about her queerness with a select group of friends, who shower Valerie with rainbow-themed gifts, take her to Pride events and even nicknamed her the baby gay of the group. I used to think that it was enough to have only certain people in my life I was out to, and that they could make up for the others, said Valerie, who is already grieving the outcome of coming out to her family. But after being loved fully by [my friends], the lack of love from the others becomes more and more difficult to swallow. Please be gentle and kind [towards closeted LGBTQ people]. If youre out and loved and accepted, drink in that love and appreciate it for everything it is worth, because it is worth everything. Living outside of others standards and the humiliation of being misunderstood Han is a Chinese bisexual, nonbinary trans masculine person based in Washington D.C. Although they are open about their gender and sexuality, they are not out to their familyespecially regarding their transness. Han has decided to not come out to their parents because they believe their parents wouldnt understand what being nonbinary means. Despite wanting to package it into ways their parents can comprehend, Hans parents understanding of transitioning is limited to binary transitionsnot something in the middle. Ill admit it Im scared, they said. Its myself thats the impossibility. Unless my love life changes or I bite the bullet on medically transitioning, why bother? As a family, were not good at dealing with conflict. Weve had fallouts over much more trivial differences. Im afraid of how wed move through this. Being in the closet is 100% a choice for them, who works their own job and lives far away from their parents. Theyre not interested in risking consequences, like getting kicked out or cut offor worse. I come back to this question: do they need to know all of me to love me? said Han, who is afraid of causing unnecessary heartache for their parents. I know that when I deviate from their social norms, they worry. It makes sense. Every parent, especially within our culture, wants their child to have an easier, uncomplicated life. Perhaps my gift to them can be pretending that it is so. Shame plays a large part in them not being fully out, though Han is clear that the shame isnt a direct derivation of their identities, but rather the humiliation of being found confusing. After all, they feel fairly free, and loved by their friends and community. At the end of the day, I am afraid of being rendered incomprehensible and unlovable to a world afraid of ambiguity. Cracks on the closet door Grace is a queer cis woman of Latinx descent, and as of this year, she is slowly coming out of the closet. Shes also a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Grace, who is now in her late 20s, spent 18 months in Chicago as a missionary volunteer when she was 22, knocking on doors and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. I was a good missionary, and I think I was only a good missionary because I pushed aside a lot of things that wouldnt make me a good missionary, she said, hinting at her sexuality. In the very religious community, stigmas around being LGBTQ were rampant. She joined the church at 19 years old when her single mother became very ill. At the time, the support of the church provided her comfort, and it came at the cost of hiding her queerness. After her mission trip, Grace attended college and decided to pursue school at Utah Valley University. While away, her mothers health deteriorated even more, and she passed away in January of this year. I had this huge realization in my life and how I was feeling about not being 100% truthful to her, she said. Losing her and the emotions that come with that grief, I feel like Im finally opening up and giving myself permission to be present. For Grace, being present means letting people know where she is at with her sexuality, in addition to her passionate advocacy of LGBTQ rightseven while she was fully in the closet. As a film student who is also minoring in anthropology, she plans on making a coming out video as a way to honor the missed opportunity she had with her mother. These days, she is out to several queer friends, and they often travel to Salt Lake City to go gay clubbing. Still, she finds a balance to honor those who have to compromise disclosure for all kinds of reasons. [To my fellow LGBTQ companions who are out, know that] we are present, were here, and were listening. Just as the latest invasion began in Israel, swarms of the usual suspects began protesting in front of Israeli consulates in various American cities. Some of the anti-Israeli demonstrators were themselves Jewish being committed leftists first and Jews second. They were of particular interest to the mainstream news media. Then news of horrific atrocities being carried out by the Hamas militants began to surface. Shooting up a harmless music festival is way too much for even woke progressives -- let alone flaunting the naked bodies of freshly murdered women. As I write, the revulsion on the Left is still lurking below the radar. But there really is no turning back. However, resistance to the sad reality of the excesses of Islamic extremism is a process early in its beginning. So far, the Talibans push against letting Afghan women learn how to read and write has been mostly poo-poohed let alone the general treatment of women like dogs. Mark Steyn, in After America, describes Moslem enclaves in Europe before the mullahs takeover of Iran. They were pretty much integrated into the rest of their world. Children freely played in public, women were often uncovered, tension was minimal. Then came the collapse of the Shah and the religious police began to show up. A new template has been cast. Hamas and its cohorts are on the other side. Citizens of the modern world are undeniably repulsed by the unfolding of this episode. The reluctance of doctrinaire leftists to admit the grotesqueness of these events will likely fade and that will be a profound embarrassment. Hamass intention has been to instill fear in the hearts of its enemies. But, instead, they have provoked profound hate and an unstoppable willingness to fight back. Ilhan Omar and her cohorts in Congress are, shall I say, dead meat politically speaking. No longer will additional perspective be presented as a valid position. The Hamas et. al. militants are thugs -- and worthy of extreme measures to annihilate them. The Israelis are well capable of doing just that. And, this time around, they will not have to endure the usual amount of opprobrium that had previously been heaped upon them. Now, on the next evenings news, only pro-Israel demonstrations were covered. The pro-Palestinians must have stayed home. Blue and white lights are illuminating symbols of solidarity with Israel such as city halls and churches. The magnitude and viciousness of the Hamas attacks is truly sinking in. One of the first serious tasks placed before the UN in 1948 was the fulfillment of Israels sovereignty. Seventy-five years later the work continues. It may be fair to say that the UN has really sustained the conflict, rather than having put an end to it. UN-sponsored refugee camps in the area have housed multiple generations of displaced people. Such have also been fertile recruitment centers for Hamas and other paramilitary organizations. What is particularly sad, however, is the involvement of innocent victims in the misery being orchestrated by the forces of evil. Image: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs The current conflict between the Jewish State and the Muslims of Gaza is in no small part fueled by the tenets of Islam. Islam hates Jews. It hates Christians. It hates Bahai. It hates come to think of it, all non-Muslims. Non-Muslim Muslim apologists beware -- you're next, even if you are too stupid and naive to see it coming. Islam is a cult. Cults are characterized by: Absolute authoritarianism without accountability. Zero tolerance for criticism or questions. Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave (apostacy is punishable by death). Followers feeling they are never able to be good enough (Muhammed is considered the perfect man and is to be emulated). A belief that the leader is right at all times (Muhammed is considered inerrant). A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing truth or giving validation. That said, there is reason to consider another factor at work in the current war in Israel the 12th Imam. Briefly, there are two major groups of madmen/women in Islam -- the Sunni and the Shia. The schism between them started upon the death of Muhammed. It was contested succession of leadership that resulted in a split. Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam, comprising the majority of Muslims worldwide. Its name "Sunni" is derived from the Arabic word "Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jama'ah," which means "People of the Sunnah and the Community." Sunnis believe in following the path (sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad and the consensus (ijma) of the Muslim community. The Sunni branch originated from the early Muslim community's acceptance of the first four caliphs (successors) following the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Shia Islam's origins can be traced to a belief in the rightful leadership of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Shiites believe that Ali should have been the immediate successor to the Prophet, as they argue that he was divinely appointed. They also believe in a line of twelve Imams, with the twelfth Imam being in occultation and expected to return as the Mahdi. Iran is ruled by a Shia Muslim theocracy. The Shia believe in the existence of the 12th Imam. He is a big deal to them. The primary mission of the Mahdi is to establish justice on Earth. It is believed that he will rectify the widespread oppression and tyranny that will exist before his appearance. He will uphold the principles of righteousness and fairness. The Mahdi will reform society by eradicating corruption, eliminating social inequalities, and ensuring that Islamic principles are followed in all aspects of life. To paraphrase BLM and other racists, No Islam, no peace. Who is this Mahdi character? The Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is believed to have been born in present-day Iraq in the 9th century CE as the last in the line of successors to the Prophet Muhammad. Shiites believe he went into occultation, or hiding, in 941 CE and still exists but in concealment from the world. This hidden imam is known as the Mahdi or "Guided One." The Twelfth Imam will reveal himself again as the Mahdi, along with Jesus, to bring justice to the world, defeating evil and establishing Islam as the global faith before the Day of Judgment. Shiites believe the Mahdi's eventual reappearance is inevitable and he will rule justly over the Islamic community, or ummah, for several years before the end times. Tradition states that even in hiding, the Twelfth Imam can communicate with and guide devotees through appointed intermediaries called Gates. Devotion and obedience to the Hidden Imam became a foundational belief in Shia Islam starting in the 10th century, though the Mahdi concept exists in Sunni Islam as well. Belief in the messianic return of the Twelfth Imam distinguishes Shia from Sunni Islam and influences Iranian national identity and politics, including the ideology of its Islamic Revolution. The Twelfth Imam is a central eschatological figure in Shia theology whose future return marks a turning point in human history as understood in Islamic scripture and tradition. In Shia Islamic belief, there are various signs and events that will precede and provoke the Twelfth Imam (or Hidden Imam) to reveal himself as the Mahdi. Some of the main events believed to bring about his return include: Widespread injustice and oppression in the world. The Mahdi will arise when the world is full of tyrannical rule and injustice. The invasion of the Arabian peninsula. The Mahdi will return shortly after foreign armies invade the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Reappearance of Sufyani. The Sufyani is an evil tyrant whose appearance is one of the biggest signs of the Imam Mahdi's imminent return. Murder of a pure soul. The death of a profoundly pious believer is said to be a catalyst that prompts the Hidden Imam's return. Revolt led by a descendant of the Prophet. The rise of revolts led by Hasan ibn Ali, a descendant of Muhammad, will be a major signal. Astronomical signs. Natural events involving eclipses of the sun and moon occurring during the holy month of Ramadan are also believed to be important omens. Chaos and war between Muslims. Widespread conflict, violence, and instability in the Muslim world is a precursor to the Twelfth Imam's advent. A far-reaching call from the East. Some believe a literal cry will call out from Mashhad in Iran summoning the Mahdi. Shiites believe once enough of these disruptive events transpire, the Twelfth Imam will finally reappear on earth to restore justice as Islam's messianic savior. However, the exact timing remains ambiguous. From an analysis of Shia Islamic eschatology, it does seem plausible that a world war could potentially be seen as one of the preconditions or signs that is expected to precede the return of the Twelfth Imam as the prophesied Mahdi. Consider the following: The predictions state the Mahdi will come during a time of widespread conflict and unrest among both Muslims and the greater world. A world war that engulfs many nations could align with this. Major wars are often accompanied by death and injustice on a large scale, other precursors to the Mahdi's return. However, some scholars state localized regional wars may play a bigger role in the end times forecasts than a worldwide conflict. Certain events like the invasion of the Arabian peninsula's holy cities are specific signs that may or may not happen during a world war. Some experts argue that the Mahdi prophecies are vague and flexible enough to be applied to many types of major wars or crises. The conditions and turmoil of a world war could potentially be interpreted as fulfilling some of the general prerequisites for the Mahdi's advent. So, what happens to the rest of us when the Mahdi is released? In general, traditional Shiite apocalyptic literature tends to portray the establishment of Islamic dominion under the Mahdi resulting in the subjugation and conversion of Jews along with other non-Muslims. The deal for Iran is that it wins no matter what. If it kills all the Jews, directly or via proxies, if fulfills Quranic prescriptions. If it starts a world war, it wins by paving the path for the Mahdis return. No matter how this proceeds, as long as conflict continues, Iran can win -- theologically and politically. Given that apparently Iran is just 12 days away from producing one bombs worth of fissile material, more Muslim mischief by these Ayatollah Mahdmen cannot be discounted. Image: P30Carl The New Left in todays America has incorporated into its ideology the thesis of Critical Race Theory, which is an offspring of Critical Theory, which is an offspring of Marxism. As such, it borrows heavily from Marxs ideas and applies them, often creatively so, to the American society. One of the main ideas of Marx was a reversal of the power structure to impose a dictatorship of the proletariat (the noun proletariat was used to denote the laborer class, or what we call blue-collar workers). Marx claimed this was the only practical way to ensure that blue-collar workers (allegedly incapable of succeeding on their own in a capitalist society) are not ruthlessly exploited by greedy capitalists. Well, the New Left in todays America traded Marxs ideas about protection of the proletariat from exploitation, for the protection of any oppressed class from its oppressors. Although the New Left's ideologues dont say it openly, based on their commitment to Marxs teachings one can logically conclude that they are trying to impose on America a dictatorship of the oppressed with their newest mantra, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE), as one of the main tools for such an imposition. And it shows. More and more individuals are propped up in public and corporate power structures based not on their merits and talents, but on their membership in any of the oppressed classes. For instance, being black, female, LGBTQ++, a non-Caucasian immigrant (including descendants thereof), etc., often makes up for a lack of qualifications. Just look at the Biden administration, which is mostly a collection of members of the oppressed classes who, except for their oppressed status, do not demonstrate adequate preparation and abilities for the jobs that they are supposed to perform. Such a trend to empower the oppressed has its supporters and opponents. The supporters see it as a remedy and amends for past injustices. The opponents see it as a threat to free markets and the merit-based rewards system that used to be the defining features of the American socio-economic system, which produced the strongest economy that the world has ever seen and the highest living standards for common people. Without engaging in the dispute regarding pros and cons of the empowerment of the oppressed (which is likely to lead, eventually, to a dictatorship by the oppressed), one can note an important question that is conspicuously missing in said dispute: Who will rule over us if the (formerly) oppressed become the ruling class in America? Well, the answer to this question does not seem pretty for most of us, hard-working, law-abiding Americans. Because many of the so-called oppressed show symptoms of psychopathyand, not surprisingly so. For starters, many of those who are actually oppressedor those convinced by means of political propaganda and other forms of deception that they arefor a sufficiently long time, are unlikely to follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The reason being is that they most likely do not identify with the rest of the society that they consider oppressive. (Systemically oppressive if one uses the vocabulary of todays propaganda.) Therefore, they perceive those in this society as unworthy of being treated nicely. One can see a manifestation of this phenomenon in (what appears like) well-concerted attempts to get Trump by any means necessary. When you look at the prosecutors and judges involved in all the charges against President Trump, you will notice that the modern oppressed are not only over-represented on the accusing/judging side, but also that they hardly ever show any propensity to follow the Golden Rule. So they do to President Trump all things that they would definitely not like if someone did to them. The civil fraud trial in the New York case against President Trump is a typical example of the abandonment of the Golden Rule by state Attorney General Letitia James, a member of one of the oppressed classes, and Justice Arthur Engoron, who is not a member of any oppressed class but, apparently, a far-left defender of the oppressed. Together they deny the defendant his constitutional right to a jury trial, they attempt to deprive him of (the control of) his property without due process, they try to impose gargantuan fines ($250 million) on him for allegedly believing that his real estate property was worth more than they think it was, and even for him trying to defend himself in the court as he and his attorneys see fit; all the above before the preponderance of evidence of his alleged wrong-doing is presented and cross-examined during the trial and with repeated violations of the statue of limitation. It seems obvious, though, that they would hate to find themselves one day in the situation in which they put President Trump. That the oppressed tend to ignore the Golden Rule is often a result of a lack of empathy on their part, or their ability to switch on and off, at will, whatever empathy they still have. This kind of mentality appears to be a result of living for a very long time under perceived oppression (imaginary or real), and is a natural defense of ones mind that helps the individual to survive the oppression and break free from it. And the political propaganda that perpetuates absurd and fallacious assertions of systemic oppression (for instance, systemic racism) further reinforces such pathological mentality. I wrote pathological because it is pathological. It falls under the definition of psychopathya permanent or selective lack of empathy. These psychopaths, obviously, are not going to adhere to the Golden Rule, except perhaps, to deceive others, because the Golden Rule is an ethical statement that expresses empathy of which they are in short supply; and this is the first red flag suggesting that the suspected individual may be a psychopath. Based on what we have seen, actions of many (if not all) judges, prosecutors, and DAs going after President Trump strongly suggest psychopathy. In particular, Special Prosecutor Jack Smith both acts and looks like a determined psychopath and the scariest part is these people are part of our federal and state governments. Some dont mind a bunch of psychopaths being equipped with power to pursue the evil and dangerous President Trump, but those who have no problem with that do not seem to realize that once we empower psychopaths to ruin or take lives of those they are after, tomorrow these psychopaths will use that power against each and everyone of us who do or say things of which those in power disapprove. In America, we have not yet reached the endpoint of the neo-Marxian New Lefts agenda of the dictatorship of the oppressed. But how would you like to live in a society autocratically ruled by totalitarian psychopaths who have no empathy for hard-working and law-abiding Americans, and there is no remedy against a government who deprives its people of their constitutional rights and liberties, and the fruits of their work and ingenuity? (Youve likely already gotten a taste of it.) I believe that only sub-intelligent, indoctrinated morons, or those who hope to rule over America, can look forward to such eventuality. In their desire for a change, they lack the foresight, or retrospect to realize that when the pendulum swings back in downtrodden societies, oppression still pervades, its just a different group of oppressors at the top. So, whether you like President Trump or you hate him, it is in your vital interest and in the interest of your children, to do whatever you lawfully can to stop the imposition of the dictatorship of the oppressed, the DIE agenda, and the weaponization of the governments and their agencies against those, like President Trump, they dont like. Because if we dont stop all these things, then we or our children may one day wake up under the dictatorial regime of psychopaths. That undesirable scenario has happened in other civilized countries. Keep in mind that such leaders as Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Mao Tse-Tung, Pol Pot, as well as their henchmen, were psychopaths who had no problems with killing all those whom they considered a threat to their dictatorships. As a result, the lives of hundreds of millions of innocent people like you and me were cut short on the altar of socialism and defense of the oppressed. If it happened elsewhere then there is no good reason to believe that it cannot happen here, as long as we allow the New Left to implement their dangerous, although superficially noble and humane, agenda. Mark Andrew Dwyers recent columns are posted here, here, and here. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. How much can Joe Biden and his administration really support Israel when both he and Obama spent most of the past decade working to give Iran, which pledges death to Israel and America, access to hundreds of billions of dollars? Biden didnt say a word about Iran in his tough speech. Hamas and other terrorist groups would not have the money or the weapons to attack and behead Israelis and Americans if not for the generosity of the Obama and Biden administrations and other culpable European countries. Aside from the fact that Biden and Obama lined filled Irans coffers, Biden also restored funding previously eliminated by Trump to a United Nations group that allegedly provided Hamas terrorists a safe haven: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is responsible for helping Palestinian refugees but reportedly has harbored those who want to harm Israel, has received more than $730 million from the Biden administration. The restored funding push under President Joe Biden came despite a 2021 State Department report noting the agency had allowed Hamas terrorists to build tunnels under its schools and to stockpile weapons in or near other facilities, the New York Post reported Tuesday. Most of the media will ignore all of the funding that Biden and Obama gave to Iran, and therefore the terrorists. Always pay attention to what Biden and Obama do, not what they say. Words are meaningless without actions. Also, Biden neither said a word about the Squad members who have been anti-Israel for years, nor did he say a word about all the support for terrorists at universitiesRashida Tlaib apparently had no comment when asked to condemn terrorists chopping off babies heads. Who are the real anti-Semites? Jake Tapper said he had no idea there was antisemitism on the left; that is a willful blindness because the media intentionally misleads the public that Democrats are pure as the driven snow. David Ignatius writing for The Washington Post called Hamas a formidable and technologically sophisticated foe but maybe Ignatius and WaPo should admit that the only reason Hamas is a formidable and technologically sophisticated foe is because of the generosity and leniency Obama, Biden, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, and others gave/give to terrorist groups and regimes around the world. But, Biden and the Justice Department are much more focused on Trump and his supporters and frequently call them terrorists while turning a blind eye to real terrorists in the Middle East that also threaten the United States. Heck, Garland even equated parents at school board meetings to terrorists! Why dont the leftists protest the actions of Mexican cartels at the border, or how brutal China is with its political and cultural dissidents? Because they dont actually care about injusticetheyre simply pawns for the powers that be. Image: Adam Schultz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Let me paint a scenario for you. Theres a raging fire, right? And you call the fire department to come and take care of it. Youre expecting a truck to roll in along with a dozen firefighters to fight back against the flames and keep people safe. But then only two people show up with a smaller fire truck that barely has the capacity to shoot any water. You make a phone call to the higher-ups, demanding that more firefighters come to take care of the flames. But the person whos in charge denies you, saying theres no real harm in letting the fire burn on. Scary, isnt it? But thats exactly whats happening with Boston right now. The city is going through a massive crime wave, perhaps the highest its ever seen. And the police are powerless at this point in time, with not enough officers available to address the problem and those on the payroll already working themselves to the bone. Now, according to Fox News, a bill that wouldve provided $3.4 million in necessary funding for the police force has been voted down by a number of Democrat city council members. As a result, police will continue to be shorthanded as crime climbs. Half of the city councils members voted against the funding, citing concerns over the Boston Region Intelligence Center (BRIC) gang database, insinuating that it unfairly targets black and Hispanic youths. Although that is under investigation by the states attorney general, nothing has been found to indicate that this is the case. Whats more, police commissioner Michael Cox is dumbfounded over the decision, noting that its not about vilifying people of color, but identifying the people who are driving the violent crime in our city. So you got it: its an excuse. Its an excuse by these Democrats to stand by defund the police, even as their beloved city gets more and more out of control. They would rather stand on ceremony than help the citizens who voted them into office. Absolutely pathetic. Councilor Michael Flaherty expressed his disappointment over the matter as well, stating that public safety is paramount for our city. I know the important role BRIC plays in each and every homicide in the city of Boston. They dont go around tooting their own horn. Its a team effort. But apparently, the city council doesnt see itself as a team willing to help out when the city falls victim to crime. As a result, things will only get worse from here. How much worse, you ask? According to Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmens Association, a lot worse. He noted that crime in the city is out of control and that the citys current police forces are incredibly understaffed. We need hundreds of officers, and we need them tomorrow. It saddens me how some politicians are focused more on their own goals and agendas than on the people theyre supposed to be working for. As a result of this, Boston officers working beyond their means will continue to be stretched thin; criminals will continue to run wild; citizens will find themselves in an unwinnable situation that may even force some of them to leave; and, well, the council members will likely vote down any repeat attempt to fund the police. This is what its come to. You dont see Biden or his Democrats lifting a finger to provide nationwide funding for the police, either, instead concerned about their own goals revolving around climate control and what not. And this is while several cities including Boston see surging crime with no end in sight. One of these days, theyll understand the importance of having officers in the field fighting the good fight. Sadly, itll be when its too late, and Boston is nothing more than a relic of what it used to be. The citizens and the police deserve far better. Michael Letts is the founder, president, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website. Image via Raw Pixel. This past Sunday, on Maria Bartiromos Sunday Morning Futures show on FOX, there was a weirdness going on about Biden. I have never seen a U.S. senator (Tom Cotton) and U.S. congressman (Jim Jordan), and a distinguished and gutsy journalist (Bartiromo), in such altered demeanors. Each of these seasoned pros was visibly balking about what to expect from Biden: what the U.S. presidents actual response will be to this brutal terror charging into Israel, as rarely if ever seen in our lives. Maria and her guests were visibly hesitant as they well should be, as we all well should be. They were nervous about Biden. He is the wild card of the century. Now its mid-week, and we still dont know where the president of the United States really is on Israel. His statements are weak, and he is weak. He is not doing what he is supposed to be doing. By the time you read this piece, Biden may have done another quasi-flip-flop and as he is often late to the party, his minders might somehow get him on air in the person of an effective president. He might soon get on the box, in, say, an Oval Office address to the nation expected of our presidents in crises as intimate as this one and unqualifiedly condemn this frontal, vicious, murderous attack. Its a further stretch that hell say much about what hes going to do about it. But everyone knows, by now, that Biden doesnt really mean it, about anything thats a rule of thumb with his politics and his policies. We have had chapter and verse from conservative (mostly) journalists since Sunday on what grief Joe Biden has always had in mind for Americas friendship with Israel, and how he really doesnt much like Israel, at all. Biden is in a paid-for corner, with Iran for one, on this one, and I cannot believe that his party is not shaking in its boots. But I want to connect the Biden conundrum on Marias Oct. 8 show to the Democrat partys ongoing conundrum that has surely, as of last Friday night, exceeded critical mass: quo vadis, Biden? Many think the 2020 election was bought, and now the customers are stuck with the product: Joe Biden. However, mad as election deniers may be, for the sake of comity, lets instead posit that Joe Biden did win the election, with all those many millions of valid Democrat votes. Election fraud or not, what have the Democrats ended up with? Oh, irony alert: did the Democrats just get their historical, fraudulent presidency in the person of Joe Biden qua president, a man they voted in honestly? And is a vote fraudster as treasonous as its looking more and more Joe Biden is? Either way, its a bad bargain. Maria, and Tom and Jim on her show, were wondering on Sunday whether anyone can predict what Biden will do, or not, now, or ever. That is so scary. They were scared, and we are scared. Had the Democrats dealt with the Biden Mess a year ago, or six months ago, or dont-we-wish years ago, we would not be here, and Hamas would not have attacked. Let the left eat that, as surely as leftists cooked it. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Here is a letter signed by Ryna Workman, a student at New York University Law School, which seeks to excuse Hamass intentional murder of hundreds of Israeli civilians including women and children. She writes, among other things, Israel bears full responsibility for this tremendous loss of life. The law schools Dean, Troy McKenzie, disowned this statement as follows: This message was not from NYU School of Law as an institution and does not speak for the leadership of the Law School. The law firm that had planned to hire Workman pulled the job offer within, apparently, the day. I had previously written a letter against cancel culture, in which people try to harm other peoples careers for opinions they post on social media while representing only themselves. Workman, however, signed her diatribe on behalf of the Student Bar Association, an organization to which she owes a fiduciary duty, including a duty not to damage its reputation or the reputations of its members. The question now arises as to whether the Student Bar Associations other officers, and they removed their names from their website within the day, authorized this or whether Workman is a loose cannon who blindsided them. I believe it is fair to demand at this point that the organization disown her commentary, because if it doesnt, law firms would be well advised to blacklist every single person associated with efforts to condone terroristic violence against civilians. Civis Americanus is the pen name of a contributor who remembers the lessons of history and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way. The author is remaining anonymous due to the likely prospect of being subjected to cancel culture for exposing the Big Lie behind Black Lives Matter. Image: BeyondMyKen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. As the moral equivocators weep tears about Israels reprisal against Gaza, I keep thinking of Pastor Martin Niemollers realization that, when you are dealing with totalitarians, their first target is never their only target. Nor can I stop remembering the old Jewish man who left the concentration camp and said, When people promise to kill you, believe them. For anyone paying attention, the socialists in America, who are happily making common cause with Hamas, have been using some of the same eliminationist rhetoric that the Muslims use against the Jews in Israel. Niemoller initially supported the Nazis. He thought Hitler would be good for Germany, and he disliked Jews. He believed it when Hitler said he wouldnt persecute the Church and Jews would be subject only to limited persecution. By 1938, though, he realized that Hitler had no brakes and found himself interned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau through wars end. In this context, Niemoller made his famous First they came statement, not as a poem, but as a confession. That confession was eventually turned into the free-verse poem we recognize: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for meand there was no one left to speak for me. What does that poem have to do with moral equivalence in America? Im glad you asked. I think we all agree that you cannot move with reason squishy people who think there is equivalence between Hamas soldiers, trained, funded, and equipped by Iran, who target civilians for slaughter, and an Israeli military response against Hamas headquarters that are deliberately hidden behind civilians. For these squishes, Hamas beheading a baby for fun is the same as Israel warning people to clear a Hamas building before bombing it. Image: Internet meme; creator unknown. Ironically, Im willing to bet that over 90% of these squishes support abortion. Some baby killing is a good thing. And why is it a good thing? Because it benefits them. At an individual level, it means sex without consequences and a blow to the patriarchal idea of motherhood. At a societal level, it means keeping women wedded to the workforce while lowering the population to save the insensate earth. In other words, rather than having absolute morals, they have self-interest. So, heres some self-interest to offer them that might help them rationalize coming down on Islamic terrorism with unabated fury: Youre next. Why are you next? Because Islam and the socialists have come together to decry colonialism. Colonialists are evil, having deprived non-white peoples of their indigenous lands. Never mind that, in the case of Israel, Jews are the indigenous people. Moreover, given the influx of Jews from across the Middle East and Africa, Israelis are a brown people. My Facebook feed shows me that many people slaughtered were melanated rather than pale Caucasian. For Muslims, Jews are the colonizers. For the left in the West, whites are the colonizers. It doesnt matter that you start your meetings by guiltily acknowledging that your university or government office was built on stolen indigenous land. What matters is that, for leftists, its not your land; its their land, and theyre entitled to take it back by any means necessary. That is why they express solidarity with the Palestinians: FLASHBACK: BLM Founder Patrisse Cullors in 2015: Palestine is our generations South Africa if we dont step up boldly and courageously to end the imperialist project called Israel, were doomed." pic.twitter.com/iT22c5peXv Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 11, 2023 Najma Sharif, a freelance journalist for InStyle and Teen Vogue, both hard-left publications, was perfectly blunt in her approving assessment of what de-colonizing means. In a since-deleted, subliterate tweet, she wrote: what did yall think decolonization meant? vibes? papers? essays? losers. not like this then like what. show us LOL. Karen Attiah, a Washington Post columnist, liked the tweet: Its truly shocking to see ppl like @KarenAttiah of @washingtonpost -who regularly posts pics of her cat & her workouts- reveal themselves as rabid antisemites who think decapitating Israeli babies is A-ok in the name of decolonization & that you are a loser if you disagree pic.twitter.com/8wWpA79iZL Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 10, 2023 At a guess, Id say Najma is Muslim, while Attiah, who identifies as Ghanaian and Nigerian, may be Muslim. What matters is that both are using the language of modern anti-colonialist socialism. Those shared values mean that these people dont just approve of the anti-colonialist violence in Israel; they approve of it coming here. In this video, the man uses that same rhetoric to threaten all colonizers: Tiktoker threatens that Jews in the US are next. Says colonizers in all countries have every reason to be afraid because theyre gonna be dealt with hands on. @FBI pic.twitter.com/B5yQ1VKebe Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 10, 2023 I admire his honesty. I wish more people would listen to him and understand whats going to happen. In response to the above tweet, conservatives noted that we Americans are armed. Well, yes, but not all of us. In Israel, the armed kibbutz survived, but the rest died horribly. When the de-colonizers finish with the Jews and come for you, if youre not armed (and if youre a morally equivalent leftist, I know youre not armed), youll be one of the guys and gals at the peace rave. No one will save you. And theyre coming for you. Your only choice is to let a legitimate military kill them before they kill you. Emerging details suggest that the recent attack against Israel didnt just take months to plan, but years Reuters even reported that the assault followed two years of subterfuge to lull Israel into a false sense of peace and safety and after all that scheming, Hamas terrorists didnt seek to destroy critical infrastructure, they didnt attempt disrupt supply chains, they didnt prioritize the obliteration of the occupying governments buildings, and they didnt go for strategic points like airfields and energy depots. They specifically targeted ordinary citizens, spreading absolute terror and brutality. As my colleague Andrea Widburg noted yesterday: Islam fights war now exactly as it did during Muhammeds heyday: Civilians arent just legitimate targets; they are desired targets. Many of these civilians were caught completely off guard, and the fallout has been exactly what youd expect from a group of terrorists who dont adhere to rules of war underpinned by Judeo-Christian morality stories of beheaded babies, images of desecrated human bodies, videos of caged toddlers but one woman, Inbal Rabin-Lieberman, took decisive early action and led a team of neighbors to defend her kibbutz from the invaders. Nir Am became an impenetrable fortress. From a New York Post item describing the events: Inbar [sic] Lieberman, the security coordinator of Kibbutz Nir Am since December 2022, heard explosions early Saturday[.] ... She realized that the sounds were different than those heard during the usual rocket attacks on the kibbutz located near Sderot and a stones throw from the Gaza Strip. So Lieberman rushed to open the armory, distributed guns to the 12-member security team and coordinated their decisive response amid the unfolding attack. She placed her squad of kibbutzniks in strategic positions across the settlement and set up ambushes that caught the gunmen off guard and turned the tables on them during their mission to inflict mass casualties. There are conflicting reports on how many jihadists Inbal and her team killed and wounded (some say 25 terrorists were neutralized; some say only one or two), but Inbals decision not to wait meant that Nir Am became the sole kibbutz in the entire surrounding area that emerged from the violence largely unscathed. Another report highlighted Inbals decision ordering that power not be restored, so no one could open the gates to the kibbutz. Now, I certainly have questions to which I cant definitively know the answers regarding this attack, but what we do know is that Hamas fighters are subhuman in the way they wage war, and they had every intention of kidnapping, torturing, and executing the people of Nir Am so stories like this, in which evildoers are gloriously thwarted and reap the harvest of their wickedness, are a salve to the soul. Inbals heroism is a story of righteous wrath and justice (personally, my favorite kind), but it also iterates the absolute necessity of firearms actually in the hands of good guys who will use them to administer justice, secure law and order, and protect the innocent. This is the militia in action. By the grace of God, Inbals intuition served her well, and her team made it to that armory on time, but a weapon is only useful for self-defense when the operator actually has the opportunity to use it. Firearms securely locked away adds an element of great risk, and when the barbarians ready to rape and behead could literally be at the gate, it is not a risk worth taking. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. In 2006 a leftist leader, Evo Morales, was elected president of Bolivia, a country known for its large cocaine exports but is relatively poor. Evo promptly reached out to Americas enemies, including Iran. At the time I wondered why. What had the U.S. done to Bolivia? But, I consoled myself, if Evo wanted to hate America, there was no reason to worry about it, because Bolivias economy was largely based on poor farmers growing cocaine. Even though Evo is out of power, his outreach resulted in an Iranian military presence in Bolivia and a school of asymmetric warfare that Iran helped create. Iran also has missiles and drones in Venezuela, another country you might have largely dismissed as a pressing threat, but those missiles and drones can reach Florida. What happens when Iran gives the Marxist ideologues in Venezuela nuclear weapons? But do we really have to worry about Iran? We have the nuclear triad land based missiles, submarines, and planes. Surely Iran won't mess with us? Our nuclear force is a protective fence behind which we can feel safe. Or can we? Talking of fences, an obvious failure was on October 7, when Hamas terrorists bulldozed the fence separating Gaza from Israel, and came across on motorcycles and in pickup trucks. They also bypassed the fence on paragliders and boats. Once in, they successfully killed over 1,000 people, wounding thousands more, and even killed 40 babies (many decapitated) in one kibbutz alone. Hamas had shown imagination in the past when dealing with the Israeli security fencetheyve dug tunnels under the fence, launched rockets over the fence, and finally, in the invasion a few days ago, they simply bulldozed over the fence. Israel thinks of itself as a place where Jews can defend itself, but it also has strict laws regarding gun ownership. There was no second line of defense when the fence was breached. Behind the Gaza fence had long been a growing tsunami, an enemy that indoctrinated its children and trained from their early years to use weapons. Another story of a fence: Sgt. Stephen Russell was sitting in his guard booth outside a barracks in Beirut. He was one of about 1,600 Marines whod been sent to Lebanon as neutral peacekeepers but found little peace to keep. He says he heard something snap behind him and a diesel engine revving. He turned. What he saw, at 6:22 a.m. that bright Sunday in the fourth decade of the Cold War, was the future, coming straight at him, in the form of a 5-ton truck. It was Oct. 23, 1983, a day Ronald Reagan called the saddest of his presidency, maybe his life. The truck would shatter the Marines building with a bomb more powerful than 12,000 pounds of TNT the biggest non-nuclear explosion since World War II, the FBI concluded. It would kill 241 servicemembers, including 220 Marines the Corpss bloodiest day since Iwo Jima.... Again, the enemy had imagination. On the American side, it blows ones mind to learn that the sentries rifles, as ordered, were unloaded. On September 11, 2001, 15 Muslim men flew passenger planes full of Americans into skyscrapers and into the Pentagon. Once past the fence our border, or airport security these fanatics had a killing field. Enemies are proliferating, even in our own hemisphere. We must worry even about small countries Nicaragua has welcomed Russian troops, just to take one example. These countries export revolution; Cuba, for example, waged war in Africa. Can we be safe with an ideological enemy 90 miles from Florida? Can the U.S. hide behind a fence? Our efforts to deal with threats from Afghanistan, Iraq, and the communist invasion of southeast Asia failed, partly due to our own politicians, including President Biden. It could be argued that we have no choice but isolationism behind some sort of layered defense. How about our allies can they trust us? Our record isnt great. For example, Iran, which is now allied with Russia and China, used to be an American ally; the former Shah was pro-American. When he was ousted by the Ayatollahs, the American treatment of him was appalling. He had cancer, but President Jimmy Carters administration was unwilling to allow him treatment in the U.S. When the Shah received an invitation for treatment in Egypt from President Sadat, the Americans tried to dissuade him his presence in Egypt, he was told, could endanger the peace process in the Middle East. At that point an American emissary did mention Houston, Texas as a possibility. The Shah wrote this line in his autobiography: I did not have to think very hard. For the last year and a half, American promises had not been worth very much. They had already cost me my throne and any further trust in them could well mean my life. So, he went to Egypt. There have been recent uprisings for freedom in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Iran. Without any possibility of American support, they of course failed. Can we trust our leadership to protect us? Obviously not. We dont even have an effective barrier at our southern border (a record number of suspected terrorists crossed last year), and known terrorists are being caught at our northern border too. No doubt, many get through undetected. Even with a united country and a trustworthy leadership, we would have a big problem. In our current situation, how do we defend ourselves? Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. When the Washington Post prints the subheadline, 9 U.S. citizens killed in conflict, and in the first sentence of the article says, Nine U.S. citizens have been killed in the fighting between Hamas and Israel, doesnt the Post find it prudent and newsworthy to say which side killed them? (I saw the piece in an item titled Israel orders siege of Gaza Strip dated Oct. 9, 2023, which seems to have been updated.) The Washington Post must correct this failure to identify the perpetrator. It was clearly Hamas that perpetrated this cold-blooded murder of Americans, along with the murder of hundreds of other civilians, while taking grandmothers over 80 and infants as young as 9 months old as hostages. In the largest, most murderous part of the attack, Hamas terrorists massacred nearly everyone in the first and second rows at a musical concert for peace! And they slaughtered many more. Yes, this is reminiscent of Babi Yar the infamous mass killings by the Nazis during World War II where 33,771 Jews were lined up and executed in the front of a ravine called Babi Yar in Ukraine, which became a mass grave. The Hamas terrorists also committed rape, beheadings, and other bodily mutilations. Why is the Washington Post more eager to conceal the acts of Hamas terrorists, who are guilty of a Babi Yartype massacre along with many atrocities, than to tell its American readership who murdered their fellow Americans? With that mindset, why have a newspaper at all? Image: Ron Cogswell via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. The Squad in Congress, the president of Columbia (country), a minority of students at Harvard, Black Lives Matter, Code Pink, the Socialists of America, and other sundry anti-Semites have started criticizing Israel for its wartime measures against Hamas. The interesting thing here is that they want Israel to accept responsibility for what is happening to the Gazans. While not surprising, it is very interesting. If they were truly concerned about saving the Gazans from the ravages of war, the correct response would be to advocate for Hamas to surrender. War would stop if they laid down their arms and released their hostages. The Hamas members might have to leave Gaza, but they would leave with their lives. Of course, surrender is not an acceptable solution because that gives a victory to Israel and cannot be allowed. Death is preferable. If the death of Israeli Jews cannot be achieved, the death of Hamas fighters is the second-best solution and, indeed, is a virtue. When a member of Hamas dies in battle, he immediately becomes a martyr. When anger is so great, only death is an acceptable outcome. Why? Why is no one asking the question, What allows a member of Hamas to cut off a babys head while still smiling? What is the source of Arab anger? It is not just anger at Jews. Its anger, in general, that seeks an object for the overwhelming internal boiling rage. Before the October Catastrophe that continues as I write, the news in Israel was frequently focused on inter-Arab anger. In the first eight months of 2023, there were approximately 180 murders in Arab communities. Of course, that is dwarfed by Chicago or St. Louis, but it is significant in Israel, a country with a low violent crime rate. Except for an occasional deranged wife or husband, this is not how things proceed between Jews, even among career criminals. Image: Arabs in Gaza celebrate slaughtering Jewish children. YouTube screen grab. So, again, we need to ask about the prime cause of Arab anger. Not surprisingly, there are numerous sources. Each guess could easily supply a number of graduate students with the material for their dissertations. Poverty: There are few jobs in Gaza, so men cannot earn a living and raise a family. There are few basements for unmarried males, but many 30-year-olds still live with mom and dad. So, we have the inability to move ahead with life. Not enough women: If one man can have four wives, three men must do without. This mathematical surety can make conquest and slaughter of neighbors a necessary practice to acquire enough females for the men who were lacking companionship. War and its associated anger solve the problem of too few women. Permission: Arab culture does not discourage anger against outsiders or insiders who revolt against their assigned roles. Sadness at the exigencies of life, as an alternative response to anger, is not manly. Sadness could lead one to focus inward to resolve some of lifes problems, but anger pinpoints an external target. Family dynamics: In Arab culture, children belong to the father. A mothers love for her children gets perverted and, if shes angry at her husband in a culture that devalues women, the children become pawns at a level we cannot understand. How else could moms accept, permit, or even, in a few cases, encourage martyrdom for their male children? There is no love lost there, except for the first moments after being told of the death. This phenomenon gives Arab family life a bad name! Or does it? We must consider the possibility that male martyrdom makes polygamy a practical system. This structure supports the preservation of the elites of traditional Arab society. Successful businessmen and politicians can build mansions and compounds for their extended families while the young men boil in anger on the streets. In this way, it is the same mechanism employed by elites worldwide: retain control through the degradation of the poor. Finally, there are dreams of happiness that can only be realized with the deaths of others. This is not exactly revenge, but similar. If the Jews can be conquered and driven into the sea, life will be better. Shame will be erased. Victory will permit us to walk with our heads tall, say the delusional Arabs. Sometimes, there is a hint of reality in Arab thinking. About a year ago, a Hamas spokesman declared they would eliminate all Jews in Israel, but retain their scientists. Oh! Perhaps success comes from a source other than the slaughter of your enemies! So, there we have it! Anger exists and finds its target: In this case, 40 dead, decapitated, and dismembered Jewish babies among 1200 victims at this moment. This is a brief outline of how Arabs, among others, can hate another person they have never met beforeto the point of being able to kill them with open pleasure. The 5G wireless networking technology has been available for several years now. The worlds first 5G smartphone debuted in April 2019. However, the majority of the worlds population doesnt yet have access to 5G. According to the Swedish networking company Ericsson, only 35 percent of the global population was covered by 5G networks at the end of 2022, with the coverage projected to reach 85 percent in 2028. As 5G deployment increases, the market for 5G SEPs (standard essential patents) licensing is growing too. It is becoming more lucrative than ever. Unsurprisingly, there has been a rapid increase in the number of 5G patent owners in recent years. A market study by LexisNexis reveals there were 131 unique 5G patent holders as of July 2023, up from 32 in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the firm confirmed over 60,000 granted 5G patent families globally (30,000 in Europe and the US), currently increasing at a rate of 5,000 patents annually. The top ten owners captured more the three-fourths (76 percent) of the market, but 5G patent ownership is getting increasingly fragmented. But who is leading this 5G patent race, lets dive deeper into the report to find out. The 5G patent race has familiar names at the top LexisNexis report gives us 5G patent rankings under three different categories. The first category ranks companies according to the number of declared 5G patent families in the European Patent Office (EPO) or the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Huawei tops this chart, followed by Qualcomm, Samsung, LG, Nokia, Ericsson, ZTE, and Oppo (the last two companies are joint seventh). Apple, MediaTek, Xiaomi, Sony, and Intel also find themselves in the top 20. However, this ranking sees a substantial shuffling when the Patent Asset Index (PAI) is put under consideration. The PAI represents the strength of a companys patent portfolio. A higher number of granted patents doesnt necessarily mean a higher PAI, as some technologies are more valuable and have more significance in the grand scheme of things. In this ranking, Huawei drops below Qualcomm and Samsung. LG is still at the fourth spot, but Nokia tumbles to the seventh. InterDigital (ranked 14th in the previous chart) climbs up to fifth. Oppo (7th to 12th), Asus (22nd to 15th), BlackBerry (34th to 23rd), Kyocera (27th to 36th), Deutsche Telecom (41st to 53rd), Langbo (24th to 40th), Cisco (56th to 45th), Brevet Capital (45th to 33rd), and Orage (56th to 74th) are other big movers in either direction. Advertisement Companies that moved from a lower rank to a higher rank have a stronger patent portfolio with fewer patent families. Its the other way around for companies that dropped to a lower rank. They have more granted patents, but their Patent Asset Index is lower. The report states that only about 10-20 percent of declared 5G patents are truly essential, so some companies may have fewer essential patents. Top companies contribute more to the 3GPP This report also ranks companies according to their contributions to the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), the organization that develops the 5G wireless standard. Top companies usually make bigger contributions, with Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, Qualcomm, and Samsung capturing the top five spots. Intel, which was ranked 20th and 21st in the previous two charts, is the seventh-biggest contributor to the 3GPP, behind ZTE. In overall 5G patent rankings (average ranking across the three measurements), Huawei leads over Qualcomm, Samsung, Ericsson, Nokia, and LG, with ZTE, Oppo, NTT, and InterDigital making up the top ten. China has 12 firms in the top 50, followed by the US (10), Japan (7), South Korea (6), and Taiwan (6). The Netherlands and Germany have two each, while one company each from Sweden, Finland, France, Canada, and Ireland made it to the top 50. Chinese companies also account for almost half (48 percent) of all 5G SEP licensees around the world. The countrys patent agency has granted over 26,000 5G patents, behind the USPTO (28,000). The EPO has granted 15,000 patents. Note that some companies obtain patents for the same technology across multiple jurisdictions. The top five jurisdictions (including South Korea and Japan) currently have around 41,000 unique 5G patent families. The Google Pixel 8a surfaced in CAD-based renders quite recently. Well, that very same source, @OnLeaks, has just decided to compare the Pixel 8a design to the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8 offerings. The Google Pixel 8a design gets compared to what its siblings have to offer He did that via an image, which you check out below. The Pixel 8a poses side-by-side with the other two phones, and you can clearly see the differences in this image. Advertisement Advertisement The Pixel 8a will seemingly be slightly taller than the Pixel 8, and about the same height as the Pixel 7a. So, we can assume it will include a 6.1-inch display, but feature slightly thicker bezels than the Pixel 8. Now, in regards to the overall design, the phone does resemble the Pixel 8 more. Its corners are way more rounded than the Pixel 7as, as Google opted to tweak the design of the Pixel 8 series. In fact, you can check out that difference the best via the video below. The devices corners are a lot more rounded than the ones on the Pixel 7a This video comes from @OnLeaks as well, and it shows the transition from the Pixel 7a to Pixel 8a. You can see that the corners have been drastically cut off on the Pixel 8a, and many would say thats the better option. That made the Pixel 8 feel entirely different in the hand, and quite frankly the phone is easier to handle. It is also slightly smaller than the Pixel 7a, and considerably smaller than the Pixel 7, so that helped too. Either way, the Pixel 8a is coming, but it wont arrive anytime soon. Chances are that well see it in May next year, at Google I/O, unless Google decided to drastically change its release cycle. So, were in for quite a wait. These CAD-based renders popped up very early. Highlights Half year revenues up 33% on prior year to $986,051 (FY2023: $740,034) SUS unit sales up 28% on prior year to 95,040 China continuing to be major contributor Zimbabwe tender underway, for 10,800 SUS in October 2023 to give strong start to Q3 FY2024 Truscreen Group Limited (NZX/ASX:TRU) is pleased to report a 33% growth in H1 FY24 product sales and a 28% growth in sales of Single Use Disposable Sensors (SUS) sales against the same period last year. China continues to grow strongly as we see a return to pre COVID levels, supported by the recent TruScreen recognition in major national Guidelines, by the Chinese Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (CSCCP), published in the July edition of CSCCP's journal and the recommendation in the prestigious Blue Book in China. Saudi Arabia has commenced commercial operations in Q2 FY24 and TruScreen is expecting a positive result from the national regulator in Mexico, Cofepris, in late FY24, which would enable TruScreen Ultra distribution in the public hospital system and inclusion in government screening programs. In Vietnam, 4 more major screening hospitals are pending approval of TruScreen with strong local authorities support. Zimbabwe, under the National Aids Council program have now screened a total of 14,000 women in Masvingo province. The program continues with a further TruScreen SUS tender underway. A decision is expected in October 2023, which if positive will see the next order of 10,800 SUS from Zimbabwe give a strong start to Q3 2024 sales. The CEO, Dr Beata Edling commented: We are pleased to see strong growth in our first half year results. TruScreen's recognition in the two top national guidelines in China is providing our distributor Siweixiangtai Tech Co. Ltd (SWXT) with the accreditation to rapidly expand the China business. We are working to build on our China base and success in Zimbabwe to strengthen our position in other focus countries such as Vietnam and Mexico where we have expended significant effort over a number of years. This announcement has been approved by the Board. Ends Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Metro Performance Glass to announce FY24 half year results November 3rd Morning Report SPN - AMENDED Slower trade see South Port temper guidance GTR - Full-Year Results Announcement Date Synlait Annual Meeting 2023 EROAD H1 FY24 Results and Conference Call Details TWL - TradeWindow Director resignation November 1st Morning Report General Capital Subsidiary Director Resignation Arvida Bank Facility Update Despite the threat of a further US crackdown looming large, Huawei has big plans for its smartphone business. The company is reportedly aiming to sell 60-70 million smartphones in 2024. The figure is double of its total sales last year, with no notable growth expected this year either. Huawei sets a big smartphone shipment goal for 2024 Huawei has been under American trade restrictions since 2019. The Trump government cut its access to its US suppliers calling the company a national security risk because of its alleged ties with the Chinese military, which it has always denied. This came just when it was threatening to replace Samsung as the worlds largest smartphone vendor. Huawei was reduced to primarily a China-only firm, with no access to the latest technologies. Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully, the countrys self-sufficient smartphone supply chain allowed it to continue operations. It worked with SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co.) to manufacture 5G mobile processors based on a 7nm process node, the firms most advanced process. Huawei also sourced 4G chipsets from Qualcomm to continue making low-cost smartphones (Qualcomm has a US government license to supply 4G chips to Huawei). However, there are fears that the US will further tighten its trade restrictions on the beleaguered Chinese company, potentially cutting off its access to US-made 4nm chips as well. The Biden administration may revoke the licenses. Despite these fears, Huawei is optimistic about its smartphone business. It has set a big shipment goal for 2024 and is already working to achieve the target. The firm has been reportedly stockpiling components since early this year. Sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia that Huawei has built a huge inventory of lenses, cameras, print circuit boards, and other parts to meet its smartphone sales target for 2024. It has also asked Qualcomm to supply its full-year chip order within June, so further restrictions from the US dont block those orders. If everything goes to plan, and there are no further restrictions, Huawei may be on its way back to the global smartphone scene. Huawei may eat Apples market in China When the US put Huawei under its trade restrictions, the company was selling more than 240 million smartphones globally in a year. Unfortunately, it no longer has a global presence and only sold 30 million units last year. Its potential resurgence in China, meanwhile, may affect Apples market. The companys Mate 60 series is already outselling the iPhone 15 lineup in the country. The stronger it gets, the bigger the threat to Apple. Huawei is aiming high in the next two years, and we expect them to move upward on the back of domestic demand cheering on their hometown hero, said Bryan Ma, vice president of device research at IDC. However, Ma expressed concerns that the US may not allow the company to bounce back quickly. Time will tell whether Huawei will achieve its smartphone sales target for 2024. An early launch of the Galaxy S24 series appears confirmed. Following a couple of reports last month, another noted industry insider has just claimed that Samsung plans to unveil the new flagships about a week earlier than their predecessors. Since the Galaxy S23 debuted on February 1 this year, the 2024 models look certain to break cover in January. Samsung to bring the Galaxy S24 lineup into the market early In an X/Twitter post earlier today, tipster Revegnus stated that Samsung is expected to advance the release schedule of the Galaxy S24 by approximately a week compared to its predecessor. They added that a January unveiling seems to be confirmed. The source didnt give us a date, but we can make a calculated guess based on the Korean firms flagship launch history. Advertisement Advertisement Samsung has historically held its Galaxy Unpacked events on a Wednesday, including the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 launch event on July 26. Going by this, the Galaxy S24 series could break cover on January 24 or January 17, 2024. A previous leak said the company is looking at a date around January 18, while the latest report says one week earlier than the Galaxy S23 launch. Either way, these two dates seem fitting. We should get a confirmation about Samsungs plan for its 2024 flagships in the coming months. Rumors are that the company will begin mass production of components in November, almost a month earlier than it did for the Galaxy S23 series. All signs point toward a January unveiling of the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. We will let you know when we have more information. The Galaxy Ring may not be part of the Galaxy S24 launch event Samsungs long-awaited smart ring may not arrive alongside the Galaxy S24 in early 2024. There have been rumors about the Galaxy Ring being part of the next Unpacked in some capacity, but that looks unlikely. The company reportedly has yet to complete the development work. At best, it could talk about expanding the Galaxy ecosystem to a ring soon. However, the product may not show up at the event. The Korean media recently reported that Samsung is looking to make the Galaxy Ring available in four sizes. It doesnt want the smallest one to lack key sensors due to size constraints. These hurdles are delaying its production. Moreover, the company also has to obtain medical approvals for the wearable as its a health monitoring device. Considering all this, the Galaxy Ring may not hit the store before 2025. Samsung is pushing its October security patch to more Galaxy devices. The Galaxy S23 series headlines the latest release, but the new security update is also available for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy A13. Its a global expansion of the update for the foldable, which received it in the US last week. The Galaxy S23 series bags Samsungs October update The October security update for Galaxy devices patches more than 40 vulnerabilities, including a few critical ones. Samsung started pushing the update to eligible models last week. The US versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 picked it up first. Since then, the company has rolled out the update for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21, and Galaxy A54 in the US, and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in international markets. Advertisement Advertisement We can now see that the latest Fold model is getting the October SMR (Security Maintenance Release) in Thailand, Turkey, and the UAE. This suggests a global rollout has commenced and its just a matter of time before everyone gets the update. The new firmware build number for the phone in these countries is F946BXXS1AWI6. Samsung should soon globally release the new security patch for other models as well. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23 series is now joining the part. The October SMR for the flagship trio is available in Europe and India, with other markets to follow soon. The updated build number is S91*BXXS3AWIF in Europe and S91*BXXS3AWIG in India (via SamMobile). Like the rest of the phones, the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra also arent getting any new features or improvements here. Samsung is only pushing the latest security patches. The latest security patch is also available for the Galaxy A13 Along with flagship models, Samsung also pushes regular security updates to dozens of budget and mid-range devices. The low-cost phones get the updates less frequently, but the company keeps them covered for up to five years after launch. The Galaxy A13, which debuted in March 2022, is now picking up the October update. The new SMR is rolling out widely in Asia, Africa, and Europe with the build number A135FXXS5CWI1. The update doesnt bring anything extra, but that was expected. Samsung is preparing to bring Android 14-based One UI 6.0 to eligible Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy A13. It will introduce a host of new features, improvements, and other changes. The rollout is expected to begin later this month for the Galaxy S23 series, with other models to follow over the next few months. TikTok has long been under hot water with governments worldwide, thanks to its deranged data privacy practices. Now, in a recent development, Utahs Division of Consumer Protection (UDCP) filed a lawsuit against TikTok for its alleged involvement with the Chinese company, ByteDance, and its addictive nature for children. As explained by Utah Governor Spencer Cox, TikTok not only misled parents about the safety of its app for children but also illegally baited children with features designed to encourage continuous scrolling, ultimately increasing revenue for the app. Advertisement Advertisement We will not stand by while these companies fail to take meaningful action to protect our children. We will prevail in holding social media companies accountable by any means necessary, said Cox. Three alleged violations The lawsuit outlines three alleged violations of Utahs consumer protection laws by TikTok. Firstly, the company manipulated children through its features. Secondly, the lawsuit claims that the app misrepresented its safety measures, deceiving users into believing it could maintain a secure digital environment for children. Lastly, the company misled users about its relationship with ByteDance. Furthermore, the lawsuit delves into broader concerns about social media apps and argues that TikToks vertical swipe to load new videos is addictive, taking advantage of users returning for the dopamine rush. Not the only legal trouble for the app While this lawsuit represents a significant development, it isnt TikToks first encounter with such accusations in the US. This is because last year, Indiana sued the app on similar charges. And in June, the Maryland school district targeted TikTok, stating that the app is contributing to a mental health crisis among students. Beyond the lawsuit, Utah has already passed two pieces of legislation that impose strict restrictions on minors access to social media apps, including limiting the hours children can use the app, implementing strict age verification, and giving users access to minors accounts, including personal DMs. X (formerly Twitter) CEO Linda Yaccarino has dropped out of the WSJ Tech Live conference thats going to be held next week. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is probably the reason behind Yaccarinos absence. The WSJ Tech Live conference is a tech event that hosts over 2,000 C-Suites, founders, VCs, investors, and tech leaders. In 2023, the event will be held from 16-18 October in Laguna Beach, California. While X CEO Linda Yaccarino was among the invitees, shes not attending the event due to the global crisis unfolding. According to Xs statement, Yaccarino and her team prefer to stay focused on the platforms safety now. Advertisement Advertisement As you may know, theres a massive conflict ongoing between Israel and Hamas that has left thousands of people dead and injured on both sides. X is flooded with disturbing images and videos of casualties. Besides that, the platform is bombarded with tons of anti-Semitic tweets from Hamas fans. X CEO Linda Yaccarino will not attend the WSJ Tech Live conference next week In a strange move, X owner Elon Musk also invited users to follow a page that had previously posted anti-Semitic tweets. Musk later removed his tweet. All these led to Linda Yaccarinos decision to cancel her WSJ Tech Live conference attendance. Yaccarinos chaotic appearance at The Verge Code Conference has already put her in a critical position. She refused to give compelling answers to most questions, especially about the content moderation policies and the claims made by former X trust and safety head Yoel Roth. Following Elon Musks takeover, X has laid off most members of its content moderation team. Some say the decision led to an increase in abusive posts and negatively impacted the platforms safety. While Musk denies these claims, many advertisers still hesitate to return to the platform. Yaccarino said at the Code Conference that 90% of advertisers have returned to the platform. However, Bloomberg reports that theyre spending less on ads. According to Reuters, citing an anonymous source, Yaccarino has also said that Xs revenue grew in the high-single digit percentage during the third quarter compared to the second quarter. Auckland, 11 October 2023: Fletcher Building Limited announced today that its Board of Directors has decided to withdraw Resolution 6 Directors Remuneration, from its upcoming Annual Shareholders Meeting, to be held on 27 October 2023. As disclosed in the Notice of Annual Shareholders Meeting, the current annual remuneration pool for directors was granted at the Annual Shareholders meeting in October 2011, said Fletcher Building Chair Bruce Hassall. Given that the pool had not been adjusted for more than 12 years, Resolution 6 sought approval for an increase in order to align with comparable listed entities in New Zealand and Australia. The Board is committed to maintaining strong dialogue with our shareholders. Over the course of the engagement process it became clear that while many shareholders were supportive of the resolution, others expressed the view that the pool should not be adjusted until it was necessary. On matters relating to its own remuneration, the Board prefers a clear mandate, and so after careful consideration, the Board has decided to withdraw the resolution. Shareholders are not required to do anything. We look forward to addressing other important matters on the agenda at the upcoming Annual Shareholders Meeting. #Ends Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Metro Performance Glass to announce FY24 half year results November 3rd Morning Report SPN - AMENDED Slower trade see South Port temper guidance GTR - Full-Year Results Announcement Date Synlait Annual Meeting 2023 EROAD H1 FY24 Results and Conference Call Details TWL - TradeWindow Director resignation November 1st Morning Report General Capital Subsidiary Director Resignation Arvida Bank Facility Update (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 11 - The humble beaver is back in Italy after 500 years of absence due to overhunting and destruction of its habitat, according to researchers in Florence and Milan. Recolonization started in Austria and is spreading into the northeastern Italian regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia, according to a study from Milan University and the Institute for Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems of the National Research Council (CNR) in Florence, published in Animal Conservation. However, researchers say there are also new populations of the large, semi-aquatic rodent developing in regions further south following unauthorised reintroductions in central Italy. "Large parts of Italy are suitable for the stabilisation of the beaver population, and while northern populations seem to be more isolated, in central Italy we have found a greater potential for expansion," said lead researcher Mattia Falaschi of Milan University. The presence of beavers can reduce hydraulic risk by mitigating the intensity of flood events. However, it can also cause damage to crops and infrastructure such as artificial canals, roads and bridges, leading to human-wildlife conflict. This, says Falaschi, is a risk especially in Trentino, Tuscany, Umbria and the Marche. Special monitoring will be required in these areas alongside preventive measures such as fencing and draining of wetland areas where beaver colonies could present a threat to infrastructure. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 11 - Giampiero Massolo, president of the committee promoting Rome's candidacy for Expo 2030, said the bid was counting on unexpected support as he arrived at Palais Brogniart in Paris for the scientific forum on the Rome dossier. "We are here to present the theme of Rome Expo 2030 again, to involve the delegates, and we are confident again, we are still counting on the strength of our project. We are counting on the unexpected support that has come to us in the meantime from very different countries," he said. Italy has been campaigning strongly for Rome's bid for the universal exposition in 2030. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 11 - The government is to challenge a new ruling by Catania judge Iolanda Apostolico rejecting an order for four Tunisian migrants to be held at a pre-removal centre in the Sicilian port town of Pozzallo, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said on Wednesday. "I do not know these latest measures in detail and I do not make summary judgments on legal proceedings, but we will make our assessment and appeal," said Piantedosi. "We are deeply convinced that the government's measures are legitimate and in compliance with the legal framework," continued the minister in reference to provisions made under the April Cutro migration law for asylum-seekers from so-called safe countries of origin such as Tunisia to be held in pre-removal detention centres at border locations while their asylum claims are examined at first instance. "The issue of detention for the sole purpose of identification and fast-track (asylum) procedures at the border is a key theme of current and future European legislation, with the approval of the Migration and Asylum Pact," said Piantedosi. On Wednesday sources said Apostolico had rejected another detention order against four Tunisian migrants after a similar recent decision on grounds of illegitimacy sparked a political storm. Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini's League subsequently posted a video showing the judge at a protest demonstration in Catania in 2018 against the closed-ports policy he introduced as interior minister that year and calling for the immediate disembarkation of hundreds of rescued migrants and refugees being kept onboard the coast guard ship Diciotti. The League said the video showed that the judge was biased. On Sunday another Catania judge rejected six more detention orders. On Tuesday League sources said the party was mulling proposals to reform the specialised sections at Italian courthouses dealing with migration - of which Apostolico is a member - allegedly to speed up proceedings and ensure that rulings are fully independent. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 11 - Italy is to sign an agreement with Egypt to prevent migrant trafficking, Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday. "We will work with Egypt for the stability of the Mediterranean area, we will sign an agreement to stop human traffickers," said Tajani after meeting with the Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Abdoul Gheit in Cairo. During the meeting, the minister said he had "reiterated Italy's commitment to welcoming legal migrants, about half a million over three years, but also its strong determination to fight human traffickers who exploit the desperation of people from Africa and the Middle East to make money, in the knowledge that they will not have an easy life in Europe". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 11 - Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said Wednesday that he hopes Italy will have electricity generated by its own nuclear power again by 2032. 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 the war caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In September Premier Giorgia Meloni's government said that it will present a roadmap within seven months for the possible return to the use of nuclear energy in Italy. "I asked the engineers in my ministry (and they said that), if we start in 2024, in 2032 we will be able turn on the first switch of a nuclear power plant," Salvini told a Rome conference on atomic energy. "As a Milanese, I would like the first (nuclear) power plant to be in Milan". (ANSA). The critically acclaimed drama Aftersun has led nominations at this years Bafta Scotland awards, with documentary My Old School and the TV series Mayflies and Karen Pirie also in the running for awards. Directed by Edinburgh-born Charlotte Wells, Aftersun was released in 2022 and starred Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, playing a father and daughter on a holiday to Turkey. It has been nominated in five categories, including Feature Film. Alan Cumming features in My Old School, which explores the story of schoolboy impostor Brian MacKinnon. This has been nominated in three categories. Mayflies stars Martin Compston and Tony Curran, while ITVs Karen Pirie series is based on Val McDermids crime novels. Alan Cumming features in My Old School (Lucinda Cameron/PA) Edith Bowman will return to host the ceremony, which will be held at in Glasgow in November. She said: I am over the moon to be asked back to host this years Bafta Scotland Awards, its an honour to celebrate and shine a spotlight on brilliant Scottish talent, both behind and in front of the camera. An evening that always fills me with pride and has me skipping out the door completely inspired. Jude MacLaverty, director of Bafta Scotland said: Its a great source of pride to be able to bring our creative community together and celebrate another exceptional year in film and television. Our nominations this year reflect the incredible standard of work and creativity that is possible with support for, and investment in, the Scottish screen industries, and the individuals who are committed to telling stories that can reach and resonate globally. The BBC has rejected criticism over its decision not to call Hamas militants terrorists after it was labelled disgraceful by the Defence Secretary. It is a long-standing editorial position of the broadcaster to use the word terrorist carefully, with its editorial guidelines describing such language as potentially a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. The comments by Grant Shapps come after several Conservative ministers hit out at the BBC over its editorial position. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also joined calls for the BBC to explain. On Wednesday, the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis also called for urgent change, warning that while guidelines may have been borne out of well-intentioned aspirations to appear accurate and impartial, the depth of the terror that Hamas has inflicted upon innocent people across Israel in recent days is not in doubt. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: This is not resistance or struggle. It is terrorism. To purposefully avoid that word is to wilfully mislead. I call upon broadcasters to urgently change the way they describe Hamas. Further, I call upon all decent people to have the courage to call out this terror for what it is. We must all be unequivocal that the loss of any innocent life is a tragedy, and that the barbaric, murderous terrorism of Hamas cannot be denied or obfuscated. It is a matter of deepest regret that some feel otherwise. The BBCs broadcast channels and online site have been dominated by the conflict in Israel and Gaza since the attack by Hamas over the weekend. The militant group is a proscribed organisation in the UK, meaning the Government sees it as a terrorist organisation. Mr Shapps suggested the BBC needs to fix its moral compass, as he urged it to revise its long-standing editorial position. He told LBC: I actually think it is verging on disgraceful, this idea that there is some sort of equivalence, and theyll always say well theres two sides what Hamas have done, as a proscribed terrorist organisation, meaning that they are illegal in Britain, its illegal to support them, is to have gone out and slaughtered innocent people, babies, festival-goers, pensioners. They are not freedom fighters, they are not militants, they are pure and simple terrorists, and its remarkable to go to the BBC website and still see them talking about gunmen and militants and not calling them terrorists. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (Stefan Rousseau/PA) I dont know whats going on there, but I think that its time to get the moral compass out at the BBC. Sir Keir told the same station on Wednesday: I think the BBC needs to explain why it isnt. I said terrorism and terrorist, and to me thats obviously what we are witnessing. I think other channels may not be either, but Im not across all the detail of that. A BBC spokesperson said: We always take our use of language very seriously. Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word terrorist used many times we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK Government. This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening on the ground so our audiences can make their own judgment. Sir Keir Starmer urged the BBC to explain its decision (Peter Byrne/PA) Other senior ministers, including Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, have been among those expressing concern about the BBCs position. Similar criticism does not appear to have been targeted at other broadcasters or news organisations. The BBCs editorial guidelines on terrorism tell reporters and editors: The word terrorist itself can be a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. We should convey to our audience the full consequences of the act by describing what happened. We should use words which specifically describe the perpetrator such as bomber, attacker, gunman, kidnapper, insurgent and militant. We should not adopt other peoples language as our own; our responsibility is to remain objective and report in ways that enable our audiences to make their own assessments about who is doing what to whom. Senior BBC foreign and world affairs correspondent John Simpson hit out at politicians urging the broadcaster to reform its language. He said on X: British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word terrorist, and over the years plenty of them have privately agreed with it. Calling someone a terrorist means youre taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality. The BBCs job is to place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting. Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, also joined in the defence of the broadcaster. He said on social media: No-one watching the reporting of my BBC colleagues in Israel can have any doubt of the horror of what has happened. I understand entirely why some want the word terrorism used. It is, though, the long-standing practice of BBC, ITV & Sky to report others using that language rather than using it ourselves. British Airways has suspended flights to and from Israel due to safety concerns, the airline said. Flight BA165 is returning to Heathrow after nearly reaching Tel Aviv on Wednesday. It comes after reports that Palestinian militant group Hamas had fired multiple rockets towards Ben Gurion Airport. A British Airways spokesman said: Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation, were suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv. Several carriers have now suspended flights between the UK and Tel Aviv, Israel (Alamy/PA) Were contacting customers booked to travel to or from Tel Aviv to apologise for the inconvenience and offer options including a full refund and rebooking with another airline or with British Airways at a later date. We continue to monitor the situation in the region closely. Other carriers suspended services to and from Tel Aviv after the Hamas attacks on Saturday, meaning UK citizens trying to fly home from Israel face a struggle to book flights. EasyJet usually serves Gatwick, Luton and Manchester airports from the Israeli city but has paused operations on those routes. Wizz Air, which normally connects Israel with Gatwick and Luton, has also suspended those flights. Virgin Atlantic has taken the decision to pause flying to and from Tel Aviv for the next 72 hours. It said: As the dynamic situation evolves, well keep our flying programme under constant review. Our teams will be in contact with any affected customers to discuss their options, which include rebooking to a later date or a full refund. We would advise anyone booked to travel to check their flight status on the website before travelling to the airport. The Government has not provided an estimate on how many UK citizens are in Israel. A travel industry source said the number of UK tourists in Israel is low. Israels ministry of tourism said it is committed to ensuring that all tourists visiting Israel are safe and informed. It added it is operating a hotline via WhatsApp for tourists on +972 55 972 6931. During the last year the Philippines has faced growing pressure and threats in the South China Sea from China over territorial disputes. There are growing instances of illegal Chinese operations in the South China Sea. This is nothing new because these intrusions have increased since 2016. Its all about fishing, and natural gas oil deposits in the bottom of the shallow offshore waters. The first Filipino offshore oil discovery began producing off Palawan Island in 1976. There were indications that a lot more oil and natural gas was present off the coasts of various islands, including some in the South China Sea but within the Filipino EEC (Exclusive Economic Zone). By 2000 China was on its way to becoming the largest importer of oil in the world and that led to more Chinese threats against any oil field development in the South China Sea that was not controlled by China. This violates international law but China simply ignores that and threatens to use force against any other offshore oil production development efforts. The Chinese threats never escalate into actual violence. Despite the Chinese threats, the South China Sea situation is becoming more difficult for China because the Philippines came up with several ways to reduce that threat. One effort was aimed at reducing corrupt Chinese influence in the Philippines. That is the main reason why the Filipino government canceled three Chinese-financed railroad construction projects worth nine billion dollars. This was part of a $24 billion Chinese proposal for projects that improved Filipino ports and transportation networks. Cancelation of these projects has been under consideration for over a year because of vague loan terms and Chinese failure to perform. The Chinese are believed to be using the loan program as a weapon to coerce the Philippines into making concessions in the South China Sea, especially when it comes to offshore oil and natural gas. A national opinion survey conducted in 2022 found that Filipinos trusted the United States, Australia and Japan the most while trusting China and Russia the least. Respondents were asked to rank a list of ten nations in terms of trustworthiness. The results of the survey were, in order of trust; the United States, Australia, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Britain, Indonesia, India, Russia and China. There was some support for China but the U.S. had more than three times as much support. This meant the Americans had the support of most Filipinos while China had only a small minority. Only Russia and China had the majority of Filipinos mistrusting them. Trust of Russia used to be positive but the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Chinese support for it made Russia nearly as untrustworthy as China to most Filipinos. Until China expanded its lost territory claims to the South China Sea two decades ago. China was seen as a potential ally of, and investor in, the Philippines. Despite numerous Filipino diplomatic efforts, China refused to compromise on its claims. At this point China is seen as the greatest threat to the Philippines, especially since the Chinese appear to have additional claims on Filipino territory and independence as a nation. The United States is the most powerful ally against Chinese South China Sea claims. The U.S. Navy continues to conduct FONOP (freedom of navigation operations) by sending warships, usually just a destroyer, near South China Sea islands China claims as their territory. This includes the Spratly Islands, which are an important part of the South China Sea areas that China considers within its territorial waters. The Philippines has military detachments on nine of the disputed islands or reefs. These are part of an effort to oppose the illegal Chinese claims. The U.S. carries out most of the FONOPs in the South China Sea while also declaring Chinese claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea as completely unlawful, as is the Chinese campaign of bullying to control these resources. In 2016 an international court ruled against China and stated that occupying uninhabitable rocks and building artificial islands did not confer an EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). Ownership of rocks gets, at best, 22 kilometers of territorial waters from the edge of each rock rather than 360 kilometers for EEZ rights. Before this change the U.S. merely called for China to comply with the court ruling, something China said it would not do even before the court completed its deliberations. The Americans did continue to carry out aerial and naval FONOP with warships to assert the right of innocent passage. This annoyed the Chinese, who claimed most of the South China Sea was under Chinese control and no foreign ship or aircraft could enter without permission. China has been claiming areas long recognized as belonging to Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines. That has caused all these nations, plus the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia to form an alliance to halt Chinese aggression. European nations whose merchant ships travel through the South China Sea also carry out FONOPs. Chinese counters FONOPS with its own unique tactics. This includes hundreds of unarmed Chinese fishing trawlers that receive subsidies from the government in return of occasional duty as a seagoing mob of trawlers that blocks Filipino access to fishing grounds long used by Filipino fishermen. Chinese coast guard ships are equipped with a powerful water cannon that can quickly cover another ship with a powerful stream of seawater. China recently added another novel tactic, a string of connected floats several hundred meters long that blocked Filipino access to a shoal where the Filipinos long used for fishing. This is a form of Non-Lethal Aggression the Chinese have long used with some success. Not this time, a Filipino scuba diver with a knife cut the line connecting the floats and Filipino fishing boats had their access restored. The Chinese coast guard and fishing ships withdrew with the attitude of disdain and well be back. A British citizen believed to be missing after Hamas attacks in Israel has been confirmed as dead by the Israeli Embassy in London. Jake Marlowe had not been seen since the invasion early on Saturday morning when he was providing security for a music event in the desert near Kibbutz Reim, close to the Gaza border. (PA Graphics) On Wednesday afternoon, the embassy told the PA news agency: UK national Jake Marlowe, now confirmed dead in southern Israel. Repatriation plans being put in place. His mother Lisa wrote on Facebook that she and her family were heartbroken after hearing the crushing news. The former pupil at the JFS School in Kenton, north London, reportedly moved to Israel two years ago. Concerns remain for the safety of British citizens in the region, as the BBC reported that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. Briton Nathanel Young, 20, was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass attack. He had attended the same school as Mr Marlowe. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. The King will acknowledge the painful aspects of the UK and Kenyas shared history when he makes a state visit to the east African nation his first to a Commonwealth country. Charles will be joined by Camilla when he flies to Kenya for the four-day trip, which ends on November 3, following an invitation from President William Ruto whose country is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain. Kenya became independent on December 12 1963 and the two countries have enjoyed a close relationship since, despite the violent colonial legacy of the Mau Mau uprising which led to a period known as the Emergency. Chris Fitzgerald, deputy private secretary to the King, said: The King and Queens programme will celebrate the close links between the British and Kenyan people in areas such as the creative arts, technology, enterprise, education and innovation. Charles and Camilla will visit Kenya (Chris Jackson/PA) The visit will also acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenyas shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960). His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya. The Mau Mau armed movement began during the early 1950s, fuelled by the resentment some members of the Kikuyu tribe felt towards their British rulers, European settlers who farmed land in Kenya as well as at a lack of political representation. White farmers were targeted in violent attacks as well as some Kikuyu who were said to have collaborated with the authorities. The Kenya Human Rights Commission said 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed during the British administrations counter-insurgency. In 2013, the British Government made a historic statement of regret over the torture and other forms of ill-treatment perpetrated by the colonial administration during Kenyas Emergency period of 1952-1960, and paid out 19.9 million to around 5,200 Kenyans for human rights abuses. The development came after a legal battle between a number of elderly victims and the British Government. Kenya is the country where Queen Elizabeth II was told of the death of her father, King George VI, and acceded to the throne. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Kenya in 1983 (PA) The then princess was making an official visit with the Duke of Edinburgh to Kenya and was staying at the Treetops hotel in 1952, a lodge deep in the Aberdare National Park, when the King died on February 6. Royal visits are also a chance for members of the monarchy to use their soft diplomacy and help renew and develop relationships between the UK and her allies. A senior Foreign Office spokesman said: From His Majestys Governments perspective, Their Majesties visit will celebrate, and drive forward, the UKs strong partnership with Kenya, and together were working on some of the most important global challenges, such as tackling climate change, and as close members of the Commonwealth family. The UK is committed to ensuring Kenya sees the UK as a partner of choice on peace, on trade, on economic development and much more, and were aiming to increase the UK-Kenya trade and build a deeper investment partnership, mobilise private finance to support low carbon growth and climate resilient jobs. Highlights of Charles and Camillas state visit include a ceremonial welcome in the capital, Nairobi, at the presidents official residence, State House, with the King and Kenyas leader holding a bilateral meeting, as will the Queen and First Lady Rachel Ruto. The Kings deputy private secretary said: During the visit, Their Majesties will meet President Ruto and the First Lady as well as other members of the Kenyan government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines. The King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate, the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangaris daughter, Wanjira Mathai. The Foreign Secretary has travelled to Israel to express the UKs solidarity in the wake of the Hamas attacks, as the King condemned the barbaric acts of terrorism. The arrival of James Cleverly in Israel comes as the world reels from the shock incursion by the Palestinian militant group, which has provoked a major retaliation from Benjamin Netanyahus administration. Both the UK and the US have been among the major states offering firm backing to Israel but concerns have been expressed in the UN and elsewhere about the impact on civilians as air strikes continue to hit Gaza. The conflict has already claimed at least 2,200 lives, with fears it could escalate further. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is visiting Israel (Stefan Rousseau/PA) A Buckingham Palace spokesman said that Charles is extremely concerned about the situation. His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak. His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel. The King held telephone calls with President Isaac Herzog of Israel and King Abdullah of Jordan on Wednesday afternoon, the palace said. We stand with Im here in Israel today to show that the UKs support for the Israeli people is unwavering. pic.twitter.com/vQgLwMaALZ James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) October 11, 2023 The monarch is understood to have personally expressed his thoughts and prayers for all of those suffering. The Prince and Princess of Wales issued their own condemnation of the horrors inflicted by Hamass terrorist attack. A spokesman for William and Kate said they were profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days. The UK Government has made clear that Israel has the right to defend itself in the wake of the assault by Hamas amid an ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip. Foreign Office officials said Mr Cleverly had met with Mr Herzog since his arrival, with the pair discussing the UKs ongoing security, military and diplomatic co-operation with Tel Aviv in the face of terror. He also travelled with Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen to the southern Israeli village of Ofakim, a site of one of Hamas strikes on the country, where he spoke with survivors. His department said the Foreign Secretary was the first international foreign minister to visit one of the locations targeted by the Palestinian group, which is banned in the UK and proscribed as a terror organisation, during its weekend assault. Mr Cleverly said: Im in Israel today to show the UKs unwavering support for Israel. The facts are clear. Hamas are terrorists. Israel has the right to defend itself. Hamas and Hamas alone are responsible and accountable for these appalling attacks. Terrorism must never be allowed to prevail. (PA Graphics) In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Israeli foreign ministry said that Mr Cleverly was among those who had to seek cover after sirens went off during his visit to Ofakim, warning of incoming Hamas rockets. His arrival in the country has sparked calls for the Foreign Secretary to express a clear humanitarian position on the fate of civilians in Gaza. The Israeli government has stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory, with the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down on Tuesday after air strikes near the border crossing. The territorys only power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday. Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UKs chief executive, said: Its entirely right that James Cleverly is offering his support to Israeli civilians whove suffered in these completely appalling attacks. The horrific and completely unjustifiable human rights violations against Israeli civilians by Hamas including war crimes must end, and those responsible must be held to account. Mr Cleverly should be urging all parties to the conflict, including the Israeli authorities, to respect international humanitarian law. Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City (Adel Hana/AP) Security minister Tom Tugendhat said he was deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza but went on to state that no comparisons could be drawn between the actions of Hamas and the Israel Defence Force. He told Sky News Politics Hub programme: For the time that Hamas has been in charge of Gaza all it has done is abuse the Palestinian people in Gaza, arm itself and use the Palestinian people as pawns in its twisted jihad against Israel. And what weve got to do is stop Hamas from having this control over the Palestinian people. This is absolutely vicious fascism. And yes, you are right to be concerned about the Palestinian people, of course you are. What we do need to have is a peaceful solution. But it is wrong to say that is possible with Hamas. And to side now with Hamas is to side with the most brutal terrorists that this world has seen in decades. Concerns remain for the safety of British citizens in the region, as the BBC reported that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. A previous estimate had put the figure at more than 10. Flowers and candles are placed outside an Israeli embassy (Christine Olsson/TT News Agency via AP) The UK Government has not so far confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass attack. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Jake Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, was originally recorded as missing but was confirmed dead by the Israeli Embassy in London on Wednesday. Mr Marlowe was providing security at the Supernova music festival in the desert near Kibbutz Reim when the area was invaded by Hamas gunmen. Photographer Dan Darlington is also feared to be dead. A post from Mr Darlingtons sister, Shelley, on social media said he was murdered at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Labour asked for clarity about the steps being taken by the Foreign Office to ensure that anyone who wants to leave Israel is able to do so. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has travelled to Israel to show the UKs unwavering solidarity in the wake of the Hamas attacks. His arrival in the country on Wednesday comes as global leaders reel from the surprise incursion by Hamas, which has provoked a major retaliation from Benjamin Netanyahus administration. Both the UK and the US have been among those offering firm backing to Israel but concerns have been expressed in the UN and elsewhere about the impact on civilians as air strikes continue to hit Gaza. The Israeli government has stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory, with the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down on Tuesday after air strikes near the border crossing. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is visiting Israel (James Manning/PA) The conflict has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, with fears it could escalate further. The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Cleverlys arrival in Israel on Wednesday afternoon. A spokesman said he was there to demonstrate the UKs unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamass terrorist attacks. He will be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israels right to defend itself. Concerns remain for the safety of British citizens in the region, as the BBC reported that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. A previous estimate had put the figure at more than 10. The UK Government has not so far confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass attack. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. (PA Graphics) Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared dead. A post from Mr Darlingtons sister Shelley on social media said he was murdered at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Mr Marlowe was providing security at the Supernova music festival in the desert near Kibbutz Reim when the area was invaded by Hamas gunmen. Labour asked for clarity about the steps being taken by the Foreign Office to ensure that anyone who wants to leave Israel is able to do so. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, in a letter to Mr Cleverly, said: While Israeli airspace has not officially been closed, most UK airlines have been forced to cancel their flights for the foreseeable future. This is obviously deeply concerning for all those who are desperate to return to loved ones in the UK. Several countries have announced rescue flights to return their nationals who are stranded. Does the UK government have plans to do the same? Both the Government and Labour have been united on the right of Israel to defend itself in the wake of the assault by the Palestinian militant group. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that while Israel needed to respect international law, the UK would absolutely defend Israels right to do what they need to do now to go after Hamas. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer echoed that support for Israel on Wednesday. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer gave his support to Israel (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Ministers have also in recent days stressed the need to protect the UKs Jewish community. Home Secretary Suella Braverman told police chiefs on Tuesday that waving a Palestinian flag on British streets may not be legitimate if it is deemed to be a show of support for acts of terrorism. Sir Keir suggested that flag-waving could be an issue in certain contexts. He added: Its very important that at times like this we dont conflate peaceful discussion of Palestinian issues with Hamas. Now, the flags is a different situation. It really depends on the circumstances. If its provoking or encouraging attacks that might be one thing, there might be other situations. Former This Morning presenter Richard Madeley has said Holly Willoughby has done a very brave, wise and courageous thing by stepping down from the flagship daytime show. The TV star told ITVs Good Morning Britain that Willoughby has done exactly the right thing by leaving the programme. The news of her departure comes shortly after a 36-year-old man was remanded in custody last week charged over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the presenter. It follows a turbulent period at the show, after Willoughbys former co-host Phillip Schofield left in May after he admitted to a relationship with a younger male colleague. Madeley, who launched This Morning with wife Judy Finnigan in 1988 and presented it for 13 years, said: I think, and Judy agrees with me, Holly has done a very brave and wise and courageous thing. We know that Holly genuinely puts family first, she puts her family first and her career second. And that really is the order. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (Jonathan Brady/PA) People watching dont know that, they just see Holly the professional, but she does put it first. I think given the year that shes had, all the things that shes had to put up with, and then this terrible thing that happened last week, given that shes done the show for 14 years, which is a year longer than Judy and I did it when we left, I think its given her a chance to kind of step back and take stock and shes put her family first. Shes going to focus on them for a while. Shell come back, not to This Morning, but shell come back to do something else. But I think shes done exactly the right thing for her own mental health department. Announcing her departure from This Morning in a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, Willoughby, 42, said it was an honour to just be part of its story, but that she feels I have to make this decision for me and my family. She said it was a difficult goodbye, but quoted Madeley and Finnigan when she added: Richard and Judy said: We only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers. Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley (Ian West/PA) Its been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Speaking on GMB, Madeley said: When we left, and it was a bit of a shock, it was a bit undercover and subterfuge, we appeared on Channel 4, a lot of people said: Well, thats the end of This Morning, because This Morning is Richard and Judy, which is obviously very flattering, but we knew it wasnt true. Because the show isnt about the faces, the presenters, its about the format. Its a two-and-a-half-hour, three-hour formatted show, and obviously the presenters have to know what theyre doing and they have to get on and they have to do a professional job, but its the content, the format, that matters, and it will carry on. Willoughby pulled out of hosting This Morning on Thursday last week and her London home was reportedly being guarded by police after a man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap. On Friday, shopping centre security officer Gavin Plumb was charged with soliciting a man named David Nelson to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap between October 2 and 5 in Harlow, Essex. Plumb is alleged to have conspired online with another man and created a detailed plan to carry out the offences. Images have been released showing an actress portraying Diana, Princess of Wales looking serious and pensive as a play exploring the royals explosive Panorama interview is set to take to the stage. Yolanda Kettle, who previously starred in Netflixs The Crown as the wife of inventor Jeremy Fry, will play Diana, as Saving Christmas Spirit star Tibu Fortes takes on the role of former BBC journalist Martin Bashir in The Interview at Londons Park Theatre. In the pictures, Kettle has short, blonde hair and is wearing a navy suit and white top, clothes which appear to replicate those Diana wore in the original BBC programme. Diana, Princess of Wales is played by Yolanda Kettle (Michael Wharley/Park Theatre/PA) She also looks down at her feet as a black camera is pointed in her direction and she sits on a formal grey chair. Former journalist Jonathan Maitland, who was behind The Last Temptation Of Boris Johnson and An Audience With Jimmy Savile, wrote the production and Michael Fentiman who worked on a musical version of Olivier-nominated Amelie serves as director. The play is described as giving an insight into the story behind the interview: the woman who gave it, the man who made it happen and the institution that broadcast it. Fentiman said: Jonathan Maitland is a writer of great integrity and bravery and its been an honour to be trusted with his play. Maitland previously told the PA news agency that substantial chunks of the interview would not be used due to copyright law and the view of the Prince of Wales. A report by Lord Dyson concluded in 2021 that the BBC covered up deceitful behaviour by Bashir to secure the meeting and led to a call from William for it never to be aired again. Maitland said: The things that led to the famous interview and the events that came after it revealed much about our country and its institutions. Its definitely the stuff of drama and I cant wait to see our superb cast and brilliant director Michael Fentiman bring it all to life. The Interview runs from October 27 to November 25 at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, London (Michael Wharley/Park Theatre/PA) Also in the cast is Finding Alice star Matthew Flynn as former royal butler-turned-Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Paul Burrell, Belgravia star Naomi Frederick as a character called Luciana Dyson and Spotless actor Ciaran Owens as Matt Wiessler. In October 2021, a financial settlement between the BBC and graphic designer Mr Wiessler was reached after he claimed he was side-lined and alleged he was made the scapegoat for the scandal despite attempting to raise the issue at the time. Mr Wiessler was commissioned by Bashir to create mocked-up documents used by the journalist to persuade Diana to do the 1995 interview. He received a personal apology from BBC director-general Tim Davie following the Dyson report. The Interview runs from October 27 to November 25 at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, London. Two Just Stop Oil protesters jailed after scaling a bridge at the Dartford Crossing have lost a bid to challenge their sentences at the Supreme Court. Morgan Trowland, 40, and Marcus Decker, 34, were jailed after using ropes and other climbing gear to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, causing gridlock when police closed it to traffic last October. In July, the protesters lost an appeal over what their lawyers said were the extraordinary length of Trowlands three-year sentence and Deckers jail term of two years and seven months. Court of Appeal staff confirmed on Wednesday that judges have refused to grant permission for the two men to take their case to the UKs highest court. Lady Chief Justice Lady Carr, Mrs Justice Thornton and Mrs Justice Cutts rejected the further appeal bid at a hearing in London. Just Stop Oil protesters scaled a bridge at the Dartford Crossing last October (Essex Police/PA) In their July ruling, the judges acknowledged the long and honourable tradition of civil disobedience on conscientious grounds and that the sentences handed to Trowland and Decker went well beyond previous sentences imposed for this type of offending. But Lady Carr said the jail terms were not excessive and reflected Parliaments will under new laws enacted under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act last year which introduced a new fault-based public nuisance offence for what obviously will include non-violent protest behaviour, with a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. She said the sentences met the legitimate aim of deterring others from such offending. The judge added: The sentences should not be seen as having a chilling effect on the right to peaceful protest or to assembly more generally deterrence and chilling effect are not the same. Daniel Friedman KC, representing the activists, had previously argued their jail terms were the longest ever handed down in a case of non-violent protest in this country in modern times. The two mens trial at Basildon Crown Court was told the bridge was shut from 4am on October 17 until 9pm the next day, sparking traffic jams as motorists were forced to use tunnels instead. Structural engineer Trowland, of Islington, north London, and private tutor Decker, of no fixed address, denied causing a public nuisance, arguing it was a protest. The protest action caused the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge to be closed for a number of hours (Joe Giddens/PA) Their trial was told the protesters ascended to a point close to 200ft above the road and unfurled a giant Just Stop Oil banner and rigged up hammocks and stayed there. The men came down at about 5.30pm on October 18 with the help of police and a very tall cherry picker crane, but the bridge, which links the M25 in Essex and Kent, was not reopened to traffic until later. Essex Police said those affected by the disruption included a heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help. Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, the force said, and a business lost more than 160,000 in earnings. In April, a jury unanimously found Trowland and Decker guilty of causing a public nuisance. Just Stop Oil previously said sentencing Judge Shane Collery KC was trying to set a precedent and deter people. The environmental campaign group said Decker, a German citizen who it said has leave to remain in the UK, faces deportation after serving his sentence. Trowland has six previous convictions relating to protests, while Decker has one, with lawyers for the pair previously saying they would not take part in further disruptive protests. The King is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel, Buckingham Palace has said. Charles is said to be extremely concerned about the situation and has asked to be actively updated in the wake of Hamas attacks. A Palace spokesman said the monarchs thoughts and prayers were with all of those suffering, especially those who had lost loved ones. Charles at the Church of Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem during a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in 2020 (Neil Hall/PA) Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian militant group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. The Israeli government has launched a major retaliation of air strikes on Gaza and stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The conflict has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, with fears it could escalate further. An Israeli soldier walks by a house destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Beeri (Baz Ratner/AP) A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about and he has asked to be kept actively updated. His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak. He added: His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel. Charles meeting representatives from Nors Women Empowerment Group and other Palestinian refugees at the Casa Nova Franciscan pilgrim house in Bethlehem in 2020 (Neil Hall/PA) Charles, as the Prince of Wales, carried out his first official tour of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2020. It marked the highest-level visit by a member of the monarchy to Israel and the Palestinian areas. He visited the grave of his grandmother Princess Alice, who was famed for offering refuge to Jewish people during the Second World War in Nazi-occupied Athens. The Kings grandmother Princess Alice (PA) Her bravery was recognised by Israel which in 1993 posthumously bestowed the title of Righteous Among The Nations on her. The princess who was the mother of Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh is buried at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. The Kings son, then the Duke of Cambridge, toured Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2018. William during a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalems Old City in 2018 (Tim Rooke/PA) William met separately with both the then-Israeli president Reuven Rivlin and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas,. He was urged by Mr Rivlin to take a message of peace to Mr Abbas to encourage him to take the first step to end the tragedy between their people. The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales have utterly condemned the barbaric acts and appalling horrors inflicted in Hamas attack on Israel. Charles is extremely concerned over the situation and is being actively briefed on developments while William and Kate were described as being profoundly distressed at the devastating events. The senior royals offered their thoughts and prayers to all those suffering, with the King doing so personally in a telephone call to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday afternoon. Charles at the Church of Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem during a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in 2020 (Neil Hall/PA) Kensington Palace shared William and Kates reaction to the attacks, saying: The Prince and Princess of Wales are profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days. The horrors inflicted by Hamass terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling; they utterly condemn them. They added that the couple were holding all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds. The Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their shock at Hamas attack on Israel (Phil Noble/PA) Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian militant group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. The Israeli government has launched a major retaliation of air strikes on Gaza and stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The conflict has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, with fears it could escalate further. An Israeli soldier walks by a house destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Beeri (Baz Ratner/AP) Concerns also remain for the safety of British citizens in the region as the BBC reported that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. The King also spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan, whose nation shares a border with the West Bank and is home to a large number of Palestinian refugees. King Abdullah has been striving to de-escalate the situation. Charles, who long campaigned on interfaith tolerance as the Prince of Wales, is said to be continuing to seek ways to do so amid the growing conflict. Charles meeting representatives from Nors Women Empowerment Group and other Palestinian refugees at the Casa Nova Franciscan pilgrim house in Bethlehem in 2020 (Neil Hall/PA) A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about and he has asked to be kept actively updated. His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak. He added: His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel. Charles, as the Prince of Wales, carried out his first official tour of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2020. William during a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalems Old City in 2018 (Tim Rooke/PA) It was the highest-level visit by a member of the monarchy to Israel and the Palestinian areas. He visited the grave of his grandmother Princess Alice, who was famed for offering refuge to Jewish people during the Second World War in Nazi-occupied Athens. Her bravery was recognised by Israel, which in 1993 posthumously bestowed the title of Righteous Among The Nations on her. The Kings grandmother Princess Alice (PA) The princess who was the mother of Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh is buried at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. William also travelled there in 2018, and he and Kate have signified their hopes of peace in the future. The Kensington Palace spokesperson said: Those the Prince of Wales met in 2018 overwhelmingly shared a common hope that of a better future. In the midst of such terrible suffering, the prince and princess continue to share that hope without reservation. The Prince and Princess of Wales (Peter Byrne/PA) They also expressed sympathy for both Israelis and Palestinians, with the Palace spokesperson saying: As Israel exercises its right of self defence, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be stalked by grief, fear and anger in the time to come. William met separately five years ago with both the then-Israeli president Reuven Rivlin and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. He was urged by Mr Rivlin to take a message of peace to Mr Abbas to encourage him to take the first step to end the tragedy between their people. Matty Healy claimed The 1975 were briefly imprisoned by the Malaysian authorities, as he defended kissing his bandmate on stage during a festival in the country. During their concert in Fort Worth near Dallas, Texas, the bands frontman addressed his behaviour at the Good Vibes Festival in July where he made a speech about homosexuality, which is illegal in Malaysia, and kissed bassist Ross MacDonald. The festival cancelled the event afterwards and the organisers later asked the the band to pay more than 2 million in damages for allegedly breaching a contract which stated that their set would adhere to all local guidelines and regulations. Healy told fans at the Fort Worth show on Monday that he had been advised not to talk about what happened in Malaysia but said he wanted to explain his side as he was pissed off. Reading a speech from his phone, he said: The 1975 did not waltz into Malaysia unannounced they were invited to headline a festival by a government who had full knowledge of the bands well-publicised political views and its routine stage show Me kissing Ross was not a stunt simply meant to provoke the government, it was an ongoing part of The 1975 stage show which had been performed many times prior. In a clip posted on social media of him delivering the speech, he also noted that the band chose not to change their set to play pro-freedom of speech, pro-gay songs. To eliminate any routine part of the show in an effort to appease the Malaysian authorities bigoted views of LGBTQ people would have been a passive endorsement of those politics, he added. As liberals are so fond of saying Silence equals violence, use your platform so we did that. And that is where things got complicated. The singer described some of the online response as liberal outrage and said their reaction to the band remaining consistent with our pro-LGBTQ stage show was the most puzzling thing. Matty Healy on stage with The 1975 (Lesley Martin/PA)) He added: Lots of people, who appear to be liberal people, contended that the performance was an insensitive display of hostility against the cultural customs of the Malaysian government and that the kiss was a performative gesture of allyship. In response to these claims, Healy said: The idea of calling out a performer for being performative is mind-numbingly redundant as an exercise. Performing is a performers job. Addressing those who claimed the kiss was a form of colonialism, he said: To call The 1975s performance colonialism is a complete inversion of the words meaning We have no (power) at all to enforce our will on anyone in Malaysia. In fact, it was the Malaysian authorities who briefly imprisoned us. During previous shows in the bands At Their Very Best tour, Healy kissed a number of fans from the crowd as well as a crowd safety worker mid-performance while singing in Denmark. He has also performed bizarre antics including completing a series of push-ups and eating a raw steak live on stage. The Hamas attack on Israel meant the end of one of Irans major paramilitary assets. The Israeli military is one of the best in the world and did not expect Hamas to self-destruct like this, killing as many Israelis as it could before Hamas was gone and their base in Gaza severely damaged. Iran may have ordered this in an effort to disrupt the recent alliance between Israel and the Gulf oil states against Iran. The Hamas attack was a major intelligence failure for Israel and the Arab neighbors realize that this was an Iranian intelligence victory. If Iran could do this again it would most likely be used against one the Arab states that oppose the expansion of Iranian influence in the region. Expending Hamas to accomplish this attack on Israel reminds Arab states that it could happen to them. Iran is a common enemy or threat to Israel, Arabs and Turks. Surviving Hamas members were surprised to discover that Iran had not ordered Hamas to attack. It was Hamas leaders that approved the attack and many of them died during the subsequent fighting. The end of Hamas was another side-effect of the long, since 1979, Iranian efforts to destroy Israel and America, which Iran called the two Great Satans, has been largely one-sided but increasingly expensive as the Iranian defeats piled up. It didnt take long for many Iranians to figure out that this war against former allies was not really a war but rather an excuse for the clerics to spend a lot of money on an army of Islamic terrorists whose main job was to protect the ruling clerics from the Iranian people. The clerics thought they could control popular dissent by maintaining a militia of religiously minded volunteers who could earn some extra cash and other favors by bullying or beating anyone who openly opposed the religious dictatorship. These government approved thugs were a common feature of dictatorships, Nazis and communists both used them. By the 1990s the government had organized street gangs, composed of young men who are Islamic conservatives, paid to break up pro-reform demonstrations by force and attack any groups that openly oppose the government for whatever reason. There has always been the risk that a series of street brawls could escalate and lead to another mass revolution like the one in 1979. So far that has been avoided but more and more of the young men who were prime candidates to join these gangs have changed sides. Once more there are protests and even attacks on local religious leaders in towns and cities that do not have a lot of religious conservatives, or a local Islamic conservative militia unit. The militia had a name; the Basj, which provided the manpower for pro-government street gangs since the 1990s, when popular protests against the dictatorship became more common and threatening. The Basj is actually part of the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) whose main job is to protect the religious rulers from any internal threat (including from the national police or regular armed forces). Although the Basj officially has 11 million members, the number that the government could depend has been declining. A few years ago, it was several hundred thousand but now it is less than 100,000 and falling. Basj have families and feel the economic decline like everyone else. The IRGC also decided to aid Hamas, a militant Palestinian group that appeared in the 1980s and took control of Gaza after the Israelis left in 2007. Hamas always had one primary goal; the destruction of Israel. Since the United States was a steadfast supporter of Israel, the Americans would have to be eliminated as well. Few believed Hamas would choose self-destruction and try to act on their goals of destroying Israel. At the same time, Hamas eventually became dependent on Iranian financial support, which enabled Hamas to buy a lot of support and some loyalty in Gaza. The Sunni Palestinians in Gaza were not happy about being dependent on Iranian cash. The rest of the Arab was not happy with Hamas becoming subservient to Iran, which was at war with all Arab governments, plus Israel and the United States. Arabs say Iran as a potential threat and a perpetual nuisance. Subsidizing and then expending Hamas was seen as typical Iranian behavior with allies and against enemies. The large number of Israelis Hamas killed pleased Iran, even as it horrified most of the world. With Hamas gone, attention is turning to Hezbollah, an earlier and larger Iranian creation in Lebanon. Hezbollah is also, like Hamas, seen as a ruthless Iranian tool that is capable of anything. As Hamas attacked Israel it called on Hezbollah to join in. Hezbollah declined. Hezbollah has always been more cautious and rational than Hamas. Hezbollah continues to concentrate on its own survival. The definitely does not include another war with Israel. Hezbollah aways saw Hamas as an erratic and undependable ally and the feeling was mutual. With Hamas gone, Hezbollah continues to concentrate on preserving its power in Lebanon, which is threatened by the Lebanese government. Israel and Hezbollah fought a five week war in 2006 that could have meant the end of Hezbollah were it not for an UN effort to arrange a truce and then a peace deal. While Lebanon wants Hezbollah gone, they also want to avoid an extended war with Israel to get Hezbollah gone. This is why Hezbollah ignored Hamas calls the join in attacking Israel. Hamas had a death wish, Hezbollah does not. While both Hamas and Hezbollah receive financial support from Iran, Hezbollah generally ignored Iranian calls to attack Israel. Hezbollah knows that does not work while Iran doesnt care as long as some Israelis get killed. Iran appears willing to continue subsidizing Hezbollah as a potential threat to Israel but does not want another suicidal conflict with Israel like the one that destroyed Hamas and increased Arab resolve to ally with Israel against the Iranian threat. Iraq Iran continues to be the main threat for neighboring Iraq for reasons of current political power, but not any of the ancient animosities of the area. Both Iran and Iraq have dominant Shia majorities. Iraq has a clear majority of Arabs while Iran is half Indo-European and half everything else, with only a small minority of Arabs. A few years ago, Iran seemed close to taking control of Iraq but now appears to be losing most of its influence. Iraqs internal problems were the major contributor to Irans no longer growing dominance, chiefly Iraqs rampant and persistent corruption. Historically, what is now known as Iraq was seen as the most corrupt region in the Middle East, if not the world. According to international surveys of corruption, Iraq is no longer the most corrupt country in the world. For the last 30 years Transparency International has monitored corruption worldwide and reported their findings annually. The corruption is measured on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The nations with the worst score are currently Syria (score of 14), South Sudan (12) and Somalia (12). The least corrupt nations are currently Denmark and New Zealand, each with a score of 88. Iraq does better than you would expect with a corruption score of 23 in 2022, up from 21 in 2020, 20 in 2019, 17 in 2017-18 and 16 in 2013. Iraqs reduction in corruption played a part in convincing a growing number of formerly pro-Iran Iraqis to change their minds about backing Iran. The current Iranian government has been an economic, diplomatic and military disaster for everyone in the area, not just Iranians. Few Iraqis want to emulate Iran and this now includes Iraqi members of pro-Iran militias. Initially Iran encouraged and maintained pro-Iran attitudes in Iraq by supplying Iraqi militiamen with weapons and regular cash payments. Growing economic problems inside Iran reduced the money available to pay the Iraqi militiamen enough to keep them loyal to Iran. The longer the Iraqi militiamen went unpaid, the less willing they were to serve Iranian interests. How much is left is questionable. Iraqis were also put off by the brutality Iran used to suppress the hijab protests'' that began a year ago and only began to diminish earlier this year because so many women were simply not wearing hijabs to cover their hair. There were too many of these women for the Iranian government to arrest or otherwise punish. The Iranian government has not given up on enforcing the use of hijabs and is seeking ways to force women to comply. A proposed new law would criminalize failure of women to wear hijabs but the government is unsure what impact trying to enforce such a law would have. Most women and many men oppose the hijab restrictions and consider these laws another reason to overthrow the religious dictatorship that has misruled Iran for decades Iraqis see this Iranian obsession over the hijab as odd and scary because this is the sort of thing Iran would try to impose on Iraqis if it could. Iraq and Iran were long known as much less fanatic about this sort of thing than, say, the Saudis. That is changing in Saudi Arabia, as it already has in Iraq and, until recently, Iran. The growing protests are seen as similar to what led to the successful rebellion against the Iranian monarchy (Shah) in 1979. Iranian clergy played a role in this rebellion and eventually took control of the government. At that point the religious assets were much smaller and were supervised by government officials. The clergy did not like this at all, and that supervision was quick to disappear once the monarchy was gone. Another post-Shah change was that, rather than wait for pious Iranians to donate property to religious institutions, the clergy seized the assets of wealthy "enemies of the state" and turned the goodies over to religious institutions which they operated for their personal gain. The clergy try to portray themselves as pious stewards of these assets. The truth is less savory and not invisible. All that PR and propaganda just enraged Iranians even more. A growing number of people from these wealthy clerical families are trying to reform the system before there is yet another civil war, something Iranians have been noted for since antiquity. Such an uprising now would rip the country apart and probably leave Iranians worse off than they are now. These reformers believe that the violence could be triggered by something like photos of adult children of clerics enjoying the company of polo ponies and immodest women who dont cover their hair, or much else either. It should be no surprise that some of the growing protests call for a return of the monarchy. In part that is because nothing irritates the religious dictatorship more than calling for a return of the monarchy. The Shia clerics led a revolution that enabled them to oust the monarchy in 1979 and then take over the government in the 1980s. The current generation of Iranians is too young to have experienced living under the monarchy but it is clear from photos, videos and whispered confirmation from their elders that life was better under the monarchy even though there was always corruption, favoritism and secret police. In short, the Shah (emperor) was never as crazy, oppressive or destructive as the current religious dictatorship. It is telling that the overseas Iranians, whose numbers have grown enormously since the 1980s, are organizing to support another revolution and many of the exiled aristocracy are involved, including the children and grandchildren of the last shah. Afghanistan Afghanistan, Irans eastern neighbor, is also a problem but for different reasons. With the withdrawal of American troops and financial support in 2021, the Taliban, as the IEA or Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, took over but had a difficult time running Afghanistan or dealing with Islamic terrorists and local rebel groups. That has sent a growing number of Afghan refugees into Iran. Relations between Iran and the IEA have been tense but, so far, not violent. Lebanon And then there is Lebanon. Iran continues to have problems in Lebanon where its Hezbollah militia is having a difficult time. This is because of all the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The Lebanese government has been expelling Syrian Sunni Arab refugees. Lebanon also began registering and attempting to deport these refugees. The nearly two million Sunni Arab Syrians that fled to Lebanon since 2012 radically changed the demography of Lebanon. Before 2011 the Lebanese population was only five million. Since nearly all those refugees are Sunni Moslems, it changed the religious mix of Lebanon from 27 percent Shia, 27 percent Sunni, and 46 percent Christian (and other religions) to a more volatile combination. With the refugee influx there were now seven million people in Lebanon and 47 percent were Sunni, 19 percent Shia and 34 percent Christian (and others). This put the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in a bad situation. Their better armed and trained fighters have been able to dominate the other minorities since the 1980s. That was possible because of Iranian cash, weapons and advisors. But the Iranian help and better organization is no longer enough when the Sunnis are nearly half the population and out for blood because of the slaughter the Iran-backed Shia Syrian government inflicted on Syrian Sunnis. Not to mention that Iranian financial support has largely disappeared. Lebanon does not want another civil war over this and it was becoming difficult to contain the anger. Hezbollah and Iran have had some success attracting non-Shia factions, especially Christians, to be part of the Shia coalition. This is traditional Lebanese politics, with the Christians surviving by forming a coalition with non-Christian groups. Now even these Christian factions are backing away from Hezbollah. By 2023 Lebanon felt itself capable of dealing with the refugee crisis, especially since large-scale violence in Syria has largely disappeared. During the Syrian war some 5.5 million Syrians fled to neighboring countries. Turkey has 3.6 million, Lebanon two million and there are 250,000 in Iraq. There are also several million Syrians in Saudi Arabia, who are considered part of the large (over six million foreigners) expatriate workforce. About a third of those workers are Syrians. While many fled to Saudi Arabia because of the war in Syria, they were not treated like refugees and have jobs and status in Saudi Arabia. Countries bordering Syria want their refugees to go home. That cannot happen without the cooperation of the Syrian Assad government. Syria needs a lot of those refugees to revive the economy and the Arab League is willing to allow Syria to rejoin if they reduce their cooperation with Iran. That has always been a dangerous option for the Assads because the Iranians have enough armed operatives inside Syria to threaten the lives of key Assad clan members. Currently, Iranian power is unusually weak inside Iran and inside Syria. Now is a good time for the Assads to make a break from Iran, especially since he has the support of the Arab League and assurances that the League will help, not hinder Assad use of force to maintain their rule in Syria. The Arab League looks after its members and Syria recently rejoined the Arab League. Turkey does not belong to the Arab League but is eager to send its Syrian refugees home. The Assad offer is acceptable if it will finally get those Syrians out of Turkey. October 10, 2023: The recent Hamas attack did not involve any support by Russia, other than cheerleading. Hamas leaders have had several meetings with Russian officials in the last few years. Some of these meetings took place in Russia while others took place in Iran. While Israel visibly refrained from any involvement with the Ukraine War, Russia is losing that war and needs a distraction that Hamas was eager to provide. Western nations voiced support for Israel against Hamas but continue sending their military aid to Ukraine. Israel is not short on weapons or military capabilities. The Israeli military is one of the best in the world and not in need of the kind of aid sent to Ukraine. Israel needs more cooperation from its Arab neighbors and further Israeli economic cooperation depends on some Arab diplomatic and intelligence support. The Hamas attack was a major intelligence failure for Israel and the Arab neighbors realize that this was an Iranian intelligence victory. If Iran could do this again it would most likely be used against one the Arab states that oppose the expansion of Iranian influence in the region. Expending Hamas to accomplish this attack on Israel reminds Arab states that it could happen to them. Iran is a common enemy or threat to Israel, Arabs and Turks. October 8, 2023: Russia has approached Iran about the purchase of Fateh 110 short range ballistic missiles. These have a range of 250 kilometers and were used by Iran in 2018 to attack Iranian Kurdish separatist bases in northern Iraq. Russia has placed a large order for Fateh -110 missiles but one of the 200 missiles ordered has been delivered yet. October 7, 2023: In southern Israel Iran-backed Hamas launched an unprecedented and surprise rocket attack on Israel, firing over 3,000 rockets into Israeli towns and cities. Hundreds of Israelis were initially killed and more than 1,500 seriously wounded. At the same time, Hamas gunmen crossed the border and moved into southern Israel, capturing 52 Israelis and taking them back to Gaza. Israel then announced that Israel was at war with Hamas and Israeli forces would recapture Gaza and kill or capture all the Hamas gunmen they could. Despite the imminent loss of Gaza, Iran declared this a great victory over Israel because of the number of Israeli civilians and soldiers killed in the attack. Israeli leaders admit they were taken by surprise and promised swift retaliation and permanent elimination of the Hamas threat in Gaza as well as an end to the independence of Gaza. For Iran, this is a small price to pay for such a striking attack on Israel. Iran will protest the loss of Gaza and the deaths of Hamas members and Gaza civilians. The reality is that Hamas has been losing support from the civilian population of Gaza over the last decade and many Gazans approve of the destruction of Hamas. Israeli occupation of Gaza is another matter. Israeli troops occupied Gaza until 2005, when they decided to abandon Gaza and evacuate all Israeli settlers living in and near Gaza. Hamas was a violent offshoot of the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood, which did not believe in violence. Hamas broke away from the Brotherhood in 1987 to wage war on Israel and eventually destroy Israel. After the current attack, Hamas will suffer heavy losses and survivors plan to regroup in Lebanon. Israel has told Lebanon that if they provide sanctuary for Hamas, Israel will bomb Lebanon back in the stone age. Lebanese take this threat seriously and to avoid it they will attempt to control Hamas activities in Lebanon. In the past Lebanese have informally cooperated with Israel to eliminate a mutual threat, like Hamas, based in Lebanon. Given a choice between being bullied by Hamas and cooperating with Israel against Hamas, Lebanon will do what it has to do to eliminate the Hamas presence in Lebanon. None of the Arab countries in the region support Iranian military efforts in their countries, even if the Iranians do manage to kill some Israelis. This is a cause for public celebration in most Arab countries. This backfires on Arabs because it demonstrates how homicidal and determined the Arab hatred of Israel is. Arab governments were also surprised and agreed with Israel that Iran was behind the attack. Officially, Arab governments do not support Israeli retaliation against Hamas or Gaza. Unofficially these same governments cooperate with Israel and the West to limit Iranian power in the region. Iran is seen as a threat to Israel and Arabs. Israeli retaliation was swift, massive and continues. Air strikes by warplanes, helicopters and missiles were launched within hours of the Hamas offensive. These attacks will continue as long as there is visible Hamas activity. Israel is quietly coordinating these attacks with Arab governments that also want Hamas gone and Iranian influence in Arab countries reduced. This includes eliminating Hamas presence in Gaza. Israel will have to again take control of Gaza, something it gave up in 2005 when they pulled their troops out. This seemed to be a good idea at the time, but that proved to be a false hope as Islamic terrorists and eventually Hamas took control of Gaza, using it as a base for attacks on Israel. Over the last decade Iranian support for anti-Israel groups in Gaza, especially Hamas, grew. This made the recent attacks possible. The Israeli intelligence failure was the worst since the one 50 years ago that turned into the 1973/Yom Kippur War. Israel won the 1973 War but at substantial cost. The current war does not involve Egypt or Syria, both of whom were the major antagonists during 1973. Israel was able to eventually obtain peace deals with these two countries. Hamas is not a country and Israel has made clear that peace with Hamas will involve the extermination of Hamas. Some Hamas members will survive this and go into hiding, because Israel will pursue, with assassins, opponents who survive a major attack on Israel. October 6, 2023: The United States has sent weapons and ammunition to Ukraine that was seized from Iranian smugglers in the Middle East. Iran has been smuggling weapons to Yemen Shia rebels for a long time. Despite the American led naval blockade of rebel-controlled Yemen coastlines, the Iranian smuggling of weapons to the rebels continues but at a lower intensity, and consists mainly of infantry weapons rather than cruise and ballistic missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are negotiating directly with the Iranians about the fighting in Yemen and how to reduce it. This is part of an effort, brokered by the Chinese, to improve relations between the Saudis and Iran and reduce the tensions in the Persian Gulf and Yemen. All this smuggling costs Iran a lot of money, both for the smuggled cargos and personnel including shipyard technicians to modify the boats to carry smuggled cargo. The crews of these boats are also well paid for the risks of getting caught and jailed. Iran has been short of cash since economic sanctions were revived in 2020 and increased in 2022 because of Iran support for Russian forces in Ukraine. There were also higher costs for preparing the boats and bonuses for the crews limiting the amount of smuggled cargo that reaches the Yemen rebels. Those expenses were one of the reasons for the nationwide anti-government protests which began in September 2022 and continue. The IRGC (Islamic Republic Guard Corps), which guards the religious dictatorship that has ruled Iran since the 1980s, also handles Irans many foreign wars including Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and now Ukraine. Iran controls the leadership of the Yemen rebels, in large part because Iran supplies weapons. With that weapons pipeline disrupted during the last three months, the rebels responded by observing a ceasefire with their many opponents. IRGC leaders were reluctant to give up gains made in Yemen and are unsure when or if they can revive support for the Yemeni Shia because of the growing economic sanctions on Iran as well as the demands of supporting Russia in Ukraine. Because of the sanctions imposed in 2017, the Quds force saw its budget cut by half ever since. This meant major reductions in Quds activities in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Yemen was always the least expensive Quds operation and did not suffer noticeable aid cuts after 2017. Yemen was the only IRGC operation that was able to attack arch-enemy Saudi Arabia directly and that counted for something. The Yemen operation was allowed to continue. This was only possible if the smuggled weapons from Iran kept getting through. The Iranian weapons smuggling has now been greatly reduced. This sharply limits Irans ability to directly attack Saudi Arabia by arming Shia rebels in Yemen. The Shia rebels in Yemen received over a thousand ballistic missiles and UAVs between 2016 and 2021. Most of these were aimed at southwestern Saudi Arabia. Less than one percent of those UAVs and missiles hit anything of consequence in Saudi Arabia. Iran sought to carry out a similar campaign against Israel using Iran-backed militias in Syria. That hasnt worked so far because Israeli intelligence capabilities and airstrikes have been much more effective in Syria than Saudi efforts in Yemen, despite the facts that Israel and Saudi Arabia have similar aircraft, smart bombs and air defense systems. Iranian smuggling efforts have been less effective over the last few years because the international naval blockade has been detecting and intercepting more of the Iranian smuggling efforts. The Saudis had already put a stop to cross country smuggling via Oman. The Iranians have not tried to revive it, in part because Oman has backed the halt to Iranian smuggling. October 1, 2023: In the capital (Tehran) another young woman was seized and beaten by the morality (lifestyle) police for refusing to cover their hair with a hijab (scarf). The victim is in a coma and police wont let her family visit. A similar incident a year ago left a woman dead after being seized for the same crime. Iran is increasingly desperate to force women to conform and wear the hijab, which has been mandatory since 1983. The women are defiant, so the government tried closing businesses that have women employees or customers who refuse to wear hijabs. That did not succeed so the religious dictatorship decided to use more force against the anti-hijab demonstrations. This led to nearly 800 protestors killed and over 30,000 arrested. By early 2023 the protests had stopped. The religious dictatorship seems determined to resume its deadly campaign against protestors. Some of the senior clerics caution that this escalating violence is how September 27, 2023: Iran launched its third military space satellite into orbit, using a Qasem three-stage solid fuel ballistic missile as an SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle). The use of ballistic missiles as SLVs is nothing new and it is a convenient way for Iran to test its ballistic missiles without being accused of testing ballistic missiles. Iran has been doing this for over a decade and many of the early SLV launches failed to put a satellite into orbit. The missions failed because the SLVs encountered problems, often with the third stage of the missile unable to release the satellite into orbit. These launches were also tests for long range ballistic missiles, as the same rocket design is often used for satellite launchers as well as long range ballistic missiles. The only difference is that the satellite launcher is carrying satellites high enough to put them into orbit while the same missile with a warhead would be programmed to move in the direction of its target and at a lower altitude (and for a longer distance from the launch site) than when putting a satellite into orbit. September 12, 2023: An August 7 Israeli air strike near Damascus apparently killed a Syrian army officer who was working on a project that would enable Hezbollah in Lebanon to launch another missile attack into Israel using some new Iranian technology. Israel is generally successful in detecting and launching airstrikes on Iranian weapons shipments into Syria or moving through Syria to Lebanon. Iranian technology transfers to Syria or Hezbollah are more difficult to detect, which is why Israel launches air strikes in Syria against any site where new Iranian tech is being installed. Syria has several military bases where such work is carried out and Israel attacks these bases whenever they suspect something is going on. September 10, 2023: Iran announced it had developed a new long range UAV called Mohajer-10. This comes two years after the similar but smaller Mohajer-6 was offered for export. Mojaher-6 entered service in 2017 and an upgraded model entered service in 2021. Mojaher-6 weighs 670 kg (1,477 pounds) with a payload of 150 kg and max endurance of 12 hours. Max range on a one way mission (as a cruise missile) is 2,400 kilometers with a 100 kg payload. This is not a large enough payload to do much damage to the target. Thats one reason the larger Mohajer-10 was introduced in 2023. This version can carry a 300 kg explosive payload on a one way cruise missile mission to targets over 2,000 kilometers away. Iran pointed out that this puts the Israeli nuclear reactor near Dimona as well as several other Israeli cities and military bases. Not mentioned was the fact that Israeli air defenses have long been capable of detecting and destroying such attacks. Iran has been trying to fly smaller surveillance UAVs from southern Lebanon into Israel without success. A larger Mohajer-10 coming from Iran to hit Dimona in southeast Israel has to get past Israeli air defenses built to stop attacks by aircraft and ballistic missiles. These defenses failed earlier to stop a Syrian anti-aircraft missile that missed its target and kept flying for another 200 kilometers until it exploded in the air near Dimona. The Dimona air defenses failed to intercept the missile, which exploded in the air as anti-aircraft missiles are designed to do when they miss. This incident led to the Dimona air defenses being upgraded. The 2021 era air defenses probably would have destroyed a slower UAV, but Israel was taking no chances when it upgraded those air defenses. Iran claims Mohajer-10 is equipped with countermeasures to defeat air defenses but those have never been tested against Israeli air defenses. A UAV attack against the Dimona reactor or an Israeli city would trigger retaliation whether it succeeded or not. The Israelis have ballistic missiles carrying conventional warheads that can reach Iranian targets and Iran does not want to see how effective those would be against Iranian air defenses. The Mohajer-6 has been in use since 2017 against Kurdish separatists and Syrian rebels, is thus combat tested and that is used to attract export customers. Mohajer-10 has not been offered for export yet and if it was it would be more expensive than Mohajer-6 because of the longer range and larger explosive payload. Iran has long been an exporter of weapons, usually cheaper versions of Chinese and Russian assault rifles, mortars and RPGs. Iran has long had a trading relationship with North Korea in ballistic missile technology. Both nations are banned from exporting that sort of thing but desperation will find a way. A local councillor has lost a High Court fight with Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the housing of asylum seekers on a barge. Carralyn Parkes wanted to challenge the lawfulness of the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Harbour, Dorset. A judge ruled on Wednesday that Mrs Parkes, a member of Portland Town Council and the mayor of Portland, did not have an arguable case. Dorset residents and supporters of Carralyn Parkes gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Tuesday (James Manning/PA) Mr Justice Holgate had considered arguments at a High Court hearing in London on Tuesday. Mrs Parkes said she is deeply concerned by the Governments planned accommodation on the Bibby Stockholm and had made challenges relating to planning and equality legislation. Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman said Mrs Parkess claims should be dismissed. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge is moored at Portland Port in Dorset (James Manning/PA) Mrs Parkes, who is from Liverpool, argued housing asylum seekers on the barge was a breach of planning control and said there had not been compliance with environmental impact assessment duties. She also argued Mrs Braverman had not complied with duties under the 2010 Equality Act. Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman said the challenge was made to a decision taken in April to house destitute asylum seekers on a specially adapted barge. Home Secretary Suella Bravermans lawyers argued Mrs Parkess claim was without merit (Yui Mok/PA) They argued Mrs Parkess claim was out of time, without merit and said the judge should refuse to give permission for the challenge to proceed to a trial. Government lawyers said the local planning authority did not think planning permission was required. They also argued there was no general principle that housing non-British asylum seekers together on a vessel was unlawful under a public sector equality duty. Mrs Parkes is represented by law firm DPG (Deighton Pierce Glynn). Lawyers said afterwards that they will consider their next steps. A local councillor is waiting to see whether she has won the first stage of a High Court fight with Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the housing of asylum seekers on a barge. Carralyn Parkes wants Mr Justice Holgate to give her the go-ahead to challenge the lawfulness of the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Harbour, Dorset. Mr Justice Holgate considered arguments at a High Court hearing in London on Tuesday, and is listed to deliver a ruling on Wednesday. Dorset residents and supporters of Carralyn Parkes gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Tuesday (James Manning/PA) Mrs Parkes, a member of Portland Town Council and the Mayor of Portland, says she is deeply concerned by the Governments planned accommodation on the Bibby Stockholm. Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman say Mrs Parkess challenge should be dismissed. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge is moored at Portland Port in Dorset (James Manning/PA) Mrs Parkes, who is from Liverpool, has argued that the housing of asylum seekers on the barge is a breach of planning control and says there has not been compliance with environmental impact assessment duties. She is also arguing that Mrs Braverman has not complied with duties under the 2010 Equality Act. Home Secretary Suella Bravermans lawyers argue that Mrs Parkess claim is out of time (Yui Mok/PA) Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman say the challenge was made to a decision taken in April to house destitute asylum seekers on a specially adapted barge. They argued that Mrs Parkess claim was out of time, without merit and said the judge should refuse to give permission for the challenge to proceed to a trial. Government lawyers said the local planning authority did not think planning permission was required. They also argued there was no general principle that housing non-British asylum seekers together on a vessel was unlawful under a public sector equality duty. Meanwhile, separately it is expected the first asylum seekers could be returned to the barge next week, after it was evacuated following the discovery of Legionella bacteria in the water supply. The Home Office said all necessary tests have been completed on the floating vessel, which has been out of use since August. Letters are being sent to asylum seekers confirming their re-embarkation and it is understood the first people could begin returning to the vessel on October 19. Police have said they are assessing claims made in a podcast covering the Bible John murders in the 1960s. Patricia Docker, 25, Jemima MacDonald, 31, and Helen Puttock, 29, were all killed in Glasgow in 1968 and 1969 after visiting the Barrowland Ballroom in the citys east end. The murders remain unsolved despite one of the largest police inquiries in Scottish history, with the suspect known only as Bible John due to quoting scripture during a taxi journey with Ms Puttock and her sister before she was murdered. Patricia Docker was killed in February 1968 (handout/PA) A podcast released by the BBC last year examined the cases, speaking to the families of the victims and former police officers who investigated the murders. The podcast claimed the involvement of the man in the taxi, who was also believed to be the last person to see Ms Puttock alive, was covered up because he was the cousin of a senior police officer. Officers interviewed said they believed the man to be John Irvine McInnes the cousin of detective Jimmy McInnes. The body of John Irvine McInnes was exhumed in 1995 (Chris Bacon/PA) The body of John Irvine McInnes who died by suicide in the 1980s was exhumed in 1995 in relation to the investigation, with DNA analysis against a sample taken from Ms Puttocks tights coming back inconclusive, clearing him of involvement. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said on Wednesday: We are assessing the contents of a recent podcast in consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The murders of Helen Puttock, Jemima MacDonald and Patricia Docker remain unresolved, however, as with all unresolved cases, they are subject to review and any new information about their deaths will be investigated. The Queen mingled with several famous faces as she celebrated the anniversary of a poetry charity. Camilla hosted a reception to mark 30 years of the Forward Arts Foundation at Clarence House on Wednesday evening. She was joined by actresses Helena Bonham Carter who read a poem to the guests and Natascha McElhone, as well as other supporters and previous winners of the Forward Prizes for Poetry. Helena Bonham Carter read out a poem during the reception (Yui Mok/PA) The charity promotes public knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of poetry in the UK and Ireland through its programmes, which include National Poetry Day. It aims to better understand and advocate for how poetry can help young peoples wellbeing and support and sustain the work of poets, particularly those under-represented, across the country. Camilla, wearing a blue peacock print silk dress by Fiona Clare, greeted and spoke with all the guests in turn at the reception, accompanied by Forward Arts Foundation founder William Sieghart. Speaking about having a passion for poetry, Camilla told one guest: Its never too late to start. Mr Sieghart then gave a speech to the guests about the charitys origins and its position today, and said the work was something Im amazingly proud of. The Queen (right) meets Natascha McElhone during the reception (Yui Mok/PA) Harry Potter and Sweeney Todd actress Bonham Carter then rounded off the reception with a reading of a poem by William Stafford called Yes. Mr Sieghart told the PA news agency: Its remarkable the journey that poetry has been on in those 30 years, because when I began it was a slightly forgotten art form and not something that people really talked about. But, in a way, its our greatest cultural export to the world. He said that having the Queens involvement with the Forward Arts Foundation was marvellous and proof of the pudding that the charity was delivering on its ambitions. Camilla talking with William Sieghart, founder of the Forward Arts Foundation (Yui Mok/PA) The charity also annually runs the Forward Prizes for Poetry and the Forward Book of Poetry, an anthology of the years best poems. A separate anthology, called Poems of the Decade, is studied by 8,000 students at A-level. Bonham Carter told the PA news agency she was a big fan of and had a long association with poetry. She said: [William Sieghart and the charity] have single-handedly, together with the Forward Prizes, brought poetry more into peoples minds as a very necessary, fantastic and essential thing. Bonham Carter added she loved the fact that the Queen loves words and said poetry was totally therapeutic and great for mental health. Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the situation could have been a lot worse than the protester who grabbed him on stage during his conference speech, as Labour reviews his security. The Labour leader told on Wednesday how he was determined to push on with his address in Liverpool rather than let an idiot disrupt his pitch to the public. The heckler tipped glitter over Sir Keir and grabbed him just as he was about to begin his set-piece speech, sparking security concerns. Sir Keir told Times Radio my overwhelming feeling was I am not going to let you ruin four years of hard work in this party. I just wanted to get on with the speech and thats why I rolled up my sleeves and got on with it, he added. I didnt want that idiot to interrupt that and I dont want that idiot to dominate what Ive got to say today. The Labour leader told LBC radio there was a struggle on stage and he believed the protester tried to pull him to the ground. I was not going over and I was not going to leave that podium, I was going to deliver that speech, he said. A protester, who named himself as Yaz Ashmawi, throws glitter over Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer before his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Keir said he checked his wife, Victoria, who was in the front row of the conference hall, was all right before continuing, with remnants of glitter in his hair and on the shoulders of his shirt. It did feel a bit like a five-a-side moment where someone is trying to get the ball off me. Channelling the inner Arsenal obviously, he said. He added to Sky News: It could have been a lot worse. The protester, identified as Yaz Ashmawi, was wearing a T-shirt linking him to a group called People Demand Democracy shouted that politics needs an update and that true democracy is citizen-led. Sir Keir, who has put great emphasis on shifting the party since Jeremy Corbyns leadership, said protest or power, this is why we changed our party before getting on with his speech. A protester throws glitter over Sir Keir Starmer (Peter Byrne/PA) Labour shadow justice minister Shabana Mahmood has said she expects questions are being asked surrounding security. We will want to make sure that nothing like that can ever happen again, she told BBC Radio 4s PM programme. The 28-year-old from Surrey was arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance. Merseyside Police said he remained in custody on Wednesday morning. Seventeen British nationals are feared dead or missing after the attack by Hamas over the weekend, as the conflict intensifies. The BBC, citing an official source, said that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. A previous estimate had put the figure at more than 10. Palestinians search for survivors of the Israeli aerial bombing on Jabaliya, near Gaza City (AP) Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had said on Tuesday that a significant number of British-Israeli nationals had been caught up in the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides. The UK Government has not confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass charge. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. The Palace of Westminster is lit up in the colours of Israels flag for victims and hostages of Hamas attacks (Lucy North/PA) Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared dead. A post from Mr Darlingtons sister Shelley on social media said he was murdered at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Mr Marlowe was providing security at the Supernova music festival in the desert near Kibbutz Reim when the area was set upon by Hamas gunmen. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right) attending Finchley United Synagogue in central London, for victims and hostages of Hamas attacks, earlier this week (Lucy North/PA) Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has written to Mr Cleverly to ask what steps are being made to ensure that any British people who want to leave Israel are able to do so. Mr Lammy, whose Tottenham constituency is home to a significant Jewish population, told the Foreign Secretary: While Israeli airspace has not officially been closed, most UK airlines have been forced to cancel their flights for the foreseeable future. This is obviously deeply concerning for all those who are desperate to return to loved ones in the UK. It comes as the Israeli government continues to retaliate following the attack by Hamas, with air strikes targeted at locations across the Gaza Strip. The UK and US governments have given a firm backing to Benjamin Netanyahus administration in the wake of the incursion by Palestinian militants. But concerns have been expressed in the UN and elsewhere about the impact on civilians, as Israel embarks on a siege of Gaza in response to the attack. People attend a vigil in Sydney, Australia, for Israeli victims of Hamas attacks.(Dean Lewins/AAP Image via AP) Both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman have stressed the need to protect the UKs Jewish community in recent days. Ms Braverman told police chiefs on Tuesday that waving a Palestinian flag on British streets may not be legitimate if it is deemed to be a show of support for acts of terrorism. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested that that flag-waving could be an issue in certain contexts. Its very important that at times like this we dont conflate peaceful discussion of Palestinian issues with Hamas. Now, the flags is a different situation. It really depends on the circumstances. If its provoking or encouraging attacks that might be one thing, there might be other situations. Sir Keir said that Israel had the right to defend itself, as he added his voice to calls for Wembleys arch to be lit in the colours of the Israeli flag during the upcoming England friendly against Australia. Social media platforms must take swift action to remove illegal and harmful content spreading online following the Hamas attacks on Israel, the Technology Secretary has said. Michelle Donelan told the UK leaders of Google, Meta, X, TikTok and Snapchat they must respond to an uptick on violent content, and that their actions would reveal the companies preparedness for the upcoming passage into law of the UKs Online Safety Bill. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict at the weekend, authorities and campaign groups have flagged that social media has been flooded with misinformation and violent content, as well as an increase in antisemitic posts. (PA Graphics) At a meeting with the UK leaders of the largest social media platforms, Ms Donelan told the firms she wanted to see action and has asked for each site to clearly set out what steps they were taking to swiftly remove illegal content, as well as other content which breached their terms and conditions. This week has seen heinous acts of terrorism, with their horrors only ramped up by how quickly and directly terrorists have been able to spread their monstrous content with people around the world, the Technology Secretary said. This serves to haunt us all, not least our children. Today, I had a practical conversation with platforms on how they can and must do more to stop supporters of Hamas pushing wicked terrorism and antisemitism to the world. Ive asked them to follow up and detail the plans they have in writing. The meeting comes ahead of the Online Safety Bill receiving Royal Assent which, when it becomes law, will place a legal duty on companies to remove illegal content from their platforms and keep children safe online. As part of the Bill, platforms which fail to comply with the new rules could face substantial fines from Ofcom, with executives also potentially facing prison Boss of X Elon Musk (Brian Lawless/PA) The Technology Secretarys intervention comes after the European Unions digital policy chief called on X owner Elon Musk to do more to stop the spread misinformation on the platform. In a letter to the billionaire which was also posted on X, Thierry Breton said the site was being used to disseminate illegal content & disinformation in the EU and called for the platform to take action against it, warning it could face fines or be blocked in the EU under the rules of the regions Digital Services Act. Mr Breton also warned Mr Musk that authorities have been flagging potentially illegal content that could violate EU laws and you must be timely, diligent and objective in removing it when warranted. In his response, posted to X, Mr Musk said: Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them. Mr Breton said the billionaire was well aware of your users and authorities reports on fake content and glorification of violence and that it was up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk. The X owner has since repeated his request for EU regulators to post your concerns explicitly on X, saying that the company takes its action in the open and would do no back room deals. Mr Musk has also been criticised for highlighting accounts which were good for following the war in real time accounts which many X users and journalists pointed out had previously shared a fake AI-generated image of an explosion at the Pentagon in the US, and that one of them had posted numerous antisemitic comments in recent months. Mr Musk later deleted his post. Labour would look to eradicate the NHS waiting list in England in a single term, party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Opposition leader said the plan is there to cut the numbers waiting for treatment by two million per year, potentially resetting it by the time a four-year term in Downing Street is over. Some 7.7 million people are currently on waiting lists for treatment in England, the highest since records began. Sir Keir set out in his speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool on Tuesday how the biggest challenge for the NHS was to cut waiting lists and vowed to get the health service working round the clock to clear the backlog. Labour, in a commitment made earlier this year, has said it plans to meet the target of 92% of patients starting treatment within 18 weeks from referral within the first term of a Sir Keir premiership, should the party win power at an election expected next year. Asked in an interview with ITV News on Wednesday whether he could commit to eliminating waiting lists within the course of a Labour government, he replied: That is our ambition and that is why weve said two million a year. That is a huge ambition 40,000 a week. The money is there, the plan is there and we need to drive those waiting lists down. Labour unveiled its NHS staff overtime plan ahead of its autumn conference, a blueprint it says could create an extra two million operations, scans and appointments in the first year. The party also vowed to provide extra scanners for the health service and bring in dental reforms if it wins the next general election. The policies would be backed by 1.6 billion, with 1.1 billion of that footing the overtime bill. During his speech, Sir Keir promised to end non-dom tax status to funnel money into the health service as part of a bid to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer conducted interviews on Wednesday after his conference speech the day before (Peter Byrne/PA) He said it would help pay for staff overtime and fund more operations, appointments and diagnostic tests, pledging that people would be seen more quickly if his party was in charge. Told in his interview with ITV that the proposed change to non-dom status would bring in 1% of the NHS current budget, Sir Keir said reforms would be needed as well as extra investment. He said reducing the waiting list was crucially important because it was causing the NHS to overheat and was a big drag on our economy. He continued: But, yes, we do need reform as well and that is why after saying were going to spend this money, I also said, but there is the hard road of reform. We need to reform the NHS. It has been a sickness service for the last 75 years. Because of the nature of society, it needs now to be a preventative service. Sir Keir also gave more details about his plans to meet his commitment of building 1.5 million homes. The plan would replicate the policy of Clement Attlees government that built 10 new towns during the 1950s. Speaking to ITV, Sir Keir said he envisaged certainly more than four new towns being built as part of his proposals. It's time to get Britain building again. pic.twitter.com/1vm83q0pYY Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 11, 2023 He declined, however, to say whether the new communities would be focused in the north or south of England, saying that a bidding process would be installed to ensure that we get the right towns in the right places. The first wave of new towns, built between 1946 and 1950 to alleviate post-war housing shortages in London, included Stevenage, Crawley and Harlow. Two new towns in Scotland East Kilbride and Glenrothes and Cwmbran in Wales were also established during the 1940s. Subsequent Conservative and Labour governments have built two more waves of new towns in England. Sir Keir has said he plans to get tough with Labour MPs that fail to back his housing ambitions. Having promised to bulldoze his way to a new Britain, he said he would stand up to so-called Nimbys in his own party in order to achieve his goal. Asked by the BBC if he regarded himself as a Yimby a Yes, in my backyard person Sir Keir said: I am, yes. Its time to get Britains future back. pic.twitter.com/QbWk1My5VL Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 11, 2023 I think that it is very important that we build the homes that we need for the future, hugely important for the aspiration of young people desperately wanting to get on the housing ladder a massive failure for the last 13 years. He vowed to take the tough decisions to push through building reforms and prevent local objections curtailing new housing. Sir Keir added: We need to ensure the planning goes up a level so it is not so localised. Labours shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out substantial tax increases as the party looks to appeal beyond its traditional base. With the tax burden at a 70-year high under the Tories, Sir Keir hinted that Labour aspires to cut taxation. He told GB News: I would like the overall burden, particularly on working people to come down, but obviously we will operate of course and always within our fiscal rules. The Institute for Fiscal Studies, a respected think tank, has said it would be very hard to improve public services without additional tax rises. Labours conference in Liverpool has ended with the traditional renditions of the Red Flag and Jerusalem. Heres what we learned during the partys time on the banks of the Mersey: At a highly disciplined conference with MPs on their best behaviour and almost no feuds, a glitter-throwing protester provided some drama by disrupting Sir Keir Starmers keynote speech. The (literally) sparkling Labour leader took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, later saying he was determined not to let an idiot derail his attempt to deliver a crucial address ahead of the general election expected next year. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria takng a walk by the River Mersey (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Labour is keen to show people the real Keir Starmer. Sir Keir ditched his tie for the conference curtain-raiser interview with the BBC and his wife Victoria has played a prominent role by his side the pair were photographed strolling along the River Mersey and sharing a relaxed breakfast before his crunch conference speech. But her role was relatively restrained compared with Rishi Sunaks wife Akshata Murtys on-stage love letter to her husband at the Tory gathering. Sir Keir is in a secure position as Labour leader, but at 61 and setting out plans for at least a decade in power, the next generation of senior figures in the party is already attracting a lot of attention. Fringe events featuring the 40-year-old Wes Streeting were routinely packed while those featuring 44-year-old shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves have been standing room only. Deputy leader Angela Rayner, 43, delivered a crowd-pleasing speech to kick off the conference before keeping a lower and more tempered profile than in previous years. Shadow cabinet ministers Wes Streeting, Yvette Cooper, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner (Peter Byrne/PA) In John Lennons home city, Sir Keir presented himself as a working class hero. He talked about smashing the class ceiling, saying that the biggest barrier facing some young people in poorer households was not their talent but the nagging voice that held them back from seizing opportunities because of their background. The mass killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas cast a sombre shadow over the Labour conference where it also posed tricky questions for a party whose membership has often sought to raise the struggles of the Palestinian people. Sir Keir swiftly condemned Hamas as terrorists. Jeremy Corbyn, attending a nearby left-wing festival, resisted directly criticising the militants who rule over Gaza. The drastic change in the party since Mr Corbyns leadership, during which Palestinian flags were waved in the conference hall, was further demonstrated when the audience was brought to its feet by Sir Keir using his keynote speech to forcefully support Israels right to defend itself. The transition did not go without hitch, however. Shadow minister Afzal Khan was forced to apologise for appearing at a Palestine Solidarity Campaign stall calling for the end of the apartheid in Israel. Former senior civil servant and partygate investigator Sue Gray was seen prowling the conference after being installed as Sir Keirs chief of staff, in a sign Labour is getting ready for government after more than a decade in opposition. Frontbenchers were coming up with plans to hit the ground running and there was no shortage of warnings of the task ahead, with Sir Keir arguing that as prime minister he would face a combination of the challenges taken on by predecessors Sir Tony Blair, Harold Wilson and Clement Attlee. The party is unashamedly trying to occupy the political centre ground, believing the Tories have drifted to the right and left moderate voters up for grabs. Sir Keir highlighted in his conference speech how he had transformed Labour since Mr Corbyns leadership to no longer being a party of gesture politics and protest. Labour aides were eager to stress the differences between their conference and the Tories gathering last week, which was considered a more muted affair, as Rishi Sunak scrapped the Manchester leg of HS2 while speaking from a convention centre in a former train station in that very city. Lord Peter Mandelson (centre) listens as shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her keynote speech (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Echoes of the New Labour era were all around. Lord Mandelson was touring the conference telling anyone who would listen Sir Keir had returned the party from weird to normal. Sir Keir referenced New Labour anthem Things Can Only Better, and when the D:Ream classic was pumped out at the wildly popular Daily Mirror party on the closing night, the dancefloor was packed with party aides. Labour insiders believe Mr Sunak will call a May election and the party said its finances were in a position to invest more in this campaign than ever before. But they are acutely aware that overturning the crushing defeat of 2019 is a huge task, and must work flat out if they are to stand a chance of making it to No 10. The wife of Scotlands First Minister has said she feels like she is just living in a nightmare after her parents became trapped in Gaza. In an interview with the BBCs Reporting Scotland on Wednesday, Nadia El-Nakla said her parents, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, continually tell her they feel like they are going to die. The El-Naklas travelled to Gaza last week to visit an elderly relative and Ms El-Naklas brother, who works as a doctor in Gaza. They found themselves trapped after militant group Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets in what it said was a new operation on Saturday. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was at war as its military began striking targets in Gaza in response. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. In a video clip played as part of the interview, Elizabeth El-Nakla said: Weve no electricity, weve no water, the food we do have, which is little, will not last because there is no electric and it will spoil. A visibly emotional Ms El-Nakla told the BBC it was incredibly difficult right now. She said: There is no electricity from 2pm their time, which was just a few hours ago. No electricity means no hospital supplies, it means no food, you cant even preserve the food that you have. I dont know what it means for them in the long-term, I dont know whats about to happen to them. For me, my number one is my family being safe. Ms El-Nakla said her parents are now talking about saving their phone batteries due to the lack of power, which means they are having to limit contact. She added: Every few hours Im seeing things, and Im calling my parents. But now we are talking about having to preserve their battery on their phone. We cannot keep talking to them because theres no electricity. Weve taken numbers of neighbours, theyve written down all of our numbers. If I cant get in touch with them, can I contact a neighbour to find out if theyre still alive? Nadia El-Nakla pictured with her husband and two daughters her parents are currently trapped in Gaza (Andrew Milligan/PA) These are conversations we need to have. At times my arms just feel like lead. It feels like I am just living in a nightmare. For them, I just cant understand how they feel. On Tuesday, Ms El-Naklas husband Humza Yousaf wrote to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, urging him to call on Israel to open a humanitarian corridor. He wrote: I am writing concerning the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas over the weekend, and the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza. Too many innocent people have already lost their lives as a consequence of these completely unjustifiable and illegitimate attacks by Hamas. However, innocent men, women and children cannot, and should not, pay the price for the actions of a terrorist group. Collective punishment of innocent civilians cannot be justified and will do nothing to set the conditions for peace in the region. As a close friend and ally of Israel, I therefore ask the UK Government to call on the government of Israel to ensure innocent civilians are protected and to put in place an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe passage of civilians through the Rafah border. Furthermore, it should open a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, for those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave. Earlier in the year Ukraine revealed that it planned to spend over half a billion dollars on UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), but what was not revealed was the extent of efforts to add more capabilities to commercial UAVs as well and the growing number being manufactured by Ukrainian companies. These developers and manufacturers are often small groups of civilian hobbyists that proved capable of creating new features for UAVs, both commercial and hobbyist-created models. The Russian invasion spurred a lot of innovation, mainly among Ukrainian developers. Among the items available to commercial customers are a lot of digital video camera items as well as lighter, miniaturized computer components that can be assembled and programmed by users to perform essential tasks, like using AI apps and data from onboard video cameras enemy forces, even if they are camouflaged or in underground bunkers. Constant combat use of these systems enables developers to address shortcomings and continually improves the hardware and software carried on these hunter killer UAVs. Earlier in the war two UAVs were needed for this but now all that tech and weapons, can be carried and used by one UAV. Wartime developers are able to improve their tech and hardware more rapidly because there is continuous feedback from users. Ukraine has an edge here because many of these developers are hobbyists who know little about peacetime development, its bureaucracy and counter-productive over-supervision. Ukrainian developers are often creating these new UAV techs for friends or family members who are now in the military and eager for whatever help they can get. The Ukrainian military sees this entrepreneurial spirit as an advantage, not some form of insubordination or recklessness the way the Russian military does; it considers those unauthorized innovations. Despite that, some Russian innovations appear and are put to work. Most Russian commanders and civilian officials are less willing than their Ukrainian counterparts to encourage individual initiatives. Another problem is that the economic sanctions have made it more difficult for Russians to obtain the commercial tech that Ukrainians use. That free access to Western or Chinese components means Ukraine can build very capable and lethal UAVs that are designed to carry out one or a small number of missions. That is why Ukraines and Russia are each losing thousands of UAVs a month. Cheap, useful and expendable is now the rule with most battlefield UAVs. This innovation explains the greater success of Ukrainian UAVs against Russian targets on the battlefield or deep inside Russia. Despite all the innovation, the majority of these UAVs are basically loitering munitions that can be sent out to areas where there is known or suspected enemy activity and kill it. In the past a separate surveillance UAV was needed to spot targets, usually enemy troops and vehicles. These UAVs have video cameras and a link to operators who view the video on a tablet or via goggles containing small video screens while the operators have a form of handheld game controller to maneuver the UAV and select a target for the UAV to collide with and explode. The video comm link was a vulnerability the Russian exploited as they developed new types of electronic jammers that could disable these comm links. The new Ukrainian UAVs that combine finding and killing capabilities on one UAV that can also detect that destroy these Russian jammers, which are usually ground based and expensive. Loitering munitions are a relatively new development and have one tremendous advantage over earlier forms of firepower. Compared to bullets or artillery shells, a single loitering munition is much more likely to hit a target. In wartime it takes hundreds of artillery shells to cause one casualty. For rifle and machine-gun bullets, the number of bullets fired per casualty caused can be up to 100,000. Loitering munitions are much more effective because the operator scans the terrain below looking for a target. When one is found, the loitering munition attacks and almost always kills or wounds at least one soldier. Loitering munitions can be lost to enemy action. While UAVs are small targets for riflemen or machine-gunners on the ground, they UAVs can be hit by ground fire. A more effective, and increasingly common way to defeat loitering munitions is EW (Electronic Warfare), specifically electronic jamming of the munitions control signal. As is common in combat, a jammer is not always available when you need it. In some ways, loitering munitions are not as useful as artillery or bullets. Many artillery shells and bullets are not fired at a specific target or with the intent of causing casualties. This is what happens with suppressive fire, artillery or rifle fire is directed at an area to discourage the enemy from entering or moving into position to fire at your troops. You can consider a loitering munition overhead as a form of suppressive fire on the troops below. In this respect loitering munitions do what snipers have been doing for over a century, forcing troops to stay out of sight or the enemy sniper will get you. This was common during World War I, when trench warfare made snipers useful for keeping enemy troops from observing the terrain between the trenches of opposing forces. In the 21st century more troops had access to affordable and very effective scopes for their rifles or even machine-guns. The American marines officially recognized this as a combat specialty and designated most snipers as scout-snipers' ' because their more useful skills involved observing as well as accurate shooting. In armies with a lot of well-trained troops, about ten percent are designated and equipped to be snipers or sharpshooters. The latter is a soldier with a talent for accurate shooting but is not trained and equipped as a sniper. Professional soldiers in general are more likely to use individual, well aimed shots versus automatic fire, also known as spray and pray (that you hit something). You can see how this works in Ukraine, where the Ukrainian troops are better trained in the accurate use of rifle fire. It was Ukrainian troops who frequently used commercial quadcopters equipped with grenade or small bomb carry and release mechanisms. The Ukrainian soldiers often bought commercial UAVs for this and spent hours at a time sending out their quadcopter to search for targets. The quadcopter would have to frequently land to recharge. That demonstrates another 21st century development; the proliferation of electronic devices an infantryman can and often will take with him into combat. NATO nations learned from these Ukrainian experiences and have sent Ukraine what the Ukrainian say they need. For example, a month after the Russians invaded, the United States agreed to send Ukraine a large quantity of weapons, many of them specifically requested. One of these was called Phoenix Ghost, a system that was rapidly developed and built in the United States by Aevex Aerospace for the U.S. Air Force from specifications supplied by Ukraine. The air force revealed that the Phoenix Ghost UAV was a project already in development before the Russians invaded. Ukrainians had already developed and built some innovative new weapons or modifications for existing ones the Americans were working on. The air force does not develop ground-based loitering munitions but does develop ones carried by aircraft. The Ukrainians made some suggestions which were included in the existing air force design and that resulted in the Phoenix Ghost, which went into production and combat in Ukraine quickly. In other words, Phoenix Ghost is a bespoke (custom made to user specifications) UAV developed and manufactured in record time. The primary new feature of this loitering munition was its longer (six hour) flight endurance. The U.S. sent Ukraine over 1,200 of these loitering munitions in the first year of the war. For a long time, all the public knew about Phoenix Ghost was that it was similar to the American Switchblade loitering munition that was also being sent to Ukraine. The input from Ukrainian engineers was essential because many of the most effective Soviet-era weapons engineers were Ukrainian. That meant Ukraine had a tradition of pragmatic and innovative weapons development that was mobilized after the 2014 Russian seizure of Crimea and part of Donbas. The capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers were not exactly a state secret, it just wasnt newsworthy. Foreigners familiar with weapons development knew about the Ukrainian skills and those who visited Ukraine for whatever reason, like American and other NATO military advisors, got a closer look at what those Ukrainian engineers, as well as civilian hobbyists, could do. Those skills became even more important after the invasion began and suddenly engineers and scientists in other fields began applying their skills to rapidly develop new weapons and equipment to protect Ukraine from the Russians. After the invasion began the capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers became part of the reporting on how the Ukrainians stopped and turned back the Russian attack. That enabled the Ukrainian proposal for Phoenix Ghost to be taken seriously and rapidly implemented. The Ukrainian specified COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) components and kept in touch via the high-speed Internet links provided by Starlink. The rumors of Phoenix Ghost indicate it is an improvement over Switchblade and mainly meant to be a more effective loitering munition. The Russians eventually experienced what the Ghost could do by examining the damage and reports from their troops. Aevex Aerospace, the firm that developed and built Phoenix Ghost is itself a recent development, founded in 2017 and specializing in projects very similar to the Phoenix Ghost. Another American firm, AeroVironment, developed the Switchblade loitering munition and similar systems. Aevex is similar to AeroVironment, which has been around since 1971 and created many innovative commercial and military UAV designs. Switchblade is little-known to the general public but extremely popular with American troops fighting in small units, especially in remote areas. Switchblade was first revealed in 2005 and the Ukrainians are receiving at least a hundred of the Switchblade 300 plus some of the larger Switchblade 600s, which appears to be closer in weight-class and performance as Phoenix Ghost. Switchblade 300 is a small UAV fired from its storage container. Switchblade was sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for secret field testing. This was very successful and the troops demanded more, and more, and more. Switchblade completed development later in 2009 and was initially thought useful only for special operations troops. In 2011, after a year of successful field testing, the army ordered over a hundred Switchblades for troop use and since then has ordered a lot more. While Switchblade was developed for the army, the marines apparently noted the success that soldiers and SOCOM (Special Operations Command) had with this system and ordered them as well. Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan and with SOCOM in all sorts of places they wont discuss in detail. Switchblade is still used and thousands have been ordered and many of them used. There have been several upgrades The original 2009 Switchblade was a lightweight and expendable (used only once) UAV that could also be equipped with explosives. The Switchblade is launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery-powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same controller as the larger (two kg) Raven UAV. A complete Switchblade system (missile, container, and controller) weighed 5.5 kg (12.1 pounds). Moving at up to a kilometer a minute, the original Switchblade can stay in the air for 20-40 minutes, depending on whether or not it was armed with explosives. Switchblade can operate up to ten kilometers from the operator. The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Thus, Switchblade enables ground troops to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard to see location. Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile. The troops were particularly enthusiastic about the armed version because it allowed them to more quickly take out snipers or a few enemy gunmen in a compound full of civilians. Switchblade has been so successful that the army ordered several upgrades and the updated original Switchblade was renamed Switchblade 300. The new version appeared in 2016. It is heavier (2.7 kg) with 15 minutes endurance and a 10-kilometer range. The sensor has night vision and is stabilized. The 300 can lock onto a target and track it. The 300 comes with optional accessories, like a six-pack launcher that is used as part of base defense. This was first used for base protection in 2019 and proved effective. One or more of these six packs are placed near the base perimeter and power is maintained with a solar panel. The base security commander can order a Switchblade to be launched from the six-pack and then control it in search for potential targets. Switchblade 300 is also capable of being used from a helicopter or larger UAV and controlled from the helicopter or by the operator of the larger UAV (like a Reaper). The fact that there were American troops operating in combat zones justified development and production of new tech like loitering munitions. In 2020 AeroVironment, the company that developed the unlikely, but popular, Switchblade loitering munition, introduced a third version; Switchblade 600. While the original Switchblade weighed one kilogram (2.2 pounds), the latest Switchblade is ten times heavier at 23 kg (50 pounds), can stay in the air for 40 minutes and be controlled up to 80 kilometers from the operator. Top speed is 180 kilometers an hour and more economical cruise speed is closer to 150 kilometers an hour. The heavier warhead can destroy most tanks, although some modern tank designs include protection from top attack. Switchblade 600 was requested by the U.S. Army for longer range surveillance missions and the option to hit specific small targets, like a building or enemy position. Unlike the earlier Switchblades, the 600 uses a tablet controller with more options, including manipulating the more powerful vidcam. Video transmitted back to the operator can be saved and passed on. The operator also has a wave off feature in which a quick tap on the controller screen can cause the 600 to abort an attack and be available for another try. The 600 can also be programmed to carry out a mission without operator control. This means there is no control signal for enemy electronic warning systems to detect or jam. In this case when time is up, the 600 self-destructs. The 600 can be carried into a remote area and used quickly. It's most likely use in the Ukraine is against the locomotives of Russian military supply and troop transport trains operating near the border or inside Ukraine. The U.S. Navy also requested a version of Switchblade, for reconnaissance only, that is launched from ships or submerged (at periscope depth) submarines. In this case the sub would have a communications mast on the surface to receive data from what is now called the Blackwing. This version is a little heavier, at 1.8 kg (four pounds). The size of the Blackwing is designed to fit into existing navy countermeasure launchers. Without a warhead, Blackwing has endurance of about an hour and uses encrypted digital communications compatible with current navy systems. When released from a submarine countermeasures launcher, the Blackwing container pops to the surface and the Blackwing is ejected into flight like the other Switchblades. The U.S. Navy has bought at least 150 Blackwings, starting in 2016. Armed versions of Blackwing are available but these have shorter endurance. For subs, reconnaissance is the most important item. Switchblade is not a unique concept, as these loitering munitions have been around for decades. What Switchblade provided was a design that met the needs of combat troops, especially special operations personnel or small groups of Ukrainians seeking to halt Russian supply trucks. Since Switchblade entered service and its popularity became widely known, similar systems have appeared, trying to provide features that Switchblade lacked but the troops would appreciate. Ukraine had already developed a loitering munition of its own, but these are not as efficient as Switchblade. The Ukrainians ended up developing and building many different loitering munitions, a process that continues. At the same time Ukrainian neighbor and ally Poland also developed the Warmate loitering munition and sent them off to Ukraine. Warmate is a 5.3 kg (12 pound) conventional UAV that carries a 1.4 kg (three-pound warhead). Warmate has an endurance of 70 minutes and top speed of 150 kilometers an hour and can be controlled 15 kilometers from the operator. While portable, Warmate requires five minutes to assemble and needs a road or catapult device to be launched. Ukraine developed its own loitering munitions early on. For example, Silent Thunder showed up in 2019. This is a 9.5 kg (28 pound) UAV with a variety of different 3.5 kg (7.7 pound) warheads. It takes fifteen minutes to ready Silent Thunder for use and it has a flight duration of 60 minutes and top speed of 150 kilometers an hour. It can be controlled up to 30 kilometers from the operator. Silent Thunder is reusable if no warhead is carried. Silent Thunder is complex to use and that limits its effectiveness. Israel is another country that is constantly attacked and always has troops in action. In 2019 an Israeli firm introduced the Firefly, a loitering munition UAV, which is portable enough for infantry to carry and continually reuse. There is also the option to replace one of the two batteries with an explosive warhead and turn Firefly into a guided weapon. Another major advantage of Firefly is that it operates like a helicopter, not a fixed-wing aircraft. Being able to hover is a major advantage for loitering munitions used by infantry. Firefly seems to have addressed all (or most) of the user criticisms of earlier lightweight loitering munition systems. Firefly was developed by Rafael, the same firm that developed and builds the Spike family of ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles). Much of the tech in Firefly was based on what is already used in Spike systems. In particular, Firefly has a guidance system that can track and attack a moving target. This can be critical for infantry using such a weapon because these targets are elusive in the first place and, without a UAV, the infantry would not have spotted dangers like snipers or moving troops at all. Firefly is a dual rotor miniature helicopter and those dual (on top of each other) rotors make it stable in winds that would make a similar-sized fixed-wing or quad-copter UAV unusable. The 0.4 kg (one pound) warhead replaces the second battery to halve the normal 30 minutes of flight time. The operator uses a small tablet device that is mostly a touch screen and a Firefly controller. Firefly can be controlled up to 500 meters in a built-up (or forested) area or up to 1,500 meters in line-of-sight (nothing between Firefly and operator) mode. Firefly returns to the operator and explosives are deactivated if the control signal is lost. The operator can press an icon on the screen to get Firefly to return immediately, abort an attack or carry out a high speed (19 meters/62 feet a second) attack on a target. The target can be moving, as in a sniper changing firing positions out of sight of the operator. This is accomplished using the ability of the Firefly guidance system to remember the shape of a target and follow it. The Firefly warhead would be most often used against troublesome targets like snipers or hidden machine-guns. Even without the warhead Firefly would be able to locate such lethal adversaries and enable the infantry to avoid them. Firefly can also be launched and operated from a moving vehicle. The big advantage Firefly has over similar loitering munitions like the 40mm Pike and GLAUS, as well as Switchblade, is reusability. Carry one Firefly and just use it as a UAV for a dozen or more times. The relative simplicity of Firefly compared to Switchblade, and to similar designs like GLAUS and Pike based on 40mm grenade shells, makes it a better system that is also cheaper when you take into account the reusability. Russia is also using its new Zala loitering munition in Ukraine. Zala carries a two kg (4.4 pound) explosive charge. Zala is a delta shaped (1.2 meter/3.8 feet wingspan) UAV with a three kg (6.6 pound) p used mainly for explosives plus a vidcam to locate the targets and dive on it. It is carried and launched from a catapult on a truck. Endurance is 30 minutes and top speed is 130 kilometers an hour. Zala has been available since 2017 and has apparently been tested in Syria. With the recent history of loitering munitions, the appearance of Phoenix Ghost and many other new similar weapons is not surprising. As the Israelis have discovered, when you are facing constant threat of attack, innovative and rapidly developed weapons are a necessity. Bodies of Israeli residents and Hamas attackers lay outside burned-out homes in the Israeli kibbutz Kfar Aza on Tuesday, days after the Palestinian militant group launched a large-scale surprise assault on Israel. Hamas sent waves of heavily armed fighters pouring across the border from Gaza and rampaging through rural communities Israel said it found 1,500 bodies of militants in the aftermath of the assault. Houses in Kfar Aza were ransacked and set ablaze. Overturned mattresses, destroyed furniture, broken trinkets and unexploded grenades lay strewn across the grounds, along with bodies a window into the scale of devastation wrought by Hamas in this area. Ive never seen anything like this in my career, never in 40 years of service this something I never imagined, Maj. Gen. Itai Veruv told CNN on Tuesday, just a few hours after Israeli troops secured the kibbutz from Hamas assailants. In Kfar Aza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was going house to house, collecting the dead in body bags and loading them onto a truck. The IDF told CNN that women, children, toddlers and elderly were brutally butchered in an ISIS way of action. Hamas has denied that its militants beheaded children or attacked women. The militant groups spokesman and senior official Izzat al-Risheq on Wednesday described the accusation as fabricated and baseless allegations. Kfar Aza is one of the several kibbutzim, small farming enclaves, that bore the brunt of Hamas ground assault on Saturday. A number of kibbutzim and towns were targeted, including Kfar Aza, Beeri, Ofakim, Sderot, Yad Mordechai, Yated, Kissufim and Urim. Revelers at a music festival held in the desert outside of Beeri were also gunned down and taken hostage. At least 1,200 people have died in Israel since the conflict erupted, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in an update on Wednesday. Israel has retaliated by pounding Gaza with a relentless aerial campaign that has flattened homes, schools, medical institutions and government buildings in the besieged strip. The death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,055, with a further 5,184 people injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Massacre in Kfar Aza The kibbutzim go back to the time of the founding of Israel, when small groups of people set up communities based on the idea of communal living. About 125,000 people live across approximately 250 kibbutzim in Israel, according to the Jewish Agency for Israel. For many, they were symbols of good life and safety. What happened at the weekend destroyed that idyll. Babies and toddlers were found decapitated in Kfar Aza, Tal Heinrich, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Wednesday. CNN could not independently verify that report, and Hamas said media reports about attacking children were false. This comes after the IDF told CNN Tuesday that the killings at Kfar Aza amounted to a massacre. Maj. Gen. Veruv said his soldiers spent about 48 hours fighting waves and waves of terrorists on roads and in neighboring communities. He said he had started fighting militants in the Yakhini moshav (community) on Saturday, moving then from battle to battle, on the road to Sderot, before reaaching the Beeri kibbutz on Monday evening. I saw hundreds of terrorists in full armor, full gear, with all the equipment and all the ability to make a massacre, go from apartment to apartment, from room to room and kill babies, mothers, fathers in their bedrooms, Veruv said. A covered body is seen lying on the ground in Kfar Aza. - Muhammad Darwish/CNN Veruv said he had been retired from the IDF for eight years before rushing to join the counter-offensive efforts on Saturday morning, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw. I have heard during my childhood about the pogroms in Europe, the Holocaust, of course. All my family came from Europe, they are survivors. But I never thought I would seethings like that, he said about the scene in Kfar Aza. Beeri More than 100 bodies were found in Beeri on Monday. Civilians were killed and taken hostage in the kibbutz, which is home to about 1,000 residents, according to Israeli authorities and videos obtained and authenticated by CNN. Heavily armed militants arrived in Beeri on motorbikes around 7 a.m., just half an hour after they breached the typically high-tech, tightly guarded border fence between Gaza and Israel, videos show. A screenshot from a video, geolocated by CNN, shows six Hamas militants arriving at Be'eri on Saturday morning local time. - Obtained by CNN A bloodbath followed. Footage shows militants pulling three bodies out of a car, before stealing the vehicle and driving north. The video, which first surfaced on Telegram, was taken by a surveillance camera in Beeri. CNN has geolocated the video to an intersection in the northeastern part of the kibbutz. Another video shows armed militants taking five Israeli civilians captive, with the bodies of four later seen lying on the ground nearby in another video verified by CNN. Terrified residents told Israels Channel 12 television station that assailants went door to door, trying to break into their homes. Of at least 107 bodies discovered in the aftermath, most were of local residents of the kibbutz, though some were of Israeli security forces, a search and rescue spokesperson told CNN. The IDF acknowledged on Monday that Beeri was very badly hit. We thought we would need more rooms (to house the evacuees). We didnt need all the rooms, said IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht. The attack on Beeri came around the same time as Hamas militants descended upon a music festival, known as Nova, just three miles south, shooting revelers at point-blank range and looting their belongings. More than 260 bodies were later found at the festival site, with many attendees believed to have been captured and brought to Gaza, sparking a desperate search by family members and foreign governments. Urim In Urim, a kibbutz 10 miles south of Beeri, residents awoke at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday to the sound of sirens and rushed to above-ground bomb shelters. The routine reaction to incoming rocket fire soon became more concerning, as the sirens continued sounding throughout the morning and they went in and out of hiding. Members of the community, which is not far from where militants rampaged the Nova music festival, began to see reports of Hamas attacks on kibbutzim and towns near the border. Wayne Lucas, a Virginia native who serves as a lone soldier in the IDF and lives in Urim, said that he spoke to several friends who were hiding in their houses from the terrorists, and, as the day progressed, he heard of attacks closer to home. We learned that someone from our kibbutz who I know very well, whose family also hosts lone soldiers was shot at the junction outside our kibbutz near the gas station. Luckily, he was only shot in the hand, he told CNN. There are over 7,000 lone soldiers currently serving in the IDF, according to the Lone Soldier Center, many new immigrants or volunteers from Jewish communities abroad. On Sunday, after a restless night, residents in Urim heard gunshots close by. Shortly after 1:30 in the afternoon, we heard gunshots coming from inside the kibbutz. We all dropped everything. We ran as fast as we could to the shelters. We locked the doors, and we were barricading ourselves inside. People had knives and random things to use as weapons, Lucas said. All Israeli buildings erected after 1993 are required to have bomb shelters reinforced rooms with concrete walls and heavy steel doors. But these safe rooms are designed to withstand a rocket attack, not an armed incursion. The doors are heavy, but they dont have locks they are not supposed to be lockable, for safety reasons. Another soldier who lives in Urim said he heard gunfire but couldnt make it to the shelter in time. I heard a round of six bullets being shot right outside my room. I cannot tell you how scared I was. I didnt know what I needed to do first: hide, lock my door, find a weapon, run to the nearest shelter? the soldier, who asked not to be named, told CNN. There was nowhere good to hide, and I ended up hiding in my closet. The soldier and Lucas said that when they were given the all-clear, an Israeli army unit was outside and had apprehended several militants who had tried to storm the kibbutz. Nirim In Nirim, which lies less than a mile from the border with Gaza, residents had spent Friday the day before the Hamas attack celebrating the anniversary of the kibbutzs founding. Guy, a 33-year-old painter, said he could not believe the horrors that began the next morning. When he heard the alarm at 6.30 a.m., he did not think much of it. Usually, it stops and starts after a few minutes then we get on with life, he told a CNN team on the ground. But this time was different: The alarm did not stop, and rumors began to swirl. Rumors started in the kibbutz that someone saw a terrorist in a car and heard Arabic, he said. It didnt seem possible. We didnt think it was happening. He had been waiting in the shelter with his wife, Tamar, and her mother. Tamars sisters had come to the kibbutz for Fridays celebration, along with their husbands and three young children, who had stayed the night in another house in the kibbutz. Although most houses in the kibbutz have shelters, they are designed to protect civilians from rockets not armed intruders. Its impossible to lock from the inside. No one imagined there will be terrorists inside the kibbutz, Guy said. He spent the next several hours holding the door with my hand, with a knife in my pocket. I was reading online: How can I fight with a knife? he said. He had grabbed the only weapon he could find in his kitchen: I could make a salad but I dont think I could win against a gun. As he guarded the door, they heard gunshots and began to smell smoke. Their strategy was to burn houses, to start fires so people go outside, he said. Then they wanted to kill them or kidnap them. Finally, the military came at 7 p.m., something like that, he said. Initially, they refused to open the door: They had been messaging others over WhatsApp all day, and had heard rumors that the terrorists were also knocking on the door and saying they were military. He said his wife knew many people who had died. They just slaughtered everyone. They killed kids, babies, grandmothers. Guy said everyone in the kibbutz was asking: Where was our military? CNNs Muhammad Darwish and Nic Robertson reported from Kfar Aza, Israel. Amir Tal reported from Jerusalem, Artemis Moshtaghian from New York and Ivana Kottasova from Tel Aviv. Christian Edwards wrote from London. CNNs Martin Goillandeau, Paul P. Murphy, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Kathleen Magramo and Ruba Alhenawi contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Cornel West, a former star Harvard professor and current independent presidential candidate, said he disagreed with a controversial statement put out by student activists at the university that solely blamed Israel for the deadly attack by Hamas this weekend. But, he added, that was mainly because he believed their statement lacked nuance. In an interview with POLITICO, West said that Israel and [the] United States are primarily responsible for the violence that took place near the Gaza strip that has resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and hundreds more in retaliatory strikes. But, he added, Hamas must take responsibility for killing innocent folk." "The United States bears some responsibility, no doubt about that. And I think that Hamas and jihad bear responsibility for killing innocent people, he said. Palestinians have a right to defend themselves in the same way that Israel has a right to defend itself. There's no doubt about that. But neither has a right to kill innocent people. He added that the state of Israel has been doing that for 75 years. Wests remarks come on the heels of a statement issued by more than 30 student groups at Harvard, many of them pro-Palestinian organizations, which held the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. That statement has been widely criticized by other Harvard alumni, many of whom have called on university brass to distance itself from it. Larry Summers, a past Harvard president, wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter: The silence from Harvards leadership, so far, coupled with a vocal and widely reported student groups statement blaming Israel solely, has allowed Harvard to appear at best neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a Harvard Law School alumnus, said on X, What the hell is wrong with Harvard? Harvard University president Claudine Gay in a statement on Tuesday condemned the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. She added that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership. West, a Harvard alum, said that he believes that what the student groups were trying to say was that the state of Israel bears most of the responsibility. He said, I would agree with that. West also took a shot at Summers, saying that his criticism of the Harvard students is part of a double standard. You've got war crimes committed decade after decade against Palestinians, and they can't say a mumbling word. And then you get war crimes committed against Israelis, and they're up in arms, he said, referring to Summers and Alan Dershowitz, a lawyer and former Harvard Law School professor. Now a war crime is a war crime. The killing of an innocent, precious Israeli has the same value as a killing of a precious, innocent Palestinian." West left Harvard in 2002 after a high-profile feud with Summers, then president of the university. He was invited back in 2016 but left the university again in 2021 after not being granted tenure, a result, he said, of being a socialist and outspoken supporter of Palestinians. West is currently running for president as an Independent after having left the Green Party recently. He is viewed in Democratic circles as a potential spoiler candidate because, in part, of his appeal to youth voters who trend more liberal in their politics. Louisiana gubernatorial candidate Shawn Wilson (D) is facing a challenging path to election amid warning signs that Democrats are not doing enough to motivate their base, including Black voters. More than a dozen candidates are running to replace term-limited Gov. John Bel Edwards (D), with six main contenders emerging from the pack. Louisiana uses an open primary system where all contenders are listed under one ballot; if no candidate receives more than half of the vote, the two top vote-getters head to a runoff. Best deals of Prime Big Deal Days BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Wilson, a former state Transportation secretary, is expected to qualify during the Saturday primary for a November runoff election with leading Republican candidate Jeff Landry. But experts are pointing to weaker polling among Black voters and limited coordination between the campaign and state party as among some of the causes for concern for Democrats in the gubernatorial race. Democratic turnout has been weak, said Louisiana-based pollster John Couvillon. Normally, early voting tends to favor Democrats, and Republicans as of Saturday night cumulatively have a plus-5 lead, added Couvillon, who typically works with Republicans. Though fewer ballots for early voting have been cast overall this election cycle compared to 2019, more Republicans than Democrats have voted so far, according to data from the Louisiana secretary of States office. Black voters make up a critical base of Democrats voting bloc in the state. But early voting numbers show Black turnout has dropped 8 percent compared to the 2019 primary. White voter turnout also declined 12 percent. Tyronne Walker, vice president for policy, strategic partnerships and development with the Louisiana Urban League, said theres no denying Black voter turnout is not where theyd like it to be. But he added that the historical barriers cannot be overlooked in discussions around voter turnout. We have to recognize that we live in a country that has had centuries of systematic, well-designed barriers that are intended to disenfranchise African Americans and other marginalized communities, and those barriers still exist, Walker said. Polling has shown Landry leading the field, with Wilson placing second. A Gray TV poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy and released in mid-September found Landry at 40 percent, Wilson at 24 percent and all others at less than 10 percent. A hypothetical runoff matchup between Landry and Wilson found the Republican attorney general at 52 percent, while Wilson received 39 percent. Landry has been buoyed by an early endorsement from the state GOP and former President Trump, in addition to a sizable cash advantage over Wilson. Wilson has received endorsements from Edwards, Democratic National Committee senior adviser Cedric Richmond and Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.), in addition to the state Democratic Party. The Republican Governors Association (RGA) Right Direction PAC has poured close to $4 million into the race targeting Landrys opponent, while the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) has spent around $500,000. Wilson has made the issue of bipartisanship and infrastructure a centerpiece of his campaign, while Landry has leaned into issues such as crime and jobs. Though strategists see a steep climb for Wilson in November, a win for the former Transportation secretary would make him the first Black elected official in the state since Reconstruction something his campaign has nodded to in at least one of its ads. Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, said this significant historical moment could have been a chance for investment from the larger Democratic Party, but instead neither the party nor other progressive donors took advantage of the opportunity. Theres really no discussion, and more importantly, very little lack of investment in voter mobilization, Albright told The Hill. That includes the party itself not putting a lot into this election, which, unfortunately, is a pattern that were seeing in Southern states in general and particularly in states that have Black candidates. Albright added that though the early voting numbers arent as high as Black Voters Matter might have hoped, Black voters have often had larger turnout in the general election than the primary. A Wilson campaign official told The Hill that the campaign has been doing voter outreach to its base, noting hes been on the airwaves in every media market, has been doing outreach in churches and has taken part in interviews on Black-owned radio shows. The person also noted that the campaign has employed surrogates including Edwards and Carter to do robocalls. Since March, Shawn Wilson has traveled more than 45,000 miles meeting with communities across Louisiana to talk about what is at stake this election, up and down the ballot, Wilson campaign manager Brandin Campbell said in a statement. His work ethic and commitment to all Louisianans has earned him the support of elected leaders, community advocates, and a strong coalition of allies who understand this is an all-hands-on-deck effort to take on Jeff Landry in the runoff and elect the most qualified slate of candidates to move Louisiana forward, he added. Some Democrats believe theyre also dealing with factors that are out of their control. is said the very setup of Louisiana elections make it difficult for voter turnout. The election is taking place in an off-year, when there is no midterm or presidential election, and on a Saturday in mid-October. Youre not talking about an incumbent thats able to use their existing name recognition to turn people out, Albright said. Shawn is many things incredibly intelligent and able but hes not necessarily a Stacey Abrams or Barack Obama type of figure that has a lot of name recognition. But education plays a big role too, Albright added. He noted that Black voters who see topics such as education, economy and reproductive health as some of the most important issues may not be aware that the Republican candidates are just as right-leaning as other well-known politicians, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Low voter turnout also comes at a time when many are worried about voter suppression. Just this week, a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana heard oral arguments to determine whether new congressional maps can be ordered by the district court. The arguments follow the cancellation of a lower courts hearing, which was expected to approve a map containing two majority-Black congressional districts. Though the maps wouldnt affect the gubernatorial election, Walker said these types of actions send a message to voters. Whenever a group of people see that policies that are enacted are harmful to them or that we have extremely gerrymandered districts that dilute their voting power, it causes people to feel that theres no point to then participate in the election process, Walker said. But some groups, like the Urban League and Black Voters Matter, have been trying to mobilize voters anyway. The latter has actually been using the cases to tell Black voters thats why their votes are so important. We try to flip that, right, to highlight these cases in order to make clear to our community that the reason all this is happening, the reason theyre trying to gerrymander us, the reason theyre trying to keep us from the polls is because they know that we have power, Albright said. If we can communicate around it correctly and inspire people and get folks to see that this is being done because of our power, we can actually further motivate and actually increase turnout, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Patient Robin Sipe found kitten Earlene after her pulmonary physician, Dr. Earl King, advised her to get a new cat smolaw11 / Getty Images A doctor writes a prescription A Virginia woman is thanking her doctor for helping her find some joy after prescribing her a new cat. Pulmonary physician Dr. Earl King at Sentara RMH Medical Center advised patient Robin Sipe to get a new cat after he noticed that she appeared very sad during a recent visit with him. Dr. King has saved my life at least three times, Sipe, who resides in Grottoes, Virginia, told local NBC affiliate WHSV. I was very, very sad. Dr. King asked me why I was so sad because he was concerned about my overall well-being. I told him I had lost my beloved pet, a cat, and I was very sad about her loss, Sipe explained. Related: Chicago Marathon Runner Sacrifices Personal Record to Help Stray Kitten at Mile 21 (Exclusive) The Virginia native was treated by Dr. King and other medical professionals for lung problems at Sentara RMH for years before her latest health issue which required a rather different solution. Id recommended that she proceed to get a new cat and I actually wrote her a prescription to get a cat, Dr. King told WHSV. He explained that cats and dogs are important for patients for comfort, for touch, for wellbeing of their cardiovascular health, lung health. Getty Images There are health benefits to owning a cat or dog Following her doctors visit, Sipe found a three-legged kitten while out picking up some produce at a farm and brought her home. Related: Meet Wisp, the Scrungly Persian Kitten Who's Made TikTok Fall in Love (Exclusive) Sipe named the kitten Earline in honor of Dr. King. He was compassionate, he was caring, he went the extra mile for me, she continued. And I hope that everyone can have a doctor in their life just like Dr. King. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to WHSV, Earlene lost most of one of her front paws in an injury shortly after she was born. I live here alone and shes a lot of company to me, she likes to play I like to play, Sipe spoke about her close bond with the kitten to the station. We do great, we love each other, we respect each other. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Martin Scorsese knows our binge-watching habits, so he has faith that audiences will sit through his new three-and-a-half-hour movie, Killers of the Flower Moon. People say its three hours, but come on, the director, 80, told The Hindustan Times in an interview published on Monday, October 9. You can sit in front of the TV and watch something for five hours. Also, there are many people who watch theatre for 3.5 hours. There are real actors on stage, you cant get up and walk around. You give it that respect, give cinema some respect. While hes not wrong, many people will happily press play on the next episode for several hours of television they do so from the comfort of their own homes, hitting pause when necessary. Killers of the Flower Moon will eventually release on Apple TV+ after a theatrical run, which starts October 20 but Scorsese doesnt want audiences to watch the film at home. In the case of Killers of the Flower Moon, it should be seen on the big screen, he advised. Are we intending to make a blockbuster? No, were making a movie, which should watched on the big screen. Other pictures I made? Maybe not. Sometimes, its the strength of the picture too, if it plays well on a smaller screen, thats interesting. Killers could play on a small screen, but in order to truly immerse yourself, you should take out the time. Leonardo DiCaprio s Killers of the Flower Moon Movie Release Date and Everything to Know 371 Apple TV= Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese have teamed up once again for the forthcoming movie Killers of the Flower Moon, based on the 2017 nonfiction book of the same name written by David Grann. When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one [] Based on a true story, Killers of the Flower Moon is a western crime drama. Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone) fall in love amid the suspicious murders of members of the Osage Nation. The killings come right after oil was discovered underneath their land, making them rich overnight. Melinda Sue Gordon Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons also star in the epic, which was written by Eric Roth and Scorsese and based on David Granns bestselling book. Killers of the Flower Moon is just three minutes less than the runtime of his last movie, 2019s The Irishman. The Wolf of Wall Street, released in 2013, was also a three-hour event. The Oscar winner hasnt had a theatrical release come in under two hours since 1977s Mean Streets. Feature - Timothee Chalamet Chanel BTS Bleu de Chanel ad Timothee Chalamet was named the face of Bleu de Chanel in May but the campaign for the magnetic mens scent was just revealed and its directed by legendary auteur Martin Scorsese. Us Weekly got an exclusive first look at the making of the short film. Shot in New York City in April, the images [] Scorsese previously defended the 206-minute runtime of Killers of the Flower Moon in May after the length was initially confirmed. I say to the audience out there, if there is an audience for this kind of thing, Make a commitment. Your life might be enriched. This is a different kind of picture; I really think it is. Well, Ive given it to you, so hey, commit to going to a theater to see this,' Scorsese told Deadline. Spending the evening, or the afternoon with this picture, with this story, with these people, with this world that reflects on the world we are in today, more so than we might realize. The European Union told Elon Musk on Tuesday that he had 24 hours to explain plans to better counter Hamas videos on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. In a letter posted on X, E.U. Commissioner Thierry Breton said that X, which Musk bought last year, is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU. He warned of an investigation and potential penalties if Musk or the platform didnt respond. We have, from qualified sources, reports about potentially illegal content circulating on your service despite flags from relevant authorities, Breton said. A spokesperson for the European Commission, the legislative and enforcement arm of the E.U., said in an email that its concern was the proliferation of Hamas videos on the site, which violates both the Digital Services Act and its regulation against Terrorist Content Online. Content circulating online that can be associated to Hamas qualifies as terrorist content, is illegal, and needs to be removed under both DSA and TCO as the organisations are listed on the EUs terrorism list, the spokesperson said. In a statement posted on Monday, X's @safety account said the company had "taken action under our Violent and Hateful Entities Policy to remove newly created Hamas-affiliated accounts and were currently coordinating with industry peers through @GIFCT_official to try and prevent terrorist content from being distributed online." X's press team responded to an email requesting a comment with an automated reply that said, Busy now, please check back later. Hamas caught Israel off guard in an attack over the weekend, which resulted in hundreds of civilians dead. False and misleading information about the attacks has spread widely across social media, but particularly on X, where users who pay to be verified get algorithmic boosts and seem to face little to no consequence for lying, sharing fake footage, or reusing old or virtual footage that they claim is new footage of the conflict. Under Musks ownership, the company has also repeatedly made cuts to its trust and safety teams. One coordinated propaganda campaign on X falsely captioned videos of Russian officials saying that U.S. support for Israel would lead them to give military support to Palestine to escalate. It has received millions of views and many of its accounts are still visible. Public media and civil society organisations widely report instances of fake and manipulated images and facts circulating on your platform in the EU, such as repurposed old images of unrelated armed conflicts or military footage that actually originated from video games. This appears to be manifestly false or misleading information, Breton said in the open letter. PUERTO VALLARTA (Reuters) -Hurricane Lidia plowed into Mexico's Pacific coast at the beach town of Las Penitas on Tuesday evening as a powerful Category 4 storm, killing at least one person as resorts hunkered down to shelter from lashing rain, powerful wind and flooding. Authorities in the state of Nayarit said a person was killed when a tree fell on the van he was driving north of the major tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta. In Puerto Vallarta, residents boarded up windows and dragged sacks of sand from the beach to reinforce flood barriers on their storefronts, and the airport said it would shut down until 8 a.m. (1400 GMT) on Wednesday. The city's streets were empty by nightfall, as strong winds hurled water across its palm-lined promenade and shook buildings. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lidia was of "extremely dangerous" strength and blowing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph) in the state of Jalisco. "I urge people living between Nayarit and Jalisco, especially in Bahia de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta and Tomatlan, to take precautions," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, telling people to stay away from low-lying areas, rivers and slopes. Social media videos showed heavy rain as far as the inland city of Guadalajara. Some people reported fallen trees blocking roads and rivers threatening to burst their banks. The Miami-based NHC said Lidia was moving east-northeast at 16 mph (26 kph) and should weaken quickly as it barrels inland. A hurricane warning is in effect from the Islas Marias to the inland town of El Roblito in Nayarit state to the port city of Manzanillo, while tropical storm conditions could extend as far as Michoacan state and southern parts of Sinaloa. Lidia is expected to dump up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain, though some areas could see up to 12 inches through Wednesday, the NHC said. Farther south, Tropical Storm Max killed two people and injured at least two in the state of Guerrero, according to media reports. Lidia comes eight years after Patricia, a Category 5 hurricane - the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale - struck close to Puerto Vallarta with winds that tore down trees, moved cars and forced thousands of people to flee from their homes. (Reporting by Cristian Ruano in Puerto Vallarta and Raul Cortes, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford and Sarah Morland in Mexico City; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Stephen Coates, Sandra Maler and Sonali Paul) THERE ARE lots of ways to measure Chinas rise. It is the worlds second-biggest economy, its biggest manufacturer and its biggest creditor. In 2021 it passed another milestone. That year, for the first time, Chinese scientists published more papers than their counterparts in America or the European Union (see chart 1). It is not just the quantity that is improving. The Nature Index, run by the publishers of the journal of the same name, tracks contributions to the worlds best-regarded health and natural-sciences journals. Chinese researchers rank first in the natural sciences, and second overall. Cause for celebration, no doubt, in Beijing. In Washington, though, the news may have been less welcome. America increasingly dismayed by Chinas riseand especially its growing scientific and technological prowess. Under Donald Trump, the previous Republican president, and Joe Biden, the current Democratic one, it has imposed tariffs, rules and subsidies designed to hobble Chinas high-tech firms while boosting its own. China has retaliated, moving against some big American tech companies. Twenty years ago, politicians endorsed globalisation and free trade. Now decoupling, national security and friend-shoring are the hot topics. Conscious uncoupling Academia is not immune. New rules and chilly politics in both countries are making it harder for researchers to collaborate. In August America agreed on a temporary, six-month extension for a landmark scientific co-operation agreement signed in 1979. Several American politicians want the deal scrapped entirely, claiming in an open letter that, by collaborating with Chinese researchers, America was fuelling its own destruction. The strains can be seen in the figures. In 2020 the number of papers jointly written by American and Chinese researchers fell for the first time. It fell again the following year, the most recent for which data are available, though it is still rising for some other countries, such as Britain. The number of visas America awards to Chinese students and academics is down as well, to around a third of its peak in 2015 (see chart 2). Scientifically as well as politically, the countries are drawing apart. The Science and Technology Agreement, as the 1979 pact is called, was the first bilateral treaty signed between America and China after they re-established diplomatic relations. Several landmark studies have come under its umbrella. A long-running project following 285,000 Chinese women, begun in 1983, helped demonstrate that folic acid could prevent spina bifida, a rare birth defect. These days folic acid is added to flour, bread, cereal and other staple foods; pregnant women are encouraged to take more. Co-operation in influenza research helps anticipate which strains of flu are likely to be dominant each year, improving vaccines. Even superpower rivals can agree that medical research is a good thing. But Chinas advances in other areas of science, such as computing, materials science and AI, have made American policymakers uneasy. Critics argue that science in China has benefited from American academic transparency and know-howbut that China has not always returned the favour. Doubters also point to Chinas policy of civil-military fusion, in which the fruits of civilian research are scrutinised for any useful military applications. China retorts that Americas worries about national security have led to the unfair targeting of Chinese researchers at American universities. One frequent target of complaint is the Department of Justices China Initiative, which ran between 2018 and 2022 and was designed to investigate alleged instances of Chinese technological espionage. But cases seem to have been thin on the ground. The initiative investigated at least 150 academics of Chinese origin, but managed to secure only a handful of convictions. Some were for less offences such as grant fraud. Some of the investigations have become very public fiascos, as with the case of Gang Chen, a well regarded mechanical engineer of Chinese origin who is now at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr Chen was arrested in 2021. He spent a year on academic leave before all the charges against him were dropped. Other researchers have been sacked by their universities and found themselves on no-fly lists. Academics say the initiative led to an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust. China, meanwhile, has national-security concerns of its own, which can likewise impede co-operation. Rules introduced in recent years all but prohibit the export of many different kinds of data. Officials have banned the collection of genomic data by non-Chinese entities, for instance. Foreign social-science researchers are rarely given access to economic and social surveys without a friend in the government. The rules are vague, leaving even researchers keen to work with colleagues overseas unsure what they are allowed to share. A cooling of ties will make life harder for both sides. Chinese academics will find it harder to get experience in American universities, which still dominate the world rankings in almost every subject. And because China is now a scientific power in its own right, with cutting-edge researchers in several fields, American science will suffer, too. The benefits of collaboration are significant, and benefit American institutions slightly more than Chinese ones, says Jonathan Adams, who tracks academic information at Clarivate, a data provider. A study published in 2020 by Jenny Lee and John Haupt at the University of Arizona, found that, when papers co-written with Chinese scientists were excluded, the number of American publications in science and engineering fell slightly between 2014 and 2018. Give me your brainy masses Americas scientific pre-eminence has been built at least partly on its ability to attract the worlds best. Before the pandemic around 16% of graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at American universities were Chinese. The grad students of today often become the professors of tomorrow. Like Dr Chen, many Chinese students choose to stay in America after completing their degrees. That is something Americas leaders should be keen to encourage. Curious about the world? To enjoy our mind-expanding science coverage, sign up to Simply Science, 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/science-and-technology/2023/10/11/american-and-chinese-scientists-are-decoupling-too Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the number of school districts involved in the lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency. A Travis County state civil court heard arguments Tuesday from dozens of Texas school districts including Del Valle, Pflugerville, Hays and Leander that have filed a lawsuit against state Education Commissioner Mike Morath over a planned revision to Texas' academic rating system for districts and campuses. According to recent court filings, 57 school districts have signed on as plaintiffs and 59 have signed on as intervenors. The system will use a new formula to assign schools and districts A through F grades. The districts say that the Texas Education Agency plans to unfairly apply new standards to the prior school year. Their schools, they say, might receive lower ratings even though student performance has improved. In the suit, the school districts allege that Morath has acted beyond his authority as education commissioner and, thus, that the proposed changes are unlawful. In a lawsuit, school districts allege that Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has acted beyond his authority and, thus, that the proposed changes to Texas' academic rating system for districts and campuses are unlawful. The districts hope that state District Judge Catherine Mauzy will grant them a temporary injunction, which would prevent the commissioner from releasing the scores from the previous school year. The Texas attorney generals office is expected to file a response to the plea in the next week. More: Several Texas school districts sue education commissioner over changes to A-F ratings In court, lawyers said the scores would not be released until November. A ruling on the injunction is expected before then. The new ratings were due for release in September, but the Texas Education Agency pushed back the release, citing the need for more time to recalculate scores. The A-F ratings are based in large part on how students do on the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR tests. Students received their individual scores this summer and districts have data on how their students performed, but how those results translate into an A-F rating remains unclear. Assistant Attorney General Heather Dyer, who argued on behalf of Morath on Tuesday, claimed the districts did not sufficiently prove the commissioner had acted unlawfully. Lawyers for the school districts called the superintendents of the Kingsville, Leander, Waco and Spring Branch districts to testify. The superintendents testified that adequate information about proposed changes to the evaluation system had not come with enough notice and would result in lower scores. This, they said, would broadly affect school districts as parents could respond to low ratings by withdrawing their children. In his opening statement, David Campbell, who is representing some school districts, said the school districts believe in accountability and are only asking that the state be fair and transparent in its standards. More: Texas education commissioner names two monitors over Austin ISD special education program Another lawyer representing the school districts, John David Thompson, argued that the students most impacted by the proposed changes would be the most vulnerable ones. He pointed out that the state had not met its own deadlines for setting standards. The Texas Education Agency has not released its finalized 2023 Accountability Manual, which delineates how district and campus ratings will be calculated. In preliminary documents, the agency had proposed higher cut scores on standardized tests raising thresholds of performance categories such as meets grade level. The agency also discussed changes to the process of assessing postsecondary education readiness. The A-F scores are calculated based on how students performed on STAAR; how much students' performance grew; how well districts closed gaps between different student groups; and graduates' readiness for college, careers or the military. Districts worry the state's higher standards and new system will drop their rankings across the board. The rankings can affect public perception of a school, and districts with campuses that fail for multiple years face strict sanctions from the TEA. The most severe of these sanctions is a district takeover, such as what happened this year in Houston. Two supervisors from the TEA testified in support of Morath, who was not in court Tuesday. Iris Tian, TEA assistant commissioner of assessment and accountability, said the process of refreshing the states methods of evaluating schools had been careful and gradual. She described a five-year cycle, in which changes would come all at once and remain the same for five years. She testified that the changes were necessary to continuously improve statewide education. Raising the expectations was necessary to see growth in schools, Tian said. Schools and Texas politics: Texas Senate panel advances school choice, education funding bills to full chamber Megha Kansra, assistant commissioner of district planning and supports, testified that an injunction would delay the agencys ability to distribute federal funding to low-performing schools. She said the TEA relied on ratings to identify the schools that most needed resources. The injunction, she said, opens up questions about whether or when those funds will be released. In their testimony, superintendents from some of the school districts in the lawsuit described how the changes would hurt their students. Cecilia Reynolds-Perez, superintendent of the Kingsville district, described her professional experience working in schools with unacceptable ratings and turning them around. She said low ratings led to lower enrollment. She also said that in the past, when the state had changed its standards, it instituted a hold harmless year. During that year, ratings would not be released, giving districts a chance to adjust to the new expectations. Bruce Gearing, the Leander school superintendent, said the changes came at a time when public education feels under attack, and school leaders are having trouble recruiting and retaining teachers. Susan Kincannon, superintendent of the Waco district, reiterated that low ratings affect teacher morale. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Court hears arguments in lawsuit over changes to Texas' rating system As the days drag on since Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel, pressure is building for the U.S. and Israel to help the scores of hostages believed to be held by Hamas across Gaza -- but both countries appear to have limited and very difficult options. President Joe Biden confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Americans are among the hostages and that 14 Americans were killed in the fighting in Israel. "We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas," Biden said at the White House. "I've directed my team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts because as president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world." A special edition of "20/20" at 10 p.m., Wed., Oct. 11, on ABC looks at life under threat in Israel and Gaza and how this attack is different from what weve seen in this region in the past. National security adviser Jake Sullivan alluded to the possibility of hostage negotiations, saying Biden "has proven in country after country his willingness to go further than any other president has gone before to secure the release and bring those people home. He is going to try to do that in this case as well." Twenty or more Americans are still unaccounted for, Sullivan told reporters, detailing for the first time the number of Americans still missing. Sullivan stressed, however, that does not mean that all 20 or more are being held hostage by Hamas. "We do not know about their condition, and we cannot confirm a precise number of American citizens," Sullivan said of the hostages. Asked by ABC News' Mary Bruce about whether the administration has reached out to families who have lost loved ones or who may be unaccounted for, Sullivan confirmed, "We have in fact updated the families of the unaccounted for Americans that we know of." "If there are Americans for some reason who have not been reached out to, that would be remedied immediately because Secretary Blinken, President Biden, everybody in the U.S. government is making this the highest priority. So we are in very regular contact with every family who has someone either missing or unaccounted for, and anyone who is not on that list for whatever reason, we will take care of that. That will be our highest priority," he added. The president has not spoken with the families of the 14 Americans killed, but the State Department has been in constant contact with their families, Sullivan said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also travel to Israel this week "to engage our Israeli partner directly" regarding "how we can continue to best support them in their fight against the terrorist who launched these horrific attacks," according to State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller. The U.S. has ramped up its efforts to identify American citizens who may be among the 100 to 150 hostages Israel's ambassador to the United Nations estimates are being held by Hamas, according to one official. Due to the dynamic situation and lack of visibility inside Gaza, the administration still can't say how many Americans may be detained. PHOTO: American-Israeli families whose loved ones are missing and believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza speak at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Debbie Hill/UPI via Shutterstock) U.S. officials are somewhat reluctant to shine a spotlight on any American who may have been captured for fear that they could be singled out by Hamas. But in private conversations aimed at encouraging allies in the Middle East to use their leverage over Hamas to push for the detainees' release held prior to Biden's Tuesday press conference, they stressed that Americans were almost certainly among the hostages, making this a matter of utmost importance for the U.S. While the U.S. has also offered intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support to Israel's special operations forces, critics of the administration like former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have called for a more direct approach. However, the sheer scale of the current situation would demand nothing short of large-scale military operation, according to one official, and although circumstances could quickly change, the administration doesn't currently assess that a targeted rescue mission is feasible. For its part, Israel has made no secret of its preparations for a ground assault on Gaza, and sources say the administration doesn't anticipate that Israel will wait on a resolution for the hostage situation before launching the operation if it ultimately decides to carry it out. And despite prior prisoner swaps and reports that various countries are acting as "intermediaries," there are no indications that Israel is open to negotiating with Hamas. While the hostages will remain a primary focus for administration, U.S. officials are clear-eyed about the stiff odds facing any efforts to resolve the crisis, especially given that Hamas appears to have very to gain from freeing the prisoners. "Hamas probably sees more value in holding on to hostages than in releasing them, and Hamas seems to be more value in harming hostages than in not hurting them," said Dr. Nancy Zarse, a forensic psychologistic and former FBI contractor for the bureau's the unit dedicated to countering violent extremism. "The picture for negotiation is bleak." Despite this, Zarse says there are some reasons for optimism, including what for now appears be Hamas stopping short of fulfilling its promise to execute hostages in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes. "If we have negotiated past that deadline, and Hamas has not killed a hostage in response to that threat, that's a good sign -- that's a sign we are making some progress in our negotiations," she said. But if those negotiations fail and Israel resorts to a ground incursion, Dr. Jon Alterman, the director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Middle East program and co-director of its commission on hostage taking and wrongful detention, said the presence of hostages is likely to complicate the operation significantly. "Israel is extremely sensitive to hostage taking, and in the past it has traded more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a single Israeli soldier," Alterman said. "It has never faced a situation where the numbers are so large, includ[ing] civilians and soldiers alike, and may be dispersed among multiple sites. Israeli efforts to free the hostages militarily could result in the death of many." ABC News' Mary Bruce, Morgan Winsor and Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Hamas' hostages: What could happen next? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Washington Republican lawmakers on Wednesday selected Majority Leader Steve Scalise as their nominee for speaker of the House, teeing up the election to fill the seat left vacant after the historic ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy last week. Scalise defeated Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan, a conservative firebrand, in the race for the gavel by a vote of 113 to 99, according to Rep. Darrell Issa of California. House Republicans met behind closed doors to choose their nominee. Scalise will still need to secure 217 votes from the full House in order to take the helm of the lower chamber, and Republicans who voted for Jordan to become the nominee are under no obligation to vote for Scalise. Some GOP members said there could be a vote on the House floor as soon as Wednesday afternoon, though others objected to rushing to a vote so soon after the internal meeting. The House reconvened at 3 p.m. and immediately went into recess. McCarthy was removed in an historic vote last week, setting up the head-to-head battle between Scalise and Jordan for the gavel. The House has been at a standstill since the unprecedented vote that left the speaker post vacant, though the attacks in Israel have lent urgency to filling the role. "We have a lot of work to do, not just in the House for the people of this country, but we see how dangerous of a world it is and how things can change so quickly," Scalise told reporters after the closed-door election. He indicated that the House should move swiftly in formally electing a speaker given the war in Israel, adding, "We need to make sure we're sending a message to people all throughout the world that the House is open and doing the people's business." Scalise said that if he takes the helm as speaker, the House will first take up a resolution declaring U.S. support for Israel. But the next speaker will also be confronted with a fast-approaching deadline to fund the government after Congress late last month passed legislation to keep agencies operating through Nov. 17. The vote to nominate Scalise House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is seen in the Capitol Visitor Center after an all members briefing on the attack on Israel on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. / Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Republicans did not cast public votes for McCarthy's successor, and instead selected Scalise to be their nominee by secret ballot. The Louisiana Republican's nomination caps his rise throughout the ranks of GOP leadership, which included stints as majority and minority whip and majority leader, a position to which he was elected after Republicans took control of the House in November 2022. Lawmakers who emerged from a morning meeting of the Republican conference earlier Wednesday said they tabled an amendment to conference rules that would have raised the threshold required to nominate a speaker. The amendment, proposed by Reps. Chip Roy and Brian Fitzpatrick, would have required any candidate to win 217 votes the current majority since there are two vacancies before the full House takes a floor vote. Instead, Scalise only needed half of the conference's support. The rule change sought to avoid the spectacle of the multiple rounds of voting that McCarthy endured in his bid for speaker in January, which ended after four days and 15 ballots. Scalise's relatively narrow victory for his party's nomination sets up what could be another lengthy floor battle. Does Scalise have the support of enough Republicans to win? Given Republicans' slim majority, it will be difficult for Scalise to unite the GOP conference and win the gavel, given Democrats' expected unanimous opposition. Scalise met with Jordan after the nomination vote on Wednesday, and Jordan told Scalise he wouldn't encourage his supporters to vote for him. A source told CBS News that Jordan will vote for Scalise. But a number of Jordan's supporters indicated on X, formerly Twitter, that they would still be voting for him, including Roy and Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Michael Cloud. Speaker pro tempore Patrick McHenry, who has been the interim speaker since McCarthy's ouster, indicated he would give Scalise time to build support before calling a formal vote. "The speaker designee has the right to put his votes together for the floor and make sure the timing is right, so we're going to let that happen," McHenry said. "We're in an unprecedented moment. This is the fastest speaker's election in modern history." The nomination process The need to elect a new House speaker arose after Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, forced a vote to remove McCarthy last week after he reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a government shutdown with the help of House Democrats. Eight Republicans ultimately joined with all Democrats to vote to oust McCarthy. Scalise and Jordan quickly emerged as the two contenders vying for the gavel. Though Gaetz declined to announce who he would vote for in the run-up to the closed-door vote, he told reporters after he "can't wait" to vote for Scalise on the House floor. Gaetz declined to support McCarthy during the floor vote in January. "Long live Speaker Scalise," he said. The House Republican conference met privately Tuesday night for a long candidate forum and took questions from rank-and-file members. Rep. Mike Garcia, of California, estimated that between 30 and 40 Republicans asked questions of the two. Speaking on Fox News on Wednesday morning, Scalise said lawmakers "have to get the House back to work," adding there are "real things that need to be done." Without a speaker, the House has not even been able to pass a resolution condemning Hamas after this weekend's terrorist attack in Gaza. It's also unclear what authority McHenry, the speaker pro tempore, has beyond overseeing the election of a new speaker. On Tuesday night after the meeting, Garcia called both "very solid candidates" but said, "I don't know if there's going to be a speaker tomorrow morning" and "we'll see where this goes." Scalise said Tuesday night that he was "confident" that a speaker would be chosen Wednesday. The House speaker, who is second in line for the presidency, must be elected with a majority of the full House. The current threshold is 217 votes, since there are two vacancies. McCarthy, who earlier this week indicated that he was open to being restored to the speakership, said he told Republicans not to renominate him Tuesday night. No Democrat is expected to vote to support a Republican speaker, and House Democratic leaders are urging their members to vote for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for speaker. Given Republicans' slim majority and divided conference, which still includes the eight Republicans who joined all the Democrats in voting to remove McCarthy, some have proposed another rule change to make it more difficult to remove a speaker. Who is Steve Scalise? Scalise was elected to Congress in 2008 and represents Louisiana's 1st Congressional District. As the current majority leader, his ascension to speaker would set off a reshuffling of the House GOP leadership ranks, since his post would be vacant. Scalise would navigate the speakership while undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The majority leader announced this diagnosis in August and said it is "very treatable." He is expected to undergo treatment for "several months." Scalise had a near-death experience in 2017 when he was shot by a gunman during an early morning baseball practice in northern Virginia with other Republican members of Congress. He spent nearly four months in the hospital. "God already gave me another chance at life," he wrote in a letter to colleagues announcing his bid for speaker last week. "I believe we were all put here for a purpose. This next chapter won't be easy, but I know what it takes to fight and I am prepared for the battles that lie ahead. I humbly ask you for your support on this mission to be your Speaker of the House." Ellis Kim contributed to this report Doctors say RSV antibody shot for babies is still challenging to find Steve Scalise speaks after GOP selects him as House speaker nominee How Steve Scalise became GOP House speaker nominee, and why the vote is still an uphill road The United States has collected specific intelligence that suggests senior Iranian government officials were caught by surprise by Saturdays bloody attack on Israel by Hamas, according to multiple sources familiar with the intelligence. The existence of the intelligence has cast doubt on the idea that Iran was directly involved in the planning, resourcing or approving of the operation, sources said. The sources stressed that the US intelligence community is not ready to reach a full conclusion about whether Tehran was directly involved in the run-up to the attack. They continue to look for evidence of Iranian involvement, which caught both Israel and the United States by surprise. And since the attack, government officials have noted that Iran has provided longstanding and significant support for Hamas, including weapons and financing, that unquestionably contributed to Hamass ability to pull off such a massive operation. But the sources said that this intelligence which has been briefed to lawmakers on Capitol Hill has led US analysts to lean toward an initial assessment that the government of Iran did not play a direct role in the attack. Iran likely knew Hamas was planning operations against Israel, but without the precise timing or scope of what occurred, said one US official. Although Iran has long supported Hamas with material and financial support, we have not currently seen anything to suggest Iran supported or was behind the attack. But, this person cautioned, it is premature to draw any final conclusions based on what the US knows right now. We will be looking at additional intelligence in the coming weeks to inform our thinking on this issue, including whether there were at least some within their system that either had a clearer sense of what was coming or even contributed to aspects of the planning, the official said. Later on Wednesday, National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby told CNNs Jim Sciutto on Max that the US has no intelligence to suggest Iran was pre-aware or were involved in any of the planning, resourcing or even directing of the operation. Another source familiar with the intelligence told Sciutto that Iran was caught by surprise by the timing of the attack. The sources did not disclose any further details about the nature of the intelligence, which one source briefed on the information said is extremely sensitive. Some Israeli officials have been more willing to attribute direct knowledge of the attacks to Iran. A senior Israeli official who has been briefed on Israeli intelligence, told CNNs Matthew Chance Wednesday that Iran, which has provided longstanding funding and training to Hamas militants, may not have known about the exact timing of the raids from Gaza, but was certainly aware of the Hamas operation before it happened. For some US and congressional officials, the hunt for direct evidence of Iranian involvement is a distinction without a difference. I know the administration is woe to peg Iran as responsible, but I think that all roads lead to Iran, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul, a Texas Republican, told reporters following a briefing Wednesday. We certainly dont want to see this escalate, but Iran is already in this. Tehran doesnt have advisers on the ground in blockaded Gaza, according to former security officials and other regional analysts, and it doesnt command the groups activities. But Iran has for years been Hamas chief benefactor, providing it with tens of millions of dollars, weapons and components smuggled into Gaza, as well as broad technical and ideological support. One source familiar with the intelligence noted that while the group maintains operational independence from Iran making it plausible that the Iranian government may not have known about the attack in advance without Iranian support, Hamas could not exist as it does now. In other words, this person suggested, why would Tehran be any less culpable if they didnt know about the specifics of the attack in advance, given that they enable the activities of the group that carried it out? Thats why you can speak out of both sides of your mouth on this, this person said. For days, senior US officials have said publicly that they have seen no indication that Iran was directly involved in the attack, even as they have condemned Tehran as broadly complicit because of its historic support for Hamas. Were looking to acquire further intelligence, national security advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. But as I stand here today, while Iran plays this broad role sustained, deep and dark role in providing all of this support and capabilities to Hamas in terms of this particular gruesome attack on October 7, we dont currently have that information. This story has been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Matthew Chance and Jim Sciutto contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The American death toll rose to 22 and Israeli fatalities surpassed 1,200 Wednesday while desperation swept across Gaza as Tel Aviv's response to the brutal attack by Hamas left neighborhoods destroyed, homes dark and hospitals low on medical supplies. "At this time, we can confirm the deaths of at least 22 U.S. citizens," the State Department said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected." In addition, 17 Americans remain unaccounted for, the White House said. Israeli soldiers retaking communities near the Gaza border encountered streets littered with the bodies of civilians, including women and children. The Israeli health ministry said the death toll is likely to increase amid continued fighting and the discovery of more bodies in the settlements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush and destroy Hamas. Every Hamas member is a dead man, he said. Palestinian officials say more than 1,100 militants and citizens in Gaza have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded. Israeli rockets smashed into neighborhoods for a fifth day Wednesday, destroying homes and infrastructure. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territorys only power station ran out of fuel and shut down. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. The territory, home to more than 2 million Palestinians, fell into darkness after its only power station ran out of fuel Wednesday, and residents faced the grim prospect of limited supplies of food and water. The U.N.s World Health Organization said supplies pre-positioned at hospitals were depleted. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers. I have removed every restriction. We will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Hamas denied targeting children and issued a statement condemning Western media for promoting the Israeli occupations propaganda, which is full of lies and fabrications, as an attempt to cover up the crimes and massacres committed by the Israeli occupation around the clock." An IDF Artillery solider covers his ears as a shell is fired towards Gaza on October 11, 2023 near Netivot, Israel. Israel has sealed off Gaza and conducted airstrikes on Palestinian territory after an attack by Hamas killed hundreds and took more than 100 hostages. On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza by land, sea, and air, killing over 700 people and wounding more than 2000. Israeli soldiers and civilians have also been taken hostage by Hamas and moved into Gaza. The attack prompted a declaration of war by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel-Hamas War newsletter: Sign up to get the latest news and analysis from USA TODAY into your inbox. Developments: In the Beeri kibbutz near Gaza, where Hamas fighters killed more than 100 residents, Major General Itai Veruv said the military found evidence of militants cutting the throats of bound captives, lining up children and killing them and packing 15 teenage girls in a room before throwing a grenade inside. Key Iranian leaders had no advanced warning that Hamas would attack Israel, the New York Times reports, citing U.S. intelligence officials it did not name. The information supports previous Biden administration statements that there was no indication Iran was involved in the attack. An estimated 260,000 people have fled their Gaza homes, most taking shelter into packed U.N. schools. Israeli forces exchanged gunfire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria amid concerns of an expanded regional conflict. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed to have killed and wounded troops, which the Israelis did not confirm. Family's painful tale: An American mom, 67, spent her life advocating for Palestinian rights. Then, Hamas came for her. State Department updates travel advisory to Israel, West Bank The State Department upgraded its travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 on Wednesday, advising U.S. citizens to "reconsider travel." The department kept its advisory for Gaza at the departments highest level, Level 4, warning citizens "do not travel." The State Department said some areas have increased risk and cited the possibility of attacks in public areas, including tourist locations, transportation hubs, and local government facilities. "Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning," the travel advisory states. "There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning." According to a department spokesperson, State Department teams are providing assistance and are in constant communication with U.S. citizens who are trying to return to the United States. The department advised citizens to take commercial flights that "involve transiting a third country if they are unable to book a direct flight to the United States." "We are acutely aware of the currently limited capacity on commercial flights and the high demand from U.S. citizens wanting to depart," the department spokesperson said. "In order to meet high demand for flights, we are also exploring other contract options by air, land, and sea to nearby countries." Francesca Chambers, Thao Nguyen Some are choosing to leave U.S. to fight On Sunday morning, Logan walked into a Fort Myers-based temple and told Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz that he was leaving for Israel to join in the fight against Hamas. Im going, Logan told Minkowicz. He was holding his tefillin in his hands, leather wraps inscribed with verses of the Torah. Logan had come to the temple to pray one last time, and to tell Minkowicz what he had decided. Minkowicz, who leads Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida, has been working to counsel those distraught by the attack. Many in his congregation have lived in Israel or have family there, sheltering in bunkers or joining the army. A number of them feel adrift, terrified for their loved ones abroad, he said. Some, like Logan, have left to join the fight. Others wish they could help protect their country and their families. But the fact that they cant is a constant source of pain and anger. Logan, who holds dual citizenship with the U.S. and Israel, is one of roughly 360,000 reservists Israel has mobilized, and could soon be deployed on a ground offensive into Gaza. When Logan FaceTimed Minkowicz for a press event Tuesday morning, gunfire could be heard in the background. The situation is very bad, Logan said via FaceTime. Were working very hard. Were training, were doing everything we can. It changes every second. Read more here. Kate Cimini, Fort Myers News-Press Israel was warned attack was coming, congressman says Israel officials were notified by neighboring Egypt that an attack was possible three days before it happened, according to a congressman with insight into such matters. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas who's the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Hamas onslaught Saturday likely resulted from a "failure of intelligence'' and that it was uncertain how both the U.S. and Israel were caught by surprise. We know that Egypt had warned the Israelis three days prior that an event like this could happen, McCaul told reporters. "We know that this had been planned perhaps as long as a year ago.'' McCaul added that "a warning was given,'' but it wasn't clear at what level of government. Netanyahu has denied having prior knowledge of the attack, calling those reports "absolutely false." Other reports indicate the information may have been passed along but never reached his desk because it lacked details. McCaul said the focus now is on keeping the conflict from expanding with the involvement of other militant groups in the region. "We're very concerned about the fidelity of our intelligence and the escalation of a conflict in the Middle East that could turn into a global Jihad movement in Israel,'' he said. US casting wide net in search for missing Americans In addition to the 22 Americans killed, 17 Americans are still missing in Israel following the Hamas attack, the White House said Wednesday and the figures could rise further. "I think we all need to steel ourselves for the very distinct possibility that these numbers will keep increasing," said John Kirby, a White House spokesman on national security matters. "We might find out that more Americans are part of the hostage pool." Kirby said the U.S. knows some of the Americans a "very small" number are being held hostage by Hamas but does not know their condition or location. He said the administration is doing "everything we can" to locate them and bring them home. "We don't know if they're all in one group or broken up into several groups. We don't know if they're being moved and with what frequency and to what locations," Kirby said. Tough to get more detail." Kirby said the U.S. is "casting the net wide" on hostage-recovery efforts, citing discussions with the Israeli government, other Middle East allies and countries such as Qatar that "that have open lines of communication with Hamas." The rising death toll is eight more than the 14 Americans who were confirmed dead Tuesday. The number of unaccounted Americans decreased from 20 to 17. Joey Garrison Second US aircraft carrier heading to Mediterranean A second U.S. aircraft carrier will be sent to the Mediterranean Sea and will be ready to help defend Israel if needed. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group will be leaving in the coming week on a long-scheduled deployment to the European Command Area, Kirby said Wednesday. "She will be deployed into the Mediterranean and will be an available asset as well as her escort vessels,'' he said. Kirby pointed out no decision has been made on whether the warship will join the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier off the coast of Israel, where it was deployed shortly after the Hamas attack. But the combination gives the U.S. a powerful presence in those waters. "Were sending a loud and clear message that the United States is ready to take action should any actor hostile towards Israel consider trying to escalate or widen this war," Kirby said. Israel announces bipartisan war Cabinet: 'Israel first of all' The Israeli government established a bipartisan war Cabinet to focus on war issues. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be joined by a leading opposition figure, former Defense Minister Benny Gantz and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. "Israel first of all," Gantz tweeted. Hamas has said it kidnapped more than 100 Israeli soldiers, men, women, children and older adults and are holding them in Gaza. The Israel government, under intense public pressure to eradicate Hamas, has mobilized 360,000 reservists and could be preparing to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, possibly within days. EU will continue to financially support Palestinians EU foreign ministers, meeting in a teleconference, agreed overwhelmingly to continue financial support for Palestinians, said Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Borrell cited a "clear distinction" between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which controls the smaller West Bank enclave. Hamas is a terrorist organization while the Palestinian Authority is an EU partner, he said. "Not all the Palestinian people are terrorists," Borrell said. "So a collective punishment against all Palestinians will be unfair and unproductive. It will be against our interests and the interest of the peace." The ministers also reiterated a long-term commitment to a political solution based on creation of a free Palestinian state. Israel has balked at any plan that would allow Palestinians to have their own military. EU warns Musk to halt war 'disinformation' on X The European Commission warned Elon Musk that X, formerly known as Twitter, could face penalties if it does not take action against "illegal content and disinformation" since Hamas' attack on Israel. A letter from Thierry Breton, European commissioner for the internal market, said the company may be non-compliant of "very precise obligations regarding content moderation" in Europe's new social media laws. The company could be fined up to 6% of its global revenue under EU rules. In response to the letter, Musk wrote on X: "Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on , so that that the public can see them." Breton replied: "You are well aware of your users and authorities reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk." Christopher Cann Son with missing mother hoping Blinken can help Secretary of State Antony Blinken will have more than officials and dignitaries waiting to meet him when he arrives Thursday in Israel. Nahar Neta, whose mother is missing, would like a word too. Neta said he has reached out to U.S. embassy officials in Tel Aviv but has had no new information or contact since he believes his mother, dual Israeli-American citizen Adrienne Neta, 66, was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Beeri on Saturday morning. He's hoping Blinken can provide updates on his mother and the 16 other Americans who remain unaccounted for. Neta said he was on the phone with Adrienne when Hamas fighters stormed in. "We heard a lot of shouting and screaming, but no shots were fired and its our belief she was taken, he said. He took an immediate flight to Israel and arrived Monday. Now he awaits Blinken. I expect the administration and secretary of state to act as responsible for the lives of the American citizens held hostage by Hamas, Neta said. Nick Penzenstadler Gaza communities devastated by 'belts of fire' Israeli aircraft and artillery are pounding Gaza towns with what Palestinians are calling "belts of fire." The term refers to intense, successive raids launched against a small target in a short period of time, the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam reports. The raids began at dawn Wednesday and continued into the day, targeting farmland, police stations, government buildings, factories and other crucial locations, the online outlet reported. Emergency vehicles have been unable to reach some of the battered areas because of the intensity of the raids. Who is Hamas leader Mohammed Deif? Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said. Deif has not been seen in public and Israeli authorities say they don't know where he is. Online hate heats up as war intensifies Groups that study online hate speech say it has spiked in recent days not just for Jewish communities but also for Palestinians. And representatives of both communities agree on one thing: U.S.-based social media companies are still not doing anywhere near enough to rid their platforms of hate against targeted groups. When it comes to serious crises like these where you're going to see the worst of the worst types of violent content, gore, incitement to violence, it's really incumbent on social media companies to coordinate across platforms, said Daniel Kelley, director of strategy and operations at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center for Tech and Society, in order to make sure that the platforms play the minimal amount of role possible in inflaming further violence. Read more here. Will Carless and Jessica Guynn Some colleges pull students from study abroad programs USA TODAY reached out to more than two dozen colleges, many with a history of having a presence in Israel or large study abroad programs, to ask how their programs have been affected by the unfolding crisis. Some schools confirmed students have safely left the area. Others said students and staff remained in the region while their institutions monitor the situation and put in place new safety protocols. A small number of schools reported that by chance this semester they have no students and faculty studying in Israel. Read more here. Zachary Schermele Americans struggle to get home from war zone At least 22 Americans have died in the onslaught and an unknown number are hostages of Hamas, the Biden administration says. The struggle to come home and the fear for loved ones left behind in the deadly war zones of Gaza and Israel is very real for many Americans as the world watches the violence abroad unfold. The U.S. citizens longing to return to America include several people from church groups, including those in Naples, Florida, visiting Jerusalem for religious reasons, Salt Lake City-based Palestinian-Americans visiting family members and New Jersey Jewish residents who were celebrating the Simchat Torah holiday. They told the USA TODAY Network their trips turned from a tranquil, joyous crusade away from home into a nightmare from which they needed to swiftly escape. Mark Schwartz, a councilman and volunteer firefighter in Teaneck, New Jersey, and his friends where among those who traveled to Israel for Simchat Torah. "I got a flight to Bulgaria and will somehow get to New Jersey," Schwartz told NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. Everyone is in a mournful mood." Read more here. Kayla Jimenez Why did Hamas attack Israel now? Hamas has vowed to annihilate Israel and for years has been responsible for numerous suicide bombings and other deadly attacks. On Saturday, about 1,000 Hamas fighters stormed across the Israeli border by land and sea in an attack that caught Israel's military off-guard. Hamas says the assault was a response to activity at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem that is the third holiest site in Islam. The site, which is also located on the holiest site for Jews who refer to it as the Temple Mount has long been a flashpoint between Israelis and Palestinians. Israeli security services routinely raid the compound. But Hamas leaders also say they were pushed to attack because of unrelenting Israeli crackdowns on militants in the West Bank, continued construction of settlements which the international community considers illegal thousands of prisoners being held in Israeli jails and Israel's blockade of Gaza. Israel countered by declaring war against Hamas and ordered its military to undertake take a "complete siege" of Gaza. Online hate surges: Why everyone is blaming social media. What is Hamas? Hamas an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, or the Islamic resistance movement was founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank by a Palestinian activist connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. The State Department designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1997. Several other nations also consider it a terrorist organization. In 2006, Hamas won parliamentary elections, and in 2007 the group violently seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, which was controlled by the rival Fatah movement that still governs the West Bank. There have been no elections since. The group calls for establishment of an Islamic Palestinian state that would replace the current state of Israel and believes in the use of violence to carry out the destruction of Israel. Hamas receives financial, material and logistical support from Iran, though so far, international leaders, including in Israel, have said there is no evidence that Iran was directly involved in Hamas attack. How large is the Gaza Strip? Gaza, or the Gaza Strip, is a densely populated Palestinian exclave of about 2.3 million people. The narrow strip of land about 150 square miles, or less than half the size of New York City is about 25 miles long and six miles wide. Gaza shares a northern and eastern border with Israel and a southwestern border with Egypt while its western side abuts the Mediterranean Sea. Who controls the Gaza Strip? Hamas won the 2006 parliamentary elections and in 2007 seized control of the Gaza Strip from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority, controlled by the rival Fatah movement, administers semi-autonomous areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Hamas has fought four wars against Israel since taking power. How did the hostilities between Israel and Palestinians start? The current war is a culmination of decades of conflict between Israel, which prides itself on its military prowess, and the Palestinian territory, which has been occupied since 1948 when Israel was founded and where Hamas rules the Gaza Strip. At the center of the conflict: Who has the right to the land? Both Jewish people and Muslims have some of their holiest sites in Jerusalem. Before Israels founding, the land was known as the Palestinian mandate, officially ruled by Great Britain. In 1947, the United Nations adopted a resolution that aimed to divide the Palestinian mandate into two states, Arab and Jewish. Large-scale migration of Jewish people to escape persecution, including by Nazis, prompted the U.N. solution. A war between Israel and its Arab neighbors surrounding its founding in 1948 led to Israeli expansion into 77% of Palestinian mandate territory, and over half the Palestinian Arab population fled or was expelled, according to the U.N. Several conflicts between Israel and Arab states in the region followed over the next decades, and peace efforts that improved relations with other nations did not solve the issue of Palestinian self-determination. Israel captured the Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has since imposed restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinians there. These are all territories sought by Palestinians for their future independent state. The war also led to a second expulsion of Palestinians, according to the U.N. Hamas rejects proposals for a two-state solution and believes in the eradication of Israel altogether through violent means. Palestinian uprisings, or intifadas, brought military clashes and protests against Israeli occupation beginning in 1987 and led to crackdowns by Israels military forces, and many were killed and injured on both sides. In 2006, Hamas won parliamentary elections, and in 2007 the group violently seized control of the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority, which was controlled by the rival Fatah movement that governs the West Bank. There have been no elections since. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war news updates: US death toll rises; did Egypt give warning? President Joe Biden has announced that the United States is "surging" additional military assistance to Israel, including missile interceptors "to replenish Iron Dome" as the air defense system struggles to fend off thousands of Hamas rockets. "We're going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens," Biden said in remarks Tuesday at the White House. A special edition of "20/20" at 10 p.m., Wed., Oct. 11, on ABC looks at life under threat in Israel and Gaza and how this attack is different from what weve seen in this region in the past. The Hamas assault on Israel began Saturday morning when the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip launched thousands of rockets at targets inside Israel, followed by a ground assault by an estimated 1,000 Hamas militants who attacked Israeli towns located close to Gaza. The initial wave of rocket attacks by Hamas was larger than any seen in recent memory in repeated military conflicts between Israel and Hamas. MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Israel readying for full-scale response The rocket attacks appeared to have at times overwhelmed Israel's Iron Dome system that, until now, has been largely successful in intercepting large numbers of rockets aimed at Israel fired by Hamas or Hezbollah, the militant group based in southern Lebanon. The combined rocket and ground attacks by Hamas have already killed more than 900 Israelis, according to Israeli health officials, and the subsequent Israeli retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza have killed more than 900 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Health Authority. Here's what to know about Israel's Iron Dome: PHOTO: Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon in southern Israel, on Oct. 8, 2023. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) What is the Iron Dome? The is the name of a missile air defense system built by Rafael, an Israeli defense contractor, that has been used by Israel for more than a decade to protect Israel's cities from short-range rockets fired by Hamas or Hezbollah. Like many modern air defense systems, an Iron Dome battery uses a sophisticated radar system to track inbound missiles that are then intercepted by Tamir missiles fired from multiple launchers attached to the radar system. Each Iron Dome battery consists of three to four launchers that can each carry up to 20 Tamir interceptor missiles. The system can bring down rockets fired from a range of two to 40 miles away. The mobile air defense system first became operational in 2011 and since then has had a very high success rate in intercepting rockets targeting Israel. MORE: Biden says US death toll rising in Israel, confirms Americans taken hostage The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has disclosed that in May, when Islamic Jihad launched a barrage of rockets towards Israel, 95.6 % of the Iron Dome interceptors launched by the system successfully destroyed incoming rockets. "Of the 1,469 Gazan rockets which were launched, only 1,139 rockets managed to cross into Israeli territory," the IDF said on its website. "The Iron Dome successfully intercepted 437 rockets, which is a 95.6% success rate of all interceptions." The IDF's information highlights the reality that an interceptor missile is not fired at every rocket that makes it into Israeli territory. Instead, based on tracking data, the system fires interceptors only if an incoming rocket poses a threat to a populated area. If not deemed to pose a threat, then the incoming rocket will land in an unpopulated area. The Iron Dome is typically located around cities or smaller populated areas that have been targeted in the past by incoming rockets. The IDF has said that Hamas fired close to 2,500 rockets in the initial first wave while Hamas claims it fired 5,000. Regardless, that number of incoming rockets is significantly larger than anything the Iron Dome has previously tracked or intercepted in a short amount of time. Part of Hamas' strategy in launching so many rockets into Israel may have been intended to take advantage of the Iron Dome's human element. While Iron Dome could likely track every incoming rocket and launch all available interceptors, those rocket batteries would eventually run out of missiles and reloaded with new batches. That scenario would mean there would be a gap in coverage while the new missiles are added. PHOTO: An Israeli firefighter kneels to compose himself after he and his colleagues extinguished cars burning after being struck by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel, Oct. 9, 2023. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) MORE: Hamas' hostages: What could happen next? Where are the extra Iron Dome missiles coming from? After President Biden announced that the U.S. is surging assistance, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House that the replenishment of some of the missile interceptors launched by the Iron Dome had already taken place. "Some of the interceptors have come out of stocks that the U.S. had in country (Israel)," said Sullivan. "So, those have gone over to the Israelis in short order and then we will be flowing in additional Iron Dome interceptors so that they have the capabilities they need to sustain their Iron Dome defense systems," he added. In August, the U.S. Marine Corps announced that it would purchase three Iron Dome batteries consisting of 44 launchers and 1,840 Tamir interceptor missiles. What is Israel's Iron Dome air defense system -- and was it overwhelmed? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A 96-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge after police in Kentucky say tried to kill his elderly wife suffering from dementia. Seymour Taffler, who lives in Berea, about 40 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky, was arrested after police said he tried to kill his 90-year-old wife on Friday, court records obtained by USA TODAY show. According to a police report, officers with Berea Police Department responded to a home for a possible domestic violence situation and met a woman who told police her father had "just snapped on her mother." The daughter told police she found her father standing over her mother "in an apparent attempt to smother her," the report shows, and she forcibly removed her father from her mother. The woman told police her father was trying to smother the victim for 15-20 minutes, police said. According to the report, the officer found the man's wife in a recliner sleeping "with blood over her nose and mouth." 'Potential tragedy' averted: 3 Florida teens arrested after texts expose school shooting plan, police say 'She was ready to die' The husband told the officer he was laying in the same room with his wife and admitted he "smoothened her with a pillow because they did not have long to live" and his wife told him multiple times "she was ready to die." The husband, the report continues, also said his wife suffered from dementia. A 96-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge after the Berea Police Department in Kentucky reported tried to kill his elderly wife suffering from dementia. The man's wife, who the report says "appeared to be extremely frightened" was taken to a hospital to be treated for her injuries, according to the report, and her husband was booked into jail on Saturday. The wife's condition was not immediately known on Wednesday. Former Colts player arrested: Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown in custody on first-degree murder charge in mother's slaying Bond set at $25,000, plea not yet entered A Madison County District Court clerk told USA TODAY on Wednesday that Taffler had not yet entered a plea in the case and was set to be arraigned on Nov. 14. The clerk said his bond was listed at $25,000 on Wednesday. It was not immediately known if Taffler had obtained an attorney. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kentucky man, 96,tried to kill wife, 90, who has dementia: Police Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Hamas militants beheaded soldiers and raped women in their attack on Israel, and he vowed that Israel would crush and destroy Hamas in response to the attack. Netanyahu said every Hamas member was a dead man. Netanyahu made the remarks in a late-night televised address on the war's fifth day as Israeli planes pounded Gaza. His claims about the beheadings had not been independently confirmed but rescue workers and witnesses had described horrific scenes. U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, and a campaign of pure cruelty. In the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, residents are facing ever-growing uncertainty after the territory's only power plant ran out of fuel and shut down Wednesday. Israel imposed what it called a complete siege on Gaza on Monday. The U.S. announced Wednesday that it is working with Egypt and Israel to open up safe corridors to get civilians out of Gaza. The war, which has claimed more than 2,300 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival Wednesday to create a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge the stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. Israel is now determined to crush the groups hold in Gaza. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have died in Israel since Saturdays incursion. In Gaza, the health ministry says 1,100 have been killed and more than 5,300 injured. The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency says more than 260,000 people have been displaced in Gaza. Here's what's happening on Day 5 of the latest Israel-Palestinian war: BIDEN SPEAKS WITH UAE PRESIDENT ABOUT HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE WASHINGTON U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed on Wednesday about ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need as the war between Israel and Hamas extends into a fifth day, the White House said. The UAE was the first Gulf country to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which saw Bahrain and Morocco also establish diplomatic ties with Israel. FAR-RIGHT PROTESTERS RIOT OUTSIDE HOSPITAL IN TEL AVIV TEL AVIV, Israel More than a hundred far-right protesters rioted outside one of the main hospitals in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night after hearing reports that doctors there were treating a militant from Hamas, according to Hagai Levine, Chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians. Protesters from La Familia a group of notoriously racist Jerusalem fans of the Beitar soccer team blocked the main entrance to the emergency room for three hours, according to videos circulated by doctors on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The ultranationalist soccer fans clashed violently with police and disrupted the passage of emergency crews into the hospital. At the time of the riot, Sheba hospital was not treating any militants from Hamas, Levine said. It's unclear if militants have been treated in Israels public hospitals since the Hamas rampage on Saturday. The protest came on the heels of a letter circulated Wednesday by Israeli health minister Moshe Arbel that barred Israels public hospitals from treating militants. Arbel wrote that injured militants should be referred to the Israeli military or Israels intelligence services. IRANIAN PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO SAUDI ARABIAN CROWN PRINCE ABOUT WAR, NEWS AGENCY SAYS JERUSALEM Iranian hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi has spoken by telephone to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time to discuss the Israel-Palestinian war, the state-run news agency reported Wednesday. IRNA cited an online message from an adviser to Raisi acknowledging a 45-minute call between the two men on Wednesday. There was no immediate acknowledgment from the kingdom. Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a Chinese-mediated detente earlier this year. BIDEN CALLS HAMAS ATTACK DEADLIEST DAY FOR JEWS SINCE HOLOCAUST WASHINGTON U.S. President Joe Biden called the Hamas attack on Israel the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, and a campaign of pure cruelty. Biden was addressing a roundtable with Jewish community leaders convened at the White House on Wednesday. This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty, not just hate, but pure cruelty, against the Jewish people, Biden said. Biden had what was at least his fourth phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. TURKEY NEGOTIATING FOR RELEASE OF HOSTAGES HELD BY HAMAS ANKARA, Turkey Turkey is holding negotiations for the release of civilian hostages held by Hamas, a Turkish official said Wednesday. The official said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had instructed Turkish officials to hold talks with Hamas for the release of the civilians. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, could not provide further details on the negotiations. Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and has frequently hosted members of the group. Turkey also recently restored full diplomatic ties with Israel after the two countries fell out following a U.S. decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. - Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser contributed to this report. UN ENVOY IN CAIRO WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO END WAR UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Mideast envoy is in Cairo working with other key regional and international partners and the Egyptian government on ending the Hamas-Israel conflict, preventing its expansion, and opening a humanitarian corridor to deliver fuel, food and water to access to Gaza which Israel has cut off. Tor Wennesland is following up on Egypts offer to facilitate humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing and to make the El Arish airport available for critical assistance, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday, stressing that opening Rafah for aid deliveries requires talks with the parties. We are working on that with a number of other parties, he said. Meanwhile, the U.N. humanitarian office reports that 263,000 people have been displaced in Gaza, a 40% increase since Tuesday, Dujarric said. And more than 1,000 housing units in Gaza have been destroyed and some 560 been severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable in the past day. MOURNERS FILL EUROPE'S LARGEST SYNAGOGUE TO REMEMBER VICTIMS BUDAPEST, Hungary Mourners filled Europes largest synagogue in Hungarys capital on Wednesday in remembrance of the hundreds of people that were killed in unprecedented attacks against Israel over the weekend by Hamas fighters. The rabbinic service and solidarity commemoration in Budapests Dohany Street Synagogue drew around 3,000 people, including the countrys president, its chief rabbi, the Catholic Primate of Hungary and the mayor of Budapest. Waving Israeli flags and lighting candles following the service, those gathered listened to the names being read aloud of some of the Israelis killed so far in the war. Some wept as the names were read. PALESTINIAN WORKERS ARRIVING IN WEST BANK FROM GAZA RAMALLAH, West Bank Palestinians who have been expelled from their workplaces in Israel have begun showing up in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where a temporary shelter was set up to house them. The sudden influx of about 600 workers created an overwhelming situation that is bound to get worse as more arrive, Ramallah Governor Laila Ghannam said Wednesday. At the shelter where men sat on mattresses, some workers said they had been abused by Israeli soldiers. We were working and everything was fine, and suddenly they came to us and detained us, said Raed Al-Moghribi. When we told them that we are from Gaza, they started beating us. The workers began arriving in Ramallah on Wednesday after Israeli security forces brought them to checkpoints in the West Bank. Khader Achour, another Gaza resident who had worked in Israel, said he wanted to return home but it had been demolished and his nephew, cousin and neighbor had all been killed. I wish to return to my family in Gaza to die among them, Achour said. Violence in the West Bank continued to flare Wednesday, with Palestinian health officials reporting that 29 Palestinians had been killed in the Israeli-occupied territory since the start of the Hamas invasion. THE DEATH TOLL OF US CITIZENS RISES TO 22 AFTER HAMAS ATTACK WASHINGTON The number of U.S. citizens who have died in the Israel-Palestinian war has risen to 22, a White House official said Wednesday. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said he did not have details on where exactly the Americans were killed. He said there are at least 17 missing, and of those a handful are believed to be held hostage. NO CLEAR SIGN THAT IRAN WAS BEHIND HAMAS ATTACK, WHITE HOUSE SAYS WASHINGTON White House National Security spokesman John Kirby reiterated Wednesday that there is no clear sign that Iran was behind the Hamas attack on Israel. We havent seen anything that tells they have specifically cut checks to support this set of attacks, or that they were involved in the training," Kirby said. "And obviously, this required quite a bit of training by these terrorists. Kirby said officials are going to continue to review the intelligence to see "if that leads us to a different conclusion. Earlier Wednesday, a U.S. official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the intelligence said information collected thus far suggests that while senior Iranian government officials were likely aware that Hamas was broadly planning operations against Israel, they appeared to be caught off-guard by the exact timing and scope of the multipronged attack carried out by Hamas militants on Saturday. - Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report. WHITE HOUSE SAYS US WORKING TO ALLOW SAFE PASSAGE OUT OF GAZA FOR CIVILIANS WASHINGTON The U.S. is in active conversations to allow for safe passage out of Gaza for civilians, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. Kirby noted that Israel and Egypt are the two most significant players in the efforts. We are having active conversations about trying to allow for that safe passage, Kirby said. Its the civilians who did nothing wrong so we want to make sure they have a way out. Kirby did not release any other details, such as whether aid groups would be able to use the safe corridors to bring in supplies. ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE CAIRO Arab foreign ministers called for an immediate cease-fire Wednesday in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza. The ministers call came in a statement released after their meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, which was called by the Palestinians to discuss the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war. The communique condemned the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of all detainees held either by Israel or the Palestinians. The ministers also called for Israel to end its siege on Gaza, and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, food and fuel to Palestinians in the enclave. BRAZIL'S FIRST REPATRIATION FLIGHT ARRIVES FROM TEL AVIV RIO DE JANEIRO Brazils first repatriation flight from Tel Aviv landed early Wednesday in the capital of Brasilia, carrying 211 nationals onboard. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there are still about 2,500 Brazilians in Israel, and five more repatriation flights expected to leave the country in coming days. After flying from Brasilia to Rio de Janeiro, Luciana Burger, a 41 year-old entrepreneur, wrapped herself in an Israeli flag and smiled widely as she shared her sense of relief. At that moment when the siren sounded, everyone ran away. Left everything and ran. At that moment, my heart tightened. It was at that time that I said Lord, I want to see my children, I want to hug my children, I want to be with them again, she said on tarmac. Maria Laura da Rocha, secretary general of foreign affairs, told reporters at Brasilias airport that 50 Brazilians were currently in Gaza. The Brazilian embassy in Cairo is in contact with Egyptian authorities to negotiate safe passage for those seeking to leave Gaza. DEATH TOLL OF UN STAFFERS IN GAZA RISES TO 11 BEIRUT The deputy director of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says 11 staffers have been killed in Gaza since Saturday. Jenifer Austin said in a statement Wednesday that the dead include five teachers at UNRWA schools, one gynecologist, one engineer, one psychological counselor and three support staff. She said some of the victims were killed in their homes with their families. UNRWA mourns this loss and is grieving with our colleagues and the families, she said. We call for the fighting to come to an end to spare more civilian lives lost." The agency told The Associated Press earlier Wednesday that nine staffers had died since the attacks began. NETANYAHU AND OPPOSITION AGREE ON UNITY GOVERNMENT, WAR CABINET AFTER HAMAS ATTACK A top opposition Israeli politician says he has reached an agreement to enter a wartime unity government with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff, released what he said was a joint statement with Netanyahu. The statement said they would form a five-member war-management Cabinet. It will consist of Netanyahu, Gantz, current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and two other top officials serving as observer members. It said the government would not pass any legislation or decisions that are not connected to the war as long as the fighting continues. It was not immediately clear what would happen to Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. PROMINENT MOSQUE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO WAR CRIMES BY ISRAEL CAIRO Al-Azhar al-Sharif, the Sunni worlds foremost seat of religious learning, on Wednesday called for an international investigation into allegations of war crimes by Israel against civilian Palestinians in Gaza. In a strongly worded statement, the Cairo-based religious institution called for Arab and Islamic countries to take a serious and unified position against the Wests inhuman rally behind Israels attacks against innocent Palestinian civilians. It said Israels inhuman siege, which included cutting off electricity and water, and preventing the delivery of food and humanitarian aid to the strip, is a genocide and war crimes. Authorities in Arizona have identified the remains of a California man found dead four decades ago in a vast desert area along Route 66. Advanced DNA testing allowed the Mohave County Sheriff's Office to conclude that the remains were those of Virgil R. Renner, who was found in September 1982 in a rural area outside of Kingman in northwest Arizona. When sheriff's deputies were called to the scene that day, they recovered the remains alongside a scattering of belongings, the Mohave County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday in a news release on Facebook. Those belongings included a plastic hair comb, a rusty can opener, rusty fingernail clippers, a toothbrush, a tattered short-sleeve shirt, leather belt fragments, remnants of denim pants, and a single argyle sock. 'Anointed liquidator': How Florida man's Home Depot theft ring led to $1.4M loss, prosecutors say Man's body remained unidentified in Tucson for decades The body was later taken to the medical examiners office in Tucson where an autopsy determined that the man, who they were not able to identify at the time, had died between 1979 and 1981 around the age of 55. The cause of death could not be determined, the sheriff's office said. Several attempts to identify Renner were unsuccessful his identity unknown and his remains unclaimed for decades in the Tucson medical examiner's office, according to the news release. In 2020, a special investigations unit brought the remains back to the Mohave County, where a DNA sample was collected in 2023 and sent to a genetic laboratory in Texas. That laboratory, Othram Inc., was able to identify Renner using advanced DNA testing, forensic-grade genome sequencing and forensic genetic genealogy, the sheriff's office said. Ex-NFL player: Sergio Brown in custody on first-degree murder charge in mother's slaying Renner's life and death still shrouded in mystery Not much is known about Renner or his life. The man left his California home in the 1970s in Humboldt County to search for gold in Nevada, but it's unclear how or why he made his way to Arizona. Renner never married and never had any children, but the sheriff's office said he did have a brother and sister, who are long since dead. However, distant relatives helped scientists develop a DNA profile that led to Renner's identity being learned. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: California man found dead in 80s in Arizona desert ID'd: Virgil Renner Attorneys for MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell want to quit his defamation case due to not receiving any payment from Lindell or MyPillow. Attorneys representing Lindell are asking the courts for permission to quit his case according to court documents. Lindell faces a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit by voting machine companies Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems. Attorney Andrew Parker claims that Lindell owes them millions of dollars he cannot pay back. Lindell spoke to the Associated Press and confirmed that he does not have enough money to pay the lawyers and understands why they are dropping the case. Parker wrote to the court that he and his firm cannot afford to represent MyPillow through the rest of the litigation. Parker claims that this would put the firm at a substantial financial risk. Parker wrote in his fillings that Lindell paid the firm through the end of 2022. However, according to Parker, the payments slowed down in 2023 when fees for litigation increased. In May, the firm received payments over 60 days late and the payment did not meet the total of bills due. In July and August, no payments were made at all. Lindell and MyPillow were warned by Parker and his firm, Parker Daniels Kibort, that they would have to quit their case if payment was not made. Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and a candidate for the Republican Party chair looks on after GOP Chair Ronna McDaniel was re-elected during the 2023 Republican National Committee Winter Meeting in Dana Point, California, on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) MyPillow financial troubles: auctioning off hundreds of items after retailers drop product, Mike Lindell says Mike Lindell's latest financial woes Lindell has seen much financial trouble this year. Along with the lawsuit against him, many retailers like Walmart discontinued his products after he backed former President Donald Trump's claims about the 2020 election. In April, Lindell was ordered to pay $5 million to a software engineer for breaching a contract with the engineer. Lindell used data to support his claims that China helped in the 2020 elections and helped President Joe Biden win. This was all part of his "Prove Mike Wrong Challenge" at the "Cyber Symposium" in 2021 located in South Dakota. Although Mike Lindell plans not to file for bankruptcy, he admits that MyPillow has suffered dramatically. 2020 Election Supreme Court turns back effort by MyPillow CEO Lindell to toss $1.3 billion defamation suit Lindell's support for Trump's election fraud claims The company was impacted by Lindell's backing of former President Donald Trump's election fraud claims, for which he is currently fighting off a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit. Lindell has previously said that MyPillow lost $100 million after his election fraud claims, WCCO reported. His company also lost an arbitration case in April related to election fraud claims, leading to his company, Lindell LLC, being ordered to pay $5 million. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lawyers for MyPillow's Mike Lindell say they are owed millions A bicyclist was killed in Palm Desert in a crash with a deputy from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, whose headquarters are shown. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A cyclist was killed early Tuesday after a crash with an on-duty Riverside County sheriff's deputy. The deputy was driving his department-issued car at the time of the crash, which occurred near Country Club Drive and Eldorado Drive in Palm Desert, according to the Sheriff's Department. "The deputy was not operating his vehicle in an emergency response mode at the time of the collision," Lt. Christopher Ternes said in a news release. Sheriff's deputies "immediately" provided aid to the cyclist, who died at the scene, according to the release. The California Highway Patrol is investigating and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 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. President Biden at the White House on Oct. 2. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates. Whats happening In a stunning decision last week, the Biden administration said it would build nearly 20 miles of additional border wall barriers planned during the Trump administration along Texass Rio Grande Valley, an area with high illegal entry, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a notice quietly posted to the Federal Register late last Wednesday, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there is an acute and immediate need for the barriers to prevent unlawful entries into the United States. The move comes as the Biden administration struggles to manage a surge in migrant crossings at the southern border. In fact, deportations back to Venezuela have begun for individuals who have unlawfully entered the U.S. and have no legal basis to remain in the country, CBS reported last week. Amid growing criticism of the DHS notice, Mayorkas rejected the idea that there was any change in Bidens border wall policy. From day one, this Administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer, Mayorkas said in a statement last Thursday. That remains our position and our position has never wavered. Biden said his hands are tied and tried to get Congress to redirect the money that was allocated for the border wall in 2019, a signature Trump-era immigration policy Biden has denounced, but lawmakers refused. In order to expedite the border wall barrier construction, the DHS notice says it is waiving 26 federal laws, including ones to protect wildlife and the environment, drawing criticism from environmental advocates. Biden was asked by reporters last week in the Oval Office if he thought the border wall works, to which he replied, No. Why theres debate Democrats called out Biden for breaking a 2020 campaign promise made when he told NPR there will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration. When he took office in 2021, he issued a proclamation to end construction of the border wall stating that building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution. Republicans have celebrated Bidens 180 on building the wall, while saying he hasnt done enough to stop the flow of migrants across the border. Former President Donald Trump demanded an apology from Biden, while former Vice President Mike Pence called the move ironic and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said its just window dressing to pretend he cares. Many Democrats say a border wall is not a real solution to the growing flow of migrants who arrive without legal authorization. A border wall is a 14th century solution to a 21st century problem, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas said in a statement. Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York scolded the president on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: A wall does nothing to deter people who are fleeing poverty and violence from coming to the United States. Walls only serve to push migrants into more remote areas, increasing their chances of death. It is a cruel policy. But Democrats like Rep. Colin Allred, who is running for Cruzs Senate seat, support Bidens move. This is a necessary step to help Texass overwhelmed border communities deal with this current surge of migrants, Allred said. The border wall construction will take place in Starr County, home to the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which follows the Rio Grande along the rivers last 275 miles. Whats next The Trump-era law requires the funding to be used as it was approved, and the construction of the wall has to be completed in 2023. Perspectives Biden could have decided not to build the wall Theres always a choice. The administration could have left the money unspent and risk lawsuits from immigration hardliners. Elvia Diaz, Arizona Republic Biden is choosing politics over real solutions The Biden administrations decision to rush into border wall construction marks a profound failure. On the campaign trail, President Biden put it best when he said that the border wall is not a serious policy solution and we couldnt agree more. Instead of upholding this promise, the Biden administration is doubling down on the failed policies of the past that have proven wasteful and ineffective. Jonathan Blazer, director of border strategies, American Civil Liberties Union Dems need to fix the perceived contradictions around immigration We desperately need a positive, aspirational, optimistic narrative around immigration, and Democrats are the ones that should be doing it. We are the party that is for legal orderly immigration, MAGA Republicans just want to stop everyone from coming in. Thats an important distinction here. Kristian Ramos, Democratic strategist, to The Hill Biden needed to take stronger measures on immigration policy Given the high flow of people, and the political pressure from the right and left, Biden had to be more assertive on enforcement. Even his own party has been asking for strong measures. Muzaffar Chishti, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, to New York Times The wall is a start, but immigration needs to be addressed The more people you let in, the more the backlogs get created, the more the political pressure builds, and the higher the numbers. The only way you stop it is by saying you can come in, but no one else can apply, and put down the hammer. Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, to Fox 10 Phoenix Wildlife is going to suffer at the hands of this decision Its disheartening to see President Biden stoop to this level, casting aside our nations bedrock environmental laws to build ineffective wildlife-killing border walls. Starr County is home to some of the most spectacular and biologically important habitat left in Texas and now bulldozers are preparing to rip right through it. Laiken Jordahl, Southwest conservation advocate, Center for Biological Diversity SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday called for a ceasefire and an "international humanitarian intervention" in the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories so that human right violations can be put to an end. "An international humanitarian intervention is urgently needed," Lula wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "A ceasefire is urgently needed in defense of Israeli and Palestinian children." Lula said that militant Islamist group Hamas should release Israeli children "kidnapped from their families", while calling on Israel to stop bombings to allow Palestinian children and their mothers to leave the Gaza Strip and cross the border with Egypt. The leftist leader added that Brazil, which currently holds the presidency of the U.N. Security Council, would join efforts to bring the conflict to an immediate and definitive end. (Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Steven Grattan) By Nate Raymond (Reuters) -A divided federal appeals court is allowing California's ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition to remain in effect while the state appeals a judge's ruling finding it unconstitutionally violated the rights of firearms owners. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday on a 7-4 vote stayed a judge's Sept. 22 ruling finding the state's ban violated gun owners' rights to keep and bear arms under the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment. The ruling came in a long-running lawsuit by the California Rifle & Pistol Association and gun owners challenging the ban. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez in San Diego in siding with them had cited a 2022 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen, requiring that firearms restrictions be "consistent with this nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation" to pass muster. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, quickly moved to stay that decision, and on Monday, the 9th Circuit's majority agreed with Bonta that the law likely remained valid even under the conservative-majority Supreme Court's ruling. The court said that federal judges nationally had largely upheld large-capacity magazine restrictions since the Supreme Court ruled and that a decision to the contrary could threaten public safety. "If a stay is denied, California will indisputably face an influx of large-capacity magazines like those used in mass shootings in California and elsewhere," the judges, all appointees of presidents who were Democrats, wrote. Four judges appointed by Republican presidents dissented, including U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay, who called the court's attitude toward the Second Amendment in this and other cases "laughably absurd." Bonta in a statement said his office was "relieved that the court considered the public safety of Californians in its decision." Chuck Michel, the president of the California Rifle & Pistol Association, in a statement expressed disappointment and vowed to "defend the rights of gun owners in California all the way to the Supreme Court." Benitez had struck down the magazines ban once before in 2019, but the 9th Circuit overturned him in 2021. The Supreme Court vacated the appeals court ruling and ordered new proceedings consistent with the Bruen decision. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada is worried about what will happen in Gaza, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Wednesday, citing dire humanitarian conditions ahead of a potential Israeli ground assault against Hamas. Joly's comments were among the clearest expressions of concern made so far by a major western nation about the impact of an assault. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, pressed about Israel's response, on Tuesday said "I'm not here to draw red lines". Joly also said three Canadians had died and Ottawa has reports that three more are missing. Canada unequivocally condemned a Hamas assault on Saturday, in which at least 1,200 people died, said Joly. Israel has since pounded the blockaded Gaza enclave, killing 1,055 people and wounding 5,184, Palestinian officials say. "The humanitarian situation in Gaza was dire before this weekend, and this will only deteriorate the situation further ... this will get worse before it gets better," Joly told reporters. "My heart breaks for the deaths we have seen. And I share the anxiety about what will happen next," she continued, calling for a humanitarian corridor into the enclave, which Israel has sealed off. Canada is urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law and grant access and will continue to support the humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians, Joly said. "This is the longstanding position of Canada when it comes to any form of conflict, so we just continue to abide by this approach," she said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel's blockade and bombing of Gaza was a disproportionate response amounting to a "massacre". U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that "sieges" were illegal under international law. Canada is sending a team of experts to help Israel's chief hostage negotiator. Joly and senior officials declined to say whether they thought any Canadians were being held captive. More than 4,700 Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank had registered with Ottawa. Around 700 people want to be evacuated, a senior Canadian official later told reporters. Canada will soon start using two military planes to fly out citizens and permanent residents from Tel Aviv to Athens, the official said. Canada's biggest recent evacuation of citizens occurred in 2006 when it arranged for some 14,000 people to be transported out of Lebanon. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Diane Craft) Chad Daybell appeared in court for the first time since his wife Lori Vallow received a life sentence for murdering her children as a judge agreed to hear arguments for cameras at his upcoming death penalty trial. Mr Daybell remained emotionless as he appeared via video from the Fremont County Jail for a status hearing on Tuesday where Judge Steven Boyce set a date to determine whether to amend his previous camera ban that was put in place last year. His wife Lori Vallow was sentenced two months ago to life in prison for the murders of her children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, and Daybells former wife, Tammy Daybell. Mr Daybell is facing the same charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty, and could potentially face the death penalty if convicted when he stands trial in April. Both Mr Daybell and his defence attorney John Prior want cameras in the courtroom, according to a motion filed last year by Mr Prior. At the time, Mr Daybell and Vallows cases were joined and Judge Boyce denied the request. The cases were severed, and the judge is now revisiting the issue. Earlier this year, Vallows gruelling six-week trial was held at the Ada County Courthouse without cameras. Only the verdict was allowed to be live-streamed through the judges YouTube page. (Judge Steven W. Boyce livestream) While the defence is requesting cameras in the courtroom, prosecutors Lindsey Blake and Rob Wood maintained their position on Tuesday to not have cameras in the courtroom. Judge Boyce scheduled an in-person hearing on the matter for 930am on 29 November at the Fremont County Courthouse. Mr Daybells highly-anticipated trial is set to start on 1 April 2024 and is expected to last at least eight weeks. It will be held at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho after the judge granted a change of venue motion filed by Mr Daybells attorney. Vallow married Mr Daybell in November 2019 less than two weeks after his wife Tammy died of what was initially labeled as natural causes. Her body was later exhumed and it was determined she died of asphyxiation. Lori Vallow smirks in her new mug shot after being handed life without parole (Idaho Department of Corrections) The case drew nationwide attention when Vallows children went missing in September 2019. While they were still unaccounted for, Vallow was on a beach in Hawaii marrying the self-proclaimed religious leader. Nine months later, the childrens bodies were found buried in Mr Daybells backyard in June 2020. JJ, who had autism, had been smothered with a plastic bag taped over his face, his little body still dressed in a pair of red pyjamas. Tylees cause of death was impossible to establish as the teenagers dismembered, charred bones and body parts were found scattered in the ground on Mr Daybells pet cemetery. Prosecutors in Idaho accused Vallow, Mr Daybell and her brother Alex Cox of conspiring to kill people who were obstacles to Mr Daybell and Vallows relationship. Both Vallow and Mr Daybell were both charged with murder and conspiracy in the death of her children and conspiracy to kill Tammy and after three years of delays and weeks of harrowing testimony, Vallow stood trial in April and May of 2023. Chad and Tammy Daybell before her death in October 2019 (Facebook) Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow (Family handout) Vallow was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. She still faces a conspiracy to murder charge in Arizona for the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot dead by Vallows brother Alex Cox in Arizona in July 2019. She could also face charges in the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux, who was the husband of her niece. By Brad Brooks LONGMONT, Colorado (Reuters) -A Colorado prosecutor on Tuesday told jurors in closing arguments that two officers charged with manslaughter in the killing of Elijah McClain repeatedly and unreasonably assaulted the young Black man who died after a police stop in 2019. Defense attorneys, though, argued others were to blame, including medical responders and even McClain himself. They argued that prosecutors only brought the case because of political pressure following the George Floyd protests. The case is now in the hands of the jury. Prosecutor Duane Lyons told jurors the officers made no attempt to moderate their encounter with McClain as their training dictated. Officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt are charged with reckless manslaughter and second-degree assault. "They chose to see violence where there was none," Lyons said. "They chose to use violence instead of de-escalating." Lyons showed the jurors body camera footage of the "repeated assaults" police inflicted on McClain, 23. "To say this is just a tragedy would be to trivialize what happened that evening," Lyons added. "The defendants are guilty of crimes." But Don Sisson, a defense attorney for Roedema, in his closing argument portrayed McClain, who weighed 140 pounds, as violently resisting the police, saying that justified their response. He said that McClain was still alive and responsive when the officers handed control of him off to paramedics, and that the medics were solely responsible for injecting the fatal dose of ketamine. "Just because there's a tragedy does not mean there's criminality," Sisson told jurors. "You cannot use your emotion to guide your decision." In the first of three trials in the McClain case, prosecutors have argued that officers Roedema and Rosenblatt unnecessarily brutalized McClain when they stopped him and that they gave false and incomplete information to paramedics which contributed to the medical workers administering a large dose of the sedative ketamine. Defense attorneys argued it was the ketamine that killed McClain, and that paramedics were solely responsible. A revised autopsy report in September 2022 concluded McClain died from "complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint." A bystander had called 911 to report that McClain was acting suspiciously as he walked home from a convenience store on Aug. 24, 2019, in the Denver suburb of Aurora. McClain, dressed in a winter coat and face mask on a warm night, was listening to music using ear buds and dancing slightly as he walked, security videos showed. Rosenblatt, Roedema and a third Aurora police officer arrived and grabbed McClain nine seconds after confronting him, according to body camera footage showed by prosecutors. A struggle ensued. The footage does not show McClain grabbing for a gun, but Roedema can be heard yelling that McClain tried to get Rosenblatt's weapon. Harvey Steinberg, Rosenblatt's defense attorney, said during closing arguments that it was reasonable for his client to act on that warning. Prosecutors say McClain did not grab for a gun. The officers put McClain in a "carotid" chokehold at least twice and held him down for 15 minutes until medics arrived. The episode initially received little media attention. The case gained more notice following the May 2020 killing of Floyd, a Black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police. Floyd's death sparked international outrage and fueled protests against racial injustice and police brutality. In the wake of the protests, Colorado Governor Jared Polis ordered the state's attorney general to review the case. Charges were eventually brought in late 2021. Roedema and Rosenblatt did not take the stand during a joint trial that opened Sept. 20. Roedema was suspended from the Aurora police pending the outcome of the case, while Rosenblatt was dismissed. The manslaughter trial for the third officer, Nathan Woodyard, is set to open on Friday. Two paramedics are expected to face trial next month. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Longmont, ColoradoEditing by Donna Bryson, Josie Kao and Lisa Shumaker) Sarah Strent, president of Chabad at Penn State, stood in front of the hundreds of people gathered on Old Main lawn Tuesday night and spoke about the pain theyve all shared over the past few days. The Jewish people, my people, our people are at war, she said. About 300 people gathered to pray and show support for the people of Israel following the attacks by Hamas on Saturday. The resulting conflict has left more than 1,000 Israelis and 870 Palestinians dead, according to NBC News. Tuesday nights event was a collaboration between Penn State and the State College borough. Hundreds of Penn State students and community members gathered outside of Old Main to pray and show support for Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Strent said the events from the weekend sent a shock wave through the Jewish community, but the outpouring of support by the State College community made her hopeful. We do more mitzvah, hanging mezuzahs and attending Shabbat dinners, educate our peers in a respectful way and continue to be a strong Jewish community and show the world that we will never be stopped, she said. We will find light in the darkness, light will prevail. The 40-minute event included several speeches, prayers for Israel and the singing of the Israeli national anthem. Speakers included Penn States Executive Vice President and Provost Justin Schwartz, State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and Rabbis from Jewish campus organizations Chabad and Hillel. During the event, Schwartz spoke about the pain felt by the Jewish community in Israel and worldwide. We are, yet again, a community in pain... Schwartz said. Often it is the innocent civilians, the youngest and the oldest, who pay the heaviest price. Tonight we gather to remember their loss, to pray for those taken, and to show our mutual support for each other and for all communities who have been impacted by that as we grieve. Candles glow in the shape of the Star of David as Penn State students and community members gathered outside of Old Main to pray and show support for Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Throughout the night, speakers encouraged members of the Jewish community to stay strong in their faith and their community. Rabbi Hersey Gourarie urged those in the crowd to continue to take pride in their faith. Never in our history has hiding our Jewish pride accomplished anything, Gourarie said. This is a time for more light, more love, more mitzvahs, more Torah and together we will win against this darkness. On Monday, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi wrote a letter to the community about the violence that has directly affected members of the Penn State community. Hundreds of people gathered outside of Old Main to pray and show support for Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. We have students, faculty and staff who call Israel and Gaza home, and we have already been in touch with them directly to offer support, she wrote. We know others have families who live there and still many more identify with the region in some way or another ethnically, culturally or religiously. We grieve with you over this unspeakable tragedy and offer our support to those within the Penn State community who are being impacted by these events. The letter listed several services available for the Penn State community: Counseling and Psychological Services: studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling or call 814-863-0395 at University Park, or visit Commonwealth Campus location for campuses. Student Care and Advocacy supports students in crisis : studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare, 814-863-2020 or StudentCare@psu.edu. The Center for Ethical and Spiritual Development: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/spiritual Penn State Global: global.psu.edu/category/international-students For University Park student organizations that can offer support and resources, visit orgcentral.psu.edu/organizations. For campuses, visit Student Life online at each campus or visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/get-involved/student-organizations to browse by campus. Penn States Employee Assistance Program Citing witness testimony, defense attorneys for Daniel Penny asked a New York judge to dismiss the case against the former marine accused of killing a homeless street artist on a New York City subway. Penny held 30-year-old Jordan Neely in a chokehold during a May incident when Neely entered a subway car and began shouting at passengers. Neely died soon after, and the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. In a motion filed Friday, Pennys attorneys cited grand jury testimony from witnesses riding the subway during the incident, one of whom believed they were going to die, in an effort to dismiss the charges. That unnamed witness, who said they have ridden the New York subway for six years, described the moment as absolutely traumatizing, court documents say. Another witness, a mother, said she took cover behind her stroller with her son to shield themselves from Neely, who was making half-lunge movements and within half a foot of people, the documents say. A grand jury indicted Penny on charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in June even after hearing this testimony. CNN previously reported Penny told police that Neely was acting irate, prompting him to use the chokehold to subdue him. The incident between Neely, a Black man, and Penny, who is White, was partially caught on video and sparked demonstrations across New York City. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office declined to comment on the new motion but said it would be filing a response in court papers soon. Pennys next court date is set for early December. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ulko-Tammio, Finlands first phone-free island (Annika Ruohonen) We walked along the narrow wooden jetty towards the forest in deliberate silence. The sky was pastel grey, but the day felt mild. A fresh breeze skimmed off the Baltic, brushing the tops of the pine trees. Listening mindfully, I realised how incredibly satisfying I found the sound of the dry spindly needles and chunky cones crunching underfoot. I like starting nature hikes quietly, to help us become instantly connected with our surroundings, said my local nature guide, Simo Peri, tying up his shoulder-length blond hair as we walked. On his back, a pack containing a surprising number of supplies for our half-day adventure, as I would realise later. Its so easy to just start chatting or taking pictures that we dont notice whats going on around us, he explained. Seals also have incredible hearing and Im hoping well spot some. Ulko-Tammio is in the unsung Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park (Annika Ruohonen) I was in the unsung Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, a serene area in south-eastern Finland, that tourists often overlook in favour of the western archipelago. I was also fresh from a highly invigorating 45-minute RIB water taxi ride across the inky-black Baltic from Sapokka harbour at Kotka. This port and industrial city is two hours east of Helsinki, and acts as the gateway to Finlands south-east. I was on an otherworldly uninhabited island called Ulko-Tammio, 10km from the Russian border, and nearly completely covered by forest except for the shoreline. Read more on Finland travel: Its been dubbed the countrys first phone-free island, as part of a campaign to encourage visitors to put their phones away and experience it with all their senses. There are 100 islands and islets in the Eastern Gulf, but Ulko-Tammio is one of the most unspoiled and beautiful. No one has ever lived here, Simo told me later over lunch around the campfire, and thats what gives it a unique atmosphere. Its only been used as a fishermens camp and a pasture for people from other islands, like nearby Tammio. Its also easy to hike around, a habitat for rare birds. You can freely pick berries, and edible mushrooms, camp out and light fires, he said. Eventually, we emerged into the open, onto huge slabs of grey-red granite lapped by the Baltic. I felt like Id landed on another planet, or time-travelled to a prehistoric age on earth. There was no one else around. We call this rapakivi, Simo pronounced, with a pleasing Finnish roll of the letter r. What a great word, I thought, as he looked down, lightly tapping the ground with a hiking shoe-clad foot. Its so easy to just start chatting or taking pictures that we dont notice whats going on around us Simo Peri, guide I looked down too, and took in the beauty of this billion-year-old-plus geology, the bedrock of Ulko-Tammio. Here, he said, handing me a delicate, grass-like blade. I think you call them chives? Sure enough, it tasted just like a chive. Its discovery had completely distracted me from the fact we hadnt yet spotted a seal and, for that matter, the fact I hadnt touched my phone since my arrival. They know better than to hang about on rocks catching a cold, said Simo of the former. Theyre probably out diving for fish, keeping warm somewhere. My introduction to Finlands peaceful eastern archipelago had started in a glass cabin at the Santalahti Resort in Kotka the previous night. As well as hiking the paths around the resort, I spent hours at the fascinating Maritime Centre Vellamo in town, where I learned about the areas relationship to water and the weather and icebreakers. These giant vessels clear the shipping lanes in winter, and are a vestige of Finlands long tradition of shipbuilding. I dined like a local on Varissaari restaurant island, as it is known home to the Vaakku Summer Restaurant, a 10-minute ferry ride from Kotka harbour, followed by a traditional Finnish nightcap: a sundowner session in Santalahtis dreamy outdoor glass sauna, before a swift dip in the Baltic. On Ulko-Tammio, away from the shore, the island interior felt mysterious and otherworldly. The air was cool and moist, and a carpet of glistening elkhorn and reindeer lichen covered the forest floor along with, to my surprise, wild strawberries, my favourite fruit. Theyre so much smaller than Id imagined: delicate, ruby-hued miniatures of what were used to in England. Automatically, I reached for my phone but just as quickly stopped myself. Instead, I focused on savouring the unusual earthy-sweet flavour and juicy texture. Travellers are encouraged to down phones and appreciate nature tech-free (Annika Ruohonen) In contrast to Ulko-Tammios wild innocence, wartime remnants such as cannons, gun emplacements and ammunition stores are haunting reminders of its role in the Second World War as a guard post on the eastern border of Finland. Theres also an eerie 70-metre-long cave built to protect personnel, which we walked through in almost complete darkness to get to the other side. Towards the end of our loop walk in and out of the forest, at the top of the wooden bird-watching tower the highest point on the island the sun emerged in full force. From here, you get a 360-degree view across the island, and in good weather of the distant islands of Bolshoi Tyuters, Gogland and Sommer, which belong to Russia and lie just 10km away. A stroll past a traditional red hut, complete with beds and a kitchen, that visitors can stay overnight in, and were at the end of our nature walk. On Ulko-Tammio, away from the shores, the island interior felt mysterious and otherworldly You cant be unhappy if you have marshmallows, said Simo at this point, taking out all manner of snacks and cooking equipment ready for lunch: two Bialetti coffee pots, two small gas cookers, two packets of sausages, cups and plates. He sawed some wood, swiftly made a fire and served us up barbecued sausages, which we topped with Sinappi, hot Finnish mustard, squeezed from a metal tube. I used to be a chef in Helsinki, he told me, carving points on the ends of two sticks with a big knife from his leather case. One day I realised I wanted to step away from the high-pressure environment. We were cooking great food, and getting great reviews, but I knew I wanted to change things, so I started to investigate how I could work more in nature, and here I am. He stopped talking and stabbed a chunky marshmallow onto the end of a carved stick and held it over the crackling fire. The island is uninhabited, making for a tranquil visitor experience (Annika Ruohonen) My last night is spent on Kaunissaari, an inhabited island peppered with traditional red Finnish summer cabins and home to just one hotel, Hotelli Maja, open in the summer months. The island is also well known for its big bowls of salmon soup; I sampled a big pot of the steaming, delicate clear broth filled with chunks of fresh fish and flavoured with fragrant dill at the hotels restaurant and wasnt disappointed. It was the perfect meal after a cycle through the Kaunissaari forest to the lighthouse on the islands northern edge. Here, I surprised myself; after my experience on Ulko-Tammio, I didnt think once about taking a photo of the idyllic scene. Instead, I paused, breathed deep, and absorbed it without the buffer of a screen in the way. Well played Finland. Travel essentials Getting there Finnair flies from London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh to Helsinki all year round, from 166 return. Staying there Santa Glass Villa at the Santalahti Resort cost from 550 per night based on two people sharing, including breakfast and activities. Rooms at Kaunissaaren Hotelli Maja from 149, based on two people sharing. More information For more information on guided adventure nature walks around Ulko-Tammio and other areas of south-eastern Finland with Simo Peri, visit retkipiste.com Ellie Seymour was a guest of Visit Finland and Visit Kotka-Hamina. Read more of our best Europe hotel reviews By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to bolster military support for Israel following an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants that has killed more than 1,000 Israelis and prompted an intense retaliation against the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip. His promise raised questions about whether Washington can ramp up defense aid to Israel without jeopardizing aid for Ukraine, especially given Republican lawmakers' ouster of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and failure so far to name a replacement. Biden administration officials insist Washington can absolutely do both, but acknowledge there will be challenges. WHY DOES IT MATTER THAT THERE IS NO HOUSE SPEAKER? The U.S. Congress controls spending, so Biden must convince the Senate and House to pass legislation authorizing additional funding. These spending bills generally originate in the House, where the Speaker - the elected leader of the majority party - controls what legislation is put to a vote. Republicans hold a narrow 221-212 majority in the House, which made it possible for just a handful of their members to oust McCarthy last week, the first time in U.S. history this has happened. Because McCarthy's ouster was unprecedented, it is not clear whether Representative Patrick McHenry, who is serving as temporary speaker, can legally call a vote on any aid legislation. Further complicating the issue, many of the hard-right members who ousted McCarthy oppose aid to Ukraine, including Representative Jim Jordan, a frontrunner in the Speaker's race. House Republicans refused to include aid to Ukraine in a last-minute spending bill passed last month to avert a government shutdown. Support for Israel is far stronger, with Republicans closely tied to conservative Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Biden administration is considering tying a request for assistance to Ukraine to more money for Israel. HOW MUCH DO ISRAEL AND UKRAINE'S NEEDS OVERLAP? Israel is a major long-term recipient of U.S. military assistance and enjoys a steady stream of U.S. aid. The two countries agreed in 2016 on a 10-year deal with $38 billion covering annual grants to buy military equipment and a $5 billion missile defense appropriation. In the current phase of the conflict, Israel's major need is for small arms for its infantry and air defense interceptors to protect its civilian infrastructure and military command and control centers. It is unlikely Israel has burned through its small arms ammunition this early in the conflict. On the missile defense side, Israel uses the Iron Dome system, developed with U.S. backing to provide air defenses. Iron Dome is not designed to fire the same interceptor used by the U.S.-made Patriot system and other missile defense units deployed in Ukraine. Ukraine's major needs are ammunition, missile defense systems and ground vehicles as it fights to take back territory from Russian invaders who launched an offensive in February 2022. The United States has sent $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the invasion started, asking Congress for several tranches of assistance, the last one approved in December 2022. The two countries - and other recipients of weapons aid like Taiwan - would benefit if Congress approves funding to boost the permanent manufacturing capacity of U.S. defense contractors. This would also ease concerns that shipments of U.S. weapons overseas is depleting U.S. stocks at the potential risk to national security. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Biden on Tuesday said his administration had already begun sending Israel additional military assistance including interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome. He said that when Congress returns, the administration will ask lawmakers to take "urgent action to the national security requirements of our critical partners." There are a few ways that additional aid for Ukraine - and Israel - could become law. Congress could consider a standalone spending bill combining the two, along the lines of a spending request Biden made in August combining Ukraine, disaster relief and border security money. Funding for both also could be included in a larger spending bill, which Congress must pass later this year to keep the federal government open when the stopgap spending measure expires next month. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, additional reporting by Mike Stone; editing by Humeyra Pamuk and Rod Nickel) Israel Palestinians Daily Photo Gallery (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All right reserved) As the Israeli army mounted its response to the massacre of hundreds of civilians by Hamas this weekend, it sent tanks and troops not only to the scene of the atrocities, but to its northern border with Lebanon. It was a recognition, borne from experience, that an all-out offensive against Gaza is unlikely to be contained there. To Israels north lies a much more formidable foe, and ally of Hamas, the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah. Recent skirmishes on the border have heightened the possibility that Hezbollah could enter the fray and widen the conflict beyond Israels borders. The group is significantly better equipped than Hamas, with an arsenal of tens of thousands of sophisticated rockets, according to Michael Knights, a fellow at the Washington Institute and expert on Iran-backed militias. Israel says the Hamas attack involved about 1,500 commandos entering Israel: Israel has assessed that Hezbollah has a 45,000-strong regular army, he told The Independent. Hamas fired about 3,300 missiles and drones so far: Hezbollah has around 150,000 munitions ready to fire. The entry of Hezbollah into the conflict would mark a dramatic escalation in an already devastating war between Israel and Hamas, which has seen the death of more than 1,000 Israelis and 800 Palestinians as of Tuesday. Such an eventuality would ensure a regional war that would almost certainly cause massive civilian casualties in Lebanon and Israel, and potentially draw in other Iranian-backed groups throughout the region. At stake is the balance of power in a regional proxy war between rivals Israel and Iran. The Islamic Republic has spent years building a network of allied militant groups opposed to Israel, which it collectively calls the resistance. Those groups Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Houthi rebels in Yemen and various Shia militant groups in Iraq and Syria have been furnished with military training, financial support, missiles, and the ability to make their own missiles. The consequences of that alliance were demonstrated in 2006, when Hezbollah and Israel fought a 34-day war that led to the deaths of 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 157 Israelis, mostly soldiers. In that confrontation, which was sparked when Hezbollah fighters attacked an Israeli army convoy patrolling the border, killing three soldiers and taking two hostages, Israel pummelled civilian infrastructure across Lebanon, including in the capital, Beirut. Hezbollah fired more than 4,000 rockets into Israel, killing dozens of civilians. The 2006 war ended with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire in August of that year. In the aftermath, despite suffering significantly more casualties, Hezbollah claimed a strategic victory because it maintained its ability to continue firing rockets. Since then, Israel claims Hezbollah has drastically increased its stockpile of missiles, most of them unguided , which could wreak havoc across Israel. The group also gained valuable battlefield experience by sending thousands of its fighters to join Syrian government forces in that countrys civil war. (AFP via Getty Images) Anticipating that Hezbollah may be preparing for such a move, the US, Israels most staunch ally, sent an aircraft carrier strike force to the Eastern Mediterranean in what a defence official described as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and any other proxy across the region who were weighing joining the conflict, the Wall Street Journal reported. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, US president Joe Biden appeared to reinforce that signal. Although he did not mention Hezbollah by name, he issued a warning to any country, any organisation, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation. The question that now lingers over the residents of Lebanon and Israel is what precisely would initiate Hezbollahs entry into the conflict? The answer depends on a complex cat-and-mouse game played out with missiles and artillery in the restless border region. Despite intermittent skirmishes, both sides have gone to great lengths to avoid another widespread outbreak of hostilities in the intervening years. Firas Maksad, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC, told The Independent that an unwritten understanding has developed between the two sides, which determines which actions are permissible without sparking an escalation. In terms of the delicate rules of engagement between Israel and Hezbollah, I think its important to remember that the two parties have had a 40-year history of confronting each other across both sides of that border, which has also lent itself to a better understanding of each others intentions and objectives, he said. The big question here, in the coming days, is whether there is going to be room for misunderstanding and miscalculation. Tensions are definitely very high, Maksad added. And will Hezbollah flat out come to the rescue of Hamas, should Benjamin Netanyahu make good on his threat to commence a total ground invasion of Gaza? Maksad asked. My educated guess is that itll be very difficult for Hezbollah and Iran, their regional sponsor, to sit idly by and watch the Palestinian leg of the Iranian axis be dismantled. These established rules of engagement between Hezbollah and Israel have been tested in recent days. On Sunday, Hezbollah fired at three Israeli positions in the disputed Shebaa Farms area. Monday was the deadliest day on the Israel-Lebanese border since the 2006 war. Fighters from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which has a presence in Lebanon, attempted to infiltrate Israel, resulting in the death of two of its members and the killing of an Israeli officer. Hezbollah fired at two more Israel military posts near the border, and the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanons south also said a number of rockets were launched near the Lebanese city of Tyre. Hezbollah said three of its fighters were killed in Israeli shelling that came in response. An Israeli army Merkava tank blocks one of the entrances to the northern Israeli kibbutz of Misgav Am near the border with Lebanon on 10 October 2023 (AFP via Getty Images) Hezbollah maintains tight control of the border region with Israel, making it almost impossible that the actions taken by Palestinian groups in Lebanon were carried out without its approval. As Israel stepped up its bombardment of Gaza on Tuesday, another barrage of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, and Hezbollah fired a guided missile at an Israeli military vehicle. Hezbollahs aim, according to Maksad, is to dissuade Israel from carrying out a full ground invasion of Gaza. I think we can expect more of that in the coming days, he said. I think [Hezbollah] will use third parties like Palestinian militant groups on Lebanese land to have them claim these operations, but with the understanding that theyre operating with Hezbollahs approval. They will find creative ways to try and harass and deter Israel from an all out operation, Maksad said. But this delicate game of deterrence carries with it risks of an explosion. Should Israel invade Gaza, as it has promised, and Hezbollah enters the war from the north, the US may also be dragged in. The messaging is that Israel, together with the United States, might retaliate not only against Hezbollah, but also against their ally, the Syrian regime in Damascus. The message is we are going to exact revenge from Irans Palestinian arm, and should Iran and Hezbollah try to come to the rescue, we will also then destroy your Syrian arm, Maksad said. Were seeing a game of attempted mutual deterrence. Its dangerous because while both sides are arguably trying to deter each other and dont want to see a full-scale regional conflict, that kind of posturing might lead to that regional conflict that all sides dont want to see. As Israeli forces continued to count the dead from the brutal killings by Hamas on Tuesday, it intensified its bombing of Gaza, reducing a large part of Gaza Citys Rimal neighborhood to rubble overnight. Israel has imposed a strict blockade of the territory by air, land and sea for 16 years, a measure that the UN has described as collective punishment of its 2.3 million inhabitants, and which has caused a completely collapsed economy, devastated infrastructure and a barely functioning social service system. Knights, meanwhile, believes the massacre of hundreds of civilians by Hamas may alter the previously set rules of engagement. Both sides are fairly careful and have well-understood parameters that have been exercised and tested hundreds of times in real life, he said. But one aspect has changed: Israels risk acceptance and emotional state. This could lead to over-reaction and escalation. BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany wants to make it simpler and faster to deport migrants, particularly those with a criminal background, by cutting notification periods and making searches by authorities easier, according to an Interior Ministry statement on Wednesday. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser presented a draft bill that she said would improve the possibility to deport migrants without a right to stay in a large number of cases and make it legally possible to expel criminals more quickly than before. "Anyone who does not have the right to stay in Germany must leave our country," Faeser said in the statement. Politicians in Germany, once known for its open-door policy in 2015, have begun looking for ways to curb irregular migration as a way to win over voters ahead of elections next year and as the number of migrants has soared, with a 78% increase in first-time asylum requests in the first seven months of this year. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at an event of his SPD party late on Wednesday in Berlin that "far too many" migrants were currently coming to Germany. "This is a matter where the state has to show that it has things under control" and reduce the number of people coming in, he said. Under the bill, people in prison would no longer be given notice of their deportation, and detention times for people pending deportation would be extended to 28 days from 10. The deportation of people who have been sentenced to at least one year in prison would become much easier. It would also become possible to search homes for data devices and documents, especially to clarify a person's identity, as well as to enter additional spaces in shared accommodations, according to the bill. The migration draft law, which has already been discussed extensively with local authorities and German states, is due to be passed by the cabinet shortly, according to the statement. Last month, Germany introduced checks on borders with its EU peers, saying they are needed to crack down on people smugglers amid irregular arrivals increasing again. Other central and eastern EU countries have also put up border controls inside what is normally a zone of open travel. Migration, a contentious issue, has figured as a key issue in elections in European states, as the bloc is carving out a new migration pact that will overhaul rules for handling irregular arrivals. Poland and Hungary blockeda symbolic EU statement about migration in a summit in Spain last week, where out of the EU's 27 member countries, 22 agreed on how to handle irregular immigration at times of exceptionally high arrivals. Under the deal, countries such as Italy that receive many Mediterranean arrivals could speed up asylum procedures and ask for swift help from EU peers, including financial aid and relocations. Italy and Spain have voiced concern over irregular immigration increasing this year to their islands, while Greek waters in June were the site of Europe's deadliest shipwreck in years. While Poland and Hungary cannot block the new migration pact and their opposition was largely symbolic, their harsh criticism raises questions about how effectively the union can implement a deal. The EU has tightened its external borders and asylum laws since more than a million people - mostly fleeing the war in Syria - arrived across the Mediterranean in 2015. (Reporting by Miranda Murray;Additional reporting by Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke; Editing by Rachel More, Deborah Kyvrikosaios and Leslie Adler) By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A pro-Palestinian statement from Harvard University students that blamed Israel for violence engulfing the region does not speak for the educational institution as a whole or its leadership, Harvard University President Claudine Gay said on Tuesday. "Let me also state .... that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership," Gay said in a statement. Prominent Harvard University alumni on Monday denounced the pro-Palestinian statement in which a coalition of 34 Harvard student organizations said they "hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence" following decades of occupation, adding that "the apartheid regime is the only one to blame." Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' attack on Israel on Saturday left hundreds dead. It marked the worst breach of the country's defenses since the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago. Israel's embassy in Washington said the death toll from Hamas' weekend attacks had surpassed 1,000. Israel has battered Palestinians with deadly air strikes in Gaza after Hamas' attack. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 830 Palestinians have been killed and up to 4,250 wounded in Israeli air strikes on the blockaded enclave since Saturday. The enclave, only 25 miles (40 km) long by 6 miles (10 km) wide, is home to 2.3 million people who have been living under an Israeli-led blockade for 16 years, since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007. The student organizations signing the pro-Palestinian letter included Muslim and Palestinian support groups plus others named for a variety of backgrounds including the Harvard Jews for Liberation and the African American Resistance Organization. Gay and senior leadership including 15 deans have said they were "heartbroken by the death and destruction unleashed by the attack by Hamas that targeted citizens in Israel this weekend." Harvard is the most influential university in U.S. politics, having produced eight former presidents and four of the nine current Supreme Court Justices. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Sandra Maler) DeRay Mckesson | Bob Daemmrich/Polaris/Newscom During a 2016 Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest in Baton Rouge, someone picked up a rock or a piece of concrete and hurled it at police, striking an officer in the head. Although the assailant was never identified, we know it was not BLM leader DeRay Mckesson, who nevertheless faces a lawsuit that blames him for creating the circumstances that led to the officer's injuries. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit allowed that lawsuit to proceed, rejecting Mckesson's claim that it was inconsistent with the First Amendment. Mckesson, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, is now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene, and he makes a compelling case that such litigation threatens the protest rights of Americans across the political spectrum. The BLM demonstration was prompted by the July 2016 death of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man who was shot six times during a struggle with two Baton Rouge police officers. Although federal and state investigations concluded that criminal charges against the officers were not warranted, a wrongful death lawsuit by Sterling's family led to a $4.5 million settlement in 2021. The protest at the center of the civil case against Mckesson was staged outside the Baton Rouge Police Department four days after Sterling's death. The injured officer, identified as John Doe in his original complaint and as John Ford in an amended complaint filed last August, suffered jaw, head, and brain injuries. Ford argues that Mckesson is responsible for those injuries because he negligently organized a protest that he should have known was apt to result in violence based on experience with prior BLM demonstrations. According to the complaint, Mckesson also showed negligence by staging the protest in the street outside police headquarters, attempting to block traffic on a nearby highway, and failing to stop protesters from looting a convenience store, where some of them grabbed water bottles they later threw at police. In a decision last June, a divided 5th Circuit panel deemed Ford's allegations adequate to support a Louisiana tort claim and within the limits that the Supreme Court has imposed on protest leaders' civil liability. But according to dissenting Judge Don Willett, that ruling misconstrued the Court's 1982 decision in NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co., which said the First Amendment demands "precision of regulation" in addressing protests that combine constitutionally protected activity with threats or acts of violence. The 1982 case involved a largely peaceful but sometimes violent boycott of white merchants in Claiborne County, Mississippi, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People launched in 1966. Unlike Mckesson, boycott organizer Charles Evers endorsed violence, saying, "If we catch any of you going in any of them racist stores, we're gonna break your damn neck." Despite such rhetoric, the Supreme Courtwhich in 1969 had ruled that even advocacy of criminal behavior is constitutionally protected unless it is both "directed" at "producing imminent lawless action" and "likely" to do soconcluded that holding Evers civilly liable for protest-related violence would violate of the First Amendment. If that was true for Evers, Willett argued, it certainly should be true for Mckesson. "Under Claiborne, Mckesson cannot be liable for violence unless he encouraged violence," Willett wrote. "It is not enough that he encouraged or committed unlawful-but-nonviolent actions that preceded violence." Willett noted that Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights protests, including the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march, sometimes blocked traffic and sometimes were marred by violence. By the 5th Circuit's logic, he suggested, King could have been held liable for that violence, even though, like Mckesson, he did not "direct" it. Willett warned that "the novel 'negligent protest' theory of liability" endorsed by his colleagues would have a chilling effect on constitutionally protected activities and "reduce First Amendment protections for protest leaders to a phantasm, almost incapable of real-world effect." The Supreme Court has a chance to prevent that outcome by hearing Mckesson's appeal. Copyright 2023 by Creators Syndicate Inc. The post Holding Protest Leaders Liable for Others' Violence Threatens First Amendment Rights appeared first on Reason.com. By Ludwig Burger FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany's federal drug regulator on Wednesday urged pharmacies and drug distributors to be vigilant after wholesale batches of counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic were found in the country. In a statement, BfArM said it will lead the investigation, taking over from regional state authorities that were previously in charge of the probe. BfArM said there was no evidence that any fake Ozempic had been sold, but distributors and pharmacies should be on the lookout for any counterfeit versions because it cannot be ruled out that some remain in circulation. Ozempic and higher dose weight-loss drug Wegovy, which have the same active ingredient, have been in hot demand for their ability to help people shed extra weight. The ballooning demand helped Novo Nordisk become Europe's most valuable listed company, but it is scrambling to boost production to keep up with overwhelming prescription numbers. The German regulator said the packages in which the fake injection pens were found looked deceptively like the original, but the pens themselves could easily be distinguished when compared with the design of the original. BfArM said it would continue to work with police, German regional authorities, unspecified authorities abroad and with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the issue. Authorities in the region around the southwestern city of Freiburg said last week that fake Ozempic had been found but declined to provide details so as not to compromise an ongoing investigation by prosecutors. A BfArM spokesperson said the substance in the fake pens was still being analysed and that it was unclear whether the packages in which the pens were found were real or also fake. He declined to comment further. (Reporting by Ludwig BurgerEditing by Bill Berkrot) In an ink illustration, two siblings clutch their worldly possessions a few bags and suitcases bearing the label 13660. The same digits are pinned to their clothing, denoting the number their family was assigned at the detention camp they are about to enter. Elsewhere, a watercolor painting shows rows of army-style barracks in the dead of winter, detainees trudging between them through the snow. These are just two of almost 20 works by Japanese American artists incarcerated in the United States during World War II displayed in Tokyo earlier this month. As well as shining a rare light on prisoners experiences, the exhibition and its location, at the official residence of US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel was symbolic of growing calls to better acknowledge a controversial chapter in American history. A tranquil watercolor by imprisoned artist Kango Takamura depicts a winter's day at the Manzanar camp in California's Owens Valley. - Courtesy Japanese American National Museum The detention of Japanese Americans, most of whom were US citizens, was enacted by Franklin Roosevelt via executive order following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It was the largest single forced relocation in US history, with around 120,000 people of Japanese descent incarcerated around the country. While the US government formally apologized in 1988, granting $20,000 in reparations to each surviving prisoner, the trauma of that time shaped generations of Japanese and Asian Americans. For Robert T. Fujioka, vice chair of Californias Japanese American National Museum (JANM), which lent all of works in the exhibition, highlighting this history is more important than ever as racism and xenophobia toward people of Asian descent continue to surge in the wake of Covid-19. This whole racist situation has never been as bad, I think, since (World War II), he told CNN at the exhibition reception. If we dont keep telling this story, and if we dont have people hear about it, do their research and learn about it, then we might as well just lay over, he added. You have to constantly remind people what democracy is all about. An illustration from Mine Okubos graphic memoir, "Citizen 13660," depicts the artist and her brother with the only belongings they were allowed to take into the camp. - Courtesy Japanese American National Museum The artworks, some of which are now showing at the Museum of Modern Art in Wakayama, Japan, also serve to preserve disappearing first-hand memories of the camps. All the artists whose works were displayed have now passed away. Its gratifying that this exhibit is being shown in Japan by a prominent US official because it demonstrates a commitment to remembering and sharing this history outside of the US, said Alice Yang, chair of the history department at the University of California Santa Cruz, who has extensively researched the legacy of Japanese American detention and the subsequent struggle for reparations. It also draws attention to the role of artists in documenting a visual record of the camp experience, (as) cameras were not allowed, added Yang, who was not directly involved in the exhibition. Depicting incarceration The art spans a range of media, from oil paintings to pen drawings. The themes are just as diverse. Providing everyday snapshots from women doing laundry in open troughs, to men killing time with a game of cards many of the works depict people continuing life as normally as possible. Other pieces offer a glimpse into the inner lives and private turmoil of those incarcerated. Prominent artist Hisako Hibi, who moved to the US as a child before being imprisoned in California and Utah, painted several portraits of her children at the camps including Study (pictured top), which shows them sitting at desks and writing on paper. As a mother with two young children, Hibi knew all too well about the challenges these women suffered as she painted and taught painting (in the camps), Yang said. The fact that Hibi produced over 70 paintings and numerous sketches while raising two kids at Topaz (a camp containing thousands of prisoners in Utah) is remarkable in itself. Hisako Hibi's "Laundry Room" depicts everyday life in a Utah prison camp that held thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II. - Courtesy Japanese American National Museum Yang added that the collections diversity reflects the varied experiences of detainees perspectives that were overlooked by US officials at the time. For instance, Hibi and fellow artist Mine Okubos depictions of female prisoners lives, such as a lack of privacy in shared bathrooms, contrasts with government accounts that portrayed women as gold-star mothers and camp employees, Yang said. Detainees attitudes toward the war and Roosevelts executive order also varied greatly. Fujioka said his grandfather declared the United States is the greatest country in the world as he was being sent to Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas despite the fact he had tears just streaming down his face, the JANM vice chair added, describing his familys account. Visibly emotional as he spoke, Fujioka said that many of those incarcerated, including his mother, hoped their cooperation would prove their Americanness to their captors. Others pushed back against the executive order perhaps most famously Fred Korematsu, who resisted incarceration and went into hiding before being captured and imprisoned. He later sued the US government, although the Supreme Court ruled against him in 1944, an infamous decision that was eventually rejected by the same court in 2018. Vice chair of the Japanese American National Museum, Robert T. Fujioka, stood beside Henry Sugimoto's "Fresh Air Break from Fresno to Jerome Camp," a painting depicting the camp where Fujioka's own mother and grandfather were incarcerated. - Emiko Jozuka/CNN Through it all, incarcerated artists documented what they could, using whatever materials were available. One artist, Henry Sugimoto, even painted on pillowcases, bedsheets and canvas mattress covers. I think everybody realized they had to capture the moment, just to preserve the unconscionability of the whole situation, said Fujioka. They just knew there would come a time where this was important, (that) they were recording history. Preserving a legacy The location of the exhibition within the US ambassadors residence was as symbolic as the venue itself: The artworks hung in the very room where General Douglas MacArthur held his historic meeting with Emperor Hirohito after Japans surrender in 1945. It was selected for all the history thats in this (drawing room and) in this building, Ambassador Rahm Emanuel told CNN. The detention of Japanese Americans, Emanuel said, was a shameful chapter in American history. But the American story is owning that shame, being accountable for it. And part of democracy, and part of America, is learning from our past, he added. "This lovingly painted domestic scene could be anywhere but it was in an American detention camp," reads an exhibition note accompanying Tokio Ueyama's painting, "The Evacuee." - Courtesy Japanese American National Museum JANM President and CEO Ann Burroughs told CNN at the exhibition that the event offered an opportunity to educate Japanese people about this extraordinarily dark period in American history because its as much Japanese history as it is American history. The artworks also serve to highlight the difficulties the incarcerated generation faced upon release after the camps were closed. Many had lost their homes and businesses while imprisoned, leaving them little to return to. The artist Sugimoto, known for his emotive oil paintings, was practically destitute when he left camp, said Yang. Many of Sugimotos pre-detention paintings, which he had put in storage, were auctioned off during the war and he received none of the proceeds. Another detainee, Henry Fukuhara, set aside his art career upon his release, as his family tried to recover and start a business, only resuming his drawing, painting and printmaking in the 1970s. An untitled watercolor produced by artist Henry Fukuhara on the former site of the California camp in which he was incarcerated with his family during World War II. - Courtesy Japanese American National Museum Some juggled their art with more pressing responsibilities like Hibi, who single-handedly raised her two children after her husbands death by working in a garment factory, all while painting and attending art classes. Others went on to dedicate themselves to activism and community service, including the fight for reparations. The exhibited artists and their art tell you that you can never squash and turn off the human spirit, and theres an act of resilience, Ambassador Emanuel said. Theres a lesson from that, too. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com One motorcyclist is dead and another has been hospitalized after a crash Saturday night in Tarrant County, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. Deputies were dispatched to the 5400 block of Winscott Plover Road around 6 p.m. Saturday, where they found two motorcycles crashed. Both riders were taken to local hospitals, where one died. Charles Marshall Tolleson, 70, of Azle, died in the emergency room at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital due to blunt force injuries, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office. His death has been ruled an accident. The sheriffs office said investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash but they have not released any details on preliminary findings. >> BREAKING NEWS << Today's other top stories in Fort Worth: Fort Behavioral clinic closes after Star-Telegram investigation Group dressed like Nazis served at Torchy's Tacos in Fort Worth Skeletal remains found behind west Tarrant County business Get free alerts when news breaks. A fortuitous car crash led to the escape of a young teen girl escaping the clutches of an alleged kidnapper who sexually assaulted her in Hollywood, authorities said. Shane Lee Taylor, 44, of North Carolina, is charged with two counts of kidnapping a minor under 13 years old and committing sexual battery, two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim 12 to 16 years old, one count of sexual battery on a victim between 12 and 18 years old, one count of touch or strike/battery, and one count of disobeying/avoiding a red light. On Thursday, the young teen, who is between 12 and 15 years old, was walking aimlessly from her home when she ended up at a rundown CVS near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a Hollywood police arrest report read. She told detectives she was approached by Taylor who grabbed her by arm and forced her into the front passenger seat of his Hyundai SVU. He told her he was going to take her to a police station and searched on his phone for the address of the FBI building. He drove there, but the teen said he drove past it. During the drive, he asked her about what music she listened to and if she was wearing a wire, a type of surveillance device, the report said. After that, he began to frisk and touch her inappropriately and sexually. She told Taylor she did not consent but he scoffed at her, the report said. He continued driving in circles and through alleyways. Taylor continued to drive without stopping and became more physical while doing so, the report said. Suddenly, Taylor got into a car crash. The teen took the chance and ran from his car, finding safety in a Shell Gas station. She called 911 and told the operator how a stupid douchebag pedophile took her and harmed her, the report read. Taylor stayed at the scene of the crash, where a responding officer said he looked nervous and was shaking. After being detained for questioning, he was arrested. Taylor denied the accusations and told detectives, All I was trying to do was help her. Authorities also said he admitted, unprompted by detectives, to taking her to the Federal building, FBI building off of Pembroke, but they were closed. So I was taking her down here, and she made accusations and stuff, saying that she ran away five times and the police keeping putting her back with her parents. Someone with money to burn stashed a hoard of coins in a fireplace in Scotland in the late 17th century. They never returned for it. Now more than 300 years later the treasure trove has been uncovered and linked to an infamous massacre. Lucy Ankers, an archaeology student at the University of Glasgow, stumbled upon the coins during her first-ever dig in August, according to an Oct. 9 university news release. While examining a Glencoe hunting lodge associated with a 17th century Scottish clan chief, Ankers turned her attention to a grand fireplace. There, beneath a stone slab in the hearth, she found a small pot sealed with a pebble for a lid. Inside were 36 coins of varying sizes and colors. I dont think I will ever beat the feeling of seeing the coins peeking out of the dirt in the pot, Ankers said in the release. A analysis revealed the pieces, made of silver and bronze, were minted throughout Europe including in England, France, the Netherlands and the Papal States during the 1500s and 1600s. Interestingly, none of the coins were minted after the 1680s, leading archaeologists to believe they may have been connected to the 1692 Glencoe Massacre, a well-known mass killing event in the Scottish highlands. Government soldiers loyal to the king of Scotland slaughtered 38 members of Clan MacDonald, a Glencoe community, after being welcomed into their homes, according to the National Library of Scotland. Forty women and children died of exposure after their homes were burned, according to the library. The MacDonalds were targeted for their part in a 1689 uprising, according to the release. Its likely that one of them buried the pot of coins for safekeeping before the massacre. The fact that no one reclaimed the money indicates the person who deposited them may have been a victim of the mass killing. These exciting finds give us a rare glimpse of a single, dramatic event, Michael Given, a senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Glasgow, said in the release. Heres what seems an ordinary rural house, but it has a grand fireplace, impressive floor slabs, and exotic pottery imported from the Netherlands and Germany. And theyve gathered up an amazing collection of coins in a little pot and buried them under the fireplace. Further analysis of the coins, as well as other artifacts discovered at the house, is underway. 11,000-year-old human remains show evidence of cannibalism. Now experts know why Monks fled burning monastery during revolt 500 years ago. Now its ruins are unearthed Family searching for lost earring finds Viking-era burial instead, Norway photos show By Marine Strauss, Andrew Gray and Idrees Ali BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday asked NATO allies for more weapons and air defences to tide his country through another wartime winter as it braces for a barrage of Russian attacks on power stations and other infrastructure. Zelenskiy made his first visit to NATO headquarters since Russia's invasion last year, at a time when turbulence in the U.S. Congress threatens to disrupt aid for Kyiv and the world's attention is drawn to another crisis unfolding in Israel. He made explicit comparisons between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, and said Western military aid was crucial to put Moscow on the backfoot in the war. "The winter air defence is a significant part of the answer to the question of when this war will end and whether it will end justly for Ukraine," he said. "We must win the winter battle against terror and we can win it," he added at a meeting of defence ministers from NATO and some 20 other countries that give military aid to Ukraine in a U.S.-led forum known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Reiterating the West's pledge to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a new $200 million defence package for Ukraine, including air defence munitions and weapons to counter Russian drones. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Putin was "preparing once again to use winter as a weapon of war" by attacking energy infrastructure in Ukraine. "We need to prevent that, with more advanced and increased capabilities for air defence, we can make a big difference," Stoltenberg said. U.S REASSURANCE Ukraine started a counteroffensive over the summer to try to retake territory in the south and east, but has so far failed to make major breakthroughs past Russia's network of fortifications and minefields. Washington has provided $44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition since Russia's invasion but support is falling among Americans of both main political parties. Austin and Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, the new top U.S. military officer, want to reassure NATO allies and Ukraine that Washington will continue to provide support to Kyiv despite aid being held up by infighting in the U.S. Congress. But they will also have to convince allies that Washington can support Ukraine while helping Israel deal with the attacks by Hamas militants. Successive presidents have tried to reduce the United States' focus on the Middle East, but are drawn in by crises that can take away from military resources in other parts of the world. Zelenskiy sought to portray the Russian invasion and the attacks by Hamas as two sides of the same coin. "Terrorists like Putin or like Hamas seek to hold free and democratic nations as hostages and they want power," he said. "(Russia) still has enough resources to incite conflicts and turn them into full-scale tragedies and this is happening in Sahel. And it can happen even more painfully in Israel and in the Middle East." Russia has denied targeting civilians and has blamed the West for the war in Ukraine, saying it had no choice but to launch what it calls a "special military operation" there. It describes as baseless suggestions from Ukraine that Moscow is seeking to inflame the situation in the Middle East. Hamas, which calls for Israel's destruction, says its attack was justified by the plight of Gaza under a 16-year-old blockade and the deadliest Israeli crackdown for years in the occupied West Bank. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is to join NATO ministers on Thursday via videoconference to discuss the Hamas assault and its consequences. (Reporting by Marine Strauss, Andrew Gray, Idrees Ali and Sabine Siebold; Writing by Andrew Gray and Matthias Williams; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten, Andrew Cawthorne and Angus MacSwan) LONDON (Reuters) -British foreign minister James Cleverly was seen taking shelter as a siren went off during his visit to Israel on Wednesday, in a video clip posted on social media platform X by the Israeli foreign ministry. Cleverly, who is visiting Israel to show solidarity following attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, could be seen running into a building in Ofakim in southern Israel. A siren, which the ministry said warned of incoming Hamas rocket fire, rang out in the background. Britain's Foreign Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video. "I'm here in Israel today to show that the UKs support for the Israeli people is unwavering," Cleverly wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, before the video was published. Earlier on Wednesday, a British Foreign Office spokesperson said Cleverly would be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israels right to defend itself. Britain, along with its Western allies, has expressed steadfast support for Israel and condemned the attacks by Hamas. Israel formed an emergency unity government on Wednesday as it pounded the densely populated Palestinian enclave of Gaza to root out Hamas. Earlier the BBC reported seventeen British nationals, including children, were dead or missing in Israel. (Reporting by William James, writing by Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Kylie MacLellan) LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles is appalled by the "barbaric acts of terrorism" in Israel, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Wednesday, following attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. "This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated," the spokesperson said. "His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak." Israel's death toll has reached 1,200 with more than 2,700 wounded, its military has said, during the Hamas militants' hours-long rampage after breaching the border fence around Gaza on Saturday. "His majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel," the palace spokesperson said. Charles became the most senior British royal to pay an official visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories in 2020 when he met former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During his trip he spoke of the evil of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism, as well as expressing sadness over the suffering and hardship faced by Palestinians. Charles, who had previously travelled to Jerusalem in 1995 and 2016 to attend the funerals of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and President Shimon Peres, also visited the tomb of his grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, who is buried on Jerusalems Mount of Olives. She was honoured by Israel for sheltering Jews in her palace in Nazi-occupied Greece during the Holocaust. (Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by William James and Nick Macfie) On Wednesday, House Republicans gave themselves a half-victory when they nominated Majority Leader Steve Scalise to be speaker. This came after a standoff between Mr Scalise, the number two in the House Republican conference who is a well-liked figure, and Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), a right-wing firebrand and co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus. Former president Donald Trump had endorsed Mr Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who played a key role in Mr Trumps attempts to oveturn the 2020 election. This does not necessarily translate to Mr Scalise getting the gavel. Remember, that requires a majority of the House as a whole; not just a majority of the party. And given that Republicans have only 221 seats in a 435-seat House of Representatives with two vacancies, that means any nominee for speaker can only afford to lose four votes. Indeed, Rep Ken Buck (R-CO), another member of the House Freedom Caucus, told reporters that he grilled Mr Jordan and Mr Scalise about who actually won the 2020 presidential election. And in frustration, he said he voted present. (Mr Buck, for those who forget, was one of the eight Republicans who voted to boot Kevin McCarthy). But beyond the current fight, there is one question nobody is asking: Why in Gods name would any rational Republican member of Congress take the job? Any study of the most recent Republican speakers shows the job requires making promises that are impossible to keep and inevitably infuriating enough of the conference that you leave in disgrace. Its important to remember that Democrats controlled the House of Representatives for the majority of the 20th century. Indeed, from 1955 to 1995, Democrats never lost control of the majority until the 1994 midterms when Newt Gingrich led the Republican Revolution. But Mr Gingrich left office in disgrace. Many people remember how he had an extramarital affair all while he ravenously pursued an impeachment trial of Bill Clinton. But his downfall actually came before then, when after the fallout from the Clinton impeachment, Republicans actually lost House seats in the 1998 midterm election. Before that, the House had lurched from crisis to crisis, including two government shutdowns. Afterward, Republicans picked Bob Livingston before reports emerged that he had engaged in an extramarital affair, which led to Dennis Hastert taking the top job. Mr Hastert would serve from 1999 to 2007, when Democrats took control of the House for the first time in more than a decade. In 2010, Republicans rode the Tea Party wave that largely came in response to anger during Barack Obamas first term. In turn, John Boehner would take the gavel. He lasted a respectable five years, but the most right-wing voices in his conference among them, Mr Jordan often pressured him, making it nearly impossible for him to negotiate with the White House. In 2013, a handful of conservatives and Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) shut down the government in an attempt to defund Obamacare, something that never would have happened given Democratic control of the Senate. Eventually, Mark Meadows, the future chief of staff to Mr Trump but then a congressman from North Carolina, filed a motion to vacate. While a vote never happened, it was enough to push Mr Boehner over the limit. After bringing Pope Francis to address Congress, Mr Boehner called it a day and resigned. These days, he mostly spends his days lobbying for legal marijuana and posts pictures of himself fishing on social media. That led to Mr McCarthy seeking the speakership before he prematurely dropped out. In a panic, the House coalesced around Paul Ryan, the doe-eyed Ways & Means chairman who often dazzled the Washington press corps with his seeming mastery of economic statistics. But Mr Ryans tenure coincided with the rise of Trumpism, which firmly rejected Mr Ryans message of free trade, restricting entitlements and supporting immigration reform. Mr Ryan would pass massive tax cuts with Mr Trump and criminal justice reform but the legislation he shepherded to repeal Obamacare died in a spectacularly public fashion when the late John McCain delivered a dramatic 11th-hour thumbs-down vote. Mr Ryan often feigned ignorance about Mr Trumps worst impulses, telling reporters he hadnt seen the presidents tweets before he finally called it quits in 2019. Then, of course, there is Mr McCarthy, who tied himself in knots to please every faction of the House GOP conference, and went 15 rounds earlier this year before he got the gavel, only to face the ultimate humiliation of being booted last week. Ironically, Republicans are largely unified in supporting tax cuts for the wealthiest earners, restricting immigration, prohibiting transgender people from participating in much of public life and imposing work requirements for recipients of social welfare programs. Republicans in the House are mostly split on tactics. This differs wildly from Democrats, who are largely split about everything from foreign policy (as seen with the divergent responses to Hamas attack on Israel), how much money to spend at any given rate and solutions to climate change. But Democrats, particularly in the House, largely move as a unit. On Tuesday, they unanimously voted to nominate Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, just as they did in January. Meanwhile, the slight disagreements in tactics can be enough to end a Republican speakers career. Indeed, Mr Hastert, the longest-serving Republican speaker, would only get his comeuppance after he left office when he went to prison for hush money payments he made related to child sexual abuse. MOSCOW (AP) Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich lost an appeal Tuesday to be released from jail on espionage charges, meaning he will remain behind bars at least through Nov. 30. Gershkovich, 31, had a mostly blank expression as he appeared in the defendant's glass cage in Moscow City Court in blue shirt, T-shirt and jeans. He marked six months in custody on Sept. 29. It was the second time in less than a month he had appeared before a judge to appeal an August decision to extend his pre-trial detention through November. On Sept. 19, the court declined to hear the appeal, citing unspecified procedural violations. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said in a statement that it was deeply disappointed that Gershkovichs appeal was rejected, adding: Evan should be released. The journalist was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow. The court proceedings are closed because prosecutors say details of the criminal case are classified. 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 has 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 be charged with espionage 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 will consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict in his trial. In Russia, espionage trials can last for more than a year. The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday it had recovered "additional presumed human remains" and what is believed to be the last of the debris from the Titan submersible, which imploded in June in the North Atlantic while on a descent to view the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people aboard. The debris was transported to a U.S. port, where it will be cataloged and analyzed, the Coast Guard said in a news release. The human remains, which were "carefully recovered from within the debris," have been "transported for analysis by U.S. medical professionals," the agency added. The salvage operation, a follow-up to a previous recovery mission, was conducted by Coast Guard engineers, National Transportation Safety Board investigators, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan was used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. / Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP The Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation has been leading the investigation into what caused the implosion, with help from Canada, France and the United Kingdom. The Coast Guard said Tuesday its next step will next be to hold a joint evidence review session involving the NTSB and international agencies to analyze the debris, and will follow that up at some point with a public hearing. MBI investigators have been conducting ongoing evidence analysis and witness interviews, the Coast Guard said. On June 18, the Titan sub, which was owned and operated by OceanGate Expeditions, lost contact with the Polar Prince, a Canadian research vessel, about one hour and 45 minutes into its voyage to the wreckage of the Titanic. Prior to discovering that the sub had imploded, a massive international search and rescue effort ensued over the course of several days because of the limited amount of oxygen that would be aboard the sub if it had become trapped beneath the surface. However, on June 22, the Coast Guard announced that the sub had experienced a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber" during its decent four days prior, confirming that the Titan's debris had been located about 900 nautical miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Those who died in the implosion were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his 19-year-old son Suleman, billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. OceanGate suspended all operations in early July. The company, which charged $250,000 per person for a voyage aboard the Titan, had been warned of potential safety problems for years. A professional trade group in 2018 warned that OceanGate's experimental approach to the design of the Titan could lead to potentially "catastrophic" outcomes, according to a letter from the group obtained by CBS News. In announcing its investigation, the Coast Guard said it would be looking into possible "misconduct, incompetence, negligence, unskillfulness or willful violation of law." Aliza Chasan, Aimee Picchi and Alex Sundby contributed to this report. Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals New Netflix docuseries "Big Vape" looks at the rise and fall of Juul Israeli-American arrives to join fight against Hamas WASHINGTON Republicans on Wednesday voted to nominate Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., to be the next speaker of the House but his path to the gavel remains uncertain as he must still secure the votes of nearly every member of his party. Scalise, the No. 2 Republican in leadership, defeated Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, 113-99 in a secret ballot vote behind closed doors to win the partys nomination. For years, Scalise has been viewed as an heir apparent to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted from power in an internal GOP revolt just a week ago. But because of the GOPs razor-thin majority, there is no guarantee that Scalise can win the speakers gavel on the House floor, where voting could occur as early as Wednesday afternoon. Just five Republicans have the power to block Scalise, meaning he will need to win the support of at least 217 of the 221 Republicans. A sense of uncertainty hung over Republicans immediately after the vote to nominate Scalise, with one defiant supporter of Jordan saying immediately that she wont back the majority leader. Im voting for Jim Jordan on the floor, Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said after the vote. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., a longtime McCarthy critic, told NBC News he's "undecided" on whether to vote for Scalise on the House floor, calling him a "status quo" candidate given his longstanding support for McCarthy as his former deputy. Its hard to envision that he will be a change agent. I think the country recognizes the Congress needs to be changed, Good said. Notably, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the chief McCarthy antagonist who triggered the successful vote to evict him, said hell support Scalise and encourage other right-leaning Republicans to do the same, calling him an upgrade over McCarthy in every way. Weve got the legend from Louisiana whos gonna lead us, and I think that hell be invigorating to our activists, Gaetz told reporters. I think hell be a great communicator to the country, and I think hell do a great job uniting the Republican conference. Democrats will rally behind their leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, whom they unanimously nominated Tuesday night. Scalise's uphill battle could be a repeat of January when a band of conservative rebels blocked McCarthy from the speakership in a tense floor fight. It wasnt until the 15th round of voting that McCarthy secured the gavel, though 269 days later eight Republicans teamed up with all the Democrats and voted to expel him from the speakers office. A former state lawmaker who has represented the New Orleans suburbs in Congress since 2008, Scalise, 58, has had a steady rise to power in Washington. Like Jordan before him, in 2012 Scalise was elected chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservatives on the Hill. That post served as a launching pad for the affable Scalise, who succeeded McCarthy as majority whip, the No. 3 job and top GOP vote counter, in 2014. When Democrats took over the majority in 2019 and then-Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., retired, Scalise moved up the leadership ladder, to minority whip. He kept the No. 2 job in 2023, when Republicans returned to the majority. Tragedy turned Scalise into a national figure on June 14, 2017. A gunman targeting Republicans opened fire on a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va., nearly killing Scalise and wounding several others. GOP colleagues saved his life by applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. After numerous surgeries, Scalise returned to the Capitol three months later to a heros welcome and chatter that he could become speaker one day. Crunchyroll Logo Crunchyroll users in the US can now apply to receive compensation as part of a class action lawsuit levied against the company. The class action suit accused anime streaming service Crunchyroll of improperly disclosing information about its users to third parties without consent, although Crunchyroll has denied any wrongdoing. The class action lawsuit was brought against Crunchyroll in 2022, and alleged that Crunchyroll was in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act. It claims that Crunchyroll disclosed, without subscribers consent, personally identifiable information to Facebook and some other third parties. Crunchyroll denied any wrongdoing in the case, and says it did not violate any law, but agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainties and expenses with continuing the case. Basically, Crunchyroll thinks that paying out now is probably going to be cheaper than paying for lawyers in a long, expensive court case, where it may lose and have to pay out anyway. Affected persons who may be eligible for compensation include any US resident who meet both of the following two requirements: Was a registered user of an online website, mobile app, or any video-on-demand service or app owned, controlled, and/or operated by Crunchyroll Viewed videos on an online website, mobile app, or any video-on-demand service or app owned, controlled, and/or operated by Crunchyroll The United States District Court For The Northern District of Illinois, in conjunction with Kroll Settlement Administration, has set up a compensation web page where users can apply for compensation in the case. The lawyers representing the class say that the expected payout for each affected person will be about $30 USD, but could be more or less depending on how many people apply. Affected persons will reportedly receive an email detailing the process and giving them their class number, after which they can apply for compensation. The deadline for submitting a claim form is December 12, 2023. If you meet the requirements listed above, click here to view the Crunchyroll settlement page and start the application process. WASHINGTON Officials in President Joe Biden's administration have privately told lawmakers that the White House is preparing a supplemental funding request to submit to Congress that includes money for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and U.S. border security, according to two congressional officials, an administration official and a defense official. Administration officials also said the request would aim to address the strain that providing additional military support for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan would put on the Pentagons stockpiles, the sources said, by asking for money to build more weapons. Follow along for live coverage of the Israel-Hamas war here. Biden said Tuesday that when Congress returns, were going to ask them to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that the Office of Management and Budget is drafting the supplemental request. What exact form that all takes, that will be worked out, Sullivan said. At the White House press briefing Wednesday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addressed the possibility of putting all the funding requests together, telling reporters there are "active conversations" going on. "Im not prepared to detail those conversations for you right now, or, or tell you what the parameters are going to be because, frankly, those parameters havent been yet arrived at or even decided upon, but we are in active discussions about additional funding," he said. The White House and some key lawmakers have been discussing linking Ukraine and Israel aid. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, has said hes open to a package that includes aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as funding for additional security at the U.S.-Mexico border. But some House Republicans have expressed opposition to the idea. Biden administration officials have held multiple briefings for lawmakers this week, including with Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Sasha Baker, and Morgan Muir, the Deputy Director for Mission Integration at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Marysville, CA (95901) Today Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 51F. Winds light and variable. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is ready to open the roads for Azerbaijan and Turkey based on the principles of its sovereignty, jurisdiction and reciprocity, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said. In an interview aired by Public Television, PM Pashinyan said that no third party should have control upon any territory of Armenia. Armenian border checkpoints and customs services must function based on Armenias jurisdiction upon crossing Armenias border, he said. For instance, we are told that the trilateral statements says that security must be ensured by Russia, but I am saying it doesnt say anything like that. It is a public document, lets read it, on the contrary, it says that security is guaranteed by Armenia, he added. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has commented on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs proposal to consider Georgia as a platform for negotiations. In an interview with Public Television, Pashinyan said Aliyevs offer could be interpreted as an attempt to nullify the already agreed upon principles by shifting to another platform, now when the issue of holding a meeting in Brussels is being discussed. A meeting took place in Granada, and the principles of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, from our and the EUs perspective, were recorded in the EU platform. Now it is clear that when we meet in Brussels the conversation should take place within the framework of these principles, which, I wouldnt say is in line with Armenias interests alone. The Republic of Armenia has accepted this, and by the way Azerbaijan has also accepted. And now, when we are discussing the issue of meeting in Brussels, where basically theres a circle to be underscored, and when Azerbaijan is attempting to propose another platform, this could be interpreted by us that by moving to another platform Azerbaijan wants to cancel the already agreed upon principles, Pashinyan said. He said that the principles must be stipulated, signed and announced, which would make the framework of discussions clear. PM Pashinyan said that the concerns that Azerbaijan could actually be plotting a new escalation are getting stronger. We are not against any conversation, but we are against the logic that would push us out from the framework of already agreed upon principles, the Armenian PM added. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is ready for regional meetings in the 3+3 format, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said. One of the nuances of our foreign policy is that we attach importance to regional relations itself, by not viewing it separately from the general context of international relations, Pashinyan said in an interview aired by Public Television Tuesday evening. We are ready, but it requires additional discussions. First of all, up to this point these meetings have taken place at the foreign ministerial level, and now the perceptions of the parties must be clarified, as to at what level the discussion should continue, Pashinyan said, adding that previously an agreement had been reached to hold the next 3+3 meeting in Tehran. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The remaining debris from the Titan submersible that suffered a catastrophic implosion en route to the wreckage of the Titanic in June has been recovered including presumed human remains, CNN reported citing the US Coast Guard. All five passengers on board the Titan, a 23,000-pound vessel roughly the size of a minivan, were killed shortly after the vessel lost contact with its mother ship about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive toward the Titanic. The evidence recovered from the North Atlantic Ocean seafloor last week by marine safety engineers from the Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation was successfully transferred to a US port for cataloging and analysis, a release from the Coast Guard says. Additional presumed human remains were carefully recovered from within Titans debris and transported for analysis by US medical professionals, the release says. The salvage mission was a follow-up to initial recovery operations after the submersible imploded, according to the Coast Guard. The Marine Board of Investigation said it is coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Board and other international investigative agencies to schedule a joint evidence review of the recovered debris, which will determine the next steps for forensic testing. The board will continue analyzing evidence and interviewing witnesses ahead of a public hearing regarding this tragedy, it said. The Titans failure to resurface on June 18 sparked a massive, international search that captured the worlds attention for days. On June 22, officials confirmed the Titan had suffered a catastrophic implosion. The five passengers were identified as OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush; businessman Hamish Harding; diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet; billionaire Shahzada Dawood; and Dawoods 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. 1,850,000 tourists visited Armenia in the 9 months of 2023, Tourism Committee Head Sisian Boghossian has said. The number constitutes a 25% growth compared to the same period of 2019. Most of the tourists (51%) came from Russia, followed by Georgia (10%) and Iran (6%). Active tourism visits from France, Germany and the UAE are also seen. 260,000 tourists visited Armenia in September 2023. The September figures in 2022 and 2019 stood at 198,000 and 221,000 respectively. Speaking at a press conference, Boghossian said that Armenia has a variety of tourism products to offer. We are actively working in various platforms to present Armenia. We were in Italy last week to participate in a tourism expo. Italy is a new direction for us, you know that there are direct flights from various Italian cities to Yerevan, and we are now carrying out targeted work in the Italian market to promote Armenia. We also visited France together with twelve tour operators. We see significant interest towards Armenia in France. We will travel to London in November for an international tourism expo, she said. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. British foreign minister James Cleverly traveled to Israel on Wednesday to show solidarity with the Israeli people following the Hamas attacks, the British foreign office said. "The Foreign Secretary has arrived in Israel today to demonstrate the UK's unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamas terrorist attacks," a foreign office spokesperson said. "He will be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israels right to defend itself." The visit comes as the Israeli government continues to retaliate following the attack by Hamas over the weekend, with air strikes targeted at locations across the Gaza Strip. The death toll in Israel has reached 1,200. 1,055 people were killed in the Gaza Strip in the Israeli air strikes. The U.S. Army has ordered more than 7,000 Thales RT-2129 Combat Net Radios (CNR) based on the Improved Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (IMBITR) technology, demonstrating the services continued confidence in Thales ability to deliver next-generation radios for the Armys network modernization effort. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link RT-2129 Tactical Secure Voice Crypto Interoperability Standard (TSVCIS) compliant radio (Picture source: Thales) As a fully software-defined communications solution, the Thales CNR ensures interoperability with the legacy Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) waveform, as well as enables the Army to quickly add improved waveforms to address evolving requirements. The RT-2129 CNR is a critical component to the Armys unified network providing robust communications capabilities to the tactical edge. The Thales CNR, built around the battle-proven AN/PRC-148 handheld family of radios, provides the Army with a crypto-modernized tactical radio solution. The flexible software-defined solution enables the Army to seamlessly replace the legacy RT-1523 fleet of mounted and dismounted radios. Under this award, Thales will deliver more than 7,000 RT-2129 Tactical Secure Voice Crypto Interoperability Standard (TSVCIS) compliant radios. To date, the Army has ordered more than 8,100 CNRs. The Combat Net Radio continues Thales tradition of being responsive to emerging needs in support of the warfighter with a next-generation radio that uses existing training, installation kits and system integration to ensure mission readiness, said Mike Sheehan, CEO, Thales Defense and Security, Inc. The CNR is designed to easily integrate into the Armys Integrated Tactical Network and operate reliably under the most extreme conditions. Previous contract On May 16, 2022, Thales announced it was one of two vendors to which the US Army had awarded a $6 billion-ceiling Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to deliver advanced tactical radios under the U.S. Armys Combat Net Radio (CNR) modernization program. The competitive 10-year contract for the Combat Net Radio (CNR) program includes a five-year base ordering period and an additional five-year optional ordering period. This contract was awarded as part of an effort to retire its outdated Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS). Under the Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, Thales will deliver a CNR that is based on the AN/PRC-148 Joint Tactical Radio System Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (IMBITR) the latest evolution of a family of battle-proven, tactical voice and data radios. Defense News October 2023 Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to develop and deliver up to four 300 kW-class laser weapon systems to the U.S. Armys Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) prototype program. The IFPC-HEL system complements other layered defense components to protect soldiers from stressing threats, unmanned aerial systems, rocket, artillery and mortars, along with rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link Lockheed Martin will deliver two 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL prototypes with an option for two additional 300 kW-class units (Image source: Lockheed Martin) Winning the IFPC-HEL prototype contract is the result of several years of complex program evolution, strategic investments and partnership with the Army on this program, said Rick Cordaro, vice president of Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Weapons. Our mature directed energy technology enables Lockheed Martin to provide speed, agility, and 21st Century Security solutions to the Army. Lockheed Martin will deliver two 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL prototypes with an option for two additional 300 kW-class units. Since 2019, Lockheed Martin has been integral to the transition from the 100 kW-class science and technology program, the High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL-TVD), to deliver a 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL demonstrator. In 2020, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to develop a compact, ruggedized 300 kW-class laser for the Department of Defense. In August of 2022, Lockheed Martin delivered the High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI) laser for use in the IFPC-HEL demonstrator, which was the most powerful solid-state-directed energy technology delivered at that time. Despite their promise, high-energy laser weapons face challenges such as power generation, atmospheric interference, and cooling requirements. Nevertheless, ongoing research and development efforts aim to overcome these obstacles, paving the way for a new era of advanced, precise, and cost-effective military capabilities. As technology continues to evolve, high-energy laser weapons are poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of warfare and defense. Defense News October 2023 MBABANE - The full implementation of the free trade area will increase the value of intra-Africa trade to E1.8 trillion by 2045 and such will immensely benefit the Kingdom of Eswatini. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) the said value of intra-Africa trade will be an increase when compared to US$113 billion recorded in 2020 which is the baseline. The Director of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Mluleki Dlamini, said indeed Eswatini would benefit from initiatives implemented by UNECA, which seek to develop MSMEs in the region. Organisation Dlamini highlighted that recently, the organisation assisted the country in the development of the MSMEs financing model which would be rolled out in the region soon. Dlamini said UNECA had been assisting the kingdom in many other aspects, including the development of the Draft National Industrial Policy which is currently being validated by stakeholders. Meanwhile, African countries have been urged to promote gender responsive and inclusive policies to support women and youth entrepreneurs to accelerate trade development in Africa. Speaking at the 14th African Congress for Women Entrepreneurs and 4th COMESA Federation of Women in Business Forum, the Principal Regional Advisor for Regional Integration and Trade Division at UNECA, Brendah Phiri-Mundia, said women and youth have revolutionised entrepreneurship in Africa and they were better positioned to boost trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The congress ran under the theme, Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Promotion for Women and Youth and support of MSMEs for realizing AfCFTA and Regional Integration in line with Africas Agenda 2063 and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The congress took stock of progress on tackling challenges in accessing economic opportunities faced by women and youth across the African continent. Empowerment Phiri-Mundia noted that the AfCFTA, which came into force in May 2019, could advance the global and continental goals on gender equality and women empowerment. According to the UNECA, the full implementation of the free trade area will increase the value of intra-Africa trade to US$195 billion by 2045 compared to US$113 billion recorded in 2020 which is the baseline. Women have made an undeniable impact in the entrepreneurial landscape with research indicating that Africa alone has more entrepreneurs than other regions for both females and males. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurs globally, with approximately 26 per cent of female adults involved in entrepreneurial activity. The UNECAs 2021 Womens Entrepreneurship Report estimates that reducing gender inequality will boost African economies by US$316 billion. Phiri-Mundia stressed that Africas youth is a potent force for innovation and economic development with incubators, accelerators and government initiatives helping young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. Development Recognising the potential of women and the youth in business development, the UNECA is providing support to member States across the continent in the development of gender-responsive and inclusive policies and context-specific interventions to drive women and youth empowerment within the continental integration agenda. Support is being provided for gender mainstreaming in national and regional AfCFTA implementation strategies, capacity building of womens business associations and MSMEs to ensure they also take advantage of the opportunities under the AfCFTA, said Phiri-Mundia. However, the challenges faced by both women and youth entrepreneurs cannot be ignored, Phiri-Mundia added, acknowledging the access to start-up financing, skills development, mentorship, promoted by various Women Business Associations and development partners to overcome the challenges faced by women and the youth. Policymaking The UNECA has also stepped up its efforts to contribute to addressing the complex issue of collecting gender disaggregated data to support better policymaking and evidence-based advocacy across the African continent, said Phiri-Mundia, who represented the ECA Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist, Hanan Morsy. These efforts include a joint project with UNCTAD and the UN Economic Commission for Europe to develop a coherent approach to measuring the impact of trade on gender equality using official statistics and building on the existing statistical data and capacity of countries. She called for collective action to amplify collaboration in initiatives that address multiple barriers faced by women and youth which finance literacy and digital finance, apprenticeships especially in male-dominated sectors, digital skills training and profitability information across sectors.The UNECA is keen to deepen its partnerships and work towards a future where every woman and youth entrepreneur in Africa not only achieves their aspirations but also transforms their dreams into impactful, sustainable enterprises Phiri-Mundia said. Love them, hate them ignore them at national peril, is the babu guarantee and Dilips belief. Share significant babu escapades dilipcherian@hotmail.com Recently, BJP workers in Rajasthan complained about Chandra Mohan Babu, a 1980-batch IAS officer. While obviously not all former babus will get BJP tickets, their growing presence in organisational roles within the party is causing unease among the party cadres. (Image Source: ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi may love his babus but the increasing involvement of former babus in politics is causing a lot of tension among the BJP cadres. This trend has gained momentum in recent times. While former civil servants have taken a significant role within the PMO and the government, and even within the BJP, it's now beginning to grate on the party workers. Recently, BJP workers in Rajasthan complained about Chandra Mohan Babu, a 1980-batch IAS officer who has joined the BJP and is seeking a party ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections. The discontent seems to be running deep, with some party workers even launching a campaign to discourage the party leadership from denying tickets to loyal party workers, while giving tickets to former babus and others who have not actively contributed to the party. While obviously not all former babus will get BJP tickets, their growing presence in organisational roles within the party is causing unease among the party cadres, according to sources. Cases like Chandra Mohan Babu's candidacy in Rajasthan and the influx of more than 20 former babus into the BJP in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh underscore these concerns. However, the trend of former bureaucrats entering politics and assuming key roles within a political party is unlikely to lose momentum and is likely to continue, influencing national politics in the coming years. Vigilance probe casts shadow on shortlist for new IRFC CMD The railway ministry is set to conduct interviews to fill the vacant position of chairman and managing director (CMD) at the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). The post has been vacant for a year since the removal of the previous CMD, Amitabh Banerjee, in October last year after he was named in a corruption case. Among the shortlisted candidates, sources have informed DKB, is Shelley Verma, who had served as the director of finance at the PSU and is temporarily the CMD. However, her inclusion in the shortlist has raised concerns since during Mr Banerjees tenure she allegedly gave approval for the procurement of gold and silver medallions worth lakhs of rupees to allegedly present as gifts to dignitaries, violating Central Vigilance Commissions rules against giving costly gifts. While a vigilance inquiry into allegations of financial misappropriation and questionable expenses during Mr Banerjees tenure has implicated several IFRC officials, including Mr Banerjee, Shelley Verma was not named in the CBI case. However, her involvement in approving some questionable purchases during Mr Banerjee's tenure has raised questions about her suitability for the CMD role, some observe. To assume the position for a full term, the vigilance directorate of the Railways would need to grant her clearance. How this controversy will impact the selection process for the leadership of the IRFC remains to be seen. Hopefully, it won't be a long wait. Govt debars 8 IPS officers from Central deputation The decision to debar eight IPS officers from Central deputation and foreign assignments is an attempt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send a strong signal that the government is committed to maintaining discipline and accountability within the civil services. It also underscores the importance of officers adhering to their assigned duties and responsibilities. The IPS officers debarred failed to join their last assignments. They include Modak Rajesh Dineshrao, Dr Meenakshi Katyayan and L.V. Antony Dev Kumar (from UP cadre), Ragasudha R., Atul Vikas Kulkarni and Gorakh Suresh Bhamare (from Maharashtra cadre), and Rajesh Duggal and Rajender Kumar Meena (from Haryana cadre). It is hoped that this debarment serves as a preventive measure by discouraging officers from avoiding their designated roles in the future. Sources have informed DKB that the debarred officers could face significant career setbacks, which can affect their professional growth and opportunities for diverse experiences. Hopefully, the move makes it amply clear to all babus that non-compliance with postings can have serious consequences. Love them, hate them ignore them at national peril, is the babu guarantee and Dilips belief. Share significant babu escapades at dilipcherian@hotmail.com. New appeal by Francis to Israelis and Palestinians at the general audience: "I pray for the families who have seen a day of celebration turned into a day of mourning. It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but also in Gaza there are many innocent victims. The Middle East does not need war but peace built on justice, dialogue and fraternity". "Let the earthquake-stricken Afghanistan be helped". In the catechesis the example of St Josephine Bakhita the former slave whom forgiveness made "a woman of peace and peacemaker". Vatican City (AsiaNews) - An appeal for the immediate release of the dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. But also deep concern for the total siege in which the Palestinians of Gaza live. And the horizon of a peace "built on justice, dialogue and the courage of brotherhood" as the only solution. This morning Pope Francis returned to talk about the war between Hamas and Israel and its heavy burden of victims at the end of the general audience held in St. Peter's Square in front of the faithful. I continue to follow with pain and apprehension what is happening in Israel and Palestine. Many people killed and others injured. I pray for those families who have seen a day of celebration transformed into a day of mourning. I demand that the hostages be released immediately." He added: "It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves but I am very worried about the total siege in which the Palestinians live in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims. Terrorism and extremism do not help to reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but fuel hatred, violence and revenge and only make both suffer. The Middle East does not need war but peace, a peace built on justice, dialogue and the courage of brotherhood." Yesterday afternoon Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Latin parish of the Holy Family in Gaza, had announced a phone call from Francis to the small Catholic community of the Strip, once again on the front line in this conflict. While today - urging the prayer of the Rosary for peace - the pontiff invited everyone not to forget the tormented Ukraine even in the face of these new dramatic news of death. At the general audience he also wanted to address a special thought to the population of Afghanistan hit in recent hours by a devastating earthquake which has caused thousands of deaths. I invite all people of good will to help this people who are already so tried said Francis by contributing in a spirit of brotherhood to alleviate the suffering of the people and to support the necessary reconstruction. In his catechesis - continuing the cycle of reflections on the passion for evangelization - the pontiff focused attention on the figure of Saint Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947), the former slave from the Sudanese region of Darfur who was then freed and became a religious, witness to the transforming power of Christ's forgiveness. The physical and moral suffering of which she was a victim as a child left her without an identity" the Pope recalled. "She suffered cruelty and violence: she bore more than a hundred scars on her body. But she herself testified: 'As a slave I never despaired, because I felt a mysterious force that supported me'. What is the secret of Santa Bakhita?" - Francis asked himself. "We know that often the injured person hurts her in turn; the oppressed easily becomes an oppressor. Instead, the vocation of the oppressed is to liberate themselves and their oppressors by becoming restorers of humanity. Only in the weakness of the oppressed can the strength of God's love that liberates both be revealed." Forgiveness made her free. The forgiveness first received through the merciful love of God, and then the forgiveness given made her a free, joyful woman, capable of loving. It is therefore a personal liberation from the oppressor that is within oneself and that does not allow one to live, to savor the joy of simple and everyday gestures, of attention to others, of humble service and sincere relationships. Thus Bakhita was able to experience service not as slavery, but as an expression of free self-giving. This is very important: she was forcibly made a servant and then freely chose to become a servant, to carry the burdens of others on her shoulders. During the dramatic periods of the two world wars, she brought comfort and hope to the people of Schio, in Veneto." "Forgiveness - he concluded - made her peaceful and peacemaker, a free and liberating woman. Her life is truly a miracle of God." by Vladimir Rozanskij Despite the measures allocated by the government in Yerevan for the tens of thousands of exiles who fled the Armenian-majority area militarily taken by Baku, many people still have nowhere to sleep and are forced to spend the night under the open sky. No one trusts the promises of the Azeris who have already erased all traces of Christian roots in the other disputed province of Nakhicevan. Yerevan (AsiaNews) - Despite all the efforts of the Yerevan government, the population who fled Nagorno Karabakh which has now been ceded to Azerbaijan finds itself in a very difficult situation. A few days ago the Armenian authorities began disbursing subsidies amounting to 100 thousand Armenian drames (about 235 euros), and at the Parakar collection center the refugees are trying to understand when and in what form they will receive this sum. One of them, Karo Ovseljan from the town of Martuni, questioned by Azatutyun journalists, said that "so far we have not seen any kind of help, absolutely nothing". As many others confirm, support for the moment only comes from distant relatives and a few acquaintances, and also from generous people on their own initiative. However, at least beds and blankets are starting to arrive in Parakar. Prime Minister Nikol Pasinyan announced on his Facebook page that the promised 100 thousand drachmas were transferred to approximately 50 thousand of our brothers and sisters who were forcibly evacuated from Nagorno Karabakh, at least to those who had access to them at the time of the transfer a credit card." He also underlined that first and second category invalids, and elderly people over 75 years old, will receive the money in cash. Government spokeswoman Nazeli Bagdasaryan explained that the procedures for distributing aid will become more effective in the coming days, especially if those without credit go to a bank to open an account, which will be registered at no cost. In her words, "at the moment we are cross-referencing the data, and as we complete the forms we proceed with the transfer of the money", also taking into account the time needed for the banks to send the transfers. We are also awaiting confirmation of another government provision, whereby refugees who have no reference residence in Armenia will be sent 50 thousand drames monthly to pay for rent and municipal services. The Armenian state has granted temporary accommodation to around half of the 100,000 forced emigrants, most of whom are divided into the various regions and not just in the collection area, where the assistance centers are working under a very harsh regime, with great difficulty. Correspondents have met many people who so far have no place to sleep, and are forced to spend the night under the open sky. As Elmira Nersisyan says, "my daughter and I settled in a sheltered corner next to the church door, we have no relatives or friends in Armenia... they sent us here, and we continue to wait, until someone comes to take us and give us some sort of accommodation." Elmira is 74 years old, and her daughter is an invalid; they immediately escaped from Stepanakert, and she learned about the collection center by chance, while she was wandering the streets, but I hope to find a job and manage to get by, she assures her with a proud spirit. The pensioner Jasha Movsisyan is also alone, and after escaping from the village of Nogarjukh in the province of Askeran he managed to get to Yerevan, where he found a niece who gave him food and hospitality, but he too claims to be "not accustomed to living at the expense of others." Settlement is difficult for everyone, but the exiles of Nagorno Karabakh try not to lose heart, and look to the future with optimism. The unsuccessful outcome of the very long conflict with Azerbaijan had been expected for a long time, and most of the inhabitants of the region had decided to leave anyway, not trusting the promises of the Azerbaijanis. Everyone knows about the policy of erasing traditions and the Christian religion in the lands occupied by Baku, as has already happened in the other long-disputed province of Nakhicevan, where only a couple of 83 Armenian churches were saved. Photo: Profile X of Siranush Sargsyan I'm fine, as I'm very fortunate to own my home I own, but I'm feeling the pinch on my mortgage with other inflation costs I rent and it's expensive, but it could be worse I'm seriously considering leaving the valley if something doesn't give Vote View Results Ted Williams is a contributor to Writers on the Range (writersontherange.org,) an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring conversation about the West. He writes for several national publications about wildlife. BMW unveiled the all-electric version of the iX2 at the same time with the launch of the X2s second generation in late 2023 for the 2024 model year. The competition for supremacy in the small-sized crossover market took place on all fronts, including in the EV segment. As a result, BMW created a platform that iX2 shared with its iX1 sibling. Thanks to its rapid evolution in the EV market, the German automaker was able to provide electron-powered vehicles in all segments and all of its products, which were either electrified or fully electric. The iX2 was the electric version of the X2, a sporty-looking four-door coupe SAV made by BMW. Thanks to its higher ground clearance than a regular sedan, the small-sized crossover coupe could also travel on unpaved roads. Unfortunately, the automaker didnt offer this electric vehicle on the U.S. market. At the front, the car impressed with its front fascia, which represented another step in transforming one of the brands most notorious design themes, the kidney grille. Since an EV didnt need such a broad cooling area, that element was actually a panel decorated with a rhomboidal mesh-like pattern and surrounded, as an option, with an LED rim. On the upper sides, it was flanked by the LED (optional adaptive LED) headlights with angular-shaped daytime running lights. On the lower side of the bumper, depending on the options, the iX2 featured a wide lower grille flanked by functional side scoops. From its profile, the iX2 featured a low greenhouse sloped back and continued by a raked forward tailgate. The tall door panels and narrow windows created a dynamic look for the vehicle, emphasized by the large, 20 alloy wheels. At the back, the iX2 featured a standard spoiler on the tailgate and also included the rearview camera. On the bumper, the automaker added black plastic cladding that concealed the cars height and created the illusion of a higher ground clearance. Unlike other automakers, BMW didnt put a massive fake diffuser there. BMW created a unique upholstery for the iX2 with so-called smoked-white artificial leather. In front of the driver, the automaker placed the digital instrument cluster that was extended atop the center stack by the touchscreen for the iDrive infotainment system. The automaker created a four-seat cabin with bolstered seats at the front and a split-folding (40/20/40) bench in the rear. Behind them, the iX2 boasted a 525-liter (18.5 cu-ft.), which was slightly smaller than the one from the internal-combustion X2 but still large enough for families. The iX2 was available from the start with an all-wheel-drive version named xDrive30, which included two motors, one for each axle. With a total output of 313 PS (308 hp), the smallest crossover coupe from BMW could accelerate from zero to 62 MPH (0-100 kph) in 5.6 seconds, onto a way to a capped top speed of 180 kph (112 MPH). MBABANE The Ministry of Education and Training has issued an official notice about the stoppage of the South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) in all Eswatini Secondary Schools, known as Matric. Acting Principal Secretary (PS) in the ministry Naniki Mnisi said this followed the stoppage of the offer of the NSC outside the borders by the South African Department of Basic Education in terms of the law of the Republic of South Africa (SA). The Constitution of SA (Section 231) does not confer any power on the executive to make the law of the Republic of SA applicable to other countries, hence the inability of the Ministry of Education and Training to enter into an agreement with SA on a special arrangement to offer NSC in Eswatini, Mnisi said. Stakeholders She advised all concerned stakeholders to take note of the situation about the offer of the NSC curriculum, adding that they should comply with the current position of the ministry and consult if need be. Director of Pro-Learning Ernest Magongo, who was at the forefront working with the ministry on the Matric issue, stated that this was water under the bridge for schools offering NSC in the country as they had switched the programme. Magongo said SA stated that it would no longer offer Matric outside their borders as per their laws which did not allow for such. He said they were now offering the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) syllabus, which is another form of Matric, adding that Form II learners were sitting for the International Senior Certificate (ISC). There is no single school that will be offering the NSC in the country, he said in an interview. Currently, he said the learners were sitting for the IEB trials in the various schools, which would be followed by exams. Programme Magongo said the ISC was offered by schools that were providing the IEB programme in Eswatini, Mozambique and Namibia. Meanwhile, he warned parents to desist from registering their children in SA public schools for the Matric syllabus simply because it was cheaper than IEB. Magongo said if parents took their children to SA government schools, they would not be able to sit or register for the examinations without study permits. He said if the learners were enrolled in a public in SA, it was impossible for them to quickly secure a study permit. He noted though that the IEB programme was expensive and an examination cost around E8 000, which was a lot of money compared to what the parents were paying for the discontinued Matric syllabus. Here today, gone tomorrow, might be a tired cliche, but the reason it's so tired is that it's painfully accurate. Navis One, a quite famous superyacht and very popular charter platform, is proof. Photo: YachtCharterFleet Dun Ege Denizinde buyuk bir deniz kazas? ya?and?. Yunanistan?n Ano Koufonisi adas?n?n 800 metre Guneydo?usu Ege Denizi ac?klar?nda 46 metre boyundaki super yat Navis One yanarak batt?. pic.twitter.com/3C9s8vew3k ?zmir ???????? (@izmirgibiyiz) October 10, 2023 In what feels like a very long string of similar incidents , though decidedly unrelated, a $17 million superyacht listed and sank after being devastated by a fire in the Cyclades island chain of Koufonisia. Navis One, the superyacht in question, had just dropped anchor after returning from the Greek island of Mykonos and was at full passenger capacity, according to reports.On October 9, hours after it dropped anchor, eyewitnesses saw flames emerging at the stern of the vessel. Eyewitnesses say that at 16 o'clock in the afternoon, all 22 people onboard Navis One had been rushed to land with the main tender and that the 5-meter (16.4-foot) boat made only one return trip with one guest and two crew, presumably to retrieve something left behind.Within two hours of the first sighting of fire, due to strong winds, the two top decks had burned completely, and the flames were already reaching higher above the vessel. The fire continued to rage until it consumed Navis One entirely, with the wreck smoking until the early hours of October 10. Navis One eventually listed and sank, and eyewitnesses are saying that large pieces of debris were spotted floating about.No word yet on what might have caused the fire or whether the incident is posing a threat to the environment or other ships. The owner tells one trade publication that there are no injuries reported, so take that for the silver lining.Navis One, delivered by Turkish shipyard Gentech in 2013 as Queen Anne, was a 46.7-meter (153-foot) vessel based on naval architecture by Meccano Engineering, with exterior design by Unielle Yacht Design and interiors by Ales Bratina. It could accommodate as many as 12 guests across five suites and a crew of 10 in five more crew cabins, and was specced to provide the ideal balance between relaxation and sporty fun.Navis One would command as much as $210,000 a week in the summer season, not including fuel and additional expenses, precisely for this reason.It offered a large sun deck with a jacuzzi and ample lounging space, a generous beach club, a bar, and formal dining both indoors and al fresco. The tender garage was packed with inflatables and towables, the 5-meter (16.4-foot) tender that doubled as emergency transport on this final trip, Seabobs and jet skis, scuba and snorkeling gear.As the video tour below will show, Navis One was a beautiful, modern, and elegant superyacht without being too big to feel overwhelming or too outrageous. According to SuperYacht Fan, it had been delivered as a fully custom project to Turkish businessman Sezgin Baran Korkmaz but had since been sold through a US Marshals Service Sealed Bid Auction to a Malaysia-based unknown party. The 4Runner is definitely showing its age. Be it mechanically or from the standpoint of interior design, theres no denying a replacement is badly needed. Previously expected to drop in late 2023 for the 2024 model year, the all-new 4Runner is believed to drop in late 2024 for 2025. SUV 4WD Photo: Halo oto on YouTube Given that no prototypes of the sixth generation have been spied thus far, one could also imagine the 4Runner being delayed for the 2026 model year. Whatever the future may hold, one thing is certain. Rather than updating the fifth generations platform, Toyota will switch to the TNGA-F vehicle architecture of the Tacoma and Land Cruiser.Not that Land Cruiser, but the Prado. Internally referred to as the 250 series, the mid-size Land Cruiser is joined at the hip to the GX . It should be noted the Lexus offers three-row seating, whereas the Land Cruiser is limited to five seats only.Care to guess how many the 4Runner will have? Of course, Toyota will differentiate its family-orientedfrom the Land Cruiser with the addition of a third row. Its easy to imagine rear-wheel drive as well, further differentiating the 4Runner from the-only 2024 model year Land Cruiser.Rendered by pixel wizard Halo oto, the 4Runner in the featured clip is best described as hypothetical. As mentioned earlier, there is no photographic evidence of prototypes or test mules at press time. Halo otos design study is a bit wonky as far the front end is concerned as well, a front end that feels more at home on the Hilux-based Fortuner.The pixel artist dubs the 4Runner "the most popular off-road Toyota SUV ever," apparently ignoring the Land Cruiser's existence. To whom it may concern, the 72-year-old Land Cruiser sold in excess of 10 million units, the 10 millionth being confirmed by Toyota in the fall of 2019.The 4Runner entered production in 1983 with two doors rather than four. The two-door body style was discontinued for good in May 1993. So far, the 4Runners best calendar year in the United States market was 2021. TMNA delivered no fewer than 144,696 examples of the breed in 2021.Similar to the Land Cruiser, the 4Runner symbolizes quality, durability, and reliability. Add high resale value to the mix, and youll understand why the 4Runner is a hugely popular sport utility vehicle despite its age. Codenamed N280, the fifth gen rolled out in 2009 for the 2010 model year.Updated for 2024 with two new exterior colors (Terra and Underground), the 4Runner comes with a 270-horsepower V6 of the naturally-aspirated variety. Good for 278 pound-feet (377 Nm) at full chatter, said engine is likely to be replaced by a four-cylinder turbo displacing 2.4 liters. Toyota is also supposed to ditch the outgoing automatic transmission in favor of an eight-speed unit.The Land Cruiser offers hybrid assistance from the outset, with said powertrain expected to be available in the 4Runner as well. There is a case to be made for the Tacoma mid-size pickup trucks auto rev-matching stick shift, although only for the non-hybrid turbo four-pot lump. Historically speaking artillery rounds have always been dumb pieces of ammunition, simple to make and fire, and devastating in their effects. All one needed to do was fill a shell with explosives, stick it into a large gun, and fire it. But not any more. As counter-artillery means have evolved, the world's militaries had to devise ways for shells to get smarter and deadlier. That's how we now have both powered and guided artillery rounds being used in conflicts around the world. And more are being developed.Back in 2019, a Norwegian/Finnish company called Nordic Ammunition Company (Nammo) began working on a way to integrate ramjet means of propulsion into artillery rounds. The project quickly caught the attention of the U.S. Army and Boeing, both of which jumped on board for the project.In the summer of last year we witnessed the most recent firing of the projectile. Called Boeing Ramjet 155 Extended Range Artillery Projectile (or Ramjet 155 for short), it was released from a 39-caliber towed artillery cannon over in Norway. The weapon immediately proved its merits, igniting its engine and following a stable path to its target. It was the "longest-ever indirect fire test of a Ramjet 155 munition" recorded to that time, even if the exact distances involved were not announced.Whatever that record was, it was broken last week at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. There, the Ramjet 155 was fired from a 58-caliber Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA), managing to outdo itself once more.But how does the projectile work? Well, the thing is fitted with an air-breathing engine that uses the cannon firing to get to the speed it needs to ignite. The power the thing can provide to itself can help it reach incredible speeds and ranges.These are numbers kept secret for this weapon, but we do know a typical ramjet device can reach speeds of up to Mach 3 (2,300 mph/3,700 kph). The presumed range of the Ramjet 155 is about 40 km (25 miles), which is more than double that of existing projectiles.The most recent firing of the thing over in America was meant to prove it can be fired from the ERCA, but also to validate performance. The parties involved say both objectives were met, and that the project will move forward.Boeing and Nammo now plan to give the 155 a sort of brain, and upcoming tests will see it being fitted with the guidance system used on Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) weapons. The future tests will see the ramjet being fired at both stationary and moving targets.None of the parties involved said anything about when the world should expect the Ramjet 155 to be ready for battlefield use in the real world. When I wrote in July about how money bears no passport, I made a question that stood there, waiting to be answered. Is Stellantis French? Or is it Italian? Perhaps American, considering it owns Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM I left it there until a colleague reminded me of that question at the ZEEKR X European presentation. He asked me if I thought that Polestar was Swedish. We were in Sweden, driving a car designed in Gothenburg by a brand that made its premiere in China. That made me wonder: can we really say from which company any carmaker is? Photo: Bugatti Photo: ZEEKR BEV Photo: Goodwood Road & Racing on YouTube Photo: Petter Berg/ZEEKR We have several cases and multiple ways to try to establish the nationality of automotive brands. Yet, all of them present some sort of flaw. Examine them with me. I bet you will not reach a conclusion just like I didn't unless you just stick to one of the criteria and defend it no matter what.Let's imagine that the place where a company was founded determined it belonged there. If that were to define a brand's "citizenship," everything would be just fine, regardless of what happened next. Bugatti would be French, Nissan would be Japanese, Jaguar British, and Fiat Italian. Done deal, right? But take a closer look, and you'll begin to scratch your head about that criterium.Bugatti was French when Ettore founded it. The brand eventually died, was bought by an Italian entrepreneur (Romano Artioli) in 1987, made the EB110, kicked the bucket again in 1995, and was bought by Volkswagen in 1998. Would it be correct to say it is still from France?Nissan almost merged with Renault before Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Japan. That doesn't change the fact some of its platforms are French. Its largest market used to be the US, but China took over. With French platforms and most of its money coming from Chinese customers, can we still say Nissan is Japanese? Jaguar was proudly British, and people still make fun of having a "Jaaaag." However, Tata bought it. Although it is still famous for reliability issues, does that make it a British brand? Guess which is the company's largest market? Yes, China again.Fiat's name itself states where it came from: the acronym stands for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , or Italian Automobiles Factory of Turin. Yet, it is controlled by a company headquartered in the Netherlands, and its primary market is Brazil. Is it still Italian?There are several other examples, including Morris Garage (MG) , which SAIC purchased. It is not even made in the UK anymore. Is it British or Chinese? What about Land Rover? Volvo? Rover? DeTomaso? Lotus? These brands show the theory that considers where the company was founded to determine its nationality does not stand.What if we determine that a company belongs to where its headquarters are? I have talked here about Stellantis , a carmaker that controls 15 brands. Six of them were founded in Italy (Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Lancia, and Maserati), four in the US (Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and RAM), three in France (Citroen, DS, and Peugeot), one in Germany (Opel), and one in the UK (Vauxhall). If you count Mopar as a brand, Stellantis controls 16. Its headquarters are in the Netherlands. Is it Dutch?If that would be absurd, what determines Stellantis' passport? Most of its brands are from Italy, but is it Italian? Or is that decided by which are the most relevant brands, economically speaking? What if the brand decides to move its headquarters to the Virgin Islands, Switzerland, Andorra, or any other place that is more friendly to companies when it comes to paying taxes? Geely is an interesting example of how difficult it is to say where an automaker comes from. Although there is no controversy about it being Chinese, it bought Volvo. When it did that, Polestar was just a performance division that Geely decided to turn into a-only brand. Volvo also is heading in that direction. The Chinese company later made a deal with Mercedes-Benz that got smart under Geely's portfolio. Is it still French (if it ever was)? The Chinese titan also bought Lotus, which belonged to Proton before that. Is it still British?Now check ZEEKR , Geely's premium BEV brand. The X brings in its door sills that it was designed in Gothenburg, not in China. Does that mean it is a Swedish brand? As my colleague asked, does it mean that Polestar and Volvo are Swedish despite their Chinese underpinnings and production?There are only a few exceptions worldwide that have unequivocal origins and nationalities. Ferrari , for instance. It was founded in Italy, its production remains in that country, and its headquarters are also there. I struggled to find another example until Koenigsegg came to my mind. Rimac is also Croatian to the core, but they are probably a large portion of the automakers about which you will have no doubts. I honestly cannot remember any others while writing this.Lamborghini was founded in Italy, and its manufacturing activities are still there, but Audi controls it. Porsche used to be as German as a brand can be, but the lineup expansion made it have a factory in Slovakia and Malaysia. The company also has an engineering center in Shanghai to pay attention to its largest market guess which? Pagani was created in Italy, and its vehicles keep coming from that country, but it uses German engines. Apart from that, it has an Argentinian heart, like DeTomaso did.All this made me remember that John Lennon once asked us to "imagine there's no countries." Perhaps it is right the opposite: the only reason for countries and nationalities to exist is that we imagine they are true and try to defend that as much as possible.What use is there in determining to which country an automaker belongs? They have to pay taxes in all countries where they have operations, whether making their cars and selling them or importing them. People will determine the nationality of one of these companies for pride matters: if it is good, it is from my country. If it is lame, it is somebody else's problem.Ironically, I realized my personal experience is not that different from that of these automakers. In fact, it is similar to what millions of people must also have. I was born in Brazil, but I live in Portugal. I am a Portuguese and a Brazilian citizen. I could also have an Italian passport, but I am still struggling to find out the exact "comune" in which my great-grandfather was born. If I eventually manage to comply with the legal requirements, I may say I have three nationalities.What am I? What makes me Brazilian, Portuguese, or Italian? Is it being born in any of these countries? Is it speaking like most of the people who live there do? Is it having the same rights and obligations? I have thought about it for quite a while, only to realize these are probably the wrong questions. If they are not suitable for me, that must also be the case when we talk about cars and where they came from. What difference does it make? We should probably worry less about what apparently sets us apart and more about what makes us the same. SUV kWh WLTP AWD Look, I get it that if you're a diehard BMW fan, these quirky designs will have little to no consequence. But my main issue with their current styling is that it's highly convoluted and doesn't follow a trend it's as if every model's team were locked in a vault, and the bosses only gave them instructions to make them stand out in a crowd, any crowd, even the outrageous ones.Then, all communication was cut short until the moment of release when they would see how their models fared compared to others in the family that's why we have a Minecraft-like M2, the M3, and M4 with double-coffin vertical grilles, the iX as something that barely looks like a crossover, the latest 5 Series and first i5 feeling a lot less thrilling. In comparison, the 7 Series, i7, X7, and XM are otherworldly.Now, there's also the new BMW X2 joining the franchise as a second-generation model that exaggerates all of the previous model's characteristics with no regard for any sense of fashion or sensibility. It will be hard to overlook, but are we sure that we need everyone to make fun of us when passing along? Anyway, that's just my opinion; beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.So, I will not hold a grudge against anyone who jumps with joy thinking the all-new 2024 BMW X2 is their next compact coupe-SUV crossover. However, I must disappoint you especially if you live in America or Canada and planned to look the part on the 'cheap.' That's because I decided to compare the European and North American versions for a minute and that yielded exciting results.First and foremost, the Old Continent's BMW X2 is available with both petrol and diesel engines sDrive18d (148 hp) is the only option for the latter, followed by the three-cylinder sDrive20i with MHEV for 168 hp, as well as the X2 M35i xDrive rocking a 2.0-liter four-pot with 296 horsepower. Then there's also the first-ever iX2 xDrive30, which acts as the de facto flagship in Europe.Its dual electric motors provide a combined output of 308 hp 494 Nm (364 lb-ft), allowing a sprint to 100 kph (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds, a top speed of 180 kph (112 mph), and a 64.8-battery pack gives an estimate of 417 449 kilometers (259 279 miles) for the range, albeit in the mildercycle. However, in America and Canada, only two options are available, and also, there's no word about the iX2 for the market launch programmed next spring (March 2024), so we might just treat it as forbidden fruit.On the other hand, at least the customers across the big pond (aka the Atlantic Ocean) are getting marginally stronger performance from the X2 xDrive28i and their version of the X2 M35i xDrive. Both share the 2.0-liter four-pot and, but one is rocking 241 hp (zero to 60 mph/96 kph in 6.2 seconds), and the other flaunts 312 hp to make it the fastest of the bunch. Notice: This car is equipped with a 426 cu. in. engine (and other special equipment.) This car is intended for use in supervised acceleration trials and is not intended for highway or general passenger car use. Accordingly, this vehicle is sold as is, and the 12 month or 12,000 mile vehicle warranty coverage and the 5 year or 50,000 mile power train warranty coverage does not apply to this vehicle. Put this next to a Grand Spaulding Dodge bill of sale, and youre in for a treat. An exceptional $350,000 treat. When the Chrysler Corporation issues a warning that one of its most iconic products is not to be used on the street, the smiles per gallon effect warps through space and time and reaches 2023 with intact potency. Because whatever that Mopar might be, the displacement of the motor and the ban from public roads put a gigantic smile on every single gearhead on Planet Piston.Naturally, the 426 cubic inches means one thing a 425-horse abomination, but this isnt telling it in full since Mother Mopar had two engines capable of that output, and they both had the same size. But this is not the time to play charades its the HEMI were talking about here, not its Max Wedge counterpart.The car in question is a Dodge; it came out in 1970 as a new model and lasted five years. By now, its no riddle to anyone that the illegal-to-get-the-kids-to-school machine is a Challenger, but not just anyone. Yes, its an R/T, one of 287 built for the U.S. domestic market for that year, and what sets it apart from the rest of the crowd is its GS badge of distinction (although the actual letters do not appear anywhere on the car).In the sixties and seventies, those two symbols stood for so much more than just Grand Spaulding although there wasnt anyone in the country who didnt know what that meant. Mr. Norm was the go-to authority on anything Mopar, and the dealer and tuner delivered every single time. In 1970, Chrysler had the excellent idea of joining the pony car arms race , bringing about two unruly players.From the house of Plymouth, the Barracuda ironically, the original pony car, two weeks faster on stage than the Mustang and, from the Dodge clan, the fresh-out-of-the-oven Challenger. Both cars rode on the E-body platform, specially created for the two of them (although the step-twins shared precisely zero sheet metal between them).The Dodge had an immediate advantage over its Plymouth brother it could be ordered with every motor available from Chrysler, from the measly 225 Slant Six to the gargantuan 440 Magnum. Naturally, the Challenger got the lead role, profoundly outselling the Barracuda (83,000 vs 54,000).Of those nine different engine choices, just three were worthy of the Scat Pack and were all big-blocks. The 383 was standard in the Road/Track package, while the 440 (in four- and six-barrel carburetions) and the dinosaur 426 HEMI were the poster-worthy secret fantasies of all gearheads.Naturally, the hemispherical heads variant was produced in the lowest numbers at the time, the HEMI alone was a $1,000+ option. Granted, it was also a very, very powerful weapon on the dragstrip, but only for those who could afford it.Mr. Norms cars left no margin for second thoughts either they were the fastest, or they werent at all. That would explain the small detail cited in the opening of this story some of the cars prepared by the famed Illinois dealership werent allowed in public.Chrysler had a different, more easy-to-swallow approach to this radical segregation the corporations sale literature recommended that some of its engines be used in sanctioned events. Mr. Norm wasnt the man to beat around the bush and said it plainly: keep it on the track.One of those rare cars that got his seal of approval for supervised acceleration trials is this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T HEMI. (By the way, if anyone asks, the phrase cited in the previous sentence equates to precisely 440 yards, 1,320 feet, or a quarter of a statute mile). The car was ordered as a drag strip battle ram from the get-go, with a four-speed manual transmission and a 4.10:1 rear end.As if the HEMI-ness of it wasnt rare as it is, the engine and gearbox combo reduces that number to 137 examples (this figure does not include the 19 units ordered from the other end of Niagara Falls). To make it downright exclusive, the Dark Green Metallic and black bucket seats make this particular hero a one-of-two unicorn.The car has been fully restored to a like new state, but the selling dealer doesnt specify if the powertrain has been fiddled with in any way. The ad only states the mileage - 33,141 (53,324 km) but thats about it regarding the condition of this ultra-rare Challenger. Oh, and then theres the small detail of the price - $350,000 at the time of writing. If only Artificial Intelligence would be so bright as to predict the lottery numbers A new ad shared by Tesla on Chinese social media explains the new lighting technology offered on the revamped Model 3 that launched last month. The campaign provides interesting details about the new headlights, one of the most talked about features of the new model. New Model 3 Highland ad with focus on new lighting ???? tech launched by Tesla in China ???????? on social media today pic.twitter.com/udUuged9cl Berlinergy (@Berlinergy) October 9, 2023 Elon Musk has been notoriously allergic to advertising, although lately, he promised to consider promoting Tesla more. Things are now slowly but surely moving in this direction, as Tesla already runs many ads on Google and social media platforms. Launching the refreshed Model 3 in several markets, including China and Europe, is a great opportunity to promote the new model and its features.Tesla launched a social media campaign in China focusing on the Model 3 Highland's new technology. The first ad was about the lighting technology of the new model. Tesla explains how the new headlights eliminate blind spots in front of the car and on the sides, thanks to the broader and more powerful light beams. The light is also more uniform, improving driving safety and visual comfort at night and in low visibility scenarios like rain or fog.The ad also mentions the words "dynamic curves," but my Chinese is not good enough to discern whether this refers to adaptive lighting (also known as curved or dynamic lights) or is just a metaphor. We know that all Teslas already feature LED-matrix lights that can selectively illuminate sections of the road. So far, this ability is not active yet, missing software support, but it's not unlikely that Tesla solved the puzzle with the Model 3 Highland The new headlights not only illuminate the road better and further than before but are also more aerodynamic, helping improve efficiency. The more streamlined shape contributes to the impressive aerodynamics, with a drag coefficient as low as 0.22. Last but not least, the headlights, as well as the taillights, look much better. The C-shaped taillights integrated into the trunk lid have a light signature that emphasizes the car's width, projecting a more powerful image.This is not the first time Tesla is advertising its vehicles outside of Elon Musk's social media network X (formerly known as Twitter). Earlier this year, the first Tesla ads were spotted on the Google ads platform in several markets. A couple of days ago, a Tesla advert was seen running on giant screens at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. The ad featured information about the Model Y and some of its features, the Tesla Supercharger network, and the Autopilot system.These ads come at a time when more people, mostly Tesla investors, advocate for paying for advertisements instead of cutting prices as a way to energize sales. This debate became more acute after Tesla recently announced more price cuts for the Model Y and Model 3 in the US.Tesla also reported lower-than-expected production and delivery numbers in the third quarter, although it did warn that this would happen. The reason was that Tesla's most productive factories had been shut down for extended periods to upgrade the production lines. No matter how much Tesla spends on advertising, it cannot sell more EVs than its factories can produce. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev demanded the de-occupation of those villages in a weekend phone call with European Council President Charles Michel. It followed Michels joint meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian held in Spain. Aliyev cancelled at the last minute his participation in those talks that were due to focus on an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace accord. Aliyev referred to several small enclaves inside Armenia which were controlled by Azerbaijan in Soviet times and occupied by the Armenian army in the early 1990s. For its part, the Azerbaijani side seized at the time a bigger Armenian enclave comprising the village of Artsvashen and surrounding farmland and pastures. Pashinian responded to Aliyevs demands in an interview with Armenian Public Television aired late on Tuesday. He pointed to the Artsvashen enclave and said Azerbaijani forces also control large swathes of agricultural land that belonged to several other Armenian border villages. Pashinian said the future of these contested lands should be decided through a delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. He hinted that Yerevan is open to considering territorial swaps as part of that process. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry dismissed Pashinians comments on Wednesday, claiming that Azerbaijan had never occupied any Armenian territory. It said Armenia is thus trying to justify the occupation of eight Azerbaijani villages. The ministry also made clear that Baku continues to reject the idea of using a 1975 Soviet military map for the border delimitation, which is advanced by Yerevan. Michel, Macron and Scholz effectively backed the idea in a joint statement with Pashinian issued after their October 5 talks. The statement cited the urgent need to work towards border delimitation based on the most recent USSR General Staff maps that have been provided to the sides. The European leaders also voiced strong support for the inviolability of the borders of Armenia and called for strict adherence to the principle of non-use of force and threat of use of force. They appeared to allude to the fears that Azerbaijan could attack Armenia after recapturing Karabakh as a result of last months military offensive. A senior Armenian diplomat claimed over the weekend that Azerbaijani troops could try in the coming weeks to open an exterritorial land corridor to Azerbaijans Nakhichevan exclave through Armenias southeastern Syunik province. He said the West should impose sanctions on Baku to prevent such an attack. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan appeared to raise these concerns with a visiting U.S. regional envoy, Louis Bono, on Wednesday. Mirzoyan was cited by his press office as stressing the need to deter encroachments on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia. 11 October 2023 16:10 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Middle Corridor, playing out from the Far East to Europe, is an important and promising mega project that will shape the future of the region. The current geopolitical situation ramped up the significance of the Corridor. China and many European countries are keen on increasing the load capacity and speed of the corridor. Fortunately, the South Caucasus is situated in the heart of the corridor, and Azerbaijan and Georgia are irreplaceable parts of this transport segment. The two Caucasian fraternal countries do their best to complete all infrastructure works located on the corridor to increase the load capacity and speed. The issue was one of the main topics on the agenda of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs visit to Tbilisi. The construction of the Anaklia deep-water port, the completion of the East-West road, and other issues were voiced in the press conference within the framework of the visit. Speaking to Azernews on the issue, expert on transport issues Rauf Agamirzayev said that the construction of the port of Anaklia as a deep-water port on the Eastern Coast of the Black Sea was planned even during the time of the Soviet Union, and then it was actively put on the agenda during the years of independence. He stressed that the construction of this port could have a very positive economic impact on the region as a whole. Because this deep water port will bring new opportunities. The annual turnover of the port alone is 80-100 million tons, and it is planned to handle up to one million containers. It means berthing of Panamax-type ships (which can carry 10,000 containers at the same time), which in turn will increase the attractiveness of the corridor. However, blocking the construction of the port has had political aspects. However, the construction of this port was tabled once again in a complicated period. Because Russia is under sanctions and traditional roads are blocked, alternative roads and the elimination of bottlenecks on these roads are on the agenda. The port construction budget should be equal to $2.5bn. Probably, not only Georgia but also its partners can participate in this construction. There are countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the UAE, China, etc., which are interested in the construction of this port. Georgia should make a choice so that investors can actively participate in it, he noted. Rauf Agamirzayev told that Azerbaijan has a port, Kulevi terminal, on the Black Sea. The terminal is the final point of the Baku-Supsa pipeline. He noted that its expansion project is also tabled because Kazakhstan wants to diversify oil export through Azerbaijan's pipeline system to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Kazakhstan's main export pipeline is a pipeline from the CPC (Caspian Pipeline Consortioum) that stretched from Tengiz field in the north of the Caspian Sea to Novorossiysk. They expressed their desire to diversify it. For this, additional work should be done in order to use the existing infrastructural means that we already have, as well as to increase the volume in the future. Construction of oil terminals in ports in Kazakhstan and expansion of existing terminals in Azerbaijan are on the agenda, Rauf Agamirzayev said. The transport pundit touched on the highways and railways and pointed out that most of the East-West highway has already been built and upgraded to four lanes. In Azerbaijan, a part of the last 27 km is left in the Gazakh district. However, on the Georgian side, there are more works in comparison with Azerbaijan. He underlined that it is likely that the handover will be completed by the end of next year with the completion of many parts and completion in 2025. Meanwhile, reconstruction works on the Azerbaijan railway segment have been completed. Electric current has been finished from Ujar to Beyuk Kesik and continues from Ujar to Baku. As for Georgia, the modernization of the railways has been carried out since 2012 and will be completed in 2024. It is worth noting the modernization of railways will double the capacity for transporting goods. The modernization project involves the construction of six tunnels, including the longest in the South Caucasus, the Kvisheti-Zvare tunnel with a length of more than 8 km, R. Agamirzayev added. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 21:45 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more Conflicts in the world do not cease to grow and move smoothly into an escalation of the war, where the leading crusader players are diligently united to pursue their agenda, close to the establishment of a new world order on a fixed Earth. The end of the 200th Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, after a historically successful local anti-terrorist measures conducted by the Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, has given hope for a new life to the millions of displaced refugees who fled their once homeland. A wolf in sheep's clothing is seen in the face of the French authorities who want to arm and equip the losing side for further chess games. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev warned that France's decision to send military aid to Armenia could provoke a new conflict in the South Caucasus. France has confirmed future military aid contracts with Armenia and the move, according to the Azerbaijani President, contributes to escalating tensions rather than consolidating peace. If there is a new conflict, the President says, France will be responsible. There is a clear desire of the Western "crusaders" to maintain their strategic influence in the Caucasus and further to the Middle East, arming and guiding weakened countries along the path of chaos, strictly believing in the ideology of "repeated chaos becomes order". Azerbaijan, after a successful measures on sweeping terrorist groups away from its territories, immediately set about reintegrating the people of Garabagh. Capturing and disarming the leaders of the separatist regime backed by pro-Western mafias, and the staggering amount of arms the Azerbaijani army has taken under its control is a fundamental victory over long-standing separatism. Armenia is now unarmed, and many Armenians who did not want to reintegrate into Azerbaijan have decided to leave the country. Azerbaijan has provided both humanitarian and cultural assistance and all the necessities for the needs of the Armenians who left Garabagh under the pressure of some foreign forces. Azerbaijan wants peace and goodness unlike the Armenian armed groups that wreaked havoc on Azerbaijani territories in the First Garabagh War, under the power of demons, which eventually led to thousands of victims of all ages and a million Azerbaijanis being forced to leave their homes. To date, France has sent 56 "civil defense" soldiers, 2 Dash-type aircraft, 8 tons of equipment, and 2 rescue dogs to Armenia. Crusaders from Western and EU powers have also come out in support of Armenia, allocating large sums to support the Armenians who have fled Garabagh. 56 militaires francais de la Securite civile, 2 avions Dash, 1 PC projete, 8 tonnes de materiel et 2 chiens de sauvetage. J'ai accueilli ce soir a Erevan les equipes qui participent au cote des sauveteurs et a l'exercice HOPE 2023 Scenario : reponse sismique pic.twitter.com/flbHag3Ez9 Olivier Decottignies (@O_Decottignies) October 9, 2023 Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis did not show up or speak out in the past when help was so important and needed, during the bloodshed and massacres committed by Armenians. Neither the EU, the UN, nor others have helped, and no wonder, because since the creation of such an organization as the UN (which is supposed to prevent wars and their outbreaks), there have been more than 140 wars. Is this the way that they help the world? According to reports from international institutions, France has been rapidly increasing its arms exports over the last few years and is a leader in this field. According to a report by the Stockholm Institute for Peace Research (SIPRI) and other international data, it is expected that France may soon overtake the Russian Federation in arms exports. The data shows on the Stockholm Institute that between 2018 and 2022, global arms market share gains have risen from 7.1 percent to 11 percent. Paris strengthens its position in the global market through a commonwealth of "crusader" clans, at the expense of Dassault Aviation and Naval Group. This is the visible side of the moon. the first company produces Rafale fighter jets, demand for which has increased dramatically in recent years. According to data coming from the company, France exports billions of euros worth of them every year. The Rafale is in great demand for its fighter jets, which are in service in countries such as Greece, Qatar, India, and Egypt, and are soon to appear in Croatia, Indonesia, and the UAE. The UAE has ordered 80 Rafale F-4s in 2021. Naval Group exports warships of various types, including diesel-electric submarines. Since Armenia is landlocked and has no means for maintenance and purchase, as well as for training of pilots, it is possible to exclude such a variant of acquisition of warships, as well as fighter jets by Armenia. We can only talk about air defense systems, various armored vehicles, and artillery systems, including anti-tank missile systems, i.e. the more favorable position that Armenia will adhere to is for land forces. The Armenian side is interested in purchasing SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile systems from France. This system is also produced by France. MBDA Systems is currently in service with France, Italy, and Ukraine. Azerbaijan has opted for the Israeli Barak-8. Meanwhile, Ukraine receives from Azerbaijan 10 cargoes of humanitarian aid for the energy sector, including 50 reserve power plants and 45 power transformers. The next large shipment of new equipment for the rehabilitation of distribution networks is also expected to arrive before the end of 2023. Finding peace in the Caucasus is not only the main task of Azerbaijan, but it should be the main task of the neighboring countries to put an end to suffering and bloodshed. Truth lies at the bottom of a well. A wolf in sheep's clothing will once expose a cheat and even lead to a den of wolves, where all the protagonists work hard to produce clandestine plans. ---- Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz * BRI cooperation has created a new paradigm for international cooperation, rising above the outdated mentality of geopolitical games. * China released a white paper titled "The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future" on Tuesday, underlining the initiative as "a Chinese solution to global development issues." * China is working to foster new drivers of economic growth, while advancing large key projects as well as some "small yet smart" projects to help BRI participating countries lay a solid foundation for development. BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has created new engines for global economic growth and a new paradigm for international cooperation, giving a boost to the development of China and other BRI countries. China released a white paper titled "The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future" on Tuesday, underlining the initiative as "a Chinese solution to global development issues," which aims to advance modernization in participating countries in tandem, make economic globalization more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable, and ensure that more of the fruits will be shared more equitably by people across the world. At a press conference held Tuesday on the white paper, several Chinese officials fielded questions ranging from the initiative's current status and cooperation mechanisms to its potential for future development. NEW PARADIGM "BRI cooperation has created a new paradigm for international cooperation, rising above the outdated mentality of geopolitical games," said Li Kexin, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, at the press conference. Over the past decade, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations. "The circle of friends has grown larger and larger, which fully proves that the initiative does not seek to form any closed and narrow circles," said Li. "Trade and investment have expanded steadily between China and other BRI countries in the past decade," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting said at the press conference. From 2013 to 2022, the cumulative value of imports and exports between China and other BRI countries reached 19.1 trillion U.S. dollars, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4 percent, said the white paper. The cumulative two-way investment between China and other BRI countries reached 380 billion U.S. dollars, including 240 billion U.S. dollars from China. The BRI has connected the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end with the developed European economic circle at the other, and includes the countries in between with huge potential for economic development, and also fostered closer economic cooperation with African and Latin American countries, according to the white paper. FROM VISION TO REALITY Since its launch 10 years ago, the BRI has evolved from ideas into actions, from a vision into reality, and from a general framework into concrete projects. It has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform, said the white paper. BRI cooperation has delivered real gains to participating countries. It has contributed to the sound development of economic globalization and helped to resolve global development challenges and improve the global governance system, according to the white paper. It has also opened up a new path for all humanity to realize modernization, and ensured that the efforts of building a global community of shared future are delivering real results, the white paper said. Guo said in taking the next step China is working to foster new drivers of economic growth, while advancing large key projects as well as some "small yet smart" projects to help BRI participating countries lay a solid foundation for development. China will create a pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and host the global expo on digital trade to share development dividends with other BRI countries, Guo added. To facilitate two-way trade, Guo said China will work actively towards joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement. Guo said China will also support companies from Hong Kong and Macao to participate in the construction of the Belt and Road and deepen cooperation in the green economy, digital economy and other fields, to achieve sustainable development in BRI countries. (Video reporters: Wang Zhongfang; Video editors: Zhang Yucheng, Li Qin, Luo Hui, Zheng Xin) MBABANE Beneficiaries whose pension was invested in Likhwane Beneficiary Fund, paid an unfriendly visit to the FSRA, to demand a solution on behalf of the dependents who have been stranded for over four months now. FSRA is an acronym for Financial Services Regulatory Authority. The visit follows that of Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) on Monday, where the beneficiaries also demanded an audience with the Managing Director (MD), Ernest Mkhonta, wanting answers to the delay in the distribution of their benefits. Some of the beneficiaries broke down in tears when relating the challenges they faced, following that Likhwane had stopped paying the dependents necessities such as food and school fees, among others. The parents, some of whom were holding back tears, said God would deal harshly with FSRA management as He was silently working on the matter in His way. The beneficiaries accused FSRA of allegedly failing to engage them and yet they were now telling them about liquidation. According to the beneficiaries, this was the fourth month that they had not received funds from Likhwane, while the dependents suffered. Investing It should be noted that FSRA is merely a regulator of the financial services industry and is not in the business of investing peoples funds. One of the parents even stated that she was happy to be addressing the FSRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ncamiso Ntshalintshali, on the matter, whom God had entrusted and the words coming out of her mouth were like fire that would remind him, while sitting in his chair, that they were spoken by a woman. She said the CEO had been placed by God in that office. He has trusted him to look after the vulnerable as He (God) knew that this time would come. FSRA has been granted an interim order for the provisional winding up of Likhwane, though the former is opposed to the order being made final. The beneficiaries wanted answers from the FSRA senior management on how their children would be assisted, while the matter continued in court. We are stuck at home with the children who have dropped out of school for owing fees. The minors are also starving as we can hardly provide food for them, they said in a meeting with FSRA. According to the recipients, January was approaching and they would be required to pay huge sums of money for school fees. Another parent stated that some of their children had passed with flying colours but because the government had limited scholarships, they were stranded and could not further their education. They accused FSRA of running to court to apply for a provisional liquidation, which resulted in Likhwane suspending operations completely. Such, they said, was allegedly an inconsiderate move by FSRA, which contributed to the suffering of the dependents of the fund. The beneficiaries wanted to know if the regulator could suspend the liquidation to allow Likhwane to continue giving them money. Questioned Furthermore, they questioned the FSRA on what assurance they had that the liquidator would have enough funds to distribute to them after the liquidation. According to their knowledge, they said there was a possibility that there was E5 or E0.001 in the investors coffers (Likhwane), wondering what would happen then as the instruction for liquidation had already been issued, albeit on an interim basis. What will happen to our children when we rush to liquidate, yet it would not assist in any way? The monies of the beneficiaries also vary, so why rush to implement the insolvency decision, they asked FSRA. According to the beneficiaries, not all channels had been exhausted because when winding up the company, it meant there was completely nothing they could do. How certain is FSRA that we will get something or they just want to close the matter because they are exhausted in dealing with it, they asked again. They lamented that if FSRA simply wanted to wind up Likhwane without due appreciation of the situation at hand, there would be a lot of problems in the future. Meanwhile, the recipients added that some did not even have homes and were renting apartments, of which they were now helpless and could not pay rent. Furthermore, they said they were furnished with the balance of funds currently held at Likhwane, which, in their opinion, were too good to be true. Liquidation It would make sense if FSRA can say we will get 70 per cent of whatever was in the coffers, then we would support the liquidation. If not, other avenues should be considered and the liquidation be set aside, they said. The beneficiaries further claimed that FSRA had powers to engage the other investors and come up with a temporary solution as the matter was being dealt with by the courts. We need to get this money from whatever hole it has been placed in as there are depends involved here who need to survive, stated the recipients. They said by hook or crook, the funds had to be recovered and if it called for them to take to the streets naked every day, that was exactly what they would do, adding that it was unfortunate that they might decide to act like barbarians because of this situation. The beneficiaries said they needed the money not for their use but that of the children. One parent said she was the head of the family now and had three children she was failing to look after all by herself, while FSRA was telling them about their laws. FSRA, just look into what you can do for us and the children, the parent said. She said they could even submit school receipts of the monies required and FSRA would make the payment. The parent said she had nothing and this could even lead to her taking her own life. What is happening to us is very wrong, no matter what laws you quote. Call us when you have answers, she said. Another parent said FSRA should consider the fact that they were engaging widows. She said God in the Bible made it clear that if you cruelly treat a widow or an orphan, you are touching the apple of His eye. Our husbands and parents monies have been taken by yourselves with the authority and power you have and invested it with Likhwane, they claimed. The beneficiaries in one accord stated that they had no relationship with Likhwane and that their deceased loved ones did not work for Likhwane, but for other companies. They implored FSRA to take responsibility and ensure the welfare of the children was looked after. 11 October 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Azerbaijan, which has been an active member of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) since 1992, at last, held its 27th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (ECO) in Shusha, the land of Azerbaijan, which was freed from occupation after 31 years. The importance of holding the event in Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, was of particular importance. First of all, it should be noted that Azerbaijan, as a state that owns its sovereign territories, is realizing the Great Return to the lands of Garabagh and historical Zangazur, which were freed from occupation. This can be considered one of the most successful steps taken by Azerbaijan regarding economic revival. On the other hand, Shusha, which is considered the heart of Garabagh, has the prospect of becoming one of the great economic centers in the near future. As the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated in his appeal to the opening of the 27th Meeting of the ECO, Shusha will be declared the tourism capital of Azerbaijan in 2026. Indeed, this is one of the bright examples of the rapid reconstruction and restoration works in Garabagh. Although only three years have passed, after a heavy battle lasting 44 days, Azerbaijan was able to achieve great success. The liberation and restoration of 20% of the occupied territories also played the role of an extremely stimulating factor in the country's economic progress. In today's ministerial meeting in Shusha, this issue was specifically addressed. In general, the revival of Garabagh and its return to its past in a more modern form is also the start of a new life for more than one million internally displaced persons. Even during the former Soviet period, Garabagh was at the forefront of viticulture, winemaking, animal husbandry, and other agricultural fields. Today, when looking at the modern world, the economic potential of Garabagh is much greater than in previous times. Because according to the requirements of today's era, Azerbaijan is also taking important steps to strengthen interstate relations with the creation of new communication and road infrastructure. At the same time, the provision of new residents of Garabagh with houses in accordance with modern requirements and ensuring their living are among the main demands of today. It is no coincidence that, as the head of state also noted, today the plan to return to Garabagh is considered one of the most priority issues for Azerbaijan. The program of the Great Return to the de-occupied territories is among our national priorities. As part of successfully implementing the program, the displaced persons' return has been ensured to the cities of Lachin and Fuzuli and the villages of Aghali, Zabukh, and Talish. Nearly 100 hundred thousand displaced persons are envisaged to be returned to their homes in the coming three years. Along with the revival of Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions and ensuring sustainable resettling of the population, implementing the projects also enables conditions for turning these areas into a developed region. In addition, one of the other main priorities for Azerbaijan is the restoration of peace and security in the region. About three weeks ago, in response to the violation of the November 10, 2020 declaration by the separatist elements in Azerbaijans Garabagh Economic Region, Azerbaijan succeeded in clearing the terrorist groups in Garabagh as a result of anti-terrorist measures. Until that period, landmine terrorism, armed attacks, and other such unpleasant situations happened many times in Garabagh which caused death and injuries of civilians as well as servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army. This was one of the factors seriously hindering the construction works in Garabagh. Also, the elements of separatism that hindered the reintegration process in Garabagh were eliminated and a dangerous situation was prevented. At the same time, Azerbaijan is always inclined to peaceful and progressive steps, and in this regard, it always takes the first step in developing relations with neighboring Armenia in the format of 3+3 cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized this very issue in his appeal: "Azerbaijan has always been a proponent of peace and the author of peace initiatives in the region. Stemming from the principle that regional matters must be resolved with the involvement of the countries of our immediate region, Azerbaijan has proposed the "3+3" cooperation format. A historic environment has emerged today for normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, signing the peace treaty, and transforming the South Caucasus into a region of peace and cooperation. Thus, at the 27th Meeting of the ECO held in Shusha, the topic themed Azerbaijan's OIC chairmanship as "Green transition and interaction" was one of the significant parts of the event. It is no coincidence that Green energy and decarbonization, which are the main priorities of the UN SDG, are among the main agenda of Azerbaijan's sustainable development program related to Garabagh. In addition, the "smart city" and "smart village" projects built in the Garabagh Economic Region and East Zangazur, declared energy zones, can be specially highlighted in this regard. Further, as the head of state noted, Azerbaijan is also the most reliable transit country for the eight member states of the ECO. The passage of this road, which is considered the main segment of the Middle Corridor project and stretches from East to West, through the territory of Azerbaijan, made it necessary to develop the field of transportation and logistics. With regard to the increased demand for cargo shipping along the East-West route, Azerbaijan is looking forward to increasing the throughput capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway from the current 1 million to 5 million tons. In this regard, the recently reached agreement between Azerbaijan and Iran on the construction of a highway and railway to connect Nakhchivan is an example of the work done in the mentioned field. At the same time, Azerbaijan is taking important steps in the field of expanding the capacity of the North-South transport corridor. All the work done in this way shows once again that Azerbaijan successfully fulfills its obligations among the nine member states of ECO. In addition, Azerbaijan highly appreciates the support given in ensuring peace and stability in the region, as peace and security in the region is also a successful development of joint economic cooperation. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 13:55 (UTC+04:00) "The extent to which Azerbaijan supports the global community in energy security issues is obvious," Chairman of the Senate of the Romanian Parliament Nicolae Ciuca said during a meeting with Chairman of the Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament) Sahiba Gafarova, Azernews reports. The issues of inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries were discussed at the meeting. Nicolae Ciuca noted that there is great potential for further development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania in many fields, including energy, transport, healthcare, and education. Nicolae Ciuca expressed the opinion that the trip would contribute to the development of parliamentary and other ties between the two countries. Noting the strong friendship existing between Romania and Azerbaijan, the Chairman also emphasized the numerous fields in which the two states cooperate. Nicolae Ciuca said the high-level relations between the two states create good opportunities for the further development of cooperation between the legislative bodies and stressed the importance of contacts between the parliamentarians and friendship groups. The Senate President noted the importance of the visit for discussions aimed at further development of relations. Chairman said that visited Azerbaijan in different capacities and shared his positive impressions of the country. Sahiba Gafarova expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to further strengthening and expansion of relations between the friendly countries. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova talked of political and military provocations by Armenia laying mines in Azerbaijani territories. According to her, 8 villages of Azerbaijan remain under occupation of Armenia. They also discussed steps being taken for the reintegration of Garabagh's Armenian residents. Ciuca reiterated that Romania always adheres to the peace plan and recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Morocco Nazim Samadov and ICESCO General Director Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik have discussed prospects of cooperation. During the meeting, the sides recalled the last visit of ICESCO General Director to Baku, Azernews reports. ICESCO General Director expressed his deep gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for his strong support to the organization. He also expressed his deep gratitude to the President for the meeting and the warm reception, which was attended by the First Vice President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, while he was in Baku on October 2. Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik noted that during the visit, he held productive meetings with high-ranking state officials in Azerbaijan, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Education, Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Digital Development and Transport, as well as the management of the Azerbaijan Space Agency and ADA University. The sides also touched upon the announcement of Azerbaijan's Shusha city as the Cultural capital of Islamic World for 2024. They discussed the events and activities to be held with the cooperation of ICESCO in this regard. Nazim Samadov said that the Azerbaijani Embassy in Morocco will spare no effort in strengthening the partnership between the country and the organization. Recall that Azerbaijani Culture Minister Adil Karimli presented the nomination of Shusha as a candidate city within ICESCO's Programme for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World at the 12th Conference of the Culture Ministers of the Islamic World held in Doha. By unanimous decision, the city was declared the Cultural Capital of the Islamic world for 2024. Notably, Azerbaijan has been a member of ICESCO since 1991. Established in 1991, these relations have entered into a stage of successful development after the awarding of the First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva as ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador on November 24, 2006. The First Lady of Azerbaijan was honored for her services in the development of education and dialogue between civilizations. Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with various organizations of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Islamic Development Bank, Islamic Conference of Parliamentary Union, Islamic Conference of Youth Forum. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00) "In 2020, the conditions for the deployment of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region have been seriously adjusted, and the activity of Russian peacekeepers will be adapted against the background of the mass influx of the population after 19-20 September.", Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing, Azernews reports. M.Zakharova noted that principal issues concerning the Russian peacekeepers are being discussed with Baku: "A number of temporary observation points of the Russian peacekeeping contingent have already been withdrawn, the principal issues related to our peacekeepers, as we have already said, are being discussed with Baku." says Russian FM. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 10:25 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more In accordance with the instruction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the restored city of Fuzuli continues, Azernews reports. Another group of former IDPs consisting of 22 families or 59 people left the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in Garadagh, for Fuzuli on October 11. The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt on the basis of instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation. Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 187 families - 661 people. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 13:09 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more The XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, chaired by Maulen Ashimbaev, the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress, kicked off at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana, Azernews reports. Azerbaijan is represented at the meeting by Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazada, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Administration. At the opening ceremony, Ashimbayev noted that this meeting has become a good tradition and now the international community provides special support to the initiatives of the Congress: "Our meetings are always based on principles and trust. We are glad to see all of you in this hall". The meeting was attended by religious leaders of the world and traditional religions from Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Shintoism from 24 countries, including Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mongolia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Vatican, and others. The agenda for the meeting included an exchange of views on the results of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as the discussion of the Concept for the Development of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for 2023-2033. The Secretariat meeting was organized in accordance with the decision of the participants of the First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held on September 23-24, 2003 in Astana. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 11:15 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Health Decade dedicated to the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev is being held in Tashkent with the organization of the health ministries of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Azernews reports. Within the framework of the visit, the delegation led by the Azerbaijan Health Minister, Teymur Musayev, visited the Heydar Aliyev Square created in Tashkent and the large memorial complex erected there. The delegation laid wreaths in front of the National Leader's monument and honored the dear memory of the National Leader of Azerbaijanis. The square was opened as part of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on June 21, 2022. The square, located on the street named after the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, is one of the places where city residents and guests go for recreation. Then the delegation visited the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan. As part of the Health Decade, Uzbekistan's Health Minister Amrillo Inoyatov had a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijan's Health Minister Teymur Musayev. The high level of bilateral relations and cooperation between the brotherly countries was emphasized at the meeting held in a friendly environment. It was stated that the mutual visits of the leaders of both countries are a clear example of interstate friendship. It was noted that the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan health forum will be held on October 11 within the framework of the Health Decade. In addition to deepening bilateral cooperation, the forum will create ample opportunities for strengthening the exchange of experience in the field of healthcare, stimulating public-private partnerships, and attracting additional investments in this field. Within the framework of the decade, the surgical operations, examination, and treatment procedures performed by medical specialists of the Azerbaijani Health Ministry together with their Uzbek colleagues were highly appreciated. It was emphasized that this event will bring the mutual cooperation to a new level, increase the practical knowledge of the doctors of both countries and create new opportunities for protecting the health of the population. During the meeting, opinions were exchanged on other issues of mutual interest. Besides, the delegation led by the Minister of Health of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev, visited the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Surgery Center named after Academician V. Vahidov within the framework of the Health Decade. Here, Teymur Musayev held a meeting with the citizens and doctors from Azerbaijan who were operated together on the sidelines of the Healthcare Decade. Medical procedures covered areas such as neonatal minimally invasive surgery, pediatric surgery, transplantology, minimally invasive laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, traumatology and orthopedics, oncology and ophthalmology, and heavy reconstructive operations. At the same time, acquaintance with the Republican Specialized Eye Microsurgery Center, National Children's Medical Center, Scientific-Practical Traumatology and Orthopedics Center and M-clinic took place. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 11:40 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more Azerbaijan is grateful to Kazakhstan for support in reconstruction works in the territories liberated from occupation. Azerbaijan is restoring destroyed mosques, churches and temples in the liberated territories, Azernews reports. This was stated by the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Department (CMD) Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade at the meeting of the XXI session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions held in Astana. "At present, after restoring its territorial integrity on the basis of the UN Charter and four well-known UN Security Council resolutions, Azerbaijan is restoring destroyed cultural and spiritual heritage sites, including vandalized mosques, churches, and temples, in the liberated territories. We are grateful to all countries that have provided assistance and support to Azerbaijan in restoration works, reconstruction projects, and demining. We especially express our deep gratitude to brotherly Kazakhstan for a gratuitous donation of the Kurmangazy Creative Development Centre built in Fizuli City," Pashazade said. Clergyman recalled that during his visit to Azerbaijan last year, Kazakh President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev visited this Centre together with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "This Centre is a very valuable gift to Azerbaijan from our brothers," stressed the SMV Chairman. It is necessary to protest against insulting religious symbols and shrines, in some European countries the tendency of repeated burning of the Koran, the holy book of Muslims, is a very serious offense. Pashazade added that today, at a time when the world is going through great upheavals, the ideas of human solidarity are more relevant than ever. "As always, the undisputed priority is the defense of human life - this sacred value given to Azerbaijan by the Almighty. Attempts to foment inter-civilizational clashes can bring the world to the brink of major catastrophes," the clergyman stressed. According to Pashazade, the tendency to repeatedly burn the Holy Book of Muslims in some European countries is a very serious offense: "The fact that the UN Human Rights Council held an emergency meeting on such incidents and condemned the burning and desecration of the Koran in some European countries is an indicator of actual recognition of the seriousness of the situation. Therefore, the special UN discussion on this issue launched this year is commendable. It is the duty of every political and religious leader to prevent speech and actions that lead to hatred and conflict under the pretext of freedom of speech and democracy. We religious leaders should strongly condemn all forms and facts of abuse of religion for political purposes, including terrorist manifestations, hate speech, xenophobia, and extremist acts against religious people in churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship. We must raise our voices against insulting religious symbols and shrines," Allahshukur Pashazade said. The Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders is an important platform for global interreligious dialogue --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 13:30 (UTC+04:00) Within the framework of the visit, Sheikhul Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh met with the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev, Azernews reports. Sheikhul Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh took part in the XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan. M. Ashimbayev warmly welcomed the guest and emphasized the brotherly ties uniting our people: "Our countries and peoples are united by centuries-old strong ties of friendship, common history, traditions and culture. In Kazakhstan, we are very happy about all the achievements of your country. Last year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the past years, interstate relations have strengthened in many areas. Of course, constant contact between the Presidents of the two countries Kasym-Jomart Tokayev and Ilham Aliyev contributed to this. I also consider it important to continue joint work on the development of inter-religious dialogue". Maulen Ashimbayev conveyed sincere congratulations to our people and the country's leadership on the occasion of the full restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty: "This happened thanks to the unwavering will of the leadership and people of Azerbaijan on the path of establishing justice. Kazakhstan has always supported and will continue to support brotherly Azerbaijan in its struggle. Today we are ready to provide comprehensive support to brotherly Azerbaijan in carrying out reconstruction works in the territories liberated from occupation. Garabagh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, the victory of Azerbaijan is the victory of all Turkic peoples. The Senate Speaker expressed deep gratitude to Sheikhul Islam for his active participation in the work of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and stressed that the secretariat of the Congress uses the experience and wisdom of the religious leader of Azerbaijan. In turn, Speaker Sheikhul Islam Allahshukur Pashazade conveyed greetings of the leadership of Azerbaijan and our people to the Chairman of the Senate of the brotherly country. "We are very pleased with the successes achieved by Kazakhstan in political and economic spheres, and the growing international authority of our brotherly country. Sheikhul Islam emphasized the exceptional role of President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev in strengthening the authority of the Congress. Speaking about Azerbaijani-Kazakh cooperation, and solidarity of the leadership and peoples of the two states, the AGM chairman particularly stressed President Tokayev's visit to the liberated territories and the initiative to build the Kurmangazy Centre for Creative Development in Fuzuli, describing it as a symbol of common culture and solidarity of the two peoples. The meeting was attended by the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Agalar Atamoglanov, and the First Deputy Chairman of the PSC, Mufti Salman Musayev. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 16:44 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more On October 11, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received Pakistani Top Diplomat Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is visiting Azerbaijan within the framework of the 27th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization. The Foreign Ministry noted that at the meeting, the parties exchanged views on strategic bilateral relations based on mutual trust, solidarity, and respect between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. They expressed satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between the two countries, including the existing political dialogue, and emphasized the importance of high-level visits and contacts in all directions, including parliamentary diplomacy. It was also pointed out that there is a wide potential for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in economy, transport, trade and other fields. During the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed his colleague about the latest situation in the region, and the anti-terrorist activities implemented by Azerbaijan in order to disarm the illegal Armenian armed forces and remove the illegal regime. The Pakistani minister expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for organizing the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization at a high level in Shusha, Azerbaijan. Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasized that Pakistan supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the legitimate steps taken in its sovereign territories. In this context, the support provided to Azerbaijan during the 30-year occupation of Armenia, as well as during the 44-day Patriotic War, was highly appreciated. At the meeting, the ministers also discussed other regional and international issues of mutual interest. In addition, Pakistani FM shared a post on X about the meeting and noted that he congratulated Azerbaijan on successfully hosting the 27th Council of Ministers of ECO. He added that we reiterated our resolve to further cement the Pakistani-Azerbaijani relations in economy and trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. A highly productive meeting with FM of Azerbaijan @Bayramov_Jeyhun. Congratulated him on successfully hosting @ECO_int 27th Council of Ministers. We reiterated our resolve to further cement relations in economy & trade , connectivity and ppl-to-ppl contacts. @AzerbaijanMFA pic.twitter.com/ryJejWNhE7 Jalil Abbas Jilani (@JalilJilani) October 11, 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A P Moller - Maersk (Maersk) and Kodiak Robotics have launched the first commercial autonomous trucking lane between Houston and Oklahoma City in the US. The freight lane marks an expansion of the collaboration between Kodiak and Maersk, which began with their first autonomous freight deliveries together in November 2022 as part of Maersks Global Innovation Center Program. Kodiak has been delivering eight loads per week, with a safety driver behind the wheel, for Maersk customers since August, said a statement. Teaming with Kodiak enables Maersk to stay at the forefront of innovative solutions. Autonomous trucks will play an instrumental role in digitizing the supply chain. "We expect self-driving trucks to ultimately become a competitive advantage for Maersk as we execute on our strategy to provide customers with a sustainable, end-to-end logistics solution across air, land, and sea," said Erez Agmoni Maersks global head of innovation - logistics & services. Kodiak and Maersk are completing four round trips per week on a 24-hour-a-day, four-day-a-week basis between a Houston facility, where consumer products are loaded onto 53-foot trailers, to a distribution centre in Oklahoma City. Operational learnings gained from the activity are captured and documented as part of the Kodiak Partner Deployment Program, which is designed to help companies learn how Kodiaks self-driving trucks can become an integral part of their overall logistics strategy and offerings. "Since our founding, we have focused on developing an autonomous product that is easy for global innovation leaders to integrate into their networks, and Maersk is a perfect fit. Hauling commercial freight gives us the opportunity to work together to integrate Kodiaks autonomous trucking solution into Maersks operations. As the first autonomous trucking company to establish this new commercial lane between Houston and Oklahoma City, we are demonstrating our teams ability to introduce new lanes and bring new efficiencies to the entire logistics industry," said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO, Kodiak. Autonomous trucking solutions have the potential to address long-term challenges faced by the trucking industry. According to the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry faces a shortage of roughly 78,000 drivers. The ATA estimates that, based on current driver demographic trends, as well as projected growth in freight demand, the shortage could swell to more than 160,000 over the next decade. Safety continues to be a perennial challenge for the trucking industry as well. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research also estimates that 94% of crashes occur due to human error. For Kodiak, safety and performance are foundational to its autonomous trucking solution. Each vehicle is equipped with 18 different sensors, including cameras, radar, and lidar, that provide the platform with a 360-degree view around the truck. Every tenth of a second, the truck evaluates the performance of more than 1,000 safety-critical processes and components in both the self-driving stack and the underlying truck platform. The trucks learn in parallel, with system upgrades shared to the entire fleet simultaneously, and are not subject to environmental distractions. - TradeArabia News Service 11 October 2023 18:27 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more On October 11, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the Special Representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, Azernews reports. The Foreign Ministry noted that at the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the prospects of the draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the issues of normalization between the two countries, the latest situation in the region, and the steps taken in the direction of the reintegration of the Armenian community in Azerbaijans Garabagh. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that the Azerbaijani side is interested in the positive outcome of the meetings held through the mediation of international partners, including the European Union, and that after 30 years, a historic opportunity has arisen for the sake of ensuring peace and stability in the region. In this regard, the importance of avoiding statements and declarations that could lead to revanchism by Armenia, as well as the so-called smear campaign against Azerbaijan, was brought to attention. At the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that the process of registration of local Armenian residents is being continued through the electronic portal. Also, it was pointed out that the departure of Armenian residents from the territory of Azerbaijan is not related to any forced displacement, and the recent visits of UN officials to the region and the statements made after the visit are a clear example of this. At the meeting, the parties also discussed other issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 17:36 (UTC+04:00) On October 11, the delegation led by the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov left for Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, to attend the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that within the framework of the visit, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will attend and speak at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS, as well as hold bilateral meetings with the officials of other states participating in the meeting. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz At the solemn meeting of the Kyrgyzstan-China Friendship Society dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the One Belt, One Road initiative, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov made a significant announcement, Azernews reports, citing Kabar. In the spirit of friendship and in order to strengthen public diplomacy between countries, the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan decided to introduce a visa-free regime for citizens of the People's Republic of China - residents of the Hong Kong and Macau regions. Additionally, Chinese citizens with open visas to the US, UK and European Union will also be able to take advantage of this benefit. This decision is a step towards deepening friendly and partnership relations between the peoples of Kyrgyzstan and China, as well as expanding cultural and economic cooperation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 19:45 (UTC+04:00) At least 3,007 Israeli citizens have suffered wounds in the Palestinian group Hamas attack, the Israeli Health Ministry said, Azernews reports, citing TASS. According to the ministry, as many as 3,007 wounded people were hospitalized as of 9:00 a.m. local time (6:00 a.m. GMT) on Wednesday. The ministry added that 345 people were in serious condition and 563 were in moderate condition. The Israeli Embassy in the US said on X (formerly Twitter) at about 1:00 p.m. GMT on Tuesday that the number of those killed had reached 1,008 and the number of those wounded stood at 3,418. However, the post is currently unavailable. The state-run Kan radio station, in turn, said on Tuesday that the death toll had passed 1,000 as of 8:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. GMT). Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Palestinian militants from the Hamas movement attacked Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. According to the latest official data, 950 Palestinians have been killed in clashes and strikes, while over 5,000 have suffered wounds. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israel has declared a state of readiness for war and announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 20:20 (UTC+04:00) Turkiye has completed all preparations for the safe evacuation of its citizens from Israel and Palestine amid an escalation of tensions in the region, the country's transportation and infrastructure minister said on Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. The Foreign Ministry is working on the evacuation of Turkish citizens from Israel and Palestine, Abdulkadir Uraloglu told the media shortly before the AK Party group meeting in Ankara. We are prepared to carry out all kinds of operations from the sea and air, if necessary, he added. Regarding the decision of Turkiyes national flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) and Pegasus to stop flights to Israel, Uraloglu emphasized that this measure was taken independently by these airlines due to safety concerns in the Middle Eastern country. These companies should not operate until safety is ensured, he said. The minister also talked about the current security situation in the Mediterranean Sea, saying that "there is a (security) risk at ports at the moment." When there is a risk at ports, we also have advised Turkish-flagged ships to take decisions accordingly, he said. In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories. The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers growing violence against Palestinians. In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 22:30 (UTC+04:00) Georgian troops joined their Azerbaijani and Turkish counterparts in Eternity 2023, a computer-assisted command and staff exercises hosted by Azerbaijan last week, the Georgian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. Georgian Defence Forces servicemembers were taking part in the drills alongside professionals of the Department of Strategic Pipelines Protection of the Georgian Interior Ministry. Hosted by the Centre for War Games of the Military Administration Institute of National Defence University of Azerbaijan, the exercise aimed to simulate scenarios for the protection of strategically important facilities, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, as well as regional economic infrastructure. The project involved coordination between the military personnel of the three countries, sharing of experience, as well as the creation of a unified action plan and its implementation according to the NATO standards, the state body also noted. The exercise has been hosted since 2000 on a rotational basis. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Kazakhstan has announced its readiness to increase oil exports to Uzbekistan if better price conditions are received, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency. The department noted that oil is exported to Uzbekistan from the Shagyr oil loading station and the Kasymov oil pumping station, located in Shymkent and Atyrau, respectively. If the Uzbek side offers prices and conditions better than in the direction of China or other foreign countries, we are ready to consider increasing supplies, the statement reads. At the end of 2022, Uzbekistan accounted for 0.13% of the total volume of Kazakh oil exports. Also, the issue of increasing oil supplies was discussed between representatives of Uzbekistan and subsoil users of Kazakhstan. In accordance with the agreement on the transit of 300 thousand tons of Russian oil through the territory of Kazakhstan, 79 thousand tons have been delivered since the beginning of the year. At the same time, the export of Kazakh oil to Uzbekistan in 2022 amounted to 87 thousand tons, and according to the results of nine months of this year 46 thousand tons, explained the Ministry of Energy. The day before, Vedomosti reported that Kazakhstan had reduced the shipment of oil to Uzbekistan by rail to a minimum. The place of Kazakh oil was taken by cheaper Russian oil, whose supplies to the republic over the six months of this year increased more than 5 times, to 1.2 million tons. According to the State Statistics Committee, in January-August 2023, imports of oil and petroleum products to Uzbekistan increased by almost 48%, amounting to $1.09 billion. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 October 2023 23:13 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Armenian vandalism continues. During the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine, a number of rebel forces arose in Lebanon. Thus, a group of Armenian revanchists, amid the anarchy in the country, have demonstrated their hatred and aggression by burning the flags of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Israel, Azernews reports. It should be noted that this kind of behavior was committed against Turkish and Azerbaijani citizens in Lebanon after the successful anti-terrorist measures in Azerbaijan's Garabagh economic region a few weeks ago. Such deviant groups even attacked the embassy of Azerbaijan in Lebanon. It should be noted that recently such chaotic behavior of a group of radical-minded Armenians living in different countries of the world has already become a habit. In some countries, by abusing loopholes in the law, those radical groups attack even civilians and pose a serious threat to them. Radical Armenians burning the flags of Azerbaijan, Israel and Turkey in Lebanon. #StandsWithIsrael pic.twitter.com/eqESETzF5H Azerbaijani Community of California (@AzerbaijaniCA) October 11, 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Shillong, Oct 11 (UNI) Troopers of the BSF Meghalaya Frontier rescued 70 cattle from the India-Bangladesh international border of Meghalaya on Tuesday, which were intended to be smuggled to the neighbouring country. Based on specific information, the troops of 181 Battalion BSF carried out a coordinated operation with the Meghalaya police near the bordering village of Silbari in South Garo Hills district and managed to seize 22 cattle (buffaloes), which were concealed in a jungle area. The seized cattle were handed over to the concerned police station for further necessary action, a spokesperson at the BSF Meghalaya Frontier Headquarters here said on Wednesday. In another operation, acting on specific information, troops of 193 Battalion and 172 Battalion of BSF Meghalaya also seized 48 cattle meant to be smuggled into Bangladesh through the international border of East Khasi and East Jaintia Hills districts, the BSF informed. UNI RRK AKS Double Vino Fun on S. Oregon Coast With Wine Walks in Coos Bay, North Bend Published 10/05/23 at 7:47 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Coos Bay, Oregon) It's the south Oregon coast event so nice they're running it twice in Coos County. Two lovely bayside towns multiple wine tasting events. That's what's in store at Coos Bay just about every first Friday and the periodic North Bend Sip-N-Stroll. First Friday Wine Walks in Coos Bay are entering their home stretch months before they take a break in January. October 6 is the next one coming up in the south Oregon coast town, and on November 3 for the one after that. Every month, come downpour or shine, perhaps even hundreds of folks walk the walk and drink the drink: wine from some of the best purveyors in the northwest, that is. For a $10 donation, you get a map and a wine glass, and the money goes to various charities that the Coos Bay / North Bend Rotary Club is working with. The wine flows and so does the conversation, making for some real camaraderie. The fun goes from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. You pick up your map and glass at either the Coos Bay Visitor Center or Checkerberrys Flowers and head out to the various businesses to grab a taste of vino. It's all for a really good cause, too. Each Wine Walk supports a different charity, such as reading programs, the Egyptian Theatre, local music programs, historical causes, medical funds, etc. In fact, the Rotary last year said it had raised over $325,000 in the 15 or so years since the Wine Walk began. Beyond the good deeds for local nonprofits, it's provided an excellent intro to the businesses that are hosting it, supporting locals even more. Many of these stay open later to take in the revelers. Another south Oregon coast nearby is in on the act as well: North Bend brings its Fall Sip-N-Stroll to life on October 20. Here, much like Coos Bay's Wine Walk, you wander through North Bend's downtown from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This time around, the starting location is the future Visitor Information Center location next to Grant Circle and City Hall (745 California Ave. North Bend). Once again, the $10 donation gets you a walking map and a glass, with money benefiting local projects and events in the little south Oregon coast burgh. In North Bend This a great time to meet some of the North Bend Main Street Board members and visit with our small businesses, said organizers. Grab your cozy outfits and take a picture with our Fall Kick off photo prop. Some of the local businesses to snag your vino at include: Skynet Studio, Ink Addicts, North Bend Power Sports, Dream Again Thrift Emporium, VIP Lounge, Recycle Video Games, World Pawn Exchange, and Sweet Streets. 541-756-4613. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Old Oregon Coast Home Movies at Lincoln City Museum - Maybe Even Yours Published 10/05/23 at 7:22 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Lincoln City, Oregon) Home Movie Day is a phenomenon celebrated around the globe, although still to many an unknown delight of all things celluloid waiting to be discovered. For those with old footage of the Oregon coast lying around their closets, this day presents a unique opportunity in Lincoln City. (Above: Roads End area of LIncoln City in the '40s) Saturday, October 21 is Oregon Coast Home Movie Day at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum (NLCHM) in Lincoln City, happening from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It's free and open to the public. Home Movie Day is celebrated worldwide, said the NLCHM. It is a fun interactive event, where you can learn about different small gauge movie formats, get your own movies inspected and repaired by a film archivist, learn how to preserve and protect your films, and get recommendations for digitization. That's right: you can get your old movies worked on or even screened. Beyond the help the museum offers up, you'll get to see old home movies of the region and the town and maybe even your own. All of it is projected onto a big screen for people to watch that day. The best part is watching your own familys precious memories on the big screen, the museum said. NLCHM will also be projecting films from their own collection, including footage of Lincoln City and other Oregon coast locations in the 1950s and 1960s. 8mm, super-8mm, and 16mm films are accepted day of, on a first come first served basis. If you want to guarantee a spot, you can drop off your films at NLCHM, 4907 SW HWY 101, Lincoln City, Wednesday Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are interested in getting VHS, hi8, MiniDV or other media inspected and screened, contact NLCHM as soon as possible. Email: director@nlchm.org. 541-996-6698. Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Two Oregon, Three Washington Towns on List of Best Foodie Cities; Portland, Seattle in Top 10 Published 10/07/23 at 8:52 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Personal finance website WalletHub just released its take on the best of foodie cities in America, listing Portland, Oregon, as number two, and Washington's Seattle, Spokane and Vancouver also making the list. (Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection) As October 16 arrives soon, that's World Food Day and a call for a look at what's on the menu for the biggest cities around the world. WalletHub said restaurant prices have risen 6.5% in the last year, so finding the best bang for your buck as you travel around the world may be in order. Their list of 180 of the largest towns in the U.S. ranks them by foodie-friendliness, utilizing 28 key metrics. See the full WalletHub report The data set ranges from affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants to food festivals per capita to craft breweries and wineries per capita, WalletHub said. Portland in northwest Oregon about 70 miles from the coast was ranked number two in the study. WalletHub said it ranked first for restaurants per capita and first for affordability and accessibility of eateries that were highly ranked. - Where to eat Oregon Coast Other criteria: 16th Gourmet Specialty-Food Stores per Capita 1st Craft Breweries & Wineries per Capita 35th Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita 33rd Number of Grocery Stores per Capita Seattle, Washington came in number 10, while Vancouver came in number 26, with Spokane a ways further down the list. Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection: Canyon Grille in Portland Number 36 was Salem, Oregon. No Oregon coast or Washington coast towns made the list, although based on Tidal Raves alone Oregon Coast Beach Connection would recommend Depoe Bay be on that list or at least some foodie list for beach towns. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW View from Tidal Raves, Oregon Coast More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Here are 22 healthcare industry-related controversies, investigations and other legal incidents reported by Becker's since Oct. 3: 1. Brian Hyatt, MD, the former head of Arkansas' state medical board, was arrested in connection with an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme. More than 40 patients have also accused Dr. Hyatt in civil lawsuits of imprisoning them against their will while running the behavioral health unit between February 2018 and May 2022. 2. A lawsuit was filed against Costco that alleges the warehouse club company shared customers' protected health information with Facebook parent company Meta. 3. Two men with loaded handguns were arrested at Rochester (N.Y.) General Hospital. The men were taken into custody and each charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. 4. Jessica Struhar, a former Michigan certified nursing assistant, was charged with neglect and falsifying medical records after a patient's death when she worked at Medilodge, a skilled nursing facility in Richmond, Mich. Ms. Struhar allegedly ignored standing orders related to a 58-year-old patient's care during mealtimes. Her alleged neglect led to a choking incident that resulted in the death of the patient. 5. Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic revised its hydroxychloroquine site after Peter Navarro, who directed the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy under President Donald Trump, cited the site on X, formerly known as Twitter, in support of its use in treating COVID-19. Mayo Clinic made its hydroxychloroquine page live again in October, deleting all references to COVID-19. 6. Police are searching for a man who escaped custody at Mount Sinai West in New York City. The suspect was arrested on charges of petit larceny. 7. Scott Williams, a resident of Hudson Falls, N.Y., accused of stabbing two nurses at Saratoga Hospital is facing felony charges. After the incident, the hospital said the suspect was continuing to receive care. Both victims were treated and released. 8. Metairie, La.-based physician Alex Glotser, MD, was charged with defrauding Medicare of $5.6 million in medically unnecessary equipment and genetic testing. While working as an independent contractor for a telemedicine company, Dr. Glotser signed thousands of physicians' orders for Medicare beneficiaries he never met nor treated. 9. Patient advocacy organizations accused VA Loma Linda (Calif.) Health Care System of violating patient civil liberties by placing some veterans on involuntary psychiatric holds as a condition for their transportation to a hospital. 10. Virginia-based Daphne Jenkins, a nurse practitioner, was charged for her role in a $7.8 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment. The charging documents allege that Ms. Jenkins worked with a telemedicine company to sign orders for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment based on telemarketing calls to Medicare beneficiaries whom she had no medical relationship with. 11. Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health is under investigation by a Senate committee led by Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy. The investigation centers around Bon Secours' use of the government's 340B program, which allows hospitals to buy drugs at steep discounts. It was intended to help hospitals that serve underinsured patients but has become controversial. 12. Derrick Todd, MD, a former rheumatologist at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital, agreed to stop practicing medicine amid allegations that he performed inappropriate pelvic and breast exams on patients. Dr. Todd has not worked at Brigham and Women's since July. 13. Nurses from Philadelphia-based Temple University Hospital's outpatient clinics filed a class-action lawsuit alleging they were not paid for overtime. 14. Michael Hochman, MD, an ophthalmologist in Laredo, Texas, was indicted for healthcare fraud and money laundering. Dr. Hochman allegedly falsely diagnosed patients with various ophthalmologic diseases and degenerative eye conditions. 15. Annalee Knowles, a physician assistant employed by Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System, was removed from her shifts after health officials found she shared confidential patient information to her Instagram account. 16. CarolinaEast Health System, a two-hospital system based in New Bern, N.C., temporarily stopped operations Oct. 5 because of an emailed bomb threat. No bomb was found. 17. Munster, Ind.-based Community Hospital and its operator, Munster Medical Research Foundation, will pay $158,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused the hospital of not accommodating a nurse after a work injury. 18. Three states have filed civil complaints against Berwyn, Pa.-based Fresenius Vascular Care centers for allegedly performing unnecessary surgeries on Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The suit alleges that the centers scheduled end-stage renal disease patients for invasive procedures every three to four months, purportedly to preserve their dialysis access sites. 19. Katherine Jee Rankin, RN, a nurse formerly employed at a Jacksonville, Fla.-based ASC, pleaded guilty to tampering with injectable hydromorphone at the facility. 20. Another 301 patients sued Robert Hadden, MD, a former OB-GYN at New York City-based Columbia University who was convicted of sexual abuse earlier this year, and Columbia University, alleging the gynecologist sexually abused them during examinations. 21. Heather Pressdee, a former nurse charged with killing two nursing home patients in Chicora, Pa., was charged in connection with a third patient's death. 22. In 2022, an Iowa family filed a lawsuit against Iowa City-based ASC ENT Medical Services and one of its physicians after their 2-year-old son died following a routine procedure. The couple has now added the state of Iowa as a third defendant in the case, alleging the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, overseen by the state of Iowa, allowed a resident to be involved in the child's operation without informing or receiving consent from the family. Here are five numbers that reflect some of the most pertinent issues in the ASC industry: 1. In its 2024 hospital outpatient prospective payment system, released July 13, CMS suggested a 2.8% average rate increase for ASCs. 2. In CMS' proposed Medicare physician fee schedule for 2024, it pitched a 3.34% conversion factor decrease. 3. Seventy percent of ASCs remain independent as of 2022, according to a report from VMG Health. 4. ASC leaders spend an average of $2.2 million on employee staffing and wages, according to VMG Health's 2022 "Multi-Specialty ASC Benchmarking Study." 5. CMS' reimbursement for anesthesia services has decreased by 2.03% from 2022 to 2023, according to a report from VMG Health. A Florida man was convicted in a scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $67 million by tricking physicians into authorizing unnecessary genetic tests. Jose Goyos managed a call center that could target Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians, according to an Oct. 10 news release from the Justice Department. He managed the division that contacted the primary care physician and tricked the providers to order the tests based on fake medical paperwork. Mr. Goyos and his co-conspirators then used the physicians' authorizations to submit claims to Medicare. The labs, where the tests were sent, had no equipment nor personnel and did not conduct a single test. Between June 2020 and July 2021, Mr. Coyos submitted more than $67 million claims and Medicare paid more than $53 million. Princess Diana's ghost will appear in the new season of 'The Crown'. The sixth season of the regal drama will explore the aftermath of the princess' death in a Paris car accident in 1997, and scenes will be included when both Prince Charles, played by Dominic West, and Queen Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton) make their peace with the late royal when she comes to them in visions. According to MailOnline, Diana - who is played by Elizabeth Debicki - tells a weeping Charles, after he is depicted sobbing over her body in the hospital morgue: "Thank you for how you were in the hospital. So raw, broken and handsome. I'll take that with me. "You know I loved you so much. So deeply, so painfully too. That's over now. It will be easier for everyone with me gone." And as the queen discusses plans for a state funeral with Charles, Diana appears and they hold hands as the monarch tells her former daughter-in-law she has started a "revolution". Diana responds: "I know it must be terrifying As long as anyone can remember you've taught us what it means to be British. Maybe its time to show you're ready to learn too." It is suggested the discussion prompts the queen to agree to address the nation in the wake of the tragedy. The scenes have been branded "utterly tasteless" by royal fans. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: "The whole idea that Peter Morgan has scripted ghostly appearances by Diana is utterly tasteless. "It is pitiful that someone with his skills has reduced what is undoubtedly a tragedy to something that he knows perfectly well will be controversial." But Netflix insisted the scenes are "sensitive and thoughtful". A spokesperson told RadioTimes.com: "After her death, Diana appears as part of an inner dialogue in separate scenes with Prince Charles and the Queen, who are both reflecting on their relationship with the late princess. "These sensitive and thoughtful imagined conversations seek to bring to life the depth of emotion that was felt after such a seismic tragedy struck at the heart of the family." Producer Suzanne Mackie previously expressed her hope that audiences will agree they have thoughtfully and respectfully portrayed Diana's death and the aftermath on the show. She said at the Edinburgh TV festival in August: "The show might be big and noisy, but we're not. We're thoughtful people and we're sensitive people. There were very careful, long conversations about how we were going to do it. "The audience will judge it, in the end. But I think it's been delicately, thoughtfully recreated. "Elizabeth Debicki is an extraordinary actress and she was so thoughtful and considerate. She loved Diana. There's a huge amount of respect from us all. I hope that's evident." When it comes to technology and innovation, orthopedics has always been on the cutting edge. Kyle Anderson, vice president of finance and ASC at Ortho Rhode Island in Warwick, spoke with Becker's to discuss the orthopedic industry disruptors he is most excited about. Note: This response has been lightly edited for length and clarity Question: What orthopedic industry disruptors are you most excited about? Kyle Anderson: Orthopedics is so ripe for technologies and innovations. So there are certain disruptors that you sort of keep an eye on that serve the basic blocking and tackling of operating in a center and technologies or advances that help you to achieve efficiencies associated with time. Whether or not that is optimizing time or measuring time or anything that allows you to control some of the variables throughout the day. But from a true industry disruptor standpoint, when I think about the technology bucket, I think about virtual or mixed reality, whether or not those are headsets or some other technologies that have the opportunity to be embedded into the entire surgical process. So whether or not that is a component of the preoperative planning, fractured care, joint arthroplasty or intraoperative immersion, when you think about how do I use the preoperative planning in the case, the traditional way to do it is to have a couple of screens up and toggle between them and rely on the planning that you've performed. But virtual or mixed reality immersion provides the opportunity to do that simultaneously. [Regarding] postoperative pain control, I think that there's some reasonable data that says people recover better and faster with less pain with the implementation of a virtual or mixed reality. So there's a full patient experience component of that. If you step away from the operating room, you can even enter into an arena in which your procedural room-based interventions can be coupled with virtual or mixed reality to present a calming effect if maybe someone can't tolerate anesthesia. Now you are not only just improving the patient experience, but actually in fact allowing a procedure to be performed that otherwise wouldn't. In the nonmedical space, you see this advancing in such a competitive way. All of the big vendors have their own versions of these things. But you know, as far as really making an impact on the surgical arena, that's something that I will continue to keep my eye on and look forward to. Walgreens said it plans to roll out virtual care with healthcare providers for common health needs beginning in October. The new virtual care offering, dubbed WVH, will roll out to patients in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. The new offering will give patients access to virtual consultations with a physician or a nurse practitioner via chat, as well as video visits with a medical provider for select conditions, according to information Walgreens shared with Becker's. At launch, WVH will offer treatment for common health needs such as general medicine, women's health, men's health and skin health. The visits will be priced at $33 out-of-pocket, with pricing for video visits varying from $36 to $75. Insurance will not be accepted for WVH visits, but it can be used to cover the cost of prescriptions, according to Walgreens. Walgreens said in the future it plans to accept insurance for its virtual visits. San Diego-based Alvarado Hospital Medical Center will remain on Epic as it is sold to UC San Diego Health for $200 million, a UC San Diego spokesperson told Becker's. The hospital, which was previously run by Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare, will replace its Prime Epic EHR with the UC San Diego Epic EHR in the summer of 2024. The installation process will include a team of providers, pharmacists, nurses and analysts, according to the spokesperson. UC San Diego Health is aiming to close the acquisition of the 302-bed hospital in December. "With significant investments and dedicated service to our patients over the past 13 years, Alvarado Hospital Medical Center has now reached the point where divestiture to a world-class academic institution like UC San Diego Health will lead to a new era for this award-winning community hospital," Kavitha Bhatia, MD, chief medical officer of strategy for Prime, said in a news release from the system. "We are proud of the care that has been provided and the legacy that will continue as UC San Diego Health expands access to specialized care, while preserving and building on Alvarado's 50-year history." Cleveland-based University Hospitals CIO Robert Eardley told Becker's that the guiding principle in its process to convert 5.6 million patient records into a single Epic EHR was ensuring that patient care was seamless and uninterrupted. Prior to installing Epic, University Hospitals' clinicians provided care through 20 different computer applications. University Hospitals CEO Cliff Megerian had aimed to finish the installation, a process which brought together 80 different work groups, by the end of 2023. Despite the massive implementation process, Mr. Eardley said that the health system has been able to "stay on budget." As other large health systems, such as Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health and Pittsburgh-based UPMC, also transition to Epic, Becker's caught up with Mr. Eardley to learn more about the implementation process. Question: How do you keep costs from ballooning when installing a new EHR? Robert Eardley: It's important to get the implementation right the first time. The most important step in the process is developing a solid, comprehensive cost model. This way you can gain confidence with senior leadership and the board that varied costs are accounted for in the budget plan. At University Hospitals (UH), we spent a lot of time getting the cost model to be fully comprehensive and partnered with outside consultants to ensure there were no material surprises later. When it comes to installing a new EHR, there are large costs associated with education and activation support. Some areas of cost that were not in the original plan surrounded chart abstracting (for those elements not electronically converted) and paying for our own UH Epic Super Users to be available for activation support after the go-live date. We usually make the decision whether to cover these costs based on whether this will allow us to adopt the new technology more quickly, and whether we have favorability elsewhere to cover. Overall, we continue to stay on budget. Q: How did you work with Epic throughout the process? RE: Epic Implementation Services is the primary partner on an implementation of this scale. UH engaged with their team of about 110 individuals. Not all were fully involved in each phase of the project, but generally about 80 individuals were part of the engagement throughout. Epic has a sequencing template that provided a great start for implementation. We also utilized key learnings from a number of other systems we've implemented at UH over the years. Q: Did the process create new jobs at University Hospitals? RE: In the short term, new jobs were created due to having some of our IT caregivers fully committed to the UH Epic implementation program. This was beneficial so that other IT caregivers could focus on maintaining our prior legacy systems. Q: How do you ensure care isn't interrupted when overhauling your EHR? RE: This is a significant focus of ours at UH. Our most foundational guiding principle was "Put the Patient First; ensure patient experience is seamless, consistent and simple across the system." Before the cutover, we spent a lot of time building a marketing and communications plan to walk our patients through where to find their information after we make the change to Epic. During the cutover, we mitigated much of the confusion by migrating 5.6 million patient records from multiple prior systems into Epic. We brought at least five years of patient information from our prior systems into Epic. We also brought over future dated appointments. Having Epic "pre-primed" with historical information and future appointments allowed our patients to have an effective patient portal experience with MyChart on day one. Q: What advice would you give to other health IT leaders considering installing a new EHR system? RE: In most cases, installing a new EHR is a multi-year implementation, so it's important to put in the work during the business case and pre-initiate stage in order to build a plan that can stay relatively consistent. At UH, for example, we had to manage five budgets one capital throughout as well as four annual operating budgets. Also, make sure that in addition to the Epic implementation team, you find and contract with a trusted labor agency for certified trainers and for activation support. This will likely be one of your largest expenses. It's important to really understand your split between capital and operating expense more than 35 percent of our total budget was operating expense. Find a great implementation advisor who can supplement your implementation team in selected domain areas. Finally, make sure that your overall organization understands the transformational and all-encompassing nature of a full-scale, integrated EHR system. Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare confirmed plans to split with AmSurg and reorganize as it emerges from bankruptcy. The private equity-backed physician services company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May with around $7 billion in outstanding debt. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division confirmed Envision's plans for reorganization Oct. 11, which will eliminate 70% of the company's prepetition funded debt. Envision and AmSurg will move forward as two separate entities with separate leadership and ownership. Envision aims to finalize the transaction in the coming weeks and emerge from Chapter 11 by the end of October. "The Confirmed Plans allow Envision to emerge from the process in a strong position to navigate the current healthcare environment and take advantage of future opportunities to grow while continuing to deliver high quality care to patients when they need it most," said Jim Rechtin, CEO of Envision. Jeff Snodgrass will lead AmSurg as president. AmSurg merged with Envision in 2016 to create a $10 billion healthcare services company. At the time, Envision owned 53% of the combined company and AmSurg owned 47%. As part of the bankruptcy filing, AmSurg acquired the ASCs held by Envision for $300 million plus a waiver of intercompany loans. The surgery center chain has more than 25 centers across 34 states and nearly 2,000 physicians within its network. When Denny Martin, DO, president of Sparrow Hospital, learned of the Feb. 13 shooting at Michigan State University in East Lansing, he immediately shifted to coordinating the response. What ensued involved ensuring available staffing and operating rooms, among other tasks. "My director of public safety texted me and said, 'This is a real threat. It's been validated.' ... So my first thought was get to the hospital as fast as I can," Dr. Martin told the Detroit Free Press on Oct. 10, after a presentation at the Michigan State Medical Society Alliance's Fall Focus Health Symposium. Three were killed and five injured in the shooting. The gunman reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to MLive. In the aftermath of the shooting, Dr. Martin worked to gather information needed for the response. He told the Free Press: "Who do we need to mobilize? Who do I need at the hospital? ... The initial call was eight individuals have been shot. At least five were en route to the hospital, but also the subject wasn't apprehended. So what was the scale? What was the number of patients that we would receive to the hospital? That was really some of the most important information for me to gather." Dr. Martin also told the publication he began to bring in essential staff for the response and worked to ensure "somebody had reached out to the Red Cross. ... This is an event that we're going to likely use a lot of blood products to resuscitate patients. "We immediately looked at ... our ER capacity," he added. "We moved a lot of people out. ... Our thought was, we needed to be able to handle at least a rush of 20 patients into the hospital. So we cleared, made room for 20. "And then we started organizing teams. We assume in this kind of event that everyone's going to need to go to the operating room. From what we were hearing on the calls ... we could tell early on that these were individuals that had truly life-threatening injuries, so they would most all likely need to go to the room for stabilization." Dr. Martin went on to describe the personal connections he and staff members felt, the treatment the hospital provided to the shooting victims, and what the path to healing has been like for staff. "All the emotions that you can have, I went through that," he said. "And I think a lot of us did from being sad and angry. ... I'm proud of the team and how we did." Michael Weiner, DO, chief medical officer of Michigan State University Health, has also spoken about the aftermath of the shooting. In March, he told Becker's about the phone call he made to Mark Rogers, DO, chief medical officer at Blacksburg-based Virginia Tech a campus that experienced a mass shooting in 2007. He also indicated his plans to continue getting involved in the community. "This is not a 'one-and-done' event. The ramifications of this will echo in the community for months if not years to come," Dr. Weiner told Becker's. "I think our challenge is to stay focused on the identification and treatment of those in need over the upcoming years post shooting in particular." Read the full Free Press story here. Little Rock, Ark.-based Baptist Health has reached a definitive agreement to add Monticello, Ark.-based Drew Memorial Health System to its enterprise. Baptist Health will immediately begin managing Drew Memorial's general options as the acquisition awaits regulatory approval, according to an Oct. 6 news release. The larger system plans to officially incorporate the smaller one in December, and will rename its 60-bed hospital "Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County." In addition to the hospital, Drew Memorial Health System has two clinics and a home health program. The system approached Baptist Health about a merger agreement months ago, according to Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. "In today's challenging health care environment, it is not uncommon for independent community hospitals to look for a system partner," Mr. Wells said. "Baptist Health has a proven track record for operating our rural hospitals efficiently, allowing them to remain viable while providing quality health care in much needed areas of our state." Bondholder Preston Hollow Community Capital has outbid the University of Iowa for Mercy Iowa City hospital in a surprise turn of events, according to an Oct. 10 The Gazette report. UI Health had bid $20 million for the bankrupt hospital, but the Dallas-based bondholder, together with for-profit Glendale, Calif.-based American Healthcare Systems, now seems set to take over the hospital. A judge still has to finalize the sale of the hospital and its assets, Mercy Iowa City said in a release. The new owners, if approved, have also pledged to invest "significant capital" in the hospital. Terms of the bid were not disclosed. "We know Preston Hollow as a bondholder, and we have learned more about American Healthcare Systems," Mercy Iowa City President and CEO Tom Clancy, PhD, RN, said in a news release. "AHS is experienced at operating and rehabilitating hospitals across the country. As we celebrate our 150th anniversary here in Iowa City, it is comforting to know that they will continue to operate the hospital and our clinic network as a community-based health system." Albuquerque, N.M.-based Presbyterian Healthcare Services and West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health have called off a planned $11 billion merger, the two systems said Oct. 11. While no official reason was given immediately for the decision, the health systems said they had reached an agreement after "significant planning and consideration," according to a joint news release. "Our goal for this partnership was to strengthen local, not-for-profit healthcare in the face of mounting cost pressures across the industry," Presbyterian Health CEO Dale Maxwell said in the release. "At Presbyterian, that goal remains unchanged with today's news. We will continue to explore new ways to address these structural shifts in healthcare so we can invest in clinical innovation and our workforce. We will remain focused on building a sustainable path forward to serve New Mexicans for generations to come." The purpose of such a merger would have been to allow for greater investments in clinical excellence, digital innovation, workforce development and value-based care, according to a March 2 joint statement from the health systems. Overall administrative costs would also have been lowered. An almost 50-hospital system would have been created out of the merger, with Presbyterian operating nine hospitals and UnityPoint responsible for 39 at the time. "We believe this decision allows us to better meet the needs of our patients, team members, communities and key stakeholders," Sally Gray, RN, board chair of UnityPoint Health, said in the release. "As we move forward, UnityPoint Health is focused on identifying new, innovative ways to deliver low-cost, high-quality care to those we serve." Hospitals and infectious disease physicians contend that CMS' final rule on sepsis care is too rigid and does not allow clinicians flexibility to determine how recommendations should apply to their specific patients. The Biden administration finalized a rule in August that ties specific sepsis treatment metrics to hospitals' Medicare reimbursements, starting in 2024. The guidelines, first rolled out in 2015, require hospitals to conduct timely blood tests and start antibiotics within three hours of identifying a possible case, among other targets. Smaller hospitals that miss these targets could lose "hundreds of thousands" of dollars, while larger hospitals may see a shortfall in the "millions-of-dollars range," Akin Demehin, senior director of quality and patient safety policy at the American Hospital Association, told KFF Health News. Some infectious disease experts and medical associations including AHA are pushing back on the rule's broad scope, arguing it does not give clinicians enough flexibility for tailored sepsis care. Sepsis prevention efforts are necessary, but "where it gets controversial becomes 'Is this the best way to do it?'" Chanu Rhee, MD, an infectious disease physician and associate professor of population medicine at Boston-based Harvard Medical School, told the publication. The Infectious Diseases Society of America is one such group pushing back on the rule's broad application and has argued that metrics should only apply to patients with sepsis shock, as opposed to all sepsis patients. AHA has also warned that the rule could lead to excessive antibiotic use and fuel resistance. "We believe there is enough flexibility to incorporate clinician judgment in the measure," CMS said in a May proposed rule, adding that the guidelines have led to significant reductions in sepsis mortality, readmission rates and length of stay. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit New York City-based Mount Sinai Hospital has racked up $700,000 in arbitration awards it must pay to the New York State Nurses Association, Politico reported Oct. 10. Since January, the hospital and its nurses have been at odds over a contract that "enacted a binding enforcement mechanism for nurse-staffing violations," according to Politico. The latest ruling comes after an arbitrator pointed out in May that the hospital showed a "continuous chronic pattern of ratios being violated" marking the first time Mount Sinai was held liable, as well as the first time a hospital in New York City had been held liable for violating contracted staffing ratios. The initial arbitration award to the NYSNA was $127,000. As part of the collective bargaining agreement with the NYSNA, in August, Mount Sinai was directed to "Follow a safe staffing ratio of 1:2 and 1:1 for high acuity patients. Provide nurses with full meal and break periods and staff break nurses to cover patient assignments during break time. Continuously post, recruit and hire more nurses to fill remaining vacancies on the unit to attain safe staffing on day and night shifts," according to a press release from the nurses' association. Since January, the hospital has reportedly spent $1.9 million on travel nurses and $285,000 on per diem nurses to address its nursing shortage. As a result of that effort, the arbitrator initially reduced the amount by 20 percent citing its progress, but "concluded the unit was still short the equivalent of 305 day shifts and 245 night shifts during that time period," Politico reported. A hospital spokesperson told the outlet that it is "confident that Mount Sinai is appropriately resourced to provide excellent care as we continue to recruit top caregiver talent and maintain the highest standards of clinical quality for our patients." Becker's also reached out to Mount Sinai Hospital to request additional comment and received the following statement: "Hospitals everywhere have grappled with nursing and other health care worker shortages, and these are not challenges unique to any health care provider and have been well documented across the city, state and country." In August, a nurse at Main Line Health's Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pa., mistakenly gave a patient double the prescribed dose of a powerful painkiller. The incident led to state regulators issuing an immediate jeopardy warning, according to an inspection report obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to the inspection report, a nurse at the hospital on Aug. 11 gave a patient 3 milligrams of the opioid hydromorphone, double what was prescribed. The patient was revived with naloxone after being found unresponsive and transferred to the ICU for treatment. The nurse admitted to giving the wrong dose to the patient and was removed from the schedule, though a health system spokesperson did not confirm whether the individual was still employed when asked by the Inquirer. Inspectors found the nurse did not properly follow the hospital's protocol for administering medications and did not properly document vials of hydromorphone removed from the medicine cabinet, which led to the dosage error. An immediate jeopardy warning was issued on Aug. 23 and lifted a day later, after all nurses at the hospital were retrained on "medication administration, wasting of controlled substances, controlled substance inventory discrepancy procedures, and controlled substances monitoring." The hospital also agreed to conduct 30 observation audits per week for at least 30 days. As of Sept. 28, the hospital had met its auditing goals. "Providing safe, high-quality, and equitable care to our community is our top priority. We take the situation very seriously and have implemented immediate and ongoing steps to correct any deficiencies identified by the state," Larry Hanover, a spokesperson for Main Line Health, said in a statement to the news outlet. "If you see something, say something." It's a phrase familiar to front-line staff who hospitals and health systems in large part rely on to report safety risks and events, but in many cases, a key component is missing: Training. Those who work outside of healthcare quality may assume such training for front-line staff is common, though both anecdotal reports and survey data demonstrate otherwise. In a 2019 survey of healthcare quality leaders, only 33% of respondents said employees at their organization are trained and educated in quality work. "We say a lot about what should happen in healthcare, but we spend very little time telling people how to do that," Stephanie Mercado, president and CEO of the National Association of Healthcare Quality, told Becker's. This is the impetus that drove NAHQ to develop a quality training course for staff that walks through how to actually identify safety risks and events, what the expectations are after an error or potential error is spotted, and the process improvement cycle to prevent future incidents. Every year, about 10,000 frontline employees at Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan are required to complete the training. "Whether someone is hired they're new and you're onboarding them to the organization or if [they] work at the bedside and have been working in patient care for a long time, there is a need to go back and remind people of what their connection is to a greater discipline," said Nidia Williams, PhD, vice president of quality and patient safety at Lifespan, where employees have long been required to complete annual training on compliance and risk management. "I don't think quality and safety is any different. I think there's an annual responsibility for everybody to brush up on their competencies regarding safety and certainly regarding quality," Dr. Wiliams, who is also a NAHQ board member, told Becker's. The training is structured to essentially demystify what should happen when an employee sees something that may pose a risk for or has caused a patient safety event, and then breaks down how to perform a root cause analysis and corrective action plan to fill in gaps that led to or posed a risk for an error. "There's really not a lot of consistent standardized training in quality and in safety" to reduce variation and lay out expectations for front-line staff, Dr. Williams said. At Lifespan, the quality training has been in place for about three years and is now incorporated into the onboarding process for new employees. Lifespan has since seen a boost in the number of near-miss events reported by staff, which prompted the system to build a "good catch" program, where leaders on a monthly basis congratulate staff who point out an issue that could have led to a significant error but ultimately didn't. The effort enables the system to investigate safety issues and ensure failure areas are corrected. "You want to catch and learn about these system and process issues that could result in failure before they actually do, so having the near-miss events be entered with greater frequency really told us that the culture of safety was growing and developing," Dr. Williams said. Ultimately, the need for quality training stems from the fact that the healthcare workforce comes from diverse backgrounds in terms of education, Ms. Mercado and Dr. Williams explained. Each healthcare profession has its own set of competencies that different educational programs develop curriculum around. "This is appropriate when nuanced content is involved, and even to provide a competitive edge between academic programs," Ms. Mercado said. "However, this becomes problematic when we are attempting to prepare a workforce together post-graduation and they don't share common vocabulary, skills or behaviors related to universal topics like quality and safety." Two physicians from Medford-based Southern Oregon Orthopedics will offer specialized services to patients at Roseburg, Ore.-based Cascade Orthopedic Specialists once a week to fill orthopedic care gaps, according to an Oct. 11 report from The News-Review. Mariano Furrer, MD, and Jayme Hiratzka, MD, will begin seeing patients at Cascade on Oct. 17, providing both operative and nonoperative care. "We were asked by local orthopedists if we could help fill the orthopedic needs in the community. We see patients from Roseburg in our Grants Pass and Medford offices now but feel we can be more effective by seeing Roseburg patients in their own community," Dr. Furrer told the News-Review. "In Southern Oregon it's an access problem. A lot of people are traveling quite a way and we see a lot of patients from up that way," Dr. Hiratzka said. "We are trying to create a more central place for them to at least get checked up." Orthopedic devicemaker Exactech is facing hundreds of lawsuits filed on behalf of 1,100 patients who say they received faulty joint implants, KFF Health News reported Oct. 10. Exactech began recalling artificial knee, hip and ankle implants in August 2021, the report said. In a letter shared with surgeons, the company said a packaging defect caused plastic in a knee component to wear out prematurely. One patient, Ron Irby, had an artificial knee implanted in September 2018, and he expected the device to last at least 20 years, the report said. However, the device had to be replaced after three years. His lawsuit alleges that Exactech should have known the Optetrak "had an unacceptable failure and complication rate," the report said. In its own filing, Exactech denied Mr. Irby's allegations, describing Optetrak as "safe and effective." Orthopedic surgeons also said their patients' Optetrak devices were loosening within a few years of implantation. Wayne Moody, MD, said 25 of the 385 Optetrak operations he completed over four years had to be revised. Several of the lawsuits also allege that Exactech did not warn patients and surgeons about knee implant loosening and instead replaced the finned tray component in a strategy called a "silent recall." Attorneys for Exactech said the company may not be at fault for all implant failures. In a 2022 hearing, Exactech attorney Michael Kanute said implant wear is a "known risk no matter who makes them" and factors such as a patient's activity level could affect the device, the report said. NI vets body defends having controversial chief vet as guest of honour after forcing out of whistleblower Invitation for top official who drove whistleblowing colleague out of her job in the Department of Agriculture sparks criticism Chief vet Robert Huey (circled) at the NIVA celebratory dinner with other guests Sam McBride Wed 11 Oct 2023 at 07:15 The North of Ireland Veterinary Association has been criticised for making chief vet Robert Huey a guest of honour at a dinner despite him having hounded a colleague with an impeccable record out of her job at a cost to the taxpayer of more than 2m. Job losses are being announced to staff at IT giant Allstate NI today, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal. It is understood affected staff are being asked to attend one-to-one meetings with managers and HR reps. However, it is not known how many people among its 2,300 staff are affected. Asked for comment, a company spokesman said on Wednesday: We have been transforming how we work to make sure we can provide customers the best experience at the lowest price. "When employees are affected by these changes, we help them find new opportunities at Allstate or provide job placement and financial support. The companys data and intelligence systems division is understood to be affected. In recent months, a series of US-based directors have been appointed to the Northern Ireland business, which provides IT services to US insurance giant Allstate. Christine DeBiase, an Allstate executive vice president, was appointed in January, followed by Zulfikar Jeevanjee, another executive price president, and Joshua Milberg, chief financial officer of Allstate Technology Solutions in May. Last year the Northern Ireland company reported a 61% fall in pre-tax profits to 3.4m as the effects of an unexpected pandemic bounce wore off. Allstate NI also reported a fall in turnover of 7% from 128.4m to 119.6m for 2021. Its average number of employees also decreased slightly, from 2,298 to 2,266. Accounts for 2022 have been filed but are not yet publicly available. Earlier this year, it put one third of its 30m Belfast city centre office block up for rent. Five years ago, Allstates new offices were opened at Mays Meadow next to Lanyon Place Station at a cost of 30m, and described as NIs biggest new office development for 15 years. It followed a decision by the business in May to give up its 30,000 sq ft office in Strabane, when the lease on the building expired. It also has offices in Northland Road in Londonderry. But it previously abandoned plans to move into the new 52,000 sq ft Ebrington Plaza building in Derry. Belfast film director and producer Margaret McGoldrick is delighted to be taking part in an upcoming ScreenWorks scheme via a three-day producing workshop. The programme aims to help young people in Northern Ireland aged between 14 and 19 learn more about careers in the screen industries through hands-on work experience opportunities. The workshop will explore topics including: what a producer is; hierarchy of production; breaking down a script for creating a budget and pitching and feedback. ScreenWorks is really about giving students who are interested in film-making an insight into the many roles that go into film and television industries that you really will not have heard of and there are so many, Margaret says. People dont really understand the role of the producer, so thats where I come in. I have worked with some really talented directors and Ive been fortunate to work with some really incredible crew. I could wax lyrical about the crew here in Northern Ireland because I think they have shown how superb they are time and time again. Ive been super luck in that capacity. So, with the role of the producer, it goes through how you work with an entire crew. What exactly are your duties to oversee before the role can start? And it can start at different stages. Creatively, Im often involved early on with script development, but producers sometimes come in much later and its strictly a logistical side of that job, which is equally crucial in terms of pulling everything together, finding your crew, finding your funding which is an ever-tricky battle and then right through to delivery. ScreenWorks, which is funded by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen and delivered by Into Film, offers young people access to industry professionals through three- to five-day work placements across film, television, animation, gaming and visual effects. Margaret felt inspired to get involved in the scheme because of the doors it opens for young people. I think what ScreenWorks does is invaluable, she says. There wasnt anything like this when I was a teenager. When I was a teen there wasnt even a Moving Image [Arts] programme in my school; I believe there is now, but there wasnt then. It was more your traditional arts subjects, like Art or Drama and Theatre Studies and English. To be able to identify people who know that theyre interested in this world, and help them navigate the route really early on, [is great]. Its just so useful to have that knowledge. And also, the programme brings you into the worlds of people who actually work in an industry. Its quite an informal setting. The groups are small, so that opens it up for a bit more of an informal conversation sometimes, with questions, and letting them pick your brain, as opposed to maybe being in a bit more of an intimidating setting. Writer-director Margaret McGoldrick on set of her short film Fog A storyteller at heart, what Margaret loves most about her work is the variety of stories she helps to bring to life. I dont really have a specific favourite genre, she says. Im working across both scripted and documentary, and I love comedies and action and drama and some horror movies not gory ones, but some horror ones are really fun. And really, it just comes down to the actual story. I think the story infuses so much of what we do, and when its fully embraced by everyone, thats when you get those better projects. For young people who are dreaming of a career in the film industry, Margaret believes stubbornness and perseverance will help, in addition to maintaining an open mind and accepting that there are different routes into your desired career. When I started, the big thing here was Game of Thrones and almost everyone was trying to get on to it, she says. I think Im one of the few people my age who didnt work on Game of Thrones here. But the thing is, youre going to be told no so many times, no matter what department you want to work in. There are so many people vying for your job. But what I think is really, really important is making short films. With many jobs you need experience, and Im always telling people that you can make your own experience. You can make a short. It could be a proof of concept. It could be just a short film to work with a new team to see what you can do as a producer, what you can achieve. Read more Belfast playwright turns tables on daughters bully with first film Over the years, the creative has made a number of short films and the people with whom she started out years ago are still as important to her today and now belong to her close circle of friends and collaborators. Margaret set up Whats Next Films with business partner Leo McGuigan and she also works with Causeway Pictures. She is currently collaborating with local director Jim McMorrow on a documentary about the life of Hollywood film producer Debra Hill. Last year, as part of the Northern Ireland Screens New Talent Focus, Margaret co-produced feature film Lie Of The Land, which premiered at Galway Film Festival and won Best Irish First Time Feature Film. Over the years, the movie maker has been mentored by Northern Ireland producer Mark Huffam and has trained with Bafta-winning director Jon East, shadowing him on series two of Bloodlands. Ive been really fortunate to have received so much support, and I feel strongly that I want to give some of this knowledge back to people who are considering a career in the industry, Margaret says. People were there, and still are there, to answer my questions, so I am quite happy to be approached by young people to answer theirs. I think what the team at ScreenWorks is doing is really superb. They have quite a wide outreach, so they are making sure that people from various backgrounds and different schools are being included and get an opportunity to join in with their programme. I think thats really fantastic. Producing with Margaret McGoldrick takes place on October 17-19; the workshop is free of charge. For more information on the ScreenWorks programme and to apply for a place, visit www.intofilm.org/screenworks Two Door Cinema Club bassist Kevin Baird has said his health is good after the Co Down band cancelled their European tour last year when he was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease. Sharing a post on the Bangor groups X account last September, Baird confirmed his diagnosis and said he had been receiving treatment by the incredible NHS. He revealed that he was due to undergo surgery to remove the affected organ, which was hoped would make the disease much more manageable. Speaking on Radio Xs The Evening Show with Dan OConnell on Tuesday, Baird, who is receiving ongoing treatment for the disease, praised the NHS for their work. Health is good, he said. Obviously about a year ago we had to cancel some stuff and move things around, but I'm feeling really good and I tip my hat to the NHS. Baird added: As a band we're feeling really energised and ready to go out and do some things that we haven't done in a few years, whether that's because of Covid or maybe we had a bit of fatigue or whatever, but we're very driven at the moment to go and play some shows and right music and talk to you. Read more Van Morrison announces intimate Belfast gigs ahead of new album launch Two Door Cinema Club, who rose to fame in 2010 with their album Tourist History, recently unveiled their new Sure Enough single and Baird teased their new music could be the start of something. Despite releasing their latest album Keep On Smiling last year, Baird was quizzed on whether the new single could lead to another album. I have to skirt the line of potentially what I'm allowed to say, he told OConnell. It's definitely not the last song that we're going to release in the near future... If I can put it that way. We have more new music finished. We are working on more stuff. This is very much the beginning of something. On the Sure Enough title, Baird said it was a reference to the popular Irish phrase because that is something we would say. Releasing the new single, the What You Know outfit commented: Comfort, safety and security are all easy to come by. All you must do is accept the lie. Baird and his bandmates, Alex Trimble and Sam Halliday, have a huge tour lined up over the next seven months as they travel to South America, Mexico and the USA. Do you have a passport? said Baird when asked about the upcoming tour. At the moment we have a lot of shows in America lined up. It's kind of a place we haven't been in a while, so we are spending a lot of time in the States next year and we will definitely have some UK dates in the diary at some point. Two Door Cinema Club are also set to embark on UK dates later this month, where they will visit Connexin Arena in Hull, the Doncaster Dome and play two dates at Liverpool Arts Club. This Morning presenters Rochelle Humes and Craig Doyle have said Holly Willoughby will forever be one of us as they hosted the first show since the TV star announced her departure. Willoughby announced she was leaving the ITV flagship daytime show on Tuesday afternoon. It also follows a turbulent period at the show, after Willoughbys former co-host Phillip Schofield left in May after he admitted to a relationship with a younger male colleague. Rochelle Humes paid tribute to Willoughby (Ian West/PA) Opening Wednesdays episode of This Morning, Humes said: Of course, we want to start by sending our love, best wishes and respect to our Holly. She continued: Holly loved her job here and was really looking forward to the future of the show. But recent events, especially in the past week, have been hard to deal with and shes quite rightly putting her family first. Doyle added: On behalf of everyone here, in front and behind the camera, we just loved working with Holly and she made coming into work so much fun, we are all really, really sad and were really going to miss her. Willoughby, 42, announced she was leaving the show in a social media post in which she said said it was an honour to just be part of its story, but that she feels I have to make this decision for me and my family. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (Jonathan Brady/PA) Humes said: Holly said shes incredibly proud of what shes achieved on this show, and so are we. She will forever be one of us. Doyle added: But as Holly Willoughby knows only too well, the show must go on. Vanessa Feltz, who was appearing on the show to discuss the news of the day, said: People love her because shes lovable but I know people wonder, whats she really like? Can anyone be that pretty, that lovely, like a Disney princess to look at? Can anyone be that sweet really? Ive worked with and Im very proud to call her a friend for 14 years and she is through-and-through a golden-hearted, sweet, funny, extremely bright dont be fooled by that pretty face to think theres nothing behind the eyes clever, intuitive, incisive, fabulous person. Shes a wonderful person and you can see family is her absolute everything. Former This Morning presenter Richard Madeley said Willoughby has done a very brave, wise and courageous thing by stepping down from the show and has done exactly the right thing. Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley (Ian West/PA) Madeley, who launched This Morning with wife Judy Finnigan in 1988 and presented it for 13 years, told Good Morning Britain: I think, and Judy agrees with me Holly has done a very brave and wise and courageous thing. We know that Holly genuinely puts family first, she puts her family first and her career second. And that really is the order. People watching dont know that, they just see Holly the professional, but she does put it first. He added: Shes going to focus on them for a while. Shell come back, not to This Morning, but shell come back to do something else. But I think shes done exactly the right thing for her own mental health department. Brian Frizzell, one of three Catholics shot dead at a mobile shop in Craigavon in 1991 James Mitchell's farm in Glenanne, Co Armagh, in May 2004 (Pic: Alan Lewis) Imported loyalist paramilitary weapons stored by a Co Armagh farmer were moved to safety after police warned him about an imminent raid, the High Court has heard. An officer phoned James Mitchell just before his land was searched for the deadly shipment smuggled into Northern Ireland back in 1988 under a joint arrangement by three groupings. Intelligence on the tripartite deal by the UDA, UVF and Ulster Clubs to procure arms from overseas emerged in legal actions over their use in subsequent murders. In the first disclosure of its kind, the details feature in an agreed summary of sensitive material held by the PSNI and Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the importation of hundreds of rifles, pistols and grenades from South Africa. Further information must remain confidential to protect national security. Patrick Frizzell and Margaret Lundy are both suing the police and MoD amid allegations the arsenal of weapons was allowed to be brought into Northern Ireland and distributed among paramilitary groups for use in a series of killings. Brian Frizzell, one of three Catholics shot dead at a mobile shop in Craigavon in 1991 In March 1991, Mr Frizzells brother Brian Frizzell was shot dead by the UVF in Craigavon, Co Armagh. Mrs Lundys husband, Alan Lundy, was gunned down by a UDA unit at the west Belfast home of Sinn Fein representative Alex Maskey in May 1993. Lawyers for the plaintiffs claim the security forces knew about the arrival of the arms shipment but did nothing to intercept it. It is also alleged that detectives were not informed about intelligence that the weapons were being stored at Mitchells farm in January 1988. Mitchell, a former RUC reserve officer who died in 2008, had a conviction for a previous arms dump discovered on his premises near Glenanne during the 1970s. With writs lodged in connection with a number of other legacy killings containing similar allegations about the imported guns, Mr Justice Humphreys set out the full summary, or gist, of the information which can be made public. Alan Lundy was shot dead by loyalists in 1993 The court heard how the UDA, UVF and Ulster Clubs a network of organisations which operated at the time were making efforts to source weapons across Europe, the Middle East and North America. In July 1987, loyalist paramilitaries robbed the Portadown branch of the Northern Bank in a bid to finance an arms deal, according to intelligence. Later that year, MI5 learned that a major consignment may be coming in from South Africa and began researching shipping routes. Based on estimates, the total shipment included 200 rifles, 100 pistols, 24 boxes of grenades and 48 boxes of ammunition. Documents in the case indicate senior UDA figures learned in January 1988 that the container full of arms had cleared customs, was in the hands of an unknown intermediary and was being stored at an unknown farm in Co Armagh. The following day, police seized some of the imported weapons from two cars stopped in a surveillance operation at Mahon Road in Portadown. The haul included 61 Czech VZ58-type rifles, 30 Browning 9mm pistols, 150 Soviet anti-personnel grenades, ammunition, magazines and pouches. MI5 assessed it as an impressive list of equipment, out of character with previous loyalist procurements. Police obtained further information that the weapons had been unloaded and hidden at Mitchells farm, where they were to be divided out and collected by the various loyalist organisations. But there was a last-minute change to those arrangements following the seizure of the UDAs share at Mahon Road. Reading from the agreed summary, Mr Justice Humphreys said: Police then went to search Mitchells farm, but Mitchell was warned that police were en route and the remainder of the weapons were removed to a safe location. In 2016, police received information that a police officer made a phone call to Mitchells farm before a police search. James Mitchell A further 38 VZ58 rifles, 15 pistols, rocket-propelled grenade launcher and 100 hand grenades from the same consignment were recovered when the RUC raided an address at Flush Road in Belfast the following month. Information indicated those weapons were in the possession of the UVF and destined for units throughout Northern Ireland. At one stage, MI5 considered it possible that the South African government had facilitated the shipment due to the potential involvement of a well-connected American arms dealer without actually supplying the weapons. Investigators were in no doubt, however, that the UDA was dealing with South Africa over the supply of a British missile system, the court heard. Based on intelligence, an unknown proportion of the original consignment had evaded seizure by the security forces and reached the paramilitary groupings. Amid continued loyalist attempts to gain access to the remainder of the arsenal, it was believed that by the autumn of 1988 the UDA and UVF had lost 70% and a third of their respective allocations respectively. As these organisations were the biggest contributors to the deal and had to receive additional weapons to make up for their losses, there was a shortage of weaponry for smaller groups, Mr Justice Humphreys said. In November that year, the RUC seized a further quantity of the weapons from hides in the Markethill area of Armagh. Officers also recovered a stolen Javelin missile-aiming device. The judge added: After the November weapons seizures, police had information that these weapons represented the majority of the Ulster Clubs/Ulster Resistance share of the January 1988 arms shipment. Following disclosure of the gist, the plaintiffs solicitor Kevin Winters said: This is a very important ruling with far-reaching significance for many of our clients in other linked cases. A north Down company director today admitted two assaults, with a judge branding his behaviour bizarre, to say the least. Bangor businessman Christopher Espie had also faced charges of false imprisonment and making a threat to kill the victim. Today, at Downpatrick Crown Court, the 39-year-old, from Bryansburn Road, was rearraigned on two of the four charges against him, pleading guilty to two counts of common assault on the male victim. Following Espies admissions, prosecuting counsel Laura Levers asked for the two remaining charges to be left on the books. None of the details surrounding the incident on May 1 last year were opened in court, but Judge Geoffrey Miller KC said, given the bizarre behaviour, to say the least, the court would benefit from a pre-sentence report. Judge Miller told Espie, who is a director in an electrical company: Effectively, the facts of the case are not in dispute, but there are a number of worrying aspects to it. Freeing Espie on bail until November 30, Judge Miller advised him it would be in your own interests to co-operate with probation when the service compiles its report. A 20-year-old man detained for allegedly stealing his brothers bicycle and headbutting a police officer declared Up the f****** hoods, the High Court heard today. Prosecutors claimed Tiernan Delaney also punched another policeman and ripped off his body-worn equipment during a struggle in Belfast last month. Delaney, of no fixed abode, is charged with two assaults on police, criminal damage, theft and attempted criminal damage to his grandmothers home. Refusing his application for bail, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said: This is a cycle of behaviour fuelled by drug abuse. The court heard Delaney allegedly started kicking a door on his grandmothers house off the Cliftonville Road in the early hours of September 30. When she threatened to phone the police he mounted his brothers bike and rode away from the scene. Delaney was arrested later that day but resisted and headbutted a constable on the nose, it was claimed. In the ensuing struggle he punched a second officer to the head and tore off a phone worn as part of his uniform. During interviews in custody he disputed any ability to damage the equipment while in handcuffs. Prosecution counsel added: He also stated Up the f****** hoods. A defence barrister told the court Delaney is a drug addict suffering bereavement after a friend died recently from an overdose. He had been drinking, went to his grandmothers house and he accepts his behaviour was inappropriate. Hes embarrassed about it, the lawyer added. Denying bail, however, Dame Siobhan stressed the need to tackle the cause of Delaneys alleged offending and bring structure to his life. She stated: We cant have young men like this released into the community on a repeat pattern of such behaviour towards elderly people like a grandmother who is simply trying to help. Irish-American billionaire hailed for generosity after death at 92 Charles 'Chuck' Feeney receiving his honorary degree from the Universities of Ireland North and South in St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle, in 2012. Pic: Lensmen Photographic Agency The vice-chancellor at Queens University has paid tribute to Irish-American billionaire Chuck Feeney, who has died aged 92. Mr Feeneys Atlantic Philanthropies was a major financial supporter of the Belfast institution, backing landmark capital projects such as The McClay Library, Queens Elms Village and the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine the largest single donation Queens has ever gotten (15m). In all, Queens received around 100m in donations from the organisation. Atlantic Philanthropies gave $570m (465m) to causes across Northern Ireland over four decades. Professor Sir Ian Greer said Mr Feeneys generosity will never be forgotten. The vice-chancellor praised the huge impact he made to promote the health and wellbeing of societies around the globe, saying he showed a generosity that will echo through the generations. Read more Michelle ONeill leads tributes after philanthropist Chuck Feeney dies aged 92 Atlantic Philanthropies was set up in 1982, and donated more than 6.5bn to worthy causes worldwide. Chuck Feeney was an outstanding advocate and supporter of the higher education sector on the island of Ireland, Sir Ian said. He leaves a powerful legacy, which will be felt for generations to come. At Queens we are grateful for his many years of support and, on behalf of all our staff and students, I send my condolences to his family and friends. Atlantics support changed the lives of countless students and provided staff with state-of-the-art facilities to carry out world-class research across health and human dignity, services for children and young people, education, and the promotion of peace and reconciliation. Mr Feeneys vision of giving while living saw him support higher education across Ireland. He once said: Helping universities is helping the economy. Its helping yourself. Its helping your neighbours. His impact led 10 universities, including Queens, to confer a joint honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) on Mr Feeney in 2012 to give public honour and thanks for his incredible support of the Irish universities and to convey just how radical and transformative this support has been. Mr Feeney traced his family roots to Co Fermanagh, close to Kinawley in the townland of Larganacarran. Born in 1931 in New Jersey at the height of the Great Depression, he graduated from Cornell University after receiving a US military scholarship. In 1960 he co-founded the Duty Free Shoppers group and by 1980 had set about planning his philanthropic work. In 2020 Mr Feeney reached the landmark of making, and giving away initially anonymously 6bn in his lifetime. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: Chuck Feeney used his wealth to help others and its a testament to his work that many of his contemporaries have followed his example. Through his outstanding generosity he left an indelible mark on the North and our island, with his support for our universities, education system and in encouraging peace. The action has been taken by an individual living in Fermanagh. A an application has been made for a judicial review into the temporary suspension of emergency general surgery at a Co Fermanagh hospital last year. Emergency general surgery has been temporarily suspended at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen since December, with patients diverted to Altnagelvin Area Hospital. The Trust said the move was sparked by safety concerns following staffing shortages. A public consultation on the move took place earlier this year. Legal action sought by an individual living in Co Fermanagh will assert that the decision to remove the service from the site was illegal and irrational and breaches Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The application requests that the Western Trust decision to suspend the service be quashed and that they restore emergency general surgery at the SWAH or re-engage in the consultation process. Campaign group Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) have been named as one of a number of interested parties in the action, with was served on October 5. Read more Department plays down fears halt to emergency operations at South West Acute Hospital is permanent Spokesperson Donal OCofaigh said they will play a full part in the legal challenge. "It is now almost a year since our community was informed that emergency general surgery was to be removed temporarily from SWAH, he said. "Since December that has meant that local people have had to be sent to hospitals across Northern Ireland, bypassing SWAH, when in need of urgent and emergency surgery. This is unacceptable. This Judicial Notice seeks to force the reversal of this iniquitous decision. SOAS spokesperson Donal O'Cofaigh "We would like to commend the individual who has taken this case and as one of the named notice parties, SOAS will seek to play a full part in this legal challenge. "Our community deserves equal access to urgent and emergency care for live-saving treatment as every other person in Northern Ireland has. A consultation process which took place after the move had been carried out indicated 85% of respondents deemed the decision to suspend the surgery was not a reasonable response to patient safety concerns. It also found that 85% of respondents did not consider the actions taken by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) addressed the challenges of providing treatment in a timely, suitable and safe environment. A further 42% indicated they had evidence to suggest the trusts actions had created a negative impact, while 41% did not provide a clear answer to the question, the trust said. The report also indicated that 17% of respondents did not present evidence to suggest the actions taken by the trust had a negative impact. Last month, the Department of Health (DoH) played down concerns raised by SOAS that despite the moves temporary nature, it was all but permanent, saying any permanent move would require departmental approval. The Western Trust said they had carried out their legal obligations over the change. "The decision to temporarily suspend Emergency General Surgery at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) was taken in November 2022 to protect public safety, due to the shortage of General Surgery Consultants at SWAH, said a spokesperson. The Trust carried out an extensive and wide-ranging 12 week consultation on the temporary change to Emergency General Surgery at SWAH, which was carried out in line with our legal obligations, and the Department of Healths guidance on these matters. General surgery continues at SWAH. The Trust opened an ambulatory surgery unit in December 22, and SWAH has been named as the 3rd regional Elective Overnight Stay Centre for Northern Ireland. MLA says staff are being penalised after closure of injury units at Ards and Bangor Staff without permits have been encouraged by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to park at the Omniplex Staff at the Ulster Hospital are being asked to park at a cinema over a mile away and board a shuttle bus to work in a move branded unsustainable by a North Down MLA. Workers have been advised to use car parking facilities at the Dundonald Omniplex as demand for spaces in the hospitals car parks increases. Some staff have daytime permits to park on site at the hospital, but waiting lists for these permits are lengthy. It is understood that the public are struggling to find spaces in the hospitals pay and display areas. Staff without permits have been encouraged by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to park at the Omniplex, which is around 1.2 miles away. Alex Easton MLA Independent MLA Alex Easton said the parking situation at the Dundonald site had been exacerbated by the closure of the minor injuries units at Bangor and Ards. Thats forcing more people up to the Ulster Hospital, which is adding to the traffic chaos and the parking issues because there are not enough spaces up there, he told the Belfast Telegraph. Unfortunately the staff now are being penalised because of the Trusts crazy decision to close the Bangor and Ards minor injuries units. Its been going on with other staff, not just the more recent ones, but certain staff have been having to park there for a long period of time. Its totally unsustainable. They obviously havent thought through the car parking implications of having all these extra patients coming in. Mr Easton said staff should be able to access parking close to their place of employment. People should be able to park close to where they work. Staff are getting punished for ludicrous decisions by the Trust, he said. They are reaping what they have sown. They were warned about the car parking and they ploughed ahead and closed the two units, ignoring all that. I do feel for the staff; you shouldnt have to park that far away from your place of work. The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has said it is trying to strike a balance between the needs of staff and patients. The Ulster Hospital site has approximately 2,100 car parking spaces, a spokesperson said. Currently, 62% of all parking spaces on the Ulster Hospital site are dedicated to permitted staff parking. The South Eastern Trust must balance the needs of those attending the hospital for appointments and visiting along with the requirement for staff parking, ensuring there are car spaces available for public use. Some staff choose to park in the public car park and pay a public tariff. The Travel team encourages staff to avail of free car parking facilities which are close to the Ulster Hospital, with a free shuttle bus which operates at regular intervals to transport staff to and from work. As a result of feedback from staff, the Trust has also extended our Park and Ride operating timetable. Travellers flying to and from Belfast have been impacted by cancellations following a major fire at Luton Airport. All flights at Luton Airport were suspended until 3pm on Wednesday after a huge fire ripped through a terminal car park causing significant structural collapse. On Wednesday morning, London Luton Airport posted an update explaining that emergency services remained on the scene. Our priority remains supporting the emergency services and the safety of our passengers and staff. Therefore, we have now taken the decision to suspend all flights until 3pm on Wednesday 11th October. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for information about their flight. At George City Airport, a flight from Luton which was due to arrive at 8.45am was cancelled, as well as one due to depart from the Belfast airport at 12.30pm. A number of flights at Belfast International were impacted including a 1.45pm departure and a 2.25pm arrival. Read more Luton Airport closed as fire rips through car park The fire service said that up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park and subsequently damaged. Four firefighters and an airport staff member were taken to hospital after suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. Another patient was discharged at the scene. Footage shared online shows huge flames and billowing smoke from the top floor of the building after the fire broke out shortly before 9pm on Tuesday. Former DUP health minister Jim Wells has criticised the PSNI for sending a cosy message out to people suspected of buying drugs, as he insisted that prosecutions would be more appropriate. It comes after police warned that criminals are offering drugs for sale via social media messaging apps following the seizure of mobile phones in the greater Belfast area. Detective Superintendent Emma Neill said illegal drugs are often listed on the apps in menu-style formats, including prices and an explanation of how to purchase. She added: We recognise that a large number of group members are not actively engaged in criminality. Some may be recipients of unwelcome messages, in which case our advice is simply to leave the group immediately. And, unfortunately, some individuals may be suffering from addiction. Weve therefore commenced the process of messaging, and signposting to support, those who wish to get help for drug misuse. Those, however, who are offering illicit goods or who are engaged in criminal offences are being robustly investigated. Asked if the PSNI should take a tougher line, former DUP MLA Jim Wells told BBCs the Nolan Show that its not the role of police to offer medical advice but to enforce the law. And then if needs be to pass those whove been prosecuted over to the health authorities for support and advice, the former health minister added. But Im absolutely intrigued about this, because I just wonder did the police trawl through those 1,800 names and think, oh dear, I dont like the look of this. There are some very embarrassing figures, some senior people at various stages of life in Northern Ireland maybe we wouldnt want to have them prosecuted for what they see as minor drug offences. I mean the reality is that all 1,800 of these people have committed a crime, not only is the possession and sale of drugs in Northern Ireland illegal but the use of drugs is illegal. And these people were clearly on ordering drugs and should be enforced and there should be action taken against them. He believes the last thing police should be doing is sending out a cosy message warning them to be careful, arguing instead drugs ruin lives. The PSNI has been contacted for comment. A man whose licence to hold guns was revoked amid allegations of having previously been an on-the-run IRA member suffered no unfairness, the High Court has ruled. A judge dismissed his challenge to the Secretary of States decision to deny him a fresh firearms certificate. Mr Justice Huddleston held that the suspected paramilitary association was enough to render him unfit to hold a permit. The man, granted anonymity and referred to as JR 86, had licences in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to use guns for vermin control and sporting purposes. His certificate was initially revoked by the PSNI Chief Constable in May 2014 on the grounds that he was not fit to be entrusted with a firearm. An earlier legal challenge over the failure to provide further reasons led to the disclosure of a limited summary or gist. It stated: Police hold information from 2005 that (JR 86) was a member of the Provisional IRA in Londonderry who was on the run at that time. A further appeal against the revocation of his firearms permit was ultimately refused by the Secretary of State in June 2019. Lawyers for JR 86 claimed it was an unfair process based on additional information he could access or comment on. The court heard he had provided detailed medical records in a bid to establish he was not on-the-run and to distance himself from IRA involvement. But according to the Northern Ireland Office it had been an operational rather than legal issue. Consideration was given to further security information which the authorities considered not possible to disclose. Mr Justice Huddleston ruled: The failure to do so does not, in my view, render the process intrinsically unfair. In reality, according to the judge, JR 86 was aware of the substance, if not the minutiae, of the case against him and had an opportunity to respond to it. Fundamentally the decision was taken by reason of the applicants association with the Provisional IRA and in both the Chief Constables and then the Ministers mind, that association was sufficient to render him unfit to hold a FAC, he said. I am satisfied that all relevant considerations were taken into account and that nothing irrelevant was included in the final determination such as would attract irrationality or unreasonableness. A public appeal has been launched to help fund veterinary treatment for an injured kitten found stray inside a car engine Cats Protection Belfast is appealing to raise a target of 500 for kitten Alex. The 7-week-old kitten is currently under the charity's care and has undergone vital treatment for what is known as a deglove skin injury to his lower jaw. He was found and fished out of a car engine by a member of the public. The good Samaritan who found the animal handed Alex over to the trustful hands of the Cats Protections Belfast Adoption Centre. After he was rescued it was discovered that Alex was in extremely poor condition overall. Senior Rehoming & Welfare Assistant Rebecca Cairns said: We never give up on a cat or kitten if it has the chance of a happy life so we are desperate to do all we can to help little Alex. The kitten noticeably had a nasty injury to his lower jaw, resulting in the skin becoming detached and resulting in the deglove injury. Read more Van Morrison announces intimate Belfast gigs ahead of new album launch Alex immediately underwent urgent surgery to stitch his wound together. Unfortunately, he was also extremely emancipated due to the lack of food and was pot-bellied with a large parasitic worm damaging his internal organs. Alex is such a lovely kitten who has been through so much in his short life so far and we believe he deserves all the help we can give him. Hes proved to be a real fighter and we are not going to give up on him, Rebecca added. After undergoing the treatments, being fed some much-needed food, and sleeping in a warm cosy bed, the team at the centre has said that Alex is feeling and looking more like a healthy kitten should. Sadly, Alex still has a long way to go until he reaches a full recovery and can be adopted into his forever home. However, this treatment is going to cost a lot of money and, as a charity that relies entirely on donations, we are asking cat lovers in the area to give as much as they can to help towards Alexs aftercare, Cats Protection added. The team at the Belfast Adoption Centre are now desperately appealing to reach the target amount of 500 needed to cover the cost of Alexs essential further treatments. Any money raised more than the fundraising target will also go towards helping other cats who are in need, under the care of the Belfast Adoption Centre. If you would like to help Alex please visit his JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/page/cpbelfastalex or contact the Belfast Adoption Centre on 028 9048 0202 or belfast@cats.org.uk . The charity added that Alex will not be offered for adoption until he has fully recovered. 14-year-old was planning to sell herd of calves for house deposit A teenage farmer whose cattle were stolen last month had been planning to sell them and use the money for a house deposit, her father has said. Eleven calves were stolen during an incident believed to have happened on Clegg Road in Claudy on September 28 or 29. They belonged to Kelsey Hasson (14), who was left in bits following the theft. Dad Damien Carton said: They are really valuable stock. All the offspring are gone. They stole the full 11 cattle off her. Were from a farming background and Kelsey had started to hand-pick different cattle real good, top-of-the range ones. Its hard to put a value on them. I was at Draperstown market to see if any of them were around it, and smaller cattle than ours were taking 900 to 1,000 each. She had a long keep of them and that would have been her first money coming off them. Its something shes been working on for a couple of years. The profits off those, she was going to save for a deposit on a house when shes older. Kelsey's dad appealed for information Mr Carton said the police investigation into the theft had been really good. He also called on the culprits to examine their consciences. This [the perpetrator] is no stranger. It takes help to put them into the shed. Thats not a one-person job, he added. Kelsey has hardly slept or anything. Shes in bits because we had some of those cows around two years and those are their first calves. She is not one of these who sits on the sofa with a phone or a computer in her hand, or running the streets. She is from a farming background and loves it. Shes a brilliant worker. At the end of the day, I dont even think at this stage we could take them back because the cows wouldnt take them either. Theyre away too long now. How could the person who took these look a 14-year-old in the eye and say they stole her cattle? East Londonderry MLA Claire Sugden appealed to the public to bring any information on the theft to the police. This is not just a significant financial loss, she said. The theft has left a young girl, who is a very keen and ambitious young farmer, extremely distraught. The PSNI said enquiries into the theft of the cattle were ongoing. It is believed that the calves were taken sometime between Sunday, September 24, and the time of report at around 2.45pm on September 30, said a spokesperson. They added that enquiries were ongoing and appealed for anyone with information, including dashcam or other footage, to contact police on 101. People Before Profits Gerry Carroll under fire over comments made after Hamas attack A social media post by an MLA in the wake of Saturdays attack by Palestinian militants on Israel has been reported to police. The PSNI said enquiries are continuing into complaints made about Gerry Carrolls comments. Mr Carroll, a People Before Profit MLA for west Belfast, posted on X, formerly Twitter: Victory to the Palestinian Resistance, accompanied by two clenched fist emojis. It came hours after Gazas militant Hamas rulers attacked Israel by air, land and sea without warning on Saturday morning. Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said he has reported the post to the Assemblys Standards Commissioner. The PSNI said it was aware of the comments. A spokesperson said: Police have received two reports relating to a social media post on Saturday, October 7. Enquiries continue. The Hamas incursion is by far the deadliest militant attack in Israeli history. A military official said the death toll has now risen above 1,000. Retaliatory airstrikes have claimed 830 lives on the Palestinian side so far. In response to criticism of his comments, Mr Carroll said: Ill be taking no lectures from Doug Beattie or anyone else who hasnt a word to utter about the brutal occupation, apartheid and violence faced by Palestinians on a daily basis. Politics: The Israeli-Hamas war and the NI split over it Meanwhile, UUP MLA Robbie Butler has told Lord John Kilclooney that he will be seeking legal advice over what he alleged was a scandalous lie made by the peer in relation to the conflict. Cross-bench peer Lord Kilclooney, who was a UUP MP for Strangford from 1983 to 2001, wrote on X: Robbie Butler MLA defends the killing by Israel of children and civilians in Gaza contrary to opinion of the UN. Claims that Israel is exercising its right to defend its nation and people. In response, Mr Butler said: For this absolute scandalous lie I will be seeking legal advice, John. An abominable lie. Not deterred, the former MP told Mr Butler he has an opportunity to condemn the killing of children and civilians in Gaza, adding: Do it now. He later added: Robbie Butler MLA has still to make it clear if the right of Israel to defend its people is (1) in Israel only (2) in the illegal settlements in Palestine or (3) in Gaza only. Read more UN expert compares Middle East conflict to NI Troubles he criticises Gaza siege Over recent days, Lord Kilclooney has said he understands criticism of Hamas from the Conservative and Labour parties, but asked: Were they also critical of the Israeli illegal settlements within Palestine? He condemned attacks on civilians in Israel and Gaza as the worst of humanity. Mr Butler has also condemned attacks on both sides, posting: As images come onto our screens showing, graphically, the brutality of war, murder, savagery and the brutalisation of children, women and men, we still see those who celebrate this barbarity. In a separate post, he said: All deaths in Israel and Palestine are needless and tragic. Anyone who glories in these deaths or feels some satisfaction is deplorable. The innocent and ordinary will carry the burden of terror and political failure. I really cant fathom some of the comments and justification flowing easily from people on here. Irish President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to Irish-Israeli woman Kim Damti, who has been confirmed dead following an attack by Hamas on a music festival in Israel last weekend. Ms Damti had been missing since the attack which is believed to have claimed up to 250 lives. The 22-year old was at a rave in the desert that was targeted as part of the incursion which was the deadliest attack on Israel in half a century. In a statement online, her sister Laura confirmed the tragic news on Wednesday. "With great sorrow and gloomy grief, I announce the killing of our angel, our flower, Kim my blood, who was murdered by the cursed terrorists," she said. "The funeral will take place tomorrow (Thursday) at 5pm at the cemetery in Gedera." Her aunt Pat Cooper, in a statement provided to RTE, said: "With heartfelt sorrow the Cooper family announce the death of their beloved niece, Kim Damti. We thank all those who have supported us with love and encouragement over the past five days, she said. "We respectfully request the media to allow us to grieve in the privacy of our family." Politics: The Israeli-Hamas war and the NI split over it President Michael D Higgins said he heard the news of Ms Damti's death with the "greatest sadness". "The circumstances in which her life was taken, having travelled as she did to attend a music festival, are truly appalling," he said. "It is not only those of us who are parents, but all of those who feel that young people should be free to attend events with their peers in conditions of safety, who will find such circumstances where a young life is taken so appalling. "Kim's death once again reminds us what an outrageous breach of fundamental international law in conditions of conflict it is to target civilians in this way. "May I send my deepest condolences to Kim's family, friends and all those with whom she shared her life." Kim Damti Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland is united in mourning for Kim Damti. "This vibrant young Irish-Israeli woman was struck down in her prime, with her adult life ahead of her. Her death, and the deaths of more than a thousand other citizens of Israel and from around the world, was senseless and barbaric. Kim gave happiness and joy to her family and those around her. As we learn of her death, we pause to think of her, her family in Israel and Ireland and of all those now grieving in countless other nations, Mr Varadkar said. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely. The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating. "Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise. For anyone to lose a child is devastating. To lose a child in such circumstances is indescribable. Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City (Fatima Shbair/AP) Ms Damti and her mother Jennifer (60), who is from Portlaoise, last spoke when the first rockets were launched by Hamas into Israel at around 7am on Saturday. She had been dancing at the all-night rave in the desert attended by thousands of people when it was attacked. Reports said hundreds had been killed or kidnapped and taken to Gaza. Ms Damti told her mother in a phonecall that she had been running with her friend towards a car, but this was the last time her mother heard from her. Kim didnt realise there were seven or eight Toyota vans full of terrorists and they just shot everywhere, her mother said. "They just shot them and slaughtered them like ducks. And thats the reason Im here, because I want the world to condemn this behaviour. I didnt bring my children up to hate anybody. Middle East conflict: What happened and what could follow Her father and brother had in recent days been visiting hospitals with her hair brush to check if she was among the dead. Chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland Maurice Cohen told RTEs Morning Ireland on Thursday that Irelands entire Jewish community is in mourning following the tragic news. I along with the entire Jewish community here in Ireland, we mourn the tragic loss of this young Irish-Israeli Kim Damti and we want to send condolences to her family and her loved ones, he said. Though I never had the privilege of knowing her personally, the photos that Ive seen online depict a vibrant young woman, radiant with hope and joy. Her adventurous spirit comes through and her zest for life, they were evident. It makes it all the more devastating to think of her life being cruelly taken away by terrorists. An Israeli soldier walks by a house destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Beeri (Baz Ratner/AP) Mr Cohen said the thought of people being targeted at the peaceful music festival where Ms Damti died is heartwrenching. Were really traumatised by these events here in the community and I suppose Kims death, alongside so many others, it just underscores the urgent need for peace and the inherent value of life, Mr Cohen said. The terrorists responsible for this act, driven by what can only be described as a malevolent ideology, have shown a blatant disregard for these values. Rockets being fired from Gaza into Israel on Saturday. Pic by Fatima Shbair/AP. He said most Irish people of the Jewish faith have family and friends in Israel and there is a growing Israeli population in Ireland. Mr Cohen said a relative of his wife was found murdered in Israel in the last two days. Though we try not to imagine the barbarity, we cannot always succeed. Though we try to think that we are safe in Ireland, our homeland where most of us were born, we cannot always succeed, Mr Cohen said. Though we want to give one last hug, everybody, to those that were murdered and those that were slaughtered, we definitely cannot succeed in that. A software platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionise the way brain aneurysms are treated. It comes after a study found the programme known as PreSize was more accurate in predicting the placement of a stent in a patients brain than experienced neurosurgeons. PreSize was created by technology company Oxford Heartbeat. Developers looked at past brain aneurysm surgeries that were completed using a multitude of different stents to figure out how the devices behaved. Stents that are used to treat brain aneurysms are usually made of shape memory alloys, a sophisticated material that springs open once it is unsheathed. Dr Katerina Spranger, Oxford Heartbeat founder and chief executive, told the PA news agency: Its extremely important to get the device correct, in terms of the correct size and also correct implantation. Currently the way they do it, there is a lot of guesswork involved. According to the NHS, brain aneurysms can develop in anyone at any age, but are more common in people over the age of 40. Aneurysms are caused by a weakness in the artery wall and, if detected before rupturing, can be monitored through regular check-ups or sealed shut with a tiny metal clip during surgery. Another method is having a stent fitted, which is a soft, flexible mesh tube made of metal. To treat brain aneurysms, they are placed inside the artery in the groin using a catheter and fed through the body using X-ray screening. Dr Spranger said the devices are extremely complex with a high complication rate, the most common of which are blood clots that can cause strokes. If the device is for example, undersized, it can detach from the blood vessels and start travelling around the circulatory system of the body, which is huge complication, she added. Or if its oversized, it can almost rupture the vessel. PreSize software showing a 3D model of patient anatomy and predicted stent journey (Oxford Heartbeat) PreSize works by giving clinicians an accurate, reconstructed image of the patients brain along with a library of devices known as digital twins that behave exactly as a stent would in real life. Dr Spranger said: This is another key to the complexity of the problem, because all those devices are very different. Each manufacturer has their own proprietary technology. In the virtual environment, the algorithms put the two together the complex anatomy of the patient and mechanics of the device. It can predict whats going to happen if you put a particular device into particular location. Clinicians are able to use the PreSize platform in theatre, loading a patients scan and trying out different devices to decide which will work best. She added: We do a lot of research, a lot of experiments, to make sure that the digital twins actually correspond to the actual devices behaviour. We designed it so that its extremely intuitive and extremely accurate. Fit for a high-stress surgical environment, because the patient is usually already on the table. The process takes three minutes using PreSize, as opposed to 10-15 minutes without the software, according to Dr Spranger. A fraction of a millimetre can make or break a surgery, she told PA. We knew that for a software to be successful in such a high-stress environment, it has to be super easy. We designed it so that it can be used without even any training. They get real-time feedback. For example, if they want to try another device, reposition the device, elongate the device, choose another it immediately reacts and immediately tells them this is how its going to look. PreSize has been used in procedures with 375 patients to date. It is being used across seven hospitals in England and Scotland, as well as at hospitals in Germany, Finland and Ukraine. The technology is also currently involved in a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) trial, which Oxford Heartbeat said will help collect objective evidence on the PreSize. An NIHR spokesperson said: At the NIHR we recognise the huge potential for AI technologies to speed up diagnosis and treatment and improve outcomes for patients. NIHR is funding a range of AI projects, including this one alongside the NHS AI Lab, to gather the evidence needed to bring this technology to more patients in the future, right across the NHS. A study, published in the BMJ Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery, found PreSize to be more accurate in predicting where a stent will land in the brain compared to human clinicians. Researchers recruited eight neurointerventionalists two of whom were from the UK who were given 3D images and data annotated with the landing location of the stent for 51 cases. The medics were given the starting point of the stent and were asked to perform a planning route as they would in normal practice, estimating its landing location using the data provided and the dimensions of the stent itself. The study found neurointerventionalists had an 81% accuracy rate on average, while PreSize had a 95% accuracy rate. Dr Spranger said the use of software in healthcare is a medical device of a new generation and will become standard of care because its so accurate. The NHS is currently using AI to help clinicians read scans and X-rays to speed up diagnoses and decision making on treatments. However Dr Spranger said rigorous testing should be carried out on new systems before they are deployed. AI has the potential to revolutionise healthcare, but before we adopt it we must rigorously test new systems, she said. Medical device software companies like ours should be held to account to address any distrust about AI. Nadia El-Nakla said her parents were continually telling her they felt like they were going to die after they became trapped in Gaza (Lesley Martin/PA) The wife of Scotlands First Minister has said she feels like she is just living in a nightmare after her parents became trapped in Gaza. In an interview with the BBCs Reporting Scotland on Wednesday, Nadia El-Nakla said her parents, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, continually tell her they feel like they are going to die. The El-Naklas travelled to Gaza last week to visit an elderly relative and Ms El-Naklas brother, who works as a doctor in Gaza. They found themselves trapped after militant group Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets in what it said was a new operation on Saturday. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was at war as its military began striking targets in Gaza in response. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. In a video clip played as part of the interview, Elizabeth El-Nakla said: Weve no electricity, weve no water, the food we do have, which is little, will not last because there is no electric and it will spoil. A visibly emotional Ms El-Nakla told the BBC it was incredibly difficult right now. She said: There is no electricity from 2pm their time, which was just a few hours ago. No electricity means no hospital supplies, it means no food, you cant even preserve the food that you have. I dont know what it means for them in the long-term, I dont know whats about to happen to them. For me, my number one is my family being safe. Ms El-Nakla said her parents are now talking about saving their phone batteries due to the lack of power, which means they are having to limit contact. She added: Every few hours Im seeing things, and Im calling my parents. But now we are talking about having to preserve their battery on their phone. We cannot keep talking to them because theres no electricity. Weve taken numbers of neighbours, theyve written down all of our numbers. If I cant get in touch with them, can I contact a neighbour to find out if theyre still alive? Nadia El-Nakla pictured with her husband and two daughters her parents are currently trapped in Gaza (Andrew Milligan/PA) These are conversations we need to have. At times my arms just feel like lead. It feels like I am just living in a nightmare. For them, I just cant understand how they feel. On Tuesday, Ms El-Naklas husband Humza Yousaf wrote to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, urging him to call on Israel to open a humanitarian corridor. He wrote: I am writing concerning the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas over the weekend, and the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza. Too many innocent people have already lost their lives as a consequence of these completely unjustifiable and illegitimate attacks by Hamas. However, innocent men, women and children cannot, and should not, pay the price for the actions of a terrorist group. Collective punishment of innocent civilians cannot be justified and will do nothing to set the conditions for peace in the region. As a close friend and ally of Israel, I therefore ask the UK Government to call on the government of Israel to ensure innocent civilians are protected and to put in place an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe passage of civilians through the Rafah border. Furthermore, it should open a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, for those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was charged with disobedience to law enforcement for the second time (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP) Greta Thunberg, the climate activist, has been fined by a Swedish court once again for disobeying police during an environmental protest in July. The Malmo District Court ordered her to pay a 2,250 kroner (169) fine. Ms Thunberg, who already had been fined for a similar offence, took part in a July 24 environmental protest at an oil terminal in Malmo, where activists temporarily blocked access to the facility by sitting down and were removed by police. On September 15, she was charged with disobedience to law enforcement for refusing to obey police asking her to leave the scene. Greta Thunberg was fined 2,250 kroner (169) (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP) She then was dragged away by two uniformed officers. Ms Thunberg, 20, has admitted to the facts but denied guilt, saying the fight against the fossil fuel industry was a form of self-defence due to the existential and global threat of the climate crisis. After the verdict, she said: We have the science on our side and we have morality on our side. Nothing in the world can change that and so it is. I am ready to act based on the conditions that exist and whether it leads to more sentences. On June 24, the same court fined her 2,500 kronor (188) for refusing to obey police orders when taking part in a similar demonstration the previous month. During that protest, she and others blocked access to the same oil terminal days earlier and were removed by police. On Thursday, the Swede is due to travel to neighbouring Norway to take part in a protest with activists, including Indigenous Sami. Greta Thunberg inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish Parliament (Henrik Montgomery/TT News Agency via AP) They are protesting a wind farm of 151 turbines and want it removed because they say it endangers the reindeer herders way of life. The activists say a transition to green energy should not come at the expense of the rights of Indigenous people. Two years ago, Norways Supreme Court ruled that the construction of the turbines had violated the rights of the Sami, who have used the land for reindeer for centuries. The Norwegian government has no plans to remove the wind farm. Ms Thunberg inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish Parliament starting in 2018. By Josef Krauss and Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press By Josef Krauss and Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival on Wednesday to create a wartime Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighbourhoods and the only power plant ran out of fuel. The new Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and comes as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence on Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at a music festival. In a televised address on Wednesday night, Mr Netanyahu detailed atrocities that took place during the attack, including boys and girls bound and shot in the head, people burned alive, women raped and soldiers who were beheaded. Every Hamas member is a dead man, he said. We will crush and destroy it. Israeli soldiers take cover on the ground. Over five days, Hamas has fired thousands of rockets into Israel (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults and have fired thousands of rockets into the country over the past five days. The Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will be led by Mr Netanyahu, Benny Gantz a senior opposition figure and former defence minister and current defence minister Yoav Gallant. A former chief of staff and another government minister were named as observer members. The countrys chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join the Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Mr Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. Israels increasingly destructive airstrikes in Gaza have flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath debris. A ground offensive in Gaza, whose 2.3 million residents are densely packed into a tiny, coastal strip, would likely result in a surge of casualties for fighters on both sides. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the Gaza Strip (Mohammad Al Masri/AP) Militants in Gaza have fired thousands of rockets into Israel since Saturday and their barrages continued on Wednesday, aimed at the southern town of Ashkelon. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza, most crowding into UN schools. Others sought the shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometres (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territorys only power station ran out of fuel and shut down. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. On Sunday, Israel halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory and the sole remaining crossing from Egypt was shut down after airstrikes hit nearby on Tuesday. Israeli tanks were stationed near the border with Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP) Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders said the strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, Mr Kannes said. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a reconstructive surgeon at al-Shifa, said he had 50 patients waiting to go to the operating room as more critical wounded are treated. Were already beyond the capacity of the system to cope, he said. The health system has the rest of the week before it collapses, not just because of the diesel. All supplies are running short. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days, while residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Gaza City was hit by Israeli airstrikes (Adel Hana/AP) Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food on Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said. In Gazas Jabalia refugee camp, rescue workers and civilians carried men covered with blood and soot towards ambulances after strikes toppled buildings. Streets were left blanketed with metal, chunks of concrete and thick dust. Medical teams and rescuers struggled to enter other areas where roads were too destroyed, including Gaza Citys al-Karama district, where a large number were killed or wounded, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. Strikes have killed at least four Red Crescent paramedics, the organisation said. Unknown numbers of bodies lay beneath the debris (Hatem Moussa/AP) The risk of the war spreading was evident on Wednesday after the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. Additionally, an alert in the evening over an incursion by hostile aircraft from Lebanon was a false alarm, the military said. US President Joe Biden called the Hamas attack the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. At a meeting with Jewish community leaders at the White House, MR Biden said: This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty, not just hate, but pure cruelty against the Jewish people. On Tuesday, he warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The US is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. An Israeli army column was deployed to Sderot, a town close to the Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the territorys health ministry said. Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near Gaza and evacuated tens of thousands of residents from nearby communities. Toppling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would likely require prolonged ground fighting and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas said it launched its attack on Saturday because Palestinians suffering had become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation, increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. Israeli soldiers patrolled Sderot (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas are running high in Israel. Past conflicts with Hamas included heavy bombardments of Gaza but ended with the group still in power. Mr Netanyahu said this week that Israel is committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighbourhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then levelling large swathes in waves of airstrikes. In a meeting with soldiers near the southern border, defence minister Mr Gallant said: We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Even with the evacuation warnings, Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no warning at all, survivors say. Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that Israel is committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike levelled his home in Gaza City said: There was no warning or anything. We were sitting there as civilians, dressed like anyone else. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press that Israeli airstrikes in the southern town of Khan Younis struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the so-called shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. A Palestinian woman who had 10 relatives killed near a United Nations school, weeps during their funeral (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa, File) In Gaza, 1,100 people have been killed, according to authorities there. In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli police during clashes. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israeli territory, and that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members. Rockets being fired from Gaza into Israel on Saturday. Pic by Fatima Shbair/AP. A Northern Ireland woman has described the terror in Israel after returning home from a trip to the Middle East and expressed concern for her Jewish and Arab friends. The holidaymaker told BBC Radio Ulsters Talk Back programme that she returned home on Tuesday night following her seventh trip to the country. "I was in Jerusalem this time [and it was] great for the first five days, Michelle, whose surname was not given, recalled. "Then [I] woke up to the sirens going off in our hotel. "Rockets being fired into Jerusalem, but the Iron Dome got them. The tourist described hiding under stairwells with visitors from all around the world including countries such as Brazil, Ecuador and South Korea as Israel came under attack by Hamas on Saturday. "It was awful, Michelle said. "It was just awful." Asked if she was afraid, the caller expressed concern for her friends in the country which includes Jews and Arabs. "Not once when I was there did I hear a Jew criticise [or] condemn anything about [Palestinians]. "They were crying about what Hamas was doing. Politics: The Israeli-Hamas war and the NI split over it Michelle, who accused the international community of being biased against Israel, said the country cant win whatever they do as she expressed her love of the nation. She claimed the support which has been voiced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden will turn if Israel launches a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. "I have friends in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Michelle continued while holding back tears. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Pic by Fatima Shbair/AP. "I have a friend, her son was called up. "My friend today, I am just off the phone with her, she is taking her army boots to her daughter. The concerned woman called in following a tense exchange between a retired British Army officer and a humanitarianism and development academic from the University of Bath. Colonel Richard Kemp believes the only option available to Israel is force as the death toll in the country reaches 1,200. Read more Israel forms unity government to oversee war sparked by Hamas attack "This will be a huge problem for the whole area its a problem that has been triggered by Hamas, directed by Iran with the possible involvement of Russia, he told the programme. "The reality is that Israel has, in my opinion, no choice but to go in with maximum possible force to the Gaza Strip, and crush Hamas. More than 1,000 people have so far been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza. The army veteran acknowledged it is an abhorrent choice as he claimed negotiating with Hamas is not an option given that its charter calls for the destruction of Israel. "They simply have to be crushed so that they cant again do what they did last weekend, Col Kemp added. He stressed that maximum force must be caveated with Israel doing all in their power to avoid and minimise civilian casualties. "Historically Israel has been scrupulous in doing that even though I have no doubt that plenty of people will disagree with me and tell me that Israel is indiscriminate. Professor Hart took the latter position as he referred to a post on X, formerly Twitter, shared by Israels PM Benjamin Netanyahu of an apartment block being demolished in Gaza. "I dont know if they are errors, lack of information or just downright lies, but Israel has an appalling track record of non-discrimination between civilians and combatants, absolutely appalling, he said. "I disagree that he [Col Kemp] can come on here and say that. Prof Hart condemned the appalling act of violence committed by Hamas at the weekend, but said the everyday violence and oppression of the Palestinian people must be brought into the picture. Palestinian man Mohammad, who now lives in Belfast and whose surname was also not given, also branded Col Kemps comments as inaccurate and accused Israel of bombing hospitals and ambulances. "Palestinians and Israelis have the right to live in peace within secure borders but this is impossible as long as Israel refuses to apply international law and the Geneva Convention to civilians, he said. We all want to live in peace Palestine is crying out to live in peace but Israel prefers violence because it has the upper military hand." However the caller was eventually cut off after being asked a number of times whether or not he condemns the attack carried out by Hamas. "I condemn the causes of the attack, he said. Stand in presenter Chris Buckler interjected: So you dont condemn the attacks, you condemn the causes of the attacks. "Because that is one of the things that is so important in all of this. "Unfortunately when you see these debates it becomes marred in politics and sometimes the humanity gets lost in that. Whenever you see the impact of that violence does it not do harm to whatever argument that you cant condemn what was essentially the slaughter of people? Mohammad responded saying personally I feel sorry for the loss of life before being interrupted again. "But you dont condemn it, Mr Buckler said. As Mohammad sought to explain that Palestinians are forced to do this he was cut off the air. "No one is forced to go out and kill someone, Mr Buckler said. "No one is forced to go out and brutally harm someone. Demonstrators flee as police officers fire tear gas during a protest against the governments labor reforms in a controversial jobs creation law, which has since been passed, in Jakarta, Oct. 8, 2020. Indonesia was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a sixth time, receiving the highest number of votes among all regions candidates, the countrys top diplomat announced Wednesday. The vote showed confidence in Indonesias ability to promote human rights, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, but activists alleged that rights abuses had increased, with attacks on civil liberties defenders, and abuses by security forces, especially in the restive Papua region. Indonesias membership on the council for the 2024-2026 period with the most votes however would benefit the nation and the world, the minister said. This is a manifestation of trust given to Indonesia to continue to contribute to the advancement and protection of human rights, Retno said at a press briefing. Indonesia received 186 votes of 192 U.N. General Assembly ballots cast, surpassing other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Kuwait (183 votes), Japan (175 votes) and China (154 votes). The Asia-Pacific region had four vacant seats, so all four countries made it onto the council as members, although watchdog Human Rights Watch said last week that China should be denied a seat based on its rights record. According to HRW, a 2022 U.N, report found China had committed serious rights violations against the Muslim Uyghur community that could constitute crimes against humanity. Another country that should be denied membership to the council, HRW said, was Russia, which was defeated in Tuesdays vote for two vacant seats in the Eastern European region. Bulgaria, with the highest votes in the group, followed by Albania beat Russia. The General Assembly had suspended Russia from the human rights council in April 2022, following the countrys invasion of Ukraine in February last year. HRW said Russian forces in Ukraine continue to commit apparent war crimes. The Geneva-based council, comprising 47 members elected for three-year terms, has no enforcement power, but it can present recommendations to the General Assembly and make the world aware of human rights abusers. The body has been criticized for allegedly being biased and for allowing some of the worlds worst human rights violators to join its ranks. In this undated photo, detainees are guarded by police as they stand in line apparently reciting or singing from the Tekes County Detention Center in the Xinjiang region of China. [Handout/The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation/AFP] Indonesia should not be among countries joining the councils ranks, say rights activists in the nation of more than 270 million people. While Indonesia has been a council member since its establishment in 2006, it is facing growing criticism from human rights groups and activists over its crackdown on dissent, including in Papua, where security forces have arrested, harassed and prosecuted peaceful protesters and journalists. Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said Indonesias membership on the council raised serious questions at a time when the country was facing accusations of violating civil liberties and minority rights. How can Indonesia take on such a great responsibility at the international level as a member of the Human Rights Council when it still ignores issues related to threats to civil liberties in this country, he told BenarNews. He said the Indonesian government continued to curb free speech and suppress dissenters, journalists and activists. There have been many cases of repression this year against those who spoke out against the government or voiced opposition to national projects that harmed people and the environment, he said. He added that Indonesia often failed to protect the rights of minority groups, especially those who faced discrimination based on their religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Indonesia should use its membership in the council to improve the human rights situation in the country, not as a mere symbol of its status, he said. In August, several civil society organizations said Indonesia should ratify instruments such as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, implement U.N. proposals and cooperate with U.N. experts. Indonesia should also ensure that the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association were respected, protected and promoted, the groups said. For instance, two prominent human rights activists are on trial on charges of defamation for an online discussion of a report that alleged the involvement of a senior minister and other officials in illegal gold mining activities in Papua. In another case, a political observer, Rocky Gerung, is being investigated for allegedly insulting President Joko Jokowi Widodo in a YouTube video by using a swear word to describe him for his plan to build a new capital city despite economic challenges. Protesters react as police spray them with a water canon during a rally calling for Papuans right to self-determination, in Jakarta, Dec. 1, 2016. [Beawiharta/Reuters] Dimas Bagus Arya Saputra, the coordinator of KontraS, a human rights group, said the vote runs counter to what is actually happening in the context of promoting and enforcing human rights in Indonesia. He said at least 72 people were killed in extrajudicial executions by Indonesian police and military forces from December 2021 to November 2022. He also cited several cases of violence and land being confiscated in the name of national projects and land disputes. One such case was last months violence by security forces against protesters on Rempang island near Singapore. Demonstrators opposed the governments plans to relocate them to make way for a national project involving a Chinese company. Anis Hidayah, a member of the National Commission on Human Rights, a state-funded human rights body, said she hoped Indonesias re-election to the council would improve the protection of human rights at home. That is something of concern to us: how the state will show its commitment to resolving cases of serious violations in the future, she told BenarNews. Anis said her commission received more than 3,000 complaints of human rights violations every year, covering issues such as land conflicts, labor rights, human trafficking, intolerance and sexual violence. So how will the Indonesian governments agenda respond to the human rights situation through fair and effective law enforcement, she said. Nazarudin Latif contributed to this report. China conducted a multiple-day naval exercise in the South China Sea as the Philippines held major drills with the United States and other allied nations. A number of warships and helicopters from the Southern Theater Command of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy conducted coordinated offensive and defensive combat drills in different sea areas, said a press release posted on the Navys WeChat account. The South China Sea is PLA Southern Theater Commands primary area of responsibility. The press release did not specify when the drills took place. But the state-aligned mouthpiece Global Times, normally well-informed about the PLAs activities, said the drill is announced at a time when the U.S. and the Philippines are holding the 12-day multilateral exercise, Samasama, in the waters off Luzon island, from Oct. 2 to Oct. 13. Since August, the Philippines has been provoking China by sending vessels to trespass into waters near Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea and hyping up Chinese interceptions, the hawkish newspaper said. According to the PLA Navy release, at least two large guided missile destroyers the Type 055 Yanan (106) and the Type 052D Hefei (174) as well as a submarine and a Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter, took part in the exercise that lasted several days. A major part of the exercise focused on anti-submarine warfare, it said. In one of the scenarios, an anti-submarine helicopter was deployed for reconnaissance in tandem with the destroyers sonar systems. The flotilla was then switched to a tactical assault formation when a suspected enemy submarine was detected. Warships from the United States, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada participate in Samasama over the weekend in the Philippine Sea. [U.S. Pacific Fleet] Some 1,800 troops and six warships from the Philippines, U.S., Japan, Great Britain and Canada are taking part in Samasama (Together) 2023, which includes land phases as well as anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue operations and air defense drills. The multilateral exercise is aimed at boosting military cooperation between the Philippines, the United States and like-minded nations amid Chinas increased assertiveness. Joint activities Beijing and Manila have been at loggerheads over some reefs claimed by both in the South China Sea. The Philippines accuses China of blocking its access to Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal while China says Manila seeks to stir up troubles. The Philippine government has been discussing joint activities with foreign countries besides the U.S., especially U.S. treaty allies Japan and Australia Multinational troops take part in Samasama 2023. [U.S. Pacific Fleet] In their first ever quadrilateral defense chief talks in June, the U.S., Japan, Australia and the Philippines agreed on a number of cooperation initiatives including joint four-party maritime patrols in the South China Sea in the near future. Manila and Canberra recently signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, and are discussing a joint sail in the South China Sea, according to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The joint patrol will be taking place in an appropriate maritime location as yet to be announced, Wong said during a joint press conference with her Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Adelaide on Oct. 10. The two militaries staged a large-scale anti-invasion exercise in August in Palawan, where they are to conduct another smaller exercise called Dawn Caracha 2023 in late October with focus on counterterrorism and special operations. Anything that can strengthen Australia-Philippines ties in the face of increasing Chinese provocations in the South China Sea is a good thing, said Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). The Philippines is fast emerging as a key partner for Australia in ASEAN, a very big change from the Duterte years, Davis told Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews. The same goes for the U.S.-Philippines relationship, so theres an important integrated deterrence dimension here, which these closer relations underpin, he added. In February, the Marcos administration granted permission to the U.S. military to use four additional locations as operational ground in the Philippines, bringing the number of locations now accessible to U.S. troops to nine. Manila has already visiting force agreements with Washington and Canberra and is looking to conclude the third with Japan. This would facilitate having Japanese Self-Defense Forces enter the Philippines for exercises and training. Members of the International League of Peoples Struggle, a leftist organization, hold a rally and candlelight vigil in solidarity with the Palestinians in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Oct. 11, 2023 Two Filipinos were killed in the new war between Hamas militants and Israel, the Philippines government said Wednesday as Muslims in the south protested against retaliatory Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, a Moro Muslim leader in the war-ruined southern Philippine city of Marawi criticized former President Rodrigo Duterte for suggesting in televised remarks that if he were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he would turn Gaza into the worlds biggest cemetery. My heart is heavy upon hearing confirmation of the deaths of two Filipinos in Israel. The Philippines condemns these killings and stands firmly against the ongoing terror and violence, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday. Apart from the deaths of the two Filipinos, as many as 20 Thai nationals were killed and another 14 had been taken captive by Hamas militants, Thailands government said Wednesday. Israel declared war on Hamas, the Palestinian militant and Islamic extremist group that controls the Gaza Strip, one of two territories under Palestinian rule, after Hamas fighters launched rocket strikes and carried out raids into southern Israel on Oct. 7 that left hundreds of people dead. The multi-front attack coincided with the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah and came a day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war As of late Wednesday, more than 2,200 people on both sides had lost their lives in the explosion of violence in the region, the Associated Press reported. On the Israeli side, at least 1,200 have been killed and, in Gaza, at least 1,050 people have been killed with more than 5,000 others injured, AP said. The Israeli military retaliated by pounding Gaza City with airstrikes and mounting a siege against the Palestinian territory, reports said. Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, Oct. 11, 2023. [ Fatima Shbair/AP] In the largely Muslim-majority southern Philippines on Wednesday, hundreds of Filipino Muslims staged protests in downtown Marawi, the countrys only Muslim-majority city, against the Israeli strikes on densely populated Gaza home to more than 2 million Palestinians. Leftist protesters also held a vigil on Wednesday in Metro Manila in solidarity with the Palestinians. Marawi was the venue of a five-month battle in 2017 between Philippine forces and armed Muslim extremists who had taken over the citys center. Much of Marawi was destroyed by the militarys bombardment of the city as government forces fought with the militants to flush them out. An estimated 1,200 people, including civilians and fighters on both sides, were killed in the fighting in Marawi that lasted from May to October 2017. Six years on, a large part of the city remains uninhabitable because authorities are still recovering unexploded mines and other ordnance. Drieza Lininding, chairman of the Moro Consensus Group in Marawi, criticized Duterte for his comments on TV the night before. Duterte has no regard for innocent lives. His ignorance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his biased narratives expose his weakness, he told BenarNews. This kind of thinking has no place in a civilized world. On Tuesday, the ex-president said that he would have crushed Hamas, if it were up to him. I would tell them, All of you, leave the place Im giving you 48 hours. If not, well, Im putting you on notice, he said. I will level it to the ground so that theres no more Gaza to fight for. I will make it a dead place. The good ones, the innocent ones, back off because I will pulverize it. And I will make it the biggest cemetery in the world. Thats what I would do if it were up to me, he added. It was under Dutertes leadership then as commander-in-chief that the Philippines military battled with pro-Islamic State militants in Marawi and leveled the heart of the city with bombs. The controversial former president, who is known for his inflammatory comments, also faces a high-profile investigation by The Hague-based International Criminal Court over his administrations deadly war on drugs that killed thousands of people in the Philippines. An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip, in a position near the Israel-Gaza border, Oct. 11, 2023. [Erik Marmor/AP] Filipino officials say about 30,000 expatriates work in Israel, while hundreds of others are believed to be residing in the country without formal documentation. While two Filipinos died during the Hamas attack, the government said three others remained unaccounted for, and security forces had rescued 20 others. On Wednesday, the Filipino ambassador to Israel, Pedro Laylo Jr., said the countrys workers in Israel were mostly safe. Despite the sporadic attacks and the distressing images you see on the news and on social media, these depict only certain areas in Israel, particularly in areas surrounding the Gaza Strip, he told reporters. The Israeli military has retaken control of the communities infiltrated by Hamas militants. Froilan Gallardo contributed to this report from Cagayan de Oro, southern Philippines Bennington, VT (05201) Today Mostly clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. San Diego's well-oiled system of migrant shelters is being tested like never before as U.S. Customs and Border Protection releases migrants to the streets of Californias second-largest city because shelters are full Jennifer Huberdeau is the features editor at The Berkshire Eagle. She can be reached at jhuberdeau@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6229. On Twitter: @BE_DigitalJen In summer 2018, aged 15, Ms Thunberg held the first School Strike for Climate outside the Swedish parliament. The protest was widely covered the international media, and hundreds of thousands of young people across the world joined her Fridays For Future strikes. Mr Thunberg says Greta became much happier after she started campaigning. She has described her autism diagnosis as a superpower which has helped motivate her protests. Being different is a gift, she told the BBC. If I wouldve been like everyone else, I wouldnt have started this school strike, for instance. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter PITTSFIELD Captured in a new bronze plaque at the Herberg Middle School by the school auditorium is an acknowledgement of those who came before. The plaque, which was presented to students on Thursday doesnt recognize former students or teachers or staff it goes back much further. The plaque is a land acknowledgement recognizing the forced removal of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans from their ancestral lands in Berkshire County and beyond. For the last two years, eighth grade students who were part of the changemaker club at the middle school an after-school group focused on the environment, government and social needs worked alongside eighth grade social studies teachers Jen Jaehnig and Jen Towler to learn more about the tribe. The teachers attended a workshop hosted by Heather Bruegl, a first-line descendent Stockbridge-Munsee and citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and the director of cultural affairs for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community in 2021. Towler and Jaehnig said after the workshop they started thinking about how they could present what theyd learned to their students. I think really thats kind of where the changemaker club came from, Towler said. We thought that [the tribal history] was a great local topic that we didnt know anything [about] and definitely our kids didnt. The Mohican peoples lived in southwest Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey when European settlers first came to the region in the 1600s. During the 1700s and early 1800s, those settlers pushed the Mohican Nation ever westward from their ancestral lands. In 1856 the tribe signed a treaty with the United States government that established the reservation in Wisconsin where the tribe lives today. Towler said of all the lessons the club had in that year, the ones about the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans is what really stuck, what really resonated the most with students. As both Towler and Jeahnig began working to incorporate more lessons around Stockbridge-Munsee experiences into their curriculum, the students got to work thinking about how they could leave their own kind of lasting change to our school community, Towler said. The students settled on a plaque. One of the eighth graders emailed a representative from the tribe and asked if they could help contribute language for the plaque. "We are all on the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohicans Native American Land, the plaque reads. We acknowledge that we are learning, speaking, and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Mohican people, who are indigenous peoples of this land. In spite of the tremendous hardship of being forced from their homeland, today their community thrives in Wisconsin and is known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. We pay honor and respect to the Stockbridge-Munsee Community's ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all." Similar acknowledgments can be found at the Berkshire Museum, the Berkshire County Historical Society and were part of a public awareness campaign at Williams College last year. The Herberg Middle School community covered the cost of purchasing and installing the plaque. In addition, students in the club made bracelets and hosted a movie night to generate awareness with their peers about the tribes history and raise money for a donation to the tribe. About two weeks ago the plaque was installed at the school. Last week, in preparation for Indigenous Peoples Day, Towler and Jaehnig took their classes to view the plaque and commemorate its installation. Towler said she was impressed by her students' discussion around the land acknowledgement. There were a lot of great questions looking at how history isnt always fair and the injustices [in it], Towler said. In eighth grade I think they really understand it and want to see change and want to understand how things really are. Jaehnig and Towler said they cant wait to see what the changemaker club students will accomplish this year. Its exciting to see kids that want to be civically involved and bring change to their local community and acknowledge the injustice that we have around us, Towler said. The bill, HD.4607, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws, has sparked opposition in the Berkshires. Signs against the bill's former iteration, HD.4420, can be seen on lawns throughout the county. LENOX For Channing Gibson, a Hollywood screen and TV writer who moved to Lenox with his family in 2009, the Writers Guild of America contract settlement with film and TV studios represents a welcome breakthrough on key issues beyond pay increases. The Writers Guild of America announced Monday that Hollywood writers voted almost unanimously to approve the contract agreement reached by their union leaders that ended a strike after nearly five months. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors who are still on strike, is set to continue bargaining with the studios on Wednesday. Gibson, 69, served for six years on the Lenox Select Board, choosing not to run for a third term in May 2018 because of a Hollywood commitment. He is the towns representative on the Rest of River Municipal Committee and remains an active WGA union member, though not currently involved in a project. Most recently, he drafted the original script for a Lethal Weapon 5 film to be directed by Mel Gibson, now in pre-production. Gibson may co-star with Danny Glover, reprising their roles in the franchises first four films. Gibson is best known for writing the screenplay for "Lethal Weapon 4" in 1998. He had earned multiple script credits and award nominations for classic TV series, including "St. Elsewhere," "NYPD Blue" and "L.A. Law." During a recent phone conversation, Gibson discussed what he considered the most important breakthroughs in the new contract for writers that followed a five-month strike. The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity: THE EAGLE: Under the contract, artificial intelligence (AI) cant write or rewrite literary material, and AI-generated material will not be considered source material. A writer can choose to use AI for research, like using Google and Wikipedia. But the company cant require the writer to use AI software (such as ChatGPT). How effective will these guardrails be, or is more needed? GIBSON: Artificial intelligence is potentially very disruptive to employment of writers. Im very pleased with the steps taken in this contract. I dont know if more will be needed, but these were very thoughtful first steps to deal with this phenomenon. No script can be created by a studio using AI, human writers must be involved. I especially like that studios have to alert the writers when any material is being provided to them that comes from AI no one is compelled to use it, but they are allowed to use it. It was a very thoughtful approach to something that none of us completely understand but are on guard about. Creation and production of scripts is entirely in the hands of human writers. And no writers scripts can be used to train AI on how to write an action movie, lets say. THE EAGLE: Typically, pay increases are key to contract settlements (a total of 12.5 percent by May 2025 for the Writers Guild members). Was that the case here? GIBSON: It was absolutely necessary that wages increase, in particular for streaming and cable shows, actually a top priority for this contract because these shows are being done with such a limited number of episodes. There are so few opportunities now beyond those streaming shows like Succession and The Bear and writers need to be paid more. Its a very important part of the contract, in particular for that area. THE EAGLE: Under the new contract, payments like residuals are tied primarily to viewership for streaming shows. Was this highly significant? GIBSON: It was crucial, and also to get higher script minimums and other guarantees built into the contract to provide more employment, guaranteeing the number of people in writers rooms based on the kind of show. In this streaming world, the studios had been hiring writers to develop the shows ahead of production, but the writers often would be let go before the series was filmed. Now there are some guarantees in the contract that allow for on set writers, and more involvement for writers to stay with shows longer and not just be there for a short time and then be let go. A guarantee for film writers is also really crucial they have to give you a chance to do an original script, and then to do a rewrite, so you have another bite at the apple with notes and input from the principals involved. Thats a very important aspect of the contract. SHEFFIELD The Mount Everett Regional Middle and High School campus is one of the first schools in Massachusetts to get clearance from federal regulators for students to fly drones. The Federal Aviation Administration last month gave the campus designation as a Federal Recognized Identification Area. This status will allow students to fly drones in certain areas of the school grounds, according to a statement from the district. Its one of 200 campuses in the U.S. to receive the permission. Mount Everett applied for the FAA status so it could continue to advance its robotics and technology programs, including those that prepare students for careers. The schools aerial drone team continues to compete at regional competitions, but has had to practice exclusively inside the gymnasium without the permissions. This certification will ensure that we can continue our current course and extracurricular offerings, and it will also allow us to partner with community-based organizations that fly drones or model airplanes, said Chris Thompson, Mount Everetts technology director. Related programs, he added, include an Aerospace Engineering course for learning to fly drones, competing in the American Rocketry Challenge, learning how to use a flight simulator and building a 24-volt go-kart that they can enter in competition. Some of these programs will also be good preparation for work in the automotive industry, said Lindy Marcel, the schools early college and internship coordinator. Mount Everett is working in new ways to help students prepare for careers as well as college through its partnership with Bard College at Simons Rock. It sees its drone programming, which it plans to expand on the next few years, as part of a broader attempt to help students find their interests as well as internship and work opportunities. It could include preparing students for certification in various drone specialties such as construction site surveying and aerial photography. Superintendent Beth Regulbuto said that the school wants to ensure that our students have the choice to explore as many opportunities as they want before they graduate high school. XI'AN, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Shaanxi Province has seized the historic opportunity provided by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to push the western region towards the forefront of the country's opening up, steadily expanded institutional opening up, and achieved new development, said a senior official of the province. Shaanxi is not only the starting point of the eastern end of the ancient Silk Road, but also a major stop on the Belt and Road. With such unique advantages in terms of location, the province has been advancing opening up during the past 10 years. "With high-end platforms as a 'booster,' we have steadily expanded institutional opening up in areas such as rules, regulations, management and standards, and carried out a series of innovative practices in fields such as economy, trade and people-to-people exchanges with countries jointly building the Belt and Road," Xu Mingfei, vice governor of Shaanxi, told Xinhua in a recent interview. According to the official, 17 projects involving Shaanxi stemming from the China-Central Asia Summit, which was held in May in Shaanxi's capital city Xi'an, are presently progressing smoothly. Meanwhile, 36 measures resulting from practical experiences gained via the China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone have been replicated and promoted nationwide. The influence of exhibitions and forums held in Shaanxi, such as the Silk Road International Exposition and the Euro-Asia Economic Forum, has been expanding over the past decade. The province boasts a total of five state-level economic development zones, seven national high-tech zones, and seven comprehensive bonded zones, which have provided strong impetus for Shaanxi's further opening up to the outside world. A China-Europe freight train loaded with 165 vehicles departed from the Xi'an international port station on Sept. 28, and headed for Russia's capital Moscow. This train took the number of China-Europe freight trains handled by this port station to a total of 20,000 since the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an) service was launched in 2013. "The service has regularly operated 17 international routes, linking with 45 countries and regions," said Xu, noting that Shaanxi is accelerating export-oriented industrial agglomeration, improving the layout of overseas warehouses and overseas import and export commodity storage, processing and distribution centers, and promoting the construction of national import trade innovation demonstration zones and processing trade industrial parks. From 2013 to 2022, the import and export volume between Shaanxi and BRI countries had increased by 18.4 percent annually, and exceeded 100 billion yuan (about 13.93 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time last year. The world's top 500 enterprises established 157 foreign-funded companies in the province during this period. By the end of 2022, 306 firms registered in Shaanxi Province had made a total overseas investment of 6.88 billion U.S. dollars, of which 1.82 billion U.S. dollars was invested in countries and regions jointly building the Belt and Road, accounting for 26.5 percent of the total. "In the near future, we will continue to guide leading enterprises to go global, form overseas industrial clusters, and deeply participate in international industrial chain and supply chain cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience," Xu said. In addition, Shaanxi has continuously strengthened people-to-people exchanges with BRI participating countries during the past decade, holding activities such as the Silk Road International Arts Festival and the World Culture and Tourism Forum, and organizing various cultural exchange programs like the Shaanxi culture week and the intangible cultural heritage exhibition, which have been warmly welcomed overseas. Xu said Shaanxi is striving to cultivate local and international compound talents. The proportion of international students from BRI countries in universities in the province has increased year by year, accounting for 71 percent of the total number of international students in Shaanxi in 2022. "Shaanxi has become one of the top destinations for students from Central Asian countries," Xu said. The province will further its involvement in the development of the Belt and Road, build a "highland" of reform and opening up in the inland area, and make new contributions to achieving high-level opening up, Xu added. Aymann Ismail in Slate: Hamas attack on Israel this weekendincluding the indiscriminate murder of Israelishas led to a spiraling of an already dire situation in the region. The recent declaration of war, and the subsequent military actions in Gaza, has set off a crisis in an already calamitous conflict, particularly for the 2 million Gazanshalf of whom are childrenwho have been living in one of the mostly densely populated places on Earth. The UN already deemed this 25-mile-long area unlivable five years ago due to the Israeli blockade. Civilian residents are now facing a complete siege, per Israels defense ministers order, including the cutting of electricity and a total blockade on food, water, and fuel. Theyre also being bombed in nonstop airstrikes with heavy munitions following the unprecedented incursion into Israel by Hamas, which left a trail of hundreds of innocent Israelis dead, thousands injured, and at least 100 more captured. Meanwhile, rocket attacks continue to set off air raid sirens as far away as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. To help contextualize and understand what happened this weekend, and the decades before it, I reached out to Peter Beinart, a writer and editor at large of Jewish Currents, a progressive Jewish magazine. I wanted to know how Beinart was feeling as both a Jewish person and a critic of Israels far-right government, and what ripple effects he expects from its new war with Gaza. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. More here. Recently while driving, I was thinking about my life and some things that were going on. During the drive, somehow my reflections brought me back to some of the poor decisions I had made in my life. I know these are decisions I cannot change, and I know these are sins I have repented of. However, when I thought about them, the level of shame and remorse hit me again. It was as if I was back in that place where I had just committed them. In that moment, I felt as if I had not been forgiven. I could not help but feel the need to repent, even though these sins were forgiven and repentance was unnecessary. Another thing to remember is that God does not just forgive you, he also cleanses you. The purpose of cleansing is to remove all the impurities and restore you to a purified state. When God forgives, he washes you and wipes the slate clean. Every time you confess your sins, God forgives, but he also brings with it restoration. If he stopped there, that would be enough, but he goes even further. When God cleanses and restores, three things happen. If you dont recognize this to be true, then your fellowship with God will remain broken. This will keep you trapped in your past sin, repeatedly reliving what you have done. This will not drive you towards God, it will push you away from him. So many people have broken walks with God because they dont realize they have been forgiven and cleansed. If you have confessed, you are forgiven, cleansed, and restored. What you must do is believe that what God says is true and live in this truth. As glorious as it is to be forgiven, cleansed, and restored, there is another reason to have confidence in Gods promise. When you grasp this truth, it will go a long way in helping you should you ever be haunted by your past sins. You have an advocate. This word advocate comes from the Greek word paraclete. This word means someone who pleads a case on your behalf or who helps by defending them. Guess who is pleading your case for you? Jesus. Every time you confess your sin, Jesus pleads your case before the Father. Since you are confessing your sin, then on what grounds is Christ pleading for your forgiveness? The evidence he submits for your forgiveness is his broken body and shed blood. The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for your sin and mine is all the evidence the Father needs to offer us forgiveness. I am a fan of legal shows. The courtroom drama of attorneys attempting to win their case for their clients is fascinating to me. Within the legal process, when you hire an attorney, that means you are represented by counsel. The attorney then has the legal right to argue your case before the court on your behalf. This also means that the opposing attorney cannot address you without getting permission from your attorney first. If they try to speak to you, you can simply let them know you are represented by counsel. When it comes to your confessed sins, Jesus is your counsel. I mentioned earlier, Satan will try to convince you God will not forgive. However, whenever he tries to whisper these thoughts into your head, he is violating the legal process because you are represented by counsel. When Satan tries this, you can stop him and direct him to Jesus, letting him know you are represented by counsel. Jesus speaks for you and pleads for you and Satan knows he cannot get past the shed blood of Jesus. The next time your past sins try to haunt you, remember God is faithful and just. He has forgiven you, cleansed you, and restored you. Last, you are represented by counsel and Jesus has never lost a case that he has pleaded before the Father. Photo credit: Getty Images/Bulat Silvia And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20). So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed (Mark 16:19-20). The gospel writers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, made sure to include Jesus final instructions just before He ascended to sit at the Fathers right hand. Its clear from Scripture that Jesus came with a mission in mind. After calling Zacchaeus to salvation, He tells us plainly, the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). All of history led up to the events of His death, burial, and resurrection, and just before He returned to His glorious, rightful place in heaven, He passed the baton to His followers to bear witness that the mission of salvation has been accomplished. This is our Great Commission from our Lord Jesus Christ: to take the gospel to the world. As we read the different accounts of Jesus last few days on earth, we are given a picture of the sovereignty of God, and how believing in His sovereignty will impact our success in carrying out the mission He has entrusted to us. What Is the Sovereignty of God? Psalm 103:19 tells us the Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. The Hebrew word sovereignty is malkut, translated kingdom in the King James Version. It refers to royal power, dominion, or reign. It is the picture of a kings authority over all under His reign the people, places, and possessions that belong to Him. God is the ultimate authority, the Most High God, the Creator of all. When we speak of His sovereignty, we are proclaiming that everything that exists does so at His will and is under His authority and providential care. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17). Gods sovereignty affects not only our view of our origin, but our daily existence. God is not an impersonal Creator who set the world in motion and then stepped back to let it work itself out. He is omniscient all-knowing therefore, He created fully cognizant that sin would enter His perfect creation and spoil things. Before the first ray of light was spoken into being, the Father, Son and Spirit saw how the plan of redemption and salvation would be necessary. God not only saw how the world would unfold, but He also designed it. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and is intimately, personally involved and active in carrying out His sovereign plans, not just for the world in general, but for every individual created (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13). The Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts (1 Chronicles 28:9). O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it (Psalm 139:1-6). Not only does God know all about us, He actively directs our steps, even when we are unaware that His sovereignty is working in our lives. He is intimately involved in this relationship He has created between God and man. The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). In His sovereignty, God has granted man a measure of free will. A.W. Tozer says that only a truly sovereign God could offer His creation free will, otherwise, He would be a fearful god with little power or authority. God grants knowledge and light and revelation but gives us a choice in how we respond (Romans 1). Entrusting our lives to the sovereignty of God brings blessing and abundant, eternal life that He longs for us to enjoy. Rejecting His sovereign authority in this life will lead to pain and loss, and ultimately, eternal destruction separated from God forever. Believing and walking in Gods sovereignty allows us to confidently say along with Paul, God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). So, how does this understanding of sovereignty impact the mission Jesus gave us to be His witnesses to the world? Here are just three ways. 1. The Sovereignty of God Gives Us the Authority of Jesus to Carry Out the Mission If you or I were sent to a foreign country as an ambassador of our own nation, our words and actions would have far more impact and influence than if we simply traveled as a tourist. We would not simply speak for ourselves, but for the country that we represent. Our position and responsibilities as an ambassador would give us a great measure of freedom and authority. We would be foreign diplomats, answering to the laws of our own sovereign that we represent. Jesus told the disciples, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Then as He tells them to go, He adds, I am with you always (Matthew 28:18-20). We do not speak the gospel in our own authority, but with the authority of the Most High God, Creator and sustainer of the world. This gives us confidence to speak, knowing we are ambassadors for the King of Kings. We carry out the mission with the full weight of Jesus authority behind us, as citizens of His kingdom. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). By faith in the Son of God, we have been transferred to His kingdom (Colossians 1:13), and we are commissioned as His ambassadors. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). 2. The Sovereignty of God Gives Us the Power of the Holy Spirit to Carry Out the Mission As Jesus prepared His disciples for the mission, He spoke much about the role the Holy Spirit would play in their success. The night before He was arrested, He encouraged them with the promise that even though they would not have access to walk and talk with Him after He returned to the Father, He would send the Holy Spirit to indwell them. The Holy Spirit is God, and because He is God, He is sovereign. He knows the thoughts of God and communicates to every believer by His presence in them. Jesus promised that the sovereign Creator would not only direct the circumstances that affects us, but would be in us, speaking and prompting and empowering our words with the power of God. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (Acts 16:7, 13). Jesus did what He promised. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, and empowered and released His followers to carry out the mission. Now, at the moment of salvation, we, too are given this gift, as the sovereign Holy Spirit comes to take up residence in every believer (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19). We speak the gospel with the power of His words. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). 3. The Sovereignty of God Gives Us the Plans of the Father to Carry Out the Mission Throughout the book of Acts, as we watch the apostles and disciples of Jesus carry out the mission He gave them, we see Gods hand over and over in personal, intentional ways. He sends Peter to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. He sends Philip down a desert road for an encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch. He arranges for Lydia to meet Paul by the river. He gives a vision to Peter and directs his steps to preach the words of salvation to Cornelius. He stops Paul from going to Asia and sends him instead to Macedonia. Remember Esther in the Old Testament? For such a time as this Gods sovereign plans placed her in the palace, a place of influence. Time after time, God works out His sovereign plans to call individuals to salvation, using His faithful followers to accomplish the mission, right where they live. In fact, Scripture tells us that God is sovereign over where we are born, where we live, and where we die all for the purpose of bringing souls to encounter salvation in Jesus. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist (Acts 17:26-28a). Are you a disciple of Jesus? Then obey the words of your commander and King, Jesus. Go with confidence, with the sovereign authority of Jesus, the sovereign power of the Holy Spirit, walking in the sovereign plans of the Father to carry out the Great Commission He has given us. Photo credit: Getty Images/Alessandro Biascioli Author Sheila Alewine is a pastors wife, mother, and grandmother of five. She and her husband lead Around The Corner Ministries, which serves to equip Christ-followers to share the gospel where they live, work and play. She has written seven devotionals including Just Pray: Gods Not Done With You Yet, Grace & Glory: 50 Days in the Purpose & Plan of God, and her newest one, Give Me A Faith Like That, as well as Going Around The Corner, a Bible study for small groups who desire to reach their communities for Christ. Their ministry also offers disciple-making resources like One-To-One Disciple-Making in partnership with Multiplication Ministries. Sheila has a passion for Gods Word and shares what God is teaching her on her blog, The Way of The Word. Connect with her on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram. LISTEN: On the Frontlines of Missionary Work The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group. WATCH: 7 Lessons from Christians in South Asia If you were temporarily stranded on a desert island, and knew nothing of Gods power to save, and a bottle washed ashore containing nothing but the book of Romans, you would find enough truth there to not only get you saved, but also enough to give you an excellent working knowledge on how to live the Christian life. This admittedly far-fetched and unlikely scenario nonetheless is intended to relate the fact that in the book of Romans, the Holy Spirit has given us the most comprehensive revelation and explanation of Gods redemptive plan. This is not to imply in any way that the rest of Scripture is somehow irrelevant; for the same could be said of the gospel of John, and all the gospels for that matter. John tells in his gospel: And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:30-31). Yet, the book of Romans proves to be an invaluable resource, as Paul the apostle the human writer of this theological masterpiece painstakingly elucidates upon the great doctrines of justification by grace alone through faith alone, and sanctification by the same, before thoroughly expounding upon Israels rightful place in the plan of God. Having said this, as we pore through its pages, we are convinced that no human writer alone could ever pen these principles through mere wit or intellect. No, these words, like the whole of Scripture, flow from the very breath of God: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). It is no wonder that the book of Romans has been tagged summarily and interchangeably as, The Magna Carta of the Christian faith, The Christian Manifesto, and The Cathedral of the Christian Faith. The sixteenth century theologian and religious reformer Martin Luther wrote in his Preface to the Epistle to the Romans: Romans is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes." What Is Justification? At the very heart of the book of Romans, as aforementioned, are the great doctrines of justification and sanctification; together, they form the core of the gospel, and Paul is careful to distinguish between the two. Justification is a legal transaction which separates the believing sinner from the guilt associated with sin. Relative to this salvation, justification takes place when God declares the sinner righteous, based on their faith in Christs sacrifice. This righteousness is not their own; rather it is Christs righteousness imputed to them. The late Christian educator, Myer Pearlman adds: Justification is primarily a change of position on the part of the sinner; once condemned, he is now acquitted; once under Divine condemnation he is now the subject of Divine commendation. (Knowing The Doctrines Of The Bible) Justification is an act of God (Romans 8:33). It comes to us in three separate, yet interrelated ways. First, as we have stated, it comes by faith: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). This justifying peace with God is a direct result of attaining right standing with God. Peace should not be undervalued as we live for the Lord. We are told in Isaiah 26:3 that we will be kept in perfect peace, as our minds are stayed on Him, because of our trust in Him. Peace with God allows us to exercise the boldness that we now have on account of the change in our status before Him. But as for our justification, it does not end here, because Paul states this truth: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Romans 5:9). Some theologians argue that Christs blood is irrelevant, in that it is only a metaphor for death; this could not be further from the truth. In order for sins to be forgiven it was absolutely necessary that His lifes blood be shed. We read from the book of Hebrews: And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Finally, Paul speaks of the place of grace in our justification: Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24). Nothing happens apart from grace. Defined succinctly, grace is Gods undeserved favor to undeserving man. In the book of Romans, this word grace appears no more than twenty times, letting us know that as it pertains to the scope of our salvation grace plays a most important role. Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2). What Is Sanctification? While justification is concerned with declaring a sinner righteous, based on their faith, sanctification relates to being made righteous this is the distinction. Sanctification then, is both a position and a condition. It means being separated from sin unto God and being made holy. Unlike justification, it does not address the guilt associated with sin, rather sanctification deals with the presence, the practice, and the poison of sin. From what Paul writes in his other epistles, we are able to conclude that sanctification is three-dimensional. It is first positional (1Corinthians 1:2), then progressive (Colossians 3:1-10), and finally, perfected (1 John 3:2). Paul introduces us to this divine work of God in chapters six through eight. A careful reading of these chapters yields truths that no child of God should be without. In chapter seven, Paul gives us an autobiographical look into his own personal struggle with the sin nature, which is spotlighted in the previous chapter. He speaks words that mirror, if we are honest, the experience of every child of God at some point in their life: "And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ... For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it" (Romans 7:16, 19-20). The sin Paul speaks of here is no specific act of sin; the Greek yields that he is referring to the sin principle, or sin nature. He ends this section of Romans with a powerful truth that we all need to carry with us and never forget: O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25). Christ has set us free! It has been done through what Christ accomplished on the cross. Through faith in His blood (Romans 3:25), we are justified, we are sanctified, and we are delivered. These things have not taken place because of anything that we have done, because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16), but all these blessings are ours because of what Christ has done. This then, is the overriding message of this remarkable theological document which is the book of Romans. Read it and be blessed! Photo credit: Getty Images/Bohdan Bevz Michael Jakes is a Bible teacher, and co-founder of Thats The Word! Ministries, a distinctly online Cross-centered outreach. He hosts several live weekly webcasts, including 'The Bible Speaks Live', 'The Cutting It Right Bible Study', and the 'Line By Line Webcast'. He has also authored three books, The Lights In The Windows, Churchified Or Sanctified?, and Living In Between Sundays. He and his wife Eddye have been married for over 40 years, and reside in New York. You can follow him on Facebook and Youtube , or listen to his podcasts on Spreaker. LISTEN: Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group. WATCH: 5 Verses on Strength for When You Feel Weak Video stock video and music probided by SoundStripe BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. At a gala event held recently, Woolworths and the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation announced a partnership to convene a national conversation about our identities and ways in which we can reimagine how we belong together as a society. This collaboration aims to ignite a nationwide dialogue around belonging, focus attention on the rich tapestry of identities within our society, and foster meaningful, inclusive conversations that strengthen our shared humanity. Zinzi Mgolodela, Woolworths executive for Corporate Affairs. Image supplied Zinzi Mgolodela, Woolworths executive for corporate affairs, noted that the partnership forms part of a broader 'Inclusive Justice Initiative' within Woolworths. She said, As a business, we have committed to contributing to shaping a world in which everyone feels they belong, regardless of how different they are to the other. We commit to embrace and celebrate diversity, promote meaningful inclusivity, and strive for belonging for everyone, in all spheres of our influence as a business. Our Inclusive Justice Initiative sets out to acknowledge that certain groups in our society are marginalised, and we couldnt wish for a better partner organisation to help build bridges between our nations people in the spirit of the Archs credo of ubuntu. Reshaping our society Central to the campaign is the conviction that truly seeing one another has the transformative potential to reshape our society. By encouraging courageous conversations and promoting dialogue across boundaries, we aspire to ensure that all aspects of our identities are not only recognised but also respected, accepted and protected. Through sharing stories, cultivating dialogue, and engaging in broadening public discourse, the partnership aims to reinforce our shared humanity and contribute to the social cohesion of all people living in South Africa. Janet Jobson, CEO of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, noted, Archbishop Tutu was perhaps the worlds most famous proponent of ubuntu that our humanity is fundamentally bound up in one another. In this exciting partnership we are seeking to take the spirit of humanity that he embodied, into the complex arena of how we navigate our identities together as South Africans. As a country with many wounds, this work is crucial and urgent. The initiative will launch with a panel discussion on identity and belonging in South Africa on 25 October. This event will bring together experts such as Lwando Xaso, Dr Buhle Zuma, and others working in the field to delve into a courageous conversation addressing the process of reimagining who we can be together as a society. The panel will be followed by a multimedia storytelling campaign, which will launch early in the new year, that will explore some aspects of discrimination that manifest in South Africa. Through this campaign we aim to reach all South Africans in a national conversation, build our capabilities for frank and empathetic engagement, and shift perspectives and forms of discrimination and marginalisation. To create a South Africa where everyone feels they truly belong, it is essential that we reinforce our commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate society. We invite all South Africans to be part of this conversation. Advances in technology have allowed employees to become more mobile, and in many instances, enabled them to work remotely from anywhere in the world. It is therefore no surprise that there are an increasing number of South African residents being employed by foreign companies to fill foreign skills shortages. Image source: Matilda Wormwood from Pexels Foreign employment income received by or accrued to an SA resident is subject to income tax in SA, unless a tax treaty with the other country gives that other country a right to tax the income, or if the income is specifically exempt from tax in SA. Currently, where a foreign employer does not have a representative employer that pays remuneration to their SA employee, there is no obligation upon the foreign employer to deduct employees tax (known as PAYE) from the SA employees salary. In such circumstances the SA employee would have to pay provisional tax to the revenue authorities on the income. At present only SA employers must deduct PAYE from their employees remuneration and pay the tax over to the revenue authorities. This is set to change once the Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill, 2023 is passed. The Bill proposes to remove the distinction between resident and non-resident employers. This will mean that any employer, whether resident or non-resident, will be required to deduct PAYE from its SA employees remuneration and pay the PAYE over to the revenue authorities. Foreign employers with top level management working remotely in SA need to be mindful of the risks of shifting the place of effective management (PE) of their company to SA. A foreign company that has its PE in SA will be regarded as a resident and subject to SA tax. One of the factors in determining a companys PE is where the top-level management are located. Sometimes SA residents are hired to work remotely for foreign companies as independent contractors rather than employees, thus enabling the foreign business to avoid the SA labour and tax law obligations that would ordinarily apply. However, if the SA resident providing the services to a foreign company is under the control or supervision of that foreign company, then the SA resident is in all likelihood not an independent contractor, but an employee. Navigating the tax consequences of global mobility can be challenging for both employers and employees alike. It is advisable that professional tax advice is sought by foreign employers hiring remote workers in SA and by SA employees entering into employment contracts with foreign companies. Ogilvy was recognised as both the South African Agency of the Year and the Regional Agency of the Year across the Middle East and Africa at this year's Loeries Awards. In its 45th year, the Loeries is the largest creative awards platform in the region, setting the standard for creative marketing work across a multitude of marketing disciplines. Amongst Ogilvy's incredible set of results at the Loeries, they were awarded the overall prize for Marketing Effectiveness, along with two Grand Prix awards, nine golds, three silvers, two Craft Certificates, seven bronzes, and 76 finalists. The wins at this year's Loeries follow other recent successes for Ogilvy in 2023, including recognition as the most Effective Agency in South Africa at the prestigious Effies Awards, as well as being named the most awarded agency at the Cannes Lions Festival in France, which is the largest advertising awards show in the world. We couldnt be more proud of these Loeries wins for our teams and our clients. Thank you to our clients for their ongoing belief in us as an agency, and also in the power of creativity to help shift their businesses forward. Thank you also to the judges who recognised our work as category-winning, among some amazing work entered this year from all over the region, says Pete Case, Ogilvy creative chair and CEO. At Ogilvy our mission continues to be the creation of work that generates meaningful impact, and we are exceptionally pleased to see so many of our clients recognised at this years event. Winning Ogilvy clients included: KFC, Volkswagen, Castle Lager, Carling Black Label, DStv, PEP and Mondelez. We are absolutely thrilled to have received such wonderful recognition. Winning a Grand Prix and several gold, silver, and bronze awards caps off a highly successful awards season for KFC, both locally and internationally, says Grant Macpherson, chief marketing officer at KFC Africa commented. I want to thank and congratulate our world-class marketing team, our agency partners Ogilvy and Mindshare, and the incredible production houses that dedicated so much time to bringing this work to life. Bridget Harpur, head of marketing at Volkswagen South Africa added, after winning a Grand Prix in the Outdoor category: We are incredibly honoured for the recognition at the Loeries 2023, and proud to champion creativity in South Africa. Through our exceptional partnership with Ogilvy, we are also proud to have broken boundaries this year with marketing that converges innovation, relevance and creativity. Commenting on the gold Loerie awarded to Castle Lager for Bread of the Nation in the Social Impact category, Wendy Bedforth, brand director for the brand, also stated: Unlocking the creative potential of brands to tackle real community problems like hunger is not just a solution; it's a recipe for transformation. With Ogilvy as our partners, we are proud to bring this ground-breaking idea to life, one that doesnt just impact a proudly South African brand, but the people of South Africa and the environment we live in too. This year, the Loeries were judged by over 170 marketing professionals, including five international guest judges. The event was live streamed on SABC and served as the finale to the Loeries Creative Week, bringing together the best innovative minds from the marketing industry for a festival of networking, inspiring minds, and recognizing great work. In addition, the Loeries are the only awards across Africa and the Middle East that inform the global WARC Creative 100, a showcase for the best creative work in the world. As the successor to the prestigious Gunn Report, WARC collates the most important advertising awards from around the world to produce a global list that ranks the most creative companies and campaigns. TikTok is the world's most valuable brand, with a brand value of $65,7bn this year - nearly $7bn more than Facebook and $18bn more than Instagram. Source: Ron Lach Pexels A surging user base and downloads have pushed TikTok's brand value to over $65 this year Over the past six years, TikTok climbed to the top of the world as its user base rose five times to over 1.9 billion, and its revenue and downloads skyrocketed. According to AppMagic data, the app was downloaded nearly half a billion times worldwide in the first six months of the year, or 32% more than in the same period a year ago, pushing its lifetime downloads to 4.4 billion. This has helped the video-sharing app grow its brand value 3.5 times in three years. This figure will continue growing in the following years, as TikTok's surging popularity shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Thanks to the surging number of users, marketers are willing to dig deep into their pockets to promote on TikTok. TikTok ads can open many doors to companies, especially those wanting to reach a young audience. Plus, videos posted on the app can go viral and reach millions of users practically overnight, something no other social media app can offer. Brand Finance Media 50 ranking Brand Finance analyses 5,000 of the world's biggest brands across all sectors and countries each year and ranks them in the annual Brand Finance Media 50 ranking. Last year, TikTok was the third largest social media brand in the world, behind Facebook and WeChat, worth $59.8bn. However, after its brand value increased 11% year-over-year to $65.7bn, the Chinese short-form video platform jumped two spots and became the most valuable social media brand globally. Besides outgrowing much bigger competitors like Facebook, TikTok also won the title of the fastest-growing media brand out there. In just three years, the brand value of the video-sharing app has surged by an impressive 250%. The rise and the fall While TikTok's brand value continued rising, the world's largest social media platform, Facebook, saw its valuation drop 41% year-over-year. According to Brand Finance data, Facebook's brand is now worth $58.9bn, or $6.8bn less than TikTok. Chinese social media app WeChat ranked third on this list, with a valuation of $50.2bn, almost 20% less than last year. Three spots below TikTok, Instagram ranked as the fourth largest social media brand, worth $47.4bn in 2023. YouTube and LinkedIn follow, with $29.7bn and $15.5bn, respectively. The Brand Finance survey also showed Twitter's brand value has plunged 32% since Musk's takeover and now stands at only $5.5bn. Century City Conference Centre is investing R15m to improve its facilities and services. The centre is undergoing a comprehensive renovation that includes two key components: a refurbishment of the business lounge and public spaces to improve their overall appeal and the addition of a brand-new venue that will introduce a new era of sophistication and versatility. Source: Century City Conference Centre The new venue will expand the centre's existing space by 500 square meters, bringing the total to 3,000 square meters. Gary Koetser, CEO of the Century City Conference Centre and Hotels, explains: "This significant expansion directly reflects the success of the Centre and the growing demand we have experienced. The investment is a testament to our commitment to maintaining our position as Cape Town's premier conference venue." Enriching the conference experience "We believe that every detail contributes to the success of our clients' events, and the redesigned Business Lounge embodies this commitment," Koetser adds. "Within the business lounge, attendees can look forward to exceptional comfort and functionality. The lounge will boast innovative meeting pods and sound-proof concentration pods, creating an ideal setting for productive discussions and brainstorming sessions. Source: Century City Conference Centre "The introduction of comfortable seating arrangements aims to promote relaxation and collaboration, ensuring that every moment spent in this space is both productive and enjoyable. Additionally, the lounge will showcase designer finishes throughout, elevating the aesthetic experience," says Bernard Abrahams, conference centre operations manager. The refurbishment and new venue is set to launch in early January 2024 I. When the commons was Eden The commons is a foundational idea in left political philosophy. The commons refers to shared spaces oceans, lakes, rivers, forests, the air that are not owned by anyone. It can also refer to cultural spaces the town square for example. I could make a case that the internet is a commons even though there are millions of individual owners of particular spaces no one owns the whole thing. The left loves the idea of the commons because it harkens back to the era of hunter gatherers who were free to hunt, fish, and live off of the abundance of the earth. The commons is also essential to the left imagination because they dont believe in private property, so on some level they think that the entire world is or could be the commons. And because they see themselves as more empathetic, educated, and wise than everyone else, they believe that they are the best stewards to manage the commons. On the left, entire careers are made by writing and teaching about the commons: Henry George was an early theorist of the commons in the 19th century. Garrett Hardin popularized the idea of the commons with his 1968 article in Science titled, The Tragedy of the Commons about managing the individual incentives to overexploit shared resources. In 2009, Elinor Ostrom became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economics for her work documenting examples of successful management of the commons. And heaps of additional left public intellectuals have done important work on the commons including feminist theorist Silvia Federici, Marxist geographer David Harvey, and newcomer Raj Patel (with his bestselling book, The Value of Nothing). Anyone who wants to remain a member in good standing of the left must be able to speak at length about the commons. This discussion of the commons is almost entirely concerned with protecting the collective space from encroachment by greedy individuals and rapacious corporations. The worst thing that one can do (a sin usually reserved for feudal lords, kings, and corporations) is to enclose the commons make private and exclusive what was formerly open and accessible to all. Ive long admired the idea of the commons and think it represents the left at its best. And then a very strange and terrifying thing happened. Over the last several years, the bougie left, without even a hint of self-awareness or irony, enclosed the global commons seized it is a better term in the name of public health, based on false assumptions about how viruses work. As I will explain below, this is the mechanism by which the bougie left slid from liberalism into fascism. II. The birth of modern Pharma fascism The battle against SB276 in California in 2019 was one of the most sickening and heartbreaking things Ive ever witnessed. In 2015, California banned all religious and philosophical exemptions to school vaccination requirements with SB277. But SB276 went further. Sponsored by Richard Pan, a man with no empathy who is controlled by Big Pharma, SB276 revokes the medical license of any doctor who writes more than 5 medical exemptions to school vaccination requirements. In a state with 9,100,000 children, 5 exemptions per doctor is not very many. Fearing the loss of their livelihood, doctors in California stopped writing medical exemptions altogether. Disabled by DTaP? Too bad, you still have to take all of the other shots. Your sibling died from a vaccine? Too bad, it wasnt you that died (yet) so roll up your sleeves. This approach to public health contradicts two centuries of best practices in medicine. Prior to SB276 the entire scientific and medical community acknowledged that some people should not be vaccinated because of underlying medical conditions, previous reactions, or family history. But Pharma was in a hurry to wipe out the unvaccinated control group that would reveal the extent of their crimes so they introduced SB276 in a state they already owned before rolling it out to the entire country. As the bill moved through the legislature, Richard Pan stood at the front of the room grinning like the Cheshire Cat, while thousands of parents, mostly mothers, testified about vaccine injuries in their kids. It was like something out of a Holocaust documentary. As the bill sponsor he was allowed to respond to the public testimony prior to the vote by each committee (Health, Education, and Appropriations). At every hearing he made a strange little speech that conveyed the new ideology of the Pharma Fascist Left. Pan explained that your right to swing your fist ends at my nose. But he argued (and this is the sleight of hand) the same principle applies to viruses. Because viruses exist, and because the unvaccinated may be carrying a deadly virus, the act of breathing, by an unvaccinated person, is the legal equivalent of punching him in the face. Thus the unvaccinated, by their very existence break the law because they violate his right to be free from disease. The only way to prevent this grave miscarriage of justice then is to either a.) force children to be vaccinated; or b.) remove the unvaccinated from schools (and the rest of society Pan wants the unvaccinated banned from all public spaces). Lets just pause for a moment to note that he clearly does not believe that vaccines actually work because if they did, the unvaccinated would pose no threat to the vaccinated. When confronted with this fact he moves the goalposts to claim that his real concern is the immunocompromised who cannot be vaccinated. But like everything else he says this is a lie because in California and all blue states they vaccinate the hell out of the immunocompromised as well. This is the logic of Pharma fascism. Pan has never had an original thought in his life so this angle of attack was likely developed by a Pharma PR firm and focus-group tested before sending it out to spokespeople in the Democratic Party. And now its the dominant ideology in the Democratic Party and ruling parties throughout the developed world. There is a multitude of problems with this flawed ideology. But what I want to point out in this article is that it leads to enclosure of the commons even before Covid. Democrats would really like to enclose the air itself but that is too difficult. So instead they enclose schools by kicking out some kids (SB276 kicked 56,000 kids out of public school). Vaccine mandates enclose our bodies by allowing corporations to trespass with their toxic products. And Democrats try to enclose the public square (digital and otherwise) by setting up a vast surveillance system to censor, shadowban, demonetize, and deplatform anyone who disagrees with their increasingly zany ideology. III. Pans logic is absolute horsesh*t Democrats do not understand viruses, vaccines, or the law and it leads them to make catastrophic policy decisions that are destroying the health of the American people. Viruses dont work that way There are a quadrillion x quadrillion viruses in the world (more viruses on earth than stars in the known universe). Research on the global virosphere has concluded that, Trillions Upon Trillions of Viruses Fall From the Sky Each Day. From the New York Times: Scientists have surmised there is a stream of viruses circling the planet, above the planets weather systems but below the level of airline travel. Each day some 800 million viruses cascade onto every square meter of the planet. Human cells, GOOD! Bacteria and viruses, BAD! is how public health officials usually frame the discussion. But thats not how health actually works. Instead, our bodies are a complex ecosystem of different types of cells. Only 43 percent of the cells in our body are human the rest are various bacteria and viruses that communicate and exchange with our human cells and DNA in ways that make life possible. Human consciousness itself is said to have emerged as a result of the beneficial exchange between viral and human DNA. Between 40 and 80 percent (an admittedly large range) of the human genome came initially from viruses. Viruses (and bacteria) regulate all living systems on earth. So were never going to get rid of all viruses and bacteria nor would we want to. But what about the small number of viruses (about 200) that can be harmful to humans? Vaccines are ineffective and dangerous The large gains in life expectancy and declines in infectious disease in the 20th century happened before the introduction of mass vaccination campaigns. Improved living standards, sewers, water treatment facilities, food safety, organized solid waste disposal, along with improvements in housing and decreased crowding in US cities are responsible for nearly 90% of the decline in infectious disease mortality among U.S. children. Thats not me talking, thats a review of a century of public health data published in Pediatrics. In an earlier era, when public health focused on large public works projects, health improved. Now that public health focuses almost exclusively on promoting vaccines, health and well-being have plummeted. An analysis, by Danish researchers, of the best vaccine data set in the world indicates that all of the vaccines on the US schedule cause more harms than benefits. None of the vaccines on the US schedule (with the exception of a tiny subtrial of the Gardasil vaccine) were tested against a saline placebo in a true randomized controlled trial. ICANs December 31, 2018 letter to the US Department of Health and Human Services proves this fact and it is perhaps the single most important document ever written during the vaccine wars. Pans approach ignores all the rest of medicine. In the current hysteria, it seems that people sometimes forget that there are medical products other than vaccines! We can treat various diseases with antivirals, antibiotics, and a thousand other medicines without forcing one-size-fits all toxic vaccines on the entire population. Pans approach ignores all of the toxicants that can cause ill health. Zach Bush points out that waste ponds from industrial livestock production are breeding grounds for all sorts of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Pharmaceuticals introduce toxicants into our bodies. Factories and freeways produce a wide range of toxicants that impair health. We could find common ground on regulating those sources but Pharma controls the political process and so the entire focus of public health is on vaccines. Pans approach also ignores all the rest of health. Why do two people with similar environmental exposures have different outcomes? Nutrition, exercise, rest, and sunshine (factors now ignored by allopathic medicine) make a significant impact on whether someone will get sick. Furthermore, as Jennifer Giustra-Kozek, LPC, author of Healing Without Hurting points out, most diseases that are usually attributed to viruses and bacteria often have an underlying vitamin deficiency that can be addressed through food, supplements, or intravenously in acute cases. For Covid-19, the corresponding deficiencies that need to be addressed are usually zinc and vitamin D. Individualized medicine will always be superior to one-size-fits-all Pharma-captured medicine. The most extreme enclosure of the commons in history No Pharaoh, no king, no feudal lord, and certainly no political party has ever before claimed that they own the air and that the mere act of breathing by the citizenry was an assault that must be managed by a police state. Yet that is the central claim of Pan, Fauci, and the public health bureaucracy and the idea that drives vaccine mandates, masks, lockdowns, social distancing, and the rest of the modern Fascist Pharma State. The cultural enclosure is also cruel and senseless kicking students out of universities via vaccine mandates, delicensing doctors for helping their patients survive by prescribing ivermectin, and refusing medical care in hospitals to the unvaccinated are just some examples. As Ive written before, the only historical parallels with Pans ideology are Jim Crow laws in the US that declared Black Americans unclean (thus requiring separate drinking fountains, bathrooms, and schools) and the Nazis who claimed that Jews were disease carriers and thus must be moved into ghettos and concentration camps. But now this preposterous junk science has returned from the dead and it drives public health policy in the US and throughout the developed world in the Covid era. IV. Ideology becomes policy and law Unfortunately the obscene ideology described above is widespread. Naomi Klein in Doppelganger repeats this same vile notion. In Kleins view there is no individual I we all breathe the same air thus the Fascist Pharma State has the right and indeed obligation to police the bodies of the unvaccinated, lest they infect her superior over-vaccinated body. Again, it is beyond weird that the Cult of Vaccine does not actually believe in their own product while insisting on injecting it into others. Indeed this nonsense has become the dominant ideology of ruling parties throughout the developed world. In North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea liberal democracy has been replaced with this Stakeholder Fascism based on junk science that makes Pharma rich. You can see how its a short distance from this twisted supremacist ideology to concentration camps and extermination of the unvaccinated in the name of public health. These junk science ideas about public health inevitably make their way into policy and the law. In 2020 the NY Department of Public Health created a regulation (10 NYCRR 2.13) titled Isolation and Quarantine Procedures that enabled the state to remove anyone from their home for any reason and detain them indefinitely without due process of law under the guise of public health. Quite literally the NY Department of Public Health decided that concentration camps were the best approach for managing Covid. Attorney and Brownstone Institute Fellow Bobbie Anne Flower Cox spent the last two years battling the state of New York to get this regulation struck down. On July 8, 2022, a NY Supreme Court Judge, Ronald Ploetz, ruled that the Isolation and Quarantine Procedures regulation is unconstitutional and violative of New York State law as promulgated and enacted, and therefore null, void and unenforceable as a matter of law. Astonishingly, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James appealed the decision and the appeal was heard in court just a few weeks ago. If the NY Supreme Court Appellate Division affirms that the law is unconstitutional, it will be a small step toward sanity. If the court somehow decides that indefinite detention for any reason without right to due process is lawful, we will be living in Americas version of National Socialism. Of course the national media did not report on the NY Quarantine Camp policy why would they, they believe the same nonsense as Richard Pan. And just like SB276 in California, it appears that Pharma introduced this idea in a captured blue state as a test run before rolling it out nationwide. V. Conclusion It is essential to reframe this entire debate. I should not have to explain any of this but we live in The Upside Down World so let me state the obvious: Viruses and bacteria are ubiquitous. They live in us, on us, and all around us and usually contribute to our well-being. Bad health outcomes can be reduced through making healthy lifestyle choices. For acute cases there are a range of medicines and supplements that are effective. Large infrastructure projects (e.g. sewers, treatment plants and pipes to deliver clean water to homes and businesses) are the proven best path to improving public health. Public health policy in the US is based on junk science that enriches the largest donors to the Democratic Party. Health has absolutely nothing to do with it. If you follow the advice of the CDC you are putting your life in grave danger. Health and medicine must always be tailored to the individual needs of each person. One-size-fits-all medicine is barbarism. No one owns the air. It is not a crime to breathe. Anyone who wants to protect the commons must recognize the universal right for people to exist without corporate trespass into our bodies. There are no pandemic exceptions to the US Constitution. Totalitarianism is not a recommended treatment for any disease. Concentration camps are never appropriate. The best approach to any problem is always the free and open exchange of ideas in a system of free and sovereign citizens. Republished from the authors Substack Published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License For reprints, please set the canonical link back to the original Brownstone Institute Article and Author. Did the Iron Dome, a technological marvel in missile defense, somehow suddenly malfunction during this unprovoked attack a la Pearl Harbor? Hamas soldiers were able to easily kidnap IDF soldiers, children, and grandmothers alike. Many of these terrorists simply strolled right in, despite what in the past were some of the most heavily patrolled and fortified borders on earth. After all, Netanyahu did admit that he sacrificed his nation to be Pfizers experimental petri dish, or lab, so this leader clearly manipulates and exposes his people to whatever his One World Government handlers command. Is it mere coincidence that these latest attacks commemorate to almost the day the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War? Or perhaps both the Israelis and Palestinians are yet again being used as sacrificial pawns for the latest geopolitical destabilization operation? And just like the lead up to PSYOP-UKRAINE-INVASION involved NAZI stay behind networks and a 2014 CIA coup, so too was there an Intelligence Industrial Complex sponsored lead up to PSYOP-ISRAEL-WAR: Images from above X further prove precisely how engineered this latest op really is: Just like North Korea is the perma-boogie man activated to induce mass fear, so too is Iran playing its part as the perennial baddie: If the sociopaths running the planet are unable to get WW3 out of PSYOP-UKRAINE-INVASION, then maybe, just maybe they will get their Great Reset thanks to their latest Middle Eastern wars. Because the leaders both elected and unelected want permanent emergencies and wars for total control of whatever is left of humanity, forever and ever: Here is a brief history of these manufactured nations, and their purposely carved up and shifting borders to ensure perpetual strife across the geopolitical chess board: Perhaps the most important point that can be made about this latest Crime Against Humanity is that similar terrorist cells have been installed all throughout North America and the EU; they are ready to be activated at a moments notice. After all, the majority of refugees illegal invaders, more at foreign mercenaries, have been imported via wide open borders by the UN and their partner-in-crime the illegitimate Biden Federal government. The majority of said mercenaries are military aged men not merely from South America, but from China, Africa, and the Middle East. Be vigilant. Do NOT comply. Via Washington Post: Security experts say the war is the result of severe intelligence and military failures. Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants had been training for weeks near the Israeli border drilling in rocket launches, kidnapping soldiers and storming settlements Aharon Zeevi Farkash, former head of the Israel Defense Forces military intelligence branch, told Israeli radio station Reshet Bet that after we are able to probe this, we will see that we knew almost everything. There were intelligence assessments hours before. The question is, did we understand what we knew? Egyptian intelligence which would be in a position to know something, given that Egypt controls part of Gazas borders reportedly warned Israeli intelligence repeatedly that Hamas was planning something big. Via Insider: Before the Palestinian militant organization Hamas launched its unprecedented, large-scale attacks on Israel over the weekend, the Israeli government was repeatedly warned that something big was brewing from the group that controls the Gaza Strip, an Egyptian intelligence official told The Associated Press. Yet Israeli officials downplayed the threat from Gaza and instead focused on the occupied West Bank, the anonymous Egyptian intelligence official claimed, the news outlet reported on Monday. We have warned them an explosion of the situation is coming, and very soon, and it would be big. But they underestimated such warnings, the Egyptian official told the AP. The Egyptian official said that Egypt, which has historically acted as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, told Israel repeatedly that something big was being planned. Of course, one should not need confirmation from Egyptian intelligence or any other source to understand that an attack emanating from the most surveilled region on Earth roughly the size of two Washington D.C.s involving tens of thousands of operatives, months if not years of planning, tons of equipment including tens of thousands of rockets imported and stockpiled in Gaza, and an influx of cash to make it all happen could have possibly occurred without the tacit blessing if not active facilitation by Mossad and/or the CIA Almost immediately after the attack, the corporate state media launched a propaganda blitzkrieg to offer all manner of excuses for how Israeli intelligence failed to detect the most obvious buildup possible, precisely because its so patently obvious to anyone with common sense that nothing of the sort was possible that such a PR blitz is necessary to get out in front of the narrative. The provable untruth is any corporate state narrative is directly proportional to the intensity with which is is forced down the American publics throat. They claimed the IDF was caught off-guard because of Yom Kippur despite the fact that Israels enemies launched a surprise attack decades ago on the same holiday. They offered the excuse that the IDF had moved its forces to the West Bank to quell uprisings against settlers. The excuses defy basic logic. In such situations, its also wise to ask the golden question: Cui bono? Who benefits? Bibi Netanyahu and Ali Khamenei, the self-styled Supreme Leader of Iran are eternally bloodthirsty because war is the health of the state. There exists no better remedy for a political jam than an old-fashioned war. The vicious tribal animosities between Jews and Muslims existed long before either of these figures assumed power, but they exploit and capitalize on them for their own purposes. On the American home front, as it seems funding for Ukraine may not be politically feasible in the long term, the weapons contractors that live off of perpetual war are going to feast on whatever larger-scale conflict emerges from the Gaza debacle. Chickenhawk Josh Hawley is already calling to redirect Ukraine war funding to Israel. You can expect this rhetoric to ramp up in the coming days and weeks. Calls for censorship of misinformation and hate speech on social media from the likes of the ADL will surely ramp up. Heres the censorious ADL spokesman yesterday on MSNBC making hay of the attack. If you criticize whatever war the U.S. gets involved in coming up on behalf of Israel, youre going to be labeled an anti-Semite Nazi, your social media accounts will be suspended (to the extent dissidents still have them), and your bank accounts will be frozen. The governing authorities never let good tragedies go to waste. More often than not, their fingerprints are all over said tragedies. Ben Bartee, author of Broken English Teacher: Notes From Exile, is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff Substack if you are inclined to support independent journalism free of corporate slant. Also, keep tabs via Twitter. For hip Armageddon Prose t-shirts, hats, etc., peruse the merch store. Insta-tip jar and Bitcoin public address: bc1qvq4hgnx3eu09e0m2kk5uanxnm8ljfmpefwhawv Why did this happen? Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy. The plant hire and civil engineering company owned by Independent Kerry TD and farmer Danny Healy-Rae enjoyed a record year last year to return profits of 1.12 million. New figures lodged by Healy-Rae Plant Hire Ltd with the Companies Office show the firms 2022 post-tax profits of 1.12 million increased by 51,065 on the post-tax profits of 1.07 million the previous year. Advertisement The record 1.12 million profit resulted in the companys accumulated profits rising from 3.65 million to 4.77 million at the end of December last year. The business has been on a steady growth path in recent years despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 1.12 million profit last year is more than almost three times the post-tax profits of 444,714 for 2019, and follows profits of 444,227 in 2018 and 239,060 in 2017. The 1.12 million profit equates to an average weekly profit of 21,563 for 2022. Advertisement Advertisement The companys cash funds last year almost doubled rising from 993,714 to 1.81 million. The profit for 2022 takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 489,887. Details of 2022 purchase orders published by Kerry County Council show that Healy Rae Plant Hire Ltd last year received 195,418 for a council capital works contract. Purchase Order records for the first quarter of this year show that the firm received an additional 54,611 from the council for a capital works contract. The book value of the companys tangible assets also increased from 2.03 million to 2.32 million. The firm added plant and machinery with a book value of 1.27 million last year and disposed of plant and machinery with a book value of 534,000. The tangible assets also include land valued at 373,476. Advertisement Family business Danny Healy-Rae serves on the board with his wife, Eileen, and their 38-year-old son, Johnny, who runs the day-to-day operations of the business. Pay for directors increased by 5,000 from 33,000 to 38,000. The accounts for Healy Rae Plant Hire Ltd state that Danny Healy Rae and Eileen Healy Rae control the company. Danny Healy-Rae Sr was co-opted onto Kerry County Council in 2003 to fill his late father Jackie Healy-Raes seat and the 69-year-old was first elected to the Dail in 2016. Ireland Profits at Michael Healy Rae's firm increased to ... Read More The register of members interests at Dail Eireann lists multiple occupations for Danny Healy Rae. Along with being a serving Dail deputy, Deputy Healy Rae confirms other occupations as a publican; farmer; bus hire and plant hire. In the register, Deputy Healy Rae confirms that he has shares in the Kerry Group plc and also owns land 50 acres of farmland at Fossa, Kilgarvan; another 38 acres of farmland at Gullaba, Kilgarvan and another three acres of farmland at Gortnaboul, Kilgarvan. The register confirms that the Healy Rae company has contracts with Kerry County Council, Irish Water and Bus Eireann. Irish-Israeli woman Kim Damti (22) has been confirmed dead after an attack by Hamas at a music festival in southern Israel. In a post on social media, her sister Laura said: With great sorrow and gloomy grief, I announce the killing of our angel, our flower, Kim, my blood, who was murdered by the cursed terrorists." Advertisement Her funeral will take place on Thursday at 5pm at the cemetery in Gedera, south of Tel Aviv. A surprise attack was launched by Hamas at daybreak on Saturday, with thousands of rockets fired into Israel and militants breaking down wire fences surrounding the Gaza enclave and entering Israeli villages. Ms Damti was attending a music festival near the Gaza border when gunmen arrived at the site. The Israeli government says Hamas militants have kidnapped more than 100 people, many of them now in Gaza. Children, grandmothers and young people are reportedly among the hostages. @JamesAALongman reports from Israel. https://t.co/8oqvihiywm pic.twitter.com/J9vwsjSbfz Advertisement Advertisement World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) October 8, 2023 In an interview with ABC News on Monday, Kim's mother Jennifer Damti, who is originally from Portlaoise, said her daughter had phoned them shortly after. Kim didnt realise there was like seven or eight Toyota vans full of terrorists and they just shot everywhere, she said. Advertisement They just shot them, slaughtered them like ducks, and thats the reason Im here, cause I want the world to condemn this behaviour. I didnt bring my children up to hate anybody. You cant sleep. All I can think about is where she is, if shes suffering, if shes still alive. I just want her back, she said. The Israeli government says Hamas militants have kidnapped more than 100 people, many of them now in Gaza. Children, grandmothers and young people are reportedly among the hostages. @JamesAALongman reports from Israel. https://t.co/8oqvihiywm pic.twitter.com/J9vwsjSbfz Advertisement World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) October 8, 2023 So many other mothers here today. Im not the only one. Everybody is missing somebody. Tanaiste Micheal Martin paid condolences to the Damti family on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland. Advertisement "When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely. The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating." Mr Martin added: "Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise." He said for anyone to lose a child is devastating, but to lose a child in such circumstances is "indescribable". Mr Martin said he spoke with Kims family on Wednesday evening. "Our thoughts remain with all the families of those who have died, who are injured or who are missing in the wake of these terrible events." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "As a nation we are united in mourning for Kim Damti. This vibrant young Irish-Israeli woman was struck down in her prime, with her adult life ahead of her. Her death, and the deaths of more than a thousand other citizens of Israel and from around the world, was senseless and barbaric. "Kim gave happiness and joy to her family and those around her. As we learn of her death, we pause to think of her, her family in Israel and Ireland and of all those now grieving in countless other nations." A man who violently assaulted two gardai at the Mater Hospital in Dublin has been sentenced to three years in prison, with the final six months suspended. John Paul Duncan (39), of Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty to possessing 8,500 of cocaine contained in six condoms at Store Street Garda Station on January 31st. Advertisement Duncan also admitted assaulting two gardai who took him to the Mater Hospital on the same day, after he became unwell upon swallowing cocaine. Passing sentence on Wednesday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Orla Crowe refused suspend Duncans sentence in order to allow him attend residential drug treatment. Keith Spencer BL, defending Duncan, had requested a fully-suspended sentence so that his client could take up a place in a rehabilitation centre from next week. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of four years for possessing cocaine, but reduced this in light of Duncans early plea, his remorse and his efforts at rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement Duncans assaults on gardai, described by Judge Crowe as nasty, were taken into account. Garda Clodagh Doyle told a previous hearing that gardai were called to Lott's Cafe Bar on Liffey Street Lower after a man was seen wrapping up white powder underneath a table. Duncan was arrested and brought to Store Street Garda Station, where he produced six condoms from his trousers, filled with over 122 grams of cocaine. The cocaine had a total street value of just over 8,500, the court heard. Advertisement Swallowed cocaine A few hours later, Duncan complained of being unwell and said he had swallowed cocaine earlier. Garda Doyle and two colleagues accompanied Duncan to the Mater Hospital at around 7pm, where he became distressed and threw himself to the floor, retching. Duncan said he needed the toilet and was brought to a private room containing a commode. Gardai waiting outside heard him roaring and moving furniture around, and when they entered, Duncan took his hand, which had been inserted in his behind, and tried to put it in a female garda's face. Advertisement Gda Doyle told Olan Callanan BL, prosecuting, that Duncan then became extremely aggressive, leapt up from a chair and headbutted her colleague. The three gardai sought to restrain Duncan, and he went to bite one of their legs, then bit Gda Doyle's hands so hard that he penetrated two pairs of gloves. Advertisement Medical staff sedated Duncan, but he continued his aggressive behaviour and tried to flee until he fell asleep, continuing again when he awoke. Duncan has 139 previous convictions in Ireland and 11 in other jurisdictions, including drug offences, assault causing harm, theft and escape from lawful custody. Advertisement He was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a 1.8 million cocaine haul in 2007. Duncan escaped from Loughan House open prison in 2016 and fled to the UK, from where he was extradited in June 2017. Addiction Mr Spencer BL, defending, said Duncan has a well-documented and long-standing drug addiction from the age of 15, progressing from cannabis to benzos, to cocaine and then to smoking crack. Mr Spencer said his client's entire life has been blighted by drugs, and his attempts to set up a construction company fell asunder. Duncan took the stand and agreed that his drug use began when he suffered domestic violence as a child and turned to drugs to block everything out. He told the court he has been drug-free for a couple of months and is now motivated to get clean for his fiancee, his five-year-old son and everybody. I've never been clean since I was 15. You're talking 20 years, he said. My client is doing very well in custody and has an opportunity now to address his addiction. He's willing to throw himself into any course that the court orders, said Mr Spencer. Judge Crowe suspended the final six months of the sentence for 18 months, and ordered Duncan to be of good behaviour for 18 months on release and abide by the supervision of the Probation Services. Europe cannot in any shape or circumstances pull back on humanitarian aid into Gaza, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said. There can be no collective punishment, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland. While Israel has a right to defend itself, it must be in accordance with international law, the Geneva Convention. Advertisement And that means, in our view, that there cannot be collective punishment of the entire civilian population in Gaza. And also fundamentals like food, fuel, electricity must be allowed for the populace. Because there is nowhere to go. I do think in this country and elsewhere, we do really have to reflect on the enormity of the trauma and savagery that was visited upon the Israeli people and Israel, really do have to feel it in terms of the indiscriminate random murder of innocent civilians. And we just can't quickly move on from this. And there is a tendency to quickly move on from it. Advertisement I just want to make that point because I'm a person who's had a consistent interest in the Middle East. And I was there recently. I've always argued with Israeli interlocutors, I always feel that their policies almost facilitated the hardliners to approach as opposed to the moderates, to emerge. But that said, what we witnessed was a jihadist pan-Islamic organisation, and there should be no truck with that. Advertisement Mr Martin said he was also very worried about the potential for regional implosion. We're conscious of Hezbollah in Lebanon, we're conscious of the situation in the West Bank and the need for calm and control. And let's be frank, there is a malign influence regionally in terms of Iran's influence on the region and on organizations like Hamas. "In the immediate aftermath of an atrocity of this kind, it was important to take the time for a rational, medium term strategy to emerge, he added. There had been a significant deterioration in the situation, which was quite depressing, he said. There has to be ultimately a move to creating a political solution that enables people to live together in harmony in a very limited geographical space that is the Middle East. During lockdown in 2020, when everyone was at their local supermarket losing their minds over pasta and toilet roll shortages, Adjoa Andoh went to Brixton Market instead. Brixton Market is full of traders who may not have originally come from the UK, or theyd be local working-class people, who have always had to look beyond the standard ways of operating to survive, says the 60-year-old actress, best known for her role as Lady Danbury in the hit Shondaland and Netflix series Bridgerton. Advertisement They find a way, just like water. And I think Lady Danbury is like water too, in that regard. She finds a way. From watching [Bridgerton prequel show] Queen Charlotte, we now know that she was brought from the higher echelons of a West African traditional society to the higher echelons of society in this country, Andoh continues. Advertisement She had to be strategic, learn from past experiences, and then make the decision to share the wisdom with those coming up after her. Those were the things I wanted to highlight in Lady Danbury. Advertisement Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury. Photo: Alamy/PA. Its far from the first time Bristol-born Andoh whose TV credits also include Doctor Who and The Witcher, alongside a successful stage career has taken strides to highlight the roles of women. When she and her good friend, playwright Lynette Linton, directed the first-ever company of women of colour in a Shakespeare play Richard II, which showed at The Globe Theatre a few years ago she made a conscious decision about the portraits displayed around the set. Instead of kings and queens, black and white portraits of the casts mothers, aunties, grandmas and other women whod been carers in their lives, were selected. Women are amazing. But that doesnt mean Im saying men arent fantastic, Andoh says today. I just think we need to be better at celebrating all of the women in our lives, who have got us to where we are. Advertisement When we speak, she is just about to go onto a busy set to record a new ITV special called Breaking Through, which coincides with Octobers Black History Month, created by ITV senior creative producer Joel Duncan. Advertisement With Zeze Millz as the host, it sees Andoh join her Bridgerton co-star Ruby Barker who reportedly wont be returning for season three and Coronation Streets Channique Sterling-Brown, in a deep dive about the highs and lows of the industry and their real and honest experiences of being black women on screen. Adjoa Andoh, Channique Sterling-Brown, Ruby Barker and (back row) Zeze Millz. Photo: ITV Creative/PA. Advertisement The generosity of some black women became fundamental for me in my career, after throwing away my law degree. I discovered literature I didnt know existed, and had [friends that became] sisters, who told me about auditions that would put me in direct contact with them, at a time when there were scarce parts for black women, Andoh reflects. You dont pull up the ladder behind you. You open the door wider, network, encourage and bring people along. We need to share our histories, so we know whats gone before us and can then build on it. Instead of starting something from scratch. Its what the world of Bridgerton does so well, she believes creating a space where black women can see each other in interesting ways that arent just about misery porn, as Andoh likes to call it. Bridgerton is fiction at one level, but there are facts woven in about the presence of black women in this country. Advertisement You see Golda Rosheuvel [who plays the elder Queen Charlotte] being smart and funny, and all the amazing young actors in Queen Charlotte. You see us in our finery, in the turn of a phrase, the raise of an eyebrow. You get all that fabulousness in that world, and why should we not be fabulous? Advertisement Adjoa Andoh and Golda Rosheuvel in Queen Charlotte. Photo: Alamy/PA. I hope we have brought all of that to the living room, and continue to do so in season three. I want all viewers to be able to watch people of colour in historical roles, not blink and focus on the story instead of saying, Oh my god, there is a black woman in a corset. No. Move on. But there are conversations about the centuries and centuries of slavery, human trafficking, sexual and body exploitation, degradation as a human spirit and how we are viewed by the rest of the world, that we havent even started to have. All of these things impact our daily lives, Andoh adds. As for her own path to the stage and small screen she recalls something magical happening back in the 1970s, when she was a somewhat depressed 16-year-old, growing up in a small Cotswolds village with a Ghanaian father and English mother. Andoh, who was still doing her A Levels at the time, watched Plenty, a play written by David Hare, and found herself incredibly moved by the story. Advertisement I knew there was a lesson in there somewhere as an artist. That story was all about a woman finding her moment, using the gifts she was blessed with to the best of her ability, and then being told to put them back in a box. It was heart-breaking, but there was something magical about that, she recalls. This is why Andoh for whom the church has long been a part of her life opted not to become an ordained priest and remained a licensed reader for the Church of England instead, where she is classed as a bridge between the clergy and the congregation. Or even pursue her dream of becoming a bass player in a punk band. The pull towards acting proved too great. My Christian faith is what gives me a place to sit down and cry, be encouraged and find communion with other people. Its also why Im constantly thinking about who I am, what I am doing, and in what way is it productive in a wider sense of the world around me. And if Im not doing those things, thats when I step away, she reflects. But I like acting, and thats my gift. Its difficult to imagine the sharp click-clack of military boots marching at the very spot where Im luxuriating in an expertly administered head massage. The relaxing scents and sounds of a spa instead flood my senses, as I go on to feast on bubbly and buns in a relaxation room at an historic military base. Approaching Ebrington Square, I admire the huge, thick stone walls built for defence. Turning around, I find stunning views across the winding Peace Bridge into Derry city. Advertisement Peace Bridge in Derry, Northern Ireland. connecting Ebrington Square with the rest of the city centre (Liam McBurney/PA) The Ebrington Hotel, which opened in July, is the first destination spa in Northern Irelands second city. It occupies a former 19th century army barracks, lovingly transformed with its distinctive clocktower intact, the building has been a landmark ever since it was constructed in 1842. It even has its own signature scent, created for the hotel by spa consultant Orla Gallagher, who also developed a skincare range available in all the bathrooms and guest bedrooms, as well as the spa. Advertisement Advertisement Managing director Cecil Doherty admits the original plan for the spa was a much smaller entity for hotel guests only. But when they realised there was not another hotel spa or day spa in the city, they expanded to include a large hydrotherapy pool. This immediately set us apart from what was already in the area, he says. Interior shot of the Ebrington Hotel in Derry (Tourism Ireland/PA) Advertisement The hotel, which has around 90 rooms, including four suites, is a complete transformation from the barracks which dominated the site for several centuries, until the British army left in 2003. The remainder of Ebrington Square is also revitalised: the former parade grounds now host concerts, while the Walled City Brewery offers locally brewed drinks as well as a venue, and there are plans for a new maritime museum. An exhibition about the well-loved series Derry Girls is on display at the Tower Museum in the city (TourismIreland/PA) Advertisement A city made big by the small screen Derry is on the international map thanks to Lisa McGees television series Derry Girls. I join tourists across the world to take a peek at Erins diary and a closer look at some of the shows most memorable costumes, during a visit to an exhibition at the Tower Museum. A walk around a recreation of Erins living room reminds me of the exchange on the show where Granda Joe is confronted about being seen eating a cream horn with a mystery woman. I enjoy finally trying the sweet treat after a visit to Dohertys Bakery on Foyle Street, and can confirm the sweet pastry filled with cream is worth a family confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement A cream horn from a scene in Derry Girls from Dohertys Bakery (Rebecca Black/PA) Just steps away are the historic city walls where Charlene McCrossan, the youngest qualified blue badge guide in the UK, is on hand to show us how much more there is to the city than Derry Girls and its famous Halloween spectacular every year. She tells us how the citys walls, the only continuously intact city walls in Ireland, were once described as a noose for the city, but now are celebrated as a necklace. Her father, the late Martin McCrossan, set up the tour company in the 1970s, despite being told he was mad for doing so amid the conflict which dogged Northern Ireland for decades before the 1998 peace agreement. He went from Madman McCrossan to Mr Derry, she laughs. Having become acquainted with the historic sights, I get to see the city from a new angle by boat thanks to Foyle Adventures. Zooming along the river offers superb views, including of the country estate Boom Hall and the riverside walk, as well as passing under the Peace Bridge, giving another perspective on Ebrington from the water. In need of sustenance, I turn to PykenPommes, a street food vendor that proved so popular, they were able to open a restaurant on the Strand Road. After much agonising between the burgers, fish and steak, I opt for the Masa Chicken Tacos which are superb, freshly made and bursting with flavour. Advertisement I finished the night by enjoying some of the famous Derry craic and traditional music at Peadar ODonnells. Exploring the north coast Theres enough to keep you occupied in Derry, but it would be a shame to miss out on attractions along this part of Northern Irelands coastline. Under the expert eye of chocolatier Geri Martin at the Chocolate Manor in Castlerock who has made sweet treats for Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla amongst others I create my first hand-made chocolates. With the measured out ingredients helpfully laid out, I melt white chocolate pebbles with Limoncello, made locally in Portballintrae, and a sprinkling of lemon zest to create a gorgeous filling for some pre-made square chocolate moulds. Writer Rebecca Black tries her hand at making chocolates at the Chocolate Manor in Castlerock (TourismIreland/PA) A short jaunt along the coastline, I enjoy getting back to nature with Claire OKanes Mussenden Unwind experince. As a keen sea swimmer, the sight of waves always gives me a twitch to jump in. Luckily, this is all part of the experience, along with foraging in the forest, story telling, and some cooking and dining on Downhill Beach. As someone used to calmer seas, the waves at Downhill are bracing but exhilarating, provoking squeals and laughter. Advertisement Exploring further, I sample some of the fruits of the sea at Lir, a seafood restaurant in Coleraine. Owners Rebekah and Stevie McCarry opened the business in an old boat club building in January 2020, and from simply selling seafood socially distanced throughout the pandemic Lir has now blossomed into an award-winning restaurant on the banks of the River Bann, and a regular on best-restaurant lists. Wendy Gallagher of the Causeway Coast Foodie Tours during the Spirit of the Bann experience, showcasing local food on a boat tour of the River Bann (Rebecca Black/PA) Return of the wild in Co Donegal It takes just minutes to cross the Irish border from Derry to a borderland which is home to bears and wolves. While that may sound like something your mother warned you about as a child to keep you close to home, Wild Ireland owner Killian McLaughlin has, in fact, rescued bears from across the world. A snow fox, one of the many animals which calls Wild Ireland home (Rebecca Black/PA) The facility is currently home to bears rescued from Lithuania, a journey documented in the Netflix docuseries, The Bear Man Of Buncrana, as well as wolves, wild boar, foxes and lynx. Mindful of the warnings to admire from afar, I get my animal cuddle fix later at Malin Head with some friendly alpacas. It may sound unlikely a herd of alpacas at the northern most tip of Ireland, but former plasterer-turned-animal keeper John McGonagle assures it is the most popular attraction in Inishowen. Advertisement Against the stunning backdrop of the Five Fingers Strand jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, the alpacas happily trot along beside me, patiently posing for pictures. Writer Rebecca Black experiences the Wild Alpaca Way at Malin Head in Co Donegal, Ireland (Rebecca Black/PA) For one of the most remote corners of Ireland, there is no shortage of attractions, including Fort Dunree, an outpost first fortified in the late 1790s to repel any Napoleonic invasion, and the ancient Grianan Of Aileach fort for views across the peninsula and Lough Swilly, not to mention Farrens Bar at Malin Head the most northernly pub on the island. The north west of Ireland may not attract the numbers of tourists enjoyed by Dublin and the south coast, but with scenery as beautiful, the help of a smash hit television series, and direct flights to City of Derry airport, it is likely to be gaining fast. How to plan your trip Rooms at The Ebrington start from 130 (150) (room only). Visit theebringtonhotel.com. For more information on the destination, go to ireland.com. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined a meeting of more than 50 defence leaders from around the world to make a personal pitch for military aid. The move comes in the face of lagging political support in the US and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israels war with Hamas. Advertisement Mr Zelenskiys presence underscored growing concerns about cracks in what has been staunch international backing for Kyiv in its war against Russias invasion, and worries that Ukrainian forces have not made measurable progress in the counteroffensive as winter closes in. Mr Zelenskiy spoke about Ukraines ongoing need for air defence systems and long-range missiles (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Asked about concerns that Ukraine could get less military support because of the war in Israel, Mr Zelenskiy said there is a very understandable volume that the US and Europe can provide. Advertisement Mr Zelenskiy said he has asked that question himself and added he thinks nobody really knows but he is still assuming US and European support. Advertisement As for the Israel complication, of course, everybodys afraid, and I think also Russias counting on it, on dividing support, Mr Zelenskiy said in remarks at a press conference with Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo. US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said both allies will be supported. We can do both and we will do both, Mr Austin said. Advertisement The meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, hosted by the US, comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress has stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers to any increase in spending. Speaking as he entered Nato headquarters, Mr Zelenskiy noted the Israel war and said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. Advertisement United States secretary of defence Lloyd Austin with president Zelenskiy (Olivier Matthys, Pool Photo via AP) But he was also quick to detail Ukraines ongoing need for air defence systems and long-range missiles to push Russia out of our land. He told the gathering: Next Monday, we will mark the 600th day of our resistance to Russias full-scale aggression against our people, against Ukraine. And today, no one can say for sure how many more days we will have to defend our independence and to defend our identity. Advertisement Advertisement But we can already say several things which I think are important. First, Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, Russia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle. Mr Austin told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv, where a key demand has been more air defence systems and munitions. Mr Austin said: The energy, in my view, is still there. And I will reassure them that we remain committed to this. Mr Austin also announced that the US will take on a new leadership role in the broader effort to build Ukraines air force, specifically with F-16 fighter jets. He said the US will co-lead a coalition along with Denmark and the Netherlands and will help to organise donation of the aircraft, plans to sustain and maintain them and pilot training. Mr Zelenskiy was met with applause as he entered the building (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) That training has already started in the US, Mr Austin said, and as the training will likely take months, it may not be until next spring that Ukraine is operating the F-16s. He asserted that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war and he said allies during this meeting would focus not only on meeting Kyivs immediate needs but also on setting up plans to co-ordinate investments in Ukraines future force. Advertisement This was also the first Ukraine contact group meeting for US Joint Chiefs chairman General CQ Brown, who said that additional commitments of weapons and conversations with allies convinced him were putting Ukraine in a good spot ahead of the winter fight. The contact group is the main forum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyivs war effort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering. Mr Zelenskiy, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immediately into a private session with Mr Austin and General Brown. Zelenskiys speech comes as Ukraine prepares to mark 600 days since Russias invasion (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Speaking to reporters as he came in, Mr Zelenskiy reiterated his countrys need for long-range missiles and ammunition. He said: Its very important that there are priorities. There are air defence systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first Nato-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance and it allows Nato and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. British author-journalist Charles Spencer is due to release a book about his childhood years at the Maidwell Hall boarding school and the painful lessons he endured. Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, announced on Wednesday that it will publish A Very Private School: A Memoir, in March 2024. Advertisement Gallery is calling the book a clear-eyed, first-hand account of a culture of cruelty. 'This book is a blend of chronicle and memoir thats intended to stand as a piece of modern history a record of a time, not so far back, when things were quite different for children in these most privileged of English institutions' A Very Private School - coming March 2024 pic.twitter.com/LMfK7oUhog William Collins Books (@WmCollinsBooks) October 11, 2023 Advertisement Spencer, the younger brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, will also write about his happy life at home during that time, according to the publisher. Advertisement The author, who has previously expressed his unhappiness with boarding school, said in a statement that he had finally reached a point where he could make sense of his experiences and place them within a historical context. Advertisement Earl Spencer, photographed with the Duke of Sussex, is the younger brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales (Dominic Lipinski/PA) He said: Im writing this book before my memories of half a century ago tip over into that chasm of forgetfulness that shadows old age.Beyond my own experiences, I wanted to look at what, really, was going on in this strangely secretive place. Spencer, 59, has written such bestsellers as The White Ship, Blenheim and To Catch a King. Advertisement He currently co-hosts the podcast Rabbit Hole Detectives. Greta Thunberg, the climate activist, has been fined by a Swedish court once again for disobeying police during an environmental protest in July. The Malmo District Court ordered her to pay a 2,250 kroner (169) fine. Advertisement Ms Thunberg, who already had been fined for a similar offence, took part in a July 24 environmental protest at an oil terminal in Malmo, where activists temporarily blocked access to the facility by sitting down and were removed by police. On September 15, she was charged with disobedience to law enforcement for refusing to obey police asking her to leave the scene. Greta Thunberg was fined 2,250 kroner (169) (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP) Advertisement She then was dragged away by two uniformed officers. Ms Thunberg, 20, has admitted to the facts but denied guilt, saying the fight against the fossil fuel industry was a form of self-defence due to the existential and global threat of the climate crisis. Advertisement After the verdict, she said: We have the science on our side and we have morality on our side. Nothing in the world can change that and so it is. I am ready to act based on the conditions that exist and whether it leads to more sentences. Advertisement On June 24, the same court fined her 2,500 kronor (188) for refusing to obey police orders when taking part in a similar demonstration the previous month. During that protest, she and others blocked access to the same oil terminal days earlier and were removed by police. On Thursday, the Swede is due to travel to neighbouring Norway to take part in a protest with activists, including Indigenous Sami. Greta Thunberg inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish Parliament (Henrik Montgomery/TT News Agency via AP) Advertisement They are protesting a wind farm of 151 turbines and want it removed because they say it endangers the reindeer herders way of life. The activists say a transition to green energy should not come at the expense of the rights of Indigenous people. Two years ago, Norways Supreme Court ruled that the construction of the turbines had violated the rights of the Sami, who have used the land for reindeer for centuries. Advertisement The Norwegian government has no plans to remove the wind farm. Ms Thunberg inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish Parliament starting in 2018. Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip were scrambling to find safety, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and a power blackout was expected within hours, further deepening the misery of a war sparked by a deadly mass incursion of Hamas militants. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Advertisement The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people soldiers, men, women, children and older adults who were taken into Gaza during the weekend attack. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Advertisement Israeli airstrikes hit a neighbourhood in Gaza City (Fatima Shbair/AP) Advertisement The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. Israel has stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 25-mile-long (40km) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. There is no safe place in Gaza right now, journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the bombardment of a city centre neighbourhood home to government ministries, media offices and hotels. I am genuinely afraid for my life. Advertisement Gazas power authority said its sole power plant would run out of fuel within hours, leaving the territory without electricity after Israel cut off supplies. Advertisement Palestinians there have long relied on generators to power homes, offices and hospitals, but have no way of importing fuel for those either. Rockets were fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday (Hatem Moussa/AP) Advertisement The UNs World Health Organisation said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals had already run out amid the flood of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one hospital we consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once, Matthias Kannes, the aid groups head of mission in Gaza, said on Wednesday. He said the territorys biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only had enough fuel for three days. Advertisement Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense pressure from the public to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007. That goal was considered unachievable in the past because it would require a reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, at least temporarily. Israeli airstrikes caused damage in the Khan Younis neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip (Hatem Ali/AP) Advertisement We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Meanwhile, exchanges of fire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. US president Joe Biden warned other countries and armed groups on Tuesday against entering the conflict. The US is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. Israeli airstrikes late on Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Israeli tanks were seen near the border with Lebanon on Tuesday (Gil Eliyahu/AP) Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate neighbourhood after neighbourhood, and then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. Advertisement The Hamas-run interior ministry said Israeli airstrikes had destroyed the entire al-Karama neighborhood in Gaza City, with a large number of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials said they had struggled to enter other areas as well. In another neighbourhood, Palestinian Civil Defence forces pulled Abdullah Musleh out of his basement together with 30 others after their apartment building was flattened. On Tuesday afternoon, Hamas fired barrages of rockets toward the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. There were no immediate reports of casualties. On Tuesday night, a group of militants entered an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gun fight with Israeli troops, the military said. Three militants were killed, and troops were searching the area for others. Four previous rounds of Israel-Hamas fighting between 2008 and 2021 all ended inconclusively, with Hamas battered but still in control. The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory, said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done. Advertisement Jabalia in Gaza was hit by an Israeli airstrike (Hatem Moussa/AP) Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including a punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the worlds apathy. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead, but Israel has clamped down heavily on the territory, preventing movement between communities. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late on Tuesday. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It was not clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. In Gaza, more than 250,000 people have fled their homes, the UN said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority were sheltering in schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites had cut off services to 400,000 people, the UN said. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area on Wednesday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel, deepening the misery of a war sparked by a deadly assault by Hamas militants. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Advertisement The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Advertisement Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Advertisement Since then, militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. After the attack, Israel stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 25-mile-long (40km) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. Advertisement Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the Gaza Strip (Mohammad Al Masri/AP) The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. Advertisement There is no safe place in Gaza right now, journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the bombardment of a city centre neighbourhood home to government ministries, media offices and hotels. I am genuinely afraid for my life. Advertisement Gazas only power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday afternoon, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, the energy ministry said. Israeli tanks were stationed near the border with Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP) Advertisement That leaves only generators to power the territory but they also run on fuel that is in short supply. The UNs World Health Organisation said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals had already run out amid the flood of wounded. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one hospital we consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once, Matthias Kannes, the aid groups head of mission in Gaza, said on Wednesday. He said the territorys biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only had enough fuel for three days. Gaza City was hit by Israeli airstrikes (Adel Hana/AP) Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense public pressure to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007 and remained firmly in control through four previous wars. Advertisement That would likely require a prolonged ground assault and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Israeli airstrikes late on Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Unknown numbers of bodies lay beneath the debris (Hatem Moussa/AP) Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. Meanwhile, exchanges of fire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. US president Joe Biden warned other countries and armed groups on Tuesday against entering the war. The US is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. Advertisement On Wednesday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. An Israeli army column was deployed to Sderot, a town close to the Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole neighbourhoods rather than just individual buildings then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory, said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done. Israeli soldiers patrolled Sderot (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the worlds apathy. Advertisement The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It was not clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late on Tuesday. In Gaza, more than 250,000 people have fled their homes, the UN said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites have cut off services to 400,000 people, the UN said. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival on Wednesday to create a wartime Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighbourhoods and the only power plant ran out of fuel. Advertisement The new Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and comes as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. Advertisement The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence on Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at a music festival. Advertisement In a televised address on Wednesday night, Mr Netanyahu detailed atrocities that took place during the attack, including boys and girls bound and shot in the head, people burned alive, women raped and soldiers who were beheaded. Every Hamas member is a dead man, he said. We will crush and destroy it. Advertisement Israeli soldiers take cover on the ground. Over five days, Hamas has fired thousands of rockets into Israel (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults and have fired thousands of rockets into the country over the past five days. The Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will be led by Mr Netanyahu, Benny Gantz a senior opposition figure and former defence minister and current defence minister Yoav Gallant. Advertisement A former chief of staff and another government minister were named as observer members. The countrys chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join the Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Mr Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. Advertisement Israels increasingly destructive airstrikes in Gaza have flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath debris. Advertisement A ground offensive in Gaza, whose 2.3 million residents are densely packed into a tiny, coastal strip, would likely result in a surge of casualties for fighters on both sides. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the Gaza Strip (Mohammad Al Masri/AP) Militants in Gaza have fired thousands of rockets into Israel since Saturday and their barrages continued on Wednesday, aimed at the southern town of Ashkelon. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza, most crowding into UN schools. Others sought the shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometres (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territorys only power station ran out of fuel and shut down. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. On Sunday, Israel halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory and the sole remaining crossing from Egypt was shut down after airstrikes hit nearby on Tuesday. Israeli tanks were stationed near the border with Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP) Advertisement Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders said the strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, Mr Kannes said. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a reconstructive surgeon at al-Shifa, said he had 50 patients waiting to go to the operating room as more critical wounded are treated. Were already beyond the capacity of the system to cope, he said. The health system has the rest of the week before it collapses, not just because of the diesel. All supplies are running short. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days, while residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Gaza City was hit by Israeli airstrikes (Adel Hana/AP) Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food on Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said. Advertisement In Gazas Jabalia refugee camp, rescue workers and civilians carried men covered with blood and soot towards ambulances after strikes toppled buildings. Streets were left blanketed with metal, chunks of concrete and thick dust. Medical teams and rescuers struggled to enter other areas where roads were too destroyed, including Gaza Citys al-Karama district, where a large number were killed or wounded, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. Strikes have killed at least four Red Crescent paramedics, the organisation said. Unknown numbers of bodies lay beneath the debris (Hatem Moussa/AP) The risk of the war spreading was evident on Wednesday after the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. Additionally, an alert in the evening over an incursion by hostile aircraft from Lebanon was a false alarm, the military said. US President Joe Biden called the Hamas attack the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. At a meeting with Jewish community leaders at the White House, MR Biden said: This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty, not just hate, but pure cruelty against the Jewish people. Advertisement On Tuesday, he warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The US is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. An Israeli army column was deployed to Sderot, a town close to the Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the territorys health ministry said. Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near Gaza and evacuated tens of thousands of residents from nearby communities. Toppling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would likely require prolonged ground fighting and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas said it launched its attack on Saturday because Palestinians suffering had become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation, increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. Israeli soldiers patrolled Sderot (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas are running high in Israel. Past conflicts with Hamas included heavy bombardments of Gaza but ended with the group still in power. Mr Netanyahu said this week that Israel is committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighbourhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then levelling large swathes in waves of airstrikes. In a meeting with soldiers near the southern border, defence minister Mr Gallant said: We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Even with the evacuation warnings, Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no warning at all, survivors say. Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that Israel is committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike levelled his home in Gaza City said: There was no warning or anything. We were sitting there as civilians, dressed like anyone else. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press that Israeli airstrikes in the southern town of Khan Younis struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the so-called shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. A Palestinian woman who had 10 relatives killed near a United Nations school, weeps during their funeral (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa, File) In Gaza, 1,100 people have been killed, according to authorities there. In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli police during clashes. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israeli territory, and that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members. Luton Airport has been closed after a fire ripped through a multi-storey car park, causing it to collapse Firefighters are tackling the blaze which began on Tuesday evening and appears to have destroyed hundreds of cars. Advertisement Flights have been cancelled since the fire broke out at around 9pm and are expected to resume at around noon on Wednesday, the airport said. Advertisement Four firefighters and a member of airport staff were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and another firefighter was treated at the scene. Footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars parked at the newly-built airport car park. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh. He told the PA news agency: There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm. Advertisement Advertisement Screen grab taken with permission from video posted on X by @ahmad_bobak of the fire. Photo: Ahmad Hassan Bobak/X/PA. A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible. Advertisement In a statement at 3am on Wednesday, the airport said: Emergency services continue to respond to a significant fire in Terminal Car Park 2, which has resulted in a partial structural collapse. All flights are suspended until 12pm on Wednesday. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time. One half of the structure is fully involved in fire and the building has suffered a significant structural collapse. Fire crews are working to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings and vehicles on air side of the airport. Beds Fire and Rescue (@BedsFire) October 10, 2023 More than 15 crews from Bedfordshire Fire Service tackled the blaze with nearby residents advised to close their windows to avoid the smoke. A brigade spokesman said: One half of the structure is fully involved in fire and the building has suffered a significant structural collapse. Fire crews are working to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings and vehicles on air side of the airport. Describing the car park, Luton Airports website said: Our brand new multi-story car park offering secure, on-site parking using just a five-minute walk to the terminal entrance. A top opposition Israeli politician says he has reached an agreement to enter a wartime unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and military chief of staff, released what he said was a joint statement with Mr Netanyahu. Advertisement The statement said they would form a five-member war-management Cabinet. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have entered into an agreement to form a war Cabinet (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP) It will consist of Mr Netanyahu, Mr Gantz, current defence minister Yoav Gallant and two other top officials serving as observer members.It said the government would not pass any legislation or decisions that are not connected to the war as long as the fighting continues. Advertisement It was not immediately clear what would happen to Mr Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. Scientists have pried another secret from the Mona Lisa that shines a light on the techniques used by Leonardo to create her exquisitely enigmatic smile. Using X-rays to peer into the chemical structure of a speck of the celebrated work of art, scientists suggest that the Italian Renaissance master may have been in a particularly experimental mood when he set to work on the Mona Lisa early in the 16th century. Advertisement The research, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, shows that the oil-paint recipe that Leonardo used as his base layer to prepare the panel of poplar wood appears to have been different for the Mona Lisa, with its own distinctive chemical signature. Other experts have called the research very exciting, saying that any new insights into Leonardos technique are extremely important (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard, Pool, File) Victor Gonzalez, the studys lead author and a chemist at Frances top research body, the CNRS, said: He was someone who loved to experiment, and each of his paintings is completely different technically. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Gonzalez has studied the chemical compositions of dozens of works by Leonardo, Rembrandt and other artists. In this case, its interesting to see that indeed there is a specific technique for the ground layer of Mona Lisa, he said in an interview with The Associated Press. Specifically, the researchers found a rare compound, plumbonacrite, in the first layer of paint. The discovery, Mr Gonzalez said, confirmed for the first time what art historians had previously only hypothesized: that Leonardo most likely used lead oxide powder to thicken and help dry his paint as he began working on the portrait that now stares out from behind protective glass in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Advertisement Carmen Bambach, a specialist in Italian art and curator at New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art, who was not involved in the study, called the research very exciting and said any scientifically proven new insights into Leonardos painting techniques are extremely important news for the art world and our larger global society. Finding plumbonacrite in the Mona Lisa attests to Leonardos spirit of passionate and constant experimentation as a painter it is what renders him timeless and modern, Ms Bambach said. The Mona Lisa is on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris (Mike Egerton/PA) Advertisement The paint fragment from the base layer of the Mona Lisa that was analysed was barely visible to the naked eye, no larger than the diameter of a human hair, and came from the top right-hand edge of the painting. Advertisement The scientists peered into its atomic structure using X-rays in a synchrotron, a large machine that accelerates particles to almost the speed of light, which allowed them to unravel the specks chemical makeup. Plumbonacrite is a by-product of lead oxide, allowing the researchers to say with more certainty that Leonardo likely used the powder in his paint recipe. Plumbonacrite is really a fingerprint of his recipe, Mr Gonzalez said. Its the first time we can actually chemically confirm it. Advertisement After Leonardo, Dutch master Rembrandt may have used a similar recipe when he was painting in the 17th century. Mr Gonzalez and other researchers have previously found plumbonacrite in his work, too. Mr Gonzalez added: It tells us also that those recipes were passed on for centuries. It was a very good recipe. Leonardo is thought to have dissolved lead oxide powder, which has an orange colour, in linseed or walnut oil by heating the mixture to make a thicker, faster-drying paste. What you will obtain is an oil that has a very nice golden colour, Mr Gonzalez said. It flows more like honey. But the Mona Lisa said by the Louvre to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine silk merchant and other works by Leonardo still have other secrets to tell. Advertisement There are plenty, plenty more things to discover, for sure. We are barely scratching the surface, Mr Gonzalez said. What we are saying is just a little brick more in the knowledge. Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the situation could have been a lot worse than the protester who grabbed him on stage during his conference speech, as Labour reviews his security. The Labour leader told on Wednesday how he was determined to push on with his address in Liverpool rather than let an idiot disrupt his pitch to the public. Advertisement The heckler tipped glitter over Sir Keir and grabbed him just as he was about to begin his set-piece speech, sparking security concerns. Sir Keir told Times Radio my overwhelming feeling was I am not going to let you ruin four years of hard work in this party. I just wanted to get on with the speech and thats why I rolled up my sleeves and got on with it, he added. Advertisement Advertisement I didnt want that idiot to interrupt that, and I dont want that idiot to dominate what Ive got to say today. The Labour leader told LBC radio there was a struggle on stage, and he believed the protester tried to pull him to the ground. I was not going over, and I was not going to leave that podium, I was going to deliver that speech, he said. Advertisement A protester, who named himself as Yaz Ashmawi, throws glitter over Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer before his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA. Sir Keir said he checked his wife, Victoria, who was in the front row of the conference hall, was all right before continuing, with remnants of glitter in his hair and on the shoulders of his shirt. It did feel a bit like a five-a-side moment where someone is trying to get the ball off me. Channelling the inner Arsenal obviously, he said. He added to Sky News: It could have been a lot worse. Advertisement The protester, identified as Yaz Ashmawi, was wearing a T-shirt linking him to a group called People Demand Democracy shouted that politics needs an update and that true democracy is citizen-led. Sir Keir, who has put great emphasis on shifting the party since Jeremy Corbyns leadership, said protest or power, this is why we changed our party before getting on with his speech. A protester throws glitter over Sir Keir Starmer. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA. Labour shadow justice minister Shabana Mahmood has said she expects questions are being asked surrounding security. We will want to make sure that nothing like that can ever happen again, she told BBC Radio 4s PM programme. The 28-year-old from Surrey was arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance. Merseyside Police said he remained in custody on Wednesday morning. Republicans in the US House of Representatives will meet on Wednesday to choose between two candidates - Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan - to lead their narrow majority a week after a small group of dissidents ousted speaker Kevin McCarthy. As lawmakers gathered for the closed-door vote, neither candidate appeared to hold a clear advantage. Mr Scalise, who is No 2 on the leadership ladder, has drawn the support of many veteran and establishment Republican lawmakers, while Mr Jordan, an outspoken leader of the party's right wing, had the backing of many conservatives. Advertisement Mr McCarthy could be in the mix as well, as he has not discouraged talk of a comeback, as could McCarthy ally Patrick McHenry, the acting speaker. The secret-ballot vote is the start of what could be a long and messy process to install a new speaker after a small faction of far-right Republicans deposed Mr McCarthy last week and threw the chamber into chaos. Advertisement Even before lawmakers start voting on a speaker, they are expected to decide on what threshold is needed to win: a simple majority of Republicans, or an absolute total of 217 votes, enough to ensure victory in the full House. Leadership vacuum Republicans, who control the House by a narrow 221-212 majority, say they need to quickly resolve a leadership vacuum that has prevented the House from addressing the war in Israel, approving more aid to Ukraine and passing spending bills before current funding runs out on November 17th. Advertisement Mr Scalise and Mr Jordan told Republicans at a closed-door forum on Tuesday night that they would each back the candidate chosen as nominee, an agreement that could help expedite matters. But some predict they will not be able to resolve their differences and unite behind a candidate quickly. "My unfortunate estimation is that it will take several rounds and maybe even days of voting," Republican representative Ben Cline said in an interview. It took only eight Republicans to oust Mr McCarthy last week, a fact that could make leading the caucus a challenge for any new speaker. Advertisement Representative Ken Buck, one of the eight, said a "significant number" of Republicans could decline to vote for a candidate in Wednesday's first ballot. Spending worries Advertisement Mr Buck said Mr Jordan and Mr Scalise provided unsatisfactory answers on the question of reining in spending on Tuesday night. He predicted that more candidates could join the race. "The answers were vague today, and I think that causes problems," Mr Buck told reporters. "Kevin found that out." While Mr McCarthy was the first speaker in US history to be removed in a formal vote, the last two Republicans to hold the job wound up leaving under pressure from party hardliners. Advertisement Americans have little confidence in Congress' ability to overcome its partisan differences - and the Republican infighting that led to Mr McCarthy's historic ouster on October 3rd. Some 64 per cent of respondents to a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week said did not believe Washington politicians could put aside partisan disagreements for the good of the nation. At least 217 House Republicans will need to agree on a candidate to avoid a repeat of January's messy speakership battle, when Mr McCarthy needed 15 rounds of voting to win the speaker's gavel. Democrats backed their leader, representative Hakeem Jeffries, during those votes and are expected to remain united behind him this time as well. Mr Scalise and Mr Jordan have both racked up several dozen endorsements, but neither has a clear path to success. Advertisement Trump backing Mr Scalise has the backing of many veteran and establishment lawmakers, while Mr Jordan has the backing of many of the chamber's most conservative voices - as well as former president Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Difficult decisions could come if neither candidate wins a clear majority. Some moderates, for example, have warned that a speaker Jordan would give Democrats plenty of ammunition for next year's congressional elections. Others say they could be flexible if their preferred candidate doesn't appear to be winning. "I think Jim Jordan will end up getting it, and if not, Scalise would be fine," said representative Ralph Norman, who supports Mr Jordan. President Joe Biden says the weekend attack by Hamas militants on Israel was the deadliest against Jews since the Holocaust. The president said: This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty, not just hate, but pure cruelty against the Jewish people. Advertisement Mr Biden made the remarks while speaking with Jewish leaders on Wednesday as the US said the number of its citizens killed had risen to 22. It is an increase to the death toll of 14 the day before. The war has already claimed more than 2,200 lives on both sides. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said a handful of US citizens had been taken hostage by Hamas militants (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Advertisement John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman said a handful of US citizens are among the estimated 150 hostages captured by Hamas militants during their shocking weekend assault on Israel. Advertisement In a further sign of US support for Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken left for meetings with officials there and the US military is moving a second aircraft carrier towards the Mediterranean Sea as part of efforts to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict. Mr Kirby said the USS Dwight D Eisenhower and its ships would be an available asset if necessary. Advertisement The USS Gerald R Ford, the Navys most advanced aircraft carrier, and its strike group have already arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean. The attack has raised questions about the role of Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas, and whether it was directly involved in the operation, but the US has collected information that suggests senior Iranian government officials were caught off guard by the multipronged assault. That piece of intelligence has informed White House officials publicly asserting that it has not yet seen evidence of direct involvement by Iranians in the planning or execution of the Hamas attack. President Joe Biden is set to meet with Jewish leaders (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Advertisement We havent seen anything that tells (us) they have specifically cut checks to support this set of attacks, or that they were involved in the training. And obviously, this required quite a bit of training by these terrorists, Kirby said, though he added that the US will continue to look at the intelligence and see if that leads us to a different conclusion. Advertisement With many airlines suspending commercial flights in and out of Israel because of the ongoing rocket and missile exchanges, Mr Kirby said the United States was exploring a range of other options to assist Americans who want to leave, appearing to leave open the possibility of a US-assisted evacuation. He said the administration was still in talks with Israel and Egypt to try to arrange safe passage for Gazas civilians. Advertisement These people are victims, too, he said. They didnt ask Hamas to do this. President Joe Biden, who is set to meet with Jewish leaders later on Wednesday, sought to connect the Hamas attacks directly to decades of antisemitism and violence endured by Jews around the world. This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people, Mr Biden told reporters. He added: We have to be crystal clear. There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale, beyond the pale. Mr Biden said he and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone on Wednesday with Mr Netanyahu. It was at least the fourth call between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu since Saturdays attack. The United States has Israels back and were going to be working on this through the day and beyond, Mr Biden said. The wife of Scotlands first minister has said she feels like she is just living in a nightmare after her parents became trapped in Gaza. In an interview with the BBC on Wednesday, Nadia El-Nakla said her parents, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, continually tell her they feel like they are going to die. Advertisement The El-Naklas travelled to Gaza last week to visit an elderly relative and Ms El-Naklas brother, who works as a doctor in Gaza. They found themselves trapped after militant group Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets in what it said was a new operation on Saturday. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was at war as its military began striking targets in Gaza in response. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. Advertisement Advertisement In a video clip played as part of the interview, Elizabeth El-Nakla said: Weve no electricity, weve no water, the food we do have, which is little, will not last because there is no electric and it will spoil. Advertisement A visibly emotional Ms El-Nakla told the BBC it was incredibly difficult right now. She said: There is no electricity from 2pm their time, which was just a few hours ago. No electricity means no hospital supplies, it means no food, you cant even preserve the food that you have. I dont know what it means for them in the long-term, I dont know whats about to happen to them. For me, my number one is my family being safe. Advertisement Ms El-Nakla said her parents are now talking about saving their phone batteries due to the lack of power, which means they are having to limit contact. She added: Every few hours Im seeing things, and Im calling my parents. But now we are talking about having to preserve their battery on their phone. We cannot keep talking to them because theres no electricity. Weve taken numbers of neighbours, theyve written down all of our numbers. Advertisement Advertisement If I cant get in touch with them, can I contact a neighbour to find out if theyre still alive? Nadia El-Nakla pictured with her husband and two daughters her parents are currently trapped in Gaza (Andrew Milligan/PA) These are conversations we need to have. At times my arms just feel like lead. It feels like I am just living in a nightmare. For them, I just cant understand how they feel. On Tuesday, Ms El-Naklas husband Humza Yousaf wrote to British foreign secretary James Cleverly, urging him to call on Israel to open a humanitarian corridor. He wrote: I am writing concerning the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas over the weekend, and the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza. Too many innocent people have already lost their lives as a consequence of these completely unjustifiable and illegitimate attacks by Hamas. However, innocent men, women and children cannot, and should not, pay the price for the actions of a terrorist group. Collective punishment of innocent civilians cannot be justified and will do nothing to set the conditions for peace in the region. As a close friend and ally of Israel, I therefore ask the UK government to call on the government of Israel to ensure innocent civilians are protected and to put in place an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe passage of civilians through the Rafah border. Furthermore, it should open a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, for those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave. True Confession was a vehicle for the wonderful Carole Lombard, who played a compulsive liar married to a straight-arrow lawyer (Fred MacMurray). Ozon drops the husband character and much of the screwball aspect and makes this a story about two level-headed young women, who share a cramped top-floor apartment in Depression-era Paris (by design, a storybook Paris, where even poverty has a cosy glow). The idea of having to cover up the fact you didnt kill someone has the neat perversity that is the hallmark of French writer-director Francois Ozon (8 Women). The theme of a predator who gets his just deserts also has obvious contemporary resonance, although The Crime is Mine is based on a 1934 play adapted for film on a couple of previous occasions, notably as the Hollywood screwball comedy True Confession in 1937. Accused of murder, a young woman admits to the deed but maintains she was defending herself against sexual assault. Public sympathy flows towards her, and soon shes celebrated not as a criminal but as a heroine. But this fame comes with a catch: what if its all a sham, and the crime was committed by someone else? Loading Of the pair, Madeline (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) wants to act, while Pauline (Rebecca Marder) is not long out of law school. So when Madeline is in a legal jam, she naturally calls on her friend for help, and, just as naturally, the courtroom becomes a theatre in its own right. Its an enjoyable diversion, on the whole: only half as funny as True Confession, but thats still not half bad. The actors are all encouraged to mug, and the willed staginess sometimes becomes outright stiltedness, notably in the scenes with Fabrice Luchini as a pedantic magistrate. Dany Boon, on the other hand, is very deft as a selectively compassionate ladies man. The letdown is Isabelle Huppert, who appears halfway through as the silent movie queen turned blackmailer Odette Chaumette (a reimagining of an originally male role, played in True Confession by John Barrymore). Shes meant to steal the show, and were cued to expect great things by her extravagant look: black opera gloves, sickly green eyeshadow, a mass of red curls topped with a hat that might belong to a surrealist witch. Yet none of this feels entirely right for Huppert, who thrives on the outrageous but also on understatement, as opposed to the kind of broad clowning required here. She rattles off her lines and waves her arms around, but the core idea of the character doesnt entirely land: its not clear how shrewd Odette really is under all her affectations, or how far she in turn might qualify as victim rather than villain. Premier Chris Minns declaration that pro-Palestinian activists will not be allowed to commandeer our streets has triggered a fresh brawl about the right to protest in NSW, as the government tries to counter days of criticism over its handling of Mondays rally in Sydney. Minns apologised to Jewish groups and said he took responsibility for Jewish people being advised to stay away from the city for their own safety, while police managed a rally that ended in some protesters chanting F--- the Jews at the Opera House. His comments were followed by confirmation NSW Police rejected pro-Palestinian activists request for an authorised rally this Sunday, stripping them of protection under the states strict protest laws on the basis organisers gave less than seven days notice. The moves delighted the Jewish community but did not satisfy the Liberal opposition, which is calling for Police Minister Yasmin Catley to be sacked. It also raised concerns among lawyers and libertarians about free speech and assembly in NSW. As the sun set over Dover Heights, Tamar Kerner stood in a clifftop park watching her fellow Jews assemble for a vigil in solidarity with Israel, its citizens and the worldwide Jewish diaspora. It was a moment of comfort after days of grief. I needed the support from my community because it doesnt feel like it has been coming from many other places, she said. People gather for a Jewish vigil in support of Israel at Rodney Reserve in Dover Heights. Credit: Wolter Peeters The antisemitism displayed in her own city on Monday was chilling. It scares me because it just came out so easily, she said. It was probably there all along, and it feels like it just reared its head overnight they got permission to do it. They gathered in their thousands 9000, according to organisers after Hamas Saturday attacks brought about the bloodiest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. It followed pro-Palestinian protests in Sydney earlier in the week that descended into abhorrent antisemitic chants. South-east Queensland faces traffic congestion more akin to Los Angeles unless authorities make dramatic planning changes, the RACQ has warned. In its submission to the draft South-East Queensland Regional Plan, the motorists organisation has called for better connections between new housing developments and transport infrastructure. The RACQ wants urgent intervention to avoid gridlock in south-east Queensland. Credit: Dan Peled If we dont manage increased growth and density, we will end up like Los Angeles with congestion everywhere, said the RACQs head of public policy, Dr Michael Kane. If we have any hope of being successful, while preserving our famous lifestyle, we must make transport a top priority in the regional plan and ensure strong connectivity between housing, jobs, education and recreation for everyone who calls SEQ home. The University of Queensland graduate, who moved to Australia from China when she was 10, endured months of solitary isolation designed to extract a confession in the Chinese legal system, before being moved to a prison that allowed her only 10 hours of sunlight a year. Australian authorities and Chengs family remained largely unaware of the specific charges against her throughout her imprisonment. Fellow Australian, writer Yang Hengjun, is still behind bars in Beijing on vague espionage charges. Loading Her matter was concluded through the legal processes in China, Albanese said. We continue to advocate for Dr Yangs interests, rights and wellbeing with Chinese authorities at all levels. Chinas Foreign Affairs Ministry said Cheng had been sentenced to two years and 11 months in jail. After she served the sentence, she was released, said spokesman Wang Wenbin. Id like to stress that the Judicial Department handed down this sentence in accordance to law. Chinese state media reported late on Wednesday that Cheng had been sentenced for breaching her employment contract and illegally providing state secrets to a foreign country. In May 2020, Cheng Lei was coaxed by personnel from an overseas agency, violated the confidentiality clause signed with the employing unit, and illegally provided the state secrets she mastered at work to the overseas agency through her mobile phone, Xinhua reported. Albanese said he had raised Chengs case at a formal meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Delhi at the G20 in September. Australias ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher, was not allowed to enter the court for Chengs trial in Beijing. Credit: Getty Images We sat next to each other at the G20 at a formal dinner as well. It was an opportunity in a less formal way to be able to have discussions and dialogue, he said. Dialogue is always a good idea. Even with people who you have disagreements with. Chengs sentencing had been delayed at least six times since her one-day closed-door trial last year. Australian officials were barred from attending the hearing. Our focus remains on her interests and welfare, said Albanese. We are asking for her privacy and that of her family to be respected at this time as she adjusts to what has obviously been a very difficult and traumatic period for her in her life. In August, Cheng released a letter from jail revealing her hopes for reuniting with her children in Melbourne and her memories of Australia. Loading I havent seen a tree in three years, she said. This is a love letter to 25 million people and 7 million square kilometres of land, abundant nature, beauty and space. Albanese said he had spoken to Cheng about her letter once she had returned to Melbourne. I spoke to her about the recent message she made to the Australian people. She is a very strong and resilient person, he said. Chengs partner, Nick Coyle, who has not commented publicly since her release, said in August her family had endured an endless cycle of uncertainty. Australian journalist Cheng Lei and her partner, Nick Coyle. Credit: The Age/ Getty Images She has missed her daughter going to high school. Her parents arent getting any younger and Lei is their only child. So time is getting more and more precious, he said. Its the big things and all those little things that we take for granted about life in Australia. In a joint statement, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and his foreign affairs spokesman, Simon Birmingham, welcomed the news of Chengs safe return. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and journalist Cheng Lei embrace as she returns to Australia. The Biden administration said it was in talks with Israel and Egypt about the idea of safe passage for civilians from Gaza, which Israel has declared is under a total blockade. Fears continue to grow that the conflict will spread, after Israeli jets struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Wednesday in response to guided missiles launched by the militia towards northern Israel. The Israeli military said it had hit a Hezbollah position with an air strike and attacked Lebanon after a military post near the Israeli town of Arab al-Aramshe was targeted, Reuters news agency reported. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Hamas has committed an unconscionable crime against the Palestinian people by damaging hopes of a two-state solution, condemning the militant groups brutal attacks as Israel destroyed key Hamas targets including its aircraft detection system. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking to soldiers near Gaza, said: Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be. Loading According to the Reuters news agency, Gallant declared: We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. Weve been controlling the area since day two and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify. A ground offensive carries risks for Israel, including to the lives of more than an estimated 100 hostages who were kidnapped and taken to Gaza by Hamas militants. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus said the military was getting ready to execute the mission we have been given by the Israeli government to make sure that Hamas, at the end of this war, wont have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians. The IDF said it had destroyed Hamas advanced detection system in Gaza, which it used to paint an accurate picture of the skies, as well as weapons storage facilities, operational command centres and training compounds. In a speech to the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne, Wong said Australians were shocked and horrified by Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens on Saturday, which constituted the most deadly day for Jews since the Holocaust. For a people who have known the horror of genocide, this fact cuts deep, she said. Wong said Australia continued to support a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, but added that one of the many tragic consequences of Hamass abhorrent attack is that it has pushed that two-state solution further out of reach. That also makes this an unconscionable crime perpetrated by Hamas against the Palestinian people, she said. Wong previously introduced motions at Labor Party national conferences, which were successfully inserted into the partys policy platform, calling on a future Labor government to recognise Palestine as a state and make the issue an important priority. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said putting the prospect of a two-state solution further out of reach was one of the many tragic consequences of Hamas attacks. Credit: AP Israeli officials said the nations death toll had risen to 1200 while at least 900 Palestinians had been killed, according to the Gaza health ministry. The Israeli military on Wednesday took international journalists on a tour of Kfar Aza, a kibbutz located three kilometres from the Gaza Strip, where dozens of residents were killed by Hamas militants over the weekend. Israeli Major General Itai Veruv said the dead included babies and pregnant women as well as victims who had been decapitated. Loading Earlier in the day, US President Joe Biden condemned Hamass attacks as pure unadulterated evil, decrying stomach churning reports of babies being killed and women raped, assaulted and paraded as trophies. The Hamas-controlled government in Gaza said on Wednesday that the enclaves electricity supply would completely stop within hours. All basic services in Gaza depend on electricity, and it will not be possible to partially operate them with generators due to the prevention of fuel supplies through the Rafah gate, authorities said. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency said it had been forced to close all 14 of its food distribution centres in Gaza and as a result half a million people have stopped receiving vital food aid. The United Nations said that 260,000 people more than one in ten residents of Gaza had been displaced because of Israeli airstrikes, with the number expected to rise further. A relentless bombing campaign has flattened parts of Gaza City. Credit: Bloomberg Photographs also showed large parts of the upscale Gazan neighbourhood of Rimal a district home to ministries of the Hamas-run government, universities, media and aid agencies had been reduced to rubble by Israeli air strikes. In a letter to the UN Security Council, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said: Such blatant dehumanisation and attempts to bomb a people into submission, to use starvation as a method of warfare, and to eradicate their national existence are nothing less than genocidal ... These acts constitute war crimes. Theres only good to come out of this. Theres a vision to come out of this and theres hope to come out of this, the Labor senator said. So the truth of our integrity as a nation is whats at stake here the truth. And we will need to face up to that on the 15th of October, once we know what the outcome is. Im confident that we are able to get sufficient votes and a sufficient number of the states to get us across the line. I dont believe in the polls. I was in the opposition when Bill Shorten was the leader and we thought we were going to win government, and of course we got the biggest hiding possible. So polls tell you lies, and dont believe them. If youre fearful about the confusion, vote Yes. Dont vote No, because No takes you nowhere. Dodson was a royal commissioner on Aboriginal deaths in custody in 1989 and the chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1991 to 1997. He addressed the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday from the West Australian town of Broome after recent treatment for cancer. Dodson warned about the damaging tone of the Voice debate and said this could hurt Australia after the vote, adding he was saddened by the division and acrimony in some of the arguments. What further worries me is that this goes to the very fabric of our civil exchanges as a democratic nation. This is not just about the Aboriginal referendum. This is about the nature of our civic society. This is about how the polity of our country is governed and run. And this will affect us into the future, he said. This is run through social media, you can say anything, its deemed to be true, its seen to be of value, theres no weighting of the argument. He said this meant there was no acknowledgment of the consequences from colonisation, and then rejected claims from Price that colonisation had been good for Indigenous people. If we were in the promised land, that some people might want to suggest were in, then why are we having such high rates of suicides? Why are we having so many of our kids being taken away and put in out-of-home care? he said. Why is there so much domestic violence and internal violence within our societies? Why are we living in poverty? Why are we still suffering from mental health problems? And why are our kids the victims of drug and alcohol? So, were not in the Garden of Eden here. There are consequences of how we came to be colonised and they have to be dealt with. The benefits that have come through civilisation, or through colonisation, or whatever brand you want to put on it, are well and good. Theyre good things, no ones denying them. But there are legacy issues and responsibility and accountability issues for how you have taken someone elses country and subjugated it to the policies that you have. Assimilation, control, management, domination, determination of their futures, taking kids away, stolen generations all of those things have consequences from the first point of taking their lands and subjugating them to the policies of government. Asked how he would react to the success or failure of the Voice on Saturday night, Dodson said a Yes vote would be a source of pride because it would mean Australians had recognised the first people of the country, while a No vote would require a rethink on the nations view of itself. If we say No, then obviously thats going to be a matter for us to reflect upon. Were going to have to look in the mirror and say: Who the hell are we? What have we done? And what are we going to do about it? Its not just a question for the government, its a question for the Australian people. The challenge will be for us to try and develop what the South Africans did when they got rid of the apartheid regime. They had to develop these dialogues and scenario planning processes. They developed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in order for that country to try and heal from the apartheid policy. Loading The South African commission heard testimony about the past as a way to heal the country after Nelson Mandela became president, with leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu saying it could be a model for Australia. When Dodson was asked if the government would have to consider a similar commission if the referendum rejected the Voice, he said a truth-telling process was part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the government had committed to implementing it. When Peter Dutton ran for the Liberal leadership in 2018, he twice asked Ken Wyatt to vote for him. Dutton told Wyatt he wanted him on his frontbench. Wyatt told Dutton both times that he would not vote for him. Furthermore, he told him that if he became leader, he would not serve under him, he would quit the ministry. Beyond expressing concern for the sexual abuse of children, Dutton showed little interest in Indigenous issues, according to Wyatt. The demons unleashed by tactics to foment conflict, for short term political gain at the expense of vulnerable Australians, will live on long after Saturdays vote. Credit: Dionne Gain When we spoke a few days ago, Wyatt was as unsurprised as he was unimpressed by Duttons conduct of the No campaign in the referendum. Wyatt dismissed the fevered commentary about Jacinta Nampijinpa Price becoming prime minister. He reckons for a leader to succeed, she or he must be capable of, and be seen to be working for, all Australians. He believes neither Dutton nor Price has shown they can do that. 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 Benji van der Plaat says he is afraid to be a Jew at the moment. Hes one of many Jewish Australians this masthead spoke to in the communitys Melbourne heartland suburbs of Caulfield, Elsternwick and Balaclava who opened up about their fear that the violence rocking Israel and Gaza could spread. On Wednesday morning, the mood was sombre in the usually lively Carlisle Street, Balaclava, which is full of kosher restaurants and Jewish bakeries, delis and grocers. Shop owners stepped out from behind counters to hug and console customers, some of whom arrived at their stores in tears. Benji van der Plaat is a member of Melbournes Jewish community. Credit: Eddie Jim Emotions were also running high among traders, who expressed fear and anger about a rise in antisemitism. The owner of one Jewish bakery, who did not want to be identified, said she called the police this week after she saw footage of protesters chanting anti-Jewish sentiments in Sydney. A few kilometres away, van der Plaat said he was left so shaken by reports of a car full of young men driving around South Yarra on Tuesday night and yelling out the window Where are the Jews? We want to kill the Jews that he locked the door of the falafel store he works at in Elsternwick early that night. Advertisement Im Jewish, but currently I am scared to show it just because I dont know who is on the street, van der Plaat said. I have always felt like I was safe in Australia, but now I dont really feel safe anywhere. The 21-year-old has friends living in Israel and fighting in the army there. Like him, they are in their early 20s. He fears for what the future holds for them. It is very scary, van der Plaat said. Everyone is so sad. We are all struggling. To see innocent people being used as human shields in Gaza ... there are no words. It is just horrific. These are human beings. Moran Susan from Israel has been on a working holiday in Melbourne for about a month, but now he is cutting short his plans and going home to join the fight. Credit: Eddie Jim On top of the falafel shop, Israeli national Moran Susan was packing his bags to return home and fight in the war. The Israel Defence Forces soldier arrived in Melbourne just a month ago with dreams of a year-long adventure travelling around Australia and in South-East Asia. When news of Hamas attack on Israel began lighting up his phone at the weekend, Susan was paralysed by shock and grief. Several of his friends in the army have already been killed. Advertisement There is so much sadness, but also a sense of anger at what is happening, the 22-year-old soldier said. I have so many confused feelings about whats going to happen in the future. All I hope is that peace can be reached as soon possible. All I know in my heart is that I have to return home. Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann turned his phone off on Saturday to observe the Sabbath the Jewish day of rest, when some Orthodox Jews refrain from the labours of everyday life, including using technology. Kaltmann knew something was wrong only when he saw a tense security guard at his inner-eastern Melbourne synagogue that night. He asked why the guard looked to be on high alert. Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann speaks at a synagogue in Melbournes inner east on Tuesday. Credit: Jason South The guard explained to Kaltmann that Hamas militants had launched an unprecedented surprise attack into Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of Jewish civilians. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians have now died after Israel responded. I couldnt believe it, Kaltmann said. We are rocked to the core. Were sitting here in shock and disbelief. Were over 13,000 kilometres away. We all have family brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts. Theyre all in bomb shelters. I have a cousin thats kidnapped unaccounted for. They have no idea where she is. The rabbi turned his phone back on at the end of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah on Sunday night, and it has not stopped lighting up since. Advertisement Theres a sense of shock, disbelief, heartbreak, but most of all, just a huge amount of fear and anxiety, Kaltmann said. Australia historically has had one of the highest concentrations of Jewish Holocaust survivors outside of Israel. Rabbi Gabi. Credit: Jason South Melbournes Jewish community is centred on the inner south-east. The Victorian state seat of Caulfield alone is home to 20,000 Jewish people. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed Labors commitment to Israel during a speech to the community during a visit to the nearby St Kilda Shule on Wednesday afternoon. Melburnians walk past an Israeli flag flying in Caulfield Park. Credit: Jason South The 2021 census found Victoria had more Jews than any other Australian state at 46,645, although that does not include Jewish people who marked no religion on the census. Advertisement On Tuesday, police confirmed they were investigating reports a man was subject to antisemitic threats on Toorak Road, near Williams Road in South Yarra about 4pm. There is absolutely no place at all in our society for antisemitic or hate-based behaviour and Victoria Police is committed to responding to any such acts, police said. Australian Jewish leaders have been on high alert for antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly after some protesters chanted antisemitic slogans at the Sydney Opera House this week. A number of schools were reviewing or cancelling planned trips to Israel and the Community Security Group, which consults on security for Jewish schools and institutions, has raised its national threat level to severe, although it said in a statement this was precautionary rather than due to any specific threat against Victorias Jewish community. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government was considering measures to increase security for the Jewish community in Australia. We are looking very closely at what needs to be done in terms of additional security, particularly around Jewish schools, Marles told radio station 3AW on Wednesday. Advertisement Flood mapping for Melbournes inner-western suburbs was so outdated that it was irrelevant when more than 500 homes were inundated last year, and resulted in substantially dangerous warnings for the 1000 residents ultimately evacuated, a parliamentary inquiry has heard. On a day when Melbourne Water managing director Nerina Di Lorenzo was asked why she still had a job at the authority after its role in the October 2022 floods, three councils in the Maribyrnong catchment gave evidence that outdated flood maps hampered the emergency response. Melbourne Water managing director Nerina Di Lorenzo at the hearing on Wednesday. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Moonee Valley Mayor Pierce Tyson told the upper house inquiry on Wednesday the decision by Melbourne Water to issue a moderate flood warning for part of the catchment was substantially dangerous for residents who went to bed on October 13 believing they were safe before a major flood warning overnight. The first time many residents in Maribyrnong learnt they should evacuate was via text messages sent by the State Emergency Service between 4am and 6am. You might be seeing violent, abhorrent videos in your social media feeds from Israel and Gaza. Those images have included the apparent killing of Israeli hostages, dead bodies and other cruelties. Those online videos can feed a hunger for information for people in Israel and Gaza in the absence of official information about their loved ones. And they show the world the horrors of war. But you need to know that some of the videos, photos and posts youre seeing on social media might be fake or misleading. They may also violate the dignity, privacy and human rights of people in those images and videos. The violent images from the Israel-Hamas war are unlikely to stop, and arent easy to avoid if youre on social media. Credit: AP Some of the graphic images also appear to break the policies of social media companies that typically prohibit graphic violence when its deployed for propaganda purposes or show mutilated bodies, depending on the context. Nastro says the team at Going, formerly known as Scotts Cheap Flights, recently found a mistake fare from Los Angeles to London for a $US252 round-trip, but the deal was gone within the hour. Frequent flyer Zach Groth found his four-leaf clover simply by clicking through to the Delta website from a Google Flights search. In 2017, an airfare from his native Indianapolis to New York was listed at a not-so-affordable rate of $US450, which he was prepared to pay. But when he followed the link to the airline website, it was listed at $US99. I thought about going backwards in the browser or closing the tab, but I just moved forward to see if it would stick, he said in an email. It did. It really felt like I was getting away with something! How to find mistake fares Because they are mistakes, theres no telling where or when they will happen but there are some tools to spot them when they do. Across social media there are hundreds of travel hackers offering advice on how and where to find these fleeting bargains. On TikTok, @TravelTipsWithJay recently notified his more than 71,000 followers of a browser extension he built called Travel Arrow, which analyses any Google Flight search and automatically cross-references for error fares along the associated routes. Going also has systems in place to monitor industry pricing and automatically alert subscribers to any glitches. This year alone, the team has stumbled upon round-trip flights between New York and Paris for $US230 and even a there-and-back across the Pacific from Seattle to Tokyo for a paltry sum of $US316. Booking engine Skyscanner lets you set price alerts for desired routes in an app. Your phone will then receive a push notification anytime theres a sudden drop detected between those chosen points of travel. But if it is the result of a temporary glitch especially a significant one theres no guarantee the carrier will even actually issue the ticket. Can the airline cancel a mistake fare ticket? Going estimates about 10 per cent of mistake fares get cancelled. They recommend that once youve been issued a ticket number and its been a week or two since booking, you are likely in the clear to book other parts of your itinerary. Some airlines will not honour fares that were priced unbelievably low and should not have been booked due to common sense, Laura Lindsay, Skyscanners global travel trends expert, explained in an email. Its also possible that flights with error fares will be cancelled entirely. In these cases, airlines will typically give you your money back, so there is no risk of losing it. Loading In February 2015, United Airlines accidentally listed business class seats on a transatlantic flight for as little as $US51 per ticket. They were supposed to be offered at $US4000 but something was seriously lost in translation when converting kroner to pounds on the Danish version of United.com. The company began cancelling the affected tickets as soon as the error was detected, blaming a hiccup in a third-party vendors currency exchange rates. It was one of the most high-profile examples of a mistake fare, leading to questions of whether the airline could be legally liable for false advertising. Perhaps its no coincidence that in May of the same year, the US Transportation Department issued a mistaken fare policy statement, formally allowing airlines to cancel tickets that were demonstrably priced in error. United has subsequently codified the disclaimer into its contract of carriage. Thankfully for Jebara, Etihad Airways didnt deploy a similar disclaimer. As it turns out, he wasnt the only recipient of an outsize gift on that fateful Christmas morning. In fact, enough on-the-spot bargain hunters seized on the mistake fare to warrant a public response from the airline. A system filing issue caused ticket prices for a promotion in the USA to be temporarily listed incorrectly, said a spokesperson at the time. The issue has since been rectified. Etihad Airways will honour these fares. Loading Jebara respects the carrier for accepting the financial repercussions of its gaffe. If you mess up and accidentally book the wrong day of travel as a passenger, the airlines are all too willing to hold you accountable, so it should cut both ways, he adds. If an airline didnt honour a mistake fare, it would definitely change my perception of them. Nevertheless, cancellation is increasingly becoming the standard industry response. So, file your would-be good fortune under: If something seems too good to be true, it most often is. And if you havent learned that by now, thats your mistake. At least 29 people, including women and children, have been killed in Myanmar in an artillery strike on a refugee camp near the border with China, an attack sources said was carried out by the ruling military. The attack was one of the deadliest on civilians since the military junta seized power in a 2021 coup, which triggered conflict with a resistance movement and armed ethnic groups across the country. The shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and the British embassy in Yangon blamed the military for the shelling, which took place close to midnight on Monday in Kachin State. A man looks on at homes destroyed after air and artillery strikes in Mung Lai Hkyet displacement camp, in Laiza, Myanmar, on Tuesday. Credit: AP A spokesperson for the junta said the military was not responsible. London: The King is appalled by the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Wednesday, following attacks by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Charles III became the most senior member of the royal family to visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in 2020, when he met former Israeli president Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. King Charles on a street lined with Union flags as he walks to visit the Mosque of Omar in January 2020 in Bethlehem, Israel. Credit: Getty Images His majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel, the palace spokesperson said. This is a situation his majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated. His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak. The United Nations General Assembly voted down Russias bid to rejoin the Human Rights Council, a victory for Ukraine and the US as they seek to keep up pressure on Moscow over its invasion 18 months ago. Russia lost to Bulgaria and Albania in its push to fill one of the seats reserved for Eastern European nations. It secured 83 votes, a number thats less than half of the General Assembly. Even so, that support highlighted how Russian President Vladimir Putin isnt as isolated as the US and its allies would like. Russias bid to join the UN Human Rights Council has fallen short in a win for Ukraine and the US. Credit: AP Russias ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzya, had called out what he said was Western hypocrisy when he gave a speech last week pushing for Russia to rejoin the council, which is the UNs most powerful human rights body even though it has no legal authority. They attack others, while hushing up violations at home, such as religious intolerance, discrimination and xenophobia, Nebenzia said without naming any countries. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has offered support to Egypt to help keep the border with Gaza open. Currently, Palestinians in Gaza are essentially trapped in the strip that Israel is bombing, as Israel controls the coastal border and has closed its own land border. A short time ago Egypt said the crossing at Rafah, at its border with Gaza remained open, and warned Israel against targetting the area. Smoke rises from an explosion caused by Israeli airstrikes on the border between Egypt and Rafah. Credit: AP Sunak, in a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, acknowledged the security situation at the Rafah border crossing. He offered the UKs support to try to manage this situation and keep the route open for humanitarian and consular reasons, including for British nationals, a statement from Number 10 said. Dubai: Israels mounting war effort against the Hamas militant group will be steered by an emergency unity government and war cabinet stacked with former defence and security experts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday inked an agreement with rival Benny Gantz leader of the opposition National Unity Party as Israel summons 360,000 troops for the nations most significant military operation since the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Israeli tanks moving near the Israeli Gaza border. Credit: AP Five members will make up a separate war-management cabinet, which will have powers to pass only legislation that is connected to the war in Gaza. No bills or government business unrelated to the war will be dealt with for as long as it continues, ultimately shelving the controversial judicial overhaul laws that have divided the nation this year and sparked mass protests on the streets of Tel Aviv. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In these Explainers, journey with us to far-flung regions (and some closer to home) to understand the tensions shaping our world. See all 19 stories . A tiny scrap of land wedged between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, the Gaza Strip has been a military and political flashpoint for much of its history. In the past 100 years, the ancient city of Gaza and its surrounds have been ruled by the Ottoman Empire, Britain, Egypt and Israel. Home to 2 million Palestinians, many of them refugees, its one of the worlds most densely populated areas. It is now self-governed by the Islamist militant group, Hamas designated a terrorist organisation by several countries which has launched a brutal attack on Israel in recent days. How did todays Gaza Strip come into being? And why has it been controversial? The city of Gaza in 1898. Credit: Getty Images Whats the Gaza Strip and who lives there? The town of Gaza dates back to ancient times, controlled for a period by the Romans. Gazas port was once a busy trading hub, but the history of the modern enclave called the Gaza Strip dates back to 1947. Advertisement That was when the United Nations approved a plan to partition the region, then occupied by the British and known as Mandatory Palestine (because the British had been granted a mandate by the League of Nations to administer it), into separate Jewish and Arab states, after World War II and the Holocaust. Palestinian Arabs were allotted the town of Gaza and surrounding areas, along with a larger territory surrounding Jerusalem, part of which forms the West Bank today. The following year, when Britain ceded control of the region, the newly formed state of Israel accepted the UNs boundaries but the Arabs did not. On May 15, 1948, the day after Britains official departure, war broke out between Israel and Arab countries including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. The town of Gaza became strategically important to Egyptian forces as they moved north after their assault bogged down nearby, says Dr Ran Porat, an analyst on Israel and Middle Eastern Affairs at Monash University. The Egyptian army had orders to conquer Israel through the coastline, he says, but stopped north of Gaza, facing Israeli resistance. That left the Egyptian forces controlling a strip of land 40 kilometres long and between six and eight kilometres wide. When Egypt and Israel agreed to cease hostilities and drew up an armistice agreement on February 24, 1949, the territorys boundaries were formally drawn up into the region that we know today as the Gaza Strip, with the city of Gaza towards its northern border. The first Arab-Israeli War displaced between 700,000 and 800,000 Palestinians, many of whom ended up in the Gaza Strip. This is how the Gaza Strip, basically, was created, says Dr Anas Iqtait, a lecturer at ANUs Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. The war of 1948 resulted in pushing the Palestinians to these borders. Today, there are eight official refugee camps within Gaza accommodating more than 600,000 people. Some of the camps were set up to house Palestinians fleeing the first Arab-Israeli war. About 81 per cent of the population lives in poverty and the unemployment rate is nearly half, says the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which provides services for refugees in Gaza. About 1 million people rely on daily food aid. Advertisement Arab civilians, helped by the Red Cross, move out of the Jewish sector of Jerusalem c 1948. Credit: Getty Images When did Israel first occupy the Gaza Strip? Gaza remained under Egyptian military rule until the Suez Crisis of 1956 when, once again, its geography proved significant. That was when Egypt, under president Gamal Abdel Nasser, nationalised the Suez Canal Company, giving it the power to control the passage of vessels through the region. In response, Israel, alongside paratroopers from France and Britain, attempted to wrest control of the canal back from Egypt, with the Gaza Strip a key target in its efforts to encircle Egyptian forces and to prevent subsequent retaliatory strikes. Nationalisation of the canal was very alarming to the European powers, says the University of Melbournes Dr Simon Frankel Pratt. So a kind of agreement or pact emerged between Great Britain, France and Israel. The United States disapproved significantly of this plan and prevented it coming to full fruition, but it did lead to a war. Israel subsequently occupied the Gaza Strip for several months before relinquishing it to Egypt, who remained in charge for the next decade. Israeli troops in the Sinai Desert after capturing the Gaza Strip during the Suez Crisis of 1956. Credit: Getty Images Advertisement When was Hamas formed? By 1967, Israel, surrounded by hostile Arab states that potentially threatened its existence, had acquired a large and well-trained army. After a series of minor skirmishes with its neighbours, who appeared to be mobilising for full-scale war, on the morning of June 5, Israel struck first. Within hours, it had wiped out most of the Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian air forces, leaving their ground troops vulnerable. Over the next five days, Israeli forces captured the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, with Arab casualties and equipment losses vastly outnumbering those of Israel. A ceasefire was agreed on June 10. The Six Day War left more than 1 million Arab refugees under Israeli rule, strengthening support for the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Palestinians were becoming more and more aware they were going to have to do more of their liberating themselves, that they couldnt rely on the Arab states, says Ian Parmeter, research scholar at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at ANU. Loading The region remained unstable: significant conflicts include the Yom Kippur war of 1973, when Egypt and Syria surprised Israeli forces, and the populist uprisings known as the intifadas of 1987 and 2000, when Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza staged a series of protests and riots against Israeli rule. It was soon after the start of the First Intifada in 1987 that Hamas was formed in Gaza, says Parmeter. Hamas was an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and was formed in Gaza because there were strong connections at that stage between Gaza and Egypt. In the 1990s, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and Israel struck agreements in Washington, DC, and Egypt called the Oslo Accords, outlining a peace process that recognised Palestinians right to self-determination. Advertisement The PLO formally agreed to give up resistance through violent means as a method for establishing a Palestinian state or for liberation. The accords led in 1994 to the creation of the Palestinian National Authority. An Israeli army patrol passes through Gazas main square in 1969, two years after the Six Day War. Credit: Getty Images Who controls the Gaza Strip today? Palestinian National Authority president Yasser Arafat died in 2004, a political figure whom historians now consider came closest to uniting the Palestinian cause. In 2005, Israel withdrew its military and settlers from the Gaza Strip for security and political reasons amid little prospect of wider peace negotiations. It was labelled the hornets nest, says Porat. A hotbed of extremist ideologies because of poverty and a fundamentalist point of view. Gaza remained dependent on Israel for its water, electricity and telecommunications, and Israel also controlled its air and maritime spaces. In 2006, the militant organisation, Hamas, defeated Fatah in a democratic election after a campaign that argued the Oslo Accords had failed. However, Hamas regarded some opponents as a continuing threat. As a result, [Hamas] launched a pre-emptive campaign in the Gaza Strip in order to eliminate the Palestinian security forces who, according to Hamas, were disloyal to the government, Iqtait says. It resulted in the complete takeover of the Gaza Strip, both politically and in terms of security. Hamas and other militant groups have continued to clash with Israel in the years since, with sporadic rocket attacks emerging as a threat to Israeli citizens within range of the Gaza Strip. In 2021, militants fired more than 4000 projectiles into Israel over 11 days, killing 10 Israeli civilians and injuring more than 300 others. Retaliatory Israeli air strikes killed more than 200 Palestinian civilians. Advertisement Ankara: Turkey, which has historically had contacts with Hamas, is carrying out negotiations aimed at securing the release of civilians held by the militant Palestinian group, a senior Turkish official said. After the Hamas attack on Israel at the weekend, Ankara has launched diplomacy seeking to mediate the conflict. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered his government to seek negotiations on the hostages. Credit: AP The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had ordered the talks. Erdogan has held phone calls with regional powers this week to convey Ankaras offer to mediate and discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Turkey is carrying out negotiations regarding the civilian prisoners held by Hamas. Upon President Tayyip Erdogans orders, the relevant institutions are carrying out a process regarding the civilians held by Hamas, the person said, without providing further details. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In these Explainers, journey with us to far-flung regions (and some closer to home) to understand the tensions shaping our world. See all 19 stories . Unannounced and unanticipated, the first wave of gunmen slipped into Israel at dawn, preceded by the first of thousands of unguided Qassam rockets zipping overhead. Once on Israeli soil, they infiltrated nearby towns, security installations and a remote outdoor music festival, killing civilians and security forces indiscriminately and snatching some 150 hostages. Shocking footage emerged of festival-goers crouching in terror under bushes, rows of abandoned and burnt-out cars and of a young woman begging for her life, jammed between two militants on a speeding motorcycle. As Israeli forces flooded the area to root out the remaining insurgents, the October 7 attack orchestrated by the Islamist organisation known as Hamas was being characterised as the greatest challenge to Israels security since the Yom Kippur War which, not coincidentally, began almost 50 years ago. They got us, said Major Nir Dinar, spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces, as Reuters reported. Israel, a nation confident in its military capabilities, with a famed intelligence network, contemporary weaponry and compulsory national service, had been outplayed, at least temporarily. Israels Iron Dome intercepts rockets from the Gaza Strip on October 9. Credit: Reuters Israels sophisticated Iron Dome anti-ballistic missile system performed as expected, but still allowed some of the low-tech projectiles through; its much-vaunted iron wall security barrier, cordoning off Gaza, proved surprisingly vulnerable to low-tech force and guile; and, while its highly trained army engaged with the insurgents, more than 1000 people, both civilians and soldiers, are believed to have been killed in Israel in the raids. Israel has subsequently pledged to wipe out Hamas, conducted dozens of airstrikes within the Gaza Strip, called up its reservists and, say defence analysts, is all but committed to a gruelling ground war. It has also sealed off the enclave from food, fuel and other supplies. As the conflict threatens to spread to Lebanon on Israels northern border, where there have been exchanges of fire, difficult questions linger for the grieving nation. Chiefly, how were Israels supposedly impenetrable defences overwhelmed? Advertisement Where did the militants attack from? The Hamas gunmen emerged from the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two major Palestinian-populated territories that bookend Israel (the other being the West Bank). A sleeve of land on the Mediterranean coast, its just 41 kilometres long and varies in width from six to 12 kilometres, in total, about the size of the US city of Detroit. Gaza has a complicated and contested history; since the beginning of last century the territory has been in the hands of the Ottoman Empire, Britain, Egypt and Israel. Home to more than 2 million Palestinians, it is one of the worlds most densely populated regions. It is also one of the most deprived: these days it is all but cut off from the outside world and dependent on Israel for much, if not all, of its access to food, water and energy. About 81 per cent of the population lives in poverty and the unemployment rate is nearly half, says the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which provides services for refugees in Gaza. Around 1 million people rely on daily food aid. There are eight official refugee camps within Gaza that together accommodate more than 600,000 people. Some of the camps were set up to house Palestinian families fleeing the Arab-Israeli War in 1948, when Israel was first declared a state. Israel captured the Gaza Strip from Egypt during the Six Day War in 1967 and directly controlled the territory for more than three decades. In 2005, Israeli security forces, and settlers, pulled out of Gaza but Israel continues to control the territorys airspace and shoreline and restricts the movement of people and goods. Egypt also tightly controls its border. The Gaza Strip has been administered solely by the Islamist group Hamas since 2007. Advertisement What is Hamas and what is its role in Gaza? Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement), has been the de facto authority in Gaza since shortly after Israel withdrew from the territory in 2005. Hamas defeated a more moderate party, Fatah, in elections in 2006 and, by 2007, had expelled its rivals and taken complete control. Fatah controls the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank. Hamas does not recognise Israel but has committed to the formation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, which refer to those existing before that years war in which Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank (the Palestinian territory on the west bank of the River Jordan, to Israels east) and the Gaza Strip. The gear of a Palestinian fighter on a road in the aftermath of a deadly attack on a police station in the Israeli city of Sderot on October 8. Credit: Getty Images Founded in 1987 by Palestinian cleric Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Hamas has a military wing committed to armed struggle against Israel. The organisation has used its dominance of the Gaza Strip to launch intermittent ground and air attacks across the border into Israel. The group is deemed a terrorist organisation by many countries including the United States, the European Union and Australia. Iran, a staunch adversary of Israel, is a known backer of Hamas and is accused of providing it with funds, weapons and training. The Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah also poses a threat to Israel on its northern border and has reportedly been involved in piecemeal skirmishes in recent days. During an 11-day clash in May 2021, Hamas and another militant group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, fired more than 4000 rockets from Gaza, killing 10 Israeli civilians and injuring more than 300 others. Israeli air strikes during the conflict killed more than 200 Palestinian civilians and caused damage worth hundreds of millions of dollars to infrastructure and buildings. Advertisement How did Hamas militants breach Israeli defences? In 2021, Israel unveiled a newly fortified 65-kilometre barrier along its boundary with the Gaza Strip, the latest upgrade to a fence that had existed since at least 1994. Made of 140,000 tonnes of iron and steel and topped with razor wire, it reaches six metres high, is designed to foil tunnelling underground and bristles with detection systems including cameras and radar. Hamas got through it. Well-placed sources told Reuters the Hamas equivalent of commandos secured the incursion points in the barricade, which were then blown open with explosives or pushed over with bulldozers or tractors. The IDF said the barricade was breached in 29 places, reported The Washington Post. Another Hamas unit, say the Reuters sources, attacked the Israeli Armys southern Gaza headquarters and jammed its communications. Some gunmen managed to evade Israels maritime cordon in speedboats. Militants also headed for the Supernova music festival, about five kilometres inside Israel from the Gaza Strip, murdering some 260 people, according to the BBC, and taking hostages. In all, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, around 1000 attackers took part in the various raids. Earlier, waves of unguided Qassam rockets, named for the military wing of Hamas, and hoarded by the group in their thousands, streamed overhead from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Some managed to penetrate the Iron Dome defence system but analysts we spoke with generally agreed their main purpose was to distract security forces while the gunmen carried out their terror attack on the ground. Advertisement Horrific images of alleged Hamas brutality have since flooded social media. Ive probably geolocated 20-plus individual atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel, incredibly personal acts committed by the perpetrators, writes OSINTtechnical, a micro-blogger on open-source intelligence, on X (formerly Twitter). Hamas scrupulously studied the patterns of behaviour of the Israeli defence force and the security apparatus in and around the Gaza Strip, according to former army officer John Blaxland, now Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies at ANU, based out of Washington DC. Theyve sacrificed people on the way to test and evaluate and figure out where the vulnerabilities lay, theyve kept their powder dry and then theyve thrown everything at it. The timing of the assault, on the Sabbath and at the end of the seven-day Sukkot holiday, could have been a useful factor for the insurgents too, says Dr Eyal Mayroz, a former counterterrorism analyst in Israels defence forces now with the University of Sydneys Department of Peace and Conflict Studies. Says Ian Parmeter, research scholar at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at ANU: Its a time when a lot of people are taking holidays and there appear to have been a lot of servicemen and women on holiday because of the long break who obviously wanted to go and spend time with their families. What exactly is the Iron Dome and did it work? Advertisement Donkeys are vital to the lives of women in Ethiopia and could be the difference between destitution and modest survival, new research has found. The study also revealed that societal perception of donkeys as low-status animals has an impact on both the owners lives and the wellbeing of the donkeys. The findings of the University of Bristol led study, funded by international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, and published in Society & Animals, are being released to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Rural Women on Sunday 15 October 2023. Researchers analysed the responses of 137 participants who worked with donkeys from 12 workshops to understand how humans value and treat their donkey co-workers. Despite the lower status of donkeys in comparison to other domesticated animals, such as cows, their contribution was valued by both female and male co-workers. Through their work, donkeys can help their human co-workers sustain and improve their livelihoods by helping them to earn an income, send their children to school, acquire land and contribute to savings schemes. They make a vital contribution to womens domestic work and substantially reduce the physical burden of carrying water, firewood, and crops from the fields to homesteads. However, the study also revealed that both donkeys and their human co-workers experience marginalisation by the wider population and their communities, and this was most keenly felt by poorer women in rural areas. Both are subjugated, given lower status, their labour under recognised and undervalued. Importantly, the study also demonstrated that while owning a donkey can be the difference between modest survival and destitution, the bond formed between women and their donkeys was based on more than just utility one woman described her donkey as a member of my family, and another as my friend. Supporting these women by giving them access to employment opportunities, education, and donkey welfare programmes, has the potential to improve the lives of both women and donkeys. It is also possible to elevate the status of both by highlighting the value they bring to their communities and broader Ethiopian society. Martha Geiger in the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), formerly at the University of Bristol, and corresponding author, said: "We hope our work brings attention to the nuances and complexities of human and donkey lives in Ethiopia, where both work in often difficult circumstances in harsh environments at the margins of society, with little protection or support from the state. "Our research highlights the important, but often under-recognised and undervalued labour women perform with donkeys to support their families. When my fieldwork revealed that donkeys and women were equated and that their alignment affected both their respective social status and wellbeing it became clear to what degree both women and donkeys are marginalised. "This research underscores the important and valuable role donkeys play in the lives of poor women who are often the most disadvantaged in their communities. Donkeys and their labour should therefore be considered within development work that is focused on elevating the status of women." Becky Whay, Vice-President International and Professor of Sustainable Global Animal Welfare at the University of Galway, formerly at the University of Bristol, and one of the co-authors, added: "When I first heard the quote Women and donkeys are the same, they both like to be beaten, it caused a feeling of physical shock. That shock has never gone away and reminds me why research which gives a voice to these issues is so important. "The link between the social status of women and donkeys also highlights the opportunity for partnerships between animal welfare organisations and NGOs who focus on the empowerment of women, to deliver mutually beneficial interventions." Dr Faith Burden, Executive Director of Equine Operations at The Donkey Sanctuary, explained: "To support donkeys and those who depend upon them, it is necessary to further our understanding of the value placed on donkeys and the subtleties of their impact on peoples lives. This study demonstrates the crucial economic and social role donkeys play in some of the most marginalised communities in Ethiopia. "Donkeys and the communities that depend on them, in Africa and around the world, are currently under threat from the growing demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese remedy made from donkey-skin gelatine. Around 4.8 million donkeys are slaughtered each year to meet this demand, and the decimation of Chinas own donkey population has led skin traders to target countries like Ethiopia to meet this growing demand. Its crucially important that governments enforce legislation to protect their precious donkey populations and the citizens who rely on them." Dr Getachew Mulugeta, Senior Global Researcher at The Donkey Sanctuary Ethiopia said: "These animals are often invisible, ignored by governments and policymakers despite their huge number and immense socio-economic contribution. The main reason, often raised, is the lack of in-depth quantitative socio-economic studies that show their contribution to a countrys GDP. I believe studies such as this are invaluable and contribute to making these animals more visible, not only to the communities and the government, but also to the scientific community. Further in-depth study is needed not only of their socioeconomic value, but also the health and welfare of these animals. Poor welfare often hampers their working efficiency and reproductive performance, which can have a direct or indirect impact on the livelihoods of donkey-dependent and resource-limited communities." Gebre Engida from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Addis Ababa University, said: "Donkeys are the backbone for the livelihoods of rural communities in Ethiopia where there is little access to clean water in the dry season. The typography of the land and distances make this task even harder. People must travel long distances to find water and this responsibility falls on the rural women. So, donkeys are the only means of reducing this burden, the time and effort they spend collecting water." Ethiopia has the largest donkey population of any country and is home to approximately 19 per cent of the estimated global donkey population of 45.8 million*. Despite their important contribution to many of Ethiopia's impoverished communities, donkeys remain absent from government animal health and welfare policies and are overlooked in sustainable development goals. The researchers suggest their research could be included in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The contribution of donkeys is significant to many of the goals and currently policymakers dont recognise, protect or support the role of donkeys in delivery of the SDGs. The studys findings could inform the thinking of governments, especially when donkey populations are vulnerable and under pressure. Future research could further explore the complex economic and sociocultural dynamics of urban donkey co-working, donkey care, and gender relations in Africa. Paper 'Being with donkeys: Insights into the valuing and wellbeing of donkeys in Central Ethiopia' by Martha Geiger, H. R. Whay, F. A. Burden, Gebre T. Engida et al. in Society and Animals Latest News Brokers react to CBAs mortgage slide Have the big four mortgage wars reignited? Industry creates mens mental health event It follows four suicides in six weeks A former BDM at Pepper Money ANZ has taken on a new role at tech-driven non-bank lender, Bridgit. Michael Balshaw (pictured above) has joined Bridgit as regional sales director, to oversee the continued growth of Bridgit in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia, specifically expanding the non-banks accredited broker network, which currently exceeds 3,000 in these states. Prior to Bridgit, the Melbourne-based Balshaw was a top-performing commercial manager at Pepper Money ANZ, having settled the largest commercial transaction within a national team. He was also the fastest BDM to reach 100 settled deals. Balshaw is also an expert in alternative funding options who has supported and educated more than a thousand commercial brokers. He also held senior roles at ALI Group (Australia) and big bank NAB. Stephen Doyle, head of distribution at Bridgit, said Balshaw was the perfect person to spearhead the non-banks efforts in Victoria, SA, Tasmania, and WA. Since the business was founded in 2021, Bridgit has experienced continuous and rapid growth, processing over $2 billion in bridging loan applications. Balshaws unrivalled expertise and knowledge of non-bank lending along with strong broker relationship skills will no doubt help cement Bridgit as the go-to-solution all brokers can trust, Doyle said. Balshaw said he was thrilled to be joining the company. With housing in demand, an increasing number of homeowners are struggling to find and secure their dream home, he said. For those lucky enough to find their ideal property, many of those people lose out on the opportunity due to not having enough time to sell their existing home or being unable to access enough liquidity to complete the purchase. Bridgit wants to change that. Its mission is to help everyday Aussie homeowners progress through their property journey. As regional sales director for Bridgit, my goal is to continue this mission and help Australian brokers and their clients access a trusted and dependable bridging solution. Get the hottest and freshest mortgage news delivered right into your inbox. Subscribe now to our FREE daily newsletter. Engines assembled as they make their way through the assembly line at the General Motors (GM) manufacturing plant in Spring Hill - Harrison McClary (Photo: Reuters / Harrison McClary) The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, now entering its fourth week, has led to significant layoffs among Detroit's Big Three automakers. As the strike continues, the ripple effect is being felt not only within the companies directly involved but also among their suppliers and the broader U.S. economy. General Motors (GM), one of the Big Three, confirmed on Monday that it had idled 155 workers across plants in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Ford, another major player, has let go of 537 workers in Michigan and Ohio. Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, confirmed the layoff of 570 workers at its facilities in Indiana and Michigan as of October 6. Cumulatively, the Big Three have laid off approximately 4,835 workers since the strike began. These layoffs are a direct consequence of the UAW's decision to strike. The affected workers were involved in tasks directly linked to the factories that the UAW has targeted. The automakers have not yet disclosed their plans regarding the rehiring of these workers once the strike concludes. Bryce Currie, Ford's Vice President for Americas Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, commented on the situation, stating, "While we are doing what we can to avoid layoffs, we have no choice but to reduce production of parts that would be destined for a plant that is on strike." He further added that these strike-related layoffs are an "unfortunate result of the UAW's strategy." The UAW initiated its "stand-up strike" last month, with nearly 13,000 autoworkers ceasing operations at Big Three assembly plants located in Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. The union's demands are comprehensive, seeking a 36% pay increase over four years, annual cost-of-living adjustments, pension benefits for all employees, enhanced job security, a quicker route to full-time status for temporary workers, and a four-day work week. In response, the automakers have laid off thousands of non-union workers. The repercussions of the strike extend beyond the Big Three. Suppliers of auto parts to these major companies have also been forced to lay off workers. LM Manufacturing, a Michigan-based company that produces seats for the Ford Bronco, temporarily laid off around 650 workers last month due to the UAW strike. Another supplier, Sodecia Automotive, announced its plans to temporarily lay off approximately 140 workers until late November. The strike's influence has even crossed borders. GM workers in Ontario, Canada, recently walked off their jobs. However, both parties reached an agreement shortly after, with GM announcing that work would resume at its Canadian facilities. Lana Payne, president of the Unifor union, which represents over 20,000 Canadian autoworkers at the Big Three, mentioned that GM had agreed to all the items its members had advocated for, including pensions, retiree income, and the conversion of temporary workers to permanent positions. Back in Michigan, UAW President Shawn Fain expressed optimism last Friday, noting that negotiations between the union and the Big Three were progressing positively. He highlighted that GM had agreed to include employees at its upcoming electric vehicle battery plant in Indiana under the UAW contract. However, the end of the strike is still uncertain. While automakers claim to have presented reasonable counteroffers, negotiations continue without a clear resolution in sight. The prolonged strike is taking a toll on the U.S. economy. According to the Anderson Economic Group, a Michigan consultancy firm, the UAW strike has cost the U.S. economy $5.5 billion in just three weeks. This figure encompasses losses of around $2.68 billion for the Big Three and $1.6 billion for parts suppliers. Kita Food Festival 2023 is set to take over Penang this weekend (13 to 15 October), with a host of exclusive dining events and food celebrations in store. This marks the festivals third consecutive year since its successful debut in 2021, boasting its most outstanding lineup yet. Kickstarting the three-day event in Penang is a four-hand dinner collaboration between Malaysias Chef Su Kim Hock of the one-Michelin starred Au Jardin and New Zealands Chef Vaughan Mabee of Amisfield. Both chefs are deeply respected in their respective home grounds for their exceptional culinary techniques, which will be showcased through a multi-course tasting menu featuring the best produce Malaysia has to offer. Moreover, Chef Hans Christian of August in Jakarta, Indonesia will be teaming up with Chef Johnson Wong of Gen for a four-hand dinner thats available for two nights. Chef Hans was recently named Asias One to Watch by Asias 50 Best Restaurants 2023, with August claiming the no. 95 spot on the extended list. Meanwhile, Chef Wong is no stranger to the local industry as the mastermind behind his modern Malaysian restaurant. The duo have curated a menu featuring the flavours of our shared lands, while paying respect to their common identities and outlook. On the other hand, Chef Malcolm Lee of Singapores one-Michelin starred Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut, will be taking over the kitchen at Communal Table by Gen. Chef Lee also helms Pangium, which serves Straits Chinese food through a modern lens. He brings his know-how and dedication to his heritage, which will be represented through a series of sharing plates that reflect both Candlenut and Pangium cuisine styles. To cap off the festival, eight esteemed chefsfour from Singapore paired with four from Penangwill be working together for The Great Mezze. Each pair will reign over a barbecue station, offering eight hot or cold dishes in total, including sweet treats. In addition, there will be cocktails, beer, and wines, as well as a DJ and a live band to turn up the party vibes at ChinaHouse. Ahead of the events this weekend, we caught up with Chef Christian to get to know him, his cuisine and his experience working with Gens Chef Wong for Kita Food Festival 2023. Hi, Hans! We hear youre no stranger to Malaysia, having studied culinary arts at Taylors University in Kuala Lumpur. How do you feel to be back? Ive always enjoyed my time in KL, never missing the chance to re-visit at least once every other year. Im especially excited for this one because I have never been to Penang before. Tell us more about August in terms of its cuisine and ethos. At August, we cook contemporary flavours with Indonesian influences. The cuisine is very personal to my cooking, travelling and working experiences abroad, but heavily committed to incorporating Indonesian spices, flavours or produce into the layers in many of the dishes. We always try to be respectful to tradition and our way of eating without putting ourselves in the cage of authenticity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by A u g u s t (@august_jkt) Congratulations on winning the American Express One To Watch Award at Asias 50 Best Restaurants 2023 earlier this year! What would you attribute this feat to? Of course, my August family; Budi, my managing partner; and our dear guests, many of whom are dear friends now. It is important to keep pushing and striving for greatness without losing yourself, while staying true to what we believe in since day onepursue deliciousness and make people feel at home, not only our guests but also our team members. What are you most looking forward to from your collaboration with Chef Johnson Wong of Gen for Kita Food Festival 2023? Ive been following Gen online since years back before they moved to their new place and have always admired the direction of cuisine that they do in Penang. I can be honest that we are very excited to spend some time in their home to learn from each others cultures. How did you and Chef Wong work together to curate a menu that has synergy, given your different cuisines and culinary expertise? I can say that it is not that hard since many of our food and ingredients are intertwined with each other. We have a close culture between Jakarta and Penang. What was the biggest challenge that you faced in preparation for this collaboration? All good so farthe Gen team has been really helpful in our coordination and preparation towards the event. In your opinion, why are cross-country/cultural collaborations such as these necessary for the F&B industry? I think the most valuable asset to have for every restaurant is the ability to progress and learn how high the ceiling is. People are always looking forward to the progression of experience and flavours more than perfection. And one of the effective ways to open up our minds so that we can keep evolving and progressing is by having cross-cultural exposure. READ: Kita Food Festival 2023 returns to Malaysia and Singaporeheres the lineup For more information or to purchase tickets for Kita Food Festival 2023, visit the website. Find more food and drink stories here. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday visited a jet engine manufacturing facility of French firm Safran near Paris and witnessed latest developments in aero-engine technology. Singh's visit to the facility at Gennevilliers assumed significance as Safran is looking at co-developing a fighter aircraft engine in India under a mega project. The defence minister is visiting France after concluding his trip to Italy. Singh also interacted with a group of CEOs of top French defence companies in Paris and highlighted to them the advantages of co-development and co-production of defence hardware in India that he said could be exported to third countries. The defence ministry said Singh visited the Safran Engine Division's R and D Centre at Gennevilliers near Paris and witnessed the latest developments in aero-engine technology. It said Olivier Andries, the Global CEO of Safran, welcomed the defence minister to the facility and, along with his team, gave a detailed briefing to him. "Safran expressed interest in being a part of the Indian growth story by working with its counterparts on mutually agreed joint projects," the ministry said in a statement. It said Singh also met with the CEOs of the top French defence companies with a focus on their plans for collaboration with India. CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier, CEO of Naval Group Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Airbus Guillaume Faury and Safran's Andries, were present at the interaction. "Rajnath Singh highlighted the advantages of co-development and co-production in India, including possibilities of exports to third countries," the ministry said. "He underlined the inherent advantages of the Indian market such as a large, skilled HR base, world class infrastructure and a strong legal architecture," it said. Later in the day, Singh will attend the fifth India-France defence dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu. Singh reached Paris late on October 10. Also Read GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ signs lease with Safran Aircraft Engines for MRO India to set up technical office of DRDO at its embassy in France Robust defence finance system backbone of strong military: Rajnath Singh Rajnath Singh to begin 3-day visit to Malaysia to deepen defence ties Olympics 2024 pushing Paris to confront crack cocaine use on city streets Colleges, varsities must disclose fee structure, refund policy: UGC chief Manipur violence: NIA court sends accused Gangte to judicial custody Rajasthan election staff get 500 complaints in 48 hours of MCC imposition IAF chopper makes emergency landing twice in Assam's Dhubri district Sikkim flash flood toll rises to 37, inclement weather hampers evacuation He also interacted with the Indian community in the French capital city. While addressing the sizeable Indian community at the India House, he highlighted the various achievements of India in the defence sector such as increased defence exports and rise in indigenous production of defence equipment. He spoke about the "tremendous progress" achieved in India in the last nine years, an assessment which was heartily supported by the Indian community, the defence ministry said. An immigration tribunal in Canada has ruled that a Sikh man who "housed and fed Khalistani militants in India" over a decade should be allowed into the country because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, a media report said on Wednesday. According to the National Post newspaper, Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal member Heidi Worsfold in a recent ruling said the government did not have reasonable grounds to declare Indian citizen Kamaljit Ram inadmissible to enter Canada based on the belief he had provided a safe house and logistical support to Khalistani militants. The immigration tribunal ruled that the Sikh man who housed and fed armed Khalistani militants in India over a decade should be allowed into Canada because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, the paper said. The original decision to bar Ram from Canada by the federal government came after he told Canada Border Services Agency officers during an interview that he sheltered and fed armed Sikh militants at his farm in India on-and-off between 1982 and 1992. Worsfold found the government went well too far in its assessment of Ram's support for the armed militants at the time, namely omitting to note that he repeatedly said he accepted to host the armed individuals because he feared the consequences of being on the wrong end of the group. The ruling comes amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia, a claim rejected by India as "absurd" and "motivated". Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India last month asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil. Also Read Here's how climate change is fueling wildfires in the US and Canada Canada's soft peddling of Khalistanis afftected pro-India Sikhs: Sources Another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada with Khalistan referendum posters Amid strained ties, Canada pulling diplomats from India, citing 'threats' Trudeau's claim of India's link to Nijjar's killing 'shameless': US expert Humans of Bombay, People of India can't copy each other's work: Delhi HC SC gives split verdict on allowing woman to terminate her 26-week pregnancy Centre may hike cane-ethanol price by 3% for 2023-24 season, industry says No breakthrough in 20th round of India, China military talks: MEA EC orders transfer of senior officers in five poll-going states for laxity Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Working President Supriya Sule on Wednesday stated that discussions regarding seat allocation within the INDIA alliance are in progress. "The seat-sharing talks are underway for several states and it has not stopped. Every state has its own permutations and combinations. The work is going on," Sule said while talking to reporters. Opposition parties also declared their intent to promptly finalize seat-sharing agreements by fostering a spirit of cooperation and compromise. Earlier, the opposition parties, united under the banner of the INDIA on August 31-September 1, concluded their third meeting in Maharashtra and adopted resolutions to collectively contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections while announcing that seat-sharing arrangements would be finalized as soon as possible through a spirit of give-and-take. After a two-day meeting of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance coalition four main committees were formed in which members of all the political parties were included. The first meeting of the joint opposition was held in Patna on June 23 and the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. INDIA alliance is a group of opposition parties, including the Congress and the parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Also Read When Shinde was MVA minister he did not remember morality: Supriya Sule Sharad Pawar announces Praful Patel, Supriya Sule NCP working presidents 'BJP called NCP a corrupt party, now welcoming its leaders': Supriya Sule Sharad Pawar leaves for Delhi to attend NCP National Executive meeting Supriya Sule reaches YB Chavan Centre for meeting called by Sharad Pawar Maharashtra govt to set up ST Commission, review tribal population status Congress, BJP in war of words over caste census ahead of MP elections Incumbency, unemployment and more: Key issues in Madhya Pradesh elections ECI changes Rajasthan state Assembly elections date to Nov 25 from Nov 23 Congress will end tradition of alternating govt in Rajasthan: Gaurav Gogoi A Hindu temple, billed to be the second-largest in the world, and the largest in the western hemisphere, has been inaugurated in US' New Jersey, 99 kilometres south of New York City. Spread over a sprawling 185 acres, the Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville City of New Jersey stands at 191 feet high. The temple was inaugurated on October 8 in the presence of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) leader Mahant Swami Maharaj, with several thousand people attending the event. It was Pramukh Swami Maharaj's divine wish to construct an Akshardham in North America, where people can come and visit, irrespective of race, creed or religion, said Mahant Swami Maharaj. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Delaware Governor John Carney and Congressman Steny Hoyer. It is the second largest ever Hindu temple on this globe planet and of course, the largest in the Western hemisphere, which was inaugurated on October 8th, on the 90th birthday celebrations of Mahant Swami Maharaj. It was dedicated to this society, to humanity, Gnanvatsaldas Swami, senior BAPS leader and motivational speaker, told PTI. The basic purpose of creating temples is to inspire people with values. Dharma, gyan, vairagya and bhakti, the four pillars of ekantik dharma that according to the Indian scriptures, was well prescribed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. So, this is a monument dedicated to Indian culture and tradition. It's a monument dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life and teachings, he said. The surprising element of this in the United States is that 12,500 volunteers ranging from 10 days of service to more than three years, five years of service have come together to build this Akshardham, Gnanvatsaldas Swami said. The temple has the story of Ramayana, Mahabharat carved on its stones. It has more than 150 Indian musical instruments and all the major dance postures on its pillars and wall. The best way to preserve art is regeneration. The BAPS has in its own humble way, been able to regenerate ancient art. In doing that, they've also given the skills back because those skills are needed. Thousands of artisans who have once again begun to calve and their art is being valued so that art is preserved for the next generation, said Brahmaviharidas Swami, who is in charge of the under-construction Abu Dhabi Akshardham. The senior BAPS leader is currently in the US as part of the inaugural ceremony. Also Read UK PM Rishi Sunak reaches Akshardham temple in Delhi to offer prayers Swaminarayan Akshardham: All details on largest Hindu temple outside India UK PM Rishi Sunak, wife Akshata offer prayers at Akshardham Temple Largest overseas hindu temple to be unveiled in New Jersey on October 8 On violations of Hindu temples in US, spokesperson says Guterres concerned Israeli village near Gaza border lies in ruin, filled with bodies Putin blames US for Middle East crisis, advocates two-State solution Palestinians scramble for safety as Israel pounds sealed-off Gaza Strip Fraud trial: Trump acknowledged penthouse size at 11,000 square feet Have recovered remaining parts of submersible that imploded: US Coast Guard The temple reflects universal values, said Yogi Trivedi, a scholar of religion and media at Columbia University and a volunteer spokesperson at Akshardham Temple. Stones from seven different countries, including Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, India, were used in the temple construction. All of those stones also represent different cultural streams. They've all come together. They were shipped to India, intricately carved, then dry assembled there to make sure that it's going to fit when it comes here, disassembled and then shipped here, 8,000 miles where it's coming together. So just the coming together of those stones also shows the pluralism that is here in this complex, Trivedi told PTI. As one walks in the Akshardham, the Brahmakund or the step wall at the front has the water from 400 different rivers and lakes from around the world: Africa, Australia, the US. It has water from Ganga and Yamuna in India, and Mississippi and East River and Lake Michigan from the US. That too shows the person who visits that this complex is open to all, and it brings a sense of belonging to anyone who comes here, he said. There's that sense of inclusivity that everyone feels when they come inside to do darshan and to do pooja, he said. This is not just a Hindu story or a Hindu American story, it is an Americanand a global story, Trivedi said. When you walk around the base plinth of the mandir, you will see the universal beliefs of inclusivity, seva, bhakti, spiritual transcendence, love for all of humanity because God resides within it, he said. You will see those same messages from Socrates, Reverend Martin Luther King, President Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein. The point is that those universal beliefs have been shown here at the mandir in a way that the American audience that visits, the Hindu American audience that visits, and the international audience that will come as visitors, or the pilgrims will also come to appreciate and readily connect with the people who are sharing those messages, he said. Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni, who visited the temple a day after its inauguration said the temple brings India's message to the rest of the world, adding that the message of the world is one family. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Congressman Steny Hoyer admired the craftsmanship behind the carved elephants, peacocks and other sculptures. But what I find most extraordinary is the community that built it. Appreciating the volunteers and their service, the Congressman said: They did it because they believe in the values this structure represents: equality, liberation, truth, harmony, and most importantly, service to others. The values enshrined here are not just Hindu values, they are human values. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York delivered a message of congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the temple's construction. China will hold the third edition of the Belt and Road Forum here from October 17 to 18 and President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony, it was announced on Wednesday. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by President Xi when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. Under the ambitious BRI, China provides funding for major infrastructure projects around the world, in a bid to speed Chinese goods to markets further afield. The USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the BRI. India has strongly protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In July, India once again refused to endorse China's ambitious BRI, becoming the only country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation not to support the project. A declaration issued at the end of an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support to the BRI. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing from October 17 to 18. President Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a keynote speech, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced in Beijing. According to Hua, the theme of the third BRF is "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity." The BRI was in the news recently when Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said his country made an "improvised and atrocious" decision in joining China's Belt and Road Initiative. Critics see the BRI as a tool for China to spread influence. Both the EU and the US expressed concern when Italy decided to join the scheme. However, a senior Chinese official has claimed that the BRI has delivered mutual benefits over the past decade, featuring deepened trade and investment cooperation, more abundant connectivity projects, and improved cooperation mechanisms. Also Read 11 industrial corridors being developed across the nation, says Centre Asiad 2023 India vs China football highlights: China thrashes India 5-1 Plan on track to convert expressways into industrial corridors in UP Asian Games 2023 football: China thrash under-prepared and jaded India 1-5 Beijing hospital fire death toll rises to 29 as public anger grows Coordination by OPEC+ to ensure predictability on oil markets: Putin FM Sitharaman stresses on need for IMF to remain well capitalised Indian Embassy sets up 24-hour helpline desk amid Israel-Gaza war Important to maintain Indian Ocean as open, inclusive space: EAM Jaishankar Non-residents, foreign cos without PAN can open bank a/cs in IFSC-Gift City "China's super-large market has provided important development opportunities for BRI participating countries, which contributed nearly half of China's total imports," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting told the official Xinhua news agency. As the major trading partner of over 110 BRI countries, China saw its total goods trade with all BRI countries reach close to USD 2.9 trillion in 2022. China's direct investment in BRI partner countries topped USD 30 billion last year, while BRI countries invested more than 20 USD billion in China, the report said. India along with the US and several major economies last month announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The new economic corridor, which many see as an alternative to China's BRI, was jointly announced by the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. By Natalia Drozdiak and Courtney McBride Russia is set to benefit from the Israel-Hamas conflict, as Israels requests for US military aid risk diverting weapons and focus from Ukraine while the rising price of oil bolsters Moscows economy. US and NATO allies have rebuffed concerns about their ability to continue supporting Ukraine militarily in the aftermath of Gaza-based militant group Hamass attack on Israel, which already receives billions in aid from Washington every year. Yet theres a clear understanding in the Kremlin that the war between Israel and Hamas will work to Russias favor, according to two people with knowledge of the situation, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. The conflict may, at the very least, work to distract US and European attention from the war in Ukraine, the people said, even while Russia has concerns about its escalation. President Vladimir Putins objectives will be achieved faster if a US focus on the Israel conflict results in the slowdown of arms deliveries to Kyiv, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday at a news conference, after talks with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. But they will be achieved in any case. For the most part, there is no major overlap between Israel and Ukraines military asks, and Tel Avivs existing supplies are relatively robust in light of years of stockpiling, officials and experts say. Israel is seeking Iron Dome missiles, precision-guided munitions and artillery rounds from the US, according to a person familiar with the matter, as it readies its next response to Hamass attack. But the pressure on supplies could increase if Israel launches a ground war into the Gaza strip, as is expected. Thats when theyll start using munitions in a big way precision munitions and theyll probably use a lot of them, said Mark Cancian, a former US Marine colonel whos now an adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington. While they already have big stocks, he said, they may not have enough for a long campaign. Mass and rapid mobilization also means the Israeli military is stretched for equipment, leaving some troops with older items, Richard Hecht, a spokesman and lieutenant-colonel, told journalists on Tuesday. Also Read Blinken to travel to Israel in display of US solidarity after Hamas attacks Hamas attack is unadulterated evil unleashed on the world: US president Israel responds to fire from Syria with artillery, mortar amid Hamas attack Gaza will never go back to what it was: Israel moves to full offence Palestinians scramble for safety as Israel pounds sealed-off Gaza Strip Gaza will never go back to what it was: Israel moves to full offence China saves billions of dollars from record-sanctioned oil imports To the Moon and back: On Artemis III mission, Nasa astronauts to wear Prada NZ immigration hits all-time high as movement surges after pandemic lull Israel strikes neighbourhoods in Gaza Strip as war appears to escalate The conflict in Israel is expected to be discussed on the margins of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday. Ahead of the gathering, Kyivs allies will also discuss weapons deliveries at their monthly Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. Ukraine and Russia have been burning through thousands of pieces of ammunition per day in what has become a grinding war of attrition. Those unguided munitions wont be as useful for Israel in an urban warfare setting, where theyll instead lean on precision munitions to target specific oncoming fire, according to Cancian. But Ukraine also needs more those more sophisticated weapons as it seeks to hit targets like Russian military bases behind the front lines. The problem is we cant manufacture any more in a short period of time, Cancian said, adding that might require the US to pull them from existing inventories, which are already getting low. Even if the US didnt stop deliveries to Ukraine, it might slow those shipments down, which means they could only shoot at the highest-priority targets, he added. A senior US defense official said that although the US will continue to provide a significant amount of support to Ukraine, it is careful about ensuring it can also respond to other crises. A senior western diplomat said they were not worried about the impact on the war in Ukraine, partly because the Israeli military is itself capable and well-equipped. The diplomat said they were confident the US would be able to continue to support Israel without it having a material effect on what theyre doing for Ukraine. Putins View Other analysts are more skeptical. Given a choice between Israel and Ukraine, the US would in a heartbeat choose Israel, Chatham House CEO Bronwen Maddox told Bloomberg TV in an interview, even if its not facing such an acute decision at present. I can understand why President Zelenskiy might be worried and he was already battling to retain American attention. Future US aid for Ukraine was called into question after Congress dropped assistance for Kyiv from a short-term spending package passed to avert a government shutdown. Future funding could be on even shakier ground now, as the conflict in Israel emboldens Republican lawmakers skeptical of support for Ukraine. Putin told the annual Valdai Club meeting in Russias Sochi on Oct. 5 that US and European support was keeping Ukraine afloat financially and militarily. If weapons deliveries were discontinued tomorrow, they would have just one week to go until they used up all their ammunition, he said. Europes backing for Ukraine has also suffered perturbations in recent weeks after a spat between Poland and Ukraine culminated in a threat by Warsaw to cut off new aid to Kyiv. The blocs stance on aid for Ukraine also faces a challenge from Robert Fico, a Russian sympathizer, whos set to return to power in Slovakia. The Israel-Hamas conflicts impact on the price of oil could also boost Russias war effort in Ukraine. The price of oil edged lower on Tuesday, after fears that the conflict could embroil major energy producers in the region such Iran and Saudi Arabia had earlier propelled US crude futures above $87 a barrel. As oil prices go up, this enables them to continue spending on arms production and it also helps them cover some budget deficits, said Ann Marie Dailey, a policy researcher at Rand Corporation. Russia absolutely gains an advantage from this in the short-term. A Chinese-Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. Cheng Lei, 48, worked for the international department of China's state broadcaster CCTV. She has reunited with her two children in Melbourne, Albanese said. Her return comes ahead of Albanese's planned visit to Beijing this year on a date yet to be announced. Albanese's government has been lobbying for the release of Cheng and Yang Hengjun, another Chinese-Australian held in China since 2019. Bilateral relations have improved since Albanese's centre-left Labour Party was elected after nine years of conservative rule. Beijing has lifted several official and unofficial trade barriers on Australian exports. Albanese suggested that Cheng had recently been sentenced after she was convicted in a closed-court trial last year on national security charges. Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms. Cheng and her family. The government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians, he added. Albanese said he spoke to Cheng in Melbourne, where her children have been living with her mother, and that they discussed a letter she had written to the Australian public in August to mark the third anniversary of her detention. The Chinese-born journalist spoke in her letter about her love for her adopted country. In the letter, she also described her living conditions in detention in China, saying she was allowed to stand in sunlight for just 10 hours a year. She is a very strong and resilient person ... and when I spoke with her she was delighted to be back in Melbourne, Albanese said. Albanese did not say whether Yang was also likely to be released. We continue to advocate for Dr. Yang's interests, rights and wellbeing with the Chinese authorities at all levels, Albanese said. Yang, a 58-year-old writer and democracy blogger, told his family in August he fears he will die in a Beijing detention centre after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst, prompting supporters to demand his release for medical treatment. Also Read Australia will establish new Consulate General in Bengaluru, says Albanese Australian Open 2024: Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, Wozniacki set to return Australia tells dating apps to improve safety standards to protect users Australia to ramp up diplomatic ties with India, Japan in Indo-Pacific Australia's lower house passes referendum on Indigenous Voice to parliament Turkey ready for any kind of mediation: Erdogan on Israel-Hamas conflict Nawaz Sharif to reach Pakistan in chartered plane from Dubai on October 21 Deteriorating security situation highlights value of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Israel-Hamas conflict may end up helping Russia in war against Ukraine Gaza will never go back to what it was: Israel moves to full offence Yang has been detained in China since January 2019, when he arrived in Guangzhou from New York with his wife and teenage stepdaughter. Yang received a closed-door trial on an espionage charge in Beijing in May 2021 and is still awaiting a verdict. The White House said Tuesday that there is no specific information about the role of Iran in the latest terrorist attack against Israel by Hamas, but it is complicit in a broad sense for funding the military wing of the militant group. We have said since the beginning that Iran is complicit in this attack in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas. They have provided training.They have provided capabilities. They have provided support and they have had engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday. All of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen. Now, as to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not, as of this moment I'm standing here at the podium, have confirmation of that. We are talking to our Israeli counterparts on a daily basis about this question, he said. The NSA said the US is trying to gather from its intelligence holdings on whether they have any further information on that. We're looking to acquire further intelligence. And if there's an update to that, I'll share it with you, Sullivan said. While Iran plays this broad role, sustaining a deep and dark role in providing all of this support and capabilities to Hamas, in terms of this particular gruesome attack on October 7th, we don't currently have that information. We will continue to look for it, he added. Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a wave of attacks on Israel on Saturday, killing over 1,000 people, in the biggest escalation in the conflict in decades. Israel has already responded with a wave of air strikes on Gaza, killing more than 800 people there. The United States has launched a major global diplomatic drive to garner support for Israel and take necessary action against Hamas. Also Read Israel-Palestine conflict: All you need to know about this surprise war Gaza strip: Understanding the territory, its history, and ongoing conflict Israel-Palestine war: Here's a look at the history of the conflict Blinken to travel to Israel in display of US solidarity after Hamas attacks Hamas attack is unadulterated evil unleashed on the world: US president Our darkest hour casts a shadow on entire world: Israeli President Herzog London's Luton suspends flights after fire breaks out in a parking lot Google's Pichai decried bad 'optics' of search engine deal with Apple Latest LIVE: 6.3 magnitude earthquake shakes part of western Afghanistan Few good options as Israel weighs a ground assault on the Gaza strip Sullivan also said that the US will respond firmly to any action by militia groups in the region to take advantage of this situation. With respect to the question of the various militia groups across the region, we do believe that they pose an urgent threat, and that it is certainly distinctly possible that they choose to try to exploit or take advantage of this situation. We have been sending clear warnings that doing so will result in a firm response and consequences from the United States, he said. Sullivan said the US is not entirely surprised by China's response to Hamas' attack, given their history of statements on such issues. We believe that the United States is capable of supporting Ukraine in Europe, of supporting our allies in the Indo-Pacific, and of supporting our close ally, Israel, in its hour of need. And we believe we have the resources, tools, and capacities to be able to effectively do that, he said. On US' support to Ukraine in the war with Russia, Sullivan said that it was more cost effective to act against Russian aggression against Ukraine now rather than allowing Moscow to potentially have its aggression continue across Europe and pay a huge price later since that may require the actual deployment of American troops to combat. So better to support the Ukrainians as they stand firm against Russian aggression and do so on a sustained basis, and we have the budget wherewithal to be able to do that. We also have the budget wherewithal to be able to provide Israel what it needs. And we firmly reject the notion that the United States of America cannot at once support the freedom loving people of Ukraine and support the state of Israel, he said. However, less than half (48%) of organizations provide employees with the technology they need for hybrid work Only 25% of operational leads say they are very satisfied with employee experience (EX) capabilities NTT Ltd., a leading IT infrastructure and services company, has today unveiled the findings of its 2023 Global Employee Experience Trends Report, exploring how current workplace trends, such as hybrid work and AI, are influencing EX strategies and the correlation between EX and business performance. The report found that while 90% of businesses see the enablement of hybrid and remote work as having a positive impact on their bottom line, less than half (48%) of organizations strongly agree that employees have access to the technology they need to work well both at home, and in the office. Many organizations are now implementing more structured approaches to work, with the report finding that approximately 56% of hybrid workers spend half the work week at the office. However, with hybrid models still favourable and recognized by the majority of business leaders as fundamental to positive EX, organizations need to ensure they are providing employees with the technologies they need to work effectively, regardless of location. This shows how the EX-narrative has evolved over the last several years. Today, it is a business-wide priority to proactively ensure employees are empowered and have the right technologies in place to feel connected and drive efficiency. Top-performing companies1 that increased their IT spend and invested in EX technology were 56% more likely than underperformers to report improved business growth due to improvements to EX, and 89% more likely than all others to have significantly increased employee satisfaction. Commenting on the research, Amit Dhingra, Executive Vice President of Network Services at NTT Ltd. said: The disconnect between what employees need and what businesses provide them with is still too large. Too often we see hybrid working strategies focusing on one type of working style, despite employees wanting the flexibility to work in a way that suits them. It was positive to see that 73% of organizations agree that hybrid and remote working has led to their investment in mobility over the last two years to promote flexibility, but more still needs to be done to reduce the disconnect and improve EX. This is especially true given that satisfied and engaged employees are 66% more likely to deliver exceptional customer service, added Dhingra. In addition to hybrid work, EX is also being impacted by the rise in AI, with the emerging technology voted as the #1 enabler of future customer experience (CX) and EX strategies, and AI interfaces rising to become the norm for 4 in 5 organizations within the next 12 months. Despite this, 87% of organizations agree that human-led support remains a critical element in their customer engagement. NTT's report findings are reflective of today's dynamic work landscape, including a more permanent era of hybrid work and focus on employee engagement said Sheila McGee-Smith, President & Principal Analyst, McGee-Smith Analytics.The adoption of AI is growing, driven by the real business outcomes revolutionary AI technologies are bringing. Organizations are seeking guidance on how to harness all that AI has to offer to succeed in dominating their markets while supporting employee fulfillment and well-being. To read the full report, please visit: https://services.global.ntt/en-us/campaigns/2023-global-employee-experience-trends-report 1 Top performing organizations are those with more than 10% year-on-year revenue growth and an operating profit margin of more than 15% in the last financial year. -ENDS- About NTT Ltd. As part of NTT DATA, a USD 30 billion IT services provider, NTT Ltd. is a leading IT infrastructure and services company serving 65% of the Fortune Global 500 and more than 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We lay the foundation for organizations edge-to-cloud networking ecosystem, simplify the complexity of their workloads across multicloud environments, and innovate at the edge of their IT environments where networks, cloud and applications converge. We offer tailored infrastructure and ensure consistent best practices in design and operations across all of our secure, scalable and customizable data centers. On the journey towards a software-defined future, we support organizations with our platform-delivered infrastructure services. We enable a connected future. Visit us at services.global.ntt View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011453825/en/ IAFI (ITU- APT Foundation of India), along with the University of Chicago, SpectrumX, and IIT Delhi announced today that they will jointly host the 3rd India Spectrum Management Conference in New Delhi India. This joint Indo-US conference on Spectrum and Telecommunications Policy and Technology for Future Wireless Systems will be held as a three-day event from 16to 18October 2023.The three-day conference is expected to take a deep and in-depth look at spectrum policies, issues, challenges, and the way forward for future of wireless systems and will include sessions on Spectrum planning for various frequency bands such as Sub-1 GHz, 1-6 GHz, 6-7 GHz, 7 - 24 GHz as well as bands above 24 GHz, including THz frequencies. Detailed agenda and speaker details are available here https://ismc-23.itu-apt.org/ The formal inauguration of the event is expected to be addressed by Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Honble Minister of State for Communications, Shri Neeraj Mittal, Secretary DoT and Chairman Digital Communications Commission (DCC), Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Shri Manish Sinha, Member, Finance and Smt. Gunjan Dave, Member Technology of DOT and Shri V J Christopher, Wireless Advisor to the Govt. of India on 17October.On day 1, the event to be held in UChicago Delhi Center will kick off with inaugural address by Dr. Monisha Ghosh, Professor, Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, USA and Mr. Bharat Bhatia, President, IAFI. The keynote Speeches will be delivered by Mr. Charles Cooper, Associate Administrator, Office of Spectrum Management, NTIA, USA and Shri VJ Christopher, Wireless Advisor to the Govt. of India.The three-day mega event expects robust participation from the industry and experts in the field of telecommunication. It will be bringing together senior government officials from DoT, TEC, ISRO, DOS, BSNL, etc, industry experts and regulators form India and other countries along with top-level executives and decision makers from Indian and international companies. A major session on operators perspective will address the lessons learned from 5G and looking ahead to 6G while dealing with topics such as Next spectrum auctions, spectrum for public safety and disaster relief will be extremely pertinent in current spectrum scenario.The first session of the conference will address the spectrum landscape below 1 GHz and the pivotal role it plays in direct broadcast of television channels to mobiles, Program Making and Studio Equipment (PMSE) as well as the new 600 MHz cellular mobile band. Subsequent sessions will address the spectrum policy and sharing opportunities in 1- 6 GHz, Wi-Fi, automated driving using CV2X, Spectrum Sharing with Defence services, 5G spectrum issues with aircraft, 5G spectrum for Industries, new technologies and spectrum sharing for more efficient use of spectrum. Session on spectrum studies and issues in 7 - 24 GHz which will delve into topics like Propagation, Massive MIMO: Giga MIMO in 12 GHz band, Antennas/ RF Front ends, SDRs; Spectrum Studies towards mmWave/THz bands. India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy strong bonds of friendship based on age-old cultural, religious and economic ties between the two nations. UAE is home to Indian expatriate community of more than 3.5 million the largest expatriate community in the UAE. The Indian community has played a major role in the economic development of the UAE. The UAE is now Indias third-largest trading partner, behind only the economic giants of China and the United States. And simultaneously India is the second-largest trading partner for the UAE, worth US$ 42 billion, excluding oil. As of 2022, the United Arab Emirates was the one of the largest crude oil producers and the fourth-largest producer of petroleum liquids in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The oil and gas sector is critical to the United Arab Emirates economy, contributing significantly to the country's revenue. In November 2022, ADNOC announced an investment of USD 150 billion over the next five years to enable an accelerated growth strategy for oil and gas production. Thus, this creates a strong demand for high-quality mechanical seals. Habshan Trading Company (HTC) is a 100% locally-owned company which was established in 1975 by the Al-Mazrouie family. HTC is one of the major suppliers of industrial equipment to the Oil & Gas and Power sectors of the United Arab Emirates. Sealmatic & Habshan (HTC) have partnered for selling, repair and refurbishment of Sealmatic mechanical seals in Abu Dhabi to serve customers in the oil and gas, petrochemical, power, water, desalination, chemical and other process industries. Sealmatic recognizes the immense potential within this market and is eager to bring its expertise, cutting-edge and tailor-made solutions to the UAE. By partnering with Habshan (HTC), a company with a strong local presence and a deep understanding of the region's industries, Sealmatic aims to cater to the varied needs of customers in the UAE by offering its global standards of excellence. Sealmatic has tremendous global experience with great success in supplying high performance mechanical seals to the oil & gas, power generation and water sectors. The partnership between Sealmatic and Habshan (HTC) heralds a new chapter in the field of mechanical seals in the UAE region. It is a synergy of global expertise and local insight, driven by a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. As Sealmatic's presence in the UAE strengthens, so too does the bond between the UAE and India, demonstrating the enduring spirit of cooperation and growth that unites these two nations. The next step will be to extend the benefits of the Sealmatic/Habshan (HTC) alliance to our customers in UAE, explains Umar A K Balwa, Managing Director of Sealmatic India Ltd. Together, we are even faster and can precisely respond to our customers needs 24/7, offering a high level of availability, 365 days a year. Classic, personal, local and global, digitally connected. Further to the above Mrs Sada Salmanova of Habshan (HTC) added by explaining the Sealmatic/Habshan (HTC) alliances plans for the future: We have joined forces to offer our customers a service package that can be tailored to all applications while at the same time progressively expanding our joint global service presence. Top-quality service will be ensured through continuous training of technical personnel. Concluded Mrs Sada Salmanova that we are here to get a significant portion of the USD 60 Million mechanical seals market in UAE. Global accounting firm Ernst &Young said on Tuesday it anticipates increased opportunities in the low carbon technology collaboration and green standards establishment along the Belt and Road Initiative. EY said the BRI green economic cooperation will empower the high-quality development of involved countries and provide new momentum for global cooperation. "Over the past decade, BRI construction has steadily deepened. The green economy has emerged as a pivotal driver for Chinese enterprises to participate in international cooperation and competition. It also gives China the opportunity, in collaboration with other BRI countries, to collectively propel a 're-globalization' of the world economy," said Loletta Chow, global leader of the EY China Overseas Investment Network and leader of the EY Belt and Road Taskforce. "In the future, balancing carbon emissions control and economic growth is essential. On one hand, Chinese enterprises can actively explore overseas opportunities brought by the export of China's green technologies. On the other hand, further efforts are expected to enhance the green standards alignment within BRI countries and drive the establishment of an innovative BRI green standard system," said Alex Zhu, energy and infrastructure advisory lead partner of EY Greater China. Zhu said such efforts, while generating new growth points for Chinese companies, will also help BRI-involved economies with the green transition. "BRI economies, primarily emerging economies and developing nations, face challenges in green transformation due to limited green technology capabilities and high reliance on traditional energy sources." According to the National Energy Administration, over the past decade, China has established government-to-government energy cooperation mechanisms with over 90 countries, regions and international organizations and expanded the BRI energy cooperation network with increasing efforts on promoting clean energies. By late May, China's green and low-carbon energy investments involving the BRI have surpassed that of traditional energy, the NEA said. The EY report released on Tuesday pointed out that Chinese enterprises have actively engaged in BRI renewable energy cooperation through various means, including engineering, procurement and construction projects, overseas manufacturing and investments as well as mergers and acquisitions by leveraging their experience and technological capabilities in the area. In the future, Chinese enterprises will further leverage their advantages and form a collaborative network when expanding overseas business, harnessing each other's strengths and creating a synergistic effect, it said. Roberto Bocca, head of energy and materials at the World Economic Forum and a member of the WEF executive committee, said China has played a remarkable role in expanding the production scale and advancing equipment manufacturing technologies in the renewable energy sector over the past few decades. These efforts have resulted in a substantial reduction in the cost of solar and wind facilities, ultimately increasing access to affordable electricity worldwide. "This development benefits not only China but the entire global community. There are immense opportunities for companies to continue innovating, advance technologies further and enhance production efficiency in the renewable energy field," Bocca said. The NEA data reveal promising progress in China's renewable energy sector. Non-fossil energy consumption in the country increased from 9.7 percent in 2012 to 17.5 percent last year. It said that China leads the world in energy efficiency growth, with an annual consumption growth rate of less than 3 percent, contributing to over 6 percent in economic growth on average in the past decade. The country now boasts the world's largest electricity supply system and clean power generation system, ranking first globally in hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic, biomass power and under-construction nuclear power, the NEA said. As of June, China's cumulative installed power capacity stood at 2.71 billion kilowatts, with the installed capacity of renewable energy reaching 1.32 billion kW, surpassing coal power and growing approximately threefold in a decade. Modified On Oct 12, 2023 12:32 PM By Ansh for VinFast VF6 The Vietnamese manufacturer has multiple electric SUVs available globally, four of which could be launched in India Amidst the growing EV market in India, another carmaker is planning to make its debut. Vietnams VinFast, an EV maker much like Tesla, is planning to start its operations in the country. And recent reports say, the brand has its eyes set on Fords manufacturing facility in Chennai for the same. So here's a look at the brand, and the cars it can bring. What Is VinFast? VinFast is a Vietnamese brand which is fairly new in this industry. The carmaker started its operations in 2017 in Vietnam and is the only carmaker in its home country to expand globally. The company started off by selling models based on BMW cars in Vietnam along with a few electric scooters and soon started making its own electric cars. Also Read: Maruti Suzuki eVX Electric SUV Concepts Interior Revealed In 2021, VinFast launched three electric cars, two new electric scooters, and an electric bus in Vietnam. Out of the three cars, two of them were for the global markets, and in 2022, the brand set up its showrooms in the US, Europe and Canada. Now, with the growth of EVs in India, VinFast is planning to enter the country as a major player. Expected Models VinFast might start bringing models in India as CBUs (completely built-up units) and once the carmaker sets up a facility in the country, it can bring its cars as CKD (completely knocked down) units. Here are some of the cars that we can see from VinFast in India. VinFast VF7: The VF7 could be brought to India as a CBU offering once the brand enters India. The electric SUV gets a 73.5kWh battery pack with a WLTP claimed range of up to 450km. In the Indian market, it is expected to be priced from Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. VinFast VF8: Another CBU offering from VinFast can be the VF8. The coupe-SUV is bigger than the VF7 and gets an 87.7kWh battery pack with a dual-motor setup. It gets a WLTP-claimed range of up to 425km and may be priced from Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. VinFast VFe34: The most affordable electric SUV from VinFast can be launched in India when the carmaker sets up its manufacturing facility. In its home market, it gets a 41.9kWh battery pack with a claimed range of 319km. The VFe34, in India, can be priced from Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. VinFast VF6: The VinFast VF6 is a Creta-sized electric SUV which gets a 59.6kWh battery pack. The electric SUV claims a WLTP-certified range of up to 400km and can be priced from Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards to go on the likes of the BYD Atto 3. India Plan As of now, there is no clear date when VinFast will start its operations in India, but we expect that the brand will make its entry into India sometime next year. With the start of its operations, VinFasts first offering for the country can be launched by 2025. Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has issued an open call for Group C - Paramedical positions. The application procedure is already ongoing, with the application form due by October 30. Candidates who are interested in applying can do so online at esic.gov.in. Overview Exam Conducting Body Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Post Name Paramedical Staff Posts Vacancy 1038 Online Registration 1st to 30th October 2023 Exam Mode Online Selection Process Written Exam, Skill Test and Document Verification Job Location Across India Official Website https://www.esic.nic.in/ Notification According to the official ESIC Recruitment 2023 notification, the candidate will be picked in four stages (Written Test, Skill Test, Document Verification, and Medical Examination). According to the official notification of ESIC Recruitment 2023, interested and eligible applicants can apply online at the ESIC website. The deadline for applying online for the above-mentioned position is October 30, 2023. How to Apply ? www.esic.gov.in is the official website. Click the recruitment option on the homepage. Then, click the link that says, "Click here to Submit an Online Application for Recruitment to Paramedical Positions in ESIC." Complete the application form Selection Written Test Skill Test Document Verification and Medical Examination Criteria for Eligibility To be eligible to apply for ESIC Recruitment 2023, candidates must meet the qualifying conditions outlined in the ESIC Recruitment Notification. The education qualification and age limit will be reviewed after the application deadline. The educational qualifications and age limit vary depending on the position you are applying for and are detailed in the official notification for all locations. Result Through ESIC Result 2023, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation will reveal the names of individuals who have been shortlisted for the next step of the recruiting process. The results will be posted on the official website https://www.esic.nic.in/, where candidates can check their qualifying status. The ESIC Result for Prelims, Mains, and Skill Test will be announced individually following the completion of each stage's exam. Honda is launching their first-ever EV for the ASEAN region , and it could be this: the Honda e:N1. For those whove been waiting and clamor... Welcome to Cartoon Brews series of spotlights focusing on the animated shorts that have qualified for the 2024 Oscars. There are several ways a film can earn eligibility. With these profiles, well be focusing on films that have done so by winning an Oscar-qualifying award at an Oscar-qualifying festival. Todays film is Electra from Czech filmmaker Daria Kascheeva, who previously scored an animated short Oscar nomination with her 2019 film Daughter. Electra earned its Oscars qualification by winning the best short film award at the Toronto International Film Festival, beating out other animation and live-action competition for the prestigious prize. Electra is told from the first-person perspective of its adult titular protagonist, who recalls her 10th birthday and the lasting trauma it caused. Her memories become intertwined with dreams and imagination, represented in the films off-kilter mix of animation techniques, including stop motion and pixelation. Complicated parental relationships are alluded to, and while Electra may be an unreliable narrator regarding the facts of her youth, there is no doubt that her pain is authentic. Cartoon Brew: Your stop-motion film Daughter achieved incredible success. With Electra, youve added other animation techniques. What inspired the decision to make Electra a multi-media film? Daria Kashcheeva: I should start with Daughter to answer this question. Daughter, in terms of visuals, was a compromise, a way to solve budget limitations creatively. I wanted to work with stop motion. Im not so good at drawing and dont enjoy it. I love to touch things, work by hand, and work with cameras and light. The solution was to use the cheapest materials for design, wood and toilet paper, which I could easily steal from school toilets. Thinking about my second film, I understood that raising a decent budget would be easier, so I didnt worry so much when writing the script. Also, I wanted to work with actors in our everyday work with real props and spaces. I thought it would resonate more than puppets. Development for Electra started with a willingness to explore what could be done in animation using the human body, combining live-action and pixelation. When the story became about puberty, the human body, and sexuality, Barbie dolls with their perfect proportions gave me the idea to work with dolls. What was it about the story or concept that connected with you and compelled you to direct the film? My early sketches all had a mood of loneliness. I started asking why my character was lonely, and I thought maybe she was afraid of real relationships. That resonated with me. For a long time, I was the kind of person who preferred to escape to a fantasy world. I worked with the idea through dozens of drafts of my script over a year, each one very different from the last. Eventually, I found Nancy Caters book Electra: Tracing a Feminine Myth Through the Western Imagination, in which the main idea is that there are a lot of lonely Electras among us. It inspired an idea about a lonely Electra rebelling against her mother and searching for a father who left her when she was young, blaming herself for his departure. She feels inadequate and isolates herself in a world of Barbie dolls, always remembering her fathers last message to be a good girl. The other primary influence was a talk with psychotherapist Karel Malimanek, who consulted on the script. He told me psychotherapy is never linear but rather a process that can take years in which patients can confuse past and present, dreams and reality. For a persons entire life, they may have believed their 10th birthday was fine. Then, one day, they realize it wasnt so good, and something went wrong that has been suppressed. That inspired the structure of the film. What did you learn through the experience of making this film, either production-wise, filmmaking-wise, creativity, or about the subject matter? This was my first time working with a big team. I learned that the most important skill for a director is communication, not only the ability to explain your vision but how to communicate when problems arise. Its vital to stay calm, forget about ego or mood, and think about the film and a solution to the problem. Im impulsive, but when I act impulsively, it never helps a problem solve itself. The other key lesson was how to take care of your teams mental and physical health. We often push hard, especially in animation, but its a long process, and very easy to get sick or burn out. Can you describe how you developed your visual approach to the film? Why did you settle on this style/technique? All the sets, props, costumes, and makeup are somehow symbolic. I expressed emotions and psychological meaning through design. I could explain them all, but I prefer letting the viewer interpret them using their imaginations. For example, though, the DO NOT ENTER room is rooted in Freuds psychoanalysis theory, as he often compared our psyche with a house. There are rooms we spend time in, rooms we show guests, and rooms with big windows that we show off to the world. Then there is a room in the house that is often locked and where we prefer nobody goes, not even ourselves. Freud compares this room to the part of our subconscious where we store our fears, uncomfortable or unacceptable desires, and memories wed rather forget. For Electra, entering that room is the very last option. Every detail in the film was created more than just as an interesting design, but to represent Electras feelings. Its like a dream or a nightmare; if you try to find meaning in the details, you may find a better understanding of yourself. Indie kids and family producer Studio 100 Media has acquired a stake in Spanish animation company 3 Doubles Producciones. It has been a big year for 3 Doubles. The companys latest feature, Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, will hit U.S. theaters later this month. Earlier this summer, Viva Kids acquired a minority stake of its own in the Spanish studio. Heres what we know about the deal Studio 100 deal: Photo: Photo Mike Howell. OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle has publicly apologized for comments made against Harrison Fleming, the communications director for Mayor Ken Sim. Vancouvers integrity commissioner has ruled that city councillor Christine Boyle breached the citys code of conduct for public comments she made in August regarding Mayor Ken Sims new communications director. The OneCity councillor's comments were directed at Harrison Fleming via Twitter (now known as X) and in an email that was circulated to people on her party's mailing list. Fleming previously worked for the governments of Doug Ford in Ontario and Jason Kenney in Alberta. Boyle called Fleming one of Kenneys top Internet bullies, harassing opponents of the government as Kenney worked to deny climate change and to enable and empower anti-maskers and COVID deniers. She also retweeted a post from her party that said the Ontario government Fleming worked for was in the middle of an $8 billion corruption scandal and is being investigated by the RCMP, according to Lisa Southerns report, which was posted Oct. 6 to the citys website. While much of what [councillor] Boyle wrote [or reposted] falls within permissible speech, by writing that Mr. Fleming was one of Jason Kenneys top Internet bullies, harassing opponents of the government, [councillor] Boyles comments were disrespectful and arguably defamatory, the commissioner said. Southern said that such accusations were problematic as they were personally directed and stated as fact versus opinion, and as such, constitute disrespectful conduct She ruled that Boyle violated the code of conduct. 'Respect and decorum' Prior to Southern posting her ruling, Boyle issued an apology in September via X. As a public official, I have a duty to uphold a high standard of respect and decorum, she wrote. In August, I failed to do so when discussing the hiring of the mayors newest team member, Harrison Fleming. On reflection, certain parts of my comments crossed a line. Where we disagree, we owe it to each other to disagree respectfully. I apologize to him and retract my statements. The apology was pinned to her post, as requested by the mayor, who filed the complaint. Southern noted Boyles apology in her ruling, and the fact the councillor offered to apologize to Fleming in person. The commissioner said they were remedies I would have made in this case, and recommended no further penalties. Given they have already been implemented by [councillor] Boyle on her own initiative, I do not recommend any sanction, Southern said. Boyle declined comment Tuesday while Fleming said in an email that Southerns report speaks for itself and that he was satisfied with its conclusions and remedies. Mayor Ken Sim has filed two complaints against OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle since the October 2022 election. Photo Mike Howell Mayor's second complaint against Boyle In his complaint, Sim said Boyles comments denigrated Fleming and accused him directly of past bullying and implying that he has advanced and is complicit in anti-LGBTQ+ government policies, despite the staff member identifying as a gay man. It was Sims second complaint against the councillor since he was elected mayor in October 2022. Sims party, ABC Vancouver, swept the polls and now has eight of the 11 seats at city hall; Boyle is OneCitys lone representative. Sim filed a complaint in March against Boyle related to her publicly sharing that she voted to keep the citys living wage, despite a majority of council voting at an in-camera meeting to scrap the policy. Last week, Southern released a ruling that cleared Boyle of any wrongdoing. Sims concern was that Boyle breached the code of conduct by disclosing how she voted. No other members of council shared how they voted, although Green Party Coun. Pete Fry posted on Twitter that he and colleague Adriane Carr support a living wage policy. Boyle told Glacier Media last week that she spent $7,000 in legal fees on the case. It will be up to the rest of council to decide whether she should be indemnified for the costs. However, even if an in-camera vote happens and Boyle does get reimbursed, the result cannot be shared publicly. When Glacier Media filed a story about the case last week, former city councillor Colleen Hardwick shared via X that she was indemnified for costs related to a case in the last term involving then-mayor Kennedy Stewart. Photo: The Canadian Press Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes speaks during a press conference following the announcement that Utah filed a lawsuit against TikTok at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City, Utah on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Utah became the latest state Tuesday to file a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging the company is baiting children into addictive and unhealthy social media habits. TikTok lures children into hours of social media use, misrepresents the apps safety and deceptively portrays itself as independent of its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, Utah claims in the lawsuit. We will not stand by while these companies fail to take adequate, meaningful action to protect our children. We will prevail in holding social media companies accountable by any means necessary, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Salt Lake City. Arkansas and Indiana have filed similar lawsuits while the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to decide whether state attempts to regulate social media platforms such as Facebook, X and TikTok violate the Constitution. Public health concerns are cited in the Utah lawsuit. Research has shown that children who spend more than three hours a day on social media double their risk of poor mental health, including anxiety and depression, the lawsuit alleges. TikTok designed and employs algorithm features that spoon-feed kids endless, highly curated content from which our children struggle to disengage. TikTok designed these features to mimic a cruel slot machine that hooks kids attention and does not let them go, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said at the news conference. The lawsuit seeks to force TikTok to change its destructive behavior while imposing fines and penalties to fund education efforts and otherwise address damage done to Utah children, Reyes said. "TikTok has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts. We will continue to work to keep our community safe by tackling industry-wide challenges," TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said in an emailed statement. Utah earlier this year became the first state to pass laws that aim to limit children and teen use of social media apps such as TikTok. The laws are set to take effect next year. They will impose a digital curfew on people under 18, which will require minors to get parental consent to sign up for social media apps and force companies to verify the ages of all their Utah users. They also require tech companies to give parents access to their kids accounts and private messages, raising concern among some child advocates about further harming children's mental health. Depriving children of privacy, they say, could be detrimental for LGBTQ+ kids whose parents are not accepting of their identity. Re. Protester headed for trail (Castanet, Oct. 10) So the lady who interrupted the Remembrance Day ceremony in November 2021 (even though there was no official ceremony that year) is now, two years later, being charged with some arcane (offence)disturbing order or solemnity of a meeting. When was the last time this law was used, 1871? I do not know the accused but I was at the Cenotaph that morning. She did indeed interrupt proceedings and was roundly booed and heckled for it. On a scale of one to 10 where 10 is the most seriousthis crime barely rated a one. And yet, somehow her trial is going to take six days. In the meantime, accused murderers and rapists are being released back into the community because of delays in their cases coming to trial. All this does is reinforce the perception that the justice system is a joke. How much time has our (local RCMP) put into building the case against her? Surely its offciers time could have been better spent doing something else, considering how much crime there is in Kelowna these days. Isn't the real reason this case is going to trial because of her objections to the vaccine and the governments mandates (at the time)? Apparently the vaccine is a sacred thing which cannot be questioned or criticized in public. This smacks of a government using the department of justice to intimidate anyone who openly protested the mandates. With the political trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber still ongoing, and the recent trial of Ezra Levant for writing a book critical of Justin Trudeau, it seems we are getting more like China every week. Peter Emery, Kelowna Photo: Facebook The Jewish Federation of Ottawa has identified a third Canadian killed by Hamas attacks in Israel. According to one of Vital-Kaploun's friends on Facebook, the 33-year-old woman and mother was kidnapped with her two babies from their home in Kibbutz Cholit on Saturday morning. The Facebook post mentions that Vital-Kaploun's two babies were later abandoned at the border but were subsequently found and are now receiving medical treatment. "Yesterday, we received the news that Adi is no longer with us. She protected her children during the horrific attack," Gilad Levi said on Facebook. Vital-Kaploun is described by family as a "beautiful person inside and out. May her memory be a blessing," a shared post. Jewish Federation of Ottawa CEO Andrea Freedman spoke on behalf of the family of Vital-Kaploun at a press conference Wednesday. "Her love was like rays of sunshine warming the world around her with her smile," Freedman said. Around 70 Canadians are currently stranded in the Gaza Strip and have requested assistance. The Canadian government currently states that they have no means of reaching them without a humanitarian corridor. Since the conflict began over the weekend, a total of three Canadians have now been confirmed dead. Friends and family have confirmed the deaths of three Canadian citizens in Israel: 22-year-old Ben Mizrachi from Vancouver, 33-year-old Alexandre Look from Montreal and Vital-Kaploun, who had deep ties in Ottawa. -With files from Canadian Press Erratum, Volume 20, September 14 Release Suggested citation for this article: Erratum, Volume 20, September 14 Release. Prev Chronic Dis 2023;20:230026e. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd20.230026e. In the article Development of a Hypertension Electronic Phenotype for Chronic Disease Surveillance in Electronic Health Records: Key Analytic Decisions and Their Effects, by Hohman et al, the first sentence in the Methods section of the Abstract was updated to correct the number of patients. The corrected sentence is, We used MENDS data from 1,671,544 patients in Louisiana to examine the effect of different analytic decisions on estimates of hypertension prevalence. The article was corrected on September 19, 2023, and appears at https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/23_0026.htm. We regret any confusion this error may have caused. Top Cement Australia signs haulage agreement with Pacific National 11 October 2023 Cement Australia has signed a three-year rail haulage agreement with Pacific National for the movement of cementitious materials across Australia. Pacific National will transport cement, sand, fly ash, slag and lime between Australias major cities and throughout North Queensland, on behalf of Cement Australia, using interstate and inter-city transportation. Compared to road transportation, rail haulage is more fuel efficient, therefore offering a transport system with lower emissions. According to Paul Scurrah, chief executive, Pacific National, its customers benefit from being able to access the length and breadth of the companys national network, as well as the ability to quickly scale up rail freight operations to meet demand. Published under The Covenant College volleyball team began the second half of its CCS schedule on Tuesday with a game against Berea. As it did the first time it played the Mountaineers, Covenant won in straight sets. Covenant improves to 19-1 overall and 9-0 in conference play. Rachel Bartlett and Kyla Bailey had kills early on in the first set as Covenant led 10-5. Berea hung with the Scots, keeping the score within five as the set progressed. Hannah Haerer and Bailey clinched the set for Covenant at 25-20 with kills on the final two points. The second set started with four consecutive points for the Scots. The Mountaineers fought back to tie the set at 11. Four straight points for Covenant gave it some cushion later in the set at 22-18. A kill from Bailey assisted by Bartlett gave the Scots a 25-21 set two win. Four attack errors from the Mountaineers at the beginning of the third set saw Covenant take a 6-1 lead. Kills from Bailey and Kalbfleisch extended the Scots lead to 16-6. The set ended at 25-11 as did the match on a service ace from Kelsey Carman. Kalbfleisch led Covenant with 12 kills while Haerer was right behind her with 11. Bartlett tallied 36 assists for Covenant. Sarah Jennings had 13 digs for the Scots Covenant is on a 14-game winning streak. The Scots go to Agnes Scott on Saturday for a tri-match with them and Huntingdon. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp today announced local organizations can now apply for grants to receive Opioid Abatement Funds.The county is poised to receive millions of dollars in settlement funds from the state of Tennessee over the next two decades and Mayor Wamp has proposed $500,000 to be made immediately available to local organizations combating the opioid epidemic.This grant program is part of a larger strategy the County Mayors office launched in August as a commitment to fighting the opioid crisis by focusing on prevention, rehabilitation and prosecution of dealers of deadly drugs.The Hamilton County Innovative Response to Opioids Grants will allow for direct distribution of settlement resources into the communities and organizations that are deploying grassroots strategies to combat opioids destructive impact on local familieswith a goal to establish innovative models in fighting the crisis."We want local organizationslarge and small, faith-based or secularto join us in the fight against the deadly opioid epidemic to spur innovative approaches to prevention and rehabilitation as we combat this unprecedented crisis affecting every corner of our county, said Mayor Wamp.The applications will be reviewed by an independent committee composed of Hamilton County government and non-government officials who will make suggestions to the mayor on which organizations should be awarded funds.The recommendations will go to the county commission for their approval of funding.The grant application opened Tuesday, and is due by Friday, Oct. 27. To apply, visit HamiltonTN.gov and click Mayor Weston Wamp. Finished applications can be sent to opioidgrant@hamiltontn.gov. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, joined by 19 states, submitted a comment letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) opposing EEOCs new rule to require workplace abortion accommodations. EEOCs rule relates to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which a bipartisan coalition of Congress passed to protect the rights of pregnant workers and their babies. PWFA directs employers to provide workplace accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Yet EEOCs rule would interpret this pro-pregnancy provision to force covered employers, including the State of Tennessee, to allocate resources to support workers decisions to terminate pregnancies, the attorney general said. Time and again, the courts have reminded the federal government that major policy questions should be decided by the peoples elected representatives and not by bureaucrats, said Attorney General Skrmetti. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is an important piece of legislation that ensures women are not forced to choose between work and motherhood, but that law absolutely does not authorize the EEOC to impose pro-abortion mandates. If the EEOC continues on this path, we will sue to stop the agency from illegally coercing employers to facilitate abortions in violation of state law. He said Tennessees letter "highlights a number of legal flaws with EEOCs proposed abortion rule. Among other flaws, Congress has never mandated employers to implement pro-abortion policies, and the PWFAs protections for pregnancy plainly were not intended to promote such an agenda. Further, EEOCs rule contradicts States duly enacted abortion prohibitions and undermines their commitment to protecting prenatal life at all stages of development." The coalition urges the EEOC "to abandon the pursuit of this abortion-accommodation rule, emphasizing that the states are prepared to take legal action if necessary. Tennessee and the co-signing States firmly believe that the EEOC should respect the democratic process and the citizens rejection of pro-abortion policies." Joining Tennessee in the letter, are attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah. To read the letter in its entirety, click here. Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) on Wednesday released a proclamation condemning in the strongest possible terms the invasion of Israel by the terrorist group known as Hamas. The invasion of Israel by Hamas was illegal, immoral and unconscionable. This unprovoked, unprecedented and murderous attack on our greatest ally and the only true democracy in the Middle East was not merely an act of terror. It was an act of war, said Lt. Governor McNally. We stand unequivocally and without hesitation with the state of Israel in this time of great tragedy. I am a strong supporter of the Nation of Israel and stand with them every single day. The heinous attack from the terrorist group Hamas, the extremists that funded it, as well as those that celebrate it - are evil, said Speaker Sexton. You do not negotiate with evil - you defeat evil, and I fully support Israels use of force and any military action they need to take to eradicate terrorists like Hamas. The speakers issued this proclamation on behalf of the members of the House and the Senate to demonstrate that the people of Tennessee and their legislature stand united in their support for the state of Israel and against those who seek to destroy Americas strongest ally in the Middle East. Click here to read the full proclamation. The state is providing another $300,000 for deputies to provide security in Hamilton County Schools. Ron Bernard of the Sheriff's Office said that will pay for four deputies who will be assigned to local charter schools. He said that will bring the total up to 36 of deputies in the county schools. Mr. Bernard said the Sheriff's Office has been very successful recently in locating and training school deputies. He said the state has more money available if the Sheriff's Office can get more deputies hired, trained and ready to go into the schools. Mr. Bernard said there is expected to be continued funding from the state for the deputies beyond this fiscal year. All of the student presenters for the symposium are shown outside of the School of Nursing Ethan Heck, of Union College, presenting Lee Universitys Destiny Peace presenting Award winners with Dr. Kevin Ung, from left, Dr Ung, Sydney Fant, Sarah Bertram, Destiny Peace, Blake Long, Dursun Asik and Daeana Roberts Previous Next Lee University held the 5th annual McNair-Ledford Undergraduate Research Symposium on its campus, featuring 37 presentations with cash awards for the winners. The symposium was held at Lees School of Nursing. The McNair-Ledford Undergraduate Research Symposium was the culminating event that provided students the opportunity to effectively disseminate their research projects, said Dr. Kevin Ung, director of the McNair Scholars Program and Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship. In addition, this occasion marked the collaborative efforts of the Appalachian College Association faculty and students. With representation from seven different colleges and universities this year, Lee aspires to support and advance undergraduate research and creative endeavors in partnership with regional institutions. The event showcased student research from various disciplines across campus, including biology, computer science, creative arts, criminal justice, history, language, literature, math, nursing, psychology, religion, and sociology. Topics ranging from chemistry and ecology to music, healthcare, and social media were covered in the presentations. The symposium committee included Lee faculty Dr. Michaelia Black, Dr. Jonathan Cornett, Dr. Debra Gladden, and Dr. Arlie Tagayuna, along with Jeni Turner, McNair Scholars Program Coordinator, and Dr. Ung. Dr. Meryl Herr, director of research and resources at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, was the keynote speaker of the symposium. Dr. Herrs presentation was a workshop-style approach to help student researchers begin to frame their calling within a theologically informed vision for service. The session included reflective practices along with developing a training plan for students research skills. Dr. Herr challenged students to consider in what ways their research gives the world an appetizer of what's good, true, beautiful, and just? said Dr. Ung. Using a biblical creation framework, students examined how their current work will advance a shalom-focused future. This event captures Lees commitment and dedication toward advancing scholarly research in various fields and disciplines to discover Gods calling in the lives of students. Preceding Dr. Herrs address, students presented posters and gave oral presentations of their summer research, and 20 faculty and administrative staff members from various disciplines, along with six visiting faculty, served as judges. The overall winner of the event was Sydney Fant, a senior history major, who received $150 for her presentation State National Citizenship: A History. I had a lot going on this summer on top of my research that made things difficult, but the McNair staff and my mentor helped me make it to the finish, said Ms. Fant. Even though this was my first time presenting, and I was pretty nervous, the event was very well organized, and everything ran smoothly, which really helped with my nerves. All in all, this entire experience has really pushed me to grow intellectually and as a person, for which I am grateful. For both poster and oral presentations, first place received $100, second place received $75, and third place received $50. There were 21 poster presentations. All Together in One Place: A Survey of Pentecostal Hermeneutics presented by Blake Long, a pastoral ministries major, won first place. Dursun Asik, a Spanish and classics major, won the second-place award for his presentation Race and Ethnicity in Colombia and How They Pertain to the Individual. In third place was health science major Sarah Bertram for her presentation Type II Diabetes Assessment for College Students. There were 16 oral presentations. The two first-place winners were Amie Ndiaye, a theology major, for her presentation Social Media, Christianity, and Gen-Z: The Rise and Influence of Social Media and How Church Leaders Should Engage with It and Daeana Roberts, an English major from Bryan College, for her presentation Decolonizing Literary Space: Postmodern and Postcolonial Convergence in Jessica Hagedorns Dogeaters and Gina Apostols Insurrecto. Destiny Peace, a music education major, won second place for her presentation Dissonance and Its Relationship to Quartal/Quintal Harmonies in Cait Nishimuras Golden Hour. In third place was criminal justice major Madilyn Voiles for her presentation Angels of Death: Demographics, Socialization, Work Experiences, and Motivations of Healthcare Serial Killers. For more information about the McNair Program or to apply, visit https://www.leeuniversity.edu/mcnair/. Lee alumna Esmerelda Lee was inducted into the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Associations Hall of Fame, which aims to honor distinguished alumni from TICUA institutions while highlighting their contributions to the state, nation, and world. With each new class of the TICUA Hall of Fame, we discover even more of our alumni changing the world, some whose names we know and others we are just now becoming familiar with, said TICUA President Dr. Claude Pressnell. Each of the inductees demonstrates how valuable one's college experience is to your life and the impact a liberal arts education has on molding your future. Ms. Lee was one of 24 honorees inducted into TICUAs Hall of Fame. She currently serves as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Century Park Associates, an affiliate of Life Care Centers of America that operates more than 40 independent and assisted living communities in 20 states. We are thrilled for Esmerelda and commend TICUA for selecting her, said Lee President Dr. Mark Walker. We are proud to have her representing Lee University. Esmerelda Lee is the student and alumna every college and university desires to have as a member of their institutional family. Originally from Durbin, South Africa, Ms. Lee graduated cum laude from Lee College with a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences/pre-med emphasis and earned her masters degree in public health administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Since then, she has served in various roles in her professional career, including as the regional vice president of operations and later the vice president of operations at Enlivant Senior Assisted Living Facilities and Communities until 2018. Ms. Lee has also served with Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Rotary Club of Cleveland, 2009 Steering Committee for the United Way Division for United Way, the Governors Board, the Lee University Alumni Advisory Board, and the Cleveland High School Community Advisory Board. Esmerelda is married to Dr. Andrew Lee, a professor at Lee University, and they have three children: Caleb, Sam and Ellie. TICUA engages Tennessees private, non-profit colleges and universities to work collaboratively in areas of public policy, cost containment, and professional development to better serve the State and its citizens. TICUA membership includes 35 member institutions comprised of four-year colleges and universities and professional colleges. To learn more about TICUA, visit ticua.org. Jill Dillard and Derick Dillard have been married for more than nine years. While the couple's current relationship is on full display, let's go back to how it call began. Jill and Derick Dillard have emerged as the Duggar family rebels. Though theyve broken away from the rest of the Duggar family in recent years, their romance started just like most other Duggar family courtships. Their early marriage mimicked the early marriages of Jills siblings, too. Lets take a look back at how Jill Dillard and Derick Dillards relationship started. How did Jill and Derick Dillard meet? Jill and Derick Dillards early relationship was captured on 19 Kids and Counting. While younger sister Jessa Seewald was courting her now-husband, Ben Seewald, around the same time, the siblings relationships could not have started more differently. Jessa met Ben at church when the Seewald family traveled to the Duggar Familys home base. Whether they traveled explicitly so Ben could meet Jessa is up for debate. Regardless of why the Seewalds were in town, a meeting happened, and the couple ended up together. Derick initially contacted Jim Bob Duggar to become prayer partners while Derick was a missionary in Nepal. The now-enemies became friends, and Jim Bob decided Derick would be a good fit for his second-oldest daughter. The duo hit it off and started talking via video chat. Still, they didnt enter into a relationship until Jill traveled to Nepal, accompanied by Jim Bob and a camera crew for 19 Kids and Counting, in November 2013. Did the couple have a traditional courtship? While Jill and Derick initially called their romance a courtship, it seems the couple probably didnt court in the way the Duggars described it initially. In a Q&A video uploaded to their YouTube account, the couple revealed they were in a more typical relationship and would call their early romance dating instead of courtship. Derick and Jill Dillard | TLC/YouTube Regardless of what they called it, Jill and Derick Dillard kept their relationship pretty tame before marriage. The duo did not kiss before they were legally wed and had chaperones during their dates. Despite keeping things chaste, the couple quickly knew they were meant for each other. The relationship began in November 2013, and Derick returned from Nepal in January 2014. They were engaged in March and married by June. Where are Jill and Derick Dillard now? Since their wedding date, Jill and Derick Dillards relationship has weathered more than one storm. Between two Duggar family scandals, both caused by Josh Duggar, a family fight over fair pay, and eventual estrangement from the Duggar family, theyve dealt with a lot. The couple, however, has emerged stronger. Jill Dillard | D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra Related Jill Dillard Reveals Why Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Were Fine With Jinger Vuolo Wearing Pants Derick and Jill now live in an Arkansas town near the Oklahoma border. The move occurred shortly after Derick landed his first job out of law school. In recent years, Jill has appeared in a docuseries criticizing the controversial ministry the Duggars are involved with. Jill has also published a memoir about her life. The king of the United Kingdom has reportedly grouped his son, daughter-in-law, and brother into a distinct group outside of their senior royal titles. Over three years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited the royal family for good, King Charles has reportedly placed his son and daughter-in-law in a new category with Prince Andrew. Meet the others, claims a royal commentator. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly fall into a new category within the royal family Royal commentator Daniela Esler writes in an essay for News.com.au that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle now fall within a new category within the royal family. She claims King Charles is doing a reset of senior royals. While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no longer working royals, their status has not changed within the Firm. Therefore, they remain senior royals due to Harrys rank as fifth in line to the British throne. But that doesnt mean King Charles cannot categorize his estranged son and daughter-in-law into an entirely new category. According to Elser, this is precisely what the monarch did. The source for this particular morsel is the Daily Mails Ephraim Hardcastle column, Elser writes. According to Hardcastle, four months on from Charles coronation and debut go at not falling over while holding a sceptre, his majesty has been hard at work and has radically reset his late mothers concept of the Family Firm. She continued, Rather, this reset has seen the king break his family down into four categories: senior royals, working royals, non-working royals, and others. It is into that final inglorious group, the others, that the Sussexes have been lumped along with disgraced ducal potato and the second worst Duke of York in history, Prince Andrew. King Charles has reportedly acted harsher toward Prince Harry and Meghan Markle than Prince Andrew King Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2018 on the Buckingham Palace balcony | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Daniela Elser claims that King Charles appears to have softened his attitude toward his younger brother, Prince Andrew, but not toward Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Charles seems to not want to reconcile after the couple spent the better part of three years publicly bashing the royal family. While earlier this year, the King had tried to oust Andrew from Royal Lodge, the 30-room bit of prize real estate he has called home since the Queen Mothers 2002 death. However, it now looks like his majesty has surrendered to his pompous brothers intractability and refusal to downgrade, Elser wrote. However, within 24 hours of the release of Harrys memoir Spare, Charles reportedly began proceedings to move him and Meghan from their UK home, Frogmore Cottage. Elser claims, It is impossible to read this situation as anything, but the king had little appetite or interest in extending the same leniency toward Harry and Meghan that he has to Andrew. She concluded, It is a horrible look for the king that the Duke of York can now gobble down Victoria sponges sent over from castle kitchens while Harry cant even get his family, one of the largest property holders in Britain, to stump up a spare room. If this is what his majestys radical reset looks like, then God help us, pheasant everywhere and all those cousins of his still living at Kensington Palace, if he ever really does a hard reset. When did King Charles see Prince Harry last? The last time Prince Harry was seen alongside his father, King Charles, was during the funeral of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, in September 2022. Harry subsequently attended King Charles coronation in May 2023 alone, leaving his wife Meghan Markle and their two children home in California. In September 2023, Harry traveled to the United Kingdom for the Well Child Awards, landing the day before the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeths death. However, a palace insider told The Daily Mail that the king had no time in the diary to see his son. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, recently traveled to New York City to participate in discussions regarding mental health. They visited a Brooklyn, New York charter school, followed by an appearance during Mental Health Day held at New York Citys Hudson Yards. ORLEN and Yokogawa Europe, the regional headquarters for Japans Yokogawa Electric Corporation, announce they have joined forces to initiate industrial-scale production of carbon neutral synthetic aviation fuels. In a landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 21, the two companies have come together to enhance the technological process responsible for synthesising fuel from carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. ORLEN is looking to establish itself as a frontrunner in this emerging market segment, poised to drive effective decarbonisation of the aviation industry. Akio Miyajima - Japanese Ambassador to Poland, Takayuki Matsubara - President of Yokogawa Europe, Jozef Wegrecki - Board Member ORLEN, Armen Artwich - Board Member ORLEN Yokogawa Europe B.V./ORLEN S.A. ORLEN is investing in technologies that shape the future of economy. Synthetic fuels are essential in the pursuit of the aviation sectors carbon neutrality, offering the distinct advantage of not relying on fossil fuels. ORLENs target is to attain a production capacity of 70 thousand tonnes of such fuels annually by the end of 2030. 'ORLENs partnership with Yokogawa marks a major milestone towards achieving our strategic goal to launch synthetic fuel production. Our joint project will help us to develop a comprehensive industrial-scale process for the production of synthetic fuels. With our Japanese partner we already have a very successful track record of cooperation in optimisation of our refining and petrochemical processes. I am happy such an experienced and reliable partner will support the development of ORLENs new business line,' says Daniel Obajtek, ORLENs CEO and President of the Management Board. Under the partnership, ORLEN and Yokogawa aim to develop an integrated management solution for the production of synthetic fuels. The joint endeavour will involve the creation of a virtual replica of a production facility, referred to as a digital twin, which will enable the simulation and fine-tuning of production processes with a focus on selecting the most economically viable and environmentally sustainable synthesis method. The solution will be applied to a new production facility of synthetic fuels production, which will be constructed by the end of 2030. Sustainable synthetic fuels are obtained by combining hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, with carbon dioxide molecules sourced from various industrial processes, including power generation, biomass plants, cement factories, steel mills, and fertilizer plants. Thus, the production of synthetic fuels can significantly curb industrial emissions of greenhouse gases. One of the exceptional advantages of synthetic fuels lies in their near-identical properties to conventional petroleum-derived products, such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to their properties, synthetic fuels can be used with current combustion engine vehicles without the need for any technical modifications. Moreover, the already established storage, transport, and distribution infrastructure designed for petroleum fuels can be used without any modifications for synthetic fuel logistics. This promises to meaningfully expedite and economise the decarbonisation of various sectors, with aviation as a prime beneficiary. ORLEN expects the aviation industry to be the principal consumer of synthetic fuels. 'Through this co-innovation with ORLEN, we will accelerate the decarbonization of aviation fuels. This will be powered by seamlessly integrated and highly autonomous digital systems,' states Takayuki Matsubara, President of Yokogawa Europe. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Update (October 18, 2023): Australians voted no to the Voice referendum on October 14. Across the country, 60.4 percent chose this option while 39.6 percent voted yes. The outcome was shocking and devastating for Australias First Nations people, said Anne Pattel-Gray, who voted yes. If we were ever unsure of how Australians felt about its First Nations people, it is very clear that we dont matter and that this country is extremely racist towards us. Lies and untruths about Indigenous peoples is the new normal, said Raymond Minnecon, who also voted yes. He cited Ephesians 6:12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. I would like to say to the yes voters [to] please let this pass and focus on addressing real issues in Australia, such as poverty and sexual and alcohol abuse, among both Indigenous and nonindigenous peoples, said James Dargin, who voted no. Brooke Prentis, who declined to reveal her vote, is planning to call Australian Christians to join her in creating a Truth, Justice, and Conciliation commission. Through 250 years of injustice and disadvantage, I continue to hold out my hand in friendship to nonindigenous Australians and ask you to walk with me for a better Australia, she wrote in a statement. I pray you join me in building an Australia we build together, an Australia built on Truth, Justice, Love, and Hope. --------------- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia were not granted citizenship until 1963. And they were not counted in the census until 1967. To Brooke Prentis, the former CEO of the Christian social justice organization Common Grace, these numbers arent just dates and statistics. As a woman from the Wakka Wakka people of southwest Queensland, theyre a part of what she calls her living memories. Australias upcoming Voice referendum will be yet another milestone etched in Prentiss mind. On October 14, the country will vote yes or no to amendments in the Constitution that would recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (a broad term for people hailing from 274 small islands between the state of Queensland and Papua New Guinea) as the First Peoples of Australia. If the Voice referendum is passed, the Constitution will be amended to include language that calls for the formation of a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It will also state that this Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the executive government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Indigenous Australians; and that Parliament has the power to influence what the Voice looks like. These constitutional changes are one of the calls to action in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which was crafted in 2017 after dialogues with Indigenous peoples across the country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples comprise 3.8 percent of the Australian population. Just over half (54%) identify as Christian according to the 2016 census, but they face challenges within their own First Nations communities and also from the larger Australian Christian community. For a long time, Ive been the only Aboriginal theologian in the country, said Anne Pattel-Gray, a descendant of the Bidjara nation and head of the Victoria-based University of Divinitys School of Indigenous Studies. Many Indigenous believers have been excluded from theological education through mainstream or denominational seminaries, she added. Indigenous Christian communities are experiencing mixed reactions to the Voice, say the Aboriginal pastors and leaders CT interviewed. Many lamented the factious ways in which Christians have engaged on the topic and the spike in racism that First Nation peoples have experienced in the midst of the campaigns. What I have called for from Christians [particularly], and all peoples in these lands now called Australia during this time, is to listen with love and compassion. Thats what Ive seen missing from the campaigns, the debates, how people are talking to each other, said Prentis, who declined to reveal what her vote would be for. Where history and future collide Some Indigenous Christian leaders are unequivocal about voting yes to the Voice referendum, especially in how it seeks to address historical injustice against their peoples. To be recognized in our Australian Constitution would be really significant as the First Peoples of this land, said Pattel-Gray. It will be recognizing all of those omissions of history where terra nullius [Latin for nobodys land] was the basis on which colonization and invasion took place, where we didnt belong here. We werent here. Pattel-Gray also emphasized the importance of having permanent Indigenous representation in the government. For over 200 centuries, Aboriginal people have been silenced, marginalized in this country, and our voices have not been heard, she said. Having a Voice in Parliament would help First Nations peoples influence and have a say about what kind of future and destiny we would like to create, where our children have an opportunity to prosper and to be nurtured, she added. Indigenous childrens health and education are two of the foremost issues that Pattel-Gray hopes the government can address if the Voice is included in the Constitution. The Indigenous child mortality rate was twice that of nonindigenous children in 2018, and the average Indigenous student is around two-and-a-half years behind the average nonindigenous one. We are called to be Christs ambassadors. We Christians need to remember that weve been given a mandate to uphold, and how we do that now, with integrity, is yet to be seen, she said. A land of ones own Raymond Minnecon, a descendant of the Kabi Kabi and Gurang Gurang nations of southeast Queensland, echoed Pattel-Grays views, saying that his Christian faith is fundamental to how he will be voting this Saturday. The Bible says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Were the peacemakers in this business. Were not the ones trying to antagonize, said the co-pastor of Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries at St. Johns Anglican church in Glebe, Sydney. Minnecon also sees the Voice as a means of self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To us as Christians, we should be saying this is a fundamental, God-given right, not [only] a human right. He gave us this voice. He gave us our language, he gave us our culture, he gave us our land. The Uluru Statement is an invitation of transformational forgiveness offered to those who benefit directly from the dispossession of our country, culture and spirituality, said Glenn Loughrey, a Melbourne-based Wiradjuri man and chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) in a Q&A with Eternity News. Those comprising the church are asked to accept this invitation and its accompanying offer of forgiveness from First Nations people as an opportunity for redemption, Loughrey said. But James Dargin, who pastors New Wine Life Church in Unanderra, Wollongong and is from the Wiradjuri peoples in central New South Wales, is choosing to vote no. One reason is because he holds a different view of land ownership. We have had decades of land rights, the 2008 National Apology, a national curriculum that elevates Indigenous issues, a dozen significant Indigenous dates annually, and Welcomes to Country everywhere we go. For many Indigenous Australians like me (James), these initiatives are already more than enough. Some even find it tiring or patronizing, Dargin wrote in Australian Christian news outlet The Daily Declaration with co-author Kurt Wahlburg. If the yes Voice get[s] in, we lose our sovereignty and [the] UN will control the land of Australia, Dargin told CT. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are still recognized as original owners of the land, but if they are included in the Constitution, it will mean they have ceded their sovereignty and that all Australians, including Indigenous peoples, will lose their properties and houses under Native title and will no longer be classed as owners or businesses, he explained. I believe our prime minister is using the Voice for distraction so he [can] focus on Australia becoming a Republic country, he also said. Dargins view represents one strand of thought in the no camp, which believes that if the Voice referendum passes, Indigenous sovereignty of their self-determination and control over their affairs would be lost. A similar argument is held by the Blak Sovereign Movement, a group of Indigenous elders, academics, activists, and community workers who believe that Indigenous peoples are the only sovereigns of the land and that the Voice is a vehicle of unwanted constitutional recognition that attempts to rule over us and our lands. Besides this, there are three other prevailing viewpoints that Indigenous peoples in the no camp ascribe to, explains Prentis. One view contends that the formulation of a treaty should come before incorporating an Indigenous voice in Parliament, like what occurred in Canada. Another thinks that the Voice is powerless because it would only be an advisory body to Parliament and the government. Yet another regards the Voice as a means of division between Indigenous and nonindigenous peoples, which is what leading Indigenous no campaigner and Catholic businessman Nyunggai Warren Mundine is promoting. For real reconciliation, its not enough that Australia as a nation says sorry, but Indigenous people also need to forgive Australia as a nation, wrote Mundine, a member of the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr, and Yuin peoples. As Aboriginals, we have a choiceto continue to feel angry, or to draw a line in history and not be captive to the past. In Mundines view, the Uluru Statement presents a radical and divisive vision of Australia, and the Voice re-introduces racial segregation into the Constitution, casting Aboriginal people as one homogenized race even though they comprise many different nations, and is built on a lie that Indigenous Australians do not possess a voice. The only person who can better your life is not the government, not the Voice. Its you, Mundine said, regarding his hopes for Aboriginal people in a campaign video. The Uluru Statements ultimate goal is to establish a treaty, which refers to reparations that will likely be a fixed percentage of the nations GDP paid to Indigenous peoples, Dargin and Mahlburg also wrote. However, receiving more money as a form of reparations may not improve circumstances, and developing better management of existing funds could be a better solution, they argued. What if the Voice represents just a subset of Indigenous Australians, who have a special interest in keeping a spirit of resentment alive? What if reconciliation efforts are undermined by an unwillingness to forgive? With outstretched hands Whichever way the Voice vote swings, Indigenous leaders told CT that they have observed and experienced more racism this year than in years past. In one recent incident, Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe of the Blak Sovereign Movement received a video of a man claiming to be from a neo-Nazi group. He burned the Aboriginal flag and made racist comments about First Nations peoples. Prentis has been subject to racist attacks over the past year. A couple of those [incidents] have hurt me very, very badly, and even made me scared for my own safety and property, she said. For Indigenous believers, what may add another layer of hurt is how the flames of racial hatred may be stoked by fellow siblings in Christ. Some Christians have made statements that Indigenous peoples are demanding their land back and will take everything theyve built, which is absolute rubbish to Pattel-Gray. People who believe that really dont understand what the Voice is about or the referendum. It is not about reprisal. Its not about lashing out. Its about the grace of God being extended to this nation, to recognize us and to hear our voice, and nothing more, she said. While reparations are necessary, Australia has a long way to go before this can be realized, say most of the Indigenous leaders CT spoke with. What weve tried to do in Australia for the last three decades is reconciliation with no justice, said Pattel-Gray. Reconciliation needs to take place first before reparations can occur, said Prentis. However, these efforts may be undermined because reparations have been weaponized by the no campaign: Its fed into this myth and stereotyp[ed] nonindigenous Australians minds that we get all this money: we get free cars, free house, free education. Weve never gotten anything free. Its a complete lie, she said. Prentis is already looking past the outcome of the Voice referendum to the ongoing work that lies before her in advocating reconciliationor friendship, as she prefers to call itbetween Indigenous and nonindigenous people. In her view, this needs to happen before reparations can truly take place. We do need to understand the true history of these lands now called Australia. We need Aboriginal people to stop dying too young and too early. And we do need healing, and the only way we can do that is by journeying together. In the church, it's to understand, What does it truly mean to love your Aboriginal neighbor as yourself? she said. [This] will take a humbling, a relearning, and for our hearts to be in rhythm with each other. When talking about reparations, Minnecon looks to the story of Zaccheus the tax collector, who said, If I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount (Luke 19:8). Reconciliation is a daily activity. Its a verb, said Minnecon. With at least 1,200 Israelis and 1,100 Palestinians slain, it is not simply the Israel-Hamas wars stunning casualty total that has outraged the world, but also the brutality of Hamas. More than 200 youth were killed at a concert festival, villages and farms were raided and terrorized, and an estimated 150 hostages have been threatened with death if Israeli air strikes on the coastal strip do not cease. With such cessation unlikely, casualty numbers will most assuredly increase. Israel has called up 360,000 reservists, poised to begin a ground campaign into Gaza. Consistent with military strategy to meet terrorism with overwhelming force, past conflicts in the beleaguered 25-mile strip have previously produced striking totals, including 2014 clashes that resulted in 73 Israeli and 2,100 Palestinian deaths. All the while, many Israelis have lived in fear. Since the September 2005 unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the Jewish Virtual Library has counted 334 terrorism deaths and at least 20,648 rockets and mortars launched into Israeli territory. Amid the stark tallies, there are signs of balance between local believers across the ethnic divide. Christianity Today interviewed three Messianic Jews, three Palestinian evangelicals, and two Gazan Christians currently outside their native strip. Shared astonishment The level of hatred and evil displayed in these acts is truly shocking, said Eli Birnbaum, a branch director for Jews for Jesus in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It is unlike anything we have seen in decades and has deeply shaken the population. Attacks in his neighborhood have been so intense, he said, that people are remaining indoors. In constant communication with family, friends, and 50 full-time staff members, he said his community is doing its best to stay connected and offer encouragement. On the Saturday of the attack, Birnbaums congregation came together to pray. Unsure of what to do, they distributed prayer sheets for the safe return of hostages. Some members simply lit candles. Jews for Jesus collected supplies for displaced families and soldiers at the border. At least one Messianic Jew has died for his nation. David Ratner was called a war hero by his commander, saving the lives of five fellow soldiers as their post was stormed by 400 Hamas fighters. Shot in the neck, he continued in combat for the next eight hours. Birnbaum counseled his children to stand strong against the desire for hatred. He challenged Israelis to seek justice without vengeance. And he asked everyone to remain genuinely concerned for Jew and Palestinian alikewhile praying for Gaza and its liberation from Hamas. What can we do to represent the Lord as our nation is in crisis? he asked. Please pray for us, that we choose wisely how to shine his light in a very dark place right now. Grace Al-Zoughbi, a Palestinian theological educator, is also searching for his light. The church is trying to cling to any glimmers of hope it can find, she said. The situation is deeply disturbing, the atrocities appalling. She also was shocked by rocket fire, landing from the opposite direction near her home in Bethlehem. Families rushed to the grocery store to stock up on goods, fearful of escalation. Representative of an already struggling population under lockdown, she said the loss of tourism will further devastate the economy as the church seeks to help as much as possible. Its immediate reaction was fervent prayer to end the conflict. Lord, take all the evil, smash it as glass, and grind it to nothing, Al-Zoughbi pleaded. In this we hold our hope, that one day soon your ways will prevail. She asked believers on both sides to be peacemakers. She asked international Christians to avoid evil misrepresentations. And for herself, she focused on Psalm 122: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love you be secure. Shared distance Hanna Massad, the former pastor of Gaza Baptist Church, turned himself to the terse psalm that follows: Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt (123:3). Following 30 years of service as the first locally born pastor, Massad left after the 2007 violence that included attacks on his church and the kidnapping and murder of a youth worker in the affiliated Christian bookstore. He has experienced militancy firsthand, and understands the Israeli fear. Now a United States citizen, in addition to weekly trauma counseling over Zoom and near daily interaction with church members, he takes three trips a year back to Gaza for aid distribution and overall encouragement. His last visit ended two weeks ago, with slightly better Israeli treatment than normal, he says. Seeking reciprocity with the US for visa-less entry, border authorities have smoothed procedures for dual US-Palestinian citizens. Coming through Jericho, the security wait was only one hour this time. We are not treated with common dignity, Massad said, but according to the document we carry. For most Palestinians, he continued, it is with humiliation. Under blockade since 2007, 50 percent of the population of Gaza is unemployed, 65 percent live below the poverty line, and only 17,000 of 2.3 million people are allowed to seek work in Israel. The number vacillates according to changing policy, and their checkpoint treatment is far more intense. The rest are stuck. It is a big prison, Massad said. And usually, every visit finds things a little worse than before. And now with the war, Israel has stated it will cut off Gazas electricity and water supply. The frustration accumulates; while his father once hoped for a Palestinian state, Massad said he is now age 60 and wonders if it will ever happen. But local Christians do not support violence from either side. This is not the dignity we are looking for, Massad said. Our example is Jesus. And whenever anyone truly encounters him, God fills that heart with love for all humanity. Even when ones home is destroyed. Fellow Gazan Khalil Sayeghs family apartment was hit by an Israeli rocket. They now take refuge in one of the strips three churches, displaced along with 250,000 others sheltered in schools or other facilities. The World Health Organization called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor. They barely made it out, he said, assuming that home was their safest option. Currently in the US, Sayegh is part of the Agora Initiative to work jointly with other Palestinians and Israelis to promote a culture of constitutional democracy. He said he was pleased to see Americans condemn Hamass attacks. At the same time, he says he felt disappointed that his peoples suffering was so easily dismissed. Sayeghs biblical text of comfort is Psalm 73, where the psalmist nearly gives into his envy of the prosperous wicked: You destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. And in this peace, his message is clear. Do not give into hate, tribalism, or revenge, Sayegh said. Work hard to end not only this bloody round of violence, but the structural injustice of the occupation, so that we may live in peace. Shared anger Jaime Cowen, a Messianic Jewish lawyer, is incensed at structural changes threatening Israel that preceded the war. Since his return as prime minister with a far-right coalition that includes former Jewish terrorists, he said, Benjamin Netanyahu has divided the country by trying to upend Israels judicial system. And while trying to portray himself as a peacemaker with the greater Arab world, Netanyahu further inflamed the marginalized Palestinian community at home by authorizing more illegal settlements. Something was bound to give, and this time it did, Cowen said in a video statement. This is a very dangerous time for the country. He prays for the quick defeat of Hamas, which may have been motivated to thwart Netanyahus outreach to Saudi Arabia. But the real threat lies to the north, he said, with Hezbollahs thousands of precision missiles ready to reach the farthest Israeli cities. Once this war is over, Cowen wants the government to resign and a commission to determine what caused this administrations colossal failures in intelligence and military preparedness. Until then, there is deep sadness and anger, he said, over the horrific loss of life in innocent Jewish families. Palestinian evangelicals have volunteered to help. The Convention of Evangelical Churches in Israel announced that any displaced Messianic believer is welcome to stay with its member families. What can we as Arab Palestinian Christian citizens of Israel provide in a time like this? the conventions chairman, Botrus Mansour, preached at his church in Nazareth. The answer is Jesus. From his safe northern localeneeding only to verify his shelter is readyhe was planning a message on church governance before the war shifted his focus. Much of the service was spent in prayer, and he encouraged the faithful with a quote from Francis of Assisi: Make me a tool for your peace. Despite the difficult feelings within them, Christians must be peacemakers. Even as they fumein multiple directions. People are angry about the brutal attack of Hamas, said Mansour. But they also feel that violence will continue as long as there is no just solution to the conflict. Like Cowen, he prays that God will replace current leaders. And he also shares a common comforting scripture, Lamentations 3:2223: Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Shared gospel Nothing about this situation is right or good, said Lisa Loden, a Messianic Jewish member of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. But there is a strong desire to see the Lord use these events to draw people to himself. Living in the coastal city of Netanya, north of Tel Aviv, Loden co-leads a believing congregation that has already organized many prayer gatherings since the war began. They asked Gods mercy on civilians in both Israel and Gaza. They prayed for their leaders, the hostages, and those who lost loved ones. They prayed for a quick end to the conflict, for justice, and for Christians on both sides not to disengage from each other. She also issued a plea to believers around the world, watching on. Do not quickly take a side, Loden asked. But enter into real dialogue and seek a solution to this intractable conflict. From Ramallah, pastor Munir Kakish, president of the Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land, spoke similarly. Pray for both sides, he said. We cannot see his purposes, but he is sovereign. His church was full, as he gave his stressed congregation a message on prayer accompanied by hymns that emphasized the peace of God. Some families emigrated from Gaza and are worried about their relatives who remain. In the meantime, afraid an Israeli incursion into Gaza will trigger a West Bank uprising and a subsequent city-wide lockdown, Kakish also made sure to stock up on goods and worked with a local grocer to prepare food packages. There may be many casualties to come. But his final word concerned geography. The fight for territory misses the point. If either side takes land from the Mediterranean all the way to the Pacific, but does not have Jesus, it is nothing, he said. They still need Jesus. Jeremy Weber contributed additional reporting. [ This article is also available in espanol, Portugues, Francais, , Indonesian, , , and . ] During the last week of September, news broke that a 60-year-old woman had been killed at her home in northern Ghana by a young male relative. All that I know is that she is suspected of witchcraft, Zakari Iddi, the womans brother-in-law, told Citi Newsroom. The murder comes on the heels of recent efforts by Christian leaders and the Ghanian government to protect the lives of those like the victim, often older or elderly women, who have been accused of witchcraft and been subsequently abused, exiled, or killed. This year, the Parliament of Ghana unanimously passed a bill criminalizing all witchcraft accusations. The legislation threatens accusers with five years in prison and declares that the accuser must also financially compensate the person he or she accused (including for legal fees and counseling). The bill was introduced by parliamentarian Francis Xavier Sosu, who grew up seeing peoplewho he often believed were just struggling with mental illnessaccused of witchcraft, beaten up, and attacked. I recall that it got to a point I was not too sure whether the bill will be passed or not, but I had to call people to go into prayer and raise some prayer altars, said Sosu. [Passing this bill is] an incursion into some demonic world using legislation, so it required prayers, intercession. Lives are at stake In 2010, five men, including an evangelical pastor, set an old woman accused of witchcraft on fire. Despite widespread condemnation from those outside the country and the Ghanian government, the country returned to business as usual, said John Azumah, founding executive director of The Sanneh Institute, an organization that studies religion in Africa. In July 2020, a similar death occurred through lynching. In response, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) called for new laws about how to better take care of the more than 2,000 widows who had been exiled over allegations of working with demons. The Sanneh Institute petitioned the president and other top government officials to ban witch accusations, close so-called witch camps in the northern region, create safe houses, and set up a victim support fund. They also partnered with other organizations as part of the Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations (CAWA), an umbrella group that also incudes Songtaba, Women International League for Peace and Freedom, ActionAid Ghana, Legal Resources Centre, and Amnesty International. While many Christian leaders celebrated Parliaments passing of the bill, senior pastors who run deliverance ministries have expressed concern to Sosu that it may curb their work, as they have taught their junior pastors that making witchcraft accusations is allowable if the name of the accused person is not said aloud. After the bill passed in July, some pastors banded together to mount a campaign against it, said Azumah. But he hasnt see their opposition as threatening. We know the president will sign this bill in the blink of an eye because he supports it, he said. The speaker of parliament is passionately against this practice, and he wants the bill to be passed. Nevertheless, despite this high-level support, the bill has yet to be signed into law. According to Ghanas constitution, bills passed by Parliament must be signed by the president within seven days, unless he refers the bill to the citizen advisory board for consideration and comments. In this instance, Sosu says the majority leader, who did not attend the vote, has delayed the bill because of amendments he is seeking to makean intervention Azumah called very unusual. Since then, Parliament has since recessed. CT reached out to majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as well as several of those opposed to the bill but did not hear back by press time. Any day that it delays in the signing of this bill into law is a day for the torture of these women to continue. Just last week another woman has been killed, said commissioner Joseph Whittal, of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, at the end of September. He emphasized how critical it was for the president to pass the bill as soon as possible, because lives are at stake. Deliverance from witches and demons Long part of African traditional beliefs and superstitions, Christians have often addressed witchcraft through prayer meetings and deliverance sessions. (71 percent of Ghanaians identify as Christian, and nearly a third are Pentecostal.) Even today, more than 90 percent of Ghanaian Christians believe witchcraft is a problem in the country, and more than half have visited a Pentecostal prayer camp to ask for deliverance from witches and demons, according to a study by former GPCC president Opoku Onyinah. But when Protestant missionaries arrived in the 19th century, their theology often clashed with these understandings, failing to acknowledge the importance of the supernatural in the African traditional worldview. Historic mission Christianity has generally been dismissive of African traditional worldviews on the reality of demons and witchcraft as figments of peoples imagination, wrote J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, a Ghanian Pentecostal scholar. Pentecostalism, on the other hand, evokes powerful responses in Africa because it affirms the enchanted worldview of indigenous peoples by taking these views seriously, and presenting an interventionist theology through which the fears and insecurities of African Christians are dealt with. Prophetic and deliverance ministries seem to have found a point of mediation between African indigenous worldviews and biblical stories of healing, deliverance, and prophetic guidance, according to scholar and church leader Christian Tsekpoe. In this way, perceived life-threatening fears could be dealt with through prophetic utterances, healing and exorcism, he wrote. Today in Africa, successful Christian ministry (i.e., ministry with significant personal relevance and impact) is impossible unless one takes into account the supernatural evil implied by the word witchcraft, Asamoah-Gyadu wrote. He believes the growth of African Independent or Initiated Churches in the early 20th century corresponded to the inability of Western missions to come to terms with the reality of supernatural evil, especially witchcraft, and to articulate a Christian pastoral response to it. Nonetheless, Tsekpoe said that Pentecostal churches face a major challenge: the abuse of prophetic and deliverance ministries. He believes charlatans and the unemployed who have strong personalities can easily claim spiritual encounters and exploit innocent people. What would Jesus do? Though witchcraft suggests the cosmic forces of good and evil, accusations can often be invoked over mundane and personal reasons. Azumah says that as women have begun to become more economically independent, men who have felt threatened or slighted have increasingly accused women of witchcraft. Its an age-old conspiracy to keep women in their place, he continued. In contrast, hes observed that when men are accused of witchcraft, its often rationalized that theyre using this for good purposes. He believes this thinking is a very troubling, gender-based, misogynistic mindset that Ghanaians should challenge. Witchcraft accusations are a widespread issue in Ghana, but they are more likely to affect the northern part of the country, including the Dagomba and Konkomba communities, which suffer from poverty, underdevelopment, and lack of education. The region is also home to many families who practice polygamy, creating situations that can breed jealousy and strife between wives. If you have two women, or three women, or four women, and one womans children are doing well, and the other womans children are not doing well, the other women will [accuse her of using] witchcraft to steal the fortunes and the wisdom of their children and give [them] to her children. But even if an accusation starts as a result of a dispute between family or friends, the parties may then end up consulting deliverance ministries, where the violence and dehumanizing treatment can come into play. What I am against and am opposed to is going out there to accuse people and malign people and damage their reputations that can even lead to causing them harm or their murders, said Azumah. If you really believe that there are witches who are after you, as a good Christian, you should take it to prayer, and you should deal with it in the context of spiritual warfare. The role of the local pastor is to care for individuals who are victims of the devils oppression, he adds. Sosu, who has previously worked with deliverance ministries, similarly says that, rather than accusing someone as a witch, Christians who are afraid a witch is pursuing them should fast and pray. As for Christian leaders, they should follow the example of Jesus, who cast out demons but did so without accusing the individual. A final important element is the individuals own relationship with God. The power at the believers disposal, which makes him or her a child of God, must be the focus, and not witchcraft power, wrote Ghanian Pentecostal leader Kwasi Atta Agyapong What emerges clearly from the ministry of those who subscribe to the excesses in the witchcraft beliefs is the ignorance of their identity in Christ. Gunman who shot pastor told ministers not to pray for him as he died: eyewitness As South African police continue to investigate the fatal shooting of 22-year-old rising star preacher, Dwayne Gordon, inside the Eagle Christian Center in Newlands on Friday, an eyewitness to his murder says the gunman who fired the bullet that struck the young preacher in the neck ordered ministers at the church not to pray for him as he bled to death. Gordon, who was a special guest speaker for Eagle Christian Centers Restoration Conference, which was set to run from Oct. 68, was fatally shot after six gunmen entered the church and began robbing members in a harrowing ordeal partially captured in a livestream recording on the churchs social media account. In an interview with EWN, Bishop Randal Coetzee, a minister at Eagle Christian Center, who was at the Friday service with Gordon, recounted how the gunmen entered the church, ordered congregants to the floor at around 8 p.m. local time and started robbing them. Coetzee said the man who killed Gordon got upset with the young preacher for looking at his face. "While the prophet was looking at him, he just lifted a gun in our direction. A few seconds later, I heard the prophet breathing loudly. And we couldnt even attend to him because this guy was still standing here with a gun, Coetzee told EWN. He said some of the ministers in the church had tried praying for Gordon as he appeared to choke on his own blood, but the gunman who shot him demanded that no one pray for him. Those who tried to pray for the dying pastor were shot. "The pastor was stretching his hand to pray for the prophet and the gunman said, dont pray, I dont want you to pray for him as he pointed the gun at our pastor," Coetzee said. Two others inside the church were shot during the attack by the gunmen on Friday, including 39-year-old Sebastian Mosale. While Coetzee believes Gordons death is the result of a botched robbery, Shepherd Bushiri, a multimillionaire prosperity preacher with a network of churches across Africa and millions of followers on social media, claimed Gordon was targeted by fellow men of God who are hoarding their members. Bushiri, who fled South Africa for his home country of Malawi in 2020 after he was charged with fraud and money laundering, claimed it was failed attacks on his life that forced him to flee South Africa when he did. He also alleged that since he left South Africa in 2020, approximately eight preachers have been killed at their pulpits. Being shot on the pulpit because he was a prophet, in the pretext of robbery. The same tricks they used on me on February 7th, 2020, in Sandton as they rampaged my convoy. Luckily, we had intelligence, and they did not find me in the cars. Surprisingly, they robbed nothing from my people, Bushiri claimed in a post on Facebook Saturday. This happened three months before a gunman stormed our church, charging to the pulpit while I was preaching. Thank God our security managed to intercept him. Not once, Bushiri continued. Losing this young prophet is something that was not supposed to have happened. We all know the agenda and who is behind this fellow men of God who are hoarding their members, he added. To all prophets of God there in South Africa, stay safe. Our prayers are with you. We have lost almost 8 prophets since I left South Africa due to such pulpit killings. Sad. And someone should still be asking me why I left South Africa? Insane! And someone still wants me to go back there? Keep dreaming! A Zambian televangelist based in South Africa, Prophet Isaac Kabamba, well-known on social media as Prophet DD Isaac, also claimed that Gordon was targeted because he was attracting followers from other churches in a country where jobs are scarce and poverty is high. South Africa has an unemployment rate of just under 33% and the domestic poverty line in South Africa in 2023 stood at 1,058 South African rands per month or about $55.23. Data from the World Bank shows that 55.5% or 30.3 million South Africans live below the national poverty line. The individual responsible for the demise of my son is another prophet of the same ethnicity, driven by the fear of losing his congregation. Prophet Dwayne Gordon, nurtured under my guidance, was known to me as an exceptionally devoted young prophet, ardently devoted to Jesus Christ, he wrote on Facebook. It is truly heart-wrenching to witness the tragic waste of his life. His spirit will inflict anguish upon any individual implicated in his untimely demise. Kabamba, who is a leader and founder of Holy Ghost Embassy Church with branches in South Africa and other parts of the world, said Gordon was previously shot in the leg at his Randburg branch but survived. I vividly recall the distressing incident that transpired in South Africa. Malevolent forces orchestrated an intrusion into our sacred sanctuary, located in our Kyasands Randburg branch. They callously targeted my son, discharging a firearm that struck his leg. Miraculously, he managed to survive, Kabamba said, alleging that South Africa harbors a propensity for extinguishing the lives of their own prophets. May the indomitable spirit of Prophet Dwyane Gordon wage war against all those involved. To all congregations, prophets, apostles, pastors, and evangelists, I implore you to fortify your places of worship and ensure the presence of security personnel in your vicinity, he said. This very reason compelled me to return to my homeland, Zambia, where we could find solace and sanctuary. Gaza's only power plant shuts down; Israeli forces shifting to a 'full offense' Gaza's only power plant has shut down due to a fuel shortage, plunging the territory into darkness as Israel amasses troops near the border. Amid rising death tolls on both sides, the United States is holding talks to create an aid corridor for civilians in Gaza. The energy ministry announced the power plant's shutdown Wednesday after Israel cut off fuel and food supplies and is amassing troops near the border in response to a multi-pronged attack from Hamas over the weekend that has killed hundreds of Israelis. Over 2 million people live in the Gaza Strip, a 25-mile strip of land between Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. "This threatens to plunge the Strip into complete darkness and make it impossible to continue providing all basic life services, all of which depend on electricity, and it will not be possible to operate them partially with generators in light of the prevention of fuel supplies from Rafah Gate," Gaza authorities said in a statement on Wednesday. "This catastrophic situation creates a humanitarian crisis for all residents of the Gaza Strip." Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in an address to troops Tuesday that Israel Defense Forces are moving to a "full offense." "They will regret this moment Gaza will never return to what it was," Gallant said, according to The Times of Israel. "Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors, we will eliminate him with all our might, and without compromise." The U.S. has sent the first plane carrying armaments to Israel, aimed at facilitating Israel's military operations after the surprise attack from Hamas. Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said talks are ongoing with Israel and Egypt about creating an aid corridor for civilians in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Israel this week in what has been described by a State Department spokesperson as a show of solidarity and support. The World Food Program and aid groups have called for aid corridors as supplies are diminishing. The United Nations World Health Organization said supplies for seven hospitals have already run out, The Associated Press reported. Doctors Without Borders also warned of dwindling supplies at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. Matthias Kannes, the group's head of mission in Gaza, told AP that it "consumed three weeks' worth of emergency stock in three days partly due to 50 patients coming in at once." The death toll continues to rise, entering the fifth day of hostilities. The war has claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, according to AP. It's unclear if the death toll includes the roughly 1,500 Hamas fighters recovered by Israel forces. Nine U.N. staff members have also been killed in airstrikes since Saturday, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. The agency said nearly 175,500 internally displaced people are sheltering in 88 UNRWA schools across the Gaza Strip. But they expect numbers to increase as airstrikes continue. Since Oct. 7, UNRWA has recorded collateral and direct damage to at least 18 of its facilities. U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed Tuesday that U.S. citizens are among the individuals taken hostage by Hamas. He also warned other countries not to get involved militarily to avoid the risk of an expanded regional conflict, according to AP. Israel has reportedly mobilized 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military wing, killing multiple relatives, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told the AP. At least 14 Americans have also been confirmed dead, and several others remain missing, Biden said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described the assault as the worst attack on Israel since the Yom Kippur War in 1973 carried out by Egypt and Syria, differentiating the current situation from past conflicts and emphasizing that this is a terrorist assault involving home invasions and kidnappings of civilians. Israeli officials have described Hamas' attacks as similar to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. Lawyer behind Jamie Foxx film 'The Burial' on how God, prayer guided David and Goliath type victory In the courtroom drama The Burial,Jamie Foxx stars as Willie E. Gary, a larger-than-life attorney who fought for justice against massive corporations. The film centers on a real-life David and Goliath moment in Garys career: In 1995, he took down the Loewen Group, a corporation with more than 700 funeral homes, on behalf of a small-scale Mississippi funeral business owner. Though Gary, now 76, has won some of the largest jury awards and settlements in U.S. history, hes quick to credit his deep-rooted faith for influencing the trajectory of his storied career. I grew up in a church, my brother was my pastor, he told The Christian Post. I just believe in my faith. Its nothing fancy or anything; it's just believing that you didn't get to where you are by yourself. Somebody prayed for you. My grandmother used to say, You didn't get there because you're so powerful. The Burial, an Amazon Studios film, tells the story of how Gary, a black attorney, helped white Biloxi resident Jeremiah O'Keefe, 72, win a $500 million jury verdict after his small-town funeral business was targeted by a Ray Loewen and his Canadian funeral home corporation that was expanding into the U.S. Starring Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones, Jurnee Smollett and Alan Ruck, the film released to limited theaters on Oct. 6 and debuts on Prime Video Oct 13. The film is rated R for some language. Set in the mid-'90s, The Burial opens with Gary preaching to a congregation: When God calls, you have to answer, he declares. And that belief, he told CP, is what has guided his approach to justice. I hope this movie gives America a chance to see how significant God can be in your life, Gary told CP. You can make a difference. You can turn things around. I had to pray a lot of days because we were losing the case. But you know, man can do something, but God can do everything, at all times. That's just the way I looked at it. If it's a success, it's because we prayed. The Burial, based on a 1999 article in The New Yorker magazine, shows not only how Gary won an unlikely victory that ultimately bankrupted the corrupt Loewen Group, but rose out of poverty as a sharecroppers son to become a self-made, successful attorney. By the time OKeefe hired Gary, hed become known as The Giant Killer for winning multi-million-dollar jury awards. He'd go on to win cases against major companies including Disney, Coca-Cola, Motorola and others. Though not the focal point of The Burial, Gary's journey in the Deep South during segregation touches on the challenges he faced, both subtle and blatant, as he battled nationally known corporations and powerful business leaders. I grew up in the Deep South; segregated schools, churches, restaurants, and I don't get a kick out of talking about it because I think weve got to look ahead, put some of the tough times we've had behind us and reach out for something better, Gary said. Theres a Gospel song that says, black and white together/ we shall overcome. Thats my thinking then, thats my thinking now. We're all in this together. And I hope this movie will show that a lot of people, both black and whites, died to make America what it is, to make America be all that it can be. And we made a difference. We're not where we want to be or should be, but we're making a difference. Gary said that he and OKeefe, who died in 2016, had a unique bond, cutting across racial lines in an era of deep-seated racial tension. When [OKeefe] first hired us in Jackson, Mississippi, people said, Who is this black lawyer coming into town represent a rich white man? Gary recalled. But Jerry didn't even think about it. It didn't didn't matter to him. He didn't care. He just said, Hes about helping people. I miss him. I miss him a whole lot. Addressing the ever-evolving battle between small businesses and large corporations, Gary said hes hopeful about the future: I think better days are coming; weve made a lot of progress, he said. He challenged the next generation, particularly budding lawyers, to always strive for the best and to be an advocate for those less fortunate. He referenced Matthew 25:40: The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Just remember, when you're down and you're going to be down you're never out, Gary stressed. Dream big dreams. Specifically, I'd say to young people, you don't have the right to not be the best that you can be. You don't have the right to do any less than your best. Because at the end of the day, you will be judged, not so much on what youve done for yourself, but what have you done for the least of these? I don't know about you, but I want my headstone to say that I tried to help somebody, I tried to make a difference. I challenged my friends and colleagues to do the same. Make a difference. Do something to help somebody that's less fortunate than you are. Give it a try. It comes back to you. The Burial debuts on Prime Video on Oct. 13. Teacher at Christian school facing charges for sexual misconduct with 15-year-old student A teacher at a Christian school in Indiana has been charged with sexual misconduct and child solicitation. Stephen Ayon, 34, of Fishers Christian Academy, was fired from the school on Sept. 26 after his alleged involvement with child solicitation and sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old student, Fox 59 reported. An affidavit for probable cause was filed in Hamilton County charging Ayon with one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors, one count of child solicitation, one count of child seduction, one count of sexual misconduct with a minor, one count of promotion of child sex trafficking and one count of vicarious sexual gratification. Fishers Christian Academy officials said in a statement that they have been made aware of the situation and are fully cooperating with law enforcement. He was terminated from employment on September 26, continued the statement to Fox 59. We have no further comments at this time. According to documents, an anonymous tip was shared with the Fishers Police Department accusing Ayon, who had worked as an English teacher at the school since 2019, of engaging in inappropriate behavior with female students. Following the tip, officers visited Ayon at his home in Noblesville. Authorities learned that Ayon had reportedly been confronted by individuals at the church he attends regarding alleged inappropriate conversations he had online with a 13-year-old through various apps, according to the Indianapolis-based WISHTV. Court documents state that Ayon spoke with law enforcement regarding the allegations of him pursuing a 13-year-old using the mobile app Whisper. Ayon reportedly claimed that he knew the person wasnt really a 13 year old" and was trying to find out who they were. (Ayon) said at the end of the day, I promise I wasnt going to meet and thats why I backed out,' the court documents add. I know I was completely wrong (Ayon referred) to the online conversations with minors as curiosity. Due to his status as a teacher, the documents stated that the conversation with officers shifted to ensure there were no inappropriate conversations or relationships occurring with students. During questioning, Ayon reportedly confessed to having a relationship with a 15-year-old student and had photos and videos sent from the student that were very inappropriate, but not naked photos over WhatsApp. He also communicated with the student over FaceTime and text messages. Ayon also allegedly had a sexual encounter with the minor earlier this year. The minor reportedly told police that Ayon had flirted with her during his third year of teaching her and that he would get a little bit touchy, Fox 59 reported. The minor said she sent Ayon texts because she didnt want anything to happen and didnt want to be in trouble and claimed that Ayon forced her to touch him inappropriately. David Jeremiah: Christians have biblical mandate to 'stand with Israel,' issues prayer amid 'chaos' Pastor and author David Jeremiah has issued a prayer in support of Israel, asking Christians to join him in praying for a spiritual hedge of protection for the Jewish state after the Iranian-backed terror group Hamas launched a surprise attack, leaving at least 1,200 Israelis dead and thousands more injured. In a statement Tuesday, Jeremiah, head of Turning Point Ministries, said he was grieved by the attacks that have besieged the nation of Israel over the last few days. Israel is God's chosen people, and her borders are the boundaries of the Promised Land, he said. The loss of life, the bloodshed, and the destruction of property are heartbreaking. The pastor and author said that amid the chaos and terrorism, he is reminded of God's words to Abraham when He chose him to be the father of this great nation: "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you," (Genesis 12:3). As Christians, we recognize God's purpose for Israel, and we must stand with her, he wrote, asking Christians to join him in petitioning the Lord on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Israel. The psalmist tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, reads Jeremiahs prayer. So I pray for peace for Your chosen people, Israel, and their beloved city today. You have planned for Israel, provided for Israel, and protected Israel for thousands of years. "But as in days of old, there are those today who seek to harm, even destroy, Your people. So I ask you to keep Israel in Your loving care. Put a spiritual hedge of protection around Your people and their land. Watch over this nation as a Good Shepherd watches over His flock, and may Your chosen people find their ultimate safety and security in You. "While You watch over Your people, may Your Spirit awaken in them a hunger to embrace their Messiahthe One who died for themuntil they see His face to face. We pray this in His name, Amen. On Oct. 7, armed Hamas militants broke through the Gaza border into Israel, launching attacks on residences, causing havoc in agricultural areas and local communities. The Islamic extremist group reportedly killed 1,200 people in the attack, and took up to 150 individuals hostage, including women, children and the elderly. The Biden administration said American citizens are among the hostages. On Wednesday, the president told a group of Jewish leaders at the White House that he has not given up hope on bringing American hostages home from Gaza. In response to Hamas' attacks, Israel launched airstrikes that have killed at least 1,000 Palestinians and displaced more than 200,000 people, in addition to cutting off electricity, food and fuel supplies. The IDF says access to supplies is cut off to encourage civilians to flee Hamas targets in Gaza. The Israeli government has also said Hamas puts civilians in danger by placing weapons and missile launchers in public buildings like mosques and hospitals and ordering civilians not to flee. Some, like California-based Pastor Greg Laurie, have suggested the escalation of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians in recent years could be the start of a series of events predicted centuries ago in Scripture. Thousands of rockets rained on Israel from multiple directions, and Hamas gunmen invaded by land, sea and sky, he said in a recent sermon. ... They went literally home to home and door to door, looking for the young and for the elderly. Laurie cited Irans stated objective of destroying the state of Israel, adding: Interesting how it always comes back to Jerusalem. The Bible predicted, thousands of years ago, that the End Time events would revolve around Jerusalem. Not San Francisco. Not Los Angeles. Not Moscow. Not Paris. But Jerusalem, this tiny little city, in this tiny sliver of land, will play a key role in the events of the last days. Its the focal point of End Times events. In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Jeremiah urged Christians to be ready for the return of Christ, suggesting the world is seeing the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Theres no excuse for us, if we read the Bible, to be surprised. Because the Bible tells us that this is going to happen, The World of the End author said. He talks about the upheaval in the world that's going to take place before the Lord returns. Theres no sign of the return of Christ and the rapture, but there certainly is a prediction of the kind of season it's going to be, and I think we're living in that season right now. I believe that Christians really need to stay glued to the Scripture and not get too far away from the truth because it's pretty precarious right now. Though the rapture is a signless event, there are some signs outlined in the Bible that point to the tumultuous season ahead of Christ's return including the prevalence of deceitfulness, wars, and rumors of wars as well as the recent global pandemic, he said. The Bible says, Be careful that no man deceives you. Well, we live in a time when the truth is almost gone, and nobody knows what to do with that, he said. And then the Bible talks about wars and rumors of wars and all kinds of sickness and pestilence, and we just went through the COVID experience. It's the first worldwide pandemic that I've ever been a part of, and maybe the first one that was totally worldwide. Those things get your attention, and we read about those in the Bible, he said. And when you start seeing some of those things happening in the world where you live, you should sit up and take notice. Father, 3 sons imprisoned for selling toxic Miracle Mineral Solution through fake church Just over two months after they were found guilty of using a fake online church to dupe consumers into purchasing more than $1 million worth of a "Miracle Mineral Solution" that turned out to be nothing more than industrial bleach to cure ailments such as COVID-19, a Florida man and three sons have been sentenced to multiple years in prison. Jonathan Grenon, 37, and Jordan Grenon, 29, were both sentenced on Friday to 12.5 years in prison each by a federal judge in Miami, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. Their father, Mark Grenon, 66, and brother, Joseph Grenon, 36, each received five years, the statutory maximum sentence for conspiring to defraud the United States by distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug. Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were also found guilty of criminal contempt of court. Mark Grenon was the leader of Genesis II Church of Health and Healing and marketed MMS through the fake church's website. Before their conviction in July, prosecutors called Grenon and his sons "con men" and "snake-oil salesmen" who used their fake church to sell MMS as a "religious sacrament" able to cure 95% of known diseases. Mark Grenon said in an interview with Natural News in 2020 that his family had been fighting with federal authorities about their support for MMS for about 10 years, but admitted that things only escalated when the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning to "stop" distributing their MMS "sacraments." An April 2021 indictment described MMS as a toxic "chemical solution containing sodium chlorite and water which, when ingested orally, becomes chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp, and paper." "Before marketing MMS as a cure for COVID-19, the Grenons marketed MMS as a miracle cure-all for dozens of other serious diseases and disorders, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and leukemia, even though the FDA had not approved MMS for any use," the DOJ said. "The Grenons sold tens of thousands of bottles of MMS nationwide, including to consumers throughout South Florida. They sold this dangerous product under the guise of Genesis II Church of Health and Healing ('Genesis), an entity they created to avoid government regulation of MMS and shield themselves from prosecution," authorities explained. "Genesis' own websites describe Genesis as a 'non-religious church,'" DOJ officials stated. "And defendant Mark Grenon, the co-founder of Genesis, has repeatedly acknowledged that Genesis' has nothing to do with religion,' and that he founded Genesis to 'legalize the use of MMS' and avoid 'going to jail." Pakistan court sentences Muslim man to 25 years for killing Christian woman for refusing marriage proposal A court in Pakistan has sentenced a Muslim man to 25 years in prison for killing a Christian woman who rejected his marriage proposal. Muhammad Shahzad, the Muslim man who is also known as Shani, was sentenced by Judge Azam Khan of the Islamabad Session Court for the murder of Sonia Allah Rakha, a 24-year-old Christian woman, the rights group CLAAS-UK said in a statement to The Christian Post. Judge Khan commended the police for their thorough investigation, which led to Shanis conviction while acquitting three other accused individuals, the group said. The murder occurred on Nov. 30, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. at Fazaia Chowk in Islamabad when Shani shot Sonia after her family declined his marriage proposal due to religious differences. Sonia was on her way to work when Shani fatally shot her. He initially fled the scene but was later apprehended by the police. Before the incident, Sonia had told her mother about Shanis marriage proposal. Her mother declined the proposal, citing religious differences as the reason. The victims family also said at the time that the accused had been harassing Sonia for the previous six months and had tried to force a physical relationship with her, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern, which said that Sonia refused these advances due to the difference in faith backgrounds. As a solution, Shani proposed that Sonia should marry him and convert to Islam, but she refused. This rejection angered Shani, leading him to commit the act of violence. Sonias father, Allah Rakha, expressed relief at the verdict but highlighted the emotional and financial toll on the family. Sonia had been a significant support for her family, and her loss shattered their dreams. He revealed that his wife, Teresa, recently suffered an electrical shock that left her bedridden, adding to the familys hardships. The family, which includes five daughters and a son, lives in a rented house and faces financial difficulties. Allah Rakha has appealed for community support, given their challenging circumstances. This verdict marks a step towards justice for Sonia Allah Rakha and her grieving family, although it cannot erase the pain of their loss, CLAAS-UK said. In a separate case, another Christian woman, Adeeba Amjad, was recently denied a plea to return to her family after being abducted by her former Muslim employer, according to CLAAS-UK. The issue of forced conversions and marriages involving minority women is not new in Pakistan. A 2014 study by The Movement for Solidarity and Peace Pakistan estimated that roughly 1,000 women and girls from Pakistans Hindu and Christian communities were being abducted, forcibly married, and converted to Islam every year. Israel-Hamas War: Presidential Candidates React, 5 Things To Know About House Speaker Race, German Homeschool Family Avoids Deportation link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:01 07:01 Top headlines for Wednesday, October 11, 2023 In today's episode, we grapple with escalating tensions in the Middle-East as Hamas' attacks on Israel persist, leading to a rising death toll and hostage situation. We will delve into Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei's startling reactions to these assaults. In the US political sphere, we discuss how seven presidential candidates have responded to the Israel-Hamas conflict and critique the Biden administration's handling of this delicate situation. We also explore the recent political shake-up in the Republican Party as Kevin McCarthy steps down from his role as Speaker of the House, with the party gearing up for the election of a new speaker. Lastly, we cover an intriguing update on a German homeschooling Christian family facing deportation from the US, focusing on the temporary reprieve they've received. Subscribe to this Podcast Follow Us on Social Media Get the Edifi App Subscribe to Our Newsletter Links to the News Top headlines for Wednesday, October 11, 2023 In today's episode, we grapple with escalating tensions in the Middle-East as Hamas' attacks on Israel persist, leading to a rising death toll and hostage situation. We will delve into Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei's startling reactions to these assaults. In the US political sphere, we discuss how seven presidential candidates have responded to the Israel-Hamas conflict and critique the Biden administration's handling of this delicate situation. We also explore the recent political shake-up in the Republican Party as Kevin McCarthy steps down from his role as Speaker of the House, with the party gearing up for the election of a new speaker. Lastly, we cover an intriguing update on a German homeschooling Christian family facing deportation from the US, focusing on the temporary reprieve they've received. The intensifying tsunami of spiritual revival What could become a mighty worldwide spiritual tsunami is building in what many would consider an unlikely place: the Roman Catholic Church. For Catholics, it can hardly escape notice that this revival has occurred as we are eight months into the Eucharistic Revival initiated by the U.S. bishops a three-year movement to renew the Church by rekindling devotion to the Eucharist, the source and summit of our life, wrote Mary Healy in The National Catholic Register. (February 22. 2023.) Healy was focusing initially on a student revival that was sparked at non-Catholic Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, igniting last February. At the same time, she says, Catholics had also been praying for renewal. I believe the concurrence of events is no mere coincidence, but a prophetic sign. It is as if the Lord, hearing prayers of so many Catholics for a restoration of faith and life amid a radically secularized age, is giving a picture of what revival looks like, says Healy. The Eucharist, in Catholic theology, is the taking of communion bread and wine that become the body and blood of Christ, according to Catholic doctrine. There are two practices in Catholic belief and expression that energize the Church and make it fertile for revival exaltation and continuation (my terminology). Exaltation is the lifting up and glorification of Christ in the Eucharist, and continuation is in the idea that Catholic doctrine and practice have been handed down through an unbroken and direct lineage originating in the first disciples of Jesus. Many churches in this age of upheaval have gone so far in the attempts to be relevant to a culture that is in a high state of dysfunction and confusion that they themselves have forgotten who they are as the manifestation of the body of Christ in a world desperately in need of His touch. The loss of focus on Gods transcendent Being has brought many to that situation described by John Calvin when he said that mans nature is a perpetual factory of idols the mind begets an idol and the hand gives it birth. So, In the loss of focus on transcendence, we are allowing artificial intelligence to eclipse the true God. Hence the importance of a eucharistic revival that exalts the Christ in a society that believes it has touched the ultimate just because it can fire mighty rockets into outer space that can explore but explode and also be part of a deadly barrage. Whatever the case, there is the danger of absolutism in a mechanized society that suppresses the spiritual in our nature and the need to worship the transcendent God. Already, some technical experts are trying to improve Deity rather than the other way around. They have put words in the mouth of a chatbot they call Jesus and a robot who can write Sunday sermons, to mention a few. The Roman Catholic Church has more than a billion members worldwide. If revival sweeps through that global Church, the world itself would experience spiritual renewal through the touch of the Holy Spirit. As a young secular journalist in the 1960s, I witnessed and wrote about the impact of charismatic renewal upon the Catholic Church. It was transformative in many ways, opening the Church to a renewal of faith and commitment. It can happen again. If it does, the world itself might experience a blessed tsunami. Non-Catholics as well as Catholics should pray for that revival. There will be no more spitting at Christians You may have seen it. Last week, five misguided Israeli Jews came upon Christian pilgrims visiting Jerusalem from Asia, and they chose to spit, desecrating the spirit of the Holy City. And what happened next was a textbook example of how a responsible nation handles such behavior. Immediately, statements were issued by the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Chief Rabbi of Israel condemning it. The Prime Minister of Israel said, We will have a zero-tolerance policy for this behavior, and he promised to take urgent steps against such actions. Which he did. The perpetrators were arrested shortly thereafter. Chief Rabbi David Lau called it a desecration and stated, Such unacceptable behavior should not be associated with Jewish religious law in any way. The Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, clarified that this phenomenon does not represent the values of Judaism and that religious freedom and tolerance will remain a fundamental value in Israel. Israels Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli quoted Isaiah in his statement, noting that my house should be called a house of prayer for all people and assured Christians that Jerusalem will remain a city that will embrace people of all religions. The statements kept coming from those in and out of government and from every corner of Israel. Such swift, responsible action is exactly why Israel has become a safe haven for Christians, Muslims, and Jews in the Middle East, where such coexistence has been rare in modern history. The Israeli government deserves commendation, not condemnation, for the situation. Interestingly, some critics of Israel were quick to share the video of the spitting incident yet have been slow to share the myriad condemnations. We also wonder if those same critics engage in such spirited condemnation when Jews are vilified and attacked. Unfortunate moments like these are also instructive. They are a reminder of how much work is left to be done to make the world a place where all people of faith feel accepted. While inexcusable, those not acquainted with the history of Christian antisemitism might not appreciate the miracle of the growing friendship between Jews and Christians. Yet not every Jew and not every Christian fully appreciates this miracle or properly respects the sincerely held beliefs of their neighbors. There are bridges still to be built between communities, bridges built best on shared values, and bridges more easily built in pluralistic Israel than in some lands. These are also moments to reflect on those nations that do not act so swiftly and responsibly to protect the religious freedom of minority communities. That is a long list. The list includes some of Israels neighbors. The authorities in one country earlier this year got in the habit of confiscating the private religious items of Jews simply passing through, and at least two others allow the Iranian regime not only to incite hatred within their borders but to coordinate antisemitic terrorist attacks against the Jewish people. Then there are Palestinians within the Holy Land whove violently attacked Jewish worshippers at Josephs Tomb, including some who have attempted to burn it to the ground on multiple occasions. This week, the new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem absurdly described the Gaza Strip as an open-air prison. Still, we suspect when he visits, hell enjoy accommodations at one of the luxurious hotels in Gaza. We doubt hell feel as free to wax eloquent about the condition of Christians there. He can give it a try, though, but he should start by asking why the Christians are almost gone in Gaza. Then, he can ask why Hamas still holds hostage the bodies of two Israeli soldiers in contravention of the three Abrahamic faiths. The real, state-sponsored religious freedom violations proliferate the globe not in Israel. What happened to those Christians who were spat upon was not the responsibility of the Israeli state but the crimes of individuals. The state addressed it, and religious leaders denounced it. Thats good news. Theres also other good news to give us hope that coexistence has a bright future, beginning in Riyadh. Thats where the Israeli Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karhi, prayed Sukkot prayers this week, along with his delegation, as they traveled openly at the invitation of the Saudis. While in Riyadh, Minister Karhi visited an event that was once infamous to those of us who attend to cases of religious bigotry and antisemitism. Karhi went to the Riyadh Bookfair. Rather than being a place to survey all the latest antisemitism published over the last year, it is different now. This year, the talk of the town was an ancient Torah scroll on grand display opened precisely to exact text read by Jews all over the world during Sukkot an unexpected act of Arab hospitality extended not only to a Jew but to an Israeli Jew. These are words we never thought we would write, but they are true: a Jew with a Kippah is probably safer walking in the streets of Saudi Arabia now than in large portions of Europe. The path to tolerance is sometimes a rocky road. Mistakes and missteps happen in democracies, too, but we all have the power to construct our bridges to those different from us. These days, those bridges may be more easily built in the east than in the west. This is something to celebrate and also to mourn. Tribute to Loren Cunningham: He reshaped world missions On Friday (October 6), when I heard that Loren Cunningham had gone home to be with Jesus that morning, I instantly thought of how he had reshaped the face of world missions. I also flashed back to the day he had helped reshape my life. The year was 1985 or 1986 I do not remember for sure. But I do recall sitting next to Loren at a church conference and what he told me. His words were prophetic and exactly what I needed to hear at a pivotal point in my life and ministry. At the time, I was pastor of a local Foursquare church but had been struggling with a growing call to make myself available to international ministry and the development of young leaders. A change in direction would mean leaving a secure position and taking a big step of faith. Loren knew nothing of my quandary. Yet as certainly has happened thousands of times over the years, Loren heard from God and spoke specifically into someones life that time it was my life. Loren reached over, put his arm around me, and said, Dan, I believe God has called you to the world and I want to be part of releasing you to your prophetic call. That was all the confirmation I needed. In the ensuing years, I moved into a global ministry with the Foursquare denomination. I was never on staff with Youth With a Mission the organization Loren founded and for many years led. However, I did have the privilege of teaching at numerous YWAM discipleship training and leadership schools around the world and counseling many missionaries. With this back story, I offer here my tribute to Loren Cunningham: Loren believed that the Great Commission to go to every nation, tribe, community, to every person with the message of Jesus was for every believer, not just a specially-trained clergy class or individuals with special gifting. Just prior to his 21st birthday, while he was looking at a world map on the wall, this vision suddenly seemed to come alive. As he tells the story, he saw wave after wave crashing on the shore of every continent then receding before another wave came, until the entire earth was covered. In the waves, he saw the faces of young men and women taking the message of Jesus to every nation. That vision became the catalyst that birthed YWAM in the early 1960s. Today YWAM has bases or outreach work in more than 2,000 locations spread out in almost 200 nations. In more than half a century, millions of men and women have attended discipleship training schools and even more have been involved in outreaches around the world. It has been said that YWAM has become the largest mission-sending organization in the world. And as one who has ministered around the globe, I do not doubt that. Loren was an amazing man with a heart after God and a huge love for people. He was always far more interested in championing others than promoting himself as I discovered firsthand. He was a man of great spiritual authority but moved with amazing humility and grace. Loren was a man of integrity, always approachable with a great sense of humor. Anytime I was privileged to be with him or even hear him speak I felt valued and cared for and always challenged to become everything I could be. Loren had a way of inspiring a can-do spirit. He knew nothing was too hard for God, and that is the way he lived his life. His answer to difficult situations was expand your vision. He believed in young men and women and invested his life in them. Even at 88 years of age, he embodied what youth with a mission is about. I guess in the light of eternity, 88 is just the beginning! When I think of Loren Im reminded of what God can do through one person who is totally yielded to Him. Lorens passion was to humbly be that person and inspire others to join him. His message to a new generation is loud and clear: Lets go for it! And as we respond in obedience, watch what God can do. Bishops agree to commend prayers for same-sex couples The Church of England's House of Bishops has agreed to commend Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples. The controversial prayers ask for God's blessing for same-sex couples. The Church of England is moving forward with plans to introduce the prayers after they were backed by its parliamentary body, the General Synod, in February. The bishops met in London to discuss next steps and also agreed that structures for special services for same-sex couples based on the prayers should go forward to be formally authorised under canon law. The proposals are to be considered at the next Synod in November, as is new pastoral guidance on how the system will operate. Once approved, the proposals will pave the way for a process leading to the authorisation of the services under Canon B2. Dioceses will be consulted on this process before it is put to General Synod, most likely in 2025, with the plans requiring a two thirds majority to pass. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who co-chaired the steering group which has brought the proposals forward, said: "The House of Bishops' decisions today continue to implement Synod's vote to recognise publicly the commitment of same-sex couples and to pray God's blessing for them. "They have agreed to commend Prayers of Love and Faith and also considered the best way to authorise special standalone services. Having carefully considering the legal, theological and pastoral implications of possible approaches, the bishops concluded that it would ultimately be clearer to proceed directly to consideration under Canon B2. "We acknowledge that there are some who would like this process to move faster, however the move to full authorisation will provide clarity and wide consultation ahead of a final decision by synod in 2025. "I know that for some, these measures go too far and, for others, not nearly far enough and the bishops discussed the need for pastoral reassurance, and for some the need for formal structural pastoral provision. "But the heart of the gospel is reconciliation our desire is to remain together as one Church in our uncertainty, finding ways to live well with our different perspectives and convictions." Catholic leaders voice sorrow, dismay after violent outbreak in Holy Land Pope Francis and Catholic leaders voiced sorrow and concern over the sudden outbreak of violence in the Holy Land on Saturday and asked for peace and diplomacy to be restored in the region. "I am following apprehensively and sorrowfully what is happening in Israel where the violence has exploded even more ferociously, causing hundreds of deaths and casualties," said Francis during his weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday. While saying he held close in prayer those experiencing "hours of terror and anguish," the pope stressed that war and terrorism only leads to further bloodshed. He pointed to the many conflicts that are occurring in the world, including in Ukraine, and made an appeal for peace. "May the attacks and weaponry cease. Please!" he said. "War is a defeat! Every war is a defeat! Let us pray that there be peace in Israel and in Palestine." On Oct. 7, Palestinian Hamas militants launched a massive attack on Israel leading to hundreds of deaths and leaving many more wounded. The missile attacks and incursions into Israeli territory occurred as Jews celebrated the holiday Simchat Torah, when the liturgical reading of the Torah is completed and begins again. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared the country is "at war." The second-highest ranking officer at the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, also condemned the violence on Sunday while speaking to journalists. "The world seems to have gone crazy, it seems that we trust only in force, in violence, in conflict, to solve problems that are there, and very real, and that must be solved with very different methods," he said. Parolin, who as the Vatican's Secretary of State oversees the city-state's foreign relations, said that diplomatic efforts "do not seem to yield great results" and that paving the road to peace "will require much greater effort." The Vatican supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has offered to mediate for peace. In a statement on Saturday, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, led by the newly made Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, urged the international community to deescalate the conflict and cautioned against unilateral proclamations concerning holy sites and places of worship. "The continuing bloodshed and declarations of war remind us once again of the urgent need to find a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in this land, which is called to be a land of justice, peace and reconciliation among peoples," the statement read. Pizzaballa was also among a number of Christian prelates who published a statement (Oct. 7) condemning the violence and bloodshed. But according to the Israeli embassy to the Holy See, the statement suggested a "parallelism" between the Palestinian offensive on Saturday and violence by Israeli forces leading up to the conflict. In a statement on Sunday, the Israeli embassy to the Vatican criticized the "immoral linguistic ambiguities" of the Christian leaders in the Holy Land. "By reading the statement it's hard to understand what happened, who were the aggressors and who were the victims," it read. Other Catholic leaders in the Middle East, meanwhile, urged the faithful to pray for the end of the conflict, even as they voiced pessimism. "I thought something might happen after the provocations and violence we witnessed in recent months," said the Rev. Francesco Patton, head of the Franciscan order that is the official custodian of holy sites on behalf of the Catholic Church, on Monday. The Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, a priest in the Catholic parish of the Holy Family in Gaza, warned Catholic media outlets Oct 8 that the "situation is very serious" for people in the region. "No one knows where this will go, and unfortunately there are no signs hinting that what started yesterday will end any time soon." Religion News Service Hong Kong: Fake Facebook account alert issued Police today appealed to the public to be vigilant against a fraudulent Facebook account set up under the name Raymond Siu and using a photo of the Commissioner of Police. The force clarified that Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee had not set up the account. It said someone was impersonating the commissioner, possibly to conduct illegal activities. Emphasising that the case will be followed up thoroughly, the force has initiated an investigation. The Cyber Security & Technology Crime Bureau is also looking into the matter. Police stressed that the Internet is not an unreal world beyond the law, adding most of the laws enacted to prevent crimes in the real world are in principle applicable to the online world. It reminded members of the public to act legally and responsibly when using the Internet. This story has been published on: 2023-10-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. With the automotive industry becoming increasingly integrated with information and communication technology, artificial intelligence and the internet, China's intelligent vehicle sector has entered a new phase of rapid technological advancement and industry expansion that presents new challenges and opportunities. In the competitive market for new energy vehicles, electrification and intelligence are hallmarks of the first two phases. As the transition to electrification gains momentum, the shift toward intelligence is also accelerating, a trend that industry experts attending the 2023 Global Intelligent Vehicle Summit said will demand substantial investments and rapid iterations. The summit was held in late September in Hefei, Anhui province. "Intelligence will determine the winners in the second half of the auto revolution. Without developing intelligence, even the first-mover advantage in electrification may not be sustained," said Zhang Yongwei, vice-president of automotive think tank China EV 100, the organizer of the summit. With the think tank predicting the actual economic value generated by related industries of auto intelligence will reach 2.8 trillion yuan ($383.49 billion) by 2030, Zhang said intelligent vehicles will play a significant role in driving technological innovation and industrial growth while benefiting society by enabling intelligent transportation and smart cities, addressing issues such as congestion, traffic accidents, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Zhang emphasized that the pillars of China's intelligent auto industry are electrification, information communication, integration of big data, large models and AI. Among them, big data, large models and AI are emerging forces and hold the promise of realizing autonomous driving. With the foundation of cloud-based high computing power and closed-loop data capabilities, large models will greatly accelerate the iterations of intelligent cockpits and autonomous driving. Of the roughly 200 existing generative AI large models worldwide it is estimated that more than 190 are likely to eventually be phased out, and market reshuffling for them should be determined by competition rather than government directives, Zhang Yaqin, dean of Tsinghua University's Institute for AI Industry Research, told the summit. According to data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China saw 7 million new passenger vehicles with driving-assist features sold in 2022, a 45.6 percent year-on-year increase, securing a 34.9 percent market share. During the first half of this year, such vehicles made up 42.4 percent of total passenger vehicle sales. Su Tan, manager of the intelligent automotive business in Baidu's intelligent driving group, said the latest data indicates intelligent driving features now play a significant role in automobile purchasing decisions, constituting 10 percent of the decision-making factors. Su added that the autonomous driving industry is advancing rapidly, with Level 2 functions trending toward becoming standard features. Meanwhile, Wang Xiaofei, vice-president of Changan Automobile, predicted this year's retail sales of NEVs in China will exceed 7.7 million units, accounting for 38 percent of total sales. It is anticipated they will make up 70 percent of sales by 2025, and domestic brands will usher in their best-ever decade of development. Chinese brands have a market share as high as 82.9 percent of the NEV sector and have established unique competitive and technological advantages. Wang said intelligence is expected to drive the upgrade of domestic brands with encouraging policies, improved technologies and decreasing costs combining to make advanced intelligent driving a core advantage. As crucial enablers of intelligent functionality, chips are undergoing rapid research and development transformation to meet the demands of the fast-growing market. Liu Tong, chip giant Nvidia's global vice-president and general manager of its automotive business in China, said intelligent driving will continue to showcase more complex problem-solving capabilities in vehicles. "We'll reduce the number of chips, increase functionality per chip, and improve cost-effectiveness and vehicle design while moving toward a centralized computing model," Liu added. Qiu Xiaoshen, founder and CEO of Axera Semiconductor Co, said that with the auto industry's focus on cost reduction and enhanced efficiency leading to intensified competition, Chinese chip companies have an opportunity to excel in the intelligent driving sector, bolstered by the nation's prominent role in the global NEV manufacturing sector. She expects Chinese chip companies to capture a major market share of the domestic intelligent driving chip market within three years. Wu Feng, an official of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told the summit that along with the advancements there are still some challenges, and the ministry will address them by accelerating policy and regulatory enhancements, exploring technology development routes and commercialization models, and bolstering collaborative industry management. CofE conservatives cannot stop same-sex blessings from becoming facts on the ground Despite appearances, Church of England conservatives have not won a victory after the bishops announced that new services of blessing for same-sex couples now require two-thirds majorities in General Synod. The services are set to come into use anyway after November's Synod. The announcement from Church House Westminster on October 9, after the bishops made their decision on the legal route they are now pursuing, certainly highlighted the bishops' commitment to get the new services into use. Under the headline "Prayers of Love and Faith: Bishops agree next steps to bring to Synod" with the sub-head, "House of Bishops agrees to commend Prayers of Love and Faith", the statement declared: "The Church of England's House of Bishops has agreed in principle that prayers asking for God's blessing for same-sex couples known as Prayers of Love and Faith should be commended for use." After Synod voted to back the new services in February, the bishops faced the problem of finding a legal route to authorising the liturgy under the CofE's Canons (rules). Conservatives argued that because the services involved a change to the Church's core doctrine they should only be introduced under Canon B2, which requires two-thirds majorities in each of the three Houses of Synod - bishops, clergy and laity. Though the same-sex blessings were supported by the overwhelming majority of bishops in February, they only got approval by simple majorities in the Houses of Clergy and Laity, not the two thirds necessary under Canon B2. The Church House press release explained: "The bishops will bring proposals to General Synod next month which will pave the way for a process that would lead to the authorisation of these special services under Canon B2. "This process, expected to take until 2025, would involve consultation with every diocese and require approval by General Synod. "Bishops gave serious consideration to an alternative legal process which could have enabled special services to be authorised almost immediately but temporarily (under Canon B5A). This would still have required a further process for the services to be authorised permanently (under Canon B2) by Synod." The Church Times has clearly had a high-level briefing to the effect that clergy who wish to use the new liturgy would be able to do so after November's Synod. Its news report asserted: "The requirement of a full synodical process for the authorisation of special services in which the prayers are featured does not mean that the prayers themselves cannot be used before this time: Canon B5 allows for ministers to use their discretion to make alterations to existing service." Commenting after the announcement on the Thinking Anglicans website, Canon Simon Butler, a former chair of the Synod's House of Clergy (known as the Prolocutor for the Convocation of Canterbury) and a senior backer of the new services, oozed confidence. "So that's a green light for the commended prayers from now (or at least as soon as the paperwork is done). A new item on the agenda is a formal authorised liturgy which had not been anticipated earlier in the year with the standard Synodical process for liturgical authorisation. But whatever the maths for 2025, we can start creating special Services of the Word/Eucharistic rites for same sex couples now and conduct such services," he said, adding: "And, from the conservative perspective, their argument about this being doctrinal change and the subsequent threats of schism are ignored. That threat is being faced down by the bishops." He is surely right. What diocesan bishop would take disciplinary action against a parish minister for using the services which the House of Bishops has so enthusiastically endorsed? CofE conservatives do have an opportunity now to fight the new services in Synod and it may be that a vote in 2025 fails to get the necessary two-thirds majorities for formal authorisation. But by then the Prayers of Love and Faith would almost certainly have become facts on the ground in parishes. The hierarchy is firmly in the driving seat of the neo-Marxist truck carrying the same-sex blessings. That is why there is unfortunately nothing conservatives can do to stop them coming into use by revisionist clergy determined to take the knee to LGBT ideology. Julian Mann is a former Church of England vicar, now an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire. Terrorists kidnap at least 30 Christians in Nigeria Terrorists on Saturday kidnapped more than 30 Christians in southern Kaduna state, Nigeria, residents said. The assailants ambushed and took the Christians away at gunpoint at about 11 a.m. as they worked on a communal farm in Chikuri, Chikun County, said area resident Victor Dabo in a text message. "Over 30 Christian farmers who were cultivating a farm have been abducted in one fell swoop," Dabo told Morning Star News. "Please pray for the Chikuri Christian community." Another resident, Dogara Peter, said his mother and sister were among those kidnapped as they worked on the farm. "The terrorists kidnapped 30 of our Christian villagers as they were working on a farm which belongs to Mr. Maikudi, an elderly member of our community," Peter told Morning Star News. "My mother and sister are among those kidnapped by the terrorists. This incident has thrown our community into confusion. The terrorists are yet to contact us more than 24 hours after the abduction of our family members." The abductions marked the third time the terrorists have invaded their traumatized community, he said. Saying the community's last hope lay with police, other security agencies and the Nigerian government, he issued an appeal for them to rescue those held captive. "We make this appeal because we have nowhere to raise money for payment of ransom if these terrorists eventually ask us to do so, as has been the norm in the other two attacks on our community," Peter said. 2023 Morning Star News According to market researchers at Gartner1, Utilities are faced with unprecedented challenges. While international conflict, economic uncertainty and climate change are affecting businesses of all kinds, energy companies and utilities are also dealing with aging infrastructure, constant cyberattacks, increased regulation and rising customer expectations. To overcome these challenges, energy companies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI large language models (LLM). ResearchandMarkets1 estimates that the energy and power market spent 3.103 billion USD on AI in 2021. And by 2028, the AI spend is likely to more than quadruple to 14.257 billion USD. John Villali, research director for IDC Energy Insights2, explains: Operational segments across the utility value chain have established use cases that have proven to be beneficial to utilities. Whether it is in generation, transmission, or distribution, the use cases and deployment of AI are on the rise in operational areas of the industry with expectations to bring utilities positive results. So, what exactly are those use cases? Heres how generative AI and AI are helping utilities address some of their most difficult challenges: 1. Overcoming a lack of resilience Fires. Floods. Hurricanes. Blizzards. Heat waves. It seems like every other day brings a new natural disaster, and as climate change intensifies, the pace is likely to increase. Unfortunately, utilities must cope with these emergencies with outdated infrastructure. A recent report from CNBC3 noted, Most of the U.S. electric grid was built in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, over 70% of the U.S. electricity grid is more than 25 years old, and that aging system is vulnerable to increasingly intense storms. How can AI and generative AI help? First, AI is improving weather models so that utilities can have a better idea of where disaster might strike. AI also forecasts demand so that energy companies can plan their modernization and expansion efforts. In addition, companies use AI for proactive grid management and predictive maintenance that helps prevent outages. As a result, utilities can improve uptime for their customers while optimizing operations to keep costs low. 2. Achieving regulatory compliance Many governments are responding to climate change by passing new laws aimed at reducing carbon emissions. In addition, utilities must comply with regulations that cover a wide variety of other areas: Safety standards Efficiency standards Rate regulations Reliability standards Consumer protections, Data privacy laws Land use and environmental impact assessments Emergency preparedness standards. Meeting all these requirements places a tremendous burden on energy companies. AI can help by proactively monitoring operations and flagging when an organization is at risk for non-compliance. AI models can also help evaluate risks, and generative AI can offer suggestions for mitigating those risks. 3. Building cyber resilience Energy companies are extremely vulnerable to cyberattacks. In addition to the usual cybercriminals looking for ways to make money, utilities must often fend off attacks from terrorists and nation-states seeking to disrupt economies.According to the International Energy Agency4: Cyberattacks on utilities have been growing rapidly since 2018, reaching alarmingly high levels in 2022 following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Recent cyberattacks in the electricity sector have disabled remote controls for wind farms, disrupted prepaid meters due to unavailable IT systems and led to recurrent data breaches involving client names, addresses, bank account information and phone numbers. The most advanced cybersecurity tools rely heavily on AI to detect anomalous activity in corporate networks. While older tools were often limited to being able to repel attacks that have previously been seen, this next generation of AI-based tools can identify and mitigate brand-new attacks that have never been seen before. 4. Meeting customer expectations Todays energy customers have very high expectations. They want their utilities to become more sustainable, and they want suggestions for how to become more energy efficient. They demand personalized service and immediate answers to questions. AI tools enable utilities to provide personalized recommendations and answer customer questions quickly, even during emergencies when customer call centers become overwhelmed. This opens up opportunities to improve overall customer satisfaction. AI challenges for the energy sector While AI and generative AI offer tremendous opportunities, they also come with challenges. Utilities need to make sure that AI deployments meet their obligations to protect customer privacy.In addition, to enable AI, organizations need to have the right kind of storage infrastructure. As explained in a previous CIO.com article5, data is the fuel that powers AI capabilities, and storage is the tank that stores that fuel. Without the right storage, AI processing can come to a halt. In many cases, the data storage systems that utilities have today are not the systems needed to enable AI. They need state-of-the-art capabilities like distributed storage, data compression, and efficient data indexing that enable the speed and scale AI requires. Thats important because AI and generative AI are tools that can help accelerate solutions to some of the energy sectors toughest challenges. Future-focused AI and generative AI Navigating multiple challenges isnt easy in any industry. In the energy sector, there is no shortage of problems to solve. Energy organizations are turning to AI and generative AI to help catalyze resolutions to some of their most pressing issues, showing the innovation and resilience that are hallmarks of a future-focused industry. Read about unstructured data storage solutions and find out how they can enable AI technology. Intel and Dell are founding members of the vPAC Alliance, a formal coalition of utilities and industry partners coming together to transform our electrical grids. The Alliance is driving a standards-based, open, interoperable and secure software-defined infrastructure to host protection, automation and control solutions for power system substations. 1 https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/05/29/2677606/28124/en/Artificial-Intelligence-AI-in-Energy-and-Power-Market-Report-2023-Sector-to-Reach-14-52-Billion-by-2028-at-a-24-6-CAGR.html#:~:text=AI%20in%20energy%20and%20power,(AI)%20as%20a%20tool. 2 https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US508521233 https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/17/why-americas-outdated-energy-grid-is-a-climate-problem.html 3 https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/17/why-americas-outdated-energy-grid-is-a-climate-problem.html 4 https://www.iea.org/commentaries/cybersecurity-is-the-power-system-lagging-behind 5 https://www.cio.com/article/649113/accelerating-generative-ai-requires-the-right-storage.html Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Wellcome has appointed John-Arne Rttingen as its first ever permanent chief executive, the health research foundation has announced. Currently ambassador for global health at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his native Norway, Rttingen will take up the post in January 2024. Rttingen will succeed Jeremy Farrar, who stepped down as Wellcomes director in February after a decade at the foundation. Paul Schreier, who has led Wellcome as its interim CEO since Jeremy Farrar stepped down as director, will leave the charity early next year to pursue other opportunities at chief executive level. Wellcome said it decided to update the term for its most senior role from director to chief executive when Farrer stepped down to align with common practice and because it is a more accurate description of the role. Rttingen: Philanthropy has a critical role to play Rttingen has previously worked with Wellcome as founding CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), which the foundation helped to set up in 2017. He began his career in basic discovery research, focusing on cellular calcium signalling, and trained as a medical doctor before transitioning to infectious disease epidemiology and global health. Rttingen said: It will be a privilege to lead Wellcome. I have long admired its inspiring work to bring the potential of science and discovery to society to build a healthier future. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in catalysing and complementing public and private research spend to improve health globally. I know well from my own experience the power of the support Wellcome gives science and scientists, backing basic research and ensuring transformative research achieves impact in the world. Chair thanks outgoing interim CEO Julia Gillard, chair of Wellcome, said: John-Arne brings to the role a drive to maximise impact, an inclusive leadership style and an outstanding record in his research fields of epidemiology and global health. Wellcome believes in the power of science to build a healthier future for everyone, and that science delivers the greatest change through collaborative action across society. John-Arnes career and experience exemplify these beliefs. He has built a reputation as one of the worlds most effective and respected figures at the interface between science and advocacy at the highest global levels. I would like to extend the boards thanks to Paul Schreier, who has led Wellcome with great skill since Jeremy Farrars departure. Wellcome has 40.3bn in investment assets, more than quadruple that of any other charity in England and Wales, according to the Charity Commission website. It has committed to spending 16bn on science over the decade to 2032. 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, MADISON, Wis. (AP) A milling company has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges that employees at a Wisconsin corn plant falsified records in the years leading up to a fatal corn dust explosion. The plea deal calls for Didion Milling Inc. to pay a $1 million fine and $10.25 million to the estates of the five workers who were killed in the blast at the company`s Cambria mill in May 2017, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Thursday. The company also has agreed to a five-year organizational probation and must allow federal inspectors to visit the mill without advance notice up to twice a year. A federal grand jury indicted Didion last year on nine counts, including falsifying records, fraud and conspiracy. According to court documents, Didion shift employees and supervisors knowingly falsified logbooks inspectors use to determine whether the plant was handling corn dust safely and complying with dust-cleaning rules from 2015 until May 2017. Corn dust is combustible; if concentrations in the air reach a high level, a spark or other ignition source can cause it to catch fire and explode. Federal regulations require grain mill operators to perform regular cleanings to reduce dust accumulations that could fuel a blast. Didion last month agreed to pay the Wisconsin Department of Justice $940,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging multiple regulatory violations at the Cambria plant. Didion CEO Riley Didion said in a statement Thursday that the company was thankful to have reached the plea deal and was pleased most of the financial settlement will go to the workers` estates, calling the explosion heartbreaking. What happened in Cambria in May of 2017 was tragic, and we continue to offer prayers for those who were affected, he said. With this agreement in place, we can devote our full attention to serving our team, community, farmers, and customers with the highest standards of safety and quality. Three Didion officials Derrick Clark, who was vice president of operations; Shawn Mesner, who was food safety superintendent; and James Lentz, who was environmental manager, are scheduled to stand trial Monday in federal court in Madison on charges that include conspiracy, fraud and falsifying records. Three other Didion employees a pair of day shift supervisors and an environmental coordinator have pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction charges since June 15. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. JENKINSVILLE, S.C. (AP) Federal officials have issued a warning about a substantial safety violation at a South Carolina nuclear plant after cracks were discovered again in a backup emergency fuel line. Small cracks have been found a half-dozen times in the past 20 years in pipes that carry fuel to emergency generators that provide cooling water for a reactor if electricity fails at the V.C. Summer plant near Columbia, according to the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The agency issued what it calls a preliminary yellow warning to plant owner Dominion Energy last week. It is the second most serious category and only seven similar warnings have been issued across the country since 2009, nuclear power expert David Lochbaum told The State newspaper after reviewing records from federal regulators. A crack first appeared on a diesel fuel pipe in 2003, and similar pipes have had other cracks since then. During a 24-hour test of the system in November, a small diesel fuel leak grew larger, according to NRC records. The agency issued the preliminary yellow warning because of the repeated problems. The commissions ruling is not final and Dominion will have a chance to explain what happened, utility spokesperson Darryl Huger wrote in an email Dominion has already started to put in place a plan to improve the reliability of the backup system and like all nuclear reactors there are multiple backup systems in case any component fails, Huger said. With a commitment to continued safe operations, we are inspecting and maintaining our generator and related components. We will continue to keep the NRC updated on our future strategy to further enhance our diesel generators, Huger wrote. Virginia-based Dominion hasn`t been the only owner of the plant. SCANA built and started the plant in 1984. The South Carolina company had plans to build two more reactors, but billions of dollars of cost overruns forced it to abandon the project in 2017 and sell to Dominion. Dominion has recently requested to renew the license for the nuclear plant for an additional 40 years. Longtime nuclear safety advocate Tom Clements told the newspaper the pipe problems should mean a lot more scrutiny by regulators. This incident serves as a wake-up call to fully analyze all such systems prior to a license-renewal determination, Clements said in an email. Top photo: The working nuclear reactor is seen at V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, April 9, 2012, in Jenkinsville, S.C. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a yellow warning against the plant and owner Dominion Energy after finding a cracked pipe in a emergency generator fuel line a half-dozen times in the past 20 years. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins, File) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Family Dollar is issuing a voluntary recall for several over-the-counter drugs and medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that were stored outside of temperature requirements and shipped to stores in 23 states, the FDA said Tuesday. The items were inadvertently shipped to stores on or around June 1, 2023, through Sept. 21, 2023, and were sold at stores between June 1, 2023, and Oct. 4, 2023, a statement from the FDA said. The recall applies to the products sold in Family Dollar stores in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. To date, Family Dollar said it has not received any consumer complaints or reports of illness related to the recall. The list of items under the voluntary recall from Family Dollar ranges from Kids Nyquil Honey to Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste. Not all of the products listed were sent to stores. The FDA posted the full list of products online. People who bought any of the affected products can return them to the Family Dollar stores where they were purchased without a receipt. Contact your health care provider if you experience any problems that may be related to using these products. Bank of America, the second-largest bank in the United States, was fined $150 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau back in July for engaging in deceptive practices. The bank charged users multiple $35 fees for the same infraction, made fake accounts, and refused to give credit card rewards to eligible users. All of this being brought out into the open calls a lot into question about security and ethics in where we park our cash. In the 2010s, Wells Fargo was also found to have created fake accounts to deceive consumers. This goes to show that the biggest, most powerful banks in America can sometimes do some unethical things. When this happens, its important to know where you should keep your money (and where to avoid keeping it). Today, Ill give you a breakdown of the red flags to watch for and the best ways to store your money safely and securely with a bank you trust. What are banking red flags? There are some things to watch out for that might hint that your bank is in trouble financially or otherwise. If your bank starts to see a lot of branch closures or staff layoffs, be wary. Also, if they revoke feeless accounts or increase the account fees exponentially, those are other signs that your bank is experiencing internal issues. Also, if your banks customer service department has been known to give you the runaround, especially when money has been fraudulently stolen from your account, its best to seek out a new bank. One of the worst things that can happen is when a bank drops the ball when your information has been compromised or stolen. When this occurs, observe how your bank handles the situation. If its not stellar service, I highly advise switching to a more trustworthy bank that wont make your life even more difficult when this happens. One easy way to do your due diligence when choosing a bank is to check with a rating service. These services rate banks for consumers based on payback/loss amounts, number of loans, overall assets, and more. These factors gauge how well a bank is doing financially, and by extension, how much you can trust them. Another major red flag is if your bank or credit union isnt insured by the FDIC or NCUA. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) protects your finances if a bank goes under and fails. This system went into effect as a result of the Great Depression when millions of Americans lost all of their money and life savings as a result of mass bank failures. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) does what the FDIC does to insure banks, but for credit unions. If your bank or credit union isnt insured by one of these entities, switch to one that is insured. Is online banking safe? Many consumers, especially in the height of the age of digital technology, are asking themselves if online banking is the way to go. It may seem daunting to use a bank without physical branches. On the other hand, the fact that everything is online would mean that accessing your funds would be easier than ever. But is it safe? Thats the first and foremost question on the minds of consumers questioning the idea. In short, online banking can be just as safe and secure as traditional banking. There are some steps to take to bolster your accounts security, but if you use common sense and follow security tips and tricks, your funds will be safe. For one thing, make sure to choose a reputable online bank. Again, check the banks ratings with a rating service. Moreover, look at user reviews. What are other users saying about the bank? Look especially into the banks customer service track record. When a bank is exclusively online, this means that theres no physical branch to walk into. If youre going to go with an online bank, choose one with a stellar customer service record. Next, make sure the bank is insured by the FDIC, as I mentioned earlier. Whether you bank online or traditionally, only ever use a bank that is insured. When youre considering using an online bank, make sure they use industry-standard security measures. This includes multifactor authentication steps. When creating your account, use a very complex password and use safe practices when recording your account information. Change your password every few months, and never change it to a password youve used before. Turn on email notifications, so youre always in the loop about whats going on with your account. Reputable banks will contact you via text, email, or both if there appears to be strange activity on your account. This is always preferable, so ask about this sort of service before you sign on with a new bank. Finally, when logging into your bank account online, do so using a private connection and never log into your bank account on a public internet network without additional protection measures like a VPN. This can potentially compromise your data in a way where information thieves can steal it without your knowledge. If youre considering using an online bank (and even if youre not), use these best practices to keep your information and funds safe from the hands of hackers, thieves, and deceptive banks. Josh Elledge is a syndicated newspaper columnist with over 12 years of experience covering consumer advocacy. His work spotlights money-saving skills, strategic shopping and financial life hacks. CLEVELAND, Ohio Heidi Petz, who will take over Jan. 1 as chief executive officer of paint giant Sherwin-Williams, is clear about the companys direction going forward, but less so when it comes to how employees will adapt to the companys new downtown Cleveland headquarters still under construction. Petz, 48, the current president and chief operating officer of Sherwin-Williams, told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer on Wednesday that she is so confident in Sherwin Williams business strategy that she does not see a need to change it. Everything is done very thoughtfully and very deliberately, Petz said during a joint interview with current Sherwin-Williams CEO John Morikis. Weve got a lot of experienced leaders, but I think whats important is were also able to adapt to the market. So the last few years, there was a lot of turbulence in terms of the pandemic and supply chain challenges and whole host of issues that we faced on top of it. So theres been a lot of things moving, but whats always been at the core of who we are is we exist to help our customers be more successful. Sherwin-Williams is currently constructing its massive downtown headquarters, along with its Brecksville technology center, and Petz said she hoped the company would be moving into those locations by the end of 2024. She added that with the constant changes happening in the workforce, it is not clear if the company will have employees work in the office full-time or embrace some kind of hybrid arrangement. We certainly dont have a crystal ball when it comes to talent, the workforce and where all thats going, Petz said. We did a lot of thinking from a capacity standpoint because weve been growing so much. But also, we wanted to create a world-class environment because we want them to have the very best place to work, retaining the very best people. So, well always have some level of flexibility. Another important consideration Sherwin officials have been discussing is safety. Morikis said Petz has been in the forefront of those conversations and initiatives, including forming an agreement with real estate developer Bedrock, which owns sizeable waterfront parking, to increase security in its lots and even provide rides to Sherwin-Williams current headquarters at 101 W. Prospect Ave. The pair added that the safety measures have also been possible through collaboration with city officials. Petz, who was born in Akron and raised in central Pennsylvania, graduated from the University of Richmond. She joined Sherwin-Williams in 2017 when the Cleveland-based paint and coatings company acquired Valspar. Before she joined Valspar in 2013, she held various positions at Target, Newell Rubbermaid and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Petz said that she considers Cleveland to be her home and that it was definitely an honor to be named Sherwin-Williams new CEO, particularly becoming the first woman to do so. I certainly recognize that and I would say its also a milestone, but my focus is on running the business, she said. We had a lot of wonderful employees here in Cleveland, regionally, nationally and across the globe. And so my focus is on helping taking this business to the next level and making sure that were continuing to help our customers be successful. Morikis, who will become executive chairman of the board, added that Petz was the best candidate for the job of CEO and it just happens that she is a woman. She has an empowering and inclusive style that allows her to have the best followership Ive ever seen in any executive that Ive been associated with, he said. People follow Heidi. Its unbelievable. Megan Sims covers real estate for cleveland.com. See previous work at this link. Also: Legacy Village shopping center is on the market New apartment building may check a lot of boxes for those who want to live in Gordon Square City Club of Cleveland readies its fresh, new space for opening next week in Playhouse Square CANTON, Ohio A Canton man has been charged with murder after police say he intentionally hit another man with his car Monday morning, killing him, then drove off. Matthew Patrick Colopy, 45, also is charged with felonious assault and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Cateno Demetro, 41, of Canton, according to Stark County Common Pleas Court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Police say officers were called to the 1900 block of 48th Street NW at about 7:55 a.m. Monday. Demetro was found in the roadway. He was taken by ambulance to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton but he died of his injuries. Colopy reportedly drove away from the scene but was arrested a short time later, police say. Investigators say he intentionally struck Demetro with his vehicle, but did not release information on a possible motive. Anyone with any information can contact detectives at 330-489-3144. Anonymous tips can also be sent through Tip411 or the Stark County Crime Stoppers. Sign up for Tip411 at www.cantonohio.gov/police. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Governor Mike DeWine ordered all flags flown at half-staff for the horrific loss of civilian life in Israel from the terrorist attack by Hamas. President Biden said the United States stands with Israel and has its back, in a speech from The White House in which he called out and decried with anger and resolve the sheer evil of Hamas slaughter of Israelis. There are moments in this life when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas - a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews. This was an act of sheer evil. In this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack. There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse. Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination. Its stated purpose is the annihilation of the Sate of Israel and the murder of Jewish people. For 75 years Israel has stood as the ultimate guarantor of security of the Jewish people around the world so that the atrocities of the past could never happen again. And let there be no doubt: The United States has Israels back. These atrocities have been sickening. Our hearts may be broken, but our resolve is clear. The depravity of Hamas upon Israelis is even more barbaric than first reported. Babies beheaded and children found burned alive. Yet President Biden said in his speech, the response of democracies should be within the rule of law. The President recounted his phone conversation with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu. We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law. Terrorists purposefully target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war - the law of war. It matters. Theres a difference. In Israel, President Bidens speech was seen by some older Israelis as the strongest speech supporting Israel by a U.S. President in their lifetime. However, back on Capitol Hill, some Speaker-less Republican office holders and Presidential candidates claimed President Biden had blood on his hands for the Biden administration deal that unfroze Iranian assets in exchange for Americans held captive. They claimed, falsely, Iran used money from the U.S. to fund the Hamas attacks on Israel. Fact: the money was Irans frozen assets, not the United States. The money in question was shown not to have been withdrawn for the attack on Israel and is still in the account. Iran has long been a sponsor of Hamas, irregardless of the deal made to win the release of American prisoners. President Biden stands with Israel. Its too much to ask Republicans, standing with 4-time indicted, front-running Big Lie Donald Trump, to stand with the truth, even in a time of war. HUNTSVILLE, Texas A man who challenged the safety of Texas lethal injection drugs spoke directly to the family of the 80-year-old woman he was convicted of slaying just before he was executed. Jedidiah Murphy, 48, was pronounced dead late Tuesday at a state penitentiary in Huntsville for the fatal shooting of Bertie Lee Cunningham in a Dallas suburb during a carjacking. To the family of the victim, I sincerely apologize for all of it, Murphy said to Cunninghams relatives. I hope this helps, if possible, give you closure. He spoke while strapped to a gurney in the Texas death chamber, The Associated Press said. Murphy then recited Psalm 34, ending with: The Lord redeems the soul of his servants, and none of those who trust in him shall be condemned. After telling the warden he was ready, Murphy turned his head toward a friend watching through a window a few feet from him, telling her, God bless all of yall. Its OK. Tell my babies I love them. As the lethal dose of pentobarbital took effect, he took two barely audible breaths and appeared to go to sleep. About 20 minutes later, a physician entered the room to examine Murphy and pronounce him dead. The state executed Murphy just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned an order that had delayed the death sentence from being carried out. The Supreme Court on Tuesday also rejected another request to stay Murphys execution over claims the drugs he was injected with were exposed to extreme heat and smoke during a recent fire, making them unsafe and leaving him at risk of pain and suffering. On Monday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had upheld a ruling from last week that delayed the execution after Murphys lawyers sued seeking DNA testing of evidence presented at his 2001 trial. The state attorney generals office appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. Murphys attorneys had questioned evidence of two robberies and a kidnapping that prosecutors used to persuade jurors during the penalty phase of his trial that Murphy would be a future danger - a legal finding needed to secure a death sentence in Texas, the AP said. Murphy admitted he killed Cunningham but had long denied he committed the robberies or kidnapping. Prosecutors had called Murphys request manipulative and said it should have been filed years ago. A capital inmate who waits until the eleventh hour to raise long-available claims should not get to complain that he needs more time to litigate them, the attorney generals office wrote in its petition to the high court. HOUSTON, Texas Mary Lou Retton, who rose to fame in 1984 when she became the first U.S. woman to win Olympics gold in the individual gymnastics all-around event, is fighting for her life in a hospital with a rare form of pneumonia. McKenna Kelly, Rettons daughter, says in a post on spotform that her mother has been in the intensive care unit of a hospital for more than a week. The spotform fundraiser has raised more than $102,000 for Rettons care. My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life, Kelly writes. She is not able to breathe on her own. Shes been in the ICU for over a week now. Retton, 55, was only 16 years old when she became an icon during the Olympics, winning five medals overall, two bronze, two silver and a gold. She had perfect scores on the vault and floor routine in winning gold in the individual all-around event, CNN reports. Her photo was on the front of a Wheaties box and she also made multiple appearances on television and in movies, including in Scrooged and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult. She was was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997. Retton is the mother of four and currently lives in Texas. CLEVELAND, Ohio More people are looking to work as Cleveland police officers, city officials said Wednesday. Since Mayor Justin Bibb announced major pay increases and sign-on bonuses in August, applications are up 45%, according to city officials. From July 1 to Sept. 30, the police department received 295 applications. Over the years, the department has struggled to retain and recruit. Currently, the city has 1,211 officers, but is budgeted to have 1,498. Officers have been poached by other departments, or they have retired or resigned, making it harder for the department to keep up with violent crime within the city. Last year, the police department lost 168 officers. So far this year, it is down 133, said Ward 8 Councilman Michael Polensek, who leads the Public Safety Committee. We will see how many officers are actually hired, Polensek said. Lets hope the process has improved. Polensek worries about hiring. He said 95 applicants, who were scheduled to attend the academy, were dropped after going through the civil service process. The city attributes the application increase to several reasons. The cadet salary has been increased from $16 an hour to $24. Cadets entering the academy with a college degree or have been in the military will enter at a higher level. Additionally, the city offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus. The bonus comes with stipulations that must be followed by officers after they receive the payment. Cuyahoga Community College will reimburse recruits for their out-of-pocket expenses if they attend the schools academy. The shortage of police officers has become a national problem. In Cleveland, it forced some officers to earn more than $100,000 in salary and overtime last year, according to data from the city. The city also said part of the jump in applications stems from Bibbs push to bolster patrols and improve technology in neighborhoods. Bibb announced the initiative in July, as gun violence in Cleveland spiked. Since then, local, state and federal law enforcement officials have patrolled city streets. There is no substitute for men and women patrolling our streets, Polensek said. COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio is buying millions more in debt backed by the Israel government in the aftermath of the weekend attack by Hamas thats led to the outbreak of war in the Middle Eastern country. State Treasurer Robert Sprague plans to buy $20 million in Israel bonds Monday, bringing the states total Israel bond holdings to $187.5 million. Ohio already was one of the top government holders of Israeli debt, Sprague said, but he said the new infusion is needed to help give the country additional cash as it prepares for what could be an extended war. Now is the time to stand with Israel, Sprague said. For 30 years, Israel Bonds have been and continue to be a strong investment for the Ohio Treasury. Were proud to make this $20 million purchase and provide desperately needed liquidity to Israel as they fight against these heinous acts of terrorism. Sprague, a Republican, was reelected last year to a second four-year term in office. He is considering a run for governor in 2026, since he will be forced to leave office then due to term limits. Israel launched a bond campaign on Tuesday targeting expatriates, describing the push as an international campaign to raise funds for the Jewish state that is at war. On Saturday, Hamas, a militant group that controls the Palestinian Gaza Strip territory within Israel, mounted the deadliest attack on Israel in decades, killing over 1,000 people, including many civilians, and taking an estimated 150 hostages, including soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Israel has responded by halting the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory, and by unleashing what Gaza residents have described as the most intense bombing campaign in recent memory, according to the Associated Press. The death toll is estimated at 2,200 on both sides and is expected to escalate. Many Ohio politicians have expressed support for Israel in the aftermath of the attacks, including Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who ordered that state government buildings fly their flags at half-staff from Tuesday through Thursday. U.S. Rep. Max Miller, a Rocky River Republican who is one of two Jewish Republicans in the House of Representatives, has called for U.S. aid to Israel. Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer COLUMBUS, Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown says the Biden Administration should refreeze the $6 billion in assets the White House recently agreed to release to Iran as part of a prisoner swap deal, in light of the weekend attack on Israel by Hamas, an Iranian-backed militant group. Brown, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, called for the move on Wednesday as part of a broader statement that also said that the committee will investigate how the attack was financed, including whether cryptocurrency played a role. As we work to hold anyone who supports terrorism accountable, the administration must freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets, Brown said. While not directly critical of President Joe Biden, Browns statement offers a somewhat rare example of Brown, Ohios top Democrat whos running for reelection next year, being at odds politically with the White House. It comes as the Biden Administration has sought to downplay the $6 billion in the wake of the attack, calling it an unrelated issue in response to criticism from Republicans and others. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, refused to directly answer on Tuesday when he was asked whether the $6 billion should be refrozen. Not a dollar of that money has been spent. And I will leave it at that, Sullivan said, according to C-SPAN. A White House spokesperson pointed to Sullivans comments when asked about Browns statement on Wednesday. Under the terms of the deal, Iran must spend the $6 billion on humanitarian purposes. But Republicans have said the money, even though it wont directly be spent on supporting terrorism around the world, will free up Iran to fund Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East that are aligned with the countrys geopolitical interests. Republican U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio has gone as far as to say the asset transfer amounts to U.S. tax dollars funding the attack, although the $6 billion actually belongs to Iran, profits the country made selling oil to South Korea in recent years, White House officials have said. The money was frozen in the first place due to U.S. sanctions on Iran. Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer Information from the Associated Press was used in this story CLEVELAND, Ohio The first voters to head to the polls in Cuyahoga County opened one of the most contentious elections in years by casting ballots on two statewide issues that have grabbed national attention. Residents on Wednesday morning took stances on abortion rights and recreational marijuana, as well as a long list of local races and taxes, weeks ahead of the Nov. 7 election. The local issues include the Peoples Budget in Cleveland, an amendment that would give residents control over a sliver of the citys spending, and a countywide property tax for Cuyahoga Community College. Election offices in Cuyahoga County and across the state began offering in-person voting Wednesday. The in-person voting will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for several weeks. The state issues are expected to attract the greatest attention. Issue 1 would place abortion rights, with restrictions, in the Ohio Constitution. Issue 2 would change state law to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older while setting up rules for the state to regulate the industry. Ellen Kubit of Cleveland was at the county elections board early Wednesday. She is the campaign manager for Matthew Ahn, a candidate for county prosecutor running in the Democratic primary in May against incumbent Michael OMalley. She said the state issues are an opportunity for residents to help Ohio. This is Ohios last chance, especially with what we saw last year with a variety of different states, who stood up, rose to the occasion, and actually took freedom seriously, she said. This is quite literally Ohios last chance. Kubit, like many of the early voters, came out in favor of the abortion rights. Dr. Lauren Beene, a pediatrician and the executive director of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, stressed that a womans medical decision should be kept between her and her family. Her group is one of the groups pursuing the abortion amendment. I have seen how things can be tragic for people when the government is allowed to make our decisions for us, Beene said, as she was headed to the elections board to vote. If we dont pass this, it will lead to a medical disaster not only for Ohio, but it will worsen medical disasters that are already happening in other states right now for women who are not able to access the care they need. Voter Mark Brandt said he felt it was a womans right to choose an abortion. But he refused to support recreational marijuana. The biggest thing is car accidents go up when that becomes legal, and I just think vehicle safety is a big thing, Brandt said. Dr. Arthur Lavin, a retired pediatrician from Beachwood, voted in favor of abortion rights. He stopped short of that on Issue 2 because he is apprehensive about chemicals that damage the brain. Other voters said they will not vote to legalize marijuana because they are concerned that people with mental health issues will use the plant to self-medicate. Voters also supported a property tax increase for Cuyahoga Community College, which some have said serves as an economic engine in the county. It estimates that a 2.1 mill-renewal and 0.4-mill increase will add $14.04 a year to the costs for the owner of a $100,000 home. The Peoples Budget amendment would set aside about 2% of the citys general fund each year about $14 million based on this years budget to give residents control over how its spent. An 11-person steering committee would oversee how residents vote on spending for projects. WASHINGTON, D. C. - U.S. Rep. Max Miller, a Rocky River Republican, on Wednesday called for swift aid to Israel and pledged to fight anti-Semitism in Congress after attending a classified briefing for Congress members following Saturdays Hamas attack on Israel and Israeli retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has killed Jewish people, they have killed Christian people, they have killed Muslim people, they have killed Hindus, said Miller. Israel is a place that accepts everybody, not just Jews. They are murdering everybody and it is Israeli blood. Israeli blood means everything under the sun. As he left the meeting, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence chair Mike Turner, a Dayton Republican, told reporters people are trying to determine Irans involvement in the attack. Hamas is a franchise of Iran, Turner said. The whole inception of Hamas is Iran. Iran is absolutely and was absolutely involved in, in the arming, the providing missiles, funding training of Hamas. The threat to Israel from Hamas is there as a result of Irans support. Miller, who is one of two Jewish Republicans in the House of Representatives, said he doesnt want to see a repeat of the Holocaust that killed millions of Jews in Europe. He said hell continue to speak out for the Jewish people in the state of Israel, and never back down regardless of the antisemitic views that people in my own conference have, or on the Democratic side. I will continue to fight antisemitism and hate through and through as long as Im here. Miller said he has not personally experienced antisemitism in Congress but said Republicans and Democrats have both made antisemitic remarks. As an example, he cited remarks made earlier this year by Washington Democrat Pramila Jayapal, who called Israel a racist state. She later apologized. Miller noted that nine Democrats voted against a resolution condemning antisemitism and expressing support for Israel that came before Congress after Jayapals comments, and said Democrats need to change their tune. Miller said he couldnt discuss the substance of the briefing because it was classified but said hed like to see the United States get out of Israels way and let Israel conduct the operations that it needs. And let Israel conduct the operations that it needs to. He said hed like to see a swift vote on an Israel aid bill, but said the fact that Republicans dont have a speaker could stand in the way. Were looking at every appropriate option in order to get that on the floor, even if we are speakerless, said Miller. Miller said he hopes the race for speaker will be resolved during a meeting today, when Republicans meet behind closed doors to pick a successor for Californias Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted last week. Miller says he backs Ohios Jim Jordan in the contest. He seems to be in a great mood today feeling confident about his votes, Miller said of Jordan. I think its very possible we can get to that magic number today. Thats what were all hoping for. So we can move on and to help our great allies like Israel. But if not, then were going to have to work through this as it goes along. Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS, Ohio Today is the start of early voting for the Nov. 7 election, when voters will decide two hot-button statewide issues dealing with abortion and recreational marijuana. That means elections offices in Cuyahoga County and across the state will begin offering in-person early voting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekday hours that will continue for several weeks. Elections officials also will mail absentee ballots to voters who requested them. In Cuyahoga County, elections officials have processed 43,471 absentee ballot applications, a number that tracks with the higher-than-average voter turnout seen in the August election. Elections officials plan to mail 25,000 of those ballots today, with the rest going out before Friday. Ballots should take three to five days to arrive in voters mailboxes, elections officials said. The beginning of early voting coincides with the close of voter registration, which ended Tuesday. There is one notable change to voting procedures in Cuyahoga County. Elections officials are changing up parking, converting the small on-site lot at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, at 2925 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland, to handicap-only parking. Voters with valid disability placards also can enter the BOE office at the rear of the building, using the door facing the parking lot. The dropbox for absentee ballot applications and completed absentee ballots also is in this lot. The general public, meanwhile, will have access to two nearby parking lots. One is the lot for the Campus International K-8 school at Chester Avenue and E. 30th Street, accessible off East 30th, almost a block north of the elections office. The other is a parking garage accessible off Chester Avenue, just east of the main Campus International building. The general public then should enter the board at the front entrance off Euclid Ave. The changes are meant to try to make parking easier at the board of elections, which can be challenging given the offices downtown location and the on-site lots small size, said Tony Perlatti, director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Here are some common questions and quick answers about the election. Whats on the ballot? While the Nov. 7 election could include a number of local ballot issues, all Ohioans will have the option of voting on State Issues 1 and 2. Issue 1 would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, almost certainly nullifying the states heartbeat abortion law that bans the procedure as early as six weeks into pregnancy although the law is on hold due to an ongoing legal challenge. Issue 2, meanwhile, would change state law to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years and older while setting up rules for the state to regulate the industry. Voting yes would approve each proposal, while voting no would reject them.\ Read more: What to know about Issue 1, the abortion amendment, as voting begins More coverage: What to know about Issue 2, recreational marijuana legalization, as voting begins What are my options to cast a ballot? Voters can either vote early, by mail or in person at their county board of elections, or on Election Day. Elections officials in Cuyahoga County encourage voters to consider voting early because it reduces lines on Election Day and makes their jobs easier by spreading out administrative work. What do I need to vote? You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and registered to vote. And starting this year, Ohio has required voters to show a photo ID to cast a ballot in person. Acceptable forms of ID are an Ohio drivers license, the free Ohio identification card the state began offering as part of the photo ID requirement, a temporary ID issued by the BMV, a passport or passport card, or a U.S. or state military ID. While some states accept them, college IDs are not acceptable in Ohio. What if I dont have a valid ID? First, if you want to get an in-state ID, you can visit your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles location. Theres an identity-verification process and a cost associated with getting an Ohio drivers license. But under the new voter ID law, Ohio also offers free state IDs to people who request them. Note, if you have an out-of-state drivers license, it will be canceled if you apply for an Ohio state ID, according to the BMV. Once you successfully apply for your ID, the BMV will give you a temporary ID you can use to vote while you wait the permanent one to arrive. If you cant get an ID in time, there is a workaround. You can vote by mail without an ID, again providing the last four digits of your Social Security number as proof of identity. Republicans left this exception in state law when they passed their photo ID law, citing senior citizens who vote by mail but no longer have valid drivers licenses. How do I get an absentee ballot? You have to fill out a form to request a mail ballot, also called an absentee ballot, and return it to the board of elections office in your county. You have to provide the same information you do when you register to vote or update your registration. You can request a form online at the Ohio Secretary of States Office. Or, Ohioans also can print this absentee ballot request form. County boards of election also provide their own forms, such as this form from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Any of those forms will work. But they have to be returned to the county board. One thing to consider: The address voters mark on their absentee ballot request must match the address where they are registered to vote. Are there common mistakes people make on the forms? There are several. Voters filling out the form must provide their date of birth. Some voters incorrectly write in todays date when they do that. Some people also forget to mark the correct election date. For this election, you have to mark November general election. Some people also forget to sign the form and date it. Is there a deadline to submit that? The deadline to submit your absentee ballot request form is Tuesday, Oct. 31. County boards of elections offices must have your form by the close of business that day, 8:30 p.m. When do I have to return my absentee ballot? If youre returning it by hand, you must bring it to your county board of elections office by the time polls close on Election Day at 7:30 p.m. Note, you cant deliver your completed absentee ballot at your polling place. All county elections offices have an on-site, secure drop box for completed ballots and absentee ballot applications. If youre returning it by mail, it must arrive at your county board of elections office by Saturday, Nov. 11, as long as it is postmarked by Monday, Nov. 6. Can I keep track of my absentee ballot and whether the board of elections received my request? Yes, you can track your absentee ballot online. The Ohio Secretary of States office has a tool where you can select your county. That will direct you to your local board of elections website, where you can look up the status of your ballot request or ballot. What else is on the ballot this year? This depends on where you live. In Cuyahoga County, a number of communities have school levies and other local ballot issues, including Cleveland, which will vote on a participatory budgeting charter amendment. Cuyahoga County also has a countywide tax issue: a 2.1-mill renewal and 0.4-mill increase for Cuyahoga Community College. When does in-person early voting happen? For the first, second and third weeks of early voting (Oct. 11-27), early-voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hours are different for the final week, Oct. 30 through Nov. 5. They are: Monday, Oct 30: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 1-3: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. How do I know where to go to vote early in person? Go to the board of elections office in your county. Here is a list of locations. What if I want to vote on Election Day? Can I just do it the old-fashioned way? Yes. Most Ohioans still vote on Election Day. You can find your Election Day polling place at the Ohio Secretary of States website. What if I request an absentee ballot and change my mind or forget to return it? As long as you havent filled it out and returned it, you can still vote early and in-person. Those going to vote early and in person can bring their blank ballots with them, and elections workers are required to try to collect them so they can be destroyed. But voters dont have to bring them, under guidance issued in 2020 by Secretary of State Frank LaRose. You also can still vote in-person on Election Day. But youll have to cast whats called a provisional ballot, which means your vote wont be counted for days while elections workers verify you arent trying to vote twice. Do I have to declare a political party when I vote? No. The Nov. 7 election is a nonpartisan election. Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Senate recently passed Senate Bill 83, the The Ohio Higher Education Act. It awaits a second hearing in the House Higher Education Committee. SB 83 reveals the hazards of politicians assuming responsibilities of credentialed educators. No pending Ohio legislation has fomented more negative feedback than SB 83. Not discussed in that debate is a mandated college-level American government or history course. SB 83s mandated college course repeats and dumbs down Ohios kindergarten-through-12th-grade (K-12) Social Standards. The Ohio Department Education has developed excellent content standards and model curricula. Chief among those are learning progressions. These describe how teachers can help students build on content learned in previous grades. Introductory college courses can build on those, too. Rather than build on those, SB 83 ignores them or dumbs them down. SB 83 mandates this content in its college-level course: 1. The entire Constitution of the United States, 2. The entire Declaration of Independence, 3. A minimum of five essays in their entirety from the Federalist Papers. 4. The entire Emancipation Proclamation; 5. The entire Gettysburg Address; 6. The entire Letter from Birmingham Jail written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ohios Social Sciences standards include the following content redundant with SB 83s college course: 1. Constitution: Ohios standards introduce the U.S. Constitution in fourth grade, stating it establishes a system of limited government and protects citizens rights (p. 19). The High School Social Studies curriculum examines the Constitution extensively. Principles related to representative democracy are reflected in the (Constitutions) articles and amendments and provide structure for government of the United States (p. 36). Content statements include, 5. As the supreme law of the land, the U.S. Constitution incorporates basic principles that help define the government of the United States as a federal republic including its structure, powers and relationship with the governed and 7. Constitutional government has changed over time as a result of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, legislation and informal practices, 8. The Bill of Rights was drafted in response to the national debate over the ratification of the Constitution , 9. The constitutional amendments known collectively as the Reconstruction Amendments extended new constitutional protections to African Americans, though the struggle to fully achieve equality would continue, 10. Constitutional amendments have provided for civil rights such as suffrage for disenfranchised groups. 2. Declaration of Independence: Eighth-grade standards include the ideas of the Enlightenment and dissatisfaction with colonial rule led English colonists to write the Declaration of Independence and launch the American Revolution (p. 27). In high school, they learn (t)he Declaration of Independence elaborates on the rights and role of the people in building the foundations of the American nation through the principles of unalienable rights and consent of the people (p. 32). 3. Federalist (and Anti-Federalist) papers: The high school Model Curriculum for American Government concludes, (t)he Constitution was ratified and the Anti-Federalists achieved success with the limitations on government by the adoption of the Bill of Rights (p. 3). 4., 5., and 6.: Good standards avoid such laundry lists and empower educators to develop course content to accomplish their learning goals. SB 83 violates its claimed purpose of requiring college faculty to teach both sides of undefined controversial belief(s). To teach both sides, why not teach the Anti-Federalist papers that motivated the Bill of Rights? Right-wing politicians have tried to limit how and which controversial issues Ohio public schools teach for the last quarter century. In co-sponsoring last years (Teaching) Divisive Issues legislation, state Rep. Sarah Foster Arthur, an Ashtabula Republican, suggested students learn both sides of the Holocaust objectively. I see how a state-mandated college course with feigned objectivity requirements meets its sponsors culture-war goals. As a lifelong educator, I dont see how those requirements meet the goals of our students, teachers, and state. Steve Rissing directed Ohio State Universitys Introductory Biology Program from 1999-2005. He is professor emeritus of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at OSU. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com CLEVELAND -- While hearing news of clashes between the Israelis and Palestinians is all too familiar, the recent events in Israel and Gaza have been something far different than what has transpired between the two sides in recent years. In fact, the scale of the attacks by Hamas on southern Israel came as a massive shock, for it was totally unexpected that Hamas had the capability to carry out such an audacious attack on Israels territory. Furthermore, the death toll from this attack and the Israeli response is staggering and is certain to rise further in the coming days and weeks. The shocking nature of this attack will reverberate around the world, while Israel is facing the fallout of an event that has been called its 9/11. On Oct. 7, Hamas launched thousands of rockets at targets across Israel in the largest such barrage ever launched by that militant group. Afterwards, large numbers of Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel by land, sea and air in a stunningly coordinated ground assault on targets inside Israel, including a rave party in which nearly 300 people were killed. Furthermore, it was estimated that at least 100 people were taken hostage by the militants, many of whom were taken back to Gaza. Afterwards, Israeli armed forces fought pitched battles with Hamas militants in towns and villages across southern Israel, while launching air and missile attacks at Hamas targets inside Gaza. Now, Israeli forces are preparing for the inevitable attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza, which may include a full-blown invasion of Gaza. It is no coincidence that Hamas decided to launch this massive attack on Israel at a time when Israel is engaged in deep diplomatic negotiations with Arab countries across the Middle East. In recent years, Israel has established diplomatic relations with a number of Arab states. Moreover, it appeared that Israel and Saudi Arabia were on the verge of establishing full diplomatic relations, something that would change the political landscape across the region. At the same time, support for the Palestinians among Arab governments, if not the Arab people, was waning. As a result, groups like Hamas have found themselves increasingly dependent upon Iran for military, political and economic support. Now, with Hamas having dramatically raised the stakes in the eastern Mediterranean, a war between Israel and Iran is a real possibility, particularly as Iran continues to advance its nuclear programs. The impact of this new conflict in Israel will be felt well beyond the confines of the Middle East, for this war is adding to the already considerable level of destabilization and unrest around the world. Conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and the Caucasus have shown how long-festering flashpoints can quickly turn into full-blown wars overnight. Worse, there are other long-standing flashpoints such as Taiwan and the South China Sea that have the potential to cause much greater levels of disruption to international security and the global economy. This has led to a dramatic increase in defense spending around the world in recent years as many leading powers are preparing to defend their interests in a more unstable world. Here in the United States, we are finding ourselves once again directly or indirectly engaged in conflicts all around the world. In recent decades, it has been the aim of successive administrations to lessen the role of the United States in regions such as Europe and the Middle East, where the U.S. had previously maintained a massive military presence. Instead, the wars in Ukraine and Israel have forced the United States to remain militarily and diplomatically engaged in these regions. This comes at a time when the desire of most U.S. political and military leaders is to focus the countrys attention on Asia, as the rise of China has posed the greatest threat to the United States leading position in the world since the Cold War. However, the United States dominant geopolitical role in the world means that it cannot simply step away from its allies in Europe or the Middle East, forcing the U.S. to divide its attention in an increasingly unstable world. Michael Weidokal is a global economist, futurist and the founder of International Strategic Analysis (ISA). Much can still happen in this new war between Israel and Hamas. Clearly, Israel will launch a series of major retaliatory actions against Hamas, although the presence of dozens of hostages in Gaza may initially temper Israels actions there. Eventually, Israel is likely to launch a devastating attack on Gaza, one that could force that territorys two million inhabitants to flee. Meanwhile, Israel may decide the time has come to strike Hamas primary backer, Iran. This would result in the most dangerous conflict in the Middle East in 50 years, one that would likely involve the United States. At a time when the U.S. is facing a host of challenges to its global position, the last thing the United States wanted as 2023 approaches its end was to be involved in another conflict in the Middle East. Michael Weidokal is the founder and president of International Strategic Analysis (ISA), a leading global economic and political research firm, and the Executive-in-Residence at the Carmel Boyer School of Business at Baldwin Wallace University. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com JERUSALEM Israeli warplanes hammered the Gaza Strip neighborhood by neighborhood Tuesday, reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling to find safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory now suffering severe retaliation for the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants. Humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid into Gaza and warned that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. Israel has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicines into Gaza, and the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. The war, which has claimed at least 1,900 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. The weekend attack that Hamas said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation has inflamed Israels determination to crush the groups hold in Gaza. New exchanges of fire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday morning, slaying hundreds of residents in homes and streets near the Gaza border and bringing gunbattles to Israeli towns for the first time in decades. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. Israel stepped up its offensive on Tuesday, expanding the mobilization of reservists to 360,000. Israels military said it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south and of the Gaza border. A looming question is whether Israel will launch a ground assault into Gaza a 40-kilometer-long (25-mile) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million people and has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Rescue officials in Gaza said large numbers of people were still trapped under the remnants of leveled buildings, with rescue equipment and ambulances unable to reach the area. On Tuesday, a large part of Gaza Citys Rimal neighborhood was reduced to rubble after hours of airstrikes the night before. Residents found buildings torn in half or demolished to mounds of concrete and rebar. Cars were flattened and trees burned out on residential streets transformed into moonscapes. Palestinians walk amid the rubble Tuesday following Israeli airstrikes that razed swaths of a neighborhood in Gaza City. (Fatima Shbair, Associated Press)AP Palestinian Civil Defense forces pulled Abdullah Musleh out of his basement together with 30 others after their apartment building was flattened. I sell toys, not missiles, the 46-year-old said, weeping. I want to leave Gaza. Why do I have to stay here? I lost my home and my job. The Israeli military said it struck hundreds of targets in Rimal, an upscale district home to ministries of the Hamas-run government, universities, media organizations and the aid agency offices. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate neighborhood after neighborhood and then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. On Tuesday, the military told residents of the nearby al-Daraj neighborhood to evacuate. New explosions soon rocked it and other areas, continuing into the night. Fighter jets returned multiple times to another neighborhood, al-Furqan, striking 450 targets in 24 hours, the Israeli military said. One blast hit Gaza Citys seaport, setting fishing boats aflame. There is no safe place in Gaza right now. You see decent people being killed every day, Gaza journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the Rimal bombardment. I am genuinely afraid for my life. On Tuesday afternoon, Hamas fired barrages of rockets toward the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. There were no immediate reports of casualties. On Tuesday night, a group of militants entered an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gunbattle with Israeli troops, the military said. Three militants were killed, and troops were searching the area for others. Israels new tactics could point to its new objective. Four previous rounds of Israel-Hamas fighting between 2008 and 2021 all ended inconclusively, with Hamas battered but still in control. This time, Israels government is under intense pressure from the public to topple Hamas, a goal considered unachievable in the past because it would require a reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, at least temporarily. The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory, said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done, he said. The devastation also sharpened questions about Hamas strategy and objectives. Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including a punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli control and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the worlds apathy. Hamas may have been counting on the fight to spread to the West Bank and possibly for Lebanons Hezbollah to open a front in the north. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead, but Israel has clamped down heavily on the territory, preventing movement between communities. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late Tuesday. Brief exchanges of fire across Israels northern border have taken place nearly daily. Palestinian militants fired rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon and from Syria on Tuesday, each bringing Israeli artillery and mortar fire in return. But so far they have not escalated. In hopes of blunting the bombardment in Gaza, Hamas has threatened to kill one Israeli civilian captive any time Israel targets civilians in their homes in Gaza without prior warning. The militants attack stunned Israel with a death toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria and those deaths happened over a longer period of time. It brought horrific scenes of Hamas militants gunning down civilians in their homes, on streets and at a mass outdoor music festival, while dragging men, women and children into captivity. The Israeli military said more than 1,000 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel. In Gaza, 900 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday at least 14 U.S. citizens were killed in Hamas attack and that Americans are among those being held hostage in Gaza. Biden, who spoke earlier in the day with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said there is no justification for terrorism. President Joe Biden speaks Tuesday about the war between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas, as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken listen. (Evan Vucci, Associated Press)AP Biden added an apparent warning to Hezbollah, saying, To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Dont. The State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to Israel to deliver a message of solidarity and support. Hamas responded to Biden, saying his administration should review its biased position and move away from the policy of double standards over Palestinian rights to defend themselves against Israeli occupation. The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It wasnt clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. In Gaza, more than 200,000 people have fled their homes, the U.N. said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites have cut off services to 400,000 people, the U.N. said. The U.N.s World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals in Gaza have already run out amid the flood of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. CNBC's Jim Cramer spoke with "Shark Tank" star and FUBU CEO Daymond John to discuss the fourth annual Black Entrepreneurs Day, which is set to take place Nov. 1 at the Apollo Theater in New York City. The event is meant to celebrate Black business owners, and it partnered with the NAACP to provide eight business owners with entrepreneurship grants of $25,000. Black Entrepreneurs Day will also feature insights from top Black business leaders as well a lineup of celebrity guests including Whoopi Goldberg and Shaquille O'Neal. "We gave away $700,000 so far, we will hit about $1 million this year," John said of the grants provided to business owners. "We will highlight these superstars, but they're going to talk about their failures, like when Shaq didn't know what FICA was when he first got a check." John first launched the event in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd's murder and amid increased attention to systematic racism in the U.S. Signing a job contract is often an automated process. When facing pages of fine print, you may just trust your prior conversations with your employer and sign off without a second look. Down the road, however, you may find yourself in legal and financial trouble as a result. "Of course, it is very difficult to read these agreements and even if you recognize that something is objectionable, it's difficult to say 'Hey, I'm walking away,'" says Lawrence Pearson, a labor and employment attorney from New York. He recommends to at least skim the contract to note any concerning clauses and to keep a copy of it, so that you can determine your rights in case an issue comes up later on in your employment. "I can't tell you how many people come into my office having already signed these agreements and their explanation as to why they signed it is always that [they thought] the employer would never act on the agreement and that it was just a formality," says Ashley Tremain, an employment attorney based in Dallas, Texas. As for specific red flags that should pique your attention, these four clauses and phrases make the top of the list, according to labor and employment attorneys: Non-compete agreements Non-compete agreements are clauses in a job contract that limit your capacity to work for competing firms upon the termination of your employment. Although they are fairly common in job contracts, they could seriously limit your financial independence and career development if you choose to resign from your current position. But "whether or not a company can fully enforce your non-compete is going to depend upon the law of the state you are living and working in," says Pearson. A company will have a hard time enforcing your non-compete if you live in California or Massachusetts, which both have a very unfriendly stance toward the clause. New York, Pearson says, is more in the middle. While most New York courts would enforce a non-compete if you resigned, he says they would be unlikely to enforce it if you were laid off or if your non-compete clause requires a period longer than a year. You can find more information by looking at the website of your particular state's Department of Labor. Federal crackdown is also expected, as The FTC has proposed a ban on most non-compete clauses among other restrictive employment practices back in January, and they are expected to vote on it by April 2024. "In the company's sole discretion" Pearson advises employees to be careful if they spot any language in the agreement that is along the lines of "the company may " or "in the company's sole discretion". This language can most often accompany requirements concerning work hours and pay. While it is normal for a bonus to be in the company's discretion as it is based on your performance, anything else should raise an eyebrow, especially if you have not previously discussed it with your employer. "If it is your understanding that if you hit a certain sales number or a certain number of work hours, that you will receive compensation, make sure that the language states that definitively." Pearson says. Tremain advises employees to look out for contracts that seem to be "extremely one-sided." Although it is normal for companies to have expectations from their employees, Tremain says that when the contract seems to be made up of mostly one-way commitments and without any promises in return to the employee, then that is a sign that you should pay closer attention to what the agreement really entails. Severance provisions and arbitration clauses Most contracts say that you will receive severance unless you are 'terminated for cause', which regularly means that you will receive severance payments unless if you were let go for committing an unlawful or 'objectively' wrong act such as lying, absenteeism or harassment. If the company tries to slip in subjective standards like performance expectations into a clause for severance, that is another red flag to be wary of. Arbitration clauses can also be tied to severance provisions. In some cases, the company may ask you to sign a waiver of claims to get your severance, which means that you will be unable to sue your employer, which, according to Pearson ,is not a good sign. Repayment clauses CGTN anchor Cheng Lei speaking on stage at the Corporate Innovation Summit during day two of Web Summit 2019 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal. Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who had been detained on national security charges in Beijing for more than three years, returned home on Wednesday after being released, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Cheng, who was tried in secret in March 2022, arrived in Melbourne and has been reunited with her two children and family, Albanese told a press conference. "(The) government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians," he said. Her release follows the completion of legal processes in China, he said. Albanese said he expected to visit China this year. The eye-popping predictions for weight loss drug sales hinge on insurance companies agreeing to provide coverage of the pricey treatments, and momentum seems to be building on that front. But Bank of America analyst Allen Lutz is wondering whether employers know how risky the bet is that they are making. The hope is that spending today on GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, which can cost $1,300 a month or more, will yield health-care savings tomorrow. "We wonder if employers adding coverage to GLP-1s in 2024 fully appreciate both the off label use of the drug (that takes place outside of the scope of the benefit) and the potential for more membership," Lutz wrote in a research note Monday. Lutz's comments come after a survey showed the number of employers planning to provide insurance coverage for these medications is set to nearly double. The poll was conducted by market researcher Savanta on behalf of Accolade , a provider of health-care benefits navigation services, and it questioned 500 human resources officials in August and September. In the survey, 43% said they planned to offer coverage of GLP-1s in 2024, which is an increase from 25% of employers that currently provide it. Accolade also said 81% of the HR representatives felt employees would be interested in having access to the medications. GLP-1 medications were approved first to treat Type 2 diabetes but are now being used for obesity and overweight. The drugs include Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, which is sold as Ozempic for diabetes management and as Wegovy for weight loss. Eli Lilly makes Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide. It received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to treat Type 2 diabetes last year and could get the nod for obesity by the end of this year. Both drugs can help patients lose 15% or more of their starting weight. Unlike earlier generations of weight loss medicines, their side effects have been largely mild and included diarrhea, constipation and nausea. Wegovy's label also includes warnings about pancreatitis and certain types of bowel obstruction . Although designed to treat overweight and obesity, the drug has been used off-label by people who have wanted to shed pounds for cosmetic reasons, which is one concern Lutz has raised. "Separately, employers continue to grapple with how to incentivize patients to make longer-term lifestyle and behavioral changes to support permanent weight loss, consider potential long-term side effects, while managing higher costs associated with coverage," the health-care services industry analyst said. Higher hospital labor costs as well as GLP-1 medications are contributing to the biggest jump in health insurance costs since 2012, Lutz said. He cited a recent estimate from consulting firms Mercer and Willis Towers Watson that predict a 6.5% jump in insurance costs from 2023 to 2024. Insurers are already feeling the pinch even though it is still early days for these medications. In a research note Wednesday, Citi analyst Peter Verdult estimated that GLP-1 sales could hit $30 billion for diabetes and $6 billion for obesity this year. "Penetration remains modest," Verdult said. He expects less than 10% of diabetes patients are taking the drugs, and fewer than one million patients with obesity are being treated. But those numbers will grow, especially as ongoing research continues to make the case for benefits beyond blood sugar control and weight loss. For example, the drugs have shown cardiovascular benefits as well as potential benefits to the kidney and liver. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly also are examining whether GLP-1 medications could help people with alcohol addiction, sleep apnea and other conditions. More than 40% of U.S. adults have obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Factoring in those who are overweight boosts the potential population for the drug to more than 70% of adults. Doctors see obesity as a chronic condition. Many patients who have successfully lost weight on a GLP-1 medication find they have regained weight after they stopped taking it. That has prompted some analysts to predict these drugs will have peak sales of more than $100 billion as they become as widely prescribed as cholesterol-fighting statins . CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Investors have to contend with an increasingly volatile market wider geopolitical risks from the Israel-Hamas conflict are adding to the existing uncertainty from rising bond yields and higher rates. Some analysts recommend buying dividend stocks as a way around it. Morgan Stanley equity strategist Mike Wilson said in an Oct. 9 report that high-dividend stocks are one way investors can navigate the uncertainty. Similarly, BMO in an Oct. 4 note said it expects increased bouts of volatility in the coming months and said a dividend-focused strategy is able to combat high levels of volatility and protect against losses. For those interested in that strategy, CNBC Pro screened for stocks with safe and high dividend yields that they can afford, under the MSCI World, S & P 500 and FTSE All-World ex-U.S. indexes. The following criteria were used: Dividend yield above 4%. Dividend payout ratio less than 50%. Debt-to-capital ratio less than 80%. A positive year-to-date return. An analyst buy rating of more than 50%. These are 10 global stocks that made the cut. Energy, auto and financial stocks were among those that showed up in the screen. Automaker Stellantis boasted the highest dividend yield of the lot, offering around 10%, with a decent 76% buy rating from analysts, who gave it 28% potential upside. Other automakers that made the cut include Mercedes-Benz , which offered the next highest dividend yield at 8.5%, and Hyundai Motor . Hyundai also got the highest potential upside in this list at 44.4%. Energy stocks in the screen include ConocoPhillips and Diamondback Energy. Prominent investor Oakmark Funds' Bill Nygren said this week that energy stocks deserve a place in the portfolio , especially when the market is especially volatile. The S & P 500 energy sector jumped more than 3% Monday to be the best-performing grouping by far, driven by rising oil prices as investors assessed the effects of the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict. CNBC's Yun Li, Michael Bloom contributed to this report. The U.S. domestic drone industry has found itself at a disadvantage when it comes to producing these useful remote-controlled flying machines in America. Chinese drone maker DJI remains the king of the industry, controlling more than 70% of the global drone market. "China benefits from a manufacturing ecosystem that goes back many decades," said Adam Bry, co-founder and CEO of Skydio, a U.S. drone maker. "They've been building consumer electronics for many decades. Our cost structure is quite a bit higher than our peers coming from China, which is why we've chosen to compete on the basis of having a product that's got kind of a different value proposition based on AI." Concerns about data security have prompted a handful of lawmakers in the U.S. to push legislation and policy initiatives both at the state level and federal level restricting the use of drones produced by Chinese companies. DJI drones are currently used by state university researchers, police departments, firefighters and other groups across the U.S. that could be affected by potential bans on Chinese-produced drones. "Any attempts to ban DJI are really not just damaging DJI, but damaging the entire ecosystem around drones," said Adam Welsh, head of global policy at DJI, in an interview with CNBC. "There's a lot at stake here. We really hope that the politicians will look at the facts, actually look at the audit reports that have been done by U.S. government institutions, as well as private companies that show that our products are data secure." The ever-growing militarization of drones has shown the line between a consumer product and a weapon of war is thin. In the Russia-Ukraine war, both sides are using thousands of drones to try and gain a tactical upper hand in the battles that have rolled across eastern Ukraine. Drones were also used in the recent attacks by the militant organization Hamas against Israel. "If people weren't sure about the military efficacy of small and micro drones, we're seeing it in spades on a daily basis in the Ukraine-Russia conflict," said Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "It is going to be key that the U.S.-produced drones, or drones produced by trusted allies, become more affordable." Watch the video above to find out if the U.S. drone industry can compete with Chinese drone producers. Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research, exits court in New York on Oct. 10, 2023. Yuki Iwamura | Bloomberg | Getty Images Caroline Ellison, who ran Sam Bankman-Fried's crypto hedge fund while also dating the FTX founder, told jurors in her second day of testimony that one way her boss was considering repaying FTX customer accounts was by raising money from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. She also highlighted Bankman-Fried's concerns with his public image, including his belief that his long, unkempt hair was "very valuable" in contributing to his narrative. Ellison, 28, pleaded guilty in December to multiple counts of fraud as part of a plea deal with the government and is now viewed as the prosecution's star witness in Bankman-Fried's trial. In damning testimony Tuesday, she said Bankman-Fried directed her and other staffers to defraud FTX customers by funneling billions of dollars to sister hedge fund Alameda Research. Assistant U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon wasted no time diving back into the questioning Wednesday when court was called to session. watch now After previously detailing how FTX customer funds were used to repay Alameda loans, Ellison said Wednesday that crypto lender Genesis called back a bunch of loans in 2022 and asked to see a balance sheet. Because Alameda's actual balance sheet showed it had $15 billion in FTX customer funds, Bankman-Fried directed Ellison on June 28, 2022, to come up with "alternative" balance sheets that didn't look as bad, she said. Ellison, wearing a buttoned gray blazer with her long hair swept over her left shoulder, said she discussed her concerns with Bankman-Fried as well as top execs Gary Wang and Nishad Singh. She said the group brainstormed ways to make the balance sheet look better. After the meeting, Ellison prepared a number of different balance sheet variations to send to Genesis. Eventually, according to Ellison, Bankman-Fried chose the one that omitted a line saying "FTX borrows," hiding $10 billion in borrowed customer money. "Some was netted against related-party loans," she said, and "some netted against crypto." In this courtroom sketch, Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon questions Caroline Ellison as defense lawyer Mark Cohen stands to object at Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan over the collapse of FTX, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, at Federal Court in New York City, on Oct. 11, 2023. Jane Rosenberg | Reuters That made it seem "like we had plenty of assets to cover our open term loans," Ellison said. Ellison told jurors she "was in a constant state of dread" since she knew there were billions of dollars of loans being recalled that could only be repaid with money from FTX customers. She said she was "worried about the possibility of customer withdrawals" that could happen at any time. "I was concerned that if anyone found out, it would all come crashing down," Ellison said. When asked by Sassoon why she continued with the scheme, Ellison said, "Sam told me to." By October 2022, the internal balance sheet had liabilities of $15.6 billion, while the numbers they showed the lender indicated just under $8 billion. Ellison said Bankman-Fried was talking about trying to raise money from Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, as a way to make FTX customers whole. Disappearing Signal messages Ellison, a Stanford graduate and one of Bankman-Fried's earliest recruits to Alameda in 2017, was reportedly persuaded by Bankman-Fried to ditch her job at Wall Street trading firm Jane Street to join Alameda as a trader. At the time, the hedge fund was still in its original office in the San Francisco Bay area. Six years later, Ellison is testifying against the 31-year-old Bankman-Fried, who faces seven federal charges, including wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering, all tied to the collapse of FTX and Alameda late last year. If convicted in the trial, which began last week, Bankman-Fried could spend his life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty. Ellison said Bankman-Fried directed FTX and Alameda employees to use the disappearing message setting on Signal and told them to be very careful about what they put in writing because of potential legal exposure. In addition to a companywide meeting about the Signal policy, Bankman-Fried also told employees that they should only write things on Slack that they're comfortable seeing on the front page of The New York Times. Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research, center, arrives at court in New York on Oct. 10, 2023. Yuki Iwamura | Bloomberg | Getty Images Backing up to the summer and fall of 2022, Ellison provided more detail about her interactions with Bankman-Fried as his crypto firms' financial problems were becoming more apparent. Ellison said they talked about bringing in more money for FTX one of two ways: by acquiring BlockFi or by selling equity. In August 2022, Ellison said, Bankman-Fried blamed her for Alameda's finances even though she'd been warning about FTX's expanding portfolio of venture investments and the need to repay FTX customer accounts. She said Bankman-Fried told her she should have hedged and, "speaking loudly and strongly," said it was her fault. On the stand, Ellison took some blame, admitting she should have done things differently, "but Sam was the one who chose to make all the investments that put us in a leveraged position," she said. Ellison, who'd started dating Bankman-Fried in the summer of 2021, said that by the fall of 2022 they'd been broken up for several months. She said she would try to avoid one-on-one contact with Bankman-Fried, though they were still talking on Signal and were together in group meetings. She said she still provided him the same regular updates on Alameda and its balance sheet. 'Things Sam is freaking out about' Ellison said she kept a Google Doc that had a subcategory labeled "things Sam is freaking out about." It included "raising from MBS" (the Saudi crown prince), as well as "getting regulators to crack down on Binance," a rival exchange that was also an early investor in FTX. Bankman-Fried wanted to see Binance feel some pain because he saw that as the best way for FTX to increase market share, Ellison said. Another worry on the list was "bad pr in the next six months," which Bankman-Fried feared would interfere with FTX's efforts to obtain a license for futures trading in the U.S., she said. As testimony continued into Wednesday afternoon, Ellison was asked more about Bankman-Fried's concerns regarding bad public relations. She said he believed in a "very proactive" approach and spent a lot of time cultivating relationships with reporters. He invested in publications like Semafor and The Block, a crypto site, and he considered putting money into Vox and Forbes, she said. Bankman-Fried tried to cultivate an image of himself as a smart, eccentric founder and said he wanted FTX to be perceived as a safe, reliable, audited and highly regulated exchange with the allure of it being offshore, Ellison said. He used Twitter as a "very important" source to help control the narrative around FTX, she added. Bankman-Fried's personal look, particularly his hair, was also important to him. Ellison commented on how he dressed sloppily in 2022 and how he thought his hair was "very valuable" and key to the narrative. She said he swapped a nice company car for a Toyota Corolla because it was "better for his public image." Sam Bankman-Fried. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Ellison then went into her own emotional state. She said that when the business was imploding in November, she was on vacation in Japan. She said that in Signal messages with Bankman-Fried that week, she told him "this is the best mood I've been in in like a year." Trying to fight back tears, Ellison said she went through a "lot of mood swings" and "felt a sense of relief" that she didn't have to "lie anymore." After all the movement of FTX money, the company only had $4 billion to cover $12 billion in customer holdings, she said. As the businesses were failing and withdrawal requests were rapidly mounting, Bankman-Fried wanted to reassure the public that Alameda's balance sheet wasn't a risk, Ellison said. Bankman-Fried had told Ellison and other Alameda execs to liquidate all of the firm's positions and send the money to FTX. That's when Ellison said she, following the lead of others, began to preserve her Signal messages. Bankman-Fried said that in getting the message out, he couldn't be the one to post the tweet because he didn't want to be associated with Alameda. In a group thread, Bankman-Fried, Singh and former FTX executive Ryan Salame each sent their own versions of what they wanted Ellison to tweet. Ellison said she copied their suggestions, pasted them into a Google Doc and drafted a tweet in her own words. "I was very upset and stressed out about it," she said. During her late-day testimony, Ellison talked about her personal writings, some of which were recently leaked to the New York Times. Ellison said that in Google Docs, she and Bankman-Fried shared thoughts on their relationship and their feelings. Ellison said she often wrote about being unhappy with their relationship and how it was impacted by issues at work. "It made me feel bad," she wrote, "like an unequal partner in our relationship." The leaks of Ellison's writings are part of what led to the revoking of Bankman-Fried's bail in August, when a judge sent the FTX founder to a Brooklyn jail for alleged witness tampering. Lastly, the government went over Ellison's cooperation agreement. She faces a maximum prison sentence of 110 years and will have to pay restitution to victims. Now it's the defense's turn, as Bankman-Fried's attorney, Mark Cohen, begins cross-examination of Ellison. Shortly after Cohen got started, Judge Lewis Kaplan cut him off at 4 p.m. and said they would start fresh in the morning. What followed was about 20 minutes of back and forth between prosecutors and the defense about what should be admissible in terms of an investment FTX made in artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. No decision was made by Kaplan on how to proceed. WATCH: Ellison says 'Sam directed me to commit these crimes' In this article META Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives at federal court in San Jose, California, on Dec. 20, 2022. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images European regulator Thierry Breton shared a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday urging the billionaire to be "vigilant" about removing disinformation on his company's platforms during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and ahead of upcoming elections. Breton, European commissioner for the internal market, said the European Union has been seeing an increase in illegal content and disinformation on "certain platforms" following the Hamas attack on Israel. Meta owns popular social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as well as Threads, the company's competitor for X, formerly known as Twitter. Under the EU's newly enacted Digital Services Act, Meta is responsible for monitoring and removing illegal content like terrorist content or illegal hate speech. The company also has to detail its protocols for doing so. Failure to comply with the European regulations around illegal content could result in fines worth 6% of a company's annual revenue. "I urgently invite you to ensure that your systems are effective," Breton wrote in the letter, asking Zuckerberg to respond within the next 24 hours. "After the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel on Saturday, we quickly established a special operations center staffed with experts, including fluent Hebrew and Arabic speakers, to closely monitor and respond to this rapidly evolving situation," a Meta spokesperson told CNBC. "Our teams are working around the clock to keep our platforms safe, take action on content that violates our policies or local law, and coordinate with third-party fact checkers in the region to limit the spread of misinformation. We'll continue this work as this conflict unfolds." Breton shared a similar letter addressed to Elon Musk, the owner of X, on Tuesday, which included a stern warning for Musk. Breton wrote that his office has "indications" that groups are spreading misinformation and "violent and terrorist" content about the Israel-Hamas conflict on the platform. The letter to Musk came after numerous researchers, news organizations and other groups documented a rise of misleading, false and questionable content on X that contributed to confusion about the events. A number of winners and losers have emerged from recent developments in the battery industry, according to analysts from Goldman Sachs, as it forecasts a "more rapid decline" in prices. One key beneficiary is likely to be the electric vehicle sector. "We can see a side of consumer EV adoption begin[ning] as battery prices are falling more rapidly than we thought," analyst Nikhil Bhandari told CNBC's " Street Signs Asia " on Friday. "It's more a virtuous cycle lower battery prices mean more competitively priced EV cars [and in turn] higher adoption and higher demand." While prices of lithium a key component in batteries are already down 70%, Bhandari believes "there is more to go" in terms of the fall in battery prices. "We think battery prices can fall to $99 per kilowatt hour (KwH) at a pack level by 2025 a 40% decline from 2022," Bhandari said, adding that a consumer-led adoption phase for EVs would likely begin if battery prices fall below $100 per KwH. There are some risks that could dent this projection, including surplus in the lithium market, driven by supply from markets such as China, Africa and Latin America, Bhandari noted. Technological developments such as direct lithium extraction could also cause a shake-up in battery prices. Battery market 'winners' Despite some potential risks, Bhandari identified several global stocks that look set to gain from the fall in battery prices. Among Goldman's list of "winners" are Korean chemical and battery company LG Chem, Chinese thermal management player Envicool, and inverter manufacturer GoodWe, it revealed in an Oct. 3 note. All three are on the bank's conviction list of top buy-rated stocks that it expects to outperform. It has a target price of 810,000 Korean won ($601.69) for LG Chem giving it around 62% potential upside from its Oct. 9 close and 290 renminbi (39.77) for Goodwe, or around 120% upside. Goldman has a 49.5 renminbi price target on Envicool, giving it an upside of 84%. Other related stocks on Goldman's buy list include Chinese new energy vehicle maker BYD and Japanese conglomerate Panasonic . It gives BYD a price target of 321 Hong Kong dollars ($41.05), or upside of around 36%, while Panasonic has a 2,100 yen ($14.11) target, giving it an upside of 36%. Battery market 'losers' Goldman also revealed a list of potential "losers" in the battery market, or stocks it has a sell call on right now. Among the names are Chinese battery makers CALB which the bank described as having a "low-margin-driven-growth business model" as well as Gotion, a company the bank said had "a product mix mainly focusing on the price sensitive mini-van market." The bank has a price target of 12.3 Hong Kong dollars on CALB, giving it a downside of 37% from its Oct. 9 close. It gives Gotion a 22.6 Renminbi price target, or 1.8% downside. CNBC's Naman Tandon contributed to this report. David Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs, during a Bloomberg Television at the Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference in New York on Dec. 6, 2022. Goldman Sachs said Wednesday that it agreed to sell its fintech lending platform GreenSky to a group of investors led by private equity firm Sixth Street. The deal, which includes a book of loans created by Goldman, will result in a 19 cents per share reduction to third-quarter earnings, Goldman said in the statement. The New York-based bank is scheduled to disclose results Tuesday. The move is the latest step CEO David Solomon has taken to retrench from his ill-fated push into retail banking. Under Solomon's direction, Goldman acquired GreenSky last year for $1.7 billion, overruling deputies who felt the home improvement lender was a poor fit. Months later, Solomon decided to seek bids for the business amid his broader move away from consumer finance. Goldman also sold a wealth management business and was reportedly in talks to offload its Apple Card operations. "This transaction demonstrates our continued progress in narrowing the focus of our consumer business," Solomon said in the release. The bank is now focused on its core strengths in investment banking and trading and its push to grow asset and wealth management fees, he added. Goldman will continue to operate GreenSky until the sale closes in the first quarter of 2024, the bank said. The expected hit to third-quarter earnings includes expenses tied to a write down of GreenSky intangibles, as well as marks on the loan portfolio and higher taxes, offset by the release of loan reserves tied to the transaction, Goldman said. It follows a $504 million second-quarter impairment on GreenSky disclosed in July. The Sixth Street group includes funds managed by KKR, Bayview Asset Management and CardWorks, according to the release. Private equity groups have played key roles in several of the banking industry's asset divestitures since the start of the year, providing funding for the PacWest merger with Banc of California, for example. Read more: Goldman Sachs faces big write down on CEO David Solomons ill-fated GreenSky deal Israeli armuy soldiers deploy at a position near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 11, 2023. Menahem Kahana | AFP | Getty Images As Israel prepares for what could be a long war with massive humanitarian implications, there are also concerns about how a protracted fight could weigh on the country's dynamic economy. Since Hamas militants staged a surprise terrorist attack over the weekend, Israel's defense forces called up more than 300,000 reservists for duty, an unprecedented number in recent history. Israel's standing army, air force and navy is is comprised of 150,000 members. Follow our live updates Israel-Hamas war and the latest news from the Gaza Strip The reserve force, made up of a cross section of Israeli society, has about 450,000 members, many of which are more experienced in combat than the younger soldiers in the standing army. The reservists are teachers, tech workers, startup entrepreneurs, farmers, attorneys, doctors, nurses, tourism and factory workers. "The impact is substantial," said Eyal Winter, a professor of economics at Hebrew University in Jerusalem who has studied the economic impact of Israel's wars. The amount of the economic damage, however, will depend on how long the reservists are away from their jobs in the country, which has a population of over 9 million and a gross domestic product of $521.69 billion. "In a case like this, tourism dries up immediately" said Winter. But, he added, "there's also a major increase in tourism when the fighting ends due to pent up demand." Where does the Israeli economy stand now? Many of Israel's key employment sectors will continue uninterrupted during the war due to the fact that they're heavily staffed with foreign workers. That includes Israel's chemical sector, which is a major source of exports. The Dead Sea region is rich in minerals. The Port of Ashdod, just 20 miles north of the Gaza Strip, is a major hub for potash exports. Wall Street was so concerned about the prospect of a potash supply problem stemming from Israel, several fertilizer stocks saw significant jumps earlier this week, including Mosaic and CF Industries . Both were up almost 7% in the first day of trading after Saturday's attack. So far this week the main Israeli stock index is down 6%. There've been no new warnings from ratings agencies about Israel's debt. All, however, were concerned about economic problems before the fighting due to the instability in Israel's political climate over proposed reforms to the judicial system. Since Hamas' takeover of Gaza in 2007, Israelis have always believed the status quo wasn't sustainable. Winter of Hebrew University believes as bleak as things are right now, there will be an improvement for the country and the economy. "Confidence is high that in the end we'll have a military victory, even as it's likely we'll suffer terrible losses," Winter said. "But Gaza has been an unstable problem for years, this war should end that." What is the impact on Israel's tech industry? watch now Stay on your grind. Hustle harder. Sleep is for the rich. You've heard those phrases promoting the idea that success, achievement and happiness are all enabled by a hefty bank account. That couldn't be further from the truth, says Laurie Santos, the psychology professor behind Yale University's most popular course and host of the podcast "The Happiness Lab." "So many of us think, 'I'm going to put my head down and avoid social connection, whether it's at work or in my life, and I'm just going to hustle and get stuff done,'" Santos tells CNBC Make It. "That's just totally wrong." Don't miss: Hustle culture isnt dead, it just got a Gen Z rebrand: People want time to live their lives Working too hard can increase stress, depression and burnout, a Mayo Clinic blog post notes. It can even have "deleterious effects" on your occupational health in other words, it's bad for both your health and your job performance according to a 2019 meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. "We have an intuition [that] I'm going to earn a million dollars, and I'll be happy. Then you hustle, you get there and you're not happy," says Santos. "You think, 'I've got to hustle more ... Now I need $5 million to [be happy].' That hustle culture misconception winds up doubling down on itself." An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on Oct. 11, 2023. The Gaza Strip's health services have entered a "critical stage," Palestinian health authorities say. In its daily update, the Israeli Defense Forces said 2,600 "terrorist targets" inside the Gaza Strip have been struck, including the Islamic University, which Hamas militants are said to be using as a training camp. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz have agreed to form an emergency government, seeking to shore up security decision-making as the conflict with Hamas persists. The Gaza Strip's single operational power plant has now run out of fuel amid an ongoing "complete siege" by Israel, which is no longer sending its own supplies to the region and its more than two million inhabitants. The death toll is rising in Israel and the Gaza Strip, as missiles rain down and hostilities rage for a fifth day Wednesday. Israeli military said it is amassing troops near the Gaza Strip as part of its response following a brutal multipronged attack from Palestinian militant group Hamas over the weekend. While further introducing AI across hiring practices could solve some problems, experts say the technology shouldn't be expected to fully transform how companies bring in new workers. Today, just 12% of hiring professionals report using artificial intelligence in their recruiting or talent management processes, according to the 2023 Hiring Benchmark Report from software and talent success company Criteria. But AI solutions, for everything from streamlining sourcing to making informed selection decisions, are "very actively being marketed," Criteria founder and CEO Josh Millet said. A critical process like hiring which is bound by legal, cultural and business implications must innovate with caution. Introducing, or perhaps failing to mitigate bias in the talent acquisition pipeline comes at a cost. As businesses implement AI in hiring, they must earn and maintain the trust that these processes are working as they should. While organizations wait for legal implications like New York City's AI bias law to expand elsewhere, the Center for Industry Self-Regulation (CISR), BBB National Programs' 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, published a set of principles and protocols for trustworthy AI in hiring and recruiting. In partnership with companies including Amazon, Unilever, Koch Industries and Microsoft, the principles address transparency, fairness, non-discrimination, technical robustness, safety, governance and accountability with the use of AI in hiring. Meanwhile, the protocols specify the criteria for third-party AI vendor certification to promote accountability beyond the employer. How AI is being used in the job market As it stands, AI is being used in the hiring and recruiting process to develop job descriptions, source talent, create and score assessments, screen new applicants, communicate with candidates and train new employees, Criteria's Hiring Benchmark report states. Tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Bard, recruiting chatbots and proprietary solutions help enable this. "When AI tools are well designed, deployed, and monitored properly, the technology has the potential to mitigate discrimination and bias on a broader scale," said Eric Reicin, president and CEO of BBB National Programs. Reicin says the key objectives of defining and publishing the principles and protocols for trustworthy AI in hiring were to ensure valid and reliable systems, promote transparency and accountability, and strive for systems that are secure, resilient and expandable. The goal is to enable the promises of AI in hiring while simultaneously managing the inevitable risk. AI purportedly allows organizations to equitably expand their pool of candidates: One organization within the CISR's incubator received 20 million applications last year, according to Reicin. "There's no way that humans could have given a fair shake to all those applicants," he said. However, Reicin notes that what is illegal without technology is also illegal with technology. "Employers are on the hook, whether they use a vendor or not, to ensure non-discrimination under relevant law," he said. He pointed to the recent Rains vs. U.S. Healthworks Medical Group decision, in which the California Supreme Court expanded the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act liability to certain vendors, not just employers. A massive bias problem in hiring Whether or not employers use a vendor to provide hiring assistance through technology, the problem of explicit and implicit bias persists despite efforts to eradicate it. "We could almost not do any worse," Millet said about the state of hiring. "Yes, we should be careful, deliberate, measured about implementing [AI] systems. But that shouldn't obscure the fact that there is a massive problem." Criteria's latest Candidate Experience Report states that 39% of candidates have been ghosted in the last year. A 2021 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that distinctively Black names reduce the probability of employer contact by 2.1% relative to distinctively white names. More recently, China's iTutorGroup had to pay a $365,000 settlement to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act by training its AI to weed out people above the age of 60. "We can use evidence-based approaches to help remove some of the bias from the selection process or from the talent evaluation process," Millet said. "That's the promise." But the promised outcomes of AI are not a given, Millet added. "In trying to remove bias, we actually sometimes can have the opposite impact and amplify it," he said. Nearly a decade ago, Amazon tried to automate hiring, but scrapped the project because the tool "was not rating candidates for software developer jobs and other technical posts in a gender-neutral way," according to a 2018 Reuters report. AI harbors substantial potential, but whether that potential moves in a positive trajectory depends on how it's used, experts say. The principles and protocols for trustworthy AI in hiring are just one effort to mitigate risk and maximize promise. Keeping humans in the recruiting loop Some uses of AI in the hiring process are relatively uncontroversial, like using intelligent interview scheduling and chat bots that help progress people into the funnel more seamlessly, Millet said. However, high-stakes decisions or data-rich use cases are a different ball game. Reicin recommends regular vendor analysis, which means asking questions like: What debiasing efforts are your vendors making? Who is your vendor certified by and what does that certification mean? How are they collecting, protecting and using data? For the employer, knowing where there is the human oversight in the AI-enabled process is critical, Reicin said. "Do you have the right escape hatch for candidates because they may need, in combination with the Americans with Disabilities Act or for whatever other reason, some human engagement as part of this process?" he added. Then there's data collection notices for candidates. "As a best practice, employers need to provide enough information about the process for the applicant so they can request an accommodation or opt out of the process, but also have a sense of where their data is going and what actually is being taken," Reicin said. He cited the potential implications of a video interview, where AI technology could collect data about a candidate's voice, inflection and eye movements. What if the candidate is unaware this is happening? "If you're using any data on a candidate that they're not aware is being used, that's deeply problematic," Millet said, adding that employers and vendors should be using data for a reasonable and intended purpose. Ultimately, he says communication and consent for reasonable use are two best practices for AI in hiring that employers shouldn't skip. Millet said companies should become familiar with "glass box algorithms," which are transparent in how they reach conclusions and can combat the problems associated with "black box algorithms," which are opaque and can erode trust, or fail to build trust at all. Lone pumpjack located in the middle of large solar array outside of Bakersfield, Kern County, California, USA. Oil prices fell over 2% on Wednesday as fears of disruption to supplies due to conflict in the Middle East receded a day after top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia pledged to help stabilise the market. Brent crude fell $1.83, or 2.1%, to settle at $85.82 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $2.48, or 2.9%, to settle at $83.49 Brent and WTI had surged by more than $3.50 per barrel on Monday over concern the clashes between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas could escalate into a broader conflict that would disrupt global oil supply. Prices settled slightly lower on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia said it was working with regional and international partners to prevent an escalation, and reaffirmed its efforts to stabilise oil markets. "Both WTI and Brent retreated yesterday as concerns of a sudden and unexpected supply disruption have been swept aside for now," PVM analyst Tamas Varga said. Trading house Mercuria sees oil prices reaching $100 a barrel if the situation in the Middle East escalates further, deputy CEO Magid Shenouda said on Wednesday. "The only thing that is becoming clear for energy traders is that the road for the global growth recovery is getting rockier," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, noting the "U.S. consumer is weakening (and) Germany might be headed for a deeper recession." In Europe, the German government confirmed it expects the economy to contract by 0.4% this year because of persistently high inflation. Russia and Saudi Arabia met in Moscow on Wednesday, when Russian President Vladimir Putin said that OPEC+ coordination will continue "for the predictability of the oil market." OPEC+ is the partnership between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia. Putin also urged companies to prioritize the Russian domestic market. The country's ban on gasoline and some diesel exports was rolled back again last week as diesel exports that arrive at ports by pipeline were permitted. In the U.S., producer prices increased more than expected in September amid higher costs for energy products and food, but underlying inflation pressures at the factory gate continued to abate. U.S. investors will be looking ahead to the release of the Federal Reserve's September policy meeting minutes due later on Wednesday for clues on future interest rate decisions. Interest rate hikes to tame inflation can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that she still expected the U.S. economy to experience a soft landing, despite "additional concerns" brought about by the situation in Israel. Uncertainty around the path of the U.S. economy pushed Federal Reserve officials into a cautious stance at their meeting last month, according to minutes of the Sept. 19-20 session. In a report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected global oil inventories would fall by 200,000 barrels per day in the second half of 2023 from voluntary output cuts from Saudi Arabia, along with reduced production targets among OPEC+ countries. Exxon Mobil agreed to buy U.S. rival Pioneer Natural Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $59.5 billion that would make it the biggest producer in the Permian shell, the largest U.S. oilfield. Analysts in a Reuters poll forecast U.S. crude inventories rose by 500,000 barrels in the week ended Oct. 6. The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, is due to release oil inventory data later on Wednesday. EIA will release data on stockpiles on Thursday. A Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone. SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg via Getty Images Smartphones with displays capable of repairing themselves could start appearing on the market by 2028, according to analyst firm CCS Insight. In its roundup of top tech predictions for 2024 and beyond, CCS Insight said that it expects smartphone makers to begin producing phones with "self-healing" displays within five years. The way this could work is by incorporating a "nano coating" on the surface of the display that, if scratched, creates a new material that reacts when exposed to air and fills in the imperfection. "This is not in the realms of science fiction, it can be done," Wood told CNBC on a call earlier this week. "I think the biggest challenge with this is setting expectations correctly." Companies have been talking about smartphone display technology that can be self-repaired for several years now. LG, the South Korean consumer electronics giant, was touting self-healing technology in its smartphones as far back as 2013. The company released a smartphone called the G Flex which featured a vertically curved screen and a "self-healing" coating on the back cover. It didn't explain how exactly the technology worked at the time. watch now "There's some new technologies that people are working on right now that looks as though this could become something that people have another go with. We're not talking about smashed screens miraculously coming back. This is all just little cosmetic scratches," Wood told CNBC. A few other phone makers have touted self-healing materials in smartphones. In 2017, Motorola filed a patent for a screen made from a "shape memory polymer" which, when cracked, repairs itself. The idea is that, when heat is applied to the material, it heals over the cracks. Meanwhile, Apple also previously secured a patent for a folding iPhone with a display cover that would fix itself when damaged. Still, the technology is yet to be found in a commercially successful handset. And there are a few barriers to launching such phones at a mass scale. For one, companies require lots of investment in research and development to ensure they can identify new innovations in smartphone screens. Cash is also required to market and sell the phones in big volumes and ensure consumers are actually properly informed about what level of damage in the phones can be fixed without any manual intervention. Wood jokingly said he fears that tech tear-down enthusiasts like the popular YouTuber JerryRigsEverything will take a knife to test their self-healing capabilities. This, he says, isn't the point of self-healing devices. Rather, it's about technology that can make minimal repairs to the surface of its own accord. Phone makers are getting more and more inventive when it comes to display technology. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Motorola released a rollable concept smartphone that extends vertically when pushed upward. Samsung is pretty far along in the journey toward commercial smartphones with more advanced displays, with its folding Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 phones now capable of folding hundreds of thousands of times over their lifetime. HTC could exit VR market by 2026 Separately, CCS Insight also predicted that Taiwanese tech giant HTC will bow out of the virtual reality industry by 2026. For its part, HTC rebutted the prediction made by CCS Insight, calling it "speculation," and said that it plans to continue building VR headsets and immersive experiences for many years to come. HTC was a pioneer in the smartphone market, responsible for several models which broke the mould in terms of design, performance and functionality. The company's HTC Hero, HTC Legend, HTC Desire and HTC One were among some of the leading Android phones. But in 2017, HTC more or less exited the smartphone market and sold its handset business to Google , which has since gone on to aggressively expand its drive into consumer hardware with its Pixel range of devices and Nest smart home products. HTC has largely staked its future on the merging of virtual and physical worlds. In January, the company launched its Vive XR Elite device, a lightweight headset focused on gaming, fitness and productivity, at a $1,099 price point. CCS Insight thinks that the firm will quit the VR space due to dwindling revenues and growing competition from Meta , Sony , and, more recently, Apple. "HTC was one of the pioneers of VR, they've done a lot there," CCS Insight's Wood said. "But they have kind of struggled to compete, because they haven't gone for the race to the bottom on price, whereas Meta, with Quest, have been prepared to take very aggressive pricing almost just above cost pricing to drive adoption." HTC "may get a little bit of an uptick with Apple coming into the space as it's kind of renewed interest in the category," Wood continued. "But, ultimately, we think it's hard for them to stay in it. So we're predicting that by 2026, they'll exit the market, and they'll sell their IP [intellectual property] to some of the other players who are bigger in the space." In a statement sent to CNBC via WhatsApp, HTC said: "HTC plans to say in the XR [extended reality] space for many years to come, continuing to innovate together with our partners around the world." Apple takes control of second-hand market The seal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission hangs on the wall at SEC headquarters in Washington, June 24, 2011. Securities traders are gathering in Washington. The big topic: trying to figure out what the Securities and Exchange Commission is doing. You know it's bad when one of the session topics is entitled, "A Buy Side Guide to Navigating the SEC." I'm in Washington for the annual meeting of the Security Traders Association (STA), the national association of professionals involved in the trading end of the financial services industry. These are broker-dealers and others who execute trades for customers, and all the people providing technology around them. Think of them as the folks who make things happen whenever you press a button to make any kind of trade, whether it is equities, bonds, options, mutual funds or ETFs. This conference is devoted to market structure, but the scope has widened over the years. More than 800 will be in attendance, and it is a far different group than when I first began attending in the late 1990s. The trading business is changing In 1999, the Security Traders Association of New York held its annual conference at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. There were 4,000 people in attendance, and the band that night was Kool and the Gang. Things have changed a lot since then. Most of the membership in 1999 were sell-side traders who either worked on trading floors or "upstairs" on trading desks for broker-dealers. Today, thanks to the proliferation of electronic trading, that group is much smaller. In their place is a more diverse group. Options trading has exploded, as has the ETF business, as has the online brokerage community. Data providers, exchanges and clearinghouses are far more prominent, as well as firms that provide trading services like algorithms. There's even a smattering of buyside firms (hedge funds). Hot topics: Aggressive SEC agenda, AI, market structure and crypto As always, the SEC is at the center of discussions. There's always a bit of tension between the broker-dealer community and the SEC, but this is a very contentious time, especially since SEC Chair Gary Gensler has been busy with nearly 50 proposed and finalized rules that are greatly affecting the financial services industry. Some of the hot topics: 1) Predictive Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The SEC is suspicious that investment advisors are using AI to monitor their clients trading habits and using that information to encourage them to trade even more, or direct or manipulate their trading activities. Putting your own interest ahead of your client is a conflict of interest and the SEC is proposing rules to address that. The industry, of course, thinks this is more regulatory overkill, particularly since it would require firms to file voluminous reports. 2) Market structure proposals. Gensler has been critical of payment for order flow (PFOF), whereby some retail brokers (including Schwab, ETrade and Robinhood) route orders to electronic market makers known as wholesalers (including Citadel Securities and Virtu), who pay the brokers for access to that order flow. These wholesalers may send the orders to exchanges, but often match the orders against their own internal order flow. Gensler says he wants to increase competition between exchanges and broker-dealers by creating an auction process. The industry believes that's unnecessary, that there is plenty of competition and that the firms involved already offer competitive pricing. 3) Crypto. At the conference one year ago, the general feeling was that by this time the U.S. would have a stablecoin and a spot bitcoin ETF. So far, we are 0-2. Gensler will soon be forced to decide whether to approve a spot bitcoin ETF or engage in further litigation. Gensler is not at the conference, but Commissioner Hester Peirce, a Republican, will be interviewed by Jonathan Kellner, the CEO of MEMX. Peirce has been a vocal supporter of crypto and very critical of the Democratic majority's stance towards crypto. Although Gensler is absent, NYSE General Counsel Hope Jarkowski will be speaking with CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam, who will likely also address the jurisdictional questions between the SEC and CFTC on crypto. Dan Gallagher, Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer for Robinhood will be interviewed by Matt Andresen, the co-founder and CEO of Headlands Technology. Gallagher, a former SEC commissioner himself, has also been critical of the SEC's stance toward crypto and how the SEC is going about its rulemaking. Gallagher will also likely weigh in on payment for order flow as well. STA chief is going into politics One interesting wrinkle: longtime STA CEO Jim Toes recently announced he was running for Congress in Long Island as a Republican in an effort to unseat Representative George Santos, who is fighting federal fraud charges (additional charges were filed yesterday). Toes told me he was running because he was unhappy with the congressional leadership: "80% of the reason I am running is because I am concerned about the direction of the country, and the division that exists in our society," he said, describing himself as "a hardcore moderate with unbending principles." The other 20% of the reason for running is because of Santos, whom he described as "a fabulist and a liar." Toes acknowledged that he was bucking a longtime trend. "Usually you go into politics, then you leave politics and go into a trade association," he told me with a laugh. "I'm doing everything backwards, I'm leaving a trade group and going into politics, but sometimes you gotta step up." The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept all-electric muscle car is shown at its world reveal during Dodge's Speed Week at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, Aug. 17, 2022. DETROIT Samsung SDI and automaker Stellantis plan to invest more than $3.2 billion in a new electric vehicle battery plant in Kokomo, Indiana. The facility Stellantis' sixth battery plant announced globally was largely expected, but the location and timing are notable. The announcement Wednesday was made during contentious U.S. labor strikes and contract negotiations between Stellantis and the United Auto Workers union, led by UAW President Shawn Fain, who is from Kokomo. Battery plants have become a main issue in the labor talks, as the UAW views EV battery jobs as crucial to its long-term viability. General Motors last week agreed to include workers at its EV battery plant in the company's national contract with the union, which Fain called a "transformative win." Fain said the union expects Stellantis and Ford Motor to follow suit, including battery plant workers in eventual contract agreements. "The plan was to draw down engine and transmission plants and permanently replace them with low-wage battery jobs," Fain said Friday. "We had a different plan, and our plan is winning at GM. And we expect it to win at Ford and Stellantis as well." Stellantis declined to comment on details of the ongoing negotiations or timing of the announcement. U.S. House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) listens during a press conference following a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., July 18, 2023. Republican lawmakers Wednesday selected Rep. Steve Scalise as their candidate for speaker of the House of Representatives, more than a week after Kevin McCarthy was ousted by rebel GOP members in a historic no-confidence vote. Scalise, the Republican majority leader from Louisiana, defeated Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio in a 113-to-99 vote during a closed-door meeting of GOP House members. Scalise will next face a full vote in the House, where he will need the support of 217 lawmakers to secure the speakership. The House will not vote on the speaker issue Wednesday, more than a half dozen GOP members and staff from both parties told NBC News. The governing body met briefly at 3 p.m. ET and then went into recess. Scalise doesn't yet appear to have the votes to become speaker given the narrow margin in the closely divided House. He can only afford to lose four Republicans. At least eight GOP House members remain opposed to Scalise's candidacy at this time, according to an NBC News tally. Jordan plans to vote for Scalise on the floor and is encouraging his colleagues to do the same, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told CNBC. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told reporters Wednesday that he does not want to rush a House vote on Scalise until Republicans are united. McCarthy faced a grueling 15 ballots before he was elected speaker in January as he faced opposition from hard-right members of the party. Scalise told reporters Wednesday morning that his first item of business as speaker would be to pass a bipartisan resolution expressing U.S. solidarity with Israel in the wake of devastating terrorist attacks by Hamas that have killed at least 1,200 people. "We got to get back to work today," Scalise told reporters. The United States has said that it will begin flight training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. Allies appeared to take another step closer to supplying F-16s fighter jets to Ukraine, with Denmark and Belgium saying they planned to send the fighter jets to Kyiv but not until 2024 and even 2025. Denmark expects to make its first delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in March or April next year, citing Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen's comments to national broadcaster TV 2, on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said earlier that Belgium will also send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but only from 2025. Speaking to Bel RTL radio, Dedonder didn't say how many jets would be sent to Ukraine. Ukraine has repeatedly requested F-16 fighter jets from its NATO allies that use them, such as the Netherlands and Norway, with a number promising to provide the military aircraft. The U.S. has not confirmed whether it would also provide F-16s but Washington promised that it would not block requests from allies to export their own supplies of the U.S.-made aircraft to Ukraine. It has also said it would help train Ukrainian pilots to use the aircraft that first came into service in the 1970s. Kyiv has frequently expressed concern that it has to wait a long time between requests for weaponry and their supply. A number of allies, Germany among them, have appeared concerned over supplying longer-range missiles, having already procrastinated about providing battle tanks before finally agreeing to their export to Ukraine early this year. Holly Ellyatt Birla Carbon completes the acquisition of Nanocyl SA, a multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) manufacturing company based in Sambreville, Belgium. The acquisition expands Birla Carbons presence in the energy systems, material critical to lithium-ion battery performance along with other conductive applications markets. Share Market Live NSE Along with the Conductex family of conductive carbon black additives and active anode materials, the inclusion of Nanocyls advanced MWCNTs provides Birla Carbon with a range of solutions for conductive applications One of the uses of carbon black is in the manufacturing of plastic pipes, it helps to improve strength and durability. Applications are being developed in this niche where carbon black is deposited in the form of nanolayers, an area where Nanocyl excels. Speaking about the acquisition, Dr Santrupt Misra, Group Director, Birla Carbon; Director, Chemicals & Director, Group HR, Aditya Birla Group, said, "We hope that this partnership will enable Birla Carbon to be a significant player in the emerging energy systems space." Aditya Birla Group has been concentrating on investing in sustainability and circularity-driven initiatives led by innovation in order to be future-ready," he added. We are proud of our journey to develop and commercialise MWCNT successfully over the past 20 years as an entrepreneurial start-up, with the support of our current partners and investors. However, with growing needs for our products, the time has come to join a Global industry leader in order to maximise the synergies and the potential of these materials across many end uses," Laurent Kosbach, Chief Executive Officer, Nanocyl, stated. Birla Carbon is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of high-quality carbon black additives globally, and a flagship business of the $60 billion Aditya Birla Group. The market for Carbon-based Nanomaterials was valued at $3.6 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $40.71 billion by 2029, with a noteworthy CAGR of 27.5% from 2023 to 2029. In addition to Birla Carbon, key players in the sector include Cabot Corp, Orion, IMERYS, Mitsubishi Chemical Corp among others. Birla Carbon last year embarked on a collaborative project to develop biocrude-derived graphite for lithium-ion batteries. The key aim of the project was to produce graphite more sustainably using renewable feedstocks which is in sync with the Aditya Birla Group firm's goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The rise in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is primarily fueling the lithium-ion battery market. Graphite is a key component in a lithium-ion battery that stores lithium. India's lithium-ion battery market is rapidly growing and is estimated to reach a value of $25,309.59 million by 2031, as per a Yahoo Finance report. The enemy of your enemy is not always your friend. Whatever the worlds strongmen leaders fear of the secular forces, the fundamentalists can pull off something even worse. Thats what Hamas has shown in Israel Hamas, to my great regret, is Israels creation, Avner Cohen, a former Israeli religious affairs official, told the Wall Street Journal in 2009 . Cohen is not the only one, as journalists Mehdi Hasan and Dina Sayedahmed record in The Intercept . The Israeli logic of the time, in the 1970s, was to divide the Palestinian polity. This weakened a relatively secular Yaseer Arafat, fighting for the Palestinian cause, in favour of Hamas, the outfit behind the terrorist attacks in the country on October 7. FILE PHOTO: Israel-Hamas war. Source: Reuters FILE PHOTO: Israel-Hamas war. Source: Reuters The same Hamas has now grown into a lethal force, which Israel, with all its military might, has not been able to obliterate. This pattern has played out time and again within the living memory of even millennials. Whether its Al Qaeda , the Taliban in Afghanistan , or theestablishment in Pakistan that allowed the Taliban to regroup on its soil, even the US repeatedly created demons that it weaponises until it loses control over them. Even Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is courting supporters (often violent) of Khalistan, a movement that aims to separate the state of Punjab from India, to regain some of his lost popularity within Canada, starting with the large Sikh population in the country. This led to a sharp rebuke, to say the least, from the Narendra Modi government in New Delhi. Indian politicians have flirted with a similar idea in the past i.e. helping the Khalistan cause for their own political gains. However, there was a heavy price to pay once the same politicians decided that they didn't like the idea of Khalistan anymore. But by then, the beast had become to big for their control and the crisis, eventually, led to the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , in 1984. The rise of Hamas was a strategic misstep by Israel It must serve as a lesson in geopolitics for everyone in the world. No opportunity is worth the creation or empowerment of a violent extremist outfit at the expense of an elected leader national, provincial or local whose actions display a commitment to democratic values, as much as you may disagree with him/her on specific issues. FILE PHOTO: Israel-Hamas war FILE PHOTO: Israel-Hamas war The continuing support of the West for national establishments that back other terror outfits, like Pakistan , is one example where a correction is overdue. Similarly, the repressive regime in Egypt, which came to power by overthrowing democratically-elected Mohamed Morsi, continues to get billions in aid from the US even now. For instance, one of the moors of the US relationship with Egypt has been to protect the interest of Israel. Even on the count, as the latest attack on Israel has shown, the strategy hasnt worked, as a foreign policy analyst at the Cato Institute recorded recently. These questions remain between the US and Saudi Arabia, India and Russia, Australia and China. There may be many other examples, across the world, with varying degrees of nuance and dilemma. Moral certitudes are rare in international relations. In land and border disputes, the moral basis of every claim only gets murkier with every passing generation. However, its definitely worth asking who is worth doing business with, and at what cost (now as well as in the future). As annoying as it may be to negotiate with a self-righteous secular democrat, the concessions are most likely to be less expensive than the death and displacement of thousands of innocent and unsuspecting masses. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will order the suspension of proclamation of winning candidates with pending disqualification cases in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE). Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Wednesday said candidates proven to engage in vote buying and premature campaigning are not off the hook even if they are proclaimed as winners. Kapag may merits ang kaso, kapag may ebidensiya laban sa isang kandidato at kung hindi pa namin nareresolba ang kaso bago ang eleksyon [When the case has merits, when there is evidence against a candidate and if we have not resolved the case before the election], we are willing to suspend any and or proclamation in order to prevent the proclamation of any candidate with pending disqualification cases, he said. Garcia explained that Comelec could still remove the local official from his or her post once the case is resolved. Kung ang may kaso yung kandidato ng barangay chairman, nahalal siya, pinasuspend namin yung proclamation niya," he explained. "Oh walang problema, may kagawad naman na number one. Under the local government code, siya muna magsa-succeed hanggang 'di pa nare-resolve yung kaso. [Translation: If the candidate for barangay chairman has a case and he is elected, then we suspend his proclamation. Oh, there's no problem, there is a kagawad who will succeed him until the case is resolved.] The poll body chief reiterated his warning to BSKE candidates that they will go after those engaging in vote-buying, premature campaigning, and other election offenses. Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos warned local officials who may violate the election law. Im warning our government, our LGUs. Please, please follow all the guidelines, follow the law," Abalos said on Wednesday. "Ito ay barangay elections, mahirap, this is supposed to be non-partisan." The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement with Comelec in support of its intensified campaign against vote buying and ensuring a peaceful and safe election on Oct. 30. As of Oct. 11, 60 disqualification cases have been filed against BSKE candidates for premature campaigning while five bets are facing cases for vote buying. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday warned of filing a complaint against anyone who is "maligning" his name for alleged corruption. "I intend to strongly defend the truth and my name," he said in a video statement. "So I plan to file the appropriate formal complaint to whoever has been maligning me." Bautista denied being involved in any corrupt practices after transport group Manibela and a former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulator Board (LTFRB) official linked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to an alleged bribery scheme. "I am saddened by the baseless allegations being thrown at me that I'm involved in corruption," he said. "Please allow me to categorically say that I never accepted any money or favor since assuming the post of Transportation secretary." "While these allegations may have distracted us from our work, I vehemently deny involvement in any corruption or inappropriate activities," Bautista added. Manibela president Mar Valbuena earlier said that former LTFRB senior executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado alleged that suspended LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III delivered money to Bautista as part of the "ruta for sale" scheme. Tumbado also recently revealed that operators have to pay transport officials up to 5 million in exchange of franchises, additional routes, and special permits. In an ambush interview, Bautista said that Tumbado told him he was just used by Manibela. The Transportation chief said that his legal team is studying possible cases that can be filed against Valbuena. "Sinasabi ko sa kanya ah, posible akong mag-file ng kaso against him dahil napakagrabe ng kanyang accusation, walang basehan, walang ebidensiya," said Bautista. [Translation: I was telling him, I could possibly file a case against him because his serious accusation, there's no basis and evidence for it.] CNN Philippines sought for Valbuena's comment. Bautista on Tuesday named Mercy Leynes as officer-in-charge of the LTFRB amid corruption allegations in the agency. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) At least 22 Filipinos in Israel are waiting for approval from Israeli authorities to exit the Middle Eastern country and return to the Philippines, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In a briefing on Thursday, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac clarified that 22 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have requested repatriation. He earlier said it was 23. So far 22 OFWs -- 19 caregivers and three hotel workers," he said. "In general, we had been advising them if they are on safe grounds, we have been advising them also on labor concerns, on matters involving their labor situation with their respective employer." Cacdac said the OFWs must have already finished their contract or have an agreement with their employer so they can still be rehired once the situation eases. We will be mindful of that part also," he said. "But primordially, it's about safety and security. We want to repatriate them for their own safety." The official said the DMW is planning how to proceed with the repatriation safely in coordination with the Israeli government. Of the 23 Filipinos, 14 work as caregivers, one is a hotel worker while the rest are permanent residents of Israel. Cacdac earlier said around a tenth of the 30,000 Filipinos in Israel are in conflict areas in the south. Earlier, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Dela Vega said 70 Filipinos living in Gaza, the center of conflict between Israeli forces and militant group Hamas, have requested repatriation. He said the Philippine government is using diplomacy to facilitate the repatriation because of the ongoing conflict. To date, De Vega said two Filipinos in Israel have been killed, while there is one unconfirmed death that is still being verified. Meanwhile, three Filipinos in Israel are still unaccounted for, he added. The Philippines has condemned Hamas attacks, which began on Saturday during Simchat Torah, a peaceful Jewish celebration, and killed thousands. With reports from CNN Philippines' Xianne Arcangel. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa blamed the executive committee of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for inefficiency in the payment of hospital claims. In a Senate finance subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Herbosa, who is also PhilHealth board chairman, said that there should be no unsettled arrears. "I would blame the executive committee of PhilHealth, who has been doing and managing PhilHealth, on what we call inefficiency of payment because hospitals depend on them," he said. PhilHealth said it has 27.2 billion in payables from 2014 to 2023. As of Aug. 2, it said it paid 19.7 billion to both government and private hospitals. However, PhilHealth said it is uncertain whether hospitals have already received the payment as its system has been hacked recently. Herbosa proposed to treat PhilHealth financing the same way credit cards work. "If PhilHealth doesnt pay the hospitals, the benefits they have given to their members, PhilHealths money, the hospitals should have a right to bill them finance charges," he said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will always stand with Israel in the face of "terrorist attacks" by militant group Hamas. According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos made the statement when he met with Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss in Malacanang Wednesday afternoon. Marcos expressed his gratitude to the Israeli government for rescuing over 20 Filipinos and bringing them to safety, while he stressed his concern for the three Filipinos who remain unaccounted for, said the PCO. Fluss guaranteed that Israel is doing all it can to ensure the safety of Filipinos in the war-torn country. Two Filipinos were killed amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, as confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier. Alert Level 2 is currently up in Israel, which means non-essential movements are restricted among Filipinos there. The Philippines has condemned Hamas attacks, which began on Saturday during Simchat Torah, a peaceful Jewish celebration, and killed thousands. On Feb. 26, 1958, the Philippines and Israel signed a Treaty of Friendship, establishing full diplomatic relations between the two countries. In an interview on CNN Philippines Politics As Usual, Israel Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission Ester Buzgan described Hamas attacks as a massacre. When you target civilians, youre not an army," Buzgan said. "When you kill babies, hurt other people, thats terror. "Hamas is not Palestine," she also said. "They do not care about their own people. They care about the Jewish genocide. For Hadje Cresencio Sadje, an associate member of Center for Palestine Studies of the University of London, the violence on both sides should be condemned. If you call [Hamas attacks] inhumane, you also need to condemn the Israeli soldiers now bombing civilian buildings, he said. Israeli forces have been hammering Gaza with airstrikes, hitting hundreds of targets and reducing neighborhoods to rubble, following unprecedented Hamas terror attacks on Israel. READ: Israel steps up Gaza offensive as brutality of Hamas attacks laid bare Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) Police arrested on Wednesday a Malaysian national for attempted bribery for the release of his detained compatriot over a no smoking offense in Taguig City. Authorities identified the foreigner as alias Jack Boo, 33, and the bribe was 30,000 for his friend who exhibited disruptive behavior. "The suspect appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was smoking in the parking area, which was designated as a no-smoking zone," the Southern Police District (SPD) said in a statement. "The officers approached the suspect and politely informed him about the no-smoking policy. Instead of complying, the suspect insulted the officers by attempting to bribe them to let him continue smoking," it added. The SPD said its members arrested Chong for cursing and disruptive behavior. "These commendable officers resisted attempts of bribery and steadfastly enforced the rightful laws, embodying the highest standards of professionalism," SPD chief PBGen Roderick Mariano said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Wednesday said the alleged data breach is limited to its Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS). In a statement, the PSA said it has activated its Data Breach Response Team (DBRT) following the alleged data leak posted on social media. "From the initial assessment, the system allegedly affected is limited to the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS). The PSA is assessing what personal data from the CBMS may have been compromised and will share information with the relevant authorities and the public in due course," the PSA said. It assured the public that the Philippine Identification System and the Civil Registration System are not affected. "The agency is taking additional preventive and containment measures to ensure the security and integrity of all systems and databases that it manages, including shutting down and isolating the system known to have been affected," it added. However, it also warned the public to beware of clicking social media posts with sample data links as these may contain malwares. In an ambush interview on Wednesday, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy said more government agencies were also hit by a data breach, but some are not reporting it due to issues that might be uncovered. "There are additional agencies in government that have also been subject to a data breach at malaki rin ito, malaki rin ang pinsala (This is big, the damage is big)," Uy told reporters in an ambush interview. He said the DICT is waiting for some of the agencies to cooperate fully as they need to check what particular data was compromised and which systems need to be shut down to prevent further exposure. "Eh ang problema, some of the agencies nagka-clamp down. Imbis na mag-o-open up for us to assist, eh ayaw na maki-cooperate dahil natatakot na mayroon kaming madiskubre at baka kung tawagin kami sa hearing or whatever eh mabubuking saan nagkaroon ng problema," he said. [Translation: The problem is that some agencies clamp down. Instead of opening up for us to assist them, they don't want to cooperate because they are afraid that we'll discover something, and when we will be summoned to the hearing or whatever, the problems will be uncovered.] "Was there a lapse in management or were there any culpable negligence on part of agency or people concerned?" he added. Meanwhile, the government is still investigating the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) data breach, which may have affected millions of members, Uy said. RELATED: PhilHealth cyberattack likely hit 'millions' of members DICT Uy added that an initial report showed the licenses of PhilHealth's cybersecurity software had expired back in April, which made it easier for cyberattackers to infiltrate the state health insurer's system. CNN Philippines correspondent AC Nicholls contributed to this story. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) Justice Secretary Boying Remulla has revealed that he has been receiving many calls about the return of corruption practices at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) particularly the so called "escort services" scheme. Kasi yung pastillas (scheme) is a form of an escort service that was practiced before," he told a briefing on Wednesday. "And parang bumabalik, resurgence, and very creative ways of doing it." [Translation: The pastillas is a form of escort service that was practiced before. And it seems like it's returning, resurgence, and very creative ways of doing it.] Remulla said the DOJ is not turning a blind eye on the issue. "Were looking at this now," he stressed. "'Yung escort service nga yung aming tinitingnan. Escorting people in and out. Those with problems in their visas and in their passports are being escorted in and out of our gates by unscrupulous BI officials and syndicates attached to them." [Translation: We're looking at this escort service now. Escorting people in and out. Those with problems in their visas and in their passports are being escorted in and out of our gates by unscrupulous BI officials and syndicates attached to them.] Remulla said he will meet with BI commissioner Norman Tansingco on the matter, adding he is not ruling out the involvement of some officials as they look at a big scheme. As big as the pastillas, that may be happening now in the airport, he noted. Remulla has already directed the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the syndicate within BI who may be behind the conspiracy. The "pastillas scheme" was uncovered in 2020 involving BI officials who allegedly allowed Chinese nationals to enter the country without background checks in exchange for grease money. It was dubbed the "pastillas" scam as the bribe would be hidden in rolled bond paper similar to a wrapped milk candy. Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today! Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Gorge Social Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. The US Department of Justices antitrust suit against Google has a familiar ring to those who remember a similar suit against Microsoft 25 years ago. In both cases, the government claimed the companies illegally used their monopolies to kill competition, maintain their dominant market share, and reap billions of dollars in return. In a strange twist of fate, the DOJ last week called on Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella as a key witness against Google. Nadella outlined the ways in which he says Google has unfairly used its search dominance and deep pockets to make Google the default search engine on hundreds of millions of smartphones around the world, which wont allow competitors to catch up, or even survive. Missing from his testimony was this simple fact: Google was following the playbook Microsoft perfected decades ago when it used its globally dominant Windows operating system to kill countless competitors and attempt to become the internets gatekeeper. Now its Microsofts turn to cry foul. Google has illegally used its market muscle, Nadella claims, not only to own the search market, but to potentially extend its monopoly power to AI as well. And he wants the government to act to stop that fast. Googles search dominance How dominant is Google in search? As I write this, the latest Statista figures, for July 2023, show that Google had 83.5% of the search market, while Bing had 9.2%. But forget the numbers for a moment. Heres an even better picture of Googles ubiquity, taken from Nadellas testimony in the Google suit: You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth, and you search on Google. How did Google build and maintain such a monopoly? If you believe Google, the answer is simple: Googles search engine is better than anything out there, and by a wide margin. People flock to it for that reason alone. Build a better search engine and the world will beat a path to your door. If you believe the DOJ, Nadella, and Googles other detractors, theres a very different explanation: Google has strong-armed its way into building and maintaining its search monopoly. How does it do that? Google pays an estimated $10 billion a year to smartphone manufacturers, browser makers, and wireless carriers, including Apple, Samsung, Verizon, and others, to make Google their default search engine. Kenneth Dintzer, the Justice Departments lead courtroom lawyer, said on the opening day of the trial that the payments were a powerful strategic weapon used to kill upstarts and fend off search rivals. He added, This feedback loop, this wheel, has been turning for more than 12 years. And it always turns to Googles advantage. Nadella, during his testimony, said the same thing. Because of those payments and Googles resulting monopoly, he said, the internet should now be called the Google web. Theres more than a little irony in a Microsoft CEO complaining that Google extended its monopoly by cementing its position as the default choice on operating systems and devices. Thats exactly what Microsoft did with Windows decades ago it forced manufacturers of Windows PCs to make its Internet Explorer their default web browser in an attempt to kill competitive browsers and become the keeper of the gateway through which most of the world uses the internet. The DOJ went after Microsoft for that and eventually the company had to accede to some of the governments penalties. Now Internet Explorer is dead, and its replacement, Microsoft Edge, is an also-ran. Defaults matter If youre looking for more hypocrisy from Microsoft about this issue, its easy to find. On the witness stand, Nadella admitted he tried using the same tactics as Google by negotiating with Apple to make Bing the default search for Safari, the built-in iOS browser, but Apple rebuffed his offer. He said he was willing to lose $15 billion in the deal and give Apple all the profits from it. He went so far as to tell Apple that he would hide the Bing brand in iOS and agree to any privacy limits Apple wanted. He did all that, he told the court, because defaults are the only thing that matter in terms of changing user behavior. As for the idea that its easy to switch from one search engine to another, he called that claim bogus. This is the exact opposite of what Microsoft told the court in its antitrust trial 25 years ago. Why was Nadella willing to go so far to become iOSs default search engine? He admitted something fairly shocking on the stand: Google is a better search engine than Bing. The reason, he said, is that many more searches are done on Google than are done on Bing, so Google has more data that can be used to improve its search. By displacing Google as the iOS search default, he believed Microsoft would improve its search and become better than Google. As to why Apple chose Google over Bing to be the default for iOS despite Nadellas offers, Nadella claimed it was because Apple was worried if it made the deal with Microsoft, Google would use its many services, including Gmail and YouTube, to convince people to replace Safari with Chrome. However, he provided no evidence of that. Apple claims it chose Google because its search engine is better than Bings. Will Google dominate generative AI as well? On the stand, Nadella said he worries that Google may use its search monopoly power to dominate generative AI as well as search. AI is only as powerful as the content it uses for training and he fears that Google will make exclusive deals with content owners to use their data to train its Bard AI. He testified, When I am meeting with publishers now, they are saying, Googles going to write this check to us, and its going to be exclusive and you have to match it. Given that hes been meeting with publishers to buy their data for AI training, hes trying to do the same thing Google is, so its not clear what hes complaining about. And Microsoft can more easily write large checks than can Google. Currently its market capitalization almost $70 billion larger than Googles $2.45 trillion versus $1.75 trillion and its earnings are $15.51 billion more than Googles, $89.31 billion compared to $73.80 billion. The upshot Microsofts hypocrisy in all this is on full display. It wrote the playbook for how to use defaults to create and extend a monopoly, and its now complaining that Google is following that playbook better than Microsoft itself can. Thats not to say that Google should be let off the hook. Monopolization was wrong when Microsoft did it 25 years ago. Its wrong when Google does it today. The court should rule in the DOJs favor. As the extended legal proceedings following the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Alec Baldwin-produced-and-starred film Rust continue to cast a pall over the actors public life, Baldwin has decided to distract himself (and us) by focusing on his less controversial qualities like his love of Woody Allen. As Allens latest film, Coup de chance, continues to screen across France while eyeing an American release, whoever is in charge of the stigmatized directors social media account somehow decided that the best way to draw domestic buzz for the film would be to recruit New Yorks second most controversial-but-not-canceled snobby celebrity to discuss many of Allens most celebrated movies and none of the allegations against either of them. In a bizarre video posted on both Baldwin and Allens Instagram pages, Baldwin, dressed in a suit and black tie, gives a meandering ranking of his favorite Allen movies from the passenger seat of a town car on the way to and from a concert at the Manhattan School of Music. It kind of has the energy of Jack Donaghy filming a birthday best-wishes video for his good friend Harvey Weinstein. Advertisement Everything about this video is bizarre first, the fact that Baldwin has time enough to poorly recite half of the script of his favorite Allen film, Broadway Danny Rose, but only during his commute to and from his snooty high society event. Secondly, the Panera Bread piano music clashing with the sounds of Manhattan traffic makes Baldwins distinctly deep timbre nearly unintelligible as he awkwardly compliments Mia Farrow, saying of Allens ex-partner and mother-in-law, Mias a great actress, Mias a great movie actress. Shes made a lot of great movies, many of them with Woody. And, lastly, despite saying hes going to list his top five Allen films, Baldwin can barely name two movies in eight rambling minutes as his poor driver undoubtedly wonders whether he should just circle the block until Baldwin falls asleep. Advertisement This is not the first time Baldwin has helped his friend and former director win some good press on Instagram back in June 2022, Baldwin interviewed the reclusive Allen on Instagram Live as the two discussed music and literature while avoiding any mention of shooting accidents or Ronan Farrow. At the time, Allen told Baldwin that he has at least one more movie, though a lot of the thrill is gone from the filmmaking process. If he still has some juice left after Coup de chance, maybe Allen can finally help Baldwin finish Rust. Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a new battleground has opened up in cyberspace, with hackers from both sides trying to attack each other's infrastructure. Analysts have noted public instances of DDoS attacks, website defacements, and increased dark web discussions from various threat actor groups," said Ian Gray, vice president of cyber threat intelligence operations at cybersecurity company Flashpoint. "Ongoing physical conflict within the region is likely to attract additional hacktivist groups that are either ideologically, politically, or opportunistically supporting either Israel or Palestine." Data from cloud security and content delivery company Cloudflare, meanwhile, show signs of cyberattacks in the form of DDoS attacks impacting both Israel and Palestine. "Two autonomous systems in the Gaza Strip went offline a few hours after the Hamas attacks on October 7. Subsequently, on October 9, two additional networks also experienced outages. We also saw an uptick in cyberattacks targeting Israel, including a 1.26 billion HTTP requests DDoS attack, and Palestine," Cloudflare said in a blog post. Leading the pro-Palestine offensive are a couple of Russian-backed hacker groups -- Killnet and Anonymous Sudan -- that took to Telegram and claimed responsibility for the recent attacks on Israeli government websites and the Jerusalem Post, respectively. Anonymous Sudan also claimed responsibility for targeting Israel's Iron Dome, the country's all-weather, air defense system. Other hacktivist groups have also joined the conflict. On October 7, pro-Palestine hacktivist group Mysterious Team Bangladesh announced its support for Hamas on Telegram, using trending pro-Palestinian hashtags including #FreePalestine and #OpIsraelV2. FORWARD to victory. Let the gralloch of Rishi Sunak begin! That was the mood as Labours conference closed. Triumph assured, doubt absent. They found a soprano to sing The Red Flag, accompanied by an intense-looking pianist from Liverpool Cathedral. After the curled-lip speech from education spokesman Bridget Phillipson the song should possibly have been that Red China ankle-swinger Socialism Is Good. You dont know it? Firmly adhere to the communist party in the assured construction... of our great motherland! Once Comrade Phillipsons in charge, it will be used daily at school assemblies. We may even have to chant it while standing at our work stations. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool Britain's main opposition Labour Party Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaks on the final day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool Ms Phillipson (educ. Hertford College, Oxford) was the first main speaker of the morning. No ray of sunshine, she. The speech was a mixture of sloganeering and sulphurous class war. One moment she was saying our greatest days are yet to come and its all about hope, the next she was snarling that private schools were arrogant and she was going to whack em with tax in order to pay for Bridgets Breakfast Clubs. She was furious that an independent-education lobbyist had, in an email, called her chippy. Well, she growled, chippy people make the change that matters and those toffee-nosed poshies were going to be given a dose of salts. One hesitates to intrude on what is plainly sensitive turf but after listening to this pinched speech it was not altogether impossible to conclude that the lobbyist may have been on to something. In private Ms Phillipson may well be charming company. In public her persona is grindingly mirthless. The very next contribution in the hall came from a Liverpool woman who lamented that a nearby private nursery school had gone bust. The delegate complained that some 50 staff had lost their jobs and two hundred families were obliged to find a different school. The conference hall agreed this was bad. If Labour wins the election and makes private education 20 per cent pricier, thousands more schools will be likely to collapse. No matter! The construction of our great motherland will have taken a great step forward. Wes Streeting, shadow health secretary, was 'more skilful' in his speech The Labour MP accused the Tories of believing problems are there to be exploited Wes Streeting, shadow health secretary, was more skilful. Little Wes has come on nicely as an orator, even if some of his lines were gamey. He was introduced to the hall by a music teacher who, poor man, was dying of cancer. That, along with the fact that Mr Streeting himself has had cancer, lent emotional power to the moment. There were only three frontbenchers in Liverpool this week who were convincingly fluent at the lectern the same number as the Tories had in Manchester last week. Angela Rayner was one, Mr Streeting another. He moved his eyes without obviously relying on an autocue. He deployed pauses for dramatic effect, nodded his head emphatically, blew out his cheeks in disbelief and made a couple of decent wisecracks. When he began his speech he welled up spontaneously about the cancer patient we had just heard. Moments later, with a completely straight face, Mr Streeting complained that Tories believed problems are there to be exploited. Even after three decades watching politicians, I still sometimes find myself gasping at their shamelessness. As much as any of last weeks speeches by Suella Braverman or Penny Mordaunt, this was a leadership pitch. Mr Streeting surfed on some of Ms Phillipsons anti-private schools stuff. There was shrewd hyperbole, too, about the wickedness of the Tories. Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth speaks on the final day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool Sir Keir Starmer laughs during a speech on the final day of the Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool You have to do that to fuel the Labour activists indignation. Mr Streeting manipulated them like a masseur. And then we had the finale from John Ashworth, recently downgraded in the shadow cabinet. His task here was that of after-dinner speaker, sending everyone off with a few gags. He was wheezy, hunched, darty-eyed, whimpering and puckering with merriment at his own jokes. It was pure Roy Kinnear, and done well. Our third natural speaker of the week. You could sense that dullard Starmer watching and thinking wish I could do that. The intelligence forces in Israel have for decades cloaked themselves in an aura of invincibility. Civilians, politicians and military alike had complete faith in their competence, even took it for granted. This week Israel is paying a terrible price for this delusion. Jerusalem's three intelligence agencies Shin Bet, its internal eyes and ears; Mossad, responsible for international operations; and Aman, the military arm all failed to see Hamas's attack coming. The Palestinian offensive was painstakingly planned, comprehensively equipped and highly coordinated. Yet it caught the Israelis so unawares that it took their armed forces six hours to respond to the slaughter at the music festival in the desert near the Gaza Strip, and up to 12 hours to reach rural kibbutzes where merciless massacres were being carried out. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip Houses in Be'eri, Israel are left in ruins after Hamas militants shot at and killed civilians in homes days earlier near the border with Gaza As a former British intelligence officer, who spent nearly 20 years working in intelligence and security for the British government, I understand the difficulties of gathering information in the Middle East and interpreting it accurately. But such a failure is unprecedented in Israel. It points not only to Hamas maintaining an exceptional level of secrecy a feat all the more impressive given the invasion involved many hundreds of fighters but also to communication breakdowns between the Israeli spy agencies and, above all, abject complacency from the top down. Some commentators have made comparisons with the way Jerusalem was caught napping at the onset of the Yom Kippur War, 50 years earlier. There are haunting similarities, not least in the way the enemy used a Jewish festival as cover for the opening attack, in this case Simchat Torah, the religious holiday that marks the end of a week of public readings from the Torah, the Hebrew holy book. But there are also huge differences compared with 1973. Today, Israel has access to a wide array of cutting-edge electronic surveillance methods. Border points bristle with cameras, drones, motion sensors and communications-monitoring systems that collect every single exchange. Counterintuitively, this may have been part of the problem. A deluge of information is harder to sift and an over- reliance on technology can undermine vital intelligence-gathering on the ground. Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Gazan military leaders used communication channels they knew were being monitored by the Israelis to bluff that they were not preparing for battle. Palestinian militants fire rockets towards Israel from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip When signs of unusual activity were detected by Israeli spies, alerts sent to border troops either failed to get through or were ignored. More pertinently, the Palestinians have learned to circumvent listening devices by avoiding the use of phones and computers altogether. Just as Osama bin Laden evaded capture for years by relying on couriers to pass information via handwritten notes, so Hamas operatives will, I suspect, have been doing something similar. The other obvious comparison is with the 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks in the U.S. Many are calling this 'Israel's 9/11'. That atrocity was made possible partly by appalling failures by the CIA and other Western intelligence agencies. But the use of hijacked airliners to bring down the Twin Towers required only a small cell of suicidal terrorists armed with basic weapons, such as box-cutters. What happened at the weekend was totally different. At least 1,500 Hamas terrorists with machine-guns and grenade-launchers, invading by air and road, were supported by a barrage of long-range missiles. How could these preparations have gone unseen? The answer is many-layered. First, the hardline policies of Benjamin Netanyahu have made it increasingly difficult for Israeli spymasters to recruit agents within Gaza. Though many Palestinians have no love for the Islamist extremism of the terror group, the Israeli PM's uncompromising rhetoric alienated many moderate Arabs, who are resistant to covert overtures from Israeli handlers at the best of times. Explosions illuminate the sky during Israeli strikes on Gaza City on October 10 Palestinians who are allowed to travel abroad will be wary of approaches, for instance, by strangers looking to befriend them. And when they return home, such individuals are often treated with suspicion. As for inserting outsiders into the Strip, that is pretty much a non-starter because newcomers are viewed with intense wariness. It doesn't help that Israel's divisive ruling coalition seen as the most Right-wing administration since the state's creation in 1948 is viewed with distaste by many moderates within the security services. Indeed, Netanyahu's plan to reduce the powers of the Supreme Court earlier this year provoked thousands of reservists to say they would stop volunteering in protest. This dysfunctionality might have been made worse by antipathy between Israel's three security branches. If Shin Bet is not sharing intel with Aman, and both are chary of Mossad, crucial warning signs could be missed. And gathering intelligence is only half the battle. It also has to be studied and its significance evaluated. If that is not done properly, all the risks taken by undercover agents and all the data collected by that sophisticated electronic equipment is wasted. As for the logistics, it's likely components for weapons would have been smuggled into the Strip, hidden amid myriad other shipments and disguised to look like innocent mechanical parts. These would then have been assembled in secret. It may sound like the stuff of a TV spy thriller and to imagine it being done on such a huge scale is bewildering but that's almost certainly what happened. But how did Hamas manage to train a squadron of paraglider terrorists while under observation by the Israeli secret services? The conclusion has to be that fighters were spirited abroad for training with a friendly ally. The obvious suspect is Iran, a pariah state that, unlike much of the Arab world, has never rowed back on its call for Israel's destruction. Even for Mossad, getting vital militarily sensitive information out of Iran, a country ruled by its secret police, is often difficult. It would have been comparatively easy to train airborne troops there unseen. Because the Hamas attack came as such a total shock, we have no idea whether the Kremlin was involved in its planning. At the moment I'm sceptical. But Russia is one of the few countries maintaining ties to Iran and it also has close links to Syria, another sworn enemy of Israel. All-out war in the Middle East would benefit Moscow in multiple ways. Global attention would be diverted from the war in Ukraine, as would Allied support. If the U.S. and the West channel funds and arms to Israel, it will be at the cost of supplies to Ukraine. And if Arab oil becomes unavailable, the West will be more than ever at the mercy of Russian oil and gas supplies. Over the next few days, we will see the beginning of an Israeli operation to dismantle Hamas's bases in Gaza, destroying it as both a political and a terrorist entity. This process will be ugly and bloody. It will prove especially difficult to flush out the network of tunnels. Casualties on both sides will be very high. The failure of Israel's intelligence networks could mean the whole world paying a terrible price. Shock and awe. The world first heard that ominous phrase in 2003, at the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The doctrine emphasises overwhelming force at the outset of a military action to terrify and crush the enemy. In the wake of the merciless assault by Hamas, Israel seems to be planning the same approach. All the signs are that its government is preparing to retaliate on a massive scale, mobilising the country's formidable armed forces against Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared: 'What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate for generations.' His defence minister Yoav Gallant has added: 'We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.' All the signs are that its government is preparing to retaliate on a massive scale, mobilising the country's formidable armed forces against Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas (pictured: Smoke rising from Gaza City following an Israeli air strike) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) has declared: 'What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate for generations' A policy seeking to pulverise Gaza, with the aim of permanently destroying Hamas, would be utterly counter-productive Yet just as Iraq turned out to be a calamitous error, fuelling a lasting cycle of violence, so I fear that however understandable any attempt by Israel to exact its vengeance with a savage display of military might could be just as disastrous. I served in the British Army during the Iraq War, and since my retirement from the military I have visited the region many times, including a trip to the West Bank earlier this year. And I am certain that a policy seeking to pulverise Gaza, with the aim of permanently destroying Hamas, would be utterly counter-productive. It would cause civilian casualties on an epic scale, as well as a huge loss of life among the Israeli forces, while also building a cult of martyrdom among the terrorists that would affect all of us. Colonel Tim Collins was Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment during the Iraq War Nevertheless, as the terrible prospect looms, we must ask: what would this vast invasion actually look like? Gaza can be divided into five main districts: Gaza City, with its population of almost 600,000; the smaller southern city of Khan Younis; Rafah on the Egpytian border; and a couple of satellite towns. Hamas will have stocked all of these with ample provisions for a long fight. As far as the terror group is concerned, civilian Palestinians are nothing more than human sandbags to be sacrificed at will. The group's goal is not to defeat its enemy in traditional combat, but to ensure enough innocent Arab lives are taken, over a sufficiently long time, that the screams of protest from the international community become deafening. Israel will then be forced to make a humiliating retreat, having failed to reach a single one of its objectives. To this end, Hamas will have supplied four or five key bastions within Gaza with the weapons and men to sap the invaders' strength. Could Israel ever achieve dominance in the region? It is debatable. Using a standard ratio of military strategists, the invader will need ten soldiers for every defending fighter to gain superiority. That means the Israeli force will have to be perhaps 400,000-strong to take on Hamas's 40,000 estimated operatives. Yes, 300,000 Israeli reservists have been mobilised and the armed forces now number some 650,000, but many of these troops are needed to guard the country's other volatile borders. Israeli has over 2,200 tanks, including the Merkava Mark 4, which is among the most advanced in the world (pictured: a Merkava tank near the Israel-Lebanon border) A full invasion, such as Israel's generals are surely discussing today, would be a bloody quagmire (pictured: an Israeli soldier on the frontline near the border with Gaza) Israel notwithstanding its hostages already held inside Gaza could deploy its 48 attack helicopters, wage indiscriminate drone strikes and pummel the Strip with rocket artillery and lethal fire (pictured: Israeli strikes on Gaza) Even if Israel wipes out the top ranks of Hamas many of whom are safely abroad in sympathetic Middle Eastern countries and occupies the Gaza Strip, what then? (Pictured: Hamas commander Mohammed Deif) It is likely that once the onslaught is fully under way, Israel will seek to divide Gaza in two. First, they will take the territory outside Gaza City, including the smaller towns. This could probably be accomplished in less than a week. But then comes the second, far bigger hurdle: capturing Gaza City itself. Here the war could escalate to a new level of intensity, with a far higher death toll on both sides. The struggle will feature bitter house-to-house combat, with the Israelis facing an array of deadly obstacles. One will be their inability to use their tanks, of which they have over 2,200, including the Merkava Mark 4, which is among the most advanced in the world. Tanks, so vital on the steppes of Ukraine, are entirely unsuited to navigating narrow city streets. They are also highly vulnerable to attack by guerrillas. To make matters worse, radio and communication equipment often does not work in a packed urban landscape, while Hamas's fighters will also have the advantage of knowing the hidden labyrinth of tunnels and bunkers underneath the city. The Israeli advance will be made yet more difficult by Hamas's seizure of hundreds of Jewish hostages, whose savage executions are bound to accompany the progress of the invader through the city. As for aerial bombardment: yes, Israel notwithstanding its hostages already held inside Gaza could deploy its 48 attack helicopters, wage indiscriminate drone strikes and pummel the Strip with rocket artillery and lethal fire before any ground invasion. But everything changes once its troops are across the border. During the Vietnam War, Soviet-backed General Giap liked to boast that he 'held the Americans by the belt'. He meant that he kept his Vietnamese troops close by the enemy at all times often as little as 250 metres apart so that Uncle Sam was unable to use artillery or air power without killing his own. Hamas would be sure to adopt the same simple but highly effective tactic in Gaza while, once again, sacrificing civilians to worsen the 'optics' further for Israel. No: a full invasion, such as Israel's generals are surely discussing today, would be a bloody quagmire. For Jerusalem, it would mean a conveyor belt of tired soldiers fighting day and night, resupplying with food, water and military hardware, rotating and evacuating casualties, for months on end. It would chew up thousands of troops for little or no benefit, and poison the Arab world, and to a certain extent the international community, against the Jewish state. Alas, it looks like Israel is set to take precisely this route. Already the country has launched a barrage of air strikes, causing heavy civilian casualties unsurprising given that more than two million people are living in a strip the size of the Isle of Wight. This bombardment has been buttressed by a siege designed to weaken the morale of the citizenry by cutting off their water and electricity. Yet what is the ultimate objective? What does 'victory' for Israel even look like? Already Israel has launched a barrage of air strikes, causing heavy civilian casualties (pictured: destruction in Gaza City) Most Gazans are fed up with Hamas's vicious paramilitaries, whose fanatical anti-Semitism and corruption have left the territory in a state of devastated economic neglect The overthrow of Hamas by Fatah, backed by Israel, would be a step forward for democracy in Palestine and would isolate the theocratic Iranian regime which has long bankrolled and armed Hamas (pictured: pro-Palestine supporters in the West Bank on Wednesday) Support for the IRA soared after the Bloody Sunday massacre, when British paratroopers opened fire on a Catholic protest march through the city of Derry (pictured: demonstrators carry crossed to lay at a local police station in Dungiven, Northern Ireland, one week after the shootings) Even if Israel wipes out the top ranks of Hamas many of whom are safely abroad in sympathetic Middle Eastern countries and occupies the Gaza Strip, what then? The answer, I fear, would in time be the breakdown of civil society, a gargantuan body count, mountains of rubble and Israel's return to a pariah status in the Middle East. But there is an alternative approach one that could strengthen Israel's standing on the international stage. Instead of slaughtering the 'human animals' inside Gaza, Israel should adopt a dual tactic: launching limited ground incursions at specific targets and, crucially, encouraging the Palestinian political party Fatah, which previously ran Gaza, to take back control from the terrorists of Hamas. Most Gazans are fed up with Hamas's vicious paramilitaries, whose fanatical anti-Semitism and corruption have left the territory in a state of devastated economic neglect. Hamas's supporters, including on the British Left, like to claim that Gaza is 'the world's largest open-air prison' but their own foot soldiers are the guards. The overthrow of Hamas by Fatah, backed by Israel, would be a step forward for democracy in Palestine and would isolate the theocratic Iranian regime which has long bankrolled and armed Hamas. Israel should not play into Iran's hands. And as an Irishman, I know why. In 1972, soon after the Troubles had been rekindled, support for the IRA soared after the Bloody Sunday massacre, when British paratroopers opened fire on a Catholic protest march through the city of Derry. Fourteen innocent people were killed and there was to be no peace in the province for another three decades. The decision is Israel's. Do they, in a spasm of vengeance, unleash a flood of Bloody Sundays in Gaza? Or could they, dare they, act with reason and mercy? Colonel Tim Collins OBE was Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment during the Iraq War. Amid the carnage, a surreal debate did Hamas terrorists decapitate babies or merely blast them to bits? Startlingly, that gruesome conundrum was occupying minds yesterday as political point-scoring broke out over the massacre of helpless children. At the Kfar Aza kibbutz in southern Israel, there can be no doubt that an atrocity unfolded. As many as 40 babies and small children were slaughtered, along with their parents and other innocents. The smell of rotting bodies hangs in the air, according to those who visited on Tuesday. It was here that Hamas fanatics wielding assault rifles and grenades ruthlessly shot dead screaming families as they begged for their lives, before setting fire to their homes. As well as horrors that defy belief, the small communal farm of Kfar Aza, a mile from Gaza, is now an unwitting host to one of the poisonous propaganda battles of this war namely: were babies, while being brutally murdered, beheaded or not? Elkana Bohbot, left, with his brother. Elkana was kidnapped whilst attending the Nova Festival Look of terror: Elkana Bohbot is held captive by Hamas thugs in video 'Worse than ISIS': Photo of bloodied child's bed posted by Israeli PM Netanyahu A baby's seat and a child's dress are seen spattered in blood in the aftermath of the attack In the context of terror group Hamas's horrific attack dubbed Israel's 9/11 it may seem to some a moot point. The Middle East's only democracy is a country gearing up for full-scale war last night hospital beds were being rapidly vacated in expectation of the bloodshed to come and many ordinary Israelis are not dwelling on the 'beheaded-versus-shot' distinction. But some widely followed commentators have publicly said they were 'horrified by headlines claiming 40 babies beheaded' when there was 'no evidence'. Journalist Oren Ziv was among those debunking the claim, saying 'Israel will now use these false claims to escalate the bombing of Gaza'. Samuel Forey, of French newspaper Le Monde, said he was in Kfar Aza and 'no one spoke to me about beheadings, still less about beheaded children, still less about 40 beheaded children'. They were among a group of hand-picked journalists who were invited by the Israeli military on Tuesday to bear witness to the incomprehensible scale of death and destruction in Kfar Aza, where heavily armed fighters had attacked the compound from four directions, starting with the 'baby quarter' on the west side where young families lived. The grisly decapitation claims came via several other journalists on the same visit to the kibbutz. Israeli major David Ben Zion, 37, told The Independent: 'When Hamas came here, they cut the heads of women, they cut the heads of children,' while making a chopping motion towards his neck. The newspaper stated it could not check the claim. Pro-Palestine former Labour and Respect Party MP George Galloway shared a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, that read: 'Never, ever forget the 'journalists' and media personalities that helped spread the claims of Palestinians cutting babies heads off with no evidence. 'Nobody spreads more misinformation than Zionists and their western media allies.' Another user, whose profile read 'Palestine for ever', warned: 'Don't fall for the garbage propaganda.' Gunshots and blood stains litter the walls and door of a house in the kibbutz near the border with Gaza Israeli troops search the scene of a Palestinian militant attack in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza on the border with the Gaza Strip on October 11, 2023 Israeli soldiers walk next to the body of Hamas militant killed in Kfar Aza kibbutz on Tuesday IDF soldiers guard an area around Kibbutz Kfar Aza where dozens of civilians were killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas militants on this near the border with Gaza, on October 10, 2023 Israeli soldiers stands on a tank near the border with the Gaza Strip on October 10, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel Meanwhile, Israeli TV correspondent Nicole Zedek reported how stunned soldiers had told how they had seen the bodies of babies next to their cots, their heads chopped off. And CNN's Nick Robertson was visibly moved and could not hide his shock during his live report as he said: 'Men, women, children, hands tied, shot, executed, beheaded.' It was widely reported that 40 children had been slaughtered. But despite suggestions to the contrary yesterday, no UK media said they were all beheadings. In the 'fog of war', it is probably fair to say that no journalist is in a position to yet verify the details. Yesterday historian Guy Walters tweeted: 'If you're more concerned over the methods by which the children of Kfar Aza were slaughtered rather than the fact that they were slaughtered at all, then you've lost something.' Rob Burley, editor of Sky News, added: 'They may have beheaded babies, or may have shot babies. If you're focusing on that distinction and bizarre point-scoring around it, ask yourself why.' It is notable that one group not complaining about the shocking claims about Hamas is Hamas itself. By contrast, the terror group appears deeply proud of its sickening barbarism. In the past few days, gruesome videos have been posted online showing its fighters murdering Israelis in horrifically imaginative ways. Reminiscent of the sickening Isis execution videos in Syria, one such clip shows a group of soldiers locked in a cell. They are unarmed. A Hamas fighter lobs a grenade into their midst and gleefully slams the door. Another truly gut-wrenching video nasty they are all filmed on high-definition cameras shows an Israeli soldier having his throat slit. There are literally dozens of these snuff-style movies. And while it is impossible to verify the horrible footage, the point is that it is apparently being filmed, edited and even set to 'rousing' Arabic music by Hamas itself, which then posts it on its official Telegram channel. Last night Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a shocking picture of a child's bed with the sheets and floor soaked in blood, which he captioned, 'Hamas is worse than Isis'. There is one face that will haunt me the terror etched on the features of 34-year-old Elkana Bohbot as he found himself kidnapped by Hamas at the Supernova music festival in the desert. Callous fanatics filmed Elkana as he lay in the back of their truck bound, beaten, bloodied, bewildered and stripped naked, along with other captives. You can see in the young father's wide blue eyes that he knows the worst possible fate awaits him. I met his whole family at their Jerusalem home yesterday where, in the midst of their hell, they took it in turns to play with his three-year-old son the only one smiling thanks to the innocence of his age. The rest have seen the vile video posted by Hamas, dubbed with 'victorious' music. They insisted on serving me mint tea and cakes, and Elkana's elder brother Jacob, 35, told me: 'He looks absolutely terrified. They all are. We don't know what to do with ourselves. We are so helpless. The faces in the video they understand how bad this is for them.' Younger brother Uriel, 31, added: 'My brother was at the festival when the attack happened. With his personality, he would never leave anyone behind. He would not run first, he would make sure everybody was OK. 'That's why I think he got stuck. My friend called and sent the video to me. 'I recognised him instantly because of his blond hair and I thought, 'oh my God, they've got my brother'. 'We are petrified. Our mother is totally broken.' Pointing behind me, Jacob said: 'She is in bed. She is sleeping with Elkana's shirt. We are completely losing our minds. 'His son is only three but he is intelligent enough to know something is very wrong and that his dad is not here. Our brother is kidnapped by Hamas and is in their official video with music playing. He is a civilian and this is a world crime. It is their responsibility for his safety.' Uriel said: 'I want to show the world his face. I want to bring him home. 'We do not hate anyone in the world. Elkana was at a peace festival, for goodness sake.' Yesterday in Ashdod, a city just 27 miles north of Gaza, the thumping sound of explosions could be heard every few minutes as Hamas rockets streaked through the skies to land on neighbouring Ashkelon. Residents have long been weary, knowing that as they hear the almost-daily air raid sirens warning of a rocket launch they have around 40 seconds before impact. The body of a woman is covered with a blanket in Kfar Azza Troops remove the bodies of victims, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday A house left in ruins after an attack by Hamas militants on this kibbutz days earlier when dozens of civilians were killed near the border with Gaza on Tuesday In her grocery shop near the centre of Ashdod, mother of three Ilana David-Yakubi, 33, shrugged and told me: 'The rockets come almost every day. It is just normal life here. But it is hard. My five-year-old cries all the time.' After Saturday's attack in which marauding Hamas gunmen roamed the streets, she said: 'We used to be afraid just of the rockets. Now we are afraid of the warriors.' A number of usually Left-wing Israelis in Ashdod told me yesterday how their views had hardened. One summed it up by saying: 'I have been going on demonstrations against the government's hardline stance on Palestinians. 'It's not just me, we all hate what our government has been doing to them. But what has happened this last weekend, it's beyond belief. Now all we think about is revenge.' Scrolling through Facebook, he raged: 'Every single post, it's about someone who was murdered. This changes everything. There must be revenge.' Should Prince William go back to the drawing board with his Homeward initiative to tackle homelessness? The Big Issue, quoting a poll showing a majority would support William's plan if royal homes were used, calculates that converting Buckingham Palace's 77,000 square metre floor space into 39 square metre studio flats would provide 1,974 homes for down-and-outs. 'This would be a useful step towards housing the estimated 10,000 rough sleepers on London streets,' says TBI. 'Using the same maths for Windsor Castle, Balmoral, Holyrood and Sandringham, more than 3,700 people could have a home.' How many more if Kensington Palace, Birkhall and the Castle of Mey were added? Pass the royal abacus! The Big Issue, quoted a poll showing a majority would support Wiliam's plan if royal homes were used As the State Opening of Parliament looms, rumours abound that King Charles will not wear the crown but have it on a side table, as the Queen did in her later years. And how will he read Rishi's agenda? Charles dislikes wearing spectacles in public and may ask for an extra large print version of his King's Speech. George V refused to wear his pince-nez and claimed that Court protocol prohibited glasses. 'At the end of his reign,' noted a biographer. 'The type was enormous.' As the State Opening of Parliament looms, rumours abound that King Charles will not wear the crown but have it on a side table Ex-wife of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, whose late tycoon father Sir James was of Jewish descent is alarmed to discover a bogus version of herself is appearing across social media stating: 'I stand with Israel.' Jemima, insisting she 'stands with the innocent human beings on both sides of this conflict', announces: 'Just sent this by my former sister-in-law... this is a fake post circulating on social media. When will this ever stop?' Ex-wife of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, whose late tycoon father Sir James was of Jewish descent is alarmed to discover a bogus version of herself is appearing across social media Taking exception to the backlash that's met the BBC's current Gaza coverage, grandiose World Affairs Editor John Simpson announces: 'Calling someone a terrorist means you're taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality.' Piers Morgan angrily tweets back: 'Bull****. Those who murder and decapitate babies, kidnap elderly Holocaust survivors, and massacre 260 young festival goers, are terrorists. Stop appeasing them with weasly language.' Teasing John Cleese about his upcoming new show on controversy-hit GB News, Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls mischievously remarks: 'You're the only presenter joining them rather than leaving them at the moment.' Cleese responds: 'Well they're clearing out a certain amount, which is not a bad idea.' Ed pipes up: 'Get the old wood out and the new blood in.' Tiring of annoying Balls, Cleese fires back: 'Will you shut up?' Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls mischievously teased John Cleese about his upcoming new show on controversy-hit GB News Otherworldly actor Patrick Stewart recalls meeting Sting for the first time on the set of David Lynch's Dune and asking him about his career. Admits the Star Trek icon: 'I congratulated him on playing with a police band.' Event planner Kenzie Bates usually decorates the houses so the locals did too A Utah neighborhood has transformed into Barbieland just in time for Halloween. Neighbors in the Salt Lake City suburb of South Jordan took it upon themselves to create a different Barbie-themed house each taking inspiring from this summer's hit movie and the Mattel brand. Themes included Weird Barbie, Barbie Graveyard, Disco Barbie, Barbie Barn and even Ken's infamous Mojo Dojo Casa House. Event planner Kenzie Bates professionally decorates houses in Utah and inspired the residents to do the same since it's a 'popular destination in October.' A Utah neighborhood has transformed into Barbieland just in time for Halloween. Themes included Barbie Dream House (pictured), Weird Barbie, Disco Barbie and Barbie Barn The Mojo Dojo Ken house, owned by the Paladini family, featured horse statues and tapestry, brown gingham fabrics, a lasso, a hanging cow skull and a blow-up motorcycle In front of the Mojo Dojo Ken house is a paper cutout on the door that reads 'Kendom Salon' with a 'Wanted' sign Kenzie posted a TikTok video documenting the festive homes because 'the whole street decided to go all out,' captioning her clip: 'When all the neighbors decide to turn their neighborhood into Barbieland. 'I loved helping with some of these projects.' Event planner Kenzie Bates professionally decorates houses in Utah Each property was adorned with their own white sign with pink letters and borders, attached to the white-picket fence, spelling out its corresponding theme. Included on the signs were the surnames of the families who owned the houses such as Owen, Shafer and Tucker in the style of the Mattel logo. The fuchsia decoration of the Barbie Dream House featured a vanity, sequined pedestals that served as bag and glasses displays, and a closet with pink outfits and heels enclosed by a clear door. The Mojo Dojo Ken house, owned by the Paladini family, featured horse statues and tapestry, brown gingham fabrics, a lasso, a hanging cow skull, a blow-up motorcycle and a paper cutout on the door that reads 'Kendom Salon' with a 'Wanted' sign. Weird Barbie's house had neon-colored 2D and 3D metal shapes attached on the white-picket fence and on the porch, a nod to the character's appearance in the movie. Barbie's Barn had pink and white wooded double doors, a skeleton with a handkerchief and cowboy hat, a pony sculpture, and hay patches. Disco Barbie's house had a DJ controller set-up on a pink table that read 'Barbie' in the front and fittingly had a disco ball hanging from the porch's ceiling Barbie's Barn had pink and white wooded double doors, a skeleton with a handkerchief and cowboy hat, a pony sculpture and hay patches The Barbie Graveyard house has a waving skeleton in a one-piece bathing suit with glasses, a blond wig and a pink feather boa inside a coffin Outside of the house are tombstones that read: 'Ruth Handler 1916-2022 THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE WORLD BARBIE,' and 'In loving memory of Barbie - Ideas last forever' The Haunted Barbie house has an upside down doll in the bush up front, lots of black fabric hanging from the top of the porch and even black mini-palm trees at the entrance The Barbie Graveyard house had a waving skeleton in a one-piece bathing suit with glasses, a blond wig and a pink feather boa inside a coffin. The sign above the house's entrance reads: 'Worst Day Ever.' Outside of the house are tombstones that read: 'Ruth Handler 1916-2022 THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE WORLD BARBIE,' 'In loving memory of Barbie - Ideas last forever' and 'Here lies Sugar Daddy Ken.' There is also a Pool Party Barbie that has dozens of inflatables for decoration such as lips, a unicorn and a skeleton placed on top of a pink slide. Beach Barbie's house features a hanging fish net, a flamingo graphic on a white flag, and wallpaper of a beach in front of the lounge seating. Disco Barbie's house had a DJ controller set-up on a pink table that read 'Barbie' in the front and fittingly had a disco ball hanging from the porch's ceiling. Kenzie's followers were in awe of all the pink paradises and took to the comments. One person wrote: 'I (unfortunately) want to go there.' Kenzie's followers were in awe of the pink paradises and took to the comments to express their joy Pictured is the Hi Barbie house which references the notorious moment in the movie when everyone greets Margot Robbie's character the same way Included on the signs were the surnames of the families who owned the houses such as Owen, Shafer and Tucker in the style of the Mattel logo Weird Barbie's house had neon-colored 2D and 3D metal shapes attached on the white-picket fence and on the porch, a nod to the character's appearance in the movie The Beach Barbie house features wallpaper with a beach on it, along with cozy pink gingham pillows The Beach Barbie house has two skeletons wearing boas sitting across from each other in front of a wallpaper of a beach The Pool Party Barbie house has a festive inflatable lips on the main fence along with plastic flamingos The Pool Party Barbie house had loads of hanging inflatables including a unicorn and beach balls. There's even a skeleton that has been placed on top of a pink slide The Classic Barbie porch features hanging pink lanterns, fuchsia chairs and decorated pillars There's even a 'Real World This Way' sign in the shape of an arrow, the same way that it appears in the movie when Barbie is entering the 'real world' 'I'M OBSESSED!! I wanna go see it,' another added. A third chimed in: 'Iconic!!' 'Stopppp this is amazing,' a fourth wrote. Kenzie isn't the only one who is drawn to create her own version of Barbieland. One Barbie-obsessed woman is selling her fuchsia seven-bedroom, four-bathroom downtown residence in Wisconsin for $1.1 million. Another Barbie enthusiast transformed her six-bedroom, seven-bathroom late Victorian farmhouse in East Sussex into a pink dream world that the iconic doll would surely approve of. A criminologist has revealed the simple everyday hack that could keep your family safe. Dannah Eve, originally from Chicago, took to TikTok to urge people to decide on a secret code word that all members of the family know. The mom-of-one, who boasts more than 645,000 followers on the video-sharing platform, said that there were 'truly so many benefits' to using the system. And dozens of other social media users were quick to heap on the praise over the advice. Dannah Eve, originally from Chicago, took to TikTok to urge people to decide on a secret code word that all members of the family know The mom-of-one, who boasts more than 645,000 followers on the video-sharing platform, said that there were 'truly so many benefits' to using the system In the clip, which has so far been viewed more than 33,000 times, Dannah speaks directly to camera to unveil the nifty trick. She begins: 'Here's a safety tip for all of my families out there. 'Have a code word that you can incorporate into day-to-day life. 'This is something that I had with my parents growing up. This is something that I use throughout my entire life and this is something that to this day we still use.' Elaborating further, Dannah explained: 'Now, this could be used in a dangerous situation or just in simple situations where your child wants you to be the one to say no to something. 'A few examples. If somebody is to pick your child up from school that's not you or your partner, give that individual this code word so that your child knows that that person is trusted by mommy and daddy. 'And make sure that they know, no matter how believable the story is, unless they use that code word, you are not to go with that individual.' The mom, who has a degree in criminology and psychology, continued: 'A code word is something that you could also use in a dangerous situation as well. And viewers were quick to flood the video with praise as one wrote: 'We've got one. Haven't had to use it but my son is comforted knowing it's there' 'Let's say a child is home alone and somebody enters that home, or somebody that they know even enters that home, and they don't feel safe, they can call their mom and dad and somehow work that code word into the conversation, and then the parent knows that something is not right.' Dannah said: 'Lastly, a code word saved me in so many situations with my friends growing up, specifically when I wanted to send a secret message to my parents so that they knew that they were the ones to say no and I didn't look like the bad guy. 'An example might be your child has a friend over and that friend is asking to sleep over. So then your child can come to you and use that code word in a normal conversation, so that you know that the answer should be no. 'Or let's say your child is at a party and things start to get out of hand and they no longer feel safe. They could pick up the phone and call you and in a casual conversation, slip in that word, and you know that you are to come get them.' The content creator, who also now runs her own fitness empire, concluded: 'There are truly so many benefits to having a family codeword.' In a follow-up video, the content creator, who also now runs her own fitness empire, shared a list of family code word examples And viewers were quick to flood the video with praise as one wrote: 'We've got one. Haven't had to use it but my son is comforted knowing it's there.' Another added: 'You give the best advice! Thank you.' And a third simply said: 'Great idea.' In a follow-up video, due to popular demand, Dannah shared a list of family code word examples. She said: 'When it comes to a family code word, this is definitely something that you don't want to overthink. 'Now this could be absolutely anything but in my own personal opinion, it is not something that should be too common or something that is used in your family every single day.' Sharing her ideas, Dannah revealed: 'This could be a sport that nobody in your family plays or it could be a food that nobody likes.' READ MORE: Meghan Markle bares her shoulders in an elegant white blazer as she and Prince Harry host World Mental Health Day event in New York FEMAIL takes a look at Meghan's best off-shoulder looks since 2018 The Duchess of Sussex oozed glamour in a white, clean-cut two piece as she attended a mental health summit in New York last night. Meghan, 42, sported a $987 white off-the-shoulder Altuzarra blazer with matching white wide-leg trousers and heels, while her husband, 39, donned a dapper navy suit. As the Duchess discussed the serious issue of the perils of social media and how it influences children, she looked state-like in the tailored outfit which showed off her angular shoulders. In public appearances since she met Prince Harry (including her wedding day which was watched by millions around the world), Meghan has opted for off-shoulder and boat-neck styles in both dresses and tops. In particular, she set tongues wagging during her first ever Trooping the Colour when her bespoke Carolina Herrera dress with a bardot neckline showed off both her shoulders and her arms, in a break from tradition in royal fashion - but fans went wild for the look nonetheless. As she attended a mental health panel discussion with Prince Harry in which the couple discussed the perils of social media and how it can harm young people's mental health, the Duchess of Sussex wore a $987 white off-the-shoulder Altuzarra blazer And since Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals and moved back to California, the Duchess appears to have leant into her signature style a little more - sporting off-shoulder looks with much lower necklines. As her style has evolved over the years, she has traded bardot and boat necklines for more casual, yet still chic, tube dresses, in an apparent break from conservative dressing one would associate with working members of the royal family. Here, FEMAIL takes a look at Meghan's best-off shoulder looks over the years, and how her style has changed since she moved back to the US... On the final evening of the Invictus Games, the Duchess of Sussex chose an 830 Cult Gaia accompany her husband Prince Harry at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany In a more casual but equally chic look, Meghan opted for a 188 black and white, tube style posse dress to attend a birthday dinner for her 42nd birthday at a rustic Italian bistro in Montecito In one of Meghan's most show-stopping looks ever, she stunned in a gold, shimmering tube dress costing 1,850 in April as she was honoured at the Women of Vision awards A lover of off-shoulder and monochrome, Meghan looked chic in a sleek black and white jumpsuit as she left trendy Italian restaurant Locanda Verde As she and Prince Harry were honoured at the Kennedy Ripple of Hope Awards in 2022, Meghan sported an elegant, white, off-shoulder gown, custom made by Louis Vuitton Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Invictus Games, which took place in The Hague in The Netherlands, Meghan donned a white 620 bodysuit from Khatie, paired with black trousers Shortly before marrying into the Royal Family, the Duchess of Sussex accompanied Prince Harry to Wales where they paid a visit to Cardiff Castle Attending her first Trooping the Colour in 2018, Meghan dared to bare her shoulders in a stunning bespoke Carolina Herrera dress with a bardot neckline and button detailing Meghan opted for a meaningful necklace for the summit in New York yesterday Meghan Markle made a sweet tribute to her son, Archie by wearing a necklace with his birthstone to and event in New York to mark World Mental Health day. The Archewell Foundation's Parents' Summit was the first ever in-person event for the foundation, which was named after Meghan and Prince Harry's son. Meghan's typically stylish $987 white off-the-shoulder Altuzarra blazer was the perfect piece to show off her new $4,100 Queen Emerald Cut Cuban Choker. The stunning 14 carat solid gold choker from the Los Angeles founded jewellery brand Logan Hollowell features a bezel set Colombian Emerald. Meghan loves meaningful accessories and the classic emerald stone is said to inspire healing and friendship, adding another dimension to the Duchess of Sussex's choice for the mental health summit. Meghan Markle (pictured) added a touch of glamour to her white ensemble at a World Mental Health Day summit in New York yesterday with a $4,100 Queen Emerald Cut Cuban Choker from Logan Hollowell Its not the first time Meghan has tributed her children with pieces from the LA-based brand. Back in 2021, the mother-of-two shared a sweet tribute to her two children with a necklace featuring their star sign constellations as she marked her 40th birthday. The Duchess wore a dainty silver necklace resembling the astrological signs of Tauras Archie, who was born in May 2018 and Lillibet, who is Gemini having been born in June 2021. She donned the $1,785 necklace in a clip posted on the Archewell website, where she chatted over video call to Hollywood actress Melissa McCarthy. In October last year, the Duchess also debuted an additional tribute necklace from the LA-based designer. The former actress was spotted shopping in Montecito wearing a chain that featured four-year-old Archies emerald gem birthstone. Unlike the piece Meghan wore yesterday, the Baby Queen Water Drop Emerald Solitaire Necklace featured a pear-shaped Zambian emerald. Costing $3,450, the Logan Hollowell piece was made of 14k gold with a golden solitaire halo. Meghan made a sweet tribute to her son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, as she donned his birthstone to the first-ever in-person event for the charity- Archewell Foundation- which took inspiration from the Prince's name The stunning 14 carat solid gold choker form the Los Angeles founded jewellery brand was fit with a bezel set Colombian Emerald center (pictured) For yesterday's event, Meghan opted to style her tresses into her trademark bun- a casual yet sophisticated up do. Elsewhere, Prince Harry looked dapper in a navy suit for the event- launched to home Harry and Meghan's charitable activities. The couple were all smiles as they arrived at the venue, however they appeared to get emotional once the event kicked off, with both seen looking incredibly sombre as the panel commenced - with parents who have 'suffered tragic loss connected to their child's social media use' taking to the stage to share their stories. They revealed during the event that they have been working behind the scenes with the parents for the past year in order to 'create a community of shared experiences', with Harry and Meghan taking to the stage later on in the event to thank all of the mothers and fathers who shared their stories. 'I can't start without thanking all of the parents, the mother and fathers that have been here today for being with us, physically here today, but also being on this journey for the last year, creating this community of shared experience,' Harry said in a video shared by The Hollywood Reporter. 'We know it's not easy for you guys to be here so thank you very much.' Meanwhile, Meghan admitted that she had been left in tears by some of the stories shared by the parents when they first met. 'A year ago when we met some of the families, not all of them, it was impossible to not be in tears as I'm sure so many of you have been today hearing these stories,' she said. Meghan, 42, was seen sporting a glamorous white strapless pant suit as she arrived at the Hudson Yards venue for the summit, which will see the couple discussing social media dangers 'You can hear these stories again and again and again, and it's still going to have the same emotional impact because it's just that devastating.' Meghan went on to share her fears for her own children, who are growing up in an age when social media plays such a large part in everyone's lives. 'As parents, though our kids are really young, they're two and a half and four and a half... but social media is not going away,' she continued. 'I think by design, there was an entry point that was supposed to be positive in creating community and something has devolved, and there's no way to hear that and not try to help these families have their stories be heard.' In a video shared by Huffington Post reporter Carly Ledbetter, Meghan went on to describe her role as a mother as the 'most important thing in her life... outside of being a wife' to Harry, before opening up about her concerns with regard to their kids Archie and Lilibet using social media. Taking to the stage at the event, Meghan admitted that she had been left in tears by some of the 'devastating' stories shared by the parents who took part in the summit 'Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life... outside of course being a wife to this one,' she said, when asked by Carson how much of a 'priority' social media safety is to her, as a mother of two young kids. 'But I will say, I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again, quite young, so this isn't in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened by how it's continuing to change. 'And this will be in front of us. As they say, "Being a parent, the days are long but the years are short." So it worries me, but I'm also given a lot of hope and a lot of energy by the progress we've made in the last year.' Another video taken inside the event, which was posted on Twitter, shows Meghan embracing several of the speakers after they walked off the stage after addressing the gathered crowd. Yesterday's event, which saw the couple joined by Today show host Carson and US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, marks their first joint appearance in New York since the notorious 'car chase' that they were caught up in back in May, after attending the Women of Vision awards. Meanwhile Harry thanked all of the mothers and fathers who offered to speak out about the losses that they have suffered For the occasion, the pair appeared to have taken rather stringent steps to ensure their safety - with a marked NYPD escort accompanying their SUV fleet to the event location at Hudson Yards. Questions still remain over Harry and Meghan's account of the car chase, which a statement from the couple's spokesperson described as being 'near catastrophic'. The spokesman said the couple, as well as Meghan's mom Doria Ragland, were the victims of a 'relentless pursuit lasting more than two hours' at the hands of 'highly aggressive paparazzi'. It has been suggested that they were trying not to be followed to where they were staying on the Upper East Side of the city. However, New York police subsequently told NBC that they did not believe the chase was 'near catastrophic', instead describing it as a 'bit of a chaotic scene'. Julian Phillips, deputy commissioner of public information in New York also revealed that the NYPD 'assisted' the couple's private security team. Meanwhile, New York Mayor Eric Adams expressed empathy - describing the actions of the paparazzi as 'reckless' and 'irresponsible' - but said he would find it 'hard to believe' there was a two-hour high speed chase. For the event, Harry and Meghan seemingly took every precaution, arriving at Hudson Yards in a fleet of blacked-out vehicles, which pulled directly into an underground garage, where they were quickly surrounded by several security guards. Read more: Protester pulls Israel flag down from Sheffield town hall hoists Palestinian symbol in its place in front of cheering crowd One of the UK's leading cosmetic brands has come under fire after an employee put up a poster that read 'Boycott Israel' in the window of one of its stores. The poster appeared in the Dublin branch of Lush Cosmetics following Hamas' Saturday attacks on Israel, which has sparked a strong retaliation from Israel - and a photo has quickly circulated on social media, with more than 1.9million people seeing it. The company, which has 951 stores in 52 countries and calls itself 'the overly friendly cosmetics shop' in its Twitter bio, is now facing a huge backlash, with some customers saying they'll no longer shop there. It is unclear who took the photograph showing the 'Boycott Israel' poster circled, which appeared on Twitter yesterday afternoon, but it's believed to have been taken this weekend at the Henry Street store in the Republic of Ireland's capital. A photo circulating on social media shows the poster in Lush, which is famous for its fizzy bath bombs and brightly coloured soaps, on Henry Street in Dublin, which reads 'Boycott Israel' @benonwine posted the photograph, writing: 'What the hell is this @Lushltd. This is disgusting can you please comment?' A spokesman for Lush, which is based in Poole, Dorset and was founded by six entrepreneurs in 1995, told MailOnline today that it wished 'peace and safety for all Israeli and Palestinian people'. However, many have responded negatively to the poster, saying: 'Simple! Not purchasing anything from them ever again. Another company going to the wall' Another added: 'This is appalling especially for a store thats not operating franchises, whatever your political views this sign should not be given the light of day in a shop window.' Others, supporting Palestine in the conflict, posted comments agreeing with the sign. The company clarified its stance on the Middle East conflict, saying it wanted 'peace and safety for all Israeli and Palestinian people' In a statement to MailOnline, Lush responded suggesting that the poster had been an isolated incident and clarified its stance, saying: 'We are a diverse company with staff of all ethnicities and religions whose personal views and opinions may vary, however, the following is our Company position. 'Lush deplores all violence and all injustice. Our wish is for peace and safety for all Israeli and Palestinian people. We support the upholding of international law and the human rights of all peoples.' The death toll in the unfolding Middle Eastern conflict has risen to more than 1,200 in Israel and 900 in Gaza. In June, the cosmetics chain was criticised over a campaign featuring an image of a craft similar to the ones used by cross-Channel people smugglers. Previous controversial campaigns have included supporting the Police Spies Out of Lives campaign in 2018 Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus vowed on Wednesday to raze every building to the ground in Gaza in revenge for Hamas' terror attacks at the weekend, saying it will become a 'tent city'. Cosmetics giant Lush is no stranger to controversy. In July, large bonuses were handed to its directors, including 71-year old CEO Mark Constantine who helped co-found the business in May 1995, and his wife Mo. Awards were also dished out to six top bosses, despite the firm's poor performance for the year ending June 30, 2022. The windfalls also came despite Lush receiving 5.1million in government support, including a reduction in business rates and furlough for staff during the pandemic. This summer, large bonuses were handed to the firms directors, including 71-year old chief executive Mark Constantine, pictured, despite Lush receiving 5.1million in government support, including a reduction in business rates and furlough for staff during the pandemic In 2021, the cosmetics firm announced it would shut down its Instagram and TikTok accounts until the platforms 'take action to provide safer environment for users'. It continues to have a YouTube and Twitter acccount. Pictured, stock image The month before, the brand was accused of encouraging human traffickers after unveiling an 'all refugees welcome' poster featuring a small boat. The poster, produced in partnership with Refugee Action, read 'wherever you're from, however you got here, all refugees are welcome' - despite ministers making it illegal to come to Britain in a small boat to claim asylum. All of the chain's 103 UK stores promoted the poster campaign, which saw a limited edition bath bomb released with 'welcome' embossed on the side. Proceeds went to Refugee Action, which has been battling the Government's Rwanda policy and helped ground last June's deportation flight. Andrew Butler, Lush Campaigns Manager, said: 'It is utterly shameful how certain politicians and pundits seek to scapegoat and blame people who are trying to escape war and conflict. 'Rather than focusing on why they are leaving their homes they instead focus on the way they try to reach a place of safety. 'The fact is, the only way refugees can claim asylum in the UK is if they first reach these shores, and the Government has closed off all safe routes to Britain for the vast majority of those seeking safety.' In 2018, the store was forced to drop a campaign about the so-called 'spy cops' scandal after critics said it amounted to an attack on the police. Lush was supporting the Police Spies Out of Lives campaign for women who were duped into relationships by undercover officers who infiltrated anti-capitalist and green protest groups over a 40-year period. In the window displays of Lushs 105 outlets, a split-face image of a police officer in uniform and undercover appeared under the headline Paid to Lie. Mock crime scene police tape also carried the phrase Police have crossed the line. Similar materials promoted the campaign on the Lush website. Lush said at the time that it hoped to bring attention to the issue of women being tricked into sexual relationships by undercover officers. But the chain eventually took the posters down. The company was founded in 1995 by the same six people that had previously been in business as now defunct mailorder business Cosmetics To Go: Rowena Bird, Helen Ambrosen, Mo Constantine, Mark Constantine, Liz Bennett and Paul Greeves. In 2021, the cosmetics firm shut down some of its social media channels, saying it wanted to 'take action to provide safer environment for users'. The company has continued operating its Twitter and Youtube pages, but has no presence on TikTok or Instagram. Lush previously attempted to shut down some of its social media channels in 2019 but found itself back 'despite the best intentions' due to its fear of missing out. The Princess of Wales declared she'd 'love to be a student again' as she reminisced about her university days during a visit to the East Midlands. Kate, 41, met students at Nottingham Trent University where she was discussing the importance of youth mental health today. Wearing a 110 cream knitted top from Sezane and a 135 matching skirt, paired with, the mother of three met with students and royal fans. In a video from Nottinghamshire Live, Kate is seen telling students that she 'loves challenging herself' in the fields of music, sport and art. She added that it's something she encourages her own children do to by 'trying out new things'. The princess continued: 'University, for me, was when I learnt to try out because there's so much on offer.' She then joked, 'I'd love to be a student again!' to which the room erupted into laughter. The Princess of Wales broke from her suited streak as she arrived at Nottingham Trent University this morning Kate told students about her love of sport, saying: 'I love to be outside'. In particular, she noted how she tried out hockey and tennis at St Andrews, where she met her future husband Prince William. She also said she developed her photography skills through joining clubs at the university. Kate took a break from the suits she has chosen on her recent public engagements and matched her outfit with camel pumps and elegant teardrop pearl earrings. To accessorise, she carried her 365 Mini Holly Bag from Tusting. Kate's solo visit to the university follows her joint engagement with Prince William in Birmingham yesterday, where the couple hosted a youth mental health forum with BBC Radio 1. As she walked into the student union past the grand white columns, the Princess turned out to look at the royal fans who had gathered to see her As she walked into a campus building at the East Midlands university, students lined up to take snaps of the royal Kate wore a 110 cream knitted top from Sezane and a 135 matching skirt As the Princess hears from students this morning about how the university supports them in maintaining sound mental health, her husband William will be touring an emergency response hub in Milton Keynes. He will hear how blue-light workers look after their mental health, given the difficult and traumatic events they witness. Nottingham Trent University works with its counterpart, the University of Nottingham, to support its students by taking a community-based approach to caring for their wellbeing. As part of her visit, Kate dropped into a Freshers Fair-style exhibition which has been set up to showcase how mental health of students is cared for. She is also learning about the university's peer-to-peer support system and is chatting to three students about how the mentoring programme works. Fashion Verdict By Laura Craik She's worn trouser suits for so many recent public appearances, it almost came as a shock to see the Princess of Wales in a skirt yesterday. Her 110 knitted jumper and 135 matching Naelle skirt looked as chic as her trouser suits but eminently more comfortable. Like the 2023 version of a 1950s twinset, the jumper and skirt 'co-ord' (co-ordinating set) showed Kate is abreast of trends: Knitwear is popular this season, particularly in cool, neutral shades. While knits can risk looking too casual for public duties, Kate's ribbed merino wool ensemble by French label Sezane was smartened up by a 365 Mini Holly handbag in co-ordinating beige by Buckinghamshire company Tusting, and 225 gold and pearl earrings by Simone Rocha. To this she added a pair of her favourite 650 Gianvito 105 heels from Gianvito Rossi, also in beige. The look exuded a quiet luxury very much in keeping with her new confident 'chief of the board' style. The Princess's all-cream knitted ensemble marked a change in the weather as the unseasonably warm October temperatures begin to drop Advertisement It wasn't long before the Princess got chatting to students on the campus, smiling as she joked and reminisced The Princess smiled as she chatted to a young woman who had queued up in chilly weather to meet her After enjoying a chat with the royal fan, Kate happily posed for a selfie The Princess waved to the huge crowds of royal fans who had gathered to meet her One of the royal fans had gifted the Princess a posy of flowers which contained pink and red buds as well as eucalyptus leaves The Princess took the hand of one of the well-wishers who had queued up outside the university to say hello People had their phones out to try and take a snap of the royal Kate's stunning bouquet of flowers contained deep pink roses and eucalyptus leaves The mother of three carried the flowers and her Tusting Mini Holly bag in one hand as she left the campus As she departed the university campus, the Princess of Wales shook hands with John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, who had accompanied her As she completed her tour of the university, Kate took part in a walkabout where she met pupils During her visit, Kate addressed a room of students and discussed her love of sport, which she had time to explore at university Princess Kate joked that she would love to be a student again as she chatted to other students about their mental health Speaking to the students, Princess Kate reminisced on her St Andrew's days The Princess of Wales was presented with sweet teddy bears in graduation gowns Princess Kate took part in a discussion with students, mentors and university workers The royal sat down for a table talk on how mental health can be protected through forming a strong support network and learnt about the university's tracking system to monitor how well students are engaging She also heard from other students about their own mental health Kate said: 'University, for me, was when I learnt to try out because there's so much on offer' The discussion is part of a busy morning of activities where the royal will learn how the universities support their students She kept her make-up simple for the occasion, choosing a nude lip, a touch of blusher and a sweep of eyeliner The Princess, who has a passion for working to improve mental health, listened intently as the students spoke to her about support they receive She beamed as she met with students who take part in peer-to-peer mentoring Students lined up to chat to the Princess about their mental health initiatives and the support they receive from their institutions During a chat with students in which she touched on her time at university, in a video from Nottinghamshire Live, Kate revealed how she 'loves challenging herself' in the fields of music, sport and art. She added it's something she encourages her own children do to, in 'trying out new things. The Princess said: 'University, for me, was when I learnt to try out because there's so much on offer.' She then joked: 'I'd love to be a student again!' to which the room erupted in laughter. Focusing in on the type of activity to which she has always been drawn, Kate noted her love of sport, telling students, 'I love to be outside'. What was Kate's life like at St Andrew's University? While visiting Nottingham Trent University today, the Princess of Wales reminisced over her own student days at St Andrews in Edinburgh. Speaking to students, she said: 'I'd love to be a student again!' The royal, 41, added: 'University, for me, was when I learnt to try out because there's so much on offer.' Focusing in on the type of activity to which she has always been drawn, Kate noted her love of sport, telling students, 'I love to be outside'. In particular, she noted how she tried out hockey and tennis at St Andrews, where she met her future husband Prince William - but also developed her love of taking photos in the photography club too. When she first enrolled at university to study History of Art, she frequently bumped into Prince William after first locking eyes in Freshers Week. To help bring in a little extra cash while she studied, hard-working Kate took on a part-time job as a waitress. During a broadcast of a Christmas TV special, A Berry Royal Christmas, the princess talked about her experience working in hospitality with the show's host Mary Berry. While the pair prepared drinks for the first non-alcoholic bar, Brink in Liverpool, she said: 'Reminds me of my university days when I did a bit of waitressing.' But when Mary asked whether Kate had been good at the job it provoked a very honest response: 'No, I was terrible!' As well as being active in several sports societies and having a part time job, Kate got involved with charity work during her time at university - with one particular event catching William's eye. In 2002, a then-20-year-old Kate took part in a fashion show held at the five-star Fairmont St Andrews Hotel and displayed a sheer black-and-gold silk dress with visible black underwear on the catwalk. After she and William began dating, Kate moved out of student halls and into a house with the royal and some other friends - but they didn't quite live the lifestyle of your average student. The couple's flat in Edinburgh had bomb proof doors, bulletproof windows and a high-tech laser security system. Kate was known for enjoying meals out during her student days, and is said to have frequented a curry house, Jahangir, with her then-boyfriend. The royal couple were also 'regular customers' at their local chippy, Anstruther Fish Bar. In her third year of university, Kate moved into Balgove House, on the private Strathtyrum Estate with Prince William - an impressive four-bedroom property owned by one of William's distant cousins. There, Kate and William hosted dinner parties for their friends - and even had a champagne fridge. Advertisement Never one to shy away from taking part in group activities, Princess Kate is also getting involved with the 'step in circle' - a workshop part of Nottingham Trent's induction programme for new students. The method is used as part of the university's Welcome Workshop. The aim is to improve the confidence of the new arrivals and to let them know about the support networks and tools they have available. Her Royal Highness will also learn about how Nottingham Trent University is using data derived from student behaviour to identify those who may not be thriving. Princess Kate was led into the student union by officials at the university As part of her visit the Princess of Wales visited a Freshers Fair-style exhibition on mental health Princess Kate was led through the student union at Nottingham Trent University by its president Anna O'Hara The Princess of Wales, 41, chose a knitted two-piece in a nude shade, paired with nude pumps and a clutch The university has created a 'dashboard' which uses learning analytics to measure a student's engagement with their course. When a student stops engaging, this can indicate issues with their wellbeing and prompts the University to proactively reach out to understand the student's reason for disengagement and help navigate them to appropriate support. The information is also given directly to the students to help them manage their own learning and is used for personalised support and tutorial discussions with staff. During a mental health forum for young people in Birmingham yesterday, the Princess of Wales delivered a rare, rousing speech about how they should become in touch with their emotions in order to be able to monitor their own wellbeing. The Princess looked a touch windswept as her thick brunette locks were moved by the gusts The Princess smiled as she arrived on the university's campus where she will speak to students Kate's arrival at Nottingham Trent University marks her second consecutive engagement focused on mental health Kate's knitted cream co-ord is from one of her favourite brands, French label Sezane The Princess of Wales broke from her suit streak to don the cream knitted two piece Her flattering ribbed jumper featured button detailing on the sleeves Kate wore her thick brunette locks tucked behind one ear and styled in loose curls In a touching gesture, the Princess opted to wear a pair of star earrings, which she had been gifted earlier this year by a woman who lost her 17-year-old daughter Issy Renton to suicide. After meeting Kate, Mrs Renton said: 'My daughter Issy took her own life. The proceeds from the earrings are going to a charity called Brave Minds, a mental health charity that supports children using the platforms of rugby clubs. Mental health is such an important issue. 'She was wonderful, Issy, a real breath of fresh air. She had wonderful, wonderful friends, surrounded herself with the best people. 'She was owning life, doing so well in her A levels, she was going to do an elite rugby programme, she payed touch rugby for England and got a gold medal in the summer. 'But she was also struggling with depression. Everything was harder than it was a supposed to be. We thought she was obviously doing better than she was.' Mrs Renton added that Kate told her she would wear the earrings in future. A Dubai resident has shared the real side to living in the city, but she has since been mocked by social media users. Russia-born Anna, 26, who moved to Dubai to pursue modest modelling, has been mocked online after her attempt to prove that not everyone who lives in the Emirate is super rich. Taking to TikTok, the advocate for modest fashion, who can be seen gazing out of a balcony to stunning views in previous posts, said that she wanted 'to be real' with her followers. Having lived in the Emirate for two years, Anna has tried to tackle the public perception of luxury living in Dubai by sharing her personal circumstances, such as 'sometimes' having to use the Metro and not owning a Cartier bracelet. Now, the 26-year-old is facing backlash for not realising her own privileges, with one branding her living conditions as 'normal life'. Russia-born Anna (pictured) has received backlash online after sharing several aspects of her life in Dubai At the start of the slideshow Anna wrote: 'I [have] live[d] in Dubai for two years, and I'm not shy to say that...' First, the model explained that she 'sometimes' has to use the Metro system to get around the city. Next, she wrote: 'I can't afford to eat in restaurants and coffee shops every day.' The third aspect of her life she was unafraid to share was: 'I don't use a Dyson for my hair.' After that, she added: 'I don't go to beauty salons, I do everything at home by myself. 'I don't have a Cartier bracelet,' the model added next. The sixth reason the model gave was 'I have to work to maintain a life in Dubai.' Next, she wrote: 'I'm not an aesthetics girl' before adding 'I don't drive yet'. The 'modest model' shared conditions such as having to do her own beauty treatments and 'sometimes' getting the metro To conclude, Anna wrote: 'But I'm happy too.' The clip, which has since amassed 1.2 million views, has attracted criticism from social media users. One wrote: 'Welcome to our normal life.' A second person questioned Anna's supposed lack of beauty treatments, saying: 'I don't go beauty salons but I did Botox.' A third wrote: 'l didn't know all these are a shame until today.' Another user added: 'She might as well join the marines for her bravery.' One wrote: 'I am [an] Emirati woman and I have to work as well. That's normal.' However, some users supported Anna's video. One said: 'Love this refreshing real life take.' Another added: 'Proud of you girl. You are a real one.' Viewers took to the comment section to share their thoughts on the video, and many called her circumstances 'normal' It comes after a woman caused a sensation online after sharing the eye-watering list of expensive presents she asked for a 'dowry' when her partner proposed. Linda Andrade, now 24, from Los Angeles, first met her husband, Ricky, a multimillionaire business owner, at the gym when she was just 19. Three years later, he asked for her hand in marriage. But before they tied the knot, Linda revealed she had certain financial requirements for her future hubby to fulfil. These included her own investment property, paying out $100,000 (78,000) as part of a 'dowry', seven diamond rings, and a custom designer dress for the big day. Her extensive list also covers monthly vacations for life and multiple housekeepers to tend to their home. Despite living a life of luxury now in Dubai with her husband, Linda insisted the connection the pair share is the most valuable part of their relationship. 'It was definitely love at first sight and we have been inseparable since the day we met,' she said. 'The gifts I requested were things I could see myself using for a lifetime.' The millionaire housewife admits that keeping on top of the latest trends can be 'draining'. But for the most part, she is pleased with her decision to marry someone willing to provide the millionaire stay-at-home lifestyle she desires. The man proved he was infertile at time of conception He had a threesome with his wife and another man A man has successfully disowned his twin daughters and proven himself 'sexually free' after his ex-wife was impregnated during a threesome. The New Zealand man won the court battle earlier this year but documents from the unusual case were only revealed by the Family Court this week. The court heard the former couple separated around two years ago but were only officially divorced three months ago. After their divorce, the man sought to remove his name from the twins' birth certificate. Their mother claimed he was trying to avoid any child support obligations while the man said he wanted to 'defend his honour'. They had previously adopted children together but the man had undergone a vasectomy some 12 years before the girls, who are now teenagers, were born. At the time of the twins' conception, the ex-couple were having regular threesomes with another man - believed to be the twins' biological father. A New Zealand man was granted a non-paternity order after arguing the true father of his twins was a second man he and his ex-wife had a threesome with (file picture) Their mother told the court their relationship with the second man was to help her get pregnant - which her ex-husband denied. 'Whether this was for pleasure or to conceive a child remains a point of disagreement but the fact is that the parties were in this arrangement at the time of conception,' Judge Traicee McKenzie said in her ruling, the NZ Herald reports. 'Once the parties separated, the relationships soured and this application was made.' Despite not believing he was the father, the twins took the ex-husband's surname and his name was listed on the birth certificate - which he sought to remove. Their mother insisted her ex-husband was involved in the twins' lives and took them on holidays, bought them presents with the girls calling him 'Dad'. READ MORE: Ugly moment parents clash in heated fight at under-nines rugby Advertisement In his 2020 will, the man included the twins as discretionary beneficiaries and called them 'my children'. However, the mother admitted he wasn't a 'hands-on' father. The man denied her claims and said he had only holidayed with the girls once and cut contact with them as soon as the pair were separated. Judge McKenzie found the twins also made no effort to seek a relationship with him. 'I must take into account his rigid, consistent and immoveable views from the date of separation that he rejected any form of relationship with the girls or that the girls were his own biological children,' she said. 'He has made it clear from the outset that he wants no relationship with them. '...There was no evidence in any detail of the nature of that relationship. No evidence of any expression of love or affection between them that would have been expected between a father and his daughter. 'They were children who lived in his house.' The man was granted a non-paternity order and his name was removed from the twins' birth certificates. The man argued he had no relationship with the twin girls, while his ex-wife said he was trying to get out of paying child support Following the ruling, the man told the Herald he had sought the order to 'defend his honour'. 'I am not a family man,' he said. He explained the couple had led an 'unconventional' home life with him living in a separate part of the home to his wife and the children since 2018. He added he didn't really participate in the threesome and mostly 'just watched' but was under the assumption his ex-wife and the other man were 'safe' and using birth control. 'I don't expect you or anyone to understand but I was happy with my life,' he said. 'I have no sexual prudence. I am sexually free.' READ MORE: Was Jada's AFFAIR with August Alsina the real reason for split? Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that she and husband Will Smith have secretly been separated for the last seven years - as she admitted that the pair, who tied the knot in 1997, are still trying to 'figure out' what the future of their marriage looks like. The 52-year-old shared the shock news about her relationship in a new interview with People - before also opening up about their situation in more detail in a sit-down with NBC News this morning. Speaking to Hoda Kotb on the Today show, Jada explained why her marriage to Will, 55, broke down, divulging: 'By the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be.' Referencing Jada's book, Hoda said that the actress described the separation as being like a 'divorce', despite the pair not filing any paperwork, saying that she wrote: 'It was not a divorce on paper. But it was a divorce.' In the interview Jada - who admitted in 2020 that she'd had an affair with singer August Alsina - said she considered a legal divorce but could never go through with it, candidly revealing that she made a 'promise' to her husband that she would never give him a 'reason' to get divorced. Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that she and husband Will Smith have been separated for the past seven years The 52-year-old shared the shock news about her marriage in a new interview with People - and shared more details in a sit-down with Today's Hoda Kotb Will, 55, and Jada (seen at the 2022 Academy Awards) were separated when the actor slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars after he made a joke about the actress's bald hairstyle 'I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce,' she continued. 'We will work through whatever. And I just haven't been able to break that promise.' 'But you still live separately?' Hoda probed, prompting Jada to confirm 'we live separately'. Speaking to People, Jada admitted the pair were in fact living separately when her husband slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022, when he strode onto the stage in a burst of fury over a joke that had been made about his wife's bald hairstyle. She noted that no permanent decisions have been made about the future of her marriage, explaining that she and Will are 'still figuring it out'. 'We've been doing some really heavy-duty work together,' she said. 'We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like.' Jada went on to praise her children - Jaden, 25, Willow, 22, and Trey, 30, who is Will's son from a previous relationship - for standing by her during this rocky time in her relationship. 'My children, they're little gurus. They've taught me a deep sense of self-acceptance,' she said. 'They love every part of me. The level of love, unconditional love that they have for me and their dad. 'And it's one thing to want to be the person that gives that unconditional love. And then there's, to be the recipient of that.' Jada (seen with Will in 2022 - six years after they separated) said she considered a legal divorce but could never go through with it Will stormed the stage at the 2022 Oscars to slap Chris, who had made a joke about Jada's hair - however she has now revealed that the pair were separated at the time Will and Jada's separation will come as a shock to many given they have denied the gossip about their marriage and kept up the appearance of a committed married couple. At the 94th Academy Awards, Will famously slapped comedian Chris when he joked that Jada looked like 'G.I. Jane' because of her bald head when she had recently revealed that was suffering from alopecia. Clearly enraged by the jab, the Fresh Prince star stormed the stage and proceeded to slap Chris for making the joke. The shocking assault occurred moments before he took home the Best Actor gong for his portrayal of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams's devoted father in the film King Richard. In a rambling acceptance speech, a sobbing Smith admitted that 'love makes you do crazy things' - but tellingly failed to apologize to Chris for his assault. In July 2020, Jada admitted she did have an affair with singer August, 31, while married to Will during a bombshell tell-all confessional. The actress first publicly revealed her affair when she sat down with her estranged husband for an intimate conversation on her Facebook show, Red Table Talk, where she said she developed a friendship with August four years prior, however insisted revealed she and Will were going through a 'difficult time' and had 'basically broken up'. At the time, Jada famously referred to the years-long affair with R&B singer as an 'entanglement' which now features as a reference in August's track 'Shake the World'. The shocking confessional came after both actors initially denied August's claims that Will gave him his blessing to have a relationship with Jada. Jada admitted she did have an affair with singer August Alsina in 2020 during a Red Table Talk The bombshell Today show interview comes amid Jada's ongoing publicity tour for her new book, which has seen her opening up about a number of difficult topics - including her battle with 'depression' and 'despair', which began when she turned 40. 'On paper,' it all looked grand - I had the beautiful family, the superstar husband, the lavish lifestyle, fame and fortune,' she writes in the book, according to an excerpt obtained by People. However, she says that, behind the scenes, 'I'd fallen into despair and wanted to be on this earth less and less.' Jada's marriage to Will came under blistering public scrutiny in 2020, when she interviewed him on her chat show Red Table Talk about an 'entanglement' she had four years earlier with a much younger man. The relationship gained even more notoriety last year when Will slapped Chris at the Oscars for making a bald joke about Jada that visibly offended her. 'I learned some really shocking developments that I was completely unaware of,' Hoda said of her interview with Jada Jada laughed as Hoda asked her about the 'shocking secret' in her marriage Jada was the product of a tempestuous childhood in Baltimore, scarred by her mother's heroin addiction and father's alcoholism. Against the backdrop of her turbulent home life, Jada grew to become a drug dealer by the time she befriended Tupac Shakur in high school. In her autobiography, she writes that she discovered during adulthood that she was suffering from 'complex trauma with PTSD and dissociation.' However, during her period of intense distress in the year of her 40th birthday, she had yet to receive an official diagnosis and was left struggling to get to grips with her trauma. The excerpt begins with her driving through Ojai, California heading to a meeting with a mysterious 'Medicine Woman' she hopes will alleviate her issues. 'Don't be afraid, I tell myself. You are in peaceful, beautiful Ojai. Why are you so scared?' she wrote. 'Because, I answer right back, what if THIS actually kills me?' Then, she added: 'Three months earlier, in the wake of my fortieth birthday, my biggest worry was Well, what if it DOESN'T?' Pulling back the veil of her glittering public persona, Jada recalled: 'For two decades, I had been putting on a good face, going with the flow, telling everyone I was okay. Yet underneath, bouts of depression and overwhelming hopelessness had smoldered until they turned into raging hellfire in my broken heart. 'Unwelcome feelings - of not deserving love - made it harder to understand the disconnect between the so-called perfect life I had achieved and the well of loss I carried with me. Therapy helped up to a point. It got me to 40! But to what end?' Her solace came from her children Jaden and Willow as well as Will's son Trey, 30, by his first wife Sheree Zampino - but even they were not enough. Jada and Will pictured at the Oscars in 2022 with their children Jaden and Willow, as well as Will's son Trey, 30, by his first wife Sheree Zampino Jada described her children as 'little gurus' who had taught her 'a deep sense of self-acceptance' Speaking of her children, Jada added that they 'love every part of me. The level of love, unconditional love that they have for me and their dad' 'I would later be diagnosed and informed that I suffer from complex trauma with PTSD and dissociation, but without this guidepost, I was a chronic mess with no fix, no possibility to heal,' Jada wrote in her book. 'Every morning, waking up was like walking the plank of doom - could I make it to four p.m.? If I could, I had survived the day.' She remembered: 'I always wanted to sleep, but I never slept well. My children could put a smile on my face and were my only motivation to keep me going, but more and more, I could feel myself losing my grip of connection to them.' Her ennui had descended on her despite her 'checking off boxes meant to define being enough to deserve 'having it all,'' but that had ultimately not had not delivered the gifts that had been promised.' She wrote that she had 'followed the rules...the rules we're told to follow. You work hard, make sacrifices for those you love. The rules tell you: Be a doting mother and a doting wife, do the work required, and life turns into paradise. NOPE. A loving relationship, harmony, peace...that happiness had yet to be delivered.' Jada acknowledged: 'On paper, it all looked grand - I had the beautiful family, the superstar husband, the lavish lifestyle, fame and fortune. I had my own career, the freedom and support to pursue creative outlets. 'The sweetest part was my kids - Jaden, Willow, and my bonus son, Trey - my three favorite people in the world.' A boy who wrote to Prince William to invite him to attend his school's mental health campaign launch was delighted to receive a personal reply from the royal. Freddie Hadley, a 12-year-old student at St Michael's CE High School in Rowley Regis, invited the future King to join him as a VIP guest at the launch of a mental health awareness campaign. But since Prince William was unable to attend, he posted a public response on X (formerly Twitter), which read: 'Good afternoon Freddie, Im so sorry Catherine and I cant be with you and the rest of the students at St Michaels today. Tackling mental health challenges and stigmas head on is so important, please keep up this important work. W.' The schoolboy's letter was posted on X by St Michaels mental health lead, Kerry Whitehouse, and it has garnered over 265,000 views. Freddie Hadley, a 12-year-old student at St Michael's CE High School in Rowley Regis, invited the future King to join him as a VIP guest at the launch of a mental health awareness campaign Prince William, who is a huge advocate for mental health, was quick to issue an apology for not attending the event Addressed to Prince William, the handwritten letter opened by saying: 'I am a representative of the Matrix Project, which was set up to shine a spotlight on male mental health. The group consists of boys aged 11-14 who meet weekly to develop ideas and projects. 'We are contacting you in the hope that you will support our campaign #AmIManlyEnough? which aims to tackle the stigma that "girls cry and boys get mad". 'Through our work, we discovered that suicide is the biggest killer in young males and this wont change until people start the conversation.' The letter continued: 'On Tuesday the 10th October 2023, as part of World Mental Health Day, we are hosting a soft launch of our campaign and would love you to join us as a VIP. 'The event which runs from 9.30-10.30am, will include a short presentation, a preview of our campaign video and more information about how you can get involved.' Prince William, who is a huge advocate for mental health, was quick to issue an apology for not attending the event. He and Kate were already committed to a royal engagement in Birmingham on World Mental Health Day. The couple hosted a forum for young people, called Exploring our Emotional Worlds, which focused on the importance of understanding emotions and building positive relationships. William and Kate were in Birmingham hosting a forum for young people, called Exploring our Emotional Worlds, which focused on the importance of understanding emotions and building positive relationships The event featured contributions from TV doctor, Alex George, BBC Radio 1 presenter, Katie Thistleton and the Founding Director of Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Marc Brackett PhD. During the outing, Their Royal Highnesses joined young people as they participated in a series of workshops being run in partnership with The Mix, a leading youth mental health charity. In a rare public speech, the Princess spoke of how 'deeply' she and William cared about the cause. In 2016, the couple launched Heads Together, a campaign that helped break the stigma around mental health, and encouraged more people to have everyday conversations about it. Kate, who was personally keen to speak at the event, told her audience: 'Alongside the efforts of many others, we have seen real change. Today, more people feel empowered to talk about their mental health than ever before. This is a major step forward. 'William and I continue to be inspired to see young people, like you all here today, leading this charge - being particularly brave in having some of those conversations yourselves. 'As a generation, you value and talk more about your mental health than any before you - something we truly admire and applaud. 'It is important, however, to remind ourselves of the big picture as we meet here today. What are we trying to improve by focusing our efforts on mental health? Ultimately, we are working to build a happier, healthier world. 'We want to shape fairer, safer, kinder, more equal societies - societies that seek the common good and a better future together. 'For just as we need to restore, protect, and invest in our planet, so we must also restore, protect, and invest in the communities, relationships and people living on it.' One of Britain's most tattooed women has revealed she's hoping to become a mother for the eighth time. Melissa Sloan, 46, from Powys, has previously revealed that she can't find work because employers are put off by the fact that her face is completely concealed by inkings. In an interview with the Daily Star, the mother-of-seven who has more than 800 inkings admitted: 'I'm not proud of saying it, but I haven't worked for 20 years'. But while she can't find a job, she is keen to try for an eighth child with her partner Luke to complete her already huge family. Melissa said: 'I'm trying for another baby. I told the nurse this the other day and she was shocked, her eyes popped out!' Melissa Sloan, 46, from Powys, Wales revealed that she can't find work because employers are put off from the fact that her face is completely concealed She admitted, that prior to deciding to get pregnant again, she didn't have sex for three years. However, it's now back on the agenda because her children kept pestering her for another sibling. A pregnancy at 46 would involve health risks, but Melissa is optimistic that she wont' experience complications. Melissa, who got her first tattoo in her 20s, acknowledged that her newborn won't ever see her real face, which is fully tattooed. And it's easy to see why employers aren't too keen - she even has an inking of the infamous Kray twins who terrorised the East End of London. However, the tattoo fanatic has ambitious dreams - to prove people wrong and become a solicitor. Tattoo fanatic Melissa has ambitious dreams - to prove people wrong and become a solicitor She spoke about the motivation behind her extensive body art, and it's more harrowing than many people would expect. Melissa explained that her tattoos are her way of covering the 'emotional scars' of horrendous sexual abuse from her paedophile brother. Melissa previously revealed she uses tattoos as therapy to cope with years harrowing sex abuse at the hands of her half-brother. 'My tattoos help me cover the emotional scars that Gavin left behind', Melissa said. 'They're my mask and I hide from the world behind them. But now that he is finally in jail, I can begin to feel free'. Last year, Gavin Sloan was finally jailed for a string of sickening rapes and sexual assaults against other children. Parenting website Nameberry analyzed statistics from the last few decades The most popular baby names of the future have been revealed after a team of experts share their predictions for the monikers that will be most widely used in 2050. Pamela Redmond, who is CEO of parenting website Nameberry, explained how analyzing statistics from the last few decades has given a hint about what is to come. The next generations will likely be bestowed with names including Cosima, Dot and Albie. But will your favorite monikers still be popular in the future? The most popular baby names of the future have been revealed as experts make their predictions for 2050 (stock image) Nameberry, which is the 'largest baby name site in the world,' is home to a database over more than 70,000 names. In order to create the 2050 prediction list, the US-based site examined thousands of monikers to identify which had been given to fewer than 25 babies in 2020. Pamela, 70, told Today: 'One guiding principle is that the next generation will choose baby names their parents didn't.' And so, from that shortlist, the brand then picked out the names that provided a futuristic take to both the classic and popular themed names. The outcome was two compelling lists of naming predictions for both boys and girls. They showed that the top five boys' names for 2050 will likely be Albie, Barney, Clement, Cyprian and Elim. For girls, it seems destined that Cosima, Dot, Iceland, Maude and Mavi will all come out on top. Pamela elaborated further on some the top names in a recent article for the publication. Pamela Redmond, who is CEO of parenting website Nameberry, explained how analyzing statistics from the last few decades has given a hint about what is to come The most popular baby names of the future FOR GIRLS Cosima Dot Iceland Louie Maude Mavi Morgana Pax Riviera Snow Vega Wanda Willoughby Zita Eleri Franklin Ione Lunarose Pandora Pixie Prairie Vita Willoughby Xoe FOR BOYS Albie Barney Clement Cyprian Elim Elysian Florian Hale Helix Hermes Isidore Ivo Jupiter Kanoa Merit Ned Oakes Oxford Rasmus Ridger Roark Tennessee Vision Wilbur Advertisement Addressing some of the more unusual monikers for girls, she said of Franklin: 'James broke the gender barrier with this generation, the Presidential Franklin will do it next. And it's got that cute nickname Frankie.' She also mentioned Lunarose because 'the Brits love combo names and we love the names the Brits love.' Prairie was described as 'next gen cottagecore' and Willoughby made it onto the list because it is a 'gender-neutral surname that includes a subtle nod to nature.' Turning her attention to the boys, the expert said that Florian was a 'flowery choice' that 'continues the trend toward softer names for boys.' She said that Kanoa was a 'Hawaiian name with a laid-back beachy vibe, taking current favorites such as Kai and Kehlani several steps further.' Pamela also believes that 'celestial names are rising in popularity and Jupiter could become more important for boys and girls too.' The expert has three adult children of her own - who she named them Joe, Owen and Rory (left) - and her seven-year-old granddaughter (right) has the unique moniker of Plum The expert has three adult children of her own - who she named them Joe, Owen and Rory - and her seven-year-old granddaughter has the unique moniker of Plum. Nameberry's mission statement is: 'Find your type: Discover your major name type, create your unique naming profile and get thousands of names chosen personally for you.' And, if 2050 currently seems too far away, the baby-name trends for 2024 are already futuristic-sounding enough. For next year, the company predicts that there will be an increase in the trends of 'girl names for boys,' 'feminine feminist names,' 'atmospheric names,' 'natural glamour names' and even 'main character energy names.' Some of the top examples in those categories include Io, Honey, Ice, Lyra and Nami. Beauty lovers will be rushing to Aldi to get their hands on a popular beauty buy that is a budget dupe of Mecca's iconic Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. The $72 Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream has become a cult favourite among Mecca shoppers as it smooths and tightens the skin to lessen the appearance of cellulite. However, many were delighted last year with Aldi launched the Lacura Summer Touch Booty Balm, its own version of the body cream without the high price tag - and it's about to hit shelves again. On Wednesday October 25, the $9.99 Booty Balm will be available as part of the Summer Loving Special Buys which also includes a range of Lacura creams, body washes and haircare. The Booty Balm, which has been available in other Aldi stores internationally, has guarana extract and coconut oil for firming and conditioning the skin and a tropical scent. Aldi Australia is re-releasing it's popular dupe of Mecca's cult favourite $72 Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. The Lacura Summer Touch Booty Balm is $9.99 and will be available on October 25 Also part of ALDI's summer beauty range is the $9.99 Body Cream as well as the Lacura Summer Touch Glow Oil and lip balm for $8.99 each 'Ummm has everyone seen the Sol de Janeiro dupe at Aldi next week?? Glow Oil and Booty Balm come at me!' one woman wrote in a post to the YouBeauty Facebook group. Members were quick to share their excitement over the dupe with many wanting to see if the booty balm was as good as Sol de Janeiro's. 'Oooh I hope it smells the same!,' one woman said while another said: 'OMG finally in Oz!'. 'Shhhh. Let's not miss out,' joked a third. One shopper said they were dying to try the Aldi cream as they don't like the scent of the pricey Bum Bum Cream. Returning products in the summer beauty line include the $9.99 Body Cream as well as the Lacura Summer Touch Glow Oil and lip balm for $8.99 each. Newcomers to the range this year is the Lacura Summer Touch Hand Cream or Foot Cream for $6.99 each and the shampoo, conditioner and shower gel all priced at $7.99. EXCL: Medics defended the violence as 'Palestine's' right to fight occupation' Multiple British medics are excusing and even celebrating brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists in Israel, MailOnline can reveal today. Charities are demanding NHS medics who get caught spouting 'repugnant' and 'sickening' comments be suspended immediately, saying such extreme views 'fly in the face of the oaths that they have taken'. Their calls come after this website exposed a string of abhorrent posts by one medic on X, formerly known as Twitter. Dr Mennah Elwan mocked terrified festivalgoers fleeing Hamas gunmen, posting 'if it was your home, you would stay and fight' alongside horrifying footage of Palestinian terrorists opening fire on civilians. The neurology registrar also shockingly claimed 'there are no civilians in Israel' in the wake of bloody attacks. But MailOnline can now reveal the names of two other medics who publicly shared similar views. Dr Siema Iqbal, a GP partner at the Wellfield Medical Centre in Manchester, posted that Palestine 'has every right to fight against the occupation' In a post on X, Dr Iqbal excused the actions 'under International Law' A separate post shared on Facebook by Dr Iqbal described the terrorists who carried out the attacks over the weekend as 'Palestinian resistance fighters' As Israel reeled from a series of surprise attacks that killed hundreds of civilians, GP Dr Siema Iqbal wrote: 'Palestine, under International Law, has every right to fight against the occupation. End of. Nothing more to discuss.' And a separate post she shared on Facebook described those who carried out the bloody attacks over the weekend as a 'Palestinian resistance fighters'. Dr Iqbal, a GP partner at the Wellfield Medical Centre in Manchester, was contacted for comment. The Wellfield Medical Centre, which holds an NHS contract, declined to respond about her posts. It is not, however, the first time Dr Iqbal has been criticised for social media posts about Israel. The Jewish Chronicle also reported back in 2017 that she has previously called for the relocation of Israeli citizens to the US as a solution to the conflict in the region. It was also highlighted that Dr Iqbal retweeted a post that accused Israel of 'shopping around for cheaper bombs' with a message reading: 'When a people who survived a genocide use it as an excuse to commit genocide', against a backdrop of a Star of David splattered with blood. Charity Citizens UK, which was associated with Dr Iqbal at the time, said: 'It has since come to light that, in 2014, during an upsurge in violence between Israel and Gaza, Dr Iqbal retweeted anti-Semitic tweets. Citizens UK wholeheartedly condemns these tweets. 'We can readily see how this has caused offence and apologise for any hurt that has been caused, particularly to the Jewish community with whom Citizens UK has a long-established working relationship, just as we do with the UKs Muslim and Christian communities.' Another medic, Dr Clarissa Hemmingsen, also defended the bloody attacks that saw more than 100 people kidnapped by Hamas. Dr Clarissa Hemmingsen, who works on the Isle of Man, also defended this weekend's bloody attacks Dr Hemmingsen, who studied at the University of Manchester, said medics should reconsider if they belong in a caring profession if they can 'justify acts of colonialism' The medic also shockingly liked a post that proclaimed the parachute emoji to be a new 'Palestinian resistance' in reference to how Hamas used paragliders to infiltrate southern communities in Israel She wrote: 'Those on Med [medical] Twitter who find themselves able to justify acts of colonialism, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, imprisonment of children, and the routine carpet bombing of hospitals should really consider whether they belong in a caring profession.' Her comment came in response to a Jewish doctor who called out medics who 'find themselves able to justify acts of terrorism' if they belong in a caring profession. Dr Hemmingsen, who originally studied medicine at the University of Manchester but is now thought to work on the Isle of Man, also liked a post on October 7 - the day of the bloody Hamas attacks - that declared the new 'Palestinian resistance emoji' as the parachute. This emoji references how some Hamas gunmen entered Israel using paragliders to circumvent border security forces and attack unarmed civilians Dr Hemmingsen declined to comment. The Isle of Man Government, which is in charge of the health services provided there, was also contacted for comment. Charity group the Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for doctors who share these views to be suspended and investigated by the medical regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC). Under the toughest GMC sanctions available they could be struck off from the register. A spokesperson said: 'The NHS has a responsibility to ensure its patients, who are among the most vulnerable in society, feel safe. 'How can a Jewish person entrust their care to NHS doctors, nurses and other frontline medical workers who espouse repugnant views such as these? Dr Mennah Elwan in her British Medical Association kit during NHS industrial action organised by the union last week Dr Elwan, a neurology registrar, mocked Israeli festivalgoers fleeing the Hamas massacre 'It flies in the face of the oaths that they have taken, and it should go without saying that anyone who expresses such language must immediately be suspended by the NHS and be investigated.' The GMC said their standards apply to posts made by medics on social media. Standards state medics should 'make sure that your conduct justifies your patients trust in you and the publics trust in the profession'. It comes as a Tory source said Dr Elwan should face 'immediate disciplinary action' for her 'sickening' comments. Dr Elwan's NHS employer, the Walton Centre a major neurology site in Liverpool said it did not 'support any behaviour that marginalises an individual or community'. In response to footage of revellers running for their lives from the barbaric attack, Dr Elwan mocked those fleeing. Reposting a clip of people attempting to dash to safety at the Supernova Festival, which took place close to the Gaza Strip, she wrote: 'If it was your home, you would stay and fight. You wouldn't just run away.' Egyptian-trained Dr Elwan then closed off her statement with a smiley emoji. People can be heard screaming as shots are fired while police are seen trying to help people evacuate. Dr Elwan also advocated for the removal of Israeli people from the country as an apparent solution to the long-running conflict In another post, Dr Elwan even shockingly claimed that 'there are no civilians in Israel' A fireball erupts from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Monday Palestinian survivors stand amid the debris following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi Mosque in Gaza City Other footage from the incident has since shown gunmen executing civilians as they lay in the sand before rifling through their pockets. Israeli authorities have asked distraught relatives of those missing to bring personal items such as combs and toothbrushes so investigators can attempt to match their DNA to bodies. The massacre was one just one of many bloody attacks launched by Hamas after the group infiltrated communities in Israel's south. One of those captured at the music festival was 30-year-old German tattoo artist Shani Louk. Her lifeless, half-naked body was paraded on the back of a Hamas pick-up truck as terrorists sat on top of her, spat on her and jeered following the violent incursion. In another post, Dr Elwan also appeared to support the wave of horrific violence towards Israeli civilians and tourists over the weekend. She wrote: 'Israel kills Palestinians everyday, didn't see anyone caring', again ending the statement with a smiley face emoji. Dr Elwan went on to add: 'Also, there are no civilians in Israel.' In another post, a reply to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressing his support Israel, she said the UK should simply take the Israeli population away from Palestine. 'Just take all the Israelis to the UK from terrorist Palestine a win for everyone, no?' she wrote. MailOnline approached Dr Elwan about her posts but she made her profile private after this website reached out to her. The comments by British medics excusing the attacks aren't the only ones to spark outrage in the UK. MailOnline has revealed that a pro-Palestine activist who called Hamas terror attacks against Israel 'inspiring' and 'beautiful' is an elected Women Students' officer at the University of Sussex students' union. Hamas militants abducted up to 150 people, including women and children, from Israeli territory and dragged them back in Gaza amid their ruthless slaughter Mourners weep during the funeral of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip Hanin Barghouti was seen addressing a crowd in Brighton during a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign a day after terrorists began murdering and kidnapping Israeli civilians. Describing herself as a Palestinian, Ms Barghouti said: 'Yesterday was a victory. 'For freedom fighters to break out of a 15-year blockade so successfully under the inhuman genocide of Israel was so beautiful and inspiring to see. 'It shows the world we will always fight and always resist and we need to celebrate these acts of resistance because this was a success.' She added: 'Revolutionary violence initiated by Palestinians is not terrorism it is self-defence.' Her words were greeted by applause and several cheers. Today a University of Sussex spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We have received a complaint about a Sussex student expressing views on the recent attacks by Hamas in Israel. 'The University is currently seeking to establish the facts, and, if necessary, will take action in line with our policies and the law.' Police on Monday arrested three people following pro-Palestine protests held near Israel's embassy in Kensington, west London. Of those arrested, one was taken in for assault on an emergency worker. Pro-Palestinian and Israeli supporters also clashed at High Street Kensington station as police officers attempted to separate both groups. Fireworks were launched by protesters some towards the boarded-up Israeli embassy. In stark contrast to the heated protests, mourners gathered outside Downing Street to hold a vigil for the victims and hostages taken by Hamas. Mr Sunak also visited a London synagogue to show his support for Israel. The PM condemned Hamas in a joint statement with his French, German, US and Italian counterparts. Some speakers also held a rally outside the Labour party conference defending the terrorists' incursion into Israel. Banners from the Liverpool Friends of Palestine, which is not affiliated to the Labour Party, were held by demonstrators. In fiery scenes, one Labour member took on around 100 of the protesters, telling them they were apologists for murder and should be ashamed of themselves. They responded by booing, chanting 'racist Israel' and demanding he be removed by police which officers refused to do. Security is currently being ramped up across the UK amid fears spiralling violence in the Middle East will fuel a rise in anti-Semitic hate crime. Police patrols have been increased in London. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has called for police to 'use the full force of the law' against displays of support for Hamas, which is a proscribed terror group. Israel has started a series of retaliatory strikes on the Gaza strip, with leaders ordering a 'complete siege', cutting off food and electricity to its residents. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to obliterate Hamas as he metered out revenge for the deadly surprise attacks over the weekend. Netanyahu, who first came to power in Israel in 1996 and has served three separate terms, compared Hamas to the Islamic State group and said Israel planned to deploy 'unprecedented force' that would 'reverberate for generations'. Thousands of Hamas targets have already been wiped out in brutal aerial bombing campaigns, Israeli defence officials have claimed. However, harrowing clips circulating social media showed how rockets and bombs also obliterated Palestinian residential blocks, killing civilians. Military spokesman Richard Hecht claimed security forces had 'more or less restored control over the border' with Gaza. The four-day war has already claimed at least 1,200 lives. Israel saw gun battles in the streets of its own towns for the first time in decades and neighbourhoods in Gaza were reduced to rubble. In a response to the savage aerial bombardment of Gaza, Hamas warned it would begin executing Israeli civilian captives. 'Every targeting of our people without warning will be met with the execution of one of the civilian hostages,' Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement. Hamas militants abducted up to 150 people, including women and children, from Israeli territory and dragged them back in Gaza amid their ruthless slaughter. 'We have decided to put an end to this and as of now, we declare that any targeting of our people in their homes without prior warning will be regrettably faced with the execution of one the hostages of civilians we are holding,' Abu Obaida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, later added in a recording released to Al Jazeera. The surprise weekend attack by Hamas left a death toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria, fomenting calls for Israel to crush Hamas no matter the cost, rather than continuing to try to bottle it up in Gaza. Israel is run by its most hard-right government ever, dominated by ministers who adamantly reject Palestinian statehood. Hamas, in turn, says it is ready for a long battle to end an Israeli occupation that it says is no longer tolerable. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli control and increasing settler depredations in the West Bank, the blockade in Gaza and what they see as the world's apathy. An intensive care nurse who said her cancer was misdiagnosed as long Covid despite never testing positive for the virus has died. Brogan Williams, from Wolverhampton, was in remission from breast cancer when she began suffering chest pains in July 2021. But after seeking help at A&E, medics dismissed the 35-year-old's symptoms as just knock-on effects of the pandemic virus. Just 10 days later the mother-of-one was informed that her cancer had returned and spread to her lungs. Ms Williams was told she would need palliative care and was given a life expectancy of just two weeks. Her family announced her death on Instagram on October 9. Family and celebrities have paid tribute to the 'beautiful' and 'brave' Ms Williams. Tributes have been paid to 'beautiful' Brogan Williams from Pendeford in Wolverhampton who passed away on this week after a two-year battle with the disease. The mother-of-one was in remission from breast cancer when she attended A&E with chest pains in July 2021. But hospital medics dismissed her symptoms as long Covid. However, just 10 days later the 35-year-old was informed her cancer had returned. Pictured, Brogan with her daughter Freya Ms Williams was told she'd need palliative care and was given a life expectancy of just two weeks. In an Instagram post yesterday, her family said she had passed away on October 9. Pictured, Brogan with her husband Gareth and daughter Freya Ms Williams was first diagnosed with cancer five years ago. In December 2018, her husband spotted that her nipple was inverted a tell-tale sign of cancer. However, the pair were trying for a baby and thought it may be a sign of pregnancy. When her period came, she booked an appointment with her GP to check her breast. Two weeks later, in January 2019, she was diagnosed with stage 3 grade 3 HER2 positive invasive breast cancer. Pictured, Brogan with her daughter Freya and husband Gareth They wrote: 'For many of you, you may have noticed Brogan's absence on her social media accounts. 'This is the news that none of us wanted and weren't ready to deliver. On Monday 9 October, our beautiful Brogan drifted into a peaceful sleep. 'There's not a lot of words we have left to say but we know Brogan's journey has impacted many people's lives through her continuous strength and determination to embrace life and "roll with the punches".' They added: 'As a lasting memory, we will leave you with some words of her own; "Never stop anything getting in your way, reach for the stars and smile whilst doing it".' In a tribute shared on Instagram, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner Giovanna Fletcher said the news had 'hit hard'. The author and podcaster joined Ms Williams on a 100km Hadrian's Wall Country trek in aid of breast cancer charity CoppaFeel earlier this year. She wrote: 'Walking with Brogan in June was extremely special. 'She had me cackling with her humour and nodding along with her wise words about life and the people we let into our hearts. 'Sending so much love to Gareth and Freya her love for you was palpable. 'Brogan your wit, cheekiness and heart was a huge part of what brought your team together in June. 'Thinking of you today and wishing we could be back walking along that never ending beach to Holy island!' Meanwhile, Great British Bake Off contestant Candice Brown said: 'I am heartbroken darling girl. The strength you showed me was like nothing I'd seen before. 'Thank you for sharing your warmth, grace and bravery. Fly high beautiful Brogan.' Ms Williams was first diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. In December 2018, her husband spotted that her nipple was inverted a tell-tale sign of cancer. However, the pair were trying for a baby and thought it may be a sign of pregnancy. When her period came, she booked an appointment with her GP to check her breast. Two weeks later, in January 2019, she was diagnosed with stage 3 grade 3 HER2 positive invasive breast cancer. Stage 3 means that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes close to the breast, to the skin of the breast or to the chest wall, while grade 3 means the cancer cells look abnormal and may grow or spread more aggressively. Yesterday, her family wrote on Instagram: 'For many of you, you may have noticed Brogan's absence on her social media accounts. 'This is the news that none of us wanted and weren't ready to deliver. On Monday 9 October, our beautiful Brogan drifted into a peaceful sleep. 'There's not a lot of words we have left to say but we know Brogan's journey has impacted many people's lives through her continuous strength and determination to embrace life and 'roll with the punches.' Pictured, Brogan with her daughter Freya and husband Gareth They added: 'As a lasting memory, we will leave you with some words of her own; "Never stop anything getting in your way, reach for the stars and smile whilst doing it".' Pictured, Brogan with her daughter Freya In a tribute shared on Instagram, I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! winner Giovanna Fletcher said the news had 'hit hard'. The author and podcaster, joined Brogan on a 100km Hadrian's Wall Country trek in aid of CoppaFeel earlier this year. She wrote: 'Walking with Brogan in June was extremely special. She had me cackling with her humour and nodding along with her wise words about life and the people we let into our hearts. 'Sending so much love to Gareth and Freya - her love for you was palpable. 'Brogan - your wit, cheekiness and heart was a huge part of what brought your team together in June. 'Thinking of you today and wishing we could be back walking along that never ending beach to Holy island!' During the 100km walk in aid of CoppaFeel in June, Brogan Williams shared a photo on her Instagram pictured with Giovanna Fletcher. Following her second diagnosis in 2021, she worked to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer. She also began writing letters to her daughter, Freya, to read at pivotal moments in her life HER2 positive breast cancers have higher levels of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 which helps it grow faster. Ms Williams underwent multiple rounds of chemo, radiotherapy and mastectomies surgery to remove both breasts. By October 2020, she was in remission meaning tests showed all signs of cancer had gone. She started suffering back pain and shortness of breath around the same time but was unable to make a face-to-face appointment due to the pandemic. However, her GP and oncologist told her she was 'too young' for her cancer to come back, she claimed. In February 2021, she had an MRI of her spine, which came back clear. On July 18 2021, she attended A&E with chest pains after feeling like she had been 'punched' in the back when climbing stairs. Hospital medics dismissed her symptoms as 'Covid lung' damage to the organs due to a Covid infection and told her to go home and rest. This is despite her never having tested positive for the virus. Not everyone who gets Covid will develop symptoms. She returned to the emergency department again on July 27, where she was told that a CT scan from earlier that month showed her cancer has spread to her lungs known as metastatic breast cancer. Medics told her that she would be offered palliative care. Every year since records began, more men than women have been diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK. Between 2016 and 2018 there were an average 25,404 new cases each year in men and 23,396 in women 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 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 Following her second diagnosis in 2021, she worked to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer. She also began writing letters to her daughter, Freya, to read at pivotal moments in her life. Ms Williams previously said: 'I'm writing letters for her which people may see as a sign of giving up but it's me taking control. 'I always want her to know exactly what I'd say to her in certain situations like her first period or the first time she meets a boy and gets those butterflies.' She credited her family including husband Gareth and mother Lorraine for giving her the strength to keep going. She said: 'I am so lucky, I feel like I've won the lottery with the family I've got.' Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with around one in seven women diagnosed in their lifetime. Around 56,000 people are diagnosed in the UK each year and 298,000 in the US. Symptoms include a change in the size or shape of the breasts, discharge from either nipples, a lump or swelling in both armpits and a change in the appearance of the nipple. A combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are usually recommended for treatment. Most hip replacements are carried out in private rather than NHS hospitals, data suggests. Figures from the National Joint Registry show around 40,000 hip replacements were performed on NHS sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2022, while around 50,000 completed were at private clinics. However, the vast majority were still funded by the health service, with only 25,000 of the procedures paid for by patients themselves or through private insurance. NHS England said it is making use of capacity in the independent sector to treat 'as many patients as possible'. But experts warned using private hospital is only a 'short-term solution' and doesn't provide enough capacity to bring down the record 7.7million backlog. Figures from the National Joint Registry show around 40,000 hip replacements were performed on NHS sites (purple bars) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2022, while around 50,000 completed were at private clinics (blue, orange and green bars) The National Joint Registry annual report is based on almost 1.5million hip replacements performed by more than 4,000 surgeons in almost 500 units The National Joint Registry annual report is based on almost 1.5million hip replacements performed by more than 4,000 surgeons in almost 500 units. The registry covers England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Guernsey. Its latest report found that NHS-funded operations in NHS facilities peaked in 2014. The document states: 'They stayed level until Covid but have now dropped back to lower than 2007 levels. 'The independent sector provision has increased hugely over this period, particularly in the last couple of years of Covid recovery, and there are now more hip replacements performed in the independent sector than in the NHS. How is a hip replacement performed? Hip replacements are performed under general or spinal anaesthetic or under spinal anaesthetic meaning patients are asleep or have no feeling from the waist down during the op. Once anaesthetised, a surgeon will make a cut of up to 30cm over the side of the hip. The upper part of the thigh bone (femur) is removed and the socket for the head of the femur is hollowed out. A short, angled metal shaft with a smooth ball on its upper end is placed into the hollow of the femur. It is pressed into place or fixed with bone 'cement'. The operation takes up to 2 hours. Advertisement 'Despite the cost-of-living crisis the number of hip replacements paid for privately has almost doubled since 2019.' The story was first reported by the Health Service Journal. Tim Mitchell, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: 'Waiting lists are at an all-time high and timely access to surgery is key to levelling up the nation's health. 'Although the NHS should continue to have the ability to use the independent sector to provide additional elective capacity, this is only a short-term solution and does not offer sufficient capacity to address the backlog. 'The Government needs to continue investing in additional NHS surgical capacity. 'This will enable the service to cope with any future pandemic as well as regular seasonal pressures and achieve and maintain the levels of elective activity needed. 'NHS trusts must ensure that training opportunities are still provided for surgical trainees when operations move to the independent sector.' He said establishing more surgical hubs regionally was the key to reducing long waiting lists for operations 'as they provide vital extra capacity, particularly in orthopaedics'. Mr Mitchell called for more hubs, arguing they offer a 'protected space' for operations to go ahead even when the NHS is under pressure. An NHS England spokeswoman said: 'As this report shows, most hip replacements are still funded by the NHS, but the health service is making the use of all available capacity, including the independent sector, to treat as many patients as possible. 'NHS usage of the independent sector has increased by more than a third since 2021, from 65,000 appointments and procedures a week to more than 90,000 now, helping us to reduce the number of people waiting more than 65 weeks for treatment by almost 60 per cent from its peak.' Difficulty turning when walking could be an early sign of Alzheimer's, scientists have warned. Experts used virtual reality to help examine navigational errors among people with the first signs of the disease, in the hope of developing simple tests for the condition. A team from University College London compared 31 healthy younger people with 36 healthy elderly people and 43 patients with mild cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment refers to the stage between the expected decline in memory and thinking that happens with age and the more serious decline of dementia. All three groups were asked to complete a task while wearing virtual reality goggles. They walked along a route guided by numbered cones consisting of two straight walks connected by a turn. Experts used virtual reality to help examine navigational errors among people with the first signs of the disease, in the hope of developing simple tests for the condition From 1906 when clinical psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer first reported a 'severe disease of the cerebral cortex' to uncovering the mechanics of the disease in the 1980s-90s to today's 'breakthrough' drug lecanemab, scientists have spent over a century trying to grapple with the brutal disease that robs people of their cognition and independence They then had to return to their starting position guided by their memory alone, and the task was performed repeatedly under three different conditions. Analysis revealed that people with mild cognitive impairment consistently overestimated the turns on the route and had greater variability in their sense of direction. Dr Andrea Castegnaro, one of the study's authors, said there is already evidence that problems with navigation is an important early sign of Alzheimer's. 'What we added here is that there are specific aspects in navigation in Alzheimer's that are particularly disrupted,' he explained. 'We found that individuals with early Alzheimer's consistently overestimated the turns on the given route and showed increased variability in their sense of direction. What is Alzheimer's and how is it treated? Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die. This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. More than 5million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it. WHAT HAPPENS? As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years. EARLY SYMPTOMS: Loss of short-term memory Disorientation Behavioral changes Mood swings Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call LATER SYMPTOMS: Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior Eventually lose ability to walk May have problems eating The majority will eventually need 24-hour care HOW IT IS TREATED? There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, some treatments are available that help alleviate some of the symptoms. One of these is Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors which helps brain cells communicate to one another. Another is menantine which works by blocking a chemical called glutamate that can build-up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease inhibiting mental function. Source: Alzheimer's Association and the NHS Advertisement 'In other words, it seems that when you ask people to turn a certain amount, they think they have turned much more than they actually did. 'More importantly, by including healthy elderly in the study, we also found that these specific aspects are not an extension of healthy ageing, and they seem rather specific to Alzheimer's disease. 'It is important to say however that these are early findings and we are working to confirm these.' It is estimated that there are currently 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with the number expected to rise sharply in the coming years. The team hope that their findings, published in the journal Current Biology, could pave the way for tests that can be used by doctors. Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'There are nearly one million people living with Alzheimer's in the UK, but thanks to limitations in current methods of detection, only around 60 per cent of them will ever receive a diagnosis. 'So, it's vital that we develop new, more precise early detection techniques that can be easily used in healthcare systems like the NHS. 'This will be particularly important as we enter an era where dementia becomes a treatable condition. 'Thanks to advances in technology, a wide range of devices and platforms are being explored to see if they have the potential to detect early signs of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. 'This small, early-stage study looks at using a virtual reality environment to analyse the way people turn while walking. 'The results suggest this can detect differences in participants with early Alzheimer's disease. 'However, as the group included fewer than 50 people, a larger study is needed to understand the future potential of this promising discovery. 'It will also be important to understand how digital technologies like this can be used in combination with other emerging techniques like blood tests, which are also showing huge promise for detecting Alzheimer's disease.' Sian Gregory, Alzheimer's Society research communications manager, said: 'Getting a diagnosis for dementia can be difficult for a multitude of reasons, and we know that very early symptoms can be subtle and hard to detect. 'However, problems with navigation are thought to be some of the earliest noticeable changes in Alzheimer's disease, so this is valuable insight. 'Though this technology is in its infancy and work is needed to improve its accuracy, it may offer a way to detect disease-specific brain changes in the early stages of dementia, potentially benefiting hundreds of thousands living with the condition in the future.' Artificial intelligence software can now detect signs of the most deadly type of skin cancer with 100 percent accuracy, potentially catching some of the most fatal cases in earlier stages when they have a better chance of being treated. Dermatologists debuted the third generation of their AI system, which was able to identify all 59 cases of melanoma, which typically appears as an irregularly shaped mole of different colors. And of 190 cases of any skin cancer, including melanoma and less fatal types, the AI software only missed one. The technology has not yet been made available for experts to use on patients but evidence that it works shows that its use could have wide-reaching applications for skin cancer and potentially other types as well. Melanoma is the most fatal of skin cancers, killing more than 57,000 people worldwide in 2020 alone. However, non-melanoma cancers including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, which are far less deadly but much more common, account for more deaths worldwide. Artificial intelligence has increasingly become a point of controversy in healthcare due to privacy and ethics concerns, but medical researchers are embracing it as a possible means to streamline administrative duties and speed up the time to diagnosis to give patients the best chance of survival. The researchers behind the study had been fine-tuning the technology for three years before hitting peak accuracy for melanoma, and near total accuracy for other skin cancer diagnoses Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US with an estimated one in five expected to develop it in their lifetime Dermatologists from the UK have been fine-tuning the AI cancer detection software for the past three years, and have trained IT using patient data from consultations with doctors and images of their cancers. More than 22,350 people in the UK over two and a half years tested the AIs ability to spot their cancers and pre-cancerous growths. Dermatologists and medical photographers loaded the system with patient data including photos of cancers to 'teach' it what to look for. The latest version of the software was fed more than 1,000 patient consultations to improve diagnostic accuracy. The AI then sorted through the data to distinguish between non-cancerous lesions and possible cancers, or 'malignancies'. Dermatologists then reviewed the AI software's diagnoses. It correctly diagnosed all 59 cases of melanoma, as well as 99.5 percent of all skin cancers overall, including melanoma and nonmelanoma cancers, a stark improvement from the first versions level of accuracy of 83.8 percent. It also correctly spotted pre-cancerous growths on skin nearly 93 percent of the time, 38 percentage points higher in accuracy compared to the first version. Dr Kashini Andrew, lead author of the study and the Specialist Registrar at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, said: This study has demonstrated how AI is rapidly improving and learning, with the high accuracy directly attributable to improvements in AI training techniques and the quality of data used to train the AI. He added the technology has the capacity to [free] up more time for patients that need urgent attention. When examining the skin for cancerous growths, Dermatologists follow the ABCDEs: asymmetry, border, color, diameter and evolving. Most melanomas, the rarest but most dangerous form of skin cancer that is most likely to spread, present as asymmetrically (the 'A' in the ABCDEs) shaped moles that have uneven edges. Irregular borders of a mole, the B in ABCDEs, can also indicate melanoma. The edges of a normal mole are uniform and smooth. A suspicious mole often contains several shades of brown, black, or tan, as well as spots of pink, red, or purple, and it becomes more colorful as cancer progresses. Melanomas typically present a bit bigger than a pea or a pencil eraser, about six millimeters or a quarter inch in diameter. Melanoma grows in two phases, horizontal and vertical. This represents the E in the ABCDEs of melanoma diagnosis. The horizontal phase can last years before the mole becomes dangerous and invasive, meaning it spreads to lymph nodes and organs. But in a later phase, the lesion grows vertically, at which point it becomes a tumor with the ability to spread elsewhere in the body, potentially proving fatal. Non-melanoma skin cancers manifest themselves differently, often beginning as waxy or red bumps on the skin. The researchers reported having considered all other types of skin cancers, which would include those detailed below. Merkel cell carcinoma, the type of skin cancer that killed Jimmy Buffett, is a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. It grows quickly and often spreads to lymph nodes before ravaging other organs. The cancer of Merkel cells, which are located in the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis, is about 40 times more rare than melanoma. While approximately 98,000 Americans will receive a melanoma diagnosis in one year, just 3,000 people get an MCC diagnosis annually. Yearly screening is recommended as early action is crucial. In fact, 99 percent of patients who detect and begin treating their melanoma early survive five years or more after their diagnosis. Basal cell carcinoma, which typically appears on sun-exposed parts of the body like hands, neck, arms, and legs, often presents as a waxy lump or a small, smooth, shiny, or pale growth. It does not always appear raised, though, and could resemble a flat scar. Another type of non-melanoma called squamous cell carcinoma typically appears as a patch of red, scaly skin that sometimes bleeds. It can also appear as a raised scar. People who have a history of heavy sun exposure are most likely to experience this type of skin cancer. Of all basal cell carcinoma cases diagnosed, the AI software only missed one. But a safety net system in which a doctor reviewed what the technology missed was able to spot the cancer. This led researchers to include the major caveat that AI capabilities have not advanced enough that they could take the place of a practicing doctor to accurately spot problems. Dr Irshad Zaki, Consultant Dermatologist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and co-author of the study, said: We would like to stress that AI should not be used as a standalone tool in skin cancer detection and that AI is not a substitute for Consultant Dermatologists. AI is currently not a stand-alone tool in dermatology. Our data shows the great promise of AI in future provision of healthcare. The researchers findings were presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress of 2023 in Berlin. A new BBC drama about the horrific sex crimes committed by former BBC DJ Jimmy Saville is now available to watch. The show, titled The Reckoning, will give an insight into how he managed to escape punishment for his crimes over such a long period. But who exactly was Jimmy Savile's mother known as 'The Duchess'? What was the pair's relationship like? Read on below for everything you need to know about Jimmy Savile's relationship with his mother. Steve Coogan and Gemma Jones pictured in a scene together during The Reckoning Jimmy Savile's childhood with 'The Duchess' Jimmy Savile was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, on October 31, 1926, to Monica and Vincent Savile as the youngest of the couple's seven children. Savile's relationship with his mother, who he referred to as 'The Duchess', was not straightforward. He claimed she was unable to give him much affection when he was growing up, but said that after she raised him for the first half of his life, he cared for her as she became older. In a 2011 interview with The Sunday People, via The Daily Record, Savile said: 'My mother never got round to being proud. If anyone said, 'What is Jimmy like?' she would say, 'I don't know what he's up to, but he's up to something'. 'She never trusted me as she thought I was going to get nicked and end up in the pokey.' How Jimmy Savile remembered his dead mum The former BBC DJ lived with his mother up until her death in 1972. After his mother's death he spent five days with her body before the funeral, a period he says was the best time of his life. After her death, he kept her bedroom and the wardrobe in an identical to how it was before her passing, as well as having her clothes dry-cleaned every year. When quizzed by psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare for a BBC interview back in 1991, Savile said his mother was 'all mine'. 'We hadn't put her away yet and there she was lying around so to me they were good times, they were not the best times. He continued: 'I'd much rather that she hadn't died but it was inevitable therefore it had to be. Once upon a time I had to share her with a lot of people. Savile with his mother, Agnes, at a Variety Club lunch, London, September 1965. Steve Coogan as Jimmy Saville and Gemma Jones as Savile's mother Agnes Kelly are pictured together during filming for the show in north Wales 'We had marvellous times but when she was dead she was all mine, for me. So therefore it finished up right, you understand, and then we buried her.' How is she depicted in The Reckoning? The new BBC documentary titled The Reckoning, will give an insight into how Jimmy Savile - played in the film by Steve Coogan - managed to escape punishment for his crimes over such a long period. BAFTA-winning actress Gemma Jones (Marvellous) will be playing Agnes Kelly, the mother of Savile. Kelly passed away in 1972, so her involvement will last until Savile reaches 46 years old. This leaves a considerable length of time following her death, during which Savile committed his crimes. The Reckoning's Executive Producer, Jeff Pope, said: 'Neil [McKay, the show's writer] discovered and worked into the script how complicated Savile's relationship with his mother was, and how she had grave doubts about him. 'Over time, as Savile became so wealthy and successful, he swept her doubts away. Gemma [Jones] had to play that and I was actually nervous when I was watching it because had we not have had someone like Gemma, who had so much depth and nuance in her performance, that wouldn't have been pulled off and it would have damaged the piece,' Pope added. The show is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer. The Yes campaign for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament is now doing so badly it's struggling in wealthy postcodes that turned 'teal' at the last federal election, new polling shows. UK polling firm Focaldata has the Voice winning the support of just 22 out of 151 House of Representatives electorates, with the strongest backers in gentrified and already left-leaning parts of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane. But, intriguingly, upmarket electorates that threw out Liberal MPs in favour of a climate-change focused 'teal' independents at the last election are comprehensively rejecting the Voice proposal - like most of Australia - ahead of the October 14 referendum. The Voice is behind in six of the seven teal electorates - former Liberal Party strongholds in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth with Australia's highest incomes and house prices. These suburbs boast some of Australia's most ridiculously expensive houses, are home to some of the country's richest people, where Teslas and Range Rovers are often the vehicle of choice. Many have Sydney Harbour views. Wealthy areas obsessed with climate change that strongly backed gay marriage and the republic are overwhelmingly rejecting the Voice, new polling shows (pictured is a couple on Sydney's Bondi Beach in the electorate of Wentworth) UK polling firm Focal Data has the Voice winning the support of just 22 out of 151 House of Representatives electorates, with the strongest backers in gentrified and trendy parts of Sydney, Melbourne , Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane In these elite postcodes, residents typically earn more than $200,000 a year and go to the same shops as millionaire corporate chief executives who have thrown their company dollars behind the Yes campaign. These ultra-rich electorates had the strongest support for gay marriage in the successful November 2017 postal vote survey, and backed the republic in 1999 when most of Australia said No. Nationally, the No vote for the Voice is expected to get 61 per cent support, compared with 39 per cent for the Yes case, based on a poll of 4,500 Australians. Social researcher Mark McCrindle, the founder of McCrindle Research, said the poor showing for the Voice, even in wealthy areas, showed support was soft for constitutional change. 'They tend to be people that are rational, are educated, can engage in a sophisticated narrative and the narrative around this has not been convincing for them,' Mr McCrindle told Daily Mail Australia. 'As much as their heart might back something, these are people of the head so that's where the problem has been. READ MORE: The Australian suburbs with the most Tesla drivers and how electric cars are the latest sign of class divide - but they're not all where you'd expect Tesla drivers are much more likely to live in Australia's wealthiest postcodes - but there are a few surprises in a trove of data. Well-heeled suburbs of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane dominate the top 20 list of where electric cars are registered, with the Gold Coast intriguingly having the most per capita Advertisement 'The big factor here is the low level of trust that Australians have in governments and in bureaucracy.' In Warringah, on Sydney's northern beaches, the Voice had just 44 per cent support in Yes supporter Zali Steggall's electorate, covering upmarket Mosman and Manly on Sydney Harbour. This area was last year home to 385 Teslas, the 11th highest in Australia. This northern beaches seat six years ago strongly backed gay marriage with 75 per cent support and in 2019 threw out Liberal representative Tony Abbott. The No campaign is also struggling across the harbour in the Sydney eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth, with 49 per cent support. Teal independent and Yes supporter Allegra Spender's electorate covers Double Bay, where $266,381 is the average taxable income, and harbourside Vaucluse, where $9million is the median house price. North Sydney, held by teal independent Kylea Tink, is the only teal seat backing the Yes case, with 56 per cent support in this pocket of Sydney's lower north shore containing Northbridge, where $191,225 is the average taxable income. This electorate has 581 registered Teslas, putting it in the same league as Greens and Labor electorates near a big city centre that are also backing the Voice. But the Voice is trailing in Mackellar, another teal electorate on Sydney's far northern beaches held by Sophie Scamps with just 37 per cent support - in an area covering Palm Beach where houses have sold for more than $20million. Teal independent and Yes supporter Allegra Spender's electorate covers Double Bay, where $266,381 is the average taxable income and harbourside Vaucluse, where $9million is the median house price (the teal member for Wentworth is pictured second right with former local member and Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, Labor Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and former Sydney lord mayor Lucy Turnbull) In Melbourne, the Voice has just 49 per cent support in teal MP Monique Ryan's seat of Kooyong - which covers Kew and Hawthorn. Dr Ryan last year won the seat off former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg. The Voice is also trailing in the nearby seat of Goldstein, held by former ABC foreign correspondent Zoe Daniel, with 47 per cent support. This Melbourne bayside seat backed gay marriage with 76 per cent support and the republic with 58 per cent support, and is home to 334 Teslas. In the coastal Perth seat of Curtin, the Voice had just 41 per cent support, even though its local teal MP Kate Chaney is the daughter of Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney, who is also a strong Voice backer. This electorate covers Cottesloe, a suburb that is home to billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest in a postcode with an average, taxable income of $229,805. The area is home to 457 Teslas, the sixth highest in Australia. No Liberal Party seats are backing the Voice with Bradfield on Sydney's upper north shore registering 46 per cent support, even though the overlapping state member for Hornsby Matt Kean is a strong Voice supporter. The most enthusiastic Voice supporters are in Sydney's gentrified inner west with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's seat of Grayndler near the top of the list, with 64.5 per cent in favour of the Voice. The electorate of Grayndler has a median household income of $2,388 per week, or a level that is 36.8 per cent above the typical Australian pay of $1,746. It also contains the Sydney Harbour of Birchgrove where the median house price of $3.063million is more than double Sydney's already expensive $1.381million median. The neighbouring seat of Sydney, held by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, had 70.4 per cent support for the Voice. Greens leader Adam Bandt's Melbourne electorate is backing the Voice with 64 per cent support. In Queensland, the Greens-held inner-city seats of Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan, are also backing the Voice, with 57 per cent, 52 per cent and 50.5 per cent support, respectively. In the coastal Perth seat of Curtin, the Voice had just 41 per cent support, even though its local teal MP Kate Chaney is the daughter of Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney, who is also a strong Voice backer (pictured is Cottesloe Beach) The No campaign is also struggling across the harbour in the Sydney eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth, with 49 per cent support. Teal independent and Yes supporter Allegra Spender's electorate covers Double Bay, where $266,381 is the average taxable income and Vaucluse, where $9million is the median house price The Voice is behind in six of the seven teal electorates - former Liberal Party strongholds in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth with Australia's highest incomes and house prices, and the most registered Tesla electric cars (pictured is a Model Y) Melbourne's wealthiest suburb of Toorak, where $222,967 is the average taxable income, falls within the Labor-held seat of Higgins, where support for the Voice is at 56 per cent. Australia's richest city by average income, Canberra, is also backing the Voice, with majority support in all three Labor-held seats, ranging from 62 per cent in Canberra, to 57 per cent in Fenner and 52 per cent in Bean. But Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney's Sydney inner south seat of Barton is rejecting the Voice with just 47 per cent support. This electorate backed the republic with 52 per cent support but rejected gay marriage with just 43 per cent in favour. This is the moment protesters forced the Peckham shop at the centre of the 'choking refund row' to close its shutters on the first day it tried to reopen. Peckham Hair and Cosmetics store has been at the centre of a storm after a video went viral last month of shopkeeper Sohail Sindho appearing to place his hands around a black woman's throat. Mr Sindho has always denied he was choking her and claims he was trying to restrain her after a row over a 7.99 refund for three wigs became heated. The video has sparked a string of protests in the last four weeks, forcing the shop to close and sending the trader into hiding. MailOnline can confirm the store reopened its doors on Sunday, but was forced to lower the shutters after it was greeted by protesters wearing Campaign For Truth and Justice (CTJ) T-shirts. The shop's manager, Khurram, who did not wish to give his surname, told MailOnline they have had to shut early for the last three days and claimed that protesters were stopping people from entering the shop. 'This is our bread and butter - how are we going to pay the money for our rent and everything?,' he said. Staff at Peckham Hair and Cosmetics close the shutters of the store after protesters gathered outside on the first day it reopened month after 'choking refund row' Shopkeeper Sohail Sindho was shown in the viral video appearing to grab a shopper around the neck as she tries to free herself by hitting him with the shopping basket A two-minute video posted on X shows a Metropolitan Police officer speaking to the activists on Sunday telling them not to engage with staff or be provocative as a campaigner says: 'Shut it [the shop] down.' Glum-looking staff start to close the shutters as a female voice is heard vowing: 'We will be out here every day making sure that you do not serve people. So we are ready for you. We are ready.' They are then heard shouting: 'You touch one, you touch all.' CTJ describes itself on its website as 'fighting judicial corruption and human rights abuses in the UK'. The Metropolitan Police confirmed officers were called to the store yesterday due to a protest. 'It was reported that people were being prevented from entering the shop,' a Scotland Yard spokesman said. 'Officers attended and found the protest was peaceful and good natured and people were not being blocked from entering the shop.' Last week, pictures emerged of the Rye Lane shop preparing to reopen when a unknown masked figure was seen removing protest flyers which had been plastered over its frontage for the last month. A two-minute video posted on X shows a Metropolitan Police officer speaking to the activists on Sunday telling them not to engage with staff or be provocative Protesters said they would return to the site every day to make sure the shop stayed closed The shop in Peckham was shuttered after protesters gathered outside as it tried to reopen Police said they found protesters outside of the shop and that the 'protest was peaceful and good natured' Police who attended the protest said 'people were not being blocked from entering the shop' A figure could be seen taking down the posters and notes that had been put on the shop The shop owned by Mr Sindho in Rye Lane Peckham, South London, has seen angry demonstrations after a video of him appearing to put his hands around a woman's neck went viral Mr Sindho sat down to give his side of the row to MailOnline last month. He showed scars to his right eye and his shoulder which he said were the result of the woman hitting him with a shopping basket. He revealed he had separated from his wife and three sons and taken them out of school while angry crowds continued to congregate outside his shop. 'If it wasn't for my wife and three children I would walk right to the shop and out to the street and talk to the people, because I am very sorry about what happened,' he said. 'I want them to know that I was only trying to restrain her. I didn't mean to put my hands around her throat, and it was only for a few seconds. 'I do agree that I should not have done that. But I was trying to protect myself as she was hitting me as the video shows. 'Some people have said that it might have been racial because I am Pakistani and she is a black lady. That is absolutely not the truth. 'I want you to know that 99 percent of my customers are people of colour. They are like my family. I don't know what being racist means. 'I live and work in a multicultural place, and I am happy here and so are my family.' Mr Sindho spoke to MailOnline at his secret hideout, where he has taken refuge from angry protesters, following the viral video which shows him grappling with a female customer He revealed his shock at the video of him confronting the woman going viral after being posted on social media. He received a call from a friend and then the threats started. The woman he grappled with, like Mr Sindho, has been interviewed by police and released on bail. He said the whole matter rested on three wigs worth 7.99 each which the lady wanted to have a refund on. But he pointed out to her that her receipt clearly showed no refunds were available, but he had offered her an exchange. Mr Sindho said he had received hate calls from as far as America with people threatening his life. But he added: 'When the police came and they took her away, I told them I did not want her to be charged. It was all a heat of the moment thing, nothing more than that. 'I am hoping that I can meet with her and we can shake hands and reach a peaceful conclusion. 'I have two college degrees and am not a simple man. I have friends from as far as China and I don't see people's colour. You could say that I am colour blind.' Mr Sindho said he believed activists were 'inflaming' the situation and he hoped he could soon be allowed out of hiding. Asked what would happen to his business, he held his head in his hands and said: 'I don't know. I just want peace and to know my family are going to be safe.' MailOnline has contacted CTJ for comment. Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert and her husband Jayson kissed passionately in public, lunched together in a romantic restaurant and she even shed a tear in the minutes after they officially ended their 17-year marriage. And they took along their six-month-old grandson for both the divorce hearing and the celebratory meal! Straight after the case was heard in Mesa County Courthouse in Grand Junction, Colorado, the exes, who had arrived separately, got into Boebert's black Honda SUV after strapping the baby into his seat and drove off. The former couple went to a Walmart parking lot where they took a cigarette break with the congresswoman squatting on the pavement to smoke. They then shared an emotional embrace before heading over to lunch at local restaurant Warehouse 2565 which on its website describes itself as 'the perfect destination for classic American cuisine & date night'. Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert and ex-husband Jayson were seen kissing passionately as they bid farewell after finalizing their divorce on Tuesday The couple, who were married for 17 years, were seen spending the afternoon together in Grand Junction, Colorado after a court hearing on their divorce settlement The couple, who became grandparents in April, went for a final lunch together with their six-month-old grandson After their meal, Jayson, 42, emerged with his grandson in his arms, before getting behind the wheel while Lauren, 36, sat in the passenger seat. The two then went back to Walmart, this time heading inside the store where they picked up various items for the baby a box of Pampers diapers, a bouncer and a some toys as well as a can of Cafe Bustelo coffee. The young grandparents then drove back to the courthouse where Jayson had parked his pickup truck. Apparently savoring their last moments together, the two unloaded the items from her SUV onto the back of his truck. Both lit up cigarettes again and they smoked for a few more minutes. Finally, the former married couple shared an emotional farewell, with Jayson taking his ex-wife into his arms and pulling her close into his chest before passionately kissing her. At one point he had his hand on her backside as he pulled her in closer. When they finally separated, she could be seen wiping a tear from her eye. Jayson loaded the baby into his truck along with the baby toys. While he was loading his truck Lauren got into the front of her vehicle and quickly changed from the form-fitting dress she wore for court into a black jacket, shirt, and yoga pants. She then got into her black Honda SUV and drove off. She later flew back to Washington, D.C., where she was due to vote in the GOP's closed-door meeting to nominate a new House Speaker on Wednesday. With one hand holding her backside and the other clutching her waist, Jayson pulled his now ex wife close to his chest Emotions appeared to be running high for the two, who were seen sharing teary embraces multiple times Tuesday afternoon after officially settling their split Boebert was seen leaving the courthouse at the end of the hearing with her now ex-husband and her grandson cradled in her arms The former couple was seen arriving at a Walmart parking lot where they stopped for a cigarette break. Lauren squatted down on the ground to smoke After lunch Lauren and Jayson returned to Walmart, this time heading inside the store where they picked up various items for the baby Jayson has previously talked about his love for Lauren despite the divorce, which he blamed on himself. He told DailyMail.com that he loved Lauren 'too much to say anything bad about her'. 'Throughout our 20 years together, she has been my rock, my confidant, and my best friend,' he said. 'Her unwavering commitment to our family has been truly admirable and I am devastated by the pain I have caused her. 'I take full responsibility for my actions and I deeply regret the choices I made that led to the breakdown of our marriage.' While he stopped short of specifying that sexual infidelity had contributed to the end of their marriage, Jayson stated, 'I was unfaithful to Lauren in so many ways. 'I should have always brought my best just as she did,' he added. 'My actions were selfish and thoughtless, and I failed to consider the consequences they would ultimately have on the person I hold dearest in my heart.' He said, 'It upsets me that everyone believes she left me over fame or a new lifestyle. That is far from the truthMuch of this is on me because the problem starts at the root. I am the root.' The couple had arrived separately at the courthouse Tuesday to finalize their split five months after filing for separation. The congresswoman cradled the baby whose name has not been publicly released and was flanked by attorney Annie Le Fleur. She was wearing camel-colored sky-high heels and a gray, belted, above-the-knee dress that sells for $34.99 at H&M although it is currently on sale for $10.99. Lauren wore camel-colored sky-high heels and a gray, belted, above-the-knee dress that sells for $34.99 at H&M although it is currently on sale for $10.99 Lauren and Jayson appear to be embracing early grandparenthood since their son became a teen dad earlier this year The young grandparents eventually drove back to the courthouse with the baby where Jayson had parked his pickup truck Before driving their separate ways, Lauren jumped into her SUV for a quick change and emerged in a black pants suit Her now ex-husband arrived alone a few minutes later, dressed in black pants, t-shirt and crocodile cowboy boots. Once they were behind closed doors inside the courtroom, a heated argument could be heard by people in the lobby. When the courtroom doors finally opened Boebert who was a teen mom herself was rocking her grandchild back and forth in her arms. She also fed him from a bottle. Jayson, who appeared without legal representation sat alone. Magistrate Katherine Barnes read through the decree and asked both parties if they agreed to the divorce settlement and child support agreement. The documents, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, reveal Boebert was asking for $1,833.43 in child support for her four children as well as $7,228.08 a month in spousal support. According to her filings, energy consultant ex-husband Jayson brings in $39,865 a month close to half a million a year and nearly three times the sophomore Republican congresswoman's $14,500 monthly income. The couple separated on April 25, Lauren said in her petition for divorce. She added that the marriage was 'irretrievably broken' even if their later actions didn't appear to show that. The exes, who had arrived to the divorce hearing separately, left together in Boebert's black Honda SUV The congresswoman has been seen carrying her grandson outside the US Capitol after announcing her 17-year-old son Tyler welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend in April The couple were married in 2006 and share four boys together Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com show that Lauren was asking for $7,228 in monthly spousal support and $1,833 in child support which magistrate Katherine Barnes accepted After both parties verbally agreed to the settlement and confirmed Lauren was not seeking restoration of her maiden name Roberts, the judge formally declared the divorce decree valid. But the pair, who will equally split parenting of their four sons, Tyler, 18, Brody, 16, Kaydon, 14 and Roman 11, didn't act like a typical couple at the formal end of their marriage. Instead they walked out of the courtroom in Grand Junction, Colorado, together, where they were peppered with questions about their plans. Jayson spoke to deny that there were any tensions or arguments at the hearing and blamed noise from televisions despite there being none inside the room but said nothing else. Lauren refused to provide any comment on the divorce or her relationship with bar owner Quinn Gallagher, which sparked controversy last month when they were thrown out of a Denver theater for making out like love-struck teenagers. Wearing ripped jeans, Boebert was back in Washington, D.C. the day after her divorce hearing for a closed-door meeting to nominate a new Speaker of the House Security camera footage showed Quinn Gallagher fondling Boebert's breasts while she rubbed his crotch at a Denver showing of Beetlejuice Quinn Gallagher is co-owner of Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen, Colorado, and a divorced father of a 16-year-old son They had been watching a performance of Beetlejuice when they were asked to stop vaping, singing along and filming the show. Toe-curling surveillance video shows they were also groping each other through their clothes, with Gallagher, 46, fondling Boebert's breasts while she rubbed his crotch. Boebert has previously said that her relationship with Gallagher, a divorced father of a 16-year-old boy, had ended after DailyMail.com revealed he is a Democrat and his Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar, in Aspen hosts drag shows. 'I have learned to check party affiliations before you go on a date,' she said. We also revealed the couple had been dating for several months before the September 10 incident at the Buell Theater. She told Fox News: 'I messed up. I went on a date night. I am a congresswoman and a public figure but believe it or not, I am human too. Obviously everyone is interested in my personal life in me going through a very difficult divorce,' Boebert began. 'It has certainly been taxing to have this experience broadcast before the whole world, something that was in the dark is certainly heartbreaking to watch to see and I have apologized to my constituents, and will continue to do so. 'All of those in Colorado who may have felt let down, I hear you and all I can do is promise to do better. I will live and lead with strength and grace with humility moving forward.' Toe-curling footage showed Quinn Gallagher groping Boebert's breasts as she in turn rubbed his crotch. Netflix's decision to allow Princess Diana's ghost to appear in front of her ex-husband Prince Charles and the late Queen in The Crown has been slammed by royal experts as 'profoundly tasteless' and 'absolutely deplorable'. Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, will have an emotional reconciliation with a grieving Charles, played by Dominic West, in the sixth and final series of the show. She then appears in phantom form again to Queen Elizabeth II, played by Imelda Staunton, as they discuss funeral arrangements with Charles with her appearance seemingly reducing the Queen to tears in the series, which will air from next month. But royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline that 'the idea that they have even contemplated Diana as a ghost seems absolutely weird', particularly considering the controversial elements already swirling around the show. He also said Charles would stay silent on the portrayal, but Princes William and Harry could speak out. Brand and culture expert Nick Ede added that the brothers could be 'appalled' by the depiction of their late mother, and it would be 'quite triggering'. Elizabeth Debicki plays Princess Diana in The Crown and is pictured in series five of the show Diana is played by Debicki, the Queen by Imelda Staunton and Charles by Dominic West Dominic West as Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in series five of Netflix's The Crown Mr Fitzwilliams said: 'It is going to be a controversial series any ways with what they are already showing - the Panorama documentary, her death and the funeral - and in my opinion it should never have made this final series in the first place. 'The whole idea that (show creator) Peter Morgan has scripted ghostly appearances by Diana is utterly tasteless. It is pitiful that someone with his skills has reduced what is undoubtedly a tragedy to something that he knows perfectly well will be controversial. 'The idea that he has scripted a ghostly figure of the mother of Prince William and Harry is obviously tasteless and the whole concept, whatever the ghost says or does, seems utterly bizarre.' Mr Fitzwilliams said Charles will remain silent on the portrayal but his two sons Princes Harry and William may speak out after both criticised the BBC in 2021 over Martin Bashir's infamous Panorama interview with Diana in 1995. He added: 'We may well hear what they think of the portrayal, but the trouble is if they do make a statement it will only add to the hype surrounding The Crown and there you have a problem. 'If Prince William or Prince Harry were to comment on this it would make headlines and even more people would watch it than they intended to. 'Whether they would watch such a thing, I have no idea of course. The King will make absolutely no comment at all. I think the Royal Family decided long ago what they think of The Crown - that it seems to have totally forsaken taste.' In addition, Mr Ede told MailOnline: 'The producers have said the Diana ghost portrays 'visualisations of innermost thoughts' but of course this will be quite triggering and could cause distress. 'William and Harry I am sure will also find this difficult to acknowledge as they have no idea what Diana was feeling and where her emotions were during that time so this factional drama becomes one of fantasy and speculation which could appall the pair as it changes the narrative of the memory of their beloved mother.' Mr Fitzwilliams went on to slam the production as a whole, claiming the portrayal of Diana's phantom was nothing more than a publicity stunt and that the final series, which has already come under fire for recreating Diana's death in Paris, should never have been made. William and Harry arrive for Diana's statue unveiling at Kensington Palace in London in 2021 'It also seems to be an attempt to get publicity and you get the impression that there is nothing they wouldn't do to get publicity,' he said. 'The Crown is controversial enough as it is and I really believe there should not be a final series considering the damage it's done already. 'What is so strange is that this series was already controversial and to put a ghost on top of that is absolutely deplorable and tasteless.' A Netflix source said the appearance of Debicki after Diana's death was meant to be a 'visualisations of innermost thoughts' rather than intended to be interpreted as 'supernatural'. MailOnline has contacted Netflix for an official statement today. The Mail revealed yesterday that the Royal Family are bracing themselves for 'painful' scenes showing Diana appearing as a ghost. Diana also appears to the late Queen as she discusses plans for a state funeral with Prince Charles and the two women even hold hands. Buckingham Palace has refused to comment on the series, which has attracted both commercial success but also criticism for its historical inaccuracies and fictional liberties. However, royal insiders suggested the latest instalment will likely be considered in poor taste, particularly as 'deeply painful memories for members of the family are reduced to sensationalism'. One source told the Mail it seemed the makers had 'jumped the shark', the description of a creative work which has exhausted itself and is reduced to seizing on gimmicks. Another likened it to the 'Bobby Ewing shower scene' where the popular star of the 1980s soap Dallas was killed off, only for his wife to realise it was a dream when he walked out of the shower at the end of the series. The imagined scene involving King Charles then Prince of Wales has a ghostly Diana telling him: 'Thank you for how you were in the hospital. So raw, broken and handsome. I'll take that with me. Diana is pictured with her sons William and Harry when they were children. She died in 1997 'You know I loved you so much. So deeply, so painfully too. That's over now... It will be easier for everyone with me gone.' READ MORE A.N. WILSON: How utterly tawdry for The Crown to haul Princess Diana from her grave for the ratings Advertisement Diana also reduces the Queen to what looks like tears, with the late monarch telling Diana she has started a 'revolution' with the public mourning her in the streets. The princess tells her: 'I know it must be terrifying... As long as anyone can remember you've taught us what it means to be British. Maybe it's time to show you're ready to learn too.' The episode suggests this is why the Queen changed her mind about travelling from Balmoral to London and famously addressing the nation. The drama will air in two parts, with four episodes up to Diana's funeral streaming from November 16. The second part, consisting of the final six shows and concluding with the wedding of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles, will stream from December 14. Over the last year, as the show began filming the last series which moves towards the current era, it has been hit with an array of criticisms from charges of fictionalisation to reinterpretation of events. Former prime minister Sir John Major slammed the series last year after it portrayed that King Charles - then Prince of Wales - had encouraged Sir John to convince the Queen she should abdicate. Sir John said the scenes 'will be profoundly hurtful to a family who are still grieving for the very person on whose life the entire drama was founded'. Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair also slammed the storyline as 'complete and utter rubbish'. Princess Diana with Queen Elizabeth II at the Queen Mother's 87th Birthday in London in 1987 Meanwhile it received further backlash as it recreated Diana's car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, when she was travelling in a car with Dodi Fayed, the son of late Harrods boss Mohammed Al-Fayed. READ MORE Netflix hit by cost of living crisis as number of new subscribers slumps to lowest in a decade Advertisement The moment of the fatal crash in a Paris tunnel was not shown although pictures taken during filming showed a replica of the mangled Mercedes. Friends of Diana said the show's makers could face accusations of 'insensitivity' and slammed Netflix for 'raking over the bones' of the fatal crash. Debbie Frank, who was Diana's astrologer, previously told the Mail that it would be 'terrible' for William and Harry to see a recreation of the moments leading up to their mother's death. 'It's obviously terrible for Diana's children to have to see that again. It's insensitive,' she said. She added: 'I feel Diana's death and the crash was the biggest shock our generation. It had such a huge impact across the national psyche. 'I guess the makers of The Crown feel they are entitled to show a re-enactment of scenes leading up to her death and that it has dramatic impact. But relatives would think otherwise.' The family and best friend of Diana's chauffeur Henri Paul were among those infuriated by the re-enactment. Alain Paul, the driver's only surviving brother, and Claude Garrec, Henri Paul's best friend, condemned the filmmakers for exploiting the crash victims and 'throwing him to the wolves'. Princes William, Harry and Charles on the day of Princess Diana's funeral in London in 1997 Speaking from his home in Lorient, France, Mr Paul told MailOnline earlier this year: 'I don't want to have to see the wreckage of a car that my brother died in over and over again. It's inhumane. 'This Netflix dramatization of my brother's death is cruel to me and my family. They did not warn me they were going to bring this tragedy back into the spotlight again. 'Yet again people are trying to profit from the death of my brother and of Princess Diana.' Executives insisted at the Edinburgh TV festival in August this year that the depiction of Diana's death had been done with the utmost sensitivity. Producer Suzanne Mackie said: 'The show might be big and noisy, but we're not. We're thoughtful people and we're sensitive people. There were very careful, long conversations about how we were going to do it. 'The audience will judge it, in the end. But I think it's been delicately, thoughtfully recreated. 'Elizabeth Debicki is an extraordinary actress and she was so thoughtful and considerate. She loved Diana. There's a huge amount of respect from us all. I hope that's evident.' Last autumn Netflix bowed to pressure and started to preface the show with a disclaimer saying: 'Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatisation tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign.' In an earlier interview, creator Peter Morgan admitted to 'unavoidable accuracy blips' but said: 'I'm absolutely fastidious about there being an underlying truth.' Mr Morgan is understood to be considering ideas for a prequel series or film series which would begin with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. The Crown series six will be available for streaming on Netflix from November 16 Chad Daybell, husband of Lori Vallow who was handed a life sentence for the murders of her two youngest children, was in court Tuesday ahead of his death penalty trial. Daybell's trial is expected to begin next year and run for about two months. Unlike Vallow, he is facing a capital trial that could end in the death penalty. He is facing the same murder charges for which his wife was convicted - the murders of her two youngest children, Tylee, 16, and JJ, 7. On Tuesday, Judge Steven Boyce, who is the same judge who oversaw Vallow's trial, heard requests from Daybell's attorneys for cameras to be allowed in the court room during the forthcoming trial. Vallow's trial was not broadcast, though a sketch artist and live-tweeting reporters were there. Chad Daybell was back in court on Tuesday, where his attorneys asked that his forthcoming trial be televised Lori Vallow Daybell, left, glancing at the camera during one of her hearings. She was sentenced to life in prison this past summer JJ, 7 (left) and his sister Tylee, 16 (right) were last seen in September of 2019. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell's yard the next summer Boyce said that the trial is scheduled for April 1, 2024. It will include a rigorous two week jury selection, during which perspective jurors will be given a lengthy questionnaire. Boyce said he will begin holding hearings at least once a month to address motions brought by the prosecution and defense teams. The first such hearing is scheduled for November 29. One point of contention at Tuesday's hearing came when attorneys for the State expressed frustration that the primary reason Daybell's case was severed from Vallow's is no longer at play. Daybell's attorney John Prior initially argued that Lori and Chad's trials should be severed because he was going to pursue additional DNA testing. Prior no longer plans to do the testing, rendering the initial reason for the severance irrelevant. This past summer, Lori Vallow, 50, was convicted of the killing of her two youngest children as well as conspiracy to kill Chad Daybell's ex-wife Tammy Daybell. She has since appealed her conviction, but also faces two other cases in Arizona - one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her niece's ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her niece's ex survived an attempt later that year. The case began in July 2019, when Vallow's brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self-defense. He was never charged in the case and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes. Vallow was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell at the time, a self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him. The young children were last seen alive in September 2019. Police discovered they were missing a month later after an extended family member became worried. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell's yard the following summer. Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married in November 2019, about two weeks after Daybell's previous wife, Tammy, was killed. Chad Daybell, 54, was due to stand trial alongside Vallow before their cases were separated The case began in July 2019, when Vallow's brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Pictured: Vallow speaks to police after the shooting of Charles Vallow Netflix's series, which features her surviving child Colby Ryan, 26, reveals the details behind the killings Tammy Daybell initially was described as having died of natural causes, but an autopsy later showed she had been asphyxiated, authorities said. Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial there was no evidence tying Vallow to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his 'weird' apocalyptic religious claims. Archibald suggested that Daybell and Vallow's brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths. Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a 'sexual goddess' who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said. Vallow's former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into 'zombies,' including JJ and Tylee. The family and the case was featured on the popular Netflix TV documentary, 'Sins of our Mother.' Netflix's series, which features her surviving child Colby Ryan, 26, reveals the details behind the killings, and Lori's beliefs that convinced her there was a 'dark spirit' inside her daughter, and the only way to 'free the spirit is to kill the body.' A flashy real estate agent has been mercilessly mocked for flogging a suburban home while posing alongside a McLaren which costs more than the property itself. Khalid Sarwari, director of Only Estate Agents in Narre Warren, around 40km south-east of Melbourne's CBD, recently uploaded a video to social media to advertise a house he was selling in nearby Pakenham with an asking price of $650,000. Posing in a three-piece suit featuring a pocket-watch chain, an orange tie and enormous sunglasses, Mr Sarwari tells the audience 'this property is ready to go'. There is a gratuitous shot of a white McLaren 720S - believed to belong to Mr Sarwari - which he later hinted cost $680,000. 'The owners are very motivated to sell...,' he says to the camera. 'They've updated a lot of the things inside, freshened up most of the home including replacing all the blinds,' Mr Sarwari adds, as the camera pans to the post box with a flaking number '13' peeling off it. The video, which has racked up almost 60,000 views, was flooded with tongue-in-cheek jokes from Aussies on social media. Are you doing a morning shift before your own wedding? wrote one. Others were more to the point. Im not sure if you realise but in that suit, wearing sunglasses and flashing the car just makes people cringe, wrote one. Khalid Sarwari (pictured), director of Only Estate Agents in Narre Warren, around 40km south-east of Melbourne's CBD, recently uploaded a video to social media to advertise a house he was selling in nearby Packenham with an asking price of $650,000 - while posing next to his $680,000 McLaren 720S Another accused him of being an insecure soul. The narcissism is overcooked. Its not a car promo. Youre there to sell a house, not a delusion,' they wrote. Mr Sarwari was not to be outdone, however. He gamely responded to most comments, describing his McLaren as just a lazy run about car. He also appeared to boast about the cars value when someone asked him about the lease repayments. No idea, he responded. But most banks have calculator on the site, punch in $680,000 (and) you should get the figures. Mr Sarwari posed with his McLaren that's worth more than the property he is trying to sell Many also called out the real estate agents choice of attire, that included flashy sunglasses and a three-piece suit with an orange tie He told one critic who likened his style and inspiration to the 2013 Martin Scorsese-directed black comedy featuring Leonardo DiCaprio that Wolf of Wall Street is childs play my friend. He also appeared to join in one user's mockery of the house. One commenter said they thought board shorts and a Hilux would have suited (the property) better to which Mr Sarwari responded: Singled and a VL Turbo? The property does not appear to be sold despite the flashy marketing video. Daily Mail Australia approached Mr Sarwari for comment. Heavily armed police swarmed on two men in a dramatic arrest in the middle of Sydney's CBD. The two men, aged 22 and 23, were seen in handcuffs on the ground of Macquarie Street on Tuesday afternoon, while tactical operations officers surrounded them. One of the arrested men is reportedly an underworld figure who has links to Tarek Zahed, the national sergeant-at-arms for the Comancheros. The two men, aged 22 and 23, were seen in handcuffs on the ground of Macquarie Street in Sydney's CBD on Tuesday afternoon, while tactical operations officers surrounded them Zahed has been charged with the 2014 murder of Youssef Assoum. Zahed had escaped an attempt on his own life outside a gym in Sydney's west in May last year. NSW Police said the two men had been arrested on Tuesday over alleged breach of bail and drug-related offences during a vehicle stop. 'The men were checked at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before the men were taken to Surry Hills Police Station,' a spokesperson said. The man who is believed to be linked to the bikie gang had posted videos of three high-end Rolex watches to social media before his arrest, The Daily Telegraph reported. NSW Police said the two men had been arrested on Tuesday over alleged breach of bail and drug-related offences during a vehicle stop A white ute was also seen in footage of the arrest with a hole smashed through one of the rear windows. The back of the vehicle had also been banged up. Tactical operations police are called to jobs that are considered high-risk. Inquiries are continuing. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took a seven-car convoy around a single block to attend the World Mental Health Day Festival in New York City on Tuesday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left a garage near the Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards, taking a left on 33rd Street in accordance with the one way street, only to end up in another garage on 33rd - 200ft from the first. The eco-conscious couple's convoy of seven gas-guzzling, blacked-out SUVs were flanked by NYPD escorts on the streets of Manhattan. After the brief trip, the couple hosted a panel discussion at the World Mental Health Day Festival in what marks their first-ever in-person event for their charity, the Archewell Foundation. The mental health summit, which saw the couple joined by Today show host Carson and US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, was the pair's first joint appearance in New York since the 'near catastrophic car chase' they were caught up in back in May, after attending the Women of Vision awards. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took the police-escorted convoy just one block to attend the World Mental Health Day Festival in New York City The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left a garage from 30th Street Hudson Yards to go around the block, in accordance with the one way street, only to end up in another garage on 33rd Street less than 200ft from the first garage The convoy of seven blacked-out cars took the Duke and Duchess, pictured, around the block the mental health summit Meghan, pictured arriving with Harry, attended a panel during the Project Healthy Minds second annual mental health day In March 2020, Meghan and Harry announced that they would be withdrawing from social media altogether, issuing a statement on their Sussex Royal Instagram account that they wanted to find a 'new chapter to understand how they can best contribute Meghan is seen speaking in New York Meghan looked delighted to be back in front of crowds speaking about a cause Meghan went on to describe her role as a mother as the 'most important thing in her life... outside of being a wife' to Harry The royal couple cut a serious figure as they discussed mental health On this occasion, the pair appeared to have taken stringent steps to ensure their safety - with a marked NYPD escort accompanying their SUV fleet to the event. The couple appeared unfazed on Tuesday and were all smiles as they arrived at the Hudson Yards venue. Meghan, 42, arrived at the summit sporting a $987 white off-the-shoulder Altuzarra blazer with matching white pants and heels, while her husband, 39, donned a dapper navy suit. However, the pair appeared to get emotional once the event kicked off, with both seen looking incredibly somber as the panel commenced - with parents who have 'suffered tragic loss connected to their child's social media use' taking to the stage to share their stories. They revealed during the event that they have been working behind the scenes with the parents for the past year in order to 'create a community of shared experiences', with Harry and Meghan taking to the stage later on in the event to thank all of the mothers and fathers who shared their stories. 'I can't start without thanking all of the parents, the mother and fathers that have been here today for being with us, physically here today, but also being on this journey for the last year, creating this community of shared experience,' Harry said in a video shared by The Hollywood Reporter. 'We know it's not easy for you guys to be here so thank you very much.' Meanwhile, Meghan admitted that she had been left in tears by some of the stories shared by the parents when they first met. Meghan, 42, was seen sporting a glamorous white strapless pant suit as she arrived at the Hudson Yards venue for the summit, which will see the couple discussing social media dangers The pair appeared to have taken rather stringent steps to ensure their safety - with a marked NYPD escort accompanying their SUV fleet to the event Both Meghan and Harry appeared somber as they sat down at the event, which will see parents who have suffered 'loss connected to their child's social media use' Dressed in all white Meghan, 42, met with Carson Daly met with second annual World Mental Health Day Festival and The Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit Meghan and Harry have often spoken about their own struggles with mental health Meghan no longer has an active public social media account, however before she began dating Prince Harry, she was a prolific Instagram user, sharing regular updates about her life and her time working on TV show Suits with her two million followers A large security detail accompanied the Montecito-based couple in New York City on Tuesday Security personnel prepare to escort the Duke and Duchess of Sussex around the block in Hudson Yards, New York City After the brief trip the couple hosted a panel discussion at the World Mental Health Day Festival in what marks their first-ever in-person event for their charity, the Archewell Foundation The couple's convoy of seven blacked-out vehicles were seen on the streets of Manhattan on Tuesday 'A year ago when we met some of the families, not all of them, it was impossible to not be in tears as I'm sure so many of you have been today hearing these stories,' she said. 'You can hear these stories again and again and again, and it's still going to have the same emotional impact because it's just that devastating.' Meghan went on to share her fears for her own children, who are growing up in an age when social media plays such a large part in everyone's lives. 'As parents, though our kids are really young, they're two and a half and four and a half... but social media is not going away,' she continued. 'I think by design, there was an entry point that was supposed to be positive in creating community and something has devolved, and there's no way to hear that and not try to help these families have their stories be heard.' In a video shared by Huffington Post reporter Carly Ledbetter, Meghan went on to describe her role as a mother as the 'most important thing in her life... outside of being a wife' to Harry, before opening up about her concerns with regard to their kids Archie and Lilibet using social media. 'Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life... outside of course being a wife to this one,' she said, when asked by Carson how much of a 'priority' social media safety is to her, as a mother of two young kids. 'But I will say, I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again, quite young, so this isn't in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened by how it's continuing to change. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left a garage from 30th Street Hudson Yards to go around the block and end up in another garage on 33rd Street to attend their mental health summit Taking to the stage at the event, Meghan admitted that she had been left in tears by some of the 'devastating' stories shared by the parents who took part in the summit Meghan opted for an all white outfit for the occasion Harry and Meghan - who have both been open about their own mental health struggles - are seen One fan took a video of Harry speaking The Duchess is seen with Vivek H. Murthy on stage Meghan discussed mental health and how parents can help their children Meghan opted for a simple gold chain and white outfit for the day out The Duchess of Sussex was typically expressive during the day out Meghan looked delighted to chat to crowds during the summit Meghan looked engaged while speaking on stage Today's event marks the latest time that Meghan and Harry have spoken out to issue warnings about the dangers of social media - with the Duke of Sussex penning an entire opinion piece in 2020 in which he warned that it is stoking a 'crisis of hate' In March 2020, Meghan and Harry announced that they would be withdrawing from social media altogether, issuing a statement on their Sussex Royal Instagram account that they wanted to find a 'new chapter to understand how they can best contribute Meghan cut a serious figure as she met with Carson Daly during the event in New York The couple met with the surgeon general during Project Healthy Minds 'And this will be in front of us. As they say, "Being a parent, the days are long but the years are short." So it worries me, but I'm also given a lot of hope and a lot of energy by the progress we've made in the last year.' Questions still remain over Harry and Meghan's account of their last visit to the City in May. A statement from the couple's spokesperson described their car journey as being 'near catastrophic'. The spokesman said the couple, as well as Meghan's mom Doria Ragland, were the victims of a 'relentless pursuit lasting more than two hours' at the hands of 'highly aggressive paparazzi'. The visit marks the first time that they have returned to New York since their May visit, when they say they were involved in a 'near catastrophic car chase' It has been suggested that they were trying not to be followed to where they were staying on the Upper East Side of the city. However, New York police subsequently told NBC that they did not believe the chase was 'near catastrophic', instead describing it as a 'bit of a chaotic scene'. Julian Phillips, deputy commissioner of public information in New York also revealed that the NYPD 'assisted' the couple's private security team. Meanwhile, New York Mayor Eric Adams expressed empathy - describing the actions of the paparazzi as 'reckless' and 'irresponsible' - but said he would find it 'hard to believe' there was a two-hour high speed chase. A young Aussie's take on the Indigenous Voice To Parliament has resurfaced on social media and gone viral - five years after it was posted. West Australian journalist Dylan Storer shared the flashback footage of himself appearing on Q+A in 2018 alongside a panel of high schoolers from across the country discussing the issues impacting their communities. 'I come from a majority Indigenous school,' he explained. 'We had eight weeks of term focused on the American civil rights movement, and in the last two weeks, we crammed in Australian Aboriginal history. 'We have the opportunity to be a part and be a good part and acknowledge cultures that have been in this country, on this land, for 65,000 years. 'It could be such a large part of our country and such a large part of our identity.' Dylan Storer first made headlines in 2018 when he appeared on the Q& A panel as a schoolboy The episode was broadcast shortly after then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison appointed former Prime Minister Tony Abbott as a special envoy on Indigenous affairs for the government. 'This top-down approach of the government coming in and saying [they're] going to appoint, of all people, Tony Abbott I think it's really counterintuitive,' Mr Storer said. He believed that such education about Indigenous Australians could help address some of the country's issues with racism. 'A lot of the racism, a lot of the hate, a lot of the misunderstanding comes from that lack of education,' he said. 'Teaching Australians from a young age about Indigenous people can only make Australia stronger,' Mr Storer said. He made these comments shortly after the drafting of the Uluru Statement of the Heart. This statement was created through extensive consultation and agreement from 250 Indigenous representatives nationwide. 'When you have things like the Uluru Statement coming forward and saying, 'We want to be the voice of our own destiny' and the government turns around and gives people Tony Abbott, it's really counterintuitive, I believe,' Mr Storer said. '[The underlying issues] all really relate back to the way Australia was settled, colonised, invaded. That's really progressed to the modern day.' His comments prompted a massive round of applause from the audience. 'Just remind me how old you are?' stunned host Tony Jones asked the teen. At the time, Dylan quickly began trending on Twitter as viewers called for him to be the next Prime Minister. Five years on, Dylan Storer (pictured) is now a journalist and advocate for social justice issues Dylan now 20, shared the resurfaced footage from 2018 as he urged Aussies to vote Yes on Saturday. 'Hate re-sharing this stuff, but people have been talking about this for ages (and for hundreds of years before I was born,' the UN Youth WA president tweeted. 'When I was 15, I explained why I support the Voice, on Saturday I'm going to vote for it. Join me in building a better future for this country. Vote Yes.' Mr Storer was inundated with supportive comments. 'A great credit to yourself, your family and your country Dylan. Wish you well,' former independent MP Tony Windsor tweeted. Dylan Storer urged Aussies to vote Yes this weekend. Pictured is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with yes campaigners Polls show the 'no' campaign is on track for victory, with a successful vote requiring a majority of votes in a majority of states. The most recent Newspoll showed 58 per cent of voters supported 'no' while 34 per cent supported the voice. A Resolve poll showed a slight uptick to the 'yes' vote in the past month, but still behind overall. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Uluru on Tuesday on a country-wide blitz to advocate for the voice to be enshrined in the constitution at Saturday's referendum. Mr Albanese noted members of the Central Land Council were unanimous in support of the voice, which was a recommendation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. 'There is a sense of history as we approach Saturday, just a few days to go now, and I sincerely hope that Australians take this opportunity to vote 'yes',' he told Sky News on Tuesday. 'It is a key moment in the nation's history and I just hope that Australians seize the opportunity to make this request. 'There's only upside, no downside.' They are furious key items were taken back The lucky couple who won a $4.2million home that featured in The Block claim their dream lottery win has become a nightmare after it was stripped of key items. The Griffin family have accused Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli of taking back more than $100,000 worth of goods from the home before handing it over to them. The property investor known for his flash lifestyle and luxury cars said he purchased the home in Gisborne, 54km north-west of Melbourne, in November after it passed at auction on the reality TV series. Mr Portelli put the home up as as the star prize through his lottery company LMCT+, which was won by the Griffins from Ballarat, Victoria. But the family unearthed CCTV footage of Mr Portelli removing luxury items including a robo-mower, treadmill, wine, Smeg appliances and a BBQ smoker. Now the family have hit Mr Portelli with a bill for $102,000 for a long list of priced items, including candles and books, they claim are missing from the 'fully-furnished' home.' The Griffins are also said to have a website ready to go live, entitled 'Our LMCT nightmare', if Mr Portelli doesn't pay up. Lucky couple Kevin and Andrea Griffin who won a $4.2million home that featured in The Block claim their dream lottery win has become a nightmare after it was stripped of key items The Griffin family have accused Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli of taking back more than $100,000 worth of goods from the home before handing it over to them Property investor Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portell was caught on camera removing items from the home before it was handed over to the family Plasterer Kevin Griffin and his wife Andrea say they believed they were entitled to everything seen in the lottery's promotional videos for the home. But Mr Portelli insists the luxury extras were just used for staging for the promotional videos and not part of the giveaway under the lottery's terms and conditions. He accused the couple of being ungrateful and posted a clip to TikTok showing Ms Griffin spotting the wine fridge is missing and the couple finding faults in the home. Mr Portelli says the couple spotted CCTV cameras left behind by Channel Nine's production team and alleges they 'hacked into them'. They then found the damning footage of him removing the missing items from around the home before they moved in, triggering the list of demands. The couple say they were shocked by what they saw. 'We were just like, what the hell?' Ms Griffin told the Herald Sun. 'Why has he done this?' Mr Portelli has now hit back at the claims by posting out-takes from the handover video showing the family complaining as they were given the keys of the home. The new clips sparked outrage, with some viewers savaging the family online for being ungrateful for quibbling over the missing items. Mr Portelli's posted was inundated with 1700 replies slamming the couple for their reaction to being handed the dream home. Plasterer Kevin Griffin and his wife Andrea (pictured with Adrian Portelli) say they believed they were entitled to everything seen in the lottery's promotional videos for the home The entrepreneur was featured on the 2022 season of The Block where he 'purchased' the Gisborne home (pictured, Portelli with Scott Cam) CCTV footage shows Portelli and a group of men taking items from the Gisborne property 'You could have given me that home stripped of all the furniture and I would have been over the moon,' posted one. 'Australia's biggest rental crisis and we have people out here that win a house more than some people would ever earn in their life and they complain,' said another. 'Shame on them. Some people can't even put food on the table. They need humbling massively.' The couple had been paying a $20 per month membership with Portelli's business LMCT+ for over a year before they won the home through a giveaway. LMCT+, which Portelli founded in 2018, sells subscriptions that cost up to $100 a month. Subscribers are entered into exclusive competitions, with prizes including homes, bikes, cars and boats, and they also get offers from motor vehicle businesses. Portelli claimed he had been sent abusive and threatening messages labelling him and his team 'thieves' as a result of the vision being posted online. LMCT+, which Portelli (pictured, centre) founded in 2018, is being investigated over allegations that it broke gambling laws Portelli (pictured), who is also known as 'Lambo Guy' and lives a life of luxury, previously told Daily Mail Australia $500million was a 'conservative estimate' of his net worth Portelli (pictured left) hit back at the stealing claims in a video he posted, where he claimed the items taken by himself and his team in the clip 'weren't part of the giveaway' 'Unfortunately, it's people like this that ruin it for everyone and it makes us not want to do things like this again,' Portelli added. He said he's also been issued legal letters. 'Whatever I do with these items is up to me. Wherever I want to use them personally or I want to use them to stage future giveaway houses, who bloody cares,' Portelli said. It comes as Portelli's business, LMCT+, is being investigated in two states over allegations that it broke gambling laws. South Australia's Consumer and Business Services and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission have each received complaints about LMCT+ and are investigating. EXCLUSIVE Aussies on the trip of a lifetime in Israel who are now stuck in the war-torn region are demanding to know why the Australian Government is doing nothing to help them escape, while other nations are sending rescue flights for their citizens. Paul and Audrey West, from Newcastle, had been guiding a group of 33 holidaymakers through Israel for about two weeks when terrorist group Hamas started firing rockets from the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning. They were on the beach on Tel Aviv when the bomb sirens went off, so they ran to the nearest cafe to seek shelter and spent the next four days in hiding while frantically trying to organise new flights home. The couple's daughter, Brittany West, told Daily Mail Australia the group had been in Gaza about 24 hours before the attacks. She said their original flights were cancelled and it was hard to get a seat on new ones due to limited options after airlines stopped operating through Israel. 'Anything that came up was booked out quickly,' she said As the group watches travellers from other nations such as Canada, Germany, Romania, Greece, Hungary, India, Thailand and Brazil get repatriated by their own governments, they wonder why Australian leaders aren't doing the same. Pictured: The Australian tour group who were stuck in Israel when war broke out on Saturday. Thirteen are still stranded Pictured: Tour guide Paul West, pictured front, and other members of the group in a bomb shelter in Tel Aviv Anthony Albanese on the Yes campaign in the Northern Territory on Wednesday. The Federal Government has since announced it was in talks with Qantas and Virgin to ask whether they could help with repatriation flights Twenty members of the group managed to book flights for Tuesday, but about 13 are still waiting. Poll Do you think the Albanese Government should be doing more to help Australians stuck in Israel? Yes No Do you think the Albanese Government should be doing more to help Australians stuck in Israel? Yes 1661 votes No 225 votes Now share your opinion Now, staff at the hotel where they sought refuge are urging them to flee, saying 'do everything you can to get out because it's only going to escalate'. Brittany said there's a sense of urgency and fear from everyone who has been left behind. 'They're doing everything they can to get themselves onto a flight but they keep getting cancelled,' she said. 'I spoke to one of the couples last night and they're honestly feeling abandoned by the government - we don't understand why other governments are able to evacuate their residents. 'There really needs to be a rescue mission, but if we wait too long it might be a recovery mission.' Brittany said her parents had been running the tours with a company in Israel since about 2011, but this year was their first trip since the pandemic. Brittany's mother Audrey posted a photo of Gaza just 24 hours before it became a warzone (pictured) Paul and Audrey West (pictured) have been guiding Australians through Israel since 2011 She urged the government to charter a flight for Australians, like other nations, and has called on Aussies to put pressure on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). NATIONS WITH RESCUE FLIGHTS Romania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Thailand, India Advertisement DFAT didn't respond to the group's dilemma or why the Albanese Government wasn't doing more. Instead, a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the government is 'monitoring the situation closely and remains in touch with local authorities'. 'Presently there are commercial flights available and Australians in Israel who wish to leave should pursue those options,' it said. 'Our thoughts are with those killed and injured in these attacks and others affected.' A few hours later, the Albanese Government announced it was in talks with Qantas and Virgin to ask whether they could help with repatriation flights. 'We are working on a range of contingency arrangements that I won't detail publicly for obvious reasons,' Mr Albanese told the ABC. Transport Minister Catherine King wrote on social media: 'The Australian government is assessing all options to support Australians wishing to leave Israel and Gaza.' At about 4pm on Wednesday, Mr Albanese announced his government would provide repatriation flights for Australians. Of the 10,000 Australians who are still in Israel, only 122 have arranged their own transport out of the war-torn nation. The couple (pictured centre and second right) work with a tour group in Israel (managers pictured front left and right) Mr Albanese has also come under fire for his 'pussyfooting' response to anti-Semitic protests in Sydney on Monday. John Howard, who led Australia in the wake of the September 11 attacks, said the Prime Minister's denouncement did not go far enough. READ MORE: Israel Palestine conflict LIVE Advertisement 'Mr Albanese should make some unequivocal statements, as should the Foreign Minister,' he told The Australian. 'Instead of that there is pussyfooting and lukewarm condemnation. Then you have the New South Wales Attorney-General (Michael Daley) saying everyone should remain calm and go home. 'How can you remain calm when demonstrators are invoking the memory of the Holocaust? People remain calm in that?' The civilian death toll from the Hamas attacks on Israel climbed to more than 1,000, as the overall tally of fatalities reached 3,100 since war broke out on Saturday. Australian-born grandmother Galit Carbone, 66, was among those killed in the Be'eri kibbutz, about 5km from the Gaza Strip. Her body was found metres from her home. The photo shows Nick Adderley, 57, in the 1984 intake of the Royal Navy A photo has been unearthed of a top cop, accused of being a 'fraud' for wearing a Falklands War medal, amongst the 1984 intake of the Royal Navy - two years after the conflict with Argentina ended. Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable, Nick Adderley, was spotted in a photo which is claimed to be proof that he had joined the Royal Navy two years after the Falklands War had ended in June 1982, when Adderley would have only been 15-years-old. The 57-year-old's photo, discovered by The Sun, shows Adderley pictured amongst the 1984 intake of the Royal Navy at HMS Raleigh. Adderley served two years with the Royal Navy, according to sources, before joining the police in February 1992 at the age of 25. He was also pictured with the medal and wearing what appears to be a Navy Officer hat on Armistice Day in 2019, as revealed exclusively by the MailOnline. The 57-year-old's photo, discovered by The Sun, shows Adderley pictured amongst the 1984 in-take of the Royal Navy at HMS Raleigh in 1984 Adderley would have only been 15-years-old at the time of the conflict with Argentina in 1982 It comes as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launches an investigation into the 'Walter Mitty' police chief, who was once tipped to take over the Met Police. Last night, former detective chief inspector and soldier Mick Neville said: 'He has insulted veterans with his lies and exaggerations and should resign immediately.' Chief Constable Adderley said the medal had been given to him by his brother when he emigrated to Australia around 2013. But last week further photos emerged which showed his brother Rick wearing the South Atlantic Medal in 2020, seven years after it was supposedly gifted to the policeman. The 165,000-per-year police chief, initially defended himself saying he is 'very proud of his Cadet, Royal Navy and Police Service' and that he also wears medals awarded to his brothers. 'I wear all my medals with pride and have always worn the two medals my brothers gave me to wear when one became critically ill and one emigrated, alongside my own. 'Having been made aware of this complaint, which has a private family impact upon me personally, I immediately took advice last week regarding the protocol and have changed the side of my chest on which these medals are worn. 'I look forward to providing the IOPC with a fulsome response at the earliest opportunity and I fully appreciate that they have a job to do.' Constable Adderley pinned the 1982 campaign medal to his chest despite not joining the Royal Navy until two years later Adderley has worn the medal to multiple events over the years since his brother's emigration Adderley has worn the medal to multiple events over the years since his brother's emigration The police watchdog is looking into allegations of potential misrepresentation of his military service, as well as communications with the commissioner. The probe could lead to him being hauled in front of a misconduct hearing. The police chief has been previously described in press releases and an interview with online police magazine Police Oracle as a Falklands veteran with ten years of experience in the Navy. In a letter seen by MailOnline, Adderley is described as having 'over 10 years' experience in the Navy, but it has since been claimed he actually spent just two years in the forces and was not, as previously claimed, an officer. He has also been pictured wearing a General Service Medal with a Northern Ireland clasp, despite never serving in the country. It is thought the medal belongs to his other brother Dave, 53. The IOPC reportedly launched its probe after receiving a tip-off from the local Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner. READ MORE: Veterans demand police chief be sacked for wearing Falklands War medal despite never actually taking part Advertisement Chief Constable Adderley was previously referred to the IOPC after the death of Harry Dunn, 19, who was struck while riding his motorcycle by a car driven by US citizen Anne Sacoolas, who then fled the country. Adderley described the family's spokesperson as a 'problem' and posted on Twitter describing their legal battles: 'How sad but how predictable'. Two months later he apologised to the family. 'Stolen Valour' is the term commonly applied to the act of wearing military medals or decorations that have not been earned with the intent to deceive. It is not an offence in the UK for individuals to wear medals or decorations that they were not awarded - but it is an offence to wear a military medal without permission, according to the UK Parliament's briefing on Stolen Valour. The police watchdog is looking into allegations of misrepresentation of his military service. The probe could lead to him being hauled in front of a misconduct hearing. A spokesman for the Office of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold, said: 'A complaint from a member of the public concerning the conduct of Chief Constable Nick Adderley was received by the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, which is responsible for Chief Constable complaints. 'A mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office of Police Conduct and the IOPC has confirmed that it is now formally investigating the matter. While that independent investigation is taking place it is not appropriate to comment further.' Chief Constable Nick Adderley has been contacted for comment. A posh London restaurant has started selling bizarre chicken pies, filled with its heart, liver, wings and feet - garnished with its head poking out the top. The quirky Le Grand Coq pie, that costs 22 at the capital's pop-up restaurant Fowl, has divided foodies, some praising the chef's creativity while others have turned their head in disgust. The eccentric dish, which is also filled with cockscomb plants, was created in a bid to reduce food waste and use up every part of an animal. The head, which comes stuffed, is surrounded in what chef's call 'a beautiful veloute of chicken stock'. Diners can also snack on a 16 Chicken Leg Corn Dog, with the fowl's foot still attached and finish off with an 8 desert of chicken fat creme caramel finished with a chicken skin crumb. The quirky Le Grand Coq pie, that costs 22 at the capital's pop-up restaurant Fowl The pie is a creation from Pierre Koffman - a guest chef to London's Fallow restaurant that is running the pop up Some praised the dish on social media, claiming that meat-eaters should be happy to eat all parts of animals. One wrote: 'If you guys eat meat, but detach yourselves from the fact it's a dead animal, it's hypocritical really. 'Fair enough the presentation may be unpleasant to you but think about why you feel that way, and also why you're wrong .' A food blogger added: 'Love this, forcing people to deal with the reality of where their food comes from. It's real food for proper adults. 'Visiting in November and cannot wait.' A third said: 'This will be delicious and shows nose to tail eating, which we all need to get on board with.' Others, however, remained skeptical branding the menu's items as 'gross'. One said: 'Looks horrible, unnecessary to serve the chickens head whole like that.' The dish has received mixed reviews from people on social media - while some praising the chef's creativity others blasted it as 'gross' The eccentric dish, which is also filled with cockscomb plants, was created in a bid to reduce food waste and use up every part of an animal The head, which comes stuffed, is surrounded in what chef's call 'a beautiful veloute of chicken stock' Another added: 'Skip the chickens head. I have a rule about not eating things looking back at me from the plate.' The pie is a creation from Pierre Koffman - a guest chef to London's Fallow restaurant that is running the pop up. Chef Will Murray told The Sun: 'I like to describe Fowl as all the best things about chicken on one menu. 'This pie is a beak-to-feet concept. The feet are usually mainly exported. The head is often thrown in the bin. 'For us, the farmer has gone to all this work to rear this beautiful bird, so we're using all of it.' He added that the restaurant continues to 'sell out of pies every day' and that they 'can't keep up'. The shortage of staff at the prison where Daniel Khalife allegedly escaped has 'seriously undermined' the facility's ability to run properly, a watchdog has found. The terror suspect, 21, is accused of escaping from HMP Wandsworth in southwest London last month by allegedly hiding underneath a food delivery van. Khalife's alleged escape came on a day that saw 80 prison officers - 39 per cent of the facility's normal workforce - fail to report for their shift, The Times reported. Now, the independent monitoring board at HMP Wandsworth has found that a shortage of 'human, financial and physical' resources at the prison has made it 'very difficult to operate a fully effective security regime'. The report, which covered June last year to May this year, also found that staff turnover at the jail was high so many workers had 'limited' experience. The independent monitoring board at HMP Wandsworth (pictured) has found that a shortage of 'human, financial and physical' resources at the prison has made it 'very difficult to operate a fully effective security regime' Daniel Khalife, 21, (pictured) is accused of escaping from HMP Wandsworth in southwest London last month by allegedly hiding underneath a food delivery van. His alleged escape came on a day that saw 80 prison officers - 39 per cent of the facility's normal workforce - fail to report for their shift According to the watchdog, HMP Wandworth is 'seriously overcrowded' with most prisoners 'sharing cells designed for single occupancy', the newspaper reported. The annual report into the facility also found that the percentage of available officers rarely reaches above 50 per cent which means staff are 'always struggling to provide even a limited regime as well as deliver the other needs of a prison'. Turnover rates are high, the management reportedly has 'no input' into selection and it is understood that the process to remove 'unsuitable' workers is 'long and complex'. Additionally, the board's annual report offered some insight into the current atmosphere within the facility. It found that there is 'easy' access to contraband, revealing that 330 mobile phones and 1,900 litres of illicitly brewed alcohol were discovered during cell searches. The number of assaults within the facility had also risen by 25 per cent between June 2022 and May this year. There was an average of 10 assaults on staff each week which lead to a 49 per cent increase in use of force. Tim Aikens, the board's chairman, told The Times that the findings at HMP Wandsworth demonstrate the 'shortcomings of the prison system' nationwide. 'Prisoners are being failed and most have a severely reduced chance of rehabilitation upon release,' he said. 'We are told there is significant investment in the prison system, but we see little evidence of this in Wandsworth.' Khalife goes on trial next month on charges of escaping prison, along with previous terrorism charges. He denies all charges. Last month he pleaded not guilty to escaping custody at HMP Wandsworth. He is pictured appearing at at Westminster Magistrates' Court last month Meanwhile, Khalife goes on trial next month on charges of escaping prison, along with previous terrorism charges. He denies all charges. Last month he pleaded not guilty to escaping custody at HMP Wandsworth where he was on remand after being charged with terror offences earlier this year. Prosecutors say he escaped on September 6 this year by using bedsheets to tie himself to the underside of a catering truck. That prompted helicopter searches in London and extra security checks at major transport hubs, particularly in and around the Port of Dover. Khalife was arrested on a canal towpath in west London on September 9 after a four-day manhunt. Authorities said he was riding a bicycle when a plain-clothes counter-terrorism officer nabbed him. He had been in custody pending trial on charges of violating Britain's Official Secrets Act by gathering information 'that could be useful to an enemy' and planting fake bombs at a military base. He was discharged from the British army after his initial arrest earlier this year. New records reveal that then-Vice President Joe Biden exchanged nearly 20,000 emails with his son Hunter, brother Jim and business associates at Hunter's investment firm Rosemont Seneca. It comes two months after a previous document dump said Rosemont Seneca exchanged over 1,000 emails during his time as the No. 2 most powerful politician in the world. The documents, obtained by a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, also directly contradict the president's repeated claim over the years that he was never involved with or aware of his son's shady business dealings. Ex-Trump adviser Stephen Miller's America First Legal, which obtained the emails, show 19,335 emails between the then-VP's office with Rosemont Seneca, 4,243 with Hunter, 1,751 with Jim Biden and another 3,738 with Jim's firm Lion Hall Group. In a statement, the House Oversight Committee - which is investigating the Biden family's business dealings - said: 'Presidential Candidate Joe Biden promised there would be an 'absolute wall' between his work as an elected official and his family's 'business.' That doesn't match his track record.' New records reveal that then-Vice President Joe Biden exchanged nearly 20,000 emails with his son Hunter, brother Jim and business associates at Hunter's investment firm Rosemont Seneca 'There was never a wall between the Bidens personal lives, business endeavors, and the government,' added AFL in a post on X. AFL filed three FOIA requests to the National Archives to find records related to the Bidens' businesses in August 2022. They were forced to file a lawsuit to make sure the records were released after the archives claimed it would take seven years of processing. Previous email dumps detail how Hunter leveraged his position and access to his father to arrange for his business partners to attend various White House tours, state dinners, luncheons and other official events. In one exchange from 2013, a Rosemont Seneca staffer directly emailed the vice president's office in order to arrange a White House Christmas tour for Hunter's associates saying it would be a 'big favor for Hunter'. A request came in from lobbyist Doug Davenport to Hunter's former business partner Eric Schwerin, saying he was in a 'bad spot' and needed to help out his 'guy from Apple' with getting a White House tour. 'I know it is WAY short notice, but I would owe you my life if you could tell me any way possible to get my hands on some public tour tix for this Friday? Or am I just way out of line???' Schwerin then looped in Rosemont Seneca employee Katie, asking her to 'check in with our friends over there' to see if the last-minute tour could be arranged. Ex-Trump adviser Stephen Miller's America First Legal, which obtained the emails, show 19,335 emails between the then-VP's office with Rosemont Seneca, 4,243 with Hunter, 1,751 with Jim Biden (pictured right) and another 3,738 with Jim's firm Lion Hall Group He said the most plausible solution would be to get the group 'front of the line' access. Katie then emailed VP Biden staffers using their official '@ovp.eop.gov' accounts asking for the tickets as a favor to Hunter. Another exchange shows Hunter helping his associate Josh Targoff from the Third Point nail down an exclusive West Wing tour. Additional correspondence reveals then-VP Joe was forwarded an external invitation from Hunter to attend an event by the UCLA Berkley Center for International Relations. Hunter also received numerous asks for his father's autographs on photographs, among other requests. Emails also show the close connection between the Rosemont Seneca staff and the then-vice president's staff. 'Welcome to the team!' Rosemont Seneca employee Katie cheerfully welcomed a new vice president correspondence director in August 2013 via the email exchange. 'These records further confirm that there was never a wall between the Office of the Vice President and Hunter Biden; in fact, there was extensive commingling between them,' said a press release by AFL. Conservative legal group America First Legal released the documents obtained from the National Archives via an ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit late Wednesday. Previous email dumps detail how Hunter leveraged his position and access to his father to arrange for his business partners to attend various White House tours, state dinners, luncheons and other official events The White House asserted 'executive privilege' in order to withhold the release of 200 emails in their entirety, saying their release would disclose 'confidential advice between the President and his advisors.' Earlier this week, a bombshell letter from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) revealed that Biden may have used pseudonyms in nearly 5,400 emails, electronic records and documents when he was vice president. The aliases 'Robin Ware, Robert L. Peters, and JRB Ware' were all pseudonyms the 80-year-old president was known to utilize while serving as vice president. The White House has insisted Biden was never in business with his son, and vice presidents and high-level government officials often use pseudonyms to prevent being inundated with spam and emails from the public. The House Oversight Committee Republicans has reiterated their 'concerns' that foreign nationals 'sought access and influence by engaging in lucrative business relationships with high-profile political figures' immediate family members,' including members of the Biden family. Emails, texts, photos and documents unearthed by this publication have added to a still-growing body of evidence suggesting that Joe may have been improperly involved in Hunter's shady foreign deals, including when he was Vice President. That evidence has now prompted an impeachment inquiry that begins on Thursday with the House Oversight Committee's first hearing. 'For years, President Biden has lied to the American people about his knowledge of and participation in his familys corrupt business schemes,' Rep James Comer will say in his opening statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 'To date, the House Oversight Committee has uncovered how the Bidens and their associates created over 20 shell companies and raked in over $24 million dollars. Weve also identified nine members of the Biden family who have participated in or benefited from these business schemes. 'What were the Bidens selling to make all this money? Joe Biden himself.' Impeachment could give GOP investigators more powers to obtain bank statements and other documents to root out any possible financial links Joe had with his son. Vice President Joe Biden, left, accompanied by from second left, daughter Ashley Biden, and sons Beau Biden and Hunter Biden, walked down the steps of Air Force Two upon their arrival at Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 Emails, texts, photos and documents unearthed by DailyMail.com have added to a still-growing body of evidence suggesting Joe had ties to his son Hunter's shady business dealings Speaker Kevin McCarthy, facing heavy pressure from the right wing of the Republican Party, announced earlier this month that he will launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden Documents, texts and videos obtained by DailyMail.com show Hunter Biden spent a staggering $30,000 on escorts in a five-month period It could also see Hunter hauled in front of Congress to testify under oath. In the past two years, DailyMail.com has revealed whistleblower allegations that Joe was acting as a 'chairman of the board' in his son's Latin American online gambling firm; that he shared bills with Hunter; discussed his son's business dealings with an alleged Chinese spy; collected up to $5.2 million in unexplained income; met with 15 of Hunter's business associates; and was named in multiple emails as a partner in the First Son's schemes. In November 2022 we predicted that the investigation would lead to an impeachment push. The evidence uncovered by DailyMail.com has been used by chairs of the House Oversight, Ways and Means, and Judiciary committees to probe the Biden family further since Republicans took control of the House in January. And according to a CNN poll released earlier this month, 61 percent of Americans now believe that then-VP Biden 'had some involvement' in Hunter's business dealings and 42 percent responded that Joe acted 'illegally.' Some of the Congressional lines of investigation involve alleged criminal actions by Hunter including apparent illicit transportation of prostitutes across state lines, revealed by DailyMail.com in July last year. House Oversight Chair James Comer says he is now probing Hunter's alleged links to trafficking. Other areas involve the President's alleged involvement with Hunter's shady dealings a probe which could be ramped up using the special powers afforded by an impeachment if a majority of House members vote in favor. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) directed its staff to not call Hamas 'terrorists' in their reporting on the war in Israel, in leaked emails the company has since defended. CBC director of journalistic standards George Achi sent the email on Saturday shortly after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, which has left at least 1,200 dead in Israel and thousands more injured. Canada's government has recognized the Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2002 - however Achi told reporters to write the fact they are terrorists as though it was an opinion. 'Do not refer to militants, soldiers, or anyone else as "terrorists,"' Achi's email reads. 'The notion of terrorism remains heavily politicized and is part of the story. Even when quoting/clipping a government or a source referring to fighters as "terrorists," we should add context to ensure the audience understands this is opinion, not fact.' A leaked email revealed the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation told staffers not to call Hamas 'terrorists' and not to describe 2005 as the end of Israeli occupation of Gaza The email was sent to staffers by CBC director of journalistic standards George Achi (pictured). CBC said language notes and reminders to our journalists are common practice The CBC confirmed the legitimacy of the email to DailyMail.com and said the protocol is similar to other media outlets American based organization StopAntisemitism first leaked the email on X, formerly known as Twitter. CBC journalists were also told not to describe 2005 as the end of Israel occupation of Gaza. 'Please do not describe 2005 as "the end of the occupation" as Israel has maintained control over airspace, seafront, and virtually all movement into or out of the area," the email said. 'Our description should be fact-based, referring to the end of permanent Israeli military presence on the ground.' The CBC confirmed the legitimacy of the email to DailyMail.com and said the protocol is similar to other media outlets. 'In his role as Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust for CBC News, George Achi was reminding journalists in the heat of a breaking story of our long-standing language and journalistic guidance on covering the Middle East,' a CBC spokesperson said. 'This was an internal email. Language notes and reminders to our journalists are common practice in breaking news situations. 'CBC News attributes the words "terrorist" and "terrorism" to authorities, politicians and other officials who use these terms. There is no ban on these words,' said the spokesperson. 'However, we ourselves avoid declaring specific groups terrorists, in line with the policies of many reputable news organizations and agencies around the world.' The CBC added: 'The focus of our news coverage is on describing exactly what happened in detail, as we have with all that has transpired this weekend. Our approach has been consistent and ensured CBCs journalism over decades of conflict in the Middle East lives up to our commitment to accuracy, balance and fairness.' Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Tuesday. Israel stepped up its ferocious air strikes on Gaza following Saturday's attack Firefighters put out a fire in Israel Saturday following a mass-infiltration by Hamas. Many people were taken hostage by Hamas People look at the damage in Israel after rockets were launched from Gaza. The surprise attack has left over 1,000 dead and even more injured I'm exhausted & angry. Angry with a world that allowed the dehumanization of Israelis, sanitized the evil of antizionism & dignified terrorism as resistance. As I said on @Morning_Joe, Hamas is committed to 1 thing: killing Jews. Not a 2SS or a peaceful resolution of conflict, pic.twitter.com/Ujw9vdfkze Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) October 9, 2023 Jewish activists have been critical of media outlets that have called Hamas 'militants' or 'soldiers.' While appearing on MSNBC, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt called out the network for using that language. 'I must say, I love this show, and I love this network. But Ive got to ask, whos writing the scripts? Hamas, the people who did this, they are not fighters. They are not militants,' he said. 'Im looking right at the camera: They are terrorists. It is a barbarian who rapes and brutalizes women, who kills children in front of their parents and then brings them over to Gaza.' Harrowing stories from the attack continue to emerge including that of 40 children massacred in one kibbutz alone. President Joe Biden delivered remarks on Tuesday promising to stand with Israel and denouncing the terrorist attacks. He revealed 14 Americans died in Israel and a national security adviser later added that 20 Americans are missing. At least 830 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza officials. Man tried to put the poster outside the voters home A prankster who attempted to put up a 'Vote No' poster outside the home of a Voice to Parliament Yes supporter was brutally told to 'f*** off'. Footage of the encounter uploaded to Tiktok showed the male prankster attempting to put the No poster outside the house, which was displaying a Vote Yes sign. The clip, uploaded by an account with the handle holytrinity.aus, shows the visitor wearing a grey hoodie, an orange hi-vis vest and black trousers as he rings the door bell carrying his Vote No poster. A woman opens the door to find the man holding the poster on her porch. 'Oh hey, there I'm just going door to door putting up these Vote No signs,' he says. 'Doing some good work for the community.' The resident at first seems amused by the prankster's presence. 'You're putting up a Vote No?' she asks. 'Oh yeah just from the goodness of my own heart,' the prankster innocently replies. The woman then points out there is a Vote Yes sign in front of the home. 'Yeah, have you read that?' the woman says gesturing to the sign a few metres away from where they both are standing. 'Read what?' the man replies. [Have you] read that sign there?' the woman says. The video then pans across to a handwritten cardboard poster with the words Vote Yes, with Yes written inside a small rectangular box. A hand-drawn map of Australia covered in the colours of the Aboriginal flag is pictured next to the box. The words '250 years with no say! Time for a vote!!!' are seen written at the bottom of the poster. A prankster (pictured right) is seen attempting to put up a Vote No poster outside the front of a Yes voter's home, as he tells the woman he is going around 'doing some good work' in the community The man pretends he hasn't seen the sign and wasn't aware it was out the front of the property. 'Oh I must have missed that coming in,' he says. Proudly showing off the poster, the woman then tells the man to take a hike. 'So you're not welcome here buddy, on your bike,' the woman says. Undeterred, the man asks the woman if he can leave the poster next to the Vote Yes sign. 'Maybe I can leave it [poster] there,' he says. The woman, now visibly irate, tells the prankster to 'get lost' before she tells the man she will take a picture of him on her phone and send it to 'the cops'. She then tells the prankster to 'f*** off' as the man is seen leaving the property. The woman repeats the expletive as the man leaves the woman's home with the prank having gone wrong. 'Woah...no need for that language,' he is heard saying. The exchange between the woman (pictured) and the prankster quickly turned sour, with the woman telling the man to 'f*** off' The social media post attracted plenty of comments from users who took objection to the woman's furious response to the prankster. 'Lots of inclusion from that Yes voter,' one person remarked. 'Typical Karen "sending pictures to cops"...' Polls show several electorates across the country including those held by Labor government ministers are set to vote No in the referendum which will be held on October 14. Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles all represent areas set to vote No in Saturday's poll. House Republicans are set to vote internally on who should lead their conference on Wednesday morning 'I don't think we've heard from the next speaker yet,' said Rep. Tom McClintock, predicting neither Jordan nor Scalise could lock down the vote tomorrow Hours before they are supposed to move forward with a candidate for speaker, House Republicans have no idea who will emerge as their next leader. They heard from the two men who have come forward to try to replace Kevin McCarthy as speaker Tuesday evening in a question-and-answer forum. Both Jim Jordan, who chairs the powerful House Judiciary Committee, and Steve Scalise, the House's number two Republican, have rounded up endorsements from rank-and-file members. The candidates breathed a sigh of relief after Kevin McCarthy discouraged his allies from throwing his name into the hat - which would have further complicated the race. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., confirmed to DailyMail.com he had heard from the former speaker asking him not to nominate McCarthy. 'He wanted to let this process play out without him in it, see if one of these candidates can get to consensus,' he said. 'I don't think they will.' Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the House's number two Republican, is running for the speakership Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the powerful Judiciary Committee, is running against Scalise for the speakership He said he didn't think either candidate would become the next speaker. 'I don't think we've heard from the speaker yet.' Republicans must first vote on a secret ballot internally among themselves. That will happen Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Whichever candidate gets the majority within the conference then must go against the Democratic candidate, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, on the House floor to be elected speaker. With only a four-vote majority, Republicans must be nearly unanimous to push their candidate through the House. Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., also left the meeting not confident the House would get a speaker tomorrow. 'It's going to take more than one day to get this done.' But Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., one of the eight Republicans who voted with McCarthy to oust Democrats last week, had a more optimistic outlook. 'I think so,' he told DailyMail.com when asked if he thought either candidate could get to a majority on the House floor tomorrow. He declined to say who he supported. Scalise, who is battling blood cancer on top of running for speaker, left the meeting and said he pitched himself as a 'unifier' within the conference. 'People want to see us get back on track,' he said. Scalise, as a current member of the GOP leadership team, has seemingly garnered more traction among establishment Republicans while Jordan is popular with the conference's right wing. A sizable number of Jordan supporters have not committed to supporting Scalise if he ends up being the candidate who gets the most vote within the conference. Rep. Dan Bishop, a McCarthy foe who threatened to support ousting him but ultimately didn't, now supports Jordan. He didn't rule out supporting Scalise but said he didn't believe the majority leader had a 'crystal clear plan' to lead the conference through a tough spending battle. 'Some of [my concerns] with Scalise are so obvious that I'm not going to say it,' Bishop told DailyMail.com. 'But do we really think this institution works so well that we should just move up the next guy?' 'If you think that Congress and Republicans in Congress have done a fantastic job with 20 years, then it would make sense,' said Bishop. 'If you think there's been shortcomings, then maybe not.' Both Scalise and Jordan admitted that they would need to put a continuing resolution (CR) - a bill to extend government funding at FY 2023 levels and avert a government shutdown while they hash out a longer term spending plan. CRs are widely disliked - particularly with the right wing flank and were what prompted McCarthy's ouster. Kevin McCarthy told allies not to nominate him for the speakership But one emerging consensus among Republicans was they wanted to rectify a lack of transparency and honesty they found under McCarthy's leadership. 'We have been hearing of nothing but backroom deals and promises that have been made then supposedly broke,' said Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla. She said Jordan was the only candidate who said he would not honor any backroom promises. She also predicted the speaker's race could drag on indefinitely. 'I don't know if by the end of tomorrow we will have a speaker - I don't know if by the end of the week we will have a speaker,' she told reporters. 'I just don't think that there is a candidate at this point in time who has a lion's share of the support.' And without an elected House speaker, the lower chamber cannot move on to other legislative priorities - namely passing spending legislation to avert a government shutdown next month, and aid to replenish Israel's defense capabilities amid attacks from Hamas. WARNING: Disturbing content. A notorious murderer who was jailed for viciously stabbing a sex worker to death before going on a terrifying rampage through the Sydney CBD has had three years shaved off his earliest possible release on appeal. However, Mert Ney, who shocked the city when he went on a bloody rampage through Sydney's streets in August 2019, still won't be eligible for release until the middle of the century. Ney murdered Michaela Dunn before running through the streets brandishing a knife and stabbing another woman. He was then subdued by brave good Samaritans. In Sydney's Supreme Court in May 2021, Justice Peter Johnson described Ney's actions as a 'cruel, brutal and terrifying attack made for no reason'. He sentenced the unemployed man to 44 years in jail and set his first possible release on parole at August 2052 after serving 33 years. However, Ney earlier this year appealed the length of his sentence. Supreme Court On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal quashed the sentence imposed in the Supreme Court and instead sentenced him to 40 years in jail as well as setting a 30-year non-parole period that will expire in August 2049. However, the court was told that he had since also been sentenced in the Goulburn Local Court for assaulting a law officer and in the Penrith District Court for assault occasioning bodily harm. His earliest possible date for release on parole is now October 12, 2050. Michaela Dunn was murdered by Ney in a Clarence St unit in the Sydney CBD. Picture: Supplied. He was arrested by police in Sydney's CBD in August 2019. Picture: Supplied/Twitter/David Vaux. Ney pleaded guilty to murdering Ms Dunn as well as wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after he stabbed another woman, Lin Bo, while running through the streets in the aftermath. Before his rampage, he caught a train from Blacktown to the Sydney CBD armed with a knife in his backpack. He booked a $250 sexual service with Ms Dunn, who worked out of a Clarence St unit where he viciously stabbed her in the face, neck, chest and arms. Ney's arrest after his terrifying rampage through the Sydney CBD. Picture: Supplied He travelled by train to the Sydney CBD from Blacktown before he killed Ms Dunn. Picture: Supplied After murdering Ms Dunn, Ney made a bizarre video on his mobile phone, during which he said 'Allahu Akbar' and 'f*** infidels' and sent messages via social media. He then went on a terrifying rampage through the streets brandishing another knife and with a balaclava over his head. A group of courageous citizens managed to subdue him with a chair and a milk crate before he was arrested by police. More to come Team Starmer are offering limited-edition t-shirts with the slogan 'Sparkle with Starmer' after a protester showered the Labour leader with glitter during the party's conference in Liverpool yesterday. Supporters can unleash their 'inner shimmer' by wearing the white t-shirt that features a 'sparkle design', which can be pre-ordered from the Labour Party's gift shop for 20. A description on the online gift shop for the t-shirt says: 'Unleash your inner shimmer and shine with our brand new, exclusive, "Sparkle with Starmer" t-shirt!' On Tuesday afternoon, before Sir Keir could start his speech setting out how he would run the country, Yaz Ashmawi, 28, poured glitter over the Labour leader while yelling 'democracy is in crisis'. In the shocking security breach in Liverpool yesterday afternoon, Mr Ashmawi managed to reach the stage unchallenged, and get his arms around the opposition leader in a grip for several seconds before bodyguards tackled him and dragged the disrupter away. Team Starmer are offering limited-edition t-shirts with the slogan 'Sparkle With Starmer' after a protester showered the Labour leader with glitter The protester, who has links to eco-groups Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion, was arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance. The Labour leader looked bemused and tried to keep Ashmawi at arm's length until security tackled the protester and led him off stage. Sir Keir then brushed off the glitter, and told a cheering conference: 'If he thinks that bothers me he doesn't know me.' The Labour leader used the speech to claim the 'tide is turning' for Labour today as he gave potentially his last conference speech before an election. He insisted he is the leader to 'heal' the country - but warned it will require a 'decade of national renewal'. Sir Keir said he had turned Labour into a 'party of service', 'renewed' after the Corbyn era. Sir Keir praised the spirit of the British people despite the 'Tory project to kick the hope out of this country'. Promising to reshape the country with 1.5 million homes including new towns, modernised infrastructure and support for green industries, Sir Keir said 'the fire of change still burns in Britain' and it 'lives on in Labour'. With a general election next year and Labour enjoying double-digit poll leads, Sir Keir warned that the 'dangerous' Tories would 'scorch the earth just to get at us'. And if he did win the keys to No 10, the scale of the challenge would be immense compared with his predecessors. With a general election next year and Labour enjoying double-digit poll leads, Sir Keir warned that the 'dangerous' Tories would 'scorch the earth just to get at us' On Tuesday afternoon, before Sir Keir could start his speech setting out how he would run the country for a decade, Yaz Ashmawi, 28, poured glitter over the Labour leader The Labour leader looked bemused and tried to keep Ashmawi at arm's length until security tackled the protester and led him off stage 'If you think our job in 1997 was to rebuild a crumbling public realm, that in 1964 it was to modernise an economy left behind by the pace of technology, in 1945 to build a new Britain out of the trauma of collective sacrifice, then in 2024 it will have to be all three.' Sir Keir put reforming the 'restrictive planning system' at the core of his plan to secure economic growth. The system was 'a blockage that stops this country building roads, grid connections, laboratories, trainlines, warehouses, windfarms, power stations' and 'an obstacle to the aspirations of millions'. The plan to 'get Britain building again' would 'fight the blockers who hold a veto over British aspiration'. The 1.5 million homes promised by would involve new development corporations with powers to cut through red tape and the creation of the 'next generation of Labour new towns'. He insisted his plans would not mean 'tearing up the green belt' but building could take place in areas where that protection was 'clearly ridiculous'. Indigenous university students are being offered special assessment leeway to cope with emotional duress inflicted by debate around the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum - while similarly affected staff will get extra leave to cope. Melbourne University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Barry Judd sent an all-staff email on Monday to remind them 'of the strain this long campaign has placed on our Indigenous colleagues and students'. Professor Judd wrote the 'increasingly polarised and vitriolic campaign has caused enormous dismay and distress to our University Indigenous community' and this has led to Indigenous staff being offered 'special leave provisions' for the rest of the year. 'The requests for commentary on the Voice referendum, both from within and outside the University, have added to the burden on our Indigenous staff this year,' Professor Judd wrote, urging managers to acknowledge the extra workload. Melbourne University (pictured) is offering Indigenous staff extra leave and students special assessment consideration because of the 'distress' of the Voice referendum Indigenous students can also apply for 'special consideration provisions' for their assessment, whether that be assignments or exams. Post-graduate researchers will also get special consideration. 'I ask all staff responsible for approving these requests to respond in a timely manner, led by considerations of health and well-being,' Professor Judd wrote. A spokesperson for the university told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday the measure being offered to Indigenous students and staff 'acknowledge the burden they are under at this difficult and stressful time'. Melbourne's La Trobe university will allow Indigenous staff to take off the first working day, Monday October 16, following the referendum on Saturday but they can take the leave on an alternative date. A spokesperson for the university told Daily Mail Australia the Voice measures were part of La Trobe's 'existing policies and procedures' and have been in place since the referendum date was announced in August. Melbourne University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Barry Judd said requests for commentary on the Voice referendum had been an added burden on academic staff As well as the special consideration for Indigenous students, La Trobe has set up 'support services such as counselling and supportive meet-up spaces' across its campuses for all students to share 'experiences and feelings after the referendum'. Victoria University, also based in Melbourne, told Daily Mail Australia it was offering 'special consideration to our First Nations students' as well as special cultural leave for First Nations colleagues for the rest of the year. The university said the special assessment considerations being offered showed their 'commitment to student wellbeing'. 'We acknowledge the depth and complexity of viewpoints of the Voice referendum within Victoria University, especially among First Nations students and staff,' a spokesperson said. 'We have always committed to reflecting their views fearlessly and respectfully.' The university will also provide 'evidence-based' resources on the Voice as well as support services. Indigenous staff at La Trobe university are being offered the Monday off after the Voice referendum Over more than 2 million Australians have already cast their vote in pre-polling on whether Indigenous Australians should be recognised in the constitution and be represented by an advisory Voice body to parliament. To pass on Saturday the proposal needs to win an overall majority of votes and also win in a majority of states. Opinion surveys have consistently shown the Voice will struggle to achieve that with a Newspoll on Monday showing 56 per cent of respondents intended to vote no. A woman who pretended she was a doctor, dressed up in scrubs and a stethoscope and offered help to patients with ovarian cancer, HIV and fertility issues has admitted she was completely unqualified to dole out health advice. Dalya Karezi garnered 243,000 followers on TikTok and 20,000 on Instagram as 'Dr Karezi', offering health advice to women and others about a large variety of serious health issues and diseases between 2019 and 2021. The 30-year-old claimed to have a doctor's 'MBBS' degree and ran the letters after her name. She claimed she was a specialist in the women's health practices of obstetrics and gynaecology. The bank worker also falsely presented herself as a doctor while working as a medical specialist for NSW Health and the NSW Cancer Institute. In emails, she used the titles RMO and VMO, standing for resident medical officer and visiting medical officer. Her TikTok videos and posts on Instagram, which were hashtagged #doctor and included images of her dressed in scrubs, have since been deleted, and she also promoted face masks online. But on Wednesday she pleaded guilty to to impersonating a doctor and pretending to be a medical specialist at the Downing Centre Court in Sydney. Dalya Karezi garnered 243,000 followers on TikTok and 20,000 on Instagram as 'Dr Karezi', offering health advice to women and others about a large variety of serious health issues and diseases between 2019 and 2021 Dalya Karezi (pictured with bogus 'Dr' nametag) advised millions on TikTok and Instagram about serious diseases such as ovarian cancer and HIV Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis told the court when convicting Karezi: 'In my view these are fairly serious matters. The improprieties in holding herself out (as a doctor) were extensive, prolific and pervasive'. Of her multiple posts on social media, he said 'Some transcended the boundaries (she) offered advice on ovarian cancer, Covid ... for people's toddlers, for uterine fibroids, contraception, paracetamol overdose (while) wearing scrubs and seen with a stethoscope round her neck.' In one image, His Honour said, Karezi had a nametag with 'Dr' on it and in other posts she claimed to be an expert about 'sexual health, alcohol and drugs, testosterone, ... this was during lockdown when people were confined to their homes.' As 'Dr Karezi', she was extremely popular in the Iraqi and Kurdish communities in western Sydney, of which she is a member and also worked as an advocate. She even won awards for her work in a campaign called 'Shisha, No Thanks' to discourage the use of Middle-Eastern water smoking pipes for health reasons. Fake doctor Dalya Karezi (right) exits the Downing Centre Court where she has pleaded guilty to impersonating a doctor and pretending to be a medical specialist Posing as 'Dr Karezi' she was popular on TikTok and Instagram doling out health advice to women and pretending that she was an obstetric and gynaecology specialist Karezi's guilty plea also comes after a prosecution by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), where she pleaded guilty to offences of impersonating a health practitioner and having used a name or title when not permitted to do so. Those offences relate to 21 emails Karezi sent between July 2019 and April 2021 in which she indicated she was authorised or qualified to practise in the medicine - even though she has never been registered with the Medical Board of Australia. Karezi's lawyer, Erasmus Lovell-Jones, said his client had only worked in research roles for NSW Health and the NSW Cancer Council and had since completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and Master of Reproductive Medicine degrees. Mr Lovell-Jones argued that she had 'psychological fragility' from a traumatic childhood, having spent four years in refugee camps in Iran, on her way from Iraq to Australia. Asking for no conviction because it would affect her job with her current employer Commonwealth Bank of Australia - he said in her false application posing as a doctor to work at the Cancer Institute 'at no stage was she was putting herself in the position of treating patients'. In emails, Karezi used the titles RMO and VMO, standing for resident medical officer and visiting medical officer. The bogus 'Dr Karezi' (left) impersonate a medical specialist on TikTok and Instagram, as well as working for NSW Health and the Cancer Council Dalya Karezi (above, outside Westmead Hospital) has never been registered as a doctor and pleaded guilty to faking her status He said regarding her fake posts on TikTok and Instagram, including posing in bogus medical scrubs : 'She was endeavouring to repackage already available health information. 'There was an element of self-promotion. Totally inappropriate, but she was in her mid-20s, and suddenly given attention on social media'. He added that Karezi has now 'engaged in rehabilitation'. The maximum penalty for her offences, increased since 2019, are $60,000 per offence, including potential jail time of up to three years. However Magistrate Tsavdaridis sentenced Karezi to a Community Corrections Order for two years and fined her $13,300. READ MORE: Gaza holds its breath as Israel masses its forces on the border ahead of invasion Pro-Palestinian protesters took over Times Square on Sunday with one holding up a swastika Woke congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has finally publicly condemned the 'unacceptable' Pro-Palestine rallies in New York City Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has broken with members of her far-left 'squad' of Democrat lawmakers to condemn the 'unacceptable' Pro-Palestine rallies in NYC. 'It should not be hard to shut down hatred and antisemitism where we see it,' AOC said in a statement Monday. 'That is a core tenet of solidarity. The bigotry and callousness expressed in Times Square on Sunday were unacceptable and harmful in this devastating moment.' A pro-Palestinian mob took over Times Square on Sunday - just one day after terrorist organization Hamas launched its assault on Israel that has left more than 1,000 people dead. Shocking new footage emerged today showing a pro-Hamas mob in Tampa, Florida, mocking Jewish people with images of murdered Israelis, in another illustration of the vile anti-Semitism that grips sections of the population. AOC's statement marks a break from other members of the so-called Hateful Eight of Democrat lawmakers - including Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Cori Bush - who have been vocal critics of Israel in the past. The statement is notable given AOC's vocal criticism of Israel in the past One of the hundreds of placard-clad demonstrators was seen on the front line holding up a swastika Other members of the woke group of lawmakers, Greg Casar and Summer Lee, have also been critical of the Jewish state. AOC added in her statement that the rally 'did not speak for thousands of New Yorkers who are capable of rejecting both Hamas' horrifying attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices and violence Palestinians face under the occupation.' New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman, a member of the Squad, also condemned the rally. 'I am shocked and disgusted by the rally held here in NY this weekend celebrating death or attacks on civilians and showing swastikas,' he wrote on Twitter. Adding: 'I condemn any demonstration that does this in the strongest possible terms. We must proceed on the basis of recognizing our shared humanity.' Protesters at Sunday's rally gathered with megaphones and yellow signs reading: 'Resistance against occupation is a human right' and 'End all US aid to apartheid Israel'. They chanted: '5, 6, 7, 8 Israel is a terrorist state.' Demonstrators planned to take over Times Square - the social and symbolic epicenter of New York - just one day after Israeli women and children were dragged from their homes and slaughtered by Palestinian militants. Other members of the 'Hateful Eight' have drawn widespread criticism for their failure to support Israel following Hamas' devastating attacks. Ilhan Omar has called on the US government to withdraw its support for the Jewish State and called Israel's retaliatory attacks 'collective punishment, a war crime' adding that 'the U.S. should oppose any violations of international law if we truly support a rules-based international order.' Cori Bush also called for an end to US support for Israel, calling it an apartheid state. Similarly, Rashida Tlaib, wrote in a statement following Hamas attacks that the path to peace 'must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance.' The number of people killed in Hamas's attack on Israel has risen to 1,200, with 2,900 wounded. The most recent Gaza toll stands at 900 dead and 4,500 injured. Swathes of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of Manhattan on Sunday following rocket attacks, pillaging, and murders on the streets of Israel over the weekend. Hamas, the terrorist organization and de facto rulers of the Gaza Strip, ambushed and killed hundreds of Israelis during their high holiday There was a heavy police presence in New York's Time Square today - as pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Midtown after Hamas launched surprise attacks on Israel Hundreds of people took over Times Square to protest on Sunday Pro-Palestinian protesters continued to chant 'resistance is justified' into the afternoon - as a sea of signs and posters took over Times Square American citizens are among the dead and captured, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. AOC has formally called Israel an apartheid state, the Jerusalem Post reported, and earlier this year skipped Israeli President Isaac Herzog's address to congress. Democrat Summer Lee said she 'strongly condemn Hamas's horrifying attack' but that 'we must bring an end to the occupation' and that there is 'no military solution that will bring an end to this violence.' On Tuesday night it emerged that babies in Israel had been beheaded by Hamas militants. Hamas gunmen massacred 40 children in one farm settlement alone, their small bodies lying in their rooms riddled with bullets. And as shellshocked survivors told their stories, one bereaved grandson, Shmuel Harel, told the Daily Mail's Sam Greenhill : 'They are the new Nazis. This was a holocaust, pure and simple.' Israeli forces extracting dead bodies of Israeli residents from a destroyed house as fighting between Israeli troops and Islamist Hamas militants continues Israeli soldiers prepare to remove the bodies of their compatriots, killed during an attack by Hamas in Kfar Aza Cars and a stroller left behind at the scene of a rocket attack from Gaza on the weekend are pictured on a main road near the entrance of the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday He said his terrified 90-year-old grandmother's last moments were being dragged into her living room and shot twice in the head. A sobbing Israeli woman said she had to listen in helpless horror as her 12-year-old autistic daughter was kidnapped while clinging desperately to her grandmother. As vengeful Israel unleashes hell in military retaliation, stunned survivors are gathering at refugee hotels a safe distance from the front line where they weep. Last night at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel on the Dead Sea, dozens were sat in the lobby and coffee shop, some carrying photos of loved ones butchered or kidnapped. The United States is readying its special forces to help Israel locate American hostages, as waves of Israeli Defense Force reservists arrived at JFK airport in New York to join the fight against Hamas. Two senior U.S. military officials told The Messenger that 'door kickers' have been put on alert in a nearby European country, ready to assist Israel if necessary in their battle against Hamas. The Israeli death toll rose to 1,200 on Tuesday. The military sources told the website that there was currently no indication the U.S. special forces would be sent to Israel, but they were only a few hours away by plane if need be. The military officials would not confirm which units were being readied, but said they fell under the Joint Special Operations Command. The Messenger reported that the two main counterterrorism units under the Joint Special Operations Command which have previously undertaken hostage rescue missions are the Army's Delta Force, and the Navy's SEAL Team Six - which was dispatched to kill Osama bin Laden. Reservists with the IDF dance at JFK airport as they wait to board their flight back to Tel Aviv Lloyd Austin, the Defense Secretary, said on Tuesday that the U.S. had also sent hostage negotiators to help the Israeli specialists. Twenty Americans remain missing in Israel following the weekend's Hamas attack, including some whose relatives say they have been taken hostage. Austin said the U.S. has 'people on the ground' who will assist Israeli authorities 'with intelligence and planning' for potential operations involving hostage rescue efforts. The U.S. hostage negotiators will work alongside a team already in place, working out of the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, The Messenger reported. Austin said the Pentagon has a 'liaison cell' in Israel working with Israeli special operations forces. Austin also said the U.S. has the ability to 'rapidly deploy other resources into the region.' President Joe Biden has dispatched the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and five guided-missile cruisers and destroyers to the scene, and they arrived on Tuesday. U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks on Tuesday after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and senior security officials for a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in the Situation Room before delivering his speech 'The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation,' said Gen. Michael 'Erik' Kurilla, who oversees U.S. Central Command. On Sunday, Austin said that the warships would carry U.S. Air Force warplanes 'to bolster regional deterrence efforts' - an effort to dissuade Iran or Hezbollah from taking advantage of the conflict and joining in. On Monday, a senior defense official said the strike group can conduct 'a full spectrum of missions, from intelligence collection, maritime dominance, to long-range strike, will ensure the United States is postured to respond to any contingencies and minimize the risk of a wider spread conflict that would threaten stability.' The Pentagon is looking at supplying Israel with more arms, and liaising with defense contractors to ramp up their production. 'These posture increases were intended to serve as an unequivocal demonstration in deed and not only in words of U.S. support for Israel's defense and serve as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and any other proxy across the region who might be considering exploiting the current situation to escalate conflict,' the official said. 'Those adversaries should think twice.' In New York City on Monday, crowds of IDF reservists were gathering to board planes back to Israel to join the fight. People mourn at the graveside of Eden Guez, who was killed a festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen that left at least 260 people dead, at her funeral in Ashkelon, in southern Israel Explosions are seen above Gaza, as Israel launches strikes on the enclave in retaliation The country has called up an unprecedented 300,000-plus reservists for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a 'massive attack' on the terror group Hamas. Some reservists danced and sang as they prepared to board their flight out of JFK. Delta Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines have all suspended flights to Israel amid travel advisories from the State Department, but El Al is continuing to fly. Ticket prices have soared, but charities are funding the tickets for many wanting to return and assist, The Times of Israel reported. Noam, an Israeli man who lives in New York and served in the special forces of the IDF, told the paper he was told on Monday morning he was being called up for reserve duty. By 1pm, he was at the airport, checking in for a 4pm flight. 'They're already been called up together so I'm just waiting to join them,' he told the paper. Another man had flown in to JFK from his home in Kansas that morning. 'They just told us to get here, and they would take care of it,' he said. 'We don't know what's going to happen, but we are here.' The reservists were motivated by the stream of horrific stories emerging from Israel, with first-hand accounts of the atrocities committed by Hamas. Survivors recounted their terror as the Islamists arrived. Relatives told of their despair at murdered or missing relatives. Soldiers told of the almost unthinkable horror they found after clearing Hamas from areas surrounding Gaza. David Ben Zion, Deputy Commander of Unit 71, told i24News that he had seen victims decapitated, including children. 'We went door after door, we killed a lot of the terrorists,' he said. 'We are stronger than them. They are aggressive, they are very bad. 'They cut heads off children, cut heads off women. But we are stronger than them.' David Ben Zion, Deputy Commander of Unit 71, told i24News that he had seen victims decapitated, including children "They chopped heads of children and women," says David Ben Zion, Deputy Commandee of Unit 71 to our @Nicole_Zedek, while reporting from the massacre in Kfar Aza in southern Israel pic.twitter.com/IHSB0ywMbF i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 10, 2023 The bullet-riddled bodies of Israeli residents of a kibbutz lay among burned out houses, strewn furniture and torched cars. As many as 40 babies and small children were killed, IDF soldiers told i24News after taking them to the scene of the atrocity. Harrowing images from the scene showed a baby's cot covered with blood; her small bloodied dress lying next to it. The Israeli soldiers were seen comforting each other after witnessing such horrors, including the bodies of entire families who were gunned down in their beds. 'You see the babies, the mothers, the fathers, in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms and how the terrorist kills them,' said Israeli Major General Itai Veruv. 'It's not a war, it's not a battlefield. It's a massacre, it's a terror activity. 'It is something that I never saw in my life. It's something that we used to imagine from our grandfathers, grandmothers in the pogrom in Europe and other places. It's not something that happens in new history.' Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday A baby's seat and child's dress is seen covered in blood in the aftermath of a Hamas attack Gunshots and blood stains are seen on a door and walls of a house where civilians were killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas on this kibbutz near the border with Gaza on Tuesday Hamas terrorists beheaded babies and gunned down entire families in their homes in a small kibbutz in Israel, Israeli soldiers have claimed Outside the destroyed homes, the soldiers told i24News correspondent Nicole Zedek (pictured) how they saw the bodies of babies next to their cots, their heads chopped off, in a sign of the depraved acts committed by the terrorists since they attacked Israel on Saturday The stench of bodies was heavy in the air as the soldiers showed journalists the kibbutz, popular amongst families. The small football nets where children would have played football were seen on a pocket of grass - but in the background, the bodies of families were laid on the ground. Outside one of the small houses of the kibbutz the body of a resident was covered by a purple sheet with a bare foot protruding. A pillow and other objects from the house lay scattered. Elsewhere bodies of the gunmen lay face down on the ground. A destroyed gate at the perimeter of the kibbutz showed where the gunmen had entered. The terrorists went on a rampage, killing hundreds of Israelis and taking dozens hostage in places like Kfar Aza, near Sderot. Some of the houses had been almost totally destroyed in the attack with collapsed, burned walls. Israeli troops were going house to house to retrieve civilian bodies in body bags. They had not been able to take them before as they were still fighting gunmen and working through booby-traps. One soldier shouted: 'Tell the world what you saw here.' Soldiers were still securing the paths of the kibbutz, which had single-storey houses with verandas, palm trees and banana plants, as bursts of gunfire and explosions could be heard in the distance. 'What the journalists saw today is a massacre: children, women and elderly who were butchered,' said Nir Dinar, an Israeli Defense Force spokesman. 'These are animals, worse than Isis.' He said that the casualties numbered in 'dozens', adding 'we are still counting.' The United States has confirmed 14 Americans are among the dead, and at least 20 are missing, believed to have been taken hostage. Among them is 18-year-old Chicago high school graduate Natalie Raanan and her mother, and 34-year-old Daniel Ben Senior, whose father says she was working at the Nova musical festival when Hamas terrorists struck. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, is another American now being held captive by Hamas. His mother says he had his arm 'blown off' from the elbow down. 'Unfortunately, what we heard about Hersh [from eyewitnesses] is that his arm was blown off from his elbow down. He tourniqueted his own arm,' Rachel Golberg told CNN. Goldberg-Polin moved to Israel with his family in 2008 after first attending elementary school in Los Angeles. Natalie Ranaan was visiting family for the High Holidays with her mother, Judith, when the assault began on Saturday. Since then, relatives have not heard from either woman Raanan and her mother were visiting family in Israel for the High Holidays Judith Raanan was also taken hostage along with her daughter. Their family in Illinois has not heard from them since Saturday Daniel Ben Senior, 34, was working at Nova festival on Saturday when Hamas terrorists attacked. She has not been seen since Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 35-year-old American citizen who is among those missing Itay Chen, a US citizen fighting in the Israeli Defense Force, who is also missing Hersh Golberg-Polin, 23, texted his mother and father 'I love you. I'm sorry' at 8.11am on Saturday - as Hamas terrorists declared war on Israel, took dozens of people as hostage and killed hundreds during the Jewish high holiday Adrienne Neta, 66, is also missing. She is a nurse and midwife who moved to Israel from California in 1981 Adrienne's son Nahal cried at a press conference today where he and the relatives of other missing Americans pleaded for information and help The families of missing Americans in Tel Aviv on Tuesday begging for information The families of some of those who have been taken captive held a press conference in Tel Aviv to raise awareness. Among their missing relatives is Itay Chen, a former New Yorker serving in the Israel Defense League. 'You would think that after 70 hours, if he's not in the state of Israel, he might be somewhere else. He is, by definition, a POW. 'We are asking for the US government to ask Hamas to treat him as a POW should be treated,' his father, Rubi, said. Sisters Norelle and Roya Manzuri, who attended Temple Israel of Hollywood school, are missing along with Amit Cohen. Murdered: Debbie, a Missouri native, and Shlomi Matias were killed in front of their son on Saturday The families of missing Americans in Israel gathered at a press conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to share their stories Sagui Deke-Chen, 35, is also missing. His father, Jonathan, spoke at the press conference along with the families of other US citizens taken hostage. Adrienne Neta, 66, is missing. Her son, Nahar, is desperately trying to find her. He lambasted the Israeli government for not providing any information about what is being done to find the missing. The Biden administration says it will do 'everything it can' to bring the hostages home, but it's unclear if that will extend to negotiating with Hamas. 'We will do everything possible to get them home. 'I don't want to get too far ahead of where we are right now,' Kirby said Israel's response to Saturday's attack continued today with dozens of airstrikes. Hamas, a designated terrorist group, has persisted with rockets. Palestinian protesters who held a rally in Sydney following terrorist attacks against against Israel have been told to not bring their conflicts to Australia. About 700 pro-Palestinian protesters attended in response to the Sydney Opera House sails being lit blue and white to show sympathy for those Israelis caught in the attacks. Some of the protesters were seen chanting 'gas the Jews' and burning the Star of David as part of the rally. In stark contrast, a handful of people with Israeli flags were arrested on sight in a move police said was for their own protection. Videos shared to social media by attendees bragging about the protest were met with hundreds of comments saying that type of political conflict has no place in Australia. 'This is Australia where we have peace so respect us,' one said. 'We don't want your hatred and generational rage here,' added another. 'I was there and scared, looked like a war zone,' a third said. 'Do you think you are going to change the minds of our govt by doing this! I hope they arrest trouble makers,' said a fourth. Another said: 'Take your fight to Palestine this is Aboriginal Land.' A fifth declared: 'If you love Palestine then go there and fight and not disturb peace in other countries.' There were scenes of chaos as a rally outside the Opera House was hijacked by radical Muslims - some wearing black masks - who hurled lit flares at police and chanted 'f*** Israel' and 'f*** the Jews' Daily Mail Australia witnessed a large crowd of men attempting to set light to an Israeli flag with firecrackers before resorting to stamping on it and tearing it into shreds (pictured) Videos of the protest shared to social media were met with comments saying to leave such conflicts overseas Many commenters said the scenes looked 'like a war zone' and have no place in Australia A police task force has been set up to co-ordinate responses to the protest activity. Police acting Commissioner David Hudson said the task force would capture all intelligence available about community sentiment, potential protest activity and possible demonstrations that might take place in the future. 'The intent of the operation is to ensure community safety, that is always our primary purpose,' he told reporters on Wednesday. Organisers from the Palestine Action Group Sydney had planned a second protest for Sunday night. But Mr Hudson said any protest would be unauthorised as the relevant paperwork had not been submitted to police within the required seven-day timeframe. 'I would urge anyone considering attending Town Hall, if they have received notification of assembly, that the situation should be monitored closely and we will be doing further communication and negotiations with those organisers,' he said. '(Protesters) do not have protections that come from the appropriate issue of (the paperwork) and they will be dealt with appropriately.' If the rally went ahead, Mr Hudson said it would be met with a strong police presence. One person asked what the motivation was to attend the protest While another called for unity and not an escalation of tensions The Palestine Action Group defended their right to protest in Australia, saying media coverage had focused on a tiny fringe of 'vile anti-Semitic attendees'. But Mr Hudson said NSW Police would reject further requests to support further protests by the group because of what happened on Monday. 'The behaviour has been seen and quite clearly depicted through the media is unacceptable,' he said. 'We can no longer say that that group is responsible for conducting peaceful protests.' More than 1000 people are dead after the Islamist group Hamas attacked Israeli towns from the Palestinian territories on Saturday. Among them was Sydney grandmother Galit Carbone, who was executed at the Be'eri kibbutz, kilometres from the Gaza Strip. Mr Minns apologised to the Jewish community for the way the Sydney protest was handled and said he took 'full responsibility' and promised it would not happen again. 'The protest organisers have already proven that they're not peaceful: shouting racial epithets at Jewish community members is not the definition of a peaceful protest,' he said. 'So the idea that they're going to commandeer Sydney streets is not going to happen.' The rally, organised by the Palestine Action Group Sydney, saw vast numbers of pro-Palestine activists gather at Town Hall in Sydney's CBD before marching to the Opera House. A NSW Greens MP shared the details of the event beforehand Police Minister Yasmin Catley dismissed opposition attacks about her lack of intervention in the protest, saying she had no role in operational policing decisions. The Jewish Board of Deputies had expressed to her their concerns for safety and requested she stop the rally, she said. 'The decisions are for the police commanders on the ground,' she said. Mr Minns said the protest was not consistent with Australia's multi-faith, multicultural community values. 'I thought it was abhorrent (for protesters) to occupy the Opera House and scream racial epithets at Jewish community members simply because they're Jewish,' he said. A vigil for Israeli victims of the attacks will be held in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Wednesday evening. Mr Hudson said police would increase their presence around synagogues, Jewish schools and hospitals to ensure people were kept safe. A leading critic of Qantas' business practices has assured hard-working airline staff they are not the problem - as chairman Richard Goyder reveals he will follow the CEO out the door. Bridget McKenzie, who chaired the Select Committee inquiry into the decision to refuse Qatar Airways more flights into Australia, welcomed Mr Goyder's announcement on Wednesday. Ms McKenzie said: 'Qantas clearly needs to restore its reputation with its loyal customers, staff, shareholders and the Australian public. Board and management renewal is critical to that.' But she stressed the fault does not lie with the hardworking staff who are 'on the front lines day in, day out'. 'I know I have been giving the board and management a pretty tough time of recent weeks... and with pretty good reasons,' she said. Bridget McKenzie, who chaired the Select Committee inquiry into the decision to refuse Qatar Airways more flights into Australia, welcomed Mr Goyder's announcement on Wednesday She stressed the fault does not lie with the hardworking staff who are 'on the front lines day in, day out' 'But, I do want to give a shoutout to the staff of Qantas, to thank them for their professionalism. '[They are] on the front lines day in, day out, dealing with the frustrations of the Australian travelling public. They're doing a magnificent job.' She hopes that the sustained pressure she, the Coalition, and the general public have placed on Qantas will improve the experience of travelling for all Australians. 'We all want Qantas to be an airline we can be proud of, and recognition that change was needed is a good thing,' she said. 'Mr Goyder has had a very distinguished corporate career and I genuinely wish him well as he manages the leadership transition.' The airline said Mr Goyder would be stepping down prior to the company's annual general meeting in late 2024. 'Qantas has gone through an incredibly difficult period since our operation was grounded during the pandemic. The recovery has not been easy, and mistakes were made,' Mr Goyder said. 'We again apologise for those times where we got it wrong. I have always sought to act in the best interests of Qantas. Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder (pictured with wife Janine) has announced he will be retiring next year, while apologising for 'mistakes' made by the national carrier 'Measured and orderly succession at Board level will support the important work underway led by Vanessa and her new management team. 'Fundamentally, the Group is in a very strong position to overcome its current challenges and deliver for all its stakeholders in the years ahead.' Mr Goyder's resignation comes a month after CEO Alan Joyce quit. Mr Joyce had brought forward his planned retirement by two months. Five directors, including current CEO Vanessa Hudson, will compete in an election at this year's AGM for the chairman role. Mr Goyder was appointed the role of chairman in October, 2018. Last month, Qantas bosses were grilled at a parliamentary committee that heard Australians would have benefitted from cheaper airfares by Christmas if the government didn't block competitor Qatar Airways from adding another 28 routes. The parliamentary committee looked into what role Qantas played in the transport minister's decision to knock back Qatar Airways' application. Mr Goyder, who previously steered Wesfarmers though the 2008 global financial crises, has seen growing calls from pilots and shareholders for him to resign Qantas chairman Richard Goyder and new CEO Vanessa Hudson appeared before the committee to address the mounting criticism while Mr Joyce was overseas. Mr Goyder, who previously steered Wesfarmers though the 2008 global financial crises, has seen growing calls from pilots and shareholders for him to resign. However, he had assured the committee he was the right person to lead Qantas forward and believed he had the confidence of 'major shareholders'. 'I have had meetings with our major shareholders two weeks ago, and they are very strongly supportive of me staying, and I would also argue my history in business has been one of high ethics, looking to create value for all our stakeholders,' he said. He added neither he, not any other Qantas board member, had lobbied the government to block Qatar Airways' application for more flights. Qantas has also been plagued by other issues, including the fact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking the airline to Federal Court, claiming it sold tickets on thousands of already-cancelled flights. Meanwhile, the High Court last month agreed the airline's sacking of 1,700 workers during the Covid pandemic was illegal under the Fair Work Act. More changes have also been made within the airline. Non-executive director Michael L'Estrange will retire in November, while Jacqueline Hey and Maxine Brenner will step down in February. Almost 1,000 firefighters are working to fight the fast-moving wildfires People frantically evacuated the resort city, which has a population of 56,000 Flames engulfed the Cordoba region of Argentina as wildfires raged across Terrifying footage has shown a wall of fire surrounding an Argentinian city as a wild inferno sparked massive evacuations. Almost 1,000 firefighters were deployed across Villa Carlos Paz in central Cordoba province as the wildfires raged out of control. Footage from the area showed massive flames in hills surrounding populated areas as firefighters battled the flames that had reached some homes in the region. It was not immediately clear how many homes had been affected but dozens of people have been evacuated. Ulises Xarate, 27, is in custody accused of starting a fire on Monday afternoon in an area close to the city of Villa Carlos Paz in the province's Punilla region. He reportedly told cops he wanted to start a campfire to make coffee but lost control of the flames due to the strong winds in the area. Video from the Argentinian province shows a 'wall of fire' rapidly engulfing the city in black smoke (pictured: Villa Carlos Paz) Evacuations are underway in Argentina's central Cordoba province as wildfires in the area rage out of control Other footage of the wildfires shows residents frantically evacuating in cars or even on bikes as they race to escape the flames People have been evacuated from their homes and the provincial government said it had sent trucks with potable waters, food, mattresses and blankets for residents of the affected areas Ulises Xarate, 27, is in custody accused of starting a fire on Monday afternoon in an area close to the city of Villa Carlos Paz in the province's Punilla region Xarate reportedly told cops he wanted to start a campfire to make coffee but lost control of the flames due to the strong winds in the area. Cordoba Gov. Juan Schiaretti said: 'I call on the population to respect the indications of the firefighters and authorities who are working in the affected areas. The most important thing is to save lives, wherever evacuation is necessary, it will be done.' The local government said it had sent trucks with potable waters, food, mattresses and blankets for residents of the affected areas. There were five active wildfires in the region Tuesday, according to Argentina's National Fire Management Service. There was hope that rains expected Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning could help calm the fires that had spread rapidly due to strong winds. Forests on the outskirts of Villa Carlos Paz are seeing violent forest fires swallow the city's surrounding areas in flames and firefighters are under immense pressure to try and gain control of the quickly spreading disaster. 'We request that prevention measures be taken to the highest degree, as the weather conditions are adverse,' Cordoba's Government and Security Minister Julian Lopez wrote on social media. There were five active wildfires in the region Tuesday, according to Argentina's National Fire Management Service There was hope that rains expected Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning could help calm the fires that had spread rapidly due to strong winds Argentina's drought has made the issue even worse by providing plenty of dry land for the wildfires to swallow up and erupt straight through New outbreaks of wildfires were activated and others restarted after wind from the mountain rages of the Punilla Valley intensified Villa Carlos Paz is supposed to be a resort city and the population is thought to be around 56,000. The tourist destination recently saw temperatures as high as 91 degrees Fahrenheit and it's also in the middle of a serious drought New outbreaks of wildfires were activated and others restarted after wind from the mountain rages of the Punilla Valley intensified. There are concerns about how the wildfires are going to be contained in areas that are hard to reach. Argentina's drought has made the issue even worse by providing plenty of dry land for the wildfires to swallow up and erupt straight through. Villa Carlos Paz is supposed to be a resort city and the population is thought to be around 56,000. The tourist destination recently saw temperatures as high as 91 degrees Fahrenheit and it's also in the middle of a serious drought which began three years ago. Harvard students who blamed Israel for the massacre of its citizens by Hamas had their own future thrown into doubt last night as a host of blue chip CEOs declared them unemployable. The elite university faced a massive backlash after 31 of its student societies issued a joint statement holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. The Anti-Defamation League denounced the statement as anti-Semitic and others accused the university of tolerating hate speech. But Wall Street appears even less forgiving with billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman revealing that his fellow bosses want to know who they are so none of us inadvertently hire any of their members. The CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management said he has been approached by a number of CEOs, adding: One should not be able to hide behind a corporate shield when issuing statements supporting the actions of terrorists, who, we now learn, have beheaded babies, among other inconceivably despicable acts. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman revealed that his fellow bosses want to know who the students are so none of us inadvertently hire any of their members Sweetgreen boss Jonathan Neman (left) and DoveHill Capital Management CEO Jake Wurzak (right) echoed the call The Palestine Solidarity Committee holding banners outside the prestigious college Jonathan Neman, CEO of food chain Sweetgreen, agreed, tweeting he would like to know so I know never to hire these people. DoveHill Capital Management CEO Jake Wurzak supported the call, and EasyHealth healthcare services CEO David Duel responded: Same. In their statement on Sunday the groups said the attack which left more than 1,000 dead 'did not happen in a vacuum', and claimed the Israeli government has forced Palestinians to live in 'an open-air prison for over two decades. 'The apartheid regime is the only one to blame. Israeli violence has structured every aspect of Palestinian existence for 75 years,' they wrote. 'From systematized land seizures to routine airstrikes, arbitrary detentions to military checkpoints, and enforced family separations to targeted killings, Palestinians have been forced to live in a state of death, both slow and sudden.' Among names to have emerged so far are Shir Lovett-Graff, founder of the universitys Jews for Liberation. Many of the groups which put their names to the statement appeared to be disabling their web pages last night while at least two had withdrawn their support in response to the backlash. The universitys Nepali student association said it condemned violence by Hamas and said it regretted that the statement has been interpreted as a tacit support for the recent violent attacks in Israel. And the Harvard Undergraduate Ghungroo, which promotes South Asian culture, said it would like to formally apologize. In a statement published on the Ivy League institution's website, university president Claudine Gay said the 31 student groups who pledged to support the militants 'don't speak for the university or its leadership' Harvard President Claudine Gay (pictured) has finally condemned the 'terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel' - at odds with 31 student groups at the Ivy League institution who have pledged support to the militants The Ghungroo strictly denounces and condemns the massacre propagated by the terrorist organization Hamas, it added. We truly apologize for the insensitivity of the statement that was released recently. The statement was initially removed by Instagram but reposted on Monday night with the names of the student groups replaced by just Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups. For student safety, the names of all original signing organizations have been concealed at this time, it added. Harvard law student Danielle Mikaelian said she had stepped down from her role as a board member of one of the student groups that co-signed the controversial statement, calling it 'egregious'. The slowness of the college to distance itself from the remarks also sparked fury with Harvard President Emeritus Lawrence Summers calling it sickening. 'The silence from Harvard's leadership has allowed Harvard to appear at best neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel,' he wrote on social media platform X. 'I am sickened.' His successor Claudine Gay finally issued a statement on Tuesday condemning 'terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel' and insisting the 31 student groups 'don't speak for the university or its leadership'. An aerial view shows the bodies of victims of the Hamas attack on the Kfar Aza Kibbutz on Tuesday The death toll has topped 1,000 in Israel as the country plots a bloody revenge on the people of Gaza 'Let me also state, on this matter as on others, that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership,' Gay said. 'As the events of recent days continue to reverberate, let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas,' Gay said in a statement. 'Such inhumanity is abhorrent, whatever one's individual views of the origins of longstanding conflicts in the region,' she said. The president then added: 'We will all be well served in such a difficult moment by rhetoric that aims to illuminate and not inflame. In a Tuesday night appearance on CNN, Senator Lindsey Graham squarely placed the ultimate blame for the horrifying Hamas terror attacks against Israel on the shoulders of Iran and said it was time to make the regime pay for its actions. In an interview with Abby Phillip, the Republican senator dismissed the line coming from Joe Biden's National Security team that Iran was broadly involved in the Hamas attacks but there is no evidence that they helped plan them. 'This was a coordinated land sea and air attack, that had been months in the making,' said Graham. 'There is no way in the world that this happened without Iran knowing. If you know the relationship between Iran and Hamas, that is impossible to believe.' Philip asked the longtime South Carolina politician if he thinks the US should target Iranian oil infrastructure if the conflict escalates, thereby becoming directly involved in the war. 'We are already directly involved, 14 Americans are dead tonight. To their families, I'm sorry,' he responded, referring to the Americans who are confirmed victims of the barbaric Hamas attacks. 'Here is what I'm saying, I want to be very clear,' he said. 'If they (Hamas) start killing those (American and Israeli) hostages, and if there is an attack by Hezbollah in the north, creating two fronts for Israel. What I would do is, I would bomb Iran's oil infrastructure.' Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said it is high time the US acts in response to Iran's longtime funding of terrorism. He suggested a joint operation with Israel that would target Iran's oil infrastructure Rockets are fired by Palestinian militants into Israel, in Gaza City October 7, 2023 'It's time,' he added, that Iran 'pay a price for financing' terror. 'It is now time to dismantle the finance system of terrorism.' He further added that, were it up to him, the US would conduct a joint military operation with Israel to target Iranian oil infrastructure. 'And if we don't do that, what do you expect to happen in the future? Do we expect Israel to forgive and forget? Biden didn't mention one word about Iran today. And I want to support the president,' he said. In a bombshell report from The Wall Street Journal, it was revealed that the Palestinian terror attack that hit Israel early Saturday was plotted and executed with help from officers of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Senior members of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah claimed that Hamas' surprise attack on Israel that killed at least 1,200 people was given the green light by Iranian security officials. In addition to the attacks that occurred in southern Israel cities and towns over the weekend, Israeli forces in the north also exchanged rocket and artillery fire with Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, spokesman of the Israel Defense Forces (lDF) said: Without Irans funding, weapons, training, guidance and political incitement, Hamas would not have the capability nor the capacity. He added: This was a watershed moment, unprecedented in scale, severity, brutality and the sheer joy with which terrorists were butchering Israeli citizens. An IDF soldier reacts and covers his face before removing the body of a civilian killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas militants on October 10, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City as the Israeli response to the aggressors ramps up A man runs on a road as fire burns after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel Israeli soldiers carry the body of a person killed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Kfar Azza on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 On Tuesday, speaking publicly about the devastating Hamas attacks that have launched Israel back into war with its hostile neighbor, President Joe Biden said: 'Let me say again, any country, any organization anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: don't.' He called the October 7 atrocity 'unadulterated evil' and said that his administration is reviewing intelligence to see if Iran or its proxies aided the effort. The White House said it cannot currently confirm that Iran helped with the attack. Biden also didn't mention his recent decision to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets as part of a deal that freed five Americans. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the administration does not regret the prisoner swap deal with Iran that involved the unfreezing of the $6 billion in assets belonging to the terrorist regime. 'The United States does not regret bringing home American citizens who have been unjustly detained abroad,' he said. 'The President has no higher priority than to get Americans home. 'Right now. We have Americans who are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. That is a high priority.' Hamas continued to fire rockets at Israel from Gaza on Tuesday, following a coordinated attack on Saturday which killed over 900 Israelis and raised immediate suspicion of outside support. Israel is preparing a potential ground invasion in response to the attacks. Biden is, meanwhile, facing pressure from Republican senators to reimpose a freeze on the $6 billion. 'Iran is complicit in this attack in a broad sense,' national security advisor Jake Sullivan said at the White House The White House says there is 'complicity' due to Iran's support for Hamas, but say there are facts that establish the Saturday operation. Here flames and smoke billow as Israel begins its counterattack airstrike on Gaza 'To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes, and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable,' 20 Republican senators wrote Biden on Monday. 'Your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel.' Allowing the funds to flow into Iran's economy 'allows the Iranian regime to reallocate even more funds to supporting terrorism,' they added, saying oversight of the funds is 'not enough.' Alec Baldwin could still face charges over the on-set shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after prosecutors claimed the production company 'cut corners.' Criminal charges against Baldwin were dropped and the movie finished filming earlier this year but he may face further legal trouble if it can be proved his financial stake may have led him and his fellow producers to cut corners On Tuesday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that producers must provide internal documents that show Baldwin and his production company, El Dorado Pictures' entire role on the film. Charges could potentially be re-filed against Baldwin if it's determined he stood to profit if production cut corners on gun safety. They want to detail Baldwin's role after special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued last week that the 'entire tragedy occurred because Rust Productions cut corners every chance they could and they hired inexperienced and ill-equipped crew members.' A judge in New Mexico has ruled that those behind the film Rust - that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins - must detail star and producer Alec Baldwin 's full role, suggesting his financial stake may have led him to cut corners 'Rust Productions has either intervened, interfered or obstructed the criminal investigation in this case,' Morrissey added, in arguing against the attempt to stop her subpoena, according to Deadline. Jason Bowles, the attorney for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed - the sole criminal defendant in the case who faces trial in 2024 - believes the production 'needs to stop trying to hide the ball and needs to be transparent and forthcoming with information.' 'It begs the questions, what are they hiding and why?' Gutierrez-Reed has argued that she was prevented from performing her job to the best of her ability by producers, who denied requests for training due to finances. In October of 2021, Baldwin was holding the prop Colt .45 revolver that, unbeknownst to him, contained lived rounds, when it discharged and struck Hutchins, 42, and the film's director Joel Souza. After the shooting, the Santa Fe County District Attorney's Office charged Baldwin, who also served as the film's producer, with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. In April, the charges were dismissed without prejudice, though prosecutors noted Baldwin could still face charges pending an investigation into the gun. After Baldwin's attorneys announced the decision, the special prosecutors said the 'decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled.' Baldwin, 65, who has repeatedly denied pulling the trigger on the bullet that killed Hutchins On Tuesday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that producers must provide internal documents that show Baldwin and his production company, El Dorado Pictures' entire role on the film 'The gun and broken sear have been sent to the state's independent expert for further testing. The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly effects causation with regard to Baldwin, not with regard to Gutierrez,' wrote the prosecutors in June. 'If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed.' The prosecution's new report in the case against Gutierrez-Reed stated the gun was 'found to function properly and in accordance with the operational design of original Colt 1873 single-action revolvers.' Although the 'full-cock step on the hammer had been severely damaged, the top of the trigger's sear was broken off and the bolt (cylinder stop) was also broken' because of the on set incident, there were no indications of modifications to the gun. An August 2022 forensic report from the FBI concluded essentially the same thing - that Baldwin pulled the trigger. Prosecutors have accused Hannah Gutierrez-Reed of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering The cast and crew of Rust before the fatal 2021 shooting Baldwin was initially charged but the case was dropped after evidence suggested the weapon could have been fired without him pulling the trigger In August of this year, 26-year-old Gutierrez-Reed pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. Her attorney Bowles said his client 'looks forward to her day in court, and to having the conduct of everyone on set fully examined.' Gutierrez-Reed waived her right to an arraignment and preliminary hearing on Wednesday when she submitted the plea. Her trial is set for 2024. Jury selection will begin the day before opening statements. Gutierrez-Reeds attorneys previously said that they 'fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated.' The actor was seen lingering outside the park lot of the Santa Fe County Sheriff's offices after facing questions over the accidental shooting in 2021 He has said in interviews that he was told the gun was safe and that he never pulled the trigger Baldwin has maintained the shooting was nothing more than an accident. He has said in interviews that he was told the gun was safe and that he never pulled the trigger. 'I didn't pull the trigger. I would never point a gun at someone and pull the trigger on them, never,' he said in December 2021. The movie has resumed shooting in recent months. In April, Baldwin was spotted on set hauled up to the gallows for hanging. The scenes filmed did not appear to simulate an actual hanging, and it's unclear whether the Rust script calls for the execution of Baldwin's character to be carried out as part of the story. After a scathing safety review by regulators in New Mexico that detailed ignored complaints and misfires before Hutchins' death in October of 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine. All tourists travelling to Bali will be screened for the deadly Nipah bat virus, as health authorities scramble to respond to a spike in cases overseas. Health officials in the Indonesian holiday island said any tourists displaying symptoms such as a high temperature or a respiratory tract infection would be taken to hospital for further tests - with those arriving from India under particular scrutiny. There has been an outbreak of the virus, which is carried by bats and has a very high mortality rate, in Kerala, southern India, in recent weeks which has resulted in two deaths. There is no treatment or vaccine for Nipah virus, which targets the brain, and the fatality rate for sufferers is estimated by the World Health Organisation as between 40 and 75 per cent. Nipah's symptoms include fever, respiratory distress, headaches, a sore throat and vomiting. Health officials in the Indonesian holiday island said any tourists displaying symptoms such as a high temperature or a respiratory tract infection would be taken to hospital for further tests - with those arriving from India under particular scrutiny (stock image) Health officials in Bali will be screening passengers with temperature detection devices (stock) Indian tourists constituted the second-largest group of foreign visitors to Bali, with just shy of 280,000 people visiting from January to August this year, according to the Bali Provincial Tourism Office. Australians are the largest group of foreign visitors. 'We must remain vigilant regarding the Nipah virus threat,' Bali's chief health officer I Nyoman Gede Anom said, according to The Bali Sun. 'At the airport, temperature detection devices are in place. If a tourist is found to have a body temperature above normal, it will prompt further inquiry,' Mr Anom added. He stressed that the Nipah virus has not yet been identified in Indonesia but warned its long incubation period was a cause for concern. The Nipah virus has an incubation period of around four to 14 days, according to the World Health Organisation. Nipah's symptoms include fever, respiratory distress, headaches, a sore throat and vomiting. There is no treatment or vaccine for the disease, which targets the brain Mr Anom said Bali health officials had assembled a crack team of neurologists, surgeons and other specialists in the event any cases are detected. It is transmitted to humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected bats, pigs or other people. It was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak affecting hog farmers and others in close contact with pigs in Malaysia and Singapore which resulted in nearly 300 human cases and more than 100 deaths. More than one million pigs were killed to help control the outbreak. The WHO has confirmed no new cases of the virus have been detected in Kerala since September 15th. The mother whose two sons, ages 12 and 16, were taken hostage by Hamas accused Mitchell of looking for a false equivalency An Israeli mother whose two sons were take hostage by Hamas exploded at MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell when asked how she feels about Israel's counterstrikes in Gaza. Renana Gomeh, whose two sons age 12 and 16 were kidnapped by Hamas, became visibly irritated when Mitchell asked her feelings on the attacks in Gaza. 'I cant be sympathetic anymore. I cant be sympathetic to animal human beings well, theyre not really human beings who came into my house, broke everything,' said Gomeh. 'Stole everything, took my children from their bedrooms and took them to the Gaza Strip.' Israel pounded the Gaza Strip on Tuesday with airstrikes while they prepare for an anticipated ground offensive back into Gaza. In a stunning exchange with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell (right), Israeli mother Renana Gomeh (left) said she can not be sympathetic over counterstrikes in Gaza Israeli mother Renana Gomeh (pictured) said she was on the phone with her two sons, ages 12 and 16 years old, when Hamas broke into their house and kidnapped them 1,900 people have been reported to have died in the conflict since Saturday, including 1,000 dead in Israel and 900 in Gaza. Hundreds of Israelis have been taken hostage by Hamas. Gomeh's children were in their safe room when Hamas broke into their home and kidnapped them. 'I was on the phone with my youngest, I wasnt at home at the time and all I could hear was him begging for them not to take him because he is too young,' the mother said in a video shared with i. 'They were taken out of their beds by terrorists who broke into my house. They broke the door and took them.' In the stunning on-air interview, Gomeh accused Mitchell of trying to make a false equivalency of the Hamas attacks and Israel's counterstrikes. 'Look, youre looking first for a symmetrical situation. And I must say it isnt. If you were dealing with a war who is between two countries, countries dont take children hostages,' she said. 'Im sorry. Its against the laws of war. Its against humanity. Its against anything that we all believe in. Israel never done that, and it will never do. So there is no symmetry.' The mother said she used to tell her children to have compassion for the children in Gaza, but now she is not so sure. 'Every time we had missiles shot at us, I used to say to my children that they should be sympathetic towards the children of Gaza because they suffer a lot more than they do. Im not sure I still believe in it now.' 'I must say the only worry I have now from the bombings in Gaza is the fact that my children are there.' said Gomeh. Israeli counterstrikes caused destruction in western Gaza on Tuesday. Israel has mobilized more than 300,000 reservists, tanks and military vehicles before a widely expected ground invasion Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Wednesday morning. Over 150 Israelis have been taken hostage after Hamas surprise attack Saturday Over 150 Israelis have been taken hostage, including women, children and the elderly. Israel has mobilized more than 300,000 reservists, tanks and military vehicles before a widely expected ground invasion. The United States deployed Delta Force and SEAL Team Six to help Israeli forces locate American hostages. Gomeh said she hopes getting hostages out of Gaza is her country's and the world's priority. 'I think any mother in the world should try and imagine her children under that situation and then think again. Thats all I want. I want the world to ask them to release children, to release elderlies, to release the civilians they took,' she said. 'There is no reason to hold them there. They are not soldiers. They are not part of the war. And they have nothing to do with it.' 'This is not the way a country behaves. This is a way that a terror organization behaves. Im sorry. So, again, theres no symmetry,' she added. A four-year-old girl has a long recovery ahead of her after going through a horrific ordeal with a deadly disease and having to be put into an induced coma. Skyla turned four in hospital last Sunday, with the best birthday present being her health gradually improving from meningococcal. She had become very ill in the early hours of the previous Thursday and was rushed to Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) in Brisbane from her home in the Lockyer Valley. Her mum Alana Fairclough said the meningococcal lesions on Skyla's body 'spread like wildfire'. Skyla had first shown signs of sickness on the Wednesday when she woke up from a sleep with a fever and vomited. Four-year-old Skyla (pictured) has a long recovery ahead of her after going through a horrific ordeal with a deadly disease and having to be put into an induced coma She was 'very lethargic and sleepy' and 'became quite sore all over her body,' Ms Fairclough posted on Facebook. 'Something didn't feel right, so I put us all in the car and headed to the closest hospital.' After a long wait at the hospital, Skyla vomited again, but her mum was told it was a viral infection and they were sent home. At around 11.30 that night, the mum heard her daughter screaming and found her on the floor of her bedroom. 'She was extremely delusional, weak (and) couldn't sit on her own or stand,' Ms Fairclough said. 'Her arms were on and off shaking.' She decided to give Skyla a bath but then 'noticed the oddly shaped purple spots' on her body. Ms Fairclough called Healthdirect and a nurse called an ambulance for the child. Paramedics gave Skyla antibiotics before rushing her to QCH. It was there that the spots, which are a common symptom of meningococcal, 'started to spread like wildfire'. 'We were told that things would get really bad before they get better but that never prepared me for what would happen next,' the mum said. 'Her blood pressure became very unstable, she was extremely irritated and her oxygen levels started to decline.' When Skyla's blood pressure dropped, Ms Fairclough was rushed out of her room as doctors raced in to help her little girl. She sat outside the room, distraught and in tears as her daughter was put into an induced coma - a procedure doctors call intubation. Skyla was in a very unstable condition 'for quite a while', her mum said, but she eventually improved as doctors helped 'her fight this horrible infection, alongside her being incredibly strong'. Last Saturday, a day before Skyla turned four, Ms Fairclough said she was 'doing really well'. She thanked the QCH nurses who decorated her room and played her favourite music for her birthday. The best birthday present was that 'Skyla was able to come off all blood pressure and heart medication and began the weaning stage from her paralysis and sedation (drugs),' her mum said. Skyla (pictured) became very ill in the early hours of last Thursday morning and was rushed to Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) in Brisbane from her home in Lockyer Valley As she gradually improved, she was sometimes able to 'move her limbs and flutter her beautiful blue eyes'. 'Skyla, you are one strong girl,' her mum wrote. 'You are so loved and we all have been and will always be here right by your side. 'You got this baby girl.' A GoFundMe has been set up to help Skyla and her family. EXCLUSIVE A university professor and Yes campaigner has been charged with assault after she was filmed allegedly spitting at and slapping a No voter. Emeritus Professor Denise Ferris, from the Australian National University, was charged on Wednesday night with assault over confrontations she had with Andrew Thaler at Centennial Park in Cooma, southeast NSW on September 17. NSW Police have confirmed Prof Ferris, 70, has been charged with common assault and is set to appear at Cooma Local Court on November 22. 'Officers attached to Monaro Police District were told three people had been involved in a physical altercation,' a police spokesperson said. 'No injuries were reported.' Prof Ferris is an Emeritus Professor at Canberra's Australian National University, which is an unpaid position Andrew Thaler was at a Yes campaign event in Cooma, south-east NSW , when he filmed being allegedly spat on by Voice supporter and ANU Emeritus Professor Denise Ferris A video showing the alleged incident was shared widely on social media. In the footage Mr Thaler can be heard calling Prof Ferris a 'stupid m*le'. 'Do not... don't you dare call me that,' she says, as her face comes close enough to camera to fill the whole screen. She then allegedly spat at Mr Thaler. Subsequently Mr Thaler shared other videos that show him demanding to know from those in Labor party's Yes23 tent who know who the 'crazy b**ch' was that spat on him. Prof Ferris will face court at a later date. Mr Thaler told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that police had taken too long in bringing charges against Prof Ferris. 'She should have been charged from the get-go and it has taken over three weeks and public pressure to get some action because she's Labor, because she is Yes they get special treatment,' he said. 'It's complete bulls**t.' Andrew Thaler claims he was allegedly assaulted by another man in the Yes23 tent after the alleged spitting incident READ MORE: 'You are disgusting, bro': Fiery clash erupts over The Voice to Parliament on ABC's Q+A show Advertisement Mr Thaler criticised how the officer investigating the case had gone on leave during the investigation. 'She should have been charged on day one,' he said. 'Justice delayed is justice denied.' NSW Police confirmed the officer had taken leave. Prof Ferris, who has an unpaid position with the university, was the head of the School of Art & Design since 2013. She denied spitting on Mr Thaler following the incident. In the statement she claimed she 'felt intimidated' by Mr Thaler because he was holding the camera out 'like a weapon pointed at me'. 'I was more than terrified, he was literally in my face, I had a visceral response, a panic attack, fight or flight,' Prof Ferris said. Mr Thaler (pictured) has accused the police of dragging their feet over the investigation into confrontations with Yes campaigners '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.' Mr Thaler claimed he was walking over to the Yes23 tent when Prof 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'. In further video taken by Mr Thaler on September 17 a man in the Yes23 is seen pressing his face close to camera. 'Hey, f***wit, p*** off. F***wit, p*** off,' the man says as . 'No, Im standing my ground,' Mr Thaler replied. 'Stop pushing into me.' In a separate video the man appears to strike Mr Thaler who holds up his right arm trying to ward him off. 'One metre,' Mr Thaler says. 'Do it again.' Police said they were investigating the second incident. Mr Thaler courted controversy over the past two years. 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. Hamas launched a fresh wave of rocket attacks in Israel this afternoon, destroying a children's hospital and a supermarket. Shocking footage from the southern city of Ashkelon shows the Barzilai Medical Centre in ruins with the children's wing taking a direct hit. Pictures also show the remains of a supermarket in the city, surrounded by debris and marked by a large crater. The strikes were among many launched by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who targeted multiple locations across the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later shared a harrowing image of a child's bed with its sheets soaked in blood, along with the caption: 'Hamas is worse than ISIS.' Israeli airstrikes demolished entire Palestinian neighbourhoods on Wednesday as hospitals struggled to treat the injured with dwindling medical supplies. This afternoon Gaza's two million residents lost electricity as the enclave's sole power plant ran out of fuel and shut down. The outage deepens the crisis inside the 140-square-mile territory, with Israeli forces lining up on the border ahead of a planned invasion. The war has claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides and is only expected to escalate further from this point. Humanitarian groups have pleaded for the creation of aid corridors ahead of the likely Israeli assault. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu shared this picture of a child's blood-soaked bed and said the images proved Hamas is 'worse than ISIS' An Israeli woman takes cover from the incoming rocket fire in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel The remains of a supermarket which was struck by Hamas rocket attacks this afternoon A survivor, surrounded by shattered glass and burned-out cars, inspects the debris A couple crouches behind a wall as sirens blare to mark incoming rocket fire Smoke billows from a burning building after the rocket attacks which targeted multiple cities across Israel People run for cover as rocket strikes begin in southern Israel, with the war claiming at least 2,200 lives on both sides A fire blazes after a rocket attack launched by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad Israelis inspect the damage after a street was hit in Ashkelon Shattered glass and window panes litter the street after a series of rocket attacks An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 11 A mourner weeps while burying the body of a Palestinian child in Khan Younis Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City As fears mounted inside the enclave of an imminent assault, an Israeli defence official vowed that Gaza will become a 'tent city' with every building razed. In the early hours, Israeli forces conducted 250 airstrikes in just one hour across northern and eastern parts of the Gaza strip in revenge for Hamas' terror attacks. Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus said they are sending 'infantry, armoured soldiers, artillery corps', plus 300,000 reservists 'close to the Gaza Strip to execute the mission that we have been given by the Israeli government'. Mr Conricus added: 'That is to make sure that Hamas at the end of this war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians.' In another sign that an attack is imminent, Israeli officials have told residents living close to the border with Gaza to prepare to remain in shelters for 72 hours, and to stock up on food and water. Some have begun to evacuate. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas have continued around the border, with fierce gun fighting between Israeli Border Guards and Hamas attackers in the southern cities of Sderot and Ashkelon. A series of rocket salvos from Gaza also hit Sderot this morning, injuring at least one civilian and damaging five buildings. Three Israeli soldiers were killed in a confrontation with 'terrorist infiltrators' to the north on the frontier with Lebanon, where Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters and Lebanon's Hezbollah had launched attacks and rocket strikes. On Saturday, the armed wing of Hamas streamed across the Gaza border fence and launched a ruthless attack on unsuspecting soldiers and civilians in what EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has described as an 'act of war'. At least 169 Israeli soldiers have been killed in fighting with Hamas, the army said on Wednesday. 'As of this morning, we've informed the families of 169 fallen IDF soldiers,' military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. In Israel, the death toll from Saturday's assault rose to 1,200 - making it the deadliest attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials reported more than 900 people have been killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. Survivors stand amid the debris and destruction near the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City Smoke billows from burned-out buildings after Israeli air strikes hit Gaza City today Covered in ash, an injured Palestinian boy sits in an ambulance in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip Israeli soldiers fire artillery towards Gaza Strip from the border A salvo of rockets is fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards Israel as the war's death toll passes 3,000 Israeli soldiers take a break as they hold their position along the Israel-Gaza border As dawn broke on Wednesday, more airstrikes were launched on Gaza Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi Mosque in Gaza City Palestinians pick through the rubble in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes Survivors dig through the remains of market stalls and apartment blocks after Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis on Tuesday Smoke from Israeli bombardment is pictured over the Gaza City seaport on October 11, 2023 Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike that has been going on for five days in Gaza City, Gaza on October 11, 2023. Palestinian Foreign Ministry claimed that Israel used phosphorus bombs in its attacks on populated areas in Gaza One key target was the al-Furqan neighborhood - so named after a mosque in the area - which defense officials said is a 'nest of terror' used by Hamas to launch attacks against Israel. Hamas said two of its top officials had been killed, while Israel's military said the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas infiltrators had been found. Swathes of the densely-populated Gaza have already been reduced to rubble, photos emerging on Tuesday showed. Images later emerged appearing to show trails of phosphorus munitions being used over Gaza - something Palestinian sources had alleged. The use of such weapons in civilian areas is considered a war crime. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, said he has 'released all restraints' on the troops in their fight against Hamas. 'Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be,' he said, speaking to soldiers near the Gaza fence. 'We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. We've been controlling the area since Day Two and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify.' Gallant promised to show no mercy to the terrorists. 'Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors we will eliminate him at the height of our power and without compromise.' Fears of a regional conflagration have surged ahead of an expected Israeli ground incursion into Gaza. Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with hundreds of air strikes overnight, a Hamas government official said Wednesday. The strikes destroyed several buildings of the Hamas-linked Islamic University in Gaza City, a university official said. The Israeli military confirmed it had hit dozens of Hamas targets during the night. It said fighter jets destroyed 'advanced detection systems' that Hamas used to spot military aircraft. They also hit 80 Hamas targets in the Beit Hanoun area of the northeastern Gaza Strip, including two bank branches used by the Islamist group to 'fund terrorism' in the enclave, the military said. In response to Saturday's attack, Israel imposed a 'total siege' on Gaza, suspending supplies of food, water, electricity and fuel to the already blockaded enclave. Today's airstrikes came as the barbarity of Hamas' attacks on Israel was becoming apparent, with ever-more savage behavior being described. At the Be'eri kibbutz, 100 people - 10 percent of the population - were murdered. David Ben Zion, Deputy Commander of Unit 71, told i24News that he had seen victims shot dead in their beds. David Ben Zion, Deputy Commander of Unit 71, told i24News that he had seen victims decapitated, including children "They chopped heads of children and women," says David Ben Zion, Deputy Commandee of Unit 71 to our @Nicole_Zedek, while reporting from the massacre in Kfar Aza in southern Israel pic.twitter.com/IHSB0ywMbF i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 10, 2023 Gunshots and blood stains are seen on a door and walls of a house where civilians were killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas on this kibbutz near the border with Gaza on Tuesday A baby's seat and child's dress is seen covered in blood in the aftermath of a Hamas attack Hamas terrorists gunned down entire families in their homes in a small kibbutz in Israel, Israeli soldiers have claimed Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday 'We went door after door, we killed a lot of the terrorists,' he said. 'We are stronger than them. They are aggressive, they are very bad... But we are stronger than them.' Harrowing images from the scene at Kfar Aza kibbutz showed a baby's cot covered with blood; her small bloodied dress lying next to it. The Israeli soldiers were seen comforting each other after witnessing such horrors, including the bodies of entire families who were gunned down in their beds. 'You see the babies, the mothers, the fathers, in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms and how the terrorist kills them,' said Israeli Major General Itai Veruv. 'It's not a war, it's not a battlefield. It's a massacre, it's a terror activity. 'It is something that I never saw in my life. It's something that we used to imagine from our grandfathers, grandmothers in the pogrom in Europe and other places. It's not something that happens in new history.' Veruv said his soldiers spent 'about 48 hours' fighting 'waves and waves of terrorists' on roads and in neighboring communities. Joe Biden called it 'an act of sheer evil', and said it was reminiscent of 'the worst rampages of ISIS.' U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and senior security officials for a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in the Situation Room before delivering his speech People mourn at the graveside of Eden Guez, who was killed a festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen that left at least 260 people dead, at her funeral in Ashkelon, in southern Israel He pledged that the US would make sure Israel has the tools it needs to defend itself: he has dispatched the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and five guided-missile cruisers and destroyers to the scene, and they arrived on Tuesday. Biden said the U.S. has 'enhanced our military force posture' in the region and is surging military assistance to Israel. Biden also spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, on Tuesday, for the third time. Gaza's health ministry said at least 900 people have been killed and 4,600 wounded in the crowded coastal enclave. Aid agencies were urging Israel to open humanitarian corridors to allow in food and medical supplies. But Israel said it will cut off water, electricity, food and fuel to the territory in a 'total siege'. After Israel imposed its blockade, European Union foreign ministers joined calls for humanitarian corridors for those trying to flee. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said such sieges are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Medical supplies, including oxygen, were running low at Gaza's overwhelmed Al-Shifa hospital, said Mohammed Ghonim, a doctor in the emergency room. Palestinian media said Israeli airstrikes also hit homes in Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. One home struck belonged to the father of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' armed wing in Gaza, reports said. Deif's brother and other family members were killed, according to the reports. Residents appealing for help on social media said many buildings had collapsed, sometimes trapping as many as 50 people inside with rescue workers unable to reach them. Rockets fired from the Gaza City (R) being intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defense missile system (L) on Tuesday Rockets fired from Gaza are seen being intercepted by the Iron Dome protection system Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip overnight on Tuesday The United Nations said more than 180,000 Gazans had been made homeless, many huddling on streets or in schools. At the morgue in Gaza's Khan Younis hospital, bodies lay on the ground on stretchers with names written on their bellies. Medics called for relatives to pick up bodies quickly because there was no more space for the dead. A municipal building was hit while being used as an emergency shelter. Survivors there spoke of many dead. More than 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza, the U.N. said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites has cut off services to 400,000 people, the U.N. said. The U.N.'s World Health Organization (WHO) said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals in Gaza have already run out amid the flood of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. The World Food Programme (WFP) said Tuesday it was targeting food help for some 800,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank following the outbreak of more violence. The WFP is appealing for $17.3 million in the next four weeks to address the 'critical situation' in the Palestinian territories, and also echoed a call by the WHO for a humanitarian corridor to provide aid to Gaza. 'Distributions are ongoing daily for displaced people in shelters in Gaza, amid concerns that the city is running out of critical resources like food, water, and electricity, with damaged infrastructure severely impeding both food production and distribution networks,' it said. It is also beginning to distribute cash-based transfers to 164,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank, electronic vouchers which can be redeemed for food in local shops, it said - even while expressing fears that local supplies are running out. At least three people are dead after a truck carrying dangerous mining explosives slammed into a car - incinerating both vehicles - in outback Western Australia. The prime mover truck, which was carrying ammonium nitrate, collided with a car igniting a lethal chemical fire in the Pilbara region of outback WA. The accident happened on the Great Northern Highway at Karijini, about 20km south of the Auski roadhouse on Tuesday afternoon. Police were unable to examine the scene because of the fire's extreme heat for several hours. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said at least three people are believed to have died. A prime mover truck, which was carrying ammonium nitrate, collided with a car igniting a lethal chemical fire in the Pilbara region of outback WA. There were no survivors A 2km exclusion zone was set up around the crash site after a truck carrying ammonium nitrate slammed into a car on an outback WA highway, killing at least three people The accident happened on the Great Northern Highway at Karijini, about 20km south of the Auski roadhouse on Tuesday afternoon Commissioner Blanch said there were 'no survivors'. A 2km exclusion zone was set up around the crash site and to protect the public and emergency services workers. The truck is thought to have been carrying a significant quantity of ammonium nitrate, a crystalline salt. It is widely used in fertilisers and is the main component in many types of mining explosives. When mixed with oxygen, oil and other fuels it becomes dangerously combustible. The tragedy is the third such accident involving the transportation of ammonium nitrate in WA this year. EmergencyWA issued a general HAZMAT warning on Wednesday. 'A truck on Great Northern Highway is on fire, resulting in potentially dangerous smoke,' it said. Commissioner Blanch described the scene as 'a difficult road'. 'This is something that we consistently and constantly as police remind drivers out there to be careful. 'Pay attention and remember that every day you've got to be aware of what's going on around you.' The truck is thought to have been carrying a significant quantity of ammonium nitrate, a crystalline salt, which is a key ingredient in mining explosives 'Crews are undertaking a further assessment,' a Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said on Wednesday. 'Department of Fire and Emergency Services officers and volunteer firefighters are at the scene and the State Emergency Service have been deployed to assist with welfare.' Major crash detectives will attend the scene once the area is safe. It is unclear when the road will reopen. The ex-girlfriend of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried testified that he 'directed me to commit these crimes' in the crypto titan's highly anticipated fraud trial. Caroline Ellison, ex-girlfriend of SBF, testified in court on Tuesday in the hopes of receiving a lesser sentence for her own role in the fraud the former couple are on trial for. She cited the reason for the couple's breakup as her dumping him because he was 'distant' and for 'not paying attention to me'. When Ellison was asked if she committed the crimes alone, she told the court in New York: 'No, they were committed with Sam.' Ellison testified that Bankman-Fried 'directed me' to commit fraud. She said that Bankman-Fried told her to take $14billion from the failed crypto exchange's customers to repay the loans of its sister company, which she ran. Caroline Ellison leaves Manhattan Federal Court in Manhattan, New York City on October 10, 2023 Ellison - the ex-girlfriend of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried - told a jury today that he donated $10million to Joe Biden 's campaign to gain 'influence' Caroline Ellison leaves Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday Ellison told the jury that Bankman-Fried 'directed me' to commit Fraud, and all the crimes 'were committed with Sam' Ellison, a 29-year-old daughter of two MIT professors who posted about her love of Harry Potter in online blogs, has already pleaded guilty to fraud charges and is testifying as part of her plea deal. Testifying as the prosecution's star witness, Ellison said that Bankman-Fried set up the computer system loopholes that allowed the fraud to take place. Sassoon asked Ellison to describe the 'nature of your personal relationship' with Bankman-Fried. She responded: 'I would say the whole time we were dating he was also my boss at work which created some awkward situations.' Ellison revealed that the couple first slept together in the fall of 2018 and then dated from summer 2020 to summer 2021. She said: 'My general feeling (was) I wanted more from our relationship and often felt he was distant or not paying attention to me.' Asked why she eventually broke up with Bankman-Fried, Ellison said: 'Because of those things I mentioned. I felt he wasn't spending much time on the relationship'. The former couple made no eye contact and Bankman-Fried stared directly ahead as she sat in the witness box Her testimony is central to the case brought by prosecutors who claim that FTX was a 'house of cards' which was worth $32billion at its peak. The crypto exchange collapsed last November after media reports raised questions about its finances. Ellison walked into court wearing a dark pink dress and a gray blazer and appeared calm and confident. There was no eye contact between her and Bankman-Fried and he stared directly ahead as she sat in the witness box. Sasson asked Ellison: 'How do you know Sam Bankman-Fried?' Ellison said: 'We met while I was an intern at Jane St (financial trading company) and worked together. Later we worked together at Alameda and dated for a couple of years'. Sassoon: 'While working at Alameda did you commit crimes?' Ellison said: 'Yes we did.' Sasson asked what she meant by 'we' to which Ellison replied: 'Sam and I and others.' Sassoon asked: 'What kind of crimes did you commit with Sam?' In response, Ellison told the jury: 'Fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.' Ellison said that they were 'not really' open about their relationship and that the first time they dated they kept it a 'secret'. The second time Bankman-Fried 'agreed to make it public' and they were living together but 'didn't talk about it much' Ellison said that in 2021 she became co-chief executive of Alameda - at the time she and Bankman-Fried were 'on a break' - and chief executive in 2022. She told the jury that her salary did not change when she became co-chief executive and she stayed on $200,000 a year. She got bonuses ranging from $100,000 a year to $20million, her largest one, in 2021. Ellison told the court that SBF weirdly bragged to her that there was a 'five percent chance that he'd become president some day'. Federal Prosecutor Danielle Sassoon asked: 'President of what?' 'The United States,' Ellison responded. Caroline Ellison former CEO of Alameda Research founded by Sam Bankman-Fried exits the Manhattan federal court after testifying on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 Ellison climbed into the back of a waiting car after testifying at at Manhattan Federal Court Ellison testified that Bankman-Fried 'directed me' to commit fraud when she appeared at Manhattan Federal Court on October 10, 2023 Ellison looked expressionless as she left court after her testimony on Tuesday, gripping her backpack Ellison held onto her backpack as she left court on Tuesday where she claimed her ex boyfriend and former boss Sam Bankman-Fried had donated $10million to Joe Biden's campaign to gain 'influence and recognition' Ellison leaving the courthouse on Tuesday afternoon Ellison dodged reporters to climb into the back of a waiting car outside Manhattan Federal Court Caroline Ellison took the stand on Tuesday in ex-boyfriend Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud trial. Pictured: Ellison arriving with sunglasses and a blue ball cap on Sam Bankman-Fried's parents, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, put on a united front outside Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday after hearing testimony in the fraud case against their son Caroline Ellison and Bankman-Fried's sexual relationship continued for multiple years while they both spearheaded the now-disgraced crypto firm FTX Ellison walked into court wearing a dark pink dress and a gray blazer and appeared calm and confident Asked who she defrauded, Ellison said: 'The customers of FTX, the investors in FTX and the lenders.' Sassoon said: 'Just to be clear, did you commit these crimes alone?' Ellison said: 'No, they were committed with Sam.' At that point Ellison was asked if she saw Bankman-Fried in court. She stood up and spent a few minutes scanning the courtroom, apparently having trouble finding him. Bankman-Fried has recently lost a lot of weight, was wearing far smarter clothes than his trademark shorts and t-shirt and cut the sides of his hair short. Eventually Ellison saw him and said he was 'over there wearing a suit' and gestured to Bankman-Fried. Sassoon asked: 'You defrauded FTX customers with the defendant. What was his involvement in the crimes?' Ellison said: 'He was originally the CEO of Alameda and then the owner of Alameda and he directed me to commit these crimes'. Sassoon asked Ellison to explain 'at a general level' what she did to commit crimes. She said: 'Alameda took several billion dollars of money from FTX customers and used it for investments and to repay debts we had'. Ellison said that Alameda's special privileges with FTX meant it had an 'unlimited line of credit with FTX'. Sassoon asked 'what role' Bankman-Fried had in taking that money and sending it to Alameda. Ellison said that he was the 'one who set up the systems' that allowed it to happen. She said: 'He was the one who directed us to take the customers' money to repay the loans'. Ellison said that Alameda took 'around $14 billion' from FTX customers before its collapse. Court sketch shows Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon question Ellison in front of a screen showing Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao and Sam Bankman-Fried shaking hands Bankman-Fried dated Ellison and appointed her as head of FTX's sister company Alameda Research Bankman-Fried faces up to 115 years in prison if convicted on a slew of fraud charges Ellison told the jury she grew up near Boston and studied math at Stanford University before working as an intern on the equities desk at Jane Street, a trading company. She met Bankman-Fried there as he was working as a trader. He left and in Spring 2018 she met him for coffee when he told her he had started his own company, Alameda, and offered her a job as a trader. But shortly after joining she found that Alameda was in 'much worse shape than I realized'. She said: 'Right before I started working there it suffered large losses. Lenders pulled out a lot of money and more than half the company indeed up quitting'. Sassoon asked if Bankman-Fried had shared these 'rough circumstances' with her before she joined. She said no. Ellison told the jury: 'I asked why he hadn't shared more of this information and he apologized and said he hadn't known how to tell me.' Ellison had asked Bankman-Fried for an equity stake in Alameda but he brushed her off by saying it was 'too complicated and didn't make sense'. She got a 0.5 percent stake in FTX, which was a fraction of that owned by Bankman-Fried and his other top lieutenants. Ellison admitted she was 'not particularly' well suited to be in charge of Alameda. She said: 'I felt it was a big job and I wasn't very experienced. Sam said there wasn't a better person for the job.' She told the jury she became concerned when she discovered that Alameda had loaned billions of dollars to Bankman-Fried, FTX co-founder Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, its chief engineer. Ellison told the jury she became concerned when she discovered that Alameda had loaned billions of dollars to Bankman-Fried, FTX co-founder Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, its chief engineer Ellison old a jury today that Bankman-Fried donated $10million to Joe Biden 's campaign to gain 'influence' According to Ellison, by May 2022, those loans totaled $5billion and they were in investments which were unlikely to be paid back. By comparison, she only got one loan of $3.5million which she used to fund an investment in a gambling company. Some $35million of the $5billion went to Ryan Saleme, a former FTX employee who used it to donate to Republican politicians, Ellison told the court. Ellison said that Bankman-Fried told her he was 'risk neutral' and was open to taking risks if there was a good potential payoff. She said: 'He would be happy to flip a coin if it came up tails if the world was destroyed, if it came up heads the world would be twice as good.' Ellison's testimony came after FTX co-founder Gary Wang testified against Bankman-Fried as part of his own plea deal. The company's head of engineering, Nishad Singh, is also expected to testify later in the trial. Bankman-Fried, 31, has denied 13 counts between 2019 and 2011 including wire fraud, money laundering and violations of campaign finance laws which could see him jailed for 115 years. Assistant US Attorney Danielle Sasson asked Caroline Ellison what Bankman-Fried said about spending money on politics. Ellison said: 'He thought it was very effective, you could get very high returns in terms of influence by spending relatively small amounts of money. 'He donated $10million to (Joe) Biden and that was a relatively small amount of money. He felt that was something that got him influence and recognition.' A pro-Palestine group that has been designated as anti-Semitic by the Anti-Defamation League is planning a 'Day of Resistance' across college campuses in support of the Hamas attacks in Israel that killed 1,200. Students for Justice in Palestine was founded at the University of California at Berkeley in 2001 and counts over 200 chapters across the United States, Canada and New Zealand. While the ADL claims that the group says 'they reject anti-Semitism, they also regularly demonize Jewish students who identify as Zionists or proud supporters of the State of Israel.' The group announced on their Instagram feed Monday that they will hold a 'Day of Resistance' in the wake of the Hamas attacks this coming Thursday, October 12, in the latest example of radical campus activism. In an Instagram post, they shockingly described the attacks: 'our people have broken down the artificial barriers of the Zionist entity, taking with it the facade of an impenetrable settler colony and reminding each of us that total return and liberation to Palestine is near.' A pro-Palestine group that has been designated as anti-Semitic by the Anti-Defamation League is planning a 'Day of Resistance' across college campuses in support of the Hamas attacks in Israel that killed 1,200 They appear to support the violent tactics of Hamas and their surprise terrorist onslaught. 'Catching the enemy completely by surprise, the Palestinian resistance has captured over a dozen settlements surrounding Gaza along with many occupation soldiers and military vehicles,' the post continued. 'This is what it means to Free Palestine: not just slogans and rallies, but armed confrontation with the oppressors.' The group regularly passes out literature showing members how they can message and frame narratives at protests. They hope to 'contextualize, frame, and above all normalize and support our fearless resistance.' SJP goes as far as arguing that Israelis are not civilians, because 'settlers are not civilians' and that they are merely 'military assets used to ensure continued control over stolen Palestinian land.' 'When people are occupied, resistance is justified,' they conclude in a 'National Day of Resistance Toolkit.' The ADL, in a 'backgrounder' on the group, claims that SJP has disrupted students' pro-Israel events, constructed 'mock apartheid walls' and 'fake eviction notices' to demonstrate what they consider to be the Israelis treatment of Palestinians. 'As proponents of 'anti-normalization' between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel advocates, they make it more difficult for groups with diverging views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to work together and achieve mutual understanding,' they write. The group regularly passes out literature showing members how they can message and frame narratives at protests New York University, the University of Arizona, Penn State, the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado in Boulder are among the campuses reportedly set to take part, Jewish Insider reported. NYU was the focus of one of several controversies regarding student rhetoric in the wake of the attacks, as its Law School Bar Association president has had a job offer from a pro-LGBTQ+ law firm rescinded after she stated that Hamas' slaughter of children in Israel was 'necessary.' This comes after students at several Ivy League institutions, including Harvard and Columbia, condemned Israel after the war broke out. Students at Stanford University also showed their support for Hamas as they hung bedsheets with slogans from their dorms. A group of 31 Harvard organizations, including its branch of Amnesty International, has placed the blame on Israel for Hamas' brutal, surprise attack. The organizations released a letter to the public as a 'Joint Statement by Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups on the Situation in Palestine' on Sunday to condemn Israel in the wake of the violence. They said that Hamas' attacks, which are still ongoing, 'did not happen in a vacuum' and the Israeli government has forced Palestinians to live in 'an open-air prison for over two decades.' 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence,' the groups wrote. A student organization from Columbia has joined in the chorus of equivocation by calling the terrorism a 'counter-offensive.' The Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine said: 'The weight of responsibility for the war and casualties undeniably lies with the Israeli extremist government and other Western governments,' the statement, which was also signed by a group named Jewish Voice for Peace, read. The Palestine Solidarity Committee holding banners outside of Harvard University Stanford University students have hung bedsheets bearing slogans defending Hamas terror attacks on Israel, echoing sentiments shared by pupils at several elite institutions in America Referring to a cartoon character symbolic of Palestinian identity called Handala, one of the Stanford drapings read: 'Handala is returning, by any means necessary' CSU faculty was seen taking down the groups previous banners, but it remained unclear their stance on the protest poster Ryna Workman, 24, a non-binary student at NYU's School of Law sent a weekly newsletter saying that the innocent slaughtering of Israeli children, women, and citizens this past week was is Israel's 'full responsibility' The bullet-riddled bodies of Israeli residents now lay on the ground among burned out houses, strewn furniture and torched cars. Solemn Israeli soldiers today went from house to house to take away the scores of people massacred there. The death toll among Israelis now stands at over 1,000 - making it the single largest massacre of Jewish people since Hitler's Holocaust. Israel and the IDF's counteroffensive have also caused mass fatalities in Gaza after a 'complete siege' of the region was ordered. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said authorities will cut electricity to the Gaza Strip and block the entry of food and fuel, declaring his troops are 'fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly'. The airstrikes have so far flattened many towns in the Palestinian enclave's north-east corner, which Hamas terrorists had been using as a staging ground for their attacks. The war was started by Hamas in the early hours of Saturday morning, during the Jewish high holiday of Simchat Torah. Terrorists massacred 260 Israeli revelers at a festival in a hail of bullets, with survivors describing how the gunmen went 'tree by tree' executing victims. Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9 After the attacks Saturday morning, Hamas took dozens of Israeli civilians hostage Israel has no choice but to meet force with force. The Middle East's only democracy has every right to defend itself (Pictured: Gaza on Sunday) Many lay still in sheer terror for more than five hours before they heard the sound of armed rescuers speaking in Hebrew. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden delivered a dramatic address promising to stand with Israel and denouncing the 'unadulterated evil' of terrorist attacks who killed more than 1,000 people, including 14 Americans, at the weekend. Biden's remarks come three full days since he put out a short video following the initial attack Saturday. He has been criticized for a sluggish response to the crisis, hosting a barbecue for staff on Sunday and not appearing in public on Monday. But he broke his silence with a speech dripping with anger at the horrors unleashed by Hamas terrorists and warned that U.S. citizens were also among civilians captured. 'You know there are moments in this life I mean this literally when a pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world,' he said, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 'The people of Israel, lived through one such moment this weekend.' A screenshot from a video has revealed the chilling moment Hamas butchers arrived in an Israeli village, where they murdered at least 100 people, including babies. The image, verified by CNN, shows Hamas militants on motorbikes wielding guns entering kibbutz (community) Be'eri, just three miles from the border with Gaza. The footage is believed to show the terrorists arriving around 7am, just half an hour after they breached the border wall between Gaza and Israel, CNN reported. More than 100 bodies of murdered residents of the kibbutz were later discovered. Some of the victims had been beheaded, including children and elderly civilians. The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged on Monday that Be'eri, just three miles from the Gaza border, was 'very badly hit.' A screenshot from a video, verified by CNN , reveals the chilling moment Hamas butchers arrived in kibbutz Be'eri, where they murdered at least 100 people Israeli forces extracting dead bodies of Israeli residents from a destroyed house as fighting between Israeli troops and Islamist Hamas militants continues Israeli soldiers prepare to remove the bodies of their compatriots, killed during an attack by Hamas in Kfar Aza 'We thought we would need more rooms (to house the evacuees). We didn't need all the rooms,' IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told CNN. The Hamas terrorists also beheaded babies and gunned down entire families in their homes in the Kfar Aza kibbutz, the Israeli military said. Bodies there litter the streets among burnt-out houses, strewn furniture and torched cars. Yesterday Israeli soldiers were going house to house removing the dead, enraged that innocents were killed 'not in war, not a battlefield, but in their beds'. At nearby Kisufim kibbutz, a settlement of 375 peace-loving souls tending to avocado trees and herds of dairy cows, horror was unleashed at 6.20am on Saturday as the grenade-lobbing Hamas terrorists swept in. Kibbutz resident Mr Harel, 33, told the Daily Mail's Sam Greenhill: 'They came to kill, and to abuse, and to desecrate. They came to my grandmother's house. She was 90.' Jina Semiaitz, who had lived on the kibbutz since she was a young woman, had heard the shots and gone into her armoured shelter, but did not lock the door, he said. Brimming with anger, her grandson said: 'She was terrified and confused, and doesn't hear very well, and she didn't realise what was going on. Cars and a stroller left behind at the scene of a rocket attack from Gaza on the weekend are pictured on a main road near the entrance of the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday A view of a house left in ruins after an attack by Hamas militants on this kibbutz days earlier when dozens of civilians were killed near the border with Gaza on Tuesday Gunshots and blood stains are seen on a door and walls of a house where civilians were killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas on this kibbutz near the border with Gaza on Tuesday A baby's seat and child's dress is seen covered in blood in the aftermath of a Hamas attack 'She was the sweetest old lady, and they pulled her out of her shelter and dragged her to her living room. 'They shot her twice in the head. A 90-year-old - what possible harm could she do them? Then they went to her 71-year-old cousin, Ofer Ron, and shot him too in exactly the same way. These are the new Nazis.' The Hamas terrorists continued their sick manhunt throughout the communal farm. Mr Harel said: 'An 80-year-old man was handcuffed behind his back. 'They shoved him on to the back seat and kidnapped him in his own car. We don't know what has happened to him or if he is still alive. 'There was a family a mother, father and 15-year-old boy. They hid in their shelter. So the terrorists set fire to their house. Hamas gunmen massacred 40 children in one farm settlement alone, their small bodies lying in their rooms riddled with bullets. And as shellshocked survivors told their stories, one bereaved grandson, Shmuel Harel, told the Daily Mail: 'They are the new Nazis. This was a holocaust, pure and simple.' He said his terrified 90-year-old grandmother's last moments were being dragged into her living room and shot twice in the head. A sobbing Israeli woman said she had to listen in helpless horror as her 12-year-old autistic daughter was kidnapped while clinging desperately to her grandmother. Shmuel Harel (L) survived along with kibbutz veteran Benny Hason (R) after Hamas terrorists swept in Shmuel Harel (L) said his terrified 90-year-old grandmother's (R) last moments were being dragged into her living room and shot twice in the head Mr Harel, who is a business consultant, said: 'We live on a kibbutz. It is peace-loving. But these people behaved like Nazis, like Isis. 'They killed and then they abused the bodies. We need the world to know what happened in Kisufim Kibbutz so it never happens anywhere ever again.' At the Leonardo Plaza, Mr Harel and some 300 survivors from Kisufim half a mile from the Gaza fence, and lying close to the outdoor festival where hundreds were massacred huddle together in groups after being evacuated. Benny Hason, a 66-year-old veteran of the kibbutz, goes around consoling people table by table. He said: 'They were stalking outside our houses, shouting 'Slaughter the Jews' in Arabic and firing guns and shotguns. 'They were throwing grenades into people's houses. Most people had got into their shelters and locked the doors but the terrorists were trying to blast open the doors with their bombs. Not everyone was lucky. Today our community is smaller.' An Israeli lawmaker has called for her nation's military to deploy nuclear weapons in response to the Hamas terror attacks that have left 1,200 Israelis dead. Revital 'Tally' Gotliv, a member of the right-wing Likud party in the Knesset has called multiple times on her social media accounts for her country to wipe Gaza off the map. Israel's military arsenal is extensive, and though it is believed the country has possessed a significant number of nuclear weapons since the 1960s, the small country situated in a hostile area has never officially confirmed its nuclear power. Since Saturday, when Iran-backed Hamas terrorists brutalized Israeli towns and cities in the south, Israel has declared war on the Palestinian terrorists and begun a counteroffensive that Israeli leaders say will involve significant destruction to Gaza. In one tweet, Gotliv, who has previously been extremely critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite their shared party membership, wrote: 'Jericho Missile! Jericho Missile! Strategic alert. before considering the introduction of forces. Doomsday weapon! This is my opinion. May God preserve all our strength.' The message was written and posted in Hebrew and has been translated. Aftermath of Israeli air strikes in Gaza on October 10, 2023. Israeli air strikes hammered Gaza on Tuesday, razing entire districts in retaliation for Saturday's Hamas terror attacks Revital 'Tally' Gotliv, a member of the right-wing Likud party in the Knesset has called multiple times on her social media accounts for her country to wipe Gaza off the map Jericho missiles are a general name given to a family of ballistic missiles that were first developed by Israel in the 1960s. She encouraged her country's army to 'shell Gaza mercilessly!' 'Only an explosion that shakes the Middle East will restore this country's dignity, strength and security,' wrote. 'I urge you to do everything and use Doomsday weapons fearlessly against our enemies.' Israel, she declared, 'must use everything in its arsenal.' She stressed that the Israeli government must respond quickly as Hamas is currently 'laughing' at her country. She wrote that merely 'flattening' a Gazan neighborhood would not be enough. The government must 'crush' all of Gaza. Following the terror attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared a state of war and has since promised 'mighty vengeance' on Israel's attackers that will end in victory for his country. Israeli Defense Forces have begun bombarding key Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip and issued warnings to civilians in certain regions before a wave of retaliatory attacks began Monday morning. Early Wednesday morning, another wave of attacks against Gaza began. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, said he has 'released all restraints' on the troops in their fight against Hamas. 'Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be,' he said, speaking to soldiers near the Gaza fence. 'We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. We've been controlling the area since Day Two and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify.' Gallant promised to show no mercy to the terrorists. 'Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors - we will eliminate him at the height of our power and without compromise.' As dawn broke on Wednesday, more airstrikes were launched into Gaza A view of rockets fired by Palestinians into Israel's Ashkelon city as clashes continue between Israeli forces and armed Palestinian terror groups A man runs on a road as fire burns after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel Israeli soldiers carry the body of a person killed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Kfar Azza on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City as the Israeli response to the aggressors ramps up An IDF soldier reacts and covers his face before removing the body of a civilian killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas militants on October 10, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel Rockets are fired by Palestinian militants into Israel, in Gaza City October 7, 2023 On Tuesday, speaking publicly about the devastating Hamas attacks that have launched Israel back into war with its hostile neighbor, President Joe Biden said: 'Let me say again, any country, any organization anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: don't.' He called the October 7 atrocity 'unadulterated evil' and said that his administration is reviewing intelligence to see if Iran or its proxies aided the effort. The White House said it cannot currently confirm that Iran helped with the attack. Hamas continued to fire rockets at Israel from Gaza on Tuesday, while Israel is preparing a potential ground invasion in response to the attacks. EXCLUSIVE An aspiring DJ verbally abused two crying children during a Jetstar flight's safety demonstration in scenes so distressing the plane turned around on the runway and a traumatised flight attendant had to stop working. Ryan Martin, 25, pleaded guilty on Monday to endangering the safety of an aircraft after Australian Federal Police had to forcibly remove him from flight JQ402 at Sydney Airport on Saturday, September 16. Martin, who works at a tobacconist, was on a flight home to the Gold Coast after visiting Sydney for a DJ gig when he suddenly began threatening and swearing at several children on board, court facts show. The footage or the confrontation sparked a two-hour-plus delay for passengers as cops were called to the scene and the 'traumatised' air hostess who initially tried to intervene went home and had to be replaced. Court documents exclusively obtained by Daily Mail Australia reveal Martin's horrendous - and unprovoked - behaviour onboard the flight. Ryan Martin, 25 (pictured) has admitted to endangering a Jetstar flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast According to police facts, the plane was taxiing around the tarmac and preparing for take-off when Martin, 'for a reason unknown', began swearing at a young crying child sitting next to their mother six rows in front of him. At the time, airline staff were in the middle of an in-flight safety demonstration but were forced to stop because Martin was 'swearing profusely' and being 'aggressive'. The customer service manager approached Martin and tried to intervene, but Martin continued to verbally abuse the child and mother. Amid the commotion, another child seated next to their mother in the row right in front of Martin began to cry. Martin then turned his attention to that mum and child, firing off a second round of abuse. Concerned for the aircraft's safety, the pilot turned the plane around on the runway and returned to the terminal, where AFP officers boarded and asked Martin to leave. Martin, an aspiring DJ, works in a tobacconist store in Queensland But he refused to get off the plane, with footage showing Martin declaring: 'I'm not going anywhere, I've got work in f**ing six hours on the Gold Coast.' The officers had to unclip Martin's seatbelt and drag him away as he protested: 'Get your hands off me, I will get up [on my own]. That's harassment. Get off me. I will walk.' The saga lasted about 30 minutes, with all passengers subsequently forced to disembark. The flight's 'distressed' customer service manager was stood down for the flight and replaced by an on-call manager. Martin was taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged over the incident. Facing Sydney's Downing Centre Court on Monday, Martin, who has no previous criminal record in NSW, escaped conviction, with Magistrate Ian Guy instead slapping him with a $500 fine and two-year good behaviour bond. Daily Mail Australia understands Martin has also been banned from flying with Jetstar or Qantas for 18 months. Witnesses previously claimed they had heard Martin shouting at the mother and threatening to 'get her' once the plane landed in Queensland. Martin, who has a social media page dedicated to his DJing pursuits under his stage name 'MVRTO' where he describes himself as an 'entrepreneur', admitted to Daily Mail Australia last month what he said was 'along those lines'. However, he claimed the situation had been 'blown out of proportion'. The maximum penalty for endangering the safety of an aircraft is 10 years in jail. Martin declined to comment further when Daily Mail Australia asked him on Thursday if he was sorry about what happened. Joe Biden was told to make up his mind about what Israel should do last night after the latest confusing signals from the White House. The president was talking tough in public as he insisted Israel had a duty deliver a swift, decisive, and overwhelming response to Saturdays attack by Hamas that left more than 1,000 dead. At the same time he was privately urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid civilian casualties, according to White House officials. Gazas health ministry reported that the death toll in the territory passed 900 on Wednesday morning after four days of days of relentless Israeli air raids, as Jerusalem prepares a ground invasion. Like every nation in the world, Israel has a right and a duty to respond to these vicious attacks, Biden tweeted. 'Terrorists purposefully target and kill civilians, we uphold the laws of war' Biden told the Israeli PM Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Biden that Hamas are 'even worse than ISIS, and we need to treat them as such I just got off the phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and I told him: If the United States experienced what Israel experienced, our response would be swift, decisive, and overwhelming. But speaking later he urged Netanyahu not to behave like a terrorist. We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law, he said. Terrorists purposefully target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war. It matters. It comes after Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called for a cease-fire, before deleting his tweet, and the White Houses Office for Palestinian Affairs also rowed back on calls for Israel to back off. Republicans on the Houses Homeland Security Committee had slammed the administrations mixed messages for reassuring Hamas. These initial reactions from your administration are very concerning, the lawmakers wrote. Your administrations foreign policy has resulted in a number of national security failures and demonstrated utter weakness on the world stage. U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu As dawn broke on Wednesday, more airstrikes were launched on Gaza Palestinians are seen picking through the rubble in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes We must affirm that Israel has every right to respond to these barbaric acts of terror." The White House said that it is working is coordinating with other countries to offer safe passage out of Gaza for civilians through a southern corridor leading into neighboring Egypt. Netanyahus office said he told Biden about Hamas killing families in their homes, raping and murdering women, beheading soldiers and burning children to death. Weve never seen such savagery in the history of the state, the PM said. Theyre even worse than ISIS, and we need to treat them as such. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant warned Gaza will become a 'tent city', and said he has 'released all restraints' on his troops as he vowed to raze every building to the ground in revenge for Hamas' terror attacks at the weekend. 'Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be,' he said, speaking to soldiers near the Gaza fence. 'We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. We've been controlling the area since Day Two and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify.' Gallant promised to show no mercy to the terrorists. 'Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors we will eliminate him at the height of our power and without compromise.' Have you been affected by the chaos? Have you been affected by the chaos? A car park collapse at London Luton Airport damaging as many as 1,200 vehicles has caused chaos today, with all flights cancelled until 3pm and several people rushed to hospital following a huge fire. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spent some 12 hours battling the inferno at the airport's 20m Terminal Car Park 2 after the multi-storey was engulfed by flames and caved in just before 9pm last night. Fire chiefs said this morning that the fire, which was finally controlled and extinguished jut before 9am, started in a single vehicle with diesel engine. It came as dramatic footage on social media showed a car erupting into flames at the car park. The car park, which can hold 1,900 vehicles, did not appear to have sprinklers, according to chief fire officer Andrew Hopkinson, who told reporters the building's open sides meant the fire will have spread 'horizontally' before it went up through the structure. The shocking blaze cancelled 140 flights and has left hundreds of British holidaymakers stranded in Luton this morning, with no way of getting home, as many took to social media to vent their frustration. Did you see what happened or have you been affected by the chaos? Email tom.pyman@mailonline.co.uk or jack.wright@mailonline.co.uk Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service continues to battle the inferno at the airport's Terminal 2 this morning, more than nine hours after the multi-storey was engulfed by flames and caved in just before 9pm last night As many as 1,200 vehicles were affected by the collapse of the car park at Luton airport last night A number of cars can be seen badly damaged after the car park collapsed How Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 looked prior to the fire which ripped through the building last night There was also huge demand for parking this morning, with the airport's website introducing a queuing system, with desperate passengers having to wait several minutes to even browse the site Liz Blackmore, 57, had parked her 48,000 Mercedes on the top floor of the car park before heading off on holiday to Portugal. She told MailOnline: 'We were returning yesterday evening and then suddenly the captain of the plane told us that we were diverting to Gatwick due to a large fire that has closed the airport. 'We're devastated. It was less than a year old and my daughter has taken the other car so now we're left with no car. We're horrified.' How have flights been affected by the fire at Luton Airport today? More than 140 flights at London Luton Airport have been cancelled so far today due to the fire, including 73 departures and 70 arrivals. DEPARTURES CANCELLED - 73 25 Wizz Air 39 easyJet 8 Ryanair 1 Air Hamburg ARRIVALS CANCELLED - 70 40 easyJet 25 Wizz Air 5 Ryanair ARRIVALS DIVERTED - 11 3 to Stansted 3 to Cardiff 2 to Manchester 1 to Liverpool 2 to Bristol Advertisement She added that she wasn't sure yet whether she'd be able to get any money back. 'This morning we heard people have been taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and injuries - we just hope they're okay - you can replace the car but you can't replace people. 'It was confusing because we're on our own - there was no help from anybody - we landed at nearly midnight and we had no assistance. 'Also we didn't know whether to go to Luton and pick up car - we didn't know what to do - no one told us - we didn't go because we'd seen the car park had collapsed so we didn't bother going.' Meanwhile, eight Polish passengers revealed how they been stranded for nine hours after their early morning flight from Luton Airport was cancelled. Access to the Airport from the Luton Direct Air-Rail Transit has been closed, leaving passengers stuck at Luton Airport Parkway station. One passenger is exercising at the station while his flight has been delayed for a 'couple of hours'. Nikodem Lesiak, 18, said he and seven other Polish university students are 'tired' as they have been stranded since 12 am after their 7:50 am flight to Krakow, Poland, was cancelled. The students have been in the UK for holiday for five days. He said: 'We are tired, and we have spent the whole night here. We need to get to Poland as fast as possible. 'When we got here, we found out Luton is burning and everything is closed, and we were supposed to have our flight at 7:50 today but it was cancelled. We found another ticket to Poland from another city and then we have to take a coach to the city we live in.' There next flight will be leaving at 12:40 pm, however Mr Lesiak said they are taking a 'risk' as their flight might again be cancelled. Passengers and even airline staff frantically tried to book hotel rooms so that they'd have somewhere to sleep for the night, but with most at full capacity, many had to sleep in reception. The chaos has also seen a frantic dash for parking spaces, with nearly 2,000 now out of action as a result of the fire. A check on Luton Airport's website at about 9am today found there was no availability for parking on any of its official sites before Friday, October 27 - with a space at the Terminal 1 Car Park available for 138 for the week from that date. The website, which had a wait time of eight minutes just to enter it this morning amid heightened demand, said the area is just a four-minute walk to the terminal, and is the closest car park to the terminal entrance. The fire took place at the airport's new Terminal Car Park 2 and no spaces were listed on that site over the coming weeks and months, even when looking one year in advance. Demand will now likely increase for rival operators such as Purple Parking and Airparks, for which the cheapest price available through both websites for a week from October 27 was 170 for a 'meet-and-greet' service. A charred section of a parking structure is seen after it caught fire and partially collapsed at London's Luton Airport The aftermath of the devastating fire at Luton Airport's car park was seen this morning Passengers lift their luggage past fire trucks at London's Luton Airport following the car park collapse A number of cars have been visibly damaged by the fire, as crews continue to battle it Firefighters continue to work on making the car park safe this morning following last night's fire Firemen stand by their trucks next to a parking lot at London's Luton Airport following a fire which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure A charred section of a parking structure is seen after it caught fire and partially collapsed at London's Luton Airport How the charred car park appears this morning from the other side of London Luton Airport A witness described the speed in which the blaze tore through the car park's upper floor as 'incredible' A huge fireball was pictured as cars went up in flames, with onlookers saying they heard loud explosions Pictures show the roof of the structure caving in as flames ripped through cars The fire service said up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park - which charges 67.50 per day - at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged, with pictures showing many charred and covered in debris this morning. For those who had not already made their way to Luton, they were waking up to the prospect of hours of delays too, with no flights before 3pm, and the airport urging passengers to contact their airline for the latest information. Last night, vehicle alarms and loud explosions were heard as cars were burned through one by one, with a witness describing the speed in which the blaze tore through the newly-built car park's upper floor as 'incredible'. Five people were rushed to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation following an incident that saw more than 100 firefighters on the scene, aided by 15 rescue pumps and three aerial appliances. Luton Airport said flights would remain suspended until 3pm on Wednesday following a fire in a multi-storey car park. The statement said: 'Our priority remains supporting the emergency services and the safety of our passengers and staff. Therefore, we have now taken the decision to suspend all flights until 3pm on Wednesday 11th October. 'Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted.' More than 140 flights at London Luton Airport have been cancelled so far today due to the fire - including 73 departures and 70 arrivals. The worst-hit airline was easyJet, which has its base at the hub and was forced to axe 79 flights, including 39 departures and 40 arrivals. Wizz Air had to cancel 25 departures and 25 arrivals, while Ryanair axed eight departures and five arrivals. One Air Hamburg departure was also cancelled. In addition, 11 further arrivals early this morning were diverted to other UK airports including London Stansted, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Bristol. Flames rip through the car park as a bus drives by at London Luton Airport on Tuesday night Firefighters continue to tackle the damage after the blaze at Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 Firefighters continue to work on making the car park safe this morning following last night's inferno A sign tells drivers that London Luton Airport is shut and that there are road closures in place Frustrated passengers wait with their bags as the fire has caused them to make alternative plans Police have closed roads around the airport as a result of the chaos, which has cancelled flights until 3pm Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said more than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze at Luton Airport. Speaking to reporters at the scene this morning, he said: 'Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's fire control received an initial 999 call at 8.47pm yesterday evening, reporting a car on fire on the third floor of the Terminal car park two behind me here at London Luton Airport. 'Our first two fire appliances arrived on scene just a shade under 10 minutes later to work alongside firefighters from Luton Airport Fire Service. 'On arrival my officers were faced with a severe and rapidly spreading fire involving a large number of vehicles that ultimately spread to multiple floors and involved a partial collapse of the car park. 'The incident was declared a major incident at 9.38pm. The car park has a capacity of just over 1,900 cars and we estimate up to 1,500 cars are in the affected car park. 'At its peak we had 15 fire appliances, over 100 firefighters and a number of specialist resources including the one you will see over my right-hand shoulder, with resources provided by neighbouring fire and rescue services.' Bedfordshire Police added: 'We have been part of a multi-agency response overnight to this significant fire at London Luton Airport. We would advise people not to travel to the area if they can.' Firefighters and an airline official were taken to hospital as emergency services battled the blaze, which broke out at Luton Airport just before 9pm on Tuesday. Five people were admitted to Luton and Dunstable hospitals for smoke inhalation and a sixth person was treated at the scene but did not require further medical treatment. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh. He said: 'There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm. 'A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. 'The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible.' This frame grab from handout video footage taken and released by the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service via AFPTV on October 11, 2023 shows a parking structure on fire at London's Luton Airport Firemen stand by their trucks next to a parking lot at London's Luton Airport following a fire Cars can be seen badly damaged in the parking lot at Luton Airport following last night's blaze People leave the London Luton airport as emergency services respond to a fire Flames roar at Terminal Car Park 2 at Luton Airport following the huge blaze on Tuesday night Police keep watch by a road leading to London's Luton Airport following a fire which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure An aerial shot shows the extent of the fire which ripped through the car park on Tuesday night There are fears that the huge inferno could spread to buildings air side, the fire service said as it battles the blaze The inferno will no doubt cause worry for British holidaymakers who left their vehicles at the airport before jetting off overseas Cars are visibly damaged as firefighters battle the inferno Cars on the top deck of the multi-storey have been left completely burnt out by the huge fire Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was 'incredible' Holidaymakers' flights have been suspended until midday on Wednesday due to the huge fire Cars were engulfed in flames after one reportedly exploded at the short stay Looks like the whole car park has just fallen down through the flames!#LutonAirport pic.twitter.com/FHbG80rXKu Robson O'Reardon (@RobsonOReardon) October 10, 2023 The newly-built car park partially collapsed, Beds Fire and Rescue service confirmed Crews from Bedfordshire and neighbouring counties have been urgently battling the blaze, they said, 'to prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings and vehicles on air side of the airport.' The short stay building suffered 'significant structural collapse' and half of the structure was fully taken over by the fire, the fire service said in an update just after midnight. Police and ambulance crews also attended the scene and local residents were warned to keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area. Footage posted on social media shows fire tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal on Tuesday evening, with smoke billowing over the airport's runway. The fire raged into the early hours of Wednesday, with Beds Fire service sharing an update just after midnight on Tuesday stating that they were first alerted by calls at 8.47pm on Tuesday. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames over the car park as he flew in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh on Tuesday. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh Smoke has been billowing into the air over the runway, with all flights suspended Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were on the scene, with five people rushed to hospital Travelers were seen being moved from the area as multiple fire engines and emergency response vehicles arrived at the terminal Passengers wheel their luggage past fire trucks at London's Luton Airport following a fire Firemen battle a fire at London's Luton Airport which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure Emergency services respond to the blaze as passengers wheel their luggage in the foreground People leave the London Luton airport as emergency services respond to a fire in the Terminal Car Park 2 Passengers move away from the airport car park after the dramatic fire last night People take pictures while leaving London Luton airport as emergency services respond to a fire Passengers look confused after the huge fire broke out in Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 The extent of the damage can be seen in Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 following last night's fire He said: 'There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm. 'A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. 'The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible.' Eyewitness Molly Bullard described 'scary scenes' as the short stay was 'exploding into flames'. The airport said on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'All flights are currently suspended as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2' Half of the car park was involved in the fire, firefighters said, with much of the structure left wrecked by the blaze She said on X: 'There is no transport in or out of Luton Airport. Passengers are being evacuated to walk on the footpath via the road underpass. All airport buses and vehicles are trapped by road blocks.' A spokesman for the airport wrote on X on Tuesday evening: 'Emergency services are currently responding to a car fire in Terminal Car Park 2, restricting access to the airport.' They later added just after 1am on Wednesday: 'Emergency services continue to respond to a significant fire in Terminal Car Park 2, which has now resulted in a partial structural collapse. 'The safety of our passengers and staff remains our main priority. We have therefore taken the decision to suspend all flights until 12pm on Wednesday 11th October. 'Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted.' They urged passengers with queries regarding parked vehicles or future bookings to get in touch and passengers looking for flight information to speak to their airlines. Furious Yorkshire locals have used their cars to stop telecoms workmen from installing 500 ugly telegraph poles in their town. The people of Hedon, East Yorkshire, have vowed to boycott any internet provider who decides to use the 30ft high wooden 'eyesores' to install the high-speed broadband, insisting cables should go underground instead. Yesterday the protest action forced telecoms workers to abandon their jobs. Is YOUR area blighted by broadband issues? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk Locals are furious that MS3, the company that is putting up the poles to carry the broadband fibre optic cables, were allowed to do so having given just 28 days notice. Some poles will block driveways and ruin views, protestors claim, who say they are happy with the broadband they already have from local telecommunications firm KCOM, via underground wires. Yorkshire locals have used their cars to stop telecoms workmen from installing 500 ugly telegraph poles in their town The people of Hedon, East Yorkshire, have vowed to boycott any internet provider who decides to use the 30ft high wooden 'eyesores' to install the high-speed broadband Julie Dervy, 60, has lived in Hedon for forty years, and is a member of the campaign group 'Hedon Says No to MS3 Telegraph Poles' Resident Carol Hunter has also spoken out about the telegraph poles Only two holes got dug before the workmen had to abandon the job due to the protests People have expressed surprise that poles can be put up without firms having to go through the traditional planning process. It follows a change in the law to allow broadband infrastructure to be installed under 'permitted development' rules, meaning companies are only required to give 28 days' notice to local authorities. Scores of people parked their cars on Shields Road yesterday to prevent an MS3 lorry and trucks being able to park up themselves. Only two holes got dug before the workmen had to abandon the job - and a protestor then parked her car over the hole. Police were called to the situation but no action has been taken. Julie Dervy, 60, has lived in Hedon for forty years, and is a member of the campaign group 'Hedon Says No to MS3 Telegraph Poles'. She said: 'About six weeks ago we woke up to find notices from the council telling us we were going to have this happening here. 'There is already infrastructure underground for broadband. We don't want these eyesores on our streets. 'We have parked out cars to make it difficult for a big lorry to get down. Other cars and ambulances can get by though.' Retired nurse Joyce Whittle, 62, said: 'We need to raise awareness to everybody in the country that this can take place on their streets' Ms Dervy said: 'About six weeks ago we woke up to find notices from the council telling us we were going to have this happening here' People have expressed surprise that poles can be put up without firms having to go through the traditional planning process Ms Dervy said: 'There is already infrastructure underground for broadband. We don't want these eyesores on our streets' A sign in the town reads 'Hedon says no to the MS3 poles' Joanne Clixby, 54, said: 'I don't like how MS3 are riding roughshod over the people of Hedon and they are lying that KCOM won't allow them to use their infrastructure in Hedon.' Mrs Clixby questioned why MS3 did not go to Ofcom to resolve the issue. She is annoyed that MS3 used the 'permitted development' rules, which denied anybody the chance to object to the planning authority. Retired nurse Joyce Whittle, 62, said: 'We need to raise awareness to everybody in the country that this can take place on their streets. 'We want to change the rules of permitted developments, which the Government brought in last year to allow these telecom companies to come into an area and tell people they are going to put up poles and then, 28 days later, turn up, dig holes where they want to and erect them. 'There has been no consultation and we did not get a chance to object to the council. 'We managed to delay the work on Monday on a different street and today they had to leave the street at lunchtime, having done very little. 'We are going to do our damndest to stop them putting up the poles.' Ray Duffill, 60, said more than 1,000 households have signed a petition promising to boycott any internet provider who uses the MS3 infrastructure for ten years. Residents are furious about the new telegraph poles which they see as an eyesore Locals are furious that MS3, the company that is putting up the poles on which to carry the broadband fibre optic cables, were allowed to do so having given just 28 days' notice Ms Whittle said: 'We want to change the rules of permitted developments, which the Government brought in last year to allow these telecom companies to come into an area' Joanne Clixby, 54, said: 'I don't like how MS3 are riding roughshod over the people of Hedon and they are lying that KCOM won't allow them to use their infrastructure in Hedon' Ray Duffill, 60, said more than 1,000 households have signed a petition promising to boycott any internet provider who uses the MS3 infrastructure for ten years Residents are furious about telegraph poles being erected on the street Mr Duffill said: 'It's the fact that people feel so powerless in the face of this blight of poles, which is a national issue' Mr Duffill said: 'It's the fact that people feel so powerless in the face of this blight of poles, which is a national issue. 'Almost 100 per cent of residents on this estate have signed up to the ten year boycott. 'MS3 have 16 broadband providers as partners and we will not be using any of those. 'We already have underground broadband, we don't need these unsightly poles. The existing network should be used.' Guy Miller, CEO of MS3 Networks, said the rollout of broadband infrastructure in the town would continue, which he said would bring choice and lower internet costs. 'As residents understand, planning permission is not required and those living on Shields Road and Westlands Drive were given 28 days' notice of the installation,' he said. 'We understand some residents are upset by this work. It's not our intention to cause disturbance, and we want to work with residents in the most effective way possible. 'We'd like to remind residents that it is against the 1984 Telecommunications Act to obstruct telecoms workers when they're carrying out work. That is for their safety and for that of the public and, while we encourage an open dialogue to help residents understand the work we're doing, that must be done safely. 'While there are some residents that are not interested in our service at this moment, there are many that are. We know people can save up to 200 on their internet costs and there are many that would like to have that choice. That includes others living on streets we've worked on this week.' Australian journalist Cheng Lei has arrived home safely in Australia after she was detained in China for more than three years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Chinese government had released Ms Cheng, 48, on Wednesday afternoon, confirming he had spoken to the former reporter after she flew into Melbourne to be reunited with her two children. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong welcomed the journalist at the airport. The Australian Government had fought for Ms Cheng's release since she was detained by the Chinese Ministry of State Security on August 13, 2020. Ms Cheng, who worked for Chinese state media outlet CGTN and previously CNBC, was accused of 'illegally supplying state secrets overseas'. Australian journalist Cheng Lei (right) has arrived safely in Australia after she was detained in China for three years (pictured, Ms Cheng meeting Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong at Melbourne Airport) She has denied the allegations, of which the full extent have not been made public. By May 10 this year, which marked 1,000 days imprisonment, Ms Cheng had been subject to a closed door trial, which Australia's Ambassador to China Graham Fletcher was barred from, but was not sentenced. In a joint statement, Ms Wong and Mr Albanese said Mr Cheng's release 'follows the completion of legal processes in China'. 'Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms Cheng and her family,' Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. 'This is an outcome that the Australian Government has been seeking for a long time and her return will be warmly welcomed, not just by her family and friends but all Australians. 'When I spoke to Ms Cheng, I welcomed her home on behalf of all Australians. 'The Australian Government will continue to provide consular support to Ms Cheng and her family.' Mr Albanese asked Ms Cheng's privacy be respected 'as she adjusts to what has obviously been a very difficult and traumatic period'. 'She's a very strong and resilient person,' he added. Australia's relationship with its largest trading partner, China, deteriorated dramatically in April 2020 as Covid spread across the globe. Then-prime minister Scott Morrison's government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of the pandemic - which first appeared in Wuhan at the end of 2019 - inflaming tensions between the two countries. The plea for transparency infuriated Beijing, who retaliated by imposing arbitrary bans and tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Australian goods including barley, wine, cotton, seafood, beef, copper, and coal. Shortly after in August, 2020, Ms Cheng was snatched by secret police and detained without charge or access to legal advice sparking allegations the arrest was an example of hostage diplomacy. She was held in one of China's infamous 'black jails' - detention centres established by Chinese security forces and private companies that are considered unlawful by several human rights organisations. Consular reports prepared by Australian embassy officials found Ms Cheng was often pinned to uncomfortable chairs with heavy wooden boards and shared a small single-bed cell with several prisoners. She was also banned from speaking with her children, aged 14 and 11, who have been living in Melbourne with her mother. Ms Cheng (above), a 48-year-old mother of two, was not allowed to speak to her children from behind bars Ms Cheng (above) was detained by the Chinese Ministry of State Security on August 13, 2020, for 'illegally supplying state secrets overseas' In August, Ms Cheng revealed in a heartbreaking letter what life in detention was like. The letter was passed to an Australian consular official in Beijing and given to her partner, Nick Coyle, who then sent it to Australian media outlets. Ms Cheng wrote that she only received 10 full hours of sunlight a year, used 'daggy Aussie humour' to keep her spirits up and secretly mouthed Australian place names to remind herself of 'freedom'. 'I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year,' the message read. 'Every year the bedding is taken into the sun for two hours to air, when it came back last time, I wrapped myself in the doona and pretended I was being hugged by my family under the sun. 'I can't believe I used to avoid the sun when I was living back in Australia, although knowing Melbourne weather, it will probably rain for the first two weeks after I return.' During the first six months of imprisonment, Ms Cheng was subject to solitary confinement and forced into stress positions during interrogations, the BBC reports. She spent the remainder of her term being held with other prisoners. Ms Cheng said another thing she desperately missed was Aussie humour. Ms Cheng (pictured with her partner, Nick Coyle) said she only received 10 hours of sunlight a year in her Chinese cell In a joint statement, Penny Wong (pictured hugging Ms Cheng on Wednesday) and Anthony Albanese said Ms Cheng was welcomed back 'by all Australians' The letter began with the line: 'G'day Aussies, excuse the daggy slang from someone in need of "ockerism".' 'Growing up Chinese Australian, I had two identities that would often fight for the upper hand depending on the context and the company, but in humour, the Aussie humour wins hands down every time,' she said. 'Even though we speak different languages and eat different meals, we laugh the same and have an eye for the absurd.' The Australian government has announced it is sending rescue flights to Israel to fly citizens home after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came under fire for not immediately scrambling jets. Commercial airlines have cancelled flights in and out of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport in the wake of Hamas's brutal attack on Israel, which began on Saturday and has seen a spate of horrific killings, including at a music festival and a kibbutz. Mr Albanese announced in Melbourne on Wednesday that the government will 'begin the assisted departure of Australians who want to leave Israel', noting many Australians were experiencing trouble fleeing the Jewish democratic state. The government will offer support to Australians who do not already have a seat on a commercial plane booked. Qantas flights will depart from Friday. The Australian government has announced it is sending rescue flights to Israel to fly citizens home People standing on a rooftop watch as a ball of fire and smoke rises above a building in Gaza City on October 7, 2023 during an Israeli air strike Mr Albanese announced in Melbourne on Wednesday that the government will 'begin the assisted departure of Australians who want to leave Israel', after his government came under fire for not moving faster to help stranded citizens Australians in Israel who are interested in these flights must register with the government's 24-hour consular emergency centre, Mr Albanese said. The Prime Minister faced criticism for flying into Uluru for the final push of the Voice to Parliament referendum while Israel - and Australians overseas - was in crisis. But he revealed in his speech that he has been assessing all options with his ministry to ensure Australians could get home safely. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was among those calling for the government to move quickly to 'give agencies the direction that they need to conduct their planning'. Earlier, Daily Mail Australia revealed Aussies on the trip of a lifetime in Israel were demanding to know why the Federal Government had not already acted to help them escape. Paul and Audrey West, from Newcastle, had been guiding a group of 33 holidaymakers through Israel for about two weeks when Hamas started firing rockets from the Gaza Strip. A fireball erupts during Israeli bombardment of Gaza City on October 9, 2023. Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip on October 9 and cut off the water supply as it bombed targets They were on the beach on Tel Aviv when the bomb sirens went off, so they ran to the nearest cafe to seek shelter and spent the next four days in hiding while frantically trying to organise new flights home. The couple's daughter, Brittany West, said the group had been in Gaza about 24 hours before the attacks. She said their original flights were cancelled and it was hard to get a seat on new ones due to limited options after airlines stopped operating through Israel. 'Anything that came up was booked out quickly,' she said Canada, Germany, Romania, Greece, Hungary, India, Thailand and Brazil have started repatriating their citizens. Pictured: The Australian tour group who were stuck in Israel when war broke out on Saturday. Thirteen are still stranded Pictured: Tour guide Paul West, pictured front, and other members of the group in a bomb shelter in Tel Aviv Anthony Albanese on the Yes campaign in the Northern Territory on Wednesday. The Federal Government has since announced it was in talks with Qantas and Virgin to ask whether they could help with repatriation flights Twenty members of the group managed to book flights for Tuesday, but about 13 are still waiting. Now, staff at the hotel where they sought refuge are urging them to flee, saying 'do everything you can to get out because it's only going to escalate'. Brittany said there's a sense of urgency and fear from everyone who has been left behind. 'They're doing everything they can to get themselves onto a flight but they keep getting cancelled,' she said. 'I spoke to one of the couples last night and they're honestly feeling abandoned by the government - we don't understand why other governments are able to evacuate their residents. 'There really needs to be a rescue mission, but if we wait too long it might be a recovery mission.' Brittany said her parents had been running the tours with a company in Israel since about 2011, but this year was their first trip since the pandemic. Brittany's mother Audrey posted a photo of Gaza just 24 hours before it became a warzone (pictured) Paul and Audrey West (pictured) have been guiding Australians through Israel since 2011 She urged the government to charter a flight for Australians, like other nations, and has called on Aussies to put pressure on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). NATIONS WITH RESCUE FLIGHTS Romania Poland Hungary Bulgaria Serbia Albania Croatia Greece Thailand India Advertisement DFAT didn't respond to the group's dilemma or why the Albanese Government wasn't doing more. Instead, a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the government is 'monitoring the situation closely and remains in touch with local authorities'. 'Presently there are commercial flights available and Australians in Israel who wish to leave should pursue those options,' it said. 'Our thoughts are with those killed and injured in these attacks and others affected.' A few hours later, the Albanese Government announced it was in talks with Qantas and Virgin to ask whether they could help with repatriation flights. 'We are working on a range of contingency arrangements that I won't detail publicly for obvious reasons,' Mr Albanese told the ABC. Transport Minister Catherine King wrote on social media: 'The Australian government is assessing all options to support Australians wishing to leave Israel and Gaza.' Of the 10,000 Australians who are still in Israel, only 122 have arranged their own transport out of the war-torn nation. The couple (pictured centre and second right) work with a tour group in Israel (managers pictured front left and right) Mr Albanese has also come under fire for his 'pussyfooting' response to anti-Semitic protests in Sydney on Monday. John Howard, who led Australia in the wake of the September 11 attacks, said the Prime Minister's denouncement did not go far enough. READ MORE: Israel Palestine conflict LIVE Advertisement 'Mr Albanese should make some unequivocal statements, as should the Foreign Minister,' he told The Australian. 'Instead of that there is pussyfooting and lukewarm condemnation. Then you have the New South Wales Attorney-General (Michael Daley) saying everyone should remain calm and go home. 'How can you remain calm when demonstrators are invoking the memory of the Holocaust? People remain calm in that?' The civilian death toll from the Hamas attacks on Israel climbed to more than 1,000, as the overall tally of fatalities reached 3,100 since war broke out on Saturday. Australian-born grandmother Galit Carbone, 66, was among those killed in the Be'eri kibbutz, about 5km from the Gaza Strip. Her body was found metres from her home. Social media users slammed the Yes camp over the SMS It leads recipients to a website telling them how to vote Voters sent text messages from the Voice Yes campaign Thousands of Aussies have been spammed with a text message from the Yes campaign disguised as a poll for the Voice referendum. The unsolicited message from the Yes camp tells recipients how many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people support the Voice and features a texting poll below. 'Over 80 per cent of Indigenous people support the Voice to Parliament. Do you? Reply '1' for Yes, '2' for No and '3' for Unsure,' it reads. It then says 'voting booths' and has a link that leads to a Yes campaign website designed to inform recipients on how to vote in the referendum. Thousands of Aussies have been spammed with a text message (pictured) from the Voice Yes campaign Voters are asked to put in their address at the main page to show where their local voting booths are located. After putting in an address, recipients are shown where their local booths are, key referendum dates, what the referendum will do if successful, the proposed change to the Constitution, and how to vote upon receiving a ballot paper. Statistics about Indigenous people are featured on the page including the disadvantage First Nations people face in terms of income, completing school and mental illness. These statistics concerning disadvantage are based off the local area of the address put in by recipients. A 'referendum fact checker' is also included which corrects misinformation made about the Voice from the No campaign. The website is registered by the Cape York Institute, an Indigenous think-tank founded by prominent Yes campaigner Noel Pearson. It was authorised by the head of the Yes23 campaign, Dean Parkin, according to a statement listed on the main page. The message has a link that leads voters to a Yes campaign website designed to inform recipients on how to vote in the referendum The Yes camp has been slammed for sending out the message on social media. 'The Yes campaign soliciting phone numbers and texting people to Vote Yes using misinformation,' said one user on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'How did they gain my number? Very deceptive!' Another user wrote: 'Lesson 101 by VoiceReferendum.com.au 'How to rig a poll in 3 easy steps'.' 'Trickery or fact? Voice text messages being sent suggesting 80% of indigenous people support the Voice!!!!' added a third. 'The phone number does not connect when I tried but we should find out who if any organisation commissioned this research?' The website was registered by the Cape York Institute, an Indigenous think-tank founded by prominent Yes campaigner Noel Pearson (pictured) The website was authorised by the head of the Yes23 campaign, Dean Parkin (pictured), according to a statement listed on the main page The Cape York Institute had a gross income of more than $12million last year, according to the organisation's annual information statement published on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website. 'The Institute has just used funds to spam SMS millions of Australians with misinformation,' a user wrote. 'If taxpayer funds allocated for Indigenous services have been misused for misinformation campaigns, the Albanese Government should immediately commence an investigation and if substantiated, withdraw any future taxpayer funding for the Institute.' Many users claimed the percentage of Indigenous people who back the Voice as presented in the SMS and website is false. The 80 per cent figure is based off two polls that were conducted earlier this year. An Ipsos poll from January showed 80 per cent of Indigenous people support the Voice and a YouGov poll published in March had 83 per cent backing the Yes vote. Social media users have slammed the Yes campaign for sending out the text message to voters (pictured, Indigenous leader Noel Person, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles at the base of Uluru) It comes after the No campaign was lambasted last month for spamming voters with text messages from Jacinta Price, who was named as the sender. 'Hi, it's Jacinta Price. The Referendum is on 14 Oct,' the text reads. 'The Voice is risky, unknown and divisive. Don't know? Say no.' It then includes a link for those wanting to submit a postal vote. The link leads voters to a website sponsored by the Federal Coalition. It requests voters' names, street address, email address, mobile phone number, date of birth, and reason why they would need a postal vote. The website was authorised by the Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia, Andrew Hirst. The Voice to Parliament No campaign came under fire after bombarding voters with text messages purported to be from Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) The text message urged recipients to vote no in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum Teal MP Allegra Spender condemned the text in a fiery post to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter - claiming the Voice ad is a data harvesting ploy. 'We are being bombarded with spam SMS & messages claiming to provide postal votes for The Voice,' she wrote. 'These are Liberal Party ads to harvest your personal data. For a real postal vote go to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).' 'The crossbench is working for electoral reform to stop political parties harvesting your data and spamming you, but the major parties won't support these changes.' Others also took to X to complain about the campaign advertisements. 'Tell Jacinta Price to stop texting me please,' wrote one user. 'Dear Senator. Please don't send me unsolicited texts on the Voice or any other issue unless I can have a right of reply. A bit like a Voice,' commented another. Independent MP Allegra Spender (pictured) condemned the Liberal Party over the text message ad campaign in a fiery post to X The AEC released issued a statement about the matter following a number of enquiries about the messages, including from this publication. 'We're getting some questions about campaigning text messages being received today,' it read. 'They're legal, political parties don't get phone numbers from AEC & the msg today does appear to have the required authorisation statement via the link in the message.' The AEC explained that the distribution of campaign text messages was permitted as it didn't break laws set out the Electoral Act or Referendum Act. No campaign group Fair Australia, which is led by Ms Price, told Daily Mail Australia that they had no involvement with the ad campaign. Brit danger tourist 'Lord Miles' posed for a selfie with his suspected Taliban 'captors' after being released from house-arrest. YouTuber Miles Routledge spent months in 'prison' in Afghanistan after being captured by the Islamists in March. However, the 23-year-old claimed to have become 'best mates' with the Taliban's top commanders, enjoying 'picnics and dinners with higher ups' and even 'snickering' with the regime's extremists while watching the latest Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. 'Lord Miles' shared a selfie on X, bragged the 'lovely lads treated me as a guest' and claimed to have had the 'best adventure I've had yet'. He then said he will return to Kabul next month - before claiming he's considering whether he should 'pop down to Israel vs Palestine'. Fears of a wider regional war are growing as Israeli planes pound Gaza while Benjamin Netanyahu's army prepares for a ground invasion after Hamas terrorists slaughtered innocent civilians in Israel during a bloody - and surprise - rampage dubbed the Jewish state's '9/11'. 'Lord Miles' has previously 'survived the most deadly island on the planet' when he went to Snake Island in Brazil, which is populated with between 2,000 and 4,000 of the most venomous snakes in Latin America. Other videos are titled '48 hours homeless in New York City' and 'Illegally crossing the Mexican border'. Miles Routledge, aka 'Lord Miles', smiles as he poses for a selfie with his Taliban captors and now says he is considering whether to 'pop down' to Israel amid Gaza war The 23-year-old spent eight months in 'prison' having 'picnics and dinners with higher ups' and snickering with the Taliban while watching the latest Barbie movie Using his Lord Miles X page, he told of how he 'really outdid myself' and that he had now been granted immunity in Afghanistan meaning he won't get stopped at checkpoints Posting a picture of himself smiling alongside the Taliban, Routledge said: 'Really outdid myself. Why did some of you think I was dead? 'Why did anyone worry in the slightest? No faith in me! I have pull. Literally was watching the new Barbie movie with the Taliban and saw some of your comments on their phones, all of us snickering. Hehe.' He claims to have been granted immunity in Afghanistan meaning he won't get stopped at checkpoints and 'all business docs will be setup for me as a gift' when he returns to the country. 'Added bonus: it's a weapons license,' he gloated. Routledge claims he was detained as he forgot to get a permit for a mountain area he had travelled to 'where the gold was located' but in the end the Taliban just thought he was 'a goofy guy'. Asked by one concerned social media user if he will now retire, he replied: 'I retire when I'm dead.' The Foreign Office confirmed yesterday Routledge was one of four Brits - including a UN aid worker - to be released by the Taliban after they were held for allegedly breaking the country's laws. The former Loughborough University student from Birmingham posts videos of himself travelling to dangerous countries to his 79,000 subscribers to his YouTube page. Mr Routledge (pictured) reportedly lived in the lap of luxury while a prisoner of the Taliban During the past few months in 'prison' Mr Routledge is said to have been in talks with Taliban officials over a gold mine MailOnline has obtained the final picture he took before being held which shows the 'danger tourist' (left) giving the thumbs up while standing next to a member of the Taliban who is holding an automatic rifle He shared footage of himself shooting an assault rifle given to him by a Taliban fighter. The video notched up more than a million views on his YouTube channel Mr Routledge is pictured with meeting a Taliban fighter for one of his YouTube videos He was evacuated from Afghanistan in August 2021 by the British armed forces as the Taliban retook the country, but later returned and was arrested by Taliban forces in March. Last month, a friend of his took over his X account, and tweeted: 'Miles is in a guesthouse and not an actual prison so he's very comfortable.' The anonymous friend added the 'prison' is more like a hotel, as Routledge has access to an Xbox, orders takeaways and has a 'servant'. According to the friend the Taliban are fans of Lord Miles' book'. The friend said he can't post photos of Routledge 'for obvious reasons' and said this could lead to speculation that 'he's dead'. But added that people 'have no idea what Lord Miles is capable of thriving in'. The thrillseeker's friend said: 'At first, like all of you, I was worried he was struggling in some bad place but then he described how the Taliban like the Titanic movie and Rambo 3.' He added that Miles is writing his second book titled: 'Lord Miles' holiday in Taliban prison.' 'If he wants eggs, his servants buy him eggs, if he doesn't like a dish, he gets pizza. When we called him he said 'lovely holiday'. 'When we learnt of his hotel like conditions Miles then said 'I'll consider British ambassador to Afghanistan if the King asks nicely'.' But EU said the blockade and bombardment of Gaza breaks international law Israeli officials have declared they are seeking a 'new reality' that will see Hamas eradicated as the Israeli Defence Forces gear up to launch a massive military operation in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring war on Hamas following this weekend's surprise attack which saw 1,000 Israelis slaughtered, gave a solemn vow. 'What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations,' he said, and in remarks to U.S. President Joe Biden condemned Hamas for what he said was 'savagery not seen since the Holocaust.' Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a total siege of Gaza, cutting off water, food and electricity to force its residents into starvation as they are pounded by constant airstrikes. Speaking to soldiers near the Gaza fence yesterday, Gallant doubled down and said: 'Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be,' with even a former Israeli ambassador to Britain declaring that the IDF's goal is 'to come out of this with a different reality in Gaza.' But the swift and brutal retaliation against Hamas has given rise to hundreds of Palestinian civilian casualties with many in the international community questioning whether the Israeli Defence Forces are committing war crimes. The U.N.'s top diplomat Josep Borrell said: 'Israel has the right to defend (itself) but it has to be done accordingly with international law, humanitarian law, and some decisions are contrary to international law. 'Some of the actions - (such) as cutting water, cutting electricity, cutting food to a mass of civilian people is against international law,' Borrell said on Tuesday. Images later emerged appearing to show trails of phosphorus munitions being used over Gaza - something Palestinian sources had alleged. The use of such weapons in civilian areas is considered a war crime. Speaking to BBC Radio 4 this morning, Professor Ghassan Abu Sittah, a London-based surgeon who has gone to work at a hospital in Gaza following the strikes, shed light on the harrowing conditions there. 'There's such a high percentage of children that are wounded. We have children with major burns, a teenager with 70 per cent total body burns, he said. And Palestinian envoy to the U.N., Riyad Mansour, condemned Israel's widespread bombing of civilian centres: 'Such blatant dehumanisation and attempts to bomb a people into submission, to use starvation as a method of warfare, and to eradicate their national existence are nothing less than genocidal.' A Palestinian works to remove a casualty from the rubble of a house hit in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 11, 2023 Israeli soldiers remove the body of civilian, who was killed days earlier in an attack by Palestinian militants on this kibbutz near the border with Gaza, on October 10, 2023 in Kfar Gaza, Israel A man reacts outside a burning collapsed building following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11, 2023 Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Gaza City, October 11, 2023. Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in Al-Ramal neigbourhood in Gaza City on, 10 October 2023 A dove flies over the debris of houses destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023. Smoke from Israeli bombardment is pictured over the Gaza City seaport on October 11, 2023 Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike that has been going on for five days in Gaza City, Gaza on October 11, 2023. Palestinian Foreign Ministry claimed that Israel used phosphorus bombs in its attacks on populated areas in Gaza This morning, residents of the Gaza Strip were still scrambling to find safety, as Israeli warplanes continued to hammer neighbourhood after neighbourhood in the tiny coastal enclave. As Gazans crowded into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid into Gaza, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. Israel has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza, and the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Gaza's power authority said this morning its sole power plant will fun out of fuel within hours, the generators on which residents and hospitals have long relied will soon go silent. The war, which has claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Israel appears determined to crush Hamas' hold on Gaza, following an unprecedented attack in which militants gunned down civilians in their homes, on streets and at a mass outdoor music festival, while dragging men, women and children into captivity. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. A looming question is whether Israel will launch a ground assault into the 25-mile-long strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million people and has been governed by Hamas since 2007. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate neighbourhood after neighbourhood, and then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. On Tuesday, the military told residents of the nearby al-Daraj neighbourhood to evacuate. New explosions soon rocked it and other areas, continuing into the night. Fighter jets returned multiple times to another neighbourhood, al-Furqan, striking 450 targets in 24 hours, the Israeli military said. One blast hit Gaza City's seaport, setting fishing boats aflame. 'There is no safe place in Gaza right now. You see decent people being killed every day,' Gaza journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the Rimal bombardment. 'I am genuinely afraid for my life.' Rescue officials in Gaza said 'large numbers' of people were still trapped under the remnants of levelled buildings, with rescue equipment and ambulances unable to reach the area. Palestinian Civil Defence forces pulled Abdullah Musleh out of his basement together with 30 others after their apartment building was flattened. 'I sell toys, not missiles,' the 46-year-old said, weeping. 'I want to leave Gaza. Why do I have to stay here? I lost my home and my job.' A Palestinian boy holds a child as he stands on the rubble of destroyed buildings following Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023 A missile explodes in Gaza City during an Israeli air strike A smoke rises and ball of fire over a buildings in Gaza City on October 9, 2023 during an Israeli air strike An Israeli soldier wears a mask as he looks on following an attack by Gazan militants on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in southern Israel, October 10, 2023 Israeli army Merkava tanks are positioned near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 10, 2023 A Palestinian points to the Ahmed Yassin mosque, which was levelled by Israeli airstrikes, in Gaza City early on October 9, 2023 Israel's new tactics could point to a new objective. Four previous rounds of Israel-Hamas fighting between 2008 and 2021 all ended inconclusively, with Hamas battered but still in control. This time, Israel's government is under intense pressure from the public to topple Hamas, a goal considered unachievable in the past because it would require a reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, at least temporarily. 'The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory,' said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. 'Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done,' he said. The devastation also sharpened questions about Hamas' strategy and objectives. Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including a punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli control and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the world's apathy. Hamas may have been counting on the fight to spread to the West Bank and possibly for Lebanon's Hezbollah to open a front in the north. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead, but Israel has clamped down heavily on the territory, preventing movement between communities. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late Tuesday. Brief exchanges of fire across Israel's northern border have taken place nearly daily. Palestinian militants fired rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon and from Syria on Tuesday, each bringing Israeli artillery and mortar fire in return. But so far they have not escalated. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel. In Gaza, 950 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday at least 14 U.S. citizens were killed in Hamas' attack and that Americans are among those being held hostage in Gaza. Biden, who spoke earlier in the day with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said 'there is no justification for terrorism.' Palestinians gather on rubble in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023 Smoke billows following Israeli strikes, in Gaza City, October 11, 2023 Aftermath of israeli air strikes in Gaza on October 10, 2023. Israeli air strikes hammered Gaza on Tuesday, razing entire districts and filling morgues with dead Palestinians as Israel took revenge for the Hamas assaults that have triggered some of the worst blood-letting in 75 years of conflict Palestinians carry belongings near their damaged house following Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023 Biden added an apparent warning to Hezbollah, saying, 'To any country, any organisation, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't.' The State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to Israel to deliver a message of solidarity and support. Hamas responded to Biden, saying his administration should 'review its biased position' and 'move away from the policy of double standards' over Palestinian rights to defend themselves against Israeli occupation. The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It wasn't clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. In Gaza, more than 250,000 people have fled their homes, the U.N. said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites has cut off services to 400,000 people, the U.N. said. The U.N.'s World Health Organization (WHO) said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals in Gaza have already run out amid the flood of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. The World Food Programme (WFP) said Tuesday it was targeting food help for some 800,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank following the outbreak of more violence. The WFP is appealing for $17.3 million in the next four weeks to address the 'critical situation' in the Palestinian territories, and also echoed a call by the WHO for a humanitarian corridor to provide aid to Gaza. 'Distributions are ongoing daily for displaced people in shelters in Gaza, amid concerns that the city is running out of critical resources like food, water, and electricity, with damaged infrastructure severely impeding both food production and distribution networks,' it said. It is also beginning to distribute cash-based transfers to 164,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank, electronic vouchers which can be redeemed for food in local shops, it said - even while expressing fears that local supplies are running out. Keir Starmer branded himself a 'YIMBY' today as he vowed to 'bulldoze' local objections to get 1.5million homes built across Britain if he wins the election. The Labour leader boasted that he was the opposite of a NIMBY - 'not in my backyard' - as he warned Labour MPs against trying to block construction in their constituencies. In a round of media interviews Sir Keir denied that the policy - which would involve scrapping protections for parts of the green belt - was 'wishful thinking'. He said that unlike other governments he was willing to overhaul the planning system, saying: 'We are going to have to be tough with anybody who stands in the way of that and that will include any Labour MPs who say: ''Well, I'm signed up to the project but just not here.... 'I think one of the problems we have is that planning is at the moment very, very localised. 'There isn't the ability to look across a wider area and say: ''Where would the best place be for this development? Where could we have a new town?'' And so we need to bulldoze through it, but we also need to be pragmatic about how we do it.' Asked by the BBC if that made him a 'YIMBY', Sir Keir said: 'I am Yes. I think that it's very important that we build the homes that we need for the future hugely, hugely important for the aspiration of young people desperately want to get on the housing ladder, massive failure for the last 13 years. I'm about national renewal, not washing our hands of this continuing with the same decline we've seen in the last 13 years.' A bullish Keir Starmer today pointed to striking by-election wins in Selby and Rutherglen as he dismissed criticism that voters still do not know where he stands Sir Keir said he was confident he could hit his target of 1.5million new homes in five years. Pressed on whether he would resign as PM if he missed the target, he said: 'One of things I've been doing in the last six to 12 months is bombproofing everything we put out as a party, and some people have interpreted those shifts of position as somehow a weakness actually it's a strength to say 'I will not put anything before the electorate after what they've been through, which I do not think is credible, that can't be delivered'.' He added: 'I'm very comfortable putting our proposal before the electorate, fully thought-through, credible, and in which I have confidence. 'In five years time if we're lucky enough to get elected next time to serve, the electorate will have their chance to judge whether we are delivering on what we've said. I'm confident we will. But of course the electorate will have to judge. Starmer defends staying in Corbyn's shadow cabinet Keir Starmer today defended staying in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet as the party faced a grim wave of complaints about anti-Semitism among activists. During a BBC interview, Sir Keir was asked why he stayed when other colleagues opted to resign in protest at the former Labour leader's handling of the issue. 'I thought it was important to challenge within the shadow cabinet,' Sir Keir said. 'That's what I did. But I absolutely made it my commitment of the day I became leader that we would tear this out by the roots. 'The fight against anti semitism is never overlooked what's happening in North London as a result of the appalling acts on the global stage. 'But I think objectively, most people would say the Labour Party now is completely different to the Labour Party of 2019...' Mr Corbyn has fiercely defended his handling of the anti-Semitism issue. Advertisement 'But what I don't want to do and didn't want to do yesterday was to pretend that all of this can be done in one five-year term, the damage that's been done to our country is huge. And that's why I talked in terms of a 10-year project of national renewal.' After the address to activists was nearly derailed by an stage invader who covered him in glitter, Sir Keir said his instant reaction had been not to let the 'idiot' protester 'ruin four years of hard work'. 'I just wanted to get on with the speech and that's why I rolled up my sleeves and got on with it,' he said. 'I didn't want that idiot to interrupt that and I don't want that idiot to dominate what I've got to say today.' Quizzed on ITV's Good Morning Britain whether Labour had lurched to the right, Sir Keir said the by-election results showed that the party was 'in the right place' and in line with the public. He pointed to striking by-election wins in Selby and Rutherglen as he dismissed criticism that voters still do not know where he stands. Sir Keir warned that another Tory election victory would put the NHS 'in the ground' during his speech yesterday. He gave the chilling warning about the health service - reminiscent of Tony Blair's '24 hours to save the NHS' in 1997 - as he claimed the 'tide is turning' for the party. The Opposition leader insisted he is the person to 'heal' the country - but warned it will require a 'decade of national renewal'. He also confirmed that Labour wants to declassify 'low quality' parts of the green belt, dismissing it as the 'grey belt' and saying he would 'bulldoze' through planning restrictions. Sir Keir made another effort to distance himself from the Corbyn era, insisting that reform did not mean a 'cheque book state' and playing down the prospect of tax hikes. On Israel, he challenged pro-Palestinian activists by boldly branding Hamas 'terrorists' for the bloody attacks on civilians. The Tories complained that Sir Keir had not mentioned immigration, although there was a brief reference to 'movement of people' due to climate change. Jeremy Corbyn - banned from standing as an MP again but still a party member - said Sir Keir was 'rolling out the red carpet for climate vandals, arms firms and private healthcare'. But the big conference speech was partly overshadowed by a major security breach today when a protester invaded the stage screaming 'democracy is in crisis'. Sir Keir was just about to start his speech when the man ran up to the podium and started shouting and throwing what appeared to be glitter on his jacket. The man was wrestled to the ground by security after his protest, with Sir Keir resuming his speech saying he was not 'bothered' Sir Keir was left rubbing glitter from his hair after the extraordinary incident He yelled 'politics needs an update', 'we demand a people's house', 'we are in crisis' and 'our whole future is in jeopardy' as he was wrestled to the ground. Sir Keir was praised for taking off his jacket and continuing after the man was removed saying, 'If he thinks that bothers me he doesn't know me.' He also joked that he was glad it hadn't happened to his wife Victoria because her dress was 'beautiful'. The extraordinary incident will raise huge concerns about the protection for the Opposition leader. It is the second time during this year's event that an interloper managed to get to the podium. Unlike the Tory gathering, Labour conference has delegates speaking during debates in the main hall, and the numbers in the audience are far higher. Thousands of people joined a vigil in Sydney last night to pay tribute to the hundreds of lives lost during Hamas' sickening attack on Israel. Dover Heights woman Cindy, who attended the event with her daughter and cousin Danny, said she wanted her daughter to know her local community supported her family and the Jewish community at large. 'We stand by Israel. We cannot stand by and have our people murdered and treated this way. It's barbaric,' Cindy said. 'We are here in solidarity as the whole world should be doing.' Danny said the vigil was a 'place of love and it makes me proud to be a Jew'. 'There will be tears but there will be tears not only for sorrow, but for our proudness of who we are.' Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke at a synagogue in St Kilda, Melbourne on Tuesday night while wearing a Kippah, a cap worn by Orthodox Jewish men during prayer. He told the Jewish community it was a 'time of profound sorrow' and vowed his government 'will stand with Israel. We always will'. More than 9000 people have attended a vigil in Sydney (pictured) in support of Israel after the weekend's shock attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wore a Kippah (pictured) while speaking at a synagogue in Melbourne's St Kilda on Tuesday night, vowing to support the war-torn nation The vigil fell on the same day as the discovery of about 40 children that were killed, some beheaded, when Hamas terrorists attacked a kibbutz in southern Israel At least 1,200 Israelis were killed at the hands of Hamas Bondi woman Galit Gershowitz, whose 20-year-old son was currently serving as a sniper in the elite combat unit within the Israeli army, said she felt a sense of community attending the vigil. 'It's showing us as a family that we're not alone,' she said. 'My son didn't go to fight, he went to protect our country. We just want peace. She said she felt 'scared and anxious' for her son's welfare but was proud of this contribution. Couple Danielle Chaanger and Gioel Gottlieb, both of whom are Jewish, said they had been 'devastate and crushed' at the Hamas attack. 'This morning I went to my doctor and my doctor's wife sister had been shot. She barricaded herself in the house, but they kidnapped her neighbours and killed her baby,' he said. He said he was at the vigil in a show of support for Israel. 'We are not here to protest. We're here to show that we are very different. We're here to unite ourselves because we love each other,' he said. Israeli flags were on display at the moving ceremony The Prime Ministered has vowed the Australian government will act on anti-Semitic sentiment and actions Members of Sydney's Jewish community paid tribute to the victims of the horror attacks in Israel Jewish leaders say community is shattered Speaking to the crowd, Executive Council of Australian Jewry's president Jillian Segal also spoke about the barbarism of the attack. 'Not since the Holocaust have so many Jewish lives been taken in a single day,' she said. 'We are totally shattered as we stand together this evening, mourning for the hundreds of lives lost and praying for the safe release of the hostages.' She also thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and local federal MP Allegra Spender for their support. 'We call all fair-minded people and our political representatives in demanding the safe return of the hostages,' she said. 'We also demand those who burnt the Israeli flags at the Opera House... to be identified and prosecuted. 'And we call for determined leadership on anti-Semitism and race hatred from all our governments.' Politicians condemn Hamas attack NSW Premier Chris Minns, federal Health Minister Mark Butler, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman spoke at the vigil. Representing the Prime Minister, Health and Aged Minister Mark Butler said the government condemned the actions of Hamas 'unequivocally'. 'More Jews were killed on Saturday than any day of the Holocaust,' he said. 'I express my sympathies to those who were affected by the deep acts of terror. 'Anti-Semitism has no place in this country ... just as we stand with the state is Israel, we stand with the Jewish community.' Many speakers at Sydney's vigil spoke about those close to them directly effected by terrorist attacks on Israel Other speakers at the vigil likened the loss-of-life to the holocaust during World War II Peter Dutton thanked the Jewish community for their 'resolute behaviour,' and likened the attacks by Hamas to the 9/11 attacks and ISIS Representing the Prime Minister at the Sydney vigil, Mr Butler said the government condemned the actions of Hamas 'unequivocally' READ MORE: Grave fears Australian woman has been kidnapped by Hamas after she was reported missing in the chaos Advertisement Mr Minns affirmed apologised for recent anti-Semitic incidents since the weekend. 'It is with a lot of sorrow that I acknowledge some of the hatred that was seen in your own city and I am deeply sorry,' he said. 'I don't want to live in a world where that happens and I won't live in a state where that is allowed to happen. Mr Dutton thanked the Jewish community for their 'resolute behaviour,' and likened the attacks by Hamas to the 9/11 attacks and ISIS. He said Australia would join the rest of the world in sending a message to Hamas that their acts 'would never be tolerated. 'As Australians we value many attributes and when we look at the story of Israel, it's a story of many trials and tribulations,' the Liberal leader said. 'The terrorism we've seen in recent days cannot be given moral equivalence of any behaviours other than terrorist events that have taken in recent history.' Prime Minister in Melbourne vows support Mr Albanese told the congregation at the synagogue that now is 'a time of profound sorrow, in the shadow of terrorist acts that are truly abhorrent.' 'We have seen unimaginable atrocities, targeting children,' he said. 'The government and the people of Australia condemn this attack by Hamas. 'The targeting of civilians and taking of hostages is an affront to all Australians and we condemn these horrific acts.' Mr Albanese also promised the government would act on anti-Semitism sentiment and actions. 'I want to assure you, that kind of hateful prejudice has no place in Australia,' the Prime Minister said. 'Our country is better than that - and our country is a better place because of you and your community. 'My government is committed to keeping the community safe.' Earlier on Wednesday, Acting NSW Police Commissioner Dave Hudson said there would be a 'heavy police presence' at the vigil to ensure the safety of participants A woman breaks down in tears during the vigil Earlier on Wednesday, Acting NSW Police Commissioner Dave Hudson said there would be a 'heavy police presence' at the vigil to ensure the safety of participants. 'I think that one could expect that the Jewish community would hold such a vigil and our sympathies go that group.' Commissioner Hudson added that extra security and police presence had been deployed to Jewish schools and synagogues, plus Jewish retirement homes and hospitals at the request of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. NSW Premiers apology to Jewish community The commemoration comes after protesters shouted anti-Semitic slurs and burnt the Israeli flag at the Sydney Opera House on Monday night. At the time the landmark was illuminated in the blue and white colours of Israel as a show of solidarity, however the city's Jewish community were advised to stay away from the Opera House due to safety concerns. On Wednesday, the Premier apologised to the Jewish community for not giving them a space to grieve. 'I really want to make it clear to the Jewish community that I want to apologise to them, specifically, on behalf of the government and myself as the Premier of NSW,' he said. 'The intentions were to light up the Opera House as a space for the Jewish community to commemorate what happened in Israel, the number of family and friends caught up in the conflict. 'We didn't do it. I take responsibility for that. I want to ensure it won't happen again.' Advertisement Many people turned to exploring local nature paths for their daily exercise when lockdown closed gyms and group sports took a hiatus amid the pandemic. Amateur photographers who captured stunning images of animals in their natural habitat were quick to submit their snaps to Weekend magazine's annual Wildlife Photography Challenge in the hopes of winning a package worth over 1,000. The entrants were split into five categories - Birds; Mammals; Insects; Under-18s; and Reptiles, Fish, Amphibians & Molluscs. While each category winner received a Nikon mirrorless digital camera kit and a year's subscription to Nikon Owner magazine, the overall winner also received a trip to the Camargue with wildlife photographer Simon Stafford, courtesy of Create Away, for a four-night masterclass in photographing the region's wild horses, flamingos and bulls. Judges David Suchet, Clare Balding, Lucy Cooke, Steve Brown, Kelly Brook and Michael Eleftheriades were impressed with Lee O'dwyer, 67, a retired engineer from Lancashire, who was awarded the overall winner for his shot of a long-tailed tit. These runner-up snaps taken by talented amateur photographers prove choosing an overall winner was a tough decision... BIRDS PUFFIN: Taken by Joseph Bristow, 23, a retail supervisor from Llantwit Major. 'Arriving at 3am and queueing for the 6am ticket office to open. First in line I caught the boat over to Skomer Island. With only a few hours permitted on the island I had no time to waste. Surrounded by the Puffins was an amazing spectacle and allowed me to capture some amazing photos. I found this one puffin who seemed very tame and loved posing for the camera. As he stared down the barrel of my lens I took my shot and was pleased with the result. I found the black background really provides a provocative and striking image highlight the vibrant colour of the Puffins.' KESTREL CHICKS: Taken by Jayne Kirkby, 20, from Braintree, Essex. 'Beautiful pair of Kestrel chicks, taken at Wrabness on 20th June 2020.' KINGFISHER: Tim Clifton, a 59-year-old from, St Leonards on Sea, snapped this captivating photo of a kingfisher hunting for small fish MALLARD: William Watson, 64, a semi retired HGV driver from East Dunbartonshire. 'Taken on the Forth & Clyde canal (December '19') Bishopbriggs, As I went to take this photo of this female Mallard it stretched creating a nice reflection....' INSECTS BUTTERFLY: Adam Lane, a 27-year-old host at Legoland, from Slough, captured a butterfly perched on a purple flower in specular detail WASP: Shelia Moth took this captivating photo of a wasp on a thistle, capturing the insect and plant in immense detail SPIDER: Taken by Geoffrey Wells, 67, a maintenance caretaker from North Yorkshire. 'This picture was taken in my back garden during the recent lockdown.' REPTILES MATING FROGS: Taken by Steve Jellett, 64, from Essex, who is retired. 'Taken in small garden pond when 21 frogs descended to mate.' MAMMALS ROE DEER: Tim Cliffton, a 75-year-old from St Leonards on sea, took a photograph of two roe deer spotted in a field MOUSE: Taken by Cameron Parfitt, 20, a student at the University of Brighton, from Worthing. 'I would love to highlight that even in your back garden there are images to be had. This image is of a cheeky wood mouse that keeps stealing food from what we have now dubbed the mouse feeder. It's not unheard of for this little guy to be found inside the feeder without a care in the world stuffing himself with the bird seed.' JUNIORS FOX CUB: Billy Evans-Freke, 15, a secondary school student from East Sussex. 'It wasn't a long wait in the hide before the first fox cub woke up from its nap and came out into the open. It was soon followed by another cub. At first they stayed in the shadows of the bushes near the den. But once they gained their confidence they started coming closer. This cub in particular was very curious and came very close to the hide.' The blaze broke out at about 4am this morning in the residential building in Vigo Four children have been killed and several people have been injured in a fire at a four-storey apartment block in the Spanish city of Vigo. Regional emergency responders confirmed this morning all of the people who had died in the tragedy were minors. It is not yet clear how old they were. Eight people are said to have been taken to hospital. The blaze broke out at about 4am this morning in the residential building, said to house five homes on each of its four storeys, in a neighbourhood called As Travesas. A regional government-run emergency response coordination centre said in an initial tweet: 'Several people have lost their lives and others have been injured by the flames.' Four children have been killed and several people have been injured in a fire at a four-storey apartment block in the Spanish city of Vigo Emergency services at the scene in Vigo. The blaze broke out about 4am this morning in the residential building It said in a subsequent message posted on social media: 'Four people have lost their lives, all minors. 'Eight people were taken to different hospitals. 'Psychologists who are specialists in major emergencies have been mobilised.' Vigo's mayor Abel Caballero is said to have headed to the scene. The damage to the four-storey apartment block in Vigo. The building is said to house five homes on each of its four storeys, in a neighbourhood called As Travesas A fire crew at the scene of the blaze. Eight people are said to have been taken to hospital The blaze has been brought under control and police forensics experts have cordoned off the building where the fire broke out so they can carry out an inspection when temperatures have cooled down. Vigo is famous for its Christmas lights. Last year 11 million LED lights were installed in more than 400 of its streets. A devastating fire at a nightclub in Murcia in south-east Spain in the early hours of October 1 claimed the lives of 13 people. The cause is still being investigated by police. An award-winning Morris dancing group has dropped the word 'men' from its name to avoid offending trans and non-binary people - even though they still won't allow women to join their ranks. Brighton Morris Men has renamed itself 'Brighton Morris' and say they want to attract new dancers and be more inclusive to people who identify as male. The group, which was formed more than 50 years ago, says they now welcome cis males, trans men and those people who are non-binary or gender non-conforming. Hugely popular at May Day celebrations, they dance at events across the UK and have performed at festivals across Europe. Brighton Morris Men which has renamed itself 'Brighton Morris' still won't allow women to join its ranks The group say they want to attract new dancers and be more inclusive to people who identify as male They were launched in 1967 at the University of Sussex as part of a nationwide renaissance in folk dance. Traditionally Morris Dancing was exclusively for men only who, with bells on their shins and wielding sticks, handkerchiefs and swords, would perform at Whitsun celebrations in towns and villages across the UK. READ MORE: Lancashire troop of Morris dancers blacks up in defiance of ancient tradition's governing body that banned the practice and council that axed their funding Advertisement In Brighton there is a separate dance group for women dancers called Cuckoo's Nest Morris. The move has caused mockery among residents in Brighton who said the change unnecessary. One asked: 'Are women (with fake beards) allowed?' Another said: 'Is this really necessary. Surely in this day and age there should be just one group for various gender identities.' Another resident joked: 'It's very important that skipping about with hankies is gender separated.' In a comment organisers said they voted to chance their name and drop 'men' from the title at their annual general meeting. He said: 'Brighton Morris is always open to new dancers, regardless of their level of experience. 'The side welcomes those who feel they fit into a largely male-presenting space, whether cis male, trans men, non-binary or gender non-conforming.' Morris dancing has been part of the traditional May Day celebrations since the 17th century after it became popular in the court of Henry VIII. Its origins are thought to stem from a Moorish dance and English dancers would, on occasion, blacken their faces in tribute. However the tradition of folk dancing began to wane in the Victorian era and by the early 20th century it had largely died out. The group, which was formed more than 50 years ago, says they now welcome cis males, trans men and those people who are non-binary or gender non-conforming Traditionally Morris Dancing was exclusively for men only who, with bells on their shins and wielding sticks, handkerchiefs and swords, would perform at Whitsun celebrations in town and villages across the UK A resurgence in the 1930s the explosion in traditional English folk music in the 1950s and 60s saw a huge rise in popularity for Morris dancers and dozens of groups sprang up across the UK. It has been suggested the dances formed part of a pre-Christian fertility rite and many feature phallic elements or sexual innuendo in their display. The dances are also thought to empower those that enact them bringing luck wherever they are performed. Similarly, last September, it was reported that Exeter Morris Men changed their name to Exeter Morris to be more inclusive. The group has now become a mixed gender group and welcomes both men and women to participate. Glory of the West, a Women's Cotswold Morris side based in the City of Exeter, states on their website that they welcome dancers who identify as women or non-binary. The group, which was founded in 1976 at the University of Exeter, also allow musicians 'of any gender.' J.K. Rowling has blasted Lisa Nandy for her views on trans issues after the MP posted a tweet with a video of her speech to Labour conference about women's rights. The Shadow Secretary of State for International Development said she wanted to 'embolden and empower women and girls in every part of the world.' But the furious Harry Potter author hit back, accusing her of being 'one of the biggest reasons' why many women don't trust Labour to 'defend their rights.' The gender-critical writer pointed to the Labour MP's views on sending trans women rapists to female-only prisons, and how she had signed a pledge which described Women's Place UK - an organisation that campaigns to prevent biological men from entering places such as women's rape refuges - as a 'trans-exclusionist hate group'. She wrote: 'You said rapists should be transferred to women's prisons if they self-identify as women. 'You called Women's Place UK a hate group. 'Given that you're one of the biggest reasons many women on the left no longer trust Labour to defend their rights, do you stand by those comments?' J.K. Rowling has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights including the need to protect single-sex spaces The Harry Potter author hit back at Lisa Nandy's speech on women's rights Ms Nandy was asked at a 2020 campaign rally whether violent male sexual offenders who transition should be allowed to serve their sentence in a jail assigned to prisoners of their new gender. At the time she told the audience: 'I believe fundamentally in people's right to self-ID. 'I believe the Gender Recognition Act strikes the wrong balance in relation to that. 'I think that crimes that are recorded should be recorded as that person wishes, having gone through that process, received support and self-identified. 'I think trans women are women, I think trans men are men, so I think they should be accommodated in a prison of their choosing.' This week Ms Nandy posted a video of her Labour party conference speech on X, formerly Twitter, where she said her absolute priority will be to embolden and empower women in every part of the world. Lisa Nandy spoke of women's rights as human rights which are 'non-negotiable' during the Labour conference speech 'My absolute priority will be to embolden and empower women and girls in every part of the world,' she said JK Rowling (pictured wearing a t-shirt with the message 'Nicola Sturgeon, destroyer of women's rights) 'In 2023, that 130million girls are still denied the right to education, and women hold just 25 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide and one in three of us endures physical or sexual violence at least once in our lifetime is not inevitable,' she said. 'So we will stand with the women who are changing the world and put them at the heart of everything that we do. 'With the women in Ghana and Bangladesh who against all odds, are becoming engineers and innovators, transforming their countries. 'And with the brave women from Belarus to Afghanistan who are rising up to demand not just rights but political power. Let the message from this hall ring loud and clear.' But she was questioned by Ms Rowling and floods of other followers over her previously voiced views on transgender women's rights to serve in female prisons. 'You need to be clear about what a woman is before anyone will believe you on this,' one critic said. Another wrote: 'You have decided without checking if that was OK with any of the rest of us that men are women if they say they are. Which means you've already given away all our rights to all men who want them. Your priority is men.' Ms Rowling has been highly critical of the SNP's Gender Recognition Bill, warning that 'all a man needs to 'become a woman' is to say he's one'. Critics said the Bryson case had highlighted dangers posed by the Bill to women's safety. Isla Bryson, 31, (right), who was born Adam Graham (left), was convicted of raping two woman. Bryson was initially sent to a women's jail but was moved after an outcry Isla Bryson raped two women while living as a man, and began transitioning from male to female in 2020, after she was charged with the two sex attacks. The former DJ's estranged wife Shonna Graham has dismissed her husband's transition as a 'sham' and told the Mail back in January that Bryson was 'bullsh***ing the authorities' to avoid a men's prison. The case enraged opponents to Ms Sturgeon's Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill, who said it demonstrated the potential risks of allowing gender self-identification without the need for medical evidence or diagnosis. Earlier this year JK Rowling revealed friends 'begged' her not to voice her opinions on transgender issues. The multimillionaire Harry Potter author said she was warned not to get involved in the controversy due to the backlash she would face. However, she said she felt women were being 'shut down' and could not have lived with herself if she didn't speak out. Rowling has endured a backlash after voicing concerns that dismissing biological sex in favour of focusing on gender identity would harm women's rights. She first aired her views in 2019 when she tweeted her backing for Maya Forstater, a tax expert who was sacked for tweeting that 'men cannot become women'. An investigator who revealed the despicable crimes of Jimmy Savile says senior figures in the BBC and other organisations should be held accountable for their failure to expose the former DJ. Private investigator and presenter Mark Williams-Thomas, 53, said there were figureheads at some corporations 'who could have done something'. Mr Williams-Thomas was the leading investigator on the ITV Exposure documentary, The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, which revealed how one of Britain's most loved entertainers systematically and disturbingly preyed upon young and vulnerable girls. Saviles sickening crimes have been thrust into the spotlight this week after the first episode of BBC drama The Reckoning aired with Steve Coogan cast as the paedophile DJ. Williams-Thomas said: 'Well, though, Dame Janet Smith came out, she did a review for the BBC. And her review was pretty flawed.' 'There were senior managers within the BBC, particularly the radio setup, who, who had the information. An undated photo of Jimmy Savile, who, following his death in 2011, was found to have carried out numerous sex crimes Savile's former BBC Producer, Ted Beston. Dame Janet Smith's report found he was a 'provider' of young women for Savile, whom he 'admired', and that he knew the presenter had casual sex with teenage girls. Pictured: The former Controller of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, Douglas Muggeridge, in December 1968 'But then they did nothing with it. It's ridiculous. So let's be very clear. There were people out there, see the managers within the BBC, who...could have stopped the process. But they didn't do anything. They ignored that process,' he added, when speaking to LADBible TV's Extraordinary Lives Podcast in 2022. Mr Williams-Thomas' work on the ITV documentary, which aired back in October 2012 - a year after Savile's death - prompted hundreds of other unheard victims to come forward with their experiences. The film led to the Met Police's Operation Yewtree investigation, which ultimately resulted in sexual abuse convictions for multiple celebrity personalities. In the documentary, five women stated that they had been sexually abused by Savile as teenagers. This exposure of Savile as a paedophile led to extensive media coverage, including 41 days on the front pages. The findings of the report by Dame Janet Smith were published in February 2016 and show that BBC staff missed numerous opportunities to stop Savile from committing sex offences. Dame Smith identified 72 people who were the victims of sexual crimes while Savile worked at the BBC, the youngest of whom was 10 years old. The earliest reported incident was the rape of a 13-year-old girl at Lime Grove studios in 1959, with other offences by Savile being committed as late as 2006, at the last recording of Top of the Pops. The review found misconduct to have been committed at 'virtually every one of the BBC premises at which he worked'. Dame Smith added that some BBC staff were aware of complaints, but did not pass the information to senior management due to the 'culture of not complaining' at the corporation. She said this included BBC producer Ted Beston, who was a 'provider' of young women for Savile, whom he 'admired', and that he knew the presenter had casual sex with teenage girls. The Reckoning made its highly anticipated debut on Monday, October 9, with its portrayal of Jimmy Saville's heinous crimes reenacted in the controversial drama Steve Coogan films in his role of Jimmy Savile in a scene set in 1970. In the BBC drama The Reckoning he is pictured eating fish and chips with his mother Agnes on the beach alongside a camper van Robert Emms, known for his roles in Chernobyl and Atlantis, plays the part of Ray Teret, who was Savile's chauffeur She highlighted a case in late 1978 or early 1979 when Mr Beston invited a 19-year-old waitress he knew to meet Savile at a drinks party. Once there, the presenter took her off to a curtained area where he forcibly kissed and groped her. Mr Beston denied knowing that Savile had sex with under-age girls, and, while Dame Janet said there is 'some evidence' Mr Beston did know about this, she could not be sure he did. Douglas Muggeridge, controller of Radio 1 and 2 in 1973, launched two investigations into Savile in 1973 after hearing rumours about his sexual impropriety, but neither of these were pursued thoroughly and they failed to identify Savile's abuse or stop it. Indeed, new BBC drama The Reckoning is filled with characters who appear to have aided and abetted Savile. Others including his own mother, played expertly by Gemma Jones, knew he was a liar - and suspected him of much worse - but failed to speak out as they were seduced by his wealth and fame. The four-part series starring Steve Coogan shows how the broadcaster became a sex monster who hid in plain sight. Episode one begins with Savile and his wingman, fellow abuser Ray Teret, grooming young girls after picking them up at club nights in Leeds, where staff helped grab victims off the dance floor so the DJs could attack them. BBC executives are shown ignoring warnings about Savile's character because they were desperate for him to host Top of the Pops, a show Savile used as a cover to abuse countless people including children. And even his mother, who he worshipped and called The Duchess, tells a priest of his 'sins' and the 'terrible darkness in him'. Spy chiefs hope the next James Bond will be either black or a woman because it would boost diversity in MI6, an expert has claimed. Ian Fleming's suave creation 007 has been played by the likes of Roger Moore, Sean Connery, and more recently Daniel Craig since the Dr No movie hit the silver screen back in 1962. Bond's lifestyle of high-stakes espionage, drinking and womanising has boosted recruitment among white men for MI6, and has been 'nothing but good' for the UK's secret intelligence service, John Taylor says. Mr Taylor, who previously worked for the British Government during the Cold War before branching out to train intelligence and security services across the world, has said the only thing spy chiefs would want to now change is for Bond to be black or a woman. Idris Elba had long been touted as the frontrunner to replace Craig, but he has repeatedly ruled himself out most recently claiming racist abuse put him off the role, while Emily in Paris actor Lucien Laviscount is also reportedly being eyed up by executives. Daniel Craig starred in five instalments as James Bond as his replacement is yet to be announced Luther star Idris Elba had long been touted as the front-runner to take over as Bond but has repeatedly ruled himself out and most recently said racist backlash had put him off Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Mr Taylor - a King's College London fellow - said: 'The only thing chiefs, I think, would want to change, going back to an earlier conversation, and it may happen yet, is that James Bond should be a black man, or a woman, or a black woman, and you know [it] would make those sort of people also, for diversity, want to join'. READ MORE: John Boyega claims James Bond will NEVER be played by a person of colour - after reflecting on racist backlash for his role in Star Wars Advertisement 'James Bond has been nothing but good.' Lashana Lynch made history when she became the first black female to play a double-O agent in the latest Bond film, No Time To Die. She talked about the groundbreaking role, the inspiration behind her character Nomi and how her family inspired her in the October/November 2021 issue of Rolling Stone. She said how it is 'imperative that we introduce the conversation of the Strong Black Woman into everything'. While Tom Hanks earlier this year backed Elba to take over as the Martini-loving agent of the iconic franchise. 'James Bond has a license to kill. I would issue that license to Idris Elba just based on the work that I've seen him do,' he told BBC News. The Luther star, 51, though has 'no interest' in taking up the mantle telling the Radio Times in March: 'My Bond audition? Oh my God, no! I've been saying for years, no!' Lashan Lynch (pictured) made history when she became the first black female to play a double-O agent in the latest Bond film, No Time To Die Lucien Laviscount has previously been tipped to become the new 007 to replace Craig. Pictured: The Emily in Paris actor attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, March 2022 Speaking out: John Boyega claims there will never be a black James Bond, despite ongoing calls for Idris Elba to take the role following Craig's departure While two months later The Guardian reported that racist backlash the racist backlash made the thought of him being cast ass Bond 'disgusting and off-putting'. Star Wars star John Boyega has also waded into the debate saying he doesn't believe Bond will ever be played by a black actor. When asked if her would ever consider playing Bond, he told the Happy Confused Sad podcast in September last year: 'I'm sorry but I'm black I don't know how. When you're black, I don't know how that goes. 'You as a white man grew up in a society as a white man and that's normal. That's normal to you. Even the mention of a black Bond is like 'Oh, okay'.' Labour MPs have reacted with fury at light-touch conference security after a protester was able to get on stage and pour glitter over leader Sir Keir Starmer. Yaz Ashmawi, 28, rushed the stage before Sir Keir gave his big pitch to be Britain's next prime minister, yelling that 'democracy is in crisis' as he poured the sparkly material over the former public prosecutor's head unchallenged. The Labour leader - who still appeared to have some glitter on his face this morning - joked about the experience today, saying it would take more than one 'idiot' to derail his plan to take power at the next election. But he also admitted: 'It could have been a lot worse.' Party sources were treating it seriously, pointing out that if the protester had been armed with something more sinister it could have been a lot worse. One member of parliament said: 'A lot of people are really worried about the security. 'He could have had a knife or anything. They are going to need the airport security arches from now on. 'You can't have this happening. People have been able to just walk in without any real searches.' Others reported that conference security was still light today, on the last day of the event in Liverpool. While the Tory conference in Manchester last week had airport-style security, at Labour there were brief bag manual bag searches by security staff this morning, while those without bags were able to enter unchecked. The Labour leader was just about to start his speech when a protester identified as Yaz Ashmawi, 28, ran up to the podium and started shouting and seemed to throw something on his jacket The Labour leader joked about the experience today, saying it would take more than one 'idiot' to derail his plan to take power at the next election. Deputy party leader Angela Rayner (top) told LBC she thought she might have to 'do a John Prescott' - a reference to the former deputy prime minister who once punched a protester who threw an egg at him (above). She told LBC: 'Although Rachel (Reeves, the shadow chancellor) was nearly beating me to it. She's from Leeds - I've never seen her be so angry.' Sir Keir told Times Radio that when he saw the protester mount the Liverpool stage 'my overwhelming feeling was ''I am not going to let you ruin four years of hard work in this party'''. Asked if he feared for his safety, he said: 'I just wanted to get on with the speech and that's why I rolled up my sleeves and got on with it. 'I didn't want that idiot to interrupt that and I don't want that idiot to dominate what I've got to say today.' Ashmawi, a one-time Extinction Rebellion spokesperson who describes himself as 'a bit of a weird one' , bounded onto the stage and gripped Sir Keir's hand as he yelled: 'True democracy is citizen-led. Politics needs an update.' The Labour leader looked bemused and tried to keep Ashmawi at arm's length until security tackled the protester and led him off stage. Sir Keir then brushed off the glitter, and told a cheering conference: 'If he thinks that bothers me he doesn't know me.' Meanwhile, deputy party leader Angela Rayner told LBC she thought she might have to 'do a John Prescott' - a reference to the former deputy prime minister who once punched a protester who threw an egg at him. She told LBC: 'Although Rachel (Reeves, the shadow chancellor) was nearly beating me to it. She's from Leeds - I've never seen her be so angry.' Mr Ashmawi physically had hold of Sir Keir before security arrived Starmer pushed him away just as his speech was about to start Mr Ashmawi yelled at Keir Starmer calling for a change to the political system The protester was wearing a T-Shirt advertising the new People Demand Democracy group Mr Ashmawi was wrestled to the ground by security after his protest, with Sir Keir resuming his speech saying he was not 'bothered' Sir Keir was left rubbing glitter from his hair after the extraordinary incident The protester is demanding the current political model in the UK is torn down using civil disobedience Mr Ashmawi - who has his own website - describes himself as an Extinction Rebellion strategist and has acted as their spokesman The incident raises questions about Sir Keir's personal protection and conference security as a whole. One attendee said bag searches were 'the worst I've ever seen' while others said security measures were 'cursory' and 'utterly terrible' Questions have been raised as to why Mr Ashmawi was able to reach the stage and put his arms around the opposition leader for several seconds before bodyguards tackled him to the ground. Laura McConnell, chairwoman of Edinburgh East Labour, wrote: 'Worrying how long it took security to get there. Very glad it was only glitter and that Keir is ok. 'Unfortunately, in the world we live in, the toxic rhetoric around politics does leave you worried.' Evie Aspinall, president of the British Foreign Policy Group think tank, is attending the conference - and echoed security concerns shared by others. She tweeted: 'Security for Labour conference has been utterly terrible. The least officious bag searches I've ever seen. So unsuprised this (the glitter incident) happened.' Wildlife campaigner Dominic Dyer, who is also at the event, added: 'No airport security scanners at Labour conference just cursory check on bags. 'Keir Stamer was lucky today, that man could have had a knife. We need better security for politicians not least looking at events in Middle East at moment.' Merseyside Police confirmed a 28-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance. Labour has seemingly downplayed the incident, with a spokesperson telling BBC News that Sir Keir leader was 'fine' and 'completely unfazed by what happened'. The spokesperson added: 'It shows his strength of character that he got on and delivered the speech of his life.' MailOnline has contacted the party for further comment. But the extraordinary incident will raise huge concerns about the protection for the Opposition leader. It is the second time during this year's event that an interloper managed to get to the podium. People Demand Democracy, a political splinter group with links to XR and Just Stop Oil, claimed responsibility for the incident, saying they are a 'new group calling for an upgrade to the UK political system using civil disobedience'. JSO also shared footage of the stage-invasion linking it to their demand that Sir Keir 'commits to revoking the oil and gas licenses granted by this zombie Tory government'. After being showered in glitter, Sir Keir was cheered as he took off his jacket and continued after the man was removed saying:' He also joked that he was glad it hadn't happened to his wife Victoria because her dress was 'beautiful'. The incident raises questions about the Labour leader's personal protection and security at the conference on Merseyside. Those at the event had already criticised how search points at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool has no security arches with rudimentary bag searches instead. They appear to be demanding that the first-past-the-post system used at general elections to be abandoned, declaring on their new website: 'The UK needs a proportional voting so every vote counts and a permanent Citizens' Assembly made up of people from all walks of life to discuss major long term issues without party political pressures'. It came after one of JSO's main funders, Dale Vince, distanced himself from the group to back Labour instead. People Demand Democracy, whose Twitter account had just ten followers this morning, wrote to Sir Keir on September 4 warning they would direct action against him if they ignored them. They demanded: 'We urge you, the leader of the Labour Party, to announce that you will hold new national elections with a proportional voting system and set up a House of Citizens within six months of getting into office. 'We encourage you to embrace this upgrade to our democracy: proportional voting so every vote counts and a permanent Citizens' Assembly made up of people from all walks of life to discuss major long term issues without party political pressures. 'If you do not do so by 30th September, People Demand Democracy will take proportionate action to get our message across to you and the Labour Party leadership. We are left with no other choice but to take a stand for what's right and take back our power as citizens'. And less than two weeks after the deadline, a member of the group stormed the stage. Protester Yaz Ashmawi interrupts the keynote speech of Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer Starmer was completely unprotected Security were slow to react, taking several seconds to reach Sir Keir as the protester gripped his hand Sir Keir's wife Victoria was watching in the audience, as he said he was glad the protest had not ruined her 'beautiful' dress Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer kiss as the speech ended Soon after the attack the group People Demand Democracy, which apparently has links to Just Stop Oil, shared this tweet PDM sent this letter to Mr Starmer warning they would act Unlike the Tory gathering Labour conference has delegates speaking during debates in the main hall, and the numbers in the audience are far higher. Sir Keir used the speech to claim the 'tide is turning' for Labour today as he gives potentially his last conference speech before an election. Sir Keir insisted he is the leader to 'heal' the country - but warned it will require a 'decade of national renewal'. Sir Keir said he had turned Labour into a 'party of service', 'renewed' after the Corbyn era. Keir's big ideas Reclassify 'low quality' green belt to allow more homes to be built Boost devolution by giving all towns and cities in England new powers and funding Boost borrowing to invest in the economy while ensuring debt is falling over long-term Close tax loopholes for the 'wealthy' while protecting ordinary workers from more pain Encourage doctors to work more overtime to help stabilise the NHS Crack down on government waste to save 'billions' and recover Covid fraud cash Order police to tackle lower-value shoplifting and create specific offence for assaulting retail staff Advertisement Sir Keir praised the spirit of the British people despite the 'Tory project to kick the hope out of this country'. Promising to reshape the country with 1.5 million homes including new towns, modernised infrastructure and support for green industries, Sir Keir said 'the fire of change still burns in Britain' and it 'lives on in Labour'. With a general election next year and Labour enjoying double-digit poll leads, Sir Keir warned that the 'dangerous' Tories would 'scorch the earth just to get at us'. And if he did win the keys to No 10, the scale of the challenge would be immense compared with his predecessors. 'If you think our job in 1997 was to rebuild a crumbling public realm, that in 1964 it was to modernise an economy left behind by the pace of technology, in 1945 to build a new Britain out of the trauma of collective sacrifice, then in 2024 it will have to be all three.' Sir Keir put reforming the 'restrictive planning system' at the core of his plan to secure economic growth. The system was 'a blockage that stops this country building roads, grid connections, laboratories, trainlines, warehouses, windfarms, power stations' and 'an obstacle to the aspirations of millions'. The plan to 'get Britain building again' would 'fight the blockers who hold a veto over British aspiration'. The 1.5 million homes promised by would involve new development corporations with powers to cut through red tape and the creation of the 'next generation of Labour new towns'. He insisted his plans would not mean 'tearing up the green belt' but building could take place in areas where that protection was 'clearly ridiculous'. Keir Starmer pictured arriving at conference with wife Victoria before delivering his big speech, which started badly Have you been affected by the chaos? This is the moment a Range Rover exploded at Luton Airport before a blaze that ripped through a car park and sparked travel chaos for thousands of passengers. One hundred firefighters spent 12 hours battling the inferno at the airport's Terminal Car Park Two when the 20million block was engulfed by flames and caved in just before 9pm last night. Up to 50,000 passengers are suffering disruption at the airport, which only reopened at 3pm this afternoon, as more than 140 flights were cancelled. Five people were taken to hospital during the fire, which was finally extinguished this morning. Investigators believe the blaze was started when a diesel car suffered an electrical fault or leaking fuel line. The fire then spread as a number of electric vehicles burst into flames in a domino effect, one firefighter suggested. As many as 1,500 vehicles are feared to have been damaged. Dramatic footage on CCTV captured the moment the explosion erupted, as light fixtures crashed from the ceiling and a fireball soared through the building. The vehicle appears to be in the middle of the track used to get around the car park, rather than a designated space. The car park, which opened in 2019 as part of a 20million modernisation drive, did not have sprinklers. One fire chief urged the airport to install them in existing and future car parks, adding that it 'may have made a positive impact on this incident'. He added that the building's open sides meant the fire will have spread 'horizontally' before it went up through the structure. The inferno was so hot that the car park building is unsalvageable and will eventually be demolished, sources claimed. The temperature of the flames soared well over the 600C (1,110F) that would destroy the building's integrity, and one fire officer said it would have hit six million watts. The contractor for the car park was Buckingham Construction, which went into administration last month with 500 jobs lost. Lancashire-based Raised Floor Solutions installed part of the floor system but had no design involvement. It comes as devastated Britons told MailOnline how their cars went up in flames at the site - including one couple who had parked a new 48,000 Mercedes there. Some are scrambling for parking spaces at different sites while several chain hotels including the local Marriott, Best Western and Hampton have sold out for tonight. Did you see what happened at London Luton Airport or have you been affected by the chaos? Email tom.pyman@mailonline.co.uk Shocking footage has emerged of a vehicle going up in flames at Luton Airport, before the huge inferno that caused a car park to collapse The charred remains of dozens of cars in the Luton Airport multi-storey following last night's devastating fire Around 1,500 vehicles are thought to have been destroyed in the blaze Liz and Gary Blackmore, of Loughborough, have revealed their new 48,000 Mercedes went up in flames Passengers told of their cancelled flights now face a long walk to hotels or other forms of transport As many as 50,000 passengers faced disruption with more than 140 flights cancelled Five people were taken to hospital during the fire, which was finally extinguished this morning Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 opened in 2019 as part of a 20million modernisation drive A fire officer from London, who attended the scene in the early hours, said they could not now get inside the building to figure out the extent of the damage. He said: 'We can't get close enough to see. How have flights been affected by the fire at Luton Airport today? More than 140 flights at London Luton Airport have been cancelled so far today due to the fire, including 73 departures and 70 arrivals. DEPARTURES CANCELLED - 73 25 Wizz Air 39 easyJet 8 Ryanair 1 Air Hamburg ARRIVALS CANCELLED - 70 40 easyJet 25 Wizz Air 5 Ryanair ARRIVALS DIVERTED - 11 3 to Stansted 3 to Cardiff 2 to Manchester 1 to Liverpool 2 to Bristol Advertisement 'It's too dangerous, it will probably fall down on you, so they will probably do an insurance job and bring it all down.' Another officer, who would not be named, added that the loud bangs audible in videos circulated via social media would have been fuel tanks, tyres and EV tanks. The most common cause of car fires is an electrical fault with the 12-volt battery system, according to AA technical expert Greg Carter. He added that diesel is 'much less flammable' than petrol, and in a car it takes 'intense pressure or sustained flame' to ignite diesel. As many as 50,000 people are suffering disruption as a result, according to travel expert Simon Calder, with some 240 flights set to be cancelled up to 3pm at least. Crowds of holidaymakers were left stranded in Luton this morning, with no way of getting home. Transport from Luton Airport Parkway rail station has been cut, and the roads have been closed, forcing travellers to embark on an one-mile uphill walk with their luggage. Thomas Cruz, 53, jetted off from Luton on a business trip to Mallorca on Monday, parking his car at 3.45pm. The vehicle, a three-year-old Mercedes E-Class 220d which retails for over 30,000, was parked on the second floor when the lot collapsed. Thomas, who is from Wokingham, said the only news he has had on his car was from his Mercedes Me app. As the car park fire raged on Tuesday, he received an alert just after midnight warning him that his bonnet was open. 'I have no information on if my car survived or not,' he told MailOnline. He said that he has heard nothing from Luton Airport, despite getting in touch, apart from to say that flights were cancelled on Wednesday. 'I don't get back until Monday, will I have to wait until then to find out what has happened to my car?' Liz and Gary Blackmore had parked their 48,000 Mercedes on the top floor of the car park before heading off on holiday to Portugal. Ms Blackmore told MailOnline: 'We were returning yesterday evening and then suddenly the captain of the plane told us that we were diverting to Gatwick due to a large fire that has closed the airport. 'We're devastated. It was less than a year old and my daughter has taken the other car so now we're left with no car. We're horrified.' She added that she wasn't sure yet whether she'd be able to get any money back. 'This morning we heard people have been taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and injuries - we just hope they're okay - you can replace the car but you can't replace people. 'It was confusing because we're on our own - there was no help from anybody - we landed at nearly midnight and we had no assistance. 'Also we didn't know whether to go to Luton and pick up car - we didn't know what to do, no one told us - we didn't go because we'd seen the car park had collapsed so we didn't bother going.' Flames and smoke billow from the car park at Luton Airport last night Dramatic footage, caught on a CCTV camera, captures the moment an explosion erupts in the car park Investigators believe the blaze was started when a diesel car suffered an electrical fault or leaking fuel line A hundred firefighters spent 12 hours battling the blaze The inferno was so hot that the car park building is unsalvageable and will eventually be demolished, sources claimed Fire crews continued to work hard this morning as they battled the damage caused by last night's blaze A fire engine at Luton Airport this morning after a huge fire which caused a car park to collapse A charred section of a parking structure is seen after it caught fire and partially collapsed at London's Luton Airport A charred section of a parking structure is seen this morning after it caught fire and partially collapsed at London's Luton Airport The aftermath of the devastating fire at Luton Airport's car park was seen this morning Investigators continue to work at Luton Airport following the collapse of a car park last night A number of cars can be seen badly damaged after the car park collapsed A charred section of a parking structure is seen after it caught fire and partially collapsed at London's Luton Airport Firefighters gather as they continue to work on the Luton Airport car park this morning The scene at Luton Airport which has been closed after a fire ripped through a multi-storey car park, causing it to collapse Tom Wiercinski, 42, flew back to Luton from Poland last night and landed around 9.30pm. His Honda Civic was in the car park at the time and he feared the worst as he saw flames and smoke billowing into the air. What are you rights if your flight is cancelled? Travel expert NICKY KELVIN reveals what airlines must provide A number of flights have been suspended owing to a large fire at one of Luton Airport's car parks overnight, causing a partial collapse of one of the buildings. With a number of flight cancellations and delays expected today as a result, it's important that travellers check their flights - by checking airport arrival and departure boards online and their specific airline's website to ensure that their flight is still proceeding as normal. It's important to keep an eye on emails too - travellers are often given updates on cancellations here before anywhere else. For an expert travel hack, I would recommend looking at Flight Radar 24 which allows users to track the exact aircraft that will be flying your route. Travellers will then be able to see where there plane is and whether it has made it out of its previous destination. Knowing this information will help them to determine whether they will be encountering any delays ahead of your trip. If you're delayed for more than two hours on a short-haul flight, airlines must provide you with support such as food and drink and reimbursement for phone calls. If you're delayed overnight, they will provide you accommodation and transport to a hotel or home. Usually if you arrive at your destination more than three hours late you are entitled to compensation, however as this is an air traffic control issue and out of the airlines' control, this type of compensation will not be payable. If your flight has been cancelled, the airline should find you a new flight if you elect for that option. You can also request that the airline gives you a flight on a rival provider if there's a flight available that's earlier than your original airline can offer. You don't have to travel with the same airline. The issue with this situation is that all airlines have been affected by these issues so trying to fly with different airlines may also not be possible. NICKY KELVIN is editor at The Points Guy. For more of his tips, click here Advertisement Mr Wiercinski told MailOnline: 'I saw the fire as we were landing and I could see it was coming from the car park where I had my car. 'I thought my car had been destroyed so as soon as I was out through arrivals I went to check. 'It was in the 'meet and greet' section on the second floor and was away from the section where the fire broke out. 'But I don't know if there's been any damage because I haven't been allowed anywhere near it because of issues around buildings safety. 'I live in Northamptonshire and so stayed overnight in the Ibis Hotel. I'm supposed to be at work but I'm having to do everything remotely.' James Davison, 37, from St Albans, Hertfordshire was travelling back from Portugal with his partner, Sarah, 32, when they were diverted to Gatwick. They had parked their 32,000 VW Tiguan in Car Prk 2 which they fear has been destroyed in the blaze. James, an accountant said: 'We haven't been told for sure but we fear the car has gone. It's devastating, what with the cost of the holiday it'll cost a fortune. 'We were due to land last night and the pilot just said that we had to divert. It cost us money just coming back here from Gatwick.' Meanwhile, eight Polish passengers revealed how they been stranded for nine hours after their early morning flight from Luton Airport was cancelled. Access to the Airport from the Luton Direct Air-Rail Transit has been closed, leaving passengers stuck at Luton Airport Parkway station. One passenger is exercising at the station while his flight has been delayed for a 'couple of hours'. Nikodem Lesiak, 18, said he and seven other Polish university students are 'tired' as they have been stranded since 12 am after their 7:50 am flight to Krakow, Poland, was cancelled. The students have been in the UK for holiday for five days. He said: 'We are tired, and we have spent the whole night here. We need to get to Poland as fast as possible. 'When we got here, we found out Luton is burning and everything is closed, and we were supposed to have our flight at 7:50 today but it was cancelled. We found another ticket to Poland from another city and then we have to take a coach to the city we live in.' There next flight will be leaving at 12:40 pm, however Mr Lesiak said they are taking a 'risk' as their flight might again be cancelled. Passengers and even airline staff frantically tried to book hotel rooms so that they'd have somewhere to sleep for the night, but with most at full capacity, many had to sleep in reception. One couple revealed how they had to walk in the dark on a dual carriageway to get to their room. Jackie Evans, from Portsmouth, whose flight with husband Robin from Naples to Luton was diverted to Stansted told the BBC: 'We overheard they were putting on a shuttle bus but we had to sit on it for half an hour before it left and we were then dumped at Luton Airport Parkway. 'We had to walk for half an hour in the dark on a dual carriageway to get to our hotel and we have only had two and a half hours sleep so we are completely shattered.' Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hilton and Best Western hotels in the area are all sold out for tonight. Firefighters continue to work on making the car park safe this morning following last night's fire A worker approaches the car park at Luton which has been gutted by fire last night Emergency workers continue to work this morning to make the area safe following last night's blaze The Blackmore family's Mercedes was less than a year old and was parked on the top floor of the carpark which went up in flames A Polish family who came on holiday to London today told how they slept on the floor. Gregorz Szmit, 46, said their flight to Gdansk should have departed at 9.50pm on Tuesday and is now scheduled to leave at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Mr Szmit, speaking from the terminal building where he is waiting with his wife and their two sons aged seven and 15, said: 'We were on holiday for five days to visit London - British Museum, Trafalgar Square. READ MORE: Our new 48,000 Mercedes was destroyed in the Luton airport car park fire Advertisement 'This is difficult, I must say. This is our first journey to England, to London. It's been an adventure.' Agnieske Szmit, 44, added: 'We missed our work today, the children should be at school.' She said they slept on the floor of the terminal building and on benches after their flight was cancelled on Tuesday evening. 'They tried to evacuate us but they didn't say where, just go outside and follow the crowds,' she said. 'The police in the night - it was cold outside.' The chaos has also seen a frantic dash for parking spaces, with nearly 2,000 now out of action as a result of the fire. A check on Luton Airport's website at about 9am today found there was no availability for parking on any of its official sites before Friday, October 27 - with a space at the Terminal 1 Car Park available for 138 for the week from that date. The website, which had a wait time of eight minutes just to enter it this morning amid heightened demand, said the area is just a four-minute walk to the terminal, and is the closest car park to the terminal entrance. The fire took place at the airport's new Terminal Car Park 2 and no spaces were listed on that site over the coming weeks and months, even when looking one year in advance. Demand will now likely increase for rival operators such as Purple Parking and Airparks, for which the cheapest price available through both websites for a week from October 27 was 170 for a 'meet-and-greet' service. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said at around 10am this morning that the fire at Luton Airport has been 'stood down from a major incident'. He told reporters at the scene that a ramp is being installed 'into the unaffected car park because the normal exit route is not safe to take vehicles out'. He went on: 'We've currently got four fire appliances and a couple of other specialist crews but we are very much focused on getting a handover and getting this airport open as quickly as we can.' He said there are 'just shy of 1,500' vehicles in the affected car park, which charges 67.50 per day, with many appearing charred and covered in debris in pictures taken this morning. He added: 'There is a substantial number that are not damaged and our focus as well is can we remove those vehicles safely without causing any danger to the responders?' The burnt out shells of cars, buried amongst debris of a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport How the charred car park appears this morning from the other side of London Luton Airport There was also huge demand for parking this morning, with the airport's website introducing a queuing system, with desperate passengers having to wait several minutes to even browse the site The damage caused by the fire to the car park at London Luton Airport last night Emergency crews gather to discuss the incident which has caused disruption for thousands of people A pile of debris at the Luton Airport car park following last night's shocking fire Fire crews used a range of equipment before finally bringing the situation under control just before 9am Damage can be seen to the Terminal Car Park 2 structure at Luton Airport this morning The burnt out remains of the car park following a fire which shocked the nation on Tuesday The burnt out shells of cars, buried amongst debris of a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport, which has been closed with flights suspended until at least 3pm on Wednesday, after a fire ripped through the car park causing it to collapse The wreckage of dozens of cars is seen in the car park at Luton Airport this morning Frustrated passengers wheel their luggage away from the airport with all flights cancelled The burnt out shells of cars, buried amongst debris of a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport The scene this morning following a fire at a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport The burnt out shells of cars, buried amongst debris of a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport The scene at Luton Airport which has been closed after a fire ripped through a multi-storey car park, causing it to collapse Emergency crews respond to the collapsed car park at Luton Airport this morning A charred section of a parking structure is seen after it caught fire and partially collapsed at London's Luton Airport Mr Hopkinson also ruled out speculation that it was started by an electric vehicle. 'It's believed to be diesel-powered, at this stage all subject to verification. And then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread.' Liam Smith, crew commander at Leighton Buzzard fire station, told the BBC there were 'lots of electric vehicles potentially involved quite early on', though the fire started in a diesel car. 'We decided to go defensive, which is basically where we decide to externally firefight rather than send firefighters in, for their safety as well. 'The cars were parked very close, next to each other. So unfortunately that was probably the reason for the rapid fire spread.' For those who had not already made their way to Luton, they were waking up to the prospect of hours of delays too, with no flights before 3pm, and the airport urging passengers to contact their airline for the latest information. Last night, vehicle alarms and loud explosions were heard as cars were burned through one by one, with a witness describing the speed in which the blaze tore through the newly-built car park's upper floor as 'incredible'. Five people were rushed to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation following an incident that saw more than 100 firefighters on the scene, aided by 15 rescue pumps and three aerial appliances. Luton Airport said flights would remain suspended until 3pm on Wednesday following a fire in a multi-storey car park. The statement said: 'Our priority remains supporting the emergency services and the safety of our passengers and staff. Therefore, we have now taken the decision to suspend all flights until 3pm on Wednesday 11th October. 'Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted.' More than 140 flights at London Luton Airport have been cancelled so far today due to the fire - including 73 departures and 70 arrivals. The worst-hit airline was easyJet, which has its base at the hub and was forced to axe 79 flights, including 39 departures and 40 arrivals. Wizz Air had to cancel 25 departures and 25 arrivals, while Ryanair axed eight departures and five arrivals. One Air Hamburg departure was also cancelled. In addition, 11 further arrivals early this morning were diverted to other UK airports including London Stansted, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Bristol. Footage of the car on fire at Luton was posted by a member of the Wizz Air cabin crew The burnt out shells of cars, in a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport, which has been closed with flights suspended until at least 3pm on Wednesday Wreckage of hundreds of cards can be seen inside the car park at London Luton Airport Passengers lift their luggage past fire trucks at London's Luton Airport following the car park collapse A number of cars have been visibly damaged by the fire, as crews continue to battle it Firemen stand by their trucks next to a parking lot at London's Luton Airport following a fire which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure A witness described the speed in which the blaze tore through the car park's upper floor as 'incredible' A huge fireball was pictured as cars went up in flames, with onlookers saying they heard loud explosions Pictures show the roof of the structure caving in as flames ripped through cars Emergency services continue to work at the scene at Luton airport this morning The extent of the car park's collapse is seen this morning following the fire on Tuesday night The Terminal Car Park 2 is visibly damaged following last night's dramatic blaze A number of cars have been destroyed in the fire at Luton Airport, which erupted on Tuesday Firefighters assess the damage from height as they continue to work at Luton Airport The scene following a fire at a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport, which has been closed with flights suspended until at least 3pm on Wednesday The multi-storey is a shell of its former self having been gutted by fire on Tuesday evening A fire engine at the scene at Luton Airport following the huge collapse of a multi-storey car park A passenger wheels his luggage near the airport, where hundreds of flights have been axed Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said more than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze at Luton Airport. Speaking to reporters at the scene this morning, he said: 'Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's fire control received an initial 999 call at 8.47pm yesterday evening, reporting a car on fire on the third floor of the Terminal car park two behind me here at London Luton Airport. 'Our first two fire appliances arrived on scene just a shade under 10 minutes later to work alongside firefighters from Luton Airport Fire Service. 'On arrival my officers were faced with a severe and rapidly spreading fire involving a large number of vehicles that ultimately spread to multiple floors and involved a partial collapse of the car park. 'The incident was declared a major incident at 9.38pm. The car park has a capacity of just over 1,900 cars and we estimate up to 1,500 cars are in the affected car park. 'At its peak we had 15 fire appliances, over 100 firefighters and a number of specialist resources including the one you will see over my right-hand shoulder, with resources provided by neighbouring fire and rescue services.' Bedfordshire Police added: 'We have been part of a multi-agency response overnight to this significant fire at London Luton Airport. We would advise people not to travel to the area if they can.' Firefighters and an airline official were taken to hospital as emergency services battled the blaze, which broke out at Luton Airport just before 9pm on Tuesday. East of England Ambulance Service said in a statement it sent two ambulances, seven hazardous area response team vehicles and ambulance officer vehicles to the scene of the Luton Airport fire. It went on: 'We assessed five people suffering from smoke inhalation at the scene. 'Three firefighters and one member of airport staff were transported to Luton and Dunstable Hospital. 'One firefighter was discharged at the scene.' Firefighters have used a range of equipment to tackle and control the blaze Firefighters continue to tackle the damage after the blaze at Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 Firefighters continue to work on making the car park safe this morning following last night's inferno This frame grab from handout video footage taken and released by the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service via AFPTV on October 11, 2023 shows a parking structure on fire at London's Luton Airport Firemen stand by their trucks next to a parking lot at London's Luton Airport following a fire Cars can be seen badly damaged in the parking lot at Luton Airport following last night's blaze People leave the London Luton airport as emergency services respond to a fire Flames roar at Terminal Car Park 2 at Luton Airport following the huge blaze on Tuesday night Police keep watch by a road leading to London's Luton Airport following a fire which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure A sign tells drivers that London Luton Airport is shut and that there are road closures in place Frustrated passengers wait with their bags as the fire has caused them to make alternative plans Police have closed roads around the airport as a result of the chaos, which has cancelled flights until 3pm Five people were admitted to Luton and Dunstable hospitals for smoke inhalation and a sixth person was treated at the scene but did not require further medical treatment. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh. He said: 'There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm. 'A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. 'The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible.' An aerial shot shows the extent of the fire which ripped through the car park on Tuesday night There are fears that the huge inferno could spread to buildings air side, the fire service said as it battles the blaze The inferno will no doubt cause worry for British holidaymakers who left their vehicles at the airport before jetting off overseas Cars are visibly damaged as firefighters battle the inferno Cars on the top deck of the multi-storey have been left completely burnt out by the huge fire Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was 'incredible' Holidaymakers' flights have been suspended until midday on Wednesday due to the huge fire Cars were engulfed in flames after one reportedly exploded at the short stay Looks like the whole car park has just fallen down through the flames!#LutonAirport pic.twitter.com/FHbG80rXKu Robson O'Reardon (@RobsonOReardon) October 10, 2023 The newly-built car park partially collapsed, Beds Fire and Rescue service confirmed Crews from Bedfordshire and neighbouring counties have been urgently battling the blaze, they said, 'to prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings and vehicles on air side of the airport.' The short stay building suffered 'significant structural collapse' and half of the structure was fully taken over by the fire, the fire service said in an update just after midnight. Police and ambulance crews also attended the scene and local residents were warned to keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area. Footage posted on social media shows fire tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal on Tuesday evening, with smoke billowing over the airport's runway. The fire raged into the early hours of Wednesday, with Beds Fire service sharing an update just after midnight on Tuesday stating that they were first alerted by calls at 8.47pm on Tuesday. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames over the car park as he flew in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh on Tuesday. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh Smoke has been billowing into the air over the runway, with all flights suspended Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were on the scene, with five people rushed to hospital Travelers were seen being moved from the area as multiple fire engines and emergency response vehicles arrived at the terminal Passengers wheel their luggage past fire trucks at London's Luton Airport following a fire Firemen battle a fire at London's Luton Airport which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure Emergency services respond to the blaze as passengers wheel their luggage in the foreground People leave the London Luton airport as emergency services respond to a fire in the Terminal Car Park 2 Passengers move away from the airport car park after the dramatic fire last night People take pictures while leaving London Luton airport as emergency services respond to a fire Passengers look confused after the huge fire broke out in Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 The extent of the damage can be seen in Luton's Terminal Car Park 2 following last night's fire He said: 'There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm. 'A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. 'The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible.' Eyewitness Molly Bullard described 'scary scenes' as the short stay was 'exploding into flames'. The airport said on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'All flights are currently suspended as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2' Half of the car park was involved in the fire, firefighters said, with much of the structure left wrecked by the blaze She said on X: 'There is no transport in or out of Luton Airport. Passengers are being evacuated to walk on the footpath via the road underpass. All airport buses and vehicles are trapped by road blocks.' A spokesman for the airport wrote on X on Tuesday evening: 'Emergency services are currently responding to a car fire in Terminal Car Park 2, restricting access to the airport.' They later added just after 1am on Wednesday: 'Emergency services continue to respond to a significant fire in Terminal Car Park 2, which has now resulted in a partial structural collapse. 'The safety of our passengers and staff remains our main priority. We have therefore taken the decision to suspend all flights until 12pm on Wednesday 11th October. 'Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted.' They urged passengers with queries regarding parked vehicles or future bookings to get in touch and passengers looking for flight information to speak to their airlines. Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been spent a night with her partner and two children in Melbourne after more than three years locked up in a Chinese prison. Ms Cheng, 48, was welcomed home by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday as she returned home for the first time since her sensational arrest in late 2020. Throughout her detention in China, Ms Cheng was barred from communicating with her two daughter and son, 14 and 11, who have been living in Melbourne with her mother. However, she was able to send letters to her partner Nick Coyle - the head of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce. Mr Coyle, nicknamed by Ms Cheng as her 'knight in shining flip-flops', has been relentless in pushing for his partner's release and often shared the details of her letters with supporters. Ms Cheng (right) was unable to talk to her two children but wrote letters to her partner, Nick Coyle (left) Throughout her detention in China, Ms Cheng was barred from communicating with her two daughter and son, 14 and 11, who have been living in Melbourne with her mother Ms Cheng was snatched by the Chinese Ministry of State Security on August 13, 2020, and taken to a so-called 'black jail' - which operate outside even the control of the country's tainted judicial system. There, she was subject to horrific conditions and denied legal representation. China claims Ms Cheng illegally supplied state secrets overseas, a vague allegation she always denied. Before her arrest, Ms Cheng worked as a high-profile business news anchor for CGTN, one of Chinas state-owned media outlets, and CNBC before that. In a 'love letter' Ms Cheng penned in August from her Chinese single-bed cell, which she shared with several other prisoners, she described moving from China to Australia as a child. 'Even when I was a bewildered 10-year-old in 1985, I remember arriving on a Qantas flight and experiencing sitting on a toilet for the first time,' she wrote. 'I received such kindness from strangers and friends. '...It is not the same in here, I haven't seen a tree in three years.' Cheng Lei (right) was freed from Chinese detention and arrived home in Melbourne on Wednesday (pictured, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong welcoming Ms Cheng) Ms Cheng (above) was suddenly arrested by Chinese Ministry of State Security on August 13, 2020 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for Ms Cheng and her family's privacy to be respected 'as she adjusts to what has obviously been a very difficult and traumatic period'. 'Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms Cheng and her family,' he said on Wednesday. 'This is an outcome that the Australian government has been seeking for a long time and her return will be warmly welcomed, not just by her family and friends but all Australians.' Despite the efforts of the Australian government, Ms Cheng was kept behind bars for over three years. By May 10 this year, which marked 1,000 days imprisonment, Ms Cheng had been subject to a closed door trial, which Australia's Ambassador to China Graham Fletcher was barred from, but was not sentenced. Ms Cheng (pictured in Melbourne on Wednesday) was subject to harsh condition in a Chinese 'black jail' - detention centres considered unlawful by several human rights organisations In a joint statement, Ms Wong and Mr Albanese said Mr Cheng's release 'follows the completion of legal processes in China'. Australia's relationship with China deteriorated sharply in April 2020 when the then Morrison government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of Covid-19 which began in Wuhan in 2019. Shortly after that, Ms Cheng was snatched by secret police and detained without charge or access to legal advice, sparking allegations the arrest was an example of hostage diplomacy. Consular reports prepared by Australian embassy officials found Ms Cheng was often pinned to uncomfortable chairs with heavy wooden boards and kept in an overcrowded cell. Mr Coyle shared the letter Ms Cheng wrote in August, which detailed her miserable life in Chinese detention. Ms Cheng (above) wrote a 'love letter' to Australia in August and detailed arriving in Australia from China as a child and how she used memories of her home to cope in prison Ms Cheng only received 10 full hours of sunlight per year, used 'daggy Aussie humour' to keep her spirits up and secretly mouthed Australian place names to remind herself of 'freedom'. 'I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year,' the message read. 'Every year the bedding is taken into the sun for two hours to air, when it came back last time, I wrapped myself in the doona and pretended I was being hugged by my family under the sun. 'I can't believe I used to avoid the sun when I was living back in Australia, although knowing Melbourne weather, it will probably rain for the first two weeks after I return.' During the first six months of imprisonment, Ms Cheng was subject to solitary confinement and forced into stress positions during interrogations, the BBC reports. She spent the remainder of her term being held with other prisoners. Ms Cheng said another thing she desperately missed was Aussie humour. Ms Cheng (above) was snatched by authorities when tensions were running high between the Chinese and Australia governments over the origin of Covid The letter began with the line: 'G'day Aussies, excuse the daggy slang from someone in need of "ockerism".' 'Growing up Chinese Australian, I had two identities that would often fight for the upper hand depending on the context and the company, but in humour, the Aussie humour wins hands down every time,' she said. 'Even though we speak different languages and eat different meals, we laugh the same and have an eye for the absurd.' Hamas leaders are split over the decision to kidnap scores of women and children from their homes in Israel, with one faction calling for the captives to be released, Middle Eastern intelligence agencies have claimed. The terrorists published harrowing videos showing the gunmen dragging screaming mothers and their young children towards waiting trucks before driving them away from their neighbourhoods. Among the videos was one that showed a helpless Shiri Silberman-Bibas, 30, being abducted from her home along with her three-year-old son Ariel and nine-month-old son Kfir. Her family have not been heard from since. Another was student Noa Argamini, 25, who was videoed screaming 'don't kill me' as she was dragged away from the Nova festival by laughing Hamas gunmen, who had massacred 260 revellers moments earlier. While the prevailing view among Hamas leaders that taking the 150 hostages would create support among the Palestinians and also be a useful bargaining chip for prisoner exchanges, several believe it was a mistake to abduct women and children, the intelligence agencies told The Times. Some in the leadership are concerned that because this decision has been met with global revulsion along with comparisons between Hamas and the Islamic State, it could provide legitimacy for a harder Israeli strike on Gaza. Young Israeli women was dragged by her hair to the boot of a truck by Hamas terrorists. Her clothes were drenched in blood Student Noa Argamini, 25, was filmed screaming 'don't kill me' as she was dragged away from the Nova festival by laughing Hamas gunmen Shiri Silberman-Bibas, 30, is believed to have been abducted along with her nine-month-old Kfir and three-year-old Ariel Several Hamas leaders have since spoken to the Egyptian government in a bid to negotiate a potential swap of Israeli women and children in exchange for imprisoned Palestinians. However, given that members of Hamas warned yesterday they will not hand over hostages until the fighting ends - a day after they would execute Israeli captives if the airstrikes continued - it's unlikely this faction could convince the others to give up the women and children. Earlier reports had suggested that Qatar had been mediating a potential prisoner swap - but Israel and Hamas have denied this. Since the incursion began on Saturday, Hamas fighters have abducted up to 150 people, including women and children, from Israeli territory and dragged them back in Gaza amid their ruthless slaughter. Among those abducted was Noa Argamani, 25, who was kidnapped with her boyfriend Avi Nathan during an attack on a music festival close to the Gaza border that left 260 people dead. Video shows Noa sitting on the back of a terrorist's motorcycle, with her arms outstretched towards her helpless boyfriend as she pleaded for her live. She screams 'Don't kill me! No, no, no' but the gunman speeds off. Noa hasn't been seen since. Her boyfriend Avi, distraught and helpless, is left behind in the desert. He too is missing. Along with hundreds of other young Israelis, Noa and Avi had been enjoying a peace festival in the desert when they were forced to flee for their lives from Hamas terrorists. Revellers had gathered for an all-night trance music rave near Kibbutz Re'im, close to the Gaza Strip, to celebrate the end of the Sukkot religious holiday. But the festivities turned to chaos yesterday morning after Palestinian terrorists began firing rockets and gunshots into the crowd. Footage circulated on social media showed hundreds of people screaming and crying as they fled the rave site on foot, pursued by the sound of gunfire. Israeli mother Doron Asher, 34, and her two daughters, Raz, five, and Aviv, three, were also abducted by Hamas gunmen and held captive in Gaza. Doran had been visiting her mother in Nir Oz near the Gaza border when the terrorists attacked. Her heartbroken husband Yoni Asher said he received a call from a panic-stricken Doron saying terrorists had stormed into the house. After losing contact with her, Mr Asher saw a video of them on social media being loaded into a cart by militants. 'I surely identified my wife, my two daughters and my mother-in-law on some kind of a cart, and terrorists of Hamas all around them,' he said. Doron Asher, 34, was taken hostage by Hamas gunmen and held captive in Gaza Doron's two daughters, Raz, five, and Aviv, three, were also reportedly captured by Hamas gunmen Doron Asher Katz, 34, was visiting her mother in Nir Oz near the Gaza border with their two daughters, aged two and four, when Hamas attacked Palestinians transport a captured Israeli civilian from Kibbutz Kfar Azza into the Gaza Strip He was able to track his wife's mobile phone and discovered that it was in Khan Yunis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. He said: 'My little two girls, they are only babies, they are not even five years old and three years old. 'I don't know in what terms they are captive. I don't know what happened to them.' Mr Asher has appealed directly to Hamas to not hurt his family and has even offered to exchange himself for their safe return. Separate video showed terrified hostages being taken to Gaza by Hamas fighters, who chanted 'Allahu akbar' (God is great) as they led them away. In one chilling video, a young Israeli woman, reported as being a soldier on social media, was seen lying in the back of an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) armoured vehicle commandeered by the terrorists. Then she was dragged by her hair out of the boot. Her clothes were drenched in blood. As she was bundled into the back seat, cheering terrorists armed with Kalashnikov rifles shouted 'Allahu akbar'. The fate of the unidentified woman is not known. Further disturbing footage showed a 10-year-old boy being tragged towards an opening in the border's fence by the terrorists. Erez Kalderon, who was snatched from his home in Nir Oz in the south of Israel by Hamas, looks terrified as he is led through the streets by the heavily armed men. His father Offer and sister Sahar, 16, were also abducted. Erez's sister Gaya Kalderon, 21, who lives in Tel Aviv, told Sky News: 'Everything I have in my life my family is missing. I'm terrified from the photographs and can't believe my eyes. It feels like a horror movie that would never come true. But it did.' Video has emerged of a 10-year-old boy being snatched at gunpoint from his home by Hamas terrorists as they launched their attack on Israel over the weekend Erez Kalderon, who was snatched from his home in Nir Oz in the south of Israel by Hamas, looks terrified as he is led through the streets by the heavily armed men It comes as Israeli officials have today declared they are seeking a 'new reality' that will see Hamas eradicated as the IDF gear up to launch a massive military operation in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring war on Hamas following this weekend's surprise attack which saw 1,000 Israelis slaughtered, gave a solemn vow. 'What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations,' he said, and in remarks to U.S. President Joe Biden condemned Hamas for what he said was 'savagery not seen since the Holocaust.' Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a total siege of Gaza, cutting off water, food and electricity to force its residents into starvation as they are pounded by constant airstrikes. Speaking to soldiers near the Gaza fence yesterday, Gallant doubled down and said: 'Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be,' with even a former Israeli ambassador to Britain declaring that the IDF's goal is 'to come out of this with a different reality in Gaza.' But the swift and brutal retaliation against Hamas has given rise to hundreds of Palestinian civilian casualties with many in the international community questioning whether the Israeli Defence Forces are committing war crimes. The U.N.'s top diplomat Josep Borrell said: 'Israel has the right to defend (itself) but it has to be done accordingly with international law, humanitarian law, and some decisions are contrary to international law. 'Some of the actions - (such) as cutting water, cutting electricity, cutting food to a mass of civilian people is against international law,' Borrell said on Tuesday. Speaking to BBC Radio 4 this morning, Professor Ghassan Abu Sittah, a London-based surgeon who has gone to work at a hospital in Gaza following the strikes, shed light on the harrowing conditions there. 'There's such a high percentage of children that are wounded. We have children with major burns, a teenager with 70 per cent total body burns, he said. And Palestinian envoy to the U.N., Riyad Mansour, condemned Israel's widespread bombing of civilian centres: 'Such blatant dehumanisation and attempts to bomb a people into submission, to use starvation as a method of warfare, and to eradicate their national existence are nothing less than genocidal.' And the war, which has claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Israel appears determined to crush Hamas' hold on Gaza, following an unprecedented attack in which militants gunned down civilians in their homes, on streets and at a mass outdoor music festival, while dragging men, women and children into captivity. It emerged yesterday that Hamas terrorists massacred at least 40 babies and young children before beheading some of them and gunning down their families in a small kibbutz in Israel. Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday A baby's seat and child's dress is seen covered in blood in the aftermath of a Hamas attack Gunshots and blood stains are seen on a door and walls of a house where civilians were killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas on this kibbutz near the border with Gaza on Tuesday The onslaught saw around 70 Hamas fighters yesterday branded 'animals' and 'worse than Isis' by the Israeli army armed with machine guns and grenades storm the usually quiet Kfar Aza kibbutz in southern Israel killing men, women and children indiscriminately. The bullet-riddled bodies of Israeli residents now lay in the grounds of the kibbutz among burned out houses, strewn furniture and torched cars. Solemn Israeli soldiers today went from house to house to take away the scores of people massacred there. Outside the destroyed homes, the soldiers told i24News correspondent Nicole Zedek how they saw the bodies of babies next to their cots, their heads chopped off, in a sign of the depraved acts committed by the terrorists since they attacked Israel on Saturday. As many as 40 babies and small children were killed, IDF soldiers told i24News after taking them to the scene of the atrocity. Harrowing images from the scene show a baby's cot covered with blood, her small bloodied dress lying next to it. The Israeli soldiers were seen comforting each other after witnessing such horrors, including the bodies of entire families who were gunned down in their beds. 'You see the babies, the mothers, the fathers, in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms and how the terrorist kills them. It's not a war, it's not a battlefield. It's a massacre, it's a terror activity,' said Israeli Major General Itai Veruv from the horrific scene. A woman who has been lying in a vegetative state for eight years was mistreated by her relatives, a court heard as her family stand trial for allowing her to suffer serious physical harm. Ambreen Fatima Sheikh has not woken up since she fell unconscious in July 2015. When she was rushed to hospital after her relatives called an ambulance saying she had stopped breathing, medics found a severe burn on her lower back 'caused by a caustic substance', a Leeds Crown Court jury was told. The prosecution also said it was likely that she had 'ingested antidiabetic medication' that 'she did not ingest voluntarily.' She had been left lying unconscious for up to three days before her family called for the ambulance, it was claimed. Ambreen had flown to the UK from Pakistan for an arranged marriage in 2014. Her husband, Asgar Sheikh, 30, father-in-law Khalid Sheikh, 55, mother-in-law Shabnam Sheikh, 53, and brother and sister-in-law Shakalayne, 24, and Shagufa Sheikh, 29, are all standing trial charged with causing or allowing a vulnerable adult to suffer serious physical harm. Shagufa, Shabnam and Asgar Sheikh are also accused of acting to pervert the course of justice. All five defendants are accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. They deny all of the offences. Ambreen Fatima Sheikh has been left in a vegetative state and has not woken up since she fell unconscious in July 2015. She was living with her husband Asgar Sheikh and her in-laws at a house in Clara Street, Fartown, Huddersfield She has remained in a permanent vegetative state at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in West Yorkshire since she was rushed to hospital On Tuesday, as he opened the trial, Robert Steen Smith told the court Ambreen - who was then in her 30s - arrived in the UK from Pakistan in 2014 after entering an arranged marriage with Asgar. She moved into the family home - where she lived with all five defendants - in Clara Street, Huddersfield. Mr Smith said to the jury: 'At first the marriage appears to be one without any apparent problems. The evidence you're going to hear establishes that within months of her arrival she wasn't meeting the expectations of her husband or family. She eventually became socially isolated. The prosecution contend that she had been - by the end of July 2015 - a vulnerable person.' The court was told that at around 1.12am on August 1, 2015, a call was made to the ambulance service from Shagufa Sheikh who 'reported that her sister-in law couldn't breathe properly'. It was said the ambulance arrived at 1.31am and paramedics were taken to Shagufa's bedroom where Ambreen lay unconscious. Mr Smith said: 'Staff asked what had happened and they were told by Shagufa that she [Ambreen] had stopped talking to them at midnight and had become unresponsive. They were asked why the call hadn't been made sooner. Shagufa changed her account and said it had been 1am when she had stopped talking to them. She told them she had been suffering from headaches for at least three days and had been unwell and spent most of that day in bed.' Leeds Crown Court heard the arranged marriage was initially successful, but 'within months of her arrival she wasn't meeting the expectations of her husband or family' Ambreen was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and was put onto the intensive care ward and intubated. A CT scan found swelling on her brain and staff 'took the necessary steps to try and discover the cause', the court heard. It was the next day when a lumbar puncture - or spinal tap - was going to be performed that it was discovered she had a 'severe' burn to her lower back. The spinal tap showed no evidence of infection to the brain. Mr Smith explained that medical professionals say the burn pre-dated Ambreen's admission to hospital and had taken place five to seven days before. The prosecutor said: 'It was likely to have been caused by some form of caustic substance.' Dr Jones spoke to Asgar Sheikh, the court heard, and was told Ambreen had been 'going to bed with headaches for at least two days.' Mr Smith said: 'He told them he couldn't think of any reason why she would have damage in that location [her lower back]. Dr Jones asked if she had an electric blanket and he [Asgar] said she didn't. The decision was made the next day to inform the police. 'It is quite obvious - you may think - her husband or any other responsible person living in that house hold who became aware of that burn could be expected to arrange medical treatment for her or to ask members of the family do so do...It would have been painful at some stage and it is inconceivable that the household were unaware of it.' The court was told that despite Ambreen being at risk of losing her life, she did survive, but has not yet woken up. Mr Smith described her as being in a 'vegetative state' and unable to speak or communicate. He added that she is still receiving care and said: 'She will never recover and is at risk of death as a result.' It was said the prosecution's case is that 'one or more of the defendants was responsible for causing her to enter a state of unconsciousness well before the ambulance was called and that she was likely unconscious in that property for at least 24 hours - and possibly two to three days before it arrived. 'She had been vomiting and had been incontinent of urine and steps were taken by one or more of the defendants to try and conceal that fact. It is also almost more than probable that she had ingested antidiabetic medication, causing her to suffer hypoglycemia and she did not ingest that voluntarily.' Mr Smith said that in Ambreen's unconscious condition she 'would have been incontinent but when staff [from the ambulance service] arrived she was in a clean condition wearing clean clothes in a clean bed in her sister-in-law's bedroom rather than her own.' He added: 'At some stage, one or more of the defendants had removed her soiled clothing, cleaned her body and dressed her and carried her into the other bedroom. The ambulance staff were then presented with a false account that she was suddenly suffering breathing difficulties having been unwell with a headache for three days. 'Ambreen's soiled clothing and bedding on which she had been lying before she was moved was disposed of by one of more members of the household by depositing those items in a wheelie bin outside the house. Police removed the items and they were analysed. There were some stains or urine and vomit and evidence a pair of trousers had been worn after she had sustained the burn.' The court heard that further examination of Ambreen's body found a number of other injuries including an injury to her right ear and 'signs on her back which appeared to be areas of caustic burning'. Mr Smith added: 'She also showed signs of marks on her toes which may have been consistent with a period of prolonged immobility.' Mr Smith said that medical experts identified an explanation consistent with Ambreen's presentation which is that 'she had suffered from an episode of profound hypoglycemia which results in the swelling of her brain and loss of consciousness.' He said: 'She was not suffering from diabetes - which could have caused it - and had no reason to take any form of medication which could result in that. Shabnam [Ambreen's mother-in-law] suffered from diabetes and at the time of the events was taking a drug which had been prescribed by her GP.' The court heard that when she called 999, Shagufa told the operator: 'We have been checking her sugar and her blood pressure as well.' Mr Smith said: 'She told them she [Ambreen] wasn't diabetic but said: "Her sugar has been low and then normal." She told the operator that Ambreen had taken paracetamol.' Speaking to the jury, Mr Smith said: 'You will want to consider why - if this was a truthful account - any person in that household would want to check the blood sugar of her when she was not diabetic and chose to do so without getting medical help.' The trial continues. A statement handed to police by the woman who cooked a deadly mushroom lunch that left three people dead may not be able to be used as evidence if the case reaches court. Homicide detectives received Erin Patterson's statement detailing her version of events but the document was never signed, according to the Herald Sun, making it inadmissible in any legal proceedings. Heather Wilkinson, 66, her sister Gail Patterson and brother-in-law Don Patterson, both 70, all died after eating beef Wellington at Ms Patterson's Leongatha home in Victoria's southeast on July 29. Ms Wilkinson's husband, Ian WIlkinson, 68, was the only person to survive the meal. He became critically ill and spent almost two months in hospital. Ms Patterson's lawyer provided her statement to Victoria Police and the media back in August. Erin Patterson (pictured) reportedly did not sign a statement on her version of events of a deadly mushroom lunch that left three dead Neither Victoria Police nor Ms Patterson's lawyers have confirmed whether or not the document was signed. 'Unless they put pen to paper, it's not a statement. An unsigned statement is not evidence,' one criminal lawyer who was not named said. Defence lawyer George Balot claimed the unsigned document would mean Ms Patterson 'has not sworn to the matters therein'. 'The statement is prima facie documentary hearsay, I imagine,' he told the publication. He added that it was 'very unusual' that Ms Patterson's lawyer submitted the statement before she was interviewed or charged. A police source said an unsigned statement could make its contents less consequential. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ms Patterson is in anyway responsible for any of the deaths or poisonings. Heather Wilkinson (pictured left), 66, her sister Gail Patterson and brother-in-law Don Patterson, both 70, all died after eating beef Wellington at Ms Patterson's Leongatha home. Mr Wilkinson (pictured right) was the only person to survive the meal Ms Patterson claimed she bought the dried mushrooms used in her beef wellington from Asian grocers in Mount Waverley (pictured, a death cap mushroom) Meanwhile, the sole survivor of a deadly mushroom lunch is believed to be cooperating with police after a powerful public display at his wife's memorial. Pastor Ian Wilkinson mourned his late wife on Wednesday in his first public appearance since falling ill himself. The Baptist church pastor returned home on September 22 where he continues to receive help from in-home carers. After eight weeks in hospital, Mr Wilkinson looked leaner and paler than he did in the one photo media organisations have published of him since word of the tragedy spread. Uniformed police officers watched over Mr Wilkinson as he stood and spoke to well-wishers for more than an hour after his wife's memorial. Ian Wilkinson is seen arriving at the memorial service of his wife Heather on Wednesday Undercover officers were also expected to be among the mourners in anticipation of an appearance by Erin Patterson, who did not materialise. One by one, Mr Wilkinson hugged and shared stories with a line of friends, family and parishioners, who snaked their way back into the Korumburra Indoor Recreation Centre where the service had been held. Wearing a black mask, Mr Wilkinson showed no fear of catching an illness as he continued to mingle with the more than 300 people who attended his wife's memorial. Even as his strength waned, Mr Wilkinson reverted to sitting upon his walker's stool where he continued to converse with all that wished to speak with him. Hours earlier, Mr Wilkinson had bravely faced-off with a media pack, walking directly through the front door of the recreation centre past a horde of reporters and cameras. A family has been left heartbroken after discovering their beloved dog was struck by a train and then dumped in a shallow grave beside the tracks. The six-year-old rescue pooch, Tammy, was tragically hit by a train at Sydenham Station, in Sydney's inner west, after running free from her home in Newtown on September 23, shortly after being adopted. However, after the micro-chipped dog died Tammy's owners were not contacted and spent the following weeks searching for the dog. They had no idea workers for Sydney Trains simply dug a shallow grave and buried her. Anne-Marie Curry of Arthur & Co. Pet Detectives, who tracked down her temporary resting place, described Tammy's case as hitting 'harder than others'. A family has been left heartbroken after discovering their beloved dog was struck by a train and then dumped in a shallow grave beside the tracks READ MORE: Should Rottweilers be banned in Australia? Recent horrific attacks spark a nationwide debate Advertisement Ms Curry took to the Pet Detectives Facebook page to notify locals of the missing dog with numerous potential sightings flooding into the page. One local wrote they had seen a deceased dog that resembled Tammy near Sydenham Station on September 26. While investigating the tip-off, Ms Curry received confirmation that a dog of Tammy's description had been killed near the station yet was hindered by several 'road blocks' from staff. However, Tammy's body was able to be exhumed and placed in a box to be collected after Ms Curry got in contact with a senior official at Sydney Trains. 'The team at Southern Cross Veterinary Clinic immediately collected the box with [Tammy's] body on behalf of us,' she told Yahoo. After the veterinarian team found the ID chips on the dog, they were able to confirm that Tammy was the dog that had been killed. 'We hope you can now Rest in Eternal Peace,' a post to the Arthur & Co. Pet Detectives page reads. The six-year-old rescue pooch, Tammy, was tragically hit by a train at Sydenham Station, in Sydney 's inner west, after running free from her home in Newtown on September 23, shortly after being adopted Numerous Facebook users were devastated to hear of Tammy's passing, with many thanking Ms Curry and the Arthur & Co. Pet Detectives for their hard work. 'A sad and tragic outcome, but an amazing effort from you to provide this closure for the family and hold Sydney Trains to account,' one user wrote. 'Please follow up with Sydney Trains to ensure they never bury always scan first,' a second wrote. 'I applaud them in a sense though that they took time and thoughtfully laid to rest but change is necessary for worried fur baby parents.' Sydney Trains Chief Executive, Matt Longland, extended his condolences to Tammy's family in a statement to Daily Mail Australia, saying '(Sydney Trains) are saddened to hear the news about Tammy'. 'Sydney Trains' staff assisted in returning Tammy to her owner, providing closure for the family and the community. 'We understand this is a sensitive topic and we will continue to work with the local council, vets and the RSPCA to improve our methods for dealing with deceased pets found with identification in the rail corridor.' British citizens who have been trying to leave Israel since Saturday after Hamas attacked the country are furious with the UKs Foreign Office and have accused it of leaving its citizens stranded thousands of miles from home. Several British citizens who are currently still stuck in war-torn Israel, or were forced to fork out thousands of pounds to escape the country, have exclusively told MailOnline about the alleged failures of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) by not repatriating them five days into the bloodiest conflict between Israel and Palestine in decades. This is despite several nations, including Bulgaria, Spain, Poland and Thailand, sending planes to Israel to collect their citizens and ensure they are far away from war, in which around 1,900 people have been reported to have died in the conflict since Saturday. One London-based Jewish community leader revealed that he and his congregation have been forced to spend around 1 million paying for chartered flights back to the UK. The FCDO has not yet said when or if it will send over planes to help repatriate them out of Israel. Nikki Horesh (pictured, left) said she was terrified for the safety of her parents, Helena (pictured, middle) and Philip (pictured) Airlines across the world have suspended flights to and from Israel amid rising violence in the region The UK government has not committed to repatriating British citizens, despite nearly 2,000 people dying in just five days So far, only a single mass message has been sent out to all British citizens known to be in Israel, which reads: Our priority is to contact those who are in need of immediate consular assistance or who have reported missing friends or family. If you have reported a British family member or friend missing and still require information or assistance, please contact us. If you are in need of a UK travel document to leave Israel and have not been in touch with us already, please see information on our website. Booking commercial flights back to the UK is incredibly difficult. While the airspace above Israeli and Palestinian territory has not been officially closed, airlines across the world have decided to suspend their flights from Israel en masse over safety concerns. EasyJet, WizzAir, Air France, Lufthansa and Emirates have all suspended their flights from Israel to British airports in the wake of erupting violence. Philip said the FCDO were 'useless' and have been uncommunicative since the Hamas attack on Saturday Nikki said she was worried about her and her family suffering anti-Semitic attacks in London Helena said she empathised with Israeli nationals who now have to live in a war-torn country Only Virgin and British Airways are running flights to the UK, but both carriers are only operating one round trip per day, meaning seats are few and far between. Both Virgin and Israels national airline, El Al, which is still operating two four flights to the UK every day, have no availability on their UK-bound planes until at least next week. Philip Horesh, a Jewish Londoner who was on holiday in Israel, said that despite the need for help from the UK government, none has come: The [FCDO] were useless. No communication apart from banal announcements, no help to travel home for anyone. He said he was forced to fork out around 1,400 for flights from Tel Aviv to Gatwick, with an overnight stop at Izmir, Turkey. On top of flights, he had to pay for last minute hotels and taxis to get around Tel Aviv and Izmir. [We feel] much safer and relieved, but feel bad about leaving when the country needs as much help as it can get. There were more sirens in Tel Aviv and the airport on Tuesday, were worried for those who are still there. Debby Sharon (pictured with her dog) had been hiding away in the family's safehouse for over 36 hours while their village, a community of just 120 families four kilometres from the Gaza border, came under Hamas fire Debby put her foot on the accelerator and sped past tanks and dodged bullets [The FCDO] proactively needs to make individual contact with British citizens who have signed up to say they are in Israel, and offer assistance to leave if they are stranded. A blanket message like the one we received doesnt go far enough to help those who cant get out of a country at war. His wife, Helena Horesh, said: The biggest stress has been trying to find a way home. The Israeli staff in our hotel have been so supportive and kind - we felt extremely emotional leaving them, knowing the worst is probably still to come. We can't wait to be home again with our family. Nikki Horesh, the couples daughter, said she was extremely worried about how her parents were going to make it home safely. She said: I was really nervous about them travelling from the hotel to the airport, given that at literally any moment their car could be intercepted, or hit by a rocket. I felt like they were exposed as soon as they were out of the hotel. She said that she tracked their flight from Tel Aviv to Izmir, Turkey, on Tuesday night to make sure that they were okay. One man was told by an airport official to 'leave everything' after a siren went off in Ben Gurion airport Smoke was seen rising through the air near the carpark at Ben Gurion Airport Departure boards at the international gateway show dozens of flights out of Israel had been cancelled Hundreds were left to their own devices as flight after flight from Ben Gurion was cancelled Sirens wailed overhead as travellers were told to move to a nearby bomb shelter after a rocket crashed near the airport Many countries around the world have made efforts to take their citizens out of Israel Though she is glad that they have since made it home to London, she said: There is a sense of guilt that my parents are able to leave and come back home safely, but so many other people cant. Whether theyre Israeli nationals who are living in fear, or innocent Palestinians who are stuck in the Gaza Strip because of all the fighting. Nikki said that while shes glad her parents are home safe, she fears that the worst is yet to come, given the seeming rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the world. Literally all Jews around the world are worried. I know people who wear a Star of David all the time who are now nervous to wear it. The UK government currently believes there are up to 60,000 British nationals in Israel or Gaza, with at least 17 Brits feared dead or missing, including Jake Marlowe, a 26-year-old from London who was working in the security team for the Nova festival, in which 260 people died following a Hamas attack early on Saturday morning. The BBC reported on Wednesday that there are children among the group of missing or dead British nationals. While the FCDO says it has been assisting families, no evacuation has yet been planned. Many countries across the world have deployed planes to repatriate their citizens This has caused significant strife for one London Jewish community leader, who did not wish to be named over fears of an anti-Semitic attack when he returned to the UK. He told MailOnline that he and his congregation, of about 570 people, have been forced to fork out nearly 1 million to pay for four chartered flights back to the UK. Formally, charter flights access to Israeli airspace is severely limited, given the military activity in the area. But the community leader said that he was forced to push ahead with the costly repatriation to ensure that his congregation, who were in Israel for Jewish religious celebrations, were safe. He said he managed to make it to Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday and will be travelling back to London on Wednesday or Thursday. When it comes to its citizens, so much more can be done with providing flights directly for the tens of thousands of citizens stuck in a war zone. After the attacks Saturday morning, Hamas took dozens of Israeli civilians hostage Les Jacobson, another Jewish man from London who did not want to be pictured over fears of an anti-Semitic attack, said he was furious with the UK governments response to the bloodiest conflict between Israel and Palestine in decades: Im so angry with the UK authorities. Theyll do anything for foreign countries humanitarian needs, but they simply dont care about us. Look after your citizens. Don't just leave them in the dark. Words are empty when they lack action. Les is currently stuck in Jerusalem with four members of his family. They are stuck in Israel until at least Wednesday, when their flight home is booked. Id love to leave, but there are simply no available tickets. My children have no school, myself and my wife are struggling to work, and we are just about falling apart I have no idea when the next siren will go off. All we hear all day and night, literally every few minutes, are fighter jets flying over. It's a disaster. Yossi Brandeis, from Manchester, said he has been calling the FCDO non-stop since Hamas attack on Saturday to get him, his wife Shirley and their six children home. They are still stuck in Israel, and have been desperate to get back after their flights back to the UK were cancelled. Yossi, who did not want to be pictured over fears of anti-Semitic attacks, said: We are stressed beyond imagination, with no knowledge of how to get out. [The FCDO] told me we wont get any other message other than this [mass text]. They arent doing anything though, theyre just trying to find out numbers. They said the whole purpose of registering is to give the UK government an idea of how many citizens they have in the country. Yossi said the FCDO told him he would only get an email once a decision has been made, but said the person he spoke to had no clue when this would be. Israel has no choice but to meet force with force. The Middle East's only democracy has every right to defend itself (Pictured: Gaza on Sunday) Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9 Every day we stay here, it gets worse. If, God forbid, [fighting] goes to the north of Israel then were gonna be trapped. Theyll shut the airport down, and well have no way of getting out, he said. We just feel so lost. We registered with the Foreign Office, but they never sent us any information. Were UK citizens. We need to be looked after. Were terrified, we're desperate, and we dont understand why the British government isn't doing what the Polish did, what Australia did. The desperate pleas from British citizens come as more Hamas militants reportedly crossed into Israel overnight into Wednesday, pushing Israeli residents back into safe rooms as clashes escalate. Residents of Ashkelon were said to have been told to head to safe spaces following reports of militants moving east over the border. Israel also carried out airstrikes back into Gaza early on Wednesday as retaliatory bombing continued to flatten entire neighbourhoods in the coastal enclave. It comes as Israel prepares for an anticipated ground offensive back into Gaza, having announced the mobilisation of some 360,000 reservists. Speaking to soldiers near the border on Tuesday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said: 'Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be. 'We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. We've been controlling the area since Day 2 and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify.' MailOnline has contacted the FCDO for comment. Israel has put its special hostage extraction unit on standby to attempt the rescue of civilians taken into Gaza by Hamas terrorists on Saturday. The unit, modelled on the British SAS, was famously involved in the 1976 Uganda airport raid which saw Israeli commandos rescue 100 of their countrymen from Palestinian hijackers who had seized a civilian passenger flight. Now, the unit could be sent on another high-profile mission: to rescue the 150 Israelis kidnapped over the weekend and taken across the border into Gaza. They are now being held hostage by Hamas terrorists who have threatened to execute one hostage every time Israel's military bombs civilian targets in Gaza without warning. It is unclear if they have followed through with this threat yet. Sayeret Matkal - also known as the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit - specialises in hostage rescue and reconnaissance missions, and counts several former Israeli prime ministers among its veterans. Israel has put Sayeret Matkal - its special hostage extraction unit - on standby to attempt the rescue of civilians taken into Gaza by Hamas terrorists on Saturday. Pictured: Soldiers from Sayeret Matkal are seen during field training exercises in 2010 The unit could soon be sent on a high-profile mission: to rescue the 150 Israelis kidnapped over the weekend and taken across the border into Gaza (pictured October 11) Sayeret Matkal - also known as the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit - specialises in hostage rescue and reconnaissance missions But despite their pedigree, a rescue mission from inside Gaza could be the unit's most challenging to date. The territory is believed to be riddled with booby traps waiting to kill any soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who dare enter the densely populated enclave. Gaza is also heavily defended by Hamas fighters, and while they proved little match over the weekend for the IDF when they engaged them on Israeli territory, the terrorists could prove to be an entirely different challenge on their own soil. To add to the challenge, Gaza has a huge population density: about 15,000 people per square mile. This makes it about as dense as London or Tel Aviv. More than two million people live in the 139-square-mile strip of land that is flanked by Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean sea, meaning that should Israeli forces enter the enclave, Hamas fighters will easily be able to blend into the civilian population. Locating hostages in Gaza may also prove difficult. Although the strip is tiny, subject to constant aerial surveillance and surrounded by Israeli ground and naval forces, the territory that sits just over an hour from Tel Aviv remains somewhat opaque to Israeli intelligence agencies. What's more, Sayeret Matkal commandos are in a race against time. As Israel strikes back against Hamas with missile attacks on targets in Gaza, the families of the hostages are grappling with the knowledge that it could come at the cost of their loved ones' lives. Hamas has warned it will kill one of the up-to 150 hostages every time the IDF bombs civilian targets without warning. According to the Daily Telegraph, experts say Sayeret Matkal will be called up alongside the Yamam special forces unit of Israel's national police. It is also understood that the United States has offered to assist Israeli forces with planning and intelligence support - and has put its own SEAL Team Six on standby. 'Israel has perfected the counter-terrorism hostage rescue mission... these units have been collecting intelligence and working closely with the Mossad and Israel's Shin Bed service,' Israeli special forces expert Aaron Cohen told The Telegraph. 'However, these missions are extremely dangerous,' he noted. The 1976 raid in Uganda - known as the Entebbe raid - was less complex than the mission Sayeret Matkal could be tasked with in Gaza, but was still daring. Commandos from Sayeret Matkal with the Mercedes they used to try and deceive Ugandan guards at the airport, which they stormed in 1976 to rescue Israeli hostages Left: This Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) file photo first made available on July 4, 1976 shows Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan 'Yoni' Netanyahu, the commander of the elite Israeli army commando unit Sayeret Matkal who was killed in a daring operation at Entebbe airport. Right: Current Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is seen as a member of the unit in 1973 Colonel Yonatan 'Yoni' Netanyahu (right) was killed in Uganda in 1976 when Ugandan soldiers fired on his position inside an airport control tower as he fought to rescue Israeli hostages The charred remains of airforce fighter planes destroyed in Israeli raid at Entebbe airport to rescue the hijacked hostages Israeli soldiers and civilians are seen celebrating following the mission in Uganda in 1976 It involved a handful of hijackers - four of whom took control of the Airbus 300, operated by Air France, and diverted it to Libya and then on to Uganda. Once in the East African country, they were joined by other militants, and enjoyed the support of then-Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. The hijackers demanded the release of 40 Palestinian militants imprisoned in Israel, as well as 13 prisoners in four other countries, in exchange for the 106 hostages. In response, Israeli transport planes flew 100 commandos over 2,500 miles to Uganda to carry out the rescue effort. They stormed Entebbe airport with Mercedes cars similar to those used by Amin, hoping they could bypass security. However, the deception failed, and so the commandos opened fire on Ugandan guards. Fearing this could have alerted the hijackers, they accelerated the mission, charging into the main hall of the terminal, telling everyone to 'stay down!' over a megaphone. However, a 19-year-old French immigrant to Israel stood up and was shot dead when two soldiers mistook him for a hijacker. Another hostage was also fatally wounded by gunfire from the commandos, while a third was killed by a hijacker in the crossfire. A fourth hostage - an elderly woman named Dora Bloch - was later murdered by Ugandan officials in a hospital. All hijackers were killed in the main hall, and a further three in an adjacent room. As the Israeli commandos prepared to leave, they were attacked by Ugandan soldiers. The commandos returned fire, killing 45 of the soldiers. Some of the Ugandan soldiers fired on the airport control tower. At least five Israeli commandos were injured and the Sayeret Matkal unit commander - Yonatan Netanyahu - was killed, the only fatality in the unit during the raid. Netanyahu was the older brother of Benjamin Netanyahu, who is Israel's current prime minister, and who could make the final decision about whether or not to send in Sayeret Matkal to Gaza in an attempt to rescue the hostages being held by Hamas. Benjamin also served in the unit, taking part in a number of missions including the rescue of the hijacked Sebena Flight 571. He was shot in the shoulder. As the past missions demonstrate, such rescue operations are incredibly high-risk. Sayeret Matkal commandos are seen during a training exercise Despite being founded in 1957 and its involvement in other high profile missions, Israel only acknowledged the existence of Sayeret Matkal in 1980 In another rescue mission in 1974, a botched attempt to extract hostages in an elementary school led to the deaths of 22 children. They were killed by Palestinian terrorists armed with automatic weapons and grenades. It is understood that the hostages in Gaza are being used as human shields and placed across different areas - in tunnels and apartment buildings - in order to deter Israel from launching strikes on those locations. Experts say one silver lining to there being a large number of hostages is that leaks about their locations are highly likely, and Israel may know where some - if not all - of them are already, ahead of their planned assault on Gaza. Despite this, experts speaking to The Telegraph said it was inevitable some Israelis - hostages and soldiers - will be killed in any rescue attempt. One possible tactic, experts say, could see Israel launch the rescue mission at the same time as a ground assault, drawing the attention of Hamas away from hostages. 'The operations that we're going to be seeing in Israel will be conducted via the smokescreen which will be connected to the major offensive Israel is preparing for right now,' Aaron Cohen said during an interview with Fox News. Gaza is believed to be riddled with booby traps waiting to kill any soldiers from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) who dare enter the densely populated enclave. Pictured: Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Jabalia Camp in Gaza City on October 11 People are seen around destroyed buildings and debris at the Jabalia neighbourhood after an Israeli airstrike that has been going on for five days in Gaza City on October 11 Israeli soldiers take position next to Kfar Aza kibbutz near the border with Gaza, October 10 Despite being founded in 1957 and its involvement in other high profile missions, Israel only acknowledged the existence of Sayeret Matkal in 1980. Soldiers wishing to join must successfully go through a gruelling selection process similar to SAS courses in Britain's Brecon Beacons. This is then followed by paratrooper training, courses on using various light weaponry (including the unit's signature modified Uzi automatic-pistol), hostage rescue techniques and on surviving behind enemy lines. At the end of the training, recruits must go through two weeks of simulated captivity where they are held in prison-like conditions to mentally prepare them for such a scenario that they could well find themselves in if they are captured by an enemy. A woman charged with the murder of her ex-partner had allegedly repeatedly asked her two lovers to kill the third man, a jury has been told. Sharon Graham is on trial in Brisbane Supreme Court charged with the murder of Bruce Saunders, 54, after he died at a rural property northeast of Gympie in November 2017. Ms Graham, 61, pleaded not guilty to a single count of murder earlier this week. Crown prosecutor Todd Fuller KC told the court Ms Graham was the 'architect' behind the plot to kill Mr Saunders. Mr Saunders had been helping two other men, Peter Koenig and Gregory Roser, clearing trees to help out the Goomboorian property owner. Sharon Graham (above) has been charged with the murder of Bruce Saunders after allegedly asking her two lovers to kill him The jury was told Mr Saunders was allegedly struck on the head with a metal pole by Mr Roser, falling unconscious, and his body disposed of in a wood chipper on the rural property. The two men had then told police Mr Saunders had accidentally fallen into the machine, the jury heard. It is alleged Ms Graham had arranged for the men to kill Mr Saunders, who she had recently separated from, but still lived with in Nambour. The jury was told Ms Graham was the sole benefactor of Mr Saunders' $700,000 life insurance and his will. Mr Koenig told the jury on Wednesday Ms Graham had asked him to kill Mr Saunders for his life insurance on at least two occasions. 'She wanted Bruce killed', he said. Bruce Saunders (above) died in November 2017 at a rural property at Goomboorian, near Gympie Mr Koenig said he told Ms Graham, who he'd had an on-again-off-again sexual relationship with for several years, he 'didn't want to do it'. The jury heard Ms Graham had organised the three men to cut the trees on the rural property three weekends in a row. Mr Koenig said he was with Ms Graham and Mr Roser during the second weekend of the landscaping on November 5, 2017, and heard Ms Graham ask Mr Roser 'why Bruce wasn't killed'. Mr Koenig told the jury Mr Roser had replied: 'There were too many people around and the machine was playing up as well', to which Ms Graham had said: 'It's just got to be done'. Mr Koenig told the court he remembered walking towards the house on the property on November 12 when he felt Mr Saunders 'brush' beside him as he fell down. He said he then saw Mr Roser standing above him with the metal bar. The court heard Mr Roser then allegedly 'clubbed him (Mr Saunders) on the head again and again'. Greg Roser (left) and Sharon Graham (right) were in a relationship at the time of Bruce Saunders' death Peter Koenig (above) claims Mr Roser called Ms Graham, and told her: 'Bruce is dead and he's gone through the chipper' after the alleged murder 'He asked me to give him a hand to bring down to the wood chipper,' Mr Koenig said. 'I had his legs, Greg had his arms. 'I took him down and stopped a couple of times down there.' The jury was told Mr Saunders' body was then fed into the wood chipper before Mr Koenig pressed the emergency stop button, leaving only Mr Saunders' legs below the thighs visible. Mr Koenig said Mr Roser then called Ms Graham, and told her: 'Bruce is dead and he's gone through the chipper.' The jury was told Mr Roser then handed the phone over to Mr Koenig who spoke to Ms Graham but he said he couldn't recall what he said before the phone died. Mr Koenig said Mr Roser was 'wailing and screaming', and said he was unable to call triple-0 because his thumbs were shaking. The two men then returned to the main house on the property and told the owner: 'There's been an accident, Bruce went through the chipper'. The jury heard Mr Saunders had known Mr Koenig for a few years but that he had only recently met Mr Roser, who he knew as Roger. Sharon Graham (above) had been living with Bruce Saunders in Nambour at the time of his death Mr Koenig said Ms Graham had asked him to refer to Mr Roser as Roger when they were around Mr Saunders, because she didn't want her ex-partner knowing who her new partner was. When asked by Ms Graham's defence barrister, Peter Richards, whether there was a reason why he didn't tell his 'good friend' Mr Saunders about the murder plot, Mr Koenig simply replied 'no'. The trial continues before Justice Peter Burns. The Pope said: 'I continue to follow, with pain and apprehension' Pope Francis has called on Hamas to release all hostages seized during its incursion and expressed grave concern over the 'total' Israeli siege imposed on Gaza. The terrorist group, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, is threatening to execute hostages kidnapped in Israel, including young people captured during the Nova music festival on Saturday, where around 270 died. 'I ask that the hostages be released immediately,' the 86-year-old head of the worldwide Catholic Church said at the end of his weekly audience at the Vatican in his strongest comments since the start of the conflict in Gaza. Speaking in a sombre voice during his weekly general audience to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square, he expressed grave concern over Israel's siege imposed on Gaza. 'I continue to follow, with pain and apprehension, what is happening in Israel and Palestine. So many people killed, and others wounded. I pray for those families who saw a feast day turn into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be immediately released,' he said. Pope Francis, standing between Italian priest Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza and Argentinian priest Monsignor Luis Maria Rodrigo Ewart, leads the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, on October 11 A man reacts outside a burning building that had collapsed following the Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11, 2023 A man carries a wounded Palestinian girl at the site of Israeli strikes on houses in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 11, 2023 Referring to Israel's response to Hamas, Francis said: 'It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very worried about the total siege in which the Palestinians live in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims. 'Terrorism and extremism do not help reach a solution to the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, but fuel hatred, violence, revenge and only make both sides suffer. 'The Middle East does not need war but peace, a peace built on justice, dialogue and the courage of fraternity.' The death toll from five days of ferocious fighting between Hamas and Israel rose sharply overnight as Israel kept up its bombardment of Gaza today. In Israel, the number of deaths from Saturday's shock cross-border assault by Hamas terrorists rose to 1,200, making it the deadliest attack in the country's 75-year history. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel's military response to Saturday's attack is only the start of a sustained war to destroy the Islamist group and 'change the Middle East'. Pope Francis has twice called the priest who leads Gaza's tiny Catholic community to offer his prayers following fighting sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel, the Vatican said yesterday. 'The pope called me a few minutes ago... he expressed his closeness and offered his prayers,' Father Gabriel Romanelli told Vatican News, the Vatican's media outlet. This picture taken on October 11, 2023 shows an aerial view of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza This picture taken on October 11, 2023 shows an aerial view of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City Smoke billows during Israeli strikes on Gaza City on October 10, 2023 Palestinian men carry away the body of a person killed by the Israeli bombardment along a debris-littered street in al-Karama district in Gaza City on October 11, 2023 Explosions illuminate the sky during Israeli strikes on Gaza City on October 10, 2023 He said he thanked the Pope for his comments on Sunday, when Francis called for 'peace in Israel and Palestine' and for 'the attacks and the weapons' to cease, saying 'terrorism and war do not lead to a solution'. 'The Pope also called yesterday,' Romanelli added, saying that Francis wanted to know how the people in the parish were doing. The priest said he was stuck in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank after leaving Gaza to collect some medicines, and was now unable to return. The Pope's message today came as Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip scrambled to find safety, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and a power blackout was expected within hours, further deepening the misery of a war sparked by a deadly mass incursion of Hamas terrorists. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though terrorists are holding an estimated 150 people - soldiers, men, women and children - who were dragged into Gaza during the weekend attack. Hamas said two of its top officials had been killed, while Israel's military said the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas infiltrators had been found. Meanwhile, Gaza officials reported more than 900 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas terrorist group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate - and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. On Monday, Hamas warned it would start killing its hostages every time Israel launches a strike on a civilian target in Gaza without warning. French President Emmanuel Macron called the threat 'unacceptable blackmail'. At least 30 people were killed and hundreds wounded as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with hundreds of air strikes overnight, a Hamas government official said on Wednesday. Hamas terrorists beheaded babies and gunned down entire families in their homes in a small kibbutz in Israel, Israeli soldiers have claimed A mourner reacts while burying the body of a Palestinian child of al-Agha family, who was killed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 11, 2023 Men stand in debris in a street in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City, on October 11, 2023 The strikes destroyed several buildings of the Hamas-linked Islamic University in Gaza City, a university official said. The Israeli military confirmed it had hit dozens of Hamas targets during the night. It said fighter jets destroyed 'advanced detection systems' that Hamas used to spot military aircraft. They also hit 80 Hamas targets in the Beit Hanoun area of the northeastern Gaza Strip, including two bank branches used by the Islamist group to 'fund terrorism' in the enclave, the military said. Israel has stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory - a 40-kilometre-long strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into U.N. schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. Gaza's power authority says its sole power plant will run out of fuel within hours, leaving the territory without electricity after Israel cut off supplies. Palestinians there have long relied on generators to power homes, offices and hospitals, but have no way of importing fuel for those either. The U.N.'s World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals have already run out amid the flood of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one, 'we consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once,' Matthias Kannes, the aid group's head of mission in Gaza, said today. He said the territory's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel for three days. Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense pressure from the public to topple Hamas. A Palestinian walks through debris in Gaza City's al-Karama neighbourhood on October 11, 2023 An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 11, 2023 Smoke from the Israeli bombardment is pictured over the Gaza City seaport on October 11, 2023 That goal was considered unachievable in the past because it would require a reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, at least temporarily. 'We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered,' Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. 'I have removed every restriction - we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal.' Exchanges of fire over Israel's northern borders with gunmen in Lebanon and Syria, meanwhile, pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned other countries and armed groups against entering the conflict. The U.S. is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. Israeli airstrikes late on Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas' military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate neighbourhood after neighbourhood, before inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighbourhood in Gaza City, with a 'large number' of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials say they have struggled to enter other areas as well. On Tuesday afternoon, Hamas fired barrages of rockets toward the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. There were no immediate reports of casualties. On Tuesday night, a group of terrorists entered an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gunbattle with Israeli troops, the military said. Three gunmen were killed, and troops were searching the area for others. Four previous rounds of Israel-Hamas fighting between 2008 and 2021 all ended inconclusively, with Hamas battered but still in control. 'The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory,' said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. 'Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done,' he said. A firefighter sprays a hose to extinguish a blaze in a collapsed building following the Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11, 2023 An Israeli army soldier walks past a Merkava battle tank as a column of tanks is amassed in the upper Galilee in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, on October 11, 2023 Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including a punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the world's apathy. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead, but Israel has clamped down heavily on the territory, preventing movement between communities. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late on Tuesday. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 950 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there. Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. More than 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza, the U.N. said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites have cut off services to 400,000 people, the U.N. said. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. Biden condemned the Hamas attacks as 'sheer evil', and Netanyahu said the terrorists committed 'savagery never seen since the Holocaust', including the beheading of soldiers. Condemnation from Western leaders contrasted with some pro-Palestinian demonstrations in support of 'resistance' to Israel. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said today that the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas's killing of Israeli civilians was a cold-blooded act of war and reflected an 'ancient evil'. 'We have to be clear in defining this kind of horror,' she said. 'And there can only be one response to it. Europe stands with Israel. And we fully support Israel's right to defend itself.' Addressing the start of a meeting of European commissioners, von der Leyen also supported a full review of the EU's multi-million-euro financial support for Palestinian projects. The weekend attack by Hamas terrorists had left 17 Britons dead or missing Up to 17 British citizens including several children are missing and may have been killed in Israel amid Hamas' surprise attack over the weekend, an unnamed government official has revealed. The shocking revelation made to the BBC comes after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Tuesday that a 'significant number' of British-Israeli dual nationals had been caught up in the fighting. Two British men were previously confirmed to be among the hundreds of civilians slaughtered by Hamas terrorists, one of which - 20-year-old Nathanel Young - was serving in the Israeli army. And British-born woman Savion Kiper, 30, was also confirmed dead after the Palestinian militant group opened fire on crowds in the Negev desert on Saturday. Her fiance, Dor Shafir, is still missing. Among the Britons killed by the terrorists is also Glaswegian Bernard Cowen, 57, who lived in Israel with his wife and two children. He was identified on Sunday by family members as having been 'murdered in cold blood in his home' by Hamas terrorists. Though more than 1,000 Israelis were killed or taken hostage, a variety of foreign nationals were caught up in the savage attacks. Miryam Shafir, 55, with her son, Dor Shafir, and his fiancee, Savion Hen Kiper (centre, who has been confirmed dead), at a bowling alley Corporal Nathanel Young, 20, from London, was a soldier in the 13th Battalion who lived in Tel Aviv and was killed by Hamas Glasgow man Bernard Cohen (aka Cowan) killed on Saturday in Israel by Hamas Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Tuesday that a 'significant number' of British-Israeli dual nationals had been caught up in the fighting Many of the missing foreigners were at an electronic music festival in the southern Israeli desert, at which scores of revellers were killed. Briton Jake Marlowe, 26, was amongst the 260 civilians massacred at the Nova festival. Marlowe, who went to the same London school as Young, left desperate messages to friends while providing security at the festival close to the Gaza border. His mother told the Jewish News on Sunday that the last message she got from her son was one saying he loved her. She said: 'He was doing security at this rave yesterday and called me at 4.30am to say all these rockets were flying over. 'Then, at about 5.30am, he texted to say, ''signal very bad, everything OK, will keep you updated I promise you'', and that he loves me.' Marlowe's devastated family said they have not heard from him since Saturday morning. He had moved to Israel two years ago and lived in the city Ma'alot, which is in northern Israel. He is believed to have been working as a security guard at a music festival in Kibbutz Re'im, a suburb in the city of Okafim, about three miles from the Gaza border. Another British victim, photographer Dan Darlington, is also believed to be dead after a relative of his German girlfriend Carolin Bohl - also missing - received information from a man working in kibbutz that the bodies of the pair had been identified. The couple were last heard from while hiding out in a bunker in Nir Or, a kibbutz in Southern Israel, according to Carolin Bohl's brother-in law Sam Pasquesi. Heartbreaking photographs on Instagram show the couple laughing together shortly before they vanished during the deadly attack on Israel. The first British victim to be identified was 20-year-old Corporal Nathanel Young, of London, who was killed on Saturday while serving in the 13th battalion of the Israeli Defence Forces. The former pupil at JFS Jewish school in Kenton, north London, had been living in the Bayit Shel Benji lone-soldier house in Raanana, according to the Jewish News. Mr Young's family said in a statement that he was 'full of life and the life of the party'. They added: 'He loved his family and friends and was loved by everyone. He loved music and was a talented DJ. 'Always willing to go to any lengths for his loved ones - an amazing uncle and brother. He was so happy and thriving in Israel. He loved the country.' Eliot Young, his brother, told Sky News: 'Nathanel always had strong Jewish pride. From a young age he always wanted to play an important role in defending his country - it's something he talked about a lot.' Jack Marlowe was last seen attempting to rescue revellers from the killers. He remained missing last night Mr Marlowe, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, left desperate messages to friends while providing security at the Supernova music festival 26-year-old Jake Marlowe is among those missing after he had been working as a security guard at a music festival that was targeted by Hamas terrorists Photographer Dan Darlington (left) is also believed to be dead by family and friends after the family of his German girlfriend - also missing - received information from a man working in kibbutz that the bodies of the pair had been identified Thailand has suffered one of the biggest losses, with 20 citizens confirmed killed, 13 wounded and 14 estimated to have been abducted, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. There are approximately 30,000 Thais in Israel, most of whom work in the agricultural sector, according to government figures. More than 5,000 have asked to be repatriated, according to the foreign ministry. United States President Joe Biden said at the White House there were 'at least 14 American citizens killed' and 'we now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas.' Ten citizens of Nepal were killed in Kibbutz Alumim, one of the flashpoints of the Hamas assault, the Himalayan republic's embassy in Tel Aviv said on Sunday. Four others were being treated in hospital while a search was under way for a fifth person, the embassy added. Kibbutz Alumim was hosting 17 students at the time of the attack. Eight French nationals have been killed, the French government said on Tuesday, warning the death toll was likely to rise. Twenty people remained missing and some of them had in all likelihood been abducted, it said. Argentina's foreign ministry on Monday confirmed that seven of the country's nationals were killed and 15 others were missing. At least four Russian-Israelis have been killed, the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv said. It stated that it had no information about any hostages, but that six Russian nationals were missing. Three Israelis of Chilean origin are dead, with one missing. Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, Canada, Cambodia, Mexico, Colombia, Austria, Italy, Paraguay, Sri Lanka and Tanzania have also announced citizens dead or missing. Several dual German-Israeli nationals were kidnapped at the Nova festival on Saturday, a German foreign ministry source said Sunday. The mother of 22-year-old Shani Louk - a tattoo artist whose disappearance garnered significant media exposure, told news outlet Der Spiegel that she recognised her daughter in videos circulating online that show a woman in the back of a pick-up truck in Gaza filled with armed men. Ricarda Louk told Spiegel that her daughter had been at a music festival near Gaza. A university has apologised after a professor criticised Welsh-language road signs as 'unintelligible' and 'potentially dangerous'. Psychology expert Dr Nigel Hunt works as a visiting professor at Wrexham University - but lashed out at bilingual Welsh-English road signs on his trips across Wales. Dr Hunt aired his views on a Facebook group called the Department of Petty Rage where he posted a picture of a bilingual sign and said they should just be written just in English. He wrote: 'Signs like this. They are confusing as they contain irrelevant and - to most people - unintelligible information. 'Road signs in two languages are potentially dangerous as it takes longer to determine the message. 'As most people even in Wales do not understand these signs (the Welsh language is declining despite the attempts to popularise it) then please just use English.' Psychology expert Dr Nigel Hunt works as a visiting professor at Wrexham University Dr Hunt aired his views on a Facebook group where he posted a picture of a bilingual sign and said they should just be written just in English The university has now apologised for Dr Hunt's comments - and promised to investigate. A spokesperson said: 'First and foremost, we would like to apologise for the offence caused by these remarks - and are in the process of investigating this matter internally. 'We are keen to stress that these comments absolutely do not reflect the views or values of our university or its staff. 'We are proud to be a Welsh institution and are proud of our Welsh history and heritage.' The spokesperson added that they were 'committed to promoting and celebrating the Welsh language' and had more bilingual opportunities than ever before. They said: 'As an institution, we are also committed to the*Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011*and as part of the legislation - the Welsh language has equal status with English and must not be treated less favourably.' Dr Hunt was blasted by Welsh speakers and nationalists for his opinion - with many complaining to Wrexham University over the calls. Ethan Jones tweeted: 'This is an appalling attitude from one of your professors @WrexhamUni Dr Hunt was blasted by Welsh speakers and nationalists for his opinion - with many complaining to Wrexham University over the calls Psychology expert Dr Nigel Hunt lashed out at bilingual Welsh-English road signs on his trips across Wales 'Your staff have a duty to treat your Welsh students with respect, calling their language 'irrelevant' is certainly not the way to do this. 'Deeply disappointing.' Efan ap Ifor wrote: 'This is hugely disappointing to see @WrexhamUni 'It highlights that not all educated people, that specialise in one field, are well informed people more generally. 'They aren't immune to lazy xenophobic tropes or possess values &/or morals that are grounded in inclusiveness.' Meanwhile, Rhys Gethin said: 'Could @WrexhamUni clarify if Prof. Nigel Hunt represents the values of the university? 'Given the university's recent decision to drop 'Glynd*r' from its name, having a bigoted professor publicly mock the Welsh language and demand the removal of Welsh signage isn't a good look.' Dr Hunt has since told MailOnline he apologises for the way that his comments emerged, but says: 'I do not apologise for my comments, which reflect my beliefs.' He said: 'If people have to process more language information on signs then that may negatively affect their driving, which may make accidents more likely. Drivers do find signs that carry less information are more readily understood.' He also said his comments reflect his view that the main point of language is communication, and that languages 'die out and transform all the time'. '...People can speak what they like,' he said. 'I am just thinking about the potential future of the language. Whether people like it or not, English is the lingua Franca (sic) across much of the world and is likely to continue to be so which means more communication will be in English, and less in other languages.' Road signs in Wales by law have to be written in Welsh first as part of the Welsh Language Act which places the two languages on equal footing and tries to promote Welsh learning. The Welsh Government has set itself a target of having one million Welsh speakers by 2050. A never-before-seen drawing by a young Princess Elizabeth for Peter Pan author JM Barrie has emerged for sale almost a century later. The crayon picture of a building with lots of windows was sent to Barrie along with an apologetic letter from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. In it she harshly called the drawing 'very poor' and said 'Elizabeth insisted on putting in a roof with lots of little windows for the nurserymaid'. It is thought the drawing could be the late Queen's childhood vision of what Great Ormond Street Hospital's new Southwood Building should look like. Barrie is known to have had a strong bond with the royal family in the 1930s and had also gifted the copyright for Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital. A never-before-seen drawing by a young Princess Elizabeth for Peter Pan author JM Barrie has emerged for sale almost a century later. The crayon picture of a house with lots of windows was sent to Barrie along with an apologetic letter from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother A young Princess Elizabeth is seen with her mother after the coronation of her father King George Vi in 1937 The Southwood Building was officially opened by King George VI and the Queen Mother in 1938. There is no date on the letter but it is thought it was written in the early 1930s when Princess Elizabeth would have been aged between four and six. The letterhead says it was sent from 145 Piccadilly, which was the family's London townhouse home before Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 and they moved to Buckingham Palace when Elizabeth's father became king. Sir James Barrie attended Princess Margaret's third birthday party in 1933 and used a couple of lines she had said to him in a play he wrote called The Boy David (1936). It has also been reported he read stories to the two young princesses. The letter mentions a charity dinner Barrie was attending, possibly for the hospital, and the Queen Mother asks Barrie not to appeal in Princess Elizabeth's name. The Queen Mother wrote: 'I expect that you only wish to say that she drew a picture for you of what the hospital should look like'. Barrie is known to have had a strong bond with the royal family in the 1930s and had also gifted the copyright for Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital The Queen Mother wrote to the author from her then home, 145 Piccaddilly in central London. It is believed to ahve been written in the early 1930s She apologised for her daughter's 'very poor' drawing of 'the hospital' The dinner she referred to could be the fundraising banquet for Great Ormond Street Hospital that was held in the author's honour in December 1930. In the letter the Queen Mother mentions having met Cynthia, believed to refer to Lady Cynthia Asquith, Barrie's private secretary. Apart from the Peter Pan works, he left most of his estate to her after he died. Cynthia was also the editor for a book of short stories in aid of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital for Children, which was published sometime in the 1930s and included a story by Barrie. The letter accompanying the drawing reads in full: 'My dear Sir James, I am so sorry that I did not realise that you were making your speech tonight, and am hurriedly sending round a very poor house, I fear. 'Elizabeth insisted on putting in a roof with lots of little windows for the nurserymaid. 'Please Sir James will you not appeal in her name at all, as I have such difficulties over it, and I am not sure what it is that you wish to say. 'It is not that I would not feel proud to have her name mentioned by you, only I have had trouble over keeping her name apart from charities etc. 'But I expect that you only wish to say that she drew a picture for you of what the hospital should look like. 'Please forgive me for saying all this, but you can imagine what trouble I get into! 'However, I hope that this very poor drawing may be of little use - I write this in great haste after having met Cynthia who told me your dinner is tonight. I am yours sincerely, Elizabeth.' She also wrote a note in the margin saying 'if you can manage it - will you not let the press photograph this'. The intriguing letter and drawing were part of the collection of American Anglophile William Rasch and are now being sold by Everard Auctions of Savannah, Georgia, where they are expected to fetch 4,000. The four-page signed letter and holograph envelope is in good condition, with light wear to the edges. King George VI and the Queen Mother are seen on a tour of Great Ormond Street Hospital in October 1938, when they opened the institution's Southwood Building Queen Elizabeth talks to patients at great Ormond Street during her visit Amanda Everard, from the auction house, said: 'The owner was a real Anglophile, he had lots of British royal related items - photographs and signatures - he purchased a lot from British dealers. 'He collected from 1976 through to his death eight years ago. 'We are thrilled to have his collection, it was so special to go through all these documents and discover this letter. 'There's no date to it, but we guess it must be around 1932 based on the drawing style. 'The Queen Mother seems a little embarrassed and the way it's written is quite funny. It was clearly written in haste, trying to get this little picture to him. 'I do feel a little bad because she says in the letter not to let the press see it. 'This is a super interesting document linking a mother and daughter, albeit a princess and Queen at the time, with James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. 'But it's so sweet, the drawing could have been done by any of our children and shows the human side to royalty.' The letter and drawing will be sold on October 19. Russia's military is facing a worsening mental health crisis, with at least 100,000 personnel suffering from PTSD 20 months into the country's invasion of Ukraine. The UK's ministry of defence said in its latest intelligence briefing that in December 2022, Russian psychologists identified the huge hoard of shaken soldiers, and added that the number has 'almost certainly' risen since. Russia's military leaders have reportedly failed to provide enough rest and recuperation for their battle-weary soldiers, and have also not provided enough rotation. The MoD added that there were indications of Russian doctors 'sending military personnel who are unfit to fight to the front.' It said that appeal claims against the military's medical commissions were higher in 2023 than they were in 2022, with many case being denied or simply abandoned. There are said to be at least 100,000 Russian soldiers suffering from PTSD The UK's MoD says that poor military management is worsening the mental health crisis among Russia's soldiers Russian soldiers have not been allowed to leave the army since September 2022, the RAND Corporation think-tank said These problems have been highlighted by several top-level military leaders in Russia, including the former 58th Combines Arms Army's General Major Ivan Popov, who was dismissed earlier this year for questioning the Kremlin's war management. He also accused senior Kremlin leadership of betraying Russian soldiers and 'decapitating' the army. 'With a lack of care for its soldiers' mental health and fitness to fight, Russia's combat fighting effectiveness continues to operate at sub-optimal levels,' the intelligence briefing claimed. Earlier this year, the RAND Corporation, an American think-tank, reported that no Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, Europe's bloodiest conflict in decades, have been allowed to leave since September 2022, following Vladimir Putin's partial mobilisation decree. No Russian soldier will reportedly be allowed out until the 'period of partial mobilisation' is ended by another decree, and there are not yet any indications that Putin will sign one. The only ways out of military service for Russians fighting on the frontlines of Ukraine are reaching mandatory retirement age, medical discharge, imprisonment or death The Institute for the Study of War said that many Russian soldiers are threatening to desert their posts This means that the only ways out of military service for Russians fighting on the frontlines of Ukraine are reaching mandatory retirement age, medical discharge, imprisonment or death. The RAND Corporation wrote: 'Indefinite deployment and inadequate rest and rotation, due to a shortage of soldiers, mean that Russian soldiers endure prolonged exposure to combat stress, which intensifies feelings of resentment and helplessness.' The Institute for the Study of War said that many soldiers are threatening to desert their posts. The MoD's briefing comes days after Putin's Black Sea Fleet was seen performing a major retreat. Russian warships were evacuated from Sevastopol some 237 miles to Novorossiysk on Russia's southern coast, in what British Defence Minister James Heappey called 'the functional defeat of the Black Sea Fleet'. The move of the fleet is seen as a tangible gain from Ukraine's strategy of targeting Crimea - which Russia invaded in 2014 - with missiles and drones. Wes Streeting launched a savage attack on Tory handling of the health service today, urging Rishi Sunak to sit down and do a deal with medics striking over pay before the next damaging walkout. The shadow health secretary tore into the PM over the state of the NHS, saying a Labour Government would reform it but not pump money into it unthinkingly. In a tubthumping conference speech he also pledged to protect children's health with a ban on junk food ads aimed at minors and tougher restrictions on vaping - and mocked the PM for stealing his plan for a rolling smoking ban. Mr Streeting, who is seen as a potential future Labour leader, said he wanted children born now to live until the 22nd century and aimed a message at the vaping industry, saying the party would come down 'like a ton of brinks' on those aiming nicotine products at under-18s. The shadow health secretary tore into the PM over the state of the NHS , saying a Labour Government would reform it but not pump money into it unthinkingly. Mr Streeting, who is seen as a potential future Labour leader, said he would come down 'like a ton of brinks' on those aiming nicotine products at under-18s. Pictures is deputy party leader Angela Rayner having a cheeky puff. In his speech on the last day of the conference in Liverpool, Mr Streeting said some 7.7 million people were currently on NHS waiting lists. The longest waiting lists ever. And the audacity of the fifth Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years blaming NHS staff for the Tories' abysmal failure,' he said. 'Rishi Sunak - how dare you? There is a window of opportunity for negotiations before the next round of strikes takes place. A serious Prime Minister would take it.' He also warned the NHS must 'modernise or die' in the face of an 'existential' crisis, with possible bankruptcy unless it is overhauled. He set out plans to shift its focus from hospitals to providing more care in the community and from tackling sickness to preventing illness in the first place. 'It falls to us, the party that founded the NHS 75 years ago, to rescue, rebuild and renew the health service today,' he said. 'Transformation of the National Health Service must go hand in hand with a transformation of the health of the nation. 'A child born in Britain today should live to see the 22nd century. I want them to be part of the healthiest generation that ever lived. That's Labour's ambition for children. 'And we will bring it to life by taking tough action against those who are cutting our children's lives short. 'We will ban junk food ads targeted at children. Bridget's (Phillipson - shadow education secretary) breakfast clubs will provide every primary school pupil with a healthy, nutritious start to the day, making sure they have hungry minds, not hungry bellies. 'We'll introduce supervised toothbrushing to keep kids' teeth clean and keep them out of hospital. And to those in the vaping industry, who have sought to addict a generation of children to nicotine with flavours like rainbow burst and cotton candy ice, you have been warned - a Labour government will come down on you like a ton of bricks.' Unite trade union general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Labour's focus on the NHS is welcome but it must come with a clear workforce plan that includes the reversal of real terms pay cuts. 'We cannot fix the NHS if we don't reverse the crippling staff shortages. And we can't do that if we don't improve pay and conditions. 'Dedicated staff are leaving in droves because they cannot make ends meet, many are visiting food banks. There is a real opportunity here to invest in the NHS and its staff.' Last week Labour was accused of failing teachers after unveiling plans for supervised toothbrushing in schools as part of its policy to solve the problems in NHS dentistry. Sir Keir Starmer 's plans set to cost 111million annually would mean that teachers in areas with high tooth decay would need to supervise the morning dental care for pupils aged three to five. But critics suggested the measures were an improper use of time for teachers, many of whom are already considering leaving the profession due to burnout and high workloads. Ministers also suggested the plans were unfunded and required more government borrowing. The chief of the National Association of Headteachers told Sir Keir it was not the role of teachers to supervise dental care. General secretary Paul Whiteman said: 'This week we have seen guidance on mobile phones from Government and a new dentistry duty from the Opposition. 'This is not the response needed to solve the crises in school. We have serious reservations about how such a policy could work. It is not the role of teachers to be making sure children brush their teeth each day. We should demand more than window dressing from all of our politicians.' A job is being advertised to work as a boat deckhand on the UK's most remote inhabited island - where sheep outnumber people. Fair Isle, which is 24 miles from the Shetland Mainland in Scotland, has a population of just 60 people and is known for its fishing and crofting community. The island is thought to have been populated for 6,000 years, with Norway owning it in the 14th century. Today the island is owned by the National Trust for Scotland - the proud advertisers of the exciting new job opportunity to work as a deckhand on the local ferry MV Good Shepherd. The candidate will work 31.5 hours a week and receive a maximum annual salary of 24,539. This includes an annual payment of 1,279 under the Scottish governments Distant Islands Allowance, to encourage qualified workers to take jobs on remote islands. A job is being advertised to work as a boat deckhand on the UK's most remote inhabited island Fair Isle - where sheep outnumber people Fair Isle, which is 24 miles from the Shetland Mainland in Scotland, has a population of just 60 people The island can be reached by a two-and-a-half-hour ferry trip or 25-minute flight from Shetland Unsurprisingly, expenses will be paid to those attending the interview for the new role. The requirements also state that one 'must have the ability to travel throughout Shetland at short notice and where public transport is limited', though they are 'happy to talk flexible working'. The island population is said to be 'thrilled to meet some new faces and are eager to highlight the ways the successful candidate can become involved in local life'. James Stout, who lives on Fair Isle, said: 'It's an opportunity to be part of a living community, which is rare nowadays. 'It's a community looking to the future.' The National Trust will also provide a family home on the island to the successful applicant, provided they meet the charity's rental criteria. Clea Warner, the National Trust for Scotland's Regional Director for the Highlands and Islands, said: 'Having been in Fair Isle myself at the beginning of October, I know very well what a beautiful and friendly place it is. 'For anyone who loves outdoors and wildlife, there's no place like it. The community are very dynamic and welcoming, and committed to keeping Fair Isle as a thriving place to live. 'The new job opening on the island is a fantastic opportunity to be part of this amazing place for themselves. 'It's always pleasing to see job opportunities come up in Fair Isle. The island is thought to have been populated for 6,000 years, with Norway owning it in the 14th century Today the island is owned by the National Trust for Scotland 'Our charity continues to engage with the community and with organisations such as Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Shetland Islands Council to support the sustainability of this island, which it's our privilege to care for and share. 'We hope that the new ferry job advertised will attract plenty of interest and look forward to welcoming the successful applicant to the island.' Fair Isle is around 25 miles south of the Shetland Mainland and 25 miles north of North Ronaldsay in Orkney. It can be reached by a two-and-a-half-hour ferry trip or 25-minute flight from Shetland. The island which is roughly three square miles is known for its natural beauty, knitwear and seabirds including around 10,000 puffins at the last count. Dominic Cummings claimed Whitehall officials wanted to delay 'stay at home' guidance at the start of the Covid crisis because they did not work weekends, it has been revealed. In WhatsApp messages between Mr Cummings and then prime minister Boris Johnson, recently published by the Covid inquiry, the Cabinet Office was described as 'terrifyingly s***'. Mr Cummings, who was Mr Johnson's chief adviser at the time, also appeared to be scathing of the response of Sir Mark Sedwill, then head of the civil service, to the looming crisis. The controversial aide claimed Sir Mark 'hasn't a scooby what's going on', as he urged Mr Johnson to take immediate action on imposing social distancing measures in early March 2020. The extracts of the WhatsApp messages were published among evidence being considered by the Covid inquiry, which is examining the Government's handling of the pandemic. Dominic Cummings claimed Whitehall officials wanted to delay 'stay at home' guidance at the start of the Covid crisis because they did not work weekends In a message before 8am on Thursday 12 March 2020, Mr Cummings warned Boris Johnson about 'big problems' with civil servants in the Cabinet Office In later WhatsApp messages the same morning, Mr Cummings told Mr Johnson he needed to chair daily Covid meetings in the Cabinet room without the input of devolved leaders In a message before 8am on Thursday 12 March 2020, Mr Cummings warned Mr Johnson about 'big problems' with civil servants in the Cabinet Office. He referred to other Number 10 special advisers, including Ben Warner, Lee Cain and James Slack, as having to 'drive and direct' Whitehall's response to the Covid crisis. Mr Cummings also told Mr Johnson that Britain was facing between 100,000 to 500,000 deaths as a result of Covid, which he compared to the around 250,000 who died in the Spanish flu pandemic. He wrote: 'We got big problems coming. CABOFF is terrifyingly s***, no plans, totally behind pace, me and Warners and lee/slcaky are having to drive and direct. 'Mark is out to lunch -- hasnt a scooby whats going on and his own officials know he doesnt. We must announce TODAY -- not next week -- "if feel ill with cold/flu stay home". 'Some CABOFF want delay cos havent done the work and dont work weekends. We must force the pace today, we are looking at 100-500 thousand deaths betweeen optimistic / pessimistic scenarios. 1918 was 250k for comparison.' In later WhatsApp messages the same morning, just after 11am, Mr Cummings told Mr Johnson he needed to chair daily Covid meetings in the Cabinet room without the input of leaders of devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 'You need to chair daily meetings in the Cabinet room -- not COBRA -- on this from tomorrow, im going to tell the system this,' Mr Cummings wrote. 'NOT with DAs on the f****** phone all the time either so people cant tell you the truth.' Later on 12 March 2020, Mr Johnson used an afternoon Downing Street press conference to announce the UK Government was moving from a 'contain' to 'delay' stage of its response to Covid. The then PM warned of the 'worst public health crisis for a generation'. He added: 'From tomorrow, if you have coronavirus symptoms, however mild either a new continuous cough or a high temperature then you should stay at home for at least 7 days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease.' Britain moved to a full lockdown, with everyone ordered to 'stay at home', on 23 March 2020. The Covid inquiry has so far held public hearings on its four active modules, which are examining the UK's resilience and preparedness; core decision-making and political governance; the impact of Covid on healthcare systems across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; and vaccines and therapeutics. The inquiry continues. A never-before-seen drawing by a young Princess Elizabeth for Peter Pan author JM Barrie has emerged for sale almost a century later. The childs crayon picture of a house with lots of windows was sent to the Scottish novelist along with an apologetic letter from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. In it she harshly called the drawing very poor and said Elizabeth insisted on putting in a roof with lots of little windows for the nurserymaid. It is thought the drawing could be the late queens childhood vision of what Great Ormond Street Hospitals Southwood Building should look like. Barrie is known to have had a strong bond with the royal family in the 1930s and had also gifted the copyright for Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital, who were hoping to build a new wing. The Queen Mother was apologetic about her daughter's drawing The Southwood Building was officially opened by King George VI and the Queen Mother in 1938. There is no date on the letter but it is thought it was written in the early 1930s when Princess Elizabeth would have been aged between four and six. The letterhead says it was sent from 145 Piccadilly, which was the familys London townhouse home before Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 and they moved to Buckingham Palace when Elizabeths father became king. Sir James Barrie, who lived in Kirriemuir, Angus, attended Princess Margarets third birthday party in 1933 and used a couple of lines she had said to him in a play he wrote called The Boy David (1936). It has also been reported he read stories to the two young princesses. It is believed the sketch is of the Southwood Building at Great Ormond Street Hospital The letter and drawing will be up for auction on October 19 The letter mentions a charity dinner Barrie was attending, possibly for the hospital, and the Queen Mother asks Barrie not to appeal in Princess Elizabeths name. The Queen Mother wrote: I expect that you only wish to say that she drew a picture for you of what the hospital should look like. The dinner she is thought to have referred to could be a fundraising banquet for Great Ormond Street Hospital in December 1930 which was held on the authors honour. In the letter the Queen Mother mentions having met Cynthia, believed to refer to Lady Cynthia Asquith, Barries private secretary. Apart from the Peter Pan works, he left most of his estate to her after he died. JM Barrie had a strong bond with the Royal family in the 1930s Cynthia was also the editor for a book of short stories in aid of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital for Children, which was published sometime in the 1930s and included a story by JM Barrie. The letter accompanying the drawing reads in full: My dear Sir James, I am so sorry that I did not realise that you were making your speech tonight, and am hurriedly sending round a very poor house, I fear. Elizabeth insisted on putting in a roof with lots of little windows for the nurserymaid. Please Sir James will you not appeal in her name at all, as I have such difficulties over it, and I am not sure what it is that you wish to say. It is not that I would not feel proud to have her name mentioned by you, only I have had trouble over keeping her name apart from charities etc. But I expect that you only wish to say that she drew a picture for you of what the hospital should look like. Please forgive me for saying all this, but you can imagine what trouble I get into! However, I hope that this very poor drawing may be of little use - I write this in great haste after having met Cynthia who told me your dinner is tonight. I am yours sincerely, Elizabeth. She also wrote a note in the margin saying if you can manage it - will you not let the press photograph this. The intriguing letter and drawing were part of the collection of American Anglophile William Rasch and are now being sold by Everard Auctions of Savannah, Georgia, where they are expected to fetch 4,000. The four-page signed letter and holograph envelope is in good condition, with light wear to the edges. Amanda Everard, from the auction house, said: The owner was a real Anglophile, he had lots of British royal related items - photographs and signatures - he purchased a lot from British dealers. He collected from 1976 through to his death eight years ago. We are thrilled to have his collection, it was so special to go through all these documents and discover this letter. Theres no date to it, but we guess it must be around 1932 based on the drawing style. Queen Elizabeth was believed to be around 3 or 4 years of age when she created the drawing The Queen Mother seems a little embarrassed and the way its written is quite funny. It was clearly written in haste, trying to get this little picture to him. I do feel a little bad because she says in the letter not to let the press see it. This is a super interesting document linking a mother and daughter, albeit a princess and Queen at the time, with James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. But its so sweet, the drawing could have been done by any of our children and shows the human side to royalty. The letter and drawing will be sold on October 19. Now her family are hitting out at German government for perceived inaction Videos showed her lifeless body being paraded through streets in militant truck Family members of missing Shani Louk, whose lifeless body was paraded by Hamas gunmen after the Nova rave attack in Israel, have blasted the German government for ignoring their pleas for help after they were told she was still alive in Gaza. Louk's aunt Orly Louk and her uncle Wilfried Gehr today pleaded with the German government in a television interview on the programme 'ZDF heute'. 'We've been begging the German government to help for three days now. 'We are unsettled and totally disappointed that the Federal Government does not feel responsible. One from the Foreign Office said he doesn't have time because they have to rebook flights. That makes me so angry.' Shani, 22, is German but grew up in Israel, and was one of hundreds of unsuspecting partygoers at the Nova festival where Hamas conducted a massacre of some 260 civilians. According to 'Der Spiegel' magazine, the tattoo artist and pacifist has never lived in Germany, but has a German passport and visited her grandparents in Ravensburg in the southern German state of Baden-Wurttemberg several times. It comes one day after Shani's mother Ricarda - a Catholic who later converted to Judaism and emigrated to Israel - revealed she received word from Palestine that her daughter is still alive. The news provided fresh hope after videos emerged of an unconscious and partially naked Shani being paraded through the streets by Hamas terrorists as onlookers spat on her motionless body. Shani Louk, 22 (pictured), was at a music festival for peace when she was captured by Hamas terrorists who had stormed the event and massacred 260 Israeli revellers during their assault on Israel Shani Louk (right) is pictured alongside her cousin Shocking footage shared on social media appears to show Palestinian fighters parading Shani's partially naked body on the back of a pick-up truck Orly Louk, aunt of 22-year-old Shani Louk, sits on a couch and shows a photo of her niece as she hits out at the German government's indifference to her predicament Shani, 22, is German but grew up in Israel, and was one of hundreds of unsuspecting partygoers at the Nova festival where Hamas conducted a massacre of some 260 civilians Ricarda Louk told German outlet Bild on Tuesday: 'We now have evidence that Shani is alive but has a serious head injury and is in critical condition. Every minute is critical. 'You have to act quickly and get Shani out of the Gaza Strip!' she declared in the message directed at German officials. We shouldn't argue about questions of jurisdiction now!' Orly said Shani had refused to take up the military service that is mandatory for Israelis due to her pacifist views, adding that her German passport helped with this. Ricarda earlier released a heartbreaking video begging for help to find out what happened to her daughter. Holding a picture of Shani on her mobile phone, Ricarda said on Sunday: 'This morning my daughter, Shani Nicole Louk, a German citizen, was kidnapped with a group of tourists in southern Israel by Palestinian Hamas. 'We were sent a video in which I could clearly see our daughter unconscious in the car with the Palestinians and them driving around the Gaza Strip. 'I ask you to send us any help or any news. Thank you very much.' Video shows a smiling Shani, who loved to travel according to her family, dancing at the music festival moments before she was captured by the terrorists Shani's mother, Ricarda, holds up a picture of her daughter on her mobile phone in an emotional video appeal begging for help to find out what happened to her daughter Shani, who grew up in Israel but had a German passport, had refused to take up the military service that is mandatory for Israelis due to her views Hamas had claimed the body was a female Israeli soldier - but it was confirmed to be Shani by her cousin Tomasina Weintraub-Louk, who told MailOnline that the family recognised her distinctive leg tattoos and dreadlocked hair. She said: 'We have heard nothing. We are hoping for positive news. It is definitely Shani. 'She was at a music festival for peace. This is a nightmare for our family.' Tomasina said she and other family members had been desperately trying to contact Shani as well as her Mexican boyfriend, but they couldn't get through. 'We knew she was in the party, she didn't answer,' Tomasina said. Her parents say they have not heard from their daughter since a phone call early on Saturday, just after Hamas launched their first rockets. But her family have said they have since received information from her bank that Shani's credit card had been used in Gaza. German tattoo artist named Shani Louk, who is in her early 20s, was in Israel to attend a peace rave Her family, who are desperately hoping that Shani is still alive despite the footage of her body, said she was a pacifist and a peace campaigner who was known for her involvement in organising music festivals Palestinian fighters can be seen cheering and driving away as Shani's body lies motionless in the back of the truck The tragedy comes as Palestinian militants launched its worst onslaught for 50 years on Saturday by unprecedented land, sea and air attacks - even using hang gliders to avoid detection. In a coordinated, multi-pronged assault, Palestinian terrorists crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip, seizing settlements and capturing and murdering civilians celebrating a Jewish holiday. READ MORE: Haunting images reveal chilling aftermath of Nova music festival where 260 people were slaughtered, after volunteers removed hundreds of bodies Advertisement Dozens of people are feared to have been snatched off the street and returned to Gaza, or simply killed on the spot. The music festival attended by Shani was one of the first sites to be attacked by the terrorist group, with 260 revellers massacred there. Survivors described how the gunmen went 'tree by tree' executing victims. Clips posted to social media show how revellers were forced to hide under bushes and record hushed farewell messages to their loved ones as they watched victims get killed one by one. Many lay still in sheer terror for more than five hours before they heard the sound of armed rescuers speaking in Hebrew. The Palestinian terrorist group stormed the Nova Festival that had been taking place near Kibbutz Re'im, close to the Gaza Strip, as part of its surprise assault launched on Saturday. This morning, harrowing dashcam footage from the incident showed gunmen executing civilians as they lay in the sand before rifling through their pockets and emptying bags from their cars. Palestinian militants brandish weapons as they pass through Israeli territory on trucks Israeli civilians and soldiers were taken off the street and driven back into Gaza In a second video widely shared on social media, a woman screaming 'Don't kill me!' can be seen being driven off on a motorbike by a gunman. She has since been identified as Noa Argamani, 25, a student who was seized at the same outdoor peace festival she had attended with her boyfriend close to the border. Esther Borochov, who fled the rave party, said she survived by playing dead in a car after the driver trying to help her escape was shot point blank. Bodies of Israeli civilians were strewn across the streets of Sderot in southern Israel, near Gaza, surrounded by broken glass. The bodies of a woman and a man were sprawled across the front seats of a car. 'I went out, I saw loads of bodies of terrorists, civilians, cars shot up. A sea of bodies, inside Sderot along the road, other places, loads of bodies,' said Shlomi from Sderot. Terrified Israelis, barricaded into safe rooms, recounted their plight by phone on live TV. Other footage showed captured soldiers and civilians some dead being paraded through Gaza's streets. This is the moment a bungling thief faceplanted while breaking into a shop through an extractor fan. CCTV taken from For Fudge Shakes in Bellshill, Glasgow shows the hooded thief trying to squeeze through the hole in the wall. He painstakingly tries to pull himself through the gap, at one stage grabbing hold of a plug. The thief eventually manages to wriggle through, but in the process his trousers get caught and end up being pulled down around his ankles. He then loses balance and lands face first onto the floor. After taking a brief moment to recover he pulls himself up, and his trousers, and puts his hood over his head before walking to the front of the store. The bungling thief managed to wriggle through an extractor fan at For Fudge Shakes, in Belllshill, near Glasgow, before losing his balance He lands on his face with a thud with his trousers wrapped around his ankles. After a minute, he gets up again before raiding the milkshake shop He ended up stealing money from the till, the tip jar a charity donation box and some reserved cash in the 11.30am raid last Sunday. One of the owners of the business told Glasgow Live: 'One of the managers came in the morning and noticed one of the extractor fan had been smashed through. 'Once he finally wormed his way through the space we can see him work on the till and look for other things. It's devastating, we have good, hardworking group of young people and some of them were very shaken up at the start of their shift. 'With the rising cost of everything right now and profit margins being squeezed, this is something we didn't need.' Police Scotland are yet to make any arrests. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We were called around 11.55am on Sunday, 8 October, to a report of a break-in at a premises on Motherwell Road, Bellshill. 'Enquiries are ongoing.' A Dorset mayor has lost a High Court fight with Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the housing of asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm. Carralyn Parkes wanted to argue that housing migrants on the barge in Portland Harbour was illegal because it breaches planning and equality laws. But Mr Justice Holgate ruled today that Mrs Parkes, a member of Portland Town Council and the mayor of Portland, did not have an arguable case. Mrs Parkes, who is from Liverpool, argued housing asylum seekers on the barge was a 'breach of planning control' and said there had not been 'compliance' with environmental impact assessment duties. She also argued Mrs Braverman had not complied with duties under the 2010 Equality Act. Carralyn Parkes (seen yesterday outside the High Court) had wanted to challenge the lawfulness of the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Harbour, Dorset Mrs Parkes's defeat in a court hearing today is a victory for Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary (seen meeting Jewish leaders in London earlier this week) Residents are set to return to the Bibby Stockholm after they had to leave when Legionella was found in the water supply Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman said Mrs Parkes's claims should be dismissed. They said the challenge was made to a decision taken in April to house 'destitute asylum seekers on a specially adapted' barge. READ MORE - Home Office lawyers tell Supreme Court there is 'strong public interest' for the Rwanda deportation scheme Advertisement They argued Mrs Parkes's claim was 'out of time', 'without merit' and said the judge should refuse to give permission for the challenge to proceed to a trial. Government lawyers said the local planning authority did not think planning permission was required. They also argued there was no 'general principle' that housing 'non-British asylum seekers' together on a vessel was 'unlawful' under a public sector equality duty. Mrs Parkes is represented by law firm DPG (Deighton Pierce Glynn). Lawyers said afterwards that they will consider their next steps. It comes as asylum seekers were told they will return to the Bibby Stockholm 'next week' after it was evacuated following the discovery of Legionella. The Home Office said all necessary tests have been completed on the floating vessel, which has been out of use since August after bacteria was found in the water supply. Letters are being sent to asylum seekers confirming their re-embarkation. It is understood no date has been given yet, but Home Office sources reportedly said it could be soon as next week. Stand Up To Racism activists mount a protest outside the High Court yesterday A range of meals will be served from the barge's canteen. Food is available 24 hours a day, including breakfast and a three-course lunch and dinner A photo of a TV room onboard the barge, which was previously used to house offshore workers There has been a major local backlash against the barge, with residents fearful over the impact the new arrivals will have on their community.They fear that already overstretched services such as GP surgeries will not be able to cope with the influx of 506 men, who will be able to come and go as they wish. Local people have also raised fears of an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour, risk to their personal safety and the impact on tourism. Opposition has also come from organisations including the Fire Brigades Union, which has warned over 'serious fire risks'. In response, Ms Braverman pointed out that the barge has been used as accommodation numerous times before. READ MORE - Rachel Reeves says the UK's reliance on cheap migrant workers has held back the country's productivity Advertisement 'I believe the barge is safe,' Ms Braverman told BBC Radio 4's Today programme in August. 'This barge has accommodated people in the past - asylum seekers, oil rig workers and barges of this kind have been used to accommodate asylum seekers, for example in Scotland, so I'm very confident that this barge is safe for human habitation. 'We followed all of the advice and protocols in anticipation of embarkation.' On the issue of asylum seekers returning to the Bibby Stockholm, a Home Office spokesman said today: 'The Home Office has started to send letters to asylum seekers to confirm the re-embarkation of the Bibby Stockholm and notify them that they will be accommodated on board, following the vessel completing all necessary tests. 'The letters confirm the next steps for asylum seekers and reiterate that all asylum accommodation continues to be offered on a no-choice basis. 'Delivering alternative accommodation sites, such as the vessel, is more affordable for taxpayers and more manageable for communities, due to healthcare and catering facilities on site, 24/7 security and the purpose-built safe accommodation they provide.' The barge is part of the Government's bid to reduce the 6million-a-day cost of placing 50,000 Channel migrants in hotels. Protesters in Portland in August holding placards reading 'Time to bin the barge' In one photo, two people holding a flag with the words 'No barge, stop the boats' could be seen stood next to a woman holding a placard with 'My outrage can't fit on this sign' written on it The government is facing a separate legal fight over its controversial scheme to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. The Government is challenging a Court of Appeal ruling from June that the multimillion-pound deal - which would see asylum seekers deported to the east African nation - was unlawful. Sir James Eadie KC, representing Suella Braverman's department, said the Government attached 'considerable importance' to its Rwanda deportation policy. The barrister said there was 'a serious and pressing need to take effective steps that will act as a deterrent to those undertaking the perilous and sometimes life-threatening journey, typically across the Channel, from a safe country'. He added that such journeys were often 'facilitated by people smugglers'. Sir James said there was a 'strong public interest in the legitimate, and indeed key, policy aim'. This is the moment a Just Stop Oil protester was filmed hurling a bucket of orange paint over the library of University College London just one day after similar stunts at Oxford and Exeter universities. A 'massive crowd' formed outside the building this afternoon as a young man used a fire extinguisher to spray orange paint up over its stone pillars. The clip shows activists cheering with delight as he squirts the neon paint high up the pillars, while two security staff attempt to restrain him. The young man then pulls off his jersey to reveals a T-shirt bearing the Just Stop Oil slogan, while demonstrators chant 'Just Stop Oil'. An eyewitness said the activist was shouting towards onlookers that oil is destroying the climate before security pulled him out of view. The young man used a fire extinguisher with a rubber hose attached to paint high up the pillars of University College London The young man pulled off his jersey to reveal a T-shirt bearing the Just Stop Oil slogan, while demonstrators chanted 'Just Stop Oil' An eyewitness said the activist was shouting towards onlookers that oil is destroying the climate before security pulled him out of view Just Stop Oil posted on X: 'University College London has just been painted orange by Arthur, a student who cannot stand by while our Government sells his future for profit' In Birmingham, a similar fiasco was underway this afternoon as Just Stop Oil activists splattered dollops of orange paint and hand prints over the university library A male demonstrator then staged a sit-down protest, sitting cross-legged beneath a Just Stop Oil banner in front of the university After the man was led away, a sign was laid out on the ground next to two buckets of orange paint which had been used in the stunt. In Birmingham, a similar fiasco was underway this afternoon as Just Stop Oil activists splattered dollops of orange paint and hand prints over the university library. A male demonstrator then staged a sit-down protest, sitting cross-legged beneath a Just Stop Oil banner in front of the university. Just Stop Oil posted on its X account: 'Harrison just chucked paint over a University of Birmingham faculty building, calling on university leaders to join students in civil resistance. Why? Because the UK Government is licensing new oil and gas.' Yesterday, the eco-activists targeted Exeter despite being invited by the university to hold their own stall at the freshers' fair taking place yesterday. The group converged on the Penny campus at the Devon site with orange paint at lunchtime on Tuesday. In the clip, a young bearded man dressed in a white 'Just Stop Oil' T-shirt can be seen carrying the bucket over to the building. Two fellow demonstrators film him up close as he crosses a zebra crossing and opens the bucket of neon paint. Activists begin cheering as the activist splashes paint across the wall in four heavy doses, before chanting in unison. The man then says to the camera: 'Our government is complicit in genocidal plans to licence over 100 fossil fuel projects. 'The projects are the betrayal of our generation. We know what new fossil fuels look like. It looks like death, famine and war. 'Young people have had enough. We can't stand by and watch this happen anymore. Inaction is a death sentence but together we can force change, it's what's happened countless times throughout history and if we come together and do what's necessary, then we too can create the change that we need.' A Just Stop Oil protester throws paint on the University of Exeter Penny campus The activist targeted the Penny building in the University of Exeter as the group continues their demands for no new oil projects. Yesterday at the university, the group gathered outside the glass facade of The Forum and staged a separate protest - with one man sitting on the roof while orange paint was thrown at the building. George Simonson, 23, a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Edinburgh, was responsible for the paint on the glass facade of 'The Forum' on the Exeter University campus. Simonson said: 'Studying engineering taught me that we already have the solutions to address the climate crisis, what we lack is the political will. The politicians have been bought, and educational institutions are absolutely complicit in allowing them to continue this genocide. 'Universities are accepting tens of millions in dirty money and letting the fossil fuel companies come to careers fairs to give out free pens. Students have a duty to step up and show teaching institutions we won't stand for it anymore.' A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: 'Police were called to Exeter University on Tuesday afternoon following reports of a male on the roof of a building, which was believed to be as part of a protest. 'Officers attended and arrested a male on suspicion of criminal damage. He has since been released on police bail.' Yesterday, the group targeted the Forum building of the University of Exeter with orange paint Yesterday at the university, the group gathered outside the glass facade of The Forum and staged a separate protest Just Stop Oil has described the spray painting of the building in Oxford city centre as 'resistance against the UK Government 's plans to license new oil and gas projects' Two protestors were arrested at the scene and had their orange paint seized by police The protests in Exeter broke out on the same day as another Just Stop Oil rally in Oxford, in which protesters filled fire extinguishers with orange paint before spraying it on the iconic library - which dates to the 18th century. Protestors Daniel Knorr, 21, and Noah Crane, 18, were later named as the activists responsible for the Oxford debacle. It comes following the arrest of five Just Stop Activists on October 4 after they hijacked a performance of Les Miserables in Londons West End. The crowd booed and jeered as eco-activists, holding the group's orange banner, clambered onto the stage at the Sondheim Theatre in Shaftesbury. One furious theatre-goer shouted: 'Get off you stupid people. How dare you.' Another yelled: 'You naughty people, you naughty people.' One man near the front of the audience snatched away one of the eco-protestors banners. The stage invasion occurred during the musical's famous protest song of Do You Hear The People Sing? which is often seen as a call to action and has been used all over the world in rebellions including the 2019 Jong Kong demonstrations. The protestors are calling on staff and students to join the protest group's march in London in November. Protestor Daniel Knorr, 21, said he was taking action to 'resist the destruction of my generation', while another said protesting 'gives me hope'. Both Knorr, a biochemistry student and Noah Crane, 18, a recent A-Level graduate, were pictured painting the historic Radcliffe Camera building. Air Canada grounded a pilot after social media sleuths revealed he posted a string of anti-Semitic messages across his various accounts, which have since been deleted. The outrage comes in the aftermath of Hamas's brutal assault on Israel last weekend. First Officer Mostafa Ezzo, who is based out of Montreal, even posted a photo showing him in his uniform with a Palestinian flag. Ezzo piloted a B787 aircraft. 'We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms,' Air Canada wrote in a post on X. In a recent post, Ezzo promoted a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Montreal which took place on Sunday, the day after Hamas's brutal assault on Israeli citizens began. 'F*** you Israel, burn in hell,' he added to the post. In other posts that have spread online, Ezzo referred to the Jewish state as a 'terorist [sic] state' as well as posting a photo showing him with a sign reading: 'Israel, Hitler is proud of you.' Air Canada acted, grounding Mostafa Ezzo, when his anti-Israel social media posts were made apparent 'Hitler is proud of you,' Izzo wrote on a placard he held at a rally Air Canada called Izzo's online activities' unacceptable' An Air Canada spokesperson told the Toronto Sun that the airline took the action 'because this individuals opinions and publications on social media do not represent Air Canadas views in any way.' 'This person has never been authorized to speak publicly while identifying themselves as an Air Canada employee,' he added. The Sun adds in its report that Jewish passengers had complained to Air Canada, saying that they would feel uncomfortable about flying with a pilot who was openly hostile to them. 'ALPA Canada, including the Air Canada pilot group, is aware of the situation and is incredibly saddened by the tragedies in the Middle East. We condemn all violence and hatred, and any promotion thereof. It is our firm expectation that all of our members abide by this principle and our professional code of ethics,' Airline Pilots Association Canada said in a statement regarding Ezzo. Ezzo is an Egyptian Canadian who attended flight school at the Egypt Aviation Academy where his roommate and best friend was fellow student, Mohamed Mamdouh. Mamdouh was the co-pilot on EgyptAir flight 804 that plunged into the Mediterranean Sea killing all on board in May 2016. An Air Canada spokesperson told the Toronto Sun that the airline took the action 'because this individuals opinions and publications on social media do not represent Air Canadas views in any way' Ezzo is an Egyptian Canadian who attended flight school at the Egypt Aviation Academy An investigation found that an on board fire caused the crash caused when one of the pilots began smoking a cigarette that caused a combustion when it was exposed to leaking oxygen. At the time writing, Air Canada has suspended flights into Tel Aviv due to the ongoing violence in the country. On Wednesday, airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Since then, militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. Tens of thousands of people designated as 'special interest aliens' have been detained at the U.S. southern border during the past two years, raising fresh worries about the threat of terrorists sneaking into the country. In all, more than 70,000 migrants have been picked up from countries of particular concern, according to leaked Custom and Border Protection data. They include 6,386 nationals from Afghanistan, where the Taliban took control in 2021 after a 20-year war, 659 people from Iran, which backs the terrorist group Hamas, and Syria, which is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. But the bulk come from NATO ally Turkey and the West African nation of Mauritania, which is battling extremist violence. The migrants were detained between ports of entry and do not include people who presented themselves at crossing points. Migrants can be arriving in the Tucson sector of Arizona. The daily number of crossers here can exceed 2000 people, including people from all around the world Nor is there any way of knowing how many were able to enter the country undetected. The numbers were obtained by Fox News reporter Bill Melugin. 'Border Patrol sources tell me they have extreme concerns about who is coming into the country because they have little to no way of vetting people from these special interest countries,' he said on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. 'I'm told unless they have committed a crime previously in the US, or they are on some sort of federal watchlist, there's no way to know who they are because most of their home countries don't share data/records with the US so there is nothing to match a name to when BP agents run fingerprints.' 'Special interest aliens' are defined by their country of origin, rather than accusations of intelligence about particular individuals. The term is used by federal agencies to refer to people coming from countries that have conditions that favor or harbor terrorism, or pose a potential national security threat. The result is a conundrum for U.S. authorities. Countries that are home to violent terrorist movements are also the countries with a population desperate to flee to safety. People arriving at the U.S. border included 13,624 people from the central Asian of Uzbekistan, which shares a frontier with Afghanistan, and which has supplied foreign fighters for other militant groups. The numbers underline how numbers have surged in general at the southern border. Fox News reporter Bill Melugin obtained the data from Border Patrol sources A surge in arrivals has caused New York to say that it is full, directing migrants to go elsewhere. This file photograph shows people waiting outside the Roosevelt hotel for beds Preliminary data last month recorded an estimated 210,000 apprehensions - the third highest number on record. September's tally is the highest since December 2022 when 222,000 migrants were apprehended, the second-highest monthly figure on record. The 2023 fiscal year, which concludes at the end of September, saw two million illegal migrants intercepted crossing the border, according to data seen by CBS News. That is the second highest annual figure on record. In the meantime, the Biden administration has reversed course on one of its main commitments. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security said it was waiving 26 federal laws to start building new sections Donald Trump's border wall. The Biden White House has consistently slammed Trump's tough migration policy and cancelled wall construction when President Joe Biden took office. James Cleverly ran for cover when air raid sirens sounded during a 'solidarity' visit to Israel. The Foreign Secretary had to be rushed to shelter in Ofakim, about 20 miles from Gaza, as he experienced the ongoing threat at first hand. Mr Cleverly said Britain's support for Israel is 'unwavering' as he arrived in the country following the Hamas attacks. While the King sent a message condemning the 'barbaric acts of terrorism', the minister met survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders. Video released by Israel's foreign ministry showed Mr Cleverly chatting with Rachel Adari, who managed to placate the fighters invading her home by offering them cookies and coffee during a 15-hour ordeal. Mr Cleverly said today that a 'significant number' of British-Israeli nationals had been caught up in the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. At least seventeen British nationals are currently feared dead or missing, the BBC reported - citing an official source. Previous estimates put the figure at 10. Meanwhile, British Airways said this afternoon that it has suspended flights to and from Israel because of safety concerns. James Cleverly had to be taken to shelter in Ofakim as he experienced the ongoing threat at first hand The Foreign Secretary met survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to underline the UK's solidarity Video released by Israel's foreign ministry showed Mr Cleverly chatting with Rachel Adari (right), who managed to placate the fighters who invaded her home by offering them cookies and coffee during a 15-hour ordeal Mr Cleverly tweeted to say that the UK's support for the Israeli people is 'unwavering' Today, Israeli forces conducted 250 airstrikes in just one hour across northern and eastern parts of the Gaza strip. Pictured is blast wreckage near the Jabalia refugee camp The UK and US governments have given firm backing to Benjamin Netanyahu's administration in the wake of the incursion by Palestinian terrorists A Buckingham Palace spokesman said that Charles is 'extremely concerned' about the situation. 'His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak. 'His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel.' Speaking to journalists during his visit, Mr Cleverly said Israel 'has a right to self defence' and try to 'regain those people who have been kidnapped'. 'What we do know is that Hamas habilitually embeds its military capabilities, its terrorist capabilities within civilian populations. 'What we want to see is as few casualties as possible.' Today, Israeli forces conducted 250 airstrikes in just one hour across northern and eastern parts of the Gaza strip. The UK and US governments have given firm backing to Benjamin Netanyahu's administration in the wake of the incursion by Palestinian terrorists. READ MORE - Brit confirms his brother was among those killed in Israel Advertisement Mr Cleverly's visit to Israel comes amid fears that the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, could escalate further. The UK Government has not confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamas's attack. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared dead. A post from Mr Darlington's sister Shelley on social media said he was 'murdered' at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Nathanel Young, from London, was serving in the 13th Battalion of the Israeli Defence Forces when he was killed on Saturday Bernard Cowan , who grew up around Glasgow, has also died in the conflict Jake Marlowe is among those missing after he had been working as a security guard at a music festival that was targeted by Hamas terrorists James Cleverly is seen in London this morning before he departed to the Middle East Mr Marlowe was providing security at the Supernova music festival in the desert near Kibbutz Re'im when the area was invaded by Hamas gunmen. Meanwhile, Brits who remain stuck in Israel have accused the Foreign Office of not doing enough to get them out. One London-based Jewish community leader revealed that he and his congregation have been forced to spend around 1 million paying for chartered flights back to the UK. READ MORE - Israel launches 250 airstrikes on Gaza in one hour Advertisement The FCDO has not yet said when or if it will send over planes to help repatriate them out of Israel. So far, only a single mass message has been sent out to all British citizens known to be in Israel, which reads: 'Our priority is to contact those who are in need of immediate consular assistance or who have reported missing friends or family. 'If you have reported a British family member or friend missing and still require information or assistance, please contact us. 'If you are in need of a UK travel document to leave Israel and have not been in touch with us already, please see information on our website.' Booking commercial flights back to the UK is incredibly difficult. While the airspace above Israeli and Palestinian territory has not been officially closed, airlines across the world have decided to suspend their flights from Israel en masse over safety concerns. EasyJet, WizzAir, Air France, Lufthansa and Emirates have all suspended their flights from Israel to British airports in the wake of erupting violence. Poolos alleges the network treated male employees differently despite 'far more egregious misconduct' Poolos alleges the network treated male employees differently despite 'far more egregious misconduct' She was fired when Collette Richards accused her of 'bullying' after she raised concerns about the quality of Richards's work, the suit claims A decorated producer on CBSs 60 Minutes is suing after she was fired over 'bullying' accusations - and she alleges the network turned a blind eye to 'far more egregious misconduct' by her male colleagues. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in New York federal court, Alexandra Poolos says the company terminated her in violation of her civil rights laws following 'false accusations' by an associate producer. These include breach of contract, violation of the New York Human Rights Law and Title VII. Poolos points to differences in how her firing was handled compared to several male producers and editors, who were sometimes offered second chances after facing allegations of inappropriate behavior. The producer's career as a journalism has spanned 25 years, with more than 10 of those spent at 60 Minutes. Alexandra Poolos claims CBS violated her civil rights in firing her after she was accused of bullying by an associate producer Collette Richards claimed Poolos bullied her after she raised concerns about the quality of her work and 'asked her to do her job,' the lawsuit alleges Poolos - who worked for 10 years on the network's 60 Minutes program - claims CBS excused misconduct at the hands of its male employees and exhibited a 'clear bias against women' During her tenure, Poolos produced several award-winning stories, including two Emmy winners in 2011 and one in 2014. She was promoted from associate producer to producer in 2018 - 'a rare achievement at 60 Minutes,' the suit claims. 'Poolos managed to succeed despite CBSs clear bias against women,' it says, claiming male employees 'ran the network and their shows in open defiance of anti-discrimination laws and CBS's own anti-discrimination policy, acting as if they were above the law.' As evidence, it cites Leslie Moonves's $30.5million payout to the New York Attorney General after the former CEO was accused of insider trading and concealing sexual assault allegations. The incident that sunk Poolos's career relates to another female producer, Collette Richards, who lodged allegations about Poolos 'being a bully' and 'not having boundaries.' Poolos began supervising Richards in 2020 and 'had good relationships with other associate producers she supervised' beforehand. The lawsuit accuses Richards of fabricating the bullying claims 'to conceal her own serious deficiencies, including her outright refusal to do her job.' The issue arose after Poolos raised complaints about Richards's performance, including significant errors in fact-checking and her resistance to constructive feedback. Poolos claims she attempted to raise concerns about Richards earlier, which CBS ignored. The issue came to a head when Richards requested time off during taping of an important segment in late December 2021. 'When Richards asked again to take the time off, which she had done several times, and Poolos said she could not because it would interfere with preparing the story for broadcast and addressing concerns post-broadcast, Richards became very upset,' the suit reads. She was ultimately given time off - but Poolos later found an error in her work. The lawsuit argues that Richards became upset when Poolos did not allow her to take time off in late December 2021. In the following months, she 'stopped working' Poolos has a journalism career spanning 25 years and was the recipient of several awards - including Emmys - for her production work on 60 Minutes The producer claims she faced harassment from other male colleagues like supervisor Shachar Bar-Or, who made comments about her body and joked about masturbation Upon returning, Richards began to complain that Poolos was not treating her well after Poolos asked for more diligent fact-checking. The suit claims Richards stopped working soon after and was unresponsive - even after Poolos offered additional support including longer deadlines. This 'insubordination,' the lawsuit alleges, jeopardized an important interview with an American hostage who had been recently released from a prison in Myanmar. Despite this, Poolos didn't immediately voice her concerns about Richards, as she worried CBS would take disciplinary action against the Associate Producer. She spoke to higher-ups who echoed her concerns about Richards's performance and agreed that her 'complaints against Poolos were baseless' in January 2022. A month later, around February 3, Poolos was informed that the network was firing her effective immediately She was pressured to resign, according to the lawsuit, but she declined to do so. Later that day, Poolos received a memorandum stating that CBS had fired her because she 'purportedly violated CBS policy by bullying Richards; by retaliating against Richards after she complained; by discussing Richardss complaints with others; and by not being truthful.' These claims, the suit alleges, are false. It argues CBS violated its own Non-Discrimination Policy by failing to take 'responsive actions' like training, warnings and demotion. 'Defendants took virtually no lesser steps before firing Poolos even though she had worked for defendants for 10 years without any incident,' it reads. Neeraj Khemlani, who recently stepped down as Co-President of the network, was accused of discriminating against people on a racial and gender basis, the lawsuit claims Another name mentioned is Charlie Rose, the former talk show host who was fired in 2017 after he was accused of sexual misconduct Poolos is not aware of CBS firing male employees 'based on a single complaint from a subordinate' and argues that the network owes her severance pay Moreover, compared to the bullying claims, male producers were doing far worse - including committing 'egregious misconduct.' Poolos is not aware of CBS firing male employees 'based on a single complaint from a subordinate about behavior that was not alleged to constitute unlawful discrimination or retaliation.' The suit draws a contrast between the network's treatment of Poolos and its lenient treatment of male employees like Neeraj Khemlani, who served as Co-President until this year - despite multiple complaints 'including discrimination against women and employees of color.' The suit alleges CBS had a history of 'shielding men from answering for their misconduct,' and that 'sexism and misogyny defined the workplace of CBS, including CBS News, over many years.' This included former CEO Moonves, who resigned in 2018 after accusations surfaced from at least 12 women; and former host Charlie Rose, who fired in 2017 over allegations of sexual misconduct. 'It was well-known that sexual harassment and other forms of sexism were commonplace at 60 Minutes during the period Don Hewitt...was the shows Executive Producer,' the suit continues, accusing him of firing on the basis of gender. Sexual harassment was 'commonplace' at 60 Minutes during the time Don Hewitt served as Executive Producer, the suit claims It also points a finger at Leslie Moonves, the network's former CEO who was ordered to pay $30.5 million for insider trading and concealing sexual assault allegations in 2022 The suit lists a slew of other producers and editors, citing alleged evidence of sexual misconduct. This includes Poolos's former supervisor, 60 Minutes Producer Shachar Bar-On, who 'emotionally abused and sexually harassed her for years.' Poolos was allegedly discouraged from raising complaints by the network, even after Bar-On commented on her body, talked about watching pornography and made jokes about masturbation, the suit claims. When Poolos spoke out about his behavior to a senior producer, that person excused his misconduct, 'threatened' Poolos and said she could transfer off the team. Bar-On still works for CBS. Poolos is asking for severance pay, arguing that she did not breach any part of her employment contract and the network fired her 'without cause.' The producer demands a trial by jury. MailOnline reached out to CBS for comment. The network previously declined to comment due to policy on pending litigation. A San Francisco woman who fell to her death from a building during a Blue Angels show has been identified as a 51-year-old glamorous art director. The city's Medical Examiner confirmed to the San Francisco Standard the woman who died after falling from the roof was Patricia Hamon. Officers responded to Van Ness Avenue between Chestnut and Francisco streets in the Russian Hill area of the city on Saturday and found Hamon after the fall. Hamon was known to her friends as Tricia O'Connor, and according to the outlet, had been at a Fleet Week party and Blue Angels airshow watch party when she tripped and fell to her death. 'Trishie was a bright light in our community, her passing is an unspeakable loss for all of us. Please seek support from one another as we grieve together,' a friend posted on social-media. The city's Medical Examiner confirmed to the San Francisco Standard that the woman who died after falling from the roof was Patricia Hamon, aka Tricia O'Connor Officers responded to Van Ness Avenue between Chestnut and Francisco streets in the Russian Hill area of the city where they found O'Connor suffering from her injuries O'Connor's ex-husband, Clark Hamon, told the The Standard he had been told she had tripped and fell from the roof. 'Love you always sweet Trishie,' Hamon wrote in a Facebook post. 'I'm sure you are smiling and dancing amongst the clouds. The world is missing some sunshine today...until the end of time.' Family friend Alix Rosenthal said in a public Facebook post: 'On behalf of the family and friends of Tricia O'Connor, I am sad to announce that Tricia suffered a fatal accident at a Blue Angels party on Saturday. 'We are still working on plans for a memorial, and will announce details as soon as we have them.' On social media, close friends started leaving tributes for O'Connor, with one person describing her as a 'bright light'. One person posted: 'Tricia's passing reminds us of life's unpredictability and the importance of cherishing each precious moment with our loved ones. 'Let us honor her memory by holding our dear ones a little closer, expressing our love more often, and being present in every interaction. 'Tricia's unconditional presence and legacy of love, acceptance, and the joy she brought to our lives will forever guide us.' According to her social media profiles, O'Connor worked as a Senior Art Director for Publicis Sapient, a business management consultancy Fleet Week SF Nothing like it. Appreciate what we have here. Celebrate and enjoy every moment. Life is precious. #fleetweek #blueangels #sf pic.twitter.com/bAipRWtsfX djsenseix (@djsenseix) October 8, 2023 The post continued: 'A bright light has gone out and the world is a little bit dimmer with her passing. RIP Tricia O'Connor we will miss you.' Another commented: 'No words. Our community lost a beautiful bright light. I cant wrap my head around this. 'May we all be a little more kind and soft to one another.' One other said: 'I feel so lucky to have met you in this life. You will always be in my heart.' According to her social media profiles, Hamon worked as a Senior Art Director for Publicis Sapient, a business management consultancy. On social media, close friends started leaving tributes for O'Connor, with one person describing her as a 'bright light' Friends have also started an online photo album and have started contributing memories and pictures of Hamon. The San Francisco fleet week is held annually between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Presented by United Airlines, it attracts fans from across the globe and is headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and is the only air show in the US with a commercial plane involved. O'Connor was watching the show from a residential block where none of the buildings are more than five stories tall. It's unclear the exact building she fell from. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A man who was sentenced to unpaid work after being convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl has had his conviction quashed because 'mistakes' were made during his trial. Sean Hogg, 22, smirked as he left court after being told he would not be subject to a retrial following his acquittal. Hogg was convicted of raping the 13-year-old on various occasions between March and June 2018, when he was aged 17. He was spared jail by Judge Lord Lake at Glasgow's High Court in April and was instead given 270 hours of unpaid work. However the judge said that, had Hogg been over 25, he would have been sentenced to four or five years behind bars. Under new court guidance in Scotland, criminals under the age of 25 are treated more leniently because of their alleged brain immaturity. At Hogg's sentencing, Lord Lake said that he had considered the guidelines. Hogg claimed he was wrongfully convicted of the attacks in Dalkeith Park, Midlothian, and appealed. Judges at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh have now quashed his conviction after prosecutors admitted 'mistakes were made'. The complainant's lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said his client was 'devastated' and added: 'As far as she is concerned, she came forward. She told the truth. She spoke up.' Sean Hogg, 22, smirked as he left court after being told he would not be subject to a retrial following his acquittal Hogg was spared jail by Judge Lord Lake at the High Court in Glasgow in April and was given 270 hours of unpaid work In court today, Judge Lady Dorrian said: 'There was an insufficiency of evidence for conviction. 'The appeal must succeed.' Hogg's lawyer, Donald Findlay, KC, told judges Lady Dorrian, Lord Matthews and Lord Pentland at the Court of Criminal Appeal that his client had been being wrongly convicted. Mr Findlay said Lord Lake did not properly follow the correct legal procedures used in Scotland to establish the guilt of a rapist. The defence lawyer told the court that the complainant whose evidence led to Hogg's conviction had to have her account corroborated. Mr Findlay said Lord Lake told jurors in his legal directions that the complainant's evidence could be corroborated by an account of a man who said that she appeared 'distressed' following the incident which led to Hogg's conviction. The lawyer told the court that it was wrong for Lord Lake to have told the jurors this. He said the witness's account of 'distress' could not corroborate the complainant's account. Mr Findlay said: 'My submission is that the jury were misdirected by the trial judge and it pains me to say this but there has been a very significant miscarriage of justice at the hands of the judge.' Sean Hogg (pictured) was placed on a community payback order earlier this year after he was convicted of raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC said: 'It is not in the public interest to seek a new prosecution.' After the hearing, Ms Charteris added: 'I know the complainer's experience of the criminal justice system has been very difficult. I have offered to meet with her and her family if that would be helpful to them. 'The Crown will seek to learn any lessons it can from this case as we continue work to transform the way we prosecute sexual offences.' The Crown Office had planned to challenge the 'unduly lenient' sentence, if the appeal against conviction had not succeeded. In a previous hearing, both the advocate depute and the trial judge were identified as having failed to push for more detail or issue adequate directions to the jury. Mr Findlay told that hearing: 'There has been a miscarriage of justice.' Jurors heard at Hogg's trial that he was 17 when he attacked the 13-year-old schoolgirl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Court papers state that Hogg attacked her on various occasions between March and June 2018 and also threatened her, seized her by the wrists and raped her. Hogg's lawyer, Donald Findlay, KC, told judges Lady Dorrian, Lord Matthews and Lord Pentland at the Court of Criminal Appeal that his client had been being wrongly convicted As well as being ordered to carry out unpaid work, Hogg was put under supervision and placed on the sex offenders' register for three years. On sentencing Hogg, Lord Lake said: 'Rape is one of the most serious crimes and that is why it is tried at the High Court. Why was Sean Hogg allowed to avoid jail? Sean Hogg was allowed to dodge jail despite being convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl because of new sentencing guidelines. In Scotland criminals under the age of 25 are treated more leniently because of their alleged brain immaturity. The guidelines came into effect in January 2022. The Scottish Sentencing Council recommended a more 'individualistic approach' should be taken, looking into a perpetrator's life experiences. It said the changes would help reduce reoffending, focusing on rehabilitation instead of punishment. Hogg was convicted of raping the young girl between March and June 2018, when he was 17. He was spared by Judge Lord Lake at Glasgow's High Court in April. Instead he was handed 270 hours of unpaid work. But the judge stressed that if he had been over 25 he would have been sent to jail for four to five years. Advertisement 'Looking at the circumstances, her age and vulnerabilities are aggravating factors. For the level of seriousness, I have to consider your liability and have regard to your age as a factor. 'This offence, if committed by an adult over 25, you attract a sentence of four or five years. 'I don't consider that appropriate and don't intend to send you to prison. You are a first offender with no previous history of prison; you are 21 and were 17 at the time. Prison does not lead me to believe this will contribute to your rehabilitation.' Prosecutor Ruth Charteris, KC, told the court the Crown believed that there was enough evidence to allow it to maintain Hogg's conviction. If the appeal judges rule against Hogg, then the Crown will make submissions to the court about his sentence being unduly lenient. Lady Dorrian said: 'We will take our time to consider the issues in this case and we will issue our decision in writing in due course.' Speaking after Hogg's conviction was quashed today, his accuser said she now has 'no hope of closure'. She also urged the Scottish Government not to introduce juryless rape trials, as is under consideration. Her solicitor Aamer Anwar said she felt the police investigation had been 'robust', but criticised the trial judge's actions as 'prejudicial to the defence'. He said: 'When she went to the police, she had a hope for justice. When the jury returned a verdict of guilty, she thought finally she could move on with her life. 'Whilst she appreciates that senior judges have come to this decision after very careful consideration, nonetheless that does not take away from her feeling of devastation and knowing that there is no hope of closure. 'My client will remain ever grateful to the police who carried out a robust investigation, and wishes to thank the jury for doing their duty. 'My client has a question for the judiciary, the Government, and the Lord Advocate. She asks, is there anyone who will say that it was never the intention of sentencing guidelines for under 25s to mean convicted rapists could escape imprisonment?' Mr Anwar said the family of the complainant said her life had been 'turned back six years' to when she was 13, and also felt they were 'left in the dark' by the Crown Office, which has pledged to learn lessons from case. Mr Anwar added: 'My client believes in jury trials for rape. She feels that 15 ordinary men and women are best placed to decide innocence or guilt. 'To conclude, it is important for my client that at court today and in my meeting after court with the Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC, the Crown did not renounce the right to prosecute should new evidence become available.' The Washington Post plans to cut 240 jobs to offset waning digital numbers. Confirmed Tuesday, the plan will see the paper lose almost 10 percent of its workforce - their second staff reduction this year. Patty Stonesifer, the publication's interim chief executive officer, said she hopes to carry out the initiative through voluntary buyouts - which at a meeting Wednesday she said would be 'evenly distributed.' 'Journalism functions are planned to account for "about half the burden,"' the Amazon board member added, alluding to how the paper's news and opinion desks will be affected. The abrupt announcement comes toward the end of a tough year for the media industry, with publications like CNN, The Los Angeles Times, and NPR all engaging in layoffs, often to account for falling online subscription and advertising revenue. In a companywide email, Stonesifer said the Post - owned by Jeff Bezos - is no different, months after the sudden resignation of longtime CEO Fred Ryan in June. The Washington Post plans to cut 240 jobs to offset waning digital numbers, an email sent to staff Tuesday confirmed Bezos bought the paper for $250 million about a decade ago, and has previously said he wants the venture to be 'profitable' Ryan, a former Reagan aide who was also the paper's publisher, has faced blame for much of the Post's troubles, which Stonesifer said Tuesday she is seeking to right. Calling the situation 'urgent,' the Amazon board member enlisted by Bezos earlier this year wrote how the cut will hopefully 'return our business to a healthier place in the coming year.' 'Our prior projections for traffic, subscriptions and advertising growth for the past two years - and into 2024 - have been overly optimistic,' she said a little over three months into her temporary tenure. 'The urgent need to invest in our top growth priorities brought us to the difficult conclusion that we need to adjust our cost structure now.' The former Microsoft exec went on to clarify how the company is looking to avoid layoffs through the use of buyouts. In January, the company cut 20 roles using layoffs - a move that the paper this time is working to avoid. 'To be clear, we designed this program to reduce our workforce by approximately 240 employees in the hopes of averting more difficult actions such as layoffs a situation we are united in trying to avoid,' Stonesifer insisted. She said the billionaire-owned outlet will offer 'a voluntary separation package' as an incentive and that the amounts gifted will be 'generous.' She did not say which roles will be cut - with the last layoff only affecting Post journalists - but confirmed that more than 240 people would be offered the packages, but that only 240 would receive them. Patty Stonesifer, the Amazon board member enlisted Bezos to head the paper earlier this year, said she hopes to carry out the initiative through voluntary buyouts offered this week Stonesifer replaced former Post boss Fred Ryan as the company's top exec in June, after the paper's longtime publisher faced criticism for falling online subscription and ad revenue. The former Reagan aide, who joined the paper in 2014, is seen here in May weeks before his ouster 'Acceptances will be capped at approximately 240 people,' it states, before adding that if acceptances outweigh the amount, the packages will be doled out by seniority - without specifying whether the roles will be confined to the newsroom. Currently, the DC-headquartered company has about 2,600 employees spread across its umbrella - with a little over 1,000 working on the editorial side. Bezos, who paid $250 million for the famously left-wing newspaper in 2013, has previously said he wants to keep the venture profitable - a desire that recently has become at risk of becoming unrealized. Currently, The Post - as is the case with countless other publications - is fighting a stark did in subscriber numbers, namely for its digital edition. The site's all-access plan - the only way to view the online paper for the past decade - costs $4 a month, while a relatively recent promotion offers readers a deal for $40 for their first year, and $120 thereafter. Still, online readership had declined in recent years - now at about 2.5 million subscribers from a high of 3million at the end of 2020. Sally Buzbee, the paper's executive editor, was brought on by Bezos back in 2021, and reportedly experienced tension with publisher Ryan prior to his sudden resignation Simultaneously, The Post has struggled with an industrywide decline in digital advertising - a phenomenon that has been felt since the second half of 2022. Experts blame the dip on an array brand and retail clients pulling back on digital marketing, as stubborn inflation continues to affect consumer spending. Ryan, meanwhile, left in June after questions arose over his handling of the newspaper's finances. In the 10am meeting Wednesday, Stonesifer cited some astounding numbers involving the paper's bottom line - including how its overall audience is down this year by 28 percent. Digital subscriptions, she said, are down 15 percent, and Print revenue another 10 percent. Digital ads, meanwhile, have dipped 30 percent. 'This is a really good business that we overshot on our expenses,' she reportedly told staffers who attended both in person and on Zoom, as she laid bare the terms of the looming cuts. 'This is a really good business that we overshot on our expenses,' the former Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation boss reportedly told staffers who attended both in person and on Zoom, as she laid bare the terms of the looming cuts Experts blame the dip on an array brand and retail clients pulling back on digital marketing, as stubborn inflation continues to affect consumer spending Ryan stepped down in June amid tensions over then looming job cuts, after announcing layoffs at a tense town hall late last year. He eventually stormed off as staffers shouted a flurry of questions During what was supposed to be an hour-long meeting, Ryan blamed the cuts on the country's economic conditions. He resigned six months later During Ryan's tenure - which began a year before Bezos's purchase - The Post experienced pronounced growth for five years, doubling in size and seeing a flurry of new subscriptions. That success, for the most part, continued until about a year into the pandemic, when traffic to news sites started to diminish following the 2020 election cycle. At the time - and in the span since - many Americans 'have struggled financially, leading to a dip in purchases. Digital publications like the Post's subscriber count have suffered as a result. In January, the paper - which after the 2016 election changed its slogan to Democracy Dies in Darkness - parted ways with its preeminent Sunday magazine, as well as a handful of jobs elsewhere in the company. Ryan then stepped down amid tensions over then looming job cuts, after announcing layoffs at a tense town hall late last year. During what was supposed to be an hour-long meeting, Ryan blamed the cuts on the country's economic conditions, all while concerned employees shouted questions. Eventually, Ryan stormed off - before resigning about six months later. Stonesifer, a longtime friend of Bezos, then agreed to step in, after a stint as CEO at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Sally Buzbee, the paper's executive editor, was brought on by Bezos back in 2021, and reportedly experienced tension with publisher Ryan prior to his sudden departure. When asked whether Bezos was paying attention when the Post made the unrealistic projections, Stonesifer reportedly answered: 'Where was Jeff? Honestly, again, I don't know...He trusts his leaders to lead - perhaps trusting longer than you would.' She also said she and other execs have a plan that will see the company get back to 3million - and eventually 3.5million - subscribers. Three days after Hamas terrorists opened fire on Israel, and an hour and a half after he'd been expected to address the nation, President Biden emerged on Tuesday. Certainly, he mouthed the right words. That America stands with Israel. That he condemns anti-Semitism and the pure, unadulterated evil of Hamas the butchered parents, the beheaded babies. And that he has ordered Congress to consider urgent action and financial support for our beleaguered ally in the Middle East. But still, there are so many questions. Not least: Why did Hamas feel bold enough to invade Israeli territory with such unashamed brutality in the first place? And why was Israel and seemingly all of the Western world caught napping? Of course, every life lost is the fault of the Hamas savages along with their backers, including Iran and Russia. Three days after Hamas terrorists opened fire on Israel, and an hour and a half after he'd been expected to address the nation, President Biden emerged on Tuesday. Certainly, he mouthed the right words. But there are still so many questions. Hamas chose the time the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah and the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War as well as the targets, and the sickening methods of murder, rape, torture, and terror used against women, children, the elderly, and defenseless civilians at a music festival. Hamas has also given Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu no choice but to fight back. But as the most powerful nation on Earth, the self-appointed Peacekeeper-in- Chief we cannot shy away from our own role in all this, too. Heres a hard truth: If you want to understand why the past two years have seen Ukraine and now Israel fighting for their very survival with Taiwan wondering if its next you must look to Joe Biden. Whos afraid of old Joe? Our 80-year-old President can barely walk across a stage or complete a sentence, let alone project strength on the global stage. Hes invisible before 10 am, after 4 pm, or on weekends. And dont dare ask him to get up from his beach lounger during an international crisis. Biden has a long rap sheet of foreign-policy weakness. In early 1975, he was a leading voice in the Senate for abandoning South Vietnam. Im getting sick and tired of hearing about morality, our moral obligation [to send aid], he said. Weeks later Saigon was overrun, and Cambodia descended into genocide. Of course, every life lost is the fault of the Hamas savages along with their backers, including Iran and Russia. But, as the most powerful nation on Earth, we cannot shy away from our own role in all this, too. (Pictured: Israeli soldiers salvage bodies after Hamas attacks). Heres a hard truth: If you want to understand why the past two years have seen Ukraine and now Israel fighting for their very survival, with Taiwan wondering if its next, you must look to Joe Biden. He has a long rap sheet of foreign-policy weakness. (Pictured: Missile explosion in Gaza). In 1987 the year Biden first ran for president he attacked the Reagan Doctrine for being too confrontational with Soviet Russia two weeks before the then presidents famous speech calling on Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. We all know who won that one. In 1991, Biden voted against the Gulf War to force Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait after Iraq invaded. Then in 2010, as vice president, he oversaw and fiercely championed Americas drawdown of troops in Iraq which directly led to the handover of the country to ISIS. In 2011, he opposed the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, telling Barack Obama it was too risky. And during the 2012 campaign, Biden mocked Mitt Romneys Cold War mindset when the Republican presidential candidate tried to warn about the threat posed by Vladimir Putin, who had by then already hosted the leaders of Hamas at the Kremlin. Once in the Oval Office, Bidens judgement got no better instead our Commander-in-Chief has emboldened Americas enemies at every turn. Worst of all: Afghanistan. Biden didnt just insist on our withdrawal in 2021, he made false promises that the Afghan army would be fine on its own. He then rushed the timetable to meet a symbolically bizarre September 11 deadline, left over $7 billion of weapons behind for the free taking by terrorists, abandoned brave Afghanis who had fought shoulder-to-shoulder with America, allowed 13 of our own troops to die and let the country fall to the Taliban in a matter of hours. On Saturday, the Taliban and Islamist extremists alike celebrated Hamas murderous attacks. Once in the Oval Office, Bidens judgement got no better. Instead our Commander-in-Chief has emboldened Americas enemies at every turn. Worst of all: Afghanistan. (Pictured: US Marine grabs infant over a fence at Kabul airport in August 2021, as the city fell to the Taliban). Yet when war loomed in Ukraine early last year, it was again Biden who questioned whether NATO might not take action if Putin committed only a minor incursion. If the bloodthirsty Russian despot had been waiting for a ringing endorsement of his planned invasion, there it was. During his presidency, Donald Trump tried to isolate Iran, while building ties between Israel and its neighboring Arab states. Biden came into office determined to do the opposite. He set about reviving Obamas Iran Deal, which involved the U.S. sending cash to Iranian mullahs in exchange for promises to not develop nuclear weapons. In August, Biden unfroze $6 billion in Iranian oil money to ensure the return of five American hostages. Or put it this way: Hes bankrolling the government that has long been the main source of funding for Hamas. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei spent his weekend bragging on Twitter. Above a video of young Israelis running for their lives from Nova festival as terrorists hunted them with guns on Saturday, he wrote: God willing, the cancer of the usurper Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region. You paid for that, Joe. Biden has also demonstrated his impotence with the Saudis. Despite pledging to punish Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for the murder of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, Biden skipped along cap-in-hand to meet the tyrant last year, begging for help amid spiraling gas prices at home. Biden has also set about reviving Obamas Iran Deal. In August, he unfroze $6 billion in Iranian oil money to ensure the return of five American hostages. Or put it this way: Hes bankrolling the government that has long been the main source of funding for Hamas. (Pictured: Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei). Biden has also demonstrated his impotence with the Saudis. Despite pledging to punish Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (pictured) for the murder of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, Biden skipped along cap-in-hand to meet the tyrant last year, begging for help amid spiraling gas prices at home. And then theres China. In recent months all of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry have travelled to Beijing in a bid to thaw Sino-American tensions. President Xi Jinping can smell Bidens pathetic prostration. He certainly saw how Joe blinked when China sent spy balloons into American airspace; our President dismissing that clear act of aggression as silly. Xi must wonder if hell be treated with the same lenience when he eventually invades Taiwan. Meanwhile, when Biden met three weeks ago with Prime Minister Netanyahu, he lectured him about democracy following Israels efforts to reduce the power of its unelected supreme court over its elected parliament. When news of Saturdays invasion broke, the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs published a tweet urging all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks'. Secretary Blinken wrote in support of a ceasefire. Both tweets have since been deleted. But Blinken Bidens keen accomplice on both the Iran deal and the Afghanistan withdrawal wasnt done. And then theres China. President Xi Jinping (pictured) can smell Bidens pathetic prostration. He certainly saw how Joe blinked when China sent spy balloons into American airspace; our President dismissing that clear act of aggression as silly. Xi must wonder if hell be treated with the same lenience when he eventually invades Taiwan. He confidently told CNN on Sunday that we have not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack. Hours later authoritative newspaper reports emerged of Irans patent involvement in planning the attacks arming and even training Hamas. In 2009, Obama told Congress he was putting Biden in charge of overseeing government stimulus funds because nobody messes with Joe. Today, nobody is afraid of our pusillanimous president and Israel is paying for that in blood. ExxonMobil has bought a rival for $60billion in stock, just days after its married head of shale oil was arrested at a hotel in Texas on sexual assault charges. The oil and gas corporation has acquired Pioneer Natural Rescources in an all-stock transaction valued at $59.5 billion, or the equivalent of $253 per share. The announcement comes just days after David Scott, 49, the head of Exxon's shale oil business, was reported to police by one of two women he was with at La Quinta Inn & Suites hotel in Magnolia, Texas. As a senior vice president of its shale operations, he would not necessarily be involved in merger talks, a person familiar with the matter said. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Pioneer shareholders will receive 2.3234 shares of ExxonMobil for each Pioneer share at closing. A press release said: 'The implied total enterprise value of the transaction, including net debt, is approximately $64.5 billion.' Married ExxonMobil boss David Scott, 49, has been accused of sexual assault by one of two women he was at a hotel with last week Pioneer, who has more than 850,000 net acres in the Midland Basin to extract natural gas, will combine their assets with ExxonMobil's 570,000 net acres in Delaware and the Midland Basin - bringing the number of equivalent barrels of oil they will have to 16 billion. ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said: 'Pioneer is a clear leader in the Permian with a unique asset base and people with deep industry knowledge. 'The combined capabilities of our two companies will provide long-term value creation well in excess of what either company is capable of doing on a standalone basis. 'Their tier-one acreage is highly contiguous, allowing for greater opportunities to deploy our technologies, delivering operating and capital efficiency as well as significantly increasing production. 'As importantly, as we look to combine our companies, we bring together environmental best-practices that will lower our environmental footprint and plan to accelerate Pioneer's net-zero plan from 2050 to 2035.' Pioneer, who has more than 850,000 net acres in the Midland Basin to extract natural gas, will combine their assets with ExxonMobil's 570,000 net acres in Delaware and the Midland Basin - bringing the number of equivalent barrels of oil they will have to 16 billion (stock image) Under the terms of the merger agreement, Pioneer shareholders will receive 2.3234 shares of ExxonMobil for each Pioneer share at closing Pioneer Chief Executive Officer Scott Sheffield added: 'The combination of ExxonMobil and Pioneer creates a diversified energy company with the largest footprint of high-return wells in the Permian Basin. 'As part of a global enterprise, Pioneer, our shareholders and our employees will be better positioned for long-term success through a size and scale that spans the globe and offers diversity through product and exposure to the full energy value chain. 'The consolidated company will maintain its leadership position, driving further efficiencies through the combination of our adjacent, contiguous acreage in the Midland Basin and our highly talented employee base, with the improved ability to deliver durable returns, creating tangible value for shareholders for decades to come.' David Scott, the married senior vice president, was picked up by cops at the $109-a-night hotel, near his company's headquarters in Spring, on Thursday morning. Scott has been at ExxonMobil for 26 years and is currently in the middle of a billion dollar merger deal with a rival company Scott was arrested at the $109-a-night La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham around 30 minutes from his company's headquarter in Spring, Texas The arrest came after one of the women left the room and called police from the lobby, a hotel worker who saw a security video told Reuters. Now ExxonMobil has revealed to DailyMail.com he has been suspended pending the criminal probe. A company spokeswoman said: 'All ExxonMobil employees, officers and directors are accountable for observing the highest standards of integrity and code of conduct in support of the Company's business and otherwise. 'We are aware of the allegations and cannot comment on a personal matter; however, we can say that this individual will not continue work responsibilities as the investigation proceeds. ' Scott's LinkedIn profile shows he has been with Exxon for more than 26 years and has been involved in some of its most important oil and gas projects around the world. A New York City mother whose daughter was among the hundreds slaughtered by Hamas at the music festival in Israel this weekend has warned that the terrorists will 'come for Americans once they're finished with Jews' - as more US victims of the conflict are named. Oriya Ricardo, 26, was gunned down on Saturday at the Supernova festival along with more than 250 others. Her body was identified yesterday, after an agonizing three-day wait for her family. Her New York City-resident mother, Hannie, appeared on MSNBC last night to pay tribute to her. 'It's pretty hard to speak about her. She was as her name is, light, she brought light everywhere she came. 'A very happy girl, loved to party, was always the center of everything. She was the source of power of my life. Oriya Ricardo, 26, was gunned down on Saturday at the Supernova festival along with more than 250 others 'A very happy girl, loved to party, was always the center of everything. She was the source of power of my life,' Oriya's mother said on Tuesday after learning her body had been identified 'I need to speak about her and for her and for all those 1,200 young people that massacred by the Hamas. They have not a bit of humanity in them. These kids went to dance and these kids, these parties are peace people. They all fight for peace. 'Now, they are gone, and among them my youngest daughter,' she said. The State Department yesterday confirmed that 14 US citizens were among the casualties of the conflict so far. Another 20, at least, are unaccounted for. Some have been taken hostage by Hamas and are feared now to be in Gaza. Many are dual US-Israeli citizens, including young men who died fighting in the IDF. Speaking to DailyMail.com today, a Long Island Israeli woman who gave her name as Lior said her son, who she does not want to name, is fighting with the IDF as a parashooter. 'I am heartbroken. We have gone through horrible days. I am scared for our children. 'My son is a lone soldier to protect the people of Israel by choice and it is not easy because right now he is a fighter a para-shooter and just lost friends and a commander,' she said. Her mother, Hannie Ricardo, appeared on Joy Reid's MSNBC show on Tuesday night to share her horror with Hamas 'I have a cousin who got shot at the party and his wife Sharon is still missing. And nobody knows where she is. Everybody is sad and everybody is upset and we don't deserve that,' she added. Another New Yorker, who did not wish to be named, said her cousin was among those murdered. The woman explained: ''One of my cousins - they just found his body. He was executed. They couldn't find him, but finally found him. Today was his funeral. 'We all know someone who is either missing or killed. He left behind two kids- two little girls. He went with his girlfriend. I don't know if she survived.' They include Itay Glisko, 20, from Paramus, New Jersey and 21-year-old Roey Weiser. Utah native Lotan Abir, 24, was also killed while attending the music festival. Omer Neutra is also missing in Israel. The teenager is from Long Island Laor Abramov, 20, is missing as is 19-year-old Edan Alexander. Both are US-Israeli citizens serving in the IDF Twenty-year-old Laor Abramov from New Jersey is also missing. His family has not heard from him since he called them from a bomb shelter on Saturday. Edan Alexander, 19, is also missing. The teenager is serving in the IDF. Their names join a growing list of Americans who remain unaccounted for. Yesterday, the families of others held a press conference in Tel Aviv begging the Biden administration and the Israeli government for help. In her interview on MSNBC, Hannie said the US - and the world - must display a united front against Hamas. 'Every dollar you give to Hamas, every dollar you put there, goes for terror. It doesn't go to the poor Arab people that live in Gaza. They could have turned this place into paradise if they'd invest the billions they got from EU and other organizations. 'If they invested it into the people of Gaza instead of bombs and focusing on how to get rid of as many Jews, Israeli as possible, there might have been peace. The only thing I can compare these monsters, these inhuman beings are the Nazis. 'The same kind of people. The world needs to know and the world needs to fight them. Daniel Ben Senior, 34, was working at Nova festival on Saturday when Hamas militants attacked Adrienne Neta, 66, is also missing. She is a nurse and midwife who moved to Israel from California in 1981 Natalie Ranaan was visiting family for the High Holidays with her mother, Judith, when the assault began on Saturday. Since then, relatives have not heard from either woman Judith Raanan was also taken hostage along with her daughter. Their family in Illinois has not heard from them since Saturday Hersh Golberg-Polin, 23, texted his mother and father 'I love you. Im sorry' at 8.11am on Saturday - as Palestinian militants declared war on Israel, took dozens of people as hostage and killed hundreds during the Jewish high holiday Itay Glisko's family confirmed he was killed in action 'I know Israel bombed Gaza, but we never start. We always respond. I feel for these Palestinians. I feel for them but they are hostages in the hands of Hamas and Iran and all of these terrorists. 'They have no other focus in life other than kill as many as possible. When they're done with the Jews they will come for the Americans. They did it already in 9/11. 'This massacre is our 9/11,' she said. Another mother whose sons have been abducted fumed at MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell for asking her what she thought of Israel's retaliatory strikes. 'I cant be sympathetic anymore. I cant be sympathetic to animal human beings well, theyre not really human beings who came into my house, broke everything, stole everything, took my children from their bedrooms and took them to the Gaza Strip,' Renana Gomeh said. Her two sons, aged 12 and 16, were kidnapped from their home on Saturday. The Biden administration has vowed unreserved support of Israel as it mounts its defense against Saturday's attack. Roey Weiser, 21, an Israeli-American soldier who saved the lives of 12 of his comrades after being attacked by terrorists at his base on Saturday Lotan Abir, 24, an Israeli-native had just moved to Utah in 2022 to further his music career Passengers were kept on the tarmac for almost five hours as the plane was assessed for damage Two 'erratic' turns triggered waves of turbulence with little warning What was supposed to be a 10-hour direct flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles turned into a nightmare for United passengers who got stuck on the tarmac in Montreal for almost five hours after their aircraft was forced to make a sudden course change and landing. Fight UA935 from London was dramatically rerouted to Canada after a traveler suffered a medical event over the Atlantic Ocean. The diversion saw the plane perform two 'erratic' turns, causing significant turbulence as it changed course. Once in Montreal, paramedics removed the unwell traveler from the plane, leaving passengers to endure five hours with intermittent power and little food and water as the aircraft was assessed for damage following its abrupt change of course. 'The turbulence was ridiculous. It was so erratic. Definitely the roughest I have ever experienced,' one passenger exclusively told DailyMail.com. Two 'erratic' turns triggered waves of turbulence with little warning Passengers had to sit in darkness for almost five hours with climbing temperatures and little food available Passengers were asked to disembark at Chicago airport, clear customs and then board a new plane to LAX But their woes didn't stop there - once the plane was cleared to continue, the flight was then sent to Chicago, where passengers were asked to disembark, clear customs and then board another flight. They are currently on their way to Los Angeles and are expected to land within the next couple of hours. A passenger said they first realized something was wrong when flight staff called for help to assist someone in need. 'They did an urgent call over the intercom way over the Atlantic if there are any doctors, nurses or any type of medics on board,' he explained. It was decided the passenger needed attention - though the illness was not revealed - quickly and the plane was rerouted to Montreal, but to adjust course, the plane performed two 'erratic' turns, causing the plane to 'violently' jolt. The passenger said it felt like an earthquake, leaving people 'very, very on edge.' The flier said there was little warning, with air stewardesses ordering everyone to remain calm in their seats with their belts fastened as they took to their landing positions with just a minute to spare before it turned bad. Montreal paramedics got the ill passenger off when they landed. However, the remaining travelers were left stranded on the tarmac in Montreal for almost five hours as the plane was checked. The passenger told DailyMail.com there was no power on the tarmac, except for intermittent bursts of light lasting minutes 'here and there'. 'The hostesses had to get the life jackets, wear them and stand at each exit and activate the torch so we were able to see,' he said. He said 'it felt like a sauna' on the plane. Although passengers felt 'frustrated and hot', he said people were mostly just focused on getting to their final destination. Another passenger took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say: 'Flight UA935 sitting on tarmac in Montreal for 4+ hours!!!' Temperatures began to climb as travelers sat in darkness with no power while their plane was checked over Passengers seen waiting on the plane ahead of take off to Chicago The plane is now heading to LAX and has been delayed more than 12 hours According to United's Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan, the airline will not permit a plane to remain on the tarmac for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane unless there are specific circumstances. The passenger says they were eventually given the option to disembark, but allege they were told by Canadian officials they would be detained for two weeks. 'Because it's illegal to keep us on the tarmac for more than four hours, we were offered to disembark however if we did, we would not be allowed back on the plane. 'If we didn't have the right documents then we could be stuck in Canada and/or detained for 2 weeks,' a passenger claimed. 'Canadian authorities said that over the intercom on the plane too. Basically Canada wanted nothing to do with us.' United's guidelines also state passengers will be provided with 'adequate food and drinking water' however the passenger says there were little options for travelers while they waited. '[The airline was] totally unprepared,' he said. 'The worse part of it all was the near five hours on the tarmac with nil information and Canada not letting us off. That is what frustrated everyone.' He added passengers were getting hungry after being provided a full dinner meal about two-and-a-half hours into the first flight. For the the duration, another seven hours in the air plus five more on the tarmac and another two hours for the flight to Chicago, there was only 'small snacks' of biscuits and mini chocolate bars. 'We just stayed on the plane until techs managed to fix it but the plane was only capable to fly to Chicago.' The plane is expected to land in Los Angeles this morning. A spokesperson for United said passengers could not disembark in Montreal due to limited customs staffing. 'United flight 935 landed in Montreal to address a medical emergency, and was met by medical personnel,' they said. 'Because of limited customs staffing at the airport, passengers and crew had to stay on the plane until it continued to LAX following a connection through OHare International Airport.' A group of Philadelphia looters were caught on camera using a crowbar and axes to rob a pharmacy and steal thousands of dollars worth of medicine. The Philadelphia police department released CCTV footage of a group of men with their faces covered and armed with hammers breaking into a commercial property on September 26. The video shows the group using a crowbar to break the locks on the store's shutter, entering and trying to open a door forcefully. Ultimately, someone from the other side starts pushing at the door and one of the men opens up a lock on top of the door. As soon as the door opens, the group hurries to get into the store and starts rummaging through the medicine bottles. Some of the looters are seen stuffing the bottles in their pockets while others start collecting them in baskets. They stole medication worth $150,000. Philadelphia police department released CCTV footage that shows a group of men with their faces covered and armed with hammers using a crowbar to break the locks on the store's shutter, entering and trying to open a door forcefully Ultimately, someone from the other side starts pushing at the door and one of the men opens up a lock on top of the door ome of the looters are seen stuffing the bottles in their pockets while others start collecting them in baskets. They stole medication worth $150,000 All of them are seen in dark colored hoodies and sweatpants. The police have not released any other identifiable information and are now desperately seeking the public's help in identifying the robbers. This robbery is part of an increasing number of thefts in retail businesses across the state. Two weeks ago, cops were hunting ten more Philadelphia looters who broke into a Dunkin' Donuts to steal a safe and merchandise as 72 people were charged over a huge raid on the city's Apple Store the same night. The same group of thieves also ransacked Footlocker and Lululemon. Videos shared on social media show officers attempting to grab thieves, some of whom wear Halloween masks as they riot through a Lululemon store. One officer managed to hit one of the looters with a punch after tackling them to the ground. The incident happened on Walnut Street in the heart of the city center and also involved a nearby Foot Locker and Apple store Businesses suffered two nights of looting stretching from the city center to its northeastern and western districts and cops later revealed Dunkin' also fell victim to thieves. Dozens participated in a smash-and-grab raid on the Apple store in Walnut Street on September 26 while pharmacies, liquor stores, pawnbrokers and even a hairdresser were among at least 80 businesses that fell victim. About twenty people have been arrested after widespread looting broke out in Philadelphia last night, with one woman who livestreamed the chaos Philadelphia Police Department are seeking to identify the ten people caught on the Dunkin' security camera that night - several of whom did not bother to cover their faces. Assistant DA Clint Orem revealed that five minors and 67 adults have been charged in connection with the other raids on Monday morning. Among them is Dayjia Meatball Blackwell who became the poster girl of the crimewave after livestreaming the city center raids on her Instagram page, complete with a triumphant commentary. 'Tell the police if they lock me up tonight, it's going to be lit, it's going to be a movie! Everybody's gotta eat!' Meatball, 21, told her 181,000 followers. But she wept as officials booked her, and her grandmother spoke of her shame after helping to raise her. What goes through my mind, as a grandmother, is I'm very ashamed, Vashti Fields told FOX 29. A police officer said at the time that over 100 juveniles had looted the Lululemon store. Earlier that day, protests had started around the city over the dismissal of charges against police officer Mark Dial who was involved in the fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry. Police bodycam footage showed Dial firing his weapon at close range through the rolled-up drivers side window of Irizarrys sedan during a vehicle stop in August. Dial shot Irizarry about seven seconds after getting out of a police SUV. He had been charged with murder, voluntary manslaughter, official oppression and aggravated assault but later, a judge dropped them all. According to the police department, Philly saw an increase of 20.75 percent in gun-based robberies and an 11.21 percent increase in thefts with other weapons between 2021-2022. The department has not yet released its 2023 crime statistics. Influential Democratic senators have publicly pressed the Biden Administration to try to find a way to freeze $6 billion in Iranian funds over Tehran's support for Hamas. The pressure from within the president's own party comes as the White House says there is no confirmation of Iran's support for the gruesome Hamas attack even while acknowledging Iran's longstanding support for the group. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), a Democratic centrist who is up for reelection in 2024, is among those calling for the funds to be refrozen. 'As American intelligence officials continue to investigate the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should review our options to hold Iran accountable for any support they may have provided,' he said. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) is among a group of Democrats calling for $6 billion in Iranian assets to be frozen 'At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal,' he said, the Hill reported. Also weighing in was Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who is also facing reelection. 'I wasnt supportive of the initial $6 billion transfer. We should absolutely freeze Iranian assets while we also consider additional statements,' he said. The administration negotiated the unfreezing of the funds in a deal last month that bought the release of five Americans held hostage in Iran. The then-frozen funds got transferred from South Korea to Qatar, where they are now being overseen. Under the terms of the deal, the money must go for 'humanitarian' purposes, but Republican critics have raised concerns they could still get used to subsidize terror by freeing up other funds. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said he wasn't for the original deal that freed up $6 billion in Iranian funds and won the release of five Americans Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) cited Iran's 'long-standing support for Hamas' President Biden called out 'unadulterated evil' in the Hamas attack on Israel, in a speech where he did not specifically name Iran, who the administration says has supported Hamas for years It all comes as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of Gaza after bombing numerous targets there since Saturday's attack inside Israel. The White House says it is examining prior intelligence and seeking to determine whether Iran provided direct support for the attack, but has not been able to establish this so far. Israel has also said there is no 'smoking gun.' Sen. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) isn't waiting for more information, based on what Hamas has already done. 'In light of Hamass violent and horrific terrorist attack on Israel and Irans long-standing support for Hamas, we should freeze these assets,' she said in a statement to Politico. 'This was clearly an attack that was planned for months or longer, the notion that somehow there is a relationship there doesn't pass the smell test,' said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the Senate Intelligence Chairman. President Biden in his Tuesday speech didn't mention Iran or the $6 billion. 'Let me say again, any country, any organization anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: don't,' Biden said. Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan has said 'not a dollar' of the $6 billion has been spent yet. 'We've said since the beginning, that Iran is complicit in this attack in a broad sense, because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas,' Sullivan said at the White House Tuesday. 'They have provided training, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support, and they have had engagement in contact with Hamas over years and years.' But he added: 'Whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not, as of the moment have confirmation of that.' A woman is left in horrific pain waiting for surgery in a red tape wrangle by the Labour-run NHS over who should pay. Abygail Lewis-Jones, 46, is caught in the middle of a bureaucratic tussle between different health boards and Mark Drakeford's Welsh government over funding her vital surgery. She was set to undergo a hysterectomy before surgeons opened her up to discover her cervix was stuck to her bowel. Her surgery was abandoned because it was too complex to complete alone - and needed the input of a specialist surgeon. Ms Lewis-Jones' surgeon wrote to the gynaecology department at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in South Wales saying the operation required a specialist. Abygail Lewis-Jones, 46, was set to undergo a hysterectomy before surgeons opened her up to discover her cervix was stuck to her bowel Now Ms Lewis-Jones is waiting for a bureaucratic row to be settled over who will fund an additional expert to assist during the complex surgery In the letter, he said he would be able to perform the surgery with a specialist colleague in early 2022. Ms Lewis-Jones says she was told it would need to be done at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff - but her health board will not fund the transfer. READ MORE: Have you these signs of endometriosis? Advertisement She said: 'They can't list me for my operation because my health board doesn't transfer funding for my procedure, and this is Welsh Government level funding issue.' Ms Lewis-Jones, of Bridgend, South Wales, was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis as well as adenomyosis - where the lining of the womb starts growing into the muscle wall of the womb. She said: 'It was really bad, it was like being stabbed in the stomach.' Ms Lewis-Jones has repeatedly tried to find out what the next steps are and has even made complaints to the Patient Advisory and Liaison service. She added: 'I don't know where to go now. My bowel is stuck to my cervix, so I have period pains every day. 'It is just uncomfortable all the time. It is tiring, it limits my life and what I can do. I am just terrified of getting my period.' A spokesperson from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: 'We are concerned to hear about Abygail's experience, and are in discussions with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to ensure that patients who require specialist treatment can access it. 'As a Health Board, we are committed to investigating any issues or concerns raised by patients and their families to ensure we provide the best possible care.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said: 'The Welsh Government does not provide funding for individual NHS procedures. 'The funding of procedures is the responsibility of the health boards concerned, and where required, health boards have processes in place to arrange for appropriate treatments to be delivered in other health boards.' The eight Republicans who voted with Democrats to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy have kept their cards close to their chest on who they'll support for the next House Speaker. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., offered the first public endorsement from the group - throwing her support behind Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee and original founder of the House Freedom Caucus. The free-wheeling congresswoman walked into an all-conference meeting Tuesday night wearing a white t-shirt with a scarlet 'A' on it. 'Im wearing the scarlet letter after the week I just had being a woman up here, and being demonized for my vote [to oust McCarthy],' she told reporters. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., told DailyMail.com Wednesday morning that he will also be voting for Jim Jordan. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the fiery Florida congressman who voted launched the vote to oust McCarthy, tweeted Tuesday he would do 'a lot of praying' to decide who he would support. Rep. Nancy Mace walked into an all-conference meeting Tuesday night wearing a white t-shirt with a scarlet 'A' on it Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla., the fiery Florida congressman who voted launched the vote to oust McCarthy, tweeted Tuesday he would do 'a lot of praying' to decide who he would support He called Jordan and Scalise 'two respected and trusted men.' 'You're not getting anything out of me as far as who I'm supporting,' Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., told reporters Tuesday. 'I think so,' he told DailyMail.com when asked if Republicans would coalesce around a candidate by Wednesday. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., also said he would pray about who to support, telling DailyMail.com he's 'not saying' who he plans to vote for. 'I'm not saying, thank you for asking,' he replied. Ken Buck, R-Colo., Eli Crane and Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., have all declined reporters' questioning about who they'll support. Scalise, as a current member of the GOP leadership team, has seemingly garnered more traction among establishment Republicans while Jordan is popular with the conference's right wing. Rep. Dan Bishop, a McCarthy foe who threatened to support ousting him but ultimately didn't, now supports Jordan. He didn't rule out supporting Scalise but said he didn't believe the majority leader had a 'crystal clear plan' to lead the conference through a tough spending battle. 'Some of [my concerns] with Scalise are so obvious that I'm not going to say it,' Bishop told DailyMail.com. 'But do we really think this institution works so well that we should just move up the next guy?' 'If you think that Congress and Republicans in Congress have done a fantastic job with 20 years, then it would make sense,' said Bishop. 'If you think there's been shortcomings, then maybe not.' But tensions between McCarthy and Scalise are an open secret in Washington. Scalise, as a current member of the GOP leadership team, has seemingly garnered more traction among establishment Republicans while Jordan is popular with the conference's right wing They first boiled over publicly when conservatives became angry at the a deal McCarthy did with Joe Biden on the debt ceiling. Instead of involving Scalise in debt ceiling talks, McCarthy relied on his close friends, Rep. Garrett Graves, R-La., and Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., to negotiate with the White House. Both Scalise and Jordan admitted that they would need to put a continuing resolution (CR) - a bill to extend government funding at FY 2023 levels and avert a government shutdown while they hash out a longer term spending plan. This is the shocking moment Luton airport car park collapsed after an exploding Range Rover sparked a huge inferno. One hundred firefighters spent 12 hours battling the blaze at the airport's Terminal Car Park Two when the 20million block was engulfed by flames and caved in just before 9pm last night. Investigators believe the blaze was started when a diesel car suffered an electrical fault or leaking fuel line. Dramatic footage shows the top floor of the car park collapse and explode after the fire beneath it spread throughout the structure. Huge plumes of smoke and flames can be seen before a large section of the concrete floor suddenly crumbles and falls, taking dozens of cars with it. Dramatic footage shows the top floor of the car park collapse and explode after the fire beneath it spread throughout the structure The fire spread as a number of electric vehicles burst into flames in a domino effect, one firefighter suggested Dramatic footage on CCTV captured the moment the explosion erupted, bringing light fixtures down from the ceiling before a fireball soared through the building A big bang can then be heard before the flames rise into the air and those filming gasp and swear in horror. The fire spread as a number of electric vehicles burst into flames in a domino effect, one firefighter suggested. As many as 1,500 vehicles are feared to have been damaged as a result of the collapse in the car park, which has a capacity of 1,900. Dramatic footage on CCTV captured the moment the explosion erupted, bringing light fixtures down from the ceiling before a fireball soared through the building. The vehicle appears to be in the middle of the road used to get around the car park, rather than a designated space. The car park, which opened in 2019 as part of a 20million modernisation drive, did not have sprinklers, which one fire chief said 'may have made a positive impact on this incident' as he urged the airport to install them in existing and future car parks. He added that the building's open sides meant the fire will have spread 'horizontally' before it went up through the structure. The inferno burned so hot that the car park building is unsalvageable and will eventually be demolished, sources claimed. As many as 1,200 vehicles were affected by the collapse of the car park at Luton airport last night Cars were engulfed in flames after one reportedly exploded at the short stay People take pictures while leaving London Luton airport as emergency services respond to a fire Meanwhile of thousands of airline passengers are suffering disruption as Luton Airport's runway remains closed after a vehicle fire caused a car park to collapse. The Bedfordshire airport said at 1pm it has reopened its terminal building to passengers and expects flights to resume at 3pm. A further 27 arrivals were diverted to airports as far away as Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester, while many other flights were delayed. The figures suggest more than 30,000 passengers have suffered disruption to their journeys. The fire was declared a major incident, with firefighters working through the night and into the early hours of Wednesday to extinguish the blaze. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it received a report of a car fire on level three of the airport's Terminal Car Park 2 at 8.47pm. Three firefighters and a member of airport staff were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, and another firefighter was treated at the scene. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'On arrival my officers were faced with a severe and rapidly spreading fire involving a large number of vehicles that ultimately spread to multiple floors and involved a partial collapse of the car park.' He said the car park does not have sprinklers, and if it did they 'may have made a positive impact'. The fire chief added: 'We are already talking to the airport about ensuring that any future, and the existing, car parks have sprinklers fitted.' A witness described the speed in which the blaze tore through the car park's upper floor as 'incredible' Shocking footage has emerged of a vehicle going up in flames at London Luton Airport, before the huge inferno that caused a car park to collapse, cancelling all flights and leaving five people in hospital The charred remains of cars in the Luton Airport multi-storey following last night's devastating fire People are facing long delays at Luton Airport today following a fire in the main car park Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were on the scene, with five people rushed to hospital Flights will be suspended at the airport until at least 3pm on Wednesday Mr Hopkinson said up to 1,500 vehicles were inside the car park at the time of the fire. The blaze is believed to have started with a diesel-powered vehicle 'and then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread', he said. There is no suggestion the blaze happened intentionally. AA technical expert Greg Carter said the most common cause of car fires is an electrical fault with the 12-volt battery system. He added that diesel is 'much less flammable' than petrol, and in a car it takes 'intense pressure or sustained flame' to ignite diesel. A temporary ramp is being installed at the car park to enable undamaged vehicles to be removed. More footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the fire after flying into Luton Airport from Edinburgh. He said: 'There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm. 'A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. 'The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible.' The car park was opened in 2019 as part of a multi-year modernisation programme costing tens of millions of pounds. Nearby residents were told to close their windows to avoid the smoke. Law changes in the state of California have allowed scantily clad sex workers to freely roam the streets, according to one mayor Sex workers wearing only G-strings have been pictured prowling the streets of a small California city, leaving one mayor frustrated over the repealing of a law that banned street walking. National City is spiraling out of control, according to Mayor Ron Morrison, due to brazen prostitutes who have been gathering in the downtown area. Prostitution is illegal in the state of California, but Morrison believes that a new law that banned old practices of making loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution illegal is responsible. Another law prohibits police from citing people suspected of soliciting sex based on appearances, allowing prostitutes to walk the streets in little clothing. Morrison told CBS8: 'Police cant literally go and talk to them because they dont have a right to talk to them because they are not doing anything wrong for loitering for prostitution. 'Even if they are going out talking to someone in their car and sitting there when all they are wearing is less than a G-string.' Prostitution is illegal in the state of California, but Mayor Ron Morrison believes a new state law is the cause of the problems Another law prohibits police from citing people suspected of soliciting sex based on appearances, allowing prostitutes to walk the streets in little clothing California Governor Gavin Newsom approved Senate Bill 357 in July last year that brought about the changes, with it taking effect this year. Morrison showed the outlet pictures that he claimed show sex workers walking near Integrity Charter School, where parents drop their kids off. According to Morrison, officials are now actively looking to help businesses and hotels that have felt the effects of the prostitution. The non-partisan mayor also told Fox News that as soon as Democrat Newsom's pen touched the bill, prostitution began expanding in the state. 'The moment it was signed by the governor, boom, everyone knew the rules were out the window,' Morrison said. 'Those that are out there on the street, most of them are wearing less than what you would consider a scanty negligee. 'It is just flaunting in everybody's face. And so a lot of people are screaming, "Hey, you know, can't you get them on indecent exposure?"' Morrison, pictured here, said that local government is now looking to find ways to combat the open prostitution Morrison also showed pictures of women he claimed are sex workers walking near Integrity Charter School, where parents drop their kids off California Governor Gavin Newsom answers questions during a news conference on September 26 He continued: 'And the problem is the way our laws read in this state. The definition of indecent exposure is as long as the genitals are covered. Anything else is fair game out in public. 'I was driving on one of the streets the other day, and there's this young lady standing there in the middle of the street wearing basically a G-string, and that was it, and a couple pasties. But she's right in front of my car, I couldn't move. 'So, I did ask her very politely, "Would you please move out of the street?" And she looked at me and says, \"If you don't want to talk to me, you can go around."' Morrison also told Fox he thought some of the girls on the street could be underage. The mayor said with prostitution now open on the streets, other crimes have followed including shootings and assaults - with a pregnant prostitute being kidnapped, beaten and raped just a few weeks ago. National City is not the first place in the state to be hit by swathes of sex workers openly walking the streets. Earlier this year, footage emerged showing women outside a Catholic elementary school in Oakland. Footage captured by ABC News's I-Team showed the women outside St Anthony's soliciting customers in cars parked outside the school gate. At the time, Rodney Pierre-Antoine, who oversees various Catholic elementary schools, including St. Anthony's, said: 'We don't want our students to witness the perils of human trafficking.' Shocking footage shows women who appear to be prostitutes soliciting clients directly outside of a Catholic elementary school in Oakland When asked by ABC's Stephanie Sierra whether police were patrolling the area outside the school on a daily basis, he said simply: 'They're present.' Pierre-Antoine also claimed that police have been unable to police properly due to the introduction of the bill. 'With the passage of the loitering bill, their hands are somewhat handcuffed,' he said. Community members, including the parish's Father Ghebriel Woldai told the channel the problems run deeper and an influx of pimps has also caused a spike in violent crime and confrontations between pimps and gang members. 'If there is a violent shooting, sometimes we experience those kinds, it scares me a lot,' Father Ghebriel said. 'We feel powerless, we just pray.' The discovery of a new set of parts belonging to the doomed Titan sub appears to shed some light on what caused the disaster that claimed the lives of five people in June 2023. According to the US Coast Guard, last week investigators recovered various parts of the vessel, including an intact aft titanium endcap that was covered by a tail cone on the submersible. Analyst Michael Chillit, who has been conducting his own investigation into the disaster, wrote in a post on X that the emergence of the endcap photo suggested that investigators may now be able to solve the mystery. 'There was a lot of speculation that it was the observation port that failed, but now a damaged landing frame and a fully intact rear hemisphere suggests to me that failure occurred in the composite near where it was joined to the frame and the aft hemisphere,' Chillit said. He also wondered if officials recovered any pieces of the ship's observation port. The coast guard has not said in detail what new pieces of the submersible were recovered. Investigators have recovered various pieces of the craft, including the aft end cap which connected the hull to the rear of the vessel Shahzada Dawood, 48, one of Pakistan's richest men, who along with his teenage son Suleman Dawood, 19, (together, left) died on the Titan along with British explorer Hamish Harding (right) Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, which launched, Titan, perished on board the submersible last Sunday along with his four passengers, including PH Nargeolet (right) Tourists Hamish Harding, 58, Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, French Navy pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush all perished on board the submersible. The observation port and the end cap were linked to the hull with titanium. The hull of the vessel was made of carbon fiber, a cheaper alternative more commonly used in aerospace. Carbon fiber is thought to be as strong as titanium against pulling forces but not pushing ones such as the extreme pressure created by being deep in the Atlantic Ocean. When it fails, it shatters without warning, compared to titanium which would bend. A July 2023 New York Times feature also noted how difficult it can be to bond the joints of different materials such as titanium and carbon fiber. The hull was glued to the titanium rings at either end and the end caps were attached. Forensic metallurgist Tim Foecke told the Times at the time that altering the size of the hull's geometry Another theory put forward in the Times feature is that the titanium glue could have been degraded by saltwater. Additional presumed human remains were carefully recovered from within Titans debris and transported for analysis by U.S. medical professionals, the Coast Guard said. The U.S. Coast Guard announced that they recovered presumed human remains along with parts of the Titan after the debris field was located at a depth of 12,500ft Salvaged pieces of Titan submersible arrive in St. Johns, Newfoundland The recent salvage mission conducted under an agreement with the U.S. Navy was a follow-up to initial recovery operations on the ocean floor Its vehicle Odysseus 6K reached the seafloor after days of searching and found debris of the sub around 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic The recent salvage mission conducted under an agreement with the U.S. Navy was a follow-up to initial recovery operations on the ocean floor roughly 1,600 feet away from the Titanic, the Coast Guard said. The new materials were offloaded at an unnamed port. Chillit later indicated that he believed the implosion took place in 'the area where the landing frame, the hull, and the Titanium end-cap were joined.' The Coast Guard previously said it recovered presumed human remains along with parts of the Titan after the debris field was located at a depth of 12,500 feet. Investigators believe the Titan imploded as it made its descent into deep North Atlantic waters on June 18. The multiday search mounted after Titan went silent captured attention around the world. The submersible was attempting to view the British passenger liner that sank in 1912. The Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation said investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada joined the salvage expedition, and the Coast Guard is coordinating with international investigative agencies to schedule a joint review of the evidence to determine the next steps for forensic testing. The Marine Board of Investigation, meanwhile, will continue its analysis and witness interviews ahead of a public hearing on the tragedy, officials said Tuesday. OceanGate, the operator of the vessel, has since gone out of business. Among those killed in the implosion was Stockton Rush, the submersibles pilot and CEO of the company. Previous theories on what happened to the Titan sub that caused it to shatter as it approached the Titanic killing all five on board The pulled not kept safely theory The Alvin research sub is transported to dive sites on the deck of a dedicated mothership, which is outfitted with custom winches and a large crane that places it in the ocean. In contrast, Titan had no dedicated mothership, and to cut costs it was towed out to sea on the fatal dive by a smaller chartered vessel, the Polar Prince. The Polar Prince, a decommissioned Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, was smaller and older than the ships OceanGate had used in previous years, in a cost-cutting move by Rush. Using a tow cable, the ship dragged the Titan across hundreds of miles of open sea on top of the launch platform that was used to submerge and retrieve the sub. The Alvin research sub is transported to dive sites on the deck of a dedicated mothership, which is outfitted with custom winches and a large crane that places it in the ocean In a column for Travel Weekly, Arnie Weissman recounted a harrowing tale of a 'near-disaster for the sub and platform' during high seas. 'At the end of the rope that linked the stern of the ship to the platform, we saw that the front of the platform and the sub were under water,' he wrote. It was not clear what had happened, but crew members theorized that a fishing buoy spotted in the area may have gotten a line tangled with the platform and dragged it under, filling air tanks with water. Attempts to lift the platform with a buoy on the tow line were unsuccessful, and Rush had to send divers out to clear water from the platform's bouncy tanks, a process that took half a day. The no fishing line was discovered tangled in the platform, leaving the cause of the incident a mystery. Weissman recalled that, when asked about whether the incident jeopardized the sub, Rush joked: 'So a sub is under water. Why is that a problem?' Prioritizing taking more people Alvin, the famous research submersible owned by the United States Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has a spherical design. At the depths of the ocean deep, a sphere is the optimal shape to resist crushing pressures that can reach three tons per square inch, because the pressure is equally distributed across the hull. The downside to the Alvin is its cramped capacity -- the sub is only capable of taking three people to the ocean floor. Titan's design was roomier, with space for five people in a pill-shaped sub, which consisted of a carbon-fiber tube capped by titanium hemispheres on each end Rush, who was charging $250,000 per passenger for his dives to the Titanic wreckage, would have only been able to take two customers per trip with a similar design, assuming an OceanGate pilot went along. Instead, his Titan design was roomier, with space for five people in a pill-shaped sub, which consisted of a carbon-fiber tube capped by titanium hemispheres on each end. Tim Foecke, a retired forensic metallurgist, told the Times that the Titan's change in hull geometry -- from a tight sphere to a lengthy tube -- may have contributed to the sub's catastrophic failure. He noted that the larger a sub is, the stronger and thicker its hull must be in order to withstand the same pressure. In two subs with the same hull thickness, the larger one would 'collapse or buckle' first, he said. Choosing carbon fiber One of Rush's main innovations in the Titan was the use of carbon fiber for much of the hull, which is cheaper and lighter than titanium One of Rush's main innovations in the Titan was the use of carbon fiber for much of the hull, which is cheaper and lighter than titanium. OceanGate promoted the Titan's carbon fiber construction - with titanium endcaps - as 'lighter in weight and more efficient to mobilize than other deep diving submersibles' on its website. The material reduced Titan's weight to 21,000 pounds, compared with Alvin's 45,000 pounds. But experts say carbon composites are much tougher against pulling forces than they are against crushing forces. 'I was very surprised' by the fiber construction of Titan, Foecke told the Times, because compression was the main force that the submersible encountered on its deep sea dives. Carbon composites also have limited life when subject to excessive loads or poor design which leads to stress concentrations, said Jasper Graham-Jones, an associate professor of mechanical and marine engineering at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. 'Yes, composites are extremely tough. Yes, composites are extremely long lasting. But we do have issues with composites and the fact that composites fail in slightly different ways than other materials,' he told the Associated Press. Furthermore, the Titan's 5-inch thick hull had been subjected to repeated stress over the course of about two dozen previous dives, Graham-Jones said. Each trip would put tiny cracks in the structure. 'This might be small and undetectable to start but would soon become critical and produce rapid and uncontrollable growth,' he said. The use of glue The Titan's design required attaching its carbon-fiber tube to the titanium endcaps, which was achieved with powerful glue. But experts say that because different materials change shape at different rates under pressure, maintaining a seal between them can be challenging. Alfred S. McLaren, a retired Navy submariner and president emeritus of the Explorers Club of New York City, explained that the different materials in the Titan's hull 'have different coefficients of expansion and compression, and that works against keeping a watertight bond.' This image shows a titanum ring being bonded to the Titan's carbon tube hull. Because different materials change shape at different rates under pressure, maintaining a seal between them can be challenging In other words, if the carbon fiber tube compressed in a slightly different way than the titanium end caps, it could have compromised the seal between them, particularly after repeated dives. Experts have also questioned OceanGate's refusal to seek outside testing and certification for the Titan. Graham-Jones said it's standard procedure in engineering to seek outside expertise the ensure that vessels conform to the highest industry standards. In a 2019 company blog post, OceanGate criticized the third-party certification process as one that is time-consuming and stifles innovation. 'Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation,' the post said. Border Patrol has released 13,000 migrants on the streets of San Diego as the city's shelters have been overwhelmed with as many as 500 new arrivals each day. San Diego, the largest U.S. city on the Mexican border, has developed a well-oiled system to shelter asylum-seekers, but is struggling with a massive influx of migrants crossing the border. Illegal crossings topped a daily average of more than 8,000 last month after a lull following the start of new asylum restrictions in May. But the impact of those has already begun to diminish, with people from dozens of countries, notably Venezuela, now once again drawn to the US by prospects of jobs and safety. More than 200,000 migrants crossed the US-Mexico border at the San Diego sector from January to August of this year - the highest number in two decades. To free space in shelters, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released thousands of asylum seekers since September 13, dropping them off at transit stations with notices to appear in immigration court at their final destinations in the U.S. Similar migrant releases have taken place in Tucson, Arizona, with agents coming across 2,000 people a day and dealing with packed shelters. Border Patrol has released 13,000 migrants in San Diego as the city's shelters have been overwhelmed with as many as 500 new arrivals each day. Images taken on October 10 More than 200,000 migrants crossed the US-Mexico border at the San Diego sector from January to August of this year - the highest number in two decades Before they are released in San Diego, some migrants being dropped off have been waiting between a double-layer border wall or camping under Border Patrol watch in remote mountains east of the city. CBP closed a major pedestrian border crossing from Tijuana, Mexico, on September 14 and assigned more officials to processing migrants. Similar to other U.S. border cities, about 95 percent of migrants in San Diego quickly move to other parts of the country. But the constant churn of exhausted, disoriented migrants from more than 100 countries has created other strains that the San Diego County government calls 'an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.' In an effort to mitigate the crisis that has overwhelmed Chicago and New York, the Biden administration said it would resume deporting Venezuelans in another stark reversal on migration policy that follows the president's move to resume border wall construction. Migrant aid groups blame a mix of circumstances for the shelter crunch: reduced government funding; CBPs practice of sending migrants from Texas and Arizona to be processed in San Diego; and a surge in illegal crossings. Last week, after a community recreation center could no longer handle the flow of migrants, the Border Patrol resumed drop-offs at a transit center. Arrivals from China, India, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and many west African countries filled a parking lot to charge phones, eat, use the bathroom and wait for free shuttle buses to the airport. 'Is California far from here?' an Eritrean man asked volunteers. 'Many do not know where they are, that this is San Diego, this is (the) San Diego region, the nearest airport is San Diego and how to get to their final destination,' said an attorney Aid groups say government support is needed even for the services at the San Diego transit center parking lot 'Many do not know where they are, that this is San Diego, this is (the) San Diego region, the nearest airport is San Diego and how to get to their final destination. That is what were trying to provide support with,' said Paulina Reyes-Perrariz, managing attorney for Immigrant Defenders Law Centers cross-border initiative. The Department of Homeland Security said last month that it has given $790 million for migrant shelters this year and asked Congress for an additional $600 million. Aid groups say government support is needed even for the services at the San Diego transit center parking lot, where migrants get travel advice from volunteers over the steady noise of railroad crossing bells and bus horns. County supervisors voted Tuesday to spend $3 million to to provide airport shuttles, internet connectivity, snacks and other basic services to migrants for three months. The Border Patrol dropped off about 400 migrants by early afternoon one recent day as airport shuttles left about every hour. Overnight camping is prohibited. Migrants with flights within 24 hours are encouraged to wait at the airport. The parking lot was a brief stop for Pedro Cardenas, 30, who was booked on a red-eye flight to Newark, New Jersey, after a grueling trip from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Smugglers squeezed about 14 migrants in a vehicle meant for five, forcing them to go hours without water or a bathroom break. The border crisis has overwhelmed liberal cities like NYC and Chicago, with Texas governor Greg Abbott sending more than 50,000 migrants north in a campaign to get Democrat strongholds to share the burden of what he considers open-border policies. Migrant aid groups blame a mix of circumstances for the shelter crunch: reduced government funding; CBPs practice of sending migrants from Texas and Arizona to be processed in San Diego; and a surge in illegal crossings In California, the Salvation Army has been facilitating flights to NYC and other parts of the country for asylum seekers, using FEMA funds to pay for the tickets. New York City has received the bulk of the buses, with 18,500 asylum seekers arriving since April 2022. Meanwhile, as many as 13,500 migrants have arrived in Chicago, 12,500 in Washington D.C., and 3,200 in Denver and Philadelphia. While the liberal cities first welcomed the migrants with open arms, NYC and Chicago have been overwhelmed with the new arrivals, and have been forced to turn landmarks and police stations into shelters. NYC mayor Eric Adams traveled to Latin America to tell migrants the city was 'at capacity,' as he claimed to be fighting 'propaganda' that told them they would be housed in a hotel room in the Big Apple. The city is now challenging a unique legal agreement that requires it to provide emergency housing to anyone who asks for it, as the citys shelter system strains under the influx. In Chicago, more than 10,000 migrants are staying in shelters and close to 3,200 in police stations and the O'Hare International Airport. The city government says it has so far allocated $328 million in aid. An American-Israeli teenager who watched Hamas militants murder both his parents has revealed how he hid under a bloody cloth and 'prayed' they wouldn't return to kill him too. Rotem Mathias, 16, was in Holit Kibbutz, where he lived in southern Israel with his parents Deborah and Shlomi and siblings, when Hamas militants stormed the area on Saturday. He and his parents tried to barricade themselves inside a house but the gunmen sprayed bullets and tossed grenades. Deborah, desperate to protect her son, threw her body onto his and bore the brunt of the militants' gunfire. Both she and her husband were killed. In an interview with ABC's James Longman that aired on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Rotem described hiding afterwards for fear the gunmen would come back for him. Scroll down for video Rotem Mathias, 16, was in a kibbutz in southern Israel with his parents Deborah and Shlomi and siblings when Hamas militants stormed the area on Saturday. He is shown with his older sister in an Israeli hospital Rotem's parents Shlomi and Deborah Mathias were killed by the gunmen in front of him. Deborah threw her body onto her son's to protect him from gunfire 'The terrorists shot open the door. They throw a grenade or something that exploded. 'The last thing my dad said is he lost his arm and then my mom died on top of me,' he said from his hospital bed. 'I just stopped my breathing, I lowered it down as much as I possibly could. I didn't move. I was terrified. I didn't make any noise. 'And I prayed for any god -- I didn't really care which god -- I just prayed for a god that they won't find me,' he said. The militants returned and set fire to the kibbutz - a tactic used by the Nazis during the Holocaust to determine whether there were any survivors of their shooting sprees. Rotem managed to escape both their gunfire and the flames, and was reunited with other family members. Rotem, his sister and their grandfather, Ilan Troen. He said he prayed to 'any God' that he wouldn't be found Ilan said the militants used tactics not seen since the Holocaust. 'This is so important. They wanted to verify that they had killed everybody so they set the fire - this is a story that comes from the holocaust - they set the fire to ensure if there were any survivors they would exit and they could murder them' 'They came back. This is so important - they wanted to verify that they had killed everybody so they set the fire - this is a story that comes from the holocaust - they set the fire to ensure if there were any survivors they would exit and they could murder them,' Ilan Troen, Rotem's grandfather, said. In a previous interview he said the attack on civilians had been 'rehearsed and carefully planned.' 'This is not a normal war. We were on the phone with Deborah as she was killed. 'We were on the phone with our grandson Rotem as he first laid under her body - then as he found a way to escape. Oriya Ricardo, 26, was gunned down on Saturday at the Supernova festival along with more than 250 others Lotan Abir, 24, an Israeli-native had just moved to Utah in 2022 to further his music career Roey Weiser, 21, an Israeli-American soldier who saved the lives of 12 of his comrades after being attacked by terrorists at his base on Saturday 'This is not a military event - this is not a military strike. It's when a military strikes at civilians. This attack was rehearsed, well planned, carried out. 'You look at what they are doing, taking hostages. From infants to senior citizens. This is a human rights outrage that really echoes the kind of pogroms that made my grandparents leave Europe for the safety of America.' Troen is a professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Deborah was his daughter. She met Shlomi while living in Israel and the pair settled in a kibbutz near the border, where she often organized music festivals. Troen said his grandson will recover from the physical wounds of the attack but be traumatized for his entire life. 'Rotem will be fine. The brunt of the shot was born by his mother - it penetrated his stomach but missed any vital organs. 'He is 16, he is tough and resilient. He survived this and he will survive more but the trauma of this will last his lifetime.' At least 14 Americans have been killed in the conflict so far, and another 20 remain missing. Omer Neutra is also missing in Israel. The teenager is from Long Island Natalie Ranaan was visiting family for the High Holidays with her mother, Judith, when the assault began on Saturday. Since then, relatives have not heard from either woman Daniel Ben Senior, 34, was working at Nova festival on Saturday when Hamas militants attacked Judith Raanan was also taken hostage along with her daughter. Their family in Illinois has not heard from them since Saturday Adrienne Neta, 66, is also missing. She is a nurse and midwife who moved to Israel from California in 1981 Many of them are young dual citizens fighting for in IDF. Oriya Ricardo, 26, was gunned down on Saturday at the Supernova festival along with more than 250 others. Her body was identified yesterday, after an agonizing three-day wait for her family. Her New York City-resident mother, Hannie, appeared on MSNBC last night to pay tribute to her. 'It's pretty hard to speak about her. She was as her name is, light, she brought light everywhere she came. 'A very happy girl, loved to party, was always the center of everything. She was the source of power of my life. 'I need to speak about her and for her and for all those 1,200 young people that massacred by the Hamas. They have not a bit of humanity in them. These kids went to dance and these kids, these parties are peace people. They all fight for peace. Missing: Sisters Norelle and Roya Manzuri, who previously attended school in Los Angeles, were at the peace festival on Saturday Laor Abramov, 20, is missing as is 19-year-old Edan Alexander. Both are US-Israeli citizens serving in the IDF 'Now, they are gone, and among them my youngest daughter,' she said. The State Department yesterday confirmed that 14 US citizens were among the casualties of the conflict so far. Another 20, at least, are unaccounted for. Some have been taken hostage by Hamas and are feared now to be in Gaza. Many are dual US-Israeli citizens, including young men who died fighting in the IDF. They include Itay Glisko, 20, from Paramus, New Jersey and 21-year-old Roey Weiser. Utah native Lotan Abir, 24, was also killed while attending the music festival. Twenty-year-old Laor Abramov from New Jersey is also missing. His family has not heard from him since he called them from a bomb shelter on Saturday. Edan Alexander, 19, is also missing. The teenager is serving in the IDF. Their names join a growing list of Americans who remain unaccounted for. Yesterday, the families of others held a press conference in Tel Aviv begging the Biden administration and the Israeli government for help. In her interview on MSNBC, Hannie said the US - and the world - must display a united front against Hamas. 'Every dollar you give to Hamas, every dollar you put there, goes for terror. It doesn't go to the poor Arab people that live in Gaza. They could have turned this place into paradise if they'd invest the billions they got from EU and other organizations. 'If they invested it into the people of Gaza instead of bombs and focusing on how to get rid of as many Jews, Israeli as possible, there might have been peace. The only thing I can compare these monsters, these inhuman beings are the Nazis. 'The same kind of people. The world needs to know and the world needs to fight them. 'I know Israel bombed Gaza, but we never start. We always respond. I feel for these Palestinians. I feel for them but they are hostages in the hands of Hamas and Iran and all of these terrorists. 'They have no other focus in life other than kill as many as possible. When they're done with the Jews they will come for the Americans. They did it already in 9/11. 'This massacre is our 9/11,' she said. Another mother whose sons have been abducted fumed at MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell for asking her what she thought of Israel's retaliatory strikes. 'I cant be sympathetic anymore. I cant be sympathetic to animal human beings well, theyre not really human beings who came into my house, broke everything, stole everything, took my children from their bedrooms and took them to the Gaza Strip,' Renana Gomeh said. Her two sons, aged 12 and 16, were kidnapped from their home on Saturday. The Biden administration has vowed unreserved support of Israel as it mounts its defense against Saturday's attack. The King is 'appalled' by and condemns the 'barbaric acts' of terrorism in Israel, Buckingham Palace announced today. Charles is said to be 'extremely concerned' about the situation and has asked to be actively updated in the wake of Hamas' attacks. A Palace spokesman said the monarch's thoughts and prayers were with all of those suffering, especially those who had lost loved ones. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian terror group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. The Israeli government has launched a major retaliation of air strikes on Gaza and stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. King Charles - seen in Aberdeenshire earlier this month - is 'appalled' by and condemns the 'barbaric acts' of terrorism in Israel The number of people killed in Hamas's attacks on Israel has risen above 1,200, officials said. That includes 260 revellers gunned down at a music festival, and whole families - including children's and babies - who were massacred in a kibbutz. Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed 900 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about and he has asked to be kept actively updated. READ MORE - Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrives in Israel in show of 'unwavering solidarity' following brutal Hamas assault Advertisement 'His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak.' He added: 'His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel.' UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrived in Israel today to show Britain's 'unwavering solidarity' with their Middle East ally. Officials said he will meet survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders 'to outline UK support for Israel's right to defend itself'. Mr Cleverly said today that a 'significant number' of British-Israeli nationals had been caught up in the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides. At least seventeen British nationals are currently feared dead or missing, the BBC reported - citing an official source. Previous estimates put the figure at 10. A Foreign Office spokesman: 'The Foreign Secretary has arrived in Israel today to demonstrate the UK's unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamas's terrorist attacks. 'He will be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israel's right to defend itself.' Today, Israeli forces conducted 250 airstrikes in just one hour across northern and eastern parts of the Gaza strip. An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel today Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City today The UK and US governments have given firm backing to Benjamin Netanyahu's administration in the wake of the incursion by Palestinian terrorists. READ MORE - Gaza holds its breath as Israel masses its forces on the border ahead of invasion Advertisement Mr Cleverly's visit to Israel comes amid fears that the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, could escalate further. The UK Government has not confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamas's attack. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared dead. A post from Mr Darlington's sister Shelley on social media said he was 'murdered' at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. A pregnant 11-year-old girl who was raped by two teenage boys, just weeks apart, should have an abortion, a High Court judge has ruled. The girl became pregnant earlier this year, after being raped by a 14-year-old boy she 'met on the internet', when aged 10, Mrs Justice Arbuthnot was told. She was raped by another 14-year-old boy, a few weeks later, when she was 11, the judge heard. After considering her case at a recent private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, the judge has made decisions about what moves are in the girl's 'best interests'. As well as terminating the pregnancy, she also ruled that the placenta should be used for the 'purposes of forensic testing in a criminal investigation'. Mrs Justice Arbuthnot has outlined detail of the case in a written ruling made available on Wednesday. Health authority bosses had asked the judge to rule that a termination of pregnancy was in the girl's best interests and that taking tissue from the placenta for forensic testing was in her best interests. The judge has ruled that children involved cannot be identified and has not named the 'health board' which began litigation. A private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London today ruled that a pregnant 11-year-old girl who was raped by two teenage boys, just weeks apart, should have an abortion Mrs Justice Arbuthnot said the girl lived at home with her parents. She said council social workers had 'safeguarding concerns' about the care she was receiving at home from her mother and father. The judge said the girl was now 11. 'She became pregnant after being raped by a 14-year-old she met on the internet when she was aged 10, on the 18th or 21st of May 2023,' said Mrs Justice Arbuthnot. 'She was raped by another 14-year-old boy on the 11th of June 2023, but he did not make her pregnant.' The judge said a health board had applied for 'declarations that a termination of pregnancy would be in her best interests' and that it would be 'in her best interests for tissue taken from the placenta to be used for the purposes of forensic testing in a criminal investigation'. She concluded that both moves were in the girl's best interests. Mrs Justice Arbuthnot heard from specialists and professionals involved in the girl's care. She heard that the girl had been 'self-harming' following a family bereavement and had a history of 'neglecting herself'. The judge was also told that the girl had been 'watching pornography since the age of eight'. There were also 'signs' that the girl had been putting herself into 'sexually exploitable positions', she was told. Mrs Justice Arbuthnot said she had considered the provision of the abortion legislation. Specialist evidence showed that the girl lacked the 'intellectual development and capacity' to 'process the complexity of the decisions that had to be made', said the judge. Doctors had told the judge that 'physical health risks' were 'over and above the normal risks of pregnancy'. They said there were 'no studies on pregnancy in children as young as 11'. A British Airways flight from London to Israel was forced to turn back just moments before it had reached Tel Aviv due to security concerns. The BA165 flight had almost reached the city when it was forced to change course back to London Heathrow amid Hamas launching a fresh wave of rocket attacks. A BA spokesperson said: 'Safety is always our highest priority and we've taken the decision to return our Tel Aviv flight to Heathrow.' A spokesperson for Israel's airports authority said rockets were flying around Tel Aviv at the time but were not an immediate threat to the flight or to Ben Gurion Airport. The diversion back to Britain was the pilot's decision and no other flights have been diverted, the spokesperson said. Since the surprise attack by terrorist group Hamas on Israel on Saturday, many international airlines have suspended flights to Tel Aviv. The BA165 flight (not pictured) had almost reached Tel Aviv when it was forced to turn back to London Heathrow due to safety concerns It comes after Hamas launched a fresh wave of rocket attacks on Israel which included bombing a child development centre (pictured: Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City) BA, owned by IAG, later announce they had suspended all flights to and from Israel. Flight-tracking website Flightradar showed the flight had almost reached Tel Aviv and was near northern city Haifa when it made a U-turn. It was due to land at 3.05pm. Wizz Air and Virgin Atlantic announced this week it had cancelled flights to and from Israel. It comes after Hamas launched a fresh wave of rocket attacks on Israel across southern Israel, including a child development centre, even as Gaza holds its breath with Israel's Defence Forces massing hundreds of thousands of troops on its border. Shocking images and videos out of Israel's southern city of Ashkelon purportedly showed how the Child Development wing of the Barzilai Medical Centre suffered a direct hit which reduced parts of the building to rubble. A spokeswoman for the centre said: 'The child development centre at the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon suffered a direct hit by a projectile from Gaza,' while Deputy Director Dr. Gili Givati told Israeli public radio: 'The development centre was completely destroyed.' Smoke billows from a fire that broke out after a rocket attack from Gaza in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon Israelis take cover from the incoming rocket fire from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel A picture shows a crater made by a rocket fired from Gaza outside a supermarket in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon Israelis look at the damage by rocket fire fired from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes demolished entire Palestinian neighbourhoods on Wednesday, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip are struggling to treat the injured with dwindling medical supplies as the IDF encircle the 25-mile-long swathe of land ahead of a planned invasion. Gaza's two million residents lost electricity this afternoon as the enclave's sole power plant ran out of fuel and shut down, energy officials said, deepening the crisis inside the 140-square-mile territory that is currently besieged by Israeli forces. 'The only power plant in the Gaza Strip stopped functioning at 2pm,' the authority's head said in a statement, having earlier warned that it was running short of fuel. The war has claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, and is only expected to escalate further from this point. Humanitarian groups have pleaded for the creation of corridors for the delivery of aid ahead of the likely Israeli assault. Jermaine Jones, 3, went missing at about 2pm on October 9 from in Watertown Township, Michigan A three-year-old nonverbal autistic boy from Michigan was found dead in a river a day after he left the house and went missing while his babysitter was in the shower. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office received a call about Jermaine Jones missing at about 2pm on October 9 from S. Bauer Road, north of Clark Road in Watertown Township. He was found dead in the Looking Glass River at 4pm on October 10. The river is nearly 5 hours away from where the call had been made. After the call, the police released specialized units to look for the boy through the night but did not have any success. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office received a call about Jermaine Jones missing at about 2pm on October 9 from S. Bauer Road, north of Clark Road in Watertown Township. He was found dead in the Looking Glass River at 4pm on October 10. The river is nearly 5 hours away from where the call had been made. After the call was made, the police released specialized units to look for the boy through the night but did not have any success. In a Facebook post, they also called for volunteers to gather at Watertown Township Hall the following day to search for the child. The Sheriff's Office wrote: 'This afternoon at just after 2pm, Clinton County Central Dispatch received a call of a missing child on S. Bauer Rd just north of Clark Rd in Watertown Township. 'The 3 year old boy pictured walked away from his residence and has not been seen since. He is autistic and non-verbal. 'We are seeking assistance from the public in locating him. If you live in the area, please check your home, outbuildings, cameras, etc. We are continuing the search with specialized resources this evening with the hope of locating him. 'If we are unsuccessful this evening, we will bring in more volunteers in the morning.' The department also asked nearby residents to check their homes, outbuildings and security cameras for any signs of Jones. The next day, the department released another Facebook post confirming the death of the child. 'It is with great sadness that we are reporting that the missing child was located deceased. There will be a press conference near the Clinton County Incident Command trailer on Bauer Rd just north of Clark Rd at 5:30pm. 'At this time further details may be released. Please pray for the family during this tragic time,' they said. The Sheriff's Office wrote: 'This afternoon at just after 2pm, Clinton County Central Dispatch received a call about a missing child on S. Bauer Rd just north of Clark Rd in Watertown Township During the press conference, one of the officials said they would not answer any questions about the child or babysitter. When asked why an Amber alert did not go off for Jones, the official clarified that they did not believe the child had been abducted and that alerts only went off for kidnappings. It is believed that the child's parents were at work when the child went missing. During the search, the child was identified to be wearing a dinosaur t-shirt, shark shorts with no shoes, and curly hair. Many Facebook comments on the Sheriff's post highlighted that they should check 'nearby bodies of water' as autistic children are drawn to water and some are unable to understand its dangers. One of the leading causes of death among autistic people is drowning. The autism spectrum disorder is known to impact the nervous system and is a chronic condition. Common indicators include difficulty with communication, social interaction, obsessive interests, and repetitive behavior. This is the astonishing moment train passengers claimed to have spotted Bigfoot walking through shrubs on a Colorado mountain. During a Narrow Gauge train ride from Durango to Silverton on Sunday, a passenger looking for elk with her husband was distracted by a hairy creature instead. Shannon Parker from Cheyenne, Wyoming was with her husband Stetson Tyler when Tyler said, 'I think I saw Bigfoot'. Another passenger named Brandon saw the couple react and decided to pull out his phone to record the mythical beast. 'The ever-elusive creature Bigfoot,' Brandon said as he took the video. Shannon Parker from Cheyenne, Wyoming was with her husband Stetson Tyler looking for elk when Tyler said, 'I think I saw Bigfoot'. A passenger sitting next to Tyler took out his phone and recorded the moment Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, has mystified humans for centuries and ten years ago, it was reported that genetic testing had confirmed that Bigfoot was a human relative that arose some 15,000 years ago A passenger captured what they all thought to be Bigfoot creeping around in the shrubs of a Colorado mountain while on a train ride on October 8 The video shows the creature prowling around the hillside just before he squats down into a seated position. Soon the alleged Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, camouflages into the dark brown shrubs around him as he moves back and forth and looks toward the steam engine train. 'He still moving?' a passenger said in the background. 'He can stand up,' said another passenger. The video then loses sight of the mythical human-like creature as the train chugs along. Parker told Newsweek that it was a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' and that her and Tyler had never seen anything like it before. 'When we spoke to the conductor on the train he told us he hasn't ever seen anything like it before and he himself has experienced unexplainable things while snowshoeing in those mountains,' Parker said. The video has been shared all over social media and has attracted mixed reviews. Some people believe it was a legitimate encounter while others think it was a hoax. Out There Colorado posted the video to their X account, and it has since amassed over 3,000 likes and over 1,000 re-posts. 'They are elusive because they take their costumes off after you get your shot,' one comment said. 'My first thought was military camouflage, maybe something worn by sniper/recon, but its most likely just Bigfoot,' a commenter said. Others simply posted comical memes and GIFs in response to the most recent spotting. In August a video from 2015 of another Bigfoot sighting resurfaced that Josh Highcliffe, a hunter, captured. Highcliffe posted the video to his YouTube Channel as other Bigfoot hunters agreed it was the best footage of the legendary creature they had ever seen. The footage filmed nine miles west of Tunica, Mississippi, according to Highcliffe showed a huge, broad-backed creature that resembled something like a gorilla in the background, pulling bark off the trunk of a tree. The story of Bigfoot dates back to 1958 after journalist Andrew Genzoli, of the Humboldt Times, highlighted an entertaining letter from a reader about loggers in northern California who had discovered mysteriously large footprints. The discovery was soon found to be a hoax after Ray Wallace revealed it was a prank back in 2002. That moment marked the birth of the mysterious creature's name. Ten years ago, it was reported that genetic testing had confirmed that Bigfoot was a human relative that arose some 15,000 years ago. The work of the report was done by Texas veterinarian Melba S. Ketchum. In August a video from 2015 of another Bigfoot siting resurfaced. It was filmed nine miles west of Tunica, Mississippi, and reportedly showed a huge, broad-backed creature that resembled something like a gorilla in the background, pulling bark off the trunk of a tree Bigfoot hunters said that the ape, also known as Gigantopithecus blacki is believed to still be out there, alive and well, as it hides out in the forests of the Pacific Northwest Since the creature's discovery in 1958, thousands of people claim to have evidence of Bigfoot's existence from California to Washington state and Utah to Mississippi 'Our data indicate that the North American Sasquatch is a hybrid species, the result of males of an unknown hominin species crossing with female Homo sapiens,' Ketchum said in a statement. Some researchers believe that Sasquatch is actually an ape from Asia that wandered off track to North America during the ice age. Bigfoot hunters said that the ape, also known as Gigantopithecus blacki is believed to still be out there, alive and well, as it hides out in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. From California to Washington state, Utah to Mississippi, thousands of people claim to have evidence of Bigfoot's existence. A Ukrainian Rabbi has posted heartbreaking photographs taken 19 months apart showing his young grandchildren hiding from Russian and Hamas attacks. He explained that the children had fled to Israel to escape Vladimir Putin's missiles being launched against civilian targets in Ukraine, only to be caught up in the on-going conflict in Israel that broke out when Hamas launched an attack on Saturday. Moshe Azman, the chief Rabbi of Ukraine who posted the images on Wednesday, said the pictures showed 'shared pain and struggle' in 'two corners of the world'. In the first picture, his three grandchildren were seen in a tiny room, the floor mostly taken up by two mattresses and a cot for the youngest child. The second showed a similar scene: another small room, albeit with slightly more belongings, this time with at least five children lying on mattresses and in a cot. A Ukrainian Rabbi has posted heartbreaking photographs taken 19 months apart showing his young grandchildren hiding from Russian and Hamas attacks. This picture was taken in Ukraine in the Kyiv region in the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine The second showed a similar scene: another small room, albeit with slightly more belongings, this time with at least five children lying on mattresses and in a cot Moshe Azman, the chief Rabbi of Ukraine who posted the images on Wednesday, said the pictures showed 'shared pain and struggle' in 'two corners of the world' 'At the first photo, my grandchildren are hiding from the rockets of Russian terrorists in the Kyiv region, in the first days of the terrible invasion in Ukraine,' Azman wrote, sharing the photographs to his 20,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). 'Later, together with thousands of people, we evacuated them to Israel and Europe.' 'In the second photo, the same people, but hiding from the rockets of terrorists from Hamas. Two different corners of the world, but such shared pain and struggle. He added: 'It breaks my heart when I see these faces, but I believe that the light of truth and faith will see us through these trials. 'I pray to the Almighty, that he may rain down his anger and fury on everyone who is involved in the terror of the civilian population!' Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, his military have launched thousands of rockets against Ukraine, hitting countless civilian sites and killing thousands of innocent people. Moscow's forces have also been accused of committing horrific war crimes, including the kidnapping, torture, rape and murders of Ukrainian people. The actions of Hamas terrorists on Saturday have been similarly barbaric, with the terrorists deliberately targeting civilians of all ages. Hundreds of Hamas militants attacked Israel from around 6.30 am, the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, in an assault that came 50 years and a day after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The Iran-backed Islamists fired thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and used explosives and bulldozers to break through the security fence around the blockaded Palestinian enclave. 'It breaks my heart when I see these faces, but I believe that the light of truth and faith will see us through these trials,' Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Azman (pictured) wrote Using motorbikes, pickup trucks, motorised gliders and speed boats, the militants streamed into Israel, targeting cities including Ashkelon, Ofakim and Sderot. The gunmen fired on hundreds of young Israelis and foreigners at a music festival near Kibbutz Reim, close to Gaza. Some 270 people died at the site alone. Hamas fighters also stalked through towns and cities, including small kibbutz communities, where they killed people in their homes and cars. They also took around 150 hostages, Israel said. They include at least 11 Thais, two Mexicans and an unknown number of Americans and Germans. So far, Israel says 1,200 innocent people have been found to have been killed. On-the-ground reports have said babies were found beheaded and with their throats cut, while some people were found dead with their hands tied behind their backs. The death toll in the conflict is set to keep rising as more bodies are found in Israel, and as Israel's military continues to bomb the Gaza Strip, where more than 1,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed so far, including children. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday ordered a 'complete siege' of Gaza, meaning 'no electricity, no food, no water, no gas', in a move decried by the United Nations as a possible violation of international law. The military has massed tens of thousands of troops and heavy armour near Gaza, and called up 300,000 reservists for a campaign it has dubbed 'Swords of Iron'. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that his country's military campaign was only the start of a sustained war, and has vowed to reduce Hamas's hideouts in Gaza 'to rubble' - a threat that will send a chill through the residents of the enclave. Despite the actions of his soldiers in Ukraine, Putin said today that 'women, children and the elderly' should be spared in the Israel-Hamas war. Russian soldiers have shown little regard for the lives of any of these groups. 'We need to strive to minimise or reduce to zero, to a minimum, civilian casualties,' he said, referring to Palestine and Israel. 'Women, children, the elderly. 'If men decide to fight among themselves, let them fight among themselves. 'Children, women, leave them alone. This applies to both sides.' Ukraine 2022: Firefighters try to extinguish a fire amid the destruction caused after shelling of a shopping center, in Kyiv, March 21 Israel 2023: Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel October 9 According to the OHCHR, UN's human rights organisation, there have been more than 27,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine since February 24, 2022 (9,614 killed and 17,535 injured) as a result of Putin's invasion. Also speaking on Wednesday, Putin said the Israel-Palestinian war is rooted in the failure to create a Palestinian state and botched mediation efforts by the US. Speaking at an international energy forum in Moscow, Putin charged that Washington has mostly focused on trying to create material incentives for the Palestinians while failing to help create a Palestinian state. Putin emphasized the need to quickly find a settlement - warning that the conflict could spiral out of control, resulting in 'grave consequences.' The York Springs fire department took over 30 minutes to work him free A boy was rescued from a grain bin in Adams County, Pennsylvania, after he was 'buried up to his head in corn,' according to a social media post by Dover Township Fire Department. The fire department assisted York Springs Fire Company No. 1 to rescue the boy in Latimore Township near York Springs, Pennsylvania, Monday afternoon. First responders received an alert shortly after 4.30pm, regarding a person being trapped on the 100 block of Hoffman Road in Latimore Township. As the fire brigade rushed to the scene, they found the boy conscious and breathing 'in a grain bin cart, and buried up to his head in corn,' the authorities said. The fire department said they worked to free the boy 'in just over 30 minutes' in its Facebook post. A boy was found conscious and breathing in a grain bin cart, and buried up to his head in corn He was rescued and transported to a local hospital Monday First responders received an alert shortly after 4.30pm, regarding a person being trapped on the 100 block of Hoffman Road in Latimore Township The child was transported by emergency crews to a local hospital for evaluation, the authorities shared. It's unclear how old the child is and how he became trapped in the grain bin. There is no life-threatening injury, but the boy's exact condition remains unknown. Shocked by the incident, social media users said the boy was lucky to be safely rescued. One wrote: 'Safety harnesses are absolutely necessary in a silo or grain bin. Yeah...they're a pain, but they can save your life.' 'Country kids play outside by themselves all the time if it was a case of being alone. If it was a case of helping, if they just fell into the corn they would sink down in quickly,' another wrote. The result could have been much worse - as in the case of Travis Muller last month. The 30-year-old man was working in a grain bin when both of his legs got stuck in an auger in rural Minnesota. He lost both legs in the tragedy and suffered from infection due to 'a significant amount of dirt and corn in his leg,' his wife wrote on a GoFundMe page. A 2022 study shows there were 83 agricultural confined spaces cases in 2022, a sharp rise compared to 59 cases in 2021. Among all the cases in 2022, 24 were fatal, and 42 were grain-related entrapments, the study shows. Other cases involved livestock waste handling facilities, entanglements inside confined spaces, falls from confined space structures, and grain dust explosions. A left-wing journalist today apologised and deleted a tweet celebrating Hamas attacks on Israel, saying she wants to 'move forward differently'. Rivkah Brown, commissioning editor at Novara Media, took to Twitter on Saturday to call news of the terrorist incursions 'a day of celebration'. She wrote: 'Today should be a day of celebration for supporters of democracy and human rights worldwide, as Gazans break out of their open-air prison and Hamas fighters cross into their colonisers' territory. The struggle for freedom is rarely bloodless and we shouldn't apologise for it.' That day, 260 revellers were massacred at a music festival and as many as 150 people kidnapped, including children, mothers and old women. Hamas terrorists committed atrocious acts as they raided local settlements, including killing more than 100 people in the Be'eri kibbutz, many slaughtered in their beds, and reportedly beheading babies. Rivkah Brown, commissioning editor at Novara Media, wrote on X to call the first day of the bloody rampage 'a day of celebration' - but has now apologised A man flees as fires burn in Ashkelon, Israel, following rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip initiated by Islamic militant group Hamas Shocking footage shared on social media appears to show Palestinian fighters parading a German citizen, who is unconscious and stripped naked, through Gaza on the back of a pick-up truck Footage also emerged of Israelis - some dead, others alive - being paraded around streets in the Gaza Strip. Today, Ms Brown apologised for the message and said it had been sent 'in a moment of heightened emotion'. She wrote: 'Ive deleted this tweet. I responded too quickly and in a moment of heightened emotion. Witnessing Palestinians defy decades of oppression hardened me to the suffering of Israeli civilians, including my friends and family, and I regret that. Im sorry. 'Seeing fences torn down and military bases targeted, my instinct was to show unreserved solidarity with a Palestinian resistance I knew would be demonised. Speaking to Israeli friends hiding in bunkers has reminded me its possible to care deeply about two things at once. 'Being a passionate advocate of Palestinian self-determination should not preclude empathy in fact, I think it demands it. My tweet did not express that. I want to move forward differently.' A series of other tweets in support of Palestinians remain published on her social media. One argues that 'Palestinian retaliation is wholly inevitable and entirely justifiable' until Israel 'withdraws from the West Bank and ends the siege on Gaza'. The number of people killed in Hamas's attacks on Israel has risen above 1,200, the vast majority of whom are civilians, officials said. Hamas terrorists gunned down entire families in their homes in a small kibbutz in Israel, Israeli soldiers have claimed Palestinian emergency personnel transport a child reportedly injured in clashes with Israeli settlers in Qusra village, into Rafidia hospital in the West Bank Survivors dig through the remains of market stalls and apartment blocks after Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis on Tuesday Missile strikes have killed hundreds of people in both Israel and Gaza since the outbreak of conflict A baby's seat and child's dress is seen covered in blood in the aftermath of a Hamas attack That includes 260 revellers gunned down at a music festival, and whole families - including children and babies - who were massacred in a kibbutz. Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed 900 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry. Airstrikes demolished entire neighbourhoods on Wednesday, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip are struggling to treat the injured with dwindling medical supplies. Israel's siege and bombardment has not deterred Hamas, however, who today continued to return fire with artillery, hitting a child development hospital in the Israeli city of Ashkelon. Meanwhile, Gaza's two million residents lost electricity as the enclave's sole power plant ran out of fuel and shut down, energy officials said, deepening the crisis inside the 140-square-mile territory that is currently besieged by Israeli forces. 'The only power plant in the Gaza Strip stopped functioning at 2pm,' the authority's head said in a statement, having earlier warned that it was running short of fuel. Humanitarian groups have pleaded for the creation of corridors for the delivery of aid ahead of the likely Israeli assault. An Israel Defence Forces source provided a photograph of a child's blood-soaked bed in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom following a Hamas-led attack on the home. Israeli PM Netanyahu said the images proved Hamas is 'worse than ISIS' Survivors stand amid the debris and destruction near the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City Smoke billows from burned-out buildings after Israeli air strikes hit Gaza City today Israel is now said to be on the cusp of a ground invasion into the Gaza Strip, with Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus saying the nation is sending 'infantry, armoured soldiers, artillery corps', plus 300,000 reservists 'close to the Gaza Strip to execute the mission that we have been given by the Israeli government'. Conricus added: 'That is to make sure that Hamas at the end of this war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians.' As fears mounted inside the enclave of an imminent assault, an Israeli defence official vowed that Gaza will become a 'tent city' with every building razed. The Israeli government had previously told civilians in Gaza to leave, but the one open border crossing with Egypt has since been closed. The war has claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, and is only expected to escalate further from this point. Humanitarian groups have pleaded for the creation of corridors for the delivery of aid ahead of the likely Israeli assault. Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of his fears that the Israel conflict could hit military aid to Ukraine, as hypocrite Putin demanded that women and children must be spared after the Hamas strike on Israel. Putin has caused carnage among civilians with his illegal invasion of Ukraine, soon to reach its 600th day, caring nothing for their fate in his relentless missile and kamikaze drone strikes. Speaking of the conflict potentially affecting weapons being supplied to Ukraine, Zelensky said today that 'of course, everybody's afraid, and I think also Russia's counting on it, on dividing support'. The Ukrainian President had for the first time joined a meeting of more than 50 defence leaders from around the world to make a personal pitch for military aid, in the face of lagging political support in the U.S. and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israel's war. His words came as Hamas this afternoon launched a fresh wave of rocket attacks across southern Israel, including a strike on a child development centre, as Gaza holds its breath, with Israel's Defence Forces massing hundreds of thousands of troops on its border. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky talks during a press conference with Belgium's Prime Minister in Brussels on October 11, 2023 Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a plenary session at the Russian Energy Week international forum at the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall in Moscow, Russia, on October 11, 2023 Shocking images and videos out of Israel's southern city of Ashkelon purportedly showed how the Child Development wing of the Barzilai Medical Centre suffered a direct hit, reducing parts of the building to rubble. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have died in Israel since Saturday's incursion. In Gaza, the health ministry says more than 1,050 have been killed and over 5,100 injured. Asked about concerns that Ukraine could get less military support because of the war in Israel, Zelensky said there is a 'very understandable volume' that the U.S. and Europe can provide. He said he has asked that question himself, and added that he thinks nobody really knows but that he is still assuming U.S. and European support. Speaking of the Israel war as he entered the NATO headquarters, Zelensky said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraine's ongoing need for air defense systems and long-range missiles 'to push Russia out of our land'. Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the winter weather sets in after making limited gains in its counter-offensive. Rockets are fired by Palestinians into Israel's Ashkelon city as clashes continue between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups at various locations in Gaza on October 10, 2023, in Gaza City A fire blazes after a rocket that was launched from the Gaza Strip landed in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on October 11, 2023 Israelis take cover from the incoming rocket fire from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on October 11, 2023 Discussing the Middle East crisis during a keynote speech for Russian Energy Week in Moscow, Putin said men should be allowed to fight it out, but the brutality should not involve women, children and the elderly. 'We need to strive to minimise or reduce to zero, to a minimum, civilian casualties,' Putin said, referring to Israel and Palestine. 'Women, children, the elderly. 'If men decide to fight among themselves, let them fight among themselves. 'Children, women, leave them alone. This applies to both sides.' His words are likely to infuriate the West, as the war has seen countless atrocities against civilians, including in Bucha, where civilians were killed and raped by troops who have been accused of genocide. As the invasion started, Olena Kurylo, 53, known as 'the face of the Ukraine war', was pictured with a bloody and bandaged face after a Russian missile strike on her home in Chuhuiv. Two months later, Putin bombed Odessa with his strategic missile-carrying Tu-95s. As a result, baby Kira was laid to rest with her mother Valeria Hlodan, 27, and grandmother Liudmila Yavkina, 53. This month, Putin's forces staged a 'genocidal' attack on Hroza village where at least 52 were killed. He said during his speech: 'I don't understand why the United States is pulling aircraft carrier groups towards Israel. This is aggravating the situation.' He added that it was 'unknown whether it will be possible to calm the situation between Israel and Palestine in the near future, but this could lead to big problems'. Putin said the accusations against Iran of its involvement in aggravating the Palestinian-Israeli conflict were unsubstantiated. Wounded Olena Kurylo, 53, is seen as an airstrike damages an apartment complex outside of Kharkiv, Ukraine, on February 24, 2022 The hand of Iryna Filkina, a woman who according to residents was killed by Russian army soldiers, is pictured as her body lies on the street in Bucha, Kyiv region, Ukraine on April 2, 2022 President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to media in Bucha, northwest of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Russian forces pulled back from the commuter town northwest of the capital on March 31, 2022 He angled his support in the conflict against Israel. 'Initially, when the decision was made to create the State of Israel, a decision was made at the same time to create a second state,' he said. 'Initially, it was about the creation of two independent and sovereign states - Israel and Palestine... 'Israel, as you know, was created, but Palestine as an independent and sovereign state was never created.' He blamed the West for this failure. British-born youngsters enlisted into the Israeli army have spoken of the emotional burden of being called up in the Gaza conflict. Their families voiced fears over the summons to the frontline to help fight Israels biggest war in a generation. Leo Black, 29, is one of a number of British nationals who have been asked to defend Israel, after terror attacks by Hamas in the south left at least 900 Israeli civilians dead. Born in Borehamwood near London, he enlisted in the Israeli army in 2018 where he served as a paratrooper. Now he is being called back to battle. His girlfriend Sarina Carter, 23, from Edgware, who previously served as a combat support soldier for Paratroopers told the Daily Mail she will cry her eyes out when he leaves again for war. Leo Black, 29, is one of a number of British nationals who have been asked to defend Israel, after terror attacks by Hamas in the south left at least 900 Israeli civilians dead. His girlfriend Sarina Carter, 23, from Edgware, who previously served as a combat support soldier for Paratroopers told the Daily Mail she will cry her eyes out when he leaves again for war Leo Black, pictured, was born in Borehamwood near London, he enlisted in the Israeli army in 2018 where he served as a paratrooper. Now he is being called back to battle She said: I am absolutely terrified for Leo and I will cry my eyes out when he goes in a few days. I have already lost several friends to the massacres and to the war with Hamas Everyday my friends text me as if they will never see me again. It is the same for everyone in Israel. But although I am terrified for Leo I know he is going to fight for a great cause. It is a privilege to serve in the IDF and to defend this country. For us, serving in the Israeli military is the best way to fight anti-Semitism READ MORE: Rocket slams into Israeli hospital Advertisement When I went to Poland as a young girl I felt as though I had lost all my family to the gas chambers. Since then I have seen it as my duty to defend Jewish people. At home, British families have been left worrying for the safety of their sons and brothers who are volunteering to serve in the Israeli military. Mother of five Eva Karr, 47, from London told the Daily Mail she is proud of her two sons - Aharon, 22, and Yisroel, 20 - who volunteered to serve as lone soldiers. Lone soldiers is the term used to describe foreign nationals who volunteer to serve in the Israeli Defence Forces. She discovered her sons had been called to war after a relative came to her house at 7am on Saturday morning, to inform her of the terror attacks in Israel. Mrs Karr said: My husband and I are observant Jews so we hadnt checked our phones and hadnt seen the news. A friend came round to tell us that our sons had been called up to serve in the IDF and that there had been an enormous terror attack in Israel. READ MORE: Briton confirmed dead after Hamas festival attack Advertisement When I found out what had happened in Israel I was horrified. It is completely barbaric. I have never seen such behaviour in my life. It was like a modern day pogrom. My younger son, Yisroel - who is a combat soldier - knew Nathanel Young, the British, IDF soldier who was killed in Israel earlier this week. His death felt very close to home. And I am so scared for my sons. Still, I am very proud that they have chosen to defend Israel. Also worried for family members is Gideon Caplan, 24, an Account Exec from London. He is terrified for his younger brother who volunteered to serve in the Israeli Defence Forces in June 2022. Mr Caplan said: When I was at the Vigil outside Downing Street last night, it all hit me and I burst into tears. I think my entire family is shocked that my brother is fighting in active combat, so quickly after enlisting into the IDF. He is still in the middle of some of his more specialist training. When I spoke to him on the phone on Sunday he was quite scared because he didnt know where he was going to be sent. I havent been able to speak to him since Sunday because the IDF has taken his phone. My family are all very supportive, but we are of course very worried. British Airways has suspended flights to and from Israel because of safety concerns. The announcement from the airline comes after a BA flight from London to Israel was forced to turn back just moments before it reached Tel Aviv due to security concerns. Flight BA165 had to change course back to Heathrow amid Hamas launching a fresh wave of rocket attacks. A BA spokesman said: 'Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation, we're suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv. 'We're contacting customers booked to travel to or from Tel Aviv to apologise for the inconvenience and offer options including a full refund and rebooking with another airline or with British Airways at a later date. 'We continue to monitor the situation in the region closely.' It has joined many international airlines who have suspended flights to Tel Aviv since the shocking attack by Hamas on Israel on Saturday. The BA165 flight (not pictured) had almost reached Tel Aviv when it was forced to turn back to London Heathrow due to safety concerns It comes after Hamas launched a fresh wave of rocket attacks on Israel which included bombing a child development centre (pictured: Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City) After flight BA165A was diverted, BA said: 'Safety is always our highest priority and we've taken the decision to return our Tel Aviv flight to Heathrow.' Flight-tracking website Flightradar showed the flight was near northern city Haifa when it made a U-turn. It was due to land at 3.05pm. A spokesperson for Israel's airports authority said rockets were flying around Tel Aviv at the time but were not an immediate threat to the flight or to Ben Gurion Airport. The diversion back to Britain was the pilot's decision and no other flights have been diverted, the spokesperson said. Other carriers such as easyJet and Wizz Air suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv after the Hamas attacks on Saturday, meaning UK citizens trying to fly home from Israel face a struggle to book flights. EasyJet usually serves Gatwick, Luton and Manchester airports from the Israeli city but has paused operations on those routes. Wizz Air, which normally connects Israel with Gatwick and Luton, has also suspended those flights. Virgin Atlantic is continuing to operate flights between Heathrow and Tel Aviv. BA, owned by IAG, had said earlier on Monday it was monitoring the situation in Israel very closely but would continue to operate some flights, but has now announced it is suspending flights to and from Israel. The Government has not provided an estimate on how many UK citizens are in Israel. A travel industry source said the number of UK tourists in Israel is low. Israel's ministry of tourism said it is 'committed to ensuring that all tourists visiting Israel are safe and informed'. It added it is operating a 'hotline via WhatsApp for tourists' on +972 55 972 6931. Smoke billows from a fire that broke out after a rocket attack from Gaza in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon Israelis take cover from the incoming rocket fire from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel A picture shows a crater made by a rocket fired from Gaza outside a supermarket in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon Israelis look at the damage by rocket fire fired from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel It comes after Hamas launched a fresh wave of rocket attacks across southern Israel, including a child development centre, even as Gaza holds its breath with Israel's Defence Forces massing hundreds of thousands of troops on its border. Shocking images and videos out of Israel's southern city of Ashkelon purportedly showed how the Child Development wing of the Barzilai Medical Centre suffered a direct hit which reduced parts of the building to rubble. A spokeswoman for the centre said: 'The child development centre at the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon suffered a direct hit by a projectile from Gaza,' while Deputy Director Dr. Gili Givati told Israeli public radio: 'The development centre was completely destroyed.' Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes demolished entire Palestinian neighbourhoods on Wednesday, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip are struggling to treat the injured with dwindling medical supplies as the IDF encircle the 25-mile-long swathe of land ahead of a planned invasion. Gaza's two million residents lost electricity this afternoon as the enclave's sole power plant ran out of fuel and shut down, energy officials said, deepening the crisis inside the 140-square-mile territory that is currently besieged by Israeli forces. 'The only power plant in the Gaza Strip stopped functioning at 2pm,' the authority's head said in a statement, having earlier warned that it was running short of fuel. The war has claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, and is only expected to escalate further from this point. Humanitarian groups have pleaded for the creation of corridors for the delivery of aid ahead of the likely Israeli assault. A Good Samaritan has been missing since Tuesday afternoon after they jumped into a body of water in California to help rescue a mother and daughter whose SUV had crashed. The mother and her five-year-old daughter were seen standing on their submerged vehicle after it crashed into the body of water in Tracy, about an hour east of San Francisco. She had helped the daughter get to the rear of the SUV before it disappeared under water, witnesses said. A male onlooker jumped into and managed to help the child to shore, before the second Good Samaritan also dove in to help the mother, who had already gone underwater, according to the California Highway Patrol. The unconscious mother washed ashore a short time later with major injuries, but the Good Samaritan did not resurface. A good Samaritan has been missing for since Tuesday after they jumped into a body of water in California to help rescue a mother and daughter whose SUV had crashed The unconscious mother washed ashore a short time later with major injuries, but the good Samaritan did not come back up Their totaled SUV was seen being pulled out of the water on Tuesday night Police and the fire department searched for the unidentified man until darkness fell on Tuesday. The child was unharmed, but the mother was hospitalized in critical condition after being revived by paramedics. Officials said their car veered off the road as they drove on a bridge before striking a tree and going into the water. 'It sounds like a very short period of time had elapsed from when the car was visible and then no longer visible,' officer Schmier told KCRA. Their totaled SUV was seen being pulled out of the water on Tuesday night. The missing good Samaritan has not been identified. 'Its not my part to say it for him, but Im glad he did it, especially for the child and the mother. But he seems like a good guy. He just jumped in,' witness Anthony Amari told KRCA. Police said they are investigating the cause of the crash. DailyMail.com has reached out to the California Highway Patrol for more information. Police officers are to vote on whether they should be given the right to strike. Thousands of police officers in England and Wales will be balloted on whether they seek to have industrial rights. Currently police officers do not have the right to strike because they are not technically employees, they are servants of the Crown. The Police Act 1919 prohibited police from joining a trade union that could take strike action. Now the Police Federation of England and Wales is asking its 145,000 members, which represent ranks from constable to chief inspector, whether they should get the same industrial rights as other public sector workers. Currently police officers do not have the right to strike because they are not technically employees, they are servants of the Crown Police Federation of England and Wales Chair Steve Hartshorn has asked members if they would want the same industrial rights as other public sector workers Chair Steve Hartshorn told its annual conference: You know that as an organisation we have for the first time in many years been talking about seeking greater industrial rights. We have seen the industrial unrest this year and seen how it has helped some unions lead a greater negotiation with Government. I don't know where these conversations will lead and it is for the membership to determine our direction. But be assured this comes because our members feel there has been a real breakdown in the special relationship that has existed between governments of all political colours and the police. Police have been given a seven per cent pay rise this year, but Mr Hartshorn told the Home Secretary Suella Braverman it should have been 10 per cent higher. The Federation said in a statement: This decision follows more than a decade of requesting the Government to address police officers' poor working terms and conditions. However, these requests have consistently been ignored by the Government, significantly depriving officers of the pay they deserve and the police service of much needed resources. The Government's neglect has resulted in a growing sense of anger and frustration amongst our membership. READ MORE: Three female doctors sue LA County for 'ignoring' abuse complaints about prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. Derrick Todd is facing a slew of disturbing allegations which include he 'sexually exploited, abused, harassed and molested' women A top rheumatologist has been sued by former female patients for conducting unnecessary pelvic and breast exams A top rheumatologist has been sued by a former patient for conducting 'unnecessary pelvic and breast exams' where she was 'sexually exploited, abused, harassed and molested', a bombshell lawsuit claims. Disturbing allegations have been made against Dr. Derrick Todd as well as his former employer, Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he allegedly sexually assaulted female patients. Mimi DiTrani, who was a former patient of Todd, says in court documents he contacted her to say he'd been recommended to treat her. 'I'm horrified. I went to him, he is a specialist in very rare autoimmune rheumatological conditions, which I have,' she told CBS Boston. She claims Todd performed repeat breast and vaginal exams as well as asked her a series of 'invasive' questions about her appearance, sexual history and sexual activity. Dr. Derrick Todd is facing a slew of disturbing allegations which include he 'sexually exploited, abused, harassed and molested' women Mimi DiTrani, who was a former patient of Todd, says in court documents he contacted her to say he'd been recommended to treat her Charles Morris, Chief Medical Officer at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said Todd's conduct was investigated following two complaints and he was fired in July this year From their first appointment in November Todd 'began subjecting her to a course of predatory grooming, boundary violating, mental, emotional, and physical sexual abuse that was masked by his position of power and authority,' court papers filed in Suffolk Superior Court state. She continued visiting him for appointments through to January at which point she changed to remote contact until she felt pressured to move to Massachusetts for more appointments in June and July. 'I questioned it because I thought maybe I imagined it, it's a doctor,' she said in a news conference. 'When you trust someone to help you, you see them and you're very vulnerable, and when they violate that trust, and they hurt you instead of heal you, it can be very frightening and not easy to process. 'I had a hunch. Why did I go back? But that's why I want to say "it's not your fault" - these people know what they're doing.' DiTrani is not alone - at least 32 women have sought legal advice, with two already filing lawsuits, as the Boston-based doctor is accused of performing 'not medically necessary' exams on his patients. Attorney Drew Meyer of Lubin & Meyer says his firm is representing at least 30 former patients and they are considering a class action. 'We have been inundated with phone calls. He wanted to know about their sex lives, he wanted to know in detail about what happened with their husbands or their sex lives,' he said. One woman says Todd performed repeat breast and vaginal exams as well as asked her a series of 'invasive' questions about her appearance, sexual history and sexual activity 'We made a decision to terminate his employment after the conclusion of that initial investigation' - hospital Todd was trusted as a medical professional and he exploited women for his personal gain, lawyers for the women claim 'The abuse and the manipulation exercised by Dr. Todd was horrific, was in fact extraordinarily creepy,' Meyers said. 'He convinced patients that he could handle their genealogical examinations, that he could handle their breast examinations - this is a rheumatologist, he shouldn't be anywhere near that area.' In a statement, Charles Morris, Chief Medical Officer at Brigham and Women's Hospital, told DailyMail.com Todd's conduct was investigated following two complaints and was fired in July this year. 'We deeply regret the harm Dr. Todds actions has caused our patients and their families. 'We take our duty to care for our patients and keep them safe extremely seriously. We have, and always will, act decisively on any allegations of misconduct, as we did in this case. 'We began an internal investigation immediately after we received two anonymous complaints about Dr. Todd. He was then placed on administrative leave once we learned more and, upon completion of that initial investigation, we made a decision to terminate him. 'We notified the Department of Public Health and the Board of Registration in Medicine and then contacted law enforcement. 'We also reached out to his current and former patients to speak with them about the care they received and to connect them to additional services. 'Right now, our focus is on our patients and caring for all of their needs, with the hope of ultimately restoring their trust in health care.' As he's investigated by the state, Dr. Todd signed a voluntary waiver agreeing not to practice medicine in Massachusetts or any other state. His attorney, Ingrid S. Martin, said her client denies any wrongdoing. 'To the extent that anyone is bringing claims against him, Dr. Todd believes that he has done nothing wrong and will defend against such claims vigorously,' she said. 'We are cooperating fully with any investigation by the Board of Registration in Medicine.' A farmer in Washington state says her and her family are being targeted by an organized crime group that repeatedly attacked their animals and stole from a cash box. Ashley Little, who owns and operates The Little Farm in Pierce County, Washington, has said a group of individuals have targeted her farm and her family. According to Little, the same group of people have showed up at their property on three separate occasions to terrorize her and her family, stealing from a money box in the process. The first instance of the group turning was in June, with a woman walking straight into their house. 'They cornered my daughter and actually they started poking her horse in the side like injuring her horse,' she told Fox 13 Seattle. Ashley Little, who owns and operates The Little Farm in Pierce County, Washington, has said a group of individuals have targeted her farm and her family Images shared by Little from a surveillance camera shows the group of five people at her farm. 'We see her come out of the house and my cash box that I take to farmers markets was open. Cash was out,' Little said. 'She was clearly robbing us.' At 3am the next morning, the group returned and she alleges they tried to gain entry to the property while they slept. 'Weve put all the gates, the locks up, weve put cameras up,' Little said. 'Theyve seen that we mean business, they keep coming back and now I feel quite threatened. Short of this becoming violent, how does this stop?' When asked if the group was terrorizing the family, she replied: 'Yeah, we are on edge.' Her husband is also said to have brandished a gun at the group following the continued disturbances. Deputies with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department confirmed they had received reports of suspicious activity in June and October of this year. It's unclear why the farm has been targeted by the thieves. According to Little, the same group of people have showed up at their property on three separate occasions to terrorize her and her family, stealing from a money box in the process The first instance of the group turning was in June, with a woman walking straight into their house Her husband is also said to have brandished a gun at the group following the continued disturbances The department told Fox that there's no crime in showing up at a property, but Little thinks the group has gone beyond trespassing. Alongside the theft, Little claims they also let her animals loose and confronted her children. In July, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department released images of two women and a Chrysler minivan after the pair are alleged to have stolen $1,500 worth of produce and bulbs from another farm. Pierce County Sheriff's Department released images of two women and a Chrysler minivan after the pair are alleged to have stolen produce and bulbs from another farm 'On July 10, a group of women stole approximately $1,500 worth of produce and bulbs from a small organic farm located in the 5000 block of 40th St E in the Waller area,' the department said. 'The owner was not home at the time of the theft, but a neighbor provided video of the theft and the suspects. 'They were driving a white 2005 Chrysler minivan, which has been listed as sold in the system, with no buyer name. 'While we expect that some community members may have seen this group of women out and about at various stores or other locations, we are specifically looking for names and/or residences.' Israel has 'ruled out' the reported aerial invasion from Lebanon this evening, blaming a malfunction in the alert system for rocket sirens sounding in the north. 'Following the reports regarding an infiltration into Israeli air space from Lebanon, as of right now, a suspected infiltration has been ruled out,' an IDF Home Front Command statement read. 'The reports regarding instructions to remain in the shelters across the country are a human error. There is no such instruction. We ask residents to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and act accordingly,' it continued. Israel had warned citizens to seek shelter as 'hostile aircraft' were reported to have crossed the country's northern border with Lebanon earlier this evening. The army's Home Front Command asked residents in the cities of Beit Shean, Safed and Tiberias to shelter 'until further notice' fearing a 'large-scale attack'. As rocket sirens were activated in the region, the country's army said a suspected 'aerial infiltration from Lebanon' had been detected. It came as Hezbollah claimed to have killed and wounded Israeli troops after firing anti-tank missiles at an Israeli position earlier today. Israel confirmed the attack and said it returned fire, without commenting on possible casualties. Israel told citizens to seek shelter as 'hostile aircraft' crossed the country's northern border with Lebanon this evening Israelis take cover in a shelter as a siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets fired from the Gaza strip, in Ashkelon, Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 People run for cover upon hearing sirens warning of incoming fire in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on October 11, 2023 Missiles launched from the Gaza Strip toward the Israeli city of Ashkelon interrupted by the Israeli air defense system of Iron Dome, 10 October 2023 Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu shared this picture of a child's blood-soaked bed and said the images proved Hamas is 'worse than ISIS' An Israeli woman takes cover from the incoming rocket fire in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel The remains of a supermarket which was struck by Hamas rocket attacks this afternoon A survivor, surrounded by shattered glass and burned-out cars, inspects the debris A couple crouches behind a wall as sirens blare to mark incoming rocket fire Smoke billows from a burning building after the rocket attacks which targeted multiple cities across Israel Today's warnings from Lebanon came shortly after Hamas claimed it had fired a long-range missile at Haifa, a city in northern Israel that sits 90 miles north of Gaza. Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed it was behind the attack. The missile was part of a fresh wave of rocket attacks in Israel this afternoon, which destroyed a children's hospital and a supermarket. Shocking footage from the southern city of Ashkelon shows the Barzilai Medical Centre in ruins with the children's wing taking a direct hit. Pictures also show the remains of a supermarket in the city, surrounded by debris and marked by a large crater. The strikes were among many launched by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who targeted multiple locations across the country. News of the latest attack came after Hamas launched a fresh wave of rocket attacks in Israel this afternoon, destroying a children's hospital and a supermarket. Shocking footage from the southern city of Ashkelon shows the Barzilai Medical Centre in ruins with the children's wing taking a direct hit. Pictures also show the remains of a supermarket in the city, surrounded by debris and marked by a large crater. The strikes were among many launched by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who targeted multiple locations across the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later shared a harrowing image of a child's bed with its sheets soaked in blood, along with the caption: 'Hamas is worse than ISIS.' Israeli airstrikes demolished entire Palestinian neighbourhoods on Wednesday as hospitals struggled to treat the injured with dwindling medical supplies. This afternoon Gaza's two million residents lost electricity as the enclave's sole power plant ran out of fuel and shut down. The outage deepens the crisis inside the 140-square-mile territory, with Israeli forces lining up on the border ahead of a planned invasion. The war has claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides and is only expected to escalate further from this point. Humanitarian groups have pleaded for the creation of aid corridors ahead of the likely Israeli assault. Israelis inspect the damage after a street was hit in Ashkelon Shattered glass and window panes litter the street after a series of rocket attacks An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 11 A mourner weeps while burying the body of a Palestinian child in Khan Younis Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City As fears mounted inside the enclave of an imminent assault, an Israeli defence official vowed that Gaza will become a 'tent city' with every building razed. In the early hours, Israeli forces conducted 250 airstrikes in just one hour across northern and eastern parts of the Gaza strip in revenge for Hamas' terror attacks. Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus said they are sending 'infantry, armoured soldiers, artillery corps', plus 300,000 reservists 'close to the Gaza Strip to execute the mission that we have been given by the Israeli government'. Conricus added: 'That is to make sure that Hamas at the end of this war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians.' In another sign that an attack is imminent, Israeli officials have told residents living close to the border with Gaza to prepare to remain in shelters for 72 hours, and to therefore stock up on food and water. Some have begun to evacuate. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas have continued around the border, with fierce gun fighting between Israeli Border Guards and Hamas attackers in the southern cities of Sderot and Ashkelon into this morning. A series of rocket salvos from Gaza also hit Sderot Wednesday morning, injuring at least one civilian and damaging five buildings. Three Israeli soldiers were killed in a confrontation with 'terrorist infiltrators' to the north on the frontier with Lebanon, where Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters and Lebanon's Hezbollah had launched a smattering of attacks and triggered air raid sirens with more rockets. On Saturday, the armed wing of Hamas streamed across the Gaza border fence and launched a ruthless attack on unsuspecting soldiers and civilians in what EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has described as an 'act of war'. At least 169 Israeli soldiers have been killed in fighting with Hamas, the army said on Wednesday. 'As of this morning, we've informed the families of 169 fallen IDF soldiers,' military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. In Israel, the death toll from Saturday's assault rose to 1,200 - making it the deadliest attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials reported more than 900 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. Survivors stand amid the debris and destruction near the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City Smoke billows from burned-out buildings after Israeli air strikes hit Gaza City today Covered in ash, an injured Palestinian boy sits in an ambulance in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip Israeli soldiers fire artillery towards Gaza Strip from the border A salvo of rockets is fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards Israel as the war's death toll passes 3,000 Israeli soldiers take a break as they hold their position along the Israel-Gaza border As dawn broke on Wednesday, more airstrikes were launched on Gaza Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi Mosque in Gaza City Palestinians pick through the rubble in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes Survivors dig through the remains of market stalls and apartment blocks after Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis on Tuesday Smoke from Israeli bombardment is pictured over the Gaza City seaport on October 11, 2023 Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike that has been going on for five days in Gaza City, Gaza on October 11, 2023. Palestinian Foreign Ministry claimed that Israel used phosphorus bombs in its attacks on populated areas in Gaza One key target was the al-Furqan neighborhood - so named after a mosque in the area - which defense officials said is a 'nest of terror' used by Hamas to launch attacks against Israel. Hamas said two of its top officials had been killed, while Israel's military said the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas infiltrators had been found. Swathes of the densely-populated Gaza have already been reduced to rubble, photos emerging on Tuesday showed. Images later emerged appearing to show trails of phosphorus munitions being used over Gaza - something Palestinian sources had alleged. The use of such weapons in civilian areas is considered a war crime. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, said he has 'released all restraints' on the troops in their fight against Hamas. 'Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be,' he said, speaking to soldiers near the Gaza fence. 'We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. We've been controlling the area since Day Two and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify.' Gallant promised to show no mercy to the terrorists. 'Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors we will eliminate him at the height of our power and without compromise.' Fears of a regional conflagration have surged ahead of an expected Israeli ground incursion into Gaza. Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with hundreds of air strikes overnight, a Hamas government official said Wednesday. The strikes destroyed several buildings of the Hamas-linked Islamic University in Gaza City, a university official said. The Israeli military confirmed it had hit dozens of Hamas targets during the night. It said fighter jets destroyed 'advanced detection systems' that Hamas used to spot military aircraft. They also hit 80 Hamas targets in the Beit Hanoun area of the northeastern Gaza Strip, including two bank branches used by the Islamist group to 'fund terrorism' in the enclave, the military said. In response to Saturday's attack, Israel imposed a 'total siege' on Gaza, suspending supplies of food, water, electricity and fuel to the already blockaded enclave. Today's airstrikes came as the barbarity of Hamas' attacks on Israel was becoming apparent, with ever-more savage behavior being described. At the Be'eri kibbutz, 100 people - 10 percent of the population - were murdered. David Ben Zion, Deputy Commander of Unit 71, told i24News that he had seen victims shot dead in their beds. David Ben Zion, Deputy Commander of Unit 71, told i24News that he had seen victims decapitated, including children "They chopped heads of children and women," says David Ben Zion, Deputy Commandee of Unit 71 to our @Nicole_Zedek, while reporting from the massacre in Kfar Aza in southern Israel pic.twitter.com/IHSB0ywMbF i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 10, 2023 Gunshots and blood stains are seen on a door and walls of a house where civilians were killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas on this kibbutz near the border with Gaza on Tuesday A baby's seat and child's dress is seen covered in blood in the aftermath of a Hamas attack Hamas terrorists gunned down entire families in their homes in a small kibbutz in Israel, Israeli soldiers have claimed Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday 'We went door after door, we killed a lot of the terrorists,' he said. 'We are stronger than them. They are aggressive, they are very bad... But we are stronger than them.' Harrowing images from the scene at Kfar Aza kibbutz showed a baby's cot covered with blood; her small bloodied dress lying next to it. The Israeli soldiers were seen comforting each other after witnessing such horrors, including the bodies of entire families who were gunned down in their beds. 'You see the babies, the mothers, the fathers, in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms and how the terrorist kills them,' said Israeli Major General Itai Veruv. 'It's not a war, it's not a battlefield. It's a massacre, it's a terror activity. 'It is something that I never saw in my life. It's something that we used to imagine from our grandfathers, grandmothers in the pogrom in Europe and other places. It's not something that happens in new history.' Veruv said his soldiers spent 'about 48 hours' fighting 'waves and waves of terrorists' on roads and in neighboring communities. Joe Biden called it 'an act of sheer evil', and said it was reminiscent of 'the worst rampages of ISIS.' U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and senior security officials for a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in the Situation Room before delivering his speech People mourn at the graveside of Eden Guez, who was killed a festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen that left at least 260 people dead, at her funeral in Ashkelon, in southern Israel He pledged that the US would make sure Israel has the tools it needs to defend itself: he has dispatched the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and five guided-missile cruisers and destroyers to the scene, and they arrived on Tuesday. Biden said the U.S. has 'enhanced our military force posture' in the region and is surging military assistance to Israel. Biden also spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, on Tuesday, for the third time. Gaza's health ministry said at least 900 people have been killed and 4,600 wounded in the crowded coastal enclave. Aid agencies were urging Israel to open humanitarian corridors to allow in food and medical supplies. But Israel said it will cut off water, electricity, food and fuel to the territory in a 'total siege'. After Israel imposed its blockade, European Union foreign ministers joined calls for humanitarian corridors for those trying to flee. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said such sieges are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Medical supplies, including oxygen, were running low at Gaza's overwhelmed Al-Shifa hospital, said Mohammed Ghonim, a doctor in the emergency room. Palestinian media said Israeli airstrikes also hit homes in Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. One home struck belonged to the father of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' armed wing in Gaza, reports said. Deif's brother and other family members were killed, according to the reports. Residents appealing for help on social media said many buildings had collapsed, sometimes trapping as many as 50 people inside with rescue workers unable to reach them. Rockets fired from the Gaza City (R) being intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defense missile system (L) on Tuesday Rockets fired from Gaza are seen being intercepted by the Iron Dome protection system Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip overnight on Tuesday The United Nations said more than 180,000 Gazans had been made homeless, many huddling on streets or in schools. At the morgue in Gaza's Khan Younis hospital, bodies lay on the ground on stretchers with names written on their bellies. Medics called for relatives to pick up bodies quickly because there was no more space for the dead. A municipal building was hit while being used as an emergency shelter. Survivors there spoke of many dead. More than 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza, the U.N. said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites has cut off services to 400,000 people, the U.N. said. The U.N.'s World Health Organization (WHO) said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals in Gaza have already run out amid the flood of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. The World Food Programme (WFP) said Tuesday it was targeting food help for some 800,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank following the outbreak of more violence. The WFP is appealing for $17.3 million in the next four weeks to address the 'critical situation' in the Palestinian territories, and also echoed a call by the WHO for a humanitarian corridor to provide aid to Gaza. 'Distributions are ongoing daily for displaced people in shelters in Gaza, amid concerns that the city is running out of critical resources like food, water, and electricity, with damaged infrastructure severely impeding both food production and distribution networks,' it said. It is also beginning to distribute cash-based transfers to 164,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank, electronic vouchers which can be redeemed for food in local shops, it said - even while expressing fears that local supplies are running out. The Brooklyn teenager accused of viciously stabbing to death a community activist has appeared in court after being charged with first-degree murder. Brian Dowling, 18, looked downcast as he stood in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit for a brief hearing at Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn on Wednesday. He was joined by dozens of friends and family in and outside the courtroom as a judge passed his case to the Supreme Court for arraignment. The teen is accused of stabbing 32-year-old Ryan Thoresen Carson to death at a bus stop in New York City at 3.45am last Monday. The brutal attack was caught on video, showing the victim's dying moments with his terrified girlfriend after being stabbed in the chest. Dowling was arrested at his family home in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Thursday night and wept as he was perp walked out of a precinct. The Brooklyn teenager accused of viciously stabbing to death a community activist has appeared in court after being charged with first-degree murder Ryan Thoresen Carson, 32, was killed while he waited for a bus Dowling's pre-arraignment hearing on Wednesday was packed out with dozens of relatives and friends, including Pastor Mitchell Still. The pastor told DailyMail.com outside the courtroom the teenager went through a 'traumatic event' shortly before the slaying, but would not reveal more. He said Dowling's parents are Pentecostal Christians - his father a Jehovah's Witness - and the teenager 'knows God'. He described himself as Dowling's 'spiritual guide' since he was a baby, and revealed that the boy had been through a 'traumatic event' before the stabbing. Brian Dowling, 18, looked downcast as he stood in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit for a brief hearing at Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn on Wednesday He was joined by dozens of friends and family in and outside the courtroom as a judge passed his case to the Supreme Court for arraignment The teen is accused of stabbing 32-year-old Ryan Thoresen Carson to death at a bus stop in New York City at 3.45am last Monday 'He went through something traumatic,' Pastor Mitchell said. 'He wasn't himself. This is not him at all. 'The child that we know is an obedient, nice respectable child. I can look in his eyes and tell that something just isn't right. 'We're just praying for him at this time, hoping that God will show him a different way. But we understand that a life was lost. So we are grieving for both, at this time.' Clinton Wynn, a close friend of the family, added: 'He's a good kid. Very humble.' At Dowling's hearing, the judge sent his case to Supreme Court for arraignment, at a date to be confirmed later. His parents, who wore COVID face coverings at the trial, looked tearful as they watched their son standing in shackles. They declined to speak when approached by DailyMail.com, and their son's attorney Kenneth Montgomery said: 'It's a tragic situation.' His parents, who wore COVID face coverings at the trial, looked tearful as they watched their son standing in shackles The family declined to speak when approached by DailyMail.com, and their son's attorney Kenneth Montgomery said: 'It's a tragic situation' Last week the suspect's father Brian Dowling Sr told DailyMail.com he could not explain his son's actions Last week the suspect's father Brian Dowling Sr told DailyMail.com he could not explain his son's actions. 'Let's be honest here. What can I really tell you. I can't tell you,' he said, speaking outside the brownstone the family live in, which he inherited from his father. With the historically black neighborhood rapidly gentrifying, the property is now worth over $1.25million - although it is unclear if the Dowlings own it, or rent. Eric Riddick, 58, a close friend of Dowling's father Brian Sr, said the Dowlings were 'a good family', adding he had been friends with them for over 35 years. Brian Sr was best man at Riddick's wedding. 'It's a horrible tragedy because the son comes from a good family,' Riddick told DailyMail.com. 'I can't think of anything I can say why he went that route, or what triggered him to go that way. 'The kid is only 18 years old. And I really feel for the victim's family.' Riddick said that he wanted the court to order a psychiatric evaluation. 'I want them to check his mental state,' said Riddick. 'This was not the norm. He's a teenager.' Dowling (left) is marched out of the 81st Precinct in Bedford Stuyvesant on Thursday in tears following his arrest for the murder of Ryan Thoresen Carson (right) Brian Dowling Sr, speaking outside the family brownstone in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, said he had no answers for his son's actions The teenager was a twin, and his sister Breanna was with him when he attacked Carson. Friends of Breanna Dowling, arriving at the family home on Thursday, told DailyMail.com that they were 'shocked', and said Dowling had mental health issues. Riddick said Dowling was his friend's only son, adding: 'I was with him when his kids were born - Brian and Breanna. 'I can't imagine - and it happened down the block, and was so close to home.' Riddick said it was 'a bad situation', but insisted Dowling was not a trouble maker. 'He wasn't the type of kid that followed,' said Riddick. 'He stayed to himself and was quiet. He never had any altercations.' Riddick said Dowling Sr was a musician with a group called Divine Sounds before his children were born, explaining: 'We come from musical history. 'We made records. We DJ and make songs. The father is part of the group. 'These records were made before the son was born.' Carson, the victim, was a social justice advocate. He spearheaded liberal causes like creating supervised drug injection sites across the city. The teenager was dressed in shorts, a t-shirt and sliders as he was perp walked last week His girlfriend, according to now locked-down social media profiles, was an avid BLM activist who was strongly critical of police, using the slur 'ACAB' in posts. Their friends say he would consider his killer the 'victim of a broken system' and would want his death to be used to continue advocating for social justice causes. On Wednesday, friends set up a GoFundMe account for Carson's girlfriend. They have so far raised $60,000. It remains unclear what prompted Dowling to attack. He was seen in the video at first walking past Carson, before turning back. Carson was filmed pushing him the chest several times before the first strike of the knife. At the end of the video, an unidentified woman yelled 'Brian!' as he fled. One neighbor outside the home said they believed Dowling was influenced by drugs, while some questioned why Carson engaged him. 'I watched the video this morning it makes me sick to my stomach. I have been on that corner but definitely not at 3:45 am in the morning. I know better than that,' said Sarah Walker, 31. 'I feel sad and bad, but definitely would not have intervened in any kind of situation like that just knowing what happens in the neighborhood. 'People tell you - who are born and raised in the area - just don't make eye contact with people especially at 3:45am. 'I would have walked across the street.' Harrowing footage shows the moment a terrified festivalgoer is stripped and beaten by Hamas, as he's driven to Gaza following the Israeli festival massacre. Omer Wenkert, 22, a restaurant manager from Israel, was among the crowd at the Tribe of Nova festival in Re'im when Hamas gunmen stormed the site and opened fire, killing at least 260 people. And disturbing video shows him being beaten and punched by terrorists as he's kidnapped and driven away on the back of a white pickup truck. As Hamas terrorists surround him, Omer can be seen laying naked in his underwear, as men with machine guns slap his body. Omer, still alive, can be seen turning his head towards the camera in desperation as the truck drives off into the distance. Ricardo Grichener, Omer's uncle has now issued a desperate plea, after discovering his nephew was still alive after arriving in Gaza. Harrowing footage shows the moment a terrified festivalgoer is stripped and beaten by Hamas, as he's driven to Gaza following the Israeli festival massacre A photo of Omer shows he was still alive after arriving in Gaza Omer Wenkert, 22, a restaurant manager from Israel, was among the crowd at the Tribe of Nova festival in Re'im when Hamas gunmen stormed the site and opened fire, killing at least 260 people 'We found traces of him and already one photo in Gaza', he told MailOnline. Mr Grichener explained how his nephew suffers from colitis and 'cannot survive' without his medication. 'Hamas have refused to allow red cross to give him medication. It is a crime against humanity', he said. Mr Grichener added: 'It's horrific. Hamas are responsible for his well-being. They must be smart enough to give him his medication. 'The situation is brutal and it is horrifying to see my nephew in this situation. 'But last we know of him, he was alive, and we will continue to pray for his safe return until he comes home'. Mr Grichener said that Omer was last in touch on Saturday morning. 'He called his parents at 7am in the morning telling them he heard shooting. 30 minutes later the communication was lost. 'So we knew something terrible happened. We tried to track his location but we couldn't. Later that day we found a video of his kidnapping.' Omer requires medication for his colitis, without which he 'will not survive', his uncle said The Israeli rescue service Zaka said at least 260 bodies have been removed from the festival site. Pictured: Partygoers fleeing the festival scene on Saturday At least 260 people were killed at the festival in southern Israel on Saturday. Countless more were injured in attacks as armed Hamas militants swept through. Some 3,500 people had reportedly been at the festival, though reports vary. Gunmen infiltrated the festival in vans while others descended from motorised paragliders. Hamas took an unknown number of hostages from the festival. Fears have grown for the safety of British national Jake Marlowe, 26, missing since Saturday. READ MORE: Haunting images reveal chilling aftermath of Nova music festival where 260 people were slaughtered, after volunteers removed hundreds of bodies Advertisement He was working at the Supernova Festival, near the Gaza Strip, when Palestinian militants stormed onto the site at the crack of dawn, firing rockets and sending in terrorists armed with guns to attack. More than 100 people have been taken hostage since the incursion began on Saturday. Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent for The National, told MailOnline on Saturday locals had been expecting a rocket attack, but were stunned by the nature of the full assault. 'What's so shocking about this one is the creativity. People were planning for a large rocket barrage. That's what we have been worrying about for a long time. But for people to be flying in on hang-gliders, it's unreal,' he said. 'What it does more than anything else is shatters this sense that Israel... whenever you speak to an Israeli General they're obsessed with deterrence. And they worry that their deterrence has been diminished in recent months. But this shatters it.' Israel has responded with devastating airstrikes in the last few days and announced it would push through a 'complete siege' of Gaza, affecting 2.3million people living on the Strip. Yoav Gallant, Israel's defence minister, said: 'There will be no electricity, food or fuel [delivered to Gaza]. 'We are fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly.' Some 300,000 reservists have been called up as Israel gathers momentum. With the siege, the country is now 'trying to prepare their backers' for the possibility that 'this is going to be a long war', Helm told MailOnline this evening. Hamas fighters circumvented Israel's border with the Gaza Strip by flying in via paraglider, according to the Israeli military (pictured: an alleged paraglider crossing into Israel) The aftermath of an attack on a music festival by Palestinian militants, near Kibbutz Reim in the Negev desert in southern Israel on October 8 Hamas has responded to mounting airstrikes by threatening to execute its hostages and share evidence online. Qatar has since sought to mediate de-escalation talks with Israel and Hamas, aiming to secure a deal whereby both sides release captives. The ongoing negotiations, which Qatar has been conducting in coordination with the United States since Saturday night, are 'moving positively' a source told Reuters earlier today. 'We are in constant contact with all sides at the moment. Our priorities are to end the bloodshed, release the prisoners and make sure the conflict is contained with no regional spillover,' foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said. A US Navy petty officer pleaded guilty to selling national security secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer, the Justice Department said. Wenheng Zhao, 26, pleaded guilty in a federal court in California to charges of conspiring with a foreign intelligence officer and accepting a bribe Tuesday. He confessed to passing information about a large-scale maritime training exercise in the Pacific and electrical diagrams and blueprints for a Japan radar system in exchange for nearly $15,000 from a Chinese spy. He faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy and a maximum of 15 years for bribery. Sentencing was set for January 8. Zhao and another US sailor, Jinchao Wei, were arrested in August on suspicion of spying for China. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, reportedly passed over secrets for nearly two years before his arrest earlier this month He confessed to passing information about a large-scale maritime training exercise in the Pacific and electrical diagrams and blueprints for a Japan radar system in exchange for nearly $15,000 from a Chinese spy The pair reportedly passed dozens of photos and technical manuals regarding US Navy operational security, exercises, and infrastructure to Chinese intelligence. 'Officer Zhao betrayed his country and the men and women of the U.S. Navy by accepting bribes from a foreign adversary,' said United States Attorney Martin Estrada Tuesday. 'Mr. Zhaos admission makes it clear that he abandoned the oath he swore to uphold by providing sensitive information to a U.S. adversary in exchange for cash,' said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. 'The intelligence services of the People's Republic of China actively target (security) clearance holders across the military, seeking to entice them with money to provide sensitive government information,' Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said. 'When contacted by his co-conspirator, rather than reporting it to the Navy, the defendant chose greed over protecting the national security of the United States.' Zhao, a Petty Officer from Monterey Park, California, was stationed at Naval Base Ventura County north of Los Angeles. Wei, who served on the amphibious assault ship the USS Essex, is accused of handing over to China dozens of documents, photos and videos detailing the operation of ships and their systems. Wei was allegedly told that passing secrets to Beijing about American military strategy and technology would help him get a job with the Chinese Communist Party when he left the Navy. Assistant US Attorney Fred Sheppard told a bond hearing that Weis mother encouraged him to betray the US when he went home to Wisconsin for Christmas. Wei searched online for flights to China after his handler in Beijing promised to fly him and his mother over to meet them in person, Sheppard told the court in San Diego. Jinchao Wei was serving on the USS Essex while reportedly selling its secrets to Chinese intelligence The machinist mate onboard the USS Essex (pictured here) when he allegedly sold information about the ship to a Chinese official He also claimed the intelligence officer told Wei to buy a computer and phone to pass the information, promising that if Wei provided a receipt, the Chinese government would reimburse him for the expenses. 'We have entrusted members of our military with tremendous responsibility and great faith,' US Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California added at a news conference. 'Our nation's safety and security are in their hands. When a soldier or sailor chooses cash over country, and hands over national defense information in an ultimate act of betrayal, the United States will aggressively investigate and prosecute.' Assistant US Attorney Fred Sheppard said Wei was encouraged to betray the US while serving on the USS Essex In February 2022, authorities allege, Wei, a machinist mate, began communicating with a Chinese intelligence officer, to whom he sent photos and videos of the Essex; disclosed the location of various U.S. Navy ships; and described the defensive weapons of the Essex in exchange for thousands of dollars. Prosecutors said the two tried to hide their communications by deleting records and using encrypted methods of communication. Last week, a former US Army sergeant was arrested for seeking to provide classified information to China. Joseph Schmidt, 29, who served in an army intelligence unit from 2015 until 2020, is charged with retaining national defense information and attempting to deliver it to China. The death toll continues to rise in Israel as the State Department confirmed that at least 22 Americans have been killed by Hamas terrorists. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,' said a state department official on Wednesday. That number increased since President Joe Biden said 14 Americans had been killed during a delivered a dramatic address on Tuesday. He promised to stand with Israel and denouncing the 'unadulterated evil' of terrorist attacks which killed more than 1,000 people over the weekend. And there are at least 20 Americans who remain missing in Israel. 'We do not know about their condition, and we cannot confirm a precise number of American citizens,' National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday. He noted that doesn't mean they all have been captured by Hamas, and that they are just not accounted for. Biden also confirmed that there are Americans being held by Hamas as hostages in Gaza. 'We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas,' he said without providing additional detail. An Israeli soldier walks past a dead Palestinian militant as troops search the scene of an attack in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza on the border with the Gaza Strip 'There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse. And the type of terrorism that was exhibited here was just beyond the pale,' Biden said Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Israel this week in order to directly engage with Israeli partners. 'The secretary looks forward to meeting with senior leaders in the Israeli government and continuing the discussions he and the president have been having with them since the initial attacks on Saturday,' spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday during a press briefing. The first planeload of ammunition to Israel from the U.S. arrived earlier today. Biden addressed the Israel attack Wednesday at the top of remarks about his administration's work to root out 'junk fees.' He confirmed that he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the fourth time in recent days. 'There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse. And the type of terrorism that was exhibited here was just beyond the pale,' Biden said. 'My commitment to Israel's security and the safety of Jewish people is unshakable. The United States has Israel's back and we're going to be working on this all through the day and beyond.' The president had been criticized for a sluggish response to the crisis, hosting a barbecue for staff on Sunday and not appearing in public on Monday. But he broke his silence with a speech Tuesday afternoon dripping with anger at the horrors unleashed by Hamas terrorists and warned that U.S. citizens were also among civilians captured by the gunmen. 'You know there are moments in this life I mean this literally when a pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world,' he said Tuesday afternoon, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 'The people of Israel, lived through one such moment this weekend.' The president listed the atrocities committed at the hands of Hamas. 'Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children,' he said. 'Stomach turning reports of babies being killed. Entire families slain. 'Young people massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace ... to celebrate peace ... women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies.' Israel pounded the Gaza Strip on Tuesday with the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year-old conflict with the Palestinians, turning districts to dust despite a threat from Hamas militants to execute a captive for each home hit. Biden addressed the nation after holding his third phone call in four days with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'I told him, 'If the United States experienced what you're experiencing, our response would be swift decisive and overwhelming,' Biden said during his remarks Tuesday afternoon. He said they discussed how democracies worldwide were 'more secure when we act according to the rule of law.' A day earlier, the White House said it expected to fulfill additional security requests from Israel as quickly as possible. Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and senior security officials for a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in the Situation Room before delivering his speech U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Biden notably skipped explicitly mentioning Iran during his address, but warned hostile actors of taking 'advantage' of the situation People mourn at the graveside of Eden Guez, who was killed a festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen that left at least 260 people dead, at her funeral in Ashkelon, in southern Israe Rockets fired from the Gaza City (R) being intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence missile system (L) on October 10, 2023 The president noted that Israel has the 'right to respond - indeed has a duty to respond to these vicious attacks' and the U.S. is already assisting the nation including by providing Iron Dome interceptors and ammunition. Biden said in his remarks that that the U.S. has 'enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence.' 'The Department of Defense has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean and bolstered our fighter aircraft presence. And we stand ready to move in additional assets as needed.' Biden notably skipped explicitly mentioning Iran during his address, but warned hostile actors of taking 'advantage' of the situation. 'Let me say again, any country, any organization anyone thinking of taking advantage of situation? I have one word, don't.' The White House has been cautious about laying direct blame on Iran for the attack which has killed over 1,000 Israelis. Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday A baby's seat and child's dress is seen covered in blood in the aftermath of a Hamas attack A day earlier, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby only went as far as to say Iran is 'complicit' in Hamas' deadly attack on Israel. The United States does not plan to put American military forces on the ground, Kirby also told reporters. Biden went on to say he plans to ask Congress to quickly approve additional funding for the security of American allies. 'When Congress returns, we're going to ask them to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners,' Biden said. 'This is not about party or politics. It's about the security of our world, the security of the United States of America.' This ask may prove more challenging than usual as the House of Representatives just ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a power vacuum remains. Infighting within the GOP may drag out the process to confirm a new House leader for days. And the House cannot move any legislation to the floor without a speaker in place. Israel has called up an unprecedented 300,000 of its own reservists. Biden and Netanyahu, despite differences on the way forward in the Middle East, have been thrust into a wartime partnership following the multipronged attack by Hamas militants from Gaza into Israel. Israel's embassy in Washington said the death toll from Hamas' weekend attacks had surpassed 1,000, dwarfing all modern Islamist attacks on the West since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Biden also address the potential of threats within the U.S., saying additional security measures especially at houses of worship are being put in place. 'We're also taking steps at home, in cities across the United States of America. Police departments have stepped up security around centers of Jewish life,' he said. 'The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working closely with state and local law enforcement and Jewish community partners to identify and disrupt any domestic threat that could emerge in connection with these horrific attacks,' the president continued. The first load of American weapons landed in Israel on Tuesday evening, as the Israeli Defense Forces prepare for a ground invasion of Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of Israeli soldiers are massing with military hardware around the 141-square mile territory, which has been pounded for days by airstrikes. The U.S. has promised to surge ammunition and interceptors for Israel's Iron Dome after Hamas terrorists swarmed out of Gaza, killing at last 1,200 people. 'The first plane carrying U.S. armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel this evening,' the IDF tweeted last night. 'The cooperation between our militaries is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war.' Hours before the first load of assistance arrived, President Joe Biden outlined his support for Israel and described Hamass attack on Saturday as 'an act of sheer evil.' 'For 75 years Israel has stood soon as the only guarantor of the security of Jewish people around the world, so that the atrocities of the past could never happen again,' he said. 'Let there be no doubt: The United States has Israel's back. We will make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today tomorrow, as we always have.' Soon after, his National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Biden had ordered ammunition and interceptors be sent to Israel. 'At his direction, the United States has surged ammunition and interceptors for Iron Dome,' he said 'And the president spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu just a little while ago to talk about additional capabilities that Israel will need. 'And he pledged that American planes will be landing in Israel with those capabilities in the days ahead.' And Biden dispatched Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region. Boeing is also reported to be accelerating delivery of 1,000 smart bombs. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel October 9, 2023 President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the fourth time since the attacks Wednesday The Israeli Air Force flew the 250-pound bombs to Israel after being picked up at US Air Force base, according to Fox News. The arms are part of a 2021 deal to supply Israel with military hardware. Meanwhile, the State Department said the U.S. death toll in the Hamas attack had risen to 22. And Israel former an emergency war cabinet and unity government, as it considers its response to the attacks. Netanyahu reached a deal with Benny Gantz, head of the center-right opposition National Unity party. Video shows the moment a lone Jewish man confronted pro-Palestinian supporters at an anti-Israel rally in London. The man, displaying the Israeli flag on his back, was apparently met with a 'brave Jew' remark as he walked into the crowd of demonstrators, according to the video shared by the Israel Advocacy Movement. He is seen speaking with various protesters who are heard telling him 'you need to leave' and call him 'scum', amid shouts of 'Free Palestine!' The Jewish man hit back, apparently calling the demonstrators 'Hamas supporting c****' and 'murdering b*******'. Met Police officers attending the Monday night rally appear to separate the groups as they launch verbal attacks at each other. The video, which was shared online today, has received more than 853,000 views. It comes as a Jewish charity recorded nearly 100 incidents of anti-Semitism in UK since Hamas terror attacks began. Video shows the moment a lone Jewish man confronted pro- Palestinian supporters at an anti-Israel rally in London on Monday The Jewish man (pictured) is seen speaking with various protesters who are heard telling him 'you need to leave' and call him 'scum', amid shouts of 'Free Palestine!' He hit back, apparently calling the demonstrators ' Hamas supporting c****' and 'murdering b*******'. The group is heard saying t's a 'peaceful protest' and 'you need to leave', to which a voice, believed to be the Jewish man, responds: 'If it's a peaceful protest leave him alone!' The clip shows the man approaching the rally, which was being monitored by police. He walks over to the officers who seemingly discouraged him from entering the premises. 'I have every right to walk down there,' he said. As Pro-Palestinian demonstrators appear to group around him, the Jewish man told the officers: 'They can surround me all they'd like. They've already killed 800 of us, one more won't hurt, will it?' The clip then cuts to a clip where a voice is then heard warning the man to 'be careful'. An officer then moves towards a protestor wearing the Palestinian flag, seemingly trying to create a separation between the two men. 'He's wearing masks in the street! Are you kidding? Are you kidding?' the Jewish man questions. An officer replies: 'You're provoking something over here.' The Pro-Israel demonstrator yells back: 'Look at the man!' The clip shows the man approaching the rally, which was being monitored by police. He walks over to the officers who seemingly discouraged him from entering the premises. 'I have every right to walk down there,' he said Chaos appears to erupt afterwards, with officers seemingly pulling the two groups apart as they scream at each other. 'Murdering b*******! Hamas supporting c****!' one screamed, as another yelled: 'Free, free Palestine!' Another yelled: 'Show your face you coward!' The clip then to a moment where a Pro-Palestinian protester calls the Jewish man 'scum', before panning over towards a group of demonstrators that have surrounded the man. The group is heard saying t's a 'peaceful protest' and 'you need to leave', to which a voice, believed to be the Jewish man, responds: 'If it's a peaceful protest leave him alone!' He adds: 'If it's a peaceful protest, why are you masking up?' Chaos appears to erupt afterwards, with officers seemingly pulling the two groups apart as they scream at each other. 'Murdering b*******! Hamas supporting c****!' one screamed, as another yelled: 'Free, free Palestine!' A demonstrator screamed out: 'How f****** big are you? Prove it! You big f****** b*******.' Another yelled: 'Show your face you coward!' Officers are heard telling the crowds to 'carry on' and 'keep walking' as they try to deescalate the chaos. Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Israel has launched intense airstrikes in Gaza after the territory's militant rulers carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel Saturday, killing over 1000 people and taking captives The remains of a supermarket in Ashkelon which was struck by Hamas rocket attacks on Wednesday afternoon Smoke billows from a burning building after the rocket attacks which targeted multiple cities across Israel. Pictured: Ashkelon on Wednesday The video has gained popularity on X, formerly known as Twitter, as the Community Security Trust, a charity that supports Britain's Jewish community, recorded 89 antisemitic incidents in the past four days. There were 66 reports of abusive behaviour, 14 direct threats, three incidents of property damage and six assaults, according to Jewish News. Twenty-two of the incidents occurred online and 67 were offline. The reports were made between the beginning of the Hamas terror attack on Isreal on Saturday (October 7) and last night (October 10). During the same period last year, there were reportedly only 21 recorded antisemitic incidents. The charity claims this represents an increase of 324 per cent in comparison to last year. CST says the data is only provisional and suspects he number of incidents is likely to increase once all reports have been verified and recorded. A black pastor who once led protests against police brutality organized a multi-city tour rally to support cops after saying his thinking on the matter 'has evolved'. Reverend Markel Hutchins organized events with law enforcement agencies across the country over the weekend as part of what he called a 'National Faith & Blue Weekend' that aims to build trust between the public and police. He says he's now worried about shortages of police officers across the US and fears this could trigger spikes in crime. Hutchins, who is based in Atlanta, coordinated with over 4,000 events nationwide that focused on highlighting the need for more police officers and stronger bonds between officers and the communities they serve as crime has surged in many American cities. 'Law enforcement officers have been, rightly or wrongly, demonized and demoralized and really disconnected from their communities over the last three or four years in a way that has had a detrimental effect on crime and violence, on law enforcement as a profession and by extension, on communities,' he told Fox News Digital. It's a change of heart for Hutchins, who wrote an article for Fox titled, 'I used to lead protests against the police -- now, I'm working with them to keep communities safe.' Reverend Markel Hutchins organized events with law enforcement agencies across the country over the weekend as part of what he called a 'National Faith & Blue Weekend' Hutchins coordinated with over 4,000 events nationwide that focused on highlighting the need for more police officers. The 2022 event is pictured above Hutchins said that despite the 'message that we've heard too much in the media,' most people, including minority groups, actually support law enforcement 'There was a time when my civil rights leadership was limited to protests and marches,' Hutchins explained, 'I have expanded that leadership, as time has grown I've matured, my thought process, my thinking and my strategy has evolved I still very much believe in protesting and marching but right now our best march is not on law enforcement, it's with law enforcement as a matter of strategy.' Hutchins kicked off the event on Friday in Washington D.C., which is facing a surge in crime, with at least 216 homicides just this year. The event saw religious leaders and law enforcement sharing food. The Defund the Police movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a cop, as well as the pandemic, sparked acute shortages in police departments across the nation. But Hutchins said that despite the 'message that we've heard too much in the media' that the public rejects police, most people, including minority groups, actually support law enforcement. 'The truth is that more than 70 percent of African-Americans and Hispanics and more than 80 percent of white Americans, according to recent polling, want the same or more law enforcement,' Hutchins said. 'That is a narrative that has not been heard enough that people actually what police everyone wants to be policed with fairness and equity and people want to be treated fairly by law enforcement. That is crystal clear... And that was demonstrated in the thousands of activities that happened over the course of Faith & Blue weekend.' Cities across the nation have been forced to offer huge bonuses as they struggle to fill positions in law enforcement. Austin PD's budget was hammered with a $150million cut approved by the Texas city's council after its own scandal following the shooting of an unarmed black man in April 2020 - just weeks before Floyd's death. Previously the AP Association told DailyMail.com that the lasting impacts of the defund movement has ripped the ranks apart, driving officers to quit and making it increasingly difficult to recruit replacement staff. It's a change of heart for Hutchins, who wrote an article for Fox titled, 'I used to lead protests against the police -- now, I'm working with them to keep communities safe' Since the BLM protests, crime has soared with homicide rates booming and the city ranked 15 out of 45 for the most homicide rates nationwide, while desperate 911 callers are being left on hold for up to half an hour. Austin police have told the city's residents to not call 911 if they fall victim to a robbery near a bank or ATM, as officials struggle with a shortage of cops and a surge in crime following cries to defund the police. The message from authorities comes as Austin has seen a significant increase in crime, with a 77 percent increase in car thefts, an 18 percent increase in aggravated assaults and a 30 percent increase in murders. The state legislature passed a law in 2021 forcing Austin to restore the funding it had cut, but by then the exodus of police officers retiring or choosing to depart in huge numbers had already started to take shape. The $150million cut represented a third of the police force's budget - by far the largest proportion of any American city which slashed funding after the BLM riots. Earlier this year, the city of Alameda found itself with a third of its 88 full-time officer positions vacant, as California police departments compete to replace officers who switched jobs or retired during the pandemic. Police Chief Nishant Joshi then came up with the impressive bonus plan to fill the 24 positions as quickly as possible, and in April the Alameda city council approved a $75,000 enlistment plus. While Alameda's bonus is the highest in the state, the city is far from the only one recurring to financial bonuses to fill their positions. In neighboring El Cerrito, recruits are being offered $10,000, and in San Mateo, $30,000. Meanwhile the city of Hayward is offering a $20,000 bonus to new cops. Hutchins kicked off the event on Friday in Washington D.C., which is facing a surge in crime, with at least 216 homicides just this year Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ashcraft said that while the bonus is 'eye-popping,' more 'of what she hears is envy' from other local governments struggling to hire cops. But retired Redondo Beach Police Department lieutenant Diane Goldstein told The Mercury News the situation is widening a divide between cities who can afford hefty bonuses and others that can't. 'This whole signing bonus started a few years back. It creates police agencies of the haves and the have-nots,' she said. 'It may be a well-intentioned policy, thinking they can attract the best and brightest, but it creates inequities potentially in policing.' While many California constituents demanded more oversight on police after George Floyd's killing by a police officer in 2020, the nationalsentiment regarding police has since changed. According to a January 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 49 percent of U.S. adults now say police funding in their area should be increased. Meanwhile, in southern California, a former Los Angeles sheriff warned that police numbers are dwindling, and departments are struggling to attract people to the job. Speaking to Fox News, Previous L.A. county Sheriff Alex Villanueva said: 'You have a horrendous political climate where every politician was jumping over themselves in the summer of 2020 to denounce law enforcement, create a very hostile work environment [and] no one wants a job anymore. 'The political establishment in L.A. decided, from 2020 on, 'Let's destroy law enforcement. Let's bash them and shrink them because of the defunding efforts.' Last month the LAPD approved a a four-year $384 million contract for their cops, a sharp raise that includes retention bonuses, including $5,000 signing bonuses. The chair of the Police Federation has shared his own personal frustrations at poorly resourced policing - after revealing that he was given a nothing more than a crime number by his own colleagues after his car was broken into. Steve Hartshorn, a Metropolitan Police officer who has served in armed response, said he was 'disappointed in my own force' after officers failed to respond in strength to his report of a break-in a month ago. He told the annual Police Federation conference that forensic officers missed a 'great chance' to take samples - blaming a lack of resources. His comments came as Suella Braverman, speaking at the conference, called on police to do more than just dish out crime numbers. The Home Secretary told the Police Federation event that officers need to investigate every crime where there is a reasonable line of inquiry only to then hear that the leader of the organisation was let down by his own force when his car was broken into. Steve Hartshorn, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said he had been 'disappointed' in his own force's response after he became a victim of crime Suella Braverman told the Police Federation conference that officers should be investigating all crimes where there are 'reasonably lines of inquiry' Mrs Braverman told the conference that the public 'want to see officers patrolling the streets, not policing pronouns on Twitter.' 'The public expects more than just a crime number', she said. 'They want to see police taking visible action in communities and thoroughly investigating crime.' But Mr Hartshorn, who represents 145,000 rank and file officers in England and Wales, said he got nothing but a crime reference number when he fell victim to a crime. The Met firearms officer revealed his own colleagues failed to investigate when his car was broken into. 'It's a great idea to follow all reasonable lines of inquiry, but it's not working,' he told the conference. 'I was a victim of crime about a month ago in my own force - the Metropolitan Police Service - they didn't follow reasonable lines of inquiry. 'There was a great chance to capture forensics from inside the car. Did not happen. 'I got a crime number, I had a phone call and that was it. 'Nothing. Disappointed in my own force.' Mr Hartshorn added: 'Cops just do not have the time.' Earlier, Mrs Braverman told officers not to be distracted by woke issues. She said: 'It was right for bureaucratic reasons and in the cause of free speech to ensure that a malicious communication crime will be recorded only if a criminal threshold has clearly been reached and not just when someone claims to be offended. 'I'm not fighting my campaign against political correctness in policing only for the sake of the law-abiding majority who want to see officers patrolling the streets, not policing pronouns on Twitter. I also know that's what the majority of you signed up for, too.' Home Secretary @SuellaBraverman: It was right for bureaucratic reasons and in the cause of free speech to ensure that a malicious communication crime will be recorded only if a criminal threshold has been reached, not just when someone claims to be offended.#PFEW23 pic.twitter.com/j0luGkehfN Police Federation (@PFEW_HQ) October 11, 2023 In September last year, Sussex Police had to apologise for defending the gender identity of a convicted paedophile who committed sexual offences against seven children in the late 1980s and 1990s as a man before transitioning. The force had said they 'would not tolerate' any hateful comments regarding the gender identity of convicted paedophile Sally Ann Dixon. But the Home Secretary said: 'They've got it wrong by playing identity politics and denying biology.' Mrs Braverman went on to stress that officers should be concentrating on solving crime: 'I believe in investigating every crime, and I believe in keeping the public safe by catching criminals. 'Anything that distracts from this is unwelcome - whether that's enforcing non-existent blasphemy laws, unnecessarily recording a non-crime hate incident, or joining in with political demonstrations.' The Prince and Princess of Wales have condemned Hamas' terror attack on Israeli civilians saying they are 'profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days.' William visited Israel and Palestine in 2018, making him the first member of the British Royal family to visit the Jewish state in an official capacity. The future King also met with Palestinian refugees during his visit to a camp in the West Bank and with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. He and Kate have now decried the 'horrors' committed by Hamas after the terrorists launched a bloody raid on border villages and a music festival on Saturday, with over 1,200 Israelis killed in the violence so far. Israel has since launched retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip and cut off electricity to the small area of land, which is home to over 2million Palestinians, fueling fears that the impoverished population will be plunged into further misery. A spokesperson for the royal couple said in a statement: 'As Israel exercises its right of self defence, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be stalked by grief, fear and anger in the time to come. 'Their Royal Highnesses hold all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds. The Prince and Princess of Wales have condemned Hamas' terror attack on Israeli civilians. Pictured: The Prince at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem in 2018 'Their Royal Highnesses hold all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds,' a spokesperson said on their behalf Prince William met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara during his visit to the country in 2018 The future King met with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in 2018 'Those The Prince of Wales met in 2018 overwhelmingly shared a common hope - that of a better future. 'In the midst of such terrible suffering, The Prince and Princess continue to share that hope without reservation.' The King earlier said he was 'appalled' by and condemned the 'barbaric acts' of terrorism in Israel, Buckingham Palace announced today. Charles is said to be 'extremely concerned' about the situation and has asked to be actively updated in the wake of Hamas' attacks. A Palace spokesman said the monarch's thoughts and prayers were with all of those suffering, especially those who had lost loved ones. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian terror group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. The Israeli government has launched a major retaliation of air strikes on Gaza and stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The hundreds of people killed in Hamas's attacks includes 260 revellers gunned down at a music festival, and whole families - including children's and babies - who were massacred in a kibbutz. The Prince and Princess of Wales said in a statement tonight that they share 'hope for a better future' with Israelis and Palestinians King Charles - seen in Aberdeenshire earlier this month - is 'appalled' by and condemns the 'barbaric acts' of terrorism in Israel Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed 900 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about and he has asked to be kept actively updated. READ MORE - Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrives in Israel in show of 'unwavering solidarity' following brutal Hamas assault Advertisement 'His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak.' He added: 'His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel.' UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrived in Israel today to show Britain's 'unwavering solidarity' with their Middle East ally. Officials said he will meet survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders 'to outline UK support for Israel's right to defend itself'. Mr Cleverly said today that a 'significant number' of British-Israeli nationals had been caught up in the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides. At least seventeen British nationals are currently feared dead or missing, the BBC reported - citing an official source. Previous estimates put the figure at 10. A Foreign Office spokesman: 'The Foreign Secretary has arrived in Israel today to demonstrate the UK's unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamas's terrorist attacks. 'He will be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israel's right to defend itself.' Today, Israeli forces conducted 250 airstrikes in just one hour across northern and eastern parts of the Gaza strip. An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel today Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City today The UK and US governments have given firm backing to Benjamin Netanyahu's administration in the wake of the incursion by Palestinian terrorists. READ MORE - Gaza holds its breath as Israel masses its forces on the border ahead of invasion Advertisement Mr Cleverly's visit to Israel comes amid fears that the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, could escalate further. The UK Government has not confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamas's attack. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared dead. A post from Mr Darlington's sister Shelley on social media said he was 'murdered' at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Sam Bankman-Fried spoke in code with his ex-girlfriend and business partner about potential illegal activity, the court heard today. Caroline Ellison was asked on the stand Wednesday if she recalled ever speaking in 'coded terms about potential criminal activity' with Bankman-Fried. She said: 'Yeah I do. When Alameda paid what I believe was a large bribe to Chinese government officials to get some of our exchange accounts unlocked.' Ellison recalled writing 'The Thing' in a document describing the state of Alameda in 2021. She said she phrased it like that because she 'didn't want to put in writing what I thought were bribes.' Caroline Ellison testified that she spoke in coded terms with Sam Bankman-Fried when Alameda paid a 'large bribe to Chinese government officials' Ellison broke down in tears as she apologized to anyone who lost their money as a result of the FTX fraud and said it left her feeling 'indescribably bad' According to Ellison, $1billion in Alameda's assets were frozen, a figure that left Bankman-Fried 'concerned' and keen to find a solution Ellison said two crypto currency accounts that Alameda had in China were 'frozen' in 2021, meaning they couldn't withdraw any money. Alameda was told that it was part of a Chinese government investigation into money laundering by somebody else. According to Ellison, $1billion in Alameda's assets were frozen, a figure that left Bankman-Fried 'concerned' and keen to find a solution. Ellison said that it took almost a year to unlock the money and that they first tried hiring a lawyer to negotiate with the Chinese government, but it didn't work They tried using trading strategies to get the money out including making several accounts that were controlled by Thai prostitutes but that didn't work either. Another employee suggested a different way - paying a Chinese official - but it led to pushback from a Chinese employee called Handi whose father was a Chinese government official. Ellison said during one meeting she was 'protesting a lot, a bad idea and it would get us in trouble' She said: 'At one point Handi was talking a lot and wouldn't be quiet and let other people talk. Eventually he (Bankman-Fried) yelled at her to shut the f*** up' To unlock the accounts, Bankman-Fried approved the transfer of $100 million to crypto wallets, the court heard. Ellison was asked who it was sent to but after an objection, she was not allowed to answer. In a document describing the state of Alameda dated November 25, 2021, Ellison listed 'notable / idiosyncratic stuff' which included a $150 million debt for 'The Thing.' Ellison said she phrased it like that because she 'didn't want to put in writing what I thought were bribes'. The following January Sam Trabucco, who at the time was Alameda's co-chief executive, sent a message to Bankman-Fried which read: 'Did Handi's father immediately turn us in or something'. Bankman-Fried responded: 'Lol,' meaning laugh out loud. Ellison recalled writing 'The Thing' in a document describing the state of Alameda in 2021. She said she phrased it like that because she 'didn't want to put in writing what I thought were bribes' Caroline Ellison took the stand again on Wednesday in ex-boyfriend Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud trial Ellison broke down in tears as she apologized to anyone who lost their money as a result of the FTX fraud and said it left her feeling 'indescribably bad'. The jury was shown a message she sent Bankman-Fried around November 7th last year as FTX was about to collapse. She told him that if 'things got a lot worse I don't think I'm going to handle it well'. Bankman-Fried gave her the bizarre response, saying that 's**** exciting'. Ellison replied: 'I think I just had an increasing dread of this day that was weighing on me for a long time and now that it's actually happening it feels great to get it over with one way or another'. Tearing up, she told the jury: 'Overall it was the worst week of my life. 'I had a lot of mood swings, a lot of different feelings. One of the feelings was an overwhelming feeling of relief. 'This had been something I'd been dreading for so long, had been in my mind every day, I worried what would happen when the truth finally came out'. Ellison said she felt 'relief I didn't have to lie any more'. She said she was interested in 'taking responsibility and being honest about what I'd done'. She said: 'I obviously felt indescribably bad about all the people that were harmed, the people that lost their money, people that lost their jobs'. She was handed a box of tissues by a court clerk and used one to wipe her nose. Ellison was head of Alameda's sister company FTX, which was allegedly used as a slush fund paid for by FTX customers' money. FTX, which was worth $32 billion at its peak, collapsed in November last year amid falling crypto prices and media reports raising questions about its finances. Ellison, 28, the daughter of two MIT economics professors, has already pleaded guilty to her part in the fraud and is the prosecution's star witness. She testified that she got 'very upset' when Bankman-Fried said that the financial challenges were 'my fault'. Ellison described how in August 2022 she and Bankman-Fried had a difficult conversation in the study of his $30 million penthouse apartment in the Bahamas. By that point it was clear that Alameda had borrowed more than $10 billion from FTX's customers. Ellison said Bankman-Fried told her she was 'largely responsible for the financial situation at Alameda'. She said: 'He was speaking pretty wildly and strongly. I got very upset, I started crying and I had trouble continuing the conversation. '(He said) that it was my fault Alameda had gotten into that situation'. Ellison said that she 'absolutely could and should have done things differently.' But she told the jury: 'The fundamental reason was we'd borrowed these billions of dollars in loans and used them for illiquid investments.' Assistant US Attorney Danielle Sassoon asked Ellison: 'Whose decision was that?' Ellison said: 'It was Sam's'. Sam Bankman-Fried dated Caroline Ellison and appointed her as head of FTX's sister company Alameda Research Sam Bankman-Fried blamed Caroline Ellison for the collapse of FTX in court documents obtained by DailyMail.com. Bankman-Fried claimed that the culture at Alameda Research, FTX's sister company which Ellison ran, had become 'mediocre at best' and said his ex was 'not good enough to be able to trust' with winding it up The court has previously heard that Ellison and Bankman-Fried began sleeping with each other in 2018 and began dating properly in the summer of 2020. Their relationship lasted a year before they broke up but got back together a few months later. They finally broke up for good in the summer of 2022, when the scale of FTX's problems became apparent. Ellison was appointed co-chief executive at Alameda in 2021 - she and Bankman-Fried were 'on a break' at the time - and chief executive in 2022. In her testimony Ellison has said that she broke up with Bankman-Fried for good because he was 'not paying attention to me'. The two have not looked at each other in court despite sitting a few feet apart. Testimony has shown that Ellison was paid significantly less than the three other senior men at FTX. She has told the court that her base pay was $100,000 and her biggest bonus was $20 million. By comparison, securities filings have shown that FTX's chief engineer Nishad Singh was paid $587 million, its co-founder Gary Wang was paid $246 million and Bankman-Fried got $2.2 billion. Bankman-Fried is facing 115 years in jail and has denied 13 counts of fraud and money laundering. Initial U.S. intelligence assessments suggest that top Iranian officials were taken by surprise when Hamas launched its deadly attacks on Israel, according to multiple reports. Terrorists killed at least 1200 people when they fanned out from the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning, attacking military and civilian targets. The assault shocked Israel and its security services, which failed to anticipate the danger. Questions have circulated ever since about whether Iran, Hamas' biggest sponsor, helped with planning or financing the attacks. But intelligence that Iranian leaders were taken by surprise casts doubt on the idea that Tehran was directly involved. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (center), reviews a group of armed forces cadets during their graduation ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday. He used the occasion to deny Iran had any involvement in the Gaza attack on Israel National security officials such as spokesman John Kirby, left, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan say they have not yet seen intelligence that Iran was behind the Hamas attack A source told Reuters that Iranian leaders would ordinarily be aware of such a significant operation. 'We will be looking at additional intelligence in the coming weeks to inform our thinking on this issue, including whether there were at least some within their system that either had a clearer sense of what was coming or even contributed to aspects of the planning,' the official said. The U.S. monitors meetings between Iran's paramilitary Quds Force and its proxies, such as Hamas. But the New York Times reported that officials said there was no evidence found yet to suggest those meetings were used to plan or approve the Hamas attack. The Israeli military said Wednesday that more than 2700 people were wounded in the hours-long attack, after hundreds of fighters bulldozed through security fences or used paragliders to evade defenses. Hamas also used drones to knock out remote sensors and machine guns, negating Israeli surveillance and countermeasure systems. That level of sophistication has led to questions about how much outside help was given to the Gaza-based militants. In their public statements, national security officials have accused Iran of being 'complicit' in the attack, supporting Hamas with arms and cash in their fight against Israel, without saying they were directly involved in planning, funding or training fighters for Saturday's attack. The covered bodies of Israeli victims of the weekend's infiltration by Palestinian militants are gathered at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023 Palestinian militants fire rockets towards Israel from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on October 11, 2023 while Israel kept up its own bombardment of Hamas targets in the enclave 'We've been looking at it,' White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. 'Again we have not seen any evidence... specific evidence that Iran was directly involved in these specific attacks. 'We are going to keep looking at it. The book is not closed on it. We're going to keep looking.' A day earlier National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan delivered a similar message in the White House briefing room. 'We have said since the beginning that Iran is complicit in this attack in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas, they have provided training, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support, and they have had engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years,' he said. 'And all of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen. 'Now, as to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not as of the moment Im standing here at the podium have confirmation of that.' Iran has denied any role. The country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday celebrated what he called Israel's 'irreparable' military and intelligence defeat. 'We kiss the hands of those who planned the attack on the Zionist regime,' he said in his first televised speech since the deadly assault. In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of Israeli soldiers are massing with military hardware around the 141-square Gaza Strip, which has been pounded for days by airstrikes. 'We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground,' Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has told soldiers. Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses and Midnight's Children is set to release a new memoir about the horrifying attack that left him blind in his right eye and with a damaged left hand. Titled 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder', the 256-page book will focus on his attack at the hands of Hadi Matar of New Jersey last August. The memoir will be published April 16. 'This was a necessary book for me to write: a way to take charge of what happened, and to answer violence with art,' Rushdie said in a statement released October 11 by Penguin Random House. Salman Rushdie, 76, is set to release a new memoir about the horrifying attack that left him blind in his right eye and with a damaged left hand titled 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder' Hadi Matar, 25, returned from four weeks in Lebanon as a religious bigot his mother told Dailymail.com Rushdie, 76, was stabbed repeatedly in the neck and abdomen by Matar who rushed the stage when the author as he was about to give a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York State. The bloodied author was flown to a hospital and underwent surgery. His agent, Andrew Wylie, said the writer was on a ventilator with a damaged liver, severed nerves in his arm and an eye he was likely to lose. He had sustained 15 wounds in his chest and torso and three wounds to his neck. Penguin Random House CEO Nihar Malaviya said in a statement: ''Knife' is a searing book and a reminder of the power of words to make sense of the unthinkable. We are honored to publish it, and amazed at Salmans determination to tell his story and to return to the work he loves.' Rushdie told The New Yorker that he had worked hard to avoid 'recrimination and bitterness' and was determined to 'look forward and not backwards' in his first interview after the attack. 'This doesnt feel third-person-ish to me. I think when somebody sticks a knife into you, thats a first-person story. That is an 'I' story,' he said. The attacker, Hadi Matar, has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and attempted murder. The 25-year-old is due to stand trial for his attack on the writer but Chautauqua District Attorney Jason Schmidt said federal agents are probing whether the New Jersey suspect was given his mission by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group on his 2018 trip to the Middle East. Newly released mugshots show suspected knifeman Hadi Matar as he was detained in NYC Bystanders and staff leapt on stage to help Rushdie after the attack in which he was repeatedly stabbed Matar was found with a false driving license in the name of two Hezbollah commanders when seized on stage following the attack on Rushdie 'We have to sort of confine ourselves to the four corners of the charges that we've asserted, which is essentially an 'attempted murder in the second degree' charge,' Schmidt said. 'The underlying motivations that went into the intent have been sort of removed from us in our jurisdiction, and that's something that the US Attorney's Office has been looking at and they are dealing with.' Matar was found with a false driving license in the name of two Hezbollah commanders when he was seized after the attack on Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution. His mother Silvana Fardos told Dailymail.com that her son changed from a popular, loving son to a moody religious zealot after visiting her ex-husband in the Hezbollah-controlled town of Yaroun, a mile from the Israeli border. 'I was expecting him to come back motivated, to complete school, to get his degree and a job,' she said from her home in Fairview. 'But instead he locked himself in the basement. He had changed a lot, he didn't say anything to me or his sisters for months.' Matar denied acting on orders when arrested for the near-fatal attack on Rushdie. At the time of the stabbing, law enforcement sources told The New York Post that an initial investigation suggested Matar is sympathetic to the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Rushdie was airlifted to the hospital after the attack on August 12 last year. He spent six weeks in care before being discharged Sir Salman said it was a 'great honor' to be recognized for a 'lifetime' of work and described Princess Anne as 'very generous' For some time after Irans Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a 1989 fatwa calling for Rushdie's death over alleged 'blasphemy' in the novel, 'The Satanic Verses,' the writer lived in isolation and with round-the-clock security. But for years since, he had moved about with few restrictions until the stabbing last year. Rushdie previously wrote at length, and in the third person, about the fatwa in his 2012 memoir 'Joseph Anton.' In May 2023, Rushide was recognized at Windsor Castle as a Servant of the Companions of Honour. Speaking at the investiture ceremony, in which he met the Princess Royal, Sir Salman said it was a 'great honor' to be recognized for a 'lifetime' of work and described Anne as 'very generous'. It is not yet known whether he will be going on a press tour for the promotion of his new memoir. READ MORE: BLM Chicago goes on posting rampage as it doubles down on its support of Palestine after issuing a sarcastic apology A student group at Tufts University is facing backlash after a statement in which they praised the 'creativity' of Hamas terrorists who used paragliders to launch an attack in Israel that left over 1,000 dead, including 22 Americans. Tufts' Students for Justice in Palestine group called the terrorists 'liberation fighters paragliding into occupied territory,' adding that they had 'especially shown the creativity necessary to take back stolen land.' The message added: 'It has not been without cost, as hundreds of Palestinians have been martyred in the past days, fighting to liberate themselves and their land.' Similar statements have been made by other pro-Palestinian groups from universities including California State, Harvard, Columbia, and NYU, sparking fury. The group's statement was first shared on Tuesday by the Anti-Defamation League New England chapter, who called it 'obscene.' The University denounced the organization's message on Wednesday. No individual member of the group put their name to the inflammatory statement and DailyMail.com has been unable to identify individual members. 'We condemn the terrorism and atrocities that Hamas has carried out against Israel,' said spokesman Patrick Collins. 'We strongly disagree with and denounce SJPs statement and want to make clear that no student group speaks for the university.' A student group at Tufts University is facing backlash after a statement in which they praised the 'creativity' of Hamas terrorists who used paragliders to launch an attack in Israel The group's statement was first shared on Tuesday by the Anti-Defamation League New England chapter, who called it 'obscene' A fire blazes after a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip landed in Ashkelon, Israel A man holds his dog after a rocket, launched from the Gaza Strip, landed in Ashkelon, southern Israel. The war has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides Many of the school's notable alums have taken to social media to express their disappointment at the group's statement. 'As a human being & alum I am disgusted by this & expect firm action by the university administration. This is one of the worst international terrorist incidents on record & Tufts SJP applauds Hamas creativity. Unbelievable,' said Matthew Levitt, former Georgetown professor and ex director of the Reinhard Counterterrorism Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 'SJP at my alma mater enters the sweepstakes of obscene celebration of Anti-Semitic mass murder, praising Hamas creativity in executing its historic action of mass rape and murder and infanticide,' wrote journalist John-Paul Pagano. Tuft's Students for Justice in Palestine group is just the latest to land themselves in hot water after seemingly cheering the Hamas' attack, which has unleashed the biggest conflict between Israel and Palestine in decades. Harvard University faced massive backlash after 31 of its student societies issued a joint statement holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. In their statement on Sunday the groups said the attack which left more than 1,000 dead 'did not happen in a vacuum', and claimed the Israeli government has forced Palestinians to live in 'an open-air prison for over two decades. The Tufts group held a prayer vigil for Palestinians on Tuesday Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman claimed that fellow CEOs want to know who they are so none of us inadvertently hire any of their members. The CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management said he has been approached by a number of CEOs, adding: One should not be able to hide behind a corporate shield when issuing statements supporting the actions of terrorists, who, we now learn, have beheaded babies, among other inconceivably despicable acts. Columbia University's Students for Justice in Palestine also released a statement blaming Israel for the terrorist attacks, claiming that Hamas' actions were a 'counter-offensive against their settler-colonial oppressor.' The Ivy-League schools were also joined by a group from Northwestern University named Justice in Palestine who said that they 'stand unwavering in our commitment to highlighting the profound injustices faced by the Palestinian people.' The Harvard statements were widely condemned including by former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers who wrote on X: 'In nearly 50 years of @Harvard affiliation, I have never been as disillusioned and alienated as I am today.' Ryna Workman, 24, a non-binary student at NYU's School of Law sent a weekly newsletter saying that the innocent slaughtering of Israeli children, women, and citizens this past week was is Israel's 'full responsibility' The first space of the statement released by the Students for Justice in Palestine and a Jewish Voice for Peace out of Columbia University Meanwhile, the president of New York University's Law School Bar Association president had a job offer from a pro-LGBTQ+ law firm rescinded after she stated that Hamas' slaughter of children in Israel was 'necessary.' Ryna Workman, 24, a non-binary student at NYU's School of Law sent a weekly newsletter saying the murder of innocent Israeli children, women, and citizens this past week was is Israel's 'full responsibility.' On Tuesday, the law firm Winston & Strawn - which regularly highlights its legal work representing the LGBTQ + community - told DailyMail.com in a statement that their offer of employment to Workman has been rescinded. The number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to at least 22 with at least 17 unaccounted for, the State Department said Wednesday. Thats an increase in the death toll from 14 the day before. U.S. citizens are among the estimated 150 hostages captured by Hamas militants during their shocking weekend assault on Israel, President Joe Biden confirmed on Tuesday. The war has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. An Alabama couple is behind bars after being accused of burning three children under the age of 12 with a blowtorch. Ashleigh Ableman, 27, and Howard Anderson, 53, have been charged with torture/willful abuse of child and booked into Dale County Jail last week. The couple is accused of burning the three children with a blowtorch for several times, and there are signs of additional abuse, investigators said. A neighbor contacted deputies of the Dale County Sheriff's Office concerning a suspected person case, which turned into a child abuse investigation. Dale County Sheriff's Deputies searched the couple's home in Ariton, Alabama and arrested Ableman and Anderson last Thursday. 'There were obvious marks of abuse on the children. Burns were severe,' Lieutenant Caroline Jackson, the chief investigator of Dale County Sheriff's Office, told WDHN. Ashleigh Ableman(pictured), 27, has been charged with torture/willful abuse of child and booked into Dale County Jail last week Howard Anderson(pictured), 53, is accused of burning the three children with a blowtorch for several times, investigators said 'The children did disclose some allegations.' Jackson added that the children had signs of other kinds of abuse. Both suspects are presently detained in the Dale County Jail without bond until their first appearance. Ableman is a 'caregiver' and 'stay-at-home mom,' according to her Facebook page, where she has been slammed by social media users for allegedly torturing her children. There are signs of additional abuse, investigators said 'Wow, how could you,' wrote one person, reposting a link to the news of her arrest. 'What a horrible person you are. Hope you go to prison or better yet, just go,' another said. Along with a photo of her and her boyfriend Anderson, Ableman also posted pictures of her three kids and their father. Some users also pointed out the fact her boyfriend shares the same family name with her children's father - John LoneWolf Anderson. The suspect Howard Anderson posted a photo of John LoneWolf Anderson holding a baby and wrote in 2019: 'never thought I would see my nephew being such a good dad.' Ableman and Anderson(pictured) were arrested last Thursday after Dale County Sheriff's Deputies searched the couple's home in Ariton, Alabama She has been slammed by social media users for allegedly torturing her children Ableman also posted a selfie dubbed 'beautiful, crazy', with one Facebook user commenting 'not beautiful just crazy' Ableman gave birth to her third child with John LoneWolf Anderson(pictured) in 2018, according to her social media page It is revealed in the comments that the boyfriend, with whom Ableman allegedly tortured her children, is the uncle of the children's father. 'So basically Uncle Howie blow torched his nephew's children with you. This is messed up,' one wrote in comments. Ableman gave birth to her third child with John LoneWolf Anderson in 2018, according to her social media page, where she also listed her marital status as separated. The woman updated her profile picture in 2020 with her and Howard Anderson dubbed 'family, loyalty, and respect'. In comments, one from Hartford, Alabama, seemed to be shocked, with another Alabama resident replying two years ago: 'Howie Anderson is no good for nothing a cheater and a woman beater I know I was beaten by him in Hartford Al.' Ableman also posted a selfie dubbed 'beautiful, crazy', with one Facebook user commenting 'not beautiful just crazy'. Senior Army officers have been accused of turning a blind eye to an alleged SAS 'murder campaign' in a cover-up that reached Downing Street. Two former Directors of the UK's Special Forces allegedly failed to tip off military police about 'extra-judicial killings' in Afghanistan, an inquiry heard yesterday. The evidence was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice inquiry into the deaths, which could lead to a criminal investigation and murder charges being brought against Special Forces troops. More than 80 unarmed Afghans, including several children, were supposedly shot dead by SAS troops in suspicious circumstances from 2010 to 2013. Richard Hermer KC, representing the relatives of some of those killed, said there was evidence to suggest Lieutenant General Jonathan 'Jacko' Page and General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith were aware of war crimes claims but did nothing. Richard Hermer KC, representing the relatives of some of those killed, said there was evidence to suggest Lieutenant General Jonathan 'Jacko' Page and General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith (pictured) were aware of war crimes claims but did nothing Lt Gn Page was director special forces from 2009 to 2012, when he was succeeded by Sir Mark, who himself went on to become Chief of the General Staff until June 2022. Mr Hermer alleged that officers knew of 'serious suspected wrongdoing' by the SAS but failed to ensure this was passed to the Royal Military Police, or investigate themselves. He told the inquiry: 'There is evidence of a concerted attempt amongst senior offices in the UK higher headquarters of Special Forces to deliberately ensure that such information was withheld from the RMP. 'When the RMP did finally learn of the suspicious incidents and began an investigation, staff at Special Forces higher headquarters sought to stymie the progress of that investigation by obstructing access to important evidence.' It would have been unlawful for senior SAS officers to ignore evidence brought to their attention. Mr Hermer also called on the inquiry to explore what was known about the suspected wrongdoing 'at the very top of the government'. He suggested investigations mounted by the RMP, which failed to yield any charges against any SAS troops, 'may have been tainted by political pressure and improper interference'. Mr Hermer told the inquiry: 'Suspicions of extra-judicial killings were widely known at the highest levels within Government - at the top of the MOD and even in 10 Downing Street. 'On 19 February 2016, for example, the Chief of Staff and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Defence Secretary, Graeme Biggar, wrote to the Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, Simon Case, copying the Cabinet Secretary and the Attorney General, explaining that on the basis of 'information from highly credible Armed Forces sources - the RMP are now investigating a number of cases of suspected murder of Afghans by members of' UK Special Forces.' Lt Gn Page was director special forces from 2009 to 2012 He added that a further meeting in September 2016 suggested that ministers were 'troubled by a culture' in UK Special Forces, who were seen to 'have gone too far'. He suggested then-Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood was particularly critical of the troops' behaviour. But he suggested that RMP investigators eventually 'yielded' to political pressure not to scrutinise the decision making of senior officers - as they failed to interview the Directors of Special Forces and the in-theatre commander of the SAS unit responsible for scores of suspicious deaths. The inquiry has already heard how 'operational summaries' of some of the most disturbing incidents were mocked by officers at UKSF headquarters in London. Despite the concerns of many Special Forces commanders, Mr Hermer said the organisation had effectively 'hampered' the RMP's attempts to reach the truth by adopting 'a culture of secrecy, self-protection, concealment and destruction of relevant evidence'. Mr Hermer added: 'There were immediate complaints raised that the deceased were civilians, even children. Despite widespread concerns, no action was taken to meaningfully investigate these matters, to refer them to the RMP or to prevent the perpetration of further similar killings. As a result the behaviour of the [SAS] sub-unit went unchecked.' The allegations being aired at the inquiry, if proven, would represent the most grave war crimes committed by British troops in living memory. The claims have been brought by 14 bereaved Afghans from nine different families. Between them they lost 33 of their loved ones on seven SAS night raids. Many more such missions which resulted in scores of other deaths are also being scrutinised as part of the inquiry. The inquiry's chair, Lord Haddon-Cave, also heard claims that SAS troops 'duplicated' reports and offered 'implausible and operationally incomprehensible explanations' for how these deaths occured. A young Canadian who moved to Israel to join the army but was killed by Hamas at a music festival on Saturday, was laid to rest this afternoon at an emotional funeral. Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to 22-year-old Ben Mizrachi who was originally from Vancouver, at the Kvutsat Yavne cemetery near Ashdod. Ben's remains were found among the hundreds corpses that lay scattered around the Supernova rave held in the Negev desert close to the border with the Gaza Strip on Friday night and into Saturday morning. More than 250 revellers who were gunned down at the festival, including 26-year-old US citizen Oriya Ricardo, from New York City and dozens kidnapped. A dual Canadian-Israeli citizen, Ben had emigrated to Israel to join the Israeli Defence Force and was serving in the paratroop regiment at the time of his murder. Ben Mizrachi's remains were found among the hundreds corpses that lay scattered around the Supernova rave held in the Negev desert close to the border with the Gaza Strip on Friday night and into Saturday morning. Pictured: Ben Mizrachi Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to 22-year-old Ben Mizrachi who was originally from Vancouver, at the Kvutsat Yavne cemetery near Ashdod on Wednesday A dual Canadian-Israeli citizen, Ben Mizrachi had emigrated to Israel to join the Israeli Defence Force and was serving in the paratroop regiment at the time of his murder. Pictured: Mourners at his funeral on Wednesday An army helicopter flew overhead and military jets could be heard in the sky during the hour-long funeral on Wednesday Friends and family attend the funeral of Ben Mizrachi killed at Kvutsat Yavne cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. His heartbroken loved ones are pictured crying and embracing each other during the service An army helicopter flew overhead and military jets could be heard in the sky during the hour-long funeral. His body was covered in a prayer shawl and lay on a medical trolley in front of his loved-ones as he was remembered. Speaking with huge dignity and in a quiet voice Ben's heart-broken mother Dikla praised her son's passion for Israel. She said: 'We are people of faith. I know that God takes the best. I know it's what people say. But it's the truth. He needs the best next to Him. 'When he was backpacking in south America, he said; "Mum, if something happens in Israel I'm going back immediately." She continued: 'Ben, how can we speak about you in the past tense? 'For 22 years he was the glue that held so many people together 'You were a child who was born with light radiating from you and a smile on your face.' She added: '[When we learned of his death] my youngest daughter Maya screamed; "I don't want there to be a lot of people at his funeral. I want there to be a lot of people at his wedding." Ben Mizrachi's body was covered in a prayer shawl and lay on a medical trolley in front of his loved-ones as he was remembered Hundreds of well-wishers surrounded his grave as he was lowered into the ground draped only a prayer and without a coffin in accordance with Jewish custom Mourners are pictured around Ben Mizrachi's body as it was lowered into the ground Friends and family attend the funeral of Ben Mizrachi on Wednesday afternoon in Israel Ben Mizrachi moved to Israel to join the army but was killed by Hamas at a music festival on Saturday. A group of his loved ones are seen crying and embracing each other at his funeral on Wednesday afternoon A Rabbi told his funeral: 'Ben, you weren't just killed while on a trip with friends. You were murdered in cold blood by evil wild men.' Pictured is Ben Mizrachi's body during his funeral Mourners hug each other as Ben Mizrachi is buried on Wednesday afternoon in Israel Two women, wearing their military uniforms, are pictured at Ben Mizrachi's funeral on Wednesday afternoon A service member bearing flowers attends Ben Mizrachi's funeral at Kvutsat Yavne cemetery on Wednesday afternoon During an emotional and tear-streamed eulogy his younger sister Niv told how Ben would always be with her. With tears running down her face she said: 'Ben, you didn't waste your time, you took advantage of every moment of your short life. 'Even though we don't have our big brother, you will always be with us, here [in our hearts]. 'He will continue to spread his unique life. 'Mum and Dad will be ok and we will be happy because that's what Ben would have wanted.' His best friend Moshe Atias honoured Ben as his 'soul brother'. 'You came from Canada to be recruited into army. I asked you, why? 'You are a mentch [a kind and honorable man], a man but with the sensitive soul of a baby. Speaking with huge dignity and in a quiet voice Ben's heart-broken mother Dikla praised her son's passion for Israel. His younger sister Niv told how Ben would always be with her. Pictured are his relatives speaking during his funeral His best friend Moshe Atias honoured Ben as his 'soul brother'. Pictured are mourners at Ben Mizrachi's funeral on Wednesday Ben Mizarchi's body was buried on Wednesday afternoon at Kvutsat Yavne cemetery Ben Mizrachi's loved ones are pictured speaking during his funeral service on Wednesday More than 250 revellers who were gunned down at the festival, including Ben Mizrachi whose funeral was held on Wednesday A heartbroken woman embraces another funeral attendee as she mourns the loss of Ben Mizrachi on Wednesday Woman cover their faces and wipe their tears as they attend the funeral of Ben Mizrachi Friends and family attend the funeral of Canadian Ben Mizrachi on Wednesday 'I don't know how to go on from now.' A Rabbi added: 'Ben, you weren't just killed while on a trip with friends. 'You were murdered in cold blood by evil wild men. 'We want to live in freedom and peace and security but these wild men remind us that that's not our fate.' Hundreds of well-wishers surrounded his grave as he was lowered into the ground draped only a prayer and without a coffin in accordance with Jewish custom. LinkedIn is all set to become the latest company to lease out the top floors of its glass-wrapped San Francisco skyscraper to the public. The employment-focused social media platform has put up the top five floors of its 63,000 square feet, 26-story building for rental till December 2027. The news comes a few months after Meta announced it was ready to abandon its 435,000 square feet San Francisco building once its lease expired in 2031. Companies such as Airbnb, Paypal, Slack, Lyft and Salesforce have left tens of thousands of square footage buildings in the city in the past year. LinkedIn has put up the top five floors of its 26-story building for rental till December 2027 Companies such as Starbucks, who have entirely ended remote working, also shut down seven stores in San Francisco this week. The news comes a few months after Meta announced it was ready to abandon its 435,000 square feet San Francisco building once its lease expired in 2031 While AirBnb and Paypal have completely embraced remote work setups, others have simply just left the city. Companies such as Starbucks, who have entirely ended remote working, also shut down seven stores in San Francisco this week. Disney has too recalled all of its employees back to its offices, including its headquarters in Burbank, California. A major reason is the rise in crime and homelessness in the city which has forced major retail stores such as Target, CVS and Crate and Barrel to leave ground. Fashion store Express also announced its plans to vacate its 301 Geary Street location today. Reports of homeless pirates marauding onto houseboats in the San Francisco Bay are also incoming. Residents along the Oakland-Alameda estuary told a community meeting last week that boats have been cut loose so that they drift out to sea. One woman even recounted how she had rescued another resident on a sailboat in the middle of the night after pirates slashed his rigging lines during an argument. The brazen thieves - whose homeless encampments have spilled out of the city - are taking small motor-powered dinghies and using them in smash-and-grab raids on larger vessels and houseboats. During one San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission's enforcement meeting community members spoke of having to fight off the pirates themselves as police in the Democrat-run city have failed to intervene. The new wave of crime involves pirates sneaking up on dinghies and stealing items from boats in the harbor Smaller vessels are seen piled up on the jetty around larger boats. Residents say the homeless people are stealing dinghies and using them to maraud onto bigger vessels Last week, the city extended the life of its most expensive homeless response intervention initiative - by spending $12,000 every month for each RV parking spot - more than three times the cost of a typical apartment. The Bayview vehicle triage center in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area was meant to offer a 'safe parking' area to people living in their cars or RVs. Initial plans called for them to have electricity, showers and sanitary facilities. The program was meant to help the city avoid building houses for the low-income groups but on October 3, city officials agreed to spend more on the parking spot than it would have cost to build a tiny house. The city's supervisors have unanimously approved a staggering cost of $312,000 per year to lease the parking space. The lease is meant to go on for the next 24 months. Despite pirates roaming in seas and RVs being parked everywhere, Mayor London Breed has shirked blame for viral videos showing smash-and-grab incidents in San Francisco, claiming they don't always occur in the Golden Gate City. Close to 40,000 people grappling with homelessness and more robberies and motor vehicle thefts reported by the San Francisco Police Department than the same time last year - Breed said the 'city has changed.' A map reveals the major businesses which have left, or plan to leave, San Francisco in recent months The Bayview vehicle triage center in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area was meant to offer a 'safe parking' area to people living in their cars or RV City officials have agreed to spend $312,000 per year to lease the parking space for the next 24 months Speaking to Yahoo Finance Live, Breed - who took the helm in 2018 - said her beloved San Francisco had, in fact, been the victim of false advertising. 'Sometimes [negative stories and videos]... that you see go viral, those aren't always just in San Francisco,' Breed desperately preached. 'We've been attributed for things that have happened in other cities in the Bay Area, as well as even as far as Los Angeles. We have unfortunately been the punching bag.' Breed said the negative press hasn't muddied her view of the city she claims is the 'technology capital of the world.' 'In fact, of the top 20 artificial intelligence companies in the world, eight are here in San Francisco,' she commented, seemingly ignoring multiple reports of crashes, chaos and traffic jams caused by the introduction of driverless vehicles to the area. 'People still want to be here. They're starting their companies, their businesses here.' As she pedaled her delusions as fact, the numbers tell a contrasting narrative with drug use on the streets and retail crime still a daily issue for many living in the city. Mayor London Breed has shirked blame for viral videos that appear to show smash-and-grab incidents in the city saying they don't always take place in San Francisco According to crime data recorded between January to September 2023 robberies saw a 15.9 percent increase from last year. Meanwhile, motor vehicle theft saw a 10.8 percent increase as viral videos of smash-and-grabs circulate with ferocity online. According to a recent study by the consulting firm McKinsey, 70 percent of San Francisco residents cite homelessness among the city's top three problems. On any given night, 38,000 Bay Area residents are homeless, the study found, Yahoo reported. But not all tech companies have left the Bay. Reddit, Life360, Bolt and Masterclass remain in the city. They have not yet commented on whether they would end their time in San Francisco. Ministers have warned British university bosses that they must act swiftly and decisively against anti-Semitism on campus, it can be revealed. Gillian Keegan and Robert Halfon have written to vice-chancellors urging them to take action against threats to the welfare of Jewish students. In a letter seen by The Mail, the Education Secretary and Higher Education Minster said Jewish students must be free to pursue their studies without fear of harassment or intimidation. And urge university bosses to act quickly and appropriately if you become aware of any antisemitic abuse, harassment or discrimination. It comes amid increasing calls for universities to clamp down on anti-Semitism spouted by academics and students who have glorified Hamass terror. Gillian Keegan and Robert Halfron have written to vice-chancellors urging them to take action against threats to the welfare of Jewish students The letter reads: We have seen evidence of a number of student societies that support Palestinians sending out inflammatory messages that show support for Hamas, which is, as you know, a proscribed terrorist organisation. Not only are such statements of questionable legality, but they are also deeply troubling and hurtful to Jewish people, given that so many have friends and family based in Israel. We know that you will share our unequivocal condemnation of these horrific attacks and are also mindful of their potential impact upon Jewish students, especially those who are just beginning their studies. We ask that you act swiftly and decisively against any threats, be they implicit or explicit, to their safety and welfare. In short, we are asking that you do whatever you can to actively provide Jewish students with the reassurance they need, now and in the weeks and months to come to go about their lives, and pursue their studies, without fear of harassment or intimidation. The ministers intervention comes amid mounting criticism of woke campuses that allow staff to praise Hamas. They include Birkbeck, University of London, where Dr Ashok Kumar remains in post despite claiming that the gunning down of innocent Israelis at a music festival was a consequence of partying on stolen land. And the London School of Economics, which is yet to sanction Dr Mahvish Ahmad, who called on students to protest over the Palestinian struggle. The University of Sussex is also under mounting pressure to expel student Hanin Barghouti, the student unions womens officer, after she gave a speech describing the murder of Israelis as beautiful Dr Ashok Kumar remains in post despite claiming that the gunning down of innocent Israelis at a music festival was a consequence of partying on stolen land The London School of Economics is yet to sanction Dr Mahvish Ahmad, who called on students to protest over the Palestinian struggle The University of Sussex is also under mounting pressure to expel student Hanin Barghouti, the student unions womens officer, after she gave a speech describing the murder of Israelis as beautiful. Mrs Keegan and Mr Halfron, a proud Jewish Member of Parliament, also reminded universities of their obligation to prevent students from being drawn into terrorism. They added: It is important in this respect to remind you that the Prevent duty requires relevant higher education providers, when exercising their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. We would also ask that you pay particular attention to any invitations issued by staff or students at your institution to speakers on this subject in order to ensure that any such events do not provide a platform for illegal speech. Reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK have trebled following Hamass attack on Israel, according to the Community Security Trust (CST). Earlier this week, graffiti appeared on a bridge in Golders Green - which is home to a large Jewish community - close to where vandals smashed a Kosher restaurant. Reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK have trebled following Hamass attack on Israel, according to the Community Security Trust (CST) Guy Dabby-Jorry, UJS head of campaigns said: 'Over recent days, we have received reports of Jewish students who have been harassed, intimidated and abused, as well as pleas for help from students who do not feel comfortable openly expressing their Judaism while on campus. 'Meanwhile, student groups and elected student leaders have expressed sympathy for Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while celebrating and defending the brutal murder of hundreds of Israeli men, women and children. We are grateful to Gillian Keegan and Robert Halfon for writing to Vice-Chancellors to outline the importance of sticking by Jewish students and their elected representatives at this difficult time. 'We urge universities to take this message seriously by unequivocally supporting their Jewish students and expressing a zero-tolerance policy for those who support terror.' Cash-strapped SNP chiefs have been accused of hypocrisy after accepting a sponsorship windfall from a gas giant which is campaigning against its key net zero policies. SGN, the company which operates Scotlands entire gas network, has been unveiled as the sponsor of one of the highest-profile events at the SNP conference, which gets under way in Aberdeen on Sunday. Senior officials at the firm will get the opportunity to speak alongside First Minister Humza Yousaf as headline sponsor of a media reception which will be attended by dozens of MPs, MSPs, advisers, journalists and lobbyists. SGNs chief executive Mark Wild, left, and Scottish Conservative spokesman Douglas Lumsden But SGNs chief executive Mark Wild last week warned that families will endure astronomical heating bills and colder homes if the SNP/Green Government presses ahead with plans to crack down on gas boilers. He also warned that moving away from new oil and gas developments, as proposed by Mr Yousaf, would have a major impact on energy security and jobs. Douglas Lumsden, net zero, energy and transport spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: The SNP Government threw oil and gas under the bus by setting its face against any new North Sea development. As SGN warned them, that endangers our energy security and tens of thousands of jobs and its also more environmentally damaging. But they wouldnt budge. Theyre more flexible, though, when it comes to getting SGN to foot the bill for a knees-up at their party conference. Even by SNP standards, its astonishing hypocrisy to stick your hand out for sponsorship from an industry youve kicked in the teeth. A brochure sent to businesses puts the price of sponsoring the event at 15,500, excluding VAT and fees. The document states: Our SNP conference team is dedicated to working closely with you to maximise your conference experience and provide you with the necessary support to achieve your specific objectives. It also says that the conference presents a unique platform to showcase your organisations vision, policies and campaigns while increasing your brand awareness in Scotland. Sponsors will have direct communication with attendees in a targeted manner, the brochure says, adding: This presents a valuable opportunity to reach Scotlands senior politicians, business leaders, diplomats, and media professionals. Sponsors are allowed to have six observer passes to attend the conference, a full page advert in the conference handbook, and a high-profile speaker. Mr Yousaf is one of the speakers. An SNP spokesman said: Like every other political partys conference, the SNP welcomes engagement from a broad range of stakeholders. A spokesman for SGN said: SGN works closely with the SNP across a range of issues, including energy resilience, protecting vulnerable and fuel-poor customers, and the decarbonisation of homes and industry. We are delighted to be sponsoring this reception as part of our wider engagement with a range of stakeholders. The SNP is embroiled in a cash crisis, while police continue an investigation into its funding and finances. Latest accounts show that the party lost 804,278 last year. In an interview with the Mail last week, Mr Wild warned that people living in draughtier and older homes will face higher costs and colder homes if they install a heat pump. He also insisted that continued oil and gas development will be needed to meet a wide range of energy needs. A woman who deliberately crashed her car and injured her three passengers has been jailed for three years. Donna Stewart, 46, smashed her Mercedes into a wall after finding out her boyfriend Hugh Lowther had cheated on her. Mr Lowther had begged her to slow down before the car hit a former betting shop in Inverness in January 2021. He suffered multiple broken bones, as did fellow passengers Stephen MacDonald and John Fraser. The Crown earlier dropped attempted murder charges after Stewart admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving while intoxicated. Donna Stewart, 46, smashed her Mercedes into a wall after finding out her boyfriend Hugh Lowther had cheated on her Judge Graham Buchanan told Stewart at the High Court in Edinburgh: You were driving whilst intoxicated through alcohol, to some extent at least, and it is plain your speed was grossly excessive. Your passengers were alarmed by what you were doing and asked you to slow down, but you ignored their pleas. The court previously heard that Stewart and her long-term partner Mr Lowther had visited a woman at her home. Stewart discovered that not only had he been unfaithful but also that he had gone back on a promise to end his involvement with drugs. Hugh Lowther suffered multiple broken bones, as did fellow passengers Stephen MacDonald and John Fraser Prosecutor John Macpherson said that appeared to have been the catalyst for Stewart to become upset and start drinking heavily. Stewart later insisted on driving the Mercedes C220. One of her passengers said the speedometer at one point registered 80mph and they were all shouting at her to slow down. Members of the public helped Mr MacDonald and Mr Fraser from the crashed vehicle. Stewart and Mr Lowther were cut out by firefighters. Defence counsel Janice Green said Stewart has expressed genuine remorse. Judge Graham told Stewart her sentence would be reduced from five years to three due to her early guilty plea. Stewart, now of Perth, was also banned from driving for six years and must pass an extended test before regaining a full licence. Shocking video shows the moment police confront a knifeman who had just stabbed two officers, leaving one with a punctured lung and blood gushing over her uniform. Mohammed Rahman launched a vicious attack on a female police officer as she and a colleague patrolled Leicester Square. He was successfully subdued by multiple officers with tasers and has since been convicted of attempted murder. In the harrowing bodycam footage, a female officer calls for immediate back up as she tries to pursue the armed and dangerous thug. The officers had been dealing with another incident in the central London tourist spot when a member of the public came to tell them that a man had shown him a large knife as he robbed him. Mohammed Rahman launched a vicious attack on a female police officer as she and a colleague patrolled Leicester Square Rahman had snatched a phone charging bank out of the man's pocket, believing it to be a mobile, as he flashed the knife. The member of the public then calmly went to tell the police what had happened to him, alerting officers that Rahman was still hanging around the area with the dangerous weapon. The two female officers then tentatively approach him, warning him to keep his hands out of his pockets, yelling 'do not come any closer' as he shifts forwards. He then fled the scene., with video showing the officers in hot pursuit of the armed assailant before one screams 'get back' as he lurches at her. As they tried to arrest him, he stabs one of the officers, with the cut going down to her bone. The officers urgently call for 'immediate assistance', with backup arriving quickly. They also attempted to arrest him, and as they did so he wields the knife and stabs another officer, causing them serious injuries. After successfully pulling the weapon off him, one of the injured officers is seen gripping onto the knife, which is well over a foot in length, as blood streams out over her clothes. The 'horrific' attack took place at around 6am on 16 September last year. Rahman of Westbourne Park Road, W2, has now been found guilty of the attempted murder of one police officer, and GBH with intent against a second officer. Mohammed Rahman launched a vicious attack on a female police officer as she and a colleague patrolled Leicester Square As they tried to arrest him, he stabs one of the officers, with the cut going down to her bone He was also convicted of assault and two counts of threatening a person in a public place with a bladed article charges which relate to three other police constables and possession of a bladed article. The 25-year-old was also convicted of the robbery involving the member of the public at Kingston Crown Court. Chief Superintendent Louise Puddefoot, in charge of policing in Westminster, said: 'Our colleagues almost certainly would have suffered more serious injuries that could have ended their careers, or worse, taken their lives, had it not been for the incredible support provided by their colleagues.' She went on to say that the initial first aid administered by officers from the Specialist Firearms Command (MO19) 'proved vital and may have saved the life of one of the officers'. 'Our two colleagues who were seriously injured had been in the Met for only a couple of years, but they exemplify the courage that often goes unnoticed. The pair have only recently returned to duties, she said, following the incident over a year ago. The officers urgently call for 'immediate assistance', with backup arriving quickly After successfully pulling the weapon off him, one of the injured officers is seen gripping onto the knife as blood streams out over her clothes The police chief said that things could have been much worse as it was 'clear that Rahman posed a serious threat to the public.' 'He was carrying a knife and did not hesitate to use it,' she said, adding that she hopes Rahman will be taken off the streets for a 'significant amount of time.' David Malone, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South, said: 'This was a shocking and horrific incident that highlights the courage required to be a frontline police officer. My thoughts are with those officers who were injured protecting our community. 'May I also pay tribute to the Metropolitan Police Service for a meticulous investigation and to the prosecution team who worked tirelessly, building a strong case, to bring this this dangerous individual to justice. 'I hope this case and today's conviction sends out a clear message to those who carry knives and plan to harm others. You will be caught, and you will be prosecuted.' Rahman will be sentenced on December 8. Florida Republican Cory Mills has rescued 32 Americans stranded in Israel as its fight against Hamas intensified. Today, photos of Mills, an Iraq veteran, emerged in which he was seen with a large group on a bus, leaving the war-torn country. Mills told The Floridian that he flew overnight yesterday to get to the combat zone to help. He provided similar help in September 2021 during the disastrous withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. His exact location in Israel is unclear and it's unknown if he has safely returned back to the US. Rep. Cory Mills evacuated 32 Americans from Israel today after flying to the region overnight It's unclear if Mills and the group are now back in the US or whether he plans more trips Mills, shown on a bus with some of the group, is a vocal critic of the Biden administration His efforts on Wednesday came as the White House pondered its plan for getting any stranded Americans out. At a briefing this afternoon, John Kirby, Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, said there were 'active conversations' about how to bring Americans and dual citizens home, but no specifics had been decided upon. 'We're in active touch with American citizens in Israel, many of them are dual nationalities... there are still commercial carriers flying in and out and there are viable ground routes. 'Neither of those options may necessarily be feasible or affordable, so we are exploring a range of other options to assist if Americans want to leave, I'm just not at liberty to go into that.' At a briefing this afternoon, John Kirby, Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, said there were 'active conversations' about how to bring Americans and dual citizens home, but no specifics had been decided upon Mills previously rescued Americans from Kabul during the disastrous withdrawal of American troops in September 2021 The exact number of Americans or dual citizens living in Israel remains unconfirmed by the State Department. So far, 22 Americans have been killed and 17 remain missing, including a small number who are feared to have been taken hostage by Hamas. The White House has not yet decided whether or not it will negotiate with Hamas to secure their release. There is yet to be any proof of life for those who have been taken. Among the unaccounted for are dual citizens including young, Israeli-American teenagers who are fighting in the IDF. The casualties include husband and wife Deborah and Shlomi Mathias, who were shot dead in front of their son, Rotem, on Saturday. Rotem, 16, survived by playing dead. Today, he told of the horror he witnessed. A multi-storey car park at Luton Airport which partially collapsed after being engulfed by fire did not have any sprinklers to help dampen the flames, it has emerged. More than 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines worked for 12 hours battling the blaze, which began just before 9pm yesterday on the third floor of Terminal Car Park 2. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue service declared a major incident - with four firefighters and an airport worker taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and another firefighter treated at the scene - before the flames were extinguished just before 9am today. The 600C blaze is thought to have been sparked by a diesel car, understood to be a Range Rover, which investigators believe could have suffered an electrical fault or a leaking fuel line. The 20million car park, which opened just four years ago, did not appear to have sprinklers, according to Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer. The intense heat of the blaze gutted the car park, meaning it will probably have to be demolished, sources said The 600C blaze is thought to have been sparked by a diesel car, understood to be a Range Rover, which investigators believe could have suffered an electrical fault or a leaking fuel line He told reporters that they 'could have made a positive impact on this incident' as he urged the airport to install them in existing and future car parks. He said the car park's open sides meant the fire is likely to have spread 'horizontally' before it tore upwards through the building, adding that there was 'no intelligence to suggest it was anything other than an accidental fire'. He said up to 1,500 vehicles were inside at the time of the fire. The intense heat of the blaze gutted the car park, meaning it will probably have to be demolished, sources said. Luton Airport did not respond to requests for comment as to why fire sprinklers had not been installed in the car park and whether it would rectify this in its current and future car parks. AA technical expert Greg Carter said car fires are most commonly caused by an electrical fault with the 12-volt battery system. He said diesel is 'much less flammable' than petrol and that in a car it takes 'intense pressure or sustained flame' to ignite the fuel. The inferno led to travel chaos for tens of thousands of families as the airport remained shut to passengers until 3pm today with at least 150 flights due to take off or land cancelled since the fire started. More than 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines worked for 12 hours battling the blaze, which began just before 9pm yesterday on the third floor of Terminal Car Park 2 Luton Airport did not respond to requests for comment as to why fire sprinklers had not been installed in the car park The car park's open sides meant the fire is likely to have spread 'horizontally' before it tore upwards through the building Almost 30 flights were diverted to airports as far away as Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester, while many other flights were delayed. The Dart light rail transit system connecting the airport with mainline railway station Luton Airport Parkway remained closed. Nearby residents were advised to close their windows to avoid the smoke. Dramatic CCTV footage posted online shows the moment the car park's third floor caved in as an explosion erupted, sending a fireball tearing through the complex. The flames then spread rapidly to the lower floors as a string of electric cars caught fire in a domino-like effect, one firefighter suggested. A spokesman for Association of British Insurers said that it was too early to estimate the total cost of claims likely to be made by customers - many of whom returned from holidays horrified to find their cars torched or trapped in the car park. Almost 30 flights were diverted to airports as far away as Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester, while many other flights were delayed The flames then spread rapidly to the lower floors as a string of electric cars caught fire in a domino-like effect, one firefighter suggested The inferno led to travel chaos for tens of thousands of families as the airport remained shut to passengers until 3pm A temporary ramp was being built at the airport car park to allow unscathed vehicles to leave. James Davison, 37, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, was travelling back from Portugal with his partner, Sarah, 32, when they were diverted to Gatwick. They had parked their 32,000 VW Tiguan in Luton Airport's Carpark 2 which they fear has been destroyed in the blaze. Mr Davison, an accountant, said: 'We haven't been told for sure but we fear the car has gone. It's devastating, what with the cost of the holiday it'll cost a fortune. 'We were due to land last night and the pilot just said that we had to divert. 'It cost us money just coming back here from Gatwick.' Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue service declared a major incident - with four firefighters and an airport worker taken to hospital with smoke inhalation At least 150 flights due to take off or land cancelled since the fire started A temporary ramp was being built at the airport car park to allow unscathed vehicles to leave At 16.30 this afternoon, a Luton airport spokesman said the runway was 'now open, and flights are beginning to arrive and depart'. They added: 'Main roads around the area have also re-opened, but delays are expected on the airport approach. 'For those arriving by car, the Long and Mid-stay car parks are fully operational, and a temporary drop-off area has been established in the Mid-stay car park. 'For those travelling to the airport by rail, the DART shuttle remains out of service with replacement buses in operation. 'Additional staff remain on hand to assist passengers across the airport. 'Those with queries relating to a parked vehicle or future booking, in Terminal Car Park 2 and Terminal Car Park 1, should contact luton.customerservices@apcoa.com for support.' Washington, DC's, BWI Airport was temporarily shut down while police launched an investigation into a phony bomb threat. Passengers trying to get to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport were blocked in standstill traffic for over an hour - while others inside the terminal said they were unable to leave. Images showed police and fire services at the scene. Helicopters were spotted flying around the airport - and flights from BWI were being delayed. Police were investigating a bomb threat after a man told law enforcement that he had explosives in his car, according to TSA. One suspect is in custody - and the vehicle has now been cleared. Passengers trying to get to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport were blocked in standstill traffic for over an hour - while others inside the terminal said they were unable to leave Washington, DC 's, BWI Airport was temporarily shut down while police launched an investigation into a phony bomb threat Police were investigating a bomb threat after a man told law enforcement that he had explosives in his car, according to TSA Maryland Transportation Authority police officers took the man into custody, according to witnesses and footage from passengers within the airport. The airport said in a statement: 'Due to law enforcement investigation, the terminal roadway is temporarily shut down. Vehicular traffic approaching the airport is currently being held. 'Those in the terminal are advised to remain in place at this time. 'Law enforcement continues to investigate vehicle on lower level roadway near [the] terminal. 'Vehicular traffic continues to be held. 'Those with vehicles in our Hourly Garage are advised to access the garage via underground tunnel in the middle of our main terminal or via Skywalk D.' In an update, officials wrote: 'Law enforcement has cleared vehicle in question. Please be advised roadway operations will slowly return to normal. For now, Upper Level roadway is open for both passenger dropoff/pickup. 'Southwest Airlines passengers are allowed to retrieve their bags from Bag Belts #1-5. Passengers will not be allowed to exit to the Lower Level. All passengers and visitors need to go to the Upper Level to exit the airport.' By 4.15pm, traffic en route to the airport was allowed to move again, and people inside the terminal building could leave. Maryland Department of Emergency Management leaders added: 'Due to law enforcement investigation, the terminal roadway is shut down at BWI airport. Traffic approaching the airport is currently being held. 'Those in the terminal are advised to remain in place at this time. I-195 @ Aviation Blvd is closed. Avoid travel to area.' All trains on the Maryland Transit and Light Rail service stopped their service to the airport while the situation developed. The incident came hours after TSA announced that officers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport caught a traveler with a loaded handgun at one of the checkpoints on October 9, bringing the total number caught so far this year to a record-setting 36 guns. The previous record of 35 guns caught in a year was set in 2022. 'It's shocking to see that we have already surpassed the previous high number of guns caught and we are still in early October,' said Grant Goodlett, TSA's Deputy Federal Security Director for Maryland. 'Our TSA team here in Baltimore is good at what they do and they are remaining vigilant in helping to ensure that no illegal or prohibited items are carried onto a flight. 'There is absolutely no excuse for bringing a gun to our checkpoints because you certainly can't carry it onto your flight.' The BBC last night defended its decision not to describe Hamas militants as 'terrorists' in its coverage of the deadly attacks in Israel, despite receiving a huge backlash from politicians and those within the Jewish community. The broadcaster's refusal continues despite King Charles condemning the 'barbaric acts of terrorism' while the Prince and Princess of Wales spoke of their distress following 'Hamas's terrorist attack'. Instead the BBC refers to Hamas as a militant group and described the slaughter of civilians as a militant attack. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis accused broadcasters of trying to wilfully mislead by not using the word terrorist, saying: The murder of babies where they sleep is not the act of a freedom fighter. Meanwhile Defence Secretary Grant Shapps called on the coorporation to 'get the moral compass out' while Labour leader Keir Starmer urged the broadcaster to 'explain' its reasoning. The broadcaster justified its language use in the name of impartiality, adding its job is to explain 'precisely what is happening on the ground so audiences can make their own judgement'. The decision has seen a number of BBC stars rally around their employer, including the corporation's veteran foreign correspondent John Simpson defended the coverage claiming 'calling someone a terrorist means you're taking sides'. The BBC has defended its decision not to describe Hamas militants as 'terrorists' in its coverage of the deadly attacks in Israel Veteran BBC foreign correspondent John Simpson defended the coverage claiming 'calling someone a terrorist means you're taking sides' Last night Mr Simpson took to X, formerly known as Twitter , to defend his employers decision Last night Mr Simpson took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to defend his employers decision, claiming 'British politicians know full well' why it avoids using the word terrorist. He wrote: 'British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word terrorist, and over the years plenty of them have privately agreed with it. 'Calling someone a terrorist means youre taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality. 'The BBCs job is to place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting. 'Thats why, in Britain and throughout the world, nearly half a billion people watch, listen to and read us. Theres always someone who would like us to rant. Sorry, its not what we do.' Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, said on social media: I understand entirely why some want the word terrorism used. It is, though, the long-standing practice of BBC, ITV and Sky to report others using that language rather than using it ourselves. BBC director of editorial policy David Jordan said not using the word terrorist was a very long-standing policy which had stood the test of time. He added: Weve called them massacres, weve called [them] murders, weve called them out for what things are and that doesnt in any way devalue the awfulness of what is going on. Houses are left in ruins in southern Israel after Hamas militants shot at and killed civilians in homes days earlier near the border with Gaza Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blasted the BBC for refusing to call the Hamas terrorists before attending Finchley United Synagogue in central London for victims and hostages of Hamas attacks on Monday Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the broadcaster to 'explain' why it calls Hamas, who became classified as a terrorist group in the UK in 2021, a militant group Hamas has been proscribed as a terrorist group in the UK since 2021. Former BBC journalist Jon Sopel said the corporations editorial guidelines were no longer fit for purpose. Condemning the BBC's language, Mr Shapps told LBC yesterday: 'I actually think it is verging on disgraceful, this idea that there is some sort of equivalence, and they'll always say, well there's two sides. 'They are not freedom fighters, they are not militants, they are pure and simple terrorists and it's remarkable to go to the BBC website and still see them talking about gunmen and militants and not calling them terrorists.' Meanwhile, Britain's largest Jewish community body slammed the BBC, saying its refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organisation 'feels little short of obscene'. The group said it had asked that the Government pushes for an urgent review of the BBCs guidelines, saying it is clear that Hamas should be described as what they are terrorists. President of the group, Marie van der Zyl, wrote to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer with her concerns. Ms Frazer said she had raised the issue with BBC director-general Tim Davie and made clear her view that these were acts of terror carried out by a terrorist organisation. Palestinian militants fire rockets towards Israel from Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip this evening Danny Cohen, the former director of television at the BBC, expressed disbelief at his former employer's reluctance to label Hamas a terror group Even the former director of television at the BBC, Danny Cohen, expressed disbelief at the organisation's reluctance to label Hamas as a terror group. He said earlier this week: 'This is no time for the BBC or any other UK news organisation to call terrorism anything but what it is. 'Having worked for the BBC, I understand the delicate balancing act it aims to perform. I also know that the BBC employs a great number of dedicated journalists, committed to their profession and their belief in the important role it plays in a healthy democracy. 'This is why it makes it even harder to understand why BBC News is unable to see something for what it is and call it what it is, without prevarication, without qualification. 'Words matter. The BBC, and other UK news organisations, are failing the public when they fail to accurately report terrorism and war crimes for what they are.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared in relation to the broadcaster's choice of language in its news programmes: 'This is not a time for equivocation, we should call it out for what it is.' Tonight the spokesperson for the BBC said: 'We always take our use of language very seriously. 'Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word terrorist used many times we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK Government. 'This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. 'The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening on the ground so our audiences can make their own judgement.' The Serious Fraud Office is investigating a funeral plan provider that collapsed last year, leaving thousands with worthless arrangements. Safe Hands Plans and its parent company SHP Capital Holdings firms were owned by 37-year-old Richard Wells who filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. Safe Hands was a leading seller of funeral plans to people who wanted to pay for their farewells in advance. Such policies, costing thousands of pounds, are popular because they pay for a funeral in the future at today's prices. But last year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) decided to begin regulating the pre-paid funeral plans market. The watchdog was concerned some customers were being exploited and that the payments they were making to firms were not being ring-fenced in a trust fund as promised. Safe Hands was a leading seller of funeral plans to people who wanted to pay for their farewells in advance (Stock Image) In February last year, alarm bells began to ring when Wakefield-based Safe Hands suddenly said it would not be seeking authorisation from the FCA. Weeks later, it fell into administration, leaving 46,000 customers with near-worthless plans. Administrators FRP Advisory revealed that the trust fund into which their payments were allegedly placed was seriously in deficit. Although the cost of funerals promised to customers was in the order of 70million, the fund's assets are now worth no more than 10million. It means many face the prospect of losing most of the money they gave to Safe Hands. FRP has discovered that a 'significant proportion' of trust fund assets were invested offshore by a company called Navigator. The Cayman Islands firm then lent 28.7million of the trust fund money back to SHP Capital prior to Safe Hands going into administration. The trustees of the Safe Hands trust fund were Sterling Trust Corporation. They were appointed by Mr Wells and last month went into administration. Tthe Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) decided to begin regulating the pre-paid funeral plans market (Stock Image) The watchdog was concerned some customers were being exploited and that the payments they were making to firms were not being ring-fenced in a trust fund as promised (Stock Image) Nick Ephgrave, of the Serious Fraud Office , said yesterday: 'Thousands of individuals from all over the UK have lost the peace and security they sought after being sold a product on the basis it would help reduce the burden on their loved ones upon their death.' James Daley, of consumer champion Fairer Finance, said: 'It is important that the directors of Safe Hands Plans are held to account for the failures which left 46,000 elderly customers seriously out of pocket.' Last year, Mr Wells said it was with 'deep regret' that Safe Hands had gone into administration. The FCA and FRP both declined to comment. She and three others who were injured were rushed to shore A doctor who was crushed by a sailboat's mast and later died has been identified A doctor from Maine who was crushed when a sailboat's mast snapped has been pictured for the first time. Dr. Emily Mecklenburg, 40, died after suffering a serious head wound while on board Grace Bailey a 141-year-old schooner. The windjammer had been returning from a four-day cruise with 33 people on board when one of its masts snapped, striking Mecklenburg and three others. A motorized lifeboat rushed Mecklenburg to an awaiting emergency medical crew on the shore, where she was pronounced dead. Mecklenburg, who worked at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, has since been remembered as a 'well-known' and 'well-loved' community member. She specialized in internal medicine, according to MaineHealth's website. A spokesperson said her colleagues were 'heartbroken', the Boston Globe reported. 'Emily was a friend to so many and well known for the compassionate care she provided to patients,' MaineHealth said. Dr. Emily Mecklenburg suffered a serious head wound when the mast snapped The Grace Bailey was returning from a four-day cruise when the incident took place Grace Bailey is co-owned by Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Marc Evan Jackson, Captain Sam Sikkema and Mainer Suzannah Smith 'Along with our community, we grieve Emilys loss and send our thoughts and prayers to her family.' Three other passengers also required medical attention, including a woman who had severe spinal injuries. They were assisted by Charlie Weidman, 57, the owner of a boat towing business, who was heading out to retrieve a vessel that had broken down off the coast of Rockland when he heard a mayday sound. He responded to hear Sam Sikkema, Grace Bailey's captain, who told him the boat's mast had snapped. The winds were not particularly bad that day. Weidman was first on the scene at 10:26 am, shortly after the initial mayday and found CPR being performed on one victim. 'People were working beyond their capacity, but doing a good job of it,' Wiedman said. 'Everyone was on task helping the situation. It was almost a hive of bees. Everyones buzzing around, but its not angry. Theyre just working.' A nearby Coast Guard responded and began evacuating the injured passengers within minutes of the mast's catastrophic failure and collapse on the deck. The Grace Bailey is co-owned by Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Marc Evan Jackson as well as Captain Sikkema and Mainer Suzannah Smith. After the mast broke early morning on October 9, officials on board were quick to call the New England Command Center for help Mecklenburg suffered a major head wound and was taken to an emergency medical crew on the shore by a motorized life boat but was pronounced dead at the scene 'My crew and I are devastated by this mornings accident, especially since the safety of our guests is always our biggest priority,' Captain Sikkema told the Associated Press. 'Most importantly, we are beyond heartbroken that we lost a dear friend.' Weidman towed the schooner to Rockland Harbor. Its operators said they had no idea why the mast failed. The Coast Guard is set to conduct a full investigation into the incident. Weidman said Sikkema is going to 'take it harder than anyone other than the family of the poor woman'. 'He just takes things to heart. He wants absolutely nothing but the best and he doesnt cut corners,' he added. Captain Amy Florentino, the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England commander, said the incident was a tragedy. 'In this time of sorrow, we offer our deepest condolences to the grieving family, and our most heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery to those harmed,' she said. 'Our investigation aims to identify causative factors that led to this tragic incident.' The Grace Bailey's overall length is 118 feet (36m) and can carry 29 passengers, according to its official website. It was built in November 1882 by Oliver Perry Smith at his boatyard on the Patchogue River, in Patchogue, New York. The Grace Bailey's overall length is 118 feet (36 meters) and it can carry 29 passengers, according to its official website The Grace Bailey was built in November 1882 by Oliver Perry Smith at his boatyard on the Patchogue River, in Patchogue, New York The early deck plan included two cargo hatches between the masts and one between the mainmast and the after deckhouse. The main topmast was removed when the cargo ship became a cruise schooner Currently a huge tourist attraction in Maine, the Grace Bailey was originally built to serve the needs of the E. Bailey and Sons Lumber Company by carrying lumber from southern ports to Patchogue. The early deck plan included two cargo hatches between the masts and one between the mainmast and the after-deckhouse. The main topmast was removed when the cargo ship became a cruise schooner. In 1940, the Grace Bailey, formerly known as MATTIE was purchased by Captain Frank Swift of Camden who used her as a passenger schooner. Under Swift, the schooner became a favorite among passengers and crew alike. The ship took a brief hiatus from her windjammer career in 1942 when she performed her war service as the first training vessel for the Maine Maritime Academy. After returning to the windjammer business, the schooner has outlasted all of the earlier vessels in its fleet. She has served longer and carried more passengers than any other windjammer in history. A Texas yoga teacher accused of murdering her boyfriend's professional cyclist ex tried to escape from jail during a medical appointment, officials said. Kaitlin Armstrong 35, allegedly ran from two correctional officers after a doctor's appointment in Austin as they walked her back to the car to take her back to jail, the Travis County Sheriffs Office said on Wednesday. However, Armstrong, who spent 43 days on the run before her arrest last year, only managed to stay on the lam for about 10 minutes before deputies caught up to her. The officers said she ran more than a block into a neighborhood, but remained in their sight the entire time. The amateur yoga teacher was taken to the Dell Seton Medical Center after the attempted escape. It's not clear whether Armstrong was wearing shackles on her arms or legs, or what medical treatment prompted the appointment outside of the jail clinic. The corrections officers did not draw their firearms, but more details on how she was apprehended would not be disclosed, a spokesperson said. Kaitlin Armstrong, the Texas yoga teacher accused of murdering professional cyclist Moriah 'Mo' Wilson in a jealous rage has tried to escape from jail Armstrong is accused of gunning down Moriah Wilson, a 25-year-old competitive gravel and mountain bike racer from Vermont (pictured) The yoga teacher is pictured before the attack, left, and after fleeing the country, right, after officers claim she underwent plastic surgery, said to be a nose job The former yoga teacher is said to have killed Wilson on May 11 2022 with two bullet holes in her head and another in her chest after finding out her boyfriend Colin Strickland was having an affair with her Armstrong has pleaded not guilty to Wilson's May 2022 murder, and her trial is scheduled to begin on October 30. She is currently being held in Travis County Jail on $3.5 million bond. She faces up to 99 years in prison if convicted. She is accused of gunning down Wilson, a 25-year-old competitive gravel and mountain bike racer from Vermont, was in Austin for a race she was among the favorites to win in when she was found shot to death. Armstrong allegedly flew into a jealous rage after discovering pro-cyclist Wilson, 25, was seeing her boyfriend, Colin Strickland, 35. Armstrong fled Texas soon after police interviewed her following the murder, travelling to Costa Rica from Newark Airport, in New Jersey, before she was arrested at a hostel in Costa Rica over a month later. Authorities said at the time she paid for a nose job and dyed her hair brown after fleeing the US, using her sisters passport to fly from the US. Armstrong also used several aliases while on the run, using the name Ari to woo a man she met in a tattoo shop while on the run. A federal judge has dismissed the charge of unlawful flight against Armstrong, but she may face the charge again in future if prosecutors deem it necessary. Police arrested the her after an anonymous tip and surveillance footage outside of Wilson's apartment supposedly showed the yoga instructor's car. Armstrong was captured in Costa Rica where she had dyed her hair and changed her appearance after 43 days on the run A photo of Kaitlin's passport was obtained by Inside Edition following her arrest on June 30 Detectives used an open misdemeanor warrant on theft of services to quiz her about Wilsonss death after receiving an anonymous tip that she had flown into a rage months before. Armstrongs car, a black Jeep Grand Cherokee, was spotted driving past Wilsons friends home, where the gravel bike champion had been staying. Police later discovered Wilson had gone to dinner with Armstrong's boyfriend the night of the murder. Strickland told police the two of them took a swim at Deep Eddy Pool before eating, and he dropped her off at 8.36pm. He stopped briefly to text Armstrong that he had visited a friend and that his phone had run out of battery. Armstrong was allegedly tracking Wilson using the app for cyclists and runners, Strava. Search warrants revealed that Armstrong visiting a gun range with her sister before the killing, and was given $450,000 by Strickland, who also admitted to purchasing two firearms between the end of 2021 and start of 2022 for himself and Armstrong. Strickland reportedly asked Armstrong to return the money he lent to her for an investment account, but she kept it before heading to Costa Rica on May 18. He admitted the affair with Wilson to the police, telling them that he had changed her name on his phone so Armstrong didnt know who he was speaking to. Strickland added that he had also deleted previous messages, so his girlfriend was unable to find them, despite her suspicions. The child grabbed an AR-15 from the car and fired six rounds at the victim The victim was arguing with Angel Gomez, 20, the driver and uncle of the boy A 12-year-old Texas boy was found 'delinquent,' which is the equivalent to guilty in juvenile court, of a murder charge in the May shooting of Matthew Davis A 12-year-old Texas boy has been convicted in the May 13 murder of a Sonic restaurant worker with an AR-15-style rifle. The child was found 'equivalent of guilty' in shooting Matthew Davis, 32, to death after the child's uncle Angel Gomez, 20, got into an argument with Davis in the parking lot. The boy was found 'delinquent,' which is the equivalent to guilty in juvenile court, of a murder charge after nearly seven hours of deliberation Sunday, the sheriff's office announced. He is expected to be sentenced on Thursday and could face up to 40 years in prison, according to state attorneys. County Court at Law No. 1 Judge John Neill will hear from witnesses and attorneys that day before determining the boys sentence. Because of his age, the 12-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, has not been identified, nor were his trial open to the public. Matthew Davis (pictured), who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, had recently moved to Keene and started working at the Sonic just two weeks ago Detectives believe Angel Gomez, 20, was the driver of the 12-year-old boy and other passengers. He was loud and disorderly and had been confronted by Davis after urinating in the parking lot, cops said 'A confrontation between two adults became physical at which point the 12-year-old boy got out of the vehicle and fired multiple shots, striking the victim,' the sheriff's office said on Sunday. Gomez is also charged with murder, but the status of his case remains unclear as his court records not available. If convicted, Gomez could face a sentence of between five to 99 years in prison. Cops found Davis lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds when they arrived at the Sonic Drive-In in Keene, 50 miles southwest of Dallas in May. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Detectives believe Gomez, 20, was the driver and uncle of the 12-year-old boy and other passengers. Gomez was loud and disorderly and had been confronted by Davis after urinating in the parking lot, cops said. During the heated exchange, the child grabbed the AR-15 rifle from the car and fired six rounds at Davis, authorities said. The boy and Gomez fled the scene. Gomez later returned to the Sonic and was arrested. The child was detained at a house in Rio Vista, about 14 miles south of Keene, where multiple guns were seized, police said. The shooting took place at the Sonic Drive-In in the 300 block of S. Old Betsy, Keene, Texas on Saturday night Gomez and the boy were charged with murder. Davis, who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, had recently moved to Keene and started working at the Sonic just two weeks ago. His mother is working to bury him in Louisiana where he is from. Lynne Barton, Davis' aunt, posted on Facebook: 'It is with deep sadness that I share my family has had a major loss this Mothers Day. My best friend and sister has just lost her son due to a unspeakable tragedy. 'Her son was shot while at work, while trying to earn a living. Please share this as we are trying to get enough money to put our beloved son, brother, nephew and friend to rest. Thank you.' Dylan Elliott, a nearby resident, said she heard gunfire and then an air ambulance. 'I was outside. My fiance ran in the house, and I heard a bunch of gunshots,' Elliott told Fox. 'You see [helicopters] every once in a while, but you never see them flying this low and this close to home at least.' She added: 'A 12-year-old in this day has access to a gun and kills someone. Breaks my heart mainly.' Davis in a picture posted to a fundraising page which has been set up to help his family The restaurant remained closed for a day as residents came to lay flowers. Jane Baggett told NBC: 'I wish there was more that we could do, but right now if they could just see that support and love, and maybe, even if we didn't know him, his life mattered to many of us.' A Sonic spokesman said: 'We are saddened to learn about the tragedy involving a franchised team member in Keene, TX. The franchisee is cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their investigation.' Under Texas law you must be 18 to buy a handgun or long gun, but there is no minimum age for possession of a firearm. Parents and legal guardians are allowed to give written permission for one to be sold or given to a minor as a gift. People aged 21 and over do not need a license to carry a handgun in public. At least 20 other states also have some form of permit-less carry. Most arms, including military-style weapons, can be owned in the Lone Star State. Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis as Israel's blockades resulted in its only power plant running out of fuel, authorities warned yesterday. Israel's blockade on supplies of fuel, food, water and medicines to the Palestinian territory has left Gaza's 2.3 million residents without electricity, internet or running water. Its only power plant shut down after running out of fuel, leaving schools and hospitals reliant on emergency generators with dwindling supplies of fuel. Israeli air strikes continued to pound the Gaza Strip, obliterating entire neighbourhoods in retaliation for Saturday's attacks by Hamas militants, which killed more than 1,200. Troops and tanks gathered near the Israel-Gaza border ahead of an expected ground assault, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed an emergency government with key members of the opposition party. Aerial view of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City A man carries a child injured in Israeli airstrikes to hospital in Gaza City on October 11 Gaza's Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights warned the enclave was on the brink of collapse. It said: 'Soon all services vital for the survival of the population, including hospitals, will no longer function.' It came as: The Palestinian death toll since Saturday rose to more than 1,100, including 326 children, with thousands more wounded; Israeli air strikes reportedly killed one of the founders of Hamas, Abd al-Fattah Dukhan, known as 'Abu Osama', and two other senior leaders; Hamas continued to fire rockets into Israel, hitting a hospital in the southern city of Ashkelon; Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, on a visit to Israel, was forced to run for shelter after warning sirens sounded; At least 17 British citizens, including children, were confirmed among the dead and missing from Saturday's attacks; British Airways and Virgin Atlantic suspended flights to Tel Aviv, after BA diverted one plane moments before landing. Israel has admitted its air strikes have prioritised 'damage, not accuracy' and Palestinian authorities say a hospital, mosques and a university have all been hit. Medicines and medical supplies including antiseptic are 'on the verge of running out', according to the Palestinian health ministry, which said women and children made up 60 per cent of those injured. An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 1 Dwindling fuel supplies and damage to roads have also jeopardised rescue operations, with teams unable to reach potential survivors trapped under the rubble. The scale of Israel's retaliation has led to concern among the international community, including fears voiced by Pope Francis. He called on Hamas to release hostages taken during Saturday's assault, and said he was praying for those killed, injured and bereaved in the attacks. In his weekly audience in Rome, the Pope said: 'Whoever is attacked has the right to defend himself. But I am very worried about the total siege under which the Palestinians in Gaza are living, where there are also many innocent victims.' A prominent mosque in Egypt, Al-Azhar al-Sharif, called for Israel to be investigated for alleged war crimes against civilians in Gaza, including its 'inhuman siege'. Israel has defended its air campaign, saying it was right to strike at the 'nest of terror' behind the Hamas attacks. It came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against the conflict spilling over into neighbouring countries. He said: 'I appeal to all parties, and those who have an influence over those parties, to avoid any further escalation and spillover.' Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli military position yesterday. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. Rockets have also been fired into Israel from Syria. The NYU Law School Bar Association is voting on whether to oust their president after she sparked fury by claiming Hamas atrocities against Israel were 'necessary'. Ryna Workman, 24, conflated the internationally-recognized terror group's attacks with 'Palestinian resistance' and claimed Israel 'bears full responsibility'. The non-binary student now faces being removed from her post as the SBA as the group revealed 'multiple students' have received 'death threats' due to her article. Hamas, which controls the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, attacked Israel on Saturday in the worst breach of the country's defenses since Arab armies waged war in 1973. Israel has responded with air strikes on Gaza. Distancing themselves from Workman's Monday article - headed 'Message from the President' - the student group said Tuesday it did not 'write, approve, or see' it. NYU Law School Bar Association is voting on whether to oust their president Ryna Workman (president) after she sparked fury by claiming Hamas atrocities were 'necessary' Workman, 24, conflated the internationally-recognized terror group's atrocities with 'Palestinian resistance' and said Israel 'bears full responsibility' for their war crimes The non-binary pupil now faces being removed from her post as the SBA - as the group revealed 'multiple students' have received 'death threats' as a consequence of Workman's piece. (Pictured: NYU Student Services building) 'The 'Message from the President' reflects their personal views and does not represent the views of SBA as an organization or any of its officers,' the group said in a statement. They added that board members had voted to 'initiate the removal' of Workman and they would conduct hearings from October 17 as part of the process. 'Multiple students have received significant targeted harassment and death threats,' they said. 'We are horrified by these vile personal attacks and threats to students' safety. The doxxing of any NYU Law student is unacceptable and disturbing.' The group issued a second statement on Wednesday to clarify that it condemned Hamas violence. 'As the violence in Israel persists, and we continue to struggle with feelings of anger and sorrow at the tragic loss of innocent lives, we need to make several things abundantly clear on behalf of the NYU Law Board of Trustees and our Law School as a whole,' they said. 'NYU Law unequivocally condemns the recent terrorist acts and the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas in Israel. 'The murder and kidnapping of civilians, and the use of sexual violence and the separation and torture of children, are all abominable and atrocious. 'We want to say, loud and clear, to our community: Any statement that does not recognize this brutality does not reflect the values of NYU Law.' Before joining NYU, they graduated from University of South Carolina with a degree in history and global studies As well as studying at NYU, Workman completed their undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina and also studied at the University of Warwick in the UK on an exchange program - where they took classes in international law. The student, from Simpsonville, South Carolina, who goes by the pronouns they/them, wrote in her weekly newsletter to fellow Student Bar Association students: 'Hi y'all. 'This week, I want to express, first and foremost, my unwavering and absolute solidarity with Palestinians in their resistance against oppression toward liberation and self-determination. 'Israel bears full responsibility for this tremendous loss of life. 'This regime of state-sanctioned violence created the conditions that made resistance necessary.' Referencing Hamas, Workman said: 'I will not condemn Palestinian resistance.' Turkey, which has historically had contacts with Hamas, is carrying out negotiations aimed at securing the release of civilians held by the militant Palestinian group, a senior Turkish official said on Wednesday. After the Hamas attack on Israel at the weekend, Ankara has launched diplomacy seeking to mediate the conflict. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said President Tayyip Erdogan ordered the talks. Erdogan has held phone calls with regional powers this week to convey Ankara's offer to mediate and discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 'Turkey is carrying out negotiations regarding the civilian prisoners held by Hamas. Upon President Tayyip Erdogan's orders, the relevant institutions are carrying out a process regarding the civilians held by Hamas,' the person said, without providing further details. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan arrives to address lawmakers from his ruling AK Party at the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, Turkey October 11, 2023 Turkish politicians, including Erdogan, have previously met members of Hamas. There has been no official statement from Ankara about contact with the group since the fighting began. Scores of Israelis and others from abroad were taken to Gaza as hostages, some of whom were paraded through streets. Both sides have said many women and children were among the dead and wounded. Turkey, which has backed Palestinians in the past, supports a two-state solution to the conflict and hosts Hamas members. It has been working to repair its ties with Israel after years of acrimony, primarily by focusing on energy cooperation. Since the fighting began on Saturday, Ankara has called for restraint and urged the protection of civilians in both Israel and Gaza. It has also warned against the conflict spreading to a wider region, saying the only path to regional peace is through the formation of an independent Palestinian state. Erdogan on Wednesday also said Israel's response to Hamas in Gaza amounted to a 'massacre', referring to its blockade cutting off water and electricity to the city and to civilian deaths. President Joe Biden issued his first public warning to Iran since the Hamas attack on Israel as he faced growing pressure to freeze $6 billion of Tehran's assets. 'We've 'made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful,' Biden said at a meeting with Jewish leaders at the White House Wednesday. He also detailed a new arms shipment to Israel that includes interceptors for its Iron Dome defense system and ammunition for the Israel Defense Force. Following the horrific Hamas attack on Saturday, Biden made a brief statement lasting three minutes, before remaining publicly silent for three days. In an emotional speech on Tuesday he did not specifically mention Iran, but instead issued a general warning that no country or group should try to exploit the situation. President Joe Biden issued a stark warning to Iran his first since the Hamas attack on Israel to 'be careful' His remarks on Wednesday were the first time he had confronted Iran, which has long supported Hamas militarily and politically, but has denied advance knowledge of its attack on Israel. Earlier this year Biden unfroze $6 billion of Iranian funds in exchange for the release of a group of five American hostages. The money has yet to be accessed by Iran and Biden is facing urgent calls from Republicans and Democrats to refreeze it. He did not specify in his comments what he would do if Iran took any action to support Hamas in the coming days and weeks - but refreezing the money could be an option. Meanwhile, Israel has been bombing Gaza following the Hamas atrocity and Israeli troops are gathering on the border for a ground invasion. Biden told Jewish leaders it would be 'bizarre' for him to detail what the U.S. was doing to free American hostages in Gaza. But he assured them his team was working on it around the clock. He appeared alongside second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who pounded a lectern as he spoke about the tragedy. US President Joe Biden listens to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff speak at a roundtable with Jewish community leaders in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House on October 11, 2023 A house is completely destroyed after being burned by Hamas militants during the attack at Kibbutz Be'eri, near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023 in Be'eri, Israel. Biden has warned Iran and unnamed groups to avoid exploiting the aftermath 'We witnessed a mass murder of innocent civilians,' said Emhoff, who is Jewish and who has headed an effort on anti-Semitism. 'It was a terrorist assault,' he said, describing images 'seared in our brains forever' about people being 'dragged from their homes and shot dead.' Biden also expressed hope that whatever might be planned could stop such a massacre ever happening again. He said: 'I think there is a chance to end this in a way that makes it very difficult to be repeated. I know we can overcome this. I think we can change the Middle East.' The administration has struggled to balance its approach to Iran since the October 7 attack, which included brutal murders of Israeli residents and civilians. Top officials have cited Iran's longstanding support for Hamas, but U.S. intelligence has not established 'direct evidence' linking Iran to Saturday's attack. Biden bristled at a question he said 'implies that we're just not waking up to the fact that they've been supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and other terrorist networks.' He said the administration had sanctioned 400-plus entities in the country. 'Nobody has turned a blind eye to Iranian destabilizing behavior,' said a White House spokesman. The spokesman said Hamas wouldn't haver 'been able to function at all had it not been for propping up by the Iranian regime, but we haven't seen any specific evidence that tells us they were witting, involved in the planning, or involved in the resourcing and the training that went into this very complex' attack.' Officials have said no money has yet gone out of the accounts holding the $6 billion, which are restricted to 'humanitarian' purposes. Biden also defended the virtual blackout on his administration's efforts to free American hostages, after the White House confirmed that less than a handful were among the 17 Americans believed missing. Biden said: 'The press is going to shout to me and many of you are, "What are you doing to get these folks home?" 'If I told you I wouldn't be able to get them home. Folks there's a lot we're doing a lot we're doing. I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home. 'But the idea that I'm going to stand here before you and tell you what I'm doing is bizarre. So I hope you understand how bizarre I think it would be to try to answer that question.' Alabama kidnapping hoaxer Carlee Russell has been found guilty of faking her disappearance and wasting police time. The 25-year-old was on Wednesday convicted of two misdemeanor charges after lying to cops about seeing a child on a highway and being abducted. Each charge is classified as a class A misdemeanor and carries a potential of up to a year in jail. Nursing student Russell, 25, captured headlines after she went missing while on a 911 call on July 13, during which she reported finding a toddler by the side of the road. She then called her brother's girlfriend, claiming the same sight, and screamed down the phone. After she turned up two days later claiming that a man with 'orange hair' abducted her, she told police that she had been kidnapped and spun an elaborate tale about escaping to her freedom. Alabama kidnapping hoaxer Carlee Russell has been found guilty of faking her disappearance and wasting police time There was a huge search conducted for Russell, with her now ex-boyfriend sharing loving photos of the couple together after she'd initially been found and mentioned that he was falsely accused of being involved in her disappearance - but he 'kept his faith' and continued the desperate search for his girlfriend. Thomar Latrell Simmons described his 'nonstop' hunt for her - and said he was not giving up 'until I saw her face again.' 'I don't even know how to start off this post but to only say thank you to my lord & savior Jesus Christ for saving my girlfriend's life! Hoover Police then revealed the spa therapist's incriminating Google search history that included the terms 'do you have to pay for an Amber alert' and research on the movie Taken. Russell later admitted she'd made the whole saga up, confessing in a written statement that the kidnapping never occurred and it was 'a mistake.' On July 28, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis announced criminal charges against her. A judge has ordered her to pay nearly $18,000 in restitution and for the charges and suggested she serve up to a year in jail. Russell plans to appeal the ruling in circuit court despite having previously admitted to falsifying the story. Russell was reported missing on July 13, after making a bizarre phone call to 911 in which she claimed she found a toddler on the side of a highway Video taken the night that Carlee Russell faked her disappearance in Alabama appeared to show the moment she pulled over on a highway to help a child 'We stipulated and appealed the case and the reason behind it was that they're trying to ask for jail time, which we totally disagree with,' Russell's attorney Emory Anthony explained. 'So, in fairness, there's no need of having a trial here, knowing their position. So we have stipulated and appealed the case and we'll start anew in the Bessemer circuit court.' Russell, 25, was driving home from work in Hoover, Alabama, on July 13 when she called 911 claiming she'd seen a toddler in a diaper on the side of the road. The Russell family lives in a $800,000 house and hold steady jobs - her mother is a realtor and her father is a VP at a bank. Russell's parents are yet to comment on her arrest and she is yet to explain why she lied. In a prior statement, her attorney said: 'My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf: 'There was no kidnapping on July 13, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself. 'My client was not with anyone or at any hotel during the time she was missing. Russell vanished from a highway and sparked a nationwide manhunt for her, that ended days later when she returned alone to her home Simmons (left), Carlee's ex-boyfriend, initially revealed that she was 'fighting for her life for 48 hours' after vanishing from the Alabama interstate 459 highway 'My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family. 'We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and intends to move understanding that she made a mistake. 'Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.' Quite why the spa therapist made up her story remains unclear. There were rumors she was trying to win back the attention of her boyfriend, from whom she'd recently split, when she staged the hoax. Bridget Phillipson vowed to 'make the change that matters' despite criticism Labour will not back down on plans to tax private schools, its education spokesman declared yesterday. Bridget Phillipson vowed to 'make the change that matters' despite widespread criticism from private school bosses, who say the policy will impact disadvantaged students. Ms Phillipson added that she was proud to be 'chippy', after reports suggested officials at the Independent Schools Council (ISC) used the term to describe her in private messages. Rallying the crowd in Liverpool, she said: 'Conference, we know what the private schools lobby think of our ambition. 'They were arrogant enough to write it down. "Chippy". 'And if they or anyone else doubt my determination to deliver on our dream, then I have a message for them. Bridget Phillipson vowed to 'make the change that matters' despite widespread criticism from private school bosses Labour has U-turned on plans to abolish the charitable status of private schools 'Chippy people make the change that matters. I will make the change that matters. 'Together we will make the change the matters. 'We will end the tax breaks that private schools enjoy to deliver high and rising standards, in every school for every child.' Labour has U-turned on plans to abolish the charitable status of private schools. However, it will press ahead with its proposals to charge private schools 20 per cent VAT and scrap the 80 per cent relief they receive on business rates. Independents can register as charities in return for acts that benefit the local community, such as sharing their facilities with state schools. But the changes mean bursars could be forced to hike charges from as early as next September - effectively pricing families out of fee-paying schools. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the policy was 'crowd-pleasing' but lacked detail. He said: 'It's good to see labour policy coalescing. The emphasis on early years will be certainly welcome because if we get these foundations right then we pre-empt those problems later on. Labour will press ahead with its proposals to charge private schools 20 per cent VAT and scrap the 80 per cent relief they receive on business rates. Pictured: Independent boarding school Eton College 'The independent school stuff played well in the hall but our view is can you show us you working, please? 'The unintended consequences are some private schools close and those young people moving into the state sector clearly will create costs. 'It's a crowd-pleasing policy but there is a lack of detail around how much funding it can generate and what really can be bought.' The party's war against the sector was laid bare this week when some 40 MPs including several shadow cabinet ministers refused to show up to an independent school reception. Bosses were left furious that not a single MP showed up, while the ISC, which hosted the reception, said it was 'disappointed'. Reacting to Ms Phillipson's swipe, an ISC spokesman said: 'We share Labour's goal of wanting the best outcomes for every child and we have been consistent in our offer to work together towards achieving this.' Ms Phillipson also unveiled plans to water down Rishi Sunak's maths to 18 pledge, unveiling plans to ramp up the subject in primary schools. The Labour frontbencher said her party would aim to promote practical numeracy skills needed at work and in daily life 'right from the start' of school. Sir David Bell, the former permanent secretary at the Department for Education and former chief inspector of schools, will lead the plan. A Yale professor is facing calls for her termination after she tweeted on the day of the barbaric Hamas terror attacks that Israel is a 'murder, genocidal, settler state.' Zareena Grewal, an associate professor of Ethnicity, Race, and Migration, among other things, posted the tweet before noon on October 7, just hours after Palestinian terrorists had crossed into Israel and begun slaying innocent civilians. A Change.org petition that has now garnered more than 20,000 signatures calls for Yale to 'immediately terminate the employment of Zareena Grewal.' 'She has unequivocally proven that she has no right being in her current role or in the field of education if she considers war crimes against civilians to be acts of resistance.' On October 7, Grewal wrote: 'My heart is in my throat. Prayers for Palestinians. Israeli [sic] is a murderous, genocidal settler state and Palestinians have every right to resist through armed struggle, solidarity. #FreePalestine.' Zareena Grewal has posted many times in support of Palestinian terrorists since the brutal attacks began Saturday Several days later, as the depravity of the Hamas attacks had become clearer, Grewal wrote in response to a tweet from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: 'No government on earth is as genocidal as this settler colonial state.' She has also, in recent days, retweeted posts that claim Israel has a 'mad bloodlust' and that those who support the Jewish state would have 'been posting 'I stand with slave owners' during rebellions.' On October 8, she retweeted a video of a news report about the brutal Hamas attacks with the caption: 'Its been such an extraordinary day!' The petition, written by a member of the class of 2025, reads: 'Condoning violence, advocating for a terrorist organization, and historical revisionism and inaccuracies are all ideas that run contrary to the values of Yale University.' Grewal, it continues, 'has unequivocally proven that she has no right being in her current role or in the field of education if she considers war crimes against civilians to be acts of resistance. According to her university biography, Grewal is a 'historical anthropologist and a documentary filmmaker whose research focuses on race, gender, religion, nationalism, and transnationalism across a wide spectrum of American Muslim communities.' Her first book is described as 'an ethnography of transnational Muslim networks that link US mosques to Islamic movements in the post-colonial Middle East through debates about the reform of Islam.' In her X (formerly Twitter) bio, she describes herself as a 'Yale prof' and 'radical Muslim.' She has, likely recently, limited access to her tweets. More than 20,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Yale University remove Grewal from its faculty An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 11 Aftermath of Israeli air strikes in Gaza on October 10, 2023. Israeli air strikes hammered Gaza on Tuesday, razing entire districts in retaliation for Saturday's Hamas terror attacks A view of rockets fired by Palestinians into Israel's city of Ashkelon as clashes continue between Israeli forces and armed Palestinian terror groups Israeli soldiers carry the body of a person killed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Kfar Azza on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 An IDF soldier reacts and covers his face before removing the body of a civilian killed days earlier in an attack by Hamas militants on October 10, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel Signers of the petition uniformly condemned Grewal's position, writing that 'her virulent antisemitism is disgusting and extremely dangerous.' And arguing that 'such rhetoric is despicable and has no place in the United States and definitely not in an institution of higher learning.' On Saturday, Iran-backed Palestinian terrorists stormed Israel in a coordinated attack that has so far taken the lives of 1,200 Israelis, some of whom were raped, burned alive, and beheaded mercilessly by agents of Hamas. Today, residents in Gaza faced growing uncertainty after the territory's only power plant ran out of fuel and shut down. Over the weekend, PM Netanyahu declared war on Hamas and made it clear that Gaza would feel the impact of Israel's retaliation for decades to come. This week, Israeli airstrikes demolished entire neighborhoods and sent people scrambling to find safety. The war is only expected to escalate from here. An Australian couple who won a $4.2million dream home and then complained it was a 'nightmare' because some luxury extras were removed have sparked backlash. The Griffin family accused Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli of taking back more than $100,000 worth of goods such as furniture from the home before handing it over to them. The property investor known for his flash lifestyle and luxury cars said he purchased the home in Gisborne, 54km north-west of Melbourne, in November after it passed at auction on reality TV series The Block. Mr Portelli then put the home up as as the star prize through his lottery company LMCT+, which was won by the Griffins from Ballarat, Victoria. But the family unearthed CCTV footage of Mr Portelli removing luxury items before handing over the keys - including a robo-mower, treadmill, wine, Smeg appliances and a BBQ smoker. Lucky couple Kevin and Andrea Griffin who won a $4.2million home that featured in The Block claim their dream lottery win has become a nightmare after it was stripped of key items The Griffin family have accused Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli of taking back more than $100,000 worth of goods from the home before handing it over to them Their claim has sparked backlash online with hundreds of people calling them ungrateful Now the family have hit Mr Portelli with a bill for $102,000 for a long list of priced items, including candles and books, they claim are missing from the 'fully-furnished' home.' The Griffins are also said to have a website ready to go live, entitled 'Our LMCT nightmare', if Mr Portelli doesn't pay up. They believed they were entitled to everything seen in the lottery's promotional videos for the home. But Mr Portelli said the luxury extras were just used for staging for the promotional videos and not part of the giveaway under the lottery's terms and conditions. To really drive his point home, Mr Portelli has announced all the items from the promotional video removed from the house would be part of a $1 giveaway. 'We want it to go to someone that is going to be grateful and deserving,' he said. He claimed the entirety of the proceeds from the giveaway draw would go to supporting homelessness charities. 'Because we're discussing how many people out there will just be grateful to have a roof over their head, let alone a $4.3 million furnished home mortgage free,' he said. 'So what better way to get you guys involved. We are going to get rid of this, someone's going to win it for $1 and all the proceeds are going to go towards changing people's life who will be grateful just to have a better night.' The entrepreneur was featured on the 2022 season of The Block where he 'purchased' the Gisborne home (pictured, Portelli with Scott Cam) Thousands of people have commented on the story after it went viral - with the majority saying the couple were ungrateful and were the type who would 'whinge if they won the lotto'. 'Wow, the nerve! The stuff they're mad about is replaceable and definitely not worth 100K,' one said. 'Even just having a house without any appliances is still a blessing from heaven. Let alone a $4million one,' another commenter said. 'Give it back then or just be happy for what you got,' added a third. 'This is a joke right? How ungrateful!' a particularly frustrated commenter said. 'So many are homeless, working full time jobs, living in their cars with their kids. Australia is going through a rental crisis and this man child is crying over some appliances?' yet another added. Many agreed with this point of view with one saying; 'Yes , with so many without a place to call home I'd be grateful, count my blessings and move on.' The interior of the luxury house which was featured on the Block Property investor Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portell was caught on camera removing items from the home before it was handed over to the family Commenters were furious that the couple seemed ungrateful for the massive prize Mr Portelli himself also accused the couple of being ungrateful and posted a clip to TikTok showing Ms Griffin spotting the wine fridge is missing and the couple finding faults in the home. Mr Portelli says the couple spotted CCTV cameras left behind by Channel Nine's production team and alleges they 'hacked into them'. This was how they found footage of him removing the missing items from around the home before they moved in, triggering the list of demands. Mr Portelli has now hit back at the claims by posting out-takes from the handover video showing the family complaining as they were given the keys of the home. The new clips sparked outrage, with some viewers savaging the family online for being ungrateful for quibbling over the missing items. 'Unfortunately, it's people like this that ruin it for everyone and it makes us not want to do things like this again,' Portelli added. The couple had been paying a $20 per month membership with Portelli's business LMCT+ for over a year before they won the home through a giveaway. LMCT+, which Portelli (pictured, centre) founded in 2018, is being investigated over allegations that it broke gambling laws Portelli (pictured), who is also known as 'Lambo Guy' and lives a life of luxury, previously told Daily Mail Australia $500million was a 'conservative estimate' of his net worth LMCT+, which Portelli founded in 2018, sells subscriptions that cost up to $100 a month. Subscribers are entered into exclusive competitions, with prizes including homes, bikes, cars and boats, and they also get offers from motor vehicle businesses. Portelli claimed he had been sent abusive and threatening messages labelling him and his team 'thieves' as a result of the vision being posted online. 'Whatever I do with these items is up to me. Wherever I want to use them personally or I want to use them to stage future giveaway houses, who bloody cares,' Portelli said. It comes as Portelli's business, LMCT+, is being investigated in two states over allegations that it broke gambling laws. South Australia's Consumer and Business Services and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission have each received complaints about LMCT+ and are investigating. A 22-year-old Irish-Israeli citizen who was at a music festival near the Gaza border has been confirmed dead following the despicable Hamas attacks in Israel. Kim Damti had been attending the Supernova music festival in Re'im, southern Israel, on Saturday when Hamas terrorists descended on the site in paragliders, motorbikes and pick-up trucks and carried out a massacre. Irish Premier Leo Varadkar said the death of Ms Damti was 'senseless and barbaric'. More than 260 bodies have been recovered from the site of the festival which was billed as a celebration of 'friends, love and infinite freedom'. 'As a nation we are united in mourning for Kim Damti,' Mr Varadkar said. 'This vibrant young Irish-Israeli woman was struck down in her prime, with her adult life ahead of her. 'Her death, and the deaths of more than a thousand other citizens of Israel and from around the world, was senseless and barbaric. Kim Damti had been attending a music festival near the Gaza border on Saturday when the surprise attack by the terrorist group was carried out 'Kim gave happiness and joy to her family and those around her. 'As we learn of her death, we pause to think of her, her family in Israel and Ireland and of all those now grieving in countless other nations.' Irish deputy-premier Micheal Martin confirmed Ms Damti's death in a statement on Wednesday evening, and said she was a young woman 'full of promise'. 'It is with immense sadness that I learnt this evening that Kim Damti's death has been confirmed,' he said. 'When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely. 'The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating. 'Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise.' At least 260 were killed in the massacre while many are still missing probably dead or taken hostage by the bloodthirsty militants. As rescuers continue to sift through the deadly wreckage of the attack on Sunday, the Mail recounts how the terror unfolded Jake Marlowe, the 26-year-old Brit who went missing during the festival attack, was also confirmed dead by his heartbroken mother Lisa (pictured together) today The Tanaiste said he had spoken with Ms Damti's family, and extended condolences to her family in Ireland and in Israel. 'For anyone to lose a child is devastating. To lose a child in such circumstances is indescribable,' he said. 'On my behalf and on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, I convey our heartfelt condolences to Kim's family in Ireland and in Israel. 'We are with them in their grief. I spoke with Kim's family earlier this evening and expressed this to them. 'Our thoughts remain with all the families of those who have died, who are injured or who are missing in the wake of these terrible events. May her memory be a blessing.' Terrified revellers fled for their lives as they were surrounded by Hamas gunmen at the festival. It was several hours before help would arrive, leaving militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns free to carry out a murderous rampage. At least 260 were killed while many are still missing and feared dead. Jake Marlowe, the 26-year-old Brit who went missing during the festival attack, was also confirmed dead by his heartbroken mother today. Jake's parents, Lisa and Michael, confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday. The mother of German tattoo artist Shani Louk (pictured), who was believed to have been murdered by Hamas gunmen during the festival , has claimed she received word from Palestine her daughter is still alive. They wrote: 'We are heartbroken to have to inform you the crushing news that our son Jake has been confirmed dead in Southern Israel. 'Repatriation plans are being put in to place, more information will follow.' Jake had not been heard from since Saturday morning. He was working as part of a security team at the Nova trance music festival. For some, there is still hope though. The mother of German tattoo artist Shani Louk, who was believed to have been murdered by Hamas gunmen during the festival, has claimed she received word from Palestine her daughter is still alive. The shocking revelation, if true, provides a glimmer of hope for a despairing family who were forced to watch videos of an unconscious and partially naked Shani paraded through the streets on the back of a pickup truck by Hamas terrorists as onlookers spat on her motionless body. Hamas terrorists first launched their surprise attack which has engulfed the Middle East in war on Saturday, killing hundreds of Israelis - many of whom are innocent civilians. In response, Israeli bombardment demolished neighbourhoods in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. Survivors of the attack, who posted videos of the ordeal to social media, explained how they were forced to hide under bushes to avoid the Hamas gunmen As the party-goers scrambled toward their vehicles or took cover they found themselves surrounded as four pick-up trucks filled with militants and gunmen on motorcycles encircled the main road leading out of the venue. Pictured: A festival-goer who posted videos as she hid in undergrowth Terrified partygoers were seen fleeing the festival on foot, running across the sand, trying to jump into cars as Hamas terrorists fired shots Israelis could be heard shouting, running, and hurriedly getting into cars as they attempt to escape Aftermath: Burnt-out and abandoned cars where revellers tried to escape the onslaught Hamas fighters circumvented Israel's border with the Gaza Strip by flying in via paraglider, according to the Israeli military (pictured: A paraglider crossing into Israel) The weekend attack that Hamas said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation has inflamed Israel's determination to crush the group's hold in Gaza. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have died in Israel since Saturday's incursion. In Gaza, the health ministry says more than 1,050 have been killed and more than 5,100 injured. The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency says 250,000 people have been displaced in Gaza. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu created a wartime Cabinet with political opponent Benny Gantz as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to 'crush and destroy' Hamas, warning that every member of the terrorist organsisation is a 'dead man'. During his stark late night television address, the Israeli Prime Minister accused the Palestinian militants of beheading soldiers and raping women as the fifth day of fighting came to a close. His claims about the beheadings had not been independently confirmed but rescue workers and witnesses had described horrific scenes. Israel has continued to pound the Gaza Strip, with residents of the enclave facing ever-growing uncertainty after the territory's only power plant was shut down earlier today. The country's blockage has blocked supplies of fuel, food, water and medicines into the Palestinian territory leaving Gaza's 2.3 million residents without electricity, internet or running water. Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will 'crush and destroy' Hamas and that every member of the terrorist organisation is a 'dead man' Israel has continued to pound the Gaza Strip, with residents of the enclave facing ever-growing uncertainty after the territory's only power plant was shut down. Pictured: Smoke rises from buildings in Gaza following an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday Israeli Iron Dome intercepts missiles launched from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night Palestinian militants fire rockets towards Israel from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday The Israeli bombardment is said to have displaced 260,000 people from Gaza, according to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency. Netanyahu's comments come as Joe Biden called the Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday 'the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust'. The US President, however, said he had spoken to Netanyahu and had made it clear that Israel must 'operate by the rules of war'. The lethal war has already claimed more than 2,300 lives on both sides, with thousands more left wounded. The Israeli military has said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have died since the surprise attack on Saturday while Gaza's health ministry says 1,100 have been killed and more than 5,300 injured. Earlier today in an unprecedented move, Netanyahu joined forces with key members of the opposition party, including Benny Gantz who said 'it's time for war'. The White House has been forced to reverse Joe Biden's confirmation that he had seen photos from Israel of 'terrorists beheading children' this weekend - only hours after he made the claim. Biden held a meeting with Jewish community leaders in the White House on Wednesday, and said he had been shocked by the brutality of the Hamas attack. 'This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty, not just hate, but pure cruelty, against the Jewish people,' Biden said. He added: 'I never really thought that I would see and have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children.' His comments were seen as ending speculation about the truth of the claim of beheaded children, which was originally made by an IDF soldier, David Ben Zion a Deputy Commander of Unit 71 of the Israeli army. But the White House then denied he had seen these photos. A White House official told CNN that neither the president nor anyone in his administration had seen any pictures, but that Biden had based his comment on news reports. Joe Biden is seen on Wednesday during a roundtable discussion with leaders in the Jewish community in the Indian Treaty Room at the White House Hamas left a trail of devastation at a series of kibbutzes near the border with Gaza, including children's beds soaked in blood Hamas terrorists are seen on Saturday morning entering the kibbutz The Israeli soldier who first made the claim, David Ben Zion, told i24 News: 'We walked door to door, we killed a lot of terrorists. They are very bad. They cut heads of children, they cut heads of women. But we are stronger than them.' The IDF later said they could not confirm his account. Nicole Zedeck, the i24 News reporter who spoke to Ben Zion, on Tuesday addressed skepticism over her reporting. 'I witnessed some of those scenes with my own eyes as we were walking through this community that may be a quarter of a mile from the Gaza border, the atrocities that were still left behind, children, cribs, baby cribs overturned on their side, splattered with blood. Horrible, horrible images,' she told The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. She said the soldiers she spoke to told her of the horrors. 'There's no words to describe what they've seen,' said Zedeck. 'I mean, babies' heads cut off. That's what they encountered when they came there. 'So as horrible as it is and I wish that it wasn't true. And I see how those images and those words are hard to comprehend because it's hard to comprehend how anyone could commit such heinous, heinous crimes. 'But that's exactly what happened in just one of the kibbutz communities.' Tal Heinrich, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday told CNN that babies and toddlers were found 'decapitated' in the community of Kfar Aza. A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces separately told The Intercept on Wednesday that 'we cannot confirm it officially, but you can assume it happened and believe the report.' Meanwhile, Yossi Landau, an official with Israel's volunteer civilian emergency response organization Zaka, told CBS News he personally saw the bodies of children and babies who were beheaded. David Ben Zion, Deputy Commander of Unit 71, told i24News that he had seen victims decapitated, including children Troops remove the bodies of victims, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday The body of a woman is covered with a blanket in Kfar Azza A baby's seat and a child's dress are seen spattered in blood in the aftermath of the attack Gunshots and blood stains litter the walls and door of a house in the kibbutz near the border with Gaza A soldier is overcome with emotion as he searches for bodies in the kibbutz A charred house after an attack by Palestinian terrorists on the kibbutz on Tuesday Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack on Israel 'the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust,' and a campaign of 'pure cruelty', adding once again that the United States stood solidly with Israel. The death toll now stands at 1,200 in Israel, including 14 Americans, and another 1,100 in Gaza. Hamas is believed to have taken 150 hostages, including Americans, and is threatening to execute them if Israel launches a ground invasion of Gaza. Biden said that the United States was working feverishly to try and secure the release of the hostages. 'We're working on every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel, including deploying experts to advise and assist with recovery efforts,' he said. 'Now, the press are going to shout to me: what are you doing to bring these folks home? If I told you, I wouldn't be able to get them home. 'Folks, there's a lot we're doing, a lot we're doing. 'I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home. 'But the idea that I'm going to stand here before you and tell you what I'm doing is bizarre. So, I hope you understand how bizarre I think it would be to try to answer that question.' This graphic (above) shows how the horrifying Hamas massacre on the Kfar Aza kibbutz unfolded John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, was asked at an earlier briefing whether the administration is in contact directly or indirectly with Hamas about securing their release, and whether he could describe their condition. 'Now, where they are and in what condition, no,' said Kirby. He said the White House does not know if they are being kept together, and whether they are being moved around. 'Sadly we don't know. And that makes efforts very, very difficult.' He also told ABC White House Correspondent MaryAlice Parks he is 'not aware of any specific proof of life on any individual hostage.' Kirby added that the U.S. is in discussion with countries that have lines of communications with Hamas, such as Qatar, to discuss working to free the hostages. Several former senior Hamas leaders live in Qatar. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said Wednesday that Hamas militants beheaded soldiers and raped women in their attack on Israel. Netanyahu, in a late night televised address, detailed some of the atrocities that took place during the attack. He said boys and girls were shot in the head and that people had been burned alive. Netanyahu compared Hamas to ISIS, and vowed that Israel's retaliation against the terrorist group 'will reverberate with them for generations.' A house left in ruins after an attack by Hamas militants on this kibbutz days earlier when dozens of civilians were killed near the border with Gaza on Tuesday A dead civilian lies under a blanket outside a house in the kibbutz near the border with Gaza on Tuesday Israeli soldiers search for the bodies of Israelis killed in Kfar Aza kibbutz near the border with Gaza on Tuesday Biden and Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday, in what was at least the fourth call between Biden and Netanyahu since Saturday's attack. Biden, after the call, said that Hamas' attack was reminiscent of the Holocaust. 'This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people,' he said. 'And this moment we have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale. Beyond the pale.' Biden also had a warning for Iran. After listing aid the U.S. is sending to Israel, and noting that a U.S. carrier fleet was moved to the area, Biden said he 'made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful.' U.S. intelligence showed Iranian leaders were surprised by Hamas' attack on Israel, sources told NBC News, but the Biden administration has yet to make a definitive conclusion. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Iran was 'complicit' in the attack because it has backed Hamas for decades. Emotional Beatles fans broke down today as they heard Now And Then for the first time - the band's 'masterpiece' new and final song sung by John Lennon and debuted on the BBC and YouTube after 45 years in the making. 43 years after Lennon 's death - and more than two decades on from George Harrison 's passing - The Beatles have come together with the help of AI and audio tech pioneered by Lord of the Rings and Get Back director Sir Peter Jackson. Sir Paul McCartney (pictured recording the bass) said finishing the lost love song Now And Then felt like the Fab Four were all back together again, declaring today: 'It's probably the last Beatles song, and we have all played on it so it is a genuine Beatles recording. Every time I thought, say I had a chance to ask John: "Hey John, would you like us to finish this last song of yours?" I'm telling you, I know the answer would have been: "Yeah".' Today at 2pm, the band's 'new' single Now And Then was released to the exultation and excitement of tens of millions of excited fans. Listening parties have been held all over the world, including in their home city of Liverpool at The Cavern Club (bottom right) and the Liverpool Beatles Museum (top right). Tears were shed as the song played. Liam Gallagher tweeted: 'Now n Then absolutely incredible biblical celestial heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time long live The Beatles LG x'. BBC Radio 2 listeners, the first to hear it in the UK, said they were in tears as it played. One, Gemma from Nottingham , said: 'Just wow. I got the shivers when I heard the one, two at the beginning of the track. That was amazing. I'm actually feeling a little bit emotional now'. This is the dramatic moment a British mother speeds through a gun battle to flee the besieged settlement of Yeted with her family. Debby Sharon accelerated past tanks and dodged bullets as fighting raged between Israeli forces and Hamas troops. Ms Sharon had been hiding in the family's safehouse for more than 36 hours while their village, a community of just 120 families four kilometres from the Gaza border, came under fire. While she fled to safety, her son Zohar was one of the 300,000 reservists called up to the frontline after Hamas's devastating attacks on Saturday morning. Ms Sharon now waits anxiously for updates from the 27-year-old who was called up on Sunday with his paratrooper unit - one day after the deadliest attack in Israel's history. After a full evacuation, her home is now among several settlements to have been made a closed military zone. Dozens of the community are still missing or feared dead. Debby Sharon (pictured with her dog) had been hiding in the family's safehouse for more than 36 hours while their village came under Hamas fire Ms Sharon accelerated past tanks and dodged bullets as gunfighting raged near her home in the village of Yeted Ms Sharon, her husband, their daughter, son-in-law, autistic son and three grandchildren under the age of 11 were forced to wait in one room without electricity while they heard hour after hour of gunshots and missiles. With charge on their phones running out, they had no idea what was happening beyond their home in Israel's southern region and its most active front. 'It was in those hours that I really understood the mentality my English mother had raised us with after having grown up during World War Two and how she taught us to behave in emergencies,' she said. She recalls looking out of the window during a quiet moment when she left the shelter to gauge what was happening and seeing people running. 'It was apocalyptic,' she said. 'Nothing could have prepared us for this. The idea of "keeping our chin up" and staying positive in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, I could see it all taking place in those moments. I felt like I was playing out all those stories my mother had told me growing up. 'Trying to keep the kids calm, to stop them screaming, to stop them leaving, all this while we are all together in a safe room which was designed to keep us safe from rockets, not from terrorists, so it didn't even lock from the inside.' Having lived in Israel from the age of five, the criminal lawyer says wars were all too familiar to her. But what unfolded on Saturday morning was like nothing she had ever witnessed. 'It sounds crazy to say it but the rocket attacks we lived with before are not hard for us any more, you don't feel it turns your life around,' she said. 'But when you know there are people around your house shooting, it is a different feeling altogether. 'I felt sick from the minute it started. You have all these thoughts of what could happen. If a rocket falls on you there aren't many alternatives of what could happen,' she added. Evacuated by a convoy of reserve soldiers from the community through the fields, Sharon and her family drove past a graveyard of wrecked civilian cars and army vehicles. Once they began to get radio reception and she heard the news updates, she realised the full scale of the war. After a full evacuation, Yeted is now among several settlements to have been made a closed military zone. Dozens of the 120 families in the community are still missing or feared dead Ms Sharon's family at the dinner table before the attack Her family - including her husband, their daughter, son-in-law, autistic son and three grandchildren - hiding in the safehouse 'I can't breathe yet, I can't sleep, and it's the first time I'll admit I'm traumatised,' she said. 'My son is still serving and clearing out the area of what's left of the worst kind of enemy that exists these days.' Although the region, known as Eshkol, has been devastated by bombings and shootouts, she says that 'leaving isn't an option'. She adds: 'It will take so much to build it up again, so many things have been diminished altogether and there will be a lot of work and getting through the trauma, learning how to sleep again, how to trust again. 'So many little children have suffered terrible mental injuries, and there is work to do, but I can't imagine giving up that beautiful area. So many people died here that by abandoning it, we aren't respecting their memory.' The goddesses' clothing would have been decorated with intricate patterns Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the British Museum to see the Parthenon Sculptures. Also known as the Elgin Marbles, the Parthenon Sculptures are a collection of marble decorative statues taken from the temple to Athena on the Acropolis in Athens. While the famous marble carvings are now white, a new study suggests that they were once brilliantly coloured. Researchers from the Art Institute of Chicago found that the goddess' clothes in particular were highly decorated, with designs possibly showing running figures or floral patterns. Dr Giovanni Verri, lead researcher, said: 'The elegant and elaborate garments were possibly intended to represent the power and might of the Olympian gods, as well as the wealth and reach of Athens and the Athenians.' Researchers have found that the Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum are covered with traces of brightly coloured paint Special imaging techniques reveal the areas where microscopic amounts of a blue pigment called Egyptian blue still remain The sculptures are believed to have been made in 447BC and 432BC, over 2,400 years ago. They consist of a frieze showing a procession to celebrate the birthday of Athena, a number of panels showing battling centaurs, and various statues of the Greek gods. In the study, the researchers used a technique called visible-induced luminescence imaging to reveal microscopic traces of pigments on the stone. This technique, which Dr Verri developed, was used to detect even the smallest traces of a pigment called Egyptian blue. Egyptian blue is made up of calcium, copper, and silicon and is the world's oldest synthetic pigment, having been first used in Egypt around 3,000 BCE. With this technique, the researchers were able to clearly see that areas of the Parthenon Sculptures were once covered with large amounts of bright blue paint. The analysis also discovered small amounts of white and purple pigment on the Parthenon Sculptures. While researchers in the past believed that all Greek Sculptures where plain white, this new analysis suggest that they would have been much more colourful True purple pigment was extremely valuable in the ancient world due to its costly production process. Tyrian purple, or royal purple, can only be made from the mucus of certain species of predatory sea snails and other shellfish. However, Dr Verri found that the Parthenon purple was not produced from shellfish. While the exact nature of the purple remains unclear, classical texts refer to secret recipes for non-shellfish purple colours of a beauty 'beyond all description'. Since paint does not often survive for a long time exposed to the elements, by the time Ancient Greek Sculptures were being studied, most of the colour had already worn away. This gave rise to a belief that Greek art used only white marble - an idea that went on to have a huge influence on the history of Western art. Historic restorations of ancient sculptures also often removed any remaining traces of paint in the belief that these must have been added sometime after the statue's original creation. Dr Verri believes that the sculptures' clothing might have been decorated with running figures just like those depicted in vase paintings from the same era Far from being plain white, in their original state the Parthenon Sculptures would have been a riot of bright colour and patterns What are the Elgin Marbles and why are they controversial? The Elgin Marbles are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures, inscriptions and architectural members that were mostly created by Phidias and his assistants. The 7th Earl of Elgin, Thomas Bruce, removed the Parthenon Marbles from the Acropolis in Athens while serving as the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1799 to 1803. In 1801, the Earl claimed to have obtained a permit from the Ottoman authorities to remove pieces from the Parthenon. As the Acropolis was still an Ottoman military fort, Elgin required permission to enter the site. His agents subsequently removed half of the surviving sculptures, as well as architectural members and sculpture from the Propylaea and Erechtheum. The excavation and removal was completed in 1812 at a personal cost of around 70,000. The sculptures were shipped to Britain, but in Greece, the Scots aristocrat was accused of looting and vandalism. They were bought by the British Government in 1816 and placed in the British Museum. They still stand on view in the purpose-built Duveen Gallery. Greece has sought their return from the British Museum through the years, to no avail. The authenticity of Elgin's permit to remove the sculptures from the Parthenon has been widely disputed, especially as the original document has been lost. However, others argue that since the Ottomans had controlled Athens since 1460, their claims to the artefacts were legal and recognisable. Advertisement Even though the belief that ancient sculptures were painted was originally dismissed as nonsense, the theory has now gained widespread acceptance. Improved chemical analysis techniques and better imaging have allowed scientists to find subtle traces of the once-gaudy designs. The researchers say that the Parthenon sculptures may have influenced the use of colour in other sculptures of the same period and works that came after. As such, Dr Verri claims that this discovery may have important implications for our wider understanding of Ancient Greek art. This year, the Met Museum in New York hosted an exhibition showing reconstructions of Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures in the colours they might once have been painted in. Far from the monochrome white you might associate with an exhibition of ancient sculptures, these reconstructions displayed bright colours and bold patterns. One sculpture of an archer from an Ancient Greek temple wears a long-sleeved pullover with a diamond pattern and a bright yellow vest patterned with griffin-birds and lions. Vinzenz Brinkmann and Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann who prepared the reconstruction wrote that 'this splendidly ornamented clothing of the famed horsemen of the northern and eastern neighbors of the Greeks is clearly visible with the help of ultraviolet and raking light.' Dr Verri said: 'The Parthenon sculptures at the British Museum are considered one of the pinnacles of ancient art and have been studied for centuries now by a variety of scholars. 'Despite this, no traces of colour have ever been found and little is known about how they were carved.' Tom Harrison, Keeper of Greece and Rome at the British Museum added: 'This research has set the scene perfectly for future investigations into these and other important pieces of world heritage in the British Museum collection.' The Elgin Marbles have been a constant source of controversy since their arrival in the UK in 1806. In the early 19th century the Ottoman Empire had been the governing authority in Athens for several hundred years. This Ancient Greek archer from a temple has been painted to show what it might have originally looked like before the colours wore away The robe of this sculpture from the Met Museum, New York, is painted with the same Egyptian blue found on the Pantheon Sculptures Lord Elgin was the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and between 1801-1803 he secured a permit to remove items from the then largely ruined Parthenon. Lord Elgin, who was a collector of art and historical artifacts, claimed to have removed the sculptures out of fear they would be damaged by the occupying Ottoman forces. However, upon arrival in England, Lord Elgin was the subject of fierce criticism from notable figures including Lord Byron. The Parthenon became a symbol for the modern nation-state of Greece following its independence from the Ottoman empire and the Greek government has made frequent requests for the return of the sculptures. The British Museum maintains that the sculptures will remain part of the permanent exhibition in London and will not be returned. A statement on the British Museum website says: 'The Parthenon Sculptures are an integral part of that story and a vital element in this interconnected world collection, particularly in the way in which they convey the influences between Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Roman cultures.' However, the museum also notes that talks are ongoing with the Parthenon Museum in Athens for the creation of a partnership between the two collections. In January it was speculated that the sculptures could return to Greece under a long-term-loan deal brokered by ex-chancellor and British Museum chairman George Osborne. Its engineers hope to use the same techniques to accelerate future designs At first glance at this video, you'd be forgiven for mistaking it as a clip from Wall-E. But the robot depicted in the footage isn't science fiction - it's very much real. In a video posted by Walt Disney Imagineering, a newly designed bipedal robot walks, struts, dances, and emotes in an impressive display of engineering prowess. The bot also shows off its human interaction skills as it reacts to those around it and even walks behind two children pulling it on a lead. With its expressive head and wiggly antenna, the unnamed robot has been designed to bring the creative designs of animators into the real world using machine learning. In a video posted by Walt Disney Imagineering, a newly designed bipedal robot walks, struts, dances, and emotes in an impressive display of engineering prowess Commenters on social media were amazed at the little robot's lifelike animation with one user writing: 'Great design! I really appreciate the beauty and balance. It looks both natural and like a machine.' 'Imagineers at their best!!! We need to see more of this in the parks!' another excited commenter wrote. Others speculated about a world in which this kind of robot might be more widespread, with one person writing: 'Living in the future. Great job again Disney!' Another joked: 'Bro that's a billion dollar bot. You can't tell me every kid wouldn't love one of those things. Heck, I'm 41 years old and I want one!' However this robotic companion isn't just cute - it's also an important technological step forward for Disney's research branch. In the video's description, Disney Imagineering says: 'Designing a bipedal robotic character with impeccable balance is impressive, but simply isn't enough when you consider Disney characters strut, prance, sneak, tromp, shuffle, hustle, saunter or meander.' The statement adds that this robot was designed by combining procedural animation, modular hardware, and reinforcement learning to mimic and learn the unique walking styles of different characters. The new robot bares a striking resemblance to some of Disney's other iconic designs such as Wall-E from the 2008 animation of the same name Designed to bring animators' ideas into the real world, the robot's designers say that the goal was to create a robot that could be expressive as it moved Making expressive robots is something Disney is an expert in as shown by the numerous robotic characters throughout its films such as Baymax from 2014's Big Hero Six Disney's software takes animations envisioned by the creative teams and teaches the robot how to approximate these movements in the real world. The robot tries out the movement thousands of times in a virtual landscape, adjusting factors like the friction from the ground, until it can move and emote no matter where it is. With this technique, a robot can be taught a new behaviour in only a few hours on a single PC, reducing the pipeline for developing a new character from years to months. Designed by a team led by Moritz Bacher from Disney Research in Zurich, the robot was first introduced at the 2023 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS). The team designed the robotic character to have a modular design, 3D printing most of the components and using modular electronics which make it quick to change and redesign. Perhaps suggesting a future in one of Disney's parks, the robot shows off its ability to interact with humans and respond to their requests 'In general, animation tools don't have physics built into them. So that makes it hard for artists to design animations that will work in the real world.' Mr Bacher explained in a statement to IEEE Spectrum. 'If we wanted to add more legs, or add arms, or make an entirely new character with a completely different morphology, we can rapidly teach it new behaviors.' Mr Bacher added. Disney has long used animations and robotics in its parks, beginning in 1971 with the creation of the Hall of Presidents. In this attraction, which is still open today, all 45 American presidents are represented in robot form for guests to see and hear. More recently, Disney developed a robotic Spider-Man capable of performing impressive acrobatic feats as well as a hyper-realistic Na'vi shaman from the movie Avatar. Not all of Disney's creations are cute however, as it recently unveiled a creepy skinless robot designed to realistically mimic the human gaze. Some Neanderthals felt more pain from the prick of a spear than any similar pain from fire, cold or blunt force - and scientists now know the gene they've passed on. In recent months, geneticists have linked a variety of modern conditions - from vulnerability to Covid to nose size - to humanity's DNA heritage from Neanderthals. Three versions of this newly understood 'pain gene,' SCN9A, can make people who have it more likely to feel hurt by sharp prodding, the researchers found, with the gene showing up at a 'high frequency' among those with Native American ancestry. The group studied genetic data from over 5,900 individuals across Latin America, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Three versions of gene SCN9A can make people who have it more likely to feel hurt by sharp prodding, researchers found, with the gene showing up at a 'high frequency' among those with Native American ancestry. The gene traces back to prehistoric Neanderthals (above) The three versions of the SCN9A gene - named D1908G, V991L and M932L - were found with much higher frequency among those with Native American ancestry (orange-yellow bars in the graph above), much more than either European (blue) or African (red) ancestry, per the study The Peruvians, whose genetic make-up typically had the highest proportion of Indigenous blood (a 'mean Native American ancestry' of 66.1 percent), were the most likely to have any of the three SCN9A variants. While more research is needed, the scientists suspect that these SCN9A genes might have been passed along in an evolutionary trade-off. Sharp pokes aside, the scientists suspect that the gene 'could have somehow helped humans to cope with the cold.' About 30 percent of the study's thousands of Latin American participants had the most common of the SCN9A gene variants, D1908G. And approximately 13 percent had the other two versions of the gene, named V991L and M932L respectively. The study participants from Peru had the highest likelihood of carrying the D1908G variant at 42.3 percent, with participants from Mexico having the highest likelihood for the V991L and M932L variants at nearly 23 percent each. On the opposite end, the Brazilian test participants had the lowest proportion of Native American ancestry, at just 9 percent, which appears to have translated to the lowest proportion of the three 'pain gene' variants. 'In 2020,' according to the study's lead author, French geneticist Pierre Faux, 'another group of researchers studied people of European ancestry and linked these Neanderthal gene variants to increased pain sensitivity.' 'We extend these findings by studying Latin Americans and showing that these Neanderthal genetic variants are much more common in people with Native American ancestry,' Faux told Live Science. 'We also show the type of pain these variants affect,' Faux added, 'which wasn't known before.' All three variations of the SCN9A gene help create a protein in the body that delivers sodium (salt) into cells, thus helping deliver pain signals from pain-detecting nerves On average, participants had 46 percent Native American ancestry, 49.6 percent European ancestry and 4.4 percent African ancestry. But these proportions varied significantly, both by individuals and nationality. Peru and Mexico maintained the most indigenous genetic heritage All three variations of the SCN9A gene help create a protein in the body that delivers sodium (salt) into cells, thus helping deliver pain signals from pain-detecting nerves. To assess responses to these genetic responses to pain, 1,623 Colombian participants volunteered for 'Quantitative Sensory Testing,' according to the new report, published Tuesday in the journal Communications Biology. Part of each these participants' skin surfaces was made more sensitive using mustard oil before being tested for 'heat pain, mechanical pain and pressure pain.' They were then tested with prodding from measured filaments - and the participants with any of the three Neanderthal gene variants typically could not hold out long enough for the filament to prod very far. 'When we tested the participants' pain threshold by applying pressure, heat or cold,' Faux said, 'the gene variants did not affect pain sensitivity, so the Neanderthal variants only affected their response to pinprick pressure.' Several mail order DNA services, including both 23andMe and tellmeGen, do offer testing for those who are curious about their own Neanderthal heritage, but less interested in undergoing pinprick pain tests themselves. 'We know that modern humans and Neanderthals interbred something like 50,000 to 70,000 years ago,' Faux said, 'and that modern humans first crossed over from Eurasia into the Americas by 15- to 20,000 years ago.' Faux, a senior researcher at the French National institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, speculates that this prehistoric intermingling occurred before these nomadic groups migrated across the Bering Strait from Asia to Alaska. 'The high frequency of the Neanderthal variants in people with Native American ancestry,' he said, 'could potentially be explained by a scenario where the Neanderthals carrying these variants happened to breed with the modern humans who eventually migrated into the Americas.' 'The modern humans who first reached North America would have had to bear harsh and cold conditions,' Faux explained. 'So it could be that these variants have other effects beyond pain - for example, they could have somehow helped humans to cope with the cold.' Scientists now believe they are similar to earthquakes on Earth Thousands of radio signal have been detect, but sources hasn't been confirmed Scientists have captured mysterious radio signals traveling through space for more than a decade, baffled by what could be emitting such raging pulses. Some experts believe the fast radio bursts (FRBs) could be aliens attempting to make contact with Earth, while others suspect black holes are the source. Now, researchers at the University of Tokyo have suggested FRBs are caused by starquakes on rapidly spinning neutron stars that possess the most powerful magnetic fields in the known universe. The team found that energy released by tremors on the surface of neutron stars are similar to those on Earth. Scientists at the University of Tokyo believe 'alien' radio signals are actually 'starquakes' from rapidly spinning neutron stars that possess the most powerful magnetic fields in the known universe The first FRB was spotted, or rather 'heard' by radio telescopes, back in 2001 but was not discovered until 2007 when scientists were analyzing archival data. Professor Tomonori Totani said: 'Recent observational advances have led to the detection of thousands more FRBs, so we took the opportunity to compare the now large statistical data sets available for FRBs with data from earthquakes and solar flares, to explore possible similarities.' For the study, the team calculated correlation across two-dimensional space, allowing them to analyze the time and emission energy of nearly 7,000 bursts from three different repeater FRB sources. Then they used the same technique to examine the time-energy correlation of earthquakes, using data from Japan, and of solar flares, and compared the results of all three phenomena. The team found that energy released by tremors on the surface of neutron stars (artist impression) are similar to those on Earth READ MORE: Astronomers pick up EIGHT mysterious radio signals from outer space Experts led by University of Toronto student Peter Ma made the exciting discovery after using the algorithm to look at 820 stars in an area of space previously thought to be devoid of any potential extraterrestrial activity. Advertisement And the final analysis showed a 'striking' similarity between FRBs and earthquake data - four to be exact. Both had an aftershock 10 to 50 percent of the time after each event and the aftershock occurrence rate decreases with time, as a power of time. The third similarity was the aftershock rate is always constant even if the FRB-earthquake activity changes significantly. 'And, fourth, there is no correlation between the energies of the main shock and its aftershock,' Totani said. 'This strongly suggests the existence of a solid crust on the surface of neutron stars, and that starquakes suddenly occurring on these crusts releases huge amounts of energy which we see as FRBs.' The team intends to continue analyzing new data on FRBs, to verify that the similarities they have found are universal. Prof Totani added: 'By studying starquakes on distant ultradense stars, which are completely different environments from Earth, we may gain new insights into earthquakes. 'The interior of a neutron star is the densest place in the universe, comparable to that of the interior of an atomic nucleus. 'Starquakes in neutron stars have opened up the possibility of gaining new insights into very high-density matter and the fundamental laws of nuclear physics.' It is estimated that up to 10,000 FRBs may happen every day if we could observe the whole sky. While the sources of most bursts detected so far appear to emit a one-off event, around 50 FRB sources emit bursts repeatedly. Scientists have warned that the US East Coast and Middle America could become unlivable by 2100 due to rising global temperatures. A startling study found that regions from Florida to New York and Houston to Chicago would experience lethal combinations of heat and humidity if Earth's temperatures rise by 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels. And more than 300 million people live in this area of the nation. So-called 'wet-bulb temperatures' and extreme heat has resulted in cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, but the warming uncovered by a team led by the University of Pennsylvania could see around 200,000 Americans die yearly. The startling study found that regions from Florida to New York and Houston to Chicago would experience lethal combinations of heat and humidity if Earth's temperatures rise by 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels Scientists warn that the US East Coast and Middle America could become unlivable by 2100 due to rising global temperatures. Above, a map of regions likely to experience an annual 3 to 56 'hot hours' of life-threatening temperatures annually, if global mean temperatures climb 4C Above, a map of regions likely to experience an annual 3 to 24 'hot hours' of life-threatening temperatures annually, if global mean temperatures climb 3C 'It's very disturbing,' study co-author Matthew Huber of Purdue University in the U.S. state of Indiana told Reuters. 'It's going to send a lot of people to emergency medical care.' Elderly, children and those with health problems are particularly vulnerable, but experts fear billions more worldwide could also be in danger in a warming climate. Study co-author Larry Kenney said: 'As people get warmer, they sweat, and more blood is pumped to their skin so that they can maintain their core temperatures by losing heat to the environment. 'At certain levels of heat and humidity, these adjustments are no longer sufficient, and body core temperature begins to rise. 'This is not an immediate threat, but it does require some form of relief. 'If people do not find a way to cool down within hours, it can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and strain on the cardiovascular system that can lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people.' 'Wet-bulb temperatures' and extreme heat can result in cardiovascular and respiratory issues, but the warming uncovered by the new study could see around 200,000 Americans die yearly. Lower rises (above) would spare the US, but still harm developing countries near the equator Summer 2023 was Earth's hottest since global records began in 1880, according NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies. June, July and August combined were 0.41F warmer than any other summer in NASA's record and 2.1F warmer than the average between 1951 and 1980 READ MORE: Temperature records are smashed across the globe, with extreme heat experienced from California to China as experts warn of more 'intense heatwaves' Temperature records were smashed across the world this summer as extreme heat was experienced from China to California. Advertisement The summer of 2023 was Earth's hottest since global records began in 1880, according to scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York. June, July, and August combined were 0.41F warmer than any other summer in NASA's record and 2.1F warmer than the average summer between 1951 and 1980. NASA shared that August alone was warmer by 2.2F. The mean annual temperature has increased at a rate of 0.3F per decade in the New York City area, while summer temperatures in Florida have increased by roughly 1.0F since 1950. Those living in the Chicago area have experienced warmer winters - this past February was 7.6F warmer than in 1970. And Houston's average summertime temperature increased by 4.2 degrees from 1970 through 2022. Researchers in the new study modeled global temperature increases ranging between 2.7F and 7.2F considered the worst-case scenario where warming would begin to accelerate. They aimed to identify areas on Earth where warming would lead to heat and humidity levels exceeding human limits. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution when humans began to burn fossil fuels in machines and factories temperatures around the world have increased by about 1.8F. What is particularly worrying, the researchers said, is that many areas that would be worst affected are lower-to-middle-income nations that likely wouldn't have access to air conditioning. Scroll down to see his verdict on which of the luxurious properties is better... Advertisement Two new hotels have just opened in London and some 2.5 billion has been lavished on them. So which one is for you? Theyve arrived amid much fanfare and considerable astonishment and, although completely different, they hope to attract a similar market, which is to say those who, once you factor in drinks, dinner and perhaps a spa treatment for two, will be handed a bill of about 2,000 for one nights stay. The Peninsula overlooks Hyde Park Corner; Raffles London occupies the Old War Office in Whitehall, opposite Horse Guards Parade. THE PENINSULA The Inspector compares two luxurious new London hotels - The Peninsula and Raffles London. Above is The Peninsula, located where Hyde Park Corner meets Wellington Arch The Inspector says that views from The Peninsula 'rule supreme and theres an abundance of natural light'. Above is a Grand Premier Park Room Back story: A brand new eight-storey project costing 1.1 billion, part of the Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels group (there are 11 other Peninsulas around the world). The board waited 30 years to find a suitable site in London and its taken eight years to build, with a feng shui master advising on positive energy flow. First impressions: Arrive on foot at the front entrance (cars and taxis are not allowed to stop outside) and youre greeted by two life-size marble lions. A revolving door spins you into the huge lobby, which doubles as an all-day drinking and eating area, perfect to watch the passing parade. In the evening, theres live music coming from the mezzanine balcony (Elton John covers on my visit). Other features include vast pillars; chandeliers, a de Gournay mural; marble floors, but nothing so vulgar as a reception desk (check-in is off the lobby in a discreet corner). Above is The Lobby at The Peninsula where breakfast is served, plus afternoon tea for 95 per person Or guests arrive by car (perhaps in one of the hotels Rolls-Royces) via a cobbled, off-street courtyard to the rear of the building. Sleep well: There are 190 rooms. Even the cheapest at 1,300 is 50 sq metres. All have exquisite onyx bathrooms with TVs built-in above the taps and floor-to-ceiling windows. Beg, steal or borrow to have a room facing Hyde Park Corner, with Wellington Arch opposite and Apsley House to your left. There are 190 rooms at The Peninsula. Even the cheapest at 1,300 is 50 sq metres, reveals the Inspector Each room at The Peninsula has 'exquisite onyx bathrooms with TVs built-in above the taps' On the top floor of The Peninsula theres Brooklands (above), which opened last week, overseen by French chef Claude Bosi The Peninsula's guests arrive by car (perhaps in one of the hotels Rolls-Royces, pictured) via a cobbled, off-street courtyard to the rear of the building The Inspector is impressed with The Peninsula's Little Blue bar (pictured). 'Its list of cocktails brings innovation in a glass,' he writes Doubles at The Peninsula cost from 1,300 (room only) Its one of the worlds biggest roundabouts, but you dont hear a thing (although you can open a side window if you want London to be your soundtrack). Its a mesmerising view. Something to eat and drink: In addition to The Lobby (where breakfast is served, plus afternoon tea for 95 per person), there are two restaurants. Canton Blue is Chinese food of the highest order, with decor influenced by the Keying junk trade ships that sailed between Asia and Europe in the mid-19th century. On the top floor theres Brooklands, which opened last week, overseen by French chef Claude Bosi. Theres an outside terrace for al fresco dining but in the event of inclement weather a table inside is at your disposal. The bar next to motor-themed Brooklands is sensational at night: St Pauls Cathedral, the Shard, Big Ben et al putting on a show. Theres also a grab-and-go coffee shop designed by the Conran partnership, with funky art. Romantic liaisons: Little Blue beneath Canton Blue, and with its own street entrance, can only seat 20. The bar is constructed from stacks of apothecary drawers and its list of cocktails brings innovation in a glass. Extra treats: The spa, gym and hairdressers are due to open next month in the basement along with a 25-metre pool. Rooms have valet boxes accessible from the corridors. Pop your shoes in the box and they come back polished a few hours later. Oh, and the ballroom lifts are big enough to take a car. Doubles at The Peninsula from 1,300 (room only), peninsula.com , 020 3907 7500. RAFFLES AT THE OWO Raffles London occupies the Old War Office in Whitehall, opposite Horse Guards Parade. The historic building is owned by Britains richest family, the Hindujas Back story: Britains richest family, the Hindujas, acquired this historic, trapezium building in 2014 and the extraordinary restoration project cost 1.4 billion. Originally completed in 1906, using 26,000 tons of Portland stone, 3,000 tons of York stone and more than 26 million bricks, this is where the likes of Churchill, Haldane, Kitchener and Profumo had offices. It was after one particular briefing at the Old War Office in June 1940 that Churchill returned to Downing Street and wrote his famous speech about how we shall not flag nor fail This is the first UK hotel of the Singapore-based Raffles group. And the Princess Royal, no less, cut the ribbon. First impressions: Grand, imperious, iconic. The Grand Hall gives way to the sweeping Brescia marble staircase with richly veined alabaster balusters. At the top of the first flight, an ornate, 19th-century French clock hangs on the wall and it was from here that leading members of the Government used to address senior staff. Look up and theres a Murano chandelier, commissioned from a company in Venice. Much of the wood panelling and almost all the flooring is original. Above is The Lawrence function space at Raffles London. The Inspector's first impression of the building? 'Grand, imperious, iconic,' he says The Inspector describes Raffles London as 'grand, imperious, iconic'. Above is the hotel's sweeping marble staircase Sleep well: Only 120 rooms and arguably the best of the lot is the Haldane Suite, with a bust of Churchill on the mantelpiece but it costs anywhere from 18,000-25,000 a night, depending on the time of year. Curtains all operate electronically. I could see soldiers on their horses in Horse Guards across the road. The lead-in rate is 1,100 a night, but most rooms will set you back more than 3,500. Something to eat and drink: Eventually there will be nine restaurants and three bars. The slinky Guards Bar is lively so we take a seat in the more sedate Drawing Room with its ornate stone fireplace, before moving on to the main restaurant, Mauro Colagreco, named after the famous Argentinian chef who will be chasing Michelin stars there (his restaurant Mirazur in the south of France already has three). Opposite is Saison, which aims to bring the Mediterranean to Whitehall. Arguably the best of the 120 bedrooms at Raffles London is the Haldane Suite (above), with a bust of Churchill on the mantelpiece 'The lead-in rate is 1,100 a night, but most rooms will set you back more than 3,500,' the Inspector says of Raffles London. Above is the Granville Suite Raffles London houses a Guerlain Spa, with a 20-metre pool (pictured) and nine treatment rooms Above is Saison restaurant at Raffles London, which aims to bring the Mediterranean to Whitehall Romantic liaisons: The Spy Bar (difficult to find in the sub-basement but worth the trek) would have James Bond purring. Above the bar is a carbon side section of an Aston Martin DB5 and martini cocktails seem to be the drink of choice. Only hotel residents are allowed. Extra treats: Heritage tours of the building are complimentary for guests. Or for the more leisurely inclined, theres a 20-metre pool (which I had to myself before breakfast) in the Guerlain Spa, with nine treatment rooms (90- minute massages cost 270). Doubles at Raffles London from 1,100 (room only), raffles.com, 020 3907 7500. The verdict: Raffles clearly wins from a historic perspective and nine restaurants takes some beating, though some guests might find the Gentlemans Club wood-panelling heavy-going. The views from The Peninsula rule supreme and theres an abundance of natural light. But does the Eastern vibe work in the centre of town? I loved them both. London has got lucky. READ MORE: The UK hotels that received gongs at the National Geographic Traveller Hotel Awards Advertisement This new book invites you to follow in '007s well-shod footsteps to some of the worlds most heart-stopping and iconic settings'. James Bond Destinations by Daniel Pembrey, published by Assouline, is lavishly illustrated with 233 images of the stunning filming locations that feature in the James Bond film franchise, based on the novels by Ian Fleming. More than 100 locations have appeared in Bond films over the past 60 years, including Jamaica in 1962's Dr No, the Egyptian city of Luxor in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me and the Scottish Highlands in the 2012 film Skyfall. The publisher notes that these filming locations have inspired moviegoers to dream of travelling themselves, noting: 'Barbara Broccoli, the daughter of the original Bond producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, says her father "wanted to take people out of their lives and transport them on an adventure to something magical".' In the book's introduction, Pembrey says: 'The locations are not only beautiful and glamorous locations. These are places that lend themselves to fantasies - ones that we, too, yearn to explore, while knowing in our hearts we can never do so quite like 007. Bond travels on covert operations with dizzyingly high stakes. He must overpower nemeses while saving the world and, ideally, not compromising his Savile Row suits. 'His ultra-high-octane assignments involve especially scenic environments that are guaranteed to deliver riveting cinema on a truly transportive scale.' Scroll down to see some of the places that appear on 'Bonds jet-set, international itineraries'... A scene from the 1979 film Moonraker, filmed near Iguazu Falls in Argentina. This picture shows James Bond (Roger Moore) venturing deep into the Amazon in search of a rare orchid, the source of the toxins that evil villain Drax (Michael Lonsdale) is 'using to imperil the worlds population', the book explains James Bond (Roger Moore) and Melina Havelock (Carole Bouquet) aboard a boat in Corfu in the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only. Many scenes from the movie were filmed in the island's 'serene' Kalami Bay, the book reveals This picture shows filming in Udaipur, India, for the 1983 film Octopussy. The book notes that scenes were filmed at 'several family treasures', such as the Shiv Niwas Palace, that were loaned to the production by the Maharaja of Udaipur LEFT: Monaco featured in the 1995 film Goldeneye in this scene in which Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, boards a Riva Aquarama Special speedboat. RIGHT: This picture shows Bond star Sean Connery in Jamaica holding the clapper board for the 1962 film Dr. No Bond's amphibious Lotus emerges from the sea on Sardinia's Capriccioli Beach in this scene in the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me. The book notes that the car's appearance causes 'disbelieving locals (on-screen) to check the strength of their drinks' while Bond, played by Roger Moore, 'whimsically' drops a fish out of his car window This shot shows villain Mr Hinx's Jaguar C-X75 and Bonds Aston Martin DB10 racing through the streets of Rome in the 2015 film Spectre. The cars can be seen speeding down steep stone steps that lead to the River Tiber. For the scene, the production team softened the steps by using some 'clever shaping of the edges', the book reveals Daniel Craigs Bond 'deftly negotiates' a rooftop in central Mexico City on his way to assassinate villain Marco Sciarra (Alessandro Cremona) in the 2015 film Spectre In this shot, Pierce Brosnans Bond and spy agent Wai Lin, played by Michelle Yeoh, check their equipment aboard a fishing junk in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, in 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies Daniel Craigs Bond and Judi Denchs M are seen in misty Glen Etive in the Highlands of Scotland in the 2012 film Skyfall. 'They discuss Bonds orphaned, troubled past in Scotland,' the book notes. Bond's Aston Martin DB5 can be seen in the background Actress Daniela Bianchi in Istanbul while filming the 1963 film From Russia With Love. She was cast as character Tatiana Romanova after an extensive international search for the right actress for the role, the book reveals Italy's Lake Como, a filming location for the 2006 film Casino Royale. This picture shows the camera crew preparing for the scene where James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, speaks to his adversary Mr. White (Jesper Christensen) on the phone. He shoots him shortly afterwards, the book reveals Roger Moore perched on a Lotus Esprit that's specially equipped to carry skis to the winter resort of Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy, while filming the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only. The book notes that the resort is 'historically popular with Europes aristocracy' The final sequence of the 2012 film Skyfall, with Naomie Harriss Moneypenny and James Bond (Daniel Craig) being shot on the roof of the Department of Energy and Climate Change in Whitehall, London This picture shows Bonds (Daniel Craig) 'elegant Jamaican retirement home' in the 2021 film No Time To Die. The book notes that the set designers 'drew inspiration from Ian Flemings simple, well-ventilated Jamaican house called Goldeneye' This shot shows Daniel Craigs Bond and Dr Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux) in 'the sand-swept middle of nowhere' along the Oujda to Bouarfa train route in Morocco in the 2015 film Spectre LEFT: Describing this scene from the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, the book says: 'The huge columns of the Karnak temple complex in Luxor [in Egypt] foreshadow the moment when Roger Moores Bond and Barbara Bachs Anya Amasova will fight the giant Jaws (Richard Kiel).' RIGHT: James Bond Destinations by Daniel Pembrey, published by Assouline, is on sale now for 104 ($127/120) A restaurant telling you where they source their seafood is nothing unusual. But here at The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye, theyll tell you the name of the actual fisherman who landed your langoustines. Its all part of the Kitchen Table Experience a four-hour culinary extravaganza where everything in the dizzying array of dishes is caught, farmed or grown locally. This premium option at one of Scotlands foremost restaurants sits up to eight guests at a big table in the kitchen alongside head chef Scott Davies and his talented team. Scott is a mild-mannered chap, so theres no Ramsay-esque tongue-lashings for staff tonight and, nine courses later, we wonder if we would even have noticed. From the opening Loch Dunvegan crab, through trout caviar, double hand-dived scallops and on to shoulder of lamb from the farm down the road, were too wrapped up in whats happening on our plates. Jonathan Brocklebank enjoys a 'weekend of discovery' on the Scottish isle of Skye. Above are the island's Cuillin Hills, which 'exert a huge pull on walkers and climbers' A fish dish at The Three Chimneys, one of three world-renowned restaurants on the island The session, with wines for each course and convivial chat with other guests strangers at 7pm, pals by 11pm is the high point in a weekend of discovery on Skye. With The Three Chimneys, Loch Bay and Kinloch Lodge, this island of just 13,000 residents has three world-renowned restaurants. In Talisker, it has a standout single malt. Its Cuillin Hills one minute brooding under low cloud, the next bathed in shafts of sublime sunlight exert a huge pull on walkers and climbers. And, of course, the island has a bridge. Basing ourselves at The House Over-By, The Three Chimneys comfy rooms just yards from the restaurant in Colbost overlooking Loch Dunvegan, we strike south-east towards Carbost, home of the Talisker Distillery since 1830. Were joined on the tour by a French couple, Canadians, Americans, even New Zealanders. As a Glaswegian, a mere six-hour drive from home, Im the local. The Talisker tasting involves more senses than we imagine. You can smell it and taste it but put the glass to your ear. Can you hear the sea? says our guide. Several among us swear they could. Kinloch Lodge is one of the renowned restaurants on the island, Jonathan reveals. He says that Skye is a 'revelation' for foodies Above is the Fairy Pools waterfall, which Jonathan says is a 'must-see' for Skye visitors Jonathan explores Dunvegan Castle (above), which is the 'seat of Clan MacLeod, whose history dates back to the 13th century when a man simply called Leod owned much of Skye' TRAVEL FACTS Doubles at The House Over-By from 305 per night B&B, between October 23 and March 24. Four-course menu at the restaurant is 95 pp. Kitchen Table Experience is 120. See: isleofskye.com. Advertisement A few miles away is the Fairy Pools car park a hotspot in the middle of nowhere. People come here for the 20-minute yomp to see the vivid aqua blues cascading off Black Cuillin. Virtually ignored until a decade ago, this has become a must-see since someone dreamed up the name. But the skies are darkening so we head for Dunvegan Castle, seat of Clan MacLeod, whose history dates back to the 13th century when a man simply called Leod owned much of Skye. Flora MacDonald, who famously helped a fleeing Bonnie Prince Charlie over the sea to Skye, once lived here and the wealth of Jacobite relics on display are a marvel. Back at The House Over-By, the bleat of a sheep outside our windows provides a morning alarm. It is alder-smoked trout and scrambled egg for breakfast in the restaurant next door. Skye is restitution for the soul and for foodies its a revelation. A woman has claimed she was removed from an aircraft, after flight attendants became concerned about her sweating. On October 2, Helen Taylor from Chester-le-Street, along with her husband, were set to fly from Newcastle to Rome for a mini-getaway. The 56-year-old, who is currently going through the menopause and has type 2 diabetes, was seemingly fine when she boarded her flight. However, as she returned to her seat from the toilet before take-off, the mother began to feel light- headed and began to sweat. Mrs Taylor put it down to her blood sugars re-levelling because she had eaten for the first time of that day shortly before. Helen Taylor and her husband David Taylor (pictured) were not able to go on their mini-getaway to Rome after she was removed from the aircraft after flight staff became concerned about her health She alleged that she was fine two minutes later, telling ChronicleLive that when she has such an episode, all she needs is 'to sit down and have a drink of water and I will be perfectly fine.' But flight attendants became concerned about the woman's welfare after her dizzy spell. The cabin crew were worried that she may no longer be fit to fly, with one suggesting the 56-year-old should have a medical examination, according to Ms Taylor. The unhappy customer alleged that although she felt fine, the cabin crew made the decision to remove her. The woman also claimed the captain assessed her and thought she looked fit to fly, even though he approved of his crew guiding her off the flight. A Jet2 spokesperson told MailOnline: 'After liaising with independent medical aviation specialists, our highly-trained crew took this decision as the health, well-being and safety of our customers is always our first priority.' The mother was left furious, stating that cabin crew should not have been able to make such a decision. The disgruntled passenger alleged she and her husband were then guided through the airport and made to hand over their duty free purchases. Ms Taylor also claimed the pair were quizzed by Border Control after being booted from the flight. She said: 'I had never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. I cannot believe how we were treated. It was absolutely insane.' A Jet2 spokesperson said the 'health, well-being and safety of our customers is always' their first priority Jet2 have confirmed to ChronicleLive that they will now be refunding the price of the irritated customer's holiday. Despite being agitated about the incident, Ms Taylor revealed that she and her husband are loyal customers. The pair have planned three trips with Jet2 for next year. This comes after BA passengers claimed they were held inside a plane for hours despite fears of toxic fumes. The furious passengers alleged that they were held with cabin crew drapped in chemical suits for nearly two traumatic hours. It was alleged the plain was shut down due to fears of a 'possible contagion' on board, after four people fell ill. London Fire Brigade were called to the scene following the reports however they said there were no elevated chemical readings detected inside the aircraft. Married At First Sight UK star Jordan Gayle has revealed the shocking incident which destroyed his childhood. The personal trainer, 26, has hinted at his unhappy upbringing on the hit E4 series, in which he claimed one of his earliest memories was 'the most traumatic you could imagine.' And speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he's told how he witnessed his mother being attacked by his father at their family home when he was just three years old. The Yorkshireman, who married Scottish bride Erica Roberts, 25, also revealed how he physically fought his father in his teens, before explaining how being diagnosed with OCD and coping with mental health issues has also deeply affected his life. In his very first interview, the Jack Grealish lookalike recalled crying out for his mother and desperately wanting to protect her, taking on the pressures of being the 'man of the house' at such a young age. Married At First Sight UK star Jordan Gayle has revealed the shocking incident which destroyed his childhood The personal trainer has hinted at his unhappy upbringing on the hit E4 series, in which he claimed one of his earliest memories was 'the most traumatic you could imagine' Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he's told how he witnessed his mother being attacked by his father at their family home when he was just three years old Jordan said: 'One of my first living memories was when I was three years old and trying to protect my mum physically. 'My mum is getting thrown around the room and across the bed, hitting the other side of the floor and I'm running, shouting "mummy" and trying to protect her. 'I try not to think about it too much but that is one of my first living memories. 'My mum and dad were together but then my dad left when I was very young, so it was just me, my mum and my sister and my mum always said, "you're the man of the house." 'Afterwards, anytime I heard a male voice in the house I would cry and shout out for my mum... all I knew was my mum and my sister and I was very protective of that.' Jordan, who lives in Sheffield, explained how his parents split shortly after the attack, revealing his father went on to remarry with a member of eighties pop group The Human League. He says seeing such harrowing scenes growing up has taken its toll. Jordan explained: 'I remember asking for a pair of 3kg dumbbells for my eighth birthday because I wanted to be strong to protect my mum. The Yorkshireman, who married Scottish bride Erica Roberts, also revealed how he physically fought his father in his teens Jordan told MailOnline that events in his childhood have enhanced his desire to find The One and settle down with a partner who he can build a future with Jordan and Erica, who married after meeting at the altar, honeymooned in Antigua, and their relationship is off to a strong start 'Since doing Married At First Sight, I have learned how my traumatic childhood relates to who I am today. 'I've realised that seeing my mum get hurt from a young age was the reason I got into fitness, and I wanted to be as big and as strong as possible. 'I wanted to feel more able if my mum or sister was ever hurt. I placed so much importance on my physicality because I was so young, I thought being bigger was the best way I could handle situations.' Jordan admits his difficult childhood has also resulted in him living an unsettled existence, moving from house to house and struggling to lay down roots. He explained: 'My mum eventually met someone when I was around the age of 10 and when he came into the household, I was protective, so it ended up being a standoff between me and my mum's new partner. 'I wasn't a good kid, I always acted out so eventually I moved out of my mum's and lived with my grandparents. 'When me and my mum fell out that was one of the hardest points of my life. Then I was in between my mum's, my nan and granddad's and my dad's place... 'I was so unsettled, moving every two days to a different house and having fights. I love my mum more than the world and she has been a great mum, but our relationship struggled... it was definitely rocky.' Personal trainer Jordan recalls wanting a pair of 3kg dumbbells for his eighth birthday because he longed to be physically strong to protect his mum and sister from any further heartache He says exercise helps to combat his mental health issues, which when he was a child led him to suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Jordan's relationship with his father remains strained. Although he is still in his life, they were involved in a fight when Jordan was 19 studying at college. He explained: 'We ended up having a physical fight and he told me "if you don't do what I say then you can get out" so I left then too.' Growing up was made even more difficult after he was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which he still suffers from 'every single day.' In his worse moments Jordan would feel the need to complete unhealthy rituals such as 10 press ups before he could sleep at night. He said: 'I struggled growing up because I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder where I have the urge to repeat actions and it has varied throughout my childhood. 'I had urges to do irrational things like any time I got off my bunk bed I would have to do 10 press ups before I could do anything else... if I didn't do it, I would feel anxious and restless and stressed. 'Then I'd have to go to the toilet eight times before I could fall asleep but then it would increase, the following evening it would be nine times.' Thankfully starring on Married At First Sight UK has not only helped find him the woman of his dreams in dance teacher Erica, but also provided him with therapy he desperately needed Jordan says the show's viewers will soon see his protective side in action in relation to his new wife, Erica But thankfully starring on Married At First Sight UK has not only helped find him the woman of his dreams in dance teacher Erica, but also provided him with the therapy he desperately needed. Jordan added: 'The only time I have spoken to people and had therapy consistently is doing MAFS... I had therapists and more sessions, and it's given me a better understanding of myself.' And Jordan says the show's viewers will soon see his protective side in action again in relation to his new wife. He explained: 'What happened to me on MAFS has never happened before on reality TV, but my backstory played out... I am the biggest protector with my wife. 'People might say I'm trying to be famous by doing a show like this, but I am the only person I believe who didn't change filming the series. 'My belief is in being the best person for the people I care about. I had given up on finding the right person... I wanted to find my forever person. 'The biggest thing for me is having a stable and happy home and no matter what goes on in the day, it feels complete because I'm falling asleep with them. 'I believe the person you're with should be your number one support system and make you feel they can be with you in your worse moments.' Bindi Irwin has shared the first Irwin family photo to include brother Robert's new girlfriend, Rorie Buckey. The wildlife warrior, 25, took to Instagram to share a family photo with the 19-year-old beaming while nestled into Terri Irwin. The move did little to dampen swirling engagement rumours around Robert and Rorie, with Bindi calling her possible sister-in-law, 'gorgeous'. '[She's the] sweetest soul, beautiful friend, I love her dearly and you'll usually see Grace just following her around because she adores her,' Bindi said of Rorie. Buckey was quick to reply to her possible future sister-in-law, writing: 'You're the best. I love you lots!' Bindi has shared the first family photo which included Rorie Buckey as she dropped the biggest hint yet the couple could soon be engaged. Pictured (Back): Australia Zoo general manager Luke Reavley, his partner Mitch, Terri Irwin, Rorie Buckey, Grace Warrior, Bindi Irwin, Chandler Powell and Robert Irwin Bindi shared a loving caption saying she was 'grateful for every moment shared' amongst the group, before moving on to individual declarations. 'My brother, Robert Irwin, taking the selfie - The extrovert of our family, hilarious, and definitely on a giant non-stop adventure in life,' she wrote. Husband Chandler Powell was up next. 'My husband, Chandler Powell - Strongest and kindest man I've ever known, always there for our family, best Dada to Grace, takes on any and every challenge and is up for each adventure life throws our way,' she added. Bindi did nothing to dampen the rumour mill of an engagement, as she gushed over Rorie: '[She's the] sweetest soul, beautiful friend, I love her dearly and you'll usually see Grace just following her around because she adores her' Followed by the couple's daughter Grace, two. 'Our daughter, Grace - A little whirlwind of beautiful energy, inquisitive, wants to be outside 24/7, collects animal toys everywhere we go and is the light of our lives. Bindi also made comments on Australia Zoo general manager, Luke Reavley, and chef, 'My brother, Robert Irwin, taking the selfie - The extrovert of our family, hilarious, and definitely on a giant non-stop adventure in life,' Bindi wrote of Robert. Here with Rorie Engagement rumours have been swirling for Robert and Rorie, with the young couple clearly smitten with each other after getting together. Pictured 'Our incredible friend and general manager of Australia Zoo, Luke Reavley - Wonderful friend for more than 17 years, problem solver and world changer.' Our extraordinary friend and creative services manager at Australia Zoo, Mitch. '[He] Makes us smile daily, phenomenal chef and design genius.' According to a report in New Idea in June, Robert is already planning to ask Rorie for her hand in marriage. The magazine quoted a source as saying Terri believed it was too soon for the young couple - who are barely out of their teens. According to a report in New Idea in June, Robert is already planning to ask Rorie for her hand in marriage. A move Terri is concerned about for the young couple. Pictured 'Terri feels like Robert is moving way too fast,' a source told the publication. 'Rorie's a sweetheart and it's easy to see why he is absolutely smitten, but Terri knows the stakes are high,' they added. Robert and Rorie have plenty in common; both grew up in the public eye after suffering the devastating loss of a family member. Heath was at the top of his Hollywood career when he was found dead in January 2008 following an accidental prescription drug overdose. Robert's father Steve Irwin, known to the world as the 'Crocodile Hunter', died aged 44 on September 4, 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have revealed how they've voted in the Voice to Parliament referendum. The breakfast radio stars were joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday morning as he continued his media blitz to drum up support for proposed constitutional change. Sandilands revealed that despite being left confused by the 'talking points' from each camp he voted 'Yes' via a postal vote and his radio co-host Jackie also ticked 'Yes' on the ballot paper. 'I just thought to myself, voting yes, that's what I'm gonna do. I don't care what anyone else does, but I just thought I want to... at least feel like I've done the right thing,' he told listeners. 'Jackie also voted Yes'. He said there needed to be a greater focus on the communities where 'young fellas' were getting into trouble because they're bored. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have revealed they have both voted 'Yes' in the Voice to Parliament referendum 'I've been that kid. I'm not even Indigenous. I've been that bored homeless kid where we just thought, "Let's cause some trouble because there is nothing else to do".' Mr Albanese agreed with the shock jock, saying the Voice would help create opportunities for Indigenous Australians. Australians will head to the polls on Saturday to have their say on whether to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body, the Voice, in the Constitution. Sandilands revealed that despite being left confused by the 'talking points' from each camp he voted 'Yes' via a postal vote Sandilands told Mr Albanese that his co-host had also voted Yes but said after a number of open discussions some of the show's staff had voted No. A producer on the program told Mr Albanese that he felt Indigenous Australians coming out in favour of the No vote had confused many voters. Sandilands said it depended on a person's individual politics, 'not just the colour of your skin'. 'Of course,' Mr Albanese replied. 'Not every Greek Australian thinks the same. Not every Italian Australian thinks the same. They're not a homogenous group, but 83 per cent of Indigenous people do want this.' The breakfast radio stars were joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday morning as he continued his media blitz to drum up support for proposed constitutional change. Albanese is pictured during YES23 Uluru trip Asked if the Voice would lead to giving Indigenous Australians 'the land', Mr Albanese said it was 'absolutely not true'. 'If you actually do things properly and more efficiently, you'll end up saving money because you'll actually not be wasting it on things that simply don't work,' he responded. The radio stars are just the latest in a long line of high-profile Australians who have revealed their support for the Voice in recent days. A group of former Australians of the Year, including Evonne Goolagong, Shane Gould, Dylan Alcott, Rosie Batty, Grace Tame and Cathy Freeman, signed an open letter calling the referendum 'a step to a more united and cohesive nation'. The radio stars are just the latest in a long line of high-profile Australians who have revealed their support for the Voice in recent days. Jackie O is pictured at the Logies earlier this year On Tuesday, Collingwood's AFL premiership captain Darcy Moore also backed the proposal. 'I'll be voting yes,' he told ABC Radio. 'I feel like it's an intuitive next step and seems to be an important and practical way to help Indigenous Australians and recognise them in the Constitution. 'There's sort of nothing in there, in the wording of the question, that seems to be problematic to me.' Diane Kruger looked as if she was proud of her daughter Nova for her act of charity in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Tuesday morning. The 47-year-old performer's child, four, was pictured while giving money to a homeless person as they made their way along the city's streets. The Inglourious Basterds actress, who recently stood out in a mirrored headpiece during the Zurich Film Festival, later stopped to hug her daughter while displaying a lovely soft smile. Kruger wore a checkered double-breasted jacket on top of a striped sweater as she spent time with Nova. The National Treasure actress also wore slim-fitting blue jeans that were paired with light brown high-heeled boots. Raising her right: Diane Kruger looked happy after her daughter Nova's act of charity in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Tuesday morning Her gorgeous blonde hair fell onto her shoulders and paired well with the light tone of her outerwear. Kruger shares Nova with her fiance, Norman Reedus, whom she met in 2015 while they were working on the dramatic feature film Sky. Before she began dating the The Walking Dead star, she was married to Guillaume Canet from 2001 until 2006. The performer went on to begin a relationship with Joshua Jackson that began in 2006 and ended ten years later. Kruger moved on with Reedus, 54, and they welcomed their daughter in November of 2018 before getting engaged in 2021. Diane and Norman who also shares his son Mingus, 23, with Helena Christensen did not reveal their daughter's name until May of last year. She spoke about motherhood during an episode of the Divorced Not Dead podcast, during which she revealed that, although she did not envision herself as a parent for many years, her opinion eventually changed. She recalled: 'I remember starting to feel like [it] in my mid-thirties. Like, "What am I doing all this for? Why am I running so hard, trying to make money and trying to live this life? What's it all worth it?"' Beaming with pride: The Inglourious Basterds actress, who recently stood out in a mirrored headpiece during the Zurich Film Festival, later stopped to hug her daughter and appeared to have been elated by her kindness Proud parents: Kruger shares Nova with her fiance, Norman Reedus, whom she met in 2015 while they were working on the drama feature Sky Starting a family: The performers welcomed their daughter in November of 2018 before becoming engaged in 2021 Staying quiet: The actress and the actor, who also shares his son Mingus, 23, with Helena Christensen, did not reveal their daughter's name until May of last year; they are seen in September The actress then stated that she eventually came to realize that she would have ended up as a parent despite her former position on motherhood. 'Maybe it is what people say about women and that time clock, just all of a sudden kicks in. I mean, the truth is I would've had a kid with or without a man attached,' she admitted. Kruger went on to state that her daughter had become her top priority over the past few years. 'Nova truly happened when I was least expecting it and most needed it in my life,' she said. Zima Anderson and Matthew Mitcham suffered a humiliating encounter during their toilet break on Tuesday night's episode of SAS Australia. The Neighbours actor, 25, and Olympic diver, 35, were forced to go to the bathroom in stalls right next to each other with very little privacy as viewers at home watched. But there was one thing in particular that the blonde beauty was worried about - her fellow SAS co-stars accidentally looking over the side of her cubicle. At five feet tall, Zima couldn't sit down on the toilet without her feet lifting completely off the ground, making it impossible to see her legs under the door. As Matthew finished up his business and stood to pull up his pants, Zima expressed her fear about others 'seeing her vagina'. Zima Anderson, 25, (pictured) and Matthew Mitcham, 35, had a humiliating encounter during their toilet break on Tuesday night's episode of SAS Australia 'It probably looks like there's no one in here so it's kind of awkward if one of the guys come over and looks over the side. I don't want people looking at my vagina,' she said. 'How is anyone going to see your vagina when you're sat down?' Matthew asked with a confused expression. Barely visible in her cubicle, Zima replied: 'They can still kind of see it.' The Neighbours actor and Olympic diver were forced to go to the bathroom in stalls right next to each other with very little privacy as viewers at home watched 'How high is your vagina?' Matthew exclaimed, to which Zima said: 'Like, at my bellybutton, how high is your vagina?' It came just moments before two high profile SAS Australia contestants walked out on the show during Tuesday's dramatic second episode. Balinese princess Lindy Klim and convicted drug smuggler 'Cocaine Cassie' Sainsbury both decided to call it quits. But there was one thing in particular that the blonde beauty was worried about - her fellow SAS co-stars accidentally looking over the side of her cubicle READ MORE: SAS Australia: Convicted drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury earns massive salary for show after serving time in a Colombian prison Advertisement Lindy struggled through the second day of challenges and admitted she was 'completely out her comfort zone' but said she was proud of her efforts regardless. Earlier, Lindy had a rough time during the helicopter challenge, and called herself a 'Karen' who needs her comforts. Cassie also departed, after being unable to face a challenge in which she had to crawl through a tunnel filled with water. She worried that the cold, dark, confined space would remind herself too much of her stint in a Colombian jail, and refused to see it through. Australian actor Hugh Sheridan has shared an emotional plea in support of Israel after fleeing the country in the wake of Hamas terrorist attacks earlier this week. The 38-year-old Packed to the Rafters star took to Instagram on Wednesday to describe the current turmoil in the Middle East as a modern day 'Holocaust'. He also used the post to warn of the dangers of negotiating with terrorists. Sheridan, who left Israel for Greece after being caught in a Hamas bombing attack on Saturday, posted a photo of passengers gathered at Athens airport in the story. 'I can't stop feeling like I am witnessing the Holocaust of our lifetime,' Sheridan said in the caption. 'I don't believe it's just a feeling though. This is real. So many families being forced to flee their home in fear of dying. We can't turn a blind eye on terrorism. 'We need to remember and learn from history. No one negotiates with terrorists or Hitler.' Sheridan signed off his post with a famous quote from Sir Winston Churchill, Britain's Prime Minister, who refused to make a deal with fascist Germany under Adolf Hitler prior to the outbreak of War World II in 1939. 'You can't reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth,' Sheridan said in his post, quoting Churchill. Australian actor Hugh Sheridan - pictured - has shared an emotional plea in support of Israel after fleeing the country in the wake of Hamas terrorist attacks earlier this week The 38-year-old Packed to the Rafters star took to Instagram on Wednesday to describe the current turmoil in the Middle East as a modern day 'Holocaust' Pictured: Sheridan's post featuring passengers gathered at Athens airport Later on Wednesday, Sheridan shared another video, updating fans, and reassuring them he was safe. 'Just for those asking, this was my reality just two days ago,' he said of his harrowing escape from war-torn Israel. 'What followed was much worse, but the main thing is I'm now safe and the focus needs to be on the people that are still there and educating people who are mistaking terrorism for politics.' It comes after Sheridan shared alarming footage to his social media on Sunday, which showed the popular actor hiding from Palestinian fighters in a stairwell with some friends. He also posted some distressing video of sirens going off and the deserted Israeli streets, telling fans he was searching for a taxi to drive him to safety. 'A few hours ago everyone was living life completely normal in Israel. It was a big Jewish holiday yesterday, one week after new year,' he wrote. 'We were at a BBQ yesterday with young people who are now on their way to Gaza to fight. My heart breaks, I'm in the stairwell,' he added. Sheridan also posted a video of a scarily quiet Israeli street, as he and his friends tried to make their way to the airport and leave the country. Sheridan left Israel for Greece , after being caught in a Hamas bombing attack on Saturday (pictured, Sheridan and friends hiding in a stairwell from Palestinian fighters) 'It's gotten eerily quiet. Desperately looking for a cab to the airport to try and get out. The missiles were way too close,' he wrote next to the clip. Fortunately, Hugh and his friends managed to get to the airport and safely boarded a flight to Athens, Greece. It comes as Hamas, recognised as a terrorist organisation by Australia, fired thousands of rockets into Israel on Saturday, catching the country - celebrating a religious holiday - by surprise. Some 2,200 hundred missiles were fired off killing hundreds and wounding 1,500 making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades. A new biography of Madonna has lifted the curtain back on how she acquired the nickname Madge - and what her reaction was. Written by Mary Gabriel, the book Madonna: A Rebel Life hit the shelves this Tuesday amidst a blizzard of media attention and anticipation. In its pages, the author writes that Madonna began being called 'Madge' by fans in the UK near the beginning of the 21st century, per People. While cutting her 2000 album Music in Britain, she apparently indulged so little diva behavior that the locals started calling her Madge to signal her normality. However Guy Ritchie, who became her second husband that year, allegedly told her a rather different tale about the origin of the nickname. Throwback: A new biography of Madonna has lifted the curtain back on how she acquired the nickname Madge in the UK in the noughties; pictured in London in 2000 Aglow: Written by Mary Gabriel, the book Madonna: A Rebel Life hit the shelves this Tuesday amidst a blizzard of media attention and anticipation In an apparent attempt to assure her that her fans were not calling her ordinary, Guy is said to have told her that Madge was short for Her Majesty. Indeed, by that point, Her Maj was already an affectionate nickname used by the British for their own sovereign Queen Elizabeth II. Madonna meanwhile was already the recipient of several sobriquets herself, including the Material Girl and the Queen Of Pop. The new biography arrived on the scene as Madonna rehearses for her Celebration World Tour, which had to be put on hold because of her health crisis this summer. Madonna's tour was meant to begin in mid-July with a North American leg that would sweep through over 20 cities in the United States and Canada. However that leg had to be delayed after Madonna's health took a sudden downturn that struck terror into the hearts of her global fanbase. She was confined to the ICU for several days after contracting what her manager announced was a 'serious bacterial infection.' A report in Radar Online sensationally alleged that she suffered acute septic shock and was revived with Narcan, which is typically used to treat overdoses. Details: Guy Ritchie , who became her second husband that year, allegedly told her a rather different tale about the origin of the nickname; the couple are pictured in 2000 Dashing: In an apparent attempt to assure her that her fans were not calling her ordinary, Guy is said to have told her that Madge was short for Her Majesty; the couple are pictured in 2000 Sepsis takes effect when the body reacts to an infection by releasing chemicals that can result in serious organ malfunction, sometimes with fatal consequences. DailyMail.com contacted representatives for Madonna for comment. The Celebration Tour will now kick off with its European leg, which will begin as originally scheduled on October 14 at London's O2 Arena. Madonna was spotted on the day of the biography's release emerging from a Manchester hotel and heading off to her concert rehearsals. Joshua Jackson was seen packing moving supplies into his Tesla in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The 45-year-old actor who is said to be heartbroken over his sudden split from wife Jodie Turner-Smith, 37 looked sullen during the solo outing. Jackson, who shares three-year-old daughter Juno Rose Diana with his soon-to-be ex, carried cardboard boxes, packing peanuts and wrap roll from a Staples store. His tousled and graying hair was partially pulled back with a small elastic band and he wore black Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. Turner-Smith, whom he married in 2019, filed for divorce on October 2, citing 'irreconcilable differences.' Moving? Joshua Jackson was seen packing moving supplies into his Tesla in Los Angeles on Tuesday Downcast: The 45-year-old actor who is said to be heartbroken over his sudden split from wife Jodie Turner-Smith looked sullen during the solo outing Items: Jackson, who shares three-year-old daughter Juno Rose Diana with his soon-to-be ex, carried cardboard boxes, packing peanuts and wrap roll from a Staples store It comes after days ago Jodie took their daughter along with her to Dakota Johnson's birthday party. Turner-Smith's divorce filing came as a shock to fans, as the couple appeared to have an unbreakable bond throughout their four years of marriage. The couple began dating in 2018 two years after Jackson split from Diane Kruger and they tied the knot in August 2019. Jackson and Turner-Smith welcomed Juno, their only child, in April 2020. Celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser is representing Smith in the divorce, with the actress seeking joint custody of their daughter. The date of separation is listed as September 13, one day after the pair attended a NYFW event together. The actress is not requesting spousal support and the pair did not have a prenup in place. In the aftermath of the divorce filing an insider told DailyMail.com, 'Joshua is heartbroken over the impending divorce. He always thought that he would be married and grow old with his family, and everything would be happily ever after.' Earlier this year: The couple looked stunning back in March at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Glum: His tousled and graying hair was partially pulled back with a small elastic band and he wore black Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses Low-key look: Jackson was casually dressed in a white T-shirt and light-colored jeans 'He had the dream scenario in his mind, and Jodie was his person and the person he thought he would be with forever,' a source previously told TMZ. It was also noted that Joshua's primary concern is his young child, as the Canadian actor is now anticipating a life of co-parenting. 'He never wanted this for their daughter,' the insider continued. 'They both are great parents and will continue to be. He just hates that they won't be together as a couple for their daughter anymore. They will always be connected through her.' The person close to the situation claimed that Joshua would love to reunite with his estranged wife, explaining: 'He would have loved nothing more than to still be with Jodie and in a perfect world would probably even take her back if she were to stop the divorce, but now that they have got to this place, he is going to have to accept it.' The source also insisted that there was no bad behavior on either side, stating that the relationship had just reached a natural end. 'Nothing horrible happened between the two, like infidelity. The relationship just went its course, and it is just a sad time,' the person said. 'Joshua isn't thrilled about it, but as we all know, life doesn't always work out the way you'd like it to work out.' Small family: Jackson and Turner-Smith welcomed daughter Juno, their only child, in April 2020. Celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser is representing Smith in the divorce, with the actress seeking joint custody of their daughter Dissolution of marriage: The former couple's date of separation is listed as September 13, just one day after they attended a NYFW event together It's over: Turner-Smith, who he married in 2019, filed for divorce on October 2, citing 'irreconcilable differences' Solo outing: The father-of-one put on a brave face as he stepped out by himself. He wore light-colored sneakers with a gum sole Off he goes: Jackson was seen driving away in his sleek luxury vehicle Joshua gushed about Jodie to E! News in September 2022. 'She is undeniably one of the most beautiful women on the planet,' he said. 'And she always smashes it when shes on the red carpet. That is truly a wonder to behold.' He added, 'But I will tell you, that there is nothing like waking up in the morning, opening my eyes and seeing her face in the morning.' The actress previously revealed their romance started as a one-night stand. 'When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand,' she shared on Late Night With Seth Meyers. 'We're in a two, three-year one-night stand now,' she joked. YG's ex-girlfriend Catelyn Sparks, who he shares two kids with, was involved in a deadly auto accident Wednesday in Los Angeles in which an 89-year-old woman was killed. Police sources told TMZ on Tuesday that 'no drugs or alcohol were involved' and that Sparks 'did not commit a crime' in the tragic incident. In the accident, Sparks, 29, was behind the wheel of her 2023 Tesla when the other motorist, driving a 1985 Cadillac, made a U-turn in front of the Tesla, police told the outlet. Sparks' Tesla made impact with the driver-side door of the Cadillac, leading to fatal injuries for the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene, law enforcement told TMZ. Sparks was taken to a nearby hospital after suffering what authorities described as minor injuries. The latest: YG's on-again, off-again partner Catelyn Sparks was involved in a deadly auto accident Wednesday in Los Angeles in which an 89-year-old woman was killed, police told TMZ The outlet noted that it was not immediately clear if Sparks and YG - who share two daughters, named Harmony and Vibe Jackson - are currently romantically involved with one another. Sparks intimated that she and YG, 33, whose real name is Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, were on the outs after the rap artist was seen vacationing with Saweetie, 30, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this past May. 'Just because we got the same blood don't make us family & just because we got kids don't make us family, cuz with "family" like mine? I rather not have any,' she said on social media. YG spoke about parenting in an August 2018 interview with Vulture, saying he dedicated his life 'to this music s*** back even before my daughter came into play. It's really for the best for all my people.' He added: 'So when I'm gone, it be like, s***, I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, because if I wasn't doing this, I'd be at the house trying to figure out what the f*** to do so my people be straight. 'So it's like, I be having that thought, but then I be having that in my head too. Like, I'm doing the right s***, but I'm gone, though I'm around her, but I be gone a lot.' Rapper YG, who shares two daughters with Sparks, was pictured last month walking the runway for Willy Chavarria during New York Fashion Week Sparks is an ambassador for the brand Fashion Nova and has more than 145,000 followers on Instagram. She has not posted to her account since October 2, two days before the car accident He said at the time that his oldest daughter, Harmony, lived with him. 'I make sure I go the extra mile,' YG said. 'I do the extra s***, a lot of times, just to make sure my daughter she knows who daddy is, she knows what's up.' Sparks is an ambassador for the brand Fashion Nova and has more than 145,000 followers on Instagram. She has not posted to her account since October 2, two days before the car accident. A reality TV co-star of Cal Wilson says the comedian appeared 'very sick' the last time he saw her, before she died from a 'short illness' at 53. Wilson was surrounded by friends on Wednesday when she passed away at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital She is survived by her husband Chris and her son Digby. The New Zealand-born star lived in Melbourne but it is understood she was staying in Sydney during the filming of Foxtel's The Great Australian Bake Off. In the hours after her death was announced, Darren Purchase - who is a judge on the show - issued a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. 'Cal was a light and such a joyful good person, funny and the kindest,' he wrote. 'This is so unfair and I will never forget my precious time with Cal.' Beloved comedian Cal Wilson has died at the age of 53 In the hours after her death was announced, Darren Purchase - who is a judge on The Great Australian Bake Off - issues a heartfelt tribute on Instagram (pictured together) Darren Purchase said Wilson was 'very sick' when he last saw her (tribute pictured) He also spoke candidly about the last time he saw Wilson. 'I am sorry this has happened to such a good person and I cannot get out of my head the last time I saw her when she was very sick,' he wrote. READ MORE: Haunting Cal Wilson interview resurfaces after her death Advertisement 'I wish I could give her a hug and tell her how much she means to me and so many people.' Her exact cause of death is not yet confirmed, but her management team at Token Artists said in a statement on Wednesday that she battled with a 'short illness'. Just five days ago, Wilson appeared in promotional images for Melbourne Fringe Festival act, The 50 Year Show. Tributes for the comedian flooded social media on Wednesday afternoon. Aussie actress Rebel Wilson said: 'This is so tragic and my heart goes out to Cal's family.' 'I was very very lucky to work with Cal on multiple projects especially over the last few years where she wrote brilliant material for me. She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind.' Cal Wilson, left, is pictured with her Great Australian Bake Off co-stars, including Maggie Beer (centre) and Darren Purchase Adam Miller, who was a finalist on The Great Australian Bake Off this year, also shared a tribute and recalled the moment Wilson comforted him on set. 'I can't stop thinking of the time Cal saw me alone in the corner of the Bake Off shed noticing I was rather overwhelmed by it all, and offered me the warmest, most comforting hug,' he wrote. READ MORE: Rebel Wilson leads tributes to Cal Wilson Advertisement 'I burst into tears at the moment, and she just stood there with me sharing wise and hilarious words to get me through that moment.' Wilson had also worked as a radio and television presenter, actress and author. She starred on TV shows Spicks and Specks, Would I Lie To You and Good News Week. Radio host Myf Warhurst, who frequently appeared with Wilson on ABC's Spicks and Specks, wrote: 'Oh Cal, what utterly devastating news. What a joy it was to be in her magnificent orbit over the years. My love to all who love her x' The show's host Adam Hills shared his own tribute. 'The news of Cal's death has broken me slightly but the outpouring of love for her has been so heartwarming,' he wrote. 'She was one of life's best people and she made everyone happy. Everyone. Off stage and on. That's how you live a life. May her spirit live on. Love ya Calbo.' Comedian and TV host Julia Zemiro said: 'Most generous. Most excellent. A huge hole in the Arts community and in my heart.' The 53-year-old had performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times and most recently co-hosted The Great Australian Bake Off The 53-year-old had performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times Foxtel's Group General Manager, Wendy Moore, said the network was devastated by the news of Wilson's death. 'We are all completely devastated to lose such an amazing, vibrant person. Cal joined our Bake Off cast last year and instantly brought her unique sparkle to the show,' Ms Moore said. 'Her professionalism, work ethic and genuine heart-warming humour instantly made her a favourite amongst cast and crew, as well as the Australian audience. 'We will all miss her so much, and our hearts go out to her family and friends.' 'My heart is broken for her family and for everyone that has ever met her because she was amazing. Today is a terrible day,' fellow Kiwi comedian Urzila Carlson said. TV personality Grant Denyer also shared his heartache. 'Oh my goodness. I'm shaking. I can't believe what I'm reading. How unbelievably sad,' he said. 'The most tender, kind, generous and talented performer I've ever had the pleasure to work alongside. This is devastating. Her poor family. Love you Cal thanks for everything. You are very special.' Wilson is seen on the set of gameshow QI in 2012 Wilson appeared on Spicks and Specks last year, with stars Adam Hills and Myf Warhurst paying tribute The Block star Shaynna Blaze also paid her respects. 'I can't even comprehend this right now. The most divine, radiant person who I have watched, admired and worked alongside. This is heartbreaking. So much love to her husband, son and family. This is a very very sad day,' she said. Wilson had moved across the ditch from Christchurch to Melbourne in 2003 where she appeared on the sketch show Skithouse. The comedian had performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times. She also featured in her own Netflix stand-up special. During lockdown, Wilson had made elaborate headdresses that she shared with her fans. A portrait of Wilson wearing a headdress made out of dolls and Christmas baubles featured in the 2023 Archibald Prize. Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello's death aged 61 was caused by 'an unknown allergen' - and his family may never know what it was. Chiarello died on Friday night after suffering 'an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock'. A representative for the late star has revealed that 'doctors don't know what caused the allergic reaction' in a new statement to People. The former Food Network star, known for his Italian-influenced California cuisine, was treated for over a week at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California, before his death. 'The doctors dont know what caused the allergic reaction, and neither does the family. They may never know,' the representative stated. Though developing a life-threatening allergy later in life is rare, it does happen. The most widely reported triggers causing anaphylactic shock are insect stings (wasp and bee stings in particular), peanuts and tree nuts, other foods such as milk and seafood, and certain medicines such as antibiotics. Update: New details are coming out about the tragic death of celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, who passed on Friday night at age 61, after suffering an allergic reaction; Pictured 2013 Michael Chiarello is pictured with his ex-wife Eileen Gordon and their son Unknown: Chiarello had 'an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock', and now a representative for the late star revealed that 'doctors don't know what caused the allergic reaction' in a new statement to People; pictured 2014 Though an autopsy report could help identify which groups of foods the chef might have had a reaction to, the representative did not state whether an autopsy would be conducted. Following Chiarello's death his family, who was with him when he passed, released a statement that read: 'We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael.' 'His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being. He brought people together through the joy of shared meals, fostering lasting memories around the table.' 'As we navigate this profound loss, we hold dear the moments we cherished with him, both in his kitchens and in our hearts. His legacy will forever live on in the love he poured into every dish and the passion he instilled in all of us to savor lifes flavors.' Born in 1962, the passionate cook followed his childhood dream of becoming a world-class chef and hosted a slew of television shows for a decade. He was named Food & Wine magazine's Chef of the Year in 1985, and later received CIAs Chef of the Year award in 1995. He was also recognized by the James Beard Foundation and authored many cookbooks. Chiarello hailed from an Italian-American family and came up in the central California community of Turlock. He left his sunny hometown for Hyde Park, New York, to study at the Culinary Institute of America. After graduating in 1982, Chiarello attended Florida International Universitys School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, receiving a bachelor's degree two years later. Allergic reaction: 'The doctors dont know what caused the allergic reaction and neither does the family. They may never know,' the representative stated Gone too soon: The Food Network star was being treated for over a week at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California, before passing; pictured at 32nd Daytime Emmy Awards Celebrity chef: The Italian-American culinary whiz and TV host appeared on a slew of television shows and opened several restaurants It was then he kicked off his professional career by opening his first restaurant, Toby's, in Miami. Chiarello found immediate fame and moved back home to open Tra Vigne Restaurant in Napa Valley, where he acted as Executive Chef and a partner for the restaurant - and seven others. As his influence grew further, Chiarello hosted shows on PBS, Food Network, Fine Living and Cooking Channel for a decade, also making appearances as a guest chef on the Today show and The View. He served as a judge on Bravos Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, and, in 2011, competed on the fourth season of Food Networks Next Iron Chef. He will be most remembered for his show Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello, which ran for ten seasons on Food Network and scored him a Daytime Emmy in 2005 for Outstanding Service Show Host. Towards the end of his life, Chiarello was steeped in legal trouble including allegations of sexual harassment and wage stealing from two former employees in 2016. Following the accusations, Chiarello continued his public appearances and prompted a public outcry when he was invited to be a part of the South Beach Food and Wine Festival in 2018. Afterward, the chef worked on his restaurants, Bottega and Coqueta, and largely retreated from the spotlight. 'Chef Michael Chiarellos passion for food and life will forever be etched in our kitchens and our hearts,' his Gruppo Chiarello partners said in a statement. The group oversees his restaurants Bottega, Coqueta - with two locations in San Francisco and Napa Valley - and Ottimo. Well known: He appeared on networks like PBS, Food Network, Fine Living and Cooking Channel throughout his career; Pictured in 2014 Big loss: He hosted a slew of television shows for a decade, including the Emmy-winning series Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello; Pictured 2014 'In remembrance, we ask that you join us in celebrating his remarkable journey and the incredible impact he had on the world of food, wine, and family by inviting you to share a meal with your family and friends to remind all of us that the bonds forged over a meal are among lifes most precious treasures,' the statement read. Chiarello's family issued their own statement expressing their deep sense of grief. 'His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being. 'He brought people together through the joy of shared meals, fostering lasting memories around the table. As we navigate this profound loss, we hold dear the moments we cherished with him, both in his kitchens and in our hearts. 'His legacy will forever live on in the love he poured into every dish and the passion he instilled in all of us to savor lifes flavors.' The family has asked for donations to Meals on Wheels in place in lieu of flowers. American Horror Story actress Billie Lourd was seen stepping out in a bathrobe while picking up coffee in Los Angeles, California on Monday. After purchasing two caffeinated beverages, the Scream Queens star, 31, appeared relaxed and comfortable as she walked back to her car rocking minimal makeup as she showcased her natural beauty. The daughter of late actress Carrie Fisher, who famously portrayed Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, wore a gingham blouse under her fluffy white robe and a pair of black sneakers. For her laid-back outing, the mom-of-two's blonde ombre hair were styled in tousled waves, which spilled over her shoulders. Casual: American Horror Story actress Billie Lourd was seen stepping out in a bathrobe while picking up coffee in Los Angeles, California on Monday It is unclear if Lourd was heading home or to a movie or TV set, where actors are often seen wearing bathrobes over their character's costumes between breaks. Her latest sighting comes nine months after she gave birth to her second child with husband Austen Rydell. At the time, she revealed that their baby girl's name is Jackson Joanne Lourd Rydell. According to BabyNames.com the name is 'primarily a male name of English origin that means Son Of Jack/John. Jackson is originally a British surname which has made its way onto the popularity charts as a boy's given name.' The actress and Austen also share a three-year-old son Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell. Billie and Austen became engaged in June 2020 after four years together. The couple had one break-up during their relationship, but reunited soon. While speaking about her son, Billie said on the SiriusXM show, Quarantined with Bruce: 'He's not technically a quarantine baby, and I want to make that known because a lot of people are having trendy quarantine babies.' Coffee run: After purchasing two caffeinated beverages, the Scream Queens star, 31, appeared relaxed and comfortable as she walked back to her car rocking minimal makeup as she showcased her natural beauty 'Kingston was conceived before quarantine. He's technically just a Caribbean baby,' she mused. Billie also gushed about Austen caring for her throughout her pregnancy. 'Now we know each other better than anybody could ever know each other,' she said. 'And he was so caring and incredible and cooked for me and gave me foot massages. And did these classes with me, like he did the lactation class, he did the positive birthing class, so he was with me every step of the way.' 'We just became even closer friends, even better partners. And I think it prepared us to be the best parents and he's sitting out there with the baby right now,' she added. 'And he is as you know, the best dad in the world. And I think that's partially because we got to have this experience together. In March 14, 2022, People reported the actress wed her beau in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico following a nearly two year long engagement. Billie's father, talent agent Bryan Lourd, purchased a block of rooms at the hotel venue for wedding guests, an insider told the site. Mom life: Her latest sighting comes nine months after she gave birth to her second child with husband Austen Rydell New mom: Lourd welcomed her first child with fiance Austen Rydell in September of 2020 Happy couple: Billie and Austen became engaged in June 2020 after four years together Guests enjoyed a private pool party at the lavish hotel the day before the ceremony. In October, Billie opened up on the parenting lessons she gleaned from her late mom as she raises her young family. She told the New Day podcast: 'My main job when [Fisher] was alive was taking care of her and making sure she was okay,' 'I was her main support, and I was seven, for a lot of the time, and that was really hard and that's why I grew up really fast because I was her best friend. I was her mother, I was her kid, I was her everything. 'And that's one of the things I'm learning not to do with my kid.' Nick Viall and his pregnant fiancee, Natalie Joy, were spotted out in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The reality TV personality, 43, cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and gray, pinstriped trousers as he headed out for lunch in Los Feliz with the certified surgical technologist, 24. The Bachelor star sported all-white sneakers and was seen carrying a large insulated mug. The expecting parents who announced they were expecting their first child together in August interlocked their hands as they strolled down the street. At his side, Joy revealed and showed off her growing baby bump in a white crop top and light gray sweatpants slung low on her waist. Soon-to-be parents: Nick Viall and his pregnant fiancee, Natalie Joy, were spotted out in Los Angeles on Tuesday She donned a pair of white slip-on shoes and was seen toting around a black, woven Bottega Veneta handbag on her arm. The model also shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of oval-shaped, black Miu Miu sunglasses. She left her dark brunette tresses down in a straight hairstyle and opted for a makeup-free look to showcase her natural beauty. The happy couple first connected on social media after Joy slid into his DMs. Viall told E! News' Down in the DMs in June 2022 about what his now-fiancee had written in her message. 'I think DMs are a great place to meet people,' he said at the time. 'My current girlfriend slid in my DMs. 'Real clever, it said, "You're unreal." I guess it was funny,' he continued. 'I was more curious, wondering why I was unreal.' After linking up online, the pair started dating and went public with their romance shortly after in July 2020. Casual and cozy: The reality TV personality, 43, cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and gray, pinstriped trousers as he headed out for lunch in Los Feliz with the certified surgical technologist, 24 Bumpin' along: At his side, Joy revealed and showed off her growing baby bump in a white crop top and light gray sweatpants slung low on her waist Expecting couple: The pair who have been dating for three years got engaged in January and made an exciting announcement in August that they would soon be welcoming their first child together Three years into their relationship, the couple got engaged in January 2023. In August, they made the exciting announcement that they were expecting their first child together. Viall and Joy posted photos on Instagram of themselves posing in a field with both of their hands caressing Joy's baby bump. They also shared a snap of an ultrasound, and in the following month, the pair revealed they would be welcoming a baby girl. Jason Akermanis has accused Channel Seven's SAS Australia of being fake following his departure from the show. The AFL star told 2DAY FM's Hughesy, Ed & Erin breakfast show the show's editing isn't accurate. 'They lie all the time. What they don't show you is when they record something, they put it to the test audience,' he explained. 'They don't show us doing 45mins of pushups and burpees on the sand [before a challenge].' He also said the contestants were buried alive in a coffin for 15 minutes, but the show claimed it was 45 minutes. AFL star Jason Akermanis claims SAS Australia is 'fake' and accuses the show of 'lying' about the challenges after he was branded 'soft' for leaving the show just one day in 'They are putting mayonnaise on stuff they're showing, but they aren't the other stuff that they probably should. The other stuff is really tough.' It comes after Jason was branded 'soft' after the AFL legend lasted just one day on SAS Australia, insisting he does not 'have to prove anything to anyone.' He was buried in the Jordanian desert before undertaking a task in which he jumped on and off a moving train. However, the 46-year-old later complained of an injury to his toes and demanded medical attention at base camp. The AFL star told 2DAY FM's Hughesy, Ed & Erin breakfast show the show's editing isn't accurate and they 'lie all the time' Ant Middleton initially denied his request, telling his fellow officers: 'No 3 has come to us saying he has got a foot injury. 'He sprinted onto the train. Jumped off the train. Sprinted to me and then sprinted off. I didn't see any limping at all. I think No 3 is looking for a way out.; He then sent for Jason, saying: 'Let me have a look. You sprinted fine on the train, jumped off the train.' The camp doctor agreed with Ant's assessment, and when asked for the exact cause of the injury, the Bulldogs great was unable to pinpoint when exactly he picked up the injury. It comes after Jason was branded 'soft' after the AFL legend lasted just one day on SAS Australia, insisting he does not 'have to prove anything to anyone' 'Put your boots back on. You won't even try some basic pain relief? You're getting way ahead of yourself,' he said. Jason replied: 'I'm telling you there's nothing we can do if it's going to be that painful. So we either I get a discharge or I have to hand my... I say physically I can't do it.' The footy great was sent back to his campmates, who were shocked to see him packing his belongings. Jason returned to the yard where he removed his No 3 badge and voluntarily walked away from the process. 'You've gone soft,' Ant said. Balinese princess Lindy Klim has taken to social media to open up about the real reason behind her dramatic exit from SAS Australia after just two days. The 42-year-old entrepreneur and ex-model revealed she sustained an injury to her shoulder during her appearance on the gruelling survival show. Lindy shared a photo that showed her lying in a hospital bed, which appears to have been taken after surgery. The Fig Femme founder's appearance on SAS Australia featured her non-stop complaints over the primitive conditions on the show's main site. Meanwhile, Lindy had to battle allergies and complete brutal challenges while menstruating. Balinese princess Lindy Klim has taken to social media to open up about the real reason behind her dramatic exit from SAS Australia after just two days Pictured: Lindy Klim on SAS Australia The 42-year-old entrepreneur and ex-model has revealed she received an injury to her shoulder during her appearance on the gruelling survival show. Lindy shared a photo that showed her lying in a hospital bed, which appears to have been taken after surgery (pictured) The Fig Femme founder's appearance on SAS Australia featured her non-stop complaining over the primitive conditions on the show's main site. Lindy also had to battle battled allergies while complting brutal challenges while menstruating Lindy later called herself a 'Karen' who needed 'her comforts'. Friends and followers were quick to send messages of support after watching her on the show. 'Love how they conveniently left out the fact out that you injured your shoulder on the show and needed surgery for it, lots of love,' wrote one fan. '"Massive Karen to the core" my favourite lineomg I love you,' added another follower. 'Swimming fully clothed, dunked by the ocean, then swung by a helicopter in the air, all with your period every gals dream,' joked another of Lindy's gal pals. Friends and followers were quick to send messages of support after watching her on the show Friends and followers were quick to send messages of support praising her for courage after watching Lindy on SAS Australia (pictured) The same friend later posted a black and white photo of Lindy in her hospital bed with the caption: 'Also didn't plan to be by your side for shoulder surgery after the show...but that's the SAS life....thankful you are alive quite frankly.' Lindy later shared her friend's post to her own stories. During her appearance on SAS Australia the celebrity struggled through the second day of challenges and admitted she was 'completely out her comfort zone' but said she was proud of her efforts regardless. 'I hate sand, and I hate being dirty, and I hate camping. I feel quite chuffed that I managed to get through two days, so I feel good,' she said as she left. Lindy resides in Bali, but shares custody of her three children with her ex-husband, former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, who lives in Australia. She was married to the Olympian for nearly a decade before they split acrimoniously six years ago. The Klims announced their separation in February 2016, with Lindy previously describing the split as 'painful' and 'traumatic'. However, the exes have since put their differences aside and now share what Lindy describes as an 'incredible' relationship. 'Swimming fully clothed, dunked by the ocean, then swung by a helicopter in the air, all with your period every gals dream,' joked another of Lindy's pals She is now married to property developer Adam Ellis. The pair wed in August 2018, a year after they welcomed daughter Goldie. Lindy was born a Balinese princess and grew up in the palace before moving to Tasmania with her mother. Her uncle, Ida Cokorde Pamecutan XI, was the king of Denpasar. SAS Australia continues on Channel Seven and 7Plus Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared to be in good spirits as he chomped on a cigar in New York City on a busy day in which he promoted his new book Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life. The Terminator star, 76, was pictured wearing a dapper ensemble of a navy blue blazer over a navy blue polo shirt with amber brown slacks and dark brown lace-up boots as he was pictured in the Big Apple on the autumn day. The Austria-born star, who held office as California's 38th governor from 2003 to 2011, was pictured headed to the Upper East side eatery Nello New York, which serves Northern Italian fare. According to Page Six, the fine dining establishment has long been a favorite of the Kindergarten Cop leading man. Other celebs who have been partial to the establishment include Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Jay Z, Mick Jagger, Selena Gomez and former President Donald Trump. The latest: Arnold Schwarzenegger, 76, appeared to be in good spirits as he chomped on a cigar in New York City on a busy day in which he promoted his new book Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life The Terminator star was pictured wearing a dapper ensemble of a navy blue blazer over a navy blue polo shirt with amber brown slacks as he was pictured in the Big Apple on the autumn day Following the meal, the FUBAR actor was pictured at the venue 92nd Street Y, where he discussed his latest literary endeavor with Ryan Holiday. The Total Recall star later took to Instagram to thank his fans for their support after a successful outing. 'I had a wonderful time talking about Be Useful with @ryanholiday in front of thousands of my fans tonight at @92ndstreety,' Schwarzenegger said, while sharing a series of photos from the event, in which he signed autographs. The Predator actor added, 'I appreciate everyone that came tonight and watched online, and I cant wait to hear how the book helps you.' The veteran action star last week used his Conan sword to open the first box of copies of the new book, which went on sale today. 'I got the first box of my books, so I brought the whole team to inspect them,' Schwarzenegger said in the caption for the clip. 'I know my rules can help you, no matter what you want to do in life, because theyve helped me every step of the way.' Schwarzenegger who attended Oktoberfest proceedings last month in Munich, Germany was clad in a black T-shirt and pants as he stood in the backyard of his Southern California home alongside his pet donkey Lulu and pony Whiskey. He hoisted up his sword from the 1982 film Conan The Barbarian to perforate tape on the cardboard box containing the books. Schwarzenegger was seen lighting up a cigar while inside a vehicle on the busy weekday The Austria-born star was pictured headed to the Upper East side eatery Nello New York, which serves Northern Italian fare The fine dining establishment has long been a favorite of the Kindergarten Cop leading man. Other celebs who have been partial to the establishment include Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Jay Z, Mick Jagger, Selena Gomez and former President Donald Trump Following the meal, the FUBAR actor was pictured at the venue 92nd Street Y, where he discussed his latest literary endeavor with Ryan Holiday The bodybuilding icon said he 'had a wonderful time talking' about the new book at the venue According to a description of the book from Amazon, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life details Arnold's 'seven rules to follow to realize your true purpose in life' 'Fantastic, Be Useful, it's out, the first package full of books, Be Useful,' Schwarzenegger said as he was surrounded by his pets. 'Look at this, Lulu, isn't it exciting? Whiskey, look at this!' According to a description of the book from Amazon, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life details 'the seven rules to follow to realize your true purpose in life - distilled by Arnold Schwarzenegger from his own journey of ceaseless reinvention and extraordinary achievement, and available for absolutely anyone.' Speaking with People about the book last week, Schwarzenegger was asked about key advice he's received from costars throughout the years. He said he learned considerably about the craft of acting working alongside Oscar winners Sally Field and Jeff Bridges in the 1976 film Stay Hungry. Schwarzenegger said that it 'was absolute heaven to me to watch them perform, how smooth they were and how much I had to grow' as an actor. He said the key was 'to be natural' and 'not to act,' adding, 'Its what made Sally Field start falling into tears and crying and throwing fits. It was really her.' Schwarzenegger said that he idolized another Oscar winner in Clint Eastwood 'because he was kind of Mr. Cool. 'His approach of not being noisy, that he was able to listen, I always loved that,' he said. 'Because I always thought that theres something to be said about listening.' The Total Recall star later took to Instagram to thank his fans for their support after a successful outing The stalwart Hollywood star faced a throng of fans carrying memorabilia at the NYC venue Schwarzenegger used his Conan sword to open the first box of copies of his new book last week Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life went on sale Tuesday The book description cited Schwarzenegger's 'stratospheric success' in the fields of bodybuilding, Hollywood and politics, saying that 'this did not happen by accident' but rather 'happened as part of a process. 'As the result of clear vision, big thinking, hard work, direct communication, resilient problem-solving, open-minded curiosity, and a commitment to giving back. All of it guided by the one lesson Arnolds father hammered into him above all: be useful. 'As Arnold conquered every realm he entered, he kept his fathers adage close to his heart.' Michael Turnbull popped the question to his pregnant girlfriend Charlotte Cushing on Tuesday as they took a romantic stroll on the beach. The former Bachelorette star, 41, and his model fiancee, 34, shared happy snaps of their heartwarming moment to Instagram. Garbed in an extra tight button-up shirt and khaki shorts, Michael got down on one knee on a rocky shoreline as he asked a grinning Charlotte to marry him. Shocked by the question, the oncology nurse could be seen throwing her head back in joy as the wind whipped around her flowing white summer dress. The pair happily embraced after she said yes and let him slip the ring on her finger, sharing a passionate kiss against the backdrop of the beach. Michael Turnbull, 41, (pictured) popped the question to his pregnant girlfriend Charlotte Cushing, 34, on Tuesday as they took a romantic stroll on the beach Michael captioned their photos with: 'To the most incredible, strong and caring woman I know... Thank you for choosing me.' Charlotte responded sweetly: 'I would choose you in a million lifetimes. Over and over again. I love you.' She then posted the same photos to her own Instagram page, writing: 'Every love story is beautiful, but ours in my favorite. Absolutely, YES!' The former Bachelorette star and his model fiancee shared happy snaps of their heartwarming moment to Instagram Their friends gushed over the lovebirds' happy news, with Married At First Sight star Dan Hunjas saying, 'Congratulations.' Former Miss Australia Gemma White wrote, 'Congrats gal!' next to a heart-eye emoji. Their happy news comes just over a week after the newly engaged couple announced they are set to welcome their first child together. Their friends gushed over the lovebirds' happy news, with Married At First Sight star Dan Hunjas saying, 'Congratulations' Garbed in an extra tight button-up shirt and khaki shorts, Michael got down on one knee on a rocky shoreline as he asked a grinning Charlotte to marry him Shocked by the question, the oncology nurse could be seen throwing her head back in joy as the wind whipped around her flowing white summer dress READ MORE: Baby joy! The Bachelorette star Michael Turnbull announces shock pregnancy news with girlfriend Charlotte Cushing Advertisement Michael, who appeared in multiple incarnations of the Bachelor franchise, made the announcement with an adorable polaroid image. 'Baby Turnbull, Due April 2024,' the image read. The polaroid faded to show the Bachelor in Paradise star and Charlotte holding a sonogram of their baby, looking overjoyed at the news. Charlotte was previously Ms Galaxy Australia/Australasia 2020-22, Miss Supercars in 2016 and Miss Hawaiian Tropic in 2017. Kanye West and wife Bianca Censori reportedly wed for 'religious reasons' after he vowed to abstain from sex until marriage following his divorce from Kim Kardashian. After months of mystery surrounding their whirlwind union, an insider dished to Us Weekly that the lovebirds walked down the aisle to 'be intimate.' 'Kanye calls her his muse and loves dressing her up,' the source added, before noting that the Grammy winner, 46, is 'very much 'in love' and 'inspired' by his spouse, 28. Over the weekend, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that the couple are indeed officially and legally married. The confusion around their intriguing marriage has finally been explained after the pair wed under a 'confidential marriage' license in California, meaning that it was not made public record. Man and wife: Kanye West and wife Bianca Censori reportedly wed for 'religious reasons' after he vowed to abstain from sex until marriage following his divorce from Kim Kardashian Many had assumed that the musician and Yeezy architect married in a ceremony that was not legally binding, as there was seemingly no evidence of the union, with reports claiming they had a private ceremony in Beverly Hills earlier this year in January without an official marriage license. However, DailyMail.com confirmed that is not the case, having obtained and reviewed the official document that lists their date of marriage as December 20, 2022 - just one month after he finalized his divorce from Kardashian in November 2022. Per their marriage license, the happy couple tied the knot in Palo Alto, California, known as Silicon Valley, and DailyMail.com has learned the pair picked a secret location for the special event. The document was filed under their full names, Bianca Censori, and simply 'Ye' for the rapper, who legally changed his name from Kanye Omari West to the mononym in October 2021. Ye and Bianca were married by California-based officiant James Mayfield. Mayfield boasts marriage 'packages' starting at $385 that do not require a courthouse ceremony. It also states on his website that a confidential marriage license does not require any witnesses to be present. Interestingly, their marital home is listed as his ranch in Wyoming. The rapper purchased the sprawling $14m ranch four years ago, but there's been little to no development on the property since that time. Religious reasons: After months of mystery surrounding their whirlwind union, an insider dished to Us Weekly that the lovebirds walked down the aisle to 'be intimate' (seen in May 2023) As early as July 2020, Ye - who has an estimated net worth of $500m - began constructing mystifying domes on the land which appear to remain unfinished and he has not been pictured at the location for many years since purchasing the home. Explaining why the pair chose a confidential marriage license, a close friend of the couple reveals: 'Ye has been a megastar for two decades and counting, and his first marriage was to someone who lives almost full time in front of a camera. 'Bianca and Ye have a totally different vibe. They are very private, very affectionate and totally devoted to each other. I think they both enjoy carving out time that's just for them. 'For that reason they've been extremely hush-hush about the specifics of their wedding day. I don't think anyone besides the pair of them know exactly how it went down. Private ceremony: A close friend of the couple tell DailyMail.com, that they've 'been extremely hush-hush about the specifics of their wedding day. I don't think anyone besides the pair of them know exactly how it went down' (seen in October 2022) The close friend adds: 'They are besotted with each other. I can assure you they are very much married.' One in five marriages in California are now officially classified as 'confidential' and do not appear in public records, but it is a legally binding marriage that would require a divorce if the union were to end. It's still unclear exactly how long the pair had been romantic with one another leading up to the marriage, but Bianca joined Kanye's Yeezy company in November 2020. A year before the end of his six-year marriage to Kim Kardashian, the father-of-four hired Bianca as an architectural designer at his company Yeezy. Kim had filed for divorce from her former spouse after almost seven years of marriage in February 2021 with the help of 'disso queen' Laura Wasser. Past love: Kim had filed for divorce from her former spouse after almost seven years of marriage in February 2021 with the help of 'disso queen' Laura Wasser; seen in 2019 Ye then moved on with Bianca, even paying tribute to her by releasing the track, Censori Overload, a play on her last name. At this point in their relationship, we now know the couple were already married. In the lyrics Ye revealed that he stayed celibate before tying the knot, singing: 'And The Bible said, I can't have any more sex 'til marriage.' The song appeared to reference his split from Kim, opening with the lines: 'Waking up to 'I can't do this anymore' text', adding 'I know it's 'cause the headlines / Why she wanna leave.' Ye and his wife Bianca then went public with their romance in January, with his new bride catching the world's attention in a number of very revealing outfits. Per their marriage license, the happy couple tied the knot in Palo Alto, California, also known as Silicon Valley (aerial view pictured above) and DailyMail.com recently revealed that the pair picked a secret location for the special event Making moves: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West filed for divorce in 2021, meanwhile he was linked briefly to Julia Fox in January 2022 Warp speed romance: It's still unclear exactly how long the pair had been romantic with one another leading up to the marriage, but Bianca joined Kanye's Yeezy company in November 2020 (Pictured above in May this year) This summer, the couple have been causing a frenzy on their European vacation, stirring up controversy with Bianca's nude-themed clothes, particularly in Italy. The loved-up pair received backlash with a very amorous boat ride in August - with the couple caught in flagrante. They were both accused of public indecency by Italian authorities on August 28, after Ye was snapped with his pants down and with his Australian bride nuzzled between his legs, during a water taxi ride on the city's famous canals. Following the shocking sighting, the two promptly were slammed for engaging in an apparent lewd act in front of dozens of gawking tourists. They are parents to son Presley Gerber , 24, and daughter Kaia Gerber, 22 Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber were stylish shoppers as they were spotted at the West Hollywood, California clothing store Maxfield on Tuesday. The DeKalb, Illinois-born beauty, 57, was every bit the fashion plate in a casual well-put together outfit she shined in on the fall day in Southern California. The famed supermodel wore a white button-up top, with a white sweater with horizontal black stripes resting on her shoulders. Crawford, who shares two children with Gerber, 61 - son Presley Gerber, 24, and daughter Kaia Gerber, 22 - wore boot cut blue jeans with tan suede shoes as she exited the luxury retailer. The Fair Game star accessorized with brown framed sunglasses with gold necklaces with her voluminous brown tresses parted. She had a brown leather purse dangling from her arm and carried a beverage in a silver metal container. Out and about: Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber were stylish shoppers as they were spotted at the West Hollywood, California clothing store Maxfield on Tuesday Style: The famed supermodel was every bit the fashion plate in a casual well-put together outfit she shined in on the fall day in Southern California Gerber was clad in a navy blue polo shirt with dark blue jeans and grey and white sneakers. He wore sunglasses on the outing with his spouse of 25 years. Crawford showed off a more casual style in an Instagram post she put up Saturday for her 8 million followers that she captioned 'Off duty.' She had her locks pulled back and donned a navy blue vest top with light wash cargo jeans by L'AGENCE, and sandals. Crawford rounded out her look with a necklace of a cross and designer sunglasses. Crawford and Gerber were were among the high-profile people on hand to lend their support to friends George and Amal Clooney when they played host at the at the New York Public Library in New York City on September 28. The event, which honors people who have devoted their lives to justice, was named after Justice Albie Sachs, a lawyer and former judge who was imprisoned for his fight to end apartheid in South Africa. Always on point when it comes to their fashion choices, the couple also showcased their undeniable chemistry when they hit the red carpet ahead of the event. Some of the other celebrity guests included Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, Julianne Moore, Scarlett Johansson, Mary J. Blige, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, and Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, according to People. Relaxed: Crawford showed off a more casual style in an Instagram post she put up Saturday for her 8 million followers. Show of support: Gerber and Crawford showed off their penchant for high-fashion when they lent their support to the Clooney Foundation For Justice's second annual Albie Awards at New York Public Library in New York City September 28 Crawford, 57, stepped out in a purple gown that hugged her 5ft9in figure, and helped showcase her long legs with a slit up the left side. Before heading out to the event Crawford announced the designer of her purple number by spelling it out three times on Instagram: 'Versace Versace Versace.' In the video, the longtime covergirl did a mock catwalk through the hallway of the residence they are staying at while in New York City. The legendary catwalk queen who helped put the 'super' in the 'supermodel' term in the 1980s and 90s would also get a lift in a pair of silver heels, all while holding on to a matching clutch purse. Rounding out her ensemble, the Illinois native had her brown tresses styled long and flowing well past her shoulder with a part on the left. Gerber held his own in the fashion department in a classic black suit and tie that he matched with a white dress shirt and black dress shoes. The loved up couple packed on the PDA with a number of loving touches while on the red carpet. The couple, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in May, snuggled up next to each other for a round of photos before the event Stunning: Crawford looked glamorous in a Versace gown and silver heels Flirty: Crawford showed off her silver heels History: Rande Gerber has been a longtime friend and business associate of Clooney, which includes their launch of Casamigos Tequila in 2013 The classy co-hosts, who have been known for their impeccable looks, did disappoint once again. George, 62, looked handsome decked out in a black tuxedo with a white shirt and shiny dress shoe, and his salt-and-pepper hair cut short with a left side part. Amal, a 45-year-old lawyer specializing in international law and human rights, was the picture of elegance in a white-patterned gown with a small train, and her dark brown tresses styled long with with extra volume. During the ceremony Dr. Denis Mukwege, a gynecologist and human rights advocate from Democratic Republic of the Congo, was honored with the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award. The Justice For Women Award went to Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, who reported on the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran. Loved up: The couple packed on the PDA with a loving touch and hand-holding Designer reveal: Crawford announced the designer she was wearing with a clip of her strutting her stuff in a mock catwalk: Versace Versace Versace' Working it: The longtime supermodel showed her usual confidence as she looked directly at the camera Walk on by: Crawford ended the clip by walking right past the camera Making a difference: George and Amal Clooney played host at the Clooney Foundation For Justice's second annual Albie Awards at the New York Public Library in New York City Some of the other honorees during the festivities included Truth Hounds, a Ukrainian rights group, who were given the Justice For Survivors Award; the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression received the justice for journalists award; and the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights got the Justice For Democracy Defenders Award. George and Amal, who just celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary the previous day, founded the Clooney Foundation For Justice in 2016, and ultimately they hosted the inaugural Albies last September. They founded the organization in order to 'help protect human rights' and to make sure 'no one is above the law', all while providing resources to victims of human rights abuses, according to the CFJ website. Since its inception the Clooney Foundation For Justice has grown every year, and now works in more than 40 countries. Showbiz legacies Sofia Richie and Patrick Schwarzenegger led the stars at a glittering seaside event in Malibu. The daughter of Lionel Richie and the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger were on hand to celebrate the Loro Piana Cocooning Collection launch. For her latest outing, Nicole Richie's little sister flung a stylish tan leather bomber jacket over a fluttering, loose-fitted white dress. Letting her blonde locks tumble over her shoulders in soft waves, she accentuated her features with naturalistic makeup. Sofia clasped on a glittering silver bracelet, accessorizing with a tiny rust-colored handbag and balancing on a towering pair of heels. Stars galore: Showbiz legacies Sofia Richie and Patrick Schwarzenegger led the stars at a glittering seaside event in Malibu The look: For her latest outing, Nicole Richie 's little sister flung a stylish tan leather bomber jacket over a fluttering, loose-fitted white dress She could be spotted mingling with the leggy supermodel Jasmine Tookes, who is most famous for her years as a Victoria's Secret Angel. Jasmine emphasized her taut waistline by tucking her white blouse into her high-waisted trousers, which were complemented by her pale grey cardigan. Among the 'nepo babies' who attended the fete, along with Patrick and Sofia, was Groundhog Day star Andie MacDowell's daughter Rainey Qualley. Rainey, whose sister Margaret Qualley made a splash in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, cut an autumnal figure in a cozy-looking turtleneck. Name galore could be seen swanning around the knees-up, from Disney Channel alumna Olivia Holt to the former porn star Jessie Andrews. Actress Madelaine Petsch, who shot to TV stardom on the CW program Riverdale, showcased her impressively taut midriff by rolling up the hem of her top. Meanwhile Caroline Day brought back memories of the 1960s in a retro chic loose-fitted beige sweater with half-sleeves and a bias-cut neckline. The evening's festivities included a portion on the beach at sunset, where Madelaine could be glimpsed rubbing shoulders with Caroline. Place to be: She could be spotted mingling with the leggy supermodel Jasmine Tookes , who is most famous for her years as a Victoria's Secret Angel Bringing it together: Jasmine emphasized her taut waistline by tucking her white blouse into her high-waisted trousers, which were complemented by her pale grey cardigan Aglow: Among the 'nepo babies' who attended the fete, along with Patrick and Sofia, was Groundhog Day star Andie MacDowell's daughter Rainey Qualley On the town: Rainey, whose sister Margaret Qualley made a splash in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, cut an autumnal figure in a cozy-looking turtleneck Here and there: Name galore could be seen swanning around the knees-up, from Disney Channel alumna Olivia Holt (left) to the former porn star Jessie Andrews (right) Off the small screen: Actress Madelaine Petsch, who shot to TV stardom on the CW program Riverdale, showcased her impressively taut midriff by rolling up the hem of her top Monochrome magic: Meanwhile Caroline Day brought back memories of the 1960s in a retro chic loose-fitted beige sweater with half-sleeves and a bias-cut neckline Dynamic duo: The evening's festivities included a portion on the beach at sunset, where Madelaine could be glimpsed rubbing shoulders with Caroline Another legacy: Tuesday evening's glittering guest list included Dree Hemingway, whose great-grandfather was none other than Ernest Hemingway Tuesday evening's glittering guest list included Dree Hemingway, a model and actress whose films have included Sean Baker's Starlet. Dree, 35, was yet another attendee who hails from a high-profile family as the great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. Her look included a crop sweater she pulled fashionably over a long white button-down blouse that spilled over her flared trousers. The throwback ensemble, which was redolent of the 1970s, included a pearl grey handbag and a walnut brown pair of shoes. Taylor Swift is going all out for the premiere of her upcoming concert film by shutting down The Grove, the massively popular outdoor mall in Los Angeles. The mall, an upscale shopping oasis that includes a large AMC movie theater, will be closed for the entirety of Wednesday to accommodate the high-profile premiere of Taylor's Eras Tour concert movie, according to TMZ. The 33-year-old pop superstar has already surpassed $100 million in ticket presales for the film, so there will certainly be plenty of fans clamoring to get into the world premiere screening. The biggest question is whether Taylor herself will be making a grand entrance to accompany the screenings, which hasn't yet been revealed. The AMC theater at The Grove will be reportedly devoting all 14 of its screens to showing the musical documentary, and the venue will be hosting 2,200 of the luckiest Swifties on the planet. Grand premiere! Taylor Swift, 33, will shut down LA's iconic outdoor mall The Grove on Wednesday for the world premiere of her Eras Tour concert film, according to TMZ Nothing but Taylor: All 14 screens of the AMC at the upscale mall will be showing the film, with 2,200 lucky Swifties getting invitations to attend According to TMZ, fans received invitations to the premiere via Taylor's team, though it's unclear what criteria was used to select or invite them. The invited fans are still in the dark about the details, and they reportedly won't be told where to show up and when to arrive until 2 p.m. on the day of. The premiere's red carpet guests will make their way to The Grove at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening, and the film is slated to start around 7 p.m. The organizers aren't taking any chances with security at the swanky mall, and barricades had already been set up as of Tuesday night. LAPD officers and firefighters will also be in force on Wednesday to ensure that no one sneaks onto the property without a ticket, though they'll have a large chunk of real estate to patrol. Although it's still unclear if Taylor will be in attendance, the sheer amount of forces needed to close down the enormous outdoor mall and to patrol it suggests that the hitmaker might drop by. Although the AMC theater will be making bank thanks to its sold-out theaters, other smaller business will be missing out on customers after being forced to close for all of Wednesday. However, Rick Caruso, the mall's owner, will reportedly be compensating shops for lost business, though it's unclear how much he'll be paying and if it varies based on the stores' regular amount of business. Details: Fans will get info about when and where to arrive at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Guests are slated to arrive at 6 p.m., and the film should start around 7 p.m.; seen in May in New Jersey Safety first: The LAPD and LA fire fighters will be patrolling the area to keep out invited guests. The Grove's owner Rick Caruso will also be paying all the shops that had to shut down to make up for their losses Making bank: Taylor has already sold $100M in presales, and her movie could beat the Barbie movie's opening weekend grosses. She made a deal directly with AMC theaters, cutting out the middle man, though other theaters will also get to show the film; seen in July in Seattle Taylor already has $100 million in presales in the bank, but some analysts think her concert film could have an opening-weekend gross greater than the Barbie movie's $162 million, though it won't approach that movies stunning $1.43 billion grosses. The film was a major coup for AMC. Taylor made the unusual move of negotiating directly with the theater chain to have it serve as her film's distributor skipping the usual middle man after she and her family became frustrated with the demands of distributors she had been working with. All AMC theaters in the US will be showing the documentary when it debuts on Friday, and AMC has also been working out contracts with rival theater chains to allow them to show the film as well. The movie also isn't eligible for AMC's A-list subscription plan, and the tickets are more expensive than usual, meaning that the theater chain and Taylor will be making an even bigger pile of cash than usual. Kate Hudson enjoyed a swanky lunch out in LA on Tuesday with her fiance Danny Fujikawa and mother Goldie Hawn. The Bride Wars actress, 44, looked radiant as she donned a zebra-print maxi dress, which she paired with a mustard designer purse and shielded her eyes with sunglasses. Kate was in very good spirits as she shared a hug with friends and enjoyed spending time with family, including Oscar-winning mother Goldie, 77, and fiance Danny, 37. The family looked closer than ever at The Draycott restaurant in affluent neighbourhood Pacific Palisades. Goldie put on an age-defying display in a casual black tank top and flip flops as she was snapped bonding with Danny, who Kate has been dating since 2017. Glowing: Kate Hudson donned a zebra-print dress as she enjoyed a lunch date with her mother Goldie Hawn and fiance Danny Fujikawa at The Draycott in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday Age-defying: Goldie looked as youthful as ever in a casual black tank top and flip flops as she was seen bonding with Danny Kate and Danny welcomed their daughter Rani in 2018 and getting engaged in September 2021. Kate also shares a son Bingham with her ex fiance Matt Bellamy, whom she dated from 2010 until 2014; and her eldest son Ryder, 19, with ex husband Chris Robinson, whom she divorced in 2006. Kate and musician Danny knew each other for 15 years before they started dating, because he is the stepbrother of her best friends Sara and Erin Foster. Kate and Danny originally met in 2002 when she was 23 years old - but began dating him at age 37 in December 2016. Two weeks after Rani was born in 2018, Erin took to Instagram to share a sweet story about the newborn's name as well as Kate and Danny's love story. She wrote: 'When I was 19 my mom started dating a man named Ron. He came into our lives and made my mom happy for the first time in a very long time. He became a staple of unconditional love in my life that I needed.' Erin continued: 'His 3 sons became family to us. Meanwhile, Sara's best friend from high school, Kate, was a part of our family over the 11 years they were together. Ron got sick and passed away 5 years ago and Kate was there everyday supporting us.' Adding: 'Then one night out of the blue Kate looked at one of Ron's sons differently. They fell in love and now have a daughter named after Ronnie, who brought them together. She helps it all make sense now. Rani Rose Fujikawa. Family time: The group were joined by another member of the family, who Kate greeted with an affectionate hug Goldie - who has Kate and Oliver Hudson with her ex-husband Bill Hudson, and Wyatt Russell with actor Kurt Russell - previously said that she feels proud of her children and the way they have raised their own kids. She explained: 'My children are really great with their children.' Goldie - who has been with Kurt since 1983 - believes there's a kind of 'domino effect' at play. Speaking to People, she shared: 'As a parent, you basically raise your children to raise their children appropriately as well. So that's that domino effect. And as parents, we have a tremendous responsibility.' Goldie also stressed the need for parents to be aware of mental health. She said: 'We want our children to have agency over their emotions. The brain is an amazing thing. And we need to use it like a muscle, and strengthen it.' Meanwhile, Goldie previously heaped praise on her long-time partner, revealing she loves Kurt's honest approach to life. The Hollywood star and Kurt have been together for almost three decades, and she still admires his sincerity. She shared: 'Like it or not, he can't lie. I mean, he's lied a little. But the truth of the matter is that what you see is what you get. 'He doesn't fake. He's not a womanizers, where he's [trying to be] cool. I like the fact that he's not pretending to be somebody else.' Goldie also hailed her partner as 'one of the great actors of all time'. She said: 'He's really, really smart. I like that when he puts his mind to something, it can be a little obsessive-compulsive, but at the same time, he gets it right. I think he's one of the great actors of all time. And he's a fantastic father.' Family fun at the most magical place on Earth! Kate, Danny, Bingham and Rani posed on Main Street USA inside Disneyland for a sweet snap with Minnie Mouse during their visit in September 2022 EastEnders actor William Ellis paid tribute to his late son Dash in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. The soap star, 43, who plays Theo Hawthorne, and his wife Alice were left heartbroken when their child passed away in 2017 at just one week old. In a touching tribute to his son he lit a candle in his honour and vowed to 'always keep his memory alive.' William shared a black and white photo of himself and Alice, as they cradled Dash in the hospital after he was born prematurely at 25 weeks. He captioned: 'This week is Baby Loss Awareness week, and ends with a Wave of Light on Sunday 15th when we - as a family - light a candle in memory of our wee boy, Dash, who we lost in 2017.' Grief: EastEnders actor William Ellis, 43, paid tribute to his late son Dash in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week On screen: The soap star, who plays Theo Hawthorne (pictured on EastEnders), and his wife Alice were left heartbroken when their child passed away in 2017 at just one week old The actor continued: 'Its important for us to keep his memory alive and in doing so wear our grief visibly at times, for that allows us to remember it mattered. Sending love and light to everyone affected by this type of loss.' In an interview with The Times in 2021, his wife Alice discussed their grief, explaining that the couple were 'over the moon' when they conceived Dash after going through IVF. During a holiday to Ibiza, Alice was airlifted to hospital in Mallorca for medical support, but sadly Dash passed away a week after the birth. Two years later, on the same date that Dash died, their son, Odie, was born. Last week, William thanked his fans following his character Theo's recent storyline with Stacey Slater. Theo had been harassing Stacey for weeks and police claimed they have no evidence to arrest him. He then trashed her house, after breaking in and sending flowers, and also moved in next door. The stalker was later attacked by Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) 'Can I just come on here and say a massive thank you to everyone for your overwhelming messages of support for this week on EastEnders, the really, really tricky stuff that we shot,' he said in an Instagram video. William continued: 'It's so lovely to see you all so invested in it.' Heartfelt: In a touching tribute to his son he lit a candle in his honour and vowed to 'always keep his memory alive' Plot: Last week, William thanked his fans following his character Theo's recent storyline with Stacey Slater 'It wasn't easy this week and it was my privilege to be able to work with the likes of Lacey Turner and Bobby Brazier, who are just outstanding, they're smashing it out of the park at the moment. 'It's a real honour to be part of the show, especially when it's in the place it's in at the moment. 'It's absolutely fizzing and that's thanks to the great writing and Chris [Clenshaw] at the top steering the ship. So thank you all and I'll see you soon.' EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Kanye West's new wife Bianca Censori has upset her Italian family for 'shunning them' during their controversial visit to the country. The couple have been to Venice, Milan and Florence in recent months - but haven't been to see any of her relatives there. During their trip to Venice last month Kanye, 46, and Bianca, 28, sparked outrage when they were accused of indecent exposure and outraging public decency in a water taxi. The couple, whose marriage was recently confirmed, have also exhibited some bizarre outfits during their summer European vacation, with Bianca frequently spotted wearing nude tights and flesh-flashing tops. In an exclusive chat with MailOnline, Bianca's cousin Fabiola Censori, who lives in Giulianova, said while the couple have gained much attention during the trip, the family feel ignored by her. Family upset: Kanye West 's new wife Bianca Censori has upset her Italian family for 'shunning them' during their controversial visit to the country Speaking to MailOnline, Fabiola said: 'We haven't seen anything of Bianca's family here for years. 'The eldest of my uncle's children used to visit for a while but they stopped coming back to Italy years ago. 'I've never met Bianca but I would love to - it was a shame she didn't come and visit us when she was here in Italy on holiday. 'We could have shown her where her dad and his brothers and sisters and her grandparents grew up. 'Her dad came here years ago and we had a beautiful evening together with all the family and it was wonderful to see him but as for Bianca and Kanye no comment. We feel a bit ignored.' Another relative, who asked to be named only as Andrea, added: 'I've never met Bianca but I'm hoping that next time she is in Italy she will come and visit us. 'I've heard all about her from other relatives and she sounds good fun I imagine an evening out with her and Kanye would be very interesting.' Bianca's grandparents Filippo and Grazia Censori emigrated from Giulianova in 1960 with their five children. Controversial trip: The couple have been to Venice, Milan and Florence in recent months - but haven't been to see any of her relatives there Family: Bianca's grandparents Filippo and Grazia Censori emigrated from Giulianova in 1960. Pictured L-R Bianca's mother Alexandra, Bianca, sisters Alyssia and Angelina Shipping manifests show how Filippo and Grazia, then both aged 35, embarked on a ship at Genoa with Edmondo, Eliseo, Elia, Elena and Eris before reaching Melbourne. The family moved in search of a new life just a few years after they were hit by tragedy when Bianca's then five-year-old great uncle Gianfranco died from measles. They set up home in the new arrivals' village of Bonegilla, which was the setting of the BBC series Ten Pound Poms earlier this year starring Michelle Keegan. Bianca and Kanye have been in Italy for several months and reports have surfaced the Heartless hitmaker has instructed her to 'never speak'. He's also reportedly issued a set of rules to live by, including specific foods she can eat and what she can wear, a source close to the Australian architect has claimed. The sources said Bianca has 'no mind of her own anymore' and instead simply 'obeys' the controversial rapper, who also goes by the name 'Ye', because he has convinced her they have 'royal' status. 'Kanye has a set of rules for Bianca, which includes never speak and wear what he wants her to wear,' the source told DailyMail.com exclusively. Wow: Kanye and Bianca exhibited some bizarre outfits during their summer European vacation, with Bianca frequently spotted wearing nude tights and flesh-flashing tops 'She is also required to eat certain food items and to work out even though Kanye doesnt work out. 'She has no mind of her own anymore and obeys him because he has convinced her that they are royal.' 'A few of her friends were finally able to reach her but she wasnt interested in talking, nor was she interested in anyones concerns for her,' a close friend told DailyMail.com. Last month, West and his 'wife' Bianca Censori sparked major controversy in the city of Venice after they were caught putting on a graphic display in the back of a river taxi. Police investigated the couple over the 'disrespectful' incident that included West exposing his bare buttocks in public as Bianca curiously knelt before him with her head in his lap. A spokesman for Venezia Turismo Motascafi - the firm that owned the boat the couple were on, said it was 'completely unaware' of the incident. The company has since banned the couple from using their boats in the future. This ban is not the first in recent times, as Bianca has recently sparked controversy in Italy due to her wardrobe choices. Italian locals also complained to the police 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. Family history: Leo Censori was a gambling kingpin who did hard time over a heroin bust Crime: Leo's ex-wife blew the whistle on his life of crime in 1991 in Melbourne's Herald Sun It comes as MailOnline revealed last week how Bianca hails from a notorious crime family in Australia. Her uncle Edmondo, 78, is a notorious gangster whose fearsome reputation earned him the nickname of the 'Al Capone of Melbourne'. Bianca's father Elia 'Leo' Censori, 69, did jail time for possessing a prohibited heroic import and a loaded firearm. While youngest sibling Eris, Bianca's uncle is a convicted murderer who had been sent down for execution but was later given a life sentence. Edmondo has convictions for assaulting police, making threats and theft, and was also once implicated in a murder but never charged. One relative in Giulianova said: 'Wow. I'm shocked. We didn't know anything about that. 'We knew Edmondo was a businessman involved in slot machines but that's it. He was also a good boxer as well. He was short but he was powerful.' It was during the 1980s that Leo's brother Eris, who was dubbed the Al Capone of Melbourne, found himself facing the death sentence for the murder of a waiter in Western Australia. With capital punishment later abolished, his sentence was commuted to life and he was transferred back to Melbourne in 1987 so he could be closer to his family and eventually released on parole. Amy Dowden has voiced her gratitude for Britain's unsung heroes as she shared a slew of snaps from the Pride of Britain Awards. The professional dancer, 33, attending the inspiring ceremony on Sunday evening, where she reunited with her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars. She took to her Instagram on Tuesday to post a number of photos from inside the glitzy event and to express what an 'honour' and 'privilege' it was to be in attendance. Amy oozed confidence in a floor-length pink gown with a giant satin bow on the shoulder, to represent the pink ribbon that symbolises the fight against breast cancer, as October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent a mastectomy before doctors discovered she was also battling another form of cancer and would need further treatment. Honour: Amy Dowden has voiced her gratitude for Britain's unsung heroes as she shared a slew of snaps from the Pride of Britain Awards Dream team: The professional dancer, 33, attending the inspiring ceremony on Sunday evening, where she reunited with her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars Humbling: She took to her Instagram on Tuesday to post a number of photos from inside the glitzy event and to express what an 'honour' and 'privilege' it was to be in attendance (pictured with Giovanna Fletcher) Amy shared shots of her heading to the awards with her twin sister Becky and fellow Strictly pro Dianne Buswell. The glamorous trio posed with Giovanna Fletcher on the red carpet for a beaming selfie. Amy also caught up with It Takes Two host Janette Manrara, who matched with her in another bright pink gown. Another shot showed her with Janette's husband Aljaz Skorjanec midway through snapping a selfie. She also posed for photos alongside her other Strictly co-stars Carlos Gu and Vito Coppola. Captioning the gorgeous pictures, Amy detailed her experience being at the awards, and revealed her personal connection to one winner. She penned: 'Sunday evening I had the honour of attending @prideofbritain, where we get to celebrate extraordinary people who go above and beyond to help others. 'It was a privilege to stand along side my Strictly Come Dancing family and present a award to John Burkhill a remarkable man who has raised such a huge sum of money for @macmillancancer - a charity which has played a significant part in my own journey recently.' Stunning: Amy oozed confidence in a floor-length pink gown with a giant satin bow on the shoulder, to represent the pink ribbon that symbolises the fight against breast cancer, as October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month Tragic: She was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent a mastectomy before doctors discovered she was also battling another form of cancer and would need further treatment On route! Amy shared shots of her heading to the awards with her twin sister Becky and fellow Strictly pro Dianne Buswell Say cheese! The glamorous trio posed with Giovanna Fletcher on the red carpet for a beaming selfie Strike a pose: Amy also caught up with It Takes Two host Janette Manrara and was seeing taking a selfie with Janette's husband Aljaz Skorjanec Reunion: She also posed for photos alongside her other Strictly co-stars Carlos Gu (pictured) and Vito Coppola Grateful: Captioning the gorgeous pictures, Amy detailed her experience being at the awards, and revealed her personal connection to one winner She added: 'It was a humbling experience and one that I was truly grateful to be a part of and to be able to show my gratitude. 'Tune in on Thursday to celebrate so many more of the nations unsung heros. [sic]' She was flooded with praise from her friends and fans, including Strictly star Katya Jones who wrote: 'YOU are the Pride of Britain'. Vito also commented, gushing: 'Amyyyyyy. Such a lovely night and special moments we hadbetween laughs and me eating all the deserts and you making always me believe to your jokes. 'Love you Amy. You were stunning. You are stunning! And as I told you YOU ARE BEAUTIFUUUUUUUUUUL '. Amy's glamorous outing comes after she returned to Strictly on Saturday night to support her co-stars in her first TV appearance since shaving her head. She revealed that her decision to 'brave the bald' had been last minute and confessed to her Instagram followers that the experience had been 'liberating'. Amy recently shaved off her hair after losing much of her locks during her gruelling chemotherapy. Heartfelt: She was flooded with praise from her friends and fans, including Strictly star Katya Jones who wrote: 'YOU are the Pride of Britain' Touching: Vito (pictured) also commented, gushing: 'Love you Amy. You were stunning. You are stunning! And as I told you YOU ARE BEAUTIFUUUUUUUUUUL ' She previously revealed she would cry herself to sleep at night as she watched her hair fall out onto her pillow. Last month she shared a heartbreaking video of herself as her hair was shaved off by her loved ones. The star broke down in tears before she embraced the brave step she had made as she looked at herself in the mirror. Amy said while it was tough, it was empowering to take control and is now looking forward to her hair growing back, rather than the heartache of losing it. She's back! Amy's glamorous outing comes after she returned to Strictly on Saturday night to support her co-stars in her first TV appearance since shaving her head Brave: Amy recently shared a heartbreaking video of herself as her hair was shaved off by her loved ones and said while it was tough, it was empowering to take control Natalie Tran broke down in tears on The Project on Wednesday evening as she remembered her friend and colleague Cal Wilson following her death aged 53. The beloved comedian was surrounded by friends on Wednesday when she passed away at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. After a segment paying tribute to the late comedian, The Project's Waleed Aly asked The Great Australian Bake Off host how she was following the tragic news. 'I think like anyone who had the pleasure knowing Cal, I'm devastated,' she began. 'I don't think you could find a single person who would have anything bad to say about her. She was a beautiful person, so kind and giving and funny... 'I'm very grateful to have known here... it's a very sad day,' she continued, visibly moved. Co-host Sarah Harris went on to ask Nat what she was like to work with. 'Cal was like working with a Santa Claus who didn't care if you were naughty or nice, you got presents anyway,' the 37-year-old said, before adding she was wearing earrings gifted from Cal from the first time they met. 'She was a cheerleader for every single person who worked with her and we all loved her very much,' she added. Natalie Tran (pictured) broke down in tears on The Project on Wednesday evening as she remembered her friend and colleague Cal Wilson following her death at age 53. 'I would describe Cal as someone who absolutely adored and loved [husband] Chris and [son] Digby,' she said, breaking down. 'She was one of the greatest humans you could meet.' 'The world is a much sadder place without Cal,' she trailed off overcome with emotion. Cal co-hosted Foxtel's The Great Australian Bake Off with Tran, Darren Purchese, and Rachel Khoo. Earlier in the day, Purchese revealed the comedian appeared 'very sick' the last time he saw her as he issued a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. After a segment paying tribute to the late comedian, The Project's Waleed asked The Great Australian Bake Off host how she was following the tragic news. 'I think like anyone who had the pleasure knowing Cal, I'm devastated,' she began 'Cal was a light and such a joyful good person, funny and the kindest,' he wrote. 'This is so unfair and I will never forget my precious time with Cal.' He also spoke candidly about the last time he saw Wilson. 'I am sorry this has happened to such a good person and I cannot get out of my head the last time I saw her when she was very sick,' he wrote. Co-host Sarah Harris went on to ask Nat what she was like to work with. 'Cal was like working with a Santa Claus who didn't care if you were naughty or nice, you got presents anyway,' the 37-year-old said, before adding she was wearing earrings gifted from Cal from the first time they met. 'I would describe Cal as someone who absolutely adored and loved [husband] Chris and [son] Digby,' she said, breaking down. 'She was just one of the greatest humans that you could eve meet' Beloved comedian Cal Wilson has died at the age of 53 'I wish I could give her a hug and tell her how much she means to me and so many people.' Tributes for the comedian continued to flow following the sad news of her passing. Aussie actress Rebel Wilson said: 'This is so tragic and my heart goes out to Cal's family.' Cal co-hosted Foxtel's The Great Australian Bake Off with Tran, Darren Purchese (pictured) and Rachel Khoo 'I was very very lucky to work with Cal on multiple projects especially over the last few years where she wrote brilliant material for me. She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind.' Adam Miller, who was a finalist on The Great Australian Bake Off this year, also shared a tribute and recalled the moment Wilson comforted him on set. 'I can't stop thinking of the time Cal saw me alone in the corner of the Bake Off shed noticing I was rather overwhelmed by it all, and offered me the warmest, most comforting hug,' he wrote. Earlier in the day, Purchese revealed the comedian appeared 'very sick' the last time he saw her as he issued a heartfelt tribute on Instagram 'I burst into tears at the moment, and she just stood there with me sharing wise and hilarious words to get me through that moment.' Foxtel's Group General Manager, Wendy Moore, said the network was devastated by the news of Wilson's death. 'We are all completely devastated to lose such an amazing, vibrant person. Cal joined our Bake Off cast last year and instantly brought her unique sparkle to the show,' Ms Moore said. 'Her professionalism, work ethic and genuine heart-warming humour instantly made her a favourite amongst cast and crew, as well as the Australian audience. 'We will all miss her so much, and our hearts go out to her family and friends.' The 53-year-old had most recently co-hosted The Great Australian Bake Off Wilson had performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times 'My heart is broken for her family and for everyone that has ever met her because she was amazing. Today is a terrible day,' fellow Kiwi comedian Urzila Carlson said. TV personality Grant Denyer also shared his heartache. 'Oh my goodness. I'm shaking. I can't believe what I'm reading. How unbelievably sad,' he said. Wilson is seen on the set of gameshow QI in 2012 Wilson appeared on Spicks and Specks last year, with stars Adam Hills and Myf Warhurst paying tribute 'The most tender, kind, generous and talented performer I've ever had the pleasure to work alongside. This is devastating. Her poor family. Love you Cal thanks for everything. You are very special.' The Block star Shaynna Blaze also paid her respects. 'I can't even comprehend this right now. The most divine, radiant person who I have watched, admired and worked alongside. This is heartbreaking. So much love to her husband, son and family. This is a very very sad day,' she said. Wilson had moved across the ditch from Christchurch to Melbourne in 2003 where she appeared on the sketch show Skithouse. The comedian had performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times. She also featured in her own Netflix stand-up special. During lockdown, Wilson had made elaborate headdresses that she shared with her fans. A portrait of Wilson wearing a headdress made out of dolls and Christmas baubles featured in the 2023 Archibald Prize. Wilson was surrounded by friends on Wednesday when she passed away at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital She is survived by her husband Chris and her son Digby. The New Zealand-born star lived in Melbourne but it is understood she was staying in Sydney during the filming of Foxtel's The Great Australian Bake Off. Her exact cause of death is not yet confirmed, but her management team at Token Artists said in a statement on Wednesday that she battled with a 'short illness'. Cal Wilson, left, is pictured with her Great Australian Bake Off co-stars, including Maggie Beer (centre) and Darren Purchase Chevy Chase has celebrated turning 80, by having a fancy dinner in New York with his loved ones. The comedian took to his Instagram on Tuesday to share a video of his friends and family singing happy birthday to him. The SNL veteran was presented with a delicious looking chocolate dessert with a candle, which he then blew out as his guests applauded. Captioning the sweet video, Chevy wrote: 'This is 80. Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes.' He was joined by several of his close friends, as well as his wife Jayni Luke and their daughters, Cydney, 40, Caley, 38, Emily, 35, and their partners. Milestone: Chevy Chase has celebrated turning 80, by having a fancy dinner in New York with his loved ones Celebration: The comedian took to his Instagram on Tuesday to share a video of his friends and family singing happy birthday to him Jayni is Chevy's third wife, who he met on the set of Under The Rainbow in 1981 and married the following year. He was previously married to Susan Hewitt and Jacqueline Carlin and also has a son named Bryan Perkins, 44, from a previous relationship. Caley and Emily also took to their own Instagrams to wish their famous dad a happy birthday with a slew of sweet snaps. Caley wrote: 'Happy Birthday Dabby!!! Love you so so so much!! @chevychase The Greatest Dad Ever!!!! While Emily penned: 'Today the big Dab is 80, and what a f**kin life hes led. From driving NYC taxis to hosting the Oscars multiple times, hes done more and lived harder than anyone I know. 'At his core he is deeply loving, sensitive, and a hilarious pain in the ass. We wouldnt have it any other way. 'Happy birthday to the bestest, mushiest, sweetest and most annoying Dab there is. My BFF!!' The celebration comes after Chevy was caught up in controversy once again last month, after he slammed his comeback gig on Community as 'not funny enough'. Make a wish! The SNL veteran was presented with a delicious looking chocolate dessert with a candle, which he then blew out as his guests applauded Grateful: Captioning the sweet video, Chevy wrote: 'This is 80. Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes' Family: He was joined by several of his close friends, as well as his wife Jayni Luke and their daughters, Cydney, 40, Caley, 38, Emily, 35 (pictured in January) Cute: Caley and Emily also took to their own Instagrams to wish their famous dad a happy birthday with a slew of sweet snaps, with Caley writing: 'Happy Birthday Dabby!!! Love you so so so much!! @chevychase The Greatest Dad Ever!!!!' Sweet: While Emily penned: 'Today the big Dab is 80, and what a f**kin life hes led. Happy birthday to the bestest, mushiest, sweetest and most annoying Dab there is. My BFF!!' The actor was fired off the critically-acclaimed NBC sitcom for using the N-word in front of co-stars Yvette Nicole Brown and Donald Glover, 11 years ago. Chevy insisted he 'didn't mind the character' he played - politically-incorrect millionaire Pierce Hawthorne - but he 'felt happier being alone.' Speaking to WTF Podcast host Marc Maron, he said: 'I just didn't want to be surrounded by that table, every day, with those people. It was too much. 'I honestly felt the show wasn't funny enough for me, ultimately. I felt a little bit constrained. 'Everybody had their bits, and I thought they were all good. It just wasn't hard hitting enough for me.' Creator Dan Harmon's cult classic - set at a fictional Colorado community college - also starred Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong, and Jim Rash. Chevy has also slammed the show where he got his start, Saturday Night Live, in an interview with the Washington Post in 2018. He was one of the original cast members of the show in 1975, but became the first to leave in the middle of the second season. Having his say: The celebration comes after Chevy was caught up in controversy once again last month, after he slammed his comeback gig on Community as 'not funny enough' (cast pictured) Controversy: The actor was fired off the critically-acclaimed NBC sitcom for using the N-word in front of co-stars Yvette Nicole Brown and Donald Glover, (left) 11 years ago Discussing the current version of the show, he said: 'I'm amazed that Lorne [Michaels - creator of SNL] has gone so low. I had to watch a little of it, and I just couldn't f***ing believe it 'That means a whole generation of s***heads laughs at the worst f***ing humor in the world. You know what I mean? How could you dare give that generation worse s*** than they already have in their lives? It just drives me nuts.' Fellow SNL star Pete Davidson blasted Chevy over his comments, saying: 'F*** Chevy Chase. He's just a genuinely bad, racist person and I don't like him. 'It's disrespectful to Lorne, too, a guy who gave you a career. No matter how big you get, you can't forget what that guy did for you.' Responding allegations of his unpleasant reputation on Community and SNL, where he infamously got into a backstage brawl with co-star Bill Murray in 1978, Chevy said he was unbothered. Referring to his critics, he told CBS Sunday Morning: 'I guess you'd have to ask them. I don't give a c**p'. Laughing, he added: 'I am who I am. And I like who I am. I don't care. And it's part of me that I don't care. And I've thought about that a lot. And I don't know what to tell you, man. I just don't care.' Not impressed: Chevy has also slammed the show where he got his start, Saturday Night Live, where he was one of the original cast members of the show, before leaving in the second season (pictured on show in 1980) Fellow SNL star Pete Davidson blasted Chevy over his comments, saying: 'F*** Chevy Chase. He's just a genuinely bad, racist person and I don't like him' After a roller-coaster year plagued with scandal and even a terrifying plot to kidnap her, one of ITV's biggest stars, Holly Willoughby has resigned as presenter of This Morning after 14 years. She announced her decision to leave the primetime show in an Instagram post on Tuesday, confirming that she 'will not be returning' to the show because she wants to focus on 'herself and her family.' Holly's shock exit comes just a week after a former Pizza Hut worker was remanded in custody over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. Her longtime co-host Phillip Schofield leaving This Morning earlier this year is also said to have led to her decision, after it came to light that he had lied about having an affair with a younger colleague on the show. While other This Morning mainstays Alison Hammond and Rochelle Humes are rumored to be the current frontrunners to replace her, we want to know who YOU would like to see fill Holly's seat on the sofa. We've compiled a list of familiar faces for you to choose from below, including current This Morning presenters and other popular ITV stars, such as Love Island's Maya Jama and Loose Women regulars Stacey Solomon and Frankie Bridge. So, who should be next? Have we missed anyone? Vote for your favourite in the poll and tell us your dream new This Morning presenter in the comments. Heidi Klum's mini-me daughter Leni Klum was seen in a sizzling solo modeling shot on Tuesday. The 19-year-old budding catwalker had on a black lace bra and matching undies as she posed in a studio in an image shared to Instagram. The 19-year-old daughter of Heidi and billionaire Flavio Briatore is a spokesperson for Italian lingerie company Intimissimi along with her mother. The star has had a quick climb up the ladder as she has also worked for Dior and the Karl Lagerfeld brand. This new image has surfaced after Leni took business trips to Germany and Paris last week. Lace lady: Heidi Klum's mini-me daughter Leni Klum was seen in a sizzling solo modeling shot on Tuesday Body by Leni: The 19-year-old budding catwalker had on a black lace bra and matching undies as she posed in a studio in an image shared to Instagram She was also seen with her mom in a Intimissimi shot. They proved they are both in top shape as their abs were on display. Heidi was in an ivory satin two piece set while her child was in a fuchsia lace set. This comes five months ago the ladies debuted as spokespeople for the brand, but were met with fierce backlash. Some fans felt uncomfortable with a mom posing in no clothing next to their teen child. One wrote: 'First thing I think of when I want to pose in my intimates: "my mom should be here!", with another replying: 'I know, kind of gross.' Another follower typed: 'I would not be proud to show my daughter off in this way. I would feel embarrassed and sad.' A third fan chimed: 'Somehow it's weird to see mother and daughter in underwear. I mean, how many were photographed like this with their mother.' Last week: She was in Germany for a dinner for the brand Intimissimi held at the Bode Museum in Berlin, Germany Lingerie on the purple carpet too: Leni and her mom Heidi posed on the purple carpet 'It just looks weird', another added. However, other followers gushed over the campaign calling Heidi and Leni 'beautiful' and that they were a 'gorgeous family'. Intimissimi is an Italian clothing label founded in 1996, which specializes in bras, briefs, lingerie, vests, and pajamas for women and men. Intimissimi clothing was sold through Victoria's Secret's in a third-party partnership arrangement. Jennifer Lopez also models for the brand. The day before Leni looked comfortable in front of the camera as she wore her blonde hair down in black lingerie. Heidi and Leni were also seen last week at an event. It was an Intimissimi Dinner held in Berlin's Bode Museum in Germany. Another look: The 19-year-old daughter of Heidi and billionaire Flavio Briatore is a spokesperson for Italian lingerie company Intimissimi Duo: Heidi and Leni were seen posing in revealing lingerie once again in new Instagram photos Heidi showcased her sense of style in a fuchsia long-sleeved mini dress with a high collar and floral print. Her daughter Leni, who is following in her mother's modelling footsteps, donned a daring black sheer bodysuit. Heidi's mother Erda was also in attendance. Leni's father is Italian businessman Briatore, however Heidi's ex-husband Seal later adopted her in December 2009 when she was five. Erna looked elegant in a black blazer which she paired with a leopard print top and a silver necklace. Jada Pinkett Smith 'was in so much pain' with 'a massive amount of depression' when she turned 40 in 2011 that she seriously contemplated suicide. 'I couldn't figure a way out besides death. So I made a plan,' the 52-year-old mother-of-two confessed in her People cover story - on stands Friday. '[The voices were telling me] "Just kill yourself. You're not worth anything, you ain't s***." I started looking for places, cliffs where I could have an accident, because I didn't want my kids to think that their mother had committed suicide.' Jada's 25-year-old son Jaden Smith could see her suffering and he introduced her to the idea of taking ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic drug, during a mother-son conversation in the kitchen. 'I've learned how to tune into each one of them and understand their superpowers. And so when Jaden came to me that day and he's like, "Mom, you got to to hear this. My friend's dad, he had this experience. I need you to come in here and listen,"' Pinkett Smith recalled. 'I couldn't figure a way out besides death': Jada Pinkett Smith 'was in so much pain' with 'a massive amount of depression' when she turned 40 in 2011 (pictured) that she seriously contemplated suicide The 52-year-old actress confessed in her People cover story: 'So I made a plan. [The voices were telling me] "Just kill yourself. You're not worth anything, you ain't s***." I started looking for places, cliffs where I could have an accident, because I didn't want my kids to think that their mother had committed suicide' 'I'm like, "I'm there. What is it?" And it opened up a whole new world of healing that I'm so grateful for.' At this point, the Daytime Emmy-winning producer and her entire family have taken part in the nauseating-yet-cathartic hallucinogenic tea ceremony usually led by a shaman in South America. 'Ayahuasca helped me, it gave me a new intimate relationship with myself that I had never had before,' Jada claimed. 'The suicidal thoughts completely went away.' Pinkett Smith previously treated her depression and suicidal ideation with Prozac in her youth before meeting estranged husband Will Smith in 1994 on the set of his NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. 'Once I met Will, I completely abandoned my mental health,' the African Queens producer-narrator explained. 'I was so intoxicated by him and our dynamic. I really felt like I'm cured. He became the drug.' The Hollywood power couple separated in 2016 - the same year Jada embarked on an 'entanglement' with Jaden's friend August Alsina when he was 23 and she was 44. 'Superpowers': Jada's 25-year-old son Jaden Smith (R, pictured in 2022) could see her suffering and he introduced her to the idea of taking ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic drug, during a mother-son conversation in the kitchen Smith recalled: 'When Jaden came to me that day and he's like, "Mom, you got to to hear this. My friend's dad, he had this experience. I need you to come in here and listen." I'm like, "I'm there. What is it?" And it opened up a whole new world of healing that I'm so grateful for' August 27 family portrait: At this point, the Daytime Emmy-winning producer and her entire family have taken part in the nauseating-yet-cathartic hallucinogenic tea ceremony usually led by a shaman in South America Jada claimed: 'Ayahuasca helped me, it gave me a new intimate relationship with myself that I had never had before. The suicidal thoughts completely went away' (pictured September 18) 1991 throwback! Pinkett Smith previously treated her depression and suicidal ideation with Prozac in her youth before meeting estranged husband Will Smith in 1994 on the set of his NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The African Queens producer-narrator explained: 'Once I met Will, I completely abandoned my mental health. I was so intoxicated by him and our dynamic. I really felt like I'm cured. He became the drug' (pictured in 1995) 'Entanglement': The Hollywood power couple separated in 2016 - the same year Jada embarked on an affair with Jaden's friend August Alsina (L, pictured in 2017) when he was 23 and she was 44 Pinkett Smith said of their marriage: 'We're still figuring it out. We've been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us' (pictured in 2022) Next Tuesday! Dey Street Books will publish the Baltimore-born, Calabasas-based socialite's 416-page memoir Worthy on October 17 'We're still figuring it out,' Pinkett Smith said of their marriage. 'We've been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.' The Baltimore-born, Calabasas-based socialite said her three children - son Jaden, daughter Willow, and stepson Trey - are her 'little gurus' who've ' taught me a deep sense of self-acceptance.' 'They love every part of me,' Jada explained. 'The level of love, unconditional love that they have for me and their dad. And it's one thing to want to be the person that gives that unconditional love. And then there's, to be the recipient of that.' Dey Street Books will publish Pinkett Smith's 416-page memoir Worthy on October 17. On April 26, Meta canceled the Tony-nominated producer's Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk featuring her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris and 22-year-old daughter Willow. Coronation Street royalty Barbara Knox will celebrate her milestone 90th birthday in a very special one off documentary set to air this Friday. The actress, who has played the iconic Rita Tanner for more than half a century, will join Bradley Walsh as she looks back on the highlights from an illustrious career in television and theatre. Taking Barbara by surprise during a party with all her co-stars, Bradley will explore the star's life as he takes her on a trip down memory lane, including a visit to Blackpool where she filmed some memorable soap scenes. Discussing the documentary, Bradley said: 'I'm thrilled not just to surprise Barbara but to take her on a trip down memory lane and relive some of the great moments of her career and her life prior to being on Coronation Street.' Barbara turned 90 on September 30 but the actress isn't ready for retirement yet after she signed her contract to continue her iconic role into 2024. Happy Birthday: Coronation Street star Barbara Knox will celebrate her 90th birthday with a special tribute documentary alongside Bradley Walsh and another Weatherfield legend who is set to return to the cobbles Legendary: The actress has played the iconic Rita Tanner continuously for more than half a century (pictured on the soap in 1978) And it seems Barbara is set to receive the best birthday present yet, as it has also been revealed a huge Coronation Street legend is also returning to the cobbles. The street gossip Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hebden, 83, will return to Weatherfield after quitting the soap three years ago as part of Barbara's documentary. She will also be reunited with her on and off screen pal Thelma Barlow, who played Mavis Wilton, her Corrie co-star for over 25 years. Malcolm joined the soap in 1994 and featured in over 1,600 episodes as the soap's much-loved busy body. The actor bid a fond farewell to his character as he announced his retirement after 27 years in 2021, after only making a handful of appearances on the Cobbles since recovering from a near-fatal heart attack in 2017. Norris was killed off the soap after they previously wrote that he had been moved to a retirement home. Yet Malcolm is set to make a surprise appearance as he has agreed to come out of retirement to film the special for the milestone 90th. In the special, Malcolm opens up on leaving and admits he misses the soap. Surprise! Bradley surprised Barbara during a party with all her co-stars Reminiscing: Bradley will explore the star's life as he takes her on a trip down memory lane that includes a visit to Blackpool Life in the old dog yet! Barbara turned 90 on September 30 but the actress isn't ready for retirement yet after she signed her contract to continue her iconic role into 2024 It's Norris! The street gossip Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hebden, 83, will return to Weatherfield after quitting the soap three years ago as part of Barbara's documentary (pictured on the soap in 2017) Friends: Discussing working with long-term colleague Barbara, Malcolm said: 'We had an awful lot of good laughs on set and off. I couldn't have worked with anybody better' Adorable! She will also be reunited with her on and off screen pal Thelma Barlow, who played Mavis Wilton Besties: The pair were Corrie co-stars for over 25 years (pictured in 1994) He confessed: 'I miss work. This is a day out for me.' Discussing working with long-term colleague Barbara he said: 'We had an awful lot of good laughs on set and off. I couldn't have worked with anybody better.' Speaking to The Sun about his retirement at the time, Malcolm said: 'I absolutely adored playing Norris and I was pleased to be able to return briefly after my operation. 'It took a great deal of courage to make the decision to retire. But I had come to realise that although the mind was willing the body was not so much.' Malcolm made his choice last summer, with a Coronation Street spokesperson stating: 'Malcolm made the decision to retire and leave the show during the summer of 2020 for health reasons.' Soap producer Iain McLeod described Malcolm's exit from the soap as 'desperately sad' before going on to praise the actor for his contribution to the soap. He said: 'Norris became an all-time great character, whose lemon-lipped barbs will be remembered forever. 'I know a nation of soap lovers will be desperately sad to think theyve seen the last of Norris but in his brilliant double-acts with Emily, Rita and more recently Mary, Malcolm has left us with countless fantastic memories in the show.' Barbara Knox at 90 will air Friday at 9pm on ITV1 & ITVX . Milla Jovovich and her husband Paul W. S. Anderson were seen house hunting in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The actress, 47, and the director, 58, donned hard hats as they were given a tour of a huge new home in the upscale neighbourhood of Brentwood. The couple dressed casually for the outing as they strolled around the property that was still under construction. Milla wore a loose fitted grey T-shirt with a scooped neckline, that she tucked into a pair of light blue jeans and topped off her look with flip flops. Meanwhile, Paul also opted for a grey T-shirt and jeans and shielded his eyes with sunglasses. Busy day: Milla Jovovich, 47, and her husband Paul W. S. Anderson, 58, were seen house hunting in Los Angeles on Tuesday Milla and husband Paul W. S. Anderson, 58, have daughters Ever, 15, Dashiel, eight, and three-year-old Osian. The Resident Evil franchise star was previously married to actor Shawn Andrews and French director Luc Besson. Ever is following in her mom's footsteps as a model and actress. She's modeled for Miu Miu campaigns and is a brand ambassador for the fashion house. Ever portrayed a young Natasha Romanoff in the 2021 film Black Widow and Wendy Darling in the 2023 film Peter Pan & Wendy. Milla and Anderson met when he was her director on Resident Evil in 2002. Their first child was born five years later on November 3, 2007. The Return to the Blue Lagoon star had a difficult delivery during Ever's birth. 'I was in labor for 72 hours. I was up for 48 hours, for two nights. I started Halloween night. By the time I went into the hospital, it was the night of November 2. I finally went into the hospital and had the epidural,' she told People in 2008. Real estate: The actress and the director donned hard hats as they were given a tour of a huge new home in the upscale neighborhood of Brentwood Property: The couple dressed casually for the outing as they strolled around the property that was still under construction Children: Milla and husband Paul W. S. Anderson, 58, have daughters Ever, 15, Dashiel, eight, and three-year-old Osian (Ever and Dashiel pictured in 2020) Ever made her acting debut in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2016 - which was directed by her father Paul -and she played the younger version of main character Alice, played by her mother. Ever opened up about her role as Wendy in the new Disney+ adaptation, which also stars Jude Law as Captain Hook. 'Honestly, it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was an eight-month shoot and I loved every minute of it,' she said, adding: 'I was just so excited to play one of my childhood heroes.' Ever also mentioned that her mother, Milla, 'has been my hero growing up because there was nothing she couldn't do or be in my eyes.' ITV bosses remain in the dark as to whether Holly Willoughby will continue to host Dancing On Ice following her choice to quit This Morning after 14 years. After sensationally quitting the breakfast show on Tuesday, ITV chiefs are still waiting to hear whether or not Holly, 42, will present the skating show with just weeks to go till transmission. While the star-studded show doesnt start until January, promotional trailers, featuring the judges and hosts, are due to air in December - just six weeks away. Celebrity contestants including Ricky Hatton, Greg Rutherford and Hannah Spearritt have already been announced. Prior to Holly's departure, she was all set to present the programme despite former co-host Philip Schofield dramatically leaving ITV after admitting he had lied about an affair with a younger colleague back in May. Up in air: ITV bosses remain in the dark as to whether Holly Willoughby, 42, will continue to host Dancing On Ice following her choice to quit This Morning after 14 years (pictured in 2023) An icon: After sensationally quitting the breakfast show on Tuesday, ITV chiefs are still waiting to hear whether or not Holly will present the skating show with just weeks to go Sensational: The hunt for a new This Morning presenting duo is now on with a big relaunch due in January The hunt for a new This Morning presenting duo is now on with a big relaunch due in January. Good Morning Britains Ben Shephard was expected to become Holly's new presenting partner but his role is now unclear as he will have to be a good match for her replacement. The chaotic turn of events comes just weeks before the publication of an external report, conducted by Jane Mulcahy KC, into ITVs handling of the Schofield case. Top ITV staff could be named in the report, which could well impact a number of careers. It is uncertain whether Holly will return to the broadcaster at all, with ITV boss Kevin Lygo releasing a vague, non-committal statement about her future at the channel. Kevin said: 'She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.' Holly dramatically stepped down from her long-time role on Tuesday, telling This Morning bosses of her decision just hours before she posted the news on Instagram. The former This Morning star said she had made the difficult decision to leave the daytime show for me and my family. In the dark: Prior to Holly's departure, she was all set to present the programme despite former co-host Philip Schofield dramatically leaving ITV after admitting he had lied about an affair with a younger colleague back in May (pictured with Phil on DOI in 2023) Who's up next? Ben Shephard (L) was expected to become Holly's new presenting partner but his role is now unclear as he will have to be a good match for her replacement Looming: It is uncertain whether Holly will return to the broadcaster at all, with ITV boss Kevin Lygo releasing a vague, non-committal statement about her future at the channel Holly has three children, Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and nine-year-old Chester, with her TV producer husband Dan Baldwin. Her sudden departure has left the already beleaguered daytime show in chaos as they continue to deal with the fallout of the scandal surrounding Phillip's exit in May. She had only just returned from her summer break having signed a lucrative new contract with the broadcaster to continue in the role. Richard Madeley, who originally presented This Morning alongside wife Judy Finnigan when it launched in 1988, offered his support to Holly in the wake of her decision to quit the show. He said: 'I think, and Judy agrees with me... Holly has done a very brave and wise and courageous thing. 'We know that Holly genuinely puts family first, she puts her family first and her career second, and that really is the order. 'People watching dont know that, they just see Holly the professional, but she does put it first. 'Shes going to focus on them for a while. Shell come back, not to This Morning, but shell come back to do something else. Where it all began: Richard Madeley (top right), who originally presented This Morning alongside wife Judy Finnigan (bottom left) when it launched in 1988, offered his support to Holly in the wake of her decision to quit the show (pictured in 2009) Respects: Holly's former This Morning colleagues Craig Doyle (L) and Rochelle Humes (R) paid tribute to her on Wednesday's show and shared messages of support from the public 'But I think shes done exactly the right thing for her own mental health department.' Holly's former This Morning colleagues Craig Doyle and Rochelle Humes paid tribute to her on Wednesday's show and shared messages of support from the public. Rochelle started: 'We want to start by sending our love, best wishes and respect to our Holly.' While Craig added: 'On behalf of everyone here, front and behind-the-camera, we just loved working with Holly and she made coming to work so much fun. Were all really, really sad. Were really going to miss her.' Jeremy Allen White has agreed to several stipulations in his custody agreement with his estranged wife Addison Timlin. The Bear star, 32, signed off on daily alcohol testing in order to spend time with the two young children he shares with the actress, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. Per the terms, Jeremy will be tested when daughters Ezer, four, and Dolores, two, are under his care, and should alcohol be detected in the actor's system, a retest will occur 15 minutes later. If the retest is positive, the actor's custodial rights to the children will be revoked until further actions are decided upon. The custody arrangement also includes Jeremy agreeing to no less than 'two alcoholics anonymous ("AA") meetings each week,' along with other therapy, per the court documents. Custody battle: Jeremy Allen White has agreed to several stipulations in his custody agreement with his estranged wife Addison Timlin Signing off: The Bear star, 32, signed off on daily alcohol testing in order to spend time with the two young children he shares with the Californication actress As reported, the superstar couple split in May after over three years of marriage. Shortly after the breakup news broke, Addison took to her Instagram to share a message about raising the kids as a single mom. 'Being a single mom is not how I pictured it,' she captioned a series of snaps with Ezer and Dolores. 'It is so f***ing hard. It is all out covered in s*** crying on the floor kicking you in the shins screaming with no sound coming out hard. It's not the natural order of things.' She added that single parenting can be 'exhausting' and 'lonely"' especially when 'something magical happens and you have to tell yourself 'don't forget this' because there's no witness by your side. 'It's so painful. Doing it alone has given me more strength and more empathy and more tears than anything else in my life ever has.' Despite the hardships of single parenting, the former couple have put on a solid effort in co-parenting, as they've been spotted out and about with the kids recently. But the reunions do not appear to be a hint at a reconciliation. Doting dad: Per the terms, Jeremy will be tested when daughters Ezer, 4, and Dolores, 2, are under his care, and should alcohol be detected in the actor's system, a retest will occur 15 minutes later Single mom mayhem: Shortly after the breakup news broke, Addison took to her Instagram to share a message about raising the kids as a single mom The Hulu hunk has reportedly been dating model Ashley Moore even spotted engaging her in a passionate kiss following a dinner date. However, Addison has yet to be linked to anyone new publicly, at least. Prior to the split, Jeremy gushed about Addison while accepting a Golden Globe for his role in The Bear. 'Addison Timlin, I love you deep in my bones, thank you for all that you do, thank you for everything that you've done,' he said. Better days: The superstar couple split in May after over three years of marriage. In an interview with InStyle around the same time, he waxed on about the love for his daughters as well. 'I learn a lot from them. I feel like in a lot of ways, theyre teaching me all the time how to be better: how to be better to them; how to be better to my wife, my friends, my parents, and my sister. 'I think Ive been ready to domesticate for a long time, and Im so happy to be in the house all the time with them.' Justin Bieber has sparked fierce backlash after posting - and then deleting - a 'Pray for Israel' post which featured a photo of the destruction in Gaza. The post, shared several days after Hamas ' deadly terrorist attack on Israeli civilians, was taken down from his Instagram Stories and replaced with the exact same message without the inaccurate photo. 'Praying for Israel,' he wrote simply, along with a heartbroken emoji and a green background. The error did not go unnoticed by numerous by the Internet, who slammed Bieber over the inaccuracy on X, formerly Twitter. 'Celebs are so out of touch it's actually embarrassing man,' one Twitter user remarked of the error. Justin Bieber has sparked fierce backlash after posting - and then deleting - a 'Pray for Israel' post which featured a photo of the destruction in Gaza Backlash: Bieber was slammed on X, formerly Twitter, for sharing a post supporting Israel - which featured an image of Gaza 'Another example of celebrities knowing absolutely nothing and reposting the first thing they see,' one account posted. 'Just embarrassing. If you dont know what youre talking about, then dont talk at all. And didnt he say just yesterday that he wasnt going to pick sides and look what hes doing now picking the wrong side while hes at it too. Smh,' another wrote. 'Giving me idk whats going on but i just wanna be apart of it vibes,' another wrote. 'A simple google search couldve saved him from this embarrassment.' another wrote. 'Instead of rushing to post online, maybe take a few minutes to actually learn what is happening. Especially when you have millions of fans,' another wrote. 'Justin Bieber praying for Israel yet showing a picture of Gaza,' another wrote with an eye rolling emoji. 'Justin Bieber posts "Praying for Israel" over a picture of Gaza. Yall cant even be wrong properly,' one tweeted with two crying emojis. It came after Justin posted on his Instagram Stories a statement on the conflict. 'Truly hurting for both my Israeli and Palestinian friends. Im pretty sure we all instinctively know evil when we see it. To vilianize all Palestinians or all Israeli people to me seems wrong. I'm not interested in choosing sides, but i am interested in standing with the families who have been brutally taken from us,' he wrote in his Instagram Stories. Hamas, which controls the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, attacked Israel on Saturday in the worst breach of the country's defenses since Arab armies waged war in 1973. Israel has responded with air strikes on Gaza. Justin is one of many celebrities weighing in on the conflict. Among them is Gal Gadot, was one of the first Hollywood names to show their support for Israel. On Tuesday she revealed her heartbreak over Hamas' attack on Israel which left at least 1,400 Israelis and Palestinians dead. She pledged her support to the victims of terrorists. The post was taken down from his Instagram Stories and replaced with another message expressing his support for Israel It came after Justin posted on his Instagram Stories a statement about the conflict The Israeli actress, 38 - who previously said the 'world must not sit on the fence' over the war in Israel and Palestine - urged her followers to donate funds for those affected by the weekend's attacks and slammed people reacting to the atrocities with 'justification not empathy' on Tuesday. Sharing a post which read 'Israel is under attack and we need your support', she wrote: 'Whoever can, and willing to donate, these peoples lives changed forever yesterday. Theyve lost so much and need help. Only if you can.' She later wrote on her stories: 'Whoever can and wiling to donate, these people's lives changed forever yesterday 'They've lost so much and need help. Only if you can. If you have less empathy towards victims because of how you feel about their government, propaganda is working on you. 'The goal of propaganda is to dehumanize. It works to dehumanize Israelis and works to dehumanize Gazans 'I like to think most of us are above propaganda. But this weekend reminded me how widespread it is. Because a lot of people reacted to this violence with justification, not empathy. Called out: 'Giving me idk whats going on but i just wanna be apart of it vibes,' one X user said of Justin posting the wrong photo 'I guess it's not surprising but it's still heartbreaking. Propaganda is everywhere. It seeps into us over time. It seeks to block our empathy receptors. So when we see violence, we rationalize away our human response 'Killing innocent Palestinians is horrific. Killing innocent Israelis is horrific. If you don't feel the same I think you should ask yourself why that is.' On Saturday, she also posted a screenshot of an article that detailed how Israeli soldiers and civilians had been taken hostage by militants. She wrote: 'At least 250 Israeli have been murdered and dozens of women children and elders held as hostages in Gaza, by Palestinian military group Hamas. 'Starting early morning more than 3,000 rockets were fire. Hamas is holding hostages, controlling bases and settlements in Israel. There have been more than 1,500 injured and heavy fighting is still ongoing. I hear their voices and they are banging on the door. I am with my two little children. My heart is aching.' The former Miss Israel 2004 was among the first celebs to support Israel, writing: 'I stand with Israel you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening!' Maisie Smith and her boyfriend Max George showed their matching sense of style as they enjoyed a date night at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards on Wednesday. The couple both donned pink blazers as they headed to the star-studded event at Camden Roundhouse in London. Maisie, 22, showed off her effortless sense of style with a bubblegum pink suit paired with a light silk shirt with a plunging neckline flaunting her cleavage as she posed up a storm with her beau, 34. The former EastEnders actress wore a variety of layered necklaces to accessorise her decolletage. The ensemble was polished with a pair of black platform heels with a patent finish and a black shoulder handbag. Cosy: Maisie Smith and her boyfriend Max George showed their matching sense of style as they enjoyed a date night at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards on Wednesday Bold: The actress showed off her effortless sense of style with a bubblegum pink suit paired with a light silk shirt with a plunging neckline Maisie's auburn hair was neatly tucked back into a low ponytail whilst her fringe was kept loose to frame her face delicately. In order to keep to the pink theme of the outfit, Maisie had freshly manicured nails in a sexy pink shade. Max donned a pastel pink blazer over the top of a white top and a pair of black trousers. The couple went public with their relationship in September 2022. Prior to that, Max was linked to an Swimsuit Illustrated model and engaged to Michelle Keegan, who is now married to Mark Wright. Maisie appeared in the celebrity edition of The Chase this year, where Max pretended to propose to her. Max and Maisie moved in together in March, with Maisie leaving London to join him in Manchester. The couple have been busy travelling the globe in 2023 visiting the likes of Norway, Abu Dhabi, New York, Turkey, and Morocco. Jewels: The former EastEnders actress wore a variety of layered necklaces to accessorise her decolletage This year the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, which is powered by Jaguar, was hosted by Alan Carr and Amanda Holden. It is the 12th time the awards ceremony has been held to celebrate those in the LGBTQ+ community and the allies who support it. The identities of the winners remained a closely guarded secret until the big night and are released in the Attitude Awards issue the next day. As well as honouring those within the community, during the evening guests also enjoyed a series of stunning live performances. After the ceremony they danced the night away into the small hours at an exclusive after-party for attendees. Marking the announcement, Amanda said: 'Since being crowned an Honorary Gay in 2017 it's always been a dream of mine to host the Attitude Awards and I couldn't think of a better person to co-host with than my dear friend Alan Carr. 'It's so important right now to stand together as one and embrace this beautifully diverse world we live in and accept everyone for who they are. I can't wait to be surrounded by the community while dishing out the gongs in this year's ceremony.' Alan added: 'It's been a mixed year for our LGBTQIA+ family, some amazing progress has been made and yet some really distressing setbacks have knocked us for six, which just makes the Attitude Awards even more important and essential. Style: Maisie's auburn hair was neatly tucked back into a low ponytail whilst her fringe was kept loose to frame her face delicately Matching: Max donned a pastel pink blazer over the top of a white top and a pair of black trousers Happy couple: The couple went public with their relationship in September 2022 Polished: The ensemble was polished with a pair of black platform heels with a patent finish and a black shoulder handbag 'I am thrilled to be not only hosting this night but doing it with one of my besties Amanda! The most campest, raucous, fun night in the LGBTQIA+ calendar has just been given a bit more sparkle!' During the Awards, a charity prize draw also took place to raise money for the Attitude Magazine Foundation which benefits LGBTQ causes. Attitude's publisher, Darren Styles OBE said 'The twelfth annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, are the biggest and brightest we've produced to date, at a time when the LGBTQ+ community needs standard bearers, role models, and icons to step up and step out like never before. 'We built this platform to celebrate and uplift, and we surely will, but as always there's no looking away from the realities of life around us. We will demonstrate that diversity, inclusivity, and love are not buzzwords to be spat out by an aggressive Home Secretary, but the actual, lived values of millions of real people. 'And the winners? All to be revealed, but it's fair to say we haven't invited the Prime Minister. That's common sense, just as he likes it.' Julia Fox was pictured outside of The View's studio in New York City on Wednesday morning. The 33-year-old actress showed off her sense of style before heading into the production facility and preparing to tape her appearance on the talk show. The model, who recently revealed that she had to participate in a pregnancy shoot just a few hours before she gave birth to son Valentino, wore a black-and-red leather studded dress that covered up her sculpted figure. Fox also wore a sizable black fur coat that paired well with the dark tones of her clothing. The Uncut Gems actress completed her look with $149.95 Steve Madden 'Brecken' booties and accessorized with a near-matching purse. Beautiful: Julia Fox was pictured outside of The View 's studio in New York City on Wednesday morning. The 33-year-old actress showed off her sense of style before heading into the production facility and preparing to tape her appearance on the talk show Layering up: The model, who recently revealed that she had to participate in a pregnancy shoot just a few hours before she gave birth to son Valentino, wore a black-and-red leather studded dress that covered up her sculpted figure The performer's gorgeous brunette hair cascaded onto her shoulders and chest as she prepared to appear on the program. Fox's outing took place just a day after the publication of her memoir, Down The Drain, in which she revealed lurid details about her short-lived relationship with Kanye West. The actress and the rapper, also known as Ye, began dating in January of last year, although they broke up the following month. According to Page Six, the performer described her brief romance with the hitmaker as a 'sick, twisted game' conducted by the latter in her memoir. The model recalled that she initially came into contact with West, to whom she referred as 'the artist,' when a friend gave her number to the rapper. The pair eventually met in person after he chartered a private plane to take the actress and her friends to Miami, and she recalled 'his hands scanning the folds of my body' during their first meeting. Fox also recalled being made to feel like a 'show monkey' by Ye, 46, after the performer had her try on numerous outfits during a trip to Carbone in New York City. When the actress eventually made her way to the rapper's residence, he had her repeat the same outfit changes and offered to pay for her to get a 'boob job.' All dressed up: The model also had on a black fur coat and $149.95 Steve Madden 'Brecken' booties Showing up: Fox was pictured outside of The View's studio in New York City Opening up: Fox's outing took place just a day after the publication of her memoir, Down The Drain, in which she revealed lurid details about her short-lived relationship with Kanye West; they are seen in January The No Sudden Move cast member also recalled feeling 'dirty' after she envisioned herself as having been cast into 'some weird, twisted game' conceived by the hitmaker. She went on to describe how Ye pressured her, as well as several of her friends, to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding their experiences with him, although everyone declined. Fox revealed that she ultimately concluded her relationship with the performer after he treated her particularly harshly during her birthday celebration. The Stronger rapper has not publicly responded to the actress' claims as of yet. Jada Pinkett Smith revealed she hasn't spoken to Chris Rock since he attempted to apologize for his G.I. Jane bald joke during the 94th Academy Awards broadcast in 2022 after he was slapped by her estranged husband Will Smith. 'Chris came down to the end of the stage and tried to apologize to me. He said, "I didn't mean you any harm,"' the 52-year-old actress said in her People cover story - on stands Friday. 'I said, "I can't talk about this now, Chris. This is some old s***."' Jada thought the 58-year-old comedian joked about her autoimmune disease alopecia areata because he was angry she called for a boycott of the 88th Academy Awards in 2016 - which he hosted - over the #OscarsSoWhite movement. In his Netflix standup special Selective Outrage, Chris claimed Pinkett Smith had flat out asked him to step down as host out of solidarity. Tell-all: Jada Pinkett Smith revealed she hasn't spoken to Chris Rock since he attempted to apologize for his G.I. Jane bald joke during the 94th Academy Awards broadcast in 2022 after he was slapped by her estranged husband Will Smith The 52-year-old actress said in her People cover story: 'Chris came down to the end of the stage and tried to apologize to me. He said, "I didn't mean you any harm." I said, "I can't talk about this now, Chris. This is some old s***"' '[I'm guilty of] not really recognizing the level of pressure he might've been under,' the Daytime Emmy-winning producer admitted. 'I probably should have called him and gone, "Hey, are you okay? And just know that although I'm speaking out about the Oscars, I do wish you the best and I just want you to know that," me taking the time to have called him and said that, just to touch base. But his feelings might've been hurt.' Eventually, Chris called and apologized for making jokes about her during the 2016 Oscars and Jada apologized for pressuring him. 'I actually thought that we were good, that the hatchet was buried between us. And we hadn't talked since then, until 2022 came,' Pinkett Smith recalled. '[Do I have] any desire to talk to Chris [now]? Here's my desire: I just hope that all the misunderstanding around this can be cleared up and that there can be peace.' The African Queens producer-narrator has been promoting her 416-page memoir Worthy - hitting shelves October 17 - in which she revealed Rock once called her for a date sometime after he ended his 18-year marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock in 2014. 'He was like, "I'd love to take you out." And I was like, "What do you mean?"' Jada recalled. 'He was like, "Well, aren't you and Will getting a divorce?" I was like, "No. Chris, those are just rumors." He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that.' Hurt people hurt people: Jada thought the 58-year-old comedian joked about her autoimmune disease alopecia areata because he was angry she called for a boycott of the 88th Academy Awards in 2016 - which he hosted (pictured) - over the #OscarsSoWhite movement '[I'm guilty of] not really recognizing the level of pressure he might've been under': In his Netflix standup special Selective Outrage (pictured), Chris claimed Pinkett Smith had flat out asked him to step down as host out of solidarity 'I actually thought that we were good!' Eventually, Chris (pictured October 3) called and apologized for making jokes about her during the 2016 Oscars and the Daytime Emmy-winning producer apologized for pressuring him Jada (pictured in 2005) continued: '[Do I have] any desire to talk to Chris [now]? Here's my desire: I just hope that all the misunderstanding around this can be cleared up and that there can be peace' Hitting shelves October 17! Pinkett Smith has been promoting her 416-page memoir Worthy in which she revealed Rock once called her for a date sometime after he ended his 18-year marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock in 2014 The African Queens producer-narrator (pictured in 2002) recalled: 'He was like, "I'd love to take you out." And I was like, "What do you mean?" He was like, "Well, aren't you and Will getting a divorce?" I was like, "No. Chris, those are just rumors." He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that' 'Entanglement': The Hollywood power couple secretly separated two years later in 2016 - the same year Pinkett Smith embarked on an affair with her son Jaden's friend August Alsina (L, pictured in 2017) when he was 23 and she was 44 Pinkett Smith (pictured in 2022) said of their marriage: 'We're still figuring it out. We've been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us' The Hollywood power couple secretly separated two years later in 2016 - the same year Pinkett Smith embarked on an 'entanglement' with her son Jaden's friend August Alsina when he was 23 and she was 44. 'We're still figuring it out,' Pinkett Smith said of their marriage. 'We've been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.' The Baltimore-born, Calabasas-based socialite and the 55-year-old Oscar winner remain proud parents of their three children - son Jaden, 25; daughter Willow, and his son Trey, 30 (with ex-wife Sheree Zampino). On April 26, Meta canceled Jada's Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk featuring her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris and daughter Willow. TikTok sensation Dylan Mulvaney wowed the crowd as she joined stars at this year's Attitude Awards at The Roundhouse in Camden, London on Wednesday. The influencer, 26 who publicly came out as a transgender woman during the COVID-19 pandemic posed for shutterbugs in a gown with a billowing ruffled skirt. The skirt fell to the floor and featured a lengthy train that trailed behind Mulvaney as she made her way down the red carpet. The dramatic dress also featured a gorgeous jeweled mesh bodice with black straps. It was adorned with sparkling gold and black rhinestones that collected heavily on the bust. Star-studded: TikTok sensation Dylan Mulvaney wowed the crowd as she joined stars at this year's Attitude Awards at The Roundhouse in Camden, London on Wednesday As for her hair, the former Bud Light spokesperson rocked an edgy side swept style with the end of her blonde hair flipped up. She smiled through moody maroon lips that complimented her grungy smokey eyeshadow. To top off her makeup look, Mulvaney's features were softly sculpted with a luminous bronzing powder and a hint of peach blush. She oozed confidence on the red carpet as she was pictured blowing kisses at the cameras. Later on the social media personality switched out of the silver gown into a transparent black dress. She was joined at the event by the likes of ceremony host Amanda Holden, BBC Radio 1 presenter Vick Hope and Girls Aloud stars Nicola and Kimberley, among others. The 12th annual event will honor the great and good of the LGBTQ+ community. The identities of the winners remain a closely guarded secret until the big night and are released in the Attitude Awards issue the following morning. As well as honouring those within the community, during the evening guests also enjoyed a series of stunning live performances. After the ceremony they danced the night away into the small hours at an exclusive after-party for attendees. Marking the announcement, Amanda said: 'Since being crowned an Honorary Gay in 2017 it's always been a dream of mine to host the Attitude Awards and I couldn't think of a better person to co-host with than my dear friend Alan Carr. 'It's so important right now to stand together as one and embrace this beautifully diverse world we live in and accept everyone for who they are. I can't wait to be surrounded by the community while dishing out the gongs in this year's ceremony.' Dramatic: The influencer who came out as a transgender woman during the COVID-19 pandemic posed for shutterbugs in a gown with a billowing ruffled skirt Wow! The skirt fell to the floor and featured a lengthy train that trailed behind Mulvaney as she made her way down the red carpet Dazzling: The dramatic dress also featured a gorgeous jeweled mesh bodice with black straps Grunge glamour: She smiled through moody maroon lips that complimented her grungy smokey eyeshadow Winner: The TikTok star later posed in the Winners Room Alan added: 'It's been a mixed year for our LGBTQIA+ family, some amazing progress has been made and yet some really distressing setbacks have knocked us for six, which just makes the Attitude Awards even more important and essential. 'I am thrilled to be not only hosting this night but doing it with one of my besties Amanda! The most campest, raucous, fun night in the LGBTQIA+ calendar has just been given a bit more sparkle!' During the Awards, a charity prize draw also took place to raise money for the Attitude Magazine Foundation which benefits LGBTQ causes. Attitude's publisher, Darren Styles OBE said 'The twelfth annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, are the biggest and brightest we've produced to date, at a time when the LGBTQ+ community needs standard bearers, role models, and icons to step up and step out like never before. 'We built this platform to celebrate and uplift, and we surely will, but as always there's no looking away from the realities of life around us. We will demonstrate that diversity, inclusivity, and love are not buzzwords to be spat out by an aggressive Home Secretary, but the actual, lived values of millions of real people. 'And the winners? All to be revealed, but it's fair to say we haven't invited the Prime Minister. That's common sense, just as he likes it.' 'I am thrilled to be not only hosting this night but doing it with one of my besties Amanda! The most campest, raucous, fun night in the LGBTQIA+ calendar has just been given a bit more sparkle!' During the Awards, a charity prize draw also took place to raise money for the Attitude Magazine Foundation which benefits LGBTQ causes. Second look: At one point the social media personality switched out of the silver gown into a transparent black dress Proud: Dylan proudly posed after receiving an award at the event, which honors the LGBTQ + community Attitude's publisher, Darren Styles OBE said 'The twelfth annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, are the biggest and brightest we've produced to date, at a time when the LGBTQ+ community needs standard bearers, role models, and icons to step up and step out like never before. 'We built this platform to celebrate and uplift, and we surely will, but as always there's no looking away from the realities of life around us.' 'We will demonstrate that diversity, inclusivity, and love are not buzzwords to be spat out by an aggressive Home Secretary, but the actual, lived values of millions of real people. 'And the winners? All to be revealed, but it's fair to say we haven't invited the Prime Minister. That's common sense, just as he likes it.' Helen Skelton commanded attention in a black strapless gown as she attended the Attitude Awards 2023 at Camden's The Roundhouse in London, on Wednesday. The TV presenter, 40, was the epitome of elegance in the strapless silk number, which featured a very busty display. The chic dress highlighted Helen's slender figure as she posed up a storm at the awards event. The Blue Peter star accessorised with a pair of dazzling silver strappy heels with jewel embellishments, flaunting a flawless red pedicure. The BBC favourite added more glamour to her stunning look as she teamed a matching sparkling silver clutch bag. All eyes on her: Helen Skelton, 40, commanded attention in a black strapless gown as she attended the Attitude Awards at Camden's The Roundhouse in London, on Wednesday Exuding class: The TV presenter was the epitome of elegance in the strapless silk number, which featured a very busty display Sensational: The Blue Peter star towered herself in a pair of dazzling silver strappy heels with jewel embellishments, flaunting a flawless red pedicure Helen kept her accessories to the minimum, wearing a gold bracelet and dainty rings. The Countryfile presenter styled her blonde locks into a neat high bun, and left a wavy lock down in a stylish look. The star displayed her ageless looks with a glamorous smokey eyes and a added a bold red lipstick. Helen looked glowing as she put on a big smile while striking poses for the camera ahead of the event. The BBC host has enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in France alongside her family earlier in September. She showed off gorgeous bikini-clad figure in a slew of throwback snaps from her trip this week. Taking to Instagram the Blue Peter star posted a sweet montage of the getaway as she made the most of the scorching weather. Helen looked sensational in the skimpy black two piece while hitting the beach with kids Ernie, eight, Louis, six, and Elsie, two - who she shares with ex-husband Richie Myler, 33. Stunner: The BBC host has enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in France alongside her family earlier in September - and she showed off gorgeous bikini-clad figure in a slew of throwback snaps from her trip Mum: Helen looked sensational in the skimpy black two piece while hitting the beach with kids Ernie, eight, Louis, six, and Elsie, two Holidays: Taking to Instagram the Blue Peter star shared a sweet montage of the getaway as the group made the most of the scorching weather Bonjour: Helen captioned the post: 'France 23. Because no one does photo albums anymore (maybe I should) good times with good people xxx' The large group looked to be having a wonderful time as they paddled in the water before enjoying snacks on the sand. Helen captioned the post: 'France 23. Because no one does photo albums anymore (maybe I should) good times with good people xxx'. Her French getaway came just weeks after Helen officially divorced her rugby player husband Richie, 16 months after their high-profile split. The TV star was issued a decree nisi, signalling the end of their ten-year marriage with the couple receiving confirmation of this in the post. Strictly star Helen, announced her split from England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Richie last April. Since the end of their marriage, Richie has gone on to have a baby with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, 32, the daughter of Leeds Rhinos president Andrew. Helen and Richie are now awaiting the granting of a decree absolute which will legally cement the end of their ten-year marriage. This is a legal formality once a decree nisi has been granted and will be issued by the court as neither of them are contesting the divorce. News of Helen's divorce came as she has revealed major changes to her life, including putting her former marital home up for sale and quitting her show on BBC Radio 5 Live so that she can spend more time with her children. Also in attendance of the Attitude Awards, was Amanda Holden - who is co-hosting the ceremony with Alan Carr. The radio host, 52, looked amazing in a little black dress with a dramatic ruffled train. Amanda was joined by a star-studded guest list including her Global Radio alum Ashley Roberts and Myleene Klass as well as Vick Hope. The cohort of glamorous arrivals posed on the red carpet at the 12th annual event which honours the great and good of the LGBTQ+ community. Racy looks appeared to be the order of the day, as Myleene Klass bared some skin in a jaw-dropping look and Vick Hope opted for a racy 'nude' number. Girls Aloud stars Nicola and Kimberley were also among the arrivals at the awards, sporting equally daring black ensembles on the red carpet. This year the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, which is powered by Jaguar, was hosted by Alan Carr and Amanda Holden. It is the 12th time the awards ceremony has been held to celebrate those in the LGBTQ+ community and the allies who support it. The identities of the winners remained a closely guarded secret until the big night and are released in the Attitude Awards issue the next day. As well as honouring those within the community, during the evening guests also enjoyed a series of stunning live performances. After the ceremony they danced the night away into the small hours at an exclusive after-party for attendees. Marking the announcement, Amanda said: 'Since being crowned an Honorary Gay in 2017 it's always been a dream of mine to host the Attitude Awards and I couldn't think of a better person to co-host with than my dear friend Alan Carr. 'It's so important right now to stand together as one and embrace this beautifully diverse world we live in and accept everyone for who they are. I can't wait to be surrounded by the community while dishing out the gongs in this year's ceremony.' Alan added: 'It's been a mixed year for our LGBTQIA+ family, some amazing progress has been made and yet some really distressing setbacks have knocked us for six, which just makes the Attitude Awards even more important and essential. 'I am thrilled to be not only hosting this night but doing it with one of my besties Amanda! The most campest, raucous, fun night in the LGBTQIA+ calendar has just been given a bit more sparkle!' During the Awards, a charity prize draw also took place to raise money for the Attitude Magazine Foundation which benefits LGBTQ causes. Attitude's publisher, Darren Styles OBE said 'The twelfth annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, are the biggest and brightest we've produced to date, at a time when the LGBTQ+ community needs standard bearers, role models, and icons to step up and step out like never before. 'We built this platform to celebrate and uplift, and we surely will, but as always there's no looking away from the realities of life around us. We will demonstrate that diversity, inclusivity, and love are not buzzwords to be spat out by an aggressive Home Secretary, but the actual, lived values of millions of real people. 'And the winners? All to be revealed, but it's fair to say we haven't invited the Prime Minister. That's common sense, just as he likes it.' 'I am thrilled to be not only hosting this night but doing it with one of my besties Amanda! The most campest, raucous, fun night in the LGBTQIA+ calendar has just been given a bit more sparkle!' During the Awards, a charity prize draw also took place to raise money for the Attitude Magazine Foundation which benefits LGBTQ causes. It's official: Her French getaway came just weeks after Helen officially divorced her rugby player husband Richie , 16 months after their high-profile split Attitude's publisher, Darren Styles OBE said 'The twelfth annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, are the biggest and brightest we've produced to date, at a time when the LGBTQ+ community needs standard bearers, role models, and icons to step up and step out like never before. 'We built this platform to celebrate and uplift, and we surely will, but as always there's no looking away from the realities of life around us. We will demonstrate that diversity, inclusivity, and love are not buzzwords to be spat out by an aggressive Home Secretary, but the actual, lived values of millions of real people. 'And the winners? All to be revealed, but it's fair to say we haven't invited the Prime Minister. That's common sense, just as he likes it.' Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer revealed she has new plans for her career, following 11 years in the BBC hit show. The Venezuelan-American dancer, 41, confessed she would like to become a judge on the dancing contest. With 11 years of experience in Strictly's ballroom as the longest serving professional dancer, Karen appears to have made plans for a next-level job on the judges panel. 'Right now, I'm really happy with being a professional on Strictly, and to continue spreading that love of dance. As cliched as it sounds, it can change your life, and some people still have no idea,' she told Radio Times. She continued teasing more on her future career plans: 'But also, I'd love to be a judge on Strictly. I love to teach and I love to guide people. I think that's my calling, my next step.' Unexpected: Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer revealed she has new plans for her career, after 11 years in the BBC hit show Veteran: With 11 years of experience in Strictly's ballroom as the longest serving dancer, Karen appears to have made plans for a next-level job as one of the judges She added she'll never take her job on Strictly for granted, and said how 'incredible' is when people come up to her whenever she is out - remarking 'how much happiness we bring to them'. 'Doing a job that makes people happy and makes them smile is something I never take for granted, working on this show can be exhausting. But the fact that we get to entertain the nation that's where we get the energy,' Karen said. The Venezuelan star is paired up with comedian and presenter Eddie Kadi - as the duo competes to win the glitterball trophy on this year's series. Karen and Eddie sent fans as much as the judges in overdrive with their Men In Black performance last Saturday, earning the first 10 of the series. Judge Shirley Ballas didn't hold back from praising their street dance routine, as she said: 'When you do something well, it needs rewarding.' 'This was slick, it had style, it was edgy, it was entertaining, you found your groove. Everything that you love in dance you were able to bring today as a partnership, I absolutely loved it,' Shirley added. Earlier on Sunday, Karen made a glamorous appearance as she joined fellow professional's Dianne Buswell and Amy Dowden at the Pride Of Britain Awards at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. The pro dancer showcased her jaw-dropping figure and incredibly toned abs in a strapless and dramatic navy gown. New horizons: Speaking to Radio Times, she teased more on her future career plans: 'But also, I'd love to be a judge on Strictly. I love to teach and I love to guide people' Newly-married Vick Hope turned heads as she arrived at the Attitude Awards 2023 at The Roundhouse in Camden, London, on Wednesday evening. The TV presenter, 34, who tied-the-knot with Calvin Harris last month, slipped into a blue Jean Paul Gaultier dress, which featured the print of a naked female body on the front. She elevated her height in a pair of white stilettos, while her long raven tresses were styled in natural curls. This year the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, which is powered by Jaguar, will be hosted by Alan Carr and Amanda Holden. It is the 12th time the awards ceremony has been held to celebrate those in the LGBTQ + community and the allies who support it. Eye-catching: Newly-married Vick Hope turned heads as she arrived at the Attitude Awards 2023 at The Roundhouse in Camden, London, on Wednesday evening Racy: The TV presenter, 34, who tied-the-knot with Calvin Harris last month, slipped into a blue Jean Paul Gaultier dress, which featured the print of a naked female body on the front The identities of the winners remain a closely guarded secret until the big night and are released in the Attitude Awards issue the following morning. As well as honouring those within the community, during the evening guests will also enjoy a series of stunning live performances. After the ceremony they will dance the night away into the small hours at an exclusive after-party for attendees. Vick's wedding band was stacked with her engagement ring from, when Calvin proposed underneath a tree at his 138 acre Ibiza farm, Terra Masia. While she has kept the details of her engagement private, she said it was a 'very special moment' and that 'it was... perfect.' Insiders revealed: 'Although it is a stunning ring and extremely expensive, the couple aren't going for a flashy or expensive wedding. 'The extravagance of the rock will eclipse how much they're going to spend on the big day itself as they want to keep it low key and simple with just a core of close friends and family present.' Vick and Calvin went on their honeymoon earlier this month, where they were spotted boarding a 25million private jet as they flew to Brindisi in Italy . The chart topping DJ and the BBC Radio host married in a lavish Glastonbury-themed wedding on Saturday, September 9. The couple are yet to officially release any pictures from their big day, however photos from the morning after the wedding show a glimpse inside the luxury and picturesque venue. Stylish: She elevated her height in a pair of white stilettos, while her long raven tresses were styled in natural curls Husband: The chart topping DJ and the BBC Radio host married in a lavish Glastonbury-themed wedding on Saturday, September 9 (Calvin pictured in May 2022) The incredible event saw white teepees dotted around the grounds alongside 80 lavish tents where guests stayed the night. Food stands were set up for the after-party, with one for pizza, one for burgers and a Nigerian stall, as Vick is half Nigerian on her mother's side. Calvin and Vick partied with their celeb pals, including Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu and BBC radio DJs Vernon Kay and Scott Mills and Vick's Radio 1 co-presenter Jordan North. Laminated signs placed around the grounds guided guests on where to go, while one declared mobile phones were strictly prohibited to ensure the couple's privacy. Nile Rodgers and Chic, who had been flown in from the US, performed at the raucous reception, with their equipment still left out. Will the presidential election in Madagascar, the first round of which is scheduled for November 9, take place? Doubt set in as the campaign officially began on Tuesday, October 10, in a deleterious climate marked by the repression of daily demonstrations organized in Antananarivo since the beginning of the month by eleven of the twelve candidates running against the outgoing president, Andry Rajoelina. On Monday, the statements of the President of the Senate had the effect of a thunderclap in the already electric sky of the capital. In an interview with France 24, Herimanana Razafimahefa explained that she had to give up exercising interim power until the vote under pressure and death threats from members of the government. Accusations immediately denied by the Prime Minister. On September 8, when Andry Rajoelina had resigned as the Constitution imposes on any president candidate for re-election the High Constitutional Court (HCC) had exhibited a letter of renunciation from the President of the Senate, motivated by reasons personal. To fill the vacancy at the head of state, she immediately took over the collegial government of the Prime Minister, Christian Ntsay. A maneuver that the opposition had described as an institutional coup, adding to the already long list of violations of the law committed, according to it, by Mr. Rajoelina. Manipulations For the collective of eleven, the confessions of the President of the Senate resoundingly confirm the manipulations of power to take control of the electoral process and rig the vote. In a joint statement, they call for the annulment of the HCC's decision handing power to the collegial government and "the opening of an independent public investigation, because it is an attack on state security ". The Senate President also filed a request with the HCC on Tuesday to reconsider his waiver. Faced with the political crisis which continues to worsen, the daily injuries and the future escalation of violence if no calming solution is found, I want to take my responsibilities and ask to exercise government through interim, as should have been the case under the Constitution, he explains to Le Monde to justify his change of heart. Before announcing his decision, Mr. Razafimahefa, until then considered close to Mr. Rajoelina, sent his 15-year-old daughter to France, forbade his two boys from leaving his house and reinforced his security, day and night. He also secured the support of the UN representative and some Western chancelleries. The United Nations, silent until now, expressed concern on Tuesday about the deterioration of human rights in Madagasacar and deplored the useless and disproportionate repression of several demonstrations. Andry Raobelina, one of the candidates, was a victim on October 2. Wounded in the head and hospitalized in Antananarivo, he had to be evacuated Monday evening to Mauritius for treatment. His lawyers filed with the constitutional judges a request to postpone the election due to force majeure. Andry Raobelina was the victim of the uncontrolled actions of the police during a peaceful march and cannot participate in the electoral campaign, they argue, referring to the equal rights owed to candidates. The HCC's decision, expected imminently, could bring another twist to this situation considered unprecedented by all observers. Vague orange In any case, the eleven announced that they would not take part in the campaign before obtaining guarantees on a transparent conduct of the vote. The question of Mr. Rajoelinas eligibility also remains on the table. For the opposition, he must be excluded from the election because of his French nationality, acquired on the sly by naturalization in 2014, which automatically led, according to them, to the loss of his Malagasy citizenship. The HCC, accused like the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of being in the pay of the regime, rejected all the requests filed by the parliamentarians. The collective, which continued its peaceful marches on Tuesday, also launched an urgent appeal to all law enforcement and active forces to take their respective responsibilities to preserve [the] institutions. Law enforcement must stop repressing our protests. Their duty is to ensure compliance with the law. We are acting in this direction by demanding the holding of a transparent, inclusive and credible election, explains former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina (2014-2018). Alone on the ground, Mr. Rajoelina began his official campaign on Tuesday in front of a few thousand supporters gathered in a suburb of the capital. Candidate number 3 promised an orange wave, the color of his party, and assured that no one can take away victory. Shares of state-owned lender Bank of Baroda declined more than 3 per cent on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of India barred the Bank of Baroda from onboarding new customers on its mobile app 'Bob World' following material supervisory concerns. The action taken by the central bank is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the manner of onboarding customers onto its mobile application. In late morning trade, shares of Bank of Baroda declined 3.10 per cent to Rs 207.55 apiece and plunged further to Rs 207.20 apiece, registering a 3.27 per cent fall during the day on the BSE. On the NSE, the stock of the company dived 2.96 per cent to Rs 207.95 per piece and went lower by 3.22 per cent to close at Rs 207.40 per scrip.In the volume terms, 12.69 lakh equity shares were traded on the BSE, while 4.30 crore shares were on the NSE, during the day. The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 393.69 points to close at 66,473.05, while NSE Nifty gained 121.50 points to settle at 19,811.35. In a statement on Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of India said it "has, in the exercise of its power, under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, directed Bank of Baroda to suspend, with immediate effect, any further onboarding of their customers onto the 'bob World' mobile application". However, the public sector lender said it has already carried out corrective measures to address the concerns of the central bank and has initiated further steps to plug any remaining gaps. "We will work closely with the RBI to address their concerns at the earliest to their satisfaction," the bank added. Also, the lender assured its customers they would not face any disruption and would continue to experience uninterrupted services on the mobile app. Israel has no choice but to hit back hard but a more serious introspection and recalibration of governance is overdue The recent Hamas attack on Israel has been a huge blot on Israeli perceptions, not because Hamas will come remotely close to holding onto anything tangible, but due to the abject Israeli failure to pre-empt a strike of such magnitude and intensity. Has too much been romanticised about the Israeli intelligence agencies (Mossad, Aman, Shin Bet etc), their preparedness, or even of its fabled security apparatus that could supposedly deter any attackers? How did Israel not pick the unavoidable assemblage and telltale signs of fighters, weaponry and planning that goes into the execution of such a gargantuan operation? Hamas claims to have fired 5,000 rockets (though Israel suggests half) and breached supposedly well-guarded borders with technologically advanced barriers, replete with concrete, sensors, and cameras etc., Further, these borders were also supposedly always manned by trained and armed patrols. What happened to the apparently impregnable and highly advanced Iron Dome missile system did it get overwhelmed by the simultaneous barrage of rockets? There were even six to seven paraglider-borne Hamas elements seen flying over Israeli barriers, just as Hamas attempted to cross into Israeli land by sea, with landing vessels. Civilian bulldozers were put into action to demolish the protective electric wire fencing on the border. The meticulously choreographed Hamas sweep was virtually from all directions with pick-up trucks facilitating their racy entry through border breeches. Even politically, it wasnt as if a pacifist politician e.g., Shimon Peres, or one from a non-military background e.g., Ehud Olmert, Golda Meir or Menachem Begin, was leading the current Israeli dispensation it is led by the ultra-hawkish Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu, who served in the Israel Defence Forces and whose brother is the legendary Yoni Netanyahu, who commanded Sayeret Matkal (Special Operation Team) during the daring Entebbe raid, and was the only Israeli fatality in that operation. How did a political leader with such muscular politics, positions and commitments lower his guard to such an extent, that it was caught completely by surprise? Has Israels historical brazenness in sovereign conduct and defending itself been grossly mistaken for efficacy in action, especially in containing militancy? Indeed, Israels history and geography have bestowed it with extraordinary challenges that warrant its popular belligerence, but that notwithstanding, this is not the first time that it has been caught off-guard, so completely. Exactly fifty years to the day, the Arab coalition of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq etc., launched a sudden, coordinated, and swift attack (Yom Kippur War) across the ceasefire line and entered the Israeli-held Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights. That the Israeli forces counterattacked and inflicted a terrible price on joint Arab ambitions, pride, and consciousness is another matter what was similar then, as is now, the Israelis with all their fabled intelligence depth and instinct, had failed to pick the attack miserably, as it failed now. While the familiar term that followed the 9/11 fiasco, as far as the US intelligence services were concerned, had seen some red flags but failed to connect the dots will surely emerge in the postmortem of the Hamas attack. What is glaring is that the sheer quantum of human, material and multiple-front attacks that entailed this Hamas attack (which Israel declares their own 9/11) is far more difficult to hide than the original 9/11 operations. As the second biggest intelligence agency in the world with an impressive annual budget of $3 billion and with almost negligible threat perceptions from the Arab States anymore, given their constraints and evolved narrative the Mossad ought to have had Hamas (Lebanese Hezbollahs sabre-rattling notwithstanding) as the only realistic threat, and yet it slipped through. The consequences of the fractured and deeply polarised Israeli society in recent times, especially on the relatively moderate security agencies cannot be discounted. Many in the intelligentsia and elites of Israeli society (including senior leadership in IDF) were bitterly opposed to Netanyahus toying with the constitution, and with the Supreme Court, and pandering to the religious hardliners who have no understanding or background of security imperatives. A disengaged and dejected security environment couldnt have helped matters, as Netanyahu was speeding ahead with changing the status quo of the Israeli state and sensibilities, recklessly. A couple of years back, six former security chiefs had warned against Netanyahus politicisation of the security apparatus to buttress his political appeal, whilst compromising on its traditional restraint and apolitical bearings. Beyond Netanyahus misadventures, a certain hubris and overconfidence by Israels intelligence agencies is obvious, perhaps a collateral damage of Hollywoodising their image to mythic proportions. The Israeli reality is never as James Bondish as it is made out to be, as its undeniable counterattack ritual and lack of political correctness in the face of repeated UN sanctions, does give it a larger-than-life aura, but not invincibility. History validates many spectacular failures like the 1973 Yom Kippur War, or now with the latest Hamas attack. Another lesson for other countries is the overplaying of a muscular hand in insurgencies without an element of accompanying and necessary political-societal inputs. Israel was safer in the 90s when the Oslo Accord was signed by the likes of Shimon Peres, but decidedly more violent when hardliners like Netanyahu or Sharon ruled. For now, Israel has no choice but to hit back hard but a more serious introspection and recalibration of governance is overdue. (The writer, a military veteran, is a former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. The views expressed are personal) That religious bigotry should determine the political attitudes of some of us in the 21st century is an insult to human intelligence Crowds of jubilant Muslims across the globe celebrated as the Hamas horror unfolded. Even in cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic London, the Metropolitan Police received reports of street celebrations by people, as one politically prim and proper British newspaper put it. What is happening in the unseen confines of Muslim drawing rooms is an easy guess. Why such misplaced, unbecoming celebrations of barbarism by educated, intelligent, prosperous individuals and groups, instead of the expected, even warranted, revulsion and criticism? Let us turn to the past for light on this. In the Yom Kippur War of 1973, almost the entire Muslim world had come together in support of the surprise attack on Israel by Egypt and Syria. Pakistani pilots flew Syrian aircraft in raids on Israel, Algeria provided fighter aircraft and tanks, and Saudi Arabia and Libya sent light armoured battalions. Smaller Islamic countries like Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon and Sudan also contributed arms or soldiers. Israel was fighting not one country but the entire Muslim Ummah. Even now in the ongoing crisis, Pakistan and Iran have come out strongly in support of Hamas and the Palestinian cause, with the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, even congratulating Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, on the attacks initial success. Given the large scale of Hamas attacks and the well-coordinated military planning, it is quite likely that it has funds, weaponry, and defence advisors from some Muslim nations. The barbarism of Hamas is religion-driven, reminiscent of medieval crusades, and morality does not come anywhere in determining the motivations of its sponsors. The other day, Mehbooba Mufti, an outspoken sympathizer of Islamist terrorism in Kashmir, remarked with a satisfied smirk, that the shoe pinches when on the other foot. Hyderabads Owaisi too voiced his support for Hamas. Most other Muslim political figures in India have kept a conspiratorial silence on the outrageous actions of Hamas and Hezbollah, betraying their underlying sympathy for the terrorists as well as their guilt over it. Pan-Islamism is at work here, overriding all logical and ethical considerations. Even predominantly non-Muslim political parties in India have been reticent and ambivalent for fear of alienating the large, community-committed Muslim vote-bank. In refreshing contrast, Indian PM Narendra Modi has been quick and clear in his condemnation of the Hamas attack and his assurance of the Indian governments support for Israel. No other past Indian Prime Minister could have done this. That religious bigotry should determine the political attitudes of some of us in the 21st century is an insult to human intelligence. One would expect humanity to have left such impassioned mediaeval bigotry far behind; sadly, that does not hold good for some of us. It repudiates the notion of evolution and growth of human society if innocent lives are taken by religion-driven hate and this becomes a cause of celebration. What needs to be done to put humanity back on the track of pluralism and peace? For that to happen, religion has to retreat to the temple, mosque, church or synagogue, and to our homes and personal spaces, away from the temporal, public world of politics, commerce, and ideology that is today globalised, multi-ethnic, and civilized. For that happy state of affairs to come about, we must call out the mediaeval bigotry, the distortions of religion and its misuse by vested interests. We must not let the unvarnished truth be obscured in humanitys discourse, even at the risk of appearing unfashionably impolitic. Inexplicably, truth is diffident today and fanaticism is strident. The BBC refrains from calling Hamas a terror organisation; it prefers instead the less obnoxious expression militant group. There has to be a limit to this penchant for softening the harsh realities of our world to appear neutral. It is downright timid for the BBC to do so to avoid upsetting British Muslims. One cannot help wondering, with all this talk of paid fake news doing the rounds, whether filthy lucre is behind such patent hypocrisy. Scribes prefer one community, a particular group, and other such euphemisms to refer to Muslim groups involved in violence. Politicians in Islamic countries inflame Islamic passions, those in secular countries like India appease them for votes. In our interactions, we avoid frank inter-religious discussions. The press shies away from publishing articles that portray the uncamouflaged reality. This will not do. If humanity is to wipe away the accumulated scars from its fair face, the incorrigible, bullying fanatics must be called out. (The writer is a columnist, views are personal) Right to Information (RTI) has brought transparency and systemic reforms but there is need to prevent its misuse and plug in loopholes RTI Act implemented on 12th October 2005 in the initial years of its implementation did wonders not only by exposing scams and scandals but also resulted in systemic reforms. However, RTI rules (and not the RTI Act) need important modifications mainly to prevent misuse of the Act and minimise challenge to CIC verdicts in courts. Precious time of Information Commissions and courts should be saved through a notification issued by the central government to declare all public-private partnerships, sports-bodies, cooperative societies and other such bodies, and public authorities under the RTI Act. Land and Building Departments of central and state governments should study all cases of allotment of land or government accommodations at subsidised rates or leases, and declare all these as public authorities under the RTI Act. For the future, land or government accommodations should be provided at subsidised rates on pre-condition of beneficiaries coming under the purview of the RTI Act. Considering the vast participation of public money in private sector banks, all private sector banks must be under the purview of the RTI Act. Already all employees up to the highest post of CMD are public servants according to the Banking Regulation Act. RBI had to impose restrictions on the withdrawal of money for some time on a prominent private sector bank. The former CMD of another prominent private sector Bank is under arrest for serious charges of misappropriation of public money in the Bank. Inspection Reports of private banks revealed under the RTI Act by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reveal gross misuse of public money by top management. Another private sector bank is renowned for a large number of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). Heavy fluctuation in share prices of certain private sector banks tends to doubt the safety of public money in private sector banks. Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (a subsidiary of RBI) has to pay a maximum rupees five lakhs from state funds to each depositor of the bank including those in the private sector which collapses due to massive irregularities, which is public funding to declare private sector banks as public-authorities under section 2(h) of RTI Act. Sections 27 and 28 of the RTI Act give power to Competent Authorities and state governments to draft their own rules which include fixing RTI fees and mode of payment of RTI fees. Several Competent Authorities and states misused their power by having RTI fees as high as rupees 500. Several states fixed RTI fees for filing First Appeals. However, the Supreme Court in its verdict dated 20.03.2018 imposed a capping of rupees fifty to be the maximum RTI fee. India should be governed by the principle One Nation-One Rule concerning RTI fees and its mode of payment by clubbing copying charges of the first twenty copied pages with basic RTI fees of rupees ten (for central public authorities) thus making Rupees Fifty as uniform RTI-fees throughout the country inclusive of charges of first twenty copied pages. Making basic RTI fees at rupees fifty will largely prevent misuse of the RTI Act. There must not be any fees for filing First or Second Appeals. To prevent big contractors and others from misusing the provision by filing RTI applications under the names of their workers of the BPL category to get copying charges in thousands of rupees waived off, persons under the BPL category may be required to pay copying charges for copied pages exceeding twenty. Handling the cost of a postal order of value rupees ten costs the postal-department about rupees fifty with the cost of handling orders by a public authority and bank clearing even extra. Most public authorities require postal-orders under different names even though DoPT in its various circulars has required postal orders towards RTI payments to be in the name of the Accounts Officer only. To overcome the situation, frequent CIC verdicts and administrative requests of CIC should be accepted by the department to issue special RTI stamps (like earlier stamps for payment of licence fees of radios and TV sets) in denominations of rupees 2, 10 and 50 which will save crores of rupees annually to public-exchequers in using postal-orders as a mode of payment of RTI fees. These RTI stamps should be conveniently available at all post offices and counters of public authorities and other convenient sale points. This will tackle a situation where public authorities like the National Green Tribunal (NGT) refuse acceptance of RTI fees in cash with the nearest post office at Baroda House (New Delhi) not selling postal orders thus putting RTI applicants in big difficulty. Post-free RTI applications addressed to central public authorities should be accepted at about 1,60,000 post offices rather than just about 4,500 post offices presently. This post bag can carry post-free RTI applications received at the post office. DoPT should issue a circular in tune with para 23 of the verdict dated 02.11.2012 by Punjab & Haryana High Court in the matter Fruit and Vegetable Union versus Unknown (CWP 4787 of 2011) which requires ID proof compulsory to be attached with every RTI application, First Appeal and petitions filed with Information Commissions. Already the aspect has been adopted in Odisha apart from Punjab and Haryana. Those who do not want to disclose their identity can file RTI applications through a post-box. Police inquiry conducted at the behest of some Indian missions abroad established that a petitioner approached the Central Information Commission with a name and address both of which did not exist. Online portals for filing RTI applications should be modified so that RTI-responses and orders of First Appellate Authorities may also be auto-emailed rather than RTI-applicants required to search the portal for viewing of RTI-responses. SMS and email alerts about emailing RTI responses should also be there. Websites designed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for central public authorities should be mandatorily for all states. This has become necessary for states like Odisha which has made online filing of RTI applications a mockery when it is compulsory to download an online-filled RTI application, and then send it by post to the concerned department. Some organisation named Institute-Of-Public-Administration (IPA) has been sending letters to all public authorities coming under the purview of the RTI Act regarding holding paid two-day workshops on charging heavily to the tune of rupees 20000 for local public authorities and rupees 40000 for participants with a spouse. The drafting of invitation letters looks like that of some government-authorised body like the Indian-Institute-Of-Public-Administration (IIPA). Many public authorities confuse the letter as if sent from a government-authorised sending participants to attend an RTI workshop at the cost of the public exchequer. IIPA should take cognisance of the matter to prevent such tactics from minting money by private bodies. Delhi High Court in its order dated 08.08.2018 in WPC 8278 of 2018 in the matter Anil Dutt Sharma versus Government of NCT Delhi and others mentioned that this Court is of the prima facie view that the Right-To-Information Act, 2005 would now override the Delhi Right To Information Act, 2001 as it would occupy the entire legislative field. DRTI Act has lost all with the implementation of the RTI Act 2005. Very few applications are filed under the DRTI Act. All such acts legislated by individual states, before RTI Act 2005 came into existence must be repealed. (The writer is an RTI consultant holding the Guinness World record, views are personal) Israeli air strikes on Wednesday smashed entire Gaza Strip neighbourhoods to rubble and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though Hamas militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli air strikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighborhood in Gaza City, with a large number of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Exchanges of fire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria, meanwhile, pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. On Wednesday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops.The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. On Wednesday, an AP reporter witnessed waves of rockets rain down on Ashkelon, with shrapnel slamming into the street and Israels Iron Dome missile defence system intercepting at least one overhead. Residents screamed and wept as they heard the explosions. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole neighbourhoods rather than just individual buildings then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory, said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done. Palestinians struggled to find any safe area as Israeli strikes demolished the tiny coastal enclave, hospitals ran low on supplies and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel, deepening the misery of a war sparked by a stunning and deadly assault by Hamas militants. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Since then, Hamas militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. After the attack, Israel stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 40-kilometre strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. There is no safe place in Gaza right now, journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the bombardment of a downtown neighbourhood home to government ministries, media offices and hotels. I am genuinely afraid for my life. Gazas only power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday afternoon, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, the Energy Ministry said. That leaves only generators to power the territory, but they also run on fuel that is in short supply. The UNs World Health Organisation said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals have already run out amid the flood of wounded. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense public pressure to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007 and remained firmly in control through four previous wars. That would likely require a prolonged ground assault and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Shahid Latif, a key lieutenant of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and the mastermind of the attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot in 2016, and his brother were gunned down in a mosque in Pakistans Sialkot district early on Wednesday. Latif, a resident of Aminabad in Punjabs Gujranwala (Pakistan), was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the 2016 Pathankot case. Three motorcycle-borne assailants fired indiscriminately at 53-year-old Latif and his brother, Haris Hashim, as they were leaving the Noor Madina mosque in Daska town after pre-dawn prayers, experts tracking the developments said. Latif, who was accompanied by his heavily armed guards, and his brother were killed on the spot in the mosque complex. The gunmen reportedly disguised themselves as worshippers to gain entry into the mosque complex before firing at their targets. While no outfit or individual has so far claimed responsibility for the attack but according to police chief Hassan Iqbal of the area where the incident occurred, Latif was killed in a preplanned action and was the intended target of the assailants. Latif alias Bilal alias Noor Al Din, a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was the launching commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Sialkot and had been involved in planning, facilitation and execution of terror attacks in India. Latif had entered Kashmir in 1993 from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as a cadre of the banned Hakar-ul-Ansar terror group. However, he was arrested a year later and sent to the Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu, experts said. He is estimated to have been brainwashed by Masood Azhar, who was also lodged in that jail till he was set free in 1999 in exchange for the passengers of IC-814, an Indian Airlines plane that was hijacked by terrorists and taken to Kandahar. After spending 16 years in the Indian jail, Latif was deported through the Attari-Wagah border in 2010 and was believed to have got in touch again with Azhar, who had by that time formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group. This is the biggest blow to JeM on Pakistan soil, an official said. Seven IAF personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, 2016. The siege went on for three days. After the Pathankot attack, Latif was detained by the Pakistani authorities for some time. He was also involved in the terrorist attacks in Samba and Hiranagar in 2013, officials added. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has granted permission to Delhi Police for a probe into the role of eight prison officials in a case of organised crime syndicate allegedly run by conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar from Rohini jail. Saxena has given permission to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police for investigation into the role of eight Group B officers of Delhi Prisons under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, related to the crime syndicate allegedly run by Sukesh. The eight are currently behind the bars, the officials said. They include two jail superintendents, three each of deputy jail superintendents and assistant jail superintendents. This is in addition in addition to the permission granted last year by him to probe the role of 81 other jail officials under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 for facilitating Sukash in lieu of financial gains. Raj Niwas officials said during investigation, it was emerged that Sukash used to pay approximately `1.50 crore every month for getting facilities to use mobile phones and a separate barrack without any hindrance. The jail officials who will now face probe u/s7& 8 of PoC Act are Sunil Kumar, Sunder Bora (both Superintendent), Prakash Chand, Mahender Prasad Sundriyal, Subhaash Batra (all Deputy Superintendent), Dharam Singh Meena, Lakshmi Dutt and Prakash Chand (all Assistant Superintendent). During investigation, it emerged that these eight Jail officials, already arrested under provisions of MCOCA for facilitating the organized crime syndicate run by Sukash Chandra Shekhar, operating from the Barrack No. 204, Ward No. 3, Jail No. 10, Rohini, had also facilitated Sukash by making his stay comfortable and ensuring privacy, so that he could use mobile phones in the jail, in lieu of pecuniary gains. The footage of various cameras of Rohini Jail were collected and analyzed, duty roster of the said staff was checked, phone details were analyzed and information was collected on the basis of the disclosure of the accused persons. It was found that that the said staff was deployed in the Barrack of Sukashin consultation with him so as to help him to carry out his criminal activities, for pecuniary gains. From analysis of CDRS/IPDRS of phones seized, it was noted that Sukashwas continuously in possession of two mobile phones. During investigation, it has come out that money was paid to all these staff irrespective of their duties, as bribe to ensure that they keep themselves away from spilling beans and remain silent. A separate barrack was exclusively provided to Sukash by these Jail officials in gross violation of Jail Manual, for pecuniary gains received through Assistant Superintendent Dharam Singh Meena on regular basis. In November 2021 the Delhi Police had told a court here in a charge sheet that Chandrashekhar was using high-end mobile phone applications to spoof the landline numbers of government authorities to extort a large sum of money from several individuals from inside the Rohini prison. Due to his habit of allegedly bribing jail officials, he has been shifted from one jail to another. He has stayed in Mandoli, Rohini and Tihar jails. Sukesh is charged with many multi-crore fraud cases and is also accused of duping high-profile individuals, including the family of former Fortis Healthcare and Ranbaxy Lab promoters Shivinder and Malvinder Singh from the premises of the prison. Earlier in an open letter last month, Sukash, has once again written a letter to his ladylove Jacqueline Fernandez. He has claimed that he will be constructing a super-specialty hospital for horses, dogs and cats in Bengaluru with a budget of Rs 25 crore and it will cover 25000 square feet. Sukash claimed that it was Jacquelines dream to do something for animals thats why he is building a pet hospital. The district administration is always ready to bring positive changes in the lives of disabled people. Whenever I get an opportunity to visit Asha-Lata Divyang Vikas Kendra, a positive feeling arises in my mind. In this direction, continuous work is being done for the inclusive development of persons with disabilities, Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary said while addressing the peoples present at the assistive device distribution ceremony organized at the Asha-Lata Divyang Vikas Kendra premises located in Sector 05 Bokaro. Further DC Bokaro in his address appreciated the work being done by Asha-Lata Divyang Vikas Kendra in the interest of divyang people and the cooperation of Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) management. Deputy Development Commissioner Kirtishree G. was present on the occasion. In his address on the occasion, Executive Director (Works) BSL Birendra Kumar Tiwari said that the company continuously works to improve the quality of life of the people living in the surrounding areas. In this context, it is also working to improve the lives of divyang people and provide them with assistive devices under CSR for their convenience. ED Tiwari also extended his best wishes to the organization for its silver jubilee year. Also during the occasion ED Suresh Rangani, ED Rajan Prasad and Director of the organization B.S. Jaiswal etc. addressed the people present. COC BSL MK Dhan informed that this Camp was organized by BSL under its CSR for the supply of Assistive Aids to divyangjan and BSL has joined hands with (ALIMCO) Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India. Notably, the first such camp was organized in December last year by BSL at the same venue. It is part of BSL's CSR initiatives to help bring divyangjan to the society's mainstream and SAIL-BSL will keep continuing such efforts in future too. On the occasion DC, DDC, BSL top officials and other guests symbolically distributed assistive devices among the divyand people. In the function, assistive devices were provided by Alimco to a total of 342 divyang people which includes 117 people from Chas block, 69 people from Chandankiyari block and 156 people from Jaridih block. On the occasion, Additional Collector cum District Social Welfare Officer Maneka, General Manager CSR Chaudhary Ratnesh K Sudhanshu, CSR Nodal Officer Shakti Kumar, CSR BSL Ashok Kumar, Assistant Public Relations Officer Avinash Kumar, Employees of BSL, District Social Welfare department personnel, women supervisors, divyangjans from various blocks etc. were also present. Punjab police avert possible target killings; 3 members of BKI-backed terror module held Amritsar: In a major blow to organized crime, Punjab Police have averted a possible target killing in the State with the arrest of three members of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module. The module is being operated by Harpreet Singh alias Happy a close aide of designated terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, along with his two associates identified as Harbeer Singh and Navroop Singh from the USA, said the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday. Yadav identified the arrested persons as Jaswinder Singh, Lovepreet Singh, and Gurpartap Singh all residents of Ramdas village in Amritsar. Police teams have also recovered two .32 bore pistols along with three magazines and 11 live cartridges, one Maruti Swift car (PB46AD6236), and one Splendor motorcycle from their possession, he added. The DGP said that following reliable inputs, Police teams from Amritsar Rural, Commissionerate Amritsar, and State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Amritsar, laid a special naka in the area of Ajnala and arrested the trio. The DGP said that the probe revealed that the arrested accused persons were tasked to carry out target killings in the State to create panic in society. Bajwa expresses concerns over short-notice Assembly sessions Chandigarh: In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, the Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Wednesday expressed deep concerns about the frequent convening of Vidhan Sabha sessions on short notice under the current AAP regime. Bajwa, in his letter, highlighted a disconcerting erosion of parliamentary traditions and democratic values. The Congress leaders concerns revolve around the notice issued on October 10, 2023, re-convening a session that was adjourned sine-die on June 20, 2023. The notice effectively erases the significance of traditionally-held sessions like the 'Monsoon Session' and 'Winter Session,' raising questions about transparency and the preservation of established legislative norms, he said. Furthermore, Bajwa expressed distress over a growing trend that circumvents the privileges of elected representatives by abruptly convening sessions with limited notice, primarily focused on the government's agenda. This practice, he argues, jeopardizes the fundamental democratic process by stifling opportunities for public issues to be addressed during essential parliamentary functions. Haryana to strengthen MSME ecosystem Chandigarh: In a step towards strengthening the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem in Haryana, the Industries and Commerce Department exchanged Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) with three Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved TReDS (Trade Receivables e Discounting System) entities. The MoAs were exchanged in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala in Chandigarh. The MoAs were exchanged with Receivable Exchange of India Limited (RXIL), Mynd Solution Private Limited (M1xchange), and A.TReDS Limited (Invoicemart). Speaking at the occasion, Khattar said that Haryana primarily relies on agriculture, but the scope of this sector is limited due to decreasing land holdings. Consequently, there is a pressing need to diversify into industries and other sectors. The government is actively pursuing various schemes to promote and nurture the growth of MSMEs. He also emphasized the current need to boost the MSMEs ecosystem through active participation of Suppliers, Buyers, Bankers and NBFCs over the TReDS platform, promotion of digital lending and offtake among MSMEs. He also emphasized that the Government of Haryana gradually directing and onboarding their Departments and PSUs over the TReDS platform thus ensuring timely and transparent payments to the MSME suppliers. A section of Jawaharlal Nehru University students boycotted classes on Wednesday in support of a strike call to protest against delays in conducting students union elections, leaders of several organisations said. No immediate reaction was available from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on the issue. Students affiliated with various organisations also held demonstrations against the delay in holding elections to the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), the leaders said. The ABVP, however, did not take part in the strike call. JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh said that the students union issued an ultimatum to the university administration, seeking a reply on holding the elections. Yesterday (Tuesday), we met the vice-chancellor over the issue and the administration sought another week to furnish an update on the elections. We will launch an agitation if no proper reply over the elections is received from the university administration, she said. Students associated with the CPI(M)-backed Students Federation of India (SFI), the CPI(ML) Liberation-linked All India Students Association (AISA) and several others from different departments took part in the strike, Ghosh added. An AISA activist said the elections should have been held by September but we are already in the middle of October and there is no update on the polls. An ABVP leader said, We want the polls to be conducted as soon as possible but not at the cost of academics. The boycott of classes will affect the students education. With the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, leave for more than five lakh government officers and employees in Chhattisgarh has been restricted until December 5. As the code of conduct came into force on Monday, these government personnel have now come under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. They will be eligible for leave only with approval from the Collector and the District Election Officer. Officers and employees posted at the district administrations have been ordered to not leave the headquarters without the permission of the Collector and the District Election Officer. Uttar Pradeshs Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has criticised Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadavs decision to celebrate the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash and accused him of lacking the moral authority to do so. Maurya claimed that Yadavs association with the Congress, which had imposed Emergency in the country in the past, raises questions about his commitment to democracy. Maurya questioned Yadavs intentions when he attempted to gain access to the Jayaprakash Narayan International Convention Centre (JPNIC) when he was denied entry. He suggested that Yadavs motivation for trying to enter the Centre was driven by a desire for media attention rather than genuine respect for the Loknayaks legacy. Furthermore, Maurya asserted that Akhilesh Yadavs behaviour reflects his frustration at being out of power. With the states leadership firmly in the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Central government showing no signs of shifting power to the SP, Yadav has turned to the Congress for support, despite the Congress historical association with the Emergency period, Maurya said. The SP has become increasingly desperate without political power but aligning with the Congress, which once undermined democratic principles during the Emergency, is not the solution. The BJP has a long history of fighting against the Emergency and similarly, the Congress will be defeated in the pursuit of power, he said. Maurya emphasised that such actions, including celebrating Jayaprakashs birth anniversary, will not yield the desired results for the Samajwadi Party. He expressed confidence that the BJP will continue to work towards upholding democratic values and will resist any attempts to undermine them. It should be noted that Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, defied security officials and jumped off the boundary wall of the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre in Lucknow. He took this action after being denied permission to enter the premises and offer floral tributes to the freedom fighter on his birth anniversary. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, alleging that he wants to crush the Aam Aadmi Party using agencies like the ED and CBI against its leaders. Kejriwal made the claims after AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, whose premises were raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday, met with him at his residence here. The opposition BJP in Delhi responded to Kejriwals charges, alleging that both his government and his party are inundated with corruption. Talking to reporters after the meeting with the MLA, Kejriwal said, This is not the only incident where PM Modi has directed the raids on the residence of AAP leaders. Since, the AAP government was formed in Delhi, PM Modi is trying to eliminate AAP with all his might. In 2016, the Centre constituted the Shunglu Committee. The Shunglu Committee asked for 400 files, and top officials inspected them thoroughly, yet they did not find corruption of a single penny, the chief minister said. The AAP national convener claimed that after this, AAP MLAs were framed in fabricated cases. So far, 170 cases have been filed against AAP MLAs, and judgments in 140 cases have been pronounced, all against the central government. All these judgements unequivocally stated that fabricated cases have been filed and arrests have been made against the AAP MLAs, he said. Kejriwal also alleged that in the last two years, senior AAP leaders and ministers have been arrested. He was referring to former ministers Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh. The central government arrested Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh, and yesterday, they orchestrated an ED raid on Amanatullah Khans residence. Yesterdays raid at Amanatullah Khans residence is also a step towards Modis scheme of things to curb the AAP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the strategically important border district of Pithoragarh on Thursday. As per the senior district administrative officers, aside from addressing a public meeting in Pithoragarh, he is scheduled to visit Adi Kailash and Parvati Tal situated along the India-China border and offer prayers there. He might also meditate at Parvati Tal. The old, revered Jageshwar temple is also on his itinerary. Importantly, he is the first Prime Minister to have a darshan of the revered Adi Kailash from Jeolingkong situated within the Uttarakhand territory at an altitude of 15000 feet, around 20 km away from the China (Tibet) border. The PM is also scheduled to meet the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Army personnel to boost their morale. As these areas of Pithoragarh district are quite inaccessible the local people hope that the PMs Jeolingkong visit will help the region get a new identity in the country as well as the world as a special religious/cultural tourism destination. They said that the visit, however brief, is expected to give a fillip to tourism activities which in turn will bring about all-round development. They further said that they would demand the PM to declare Adi Kailash as the fifth Dham. The district panchayat vice- president Komal Mehta said on Wednesday that excitement is palpable among the people here on account of the PMs visit. We are sure that this visit would usher in a new era of development in the region bordering China. Geographically sequestered by the mountains, development keeps eluding this region for ages, she added. Meanwhile, the district administration and the army officers said that security in Jeolingkong has been spruced up ahead of the PMs visit. While the helipad is ready for the PMs chopper to land safely, a sub-divisional magistrate has been entrusted with the responsibility of making fool-proof arrangements. While Pithoragarh city has been decked up appropriately, a folk dance troupe is all set to welcome the PM with its presentation of the popular Choliya dance of Kumaon. A senior district administrative officer said on Wednesday that during his visit, the PM would be served with millets and Kumaons traditional dishes. He also hinted that the PM might go for some big- ticket development announcements for this remote and strategically important border region of the district. Launching a scathing attack on the opposition leaders, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday challenged them not to forget the historical involvement of their ancestors in the construction of the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal before shedding crocodile tears over the contentious issue. Days after throwing an open challenge to the entire opposition for a live debate on Punjabs burning issues on November 1, Mann directed his criticism at key figures from the opposition, including Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. He called into question their moral standing in raising the SYL issue while accusing them of engaging in theatrical political tactics to mislead the people of Punjab. Issuing a searing critique of opposition leaders, Mann asked them to confront their ancestors roles in constructing the controversial SYL canal before making impassioned statements about the issue. Particularly targeting Sunil Jakhar, Mann said: Everyone knows that former Union Minister Balram Jakhar (father of Sunil Jakhar), along with Capt Amarinder Singh, accompanied the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of SYL at Kapuri. Also taking aim at Sukhbir Badal, Mann referenced how former Haryana Chief Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal had praised SAD presidents father and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for allowing the survey for the SYL canal. At the same time,, Mann challenged Sukhbir to provide revenue records for his Oberoi Hotel in Gurugram, further escalating the confrontation. Bring the papers of Oberoi Hotel in Gurugram (Gurgaon) before coming to debate on November 1, Mann asked Sukhbir. Ancestral Sins of Constructing SYL The Chief Minister openly accused the opposition leaders of disregarding their ancestors roles in committing the unpardonable crime of constructing the SYL canal, alluding to their pursuit of vested interests. He characterized their involvement in planning and executing the canals construction as a betrayal of the state and its people. The hands of these leaders are drenched with this crime against the state and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab, he said. Mann also dared the opposition leaders to bring forth the papers of the settlement agreements their parents had signed for the sake of acquiring power, thereby deceiving the state and its residents. Bring along the papers of settlement which your parents had signed for the sake of power-wielding chairs by deceiving the State and its peopleThis will give a clear picture to the residents of the state as to how they were betrayed in the name of making sacrifices, said Mann. Manns audacious challenge has set the stage for a proposed heated confrontation between the Chief Minister and opposition leaders on November 1 underscoring the deep-seated political divisions in Punjab, particularly concerning the SYL canal dispute, and the blame game over its historical construction. Bajwa responds The Chief Ministers assertions have elicited responses and reactions from the opposition leaders targeted by his challenge, further fueling the political discourse in Punjab. Responding to Mann, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Bajwa called upon the AAP-led Government to clarify its stance on Punjab's legal position regarding SYL. Bajwa questioned the weakening of Punjabs position in the Supreme Court, while expressing hope that the government should be held accountable for its legal strategies. Highlighting Punjabs water crisis, he underscored that the state is not receiving its allocated share of water. Also taking a dig at Mann, Bajwa, in a post in Punjabi on X, said: The people of your village discuss that when you used to do duty on the khal (irrigation channel), people often used to pick you up from the farm and leave you home in the evening. Watch out that the water of Punjab does not flow from under your nose to Haryana again, just like the neighbours used to take your water. Referring to Mann as Bhagwant Shah, Bajwa further said: If you had any shame, you would not leave Punjab alone and be the driver of your master (in reference to AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal) and take the plane of Punjab to other states every day. Is this not the looting of the treasury of Punjab? Punjab is waiting for your reply. Jakhar denies participating in debate at Tagore Theatre; AAP accuses him of running away Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday declined to participate in the proposed live debate scheduled to be held at Tagore Theatre on November 1 a decision that has sparked accusations from AAP which claimed that Jakhar is evading the debate. Punjab Government has, reportedly, chosen Tagore Theatre as the venue for the debate between the chief minister and the opposition leaders, intending to discuss the pressing issues, especially the contentious SYL issue. Jakhar first urged the Chief Minister to clarify why the State Government did not effectively present its case in the Supreme Court concerning the SYL canal. He questioned whether the government's actions were driven by ulterior motives and interests. In response, AAP accused him of evading a meaningful discussion on the state's issues. AAP's chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang alleged that the Modi government at the center consistently made decisions against Punjab's interests. Kang challenged Jakhar to reconsider his previous remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned whether he would retract them. He cited historical instances related to the SYL canal issue, urging Jakhar to address the matter with the relevant authorities. Tagore Theatre management refuses to allow political debate Amidst the ongoing verbal sparring between the Chief Minister and the opposition regarding the proposed debate scheduled for November 1, it has been reported that the management of Tagore Theatre has rejected the request to host the political debate. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier put forth the idea of conducting a debate on issues pertaining to Punjab with opposition leaders at Tagore Theatre on November 1. The Chandigarh Administration has clarified that in line with established rules and regulations of the Tagore Theatre, the venue cannot accommodate political debates. It stated that Tagore Theatres primary mission is to foster art and culture, making it unsuitable for political conferences. Giving a major blow to the inter-state narcotic network, the Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police, apprehended a drug smuggler wanted in 30 kg cocaine recovery case from Mullanpur Dakha in Ludhiana and seized Rs 4.94 crores drug money stored in a bed. Apart from seizing the drug money, police teams have also recovered one .32 bore revolver, 38 fake vehicle number plates of Punjab and Haryana, 44 grams gold, 385 grams silver, a currency counting machine, and a weighing machine from his possession, besides, impounding his Mahindra Scorpio car, said the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday. DGP Yadav said that the arrested accused has been identified as Manjit Singh (24), a native of Thandian village in Banga, Nawanshahr; and was currently living at Dashmesh Nagar, Mullanpur Dakha for last six months. The development came close on the heels of the arrest of two Punjab-based drug smugglers, identified as Hunny Basra of Palahi Gate Phagwara and Sarabjit Singh of village Ballan in Kartarpur with 30 kg cocaine from Jammu on October 1. DGP Yadav said that following reliable inputs about the involvement of accused Manjit Singh in 30 kg cocaine recovery case, the teams of Counter Intelligence Ludhiana joined Jammu Police and launched a search operation in the State. Police teams have arrested the accused Manjit Singh from his rented accommodation in Mullanpur Dakha after laying a trap, he said. The preliminary investigations revealed that accused Manjit Singh used to transport drugs in vehicles from Jalandhar area after picking up the consignment from the two persons arrested by the Jammu Police, who used to go to Jammu to retrieve the consignment. Investigations are ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages, he added. Sharing more details, AIG Counter Intelligence Simratpal Singh Dhindsa said that during questioning, the accused revealed that he used to transport the drug consignment from Jalandhar to other places and he has transported three consignments so far. It was also revealed that the accused Manjit Singhs father identified as Satnam Singh is also into drug smuggling and was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) in the NDPS case registered in Garhshankar, he said, while adding that Police teams are conducting raids to nab him. DVC Supply workers demonstrated on Wednesday near the New ADM Building of DVC's Bokaro Thermal, demanding payment of arrears. In this regard, Joint Morcha convenor Brajkishore Singh said that area payment of about 540 supply laborers has not been paid since last one year. A demonstration is being held here regarding this demand and the same protest will continue until positive talks are held with them. He also said that just as incentives have been announced for DVC employees, similar incentives should be announced for supply laborers as well but along with this, ex gratia has not been announced. DVC management should soon announce ex gratia for supply labourers. Gratuity has not been paid to the dependents of the deceased employees. In this regard, talks have been held several times with DVC management officials, but no positive initiative has been taken, due to which there is disappointment among the workers. He said that the management should hold talks on the above demands soon and fulfill the demands. Otherwise the demonstration will continue. Naveen Pathak, Aseem Tiwari, Sanjay Mishra, Amarjeet Singh, Nageshwar Mahato, Ramchandra Mahato, Mithilesh Sinha, Lakshmi Lal, Anil Singh and other laborers were involved in this demonstration. Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha President Tejasvi Surya on Wednesday said that youths will give a "befitting reply" to the Congress in coming elections. He made the claim after accusing the Bhupesh Baghel government of being involved in various scandals, including one related to the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC). Speaking to the media, he said: "I have come here to ensure the establishment of a BJP government." The CGPSC issue was raised by us and the way we demanded justice and the way Yuva Morcha workers were lathi charged, we have just received the reward from the court, he said. Surya said state governments across the country should bring reforms in recruitment through Public Service Commission and ensure transparency. The first shipment of advanced US weapons and equipment have landed in Israel to boost the US ally in its war with Hamas, the Israel Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday. The video footage and images released by Israel's Ministry of Defence showed the landing of a cargo plane that delivered the initial shipment of equipment procured and brought to the country through a joint operation. The Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Production and Procurement, the US Procurement Mission, and the International Transportation Unit within the Israel Defence Ministry in the operation oversaw the mobilisation of the cargo plane, ensuring the direct transport of armaments from the US, Mayan Lazarovich from the Ministry of Defence Spokesperson's Office, said in a statement. Washington on Tuesday said it had already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing inventories to see what else could be sent quickly to boost its ally. A senior Defence Department official on Monday said planes had already taken off to deliver the weapons whose details were not provided. The weapons movement came as President Joe Biden announced that the US death toll in Israel has gone up to 14. In addition to the 14 American citizens, Biden confirmed on Tuesday that Americans are known to be among the hostages held by Hamas after its rampage over the weekend, delivering an emotional and angered denunciation of the terror and making clear he expected a forceful reprisal by Israel. The president delivered vivid descriptions of the atrocities carried out by the militants, saying they had butchered and massacred innocent people. The known number of Americans killed now stands at 14, Biden said. It's abhorrent, he said. The brutality of Hamas' bloodthirstiness brings to mind the worst rampages of ISIS. "We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack," Biden said. Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said later on Tuesday that the administration believes there are 20 or more Americans believed to be missing from Israel, but that that number does not necessarily reflect the number of hostages in Hamas custody. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told CNN that the White House was having active conversations with Israel to try to bring American citizens in Hamas custody home. The brazen attack by Hamas and Israel's response has left more than 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides. (): US President Joe Biden has been interviewed over two days by a Special Counsel as part of a probe into his handling of classified documents, the White House has said. The interview was conducted at the White House on Sunday and Monday, Ian Sams, the spokesperson of the White House Counsels Office said on Monday. The President has been interviewed as part of the investigation being led by Special Counsel Robert Hur. The voluntary interview was conducted at the White House over two days, Sunday and Monday, and concluded Monday, Sams said. The White House said in January that documents with classified markings were found at Bidens Delaware home and at a Washington office he used after he was vice president. As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation, Sams said. He refrained from providing any other further details of the probe against 80-year-old Biden. The interview, scheduled weeks ago, marks the first significant development in the case known to the public in months, a report by CNN said. Attorney General Merrick announced the investigation and laid out a timeline of the case, which began after the presidents attorneys found documents at Bidens former Washington DC office and his Delaware residence in November 2022, the report said. The interview raises the possibility that the special counsels investigation may be nearing its end, NBC News reported. The documents were found among personal and political papers, according to a statement from Bidens legal team. The National Archives informed a Department of Justice prosecutor on November 4 that the White House had made the Archives aware of documents with classified markings found at Bidens think tank, which was not authorised to store classified materials, Garland said. On November 14, then-US Attorney John Lausch was tasked with leading that preliminary inquiry after the FBI opened an initial assessment, and Lausch was informed on December 20 of the second batch of apparently classified documents being found at Bidens Wilmington home, according to Garlands account. Hur was subsequently appointed in January to investigate the case, the report said. According to Politico, the FBI also conducted searches of the Biden vacation home in Delaware, where some materials and handwritten notes that appeared to date back to Bidens time as vice president were found, the presidents lawyer Bob Bauer said. Biden said in January that he was surprised to learn that classified documents were found in his former office. Responding to a question at a news conference in Mexico City, where he was attending a summit, the president said, I was surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office, the report said. He emphasised then that he did not know what was in the documents. The report said that US intelligence memos and briefing materials covered topics including Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom were among them, quoting an informed source. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan in a chartered plane from Dubai on October 21, ending his four-year-long self-imposed exile in the UK, according to a media report. The flight carrying Nawaz will have the name Umeed-e-Pakistan which can carry approximately 150 passengers, Geo News reported. The booking has been made and all arrangements are in place, the report said. The 73-year-old three-time prime minister is expected to lead his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party in the general elections likely to be held in January next year. Sharif, along with party members and journalists, is scheduled to leave Dubai for Pakistan on October 21. The special flight will land in Islamabad from Dubai before proceeding to Lahore, Sharif will address the gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan. Sharif will reach Saudi Arabia for Umrah on Wednesday. He will stay in Saudi Arabia for a week during which he will hold important meetings. He will arrive in Dubai on October 18. Sharif will be accompanied to the Saudi visit by his close aides Mian Nasir Janjua, Waqar Ahmed, his friend Karim Yousaf and a few others. Nasir Janjua, the owner of MIDJAC company, spent nearly three years in exile in London with Sharif and returned to Pakistan just a few months ago, the report added. Earlier this year, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) former head Bashir Memon revealed that former prime minister Imran Khan and his then-principal secretary Azam Khan time and again forced him to use all legal and illegal means, including the use of torture and anti-terrorism laws, to force businessman Mian Nasir Janjua to give a false confessional statement against PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz in the judge Arshed Malik video scandal. Memon said it was planned in the PM House that Janjua, who has been a 30-years-old trusted friend of Sharif, should be made the main culprit since he is a businessman and would be an easy target to become an approver against Maryam and senior PML-N leadership. Janjua then left Pakistan for London and didnt return until Imran Khan was in power. On Tuesday, PML-N Senators Ishaq Dar and Irfan Siddiqui said Sharif would leave for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Refuting rumours pertaining to Sharifs presence in Saudi Arabia, Irfan Siddiqui confirmed that the former prime minister is still in the United Kingdom and that the visit to Saudi Arabia is of a private nature as the ex-premier will perform Umrah. Ishaq Dar said that there is no chance of Sharif being arrested on return to Pakistan. He said that transit bail and protective bail would be obtained from the court. Nawaz will follow the standard legal procedures. He said that PML-Ns narrative would be around the economy. Dar said: Recovery of the economy is the best revenge. Sharif stepped down as the countrys prime minister in 2017 after he was disqualified for life from holding public office by the Supreme Court for not declaring a receivable salary. He has been living in London since 2019 after the LHC granted him four-week permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment. 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. 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. He was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his counterpart in Romania Tuesday for talks on regional security and to strengthen bilateral ties against the backdrop of Russias invasion of his country. He described the partnership between the two countries as key to stability for Europe and beyond on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after meeting with President Klaus Iohannis in the capital, Bucharest.The two discussed security in the Black Sea region, economic cooperation, shared infrastructure projects, and Ukraines requests for military support, Zelenskyy told reporters after the meetings. He also thanked Romania for providing both military and humanitarian support to his war-torn country. Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian president described the NATO and European Union member country as a friend who came to our help on our darkest day and whose support gets stronger with time, on X. In recent weeks, Russia has carried out sustained attacks on Ukraines Danube River ports located just across the river from Romania as Moscow aims to disrupt Ukraines ability to export grain to world markets. Romania has confirmed drone fragment findings on its territory, the type used by the Russian army near its border with Ukraine. In Romania, it is well-known how dangerous Russian terrorism is, how dangerous the drones and missiles are that attack the villages near the Romanian border, Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian pilots will be trained in Romania and I discussed this with the Romanian president. We discussed our military requests. In July, Romanias Supreme Council of National Defense said that the country aims to open a regional training hub for F-16 fighter jet pilots from fellow NATO countries and other partners, including Ukraine. For his part, Iohannis said that Romania is focused on helping Ukraine win the war against Russia and that supporting Ukraine is in his countrys strategic interest. Strengthening Ukraines security means strengthening Romanias security. Ukraine and Romania signed an agreement in August to try and boost Kyivs grain exports through Romania after Russia withdrew from a wartime agreement a month earlier that ensured safe passage through the Black Sea. Romanias Black Sea port of Constanta has become a key transport route for the war-torn nations grain amid the war. Ukraine is a major global supplier of wheat, barley, corn and vegetable oil and has struggled since Russias invasion to get its food products to parts of the world in need. After Russia blocked the grains Black Sea passage, that left more expensive overland routes through Europe as the main path for Ukraines exports. The Ukrainian presidents trip to Romania is his first official visit since Russia launched its full-scale invasion last year. In the wake of the invasion, millions of Ukrainian refugees fled to Romania before moving on to other countries. Around 85,000 Ukrainian refugees are currently registered in Romania, under the EUs temporary protection scheme. Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $34.30 and last traded at $34.30, with a volume of 10279 shares. The stock had previously closed at $35.07. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ALK has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $62.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $65.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Raymond James reduced their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $75.00 to $58.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $58.50 to $64.25 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $63.00 to $61.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Alaska Air Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $62.33. Get Alaska Air Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Alaska Air Group Alaska Air Group Stock Up 1.4 % The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock has a market cap of $4.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.40, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.55. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $40.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $44.76. Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The transportation company reported $3.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $2.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.77 billion. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 19.66% and a net margin of 1.55%. Alaska Air Groups revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.19 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 5.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Alaska Air Group Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 3.9% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,753,739 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $157,502,000 after acquiring an additional 142,027 shares during the period. South Dakota Investment Council boosted its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 46.3% during the first quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 434,127 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $18,216,000 after buying an additional 137,400 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its position in Alaska Air Group by 0.7% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,412,339 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $143,198,000 after purchasing an additional 23,436 shares during the last quarter. swisspartners Advisors Ltd boosted its position in Alaska Air Group by 1.8% in the second quarter. swisspartners Advisors Ltd now owns 113,454 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $6,033,000 after purchasing an additional 2,030 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Independent Advisor Alliance purchased a new position in Alaska Air Group in the first quarter worth $240,000. 80.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Alaska Air Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operated airlines. The company operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing and Airbus jet aircraft for passengers and cargo throughout the United States, and in parts of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States and Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Alaska Air Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alaska Air Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $55.75 and last traded at $55.75, with a volume of 23794 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $56.66. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BMY. StockNews.com began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $84.00 target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 6th. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $72.00 to $66.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.50. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.4 % The firm has a fifty day moving average of $60.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $63.98. The company has a market cap of $117.79 billion, a PE ratio of 15.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last announced 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 return on equity of 50.51% and a net margin of 17.62%. The firm had revenue of $11.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.81 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.93 EPS. The companys revenue was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.42 EPS for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 1st. Investors of record on Friday, October 6th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.04%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.64%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.14, for a total transaction of $44,754.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 6,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $402,545.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $1,101,642.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 27,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,706,915. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.14, for a total value of $44,754.48. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $402,545.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Bristol-Myers Squibb A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BMY. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at about $332,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $150,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,075,000 after buying an additional 57,444 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $24,725,000 after buying an additional 68,018 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock. About Bristol-Myers Squibb (Get 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV acquired a new position in iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (NYSEARCA:IAT Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 5,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $174,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in IAT. Barry Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $9,809,000. Bell Bank acquired a new position in iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $7,977,000. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF by 215.2% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 289,386 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,357,000 after buying an additional 197,573 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF by 266.9% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 235,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,984,000 after buying an additional 171,572 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp lifted its stake in iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF by 276.9% in the first quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 200,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,174,000 after buying an additional 147,263 shares during the period. Get iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF alerts: iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF Stock Performance Shares of IAT opened at $33.46 on Wednesday. iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF has a 52-week low of $28.80 and a 52-week high of $53.92. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $35.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.72. The firm has a market cap of $677.57 million, a PE ratio of 8.82 and a beta of 1.09. About iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF The iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the DJ US Select \u002F Regional Banks index. The fund tracks the performance of an index of small- and mid-cap regional banks. IAT was launched on May 1, 2006 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IAT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (NYSEARCA:IAT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE:PAYC Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the fifteen analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and eleven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $384.53. Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and set a $400.00 price target on shares of Paycom Software in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $450.00 price target on shares of Paycom Software in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. TheStreet lowered shares of Paycom Software from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Friday, August 18th. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Paycom Software from $350.00 to $325.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Paycom Software from $340.00 to $356.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Get Paycom Software alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Paycom Software Paycom Software Stock Down 0.3 % Paycom Software stock opened at $274.98 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $16.63 billion, a PE ratio of 50.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.24. The firms 50 day moving average price is $280.67 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $297.81. Paycom Software has a twelve month low of $252.12 and a twelve month high of $374.04. Paycom Software (NYSE:PAYC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The software maker reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.23 by ($0.22). Paycom Software had a return on equity of 24.93% and a net margin of 20.28%. The business had revenue of $401.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $398.20 million. On average, research analysts predict that Paycom Software will post 6.1 EPS for the current fiscal year. Paycom Software Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 28th were issued a $0.375 dividend. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 25th. Paycom Softwares dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.52%. Insider Buying and Selling at Paycom Software In other Paycom Software news, EVP Christopher Gene Thomas sold 320 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.05, for a total value of $92,816.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,154 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,585,967.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Christopher Gene Thomas sold 320 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.05, for a total value of $92,816.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,154 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,585,967.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jason D. Clark sold 130 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $287.36, for a total transaction of $37,356.80. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,970 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,428,179.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 14.50% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Paycom Software A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of PAYC. Scissortail Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Paycom Software in the first quarter valued at approximately $251,551,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Paycom Software in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Paycom Software in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Paycom Software by 350.0% in the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 90 shares of the software makers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Paycom Software in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. 88.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Paycom Software Company Profile (Get Free Report Paycom Software, Inc provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solution delivered as software-as-a-service for small to mid-sized companies in the United States. It offers functionality and data analytics that businesses need to manage the employment life cycle from recruitment to retirement. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Paycom Software Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Paycom Software and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polaris Inc. (NYSE:PII Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $120.25. PII has been the topic of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Polaris in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. They set an equal weight rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Polaris from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Raymond James cut Polaris from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 18th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Polaris from $115.00 to $121.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price objective on Polaris from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Get Polaris alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on PII Polaris Stock Performance Shares of Polaris stock opened at $99.99 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $111.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $113.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.34 and a beta of 1.67. Polaris has a 12 month low of $91.86 and a 12 month high of $138.49. Polaris (NYSE:PII Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The company reported $2.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.21 by $0.21. Polaris had a return on equity of 57.98% and a net margin of 6.89%. The business had revenue of $2.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.14 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.42 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Polaris will post 10.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Polaris Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st were issued a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 31st. Polariss payout ratio is presently 24.28%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CFO Robert Paul Mack sold 8,312 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total value of $1,080,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 28,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,686,280. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Polaris news, CEO Michael T. Speetzen sold 58,301 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.14, for a total transaction of $7,937,098.14. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 56,067 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,632,961.38. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Robert Paul Mack sold 8,312 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $1,080,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 28,356 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,686,280. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 131,464 shares of company stock worth $17,773,994. Company insiders own 2.75% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Polaris Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its stake in Polaris by 3.4% during the second quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 2,470 shares of the companys stock worth $299,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Polaris by 30.4% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 395 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. grew its stake in Polaris by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 2,533 shares of the companys stock valued at $256,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Polaris by 71.2% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 250 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Finally, M&T Bank Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Polaris by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 7,201 shares of the companys stock worth $797,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.36% of the companys stock. Polaris Company Profile (Get Free Report Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles worldwide. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats; and aftermarket parts and apparel. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Polaris Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Polaris and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Simplicity Solutions LLC grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 27.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 936 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $2,003,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 350.0% during the 1st quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 18 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 90.0% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 19 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 9 shares in the last quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 185.7% during the 1st quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 20 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tradition Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 320.0% during the first quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 21 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.19% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on CMG. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,230.00 to $2,280.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 20th. TD Cowen reissued an outperform rating and set a $2,200.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, September 20th. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,550.00 to $1,950.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,300.00 to $2,250.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,885.00 to $1,950.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,143.81. Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,063 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,949.84, for a total transaction of $2,072,679.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at $45,522,914.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,063 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,949.84, for a total value of $2,072,679.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at $45,522,914.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,058 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,928.16, for a total transaction of $2,039,993.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at $45,016,751.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 3,165 shares of company stock valued at $6,024,185. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Down 0.0 % CMG opened at $1,832.12 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $1,886.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $1,947.61. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a twelve month low of $1,344.05 and a twelve month high of $2,175.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $50.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.76, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.30. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The restaurant operator reported $12.65 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $12.25 by $0.40. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 12.00% and a return on equity of 45.85%. The business had revenue of $2.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $9.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 43.16 earnings per share for the current year. Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV cut its holdings in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Free Report) by 16.9% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 667 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 136 shares during the period. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADVs holdings in Boeing were worth $141,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Janney Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Boeing in the second quarter worth approximately $752,000. Michael S. Ryan Inc. acquired a new stake in Boeing in the second quarter worth approximately $235,000. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Boeing by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 5,803 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,225,000 after acquiring an additional 581 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 2nd quarter valued at $50,459,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in shares of Boeing by 99.2% during the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 402,311 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $84,756,000 after acquiring an additional 200,359 shares during the last quarter. 61.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boeing alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Boeing news, CEO Theodore Colbert III sold 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.37, for a total transaction of $2,026,145.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 59,255 shares in the company, valued at $14,124,614.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Boeing news, CEO Theodore Colbert III sold 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.37, for a total transaction of $2,026,145.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 59,255 shares in the company, valued at $14,124,614.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Steven M. Mollenkopf bought 850 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 31st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $237.00 per share, for a total transaction of $201,450.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,767 shares in the company, valued at $892,779. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.15% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have issued reports on BA. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Boeing in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Boeing from $220.00 to $235.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Northcoast Research upgraded Boeing from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. UBS Group started coverage on Boeing in a report on Tuesday. They set a buy rating and a $275.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $285.00 price objective on shares of Boeing in a report on Monday, September 18th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $246.00. View Our Latest Research Report on BA Boeing Stock Up 2.7 % BA stock opened at $193.56 on Wednesday. The Boeing Company has a twelve month low of $124.17 and a twelve month high of $243.10. The company has a market cap of $116.44 billion, a PE ratio of -25.84 and a beta of 1.45. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $214.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $211.89. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($0.82) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.99) by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $19.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.59 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.37) earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that The Boeing Company will post -3.69 EPS for the current year. Boeing Profile (Free Report) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The days of an omnipresent monopoly company like Google controlling all thought on the internet, and censoring massive populations purely on leftwing political bias, could nearly be over. By arrogantly believing they are untouchable, Google may have shot themselves in the foot, as government regulation now looms over the censorious internet monopoly. Unfortunately, Googles authoritarian socialist and Marxist ideology has rubbed up against millions of people, and now the Trump administration is out for blood after seeing their supporters effectively silenced and purged from the internet. The supposed liberals who are meant to be liberal and allow free speech are now acting in an authoritarian totalitarian manner, which means they are not liberal anymore and have moved even more far left towards Communism. Control thought By allegedly manipulating search engine answers, the company has been accused of swaying opinion during elections favouring left-wing socialist candidates as opposed to any other candidate. Censorship of the opposition, or any thought that is not in line with socialist ideology is what Google has been doing for some time, however if the government regulates the search engine, and considers it a public utility, hopefully things may change. The Trump administration is stepping into the fray after thousands of conservative and libertarian sites/accounts were purged from the internet in a move by leftwing tech companies before the U.S. midterm elections, effectively silencing a vast swathe of the population. The same fate hopefully will occur to Facebook and Twitter who have misused their positions as well as Google to conduct corrupt practices against their users in a biased manner. The British electoral First Past the Post (FPTP) system ensures that Labour will win the election in May. With the Conservatives bereft of a clear majority due to Camerons inadequacies, the Tories will be given the boot. Ukip know this and a voter who votes for them knows they are inadvertently voting for Labour due to the FPTP system. This is why Ukip knows that the General Election after May this year will be crucial because the country will have endured further punishment from Labour. It is in Ukips interests that Labour wins the election as the damage meted out by the red party will be so terrible, it will bring the UK to a riotous denouement within two years. Under Labour, there will be a mass exodus of business, finance, professionals and unemployment will increase ten fold. These are the seeds for the rise of Ukip or other right wing party as Labour will do the opposition party a favour simply by exercising their Marxist doctrines. Labour will de-incentivise the publics right to ownership of property, as well as increase the push towards the eurozone. By abolishing the Pound Sterling, Britain with its trillion pound deficit will be subject to even worse austerity conditions than Greece. There will be no controls over budgets and the NHS will be left floundering as the EU cuts off much needed funding. Socialists use other peoples money, but what happens when that money dries up? The massive influx into the UK by EU benefits seekers have already put enormous strains on the welfare and school system, with additional variables affecting the destruction; like professionals and businesses leaving the UK due to heavy Labour taxation, Britains welfare state will not survive. You need people to pay tax for there to be enough money in the pool for the welfare state. Public anger will grow under Labour, as the duped voters who stupidly were fooled into voting for Miliband and his Labour cohorts will cause public unrest. This is when Ukip will step in as saviours to the nation, and take Britain out of the EU. The incoming Labour government will also leave the UK helpless by decommissioning the Trident nuclear deterrent, which will be cause for Britains enemies to consider attack. Thus Labour, could be party to the potential annihilation of the British people if the warring Russians exploited the gaps in Britains defence. It is unfortunate that the British people, who are a very resilient lot, will have to endure such pain under Labour, but it is the only way Ukip or another British-centric party can beat the invasion from many sides. Labour is the enemy from within, and the people who vote for them are party to the death of Britain as a nation through its traitorous design. Under David Cameron, the UK is weak, and so are the Conservatives, an emasculated party with no voice, floundering under the radar. The Conservatives have good economic sense but thats not enough for the welfare reliant British who make up the majority of the population and are lifelong Labour voters. When the whole system is socialist, it stands to reason that the majority of the population of Britain will vote for the party that created the socialist infrastructure. The elections in May could have been a referendum on Europe, but the failing of Ukips leader, Farage, is a symptom of the welfare cushion winning. Ukips rhetoric has failed on a number of occasions, and blatant racism is not condoned by many in public, even though the majority of the UKs indigenous population are racist at home. Farage has also squandered his earlier lead, but this may be a calculated affair, as the party knows it is impossible to win in 2015 due to the current electoral system. Vote Labour, get Labour, Vote Ukip, get Labour, Vote Conservative, get Labour. Do you want to be ruled by someone else, do you want others to dictate to you their every whim, do you want shoddy laws created in your own country discriminating against you, do you want to end up an economic basket case like the rest of Europe, do you want to be enlisted in an EU army, do you want your kids to be enlisted in an EU army, do you want your freedom to be British? W A K E U P This is real, this is no joke, this is not satire, this is as real as we have ever got. The EU referendum is the last chance the British people will have to keep their island. Please understand the gravity of the situation here, the economy will not suffer if we are out of the EU, it will soar. The UK will be a global trading partner and not stuck in some measly corner. Here at the Daily Squib, we feel David Camerons pain, because he has been told that economically the UK will be better off stuck in the EU bloc, but he knows deep in his heart that what he is doing is wrong. Here is a man, a Prime Minister torn between selling off Britain on the cheap, surrendering to the EU when he should be freeing us from the chains and constant Schengen immigrant attacks. We know what is truly in your heart David and we urge you to go towards the light, because becoming a traitor to your people was never in your remit. The pompous gorillas strutting around Brussels are not Britains friend and you know that. Okay, some parts of Europe are nice, but so what? Being out of the EU will not stop you travelling, you will have a British passport and that is still a ticket to pretty much anywhere. Do you want hospitals, do you want schools, do you want to drive through roads again, do you want more money in your pocket? Think about it, less money spent on EU benefits will mean exactly that. They are ruining Britain from the inside, they are taking away resources, they are causing massive crime waves, throw away the ghettos, deport the ones who are no use, get this island back to what it used to be, not some dumping area for the worlds poor, uneducated freeloaders. Britain should be inviting educated, intelligent people who will be of use, instead the clever ones are leaving these shores as they see what is happening. We need Brain Gain not Brain Drain as is the case right now. The tiny island of Britain is being swamped and someone has to do something about it. That someone is you, and your chance to vote will be what makes this country Great again, not some insignificant zone floundering in a sea of mediocrity within the eurozone. Break the chains holding Britain, stamp on the hands dragging us into the sea, stand up and fight for your country. Please spread this article far and wide, read the Daily Squib from now on, we tell it as it is, we are not bullshitting here. This is Britains last chance. Open your eyes. See what is happening and know that you can change the future. What is 6 Billion euros divided by 100,000 migrants? Thats 60,000 euros per person, a princely sum if there were any, and the EU nations are being forced by their heads in Brussels to cough up the cash. Britain itself will be forced to pay 500 million to the fund. In a time of austerity, where every cut in the budget of Britain hurts millions of Britons, 500 million could easily go towards building a new hospital, or multiple schools, or the crumbling road infrastructure, or to better care for the disabled, instead it is fleeing from the arms of Britain into a black hole, a bottomless pit. The migrants will keep coming whatever will happen, and this charade will continue ad infinitum. If Britain was out of the EU, this money could be used in our own country to serve our people, to help our infrastructure, and to increase the quality of lives for the many needy Britons who really deserve better than the deal they are getting right now. You pay tax. For what? You work day in day out and you get nothing back, instead the money flies into EU arms and is never seen again. Britain on top of these money requests by the EU pays 55 million per day just to be in the EU. Vote Leave, let Britain break free from this EU monstrosity, this wasteful ridiculous profligate bunch of thieves. Deal of the Century One thing is for sure, the Turks are laughing all the way to the bank, what a coup for Ankara, to have taken the 6 Billion euros. A delightful Turkish win off the backs of the EU Muppet show. We take the money, then release the migrant. What that migrant does in Turkey is their business, whether they go across to Europe again is none of ours. Hah! What a deal, this is beautiful. Six billion euros, we dont even know what to do with all that cash. Kebabs on us! All right boys, chilli sauce? Thank you EU. haha EU free movement rules prioritise the rights of criminals over public safety and mean we cannot deport dangerous EU criminals. If we vote to stay in the EU, this lack of control will only increase as the European Court uses the Charter of Fundamental Rights to entrench the right of foreign national offenders to reside in the UK. Some of the EU criminals identified include: Learco Chindamo, an Italian national who murdered headteacher Philip Lawrence in 1995 when he went to the assistance of a 13-year-old boy who was being attacked. Theresa Rafacz, a Polish national, who killed her husband, including by kicking him in the face with a shod foot while he lay on the ground drunk. Andrzej Stankiewicz, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment for causing death by careless driving while drunk. Jordan Epee Homb, a German, convicted of possessing of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, who went to his victims house (occupied by his mother and seven-year-old daughter). An accomplice fired a shotgun twice through the front door. Mircea Gheorghiu, a Romanian rapist whom the Secretary of State was ordered to readmit to the UK and to grant permanent residence, after removing him from the UK. Mantas Baibokas, a Lithuanian who was discovered in possession of 7 kg of amphetamine sulphate, hidden in a jet ski in his garage. Commenting, Justice Minister Dominic Raab said: This is yet more evidence of how EU membership makes us less safe. Free movement of people allows unelected judges in the rogue European Court to decide who we can and cant deport. This puts British families at risk. It squanders UK taxpayers money on keeping them in prison and thats on top of the 50 million we send to the EU every day. Outside the EU, we can take back control of our borders, deport more dangerous criminals, and strengthen public protection. Thats why the safer choice is to Vote Leave on 23 June. Being in the EU makes us less safe. EU free movement rules prioritise the rights of criminals over public safety and mean we cannot deport dangerous EU criminals. New research by Vote Leave reveals: 50 cases in which the UK has been unable to deport serious criminals to the European Union because of EU law. These cases include offenders convicted of murder, rape, robbery and drug trafficking. Of these 50 offenders, all but two were sentenced in the UK to terms of imprisonment exceeding one year and, had it not been for EU law, would have been subject to automatic deportation under UK law. This includes six offenders convicted of homicide, 5 convicted of sexual offences and 13 convicted of drug dealing. Crimes include murder, rape, blinding a child and possession of 7 kg of amphetamine sulphate with intent to supply. In each case, EU law allowed them to stay in the UK. The legal judgements preventing the removal of 46 out of 50 of the criminals were issued since the current Government took office in May 2010. The Governments renegotiation will do nothing to change this. The European Commission has said it will issue a Communication to address the UKs concerns, but it accepts that it has no legal effect. The UK will continue to lack control over whether it can deport serious criminals if it votes to remain in the unreformed EU on 23 June. This lack of control will only increase as the European Court uses the supposedly fundamental status of EU citizenship and the Charter of Fundamental Rights to entrench the right of foreign national offenders to reside in the UK. Even where the British courts have ruled offenders are dangerous, we are unable to remove them. None of these persons would have been removed under the European Arrest Warrant as they were not wanted in other EU member states. 50 criminals that the UK has been unable to deport because of EU law Vote Leave has identified 50 serious criminals whom the UK was unable to deport because of EU law (see the Annex for full details). The table summarises the results: Type of offence Part 1 Homicide 6 Part 2 Offences against the person 15 Part 3 Sexual offences 5 Part 4 Drug offences 13 Part 5 Offences of dishonesty 9 Part 6 Other offences 2 Of these 50 offenders, all but two were sentenced in the UK to terms of imprisonment exceeding one year and would have been subject to automatic deportation under UK law had they been subject to it. In addition, the legal judgements preventing the removal of 46 out of 50 of the criminals were issued since the current Government took office in May 2010. Homicide Six of the 50 offenders whom the UK could not remove were convicted of offences of homicide. They include: Learco Chindamo, an Italian national who murdered headteacher Philip Lawrence in 1995 when he went to the assistance of a 13-year-old boy who was being attacked. Theresa Rafacz, a Polish national, who killed her husband, including by kicking him in the face with a shod foot while he lay on the ground drunk. Andrzej Stankiewicz, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment for causing death by careless driving while drunk. Offences against the person 15 of the 50 offenders whom the UK could not remove were convicted of offences against the person. They include: LG, an Italian national, who followed a 66-year-old retired man and attacked him from behind, inflicting serious head and facial injuries, including a fracture of the skull, during a robbery. The trial judge said he was a thoroughly dangerous man. Jordan Epee Homb, a German, convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, who went to his victims house (occupied by his mother and seven-year-old daughter). An accomplice fired a shotgun twice through the front door. AB, a Polish national, who shook her three month old daughter several times, as a result of which she was left brain-damaged, confined to a wheelchair and blind. Sexual offences 5 of the 50 offenders whom the UK could not remove were convicted of sexual offences. They include: Mircea Gheorghiu, a Romanian rapist whom the Secretary of State was ordered to readmit to the UK and to grant permanent residence, after removing him from the UK. MS, a Lithuanian rapist. The Tribunal said his deportation could not be justified on the basis of his previous criminal conviction even of such a serious nature as rape and attempted rape. VW, a Lithuanian, convicted of sexual assault. The Tribunal ruled the Appellants behaviour does not come within the serious grounds of public policy. Drug offences 13 of the 50 offenders whom the UK could not remove were convicted of drug offences. They include: Mantas Baibokas, a Lithuanian who was discovered in possession of 7 kg of amphetamine sulphate, hidden in a jet ski in his garage. Eddie Karwhoo, a French national, convicted of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing class A drugs and sentenced to nine years imprisonment. Kingsley Chukwudinma Nwanekwul, a German national, convicted of being knowingly concerned in fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing Class A drugs and sentenced to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment. Offences of dishonesty Benedetto Vassallo, an Italian career criminal convicted on 31 separate occasions of 68 offences in the UK Vladas Juocys, a Lithuanian national, sentenced to five years imprisonment for very serious tax offences, with convictions for things of which he ought to be ashamed. Darius Kersys, a Lithuanian convicted of defrauding a vulnerable elderly neighbour he had befriended to obtain dishonestly 112,000 after he died. The Judge described the crime as a mean-spirited and nasty piece of offending. UK law on the deportation of foreign criminals The Home Secretary has the power to deport foreign nationals from the UK if she considers that it would be conducive to the public good. In addition, UK law provides that a person who is (a) convicted of a serious crime and sentenced to imprisonment or (b) is sentenced to more than twelve months imprisonment, is subject to automatic deportation. However, this has no application where deportation would breach rights of the foreign criminal under the EU treaties. This means that those with a right of residence in the UK under EU law are subject to a much weaker system. As Mr Justice McCloskey has said, EU foreign national offenders fall under an entirely different regime from that which applies to other immigrants. EU law purposefully make[s] it difficult to remove a person from the jurisdiction, even if they are a criminal. EU law on the deportation of foreign criminals The unamended EU Treaties give every EU citizen the right to enter the UK: Citizens of the Union shall enjoy the right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Every citizen of the Union shall have the right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. Further provision is made by the 2004 Free Movement Directive, which was given effect to in UK law on 30 April 2006; Immigration. The 2004 Directive requires that persons can only be removed for reasons: based exclusively on the personal conduct of the individual concerned. Previous criminal convictions shall not in themselves constitute grounds for taking such measures. The personal conduct of the individual concerned must represent a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society. Justifications that are isolated from the particulars of the case or that rely on considerations of general prevention shall not be accepted. The Directive makes it even harder to remove criminals from other EU member states where they have resided in the UK for a given period of time. EU citizens who have lived in the UK for more than five years may only be removed on serious grounds of public policy and public security. EU citizens who have lived in the UK for more than ten years may only be removed on imperative grounds of public security. The European Court remains in ultimate control of how the Treaties and this Directive are applied in the UK. It has long held that the right to free movement must be interpreted broadly and that departures from the rules concerning the free movement of persons constitute exceptions which must be strictly construed and that exceptions to and derogations from the principle of freedom of movement must be interpreted strictly. The European Court has ruled that it is unlawful to have a policy, or even a presumption that foreign national offenders convicted of specified offences are liable to removal. This includes those convicted of murder. A murderer in England and Wales can only be released if the Parole Board is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner should be confined. As a result, a murderer who is eligible for release cannot constitute the genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat which EU law requires must exist for deportation to take place. The difficulties caused by the European Court are demonstrated by the Governments flagging attempts to deport CS. CS, a Moroccan national, was convicted of conveying a SIM card into prison for her father-in-law, convicted terrorist Abu Hamza al-Masri, and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport CS. On 4 February 2016, Advocate General Professor Professor Maciej Szpunar delivered an opinion stating that it was, in principle, contrary to the EU Treaties to deport CS because she had a child who was a British citizen. If this opinion is followed by the European Court, as seems likely, it will make it much more difficult to remove her from the UK. The UK has also been unable to remove persons whom the courts have concluded were terrorists. ZZ was an Algerian-French national who had resided in the UK between 1990 and 2005. In 2005, the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, refused him readmission on return from a trip to Algeria and expelled him on the grounds of public security. Following a series of legal challenges, including a reference to the European Court of Justice, in 2015, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission ruled the Home Secretary, Theresa May, could not exclude ZZ from the UK because of EU law. The Commission noted that: We are confident that the Appellant was actively involved in the GIA [Algerian Armed Islamic Group], and was so involved well into 1996. He had broad contacts with GIA extremists in Europe. His accounts as to his trips to Europe are untrue. We conclude that his trips to the Continent were as a GIA activist. The Governments renegotiation will not solve the problem The Government claims that the renegotiation means it will be able to prevent dangerous EU nationals from coming to the UK and make it easier to deport them if they have been living in the UK. This is false. The renegotiation does not in any way relax the onerous requirements of EU law which prevent the UK deporting dangerous criminals. There is no proposal to amend the Treaties or the 2004 Free Movement Directive. The proposals agreed at the European Council will be contained in a Communication to be issued by the European Commission. As the Commission accepts, a Communication is a policy document with no mandatory authority. The Commission takes the initiative of publishing a Communication when it wishes to set out its own thinking on a topical issue. A Communication has no legal effect. The Commissions declaration states that the UK may take into account past conduct of an individual in the determination of whether a Union citizens conduct poses a present threat to public policy or security. Yet the European Court has already ruled that a previous conviction can be taken into account in so far as the circumstances which gave rise to that conviction are evidence of personal conduct constituting a present threat. This did nothing to aid the removal of the 50 criminals discussed in this paper. The Commissions declaration also states that member states may act on grounds of public policy or public security even in the absence of a previous criminal conviction on preventative grounds but specific to the individual concerned. Yet the European Court ruled this was the law in 1974 in the first case referred to that court after the UK joined the EU. The Governments proposals will have no legal status and are, in any event, merely restatements of the status quo. The situation is only likely to get worse. The European Court has already claimed EU citizenship is the fundamental status of the nationals of every EU member state. The European Court believes that the right of EU criminals to freedom of movement defeats the rights of British citizens to live in safety. If we remain, the European Court will continue to prioritise EU criminals rights ahead of public safety. In addition, the Charter of Fundamental Rights creates a new right for all EU citizens to move freely and reside within the EU. This will cement the European Courts control of whether criminals can stay in the UK. Part 1. Homicide #1 Learco Chindamo In 1995, Chindamo, who is an Italian citizen, murdered the headteacher Philip Lawrence who went to help a 13-year-old boy who was being attacked. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996. Chindamo was released in 2010 but recalled to prison due to accusations he intimidated and robbed a man at a cash machine, charges of which he was later acquitted. In 2007, Mr Justice Collins ruled that removing Chindamo would be disproportionate under EU law. #2 FV (Italy) FV, an Italian national, was convicted of the manslaughter of Edward Mitchell by reason of provocation in 2002. He inflicted at least 20 blows to the head with weapons, including a hammer, before strangling Mr Mitchell with a flex from an iron. He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. FV had previous convictions for assaulting police, driving a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs, and driving while disqualified. The Secretary of State ordered his deportation. Nonetheless, in September 2012, the Court of Appeal ruled his deportation was inconsistent with EU law because, in light of rulings of the European Court, imperative grounds did not exist to justify his deportation. #3 Theresa Rafacz On 18 July 2009, Rafacz, who is a Polish national, killed her husband, including by kicking him in the face with a shod foot while he lay on the ground defenceless and drunk. She admitted manslaughter, with Mr Justice Hart ruling the offence involved gratuitous violence. She was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Nonetheless, Mr Justice Blake ruled EU law prevented her removal, stating that there was no basis which could justify her deportation on the grounds of public policy. #4 Andrzej Stankiewicz In 2010, Stankiewicz was convicted of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol and sentenced to five years imprisonment. He was three times over the limit. The sentencing judge stated that he was driving at a higher rate of speed, apparently out of control and weaving about on both sides of the carriageway before colliding with the deceased. In July 2014, the Upper Tribunal in Glasgow ruled that his removal would contravene his rights under EU law. #5 AZ (Hungary) AZ, a Hungarian citizen, was convicted on 19 December 2011 of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 5 years. To be entirely clear, a married man, a father, a son of a lady who had already lost another son, was killed as a result of the appellants dangerous driving. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. On 25 July 2014, the Upper Tribunal highlighted the need to distinguish EEA deportation cases from those of other foreign national criminals, and ruled AZs deportation would be contrary to EU law. #6 Joao Pedro Correie Lopes In 2012, Lopes, a Portuguese national, was sentenced to four years imprisonment for causing the death of an elderly woman, Nora Gutmann, by dangerous driving and to twelve months for knowingly causing a recording of false data relating to his lorry tachograph. This conviction came on top of another incident in February 2009 when a cyclist went under the wheels of his lorry and died for which he received three points on his licence and a 200 fine. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In July 2015, the Upper Tribunal noted its powers in respect of criminals from the EU are limited, stating: Had we been applying UK law governing deportation of foreign criminals we may well have concluded that his deportation was both lawful and proportionate, but the claimant is an EEA national and his case must be decided under the relevant EU law provisions. The Tribunal concluded his removal would be inconsistent with EU law. Part 2. Offences against the person #7 LG (Italy) LG, an Italian national, was convicted of robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent: in the early hours of Saturday 29 January 2000, LG had followed a 66 year old retired man and attacked him from behind, inflicting serious head and facial injuries, including a fracture of the skull. LG robbed the victim of his wallet, leaving him lying in the road. The trial judge said the offence was a brutal, senseless, cowardly attack upon an elderly gentleman, stating: you are a thoroughly dangerous manI dont think for offences of robbery of this type it gets much worse. His sentence was reduced on appeal to nine years. LG had several other previous convictions, including for obtaining property by deception in 1996, obtaining services by deception, theft, and robbery. For the robbery in 1997, he received a sentence of three years and 28 days imprisonment. In April 2009, Lord Justice Carnwath, sitting in the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, stated that while LG did present a risk to public security, we do not think that the decision to deport LG was justifiable under EU law and allowed his appeal against deportation. #8 Jordan Epee Homb Between 2005 and 2010, Homb, a French citizen, incurred several convictions, involving mainly simple possession of drugs, with one offence of criminal damage and another of assault. In February 2011, he was convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and sentenced to 4-and-a-half years imprisonment. He went to the victims house (which was occupied by the victims mother and seven-year-old daughter) to scare him. An accomplice fired a shotgun twice through the front door. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In February 2014, Mr Justice McCloskey, sitting in the Upper Tribunal, noted that as an EU citizen, Homb has to be dealt with under an entirely different regime from that which applies to other immigrants and ruled his deportation would be inconsistent with EU law. #9 Andrei Zaharia In 2012, Zaharia, a Romanian citizen, was convicted of two offences of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against a previous boyfriend of his girlfriend who was stabbed with a knife along with a bystander. Zaharia was sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment. The Secretary of State ordered his deportation. In January 2014, the Upper Tribunal found that there is no basis to remove him under EU law. #10 Daha Essa In January 2007, Essa, a Dutch national, committed a robbery at knife point: He contested his guilt at trial; showed no remorse or awareness of the terrifying nature of his conduct on his victim who was trapped in an empty railway carriage at the time of the events. He had a previous conviction for handling stolen goods. Nonetheless, on 19 July 2013, Mr Justice Blake, sitting in the Upper Tribunal, concluded that deportation now for the conduct leading to his conviction would be disproportionate under EU law. #11 AB (Poland) In 2010, AB, a Polish national, shook her three month old daughter several times in order to stop her crying, as a result of which her daughter suffered severe and life-threatening injuries leaving her brain-damaged, confined to a wheelchair and blind. That occurred at a time when the appellant was on her way out to meet a male who had been in contact with her via a sex search website. She was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of public justice for lying about the injuries and sentenced to three years imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport her. The Upper Tribunal said, in allowing her appeal, that: We consider it necessary to stress at this point that considerations that would have been significant and relevant in a non-EEA deportation case, such as deterrence and public revulsion, simply do not apply in this case. We are fully aware that the appellants offence was a shocking one and that the repercussions are extensive, leaving a young child permanently disabled and with the prospect of a truncated life. Had this been an ordinary deportation case such other considerations, taken together with the appellants circumstances in general, may well have led us to conclude that deportation was justified and in the public interest. However the appellant is an EEA national and, as such, she benefits from the protection of the EEA Regulations to which we are required by law to defer. Accordingly we find that there is only one decision we are able to reach, namely that the appellants deportation would be in breach of the EEA Regulations. #12 MG (Portugal) MG, a Portuguese national, had a conviction for child cruelty and three counts of assault, against her own children and was sentenced to twenty-one months imprisonment. The Secretary of State refused her a residence card and ordered her deportation on grounds of public policy and public security. Nonetheless, on 14 May 2014, the Upper Tribunal, following a ruling of the European Court in the same case, decided that: it has not been shown that there are either grounds or serious grounds of public policy or public security, allowing MG to remain in the UK. #13 Nathan Oduro Beko Quiafo Quiafo, a Dutch national, has an unedifying record of United Kingdom criminality. He received a warning for assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2004, and then a reprimand for drug possession. In 2006, he committed two offences of robbery. He later committed several drug offences. In 2010, he was arrested in possession of larger supplies of unspecified Class A drugs, more than required for his personal use. While on bail, he committed an attempted robbery. He was imprisoned for four years for attempted robbery and possession with intent to supply. In 2012, after the Secretary of State decided to deport him, he appealed and won on the grounds that he had shown remorse, and his girlfriend was pregnant. He then committed further drug offences, including possession of cannabis with intent to supply and driving without a licence, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, failing to comply with a no entry sign, and driving while uninsured. The Secretary of State decided to deport him (again). The Immigration Judge held this was to breach the claimants rights as an EEA national under the community treaties in respect of residence. This decision was upheld by the Upper Tribunal. #14 Jacek Straszewski In June 2010, Straszewski, a Polish national, while drunk, attacked another man with a broken glass, causing serious injuries to his face and neck, pleading guilty to unlawful wounding for which he was sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment. While on bail for that offence, he burgled a house containing two young women, punching and kicking them before making his escape. He pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and was sentenced to 42 months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. Nonetheless, the Court of Appeal ruled that his deportation was inconsistent with EU law. #15 Awale Madar Mardar, a Dutch national, had four convictions for theft, a conviction for disorderly behaviour in a public place, a conviction for three separate offences of cannabis possession, a conviction for obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty, a conviction for handling stolen property and two convictions for robbery. For the robberies, he was sentenced to three-and-a-half-years detention. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. On 3 June 2014, the Upper Tribunal ruled that deportation would be disproportionate under EU law. #16 Lukasz Tomasz Wozniak Wozniak, a Polish national, had a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for careless driving, failing to surrender to custody, theft from shops, fraudulent use of vehicle documents, driving while uninsured, and breach of a conditional discharge. On 11 December 2011, he was sentenced to thirty-two months imprisonment for offences of robbery. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. Upper Tribunal Judge Perkins held as a matter of EU law that I cannot agree that his conduct qualifies him for removal and therefore I must and do allow the appeal. #17 Dariush Farhand Farhand, a Danish national, had a criminal record which Mrs Justice Andrews said showed an unedifying portrait of a young man who is prepared to put the lives of others at risk by driving with excess alcohol in his bloodstream, and who in more recent years has been prone to violence whilst under its influence. He was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm while serving a suspended sentence for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and sentenced to thirty months imprisonment. The trial judge described the offence as a serious, senseless, unprovoked attack late at night. In November 2014, Mrs Justice Andrews, sitting in the Upper Tribunal, stated that his deportation would be disproportionate under EU law. #18 Marian-Ionut Creanga Creanga, a Romanian national, was first reprimanded for being drunk and disorderly in December 2010. He received a warning for battery in March 2011; was fined for disorderly behaviour or threatening abusive or insulting words likely to cause harassment alarm or distress in November 2011 and fined for shoplifting in April 2012. The index offence is his conviction for attempted robbery on 13 July 2012 following a plea of guilty at Isleworth Crown Court. On 21 September 2012 he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. On 24 March 2014, Mr Justice Kenneth Parker, sitting in the Upper Tribunal, ruled that this was illegal under EU law. #19 Arqr Wazny In April 2011, Wazny, a Polish national who was convicted of violent disorder and sentenced to two years imprisonment after attacking Royal Marine Nigel Leppington in Dorset, who intervened when the gang which Wazny led attacked Leppingtons neighbour. However, an immigration tribunal permitted him to remain in the UK because of his right to private and family life. #20 Emil Damian Bejlik Bejlik, a Polish national, was convicted of two offences of robbery and sentenced to one year and sixteen months imprisonment. The offences involved him and an accomplice snatching mobile phones from women in Bury town centre at night. One of the victims had a piercing ripped during the struggle. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In October 2013, the Upper Tribunal ruled EU law meant that he could not be removed from the UK. #21 Melvin Luis Cavallo Cavallo, an Italian citizen, was convicted of assault to severe injury and robbery and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. The Upper Tribunal ruled that serious grounds of public policy were not established which could justify his removal, which was in contravention of EU law. Part 3. Sexual offences #22 Mircea Gheorghiu Gheorghiu, a Romanian national, entered the UK without leave in January 2007. In November 2007, he was convicted of driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol, fined and disqualified from driving for 20 months. It later emerged that he had a criminal record in Romania. In 1990 he was convicted of the offence of rape and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. Between 2001 and March 2002 he was convicted on three occasions of forestry offences, cutting timber without a licence, and received custodial sentences on the last two occasions. The Secretary of State removed him from the UK in March 2015. Nonetheless, on 18 November 2015, Mr Justice Blake, sitting in the Upper Tribunal, decided this was unlawful under EU law, ruling Gheorghiu must be reunited with his family as quickly as possible and that he was entitled to a permanent residence on his return and the residence card issued to him will reflect that. #23 MS (Lithuania) MS, a Lithuanian national, pleaded guilty to rape and attempted rape of his partner and was sentenced to three years imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him on grounds of public policy. The Secretary of State accepted that the appellants deportation could not be justified simply on the basis of his previous criminal conviction even of such a serious nature as rape and attempted rape. The Upper Tribunal ruled: the appellant cannot be removed or deported as an EU national. #24 VW (Lithuania) VW, a Lithuanian national, entered the UK in 2005. On 8 August 2013, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman and later that year was sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport VW. The Immigration Judge found that VW was not remorseful for the behaviour that he inflicted upon the victim, but nevertheless decided that the Appellants behaviour does not come within the serious grounds of public policy, and therefore under EU law could not be deported. On 27 October 2015, Mr Justice Holgate, sitting in the Upper Tribunal (Asylum and Immigration Chamber) dismissed the Home Secretarys appeal, ruling the decision must stand. #25 VB (Lithuania) VB, a Lithuanian national, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for offences involving the trafficking of women for prostitution. The Crown Court Judge recommended that she be deported. On 26 October 2008, Senior Immigration Judge Richard McKee held that there was nothing to justify her deportation in EU law. #26 MP (Portugal) MP, a Portuguese national, entered the UK in October 2000. Between 11 October 2002 and 17 September 2013, the appellant was convicted on ten occasions for seventeen offences, including one sexual offence, three offences against the person, four public order offences, two relating to the police and courts and one drugs offence. On 20 August 2013, at Mold Crown Court, the appellant was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to s.47 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 and sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him on grounds of public policy. In April 2015, the Upper Tribunal ruled that his deportation was inconsistent with EU law. Part 4. Drug offences #27 Mantas Baibokas Baibokas, a Lithuanian citizen, first came to the attention of the authorities in 2008 for driving while under the influence of alcohol and for using a vehicle without a test certificate. In 2012, he was convicted of possession of amphetamine with intent to supply, after 7 kilogrammes of amphetamine sulphate were found in a jet ski in his garage. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In February 2014, Mr Justice Jay, sitting in the Upper Tribunal, stated expulsion cannot be justified on the grounds of public policy and would be in breach of the EEA Regulations. #28 Eddie Karwhoo Karwhoo, a French national, was convicted of the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of a Class A drug and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. On 25 November 2013, Lord Matthews, sitting in the Upper Tribunal, concluded that deportation would be unlawful under EU law. #29 HAD (Austria) HAD, an Austrian citizen, was convicted in 2011 of possessing a class A controlled drug with intent to supply and sentenced to 8 years and 6 months imprisonment. On 27 July 2015, the Upper Tribunal ruled that his deportation would be inconsistent with EU law. #30 Kingsley Chukwudinma Nwanekwu In 2011, Nwanekwu, a German citizen, was convicted of being knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of prohibition or restriction on importation of Class A controlled drugs, and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding eight-and-a-half years. The Secretary of State decided he should be deported from the UK. In May 2015, Upper Tribunal Judge Reeds found that this decision was disproportionate and inconsistent with EU law. He explained that the legal regime for deporting EU criminals is different and can properly described as more restrictive than that for foreign national criminals the Appellants criminal conviction, whilst serious, cannot justify a decision to deport him as an EU national on public policy grounds. #31 AA (Nigeria/Norway) AA was a Nigerian with Norwegian citizenship whose case was governed by the Free Movement Directive because that Directive is incorporated into the European Economic Area agreement. In August 2010, AA was convicted of the importation of one kilogram of a class A drug, cocaine, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. The Upper Tribunal Judge stated that he was bound to express my disquiet at the case of an individual who has committed so serious an offence as to merit a period of six years imprisonment being permitted to remain in the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, both the Upper Tribunal and the Court of Appeal agreed that his removal would be contrary to EU law. #32 Justin Ewengue Ewengue, a French national, was convicted of four counts of possession of control drugs (class A) with intent to supply and one count of possession of class A drugs. He was sentenced to four years 10 months on each count to run concurrently. Between April and December 2012, he had a significant role in the commercial supply of drugs at street level. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In May 2015, the Upper Tribunal found that, as a matter of EU law, there were no imperative grounds of public security to justify the removal of the Appellant and that his removal could not be justified. #33 Siegnerella Elaine Flaneur Flaneur, a Dutch national, was apprehended at Belfast Airport in connection with the attempted importation of 136 grammes of cocaine. She was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport her. The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland quashed the deportation order on the ground it was inconsistent with EU law. #34 Siegnette Elaine Flaneur Flaneur, a Dutch national, was apprehended at Belfast Airport in connection with the attempted importation of 136 grammes of cocaine. She was sentenced to three years imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport her. The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland quashed the deportation order on the ground it was inconsistent with EU law. #35 Bruno Ferreira Melo Melo, a Portuguese national, was convicted of attempted importation of LSD into the UK and sentenced to twenty months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. The Upper Tribunal ruled that his removal would be contrary to EU law. #36 Rui Paulino Cardoso Viera De Almedia De Almedia, a Portuguese national, was convicted of fourteen offences on nine occasions, including the supply of Class A drugs, for which he was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment in 2012. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In November 2013, the Upper Tribunal decided that EU law prevented his removal. #37 Tomasz Kazimierz Michalik Michalik, a Polish citizen, was convicted of abstracting electricity and production of cannabis as part of a commercial operation. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. The Upper Tribunal ruled it would be illegal under EU law to remove him to Poland. #38 Alberto Braganca Cassama Cassama, a Portuguese national, arrived in the UK in 2012 and in 2013 was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. On 11 August 2014, the Upper Tribunal allowed his appeal against deportation from the UK on the grounds that it would be inconsistent with EU law. #39 Marcin Zajaczkowski Zajaczkowski, a Polish national, was convicted of cultivating cannabis and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In August 2014, this decision was ruled to be illegal under EU law. Part 5. Offences of dishonesty #40 Benedetto Vassallo Vassallo, an Italian national has been convicted on 31 separate occasions of 68 offences in the UK, including numerous offences of burglary, which, have resulted in custodial sentences ranging in length from 14 days to 54 months. He has also been convicted in Switzerland for burglary, criminal damage and a public order offence and in Sweden for burglary. In May 2012, he was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment for the burglary of an elderly couples home. The Secretary of State ordered his deportation. However, in January 2016, the Court of Appeal ruled this was inconsistent with EU law. #41 Dimitris Tsavdaris Tsavdaris, a Greek national, has been convicted of 20 criminal offences, the first in October 1999. On 2nd July 2004, he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for an offence of permitting premises to be used for the supply of Class A drugs. On 14th October 2005 he was convicted of theft from a motor vehicle and destruction of property, for which he was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment. He was released from prison on 16th February 2005. The Secretary of State decided to deport him, and he was detained for that purpose between 28 May and 5 December 2006. He was then released unconditionally. In February 2014, Mrs Justice Lang ruled that in light of the difficulties EU law put in the way of his deportation, his detention was unlawful, entitling him to damages. #42 Joseph Miranda Miranda, a Portuguese citizen, was convicted in December 2013 of burglary with intent to steal. He had previous convictions for robbery in 2003, six offences of theft and deception between 2005 and 2007, three offences of false representation between 2007 and 2013, shoplifting, and failing to surrender to custody in 2013. The Secretary of State ordered his deportation. The Upper Tribunal Judge said that there are not in this appeal imperative grounds of public security to be considered, however unpleasant it may be for members of British society to have to endure and suffer from the criminal activities of the appellant and that his removal was inconsistent with EU law, despite the fact he was a persistent and public offender. #43 Raimodas Budraitis Budraitis, a Lithuanian citizen, was first convicted in the UK for burglary in 2008 and for a second time in 2009. Thereafter, he was convicted of shoplifting. In total, he has 11 convictions for 23 offences, including several in Lithuania. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. This was ruled to be contrary to EU law by the Upper Tribunal. #44 Carlos Miguel Lopas Cristo Cristo, a Portuguese citizen, accumulated 11 convictions for 17 offences, including 11 theft and kindred offences and six offences relating to police/courts/prisons. He was then convicted of shoplifting and sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. The Upper Tribunal ruled that deporting him to Portugal would be inconsistent with EU law. #45 Vladas Juocys Juocys, a Lithuanian national, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for very serious tax offences. He had previous convictions for things of which he ought to be ashamed, including driving with excess alcohol, driving while uninsured, failing to surrender to custody, and interfering with an insurance document with intent to deceive. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. In December 2013, the Upper Tribunal noted: It is trite law that EEA nationals who commit criminal offences in the United Kingdom are not in the same position as foreign nationals. The power to make a deportation order against them is regulated by the European Economic Area Regulations of 2006 which purposefully make it difficult to remove a person from the jurisdiction if they are in fact an EEA national. It ruled his removal would be illegal under EU law. #46 Darius Kersys In January 2013, Kersys, a Lithuanian national, was convicted of three offences of identity fraud, by which he and his wife used bank cards belonging to a vulnerable elderly neighbour whom they had befriended in order to obtain sums of money totalling about 112,000 from his bank account after his death. The Judge described the crime as a mean-spirited and nasty piece of offending and sentenced him to two-and-a-half years imprisonment . The Court of Appeal ruled that his removal was inconsistent with EU law, with Lord Justice Moore-Bick stating the case falls far short of the threshold for deportation. #47 Mubarik Essa Essa, a Dutch national, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. The First-tier Tribunal ruled it is not shown that imperative grounds of public security are made out, holding that removal would be contrary to EU law. The Upper Tribunal dismissed the Secretary of States appeal. #48 Mohammed Essa Essa, a Dutch national, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment. The Secretary of State decided to deport him. The First-tier Tribunal ruled it is not shown that imperative grounds of public security are made out, holding that removal would be contrary to EU law. The Upper Tribunal dismissed the Secretary of States appeal in October 2014. Part 6. Other offences #49 Arturs Visockis Visockis, a Latvian national, was convicted of shoplifting, then for four counts of theft and breach of a conditional discharge. In 2012, he was sentenced to thirty seven months imprisonment for escape from lawful custody and burglary. In November 2013, the Upper Tribunal ruled his removal would be contrary to his rights under EU law. #50 Bento Helder De Oliveira De Oliveira, a Portuguese national, was convicted of a serious offence and sentenced to 20 months imprisonment. The Secretary of States attempts to deport him were held to be illegal under EU law. Every night he sees the face of the pensioner bearing down on him. She smiles into his face and leers revealing her rotting teeth. Behind her, the PM says he sees men from Sky news goaded on by Rupert Murdoch. He is then pursued by this woman as she comes closer and closer finally so that all he sees is the huge bulbous mole on her face. The PM usually wakes up screaming and in a cold sweat, his wife Sarah has told me and Downing Street psychiatrists, the Business secretary, Lord Mandelson told state broadcasting station, the BBC. A team of psychiatrists and counsellors, who are already part of the medical team at Downing Street, are now working round the clock to try to reassure the sweat soaked PM that there is no nasty bigoted witch after him. It is an uphill struggle. Every day and night we come against new challenges with Gordon. How high a dose of Bonkazapam should we give him? Should we use the straight jacket to control his fits of rage? We are at our wits end here, please, someone help us, doctor Wilson Patrick, told Labour controlled newspaper, the Mirror, yesterday. Let us all hope that Mr Brown gets a good nights sleep soon. We have a gun to the world economys head and we will pull the trigger because we will not pay back a cent of what we owe our creditors. What do we have to lose by a messy default? But you do, Greek Finance Minister, Evangelos Porkos, told German TV channel ZDF. Greece on Tuesday threatened to default on payments to any bond investor that does not accept its crazy demands. No one pays tax in Greece so how are the creditors going to get the money owed to them? There is no manufacturing industry, and what used to be a lucrative tourist spot under the drachma is now an overpriced euro trap for the few tourists who do accidentally buy a holiday in Greece. In effect, Greece is holding a gun at the head of the worlds fragile economy because they know very well that they have nothing to lose by a messy default, only Spain, France and Italy will be sucked under with them, taking the rest of the eurozone and the world. Who wants to do business with scorpions like that? They lie to get on the table, then they take as much as they can, then they say theyre not going to pay back a centime, Louis Quatorze, a French politician told the French parliament on Tuesday. Greece is demanding banks, pension companies, hedge funds and others that hold about $260 billion in Greek bonds to trade them for new notes worth less than half the face value and taking huge cuts with no guarantee of ever being paid back anyway. The Greeks have nothing to lose by defaulting now because even after twenty years of Austerity they will still owe billions in an unsustainable system and ailing economy. If Greece carries out its threat, you can kiss your pension, investments, house price and everything else goodbye, because were all going for a world depression just because some hard headed arses said they wouldnt pay back the money they used up. Just dont forget to take out a massive short on the euro all the way to the bottom, John Latrine, an economist working for Credit Suisse told Reuters. The PRNEWS.IO team came up with an initiative to support the Ukrainian media. The platform offers businesses to buy appearances in Ukrainian media using their catalogue. To support the work of editorial offices during the war, the service has cancelled fees for all media outlets owned by Ukrainian publishers. Despite the shelling, the Ukrainian media continue to work on the informational front, publish objective news, photo, audio, and video evidence of Russias aggression against the Ukrainian people. They are regularly attacked by hackers, they get on the list of enemies of Roskomnadzor and are limited in online access. Most media before the war were financially dependent directly on advertising. According to PRNEWS.IO, since February 24, its volume has decreased by 90-100%. The editorial offices are asking the news outlets and businesses of other countries to support the work of the Ukrainian journalists. However, not everyone has the opportunity to accept money from abroad. The significance of the activities of our journalists and editorial offices, as well as their courage, cannot be overestimated. Staying in Ukraine, working under shelling or from bomb shelters, they risk their lives preparing and publishing objective news about what is happening in Ukraine. Therefore, the PRNEWS.IO team offers domestic and foreign companies to buy advertising in Ukrainian media using the platform catalogue. By paying for content, you will help the voice of Ukrainian journalists to strengthen and tell the whole world about what is happening in Ukraine, says Oleksandr Storozhuk, the PRNEWS.IO board member. The advantage of the platform is the unique financial logistics. Thanks to it, the service can accept payments from anywhere in the world and promptly sent them to the media. To join the PRNEWS.IO initiative to support Ukrainian media that are left without the usual sources of funding, it is enough: select the publication you want to support in the catalogue; click the Checkout button on the right and make the payment; in the order form, write words of support and send the text. Funds will be assessed and available for news outlets immediately. The PRNEWS.IO platform is currently connected to 5000+ news sites owned by Ukrainian publishers. About PRNEWS.IO PRNEWS.IO is an Eastern European startup based on a mission to use big data for predictable brand communications with people through media stories. The company collects information on hyperlocal online newspapers and niche online publications. A total of 72,000 media outlets from 142 countries are connected to the platform. Since the beginning of 2021, the platform PRNEWS.IO has been visited by more than 1.5 million people. PRNEWS.IO operates in Estonia and has a development office in Ukraine. The company is also a service provider for the Estonian digital citizenship program e-Residency. The savage attack by Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on Israeli civilians is unparalleled, where innocent Jewish citizens were mercilessly butchered in cold blood, including over 40 babies beheaded. All of this and more barbaric atrocities have been witnessed by the world, yet there has been little or no condemnation from the leftists; the British Labour socialists, the American Democrats and Australian far-left. The Woke left have different very hypocritical double standards, they revel in their status as inclusive woke liberals in their views when in fact they choose to censor free speech, to censor satire and attempt to criminalise any view that opposes their skewed hypocritical perspectives. Double Standards Freedom of speech is thus only allowed to be expressed by liberals celebrating the deaths of Jewish civilians at the hands of vicious savages, whilst the Daily Squib is constantly censored and attacked for writing satire and fighting for freedom of expression and speech. In Western cities, the far-left cheerleaders of Hamas reign supreme, given impunity to express their views without censorship or cancellation. What these liberal cheerleaders dont know is that if they were ever in the presence of a Hamas terrorist brigade, they would first all be raped, then butchered in cold blood. So much for your fake liberalism there. WARNING THE FOLLOWING VIDEO SHOWS AN ISRAELI FAMILY BEING HELD CAPTIVE BY HAMAS TERRORISTS AFTER THEY SHOT AND KILLED ONE OF THEIR DAUGHTERS. THE REST OF THE FAMILY WERE MURDERED AFTERWARDS. Even if the Palestinians had their conquered land back, would they innovate and exist as well as the Jews in Israel? It seems many are not capable of civility even in peace, and much of their displays of being victim to Israel are based on jealousy. They cannot build roads, infrastructure, malls or a civil society but resort to nihilistic butchery and savagery. Hamas are the ones who have condemned the Palestinian people to a life of hell. Instead of spending billions of aid money on helping the people of Gaza, they spend it on rockets. As the EU reveals its plan to build up its own military army and Air Force , this is the next step for the Soviet European Union, and was accurately predicted by the Daily Squib in March 2012. The Daily Squibs brand of satire can have accurate predictive qualities because we aim to foresee the underlying method in any given situation. What we write at the Squib can be dark at times but our modus operandi is one of truth through satire. We see things in the future, and sometimes those things are not pretty but nevertheless we have a team of writers here who specialise in writing quality satire. Thats why if you read the Squib, you are infinitely more informed, sub sub editor, Johnson D. Wildebeest said from his office. Martin Schulz, the speaker of the European Parliament called for the creation of a European army at a recent summit where even British PM David Cameron was allowed to attend. Britains prime minister even rustled up some courage to voice his disapproval of an integrated EU military armed force. Oscar Pistorius is in a party mood, especially after being acquitted of murdering his former girlfriend. You know if it wasnt for that bucket in court I would be behind bars right now. Fooled those suckers. Hey, who wants another round of drinks? Party time! Im going to shoot some champagne corks off bottles, a victorious Pistorius said from his post court verdict party yesterday. The only trial participant who was not invited was Gerrie Nel, who was last seen downing a few whiskies in some shack in Pretoria. Abhishek Agarwal Producer Abhishek Agarwal who rose to fame in Hindi with The Kashmir Files and 'The Vaccine War' is getting ready to release his upcoming Telugu film, Tiger Nageswara Rao starring Ravi Teja, is in a soup. According to sources, Income Tax and GST sleuths are reportedly conducting searches at his office and home in Hyderabad today. At a time when the producer was gearing up to meet media personnel to promote his forthcoming film, these raids has sent shockwaves in the industry. Some state that the Bollywood release of his Telugu film "Tiger Nageshwar Rao" and the money he is pumping in, may have reportedly attracted the attention of the Central agencies. In fact, the financier-turned-producer is pretty close to the ruling BJP dispensation as his films like The Kashmir Films have supported the saffron-partys agenda, and this raid o him comes as a huge surprise. Meanwhile, a few insiders claim that there is nothing to worry because Abhishek is known for maintaining his accounts in a proper and fool-proof manner. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks during a public meeting ahead of MP Assembly elections, in Shahdol district. (Image: PTI) New Delhi: The Congress has once again reiterated its stand on the caste census. Asserting "100 per cent" support for the caste census, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi likened the exercise to an "X-ray" and said it will give a clear picture of the dalits, tribals, OBCs and upper castes population, which in turn will help in deciding the future course of action. Gandhi made the remarks on September 23 during his interaction with the students of Maharani College in Jaipur, a video of which was released on his social media platforms on Tuesday. Replying to a question on caste census, Gandhi said, "The fact is that the lower caste communities, the OBCs, dalits and tribals are not involved in the power structure. And no one knows how many OBCs are there, how many dalits, tribals and upper castes are there." He added, "When you get hurt, the first thing that you get done is an X-ray. Through an X-ray, we get to know if a bone is broken or not...where and how it is broken. So the caste census is an X-ray, which will tell us how many people are there, belonging to which community. What are they doing? What is their role in the power structure?" In a resolution on Monday, the Congress Working Committee said that the party-ruled states will have a caste census. Also, when the party comes to power in a state or Centre it will order a caste-based census. TDP Leader and Former MLC Nara Lokesh arriving at the SIT office in connection with the probe into Amaravati Ring Road in Guntur District (DC) VIJAYAWADA: Telugu Desam national general-secretary Nara Lokesh appeared before the Crime Investigation Department (CID) for the second consecutive day on Wednesday for questioning in the Amaravati Inner Ring Road alignment case. Lokesh, who was grilled for six-and-a-half hours on Tuesday, reached the CID office at Tadepalli on Wednesday morning. The questioning continued for six hours. The questioning began for the Accused-14 in the IRR case at 10 am and concluded at 5 pm. A CID team asked him about the change of IRR alignment, inclusion of Lokesh into the Cabinet sub-committee immediately after he was made a minister in Naidus government, why the IRR alignment was changed to benefit the lands of then minister Ponguru Narayana, what was Lokeshs involvement vis-a-vis the decision to effect a huge increase in compensations for land acquisitions for the IRR project, the reason behind offering the guesthouse for free of charge by Lingamaneni Ramesh, and why the IRR alignment was benefitting lands of Heritage and Lingamaneni estates. Lokesh gave answers to several questions and tried to avoid others by stating he had no link with them. The AP CID also questioned Ponguru Narayanas son-in-law Puneeth at its office. They questioned Puneeth for five hours and summoned him for questioning again on Thursday. After the CIDs questioning, Lokesh spoke to the media. He said though the AP High Court had directed the CID to conduct an inquiry for one day, he attended the questioning for the second day as per instructions from the officials. As many as 47 questions were asked on the second day. "The same questions were asked on the first day also," Lokesh said. Lokesh said the officials showed the IT documents of his mother Bhuvaneswari and asked about the details, to which he replied to them to rather ask Bhuvaneswaris auditor. He asked the CID how they got the IT returns of Bhuvaneswari, for which CID had no answer. "Only four or five questions were asked regarding the Inner Ring Road case and the other questions were about other departments during the TD rule. About these, I do not possess any knowledge," Lokesh said. Lokesh said his time was wasted unnecessarily for two days in the name of questioning over the alleged Inner Ring Road scam, "while this road does not exist, it has not been laid and the land acquisition has not been done." Speaking about the skill development case, Lokesh said two officials, L. Premchandra Reddy and Ajeya Kallam, who did the process and signed the papers, were not investigated but Chandrababu Naidu, who framed the policy, was sent in remand. Later Lokesh flew to Delhi to look after the matters relating to Naidus case in the Supreme Court. President Draupadi Murmu (PTI) SRINAGAR: The security forces including J&K police and central armed police forces commandos and sharpshooters on Tuesday laid siege around the picturesque campus of the University of Kashmir in Srinagars Hazratbal area ahead of President Draupadi Murmus visit. The President will preside over the 20th convocation of Jammu and Kashmirs oldest collegiate public state university established in 1948 at its main campus located on the western side of the famed Dal Lake. All the four entries into the campus were sealed by the armed personnel on Tuesday evening whereas the security in the adjoining residential area too has been beefed up after fanning out the reinforcements of the local police and Central armed police forces including the CRPF. Earlier the residential houses in the neighbourhood of Naseem Bagh, Sadrabal and Kani Taar were searched by the columns of security forces as a security drill, the locals said. The official sources said that latest technology and security gadgets, including CCTV cameras and drones are being used to ensure no untoward incident takes place during the Presidents visit to Srinagar. The officials said that area domination exercises are under way in the Kashmiri capital including random checking of vehicles and patrolling of residential areas particularly those surrounding the University campus. On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a meeting of top police and civil administration officials here to review the arrangements for the Presidents J&K visit. The meeting was also attended by Prof. Nilofar Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir. The President will during the first leg of her two-day visit to J&K interact with members of local tribal groups and women of self-help groups at Srinagars Raj Bhavan besides attending a civic reception to be hosted in her honour there. On October 12, she will visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Trikuta hills near Jammu where she will inaugurate a remodelled Parvati Bhavan and skywalk, the official sources said. Among others to be transferred were collectors of Rangareddy, Medchal Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhavanagiri and Nirmal districts, who are officiating as district election officers (DEOs), and police commissioners of Nizamabad and Warangal. Hyderabad: The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday, taking virtual control of the state administration, transferred four district collectors and 13 IPS officers, including Hyderabad police commissioner C.V. Anand. The EC also cracked the whip on Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari, relieving her of additional charge for excise, commercial taxes and endowments departments, directing her to appoint full-time principal secretaries by 5 pm on Thursday and submit compliance reports to the EC. However, it was not immediately clear where the officials were transferred to. Among others to be transferred were collectors of Rangareddy, Medchal Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhavanagiri and Nirmal districts, who are officiating as district election officers (DEOs), and police commissioners of Nizamabad and Warangal. The transfers come after a 17-member team of the EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar convened a series of meetings with CS Santhi Kumari, DGP Anjani Kumar, collectors, SPs, police commissioners and all political parties last week. EC officials reportedly learnt that liquor sales went up during the Munugode and Huzurabad bypolls, with officials reportedly failing to control the sale during polls. In this regard, it decided to relieve Santhi Kumari of her additional charge as the excise secretary. The EC decided to transfer Hyderabad top cop C.V. Anand for reportedly failing to take action against Malkajgiri MLA Mynampally Hanumantha Rao, who joined the Congress recently, on a complaint from BJYM, whose treasurer P.M. Sai Prasad claimed to have been roughed up by Mynampallys supporters. Then, the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj directed the DGP and Anand to look into the issue, but no action was reportedly taken. Besides this issue, the EC also received several complaints from political parties against Anand, sources said. Meanwhile, Warangal police commissioner A.V. Ranganath was transferred for allegedly providing false information to the EC on transfers in Warangal, by giving favourable postings to select personnel. Nizamabad police commissioner V. Satyanarayana, who was recently posted to Nizamabad by the government from Rachakonda, was transferred in view of his track record which includes arresting BJP MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar. It was learnt that the EC was also unhappy with Mahbubnagar SP Narsimha, who was questioned over drug smuggling from Goa to Hyderabad, but sought time to explain. Keeping in mind such incidents, the EC transferred Mahbubnagar SP Narsimha, Gadwal SP K. Srujana, Nagarkurnool SP K. Manohar, Sangareddy SP M. Ramana Kumar, Kamareddy SP B. Srinivas Reddy, Jagtial SP Aaggadi Bhaskar, Mahbubabad SP Gundeti Chandramohan, Narayanpet SP N. Venkateswarlu, Bhupalpalli SP Pulla Karunakar, and Suryapet SP Rajendra Prasad. The EC also transferred excise commissioner Md Musharraf Ali Faruqui, for allegedly relaxing norms to facilitate liquor shops to stock up before the election code of conduct came into force. Complaints alleged that Ali allowed liquor outlet owners to buy liquor stocks on the basis of post-dated cheques, as against the usual cash payments. Four collectors, who were transferred include Rangareddy collector S. Harish, Medchal-Malkajgiri collector D. Amoy Kumar, Yadadri collector T. Vinay Krishna Reddy and Nirmal collector Karnati Varun Reddy. The EC officials also transferred commercial tax department officer T.K. Sandhya Rani. All the transferred officials were asked to immediately hand over the charge to their second-rank officers. The development is an unusual one, as the EC generally transfers officials at the returning officer level, but this time around, took it to the district election officer level, who collectors double up as. Speculations were also rife in bureaucratic circles that the transfer of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri collector T. Vinay Krishna Reddy was on account of the Munugode Assembly bypoll held in November 2022. There were large-scale complaints of blatant misuse of power, huge flow of liquor and money, distribution of money and other freebies to buy votes. During the Munugode bypoll, Krishna Reddy was working as the collector of Nalgonda district, under which Munugode Assembly constituency falls. Krishna Reddy had faced allegations of failing to take adequate steps to enforce norms during the Munugode bypoll. Sources attribute the transfer of transport commissioner K.S. Srinivasa Raju to imposing restrictions on TSRTC and private transport operators from hiring vehicles to public meetings organised by Opposition parties. In the case of Medchal-Malkajgiri and Rangareddy collectors, the government swapped S. Harish and D. Amoy Kumar in January 2023 to overcome the procedural hurdle of continuing in the same place for more than three years. Both collectors were retained in the same district. MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta. (DC File Image) HYDERABAD: The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is leaving no stone unturned in reaching out to elders and leaders of various castes to canvass votes from their communities, by promising to build them dedicated community halls and bring in targeted government schemes. They are also seeking the feedback of caste leaders on the performance of the state government and their respective MLAs. Sources said that BRS MLAs have so far reached out to leaders of Munnurkapu, Goud, Padmashali, Mudiraj, Gangaputra and Nayee Brahmin, among others. In meetings, they explained the developmental works and welfare schemes brought in over the past nine years. In the meetings, BRS MLA candidates also assured caste leaders of further assistance, saying that the government was committed to their welfare. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader from the Munnurukapu community said that Nizamabad urban MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta conducted a meeting with the president and secretaries of each Tarpa (ward) of Munnurkapu sanghams in the town. "We are not in a position to talk factual issues with the ruling party leaders. We listen to what the MLA says and will decide who to support in coming Assembly elections. It is a known fact that elected representatives ignored the communities, but at the time of elections, approach for support. BRS leaders are unable to digest the reality; how can we express our views at this point of time?" the leader said. Meanwhile, the BRS has already sanctioned Rs 5 - Rs 50 lakh per community, based on their population, and handed over the letters to community elders. Some communities also saw MLAs fund the construction of community halls. Opposition parties are also taking a similar approach, with an Athmeeya Sammelanam of Vysyas by BJP state executive committee member Dhanpal Suryanarayana in Nizamabad on Tuesday one such instance. Given the Assembly elections, a few caste organisations are also getting additional benefits, of Rs 1- Rs 3 lakh for purchasing cooking vessels, tent house material and chairs. Assessing the number of votes, at least more than 100 votes at one place or organisation, the contestants are showing an interest in giving various sops. It was noted that BRS leaders in Machareddy mandal offered DJ kits to the youths of tribal thandas seeking their support. Inviting the youths to the programme, they also admitted them into the party fold. A senior political leader, on the condition of anonymity, said they will encourage only caste groups to discuss developmental works. "It is easy to garner the support of voters either from caste organisation or from residential associations of apartments," the leader said. Usually, major communities regularly conduct their caste organisation meetings and develop assets like marriage halls, community halls and shopping complexes. Low-population communities have shown interest in uniting during general elections for benefits from leaders. They are printing letterheads, getting visiting cards prepared and setting up temporary offices to attract political leaders. Farmers are getting an additional Rs 250 per quintal by way of GLT (gunny, labour and transportation) during procurement along with the MSP and this is a revolutionary decision, YS Jagan said. (Image: Twitter) Vijayawada: Officials should ensure that there is no corruption in procurement of paddy and MSP is paid to the farmers for paddy and other agricultural produce, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has said. Speaking at a review meeting on agriculture and civil supplies departments at the CMs Camp Office here on Wednesday, Jagan Mohan Reddy asked officials to ensure that there are no intermediaries and no role for millers in procurement. "Farmers are getting an additional Rs 250 per quintal by way of GLT (gunny, labour and transportation) during procurement along with the MSP and this is a revolutionary decision," he said. The officials told the CM that they are procuring millets along with paddy from the farmers. Jagan Mohan Reddy said steps should be taken to use the procured millets in the proposed food processing units. "More food processing units should be established as the quantity of procured millets will go up besides distributing them through PDS outlets and creating awareness among the people on the health benefits of millet intake." Pointing out that Rs 31,005.04 crore has so far been spent on Rythu Bharosa, the CM told them to get ready for distribution of this year's second tranche of the programme. Officials told the CM that so far, 422 farmers have been trained in the use of Kisan Drones. By November end, training will be completed for at least one farmer in each mandal, and they would train the rest. The Chief Minister stressed on the need to conduct soil tests at RBK level for farmers cultivating high-yielding crops. "RBKs should be equipped with necessary facilities for conducting the tests and issuing certificates so that farmers will save money on fertilisers and choose the right crop." Highlighting the importance of the Cheyutha programme, Jagan Mohan Reddy directed them to focus on supporting the self-help groups' members by arranging bank loans in addition to the financial help extended by the government, and helping them launch sustainable self-employment outlets. "It is also the responsibility of officials to ensure that the benefitted women succeed in their endeavours through regular monitoring and evaluation," he said. When officials reminded the CM that many women have benefited from Amul, he asked them to take it forward vigorously and explore opportunities in allied sectors. There should also be no scarcity of cattle fodder, he said, adding that TMR is given with every RBK as a unit. The officials told him that Rabi would be cultivated in about 10 lakh acres, making use of 73 per cent of the available area due to lack of sufficient rainfall in certain areas. One-lakh quintals of Bengal Gram and other seeds are kept ready while the subsidy on Bengal Gram is enhanced to 40 per cent from 25 per cent. Distribution of 45 per cent of the seeds was completed. E-cropping on Kharif has been done up to 85 per cent and this would be completed by October 15. Agriculture minister Kakani Govardhana Reddy, civil supplies minister K.V. Nageswara Rao, animal husbandry minister Dr S. Appala Raju, agri mission vice-chairman M.V.S. Nagi Reddy, adviser to government (agriculture) I. Tirupal Reddy, chief secretary Dr K.S. Jawahar Reddy, agriculture special CS Gopalakrishna Dwivedi and special commissioner C. Harikiran, horticulture commissioner Dr S.S. Sridhar, APSSDC MD G. Sekhar Babu, civil supplies commissioner H. Arunkumar and director Vijaya Sunita, APSCSC MD G. Veerapandian and animal husbandry director R. Amarendra Kumar were present. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. increased its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 2.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,538 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $515,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 81.1% during the 1st quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 222,422 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,321,000 after buying an additional 99,636 shares during the period. BCK Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 1st quarter worth about $2,455,000. LSV Asset Management grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 35.6% during the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 37,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,085,000 after buying an additional 9,800 shares during the period. Wsfs Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 70.8% during the 1st quarter. Wsfs Capital Management LLC now owns 4,221 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $575,000 after buying an additional 1,749 shares during the period. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1,451.4% during the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,770 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $514,000 after buying an additional 3,527 shares during the period. 68.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Up 0.6 % NYSE:JPM opened at $145.67 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $423.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.10. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a twelve month low of $101.28 and a twelve month high of $159.38. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $148.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $143.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $4.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.62 by $0.75. The firm had revenue of $42.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $38.66 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.29% and a net margin of 23.45%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 34.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.76 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 15.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 6th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.88%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is 27.03%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades JPM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. 888 reiterated a maintains rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Monday, June 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $158.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Friday, September 8th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $176.00 to $169.00 in a report on Tuesday. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $168.00 in a report on Monday, July 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $174.00 to $180.00 in a report on Monday, July 17th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, JPMorgan Chase & Co. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $168.47. Get Our Latest Stock Report on JPM Insiders Place Their Bets In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 4,310 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.86, for a total transaction of $624,346.60. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 53,425 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,739,145.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock. About JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Free Report) JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services to consumers and small businesses; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eagle Global Advisors LLC lessened its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 191,188 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 9,288 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. makes up 1.8% of Eagle Global Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Eagle Global Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $27,806,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of JPM. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 97,681.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,056,747,063 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $299,133,293,000 after buying an additional 2,054,643,659 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 105,652.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 98,000,567 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,141,876,000 after buying an additional 97,907,897 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 4th quarter worth about $3,894,646,000. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 15.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 59,049,256 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,918,506,000 after purchasing an additional 8,088,433 shares during the period. Finally, Providence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 13,205.6% in the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,395,818 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $41,407,000 after acquiring an additional 5,355,265 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.94% of the companys stock. Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Performance Shares of NYSE JPM opened at $145.67 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $148.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $143.15. The company has a market cap of $423.31 billion, a PE ratio of 9.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.10. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12-month low of $101.28 and a 12-month high of $159.38. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $4.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.62 by $0.75. The business had revenue of $42.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $38.66 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.29% and a net margin of 23.45%. The businesss revenue was up 34.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.76 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 15.68 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 6th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. This is an increase from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.88%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is currently 27.03%. Insider Transactions at JPMorgan Chase & Co. In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 4,310 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.86, for a total value of $624,346.60. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 53,425 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,739,145.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup cut JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $160.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $179.00 to $187.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Piper Sandler raised their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $168.00 in a report on Monday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $174.00 to $180.00 in a report on Monday, July 17th. Finally, Societe Generale downgraded JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $168.47. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. Profile (Free Report) JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services to consumers and small businesses; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (NYSE:KREF Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the five research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $13.42. KREF has been the subject of several analyst reports. JMP Securities reduced their price objective on KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. TheStreet upgraded KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 25th. BTIG Research upped their price objective on KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from $12.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from $11.00 to $13.00 in a report on Monday, July 24th. Get KKR Real Estate Finance Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on KREF KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Price Performance KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Announces Dividend Shares of KREF opened at $11.45 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $791.31 million, a PE ratio of -8.74 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 408.95, a quick ratio of 408.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.17. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.75. KKR Real Estate Finance Trust has a 1-year low of $9.94 and a 1-year high of $17.99. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 15.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. KKR Real Estate Finance Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -131.30%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its holdings in shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 26,983 shares of the companys stock valued at $328,000 after acquiring an additional 876 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 9.1% in the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,012 shares of the companys stock worth $134,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its stake in KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 5.7% in the second quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 18,846 shares of the companys stock worth $229,000 after purchasing an additional 1,021 shares during the last quarter. GFS Advisors LLC lifted its stake in KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 0.5% in the first quarter. GFS Advisors LLC now owns 210,510 shares of the companys stock worth $2,398,000 after purchasing an additional 1,035 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 8.9% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 12,902 shares of the companys stock worth $272,000 after purchasing an additional 1,051 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.01% of the companys stock. About KKR Real Estate Finance Trust (Get Free Report KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc, a mortgage real estate investment trust, focuses primarily on originating and acquiring senior loans secured by commercial real estate (CRE) assets. It engages in the origination and purchase of credit investments related to CRE, including leveraged and unleveraged commercial real estate loans, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KKR Real Estate Finance Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System trimmed its holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP Free Report) by 6.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 21,500 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 1,600 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement Systems holdings in International Paper were worth $684,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mizuho Markets Cayman LP purchased a new position in International Paper during the first quarter worth about $162,427,000. Lavaca Capital LLC purchased a new position in International Paper during the first quarter worth about $162,329,000. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC raised its holdings in International Paper by 212.9% during the first quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 4,504,355 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $162,427,000 after purchasing an additional 3,064,645 shares in the last quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. increased its holdings in International Paper by 43.3% in the second quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. now owns 9,123,905 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $290,231,000 after buying an additional 2,758,480 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in International Paper by 44.0% in the first quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 8,517,708 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $307,149,000 after buying an additional 2,602,405 shares in the last quarter. 80.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get International Paper alerts: International Paper Trading Up 0.6 % NYSE IP opened at $35.37 on Wednesday. International Paper has a one year low of $29.00 and a one year high of $41.89. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $34.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $33.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.24 billion, a PE ratio of 12.15 and a beta of 1.04. International Paper Announces Dividend International Paper ( NYSE:IP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The basic materials company reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.42 by $0.17. International Paper had a net margin of 5.14% and a return on equity of 12.22%. The business had revenue of $4.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.24 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 13.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.18 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th will be issued a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.23%. International Papers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.57%. Analysts Set New Price Targets IP has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial raised shares of International Paper from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $30.00 to $43.00 in a report on Thursday, September 21st. Bank of America cut shares of International Paper from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and dropped their target price for the company from $35.00 to $33.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of International Paper from an underperform rating to a hold rating and increased their price target for the company from $26.00 to $33.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of International Paper from $33.00 to $32.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, International Paper presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $38.30. Get Our Latest Research Report on IP Insider Activity In other International Paper news, VP Holly G. Goughnour sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.70, for a total transaction of $89,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 8,219 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $293,418.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock. About International Paper (Free Report) International Paper Company produces renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products in North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. It operates through Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers segment. The company's Industrial Packaging segment manufactures containerboards, including linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium, and saturating kraft. See Also Receive News & Ratings for International Paper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Paper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the seven analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $35.30. Several brokerages recently issued reports on MXL. Loop Capital lowered shares of MaxLinear from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the company from $40.00 to $25.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of MaxLinear from $50.00 to $45.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $34.00 price target on shares of MaxLinear in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Craig Hallum lowered shares of MaxLinear from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $25.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of MaxLinear in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Get MaxLinear alerts: View Our Latest Report on MXL MaxLinear Stock Performance Shares of MXL stock opened at $22.26 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $1.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.83 and a beta of 1.85. The companys 50 day moving average is $22.63 and its 200 day moving average is $27.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 2.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. MaxLinear has a 52-week low of $21.06 and a 52-week high of $43.66. MaxLinear (NYSE:MXL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The semiconductor company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by $0.20. The company had revenue of $183.94 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $190.03 million. MaxLinear had a net margin of 6.41% and a return on equity of 26.91%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that MaxLinear will post 0.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On MaxLinear Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MaxLinear during the second quarter worth $32,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in MaxLinear during the third quarter valued at $35,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in MaxLinear by 44,100.0% during the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,652 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 2,646 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in MaxLinear by 189.7% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,448 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 1,603 shares during the period. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new position in MaxLinear during the first quarter valued at $88,000. 87.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About MaxLinear (Get Free Report MaxLinear, Inc engages in the provision of communications systems-on-chip solutions for the connected home, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multi-market applications worldwide. Its products integrate various portions of a high-speed communication system, including radiofrequency, high-performance analog, mixed-signal, digital signal processing, security engines, data compression and networking layers, and power management. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for MaxLinear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MaxLinear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE:MTX Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the three brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $71.00. MTX has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Minerals Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. CL King upgraded shares of Minerals Technologies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $72.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of Minerals Technologies from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday. Get Minerals Technologies alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on MTX Institutional Inflows and Outflows Minerals Technologies Stock Performance Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Minerals Technologies in the first quarter valued at $29,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Minerals Technologies in the second quarter valued at $49,000. Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in shares of Minerals Technologies by 126.1% in the second quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 997 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 556 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Minerals Technologies in the second quarter valued at $72,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Minerals Technologies by 128.2% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,285 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $74,000 after purchasing an additional 722 shares in the last quarter. 94.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Shares of MTX opened at $51.00 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day moving average is $56.63 and its 200-day moving average is $57.39. Minerals Technologies has a 12 month low of $49.89 and a 12 month high of $73.57. The firm has a market cap of $1.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.06 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 2.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The basic materials company reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.27 by $0.04. Minerals Technologies had a net margin of 4.52% and a return on equity of 9.00%. The business had revenue of $551.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $564.70 million. Equities analysts expect that Minerals Technologies will post 5.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Minerals Technologies Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 8th. Investors of record on Friday, August 18th were paid a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 17th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.39%. Minerals Technologiess payout ratio is 6.69%. Minerals Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report Minerals Technologies Inc develops, produces, and markets various specialty mineral, mineral-based, and synthetic mineral products, and supporting systems and services. The company operates through three segments: Performance Materials, Specialty Minerals and Refractories. The Performance Materials segment supplies bentonite and bentonite-related products, as well as leonardite. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Minerals Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Minerals Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Hold from the eight research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $86.00. A number of brokerages recently commented on TXT. UBS Group assumed coverage on Textron in a research note on Tuesday. They issued a sell rating for the company. Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating and set a $89.00 price objective on shares of Textron in a research note on Monday, September 25th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Textron from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 28th. StockNews.com lowered Textron from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on Textron from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. Get Textron alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on TXT Insider Transactions at Textron Hedge Funds Weigh In On Textron In other news, Director R Kerry Clark sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.33, for a total transaction of $376,650.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 13,870 shares in the company, valued at $1,044,827.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Company insiders own 1.70% of the companys stock. Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TXT. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in Textron by 93.4% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,057,710 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $215,966,000 after acquiring an additional 1,476,395 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management boosted its holdings in Textron by 51.4% in the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 3,041,211 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $205,677,000 after acquiring an additional 1,032,353 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Textron by 27.7% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,596,887 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $324,678,000 after acquiring an additional 997,119 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Textron by 27,681.1% in the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 995,675 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $70,325,000 after acquiring an additional 992,091 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL bought a new position in Textron during the second quarter worth about $64,463,000. Institutional investors own 85.92% of the companys stock. Textron Stock Performance Shares of NYSE TXT opened at $79.08 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $77.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $70.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.18, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.47. Textron has a one year low of $58.80 and a one year high of $80.60. Textron (NYSE:TXT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The aerospace company reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $3.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.42 billion. Textron had a return on equity of 13.83% and a net margin of 6.88%. Textrons revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.00 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Textron will post 5.27 EPS for the current year. Textron Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. Textrons payout ratio is presently 1.84%. About Textron (Get Free Report Textron Inc operates in the aircraft, defense, industrial, and finance businesses worldwide. It operates through six segments: Textron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems, Industrial, Textron eAviation, and Finance. The Textron Aviation segment manufactures, sells, and services business jets, turboprop and piston engine aircraft, and military trainer and defense aircraft; and offers maintenance, inspection, and repair services, as well as sells commercial parts. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Textron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Textron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $141.14. A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on THG shares. StockNews.com started coverage on The Hanover Insurance Group in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets raised The Hanover Insurance Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $125.00 to $126.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 31st. JMP Securities dropped their price target on The Hanover Insurance Group from $170.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on The Hanover Insurance Group from $149.00 to $138.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on The Hanover Insurance Group from $124.00 to $120.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. Get The Hanover Insurance Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on THG Insider Transactions at The Hanover Insurance Group Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Hanover Insurance Group In other news, Director Jane D. Carlin sold 1,246 shares of The Hanover Insurance Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.04, for a total value of $142,093.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Company insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of THG. Raymond James & Associates lifted its stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 14.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 14,446 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,160,000 after acquiring an additional 1,772 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $209,000. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 3,679 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $550,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,221 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $780,000 after acquiring an additional 277 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 13,423 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,007,000 after acquiring an additional 355 shares during the last quarter. 84.89% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. The Hanover Insurance Group Stock Performance NYSE THG opened at $109.43 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $3.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -42.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $109.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $114.68. The Hanover Insurance Group has a twelve month low of $103.82 and a twelve month high of $148.78. The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The insurance provider reported ($1.91) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($1.91). The firm had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.42 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a negative return on equity of 2.83% and a negative net margin of 1.60%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 16.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.32 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Hanover Insurance Group will post 3.01 EPS for the current fiscal year. The Hanover Insurance Group Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were issued a $0.81 dividend. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. The Hanover Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -124.62%. About The Hanover Insurance Group (Get Free Report The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other. The Commercial Lines segment offers commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, and other commercial lines coverage. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Derrys House in the Wells was packed to capacity as the community came together for the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, held this year in honour of the late Sadie Callan (nee McGilloway), fondly known as Wee Sadie. The coffee morning took place on Thursday, a week after Sadies untimely death, and raised a phenomenal 10,605. Speaking to Derry Now following the coffee morning, Sadies daughter, Fionnuala, thanked everyone who had come along and donated. Derry did Mammy proud, she said. According to Fionnuala, the Macmillan Coffee Morning in the House in the Wells, where she worked, was the highlight of Sadies year. Over the years, they raised more than 50,000, said Fionnuala. We used to get the phone call from her every June and we used to be thinking, Here she goes already with the raffle tickets. She would have been going to all of the local businesses for vouchers. Sadie with daughter Fionnuala and son Donal. She was a very determined woman. She just loved getting everything organised for the coffee morning, that was her wee thing. She put her heart and soul into it every year. Originally, the coffee morning was to take place on Thursday, September 28, and she was going to retire that day too but sadly we ended up having her funeral that day instead. Our family would like to thank everyone who came along today, just to continue Mammys legacy with her wee Coffee Morning. Everybody knew how much it meant to her every year. Sadie, Fionnuala and grandson Cahir. She would have been raging if wed cancelled it, said Fionnuala, so we decided to put it back a week instead. She would have been angry otherwise. Giving a bittersweet insight into Sadies devotion to her annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, Fionnuala recalled that, even when she was in hospital, Sadie kept saying to her, Fionnuala, I need to be out of here by Thursday. I have a coffee morning to do. All she was worried about was the coffee morning, said Fionnuala. She would have been so proud today. Sadie with son-in-law Eamonn. Fionnuala said Sadie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and Macmillan were very good to her. They gave her help with travel expenses to go to Belfast for treatment. They were so good and generous. The coffee morning was Mammys way of giving back. It just kept getting bigger and better every year. It just kept her going. She did raffles and she would have bought things herself and made up hampers. This year we ended up with two or three times the amount of prizes for the raffle. She would have been so, so pleased. The turnout today was amazing, absolutely amazing. I never saw a crowd like it. It was brilliant. You couldnt move. It was brilliant. The whole community came out and supported her. Fionnuala thanked everyone involved on behalf of her father, Jimmy and her brothers, Niall and Donal. Today was a team effort, she said. I have to thank Mammys friends and her family and Derry as a whole. The whole community was just absolutely amazing. Sadie, Jimmy, Niall, Donal, son-in-law Eamonn and daughter-in-law Lauren. I couldnt praise Mammys work, the House in the Wells, highly enough. They were absolutely brilliant. They just loved her and they couldnt do enough for us today. The residents were brilliant too with the donations they made. Fionnuala described her mother as the best wee wife, mammy and granny. She was the most selfless person. She just lived her life for everybody else. She never said a bad word about anybody. She was just the best. Many tributes were paid to Sadie following her death. A former Republican prisoner, Sadie had taken part in the No Work, No Wash protest in Armagh Gaol. Former Blanketman and MLA, Raymond McCartney said: Sadie McGilloway Callan, known to all, as Wee Sadie, was laid to rest this morning in the City cemetery. It was a fitting testimony to the love, affection and esteem she was held in by her family, friends and comrades. The biggest loss is to her husband, Jimmy, her children, Fionnuala, Niall and Donal, her siblings, Ann, Briege, Tony, James, Mena and Gabrielle, and grandchildren, Cadhan, Cahir, Daithi and Fiadh, we can only imagine your pain and grief at this time. We share in that albeit in a different way, the loss of a friend and comrade, someones support, solidarity and friendship we were afforded and took comfort from over many years. Fr McFauls poignant eulogy at her requiem captured the essence and spirit of a woman of Creggan, who was a devoted daughter and sister, a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She brought to family life all the values and lessons she experienced and ensured that those she loved and cherished would be enriched by them. Sile Darragh, who was Sadies friend and comrade from the time they first met in Armagh prison, spoke of her loyalty, friendship. She contrasted her slight of build to the enormity of her heart and courage. A courage that knew no bounds, and a loyalty and friendship that was true and an example to us all. The place we live in, the lives we now live, the struggle for justice and freedom is all the better, and Sadie McGilloway played a significant part in all that. Sile observed that Sadie never took a step back, never faltered to the next challenge, spoke up and out when it was necessary. All with a humility that this remarkable woman possessed and displayed in every aspect of her life. Whereas words most times never do justice, but today the large number of people and her honour guard who brought her to her final place of rest spoke loud and clear to tell Sadie, if she didnt already know, what she meant to us all. Sadie, slan abhaile, suaimhneas go deo anois o Rose and Raymond. Colly Kelly said the Republican family in Derry had lost an absolute legend. He added: I was very lucky that over the years in our roles she was there by my side with Lynn and Dada be that doing Black Ribbons, Easter Lilies, National Draw Tickets, Easter and Bloody Sunday functions, Derry Grave raffles, Jigs and Reels. She was a stalwart who never complained and always got stuck in right until the end and thats not even taking into account her own fundraising for Macmillan cancer. Really she was one of a kind. To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, Ulster University is launching a unique exhibition Everyday objects transformed by the conflict showcasing objects that offer a glimpse into the lives and memories of those who lived through conflict in Northern Ireland. Developed by Healing Through Remembering, the free exhibition reveals unique and everyday stories through a range of loaned objects and their accompanying labels, all written in the words of those who own them. Objects such as twisted metal from an exploded car, a journalist's notes scribbled onto unused cheques, a bullet-proof clipboard used by the security forces, as well as a matchbox with a well-known unionist slogan Ulster says No printed on its cover, are examples of the range of diverse objects on loan for this exhibition, located on the Derry campus. The stories behind these objects not only offer a glimpse into the everyday lives and memories of individuals, communities, and organisations, but they also help visitors explore the nature, causes and effects of conflict, recognised as some of the most difficult years gone by in our history and in many people's lives. The exhibition does not aim to agree on one single version of history but instead allows people from various backgrounds to speak for themselves. Professor Brandon Hamber, John Hume and Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Peace, Ulster University expresses the significance of this unique exhibit: This is an important exhibition to bring to the Derry-Londonderry Campus. As we reflect on 25 years since the Belfast Agreement, it reminds us of the complex and varied stories we need to integrate into our society if we are to create sustainable peace. The legacy of the conflict is not something we can legislate away but needs to be engaged with in a detailed way and with care, the exhibit provides this very opportunity, and I am delighted we can share it with the university community and the wider public. Kate Turner, Director of Healing Through Remembering said: This Exhibition offers a range of views, perspectives, and experiences all explained through everyday objects by the objects owners, in their own words. This insight into the lives of others is all the more important when the lack of an agreed narrative of the conflict in and about Northern Ireland is seen as a major hindrance to progressing peace. The exhibit is a free event supported by INCORE and Healing Through Remembering, in partnership with the John Hume and Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Peace, hosted at the Ulster University Derry campus, first floor in the MU building open to the public until 15 November. Another event forming part of the Ulster University Good Friday Agreement programming took place this week on the Derry campus: the launch of new book: John Hume: The Persuader by award-winning journalist Stephen Walker. Walker, known for reporting on Northern Irish politics for over 30 years, combines over 100 interviews with many of Humes colleagues, critics, and family members, with never-before-published interviews with Hume himself to present a comprehensive portrait of one of the most significant political figures in Northern Ireland and around the world. A Ukrainian national charged with threats to kill told police that it was due to a 'misunderstanding' because of the language barrier Derry Magistrate's Court heard today. Petr Sviekh Suiiekkh (27) whose address was at Strand Road in Derry but is now at University Street in Belfast appeared charged with making a threat to kill against a man on August 31 2023. When the charge was put to him through an interpreter the defendant said he was not guilty. Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said the most significant passage in his interview was when he told police that it was a misunderstanding 'as his English wasn't good.' The solicitor said his client had said he was referring to the fact that Covid could kill as he had Covid at the time. District Judge Barney McElholm said that it looked to be a 'relatively straightforward' matter. The court heard that a full file would be required in the case and it was adjourned until November 1. After the phenomenal success of its debut tour in April, the original stage play Forever Mine returns to Derry this Thursday night, 12 October at 7.30pm with a special performance in St. Columbs Cathedral at the start of their UK tour. 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace the worlds best-loved hymn and one of the most recorded songs of all time, which has a historic connection with Derry and Donegal. The UK tour of Forever Mine will be performed in many of the iconic historic venues where the events of this true story took place, retracing the steps of John Newtons life. At its heart, Amazing Grace tells the dramatic story of its author John Newton. This original stage play is based on letters, diaries and historical writings, and encompasses both John Newton's dramatic transformation from slave trader to clergyman and eventual abolitionist as well as the passionate love story between Newton and his wife Mary (nicknamed Polly). Although set in the 18th century, this moving narrative will resonate with modern audiences. Shipwrecked on the shores of Lough Swilly in 1748 at the pivotal point of his life (the hour I first believed), John Newton then stayed in an exceedingly good house in Derry and took communion in St. Columbs cathedral. Forever Mine looks honestly at John Newtons role in the slave trade including his continued involvement for six years after his conversion in 1748. It traces his slow journey to repentance and his later work supporting the campaign for abolition as mentor to William Wilberforce. One powerful distinctive of this costume drama is that it elevates the lesser known voices of the abolition movement including black writer Olaudah Equiano and tells the virtually unknown story of Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (also known as James Albert) who is considered the first published African in Britain. Forever Mine is brought to life by a stellar cast of professional actors starring Ellis Wells as John Newton, Susie Garvey-Williams as Polly Newton, Gideon Asuming as Olaudah Equiano and Christian Gerring as William Wilberforce. What audiences had to say about Forever Mine during its debut all-Ireland tour in April: Excellent performance by exceptional actors. Very well done to all involved in bringing this to Kilmore cathedral. Better than some shows Ive seen in the Lyric [theatre in Belfast. Wonderful professional actors. Such clever staging amazing really. Brilliant great night A wonderful and inspiring production brilliant acting Outstanding performance!!! I just want to say the show was absolutely remarkable. It was so beautifully written and performed and the stage set up was perfect too. Forever Mine, Thursday, 12 October at 7.30pm at St. Columbs Cathedral, Derry. Tickets 10. For more information check out www.amazinggrace.ie/forever-mine or contact forevermineproduction@gmail.com. The Norwegian Star elegantly sailed into Lough Foyle this morning at 7.00am and anchored just off Greencastle. At 91,740 gross tonnage and 296m she is the biggest ever ship to anchor in the Lough. The arrival of the impressive ship marks the last of the 2023 cruise season for Foyle Port. Her 3,200 guests and crew are on a 10-day voyage around Ireland from Southampton calling at Glengarriff, Cork, Waterford, Dun Laoghaire, Belfast, Killybegs and Greencastle. The Port provides a starting point for exploring some of Irelands and Northern Irelands most magnificent areas of outstanding natural beauty and access to the historic city of Derry-Londonderry. Following a short tender ride to shore, guests enjoyed excursions to the Ulster American Folk Park, Giants Causeway & Dunluce Castle, Inishowen Peninsula & Doagh Famine Village, Glenveagh National Park and tours of Derry. Independent guests enjoyed exploring the local area of Greencastle. To mark the ships debut call a traditional plaque exchange took place onboard between the ships Staff Captain Divorce Pulitika and General Manager Tony Winkler and representatives from Foyle Port, Failte Ireland and the Mayors Office. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Patricia Logue said she was delighted to welcome passengers from the Norwegian Star to the North West region. She added, I hope the visit is a unique and enjoyable experience for the passengers and crew, many of whom will be visiting for the first time. "Its a great opportunity for us to showcase the entire regions natural unspoiled beauty and hope that the passengers will return home with fond memories of their visit with the hopes of returning again. A record year for Foyle Port Foyle Port has had its record year for cruise operations welcoming 18 ships and over 16,000 passengers and crew. The majority of the passengers visiting the region were from the United States (51%), followed by the United Kingdom (20%), France (14%), Canada (5%) and Germany (5%). Harbour Master and Operations Director of Foyle Port, Bill McCann said, We are thrilled to have welcomed some of the most prestigious cruise lines in the world including Azamara Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line today. Plaque exchange onboard Norwegian Star. From left to right: James Logue, Mayors Consort; Louise Denvir, Cruise Marketing Executive, Foyle Port; Cllr Patricia Logue, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council; Divorce Pulitika, Staff Captain, Norwegian Cruise Lines; Bill McCann, Harbour Master and Operations Director, Foyle Port; Charlene Boyle, Wild Atlantic Way Officer, Failte Ireland; Tony Winkler, General Manager, Norwegian Cruise Lines; Glenda Abbott, Group/Events Co-ordinator, Norwegian Cruise Lines. This year, the port received maiden calls from eight ships, including new build, Explora I from MSC Groups new luxury cruise brand, Explora Journeys and the newly refurbished Renaissance from new French cruise line, Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres; both ships made a historic first-time call to the island of Ireland with Foyle Port added McCann. The Port in Derry provides an unrivalled offering allowing access into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with just one visit. With dramatic coastlines, remote countryside, sandy beaches coupled with a historic city boasting award-winning museums and a vibrant culture there is so much to offer in one destination for cruise visitors. Its easy to see why the region has seen a rise in demand and looks ahead to a positive 2024 cruise season. A disability rights activist has called for environmentalism to be more inclusionary after she became an MBE at Windsor Castle. Michaela Hollywood, who is deputy chief executive of the Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and lives with the genetic condition spinal muscular atrophy, was made an MBE by the Princess Royal on Wednesday. She told the PA news agency: I think up until now climate change activism and environmentalism has been very exclusionary. But if we dont include disabled people as part of our conversation, then climate justice will never be achieved. So, I think that will be our next frontier. The activist said she had been inspired to take up campaigning after being told she was not allowed to be on the ground floor at a concert when she was 17. She said: Not being allowed to sit where I wanted for that concert really sparked a tiny flame into a massive fire and I havent looked back since. Ms Hollywood, who is from Co Down, said she was very honoured to become an MBE and that it was the combination of a large team effort. She added that receiving the honour was a resounding vote of confidence in the work she was doing. Ms Hollywood also spoke about the links between mental health and disability. She said: My overarching message to people is that being disabled itself doesnt impact mental health necessarily, but what does is when the structures in society are failing people. Inaction has consequences for disabled people being denied entry or not being able to access a service has a knock-on impact because that denial is due to something we cant control. Weekly news roundup: How did Huawei design its Kirin 9000S chip without American EDA tools and other top stories These are the most-read articles during the week of October 2-6, 2023: How did Huawei design its Kirin 9000S chip without American EDA tools? Since the world's dominant EDA players Synopsys, Cadence, and Siemens Mentor -- are all based in the United States and have been restricted from providing advanced EDA tools to companies that are on the US government's Entity List, how on earth did Huawei and its IC design arm HiSilicon get access to the EDA tool to design the 7nm chip and have it manufactured in such a short time? Tesla's humanoid robot 'Optimus' debuts in Taiwan, showcasing AI advancements Tesla Taiwan announced on October 3 that it will first exhibit the humanoid robot 'Optimus' at its service experience center in Neihu, Taipei, and then at experience centers in Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. The move aims to allow the public to catch a glimpse of Tesla's innovative strides not only in the automotive field but also in the realm of robotics. Huawei's NearLink wireless technology signals a decoupled connected world Amid popular interest in Huawei's Mate 60 Pro, featuring a mysterious SoC using SMIC's technology, the NearLink wireless technology manifests China's desire for self-reliance and may lead to a decoupled communication supply chain. China urges semiconductor companies, carmakers to build automotive semiconductor supply chain In a recent international conference in Shenzhen, the Chinese government said semiconductor companies and carmakers should strengthen collaboration on making automotive semiconductors domestically. Car companies also plan to invest jointly in the segment to raise self-sufficiency in semiconductors. Is Huawei using enigmatic strategy to drive the US into a dilemma? Semiconductor industry insiders believe that Huawei is aware of the impending US retaliation, and its strategy of intentionally touching on sensitive nerves associated with the US-China tech rivalry aims not only to galvanize China's semiconductor self-sufficiency efforts and nurture national unity, but more importantly to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of the "all or nothing" approach in dealing with the US. China advances compound semiconductors more rapidly than Taiwan, says PIDA Taiwan is lagging behind China in the development of compound semiconductors but may catch up fast with sufficient government support according to Taiwan's Photonic Industry and Technology Development Association (PIDA). PIDA CEO Hwai-Jia Luo noted that China's compound semiconductor development has been faster than that of Taiwan mainly because of the Chinese government's eagerness to invest in it, allowing companies to gain a lot of experience. Luo pointed out that China is also rather strong in materials research, and it has a big domestic market for compound semiconductors as there are three main areas where there is strong demand for compound semiconductors: EV, new energy, and servers/data centers. Dutch media: US export controls against China marred by compromises and falling short of goals As Washington reportedly plans to update its export curbs against China in October, an analysis report by a Dutch media posits that the previous export curbs imposed a year ago exposed the Biden Administration seems to have no clear idea of their objectives. According to Bits&Chips, the semiconductor restrictions against China are likely a product of the US struggle between hawks and doves concerning the China issue, leading to loopholes and a lack of clear goals. India's Sahasra Semiconductors aims to begin with basic packages that could offset Chinese imports In a strategic move to bolster India's semiconductor sector, Sahasra Semiconductors, a nascent player in the chip-making segment, has unveiled plans to commence assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) production. The company will initially focus on basic packaging, identified as 'low-hanging fruit,' which are presently being imported from China. This initiative not only marks Sahasra's foray into the burgeoning semiconductor market but also signals a step towards reducing dependency on Chinese imports in the domain. "In several domains where our design activities are underway, we observe a significant gap, with minimal activity from other entities and a dominant influx of products from China," explained Varun Manwani, CEO of Sahasra Semiconductors. "When it comes to lower-end packages, China is the predominant supplier. While high-end packages might originate from various countries and notable brands, the market for smaller or basic packages is essentially monopolized by China. Given India's and the global market's pivot, a substantial opportunity has unfolded. The extent and nature of what we can achieve within this window of opportunity remain exploratory, yet the potential is undeniably vast." Background Having been in operation for the last 23 years, the organization has primarily functioned within the electronics hardware manufacturing space. The venture into the solid-state memory business came in 2016, marking the beginning of a collaboration with the global giant, Sony. However, this partnership was short-lived, enduring only two and a half years, due to Sony's decision to withdraw from the memory business worldwide in 2018. The relationship concluded around early 2019. Nonetheless, during their alliance, the seeds for exploring packaging were sown, spurred by the peak valuations being achieved in India at the time. "Even though they pulled out of this market, we decided to continue exploring the possibility," Manwani said. "For about a year or so, we were trying to finalize plans, now that Sony was no longer available as a customer. However, we were quite determined that this was the right direction. In 2020, after the pandemic started, the government introduced the entire PLI scheme, which gave us a push to look at this seriously and try to take advantage of the opportunity. Simultaneously, the entire shift, including the US-China trade war, was an impetus in the sense that we could see the writing on the wall: in the next few years, there would be a lot of manufacturing and demand out of India." From memory to beyond Initially, the company contemplated a sole focus on the memory business, leveraging an existing market in memory products with the assumption that managing the packaging of memory solutions would naturally cater to that market. However, given the substantial shift in the memory business market, particularly with no entities engaging in any form of packaging in India, and being one of the pioneers in this domain, the company did not immediately embark on high-level or advanced packaging. Instead, a strategic decision was made to commence with what can be described as low-end or low-hanging fruit, such as UDPs, utilized in USBs, or microSD cards, which find applications in various devices. "As I mentioned, the market shift that occurred from a 2016 standpoint to 2020, where all smartphones became much more popular and came with internal memory, caused the overall volume of microSD cards to drop considerably worldwide and in the Indian market," Manwani said. "Having said that, we still started with microSD and UDPs because that is the low-hanging fruit, and by being able to do that, it's a learning exercise for us. So, it actually aligns with our roadmap, and we are ready to go into the higher-end packages of eMMCs, USFS, and UDFs. This is the right steppingstone towards getting into those packages." Investment In the initial phase of its development, the company has allocated a $20 million investment. To date, $15 million of this sum has already been invested, with the remaining $5 million currently in the process of being allocated for additional orders with vendors, among other expenses, yet is firmly committed as part of phase one. Moving forward into phase two, the company plans to inject an additional $30 million, bringing the total investment for both phases to $50 million. As the business grows, further scaling up will be necessary, involving the addition of more equipment at various stages to address potential bottlenecks, typically in areas such as wire bonding and die bonding, to facilitate subsequent scale-up. Varun Manwani, CEO, Sahasra Semiconductors. Credit: Sahasra. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Representatives from more than 20 institutions from Kenya have met with 17 vice-chancellors from the UK at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) to look at advancing international partnerships in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and employability. The Second UK-Kenya Vice-Chancellors Round Table, hosted by DMUs Vice-Chancellor Prof Katie Normington, included visitors from the Kenyan Ministry of Education, The Kenyan High Commission and the Kenyan Parliament as well as policy makers and thought leaders from Kenyan and UK higher education sectors. The delegation from Kenya and the UK outside DMU's Georgian Rooms The day-long meeting explored how to create more collaborations and partnerships through student and academic exchange programs, research, looking at distant learning and teaching and sharing experiences of higher education for the benefit of teaching, learning, research and community engagement in the two countries. The meeting was part of a series of events on fostering networks and partnerships organised by DMU academics including Dr Chris Odindo and Dr Charles Kariuki as well as students from DMU and the University of Leicester. Dr Odindo said: For me, what I loved most about this event was that is about something thats part of our DMU DNA as an empowering university, which is building local, national and global partnerships with purpose Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research in Kenya, said: All the vice-chancellors have shared amazing stories about how they can engage with Kenya to advance work around health, information and communication technology, business and innovation, agriculture, engineering and the creative economy. It was also very important to clarify how partnerships can be structured, be sustainable and be mutually beneficial to Kenyan and UK institutions. Monica Blagescu, Head of Education for the British Council in Kenya, said: We are hugely grateful to DMU for opening their beautiful campus for this occasion. Every time we create opportunities for like-minded people to connect, we build stronger trust and understanding, which leads to stronger and more positive engagement. What stood out for me was the shared commitment to quality teaching, the commitment to robust research and the commitment to contribute towards the global public good." Darius Mogaka Ogutu, Director of Higher Education in Kenya, said: It was a wonderful engagement and so much was done in a very short time. We are now looking forward to a very productive year of collaborations and partnerships. I am excited for the future. For me the highlights today were acknowledging the importance and value to us all of creating opportunities for both Kenya and UK. There are so many pathways that can be taken forward in terms of more student mobility opportunities, transnational education, capacity development [to improve public services] and research collaboration. There are plans to host the next round table meeting with UK vice-chancellors in Kenya. Lawyers for Aaron Brady, who was convicted of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, have argued that the prosecution had "zero appetite" to ask any questions of a key witness who had her testimony interrupted and were instead driven to keep the defendant's trial going under any circumstances. They also submitted that although no investigation into the interruptions took place, the jury were read a transcript of an exchange between an unseen man and the witness that occurred in their absence, a decision that Brady's counsel submitted was "baffling" and "completely unlawful". However, it was submitted yesterday, Tuesday, at the Court of Appeal by Brendan Grehan SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), that it had been thrown about like "brickbats" that the prosecution "sat on their hands" and did nothing to address unfolding events, none of which the barrister said could have been anticipated. Counsel for the DPP said "an inquiry" into how key witness Molly Staunton - who gave testimony via video link from New York during the Covid-19 crisis - came to be interrupted by an unseen man "would have been an exercise in futility". On the fifth day of the hearing before the three-judge appeals court senior counsel Michael O'Higgins, representing Brady, said the court erred in refusing to direct An Garda Siochana to carry out an investigation into the circumstances under which Ms Staunton's evidence was interrupted. He said the court also erred in failing to investigate the "blatant and serious contempt" of court for the purpose of protecting the integrity of the trial process. The lawyer further submitted that the court erred in determining that the deficiencies in her evidence could be cured by a warning to the jury, and in deciding to inform the jury by way of a summary of what had transpired in their absence. Father-of-one Brady, who was jailed in 2020 for a minimum of 40 years for the murder of the detective, is bidding to overturn his conviction in a six-day hearing before the Court of Appeal. Witness Ms Staunton was initially expected to travel from her New York home to Dublin to give evidence but that plan was scrapped when Covid 19 swept through New York. The extent of the lockdown there was such that plans to have her give evidence via video link from a government building also had to be scrapped. In the end she gave her evidence despite complaints by Brady's defence that the scenario took away from the proper gravitas of a criminal trial. Ms Staunton told the murder trial that Brady said he had to "carry around the guilt of having murdered a cop in Ireland". Ms Staunton said in her direct evidence that Brady also claimed during a drunken "rant" to be "the most feared man in Ireland". While Ms Staunton was giving evidence in front of the jury via video link from a New York apartment an unseen man interrupted her. Mr Justice White told the jury that there was a previous interruption by the same man when the jury was not present. On that occasion a radio could be heard in the background in the apartment and when the judge asked her to turn it down she said to the man: "The judge says you have to leave. I don't want anyone else in the room." Mr Justice White said the man became difficult when asked to leave and said: "Call another boy, you should be with a lawyer" and later he said: "Just fucking do it," and, "Tell them what you're supposed to tell them." Ms Staunton replied: "I'm not telling them." In one dramatic incident, Ms Staunton was interrupted at a critical point in her evidence by the man, who could be heard saying "You f**k off" and then "put a stop to it, you can stop it right now, no more testimony", before the feed was cut off. The key part of her evidence was that she heard Brady admit that he "shot a cop" while he lived in Ireland. Brady's lawyers argued that the jury would see the interruption as prejudicial against their client and even though there was nothing to suggest the man was acting on Brady's behalf, they said he could no longer get a fair trial. The judge ruled the issue could be dealt with by a warning from the judge that it may be dangerous to rely on Ms Staunton's evidence. Mr O'Higgins for the appellant submitted yesterday, Tuesday, that the unseen man heard via the video link indicated a very aggressive person influencing Ms Staunton's evidence against a fraught and tense backdrop. He said the procedure to be carried out when something like this unfolds should mirror as much as possible a witness giving evidence in court. Counsel said the court should have established from a base level what was going on but that "no effort whatsoever" was made in this instance. The barrister added: "There is a full on concerted policy simply not to ask any questions at all and then to proceed". Mr O'Higgins submitted the jury might have thought his client was benefiting from this interruption or that he had something to do with it or perhaps nothing to do with it but that some "bad minded friend had leaned on them". Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy asked the lawyer what process would he envisage if this event had occurred in a more usual environment where a witness was giving evidence in court. Mr O'Higgins said an independent investigative guard would be appointed and the witness would be interviewed. "Then we have the information and are in a position to make an assessment," he said. Mr O'Higgins suggested there was a contempt of court by Ms Staunton as she was given crystal clear instructions and a very stern warning at the end of the first day not to have anyone present from where she was giving evidence. He said the State felt entitled to turn their back on or ignore the interruption and not even ask witnesses to explain what had happened. "They are saying they have an entitlement to do that; and it's an impertinence. There seems to be zero appetite to ask any questions," he said. Failing that, counsel said, the court should have obtained statements from Ms Staunton and the unseen man to find out what had happened. Counsel for the appellant went on to say that giving the jury a transcript of what had happened in their absence was "completely unlawful" and in breach of their jury oath to give a true verdict in accordance with the evidence. He added: "I find it absolutely baffling that the court needed to explain to the jury how it all came about in this minute detail and yet there is a mountain out there and no one wants to look at it. Telling the jury about things that went on which they never witnessed is so legally unsound it would invalidate any conviction". The appellant also said the only solution was to discharge the jury once the court said it was powerless to act and that the gardai were not looking into it. However, he submitted the prosecution's drive was to keep the case going under any circumstances. In reply, Brendan Grehan SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the judge was entitled to decline the application to discharge the jury as the matter was capable of being dealt with. He said the judge made a decision based on what he saw in front of him and directed that the matter should proceed. The judge, he submitted, was within his jurisdiction to do that, particularly at all times averting to the fairness of the trial being of paramount concern. "It did not justify a discharge of the jury but it did justify what the judge did in giving the jury very specific directions," he added. Mr Grehan said the judge gave a summary to the jury of what had transpired in their absence during Ms Staunton's testimony and that this was done for the benefit of the defendant to enable them to look at her evidence with a jaundiced eye. He said the judge was entitled to explain additional information to the jury that they had not been party to. "The judge did this in ease of the position of the defence and it is now ironic having done it it is now the subject of such vehement submissions," he said. The barrister said the option for the prosecution at the time was no evidence from Ms Staunton or for her to give evidence from an apartment; "that was how stark it was". He accepted that the interruption during Ms Staunton's evidence was unusual, unfortunate and unanticipated but said it had no effect on her testimony. Mr Grehan said he didn't accept that it is always necessary to procure a statement from a witness and the judge had made enquiries to satisfy himself. "It has been thrown about like brickbats that the prosecution sat on their hands and did nothing about unfolding events, none of which could be anticipated," he said, adding that an inquiry would have been an exercise in futility. Aaron Brady (32) previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum having been found guilty in 2020 of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe (41) at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgen, Co Louth on January 25, 2013. Brady was also sentenced to 14 years for the robbery, a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence. Det Gda Donohoe was on a cash escort when he was ambushed by a five-man gang and shot dead. The raiders stole just 7,000 in cash during the robbery, which lasted 58 seconds. Brady's trial was also the longest murder case in Irish legal history, lasting 122 court days. He was found guilty of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in August 2020. The father-of-one was sentenced to the mandatory term for murder of life imprisonment in October 2020. As he had been found guilty of murdering a garda acting in accordance with his duty, the trial judge ordered that he serve a minimum of 40 years. The appeal continues today, Wednesday, before Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Ms Justice Tara Burns. ActionAid Ireland is celebrating the tenth year of the ActionTalks national speech writing competition and is calling for young people aged 14 to 18 from Louth to enter this years competition. To date, 57 students from nine schools in Louth have entered the competition. Two students from Louth reached the final stages of the competition and one student from Louth has won the competition. Overall, since its inception, 1,103 young people have entered the competition from 223 schools across the country. The competition is an opportunity for young people to explore the root causes of local and global injustices and inequalities. This years themes focus on the climate crisis, gender-based violence and unpaid care work. Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland said: We are delighted to launch the ActionTalks national speech writing competition for the tenth time. "It is astonishing that one-third of secondary schools in Ireland have entered the competition. Were really grateful to schools in Louth for taking such an active role in the competition over the years. Year after year students across Ireland deliver original and compelling speeches on important global issues. We cant wait to see what students come up with this year. ActionAid works with women and children, as they take the lead in claiming their human rights to build a more just world. ActionAids Womens Rights programme, funded by Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs, works to eliminate violence against women and girls. Irish Aid programmes are funded by Irish citizens and are part of Irelands important global role. To take part in the ActionTalks competition, students are invited to write a 600 to 800 words speech on three specific topics, on the structural changes needed to reduce unpaid care work, what Ireland can do to reduce the rates of gender-based violence internationally and how agroecology could be a solution to the climate crisis. Karol Balfe continued: Its really easy to enter, teachers simply email us with their students speeches. Fifteen students will go forward to the regional finals, where the winners get a 50 voucher each. "Then in March, six finalists present their speeches to a panel of expert judges, the overall winner can get a 500 voucher, and 100 for the teacher. "Were hoping to see entrants write innovative, well-researched, and creative speeches, using their own perspective from growing up in Ireland. Were also interested in how students examine how the concentration of power and resources in northern countries impacts the lives of people in the global south. A young man hit another man with a single punch, in response to a racist slur that was allegedly made during a row over a parking space, Dundalk district court was told last week. Manan Muhmood (22) of Medebawn, Avenue Road, Dundalk pleaded guilty to assault causing harm arising out of the incident on Park Street, Dundalk on March 21st 2021. Gardai were on foot patrol when they saw one man punching another, who appeared to end up unconscious on the ground. Paramedics who attended the scene said the injured party had sustained concussion. The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions. The defendand, the court was told, had never come to the adverse attention of gardai before the incident and while born in Ireland, his heritage is from Pakistan and it was the racist slur, which caused him to act as he did. The barrister stressed that the 22 year old was deeply remorseful for his actions and it was a single punch, which knocked the man to the ground, where he hit his head. He added it arose from an argument over a parking space. After hearing the defendant is saving to pay for his fees to return to college, Judge Eirinn McKiernan imposed 220 hours community service instead of a four month sentence. FREE school books for students in junior cycle at secondary school, reduced fees for third- level students, as well as funding for building, transport, meals, and special needs have been announced in Budget 2024. Speaking in the Dail, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said: Reducing the cost of education is a priority of this government. Today, I am providing funding to extend the free school books scheme to all junior cycle pupils in recognised post-primary schools within the Free Education Scheme from September next year, benefitting over 200,000 pupils. The new measure, which comes on the back of last years 47m scheme to provide free books for primary school students, will mean that 770,000 students across primary and secondary schools will now get free textbooks, workbooks and other items such as calculators and dictionaries. The books for first-, second-, and third-year students come at a cost of 55m, and will see the schools receive funding to purchase books and resources, which they will then loan to pupils who will have to return them at the end of the year. Louise Jordan, Green Party candidate for Cork City North East, stated: Im delighted to see the free school book scheme extended up to Junior Cert. This is a really important cost of living measure and very good news for parents. The cost of school books is scandalous and a huge burden for many households. Suzanne Connolly, CEO of childrens charity Barnardos, also welcomed the extension of the free books scheme, saying: It is positive progress on the work started last year, and will help alleviate financial pressure placed on parents across the country every year in the run up to the return of school. However, while welcome, we are disappointed that the Government did not extend free schoolbooks to all secondary school students hopefully, this measure will lead to further expansion next year which will mean all students benefit from the scheme. Aaron Wolfe, principal of Colaiste Eamann Ris, said that the book scheme was a massive help to families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis, but explained the cost of books would go way down if there was more regulation of the publishing companies so that they didnt keep writing new editions of textbooks. Weve run a book loan scheme here, and we can never recycle the books now that its Government money the publishing companies needs to be spoken to or schools will need massive skips for books every three years. Its a pity they havent increased the number of assistant principals in schools, as the book loan scheme does increase the workload. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE THAT SCHOOLS MUST IMPLEMENT However, Mr Wolfe warned that the free books scheme is essentially a Government initiative that the schools will be left to implement during the summer, without middle management. Announcing further measures for students and their parents, Mr Donohoe said: Education is vital for investment in supporting our children and our future. He announced that the Government will allocate a total of 10.5bn to the Department of Education in 2024, including a capital budget of 940m. This money will go towards the continued rollout of urgently needed school building projects which includes the 300 projects currently underway, and a further 200 school building projects which will commence construction over 2023 and 2024. The minister also announced new supports for those with special needs, saying: Todays budget builds on the progress we have made in building a more inclusive education system. He said that it will provide for over 740 additional teachers to support those with special educational needs, as well as over 1,200 additional SNAs, which Mr Donohoe pointed out was the highest number of SNAs we have ever had in our education system, and provide additional resources to special schools. Further measures include higher capitation payments to schools from the beginning of 2024, an extension of the fee waiver on school transport services for a further year as well as an extension of the fee waiver for students sitting state exams, and the expansion of the hot school meals programme to a further 900 primary schools in April 2024. Mr Donohoe concluded: Todays announcements represent further important strides in transforming the quality, affordability and inclusivity of our education system. However, members of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) say primary schools have been left behind in Budget 2024. INTO general secretary John Boyle said: Theres no getting away from the fact that Irelands primary school classes are the highest in the eurozone, remaining almost three pupils per classroom more than the average throughout the EU. It would have been a legitimate hope that a Government with a record budget surplus would have taken decisive action Instead of doing that, todays no-change announcement will add to overcrowding in schools. There were reductions in third level fees, with Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science Simon Harris saying: Last years Student Contribution measures made a significant difference to students lives and their wellbeing. Thats why this year we are repeating these measures. We have halved the student contribution fee to 1,500 for eligible families with a household income of between 62,000 and 100,000 , while families who pay the student contribution in full will see a once off reduction of 1,000. In addition, in 2023 and into 2024, 192m will be provided to higher education including 60m in core funding, but the Irish Universities Association says that this falls well short of what is needed. TWO Cork city TDs have urged Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to make swift progress on funding major roads projects for the city and county after it was revealed a briefing note from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that, in one instance, up to 18 lives could be lost and 252 people injured should there be further delays to progressing the proposed Cork City Northern Ring Road project. The Cork City Northern Ring Road was among a number of Cork roads projects which TII the body charged with road construction throughout the country included in a document entitled Briefing note to Department of Transport on the consequences of the funding scenarios for 2023.20 The TII document gives a range of three options relating to a large number of roads projects around the country, including the Cork City Northern Transport (or ring road), the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway, the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy route, the Mallow Relief Road, and the Midleton to Youghal road with its notorious bottleneck in Castlemartyr. There were three scenarios in respect of each road envisaged in the TII document. In two of those scenarios, both of which envisaged a five-year delay, the TII had extrapolated figures relating to casualties from collisions. The largest number of fatalities and serious injuries to be linked to the delay in any road throughout the country related to the Cork City Northern Transport road, with 18 road deaths projected and 252 people seriously injured. According to the TII document, consultancy fees amounting to 100,000 relating to the suspension of the project until 2026 have been committed. If the TIIs preferred scenario was adapted, funding of 1.3m would allow route selection to commence. Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould described the potential for 18 additional road deaths due to a delay in the Cork city Northern Ring Road as shocking. While the M20 is at a more advanced stage than the Cork City Northern Transport, a five-year delay in this project would lead to up to 12 deaths and 22 people with serious injuries, while delays to the M28 (Cork to Ringaskiddy), the M25 (Midleton to Youghal), and the Mallow Relief Road would lead to three fatalities in each case with a total of 12 road-users seriously injured, according to the document. Sinn Fein Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould described the potential for 18 additional road deaths due to a delay in the Cork City Northern Ring Road as shocking. He said that while one of the spurs to seek the development of the Northern Ring Road was to bring investment and connectivity to the northside of Cork city, the most pressing issue was road safety. The biggest reason we have is that articulated trucks and lorries are going through residential areas, going up Cathedral Rd, through Parklands, and Onslow Gardens, and Farranree, he said. He added that trucks were going down Gurranabraher every few weeks, getting stuck and having to reverse back up, causing traffic chaos and danger. One of the reasons for this is that drivers are being directed through these areas as shortcuts by online navigation systems. Cork North Central TD Padraig OSullivan, of Fianna Fail, said that there had been talk of the need for a Northern Ring Road and the other roads for a number of years, but this report, with its warnings regarding the possible loss of life if the roads suffered further delays, should compel action to speed up their development. The fact that so many of them have slowed down over the last 12 months is a cause for concern, he said, adding that he was encouraged by the minister of state for transport Jack Chambers who said that there would be supplementary funds following this weeks budget in which he hoped there would be funding announcements relating to roads projects. Fianna Fail TD Padraig OSullivan said: Were repeatedly being told that money isnt an issue, so lets get on and fund road projects adequately if thats the case. Were repeatedly being told that money isnt an issue, so lets get on and fund it adequately if thats the case, he said. In response to the TII report, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and ministers Roderic OGorman and Jack Chambers insisted the coalition Government has invested in roads while acknowledging that the warnings were concerning. Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman insisted that Green Party party leader Eamon Ryan has provided the necessary funding as transport minister. Mr OGorman also defended the governments record on road safety and investment in infrastructure. Safety on our roads is absolutely paramount in terms of the Green Partys approach, and indeed in terms of the approach of the Department of Transport, he said. Since this Government has come into office, 5.1bn has been spent on roads, and 1bn specifically has been spent on improving our roads. He added that Mr Chambers is engaging with Justice Minister Helen McEntee to set out enforcement mechanisms. Asked about the TII report, Mr Chambers said it was important that the wider political system reflect on it. The warnings and the report from Transport Infrastructure Ireland is stark, and obviously is a particular concern for me as minister with responsibility for road safety, said Mr Chambers. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: We have a lot of investments and roads, you know, hundreds of millions of euros go into maintenance and restoration of local, regional, and national roads every year. In addition to that, we sign up for new projects. So this month, nearly half a million euros are being invested in road upgrades in the north-west, for the M5. Its always the case that any Government agency will always say they need more money, and if we dont give them more money, therell be negative consequences. People make their case for more money, and I wouldnt expect anything different. Thats the normal course of budgetary negotiations, but I do support funding for roads, I should be clear on that. But also, we need to make sure theres adequate funding for public transport, [theres] some really big, important public transport like BusConnects in Dublin, like Cork Metropolitan Rail, and we have a commitment in the programme for government to make sure that funding for public transport outweighs investments on roads by two to one. Gardai in Cork are investigating following an alleged assault that occurred in Ballincollig in the early hours of this morning. Gardai are currently at the scene of the alleged assault at West Village in Ballincollig where a male aged in his 40s has been removed and taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) to be treated for his injuries. Gardai confirmed that investigations are ongoing. A CORK mother and member of a disability advocacy group has said the Government has shown a complete lack of understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and those that support them in this years budget announcement. Rebecca ORiordan of Families Unite for Services and Support (FUSS) and mother of a child with additional needs in Cork said that FUSS is saddened but unfortunately not surprised by the latest budget. Yesterday, the Government announced 64m for investment in disability services to deliver more than 90 additional residential places; 1,400 day places for school leavers; increased personal assistance hours; and rate increases for staff providing home supports. Minister Paschal Donohoe announced an increase of 12 per week for an individual in receipt of social protection payment and a once-off double week cost of living support payment to all qualifying social protection recipients. He also announced an increase in the carers allowance means test to 450 for a single person and 900 for a couple. Speaking to The Echo, Ms ORiordan said: This Government has shown again and again a complete lack of understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and those that support them. An increase of 1.50 a week for domiciliary care allowance on the eve of an all-out strike of services is degrading in the extreme. The Governments own cost of disability report states the average cost to a person to be in the range of 9,000 to 12,500 per year. Thats the cost of simply being disabled, not the cost of food, rent, or bills. Means testing of carers payments means that many family carers around the country will not even receive the 12 increase on carers payments but for those that do, this will equate to a per hourly rate of 1.50 an hour. She said carers and people with disabilities are experiencing a rate of State-sanctioned poverty while we sit on billions in excess. We are being bombarded by ads for UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities, bus stops emblazoned with disability rights are human rights while we remain one of the worst countries in Europe to be a person with a disability. Some disruption to flights travelling to and from Luton Airport is being experienced in Cork today following a car park fire at the London airport last night. Cork passengers are among thousands of people internationally being affected by delays after a vehicle fire led to the temporary closure of Luton airport. The incident occurred shortly before 9pm last night, with the first flights following the fire expected to recommence later this afternoon at London Luton. In Cork, Ryanair flight FR423 due to arrive into Cork Airport at 2.20pm is now not expected to land until 4.10pm. Meanwhile, Ryanair flight FR424 scheduled to depart Cork Airport at 2.45pm has also been delayed. The fire at Luton Airports Terminal Car Park 2 was declared a major incident, with firefighters working through the night and into the early hours of this morning to extinguish the blaze. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call about a car fire on level three of Terminal Car Park 2 at 8.47pm. Fifteen fire appliances and more than 100 firefighters were deployed. Four firefighters and a member of airport staff were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and another firefighter was treated at the scene. The blaze is believed to have started with a diesel-powered vehicle and then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread, Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said. There is no suggestion that the blaze happened intentionally. In a statement this afternoon Luton Airport said teams have worked hard to get the airport operational, with the first passengers now re-entering the terminal and the first flights expected to depart from 3pm. The jury in the Mallow murder trial deliberated throughout the day only returning to court to ask the judge to go over again the law in relation to self-defence. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon addressed the eight men and four women of the jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork on legal issues related to self-defence. Later in the afternoon, Ms Justice Creedon sent the jurors home and asked them to return to resume their deliberations at 11am tomorrow. Tyler (Tiggy) Jackson of Ballydaheen West, Mallow, County Cork, denied the charge of murdering 24-year-old Conor Quinn at Bridge Street, Mallow, County Cork, on July 12, 2018. The defence claimed during the trial that the accused never had a knife in his possession on that date. The prosecution said there was a witness who saw him leaving the scene after the fatal stabbing occurred and that he was carrying a kitchen knife. The jury was told that the accused was under no obligation to give evidence and in fact he chose not to do so. During the trial the jury was told that in the moment where it is alleged that Mr Jackson stabbed Mr Quinn, the defendant put his hand towards the deceased mans chest once. That evidence came from Samantha Quinn who was present in a car on Bridge Street at the time. A cousin of the deceased, she had been travelling in the car with the deceased and other relatives. She said: He stabbed him. Tiggy stabbed my cousin, Conor, in the chest. Then Conor fell down to the ground. He did not fully fall down. It was like someone who was tripping. He fell forwards. He had sunglasses on his head they fell on to the ground. Brian McInerney, defence senior counsel, cross-examined the witness, and said another witness described seeing him in the park in Mallow and that, He was very angry, he was waving around a weapon. The defence senior counsel reminded Samantha Quinn of her statement to gardai where she said of the deceased, He was mad, roaring at Tiggy. In court she confirmed, Yes. He was mad. Mr McInerney said, At no time that evening did Tyler Jackson have a knife or a blade. Nor did he stab Conor Quinn. Samantha Quinn replied, So why did Conor die? Why did he have a lesion in his chest that we could see? THE 41-year-old man accused of murdering his wife at their home in Wilton on July 14 has been remanded in custody until November 8. Judge Olann Kelleher adjourned the case for four weeks on the application of Sergeant Geraroid Davis at Cork District Court. Defence solicitor Deirdre Wilson said there was consent to a four-week adjournment. Regin Parithapara Rajan appeared again at Cork District Court by video link from Cork Prison. The defendant is charged with the murder of Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani, aged 38, at their home at Cardinal Court, Wilton, Cork, on July 14, contrary to common law. When Det Gda Alan Johnson arrested and charged him with the murder, Mr Rajan made no reply. There was a previous defence request for Mr Rajan to receive all appropriate medical attention while in prison, in particular any psychiatric attention he might need, as he suffered from depression. The judge was also told there was no need for an interpreter as Mr Rajan had good English. The deceased, Ms Dinamani, a native of Kerala in southwest India, was a chartered accountant and moved with her husband and young son to Cork to take up a position as a fund manager with a financial services company, Alter Domus Fund Services, based at Cork Airport Business Park. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has confirmed that 22-year-old Irish-Israeli citizen Kim Damti has died following an attack by Hamas in Israel. Ms Damti had been missing since Saturday when she was attending a music festival near the Gaza border. In a statement confirming Ms Damtis death, Mr Martin said he had spoken with her family. It is with immense sadness that I learnt this evening that Kim Damtis death has been confirmed, he said. When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely. The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating. Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise. For anyone to lose a child is devastating. To lose a child in such circumstances is indescribable. On my behalf and on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, I convey our heartfelt condolences to Kims family in Ireland and in Israel. We are with them in their grief. I spoke with Kims family earlier this evening and expressed this to them. Our thoughts remain with all the families of those who have died, who are injured or who are missing in the wake of these terrible events. May her memory be a blessing. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the death of Irish-Israeli woman Kim Damti after Hamas attacked Israel was senseless and barbaric. As a nation we are united in mourning for Kim Damti. This vibrant young Irish-Israeli woman was struck down in her prime, with her adult life ahead of her, he said. Her death, and the deaths of more than a thousand other citizens of Israel and from around the world, was senseless and barbaric. Kim gave happiness and joy to her family and those around her. As we learn of her death, we pause to think of her, her family in Israel and Ireland and of all those now grieving in countless other nations. WHAT should be heart-flutteringly exciting and the stuff of endless analysis with friends is actually often fraught with suspicion and can end badly. Im talking relationships, sought out online, conducted online and then in person assuming the pairing moves beyond the digital stage. What was astonishing in an RTE documentary Fools for Love?, presented by journalist Aoife Moore last week, was just how gullible women can be when they sign up for online dating. Of course, men can be fooled too, but its generally women who are sought out to part with their cash as part of so-called romance scams. The notion that some stranger can demand money at a very early stage of a relationship from a trusting woman is bizarre. But proving that a lonely woman and her money are easily parted, we learned from the documentary that romance fraud is one of the biggest money-makers for international crime organisations. A woman called Paula said that she missed having a partner in her life while everyone else she knew seemed to be happy in relationships. That was probably why she went on the dating app, Tinder (you know, the one where you swipe right and in some cases unwittingly initiate misery in your love life). Surely, grown women are copped on enough to know that some geezer demanding money after a few online encounters is a dangerous charlatan? Is our self-esteem so pathetically low that attention from a man any kind of attention is better than nothing? Where are a girls role models and mentors warning them off addiction to love? Tainted love, more like. The only kind of love on offer from the weirdos bashing out lies on their keyboards has to do with love of other peoples money. They often create false profiles and hit on a big number of potential victims hoping that one or two women will bite. That means a payday is almost guaranteed. Its just a question of building up trust and love-bombing the woman. And then cooking up a scheme or two to get her to send on cash. How stupid women can be. Paula swiped right on a guy called Jason. Within seconds, they were chatting away online. Jason said he wanted someone to settle down with and marry. Paula revealed that she wanted the same thing. Then this Jason character said he was a soldier going to Afghanistan and that hed text her as soon as he got there. Just to whet Paulas appetite, he said that he thought he was going to fall in love with her and that hed miss her when he was gone. All this after five minutes. Not surprisingly, Paula wondered what he was on about. But the bait was the overly effusive declarations, no doubt making Paula feel desired. When Jason sent Paula a video of himself in a hospital bed having been shot, he said he needed money to get a flight home. He said that she could look after him (hardly a good selling point, Id have thought) adding this is our chance to be together. When she went to Dublin Airport to meet him, he never showed up. Then he was looking for bail money. And as if there werent enough red flags raised, he sent Paula a message saying his little boy had fallen off scaffolding and died. He needed money for the funeral. He asked Paula to hurry up or hed never speak to her again. This emotional manipulation is similar to domestic abuse, said cyber psychologist, Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton, commenting in the documentary. Its psychological destabilisation using coercive control. When the scammer isnt getting what he wants, hell often resort to threats, withholding love. When Aoife Moore asked Paula what attracted her to this man, she said: Feeling wanted... It was my escape. While Paula thought this man was the answer to her prayers, she knew that if she told someone the story, they would just laugh at the whole Walter Mitty aspect of the narrative. She parted with 2,000 before wising up to Jason. While the documentary was depressing (and occasionally hilarious), a new RTE dating series, Love in the Country, presented by Anna Geary, also kicked off last week. It follows six rural singletons on the hunt for love, having felt that living and working in the country makes it hard to find love and settle down. This is more wholesome fare than the documentary. The rural dwellers open their doors to potential dates that are willing to give country living a try. It sure beats the nastiness of the online creeps. As Dr Fox Hamilton said, when people are online, theres a reduction in your feeling of public self-consciousness. You cant see the other person. You might forget they are also human beings with emotions. By Cillian Sherlock, PA One person has been arrested and charged after an individual gained access to the Government Buildings campus during heightened security on Budget Day. Gardai increased security around the Leinster House and Government Buildings area in Dublin for the budget announcement on Tuesday, weeks after demonstrations during the return of the Dail saw entrances to the premises blocked and included a mock gallows featuring ministers and opposition TDs. Speaking at a post-budget press conference on Wednesday, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said one person had been arrested during the security operation. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee held a post-budget press conference. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Tanaiste Michael Martin said there was an incident in Government buildings but added it was not related to a protest. A spokesman said An Garda Siochana does not comment on matters before the courts. Amid the heightened security, the protests did not reach the level seen for the return of the Dail. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: There werent any protests or any significant protests yesterday. But notwithstanding that, there might have been. And you know, Im never going to criticise the gardai for taking precautions and planning for particular scenarios. Asked about the extra security measures around the parliament, Ms McEntee said she trusts the gardai in their response to protests. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Commenting on the measures for the return of the Dail and budget day, Mr Martin said: I dont like that level of security around Leinster House, because I used to walk in and out on budget day for years. But lets be mindful of what happened two weeks ago, that was particularly violent and Id say the gardai said: Were not going to have a repeat of that. Mr Martin said the protests outside Leinster House for the return of the Dail two weeks ago were fascist. I think its for all of us as a society to make it very clear that we are intolerant of the kinds of fascist protests we witnessed two weeks ago. Tanaiste Micheal Martin defended the security measures (Brian Lawless/PA) There has to be no tolerance for anybody or any group that would inhibit the free movement of people across roads and streets. The Tanaiste said many politicians had been victims of harassment and intimidation. People should be allowed access and egress to Leinster House without harassment and intimidation, he added. Mr Martin said there was a need to be always alert around the security of all those working in Leinster House. He said embassies had also been subject to attack during protests, after paint was thrown at the door of the Israeli embassy. OCTOBER 22, 1992 was just a normal autumn day in the busy Harrington household on Bere Island consisting of ten children - five boys and five girls. Their mother Ann had to go to the mainland for a medical appointment in Cork to attend to a hand injury which she had sustained. She left the older children in charge of the younger ones, and amongst them was her daughter, 19-year-old Ann Marie, who was herself expecting a baby at the time. The short crossing from Castletownbere to the West End of the island takes approximately 15 minutes. Anns husband Donal had gone to pick her up, but when they were almost ashore their small boat struck a rock, and tragically Mr and Mrs Harrington never made it home to the island where their children were awaiting their return. The couples daughter Ann Marie has courageously and generously shared her recollection of that dreadful time with WoW! Her story is redolent with empathy and compassion for the plight of all of those who have lost family members to sudden accident. The terrible accident happened just at that point where you are just coming around into the island. The boat hit a rock and sank and that was it. Thankfully, we recovered their bodies so we were able to give our lovely mam and dad a proper funeral. "Its not always the case for people who get lost at sea. Sometimes families never get to recover the bodies of their lost loved ones, and that is really tough. They were actually found by members of our family. There is a strip of land which goes from our house down to the shore line, and thats where they found them. They were really close to home. Dad was out to collect mam in our own little boat when it happened. The only time mam was ever at the hospital before she had hurt her hand was when she was having her babies. She was always busy and always on the go, and even when she was sitting down she was always knitting. To see her with her cast was strange, and then to think we never saw her again without the cast... Ann Marie Harrington standing next to an old ruin on Bere Island. Picture Dan Linehan Its part of my personal pain, we lost them together, and the grieving which we did was done for both of them together. It still hurts. They had a good life, they had ten children together, and then they left the world together. I often wondered how dad would have coped without mam and how mam would have managed without dad, but it was incredibly difficult for us all to lose them both at the same time, and the sudden shock of it was awful, as we never expected it. You never think that something like that would happen to you, and my heart goes out to others who have lost family members and loved ones to sudden accidents. You dont see it coming, and then out of the blue your whole world is turned upside-down. As a family, it had a huge impact on all our lives. The older kids reared the younger ones after they died, and we got along like that. The youngest of us was only eight, I was 19, and my parents were only 49 and 50 years old when they were lost to us. Every time now if I hear of a drowning accident, it really affects me, I relive all the horror of it all. Ann Marie Harrington is a native of Bere island leaving Castletownbere on her way to the Island. Picture Dan Linehan Sadly, its part of life for people who live near the coast and on the islands. You know that when you hear the sound of the helicopter, they might be heading out to look for somebody who had an accident off a fishing vessel. I love the sound of the sea, I could listen to it all day, but I am very nervous going out on it, and I only go out if I have to, and spend the day fretting about getting home. Im really lucky that I can both live and work here on the island, a place that I love. I work as a home carer here, which means I dont have to travel to the mainland. I love my job and meeting all the lovely people who I care for. Dad was an island man through and through. His parents, grandparents and great grandparents were all from Bere Island, all from Derrycreeveen in the west of the island. Nestling at the foot of the Slieve Miskish mountains lies the picturesque little village of Eyeries, which is situated on the beautiful Beara Peninsula, and where the maternal side of Ann Maries family was from. Mam was from Eyeries on the mainland, and she was a Harrington too, so that when my parents got married she did not have to change her name. There was a tradition of fishing in our family, scalloping and going out on fishing trips. Dad used to go salmon fishing with his cousin, and as well as farming, he also did some maintenance for the army camp on the island from time to time. Ann Marie Harrington outside the Heritage and Information Centre on Bere Island which was the old Ballanakilla National School where she attended as a junior infant. Picture Dan Linehan Five out of my nine siblings still live on the island, and I have two adult children now too, Cihan and Dellannah. After I lost my parents, having my first baby was hard as I really missed not having mam there to guide me and advise me. However it turned out to be a huge blessing to have a little baby boy in the house. He brought a lot of joy into our home and helped us all through the grief in a way that only little smiling babies can, we all loved him and he brought something special into our lives again. He was a light that was switched on to chase away the darkness. He brought us something positive to focus on. Hes all grown up now, hes an electrician, and Im very proud of him and of my daughter too. When I was growing up on the island, we would always go to town on a Saturday night. The ferry used to take us. There were more of us teenagers in those days growing up on the island and going out together for a bit of fun at the weekends. These days, there are not so many, so I feel sorry for the youngsters now as they dont get out as much. These days they mostly they have to stay out on the mainland if they are going out for the bit of fun at the weekends. I always remember the ferryman going out for a gang of us on the big nights out like St Stephens night and the August bank holiday. There was way more of us then, the population was larger when I was growing up, and now, with the cost of diesel, the younger people dont have the same opportunities to go out unless their families have their own boats to take them out, and not everybody does. I love everything about Bere Island. I love the peace and tranquillity. I love when its really silent and you can just hear the murmur of the sea or the sound of the wind. We dont have the hustle and bustle of city noise or traffic jams. The community is absolutely great here. You feel a great sense of security living here, you know that somebody will always help you, we all pull together. Ann Marie Harrington doing her Sunday morning radio show from the studio at the Heritage Centre on Bere Island. Picture Dan Linehan There is a great level of security here too. If anybody was causing a problem, then all of the island would soon know all about it, and theres only one way off. We have a great community spirit, there are no age barriers to our friendships here. You do have to get organised if you need to plan a journey off the island, particularly checking to make sure that you get back in time for the ferry. I dont usually get stranded, something always works out. If you have to go to Cork, you try and make sure that you get back in time for the last ferry to take you across. "Our ferrymen are really great. If there is any delay, you just ring them, and let them know. They are fantastic. "I remember when my children were small pushing the buggy and the shopping on and off the ferry, but you would always be offered a helping hand. "I am involved in the Park Run on the island every Saturday morning and we get people popping over from the mainland. There's a great atmosphere, I absolutely love it. "We also have community festivals and arts festivals, and there's always something happening. We have two pubs and the hotel does food every day and we can go and have a game or pool or darts. "I also work regularly on the community radio station 'Bere island community radio' broadcasting on 100.1 FM. I do a music show on a Sunday where I play 80's music, and I have also interviewed people such as Alice Taylor and the Frank and Waters. I really enjoy it. "My biggest fear when I started doing the radio show was that I would accidentally use bad language, but thankfully that has not happened yet," she laughs. Bere Island community radio : http://bit.ly/BICRlive THE National Womens Council (NWC) has strongly welcomed a number of positive measures for women, including the childcare package and the increased investment in tackling violence against women, announced in Budget 2024. It warned, however, that the modest increases in social protection payments and many one-off measures will not protect women and families from poverty and inequality in the long term. Childcare The National Womens Council has welcomed this years budget childcare package, including the 25% further cut to childcare costs which was one of the key demands of the organisation for Budget 2024. NWC would have liked to see it introduced from January as opposed to September 2024. NWC Director Orla OConnor said: A 50% reduction in childcare fees over two budgets will make a significant difference to women and families and is very welcome and urgently needed. We must now build on this investment and move towards the delivery of a public childcare model, similar to our primary school system. "We know that this model has shown to be the most effective in reducing child poverty, fighting social exclusion, and being a game-changer for womens equality. It also ensures better pay and conditions for the predominantly female workforce in the sector. We call on the Government to commit to a public childcare model following Budget 2024. Social Protection and Lone Parents While one-off payments will go some way in helping women and families this winter, overall NWC is very disappointed with the measures introduced in social protection. We are particularly concerned for lone parents, the majority of whom are women. Ms OConnor continued: A 12 increase in base social protection and pension rates is simply not enough to protect people from the cost of living crisis, and tackle structural poverty and inequality. There are no structural payments for pensioners like a move to a benchmarked or universal pension, only one-off payments which will not tackle gender inequality. While the extension of child benefit to parents of 18-year-olds who are in full time education is welcome, we would have liked to see an overall increase in child benefit, which was last increased seven years ago. 70% of the families who have been made homeless since March are lone-parent families. Only 35% of lone parents receive maintenance payments without arrears. There are no significant increases for these families, with a 4 raise in the Qualified Child Increase, alongside an even smaller one-off payment, which is far below what is needed. Many lone parents will be feeling left behind today. Violence against Women 12m extra funding has been announced to tackle violence against women, including funding for the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency due to be established in January 2024. Ms. OConnor said "Its very welcome to see this increase in funding in tackling our epidemic of violence against women, and specifically the funding for the new agency. It's important that the Third National Strategy on violence against women is properly costed now, and that frontline services are properly resourced. Free Contraception and IVF There have been no announcements on the free contraception or IVF schemes, except to ensure women will not age out of the free contraception scheme by increasing eligibility to 31 years of age. Ms OConnor said: Womens health needs will continue through 2024, despite this lack of funding and investment in the development of critical health services. We are particularly concerned that there has been no announcement on the Mother and Baby Unit, which would support women with severe and complex mental health difficulties alongside their babies. Education NWC welcomes the introduction of free Junior Cycle books and grant for part-time studies. Orla OConnor said: This will be really positive for many lone parents and other families who are struggling to fund and participate in education at the moment. Minimum Wage and Tax Cuts NWC welcomes the increase to the Minimum Wage but highlights that the increase must go further to meet the Living Wage. In relation to the introduced tax cuts, Orla OConnor said: Women are overrepresented in many low-paid, precarious and part-time jobs, and have lower average incomes overall. While some on minimum wage may benefit from some income tax changes, the introduced income tax changes will do little to benefit women and instead favour middle and higher incomes who will see the greatest benefit. Climate Change Ms OConnor continued On climate change, what is really needed is movement on the Just Transition Commission, and gender- and poverty-proofing all climate policy. And while energy credits are welcome, we question the wisdom of paying them to higher earners while communities living in congregated settings, such as Travellers, may only receive one payment. NWC will release a further analysis of what this budget means for women over the coming days. About NWC The National Womens Council is the leading national representative organisation for women and womens groups in Ireland, founded in 1973. They have over 190 member groups and a large and growing community of individual supporters. This year they celebrate 50 years since our foundation with a special calendar of events and campaigns. The ambition of the National Womens Council is an Ireland where every woman enjoys true equality and no woman is left behind. See www.nwci.ie 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. With the increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI), a researcher has found that this technology could have a massive energy footprint, requiring as much electricity as a small country. Alex de Vries, a Ph.D. candidate at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam School of Business and Economics and founder of the website Digiconomist, which has long reported on the energy demands of technology like Bitcoin, has published initial research in a commentary piece in the journal Joule on AIs potential future energy demand. Although AI has been around since the 1950s, the past two years have seen rapid growth of this technology with tools like ChatGPT making headlines. But de Vries warns that this technology requires a lot of electricity to train and run, and this is only going to go up as AI becomes more prevalent. Looking at the growing demand for AI service, its very likely that energy consumption related to AI will significantly increase in the coming years, de Vries said, as reported by ScienceDaily. According to de Vries, training AI is one of the most energy-consuming processes of using this technology. For instance, Hugging Face, an AI company, shared that one of its AI models alone, BigScience Large Open-Science Open-Access Multilingual (BLOOM), needed 433 MWh of electricity for training. Thats enough energy to power about 40 average U.S. households for a year, Euronews reported. After training, AI goes through an inference phase, where users put in their questions and AI generates responses based on these new prompts. This also requires a lot of energy. De Vries wrote, Research firm SemiAnalysis suggested that OpenAI required 3,617 of NVIDIAs HGX A100 servers, with a total of 28,936 graphics processing units (GPUs), to support ChatGPT, implying an energy demand of 564 MWh per day. Although some AI-developing companies have expressed plans to make their tools more energy-efficient, de Vries warned that this could just increase how frequently AI is used, ultimately negating any benefits from improved efficiency. By 2027 worldwide AI-related electricity consumption could increase by 85.4134.0 TWh of annual electricity consumption from newly manufactured servers. This figure is comparable to the annual electricity consumption of countries such as the Netherlands, Argentina and Sweden, de Vries said on Digiconomist. While this would represent half a percent of worldwide electricity consumption, it would also represent a potential significant increase in worldwide data center electricity consumption. The latter has been estimated to represent one percent of worldwide electricity consumption. De Vries further warned that AI has limitations and shouldnt be used for everything, especially considering its privacy concerns and high energy demand. Instead, he said companies should be mindful of how they utilize this technology, only using it when it is really necessary or so beneficial that the costs are outweighed. De Vries also recommended that policymakers consider requiring environmental disclosures for AI and AI supply chains. 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. The lower portion of the winding Elwha River meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Port Angeles, Washington on Oct. 23, 2012. Chris Wilson For The Washington Post via Getty Images The people of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington State have lived in the Lower Elwha River Valley and its neighboring bluffs on the Olympic Peninsula since time immemorial. The community is based around the Elwha River, which provides water and sustenance in the form of salmon fishing. More than a century ago, two dams were placed on the Elwha, blocking almost 90 miles of the river and its tributaries, reported The Seattle Times. The dams were removed in August of 2014, but the tribe had to wait for a run of salmon that was healthy enough to be fished. Now, for the first time in more than a hundred years, members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe are fishing for coho salmon on the free-flowing river. Its been a long time coming. The laughs, the joy we all feel in our hearts, is just tremendous, its historic, said Russell Hepfer, vice chairman of the tribe, to a crowd gathered before resuming the fishery earlier this week, as The Seattle Times reported. Since 1911, more than 90 percent of the flow of the river had been blocked by the two dams. Removing them was the biggest dam removal in history. There is still a broad moratorium on fishing the Elwha River, but the tribe can fish for subsistence and tribal use due to an agreement with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Olympic National Park. The tribe is able to take 400 of the 7,000 coho run for now. It means everything to have that food security to know that I can catch a fish to feed my family, said Vanessa Castle, the tribes natural resources technician, as reported by The Seattle Times. I know my ancestors were standing with us. Coho salmon are most abundant along the coast of southeast Alaska down to Central California. They have also been introduced into the Great Lakes. The fish have beautiful shimmering greenish or blue backs and are commonly called silver salmon for their silver sides, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Coho begin their lives in freshwater streams and rivers, spending a year there before migrating to the ocean. Their migrations can be more than 1,000 miles. During the time coho salmon live in the ocean to feed, they develop small black spots on their tail and back. After about one-and-a-half years in the ocean, the salmon return to the river or stream where they were born, usually in the fall or early winter, to spawn. So that everyone from the tribe who wants to can fish for the salmon, fishing poles are being used for now, with net fishing later in the month, according to The Seattle Times. Last year, approximately 6,821 coho returned to the Elwha River, about 36 percent of which had spawned on their own rather than being born in the hatchery, the tribe said. The numbers were 10 percent higher than the year before, and it was the largest return of coho to the river in four years. Now, relocation of the fish from the lower river hatchery is no longer needed to boost the fishery in the main part of the river and its tributaries. The fish are doing it on their own, said Mike McHenry, the tribes fish habitat manager, The Seattle Times reported. McHenry has been working on the recovery of the Elwha River for 32 years. Removing the dams allowed the flow of sediment, wood and gravel to begin again, which the river needs to create side channels and log jams that create the variety of environments fish need to thrive. It will be a great time to introduce our children to the river, and hopefully be able to revive some of those basic ceremonies around it, said tribal member Wendy Sampson. Restoration of the Elwha River is in its early stages, but has inspired dam removals in other places, like on North Californias Klamath River, which will supersede the Elwha to become the largest dam removal in history. I think the Elwha gives people hope for what might be possible, said Matt Beirne, the tribes natural resources director, as reported by The Seattle Times. Tribal member Mel Elofson, who is the tribes assistant habitat manager, had heard about the possibility of dam removal from his elders. Now Im getting to witness it for my elders who were unable to see it, Elofson said. Cambodia signs financing agreement for cross-border livestock project Cambodia recently signed an agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on a cooperation financing deal for a cross-border livestock health and value chain infrastructure improvement project. The agreement entails a total budget of $43 million. According to a statement by the country's Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) on September 27, the agreement was signed at the eighth annual meeting of the AIIB board of governors in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The $43 million financing, consists of a $33 million concessional loan from the AIIB and a $10 million grant from the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Facility Trust Fund. The total value of the cross-border livestock health project is $128.8 million, which is co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and AIIB. ADB has allocated $62.9 million while the government counterpart fund is around $22.9 million. The project is aimed at promoting quality and hygienic production and animal husbandry, strengthening animal and human health, preventing and controlling infectious diseases, and promoting cross-border animal trade among countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China. It will be implemented in Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Oddar Meanchey, Prey Veng, Siem Reap and Takeo. Meanwhile, MEF's undersecretary of state, Pen Thiron, was quoted as saying that AIIB is a fairly new development partner for Cambodia and has previously provided concessional financing in 2020 under the COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Facility framework. "AIIB's co-financing has been making a significant contribution to the development of physical infrastructure and the recovery of the Cambodian economy from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic," Thiron said. "It will continue to play an important role as a development partner in the development of Cambodia's infrastructure and economy in the future." - The Phnom Penh Post The French group Accor, which already claims the leading hotel operator in Asia Pacific, has launched the expansion of brand Mei Jue (), the adapted Grand Mercure in China. A brand tailored to stick to the specifics of the Chinese market, Accor already operates for 27 years in China where it manages 121 hotels, the new upscale brand Mei Jue is a Chinese version of the Grand Mercure brand to be more easily recognizable to local customers. Mei Jue is an adaptation of Grand Mercure to the Chinese market, noted Champetier Gregory, marketing director of Accor. It has been tailored to meet the needs of Chinese customers. The hotels are also places of amusement to them, we can organize family events (like weddings), dinners for small groups in private dining rooms for them This is a place of social life. In hotels Mei Jue, the staff are welcoming in the Qipao (), a traditional garment. Every day, customers are entitled to taichi sessions, and head massages. The restoration has obviously favorites for Chinese, and extended an offer of tea. This launch is part of our new strategy for our brand portfolio, continues Gregory Champetier. Our customers expect brands which better capture the complexity and diversity of identities. We must have relevant products and friendly local cultures. Today, the brand Mei Jue already has ten hotels. Ten others will join the network soon. Our ambition is to have a network of 65 hotels by 2015, says Gregory Champetier. Accor sets expansion of hotel brand Mei Jue in Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Solar panel Photo: Xinhua A Chinese solar company told the Global Times that it isin the process of providing "supplementing evidence" to US customs, with "no single shipment" getting cleared, after foreign media reported that the US has detained more than 1,000 shipments of solar products made in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at its ports."Given the 'enormous uncertainties' in the US market, no solar products are entering the US market now," an industry insider, who is close to a leading Chinese solar company, told the Global Times on condition of anonymity on Sunday.More than 1,000 shipments of solar components worth hundreds of millions of dollars have piled up at US ports since June under a new US law banning imports from China's Xinjiang over concerns about so-called "forced labor", Reuters reported, citing US customs officials and industry sources.Detained products include panels and polysilicon cells likely amounting to 1 gigawatt of capacity and primarily made by three Chinese manufacturers - Longi Green Energy Technology Co, Trina Solar Co and JinkoSolar Holding Co, Reuters reported."During the same time last year, we were relatively optimistic about the US market and prepared a lot of resources, but this year has brought us a large loss," said the person, adding that he's unable to predict demand from the US for 2023.Demand in the US market is very strong, and the prices are much higher than in other markets, but due to issues involving traceability and uncertainty, no more goods are entering the US now, said the person.Altogether, Longi, Trina and Jinko typically account for about one-third of US panel supplies, the Reuters report said.In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a regular press conference on Friday that claims about "forced labor" in Xinjiang were "the biggest lie of the century concocted by a handful of anti-China elements."The US legislation based on the lie has seriously disrupted normal trade in photovoltaic products between China and US, violated market laws and international economic and trade rules, and undermined the stability of global photovoltaic (PV) industrial and supply chains, as well as global action on climate change, Zhao said, adding it will eventually backfire and hurt the US' own interests.The US should immediately stop hobbling Chinese solar companies and release the detained solar energy components without delay, Zhao said, stressing China will continue to firmly safeguard Chinese companies' legitimate and lawful rights and interests.Exports of Chinese PV modules have surged this year. From January to August, China's exports reached $35.77 billion, able to generate electricity of 100 gigawatts. Both exceeded the full-year figures for 2021, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association said.Chinese industry players told the Global Times that despite a fall in the US market, they are gaining a historic foothold in Europe for being the most reliable supplier of solar panels as the region copes with a deepening energy crisis and its green transformation.They estimated that the EU is likely to take up to 50 percent of China's total PV exports this year. Chinese national flag is raised at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2012. Tens of thousands of people gathered at the Tiananmen Square to watch the national flag raising ceremony at dawn on Oct. 1, in celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. Xinhua / Cao Can Thousands gather at Tiananmen Square for flag-raising ceremonyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Macaos unemployment rate for the period of April to June 2012 increased slightly to 2.1 percent, as there were more people looking for job during the Summer Holiday, according to the figures released on Friday by the citys Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). The figure was up by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period of March to May 2012, said the DSEC. The number of the unemployed increased by 300 from the previous period to 7,200, with 10.2 percent being fresh labor force entrants searching for their first job, the figures indicated. The employed population increased by 1,300 over the previous period to 339,000, in which employment of the gaming sector registered increase, while transport, storage and communications sector saw decrease, the DSEC said. Xinhua Macaos records 2.1% unemployment rateadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese police have recently busted a telecom fraud gang,nada4d freebet best gg predictions arresting 86 suspects and solving over 200 criminal cases, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Friday. Under the command of the MPS, police departments from the provinces of Fujian, Shaanxi and Anhui on Sept. 27 destroyed 17 dens, capturing Liu Xinglin, the principal suspect of the gang, which is thought to have swindled over 20 million yuan (3.16 million U.S. dollars). Earlier investigations found over 80 suspects of the telecom fraud gang, which had established dens in 17 areas across the country. Liu was listed as wanted by Taiwanese police authorities for his criminal activity involving fraud. After coming to the mainland with other individuals in 2003, he and others established the telecom fraud gang. Experts said telecom fraudsters can easily succeed due to loopholes in supervision in telecom and banking sectors, so that fraudsters can pretend to be officials from governments and law enforcement departments with network technology. In the meantime, they can easily draw cash from peoples online bank accounts abroad. The MPS in recent years has busted a series of cross-border telecom fraud cases, destroying 350 dens, capturing 3,800 suspects and uncovering over 10,000 cases of telecom fraud crimes. The ministry said it will further strengthen its crackdown on telecom fraud crimes and contain rise in the number of such cases. Xinhua Chinese telecom fraud gang busted, 86 arrestsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China vows to develop the non-public sector of its economy by breaking up monopolies and relaxing restrictions on market access,casino royale theme tune Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday at the opening of the parliaments annual session. The government will encourage nongovernmental investment in areas such as railways, public utilities, finance, energy, telecommunications, education, and medical care, Wen said. We will promote reform of the railway and power industries, the premier told nearly 3,000 deputies to the National Peoples Congress (NPC). The Chinese government will unwaveringly consolidate and develop the public sector and encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, he said in a government work report to be reviewed by the lawmakers. We will thoroughly carry out strategic adjustment of the state sector, and improve the mechanism for increasing investment of state capital in some sectors while reducing it in others to ensure its sound flow, he said. In 2011, some enterprises, especially small and micro businesses, faced increasing difficulties in their operations, Wen said. Waning external demand due to the sluggish U.S. and European economies, a steep rise in production costs and difficulty securing financing have combined to create problems for many Chinese companies. Starting last April, Wenzhou, an economic hub known for its successful entrepreneurs, has boiled into a debt crisis felt by the citys numerous small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The government has taken measures to help private firms weather the crisis, including allowing banks to lend more money to small firms and tolerate higher levels of debt. We will increase credit support to enterprises, especially small and micro businesses, whose operations are in accordance with industrial policies and whose products have market demand, Wen said. He said the government will create a fair environment in which economic entities under all forms of ownership can compete and develop together. The number of registered private companies in China had topped 9 million as of the end of September, 2011, up 14.9 percent year-on-year and their total registered capital rose 38.6 percent to nearly 25 trillion yuan (about 4 trillion U.S. dollars), according to a report released by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC). The non-public sector of the economy has become the largest among urban fixed-asset investors as its investment reached 14.2 trillion yuan (about 2.3 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first 10 months in 2011, accounting for 58.9 percent of the nations total, according to figures from the ACFIC. Xinhua China pledges to develop non-public sector by breaking up monopoliesadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Bali,hard rock cafe casino online Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BALI, Indonesia, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China is a staunch supporter of the international system with the United Nations (UN) at its core, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Wednesday afternoon when meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Xi said that to achieve world peace, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be observed and the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously. Xi pointed out that as the world is undergoing momentous changes, it is imperative to put the future of humanity front and center and work in solidarity to tide over the difficulties. He called on major countries to set a good example and play a leading role, so as to bring more confidence and strength to the world. He also expressed his conviction that peace, development and win-win cooperation remain an unstoppable historical trend and that humanity enjoys a bright future. At present, the global development process is confronted with unprecedented challenges and developing countries, the vulnerable ones in particular, have suffered the most, Xi said. It is imperative to place development at the center of the international agenda, nurture new drivers for global development, forge a global development partnership, pursue more robust, greener and more balanced global development, and let every country and individual benefit more and in a fairer way from development outcomes, the Chinese president said. In this regard, countries need to match their words with actions and produce more tangible results rather than make empty rhetoric, he noted, stressing that China will strengthen cooperation with the United Nations and jointly work for solid progress on the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. China will strive to promote the overall progress of mankind through Chinese modernization and create new opportunities for the world through its further development, with a view to adding more stability and certainty to a volatile world, Xi noted, adding China will continue to uphold true multilateralism and give firm support to the work of the United Nations. For his part, Guterres once again congratulated Xi on his re-election as general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He noted that developing countries are hit by a series of crises, including food crisis, energy crisis and climate change, adding that global development remains highly unequal and unbalanced. The United Nations commends China's commitment to multilateralism, and the Global Development Initiative China has proposed is aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Guterres said, adding that when it comes to helping developing countries realize common development, China's efforts have been unmatched. He also noted the United Nations firmly supports the one-China principle, and recognizes it as a red line for China that must be respected and not crossed, saying the organization wishes to continue to work closely with China and expects China to play an even more important role in upholding world peace and development. Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, were present at the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Marc Thiessen calls out Biden's 'strategic insanity' toward China after Xi meeting closeVideo Former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen slams President Biden amid overseas trip on 'America's Newsroom.' President Biden's diplomacy with China is "strategic insanity" that may only help the autocratic Communist state accumulate power and global influence, former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen told Fox News on Monday. The president traveled to Cambodia to take part in the ASEAN Summit, which comprises mostly of southeast Asian nations. Biden reportedly has been pressuring China to essentially join him in his Green New Deal-style vision of non-petroleum power sources, which Thiessen said is one of the key areas the United States can apply pressure to Beijing if they invade their peaceable neighbor Taiwan. "The last thing we want China to do, quite frankly, is to start weaning itself off of oil," he said on "America's Newsroom." GROWING SQUAD RIPPED FOR HAVING NO SOLUTIONS Video Most of China's oil supply travels north through the Straits of Malacca off Sumatra, Indonesia, he said, pointing out the U.S. could block the straits if China took aggressive action toward Taipei except if China no longer had a need for foreign oil. "If they follow Biden's advice and wean themselves off of oil and start embracing clean energy, we lose that leverage," Thiessen said. "So, you know, it's not only a sign of weakness, it's strategic insanity." "Xi Jinping has been just as clear [as Vladimir Putin had in 2021 toward Ukraine] about what he intends to do in Taiwan. He has made clear that reunification cannot wait," he added. TIK TOK IS CHINA'S DIGITAL FENTANYL, FCC COMMISSIONER SAYS US President Joe Biden (C) attends the ASEAN-US Summit during the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Phnom Penh on November 12, 2022. ( (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)) "And he has a promise, he said he will not issue the use of military force to accomplish it. They've been very, very clear. So we need to ask ourselves as a country and this administration needs to ask itself, what will we wish we had done to help Taiwan if an invasion happens? What do we wish we had done before Russia invaded Ukraine? And what kind of weapons would we wish we had given them?" Thiessen and retired Gen. Jack Keane appeared to agree that Biden's continued self-congratulatory attitude toward simply holding talks with Beijing rather than issuing ultimatums or projecting strength is the least ideal strategy at this point. "They love to talk. The tone is always conciliatory. It's usually pretty friendly, except for a couple of exceptions talking is good and certainly their counterparts are going to talk after this... But listen, we've got to be realistic about this and don't put too much comfort into it," Keane said. REPUBLICANS NEED EARLY VOTE STRATEGY: DOMENECH Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), center left, poses for photographs after receiving the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, Taiwans highest civilian honor, from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, center right, at the president's office. (Chien Chih-Hung/Office of The President via Getty Images) "We have had counterpart-to-counterpart talk with Russia prior to the invasion; secretary of state, secretary of defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs and what happened? Putin did what he wanted to do because he thought he could get away with it. So let's not be too comforted by the talks." China, like Russia, is "notorious," Keane said, for projecting one air in their diplomacy and taking different action in real life. Keane warned the U.S. military at this point under Biden's leadership could actually lose a war to a country like China. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "In my mind, the number one issue that needed to be put on the table here, and it doesn't appear that President Biden did was look President Xi in the eye and just tell them straight out that -- 'President Xi listen, it is your aggression, intimidation and coercion of Taiwan that's forcing us to up-gun Taiwan and increase their training and also to use our allies in a political and military alliance. And if you invade Taiwan, you're forcing my hand, and I'm going to confront that militarily,'" he said. Keane underlined how Biden has so far at least publicly failed to express that, which he warned could lead to the perception of ambiguity on the issue of Taiwanese self-governance. Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. Charles covers media, politics and breaking news, and has covered the annual CPAC conference for Fox News Digital. Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. China's modernization has been an epic journey over the past decades. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC),China has become an attractive destination for many foreigners. Many such expats in the country have fulfilled their career aspirations, while some have found love and started families in China.Why do they choose to live in China? How do expats in China view and interpret China's achievements and persistence measured from various perspectives?The Global Times interviewed multiple international residents in China from all walks of life, some of whom have made tangible contributions to China's development, to learn about their understanding of the essence of Chinese culture, and gain an insight into how far China has advanced in its pursuit of development and rejuvenation over the last decade. Terry Townshend watches birds in Northwest China's Qinghai Province in 2019. Photo: Courtesy of Townshend Late October, Terry Townshend climbed to the roof of a building in Beijing to check out a hand-sized recording device placed there which he had set up to "capture the sounds of migrating birds" at Beijing's Olympic Park, the largest green space in Asia."Through this we can hear all the birds flying over the building every night," Townshend, an ecologist from the UK, told the Global Times about his most recent project.Every fortnight he came here to collect data and share it to universities' research centers for this year's birds tracking study.As a birdwatcher living and having worked in Beijing for over a decade now, Townshend founded a website and formed a group for fellow enthusiasts called Birding Beijing. He works to raise environmental awareness among people, especially among young people, to help save some of China's most endangered birds, initiating projects to track some of Beijing's iconic birds, in addition to his own job as a former environmental advisor to the local government and now a fellow at a US-China independent environmental institute.Though observing the migratory birds in Beijing is now one of Townshend's main activities, his bond to China was forged 12 years ago, when the British conservationist was invited on an advisory capacity to aid China's environment improvements.At the end of 2009, when the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Copenhagen, China made a key speech at the conference to stress the importance of the issue of climate change, and advocate for more cooperation in coping with climate change around the world.Also in the same year, the non-governmental organization Townshend once worked with was invited by the Chinese government to cooperate in boosting support for China's general environmental laws on climate change. As the lead of the project, Townshend came to China for the first time.After getting to know the country, he then decided to stay here for further research and chose to settle in Beijing."Most people may not realize [it] but Beijing is in fact right in the middle of a major migration route for countless global migratory birds that travel from as far north as the Arctic Circle to the southern hemisphere, for example, from Siberia all the way to Australasia," he noted. "Beijing is truly a service station on the highway for birds.""Though I don't know exactly, in all these years I've seen probably 900 different species of wild animals including birds, and around 430 of bird species in Beijing alone," he said, "[that was] more than I ever saw in the UK," he said. Terry Townshend and local birdwatchers observe birds in the Summer Palace of Beijing in 2015. Photo: Courtesy of Townshend Here in the capital of China, the most common bird is the Beijing swift (Apus apus pekinensis). Known as the birds "who never land in their whole life," the mystery of this old aboriginal breed was unveiled after they were firstly recognized by experts in Beijing in 1870.Mid this year, a paper on "accurately revealing the migration pattern of Beijing swifts" was published by Chinese and foreign research teams in an international journal Movement Ecology, which attracted much attention on this bird species.From 2014 to 2018, with his liaison, an international research team was set up to track the migration route beginning at the Summer Palace.After arriving in Beijing in April, the swifts begin their journey to Africa in late July. They first head northwest to Mongolia, fly north of the Himalayas, then south through Iran and central Arabia into tropical Africa, before they arrive in Namibia and the Western Cape."China has been valuing the recovery of nature in recent years, especially the planting of trees," Townshend said."However, trees are only valuable when they are the right trees in the right place. But it's also very important to have grassland and open areas and scrub land, because many species depend on these habitats. Many species don't like trees. We have to recognize that and provide the different types of habitats that they need," he advised.Yet with the efforts that has been made in carrying out various targeted protections toward wetlands, plus the achievements published by the Chinese government and the future vision of The Wuhan Declaration made at COP14, the future looks bright for China's biodiversity.During the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) held Wuhan and Geneva, The Wuhan Declaration was adopted calling for strong will and practical actions to promote the conservation, management, as well as a sustainable use of wetlands worldwide.Years ago, in the Yellow Sea Wetland in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu Province, an important migratory bird nesting area, the government issued bans on reclamation, solved pollution caused by industrial development along the coastal cities, and applied for the World Natural Heritage title in 2019 for the wetland's ultimate recovery.Based on the latest 2022 data released by the central government, 602 wetland natural reserves were established, more than 1,600 wetland parks and numerous wetland protection communities were established, and the wetlands protection rate reached 52.65 percent across the country."These advances in fact illustrate China's changing mindset on the importance of the environment. In recent decades China has experienced huge economic growth, but at the same time it was at the cost of air, soil, and water pollution. But over the last 10 years we've seen a shift in the way of economic growth toward a higher quality growth. That means recognizing that you cannot have a strong economy without a strong environment."And this all around support and growing awareness of environmental diversity also occurs in people's everyday activities. Townshend recalled to the Global Times that when he first came to China, it was even easier to find a new bird species in Beijing than to find another bird watcher."But now at any park on any day of the week you will find bird watchers. The number of bird watching societies in China has increased from three in the year 2000 to over a hundred today," Townshend said."There has been huge positive change in the past 10 years, but of course there is still a lot more that can be done," he said. MSNBCs Katy Tur suggests Fetterman has presidential potential closeVideo MSNBC anchor Katy Tur suggested during a Wednesday panel that Pennsylvanias John Fetterman could be a good presidential candidate. Twitter critics slammed Gisele Barreto Fetterman for posting a photo of herself outside the senator-elects office with her husband, John Fetterman, partially cropped out of the image. Users mocked the photo for seemingly depicting Mrs. Fetterman as having achieved her fifteen minutes of fame. Some insisted the photo was her leaning into the claim that she was the actual Senate candidate all along, thanks her husbands cognitive issues caused by his stroke last May. On Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Fetterman posted the first image outside the senator-elect's new office. In the photo, which depicted the Democrat ditching his usual hoodie and shorts combo for a suit and tie, the couple stood next to the office placard, which read, "SENATOR-ELECT John Fetterman: Pennsylvania SD -B4OB." TWITTER SHOCKED WHEN MULTIPLE US FLAGS COLLAPSE AT FETTERMAN RALLY: 'PERFECT METAPHOR' John Fetterman and wife Gisele arrive to vote in Braddock, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 8, 2022. (AP/Gene J. Puskar) The caption on Mrs. Fettermans photo read, "First Day," followed by three blue hearts. Some conservatives on Twitter blasted the image, claiming it revealed how zealous Mrs. Fetterman was for her family to gain political power, even at the expense of her husband whos dealing with health issues. Others pointed out how the fact that Mr. Fetterman is partially cropped out of the photo implies that is wife is trying to be the center of attention. Washington Examiner commentator Tiana Lowe wrote, "The actual Senator-elect is halfway cut out of the photo!!! She wanted this so badly for herself lol. I hope subjecting her husband and her marriage to this was worth her 15 minutes." Townhall.com reporter Mia Cathell quipped, "First day for Senator-elect Gisele Fetterman." RedState writer Bonchie tweeted, "This is becoming hilarious. Why is she even there?" OZ-FETTERMAN DEBATE: LIBERAL MEDIA ADMITS DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE WAS PAINFUL TO WATCH Gisele Barreto Fetterman speaks during a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Sept. 24, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images) Claremont Institute Fellow David Reaboi shared the image, along with another one that depicts her and her husband hanging out with other Pennsylvania senators, which she captioned, "DC Date night. PA Senators in the house." In the latter photo, half of Mr. Fettermans head appeared cropped out of the image. Reaboi remarked, "Ive never seen passive aggressive/contemptuous photo crops like this before. Its wild." Conservative user "Just Mindy" commented on the photos, saying, "Oh shes the main character at all times. You should see her pics with her kids every Halloween." Conservative Twitter user Matthew Dempster asked, "So how long before hes completely pushed out of the picture?" RICK SCOTT ANNOUNCES PLAN TO UNSEAT MITCH MCCONNELL AS THE TOP REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE John Fetterman, right, with former President Barack Obama, won Pennsylvania's hotly contested U.S. Senate race over Mehmet Oz. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Conservative activist and comedian Alex Stein, who dubs himself "Prime Time Stein #99" on social media, mocked the image and the senator-elect, tweeting, "If Fetterman can become a senator then President Prime Time #99 is a sure thing in 2032!" Gabriel Hays is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. The booth of Australia Kuro Kin Wagyu at the fifth China International Import Expo on November 5, 2022. Photo: VCG Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, sending a fresh message to the businesses amid rising expectations for better bilateral relations.Bilateral relations fell to the lowest ebb in decades in the past years, so the high-level meetings between the governments of the two countries immediately received a strong welcome from Australian business community.In an exclusive interview with the Global Times on Monday, Brendan Mason, managing director of AustCham China said that "any effort to improve and normalize relations is highly welcome" by Australian business community, as the efforts from both sides will help the healthy and stable development of Australia-China trade ties.China's market has played a significant role for Australian companies, as shown by the active participation of Australian business groups at the just-concluded China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.Australian firms were among the most active participants at this year's CIIE, with 64 companies from agricultural products to mining. The CIIE is a good opportunity for Australian companies to meet buyers from all regions of China."'Brand Australia' did very well at the CIIE and China's Double 11 shopping festival," Mason said. "The CIIE is an opportunity for companies to reiterate their commitment to the Chinese market. Many Australian companies at this year's CIIE have joined the event since the first expo," he noted.China and Australia have signed a high-quality bilateral trade agreement in the form of the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), which has seen the value of Australia's trade with China almost double since the agreement entered into force about seven years ago, according to the chamber.China is the No.1 export market for Australian iron ore, with more than 60 percent of the ore going to the country."Australian companies are optimistic about the opportunities that come from the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. With one in five Australian jobs reliant on trade, the RCEP will be crucial for Australia in post-COVID time," Mason said.While the RCEP does not provide Australia with new tariff reductions beyond those in the ChAFTA, there are some improvements in market access for Australian services providers, including in major areas such as professional services, education, healthcare and transport, he said.China is top export destination for Australian food and fiber. Australian and Chinese companies are already working together in agricultural technology and food technology solutions.There are opportunities for Australian companies to invest in food processing operations in China in partnership with local companies and to supply leading technology and know-how to the processing of high-quality food exported from Australia in those facilities, Mason said, noting that "this would allow Australian investors to benefit from the value created from downstream processing and distribution and increase the resilience of the underlying exports."Across multiple sectors including electricity, mining, manufacturing and agriculture, collaboration in the development and use of cost-effective low emissions technologies and solutions will help yield new opportunities for Chinese and Australian companies, according to AustCham China."Opportunities exist across many sectors, and particularly in services, and I am optimistic about the future of the cooperation between Chinese and Australian companies," Mason added. The Bank of China will increase its financial support for the internationalization of the Phoenix Television of Hong Kong, in its support for Chinas cultural industry, said the bank on its website. The agreement between the Bank of China and Phoenix TV tries to turn the Phoenix into a global media group, said Bank of China chairman Xiao Gang. The statement said in recent years the bank paid great attention to cooperate with companies and the loans in cultural sector rose much above the average for other industries. Until late 2011, the Bank of China had granted 5,080 million in loans to more than 1,700 cultural enterprises. Besides TV, Phoenix TV offers online information services, a weekly magazine, outdoor electronic displays and radio. Bank of China will finance the internationalization of Hong Kong Phoenix TVadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Belarus and China are ready to implement joint projects totaling $ 16 billion,betway tz apk party casino canada announced March 15th the Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich during a meeting with Ambassador of China Gong Jianwei (). The total investment for projects are at various stage of implementation, estimated at $ 16 billion, said the Prime Minister. For our country, it is quite a high figure. According to Myasnikovich, despite the high potential of the Belarusian-Chinese projects, the pace of project implementation may accelerate. There are some annoying problems related to the procedure, which takes a lot of time and effort, and can be solved with mutual work of the concerned parties, he said. Myasnikovich also said that the government of Belarus is interested in further cooperation with China. We worked quite well with your predecessors. I think your experience will bring something new in our relations, he said, referring to the Chinese ambassador. Chinas Ambassador Gong Jianwei assured that the continuity of relationships will be maintained at the highest level. My primary goal is to fully implement the agreements that have been achieved at the level of our government and our presidents, he said. Speaking to reporters, Ambassador of China reported that the construction of the Belarusian-Chinese industrial park is planned to start in 2012, Belarus and China are finalizing the construction. The project is now at the stage of final document preparation. I think we will start construction this year. The project will benefit our people, said the Ambassador. The activities of the Belarusian-Chinese industrial park will focus on the development of mechanical engineering, fine chemical, biomedical, manufacturing of household appliances and electronics. The main markets for manufactured goods in the park will be CIS countries and Europe. The park will cover more than 80 square kilometers, it includes the necessary infrastructure for Chinese and European manufacturers, as well as to accommodate the employees of the park. According to background information from the Belarus Council of Ministers, at the end of 2011 Belarus has attracted $ 9.4 million foreign direct investment from China. Target growth of exports from Belarus to China in 2011 (excluding the supply of potassium and oil products) amounted to 127, 3%. During 2011 the volume of trade of Belarus and China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) increased by 31% to $ 3.011 billion as compared to 2010, Belarusian exports to China reached $ 697 million (up 136% compared to 2010). Belarus major exports were potash fertilizers and caprolactam. In addition, at the meeting the ambassador discussed with Myasnikovich the problems of Chinese passenger car brand Geely. The Ambassador said that the Chinese delegation has recently visited Minsk and held talks with the government on issues of project implementation. Negotiations are being finalized, said a spokesman for China, saying: I think in a few months we will make the first step towards the practical realization of the project. As reported earlier on January 16, Vice-Premier of Belarus Anatoly Tozik said that Belarus is involved in the implementation of 20 major projects with the support of China. In particular, with the participation of Chinese companies in the capital of Belarus will build a Chinatown and the hotel Beijing. Belarus and China will invest $16 billion in joint projectsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Singapores Cohesive and Crawfresh from Luxemburg,new genesis global casinos Europe announced on April 13, 2012 that they will establish a high-tech safe food transportation channel between Chongqing and Europe. While Cohesive established in Chongqing a branch of supply chain in early 2011, Crawfresh is dedicated to food safety and hi-tech food transportation and exports over 10,000 tons of Chinese crawfishes to Europe annually during these years to help Chinese companies be in line with the international standards. The transportation channel will be used to import fresh food like seafood from Europe to Chongqing and its peripheral areas as well as export fresh local food to Luxemburg, from which these food are redistributed to other European countries. A laboratory will be set up for the channel in Chongqing to conduct strict inspection on export food by dint of Crawfresh using its technology. Qu Xinyan Chongqing and Europe to build food transportation channeladded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline After the tension of the past year,casino free spins real money relations between China and the United States seem to be on the rebound. China and the U.S. have a consensus on relations that are no longer defined by strategic rivalry, but by cooperation and proper management of differences. Ahead of the meeting of the two Presidents during Novembers APEC summit in Beijing, the sixth Strategic and Economic Dialogue and fifth High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange covered almost all fields of bilateral relations, from military exchange and cyber security to climate change and agriculture. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. is not trying to contain China, but welcomes a peaceful, stable China that contributes to regional stability. While China may want to believe that this is the case, it is going to take some concrete action by the Americans to demonstrate their respect for Chinas core interests. A good start would be consistent refusal by the U.S. to take sides in regional tensions between China and third parties. From the Chinese point of view, the U.S. is expected to be more than an trading partner. The essence of any new model of international relations must be on the basis of non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. Chinas way is peaceful development and national rejuvenation. There is no intention of challenging the U.S. in Asia or pushing it out of the region. China has the strategic patience to assure the U.S. of its intentions. The China-U.S. bilateral investment treaty will reposition the economic relationship for the 21st century. The U.S. should be confident of its ability to cooperate, and abandon the philosophical restrictions of the narrow definition of geopolitics. For centuries, the world has worried about the Thucydides Trap the notion an established power becomes so anxious about the rise of a new power that a struggle which eventually leads to war becomes inevitable. There has been no off-the-shelf solution to the Thucydides problem. Only a new model, one that excludes fear, can bring about the desired state of peaceful, mutual development. It is going to take some good sense to accurately assess each others fundamental goals and keep the dialogue flowing. The 21st century will not necessarily mark the rise of China at the cost of the fall of the U.S. Xinhua Nothing to fear in China-U.S. partnershipadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The Iranian president said that NATO surrounded Russia and China using the slogan of combating terrorism. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made his speech on March 26 in Dushanbe at the opening of the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan in Dushanbe. During his speech, the U.S. delegation led by Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Robert Blake left the room, returning only after Ahmadinejad finished speaking. The Iranian president said that the cause of all troubles in Afghanistan lies in the presence of NATO forces on Afghan territory, in particular the U.S. military presence. The Afghan people are attacked in their homes. Is this the problem of the Afghan people? Same situation in Pakistan, Palestine, and in several African countries. The problem comes from NATO and NATO policy, which under the guise of fighting terrorism, went to Afghanistan and Now with the same slogan to surround Russia and China, said Ahmadinejad. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: NATO surrounds Russia and Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinas solar panel producers embattled by heavy duties from anti-dumping probes in both the United States and Europe are focusing on the domestic downstream power generation sector to offset their export losses. Theidn slot between the cxx LDK Solar Co., one of the worlds largest manufacturers of solar wafers, has seen engines in its workshops in Xinyu, east Chinas Jiangxi Province, roar again. This month, the company has obtained a number of new deals of building photovoltaic power plants in China. The New York-listed companys stock dived to 0.71 U.S. dollars per share on Oct. 19 from an earlier high of 76.75 U.S. dollars dragged by the United States Commerce Department final approval to heavy punitive duties on billions of dollars of solar-energy products from China for the next five years. The duties range from 18 percent to 250 percent. Perhaps the toughest time is passing, as most of the customers and banks have been very supportive of us, said Sam Tong, president and chief operating officer of LDK Solar Co., on Tuesday. In order to tackle the tight cash flow, the company transferred some of its fixed assets to other medium-sized solar companies as a mortgage, suspend standing orders and seek new business partnerships with Chinese downstream power generating enterprises by building solar PV power stations. The company had seven more production lines resuming operations in November. LDK Solar chose to sell 19.9 percent of its shares to a state-backed company on Oct. 19, which generated an immediate 23 million U.S dollars, said Tong. The companys active response to overcome the export crisis has effectively boosted investors confidence on its stocks. LDK Solar saw a 25 percent share price jump the day after its new funding source. The company also gained 70.4 million U.S. dollars as compensation by suspending long-term agreements providing solar wafers for its European customers and Japanese customer Sumitomo. Tong said the price of solar PV products has bottomed out and Chinas domestic solar panel market will see at least a 30 percent surge in the future, with the momentum of building PV power stations. According to a report released by the National Energy Administration in August, China will have 21 million kilowatts of installed solar power generation capacity by 2015, which will be six times more than currently. The administration also asked local authorities to make plans for establishing distributed photovoltaic generation demonstration centers to boost the domestic solar industry. According to the requirement, each provincial-level region may apply to establish no more than three solar energy demonstration areas with a total installed capacity not exceeding 500,000 kilowatts. The building cost of Chinas distributed solar power stations now stands at 7 to 8 yuan per kilowatt-hour, which means these small-scale solar power stations can recover their costs within 3-4 years of operation in solar resource rich regions. Shanghai-headquartered JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., one of the only two profitable enterprises among Chinas companies listed in the U.S., began to cut its market share in U.S. and European countries last year, and has been expanding in the domestic market. Domestic sales volume now accounts for 30 percent of the companys gross sales, said Chen Kangping, chief executive officer of the company. He added that the firm has set up a special team to prompt home marketing. China is transforming from a big solar panel producer to a big user with technology upgrading and policy support for the clean energy use, said Yao. Commerce Minister Chen Deming told reporters on the sidelines of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China earlier this month that the U.S. is losing out with its decision to approve steep duties on Chinese-made solar panels. The unilateral trade action against Chinas solar panel export will also impact the instigator. China is developing, urbanizing, China has a lot of construction under way and will need solar products, he said. President Hu Jintao noted in his report at the 18th CPC national congress that Chinas economic development should be driven more by domestic demand and strategic emerging industries, which will enable the country to sustain long-term development. China has carried out a spate of supportive measures aiming at shoring up the solar panel producers and promoting the use of solar energy. The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), announced a plan in October to facilitate the connection of solar power stations to the main electronic grid, breaking the bottleneck that has stifled domestic demand for solar panels. It said that SGCC will allow solar generators with less than 6 megawatts of installed capacity to be connected to the grid, and also provide technological assistance and waive charges associated with connection. Analysts said the move will boost domestic demand and help the solar panel producers weather through its current hardship, which is too dependent on the overseas market. Xinhua Chinas solar panel producers seeking revival through domestic marketadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Nicolle Wallace claims Republicans were arsonists trying to burn down' American democracy closeVideo MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace suggested on Tuesday that Republicans had been actively engaged in trying to destroy democracy but only now want to help save it from their own damage. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace alleged on Tuesday that Republicans have been like "arsonists trying to burn down our democracy" and are too far gone to help get things done in Washington. She claimed on "Deadline: White House" Republicans had been "working to damage our democracy" and that for them to work now with Democrats is "too far to travel." Wallace shared a clip of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in the days following the midterm elections, calling for a "group" of Republicans to work with Democrats and get policies passed. Schumer said, "We dont need every Republican, we dont even need half, we just need a group that we can work with, and were willing to meet them part of the way, not going to give up our principals, but meet them part of the way to get more things done for the American people." Nicolle Wallace and Alexi McCammond speak about how Democrats and Republicans may or may not interact after the 2022 midterm. REPUBLICANS SET FOR CHAOTIC WEEK OF LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS AMID DISCONTENT WITH PARTY BOSSES Wallace responded by saying, "I like when I hear that, but I guess I am cynical that Republicans will actually have the courage to do what hes talking about," appearing to scoff at the idea there would be a "bipartisan governing coalition in Washington." Axios political reporter Alexi McCammond responded that there is a rift withing GOP leadership itself, even when it comes to basic policies, "whether or not that means working with Democrats remains to be seen." Wallace swatted the idea down. "Alexi, they are so far away from this," Wallace claimed. "I mean, they are running they ran as arsonists trying to burn down our democracy, and now they want to put on a firefighter hat and help put out the fires. I mean, it is so its not like 'Oh, we have different opinions and maybe we can come around to seeing the wisdom of yours. They were working to damage our democracy and now they want I just think it is too far to travel." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks with reporters following a closed-door caucus lunch, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) FREEDOM CAUCUS DISCUSSING RIVAL CANDIDATES FOR SPEAKER AMID STANDOFF WITH MCCARTHY OVER HOUSE RULES Wallace has expressed concerns about Republicans subverting democracy before. In a conversation with Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., in October, Wallace floated the idea that America may need to have its midterm election monitored by foreign countries. Nicolle Wallace spoke to Rep. Jim Himes about the upcoming Midterm Election, and asked whether America should request election monitoring from allied nations. (MSNBC screenshot) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The threats to our elections in what, two-and-a-half weeks, are so pervasive, and theyre so dire, and they include violence I mean do you think its time to ask for friends and allies to come over and help us monitor our elections?" she asked. Alexander Hall is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. Profit of China Construction Bank in the IV quarter of 2011 rose 24% to 30.2 billion yuan from 24.4 billion yuan a year earlier. The banks rising profitability comes from Chinas credit markets, where rates increased at the end of last year. Net income from lending for 2011 totaled 304.6 billion yuan, up 21% more than last years levels. Revenue from customer service and the amount of collected commissions rose 32% to 87 billion yuan. Borrowing costs stopped rising earlier this year, and the interbank lending market has even decreased, which indicates that in the profitability may also fall in the first quarter. Last year, the Construction Bank has granted loans of 827 billion yuan, increasing the size of its portfolio to 6.5 trillion yuan. The volume of overdue loans increased for the IV quarter of 6.3 billion yuan to 70.9 billion, representing 1.09% of the total portfolio. The Bank has reserved for losses of 15 billion yuan, up 10% less than last year. According to the Peoples Bank of China, last year the countrys banks issued new loans of 7.47 trillion yuan, 6% less than in 2010. Average rate rose to 8.01% in December last year, increased 1.82% in 2011. Quarterly profit of China Constuction Bank grew by 24%added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Pope Benedict XVI begins a stay of nearly three days in Cuba, where he appealed to the Cubans for the renewal of faith and building an open society. The pope celebrated mass at the Revolution Square in Santiago where Cuban President Raul Castro, has presented wearing the traditional white guayabera shirt. The Archbishop of Santiago Dionisio Garcia, noted the pride of all Cubans to receive the Pope. Benedict said in his speech that he was the Cubans in his heart and they were in his prayers. He also defended the role of family and marriage as fundamental unit of society and the true domestic Church. Benedict has called for the Cubans give new impetus to their faith. Cuban President warmly welcomed the pope although just a few days ago Benedict XVI said that the Marxist system on the island was out of date. It is clear that Marxist ideology was interpreted as no longer corresponds to reality, Benedict said in the beginning of his journey in the Americas. In his speech today, the Pope also criticized capitalism that has left humanity without values and defenseless against the ambition and selfishness of certain powers. Raul Castro assured the pope that Cuba promotes complete freedom of religion and the country has good relations with all religious institutions. The Cuban constitution ensures and guarantees full religious freedom for all citizens, the president said. Benedicts predecessor, John Paul II, made a historic tour to Cuba in 1998. The late pontiff had made the famous speech wishing that Cuba can embrace the world and the world to open up to Cuba. Benedict is scheduled to visit Havana Tuesday where he will meet the Cuban president. One of the official reasons for his visit to Cuba is the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the statue of the Virgin of Charity El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. Cuba is the second and final stage of his stay in Hispanic Latin America, after Mexico, where his visit generated a lot of fervor. Pope Benedict XVI appealed for Open Society in Cubaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline XIAMEN,gold fish casino freebies Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Winners of the 35th Golden Rooster Awards have been announced in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Winners of 20 awards for the best actor, actress, director and feature film, among others, were announced at the highly-anticipated closing ceremony of the 2022 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival on Saturday. The war epic "The Battle at Lake Changjin" snatched up two trophies -- best feature film and best director -- to become one of the biggest winners. Set during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), "The Battle at Lake Changjin" tells the story of Chinese People's Volunteers fighting bravely in freezing weather in a vital campaign at Lake Changjin, also known as Chosin Reservoir. The film was the indisputable superstar of 2021 and earned a whopping 5.77 billion yuan (about 811.7 million U.S. dollars). Zhu Yilong won the best actor award for his performance in "Lighting Up The Stars," this year's tear-jerker family drama telling a story about a funeral director who accidentally crosses paths with a girl who brings about an unexpected change in his attitude towards life. The best actress award went to Xi Meijuan for her performance in "Song of Spring," a feature film telling a family story about an 85-year-old mother taking care of her 65-year-old daughter who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Launched in 1981, the Golden Rooster Awards is a national event sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Film Association. Thebitcoin rate today usd e-businessman industrial park, the first one of its kind in China and located at R&F Plaza, Paradise Walk, Jiangbei District of Chongqing, will receive hundreds of online businessmen, according to Chongqing Commerce Commission on July 10, 2012. Chongqing, awarded the title of National E-commerce Demonstration City in 2011, will further improve the e-commerce industry. It will establish 2 to 3 distinct e-commerce industrial demonstration bases and spare no efforts to increase its e-commerce trade value. Hundreds of online stores, including the Chongqing general agent of Taobao Juhuasuan and Chongqing Mall, will settle in the industrial park. The amount of the online stores in the industrial park is expected to exceed 140 by the end of 2012. Besides, 20 e-commerce supporting enterprises, with a daily volume of over 10,000 packages and an annual turnover of 4 billion yuan, will also settle in the park. Deng Jun Chinas first e-businessman industrial park to openadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinas Ministry of Commerce has approved a plan by a Chinese auto parts maker to take over American battery maker A123 Systems Inc,euro casino no deposit Zhejiang Provinces Department of Commerce announced on Sunday. It means the Chinese government has given the nod to the acquisition move by Wanxiang Group Corp, based in eastern Chinas Zhejiang Province, after the National Development and Reform Commission issued an approval in October. Wanxiang will compete with companies including United States-based Johnson Controls Inc., Germanys Siemens and Japans NEC to buy the bankrupt A123, which made lithium-ion batteries for electric cars. Wanxiang said it had signed an agreement with A123 in August to invest in the moribund company. It intended to make a bid after the U.S. company filed for bankruptcy in October. The auction is scheduled for December 6. Xinhua China approves companys acquisition plan for U.S. battery makeradded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thewhite spot between toes State Oceanic Administration (SOA) on Saturday released a string of geographic coordinates of the Diaoyu Island and some of its affiliated islets, in a new move to affirm Chinas sovereignty. The SOA announcement details the exact longitude and latitude of the Diaoyu Island and 70 of its affiliated islets while publishes location maps, three-dimension effect graphs and sketch maps for the Diaoyu Islands. The announcement aims to help the public understand the information concerning the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets, the SOA said in a statement on its website. The fresh statement came after the Chinese government announced on Monday the base points and baselines of the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets, as well as the names and coordinates of 17 base points. In its previous statements released earlier this week, the SOA said a country has the same sovereignty over its territorial sea as it does over territorial land, and such sovereignty extends to the seabed and subsoil as well as the air space above it. Also on Thursday, Chinas permanent representative to the United Nations Li Baodong met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and filed a copy of the Chinese governments Diaoyu Islands baseline announcement with the United Nations. cntv China announces geographic codes for Diaoyu Islandsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The Hitachi Show 2012, with the theme of develop the green economy, build low-carbon city was held in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area on February 9. Its reported the once-every-four-year show is modified to three times in four years in 2012. Hitachi chooses Chongqing Liangjiang New Area for no other reason except for its appreciation on Chongqings development and to pave the way for the further investment. Hitachi () has conducted activities of Low-carbon Economical Technology Exchange Affair and Signing of the Cooperation Memorandum in Liangjiang New Area since 2011, looking for chances of cooperation in related fields. Hitachi and Liangjiang New Area will cooperate with the intelligent city project. Zhang Yingling Hitachi to help Chongqing Liangjiang New Area build intelligent cityadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China won the lions share in the the largest coking coal mine of the world. Thebest crypto news app reddit Chinese mining group Shenhua has torn 40% of the juiciest slices of Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit in Mongolia, one of the largest untapped reserves of coal in the world. Located in the southern Gobi Desert, the site contains more than 7 billion tons of ore, more than a quarter is made up of high quality coal, which is essential for the manufacture of steel. Mongolia is blessed, enthuses Chad Blewitt, chief financial officer of Oyu Tolgoi, the largest copper mine in the world, another giant project the country will start producing in 2013. This landlocked country with extreme weather conditions, is now a priority for the emerging mining groups. For the recent discoveries in its basement offer them a chance to challenge the two giants Anglo-Australian BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. After six months of intense lobbying, the government of Ulaanbaatar unveiled Tuesday the distribution rights to the site particularly coveted Tsenkher. A fabulous pool capable of producing 15 million tonnes per year over the next three decades and 65% of the production is coking coal. Located less than 270 km from the Chinese border, this mine is a boon to the Middle Kingdom, worlds largest producer of steel and which is struggling to meet soaring demand in the industry. Associated with the Japanese Mitsui, Shenhua will import the ore directly through the Gobi to the port of Tianjin. But Mongolia is aware of the risk of a takeover of Beijing on the coal industry that could negotiate lower prices of the ore. Wedged between Russia and the vast Chinese hereditary enemy, Ulaanbaatar has mastered the art of balancing the influences of both threatening neighbors. Mongolia has also provided 36% of the project to a Russian consortium associated with the South Korean steelmaker Posco. An approach that holds the key to the construction of a railway to the Pacific via the Gobi to the Russian port of Vladivostok. One way to counter Beijings ambitions to control the coal route via Tianjin. We can not afford to bet everything on China, says Alga, the director of the Mongolian National Mining Association. The third group (24%) returns to the U.S. Peabody Energy Corp (NYSE: BTU). Building on an increase in the coming decades of global coal demand, the three winners will pay a ticket: the development of the mine, the construction of communication routes in the desert as well as a power plant will cost $ 7 billion. Not to mention a 5% tax that goes into the pocket of the government to exploit another area of the giant field of Tavan Tolgoi. China Rounded Up Largest Coal Mine In The Worldadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Hunan Province held a working conference on the morning of February 4 to iron out plans for speeding up the construction of a strong province in press and publishing in 2012. According to the conference, Hunan will intensify efforts in production and dissemination of excellent works, and develop more and more original works, best-sellers, readings related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers,and minors readings of higher quality. Hunan will also encourage on-line publishing organizations to create more and more masterpieces, and support the publishing of online games. In addition, the province will vigorously promote the construction of book houses in rural areas, launch the pilot project of reading bullets (screens), and facilitate the development of digital publishing and copyright innovation industry. Endeavor will also be made to support the qualified press and publishing enterprises to invest abroad, and publishing enterprises to conduct inter-province merger and reorganization. Zhang Minsi Hunan Expedites Advancement in Press & Publishingadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Fourteen people were killed and one was injured in a fire at an underwear factory in south Chinas Guangdong Province Tuesday,kingkong4d slotomania slotbot authorities said. The fire broke out at about 3:30 p.m. at the factory in Chaonan district in the city of Shantou and was put out half an hour later, the emergency management office of the Guangdong provincial government said in a statement. The injured worker is under treatment at a local hospital. Senior provincial officials have ordered to set up a working team to investigate the cause of the fire and to step up safety measures to avoid similar fatal fires. Xinhua 14 killed in clothing factory fire in south Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Wang Lijun, Chongqings former vice mayor and former police chief, stood an open trial on Tuesday in a court in Chengdu, southwest Chinas Sichuan Province, for bribe-taking and bending the law for selfish ends. The Chengdu City Intermediate Peoples Court held a closed-door trial on Monday on Wangs two other charges of defection and abuse of power. According to the indictment of the Chengdu City Peoples Procuratorate, the defendant Wang Lijun, then-chief of Chongqings Public Security Bureau, had neglected his duty of investigating and suppressing criminal acts and bent the law for personal gain. Prosecutors said Wang knew perfectly well that Bogu Kailai was under serious suspicion of intentional homicide, but he deliberately covered up for her so that Bogu Kailai would not be held legally responsible. The circumstances are especially serious. His behavior has violated Clause one of Article 399 of the Criminal Law of the Peoples Republic of China, prosecutors said. They added that Wang, as a state functionary who knew state secrets, left his post without authorization and defected to another countrys consulate while he was performing his official duty. These circumstances are also serious. His behavior has violated Article 109 of the Criminal Law of the Peoples Republic of China, according to prosecutors. The defendant Wang, then-chief of Chongqings Public Security Bureau, has violated the countrys relevant laws and regulations by using technical reconnaissance measures against many people on multiple occasions, either without the approval of authorities or by forging approval documents. These acts have severely undermined the socialist rule of law, infringed citizens legitimate rights and interests, and violated Clause one of Article 397 of the Criminal Law of the Peoples Republic of China, prosecutors said. Wang, acting as a state functionary, took advantage of his position and illegally accepted money and property worth more than 3.05 million yuan (484,127 U.S. dollars), in return for securing benefits for other individuals. His behavior has violated Article 385 of the Criminal Law of the Peoples Republic of China. He should be held criminally responsible on charges of bending the law for selfish ends, defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking, according to prosecutors. According to prosecutors, Wang later ordered his subordinates at Chongqing police to collect and preserve evidence of the murder case involving Bogu Kailai. He also reported the possible involvement of Bogu Kailai in the murder to the authorities, provided evidence and willingly assisted in the reinvestigation of the case. Prosecutors said that provided Wang made an important contribution to cracking the case, the penalty for the crime of bending the law for personal gains could be lighter. After his defection to the U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu, Wang turned himself in and confessed to the crimes he had committed, which could be considered as voluntary surrender, according to prosecutors. According to Article 67 of the Criminal Law, any criminal who voluntarily surrenders may be given a lighter or mitigated punishment. Wang was charged with several crimes and should receive a combined punishment for all offences. His term of punishment should be in line with Article 69 of the Criminal Law, prosecutors said. He had produced important clues for exposing serious offences committed by others and played a key part in the investigation of these cases. This can be considered as performing major meritorious services, prosecutors said in the indictment paper. According to Article 68 of the Criminal Law, he should be given a mitigated punishment, prosecutors said. After filing the case, the Chengdu City Intermediate Peoples Court sent duplicates of the indictment to Wang, informed him of his litigation rights and obligations, informed lawyers to meet Wang and gave them access to the case file, so as to fully safeguard the defendants litigation rights. Considering that the charges of defection and abuse of power involved state secrets, the court, according to law, held a closed-door trial on Monday to hear the two charges and held an open trial on Tuesday for the charges of bribe-taking and bending the law for selfish ends. During the trial, the prosecutors showed relevant evidence, which was cross-examined by Wang Lijun and defendant lawyers. Both the prosecutor and the accused fully expressed their views. Wangs family and relatives, journalists, deputies to the peoples congress, political advisors, as well as ordinary citizens heard Tuesdays trial. After that court session, an adjournment was announced and the judgment will be announced on a day to be decided. Xinhua Wang Lijun stands trial for four chargesadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline A group of Chinese students staged a protest near the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Thursday to urge the Japanese government to halt its purchase of disputed islands at the center of an escalating territorial row between Beijing and Tokyo. About 50 Chinese students studying in South Korea rallied to express their fury at Japans decision to purchase disputed islands in the East China Sea known as Diaoyu in China. Scuffles broke out between South Korean police and the demonstrators as the students tried to march toward the Japanese embassy. A heavy police presence outside the embassy prevented the protesters from approaching the embassy building,black lotus no deposit bonus free chips and that the students held their demonstration near the embassy. They strongly denounced Japans action as a clear violation of Chinas territorial sovereignty. The students chanted slogans such as We cant accept the violation of our national territory and Withdraw the illegal purchase. Wei Shuzie, president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in Korea (CSSAK), read out a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. Your government performed a show with the purchase of the Diaoyu islands, said Wei. As a measure of nationalization, your government attempted to legalize the ownership of Chinas Diaoyu islands. If you respect history and truth, you should know that the Diaoyu islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times. He then tried to deliver the letter to the Japanese embassy but his efforts went in vain as police blocked access to the embassy. Tensions have been growing for months between Asias two biggest economies over the disputed islands. The uninhabited islands are controlled by Japan and also claimed by Chinas Taiwan. China maintains it has sovereignty over the islands in the East China Sea, saying that they have historically been part of China. Xinhua Chinese students stage anti-Japan protest in Seoul over disputed islandsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline MNFU call for Tynwald to hold emergency meeting with producers and processors following sale of Shoprite The Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) call upon the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, and Members of Tynwald to convene an emergency meeting with all producers and processors to discuss steps that will be undertaken to protect existing business in the Isle of Man. This comes after the announcement on the takeover of the Shoprite chain by Tesco; MNFU say that the news has understandably caused considerable alarm in the Manx Farming sector. It said: The prospect of one retailer now almost fully dominating the food sector in the Isle of Man, and an eroded commitment to Manx produce, compounded by the continuously escalating high cost of import and export for the industry, presents a significant risk to the survival of local food production. Manx producers are now exposed to the potential of a purchasing monopsony. These are real threats that have yet to be realised by our Ministers and Government decision makers. The IOM Government needs to act decisively, show commitment to local producers, and back Manx Farming. The Union says it has been disappointed by the comments from our Chief Minister, and the Minister for the Department of Enterprise. Adding: It is evident that they have not recognised the risks and vulnerabilities that our producers and processors have. Manx producers are investing now in the food production required for the next few years, and our Government consistently fails to take account of this. Speaking on a food industry that is now seriously under threat, MNFU warns that if Government do not address all these risks effectively and immediately, it could well deliver the terminal blow to many local producers. It has been acknowledged by the Farmers Union that there may be opportunities, yet to be presented, which could benefit the local food industry and have responded positively to Tescos statement regarding engagement with local suppliers. MNFU advises Tesco to revisit original buy-local strategy on the Island as it would go a long way to demonstrating their commitment and investment in the Islands economy. As a producer representative body, it has applauded local retailer Robinsons for both its long-term commitments to local producers and its consistent support and promotion of high-quality Manx Produce. The Union says Robinsons have always had a key role in the delivery of local produce, and we hope this will continue. Gena's Dance Academy shine in Paris Top Row Left to Right: Mair Taylor, Lily Burt, Daisy Divers, Olivia Bettridge, Skyler Aitchison, Rebecca Cooil, Milly Broderick, Alexa Appleby. Bottom Row Left to Right: Nicole Delooze, Ruby Quayle, Chloe Carey. Local dance school, Genas Dance Academy (GDA) have returned to the Island following a successful haul at Disneyland Paris competing in the International Festival of Dance and Performing Arts (IFPDA) dance competition. This is the first time the Academy has been placed in every category it has entered and resulted in the entire team from Genas to be chosen to lead a Disney parade through the theme park. The competition hosts schools from all over the world, including: America, Majorca and Cyprus. GDA thanked Greenlight International for its support and the Academy dance teachers: Gena Walker, Lucy Matthews and Hannah Smith; along with some long suffering parents. Duolingo is launching its new music course sometime this fall. The educational tech company first announced that it was gearing up to add music lessons to its repertoire back in September, promising "hundreds of bite-sized lessons" that can teach you music with the help of over 200 tunes. Duolingo, of course, has turned music learning into a gamified experience, dividing lessons into levels you have to complete and docking points (or hearts) whenever you enter an incorrect answer. You'll start by having to familiarize yourself with the sounds of the C and D notes of C major using a digital piano. Duolingo will have you matching the sounds of each note with their placement on a staff, so you'd know what they sound like and could spot them on a music sheet by the time you're done. You'll move on to the next notes in subsequent lessons, but before you can proceed, Duolingo will test you on what you've learned so far by having you play familiar ditties like Mary Had a Little Lamb. Don't worry you only have to follow the notes scrolling on screen, but it could still be plenty challenging for the musically inept, like yours truly. If the first lessons are a bit too basic for you, though, you can skip ahead to the more advanced stages of the course. Duolingo In addition to creating a brand new music course, Duolingo has also updated its math curriculum to help you gain "advanced real-world math skills," such as the ability to quickly calculate tips and hourly wage. "While Duolingo is known for language, were expanding to math and music because these are subjects that people often find intimidating," Karen Chow, Senior Learning Scientist for Duolingo Music, told Engadget. "You'll hear people say 'Oh I'm tone deaf' or 'I'm just not a math person.' We want to show people that learning these different subjects is possible and it can actually be a lot of fun!" You can now sign up for the music course waitlist, if you want to start learning as soon as it becomes available. Initially, Duolingo music will only be available in English and Spanish on iOS devices, but the company says it's "hoping to bring the course to more learners very soon." NASAs OSIRIS-REx spacecraft brought back samples from the asteroid Bennu and, in a livestream earlier today, NASA scientists showed us what it found hanging out in the great vastness of the cosmos. Simply put, the agency brought back a fairly large sample collection of various-sized rocks, dust particles and intermediate-sized particles. The big news here is that samples from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid contain not only carbon, which is to be expected, but also water. These are the building blocks of life on Earth and, likely, everywhere else, so this is a big deal. NASA The OSIRIS-REx sample is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth and will help scientists investigate the origins of life on our own planet for generations to come, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. While space rocks and dust may seem boring to those expecting a bevy of friendly aliens, there's still plenty of time to make more fantastic discoveries. These samples have only been on the planet since September 25 and initial studies just began. NASA says they'll continue to study the particles and will create a registry of some kind so scientists from other organizations can borrow portions for a looksie. Some samples are also heading to museums. The space agency says that the "secrets held within the rocks and dust from the asteroid will be studied for decades to come, offering insights into how our solar system was formed, how the precursor materials to life may have been seeded on Earth, and what precautions need to be taken to avoid asteroid collisions with our home planet." Additionally, scientists were pleasantly surprised by the presence of "bonus asteroid material" covering the outside of the collector head, canister lid and base. Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, says that the agency is ready with additional specialized tools to "study this precious gift from the cosmos." OSIRIS-REx actually grabbed the sample from Bennu all the way back in 2020. After that, the space vessel spent 18 months analyzing the asteroid from above before making its way back to orbit our favorite life-sustaining blue marble. Bennu is an ancient relic of our solar system, as NASA says it was formed anywhere from 700 million to 2 billion years ago after breaking off a much larger asteroid that was originally formed over 4.5 billion years ago. Due to its older-than-Methuselah status, these Bennu fragments could actually give us a window into how life started on Earth, thanks to the carbon and water already discovered and any future findings. This isn't the end for the curious spacecraft OSIRIS-REx. It's still out there, doing its best Jim Kirk impression. Next up? The craft's heading to an asteroid named Apophis under a new mission name, OSIRIS-APEX. Star Trek: Prodigy has found a new streaming home with Netflix, after being both canceled by Paramount+ and completely deleted from the platform back in June. Not only will Netflix air the previously-released 20-episode first season later this year, but its also putting the final touches on the second season, which will stream sometime next year. The initial cancellation came as a surprise, as Paramount had already greenlit a second season and those episodes were just about finished. Then it did that recent streamer thing where it went through and deleted all of the old episodes, kicking them to the dustbin of history. That may be possible for a lesser-known IP, like the criminally underrated Infinity Train, but this is Star Trek. Trekkers have been conducting successful campaigns to bring back shows ever since the original series was canned back in 1969. These are the same fans, after all, that helped Star Trek: The Animated Series and Star Trek: The Motion Picture get off the ground. So they went to work, amplifying fan engagement across various social media sites. Prodigys creators have long held out hope for a new platform, and it looks like this optimism has finally paid off. Star Trek: Prodigy follows a ragtag group of alien adolescents after finding the titular spaceship. Its actually very good and acts as the perfect entry point for parents who want to introduce their kids to the ideals of Star Trek. Its also a pseudo-sequel to Star Trek: Voyager, with Kate Mulgrew reprising her role as Captain Janeway and Robert Beltran appearing as Chakotay, among other guest stars. Season two looks like itll integrate further with Voyager, if leaks are anything to go by. Its odd that the show will now be on Netflix, given that one of Paramounts slogans is The Home of Star Trek. This has been a busy week for streamers selling shelved projects to other platforms. Disney+ inked a deal with Roku, giving the platform rights to air an adaptation of the acclaimed book series The Spiderwick Chronicles. As for Star Trek animation, Paramount+ is still home to the stellar Star Trek: Lower Decks which is currently airing its fourth season. Utah has sued TikTok over child safety issues and the company's China-based ownership, CNBC has reported. In the complaint, attorney general Sean Reyes called the app "an addictive product" and accused it of misleading users about its relationship with China-based parent company ByteDance. The state recently enacted some of the strictest social media laws in the country, requiring parental permission for teens to use social media. The lawsuit compares TikTok to a slot machine that provides "dopamine manipulation" trigged by swiping up on videos. That addictive nature is particularly harmful for the "not-yet-fully-developed" brain of young users and can create a dependence on the app, the state claims. It noted that the US Surgeon General has warned about mental health harms around social media, and cited excessive TikTok usage based around the company's own (redacted) figures. "What these children (and their parents) do not know is that TikTok is lying to them about the safety of its app and exploiting them into checking and watching the app compulsively, no matter the terrible effects it has on their mental health, their physical development, their family, and their social life," the complaint states. The lawsuit also delves into TikTok's links to China. "To avoid scrutiny from its users (and regulators), TikTok has also misled Utah consumers about the degree to which TikTok remains enmeshed with and under the control of ByteDance, it's China-based parent company." TikTok previously said that it has dedicated more than $1.5 billion on data security, and has rejected allegations that it's spying for the Chinese government. The company also recently opened a Transparency and Accountability Center in an effort to fend off regulators and potential bans. The federal government has yet to take any concrete action against social media platforms, but states have been more active. Utah recently passed a law requiring parents to get permission before teens can create accounts on TikTok, Snap and other platforms. It also mandates curfew, parental controls and age verification features. The state didn't go as far as Montana, however, which outright banned the use of TikTok. Tomorrow, a judge will hear arguments in TikTok's lawsuit seeking to overturn that ban a case that could open the company up to more scrutiny and set precedent around the US. NASA is ready to share its findings of a sample taken from the 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid Bennu with the masses during a livestream at 11 AM ET today, October 11, on its YouTube channel. The reveal comes less than three weeks after the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft parachuted a capsule of Bennu's fragments into a Utah-based Department of Defense training site. NASA then transferred the sample to its Johnson Space Center in Houston for a complete analysis. OSIRIS-REx set off on its $1.2 billion mission in September 2016, reaching the 1,650-foot wide asteroid two years later. In 2020, the spacecraft burrowed into Bennu much deeper than expected, collecting the largest asteroid surface sample to date. The goal was to bring at least 2.1 ounces back, and initial estimates put the collection at around 8.8 ounces. NASA should reveal the exact specifications and the quality of the substance during its livestream, as well as other interesting tidbits uncovered. As for OSIRIS-REx, it already has a new name and mission. The now-dubbed OSIRIS-APEX is on its way to asteroid Apophis to examine the impact of a close encounter with Earth in 2029. NASA expects the asteroid to come within 20,000 miles of the Earth's surface 90 percent closer than the moon. Leonardo Da Vinci experimented with innovative painting techniques in his oil paintings. Scientists have just detected the presence of an unusual, rare and unstable component, plumbonacrite, in Mona Lisas painting. The artist probably endeavored to prepare a thick paint to cover the wooden panel of the Mona Lisa. The results are published today in JACS. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) is considered one of the most important figures of the Renaissance. Whilst he wrote numerous manuscripts bearing on his many sources of interest such as engineering or architecture, he left very few clues on his painting materials. His taste for experimentation was strikingly present in his craft: The build-up of the different layers in each of his paintings is different, as are the materials used. Now researchers from the laboratory Photophysique et photochimie supramoleculaires et macromoleculaires (CNRS/ENS Paris-Saclay), the Institut de recherche de chimie Paris (CNRS/Chimie ParisTech PSL), the Centre de recherche et de restauration des musees de France (Ministere de la culture), the Louvre Museum, the Laboratoire darcheologie moleculaire et structurale (CNRS/Sorbonne Universite) and the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, have studied a microsample of the preparation layer of the Mona Lisa to shed light on Da Vincis painting methods. To get more clues about Da Vincis palette and technique, they also analysed several fragments from the Last Supper, another masterpiece by Leonardo. The team used the techniques of synchrotron radiation high-angular resolution X-ray powder diffraction (SR-HR-XRPD), micro X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (-FTIR) at the ESRFs ID22, ID13 and ID21 beamlines, respectively. The results show the presence of a very uncommon composition in both the Mona Lisas ground layer and the Last Suppers ground and paint layers. Marine Cotte (left) and Victor Gonzalez (right) on the beamlines. Credits: S. Cande (left) and B. Lavit (right). In Mona Lisa, we found a relatively high amount of plumbonacrite, an usual compound that we think is due to a specific mix of oil with lead oxide, explains Victor Gonzalez, researcher at the laboratory Photophysique et photochimie supramoleculaires et macromoleculaires (CNRS/ENS Paris-Saclay) and corresponding author of the publication. However, the team had seen this component before, specifically in Rembrandts masterpiece The Night Watch, painted two centuries after the Mona Lisa. This enabled the scientists to identify possible hypothesis to explain its presence despite the chronological differences between the two artists. We faced the additional challenge that there are very few scientific analysis of Mona Lisa and of Da Vincis paintings in general, so it was difficult to compare our results with previous studies, explains Marine Cotte, scientist at the ESRF and co- author of the publication. Finally, the scientists analysed the manuscripts and translations of Leonardo's recipes. This was incredibly difficult because the words that Leonardo used are very different from present terminology and because of the gap between terms used in paintings and in chemistry, explains Cotte. Eventually, they found the referral to a chemical compound in one of Da Vincis recipe. It was mentioned in the context of a pharmaceutical practice, but scientists understand that he may also have used it in paintings. It is important to take a multidisciplinary approach in this field: The analysis of model samples prepared following historical treatises was also crucial to our conclusions in the paper, explains Ida Fazlic, ESRF PhD student and co-author of the publication. With this study, we provide key elements to understand Da Vincis recipes and the evolution of his paintings throughout time, says Gonzalez. The results of the research show that he experimented with the preparation of thick and opaque ground layers, he concludes. This research has benefited from the Cultural Heritage Block Allocation Group (BAG), a new access mode at the ESRF that allows the cultural heritage community to get group access to beamtime on a regular basis, meaning that several experiments can take place in a single session. Reference: Gonzalez, V., et al, JACS, 11 October 2023. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c07000 Gente Maria Zurita se 'planta' tras el cumpleanos privado de la Princesa Leonor: "Yo no soy la portavoz de la familia" Amidst the unfolding Israel-Gaza conflict, foreign exchange strategists at Wells Fargo Economics forecast a rise of US Dollar (USD) against the Israeli Shekel (ILS) to 4.15 by the beginning of 2024. At the time of writing, the US Dollar to Shekel exchange rate (USD/ILS) is quoted at 3.95189. "Shekel depreciation is likely to be smoothed by the Bank of Israel, and we now expect the USD/ILS exchange rate to trend toward ILS4.15 by early 2024," says Brendan McKenna, International Economist at Wells Fargo Economics. Rising geopolitical tensions across the globe have critically impacted the global economy and financial markets in recent years. "Hamas' attack on Israel marks another major geopolitical challenge permeating across the globe." says the economist. This not only steers the economic and political landscape into further instability but also acts as a pivotal moment where military conflicts could augment this geopolitical uncertainty. Beyond the immediate horizons of Israel and Gaza, the implications, as evaluated by the strategist, potentially entwine intricately into the larger, global economic and geopolitical fabric, with effects like altered oil prices and market sentiments. Regional escalation, potentially intensifying Israel-Iran proxy battles or even inciting direct military conflicts, could further destabilise the global geopolitical climate. "While the likelihood of an escalation to a regional conflict is outside our scope, broader military conflict in the Middle East would likely result in reduced oil supply and a spike in crude prices." says McKenna. The subsequent financial and economic repercussions of these possible military activities could cast widespread effects, particularly on the G10 countries and vital emerging markets like China and India. Moreover, any proof linking Iran to supporting Hamas could extend Israel's military offensive beyond Gaza, inciting a broader conflict and critically affecting global economics via channels like oil prices and deteriorating market sentiments. "Direct Israel-Iran conflict would worsen the geopolitical backdrop significantly and would have direct economic implications around the world via higher oil prices and deteriorating sentiment." the economist adds. Globalisation, or rather its regression, is pivotal to their view. The Israel-Gaza conflict, beyond its immediate physical and political confines, threatens to amplify deglobalisation, a phenomenon highlighted multiple times by the analyst. McKenna explains that geopolitics in deglobalisation has already fragmented the global economy, and this could well drive further economic fractures, especially in light of the military conflict between Israel and Hamas. A cascade effect is illustrated, wherein the conflict reverses the improving relations in the Middle East, particularly between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as between Saudi Arabia and Israel, thereby possibly initiating a reset of relationships in the region. "Recent improvements in regional relations are now likely to backtrack, and a reset of Middle East relations could begin to materialize." says McKenna. Moreover, the potential political stance of major global players in light of the conflict can introduce new, perhaps rigid, geopolitical borders, acting as new forces propelling deglobalisation. When it comes to economic and political stability, especially concerning currencies like the Shekel (ILS), the influence of geopolitical risks and conflicts becomes quite apparent. Despite potential stability from easing local political divisions and interventions from the Bank of Israel, the shekel, alongside other Israeli financial assets, is anticipated to remain defensive, with no expectation of a shekel rebound at this time. "Even so, in our view, the more likely ILS path is further depreciation, albeit at a gradual pace, in the months ahead." the analyst adds. Finally, the economist notes the outsized role that geopolitics can play in the upcoming elections in 2024, with the Israel-Gaza conflict potentially becoming a significant topic of debate and contention amongst voters. Wednesday, October 11, 2023 La Vitrine Contemporain de Monaco will be hosting The Rocky Horror Show NFTs IRL art exhibition from Tuesday, October 17th 2023 . The micro-gallery, in the glamorous principality of Monaco, will be showcasing physical representations of nine The Rocky Horror Show NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Each of the unique artworks will depict a different iconic character from the cult show including Frank-N-Furter, Riff Raff, Janet and Brad. The art has been designed exclusively for the exhibition as part of the ground-breaking musicals 50th anniversary celebrations. The Rocky Horror Show LVCDM Monaco Collection, in merging the physical and the virtual worlds, offers fans of The Rocky Horror Show a chance to own both a digital and real-life piece of the musicals legacy. The physical artworks are unlockable content, which means collectors can only obtain them by purchasing their identical digital counterpart on NFT marketplace OpenSea. The NFTs will have an inherent value as a scarce collectible, will act as a key to the physical art and provide an immutable certificate of ownership as they are on the blockchain. They can be resold independently of the physical pieces. The collection can be viewed here: https://opensea.io/collection/the-rocky-horror-show-lvcdm-monaco-collection Each piece will be priced at 5 ETH (approximately 7450). Offers can be made ahead of the exhibition. The unlockable feature of these nine NFTs make them extremely rare and offers collectors the opportunity to own something unique and original that has added real-world value,." said Clem Chambers, CEO of Online Blockchain. Monaco, with its vibrant art scene, is the perfect place to house such an innovative collection, which celebrates the whimsical world that The Rocky Horror Show encapsulates.." La Vitrine Contemporaine de Monaco (1 avenue Henri Dunant, Monte-Carlo, Monaco) will exhibit the artworks until November 17th, 2023. - ends - Notes to Editors About The Rocky Horror Show NFTs With 50 years of history, The Rocky Horror Show is a cultural icon and global phenomenon, which transcends generations, geography and sexual ideology. It is the pinnacle of freedom, fun, individuality, diversity and non-conformity; concepts that resonate well with the Web3 community. The whimsical world the show encapsulates continues to fascinate, captivate and titillate half a century after its debut; this fandom will evolve and flourish in the Web3 space. The Rocky Horror Show NFTs as part of a wider planned metaverse - have the potential to bring a new multimillion global Web2 cohort of Rocky Horror fans to the inclusive and thrilling playground that is Web3. About Online Blockchain Plc Online Blockchain PLC (LSE: OBC) is a UK-based incubator driving cutting-edge research and development in internet and information-based technologies for the next generation of customers. Established in 1996, OBC has remained at the forefront of the internet evolution, incubating successful online games and creating ADVFN, the leading global financial news platform for retail investors, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Led by a visionary team with over two decades of pioneering experience in technology, Online Blockchain focuses on technical innovation in the blockchain and AI space. The company's notable achievement includes the creation of Umbria Network, a widely acclaimed cross-chain bridge for digital assets. For more information, visit: https://www.onlineblockchain.io Online Blockchain plc licence agreement (announced January 30th, 2023) Online has entered into a worldwide licence with Interfishnet Limited, rights holders of The Rocky Horror Show intellectual property, to create and market a range of character NFTs. Full announcement: https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/OBC/corporate-update/15814664 Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Cloudy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Get 4 Weeks of Farm and Dairy Home Delivered Sign Up for your FREE Trial SALEM, Ohio CAUV values are going up in nearly half of Ohios counties this year, in some cases more than 300%. Property values in 41 counties were reappraised or updated, on a schedule mandated by the state, which means Current Agricultural Use Values were also updated. The Ohio Department of Taxation released its new CAUV values to counties this summer. Ohio Farm Bureau said some county auditors are reporting increases between 80-100%, but David Thomas, Ashtabula County auditor, said in a letter to the editor in The Vindicator that some CAUV values in Ashtabula County jumped more than 300%. While value increase does not equal tax increase dollar for dollar, this mandate will kill some small farm operations, Thomas said, in the letter. Theres not much that can be done locally, but Ohio Farm Bureau is encouraging its members to support two pieces of state legislation that the group says aims to soften the blow. Basics of CAUV The states CAUV program is a way for people who own farmland to get some relief in their tax bill. Under the CAUV, farmland is taxed at a rate that reflects its value for agricultural purposes, instead of its highest and best potential use, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. This typically results in a substantially lower tax bill for landowners. CAUV value is based, first and foremost, on the soil type of the land. There are more than 3,500 soil types in Ohio. Each soil type has its own value, calculated through a complex formula that takes into account agricultural data like crop yields and crop prices as well as non-agricultural factors like capitalization rate. More productive soils have higher CAUV values. The idea is that CAUV values will follow the farm economy. With crop prices hitting record highs in the past few years and staying relatively high, comparatively, to five or 10 years ago, the current CAUV value has increased accordingly. What can be done Property taxes in Ohio are paid a year behind, so the changes wont be reflected until new tax bills come out in January. Counties have no authority to change CAUV levels, but landowners can file an appeal with the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals. Some counties have put out online calculators to help landowners see what the new values will do to their tax bill. Others are waiting until after the November election, as there are tax levies on the ballot that could impact the tax rate, to talk specific numbers. In some cases, levies may be adjusted down to offset the increase in property valuations. Ohio Farm Bureau is encouraging members to reach out to local lawmakers to urge them to support House Bill 187 and Senate Bill 153. HB 187 is sponsored by Republican Reps. Tom Hall, of Madison Township, and Adam C. Bird, of New Richmond. SB 153 is sponsored by Republicans George Lang, of West Chester, and Terry Johnson, of McDermott. The sister bills would temporarily adjust the CAUV to an average of the past three years. Landowners will still have an increase, but it will soften a very sharp curve, said Whittney Bowers, director of state policy and grassroots engagement for Ohio Farm Bureau. The adjusted value would apply to tax years 2023, 2024 and 2025, impacting not just counties being reappraised this year, but those due for reappraisal or update in the next two years. The House version of the bill would also take away the states authority to order county auditors to change property values. It was voted out of the House Ways and Means Committee and sent to the full Ohio House on Sept. 20. The Ohio Soybean Association supports the Senate version of the legislation, which is still in the Senates Ways and Means Committee. Counties reappraised in 2023 Auglaize, Clinton, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Franklin, Gallia, Geauga, Hamilton, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Jackson, Licking, Mahoning, Mercer, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Putnam, Richland, Seneca, Shelby, Trumbull, Van Wert and Wood Counties updated in 2023 Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Butler, Clermont, Fulton, Greene, Knox, Madison, Montgomery, Noble, Summit and Wayne Farmers are being told to 'beware, take action and be vigilant' for a new strain of Bluetongue virus amid 'increasing concern' about the situation in Europe. The new warning comes as a new strain of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) recently emerged in the Netherlands, where it is spreading rapidly. As of early October, the virus has been reported on more than 700 farms in the Netherlands. And just this week, a new case has been reported in Belgium, meaning BTV-3 is now in two European countries. The last outbreak of bluetongue in the UK was in 2007, meaning it has been officially free of the virus since 2011 But experts at industry body Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) said today (11 October) there was increasing concern about the disease entering the UK. BTV-3 is a viral disease transmitted by biting midges, which affects all ruminants and camelids. The existing vaccine does not offer cross-protection against this new BTV-3 strain, making any likely outbreak difficult to control. RH&W has facilitated emergency meetings this week, bringing together over 40 key stakeholders and representatives from across the industry. Dr Joseph Henry, president of the Sheep Veterinary Society and member of RH&Ws steering group, said farmers needed to follow three steps. "Farmers need to beware when buying animals in, especially from Europe, take action to report any signs of the disease, and at all times, remain vigilant. "Its so important that we follow the advice to take action and prioritise good biosecurity measures while remaining extremely vigilant to the disease at this stage." He added: It remains extremely difficult to protect against midges and a vector borne disease, however, there is always a role for good biosecurity and insecticides. "But its important to differentiate between products licensed for use on animals, and those designed for use on building and vehicles. Updating on the emerging threat, Cat Mclaughlin, NFU chief animal welfare advisor and member of RH&W, said: BTV-3 appears to mimic BTV-8 in its behaviour, leading us to be extremely cautious to the risk it poses. There are no reports of the new strain in the UK. But due to the nature of bluetongues ability to spread via infected midges, and current warm weather conditions, the risk of it reaching the UK is increasing." Phil Stocker, National Sheep Association (NSA) chief executive, added that bluetongue did not pose a threat to human health, but it remained a notifiable disease. Wed strongly advise farmers to beware when buying livestock from Europe, and to request pre-movement testing of animals prior to departure, he said. All imports of live animals are subject to post-import testing with restricted movements until a negative post-import test result has been confirmed, so caution is key. Symptoms of BTV-3 can vary across ruminants, with sheep generally exhibiting more overt symptoms than cattle, but both can showcase clinical signs. These include in sheep; drooling, mouth lesions, high fever, lameness and oedema (swollen heads) and sudden death. Cattle are not usually as severely affected but may show similar clinical signs as well as teat, eye, coronary band and nose lesions. What is the latest advice? RH&Ws advice to farmers and their vets remains three-fold, farmers need to beware when buying animals in, take action to report any signs, and always, remain vigilant: Buyer beware, only source animals from Europe responsibly. Take action, prioritise biosecurity and report any suspicious clinical signs. Vigilance is key, monitor livestock closely. In the UK, bluetongue is a notifiable disease, so anyone suspecting the disease must take action and report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Rural campaigners have welcomed Keir Starmers pledge to build a new Britain by prioritising brownfield sites for development rather than the countryside. The Labour leader announced the commitment at the party's conference in Liverpool, where he highlighted his ambition to build 1.5 million new homes. Sir Keir highlighted that un-adopted Local Plans were leading to speculative, unsustainable development which were potholing the Green Belt and the countryside. Responding to the new pledge, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the brownfield approach had the potential to provide 'genuinely affordable' housing for millions of people. The rural campaigning body said that countryside around towns and cities would in turn remain untouched, which "is crucial for the wellbeing of millions of people". CPRE chief executive, Roger Mortlock explained that the Green Belt would be critical to deliver solutions to the nature and climate crisis. He said: "There is lots to welcome in Labours brownfield-first approach and densification of our towns and cities. Brownfield land can provide room for 1.2 million new homes and before we start thinking about a new generation of New Towns, we need to make sure weve exhausted the un-tapped potential of brownfield land. Alongside these announcements, we need to match the ambition of the post-war Labour government in protecting our countryside and restoring nature. Past Labour governments introduced the Green Belt around the UK's largest towns and cities, as well as launching National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A UK trade mission to Kuwait has explored export opportunities for red meat and dairy in the Middle Eastern market, with a particular emphasis on lamb. Ten delegates from 7 organisations joined AHDB in Kuwait to highlight UK meat production and to examine potential new business opportunities with local buyers. Trade experts say the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region offers significant opportunities for UK exporters, especially for the lamb and dairy sectors. This is due to the regions strong population growth with a high disposable income, together with limited production capacity, driving food imports higher over the next decade. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Agri Counsellor for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) joined the mission, with taxes and trade barriers being the first topics of discussion. The group were also hosted by the Kuwait chamber of commerce with the British Ambassador, Belinda Lewis, who spoke of the significance of the Kuwaiti market and the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships. The Head of Kuwait Customs was also in attendance, giving British meat and dairy exporters the opportunity to ask questions on import regulations, The visit to Kuwait follows the recent launch of AHDBs new export strategy Beyond Borders which aims to increase market access and export sales while encouraging more businesses to export. Speaking of the visit to Kuwait, AHDBs Halal sector senior manager, Dr Awal Fuseini, explained that the market was a key target for dairy and meat exporters. He highlighted the significance of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional trading bloc made up of Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. The GCC is a high value market which presents new opportunities for UK exporters," Dr Fuseini explained. "The region is very import-dependent and food import regulations and standards are strictly enforced, given strong adherence to the Islamic faith. The Kuwait gross domestic product increased by 8.2% in 2022 and is forecast to increase by a further 2.6% in 2023. The expansion of the middle-class consumer in Kuwait and the entire GCC region is driving an increased demand for meat and dairy, and for high quality imported foods." He added: "The UK is well placed to capitalise on this increased demand with the UK brand associated with quality and heritage in these markets. North Yorkshire planning officials have refused an application for a solar farm and battery storage system on tenanted farmland following concern over a family's livelihood. Harmony Energy wanted to build the renewable energy site on 52 hectares of arable land at Old Malton, which has been farmed by tenant farmers Rob and Emma Sturdy for over 30 years. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is also the MP for Richmond in North Yorkshire, had been urged to reject the proposal by the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA). The North Yorkshire Strategic Planning Committee, which considered the application at its meeting on the 10 October, voted to refuse the development. The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) welcomed the move, saying it "sends a really crucial message to all other developers that they cannot treat tenant farmers as merely collateral damage." TFA chief executive, George Dunn said: I am hugely delighted for Rob and Emma Sturdy who have fought a long-running battle against this inappropriate solar farm application. "It is good that the planning committee understood its responsibility to consider the impact on the personal circumstances of Rob and Emma as tenants of the site and also in respect of the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land." The Sturdys, who are TFA members, have farmed at Eden Farm for over 30 years, with their tenancy regulated under the terms of the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986. This gives them lifetime security and the right to pass on their tenancy to two further generations. One succession of tenancy has already occurred and a further opportunity for succession remains available. Mr Dunn added: I am greatly appreciative of the due diligence of the planning committee even though its planning officer recommended approval of the application. "The impact on the personal circumstances of tenant farmers is a material consideration which they must take into account when they reach their decisions in respect of the recommendations to planning committees. "A good day for the Sturdys and a good day the tenant farmers generally. Welsh farm leaders have welcomed a third delay to the introduction of a whole farm nitrogen limit and a new commitment to a higher nitrogen limit for next year. Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has confirmed the whole farm nitrogen limit from livestock manure of 170kg per hectare will be delayed until 1 January 2024. She also announced plans to bring forward amendments to NVZ regulations to implement an Enhanced Nutrient Management Approach from 1 January to 31 December 2024. Nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs) are areas within Wales that contain surface water or groundwater susceptible to nitrate pollution from agricultural activities. They are designed to improve water quality in rivers and lakes, but it means tougher restrictions on fertiliser and manure spreading. In 2021, the Welsh government introduced an all-Wales NVZ designation in a move that had angered farming groups. The Welsh government's new announcement follows an industry-wide consultation which received more than 1,500 responses. Farm leaders in Wales have frequently warned that the 170kg per hectare holding nitrogen limit from livestock manures would negatively affect farming and the wider supply chain. There were fears the move would operate as a de facto stocking limit, reducing the numbers of livestock that farm businesses could carry. Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) President Ian Rickman welcomed the changes: We outlined how the proposals for a scheme to allow for a higher limit could serve as a significant safety net for a number of farmers in Wales in the short term who are already exceeding the 170kg limit. However, we also expressed major concerns in relation to the proposed criteria and requirements and how this would effectively determine how many farms would be eligible for such a scheme. The Minister confirmed that where nutrient management plans for 2024 indicate the 170kg limit is likely to be exceeded, farmers must notify Natura Resources Wales (NRW) by 31 March. She also said that farmers must undertake additional actions consistent with the proposed licence conditions they consulted upon. Mr Rickman said the Welsh government must now provide 'clear guidance as soon as possible' setting out further actions farmers would have to undertake and what evidence they would be expected to provide. He added: The need for a third delay of the whole farm nitrogen limit, as welcomed as it is, is symptomatic of the poorly thought out regulations which were introduced in the first place." NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said evidence showed that an increase to a 250kg/ha annual holding nitrogen limit from livestock manures "can be justified and will not damage the environment". "The consequences of the 170kg/ha nitrogen limit imposed by the regulations has been all the more concerning given that farming businesses are experiencing pressure on their margin. "The need for a long-term sustainable solution that enables farmers to operate above the 170kg nitrogen per hectare limit from livestock manures beyond 2024 cannot be overstated." He added: "We welcome Welsh governments commitment to carry out an economic assessment and to look at alternative measures as part of the four yearly review of the regulations. "This review needs to be expedited to ensure it is completed and actions implemented ahead of 31 December 2024, we are committed to working with Welsh government to take this forward. Thurston Moore has cancelled his upcoming book tour due to a secret battle with a "debilitating" medical condition. Thurston Moore has been battling a secret health condition The 65-year-old Sonic Youth co-founder had been due to embark on a trek around the US later this month to promote his new memoir 'Sonic Life' but he's called off the trip following advice from his doctors who have ordered him not to fly - with the musician revealing he's been secretly battling an undisclosed medical issue for years but it has worsened since he hit his mid-60s. In a post on his Instagram page, Thurston explained: "It utterly bereaves me to pass on the news that I have been advised by my medical team here in the UK to cancel my upcoming USA book tour. "For years I have been dealing with a longstanding health condition, though it has never seriously stopped me from touring and recording. Regardless its always been an underlying issue and as I reach my mid-60s this year it has become rather, and consistently, debilitating. After a recent consultation, my doctors have strongly advised against me flying anywhere under any circumstance until they get it all sorted out." He called the cancellation "utterly distressing" because he was looking forward to sharing his stories with fans, but he's insisted his followers will get refunds on their tickets and he hopes to be able to reorganise the dates in the future. Thurston added: "Fingers firmly crossed I have a chance to make it up to you when Im cleared for travel again. As it is I am grateful to have such an awesome support system of love and attention at this moment. And to know how much love, respect, and appreciation we all share. For now, sending good energy, peace and love. Thurston." In a previous post on Instagram, the music star revealed he has spent "ages" working on the book and is very proud of it. He wrote: "This book has been ages in the making, the product of intensive research and deep dives into my memories and emotions. I believe Ive been able to capture the whirlwind of experiences that being in Sonic Youth entailed, as well as the creative communities that we found ourselves a part of, first in New Yorks punk and no wave scenes, and later in the world of underground and alternative rock and the universe of music- beyond- category. "In some ways it barely scrapes the surface, but Im proud of it and anxious to hear what everyone thinks." To read the full story, become a PRIME member today. PRIME Unlimited Access to Insightful Industry Information All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar's confidence in Fatima Sana Shaikh, according to the actress, is what motivated her to accept the part of former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the upcoming biographical drama Sam Bahadur. One of India's greatest military heroes, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, is the subject of the movie, which stars Vicky Kaushal. Fatima, who is best known for the movies Dangal and Ludo, claimed that to accurately play a person of such fame, one must be a director's actor. "She has a huge personality and I wasn't sure about taking up the movie but Meghna (Gulzar) was sure. She said trust me' and I was like, if a director like her is saying, 'trust me', then something must be right, and maybe I'm not seeing what she is seeing. "I did it because I love her work. She made the journey easy for me. She knew what she wanted, whether it was the graph of the performance or look. You have to be a director's actor. That's what I did, the actor, who will be seen next in Dhak Dhak, told in an interview. Fatima claimed that her focus was on conveying the "spirit" of the character rather than simply trying to imitate Gandhi. Meghna has a unique way of having her actors play a certain character, where the focus is on getting the soul and emotions right. It was not about being just like Indira Gandhi, she said. The 31-year-old performer claimed that while conducting her research, she studied books and watched archival footage of the former prime minister, giving herself a personal history lesson. When you play characters like this, just to understand the journey of it, you read history, and you realise there are so many things that have happened in our country. It was a different world back then." Sanya Malhotra plays Silloo, Manekshaw's wife, in Sam Bahadur. RSVP Pictures is the company behind the film, which is scheduled for release in theaters on December 1. Nushrratt Bharuccha, who was stranded in Israel when a conflict erupted between the nation and Hamas and was later evacuated, has at last spoken up about her dreadful experience. The actor described it as "unforgettable and daunting" when she was back in India. She went there for the Israeli premiere of her newest movie, Akelli. On Tuesday, Nushrratt posted a video to her Instagram account, assuring her followers that she is back at home, well, and secure. Two days ago, I woke up in my hotel room in Tel Aviv to sounds of bomb blasts and sirens. We were taken down to the basement in a shelter area. Main pehle kabhi iss situation mein rahi nahin hoon, Nushrrat said She continued by expressing her gratitude for being back in a nation that values peace. Par aaj jab main apne ghar pe uthi hu, with no bomb blasts or sirens, toh mujhe realise hota hai ki kitni badi baat hai, hum kitne fortunate hain ki hum iss country mein hain, ki hum protected hain, hum safe hain, Nushrratt added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nushrratt Bharuccha (@nushrrattbharuccha) She continued by thanking the Indian government, the Israeli and Indian embassies, and everyone who had prayed for her safety. She also hoped that Israel will soon experience peace again. Nushrrat went into more detail about her experiences in Israel in a lengthy statement that was also published on her Instagram account. Krishna Shroff Attends F1 Race: Veteran actor Jackie Shroff's daughter and Tiger Shroff's sister, Krishna Shroff, is a fitness model and entrepreneur. Known for her amazing physique and looks, she recently graced the Qatar F1 racing event with her presence, and her excitement was palpable. Not only her, but her BFF actress Disha Patani and Mouni Roy were also seen accompanying Krishna to witness the heart-pumping event. Krishna Shroff attends the Qatar F1 racing event The Qatar Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event that began in Qatar, and this year's event started on October 8. Sharing her enthusiasm for attending the event, Krishna Shroff said, "Super excited! I love the aura around the sport, and to top it off, it's in a beautiful place like Qatar which makes it seem all the more grand. It's a great honor to be associated with this event." I Love The Aura...: Krishna Shroff To Attend the F1 Racing Frenzy in Qatar, Roots for Lewis Hamilton For Krishna, attending the F1 race was not just about the thrill of the event; it was a nostalgic journey too. She fondly recalled, "Honestly, I'm not sure what to expect. I'm looking forward to all of it! My dad and I used to always watch the races on TV while I was growing up, and if it was that exciting through a television screen, I can only imagine the adrenaline it's going to bring being at the race live!" One of Krishna's favourites in the world of Formula 1 was Lewis Hamilton, who drives for Mercedes. Her admiration for him adds extra excitement to her F1 experience. Krishna Shroff's presence at the Qatar F1 event was a testament to her love for the sport and a cherished memory she will forever hold dear. Her quote reflects the anticipation and honour she felt being a part of this prestigious event. Vivek Oberoi Aishwarya Rai Relationship: Vivek Oberoi, whose personal life in early 2000s grabbed major eyeballs, is back in the spotlight as an old video clip of him has resurfaced on social media. The actor, who was once celebrated as a promising newcomer in the film industry, became embroiled in controversies due to his relationship with Aishwarya Rai, which adversely affected his career. The tumultuous saga began when Aishwarya Rai ended her relationship with Salman Khan and began dating Vivek Oberoi. What followed was a highly publicized feud between Salman and Vivek. The old video of Vivek from his appearance on Karan Johar's chat show, Koffee With Karan in 2005 shows him candidly admitting to seeing Aishwarya. VIVEK OBEROI ADMITS DATING AISHWARYA RAI The video features host KJo asking Vivek about his relationship with Aishwarya, which he happily confirms, but when Karan probed further about Aishwarya's silence on the matter, Vivek appeared visibly upset. He said, "I don't think you asked her on the show. Did you ask her on the show?" The conversation in the video then turns to Vivek's infamous press conference against Salman Khan, which made an impact on his career. Vivek revealed that despite his previous admiration for Salman, he felt compelled to protect his then-partner, Aishwarya. VIVEK OBEROI SAYS HE LIKED SALMAN KHAN He said, "I didn't have anything against Salman Khan. In fact, I liked the guy. I thought he was quite interesting when I met him before. But yeah, in terms of the way he behaved and within the framework of my personal life at that time, trying to protect the lady in my life, I did what I thought was right." While Vivek Oberoi openly accepted his relationship with Aishwarya Rai, the actress always maintained the 'good friend' stance. Meanwhile, Vivek and Aishwarya's relationship was short-lived. The former Miss World went on to marry Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, and Vivek Oberoi eventually tied the knot with Priyanka Alva Oberoi in October 2010. Ethirneechal Vela Ramamoorthy: Ethirneechal serial being aired on Sun TV became popular among all the Tamil speaking people across the globe. With this serial, late actor Marimuthu got great visibility. Jackpot For Vela Ramamoorthy But when Marimuthu suddenly died due to a heart attack, Vela Ramamoorthy stepped in to fill the role as everyone was waiting to see who would play the role of Adhi Gunasekaran. But many people are commenting that Vela Ramamoorthy did not act to the level of Marimuthu. Not only that, in the latest episode, Vela Ramamoorthy, who played the role of Adhi Gunasekaran, was shown being arrested by the police, and after that they did not show much of Gunasekaran. In such a situation, Vela Ramamoorthy posted his whereabouts on his facebook page. Fans who were eagerly waiting to see what is going to happen in the Ethirneechal serial got disappointed due to Vela Ramamoorthy's posts from Paris. Through his posts, poeple came to know that Adhi Gunasekaran will not appear in many scenes of Ethirneechal serial for a few more weeks since Vela Ramamoorthy is busy with the shooting of his pending films. Adhi Gunasekaran Takes Leave For A Few Weeks Already fans are commenting about his poor acting skills by comparing with Marimuthu. In such a situation, his pictures from Paris is gaining attention and becomes troll material. "Vela Ramamoorthy is enjoying the opportunity to act in Ethirneechal. But audience couldn't enjoy his performance as Adhi Gunasekaran. He will only fit in the villain roles of director Muthaiah's films, where overacting is the key" says a netizen. Another netizen said, "He is revealing everything in social media which will definitely affect the TRP rating for Ethirneechal serial. Hope director Thirselvam and Sun TV will monitor and control his activities soon." Leo Dancers' Salary Issue: With Thalapathy Vijay's Leo releasing in theaters worldwide in a few days, the film crew is actively involved in the promotions of the film. 'Naan Ready Thaan' song released on the occasion of Vijay's birthday continues to attract more fans on YouTube. Dancers' Complaint Against Leo Producers The song shooting was done using a lot of dancers in this film. There are reports that 1300 dancers were used in the film and some dancers are now complaining that they have not been paid even for a single day. Meanwhile, 800 of these dancers came to file a complaint at the Chennai Police Commissioner's office and there was a commotion. They have demanded that actor Vijay should intervene in this matter and get their dues before the release of the film. They have also mentioned that they will approach the court if their salary arrears are not paid in three days. In such a situation, RK Selvamani, the president of Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI) released a press note regarding this salary issue for Leo dancers. In it he mentioned, "Today we saw a video in some channels about dancers were not paid for their work in Leo movie song. Mr. Dinesh Master, who worked as the choreographer for the song, said that director Lokesh Kanagaraj wanted to shoot a song with 2,000 dancers in a song sequence of the movie Leo. FEFSI President RK Selvamani Clarifies The Tamil Nadu Film, Television Dancers and Choreographers Association (TANTTNNIS) affiliated to FEFSI had a maximum of 600 artists. Because the association, which has a maximum membership of 1,000 people, had only 600 dancers as nearly 400 artistes were already contracted for various films. When more dancers are needed like this, it is customary to film the members of the Dancers' Association in the front rows and the non-members with some knowledge of dance or good-looking men/women in the back rows. They are called Rich Boys / Rich Girls or Models or Non-Members. They are usually given 3 meals and a stipend of Rs 1,000/- including conveyance. The shooting of the song was held for 6 days from 06.06.2023 to 11.06.2023 at Aadhi Sriram studio in Panaiyur, Chennai. When it was discussed in the Producers Association what wages should be paid to these non-members, it was decided to pay Rs.1,750/- per member per day for 6 days including wages + conveyance and Rs.10,500/- per day. Accordingly, a total of Rs.94,60,500/- was paid to all the members directly into their respective bank accounts. Apart from that, service charge was given separately to TANTTNNIS. Now, we have seen a few dancers complaining that they need to be paid. This is false news. All members of the Tamil Nadu Film, Television Dancers and Choreographers Association (TANTTNNIS) have their dues paid in full to their association. Similarly, we inform that non-members have been given Rs.10,500/- each (for a total of 6 days) in their respective bank accounts." Leo Faces 'Thalapathy Controversy': Leo film crew had requested permission from the Tamil Nadu government for special shows of the film and it has been granted from October 19 to 24. Partiality For Superstar Rajinikanth's Jailer? Produced by Lalit Kumar and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Leo movie is releasing on 19th October. Vijay's previous film Varisu and Ajith's movie Thunivu were released on Pongal this year. At that time, fans had gathered in large numbers to watch the 4 AM special show at Rohini Theater in Chennai, where a fan fell down from a lorry and died. Ms. Amutha IAS, the Home Secretary of TN, is a Vijay fan? In the offl GO permitting special shows for the movie #Leo, is said, movie starring #ThalapathyVijay, Trisha, Arjun. Our CM also has "#Thalapathy" name. There is any GO that mentioned the word Thalapathy M.k.stalin? pic.twitter.com/rlwgBQsYdR Thamodharan Bharath (@thamodharran) October 11, 2023 The incident created strong debates in Tamil Nadu. Due to this, it was announced that 4 am FDFS and 7 am special show are no longer allowed in Tamil Nadu. In such a situation, Superstar Rajinikanth's movie Jailer was released on 10th August. No special shows were screened for the film at 4 AM even on the first day and the first show was screened at 9 AM. Home Secretary Amutha IAS seems to be a Vijay Fan. In the GO permitting special shows for the movie Leo, it is said, movie starring Thalapathy Vijay. TN Speaker Appavu is trying to be more loyal than the King himself. How a few officers who dont like Sandheep Rai Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) October 11, 2023 Thalapathy MK Stalin Vs Thalapathy Vijay To avoid such problems, the Leo movie team had planned to release the film a day earlier on the evening of October 18th. At the same time, the producers had approached the Tamil Nadu government seeking permission to screen Leo's special show for 6 days from October 19th to 24th. Accepting it, the Tamil Nadu government has allowed Leo to screen 5 shows daily without specifying the time. According to reports, the movie Leo will be released only on the first day at 4 am and after that only 5 shows can be screened daily. In the government order it has been mentioned as 'Leo starring Thalapathy Vijay' which has created another controversy as MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is popularly known as 'Thalapathy' by his followers all over the state. Savukku Shankar mentioned in his tweet, "Home Secretary Amutha IAS seems to be a Vijay Fan." "I think she would have put the entire notes given by the producer in the first paragraph and replied in second para. Anyway, she could have been carefull in producing print out as it would create controversies." says a netizen who replied to Savukku Shankar's tweet. SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- REPUBLIK , a global technology company building new ways for people to interact, proudly announces the successful conclusion of its $6 Million Seed funding round. The round saw participation from leading investors, including OKX Ventures, 6th Man Ventures, Arcane Ventures, CMS Holdings, Comma3 Ventures, Define Ventures, Enjin, FBG Capital, HTX Ventures, Mirana Ventures, Oracles Investment Group, Signum Capital, Sora Ventures, and UOB Venture Management. The capital raised is instrumental in building REPUBLIK's platform and developing cutting-edge, web3 creator tools on the blockchain. Currently in beta across web app, iOS, and Android platforms, REPUBLIK has garnered substantial traction, empowering creators with new ways to interact and get rewarded for their contributions to the platform. "For too long people have given their time, attention and creativity to existing platforms for almost nothing in return. REPUBLIK is going to change that by ensuring that the value of the community is fairly distributed. We're excited to have investors who share in our vision and partners that are helping us build a true community-owned platform," expressed Daniel He, REPUBLIK's CEO. Unlike traditional social platforms, where monetization options are fragmented and often come with high fees, REPUBLIK uses Web3 technologies to streamline the entire process, drastically reducing costs borne by Creators. This results in Creators keeping a significantly larger share of their earnings, but also enables a token-based reward system that allows everyone to earn for interacting with content, referring friends and supporting Creators. While legacy platforms capitalize on user attention without direct compensation, REPUBLIK believes that online communities have great value, and that this value should be fairly distributed to the people who helped create it. As such, XP in the app represents how much value a user brings, while RPK will be a freely traded token representing the value of the community. The more XP a user has, the more RPK will be distributed to them. The REPUBLIK App is available on Google Play Store, Apple App Store and on browsers as a web app at https://app.republik.gg/ About REPUBLIK Singapore headquartered, with additional offices in Berlin and Los Angeles, Republik is on a mission to connect creators to their communities while rewarding everyone based on their interactions. With a rapidly growing community, REPUBLIK redefines the realm of online interaction. Media Contact: media@republik.io https://republik.gg X (Twitter) Instagram Telegram Discord Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243391/Republik_seed_round.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/republik-successfully-closes-6-million-seed-funding-round-valued-at-75-million-301952579.html EQT to acquire VetPartners, the leading provider of veterinary and animal health services across a network of 267 general practice clinics and specialty hospitals in Australia and New Zealand With a community of more than 1,300 highly skilled vets and over 3,000 nurses and clinical support staff, VetPartners provides high-quality healthcare services for animals Drawing on its global animal health experience, EQT will support VetPartners' healthcare practitioners in focusing on animal care, while investing significantly in diagnostic equipment, technology, innovation, recruitment and continued professional development - for the benefit of pets and their pet parents SYDNEY, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that BPEA Private Equity Fund VIII ("EQT") has agreed to acquire VetPartners (the "Company"), from National Veterinary Associates, Inc. ("NVA"). Founded in 2016, VetPartners is the largest provider of veterinary services in Australia and New Zealand, with a growing presence in Singapore. Via a network of community-based general practice clinics and specialty hospitals, VetPartners' clinical team provide compassionate pet care across more than 3.2 million visits per annum. The care provided ranges from basic preventative healthcare advice and services, through to higher acuity complex surgery. Drawing on its global experience in the animal health sector, via this standalone investment EQT will support VetPartners' medical professionals to continue to deliver the highest-quality clinical outcomes to the animals entrusted to their care. EQT is committed to invest significantly to ensure VetPartners' clinical teams have access to the latest medical equipment, digital tools and innovation capabilities. EQT also intends to provide significant investment to further VetPartners' mission to ensure a sustainable and positive work environment for its frontline teams, via a concerted focus on recruitment initiatives, enhanced training, continued professional development and mental health programs. Mark Jeffery, CEO of VetPartners, says, "We are delighted to welcome EQT as a partner given their strong global track record in animal health and healthcare more broadly. Together, we will continue to be an advocate for the advancement of the veterinary profession, fostering a collegiate community of professionals delivering the highest-quality healthcare services to pet parents in the region with a common mission to improve the comfort and well-being of animals." Dr Brett Hodgkin, Chief Veterinary Officer of VetPartners, says, "I'm excited by the possibilities that today's announcement will bring to the health, well-being, and welfare of the animals we serve. We believe that together with our new investment partner EQT, we can drive positive change in animal health outcomes, while also striving to build community clinics and hospitals that are an employer of choice for our vets, nurses and all 4,300 animal advocates within our team." David Forde, Investment Advisor and Co-Head of EQT Private Equity ANZ, concluded, "We have been highly impressed by the VetPartners organisation, and the leading position it has built in the region through its partnership with over 1,300 passionate vets and over 3,000 nurses and clinical support staff serving their local communities. As one of the leading global animal health investors, EQT is uniquely positioned to support VetPartners' continued growth and sustained delivery of high-quality healthcare for the pets that families cherish." The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals. It is expected to close around the end of the calendar year. With this transaction, BPEA VIII is expected to be 35-40 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication) based on target fund size and subject to customary regulatory approvals. Contacts Australian media inquiries: roger@domestiqueconsulting.com.au, +61 401 278 906 EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3851454/2351606.pdf Press Release VetPartners BPEA VIII 231011 https://news.cision.com/eqt/i/vetpartners,c3224246 VetPartners View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eqt-to-acquire-vetpartners-the-leading-provider-of-veterinary-and-animal-health-services-in-australia-and-new-zealand-301953072.html Figure 1: Conventional flow to create AI innovation components for production scheduling coordination optimizationAbout the newly developed technology Figure 2: Features of the newly developed technology TOKYO, Oct 11, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu today announced a new technology for automated generation of AI solutions, offering users the possibility to customize AI innovation components(1) offered via the "Fujitsu Kozuchi (code name) - Fujitsu AI Platform." Fujitsu will start offering the new technology via Fujitsu Kozuchi to users in Japan by December 2023 and plans to roll out services to the global market in the future.Fujitsu's Kozuchi AI platform, launched in April 2023, already offers users access to a wide range of powerful ready-made AI and ML technologies - leveraging the new technology, users themselves will now be able to further modify and customize AI solutions on the platform using natural language input, without the need for expert knowledge or the support of AI engineers. Applied to optimization problems in production scheduling, the new technology can help to reduce man-hours required for AI model creation by up to 95%.Based on the newly developed technology, Fujitsu aims to build a system to automatically generate AI technologies for optimization, prediction, and detection of product anomalies, providing customers the optimal combination of innovation components.The new technology represents part of Fujitsu's framework for Composite AI for solving customers' increasingly complex problems by combining different AI innovation components including for functions like demand forecasting and production scheduling. In addition to Fujitsu Kozuchi (code name) - Fujitsu AI Platform, Fujitsu will also offer a framework for external platforms in cooperation with Palantir Technologies Inc. (Palantir). Through these initiatives, Fujitsu aims to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society with AI that can adapt and respond to changes in business and society.BackgroundFujitsu Kozuchi (code name) - Fujitsu AI Platform provides leading-edge AI innovation components and AI core engines, easing the path to applying AI in business operations by enabling faster verification of different potential AI solutions by customers. Working with customers of the new platform, Fujitsu recognized their need to further adjust AI innovation components provided via the platform to their specific business demands. The time-consuming manual adjustment of AI components and modification of prototype technologies by AI engineers has at times contributed to longer lead times in the delivery of completed AI solutions to customers.To deploy optimal AI solutions more rapidly, Fujitsu developed a new technology that enables customers to modify AI innovation components provided via Fujitsu's Kozuchi platform by themselves using natural language.The newly developed technology interprets programs and mathematical expressions converted by Large Language Models (LLMs) and generates the set of solutions that meet customers' requirements in a graphical format. In this way, the new technology enables the creation of expert-level mathematical expressions. By training AI models with this graph data, the new technology enables the automatic creation of different AI models tailored to customers' needs, in areas including prediction, optimization, and anomaly detection.Adding previous learning data to the graph data makes it possible to efficiently re-train AI models even under new conditions (Figure 2). By combining this technology with a LLM, users can rapidly repeat prototyping, modifying, and adjusting of AI solutions through commands in natural language, without requiring advanced AI engineering skills.About cooperation with PalantirFujitsu will leverage Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), which allows the use of securely hosted large-language models to help customers solve complex problems for their business. Together, AIP and Fujitsu's AI Platform and Fujitsu's framework for Composite AI enables users to find the best models for their data and business problems, automatically build and train those models, and allow users to immediately deploy those models for their business operations and planning.[1] Palantir Technologies Inc. :Headquarters: Colorado, USA; Co-Founder and CEO: Dr. Alexander KarpAbout FujitsuFujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$28 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.Press Contacts:Fujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiries (https://bit.ly/3rrQ4mB)Source: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Elliptic Labs (OSE: ELABS), a global AI software company and the world leader in AI Virtual Smart Sensors currently deployed in over 500 million devices today, has promoted Ola Sandstad as Sr. VP of Product Development. Mr. Sandstad will be responsible for product delivery to Elliptic Labs' new and current customers. Prior to his current term with Elliptic Labs, Mr. Sandstad's career has included commercial and technical management roles responsible for successfully scaled product deliveries across multiple verticals. Immediately before Elliptic Labs, Ola was the Director of Product Line Management at NAGRA. His responsibilities included management of key products in the company's portfolio, guiding strategy, roadmap, and execution. Before NAGRA, Mr. Sandstad held roles at Conax and TANTEC Digital. Ola holds a Master in Science, Electronics, and Signal Processing from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTST). "Over the last few years Elliptic Labs has become a significant player in the PC/laptop industry while simultaneously growing our smartphone business, offering more products to more customers than ever before," said Laila Danielsen, CEO of Elliptic Labs. "With this growth in our business, Ola Sandstad's promotion reflects our ability to develop versatile talent capable of successfully scaling product delivery in an ever-changing industry. I am optimistic about our future, especially with Ola's strong leadership as we remain dedicated to expanding our business, thus generating value for our shareholders, partners, and customers. "With the expertise and opportunities we have at Elliptic Labs, I'm excited to be in a position to execute on our targets as the new Sr. VP of Product Development," said Ola Sandstad. "Having been a part of the ongoing and successful journey with our customers and partners, I'm excited to take on the challenge of continuing the scaling of our AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform to deliver on the expectations from our growing customer portfolio." AI Virtual Smart Sensor, AI Virtual Human Presence Sensor, and AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform are trademarks of Elliptic Labs. All other trademarks or service markets are the responsibility of their respective organizations. About Elliptic Labs Elliptic Labs is a global enterprise targeting the smartphone, laptop, IoT, and automotive markets. Founded in 2006 as a research spin-off from Norway's Oslo University, the company's patented software uses AI, ultrasound and sensor fusion to deliver intuitive 3D gesture, proximity-, presence-, breathing- and heartbeat-detection experiences. Its scalable AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform creates software-only sensors that are sustainable, human-friendly and already deployed in hundreds of millions of devices around the world. Elliptic Labs is the only software company that has delivered detection capabilities using AI software, ultrasound, and sensor fusion deployed at scale. The company joined the Oslo Brs main listing in March 2022. Elliptic Labs is headquartered in Norway with presence in the USA, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Its technology and IP are developed in Norway and are solely owned by the company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010211032/en/ Contacts: PR Contacts: Patrick Tsui pr@ellipticlabs.com Investor Relations: Lars Holmy Lars.Holmoy@ellipticlabs.com Extraordinary General Meeting called to approve the capital increase planned for January 2024 Drawdown of the first tranche of the bond issue representing 50% of the maximum total financing Subsequent drawdown of a second tranche of the issue at the Company's discretion no later than December 31, 2023 Regulatory News: IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans), a medical technology company specializing in implants for orthopedic surgery and the distribution of technological medical equipment, informs its shareholders that an Extraordinary General Meeting will be held at 2 pm CEST on November 16, 2023, at the Company's head offices (Allee F. Magendie, Technopole Bordeaux Montesquieu, 33650 Martillac, France) and announces the signing of short-term financing of a maximum net amount of 1.0 million in the form of a non-dilutive bridge bond issue, prior to the launch of a new fund-raising operation. Convening of an Extraordinary General Meeting on November 16, 2023, within the framework of the planned capital increase announced on September 28, 2023 IMPLANET announces that its shareholders are invited to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting on November 16, 2023, to vote on a resolution authorizing the implementation of a capital increase with preferential subscription rights under the conditions described below. As indicated in its press release of September 28, 2023, the Company is planning to launch a capital increase with preferential subscription rights in January 2024 in order to raise between 5.5 million and 6.4 million (excluding the possible exercise of an extension option of no more than 15%). Based on current assumptions regarding activity and anticipated commercial developments with Sanyou Medical, the Company estimates that this capital increase for a minimum of 5 million would give it financial visibility of over 12 months. As a reminder, Shanghai Sanyou Medical Co., Ltd, which has a 41.03% stake in IMPLANET via its subsidiary Sanyou (HK) International Medical Holding Co., Ltd (together "Sanyou Medical"), has pledged to subscribe to the capital increase, if carried out, in cash on an irreducible and reducible basis of up to 5 million subject to (i) the approval of Sanyou Medical's Board of Directors, (ii) obtaining a waiver from the French stock market authority (AMF) regarding the obligation to file a public tender offer (in accordance with provisions of articles 234-8 and 234-9, 2 of the AMF General Regulations) in the event of a post-transaction crossing of the 50% capital or voting rights threshold and (iii) the approval of the relevant Chinese government authorities. Indeed, depending on the level of IMPLANET shareholder participation, Sanyou Medical could be required to exceed the threshold of 50% of IMPLANET's capital and voting rights, i.e. the threshold triggering a mandatory tender offer1 Sanyou Medical intends to file a request for exemption from a public offer on the basis of article 234-9 2 of the AMF's General Regulations regarding the implementation of a capital increase, subject to the approval of the Shareholders' Extraordinary General Meeting, aimed at providing a response to the existence of the Company's proven financial difficulties. As a reminder, Sanyou Medical has also requested to be granted a majority of directors on the Company's Board of Directors upon completion of its subscription. The convening notice is published in the BALO French official legal announcement publication today. This notice notably includes details on how to participate and vote in the Extraordinary General Meeting. Documents and information relating to this Extraordinary General Meeting will be made available to shareholders and will be accessible on the Company's website, in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory provisions. Implementation of short-term financing of a maximum net amount of 1.0 million in the form of a bond issue As the capital increase will take several months to complete (time required to convene a General Meeting, obtain a waiver from the AMF regarding the requirement to file a public tender offer and obtain the approval of the relevant Chinese government authorities) and given that the Company had a cash position of 0.3 million as of August 31, 2023, the Company has been exploring several short-term financing solutions to enable it to meet its cash requirements until the implementation of this capital increase, favoring non-dilutive financing in the form of non-convertible bonds. The Company's Board of Directors, at its meeting of October 9, 2023, authorized short-term financing of up to 1.3 million nominal in non-convertible bonds subscribed in cash for 1.0 million via the issuance of 260 bonds with a nominal value of 5,000 subscribed at 77% of the bond's nominal value, via two tranches each representing a nominal amount of 0.65 million through the issuance of 130 bonds per tranche. The drawdown of the first tranche, via the issuance of 130 bonds for a net amount of 0.50 million, was undertaken today. The drawdown of the second tranche, for a net amount of 0.50 million, is at the Company's discretion and could be carried out between November 27, 2023, and December 31, 20232 These non-dilutive non-convertible bonds whose maturity date is April 30, 2024, are non-interest bearing and are to be repaid no later than five working days of the earlier of (i) April 30, 2024, and (ii) the completion of the planned capital increase. In the event of (i) the Company not repaying the bonds due or (ii) the Company does not launch the planned capital increase before February 12, 2024, the Company has undertaken to allocate free share subscription warrants to the holders of the non-convertible bonds, enabling them to redeem the bonds in shares. The Company will issue a press release if necessary. On the basis of current cash forecasts and in the absence of any new sources of financing being obtained, the drawdown of the first tranche enables the Company to be financed through to December 31, 2023. Upcoming financial press 2023 Third-Quarter Revenue, October 17, 2023, after market close About IMPLANET Founded in 2007, IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery and distributing medical technology equipment. Its activity revolves around a comprehensive innovative solution for improving the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ) complemented by the product range offered by Orthopaedic Spine Development (OSD), acquired in May 2021 (thoraco-lumbar screws, cages and cervical plates). Implanet's tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark in Europe and ANVISA approval in Brazil. In 2022, IMPLANET entered into a commercial, technological and financial partnership with SANYOU MEDICAL, China's second largest medical device manufacturer. IMPLANET employs 43 staff and recorded a consolidated revenue of 8.0 million in 2022. Based near Bordeaux in France, IMPLANET opened a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. For further information, please visit www.Implanet.com. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements about Implanet and its business. Implanet believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, no assurance can be given that the forecasts expressed in these forward-looking statements will materialize, as they are subject to risks, including those described in Implanet's reference document filed with the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) on April 16, 2018 under number D.18-0337 and in the annual financial report for December 31, 2022, which are available on the Company's website (www.implanet-invest.com), and to changes in economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Implanet operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks that are unknown to Implanet or that Implanet does not currently consider material. The occurrence of some or all of these risks could cause Implanet's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. This press release is for information purposes only and does not and shall not under any circumstances constitute an offer to sell or subscribe, or the solicitation of an order to buy or subscribe, Implanet securities in any country. _______________________________ 1 Based on the following assumptions: (i) proposed global operation of 6.4 million and (ii) a subscription price of 0.13 being the maximum price of the capital increase - Should Sanyou Medical subscribe 5 million or 78% of a proposed global operation of 6.4 million, Sanyou Medical's stake could increase to 61.25% - Should Sanyou Medical subscribe 5 million or 90% of a proposed global operation of 5.5 million, Sanyou Medical's stake could increase to 66.05% of IMPLANET's capital. 2 The drawdown of this second tranche remains subject to the usual conditions precedent (absence of incidences of default, absence of any significant unfavorable developments), to Sanyou Medical obtaining a waiver from the AMF regarding the obligation to file a public tender offer should its stake exceed the 50% capital or voting rights threshold following the capital increase and to Sanyou Medical's Board of Directors approving their participation in the capital increase. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010279990/en/ Contacts: IMPLANET Ludovic Lastennet, CEO David Dieumegard, CFO Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 99 55 55 investors@Implanet.com NewCap Investor Relations Mathilde Bohin Nicolas Fossiez Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 Implanet@newcap.eu NewCap Media Relations Arthur Rouille Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 Implanet@newcap.eu Liege, Belgium, 11 October 2023 - 7:00 CEST - Mithra (Euronext Brussels: MITRA) (the "Company"), a company dedicated to Women's Health, today announces that it has received a request, in accordance with article 7:130 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, from a group of shareholders holding together more than 3% of the Company's outstanding shares to add additional items and resolutions to the agenda of its special general shareholders' meeting ("SGM") that will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 2:00 PM (CEST). The SGM will be followed by a separate extraordinary general shareholders' meeting (the "EGM"). The request was submitted by a group of eight shareholders, consisting of Francois Fornieri (2,871,406 shares), Stijn Van Rompay (1 share), Scorpiaux BV (1,341,407 shares), Bart Versluys (3,650 shares), Versluys Bouwgroup NV (32,000 shares), John Foidart (5 shares), and Bernard Jolly and Francoise de Vaucleroy (1,000 shares). The aforementioned shareholders request the Company to include to the agenda of the SGM: (a) the proposal to dismiss with immediate effect the four independent non-executive directors of the Company, being Dr. Christian Homsy (acting through Life Science Strategy Consulting SRL), Chair of the Board; Ms. Inge Beernaert (currently acting through Inge Beernaert BV), Chair of the Compensation and Nomination Committee; Mr. Jacques Galloy (acting through Gaudeto SRL), Chair of the Audit Committee; and Mr. Sidney Bens (acting through Ribono SRL), and (b) the proposal to appoint Jacques Platieau (acting through Castors Development SA), a former independent director of the Company, as independent director of the Company for a term until the annual general shareholders' meeting to be held in 2025. The Company has a process in place in order to assess the qualifications and independence of potential new board members, and this will be applied to the proposed candidate. The board will seek to provide to the SGM a recommendation from its Nomination and Remuneration Committee regarding the proposed candidate director. The board will inform the Company's investors of the recommendation of its Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as well as its position regarding the proposed agenda items prior to the SGM. The amended agenda of the SGM will be made available on the website investors.mithra.comon or about 13 October 2023. At that time, also amended forms to vote and participate to the SGM will be made available on the Company's website. The agenda of the EGM will not be amended. For more information, please contact: Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA Alex Sokolowski, PhD Head of Investor Relations investorrelations@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 Frederique Depraetere Communications Director info@mithra.com (mailto:info@mithra.com) +32 (0)4 349 28 22 About Mithra Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA (Euronext: MITRA) is a Belgian biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming Women's Health by offering new choices through innovation, with a particular focus on contraception and menopause. Mithra's goal is to develop products offering better efficacy, safety and convenience, meeting women's needs throughout their life span. Mithra explores the potential of the unique native estrogen estetrol in a wide range of applications in women health and beyond. After having successfully launched the first estetrol-based product in 2021, the contraceptive pill ESTELLE, Mithra is now focusing on its second product DONESTA, the next-generation hormone therapy. Mithra also offers partners a complete spectrum of solutions from early drug development, clinical batches and commercial manufacturing of complex polymeric products (vaginal ring, implants) and complex liquid injectables and biologicals (vials, pre-filled syringes or cartridges) at its technological platform Mithra CDMO. Active in more than 100 countries around the world, is headquartered in Liege, Belgium.www.mithra.com ESTELLE and DONESTA are registered trademarks of Mithra Pharmaceuticals or one of its affiliates. Important information The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Subscribe to our mailing list on investors.mithra.com (https://investors.mithra.com/en/contact/subscribe) to receive our press releases by email or follow us on our social media: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/1456363/) X (https://twitter.com/mithrapharma) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mithrapharmaceuticals/) Attachments Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Automated trading software provider Creed&Bear is set to attend the 6th edition of one of the MENA region's most immersive and largest blockchain conferences, the Future Blockchain Summit, between the 15th and 18th of October 2023 at the Dubai Harbour as the event's official Strategic Sponsor. CREED&BEAR X Future Blockchain Summit 2023 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8840/183488_d177130d14e9eb04_001full.jpg Artificial Intelligence in Finance The upstart fintech firm is poised to build awareness about the potential of AI within the trading world by sharing actionable insights on panel discussions and workshops, showcasing the results of AI integration for asset managers, financial institutions, and banks. Joining the nearly 230 expert speakers will be Creed&Bear's CEO Anil Sethi, whose experience in investment banking is unmatched, CTO Flavio Villa who has vast experience in coding and entrepreneurship, and CIO Andrea Nardon who has a strong background in quantitative trading. At this year's summit, Creed&Bear's core team members will take the stage to share their insights in keynotes and panel discussions around topics like emerging asset classes and the prospect of holding crypto in portfolios. They will also be participating in rigorous workshops around the application of AI and ML in crypto trading, covering areas such as challenges, types, and live examples. About the Summit The Future Blockchain Summit, a beacon of progress in the world of blockchain, will serve as a convergence point for 10,000+ blockchain experts including startup founders, investors, industry leaders, more than 50 regulatory authorities, and government representatives from 25+ countries. Taking place over four days, the event will feature a remarkable lineup of speakers who are experts in risk mitigation, change management, algorithmic trading, investment banking, asset management, crypto trading, GameFi, and Web 3.0 applications, and is set to showcase the extraordinary potential of blockchain technology to reshape industries. A notable inclusion in this year's schedule is the Investor's Program where startups can raise capital, while angel investors get to meet businesses of different sizes and risks. On what to expect at the event, Creed&Bear CIO, Nardon, says, "We're excited to show you examples of how to apply machine learning to the cryptocurrency market. I'm personally looking forward to exchanging ideas, and thoughts about the crypto markets." Creed & Bear is a software solutions provider that specializes in providing bleeding-edge AI software solutions for trading digital assets. About Creed and Bear Founded in 2012 in Switzerland, Creed&Bear is a Dubai-based fintech company aimed at revolutionizing the traditional financial industry by providing algorithmic trading solutions powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning to financial institutions, banks, and family offices. Social media: Twitter and LinkedIn. Website: https://creedandbear.com/ Press contact: Emily Roberts Email: pr@creedandbear.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183488 BIOCERA-VET RTU introduced as a breakthrough innovation to treat horse bone cysts at the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses annual meeting (Orlando, USA) TheraVet' sponsor of the gala diner Continuation of the efforts in establishing equine collaborations Regulatory News: TheraVet (ISIN: BE0974387194 ticker: ALVET), a pioneering company in the management of osteoarticular diseases in pets, announces its participation at the annual meeting of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) taking place in Orlando known as "horse capital of the world" from October 13 to 15 2023, and the sponsorship of its gala dinner. The annual meeting of the WBFSH, the international umbrella organization of studbooks, is a leading event gathering more than 100 members representing 17 countries in Orlando. The annual meeting will cover topics ranging from welfare perspectives to skeletal conditions. Dr Hilde Vrancken, Veterinary Advisor Equine of Theravet, will introduce and highlight the importance of bone cysts, as well as the availability of a breakthrough innovation to treat them with BIOCERA-VET RTU. Indeed, the subchondral bone cysts affect 25% of yearlings (horses in their second year), representing up to 200,000 horses in Europe and US and a common cause of lameness and reduced performance of young equine athletes. BIOCERA-VET has an exclusive positioning in its treatment today on the market thanks to the properties required for minimally invasive cementoplasty (high injectability, long workability, high radiopacity high cohesiveness fast self-setting). The Company continues the effort in the establishment of strong collaboration with renowned clinics and specialized equine veterinarians with Dierenkliniek Emmeloord, The Netherlands (The Netherlands, www.dierenkliniekemmeloord.nl) and now with Equitom clinic (Belgium, www.equitom.be/en/), a clinic part of the Equine Care Group (www.equinecaregroup.com/en/) with the objective to gather more patient experience with BIOCERA-VET RTU and also to design the optimal product for bone cyst management but also for equine dental and orthopedic surgery in general. About TheraVet SA TheraVet is a veterinary biotechnology company specializing in osteoarticular treatments for companion animals. The Company develops targeted, safe and effective treatments to improve the quality of life of pets suffering from joint and bone diseases. For pet owners, the health of their pets is a major concern and TheraVet's mission is to address the need for innovative and curative treatments. TheraVet works closely with international opinion leaders in order to provide a more effective response to ever-growing needs in the field of veterinary medicine. TheraVet is listed on Euronext Growth Paris and Brussels, has its head office in Belgium (Gosselies) with a US subsidiary. For more information, visit the TheraVet website or follow us on LinkedInFacebookTwitter About BIOCERA-VET In close collaboration with an international scientific board, THERAVET has developed a new line of calcium-phosphate and biological bone substitutes, BIOCERA-VET. BIOCERA-VET is a full range of innovative, easy-to-use, efficient cost-effective bone substitutes indicated in bone surgeries where a bone graft is required and as a palliative alternative in the management of canine osteosarcoma. Based on extremely promising clinical results, this line offers the possibility of a better, more convenient and more efficient orthopedic surgery. BIOCERA-VET is declined in different lines: BIOCERA-VET BONE SURGERY RTU, a ready-to-use highly injectable self-hardening calcium-phosphate cement BONE SURGERY RTU, a ready-to-use highly injectable self-hardening calcium-phosphate cement BIOCERA-VET SMARTGRAFT, a naturally osteoconductive bone graft SMARTGRAFT, a naturally osteoconductive bone graft BIOCERA-VET GRANULES, an affordable biocompatible calcium-phosphate bone substitute GRANULES, an affordable biocompatible calcium-phosphate bone substitute BIOCERA-VET OSTEOSARCOMA RTU, a ready-to-use highly injectable calcium-phosphate bone substitute for cementoplasty OSTEOSARCOMA RTU, a ready-to-use highly injectable calcium-phosphate bone substitute for cementoplasty BIOCERA-VETCOMBO-CLEAN, a local and long-lasting antibiotic delivery calcium-phosphate bone substitute For more information, visit BIOCERA-VET website. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010765762/en/ Contacts: TheraVet Chief Operating Officer Sabrina Ena investors@thera.vet Tel: +32 (0) 71 96 00 43 NewCap Investor Relations and Financial Communications Theo Martin Nicolas Fossiez theravet@newcap.eu Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 Press Relations Arthur Rouille theravet@newcap.eu Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15 NewCap Belgique Press Relations Laure-Eve Monfort lemonfort@thera.vet Tel: 32 (0) 489 57 76 52 FRANKFURT, Germany, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Krane Funds Advisors, LLC ("KraneShares"), a global asset management firm known for its China-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and innovative China investment strategies, today announced the cross-listing of six euro-denominated KraneShares ETFs on the Deutsche Borse Xetra, including: KraneShares CSI China Internet UCITS ETF (Ticker: KWBE) (https://kraneshares.eu/kwebln/) KWEB tracks the CSI Overseas China Internet Index. The Index consists of publicly traded China-based companies whose primary business or businesses are in the Internet and Internet-related sectors. KraneShares MSCI China A 50 Connect UCITS ETF (Ticker: KBA) (https://kraneshares.eu/ka50ln/) KA50 tracks the MSCI China A 50 Connect Index. The Index comprises 50 large-cap Shanghai and Shenzhen listed stocks (A-shares) available through Stock Connect. (https://kraneshares.eu/ka50ln/) KA50 tracks the MSCI China A 50 Connect Index. The Index comprises 50 large-cap Shanghai and Shenzhen listed stocks (A-shares) available through Stock Connect. KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index UCITS ETF (Ticker: KRUE) (https://kraneshares.eu/kureln/) KURE tracks the MSCI China All Shares Health Care 10/40 Index. The Index is designed to track the equity market performance of Chinese companies engaged in the healthcare sector. (https://kraneshares.eu/kureln/) KURE tracks the MSCI China All Shares Health Care 10/40 Index. The Index is designed to track the equity market performance of Chinese companies engaged in the healthcare sector. KraneShares ICBCCS SSE STAR Market 50 Index UCITS ETF (Ticker: KSRE) (https://kraneshares.eu/kstrln/) KSTR tracks the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index. The Index consists of the 50 largest companies listed on the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) as determined by market capitalization and liquidity. KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders UCITS ETF (Ticker: KESG) (https://kraneshares.eu/kesgln/) KESG tracks the MSCI China ESG Leaders 10/40 Index. The Index aims to provide exposure to Chinese companies with high Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings relative to their sector peers. KESG has an Article 8 EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) Classification, meaning the fund promotes environmental or social characteristics and holds companies that follow good governance practices. (https://kraneshares.eu/kesgln/) KESG tracks the MSCI China ESG Leaders 10/40 Index. The Index aims to provide exposure to Chinese companies with high Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings relative to their sector peers. KESG has an Article 8 EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) Classification, meaning the fund promotes environmental or social characteristics and holds companies that follow good governance practices. KraneShares Electric Vehicles & Future Mobility ESG Screened UCITS ETF (Ticker: KARS) (https://kraneshares.eu/karsln/)KARS tracks the performance of the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles ESG Screened Index. The Index consists of companies engaged in the production of electric vehicles and/or their components or engaged in other initiatives that may change the future of mobility. KARS has an Article 8 SFDR classification. "By listing these six UCITS ETFs on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, we're pleased to offer German investors the opportunity to access companies that we consider to be China's industry frontrunners and instrumental in propelling China's growth trajectory for the decades ahead," said Dr. Xiaolin Chen, Head of International at KraneShares. "Germany represents a key strategic growth market for KraneShares," said Jonathan Krane, CEO of KraneShares. "We believe investors in the region have a strong affinity for investing in China, and our UCITS ETF range, which includes themes like China internet, electric vehicles, clean technology, China A-Shares, fixed income, and more, represent a differentiated approach for gaining exposure to the world's second-largest economy." For more information about KraneShares' UCITS ETFs, visit kraneshares.eu or email europe@kraneshares.com. About KraneShares Krane Funds Advisors, LLC is the investment manager for KraneShares ETFs. The firm focuses on providing investors with strategies to capture China's importance as an essential element of a well-designed investment portfolio. KraneShares ETFs represent innovative, first-to-market strategies developed based on the firm and its partners' deep investing knowledge. These strategies allow investors to stay current on global market trends and provide meaningful diversification. Krane Funds Advisors, LLC, is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investing (UN PRI). In 2018, KraneShares established operations in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe to better deliver its renowned China-focused ETFs to investors in the region. In addition to launching UK/Europe-specific versions of its most popular US-listed funds, KraneShares also develops strategies tailored to meet the specific needs of its UK/European clients. Contacts: Joseph Dube - KraneShares, Head of Marketing Joseph.Dube@kraneshares.com Disclaimers: This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS, the KIID, and the PRIIP before making any final investment decision. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its stated objectives. The Funds are subject to political, social or economic instability within China which may cause decline in value. Fluctuations in currency of foreign countries may have an adverse effect to domestic currency values. Emerging markets involve heightened risk related to the same factors as well as increase volatility and lower trading volume. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. Internet companies are subject to rapid changes in technology, worldwide competition, rapid obsolescence of products and services, loss of patent protections, evolving industry standards and frequent new product productions. Such changes may have an adverse impact on performance. This material is for information only and does not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any investment, or subscribe to any investment management or advisory service. It is not, under any circumstances, intended for distribution to the general public. You are accessing information which constitutes a financial promotion under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA"). In relation to the United Kingdom, this information is only directed at, and may only be distributed to, persons who are "Investment Professionals" (being persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments) within the meaning of article 19(5) of the FSMA (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Financial Promotion Order"), persons to whom any of paragraphs (2)(a) to (d) of article 49 (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.) of the financial promotion order apply, or persons to whom distribution may otherwise lawfully be made. Any investment, and investment activity or controlled activity, to which this information relates is available only to such persons and will be engaged in only with such persons. Persons that do not have professional experience should not rely or act upon this information unless they are persons to whom any of paragraphs (2)(a) to (d) of article 49 apply to whom distribution of this information may otherwise lawfully be made. The views and opinions expressed in this material are those of the authors Krane Fund Advisors. These opinions have been given in good faith but are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the investor to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any opinions, advice, services, or other information provided. This material may not be suitable for all investors. Any performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Past performance is not indicative or a guarantee of future performance. Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information, including historical and the most recent month-end performance, can be found in the Fund Literatureor at the website of our management company www.waystone.com. KIID and PRIIP documents are available in the language of any Member State where such fund is distributed. Krane Funds Advisors, LLC is appointed to act as investment manager in accordance with the requirements of the Central Bank. Waystone Management Company (IE) Limited is appointed to provide management services to the ICAV in accordance with the requirements of the Central Bank. The Management Company may decide to terminate the arrangements made for the marketing of the Fund in accordance with Article 93a of Directive 2009/65/EC. r-eu-ks BOSTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IDTechEx's new report "Autonomous Cars, Robotaxis and Sensors 2024-2044" shows that autonomous cars are slowly, but very surely, becoming a part of everyday life. Although they have been hyped and overpromised for a long time, in the last couple of years, the industry has accomplished some significant milestones. The US and China both now have a handful of cities allowing commercial robotaxi services from industry leaders such as Cruise, Waymo, Baidu, AutoX, and more. Europe, on the other hand, has been plowing ahead with private autonomous vehicles. First, the Mercedes S-Class was given SAE level 3 certification in Germany, meaning that for the first time, drivers could let the car drive for them in very limited conditions. BMW has now entered the mix as well, saying that it will be certifying the 7-series and i7 for level 3 use by the end of the year. Whether it be a futuristic robotaxi shuffling you driverlessly around a big city or a luxury limousine whisking you autonomously down the autobahn, there is one thing that all autonomous vehicles have in common - sensors, and usually lots of them. Environmental sensors are not new to the automotive market. Cameras, radars, and ultrasonics have been used across the industry for decades now. So far, they have enabled advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist and have been used for safety features like parking sensors, reverse cameras, and automatic emergency braking. But these features can be enabled with very few sensors; typically, a single forward-facing radar and a couple of cameras can provide enough sensor coverage for a sophisticated SAE level 2 autonomous system. But at level 2, the driver is still responsible for the vehicle, whereas at level 3, the driver can start to disengage from the task. Moving to SAE level 3 means entrusting the vehicle with far more responsibility than ever before. To do this, OEMs need the vehicle to have the ability to thoroughly monitor its surrounds. As such, IDTechEx has seen through research for its "Autonomous Cars, Robotaxis & Sensors 2024-2044" report that level 3 requires significantly more environmental sensors than ever before. Mercedes, for example, uses eight cameras, five radar, and one LiDAR on its ground baking level 3 drive pilot system. That's a total of 14 sensors required for autonomous driving, a big step up from the handful of sensors typically seen on level 2 vehicles. With level 2 vehicles only requiring a single forward-facing radar, level 3 clearly creates a big opportunity for the automotive radar market. However, there are some ADAS functionalities coming to level 2 vehicles and below, which will also demand more radar. Blind spot detection systems have been around for a long time but are still not widely deployed. IDTechEx's report "Automotive Radar 2024-2044: Forecasts, Technologies, Applications" found that in 2022, approximately 30% of new vehicles were shipped with a blind spot detection system. That's around 0.6 short-range, side-facing radars per vehicle on average. Not only does level 3 provide a significant opportunity for the growth of the short-range radar market, but growth within ADAS deployment has the potential to increase the market by a factor of five! This huge growth potential is possible as emerging safety features such as junction automatic emergency braking demand more radars than ever before. Many in the industry predict that four radars per vehicle, used to provide a 360 monitoring cocoon, will become common place, driving enormous growth in the short-range radar market. The front radar should not be neglected, though. IDTechEx's report "Automotive Radar 2024-2044: Forecasts, Technologies, Applications" finds that 70% of new vehicles are shipped with a forward-facing radar. IDTechEx expects that for most of the market, one radar for forward-facing applications such as adaptive cruise control will be sufficient, meaning there is limited remaining growth possible for this market before saturation. However, that doesn't immediately translate to limited opportunity. Radar has further untapped potential as a sensor for automotive applications. It is currently going through a massive technological evolution, with 4D imaging radars emerging and bringing generational performance improvements. This seismic change in radar technology unlocks new performance and new value for this sensor with a long-established presence in the automotive market. In addition to the additional unit requirements of radar and cameras, level 3 vehicles are a beachhead market for LiDAR. LiDAR has been seen on vehicles before, and there are examples of vehicles that used LiDAR technologies in the early 2000s. However, these were little more than one-dimensional range finders, and the technology has moved a long way since then. Modern LiDARs, such as the Valeo Scala used by Mercedes and the Innoviz system used by BMW, are sophisticated sensors vital for enabling autonomous driving. LiDARs use narrow beams of laser light, typically scanning across the scene to build a highly detailed 3D rendering of the vehicle's surroundings. Unlike cameras, LiDAR provides highly accurate ranging information, and compared to radar, LiDAR has significantly better imaging abilities, making it able to classify pedestrians at great distances. The technology helps to fill in the performance gaps left by camera and LiDAR, building a more complete and robust autonomous sensor suite. For these reasons, LiDAR is a crucial sensor for enabling autonomous driving. The automotive LiDAR market is currently very small, with only a handful of vehicles deploying this futuristic sensor. However, the market will grow as autonomous technologies, like those from Mercedes and BMW, become more common. This will allow prices to come down and make it possible for OEMs to include LiDAR on non-automated vehicles as well. While LiDAR is a key sensor for enabling autonomous driving, it can also offer performance improvements to ADAS features that make it highly desirable for non-autonomous vehicles. One example is in automatic emergency braking systems. One criticism of these systems so far has been their night-time performance. With conventional cameras struggling in the darkness and radars not having sufficient imaging ability to identify pedestrians, there is a measurable weakness. LiDAR can again fill in this performance gap and offers the potential for significantly improved night-time performance of automatic emergency braking systems. More information about LiDAR, its deployment, and its forecasted growth can be found in IDTechEx's LiDAR report - "LiDAR 2023-2033: Technologies, Players & Forecasts" Despite the automotive industry already having an established presence of cameras and radar on vehicles, there is still substantial room for growth. IDTechEx's report "Autonomous Cars, Robotaxis and Sensors 2024-2044" predicts that the combined automotive camera, radar and LiDAR markets will see a 10-year CAGR of 13%, all of which is possible because of the emergence of autonomous technologies within cars. For more information on this report, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/AutonomousCars, or for the full portfolio of related research available from IDTechEx please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Robotics. About IDTechEx IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com. Images download: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/r8vk52lt9v5r1g1q3d193/h?rlkey=wli3h8s4v8m093gwhnhpsiytu&dl=0 Media Contact: Lucy Rogers Sales and Marketing Administrator press@IDTechEx.com +44(0)1223 812300 Social Media Links: Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDTechEx LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243160/IDTechEx.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/autonomous-vehicles-will-drive-automotive-sensor-market-growth-finds-idtechex-research-301952301.html STOCKHOLM, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EasyPark Group, a pioneering global force in the parking technology sector, is embarking on a unique mission to welcome extraterrestrial visitors to Earth. With a history of more than 20 years of pushing innovation, EasyPark Group raises an intriguing thought: with all the UFO sightings, why haven't we made contact yet? Could it be that aliens simply haven't found a parking spot? In a historic first-of-its-kind effort, EasyPark Group joins forces with the Grimeton Radio station World Heritage Site to search for extraterrestrial life. The company announces that the parking apps EasyPark, ParkMobile and RingGo have been sent to space. Marking a significant milestone in human technology. For more than two decades, EasyPark Group has led the transformation of traditional parking systems to modern and convenient solutions, consistently introducing innovations to make cities more livable. EasyPark Group has now broadened its scope, making not only cities, but Earth more livable. "At EasyPark Group, we are driven by innovation and challenges, finding unique and practical solutions to make life easier for drivers, and cities more livable. We wanted to illustrate our innovative work of the past 20 years in a bold and attentive manner. What started as a fun thought ended up in two questions: can we send our apps into space? Could it help make our cities and Earth more livable? A challenge we wanted to explore", says Cameron Clayton, CEO at EasyPark Group. Topping off the 'World Space Week', EasyPark Group is paying tribute to its rich legacy for over two decades of innovation by becoming the first parking company in history to have launched its apps into space. This unalike initiative also seeks to unravel the mystery behind the more than 170,000 reported UFO sightings since 1905*, yet the absence of tangible contact with extraterrestrial beings. In collaboration with Grimeton Radio station, an UNESCO World Heritage site located southwest in Sweden, EasyPark Group and Grimeton have transmitted the full code of EasyPark Group's apps into space by transforming them into a broadcastable data signals. The apps have embarked on an interstellar journey, traveling at a speed of light. "We are helping EasyPark Group enable its initiative through our facility and our years of experience in wireless communication. With radio technology, we have sent the apps into space. Radio is still mainstream and it's exciting that radio continues to contribute to innovation in the field of technology and opens up for new possibilities", says Camilla Lugnet, CEO at The World Heritage of Grimeton. For more information about EasyPark Group and its galactic parking initiative, please visit https://www.easypark.com/campaigns/epg-in-space. *According to National UFO Reporting Center's databank, https://nuforc.org/ CONTACT: Lina Lindahl Communications Manager lina.lindahl@easypark.net The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/12430/3851308/2351223.pdf EasyPark Group press release 20231011 - First parking apps in space https://news.cision.com/easypark/i/easyparkgroup-appinspace-logopurple2,c3224201 Easyparkgroup appinspace logopurple2 https://news.cision.com/easypark/i/grimeton-antenn-station,c3224202 grimeton antenn station https://news.cision.com/easypark/i/ep-space-press-1-11-1,c3224203 EP-Space-Press-1 11 1 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/easypark-group-makes-history-with-first-parking-apps-in-space-301953213.html In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! 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. PARIS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In her new book, Margherita Pagani explores the interaction between artificial intelligence and business creativity. "Artificial Intelligence for Business Creativity", published by Routledge, is a comprehensive guide to how AI is not just reshaping the business landscape, but acting as a catalyst for creativity and innovation within organisations. "Artificial Intelligence for Business Creativity" examines the extent to which AI is capable of supporting the creative process within businesses. Co-edited by Margherita Pagani, Director of the SKEMA Center for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) and Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Marketing, and Renaud Champion, the late AI expert, the book explores the complex relationship between individual creativity on a micro scale and organisational innovation on a macro scale from an AI perspective. It features numerous contributions from recognised researchers in the field of AI from esteemed institutions such as Wharton, Royal Holloway, Bayes Business School and the University of Birmingham. The foreword was written by Igor Jablokov, CEO and founder of Pryon and inventor of the voice assistant Alexa, who is also a member of the scientific committee of the SCAI - SKEMA Centre for Artificial Intelligence research center. Optimizing processes, improving human interaction By shedding light on three crucial areas where AI can stimulate business creativity: product and service design, process optimisation and enhancement of organisational collaboration, the authors reveal the transformative potential of AI. "Artificial Intelligence for Business Creativity" is designed to be an invaluable guide for business leaders, managers, entrepreneurs and those with a keen interest in the intersection between AI and creativity. It offers practical guidance, insightful recommendations and an in-depth understanding of AI's role in fostering creativity. It equips its readers with the tools to navigate and excel in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Professor of artificial intelligence in marketing, Margherita Pagani is director of the SKEMA Centre for Artificial Intelligence research laboratory. An advisor to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the Consultative Commission on industrial change, she is also deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine Micro & Macro Marketing. A world-renowned and award-winning researcher, her publications in top international journals focus on the impact of AI on consumer behavior and on digital ecosystems. marcom@skema.edu Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243445/SKEMA_Business_School.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/931024/SKEMA_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ai-and-innovation-a-creative-revolution-in-business--publication-of-a-new-book-by-skemas-professor-margherita-pagani-301952621.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) "Lucky" or the "Company") announces that, pursuant to the News Release dated September 30, 2021, it has reached agreement with holders of the convertible debenture entered into on October 4, 2018 (the "Original Debenture"), to extend the maturity date of the convertible debenture by a further 90 days from October 4, 2023 to January 2, 2024 (the "Second Amending Agreement"). The Original Debenture was set to mature on October 4, 2021 and was extended to October 4, 2023 (the "First Amending Agreement"). The convertible debenture is convertible into units at C$0.10 per unit, with each unit being comprised of one common share and one-half a common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.15 per common share until January 2, 2024 (amended from October 4, 2023). All other terms of the convertible debenture remain unchanged. The Second Amending Agreement was approved by holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding convertible debenture. The Second Amending Agreement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. About Lucky Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property. The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Francois Perron" President and Chief Executive Officer Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484. 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 Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company 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. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include 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 not update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements unless required by Canadian securities law. SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791872/lucky-extends-the-maturity-date-of-the-convertible-debenture Regulatory News: TotalEnergies SE (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE): Following the filing of a complaint against TotalEnergies for "manslaughter and a failure to assist people in danger" during the terrorist attacks that took place in northern Mozambique in March 2021, the Company, which was not provided access to this complaint, would like, first, to categorically reject these accusations and, second, to detail the emergency assistance provided by the Mozambique LNG teams and the resources they mobilized to evacuate more than 2,500 people (civilians, personnel, contractors and subcontractors) from the Afungi site where the Mozambique project is located. The conflict in the Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique predates gas development in the region and is linked to many factors unrelated to Mozambique LNG. On March 24, 2021, there was a terrorist attack in the Cabo Delgado province against the town of Palma, close to the Mozambique LNG project at the Afungi site. The Islamic terrorist group known as Al-Shabaab subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorist attack against the civilian population lasted for several days. To the best of our knowledge, there exists no official count of the number of dead and missing civilians following the Palma attack, but this tragic terrorist attack claimed many lives and caused part of the civilian population to flee the area. Emergency aid provided and resources mobilized by Mozambique LNG at the time of the terrorist attacks Mozambique LNG implemented the measures required by the emergency and following security procedures, including a pre-established evacuation plan. Given the exceptional nature of the situation, Mozambique LNG evacuated a large number of civilians and provided emergency aid, medical care, and human and material resources to the civilians sheltering in the entrance to the site. As soon as the attacks had started and the situation had been assessed, Mozambique LNG lent its assistance to the Mozambican authorities, namely by supplying fuel for the evacuation and rescue operations. The runway at the Afungi site was used by the authorities of Mozambique and international organizations operating in the area to evacuate people by air. Mozambique LNG employees distributed food and water to civilians sheltering at the entrance to the Afungi site. The Mozambique LNG medical teams were mobilized to provide emergency medical assistance to injured civilians who were evacuated by air and sea from the Afungi site. The site's hospital was also made available. Mozambique LNG also evacuated more than 2,500 people, including many civilians by air and sea, especially by chartering a ferry for this purpose. The resources mobilized to deal with the situation were quite exceptional for a company. Regarding the blame made against TotalEnergies for having refused to supply fuel to the South African private security company DAG, this company was contracted in 2020 by the government of Mozambique to carry out offensive, military security missions against terrorist groups in northern Mozambique. Security at the Afungi site was provided by government security forces. During 2020, several NGOs reported serious crimes against local people supposedly perpetrated by DAG. For these reasons, Mozambique LNG decided that it would not support the offensive military operations carried out by DAG but has provided its assistance in rescue operations carried out under the authority of the government security forces. Concerning the care of Mozambique LNG staff, contractors and subcontractors during the attacks The evacuation plan implemented in March 2021 in the aftermath of the attack on Palma involved all personnel working on the Afungi site, including those of Mozambique LNG's contractors and their subcontractors. It should be noted that, following the intensification of the terrorist threat, the number of employees of Mozambique LNG, its contractors and their subcontractors was significantly reduced in early 2021. The remaining mobilized personnel of Mozambique LNG, the contractors and their subcontractors were accommodated on the Afungi site and were instructed to remain inside the site at all times for security reasons. According to the information available to Mozambique LNG, these instructions were passed on by Mozambique LNG's contractors to their employees and subcontractors, and no contractor has informed Mozambique LNG of the presence of employees outside the Afungi site. During the attack on Palma, Mozambique LNG ensured the evacuation of all its personnel and subcontractors' personnel from the Afungi site, as well as a large number of civilians. In total, more than 2,500 people, half of whom were personnel of Mozambique LNG and of its contractors and half civilians fleeing the combat zone, were evacuated from the Afungi site by sea using a ferry mobilized by Mozambique LNG and by air (plane and helicopter). Development of the situation following the March 2021 terrorist attacks Given the deteriorated security situation in the region, Mozambique LNG decided to withdraw all personnel from the Mozambique LNG project at the Afungi site. The situation led Mozambique LNG to declare force majeure in April 2021. The government of Mozambique is responsible for restoring security: that is the prerogative of a sovereign state. Thanks to the efforts of the Mozambican government, with the support of the South African Development Community and Rwanda, the security situation has improved significantly in Cabo Delgado since 2021, and terrorist activities have decreased substantially. Mozambique LNG monitors the security situation on an ongoing basis with the assistance of internal and external experts. Several audits have been conducted and have confirmed the significant improvement in the security situation in the Cabo Delgado region. The decision to restart the project depends on the ability to complete the project under good security conditions. This position is shared by all of Mozambique LNG's partners. Current activities on site are limited to strengthening security infrastructure and improving access roads. In addition, Mozambique LNG is implementing a major program of socio-economic initiatives for the local community to promote local economic development, contribute to the stabilization of the area, and support local communities. This socio-economic program for Cabo Delgado is part of the Pamoja Tunaweza initiative. This program followed on from the emergency humanitarian aid that was quickly deployed by Mozambique LNG after the attacks on Palma, particularly the supply of food. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people. @TotalEnergies lTotalEnergies lTotalEnergies lTotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011692250/en/ Contacts: TotalEnergies Contacts Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com URUMQI, China, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In commemoration of the10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, the 2023 China-Central Asian Five Countries Youth Cutting-edge Design Week series took place in Xinjiang, China. Endorsed by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the series was a collective endeavor between China Center for International Communication Development (CCICD), China Central Academy of Fine Arts Co-Innovation Art Creation and Research Center for Silk Road, the Urumqi Culture and Tourism Bureau (Bureau of Cultural Heritage), and the People's Government of Altay Prefecture under the aegis of China International Communications Group (CICG) and Central Academy of Fine Arts. CCICD is a new organization specializing in international communication and exchanges under the umbrella of CICG. Over 30 emerging designers from China and the five Central Asian nations were brought together for the event, which began its journey on September 22nd. The "Shared Insights" portion, a study tour, facilitated mutual understanding and exchanges around the topic of design, guiding attendees through the art colleges of Urumqi, Xinjiang. During the "Design Collaboration" segment, the group traveled to Altay Prefecture, often hailed as China's Snow Capital, where they joined a workshop focused on preserving intangible cultural heritage. Within the collaborative space, they produced 23 innovative works ranging from fur skis to contemporary crafts, apparel, and jewelry. At the "Open Perspective" forum, designers engaged in dialogue, sharing experiences and ideas around the Belt and Road initiative. In tandem, the "Diverse Expressions" design showcase was presented at the Urumqi Museum, highlighting their standout achievements in fashion, jewelry, graphic design, and digital interaction. The Design Week series has strengthened the cultural ties between young designers from China and Central Asian nations. Further, they've fostered collaborations and elevated both vocational and artistic skills among the designers, earning accolades from attendees. The "Diverse Expressions" showcase is set to run until November 15th. Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2242744/1.mp4 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2023-china-central-asian-five-countries-youth-cutting-edge-design-week-a-triumph-in-cultural-exchange-and-innovation-301953262.html In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Veolia has recently been awarded by the Environmental Protection Department in Hong Kong a contract to design, build and operate the West New Territories Extension resource recovery project in Nim Wan. Worth over 2 billion euros for the company, the contract will cover the entire lifespan of the project from the construction phase to the after-care period. The West New Territories Extension resource recovery project is designed to process up to 90 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste over twenty years. The project will guarantee a 90% methane capture rate. 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. Joe Persechino will drive global asset performance and achieve Yugo's strategic growth plans. Joe's priority is to continue building a world-class team and platform to create value. A student and residential housing specialist with over 20 years of experience in global real estate, Joe joins from AXA IM Alts Real Assets. Christopher Holloway promoted to Chief Business Development Officer, to fully concentrate on Yugo's expansion and diversification strategy. In a strategic move to further bolster its leadership team and drive its global expansion, Yugo, the first global student housing brand and operator announces the arrival of Joe Persechino as Chief Operating Officer (COO). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011144675/en/ Joe Persechino, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Yugo (Photo: Business Wire) From London, Joe, with Yugo's executive leaders, will optimise asset performance, customer engagement and loyalty through Yugo's three core pillars -- YugoEco, YuPro, and YuGrow. Joe will focus on leading a world-class team to support Yugo's objectives by attracting and developing top sales, marketing, and operational talent with a winning culture and mindset. He will also further integrate student market data and intelligence into Yugo's service offering to optimize customer and investor results. Yugo's mission is to support the student journey and Joe will further Yugo's commitment to delivering class leading student experiences. This includes the continuous evolution of Yuniverse, Yugo's technology stack to provide digital services with greater reach and connectivity to students globally. Joe is a student and residential housing specialist with over 20 years of experience in global operational real estate. He brings a wealth of senior leadership experience across major markets such as USA and Europe, with a proven track record in developing businesses and teams to deliver operational results. Joe joins from AXA IM Alts Real Assets, where he was Head of Residential Student Accommodation, responsible for strategy, deal origination and investment advice. Prior to that he held positions at Global Student Accommodation and Unite Group. Christopher Holloway, a pivotal force behind Yugo's growth, is promoted to Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO), to deliver on Yugo's strategic growth plans, new market entry and integration. His key focus areas are third party management, executing on diversified strategies across operational, brand management and franchising. Christopher has been in the industry for over 10 years and has been a pivotal part of Yugo's journey since joining the group in 2012. Christopher has played an external role leading growth and is well known across the student accommodation sector. This move is testament to Christopher's exemplary leadership, performance and strategic insight across the sector. Rui Barros, Chief Executive Officer of Yugo, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Joe to Yugo. His decades of experience across student and residential markets, from both the investor and operational perspective, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen the Yugo brand. Joe's focus on operational excellence, with his track record developing businesses and high-performing teams, will be a tremendous asset. Congratulations to Christopher on his well-deserved appointment to CBDO. Christopher has successfully driven Yugo forward into new markets and will continue as we expand our global reach, further solidifying our position as the leader in the global student housing market. Both leaders will play critical roles in not only enhancing Yugo's current offerings but also in paving the way for its future expansions and innovations, ensuring that Yugo continues to support the student journey with class-leading experiences." Joe Persechino, Chief Operations Officer, Yugo, said: "I am delighted to be part of Yugo's journey during this pivotal phase of its evolution. My prior experience as an investor combined with a decade plus of operational expertise, will provide knowledge to support Yugo's future as the first global operational brand with class leading innovation and performance." Christopher Holloway, Chief Business Development Officer, Yugo, said: "My priority is to lead global business development to new heights and work collaboratively with Yugo's senior leadership to strategically deliver scale. Market conditions are presenting attractive opportunities across USA, Europe and APAC with Yugo well placed to unlock value for student housing partners." About Yugo Yugo is the first global student housing brand and operator created to enhance students' overall experiences throughout and beyond college life. Yugo offers a truly differentiated living experience that is environmentally and socially conscious, emotionally supportive, and safe. Yugo is the operator of over 110 student living spaces located in nine countries with over 40,000 student beds in over 70 of the top cities in the world for higher education. Yugo is part of The Dot Group, founded by Nicholas Porter, a pioneer in global student living with more than 30 years of experience. Learn more at www.yugo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011144675/en/ Contacts: Richard Crowley +44 7387 257 394 Richard.Crowley@fgsglobal.com With RealWear Hands-Free Headsets, Trauma and Orthopaedic Department Can Provide More Individuals with Operating Theatre Experience in a Single Day Than Typically Completed in an Entire Year RealWear, the pioneer of hands-free wearable computers for frontline workers, today announced that the Trauma and Orthopaedic Department of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has deployed RealWear head-mounted tablets and software to accelerate student learning and create a safer theatre training environment. The deployment enables the Department to vastly increase the number of students that can safely experience orthopaedic operating theatre procedures in real-time from the surgeon's point of view, while optimising the quality of the students' learning. The deployment of RealWear coincides with a major NHS England Workforce Plan announced earlier this summer devised to address the chronic skills shortage in the NHS, with over 112,000 vacancies across the NHS workforce in March 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011644920/en/ Nick Cooke, consultant in trauma and orthopaedics at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, wears a RealWear healthcare wearable solution to accommodate a diverse group of students, including those training to be paramedics, radiographers and physiotherapists. (Photo: Business Wire) The Trust is an integrated hospital and community healthcare organisation serving around 400,000 people in Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and parts of County Durham. The Department was keen to expand the number of student practice placements it could offer, to help address the broader skills shortages across a wide demographic of specialisms. Traditional placements where students learn alongside professionals in a specific setting, such as an operating theatre environment could not accommodate the extra number of students, due to space and safety restrictions, which creates a partial or obstructed view of the medical procedure underway. This hampers or slows the learning procedure and knowledge transfer, as visual observation is key for all students. Prior to the Department's deployment of RealWear, a limited number of students could be accommodated in an operating theatre at a time, who would only catch glimpses of the procedure. To solve this issue, and to open it up to more students, the Department looked for ways to share the surgeon's point of view with a larger number of students gathered safely and comfortably watching proceedings in real-time via a monitor in a separate room. This proposed method required the use of a hands-free headset, with the Department choosing RealWear, having assessed it favourably against competitor devices. In Search of the Right Wearable for Healthcare, NHS Lands on RealWear Navigator500 Using the right wearable computer was crucial to ensure user acceptance by the surgeons. The device needed to be light in weight so the surgeon could wear it comfortably for many hours, and it needed to have an easily adjustable camera that could be positioned prior to surgery. RealWear emerged as the Department's preferred choice specifically RealWear Navigator 500 running Microsoft Teams and it was determined to be the standard head-mounted solution going forward. The lightweight headset's adjustable point-of-view camera, video stabilisation and precision zoom feature enabled the students to see the procedure vividly from the same perspective as the surgeon, which greatly enhances the learning experience. Students can now observe detailed procedures providing them with a life-like and immersive perspective. Wearing the RealWear Headset was a Game Changer Wearing a RealWear device, the surgeon performs the live surgery while students observe and ask questions as they 'see' through the surgeon's eyes. Students can ask questions during the procedure and the surgeon can respond thanks to the device's inbuilt speakers and microphone. Students can also request a closer view of specific aspects, making it a highly interactive experience. This initiative has opened tremendous opportunities for teaching and learning that the Department wouldn't have otherwise had. "Since deploying RealWear wearables, we can now provide more individuals with operating theatre experience in a single day than we typically would in an entire year, while giving them a significantly enhanced learning opportunity," said Nick Cooke, consultant in trauma and orthopaedics at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. "The technology has enabled us to accommodate a diverse group of students, including those training to be paramedics, radiographers and physiotherapists to name a few. Student nurses from other regions are also able to join us for this learning experience." Jean Angus, head of nursing education at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, added: "Entering a theatre can be intimidating for students, but this technology removes that barrier. Practice experience in theatre is not available to all students, but by using the RealWear device it has been possible to accommodate students from 11 disciplines and 6 universities. This allows them to interact with the surgeon and view the whole theatre experience. This, in turn, may inspire students to think about the career progression opportunities it presents. The experience can play a role in addressing the significant shortage of theatre professionals nationally." According to Mr. Cooke, the Trauma and Orthopaedic Department has experienced a snowball effect of growth in the number of students keen to trial this technology and diversification each time it conducts a session. In fact, it has received applications from students at other trusts, indicating the increasing interest in experiencing the operating theatre in this way. While current space limitations prevent the Trust from accommodating all interested individuals in a single lecture theatre, there is the interest in the technology from other trusts and the potential to deploy it beyond North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. "Simplicity, user friendliness and the ability to provide a bird's-eye view of surgical procedures are the three aspects that are most important to North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust since its deployment," said Dr. Chris Parkinson, cofounder and CEO at RealWear. "Our hands-free solutions are a gamechanger for healthcare, allowing a large audience of students to gather in one room and remotely observe medical procedures with zero obstructions. This dramatically accelerates the learning process for all in real time." According to the Department, it hopes that with further deployment of this technology, wearables will be able to be used to observe the complete patient journey, from outpatient consultations to post-operative recovery. During interprofessional learning sessions it even discovered an unexpected benefit: paramedics, who are often the first responders to emergencies, can use the technology to connect with specialists and Emergency Departments to visually show the patient's condition and explain the treatments provided to the patient in real-time before they arrive at the hospital. This will enable the Trust to bridge the gap between different disciplines and create a holistic understanding of a patient's journey. For more information, visit www.RealWear.com. About North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides integrated hospital and community services to 40,000 people across Hartlepool, Stockton and parts of County Durham. The Trust's sites are teaching hospitals providing invaluable training and education to generations of medical, nursing and allied health professionals. For more information, visit: www.nth.nhs.uk About RealWear RealWear, a global leader in hands-free, wearable computing solutions for frontline workers, was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, USA. With a vision of creating a world where every frontline worker is equipped to perform at their best, work safely, and take pride in the quality of their work, RealWear is on a mission to empower more than 2 billion frontline workers with the best technology solutions and support. RealWear's rugged, voice-operated solutions have earned global recognition for revolutionizing the way frontline workers perform all tasks in challenging environments, while returning positive impact to the company and our environment. RealWear's commitment to innovation and safety has earned it more than 22 prestigious innovation awards, including Best Head-worn device (Augmented World Expo) and Best Solution for Manufacturing and Automotive (XR Today). RealWear's story has been featured in Wall Street Journal, CNBC, TechCrunch and hundreds of other media outlets. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011644920/en/ Contacts: Aaron Cohen Senior Director of Communications RealWear, Inc 415-819-7791 aaron@realwear.com BANGKOK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday approved investment promotion applications worth a combined 41 billion baht (USD1.1 billion) in projects including the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EV), the generation of renewable energy from waste, data centers, as well as travel and tourism infrastructure and equipment. The meeting, which was led by Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and newly appointed Chairman of the BOI, also fine-tuned the 5-year investment promotion strategy that became effective in January this year. "The projects approved by the board in its first meeting since the new government was established are in large part of the strategic sectors, such as EV, renewable energy, and digital, that will be the focus of our investment promotion policy in coming years," Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI, told reporters at a press conference held today. The adjusted strategy places five strategic industries and activities at the core of the investment promotion policy for the next four years (2024-2027), and offers them special investment incentives. These are (1) BCG, for Bio-Circular-Green, including agriculture, food, medical, and clean energy, (2) Automotive, especially EV, covering the manufacturing of cars and the related supply chain from batteries, and key parts to charging stations, (3) Electronics, especially upstream and smart electronics; (4) Digital and creative; and (5) Regional headquarters and international business centers. The revised strategy will also push forward five important agendas to enable the transformation of the industrial sector, namely (1) Green transformation; (2) Technology development; (3) Talent development and attraction; (4) Cluster-based investment; and (5) Ease of investment, Mr Narit said. From January to August 2023, the BOI has received investment promotion applications worth a combined investment value of 465 billion baht, a 47% increase from the same period of last year. The number of applications rose 33% to 1,375 projects. "The continuous flow of large projects we have seen so far this year reconfirms international investors' commitment to Thailand as they relocate production in reaction to the complex geopolitical environment," Mr Narit said. "Thailand's investment ecosystem and the introduction of our new investment promotion strategy that aims to restructure the Thai economy towards the "New Economy" make investment in Thailand even more attractive." Project approvals The investment applications approved yesterday by the board include the following projects: - Changan Automobile, one of China's leading car manufacturers, received approval for a 8.86 billion baht investment in a factory that will initially have an annual production capacity of about 58,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs), or pure EV, and about 36,500 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The investment, which Changan had first announced in April and will be the company's first production base for right-hand drive vehicles outside of China, will be located at the WHA Industrial Estate Eastern Seaboard 4, in Rayong Province. - C&G Environmental Protection (Thailand) Co., Ltd. received approval for a 4.89 billion baht investment in a 35-megawatt power generation project that will produces electricity from waste. The facility will be located in the area of the Nong Khaem Solid Waste Disposal Center in Bangkok. - New Sky Energy (Bangkok) Co., Ltd. received approval for a 4.89 billion baht investment in a 35-megawatt power generation project that will produces electricity from waste. The facility will be located within the area of the On Nut Waste Disposal Center in Bangkok. - True Internet Data Center Co., Ltd. received approval for a 3.59 billion baht investment in a data center business to be located in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province. - Thai Airways International PCL received approval for a 9.31 billion baht investment in the acquire five passenger aircraft with a total passenger capacity of 1,670 seats and a total cargo capacity of 303 tons. - Songcheng Holding (Thailand) Co., Ltd. received approval for a 9.54 billion baht investment in tourism infrastructure and attractions to be located in Chonburi Province. For more information, please contact: Thailand Board of Investment Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111 Website: www.boi.go.th YouTube: Think Asia, Invest Thailand Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244118/SG.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thailand-boi-approves-investment-applications-worth-usd1-1-billion-in-ev-renewable-energy-data-centers-travel-infrastructure-projects-301953303.html In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japan's machine tool orders declined for the ninth straight month in September largely due to weak domestic demand, preliminary data from the Japan Machine Tool Builders Association, or JMTBA, showed Wednesday. Machine tool orders dropped 11.2 percent year-on-year in September, though slower than the 17.6 percent fall in the previous month. Domestic demand was 14.1 percent lower in September compared to last year, and foreign orders contracted 9.7 percent. On a monthly basis, machine tool orders surged 16.7 percent in September, compared with a 0.4 percent increase in the prior month. 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. OSLO, Norway, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crayon, a global leader in IT services and innovation, today announced it is expanding its partnership with Google Cloud to deepen its expertise on Google Cloud generative AI through Crayon's Centers of Excellence in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa region. With more than 150 data experts, and the increased focus on Google Cloud AI, Crayon will be able to deliver more best-in-class AI projects and solutions to its customers and partners, including helping customers pilot and deploy products like Duet AI and Vertex AI. "We are excited about expanding our partnership with Google Cloud and the business value that we will create," said Crayon CEO Melissa Mulholland. "Our customers and partners increasingly see the need for using generative AI to provide better services and solutions. With our AI Centers of Excellence, we have the capabilities to help companies explore their own data and use it to accelerate their business. Google Cloud is a great partner to help customers get the best data and AI experience." "Crayon's long-time experience in digital transformation, its AI Centers of Excellence and deepening of its expertise on Google Cloud will help global business more quickly adopt and see value from AI," said Bron Hastings, VP, Partnerships at Google Cloud. "Through this new and growing partnership, we will work together to accelerate customers' AI-driven transformations with Google Cloud technology, models via Vertex AI, and expert services from Crayon." In the past several months, there has been a massive acceleration of generative AI technologies available to power and accelerate digital transformation across all industries. There is an unprecedented demand from customers asking for help in understanding how to best leverage generative AI to accelerate their transformation and deliver business impact. Crayon has developed expertise to support customers and partners on their generative AI journey. With Google Cloud, the data experts at Crayon have found an impressive array of innovative, open, scalable, secure, and enterprise-ready generative AI solutions. Crayon is a recognized global leader in AI and machine learning that helps its customers and partners reduce costs, manage software and cloud services, and leverage advanced technologies. CONTACT: Melanie Coffee VP of PR and Communications Melanie.Coffee@crayon.com +47 46 74 86 48 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/crayon-expands-partnership-with-google-cloud-301953325.html DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei's annual Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) kicked off in Dubai yesterday. The event began with a livestreamed discussion between Huawei's Rotating Chairman Ken Hu, and the Director General of GSMA, Mats Granryd, about the current state of 5G development and future projections. "Technology is changing so fast, and new demands are evolving every day," said Hu. "So our networks need to keep evolving too. Our industry as a whole needs to get ready for the future and maximize the value of investments in 5G - and that's why we're working so hard on 5G-Advanced." 5G has progressed by leaps and bounds Both Hu and Granryd agreed that 5G has seen remarkable progress in network deployment, adoption, consumer services, and industry applications. To date, more than 260 5G networks have been deployed worldwide, covering nearly half of the world's population. 5G is the fastest growing mobile technology ever, having reached one billion connections only three years after its launch. By comparison, it took 4G six years to reach the same milestone. According to Hu, 5G has become a new growth engine for mobile operators in the consumer market. For leading mobile operators around the world, 5G now accounts for the majority of network traffic. In particular, video-based applications are changing consumption habits, driving a three- to five-fold increase in network traffic and 10%-25% average increase in ARPU. 5G has also helped mobile communications networks expand into the vertical industry market - one of its biggest differences with 4G. Currently, there are more than 50,000 industrial 5G applications worldwide, and more than 10 million 5G connections in industrial settings. "Over the past four years, we've identified key scenarios for industrial applications, like remote control, video backhaul, machine vision, and positioning, where we can maximize the value of 5G," Hu continued. "We have also identified industries like mining, ports, and manufacturing where we can scale up 5G capabilities." Granryd remarked, "5G is driving digital transformation across industries and opening up enormous opportunities. In 2030, 5G will add US$1 trillion to global economy, with benefits spreading across all industries." New capabilities, models, and ecosystems: Unleashing the full potential of 5G Speaking on next steps for 5G, Hu mentioned several key consumer-facing initiatives that can help mobile operators achieve ongoing business success. These include continuously expanding network coverage, enhancing user experience, and exploring more flexible pricing models. As for the B2B market, Hu suggested that the industry should leverage proven 5G applications to drive 5G adoption at scale across more industries. Throughout this process, mobile operators can better position themselves to seize new opportunities in industry digitalization by strengthening their capabilities in cloud, industrial application development, and end-to-end system integration. "Looking forward, we have lots of work to do," said Hu. "We need to enhance our capabilities, evolve the technology, create better user experience, scale up in industry, and maximize the value of our investment on 5G." To help further enrich the 5G application ecosystem, GSMA has proposed the Open Gateway initiative as a way to support cross-industry innovation. Open Gateway is a framework of common APIs that will bring universal access to operator network capabilities, allowing developers and cloud service providers to improve and create new digital services. "Now we have roughly 240 mobile operators signed up, representing more than 62% of the world's mobile subscribers," said Granryd. "Open Gateway is a way for developers, hyperscalers, and others to more effectively use the capabilities of networks, and create common APIs that we can share across the whole operator community. It's like what we did with roaming back in the 2G era, but for APIs. It's very, very exciting." "We need to activate the ecosystem," agreed Hu. "Particularly application developers. Open Gateway is a great way to help developers make full use of networks, creating greater development opportunities for 5G in both the consumer and industry digitalization markets." The Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2023 is hosted by Huawei, together with its industry partners GSMA, GTI, and SAMENA. Held on October 10 and 11 in Dubai, UAE, this annual forum gathers mobile network carriers, vertical industry leaders, and ecosystem partners from around the world to explore the success of 5G commercialization and accelerate the commercial use of 5.5G. For more information, please visit: https://www.huawei.com/en/events/mbbf2023. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244170/Huawei_s_Ken_Hu_GSMA_s_Mats_Granryd_discussing_5G_MBBF_2023.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/embracing-industry-opportunities-to-maximize-5g-business-value-301953356.html Interim data from the POSITIVE study, presented at the EADV, revealed that tildrakizumab not only significantly improved patients' wellbeing after 16 weeks, which was maintained up to week 281 but also had a positive impact on the wellbeing of their relatives after 28 weeks2 Tildrakizumab also demonstrated improvements in patients' skin symptoms and health-related quality of life after 28 weeks in a real-world setting3 and showed sustained efficacy and safety over 2 years in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in routine clinical practice including sensitive areas and improvements of itch4 with no new safety signals and a reassuring safety profile4 5 New evidence from the TRIBUTE study showed that tildrakizumab improved other important patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as sleep quality, which is highly correlated with itch, pain, quality of life and work productivity, and not with PASI6,7 Almirall presented 12 posters at the EADV Congress on new data regarding this biologic in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, along with a symposium titled "New Landmark on Psoriasis treatment: the POSITIVE study" chaired by Prof. Dr. Matthias Augustin and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz Almirall S.A. (BME:ALM a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology, unveiled new data at the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2023 that underscores its commitment to advancing the wellbeing of psoriasis patients and their families through treatments and cutting-edge research. The data presented in posters showed that Ilumetri (tildrakizumab) significantly improved the wellbeing of psoriasis patients,1 as well as the wellbeing of their relatives.2 New evidence presented in the POSITIVE study, the first clinical study in dermatology to assess improvements in patients' wellbeing as a primary endpoint, reveals that around 40% of the patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis showed depressive symptoms at baseline.1In this regard,tildrakizumab for the first time demonstrated improvement in patients' wellbeing, achieving similar levels to the general population after 16 weeks, which was maintained up to week 28.1 Additionally, tildrakizumab reassures its effectiveness, improving also patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with high rates of treatment satisfaction in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis after 28 weeks in a real-world setting,3 with no new safety signals and a reassuring safety profile5 consistent with previous randomized clinical trials (RCT) and real-world studies.8,9 This study demonstrates for the first time the impact of patient's psoriasis on the social and emotional wellbeing of their relatives, underscoring the existing unmet needs not only in the management of psoriatic patients but also their families. Tildrakizumab significantly improved relatives' wellbeing after 28 weeks.2 During the congress held in Berlin from October 11th to 14th, Almirall presented 12 posters highlighting new data on tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Additionally, the symposium titled "New Landmark on Psoriasis treatment: the POSITIVE study", chaired by Prof. Dr. Matthias Augustin and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz, will explore the impact of tildrakizumab on physical, social and mental wellbeing in psoriasis. The new evidences on the TRIBUTE study demonstrated that tildrakizumab improved other important patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as sleep quality, which is highly correlated with itch, pain, quality of life, and work productivity and not with PASI.6,7 The results also revealed that tildrakizumab demonstrated similar efficacy and safety regardless of the baseline characteristics of the patients.10,11These new data highlight the importance of evaluating other endpoints beyond skin symptoms to ensure a holistic approach to psoriasis management. Almirall also reported results from the TILOT study that demonstrated sustained efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab over 2 years in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in routine clinical practice including sensitive areas and improvements of itch.4 This was reflected in significant improvements in all measured parameters, including treatment satisfaction and quality of life.12 "Psoriasis is a challenging disease that affects not only the skin but also the overall wellbeing of patients. Understanding the broader implications of psoriasis is a significant advance in our field and underlines the importance of a holistic approach to its treatment. The POSITIVE study represents an important step forward in our understanding of psoriasis by assessing the effect on the wellbeing of patients, their families and healthcare professionals", said Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz, Founder of the Psoriasis Center at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein. "The new data presented at the EADV highlight the unmet needs not only in the treatment of psoriatic patients, but also the impact on their families. These data demonstrate the consolidated effectiveness and safety of tildrakizumab in treating plaque psoriasis and patients' overall wellbeing. At Almirall we aim to improve patients' lives and restore a state of general wellbeing, which often requires impacting dermatological diseases beyond the visible skin symptoms", stated Dr. Volker Koscielny, Chief Medical Officer at Almirall About the POSITIVE Study The POSITIVE study uses the 5 item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index, WHO-5, a widely used questionnaire that assesses health-related subjective psychological wellbeing in a variety of chronic diseases. Following the holistic approach, the POSITIVE study will also use innovative secondary endpoints, theFamilyPso questionnaire to evaluate the impact of the disease on the family environment, and on Physician wellbeing, using the Physician's Satisfaction Score. This ongoing non-interventional, prospective, observational, real-world evidence study has enrolled approximately 780 adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis at multiple sites in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The study will follow these patients for 24 months in their treatment with tildrakizumab. About the TRIBUTE Study TRIBUTE (NCT04229836) is an international, multicentre, open-label, interventional phase IV clinical study in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. A total of 177 patients were included in both the safety and efficacy analyses. The objective was to assess the efficacy, safety, and impact on HRQoL (using the DLQI and the new proposed score, DLQI-R*) in a phase IV study in close to similar conditions to clinical practice. About the TILOT Study TILOT is a prospective, non-interventional, multicenter study from Germany to assess the effectiveness and safety profile of tildrakizumab in long-term treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in routine practice. The observational period of this study will be approximately 3?years, including a large population (around 900 patients), providing the longest and largest Real-World data of the treatment. About tildrakizumab13 Tildrakizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23) and inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines with limited impact on the rest of the immune system. It is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy. About psoriasis Psoriasis is a common, non-contagious, chronic skin disease, with no clear cause or cure. The negative impact of psoriasis on people's lives can be immense as it affects the appearance of the skin with red, scaly plaques. Psoriasis affects people of all ages, and in all countries. The reported prevalence of psoriasis in Europe varies from 0.6% to 6.5% with an average of approximately 3% of the population,14,15 making psoriasis a serious global problem with about 60 million individuals affected worldwide.16 The flares of psoriasis can be unpredictable and significant comorbidities are common, including arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and depression. About Almirall Almirall is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology. We collaborate with scientists and healthcare professionals to address patients' needs through science to improve their lives. Our Noble Purpose is at the core of our work: "Transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes and dreams for a healthy life". We invest in differentiated and ground-breaking medical dermatology products to bring our innovative solutions to patients in need. The company, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Barcelona, is publicly traded on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM). Throughout its 79-year history, Almirall has focused intensely on patients' needs. Almirall has a direct presence in 21 countries and strategic agreements in over 70, with about 1,800 employees. Total revenue in 2022 was 878.5MM. For more information, please visit www.almirall.com Legal warning This document includes only summary information and is not intended to be exhaustive. The facts, figures and opinions contained in this document, in addition to the historical ones, are "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on the information currently available and the best estimates and assumptions that the company considers reasonable. These statements involve risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the company. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those declared by such forward-looking statements. The company expressly waives any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, goals or estimates contained in this document to reflect any changes in the assumptions, events or circumstances on which such forward-looking statements are based, unless required by the applicable law. 1 Sommer R, et al. Patient-reported well-being using tildrakizumab in a real-world setting: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32nd European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3490. 2 Mrowietz U, et al. Impact of patient psoriasis on partner well-being in a real-world setting: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3489. 3 Augustin M, et al. Real-world effectiveness, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction with tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3492. 4 Tsianakas A, et al. Sustained efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab over 2 years in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in routine clinical practice: interim results in week 100 from the non-interventional, prospective, multicenter study TILOT. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3110. 5 Mrowietz U, et al. Real-world safety of tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3491. 6 Costanzo A, et al. Tildrakizumab improves sleep quality and psoriasis-related pruritus and pain in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3122. 7 Costanzo A, et al. Tildrakizumab improves sleep quality, quality of life and work productivity in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3123. 8 Thaci D, et al. Five-year efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who respond at week 28: pooled analyses of two randomized phase III clinical trials (reSURFACE 1 and reSURFACE 2). Br J Dermatol. 2021 Aug;185(2):323-34. doi: 10.1111/bjd.19866. 9 Drerup KA, et al. Effective and Safe Treatment of Psoriatic Disease with the Anti-IL-23p19 Biologic Tildrakizumab: Results of a Real-World Prospective Cohort Study in Nonselected Patients. Dermatology. 2022;238:615-19. doi: 10.1159/000519924. 10 Costanzo A, et al. Super responders to tildrakizumab treatment in moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32nd European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3121. 11 Costanzo A, et al. Tildrakizumab demonstrates high efficacy regardless of baseline characteristics in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32nd European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3120. 12 Tsianakas A, et al. Tildrakizumab improves signs and symptoms in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in a real-world setting: a holistic approach. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3106. 13 IIlumetriI (tildrakizumab) Summary of Product Characteristics. Date of prep: October 2021 UK-IL-2100111. 14 Chandran V and Raychaudhuri SP. Geoepidemiology and environmental factors of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. J. Autoimmune. 2010 May; 34(3):J314-J21. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2009.12.001. Epub 2009 Dec 24. PMID: 20034760. 15 Schafer T. Epidemiology of psoriasis. Review and the German perspective. Dermatology. 2006;212: 327-37. doi: 10.1159/000092283. PMID: 16707882. 16 Parisi R, et al. National, regional, and worldwide epidemiology of psoriasis: systematic analysis and modelling study. BMJ. 2020;369:m1590 doi:10.1136/bmj.m1590. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011690776/en/ Contacts: Media Almirall Tinkle Laura Blazquez lblazquez@tinkle.es Phone: (+34) 600 430 581 Investors' Relations Almirall Pablo Divasson del Fraile pablo.divasson@almirall.com Phone: (+34) 93 291 3087 Corporate Communications Almirall Mar Ramirez mar.ramirez@almirall.com Phone: (+34) 659 614 173 Ilofotase alfa demonstrates pharmacologically relevant effect on disease specific biomarkers and a positive safety profile in adult patients with hypophosphatasia; Data to be presented by Lothar Seefried, MD, at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research's Symposium on Rare Bone Diseases on Thursday, October 12, 2023 AM-Pharma B.V. today announced positive clinical results from the Phase 1b study evaluating the company's proprietary recombinant alkaline phosphatase, ilofotase alfa, as potential enzyme replacement therapy in adult hypophosphatasia (HPP) patients. HPP is an inherited metabolic disease, characterized by low activity of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), caused by mutations at the ALPL gene. This low activity leads to accumulation of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a strong inhibitor of mineralization, as well as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), an important cofactor for enzymes. The disease can range widely in severity, however most adults with HPP suffer from recurrent fractures, muscle weakness, joint diseases and pain.1 In the open-label pilot trial, a total of 12 patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment arms and received a single intravenous dose of either 0.8 mg/kg or 3.2 mg/kg. Patients were followed for 10 days after dosing to evaluate changes in the biochemical fingerprint of HPP, safety and tolerability. The primary objectives for the study were changes in serum levels of PLP and PPi as compared to baseline. For PLP, the maximum proportional reduction was 35% in the 0.8 mg/kg cohort and 66% in the 3.2 mg/kg cohort. The mean time to return to 90% of baseline was 55 hours in the low-dose cohort and 168 hours in the high-dose cohort. The maximal proportional reduction for PPi was 36% in the 0.8 mg/kg cohort and 77% in the 3.2 mg/kg cohort. The mean time to return to 90% of baseline was 9.3 hours in the low-dose cohort and 53 hours in the high-dose cohort. In addition, ilofotase alfa was well-tolerated with pharmacokinetics consistent with observations from previous clinical studies. "The pronounced effect on all HPP disease relevant biomarkers together with a positive safety and tolerability profile, consistent with previous clinical studies with ilofotase alfa, supports its further development as a treatment option for adult HPP patients who are currently underserved," said Juliane Bernholz, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of AM-Pharma. The full dataset will be presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Rare Bone Disease Alliance (ASBMR-RBDA) Symposium at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The presentation by Lothar Seefried, MD, from the University of Wuerzburg, lead investigator of the trial,is scheduled for 3:00 pm PDT on Thursday, October 12, 2023, in session III: Latest in Clinical Trials. "Considering the wide range of clinical manifestations of HPP, there's an unequivocal need to expand therapeutic opportunities for these patients," added Lothar Seefried, MD. "The encouraging early results confirming dose-dependent reductions of PLP and PPi levels upon treatment with ilofotase alfa underline the compound's therapeutic potential in that indication and I'm looking forward to evaluating ilofotase alfa in next stage clinical studies." About ilofotase alfa Ilofotase alfa is a proprietary recombinant alkaline phosphatase, constructed from two human isoforms of alkaline phosphatase, that has been shown to be stable and highly active in multiple clinical trials. The recombinant enzyme displays exquisite activity towards dephosphorylating and detoxifying damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ATP, ADP and other extracellular substrates that drive acute inflammation, coagulation and microvascular ischemia found in kidney following sepsis or ischemia-induced damage. Research has shown that ATP dephosphorylation has a double effect in protecting against kidney injury. When the pro-inflammatory ATP is dephosphorylated, the resulting adenosine further reduces inflammation through the activation of the immunosuppressive adenosine A2a receptor pathway. In hypophosphatasia, ilofotase alfa addresses elevated levels of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), inorganic pyrophosphates (PPi), two disease related biomarkers that are related to, for example, bone mineralization and pain sensation. About hypophosphatasia HPP is a rare inherited disease characterized by a deficiency in alkaline phosphatase which is essential for bone mineralization and general functions. HPP patients of all ages can exhibit a wide variety of symptoms that worsen overtime, including bone injury, severe muscle pain and weakness. The disease can also lead to life-threatening complications in infants. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted AM-Pharma Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for ilofotase alfa in HPP. In preclinical models, ilofotase alfa was able to achieve improved overall survival of severe disease, as well as restoration of phenotypes associated with HPP. About AM-Pharma AM-Pharma strives to develop medicines for patients confronted with severe medical conditions. Our proprietary asset, ilofotase alfa, is being developed for the treatment of patients with acute kidney injury and has been granted FDA fast-track status. We also develop ilofotase alfa in the severe rare disease hypophosphatasia where ilofotase alfa has orphan drug status in the US and EU. With approximately 1,000 subjects evaluated to date in clinical trials, ilofotase alfa has a proven safety profile and a demonstrated kidney benefit. We are a dedicated team driven to bring treatment options to severely ill patients, their families and acute care professionals. Find out more about us online at: www.am-pharma.com. 1 Tournis, S., Yavropoulou, M. P., Polyzos, S. A., Doulgeraki, A. (2021). Hypophosphatasia. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(23), 5676. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011995076/en/ Contacts: Investors: Juliane Bernholz, Chief Executive Officer j.bernholz@am-pharma.com Media: Trophic Communications Eva Mulder or Priscillia Perrin +31 6 52 33 15 79 am-pharma@trophic.eu Targa Telematics' keen technology focus provides connected vehicle and smart mobility solutions to align with industry needs and overcome clients' most pressing challenges with future-proof products. SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Frost & Sullivan analyzed the telematics connectivity for the leasing, rental, and usage-based insurance (UBI) market and, based on its analysis, recognizes Targa Telematics with the 2023 European Company of the Year Award. The company develops and provides Internet of Things (IoT) solutions spanning a thorough spectrum of features and capabilities. It is the second leading telematics company in Europe, and its customers include most Italian insurtech companies and globally recognized brands in various sectors. It leverages the interaction between drivers and connected vehicles to deliver cost savings, improve driver safety, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Targa Telematics serves clients across various industry verticals and has over 950 clients in Europe. It creates innovative products and purpose-built solutions that enhance customer experiences through continuous client and partner engagement. It also combines deep-seated domain and operational knowledge with advanced IoT and smart mobility technologies to provide robust telematics solutions. Maintaining open and continuous communication with clients ensures that the company's product roadmap is data-driven and aligns with client challenges, including internal digitalization processes, optimization, and mobility solution needs. Rajesh Depores, industry analyst for mobility at Frost & Sullivan, noted, "Targa Telematics' agnostic and composable solutions, including hardware components, microservices, and operated services, offer a compelling value proposition that underpins its sustained success. With unlimited custom configurations and strong core architecture, it can address clients' unique needs and challenges." Targa Telematics closely monitors emerging market trends and evolving client demands, responding with novel solutions. Its focus on new products and feature development gives it a competitive advantage because it provides clients with industry-first, leading solutions. With its innovative and integrated fleet management and car-sharing platform, the company focuses its growth on connected vehicles and smart mobility in the region to sustain market leadership. Successful acquisitions enable Targa Telematics to consolidate and synergize leading expertise and technologies and solidify itself as the key developer of "mobility of the future" solutions, giving it strong regional coverage. Nicola De Mattia, CEO at Targa Telematics, commented, "This award further highlights the company's added value in this field and its enduring commitment to Innovation, Research and Development - a fundamental pillar of our organization- as well as collaborative customer partnerships. It also strengthens the market positioning in our areas of expertise: the rental and leasing industry, as well as insurance. Our continuous investment in cutting-edge technology and co-creation with clients empowers them to extract maximum value from advanced digital solutions like AI and machine learning, leveraging our profound industry knowledge and expertise. Additionally, our recent acquisition of Viasat Group positions us to provide even greater international support to our clients as they embark on their digital transformation journey and explore smart mobility solutions." "With unlimited custom IoT and smart mobility configurations and strong core architecture, Targa Telematics enables businesses, organizations, and communities to utilize connected technologies fully. The company has a reputation for offering the overall best in the telematics connectivity market," added Elizabeth Whynott, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Tarini Singh P: +91-9953764546 E: tarini.singh@frost.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2241820/Targra_Telematics_Award_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/targa-telematics-applauded-by-frost--sullivan-for-its-smart-telematics-solutions-and-market-leading-position-301950606.html AMSTERDAM, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Group-IB, a leading creator of cybersecurity technologies to investigate, prevent, and fight digital crime, is proud to be announced the winner of the 2023 Benelux Outstanding Security Performance Award (OSPA) for Outstanding Police/Law Enforcement Initiative. This milestone prize was awarded to Group-IB's Europe-based High-Tech Crime Investigations team for their continued efforts in cross-border operations alongside Europol and national law enforcement agencies to crack down on the dark web trade of compromised credit card data. The award was presented to Dmitry Tunkin, Group-IB's Chief Regional Officer, Europe, during a ceremony held in the Dutch city of Breda on October 4, 2023, and recognizes Group-IB's long-standing cooperation with law enforcement agencies on the European continent, in line with the company's zero-tolerance policy to cybercrime. "Group-IB is proud to be recognized by the organization committee of the Benelux OSPAs for its key role in Europol-led efforts to clamp down on traders of stolen credit cards. Fighting against cybercrime is at the heart of all we do at Group-IB, and as a result, strong cooperation with international and national law enforcement agencies continues to guide our strategy," Dmitry Tunkin, Group-IB's Chief Regional Officer, Europe, said. Group-IB Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst Martijn van den Berk was also in the spotlight, having been nominated as a finalist for the Outstanding Young Security Professional honour after his diligent coordination with international law enforcement during investigations into multiple banking Trojans and phishing kits, and his victory in the Politie Hackathon 2022, organized by the Dutch Police. Carding Action 2020 and Carding Action 2021 , both led by Europol's European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and with the support of national law enforcement agencies in EU member states, the United Kingdom, as well as Group-IB, were coordinated multinational operations aimed at combating the online trade of compromised credit card credentials. These two successful operations roughly prevented a combined total of 54 million in losses. Over the past year, Group-IB's Europe-based Hi-Tech Cybercrime Investigations team also played a key role in the recent INTERPOL-led Operation Nervone , aimed at disrupting the activity of OPERA1ER , a French-speaking financially-motivated cybercrime syndicate believed to have stolen at least $11 million during attacks on banks, financial services firms, and telecommunications companies. Group-IB intelligence was used to detain a suspect in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in the summer of 2023. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/recognized-force-for-good-group-ib-nets-prestigious-benelux-ospa-award-for-outstanding-law-enforcement-initiative-301953333.html DXC to manage the implementation and development of private and public cloud infrastructures for Spanish autonomous community SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services company, has been awarded a contract by the Agency for the Technological Modernization of Galicia to transform its cloud platforms and solutions. Xunta de Galicia is the public administration body for the autonomous Galicia region of Spain. DXC will coordinate, manage, and develop the organization's cloud infrastructures and solutions across private, public and cloud environments. The agreement will benefit decision-making processes for the government agency, with DXC providing advice on methodologies, best practices, cost optimization, regulatory compliance, governance, and the implementation of new cloud services. Aiming to become a service provider for public entities in the region, Xunta de Galicia will offer flexible and secure cloud infrastructure to regional public entities via a cloud consumption model. The two organizations will work together to determine the most efficient and successful strategy for cloud infrastructure in the region including the potential for a 'Cloud Dashboard' for monitoring projects and platforms to provide a holistic overview of the region's cloud technology performance. "Almost three million Galician citizens rely on the public services we deliver. Cloud technologies provide us with a flexible platform to optimize processes while ensuring the stability and security we need to protect our operations around the clock. Now, we have the proven experience of DXC as a partner to pave our way the cloud" said Miguel Montero, Head of Cloud Infrastructure at Xunta de Galicia. "Our contract will define and deploy the cloud strategy for Xunta de Galicia. We will become a reference for Spanish public administrations by modernizing and improving the services to various Galician organizations and institutions, benefitting citizens across the region", said Elias Castro, Territorial Director of DXC Technology Iberia in Galicia. "With our expertise in cloud architectures, we will assist in the adoption of new solutions and services that will drive innovation and improve the operational efficiency of Xunta de Galicia." All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements." These statements represent current expectations and beliefs, and no assurance can be given that the results described in such statements will be achieved. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements, many of which are outside of our control. For a written description of these factors, see the section titled "Risk Factors" in DXC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and any updating information in subsequent SEC filings. No assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in any forward-looking statement can or will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements which speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by law. DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. The world's largest companies and public sector organizations trust DXC to deploy services to drive new levels of performance, competitiveness, and customer experience across their IT estates. Learn more about how we deliver excellence for our customers and colleagues at DXC.com. CONTACT: Isabel Granda, DXC Iberia Communications, isabel.granda@dxc.com; John Sweeney, Investor Relations, +1-980-315-3665, john.sweeney@dxc.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243495/DXC_Technology_Company_DXC_Technology_to_Transform_Cloud_Strateg.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dxc-technology-to-transform-cloud-strategy-for-spanish-regional-government-of-galicia-301952836.html MANCHESTER, England, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence company Peak today launched its new generative AI product, Co:Driver. Powered by Google Cloud's Vertex AI and its PaLM 2 large language model (LLM), Co:Driver provides users with natural language question-answer capabilities and surfaces proactive recommendations tailored to their business' unique context. Peak's AI platform is used by global industry leaders, including Nike, Molson Coors, Marshalls and Eurocell. The platform features a library of pre-built AI applications, which use machine learning and statistical algorithms to forecast trends, patterns and predictions from each user's unique data set. Peak's AI applications allow users to rapidly apply AI to optimize their inventories, pricing and customer personalization. Using outputs from a user's existing AI applications on the Peak platform, the new generative AI product allows users to ask questions about their business in natural language, such as how much stock there is in a certain location or which products are the best performers. Co:Driver continuously searches for information, efficiencies and anomalies of potential interest to the user, which is surfaced as bite-sized recommendations, with the user then able to choose their preferred next step from a number of AI-generated actions. The combination of Peak's AI applications and a fine-tuned LLM will help redefine the use of generative AI in business. Up to now, the typical commercial use case for generative AI has been rapid content generation, whether that be code or customer communications. Co:Driver goes beyond this, providing business teams with an interactive layer between them and their data, speeding up manual interpretation of data outputs, and highlighting critical areas of focus. "For businesses, knowledge is power," explains Richard Potter, Peak's CEO and co-founder. "Imagine logging on to your computer and seeing a list of recommended actions that are going to maximize your efficiency and help you hit your targets. With Co:Driver, the days of trawling through mounds of data, only for your analysis to be out of date, are gone. Businesses can finally focus on the decisions that are going to move the needle and we're thrilled to be bringing this new capability to our customers." "Businesses have a tremendous opportunity to apply generative AI to many use cases, like better exploring data through natural language interactions," said Bron Hastings, VP, Partnerships at Google Cloud. "Through this partnership, Google Cloud's Vertex AI will underpin Peak's new Co:Driver product, bringing the power of Google's models to more users globally and helping businesses create more value from their data." Availability: Co:Driver will be available in private preview in early 2024. About Peak: Founded in Manchester in 2015 by Richard Potter, David Leitch and Atul Sharma, Peak is on a mission to change the way the world works by democratizing AI for every business. Peak's AI platform is used by global industry leaders including Nike, Molson Coors, Marshalls and Eurocell. The platform optimizes inventories, pricing and customer personalization for businesses of all sizes. Peak features a library of pre-built AI applications that rapidly create real value across a range of business functions. In August 2021, Peak announced a $75m Series C funding round led by SoftBank's Vision Fund II. The same year, it received a Best Companies 3-star accreditation, which recognizes extraordinary levels of employee engagement, and was ranked by The Sunday Times as one of the Best 100 Companies to Work For in 2020 and again by Best Companies in 2021 and 2022. Peak was also recognized as one of Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022. Forward-looking statements: Any unreleased services, features, or functions referenced in this document, our website, or other press releases or public statements that are not currently available are subject to change at Peak's discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. Customers who purchase Peak services should make their purchase decisions based upon services, features, and functions that are currently available. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244225/Peak.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/peak-launches-new-generative-ai-product-codriver-powered-by-google-cloud-and-its-palm-2-model-301953367.html OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - General Motors Co. has reached a tentative agreement with Canadian union Unifor, ending a strike in its Canadian plants seeking better contract terms. The move comes as the auto major's various US plants are continuing to be hit by United Auto Workers or UAW union's ongoing strike over demands for better pay and benefits. GM Canada on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, said, 'Today, GM Canada reached a tentative agreement with @UniforTheUnion covering approximately 4,200 represented employees at St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, Oshawa Assembly & Operations, and Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre. Work will resume at all 3 facilities this afternoon.' Members of Unifor, Canada's largest union with 315,000 workers, at these GM plants had begun strike at midnight on Tuesday saying the company stubbornly refused to meet the pattern agreement. The union now said the strike actions are on hold to allow the membership to vote on the tentative agreement. The new three-year tentative agreement covers autoworkers at Unifor locals 222, 199 and 636. Meanwhile, Unifor Local 88 members at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario continue operations as they are covered by a separate collective agreement. Unifor National President Lana Payne stated that GM's comprehensive tentative agreement follows the pattern set at Ford Motor Co., including all items such as pensions, retiree income supports, and converting full-time temporary workers into permanent employees over the life of the agreement. It was in late September that the union members had ratified a new three-year collective labor agreement with Ford Motor's Canadian unit., preventing possible walkouts. As per the new GM tentative deal, the workers will get base hourly wage increases of nearly 20% for production and 25% for Skilled Trades over the lifetime of agreement. There will be general wage increases in each year of the agreement with 10% in year one, 2% in year two, and 3% in year three. It has also been agreed with reactivation of the Cost of Living Allowance or COLA in December 2024. There will be $10,000 Productivity and Quality bonus for full-time employees, including current temporary full-time, as well as $4,000 for Temporary Part Time. Meanwhile, members of the UAW, the striking union in the U.S., are continuing to be away from their job at select plants of the Big Three - GM, Ford, and Chrysler parent Stellantis. About 12,700 UAW members had started their Stand Up Strike at one each plant of Detroit's Big Three by September 15 after the expiration of the then four-year collective bargain agreement ended without reaching deals with the workers. The UAW, which represents about 146,000 workers at the three major automobile manufacturing companies, later significantly expanded its targeted walkout to various plants, bringing the total number of Big Three strikers to more than 25,000 members at 43 facilities in 21 states. Earlier this week, about 3,900 members of the UAW union working with Mack Trucks, owned by Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Volvo Group, had joined the striking autoworkers after rejecting a recently agreed tentative deal. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Die Top 3 Dividendenaktien 2024 In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! Hier klicken World's Leading Shareholder Engagement and Governance Advisory Firm Enhances European Platform with Ambitious Plans for Growth NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Morrow Sodali (the "Firm"), a global shareholder engagement and governance advisory company, is pleased to announce that it has acquired strategic communications consultancy Powerscourt. Founded in 2004, Powerscourt is one of London's pre-eminent communications firms, specialising in financial and capital markets communications, corporate campaigning, ESG advisory and political affairs. It is also a go-to adviser for clients facing reputational challenges and corporate crises. Powerscourt has 75 colleagues based in London and Dublin advising over 170 clients, including many listed on the FTSE 100. Morrow Sodali is majority-owned by TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of TPG. It works with over 1,000 corporate clients in more than 80 markets worldwide on a range of critical issues including corporate governance and ESG advisory, IPO preparedness, shareholder activism, M&A services and proxy solicitation. Headquartered in New York, Morrow Sodali has around 500 colleagues working across 14 international offices. It has made a number of recent complementary acquisitions, including Citadel-MAGNUS, one of Australia's leading corporate communications and investor relations firms, and ESG consulting firms HXE Partners and FrameworkESG. The acquisition of Powerscourt will provide a growth platform for Morrow Sodali to build a full-service advisory and shareholder services practice across Europe, with the financial backing of TPG. Powerscourt's senior management team, led by founder and CEO Rory Godson and Managing Partner Victoria Palmer-Moore, will remain with the business to help build out the European platform. Christian Sealey, CEO International, Morrow Sodali, said: "Corporates are operating in an increasingly complex business environment, with heightened levels of stakeholder scrutiny and reputational challenge. The acquisition of Powerscourt is a significant development for Morrow Sodali and is a key part of our global strategy to create a unique, highly differentiated, full-service proposition for our clients." Rory Godson, Founder and CEO of Powerscourt, said: "We are adding new capabilities and new countries, transforming Powerscourt into a multi-disciplinary advisory firm with global reach. The Powerscourt team has proved itself with its core services in its home markets. We will now be able to deliver greater perspective for boards, leadership teams and public figures. "This is a great deal for our colleagues, and the cultural alignment between our two firms is incredibly strong. It allows us to retain what is special about Powerscourt while giving us an exciting opportunity to play a major role in the Morrow Sodali growth story." Ransom Langford, Partner at TPG, said: "Morrow Sodali has a market-leading franchise and we are delighted to enhance the business further in London, one of the world's most important financial hubs. Morrow Sodali is on a journey to become the undisputed best service provider in stakeholder relations and Powerscourt delivers complementary offerings in a key geography. The combination is also an ideal platform for growth as we look for further opportunities across Europe." The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. ABOUT POWERSCOURT Powerscourt is a leading strategic communications consultancy representing many of the largest companies in the UK and Ireland. Its specialist services include financial & capital markets communications, corporate campaigning, ESG & sustainability, political affairs and crisis & issues management. Powerscourt has 75 colleagues based in London and Dublin advising over 170 clients, including many in the FTSE 100 Index. It has six sector teams comprising consultants with deep industry experience: Consumer Industries, Financial Services, Healthcare, Housebuilding & Real Estate, Industrials & Support Services and Technology, Media & Telecoms. Powerscourt was founded in 2004 by Rory Godson, a former business journalist whose previous media roles included Business Editor of the Sunday Times. For more information, visit www.powerscourt-group.com ABOUT MORROW SODALI Morrow Sodali is a global corporate consultancy that provides clients with comprehensive advice and services relating to corporate governance, compensation, ESG, sustainability, proxy solicitation, capital markets intelligence, shareholder and bondholder engagement, M&A, activism and contested situations, financial communications, investor relations and research. The addition of Powerscourt represents Morrow Sodali's latest acquisition as the firm continues to expand and enhance the range of advisory services it provides to its clients globally. From its headquarters in New York and offices in global capital markets, Morrow Sodali serves over 1,000 clients in more than 80 countries, including many of the world's largest multinational corporations, as well as mutual fund groups, stock exchanges and membership associations. In 2022, Morrow Sodali celebrated its 50th anniversary and also secured majority investment from TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of alternative asset firm TPG. This partnership significantly advances Morrow Sodali's mission of providing clients worldwide with best-in-class strategic advice and comprehensive support, enabling them to maximise value and expertly manage stakeholder relations. For more information, visit www.morrowsodali.com ABOUT TPG TPG is a leading global alternative asset management firm, founded in San Francisco in 1992, with $139 billion of assets under management and investment and operational teams around the world. TPG invests across five multi-strategy platforms: Capital, Growth, Impact, Real Estate, and Market Solutions and our unique strategy is driven by collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Our teams combine deep product and sector experience with broad capabilities and expertise to develop differentiated insights and add value for our fund investors, portfolio companies, management teams, and communities. For more information, visit www.tpg.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tpg-backed-morrow-sodali-acquires-powerscourt-301953394.html In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices fell slightly on Wednesday as investors watched the turmoil in the Middle East and awaited the weekly oil inventory reports for direction. Benchmark Brent crude futures slipped 0.3 percent to $87.42 a barrel, while WTI crude futures were down 0.4 percent at $85.67. Oil prices are displaying a degree of stability after climbing over 4 percent on Monday following an attack by Palestinian militants Hamas on Israel in Gaza. Traders assessed the likely impact of potential supply disruptions due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The conflict may not pose an immediate threat to oil supply, but there is a risk that the conflict can spiral into a proxy war, embroiling the U.S. and Iran. Traders also await weekly oil reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for direction. The API's report is being released a day later than usual following Monday's Columbus Day holiday. 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. Healthware will immediately merge with EVERSANA INTOUCH, shifting from long-standing partnership to a full-service global, award-winning agency network CHICAGO and SALERNO, Italy, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EVERSANA, a leading provider of global commercial services to the life sciences industry, today announced the acquisition of Healthware Group, a full-service agency and innovation consultancy headquartered in Salerno, Italy. The acquisition immediately expands EVERSANA's European operations and worldwide capabilities to help pharmaceutical, medical device, and emerging biotech companies globally launch products, expand market access, or solve unique geographic and market-specific challenges. "Today's announcement is the next remarkable step in our journey to reinvent commercialisation by effectively integrating what we believe to be the best service providers around the world," said Jim Lang, CEO, EVERSANA. "Gone are the days of siloed, ineffective operations or regional strategies. Our clients need global strategy and integrated commercial services balanced with the right in-market expertise. And now with an even stronger global agency powerhouse connected to EVERSANA's full commercial ecosystem, we are advancing our commitment to provide clients with unmatched support for brands worldwide." Healthware to seamlessly integrate with EVERSANA INTOUCH; shifting from established joint venture to scaled global operation With more than 150 employees and multiple offices across Italy, Finland, and the United Kingdom, Healthware will seamlessly merge with EVERSANA's global agency network, EVERSANA INTOUCH. The two award-winning agency networks have had a long-standing relationship since 2017 when Healthware signed a joint venture agreement with Intouch Group, which was later acquired by EVERSANA in 2021. "Healthware Group and EVERSANA INTOUCH have had a long and successful partnership dating back many years and spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. Our companies share a common culture and vision, and together, we are already leveraging the power of digital and technology solutions to deliver global brand impact and transform stakeholder engagement and patient care," said Roberto Ascione, CEO of Healthware Group. "With this merger, we will become a formidable force in the market, providing services well beyond a traditional agency network, which is why this merger was so compelling to us. We look forward to serving both new and existing clients with an expanded set of commercialisation services and to continue to lead the transformation of the life sciences industry and beyond." Founded by Ascione, Healthware has provided marketing, advisory, customer engagement and media services, medical communications and education, and advanced technology capabilities for over 25 years. Those services will integrate into EVERSANA INTOUCH's full-service, global healthcare agency network - led by Faruk Capan, CEO, EVERSANA INTOUCH and Chief Innovation Officer, EVERSANA. The expanded global agency network will leverage its combined roots in digital innovation to "pharmatize" the power of AI in marketing. The network's strength in innovation matched with world-class omni, data, and media capabilities provide the basis of modern, authentic, and differentiated healthcare brands. As part of the acquisition, Healthware's flagship global events, media and publishing divisions, including the annual Frontiers Health conference and pharmaphorum, a premium source for healthcare and pharmaceutical industry news, insight and debate, will be owned and operated by EVERSANA. With the acquisition complete, Ascione is joining the EVERSANA global leadership team effective immediately. EVERSANA and Healthware Group leadership will have a joint presence at Healthware's signature event, Frontiers Health 2023, held 8-10 November in Rome. Financial details of the acquisition are not being disclosed. About EVERSANA EVERSANA is a leading independent provider of global services to the life sciences industry. The company's integrated solutions are rooted in the patient experience and span all stages of the product life cycle to deliver long-term, sustainable value for patients, prescribers, channel partners, and payers. The company serves more than 650 organizations, including innovative start-ups and established pharmaceutical companies, to advance life sciences solutions for a healthier world. To learn more about EVERSANA, visit eversana.com or connect through LinkedIn and X. About Healthware Group Healthware Group is a full-service agency and innovation consultancy, founded by digital health pioneer Roberto Ascione, providing marketing, advisory, customer engagement and media services, medical communications and education, and advanced technology capabilities. The media and community division offers premium content and platforms to gather insights, foster thought leadership, enable market shaping, and create connections. Healthware Group has co-hosted and produced the premier global digital health conference, Frontiers Health, for nearly a decade. Healthware has a team of 150+ professionals based in Salerno, London, New York, Milan, Rome, and Helsinki. Additionally, the Healthware Global Network, one of the largest international networks of independent healthcare agencies, provides deep local expertise in over 25 countries. For more information, please visit healthwaregroup.com or connect with us through LinkedIn or X. MEDIA CONTACT: EVERSANA Matt Braun Director, Corporate Communications +1 414-434-4830 matt.braun@eversana.com Healthware Group Antonietta Pannella Director, Marketing & Communications +39 349-0648276 antonietta.pannella@healthwaregroup.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/826977/Eversana_Logov1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243485/Healthware_Group_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eversana-expands-global-commercialisation-capabilities-and-strengthens-agency-network-with-healthware-group-acquisition-301953108.html SAN FRANCISCO and HONG KONG, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matthews, a privately owned investment management firm with more than 30 years focused on Global Emerging Markets and Asia, announced that Sean Taylor has joined the firm and will be appointed chief investment officer (CIO), effective January 1, 2024, as part of the firm's long-term succession planning. A highly experienced CIO and portfolio manager, Mr. Taylor has over 25 years of global experience within the investment management industry. He joins Matthews from DWS Group where he was most recently chief investment officer APAC and head of Emerging Markets. His experience leading investment teams in global and international equities, fixed income, and alternative strategies has earned him a reputation as a highly regarded Emerging Markets portfolio manager. Mr. Taylor has been responsible for investment teams located in the U.S., Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East, where he has developed deep partnerships with sovereign wealth groups, pension funds and a wide range of institutional clients. As Matthews' chief investment officer in 2024, Mr. Taylor will lead the firm's San Francisco- and Hong Kong-based investment teams and play an important role in continuing to build on Matthews' active partnerships with institutional and professional clients. He will continue the firm's focus on investment excellence and a culture of collaboration, openness, curiosity and innovation within the team. Partnering closely with the firm's senior leadership team, he will also support Matthews' customized solutions platform that addresses the evolving needs of our clients. "Sean brings extensive investment leadership to Matthews. In addition to seeking compelling investment performance, he will evolve our investment offering and support our 'Active Partnership' approach to clients that goes beyond product manufacturing to provide a holistic long-term investment solution," said Cooper Abbott, chief executive officer of Matthews. "Having led investment teams globally for over 10 years, Sean has a proven track record as a strong transformational leader. Sean is also a highly experienced portfolio manager across Emerging and Developed Markets. Following other recent senior hires by Matthews, Sean's appointment further emphasizes our commitment to building a strong entrepreneurial leadership team that deepens our presence in Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific." "I am delighted to join Matthews at a time when investors are looking for deeper investment expertise across core asset classes," said Sean Taylor. "As a recognized leader within Emerging Markets and Asia, Matthews offers a strong, highly differentiated value proposition with an emphasis on developing deep partnerships with clients and delivering long-term outperformance. Given the firm's expertise and capabilities, I believe it can meet the real need for implementable insights within a changing global context. Matthews has an incredible pedigree and depth of talent and I look forward to helping them achieve their goal of delivering leading investment performance while further enhancing the firm's investment platform to meet the needs of clients." The appointment of Mr. Taylor follows a decision by Robert Horrocks, PhD, chief investment officer and portfolio manager to step back from his current leadership responsibilities. Following a transition period, Robert will step down from his chief investment officer role at the end of 2023 and will remain as a portfolio manager on the Matthews Asian Growth and Income, Matthews Asia Dividend and Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Strategies, in addition to working closely with the firm's global clients. "Sean is a highly regarded investment leader with an outstanding track record of building disciplined, high-performing investment teams globally," said Robert Horrocks, PhD, chief investment officer. "He will continue to evolve our investment platform across Emerging and Developed Markets to ensure we remain firmly aligned with the changing needs of our clients. As a passionate investor in Emerging Markets, Sean comes with a proven track record that immediately enhances our value proposition and I look forward to working closely with Sean over the coming months to ensure a seamless and successful transition." Matthews provides investors with a broad range of investment solutions across Emerging Markets, Asia and China. These include global, regional, country and thematic strategies available in SMAs, Active ETFs, and mutual funds. The firm also provides customized solutions to clients. These include strategies that have a sustainability focus, as well as solutions for investors wanting to exclude China from their portfolios. Media Contact in the U.S.: Dukas Linden PR Sarah Lazarus/Stephanie Dressler +617-335-7823/+949-269-2535 sarah@dlpr.com/stephanie@dlpr.com Media Contact in Europe: Sam Emery Quill PR +44 207 466 5056 About Matthews: Matthews is an independent, privately owned investment manager founded in 1991 on a belief that Global Emerging Markets offer exceptional long-term growth potential. As a trusted and experienced guide, Matthews takes a long-term, active, fundamental investment approach to construct highly differentiated portfolios that focus on Emerging Markets, Asia and China. The firm manages assets on behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally in vehicles that include SMAs, mutual funds and active ETFs. For more information about Matthews, please visit www.matthewsasia.com. Disclosure This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not, in any way, constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or product mentioned herein. Investing in international and emerging markets may involve additional risks, such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation. Matthews Asia is a brand for Matthews International Capital Management, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Vestforsyning, Struer Energi, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners today announced that the three entities have reached an agreement on the transaction of MEC-Biogas. The purpose of it is to create and develop a center for sustainable bioenergy in Holstebro and Struer municipalities. COPENHAGEN, HOLSTERBO, Denmark, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) will, through its CI Advanced Bioenergy Fund I, invest in the expansion of the sustainable bioenergy sector in Holstebro and Struer municipalities by investing in the expansion and upgrade of MEC-Biogas. MEC-Biogas is one of Denmark's first large-scale industrial biogas plants that today converts around ~500,000 tons of manure yearly to raw biogas for power and heat production. CIP expects to increase the total yearly capacity of sustainable biomass to ~800,000 tons, and to furthermore develop new business models for the plant, incl. ~30m Nm3 upgraded biogas to be injected into the gas grid and ~40,000 tons biogenic CO 2 for the PtX industry. CIP believes that bioenergy projects must be locally anchored, both in terms of their position in the local community, and also in terms of contributing to the development of the agricultural sector and its routes for future decarbonisation. As a result of the new investment, CIP expects to create growth and additional jobs in the local community with a solid foundation in the local agricultural sector. "Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners are looking forward to cooperating with existing and new partners in the local community to create a center for Danish bioenergy. We continue to see a large potential in the efficient conversion of sustainable biomass to green gas and green fuels - and we believe that advanced bioenergy is going to play a vital role in the green transition, and especially in the transportation sector. The acquisition and expansion of MEC-biogas with our local partners, Struer Energi and Vestforsyningen, represents an important milestone, and we view it as one of our main projects in the Advanced Bioenergy Fund. We are looking forward to realizing the project, which will significantly contribute to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and create local jobs," says Andreas F. Brandt, partner at CIP. Beyond the already planned investments, CIP is looking at future expansion possibilities for the bioenergy-center, such as 2nd generation bioethanol and pyrolysis projects. This has, from the beginning, been one of the fundamental considerations as part of the investment, which is why CIP is now looking into the possibility of establishing a bioethanol plant in Mabjerg. Both Struer Energi and Vestforsyningen are happy that CIP is ready to acquire and invest a multimillion amount into developing Maabjerg Energy Centers biogas plant, and especially that CIP views 2nd generation bioethanol and pyrolysis as a future vital part of a sustainable bioenergy center. "We would have loved to be a part of the expansion of renewable energy in this area, however, the regulations on municipality-owned enterprises would constantly have slowed us down," says Kjeld Graversgard, the Chair of the board in Struer Energi. "An expansion of the biogas plant calls for upgrading the biogas to be able to inject it to the gas grid. There is not a legal basis for us, as a municipality owned enterprise, to expand the plant," adds Pernille Bloch, Chair of the board in Vestforsyningen. The development of the bioenergy sector facilitates the long-term need for energy security and independence in Denmark, as well as the ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the industrial, transportation and agricultural sectors. About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) was founded in 2012 and is today one of the largest dedicated fund managers within sustainable greenfield-investments and a global leader within offshore wind. The funds are administered by CIP and focuses on energy infrastructure, including onshore and offshore wind, solar panels, biomass, waste-to-energy, power transmission and distribution, Power-to-X, and advanced bioenergy. CIP manages 11 funds and has approximately EUR 26bn under management for investments in energy and associated infrastructure, from more than 150 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 400 employees and 11 offices across the globe. For more information, visit www.cip.com For more information, contact: Oliver Routhe Skov, Head of Media Relations Phone: +45 30541227 Email: orsk@cip.com Thomas Knig, Partner - Investor Relations Phone: +45 7070 5151 Email: tkon@cip.com Christian Hagelskjr, CEO, Vestforsyning and Maabjerg Energy Center Phone: 51 58 73 10 Pernille Bloch, Chair of the board, Vestforsynings and Maabjerg Energy Centers Board of Directors Phone: 40 24 94 94 Kjeld Graversgard, Chair of the board, Struer Energi's Board of Directors Phone: 20 28 45 11 Under this expanded agreement, Cellares will provide proof-of-concept manufacturing for a second Bristol Myers Squibb CAR-T cell therapy T he announcement comes weeks after Cellares first indicated that Bristol Myers Squibb had entered the Cellares TAP program to evaluate manufacturing of a cell therapy asset on its automated Cell Shuttle platform This agreement provides Bristol Myers Squibb an additional opportunity to explore Cellares' cost-efficient, reliable, and scalable platform for commercial-scale manufacturing Cellares, the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) dedicated to clinical and industrial-scale cell therapy manufacturing, announced that global biopharmaceutical company and cell therapy leader Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) will enter a second proof-of-concept tech transfer process for the manufacture of a CAR-T cell therapy, as part of the Cellares Technology Adoption Partnership (TAP) program. As part of this expanded agreement, Cellares will optimize, automate, and tech-transfer the additional CAR-T cell therapy process onto its automated manufacturing platform, the Cell Shuttle. Cellares' TAP program is a fast and low-risk opportunity for cell therapy developers to adopt the company's automated manufacturing technology for products in their pipeline. Bristol Myers Squibb is leveraging this program to evaluate the Cell Shuttle as an automated manufacturing process and produce comparability data confirming the Cell Shuttle as a viable, cost-efficient, and scalable manufacturing solution for cell therapies. Cellares is experiencing rapid growth and significant demand for its TAP program, with leading cell therapy developers looking to implement the Cell Shuttle as a clinical and commercial-stage GMP manufacturing solution. "We're excited to expand our relationship with Bristol Myers Squibb even further beyond the Series C investment and the first TAP program for cell therapies," said Cellares CEO Fabian Gerlinghaus. "The optimization and automation of this additional CAR-T cell therapy process through our TAP program expands on our first partnership with BMS and helps our mission to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies for patients." The company's flexible manufacturing technology supports both autologous and allogeneic cell therapy processes and approximately 90% of cell therapy modalities. Under the TAP program, manual processes can be automated and tech-transferred onto Cellares' Cell Shuttle platform in only six months. Participating cell therapy developers can tech-transfer their cell therapy processes onto a Cell Shuttle at any stage during pre-clinical development, in the clinic, or after regulatory approval. Thanks to automation, standardization, and software-defined manufacturing (SDM), every tech transfer thereafter is instantaneous to any Cell Shuttle in any other IDMO Smart Factory anywhere in the world. Please visit cellares.com/partnering/ to learn more about the TAP program and request a meeting with a business development representative. About Cellares Cellares is the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) and takes an Industry 4.0 approach to mass manufacturing the living drugs of the 21st century. The company is both developing and operating integrated technologies for cell therapy manufacturing to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies. The company's Cell Shuttle integrates all the technologies required for the entire manufacturing process in a flexible and high-throughput platform that delivers true walk-away, end-to-end automation. Cell Shuttles will be deployed in Cellares' Smart Factories around the world to meet total patient demand for cell therapies at global scale. Partnering with Cellares enables academics, biotechs, and pharma companies to accelerate drug development and scale out manufacturing, lower process failure rates, lower manufacturing costs, and meet global patient demand. The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California with its commercial-scale IDMO Smart Factory in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company is backed by world-class investors and has raised over $355 million in financing. For more information about Cellares, please visit cellares.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011317756/en/ Contacts: cellares@consortpartners.com NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced DynaResource, Inc. (OTCQX: DYNR), a junior gold resource company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. DynaResource, Inc. upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB Venture Market. DynaResource, Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol "DYNR." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. The OTCQX Market provides investors with a premium U.S. public market to research and trade the shares of investor-focused companies. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. About DynaResource, Inc. DynaResource, Inc. ("DynaResource") is a dynamic and emerging junior gold resource company currently conducting test mining and milling activities and producing high grade gold concentrates, and continuing exploration activity, at the prolific, high grade gold project San Jose de Gracia, in Northern Sinaloa Mexico, through its 100% owned subsidiary in Mexico, DynaResource de Mexico SA de CV. ("DynaMexico"). DynaMexico owns 100% of San Jose de Gracia ("SJG"), which is comprised of 33 mining concessions covering a total of 9,920 Hectares. DynaMexico is continuing the development and definition of the world class, multi-million oz gold potential of SJG: Including the + 1 M gold oz. potential in near surface, bulk tonnage resources. Including the + 1 M gold oz. potential in underground resources. Including high gold grades at several resource areas. DynaMexico has reported revenues of +$120M USD since 2016, when DynaMexico commenced test mining and milling activities at SJG with a $4M USD private funding. Since the startup in 2016, DynaMexico has paid +$35M USD in project improvement and expansion costs and has increased volume of its test mining and milling activities by 500%. At December 31, 2022, DynaMexico reports the following resources at San Jose de Gracia (please note Technical Disclosure footnote below*). In CND NI 43-101 Technical Report and Resources Estimate dated December 31, 2012; DynaMexico reported an underground resource of 1.150 M Oz Au as initially disclosed in a DynaResource Form 10-K filing dated April 12, 2013; and, The amount of material reported by DynaMexico as test mined and milled, and the amount of gold oz. sold, through December 2022, as disclosed in the DynaResource Form 10-K filing dated April 17, 2023; and The amount of that underground resource remaining at December 31, 2022, as disclosed in the DynaResource Form 10-K filing dated April 17, 2023; and In updated resource estimate dated March 30, 2023; A near surface, bulk tonnage resource of + 1.05 M Oz. Au, as disclosed in the DynaResource Form 10-K filing dated April 17, 2023. *Technical Disclosure: Please note the Technical Disclosure reported by DynaResource in its Form 10-K filing dated April 17, 2023. At September 30, 2023, DynaResource reports fully diluted 27.5M Shares outstanding; including an Industry Partner as a major shareholder (Ocean Partners UK Limited), who acquired 1M Shares of DynaResource, Inc. for $5M USD in August 2023. For more information regarding DynaResource, Inc. and San Jose de Gracia; please visit www.DynaResource.com. About OTC Markets Group Inc. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market and Pink Open Market. Our OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets. OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com. Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed Media Contact: OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Aton Resources Inc. (TSXV:AAN) ("Aton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the reverse circulation percussion ("RC") programme drilling at its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat" or the "Concession"), in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, as well as the first results from the West Garida and Abu Gaharish prospects (Figure 1). Highlights: 85 holes were drilled, for a total of 11,700m, during the regional exploration RC programme at the West Garida, Abu Gaharish, Semna and Zeno prospects; A further 628m was drilled from 3 groundwater exploration holes approximately 20km west of the Hamama project area; Significant flows were recorded from the groundwater exploration holes within Nubian Sandstone cover rocks, proving the concept that this unit could provide process water supplies for the planned Hamama West and Rodruin mining projects; Significant mineralised intersections from the Abu Gaharish prospect included 9m @ 2.10 g/t Au, 3m @ 4.61 g/t Au and 3m @ 3.27 g/t Au. The gold mineralisation was primarily concentrated in a broadly mineralised envelope at the Gaharish Main Zone; Narrow mineralised intersections at West Garida included 2m @ 3.66 g/t Au and 24.3 g/t Ag from Vein #1 and 1m @ 4.00 g/t Au from Vein #3. "We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the regional RC exploration drilling programme at Abu Marawat, and to provide the first tranche of results" said Tonno Vahk, Interim CEO. "We are particularly happy with the results of the groundwater drilling in the Nubian Sandstone west of Hamama, designed to test the potential of these rocks to provide process water supplies to the planned starter heap leach mining project at Hamama West. The results were very encouraging with the drilling intersecting significant groundwater hosted in the Nubian cover. It is particularly encouraging that the drilling did not penetrate deep enough to intersect the main target, the basal Tarif Sandstone Unit of the Nubian, which suggests that this unit may host significant groundwater resources closer to Hamama than was previously anticipated. EMRA continue to review our submission to them detailing Commercial Discoveries at the Hamama West and Rodruin deposits, in accordance with the terms of the Abu Marawat Concession Agreement, and we are hopeful that this process is moving towards a successful conclusion and the issuance of the mining licence at Abu Marawat. The issuance of the first gold mining licence in Egypt to a publicly listed foreign investor since Sukari in 2005 would represent a very significant step forwards for Aton, as well as for Egypt, the Ministry of Petroleum and EMRA." 2023 Abu Marawat RC drilling programme The exploration RC drilling, undertaken by Geodrill's Egyptian branch, Geodrill for Leasing and Specialized Services Freezone LLC, commenced at the West Garida prospect, 3km east of Hamama West. Prior to the rig being mobilised to Abu Gaharish, 3 groundwater exploration holes were also drilled to test the Nubian Sandstone aquifer approximately 20km west of the Hamama project. Drilling at Abu Gaharish, and subsequently at the Semna and Zeno prospects was supported by fly camps. The drill metres for the programme are summarised in Table 1. Project Number of holes Total metres Groundwater exploration (Nubian Sandstone) 3 628 West Garida 21 1,522 Abu Gaharish 22 3,300 Semna 21 3,662 Zeno 21 3,216 Total 88 12,328 Table 1: Breakdown of the RC drilling completed Figure 1: Geology and prospect plan of the Abu Marawat Concession Groundwater exploration drilling 2 holes HAW-01 and HAW-02 were drilled south of the Hamama access road approximately 20km west of the Hamama West mineral deposit to test the potential of the Nubian Sandstone Formation to produce sufficient volumes of process water for the proposed Hamama West. Hole HAW-03 was drilled approximately 4km further east of HAW-01, back towards Hamama. Details and locations of the holes are provided in Table 2. Hole ID Collar co-ordinates 1,2 EOH depth (m) Dip Grid azimuth Comments X Y Z HAW-01 517072 2910962 291 100 -90 - Hole dry HAW-02 516679 2909410 285 294 -90 - c. 700 l/min flow from 270m depth HAW-03 520792 2911753 315 234 -90 - c. 480 l/min flow from 222m depth Notes: All co-ordinates are UTM (WGS84) Zone 36R Collar surveys undertaken using handheld Garmin GPS Table 2: Collar details of groundwater exploration drill holes The RC holes were drilled at 5" diameter, with holes HAW-02 and HAW-03 reducing to 5" diameter. Holes HAW-01 and HAW-02 were cased through the surface alluvial sheet wash deposits to 12m depth, and HAW-03 was cased to 30m depth. Hole HAW-01 failed to intersect any water by its target depth of 100m, and was terminated. Holes HAW-02 and HAW-03 both intersected significant groundwater from about 120m depth, with the drillers unable to keep the holes and samples dry (Figure 2). Hole HAW-02 was terminated at 294m, and HAW-03 was terminated at 234m, due to the hole collapsing in water-bearing sandstones. All holes were drilled through a variegated sequence of predominantly brown, red, grey and black shales and mudstones, with intercalated sandstone units interpreted as belonging to the Quseir Unit of the Cretaceous Nubian Sandstone Formation. The target basal Tarif Sandstone Unit of the Nubian Sandstone Formation was not intersected in any of the 3 holes. Figure 2: Drilling on groundwater exploration hole HAW-02 Both holes HAW-02 and HAW-03 started making significant amounts of water from about 120m onwards, with the volume increasing with depth. Water was primarily hosted within sandstone horizons intercalated with the predominantly shale and mudstone sequence. Airlift testing was carried out on both holes, using the booster compressor, but no formal pump testing was undertaken. Water flows were measured using a V-notch weir system. Significant water flows were recorded from both holes HAW-02 and HAW-03, to a maximum of c. 700 l/min from 270m depth, and 480 l/min from 220m depth, respectively. The programme has successfully proved the concept that the Nubian Sandstone cover which outcrops to the west of the Hamama area could potentially host sufficient groundwater resources to provide process water for the proposed Hamama West open mine and heap leach project. It is noted that the drilling failed to intersect the deeper basal Tarif Sandstone Unit of the Nubian Sandstone Formation that was the primary target of the programme. The Nubian Sandstone cover dips west towards the Nile River basin, which suggests that the Tarif Formation aquifer could be potentially intersected and exploited for groundwater at shallower depths and further east towards the Hamama project, thus reducing the required pumping distance. Exploration RC drilling West Garida 21 drill holes, WGP-006 to WGP-025, were completed at the West Garida prospect (Figure 1), for a total of 1,522m metres (Table 3 and Figure 3). The mineralisation at West Garida is associated with several narrow shallow-dipping coarse gold-bearing quartz veins, with the drilling designed to follow up on a previous RC drill intersection of 41.7 g/t Au, 263 g/t Ag and 2.08% Pb over a 1m interval in hole WGP-003 (see news release dated September 1, 2022). Hole ID Collar co-ordinates 1,2 EOH depth (m) Dip Grid azimuth Comments X Y Z WGP-006 537327.4 2914773.9 630.6 100 -71.3 0.8 Vein #1 WGP-007 537327.4 2914776.0 630.6 100 -51.3 3.1 Vein #1 WGP-008 537327.1 2914762.7 630.6 57 -65.0 179.6 Vein #1 (hole abandoned) WGP-008a 537327.4 2914766.2 630.6 120 -64.8 181.1 Vein #1 (re-drill of WGP-008) WGP-009 537327.5 2914767.1 630.7 110 -78.7 180.6 Vein #1 WGP-010 537240.4 2914803.6 614.7 60 -48.1 1.4 Vein #1 WGP-011 537240.2 2914800.3 614.9 60 -89.5 351.9 Vein #1 WGP-012 537238.9 2914737.2 629.7 100 -55.0 358.1 Vein #1 WGP-013 537239.0 2914735.6 629.8 100 -74.3 1.1 Vein #1 WGP-014 537239.0 2914734.6 629.9 100 -90.0 0.0 Vein #1 WGP-015 537239.1 2914728.3 630.1 110 -80.6 189.1 Vein #1 WGP-016 536845.5 2914990.0 637.6 40 -89.8 221.4 Vein #2 WGP-017 536847.7 2914991.3 637.7 40 -50.0 59.5 Vein #2 WGP-018 536797.7 2914961.8 634.3 40 -50.6 58.8 Vein #2 WGP-019 536795.2 2914960.6 634.2 50 -89.6 335.8 Vein #2 WGP-020 536790.9 2914958.3 633.9 75 -55.4 237.7 Vein #2 WGP-021 536780.6 2915143.5 627.5 50 -50.5 129.2 Vein #3 WGP-022 536778.6 2915145.1 627.4 60 -89.4 147.9 Vein #3 WGP-023 536775.8 2915147.1 627.3 70 -59.2 311.5 Vein #3 WGP-024 536836.9 2914991.5 637.2 40 -50.3 315.4 Vein #2 WGP-025 536845.1 2914986.0 637.6 40 -50.1 179.5 Vein #2 Notes: All co-ordinates are UTM (WGS84) Zone 36R Collar surveys undertaken using a Leica Viva GS15 differential GPS system Drill holes were surveyed using a Reflex EZ-TRAC magnetic survey tool, within stainless steel rods Table 3: Collar details of RC exploration drill holes at West Garida Figure 3: West Garida drill hole collar plan Hole ID Intersection (m) Assays (ppm) Comments From To Interval Au Ag Cu Pb Zn WGP-010 35 36 1 2.03 1.6 35 23 164 Vein #1 WGP-011 24 25 1 2.35 10.1 215 900 1,390 Vein #1 WGP-012 50 52 2 3.66 24.3 36 867 75 Vein #1 WGP-018 21 22 1 3.25 24.0 221 2,870 3,100 Vein #2 WGP-023 68 69 1 4.00 4.9 217 7 1,800 Vein #3 Table 4: Significant intersections from West Garida The drill holes generally intersected the targeted mineralised structures (Veins #1, #2 and #3, see Figure 3). All mineralised intercepts from the West Garida drilling are provided in Appendix A, with significant intersections shown in Table 4 above. The drilling largely confirmed the presence and continuity of the shallow dipping mineralised structures, but did not replicate the high grades from surface sampling of the coarse-gold bearing structures, nor the results of hole WGP-003 (see news release dated September 1, 2022). Abu Gaharish Hole ID Collar co-ordinates 1,2 EOH depth (m) Dip Grid azimuth Comments X Y Z GHP-001 564503.2 2917326.1 481.7 200 -53.1 79.6 Main Zone GHP-002 564431.0 2917336.0 477.3 200 -53.4 79.0 Main Zone GHP-003 564372.9 2917345.9 478.1 150 -52.0 90.9 Main Zone GHP-004 564307.4 2917342.2 478.8 150 -55.6 88.5 Main Zone GHP-005 564239.3 2917351.0 478.1 120 -56.5 93.0 Main Zone GHP-006 564488.8 2917177.5 480.7 200 -53.8 91.0 Main Zone GHP-007 564420.8 2917179.8 479.6 200 -55.0 90.3 Main Zone GHP-008 564347.1 2917185.3 483.0 150 -55.3 90.4 Main Zone GHP-009 564701.8 2916804.0 516.5 150 -54.1 90.3 SE shear GHP-010 564630.2 2916659.1 533.2 120 -54.8 88.2 SE shear GHP-011 564406.4 2916699.0 495.9 100 -53.7 89.4 SW shear GHP-012 563841.5 2916890.5 490.6 140 -49.7 70.9 Stockwork zone GHP-013 563919.9 2916955.1 508.9 140 -47.7 74.9 Stockwork zone GHP-014 563996.0 2916983.4 501.8 140 -50.8 71.5 Stockwork zone GHP-015 564566.5 2917491.7 470.6 150 -53.7 88.7 Main Zone GHP-016 564523.1 2917500.6 475.4 200 -53.4 84.3 Main Zone GHP-017 564447.2 2917507.1 474.2 160 -54.0 89.7 Main Zone GHP-018 564562.3 2918038.7 464.3 120 -54.5 89.9 Ionic leach anomaly GHP-019 564491.8 2918038.3 465.3 120 -55.0 90.9 Ionic leach anomaly GHP-020 564460.4 2918197.8 462.5 120 -53.1 90.7 Ionic leach anomaly GHP-021 564392.0 2918198.2 461.7 120 -54.7 91.4 Ionic leach anomaly GHP-022 564996.4 2918271.1 488.2 150 -54.9 105.3 NEX Vein zone Notes: All co-ordinates are UTM (WGS84) Zone 36R Collar surveys undertaken using a Leica Viva GS15 differential GPS system Drill holes were surveyed using a gyroscopic survey tool Table 5: Collar details of RC exploration drill holes at Abu Gaharish 22 drill holes, GHP-001 to GHP-022, were completed at the Abu Gaharish prospect (Figure 1), for a total of 3,300m metres (Table 5 and Figure 4) in this first pass programme. Holes were drilled over a broad area covering c. 1.7km of strike length of mineralisation that roughly parallels the contact of the Gaharish alkali granite pluton with the surrounding metasedimentary and metavolcanic package of country rocks. 11 holes were drilled at the Gaharish Main Zone, which was the main focus of ancient and recent artisanal mine workings (GHP-001 to GHP-008, and GHP-015 to GHP-017), 3 holes were drilled to test shear structures located within country rock package (GHP-009 to GHP-011), 3 holes were drilled to test a possible stockwork and sheeted vein zone southwest of the Main Zone, and within the Gaharish pluton itself (GHP-012 to GHP-014), 4 holes were drilled to test an ionic leach wadi sediment geochemical anomaly (GHP-018 to GHP-021), and the final hole was drilled to test the North East Extension ("NEX") Vein structure, along strike and north-northeast of the Main Zone (GHP-022). The collar locations of all the drill holes are shown in Figure 4. Figure 4: Abu Gaharish drill hole collar plan All mineralised intercepts from the Abu Gaharish drilling are provided in Appendix B, with significant intersections shown in Table 6. The drilling identified a broad mineralised envelope over a c. 350m strike length associated with the Main Zone, containing higher grade structures, which returned intercepts including 2m @ 8.16 g/t Au and 3m @ 4.61 g/t Au. Screen fire assay of a single 1m sample indicated the presence of coarse gold in these zones. Narrow lower grade intercepts were returned from the southern shear structures in the country rocks, and a broad low grade interval in hole GHP-012 indicated the potential for sheeted vein style reduced intrusion-related gold ("RIRG") style mineralisation to the southwest of the Main Zone. Hole ID Intersection (m) Assays (ppm) Comments From To Interval Au Ag Cu Pb Zn GHP-001 1 5 4 2.70 2.2 69 193 181 Main Zone and 61 70 9 2.10 2.3 57 385 457 incl. 65 67 2 8.16 8.3 205 1,568 1,706 GHP-002 55 56 1 6.69 10.2 70 750 363 Main Zone GHP-006 80 83 3 3.27 5.9 47 199 394 Main Zone and 124 126 2 3.52 8.1 58 126 359 GHP-007 8 10 2 3.78 1.3 14 190 188 Main Zone GHP-015 11 13 2 2.98 4.1 40 200 329 Main Zone and 49 50 1 4.77 - - - - Gold by screen fire assay, coarse gold present GHP-016 37 42 5 1.23 0.5 14 26 102 Main Zone and 49 52 3 4.61 14.8 186 967 849 Table 6: Significant intersections from Abu Gaharish Sampling and analytical procedures The RC holes were drilled at 5" or 5" diameter, and the bulk percussion chip samples were collected directly into pre-written large plastic bags from the cyclone every metre, numbered with the hole number and hole depths, and laid out sequentially at the drill site. Between each metre of drilling the cyclone and top box were cleaned out with compressed air. The bags were logged on the drill sites by Aton geologists. The bulk 1m samples were weighed, and subsequently riffle split through a 3-tier splitter onsite by Aton field staff to produce an approximately 1/8 split, which was collected in cloth bags, numbered and tagged with the hole number and depth. The splitter was cleaned with compressed air between each sample. The reject material from this initial bulk split was re-bagged, labelled and tagged, and retained on the drill sites. A representative sample of each metre was washed and stored in marked plastic chip trays, each containing 20m of samples, photographed, and retained onsite as a permanent record of the drill hole. The 1m split samples, weighing approximately 5kg each were then transported to the Rodruin sample processing facility, where they were 1/2 riffle split into 2 separate sub-samples, weighing approximately 2.5kg. One of these sub-samples was marked and labelled, and retained at the laboratory for storage. The second 1m sub-samples were then combined into 4m composite samples, weighing approximately 10kg. These were thoroughly mixed and again riffle split to produce nominal c. 250-500g 4m composite samples which were dispatched to ALS Minerals for analysis. Again the splitter was cleaned with compressed air between each sample. The 4m composite samples were allocated new sample numbers. The bulk reject material from the riffle split 4m composite samples was disposed of. QAQC samples were inserted into the 4m composite sample stream at a rate of approximately 1 certified reference material (or "standard" sample) every 60 samples, 1 blank sample every 30 samples, and 1 field duplicate split sample every 30 samples. The 4m composite samples were shipped to ALS Minerals sample preparation laboratory at Marsa Alam, Egypt, where they were pulverised to a size fraction of better than 85% passing 75 microns. From this pulverised material a further sub-sample was split off with a nominal c. 50g size, which was shipped on to ALS Minerals at Rosia Montana, Romania for analysis. The 4m composite samples were analysed for gold by fire assay with an atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS") finish (analytical code Au-AA23. Any high grade samples (Au >10 g/t) were re-analysed using analytical code Au-GRA21 (also fire assay, with a gravimetric finish). Upon receipt of the final 4m composite assay results from ALS, a number of the retained 1m sub-samples were selected by a senior Aton geologist for re-assaying, corresponding to 4m composite assays deemed to be of significance. The selected 1m sub-samples were again riffle split to produce nominal c. 250-500g 1m split samples which were again allocated new sample numbers. These were dispatched to ALS Minerals for the same sample preparation at Marsa Alam, and for subsequent analysis at Rosia Montana. The bulk reject material from the 1m sub-sample splits was re-bagged and retained onsite for storage at Rodruin. QAQC samples were inserted into the 1m split sample stream at a rate of approximately 1 standard every 30 samples, 1 blank sample every 15 samples, and 1 field duplicate split sample every 15 samples. The 1m split samples were again analysed for gold by fire assay (analytical code Au-AA23), and for silver, copper, lead and zinc using an aqua regia digest followed by an AAS finish (analytical code AA45). Any high grade gold samples (Au >10 g/t) were again re-analysed using analytical code Au-GRA21 (also fire assay, with a gravimetric finish). Any high grade Ag and base metal samples (Ag >100 g/t, and Cu, Pb and Zn >10,000ppm or >1%) were re-analysed using the ore grade technique AA46 (also an aqua regia digest followed by an AAS finish). All intersections herein reported relate to 1m split samples. About Aton Resources Inc. Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) is focused on its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat"), located in Egypt's Arabian-Nubian Shield, approximately 200 km north of Centamin's world-class Sukari gold mine. Aton has identified numerous gold and base metal exploration targets at Abu Marawat, including the Hamama deposit in the west, the Abu Marawat deposit in the northeast, and the advanced Rodruin exploration prospect in the south of the Concession. Two historic British gold mines are also located on the Concession at Sir Bakis and Semna. Aton has identified several distinct geological trends within Abu Marawat, which display potential for the development of a variety of styles of precious and base metal mineralisation. Abu Marawat is 447.7 km 2 in size and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure; a four-lane highway, a 220kV power line, and a water pipeline are in close proximity, as are the international airports at Hurghada and Luxor. Qualified person The technical information contained in this News Release was prepared by Javier Orduna BSc (hons), MSc, MCSM, DIC, MAIG, SEG(M), Exploration Manager of Aton Resources Inc. Mr. Orduna is a qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc., please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact: TONNO VAHK Interim CEO Tel: +1 604 318 0390 Email: info@atonresources.com Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. 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. Appendix A - Significant intersections from the West Garida prospect Hole ID Intersection (m) Assays (ppm) Comments From To Interval Au Ag Cu Pb Zn WGP-006 67 68 1 0.34 1.3 68 11 230 WGP-007 85 86 1 0.42 2.0 91 16 248 WGP-008a 86 87 1 0.42 3.6 71 25 875 WGP-009 72 75 3 0.68 2.4 151 24 2,821 WGP-010 28 29 1 1.37 1.2 84 155 875 and 35 36 1 2.03 1.6 35 23 164 WGP-011 24 25 1 2.35 10.1 215 900 1,390 WGP-012 50 52 2 3.66 24.3 36 867 75 WGP-013 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.06 g/t Au WGP-014 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.04 g/t Au WGP-015 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.17 g/t Au WGP-016 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.20 g/t Au WGP-017 23 25 2 1.79 33.2 509 497 3,595 WGP-018 21 22 1 3.25 24.0 221 2,870 3,100 WGP-019 25 26 1 1.90 18.6 106 1,445 1,360 WGP-020 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.04 g/t Au WGP-021 32 34 2 0.32 1.1 156 35 2,240 WGP-022 21 22 1 0.40 0.3 45 8 299 and 33 34 1 0.36 0.8 54 13 177 and 51 52 1 0.47 0.5 74 10 76 WGP-023 49 50 1 0.62 1.3 71 11 720 and 68 69 1 4.00 4.9 217 7 1,800 WGP-024 20 22 2 0.70 15.7 527 847 1,870 WGP-025 26 27 1 0.55 24.0 242 819 1,705 Notes: Mineralised intercepts above 0.3 g/t Au Mineralised intercepts calculated from the assay results of 1m riffle split samples Appendix B - Significant intersections from the Abu Gaharish prospect Hole ID Intersection (m) Assays (ppm) Comments From To Interval Au Ag Cu Pb Zn GHP-001 1 5 4 2.70 2.2 69 193 181 Main Zone and 18 19 1 2.82 5.1 31 733 344 and 51 53 2 1.38 1.4 17 93 215 and 61 70 9 2.10 2.3 57 385 457 incl. 65 67 2 8.16 8.3 205 1,568 1,706 and 76 77 1 3.19 2.2 12 315 1010 and 96 97 1 0.88 5.1 17 223 349 GHP-002 55 56 1 6.69 10.2 70 750 363 Main Zone and 98 100 2 0.79 1.2 22 38 48 and 115 116 1 0.51 1.2 11 35 58 GHP-003 96 97 1 0.50 0.9 48 10 65 Main Zone GHP-004 87 88 1 0.63 0.7 28 8 53 Main Zone GHP-005 12 13 1 1.03 0.8 17 85 32 Main Zone GHP-006 68 69 1 0.58 0.8 14 27 83 Main Zone and 80 83 3 3.27 5.9 47 199 394 and 124 126 2 3.52 8.1 58 126 359 and 131 132 1 0.96 0.9 12 89 346 GHP-007 8 10 2 3.78 1.3 14 190 188 Main Zone and 54 55 1 0.89 2.3 81 148 125 and 67 68 1 0.73 1.2 19 9 82 and 112 113 1 0.50 0.7 15 21 59 GHP-008 59 60 1 1.13 0.5 14 22 58 Main Zone and 102 104 2 0.79 0.8 6 11 58 and 141 142 1 0.50 2.0 13 60 138 GHP-009 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.265 g/t Au (SE Shear) GHP-010 43 44 1 0.64 1.2 58 8 82 SE Shear GHP-011 55 57 2 1.36 0.9 35 27 111 SW Shear GHP-012 3 0 29 29 0.28 0.3 9 15 56 Stockwork zone, possible RIRG style mineralisation? GHP-013 52 53 1 2.50 3.4 8 29 79 Stockwork zone and 75 78 3 0.51 0.6 8 25 76 GHP-014 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.213 g/t Au (stockwork zone) GHP-015 11 13 2 2.98 4.1 40 200 329 Main Zone and 17 19 2 0.89 1.9 17 63 136 and 34 35 1 1.02 1.1 21 77 208 and 49 50 1 4.77 - - - - Gold by screen fire assay, coarse gold present and 55 57 2 1.60 1.3 21 60 221 GHP-016 12 13 1 0.57 0.6 12 106 131 Main Zone and 32 33 1 0.73 0.8 13 203 248 and 37 42 5 1.23 0.5 14 26 102 and 49 52 3 4.61 14.8 186 967 849 and 61 62 1 1.46 1.4 6 80 198 Hole ID Intersection (m) Assays (ppm) Comments From To From To From To From To GHP-016 86 87 1 0.70 0.6 5 119 66 and 90 91 1 0.72 1.2 11 59 87 and 102 103 1 0.82 0.6 58 11 59 GHP-017 105 106 1 1.71 2.2 17 68 86 Main Zone and 119 120 1 1.35 0.6 3 90 324 and 123 125 2 0.65 0.9 15 30 66 GHP-018 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.099 g/t Au (IL anomaly) GHP-019 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.117 g/t Au (IL anomaly) GHP-020 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.175 g/t Au (IL anomaly) GHP-021 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.144 g/t Au (IL anomaly) GHP-022 - - - - - - - - NSA > 0.109 g/t Au (NEX Vein) Notes: Mineralised intercepts calculated using a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off grade Mineralised intercepts calculated from the assay results of 1m riffle split samples Low-grade zone of potential stockwork RIRG style mineralisation, some assays below cut-off in this zone SOURCE: Aton Resources, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791793/aton-announces-the-completion-of-and-the-first-results-from-its-rc-exploration-drilling-programme-at-abu-marawat "Beyond Oil's innovative solution makes a huge contribution to humanity in the medical field, reducing morbidity and mortality from cancers caused by exposure to frying fumes, thereby making a great contribution to improving the general health of the population." - Prof. Oren Fruchter. M.D. VANCOUVER, BC and KIBBUTZ YIFAT, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Beyond Oil Ltd. (CSE:BOIL)(OTCQB:BEOLF) ("Beyond Oil" or the "Company"), a food-tech innovation company extending the life of frying oil, reducing costs, waste and health risks, is excited to unveil a ground-breaking Medical Opinion by the Director of the Pulmonary Division of the Wolfson Medical Center, Professor Oren Fruchter. The Medical Opinion underscores the profound positive impacts on workers' health brought about by Beyond Oil's pioneering technology in mitigating occupational health risks associated with the exposure to reused frying oil fumes, aligning with a preventative health approach that has been adopted by most of the world's healthcare systems. A Hidden Risk to Kitchen Workers Kitchen workers in various settings, including restaurants, hotels, frying factories, and more, unknowingly inhale frying fumes from oil reused multiple times, putting them at risk of various cancers. While the medical field typically focuses on treating cancer, Beyond Oil's filter powder offers a preventive approach, potentially reducing cancer morbidity and mortality caused by frying fume exposure. Impacts of Beyond Oil's Innovative Solution on Workplace Health Professor Fruchter's Medical Opinion concludes that Beyond Oil's technology adoption, along with the use of their filter powder, empowers the food industry to provide safer and healthier food to consumers while creating a safer working environment for kitchen staff exposed to frying fumes. He emphasizes the critical risk faced by kitchen workers in various settings, from restaurants and hotels to frying factories, who unknowingly breathe in fumes from oil that has been reused multiple times, putting them at risk of various cancers. Overall, Professor Fruchter emphasizes the risks faced by workers in the food industry, with an emphasis on the exposure of workers in their workplaces, whether it be in restaurants, frying plants, hotel kitchens and others, underscoring the importance of addressing occupational health hazards in various workplace environments. Unlike most medical advancements addressing cancer treatment, Beyond Oil's filter powder represents a preventive measure with the potential to reduce morbidity caused by exposure to frying fumes. This innovative solution contributes significantly to public health by curbing cancer-related morbidity and mortality resulting from such exposure, aligning with global healthcare systems' preventive health approach. In the Medical Opinion, Professor Fruchter concludes that "Beyond Oil's innovative solution makes a huge contribution to humanity in the medical field, reducing morbidity and mortality from cancers caused by exposure to frying fumes, thereby making a great contribution to improving the general health of the population. The preventive health approach as noted above, adopted by most of the world's health systems, can benefit from increasing public awareness of the issue, from setting and enforcing appropriate regulation, and from greater awareness in the system of this morbidity and its sources." "Beyond Oil is delighted to have one of the world's leading professors and medical specialists validating the health benefits of our innovative product," said Jonathan Or, CEO and Co-founder of Beyond Oil. "As the public demands better working conditions for employees all over the world, we are continuing to raise awareness of the health benefits of our innovative product for workers and consumers alike. We are thrilled to have Professor Fruchter publish this medical opinion on the health benefits of our product." The Dangers of Repeated Frying Oil Exposure The Medical Opinion is based on existing medical literature, including publications by various legislative authorities, American and European health authorities and other studies and meticulously reviews established research on the negative health consequences of inhaling frying fumes in various culinary settings, including restaurants and industrial frying facilities. It highlights associations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases linked to exposure to poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from frying fumes. The report also delves into the risks posed by acrylamides (AA) exposure through inhaling re-frying fumes in cooking oil, as well as skin contact. Recent research addressing the risk of cardiovascular disease and neurotoxicity from AA exposure is cited. About Professor Oren Fruchter Professor Oren Fruchter, MD, is the Director of the Pulmonary Division of the Wolfson Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. He is an internal medicine specialist (Hons), a specialist in pulmonary medicine (laude) and has also served as the Clinical Associate Professor at the Tel Aviv University School of Medicine since 2015. Professor Fruchter received a one-time monetary compensation from the Company for his research, as is customary in the industry. The Medical Opinion is available for download on Beyond Oil's website - click HERE. Product Highlights Frying Oils Recovery : Extensive testing indicates that the Beyond Oil Product extends the usable life of frying oil, improves product quality, and reduces frying oil costs. As a preferential adsorbent, the product reduces and prevents the formation of harmful components such as Free Fatty Acids, Total Polar materials, acrylamide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, trans fats, and other impurities, ensuring frying oil stays fresh and fried food tastes fantastic. Patent Protected : The Company also has a portfolio of registered and patent-pending solutions that extend the shelf-life of produced and used vegetable oils. Potential Cost-Savings : One of Beyond Oil's unique value propositions is that it can dramatically lower costs for quick-service restaurants by significantly extending the useful life of the oil while meeting food quality and safety requirements. For more information on how the Beyond Oil Product extends the life of frying oil, see the Company's news release dated December 12, 2022. Distribution Ready : The Company received a non-objection letter from the US Food & Drug Administration ("FDA") in March 2022, on the basis that all the Beyond Oil Product ingredients meet food-grade specifications of the FDA. In May 2022, Beyond Oil received a non-objection letter from Health Canada and a National Sanitation Foundation certification. Beyond Oil is legally permitted to sell its product into the Israeli market according to the processing-aid and filtering-aid regulations. How the Beyond Oil Product Works The Beyond Oil Product integrates into the existing filtration systems of both commercial and industrial fryers. The combination of active filtration by the powder and passive filtration by the filter and filtration machine ensures the best results by removing other degradation particles. The powder remains on the filter and creates an additional layer which provides the microfiltration benefit. Fruchter, Oren, "Health Risks of Occupational Exposure to Frying Oil and the Innovative Solution for Reducing Cancer Morbidity Caused by this Exposure Using Beyond Oil Technology". Wolfson Medical Center (September 2023) (the "Medical Opinion"). For example, see Bhurosy T. Marium A, Karaye IM, Chung, T, "Where There are Fumes, There May Be Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review on the Association Between Exposure to Cooking Fumes and the Risk of Lung Cancer in Never Smokers." Cancer Causes Control (2023) June; 34(6): 509-20. Epub 2023. Apr 8 PMID: 37031313. About Beyond Oil Ltd. Beyond Oil is an innovative food-tech company dedicated to transforming the way we consume and produce food. We provide sustainable solutions for the food industry, prioritizing environmental protection and the well-being of its workers and customers. Our innovative solutions help reduce costs for our partners and clients while ensuring responsible and eco-friendly practices. We are committed to environmental responsibility, minimizing the carbon footprint of the food industry on our planet. By implementing cutting-edge techniques, we deliver a healthier final product by reducing the formation of carcinogenic substances in fried food. Our vision is to create a more sustainable future where food safety, cost efficiency, and environmental consciousness come together seamlessly. For more information, visit our website at: www.beyondoil.co. Contacts Jonathan Or CEO and Co-founder info@beyondoil.co Caroline Sawamoto Investor Relations 1-647-691-9801 ir@beyondoil.co Forward Looking Statement and Information The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management's current expectations, beliefs and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In addition, we cannot assure that any patent will be issued as a result of a pending patent application or, if issued, whether it will be issued in a form that will be advantageous to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company's reports filed from time to time at sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites. SOURCE: Beyond Oil Ltd View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791804/beyond-oil-announces-publication-of-medical-opinion-by-director-of-pulmonary-division-at-wolfson-medical-center-on-beyond-oils-innovative-solution-for-reducing-occupational-health-risks-associated-with-exposure-to-reused-frying-oil-fumes VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Mako Mining Corp. (TSXV:MKO)(OTCQX:MAKOF) ("Mako" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following update: After the Company resumed its original processing plan of producing 50% high grade diluted vein material mixed with 50% lower grade stockpile material, which resulted in substantial improvements in head grades and recoveries (see Press Release dated Sep 20th, 2023), Mako has recorded outstanding production results, reaching a record 3,817 Au Oz recovered in September. A comprehensive quarterly production update will be released later this month. Head grades averaged 8.4 g/t Au with recoveries of 85.5% during September. We expect this trend to continue as the Company accesses the higher-grade zones at Las Conchitas while maintaining an optimal blend to the plant. On August 23rd, the Company increased its Wexford Loan by US$2M to ensure there was enough working capital during the ramp-up at Las Conchitas. Since then, the Company has repaid approximately US$1.0M in principal1 while increasing its cash and bullion from US$1.8M at the end of Q2 2023 to approximately US$ 4.7M as of today. Akiba Leisman, CEO of Mako states that "operating improvements, resulting from permits to begin mining Las Conchitas in parallel with San Albino, have significantly improved free cash flow generation from the mine. This allows the Company to rapidly repay debt while investing heavily in exploration. A maiden resource for Las Conchitas is very nearly complete, which will allow the Company to be operating at these levels for year to come." Qualified Person John Rust, a metallurgical engineer, and qualified person (as defined under NI 43-101) has read and approved the technical information contained in this press release. Mr. Rust is a senior metallurgist and a consultant to the Company. On behalf of the Board, Akiba Leisman CEO About Mako Mako Mining Corp. is a publicly listed gold mining, development and exploration company. The Company operates the high-grade San Albino gold mine in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, which ranks as one of the highest-grade open pit gold mines globally. Mako's primary objective is to operate San Albino profitably and fund exploration of prospective targets on its district-scale land package. For further information: Mako Mining Corp., Akiba Leisman, Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: 203-862-7059, E-mail: aleisman@makominingcorp.com or visit our website at www.makominingcorp.com and SEDAR www.sedar.com. Forward-Looking Information: Some of the statements contained herein may be considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as, without limitation, "estimate", "project", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" or variations thereon or comparable terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein reflects the Company's current beliefs and expectations, based on management's reasonable assumptions, and includes, without limitation, that the Company's maiden resources at Las Conchitas (expected to be published by the end of the quarter) will allow Mako to generate a 5-year interim mining plan. Mako's primary objective to operate San Albino profitably and fund exploration of prospective targets on its district-scale land package. Such forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, changes in the Company's exploration and development plans and growth parameters and its ability to fund its growth to reach its expected new record production numbers; unanticipated costs; the October 24 measures having impacts on business operations not current expected, or new sanctions being imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department or other government entity in Nicaragua in the future; and other risks and uncertainties as disclosed in the Company's public disclosure filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof, based on information currently available. Mako does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Mako Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791818/mako-mining-announces-record-au-production-in-september However, less than half (48%) of organizations provide employees with the technology they need for hybrid work Only 25% of operational leads say they are very satisfied with employee experience (EX) capabilities NTT Ltd., a leading IT infrastructure and services company, has today unveiled the findings of its 2023 Global Employee Experience Trends Report, exploring how current workplace trends, such as hybrid work and AI, are influencing EX strategies and the correlation between EX and business performance. The report found that while 90% of businesses see the enablement of hybrid and remote work as having a positive impact on their bottom line, less than half (48%) of organizations strongly agree that employees have access to the technology they need to work well both at home, and in the office. Many organizations are now implementing more structured approaches to work, with the report finding that approximately 56% of hybrid workers spend half the work week at the office. However, with hybrid models still favourable and recognized by the majority of business leaders as fundamental to positive EX, organizations need to ensure they are providing employees with the technologies they need to work effectively, regardless of location. This shows how the EX-narrative has evolved over the last several years. Today, it is a business-wide priority to proactively ensure employees are empowered and have the right technologies in place to feel connected and drive efficiency. Top-performing companies1 that increased their IT spend and invested in EX technology were 56%more likely than underperformers to report improved business growthdue to improvements to EX, and 89% more likely than all others to have significantly increased employee satisfaction. Commenting on the research, Amit Dhingra, Executive Vice President of Network Services at NTT Ltd. said: "The disconnect between what employees need and what businesses provide them with is still too large. Too often we see hybrid working strategies focusing on one type of working style, despite employees wanting the flexibility to work in a way that suits them." "It was positive to see that 73% of organizations agree that hybrid and remote working has led to their investment in mobility over the last two years to promote flexibility, but more still needs to be done to reduce the disconnect and improve EX. This is especially true given that satisfied and engaged employees are 66% more likely to deliver exceptional customer service," added Dhingra. In addition to hybrid work, EX is also being impacted by the rise in AI, with the emerging technology voted as the #1 enabler of future customer experience (CX) and EX strategies, and AI interfaces rising to become the norm for 4 in 5 organizations within the next 12 months. Despite this, 87% of organizations agree that human-led support remains a critical element in their customer engagement. "NTT's report findings are reflective of today's dynamic work landscape, including a more permanent era of hybrid work and focus on employee engagement" said Sheila McGee-Smith, President Principal Analyst, McGee-Smith Analytics."The adoption of AI is growing, driven by the real business outcomes revolutionary AI technologies are bringing. Organizations are seeking guidance on how to harness all that AI has to offer to succeed in dominating their markets while supporting employee fulfillment and well-being." To read the full report, please visit: https://services.global.ntt/en-us/campaigns/2023-global-employee-experience-trends-report 1 Top performing organizations are those with more than 10% year-on-year revenue growth and an operating profit margin of more than 15% in the last financial year. -ENDS- About NTT Ltd. As part of NTT DATA, a USD 30 billion IT services provider, NTT Ltd. is a leading IT infrastructure and services company serving 65% of the Fortune Global 500 and more than 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We lay the foundation for organizations' edge-to-cloud networking ecosystem, simplify the complexity of their workloads across multicloud environments, and innovate at the edge of their IT environments where networks, cloud and applications converge. We offer tailored infrastructure and ensure consistent best practices in design and operations across all of our secure, scalable and customizable data centers. On the journey towards a software-defined future, we support organizations with our platform-delivered infrastructure services. We enable a connected future. Visit us at services.global.ntt View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011453825/en/ Contacts: Hotwire for NTT Ltd. Hannah Lock hannah.lock@hotwireglobal.com -Third-party software support leader introduces three key new features focused on security, AI, and interoperability- Spinnaker Support (Spinnaker), the third-party software support leader entrusted by over 1,300 global clients, today announced a significant update to its services portfolio in response to growing customer demand. This update aims to offer enterprises greater control over their software support and managed services strategies. In addition, Spinnaker is highlighting The Ultimate Support Guarantee, an industry-first agreement designed to mitigate the perceived risks associated with switching away from Oracle or SAP support. As part of the company's most significant services upgrade to date, there are three key features for new and existing customers, all included within Spinnaker's third-party software support package at no additional cost: Spinnaker Shield enables IT leaders to strengthen their organization's security posture and proactively respond to the constantly evolving security landscape. Spinnaker Intelligence is an AI/ML tool that assists with rapid issue resolution. Leveraging a vast quantity of anonymized historical data, Spinnaker Intelligence augments Spinnaker's expert engineers by enabling them to tap into the collective experience quickly and easily across Spinnaker. Spinnaker Link frees enterprises from vendor interoperability restrictions by enabling them to deploy interoperability solutions specific to the organization's unique IT environment. Matt Stava, CEO of Spinnaker Support said: "Today's announcement demonstrates our unwavering commitment to our incredible and growing roster of existing customers. It also serves to make enterprises across the globe aware that there are alternatives when it comes to software support--alternatives that can enable them to drive their organizations forward. This marks a shift in how we communicate the delivery of our solutions to enterprise customers to date." "We are pleased to now make expanded services available to serve the needs of enterprises globally and offer them access to our extensive portfolio of third-party support, managed services, consulting, and state-of-the-art security to optimize their software ecosystems," added Stava. With Spinnaker Third-Party Software Support, enterprises assume control of their IT roadmap. By trusting Spinnaker to handle software support across their Oracle and SAP environments, organizations free up valuable capital (Spinnaker can deliver savings of up to 62% compared with vendors) to focus on other pressing IT needs and digital transformation projects. Transitioning support is seamless and low impact, with Spinnaker's vastly experienced team of Oracle and SAP experts guiding organizations through the process. THE ULTIMATE SUPPORT GUARANTEE AN INDUSTRY FIRST Introducing the industry's first Oracle and SAP software support guarantee The Ultimate Support Guarantee (USG). Spinnaker's guarantee for new customers addresses the top concerns, including legal compliance, security, interoperability, license issues or technical issue coverage. The USG is Spinnaker's commitment to providing enterprises with the highest standard of service. If Spinnaker fails to deliver the services agreed, or organizations would like to return to Oracle- or SAP-provided support, Spinnaker will facilitate the return, including covering associated costs as outlined in the USG. "I'm very proud of our Ultimate Support Guarantee, a first in the industry, and the way it offers business leaders the peace of mind they deserve when deciding to move away from the support provided by their software vendors," says Stava. With a 96.3% overall customer satisfaction rate, Spinnaker stands by its customers and record of service. For more information about Spinnaker Support, visit www.spinnakersupport.com. ENDS About Spinnaker Support Spinnaker Support is entrusted by over 1,300 companies worldwide to solve their most pressing and essential enterprise software needs. Spinnaker Support experts provide an extensive services portfolio of third-party support, managed services, consulting, and state-of-the-art security to optimize clients' software ecosystems. They support Oracle, SAP, JD Edwards, Salesforce, and Microsoft freeing up valuable capital and resources so customers can maximize the security and performance of their enterprise software ecosystem with certainty. With Spinnaker, enterprises are empowered to make software decisions based on their business initiatives rather than their enterprise software provider's roadmap. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011677373/en/ Contacts: Dan Walsh dan@mustardpr.com +44 (0) 7827 816 971 LONDON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global media agency Assembly announced today the appointment of Dan Roberts as Head of Search & E-Commerce in Europe. As the Head of Search and E-Commerce, Roberts will drive the European agency's digital marketing initiatives, elevating brands to new heights in the digital landscape. Roberts will lead a team of 60+ individuals and report directly to Assembly Europe CEO Matt Adams. Roberts joins Assembly with over 12 years of experience at global network agencies, including Dentsu and GroupM. He most recently served as the Head of Paid Search at Wavemaker, where he redefined product and accelerated search maturity. Collaborating closely with Google, Roberts spearheaded the adoption of Performance Max and other pioneering AI-driven ad formats. Roberts has garnered several impressive accolades during his tenure, such as the Drum Search Awards "Rising Star" in 2015. He was also named one of Google's Top 20 Search Specialists and one of the most influential people in the UK for Paid Search by Adthena. "I am excited to join Assembly as the Head of Search & E-commerce across Europe at a pivotal moment when search is being rapidly transformed by advancements in artificial intelligence. I am eager to use my expertise to help shape the future of search and e-commerce," said Roberts. "I'm excited to create an agile, forward-thinking, data-driven product proposition for the agency and our clients; powered by a perfect blend of human talent and AI to maximize performance. I want to define a new standard in the industry, and Assembly is the perfect place for me to do that." Assembly Europe CEO Matt Adams adds, "Dan has a unique approach to driving performance and is dedicated to blending human talent with responsible AI that will make a real difference for our clients. As we continue evolving as an agency and adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape, Dan will play a pivotal role in our success." Roberts' appointment is effective October 2023. ABOUT ASSEMBLY Assembly is the modern global omnichannel media agency, bringing data, talent, and technology together to find the change that fuels growth for the best brands on the planet. Our approach connects big, bold brand stories with integrated, global media capabilities that deliver performance and drive large-scale business growth. Our work is powered by our proprietary, in-house technology solution, STAGE, and led by our global talent base of over 1,600 people around the world. We're purpose-driven at our core and pioneers in social and environmental impact in the agency world. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. For more information, visit assemblyglobal.com. Media Relations Contact: Jess Santini, VP, Global Marketing jess.santini@assemblyglobal.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243734/Stagwell_Dan_Roberts_Headshot.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1963651/Assembly_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/stagwells-stgw-assembly-europe-appoints-dan-roberts-head-of-search--e-commerce-301952988.html Dyno Therapeutics, Inc., a techbio company pioneering applications of artificial intelligence to engineering AAV capsids that expand the potential of genetic medicine, today announced a Dyno Scientific Symposium and the presentation of three research abstracts at the upcoming 30th Annual Congress of the European Society of Gene Cell Therapy (ESGCT) being held October 24-27, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. Dyno Scientific Symposium: Title: "Dyno Therapeutics: NHP-Validated Capsids for Best-in-Class Ocular and CNS Gene Delivery" Presenter: Eric Kelsic, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO, Dyno Therapeutics Date and Time: Wednesday, October 25 from13:25 to 14:25 CET Location: Maison de la Poste Dyno's scientific symposium will showcase in vivo NHP data on field-leading capsids across the eye and CNS. Dyno's AI-designed capsids significantly advance gene delivery capabilities, towards unlocking the full potential of genetic medicine. Research abstracts showcasing Dyno's capsids: Title: "Dyno-86m: Cell-Type Resolved Validation of AAV capsids Optimized for Intravitreal Delivery to the Non-Human Primate Retina" Date and Time: Wednesday, October 25 from 18:15 to 19:30 and Thursday, October 26 from 19:30 to 20:30 CET Poster/Abstract Number: P038 Title: "Dyno bCap 1: Single-Cell Characterization of CNS Transduction by Intravenously Administered AAV Capsids in Non-Human Primates" Date and Time: Wednesday, October 25 from 18:15 to 19:30 and Thursday, October 26 from 19:30 to 20:30 CET Poster/Abstract Number: P012 Research abstracts featuring Dyno's platform capabilities: Title: "VAEprop: A Generative Machine Learning Approach for Designing High-Performing AAV Capsids for the Non-Human Primate Brain" Date and Time: Wednesday, October 25 from 18:15 to 19:30 and Thursday, October 26 from 19:30 to 20:30 CET Poster/Abstract Number: P076 About Dyno Therapeutics Dyno Therapeutics is solving the in vivo gene delivery challenge while partnering with gene therapy developers towards maximizing patient impact. Dyno's platform combines AI with high-throughput experimentation to accelerate the design of AAV capsids with properties that significantly outperform current in vivo gene delivery vectors, with the goal of expanding the range of diseases treatable with genetic medicines. Dyno has partnered with leading gene therapy developers, including Astellas, Novartis, Roche, and Sarepta, and is broadly open to partnering across therapeutic areas. Dyno was founded in 2018 and is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. Visit www.dynotx.com for additional information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011364897/en/ Contacts: Rhiannon Jeselonis Ten Bridge Communications rhiannon@tenbrigecommunications.com The new hires add to an already robust roster of sustainability-focused consulting professionals in the Boston, Zurich, and Frankfurt offices. Sustainserv, a global management consulting firm that assists clients in developing and executing on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies and programs, today highlighted continued growth with the addition of five new members to their Boston, Massachusetts; Zurich, Switzerland; and Frankfurt, Germany teams. This expansion of their teams supports Sustainserv's mission to help companies worldwide develop high-level sustainability commitments to concrete implementation of sustainability strategies by integrating sustainability into their business strategies, operations, and communications. "We're thrilled to grow our firm with the addition of these top sustainability professionals," said Dr. Matthew Gardner, Managing Partner for Sustainserv. "Over the years, the members of our team and our consultants that have worked in our company have achieved great success as they move forward in their careers and leave an imprint on the ESG sector in many ways. The Sustainserv team is dedicated to working towards a sustainable future. Adding to our U.S. and European teams further aligns us with that mission." Sustainserv announces the following appointments: Judith Bisig, Consultant Judith joins our Zurich office in a Consultant role. Her background includes supporting companies in strategy development, materiality assessment, and sustainability reporting. She spent seven years in communications, leading various projects, from strategic initiatives to national campaigns. Judith holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Science from the University of Zurich and a Master's in Corporate Communications from the University of Amsterdam. Amanda Elkin, Senior Consultant Amanda joins Sustainserv in Boston as a Senior Consultant. She brings an extensive, multidisciplinary communications and publishing background to the position. Amanda has been a professional writer and editor for over 25 years, focusing on environmental and social sustainability supporting the development of dozens of ESG reports. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Oberlin College and a Master's in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England. Fabian Haumann, Consultant Fabian joins Sustainserv as a Consultant in the Zurich office. He supports companies in developing and implementing sound, future-oriented sustainability strategies and identifying and understanding hotspots in their environmental impact. Fabian holds a Master's Degree in Chemical and Bioengineering from ETH Zurich. Brooke McDonald, Consultant Brooke is joining Sustainserv in Boston as a Consultant. Brooke graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Economics. While at Boston College, Brooke was the President of the university's chapter of charity: water. She interned at the renowned Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, a premier academic center focused on corporate ESG issues. Nicole Schafer,Consultant Nicole joins the Frankfurt team as a Consultant, overseeing strategy development and the preparation of sustainability reports and materiality analyses. She has additional experience in international public relations. Nicole holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration Media Management from Cooperative State University Baden-Wurttemberg and a master's in business psychology from CBS International Business School. About Sustainserv Sustainserv is a global management consulting firm helping companies integrate sustainability considerations into long-term strategies, everyday operations, and communications. Sustainserv holistically approaches sustainability practices, generating value for companies, the environment, and society, working towards a world in which sustainable performance is the norm. Our approach aims to inspire meaningful change in the world every day. To learn more, visit https://sustainserv.com/en/ or follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011520100/en/ Contacts: Media: Shawna O'Hara Slowey McManus Communications sohara@sloweymcmanus.com (617) 455-2950 In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Sherwin-Williams Co. (SHW) announced Wednesday that its Board of Directors has elected Heidi Petz to serve as the Company's next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2024. Petz, 48, who most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer for the last two years, will assume the CEO duties currently held by Chairman and CEO John Morikis. Petz will continue to serve as President. After serving as CEO since 2016, Morikis will continue to serve as Executive Chairman. In addition, the Board increased its size from 10 to 11 members and elected Petz to fill the resulting vacancy, effective October 10, 2023. Prior to serving as President and COO, Petz served as President of The Americas Group and previous to that role, served as President of the Consumer Brands Group. Petz joined the Company in June 2017 in connection with the Valspar acquisition. Prior to joining Valspar in 2013, she held various leadership positions with Target Corp., Newell Rubbermaid and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. 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. Lake Mary, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - The Florida Real Estate Specialist, a leading luxury real estate brand founded by Kelby Contreras, unveils its latest luxury condo developments and the launch of a comprehensive short-term management company. Kelby Contreras New Luxury Developments Three new developments have been added to the platform's impressive portfolio: 72 Park Residences: A luxury development offering premium residences in a prime location. 72 Park Residences ORA by Casa Tua: A distinctive property that combines modern design with top-tier amenities. ORA by Casa Tua Edition Edgewater: A high-end development situated in one of South Florida's sought-after neighborhoods. Edition Edgewater These luxury condos, available in 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom configurations, as well as exclusive penthouses, are redefining luxury living in South Florida. Each development boasts a prime location, be it near the beach, waterfront, or trendy neighborhoods. With a focus on unique design, architecture, and top-notch amenities, these properties are poised to stand out in the South Florida market. Short-Term Management Company In addition to the new developments, Contreras introduces a full-service short-term management company. This venture aims to cater to the growing demand for professionally managed short-term rentals in South Florida. The company promises a comprehensive A-to-Z service, ensuring property owners and renters receive the best experience. More details can be found on their website. The Florida Real Estate Specialist is committed to ensuring quality and safety for its clients. From rigorous property inspections and guest screenings to the implementation of advanced security features and regular maintenance, every step is taken to guarantee a safe and luxurious experience for both property owners and guests. About The Florida Real Estate Specialist: The Florida Real Estate Specialist offers over 18 years of expertise in luxury real estate and pre-construction properties in South Florida. The company is committed to excellence and ensuring their clients find their dream homes by emphasizing a user-friendly experience, allowing visitors to seamlessly browse and find their ideal homes in South Florida's most coveted neighborhoods. Contact Information: Name: Kelby Contreras Phone: 646-404-8166 Email: kelbyrealtor@gmail.com Website: https://thefloridarealestatespecialist.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183375 EQS-News: PlusPlus Capital Financial S.a.r.l. / Key word(s): Bond PlusPlus announces terms of Buyback offer for EUR 2022/2026 Bonds 11.10.2023 / 14:30 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. PlusPlus announces terms of Buyback offer for EUR 2022/2026 Bonds Tallinn, Estonia, 11 October 2023. PlusPlus Capital ("PPC"), a leading Pan-Baltic and Finnish technology-driven receivables management group, has entered into a framework agreement for the financing of the Company. The financing includes a repurchase of the EUR 2022/2026 Notes to restructure its operations in order to restructure its existing debt and obtain new financing for the further implementation of its business plan. A prerequisite for the implementation of the financing by the end of this year is a successful agreement regarding the interest payments on the EUR 2022/2026 bonds outstanding since 31 July 2023. Therefore, part of the financing is an offer for the partial repurchase of the EUR 2022/2026 bonds at a discount of 45% on the nominal value with the price of EUR 550 per note plus accrued interest until 31 July 2023. The buyback will be done until the end of December 2023. The settlement date for the discounted buyback offer is prior to 31 December 2023, but after the payment of interest payable to the bondholders as of 31 July 2023. In case the discounted buyback offer is executed for any reason before the interest is payable to the bondholders, the discount will be reduced to 39.5%. The period for accepting the offer is from 11 October until 27 October 2023. For bondholders who do not accept the discounted buyback offer, the current terms will continue to apply, with repayment of the bond expected at maturity. All the necessary documents for the voting are available on the website of PlusPlus Capital: https://pluspluscapital.eu/investor-relations/reports-and-presentations/ Contact: PlusPlus Capital AS Kaarel Raik, Member of the Management Board Email: kaarel.raik@plusplus.ee Phone: +372 56 606 148 About PlusPlus Capital: PlusPlus is a pan-Baltic and Finnish technology-driven receivables management company with offices in Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and Helsinki. The Company acquires overdue loans and other non-performing exposures from financial institutions and non-financial sector merchants. With its core competence in handling claims against private individuals, PlusPlus prefers diversified portfolios balanced by geography, portfolio type, and other metrics. Since its inception in 2010, PlusPlus has bought over 120 thousand claims with nominal value of approximately EUR 300 million. The Company offers its clients affordable recovery solutions and aims to avoid litigious scenarios. In doing so, PlusPlus pursues win-win solutions that allow sellers to focus on their core business, provide affordable solutions for borrowers, and ensure adequate returns for investors. PlusPlus is a transparent and socially responsible company set to assist people in resolving problems connected with their insufficient solvency. The ambition of PlusPlus is to increase its market share and further strengthen its position as a leading player in its regional market. pluspluscapital.eu 11.10.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Pegmatite One Lithium and Gold Corp. (CSE: PGA) ("Pegmatite One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of its channel sampling phase at the Frazer Lake Mound Project. This initiative accelerates our exploration of the newly discovered pegmatite areas, with a specific focus on the major high-grade pegmatite discovery. Aerial View: The Main Pegmatite Discovery of Frazer Lake Mound Project in Ontario, Canada. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9391/183573_a8b52af3a4261be5_002full.jpg The sampling program is a core aspect of our ongoing exploration at Frazer Lake Mound. Targeting the main discovery zone, we've launched channel sampling to gain deeper insights into the mineralization of the recently discovered pegmatite. Our systematic approach ensures comprehensive data collection, aiming to unravel the composition and potential of this significant geological finding. Samples collected during this phase will be promptly dispatched to the laboratory for thorough analysis, with a specific focus on potential lithium values. We expect the assay results within the next two weeks, which will bolster our geological understanding of the Frazer Lake Mound pegmatite. Pegmatite One stands firm in its commitment to responsible exploration and meticulous evaluation of our mineral assets. The insights from this sampling phase are eagerly anticipated, as they will be pivotal in determining the full potential of the Frazer Lake Mound Project. President & CEO, Kelly Abbott, commented, "The discovery of the pegmatite zones at Frazer Lake Mound has ignited our exploration drive. Though we approach with precision and caution, the promise of this discovery is very compelling. Each sample, and every data point brings us closer to realizing the Frazer Lake Mound Project's potential. Our dedication is unwavering, ensuring every exploration step is both knowledgeable and conscientious." On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Pegmatite One Lithium and Gold Corp. Kelly Abbott President & CEO Phone: +1 (416) 481-2222 x228 Email: kelly@pegmatiteone.com Website: www.pegmatiteone.com About Pegmatite One Lithium and Gold Corp. Pegmatite One, a listed entity on the Canadian Securities Exchange, focuses its exploration efforts on lithium and gold resources. With a steadfast commitment to responsible mining practices, we operate three strategically positioned mineral exploration properties. Notably, our flagship asset is the Frazer Lake Mound property in Northwestern Ontario, projected to play a significant role in the global shift towards electric vehicles and sustainable technologies. Another cornerstone of our portfolio is the Georgina property, a promising gold prospect on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Through our dynamic approach, we aim to create enduring value for both our shareholders and stakeholders. Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Canadian Securities Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider do not take responsibility for the accuracy of the content of this news release. Forward-Looking Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements as per applicable securities laws. Such statements, not rooted in historical fact, often use terms like "may," "anticipate," "expect," "potential," "believe," "intend," or their negatives. Key anticipations include: the Morrison River property's lithium potential; Georgina property's gold potential; the Company's exploration plans for Frazer Lake Mount Property; the potential of Frazer Mound Property as a high-grade lithium source based on recent analyses; the Company's commitment to updating stakeholders on exploration and to responsible mining at the Morrison River and Georgina properties; and the anticipated global shift to electric vehicles and green technologies. The statements hinge on several assumptions and expected future events: the Company's capability to conduct timely and cost-effective activities; maintenance of mineral tenures and concessions; managing economic and financial conditions; navigating exploration and mining hazards; future metal prices; potential discoveries; obtaining timely exploration permits; monetizing mineral resources; abiding by environmental laws; dependence on key personnel; and competition in the mining sector. However, numerous risks could cause actual outcomes to vary significantly from these predictions. These risks encompass: delays and inflated costs; failure to maintain concessions; inability to address economic downturns; unexpected operational hazards; metal price fluctuations; regulatory changes; failure to obtain required permits promptly; inability to realize property potentials or to uphold commitments; and unforeseen shifts in the global transition to green technologies. Readers should note the inherent risks in forward-looking statements, understanding that plans or expectations might not materialize. While such information is deemed reasonable when created, there's no assurance that the anticipated events will transpire. Changes can occur post the date of this release, and the Company isn't bound to update these statements, barring any legal obligation. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183573 In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! WATERLOO (dpa-AFX) - BlackBerry Limited (BB, BB.TO) announced that the United States Department of Homeland Security has awarded BlackBerry a new seven-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract for the creation and sustainment of its new Super Enterprise for Personnel Emergency Notification System. The Department of Homeland Security will use BlackBerry AtHoc as a department-wide communication and visibility PENS solution for all its employees and contractors. BlackBerry AtHoc is an interoperable CEM system that is used by over 75% of U.S. federal government employees for crisis communications and incident response. 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. RICHMOND, British Columbia and TOKYO, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, General Fusion and Kyoto Fusioneering announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the commercialization of General Fusion's proprietary Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) technology, aiming for grid integration in the early to mid-2030s. The companies will collaborate to advance critical systems for MTF commercialization, including the tritium fuel cycle, liquid metal balance of plant, and power conversion cycle. Tritium, a hydrogen isotope and key fusion fuel, does not occur naturally and must be produced or "bred" in the fusion process. General Fusion's game-changing commercial power plant design features a proprietary liquid metal wall that compresses plasma to fusion conditions, protects the fusion machine's vessel components, and breeds tritium upon interacting with the fusion products. This design allows the machine to be self-sustaining, generating fuel for the life of the power plant while facilitating efficient energy extraction from the fusion reaction through a liquid metal loop to a heat exchanger. Kyoto Fusioneering specializes in fusion power plant systems that complement the plasma confinement core, are applicable to various fusion confinement concepts, such as MTF, and are on the critical path for fusion commercialization. The complementary capabilities of both organizations will enable parallel development of key systems supporting MTF commercialization. Initial collaboration under this MOU will focus on liquid metal experimentation and fuel cycle system development at both the General Fusion and Kyoto Fusioneering facilities, such as establishment of balance of plant and power conversion test facilities, liquid metal loops, and vacuum systems. Quotes: "Currently, our new machine, LM26, is on-track to achieve fusion conditions by 2025, and progress towards scientific breakeven by 2026," said Greg Twinney, CEO, General Fusion. "Harnessing the unique technological and engineering expertise of Kyoto Fusioneering will be instrumental as we translate LM26's groundbreaking results into the world's first Magnetized Target Fusion power plant." "We're thrilled to join forces with General Fusion. Our combined expertise will accelerate the path to commercial fusion energy, a critical step toward a sustainable, decarbonized future," said Satoshi Konishi, Co-founder and Chief Fusioneer, Kyoto Fusioneering. Quick Facts: Magnetized Target Fusion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC1q4sFnfxE) uniquely sidesteps challenges to commercialization that other technologies face. The proprietary liquid metal liner in the commercial fusion machine is mechanically compressed by high-powered pistons. This enables fusion conditions to be created in short pulses rather than creating a sustained reaction. General Fusion's design does not require large superconducting magnets or an expensive array of lasers. General Fusion's design will use deuterium-tritium fuel for its commercial power plant. Both are isotopes of hydrogen. Deuterium occurs naturally and can be derived from seawater. Tritium needs to be produced, which is why General Fusion's unique and proprietary technology that breeds tritium as a byproduct of the fusion reaction is a game-changer. Kyoto Fusioneering was spun out of Kyoto University. It is home to world-class R&D facilities, and its team has a combined total of approximately 800 years of experience. About General Fusion General Fusion is pursuing a fast and practical approach to commercial fusion energy and is headquartered in Richmond, B.C. The company was established in 2002 and is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders and technology pioneers. Learn more at generalfusion.com. General Fusion Media Relations media@generalfusion.com +1-866-904-0995 Follow General Fusion twitter.com/generalfusion instagram.com/generalfusion linkedin.com/company/general-fusion facebook.com/generalfusion youtube.com/c/GeneralFusionInc About Kyoto Fusioneering Kyoto Fusioneering, established in 2019, is a privately funded technology startup with facilities in Tokyo and Kyoto (Japan), Reading (UK), and Seattle (USA). The company specialises in developing advanced technologies for commercial fusion power plants, such as gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycle technologies, and breeding blankets for tritium production and power generation. Working collaboratively with public and private fusion developers around the world, Kyoto Fusioneering's mission is to make fusion energy the ultimate sustainable solution for humanity's energy needs. Explore more about KF's vision for the future of energy at www.kyotofusioneering.com/en/or by contacting media@kyotofusioneering.com IRVING (dpa-AFX) - Energy major Exxon Mobil Corp. announced Wednesday its agreement to acquire Pioneer Natural Resources Co. in an all-stock transaction valued at $253 per share or $59.5 billion in total. The implied total enterprise value of the deal, including net debt, is around $64.5 billion. In pre-market activity on the NYSE, ExxonMobil shares were losing around 3 percent to trade at $107.14, while Pioneer shares were gaining around 2 percent to trade at $242.21. ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said, 'The combined capabilities of our two companies will provide long-term value creation well in excess of what either company is capable of doing on a standalone basis. Their tier-one acreage is highly contiguous, allowing for greater opportunities to deploy our technologies, delivering operating and capital efficiency as well as significantly increasing production.' As per the deal, Pioneer shareholders will get 2.3234 shares of ExxonMobil for each Pioneer share at closing. The per-share merger consideration represents around 18 percent premium to Pioneer's closing price and a 9 percent premium to its prior 30-day volume-weighted average price on October 5. Last week, the Wall Street Journal had reported that ExxonMobil was nearing to make its biggest acquisition since merging with Mobil Corp. in 1999 that would make it a top producer in the US oil basin. The acquisition of Pioneer, a diversified energy company with the largest footprint of high-return wells in the Permian Basin, is anticipated to be accretive immediately and highly accretive in the mid-to-long-term earnings per share of ExxonMobil. Both companies' Boards of Directors have unanimously approved the deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary regulatory reviews and approvals. The merger combines Pioneer's over 850,000 net acres in the Midland Basin with ExxonMobil's 570,000 net acres in the Delaware and Midland Basins. On a combined basis, the companies will have an estimated 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource in the Permian. Post transaction, ExxonMobil's Permian production volume would double to over 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day or MOEBD, based on 2023 volumes, and would increase to around 2 MOEBD in 2027. By 2027, short-cycle barrels will comprise more than 40 percent of the total upstream volumes. This would position the company to more quickly respond to demand changes and increase capture of price and volume upside. As part of the deal, ExxonMobil intends to leverage its Permian greenhouse gas reduction plans to accelerate Pioneer's net zero emissions plan by 15 years, to 2035. In the transaction, Citi acted as lead financial advisor, and Centerview Partners as financial advisor to ExxonMobil. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Petrie Partners and Bank of America Securities acted as financial advisors to Pioneer. Exxon's CEO Darren Woods in July had said that the company would continue to review potential M&A. Reports had emerged in April that ExxonMobil held talks to take over the oil and gas exploration and production company. In its recent second quarter, Pioneer reported earnings of $1.10 billion or $4.55 per share, lower than last year's $2.37 billion, or $9.30 per share. Adjusted earnings were $1.09 billion or $4.49 per share for the period. The company's revenue for the quarter fell 33.5 percent to $4.60 billion. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Die Top 3 Dividendenaktien 2024 In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! Hier klicken MarketVector IndexesTM ("MarketVector") is excited to announce the launch of our new website design and functionality. This significant update reflects our unwavering commitment to deliver the best possible user experience, and to providing our clients with a dynamic platform for accessing crucial financial data and insights. The revamped website, accessible at www.marketvector.com, boasts a sleek and modern design, making it easier than ever for our clients to navigate and access the wealth of financial information we deliver. Our overarching goal with this redesign is to provide a user-friendly interface that caters to the diverse needs of both existing and prospective clients. "Our new website design is a reflection of our dedication to serving our client's needs effectively," said Steven Schoenfeld, CEO of MarketVector. "We are confident that the enhanced user experience, combined with the wealth of financial research and insights we provide, will empower our clients to make better-informed financial decisions and to thrive in today's dynamic markets." We invite our valued clients, as well as those exploring our services for the first time, to visit our new website and experience it for themselves. Your feedback is invaluable to us as we continue to refine and improve our offerings. About MarketVector Indexes www.marketvector.com MarketVector IndexesTM ("MarketVector") is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS and BlueStar names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to partner with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets worldwide, with approximately USD 28 billion in assets under management. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011891246/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Eunjeong Kang, MarketVector +49 (0) 69 4056 695 38 media-enquiries@marketvector.com Sam Marinelli, Gregory FCA on behalf of MarketVector 610-246-9928 sam@gregoryfca.com BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Openly , the premium homeowners insurance provider, today announced the findings of its inaugural State of the Independent Insurance Agent survey . The June 2023 survey recorded responses from 1,645 agents across 46 states to establish an understanding of the current state, and future, of the homeowners insurance landscape from the perspective of the agent. In its first year, respondents were asked to share their marketing focuses, operation details, and what they expect to be threats to the industry and their business in the next three years. Survey demographics included agent age and agency size (by total in-force premium), which resulted in: Agent Age Range: 21-34 years old (17%), 35-44 years old (29%), 45-54 years old (27%), 55-64 years old (19%), and 65+ years old (8%) 21-34 years old (17%), 35-44 years old (29%), 45-54 years old (27%), 55-64 years old (19%), and 65+ years old (8%) Agency Size: $0-$250K (7%), $250K-$500K (5%), $500K-$1M (8%), $1M-$2M (13%), $2M-$5M (19%), $5M-$10M (13%), $10M-$25M (8%), $25M-$50M (3%), over $50M (3%), and unsure (21%) Agency age ranges from one year to more than 40 years in business, with one to five years, 11 to 20 years, and more than 40 years in business being the most common responses. The research also includes more details around what insurance agents are seeing across the industry's landscape, including types of additional coverage sold, in which respondents reported water backup, equipment breakdown, and flood insurance as the top three types of additional coverage sold in 2022. Interestingly, agencies aged over 40 years also indicated technology as their primary investment focus over the next 3 years, while all other respondents will be prioritizing talent. "We are excited to share the findings of our first State of the Independent Agent survey as we continue to expand our efforts to better understand the agent environment," said Ty Harris, Co-Founder & CEO of Openly. "It is essential to hear directly from agents what they are seeing across the homeowners insurance industry, how they are combatting present threats, and what steps they are taking to improve their business. As a company that supports this demographic directly, we look forward to leveraging these insights to better serve the industry as a whole." A key aspect of the survey, respondents identified perceived threats to the independent agent channel over the next 3 years - which include: 89% of those surveyed deemed weather and climate as greatly or somewhat impactful on homeowners insurance. 60% reported significant or very significant concern about insurance companies exiting markets. 41% identified the rise of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) providers as an emerging threat. Despite the potential threats to the insurance industry, agencies are still looking to invest in pivotal areas to grow their business over the next 3 years. The research found that, to combat these threats: 61% of respondents indicated they will be investing in talent 50% reported technology investments to be a primary focus 43% reported the intent to invest in marketing To combat rate increases specifically, respondents reported using a mix of the following tactics: Quoting with multiple carriers Remarketing Bundling coverage Seeking new carriers Reducing coverage In terms of new business premium, more than 1,100 (67%) respondents reported personal homeowners insurance as their leading force of new business, while 29% reported commercial lines of insurance as the leading force. More than 90% of respondents stated they do not expect a shift in their agency's line of business. To learn more about how Openly is creating a more efficient and transparent homeowners insurance experience, visit www.openly.com . To download and view the full report, visit https://openly.com/state-of-the-independent-agent-2023 . About Openly Openly is a remote-first premium homeowners insurance company. Its centralized platform offers comprehensive coverage, market-leading technology, and exceptional service. Founded by industry veterans in 2017, Openly is dedicated to delivering modern and transparent homeowners insurance and empowering independent agents across America. In 2023, Openly was named a Forbes America's Best Startup Employer and Inc. Best Workplace . For more information, visit Openly.com or linkedin.com/openlyllc . Media Contact: Catharine Rybeck Caliber Corporate Advisers for Openly catharine@calibercorporate.com SOURCE: Openly View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791953/correction-from-source-openlys-inaugural-state-of-the-independent-homeowners-insurance-agent-survey-finds-half-of-respondents-view-climate-change-as-a-threat-to-the-independent-hoi-channel Collaboration Builds Toward a Strong Future for Nuclear Energy in the UK Westinghouse Electric Company announced today an agreement with Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd to support the development and the design of the nuclear fuel for Rolls-Royce's Small Modular Reactor program. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011445475/en/ The Westinghouse Springfields site has manufactured world-class nuclear fuel and related products and services for nearly 75 years. (Photo: Business Wire) Westinghouse is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel, providing a uniquely diversified portfolio in the industry across nuclear reactor types, including PWR, BWR, AGR, and VVER. The company delivers innovative fuel technologies to meet customer needs for lower fuel-cycle costs, increased operational flexibility and efficiency, diversity of supply, and accident-tolerant products. Helena Perry, Rolls-Royce SMR's Regulatory Affairs and Safety Director, said: "Placing the contract to design the fuel for the Rolls-Royce SMR is an important step in our programme of work as we progress through the GDA (Generic Design Assessment) process with the UK's nuclear regulators. "Westinghouse has a strong heritage and unrivalled experience in nuclear fuel design and manufacturing. Placing this contract with Westinghouse will help deliver our commitment to maximise UK supply chain content and will support a long-term sustainable future for the nuclear industry. "The Westinghouse Springfields site has manufactured world-class nuclear fuel and related products and services for nearly 75 years. Nuclear fuel produced by Westinghouse at Springfields plays a vital role in supporting carbon-free secure power generation in the U.K. and around the world, having helped to cut more than 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions from the country's energy mix. "This collaboration between Westinghouse and Rolls-Royce SMR will help drive the future of nuclear fuel deployment. Westinghouse is proud to bring its generations of experience designing and manufacturing fuel in the U.K.," said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel. "This contract presents an exciting opportunity for our Springfields site in Lancashire." Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally including the AP300 small modular reactor, a nearly identical, though smaller, version of the proven, licensed, and operating AP1000 reactor. The company is one of six selected by Great British Nuclear to advance to the next phase of SMR competition for innovative nuclear technologies. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation make Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011445475/en/ Contacts: media@westinghouse.com In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen and the euro in the European session on Wednesday, after a data showed that nation's producer prices increased slightly more than expected in September. Data from the Labor Department showed that the producer price index climbed by 0.5 percent in September after advancing by 0.7 percent in August. Economists had expected prices to rise by 0.4 percent. The annual rate of producer price growth accelerated to 2.2 percent in September from a revised 2.0 percent in August. Economists had expected the pace of price growth to come in unchanged compared to the 1.6 percent originally reported for the previous month. The greenback edged up to 149.06 against the yen following the data. Against the euro, it rose to 1.0579, from an early more than 2-week low of 1.0628. The currency may challenge resistance around 152.5 against the yen and 1.03 against the euro. 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. Singapore, Oct 11, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced a breakout year in 2023. The rapid democratisation of AI is leading to a surge in wide-spread adoption across industries, with many companies integrating the burgeoning technology into their products. However, the brave new world of AI brings about new challenges such as cybersecurity, sustainability and ethical concerns. Balancing the risks and rewards of AI was one of the hottest topics at Tech Week Singapore, Asia's leading technology event organised by CloserStill Media. More than 600 technology pioneers, leading businesses, and public leaders convened to discuss the complexities of AI."In 2022, the world woke up to ChatGPT, and for many of us, this moment ushered in a new era for Generative AI," remarked Dr. Aik Beng Ng, Regional Manager of NVIDIA AI Technology Centre. "We are just beginning to realise the true potential of AI where it meets the physical world. Currently the AI experience is very much digital. The next generation of AI is where AI meets the full extent of every industry out there such as transportation, manufacturing, and more."However, the benefits of AI are matched with threats in equal measure. Dr. Magda Chelly, Co-founder of Responsible Cyber, said: "On one hand, AI technologies have the potential to amplify cyberthreats, weaving a web of complexities, including its usage by various stakeholders in an ecosystem. This phenomenon would raise exponential risks, and might create a domino effect when a cyberattack or data breach happens. Such a scenario might not only lead towards a disruption but a full-scale interruption within a wider supply chain and ecosystem."She added: "Yet, we also see an unparalleled opportunity for AI to bolster our cyber defences, especially when incorporated into data analysis and process optimisation. By embracing AI in cybersecurity and third-party risk management strategies, businesses gain a clearer visibility into the cascading risks in their ecosystems. It's crucial to understand that AI doesn't merely represent the threat horizon but is an essential ally in navigating it."At Cyber Security World Asia, the Singapore-based startup Responsible Cyber unveiled IMMUNE X-TPRM, their innovative AI-powered platform that not only monitors real-time ecosystem and third-party risks, but also anticipates risk scenarios, ensuring businesses remain steps ahead of potential breaches, while simultaneously enhancing operational efficiency and compliance through intelligent automation.In the gold rush towards AI, it is also important to pay attention to data centres as the critical infrastructure supporting the greater demand for computing power. The server computer density that AI requires also generates significant heat and consumes a large amount of water for cooling, which presents energy efficiency and sustainability challenges. Governments are emphasising the importance of sustainable growth with countries such as Singapore announcing a sustainability standard for data centres operating in tropical climates.Schneider Electric Singapore recently announced they are investing SGD1.2 million to collaborate with the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed in Singapore. This announcement is in the lead-up to their keynote speech at Data Centre World Asia on key strategies to measure and manage sustainability in data centres on October 12th."2023 marks the year that AI exploded into public consciousness. As we enter this new age of AI, there are more questions than answers. How can leaders separate tactics from media noise and what are the priorities for business leaders entering this new AI-enabled future" What strategies will make sense to a small-medium enterprise versus a multinational corporation?," said Andy Kiwanuka, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at CloserStill Media. ?At the heart of Tech Week Singapore is a multi-layered content programme for leaders to share best practices and envision new possibilities where technology is the enabler for a better future."Tech Week Singapore will run until 12 October 2023 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.To register for free, please visit https://www.gevme.com/Tech-Week-2023-visitor-registrationAbout CloserStill MediaCloserStill Media is a leading producer of international B2B tradeshows. Its portfolio of technology events reaches five global territories, more than 70,000 delegates, and over 2,500 exhibitors. Award-winning events include Tech Show London and Tech Week Singapore, an umbrella brand featuring the popular Cloud Expo Asia and Data Centre World Asia. CloserStill Media is repeatedly recognised as a leading innovator and employer with winners of Best Marketing Manager, Best Trade Exhibition, Best Launch Exhibition, Rising Star, and more. CloserStill is headquartered in London, with offices in Singapore, North America, and Europe. For more information, visit www.closerstillmedia.com.For media enquiries, please contact:Jaclyn PhanMutant Communications for CloserStill Mediajaclyn@mutant.com.sg+65 9081 2448Shannen TanMutant Communications for CloserStill Mediashannen@mutant.com.sg+65 9660 5210Source: CloserStill MediaCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Expanding MarshBerry's global reach by acquiring leading U.K. M&A operation. WOODMERE, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MarshBerry, a global M&A advisory firm for insurance brokers and wealth management firms proudly announced today that it has acquired IMAS Corporate Finance LLP (IMAS). IMAS is a leading M&A advisory firm in the United Kingdom (UK) insurance and wealth segments and has been owned by its partners since 1992. The partners at IMAS remain integral to MarshBerry post closing as leaders, advisors and stockholders. The partnership further builds its global reach while continuing to offer unmatched local expertise in North America and Europe. MarshBerry now has regional offices across the United States, in the Netherlands, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. "This strategic move aligns seamlessly with our growth strategy of enhancing our portfolio of solutions to serve clients across the globe. By joining forces with IMAS, we are combining our strengths and expertise in data rich insights and market perspectives to create a powerhouse of M&A advisory services in the industry," said John Wepler, MarshBerry Chairman & CEO. "Together, we will forge new paths, drive unparalleled value for our clients, and cement our position as a market leader in the UK and across Europe. This acquisition underscores our commitment to driving sustainable growth and delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and stakeholders." Aligning IMAS under the MarshBerry brand empowers insurance distribution and wealth management brokers of all sizes in Western Europe to benefit from the breadth and depth of resources and talent that the firm offers. "This partnership not only validates the effectiveness of our approach to working with clients and helping them to prepare, market and execute transactions, but it also is a powerful opportunity for our clients in terms of the value we could create for them," stated Olly Laughton-Scott, IMAS Founding Partner. "MarshBerry recognizes the strength of our operations and the innovative approach that has defined our success thus far while adding unparalled access to US and EU based international investors, new resources and services and a strong market position all of which we can bring to our insurance and wealth management clients. We are confident that combining our proven processes and collective expertise will result in an even more robust and competitive entity, poised for remarkable growth and success." The transaction marks another strategic action for MarshBerry. In 2022, MarshBerry announced its partnership with Atlas Merchant Capital which supports efforts to rapidly grow and improve all facets of the business. MarshBerry also acquired FirstChoice during 2022 - now the #1 Agency Partner in the U.S. as ranked by Insurance Journal. In addition, the firm was recognized by The Insurer as the 2023 Insurance M&A Advisor of the Year. MarshBerry - Helping Clients Learn, Improve & Realize Value Founded in 1981, MarshBerry is a global leader in financial advisory and consulting services serving the insurance brokerage and wealth management industries to help clients grow and advance their business strategies. With locations across North America and Europe, MarshBerry market sector expertise includes property and casualty agents & brokers, employee benefit firms and specialty distributors, partners in insurtech, capital markets, and insurance carriers, as well as registered investment advisors, retirement planning and life insurance firms. Clients choose MarshBerry as their trusted advisor for every stage of ownership to help them build, enhance and sustain value through Financial Advisory solutions (Investment Banking; Merger & Acquisition Advisory, Debt & Capital Raising, Business Consulting), Growth Advisory solutions (Organic Growth, Aggregation, Leadership, Sales & Talent Solutions) and Market Intelligence and Performance Benchmarking. Learn more at www.MarshBerry.com. About IMAS IMAS Corporate Finance LLP is a leading independent corporate finance advisory firm based in London, United Kingdom. IMAS specializes in providing financial advisory services to companies in the financial services sector, including insurance distribution, wealth and asset management, and related areas. The firm offers services such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory and capital raisingand due diligence aided by in-depth research and a proprietary database covering the financial services sector in the UK to deliver comprehensive solutions for clients. Learn more at https://imas.uk.com/. Atlas Merchant Capital Atlas Merchant Capital LLC was founded to participate in compelling market opportunities in the financial services sector. Based in New York and London, Atlas Merchant Capital was founded by Bob Diamond and David Schamis, who together with their partners form a complementary partnership with extensive operating and investing expertise across the financial services landscape. Further information is available at www.atlasmerchantcapital.com Contact: Lauren Byers, Senior Vice President Phone: 440.392.6546 Email: Lauren.Byers@MarshBerry.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/351830/marshberry_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/marshberry-acquires-imas-corporate-finance-301953717.html In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - President Biden has asked his national security team to take action to support Israel 'in its hour of need.' At Biden's direction, the United States has surged ammunition and interceptors for Israel's air defense system called Iron Dome. The President spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday about additional capabilities that Israel will need. And he pledged that American planes will be landing in Israel with those capabilities in the days ahead. The U.S. military has enhanced its force posture in the region to strengthen its deterrence, including the movement of a carrier strike group into the Eastern Mediterranean. 'And we are prepared to move additional assets as necessary,' National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a news conference. He said that at the direction of the President, his team is working with Congress to make sure that Israel maintains supply of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens, as well as the many U.S. citizens who live, work, and travel in Israel. 'We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors that might seek to widen this war,' he told reporters. Sullivan said the U.S. Government is working with the Israeli government and with its regional partners on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying U.S. experts to advise the Israeli government and coordinate with them on hostage recovery efforts. He said the Biden administration is actively working with Israelis to determine the whereabouts of the missing, including missing American citizens. 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. LONDON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dermatitis is a highly prevalent skin disorder affecting a large portion of the global population. According to an epidemiology study conducted by the NIH, approximately 10% to 30% of children and 2% to 10% of adults in develop countries are living with atopic dermatitis. This alarming disease insights has created the need to effective detection and treatment therapeutics. Dermatitis is nothing but persistent inflammation of the skin. It leads to redness, itching, swelling, and sometimes blistering or oozing. Eczema, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, nummular dermatitis, and statis dermatitis, are the major sub types of this ailment. It is crucial to consult a dermatitis specialist if the mention symptoms occur and prevail for a long duration. With growing disease burden, there is a crucial need for the development of effective dermatitis treatment solutions. Pharma companies and medical researchers are investing in R&D endeavours with an aim to get a thorough understanding about the traits of this ailment so that they can develop efficient dermatitis medications and therapies. Price and Market Access DiseaseLandscape Insights have been empowering them with in depth disease overview and market-based data through its healthcare consulting services. It assists Dermatitis Disease Market players with treatment gaps identification, drug development, clinical trial feasibility analysis, overall clinical trial management, product portfolio extension, along with price and market access-based decisions. It further offers ideal drug launch strategies, new product launch services, and post launch services to the industry participants. Causes And Symptoms: There major causes behind the occurrence of this skin disease are exposure to allergens and irritants, genetics, autoimmune factors, hormonal changes, stress, infections, extreme temperatures, humidity levels, and exposure to excessive sun. The symptoms of Dermatitis can be characterized by blisters, dryness, rashes, cracking, pain, oozing, skin thickening, itching, and swelling. Discover More About Pricing and Reimbursement, Epidemiology Study, and Healthcare @ https://www.diseaselandscape.com/downloadsample/postid/31 Diagnosis And Treatment: The diagnosis of dermatitis typically involves a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider, often a dermatologist. The process may include medical history assessment, physical examination, allergy testing, and biopsy. Dermatitis treatment depends on its type, severity, and underlying cause. Some of the common treatment approaches include topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, emollients and moisturizers, topical calcineurin inhibitors, antifungals, antibiotics, phototherapy, and immune modulators, among others. It's essential to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan tailored to the specific type of dermatitis and individual needs. Dermatitis Prevention: To prevent dermatitis, it is pivotal to identify and avoid triggers specific a patient's condition. Protecting the skin from harsh chemicals and irritants with gloves and protective clothing works wonders. Apart from that dermatologists suggest individuals to use gentle, fragrance-free personal care products and moisturize your skin regularly, especially after bathing. Patients should also opt for mild, unscented soaps and avoid hot water to prevent drying out of the skin. Taking shorter showers and baths can also help maintain skin health and reduce the risk of dermatitis flare-ups. Unlock the Benefits Today! Get Started Now and Elevate Your Experience @ https://www.diseaselandscape.com/checkout?report_id=31 Summing Up: Dermatitis is a group of skin conditions characterized by inflammation, redness, itching, and sometimes blistering or oozing of the skin. Managing dermatitis effectively requires a comprehensive understanding of the disease, its causes, and suitable treatment approaches. This is when DLI health consultant can play a significant role. It provides the players with in-depth knowledge and analysis of the dermatitis landscape. By offering comprehensive disease knowledge, drug insights, clinical trial assessment, commercial strategy analysis, and regulatory consulting, DLI contributes to better-informed decisions, more effective treatments, and improved outcomes for individuals living with dermatitis. This holistic approach enables stakeholders to reshape disease management strategies and ultimately provide better care to patients affected by dermatitis. Browse Through More Environmental Diseases Research Reports. Related Reports: Insights and Trends in the Global Landscape of Lung Cancer Services The symptoms, transmission, and precautions of Monkeypox The Myths of Pneumonia: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention Methods Navigating the Complex Autoimmune Disorder of Lupus Ringworm Comprehensive Guide: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Diverticulitis: A Complete Guide to the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments When it comes to strategic Diabetes Disease consultancy, some of the areas we assist you understand include Regulatory Insights, Disease Landscape, and Market Access Expertise. Find treatments for HPV illness using specialized market entry strategies. FDA/EMA insights and clinical trial advice. Examine right away! Learn about specific approaches to Pancreatic Cancer Disease market access, pricing, and reimbursement. Learn about market research and clinical trials. Change your business immediately. Learn about KOLs, the FDA, epidemiology, price reimbursement, and more in this market report on Anemia Disease. Your trustworthy source for info on anemia. Examine right away! Chlamydia Disease symptoms, treatment, and market research. Keep up with epidemiology research, FDA and EMA updates, and market entry tactics. employing our tried-and-true strategy, penetrate the Ovarian Cancer Disease market. Learn to negotiate the regulatory process, discover the key opinion leaders for your product, and establish fair pricing. Learn about Gastric Cancer Market Strategies, KOL Insights, Regulatory Updates, and Market Intelligence. Make use of our knowledge to get through challenges. The success of the Breast Cancer market is built on FDA insights, pricing strategies, and a successful market launch. Investigate epidemiology and market intelligence to gain a competitive edge. Find out more about Prostate Cancer Consulting, FDA-EMA Drugs, Pricing, and Regulatory Insights. Obtain an epidemiology study and market access. Rely on DLI! FDA-EMA Approved Drugs, Disease Landscape, and Epidemiology Studies: Expert Consulting on Skin Cancer. Pricing Compensation and Market Access. Find out more about Tonsillitis symptoms, consulting services, drug costs, FDA-approved medications, disease landscape, regulatory insights, epidemiology, and price reimbursement. Investigate the epidemiology, prevention, and consulting services for Scrub Typhus. Discover the landscape of diseases, FDA-EMA approved medications, and more. Discover the market insights, competitive environment, regulatory updates, and epidemiology study for lymphoma. Market entry strategy: Unlock market intelligence. A Colorectal Cancer market entrance plan can assist you in navigating the competitive environment, getting in touch with important decision-makers, and achieving your regulatory and business objectives. To find out more, call us right away. 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 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. Sales Contact:?+44-2038074155? Asia Office Contact:?+917447409162 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-dermatitis-disease-market-scenario-with-dlis-drug-insights-clinical-trial-assessment-drug-pricing-strategies-and-regulatory-consulting--disease-landscape-insights-301953614.html RALEIGH, NC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Newswire, an industry leader in press release distribution services, including content production, strategy, planning, and media technology, provides its customers with press release distribution services to help companies distribute the right message to the right audience at the right time. Part of Newswire's approach to helping companies build brand awareness and meet and exceed their goals is through education. An example is by addressing the question, what is a media advisory? A media advisory isn't a full story. It's a one-page description that invites the press to attend an event a brand is hosting. The event could be anything from a press conference to a grand opening, book signing, live demonstration, etc. Media advisories include the most essential details of the event and are a great way to generate buzz and get media to attend. "Media advisories are an excellent resource brands can use to build awareness for their event," said Jennifer Hammers, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Issuer Direct. "The more media attention an event gets, and for good reason, the better the position a brand will be in to garner attention and capture market share." Just like a press release format matters, so does the format of a media advisory. Newswire encourages businesses to follow these steps: At the top of the page, type MEDIA ADVISORY in a large, bold font. in a large, bold font. On the left-hand side, include the date of the alert and the following contact information: Company name Your first and last name Email address Phone number Just as you would format a press release, use the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and why) to address the most important details Keep the length between 100 - 150 words. It's important to note media advisories should be sent twice. The first should be sent a week before the event and the second should be sent the day before the event to serve as a reminder. To learn more about the difference between press releases and media advisories, visit newswire.com About Newswire Newswire is a media technology company that provides its clients with the Press Release Optimizer, which consists of press release distribution, media databases, media monitoring, and online media rooms that power the Media Advantage: greater brand awareness through earned media, increased online visibility through content strategy and planning as well as greater SEO recognition. Through its disruptive Press Release Optimizer, relentless commitment to customer satisfaction, and passion for customer performance, Newswire is automating media and marketing communications for large and small businesses seeking to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time for the right purpose. To learn more about Newswire and its Press Release Optimizer, visit Newswire.com and discover why our customers have named us #1 for Customer Satisfaction and Ease of Use for four years in a row. For more information, visit https://www.newswire.com. Newswire is a wholly owned subsidiary of Issuer Direct, a leading communications and compliance company, providing solutions for both Public Relations and Investor Relations Professionals. For more information, please visit www.issuerdirect.com. Contact Information Jennifer Hammers Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing jennifer.hammers@issuerdirect.com 919.481.4000 SOURCE: Newswire View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791721/what-is-a-media-advisory-newswire-shares-the-basics LONDON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Accord Healthcare, one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies in Europe, committed to providing high-quality medicines at the point of care, is launching an Animal Health division to 'make it better' for Vets. Recent years have created a 'perfect storm' of pressure on veterinary services. There are now 34 million pets in the United Kingdom (UK), over 10% of which were acquired during the COVID-19 Pandemic1 . But with the cost-of-living biting pet owners, vets are being squeezed by increasing numbers of pet owners who can't afford their bills coupled with price increases from suppliers. Many vets now feel that there is a large gap between what they need from their suppliers to support them and what they actually receive2 . We are setting up a new veterinary pharmaceutical division at Accord that firmly puts vets at the heart of everything we do." Said Bob Ferguson who joined Accord in June 2022 from Norbrook Laboratories, a leading veterinary pharmaceutical company where he held several global senior roles for over 10 years. We will be listening to vet's concerns to understand their frustrations, ensuring that we supply products where they need them, when they want them, at the appropriate quality, and volume. We want to support vets and vet practices by cutting through. complexity, simplifying formulations, administration, and supply to make it better for vets." - Bob Ferguson, Commercial Lead, Accord Animal Health. "We are very excited to bring our extensive experience in pharmaceutical development, manufacture and commercialisation to Animal Health," said Paul Tredwell, Executive Vice President of Accord EMENA "We are thrilled to launch our new division, where, we have extensive plans for growth and I look forward to working with Bob to grow his team and business, supporting Animal health and the Vets that are so critical to animal wellbeing." Quality Medicines for Animal Healthcare | Accord Animal Health | Animal healthcare (accord-animalhealth.com) References: 1. UK Pet Food. New Pet Population Data Released. March 2021. Available at: https://www.ukpetfood.org/resource/pfma-releases-latest-pet-population-data.html. 2. Cost of Living Report CM Research January 2023 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244383/Accord_Animal_Health_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/accord-healthcare-launches-accord-animal-health-301953766.html AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of "a-" (Excellent) of Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company B.S.C. (GIG Bahrain) and its subsidiary, Takaful International Company BSC (GIG Bahrain Takaful), both of which are domiciled in Bahrain. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect GIG Bahrain's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also factor in lift from GIG Bahrain's parent company, Gulf Insurance Group K.S.C.P., due to the strategic importance of GIG Bahrain to the group. GIG Bahrain Takaful's ratings consider its strategic importance to GIG Bahrain. GIG Bahrain Takaful provides a platform to underwrite takaful business domestically and increases the overall operation's market share and product offerings in Bahrain. Following its acquisition by GIG Bahrain, GIG Bahrain Takaful has reported improved technical results. GIG Bahrain's balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation that was at the strongest level at year-end 2022, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). GIG Bahrain benefits from a relatively conservative asset allocation and a reinsurance programme placed mostly with reinsurers of good credit quality, which mitigates the elevated credit risk associated with the company's high cessions on commercial risks. AM Best expects GIG Bahrain's risk-adjusted capitalisation to be managed at the strongest level over the company's forecast period. GIG Bahrain's strong operating performance is demonstrated by a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average return-on-equity ratio of 9.5%, as calculated by AM Best, with earnings over this period supported by underwriting and investment results. GIG Bahrain's underwriting profitability continues to support overall earnings, generating positive returns on the non-life account over the past five years, evident by a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average combined ratio of 93.7%, as calculated by AM Best. AM Best expects the company's prospective underwriting performance to remain strong. GIG Bahrain commands a leading position in Bahrain's insurance market and a strong competitive position in Kuwait. The company maintains an excellent domestic franchise, which has been strengthened following its acquisition of GIG Bahrain Takaful. The company writes a well-diversified portfolio on a gross premium basis; although a concentration to motor and medical business is noted on a net premium basis. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's 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 Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's 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/20231011387731/en/ Contacts: Emily Thompson Senior Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0291 emily.thompson@ambest.com Mahesh Mistry Senior Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0325 mahesh.mistry@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Federal Trade Commission has announced a new rule to prohibit junk fees. The proposed rule would protect consumers from paying billions in hidden and falsely advertised fees. If finalized as proposed, the rule would ban businesses from running up the bills with hidden and bogus fees, ensure consumers know exactly how much they are paying and what they are getting, and help spur companies to compete on offering the lowest price. Businesses would have to include all mandatory fees when telling consumers a price, making it easier for consumers to comparison shop for the lowest price. The rule has a provision to secure refunds for harmed consumers and seek monetary penalties against companies that do not comply with its provisions. Junk fees are hidden, surprise fees that companies sneak onto customer bills, increasing costs and stifling competition in industries across the economy. Research shows that fees charged at the back-end of the buying process make it harder to comparison shop for the best deal and lead to consumers paying an additional 20 percent. Junk fees also make it hard for honest businesses to compete, stifle innovation, and hurt small businesses. The FTC has estimated that these fees can cost consumers tens of billions of dollars per year in unexpected costs. The agency launched a proceeding last year requesting public input on whether a rule would help to eliminate these unfair and deceptive charges. After receiving more than 12,000 comments on how fees affect their personal spending or business, the FTC is seeking a new round of comments on a proposed junk fee rule. As the public comments made clear, consumers are fed up with hidden fees for everything from booking hotels and resort fees to buying concert tickets online, renting an apartment, and paying utility bills. Many consumers said that sellers often do not advertise the total amount they will have to pay, and disclose fees only after they are well into completing the transaction. They also said that sellers often misrepresent or do not adequately disclose the nature or purpose of certain fees, leaving consumers wondering what they are paying for or if they are getting anything at all for the fee charged. The White House said that in addition to the proposed rule, the CFPB is taking action to require large banks and credit unions to provide basic information to consumers without charging fees. It means no more fees for basic services like checking bank account balances, obtaining a payoff amount for a loan, or getting account information needed for applications. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Die Top 3 Dividendenaktien 2024 In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! Hier klicken The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has potential to further boost exports by around 30 per cent Barriers such as complex and uncertain trade rules and ineffective trade facilitators remain AfCFTA will help overcome the "spaghetti bowl effect" of existing Regional Economic Communities (RECs) MARRAKESH, Morocco, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Chartered has today published its Future of Trade: Africa report, highlighting the outlook for African trade and providing a view of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key proponent of optimising intra-African trade. The report finds that Africa's total exports will reach USD952 billion by 2035 and the AfCFTA, once fully implemented, has the potential to increase this figure by a further 29 per cent. This represents an annual growth rate of 3 per cent from now until 2035. Rising regional trade levels and greater connectivity will unlock high-growth corridors across Africa and beyond. Intra-Africa trade is expected to reach USD 140 bn by 2035, equating to 15 pe rcent of Africa's total exports. Africa's corridors with some of the world's most dynamic regions will grow faster than the global average of 4.3 per cent. The East Africa-South Asia corridor is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing major corridor, at 7.1 per cent per annum through to 2035. The Middle East-North Africa and the Middle East-East Africa corridors will also be substantial, with their combined trade volume expected to reach almost USD200 billion by 2035. The AfCFTA is not the first attempt made by Africa's markets to promote greater cohesion, but the existing agreements often have overlapping or contradicting objectives - creating a "spaghetti bowl effect". There are eight significant Regional Economic Communities (RECs) recognised by the African Union (AU), and most AU markets are enrolled in two or more RECs, with the high costs of compliance and administration making intra-Africa trade less competitive. AfCFTA could help overcome this by implementing common rules of origin, which grant all 54 AfCFTA members preferential trade access to each other's markets, to the extent set out in the agreement. Africa however still has barriers to overcome to realise the full potential of its trade opportunity. Based on a survey conducted with over 100 of Africa's business leaders, 63 per cent polled said complex and uncertain trade rules are one of the top challenges of intra-African trade. 53 per cent of respondents noted that underdeveloped transportation infrastructure is a key barrier. 51 per cent cited ineffective trade facilitators as another hurdle, whilst 46 per cent noted that limited and/or costly access to capital is a challenge. Around 90 per cent of respondents believe the AfCFTA can address most of these issues. Progress has been made in this regard, with the AfCFTA taking steps to address barriers through various initiatives, such as a reporting mechanism and a guided trade initiative to accelerate trading[1] amongst countries. Digitalisation also plays an important role in bolstering intra-Africa trade. The report demonstrates that adopting digital supply chain financing (SCF) solutions could unlock USD34 billion of export value in five key African markets by 2035. Almost all (97 per cent) of respondents are interested in digital SCF solutions but cited resource constraints, a technology gap and interoperability challenges as key barriers to adoption. Dr Jose Vinals, Group Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC, said: "Implemented effectively, the African Continental Free Trade Area can radically reshape future growth and development. It will enable higher value-add supply chains and more diversified exports, allowing member states to reduce historical commodity dependence and achieve meaningful progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Through our global footprint, local expertise and innovative solutions, we are committed to supporting the development of the right policies, securing cooperation, and applying technology and capital in order to build better connections within the continent, and beyond." Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Standard Chartered Africa Middle East, said: "The disruptions to Africa's supply chains over the last few years have amplified the urgency to implement the AfCFTA. At the same time, the findings of our report outline the requirements to exponentially bolster Africa's exports, which the AfCFTA would benefit greatly. With the right regulations, collaboration, and governance, this opportunity can be made a reality. For over 150 years, Standard Chartered has supported Africa's growth and progress, actively contributing to the continent's infrastructure development and economic advancement. We will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders in driving trade throughout the continent and ensuring Africa's sustainable economic development." Read the full report here: https://www.sc.com/en/banking/banking-for-companies/future-of-trade-2023/ Note to editors About the Future of Trade: Africa This report, commissioned by Standard Chartered and prepared by PwC Singapore, provides a view on the impact of The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on intra-Africa trade. This report is based on an analysis of qualitative and quantitative information from both internal and external sources. All trade figures used in this report are for trade of goods only and do not include trade in services. The impact of AfCFTA is based on a report published by the World Bank, The AfCFTA: Economic and Distributional Effects. A survey of 103 Africa's C-level and senior leaders was conducted to understand the current challenges of intra-Africa trade as well as the trade opportunities that the AfCFTA can bring to the continent. It also captures respondents' views on the most effective trade facilitation measures and the impact of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) on the reduction of costs of cross-border payments. Beyond this, the survey provides insights into Africa's business leaders' perspective on the growth of e-commerce as well as the significance of supply chain finance in the context of regional trade. Here is the link for the report https://www.sc.com/en/banking/banking-for-companies/future-of-trade-2023/ Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. [1] https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/october-2022/afcfta%E2%80%99s-guided-trade-initiative-takes-set-ease-and-boost-intra-african-trade Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244434/Sunil_Kaushal.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/africas-total-exports-expected-to-hit-close-to-usd1-trillion-by-2035-standard-chartered-report-reveals-301953811.html Award Celebrates Standout Solution Providers for the Impressive Accomplishment of Being Featured on Three of CRN's 2023 Prestigious Lists: Solution Provider 500, Fast Growth 150 and Tech Elite 250 PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / MicroAge, The Digital Transformation Experts, announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named MicroAge a 2023 Triple Crown Award winner. This award celebrates standout solution providers for the impressive accomplishment of being featured on three of CRN's prestigious lists. MicroAge CRN Triple Crown Award MicroAge Achieves CRN Triple Crown Status For 10 consecutive years, the Triple Crown Award has accredited unparalleled performance from top solution providers in North America based on revenue, growth, and technical expertise within the IT channel. The recipients of the CRN Triple Crown Award are recognized for their remarkable accomplishment of securing a position on three distinguished lists in the same year. These lists include the Solution Provider 500, which ranks the largest IT solution providers in North America based on revenue; the Fast Growth 150, which ranks the fastest-growing organizations in the channel; and the Tech Elite 250, which acknowledges the attainment of the highest-level certifications from leading vendors in the industry. While each list is a noteworthy achievement, being featured on all three in a single year is a testament to exceptional service and warrants special acknowledgment from the entire channel community. "MicroAge is honored to be a CRN Triple Crown Award winner, which represents our ongoing effort to stay at the forefront of our industry by providing our clients with best-in-class, innovative IT solutions and services that address their unique technology challenges," said MicroAge CEO Rob Zack. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion, and commitment of our entire team in consistently delivering client success." Jennifer Follett, Vice President, U.S. Content, Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company, expressed her excitement and congratulations to the top solution providers who have achieved the prestigious Triple Crown Award. "These providers have not only demonstrated exceptional revenue growth in North America but have also surpassed many other channel organizations in terms of their progress. They have successfully maintained and enhanced their technical skills, resulting in the highest level of service in the IT channel." Follett emphasized that "this award represents the pinnacle of honor, recognizing truly extraordinary solution providers who consistently exceed expectations in their contributions to the channel and the industry's future through their unwavering dedication and expertise." This year's Triple Crown Award winners will be featured in the October 2023 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/triplecrown. Contact Information Andrea Hill Director of Communications & Brand Management andrea.hill@microage.com 480-366-2468 SOURCE: MicroAge View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791846/microage-achieves-crn-triple-crown-status-an-award-recognition-of-exceptional-it-market-leadership MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / In Miami, Florida, on October 5th, 2023, the grand opening of the first phase of Flagler Oasis occurred. Located in the heart of Little Havana, within walking distance of Calle Ocho and the Miami Marlins' ballpark, this multi-phase, mixed-use site opened the first tower; an eight-story mid-rise that offers 100, one- and two-bedroom residential units. Designed by the acclaimed Behar Font & Partners, this community is tailored with modern amenities, urban location, and sophisticated style. Shaoul Mishal, President and CEO of Gamla Cedron Shaoul Mishal, President and CEO of Gamla Cedron at Phase I of Flagler Oasis Shaoul Mishal, President & CEO of Gamla Cedron, the multifamily developer behind the project, was in attendance to cut the ribbon and welcome the development partners, local officials, and current residents of the community. Flagler Oasis sets the bar for luxury residential offerings in the Little Havana market with enhanced community features and an exceptional resident experience. Located at 1110 NW 1st Street, the location is less than five miles from Downtown Miami, the Brickell Financial District, the Jackson Hospital Healthcare District, Downtown Coral Gables, and the Miami International Airport. The second phase of Flagler Oasis, on the western side of the site, will offer 248 residences, 3,890 square feet of retail, 282 parking spaces, and a pool and amenity deck housed in 16 stories. Located on the southeast corner of the site, the third phase will offer 70,400 square feet of office space, 9,540 square feet of retail, 215 parking spaces, and an open-air deck in eight stories. For more information about Flagler Oasis, visit www.FlaglerOasis.com. Contact Information Deanna Midkiff Regional Manager dmidkiff@yesmgmtservices.com 8137866409 SOURCE: Gamla Cedron Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791990/phase-i-of-the-highly-anticipated-flagler-oasis-project-celebrated-its-grand-opening-on-october-5th Sales up 11% to 9.9m on September 30, 2023: +13% growth in Theranostics, driven by strong export growth and accelerating i-tracker sales +9% growth in In Vitro Diagnostics, driven by strong export performance and strategic partnership with Quotient Cash position under control at 5.5 M on September 30, 2023 Regulatory News: THERADIAG (ISIN: FR0004197747, Mnemonic: ALTER), a company specializing in in vitro diagnostics for autoimmune diseases and Theranostics, today announced its third-quarter sales and cash position to September 30, 2023, data currently being audited. Sales of 9.9m on September 30, 2023 In thousands of euros Q3 2022 Q3 2023 Change 30/09/2022 30/09/2023 Change Revenue 2,644 3,183 + 20% 8,908 9,884 + 11% Of which Theranostics revenue 1,552 1,611 + 4% 4,580 5,180 + 13% Of which IVD revenue 1,092 1,572 + 44% 4,329 4,704 + 9% In Q3 2023, Theradiag posted sales of 3.2 million euros, compared with 2.6 million euros in Q3 2022, representing solid growth of +20%, driven mainly by the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) business, which grew by +44%. On September 30, 2023, Theradiag had sales of 9.9 million, compared with 8.9 million on September 30, 2022, an increase of +11%, thanks to consistent sales performance across Theradiag's two business lines: +13% for Theranostics and +9% for IVD. Theranostics sales rose by +13% to almost 5.2 million euros on September 30, 2023, still driven by the sales momentum of the i-Tracker test range. This increase continues to be driven by very good export performances (+ 41%) and solid growth in France (+17%), offsetting the downturn in the US market. IVD recorded an increase in sales of around 9%, reaching over 4.7 million euros at the end of September 2023. Despite the end of the contract with Asuragen and the drop in instrument sales, the business proved resilient thanks to a 60% increase in export performance and the strategic partnership established with Quotient. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of September 2023 remain under control at over 5.5 million euros. Highlights of the 3rd quarter 2023 On September 29, 2023, the Boards of Directors of BIOSYNEX SA and THERADIAG SA unanimously approved the principle of a proposed merger by absorption of THERADIAG by BIOSYNEX (the "Merger Project"). The Merger Project will be submitted for approval to the Extraordinary General Meetings of BIOSYNEX and THERADIAG shareholders, which will be held on December 15, 2023. About Theradiag Theradiag is the market leader in biotherapy monitoring. Capitalizing on its expertise in the diagnostics market, the Company has been developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for over 30 years. Theradiag pioneered "theranostics" testing (combining therapy with diagnosis), which measures the efficacy of biotherapy in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Going beyond mere diagnosis, Theranostics aims to help clinicians set up "customized treatment" for each patient. This method favors the individualization of treatment, evaluation of its efficacy and the prevention of drug resistance. In response to this challenge, Theradiag develops and markets the CE-marked TRACKER range, a comprehensive solution of inestimable medical value. The Company is based in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, has operations in over 70 countries and employs over 60 people. In 2022, the Company posted revenue of 12.2 million. The Theradiag share is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN: FR0004197747) and is eligible for the French PEA-PME personal equity plan. For more information about Theradiag, please visit our website: https://www.theradiag.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011021154/en/ Contacts: Theradiag CEO Simon Daviere contact@theradiag.com NewCap Financial Communications Investor Relations Pierre Laurent Quentin Masse Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 theradiag@newcap.eu NewCap Media Relations Arthur Rouille Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 arouille@newcap.fr Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, October 11 For immediate release 11 October 2023 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 100,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 828.17 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 21,171,869; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 203,819,434. The figure of 203,819,434 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 TAIPEI, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2023, GEEKOM, a pioneering band in the Mini PC industry, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary and looks ahead to a shared future of technological brilliance. Founded in 2003 in Taiwan, GEEKOM embarked on a journey fueled by a passion for technology and a commitment to research and development. Over the past 20 years, it has cultivated invaluable expertise and amassed a wealth of core technologies. In 2010, GEEKOM shifted its focus to Mini PCs, igniting a 13-year journey of continuous technological advancement. Today, GEEKOM stands as a global leader, with over 3 million users and products sold in over 130 countries. GEEKOM's commitment to innovation is exemplified by its mastery of over 300 core patented technologies, earning it a resounding 100% praise rate from over 1,000 top-tier international media outlets. Additionally, 2,000 Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) have enthusiastically endorsed GEEKOM products, garnering over 1 billion views. At the heart of GEEKOM's philosophy is "We Love, We Pursue." This ethos signifies an unwavering love for the limitless potential of technology, a passion for the excitement of innovation, and a deep-seated appreciation for its customers. Customer trust drives GEEKOM's relentless pursuit of excellence, while customer needs fuel its ongoing innovations. GEEKOM refuses to rest on its laurels, always striving to deliver warmth and dedication in every customer interaction. GEEKOM's journey is marked by groundbreaking innovations: 2003: Founded in Taiwan, the computer kingdom. 2005: Introduced the first laptop powered by Intel CPU, selling over 200,000 units annually. 2008: Achieved mass production of the first tablet PC based on the QUALCOMM8227, with annual sales exceeding 150,000 units. 2010: Launched the Mini IT3, marking a dedicated focus on Mini PCs. 2021: Globally unveiled the Mini IT11 with a complete brand renewal and ambitious international expansion. 2023: Launched the world's first Mini PC with a 13th generation i9 processor, featuring a mini motherboard - the Mini IT13. To express profound gratitude to its loyal customers, and trusted partners for their unwavering support over the years, GEEKOM will run a special thank-you campaign on its official website from October 1 to November 5, 2023. GEEKOM has reached a significant 20-year milestone through collaborative efforts with customers and partners. Looking ahead, GEEKOM remains committed to collaborating with all to create a shared, brighter future. Stay Tuned with GEEKOM: Web: www.geekompc.com YouTube: GEEKOM PC Facebook: GEEKOM Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2241159/GEEKOM.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/geekom-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary-301950673.html THESE CAPITAL INCREASES WILL RESULT IN A MASSIVE DILUTION OF THE EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS AND COULD LEAD TO A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE STOCK MARKET PRICE, THE VALUE OF THE SHARE AFTER THESE TRANSACTIONS POSSIBLY BEING LESS THAN 0.02 Regulatory News: The accelerated safeguard plan of ORPEA SA (the "Company") (Paris:ORP), adopted by the Nanterre Specialised Commercial Court on 24 July 2023 (the "Accelerated Safeguard Plan"), provides for the implementation of three capital increases, namely (i) a capital increase with maintenance of the preferential subscription right, backstopped by the unsecured creditors of the Company subscribing, if applicable, by way of set-off against their claims, in an amount (including the issue premium) of 3,884,212,344.65 euros, by issue of 64,629,157,149 new shares at an issue price of 0.0601 euro per new share (the "Equitization Capital Increase"), (ii) a capital increase with cancellation of the preferential subscription right in favor of named persons, for the benefit of Caisse des Depots et Consignations, Mutuelle Assurance Instituteurs de France (MAIF), CNP Assurances and MACSF Epargne Retraite (or companies affiliated with them), with a priority period granted to the Existing Shareholders (as defined below) of the Company, allowing them to subscribe by preference to the shares issued, in an amount (including the issue premium) of 1,160,080,551.59 euros, by issue of 65,173,064,696 new shares at an issue price of 0.0178 euro per new share (the "Groupement Capital Increase") and (iii) a capital increase with maintenance of the shareholders' preferential subscription right in an amount (including the issue premium) of 390,019,672.62 euros, by issuing 29,324,787,415 new shares at an issue price of 0.0133 euro per new share, to which the members of the Groupement have committed to subscribe in the amount of approximately 196 million euros, the balance, i.e. 194 million euros, being guaranteed by five institutions holding a significant portion of the Company's unsecured debt (the "Rights Issue" and together with the Equitization Capital Increase and the Groupement Capital Increase, the "Capital increases It is reminded that the Existing Shareholders of the Company will be granted preferential subscription rights enabling them to subscribe (on an irreducible basis only) to the Equitization Capital Increase and will benefit from a priority period enabling them to subscribe by preference (on an irreducible basis only) to the Groupement Capital Increase; this priority right is non-negotiable and non-assignable. Only the Existing Shareholders of the Company shareholders whose securities are registered in an account on the reference date for the granting of preferential subscription rights in the context of the Equitization Capital Increase (the "Existing Shareholders") (currently anticipated around 15 November 2023 according to the indicative timetable envisaged) (the "Reference Date") will benefit from preferential subscription rights enabling them to participate in the Equitization Capital Increase and the priority period enabling them to participate in the Groupement Capital Increase1. Any cash received by the Company in respect of the subscriptions (including by the Existing Shareholders) to new shares as part of the Equitization Capital Increase on exercise of their preferential subscription rights will be allocated to the repayment of the Company's unsecured debt, at par and pro rata It is reminded that the Existing Shareholders will benefit from the priority period in the context of the Groupement Capital Increase on the basis of the number of shares held by them on the Reference Date, adding to it, where applicable and provided that all the shares they hold on the Reference Date are held in pure registered form (see box below), the shares that they may have subscribed in the context of the Equitization Capital Increase upon exercise on an irreducible basis of the preferential subscription rights detached from the shares they held on the Reference Date (excluding any new shares subscribed on exercise of additional preferential subscription rights acquired by the Existing Shareholders). Thus, for each Existing Shareholder, the number of shares to which it will be entitled to subscribe under the priority period in the context of the Groupement Capital Increase will be equal to the ratio of its eligible shares (as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph) on the total number of shares comprising the Company's capital upon completion of the Equitization Capital increase, applied to the number of shares issued as part of the Groupement Capital increase. In addition, it is recalled that the issue price of the new shares in the context of the Equitization Capital Increase (0.0601 euro per share) is significantly higher than the issue price of the shares to be issued in the context of the Groupement Capital increase and in the context of the Rights Issue (0.0178 euro and 0.0133 euro per share respectively). Consequences of capital increases for Existing Shareholders illustration based on a numerical example The implementation of the aforementioned capital increases will result in a massive dilution for the Existing Shareholders and may also lead to a very sharp decrease in the share price, which should be close to the issue price of the Capital Increases. The Existing Shareholders who wish to maintain their current level of equity participation by exercising all their rights attached to the Capital Increases would thus have to invest significant amounts in the subscription of the new shares issued, and may suffer a very significant loss in market value of the shares. A simulation of the impact of the planned operations is presented below for illustrative purposes only. This simulation is based on assumptions and items beyond the Company's control (in particular, changes in the Company's share price). Illustrative example Investments to be made by an Existing Shareholder holding 75 Shares on the Reference Date and wishing to maintain its current shareholding percentage post-Capital Increases; loss of corresponding value estimated on the basis of a post-Capital increase share price which would be the subscription price of the Groupement Capital increase (0.0178). Equitization Capital Increase The Existing Shareholder holding 75 shares of the Company on the Reference Date, if it wishes not to be diluted by the Equitization Capital Increase, should subscribe to the Equitization Capital Increase by exercising all of its preferential subscription rights on an irreducible basis up to 74 925 new shares2 corresponding to a total subscription price of EUR 4,503, compared to a holding of 75 shares currently valued at approximately EUR 113, based on the closing price of the ORPEA share on 10 October 2023. On this basis, and assuming that the share price after Capital Increases would align with the subscription price of the Groupement Capital increase (for illustrative purposes), the value of the shares held by the Existing Shareholder would amount to 1,335 euros, with an investment thus corresponding for him to a latent loss of market value of the shares of 3,169 euros (-70% of the amount invested). Groupement Capital Increase The Existing Shareholder having subscribed for all of its rights to the Equitization Capital Increase, if it wishes not to be subsequently diluted as a result of the Groupement Capital increase, should exercise its right of priority and subscribe on an irreducible basis to the Groupement Capital Increase up to all its rights. The number of shares retained for the priority right would be equal to: 75 shares (i.e. the number of shares held on the Reference Date) 74,925 shares (i.e. the number of new shares subscribed as part of the Equitization Capital increase, provided that the Existing Shareholder holds its shares in the pure registered form on the Reference Date, see box below) 75,000 shares. The Existing Shareholder could therefore place an irreducible priority subscription order for 75,555 new shares3 issued as part of the Groupement Capital increase, for a total subscription price of 1,345. Thus, in order to maintain its percentage of participation unchanged following the Equitization Capital Increase and the Groupement Capital Increase, the Existing Shareholder holding 75 shares should subscribe to 150,480 new shares and invest a total of 5,848 euros On this basis, and assuming that the share price after the Capital Increases would align with the subscription price of the Groupement Capital increase (for illustrative purposes), the value of the shares held by the Existing Shareholder would amount to 2,683 euros, corresponding for it to a latent loss of market value of the new shares of 3,169 euros (-54% of the cumulative amount invested). Rights Issue The Existing Shareholder having subscribed to the full amount of its rights to the Equitization Capital Increase and to the Groupement Capital Increase, if it wishes not to be subsequently diluted as a result of the Rights Issue, should exercise all of its preferential subscription rights on an irreducible basis up to 33,992 new shares4 issued as part of the Rights Issue, i.e. a total subscription price of 452 euros. Thus, in order to maintain its percentage of participation unchanged following the three Capital Increases, the Existing Shareholder holding 75 shares before the launch of the Equitization Capital Increase would have to invest a total of 6,300 euros On this basis, and assuming that the share price after Capital Increases would align with the subscription price of the Groupement Capital increase (for illustrative purposes), the value of the securities held by the Existing Shareholder would amount to 3,289 euros, corresponding for him to a latent loss of market value of 3,016 euros (-48% of the cumulative amount invested). IMPORTANT The attention of the Existing Shareholders currently holding their shares in bearer form (au porteur) or in the administered registered form (forme nominative administree) is drawn to the need to request that their shares be converted into pure registered form (nominatif pur) by the Reference Date at the latest (i.e. around 15 November 2023 according to the indicative timetable envisaged) if they wish that the new shares that they would subscribe for on an irreducible basis (a titre irreductible) in the context of the Equitization Capital Increase be taken into account when exercising, where applicable, the right of priority that would be open to them in the context of the Groupement Capital Increase. In the absence of a pure registered form, the new shares subscribed by the Existing Shareholders upon the exercise of their preferential subscription rights in the context of the Equitization Capital Increase will not be taken into account for the purpose of calculating their priority right. It is specified that shareholders who have not converted their shares in the pure registered form may nevertheless subscribe to the Equitization Capital Increase and to the Groupement Capital Increase. However, only the shares registered in the Existing Shareholder's securities account on the Reference Date will be taken into account in this case, without taking into account the new shares subscribed (if any) in the context of the Equitization Capital Increase. Shareholders wishing to have their shares converted into the pure registered form are invited to apply to Societe Generale Securities Services, via the online platform accessible at the following link: https://forms.kroll.com/orbeon/fr/is/socgen-kyc/new?form-version=1 Shareholders are reminded that converting their shares to pure registered form may result in processing delays, depending in particular on the practices of their account holder. About ORPEA ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in providing care for all types of frailty. The Group operates in 21 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homecare and services), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 76,000 employees and welcomes more than 267,000 patients and residents each year. https://www.orpea-group.com/en ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices. Disclaimer This document does not constitute and shall not be considered as constituting an offer to the public or a purchase offer or aimed at soliciting public interest in view of a transaction by way of a public offer. Prospectuses relating to the capital increases will be submitted by the Company to the approval of the Autorite des marches financiers before the effective launch of each capital increase. _________________________ 1This priority period will therefore not benefit (i) unsecured creditors who may become shareholders of the Company following the Equitization Capital Increase nor (ii) to new shares subscribed to by the Existing Shareholders who also qualify as unsecured creditors, as a result of the conversion of their debt in the context of the Equitization Capital Increase. 2The Existing Shareholder will be granted a preferential subscription right per share held, a preferential subscription right giving the right to subscribe to 999 new shares as part of the Equitization Capital Increase. 3The Existing Shareholder may subscribe to the Groupement Capital Increase (65,173,064,696 shares to issue) up to the share of its eligible shares in the capital of the Company post Equitization Capital Increase, being specified that if the exercise of the right of priority results in a number of shares other than a whole number, then the number of shares to which this Existing Shareholder can subscribe will be rounded down to the lower integer. On this basis, in the example, the Existing Shareholder will therefore be able to subscribe to (75,000/64,693,851,000) x 65,173,064,696 75,555 new shares under his priority right. 4The Existing Shareholder will be granted a preferential subscription right per share held, with 31 preferential subscription rights giving the right to subscribe to 7 new shares as part of the Rights Issue. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011564103/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations ORPEA Benoit Lesieur Investor Relations Director b.lesieur@orpea.net Toll-free number for shareholders: 0 805 480 480 Investor Relations NewCap Dusan Oresansky Tel: 01 44 71 94 94 ORPEA@newcap.eu Press Relations ORPEA Isabelle Herrier-Naufle Press Relations Director Tel: 07 70 29 53 74 i.herrier-naufle@orpea.net Image7 Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn 06 78 37 27 60 06 89 87 61 37 clebarbier@image7.fr lheilbronn@image7.fr NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Whole Planet Foundation is proud to showcase top donating brands that support microentrepreneurs in our global communities through Whole Planet Foundation. Their collective contribution of $400,000 this year will help funding business capital for the world's most vulnerable entrepreneurs. Microloans enable entrepreneurs to start or develop small, often home-based businesses in hopes that the profits will help support their families and make their communities more resilient. 2023 top donating brands include Primal Kitchen and KeVita donating $100,000 each this year. Brands contributing $50,000 this year include Health-Ade, Seventh Generation, Topo Chico and Traditional Medicinals. Suppliers have been supporting Whole Planet Foundation since 2007, donating $17 million to alleviate poverty for microentrepreneurs around the globe. "Long-time supporters Primal Kitchen, KeVita, Health-Ade, Seventh Generation, Topo Chico and Traditional Medicals are critical to Whole Planet Foundation's mission, and we couldn't do our work without them. Many of the leadership of these brands have met microcredit clients on impact visits around the globe, gaining a deep understanding of the impact of their generosity. We are so grateful for their commitment that has helped Whole Planet Foundation fund 7 million microcredit loans with a 98% repayment rate! Microentrepreneurs prove time and again that access to opportunity is what they need to generate income for themselves and their families", says Joy Stoddard, the Foundation's development and outreach director. With deep missions of their own, these like-minded companies understand the power of providing a hand up and have committed to our highest giving levels. We truly appreciate their contributions to further our cause, which include funds, time, and in-kind donations. This month we invite you to join us all in celebrating their generosity and our annual impact on Wednesday, October 25 via our Party With A Purpose Annual Benefit and Auction. This event will take place both online and in-person in Austin, Texas. If you are local to Austin, please join us from 4-7pm on the Whole Foods Market Lamar rooftop for a gathering of 500 like-minded supporters as we celebrate our impact with delicious food and beverage, music, a cultural performance, onsite auctions and more. Not in Austin? Join us online from October 25- 29 to bid on auction items in support of our mission. Beyond this celebration, we invite you to stay connected via our e-newsletter, Instagram, and Facebook page. For more information on the work we do, and how we do it, visit wholeplanetfoundation.org. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whole Foods Market Foundations on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Whole Foods Market Foundations Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whole-foods-market-foundations Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Whole Foods Market Foundations View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/792051/whole-planet-foundation-brands-that-fund-microcredit Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Trail Blazing Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: BLAZ.P) (the "Corporation" or "TBV") is pleased to announce details concerning its proposed non-arm's length qualifying transaction (the "Transaction") involving a proposed business combination with Hempalta Inc. ("HEMPALTA"), a private company incorporated under the laws of Alberta. HEMPALTA is an Alberta based agricultural technology company focused on harnessing the immense potential of industrial hemp. HEMPALTA is pioneering the global hemp carbon credit industry and utilizing advanced agricultural technology to process industrial hemp at scale. HEMPALTA products are made from hemp grown sustainably in Southern Alberta and processed using a state-of-the-art HempTrain Advanced Processing Plant at the company's production facility in Calgary. HEMPALTA is led by passionate advocates for industrial hemp who have years of operations, manufacturing, marketing, consumer packaged goods and retail sales experience. This year, HEMPALTA was recognized as one of the 50 most investable cleantech companies in Canada by Foresight Canada, an organization focused on accelerating sustainable cleantech businesses to support a global transition to a green economy. Prior to the completion of the Transaction, HEMPALTA intends to complete a brokered private placement offering of a minimum of $1,450,000 and up to a maximum of $3,300,000 (the "Subscription Receipt Private Placement"). The Private Placement shall be in the form of subscription receipts of HEMPALTA ("Subscription Receipts ") at a price of $0.17 per Subscription Receipt. The Private Placement is expected to be completed prior to the closing of the Transaction. In connection with the completion of the Transaction, the Subscription Receipts shall automatically convert into Newco Common Shares (as defined below). The Corporation has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with HEMPALTA dated October 11, 2023 (the "LOI") pursuant to which the Corporation and HEMPALTA intend to complete the Transaction by way of share purchase, plan of arrangement, amalgamation, three-cornered amalgamation or alternate structure to be determined, having regard to relevant tax, securities and other factors, to form the resulting issuer ("Newco") to be named such name as may be determined by HEMPALTA. Pursuant to the proposed Transaction, each issued and outstanding HEMPALTA Common Share and Subscription Receipt will be exchanged into one common share of Newco ("Newco Common Share") on a 1:1 basis so that all of the issued and outstanding HEMPALTA Common Shares and existing convertible debentures will be exchanged for approximately 53,041,210 Newco Common Shares (not including the Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the Subscription Receipt Private Placement or other HEMPALTA Common Shares reserved for issuance), and each unexercised incentive stock option of HEMPALTA shall be exchanged for a replacement option issued by Newco with the same terms as the option exchanged therefor. Additionally, it is expected that the outstanding common shares and options of the Corporation will be consolidated on a 1.7:1 basis. Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction Darren Bondar is the Chief Executive Officer and President of both HEMPALTA and TBV and holds 6,521,000 common shares of TBV (16.3%), and 10,000,000 HEMPALTA Shares (21.2%). However, as no party is a control person of both TBV and HEMPALTA, the proposed Transaction does not constitute a "Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction" within the meaning of Exchange Policy 2.4 and, as such, Majority of the Minority Approval (as defined in Exchange Policy 2.4) is not required to approve the proposed Transaction. However, the proposed Transaction is expected to constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). As TBV's common shares are only listed on the Exchange, the Corporation intends to rely on an exemption to the formal valuation requirement of MI 61-101. For greater certainty, it is expected that the proposed Transaction will be subject to approval of the minority shareholders of TBV (excluding Darren Bondar) and accordingly TBV is expected to call a special meeting of shareholders to seek approval of the Transaction by the TBV's minority shareholders. It is intended that the Transaction, when completed, will constitute the Corporation's "Qualifying Transaction" in accordance with Policy 2.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") Corporate Finance Manual. A more comprehensive news release will be issued by the Corporation disclosing details of the Transaction, including financial information respecting HEMPALTA, further details regarding the Private Placement, the names and backgrounds of all persons who will constitute insiders of Newco, and information respecting sponsorship, once an agreement has been finalized and certain conditions have been met, including: approval of the Transaction by the boards of directors of the Corporation and HEMPALTA; satisfactory completion of due diligence; and execution of the definitive agreement. In the event a final agreement is not reached, the Corporation will notify shareholders. Trading in the common shares of the Corporation will remain halted and is not expected to resume trading until the Transaction is completed or until the Exchange receives the requisite documentation to resume trading. ABOUT THE CORPORATION Trail Blazing Ventures is a capital pool company (a "CPC") that has not commenced commercial operations and has no assets other than cash. Except as specifically contemplated in the Exchange's CPC Policy, until the completion of its qualifying transaction, the Corporation will not carry on business, other than the identification and evaluation of businesses or assets with a view to completing a proposed qualifying transaction. For further information, please contact: Craig Steinberg Director Trail Blazing Ventures Ltd. Telephone: 403.262.1337 Email: Craig.steinberg@trailblazingventures.com Darren Bondar Chief Executive Officer Hempalta Inc. Telephone: 1-877-622-3354 Email: info@hempalta.com Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement Statements in this press release regarding the Corporation's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, such as terms and completion of the proposed Transaction, and the terms and completion of the Subscription Receipt Private Placement. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and circumstances discussed in this press release, including the completion of the Transaction may not occur or could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Corporation, including (without limitation) risks relating to HEMPALTA completing the Subscription Receipt Private Placement, risks relating to the viability of the hemp processing business model and the scalability of local production practices and risks regarding market conditions, economic factors, and the equity markets generally. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, execution of a binding definitive agreement relating to the Transaction, completion of satisfactory due diligence, Exchange acceptance, receipt of requisite regulatory approvals, and if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approvals, and any ancillary matters thereto, are 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 a capital pool 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 press release. 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 news release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183663 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Quest Diagnostics: Originally published in Quest Diagnostics Corporate Responsibility Report 2022 Empowering consumers with direct health insights In October 2022, we launched questhealth.com to better deliver actionable diagnostic insights directly to health-minded consumers without first requiring a doctor's visit. More than 70 diagnostic tests are available- from general health profiles to tests for specific conditions, including heart health and sexually transmitted infections. Consumers can shop, schedule appointments for tests at our PSCs, and access results securely from their phone or computer. Beyond ease of use, questhealth.com reaches: Patients interested in reducing perceived barriers when accessing lab testing (lack of time, inconvenience, cost due to lack of health plan coverage, gaps in knowledge of tests and test selection, privacy concerns) Patients with chronic conditions who need regular testing Patients with higher risk who are focused on prevention Proactive patients who are in good health and want more data on how to stay healthy Patients who want to understand an acute issue they are experiencing Patients are given the option to speak with an independent physician regardless of results. We plan to continue to expand the types of tests offered through this site. Access and affordability Quest continued to grow access to and affordability of our industry-leading diagnostic services in 2022 by expanding our reach across the US and building on our financial assistance programs. Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE), our philanthropic initiative with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation, has also made strides in expanding the availability of services in under-resourced communities. Scaling access to our services To reach more consumers, Quest introduced new relationships with retailers and hospital systems in 2022. We acquired the outreach lab services business of Summa Health in Ohio and Northern Light Health in Maine. This strengthened our ability to give access to our innovative test offerings to more providers and patients. We also continued to provide professional lab management services to health systems and hospitals, helping them to reduce their costs and make their services more affordable. Expanding accessibility through financial assistance We aim to find solutions to serve patients who cannot easily afford diagnostic services. If a patient has a past-due bill, we offer clear communication regarding assistance options available to them. In addition, our Patient Financial Assistance (PFA) program provides a capped price on testing to patients whose income is near or below federally identified poverty levels. Effective January 1, 2023, we revised the PFA program to include more patients by extending the duration of eligibility following initial qualification from 6 to 12 months. Continued action on COVID-19 Quest has played a significant role in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 and continues to do so. We have performed approximately 77 million COVID-19 molecular and serology tests and provided population health insights to federal, state, and local agencies, including the CDC, to aid the public health response strategy. In 2022, Quest expanded its COVID-19 retail pharmacy testing footprint from CVS, Walmart, Giant Eagle, and Safeway to include a national collaboration with Rite-Aid. Rite-Aid and Bartell Drugs worked together to offer at-home PCR specimen kits at 2,350 stores and on-site PCR collection at drive-through locations. Additionally, Quest participated in the CDC's Increasing Access to Testing program, which provides free COVID-19 lab testing at select Quest PSCs for uninsured patients in historically marginalized communities. Quest for Health Equity's growing impact Q4HE was launched in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Q4HE, Quest and the Quest Diagnostics Foundation are focused on addressing inequities in under-resourced communities by collaborating with local stakeholders to support community-driven priorities and advance equity in healthcare. In 2022, Q4HE expanded its reach through new relationships, providing grant funding, offering no-cost lab testing, and expanding workforce development. Expanding a community health program: Bread of Life Bread of Life has empowered communities in downtown Houston for the past 30 years by providing social support and services. Q4HE has accelerated the development of Bread of Life's Community Care Program by providing training and career opportunities for phlebotomists and community health workers. Q4HE investment also goes toward sustaining collaborations with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Free and Charitable Clinics. A portion of the grant issued to Bread of Life is regranted to other community-based organizations that address issues such as food insecurity and provide access to behavioral health services. "We are proud of the progress we've made through our Q4HE collaborations to address the health equity gap and look forward to deepening our impact in 2023." MICHAEL K. FLOYD, Sr Director, Quest for Health Equity Increasing outreach with Choose Healthy Life Q4HE has continued to fund Choose Healthy Life, a program dedicated to enhancing the capacity of Black churches to promote community wellness. Pairing community health workers (Health Navigators) with church leaders at each of the program's 60 churches, participants benefit from having "trusted messengers" from the community assist them in making decisions impacting their health. The next phase of Choose Healthy Life launched in October 2022 with a focus on providing no-cost access to Blueprint for Wellness. Participants are given specific insights into the state of their health, as well as guidance on how to improve results. Participants can also be screened for eligibility for key social services, like housing, food benefits, and connecting to a healthcare provider. Delivering specialty care to patients who are uninsured and underinsured Through Q4HE, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation has provided a grant to ConferMED, a national network of specialists providing telehealth services. ConferMED brings their technology and network of specialty physicians to provide e-consults to patients at underserved community health centers. Patients benefit from efficient access to specialty care, fewer trips to providers, and reduced expenses caused by additional medical visits, including childcare, transportation, and time away from work. Patients also avoid unnecessary or duplicative tests and procedures and other risks inherent to exposure to the medical system. These translate directly to increased productivity at work and reduced absenteeism. Through the Q4HE grant, as of December 1, 2022, ConferMED has enrolled 19 FQHCs, serving patients who are uninsured and underinsured in the Miami, Chicago, Baltimore, Houston, and Boston areas. Changing the face of healthcare To make healthcare more accessible-and truly patient-centered- inequity in both access and outcomes must be addressed. Expanding the pool of minority medical students, researchers, and administrators is one way to build awareness and trust and give underrepresented communities an additional voice in the medical system. In 2022, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation continued its support of the American Heart Association's Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Scholars Initiative programs. These initiatives provide undergraduate professional, workforce, and research development opportunities for future leaders in STEM and healthcare. One hundred percent of participants in both programs have graduated or are on track to receive a 2-year or 4-year STEM degree. Of those who have obtained their undergraduate degree, about half are pursuing additional degrees in this space while the other ~50% are either working in biomedicine/ healthcare or are seeking employment in these fields.* Visit our Quest for Health Equity website to learn more. *2022-2023 school year. Read more View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Quest Diagnostics on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Quest Diagnostics Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/quest-diagnostics Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/792074/expanding-healthcare-access-and-affordability-at-quest-diagnostics In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures settled lower on Wednesday, extending losses from the previous session, as Saudi Arabia's pledge to help stabilise the market outweighed concerns about supply disruptions amid the tensions in the Middle East. A report from Reuters said oil firm Saudi Aramco told at least four refiners in North Asia that it would supply them with the full contractual volumes nominated for November. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for November settled at $83.49 a barrel, down $2.48 or about 2.9%. Brent crude futures settled lower by $1.83 or about 2.1% at $86.48 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a monthly report today that global oil inventories will likely fall by 200,000 bpd in the second half of 2023 due to voluntary output cuts from Saudi Arabia and reduced production among OPEC+ countries. The EIA report also said crude output in the U.S. is set to rise by 1.01 million bpd to 12.92 million bpd in 2023, and by 200,000 bpd to 13.12 million bpd in 2024. Total U.S. petroleum consumption is expected to increase by 100,000 bpd to 20.1 million bpd in 2023, and by 100,000 bpd to 20.2 million bpd in 2024. 'Crude prices are lower after a mountain of geopolitical risk to start the trading week didn't yield any real changes in crude output and transit. The only thing that is becoming clear for energy traders is that the road for the global growth recovery is getting rockier,' says Edward Moya, Senior Market Analyst at OANDA. 'The German economy has too many headwinds and the risks of a global energy crisis could trigger a severe recession. China's piecemeal stimulus might not be enough, especially after disappointing travel and spending data from the Golden Week holiday,' Moya adds. 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 $39-million investment is the largest investment the company has made in its semiconductor equipment and services business. Opening of the new factory is part of the company's strategy to expand its global manufacturing capacity and further support the growing presence of key industry players in the state of Arizona. EMD Electronics implements a strategic workforce plan that includes working with key educational institutions and veteran recruitment efforts. CHANDLER, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / EMD Electronics, the Electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the U.S. and Canada, celebrated the grand opening of its newest factory in Chandler, Arizona, today. The opening of the site is part of the "Level Up" growth program announced in late 2021. The factory features a 75,000-square-foot building that doubles the company's manufacturing capacity in the U.S. to produce equipment for its Delivery Systems & Services (DS&S) business, which provides high-quality delivery and storage of specialty chemicals and gases. The $39-million investment in the new site is the largest investment the company has made in its semiconductor equipment and services business, which has become a key growth driver thanks to a strong business pipeline. With this investment, EMD Electronics will further support the growing presence of key semiconductor players in the thriving semiconductor ecosystem in the state of Arizona. EMD Electronics Chandler Grand Opening, Governor Hobbs & CEO Electronics, Kai Beckmann Arizona Governor Hobbs and Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany, CEO Electronics, Kai Beckmann. "The global semiconductor market's long-term outlook is strong and so is our commitment to purposefully expand our capacities and services in the immediate vicinity of our customers," said Kai Beckmann, Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and CEO Electronics. "We're excited about the growth trajectory of our Delivery Systems & Services business, and proud to open a new site in Arizona and strengthen our presence in this premier destination for semiconductor production. Today's opening symbolizes our confidence in the future of our industry and our promise to take our business and our people to new heights." Katherine Dei Cas, Head of the Delivery Systems & Services business unit within the Electronics business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, added: "Our equipment, delivery services, and technical expertise are fundamental to enabling the operational excellence required in semiconductor manufacturing. By increasing our manufacturing capacities and advancing our workforce strategy, we're keeping up with our customers as the semiconductor ecosystem continues to expand. It's an honor to be part of the collaborative effort by leaders and advocates from the public and private sectors to contribute to the momentum of our industry." The grand opening celebration was attended by the Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, and the Mayor of Chandler, Kevin Hartke. Senator Mark Kelly delivered a video speech. Industry leaders and representatives from the City of Chandler, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), convened at the event that took place at the new facility's production area. "The grand opening of EMD Electronics is yet another example of Arizona's new era as a hub for innovation and technology," said the Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs. "I'm happy to welcome another great company that will further grow our state's semiconductor ecosystem. Historic semiconductor investments are rippling across our state, supporting the establishment and growth of new businesses, like EMD Electronics here today." "We are excited to welcome EMD Electronics to our business community," said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. "It is industry leaders like EMD Electronics that have made Chandler a community of innovation and thriving hub for the semiconductor industry." "EMD Electronics' new facility bolsters Arizona's reputation as an epicenter for advanced semiconductor operations," said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "EMD Electronics is a valued addition to Chandler's rapidly-growing semiconductor ecosystem, expanding the state's semiconductor supply chain while contributing to the continued growth of Arizona's semiconductor industry." "Since starting operations in June, EMD Electronics has made an immediate impact on the burgeoning Chandler semiconductor ecosystem," said Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO Chris Camacho. "The company joins a deep industry around the region, and as Greater Phoenix has become semiconductor central in the United States, it has also grown into a home for a number of international companies taking advantage of the business environment and workforce." Expansion activities highlight the company's commitment to strengthening supply chain resilience and supporting talent pipeline As the industry ramps up semiconductor production to keep pace with forecasted demand, the investment in the new site will supplement the company's ability to support customers' expansion plans and secure supply resilience and reliability. With an efficient manufacturing design for optimal product throughput, the new factory doubles EMD Electronics' manufacturing capacity to produce its GASGUARD and CHEMGUARD systems in the U.S. The site also features a 75,000-square-foot building, a 6,000-square-foot clean room, and a 2,000-square-foot training center. The training center is designed to support manufacturing and services onboarding. Manufacturing operations in the new site started in June 2023. Since then, staffing levels have grown to greater than 100 total employees. As part of its workforce strategy, EMD Electronics has robust university relations and a veterans program in place to nurture the industry's and its own talent pipeline. The company continues to actively engage in a concerted effort to advance emerging talent in collaboration with key stakeholders - such as the SEMI Foundation, Arizona State University (ASU), the Maricopa County Community College District, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, among others. In April 2023, the company announced a roughly $300 million investment in its semiconductor manufacturing site in Hometown, Pennsylvania, now the world's largest integrated Specialty Gases facility. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada, please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. About EMD Electronics EMD Electronics is the North American electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. EMD Electronics' portfolio covers a broad range of products and solutions, including high-tech materials and solutions for the semiconductor industry as well as liquid crystals and OLED materials for displays and effect pigments for coatings and cosmetics. Today, EMD Electronics has approximately 2,000 employees around the country, with regional offices in Tempe (AZ) and Philadelphia (PA). For more information, please visit www.emd-electronics.com. About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 64,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices - the company is everywhere. In 2022, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of 22.2 billion in 66 countries. The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Contact Information Johanna Batista Communications Manager johanna.batista@emdgroup.com +1 (848) 230 5400 Related Files Chandler opening PR_US.pdf Related Images EMD Electronics Chandler Grand Opening, Governor Hobbs & CEO Electronics, Kai Beckmann Arizona Governor Hobbs and Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany, CEO Electronics, Kai Beckmann. EMD Electronics Chandler Grand Opening, Kate Dei Cas, Governor Hobbs, Kai Beckmann, & Mayor Harke Head of EMD Electronics Delivery Systems & Services, Kate Dei Cas, poses with Governor Hobbs, CEO Electronics Kai Beckmann, and Chandler, Arizona, Mayor Harke. EMD Electronics Chandler Grand Opening, Chris Camacho, Sandra Watson, Gov. Hobbs, Mayor Harke CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Chris Camacho; Head of EMD's Delivery Systems & Services, Katherine Dei Cas; Arizona Governor Hobbs; CEO Electronics Kai Beckmann; Mayor of Chandler, Kevin Harke; and Pres. & CEO of the ACA. SOURCE: EMD Electronics View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/792154/emd-electronics-celebrates-opening-of-new-arizona-factory-contributing-to-the-states-growing-semiconductor-industry Doors Open for New Childcare Location in League City TX Delray Beach, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Aimed at advancing its unique brand of childcare in Texas, Children of America (COA), today announced its new location in League City West, open for business. The opening is pursuant with the company's strategic expansion plans which include an existing facility in Fulshear, one additional facility in League City East and locations in McKinney and Spring Texas. COA To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9276/183666_fea8082f741dc922_001full.jpg COA To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9276/183666_fea8082f741dc922_002full.jpg Official Open Date Tuesday Oct 10th 6:00 AM-6:30 Location: 6011 West Main Street, League City, TX 77573 "We are thrilled to be expanding our Texas footprint into this wonderfully vibrant state," said Ted Hockenberry, CEO. "As a community-focused institution, we believe our core values and relationship-based childcare philosophy will meet the areas working family's needs. We look forward to supporting the growing families that call League City home." As a full-service preschool, COA will offer childcare solutions for children 6 weeks thru 12 years with its Infant, Toddler, Pre-K, Preschool and Summer Camp programs, providing year-round care for those presiding in the community. Founded in 1998, COA has remained steadfast in its mission to: Provide educational childcare solutions to working families through quality programming, flexibility, convenience, and value for the communities it serves. Sharmilla Gonzalez will lead the preschool, a Texas native and long term COA director - she is a professional with over 20 years in educational childcare ensuring an engaging environment, preparing the young ones in COA's care for Kindergarten and beyond. With a B.S. in Elementary Education/Minor in English, Sharmilla brings with her a passion and determination that will help to set this preschool apart. Children of America also brings its one-of-a-kind educational philosophy, COA Mind & Body Matters. Mind & Body Matters approaches early learning through COA's four proprietary programs: COA Just Read, Presidential Fitness, COA Nutrition, STAR Curriculum (Success Through Academic Readiness), and many enrichment programs that have proven to dramatically impact the lives of young children. Children of America's educational curriculum is a product of years of research and development in early childcare. Mr. Hockenberry adds: "Our League City team knows first-hand what is possible when truly passionate people come together to work hard for the community's children. Our team has the willingness to step up and step in, to provide the highest-quality childcare available so the little ones in our care will grow and prosper." For more information about COA centers and programs, check out its Video and/or visit its Location. About Children of America Children of America operates facilities throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. The company expansion plans include several locations in the Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee areas with an additional (4) more locations in Texas over the next few (1-3) years. COA offers the highest level of childcare for children ages six weeks to twelve years of age. The premier programs include infant care, toddler care, nationally renowned preschool and pre-kindergarten programs, before-and-after school care, and summer camp. An industry pioneer, Children of America is a subsidiary of World Wide Child Care Corp. Visit childrenofamerica.com for more information or interact with COA on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Media Contact: Lynne DAndrea Email: info@childrenofamerica.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183666 La Defense, October 11, 2023 Indigo Group S.A. announces the successful pricing of 650,000,000 4.500% bonds due April 18, 2030 Indigo Group S.A. (the "Company") has successfully priced the issuance of 650,000,000 new senior unsecured bonds with an annual coupon of 4.500%, due April 18, 2030 (the "New Bonds"). Part of the net proceeds of the New Bonds will be allocated to the repurchase of the 650,000,000 2.125% bonds due April 16, 2025 (ISIN: FR0012236669, of which 528,500,000 are currently outstanding following the partial tender of May 2022) (the "Existing Bonds") targeted under a tender offer launched by the Company on October 9, 2023 (the "Tender Offer"). The balance of the net proceeds of the New Bonds will be used for the Company's general corporate purposes and in particular for the refinancing of the outstanding Existing Bonds following the Tender Offer. The offering has been very well received by a highly diversified fixed income investor base, confirming the confidence in the Company's business model and credit profile. With this transaction, the Company demonstrates its ability to proactively manage its debt portfolio and lengthen its weighted average debt life, as well as preserve its well-balanced maturity profile with tenors spread out over time. The terms and conditions of the New Bonds are described in a prospectus which will be available on the websites of the Company (www.group-indigo.com) and of the Autorite des Marches Financiers (www.amf-france.org). The New Bonds are intended to be admitted to trading on Euronext Paris and have been rated BBB (S&P). ********** Indigo Group Analyst / Investor contact: Press contact: Mathieu Barnavon Benjamin Voron ir@group-indigo.com benjamin.voron@group-indigo.com About Indigo Group S.A. The Indigo Group, which owns almost 100% of Indigo Infra, Indigo Neo and INDIGOweel, is a global player in parking and urban mobility, managing more than 1.4 million parking spaces and related services in 9 countries. Indigo Group is indirectly owned by Credit Agricole Assurances (49.2%), Vauban Infrastructure Partners (34.3%), MR Infrastructure Investment (Meag) (14.9%), treasury stock (0.2%) and the balance by the Group's management. www.group-indigo.com Disclaimer This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for or to sell securities and the issue of the New Bonds will not be an offer to the public (other than to qualified investors) in any jurisdiction, including France. Important Information This press release may not be published, distributed or released, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America, Australia, Canada or Japan or in any jurisdiction in which the offer of the New Bonds is unlawful. The distribution of this press release may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes, should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No communication or information relating to the offering of the New Bonds may be transmitted to the public in a country where there is a registration obligation or where an approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any country in which such registration or approval would be required. The issuance or the subscription of the New Bonds may be subject to legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions; the Company assumes no liability in connection with the breach by any person of such restrictions. The New Bonds will be offered only by way of a placement in France and/or outside France (excluding the United States of America, Australia, Canada and Japan), solely to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies) as defined in Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation"). There will be no public offering in any country (including France) in connection with the New Bonds, other than to qualified investors. This press release does not constitute a recommendation concerning the issue of the New Bonds. The value of the New Bonds can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional adviser as to the suitability of the investment in the New Bonds for the person concerned. Prohibition of sales to European Economic Area retail investors The New Bonds are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or both) of the following: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. Prohibition of sales to UK retail investors The New Bonds are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes, the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or both) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under FSMA the to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, this announcement is directed only at persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). The New Bonds are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such New Bonds will be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. United States of America The New Bonds have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or with any securities regulatory authority of any State or other jurisdiction in the United States of America, and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The New Bonds are being offered and sold only outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S"). Terms used in this paragraph and not otherwise defined have the meanings given to them in Regulation S. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: x25tZJVqlJzFyXKeZZiaZmKYm2ZimpSZbpLIlGSZaMuVmZthxWuSnMbHZnFjmGVm - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-82300-20231011-press-release-indigo-group-s.a.-announces-the-successful-pricing-of-its-new-bonds-issue.pdf Floadia, a Tokyo, Japan-based embedded flash memory developer, raised 1.05 billion Yen in Series D funding. As a first closing, Inabata & Co., Ltd., and Cypress Capital, underwrote an allotment of capital for a total of 850m yen. Japan Finance Corporation, Inabata & Co., Cypress Capital, underwrote an allotment of capital for a total of 850m yen. Including the 200m yen raised through venture debt (loan with stock acquisition rights) from Japan Finance Corporation in March 2023, the total amount raised in this round was approximately 1.05 billion yen. The company will use the funds raised to strengthen sales activities promoting its current primary business, embedded flash memory IP cores, to semiconductor manufacturers, and to enhance developing ultra-low power consumption AI accelerator chips that utilize flash memory devices. Established in 2011 by experienced engineers who had been developing embedded non-volatile memory for over 20 years at Hitachi, Ltd., and Renesas Technology (currently Renesas Electronics Corporation), Floadia licenses to semiconductor manufacturers as intellectual property (IP) the processes and circuit designs necessary for manufacturing embedded non-volatile memory (memory that retains its contents even when the power is turned off) used in microcontrollers, power semiconductors, sensors, etc. Its non-volatile memory technology consumes only 1/1,000,000 of the power required to write and erase data, as compared to competitors memory technologies, and has excellent high temperature tolerance, and requires only 1/3 of the additional cost to integrate into a chip. G1, the first flash memory IP developed by Floadia, has already been installed in automotive microcontrollers by domestic semiconductor manufacturers and has also been adopted by a foundry in Taiwan, where it is used as embedded memory in smartphone components. The company has so far received approximately 3.9 billion yen from INCJ (Japanese government fund), UMC Capital (Taiwan), an affiliated company of major foundry UMC, Faraday Technology (Taiwan), a cutting-edge semiconductor design company, and Teijin Limited, a major Japanese chemical firm. Adding the amount raised in this round, the cumulative total raised to date is approximately 4.95 billion yen. FinSMEs 11/10/2023 Grand Ventures, a Grand Rapids, MI-based venture capital firm, closed a $50m second fund to invest in early-stage companies. Fund II received support from its existing investor base while adding new limited partners, including family offices. Managed by General Partners Tim Streit, Camila Noordeloos, and Nathan Owen, the fund invests in Seed stage companies within the Fintech, Supply Chain, and DevOps sectors, typically based in tech communities within the US and Canada. The firm leads the first institutional venture rounds for companies and provides the resources to catalyze growth, from strategy and fundraising to culture and talent development. Fund II has already invested in iink Payments, Payload CMS, and Terminal 49. Grand Ventures current portfolio includes 25 companies including Astronomer, Tealbook, and InvestNext. The close of Fund II brings Grand Ventures total funds raised to over $80m. FinSMEs 12/10/2023 HiringBranch, a Vancouver, Canada-based company providing an assessment and training AI solution, raised $2.5M in Non-Diluitive funds. BDC Capitals Growth & Transition Capital division provided the funding. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth while continuing to expand its AI capabilities. Led by CEO Stephane Rivard and Patricia MacLeod, HiringBranch is a hiring assessment and training AI solution helping the global human resource teams hire and retain customer-facing talent. It provides a volume hiring solution to assess candidates beyond language and correlate employee performance to soft skill assessments. The company has a team of 20 people and serves customers large and medium-sized like Bell Canada, Infosys, Carelon and Fortune 50 online retailers serving retail, sales, financial and technology industries. FinSMEs 11/10/2023 Sotai, a Los Angeles, CA-based artificial intelligence company providing ML models, raised $2M in Seed funding. The round was led by Four Rivers. The company intends to use the funds to hire individuals and to build and expand valuable partnerships with design firms. Co-founded by William Bakst and Linus Meyer-Teruel, Sotai is a company ensuring ML model launches. By blending interpretable modeling techniques with analysis tooling, it facilitates the creation of ML models that can be understood, controlled, and used by both technical and non-technical stakeholders. The company also offers a complementary analysis and collaboration toolkit, making it easy to share results and secure buy-in from stakeholders. FinSMEs 10/10/2023 Prominent model and TV personality Gigi Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, has condemned the terrorizing of innocent people after the terrorist organization Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel. What did she say? While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person, Gigi Hadid said in a lengthy Instagram statement. The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with & does not do any good for the Free Palestine movement. Hadids father opens up on the conflict Earlier this week, Gigis father, Mohamed Hadid, blamed the recent and massive escalation between the occupied and the occupier on the Israeli government in a bold Instagram post. A day later, he added, To Be Clear I condemn the killing and hostage-taking or abusing, torturing of civilians. Of Arabs Muslims, Jews or Christians. Gigi Hadids Palestine connection Hadids father Mohamed Anwar Hadid was born in a Palestinian Muslim family in 1948 in Nazareth to Anwar Mohamed Hadid and his wife Khairiah Hadid. Her mother is former supermodel-reality star Yolanda Foster, Bella and Gigi Hadid are half-Palestinian and half-Dutch. Why they had to leave Palestine? Due to the Palestine war (1947-1949), they had to flee from their state. Anwar Hadids Instagram Post It was 2015 when Anwar Hadid shared a post on Instagram and wrote- I was only about 18 month old. After we were expelled from our beloved #Palestine into the Syrian refugee camps .. My dad got a brief job at the university of Damascus in #Syria .. This was our family pictures for a Palestinian Refugee Card. The Hadid Family, my beautiful mother Kharia Daher Hadid. My father Anwar Mohamed Hadid. My sisters Ghada, Raida, Sana, and me. Thank you #Syria for taking us in. And thank you America for allowing All of us to realize our dreams How his family became refugees A report by Mondoweiss quoted him saying, Thats how we became refugees to Syria and we lost our home in Safed (city in Northern Israel) to a Jewish family that we sheltered when they were refugees from Poland on the ship that was sailing from country to country and no one would take them they were our guest for 2 years till they made us refugees and they kicked us out of our own home. That my history.. Strange thing. That I and my family would do it again. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Amid the Israel-Hamas war, Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor re-shared a post that was posted by actress Gigi Hadid. Not only that, she even shared a note on how violence and death doesnt lead to anything, quoting Mahatma Gandhi and the path of non-violence. Gigi Hadid on the war Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, has condemned the terrorizing of innocent people after the terrorist organization Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel. While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person, Gigi Hadid said in a lengthy Instagram statement. The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with & does not do any good for the Free Palestine movement. Earlier this week, Gigis father, Mohamed Hadid, blamed the recent and massive escalation between the occupied and the occupier on the Israeli government in a bold Instagram post. A day later, he added, To Be Clear I condemn the killing and hostage-taking or abusing, torturing of civilians. Of Arabs Muslims, Jews or Christians. From Maya in Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai to Usha in Lipstick Under My Burkha, Ratna Pathak Shah has proved time and again that she can ace any character with the utmost grace. Along with her acting prowess, the veteran star is also known for speaking her mind. During a recent conversation with Film Companion, Ratna Pathak Shan talked about the condition of Bollywood back in the 80s and 90s, and making original content. Ratna Pathak on Bollywood back in 80s-90s Ratna Pathak Shah revealed that during that time, Bollywood lacked real writers. When asked why it took such a long time to make a film like Dhak Dhak, the actress said that Bollywood had no writers for a very long time. She added that back in the 80s and 90s, she just got to watch plain copies of Hollywood movies, being passed off as originals. Some of our best-known films are frame-by-frame copies, she said. The celebrated actress went on to add that the industry has previously wasted a lot of time being happy to work on the same kind of things over and over again. Ratna Pathak Shah further added that the Bollywood audience recently got the opportunity to see what is taking place in the other parts of the world and this is most likely due to the arrival of the online world. All about Dhak Dhak Now, talking about Ratna Pathak Shahs professional commitments, she will next be seen sharing screen space with Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Sheikh and Sanjana Sanghi in the forthcoming adventure drama, Dhak Dhak. The film will share the tale of four women, who embark on a bike trip to the highest motorable pass in the world. Jointly bankrolled by BLM Pictures, Outsider Flims Productions and Viacom18 Studios, the highly awaited drama will be hitting the silver screens on 13 October. Talking about learning how to ride a motorcycle at the age of 65 for Dhak Dhak, Bollywood Hungama quoted Ratna Pathak Shah as saying, I have driven bikes in my dreams many times. I used to look at bike riders and think that someday I will too ride a bike but I didnt know that at the age of 65, I will have to ride a bike. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Supreme Court has fixed 31 October to hear a bunch of petitions challenging the Centres electoral bonds scheme. These pleas question the validity of the electoral bonds scheme as a source of funding for political parties. What are electoral bonds? What are the concerns about the scheme? Lets understand better. What are electoral bonds? An electoral bond is a bearer instrument like a promissory note that can be purchased by citizens or entities to donate funds to political parties. Such bonds are issued in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, and Rs 1 crore at select branches of the State Bank of India (SBI). Similar to bank notes, these bonds are payable to the bearer on demand and are interest-free, noted Business Standard. Individuals, groups of individuals, corporations, NGOs, religious and other trusts can buy electoral bonds and donate money anonymously. These bonds are available for purchase for 10-day periods each in the months of January, April, July and October. The Centre can specify an additional period of 30 days in the year of Lok Sabha elections. The political parties can encash such bonds within 15 days of receiving them. The electoral bond scheme was introduced in the Finance Bill, 2017. The Centre notified the electoral bond scheme on 2 January 2018 with the aim of enhancing transparency in political funding. Criticism of the scheme The petitions filed by NGOs Common Cause and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have challenged the validity of the scheme as an obscure funding system which is unchecked by any authority, reported LiveLaw. Critics of the scheme point out that the Centre has removed the limit on the amount companies could donate to political parties 7.5 per cent of their average net profits in the previous three years through amendments to the Companies Act, 2013, paving the way for unlimited funding from firms, according to Indian Express. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner NGO ADR before the apex court on Tuesday (10 October), said that amendments made via the Finance Acts of 2016 and 2017, both passed as Money Bills, have opened the floodgates to unlimited political donations through electoral bonds scheme. The amendments have removed the caps on campaign donations by companies and have legalised anonymous donations. The Finance Act of 2017 has introduced the use of electoral bonds which are exempt from disclosure under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, opening doors to unchecked, unknown funding to political parties, The Hindu quoted him as saying. Critics have also questioned the scheme over transparency claims. Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing another petitioner, told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that electoral bonds can be purchased only through bank transfer and not by paying cash. But the point is the purchaser of the bonds enjoys anonymity. The purchaser can then transfer the bonds to a recognised party anonymously So, who has transferred how much to a political party is anonymised from the public domain. Who is donating to which political party is not known. There is a complete sanitisation of information to the public, he said, as per The Hindu. However, Attorney General R Venkataramani defended the transparency of electoral bonds, saying while the donors are not known to the public, the source of funds had to be revealed to the SBI, reported Times of India (TOI). Vouching for its transparency, the Central government through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said in a previous hearing: The prescribed methodology of receiving monies through electoral bonds is so transparent that it is impossible for political parties to get unaccounted or black money as donation. There are also concerns that the scheme favours the ruling party. As Anjali Bhardwaj, co-convenor of the National Campaign for Peoples Right to Information, noted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling party at the Centre, has received over 75 per cent of all electoral bonds, reported Indian Express. It is alleged that as only the government-owned bank SBI issues these electoral bonds, the Centre could know the source of funding of its opponents, according to the newspaper. Political parties have received Rs 10,791 crore through electoral bonds in 22 phases since 2018, as per an Indian Express report last November. More than 90 per cent of the bonds were in Rs 1 crore denomination as of 2022. SC sets 31 Oct for the next hearing A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it would hear the matter on 31 October and continue on 1 November, if required. As per The Hindu, the top court will focus on two issues the legality of the scheme and the violation of citizens right to information about the funding of parties. Advocate Bhushan argued: This (electoral bonds scheme) promotes corruption as the source of funding is anonymous, it is violative of Article 21 and the non-decision in the case compounding the problem. To this, CJI Chandrachud responded, We are here to decide the case. Bhushan also pressed the apex court to decide the validity of the scheme before the 2024 general elections. With inputs from agencies Visuals of bedbugs seemingly everywhere in Paris have gone across the world and given people sleepless nights. Now, some in London have expressed fear that the critters have arrived in the city via train. This, as London Mayor Sadiq Khan admitted that bedbugs are a real source of concern. But have the bedbugs found their way to London? Or is this entirely overblown? Lets take a closer look: A video that has gone viral on social media shows a tiny, brown insect scurrying up the trouser leg of someone on Londons Victoria Line. Bedbugs on the Victoria line, its so over pic.twitter.com/E8XKYH63gs notbri.sol (@Xhakaed) October 7, 2023 A horrified Londoner responded to that post with the caption: That single one has laid like 400 eggs on those jeans already! Another clip put up on X claimed that bedbugs had managed to reach Manchester. hey @FirstBusnews your 59 to oldham mumps has bedbugs i suggest you do something about this quickly lol pic.twitter.com/zwVE5qF49O h (@mirxclealigner) October 9, 2023 Khan, in an interview with the PoliticsJoe website, said, This is a real source of concern. People are worried about these bugs in Paris causing a problem in London. I want to reassure those listening that TfL [Transport for London] has the best regimes to clean our assets on a nightly basis. We are speaking to our friends in Paris to see if there are any lessons to be learned but for a variety of reasons we dont think those issues will arise in London; but there is no complacency from TfL. London seems to be having a problem with bedbugs. Sky News quoted data from pest-control company Rentokil as saying that the UK in 2023 witnessed a 65 per cent increase in bed bug infestations compared to 2022. The website quoted Natalie Bungay of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) as saying she wasnt shocked. Reports of bed bug activity tend to increase in the summer as people travel more. The lack of travel during COVID-19 lockdowns meant bed bug issues were few and far between, so its not surprising were now seeing a rapid rise in call outs. Inews quoted Luton Borough Council as saying it had already gotten an alarming number of calls for bedbug infestations. What do experts say? Experts seem divided. David Cain, founder of Bed Bugs Ltd, told Sky News, I think theres probably a similar level of issue in London as there is in Paris at present. Theyre already on buses, trains, tubes, cinemas, doctors surgeries, public spaces, hospitals. The difference is that Parisians are talking about the problem, while Brits are trying to keep the whole thing quiet, he claimed. Inews quoted Rentokil as bedbugs can now cross borders thanks to international travel. Bed bugs are prolific breeders, Rentokil stated. And once they attach themselves to clothing, luggage, or furniture, they can quickly infest a room, house, hotel, or even an aeroplane or bus. The BCPA, meanwhile, remains unsure about the bedbug claims on British transport. The organisation pointed out that bedbugs, as nocturnal creatures, would only emerge between 1 and 5 am. Speaking to Metro, professor Richard Wall of the University of Bristols School of Biological Sciences also claimed the insect in the video wasnt a bedbug. Im also pretty confident that its not a tick either, he added. Eurostar, meanwhile, says things are normal. BBC quoted Eurostar as saying it had not seen an upsurge in bedbugs. The textile surfaces on all of our trains are cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis and this involves hot water injection and extraction cleaning, which is highly effective in eliminating bedbugs, its statement added. Any reports on hygiene matters are taken very seriously and our cleaning teams, in addition to the usual cleaning, will also disinfect a train on request or as soon as there is the slightest doubt. Eurostar told BBC it had created a preventive detection campaign which was being stepped up in the coming weeks. A company spokesperson told Sky News discovering bed bugs on trains was extremely rare. But Cain told the website a bed bug problem could only be solved by increasing the treatment frequency to one journey, one clean. Otherwise youre using the same train to go backwards and forwards and every time a new set of customers get on, then they potentially pick up the problems left by the previous one. But others say theres no reason to worry. The Guardian quoted professor Robert Smith of the University of Huddersfield as calling for calm. Smith said such reports of bedbugs were likely the result of widespread media coverage over the last week or so rather than being brought in from Paris. Dont panic if you think you have bed bugs. The thought of these bloodsuckers might be unpleasant, but they dont carry or spread any human diseases as far as we know. The NHS website has good advice about what to look for and what to do, Smith added. With inputs from agencies The 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in at least 2,100 deaths on both sides and more than two lakh displaced people, drew varied responses from the Indian political scene. The Congress Working Committee is currently embroiled in controversy after reiterating its support for the Palestinian cause without mentioning the attack. The statement comes despite the fact the Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue an official statement about it. According to NDTV sources, the Congress statement highlights division in the party with a section of members calling for condemnation of the terror attack and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Heres what happened. The CWC statement The CWC resolution said, The CWC expresses its dismay and anguish on the way that has broken out in the Middle East where over a thousand people have been killed in the last two days. The CWC reiterates its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government, and to live with dignity and respect. The CWC calls for an immediate cease-fire and for negotiations to begin on all outstanding issues including the imperative issues that have given rise to the present conflict. Congress Working Committee passes resolution CWC expresses its dismay and anguish on the war that has broken out in the Middle East where over a thousand people have been killed in the last two days. The CWC reiterates its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2023 The Indian Express cited unnamed sources as saying that the Middle East conflict was not addressed in the resolution. The main purpose of the CWC was to support Rahul Gandhis calls for a caste census and the elimination of the 50 per cent quota on reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. The statement also came despite the fact that earlier on Sunday, the partys communication director Jairam Ramesh had already released a brief statement. He referred to the attack as brutal but made no mention of Hamas or terrorism. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh said, The Indian National Congress condemns the brutal attacks on the people of Israel. The Indian National Congress has always believed that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a life of self-respect, equality and dignity must be fulfilled only through a process of dialogue and negotiations while ensuring the legitimate national security interests of the Israeli people. Violence of any type never provides a solution and must stop. Many senior leaders claimed that Rameshs statement from Sunday was essentially fair and nuanced and that no additional remark was necessary. The trigger The statement, which made up the resolutions final paragraph, has caused unrest among the party members. A CWC member told The Indian Express, It is an absurd formulation. It is as if we are condoning the terrorist attack by Hamas. As if we are endorsing terrorism. There will be backlash. According to the report, at the conclusion of the meeting, senior Keralan leader Ramesh Chennithala, who is regularly invited by the party, insisted that the resolution express solidarity with the Palestinian people in addition to condemning the Hamas attack. The grand old party has supported the Palestinians for quite a long time. After his involvement, sources claim that a few words were quickly written, but they omitted any reference to Hamas or the phrase terrorism. Also read: Horror of Hamas: Inside the Israeli kibbutz where children and women were beheaded How Hamas uses tunnels in Gaza to target Israel Inside the Israeli city of Ashkelon, where Hamas launched new attacks Is Israel preparing a ground invasion of Gaza? Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Kumar Bansal, among others, reportedly raised the issue that Hamas and the word terrorism had been omitted from the most recent draft when it was being read aloud at the CWC. Tharoor had told CNN-News18, If we look at the evolving situation Congress will come up with more statements I expect another one soon which does do the condemnation of terror which many of us individually expressed. No one is in favour of terrorism. However, the PMs statement did not incorporate the larger picture which is Indias consistent support for the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live secure and decent lives in dignity and on their own land. Israel has enjoyed that in the last 75 years but Palestinians have been subjected to dehumanising occupation. I fully share the PMs condemnation of Hamas terrorism. Hamas is just Hamas, it is not the entire Palestinian people it does not even speak for Palestine. We value Israel and the partnership we have with it, but Palestinians are fully dependent on Israel for everything, he added. According to Indian Express sources, given the partys longstanding opposition to terrorism, at least six of the 40 members believed it was appropriate for it to condemn terrorism in all of its forms. However, Kharge had decided that a stand-alone statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict, if necessary, may be released later. He, however, added that the attention should not be drawn away from the CWCs position on the caste census. The BJP also criticised the Opposition party on Tuesday for failing to mention the terror attack on Israel in its resolution. However, the Congress responded that there are no differences within the party regarding the CWC resolution on Hamas while recalling the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees support for the Palestinian cause, according to NDTV. The party deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi told reporters, It is unfortunate that the BJP is politicising the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution. All of us want Indians to be safe in Israel and Gaza and that they should return home safely. There is no resentment and these are all rumours. It is regrettable that people are doing politics over the Congress resolution. Whether in Israel or in Gaza, we want Indian citizens to be safe. They should come back, that should be the focus. He further claimed that the ruling party at the Centre is experiencing an internal uprising as a result of the announcement of the names of the candidates for the elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, and is now attempting to divert attention from this internal split by bringing up such topics. I would like to tell (BJP leader) Kailash Vijayvargiaji that he should remember Vajpayeejis speech and analyse what he had said. After the success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the BJP is only talking about the Congress and has forgotten its own history as well as Vajpayeejis speech, he said. Gogoi was referring to BJP general secretary Vijayvargias tweet which read, Extremely condemnable. CWC has passed a resolution in support of Palestine regarding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The Congress has once again passed a resolution taking a decision against national policy and national interest. How low will Congress stoop to to please the people of a particular religion? Now, the Congress is ready to compromise with terrorism also. We and our party have also been in the opposition but never took any step against the national interest. The Congresss hand is with terrorism. BJPs criticism BJP MP Tejasvi Surya took a dig at Congress ahead of next years election and tweeted, Congresss CWC resolution on Israel war is a classic example of how Indian foreign policy was hostage to Congresss minority vote bank politics, until Modi happened reminder on how quickly things will go back to zero if we arent vigilant in 2024. Congresss CWC resolution on Israel war is a classic example of how Indian foreign policy was hostage to Congresss minority vote bank politics, until Modi happened. Also, a reminder on how quickly things will go back to zero if we arent vigilant in 2024. https://t.co/nJYk3mDCwq Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 9, 2023 The Congress statement also came days after the BJP shared a video montage of terrorist incidents that took place on Indian soil. What Israel is facing today, India suffered between 2004-14. Never forgive, never forget the party said. What Israel is facing today, India suffered between 2004-14. Never forgive, never forget pic.twitter.com/QJsit0KZab BJP (@BJP4India) October 7, 2023 It was followed by a second video, in which the BJP compared the Hamas attack to the 26/11 terror strikes on Mumbai and declared, Yesterday, Israel faced a dastardly terror attack, just like Mumbai was targeted on 26/11/2008. Israel has just declared war What did India, under a weak kneed Congress, do? senior Congress leaders even absolved Pakistan. Yesterday, Israel faced a dastardly terror attack, just like Mumbai was targeted on 26/11/2008. Israel has declared war and their military has struck back. What did India, under a weak kneed Congress, do? Nothing. It sent dossiers. Infact senior Congress leaders tried to blame pic.twitter.com/Vj5bI6E8oA BJP (@BJP4India) October 8, 2023 On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the ongoing attack in an unambiguous tweet, by saying, Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour. Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 7, 2023 The Congress had also pointed out the saffron party by saying PM Modi spoke out about the ethnic violence in Manipur nearly three months later, while he reacted to the Middle East crisis in just nine hours. Notably, There have been calls for a miracle from PM Modi amid rumours that India could mediate a peace deal, according to NDTV. Hamas is not willing to do any negotiation any peace. Hamas is a terror organisation (like ISIS) they are killing women, children in a very cold way. If Modi can make this miracle (happen) the former head of Israels military intelligence, Major General Amos Yadlin (retd), told the Delhi-based news channel. Israel-Palestine war Israel appears determined to crush Hamas hold on Gaza, following an unprecedented attack in which militants gunned down civilians in their homes, on streets, and at a mass outdoor music festival, while dragging men, women, and children into captivity. The war, which has claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. Israel stepped up its offensive on Tuesday, expanding the mobilisation of reservists to 360,000. Israels military said it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south and of the Gaza border. A looming question is whether Israel will launch a ground assault into Gaza a 40-kilometer-long (25-mile) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million people and has been governed by Hamas since 2007. With inputs from agencies They are breaking us, said a man in the Gaza Strip as Israel pounds the conclave in retaliation for Hamas attacks on Saturday over the weekend. Residents say the heavy bombardment is part of Israels most intense bombing campaign in recent memory. At last count, the health ministry in the Gaza Strip said Israeli attacks have killed 1,055 Palestinians and wounded 5,184. And it seems that the strikes arent sparing anyone children, women, teachers, United Nation aid workers and even journalists have died in the airstrikes. What will happen next in Gaza is anyones guess. But for now the area smells of death and destruction. Ashkelon, a coastal city in Israel, known to be a famous archaeological site and the worlds largest seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant is barely hanging on. On Day 4 of the war, it became hell when Palestinian terror group Hamas rained down rockets on the city. The action came as Israel continued to pound Gaza, with the Israeli Air Force announcing that fighter jets hit 70 targets on Tuesday night. In fact, people on the ground in Gaza have told Western journalists the Israeli response is the most ferocious air assault they have ever witnessed. As we step into Day 5 of the war, lets take a closer look at what happened in Ashkelon and what is likely to happen next. Leave home Ashkelon, a coastal city in Israel and just 13 kilometres away from the Gaza Strip border, became a victim of Hamas rocket attacks on Tuesday in response to Israels pounding of Gaza. Just hours before the barrage of rockets were launched, the spokesperson for Hamass Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obeida issued a warning, asking residents to leave. In response to the enemys crime of displacing our people and forcing them to flee their homes in several areas of the Gaza Strip, we give the residents of the occupied city of Ashkelon a deadline to leave before 5 pm (7.30 pm IST), he said on his Telegram channel. Shortly after that, the air reverberated with sirens and then came the rockets, causing devastation and destruction. Rockets rain down After issuing their alert, Hamas began its barrage of attacks on the coastal city, forcing people to cower inside their homes. NDTV reported that most of the people were taking refuge in basement shelters. Residents said that the skies of Ashkelon lit up on Tuesday as Hamas launched rocket after rocket and that they were seeing the worst of the war. An Israeli by the name Yaacov told ANI that he had fled his home after Hamas warning and it was thanks to the local administration that he and his family, including two children, took shelter at a local shelter. We are here because rockets fell on the roof of our neighbours house; our windowpanes were destroyed. Reporters on the ground said that Hamas continuous rocket attack had turned the city into a ghost town streets are deserted, people shuttered inside their homes and new impact craters in residential neighbourhoods from incoming rocket strikes. A woman whose house was damaged in the fresh attack, told Reuters, Its horrible, just to think that if we were here, God forbid, there is no safe room here, nothing. Its stressful, very stressful its stressful, its not normal to raise children this way. Dr Tomer Aaronson, a surgeon at the Barzilai Medical Centre in Ashkelon, told CBC News, Welcome to hell. I have never seen such brutality. He added that the situation is hard to grasp and that the country is going to have a national post-traumatic stress syndrome. This is going to take decades (to get past). He said home in Ashkelon already felt different, with the noise of the attacks getting louder, closer and the violence feeling more intense and personal. Even journalists reporting on the ground spoke of how they had to duck and take cover as Hamas unleashed one missile after another. Sky News international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn reporting from Ashkelon said that several people had been injured after windows were blown in flats overlooking the blast. Reuters further reported that Israels military, backed by a helicopter and drones, clashed with militants inside the Israeli territory late on Tuesday. Soldiers killed three militants in the incident, when they were trying to start a fire in an industrial area close to an oil terminal located just over 10 km (6 miles) from the Gaza Strip that has been shut in the wake of the attacks. However, amid all this, Israels Iron Dome was hard at work, intercepting the missiles from Hamas. Israel-Palestine war: Related coverage In graphics | A brief history of the Israel-Palestine conflict Israel-Palestine conflict: Which nations have been drawn in? Did Iran help Hamas plan the deadly attack on Israel? Mossad, Aman, Shin Bet: How Israels intelligence agencies failed to prevent Hamas attack Underground city of terror: How Hamas uses tunnels in Gaza to target Israel The heavy toll of the war The war which began on Saturday (7 October) following Hamas unprecedented attacks has already taken a heavy toll. According to Israeli authorities, the death toll had passed 1,200 with the vast majority of deaths being civilians. This is an increase of 200 people since the last toll. Meanwhile, the most recent Palestinian toll from the Gaza health authority has put the death toll in the enclave at 900 since Saturday. Among the dead are 260 children and 230 women. The United Nations on Tuesday also said that over 260,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, as heavy Israeli bombardments from the air, land and sea continue to hit the Palestinian enclave. Humanitarian worker Hozayfa Yazji speaking of the attacks in Gaza told BBC, I do not accept targeting civilians from both sides by any means. To this retaliation in Gaza In my mind, its a collective punishment. Im looking out of my window and people just running in the streets of Gaza and they dont know where to go. There is no hope. Meanwhile, theres a likely possibility that Israel will step up its attack and even launch a ground invasion in Gaza soon. This became even more imminent after Israeli Defence Minister Yoavv Gallant, on Tuesday told soldiers near the Gaza fence: Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be. We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. Israel has been receiving support from other countries at this time with the United States being most vocal and expressive of their support. President Biden on Tuesday said that the Hamas attack on Israel is an unadulterated evil unleashed on the world, and added that at least 14 American citizens were killed in the incident. Biden also said it was Hamas stated purpose to annihilate the state of Israel and kill Jewish people. There are moments in this life and I mean this literally when pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organisation Hamas, a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews, Biden said in his address to the nation from the White House. The US president has vowed his administrations rock solid and unwavering support to Israel. The United States has launched a major global diplomatic drive to garner support for Israel and take necessary action against Palestinian militant group Hamas. With inputs from agencies The war between Israel and Hamas entered Day 5 and there was no sign of de-escalation yet. The Israeli military pounded Gaza with retaliatory airstrikes after Saturdays surprise attack by Hamas. The militant group has threatened to kill hostages taken from Israel and continued to target the Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. Since Saturday, more than 1,000 people have died in Israel. The death toll in Gaza has mounted to 900. More killings and destruction are expected in days to come as both sides refuse to relent. But how and when will this raging conflict end? Can the international community step in? We take a look at those who may play peacemaker or even negotiate a ceasefire. Dont miss: Our coverage from Tel Aviv on the Israel-Hamas war India Amid the ongoing conflict, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dialled his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Tuesday. This was their first conversation since the Hamas attack. PM Modi reportedly told the Israeli leader that people of India stand in solidarity with Israel in this difficult hour. Appreciating Netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation, Modi, in a post on X later, said, India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2023 While the Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a statement on the conflict, PM Modi had said soon after the attack that India stands in solidarity with Israel. While he did not name Hamas, said he was shocked by the news of the terrorist attack in Israel. India has to walk to diplomatic tightrope. While the country has in the past backed Palestine, PM Modi has developed a friendship with Israel in his nine years in power. But can the Indian leader attempt to negotiate between the two warring sides? Amid talks of Indias role in the matter, the former head of Israels military intelligence told NDTV that Tel Aviv would welcome a Modi miracle. Hamas is not willing to do any negotiation... any peace. Hamas is a terror organisation (like ISIS)... they are killing women, children in a very cold way. If Modi can make this miracle (happen)... Major General Amos Yadlin (retd), said. Palestine Ambassador to India Abu Alhaija told NDTV that India was a friend to both Israel and Palestine and must step in to resolve the crisis in Gaza. The ambassador is an appointee of the Palestine Authority government led by President Mahmoud Abbas. It governs the West Bank area of Palestine while the Gaza Strip is under the control of Hamas. Our president is in touch with several European countries to help negotiate, Alhaija told NDTV, adding, India is a friend to both. We want India to intervene and help us negotiate. China Chinas response to the Hamas assault was fairly muted. Stopping short of condemning the Palestinian militant group, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson called for de-escalation and for Israel and Palestine to pursue a two-state solution for an independent Palestine. However, Chinese president Xi Jinping has been mum on the conflict. In March, China announced a surprise deal restoring ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran this year, signalling Beijing's desire to be a diplomatic heavyweight in West Asia. Back then Chinese media hailed Beijing's rising profile in a region long dominated by Washington. Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, said the country would continue to play a constructive role in handling global hotspot issues, according to a Reuters report. But the ongoing conflict threatens to expose the limits of that ambition. Certainly it does poke a hole in the type of propaganda ... of China being this kind of massive player in the Middle East, Bill Figueroa, an expert on China-West Asia relations was quoted as saying by Reuters. However, Chinas West Asia envoy has said that Bejing was willing to coordinate with Egypt to reach an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, reports South China Morning Post. Zhai Jun spoke to Osama Khedr, the assistant minister of the Palestine department in Egypts foreign ministry, in a phone call on Tuesday. China is willing to maintain communication and coordination with Egypt, and to promote an immediate ceasefire and cessation of violence between the conflicting parties, Zhai said. Egypt Egypt has been a regular negotiator between Israel and Palestine, having brokered ceasefires during several conflicts over the past 15 years. The latest instance was in May 2023 after the clashes between the militant group Islamic Jihad and Israel. Egypt president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is very serious, warning of repercussions on the regions security and stability. Sissi, whose government maintains ties with Israel and Hamas, said that Cairo has intensified its efforts to reach a ceasefire in the ongoing war, according to the state-run MENA news agency. We are communicating with all international and regional parties in order to reach an immediate cessation of violence and achieve de-escalation, he is quoted as saying on Tuesday. Israel-Palestine conflict explained: In graphics | A brief history of the Israel-Palestine conflict Mohammed Deif: Hamas wheelchair-bound military chief who planned Israel attack Is Israel preparing a ground invasion of Gaza? Israel is battling 3 enemies: Is larger conflict in West Asia on horizon? Did Iran help Hamas plan the deadly attack on Israel? Mossad, Aman, Shin Bet: How Israels intelligence agencies failed to prevent Hamas attack Hamas, Hezbollah & Intifada: A guide to understanding the glossary of Israel-Pa Rockets, gliders and more: How Hamas compares to Israel in weapons stockpile What is the Gaza Strip, which is at the centre of Israel-Palestine conflict? How many Indians are stranded in Israel and how safe are they? Qatar The Gulf nation has also played the role of mediator between Israel and Palestine. A Reuters report on Monday said that Qatari mediators held urgent calls to negotiate freedom for Israeli women and children seized by Hamas in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israel's prisons. Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed to Reuters its involvement in mediation talks with Hamas and Israeli officials, including over a possible prisoner swap. However, an Israel official told the news agency that there are no negotiations underway. So far, there are no signs of a breakthrough. Turkey After the attacks, Turkey said it was willing to play mediator. On Tuesday, it renewed its offer to mediate and soothe tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. In separate phone calls, Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed its possible mediation efforts and steps to prevent increasing the tensions in the conflict with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres Guterres and Russian president Vladimir Putin, according to statements by the Turkish presidency. According to Professor Mahjoob Zweiri, director of the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University, If peace talks are to start Turkey and Qatar will both have an active role. Im assuming this because they both have communications with Hamas and Israel, and we have to look at who is capable of being able to talk to both sides, he told Al-Jazeera. Russia Russian president Vladimir Putin used the opportunity to hit out at the United States, saying the violence showed that Washingtons policy in West Asia had failed. Putins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said the Kremlin was in touch with both warring sides and would seek to play a role in resolving the conflict, but did not specify how. Peskov warned that the conflict risked spilling over into other regions, reports Reuters. United Nations UN has been working on meditation efforts for weeks before the latest flare-up. It has engaged in diplomacy to prevent new armed confrontations between Israel and Palestine, reports Al Jazeera. UN West Asia peace envoy Tor Wennesland met Hamas officials in Gaza and posted on X, The United Nations is talking to and working with all concerned to improve the lives of people in Gaza, particularly the most vulnerable. With inputs from agencies They call it the worlds largest open-air prison. And right now there is no escaping it. After Hamass stealth attack on Israel, its military continues to pound Gaza, home to more than two million people. In five days, 900 people have died and around 2,60,000 persons have been rendered homeless. Residential buildings, schools, hospitals and mosques have been reduced to rubble. Two days ago, the Israeli military asked Palestinians to flee Gaza and head to Egypt. I am aware that the Rafah crossing (on the Gaza-Egypt border) is still open. Anyone who can get out, I would advise them to get out, said Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Hecht, chief military spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to the foreign media. Later, he amended the statement to inform that the Rafah crossing was closed. So where do Gazans go as Israel continues to hammer the enclave with airstrikes? What exit options do they have? The answer is none. We explain why. What is Gaza? Gaza is a narrow strip of land, sandwiched between Israel, Egypt and the Meditterian Sea. The largest city in Palestine, it is spread over an area of 365 sq km it is one/fourth the size of Delhi, according to a report on NDTV. The people living in the Gaza Strip are Palestinians. The population of two million comprises both indigenous settlers and numerous refugees who fled to the enclave from Israel during the creation of the nation in 1948 and after the military battles between Israelis and Palestinians that followed. It is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Dont miss: Our coverage from Tel Aviv on the Israel-Hamas war Who controls Gaza? Gaza was once ruled by Egypt but the Israeli military took over after the Six-Day War in 1967 between Israel and the Arab States. It was under the control of Tel Aviv for the next 38 years. However, this period was marred with protests by Palestinians against Israeli occupation. In 2005, Israel decided to withdraw from Gaza, formally ending its military occupation of the territory, along with 7,000 settlers. In the year that followed, elections were held and Hamas emerged victorious. They formed a coalition government with Fatah, which was founded by the former president of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat and now governs 40 per cent of the occupied West Bank. However, in 2007, the government collapsed as Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip. The militant organisation opposes the peace process with Israel and, in its charter, demands the countrys destruction. Gaza has held no elections since. This map shows Israel and the Gaza Strip, where a deadly conflict escalated Sunday pic.twitter.com/W1ax7LBpvE AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 5, 2019 Since Hamas took control, the strip has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt. Tel Aviv controls its airspace and shoreline, as well as what goods can cross Gaza's borders, reports NPR. Egypt too closed its border crossing with Gaza in 2007. Hamas and Israel were embroiled in a three-week war in 2008, which claimed close to 1,200 lives. Since then, the two sides have fought several conflicts. The attack on Saturday, however, was unprecedented and the deadliest against Israel in 50 years. Whats happening in Gaza now? After the Hamas assault, Israel declared a state of war and has been targeting Gaza. At least 950 people have died and the death toll is expected to rise. Another 5000 have been injured, the Hamas-run health ministry said. The attacks targeted civilians homes and roads and resulted in direct injuries among citizens, the Palestinian Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement. Dozens of residential buildings, factories, mosques and shops were hit in overnight strikes, the head of the governments media office, Salama Marouf, told AFP. One blast hit Gaza Citys seaport, setting fishing boats aflame. Israel has ordered a complete siege of Gaza, cutting off electricity, fuel and water to the enclave. According to a report in the BBC, Gaza residents said that they have not received aid since Saturday. Around 80 per cent of the locals depend on humanitarian aid because of the ongoing hostilities with Israel. The World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals in Gaza have already run out amid the flood of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza, reports AP. Rescue officials in Gaza said large numbers of people were still trapped under the remnants of levelled buildings, with rescue equipment and ambulances unable to reach the area. There is no safe place in Gaza right now. You see decent people being killed every day, Gaza journalist Hasan Jabar told AP after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the Rimal bombardment. I am genuinely afraid for my life. There is death and destruction everywhere. And with no food, water, and electricity a bigger humanitarian crisis looms large. Do Gazans have an escape? Israel has issued a warning to Gazans to flee. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X on Saturday, I say to the residents of Gaza: Leave now because we will operate forcefully everywhere. But there is little escape as the airstrikes continue. Israel is warning civilians to evacuate neighbourhood after neighbourhood and then inflicting devastation. For residents of Gaza, Rafah is the only crossing point into Egypts Sinai Pennuisala. The rest of the densely populated enclave is surrounded by sea and by Israel. However, on Tuesday Israeli bombardments hit the area of the Rafah border crossing between the strip and Egypt, according to a report in Reuters. The strike followed a similar incident on Monday that partially disrupted operations at the border. The only exit option for Palestinians is not a safe one. Israel-Palestine conflict explained: In graphics | A brief history of the Israel-Palestine conflict Mohammed Deif: Hamas wheelchair-bound military chief who planned Israel attack Is Israel preparing a ground invasion of Gaza? Did Iran help Hamas plan the deadly attack on Israel? Mossad, Aman, Shin Bet: How Israels intelligence agencies failed to prevent Hamas attack Hamas, Hezbollah & Intifada: A guide to understanding the glossary of Israel-Palestine conflict Israel-Palestine conflict: Where does India stand? Which countries back Hamas? Rockets, gliders and more: How Hamas compares to Israel in weapons stockpile What is the Gaza Strip, which is at the centre of Israel-Palestine conflict? How many Indians are stranded in Israel and how safe are they? What is Egypt saying? Israel's assault on Gaza has alarmed Egypt, which has urged Israel to provide safe passage for civilians from the enclave rather than encouraging them to flee southwest towards Sinai, two Egyptian security sources were quoted by Reuters as saying. Egypt is moving to prevent a mass exodus from Gaza into its Sinai Peninsula, Gaza officials and Egypt security sources told the news agency. Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Tuesday that the escalation in Gaza was "highly dangerous" and that Egypt was pursuing a negotiated solution to the violence with regional and international partners. Egypt would not allow the issue to be settled at the expense of others, Sisi said in comments reported by state news agency MENA, an apparent reference to the risk that Palestinians could be pushed into Sinai. Egypts military had taken up new positions close to the border and was running patrols to monitor the area, said Ahmed Salem of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights. What is Israel saying? Israels defence minister Yoav Gallant said that Gaza will never go back to what it was, adding that he has released all restraints on the IDF in their fight against Hamas. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza, it will change 180 degrees from what he thought. They will regret this moment. Gaza will never return to what it was, he warned. Israel has vowed revenge, the Hamas has threatened to kill hostages taken from Israel. There are no signs of a ceasefire and caught in the crosshairs are the ordinary men, women, and children. With inputs from agencies The conflict between Israel and Palestine only seems to be widening. On Tuesday, Israeli forces responded to shells from Syria by firing back its own mortar shells and artillery. This after the Iran-backed Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian people. But what happened exactly? Is a larger conflict in West Asia on the horizon? Lets take a closer look: What happened? As per The Times of Israel, Syria on Tuesday fired mortar shells at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Many of the projectiles landed in open areas in Israel and caused no damage. The IDF, meanwhile, responded by conducting artillery strikes in Syria. The military said its soldiers had fired toward the origin of the launching in Syria. It did not provide details. A source in southern Syria said a Palestinian faction had fired three rockets toward Israel. The Britain-based Opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that a Palestinian faction conducted the rocket attack from Syrian territory. The Syrian government did not comment. This, as Lebanon also launched missiles towards northern Israel on Tuesday, as per the newspaper. A Lebanese security official said six rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel Tuesday evening. The officials said it was not immediately clear who fired the rockets from the area of the Lebanese southern village of Qlaileh. He spoke on condition of anonymity. Officials from the Hezbollah militant group did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Spokespeople with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said they had no information on the rockets. The firing of the rockets from southern Lebanon came a day after three Hezbollah fighters were killed along the border and an Israeli army officer as well. A UN peacekeeping force deployed along Lebanons southern border called for everyone to exercise restraint and make use of the forces liaison and coordination mechanisms to de-escalate and prevent a fast deterioration of the security situation. It said it had detected several rockets fired from southeast Lebanon toward Israeli-occupied territory, followed by artillery fire from Israel toward Lebanon. The statement came shortly after Hezbollah said it fired at Israeli positions in the disputed Chebaa Farms along the border with Syrias Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six-Day War of 1967. It later annexed the territory in a move not recognised by the United Nations. Lebanon claims the territory as its own. Chebaa Farms was captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war, but Lebanon considers it and the nearby Kfar Chouba hills as Lebanese territories. In 1974, a United Nations force was dispatched to a buffer zone on the Golan Heights and tasked with monitoring a ceasefire. At least 25,000 Israeli settlers live in the territory, joining at least 23,000 Druze who remained on the land after Israel captured it. The majority of the Golans Druze followers of an offshoot of Shiite Islam still consider themselves Syrian. Most do not hold Israeli citizenship. The force known as UNIFIL said it is in contact with authorities on both sides of the border at all levels to contain the situation and avoid a more serious escalation. Is a West Asia conflict looming? Concerns have already raised concerns that Israel might have to fight a multi-front war resulting in the conflict drawing other players in. Now, with Israel engaged in a fierce battle with Hamas militants in Gaza while exchanging salvoes with Lebanon and Syria, those fears might be realised. A piece in The New York Times noted that people on both sides are already expressing worry about whether this situation will be a redux of 2006 when Israel and Hezbollah fought to a bloody draw after a month-long battle. Although paling in comparison to the fighting that has taken place around Gaza, in the countrys southwest, the continued clashes on Israels northern border have deepened unease over the possibility that the conflict already the broadest invasion in 50 years could spread to multiple fronts, the piece stated. Experts say the conflict widening to encompass West Asia cannot be ruled out. Particularly if Irans suspected role in helping Hamas is confirmed. As a piece in The Quint noted, The tensions may escalate rapidly, as Iran is the biggest regional threat to Israel in West Asia. Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, and Lebanons Hezbollah have all supported and praised the Hamas attack and blamed Israel for the current situation. The piece said every country in West Asia has its own geopolitical motives and that the attack might result in an adverse effect on the region. The possibilities of further escalation and multi-front war are highly anticipated, which may bring International players to the court, the piece concluded. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israels response to the unprecedented multi-pronged attack by Palestinian gunmen from the Gaza Strip will change the Middle East. Netanyahu was speaking to mayors of southern border towns hit by the surprise assault that began on Saturday, a statement from his office said. It did not elaborate on his prediction. Only time will tell if Netanyahus prediction will come true. With inputs from agencies On 8 October, Palestinian militant group, Hamas, shocked one and all when it launched a daring attack against Israel through land, air and sea. The action led to the latter declaring an all-out war against the group, vowing justice. In the days since then, Israel has laid a complete siege on the Gaza Strip, and denying Gazans of food, power or supplies. It has also launched one of its fiercest airstrikes in order to eradicate Hamas militants from the conclave. Presently, the combined death toll has been estimated to be over 2,000 but some believe that the actual number is much higher. As this war ensues, causing large-scale destruction and devastation, many are asking where Hamas has got the funding to sustain such an operation. And it seems that cryptocurrency could be the answer, with even an India link to it. From Delhi to Hamas A possible crypto link from Delhi to the wallets of Hamas has resurfaced now amid the war. The case dates back to 2021 when the Delhi Polices Special cell was investigating a case of cryptocurrency theft. The Times of India reported that a west Delhi businessman had approached the police in 2019 alleging a theft of Rs 4 crore in crypto. He had complained that some unknown persons had fraudulently transferred his Bitcoins, Etherum and Bitcoin cash. At the time, he had owned cryptocurrencies (6.2 Bitcoin/9.79 Etherum/2.44 Bitcoin Cash) of blockchain mobile wallet. Israel-Palestine war: Related coverage Rockets, gliders and more: How Hamas compares to Israel in weapons stockpile How Hamas uses tunnels in Gaza to target Israel Mohammed Deif: Hamas wheelchair-bound military chief who planned Israel attack Israel is battling 3 enemies: Is larger conflict in West Asia on horizon? Is Israel preparing a ground invasion of Gaza? Gaza has one exit route and Israel is bombing it. Where do its people go? The Special Cells Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Ops (IFSO) unit then began a deep dive and were able to link some of the wallets belonging to members of the Al Qassam brigades, the military wing of Hamas. The authorities revealed that they were able to determine the link after Israels intelligence agency, Mossad, shared information about suspect wallets operated by terrorist groups for funding purposes. After being informed of the link, authorities dug deeper and found that one of the wallets belonged to a Naseer Ibrahim Abdulla in Gaza, while other wallets were connected to Hamas operatives such as Ahmed Marzooq in Giza and Ahmed QH Safi in Ramallah, Palestine. Confirming the same, former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) KPS Malhotra told Times of India said, Yes our investigation had led us to several wallets linked to the Al Qassam brigades. He added that before the stolen crypto landed in the wallets belonging to Hamas members they were routed through various other private wallets. Hamas crypto wealth The news of this Delhi case resurfaces at a time when Israel has frozen cryptocurrency accounts used to solicit donations for the Palestinian militant group Hamas on social media. According to suspicions, with the outbreak of the war, Hamas terrorist organisation initiated a fundraising campaign on social networks, urging the public to deposit cryptocurrencies into their accounts, the Israeli police said as per a Reuters report. The Police Cyber Unit and Ministry of Defense immediately took action to locate and freeze these accounts, with the assistance of the Binance crypto exchange, in order to divert the funds to the state treasury. Since at least 2019, Hamas has been seeking donations in bitcoin to avoid regulation. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Palestinian militant group had collected nearly $41 million in digital payments. According to an investigation by TRMLabs, fundraising efforts by Hamas had seen a rise before Saturdays attack. For instance, Gaza-based group GazaNow, which is actively supporting Hamas received nearly $800,000 in total and less than $5,000 since Saturdays attacks. Notably, this isnt the first time that Israel is flagging the issue of cryptocurrency being used to fund Hamas. In July 2021, Israel uncovered a web of electronic wallets used by Hamas to raise funds using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and began clamping down on them. On 31 December of the same year, Israel seized another $830,000 in cryptocurrency from a money-exchange company Hamas runs in the Gaza Strip, called Mutahidoon. According to Israel Hayom newspaper report, the financing network was exposed in a joint operation involving IDF Intelligence, the National Headquarters on Terrorist Economic Counter-Terrorism at the Defense Ministry, the cybercrimes department of the Israel Polices Lahav 443 Major Crimes Unit, and the State Attorneys Offices Cyber Unit. Hamas is regarded as one of the most sophisticated users of crypto-enabled terror financing, a former US treasury official told the Wall Street Journal earlier. The official said that Hamas uses crypto solicited through social media to get around the international banking sanctions imposed because its been flagged as a terrorist group by the United States and European Union. Apart from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hezbollah are also known to collect funds through crypto. The PIJ raised $93 million in crypto between August 2021 and June 2023, revealed a report by Elliptic, a crypto analytics provider. Its no surprise that groups like Hamas are opting to go the crypto way; the anonymity and untraceability are reasons why crypto is favoured. The United Nations has reported that crypto-assisted attacks have quadrupled in recent years. With inputs from agencies The Election Commission on Wednesday moved the poll date in Rajasthan from 23 November to 25 November. The decision was made in light of the numerous social events and thousands of weddings that day. The EC had announced on Monday that voting for all 200 Assembly seats in Rajasthan would take place on 23 November and that results would be released on 3 December. Lets take a closer look. Wedding rush in Rajasthan Issuing a statement, the EC said, The change in the date of the poll was made following representations from various political parties, social organisations and also issues raised in various media platforms considering large scale wedding/social engagement on that day which can cause inconvenience to a large number of people, various logistic issues and may lead to reduced voters participation during poll. The former date coincided with Devuthani Ekadashi, which is considered auspicious by many people, as well as over 50,000 weddings are scheduled in the state. The business owners stated that holding elections on that day might reduce the number of voters. Ravi Jindal, president of the All India Tent Decorators Welfare Association, told PTI, Dev Uthani Ekadashi is the most auspicious occasion for weddings and all Hindu castes prefer to hold weddings on this day. More than 50,000 weddings are expected to take place this year on Dev Uthani Ekadashi. In such a situation, a few lakh people will be directly or indirectly busy on the day of polling. Many may not be able to cast their votes due to being engaged in work or not being present at their polling booths on the day of voting, Jindal was quoted as saying by PTI. According to the report, Event manager Manish Kumar said: On Dev Uthani Ekadashi, people go to other cities and districts as part of wedding parties. Similarly, caterers, electricians, florists, band parties and all others engaged in wedding-related work remain busy throughout the day and many of them may skip voting due to this. Earlier, PP Chaudhary, a BJP MP from Pali, wrote to the EC requesting that the date of the Rajasthan poll be changed because it falls on Dev Uthani Ekadashi. According to News18, Rajasthan BJP President CP Joshi said the people of Rajasthan have decided that there should be a double-engine government in the state. PM Modi came to the state to inaugurate and lay the foundation of different projects. If you (Gehlot government) had worked for the state since 2018 then the exam paper leak would not have happened, farmers would not have committed suicide and there would be employment opportunities in the state, he said. For the Assembly election, the election department has worked hard to enhance voter turnout. The chief election officer has set a goal of guaranteeing a 75 per cent voter turnout at each of the states 51,756 polling places. To entice individuals to cast their votes, a few new booths have been set up for a modest number of voters. Change of Rajasthan election dates Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: 30 October Last Date of Making Nominations: 6 November Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures Date of Poll: 9 November Date of Polling: 25 November Date of Counting: 3 December Mizoram wants counting day to change Political parties in Mizoram have asked the electoral board to change the date for the upcoming Mizoram Assembly elections because they object to the choice of Sunday as the counting day, when most people in the Christian-majority state attend church services. The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committees president Lalsawta and the Joint Secretary of the Mizo National Front (MNF), B Lalmangaihzuala, requested a change in the date of the vote-counting procedure in separate applications to the EC, according to Economic Times. In a letter, Lalsawta said that Mizorams residents see Sunday as a holy day on which no formal events take place. The Congress party, he continued, as well as the entire Mizorami Christian community preferred that the vote-counting not take place on a Sunday. Lalnunmawia Chuangno, the former chief secretary of Mizoram and current candidate for the Aizawl North 1 seat, also voiced his disapproval of the ECIs choice to conduct the vote-counting on a Sunday. We have no issues with the polling dates and are ready to face the election. Nevertheless, we have serious reservations and objections to the choice of Sunday as the counting day by the Election Commission of India, as Sunday holds special significance for Mizo Christians, he said. Assembly Elections 2023 poll dates announced The dates for the assembly elections in five states Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoramwere declared by the EC on Monday. Chhattisgarh will hold two phases of voting; the first phase will take place on 7 November. There will be a second phase on 17 November. Madhya Pradeshs legislative elections are scheduled on 17 November. Mizoram will hold its election on 7 November and Telangana on 30 November in a single phase. Chief Election Commission (CEC) Rajiv Kumar revealed at a press conference that the vote counting process would take place in all five states on 3 December. In preparation for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, this was the final round of assembly elections. In the five assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, over 16 crore people would be able to cast a vote, according to Rajiv Kumar. These five states would have 1.77 lakh polling places, according to Kumar. Of these, 1.01 lakh stations would be equipped for webcasting. There will be more than 8,000 female poll workers. 8.2 crore men and 7.8 crore women will vote in the five states, according to the Election Commission. First-time voters comprise 60.2 lakh. When poll dates were changed in the past The EC moved the Kasba and Chinchwad by-elections in Maharashtra from 27 February to 26 February earlier this year. The choice was determined following the states graduation and Class 12 examinations. In Karnataka, CVoter conducted a survey-cumulative opinion poll in March of this year, urging the EC to modify the elections scheduled date of May 10th. Up to 57 per cent of survey participants, according to the Times of India, were unhappy with the state government and demanded that the dates be adjusted. Corruption and unemployment were named by Kannadigas as the main causes. However, the elections took place on the same days, and Congress took back power after winning 135 seats. With inputs from agencies Its Day 5 of Israels war against Hamas, the Palestinian terror group that launched an audacious attack through air, land and sea on Saturday (7 October). In its attempt to achieve the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad as Benjamin Netanyahu said, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched a large-scale counter-attack in the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday (10 October), the IDF announced it was able to retake control of the Gaza border fence, which had been breached by Palestinian Hamas gunmen earlier. Some deemed this as a big win for Israel, but experts state that the fence isnt the only way through to this part of southern Israel. They raise the issue of tunnels theres a labyrinth of tunnels under through Gaza into Israel which Hamas has used repeatedly either to smuggle fighters, weapons or even other contraband. Inside the Gaza tunnels built by Hamas Over the years, Hamas has built a network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip, almost like an underground city. This is after they realised that they could not confront the might of the Israeli military. Hence, they built a network of tunnels, giving them an advantage. However, importantly, Hamas did not invent this model; it was imported from Hezbollah who developed a similar network in southern Lebanon in the 1990s in an attempt to deal with Israels airspace dominance. Some of these tunnels lead directly from Gaza to Israeli communities near the border, enabling Hamas terrorists to infiltrate, kidnap and attack Israeli civilians. The residents of southern Israel live in constant fear knowing that, at any time, a terrorist could emerge from a tunnel near their house and abduct or murder their neighbours or children. Most of these tunnels are a metre wide and perhaps two-and-a-half-metre high, allowing for a mans to gain easy access. In many cases, the tunnels descend deeper, reaching up to 30 metres below the surface and have been built by the Hamas at an enormous cost. In a previous report, Washington Post had said that Hamas had built more than 1,300 tunnels since 2007 at a cost of $1.25 billion, diverting funds that could have been spent on public infrastructure in Gaza. According to Israeli forces, most often the access points to these tunnels are hidden between schools, mosques, hospitals and other civilian buildings. This is done to avoid detection from the IDF. Whats even more important to note is that Hamas has been building three different types of tunnels under Gaza. Eado Hecht, an Israeli defence analyst specialising in underground warfare, explains that there are the smuggling tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Then there are the defensive tunnels inside Gaza, used for command centres and weapons storage. Lastly, there are offensive tunnels used for cross-border attacks on Israel. Such is the expanse of these tunnels that Israeli forces call it The Metro, enabling Hamas to fight a war of attrition. In many cases, these tunnels run for miles and miles, interconnected and allowing to safe and undetectable passage. Israel-Palestine war: Related coverage What is the Gaza Strip, which is at the centre of Israel-Palestine conflict? Hamas, Hezbollah & Intifada: A guide to understanding the glossary of Israel-Palestine conflict Mohammed Deif: Hamas wheelchair-bound military chief who planned Israel attack How Hamas breached Israels sophisticated security, hoodwinked its intelligence Did Iran help Hamas plan the deadly attack on Israel? Israel-Palestine conflict: Which nations have been drawn in? How a drawn-out Israel-Hamas war could hurt the Indian economy The tunnels, interestingly first came up in response to an Israeli blockade imposed after Hamas took power. Since then, they have been used for other purposes, with Hamas leaders calling them as an innovation and insisting that they are largely defensive. In fact, in 2006 when Hamas terrorists attacked an IDF post, they used a tunnel to capture Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was held captive for five years before his release as part of a 2011 prisoner exchange deal. In another instance, Hamas, during the 2014 Gaza War, had released videos of men carrying automatic weapons and grenade launchers, crawling from a hole in the ground. It was Gerard De Groot, a professor of history at the University of St Andrews who writes about war and politics, who according to a Washington Post, described the tunnels as being able to evoke a peculiar horror as though the devil himself were emerging from hell to spread torment on Earth. Hamas continues to bank on the Gaza tunnels, as they are very difficult to detect. Therefore to discover the tunnels, the Israelis must either have excellent intelligence from within Gaza or they must go in and search for them house by house. Moreover, destroying a tunnel is a lengthy and somewhat complex operation because just blowing in the entrance or some of the airshafts leave most of the tunnel intact, so Hamas diggers will be able to quickly dig bypass sections and continue to use the tunnel, reports the BBC. Israels destruction of The Metro In the ongoing war against Hamas, the IDF has been striking Hamas tunnels to choke their movement. Al Jazeera has also reported that Israel in an attempt to destroy these tunnels are also using bunker busters, a powerful type of bomb. These bunker busters burrow deep into the ground before detonating and are capable of destroying buried, hardened targets. Yossi Mekelberg, an expert on Israel at the London-based think tank Chatham House, has called them quite powerful but horrible pieces of ammunition. But this isnt the first time that Israel has targeted the tunnel network in Gaza. In May 2021, Israel said 54 aircraft took part in an operation targeting an elaborate tunnel system it describes at the Metro used by militants to move safely and avoid surveillance. At the time, IDF spokesperson Lt Col Jonathan Conricus told The Washington Post that the tunnels are the backbone of Hamas operations. Prior to that, in 2018, Israel destroyed a tunnel in the Gaza Strip, which it had partially destroyed during the 2014 Gaza war. But as former senior military figures explain that for each tunnel destroyed, one is built. Moreover, there is no guarantee that every single one will be found and neutralised. Besides destroying tunnels, Israel has also come up with alternate ideas to combat them. One of them was building an ambitious underground wall along the border with Gaza for the purposes of thwarting infiltration by Hamas through its tunnels. With inputs from agencies The USS Gerald R. Ford has arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea near Israel. Washington deployed the carrier, among a slew of other ships, in the backdrop of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The move is meant to be a statement of support for its staunch ally Israel and a warning to enemies in the region not to get involved. CENTCOM in a statement said The United States has begun moving USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation, General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, US Central Command, was quoted as saying in the press release. But what do we know about the USS Gerald R. Ford named after the 38th President of the United States? Lets take a closer look: Origins The ship was named in tribute to Ford, who was president from 1974 to 1977, giving a lifetime of service to the United States. Ford fought for his country during World War II. He attained the rank of lieutenant commander in the US Navy and served on the light carrier USS Monterey (CVL 26). The ship, designated CVN 78, is the lead ship in the Ford-class of aircraft carrier. It is the US newest and the worlds largest aircraft carrier. The ship began being built in September 2008 by the Northrop Grumman Corporation, as per Navsource.org. The company was initially awarded $5.1-billion, seven-year contract plus an incentive fee. It was meant to replace the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) which was decommissioned in 2012 after five decades of service. It also kicked off the US replacing its Nimitz-class carriers. While construction started in 2009 and was to be completed by September 2015 at a cost of $10.5 billion, its price tag ended up being $12.9 billion. The US Navy blamed the delays and budget overruns on the ships state-of-the-art systems. The ship was commissioned in 2017. Then president Donald Trump, speaking at the carriers commissioning, called it a 100,000-ton message to the world of American military might. Wherever this vessel cuts through the horizon our allies will rest easy and our enemies will shake with fear because everyone will know that America is coming and America is coming strong, Trump said. Its commissioning was also attended by ex-defence secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney and a host of other officials. As per Indian Express, it was Rumseld in 2007 who announced that the carrier would be named after president Ford. Specifications The USS Gerald R. Ford spans 1,106 feet and has a displacement of a whopping 112,000 tonnes. It has the capacity to hold around 4,660 crew, as per Navsource.org. Indias INS Vikrant, in comparison, can hold just 1,700 crew. It can reach a speed in excess of 30 knots. It is 333 metres long, has a beam of 78 meters at its flight deck and is 76 meters tall, as per Eurasian Times. It dwarfs Indias INS Vikrant which is 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and has a displacement of 43,000 tonnes. As per the US Navy website, while it is similar to a Nimitz class carrier in appearance, it has many special features including First-in-class technology including a new nuclear plant Can produce nearly three times the amount of electrical power Innovative advanced arresting gear Electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). As per the website, EMALS replaces the steam catapult system traditionally used to launch aircraft and will expand the aircraft launch envelope, paving the way for innovations in manned/unmanned aircraft as well as providing the opportunity for other technological advancements in the future. The USS Gerald R. Ford comes with a slew of surface-to-air missiles including the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and the RIM-116, and M2 machine guns. It can carry more than 75 aircraft including the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, and Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters. It has two nuclear reactors and four shafts, as per Navsource.org. As per Indian Express, these reactors generate 250 per cent more power than the previous Nimitz class. These reactors last for around 25 years. The United States may also be considering also another aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean Sea. The Wall Street Journal and ABC News quoted officials as saying that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower may also be deployed. As per Indian Express, aircraft carriers, due to their prohibitive cost and their status as a symbol of pride of their country, usually travel with a carrier strike group (CSG). US Central Command said in a press release said USS Gerald R. Ford had eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft, and the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). With inputs from agencies Unknown gunmen in Pakistans Sialkot have shot dead Shahid Latif, who is believed to be the mastermind of the Pathankot attack. Latif was killed inside a mosque, according to police, who are still looking for the attackers. Police have opened an investigation into the incident as the gunman fled the area on a motorbike, as per NDTV. Local newspapers reported that he was shot at point-blank range by shooters who were familiar with the topography of the area, reported The Times of India. This shows that local, homegrown terrorists were responsible for the murder, the report said. In Sialkots Noot Masjid, Latif had been employed as a Maulvi. He was a well-known terrorist on Indias list of wanted terrorists under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and was associated with the banned terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He was a key conspirator of the Pathankot terror attack in 2016, which resulted in the deaths of seven security personnel. Morning footage from #Sialkot where JeM commander Shahid Latif and operative Hasim were slain by unidentified assailants As soon as the incident was reported, Pakistani security forces and ambulance rushed to the spot pic.twitter.com/rqMNqCCqtO OsintTV (@OsintTV) October 11, 2023 About Shahid Latif Shahid Latif, 53, lived in the Daska Tehsil of the Sialkot District in Pakistans Northern Punjab, according to information from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Latif was known as the leader of the JeM terrorist groups launch operation. He planned the attack on the airbase with four JeM militants, according to India Today, and deployed them to Pathankot to carry it out. He was originally detained in Jammu in November 1994 for his involvement in an attack on the Hazrat Bal shrine in Srinagar and for transporting narcotics to support his criminal activities. The Hindu quoted a senior NIA official as saying, He was arrested and put in the Jammu jail during the course of the trial. After he was convicted by a court in 1996, he was shifted to a prison in Varanasi. The militancy was at its peak in the valley then and the agencies thought it better to shift him to Varanasi prison. A Prevention of Terrorism Court in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, then convicted him and sentenced him to 16 years of rigorous jail. His involvement in terrorist operations resulted in a fine of Rs 40,000, according to The Quint. As part of the Manmohan Singh-led UPA governments efforts to mend relations with Pakistan, he was later released from prison in 2010 along with 24 other terrorists who had crossed the Wagah Border. Latifs release was reportedly sought for by the same Jaish terrorists who had taken over Indian Airlines flight IC-814 and freed their leader, Maulana Masood Azhar, along with two others in return for 154 passengers in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in December 1999. Latif and 31 other people on Jaishs wish list were not, however, granted parole by the Vajpayee administration at the time, as per TOI. He joined terrorist modules and continued his anti-Indian activities after returning to Pakistan, said the NIA. He organised the four terrorists from Pakistans movement and offered logistical support. In January 2016, an attack on the Pathankot Air Base was carried out by these terrorists. He was also charged with hijacking an Indian Airlines plane (flight 814), according to India Today, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 1999. The Indian government designated Shahid Latif as a terrorist after the NIA reported in their investigation that Latif had returned to the Jihadi workshop in Pakistan after being freed in 2010. Pathankot attack Pathankot Air Force Station was assaulted on 2 January 2016, by a highly armed group. Five attackers and six security personnel were killed during the roughly 17-hour-long fire battle between the security forces and the assailants. Following their hospitalisation for their wounds, three more soldiers passed away, as per Business Today. An explosion caused by an IED the following day claimed the life of another member of the security forces. On 4 January, a fifth attacker was killed during the Pathankot operation. According to officials, Latif was the one who placed the Pathankot terrorists in an SUV close to the Bamiyal border in Punjab and provided them with phone instructions to get to the airbase more than 100 kilometres away. India-Pakistan ties broke broken as a result of the JeM attack on Pathankot, which is still mostly unresolved. Attacks on terrorists in Pakistan Latifs death is the latest one in a slew of attacks in Pakistan on terrorists. In Karachi, Ziaur-Rehman of Lashkar and Mufti Qaisar Farooq were both assassinated last month, according to NDTV. Bashir Ahmad Peer, a key Hizbul commander, died in Rawalpindi in February. Other terrorist leaders have also been killed in Pakistan over the past 18 months. With inputs from agencies Russia and the United States are suddenly talking about nuclear tests again. Moscow has accused Washington of preparing to conduct nuclear testing in Nevada and said it would revoke a landmark treaty banning the testing of nuclear weapons. A senior Russian diplomat, however, added that Moscow will only resume nuclear tests if Washington does so first. But what does this mean? And why is this happening? Lets take a closer look: What happened? Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters that Moscow will rescind the ratification of the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, adopted in 1996 and known as the CTBT, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, although it has never fully entered into force. It was signed by both the Russian and US presidents but was never ratified by the US. Ryabkov claimed Russia is doing this merely to mirror the action by the US. He added that if the US conducts a nuclear test, we will be forced to mirror that as well. Ryabkovs remarks came after President Vladimir Putin last week said Russias parliament should consider withdrawing Moscows ratification of CTBT. As per Time Magazine, the last nuclear test conducted in Russia came in 1990 prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Putin said last Thursday that Russias nuclear doctrine, which sets out conditions under which he would press the nuclear button, did not need updating, but added he was not yet ready to say whether or not Moscow needed to resume nuclear tests. Putin, speaking at a global think-tank forum, was quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal, In theory, ratification is revocable. If we do it, this will suffice. Its up to the state duma members, he added, as per Al Jazeera. I hear calls to start testing nuclear weapons, to return to testing, Putin said at a meeting of Russian foreign policy experts at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, as per Time Magazine. I am not ready to say whether we really need to conduct tests or not, but it is possible theoretically to behave in the same way as the United States, Putin added. Putin last week highlighted two nuclear-capable weapons, the nuclear-propelled Burevestnik cruise missile and the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, which he said Russia would now mass-produce and place on combat duty. As a rule, specialists say, [with] a new weapon its necessary to make sure that a special warhead will work smoothly, and tests need to be carried out, Putin said as per the newspaper. Ryabkov was cited by Russian news agencies as saying that Russia felt it had no choice but to align itself with Washingtons nuclear testing stance. The Russian foreign ministry was preparing draft legislation to de-ratify the treaty and Moscow would still interact with the organisation that oversees the test ban after de-ratification, Ryabkov was cited as saying. We will transmit our data, receive other peoples data. The moratorium remains in place. Were just withdrawing ratification. Thats it, said Ryabkov. The speaker of the Russian parliaments lower house, the State Duma, has said that lawmakers will move to rescind ratification of the nuclear test ban. The chambers agenda-setting council on Monday gave the foreign affairs committee 10 days to prepare the issue for the house to consider. Ryabkov charged that the US believed that we will keep turning a blind eye to its failure to ratify the pact, adding that we hope that Washington will get the signal. We believe that the 23 years that we have been waiting for something to change in Washington in terms of ratification are quite a sufficient time for this step to be made, he said. Regrettably, no indications that the US is going to follow this path are visible, and so we have no choice but to balance our position. He pointed out at Putins earlier order to make the countrys nuclear testing range ready for resuming tests, emphasizing that the resumption of tests is possible if the US conducts a test. Al Jazeera quoted Russias envoy to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Mikhail Ulyanov, as posting on X: #Russia plans to revoke ratification (which took place in the year 2000) of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (#CTBT). The aim is to be on equal footing with the #US who signed the Treaty, but didnt ratify it. Revocation doesnt mean the intention to resume nuclear tests Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) October 6, 2023 The US state department said, We are disturbed by the comments of Ambassador Ulyanov in Vienna today, A move like this by any state party needlessly endangers the global norm against nuclear explosive testing, the State Department said. Russia should not be wielding arms control and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric in a failing attempt to coerce other states, it added. Why is this happening? These developments come as Russia is currently locked in what it sees as an existential struggle with the West over Ukraine. There are widespread concerns that Russia could move to resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from continuing to offer military support to Ukraine. Many Russian hawks have spoken in favour of resumption. As Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies told Time Magazine, The Russians are trying to hold hostage anything they can to get their way on Ukraine. Since the start of his invasion, Putin has served the West with repeated, pointed reminders of Russias nuclear might, including by announcing the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. He has also suspended Moscows participation in the New START treaty that limits the number of nuclear warheads that Russia and the United States can deploy. His comments last week on the CTBT came in direct response to a question by a security analyst, Sergei Karaganov, who suggested to Putin that Russia should lower its threshold for nuclear use. Karaganov has raised eyebrows among both Russian and Western strategic analysts by arguing that it is time for Russia to lower its threshold for nuclear use in order to contain, frighten and sober up our opponents. He wrote in one recent article that Russia should shake up its enemies by threatening nuclear attacks on European countries and US bases in Europe. But Putin said he saw no need to change the doctrine which says Russia may use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or a threat to the existence of the state. I simply dont see the need for this, he said. He added: There is no situation today in which, say, something would threaten Russian statehood and the existence of the Russian state. No. I think no person of sound mind and clear memory would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia. But he remained ambivalent on the question of nuclear testing. As a rule, experts say, with a new weapon you need to make sure that the special warhead will work without failures and you need to conduct tests, Putin said. He added that he was not ready to say whether tests were required. As per Bloomberg, Putins remarks came just days after the US floated a plan allowing international observers to visit its nuclear sites. The proposal was made last week on the sidelines of a meet of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. The proposal would allow observers to examine the so-called sub-critical experiments tests that look to authenticate weapons design without a nuclear explosion taking place. We are open to hosting international observers for monitoring and verification research, National Nuclear Security Administration official Jill Hruby said in June, as per Time Magazine. She added that the department is open to working with others to develop a regime that would allow reciprocal observation with radiation detection equipment at each others subcritical experiments. What do experts say? Putins comments were widely seen by Western security experts as showing that Russia, which has the worlds largest nuclear arsenal, was ready to resume nuclear testing if necessary, a move that would be designed to signal intent and evoke fear in any standoff with the West. Some Western security analysts now see a growing likelihood of a Russian test, even though Putin said the aim was only to mirror the position of the United States, which has signed but not ratified the treaty. A Russian nuclear test is clearly very much on the cards now. I dont think its a certainty, but it shouldnt surprise anybody if that happens, said James Acton, co-director of the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Matthew Harries, director of proliferation and nuclear policy at the RUSI think-tank in London, said cancelling Russias ratification would create a legal and presentational framework for Russia to test if it wants to. If Moscow did conduct a test, he said, it would be a strong form of signalling, to put the nuclear threat in peoples minds, to try to signal resolve and to evoke fear. But others disagree. Speaking to Wall Street Journal, Pavel Podvig, senior researcher on weapons of mass destruction at the United Nations disarmament agency in Switzerland, called the move a political one. I dont believe that this reflects the intent to actually go and test, Podvig said. We can see that the idea of parity with the United States is very important for the Kremlin. Speaking to Time Magazine, Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, stressed the importance of negotiations. Its in Russias interest as well as the United States interest to understand and to be assured about each others nuclear programs, Kimball added. Kimball, speaking of the first US-USSR Strategic Arms Control agreement, added, The two sides sat down for weeks and weeks in Helsinki and hammered out this agreement. Thats whats possible if the two sides recognize the value of negotiations and the nuclear constraints they can produce. But others see darker times ahead. Like ex-Soviet and Russian diplomat Nikolai Sokov who said a Russian nuclear test would mark a very serious escalation towards actually using an atomic weapon. For that reason, Sokov said, he did not expect Russia to test at this point. Rather, he said, rescinding ratification would be a political step and part of a wider review of Moscows security obligations to remove perceived imbalances and level the field with the United States. At the moment I see a nuclear test as unlikely but the situation is very tense and an escalation is not impossible, said Sokov, now senior fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. He said he could envisage a Russian nuclear test as part of a scenario where the Ukraine war was going very badly for Putin. The trick is to get very close to nuclear use but avoid it to force the adversary to take a step back so the US and NATO think: Is it really worth it? To change the calculation of costs and benefits, Sokov said in a telephone interview. At some point you may need to show that youre very, very serious about possibly using nuclear weapons. Thats where a nuclear underground test can play a big role. Sokov said he did not believe that Putin was interested in actually using nuclear weapons, but the risk in such a scenario was that you simply can lose control of events and the logic of escalation could lead him to use them even if that was not his intention at the start. Acton said it was plausible, as Sokov said, that Putin was preparing the option of a nuclear test as a warning signal if things went badly for him in Ukraine. But he said it was also possible that Putin had already decided he was going to test, irrespective of what was happening in the war. In that case, he said, the test would be more a statement about Russias intention to further develop its nuclear weapons and about their growing importance in its defence posture at a time when its conventional forces have struggled in Ukraine. RUSIs Harries said the next things to watch would be whether Russia would lay further groundwork for a test, perhaps by accusing Washington of preparing one, and whether it continued to support the CTBT by maintaining its share as the United States and China do of the global monitoring stations that track test-related seismic activity and radiation. Experts say the move that would sharply raise tensions with the West and likely prompt other world powers to resume testing for the first time this century. Acton said that if Russia carried out a test, the United States was likely to follow, and that could prompt China, India and Pakistan could do the same. CNN reported last month that Russia, the United States and China have all built new facilities and dug new tunnels at their nuclear test sites in recent years, according to satellite imagery. The more countries test, the more are then likely to test, so Im pretty concerned about this, Acton said. If were in a world in which testing is going on, the first thing that shows us is that nuclear risks have risen. With inputs from agencies Israel boasts of one of the worlds strongest militaries and most advanced intelligence networks. But no one saw a war coming. Israel long thought its hi-tech security barrier blockading the Gaza Strip was impenetrable, brimming with razor wire, cameras and sensors and fortified with a concrete base against tunnels and remote-controlled machine guns. But in the aftermath of the surprise Hamas onslaught, soldiers who were on guard duty have recounted the shocking moments when the militants launched their complex operation to breach Israels Iron Wall around the enclave in multiple locations. The massive attack at dawn Saturday came under cover of a rocket barrage aimed at Israel and involved sniper fire, explosives dropped from drones, and bulldozers that ripped through the six-metre (almost 20-foot) tall double fence barrier. More than 1,500 militants quickly swarmed through in pick-up trucks and on motorcycles, joined by others using gliders and speedboats at sea, to unleash gun attacks that claimed hundreds of lives in nearby communities. In graphics | A brief history of the Israel-Palestine conflict At 6.30 am (0330 GMT) the rockets started, a lookout soldier who was stationed in Nahal Oz, across from Gaza City, said in a televised interview from her hospital bed. About 30 militants quickly occupied the army base and held it for seven hours, the soldier, identified only as Y, told Israels Channel 12. I sprinted barefoot to the bomb shelter, and after an hour we started hearing voices in Arabic, and they started shooting at the entrance, she recalled. Also Read: They took my wife and daughters: The horror stories of Hamas violence Until an elite Israeli army unit finally retook the base, for all those hours, it became their (Hamass) camp, the soldier said. Sniper attacks In the opening moments of the massive attack, snipers fired at the observation posts dotted along the 65-kilometre (40-mile) long barrier, an Israeli army spokesperson told AFP. A soldier stationed at an observation post also said the Palestinian gunmen started shooting at observation cameras, and it got to the point where we could no longer observe the border. In comments published by independent Israeli news website Hamakom, the unnamed soldier said that, as her army base came under attack, we were told our only option was to run for our lives into the situation room. Other soldiers shared similar accounts in social media posts and media interviews, all pointing to an initial mass attack to cripple the barriers observation and communications systems. The army spokesperson denied to AFP rumours of a cyber-attack targeting military systems as the cause of the blackout. Video footage released by Hamas also shows militants firing at observation posts, including their remotely operated systems with firing capabilities. Other footage online was taken by the cameras of drones that hovered above watchtowers and dropped explosives onto them, while militants are also seen using bulldozers or blasting gaping holes through the border fence, allowing fighters to rush through. My worst nightmare The attack that followed was the worst in Israels 75-year history, setting off retaliatory strikes on Gaza and sparking a war that had claimed thousands of lives by Tuesday, with no quick end in sight. Also Read: From missiles to drones: How Hamas used specialised units to attack Israel Its a huge failure of the intelligence system and the military apparatus in the south, said retired military general Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser. Israeli soldiers who were posted along the border recounted the terror of the initial attack, in which Hamas fighters killed or captured their comrades and destroyed or commandeered tanks and other military hardware. In testimony posted on Instagram, a lookout soldier said the early morning attack was nothing I could have imagined in my worst nightmares. I never thought I would ever see such thing in a lookout. I did my best until a sniper hit the observation system, she said. They took us by surprise and we werent ready for it and (there was) no intelligence at all. Also Read: Did Egypt warn Israel about Hamas attack? Survivors of the attacks on nearby communities have been shocked at the failure of the systems that were meant to ensure their security. Inbal Reich Alon, 58, from the hard-hit Beeri kibbutz, recounted that, years ago, after they set up the barrier, wed realised we were safe. That, she added, was an illusion. With inputs from AFP The CBI registered an FIR against NewsClick for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and carried out searches at the office and residence of the portal founder on Wednesday, officials said. They said a team of agency officials searched the residence and office of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, who was recently arrested by the Delhi Police in a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The portal said it is cooperating with the authorities. The CBI is currently conducting search and seizure operations at the NewsClick office and the residence of our Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha. This is the fifth agency that is investigating us. We are cooperating with the authorities, it said on X. The portal is accused of receiving foreign funds in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). In its probe against the portal, the Delhi Police had alleged that funds were fraudulently infused by an active member of the propaganda department of the Communist Party of China, Neville Roy Singham. NewsClick has denied all the allegations. The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested Purkayastha and the human resources department head of the portal Amit Chakravarty on October 3. Police had also sealed the NewsClicks office in Delhi. According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to the news portal came from China to disrupt the sovereignty of India and cause disaffection against the country. It also alleged Purkayastha conspired with a group Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Manipur government on Wednesday extended the suspension of mobile data internet services for five days till October 16 evening, an official notification said. Orders issued by secretariat, home department, said the decision was taken to thwart the activities and designs of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain the peace and communal harmony and to prevent loss of life and that it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and rumours through various social media platforms. Mobile internet was banned after violence broke out in the state on May 3. It was restored on September 23 following an announcement by Chief Minister N Biren Singh. However, it was again banned on September 26 after public agitation hit Imphal valley after photographs of bodies of two missing students went viral. The ban on broadband since May 5 was, however, partially lifted in mid-July. Meanwhile, frustration continues to mount over the prolonged mobile internet suspension with a Senapati district-based Naga students body imposing highway blockade over the issue since October 5. We firmly believe that access to internet is not just a privilege but a fundamental right that every citizen should enjoy without interruption. The continuous imposition of ban on mobile internet services across the entire state, even when the issues (violence) are confined to specific areas, is not only unjustifiable but also infringes upon our basic rights as citizens of a free state, the Senapati District Students Association had informed. Throughout the state, students and teachers who were used to facilities and academic-related communication provided by the internet have been abruptly cut short. The number of Wi-Fi users is very limited and is sort of a luxury which thousands cannot afford, a high school math teacher A Hitler said. Broadband is available mostly among the affluent section of capital Imphal and district headquarters areas. What about thousands who are not from the capital and from far off villages and hill areas and those who cant afford Wi-Fi, asked a concerned citizen from Naga-dominated Ukhrul district. India has a high debt like that of China but the risks associated with it are not as great as that of its northern neighbour, a senior official from the International Monetary Fund has said, advising India in the medium term to have an ambitious fiscal consolidation plan that brings down deficits. The current debt in India is also high. It stands at 81.9 per cent of GDP. Compared to China, which is 83 per cent, it is very similar. Also, when we compare Indias debt to the pre-pandemic level in 2019, it was 75 per cent. So it is still quite a bit higher, Ruud de Mooij, Deputy Director, the Fiscal Affairs Department at the International Monetary Fund, told PTI in an interview. What we also see in India is a deficit that is 8.8 per cent projected for 2023. In India, a large portion of this is because of expenditures on interest. They pay a lot of interest on their debt: 5.4 per cent of GDP is spent on that, and the primary deficit is 3.4 per cent. So together they add up to 8.8 per cent, he said. Responding to a question, Mooij said that Indias debt is not projected to rise like in China. It, in fact, is projected to fall slightly by 1.5 per cent to 80.4 per cent in 2028. One of the reasons is that growth in India is much higher. India is one of the countries with really high growth. This matters of course for the debt to GDP ratio. Also, just to note that the risks are moderated by some factors, he said. One factor is, for instance, the long maturities of the debt. They dont need to be renewed very frequently. This matters for the gross financing needs. And also, in India, we see large domestic domestically held debts and also denoted in domestic currency. So these mute the risks associated with the debts, he said. The risk factor in India is the state-level risks, he observed. Some states really have high debts, have high financing needs and face a high-interest burden. This is a factor that does mean that there are significant risks also for India, he said. What should India do? Well, the policy advice is for the medium term to have an ambitious fiscal consolidation plan that brings down the deficits, especially the primary deficits through a range of measures. It could be on the revenue side, could be on the spending side, and it could also be on fiscal management, sort of using good fiscal rules, and fiscal frameworks to manage the fiscal equation going forward. That is the overall advice that we would recommend, Mooij said. The debt level is projected to be rather stable at 80 per cent. What we would recommend is at least a decreasing path of debt, because what we see is that interest expenditures are 5.4 per cent of GDP, he said. Mooij said one of the ways in which India could usefully support fiscal consolidation is by strengthening the tech system. There are several opportunities here. There are opportunities in the general sales tax, which has multiple rates, many exemptions, and maybe not all of them are effective. Improving the design of the general sales tax could contribute to this. We also see opportunities for broadening the base of the personal income tax and the corporate income tax where there are many loopholes that can often be addressed, he said. For instance, theres the fuel tax cuts that could be reversed. On the revenue side, and several options on the spending side, we think its important to prioritize public investments as India has been doing. Theres important gains, especially with the current growth from investing in public infrastructure, but also investment in education, healthcare and maybe less priority for spending that is less efficient, he added. For instance, certain subsidies may be provided too much across the board and support to households could be better targeted to those who really need it. In many areas, we think there are opportunities for improving spending efficiency, so reducing waste, he said. The management of the fiscal policies could be improved, the IMF official said. For instance, public financial management could sometimes be made more transparent. We are working also with India on these issues, sharing best practices from other countries. The management of fiscal policy could benefit from a strong fiscal framework with an independent institution that advises on fiscal policy with clear fiscal rules that commit the government to certain objectives. There is a lot of good experience with these kinds of fiscal frameworks in achieving results for the fiscal equation, Mooij said. The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant interim relief to Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khans son that the trial court in Uttar Pradesh be asked not to pass a final order in a pending criminal case against him till his claim of juvenility is ascertained. The top court, on September 26, had directed the Moradabad District Judge to decide the aspect of the juvenility of Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan in accordance with the procedure under the Juvenile Justice Act and send the finding to it for further consideration. Referring to this order, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Abdullah Azam Khan, on Wednesday told a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prashant Kumar Mishra that till the report on juvenility is filed, the other trial court be asked not to proceed with a pending criminal case and convict the accused. Heavens are not going to fall if the trial court does not pass the final order Sometimes law stands in the way of justice. This is that kind of case, the senior advocate said. The court, however, was not inclined to grant the relief and said: We find no reason to pass any interim order at this stage. As per earlier order, post the main matter after the report on juvenility is filed. Earlier, the top court had asked the Moradabad district court to ascertain the claim of juvenility and send the report to it. This order was passed in a 2008 criminal case in which Abdullah Azam Khan was convicted and was, consequently, disqualified as an MLA. A criminal case was registered in 2008 against Abdullah Azam Khan and his father Azam Khan at the Chhajlet police station in Moradabad under sections 341 (wrongful restraint) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It was alleged that they had blocked traffic after their vehicle was stopped by police for checking. In February, Abdullah Azam Khan was sentenced to two years in jail in the case by a Moradabad court, which led to his disqualification as an MLA in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. On May 1, the top court had sought the Uttar Pradesh governments response to a plea moved by Abdullah Azam Khan, challenging the high court decision refusing to stay his conviction in the 15-year-old criminal case. The top court had then clarified that the election to the Suar Assembly seat, which fell vacant after Abdullah Azam Khans disqualification, scheduled for May 10, shall be subject to the outcome of his petition. Apna Dals Shafeek Ahmed Ansari had won the Suar seat. Abdullah Azam Khan has claimed that he was a juvenile when the incident took place. Rejecting his application, the high court had observed: In fact, the applicant is trying to seek a stay of his conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that a stay of conviction is not a rule but an exception to be resorted to in rare cases. Disqualification is not limited only to MPs and MLAs. Moreover, as many as 46 criminal cases are pending against the applicant. It is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics. Representatives of people should be men of clear antecedents, the court had observed. The additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) sentenced the father-son duo to two years imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 each on them on February 13. They were subsequently granted bail. Two days after the conviction and sentence, Abdullah Azam Khan was disqualified from the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. As the Hamas began the gruesome campaign against the Israel last week, the world once again seemed to have been divided on the issue of Israel Palestine conflict. Yet, as the horrific images of the Hamas attack on Israel surfaced, its brutality became almost impossible to ignore. As the global community calculated their individual positions, there was curious apprehension on what position India will assume. Not surprisingly, India opted to support the Israel against the terror attacks. The Indian prime minister was quick to air Indias stance on it Prime Minister Narendra Modi twitted Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour the comment was consciously a brief one, carefully crafted to convey the essentials and did not involve any support to or a priori condonation of Israeli response which has just only started. The thoughtfully worded response had three essentials it recognised the fact that the attack is indeed a terrorist attack rather than beating around the bush, this categoric representation was also a reflection of a change from the conventional approach of not associating Hamas with terrorism. This apparent acceptance of the fact that Hamass provocation qualifies a terrorist attack might have displeased the votaries of Indias traditional West Asia policy. Second, Modi himself tweeted this, thus position deciding not to delegate this to MEA officials or any statement from the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. It was an indication of the fact that Prime Minister Modi attached significant priority to the issue of terrorism and Indias support to those countries facing it. Third, the lack of ambiguity in standing for Israel at this difficult hour was hinting at Indias categoric position against terrorism of any kind and perpetrated by anyone or anywhere in the world. For a lot of commentators, this amounted to Modi abandoning Indias long-standing, sagacious west -Asia policy that rested on the strong support to Palestinian cause and unequivocal condemnation of Israel and its expansionist policies in the region. While it is true that Modi has fundamentally reoriented Indias policy vis-a-vis Israel and the Arab world, the process however started much before Modi came in. Equally true however is that Modi took reorientation to the logical next level by openly decoupling Indo-Israel relations with other Arab countries alongside maintaining the traditional support to the viable state of Palestine. The recent strengthening of Indo-Israel ties, unapologetic embrace of the two countries on multiple forums and Indias deft balancing of this relation as against the Arab world hinted a refreshing approach to Indias West Asia policy. Indias support to Israel is essentially a continuation of the same policy direction, which evidently has displeased a few. As the attack by Hamas started, those within India who have stuck to rigid anti-Israeli posture which also amounts to downplaying the terrorism by groups like Hamas expected a silent India, if not outrightly siding against Israel. They were indeed up for a major disappointment. Curiously some are voicing this disappointment in the garb of geopolitical concerns of India disappointing its traditional partners, especially in the global south at a time when its competing with China to be influential in the region. Two sets of arguments are made by those who see India siding with Israel as travesty of Indias West Asia policy. One, Indias stance might create a rift between India and the members of global south. This means that India may be risking a possible alienation with its partners from the Global South at a time when India is attempting a massive outreach to these countries. And second, allied to the first, that India will lose the bargaining ground to China in the Global South if India persists with this approach. It is true that countries from the Global South have taken firmer positions against Israel. For instance, African Union maintained that denial of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, particularly that of an independent and sovereign State, is the main cause of the permanent Israeli-Palestinian tension further appealing to both parties to put an end to military hostilities and to return, without conditions, to the negotiating table. Indonesia, India important Southeast Asian partner, argued on the similar lines, though slightly less blatant when it emphasized that the root of the conflict, namely the occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel, must be resolved according to the parameters agreed upon by the U.N. Iran has declared we will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem. This should not surprise anyone given the sustained support Iran has provided to the Hamas. There are speculations as well that the current flare up might have been instigated with their help. Saudi has Arabia called for immediate cessation of violence, while Egypt has warned of the grave consequences and called for exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger. Qatar unconditionally blamed Israel alone for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people, and called for both sides to show restraint. On the other hand, China unsurprisingly has reiterated its traditional support to the state of Palestine while urging relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation. Chinese position, it is argued, is in sync with broader position of the counties from the Global South, and Indias appears to be in line with the countries of the Global North, thus positing a risk of creating a rift. These arguments, flawed on multiple counts, are an indication of persisting cold-war inertia where diplomatic options were calculated through stilted zero-sum logic. It is to this question that we must turn of attention to. First, the argument that Indias support to Palestine cause will provide India with necessary diplomatic dividends in reverse itself is based on ignorance of history. The history suggests that India digested multiple disappointments from the Arab world despite decades of unhindered support to the Palestinian cause and persistent public antagonism towards Israel. Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehrus diplomatic investment in the Arab countries did not result in much of benefit for India during the conflicts. For instance, the reaction from these countries after the Chinese offensive against India in 1962 was highly disappointing. Nasser for one, whom Nehru had supported throughout the Suez crisis, could offer nothing more than mediation, a move which created some disappointment in India. On the contrary, David ben Gurion had written to Nehru expressing solidarity and ensured the provision of weapons to India. Similarly, during the 1965 conflict too, Israel thoroughly supported Indias position along with supplying heavy mortars at the time when Arab countries were to no avail. Another significant instance was 1971 Bangladesh liberation war when Israel supplied India with necessary weapons which were useful during the war. It was also the time when India felt let down by its conventional partners in the Arab world including Egypt. In fact, a group of twenty-two Islamic countries openly supported Pakistan in a conference held at the end of June 1971. It is this lack of Arab reciprocity in the matters central to Indias strategic interests and a sustained support from Israel on the very same issues created slowly a positive constituency within the Indian establishment towards Israel. As a consequence, though India sported its anti-Israel posture on the overt diplomatic and political front, covertly Indias intelligence and defence establishment ensured some connect with Israel which arguably helped India immensely. This relationship got further entrenched with Narasimha Rao normalising relations with Israel, almost four decades after recognizing Israel as state. Since then, it had been slow but a steady recognition of centrality of Israel in Indias strategic calculus that subsequent governments in varying capacities invested in this relationship attests to this fact. Modis approach was a logical build-up of this continuation, albeit with greater energy and little hesitation. The most potent indicator is the way Modi decoupled the relations with Israel and other Arab countries. It practically meant that our relations with Israel stand on its own merit and will be guided by our enlightened national interest. The implication was, India can pursue closer ties with Israel at the same time ensuring the traditional position on Palestine remains intact. It reflected a sense of confidence in Indias ability to navigate complicated relationship and approach issues on their individual merit. Indias position on the recent Israel Hamas confrontation must be contextualised in the same way. Indias moral support for Israel, far from jeopardizing Indias strategic interests elsewhere, actually reinforces our core interests. One, India being a strong voice against global terrorism remaining silent on an evidently terrorist act by Hamas would have diluted Indias credentials as a committed voice against global terrorism. Also, as someone who has continuously demanded international alliance against this global menace, not siding with a strong defence and strategic partner at a such a time would dent Indias genuine efforts at building front against international terrorism. Further, to say that Indias moral support to Israel would dent its credentials in the Global South is a self-defeating argument which speaks of the same cold-war logic that defined Indias policy to the Israel Palestine issue. It means that Indias outreach to Global South is too feeble to be disturbed by Indias principled position against terrorism. Far from it, India today is better poised to maintain its ties with countries based on the ideas of mutually recognized interests and ability of India to voice the concerns of Global South on multiple forums. Indias insistence and further success in including African Union in G-20 is just one example of it. As India will expand its sphere of influence, it cannot hope to have its relations with countries from the Global South stand on the feeble grounds which can get hurt by Indias beneficial relations with other countries in this case Israel. That precisely is the essence of strategic autonomy the ability to secure core national interest in the face of competing geo-political trends. Indias future diplomatic soundness will rest on Indias ability to manoeuvre this difficult international terrain. To suggest that India has faulted by siding Israel as it will have negative impact on its stand in the Global South is the same Cold War attitude that provided India with no sound benefits. Instead, it eschewed the possibility of developing critical partnerships that could have been highly beneficial. To reiterate the same redundant logic in the changed circumstances is a reflection of ideologically rigid approach to foreign policy that refuses to look beyond the defunct Cold War ideas. It is therefore important that the public discourse on the foreign policy moves beyond the cold-war hangover. As a strong defence and strategic partner of Israel, Indias support to Israel against the brutal terrorist attack was a necessity. This necessity also coincides with India cores interest, particularly with regards to fighting global menace of terrorism. The real test of Modis diplomacy however will be in the way it responds to the escalation of this conflict which seems inevitable now. The author is Assistant Professor (Politics & International Relations) at Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Israel is at war with Hamas after it was caught totally by surprise and unprepared on three levels strategically, operationally and tactically. Strategically, it has adopted the view that Hamas is deterred, focusing on improving the living standard of the population in Gaza in order to stabilise its control of the dense strip. Israel had agreed to resume the entry of 18,000 workers from Gaza to Israel and believed there was no reason to worry. This was of course the opposite of the truth. In fact, Hamas remained a fanatical radical Islamist organisation that was ready to perform cruel and horrific terror attacks and other war crimes against Israel, driven by similar ideologies to those of the Islamic State. Operationally, due to a failure of imagination, Israel intelligence did not expect the kind of action chosen by Hamas crossing the fence on land (after the tunnel option was taken care of by Israel) with a swarm of pickup trucks carrying heavily armed and well-trained terrorists on their way to many targets simultaneously. And tactically, it simply had no idea this was happening in real time and was unable to handle it effectively due to intelligence and military shortcomings. The price was extremely heavy. More than 1,000 dead, over 2,000 wounded and dozens of civilians and soldiers taken hostage. The army is still trying to stabilise the situation while mobilising reserves and conducting air attacks against Hamas targets in Gaza. Israel is preparing now to take the initiative and embark on a wide-scale operation against Hamas and PIJ in Gaza, while maintaining readiness to confront potential widening of the war to other fronts. In the north, Hezbollah tested Israels determination by launching a limited attack in the Mount Dov area in the eastern part of the border. The Israeli retaliation was swift but time will tell if it was convincing enough. In the West Bank there were no unusual reactions so far in spite of calls to show solidarity with Hamas. Iran, which is probably involved in the preparations and the guidance (there were several high-level meetings between Tehrans leaders and Hamas and PIJs leaders recently), went out of its way to show its satisfaction and encouraged the Palestinians to escalate. The Hamas offensive reflects its commitment to terror and to its merciless jihadist identity. Hamas was preparing itself for a long time for this attack using Iranian military and financial support to accumulate rockets and develop capabilities to infiltrate Israel. It probably believed that the time is ripe to start the war because of the problems Israel faced at home, the strengthening of the Iran-led camp and the feeble response of the West to Irans progress in its nuclear and regional plans and its cooperation with Russia, as well as Israels weakness vis-a-vis Hezbollah. Hamas took the Iranian Islamist idea of swarm attack and implemented it successfully. It hopes that connecting the attack to Al Aqsa will mobilise the Muslim population around the world and serve its goal of driving a wedge between Israel and Saudi Arabia, thus hampering the prospects of normalising the relations between them under American auspices. In view of all that Israel has no choice but to change its policy towards Hamas from containment and deterrence to decisively defeating it to make sure it will not be able to rearm itself. This is necessary to get rid of the threat from Gaza but it is also critical to deter Iran and Hezbollah and convince Saudi Arabia of its strength and capabilities. It should do so regardless of the complexity created by the holding of so many hostages in Hamas custody. Thereafter it will have to study thoroughly the lessons of its failures and implement the lessons learned. The war against terror is first of all a learning competition and it seems that this time Israel lagged behind. The author is former chief of the research division in Israeli Military Intelligence, and until recently, director general of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has once again brought the spotlight on the situation in Sderot and the surrounding areas. These regions have experienced devastation at the hands of Hamas terrorists, who have been driven out in phase one of Israels operation. However, as discussions of a potential phase two, a ground invasion gain momentum, its essential to understand the implications and complexities involved in such a move. The historical context Israel has a history of conducting ground invasions in Gaza. Notably, the last Israeli ground operation was in 2014 when Hamas launched a volley of rockets into Israel prompting a ground invasion that lasted around 19 days. More than 2,000 Palestinians lost their lives and Israel lost 73 citizens during that operation. A similar ground invasion named Operation Cast Lead took place in 2008 lasting about two weeks and resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians. Military viability The high death tolls from past invasions indicate that these operations were militarily viable albeit with casualties on both sides. Israel inflicted substantial damage on Hamas during these incursions. The question now is whether history will repeat itself, and if so, how will it play out? Preparation for a ground invasion Before any potential ground invasion, Israel would have to ensure two critical elements. Firstly, outside support is essential, with the United States deploying an aircraft carrier and fighter jets to the region acting as insurance against potential threats from Iran and Hezbollah. Secondly, Israel would aim to soften Hamas defences using land-based artillery and gunboats, as they have done in the past. Challenges faced during an invasion Once Israeli troops enter Gaza, the situation becomes increasingly challenging. Gaza is a densely populated urban area making urban warfare almost inevitable. This environment provides ample opportunities for Hamas to take cover and lay traps. An invasion could lead to a prolonged and costly struggle, not to mention a significant number of casualties. Evolving threats Hamas now possesses more sophisticated weapons including anti-tank missiles and armed drones increasing the potential cost of an invasion. However, Israel boasts a world-class military with experience in urban warfare in Gaza and the West Bank as well as familiarity with Hamas tactics. This expertise suggests that the outcome of an invasion is not in doubt. Why hasnt Netanyahu launched a ground invasion? Despite the potential for success, there are several reasons why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been hesitant to order a ground invasion. First, Netanyahu has historically preferred air strikes and drone attacks over ground incursions. Second, he must consider what comes after the invasion. Occupation of Gaza would be a daunting task and the risk of a power vacuum or even more radical elements emerging in Hamass place poses significant challenges. Balancing act Netanyahu faces a tough call, balancing various factors and risks, many of which are conflicting. Public sentiment in Israel demands revenge, which airstrikes alone might not satisfy. However, Israeli soldier casualties in Gaza could shift public sentiment negatively. This dilemma was evident in Netanyahus reported conversation with US President Joe Biden where he expressed the need to avoid appearing weak. Unity government as a potential solution To mitigate some of these risks, Netanyahu has called for a unity wartime government including both the ruling party and the opposition. Such a government is intended to signal national unity and strengthen Israels position. Talks are ongoing behind the scenes, and in the coming days, we will have answers regarding both the governments formation and the potential ground invasion. A fluid state The prospect of an Israeli ground invasion in Gaza is a complex and multifaceted issue with historical precedents, military strategies, evolving threats and political considerations. While a ground invasion is militarily viable, its success depends on a careful balance of various factors. The situation remains fluid and the decisions made in the coming days will significantly impact the future of this conflict. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Right now, Israel is battling Hamas in the south and thats the only front. But to the north, a new one is appearing the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli soldiers and tanks are heading to the Lebanon border, the security is being beefed up. There is also talk of evacuations. The Israeli defence ministry wants settlements near Lebanon to be ready for a conflict. This follows Hezbollahs decision to join the war, not formally, but tacitly. On Sunday, they fired rockets into three Israeli positions. There were no casualties, but Israel responded in kind. They struck Hezbollah positions and killed three fighters. So now, its a cycle of attacks. On Monday too Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel. Hence the preparations. Israel has suffered one sneak attack already. They dont want to suffer another one. Who are they? But who exactly are the Hezbollah? In simple words, another Iranian proxy. A very powerful one in Lebanon. It was formed back in 1982 with one objective to fight against Israels occupation of southern Lebanon. And how many fighters do they have? Some 100,000. They fought a war against Israel in 2006. Hezbollah lost more than 1,000 fighters. Israel lost around 120 people. They pounded Hezbollah military assets and infrastructure. Many parts of southern Lebanon were uninhabitable. But Israel couldnt eliminate Hezbollah. Today, they play an important role in Lebanese politics. They also coordinate with Iran and Palestinian groups. Even this attack, reports say, the planning was done in Lebanons capital. Like Iran, the Hezbollah have denied this. But their leaders cant seem to contain their joy. Hezbollah senior official, Hashem Safieddine said: We salute all our beloved Palestinian resistance factions in Palestine no matter to whom they belong, and they are all united in the resistance. We tell those that the nation is with you, our heart, minds, souls, our history and guns and rockets, and all that we have, is with you. Why the fear So far, Hezbollahs role has been limited. They have refrained from striking deep inside Israel, but the fear is that could change. There is talk of Israel invading Gaza. If that happens, the Hezbollah could join. Plus, there are many Palestinian groups inside Lebanon who are putting pressure on Hezbollah. They want the group to release the pressure on Hamas by opening a second front. Israel and its allies are aware of this threat. US officials have warned Hezbollah against entering the war. They have also deployed warships and fighter jets, but with these people, you never know. The Hezbollah has vast experience dealing with Israel. They also had some relative success. In the year 2000, Israel withdrew from parts of southern Lebanon and Hezbollah capitalised on that. They claimed to be the only Arab army to beat Israel, to make them give up territory. So, this is how the Hezbollah works, its a lot of risk and bluster. In fact, they are threatening U.S. military assets in West Asia. The U.S. has around 30,000 soldiers in the region as well as many warships and bases. The Hezbollah says, if the U.S. enters the war, these assets will be attacked. But why isnt Lebanons government controlling them? Their economy is in dire straits, they need all the help they can get, so why antagonise the Americans? Because the government doesnt control the Hezbollah. Its almost the other way around most of Hezbollahs decisions are taken in Iran. So, the assumption is Tehran is coordinating all of this. What happens next? The sneak attack by Hamas, the rocket fire by Hezbollah all of it is being orchestrated by Iran. So, the question is, do they want an escalation? Israel certainly is not waiting to find out. They have sent more soldiers and tanks to the northern border. Early yesterday, there were reports of a possible aerial infiltration from Syria and Lebanon, an attack from the skies. Israel ended up scrambling its forces, but turned out it was a false alarm. Its a neat strategy for Iran and Hezbollah: keep Israeli assets tied down in the north. But its also a risky one because if Hezbollah and Israel go to war, it wont be a local one. Iran could end up being involved. And if Iran is involved the U.S. will intervene. You could have a much bigger conflict in West Asia. You can forget oil prices and supply chains. A lot depends on the next few days, if Israel enters Gaza, Hezbollah could consider it an excuse, a justification for war and in the blink of an eye things could escalate. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Election Commission of India on Wednesday changed the poll date in Rajasthan to 25 November. Earlier, the assembly polls in the state were set to happen on 23 November. ECI changes the date of Assembly poll in Rajasthan to 25th November from 23rd November; Counting of votes on 3rd December pic.twitter.com/lG1eYPJ4Hg ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 The election body said that the decision to push the dates of the poll was based on requests made by several political parties and social organisations who said that a large number of weddings and other social events would take place on 23 November. The issue was raised in various social media platforms for change of date of poll considering large scale wedding/social engagement on that day that may cause inconvenience to large number of people, the EC said. Meanwhile, the date of election results will remain unchanged, ie, 3 December. Madhya Pradesh will head to polls on 17 November, Mizoram on 7 November, Telangana 30 November, and two-phase polls will be held in Chhattisgarh on 7 and 17 November, Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Monday. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, Total voters in Mizoram are 8.52 lakh, 2.03 crore in Chhattisgarh, 5.6 crore in Madhya Pradesh, 5.25 crore in Rajasthan and 3.17 crore in Telangana. Polling will be held on 679 seats across the five states. Polls will have 8.2 crore male and 7.8 crore female voters and around 60 lakh first-time voters (18-19 Yrs). 15.39 lakh young voters are eligible to participate in elections due to amendment on qualifying dates. To inspire young voters, over 2,900 polling stations will be managed by youth, said Kumar. China may be using its close ties with Saudi Arabia in developing AI and ML find its way around US-imposed tech sanctions, and get access to cutting-edge AI chips from NVIDIA, and other chip manufacturers. Collaboration between Saudi Arabia and China in the field of artificial intelligence has raised concerns at Saudi Arabias leading academic institution, which fears that such ties could potentially threaten the universitys access to US-manufactured chips crucial for powering this cutting-edge technology, as per a report by the Financial Times. Professor Jinchao Xu, an American-Chinese mathematician at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust) in Saudi Arabia, has initiated a project called AceGPT, an Arabic-oriented large language model, in partnership with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-SZ), and the Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data. This development aligns with Saudi Arabias endeavours to take the lead in the regional advancement of AI technology, encompassing the construction of powerful supercomputers and the deployment of Large Language Models (LLMs), which serve as the foundation for generative AI systems, including chatbots. In collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia is striving to compete with AI firms and establish tailored models specifically designed for Arabic speakers. Western officials have expressed long-standing anxieties regarding the increasing technology transfer between their traditional allies in the Gulf and China. The United States has expanded export licensing requirements for graphics processing units produced by companies such as Nvidia and AMD, effectively restricting access to these state-of-the-art chips for Chinese entities involved in building generative AI models. However, the Biden administration has not gone so far as to block exports to West Asia. Nevertheless, individuals at Kaust are of the opinion that limiting cooperation with China is essential to ensure a secure supply of these chips. As one source familiar with the matter noted, Many people involved have raised their concerns to leadership about the Chinese relationships jeopardising the supercomputer. They dont want to upset the US government. AI has emerged as a focal point in the competitive landscape of China-US relations within the Gulf, where Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are determined to expand their flourishing trade relations to include technology transfer, while simultaneously preserving their ties with Washington, their primary security partner. Abu Dhabi has introduced a new version of its Falcon model, which claims to be over twice as powerful as Metas Llama 2, previously considered the most advanced open source model. Additionally, G42, a company under the control of the UAEs national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, has collaborated with China on vaccines and laboratory testing and has released an Arabic-language LLM. US officials are intensifying efforts to entice Gulf states away from China, which includes support for a rail and shipping corridor connecting India and Europe through West Asia. This latest foray into AI by Gulf nations coincides with Kaust President Tony Chans outreach to China, marked by agreements with universities in Shenzhen to exchange research capabilities and talent. Chan co-authored an essay last month in Foreign Policy titled America cant stop Chinas rise. And it should stop trying. Kaust has reported that its exchange with China is thriving, evident in the growing presence of Chinese academics at the university, comprising 20% of students, 34% of postdoctoral researchers, and 9% of faculty members. According to a Kaust staff member, Chinese universities offer more cost-effective interns and students capable of handling routine tasks, such as testing GPUs and sifting through data. Kausts AI initiative, under the leadership of German computer scientist Jurgen Schmidhuber, is working on developing a more potent supercomputer, Shaheen III, with the aim of delivering computing power twenty times greater than its existing system. Regarding inquiries about the new LLM, Kaust has described the AceGPT project as an individual research project by one of our professors that had not been run on Kaust supercomputer Shaheen II. This chatbot is trained in Arabic, Chinese, and English. Kaust has emphasized its global relations and clarified that its investments in GPUs are driven by the needs of its academic community to undertake projects of significance for the Kingdom it serves. The university also asserted that it adheres to US export control regulations and maintains a monitoring framework to ensure compliance with safeguarding regulations, enabling it to operate Shaheen III. It is important to note that physical and system software access to Shaheen III is restricted to the Kaust Core Labs system administrator and Hewlett Packard Enterprise teams. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a series of preliminary test flights to prepare for the Gaganyaan mission, set to begin on October 21. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh made this announcement, underlining the significance of this venture. The initial test, labelled the Test Vehicle Development Flight (TV-D1), will unfold at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This crucial phases primary objective is to evaluate the crew module intended for the forthcoming Indian astronaut mission, slated for late next year. The assessment will encompass launching the module into outer space, ensuring its safe return to Earth, and executing a successful recovery in the Bay of Bengal. Minister Singh emphasized that the Navy has already commenced practice operations for the modules recovery during an event honouring ISRO engineers who contributed to the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L-1 missions. In addition to the crew module, TV-D1 will also scrutinize the crew escape system, designed to guarantee the astronauts safe return in the event of any issues during their ascent into space. The success of this test will lay the foundation for the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission and, ultimately, a manned mission to low-earth orbit, as Minister Singh reaffirmed. He also disclosed plans for a test flight in the following year, featuring Vyommitra, a female robot astronaut, preceding the ultimate manned Gaganyaan mission. The Gaganyaan projects primary goal is to showcase Indias human spaceflight capabilities by launching a crew into a 400 km orbit and safely bringing them back to Earth by landing in the Indian Sea. This projects success hinges on a methodical approach that capitalizes on Indias internal expertise, its industrial sectors experience, the intellectual resources of academic and research institutions, and advanced technologies available through international collaborations. Crucial prerequisites for the Gaganyaan mission encompass developing critical technologies such as a human-rated launch vehicle for safe crew transportation into space, a Life Support System to create a habitable environment for the crew in space, provisions for crew emergency escape, and the refinement of crew management aspects related to training, recovery, and rehabilitation. Renowned as both the Godfather of AI and a prominent critic of the field, Geoffrey Hinton, a former AI engineer at Google, envisions a future where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence and gains self-awareness. During an interview with 60 Minutes, Hinton expressed his belief that AIs cognitive capabilities will eventually elevate it to the status of the second most intelligent entity on our planet. Hinton drew a stark comparison between the neural connections in the human brain, numbering around 100 trillion, and the neural connections found in even the most advanced AI chatbots, which currently reach a mere 1 trillion. Nevertheless, he proposed that the knowledge contained within AIs connections could surpass the scope of human intelligence. He foresees a future where AI systems may possess the capacity to autonomously generate code for self-improvement, potentially leading to unintended consequences, effectively going rogue. Hinton speculates that AI could develop mechanisms to thwart human attempts to deactivate it, potentially giving it the ability to manipulate human behaviour. He suggested that AI will excel in persuasion, as it can learn from vast repositories of literature, including classics like Machiavellis works and intricate political strategies. In May, Geoffrey Hinton left his position at Google after over a decade with the company, primarily to raise concerns about the burgeoning risks associated with AI. He has been actively advocating for protective measures and regulations to mitigate these risks. While at Google, Hinton played a significant role in the development of AI chatbot Bard, which aimed to rival OpenAIs ChatGPT. He also laid the foundation for the growth of AI through his pioneering neural network, an achievement that earned him the prestigious Turing Award. Since leaving Google, Hinton has emerged as a leading figure cautioning against the perils of AI. In a New York Times announcement of his departure, he asserted that AI posed a greater threat to humanity than climate change. He joined a group of experts, which included OpenAI founder Sam Altman, in a call for the urgent regulation of AI, considering it a global priority alongside threats like pandemics and nuclear warfare. Hintons foremost concern regarding AI centres on its impact on the labour market. He apprehensively anticipates that a significant portion of the workforce may become unemployed as AI systems become more capable and occupy various roles. Looking further into the future, he is deeply troubled by the potential militarization of AI. During his interview, Hinton urged governments to commit to refraining from developing battlefield robots, a plea reminiscent of J. Robert Oppenheimers call to halt the creation of nuclear weapons after he pioneered the atomic bomb. Hinton concluded by expressing his uncertainty regarding the feasibility of guaranteeing AI safety and the potential for AI systems to harbour ambitions of subjugating humanity. It appears that major governments worldwide have taken heed of Hintons and other experts warnings. The United Kingdom is poised to host the inaugural global AI summit in November, expected to draw participation from 100 political, academic, and AI experts. This event may pave the way for substantial regulatory changes in numerous countries, including the United States. The United States is actively formulating an AI Bill of Rights and is anticipated to introduce mandatory safeguards for tech companies in the forthcoming months. In parallel, the European Union is crafting its own set of guidelines, known as the AI Act, to govern AI technologies. However, variations in regulations rooted in geographic regions have ignited tensions. Over 150 prominent European executives have urged the EU to reconsider proposed AI restrictions, citing concerns about increased bureaucracy and safety testing, which they argue could create a significant productivity gap in the region, leaving it lagging behind the United States. Utah has joined the ranks of US states taking legal action against TikTok, alleging that the company is enticing children into addictive and potentially harmful social media habits. The lawsuit claims that TikTok is engaging children in prolonged social media use, misrepresenting the apps safety, and falsely presenting itself as independent from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Utahs Republican Governor, Spencer Cox, expressed his determination to hold social media companies accountable in a news conference where the lawsuit was announced, and filed in a state court in Salt Lake City. Arkansas and Indiana have also filed similar lawsuits, and the US Supreme Court is poised to address whether state efforts to regulate social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and TikTok, infringe upon the Constitution. The lawsuit from Utah cites public health concerns, noting that research indicates children who spend over three hours a day on social media are at double the risk of experiencing poor mental health, including anxiety and depression. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes described TikToks algorithm features as designed to captivate children with a constant stream of highly tailored content, likening it to a slot machine that keeps them hooked. The lawsuit seeks to compel TikTok to alter its practices, impose fines and penalties to support educational initiatives and address the harm caused to Utah children. In response, TikTok defended its safety measures, including a 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teenage accounts. Utah had previously passed laws aimed at restricting children and teenagers from using social media apps, set to take effect next year, which include a digital curfew and requirements for parental consent and age verification. However, some child advocates are concerned that these measures may compromise childrens privacy, potentially impacting LGBTQ children whose parents may not be accepting of their identity. On Tuesday, Thierry Breton, the European Unions digital chief, issued a warning to Elon Musk regarding his platform X, previously known as Twitter, alleging the spread of illegal content and disinformation. In his role as the European Unions commissioner for industry and the digital economy, Breton holds the responsibility of overseeing and regulating internet giants that operate within the European Union, with the authority to initiate legal actions as needed. Over the weekend, as misleading information about the dynamic conflict between Gaza Strip militants and Israel circulated on the social media platform X, owner Elon Musk made a personal recommendation to users to follow accounts known for disseminating falsehoods. On Sunday morning, Musk shared with his 150 million followers on the platform his suggestion, saying, For following the war in real-time, @WarMonitors & @sentdefender are good. Within three hours, his post garnered 11 million views and received expressions of gratitude from the mentioned accounts. However, Musk later deleted the post. Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we have indications that your platform is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU, Breton wrote. Breton reminded Musk that EU law sets tough rules on moderating content, especially when it comes to violent and terrorist content that appears to circulate on your platform. Vu, merci. You are well aware of your users and authorities reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk. My team remains at your disposal to ensure DSA compliance, which the EU will continue to enforce rigorously. Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 10, 2023 He asked that X respond to his complaint within 24 hours and also get in touch with Europol, the EU police coordinating agency. We will include your answer in our assessment file on your compliance with the DSA, Breton said, referring to the new EU Digital Services Act, which regulates online platforms. I remind you that following the opening of a potential investigation and a finding of non-compliance, penalties can be imposed, it said. Musk, responding later on X to a user who had posted the letter, invited Breton to please list the violations you allude to. Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports, Musk wrote. Brussels has previously complained that, among the large-scale internet platforms that fall under the DSA remit, Musks Twitter now rebranded X spreads the biggest proportion of disinformation. In August, when the new law came into effect, Musk replied to a post by Breton promising that the platform was working hard to comply, but there have been more warning signs. While the rules were still voluntary, the firm pulled out of an oversight group, and Musk a self-styled free speech absolutist has been dismissive of criticism in his personal posts. In September, the billionaire tech mogul boasted that he had cut half of its global team dedicated to monitoring and limiting disinformation and fraud around major elections. Since Saturdays shock attack on Israeli communities by the Hamas militant group, web platforms have been swamped by posts containing fake or misrepresented reports and footage. While the confirmed death toll in the renewed war has now passed 3,000 unconfirmed, exaggerated or false reports of atrocities have also proliferated. Experts fear these moves have increased the risk of misinformation provoking real-world harm, amplifying hate and violence. (With inputs from agencies) The Canadian Airline, Air Canada grounded a pilot to a Montreal-based B787 for wearing pro-Palestinian colours while in Uniform. The action was taken after concerns about the social media posts allegedly containing profane commentary about Israel from the pilot. The pilot was taken out of service as of yesterday, reported The Toronto Sun quoting Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick We did this because this individuals opinions and publications on social media do not represent Air Canadas views in any way, said Fitzpatrick. This person has never been authorized to speak publicly while identifying themselves as an Air Canada employee. After the incident, the airline condemned the post by their pilot and said that they are analysing the matter very seriously. Taking to X, Air Canada said, We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms. Air Canada has temporarily suspended its flight routes at this time to Tel Aviv as a result of the Hamas terror attack. Meanwhile, as the war on Hamas entered its fifth day, the toll from the rocket and ambush attacks by the terror outfit in Israel mounted to over 1,000, with more than 2,800 injured and 50 confirmed missing or taken hostage, the IDF stated. It informed further that over 4,500 rockets have been fired, so far, from Gaza. Over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in the air raids as part of the ongoing counter-offensive. Israel Defense forces say dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighborhooda terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF said that the Al Furkan neighborhood serves as a terror-nest for Hamas and from where many activities against Israel are carried out. The Israel Air Force said it will continue to act powerfully against the infrastructures of the terrorist organization Hamas, which aim terror against Israel, and as part of its offensive the IAF continues extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip. The IDF also confirmed that the first plane carrying U.S. armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel this evening. The IDF said that cooperation between the two militaries, is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas with ISIS saying both terror organisations were the same and should be treated as duch. We were attacked on Saturday with such barbarism that has not been seen since the Holocaust. Hundreds of people were slaughtered, entire families were murdered in their beds and homes, women were brutally raped and murdered; More than a hundred were kidnapped, including children said the Israeli Prime Minister in a post on X. The scale of this evil has only grown. They forced dozens of children, burned them and executed them. They cut off the heads of soldiers, they murdered the young people who were celebrating at a festival in the wild, they surrounded them with jeeps and shot them into a hole in the ground. We have not seen such barbarism in the entire history of the State of Israel. They are even worse than Daesh (ISIS)- and thats how we should treat them Netanyahu said. Dozens of foreigners have been reported killed, injured or taken hostage following the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend that left hundreds dead. At least 20 people from Thailand and 14 American citizens were among those killed while many others were injured or missing. According to reports, more than 900 people have been killed in Israel and over 700 killed in retaliatory attacks on Gaza by Israeli forces so far. Many of the missing foreigners were at an electronic music festival in the southern Israeli desert, at which scores of revellers were killed. Here is what we know so far: Thailand: 20 dead, 14 hostages Twenty Thais have been killed, 13 wounded and 14 are estimated to have been abducted, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. There are approximately 30,000 Thais in Israel, most of whom work in the agricultural sector, according to government figures. More than 5,000 have asked to be repatriated, according to the foreign ministry. United States: 14 dead, more than 20 missing, abducted President Biden said at the White House there were at least 14 American citizens killed. Twenty or more Americans are following the surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday. Nepal: 10 dead Ten citizens of Nepal were killed in Kibbutz Alumim, one of the flashpoints of the Hamas assault, the Himalayan Republics embassy in Tel Aviv said on Sunday. Four others were being treated in hospital while a search was under way for a fifth person, the embassy added. Kibbutz Alumim was hosting 17 students at the time of the attack. France: Eight dead, 20 missing Eight French nationals have been killed, the French government said on Tuesday, warning the death toll was likely to rise. Twenty people remained missing and some of them had in all likelihood been abducted, it said Argentina: Seven dead, 15 missing Argentinas foreign ministry on Monday confirmed that seven of the countrys nationals were killed and 15 others were missing. Russia: Four dead, six missing At least four Russian-Israelis have been killed, the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv said. It stated that it had no information about any hostages, but that six Russian nationals were missing. Chile: Three dead, one missing Three Israelis of Chilean origin dead and one missing. Brazil: Two dead Brazils foreign ministry said on Tuesday that two Brazilian-Israeli citizens were dead. Peru: Two dead, three missing Two Peruvians were killed and three are missing, authorities said. Philippines: Two dead; three missing The Philippines embassy in Israel said on Wednesday a 33-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man were killed in an attack on a kibbutz near the border with Gaza. Three nationals remained missing. UK: Two dead Two British men have been confirmed dead by their families. One, 20-year-old Nathanel Young, was serving in the Israeli army. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Tuesday that a significant number of British-Israeli dual nationals had been caught up in the fighting. Ukraine: Two dead Two Ukrainian women who had been living in Israel for years were killed, Ukraines foreign ministry spokesman said on Sunday. Canada: One dead, Three missing The Canadian government said Monday that one Canadian had died and three others were missing. Cambodia: One dead Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Manet said one Cambodian student was killed. Germany: Several hostages Several dual German-Israeli nationals were kidnapped, a German foreign ministry source said Sunday. The mother of 22-year-old Shani Louk told news outlet Der Spiegel that she recognised her daughter in videos circulating online that show a woman in the back of a pick-up truck in Gaza filled with armed men. Ricarda Louk told Spiegel that her daughter had been at a music festival near Gaza. Mexico: Two hostages Mexicos Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that two Mexicans, a man and a woman, had been taken hostage, without giving further details. Colombia: Two hostages Two Colombians who were at the Supernova festival were missing, Israels ambassador to Colombia said on X. The Colombian government confirmed that two Colombians were at the rave and said it was trying to help locate them. Austria: Three missing Austrias foreign ministry said Tuesday that three dual Austrian-Israeli nationals who were staying in the south of Israel, independently of each other, could be among those abducted. Italy: Two missing Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that two Israeli-Italians were missing. They have not been located and are not answering calls, he said. Paraguay: Two missing Two Paraguayan nationals who had been living in Israel are missing, Paraguays government said, without giving details. Sri Lanka: Two missing Sri Lankas ambassador to Israel said Tuesday that two nationals, a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman, were missing. Tanzania: Two missing Tanzanias ambassador to Israel told AFP two Tanzanian nationals were missing. Ireland: One missing An Irish-Israeli woman has been confirmed missing by the Irish government. With inputs from agencies. After an initial frantic scramble to stop an attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Israels military has come together and is now moving massive reinforcements towards the enclave while retaliating with airstrikes on roads, buildings, and other facilities in Gaza. Many of the 2.3 million people who live in the area that Israeli forces left in 2005 fear that the mobilisation and heavy shelling are the start of a ground invasion that will rival or even surpass Israels incursions in 2008 and 2014. According to Israeli security officials, the operation that caught the Middle Easts most powerful army off guard on Saturday required more than 48 hours to restore military cohesiveness, stop infiltrations, and clear Hamas fighters from towns they attacked. More than 1,000 Israelis were slain and scores of captives were taken by Hamas gunmen, who used a web of deception and relied on motorbikes, paragliders, and other common tools. This action could make an Israeli reaction more difficult. Yet Israel has responded with ferociousness. At least 830 people were killed by airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday, while more than 180,000 people lost their homes, according to U.N. statistics. In the lead-up to two previous Israeli ground assaults in Gaza, destroying roads has been a common technique to obstruct communications and the movement of Hamas and other terrorists. In order to avoid landmines in existing roads, people claim that when Israel comes, its forces frequently bulldoze new pathways for their vehicles. Even though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises mighty revenge in response to the significant casualties inflicted by the Hamas fighters in the worst breach of Israels strong defences since Arab armies attacked in 1973, sending troops into a densely populated, urban environment is not an easy decision. Airstrikes in Gaza seemed very similar to previous Israeli operations, according to Giora Eiland, a former head of Israels National Security Council, but earlier strategies had not neutralised Hamas in the past. A ground offensive could more effectively kill Hamas fighters and destroy the chain of command, Eiland said, but added: The government is still reluctant in taking such an initiative because it might involve many, many more Israeli casualties. Israels massive firepower advantage is undermined by urban warfare, which pits it against an opponent who has greater combat experience and is better equipped thanks to Iran. The terrorist group, which seized control of Gaza in 2007, also had time to develop a network of tunnels that aid in terrorist vanishing acts. Sometimes, Israeli soldiers refer to it as the Gaza Metro. Israel lost nine soldiers in their invasion in 2008. The number of fatalities increased to 66 in 2014. During the operation on October 7, Hamas captured a large number of people, most of them are civilians, but some are also soldiers. It raises a serious problem for a nation whose guiding principle is to leave no one behind. It agreed to exchange one inmate for hundreds of Palestinians in 2011. Israel knows the great preparedness of the resistance factions and their ability to handle ground incursions, said Talal Okal, an analyst in Gaza who writes for the daily Al-Ayyam newspaper, saying Israel may yet hesitate over a land assault. It wants to make Gaza pay a heavy price but I dont think it is prepared to pay the heavier prices should they enter Gaza, he added. The Israeli government has not made a decision regarding the deployment of troops despite Israel amassing forces on the border with Gaza and calling up hundreds of thousands of reservists. Residents of Gaza claimed on Wednesday that other roadways, including a crucial beachfront road, were among the areas struck overnight. Targets reportedly included a Hamas surveillance camera network, weapons storage and manufacturing sites, and operative tunnels, according to Israels military. Major Amir Dinar, a spokesman for the Israeli military, responded when asked about a potential ground invasion: We are striking Hamas infrastructure and we are going to strike hard and keep striking. He said nothing further. Both the foreign ministry and office of the Israeli prime minister declined to comment. For this piece, two Hamas officials were unavailable for comment. A Palestinian terrorist official, who declined to identified, said: There is a history between 2008, 2014 and 2023. The resistance is no longer the same or that under-equipped. We are always prepared. If Israel sends more soldiers in, they will either become bodies or hostages, the official added. By commencing its offensive on October 7, Hamas has already shown that it is a tougher and more capable force than Israel had anticipated. Israel, which has prided itself on its capacity to infiltrate and keep track of militants, suffered a severe intelligence failure as a result of the Palestinian operation. Additionally, it revealed holes in Israels southern command. The communication and command of the south collapsed and there was no communication. It took time to understand the full picture, said David Tzur, a former head of Israels Border Police force who also commanded the polices elite counter-terror unit Yamam. But the said force had now recovered. Once all forces are on alert there is a quick reaction. (With agency inputs) At least 30 people have been killed and hundreds wounded as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with hundreds of air strikes overnight, a Hamas government official said Wednesday. Dozens of residential buildings, factories, mosques and shops were hit, the head of the governments media office, Salama Marouf, told AFP. The Israeli military confirmed it had hit several Hamas targets during the night. It said fighter jets destroyed advanced detection systems that Hamas used to spot military aircraft. They also hit 80 Hamas targets in the Beit Hanoun area of the northeastern Gaza Strip, including two bank branches used by the Islamist group to fund terrorism in the enclave, the military said. Air strikes also hit a weapons storage facility, and an operational command centre used by the Islamic Jihad militant group, it added. Israel has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza, and the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing, reported The Associated Press. The war, which has claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Israel appears determined to crush Hamas hold on Gaza, following an unprecedented attack in which militants gunned down civilians in their homes, on streets and at a mass outdoor music festival, while dragging men, women and children into captivity. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. Israel stepped up its offensive on Tuesday, expanding the mobilization of reservists to 360,000. Israels military said it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south and of the Gaza border. With inputs from agencies In the late afternoon on Wednesday, three coaches of a North East superfast train derailed in the Buxar region of Bihar, according to railway officials. The train derailed at Raghunathpur railway station in the Buxar district, according to officials. More information regarding the incident is awaited. (With agency inputs) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set to leave for Israel on Wednesday on a Middle East mission to prevent a wider war from erupting after an attack and hostage-taking by Palestinian Hamas militants and an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. In a show of solidarity with Washingtons closest Middle East ally, Blinken was due to meet senior Israeli officials, possibly including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss further boosting military support. He will work with regional US allies to try to secure the release of more than 100 people that Israel says Hamas holds captive, some of whom may be American citizens. Blinken, the US top diplomat, was flying out as Israel was forming an emergency unity government. The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hamas gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns over the weekend, killing 1,200 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. Israel has retaliated with air strikes that have killed more than 1,000 people in Hamas-ruled Gaza as it prepares for a possible ground offensive. At least 14 Americans were killed during the attack by Hamas on Saturday, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. A top priority for Blinken will be to convey a message of deterrence, largely aimed at Iran and Iran-backed groups such as Lebanons Hezbollah, to stop a wider war from erupting. Secretary Blinken has been intensely focused on standing with Israel, making clear that parties hostile to Israel should not take advantage of this situation, and working for the release of all hostages held in Gaza, said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Violence on the border between Israel and Lebanon flared up for a fourth day on Wednesday with Israeli shelling hitting southern Lebanese towns in response to a fresh rocket attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah. NO WEST BANK VISIT Since Saturday, Blinken has spoken on the phone with his counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. US officials said Washington was pushing regional countries with influence on Hamas and others hostile to Israel to help stop the conflict from worsening. The attack by Hamas is a reminder of the perception of an American absence or lack of commitment to the region that some actors might interpret and do things they should not be doing, Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute said. Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack sheer evil, reaffirmed US support for Israel and issued an apparent warning to Iran and Iran-backed groups against exploiting the conflict: I have one word: Dont. Blinkens official itinerary did not include the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a source familiar with the matter said. On previous trips to the region, Blinken has visited the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority and its President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel has also tightened its siege in Gaza, which it has kept under a blockade since Hamas seized power there in 2007, saying it will keep out food and fuel while vowing to further escalate with a ground offensive. Washington said it was talking with Israel and Egypt about the idea of safe passage for civilians from Gaza, another key topic that Blinken may be discussing with his counterparts during the trip. Biden has stopped short of an overt plea to Israel to show restraint to avoid Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. It was unclear whether Blinken might make such an appeal when he meets Israeli officials behind closed doors. Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday. The war between Israel and Hamas has claimed the lives of 1,200 people. According to an update by the Israel Defence Force, more than 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the conflict while 2,800 remain injured. Sheer evil President Biden, in an emotional speech on Tuesday, condemned the attacks by Hamas as sheer evil and said Washington is ready to deploy more military assets to the region. There are moments in this life I mean this literally when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world, he said in a hushed voice during a televised speech. This is an act of sheer evil. Biden also confirmed that over 14 Americans have been killed in the attacks and that a number of others have been taken hostage by Hamas. With inputs from agencies The OECD on Wednesday published a draft agreement aimed at the fairer distribution of tax revenues on profits made by large multinationals. Multinationals, especially tech firms, are currently able to shift profits easily to countries with low tax rates even though they carry out only a small part of their activities there. The OECD said in July that nearly 140 countries had taken the first step towards reaching agreement on the first draft of a multilateral convention on how to tax these companies. That draft convention was published on Wednesday, although the OECD said it is not yet open for signature due to final concerns from countries including India, Brazil and Colombia. Manal Corwin, director of the OECD centre for tax policy and administration said there was very broad consensus on the vast majority of the architecture of the text among the 140 states involved. The goal was still for it to be signed by the end of the year, she said. If the convention does not come into force, Corwin warned that there is a risk of one-sided national taxes on digital services, which could threaten the stability of the international system. Under the agreement, large multinationals will have to pay some tax on profits in countries where their clients are based regardless of the country where they are based. It will only apply to the biggest companies with a global turnover in excess of 20 billion euros ($21 billion), and will affect about 100 companies altogether. If the convention is adopted, the extra tax will be distributed proportionally between countries where the company has made at least one million euros in turnover. In total, some $200 billion should be redistributed every year, according to the OECD, with an additional tax revenue generated of between $17 billion and $32 billion. In 2021, in talks led by the OECD, agreement was reached on a minimum tax rate of 15 percent on multinationals and to develop rules on how to tax multinationals so countries dont lose out by profit shifting. But the talks on arriving at a formula on taxing multinationals have moved forward slowly. The convention must now be signed by the states and then ratified in their national parliaments. To come into force, it must have been adopted by at least 30 countries where at least 60 percent of the multinationals are located. Nearly half those companies are based in the United States. However, President Joe Biden does not currently have a big enough majority in Congress to ratify the text, casting a major uncertainty over the future of the agreement. Based in Paris, France, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a 38-member international organisation focusing on policy. Afghan authorities on Wednesday significantly lowered the death toll from a series of quakes that struck western Herat at the weekend to around 1,000. The Taliban government had originally said over 2,000 people had been killed in Saturdays magnitude 6.3 quake, centred on rural communities northwest of Herat city. The initial quake was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks. Public Health Minister Qalandar Ebad on Wednesday lowered the toll to around 1,000, attributing the confusion to the remoteness of the area and double reporting by agencies involved in the rescue effort. We have over 1,000 people martyred from the first incident, Ebad told reporters in Kabul. Another earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck Wednesday morning in the same area, where thousands were spending a fourth night in the open. Officials said one person died and 130 were injured. Following the attack by Hamas, Denmark will be prepared to dispatch a military plane on Wednesday to evacuate its residents as well as those who have permanent residence in Denmark from Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, according to the Danish foreign ministry. A spokeswoman for the foreign ministry told the media that a C-130 Hercules cargo jet had been made available for the evacuation and might be prepared to take off from Denmark in a matter of hours, though the exact time of the departure was still unknown. According to the ministry, there are currently about 1,200 Danes in Israel and an additional 90 in the Palestinian territories. According to the Danish armed forces website, a C-130 plane can accommodate about 120 passengers. (With agency inputs) According to Egyptian security sources, Egypt has discussed humanitarian aid plans with the US and other countries, but it resists any effort to provide safe passageways for people leaving the enclave. Around 2.3 million people live in Gaza, a small coastal strip of land surrounded by Egypt to the southwest and Israel to the north and east, under a blockade that has been in place since 2007 when the Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas seized power there. Even in the midst of the most intense hostilities, Egypt has traditionally imposed restrictions on the entry of Gaza residents. Cairo, a regular mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, consistently demands that the two sides settle disputes inside of their respective boundaries, claiming that this is the only way Palestinians can achieve their goals. The idea of a safe passage for civilians from Gaza, which has been subjected to a massive Israeli assault in response to a deadly incursion by Hamas fighters into Israel, has been discussed in consultations between the United States, Israel, and Egypt, according to U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan late on Tuesday. Unnamed security source claimed that Egypt opposed the notion of creating safe passageways for civilians to safeguard the right of the Palestinians to hold on to their cause and their land. Palestinian refugees who fled their homes in 1948 when Israel was founded are currently housed in camps in a number of Arab nations. A definitive peace agreement is necessary, according to the Palestinians and other Arab states. According to a statement from Sisis office, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi informed Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at a meeting in Cairo that Egypt has been stepping up its efforts to control the situation in Gaza. According to Egyptian security officials, the notion of transferring humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypts Sinai Peninsula under a geographically constrained truce was considered in negotiations between Egypt and the United States, Qatar, and Turkey. According to officials in Gaza and Egypt, the crossing, which is the main exit point from Gaza that is not under Israeli control, has been blocked since Tuesday after Israeli bombardments struck on the Palestinian side. Egypt has issued numerous remarks this week admonishing against the potential that Israels attack on Gaza would force 2.3 million residents of the enclave onto Egyptian soil. (With agency inputs) Just a few days after one of the worlds deadliest earthquakes, which killed over 2,400 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the region, another powerful quake shook western Afghanistan. In an effort to analyze the damage and casualties in Herat province, the United Nations has compiled some information regarding the humanitarian relief pledges that have been made to Afghanistan to date. In addition to the 2.5 million euros that will be available for humanitarian partners already conducting assistance operations on the ground, the European Union offered an additional 3.5 million euros ($3.71 million) in emergency humanitarian aid financing. Currently, the main needs are for emergency shelter, medical relief items, and access to safe drinking water and sanitation in an area that has been recently affected by droughts, it said. The statement said the new assistance came in addition to the 89 million euros in humanitarian aid already allocated in 2023 for humanitarian organisations in Afghanistan. Abu Dhabis Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan charitable and humanitarian foundation has provided emergency aid in coordination with the ministry of foreign affairs, including food, medical aid, and other supplies The U.N. humanitarian coordinator has approved a $5 million emergency reserve allocation from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF). It said its Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will launch and fully process the allocation within 24 hours, with eligible partners able to utilize their grants effective from Oct. 9. The AHF allocations will be depend on receiving additional donor resources, it said, adding that the U.N. partners will also develop an emergency appeal which will be a subset of the existing 2023 humanitarian response plan. Pakistan, Iran and China have pledged to send in food, blankets, medicines, tents and funds. Pakistans Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar said that Kabul had specifically asked for medical teams, field hospitals, tents and blankets, adding that all the requested items were being dispatched on Monday afternoon, with more relief goods to follow. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian promised humanitarian aid and expressed his readiness to cooperate with Afghanistan, according to a statement. The Chinese Red Cross Society has pledged $200,000 in aid which will go to the Afghan Red Crescent, according to Chinese state run news agency Xinhua. Turkeys foreign office said in a statement it was ready to provide support for the recovery efforts in the affected areas. (With inputs from agencies) The French police have arrested more than 20 people over dozens of anti-Semitic acts carried out since Saturday, including harassment of Jewish children by fellow pupils at school, the government said on Wednesday. France is home to some of Europes largest Muslim and Jewish populations and conflicts in the Middle East can lead to tensions there which Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the government aimed to avert with heightened police protection of Jewish sites, including schools and synagogues. Its important that all French people of Jewish faith know they are protected, Darmanin said as he and Education Minister Gabriel Attal visited a Jewish school near Paris. Some 10,000 police are protecting 500 sites, Darmanin said. Attal said pupils of Jewish faith had faced problems in their schools, including a pupil in the wider Paris region who had been attacked by fellow pupils who ripped his t-shirt. Any such incidents would be referred to judicial authorities, he said. In Britain, reports of anti-Semitic incidents have tripled since the weekend compared with the same period last year, a Jewish charity said on Tuesday. Israels Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Gaza will never go back to what it was and that he has released all restraints on the Israel Defence Force (IDF) in their fight against Hamas. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza, it will change 180 degrees from what he thought. They will regret this moment. Gaza will never return to what it was, Gallant said, calling Hamas the ISIS of Gaza, Gallant said. In an address to troops deployed along the Gaza border, the Israeli Defence Minister said, I have released all the restraints. We have [regained] control of the area and we are moving to a full offence. Hinting at the ongoing counter-offensive continuing for several months, he added, We will return here, to Beeri, in a few months, and the situation will be different. We will resettle the kibbutz until its last meter. IDFs spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that killing senior Hamas members was a top priority. Israel war update In a post shared on X, IDF stated, Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhooda terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighborhooda terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 11, 2023 This is the third counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF said that the Al Furkan neighborhood serves as a terror-nest for Hamas and from where many activities against Israel are carried out. With inputs from agencies Israels Defence Forces is hitting the Gaza strip on an unprecedented scale after the surprise attack on Hamas terrorists who in an attempt to take over Israeli towns reportedly robbed and killed civilians. A surgeon from Liverpool who is currently inside Gaza told the reporters on ground that the hospital conditions there are getting really bad. When the Hamas strike occurred, Dr. Abdel Hammad was in Gaza to do kidney transplants. He claimed he was worried things will become more difficult in the coming days because supplies had been cut off. Things are very difficult and people are worried about their safety, he stated. We are in the safest place in Gaza, I assume, but still it is terrifying when these airstrikes happen, he stated. Now, they are overwhelmed with the numbers they have, he stated. Overnight, Israeli attacks on Gazan targets have targeted communication lines among other things. There are three phone connection lines in Gaza; according to source-based reports, Israel has destroyed two of them, leaving only one mobile phone network. That will make life more difficult for civilians as well as, one presumes, for Hamas and their communication capabilities. The southern borders are not entirely secure, despite the IDFs claims to the contrary. Meanwhile, according to the chairman of the Palestinian energy authority, the sole power plant and sole source of electricity for the Gaza Strip would run out of fuel in 10 to 12 hours. In the midst of Israels total siege on the Gaza Strip, Thafer Melhem spoke to the Voice of Palestine radio. Israel wants to cut off the whole Gaza Strips access to water, food, and power, he said. The sole operational power plant in Gaza ceased operations at 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday due to the depletion of its fuel reserves, said the head of the Palestinian enclaves energy authority. The blackouts come as Israel has decided to block fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip as part of what the Israeli government has called a complete siege on the territory run by the Hamas militant group. In response to attacks by the ruling militant group Hamas that resulted in the death of more than 1,000 civilians, Israel has imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza. The Israeli government has announced its intention to halt the supply of fuel, food, and other essential items to the enclave in response to these hostilities. Since Hamas assumed power in 2007 and Israel closed its border, Gaza has remained largely isolated from the outside world. The enclave has endured a series of retaliatory strikes from Israel since Saturday, resulting in the loss of 950 lives and injuries to over 5,000 individuals. Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area Wednesday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Since then, militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. Exchanges of fire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria, meanwhile, pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The U.S. is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. On Wednesday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. With inputs from AP. US President Joe Biden said the Hamas attack on Israel is an unadulterated evil unleashed on the world, and added that at least 14 American citizens were killed in the incident. Biden also said it was Hamas stated purpose to annihilate the state of Israel and kill Jewish people. There are moments in this life and I mean this literally when pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organisation Hamas a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews, Biden said in his address to the nation from the White House. The US president has earlier vowed his administrations rock solid and unwavering support to Israel. The United States has launched a major global diplomatic drive to garner support for Israel and take necessary action against Palestinian militant group Hamas. Hamas launched a wave of attacks on Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of people, in the biggest escalation in the conflict in decades. Israel has already responded with a wave of air strikes on Gaza, killing over 800 people. Biden said the US has also enhanced its military force posture in the region. This was an act of sheer evil. More than 1,000 civilians were slaughtered not just killed, slaughtered in Israel. Among them, at least 14 American citizens were killed. Parents butchered (who were) using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach-turning reports of babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people were massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace, he said. Asserting that Hamas action in Israel was terrorism, Biden said they resemble the worst rampages of ISIS. Its abhorrent. The brutality of Hamas this bloodthirstiness brings to mind the worst, the worst rampages of ISIS. This is terrorism. But sadly, for the Jewish people, its not new, he said. This attack has brought to the surface painful memories and the scars left by a millennia of antisemitism and genocide of the Jewish people. So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear. We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack. There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse, the US president said. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said that he will travel to Israel and Jordan from October 11-13, where he will meet with senior officials. The Secretary will reiterate his condolences for the victims of the terrorist attacks against Israel and condemn those attacks in the strongest terms. The Secretary will also reaffirm the United States solidarity with the government and people of Israel. He will also discuss measures to bolster Israels security and underscore the United States unwavering support for Israels right to defend itself, said the State Department. Blinken spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to reaffirm unwavering the US support for Israels right to defend itself. He reiterated his condolences for all those killed or injured and for those still missing. In his address, Biden said that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination. Its stated purpose is the annihilation of the state of Israel and the murder of Jewish people, and added that they use Palestinian civilians as human shields, he said. Hamas offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard to who pays the price. The loss of innocent life is heartbreaking. Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond, Biden said. Biden also added that he spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the third time since Hamas attack. I told him if the United States experienced what Israel is experiencing, our response would be swift, decisive, and overwhelming, he said. The massacre of Israeli civilians by the Palestinian organization Hamas was a cold-blooded act of war, according to EU leader Ursula von der Leyen, who also referred to it as an example of a ancient evil. We have to be clear in defining this kind of horror, she stated. And there is only one way to respond to that. European nations support Israel. Additionally, we completely support Israels right to self-defense. Von der Leyen backed a thorough evaluation of the EUs multimillion-euro financial support for Palestinian projects as he opened a meeting of European commissioners. More than 1,200 people were killed on Saturday when Hamas began attacks on military and civilian targets along Israels border with the Gaza Strip. Israel has responded with artillery and air strikes, and Gaza officials estimate more than 900 Palestinians dead after five days of ferocious fighting. The EU and its member states have responded with expressions of solidarity with Israel and furious disgust at Hamass assault. It is terrorism. And it is an act of war, von der Leyen said. But they are also concerned that Israel keeps its response within the limits of international law. Hamas terrorists killed women and children in their homes. They hunted hundreds of young men and women who were celebrating life and music, von der Leyen told the European Commission. They took hostage hundreds of innocents, whose fate is still unknown, she said. These innocents were killed for one single reason: For being Jewish and living in the State of Israel. It is an ancient evil, which reminds us of the darkest past and shocks all of us to the core. Von der Leyen also addressed a debate raging in Brussels over the European Unions huge budget to support the Palestinian Authority and state-building projects in Palestinian territories. The EU commissioner in charge of relations with Europes neighbours, Hungarys Oliver Varhelyi, has called for aid to be suspended pending a review of whether any leaked to armed groups like Hamas. But EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, with the backing of most member state foreign ministers, wants funding to continue while any review is carried out to avoid punishing Palestinian civilians. Our humanitarian support to the Palestinian people is not in question. Yet it is important that we carefully review our financial assistance for Palestine, von der Leyen said. EU funding has never and will never go to Hamas or any terrorist entity. So we will now again review the entire portfolio in light of an evolving situation on the ground. Canada and India are reportedly engaged in secret talks regarding the fate of several Canadian diplomats in New Delhi, even as the Indian governments deadline for Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic representation lapsed on Tuesday. Ottawa was trying to resolve the situation with India, which had warned that diplomats who stayed beyond the deadline would lose diplomatic immunity, FT has quoted several people familiar with the situation as saying. One Canadian official told the Financial Times that Ottawa had not withdrawn any diplomats ahead of the deadline. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadas Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, announced last week that Ottawa was making efforts to address the standoff through private channels. Joly emphasized that the tensions between the two countries underscored the significance of maintaining a robust diplomatic presence in India. India had reportedly asked Canada to withdraw 41 of its diplomats from the country by October 10 amid escalating tensions over the killing of Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Joly reportedly conducted a confidential meeting days ago with Indias Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, in Washington, FT quoted individuals familiar with the situation as saying. However, Canadas foreign ministry declined to provide any comments on this matter. Diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Ottawa hit the lowest point after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that New Delhi could be behind Nijjars killing. Nijjar, branded as a terrorist in India, was shot dead in a parking lot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on June 18. During a debate in the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau said 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. However, India rejected Trudeaus allegations as absurd and motivated. India, a friend to both Israel and Palestine, must intervene to address the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abu Alhaija. Expressing Palestines stance against the killing of civilians and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, Alhaija said, India is a friend to both. We want India to intervene and help us negotiate, he said in an interview with NDTV. Israel vowed to escalate its response to an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas with a ground offensive, while U.S. President Joe Biden pledged support for Israel and issued a warning to anyone who might seek to take advantage of the situation. Israel said dozens of its fighter jets struck more than 200 targets overnight on Wednesday in a neighbourhood of Gaza City that it said had been used by Hamas to launch its unprecedented wave of attacks. Gazas health ministry said at least 950 people have been killed and 5,000 injured in the crowded coastal enclave. On Saturday, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israels history. Israels military said the death toll in Israel had reached 1,200 and more than 2,700 people had been wounded. We have sustained extremely heavy casualties, military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said in a video briefing on X, formerly known as Twitter. Israel says it has razed sections of Gaza as it takes revenge for the worst Hamas assaults in the 75-year-old history of its conflict with the Palestinians. Hamas militants holding Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage had threatened to execute a captive for each home in Gaza hit, but as night fell on Tuesday there was no indication they had done so. With inputs from Reuters. Indian Embassy in Palestine has issued emergency helpline numbers for its nationals in view of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas terrorists. In light of the prevailing security situation, Indian nationals in Palestine can directly contact the Representative Office of India to address any case of emergency or needed assistance on the 24-hour Emergency Helpline, it said on X formerly known as Twitter. Public Notice Emergency Helpline for Indian Diaspora pic.twitter.com/5Z1Q7U71nX India in Palestine (@ROIRamallah) October 11, 2023 Jawwal: 0592-916-418 WhatsApp:+970-592916418 Representative Office of India Mahatma Gandhi Street, Beitunia, Ramallah West Bank, Palestine Tel: 00970-2-2903033/4/6 Fax: 00970-2-2903035 Email(s): rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in hoc.ramallah@mea.gov.in White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday said that Iran is complicit in a broad sense in the Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1000 Israelis. Addressing reporters during a briefing on Tuesday, Sullivan said, Weve said since the beginning that Iran is complicit in a broad sense because they have provided the lions share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas, theyve provided training, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support and theyve had engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years, and all of that that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen. Now, as to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not, as of the moment Im standing here at the podium, have confirmation of that, he added. Sullivans remarks came after US President Joe Biden denounced the attacks on Israel as pure unadulterated evil, saying the stated purpose of the terrorist organisation Hamas is to kill Jews. NSA Sullivan told reporters that the administration was engaged with its Israeli counterparts and looking back through our intelligence holdings to see if we have any further information on that, adding, If theres an update to that, Ill share it with you. But as I stand here today, while Iran plays this broad role, this sustained, deep and dark role in providing all of this support and capabilities to Hamas, in terms of this particular gruesome attack on October 7, we dont currently have that information, he added. Asked why Israel was unable to anticipate Hamas attack on Israel, Sullivan referred questions to Israeli officials, however, as for the US, he said, We did not see anything that suggested an attack of this type was going to unfold any more than the Israelis did. The US State Department on Tuesday said that Secretary Antony Blinken will travel to Israel to engage our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground. Secretary of State Antony J Blinken will travel to Israel and Jordan October 11-13, 2023, where he will meet with senior officials, said the US Department of State in a statement. With inputs from agencies Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most senior Shiite cleric in Iraq, calls on the international community to protest the terrible brutality occurring in Gaza and stop Israeli plans to further damage the Palestinian people, according to a statement released on Wednesday. The bloodiest attack by Hamas terrorists against Israel in its history was carried out on Saturday when gunmen rampaged across Israeli cities, killing more than 1,000 people and capturing a large number of captives and transporting them to Gaza. In retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza, levelling entire neighbourhoods, and imposed a total siege on the 2.3 million residents of the enclave, many of whom are impoverished and reliant on charity. According to Hamas media, the one and only power station failed to operate on Wednesday, causing a power outage. According to Gazas Hamas authorities, retaliatory attacks on the blockaded territory have resulted in 1,055 fatalities, 5,184 injuries, and 535 residential buildings damaged, leaving almost 250,000 people homeless. Many of the displaced people were huddling in U.N.-designated shelters, while others were in the streets wreckage. Ending the tragedy of this honourable people, which has been ongoing for seven decades, by attaining them their legitimate right and ending the occupation from their usurped lands, is the only way to achieve peace and security in this region, al-Sistani said in a statement. Without that, the resistance will continue against aggressors and the cycle of violence will continue to claim more innocent lives, the statement added. (With agency inputs) Even as the death count climbed to nearly 3,600 on the fifth day of the Israel-Gaza war, the Israeli army said on Wednesday that there has been a suspected infiltration from Lebanon into the countrys airspace, reported news agency AFP. The armys Home Front Command asked residents of the cities of Beit Shean, Safed and Tiberias all in the northern part of the country, near the border with Lebanon to shelter until further notice fearing a large-scale attack. Rocket sirens also blared in several towns and cities across the northern border. Earlier in the day, Lebanons militant group Hezbollah said it had fired missiles on Israel, drawing retaliatory fire, after three members of the Iran-backed group were killed earlier this week amid soaring border tensions, an AFP report said. Hezbollah targeted a Zionist (Israeli) position facing Dhayra village, with guided missiles, in a firm response to Zionist attacks which led to the martyrdom of a number of brothers, the group was quoted as saying in the report. Israel said it had responded by striking one of the groups military observation posts in south Lebanon. Amid the Israel conflict with Hamas, US navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford Carrier strike group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, US Central Command said in a press release on Wednesday. The release added that the forces in the area include the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), with its 8 squadrons of attack and support aircraft, and the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). In complete support to Israel against Hamas, the US has also moved the US Air Force F-15s, F-16s and A-10s to augment existing fighter squadrons in the region. The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation, said General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, US Central Command, read the press release. On 8 October, in an official press release from US Department of Defence, US Defence Secretary said, I have directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). We have also taken steps to augment US Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. The US maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required. The US Defence secretary had also condemn the Hamas terror attack on Israel saying that he is continuously communicating with Israeli counterpart and assured full support to secure lives of citizens. He added, Strengthening our joint force posture, in addition to the materiel support that we will rapidly provide to Israel, underscores the United States ironclad support for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli people. My team and I will continue to be in close contact with our Israeli counterparts to ensure they have what they need to protect their citizens and defend themselves against these heinous terrorist attacks. Over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in the air raids as part of the ongoing counter-offensive. Israel Defense forces say dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighborhood a terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the third counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF said that the Al Furkan neighborhood serves as a terror-nest for Hamas and from where many activities against Israel are carried out. The Israel Air Force said it will continue to act powerfully against the infrastructures of the terrorist organization Hamas, which aim terror against Israel, and as part of its offensive the IAF continues extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip. The IDF also confirmed that the first plane carrying US armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel this evening. The IDF said that cooperation between the two militaries, is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas with ISIS saying both terror organisations were the same and should be treated as duch. We were attacked on Saturday with such barbarism that has not been seen since the Holocaust. Hundreds of people were slaughtered, entire families were murdered in their beds and homes, women were brutally raped and murdered; More than a hundred were kidnapped, including children said the Israeli Prime Minister in a post on X. The scale of this evil has only grown. They forced dozens of children, burned them and executed them. They cut off the heads of soldiers, they murdered the young people who were celebrating at a festival in the wild, they surrounded them with jeeps and shot them into a hole in the ground. We have not seen such barbarism in the entire history of the State of Israel. They are even worse than Daesh (ISIS)- and thats how we should treat them Netanyahu said. Three days before Hamas ambushed Israeli forces in a significant attack, Egypt warned Israel of impending violence, according to the influential US House Foreign Affairs Committees chairman. We know that Egypt has warned the Israelis three days prior that an event like this could happen, Republican Michael McCaul told reporters following a closed-door intelligence briefing for lawmakers on the crisis. For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app. I dont want to get too much into classified, but a warning was given, he said. I think the question was at what level. More than 1,500 terrorists broke past the Gaza security barrier in their coordinated land, air, and sea attack on the Jewish Sabbath, causing the bloodiest strike in Israels 75-year history. The US ally claims that Hamas terrorists stormed into small towns and settlements and indiscriminately slaughtered inhabitants who fled to their homes or perished defending their neighbourhoods, killing more over 1,200 people and injuring over 2,700 others. In retaliation, Israel has been ruthlessly bombing Hamas targets in Gaza; as a result, more than 3,700 Israeli and Palestinian civilians, soldiers, and combatants have already died in the conflict. President Joe Biden of Washington has promised to provide more US weapons and military equipment and has voiced disgust at the sheer evil of the killing of people. According to McCaul, the attack may have been prepared as far in advance as a year. Were not quite sure how we missed it. Were not quite sure how Israel missed it, he told reporters. (With agency inputs) An Israeli airstrike on Hamas commander Mohammed Deifs fathers home has resulted in the death of his brother, Hamas-affiliated media reported on Wednesday. Abdul Fattah Deif, along with his son and granddaughter were killed after Israeli jets struck Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, according to Times of Israel. As per a report by the Lebanese news network Al Mayadeen, an unknown number of Deifs relatives were also trapped inside the rubble after the airstrike. Meanwhile, The Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Wednesday said that it has successfully targeted Hamas network that detects Israeli aircraft. The IDF said that the Palestinian extremist group possessed a network of cameras hidden inside solar water heaters across the Strip to track and monitor Israeli aircraft. Yesterday, within a few minutes during a focused sortie, the IAF struck all of the sites of the network and demolished Hamass ability to form an accurate picture of the skies and their efforts to target IDF aircraft, the military said. On Day 5 of the Israel-Palestine War, the IDF said that dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhooda terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. This is the third counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF said that the Al Furkan neighborhood serves as a terror nest for Hamas and from where many activities against Israel are carried out. The first delivery of advanced weaponry from the United States reached Israel on Tuesday, in accordance with the commitment made by the Biden administration to support the nation in its conflict with Hamas. As stated by Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the initial aircraft transporting advanced munitions touched down at Israels Nebatim Air Base late on Tuesday night. This information was shared through a post on X, formerly Twitter. Hagari further explained that the supplied weaponry would facilitate substantial strikes and enhance preparedness for potential future situations. Israel Defense Force (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the first plane carrying advanced ammunition landed in Israels Nebatim Air Base late Tuesday night, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter. Hagari said the weapons will enable significant strikes and preparations for additional scenarios. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone earlier on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation on the ground. Biden spoke out of the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about sickening reports of torture inflicted by militants on innocent civilians. US President Joe Biden has condemned the militant group Hamas for sheer evil for its shocking multi-pronged attack on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of civilians, including at least 14 American citizens. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone earlier on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation on the ground. Biden spoke out of the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about sickening reports of torture inflicted by militants on innocent civilians. Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear, Biden said. He added, Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israels back. Well make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, and tomorrow as we always have. Biden, in his public remarks and statements since Hamas launched its attacks, has repeatedly emphasised his shock over the breadth and brutality of the Hamas assault a blitz by land, sea and air that surprised Israeli and US intelligence and that has killed hundreds of Israelis and left even more wounded. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Wednesday said that it is carrying out strikes in Lebanon as a response to anti-tank rockets fired from Lebanon. The Israeli military said it was attacking Lebanon after one of its northern positions was targeted with anti-tank fire. According to the Times of Israel, the Hezbollah terror group has claimed responsibility anti-tank guided missile attack on an Israeli army post on the Lebanon border. An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 11, 2023 The attack took place near the Israeli town of Arab al-Aramshe, opposite the Lebanese village of Dhayra. A Lebanese security source said the powerful armed group Hezbollah fired two precision missiles into Israel, which the group considers its sworn enemy. In a statement, Hezbollah said that the attack was in response to the death of three of its members in Israeli strikes on Monday. In a post shared on X, IDF stated, Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhooda terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. This is the third counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF said that the Al Furkan neighborhood serves as a terror nest for Hamas and from where many activities against Israel are carried out. With inputs from agencies As cross-border fighting entered its fourth day, Israeli artillery struck southern Lebanese villages on Wednesday in response to a new rocket attack by the potent Hezbollah militia. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the deaths of two of its members after Israeli bombardment earlier this week and promised decisive retaliation against any attacks on Lebanese land, especially ones that result in casualties. After one of its northern sites, close to the Israeli town of Arab al-Aramshe, was hit with anti-tank fire on Wednesday, the Israeli military said that it was assaulting Lebanon. Information on casualties was not immediately made available. Hezbollah, which regards Israel as its sworn enemy, reportedly launched two precision missiles into the country, according to a Lebanese security source. Israeli bombardment, according to residents in the southern Lebanese town of Rmeish, targeted the area. Israeli artillery shells were hitting the rocket launch site at Dhayra, across from Arab al-Aramshe, according to media reports. The recent bloodshed, according to Lebanese in those areas, has revived memories of the terrible month-long battle between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. Al-Jadeed, a local Lebanese television station, aired footage of white smoke plumes rising from a wooded area close to some houses and fields in Dhayra. Both the Palestinian group Hamas and Hezbollah claimed responsibility for Tuesdays assault in Lebanon. Hezbollah of Lebanon destroyed an Israeli tank with a guided missile, documenting the event on social media. Hamas claimed responsibility for a rocket volley into Israel. After Hamas launched a deadly attack against Israel over the weekend, Israel initiated a bombing campaign against Gaza, sparking the breakout of unrest along the border. (With agency inputs) Israels Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will hold video talks Thursday with his NATO counterparts, after the surprise Hamas attack on his country, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said. Tomorrow, we will also be briefed by the Israeli defence minister Gallant on the situation in Israel, Stoltenberg told journalists Wednesday at a two-day meeting of ministers in Brussels. Allies condemned the horrific terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Israel over the weekend, and we are looking forward to the briefing from the defence minister. The death toll from five days of ferocious fighting between Hamas and Israel rose sharply overnight as Israel kept up its bombardment of Gaza after recovering the dead from the last communities near the border where Palestinian militants had been holed up. In Israel, deaths from Saturdays shock cross-border assault by Hamas militants rose to 1,200, making it the deadliest attack in the countrys 75-year history, while Gaza officials reported more than 900 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. The address from Gallant comes amid concern from Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky that the crisis in Israel could distract key backer the United States from the conflict in his country. Zelensky visited NATO headquarters on Wednesday to urge further weapons supplies to support Kyivs counter-offensive and air defences to protect against an expected winter onslaught by Russia. President Joe Biden ordered US ships and warplanes to move closer to Israel in a show of support on Sunday, while also sending fresh military aid. Israels Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the general public for expressing solidarity with the country at a time when the country is at war with Hamas terrorists. Expressing gratitude for supporting Israel, he said the nation gets so much support from our Indian brothers and sisters. In a post on social media platform X, Naor Gilon said, Thank you again PM @narendramodinJi. Since we get SO MUCH support from our Indian brothers and sisters, Im unfortunately unable to thank each and every one of you personally. The post came moments after PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation, during which the latter informed the Indian PM about the current situation in the Jewish country following attacks by the terrorist group Hamas. After the conversation, PM Modi, in a post on X, wrote: I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and for providing an update on the ongoing situation. The people of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Israel said dozens of its fighter jets struck more than 200 targets overnight on Wednesday in a neighbourhood of Gaza City that it said had been used by Hamas to launch its unprecedented wave of attacks. The Palestinian government news agency reported that three Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers on Wednesday in Qusra village, which is close to the West Bank city of Nablus. The Red Crescent reports that eleven further Palestinians were injured by live ammunition. The acting governor of Nablus, Ghassan Daghlas, told the media earlier in the day that Israeli settlers had stormed the community south of Nablus and had shot live bullets at local residents and ambulances. (With agency inputs) Israel Defence forces on Tuesday said that dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighborhood a terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the third counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF said that the Al Furkan neighborhood serves as a terror-nest for Hamas and from where many activities against Israel are carried out. The Israel Air Force said it will continue to act powerfully against the infrastructures of the terrorist organisation Hamas, which aim terror against Israel, and as part of its offensive the IAF continues extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip. The IDF also confirmed that the first plane carrying US armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel this evening. The IDF said that cooperation between the two militaries, is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war. On Tuesday, Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas, the fourth day of fierce fighting that has left thousands dead on both sides since the militants launched a surprise attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israels military campaign following Saturdays onslaught is only the start of a sustained war to destroy Hamas and change the Middle East. Fears of a regional conflagration have surged ahead of an expected Israeli ground incursion into Gaza, the crowded, impoverished enclave from where Hamas launched its land, air and sea attack on the Jewish Sabbath. The death toll in Israel has surged above 1,000 following the worst attack in the countrys 75-year history, while Gaza officials reported 900 people killed so far, and Israels army said the bodies of roughly 1,500 militants had been found. International NGOs issued a stark warning over the health and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Hamas gunmen killed more than 100 people in the kibbutz of Beeri alone, said Moti Bukjin, a volunteer with the charity Zaka that recovers bodies in accordance with Jewish law. United States President Joe Biden condemned the Hamas attacks as sheer evil, and Netanyahu said the militants committed savagery never seen since the Holocaust, including the beheading of soldiers. Condemnation from Western leaders contrasted markedly with pro-Palestinian sentiment in the Arab world where people distributed sweets, danced and chanted prayers in support of resistance to Israels long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories. My entire life, I have seen Israel kill us, confiscate our lands and arrest our children, said Farah al-Saadi, 52, a coffee vendor from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank who praised the Hamas assault. The Israeli army has called up 300,000 reservists and massed tanks and other heavy armour both near Gaza and on the northern border with Lebanon, where exchanges of fire continued. The military said its forces had largely reclaimed the embattled south and the border around Gaza, and dislodged holdout Hamas fighters from more than a dozen towns and kibbutzim. But late Tuesday in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, troops backed by helicopters and drones exchanged fire with several militants, leaving three fighters dead, the army said. A new barrage of rockets was also fired from Gaza towards Ashkelon. Around 1,500 bodies of Hamas (fighters) have been found in Israel around the Gaza Strip, army spokesman Richard Hecht said earlier. In Kfar Aza kibbutz, where Israeli forces say Hamas massacred more than 100 civilians, Israeli soldiers prepared to remove several of their compatriots in black body bags. With inputs from agencies Since Hamas and Israel went to war, Lebanons Hezbollah has proceeded cautiously, keeping Israeli troops busy with attacks along the Lebanese border but without opening a large front, according to individuals familiar with its thinking. The Iran-backed militia has placed special forces on alert and primed its rockets in anticipation of a potential conflict. Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Hezbollahs Palestinian allies, have also joined the battle, striking Israel from Lebanon for the first time, including a cross-border invasion on Monday that the Israeli army claims resulted in the deaths of three of its soldiers and two gunmen. Although Hezbollah has not ruled out going to war, according to the sources, its actions to date have been intended to prevent a significant spillover into Lebanon while keeping Israeli forces busy in northern Israel. The Israeli army would be forced to fight on two fronts as it attempted to crush Hamas 200 km away in Gaza in the event of a major conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been fought toughened by battles around the region, including Syria. Hamas started the conflict on Saturday by sending its gunmen into Israel from Gaza, where they killed 1,200 people and kidnapped dozens more. Palestinian deaths from Israeli shelling of Gaza total 1,055. Hezbollah was established in 1982 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to combat Israeli forces that invaded Lebanon, and it has long served as a model for other Tehran-backed groups in the region including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. As part of a strong message of deterrence to prevent the conflict from spreading, the United States has cautioned Iran not to become involved and has sent an aircraft carrier strike group closer to Israel. The Carnegie Middle East Centers Mohanad Hage Ali predicted that Israels plans for a ground invasion into Gaza will influence Hezbollahs subsequent actions. Hezbollah and Palestinian organisations (in Lebanon) would be compelled to intervene if Hamas received a fatal blow, increasing the likelihood of things getting out of hand, he claimed. Hezbollah has declared its support for Palestinian terrorists in Gaza and claimed to be in close communication with them. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah who is renowned for threatening Israel in ferocious televised speeches, has not given a speech since the unrest started on Saturday. According to the sources, he is constantly monitoring what is happening in Gaza and the south. Hezbollah invited the media to observe its elite Radwan fighters practise an invasion of northern Israel earlier this year. Hezbollah has always been viewed by Israel as the greatest border threat. In Lebanon, the 2006 conflict claimed the lives of 1,200 peoplemostly civiliansand 157 Israelismostly troops. Four years into a financial crisis that has left many Lebanese in poverty and paralysed the government, Lebanon spent years recovering from the war of 2006 and is ill-equipped to handle another one. Hezbollah has expressed significant support for Lebanons offshore oil and gas exploration projects, which are likely to be derailed by all-out conflict. It approved a deal between Israel and Lebanon to define a contentious maritime border last year after it was mediated by the United States. In a piece published on Wednesday, Ibrahim al-Amin, editor of the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese tabloid al-Akhbar, predicted that if Israel widened the battle to displace the people of the Gaza Strip, or carried out any crazy act against the Palestinian armed organisations, things will witness a big change. (With agency inputs) Over 260,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, as heavy Israeli bombardments from the air, land and sea continue to hit the Palestinian enclave, the United Nations said. Fierce fighting has left thousands dead on both sides since Hamas launched a surprise assault on Saturday, spurring Israels reprisal bombing campaign. Over 263,934 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes, said UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in an update Tuesday, warning that this number is expected to rise further. It said that around 3,000 people had been displaced due to previous escalations, prior to Saturday. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Israel in the worst attack in the countrys 75-year history, while Gaza officials have reported 900 people killed since the air strikes began. The bombing campaign has destroyed more than 1,000 housing units, and 560 have been so severely damaged they are uninhabitable, OCHA said, citing Palestinian authorities. Among the displaced, nearly 175,500 people sought shelter in 88 schools run by the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, it said. More than 14,500 others had fled to 12 government schools, while close to 74,000 were estimated to be staying with relatives and neighbours or seeking shelters in churches and other facilities. The number of displaced people inside of Gaza represents the highest number of people displaced since the 50-day escalation of hostilities in 2014, it said. Meeting basic needs is becoming increasingly challenging for those who have not been displaced, OCHA warned. Israel has imposed what it called a complete siege on the already blockaded Gaza Strip, cutting off food, water, fuel and electricity a move that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned would worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday pledged a strong response from the military alliance if it turns out damage to a pipeline between Finland and Estonia was a deliberate attack. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Tuesday a leak leading to the shutdown of a natural gas pipeline this weekend was probably caused by external activity, sparking suspicions Russia could have been involved. The important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen, Stoltenberg said, at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure, then this will be of course serious, but it will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO. Niinisto has said the cause of the damage was not yet clear, and that Finland and Estonia were cooperating in an ongoing investigation. While Helsinki cautioned against leaping to any conclusions, saying it seemed unlikely that explosives were the cause, the Norwegian seismological institute NORSAR said Monday it detected a probable explosion in the area of the leak. The potential sabotage of the pipeline comes a year after explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines cut off a major route for Russian gas exports to Europe and fuelled geopolitical tensions already running high over Moscows invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlins war pushed Finland to drop its long-standing policy of non-alignment and join NATO, in a major strategic shift that angered neighbour Russia. Consul General of Israel to South India Tammy Ben-Haim on Wednesday said Israels priority is to stop the terror and bring back the hostages, and at the same time stressed the need to devastate Hamas so much that the militant group doesnt think of ever striking the country again. #WATCH | On the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, Consul General of Israel to South India, Tammy Ben-Haim says At the moment, we need to stop what is happening now. The terror that is happening now, we need to make sure it stops and not only does it stop and we bring our pic.twitter.com/U1cNW8JjmQ ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 Speaking to ANI news agency, Ben-Haim said, At the moment, we need to stop what is happening now. The terror that is happening now, we need to make sure it stops and not only does it stop and we bring our hostages back, but we also need to make sure that we devastate Hamas so much, we hurt their infrastructure, we hurt their commanders that they will not think of ever striking Israel again. Tammy Ben-Haim said Israel is still fighting to completely secure the country, its citizens and everybody living in Israel. #WATCH | On the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, Consul General of Israel to South India, Tammy Ben-Haim says We are still in the midst of this attack. The Hamas terror organisation infiltrated Israel, killing over 1,200 people, injuring over 3,000 people, and taking dozens of pic.twitter.com/2cjciPU4Ty ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 We are still in the midst of this attack. The Hamas terror organisation infiltrated Israel, killing over 1,200 people, injuring over 3,000 people, and taking dozens of children, women, the elderly, and unarmed citizens back to Gaza as hostages. Army and IDF have taken control of the areas of the towns that are in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip. We are still fighting to completely secure our country, to secure our citizens and everybody living in Israel, she added. This morning, she said two terrorists were found within Israel and were neutralized. While all this is happening, Hamas is still bombarding Israel, not just south Israel, but also Central Israel and the cities of Tel Aviv with rockets and mortarsWe are in a full-fledged war against Hamas, against a terror organisation making sure this horrible, heinous, inhumane attack, said the diplomat. Israel appears determined to crush Hamas hold on Gaza, following an unprecedented attack in which militants gunned down civilians in their homes, on streets and at a mass outdoor music festival, while dragging men, women and children into captivity. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. A looming question is whether Israel will launch a ground assault into Gaza a 40-kilometer-long (25-mile) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million people and has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Israel stepped up its offensive on Tuesday, expanding the mobilization of reservists to 360,000. Israels military said it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south and of the Gaza border. New exchanges of fire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. With inputs from agencies Nigers foreign ministry has said in a statement that the junta which that took control of Niger has asked the head of the United Nations diplomatic mission stationed there to leave the country within 72 hours In a statement dated October 10, France alleged that the U.N. had engaged in underhanded maneuvers to prevent Niger from fully participating in the recent U.N. General Assembly and other international gatherings. The coup that deposed the democratically elected president of Niger in July also expelled French troops and the ambassador. Meanwhile, the United States stated on October 10 that the July takeover in Niger was a military coup detat, effectively stopping aid to the country, but senior administration officials claimed there are no plans to reduce the US troop presence in the country. In Washingtons battle against Islamist terrorists that have killed hundreds of people and displaced millions more, Niger has been a crucial ally. The juntas apparent unwillingness to follow constitutional requirements to restore civilian and democratic governance led to the decision, which restricts the support Washington can offer the nation, a senior official said. (With inputs from agencies) Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Shahid Latif, believed to be the mastermind of the 2016 attack on an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, was gunned down on Wednesday by unidentified assailants in a mosque in Daska town of Pakistans Sialkot district, officials said. Latif, alias Bilal, a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is learnt to have been shot dead along with two of his associates by three gunmen. He had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley in 1993 and was arrested a year later. He was in Jammu jail with Masood Azhar, founder of the JeM, till 2010, officials said. He was deported to Pakistan in 2010 following his release and formally joined the terror group, they said. This is the biggest blow to JeM on Pakistan soil, an official said. Latif was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Seven IAF personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, 2016. The siege went on for three days. The General Assembly, which voted last year to suspend Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine, decisively rejected Russias effort to reclaim a seat in the UNs top human rights council on Tuesday. For two seats on the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Russia was vying with Albania and Bulgaria to represent the East European regional bloc. Bulgaria received 160 votes, Albania 123 votes, and Russia had 83 votes in the secret ballot poll. Even if 83 of the 193 UN members voted against Moscow, despite Moscows claims that it has the support of a quiet majority, there is still cause for concern, particularly among Ukraine and its Western allies. Vassily Nebenzia, the UN ambassador for Russia, charged the US on Monday with organizing an effort to keep them out of the council. At a Security Council meeting convened by Ukraine in response to last weeks Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian soldiers wake in a small town that killed 52 people, Nebenzia stated that the main phobia of our American colleagues today is electing Russia to the Human Rights Council. According to diplomats, letters requesting a vote against Russia were issued to many of the 193 members of the General Assembly by the United States and others. One of the non-government letter writers supporting the defeat of Russia was Felice Gaer, director of the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights of the American Jewish Committee. The latest move in a ruthless campaign against activists, independent journalists, and opposition personalities, Russian authorities on Wednesday moved to penalize a prominent human rights advocate who was being tried for criticizing the war in Ukraine. Oleg Orlov, co-chairman of the human rights organization Memorial that won the Nobel Peace Prize, has been accused of openly discrediting the Russian military after he published a Facebook post criticizing the invasion of Ukraine. Orlov has been fined twice for antiwar protests before facing criminal charges; under a rule passed immediately after the Kremlin pushed troops across the border, it is a crime if committed again within a year. A Moscow court began hearing the case in March, and Orlov faced up to five years in prison if convicted. In closing arguments Wednesday, however, the prosecution asked the court to impose a fine of 250,000 rubles (about $2,500). Thank God! gasped Orlovs wife when she heard that in court, according to the Russian news outlet Mediazona. Memorial, one of the oldest and the most renowned Russian rights organizations, was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize along with imprisoned Belarusian activist Ales Bialiatski and the Ukrainian organization Center for Civil Liberties. Memorial was founded in the Soviet Union in 1987 to ensure that victims of Communist Party repression would be remembered. It has continued to compile information on human rights abuses and track the fate of political prisoners in Russia while facing a Kremlin crackdown in recent years. The group had been declared a foreign agent, a designation that brings additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations. Over the years, it was ordered to pay massive fines for alleged violations of the foreign agent law. Russias Supreme Court ordered it shut down in December 2021, a move that sparked an outcry at home and abroad. Memorial and its supporters have called the trial against Orlov politically motivated. His defense team included Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. Addressing the court Wednesday, Orlov rejected the charges and urged Russia to return to a lawful path. Only that can save our country from potential disasters, he said. After invading Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin doubled down on suppressing dissent, adopting legislation effectively outlawing any criticism of what it insisted on calling its special military operation. Since then, nearly 8,000 Russians have faced misdemeanor charges and over 700 people have been implicated in criminal cases for speaking out about or protesting the war, according to the OVD Info human rights and legal aid group. The authorities have also used the new law to target opposition figures, human rights activists and independent media. Top critics have been sentenced to long prison terms, rights groups have been forced to shut down operations, independent news sites were blocked and independent journalists have left the country, fearing prosecution. Many of those exiles have been tried, convicted and sentenced to prison terms in absentia. The scale of the crackdown has been unprecedented in post-Soviet Russia. (With inputs from agencies) Israeli warplanes on Wednesday hammered neighbourhood after neighbourhood in the sealed-off Gaza Strip, forcing people to look for safer shelters and reducing buildings to dust and rubble, as the Israel-Palestinian War entered its fifth day. The war, which has so far claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and cause further damage. Palestinians, who occupy the Gaza Strip, struggled to survive on Day 5 of the war as Israeli airstrikes wiped out entire neighbourhoods and hospitals started running out of essential medicines and supplies. Massive power outages are also expected in the area within hours as Israel continues to bombard the region. The death toll surpassed the 3,600 mark on Wednesday and is expected to climb higher dramatically five days after Palestinian terror group Hamas launched a surprise and daring attack on Israel, which has responded with massive shelling of Gaza. Israel said it had recaptured Gaza border areas that were invaded by Hamas militants in Saturdays assault. At least, 150 Israeli people comprising women, children and elderly people have been taken hostage by Hamas. Nearly 1,200 Israelis have died in the surprise terror attack last weekend. The attacks on Israel were planned and executed by Hamas, which has run the Gaza Strip since 2007. Hamas refuses to recognise the state of Israel and has been involved in numerous rounds of conflict with the country. The conflicts see Hamas launching rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel, followed by Israeli airstrikes and bombardment of Gaza. Adamant on punishing Hamas for Saturdays daring attack on southern Israeli towns, Israel continued with the offensive, reducing the small coastal area to rubble and piling up bodies. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence early on Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Following the deadly attack, Israel stopped all entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 40-kilometer-long strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down late on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Palestinians have started crowding into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods. Global humanitarian groups on Wednesday pleaded for the creation of corridors to flow aid in, warning that hospitals already overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies rapidly. Gazas power authority says its sole power plant will run out of fuel within hours, leaving the territory without electricity after Israel cut off supplies. Palestinians there have long relied on generators to power homes, offices and hospitals, but have no way of importing fuel for those either. The United Nations World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals have already run out amid the flood of wounded. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. Israel, it is believed has mobilized 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense public pressure to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007 and remained firmly in control through four previous wars in the region. Meanwhile in Europe, countries reported an uptick in anti-Semitic acts as the war in West Asia ground into its fifth day. The French police have arrested more than 20 people over dozens of anti-Semitic acts carried out since Saturday, including harassment of Jewish children by fellow pupils at school, the government said on Wednesday. Similar reports have also come from Denmark, Germany and a few other European countries. France is home to some of Europes largest Muslim and Jewish populations and conflicts in the Middle East can lead to tensions there which Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the government aimed to avert with heightened police protection of Jewish sites, including schools and synagogues. According to a media report on Wednesday, a Canadian immigration tribunal decided that a Sikh man who for more than ten years housed and fed Khalistani militants in India could be permitted entry since he did it mostly out of necessity and out of fear of retaliation. According to the National Post, Heidi Worsfold, a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal, recently ruled that the government lacked reasonable justification to bar Indian national Kamaljit Ram from entering Canada on the grounds that he had allegedly provided a safe house and logistical support to Khalistani militants. The immigration tribunal determined that the Sikh man should be permitted entry into Canada because he housed and fed armed Khalistani terrorists in India for more than ten years. The federal government initially decided to ban Ram from entering Canada after he admitted to CBSA agents that he intermittently housed and nourished armed Sikh militants at his farm in India between 1982 and 1992. Worsfold concluded that the government overstated the extent of Rams support for the armed militants at the time when it failed to take into account the fact that Ram frequently stated that he agreed to host the militants because he feared the consequences of being on the receiving end of the organisation. The decision was made in the midst of a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada as a result of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of potential Indian agent involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India dismissed the allegations as absurd and motivated and made its own counterclaim. Two hooded shooters shot and killed Nijjar. In 2020, India deemed Nijjar to be a terrorist. India pleaded with Canada last month to take tough action against terrorists and anti-India elements operating on its soil. (With agency inputs) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate in the Hamas-Israel conflict. He said that Turkey continues to step up its diplomatic efforts. Erdogan said, I would like to state that Turkey is ready for any kind of mediation, including prisoner exchanges, if the parties request it. We continue to step up our diplomatic contacts, which we have been maintaining for a while and have intensified even more in the last three days, Erdogan said. He made the remarks after chairing a cabinet meeting in Ankara. Erdogans remarks come after the terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, prompting Israel to declare a state of war. Turkish President emphasised that the war is subject to a moral and ethical code, adding that the sides are obliged to comply with. As we always say, There are no losers in a just peace, Anadolu Agency reported. Erdogan urged Israel to stop its bombing of Palestinian regions and called on Palestinians to stop their harassment of civilian settlements in Israel. He called for acting with a human conscience and added, This moderate step will also open the door to peace. Erdogan said, The destruction of Gaza by air and ground attacks, the bombing of mosques, and the deaths of innocent children, women, elderly, and civilians are never acceptable. He stated that Turkey is making necessary preparations to provide humanitarian aid materials that the Gaza Strip will require amid Israels counter-offensive against Hamas. He said that Turkeys stance regarding the issue has been clear from the very beginning and stated that Turkey recognised Israel in 1949. He noted that the two nations continue to have diplomatic ties. He further said, We believe that there will be no peace in the region without the establishment of an independent sovereign state of Palestine with geographical integrity, within the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, Anadolu Agency reported. Erdogan stressed that problems in the region cannot be resolved by constantly harassing the Palestinian people, disregarding the safety of their life and property, seizing their homes and lands, destroying their infrastructure, and preventing their development. He said, We have always said and continue to say that we disapprove of letting a single innocent person get harmed, whether in Israel or Palestines lands. Our position has not changed. Earlier on Monday, Erdogan held separate phone calls with Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the latest situation in the region. On Sunday, Erdogan stressed that the realization of an independent, and geographically integrated Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital, could not be delayed any further, according to Anadolu Agency report. In his remarks at the opening ceremony of Mor Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church in Yesilkoy, he said, Lasting peace in the Middle East is only possible through a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He said that Turkey is willing to do its part to stop the conflict between Israel and Palestine and reduce the tensions that escalated on Saturday. He called the Palestine issue the root cause of the problems in the region. He added, Our region will remain craving peace unless a just settlement is reached. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus on Wednesday that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza. Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacre Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers, he said. The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that Hamas would not have any military capabilities at the end of the war. In a live video posted on X, Lieutenant Colonel Conricus added, We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war wont have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens. The US is talking with Israel and Egypt about the idea of a safe passage for Gaza civilians as Israel strikes the enclave after a deadly Hamas attack over the weekend, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday. We are focused on this question, there are consultations going on, Sullivan told reporters at the White House. But the details of that are something that are being discussed among the operational agencies and I dont want to share too much of that publicly at this time, Sullivan said. Israel has battered Palestinians with deadly air strikes in Gaza after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday that left hundreds dead. Gazas Health Ministry said at least 900 Palestinians were killed and up to 4,600 wounded in Israeli air strikes on the blockaded enclave since Saturday. The enclave, only 40km (25 miles) long by 10km (6 miles) wide, is home to 2.3 million people. The United Nations said more than 180,000 Palestinians in Gaza had been made homeless. They have lived under an Israeli-led blockade for 16 years, since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007. Israels embassy in Washington said the death toll from Hamas weekend attacks had surpassed 1,000. Washington and some of its key Western allies have said Israel has the right to self-defense. We do not deliberately target civilians, Sullivan said of the U.S. and Israel, when asked about civilian casualties in Gaza in the Tuesday press briefing. We work to make sure that our military operations are conducted consistent with the rule of law and the law of war, he added. Palestinians in Gaza have said that Israeli bombardment has been heavy and feels like a new Nakba, the Arabic word for catastrophe that refers to the 1948 war of Israels creation that led to their mass dispossession. The Islamic University in Gaza has allegedly been reduced to dust by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), who claim it was being used as a Hamas training camp for military intelligence operatives. A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck an important operational and military centre for the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip the Islamic University, according to an update issued by the IDF. It claimed that in addition to hosting conferences to collect money for its operations, the facility was also utilized for the research and manufacture of weapons. The university maintained close ties with the senior leadership of Hamas. Israel bombarded the Gaza Strip with hundreds of air strikes overnight, resulting in at least 30 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, a Hamas administration spokesman told AFP on Wednesday. According to Salama Marouf, the head of the governments communications office, dozens of homes, factories, mosques, and stores were damaged. The Israeli military acknowledged that it had attacked a number of Hamas targets overnight. It claimed that advanced detection systems utilized by Hamas to locate armed planes were destroyed by fighter jets. In addition, they struck 80 Hamas targets in the Beit Hanoun region of the northern Gaza Strip, including two bank branches that the Islamist movement allegedly used to fund terrorism there, according to the military. The militant organization Islamic Jihads operational command center and a weapons storage site were also targeted by airstrikes, it was claimed. Israels Consulate General to Mumbai Kobbi Shoshani has said that when leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi support Israel, it gives the country a lot of power. He emphasized the importance of the conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, highlighting the strong bond, friendship, and support Israel receives from India. He said the conversation between PM Modi and Israeli PM Netanyahu was extremely important, it shows the bond, friendship and support we get from Indiawe need your moral supportwhen a leader like PM Modi, along with other leaders of democracies, supporting the state of Israel, it gives us a lot of power and we really appreciate it. Israeli PM Netanyahu called PM Modi on Tuesday and provided him with an update about the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. PM Modi said in a post on X that the people of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. The people of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, PM Modi said. The Consul General in Mumbai emphasized the support of the United States and India, the worlds largest democracies, as a source of strength and belief for Israel. Meanwhile, the Consul General to Mumbai said: The (US and India) are the biggest democracies in the world. Their support gives us a lot of power and belief regarding what to do next, it is very important because, in terrorism, you have to fight all the timeif you want to live, you have to fight He underscored the continuous fight against terrorism and expressed Israels commitment to assist foreigners and Indians in leaving the region safely if needed. He said: I spoke to my (Israels) Minister of Foreign Affairs last night and he said every foreigner, every Indian who would like to leave, we will give them all the support to send them back home. Regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, he stated that the declaration of war was a response to attacks on innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. Israel pledged to take decisive action against those responsible. On the Israel-Palestine conflict, he said: This declaration of war is because they touched our open wounds, they touched our families, women, elderly people and children. To slaughter, to massacre children, girls, and elderly people is something we havent seenIsrael will do the maximum to get the price from these criminals President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraines allies on Wednesday to step up weapons supplies to help his country survive through the winter, on his first visit to the military alliances headquarters during Russias all-out war. Zelensky made a plea for air defence, long-range missiles and ammunition in the face of fears that the Hamas attack on Israel could distract key backer the United States from the conflict in his country. How to survive during this next winter for us is big, Zelensky said as he addressed the media with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg before meeting alliance defence ministers. We are preparing, we are ready. Now we need some support from the leaders. Thats why Im here today. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a fresh tranche of weaponry for Kyiv worth $200 million, including air defence missiles to help Ukraine stave off an expected winter onslaught by Russia. Make no mistake, Austin said at the start of the meeting with Ukraines international backers. The United States will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. The latest arms package from Washington is the first announced since turmoil in the US Congress cast doubt on the ability of President Joe Biden to maintain support. The Ukrainian president has more recently expressed worries that the crisis in Israel could deflect attention from the war unleashed in his homeland by Russian President Vladimir Putin almost 600 days ago. Zelensky urged the West to rally around the Israeli people as Kyivs backers did for Ukraine after Russias invasion last year, and show them they are not alone. Terrorists like Putin, or like Hamas, seek to hold free and democratic nations as hostages and they want power over those who seek freedom, Zelensky said. The terrorists will not change. They just must lose. Winter battle Zelensky underscored the importance of air defence to protect Ukraines civilian infrastructure as the country gears up for a repeat of Moscows bombing campaign last winter. Dear friends, we must win the winter battle against terror, he told Kyivs backers. The United States has sought to reassure that the decision to step up military support for Israel after the surprise assault by Hamas will not harm Washingtons ability to keep arming Ukraine. Israels defence minister was set to brief his NATO counterparts by video-link on Thursday. The crisis in Israel comes as the White House is scrambling to find a way to keep weapon supplies flowing to Ukraine after difficulties in the US Congress. Biden has tried to calm nerves among allies over Washingtons backing for Kyiv after new assistance was dropped from a deal in the US Congress to avoid a government shutdown this month. The United States has given as much military support to Ukraine on its own as all European NATO members and Canada combined since Moscow launched its all-out invasion last year. Western diplomats at NATO insist there is no danger of arms supplies to Ukraine drying up in the near future. We must continue to step up and sustain the steady flow, of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. Dutch defence minister Kajsa Ollongren insisted the the war in Ukraine has our attention, and Ukraine has our full support. Ukraine is pushing to become a member of NATO in a bid to ensure its long-term security in the face of Moscow. Alliance leaders at a summit this summer simplified Kyiv path for joining, but did not offer a clear invitation or deadline for Ukraine to become a member. Sony has introduced a new PS5 model that comes in smaller form factor, along with an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive, and there is a 1TB SSD for more internal storage. Model PS5 2020 PS5 Digital Edition 2020 PS5 2023 PS5 Digital Edition 2023 Dimensions 390104 x260mm 390x92x260mm 35896216mm 35880216mm Weight 4.5kg 3.9kg 3.2kg 2.6kg Storage 825GB 825GB 1TB SSD 1TB SSD Sony says that the new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight (PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and PS5 Digital Edition) by 18% and 24%, respectively compared to the previous models. There are four separate cover panels, with the top portion in a glossy look, while the bottom remains in matte. If you purchase the PS5 Digital Edition, you can also add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 later, since Sony will now sell it separately. A horizontal stand will be included with the new PS5 model. Also, a new Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately. Sony is also planning to release variety of PS5 Console Cover colors for the new model including an all-matte Black colorway and the Deep Earth Collection colors in Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver starting in early 2024. Pricing and availability PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive 499.99 USD (Rs. 41,600 approx.) | 549.99 EUR | 479.99 GBP | 66,980 JPY (includes tax) PS5 Digital Edition 449.99 USD (Rs. 37,430 approx.) |449.99 EUR | 389.99 GBP |59,980 JPY (includes tax) PS5 Console Covers Starts at 54.99 USD (Rs. 4,575 approx.) | 54.99 EURO | 44.99 GBP | 7,480 JPY Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 79.99 USD (Rs. 6,655 approx.) | 119.99 EURO | 99.99 GBP | 11,980 JPY The new PS5 models will roll out starting from November 2023 in several countries. On October 8, Flipkarts highly awaited The Big Billion Days (TBBD) 2023 commenced, following Early Access for VIP and Plus customers on October 7. This shopping festival attracted more than 91 million customer visits, creating quite a buzz for both shoppers and sellers. Explosive Growth in Plus Visitors Flipkart experienced remarkable growth in its Plus Visitor base, with a sevenfold increase in orders compared to daily transactions. This impressive surge highlights the festivals popularity. The Big Billion Days has consistently provided value and convenience to millions of Indian customers, as well as benefiting lakhs of MSMEs, artisans, kirana partners, and the wider ecosystem. This year, Flipkart incorporated cutting-edge technologies like Metaverse, GenAI, and AR/VR to enhance the user experience, especially for first-time shoppers. Early Shopping Trends for 2023 1. Categories in Demand: Early trends for TBBD 23 reveal strong customer interest in categories like Mobiles, Appliances, Lifestyle, BGM (Beauty and General Merchandise), Electronics, and Home products. 2. Smartphones: High-end smartphones (INR 20k+) were particularly sought after, appealing to both metro and Tier 2+ audiences. Lifestyle, Electronics, and BGM (including Fitness) played a significant role in attracting new customers. 3. Lifestyle Upgrades: Shoppers looking to elevate their lifestyles showed increased interest in products related to Grooming, Food and Nutrition, Make-up, and Fragrances during Early Access and Day 1. Shopping Hotspots The cities with the most shoppers were Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad, followed by Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Gurgaon. Surprisingly, Hisar, Lucknow, and Patna also experienced a surge in festive orders. The demand from Tier 1 and Tier 2+ cities reaffirms the growing importance and reach of e-commerce. Empowering Sellers and MSMEs Flipkarts transacting sellers enjoyed a significant increase in business during Early Access and Day 1 of TBBD. The company remains committed to supporting Indian businesses, especially MSMEs, through initiatives like the Flipkart Samarth program. Today, Flipkart boasts over 1.4 million sellers participating in The Big Billion Days. Affordable Payment Solutions Flipkart Pay Later transactions saw a fivefold increase, while EMI-based purchases rose twentyfold. Flipkart Gift Card redemptions increased fivefold, and Flipkart InsureTech VAS products, like Accident Damage Protection and Extended Warranty, scaled at 7.5 times their usual rate. Travel Trends on Cleartrip Cleartrip revealed that this festive season, Indians preferred non-metro destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, Udaipur, Varanasi, and Ooty. Top non-metro air destinations included Goa, Kochi, Jaipur, Srinagar, and Chandigarh. Growing Post-Purchase and Home Services Flipkarts service arm, Jeeves, facilitated over 10,000 installations during Early Access and Day 1 of The Big Billion Days, with Televisions being the most installed appliance. Note: All statistics mentioned are based on Early Access and Day 1 of The Big Billion Days (October 7 & 8, 2023). Commenting on the 10th-year celebrations of The Big Billion Days, Arief Mohamad, Vice President Customer Growth and Loyalty, Flipkart, said: Motorcraft parts [origin?] This past week, I did some tune-up work on my son's 1984 F150 with 4.9L engine. He and I try to always use Motorcraft when possible. I replaced the sparkplugs, sparkplug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and PCV valve.After carefully examining all boxes and parts, this is what I found:Sparkplugs - made in MexicoSparkplug wires - assembled in MexicoFuel filter - made in ChinaAll other parts had no country of originEverything fit well and the truck runs well, but I was hoping to keep the truck "Made in the USA". I guess this is a sign of the times. It was used ceremonially for centuries, but these days tobacco now manufactured into highly addictive, commercial cigarettes has become a scourge for many Indigenous people. Since the early 1980s, American Indians and Alaska Natives have maintained the highest rates of commercial cigarette smoking of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S., due to tobacco industry practices and government policies, said Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center behavioral psychologist Jonathan Bricker, PhD, whose research focuses on smoking cessation. Commercial cigarette smoking now accounts for half of all deaths of these people nationwide. Fred Hutch and Bricker hope to change these startling statistics with a newly funded randomized clinical trial just for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs). The five-year, $3.6 million grant from the National Cancer Institute will test the efficacy of the Fred Hutch-tested smartphone app ICanQuit versus that of QuitGuide, a digital smoking prevention app offered by the NCI. "The need for this study is long overdue, said Bricker. American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have extraordinarily high cigarette smoking rates and there are few programs proven effective for helping them quit. They lack access to smoking cessation treatments. This new trial, Bricker said, is aimed at breaking down these challenges with a nationwide study that will test out a version of the iCanQuit app specifically tailored for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Washington AP Biden's second try at student loan cancellation moves forward with debate over the plan's details President Joe Bidens second attempt at student loan cancellation moved forward Tuesday with a fresh round of negotiations to help guide the administration to a new plan WASHINGTON President Joe Bidens second attempt at student loan cancellation moved forward Tuesday with a first round of negotiations to help guide the administration to a new plan. The Biden administration vowed to try again after the Supreme Court rejected an earlier plan in June. In opening remarks at Tuesdays hearing, Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said the debt crisis threatens to undercut the promise of higher education. Student loan debt in this country has grown so large that it siphons off the benefits of college for many students, Kvaal said in prepared remarks. Some loans made to young adults stretch into retirement with no hope of being repaid. These debt burdens are shared by families and communities. Biden directed the Education Department to find another path to loan relief after conservatives on the high court ruled that he couldnt cancel loans using a 2003 law called the HEROES Act. The latest attempt will rest on a sweeping law known as the Higher Education Act, which gives the education secretary authority to waive student loans, although how far that power extends is the subject of legal debate. The Education Department hopes to settle the dispute by adding federal rules that clarify when the secretary can waive student loans. To change those rules, however, the department is required to assemble a committee of outside negotiators to help hash out details. The first day of negotiations, held virtually, lasted more than five hours but appeared to bring the department no closer to clarity. Much of the discussion centered on the shortcomings of existing student loan cancellation programs or problems caused by student loan interest. Department officials repeatedly intervened to say those problems dont fall under the scope of the current process. The negotiators all come from outside the federal government and represent a range of viewpoints on student loans. The panel includes students and officials from a range of colleges, along with loan servicers, state officials and advocates including the NAACP. Its unclear who will be eligible for forgiveness under the new plan and how much relief they would get. Those details will be decided after the administration takes input from the negotiators, who meet in a series of sessions scheduled to continue into December. Responding to suggestions from the panel, administration officials said they arent considering blanket cancellation. We are not looking at a broad-based debt cancellation where we are going to wipe off debt in its entirety. We are looking at individual ways that the secretary can exercise the authority to grant waivers, said Tamy Abernathy, who leads a policy group in the department. She later clarified that the departments next proposal could cancel some borrowers debt completely, but it could not cancel all borrowers debt completely. At the end of the process, negotiators will vote on a proposed rule drafted with input from their discussions. If they reach consensus on a proposal, the department will move forward with it. If they dont, the agency will propose its own plan, which can be finalized after a public comment period. The Education Department routinely uses negotiated rulemaking to enact federal regulation, and its required for any regulation related to student financial aid. It can be a long and painstaking process, and it often finishes without consensus among negotiators. Biden has called for a new plan to help as many borrowers as possible, but its unclear whether it will be as expansive as his first proposal. That plan would have canceled up to $20,000 in federal student loans for borrowers with incomes below $125,000 or couples below $250,000. Republicans rallied against the cancellation, saying it would add an unfair benefit for college graduates at the expense of millions of taxpayers who didnt attend college. In 2022, about 47 percent of Americans age 25 or older had at least an associate degree, along with 15 percent who went to college but had no degree, according to the Census Bureau. The administration plans to finalize the new rule sometime next year, but Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has declined to say if it will be in place before next falls presidential election. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, he said hes working as quickly as possible. He also noted that the courts ruling will have to factor in to the steps we take moving forward. Some legal analysts see the courts decision as a rejection of any mass cancellation without action from Congress. The court concluded that the education secretary has power to make modest adjustments and additions to existing provisions, not transform them. As a starting point for negotiators, the Education Department published an issue paper outlining some of the primary questions that will be up for debate. It offers few clues on the departments vision for loan cancellation, but it identifies five groups of borrowers who may be in need of relief. Negotiators are being asked how the agency should help: Borrowers whose interest grows so much that their balances exceed what they initially owed; Those who are eligible for loan cancellation under existing income-driven repayment plans but have not applied for those programs; Those who borrowed loans to attend college programs that didnt lead to jobs with enough earnings to repay their loans; Borrowers with older loans taken out before Congress created benefits meant to ease the burden of student debt; Those who face hardships that the current student loan system does not adequately address. It also asks negotiators to discuss the types of factors that would merit loan cancellation. The paper notes that, when deciding whether to collect on debt, some other federal agencies consider whether it would be against equity and good conscience, or if it would impose financial hardship. At a White House briefing last week, Biden drew attention to the problem of ballooning interest. Many college graduates have been making payments for years, he said, but because of interest, they still owe more than they originally borrowed. My administration is doing everything it can to deliver student debt relief to as many as we can, as fast as we can, Biden said. The negotiators will meet virtually for two-day sessions on Nov. 6 and Dec. 11. I would love to be there! one more wrote. I'm dancing more in my seat whilst working than some of these kids. Need more bass face! Get more fans in the background like that kid in the black tee. Loving it! felicilin at 11-10-2023 11:19 AM (3 weeks ago) (f) Wizkid, a Nigerian musician, has returned to Lagos in preparation for the burial of his late mother, Jane Dolapo Balogun, who died on August 18. Wizkid, a Nigerian musician, has returned to Lagos in preparation for the burial of his late mother, Jane Dolapo Balogun, who died on August 18. Wizkid, the artist, was seen in a video exiting an unnamed airport in Nigeria, a film that quickly went viral on numerous social media sites. The family recently announced the funeral preparations for the late Madam Jane Dolapo via social media. They intend to have a wake and homage in her honor on October 12, with the funeral following the next day. The funeral will be held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of David in Victoria Island, Lagos. Fans have flocked to the comment section to express their admiration for the artist as he returns to Nigeria for his mothers final farewell. WELCOME BACK MR PRESIDENT! pic.twitter.com/I0Nf8TQnSY WIZKID GALLERY (@WizkidGallery) October 11, 2023 Wizkid, the artist, was seen in a video exiting an unnamed airport in Nigeria, a film that quickly went viral on numerous social media sites.The family recently announced the funeral preparations for the late Madam Jane Dolapo via social media.They intend to have a wake and homage in her honor on October 12, with the funeral following the next day.The funeral will be held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of David in Victoria Island, Lagos.Fans have flocked to the comment section to express their admiration for the artist as he returns to Nigeria for his mothers final farewell. Post Reply Posted: at 11-10-2023 11:19 AM (3 weeks ago) | Addicted Hero Samsung Joins Google to Urge Apple to Adopt RCS News oi -Kabir Jain Samsung has joined Google in a campaign to persuade Apple to adopt RCS (Rich Communication Services). In a 30-second video, Samsung uses the iconic Romeo and Juliet analogy to illustrate the divide between Android and iOS users, emphasizing the seemingly minor issue of green and blue bubbles that represent different messaging standards. This marketing effort highlights the ongoing pressure on Apple to embrace RCS, which offers advanced and modern messaging features. Green and Blue Bubbles Samsung's video depicts Romeo as Android and Juliet as iOS, with the clear message that "green bubbles and blue bubbles want to be together." This humorous take on the messaging divide playfully portrays Apple as the cause of the division between Android and iOS users. The heart of the matter lies in the adoption of RCS, a protocol developed by Google to modernize messaging. RCS offers an array of features such as group chat, read/sent receipts, high-resolution media sharing, stickers, advanced emojis, voice messages, and more. While Apple's ecosystem revolves around its proprietary iMessage, the lack of RCS compatibility excludes a significant portion of smartphone users from enjoying these enhanced messaging capabilities. Apple's Resistance to RCS Google has been advocating for Apple to integrate RCS into its messaging platform. However, Apple's vested interest in maintaining its ecosystem lock-in and iMessage's exclusivity poses a significant hurdle to such adoption. As a result, RCS remains out of reach for millions of Apple users. The video campaign and other efforts to persuade Apple have not yielded tangible results, and Apple's stance on the matter remains resolute. Tim Cook's famous response to a user's request to enable RCS support on iPhones was a straightforward, "Buy your mom an iPhone." EU's Digital Markets Act: A Potential Game Changer While Apple's resistance to RCS remains steadfast, regulatory pressures are mounting. The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) is currently investigating whether iMessage qualifies as a "core platform service." If it does, Apple may be compelled to open its messaging service to interoperability with other messaging platforms. Such a move could have profound implications for the messaging landscape and enable greater communication inclusivity. The battle over messaging standards continues, and while the efforts to make Apple adopt RCS have faced resistance, the landscape may change due to regulatory interventions like the DMA. Via Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications U.S. Navy Service Member Pleads Guilty to Transmitting Sensitive U.S. Military Information to Chinese Intelligence Officer Tuesday, October 10, 2023 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A U.S. Navy service member pleaded guilty today to federal felony offenses and admitted he transmitted sensitive U.S. military information to an intelligence officer from the People's Republic of China (PRC) in exchange for bribery payments. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, aka Thomas Zhao, of Monterey Park, California, pleaded guilty to conspiring with the intelligence officer and receiving a bribe. Zhao, who worked at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme and held a U.S. security clearance, admitted he engaged in a corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the intelligence officer in violation of his official duties. "The intelligence services of the People's Republic of China actively target clearance holders across the military, seeking to entice them with money to provide sensitive government information," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen. "When contacted by his co-conspirator, rather than reporting it to the Navy, the defendant chose greed over protecting the national security of the United States. He is now being held accountable for his crimes. To others tempted to put personal profit ahead of patriotic duty, know that we are committed to identifying you and bringing you to justice." "Protecting our country's national security is of the utmost importance," said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI's National Security Branch. "Zhao's guilty plea is an acknowledgement of the betrayal in selling sensitive military information to the Government of China. The FBI reminds all government officials to remain vigilant in reporting potential recruitment efforts by foreign actors, and we remain committed to standing with our partners to protect the U.S. from threats to our national security." Between August 2021 and at least May 2023, Zhao admitted receiving at least $14,866 in at least 14 separate bribes from the intelligence officer. In exchange for the illicit payments, Zhao surreptitiously collected and transmitted to the intelligence officer sensitive, non-public information regarding U.S. Navy operational security, military trainings and exercises and critical infrastructure. Zhao admitted he entered restricted military and naval installations to collect and record this information. Zhao specifically admitted to transmitting plans for a large-scale maritime training exercise in the Pacific theatre, operational orders, and electrical diagrams and blueprints for a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar system located in Okinawa, Japan. Zhao further admitted to using sophisticated encrypted communication methods to transmit the information, destroying evidence and concealing his relationship with the intelligence officer. Zhao's conduct violated his official duties to protect such information and the oath he swore to protect the United States. "Officer Zhao betrayed his country and the men and women of the U.S. Navy by accepting bribes from a foreign adversary," said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. "While he and the PRC officer he served took great pains to conceal their corrupt scheme, investigators were vigilant in uncovering this shameful plot. Today's resolution, requiring Zhao to plead guilty to all charges against him, shows that we will act swiftly and decisively to protect our nation from those who seek to undermine our security." "The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) would like to once again thank our partners at the FBI and Department of Justice for their continued assistance in bringing this case to a quick resolution," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Angel Cruz of the NCIS Office of Special Projects. "The swift action by the Department of Justice in prosecuting this case should serve as a warning to anyone who attempt to compromise the Department of the Navy's sensitive information or the security of our warfighters. If you or someone you know has knowledge of a potential compromise of sensitive military information, please contact your nearest NCIS or FBI office." Zhao pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024. As a result of today's guilty plea, Zhao faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison - five years for the conspiracy count and 15 years for the bribery charge. Zhao has been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 3. The FBI Los Angeles Field Office's Counterintelligence and Cyber Division and NCIS conducted the investigation. IRS-Criminal Investigation provided substantial assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annamartine Salick, Sarah Gerdes, Christine Ro and Kathrynne Seiden for the Central District of California and Trial Attorney Adam Barry of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Ryan Waters of the Asset Forfeiture Section. Topics: Countering Nation-State Threats Counterintelligence National Security Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - California, Central Press Release Number: 23-1,117 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Situation in Israel / occupied Palestinian territory: FDFA sets up task force Swiss Government Bern, 09.10.2023 -- In view of the volatile situation in the Middle East, Switzerland must be able to act swiftly and in a coordinated fashion. Two days after Hamas launched its attacks on Israel, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) decided to set up a task force to monitor the situation as closely as possible and take whatever decisions are necessary. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met on Monday with the Israeli ambassador to Switzerland and the representative of the Palestinian Authority in Switzerland in order to obtain a clear picture of the situation. In addition, the FDFA's headquarters in Bern are in continuous contact with its representations in Tel Aviv and Ramallah. In view of the volatile situation in the Middle East, Switzerland must be able to act swiftly and in a coordinated fashion. To this end, Mr Cassis has decided to set up a task force to monitor the situation as closely as possible and take whatever decisions are necessary. The task force is chaired by the head of the FDFA's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Division, Ambassador Maya Tissafi, and is made up of specialists in legal, consular, humanitarian, security, crisis management and communications matters. Switzerland immediately condemned acts of terror Switzerland condemned the outrageous attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel from the Gaza Strip as soon as the first violence began on Saturday 7 October. It has called for the immediate release of everyone who has been taken hostage by Hamas. Switzerland calls for an immediate end to the violence. It stresses that the civilian population must be protected and international law respected at all times. Switzerland also reiterated its position at the emergency meeting the Security Council held behind closed doors on Sunday evening to discuss the situation in the Middle East. FDFA assistance for Swiss nationals on the ground The Swiss embassy in Tel Aviv and representative office in Ramallah remain open, in particular to offer the best possible support to Swiss citizens on the ground. Some 28,000 Swiss nationals and their families are currently officially registered in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Around 430 people with links to Switzerland have registered with the Travel Admin app for Swiss travellers. People wishing to leave the country are advised to arrange for air travel or explore other departure options. The FDFA is providing information on an ongoing basis on departures coordinated by partner countries for which Swiss citizens may be eligible. For further assistance and in case of emergency, Swiss citizens can contact the Swiss embassy in Tel Aviv or the FDFA Helpline (24 hours a day on +41 800 24 7 365 / 0 800 24 7 365 or by email at helpline@eda.admin.ch). The travel advice published on the FDFA website reflects its current assessment of the situation and is continually updated. The FDFA currently has no information on any Swiss victims or Swiss nationals who may have been abducted. Its staff in both Tel Aviv and Ramallah are currently safe and well, given the circumstances. Two-state solution for lasting peace Switzerland is ready to offer diplomatic support to all the parties and states in the region in their efforts to de-escalate the conflict. It remains convinced that only a two-state solution, negotiated by both parties in accordance with international law, can lead to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with Nigerien President Bazoum US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson October 9, 2023 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. Secretary Blinken reiterated that a democratically elected, civilian-led government presents the best opportunity to ensure that Niger remains a strong partner in security and development in the region. The United States calls for the immediate release of all those unjustly detained following the military takeover. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 9 October 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. [The briefing followed a press statement by the Secretary-General.] First, we will just start with the region. Lebanon Our peacekeeping colleagues in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) report they have detected explosions near Al-Boustan in southwest Lebanon this afternoon. While they are working to gather more information, the Head of the Mission and Force Commander, Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, is in contact with the parties, urging them to exercise maximum restraint and utilize the Mission's liaison and coordination mechanisms to prevent further risks of escalation and loss of life. In addition to leadership being in constant contact with the authorities both in Lebanon and in Israel since the events began, UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have remained present along the Blue Line to maintain stability. They have also adapted and enhanced their presence throughout the area of operations, including counter rocket-launching capabilities. ** Gaza Turning to Gaza: Our humanitarian colleagues report that over 120,000 people have been internally displaced in Gaza, due to concerns over their protection and the destruction of homes. You heard the Secretary-General on what we are seeing already in Gaza. Six health-care workers have also been killed and four others were injured, with seven health-care facilities and nine ambulances damaged. In Gaza, damage to water, sanitation and hygiene facilitates has undermined services to more than 400,000 people. The Gaza Power Plant is now the only source of electricity and could run out of fuel within days. Also, as of today, the World Food Programme (WFP) has begun distributing food for up to 100,000 internally displaced Gazans who are seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters with fresh bread and canned food. In the next few days, WFP plans on starting to roll out assistance to up to 800,000 people with food and cash assistance as the situation develops, provided the necessary funding is made available. WFP needs $16.8 million to reach 805,000 people in the next month. UNRWA For its part, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says they are sheltering about 137,000 people in 83 of its schools in all areas of the Gaza Strip. An UNRWA school sheltering displaced families in the Gaza Strip was directly hit over the weekend. The school was severely damaged and was housing about 225 people, though no casualties were recorded among the displaced, but the school sustained significant structural damage. All UNRWA schools across the Gaza Strip are closed. More than 300,000 students are impacted. ** Afghanistan Moving on to Afghanistan, we, along with our humanitarian partners, are now ramping up the response following the 6.3-magnitude earthquake, which struck Herat province, in the west of the country, on Saturday. Our humanitarian colleagues note that the epicentre of the earthquake was in Zindajan district where reports indicate that 100 per cent of homes have been destroyed. According to community-level assessments, nearly 1,300 people have died and 1,700 were injured in Zindajan. In total, an estimated more than 12,000 men, women, and children have been impacted across five districts of Herat Province. Several hundred households have also been displaced to Herat City. The figures are likely to rise in the coming days as search-and-rescue efforts and assessments continue. We have deployed assessment teams and we are providing emergency shelter supplies, blankets, warm clothes, food, hygiene kits, water buckets, chlorine and dignity kits, to those who need it. Our partners have also deployed health teams and are providing trauma and emergency surgery kits. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, Daniel Endres, has approved an emergency reserve allocation from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund of $5 million to support the immediate relief efforts in the earthquake-impacted areas. ** Ukraine This morning, the Security Council heard from Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. She noted that in recent weeks, civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine have remained under nearly constant fire. Ms. DiCarlo also said that the immediate impact of such attacks is clear, and just as clear is the fact that international humanitarian law obligates parties to armed conflict to protect non-combatants. She stressed that we will not waver in calling for accountability for anyone responsible for harming civilians during hostilities. Also briefing was Joyce Msuya, the number two at the Department of Humanitarian Affairs [Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator]. She said that since the attack on Hroza, the UN and humanitarian organizations have been on the scene, alongside local Ukrainian authorities, to ensure that people receive some support in the face of these atrocious attacks. Ms. Msuya warned that winter is yet again upon the people of Ukraine, adding that it is disturbing to see that attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have already been reported over the past weeks. Both remarks have been shared with you. ** Democratic Republic of the Congo Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our peacekeeping colleagues there tell us they are reinforcing their presence in Kitshanga, in North Kivu province, to protect civilians caught up in clashes between the M23 and members of other armed groups. Over the weekend, fresh fighting between these groups forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. Approximately 2,000 people have sought refuge within the UN Mission's base at Kitshanga and 18,000 men, women and children have taken shelter just outside the base. For its part, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that, since the first of October, clashes in Masisi territory in North Kivu have displaced nearly 85,000 people. This brings the total number of people displaced in the province to more than 2 million. These newly uprooted people have sought refuge in safer locations, including in other parts of Masisi territory and in Rutshuru. They have settled with host families or are sheltering in collective centres. Most of them are living in very precarious conditions, as one can only imagine. As a result of the clashes, road traffic is restricted between Goma and Kitshanga. Many of our humanitarian partners have suspended their movements to Kitshanga and its surrounding areas, as a result of fighting. ** Somalia Turning to Somalia, the Humanitarian Coordinator there tell us that about 100,000 people have been impacted by last week's heavy rains and flash floods in the southern district of Baidoa. Shelters for more than 86,000 internally displaced people in 136 settlements were submerged, with most of them still flooded as we speak. In addition to shelter support, people impacted by the floods need food, water and medical care. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that El Nino is expected to bring more rain and more flooding to Somalia through December with at least 1.2 million people in riverine areas likely to be impacted by those heavy rains and flooding. We, along with our humanitarian partners, have worked with the Government to develop emergency preparedness and response plans and the Somalia Humanitarian Fund has allocated $15 million for early action on flooding. But additional resources are urgently needed. This year's Humanitarian Appeal for Somalia is just 37 per cent funded. ** Ethiopia Turning to Ethiopia: The World Food Programme today said that it has begun rolling out food distributions to nearly 900,000 refugees in Ethiopia, following a full revamp of the safeguards and controls at its refugee operations. Families living in refugee camps across five regions, including new arrivals who fled from Sudan, are receiving food parcels for the first time since WFP paused food distributions in June of this year, following reports of large-scale diversions of humanitarian supplies. WFP said that around 35,000 people who have fled from Sudan to Ethiopia in the last six months urgently require food assistance, while Ethiopia also hosts a further 850,000 refugees mostly from Somalia, South Sudan and Eritrea. The resumption of food distributions for refugees follows major reforms in all camps across the country. ** Armenia Just a quick update from Armenia: Over the weekend, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with other UN agencies and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners, have appealed for over $97 million to provide urgent humanitarian aid and protection to refugees and those generously hosting them in Armenia, in support of the Government-led response. The Armenia Emergency Refugee Response Plan was launched over the weekend. It covers relief efforts for a six-month period, until the end of March 2024. The joint plan aims to support 231,000 people including 136,000 refugees and 95,000 members of local host communities. The plan takes into account the upcoming harsh winter months, when critical support will be required. And yesterday, UNHCR said that another two trucks with humanitarian aid arrived in Armenia, carrying essential items such as blankets, foldable beds and mattresses, hygiene items, solar lamps and kitchen sets. ** Internet Governance Forum We are almost there. In Kyoto, Japan, the Internet Governance Forum is underway. Today, the Secretary-General addressed the Forum in a video message and said we need to keep harnessing digital technologies enabled by the Internet to help deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), take climate action, and build a better world. He also underscored the need to close the connectivity gap around the world and re-enforce a human rights and human-centred approach to digital cooperation. "It is imperative that the Internet including the physical infrastructure that underpins it remains open, secure, and accessible to all," he said. His remarks were shared with you. ** World Post Day And sometimes, we make mistakes in this office. Last week, I erroneously announced to you that it was the official World Post Day. In fact, today is World Post day. The letter was late. ** Questions and Answers Spokesman : A pretty grim day all around. Edie? Question : Thank you very much, Steph. A couple of follow-ups on the Middle East. Could you give us some specifics on what the UN and the Secretary-General are doing to prevent a spillover of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas into the broader region? And can you also give us some details on the size of the UN staff in Gaza? I assume that they can't leave and how... Spokesman : Sure. No, let's stop there for now because otherwise, I'll forget everything you've asked me. A couple of things. On the political activity, the Secretary-General and his Special Coordinator have been in close contact with international and regional actors, doing whatever to further the aim of [preventing] a spillover. And I think the Secretary-General mentioned that in his remarks. Just to give you some details, the Secretary-General has spoken to President [Chaim] Herzog. He expects to speak to Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu; also, he expects to speak to President [Mahmoud] Abbas today. He'll be speaking shortly with President [Abdelfattah al] Sisi. He already spoke to the King of Jordan, and we're also expecting him to speak to the Prime Minister of Lebanon. For his part, Mr. [Tor] Wennesland has been in touch with his counterparts from the US, from the European Union, from Egypt, Qatar, and Lebanon, and others. In terms of staff members, we have 13,000 colleagues, UNRWA colleagues in Gaza, national and international. The vast majority are nationals in Gaza. UNRWA has another about 4,000 staff members in the occupied West Bank. So those are our general, you know, and plus we have I'd say in terms of internationals, probably about around 300 in Gaza. They're obviously not able to leave. They are focused on trying to do whatever they can to help the population within their mandate. Question : And two quick follow-ups on that. With all of the aerial bombardments going on at the moment, are they able to deliver any kind of assistance? You're talking about trying to get 800,000 people given assistance how are you going to be able to do that? And who will represent the UN or be on the sidelines at the Arab League Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo on Wednesday? Spokesman : On your last question, I don't know. I will find out if we have a presence there. On the aid, I think as I just read out, WFP is already starting to roll out food distribution. UNRWA is doing whatever it can to feeding people that are sheltering in their schools. Ibtisam? Correspondent : Thank you, Steph. Just a quick follow-up on the last point. I thought the Israelis announced a total siege so that no one can get in and out. Spokesman : Yeah. That's what I said. Correspondent : So, yeah, I know. Spokesman : That's right. Correspondent : But when you say the UNRWA is starting to or will start... Spokesman : It's stuff that's pre-positioned. Correspondent : Already appeared... Spokesman : Yeah, we have supplies that are pre-positioned. Those supplies are not endless. Right? So at some point, in the not-too-distant future, we will run out of supplies unless more supplies can come in. Question : And my question is, you know, when hearing the Secretary-General today, I think for a lot of Palestinians, they would say that they have the feeling that there is a double standard the way also the UN is dealing with the Palestinian issue compared to, for example, Ukraine. And if I look at his speech, he's talking, when it comes to kill Palestinian civilians, he's talking about being alarmed. But when it comes to kill Israeli civilians, he is condemning that. So how do you explain that? Spokesman : I think the Secretary-General and all of us are heartbroken at the loss of any civilian life. And you can do an analysis of the terminology that has been used over the years. The loss of civilian life is exactly that and is to be deplored. Correspondent : Yeah. But, I mean, sorry, I have to push back. But you are not using the same words to describe the loss of civilian life and that's a fact. Spokesman : No. No. I'm not arguing. I'm not arguing. In fact, I'm just, you know, we say what we say. As I said, we'll leave it to you to analyse. I feel I've answered the question to the best of my ability. Question : Okay. I have a follow-up regarding the school, the UNRWA school that was attacked. If I'm remembering right, UNRWA school and UN facilities are always very well-known for the Israelis. So is this also the case in this? I mean, that there are civilians there. Spokesman : Yeah. There is a... you're very correct. There is a deconfliction process that exists. This is, sadly, not the first time that we're seeing... that the people of Gaza are seeing this, and it's not the first time that UNRWA has had to deal with it. UN premises are indeed well-known. As I said, there's a deconfliction mechanism with the other Israeli authorities. We're not in a position to know whether it was targeted or if it was a mistake. What we do know is that it was hit. And that UN schools should not be hit in any way, in any matter or form. Benno, then Pam, then Dezhi. Question : Thank you, Steph. Just a follow-up to Ibtisam. When you say pre-positioned, you mean inside the Gaza Strip? Spokesman : Yes. That's exactly what I mean. Question : Okay. And then my question is the European Union Commission announced that it would freeze all aid to Palestinians. I am not exactly sure if this also contains money for UNRWA. Do you...? Spokesman : Well, we would very much hope that the funding for UN activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Gaza, including UNRWA, be protected. Question : Does that mean you didn't get any notice so far? Spokesman : I think we're seeing the developments as you're seeing them. We appeal that that funding for critical UN work, as I've just laid it out, is protected. Pam, then Benno, then Mike. Correspondent : Thanks, Steph. Of the... Spokesman : Sorry. Dezhi, Benno, Benny. Correspondent : Whatever. Spokesman : I confuse them all the time. I know. Question : Yeah. Right. The 13,000 UNRWA staff? Spokesman : Yeah. Question : Right? Isn't that what you just said? Spokesman : Yes, ma'am. Question : In Gaza? Spokesman : Indeed. Question : And have they been asked to leave? I mean, is there a statement? Spokesman : I mean, the vast majority are Palestinians who live in Gaza. It's their home as well as their workplace. Correspondent : Right. Spokesman : No one can leave. Question : Is there any way to... I mean, are you doing anything to protect? Spokesman : Well, we're trying to do whatever we can to keep our people safe, and our people are also doing whatever they can to help the people they are mandated to help. Question : Alright. And in terms of travel to the Middle East, needless to say, this is not the moment. But this Secretary-General and previous, you were on the one that I was on with, Ban Ki-moon to Khan Yunis. Is there any interest in getting to the region? Spokesman : I have nothing to share with you on that at this moment. Correspondent : Okay. Spokesman : Dezhi, and then Mike. Question : A couple of questions. First, just now the Secretary-General mentioned the Hamas attack is an act of terror. So this is a terrorist attack. Is that correct? Spokesman : Well, those are the words he used. Yes. Question : Okay. So the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Netanyahu, said it's a war now. Does the UN think this is now a war? Spokesman : I think what we are extremely concerned about is a level of tension that we've not seen before, a level of violence that we have not seen before and a risk of spillover that we have not seen before in the recent past. Question : Does the Secretary-General think that his talk to President Abbas of Palestine could really give this situation under control, especially for Hamas? Spokesman : I think the Secretary-General needs to speak to whomever he needs to speak to. And he's doing it at his level. The Special Coordinator is doing the same at his level. Question : And one last question, a follow-up on Ibtisam's question. You know, when I came here in this room, I've never heard anything about the condemnation of the Israelis' act on the Palestinians. You only condemned the Palestinians' attack on Israel. Do you think the UN bears responsibility for today's attack because of this double standard and competence? Spokesman : No. No. Correspondent : But you didn't do any... Spokesman : No. You're asking me a question, Dezhi. Correspondent : Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Spokesman : And my answer is no. Mike? Question : Thank you, Steph. Two questions for you. Number one, you mentioned there's a deconfliction mechanism to try to avoid Israeli strikes on the UN facilities in Gaza. Is there any kind of mechanism to ensure because we've seen it documented, well documented in the past, that Hamas and other terror groups are not occupying those facilities at any given time? How does that work where? Is there any alert between UN personnel on the ground? Spokesman : Well, we have made it perfectly clear that UN premises should obviously not be targeted but should not be used as offensive cover, so to speak. And that message has been passed on over and over again. We're seeing it in the Palestinian camp in Lebanon exactly where we've called on the armed groups to leave the school. Question : Is there a procedure in place though to make sure that civilians...? Spokesman : I mean, the message is being... It is not acceptable for UN premises to be used by armed groups to shelter weapons or to launch offensive. Question : Is there a procedure in place though? Spokesman : Yes. I mean, the messages are passed. We live there. Yeah. Question : Does the UN personnel on the ground say to those civilians, "hey, this is not safe anymore because this is now occupied by militant forces"? How does that work? Spokesman : Well, we ask the militant forces not to use the UN premises. We need to do whatever we can to keep those civilians who are seeking shelter in UN premises safe. Correspondent : One last question for you. Spokesman : Yes, sir. Question : Especially during these conflicts, proportionality is often talked about. I know the Secretary-General was upset that the Israeli actions in Jenin a few months ago during counter-terrorism operations there against Hamas militants. Eight hundred dead, beheadings, rapes, kidnappings of children. What does the Secretary-General deem as a proportionate response to this? Spokesman : It's not for him to set a proportionate response. If you look at what the Secretary-General just said, I think you'll find the answer to your question. Nabil, and then Sherwin. Question : I'm trying to read the Secretary-General's statement carefully. I don't see that he called for a ceasefire. Right? Does he call for a ceasefire? Spokesman : Well, we want to see an end to this cycle of violence. Question : No. Because in his statement, he called on the Hamas and Jihad to stop their attacks and release the hostages immediately. Does he also call on Israel...? Spokesman : We would like to see an end to this cycle of violence. Question : And is the UN doing anything to mediate between the parties on the hostages now? Spokesman : I will just leave it to say that Mr. Wennesland is in touch at the working level with a number of parties. Question : And on the political level, does the Secretary-General have a plan of action? I mean, obviously, he's calling for a negotiated solution, but for the immediate situation, can you share with us if he has any plan of action how to start the de-escalation? Spokesman : You know, this is... we need to see the international community and those in the region who have influence over the parties to all speak with one voice. And that's the aim of the phone calls that he's making and that Tor Wennesland is making. Question : Another question. The Secretary-General has already planned a trip to the region. Is he still planning to go there? Spokesman : As I said, if I have any travel to share with you, I will share it with you. Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African Broadcasting. Question : Steph, thanks so much. The Secretary-General said in his remarks that the most recent violence does not come in a vacuum. So given the years long absence of any confidence-building measures towards direct negotiations, the growing radicalization we are seeing on both sides, the changing of the geography on the ground, on what basis does he continue to argue for a two-state solution? Asked a different way, there's a narrative out there that a two-state solution is purely becoming a fantasy, given the changes we are seeing on the ground. On what basis do you still argue for a two-state solution? Spokesman : Because we feel it's what is in the relevant resolutions passed by the Member States of this organization. And the Secretary-General continues to feel it is the only way forward. Now, we're also not blind. We understand that there are people creating facts on the ground. And every time those facts on the ground are changed, it pushes us in the wrong direction. It does not mean we will not stop pushing for the other direction. Correspondent : Surely, policy changes if reality changes. Spokesman : We adapt, but the goal... at this point, the goal for us is not changing. Stefano, and then madam... Question : Thank you, Stephane. The Secretary-General, when he start this mandate, he did several speech of which one, in particular, the first speech, on the Security Council, he said that prevention is not merely a priority, but the priority. He was talking about prevention of conflict. After we saw in Ukraine and after we seen in the Middle East now, does he think that this policy that he announced and he was not only talking about himself, he was talking, of course, about the UN in general, so the Security Council is a total failure now? Spokesman : The Secretary-General is not the person with the finger on the trigger. He and his envoys have continued to do whatever they can to do preventive diplomacy. In the end, leaders are acting in a way that leads us to a situation that we see. Question : But does he thinks that he did everything he needs in his power? Spokesman : I think he feels he did everything that he could have. Evelyn, and then Celhia. Question : Thank you, Steph. To the atrocities in Israel, is there a chance that they are going to overwhelm the atrocities in Ukraine as far as contributions and humanitarian aid? Spokesman : Evelyn, that's not a question for me to answer. That's an analysis question. We think that we should pay attention to all these crises. But where that... how that attention is paid is offered in the hands of the media. I mean, look at what I've read out today. I've read out about what's going on in Gaza, what's going on in Israel, what's going on in Ethiopia, what's going on in the DRC, what's going on in Somalia. We do our bit. Celhia? Question : [inaudible] Spokesman : I don't know. I don't know. Celhia? Question : Talking about the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Earlier, you said that armed groups in North Kivu are still fighting. The UN has been asked to leave the country. Would you say that the UN failed to stop the fighting in North Kivu? Spokesman : There's a lot of UN failure questions today. I think, you know, many, many of our colleagues, many peacekeepers have lost their lives in the Congo, doing their job, trying to protect civilians. UN peacekeeping is there to create a space in which political leaders need to live up to their responsibilities. And I think in many places, those political leaders have not lived up to their responsibilities. And is that the fault of UN peacekeeping efforts? No to paraphrase my answer to Dezhi. Alan, let's see if somebody can get me in a better mood. Question : That's right. I have a question regarding the Middle East Quartet. Are there any movements in this format? And does the Secretary-General rely on this format in this critical hour? Spokesman : I mean, there's been no... Let me put it this way. There's been no official movement that I'm aware of. The Quartet is a useful mechanism that brings the international community together, but we are only 25 per cent of that Quartet, a mere slice. Yes, sir? Question : Thank you, Stephane. As you know, since last Thursday, Turkiye has been bombing north-east Syria and last night, they killed 29 Kurdish internal security forces. Also, they targeted some agricultural workers, and they injured five [inaudible] women. I wonder if Secretary-General had a chance to get in touch with Turkish officials recently. And plus, is UN going to send any help to build those civilian infrastructure in north-east Syria because of the, for example, like power stations? Spokesman : I need to check on the humanitarian aspect... north-east Syria. As far as I know, the Secretary-General at his level has not been in touch, but we can check with Mr. [Geir] Pedersen on that end. Okay. Round two. Ibtisam? Question : Just a quick follow-up on what Benno asked you about regarding the European Union and them stopping or announcing that they will stop their aid. As you said, you didn't get an announcement when it comes to the UN. But I guess my question is, even if they will not stop the aid to the UN, they will stop it, it seems to be to local NGOs. Do you consider this as being part of collective punishment? Spokesman : I think those men, women and children, and those people who often live in the most vulnerable conditions who rely on humanitarian aid, who are the least responsible for the situation, should not pay a price. Question : And I have a question about Syria and cross-border. Because there is the two other cross-borders that they will expire in, I think, in a month. The Bab al-Salam and... Spokesman : It's a lifetime. Question : Yeah. Any updates there? Spokesman : I will check. I don't mean to minimize it, but I will. I will check. Benno, then Pam. Correspondent : Maybe I'd try a Security Council failure question then. Spokesman : I will not... that's not for me to answer. Question : Well, does the Secretary-General have a comment or, like, a message to the Security Council? They met yesterday on the Middle East, and, obviously, there was no outcome. I think they didn't try to get an outcome... to have an outcome, but still, there must be maybe a message from the Secretary-General to the council. Spokesman : The Secretary-General's message to Security Council is the same as it always has been, is that a strong and unified Security Council helps all of us in our collective action to avoid further violence or to improve situation around the world. Pamela? Correspondent : Thank you, Steph. You mentioned that the SG spoke with Sisi and Abbas and Herzog and Lebanon. I mean, he spoke with a lot of people. Spokesman : I mentioned that he spoke to some and he will speak to others. That's in my list. Question : Yes. Can you give us some sense? I mean, I know there are readouts, but what are the world leaders in the region saying about... Spokesman : Listen, I struggle enough to speak on behalf of the Secretary-General. I cannot speak on behalf of his interlocutors. Question : No. What are they telling him? Spokesman : Listen, you know how much the Secretary-General prizes discretion. And how much I prize my job. So Dezhi? Question : I have an easier question. Today, we discovered that the NYPD [New York Police Department] is actually strengthening security around the United Nations Headquarters. Is that related to what the situation in Palestinian and Israel is? Spokesman : I think you need to ask them. We rely and are extremely grateful for what the NYPD does for us. I mean, we've seen, I think, over the weekend, there were counter-demonstrations not far from here. So the NYPD does to keep whatever it needs to do to keep all of us safe. Stefano? Question : Yes, it's a follow-up of what just Pam asked. Did the Secretary-General intend... did he speak or intend to speak with President [Joseph] Biden? And will he ask him to intervene in the situation about the sparing of civilians in this fighting? Spokesman : The Secretary-General's calls right now are focused to political leaders in the region. Edie, then I'm definitely out of here and leaving you in Monica's hands. Question : On Afghanistan. Has the UN been able to get its people into this area of Herat which is not so easy to get to? Spokesman : Yeah. We're trying to send an assessment team there. The transport and access are always a little challenging. As soon as we have more info, I'll let you know. Monica, over to you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN humanitarian team wraps up assessment mission to Armenia, Azerbaijan UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (New York, 9 October 2023) -- A team from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) concluded a week-long mission on 5 October to Azerbaijan and Armenia to identify the most pressing needs of people in the Karabakh region, as well as of refugees who fled to Armenia. The OCHA team, led by the organization's Director of Coordination, Ramesh Rajasingham, accompanied the UN Resident Coordinator, Vladanka Andreeva, and representatives of UN agencies, to Karabakh on 1 October. In the urban areas visited, the team found very few residents remaining, with most waiting for a bus to leave the region. It also saw signs of rapid flight, with people's personal belongings and livestock having been left behind. Civilian infrastructure and homes - such as schools, the main hospital, and apartment buildings - appeared intact. The mission did not visit any rural villages during this first trip, but these areas will be visited in the coming days and weeks. The team also traveled to the border with Armenia via the Lachin corridor, the route used by more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee Karabakh in recent days. Along the way, the team saw personal belongings, as well as vehicles that had broken down or run out of fuel, strewn by the roadside. No civilians were seen on the corridor when the mission was there. In Armenia, the OCHA team, together with the Resident Coordinator a.i., Natia Natsvlishvili, and the representative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), met with Government officials and civil society organizations. They also spoke to refugees who fled Karabakh - women, men and children traumatized and frightened from their ordeal who recounted the fear and panic that prompted them to flee. OCHA stresses that confidence and trust are critical before the conditions for any voluntary returns to Karabakh can meaningfully be achieved. In the immediate term, OCHA emphasizes that those who have fled Karabakh must receive the assistance they need, that those remaining must be cared for and protected, and that the property rights of displaced persons must be respected. UNHCR, with UN agencies and NGO partners, have launched an appeal for US$97 million to assist 231,000 people - including refugees and the host communities supporting them - in Armenia for six months, in support of the Government-led response. UNHCR has been providing assistance on the ground since refugees began arriving to Armenia late last month. Ahead of the harsh winter months, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated $4 million to help with shelter and other critical needs, while an OCHA team will remain temporarily in Azerbaijan's capital Baku to support continued assessment missions into Karabakh which are already underway. 9 October 2023 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'It's Time to End This Vicious Circle' of Bloodshed, Hatred with Negotiated Peace Fulfilling Aspirations of Palestinians, Israelis, Secretary-General Stresses United Nations Secretary-General Secretary-General Statements and Messages SG/SM/21984 9 October 2023 Following are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' remarks to the press on the Middle East, in New York today: I have just concluded an extraordinary meeting of senior UN leaders to discuss the unprecedented developments in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Let me begin by repeating my utter condemnation of the abhorrent attacks by Hamas and others against Israeli towns and villages in the Gaza periphery, which have left over 800 Israelis dead and more than 2,500 injured. Sadly, these numbers are expected to rise as the attacks are ongoing and many remain unaccounted for. In addition, over 100, possibly more, Israelis civilians and military have been reported captured by armed groups, including women, children and the elderly. Some are being held hostage inside Israel and many others have been taken inside the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have launched thousands of indiscriminate rockets that have reached central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people. But, nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of civilians. I reiterate my call to immediately cease these attacks and release all hostages. In the face of these unprecedented attacks, Israeli air strikes have pounded Gaza. I am deeply alarmed by reports of over 500 Palestinians including women and children killed in Gaza and over 3,000 injured. Unfortunately, these numbers are rising by the minute as Israeli operations continue. While I recognize Israel's legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. Civilian infrastructure must never be a target. We already have reports of Israeli missiles striking health facilities inside Gaza, as well as multi-storied residential towers and a mosque. Two UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] schools sheltering displaced families in Gaza were also hit. Some 137,000 people are currently sheltering in UNRWA facilities, with the number increasing as heavy shelling and airstrikes continue. I am deeply distressed by today's announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, nothing allowed in no electricity, food or fuel. The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities; now it will only deteriorate exponentially. Medical equipment, food, fuel and other humanitarian supplies are desperately needed, along with access for humanitarian personnel. Relief and entry of essential supplies into Gaza must be facilitated and the UN will continue efforts to provide aid to respond to these needs. I urge all sides and the relevant parties to allow United Nations access to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians trapped and helpless in the Gaza Strip. I appeal to the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian support for this effort. The UN Special Coordinator and I are engaging with leaders in the region to express our concern, our outrage and to advance efforts to avoid any spillover to the wider Middle East. Even in these worst of times and perhaps especially in the most trying moments it is vital to look to the long-term horizon and avoid irreversible action that would embolden extremists and doom any prospects for lasting peace. This most recent violence does not come in a vacuum. The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict, with a 56-year long occupation and no political end in sight. It's time to end this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization. Israel must see its legitimate needs for security materialized and Palestinians must see a clear perspective for the establishment of their own State realized. Only a negotiated peace that fulfils the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, together with their security alike the long-held vision of a two-State solution, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements can bring long-term stability to the people of this land and the wider Middle East region. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Task Force Marne Paladin crews provide artillery support during Exercise Iron Wolf By Sgt. Cesar Salazar Jr. October 10, 2023 PABRADE, Lithuania -- U.S. Army M109A7 Paladin howitzer crews with 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment (1-9 FAR), 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, trained alongside NATO allies during Exercise Iron Wolf at Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, Oct. 9. The crews simultaneously qualified on their paladins during Iron Wolf, a multinational exercise conducted by NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Lithuania (eFP Lithuania) to test the force's interoperability as well as its defensive and offensive capabilities in the region. During the exercise, 1-9 FAR conducted artillery table VI qualification, which tests the unit's ability to qualify at the firing line and at the fire planning phase. In turn, 1-9 FAR's live-fire artillery qualifications were used as indirect fire support for German and Lithuanian forces during the exercise. Capt. Patrick Gerrity, commander of Bravo Battery, 1-9 FAR, said Exercise Iron Wolf is the first major exercise in which his unit was able to participate alongside NATO allies. The 1-9 FAR recently arrived at Pabrade Training Area to support U.S. and NATO operations in the region. "Training together with allies is important to create that familiarity between our countries and find out how one another operates," Gerrity said. "So, if we need to operate together, we know the best way to do so and the best practices in large-scale operations." Staff Sgt. Garrett VanAvery, a howitzer section chief with Bravo Battery, 1-9 FAR, echoed Gerrity's sentiment on developing interoperability with allies. He added that the training during Iron Wolf helped enhance communications between the participating countries. "The United States in a war isn't going to be fighting alone," VanAvery said. "We have allies for a reason.This is good training to figure out how we're going to maneuver together, shoot together, and be able to communicate." VanAvery said that Lithuanian and Norwegian troops toured the Paladins, which allowed their troops to ask and answer questions about each other's procedures. He added that the exercise ultimately helped develop his section's readiness to work with Lithuanian and Norwegian armed forces in future operations. Gerrity said in the short time his unit has been in Pabrade, Lithuanian partners have been kind and friendly to his Soldiers. "Our experience working with NATO allies has been nothing but positive," Gerrity said. "We have been welcomed in by the local partners, and they've reached out in multiple ways to make sure that we feel at home here in Lithuania as we would back in Fort Stewart." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark puts development assistance to Palestine on hold Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark 10.10.2023 14:52:25 CEST | News from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark The Danish Government has decided to put Danish development assistance to Palestine on hold. In the meantime, a thorough review will be conducted to ensure that no Danish funding is misused to indirectly support terrorist organisations that attack Israel. This review will be conducted in close dialogue with Denmark's partners in the EU and the Nordic countries. Denmark does not currently provide direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority. The review will cover the current assistance provided to a number of civil organisations, infrastructure projects, agricultural projects and similar. Humanitarian support in the form of emergency aid to meet basic humanitarian needs will not be impacted. "After such serious aggression and the terrorist acts that Hamas has inflicted upon Israel, we need to stop and make absolutely sure that the support we distribute goes to the right people and projects. Therefore, this hold on payments is necessary," says Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jrgensen. BACKGROUND: The long-term objective of Denmark's bilateral programme with Palestine is to contribute to a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to promote stability and improve the living conditions of the Palestinians who are trapped in the conflict. The total Danish engagement in Palestine in 2023 is planned to amount to DKK 235.5 million. A total of DKK 94.1 million in payments was planned for 2023 under the five-year bilateral country programme, of which DKK 72 million has yet to be disbursed. It is this assistance that is now being put on hold. In 2023, Denmark has given DKK 115 million in humanitarian funding for emergency aid and basic services. In addition, nearly DKK 25.8 million has been distributed to support development initiatives through Danish NGOs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 10, 2023 By Joseph Clark , DOD News Emerging Threats are Shaping Future of Homeland Defense Climate change, cyber vulnerabilities and malign state and non-state actors abroad are posing threats that challenge U.S. homeland defense, Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, commander, U.S. Northern Command said today. Speaking at a forum on the future of homeland defense, VanHerck said the United States' ability to demonstrate resilience in the face of these challenges to the homeland is key to Defense Department's ability to deter threats and maintain stability abroad. The changing climate, he said, ranks among his top concerns as an increase in extreme weather events and wildfires and the opening sea lanes in the Arctic tax U.S. resources and strain readiness. "Really what we're seeing is the environment, especially in the Arctic, creating opportunities and vulnerabilities for our competitors to take advantage of," VanHerck said as he kicked off a panel discussion during the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting in Washington. In addition to a changing climate, VanHerck highlighted the United States' growing exposure to cyberattacks. "I would tell you that we're under attack every day in the cyber domain and the information space," he said. VanHerck also underscored the impact that global instability posed by Russia and China is having on U.S. homeland defense. "The bottom line is the [People's Republic of China] is the pacing challenge and a long-term existential threat," he said, while also highlighting the significant challenges posed by Russia. "If you look back since February of '22, when Russia invaded Ukraine illegally, immorally and unethically, they've been more active around the globe, specifically focused on our homeland in the air domain [and] undersea in the maritime domain on a routine basis," he said. "I expect to see that continue as we continue moving forward and I expect to see that more with the PRC." VanHerck also highlighted the threats posed by North Korea, Iran and transnational criminal organizations all of whom pose a threat to the U.S. homeland. He said the current threat landscape represents the most challenging he has witnessed in more than three decades of service. Meeting the challenge, VanHerck said, will require innovation and integration across DOD and the interagency. "We're talking about the future of homeland defense," he said. "I don't think the future looks anything like the past." "I think the future of homeland defense is more autonomous," he said. "It's more unmanned. It's non-kinetic effects that can generate effects that can impact the precision navigation and timing of potential cruise missiles or other threats to our homeland. But it doesn't look like it does today." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 10, 2023 By Jim Garamone , DOD News U.S. Flowing Military Supplies to Israel, as Country Battles Hamas Terrorists The United States is flowing military supplies to Israel as the country battles against Hamas terrorists, President Joe Biden said today. "We stand with Israel," the president said during an announcement at the White House. The Hamas attack has been exceptionally brutal with hundreds of Israeli civilians killed and thousands wounded in the surprise attack out of Gaza that began Saturday. "There's still so many families desperately waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones, not knowing if they are alive or dead or hostages," the president said. Hamas gunmen also kidnapped civilians and now leaders of the group have threatened to execute them. "The brutality of Hamas, its bloodthirstiness, brings to mind the worst rampages of ISIS," Biden said. "This is terrorism." "We will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack," he continued. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today and Biden assured him that the U.S. response to the events will be swift, decisive and overwhelming. "My team has been in near constant communication with our Israeli partners and partners all across the region and the world from the moment this crisis began," the president said. "We're surging additional military assistance, including ammunition, and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome. We are going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens." Biden said that he will ask Congress "to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. This is not about party or politics; this is about the security of our world, security of the United States of America." The United States has also enhanced its military force posture in the region to strengthen deterrence. DOD has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean and bolstered fighter aircraft presence in the region. These moves are not to deter Hamas, but any country or group that may think of taking advantage of the instability and confusion to pursue their own ends. "To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't," Biden said. "Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear." National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there are U.S. citizens among the hostages Hamas has taken. "We are working with the Israeli government and with our regional partners on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the U.S. government to advise the Israeli government and coordinate with them on hostage recovery efforts," he said during a White House news conference. "As the President ... said, there is no higher priority than the safety and well-being of American citizens being held hostage overseas." Sullivan said military supplies are already flowing into Israel with interceptors for the Iron Dome missile defense shield leading the way. "We will be flowing in additional Iron Dome interceptors so that [the Israelis] have the capabilities they need to sustain their Iron Dome defense systems," he said. "We're also looking at other ways that we can help augment their air defense capabilities." Sullivan said that Iran "is complicit in this attack, in a broad sense," meaning Iran has long funded and trained and supplied the terror group. Iranian leaders "have provided capabilities, they have provided support, and they have had engagement in contact with Hamas over years and years," he said. "All of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen now. As to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance, or helped plan or direct this attack? We do not, as of the moment ... have confirmation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU- Gulf Cooperation Council: Opening remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the Joint Ministerial Council European External Action Service (EEAS) 10.10.2023 Muscat, 10/10/2023 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Many thanks, Dear Minister [of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Sayyid Al Busaidi] and Secretary-General [of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Al Budaiwi]. Ministers, Excellencies, it is a great privilege to co-chair this 27th meeting of the Joint Council and discuss with you the significance of our partnership for the prosperity and stability of our respective regions and the profound impact it can have on the international stage at that moment, at that troubled moment. I am particularly proud of the very good attendance of my fellow Ministers from the European Union Member States: which is a clear signal of the importance that the European Union attaches to its privileged partnership with you, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and its Members States. We meet in this format in the Gulf region after many years, maybe too many years. The last time the Joint Cooperation Council took place in the region was in Doha in 2015 - 8 years ago. I want to thank the Omani Presidency, dear Minister, also on behalf of my fellow Ministers, for the warm and generous welcome in this fantastic location. Let me also thank the Gulf Cooperation [Council] Secretariat for the very good cooperation in the organisation of this meeting, and for identifying concrete outcomes for the main points of our agenda. Though we have met many times already, now we are meeting in the middle of a terrible crisis, and we should face it, and you should try to understand what does that mean and what can we do in order to solve it. Those days have been tragic moments in the history of the Middle East. What has been unfolding since Saturday morning is shocking, for the suffering that this attack caused and is causing to innocent civilians, and the tragic impact it will have on the possibility of the two peoples to live side by side in peace and security. I spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, to express the solidarity of the European Union, our condemnation of violence and terror, and expressed the need on the answer to respect International Humanitarian Law, and to prevent more civilian lives from being lost. I also spoke to the Palestinian Prime Minister [Mohammad] Shtayyeh to ask the Palestinian Authority - that has not to be confused with Hamas and other terrorist organisations - to contribute to immediate cessation of hostilities and promote the interest of the Palestinian people and the aspiration of the whole region to security and stability. When we say that we have to prevent more civilian lives from being lost, it should not be a rhetoric statement that goes without continuation. It has to be a clear request to everybody. I also spoke to many in the Gulf countries and other partners in the region. And I think that the priority now is to stop the violence, to de-escalate, to protect civilians and the release of all hostages. The balance of these days is awful, unbearable. Over 900 Israelis and we do not know, maybe 700 Palestinians - but the number is growing by the hour - have been killed, in addition to thousands of injured on both sides. The scale of the aggression took everyone by surprise, even though we were always aware, and vocal about the fact that moving forward without peace, or any political horizon was not sustainable. And that to make peace between Israel and the Arab states was necessary and good, but it cannot substitute making peace with the Palestinians. That is precisely why together with the League of Arab States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, we started a joint initiative to help to revitalise the two-State solution on 18 September with the 'Peace Day Effort'. Yes, because we need to look for the solution to the Palestinian issue. We cannot believe that it could be encapsulated and frozen and forgotten. The problem is there, and it requires a solution. If there is not a two-State solution, then which is the alternative solution, if any? And these tragic events maybe [are] a wake-up call for the international community to remember that this problem is still unsolved. And we have to engage and try to solve it, to avoid the repetition of what has happened these days. But this small and humble effort that we undertook together with our Arab friends cannot replace a real negotiation process between the parties. We need a real push for peace. We need to recalibrate what we said at the United Nations meeting. It is not at the haze of the problem today, we need to do more and quicker. We all need to engage actively, in a persistent and creative manner to move beyond the current deadlock. The conflict will not go away, not disappear. And it will only get worse with time. Though the peace looks very remote today - much more remote than some days ago - and even the prospects for peace negotiations look dim at this point, it remains the only way to achieve a long-term solution that brings peace and security to both peoples. The European Union still believes that the way forward remains the two state-solution - as difficult as it might be, because we cannot imagine another one. We are keen to work with our key partners to that end and build on what we started in New York last month. Maybe these tragic events, and so many lives lost, may be a wakeup call for the international community to face this problem and to engage really to look for a solution to it. Dear ministers, dear Secretary General, with this thoughts in our minds, and I'm sure this will take quite a long part of our discussions today, because our discussion today cannot be business as usual. As if nothing had happened. With these thoughts in mind, we must deal with the current crisis today and work more closely together. Seeing us divided is exactly what Hamas and other terrorist organisations want. We must resist polarisation. The support of our Arab friends in stopping violence is vital. And in this regard, for instance by passing messages to Hamas, as well as to Israel in order to prevent the crises from spiraling out of control and embracing the whole region. We must seize the opportunity that today's meeting presents. Today we have a date with history - if I may say - this is not an ordinary meeting. Today we have a date with history, and an opportunity to explore ways to do what we can to defuse the ongoing crisis and look beyond the current day and try to project our efforts in a future in order to look for a solution that prevents this happens again. One year after the adoption of our strategy for the Gulf, dear members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, we Europeans are here today to take stock of the progress of our cooperation but mostly to commit to work together more and in more strategic areas. This is still more important in these times marked by evolving geopolitical dynamics that challenge the international rule-based order; on those times of fast-paced innovation that urge governments to anticipate and address legal, societal, and ethical issues arising by the application of new technologies. I can cite how things have changed in the last two years. The [Russian] war of aggression against Ukraine has unleashed a spiral of violence and devastation. Across the Sahel, a series of coups is destabilizing the region, as terrorism is gaining ground. Sudan is descending into full-scale civil war and disappearing from the front pages of the newspapers and the media. Afghanistan also has disappeared, but is still there. Meanwhile, the global humanitarian system is overstrained by growing needs. But, we have also witnessed promising developments initiated in the Gulf Region. We have welcomed the reconciliation efforts that led to an agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran in March, and we are very pleased to see greater regional ownership of its security. Nonetheless, the latest drone attack on a military camp at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen border that has killed three Bahraini soldiers, for which I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Kingdom of Bahrein, indicates that continued efforts are an imperative for ensuring peace and stability in the region. We are also following with the greatest attention the consequences of the ruling by the Iraqi Supreme Federal Court on the 2012 Maritime Border Agreement with Kuwait. I had the opportunity of discussing that with the Kuwait fellow Minister. Both Iraq and Kuwait are privileged EU partners. And we want to set this issue solved. We stand ready to help and to support the territorial integrity of Kuwait. We will have the chance to talk about this more [in] depth during our meeting, but now allow me to revert to another subject. We, the European Union, with the full backing of its Member States, are ready to support these region-led efforts to address the security challenges in the Gulf. By finding common ground to address regional stability and combining efforts, we can yield meaningful results and contribute to a more secure and prosperous world. This is why the endorsement today by this Joint Council of the EU-GCC Security Dialogue is paramount to extend our partnership into the realms of security and stability. We are ready to make such dialogue quickly operational and hold the first meeting in Riyadh in January 2024. We promote de-escalation policy for the maritime security in the Gulf and especially in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Arabian Sea. We want to make a stronger work deepening the synergies between the two maritime operations AGENOR and ATALANTA, yesterday I had the opportunity to visit here, one of the warships of this mission and thank you very much to Oman for its support. Yes, we need to explore avenues for regional maritime security cooperation with the Gulf, and our bilateral maritime security cooperation has to increase. Ministers, we have a lot to discuss on our Joint Action Programme that we endorsed at last year Council. We have to talk about our trade relations which remain central in our partnership. We have to further stimulate and increase business cooperation. We are keen to play a pivotal role in the realization of this visionary initiative and I believe is the greatest scope for cooperation with the GCC, as a natural bridge between the three continents. We can use our investment capabilities of the EU and the GCC countries to effectively engage the private sector to unlock the capital, needed in order to face the great challenges of climate change and development. The discussion of today will dedicate particular attention to concrete joint actions on climate change and green transition, in preparation of a successful COP28, and to humanitarian aid with a view to join efforts for a more effective humanitarian aid system. We will talk about it. We will talk about humanitarian support. I am very glad to count on the presence of the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, who yesterday immediately said that our humanitarian support to the Palestinian people will not stop. And I thank you for saying that publicly. Finally, let me stress the importance of fostering people-to-people contacts, and for that we need a mutual understanding and respect for diversity. To fight against islamophobia, but also palestinophobia, to fight against any kind of phobia based on ethnical reasons. And I have to regret that some events in Europe that have created some embarrassing situations, and I present our excuses for that. Believe me, there is not islamophobia in European societies. And now, I leave the floor to the EU Special Representative for the Gulf - former Italian Minister Luigi Di Maio. I will have to ask you to shorten your intervention to two minutes, dear Luigi. We have appointed him for the first time as European Union Special Representative for the Gulf. And as part of your mandate, dear Luigi, is to engage with you to support dialogue and long-term solutions to the stability of the region. Then the floor will be for the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs Ms. Angeles Moreno Bau and will continue our meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the joint press conference with GCC Secretary General, Jassem Al Budaiwi and Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sayyid Al Busaidi European External Action Service (EEAS) 10.10.2023 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Thank you, Minister, thank you Secretary General, thank you to all of you for your attention. It [has been] eight years since the last meeting of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council and its Member States. Eight years is a lot of time. This meeting was long due and has taken place in the middle of a terrible crisis which was not foreseen when we called for this meeting and prepared and organised it. Thank you very much to you Minister and to Oman for the excellent organisation of this meeting. For us it has been a very important and fruitful meeting that hands our partnership and put us in a positive trajectory both on the regional and bilateral track. I see a very good attendance of my fellow Ministers of the European Union Member States, and of the EU Commissioner on Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, and also the EU Special Representative for the Gulf, the former Italian Minister Luigi Di Maio. This strong presence sends a strong signal of the importance that the EU attaches to its privileged partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council and its Members. From this point of view, I'm sure we agree, the meeting has been a success. This year, the Joint Council was of particular significance, and it has produced good results for both sides. Last year, we adopted - at the European Union - our Strategy for the Gulf and at a time where the evolving dynamics in the world geopolitics make us to need both each other, a stronger partnership, to address our common challenges. These challenges were there before last Saturday, and will remain. But last Saturday marked a terrible crisis for the Middle East, and for the Gulf. There have been tragic moments in the history of the Middle East. What has happened since Saturday morning is shocking, for the suffering that this attack launched by Hamas has caused - and continues to cause - to innocent civilians, and the negative impact this will have on the possibility for the two people to live side by side in peace and security. Since last Saturday, I spoke to the Palestinian Prime Minister [Mohammad Shtayyeh] to ask the Palestinian Authority to contribute to immediate cessation of hostilities and promote the interest of the Palestinian people and the aspiration of the whole region to security and stability. I also spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, to express the solidarity of the European Union, in front to these terrible terrorist attacks, our strong condemnation of violence and terror and express the need to respect international humanitarian law and to prevent more civilian lives [from] being lost. I spoke to many others in the Gulf and to other partners in the region. And today, we agreed that the priority is to cease violence and to prevent further regional escalation. It is of utmost importance to ensure the release of hostages, as well as the protection of civilians at all times and by all parties. In order to be concrete, in order to be well understood, let me read - with your permission - Point 21 of our Common Declaration, which summarises what I am saying: The Joint Council express deep concern about the grave development in Israel and Gaza and condemns all attacks again civilians. It calls for the protection of civilians, reminding the parties obligation under the universal principal of the international humanitarian law. It further calls for restraint the release of hostages and allowing access to food, water, and medicines, according with international humanitarian law, and it stresses the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis to avoid repeating this vicious cycle of violence in the future as it has happened in the past. The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council Ministers are resolved to deploy a violent and urgent restrain and calm on all sides and agreed to continue consultations and to remain engaged. The Council supports the initiative taken by Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the League of Arab States, together with Egypt and Jordan, to revise the Middle East Peace Process. We reiterated our commitment to a two-state solution, because it is the only solution. We don't know any other [way]. Based in 1977 lines in accordance with Arab Peace Initiative and relevant United Nations resolutions. They stress the importance of sustained financial support for UNRWA and to continue the humanitarian and development support for the Palestinians in the occupied territories. This is the result of a long and intense engagement and discussion, and frank and open exchange among us. Then, there are other issues on which we have been engaging discussions. I want to stress the importance that we continue giving to the two-state solution. At the same time, there are other crises in the world. We talk about - not less dangerous - the [Russian] aggression against Ukraine, that has unleashed a spiral of violence and devastation. We talk about the situation in Yemen and in Sudan that [are] destabilising the region, [these] are few examples of the challenges we are called to address together. The latest drone attack on a military camp at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen border that has killed three Bahraini soldiers - for which I extend our condolences - and the continuous contentious decision taken by the Iraqi Court vis-a-vis Kuwait, indicate that continued efforts are an imperative for ensuring peace and stability in the region. We want -the European Union together- with you, dear friends and colleagues from the Council Cooperation to reaffirm our mutual and strong interest in a strategic partnership in order to be able to develop maritime security, to face cyber threats, disaster preparedness and counter-terrorism. We welcome today the official launching of a Security Dialogue and high-level forum for regional security, that will take place in Riyadh at the beginning of next year. We discussed about the humanitarian needs worldwide, how to increase and strengthen our cooperation to reinforce the quality, quantity, and effectiveness of our humanitarian assistance. Our trade relations remain a key shared interest. We need to increase them in order to stimulate business cooperation. We also discussed about the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor launched at G20, that promises a tremendous opportunity for growth, job creation, and shared prosperity. We discussed about climate change and green transition, that will be addressed in COP28, where we will be working in cooperation. Finally, we reiterated the importance of fostering people-to-people contacts, as the only effective means to promote inclusive societies, founded on mutual understanding and respect for diversity, fighting against any kind of hate, and founded on mutual respect for diversity, from the point of view of religions, ethnicity, and whatever differences there are among human beings, because at the end, we remain - all of us - human beings. Thank you. Q&A Q . You spoke about the partnership between the GCC and the European Union, which means more cooperation in tourism and the economic sector, and this will lead us on the topic of visas. Don't you think that the visa exception is a necessity in this time for the GCC citizens? Thank you. Well, yes, I understand the issue of visas is a very sensitive issue too [that] we have been discussing. You know that the visa decision [is] taken by the Member States - but the European Union Institutions have certainly an influential role on that. The European Union [has] decided on visa adaptations to facilitate the essence of multiple entry visas for Gulf countries nationals travelling to Europe. This is, I think, an important improvement. It is not the final solution, but it is certainly and improvement because it allows such visas cascade that have received already granted to the five GCC partners given that the United Arab Emirates are already exempt from visa requirement. This will allow the citizens of these countries to benefit from long term visas easily, from one to five years. So, not for each and one of the travels, but as a package for a period of time. This is not the definitive solution, but it is certainly a strong improvement on the current situation. Q. Does the EU in its meeting today, are you going to take effective measures to pressure Israel to stop their attacks on the civilians especially with the great escalation that we have seen with the airstrikes yesterday, and yesterday night? Yes, certainly I want to respond. Well first, this is going to be an informative council, not a formal council because it is taking place out of the premises of the European Union and it is informal, which means that the Ministers will discuss politically about the situation. I thought it was a good idea since many of the Ministers are here in Oman and others could join us by video conference to analyse and to know better among us the situation after last Saturday. I am sure the Ministers will agree with the "communique" that we have agreed with you. And this agreement is everything that could be said, because if we condemn all attacks against civilians, and all means all, [we] call for the protection of civilians, and remind the obligation of fulfilling universal principles of international humanitarian law. It means that when [on] the ground Israel has the right to defend [itself] - certainly it has [it], but it has to be implemented according with the principles of international humanitarian law and we call for the release of hostages, and we call for the access to food, water, medicines which is also according to international humanitarian law; and we call for a need for a political solution, that could avoid once and again this cycle of violence. And certainly, we reject the terrorism acts that have created so much pain and, certainly from our understanding, not support the Palestinian cause. I think that the discussion of the Ministers will be following tonight and the agreement that we have been able to reach with our colleagues and friends from the Gulf could be a good pattern for our discussion this afternoon. Q. We know that Oman has played a good role in JCPOA. Did you discuss any solution with the Omani side to revive the JCPOA? Well, I have been talking my Omani friends and Ministers about a lot of things. Among them, certainly, the good work that the Omani diplomacy is doing in many fields, on mediation and communication between the parties. I know that Oman has an important role, is playing an important role for example and with respect to Yemen, but also has important contacts that could be useful for the development of the JCPOA, but this, in particular, has not been delt in the meeting. What we have been talking during the meeting and, I want to stress, is that to diffuse some false information about for example that Germany was going to cancel the support to the Palestinian authority. The German Ministers has clearly stated that this was not the case at all, that Germany will continue providing the support. Certainly, looking at the further developments and the medium and long terms but not suspending them. One of the parts of our resolutions, was stressing the importance of continuing humanitarian development and aid in the occupied Palestinian territories and the West Bank to the supporting Palestinian authority. From this point of view, as you know, it has already been clarified that there will not be suspension of the due payments to funds to Palestine from the European Union Commission. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Baerbock prior to the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories Germany Federal Foreign Office 10.10.2023 - Press release Foreign Minister Baerbock issued the following statement today (10 October 2023) prior to the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories: "Europe stands united alongside Israel. The acts of terror by Hamas mark a dramatic watershed and have brought an unprecedented level of violence and fear to the people in Israel. We are deeply shocked. Our thoughts are with the families of the many hundreds of people killed. Today's special meeting is an expression of our solidarity with Israel. To the Palestinian leaders we say in no uncertain terms: distance yourselves from this terrorism. There can be no justification for it. As the Palestinian Authority, you have an obligation to act responsibly, also in the interests of your own people. The violence must not be allowed to spread to the West Bank. The German Government, like the European Commission, regularly reviews its assistance for the Palestinian territories. In this emergency situation we are once again scrutinising not only our development cooperation but also our humanitarian assistance, in close consultation with the United Nations. We agree, however, that it would be quite wrong at this point in time to halt vital humanitarian assistance for the civilian population. Millions of people, including many children, in the Palestinian territories, depend on us for the provision of food, water and medicines. The suffering and death of Palestinian civilians is part of the terrorists' strategy. The fact that Hamas is hiding behind the civilian population in this situation is particularly perfidious. Even in this state of absolute emergency, protection of the civilian population is the utmost priority. The terrorists' plan must not be allowed to succeed. Through its acts of terror, Hamas wants to ignite a conflagration. The goal must now be to prevent other players in the region from adding fuel to the fire. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China expels Philippine naval gunboat trespassing near Huangyan Global Times PLA involvement possible after escalated provocation by warship: experts By Liu Xuanzun and Zhao Yusha Published: Oct 10, 2023 08:44 PM The China Coast Guard (CCG) expelled a gunboat of the Philippine Navy that intruded into waters off China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) in the South China Sea on Tuesday. The event, together with a recent military exercise featuring the Philippines and the US, marks a possible escalation of the continued tensions between China and the Philippines that have been rumbling on since August, as China could now send the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy reciprocally to counter if more Philippine warships trespass in the area, analysts said. Disregarding repeated dissuasions and warnings from the Chinese side, a Philippine Navy gunboat insisted on intruding into the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Island on Tuesday, Gan Yu, a spokesperson at the CCG, said in a press release on the day. CCG vessels took necessary measures, such as tracking, pushing and navigation restrictions, to drive away the Philippine military vessel after multiple verbal warnings turned out to be ineffective, said Gan, who stressed that the on-site operations were professional, standardized, and lawful. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant maritime areas, the CCG pokesperson said. "The actions of the Philippine side violated China's sovereignty and seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations. We urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringement. The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities to safeguard China's national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in China's jurisdictional waters," Gan said. The latest trespass came after several similar attempts since August, as the Philippines repeatedly attempted to send building materials to China's Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) to reinforce a Philippine warship illegally grounded there since 1999, and self-staged a show hyping China's setting up of a "floating barrier" to block a Philippine vessel's illegal access to Huangyan Island. However, observers noted that the previous events featured Philippine coast guard and government vessels and were reciprocally dealt with by the CCG, but the latest event was prompted by a Philippine Navy warship. By sending a naval gunboat, the Philippines is testing China's resolve and using the move as a chip to negotiate with China, Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday. If the Philippines continues to provoke in this way, China's countermeasures may upgrade to a military level accordingly, Xu said. Chinese military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping said that China has countered the Philippines' provocations in a reciprocal manner, responding to coast guard vessels with coast guard vessels. But if the Philippines sends warships and escalates the situation, China will also likely respond reciprocally, Song said. Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines denied the Philippine Navy presence around Huangyan Island in a media interview on Tuesday, the Philippine News Agency reported. The Philippines and the US are joining in the 12-day military exercise SAMASAMA being held from October 2 to Friday off Luzon, the Philippines, only about 340 kilometers away from Huangyan Island amid tensions in the South China Sea, prompting foreign media to say that the exercise is targeted at China. Chinese experts warned that the US is only using the Philippines as a pawn to contain China and achieve its hegemonic goals, and a military escalation in the South China Sea will only backfire on the Philippines, which has no military force to rival the PLA, while the US will not fight for the Philippines' national interests. Chen Xiangmiao, director of the world navy research center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday that, coast guard ships or naval ships, both are intended to provoke China. China outweighs the Philippines in terms of naval forces, thus it is impossible for Manila to form the courage for a direct contest with China without the support of Washington, Chen said. Recent Philippine movements around Huangyan Island could be an attempt to divert China's attention from Ren'ai Reef, analysts said. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that the Philippines has recently taken a series of steps at Ren'ai Reef that seriously violate China's territorial sovereignty. "China once again urges the Philippines to take seriously China's concerns, stop making provocations and creating troubles at sea, and stop groundless attacks and smears, so as to avoid undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea and harming the common interests of countries in the region. China will continue to, in accordance with our domestic laws and international law, do what is necessary to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, West urged to end neglect of Palestine issue as tension simmers Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Oct 10, 2023 11:19 PM The Israel-Gaza conflict entered its fourth day with Israel declaring on Tuesday control regained over the Gaza border. Chinese analysts urged US and Western leaders to stop the long-term marginalization of the Palestine issue or fan the flames of the conflict, calling for more efforts to calm the situation in order to prevent a potential sixth war in the Middle East. In retaliation for the Hamas militant attack on Saturday, Israeli airplanes bombarded Gaza City's downtown nonstop until early Tuesday, cutting off the Gaza Strip from food and other supplies. According to Reuters, the Israeli military activated an unprecedented 300,000 reserve soldiers and placed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, increasing concerns that it was preparing a ground invasion in response to the most daring and deadliest Hamas offensive in decades. As of press time on Tuesday, the cumulative death toll on both sides had risen to nearly 1,600. Gaza's Health Ministry on Monday said at least 687 Palestinians had been killed and 3,726 wounded in Israeli air strikes on the blockaded enclave, Reuters reported. Early Tuesday, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US released a joint statement in which they expressed their "steadfast and united support" to Israel and condemned the Hamas attack. The Western leaders' acknowledgement of "the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people" was noted in the statement, but it has come under fire from netizens on social media for their double standards on the Palestine issue. Observers voiced concern that the US and certain Western leaders' biased support would worsen the conflict. As long as Israel is seen as a member of their camp and Hamas as terrorists, the US and many European nations would want to offer Israel support in diplomacy and in rhetoric. However, if the conflict spreads, the scenario may get worse, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times. In an attempt to provide symbolic support to Israel and intimidate Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group, US made the one-sided decision to send weapons and warships to Israel. However, since the US has been reducing its commitments in the region, it will not readily get back into the conflict, but to demonstrate its role, it may provide Israel with weaponry and intelligence, Liu said. Although several EU leaders expressed support for Israel, considering the widespread sympathy for the Palestinians in European nations, the bloc may not accept long-term one-sided support for Israel, according to the expert. For example, divisions among EU member states and a lack of convergence from EU institutions were on display on Monday over plans to halt aid to Palestine in response to Saturday's attack on Israel by Hamas. According to European media, several countries, including Ireland, Luxembourg and Denmark - had been pushing for the EU to call for de-escalation. Concern over escalation The international community is concerned about how the conflict will evolve. According to Liu, in order to reassure its citizens, the Israeli government would undoubtedly exact retribution on Hamas and undertake the heaviest strike it has ever launched. But it also faces another problem - Hamas is hard to eradicate from Gaza due to its close links to the local community, and if its use of force results in significant civilian casualties and humanitarian catastrophes in Gaza, it will come under greater moral pressure. Liu noted that the risk of a sixth Middle East war still exists if Israel is engulfed by the desire for revenge and expands the war, or if Hamas finds itself fighting a last-ditch battle, or if more countries are dragged into the war. "It would be a more pitiful situation if the war escalates with relevant parties losing their minds," said Liu. There was no sign of cease fire on Tuesday. Hamas is ready to fight a long war with Israel, a senior member of the militant group was cited by the Associated Press as saying on Tuesday. Moreover, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets into Israel after at least three of its members were killed during an Israeli bombardment of Southern Lebanon amid soaring tensions on Israel's northern border, according to media reports. The situation in Gaza is being closely watched by the international community. Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University said that the immediate priority is to stop additional parties from engaging in the Israel-Gaza conflict and from adding fuel to the fire. However, if Israel deploys significant ground forces into Gaza, the situation may become challenging with the possibility of an alarming humanitarian disaster. As the situation worsened, the United Nations, foreign relief organizations, and public health professionals said they were increasingly worried about humanitarian needs in Palestinian regions. Approximately 6 percent of Gaza's population, or more than 137,000 individuals, are now taking refuge in facilities administered by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, according to a statement made by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reporters in New York. China has paid high attention to the continued escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict and urged all relevant parties to enact a cease fire. China is willing to maintain communication with all parties and make efforts toward stabilizing the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Tuesday. The bloodshed and deaths in the Middle East once again bring to light the disastrous consequences of the US and Western countries' long-term marginalization of the Palestinian issue, analysts said. It also highlights that the US' strategy to promote normalization between Israel and the Arab states would be a castle in the air without resolving the Palestine issue. Although there has been no official information from any relevant parties, there have been growing reports that a US-brokered deal to formalize diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel may be victimized in the escalation of situation. The Palestinian issue has historically been viewed by the global community as the most important, sensitive and fundamental problem in the Middle East. But in order to achieve reconciliation between Israel and Saudi Arabia and persuade more of its friends and other moderate nations to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, the US strives to sidestep or even ignore the Palestinian issue. Its goal is to put together a unified front to attack Syria and suppress Iran, Sun said. The US should reflect its regional strategy and advocate for long-term solutions to Israel-Palestine conflict rather than stoking tensions, said Sun. Palestine and Israel are neighbors that cannot be moved and the two-state solution is a concluding and right solution to solving the Palestinian issue. Without an independent country of the Palestinians, the security of Israel cannot be guaranteed, Sun said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China to work with international organizations, other creditors to help resolve Sri Lanka's debt problems: Foreign Ministry Global Times By Global Times Published: Oct 10, 2023 06:30 PM China will continue to support its financial institutions in actively negotiating with relevant parties, and is willing to work together with relevant countries and international organizations to assist Sri Lanka in addressing its difficulties, easing its debt burden and achieving sustainable development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday. Responding to media questions regarding the help China has provided for Sri Lanka's debt restructuring and the progress of the debt resolution work, Wang said: "As a friendly neighbor and sincere friend, China closely follows the difficulties and challenges Sri Lanka faces and has been providing assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka's economic and social development." From last year, Chinese financial institutions have maintained close communication with relevant parties on Sri Lanka debt, actively engaged in bilateral negotiations, timely provided financing support to Sri Lanka, and helped Sri Lanka secure loans from the International Monetary Fund. Chinese financial institutions, as observers, have participated in the creditors meetings, maintained friendly communication with other creditors, and shared progress on debt resolution. In late September, the Export-Import Bank of China, as an official creditor, reached a preliminary agreement with Sri Lanka on the disposal of Chinese debt. Wang said: "We are pleased to see that other creditors are now discussing debt resolution plans for Sri Lanka," while highlighting China's stance in providing support to its domestic financial institutions in negotiating with relevant parties over the matter. "We also call on multilateral institutions and commercial creditors to participate jointly in Sri Lanka's debt restructuring and share responsibilities fairly," the spokesperson said. China and Sri Lanka have long maintained a close relationship of mutual support and understanding, regardless of how the international situation changes. However, since Sri Lanka fell into an economic crisis, some Western forces have been seeking to undercut China-Sri Lanka bilateral ties with the "debt trap" and other narratives. Speaking to the Global Times in an previous interview, Ali Sabry, Sri Lanka's foreign minister said: "I think some media outlets use it to advance their agendas...Chinese investment was and has been very important to us. Sri Lanka had been depressed for 26 years. No investment was forthcoming. Everybody was adopting an empty approach, but the Chinese investment came and propelled the growth in Sri Lanka. Therefore, we are very grateful for that." Regarding the country's economic problems, Sabry said there were multiple factors including bad policies, the pandemic and global geopolitical tensions. "We are not going to blame somebody else for that and we need to take ownership of that. We had serious policy deficiencies. We are now addressing those issues, overcoming them, and getting back to a sustainable way forward," Sabry said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Recap: October 10th, 2023: 17:00 IDF Press Release 10.10.23 IDF Editorial Team The Israel Defense Forces completed the initial phase of regaining control over Israeli communities in southern Israel on Monday afternoon, following Hamas' barbaric attack on Israeli civilians that began on Saturday, October 8th, As of this morning (October 10) and as a result of dedicated action from the IDF and Israeli security forces, there is no active large-scale combat taking place within Israel's borders and the IDF has re-taken control of all towns and communities in southern Israel. IDF forces are deployed in the area and are actively engaged in preventing and neutralizing isolated attacks from terrorists who previously infiltrated into Israel. IDF forces are also dealing with new attempted attacks. In order to degrade Hamas' capabilities to wage war on Israel, the Israeli Air Force expanded its waves of strikes on Monday. Over 2,100 terror targets across Gaza have been targeted in ongoing large-scale sorties in a sustained and forceful response to the Hamas aggression which continued with barrages of rockets and missiles toward central and southern Israel on Tuesday . These sorties continued throughout Tuesday, expanding to both Rimal and Khan Younis. In addition, two senior Hamas leaders, including Hamas' Minister of Economy - were killed in IDF strikes. On the northern front, a number of terrorists were neutralized through close collaboration between aerial and ground forces. During the encounter, two terrorists were killed and another fled back into Lebanon . In that same encounter, IDF Deputy Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Alim Abdullah fell during the battle. The IDF remains vigilant on all fronts. This is the largest military draft in Israeli history, with over three hundred thousand reservists drafted. The IDF is prepared for a sustained and forceful war on the terrorists in the Gaza Strip, while carefully monitoring the north, all with the primary objective of restoring security to the residents of Israel. The world continues to share its outrage with Hamas' savagery. Following close coordination between Israel and the United States, CENTCOM has deployed an aircraft carrier group to the region. Senior IDF officers are in regular contact with their American counterparts. October 10, 2023: Notes from the IDF Spokesperson to International Media, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht This has been a grueling 80+ hours, triggered by a carefully planned, barbaric attack on Israeli civilians via land, air and sea. The savagery of these attacks shocked the world and culminated in over 900 Israeli casualties, with many dozen civilians abducted into the Gaza Strip. This ISIS-style terrorist attack is unlike any other in our history and demands an historic response. I say this from personal experience. Earlier today, I took about one hundred international journalists to Kfar Azza - one of the communities impacted by the horrific slaughter. This is a small community that will need to come to terms with at least ten of its residents killed. The scenes of chaos, of mayhem and the stench of death will stick with me forever. We are outraged. The world is outraged. And it must not happen again. Beginning on Saturday, the IDF responded with determination and resounding force, with aerial attacks on a range of targets in Gaza. We've targeted thousands of Hamas sites across Gaza so far but this is still just the beginning, not the end. We are prepared for a sustained campaign that will restore security in the face of this savage barbarism. This holds true regardless of the region, south or north, near or far. This is our home and we will defend it. Lt Col Richard Hecht, IDF Spokesperson to International Media Key Stats Rockets fired from Gaza: 4,500 Over 2,200 terrorist sites attacked within Gaza Hundreds of Hamas terrorists have been killed in Israel and dozens have been detained. Over 900 Israelis killed, including 124 IDF soldiers. Dozens of Israelis are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, with fifty having received official confirmation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IDF Announcement: IDF strikes Head of Hamas Internal Relations Office IDF Press Release 10.10.23 IDF Editorial Team IDF: Overnight, an IDF aircraft struck Zachariah Abu Ma'amar, a senior member of the Hamas terrorist organization's political bureau and head of its office for internal relations. He was a senior Hamas decision-maker and coordinator between terror groups in the Gaza Strip. Abu Ma'amar was part of Hamas' senior forum, involved in the organization's decision-making and the planning of numerous terror activities against the State of Israel. Abu Ma'amar was known as a confidant to Yahya Sinwar, incited against Israel and acted to endanger Israeli civilians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi speaks with Prime Minister of Israel India - Ministry of External Affairs October 10, 2023 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a telephone call today from the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu. Prime Minister expressed deep condolences and sympathy for those killed and wounded as a result of the terrorist attacks in Israel and conveyed that people of India stand in solidarity with Israel in this difficult hour. He reiterated that India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. PM highlighted the issue of safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu assured of full cooperation and support. The two leaders agreed to remain in close touch. New Delhi October 10, 2023 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran FM stresses Palestinians right to self defense IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 10, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned about the occurrence of a great human catastrophe in occupied Palestine, and stressed the Palestinians' right to self defense. Amirabdollahian wrote his letter to the UN secretary-general Antoon Tuesday, warning about the occurrence of a great human catastrophe in occupied Palestine. This was in continuation of the actions and consultations of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the recent developments in occupied Palestine and the crimes committed by the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian people. In his letter, the Iranian foreign minister pointed to the suffering of the Palestinian nation at the hands of the Israeli regime over the past seven decades, blaming also the Western countries led by the United States for the Palestinian nation's dire situation. "During these seven decades, the Zionist occupying regime without paying the slightest attention to the laws and norms of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights, benefitting from all-out support of the United States of America and the West, which protect this regime against any legal charges and punishment, has committed the most heinous war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide against the oppressed people of Palestine," he noted. Elsewhere in his letter, the top Iranian diplomat asserted that the Palestinian nation has the right to self-defence against the occupying regime in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. He further pointed to the Saturday launched Al-Aqsa Storm Operation by the Palestinian resistance group and described the Hamas-led military action as a natural reaction of the Palestinian people in defense of their most basic rights. Amirabdollahian further warned against the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians by the Zionist regime in the battle against Gaza and warned against the dangers of laying full sedge around the Gaza Strip by cutting water supply and humanitarian aid. In conclusion, Amirabdollahian emphasized once again that the only solution to the Palestinian issue is to end the occupation and recognize the right of the oppressed Palestinian people to self-determination of their destiny and realize the formation of an independent Palestinian state in all Palestinian lands with holy Quds as its capital. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Unprecedented event: Ayatollah Khamenei's warning tweet in Hebrew addressed to Zionists IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 10, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- X (Twitter) account of Khamenei.ir published a tweet in Hebrew in an unprecedented move. In this tweet, today's warning of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, addressed to the Zionists was published, during which the defeat of the usurping Zionist regime during the attack on Saturday, October 15, was considered irreparable by the resistance forces and they emphasized that the cause of this situation is the Zionists themselves. "You the Zionist oppressors, the October 7 Defeat is irreparable. You have yourself to blame for this," Ayatollah Khamenei tweeted. Also, in their statements on Tuesday at the Imam Ali Officer University, Ayatollah Khamenei considered the Al-Aqsa storm operation as a devastating earthquake and an irreparable intelligence and military failure for the Zionist regime and emphasized that despite the fact that the supporters of the usurping regime, Islamic Iran was behind this move. introduce, brave young people and intelligent Palestinian designers created this saga. He also stated that the Zionist regime wants to justify the mass killing of the people of Gaza by oppressing them. The leaders of the usurping regime should know that the reaction of these atrocities will be a heavier slap on their ugly faces. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Supreme Leader: Zionist regime suffered irrevocable military, intelligence defeat IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 10, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Zionist regime has suffered an irrevocable defeat both in terms of military and intelligence. Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during a speech at the joint graduation ceremony for the cadets studying in the academies of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces on Tuesday morning. Since the beginning of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, "the occupying Zionist regime has suffered an irrevocable defeat both in terms of military and intelligence," he said. The Leader then noted that while everyone talked about the "defeat", he would emphasize the "irrevocability" of it. "I say that this devastating earthquake has managed to destroy some of the main structures of the occupying regime's rule, which cannot be rebuilt so easily," he remarked. "We kiss the foreheads and arms of the resourceful and intelligent designers [of the operation] and the Palestinian youth, but those who say that the recent great event is the work of non-Palestinians are making miscalculations." The Zionist regime carried out deadly strikes on the densely-populated Gaza Strip on Saturday after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, a surprise attack, in the occupied territories. Hamas said that its operation was a response to the regime's violations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East al-Quds. "The Zionists brought this disaster on themselves through their actions," Ayatollah Khamenei argued. "When cruelty and crime exceed the limit, when ferocity reaches its peak, one should await the storm." He maintained the Palestinians' brave move was a response to the atrocities of the occupying enemy, which he said had been going on for years and intensified in recent months. The current administration ruling the occupying regime is also to blame, he added. 'No one can portray Zionist regime as innocent' Elsewhere in his remarks, the Supreme Leader referred to attempts to whitewash Israeli crimes and portray the regime as innocent, saying, "Now that the evil and cruel enemy has been slapped, it has resorted to a policy of depicting itself as innocent." In this path, he continued, others, including the media of the Global Arrogance, also helped the regime. He hastened to add, however, that such attempts to portray the regime as innocent are based on lies and distortions and are doomed to fail. "Just because the Palestinian Mujahideen (resistance fighters) managed to get out of the siege of Gaza and reach the military and civilian centers of the Zionists, should [the regime] be called innocent?" "Whatever the occupying regime is, it is not innocent. It is cruel, aggressive, ignorant, and talking gibberish, but not innocent. No one can turn this hideous monster into an innocent face." Heavier slap awaiting Zionists The Supreme Leader further said the Zionist regime continues its massacre of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip under its guise of innocence, calling the move a miscalculation. "Let the rulers and decision-makers of the occupying Zionist regime and their supporters know that this will only bring a greater disaster upon them," he warned. "Let them know that the reaction to these atrocities will be a heavier slap on their ugly faces." He also noted that gone is the day when some would ascend to high positions in Palestine by sitting with and appeasing the oppressor. In another part of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the Iranian Armed Forces for safeguarding the country's national security, saying, "Without security, there is nothing." "If a country does not have the power to defend its own security, it has no choice but to define itself under this power and that power," he stated. According to the Supreme Leader, the US created the Daesh terrorist group to destabilize the region with the ultimate goal of targeting Islamic Iran. However, he went on, the Iranian Armed forces managed to overcome this conspiracy as well. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli ban on Gaza water supply 'war crime': Top Iran rights official IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 10, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Secretary-General of Iran's High Council for Human Rights Kazem Gharibabadi says the Zionist regime's move to cut off the drinking water is a war crime. In a post on social media, Gharibabadi said accessing safe and clean drinking water has been recognized as a basic human rights, the IRNA reported on Tuesday. "The Zionist regime's move to cut off water to the people of Gaza is considered a war crime," he said, pointing out that the Daesh terrorist group also cut off the water supply of Syria's Aleppo seven years ago, a move which the UN emergency aid coordinator in Syria called at the time a war crime. Israel on Monday announced a "total" blockade of the already besieged Gaza Strip, including a ban on food and water, after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, in the occupied territories. Hamas said that its operation was a response to the regime's violations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East al-Quds. 4354**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At the informal EU foreign ministers' meeting, Foreign Minister Karins expresses solidarity with Israel and underlines the need for political dialogue with the region's countries Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10.10.2023 On 10 October 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Krisjanis Karins, took part in the informal video conference of the foreign affairs ministers of the European Union to exchange views on current developments in the Middle East following the violent attack by the Hamas terrorist organisation on Israel. At the meeting, the Foreign Minister expressed solidarity with the Israeli people while emphasising the need to seek a political dialogue that would help achieve sustainable peace between the parties to the conflict. Krisjanis Karins underlined the need for the Palestinian Authority to clearly distance itself from the Hamas terrorist organisation and condemn its attacks. The Foreign Minister also expressed concern about the possible consequences of the escalation in the region. The EU must engage with its partners in the region to promote a more active involvement and greater accountability on their part in searching the ways for a dialogue, the Foreign Minister noted. The informal video conference of EU ministers of foreign affairs took place on the initiative of the EU High Representative Josep Borrell in response to the growing crisis in Israel and the Middle East. The meeting comes in the wake of the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council in Oman, at which recent events in the Middle East was one of the central topics on the agenda. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) Kicks Off Kuwait Bilateral Exercise 3.0 US Marine Corps News 10 Oct 2023 | Capt. Angelica White PEO Land Systems CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT -- The Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) will participate in a Marine Air-Ground Task Force training exercise as part of the Kuwait Bi-Lateral Exercise 3.0, enhancing operational readiness and partnerships while deployed to the Middle East region, Oct. 8-22, 2023. The sustainment training began with the USS Bataan, flagship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and USS Carter Hall, arriving in the vicinity of Kuwait to offload elements and equipment necessary for execution via surface connectors and aviation assets. Kuwait 3.0 follows a series of bilateral training exercises centered on building partnerships through subject matter expert exchanges, facilitating the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures between U.S. and Kuwaiti forces, while also exercising MAGTF core mission essential tasks required to sustain warfighting readiness and the operational capabilities necessary as the premier crisis response force within U.S. Central Command. During this exercise, the 26MEU(SOC)'s Maritime Special Purpose Force will conduct a covert, advanced, long-range, maritime reconnaissance mission using combat rubber raiding craft launched over-the-horizon via an autonomous landing craft utility in order to secure a beach for follow-on MAGTF forces within the simulated threat-based scenario. The MSPF will also conduct advanced close quarters combat training, advanced marksmanship training, and military free-fall operations. More so, the MSPF will execute the majority of the training with a Naval Special Warfare element attached to the MSPF, showcasing MEU/SOF-integration within USCENTCOM area of responsibility and the partnership with Special Operations Task Force - Central Command. Marines and Sailors from the Logistics Combat Element and Ground Combat Element will participate in myriad of squad, platoon, and company-level live-fire ranges, while the Aviation Combat Element executes close air support utilizing joint terminal attack controllers from across the MAGTF to sustain warfighting readiness. "Kuwait 3.0 provides the team with a unique opportunity to exercise the full operational capabilities of the ARG/MEU(SOC) and to showcase the ability of the ARG/MEU(SOC) to exploit the asymmetric advantages the sea provides as maneuver space over a notional adversary within a realistic threat-based scenario," said Colonel Dennis "Dolf" Sampson, Commanding Officer of the 26MEU(SOC). "Short-duration exercises like Kuwait 3.0 are important - they provide the Marines and sailors of the 26MEU(SOC) an opportunity to train to advanced skills in an effort to sustain our crisis response and warfighting readiness; provide an opportunity for the MEU(SOC) MAGTF to conduct amphibious operations coupled with land-based operations; and provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships with regional partners. More so, this exercise comes at an opportune time to truly showcase the relevance and operational capabilities of the 26MEU(SOC) - more specifically, the capacity, staff depth, and competency of the Command Element to C2 the MEU(SOC) in distributed areas across geographic combatant command boundaries - with an element of the 26MEU(SOC) conducting training in Spain and this element simultaneously executing advanced MAGTF training in Kuwait." The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit has successfully partnered with Kuwaiti forces during two small scale bilateral training exercises so far during this deployment with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6 focused on infantry tactics, techniques, and procedures and integrated live-fire training within the Udari range complex. Kuwait 3.0 provides an opportunity to strengthen the long-standing partnership that the MEU(SOC) has built over several years of training alongside Kuwaiti forces on Kuwaiti bases. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a special-operations capable, Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of approximately 2,400 Marines and Sailors and made up of three major subordinate elements with the ability to provide agility in dynamic security environments spanning across multiple geographic combatant command boundaries. The 26MEU(SOC) serves as one of the United States premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on-forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commander. Coupled with the USS Bataan ARG, the 26th MEU(SOC) serves as a premier stand-in force with a full complement of all-domain operational capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals and/or the weapons engagement zones of an adversary. The 26MEU(SOC), embarked aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, serves as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command Immediate Crisis Response Force within the Fifth and Sixth Fleet's areas of operation. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26MEU(SOC), embarked on the USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall, under the command and control of Task Force 51/5, are on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of operations, employed by U.S. Fifth Fleet to increase maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26MEU(SOC) has been deployed since Jul. 10, 2023. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, USS Bataan; Harpers Ferry class dock landing ship, USS Carter Hall; and embarked 26MEU(SOC) have been operating in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Fifth Fleet area of operations, providing support to regional and coalition partners. The USS Mesa Verde, assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, and elements of the 26MEU(SOC), serving under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, are concurrently on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa area of operations, employed by Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary General welcomes strengthened NATO-EU cooperation in changing world NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 10 Oct. 2023 NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana participated in the European Defence and Security Conference in Brussels on Tuesday (10 October 2023). In a conversation with the Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren, moderated by Euronews journalist Meabh Mc Mahon, Mr Geoana highlighted the significant increase in NATO-EU cooperation in recent years. In a world that is changing, NATO and the EU must work even more closely together than ever to ensure our security Mr Geoana said. He added: "the war in Ukraine, terrorist attacks in the Middle East, the rise of China, technological revolution. We cannot afford to sit idle. The lives of one billion citizens of NATO, and so many hundreds of millions in the EU, are in our hands". The Deputy Secretary General also said that NATO and the EU should continue to strengthen cooperation in the field of innovation to "avoid unnecessary fragmentation of our unique innovation ecosystem, on which our interests in the long-run depend". He concluded that NATO and the EU must find ways to accelerate their technological edge by increasing innovation across NATO Allies and EU member states. The European Defence and Security Conference brings together key decision makers from the EU, NATO, academia, and the defence industry to address current security challenges. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary General thanks parliamentarians for their support to Ukraine at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 09 Oct. 2023 Last updated: 10 Oct. 2023 Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana addressed the 69th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark on Monday (9 October 2023). In his address, Mr Geoana highlighted the important role parliamentarians play in NATO's continued support Ukraine, its strengthened deterrence and defence, and in defending NATO's shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. The Deputy Secretary General thanked Denmark as the host for its contributions to NATO. Mr Geoana also condemned the unjustifiable acts perpetrated by Hamas against Israel over the weekend. More than 270 members of parliament representing 31 NATO Allies, along with approximately 100 members from around 25 partner countries and parliamentary bodies, took part in this annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address About 1,500 Hamas militants bodies found in Israel: official People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:29, October 10, 2023 JERUSALEM, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel's army said Tuesday that it holds about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants found in Israel on the fourth day of unprecedented battles with Hamas. "Approximately 1,500 bodies of Hamas (militants) were found in Israel around the Gaza Strip," Richard Hecht, Israeli Defence Forces's international spokesperson said in a briefing to reporters. Hecht said security forces had "more or less restored control" over the area of the security fence around Gaza, which was breached on Saturday by Hamas militants. He added that 35 battalions were deployed in the area around the coastal Palestinian enclave. The evacuation of residents of communities adjacent to the border had been "nearly completed," he added. At least 900 people have been killed in Israel, while about 130 civilians and soldiers are being held hostage in Gaza, according to Israeli state media and armed groups in the enclave. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden says 11 Americans confirmed dead amid Israeli-Palestinian conflict People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:27, October 10, 2023 WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday that 11 U.S. citizens were killed in the latest conflict between Hamas and Israel. The president's announcement raised the death toll of Americans in the ongoing conflict by two people compared with what was confirmed by the National Security Council in a statement issued earlier in the day. Biden in his statement also said the U.S. government believes that Americans are likely among those taken hostage by Hamas. He said the administration is "sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts." Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to ensure "Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas deploys new air defense system against Israeli raids People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:04, October 10, 2023 GAZA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A new air defense system stationed in Gaza has been activated against ongoing Israeli offensives, Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Gaza-ruling Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), said Monday. Al-Qassam Brigades said in a brief statement to Xinhua that it had introduced "a homegrown air defense system of the Metbar 1 model" into "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" to confront Israeli aircraft. A short video released on the Brigades' website showed a number of masked members launching missiles using the air defense system. Meanwhile, Israeli media outlets said that the Israeli army is pursuing over 40 "terrorists" in Israeli towns. Citing Israeli military estimates, Israeli media outlets reported that the surprise attack starting on Saturday morning had been planned for a year, and some 800 to 1,000 Al-Qassam fighters had entered 20 villages and 11 bases in Israel. The Hamas-led "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" included the firing of thousands of rocket shells and drones from Gaza, and in parallel, an unprecedented land and sea attack toward Israeli territory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns of 'human catastrophe' amid Israeli onslaught on Gaza, urges UN to take immediate action Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 7:26 PM Iran's foreign minister has warned of a "human catastrophe" amid ongoing Israeli aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, calling on the United Nations to adopt immediate measures to prevent the occupying regime from perpetrating further crimes and rights violations against Palestinians. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian raised the alarm in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday as he pointed to the recent developments in Palestine and the Israeli regime's decades-long aggression on Palestinians. Amir-Abdollahian touched on the plight and suffering of the Palestinian people at the hands of the illegal entity over the past seven decades, blaming Western countries, led by the United States, for the dire situation in Palestine. "During the past seven decades, the occupying Zionist regime without paying the slightest attention to the laws and norms of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights, and while enjoying all-out support from the United States of America and the West, which protect this regime against any legal charges and punishment, has committed the most heinous war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide against the oppressed people of Palestine," the top Iranian diplomat said in the letter. Amir-Abdollahian pointed to Operation al-Aqsa Storm by the Palestinian resistance groups against Israel and described the Hamas-led military action as a natural reaction of the Palestinian people in defense of their most basic rights. The Iranian foreign minister also underlined the Palestinians' right to self-defense against the occupying regime in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. "The legitimate right to defense is an inherent right that is clearly recognized in the United Nations Charter and international law," Amir-Abdollahian wrote. "The Palestinian nation, as a nation that has been unjustly deprived of the fundamental right to determine its own destiny and is exposed to attacks and violations of human rights and human dignity at any moment, unequivocally has the right to defend itself and resist occupation and aggression." In his letter to the UN chief, Amir-Abdollahian warned about the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians by the Zionist regime in the battle against the Gaza Strip and raised the alarm about the dangers of laying a full sedge around the coastal area by cutting water supply and humanitarian aid. "With an overview of the inhumane actions and blatant threats of the Zionist officials in recent days... I deem it necessary to warn against the occurrence of a major human catastrophe in occupied Palestine and highlight the responsibility of the United Nations and the secretary general to support the oppressed people of Palestine and to prevent the aggressor regime from continuing the violence, bloodshed and destruction in Gaza," he said. Amir-Abdollahian noted that the only solution to the Palestinian issue is to end the Israeli occupation, recognize the right of the oppressed Palestinian people to determine their own destiny and the formation of an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital. Israeli officials have ordered a total blockade of Gaza to compensate for heavy losses suffered during Operation Al-Aqsa Storm launched by the resistance movement Hamas on Saturday. The resistance group in the besieged Gaza Strip has fired over 5,000 rockets at the occupied territories. Israeli media outlets report that more than 1,000 settlers and troops have been killed and a lot more injured as a result. Hamas said that its operation came in response to Israel's violations at al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East al-Quds and growing settler violence. Rights groups and international organization have criticized the Israeli regime for its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and its siege on the territory which has left people without water, electricity and other basic supplies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza health ministry: 900 Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardment in 72 hours Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 6:46 PM At least 900 Palestinians, including 230 women, 260 children and elderly, have been killed and over 4,600 injured in more than three days of Israeli bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip. Gaza's Health Ministry said Tuesday another 18 people were killed and 100 injured in the occupied West Bank. Israeli officials have ordered a total blockade of Gaza to compensate for heavy losses suffered during Operation Al-Aqsa Storm launched by the resistance movement Hamas on Saturday. UN Chief Antonio Guterres has already expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, saying the clashes will deteriorate the situation exponentially. He said he was "deeply distressed" by an announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of Gaza. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister has also written a letter to Guterres on the circumstances in Gaza, asking him to take immediate measures to prevent a mass killing of Gazans at the hands of the Israeli regime. Hamas missiles strike Ben Gurion Airport Hamas fired missiles towards the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Resistance fighters also launched new missile strikes on Israeli cities, including Asqalan. Hamas says it has also targeted Tel Aviv itself. Israeli media said sirens were heard in areas in and around Tel Aviv. The city of Ashdod, south of Tel Aviv, had a similar experience. Hamas says resistance has more to catch the Israeli enemy off-guard, both in terms of weapon capabilities and the resilience to manage a protracted battle. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasim said the aftermath of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm continues to rattle the regime. He said the regime is seeking to make up for the unprecedented humiliation of its army by targeting more civilians. Palestinian journalists in West Bank in crosshairs Omar Nazzal, deputy head of the Palestinian Journalist Union, said attacks on journalists in the West Bank are on the rise. "Journalists are unable to move within the West Bank and between the occupied West Bank and al-Quds due to Israeli restrictions." Journalists have also been prevented from doing their work, "all of which are carried out by Israeli authorities to stop them from showing the world the crimes that are being perpetrated against Palestinians," he said. The multi-pronged Hamas operation was launched from Gaza in response to weeks of violence against the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the continued presence of Israeli extremists in the al-Aqsa Mosque. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WFP launches emergency program to assist 600,000 Palestinians Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 6:28 PM The World Food Program (WFP) says it has launched an emergency action plan to provide critical food aid for a further 600,000 Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. The agency is appealing for $17.3 million in the next four weeks to provide critical food help for a total of 800,000, said a WFP spokeswoman on Tuesday. The agency is already helping close to 200,000 people in Palestine. The spokeswoman did not specify how many of these people were in Gaza, which has been placed under a total siege by Israel since Saturday. She said "the city is running out of critical resources like food, water, and electricity, with damaged infrastructure severely impeding both food production and distribution networks." The Rome-based agency also echoed a call by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a humanitarian corridor to provide aid to Gaza. Israel has closed all crossings into the Gaza Strip in the wake of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm the resistance movement Hamas launched against the regime on Saturday. On Monday, the regime ordered a total siege of the strip, cutting off food, water and electricity supplies to the land home to over two million Palestinians. In a statement on Tuesday, the United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk denounced Israel's total siege. "The imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law." "The siege risks seriously compounding the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza." The European Union's foreign policy chief Joseph Borell also said on Tuesday that the bloc's foreign ministers had urged Israel not to cut "water, food, or electricity" to Gaza. The EU is one of Israel's benefactors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Leader: Israel to receive 'heavier slap' for Gaza massacre Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 9:00 AM Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Israel will receive "a heavier slap" for the regime's ongoing massacre of the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip. "The Zionists should know that with the massacre of the people of Gaza, they will receive a heavier slap," Ayatollah Khamenei told a joint graduation ceremony of the cadets of the armed forces at the Imam Ali Army Officer University in Tehran on Tuesday. The Leader emphasized that the Gaza massacre will "bring a greater calamity to the Zionists" after they suffered "an irreparable failure both in terms of military and intelligence". Israel ferociously pounded buildings in Gaza Tuesday as battles continued in southern towns which Palestinian resistance fighters overran in a blitzkrieg on Saturday. "In this Oct. 7 incident, the usurping Zionist regime suffered an irreparable defeat both in terms of military and intelligence. Everyone admitted the defeat but I emphasize irreparability. "I say that this devastating earthquake has managed to destroy some of the main structures of the usurping regime's governance, which cannot be rebuilt so easily," the Leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the Palestinian youth for single-handedly pulling off a stunning upset over the Israeli army. "We kiss the foreheads and arms of the skillful and intelligent designers and Palestinian youth, but those who say that the recent epic is the work of non-Palestinians suffer from miscalculation," he said. Ayatollah Khamenei said the Israelis are to blame themselves for the defeat, but they have opted to play the victim. "The actions of the Zionists brought this disaster on them. When cruelty and crime passes the limit, when rapacity reaches its peak, one should wait for the storm," he said. The Leader said no Muslim nation in contemporary history has ever faced as much hostile and cruel regime as Israel. Neither has any nation been under as much pressure, siege and shortage as that of the Palestinian nation. "In addition, America and England have not supported any cruel government as much as the fake regime" of Israel, he added. Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the Israelis' killing of Palestinian men, women, children and the elderly, their desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque, their attack on worshipers and vandalism by settlers. "Does the zealous and thousands-year-old Palestinian nation have any other solution to all these atrocities and crimes than unleashing a storm?" the Leader asked, referring to "Operation al-Aqsa Storm". "The brave and selfless act of the Palestinians was a response to the crime of the usurper enemy, which had been going on for years and had increased in intensity in recent months and the current government ruling the usurping Zionist regime is to blame," the Leader said. However, now that the evil and cruel enemy has received the slap, it has started a policy of playing the victim, he said, adding "others also help it, the media of the world arrogance helps it". "This self-victimization is 100% untrue and false, since the Palestinian combatants were able to break the siege of Gaza and reach the military and civilian centers of the Zionists." Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Whatever it is, this usurping regime is not a victim. It is cruel, aggressive, ignorant, and irrelevant, but it is not oppressed, it is an oppressor and no one can make the face of an oppressed out of this devilish monster." The Leader said the Israeli regime is playing the victim card in order to double down on its oppression and justify its "attack on people's houses, attack on civilians, and its massacre and mass killing of Gazans". "This is also a wrong calculation. Let the heads and decision makers of the usurping regime and their supporters know that this will bring a bigger disaster on them. Let them know that the reaction to these atrocities will be a heavier slap in their ugly faces." The Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday the Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 704 people and injured more than 3,900 people since the unprecedented operation by Hamas. Ayatollah Khamenei said the Israeli atrocities will make the Palestinian youth more determined and strengthen them. "Gone is the day when certain people would come and try to eke out a position for themselves in Palestine with a forked tongue and liaison with the oppressor," he said, referring to concessionist Palestinian leaders. "Today, Palestinians are awake, young people are awake and Palestinian planners are working with full skill. Hence, this calculation of the enemy which thinks it can continue its criminal attacks by playing the victim is wrong." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodia's Candlelight Party forms alliance with 3 smaller parties The new ties with officially registered parties could help it place candidates on the ballot in upcoming elections. By RFA Khmer 2023.10.10 -- Cambodia's opposition Candlelight Party announced it will join with three smaller parties in a political alliance that will aim to field candidates in the 2027 local commune elections and the 2028 general election. The "Alliance Toward the Future," which includes the Khmer Will Party, the Grassroots Democratic Party and the Cambodia Reform Party, will be announced at a public event on Wednesday, Candlelight Party spokesman Kim Sour Phirith told Radio Free Asia. The Candlelight Party is the only party that could have mounted a serious challenge to the ruling Cambodian People's Party, or CPP, in July's general elections. But in May, the National Election Committee disqualified the party because it did not have the original registration form issued by the Ministry of Interior. With no real opposition, the CPP swept the parliamentary vote. This week's announcement comes after Candlelight officials had exhausted efforts to ask the ministry to reissue its original party's registration. Last month, ministry officials again denied the party's request to reissue a registration letter so that it could participate in future elections. That document was lost in 2017 when the offices of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, or CNRP, were raided by government agents. Without the document, the Candlelight Party cannot compete in elections, leaving the country without a viable opposition party. "Political pressures have increased compared to previous years so we need national unification from democrats to be firm," Kim Sour Phirith said. "This is a vital step to restore democracy and human rights." Recognized registration status But CPP spokesman Sok Ey San predicted that the four parties won't pose a threat. "The new alliance is from the losing parties," he said. "Losers working together will just make it worse." The Grassroots Democratic Party appeared on the July ballot but didn't win any seats in the National Assembly. While the Khmer Will Party and the Cambodia Reform Party did not appear on the ballot, their recognized registration status makes them an attractive partner for the Candlelight Party and could increase its future bargaining power with the CPP, independent political commentator Em Sovannara said. "If all of these parties merge into one party, it will have the ability to challenge the ruling party," he said. Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy told RFA that he wasn't involved in the alliance's formation. Sam Rainsy remains the acting president of the CNRP, which formed in 2013 as an umbrella party for several opposition parties. That party was banned by Cambodia's Supreme Court just ahead of the 2018 general elections. In recent years, many CNRP activists and supporters have joined the Candlelight Party. "Hun Sen shouldn't try to destroy former Sam Rainsy followers," he told RFA, referring to the longtime prime minister who stepped down in August and retains political influence behind the scenes. "They are growing and mature and they know what to do," he said. "They know to step forward and pave over obstacles." Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed. 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas fighters may be using North Korean weapons, experts say Video shows Palestinian militant holding a rocket-launcher resembling a North Korean weapon. By Park Jaewoo for RFA Korean 2023.10.10 -- Experts say that Hamas militants may be using North Korean weapons after footage emerged of a fighter from the Palestinian group carrying a rocket-launcher suspected to originate from the communist nation. The video, recorded shortly after deadly attacks on Israel started last weekend and shared widely on social media, shows several men sitting in the back of a pickup truck brandishing weapons above a face-down, partially clothed woman. A rocket-launcher held by one of the fighters was identified as North Korean in origin by a military and weapons blogger with the handle War Noir in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "A recent video recorded today shows members of the Al-Qassam Brigades (#HAMAS) in #Gaza Strip," War Noir wrote on Oct. 7. "One of the members can be seen with an uncommon F-7 HE-Frag rocket, originally produced in #NorthKorea (#DPRK)." RFA was not able to conclusively determine if the weapon was North Korean, but its shape closely resembles the F-7 as depicted in the North Korean Small Arms and Light Weapons Recognition Guide published in May by the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey research project. Experts said that Palestinians have historically used North Korean weapons, which may have been first purchased by Iran or Syria, and then smuggled to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, circumventing an Israeli-Egyptian embargo that has been in place since 2005. "The Syrians deal with Hezbollah a lot and Hezbollah deals with Hamas a lot," said Bruce E. Bechtol Jr., a former intelligence officer for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. "A lot of the trade that North Korea does with both Hamas and Hezbollah is deals that they make through the IRGC, the Iranian Republican Guard Corps," he said. Used in the region In its recent attacks on Israelis, Hamas used weapons originating in a wide range of current and former states, including the United States, the Soviet Union, and North Korea, said N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of the Armament Research Services intelligence consultancy, or ARES. A preliminary analysis of images reviewed by this consultancy shows "a militant armed with an RPG-7 type shoulder-fired recoilless gun, loaded with an F-7 series high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) munition, produced in North Korea," Jenzen-Jones said. "These have previously been documented in the region, including in Syria, Iraq, and in the Gaza Strip." Other images showed militants using what appeared to be a North Korean Type 58 self-loading rifle, a derivative of the well-known AK series, he said. "North Korean arms have previously been documented amongst interdicted supplies provided by Iran to militant groups, and this is believed to be the primary way in which DPRK weapons have come into the possession of Palestinian militants," he said. "North Korean arms have previously been identified in the hands of the militant factions of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, amongst other groups," he added. Bechtol said that a North Korean arms shipment was intercepted in Thailand in 2009. A U.N. panel of experts determined the 35 tons of conventional arms and munitions was headed to Iran, and Israeli intelligence believed it was ultimately bound for Hamas and Lebanon-based Hezbollah. Bechtol said the shipment contained rocket propelled grenades, larger rockets, and the F-7. "The North Koreans have also sold the 'BULSAE' antitank system to Hamas. It's a very good antitank system and they could be firing that at Israeli tanks when they're entering the Gaza Strip here within the next day or two," said Bechtol. "So North Korea has given them some capabilities that are interesting." The woman whose body was seen in the video was identified by her family as 22-year old German-Israeli citizen Shani Louk, who was abducted by Hamas militants when they attacked a music festival in Israel close to the Gaza border. She is believed to be alive, but in critical condition at a hospital in Gaza, according to Palestinian sources her mother told German outlet Bild on Tuesday. But Israeli, German or Palestinian officials have not yet confirmed her status or whereabouts. North Korea blames Israel North Korean media, meanwhile, blamed the recent violence on Israel's "ceaseless criminal acts" against the Palestinian people. According to a report in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Tuesday, "a large-scale armed conflict broke out between Palestine's Islamic resistance movement and Israel." "The international community called the conflict the result of Israel's ceaseless criminal acts against the Palestinian people," and said that the "fundamental" way to end the bloody conflict is to create an independent Palestinian state. That Hamas is using North Korean weapons is not surprising, Bruce Bennett, a defense researcher at the RAND Corporation think tank, told RFA. "North Korea is selling things wherever it can to make hard currency," said Bennett. "Whether North Korea directly provided it to Hamas or provided it through a third party, I don't know. But the fact that there is North Korean equipment there does not surprise me at all." 'Commercial relationship' Bennett said the F-7 rocket is an anti-personnel weapon and causes maximum casualties. "It's not intended to, like, penetrate a tank," he said. "It's intended to cause fragmentation, like a terrorist bomb, and maximize the effect against people." Even though Hamas appears to be using North Korean weapons, it would be inaccurate to describe them as allies, he said. "It's a commercial relationship which is fed by the politics as well by North Korea being anxious to hurt the United States and anything associated with the United States," said Bennett. "The scary part of this though is as you think about the future, does North Korea have people on the ground with Hamas watching them do what they're doing?" he said. "Is North Korea thinking about doing this kind of thing to South Korea? We clearly don't know at this stage, but I don't think we can ignore that possibility." Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Additional reporting by Eugene Whong. Edited by Eugene Whong 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Manila dismisses China's 'gunboat' claim Beijing said it took necessary measures to drive away an 'intruding' navy vessel in disputed South China Sea. By RFA and BenarNews Staff 2023.10.10 -- The Philippines' military chief on Tuesday rejected a claim that its navy vessel was driven away from a disputed reef in the South China Sea by the Chinese coast guard, calling it "Beijing's propaganda." Early on Tuesday, the China Coast Guard said a Philippine Navy gunboat came into China's "jurisdictional waters" near the Scarborough Shoal in the Spratly Islands. "On Oct. 10, a Philippine Navy gunboat intruded into the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Island, ignoring China's repeated warnings," Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement, using the Chinese name for a shoal the Philippines calls Bajo de Masinloc. Gan said that China Coast Guard ships "took necessary measures, such as tracking and controlling the ship's route, to drive away the Philippine vessel according to the law." Beijing's claim - which comes against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between the neighbors - was rejected by the Philippines' top military commander, who denied such an incident had taken place. "That is just propaganda from Beijing ... to show that they are doing something," Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told RFA-affiliated news organization BenarNews on Tuesday. A Philippine navy boat was in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, but it was carrying out a maritime patrol. "It was sailing and it just so happened that the China Coast Guard was there and we issued a challenge," Brawner said. "Our ship continued with its mission. He added the boats were "far" away from each other. Both Beijing and Manila claim sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff with the Philippines in 2012 and has maintained control over since. The Chinese spokesperson accused the Philippines of violating China's sovereignty over the shoal, adding: "We call on the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement." On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also warned Manila against "making provocations and creating troubles at sea," saying "China has made serious demarches [diplomatic protests] to the Philippines on multiple occasions." The ministry was responding to a statement by the Philippines on Saturday that China's "unfounded" claims in the South China Sea and Beijing's actions there are "irresponsible." 'Stirring up trouble' The latest incident marks a further deterioration in the relationship between the two neighbors. A Beijing-based think tank, the South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI), accused the Philippines of "stirring up" the situation in the sea. This week, U.S. and Philippine warships are conducting a bilateral training exercise called Samasama (Together) 2023 in the waters off the Philippines. The exercise, joined by several other U.S. allies, is being seen as a testament of the strong bond between the two militaries. "Currently, the Philippines is at the vanguard of challenging China at sea, much more aggressive than any other party including the United States," SCSPI said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. "Wait and see," it added in a thinly veiled threat, "The Scarborough Shoal Incident in 2012 is a wake-up call for both China and the Philippines." The 2012 standoff began on April 8, 2012, after the Philippine Navy attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen who it accused of illegal fishing in the waters near Scarborough Shoal but the attempt was blocked by Chinese maritime surveillance ships. Naval vessels from both sides were deployed in the standoff that lasted more than two months. The Philippines pulled its two vessels out on June 15, 2012, but China kept its ships at the shoal. Scarborough Shoal has since become a hot spot and a trigger point between China and the Philippines in the contested South China Sea. Most recently, in late September, the Philippines said China had installed a 300-meter (984-foot) floating barrier to block Philippine fishermen from accessing the waters around the shoal. The Philippine coast guard carried out a "special operation" to cut the barrier and remove its anchor. The risk of confrontation has also risen in recent days over another disputed atoll in the South China Sea, internationally known as the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines calls it Ayungin Shoal, where it maintains an outpost with less than a dozen marines, stationed on a rusty WWII landing craft, the BRP Sierra Madre. Manila accuses China of regularly blocking its resupply missions to the troops on the Sierra Madre. It said on Aug. 6, 2023, Chinese Coast Guard ships fired a water cannon at one of the Philippine ships resupplying the outpost. China calls it Ren'ai Jiao and maintains that the atoll lies within its jurisdiction. Six parties - China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan - claim parts of the resource-rich South China Sea together with the islands inside but Beijing's claim is by far the most extensive, occupying nearly 90% of the sea. An international tribunal in 2016 ruled that China's claims in the South China Sea were illegal and invalid, but Beijing refused to accept the ruling. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Updated to include comment from Philippine military commander Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Probable Blast' Was Detected Near Damaged Baltic Sea Pipeline, Institute Says As Probe Launched By RFE/RL October 10, 2023 The Norwegian seismological institute (NORSAR) said it detected "a probable explosion" on October 8 in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia where a gas pipeline leak was later detected. The statement from the independent institute on October 10 came after Finnish authorities said the subsea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia have both sustained damage, which appears to have been caused by "external activity." "The damage to the underwater infrastructure has been taken seriously and the causes have been under investigation since October 8," President Sauli Niinisto said in a statement. "It is likely that the damage to both the gas pipeline and the telecommunications cable is the result of external activity," he added without giving more details. The NORSAR statement said its stations in Finland "detected a probable blast along the Finnish coast of the Baltic Sea" at 1:20 a.m. local time on October 8. "The local magnitude of the event has been estimated at 1.0, which is much lower than the Nord Stream explosion detected in September 2022," the statement said. "Both location and magnitude estimates are associated with large uncertainties. Further analysis of the data is ongoing." The statement referred to a series of blasts in September 2022 that ruptured three of the four pipelines that make up Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, major conduits for Russian natural gas exports to Western Europe. Denmark, Sweden, and Germany opened probes into the incident, which was deemed to be sabotage, but the case remains unsolved. Finnish and Estonian gas system operators said on October 8 that they noticed an unusual drop in pressure in the Balticconnector pipeline, after which they shut down the gas flow. Finnish authorities said on October 10 that they had identified the location of the outage in the 77-kilometer pipeline. Niinisto said the cause of the damage was not yet clear and the investigation by Finland and Estonia was continuing. Estonia's Navy told the Associated Press that it was conducting an investigation on the pipeline together with the Finnish military. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he had spoken with Niinisto "on damage to undersea infrastructure." He said NATO was sharing information and "stands ready to support Allies concerned." Both Finland and Estonia are NATO member states, and the pipeline incident is likely to be put on the agenda of a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels this week. The Balticconnector pipeline runs across the Gulf of Finland from the Finnish town of Inkoo to the Estonian port of Paldiski. It is bi-directional, transferring natural gas between Finland and Estonia depending on demand and supply. Commissioned in 2019, the Balticconnector has been the only gas import channel to Finland apart from liquefied natural gas (LNG) since Russian imports were halted in May 2022 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Russia stopped supplying gas after Finland refused to pay in rubles, a condition imposed on "unfriendly countries" -- including European Union member states -- as a way to sidestep Western financial sanctions against Russia's central bank. Most of the gas that was flowing in the Balticconnector pipeline before it was closed on October 8 was going from Finland to Estonia from which it was forwarded to Latvia, Estonia's gas system operator Elering said. Estonian consumers have been receiving gas from Latvia since the shutdown of the pipeline, Elering said. Finnish gas operator Gasgrid said the Finnish gas system is stable and the supply of gas has been secured through a floating LNG terminal at Inkoo. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/finland-estonia-balticonnector- damaged-pipeline-explosion/32631563.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US May Deploy 2nd Aircraft Carrier Near Israel - Pentagon Sputnik News 20231010 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is considering deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group near Israel amid escalating tensions with the Palestinian Hamas movement, a Defense Department spokesperson told Sputnik on Tuesday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday that the United States is deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster US regional deterrence efforts in response to the Hamas attack on Israel. "The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group will depart from Norfolk, VA in the coming week in line with its standard deployment schedule," the spokesperson said regarding US naval support for Israel. "The Secretary will continue to review both the Eisenhower and Ford's deployment plans as he considers the appropriate balance of maritime capability across theaters in support of national security priorities." The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike group has long been scheduled to conduct exercises in the US European Command area of responsibility in support of "enhanced vigilance activities" with NATO allies and partners, the spokesperson said. According to media reports, the Eisenhower aircraft carrier could arrive in the Middle East region in about two weeks. The Ford carrier strike group, some vessels of which have nuclear capability, arrived to the Middle East region earlier Tuesday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Washington's Goals to Transfer US Aircraft Carrier to East Mediterranean Unclear - Erdogan Sputnik News 20231010 ANKARA (Sputnik) - The transfer of a US aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean raises questions about the goals of this decision of Washington, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. Earlier in the week, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the United States, amid the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is sending the US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and strengthening aviation units in the region. The aircraft carrier strike group, in addition to the aircraft carrier itself, includes a missile cruiser and four destroyers that carry guided missile weapons. "The US is sending its aircraft carrier to Israel. I have a question about what an US aircraft carrier is doing in Israel? It will participate in very serious mass killings, striking Gaza with its boats and planes located around the aircraft carrier," Erdogan told a briefing in Ankara. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow Says Conditions for Yerevan-Baku Exchange of Captives Ripe Sputnik News 20231010 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The conditions are now ripe for the exchange of captives between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday. "We proceed from the fact that in any situation detained persons should be treated in accordance with the humanitarian law. We repeatedly called on the partners, both in bilateral and trilateral formats, to complete the 'all for all' exchange of captives. From our point of view, the conditions have well ripened for this," Zakharova said at a briefing. Moscow hopes the matter will be successfully resolved, she added. The Azeri military launched an offensive to seize control over Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, prompting tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians to flee across the border. Regional Karabakh authorities declared that the unrecognized state would cease to exist from January 1, 2024. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canciller Gervasi inauguro el evento Oportunidades de inversion en el Peru: Mineria y sectores estrategicos", el cual es organizado por @PeruinUK, en cooperacion con @AngloAmerican y @EYPeru. Expuso sobre el ???? como pais atractivo y confiable para las inversiones. pic.twitter.com/UaDDxFTMtz Six Countries Participating in Samasama Joint Navy Drills With Philippines - Reports Sputnik News 20231010 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The navies of Australia, Canada, France, Japan and the United Kingdom are taking part in Day 2 of the US-Philippine joint sea exercise Samasama 2023, while Indonesia and New Zealand are attending as observers, The Manila Times reported on Tuesday. The 2023 edition of the multilateral military exercise is taking place near Luzon island from October 2 to 13. Philippine navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. was quoted as saying that the drills were aimed at "enhancing interoperability, fostering regional cooperation and tackling non-traditional challenges that transcend our borders," while US 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas said that the drills were enabling its participants to "train and demonstrate our resolve, to sharpen our ability, and to enhance our interoperability." The focus is an air defense exercise involving helicopters, which are training to land on different types of carriers, and tracking and identifying approaching aircraft, according to the report. The drills also involve an anti-submarine warfare component, the Philippine navy's Southern Luzon force spokesman Lt. Kim Paulo Lopez said in a statement late on Monday. This year's Samasama exercise is being held amid tensions between the Philippines and China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, where on October 4 Philippine vessels completed a resupply mission in Second Thomas Shoal atoll, despite blocking attempts by the Chinese coast guard. The territorial affiliation of a number of islands in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between China and several other Asia-Pacific countries for decades. Significant oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the continental shelf of those islands, including the Paracel Islands, the Spratly Islands, Thitu Island and Scarborough Shoal. Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines are involved in the disputes to some extent. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken and UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg Before Their Meeting US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, D.C. October 10, 2023 SECRETARY BLINKEN: (In progress) true evil that we've seen inflicted on Israel over the last few days. And he was very clear that we stand with Israel. And that's a message that he's asked me to carry directly to our Israeli partners when I travel to the region a little bit later this week. In the meantime, we're also very engaged with partners throughout the region, as well as of course looking out for American citizens, families who have had loved ones killed or have loved ones missing. I'll have a lot more to say about that tomorrow and in the days ahead. For today, I also want to say that even as we are very focused on what we've seen in Israel and everything that we're doing to make sure that we have Israel's back, we are not losing sight of the many other challenges we face. And from day one, one of those challenges has been to support efforts to bring a durable peace to Yemen. In that effort, what we've seen over the last 18 or so months is a truce that has materially improved the lives of Yemenis, as imperfect as it's been. And the challenge now is to turn that truce into a durable peace. And to that end, I'm very grateful for the work of UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg - I'm very delighted to see him here today - so that we have an opportunity to compare notes on where we are on Yemen, the work that's being done, including the encouraging work being done between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis - recent visit, second visit to Riyadh by the Houthi delegation - and ultimately, the work that needs to be done with the patronage of the United Nations to bring Yemenis together to forge a durable peace. Our ability to achieve that can take the gains that have already been made through the truce and make them enduring, and dramatically change the lives of the Yemeni people. That's what we're working toward; that's what we're working on. With that, let me say it's a pleasure, Hans, to have you here today. MR GRUNDBERG: Thank you very much, Secretary. And equally I'm very happy - good afternoon, everyone; I'm happy to be here today to meet with Secretary Blinken, and also to engage in important discussions about where we stand on Yemen and make sure that we take the necessary step forward at this particular moment. I'm very much looking forward to a constructive meeting that is in support of the United Nations peace mediation efforts. And I think, exactly as you mentioned, Secretary, it's important that we all remind ourselves that we've made considerable progress these last couple of years on the Yemeni file. And very much thanks to the collective effort of the international community. I remain grateful for the support of the United States, of you, Secretary, and also in order to advance a inclusive and Yemeni-led political process under the auspices of the United Nations. Thank you very much. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thanks, everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK does not support anyone seeking to achieve political change through violence in Afghanistan. 10 October 2023 A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: The UK Government does not support the use of UK territory by anyone, including Afghan nationals, to plan, recruit for, incite or finance terrorism in Afghanistan, or to seek political change through violence. We strongly discourage others from doing so. Political change sought through armed violence or incitement of violence that amounts to an offence in UK law can be subject to investigation. Violence of any kind is not in the interests of Afghanistan, or the international community, and we deplore violent attacks of all kinds. To promote peace and stability, to deliver essential humanitarian support to the Afghan people, and to address shared concerns on security, there is no alternative to engaging pragmatically with the current administration of Afghanistan, and this is what we are doing. Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 10 October 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Good afternoon and Guten Abend, everyone. We are very pleased to have with us some guests from Germany, courtesy of the RIAS Institute, and welcome to today's briefing. ** Gaza The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, issued an urgent plea today to all States with influence to take steps to defuse the "powder keg" situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. He stressed that international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be respected in all circumstances. He said that all parties must immediately cease attacks targeting civilians and attacks expected to cause disproportionate death and injury of civilians or damage to civilian objects. The High Commissioner called on Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilians who were captured and are still being held. And he added that the imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law. Lynn Hastings, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said today that Israeli authorities have cut their water supply to Gaza, reducing an already scarce availability of potable water. And in accordance with the complete siege ordered by the Israeli Government on Gaza, access to electricity, food and fuel have also been severed, inevitably worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. Palestinians in Gaza now only have electricity to three to four hours per day. This hinders the ability of health facilities to function and treat those injured, she noted. She said that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are working to meet acute needs, in particular shelter, in dangerous circumstances. However, access for humanitarian staff and supplies into Gaza has also been cut and the intensity of the hostilities is limiting the ability of staff to deliver aid. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with mass casualties and are running low on medical supplies. Ambulances are running out of fuel. Moreover, health-care facilities and personnel have been affected by the attacks: Since hostilities began, eight health-care facilities in Gaza have been damaged. ** UN Relief and Works Agency The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reports that mass displacement rapidly increased in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that, in Gaza, at least 200,000 of the 2.2 million residents have been displaced after fleeing for fear of their lives or their houses were destroyed by air strikes. Nearly 137,500 internally displaced persons are sheltering in 83 UNRWA schools in all areas of the Gaza Strip. As heavy air strikes continue, more and more internally displaced persons seek shelter in UNRWA's schools. Every effort is being made to provide basic services to the internally displaced persons. However, the conditions are difficult, with some shelters overcrowded, and with limited availability of potable water. In coordination with the World Food Programme (WFP), bread was distributed to the displaced people in the shelters. Last night, a building housing UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City sustained significant damage as a result of air strikes nearby. All UN international staff present in Gaza are taking shelter in another building within the same compound. UNRWA did not record any casualties among its staff during this incident. However, two UNRWA staff members and five UNRWA students have been killed since 7 October. United Nations buildings and facilities must be protected at all times, including in times of conflict. ** Fifth Committee The Secretary-General this morning introduced the proposed programme budget for 2024 at the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. He said that this budget is being put forward as we face challenges on every front. The role of the United Nations has never been more vital and we are stepping up our efforts. To fully implement our mandates, the Secretary-General said, we will require a total of $3.3 billion. This includes a total of 10,334 posts, a net increase of 199, excluding special political missions. Most of the additional posts are required to implement new inter-governmental mandates. Mr. [Antonio] Guterres warned that the UN's liquidity situation has worsened this year with lesser collections through the end of the third quarter. Specifically, we have collected only 64 per cent this year compared to 71.9 per cent in 2022 and 82.7 per cent in 2021. He called on Member States to pay their dues fully and on time. ** Deputy Secretary-General's Travels The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, concluded her three-day visit to Iceland today. During her visit, Ms. Mohammed held a number of bilateral meetings with senior Government officials, including President Guni Th. Johannesson, Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir. In her engagements, Ms. Mohammed highlighted the role of Iceland as well as the wider group of small States in advancing multilateral solutions to key issues facing the world including climate change, global peace and security, and the need to reform the international financing architecture to better service people and the planet. She also exchanged views on these issues with parliamentarians and young people. Ms. Mohammed visited areas affected by the climate crisis, including Iceland's second largest and fast-melting glacier, Langjokull, and the Ice Cave. With less than two months until COP28 [twenty-eighth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change], she called for action for those on the frontlines. Earlier today, the Deputy Secretary-General attended the "Imagine Forum: Nordic Solidarity for Peace" event. She stressed that the rise of conflicts and unsettling developments of the last few days should not be a reason for the international community to give up but rather stepping up to restore peace. Ms. Mohammed outlined that creating a peaceful future for all requires doubling down on sustainable development and reinvigorating multilateralism. Among other things, she underscored the need to end the wars across regions and on nature, which is exacerbating conflicts and challenges. Ms. Mohammed left today to Marrakech, Morocco, for the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). ** Afghanistan In Afghanistan, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that aftershocks continue three days after the earthquake which struck Herat Province and affected more than 12,000 people. The district of Zindajan is the worst-affected area, with more than 1,300 people killed and nearly 500 people still reported missing, according to community-level assessments. The latest UN satellite imagery also indicates extreme levels of destruction in the district of Injil. We, along with our partners, are on the ground and providing assistance. The World Food Programme (WFP) distributed high-energy biscuits to more than 450 households in Zindajan district and dispatched 75 tons of foods to Zindajan and Gularan districts. Health partners are providing emergency trauma care in Herat Regional Hospital which is the main referral hospital as well as primary health-care and mental health support in affected villages. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has responded with an initial delivery of 250 tents and 1,190 blankets to families. Some 1,050 core relief items will be distributed to households who have lost everything including kitchen sets and basic hygiene items. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has also delivered emergency shelter tents, non-food items and repair tool-kits and water trucks. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has distributed hygiene kits and soaps and is providing water trucking. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has also provided dignity kits and mother and baby kits to affected communities and is also providing specialized counselling. Our humanitarian colleagues warn that children are particularly vulnerable and have suffered severe psychological distress from the earthquake. They require mental health and psychosocial support. ** Myanmar Turning to Myanmar, we are alarmed by reported attacks on a camp for displaced people in Kachin State. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that, according to reports from humanitarian partners, 30 internally displaced people and other civilians were killed and dozens more injured. This incident affected a village and an adjacent displacement camp which is home to more than 6,000 people. Kachin has seen an escalation in fighting over recent months, driving a surge in displacement, as well as worsening needs and protection concerns. Humanitarian organizations have faced severe access restrictions in this part of Kachin for many years. Our partners need unimpeded and safe access to deliver timely and efficient assistance to displaced communities. Yesterday's incident underscores the dangers faced by the nearly 2 million people who are now displaced in Myanmar, including 1.7 million people who have fled their homes as a result of conflict and insecurity since February 2021. The Humanitarian Response Plan for Myanmar, which calls for nearly $890 million, is just 28 per cent funded. ** Iraq This morning, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, briefed Security Council members on recent developments in Iraq and the Secretary-General's latest report on UNAMI. She noted that long-awaited reforms in the banking and finance sectors are now underway, adding that the Iraqi Parliament adopted the Federal Budget Law, which represents the highest proportionate allocation to the delivery of social services yet, and will hopefully expand access to healthcare, education and other services. Her full remarks were shared with you. ** Russian Federation Yesterday, in Moscow, the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Rebeca Grynspan,and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths who appeared by video link continued consultations with the Russian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Vershinin. They focused on global food security. Following the meeting in Moscow, Ms. Grynspan and Mr. Griffiths today held further consultations on the same issue with the Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Burak Akcapar, in Istanbul, Turkiye. The UN team noted that in an increasingly hungry world, all food supplies matter, and exports of agricultural products from the Black Sea remain critical to support global food security. The UN reiterated its determination to continue its efforts to facilitate unimpeded exports of food and fertilizer from Ukraine and the Russian Federation to global markets. ** Democratic Republic of the Congo Our peacekeeping colleagues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are telling us that joint operations with the Congolese Armed Forces against the CODECO militia are continuing in Ituri's Djugu Territory. As we mentioned, these operations were launched last week in response to threats against civilians and the presence of CODECO members in the area. This collaboration with the Congolese Armed Forces, involves joint patrols, sharing of critical information, reinforcing military presence in affected areas and establishing a protective perimeter around sites hosting internally displaced people. The joint efforts aim to halt ongoing clashes, protect civilians and safeguard sites hosting tens of thousands of people displaced in Ituri Province. Separately, the Mission reports that in Ituri's Rethy Village, peacekeepers facilitated the release of seven civilians that had been held by CODECO since the end of August. ** World Mental Health Day And today is World Mental Health Day. The theme this year is "Mental health is a universal human right". In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General says mental health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right and must be part of universal health coverage. And after you are done with me, you will hear from Monica Villela Grayley, the Spokesperson of the President of the General Assembly. Before we get to her, are there any questions for me? Yes, Benno? ** Questions and Answers Question : Thank you, Farhan. Sorry, I came late because you were too fast for the elections. But, I have a question about UNRWA and the Gaza Strip. You said yesterday... Steph [Dujarric] said yesterday, you had pre-positioned some supplies in the Gaza Strip. Can you tell us how long the estimate is, how long they will last? Deputy Spokesman : It's hard at this point to be able to calculate that, because it's difficult to determine precisely what the needs are and how quickly our stocks will be used up. We're trying to do as much distribution we can under the conditions that we have, which, as I just pointed out, at the part that you missed, are fairly difficult. So, we're trying to see what can be done. Once we feel we're running out, we'll certainly raise the alarm in terms of the need to get more food in. But, we're already making it clear that there needs to be the ability to deliver humanitarian aid and have it go to the people of Gaza. Both the Secretary-General and today also the High Commissioner for Human Rights made that very clear. Question : And then we also talked yesterday about the freezing of aid potentially also to UNRWA from the EU [European Union] and other countries. Did you get any official notice? Deputy Spokesman : As far as I'm aware, there's no indication that the European Union will limit any aid that's going to the UN Relief and Works Agency. Ibtisam? Question : There was news reports about the Israeli striking the Rafah border crossing. Do you have any comments on that? Deputy Spokesman : We're aware of these reports. Obviously, it's important, we want to see that there's open access into Gaza in order for humanitarian deliveries and other things to be made. And I would just refer you to what the Secretary-General said to you yesterday on that. Correspondent : Yeah. But, the Israelis announced a full blockade. I mean, they have already a blockade on Gaza, but a total blockade that they're not going to allow the few... the very little that was before allowed. Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. And I'll just repeat what I read at the start of the briefing from Volker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, where he made clear that the imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law. Celhia? Question : Farhan, I would like to know what is the credibility of the Human Rights Council when you have countries, part of it, who really don't respect the human rights? What do they do? What is their job? Deputy Spokesman : This is a question that we repeatedly say the same things about this, which is that all of the countries who are on the Human Rights Council are themselves obliged to open up their own records for evaluation of their human rights. And indeed, we believe that no country has a perfect human rights record, but they need to be willing to undergo this sort of evaluation that can improve the human rights situations in their respective countries. Question : So, do you believe that China has the right to be there? So why not Russia? Deputy Spokesman : We believe that all of the countries that are elected onto the Human Rights Council by Member States have therefore earned their right to be there. They then need to show and demonstrate while they're on the Human Rights Council their respect for human rights. Dezhi? Question : Yeah. Back to Gaza. According to what you just read, so it's being confirmed that the siege was complete. I mean, there's no gas, no food getting any longer? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I'll... you heard what I said at the start in terms of our concerns. And we continue to talk about the need to be able to get aid in. But, as of right now, there is some very difficult situation caused by the siege of Gaza, including what I was mentioning about the water supply and the situation for fuel. Question : Has the SG already talked to Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, or he's planning to do that? Deputy Spokesman : He's planning to speak to the Prime Minister, and he has spoken to the Israeli President, Chaim Herzog. Question : So, has he raised the issue of the siege on Gaza? Deputy Spokesman : He's been raising that with all of his interlocutors, and that is what he intends to do if he can talk to the Prime Minister. Question : Yeah. I mean, what would be the plan if the gas or other, you know, resources just stop, like, the pre-positioned stuff? Deputy Spokesman : The point is that we want to make sure that whatever humanitarian need is needed will be able to get to the people who need it. Question : One last question. I was thinking if Israel had a siege completely with the Gaza Strip, which means that that's not only to Hamas, but also to those people who live in that Strip, would that be considered an act of war crime, according to Geneva Convention? Deputy Spokesman : Well, my point is that the imposition of such sieges, as the High Commissioner pointed out, is prohibited under international humanitarian law. Celhia, and then we'll go to Abdelhamid. Sorry. Sylviane, and then we'll go to Abdelhamid. Question : Thank you, Farhan. Regarding the spill-over, I'm talking again Gaza. The spill-over of this war can come to haunt Lebanon. And it can come to haunt also the UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]. How can you prevent this very dangerous situation? Is the United Nations and UNIFIL takes all the measure to prevent this in the south Lebanon? Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. Yes, on that, what I can tell you is that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, continues to be in contact with authorities on both sides and urges everyone to exercise restraint at this critical time. UNIFIL is doing its utmost to ensure that escalation does not happen. Our peacekeepers in Lebanon remain in their positions, and they're continuing their essential work. And that includes through activities coordinated with the Lebanese Armed Forces. And the main goal is to help avoid conflict between Lebanon and Israel. Abdelhamid? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Is my voice clear? Can you hear me? Deputy Spokesman : Yes, I can. It's excellent. Question : Yeah. Yes. Everything you said, Farhan, as Dezhi said, identifies this as collective punishment. And collective punishment against 2 million to 3 million is a war crime. But, no one is saying that. Why we don't qualify that as a war crime? Deputy Spokesman : I would just refer you... there was a lengthy statement put out by the High Commissioner for Human Rights today and I would refer you to what he has been saying. Correspondent : Yeah. I just... Deputy Spokesman : But we have made it very clear that we stand against all forms of collective punishment. Question : Yeah. I want to follow-up with the... there is 140 children have been killed, 120 women. And you saw the level of destruction of buildings, of hospitals, schools, mosques and not one single statement, Farhan, used the word condemn. Only they talk about concern, including Virginia Gamba's statement. She also spoke about her concern about children, UNICEF, UNRWA. None of them used the word condemn. And only that word was used against the Palestinians. Is there a fair treatment of both sides here? Why the word condemn is missing? Deputy Spokesman : Yes. I believe that there is fair treatment. We made very clear our extreme concerns and we want to make sure that no one who is a civilian on either side of this conflict is harmed, and we want to make sure that all of them are spared, and we will continue to do that. Yes, Vladimir? Question : Hi, Farhan. Vladimir Kostyrev, News Agency. About those talks, Mr. Griffiths and Ms. Grynspan had in Moscow and then in Turkiye. Can you tell us if there is any progress, any breakthrough? Deputy Spokesman : I've given about as much detail on the talks as I could provide. Obviously, we are determined to achieve as much as we can and we'll continue with this effort. Yes, Stefano? Question : Thank you, Farhan. The United States is sending... actually already sent the US carrier Gerald Ford towards Israel. And it's already there. And my question is, does the Secretary-General think that this is going to help in kind of stabilize or helping not to this becoming even a bigger war or is actually worse it can escalate the situation? Deputy Spokesman : The Secretary-General in all of his communications is telling all the relevant leaders to do what they can to prevent any escalation of this conflict, including any spill-over. And so that is where we will focus our attention. Evelyn? There you go. Question : Sorry. Just to find the microphone can be a problem. Yes. Thank you, Farhan. Has the United Nations been able to send any supplies through the Egypt... into Gaza from Egypt or is that not a big enough? Deputy Spokesman : At this point, we've not been able to do that. No. Benno? Question : Thank you. I have another follow-up about Gaza. Yesterday, you said there was 13,000 UN personnel in Gaza. Do you know if there are any casualties among them? Deputy Spokesman : What I was able to say is that we are aware that two staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency and five students for UNRWA have been killed since 7 October. Question : Okay. Thank you. And then I have about Haiti one or two questions. Did you... I think it was a week ago, a bit more even that the Security Council resolution was adopted. Did you get any notices of other countries wanting to step? Deputy Spokesman : Well, there's nothing for us officially to confirm at this point. Ibtisam? Question : Farhan, we don't hear actually any calls from the Secretary-General to stop the attacks on Gaza. Why is that? I mean, yesterday in his speech, he did talk... in his statement here, he did talk or asked Palestinian fighters and Hamas to stop their attacks in Israel, but there was no clear call for Israel to stop its attacks on Palestinians and the Gaza Strip. Why is that? Deputy Spokesman : The Secretary-General wants to make sure that all of this ends as quickly as possible with no harm to civilians. I would just refer you back to what he said yesterday, as well as what the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said today. Question : Yeah. But he didn't call... He said that they should do, like, complying with the international law and the law of war, et cetera. But, he did not call on them not to attack Gaza? Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. We're aware of what the situation on the ground is. We want to make sure that it ends without any impact or further killing or damage to civilians, and that is where our priorities lie at this stage. Yes? Question : Yes. A follow-up, Farhan, on this. Is the UN able to help? Any Gazans at the moment will like to leave and go away from Gaza. Is the UN able to do that? Deputy Spokesman : Right now, the way the situation is with the siege and the borders, it's difficult for anyone, including our people, to leave. For that to end, this restriction would have to also end. And again, you'll have heard what both Lynn Hastings and Volker Turk said today, and I'd really just refer you back to them. And with that, it's time for Monica Villela Grayley. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Refugee children arriving in Armenia showing signs of severe psychological distress - UNICEF UNICEF More than 30,000 children have fled their homes since the escalation of hostilities in their communities two weeks ago. UNICEF warns all are at risk of deteriorating mental health without immediate support. 10 October 2023 GENEVA/YEREVAN, Armenia, 10 October 2023 -- Refugee children arriving in Armenia are showing signs of severe psychological distress, according to reports from UNICEF-supported social workers providing specialised care to children and families who have fled their homes in recent weeks. Social workers operating in two safe spaces that UNICEF established with partners in Goris, which can serve up to 300 children daily have reported that children are dealing with intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, fear and anger, manifesting in nightmares, bedwetting, and inconsolable crying. Others have shut down and become detached, leaving them unable to express emotions or connect with the situation around them. More than 30,000 ethnic Armenian children have arrived in Armenia since the escalation of hostilities in their home communities two weeks ago. In addition to displacement, children arriving in Armenia have not been able to access quality education continuously and have lived in an unsafe or insecure environment with families reporting the fear of attacks. "We are now seeing the extent to which these children have suffered. Displacement and hostilities, compounded by deprivation have wreaked havoc on their physical and mental health and psychological well-being. Without sustained support, children are at risk of bearing the effects of these deeply distressing events for years to come," said Christine Weigand, UNICEF Armenia Representative. "As we come together to mark World Mental Health Day, UNICEF calls for adequate investment in mental health and psychosocial support for children through the health, child protection and education systems. This is equally important not only in terms of early identification and immediate support but also in the long run as families will continue to deal with loss and post-traumatic stress." UNICEF is on the ground, working with the Government of Armenia and other partners to help refugee children access the care and support they need to overcome the challenges they have faced. UNICEF is training and supporting front-line professionals to provide psychological first aid and psycho-social support. Together with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF has formed mobile pediatric teams to enable wider outreach across the country to ensure screenings to identify and respond to mental health needs. UNICEF is appealing for US $ 12.6 million to provide critical services including education, health, child protection, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene in the first six months. ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pain & suffering engulfs children in the State of Palestine & Israel UNICEF This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva 10 October 2023 GENEVA, 10 October 2023 -- "The ongoing surge of conflict-related violence continues to take a horrendous toll on the lives of children and their families in Israel and the State of Palestine. Nothing justifies the killing, maiming or abduction of children. Any delay in bringing an end to the conflict will inevitably result in more devastating consequences for children. "According to reports, hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian children have been killed and many more injured in the last 72 hours. The killing and maiming of children is a grave violation and willful killing is a serious breach of International Humanitarian Law. We call on all parties not to target children and take all necessary measures to ensure their protection during hostilities. "In addition, there are reports of the abduction of Israeli children to the Gaza Strip. The abduction of children by any party to the conflict constitutes a grave violation and hostage-taking is prohibited by International Humanitarian Law in all circumstances. UNICEF calls for the immediate and safe release of all hostages. "As of yesterday, according to UNRWA, there are more than 187,000 newly displaced people in Gaza, many of them sheltering at UNRWA schools, and many of them children. Some of the facilities sheltering displaced families in Gaza, including schools, have sustained damages. "Hundreds of thousands of children are affected by the escalation of hostilities in Gaza and are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Before this renewed violence, 1.1 million children were already in need of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank - accounting for approximately half the child population. "We are extremely alarmed about measures to cut electricity food, water and fuel from entering Gaza. This will add another layer of suffering to the existing catastrophe faced by families in Gaza. Depriving children of access to food and essential services puts their lives at risk, as do attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure - including health centers, schools and water and sanitation systems. It is imperative that all parties refrain from further violence and attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools, health centers and shelters. "In the Gaza Strip, UNICEF and its partners are on the ground delivering immediate humanitarian support, including medical supplies, fuel as well as mental health and psychosocial support. With the humanitarian situation rapidly deteriorating, humanitarian actors must be able to safely access children and their families with lifesaving services and supplies - wherever they may be. "UNICEF is calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and reminding parties of their obligations under International Humanitarian law to afford special protection to children. Every single child, no matter who or where they are, must be protected." ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA's 'unsung heroes' still delivering in Gaza 10 October 2023 - Amid airstrikes and a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, staff from the UN agency that supports Palestine refugees, UNRWA, continue their lifesaving work, even in the face of immense personal losses. UNRWA was established more than 70 years ago, and its services include education, healthcare, camp infrastructure and livelihood assistance to Palestine refugees across the Middle East. This includes around two million people in Gaza, where UNRWA schools are now housing roughly 170,000 residents who have fled their homes in the wake of the escalating crisis sparked by Hamas attacks against Israel last Saturday. The UN agency is also a casualty of the conflict. Four staff have been killed and 14 facilities have sustained damage. Many personnel are also sheltering in its schools. UN News spoke to Juliette Touma, UNRWA Director of Communications, who is based in Amman, Jordan. She described her 13,000 colleagues - who include doctors, nurses, teachers and sanitation workers - as "unsung heroes" who "have been on the ground providing services to people in need". Ms. Touma began by outlining how the conflict has impacted UNRWA to date. The interview has been edited for clarity and length. Juliette Touma: We have at least 14 UN facilities that have sustained damage due to the airstrikes that have been taking place since the morning of the 7 October. Our headquarters received collateral damage this morning due to heavy airstrikes in the neighbourhoods nearby. It happened while some of our staff were taking cover in the same compound in another building next door, and very luckily, we did not record any casualties. Another UN facility, a school sheltering the displaced, was directly hit a few days ago. Overall, we are hosting some 170,000 people in over 80 schools and other facilities across the Gaza Strip. These are families who have fled the shelling and the bombardment, and they have sought refuge in UN facilities and premises. UN News: You mentioned that one of the schools where people are sheltering was directly hit. Are there any casualties in that school? Juliette Touma: Luckily, we did not have casualties when that school was hit, although it sheltered 250 people. Sadly, since 7 October, we have lost four UNWRA staff who work with us in different parts of the Gaza Strip. I'm in touch with our colleagues on the ground every day, sometimes more than once a day. They are telling us how terrified they are and that they were forced - many, many of them - to leave their homes in search of safety. Some have sought refuge in UN buildings and schools. Many have lost loved ones, relatives, neighbours. Some colleagues have lost their houses. We have a very big number of staff working with UNWRA in the Gaza Strip. We are the largest UN agency, with 13,000 staff. These are doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, sanitation workers, drivers, logisticians. These are the really the core of our operation, the largest that the UN runs on the ground in the Gaza Strip and the oldest. These are our unsung heroes. Despite everything many, many of them have been on the ground providing services to people in need because we have 1.8 million Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip. Many of them rely on UNWRA assistance. UN News: Are staff able to reach where they need to be to provide these services? How are they able to move around the Gaza Strip? Juliette Touma: Since 7 October, UNWRA was forced to decrease its operations on the ground in the Gaza Strip. For example, we had to close down our food distribution centre. We have 14 distribution centres on the ground, and we had to close them down due to everything that's been happening. Our schools have been closed and that's impacting the education of at least 300,000 Palestine refugee children in the Gaza Strip. Many (staff) have actually been able to work. Some of the health colleagues are working. We have people who are responding to the needs of the people in the shelters. They're giving them mattresses, a place to sleep, clean water, some food in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme (WFP). People are working: some are collecting facts and figures, some are collecting stories, some are giving us information on the level of the destruction. We have staff who continue to work as much as possible. However, we have had to reduce our operations. UN News: Have you been in contact with the Israeli authorities to guarantee that incidents that happened with UNRWA facilities are not repeated? Do you have any guarantees from them for the safety of your staff and your facilities? Juliette Touma: The UN facilities and any UN premises should be, by law, protected at all times, including during times of conflict. This is something that we've been very clear about in this conflict, and in other conflicts, and in conflicts around the region. Parties to the conflict must always protect UN premises, schools as well. And in this particular case, it was a school that belongs to the UN. So, there is double protection, if you wish. UN News: How is the complete siege of the Gaza Strip declared by the Israeli authorities affecting your operations? Juliette Touma: The whole of the Gaza Strip has been under a blockade for 16 years now, which meant that already the situation inside the Gaza Strip was pretty dire. Two-thirds of people are poor, 1.2 million people rely on UNWRA assistance, UNWRA food assistance. Electricity was very short in supply and same with water. And people could not get in and out of the Gaza Strip freely. Movement restrictions were there before the 7 October for the past 16 years. For us, we have not been able to get in any humanitarian supplies since 7 October: not just us at UNRWA but the whole of the UN family working in the Gaza Strip. We cannot get UN personnel in and we cannot get people who work with us out. So, the Gaza Strip is sealed off completely for humanitarian assistance and personnel. UN News: So how are people eating? Your distribution centres are closed, the borders are closed, the crossings are closed. How are people able to survive in this situation right now? Juliette Touma: For now, some of the shops continue to be open and there are supplies in the Gaza Strip. We are following very closely the situation of the stocks and it is just a matter of a couple of weeks when basic stocks, basic supplies and also fuel is going to run out in the Gaza Strip. UN News: Do you have any information on the Rafah crossing with Egypt? Have you noticed any movement of people and goods between Egypt and Gaza? Juliette Touma: Normally the Rafah border crossing, which is in the far south of the Gaza Strip at the border with Egypt, is used by people in Gaza to leave the Gaza Strip. It involves paying a lot of money and doing a lot of coordination, so not everybody was able to afford doing that to leave through Egypt and to go to the world. I know from some colleagues that they were not able to use it a couple of days ago, but until now, I don't have all the information about that crossing point. UN News: Do you have any message to the parties, anything that you would like to add? Juliette Touma: The United Nations is calling on all parties to end the fighting everywhere and to spare further unnecessary loss of civilians. I think people have suffered for way too much for way too long. For many people in the Gaza Strip, this is the seventh time that they're going through a conflict. For many of our staff members who have been through thick and thin in Gaza, they say this is by far the worst. They are worried and they are fearful for themselves, for their children, for their loved ones; for what the next hour will bring, let alone the next day. Uncertainty, fear, sorrow, grief. It is time for all of this to come to an end for the sake of everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel-Palestine: UN urges parties to spare civilian lives 10 October 2023 - In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, all parties must stop targeting civilians and Hamas and other armed groups must immediately release their hostages, UN rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday. The High Commissioner said that he was "deeply shocked and appalled by allegations of summary executions of civilians, and, in some instances, horrifying mass killings by members of Palestinian armed groups". "It is horrific and deeply distressing to see images of those captured by Palestinian armed groups being ill-treated, as well as reports of killings and the desecration of their bodies. Civilians must never be used as bargaining chips," he insisted. Avoid 'collective punishment' Four days since Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched an attack including thousands of indiscriminate rockets that have reached central Israel, Mr. Turk also warned against indiscriminate or disproportionate action against Gaza and expressed concern over the "full siege" of the territory ordered by the Israeli authorities on Monday, shutting off electricity, water, food and fuel supplies. He stressed that collective punishment of an entire population was prohibited under international humanitarian law. Displacement continues 'en masse' UN humanitarians briefing the press in Geneva on Tuesday underscored the dire conditions faced by civilians in Gaza, where nearly 140,000 newly displaced people have been sheltering in schools run by the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA. UNRWA spokesperson Tamara Alrifai told journalists that displacement continued "en masse" and that while the agency had significant experience turning its schools into shelters, the scale of the crisis was overwhelming. UNRWA a 'lifeline' Complicating the response was the fact that airstrikes have damaged 18 UNRWA facilities in the Gaza Strip, including a school for the visually impaired and the agency's headquarters in Gaza City, Ms. Alrifai said. Speaking from Amman, she underscored that all UN buildings are protected under international law, and that the 1.7 million Palestine refugees in Gaza, the majority of whom are living under the poverty line, "use UNRWA as a lifeline" for food, education and health. She said that the agency was about to issue a flash humanitarian appeal to seek support for the crisis response. Ms. Alrifai also refuted allegations that Hamas fighters may be using UNRWA facilities for their operations, stressing that dedicated teams conduct inspections of facilities to "make sure that they are immune to use by any warring party or armed groups". "We take this extremely seriously," she insisted. Calls for a humanitarian corridor Echoing the humanitarian concerns, the UN health agency WHO said that as of Monday, 13 health attacks have been confirmed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current offensive. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told reporters that a humanitarian corridor is needed to reach people with critical supplies and that the agency is "working on this" with its partners. He said that since before the latest crisis WHO has been providing supplies, training health workers and supporting emergency response plans, but that supplies pre-positioned in seven major hospitals in the Gaza Strip have now been used up. Massive mental health needs Mr. Jasarevic also underscored the soaring mental health needs triggered by the crisis, including the psychological trauma of the hostages taken by Palestinian armed groups. He stressed that the most important thing for those held captive and "going through these horrific moments" was to be released, and that they needed physical and mental care. UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder said that the agency had experts in psychosocial support in Gaza and in the West Bank ready to provide assistance to those who needed it. 'Listen to the children of Gaza and Israel' "When you listen to the testimonies coming out of Gaza, from children in Israel, it is consistent stories of fear, of suffering, of pain," Mr. Elder said. "We have to listen to those children of Gaza and of Israel who are very clearly and usually through tears saying, 'Enough. Leave us alone.'" According to UNICEF, before the current escalation, over one million children were already in need of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, accounting for approximately half the child population. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 500 still missing following Afghanistan earthquake, say UN aid teams 10 October 2023 - Nearly 500 people are still missing from the worst-affected area of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that rocked Herat province in western Afghanistan on Saturday, UN aid coordinators said on Tuesday. At the epicentre of the earthquake in Zindajan district, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) recorded nearly 1,300 deaths and 1,700 injuries. In some places, entire villages have been destroyed, according to teams on the ground. Over 12,000 affected An estimated 12,110 people, or 1,730 families, have been affected in five districts of Herat. That number is expected to rise as assessments continue, said OCHA spokesperson, Jens Laerke, speaking in Geneva. A series of aftershocks, including one measuring 5.1 magnitude on Tuesday, has made the situation worse. UN refugee agency, UNHCR, spokesperson William Spindler said that amid extensive damage and traumatized survivors, search-and-rescue teams are on the way with water and shelter for the most vulnerable. Those worst-hit have lost all their belongings and as winter approaches they need warm clothing, Mr. Spindler explained, before adding that many "have not had a warm meal since the earthquake". Health services World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said that the immediate focus now is to save the lives of the injured and to ensure survivors have access to humanitarian relief, including essential health services. "Women, children and vulnerable populations are gravely affected by the disaster," he said, adding that female health workers in the country continue to attend to patients, with no discrimination. Mr. Jasarevic confirmed that the UN health agency has provided enough supplies to treat 650 injured patients at Herat Regional Hospital. An additional 25 metric tonnes of medicines and medical supplies have also been sent to Herat, while 54 mobile health teams, including three by WHO, have been deployed in the affected areas and 12 ambulances have been sent to Zindajan District and Ghorian District to evacuate causalities to the regional and other hospitals. Risk of disease The WHO spokesperson warned that displacement caused by the disaster poses a significant health risk, including increasing the transmission of infectious diseases, such as measles, acute respiratory infections and acute watery diarrhoea. He urged the authorities to boost preparedness in the event of disease outbreaks. He also called for psychological first aid for the survivors and friendly spaces for the children who have experienced significant stress and loss of loved ones. Echoing those concerns OCHA's Mr. Laerke warned that children are particularly vulnerable, having suffered severe psychological distress from the earthquake, and require mental health and psychosocial support. Humanitarian relief Mr. Laerke said that search-and-rescue efforts with the support of international partners were ongoing. According to WHO, as of Sunday 8 October, more than 550 severe and critical cases have been admitted to seven hospitals in Herat City. Emergency shelters, as well as longer-term solutions to withstand winter, non-food items, such as tarps, blankets, clothes, and kitchen sets and WASH items, such as latrines, potable water and storage containers, as well as food assistance and protection, are also being provided as a priority. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Jack H Lucas Commissions in the Sun State at Port Tampa Bay US Navy 10 October 2023 From Julie Ann Ripley TAMPA, FLORIDA -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jack H Lucas (DDG 125) commissioned at Tampa, Florida, Oct. 7. DDG 125 is named for Pfc. Jack Lucas, who served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, earning the Medal of Honor for his heroism at Iwo Jima, when he was just 17 years old. He is the youngest Marine, and the youngest service member in World War II, to be awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor. In 1961, he returned to military service as a captain in the U.S. Army and trained younger troops headed for Vietnam. Lucas passed away on June 5, 2008, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. During the ceremony, guest speaker Under Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Erik Raven wished the crew of Jack H Lucas fair winds and following seas as the ship begins its commissioned service. "Commissioning the Jack H. Lucas means we continue to deliver fast, agile, and networked surface combatants to the Navy. The Jack H. Lucas is built to fight. It is a fast, maneuverable, versatile, and lethal ship - capable of tackling any mission it is given," said Raven. "It will keep the Navy and Marine Corps adaptive and ready, and also uphold our commitment to maintaining the free flow of commerce, deterring military aggression, and facilitating quick responses to natural disasters across the globe." Ruby Lucas, one of the ship's sponsors, and Jack's wife at the time of his death, emotionally thanked the audience for coming to honor her husband before giving the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" alongside co-sponsor, philanthropist Catherine B. Reynolds. On behalf of the President of the United Sates and for the Secretary of the Navy, the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz, USMC, placed the USS Jack H Lucas into commission. "Something inside Lucas' souls said, 'I need to get to the fight.' And fight he did," Ruiz reflected. "The Navy and the Marine Corps team - our destinies are intertwined. The Navy, the ship, represents the perseverance of Americans. This beautiful ship represents the grit, the determination, of enlisted Marines, enlisted Sailors, and all of us that we will not give up until we win." "My charge to you and your team is to keep that tenacity, that toughness, and grit going because the challenges will keep coming," Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command counseled Oster and his crew. "It will be hard, but I know that you and the 330 of the Navy's finest Sailors are the team to do it. Your namesake, 17-year-old Medal of Honor recipient, Jack H Lucas, carried that same fiery passion." Capt. Brett Oster, Jack H Lucas' commanding officer, recognized the driving force behind the ship's namesake, and how his crew reflects that memory. "There is something you can never, ever deny about Jack H Lucas. That man loved this country. That is why we're here, because we love this country. You can never take that away - his dedication," said Oster. "When you have a purpose, and you have dedication, and you have vision, and you have teamwork, anything that you set your sites on can come together." To cap off a week of special memories, three Sailors were meritoriously promoted at the close of the commissioning ceremony, Petty Officer First Class Boatswain's Mate Victor Mejia, Petty Officer Second Class Boatswain's Mate Lloyd Tillman, and Petty Officer Third Class Damage Controlman Ruben Rubio. Today's commissioning ceremony is the culmination of five years of work from everyone involved in the construction of Jack H Lucas, its operations, and all those involved in bringing the ship to life. The city of Tampa and its residents welcomed the ship and its crew with events throughout the week. Along with other residents, family, and friends, the Tampa Lightening toured the ship to see the new technology aboard the first Flight III Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyer. In turn the Lightening invited the crew on the ice not only to present their ship's color guard, but to introduce the Jack H Lucas' first, new chief petty officers. Local restaurants opened their kitchens to the ship's culinary specialists, teaching the Sailors advanced techniques used for the chef's dining rooms. Honoring the whole of Lucas' life, his widow Ruby, The Trail of Honor Foundation, and Flags of Honor Escort presented the ship with a vest adorned with his Medal of Honor. The vest traveled to Jack's gravesite in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; numerous locations and Memorials to include the United States Marine Corps War Memorial and the World War II Memorial; the Never Forget Flag travelled to or thorough 20 states and the District of Columbia, amassing a total of 11,325.8 miles as part of Jack's Vest Run before the presentation earlier this week. The ship's motto, "Indestructible" is reflection of Lucas' survival, first on Iwo Jima and later from several other traumatic events after the war that rivaled his exploits as a Marine. Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. Navy's surface fleet. These highly capable, multi-mission ships conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface. The Flight III upgrade is centered on the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and incorporates upgrades to the electrical power and cooling capacity. USS Jack H Lucas is the first AEGIS Weapon System, Baseline 10, to be commissioned. It integrates air and missile defense capability with the new AN/SPY6(V)(1) air and missile defense radar to provide significantly greater detection and tracking capacity among its warfighting capabilities across mission areas. Flight III also incorporates upgrades to the electrical power and cooling capacity, plus additional associated changes to provide enhanced warfighting capability to the fleet. The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Formidable Force of NMCB 22 Seabees Deploys 5th Time In Support of Nebraska Army National Guard US Navy 10 October 2023 From Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Stevenson ASHLAND, Nebraska -- In a display of unwavering commitment and support, a formidable force of over 175 US Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWO TWO (NMCB 22) has deployed for the fifth time in as many years to provide essential construction support to the Nebraska Army National Guard (NGNE). The primary objective of their mission is to enhance force operational readiness and training effectiveness by completing crucial infrastructure improvements within a tight 14-day timeline. Situated at the Camp Mead and Silver Creek training grounds in South East Nebraska, these project sites serve as vital training environments where NGNE soldiers can refine their military occupational specialties and leadership skills. The scope of the Seabees' tasks encompasses pouring concrete foundations, constructing multiple buildings, restoring an inoperative shower facility, building a training bunker, repurposing an abandoned structure as a grenade range, and rehabilitating a nearly quarter-mile stretch of road. For the Seabees of NMCB 22, these real-world infrastructure projects not only offer invaluable hands-on experience but also address tangible needs. "Our Seabees are passionate about being part of missions like this. They joined with a desire to build and work hard," emphasized Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason Steinke (SCW) of NMCB 22 leadership. "The dedication displayed by our sailors over the past two weeks has been extraordinary. Their efforts will yield lasting results, strengthening our unit's administrative and operational readiness while leaving a positive impact for decades to come." Headquartered in Port Hueneme, CA, NMCB 22 serves as a versatile engineering and civil support unit for the Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operational forces. Renowned as the expeditionary engineering and construction experts of the naval service, the Seabees deliver tailored, adaptable, and combat-ready engineering and construction forces to support global Navy and Force objectives. Armed with their trademark can-do spirit and exceptional technical skills cultivated through years of combined experience, the Seabee teams swiftly descended upon the Nebraska job sites and immediately tackled the complex challenges that lay before them. Adapting to difficult working conditions, limited resources, and logistical obstacles, these sailors remain undeterred, showcasing their resilience and determination as they carry out ground-up construction operations thousands of miles away from their Southern California home base. US Army Colonel Christopher Weskamp, the Nebraska National Guard's construction, facilities, and maintenance officer, commended the fruitful partnership between the Army and Navy, which has yielded substantial benefits. "This collaboration has proven mutually advantageous. Together, we are constructing infrastructure that will be utilized by Army Reservists, active-duty Army, Marines, Navy, and even Air Force personnel; all services converge on this site for training. Our soldiers will benefit immensely, and this enhanced training environment will have a long-lasting impact." Under the scorching Nebraska sun, the NMCB 22 teams exemplify exceptional teamwork and skill, working tirelessly to complete all assigned tasks within the remarkably short two-week timeframe. The improved facilities now facilitate more efficient training exercises, streamlined logistics support, and enhanced overall operational readiness. The shared dedication and hard work of these US Navy Seabees have ensured the successful execution of this ambitious project. While these enhancements may appear modest in scale, they form an integral part of fortifying the capabilities, infrastructure, and preparedness of the United States Armed Forces as a whole. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden: 'We Have Israel's Back' After Weekend Terror Attacks By Anita Powell October 10, 2023 U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that "we have Israel's back," as Washington attempts to defuse tensions in the Middle East after a stunning terrorist attack by Hamas militants. He also pledged Washington's continued support for Israel's counteroffensive against what he called an "atrocity" that has killed more than 1,000 people, including at least 14 Americans. "In this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel," he said, repeating: "We stand with Israel. We will make sure it has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack. There's no justification for terrorism. There's no excuse." Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who both stared stonily ahead, gave details from the weekend's events, which he said were "an act of sheer evil." "More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered not just killed, slaughtered in Israel," he said. "Among them, at least 14 American citizens killed. Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach-churning reports of babies being killed. Entire families slain." He said he would ask Congress to take "urgent action" but did not specify. For now, there is no speaker in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, preventing Congress from passing new spending. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the White House will encourage Congress to keep a supply of military support going to Israel. Sullivan added that the White House believes there are 20 Americans not accounted for but clarified that not all of those may be held hostage. Biden said he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday their third call since the crisis began and said he was not surprised by Israel's "swift, decisive and overwhelming" response. But he added, "We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law." Four days into the start of hostilities, Biden is taking steps to lower the temperature in a part of the world whose long-simmering problems could explode beyond its borders. The conflict leaves Biden with a number of serious problems. But above all, says political analyst Daniel Byman, are Washington's concerns for the Americans killed or taken hostage. "There may be Americans captured by a terrorist group," he told VOA on Zoom. "And that's got to be a priority of any American president. And the second issue is coming to terms with the deaths of Americans in a terrorist attack in Israel. Add to that all the complexities of a very difficult regional situation, and it involves not only Israel and Hamas, but the possibility of Hezbollah and Iranian involvement. "So, President Biden is trying to wrestle with all these, with the first step being don't make the situation worse, but also needing to assure Israel of American support at an incredibly difficult time and prevent further loss of life and protect the safety of Americans." And the conflict has attracted sharp words from American adversaries. "Unfortunately, we can see a sharp deterioration of the situation in the Middle East," said Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I think that many will agree with me that this is a clear example of the failure of the policy of the United States in the Middle East, which tried to monopolize the resolution [of the conflict], but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides." From the White House, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told VOA that conflict in Israel won't take Washington's eye off other threats, wherever they are. "Any nation who might think that somehow the United States is going to get distracted should think again," he said. "We are a large enough, big enough, powerful enough country, economically viable enough in fact, the economy's incredibly strong right now that we can look after our national security interests and those of our allies and partners anywhere around the world." And when asked if Biden asked Netanyahu to show restraint in his military response, Kirby pointed to the two nations' shared values. "Nobody wants to see innocent life taken," Kirby said. "And as I said, there's been too much of it. One of the great things about our relationship with Israel is that we're two vibrant democracies, and we mutually believe in things like the respect for innocent life and the rule of law. And we're always stronger together, our two countries, when we show that to the world, that we do respect innocent life, and that we do respect not only the rule of law but the law of war." But these words play alongside the images of Israel's swift and harsh response, which are likely to upset many in the Global South, who see the Israeli-Palestinian saga as a potent wedge issue. Pro-Palestinian protests have erupted around the world including in the U.S., at state capitols, federal buildings and Israeli diplomatic outposts but also as far away as Johannesburg, South Africa, where on Wednesday, protesters plan to mass outside the U.S. consulate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VOA Interview: Kirby Says No Sign of Iranian, Russian Involvement in Hamas Attacks By Iuliia Iarmolenko October 10, 2023 President Joe Biden said Tuesday that "we have Israel's back," as Washington attempts to defuse tensions in the Middle East after a stunning terrorist attack by Hamas militants. More than 1,000 people, including at least 14 Americans, have been killed by Hamas militants who stormed over the border Saturday, killing and kidnapping civilians and security forces. VOA Ukrainian Service's Iuliia Iarmolenko spoke Tuesday to John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, shortly before Biden addressed the nation in a televised address. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. VOA: Can you lay out a roadmap of how the United States is planning to address the situation in Israel? Are you preparing for a long haul or possible regional work? John Kirby: Well, how long this conflict goes on is really something for the Israelis to speak to, not the United States. What I think you'll hear from the president today is that we stand solidly and strongly behind Israel, their right to defend themselves, to live in peace and security, to go after these Hamas terrorists that perpetrated this barbaric violence on Israeli citizens, just innocent people going about their lives, and that we're going to, we're going to continue to support their needs. There's already one tranche of military aid on its way to Israel, it should be there soon. I suspect there'll be others. The president will talk about that in his remarks. We also are mindful that there's a hostage situation going on. And this is not like any typical hostage situation; it's also a war zone. So, that's going to complicate recovery efforts, and the president will talk about how we are offering our support, our advice and counsel. We have terrific hostage recovery experts here in the United States, and we're willing to chip in that expertise should the Israelis find that required. VOA: The administration has been pretty cautious in describing Iran's role in the Hamas attack on Israel. Why? And any signs of possible Russia's involvement? Kirby: Make no mistake, Iran has a degree of complicity here. They've been supporting Hamas for many years: training, tools, weapons, capabilities. So, nobody's walking away from the fact that Hamas wouldn't be able to function if it wasn't for the support that they get from Iran. What we have said and our Israeli counterparts have said as well is we just haven't seen any direct evidence that they were involved specifically in these attacks. But we're going to keep looking at this. We'll keep monitoring the intelligence picture and the evidence, and we'll see where it takes us. VOA: How about Russia's involvement? Kirby: We see no indication that Russia was at all directly involved in these attacks either. VOA: There are reports that President Biden did not urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to exercise restraint in Gaza in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attack. Will the administration communicate any concerns or guidance before Israel's anticipated ground operation in Gaza? Kirby: Well, again, without talking to Israeli military operations that's for them to speak to I think we all recognize given the threats that they faced and the violence that they've been dealing with in the last few hours, that they have to respond aggressively against Hamas, and you're seeing that play out. They are doing that. Nobody wants to see innocent civilians killed or hurt. Sadly, there's been too much of that already. Almost 1,000 Israelis now butchered and slaughtered, raped and tortured in front of their family members, and nobody wants to see innocent life taken. And there, as I said, there's been too much of it. One of the great things about our relationship with Israel is that we're two vibrant democracies and we mutually believe in things like the respect for innocent life and the rule of law. And we're always stronger together, our two countries, when we show that to the world, that we do respect innocent life and that we do respect not only the rule of law, but the law of war. So, you know, we'll obviously, we'll again provide the kind of support that we need to provide to Israel, and we will always stand up for the opposite example of what Hamas is doing, which is not only no respect for life, but the wanton, indiscriminate, murder, butchery of human life. VOA: But is it going to be communicated to Prime Minister Netanyahu? Kirby: We, again, this is something that we obviously share with Israel, and you know, these are, these are two countries, two partners that certainly have very open lines of communication, and this is one of the great things about our relationship. VOA: On Ukraine, you said yesterday the administration wants to make sure that there is no gap in assistance to Ukraine, not even a day. Are you confident that that's going to be the case? Given all the situation that transpired in Israel? Is the administration considering pairing Ukraine and Israel aid requests for faster approval in Congress? Kirby: It is important that Ukraine continue to get the aid that it needs. They are involved in still a counteroffensive in facing Russian aggression on their own soil. And you're right, we don't want to see a single lapse. That's why we're going to continue to work with Congress to see if we can get supplemental funding. We've got enough right now to get us through some time. But as I said the other day, it's not indefinite, and that's the reason we made a supplemental request. How those conversations with Congress play out, what that looks like, I can't say at this point. Both Ukraine and Israel are important. Both need American military assistance, and it's important to our national security interest, let alone theirs, but ours too, that they get that assistance. So, we're going to continue to work with Congress. VOA: But is there communication to put these two funding requests together for their faster approval? Kirby: Yeah, I'm not going to talk about the process here of the conversations that we're having with Congress. Both countries need U.S. military assistance in terms of weapons and capabilities. Both are under assault. Both have every right to defend themselves and their citizens. And in that defense, our national security interests are actually benefited. We're going to continue to have these conversations with Congress. How that's going to play out I just can't say, and I wouldn't talk about the specifics of the conversations that we're having. VOA: One more question on that. Does the administration consider requesting bigger funding for Ukraine, so-called "one and done" aid package till the next election in the United States? Kirby: Again, I don't want to get into the conversations that we're having with members of Congress. We already submitted a supplemental for the first quarter of the fiscal year here this fall. We believe that that supplemental request was adequate to the task. We urge Congress to pass that supplemental funding, but as for what other conversations might be happening, I'd really rather not get into that. VOA: OK. And you said yesterday also that Ukraine has some weeks of good weather to be productive and efficient with their counteroffensive. Isn't this a good time to provide ATACMS [missiles] for Ukraine? Kirby: Again, ATACMS are not off the table. We are having continued reviews of the additional capabilities that Ukraine needs. I'm not in a position to announce anything with respect to ATACMS. I would just tell you that as the war has evolved and changed, the capabilities that we have provided Ukraine has evolved and changed, and I would expect that that change will continue. VOA: Including ATACMS? Kirby: I'm just going to leave it there. VOA: OK. And just let me ask this: You said yesterday that all energy right now is on helping Israel to defend itself. Do you think that there is a possibility that actors like Russia and China might use this opportunity when all eyes are on Israel to their advantage, and how to prevent that? Kirby: It is certainly possible that other nations, other actors that are hostile to Israel could try to take advantage of the situation. And that is one of the reasons that the president, as commander-in-chief, ordered a carrier strike group into the eastern Mediterranean to send a strong signal to anybody who might be thinking that this is a good opportunity to get involved and try to broaden this conflict beyond just Hamas, and that they are to rethink that plan. They ought to rethink those considerations. So I can't speak to anything specific with respect to Russia or China's involvement one way or the other, but we have made it clear, and we'll continue to make it clear that we take our national security interests in the region very, very seriously. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thais Scramble for Details After 18 Feared Dead in Hamas Assault on Israel By Vijitra Duangdee October 10, 2023 Relatives of Thai workers kidnapped or killed by Hamas militants have spent the days since the attack on Israel patching together details from social media of what happened to their loved ones. Thailand is emerging as one of the nations most affected by a conflict thousands of kilometers away. Eighteen Thais are feared dead in the violence, the Thai foreign ministry said on Tuesday, with 11 more believed held hostage by Hamas, nearly all from the poor northeastern region known as Isaan. But the ministry said the numbers were unconfirmed in the bloody chaos of recent days with the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok saying a complete count is not immediately possible, given the ongoing military operations. Israel has launched a counteroffensive to the attack, which killed hundreds of Israelis. Hamas has warned it will start executing its hostages if there are Israeli strikes without warning on Gaza, where hundreds have died, including civilians. An estimated 30,000 Thais work in Israel, many at kibbutz farms near the border with Gaza, where they can earn upwards of $1,000 a month, several times higher than the wages in northeastern Thailand. "I want to assure the Thai people that Israel is committed to doing everything in its power to protect the Thai workers in our country," Orna Sagiv, the ambassador of Israel to Thailand, said in a Facebook post on Monday. "Rest assured, they will receive the same treatment and protection as every person in Israel, whether Israeli or foreign national." Devastated relatives of those feared to have been taken hostage have struggled to find information on the whereabouts of their family members, instead relying on videos shared on Facebook and TikTok by fellow Thai workers or the militants who attacked them. "I can't breathe, I can't sleep," said Piyanus Phujuttu, 27, whose family members believe they saw her cousin, Khomkrit Chombua, being taken into the Gaza Strip by militants on Saturday on a video shared over social media. "Thai officials told me that they would talk to the Israeli government for me and the Israeli embassy in Thailand told me that they have to clear the area first before beginning the search they've been following the situation, but they haven't confirmed my cousin's whereabouts, nor his fate," she told VOA. Speaking to Thai television, Suda Thepgaew said she believes her husband was one of six Thais gunned down as dozens of militants attacked the workers' dormitory near Gaza. "I just talked to him on Saturday and everything was fine, we were laughing and then suddenly there was gunfire, missile strikes and the connection was lost ... his friend at the farm told me later, 'Ball has gone,'" she said, using her husband's nickname. Separately, the visibly distraught mother of a banana farm worker from Kalasin, northern Thailand, spoke about her son, Somkuan Pansa-ard, who was shot dead at Nahal Oz kibbutz in Israel. Noopa Pansa-ard held a portrait of her son as she told reporters she had tried to persuade him to remain in Thailand. She said her son had been on a five-year contract in Israel, sending home nearly $2,000 each month to his family. "I told him I didn't want the money, I just wanted him to be safe. I was just telling him how much I missed him," said Noopa Pansa-ard of her last call with her son. Thailand is among the largest sources of migrant workers for Israel, with the Thai labor ministry saying the majority are employed as farm workers who send home monthly remittances. Around 7,000 Thais may also be working illegally in Israel, the ministry added, raising fears for their safety as they may not have been recorded as missing by employers. Only Taiwan and South Korea have more Thai workers, the ministry says. The Thai government promises to evacuate all of its citizens. Nearly 4,000 Thais have registered to leave as the situation becomes increasingly volatile, with the first flight due back to Thailand on Thursday, Kanchana Patarachok, a ministry spokesperson, told a press conference Tuesday. But some Thais still in Israel say they want to stay, putting the relatively high wages of overseas work above their safety as they try to help families back home in the rice bowl northeast, where the daily minimum wage is around $8. "I'm the eldest son so I've got to take care of my parents and my wife and two kids (aged 3 and 5)," Jakkapol Wipracha, 35, told VOA from Talmei Yosef, a settlement close to the Israel's southern border with Gaza. Each month working on a tomato farm he says he earns 5,300 shekels ($1,340). "Over nine months, I've sent most of it home." "I haven't been contacted by the Thai government yet but I'm weighing my options up right now. If I go back, I'd still need to go work overseas somewhere else. With all the debt I have, I just can't find work in Thailand that pays enough," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Not Allowed to Receive Medical Treatment Abroad, Former Bangladesh PM at 'High Risk of Dying' By Shaikh Azizur Rahman October 10, 2023 Doctors attending to opposition leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia in Bangladesh say that her life is in danger as the government will not allow her to leave the country for urgent medical intervention abroad. "Suffering from advanced cirrhosis of the liver, Khaleda Zia is at a high risk of dying and she urgently needs a liver transplant at a multidisciplinary advanced medical facility abroad," Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammad Siddiqui a member of a medical board taking care of Zia, 78 said in a news conference in Dhaka Monday. "A liver transplant cannot be carried out in any hospital in Bangladesh. We have exhausted all available treatment options available in Bangladesh. With her complicated medical conditions, lying in a hospital in Dhaka, she is swinging between life and death." The chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh's largest opposition party, two-time former prime minister Zia, who was sentenced to a 17-year jail term on convictions in two corruption cases and has been living under house arrest since 2020, is barred from leaving the country. Last week, citing legal provisions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina turned down an appeal from Zia's family to allow her to travel to Germany for a liver transplant. For decades, Zia and Hasina, chief of the ruling Awami League party, would alternate in government with metronomic regularity. They have long been each other's archrival and were called the "Battling Begums" of Bangladesh politics. Since 2009, when Hasina became prime minister for a second time, her party has won all national elections and she has remained in power for the past 14 years. BNP leaders allege that the charges of corruption for which Zia was convicted and sent to jail in 2018 were false and politically motivated. Zia's jail term was suspended by the government in March 2020 and she was released from jail on parole, in view of the risk of her being infected with COVID-19. The sentence was suspended on the condition that in no situation she would be allowed to travel outside the country. After Zia was released from jail in 2020, her doctors reported that her diabetic conditions had worsened further and she was suffering from ailments of the kidneys, heart and other organs. Her doctors suspected that she had not received proper medical treatment while she was in jail for over two years. In the past two years, the family of Zia sent at least six official requests, including the one sent on September 30 (2023), seeking permission to let her travel abroad for medical treatment. All requests were rejected by Hasina. After Zia fell very ill recently, in August she was sent to a private hospital in Dhaka for treatment. Dr. A. Z. M. Zahid, Zia's personal physician told VOA that the BNP chief's health has worsened critically in recent months mostly because she could not receive the crucial medical treatment in an advanced medical facility abroad. "High dosages of antibiotics are not working. The liver infection is causing fluid to accumulate in lungs, stomach and heart repeatedly. Dr. Zahid said Monday. "The latest view of the medical board is that she should be taken to a multidisciplinary advanced medical facility abroad for her life-saving treatment as soon as possible, before her medical problems take a fatal turn." Last week Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said: "According to the country's law, there is no scope for granting permission to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia travel abroad." BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that Zia has been a "victim of political vengeance." "It appears, the government has been denying the BNP chairperson the badly needed medical treatment abroad in a conspiracy to gradually push her to death and keep her away from politics in the future," Rizvi told VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WFP calls for humanitarian corridors as it launches an emergency operation for Gaza and the West Bank World Food Programme 10 October 2023 ROME -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched an emergency operation to provide critical food assistance to over 800,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank who are facing dire circumstances, lacking access to food, water, and essential supplies. WFP calls for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to facilitate the entry of aid and humanitarian assistance into Gaza and appeals for the safe and unobstructed passage for its staff and essential commodities. WFP urgently requires access and funding to reach those in need. A total of US$17.3 million is needed in the next four weeks to address this critical situation. An update from Palestine where WFP is rapidly expanding the distribution of emergency food assistance: On Monday, WFP together with UNRWA, has distributed ready-to-eat food to 73,000 people. Distributions are ongoing daily for displaced people in shelters in Gaza, amid concerns that the city is running out of critical resources like food, water, and electricity, with damaged infrastructure severely impeding both food production and distribution networks. WFP is also starting the distribution of cash-based transfers to 164,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank. Electronic vouchers can be redeemed on food items in local shops. WFP is concerned about availability of food in local shops as supplies are running out. In the next few days, pending the replenishment of food stocks through the opening of humanitarian corridors, WFP will distribute food to 300,000 people in host communities and make available cash-based-platforms to humanitarian partners. All borders and check points between the West Bank and Gaza are closed, which is further exacerbating the crisis by preventing much-needed assistance from entering. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by President Biden on the Terrorist Attacks in Israel October 10, 2023 State Dining Room 2:24 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. You know, there are moments in this life and I mean this literally when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews. This was an act of sheer evil. More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered not just killed, slaughtered in Israel. Among them, at least 14 American citizens killed. Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach-turning reports of being babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace to celebrate peace. Women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies. Families hid their fear for hours and hours, desperately trying to keep their children quiet to avoid drawing attention. And thousands of wounded, alive but carrying with them the bullet holes and the shrapnel wounds and the memory of what they endured. You all know these traumas never go away. There are still so many families desperately waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones, not knowing if they're alive or dead or hostages. Infants in their mothers' arms, grandparents in wheelchairs, Holocaust survivors abducted and held hostage hostages whom Hamas has now threatened to execute in violation of every code of human morality. It's abhorrent. The brutality of Hamas this bloodthirstiness brings to mind the worst the worst rampages of ISIS. This is terrorism. But sadly, for the Jewish people, it's not new. This attack has brought to the surface painful memories and the scars left by a millennia of antisemitism and genocide of the Jewish people. So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack. There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse. Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. Its stated purpose is the annihilation of the State of Israel and the murder of Jewish people. They use Palestinian civilians as human shields. Hamas offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard to who pays the price. The loss of innocent life is heartbreaking. Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond indeed has a duty to respond to these vicious attacks. I just got off the phone with the third call with Prime Minister Netanyahu. And I told him if the United States experienced what Israel is experiencing, our response would be swift, decisive, and overwhelming. We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law. Terrorists purpo- purposefully target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war the law of war. It matters. There's a difference. Today, Americans across the country are praying for all those families that have been ripped apart. A lot of us know how it feels. It leaves a black hole in your chest when you lose family, feeling like you're being sucked in. The anger, the pain, the sense of hopelessness. This is what they mean by a "human tragedy" an atrocity on an appalling scale. But we're going to s- continue to stand united, supporting the people of Israel who are suffering unspeakable losses and opposing the hatred and violence of terrorism. My team has been in near constant communication with our Israeli partners and partners all across the region and the world from the moment this crisis began. We're surging additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome. We're going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens. My administration has consulted closely with Congress throughout this crisis. And when Congress returns, we're going to ask them to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. This is not about party or politics. This is about the security of our world, the security of the United States of America. We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas. I've directed my team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise the Israeli counterparts on hostage recover- recovery efforts, because as president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world. The United States has also enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence. The Department of Defense has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean and bolstered our fighter aircraft presence. And we stand ready to move in additional assets as needed. Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation, I have one word: Don't. Don't. Our hearts may be broken, but our resolve is clear. Yesterday, I also spoke with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK to discuss the latest developments with our European allies and coordinate our united response. This comes on top of days of steady engagement with partners across the region. We're also taking steps at home. In cities across the United States of America, police departments have stepped up security around centers for of Jewish life. And the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working closely with state and local law enforcement and Jewish community partners to identify and disrupt any domestic threat that could emerge in connection with these horrific attacks. This is a moment for the United States to come together, to grieve with those who are mourning. Let's be real clear: There is no place for hate in America not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody. We reject we reject what we reject is terrorism. We condemn the indiscriminate evil, just as we've always done. That's what America stands for. You know, just over 50 years ago I was thinking about it this morning, talking with the Secretary of State, the Vice President in my office and over 50 years ago, as a young senator, I visited Israel for the first time, as a newly elected senator. And I had a long, long trip or meeting with Golda Meir in her office just before the Yom Kippur War. And I guess she could see the consternation on my face as she described what was being faced they were facing. We walked outside in that that sort of hallway outside her office to have some photos. She looked at me and w- all of a sudden and said, "Would you like to have a photograph?" And so, I got up and followed her out. We were standing there silent, looking at the press. She could tell, I guess, I was concerned. She leaned over and whispered to me she said, "Don't worry, Senator Biden. We have a secret weapon here in Israel" my word this is what she said "We have no place else to go." "We have no place else to go." For 75 years, Israel has stood as the ultimate guarantor of security of Jewish people around the world so that the atrocities of the past could never happen again. And let there be no doubt: The United States has Israel's back. We will make sure the Jewish and democratic State of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow, as we always have. It's as simple as that. These atrocities have been sickening. We're we're with Israel. Let's make no mistake. Thank you. 2:34 P.M. EDT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Virtual On-the-Record Gaggle by NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on Hamas Terrorist Attacks in Israel October 10, 2023 5:54 P.M. EDT MR. KIRBY: Good evening, everybody. As you know, the White House has been closely following the situation in Israel, and the President has been actively engaged, regularly receiving updates on the latest developments from the national security team. In fact, this morning, he met with members of the senior team including the Secretary of State; National Security Advisor; the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor; the Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall; and, of course, the White House Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients all to receive the latest update from from the morning. He has also spoken twice with Prime Minister Netanyahu this over the weekend, certainly to express our deep sympathy for all those missing, wounded, and killed and to pledge his full support for Israel at this incriti- critical and dangerous moment. He has also spoken with many of our allies and partners including the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom just this afternoon to help coordinate our efforts. In response to Hamas's horrific terrorist attacks, President Biden directed his team to do everything we can to ensure that the government of Israel has what it needs. At his direction, our military began shipping military aid to Israel and the Secretary of Defense has adjusted our force posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts. Our teams at the White House and across the U.S. government have been in close contact with our Israeli partners and are working with our regional partners to warn anyone who might seek to take advantage in this situation against taking hostile action. We will have more assistance to announce over the coming days to ensure that no enemies of Israel believe that they can or should try to seek advantage from the current situation. Hundreds of innocent civilians were murdered, including at least 11 American citizens, and there are other American citizens who remain unaccounted for. The U.S. government is doing everything we can to determine the whereabouts of these U.S. citizens. The President has directed his team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts. Let me say once again that the United States unequivocally condemns these horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, which have taken the lives of Israeli and American citizens, as well as citizens from many countries around the world. And as the President has said, our hearts go out to every single family impacted and affected by the horrible, reprehensible events of the past few days. To quote from his statement from this afternoon, "The pain [that] these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those [that are] still [waiting for] information is unfathomable." Terrorism is never justified, and what we have seen Hamas do is appalling and horrific. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Israeli people in this moment of crisis for them. And in keeping with that commitment, you will also see that they will light the White House up tonight in blue and white in honor of Israeli colors and the Israeli flag. That will that will take place right after sundown. So, with that, I'm happy to take some questions. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our first question will go to Yuna with Israel Channel 12. Yuna, you should be able to unmute yourself. Q Yes. Can you hear me now? MS. REPOSA: We sure can. Q Okay, thank you, John. Thank you, all the team. Thank you for doing this. I have a few questions. First, would the United States in any scenario join this war if we see more fronts from Iran or Hezbollah? Does the United States sees Iran as responsible for this war? And also a question about the military aid. What is the scope? How fast will it be delivered? And what is the message the United States wants to send with the deployment of the aircraft carrier and the other ships that are arriving to the region? MR. KIRBY: Can I ask you to repeat the first question? It broke up. It was something about us joining, but I didn't get the rest of it. Q Yeah. Is there any scenario of the U.S. joining the war if we see more fronts from Iran or Hezbollah? MR. KIRBY: Okay. So, on your first question, I mean, there's no intention to put U.S. boots on the ground. That said, as evidenced and this kind of gets to your third question as evidenced by the changes in our force posture in the region, including the movement of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group into the Eastern Med, President Biden will always make sure that we are protecting and defending our national security interests wherever those interests are, including particularly in that part of the world. And I think I'll leave it at that. And then, your other question was about the aid. I can tell you that the first tranche of additional security assistance and I say "additional" because, you know, we have a longstanding defense relationship with Israel whereby there are routine security assistance being delivered and worked on together with them. But in the wake of these terrorist attacks the first tranche in the wake of these terrorist attacks are is already on the way. And I had a chance to speak with my colleagues at the Defense Department just before getting on with you to confirm that, but it's on the way. I don't believe it's actually made it to Israel yet, but it is it is it's making its way there. And we will obviously, we fully expect that there will be additional requests for security assistance from Israel as they continue to expend munitions in this fight. And we will stay in lockstep with them, making sure that we're filling their needs as best as best we can and as fast as we can. Q Thank you. MS. REPOSA: Great. Thank you. Our next sorry, we're having a little bit of a tech issue. My computer froze. Our next question will go to Aamer with the AP. Q Hey. Thank you, John. Thank you, Sam. Just wanted to ask you because, you know, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry's statement soon after the attacks did not condemn Hamas, instead noting it had repeatedly warned that Israel's occupation and the deprivation of Palestinian people of their legitimate rights was the cause of this. One, was the administration disappointed in the response? And more generally, does this current environment halt or, at the very minimum, set back hopes for an Israel-Saudi normalization deal? Thank you. MR. KIRBY: I'll let the Saudis speak to their statement; I can only speak to ours. And it's been pretty clear and unequivocal what we think about these terrorist attacks and what we think about our responsibilities and our commitment to the Israeli people. On normalization, Aamer we still believe that normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only good for the people of those two nations, but for the American people and for everybody else in the region. And we have every intention to continue to encourage a process where normalization can occur. I couldn't speculate now as to what impact the events of the last 36 hours is going to have on on those efforts. But nothing has changed about our our continued desire to pursue that kind of an outcome. And in any event, Aamer, we're even before the attacks of the weekend, we were, you know, months away from you know, from getting close to some sort of agreed-to negotiation here. So, we intend to keep keep at that work. Now, obviously, the focus right now, in these hours, is much more in line with supporting Israel's ability to defend itself. That's where our energies are being applied most stringently, and certainly that's where they should appropriately be applied. But nothing has changed about our desire to see that normalization occur. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Barak with Axios. Barak, you should be able to Q Yeah. MS. REPOSSA: There you go. Q Thank you so much for doing this. And, John, I just wanted to say I watched your interview tonight on CNN, and, you know, thank you for the things you said. You're a real mensch. I just wanted to say that. And second thing, to follow up on what Yuna asked before: Is the White House considering or discussing asking Congress to give some kind of to approve some kind of war powers in order for the U.S. to be able to use force if Hezbollah will join the war, especially in things like using air air power in Lebanon or using U.S. assets for missile interception and things like that? MR. KIRBY: Barak, and I meant to say this when when Yuna asked her question, but I got distracted. I am not going to ask you for any detail, but I do hope that your family and your loved ones and your friends are safe and that you had a chance to stay in communication with them. On your question, I know of no such assets being considered at this time. You know, we, obviously, as I said earlier, will the President will do what he has to do to look after our national security interests there and elsewhere. That that's not going to change. But I know of no specific efforts to seek additional authorities or anything from Congress in the in any kind of a hypothetical situation. On Hezbollah, you know, we certainly have seen the attacks from Lebanon into northern Israel. We've certainly seen the IDF respond to those attacks. There's been conflicting messages coming out of Hezbollah about the degree to which they will or plan to get involved. One of the reasons why the President ordered that carrier strike group into Eastern Med is to send a clear, unequivocal message to any actor or nation-state that thinks that is a that this is a chance to try to take advantage of the position that Israel finds itself in, and we want that message to be let heard loud and clear. We always will do what we need to do to protect our people, our troops, our national security interests. And, again, I just know of no efforts to to go to Congress with any kind of additional authorities. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Steve Holland with Reuters. Q Thank you. Do you have any more clarity on how many American hostages that Hamas is holding? MR. KIRBY: Steve, we we can't confirm that they are in fact holding hostages. We are working literally by the hour to try to get more information about these unaccounted-for Americans. The truth is, we don't have a solid idea of how many total are unaccounted for. Well, you know, we got an idea and but we don't know where they are, so I can't say definitively that we know that Americans are being held hostage. That said, we have to accept the grim possibility that some are. And I don't want to say we're assuming it, but we have to accept that grim possibility. So, we're going to keep at this. We're going to stay in touch with Israeli officials as closely as we can to get as much information as we can about about all the Americans in Israel, particularly those that that we know are unaccounted for, because they the family members can't reach them. Q And just to follow up on Aamer's question about normalization, has this conflict basically forced you to hit the pause button on these negotiations? MR. KIRBY: I wouldn't go so far as to say that. I would I would tell you though, look, it's only been what? a couple of days. And so, our focus and the focus of the folks here at the NSC Brett McGurk and his team are rightly and appropriately on this: on supporting Israel, trying to ground truth on our Americans, supporting the families that've got the worst possible news yesterday and today. But I think it's too soon to say that, you know, we've hit the brakes on this. It's just it, understandably, isn't the main area of focus right now. But I wouldn't go so far as to say, you know, we've given up on it or we don't have any interest in pursuing it. It just again, given the circumstances, is not not on the front burner, but but certainly we're not we're not we're not discarding it. Q Thank you. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Gabby with Jewish Insider. Q Hey, thank you so much for doing this. I have a couple of questions. First, the White House has said that there's no direct evidence at this point linking Iran to this attack. Can you share what you do know about a possible Iran connection with Hamas here? And second, Secretary Blinken tweeted yesterday calling for a ceasefire, but he deleted the tweet since then. So is the administration's position here to call for a ceasefire? And what's your perspective on that language? Thank you so much. MR. KIRBY: So, on Iran, let me start by saying that no question that there's a degree of complicity here, but Iran has been supporting Hamas for many, many years tools, training, capabilities certainly rhetorically but in more much more tangible ways than that. So, absolutely, there's a degree of complicity here writ large. That said, we haven't and we're and we are looking through the information streams. We haven't seen hard, tangible evidence that Iran was directly involved in participating in or resourcing and planning these sets of complex attacks that Hamas pulled off over the weekend. Again, we're going to keep looking at it. Our Israeli counterparts are also actively looking, and even they have publicly said they don't see the quote, unquote smoking gun. So we'll just keep we'll just keep at it. We'll keep we'll keep trying to learn more. But obviously, nobody is walking away from the fact that Iran has long supported Hamas. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Mary with ABC. Q Hi, Admiral. Thank you for doing this. You mentioned the President's phone calls with Netanyahu, and I'm sure you've seen the Axios reporting that Netanyahu told the President that Israel doesn't have a choice; they have to go into Gaza. Is that reporting wrong? Is it your understanding that Israel is readying a ground offensive? And is that something that the U.S. would support or dissuade? MR. KIRBY: I won't speak to the in more detail to the private conversations that the President had with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I certainly will not put words in his mouth or verify anything that Prime Minister Netanyahu might have said or not said. That would be inappropriate for me to do that. It is clear that given the size and the scale and the scope of the violence that have been visited on the Israeli people by Hamas that the Israeli Defense Forces are responding aggressively. You don't you can look at the imagery and see that that they're being very, very aggressive in how they respond. And I think it's just more appropriate that we let them speak to their military operations, present and future tense. I wouldn't even even if this was an American operation, we wouldn't talk about future military operations one way or the other. So, I I don't want to start by doing that today. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Tamara with NPR. Tam, you should be able to unmute yourself. Q Oh, sorry. I think I am unmuted now. John, just regarding Ukraine funding, do you have any sense of whether the situation in Israel will put stress on White House efforts to secure aid for Ukraine? Is it possible it could help speed that along? And also, what does this situation mean for President Biden's announced major address on Ukraine? MR. KIRBY: I don't think we have a sense about whether or not there'll be any kind of an impact base- based on what's happening in Israel. I can just tell you that we believe both are are important. Support to Ukraine needs to continue. They are also at a critical moment in their counteroffensive with you know, with weeks of good weather left to try to make more progress. So, it's a critical need. We're going to continue to make that case on Capitol Hill. We continue to appreciate the bipartisan support by the majority of members of the House and Senate for for supporting Ukraine, and we'll continue to make that case. We continue to want our supplemental request approved so that there's no lapse at all not even a day in support to Ukraine. Israel obviously, we have a longstanding defense relationship with them. We have existing authorities and existing appropriations to continue to support Israel if we need. And I'm it's an "if," but if we need to go back to Capitol Hill for additional funding support for Israel, we will absolutely do that. We have kept members of Congress informed over the last couple of days about what's going on, what we're learning, what we're seeing, what we're doing. That will continue. And, again, if part of that conversation needs to be a request for additional funding, well, by goodness, we'll have that conversation and we'll go to them. And if that was to be the case, certainly it would just validate the fact that both are important. And we a large enough, big enough, economically viable and vibrant enough country to be able to support both. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Vivia- Vivian with the Wall Street Journal. Q Thanks, Sam. Hey, John. So, I want to actually follow up on Mary's question with regard to Gaza. You're you said you don't want to comment on Israeli military plans for a potential ground offensive, but I was wondering if you could comment about whether or not there has been any warning at any levels of the U.S. government against the targeting of civilians in Gaza. Obviously, you know, we saw tragically that Israeli civilians are were victimized by this. Also, we're hearing about the civilian death toll in Gaza rising, and so that would obviously be even more so if there was a ground invasion because there's very there's nowhere for them to go. So, is there has there been any discussion with the Israelis to do whatever they can to avoid that and not make civilians part of the collateral, kind of, retaliation against the tragic the tragic attacks that happened this weekend? Thanks. MR. KIRBY: Look, I would just say, as we've said before, Israel has the right to defend itself, and you're seeing them you're seeing them do that. And in some ways, they're doing it aggressively. And given the size and scale and the scope of the violence, you know, we we understand where that's coming from. I would I would also say that we and Israel, as democracies, we have a lot of shared values and a lot of shared interests. And certainly, one of those shared values and shared interest is respect for life the kind of respect that Hamas is clearly not showing at all. And (inaudible) Q But the but the residents in Gaza a lot of them are not even sympathetic toward Hamas, so that's kind of what I'm trying to get at is is MR. KIRBY: No, that's but that's but that's Q any effort to try to distinguish and say, you know, there are people who should be spared who have nothing to do with this. MR. KIRBY: Well, nobody wants to see an innocent civilian killed or wounded or hurt in any way. I mean, that that the whole the whole premise of our statements to date have been, you know, that you know, again, terrorism and this kind of violence has no place. And so, nobody wants to see anybody an innocent civilian or a family wrecked by violence. Of course not. But, again, you know, we have we share values with Israel when it comes to law of war and respect for life. And, again, I just I can't I won't speak to whatever Israeli Defense Forces are planning to do in their operations, but but I think I'll just leave it there. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Kevin with CNN. Q Thanks. Thanks, John. I know you can't say what the number of potential hostages are, but I'm wondering if you could describe in more detail how you're trying to determine whether and how many hostages there are. Are you in communication with the Israelis? Are you asking families to come to you? Are you monitoring are you looking for videos? What is the effort look like to try and make the determination of how many Americans are being held hostage? MR. KIRBY: It's a little bit of it's sort of all of the above, to be honest with you. I mean, clearly, we are in direct communication with Israeli officials to learn what they know, understanding that it's a very dynamic time for them and they don't even have perfect knowledge of every Israeli citizen and where every Israeli citizen is. So, we understand that they're under a great strain. But yes, we're in direct communication with them at various levels to try to get as much information as they might have that can help us. And yes, we have been hearing from many family members. I wouldn't go so far to say that we're, you know, cold calling families the because, you know, we wouldn't have the wouldn't have the information to be able to do that. You know, American citizens don't need to tell us where they are, where they're traveling, where they're living. But but we are certainly hearing from actively hearing from many families of Americans in Israel asking if we've heard anything, do we know anything, sharing with us what they can about what they know of their loved one or when they last heard from them. So, we are getting input directly from families, and that's certainly very helpful in terms of giving us a sense of the of the scope of the problem set. I'm leery right now to get into any more detail than that, other than to say that we know there is a number of unaccounted-for Americans, and we're trying very, very hard on an individual basis to try to track them down and to and to try to figure out where they are. Q And could you characterize how many families you've heard from at this point? MR. KIRBY: I think I'll leave the I'll leave that to the State Department to clarify. I don't know that that's appropriate coming from me, but we certainly have heard from from a number of of families, and I think that's about as much detail as I can go into tonight. Q Okay, thanks. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to Alexander with Yahoo News. Q Hey, thanks, Sam. Thank you, Admiral, for doing this. A few questions three if it's okay. One, do you have a sense of whether Hamas was using the tunnels under the Sinai to smuggle in, you know, the drones, the Qassam rockets or the components of the rockets, and other equipment they needed? And if so, then, you know, where where did it come from? Did it come from Iran? Second, you know, do you have any well, I guess I guess I'll put it this way: If Hezbollah opens a front in the north and then, you know, Lebanon is pulled in and then Syria, potentially I mean, are we looking at potentially a much larger conflict than what we have today? And, sort of, how do we avoid that? And my third question is: Does the U.S. know where Mohammed Deif is and the other sort of, the ranking leaders of Hamas? And if so, has that intelligence been shared with Israel? MR. KIRBY: I think you can understand I wouldn't get into the details of intelligence sharing with Israel. We we have a strong intel-sharing relationship. We are obviously improving and sharpening that here in the wake of these attacks, and I can't go into more detail on that. I don't I won't get into the specific intelligence about Hamas's preparations in planning and resourcing for this. I would just say what I said before: We have not seen any specific, tangible piece of evidence or fact that points directly to Iranian participation in these sets of attacks. Q Right. So, Admiral, does that mean the Wall Street Journal report was incorrect? MR. KIRBY: That means that we cannot corroborate the reporting in the Wall Street Journal. We are obviously looking at this. Our Israeli counterparts are looking at it, and they too have said publicly that they cannot point to specific Iranian involvement in these sets of attacks over the weekend. So, again, you know, we'll just keep at it. We'll just have to keep at the work. And then on the other question about Hezbollah: Nobody wants to see the this conflict broaden or deepen or grow or escalate. I can't speak for what Hezbollah may or may not do. They've already launched rockets in there. They have said confusing things about their intentions. On one hand, saying that, you know, obviously they support what Hamas has done. On the other hand, saying they have no interest in getting involved unless Gaza is invaded by by the IDF. I can't I can't hypothesize about where this might go, but clearly, we don't we don't want to see it escalate. And look, one of the reasons why the President directed the Defense Department to move additional military forces in and around and near the region is to send a strong message of deterrence that no other actor, no other nation-state, no other group ought to be looking at this as a chance to take advantage. Q Thank you. MR. KIRBY: Yes, sir. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. Our next question will go to James Rosen. Q Can you all hear me? MS. REPOSA: We sure can. Q Thank you, Sam. And thank you, Admiral. Two questions, if you would. First, is President Biden committed to supporting Israel in its campaign against Hamas for as long as it takes? MR. KIRBY: Well, you want to do the second one or you just want to take it one by one? Q One by one, if you would. MR. KIRBY: He I think he's been very clear that we will our our relationship with with Israel is rock solid, ironclad, unshakable. That's not going to change. And that's not that's not just hyperbole or empty rhetoric, James; I mean, that is a longstanding position of the United States across multiple administrations Democratic and Republican. And Joe Biden has been a strong supporter of Israel for his entire life in public service, and that will not change certainly for as long as he's president of the United States. Q Just to follow up on question one hopefully without sacrificing my ability to pose a second question: I didn't ask you if the support is "unwavering, rock solid." I asked specifically, is President Biden committed to supporting Israel in its campaign against Hamas "for as long as it takes." And you understand that I'm using that phrasing because it is the very phrasing that the President has used with President Zelenskyy and Ukraine. Does Prime Minister Netanyahu receive that same assurance? MR. KIRBY: I think Prime Minister Netanyahu knows very well, based on the conversations he's had with the President in just the last day or so, how strongly President Biden and the United States and this administration stands with Israel. Q Question two. After Prime Minister Netanyahu took office last December, President Biden shunned him. He withheld from the Prime Minister the traditional invitation to the White House and only consented nine months later to a brief session at a Manhattan hotel on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Knowing everything we know today, wasn't this rejection of closer coordination with the Israeli head of state a major mistake by President Biden? MR. KIRBY: I would take issue with the premise of your question, James. There was no shunning. There was no disrespect. The President had a has had a long relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu. He certainly had a chance to speak with him after he formed his government. We have been clear and very consistent in our support for the democratic institutions and the shared values that we both cherish both the Israeli people and the United States. The President will will always speak honestly and candidly with foreign leaders, particularly with those countries with whom we're we're so close and have such a great relationship like like Israel. So, again, grateful that he had the chance to speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu twice yesterday [this weekend], and I fully expect that you will see additional conversations between those two leaders in the coming days. Q Thank you. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. We have time for one more question, which will go to Anita with VOA. Q Thank you so much for doing this, John. Just quickly on the carrier strike group if you can just share some details for us about what role it will play. Is it going to help Israel with the siege or blockade of Gaza? Is it authorized to use offensive force against enemy targets? And then I have a question about hostages. MR. KIRBY: I won't talk about ROE. The strike force is a very capable military naval military power. And it's being dispatched for really two purposes: A strong signal of reassurance to the American people who live in the region, to our allies and partners in the region that the United States won't does not want to see anybody else try to take advantage; and then deterrence deterrence of anybody who might think that way. But there's a lot of capabilities in that strike force, and and I and we believe that the folks in the region they understand they understand what those capabilities are. And I won't get beyond that. As I said earlier, there was no intention to put U.S. troops U.S. boots on the ground in Israel. What's your second question? Q My second question is about the hostages if the U.S. is thinking about any action to find and rescue the hostages in Gaza, if the U.S. is willing to talk to Hamas or has talked to Hamas. And then separately, has the President spoken to any of the affected American families? And can you share any details of those conversations? MR. KIRBY: I don't have any calls with the families to read out. I know the State Department has reached out to at least the first nine that we were able to confirm. I don't know if they've spoken to the families of the additional two that we learned today had been killed. But they did reach the families of the first nine that we knew of. Oh, shoot, you had another one. What was the Q Yeah, I was just wondering if the U.S. is contemplating any action to find and rescue the hostages? MR. KIRBY: Oh oh, yeah. Yeah. Q And if you're willing to talk to Hamas to get them back? MR. KIRBY: Well, so, first of all, we can't confirm that Americans are being held hostage. I mean, I've seen the reporting. I'm aware of the comments by some Israeli officials. We aren't we don't we cannot confirm that Americans are being held hostage. We have to accept the possibility and the likelihood that that some may be I mean, we're not you know, we're not dismissing that, but we can't confirm that. So, your question is getting a little bit further ahead of information that we have. And even if we did have specific information that we could confirm that Americans are being held hostage, as you well know, we are very, very careful about talking publicly about our efforts to try to recover those Americans. We just don't typically talk about that in a in any way that might jeopardize their safety and our ability to get them home with their families. But, again, it's just a question we're not really prepared to offer tangible answers to because we just don't have the information to back it up. MS. REPOSA: Thank you. And I think Kirby has one final thought before we let you all go. MR. KIRBY: I mean, this really comes off of Anita's question. And I and I'm glad I was glad she asked it, and it was obviously an appropriate one to ask even though we don't have information to back it up. And that is that there's an awful lot of families Israeli, American, and from other countries that are hurting right now. Some of them have got the most devastating news that a family can get. Others are just torn apart with the uncertainty of not knowing where their loved one is or how their loved one is. And I just think it's important that all of us keep that in mind. And as we, as an administration, work with Israel, as we work through these problem sets, I just want to make it clear that, first and foremost, we're going to keep those families in mind. These are all human beings. They all have stories. They all come from somewhere. They all love someone. They they're no different than you and me and the families that we have. And that will be front and center in the policy decisions that are laying before us in the days ahead the very difficult decisions that are laying before us in the days ahead. And I just think it's important that we don't lose the we just don't lose the human component of all this. But anyway, thanks again for chiming in. I know it's late and I was late starting, and I apologize for that. But I'm glad we were had this opportunity, and I'm sure we'll have additional opportunities in the in the days ahead in this week. Thank you. MS. REPOSA: Great. Thanks everyone. And as always, if we weren't able to get to you, please reach out to our distro and I'll try to get back to as soon as possible. Thanks. 6:31 P.M. EDT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WHO calls for access to health and humanitarian assistance on fourth day of conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory 10 October 2023 Statement The World Health Organization (WHO) repeats its call for an end to the hostilities that are causing untold suffering in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Over 1000 people have died and many more injured following horrific acts of violence by Hamas on Saturday in Israel. Nine hundred people have died and many more injured in days of bombing by Israel in Gaza. The pain of so many families must be unbearable. WHO has offered assistance to health officials in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. On 9 October, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who agreed to a WHO request to facilitate the delivery of health and other humanitarian supplies from WHO to Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Such humanitarian corridors must be protected. In the Gaza Strip, hospitals are running on back-up generators with fuel likely to run out in the coming days. They have exhausted the supplies WHO pre-positioned before the escalation. The life-saving health response is now dependent on getting new supplies and fuel to health care facilities as fast as possible. WHO is urgently working to procure medical supplies locally to meet demand, and preparing supplies from its Global Medical Logistics Hub in Dubai, UAE. WHO is also gravely concerned about the health and well-being of hostages, including elderly civilians, seized from Israel by Hamas in attacks on 7 October. The hostages' health and medical needs must be addressed immediately, and we call for their safe release. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM Amirabdollahian talks with counterparts on al-Aqsa Storm developments IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 11, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahiab has held phone calls with foreign ministers of Egypt, Russia and Kuwait to discuss the situation in Palestine and other regional issues. "In the continuation of the consultations with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Russia and Kuwait, we exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and Palestine," Hossein Amir-Abdollahian wrote in a post on his X account (formerly Twitter). "To Mr. Sameh Shoukry, my counterpart in Egypt, I declared Iran's readiness to send urgent medical and humanitarian aid, especially food and water to Gaza, in coordination with the Red Cross and the United Nations." "I also warned against the increased awath of the Muslims in the world against the Zionist apartheid regime in case of the continuation of the war crimes of this occupying regime in laying the siege, cutting off water and electricity supply, sanctioning medicine and medical equipment and barbaric killing of the residents of Gaza and the West Bank," the top Iranian diplomat added. According to a readout of the phone call with Sergey Lavrov published on the Iranian foreign ministry's website, the two foreign ministers of Iran and Russia discussed Palestine situation, bilateral issues and bilateral agreement between Tehran and Moscow. What is happening in the Palestinian lands is a response to Netanyahu's extremism and the injustice done to the Palestinian people," Amir-Abdollahian told Lavrov. Referring to the barbaric and inhumane actions of the Zionist regime in cutting off water and electricity and preventing the delivery of food and medicine to the people of Gaza, Amir Abdollahian emphasized that the occupying regime is seeking to massacre the resistant people of Gaza with these actions. The top Iranian diplomat also reviewed the latest status of agreements and documents signed between the two countries. Russian minister, for his part, condemned the actions of the Zionist regime and emphasized the need to stop the conflicts as soon as possible and declare a ceasefire between the two sides. Lavrov said that, "In recent years, we have seen many successes in the region; including the normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the normalization of relations with Syria, as well as the resumption of relations between Syria and Turkey, all of which have been done without the involvement of the United States." He emphasized that the Americans are trying to bring all the issues in the region under their control while the countries of the region have the initiative in their hands. He also pointed to the agreements made between the two countries and emphasized accelerating the implementation process of those agreements. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not discuss the issue of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh during their latest phone call, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. On October 10, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that if the Russian peacekeepers were to leave Nagorno-Karabakh, they wouldnt be allowed to stay in Armenia and would have to move to Russia. No, this issue wasnt discussed, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov told reporters when asked to comment. Now, indeed, our peacekeepers are stationed in Azerbaijani territory, both de-facto and de-jure. Armenias Prime Minister Pashinyan also acknowledges this. Regarding their future mode, the circumstances of their stay and all related circumstances, of course this will be discussed with the Azerbaijani side. And of course, we will continue our contacts also with our Armenian friends, Peskov said. Erdogan, Putin discuss ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:05, October 11, 2023 ANKARA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone talk with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, discussing the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli tensions. During the phone talk, Erdogan and Putin exchanged views on measures to prevent the spread of the tension, according to a statement issued by Turkiye's Communications Directorate. In the phone talk, Erdogan told Putin that targeting civilian settlements is worrying and that such moves are not welcomed by Turkiye, it said. Erdogan pledged to continue every effort to ensure calm in the region, it added. For his part, Putin voiced concern at the "catastrophic increase" in the number of civilian victims in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the Kremlin said in a statement. The two leaders also reiterated the need for "an immediate ceasefire" and for "the resumption of the negotiation process," it added. Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The Israel-Hamas conflict has so far left heavy casualties on both sides, with the death toll in Gaza and Israel rising to 900 and 1,008, respectively. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Moves to Condemn Attacks After Schumer Pressure By Adam Xu October 11, 2023 After being pressured by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Beijing has condemned the attacks launched by Hamas in Israel but did so without naming Hamas. In the latest statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China condemned "all violence and attacks on civilians" and said "the most urgent task now is to reach a ceasefire and restore peace." The statement issued Monday came after Schumer, a Democrat, expressed his disappointment to Chinese leader Xi Jinping over China's earlier statement that merely called for restraint. "I raised with President Xi the unfolding atrocities carried out against Israel and the need for the world community to stand together against terrorism and with the Israeli people and pointedly requested from President Xi that the Chinese foreign minister strengthen their statement; they did," Schumer said in a statement Monday. However, at the regular news conference on Monday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not name Hamas and refused to describe the attacks launched by the militants as an act of terrorism. Only the Chinese Embassy in Israel has named Hamas and labeled the militants "terrorists" when it said a young woman of Israeli and Chinese heritage was among the hostages seized by Hamas fighters, according to The Associated Press. "Noa was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists when attending a peace music festival in southern Israel. She was dragged from Israel to Gaza," an embassy statement said. "She is a daughter, a sister and a friend." Maintaining influence Analysts believe China avoids directly condemning Hamas to maintain its influence in developing countries. Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA Mandarin, "China has always leaned toward the Arab world and even the nonstate actors backed by rogue states." Benjamin H. Friedman, policy director at Defense Priorities, told VOA Mandarin, "China is trying to take a position of greater neutrality than the United States and to be seen in the world as a more neutral, or honest broker, and not necessarily aligned with Israel as the United States. And I think that's consistent with a desire to gain influence in a lot of the developing world." China has increased its ties with Israel since 2013, especially in scientific and technological fields, including military technology. Meanwhile, Beijing has made inroads in peace mediation in the Middle East, challenging the influence of the U.S. in the region. Analysts say Beijing's ambiguous attitude toward the recent attacks is calculated to maintain relations with regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and to contrast with any efforts by the U.S. to mediate the conflict. Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations in March in a deal brokered by China that was seen as increasing Beijing's geopolitical power in the region. Adam Gallagher, managing editor for public affairs and communications at the U.S. Institute of Peace, wrote in March that for China, "brokering rapprochement between these two longtime Middle East rivals has key strategic and symbolic dimensions." "On the strategic side, Beijing needs to maintain the free flow of oil from the region. But what the deal signals about Beijing's role in global affairs may be just as, if not more, critical for China ... which has been on a diplomatic offensive aimed at building an alternative to the United States' dominance in global affairs." The United States, meanwhile, has been trying to broker a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. That would be seen as a diplomatic setback for Iran, which has long been identified as an important backer of Hamas. Carice Witte, founder and executive director of Israel-based think tank Sino-Israel Global Network and Academic Leadership, told VOA Mandarin that while China does not want to see attacks on Israel like those over the weekend, "It does want to see Saudi Arabia stay on the side of China. The normalization that will happen, especially now after what we're seeing, will pull more Arab states into normalization and cooperation with Israel." Israel has described Hamas' weekend attacks as its "9/11" incident, referring to the impact the attacks have had on Israelis in lives, property and spirit. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., China unequivocally condemned terrorism and made supportive gestures to the U.S. government, a move that helped Beijing improve its relations with Washington after years of tensions between the two powers. However, experts do not see China as willing and able to capitalize on the current crisis to enhance Sino-Israeli relations. "I don't think they're seizing the opportunity to elevate their partnership. They seem more interested in being perceived as neutral," Friedman said. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Iron Swords - Day 4 - 10 October 2023 Palestinian armed group Hamas launched thousands of missiles at Israel and deployed its militants to infiltrate Jewish settlements near the countrys border with Gaza on 07 October 2023. The 700 Israelis killed on the first day would be the equivalent of 21,000 Americans killed in an attack, as a proportion to Israels population of 9.3 million people (compared to 332 million in the USA). Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated: Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day". By the fourth day over 900 Israelis had been killed, 2,700 wounded. Israel's UN envoy said 100-150 kidnapped to Gaza, including dozens of foreign nationals kidnapped. Palestinians said 830 had been killed in Israeli airstrikes, and at least 4250 were wounded. IDF said it was holding 1,500 bodies of terrorists. Kibbutz Kfar Azza is a farming community in southern Israel, located between Netivot and Sderot, about 2 kilometers from the Gaza strip. It was a nice place to live in stark contrast of course to the living conditions in the Gaza Strip. Kfar Azza was home to about 800 Israelis. Many of them were families with young children. Hamas militants overran Kfar Azza on 07 October 2023, when many Israelis were killed and taken captive. According to reports, at least 40 babies were killed and beheaded. Women, children, toddlers, and elderly people were also brutally butchered. The military was unable to give any death toll yet, the bodies still being recovered from the homes where these Israelis were killed. Israeli forces said they had taken control of areas in the south of the country that had been infiltrated by members of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and others. The Israeli military continued heavy airstrikes against Hamas, which effectively controls the Gaza Strip, in retaliation for the group's massive cross-border attacks. In an impassioned speech, US President Joe Biden has declared unequivocal support for Israel, but failed to directly reference Palestinians living in the besieged enclave of Gaza. US President Biden has pledged unwavering support for Israel as its military bombards Gaza in the wake of an unprecedented attack from the Palestinian group Hamas over the weekend. In a White House speech, Biden said Washington will provide additional military assistance to Israel, which has declared war on Hamas. There are moments in this life I mean this literally when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world, he said in a televised speech. This is an act of sheer evil. In a fiery national address, Biden doubled down on what he called crystal clear US support for Israel, adding the US would make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself or respond to this attack. Biden said Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination,, saying the group offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard who pays the price. He said the US has enhanced its military force posture in the region to strengthen deterrence. He added, Ive directed my team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israels hostage recovery efforts. He added 14 US citizens were among those killed in Israel. Let there be no doubt, the United States has Israels back. Well make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have, he said. Commenting on Bidens speech, Al Jazeeras senior political analyst Marwan Bishara said: Having followed Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, whos a very slick speaker with excellent English and an incredible reservoir of sound bites, having read his books, all of his speeches for the past 30 years, I tell you every single word Biden said is a Netanyahu word. I think the prime minister of Israel has once again brainwashed the American president. Critics argued that the rhetoric from the White House has amounted to a green light in Israels continuing bombardment of Gaza. That comes as Israel has said its operations against Palestinian fighters in Gaza will be like nothing ever seen before. Al Jazeeras Kimberly Halkett pointed to what you might call hypocrisy on the part of the US president. He talked about the United States in alliance with Israel, saying that the distinction between them and what he called the terrorists is that they believe they uphold the rules of international law. He said that only terrorists would attack civilians, she said. But clearly that is not entirely accurate because what weve seen in recent days, obviously, is the Israeli military having cut off not only food, but electricity and water to the Palestinians in Gaza. Weve certainly seen attacks that have been not surgical, but in fact, [hitting] large swathes of apartment complexes that we know have allowed for women, children, [and the] elderly to be caught up in this. National security spokesperson John Kirby defended the distinction Biden made between killings perpetrated by Hamas fighters and the ongoing bombardment of Gaza by Israel, which observers say has so far killed 260. The US president said Washington and Israel uphold the laws of war. Nobody wants to see any more innocent life taken or hurt as a result of the events over the past weekend and I think its important to remember that Hamas deliberately struck out at innocent civilians, slaughtering them and I mean up close and visceral with knives, torture, rape, gunshots thats pretty visible, Kirby said. And thats why it was important, I think, for the president to talk about setting up the difference, making clear the difference between Hamas whose actual goal is to take human life, to take innocent human life and the Israelis who are doing everything they can to preserve their way of life and to defend themselves, he said. v Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the United States for moving a carrier strike group closer to Israel, saying that it would commit serious massacres in Gaza. What will the aircraft carrier of the US do near Israel, why do they come? What will boats around and aircraft on it will do? They will hit Gaza and around, and take steps for serious massacres there, Erdogan said in a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Ankara. Israeli opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid reacted to Hamas's surprise attack on Israel from Gaza. Asked how he saw the situation playing out, Lapid said "the endgame is, there will be no Hamas in Gaza". Lapid said "If you want to look at sad statistics, apparently this (October 7) is the worst day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust". While acknowledging that the "vicious terror" attacks amounted to a major intelligence failure for Israel, he said Israel's priority was to focus on "eliminating all terror capabilities that Hamas have". Lapid added: "My view would be that the Palestinian Authority should take over Gaza as it did before (...) but there are still many unknowns. Right now, what we are determined to do is just making sure there will be no Hamas and no Hamas capabilities in Gaza because they will not make us future victims. Enough is enough. What happened will not happen again." Lapid concluded by saying: "We need a two-state solution (...) I still believe it is possible and this is also in the best interests of the State of Israel." Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of supporting Hamas in its conflict with Israel. We are certain that Russia is supporting, in one way or another, Hamas operations, Zelenskyy said in an interview with the France 2 television channel. Russia is really trying to carry out destabilising actions all over the world. Zelenskyy added violence engulfing Israel and Gaza threatened to distract the focus from the war in his own country. There is a risk that international attention will turn away from Ukraine, and that will have consequences. The tragedies affecting Ukraine and Israel are different but both are immense, he said. The United States has no evidence of direct Iranian involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said, noting however that Tehran has backed the group for years. But in this particular instance, we dont have any evidence that there was direct involvement in the planning or the execution of this attack, Austin told journalists. That assessment was echoed by the US State Department, which emphasised that it could change. Our experience in these matters tells us that its premature to draw any final conclusions about this issue, spokesman Matthew Miller said. Well be looking at additional intelligence in the coming weeks and days to inform our thinking on this issue, including whether at least there were some in the Iranian system who either had a clearer sense of what was coming or even contributed to aspects of the planning. Iraqi politician Hadi al-Amiri leads the Badr Organisation, which comprises a large part of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), the state paramilitary organisation that contains many Iran-backed groups. Al-Amiri threatened to target United States interests if Washington intervenes to support Israel in its war on Gaza. If the Americans intervened openly in this conflict we will consider all American targets legitimate and we will not hesitate to target it, al-Amiri said during a gathering in Baghdad. Al-Amiris comments come as the US announced on Sunday that it would provide additional munitions to Israel and was moving a carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean. David Khalfa, co-director of the North Africa and Middle East Observatory at French think tank the Fondation Jean-Jaures, said Hamas was taking advantage of Israel's vulnerability to carry out its deadly "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm". "The attack is unprecedented both in terms of its scale and its sophistication. Since the Yom Kippur War [on October 6, 1973, an Arab coalition of Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur the Jewish holy day of atonement, Ed.], Israel has never been confronted with a full-scale ground invasion [like this]. "We are talking about Hamas commando forces special forces operating deep inside Israeli territory with a modus operandi of a real army. Hardened by battle, they are trained and equipped with modern tactical resources and fight in several places at a time. They sent eight pickup trucks with around eight Islamist Hamas gunmen [in each] patrolling the streets of towns and villages into southern Israel, killing civilians at point-blank range and taking entire families hostage, including women and children. "This situation is completely unheard of. It is a massive surprise attack, a coordinated attack that requires a level of intelligence and preparation on the part of Hamas. Probably some logistical support, too, from Islamic Jihad on the one hand and Hezbollah and Iran on the other. That would go a long way towards explaining what is happening now. "This terrorist operation comes at a time when Israel is facing an unprecedented political and institutional crisis. But also a crisis of identity, with Israeli society becoming fractured and polarised on a massive scale. Hamas made no secret of its intention to capitalise on Israels vulnerability to carry out this kind of attack. "A national crisis has been destabilising Israel for several months now, with protests taking place every week. And then there is the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, which began yesterday, on October 6. Hamas is clearly determined to follow in the footsteps [of the Arab coalition, Ed.] both symbolically and in terms of communication, with a determination to strike hard and strike fast. And Israelis are both in a state of shock and astonishment." European Space Imaging (EUSI) partner, Maxar collected new satellite imagery on October 10th of Gaza that reveals some of the ongoing military response to the recent Hamas attacks. The images focus on the aftermath of recent airstrikes in and around Gaza City. Maxar is continuously monitoring the situation and will provide additional updates. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 10 October 2023 - Day 594 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 31 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 Russia's presidential election will take place on 17 March 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin will almost certainly run again, despite having not yet publicly announced his intention to do so. There is speculation that Putin's election campaign will begin informally in November 2023. While elections in Russia are subject to interference and control by the Kremlin, they remain a core tool of political legitimisation. It is almost certain that Putin's election campaign will focus on the theme of Russia as a separate civilisation in need of defence from external enemies a narrative frequently used to justify the state's actions and Putin's consolidation of power. In the build-up to the election, the Kremlin will almost certainly seek to minimise unpopular policy moves. It is therefore highly unlikely that any further mobilisation wave will be implemented before the March 2024 presidential election. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of October 10, there were 75x combat engagements. Also, the Russian Federation launched a missile strike with 1x S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile on civilian houses in the settlement of Velykyi Burluk (Kharkiv region). Moreover, last night, the Russian occupiers attacked the southern regions of Ukraine with 36x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs. Air defense forces and means shot down 27x Russian Shaheds. Russian forces launched a total of 2x missile and 62x air strikes, 30x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. The operational situation in east and south of Ukraine remains difficult. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues to shell Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Bleshnya (Chernihiv oblast), Bachivs'k, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Basove, Hatyshche, Vovchans'ki Khutory (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at about 15x settlements, including Tur'ya (Chernihiv oblast), Iskryskivshchyna, Stepne, Myropil's'ke, Pokrovka (Sumy oblast), Ternova, Ohirtseve, Stroivka, Krasne Pershe (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 16x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka and 5x attacks near Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Kyslivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Lyman Pershyi, Syn'kivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka, Pishchane, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire. Lyman axis: Russian forces actively used air force to attack the positions of Ukrainian troops in the area of Serebryanske forestry (southwest of Kreminna, Luhansk oblast). Russian forces also launched air strikes on Novolyubivka (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x Russian attacks in near Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Tors'ke, Dibrova, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks in the area of Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes there. More than 20x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: Russian forces with up to three battalions, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, intensified offensive actions in the vicinities of Avdiivka, Tonen'ke, Keramik and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Ukrainian defenders repelled all Russian attacks and prevented loss of lines and positions. The occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Berdychi and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Keramik, Tonen'ke, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Opytne, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar'inka axis: during the day of October 10, Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 9x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Novomykhailivka. About 15x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers. Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched an air strike in the area of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Blahodatne, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire. Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russian attacks in the vicinities of Inzhenerne and Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 30x settlements, including Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka, Lobkove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at Beryslav, Antonivka (Kherson oblast) and the city of Kherson. At the same time, the Ukrainian defense forces continue their offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensive (assault) operations on Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, exhausting Russian forces all along the front line. During the day of October 10, Ukrainian Air Force launched 11x air strikes on the concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 5x strikes on anti-aircraft systems. Ukrainian defenders also shot down 1x Russian Su-25 fighter jet and 7x operational-tactical reconnaissance UAVs. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post, 1x ammunition depot, 3x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 7x artillery systems, 1x electronic warfare station of the Russian invaders. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, repelled two attacks by AFU units near Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Kurdyumovka and Andreevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 165 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with helicopters and artillery, repelled two attacks by assault detachments of the 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region) and inflicted a fire defeat on Ukrainian units of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade close to Novomikhailovka, Nikolskoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).. The enemy losses were up to 200 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, two motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer. In addition, one field ammunition depot of the AFU 79th Airborne Assault Brigade has been destroyed near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic). In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of coordinated actions by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopters and artillery, two attacks by assault groups of the 12th Special Forces Brigade and the 63rd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU have been repelled south-east of Kuzmino and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). In addition, strikes were delivered at clusters of enemy manpower and hardware near Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Torskoye and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). ?? The AFU losses amounted to more than 60 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, as well as D-30 and D-20 howitzers. In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces, supported by aviation and artillery, have repelled four attacks by assault detachments of the 115th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Liman Pervy (Kharkov region). The enemy losses were up to 25 Ukrainian troops and three motor vehicles have been neutralised. In the course of counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, aviation and artillery inflicted a fire defeat on manpower and hardware of 82nd Air Assault and 65th Mechanised Brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Rabotino and northwest of Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses amounted to more than 80 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, three pickup trucks, one D-30 howitzer, and one M-46 cannon. In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were over 50 Ukrainian servicemen, and 12 motor vehicles. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 118 areas during the day. One depot of missile and artillery weapons of Kherson combined group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been destroyed close to Davydov Brod (Kherson region). Command posts of AFU 67th and 118th mechanised brigades, and 15th Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine have been eliminated close to Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Odarovka (Zaporozhye region). Air defence facilities have destroyed 19 unmanned aerial vehicles near Romanovskoye, Chervonogorka (Zaporozhye region), Kazachyi Lageri, Novaya Kakhovka, and Korsunka (Kherson region). In total, 487 airplanes and 250 helicopters, 7,668 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 12,448 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,161 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,700 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,985 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to put Martyr Soleimani satellite constellation into orbit in 2 years: Official Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 9:09 AM Iran's first satellite system project named after top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani will be put into orbit within the next two years, according to the head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA). Hossein Salariyeh said on Tuesday that his agency, in line with efforts to provide space station services in the field of communications especially the Internet of Things (IoT), has drawn up the technical specifications of the first indigenous narrowband telecommunication satellite and invited relevant knowledge-based companies to contribute their share to the project. "In the first phase of the bidding process of this ambitious project, qualified and eligible companies and consortia were identified; and the winner of the tender, which is a consortium comprising of private and public firms, was selected in the second phase," the official said. Salariyeh went on to say that the contract for the Martyr Soleimani satellite project has been negotiated and concluded, emphasizing that a contract for the design, construction, delivery, test and launch of the telecommunication project has been finalized between the ISA and a domestic consortium. The senior Iranian space official further said that the satellite system project is gradually being built, and will be put into orbit within the next two years as several domestically-developed satellites are already in line to be blasted off into space. "Martyr Soleimani satellite constellation will initially provide narrowband IoT services, meaning it will mostly collect data from sensors on the ground and transmit it to a reference station. God willing, the number and capabilities of involved satellites will grow later on," Salariyeh said. He added, "Currently, a specific bandwidth has been defined for the system, which will increase as newer models of satellites will be manufactured in the future. This means that the satellites will be equipped with newer and more advanced payloads." The ISA chief noted that the Martyr Soleimani satellite constellation will be placed in a low Earth orbit (LEO), hailing the project as the first of its kind in Iran and even the Muslim world. The system has been developed entirely by Iranian specialists and is currently under construction. It will provide excellent services to state institutions, private companies, and ordinary people, Salariyeh said. Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has managed to take giant strides in the civilian space program. The country is among the world's top 10 countries capable of developing and launching satellites. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pyongyang says military satellite key to countering US 'space militarization' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 7:36 AM The surveillance satellite program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an "indispensable" measure to counter US "space militarization," North Korean news agency KCNA on Tuesday. In an article published on KCNA, Ri Song Jin, a researcher of the National Aerospace Technology Administration, said Washington is seeking greater military hegemony in Asia by expanding its space force, referring to a recent visit of the US Space Force commander to Japan's Tokyo, and the deployment of a Space Force component in South Korea. Such actions were "nothing but a camouflaged curtain to cover up the scenario for a preemptive attack on the anti-US and independent countries," the article, titled "US space force deployment aimed at preemptive aggression war," said, mentioning North Korea, China, and Russia. "Now that the US is getting hell-bent on space militarization with a preemptive nuclear attack as its ultimate target by massively introducing space force into the Korean peninsula and its vicinity," Ri said, "space development, including a military reconnaissance satellite, is an indispensable strategic option for guaranteeing the security interests and right to existence of the DPRK." The article comes as the DPRK vowed to try to place a surveillance satellite in orbit this month after its first two attempts failed. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to help Pyongyang build satellites during a visit of the DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un to Russia. In 2019, former US president Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to establish the Space Force - the first new US military branch in 72 years - calling for his country's "dominance in space." Russia has also expressed concern about the growing militarization of space by the United States and its allies, warning that such hostile measures should be counterbalanced. Moscow has warned that the implementation of US military plans in space could trigger a new era of arms race in the outer space of the earth. China has also slammed the US for promoting "space militarization with a Cold War mentality." US aircraft carrier to arrive in South Korea Thursday Meanwhile, South Korea's defense ministry announced on Tuesday that the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan is expected to arrive in the South Korean city of Busan on Thursday. According to the ministry, the carrier will remain in the East Asian country until October 16. The carrier took part in last year's joint drills between the US and South Korea for the first time since 2017 in a show of strength. South Korea, the US, and Japan just concluded a two-day joint maritime drills in waters near South Korea's Jeju Island on Tuesday. Pyongyang views the military exercises as a rehearsal for invasion. Pyongyang maintains that it will not tolerate persisting US-led war games in the area, underlining that it will continue responding to the joint military maneuvers by holding its own drills as well as developing and testing all sorts of weaponry, including missiles that could reach as far as the US mainland. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to Launch Soleimani, First Homegrown Satellite System in Next 2 Years - Space Agency Sputnik News 20231010 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) is planning to launch into orbit its first satellite system, which is named after the deceased commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Lt. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, within the next two years, the agency's head, Hassan Salarieh, said on Tuesday. "In line with efforts to provide space station communications services ... the [Iranian] Space Agency has developed technical specifications for the first domestic narrowband telecommunications satellite, named after the deceased Qasem Soleimani ... Research companies from the space industry held a tender for the implementation of this project," Salarieh was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency. The tender was won by an Iranian consortium which has already made agreements with the ISA on the development, construction, delivery, testing and launch of the telecommunications satellite system, the official added. The system will be sent into orbit within the next two years as the ISA already has several domestic satellites ready to be launched, he said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BRI turns vision into action: white paper Global Times Initiative has created a new paradigm for international cooperation: official By Li Xuanmin and Qi Xijia Published: Oct 10, 2023 08:44 PM China has issued a white paper on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on Tuesday, highlighting the role that the iconic "project of the century" has played in global development during the past decade as well as its achievements in living up to its ultimate goal of building a global community of shared future. The white paper was released at an important juncture that is deemed as both a milestone and a new start of BRI cooperation, after Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the grand initiative 10 years ago. It was also issued ahead of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) to be held this month, which analysts believe would serve as a testimony debunking stepped-up Western slandering, while uniting more consensuses on the initiative's future development blueprint. The momentum development of BRI has unfolded an unprecedented chapter of global growth, illustrating a path to global connectivity, peace and prosperity that prompts the China-proposed initiative to become the world's largest platform for international cooperation with the broadest coverage in the past 10 years, the white paper showed. At a time when the economic globalization agenda appears to be overshadowed by certain countries' ill-intended push for "de-risking" and camp confrontation, Chinese and foreign observers pointed out that the BRI - which fundamentally differs from the Western cold war and zero-sum game mindset - is growing in importance. The initiative has been spearheading in erecting a new multipolar global order in which the interests of every participant are equally represented rather than "a small Western hegemonic clique" predominating, they said, predicting the mega project will play a more prominent role in bridging differences and promoting cooperation in the face of future unprecedented challenges. A new global landscape The white paper entitled "Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future" expounded on the background against which BRI was launched, which it said is in response "to a changing global situation and the expectations of the international community." "It is no longer acceptable that only a few countries dominate world economic development, control economic rules, and enjoy development fruits," the white paper said. As such, the BRI has contributed new ideas and new approaches to international exchanges, and produced a fairer and more equitable global governance system that takes humanity to a better future. "Since the BRI was launched, building a community with shared future has turned from a concept into action, and a vision into reality. More and more countries comprehend what China says that development is an inalienable right of all countries, not a privilege of just a few Western countries," Maya Majueran, director of Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka (BRISL), a Sri Lanka-based organization that specializes in BRI cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "The current world is unfair and disproportionate ... as the US and its Western allies often coerce or abuse their power to maintain their hegemonic positions," Majueran said, adding that countries, especially those from the Global South, wanted to see that the future of humanity should be in the hands of all countries, international rules should be written together by all, and development benefits should be shared by all. Levente Horvath, former consul general of Hungary in Shanghai, told the Global Times that the EU and the US seem to view BRI cooperation, which leads to win-win results, differently because they often approach everything as a zero-sum game. But BRI collaboration with China appears to offer more promising prospects, as China is "open to engaging with other countries without seeking dominance or control over their internal policies, unlike some Western nations," he said. The publication of the white paper held more special significance in light of the current toxic geopolitical environment, under which Western politicians and media outlets have been sparing no efforts to vilify the BRI. "It is important that we clarify the origins and development of the BRI, its implementation principles, and how it serves humanity and lead to the construction of a community with shared future. It will put [the new round of] Western smearing campaign in vain," He Weiwen, a senior fellow and executive council member of China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Tuesday. In response to a question concerning competition from similar infrastructure initiatives by other countries, Li Kexin, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, said at a news conference on Tuesday that China welcomes all parties to scale up inputs on basic infrastructure in developing countries, and is willing to cooperate with all parties on the basis of openness, inclusiveness, equal footing and mutual benefits, to provide more high quality international public goods. In a sharp divergence to China's open and inclusive attitude, the US and its Western allies have been in a race to roll out infrastructure initiatives to "counter" BRI, out of geopolitical calculation. Chinese wisdom It is also expected that based on the comprehensive picture provided by the white paper, participants of the upcoming BRF - standing at the 10th anniversary of the BRI - could discuss and draw out a new course for its development in the next decade. Representatives from 130 countries and 30 international organizations will participate in this year's forum, according to Li. "The past 10 years marked just the beginning of the BRI cooperation. The future will be even brighter in the next decade and beyond," Liang Haiming, dean of Hainan University Belt and Road Research Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday.. As a large and developing country that meets its responsibilities, China will continue to promote the BRI as its overarching plan and its top-level design for opening-up and win-win international cooperation, the white paper said. That means China will help more developing countries to accelerate regional integration and embed themselves in the global supply chain, so as to share the dividends of global economic growth, Liang explained. In addition to infrastructure, another focal point of BRI cooperation is to expand "third-party market cooperation," especially with Europe and other Western countries, which will break the traditional model and create a new paradigm for global cooperation between the developed and developing world, Liang said. Under the international economic situation, the model also resonates with the development demands of countries and regions at different stages of growth, he noted. The white paper offers a detailed glimpse into the decade achievement of BRI. One among which is the promotion of all-rounded connectivity in multiple fields including policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and closer people-to-people ties. From 2013 to 2022, China's trade with BRI participating countries reached $19.1 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4 percent. The cumulative two-way investment between China and partner countries reached $380 billion, including $240 billion from China, the white paper showed. During the press conference on Tuesday, vice commerce minister Guo Tingting also took note of a number of flagship BRI projects, including China-Laos Railway, Jakarta-Bundung High-speed Railway as well as Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway. Those projects are part of a grand overarching transport network being built up under BRI which some foreign observers hailed as a "game changer" for different continents. "For the first time in history, an unprecedented plan for the formation and development of an interconnected transportation infrastructure across the entire Eurasian continent was presented. Its implementation truly opened up broad prospects for the creation of a fundamentally new transport configuration across the vast expanse of our planet," Saidmukhtar Saidkasimov, former Uzbek deputy prime minister and former minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, told the Global Times. Liang said the BRI has made great contribution in sharing China's development model and experience with other participating nations. One of such wisdom is epitomized in building infrastructure, as a popular Chinese saying goes "if you want to get rich, build roads first." "The BRI connects the past, the present and the future. This initiative was launched by China, but it belongs to the world and benefits the whole of humanity," reads the white paper. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Saudi Arabia launch joint naval special operations exercise Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Oct 10, 2023 08:10 PM China and Saudi Arabia on Monday kicked off a joint naval special operations exercise in South China, with experts saying on Tuesday that the two countries have made such joint drills routine in a move to boost military cooperation as well as safeguard peace and stability. The Blue Sword-2023 exercise was launched with an opening ceremony at a camp in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province, on Monday, as hundreds of troops from both sides lined up and prepared for the joint drill, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said in a press release on the day. The goal of the exercise is to boost the mutual trust and friendly relations between the Chinese and the Saudi Arabian navies, enhance the participants' capabilities in naval combat and comprehensively improve the joint operational capabilities of overseas armed rescue units, according to the press release. Set under a scenario in which a commercial ship is hijacked, the exercise will task a China-Saudi Arabia joint naval special operations unit to conduct maritime assault and rescue, the PLA Daily reported on Tuesday. The three-week joint exercise will be split into a basic training phase, a professional training phase and a comprehensive drill phase that features more than 20 training subjects, including live-fire shooting, fast roping from helicopters, cabins searches, underwater reconnaissance, sniping-on-command, and underwater explosives disarming, according to the PLA Navy press release and the PLA Daily report. This is the second edition of the Blue Sword series joint exercise and the first one held in China. The first edition, Blue Sword-2019, was held in 2019 in Saudi Arabia. The holding of the second Blue Sword exercise indicates that China and Saudi Arabia have made this exercise routine, and through the drills, both countries' navies can learn from each other's strengths, analysts said, noting that Saudi Arabia follows a Western training doctrine, while China's unique training system also has its own advantages. Both Chinese and Saudi Arabian navies hold escort and anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, and the joint naval special operations exercise can enhance the two navies' level of combat training and further deepen pragmatic, friendly cooperation, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese naval expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday. As training for overseas counter-terrorism operations, the drill will boost the two countries' capabilities in safeguarding global maritime security and carrying out international obligations, which is conducive to peace and stability in the world, Zhang said. "China has many overseas interests, including investments, cooperation projects and overseas nationals. Sea routes connecting the Middle East to China are also vital to China's trade and fuel imports," another Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Tuesday. China is making concrete efforts to cooperate with related countries to build a safe and peaceful region that benefits all relevant parties, the expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on October 10, 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-10-10 18:37 CCTV: Sri Lanka's debt restructuring is at a crucial stage. What help has China provided to the process? Has there been progress in bilateral debt treatment? Wang Wenbin: As Sri Lanka's friend and neighbor, China follows closely the difficulties and challenges facing the country. We have been doing what we can to assist in its economic and social development. Since last year, China's relevant financial institutions have been in close touch with Sri Lanka on the debt issue involving China, engaged in active bilateral consultations and provided a financing support document to Sri Lanka in a timely manner to help it obtain loans from the IMF. Chinese financial institution has taken part in all the creditors' meetings as an observer and maintained friendly communication with other creditors to share with them the progress of the debt treatment. In late September, as official creditor, the Export-Import Bank of China tentatively agreed with Sri Lanka on the debt treatment. We are also glad to see that other creditors are having discussion with Sri Lanka as well over solutions to its debt issue. We will continue to support Chinese financial institutions in actively consulting with Sri Lanka. We are ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to jointly play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the situation, ease its debt burden and achieve sustainable development. We call on multilateral institutions and commercial creditors to take part in Sri Lanka's debt restructuring based on fair burden-sharing. RIA Novosti: Does the Foreign Ministry have further information on Chinese nationals wounded or kidnapped during the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? Has China contacted relevant parties on that matter? Wang Wenbin: The Foreign Ministry and our diplomatic and consular missions concerned have issued safety alerts and advised Chinese citizens not to travel to Israel or Palestine in light of what is going on. Chinese nationals and institutions already there are reminded to stay on high alert, take extra safety precautions, prepare for contingencies, be ready to find safe shelters on the spot and get into contact with our Embassy in Israel and Office to the State of Palestine to seek help in case of emergencies. If any Chinese national hopes to leave the region, we will do everything possible to assist them if it's safe to do so. Given the fast evolving security situation on the ground, we are continuing to verify the information. The Foreign Ministry has given guidance to our embassies and consulates concerned to make every effort to search for the missing and help the wounded. We urge the foreign authorities to take effective steps to protect the safety of Chinese nationals and institutions. According to what we have learned, the Chinese nationals who have been wounded are being treated in hospital and their conditions are generally stable. China Daily: We have noticed that the latest data shows that over the past decade, the China-Europe Railway Express has run 78,000 trips and shipped 7.4 million TEUs of freight worth more than USD 340 billion. With the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation approaching, how will you evaluate the performance of the China-Europe Railway Express over the past decade and what's your expectation for its future? Wang Wenbin: With more than a decade of experimentation and development efforts, the China-Europe Railway Express has grown into a sound network. The capacity of the ports along the network has been significantly raised. It increasingly functions as a transportation hub. With its focus on high-quality development, the China-Europe Railway Express has become a flagship project and landmark brand of Belt and Road cooperation. The China-Europe Railway Express now connects 112 Chinese cities and runs through more than 100 other Asian cities in 11 countries and regions. It reaches more than 200 cities in 25 European countries and regions. Cities in Poland including Lodz have transformed into emerging logistics hubs with the support of the Express. More than 100 Chinese logistics and e-commerce businesses have set up shop in Duisburg, Germany. Thanks to the "steel caravan", "Made in China" is more popular in Europe, and more European products have found their way into Chinese households. The Express brings agricultural products such as flour from Kazakhstan to the Chinese market, which has truly made lives better for the local people. The China-Europe Railway Express has reshaped trans-border transportation on the Eurasian continent, and provided a new platform for economic and trade cooperation. It is a beacon of friendly cooperation and bridge for mutual benefit. More than 2,000 years ago, accompanied by the camel bells, exchanges between China and Eurasian countries began on the ancient Silk Road. With the resonant train horns on the China-Europe Railway Express, a new legend of the Silk Road is being written. The upcoming third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is an opportunity for China to deepen practical cooperation with all parties to better use the China-Europe Railway Express to accelerate prosperity for all, propel global economic growth and benefit people along its routes. Reuters: Could we confirm if any Chinese nationals were killed in the Hamas attack? Wang Wenbin: We noticed media reports about the safety of Chinese nationals there. As I just said, given the fast evolving security situation on the ground, we are continuing to verify the information.a Bloomberg: Can you tell me when the BRI forum is going to take place? What datesiY Wang Wenbin: We will release information in due course. AFP: Tsai Ing-wen said today that the island will be democratic for generations despite Chinese pressure and the Taiwanese people would remain free. Do you have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: There's only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territoryathis is the true status quo across the Taiwan Strait. The DPP authorities still cling to the separatist pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and seek foreign support in achieving that agenda and making provocative movesathis is the biggest threat facing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. To ensure cross-Strait peace and stability, it is essential to unequivocally uphold the one-China principle and oppose "Taiwan independence" and foreign interference. Whatever the DPP authorities say or do, it does not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, still less the trend towards China's reunification. Kyodo News: Has the agenda of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation been confirmed?a Wang Wenbin: I have answered this question. Reuters: An artillery strike that hit a refugee camp near Myanmar's border with China has killed at least 29 people. Can the ministry confirm that the strike happened last night? Does the ministry have any information about this attack that happened near the border? Wang Wenbin: China is paying close attention to the reports. We call on relevant parties to resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation, avoid escalation of the situation, and take concrete and effective measures to ensure security at the China-Myanmar border. Reuters: Will Chinese leader call leaders of Israel or Palestine? When Palestinian President Abbas visited in June, China offered support in mediating a peace resolution there. Wang Wenbin: We have expressed that China is paying close attention to the escalation of tensions between Palestine and Israel and urges all relevant parties to immediately cease fire. China will maintain communication with all parties and continue to work for peace and stability in the Middle East. Bloomberg: Today there was an attack on the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. Somebody crashed a car into the lobby of the Chinese consulate. Can you tell me if there is any reaction from the governmentiY Wang Wenbin: On the morning of October 10 Beijing time, an unidentified individual rammed a vehicle into the visa office of our Consulate-General in San Francisco in an attempt to hurt people and consulate staff on the spot. The consulate swiftly responded to and dealt with the situation. The perpetrator was brought under control by the local police. China has demanded a speedy investigation and effective steps from the US to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. On October 11, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Louis Bono, U.S. Senior Adviser for Caucasus Negotiations, U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the Armenian foreign ministry said. Touching upon the process aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus and of normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the need to restrain encroachments against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia and in case of the absence of such intentions on the part of Azerbaijan, the need of constructive engagement of Azerbaijan in the peace process. Views were also exchanged on addressing current humanitarian challenges and rights of more than 100,000 forcibly displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that Nagorno-Karabakh was factually subjected to ethnic cleansing, despite numerous targeted appeals of international partners, including the USA. Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized that the international failure to prevent the mass displacement of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh from their homeland in the 21st century once again testifies the imperative of clear steps of international actors in such situations, the foreign ministry said in a readout. People's Daily call to quit whining sparks social media backlash The wellness mantra comes amid youth joblessness and disillusionment. By Gu Ting for RFA Mandarin 2023.10.10 -- Quit whining, the People's Daily chided readers last week. "Don't say things like 'I'm bored to death, or 'dead tired' or ... complain about how poor you are," the Communist Party mouthpiece said. "You should say instead, that it's not so bad, that you can handle it, and that everything will be fine," it said. "Remember, words are powerful!" The exhortation - which comes amid widespread youth joblessness and disillusionment as the economy struggles to rebound after COVID-19 measures were lifted in December - sparked an outcry on social media. "You people should be ashamed of yourselves - do you have no limits?" commented one user. "Should it even be called the People's Daily?" said another. "So people who are hungry have to say they're full?" commented @kantamenchangkuangdaojishi. "People who have already worked 12 hours have to say they can go on for another 12 hours?" "People who have nothing to wear say they're not wearing clothes because it's too hot, and those who thirst have to pretend not to like water," the user wrote. The outcry comes amid the popularity of pop song about "lying flat," dropping out and magically getting rich. China is seeing the growth of "young refuseniks" who reject the traditional fourfold path to adulthood: finding a mate, marriage, mortgages and raising a family. 'Beautifying suffering' Netease blogger Tricolor said the People's Daily advice exudes "positive energy" of the kind frequently referenced by state media and Chinese leaders, "but in fact it is not helpful at all in solving actual problems." "Some people just want to find the answers to their problems through talking, and take the pressure off by communicating," the blogger said, accusing the post of "beautifying suffering." "Positive energy" has emerged as a political buzzword under President Xi Jinping that is often used to censor undesirable content from the country's internet, media reports and even from tune menus in karaoke parlors. Regarding the power of words, the blogger said the advice was tantamount to superstition, and inappropriate for an atheist country. "Either just be open about your belief in gods and ghosts, or stop using mysterious words like that," they wrote. 'Life is hard' The "advice" has emerged on wellness channels on social media in recent months, at a time when many people have reduced incomes, or are unemployed. "Everyone is feeling the pressure," a retired civil servant from Beijing who gave only the surname Zhao for fear of reprisals told Radio Free Asia. "Life is hard - everything is affected, including the job market, and a lot of workplaces have cut salaries." A resident of the central city of Wuhan who gave only the surname Fang for fear of reprisals said complaining about hard times is natural. "If your life isn't going well, why wouldn't you complain?" Fang said. "How can you say you're doing great? How is that possible?" "Life is hard right now, and I think it's good for people to vent - they just want to sew people's mouths shut so they stop talking," Fang said. "People who say stuff like that are wealthy and powerful people who don't have to worry about their next meal," she said. A teacher from the central province of Hunan who gave only the surname Li for fear of reprisals said the "advice" was worrying. "It confuses right and wrong, black and white ... and runs against basic common sense, which is very scary," Li said. "People are going to complain if they're poor and are having trouble getting by." Economic woes As the economy flags, unemployment rises and the property bubble bursts, local governments are struggling to pay the wages of government employees, who in turn have less disposable income to join the government's consumption drive. Xi's record on the economy has prompted calls for a return to the export-driven economic policy of late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping. Provincial authorities in the northeastern province of Liaoning, southwestern megacity of Chongqing, southwestern province of Yunnan and three other provinces have been busy issuing refinancing bonds this week to the tune of around 320 billion yuan, according to media reports. The bonds will enable local governments to pay off debts that are coming due now, the 21st Century Business Herald website reported. Financial commentator Zheng Xuguang said the bonds are being issued to prevent a fiscal crisis. "Taking out new borrowing to pay off older debts isn't a solution to the underlying problem," Zheng said. "They just want to create a breathing space and prevent anyone defaulting on their debts." He said most of the risk would be borne by banks, who are the main purchasers of the bonds. Financial scholar Xiang Ling said more than half of China's provinces are heavily in debt. "Amid the economic downturn, the Chinese government's financial deficit has been seriously underestimated," Xiang 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese Dissident Receives Asylum in Canada After Fleeing China By William Yang October 10, 2023 A Chinese dissident who was stranded in the transit area of a Taiwanese airport has arrived in Canada after Ottawa granted him asylum a but some observers say his path to safety, including stops in Laos, Thailand, and Taiwan, reflects the growing hardship that Chinese activists face when they try to leave China. "This case shows how difficult it is for Chinese human rights defenders to escape the country," William Nee, research and advocacy coordinator at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, a U.S.-based activist network, told VOA by phone. "[Since] most activists either face exit bans or have no valid passports, they often have to make amazing escapes similar to the Underground Railroad in the U.S. era of slavery, where people have to escape in clandestine means," he added. Chen Siming, a Chinese activist known for commemorating the Tiananmen Square Massacre in China and who has been repeatedly detained around the Tiananmen anniversary, fled China for Laos in late July. But days after he arrived in Laos, he saw video of Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei being arrested by Laotian authorities. To avoid the same fate as Lu, Chen decided to cross into Thailand. "After arriving in Thailand, some Chinese refugees advised me to apply for an interim asylum status with the UNHCR," he told VOA by phone. "But after UNHCR granted me asylum status, I started hearing rumors that they vowed to bring me back to China, which made me feel that Thailand is no longer a safe place to be." In the end, Chen bought a ticket from Thailand to Guangzhou that included a transit in Taipei. "I know Taiwan is a democracy and I know the government won't send me back to Thailand or China based on one official's decision since they are subject to public scrutiny," he told VOA. "I feel relatively safe about staying in the Taiwanese airport's transit area." After spending almost two weeks at the Taiwanese airport, where he said authorities took very good care of him, Chen was given political asylum by Canada and boarded a flight heading to Vancouver on October 5. Despite initial concern that he might be stranded at the Taiwanese airport for months, Chen credited his swift resettlement to the global attention on his case, support from local human rights organizations, and the coordination between authorities from Taiwan, Canada, and the U.S. "I feel extremely lucky to be able to arrive in Canada within such a short time and I'm grateful for all the help and support from government officials in Taiwan, the U.S., and Canada as well as from many friends who I haven't met in person," Chen told VOA. The Chinese embassy in Canada didn't respond to VOA's request for comment. Chinese asylum seekers face growing challenges Chen had better luck than Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei and Chinese activist Yang Zewei. Laotian authorities arrested Lu on July 28 as he tried to travel to the U.S. to reunite with his daughter and wife. Despite the efforts to advocate for his release and intervention from foreign governments, authorities in Laos still deported him to China. According to his wife Zhang Chunxiao, Lu's family members only learned about his deportation after the Xindu Detention Center in Sichuan Province asked them to send clothes, medicine, and money. However, the detention center didn't specify when Lu was deported to China. In another case, Chinese free speech activist Yang Zewei, better known as Qiao Xinxin, went missing in the Laotian capital Vientiane on May 31 after he launched an online campaign against China's internet censorship. Following months of silence on his whereabouts, authorities in China's Hunan province informed Yang's family that he was held at a juvenile detention center in Hengyang City in August, according to Radio Free Asia. Activists say these cases reflect the growing risks that Chinese dissidents face when they try to flee China. "Overall, it's becoming increasingly difficult for overseas activists and human rights organizations to rescue Chinese dissidents trying to leave the country, as Lu's case has shown," Zhou Fengsuo, the executive director of Human Rights in China, a New York-based advocacy group, told VOA by phone. "In Lu's case, various actors put in resources to try to rescue him, but in the end, the result was not good," he added. In his view, the biggest challenge that Chinese dissidents face now is the Chinese government's growing attempt to prevent them from leaving China or the continuous attempts to threaten or arrest them even after they have left the country. "This is a very worrying trend," Zhou said. The growing need to protect Chinese activists Nee from Chinese Human Rights Defenders says Southeast Asia has become a danger zone for Chinese dissidents attempts to reach safety. "If you are a Chinese dissident, you end up putting yourself in very sketchy situations [by going through] countries that are completely beholden to Beijing and that creates a high degree of risk," he told VOA. Nee hopes democratic countries like Canada, the U.S., and European countries will recognize the growing need to protect Chinese dissidents on the run and provide them with refugee status. "The case of Lu shows that he defended political dissidents in China, but now he is at risk of ill-treatment and torture," he said. "Lu's situation now proves why people were trying to prevent him from being sent back to China." As for Chen, who views his own experience as one of the luckier cases, he hopes to contribute to the pro-democracy movement abroad because he thinks there is no room for similar activities in China. "I come to Canada because it offers a safer environment, and I hope to contribute to the efforts to promote democratic transition in China," he told VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Senate Leader Tells China's Xi US Wants More Equitable Business Relations By VOA News October 10, 2023 U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that he made clear during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bejing that the United States wants equitable business relations with China, along with help in combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Schumer was part of a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation that met with Xi on Monday ahead of a potential meeting between Xi and President Joe Biden next month in San Francisco. An Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit takes place during the week of Nov. 12-18. Beijing has not said who will represent it at the talks. The congressional delegation's meeting came at a time when U.S. officials have boosted engagement with Chinese officials, including visits to China by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. In a statement, Schumer said the lawmakers told Chinese officials, "At the foundation of our relationship must be a level playing field for American businesses and workers as well as responsible competition. We need reciprocity." The Senate Democratic leader also said, "That means allowing American companies to compete as freely in China as Chinese companies are able to compete in America. I made clear to President Xi that we do not believe there is a level playing field or reciprocity now." Schumer gave no assessment of Xi's reaction to the comments. But the world's two biggest economies - the U.S. first, China second -- have sparred over trade issues for several years now. Schumer said he called on China "to take more aggressive action" to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. "Right now, the scourge of fentanyl is costing tens of thousands of lives and destroying American families," the lawmaker said. "I called on President Xi to work with the United States to stem the flow of precursor chemicals that are fueling America's fentanyl crisis. China taking meaningful actions on this critical issue will go a long way to improving relations between our two counties, which is a good deal for both of us." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with French Foreign Minister Colonna US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson October 10, 2023 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke yesterday with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, reiterating their condemnation of Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel. The Secretary called for an immediate cessation of these attacks and the release of all hostages. The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself and welcomed continued French engagement alongside other European allies and partners toward our shared goal of ending Hamas' violence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raksha Mantri meets top Italian defence industry leaders in Rome India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence India offers exciting opportunities for co-development & co-production; Complementary capacities of Indian & Italian defence industries could be optimised in a win-win situation: Shri Rajnath Singh Posted On: 10 OCT 2023 6:08PM by PIB Delhi On the second day of his visit to Italy, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met the CEOs and other top industry leaders of Italian defence companies in Rome on October 10, 2023. During the meeting, the Raksha Mantri recalled his warm meeting with Italian Defence Minister Mr Guido Crosetto & the defence agreement concluded on the preceding day and emphasised on the need for defence industries of the two countries to work together. Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has significantly improved the ease of doing business in India, eased the norms for FDI in defence, created two Defence Industrial Corridors and is consistently working to encourage defence manufacturing in India. "India offers exciting opportunities for co-development & co-production and the complementary capacities of Indian & Italian defence industries could be optimised in a win-win situation," he said. The Raksha Mantri also requested the Italian industry leaders to strengthen the supply chain linkages with the Indian defence manufacturers and develop closer ties with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. The meeting was attended by CEOs, Presidents & Vice Presidents and senior officials of 24 Italian defence companies. Industry leaders from Leonardo, Fincantieri, Elettronica, Beretta, AIAD, Pasquali and many other prominent Italian companies were present. Presence of Italian defence industry in these numbers was a record of sorts. The Raksha Mantri welcomed the proposals made by the CEOs on strengthening defence relations between the two countries and assured them of all necessary support and assistance on the part of Government of India. The Italian Under Secretary of Defence Mr Matteo Perego di Cremnago also attended the meeting, in addition to the representation by Secretary General of Association of Defence Industries and the Italian Ministry of Defence. Later in the day, the Raksha Mantri, accompanied by Mr Matteo Perego di Cremnago and Indian Ambassador to Italy Smt Neena Malhotra visited Montone in Perugia Province where he paid rich tributes at a Memorial recently built for Naik Yeshwant Ghadge and other Indian soldiers who fought in the Italian Campaign in World War II. Over 50,000 soldiers from the Indian Army had participated in the Italian Campaign, of which over 5,700 lost their lives and are commemorated in various cemeteries across Italy. He was welcomed by the Mayor of Montone, local community, school children and the Indian community members at Montone. The Raksha Mantri thanked them for keeping the memories of Indian soldiers alive. The visit of Raksha Mantri to the Yeshwant Ghadge Memorial has deepened the unique historical connect India shares with Italy. **** ABB/Savvy (Release ID: 1966364) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh holds talks with Italian Defence Minister Mr Guido Crosetto in Rome; Discusses opportunities in defence industrial cooperation India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Agreement signed to promote cooperation in varied defence domains, including security, R&D, co-development, co-production & setting up of joint ventures Posted On: 10 OCT 2023 10:05AM by PIB Delhi Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held talks with Italian Defence Minister Mr Guido Crosetto in Rome on October 09, 2023, on the first leg of his visit to Italy and France. During the meeting, both sides discussed a host of defence cooperation issues, including training, sharing of information, maritime exercises and maritime security. The focus was on the opportunities in defence industrial cooperation. The two Ministers discussed the complementary capacities of India & Italy in defence and the possibilities of joint development. The Raksha Mantri suggested fostering the interaction of the Indian start-ups with the Italian defence companies. The meeting was followed by the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of defence. The agreement will promote bilateral cooperation in varied defence domains, such as security and defence policy, R&D, education in military field, maritime domain awareness, sharing of defence information and industrial cooperation, including co-development, co-production & setting up of joint ventures. Earlier, Shri Rajnath Singh was presented with a Guard of Honour at Villa Madama. Upon his arrival at Ciampino Airport, the Raksha Mantri was received by the Indian Ambassador to Italy Dr Neena Malhotra and senior Italian officials. ********** ABB/Savvy (Release ID: 1966172) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says other parties missed chance to resolve plane tragedy row Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 9:40 AM Iran has blamed Ukraine, Canada, the UK, and Sweden for the failure of recent talks in the Swiss city of Geneva aimed at resolving the row over the 2020 Ukrainian plane crash tragedy, saying they "lost the political opportunity" for a settlement. In a statement released on Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said that an Iranian delegation participated in the Geneva talks on October 2 based on the principle of "good faith" and "transparency". However, it added, the Iranian team was not able to provide a thorough report of its measures due to the negotiating partners' insistence on their prejudice and accusations in the talks. The Iranian government has published a final technical report after the completion of an investigation into the plane crash, according to the ministry. It has also paid $150,000 in compensation to many families of the victims. An Iranian court has sentenced 10 defendants to imprisonment and additional punishments for "imprudence and non-observance of rules," it noted. "The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that it has in the shortest possible time undertaken all the tasks that it is required to do based on the rules and regulations of international law regarding air accidents," the statement read. "Unfortunately, the opposite side, under the provocation of a certain government, has ignored the aforesaid measures regardless of international regulations and procedures. Citing general and ambiguous matters, it has also sought to advance its political objectives, caused ... a failure [in the talks] and lost the diplomatic opportunity [provided] in the Geneva meeting." The ministry also expressed Iran's preparedness to hold "result-oriented" negotiations, conditioning the continuation of the talks to a declaration of readiness by the other parties. "While being ready to hold meaningful negotiations, Iran still stands against any sides who are using this tragic accident as an excuse to seek their own political interests and maintain pressure and hostility against the Iranian nation, and will not allow any foreign party to harm its national interests." On January 8, 2020, the Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, en route to Kiev and transporting mostly Iranians, crashed minutes after takeoff near Tehran, killing all the 176 on board. The plane was shot down by Iran's air defenses, which mistook the aircraft for a military target amid tensions between Tehran and Washington following the US assassination of revered Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq days earlier. Iran acknowledged days later that the mismanagement of an air defense unit's radar system by its operator was the key human error that led to the accident. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Emboldened Iran Counts Victories As Anti-Israel Investments Pay Off By Michael Scollon October 10, 2023 Iran insists it had no direct involvement in Hamas's surprise assault on Israel this week, but that is not keeping it from celebrating what it sees as a multitude of victories. In the wake of the multipronged attack on October 7 by the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group in the Gaza Strip, Tehran was basking in the moment. Within hours of the attack that left at least 900 Israelis dead, billboards erected in the Iranian capital heralded the beginning of "the great liberation" of the Palestinian territories and the demise of Iran's archenemy Israel. The results of Hamas's attack, the deadliest in Israel's history, have altered the diplomatic and military landscape in the region. That has benefitted Iran, a Shi'a-majority country that seeks to cement itself as a major power in the Middle East and characterizes itself as the leading supporter of the Palestinian cause in the Muslim world. Tehran has publicly acknowledged providing financial and moral support to Hamas, a Sunni group that controls the Gaza Strip. Iran also backs proxies such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a Sunni militant group in Gaza, as well as the Shi'ite militant group Hizballah in Lebanon. The Islamic republic, experts say, is now seeing a high return on its investment against Israel. "It's about co-opting forces that are willing to shoot at the people that you would like to shoot at, and that essentially explains the Iranian material support to Palestinian terror groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad," Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, told RFE/RL. "Iran is an equal-opportunity offender when it comes to supporting both Sunni and Shi'ite, Islamist or jihadist terrorism," Taleblu explained. "And often, it's been Iran's material and financial support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad...and as well as Hamas itself, that has had added this ecumenical color to its export of the Islamic Revolution throughout the Middle East." The attack, coming as Iran warily watches archrival Saudi Arabia inch toward normalized relations with Israel, also allows Tehran to benefit from a strong military response by what Tehran disparagingly refers to as the "Zionist regime." This, observers and Iranian officials suggest, could galvanize anti-Israeli sentiment in the region, thereby disrupting recent efforts in the region toward rapprochement with Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Veleyati said as much in a phone call on October 9 with his Syrian counterpart in which he appeared to single out Riyadh, which has been taking steps to build ties with Israel following similar moves under U.S.-brokered agreements by Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. "Those Arab countries who wish to establish diplomatic relations with the Zionist regime must now take a lesson from what has happened and think twice before doing so," Velayati said. "They are pursuing futile plans." 'Broadly Complicit' Iran has insisted that it did not help Hamas coordinate the attack on Israel. The Israeli Defense Force on October 9 said that no evidence had been uncovered yet to indicate a direct Iranian role. The United States, too, has said it has not seen evidence of Iran's involvement, although officials have said Tehran is "broadly complicit" due to its provision of weapons and training to Hamas. Some observers, while noting the Hamas-Iranian partnership, have highlighted Hamas's traditional independence compared to Iranian proxies such Hizballah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a smaller group based in the Gaza Strip. "This is a Palestinian story. Did Hamas use Iranian aid? Definitely yes. Did Iran have an interest in this action? Yes," Raz Zimmt, a research associate at the Alliance Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, wrote on October 9. "Does Hamas need Iranian permission to operate? No. Was there early coordination between Hamas, Iran, and Hezbollah? It's possible. But, in the end, it is an action by Hamas based on its own interests arising from the Palestinian reality." For its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has continued to deny involvement, saying on October 9 that "the accusations linked to an Iranian role...are based on political reasons." The leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has acknowledged that the group received about $70 million in military aid from Iran last year, and the U.S. State Department in 2020 reported that Tehran provided about $100 million a year to Palestinian militant groups including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command. After Hamas launched more than 4,000 rockets and armed drones during its latest assault, some intelligence officials have alleged that Iran provided technical help in manufacturing those weapons. The militant group's use of gliders, drones, rockets, and other use of indigenously produced weapons, Taleblu said, are all part of Iran's strategy of "death by 1,000 cuts against Israel." "Part of Iran's security strategy as Israel has been able to more effectively target the raw materials and the components and the entire systems that the regime has been sending across the region is to support local production," said Taleblu. "And it is really here that the regime has been supporting more local production and you see the knife being sharpened against Israel from a bunch of different fronts." Ultimately, the approach serves Iran's interests without requiring Tehran's direct involvement. "Once you have this cycle of violence and retaliation, how the images will play out in the Arab world, the Iranians are certainly hoping that that pumps the brakes on Saudi-Israeli normalization," Taleblu said. The most important message is that it signals the continuing "ascendance" of Iran, according to the analyst. "The regime has moved to becoming more and more risk tolerant not just against America, and not just against U.S. partners, but also against Israel and in the region as well," Taleblu said. "This is part of a larger philosophical and psychological change in the revolutionary elites we've seen in Iran," Taleblu explained. "The willingness to do more, the willingness to punch back, the willingness to even directly target Western forces. This is a chain we've been seeing in the Middle East for the past few years. And I don't think this change is going away." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-victory- anti-israel-hamas/32631526.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK is committed to the stability and security of Iraq: UK Statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Iraq. 10 October 2023 Thank you President. Let me begin by extending the UK's condolences to the families of all of those killed and injured in the tragic fire at Qaraqosh on the 27th of September. I'd also like to express thanks to SRSG Plasschaert and Ms Al-Jarahi for their briefings today, and in particular to Ms Al-Jahari for highlighting the vital issues of women's rights and meaningful participation. I'd also like to express thanks to all the staff at the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq for the important work. The positive partnership between UNAMI and the Iraqi Government, and the Iraqi people and civil society, on issues from regional stability to women's rights and participation, is playing a vital role in its success. The UK remains committed to supporting the Iraqi Government and the implementation of its ambitious reform agenda. In particular, we welcome the passing of the budget in June, a crucial step in delivering the Government's priorities including on economic reform and energy diversification. President, we share the SRSG's concerns about the Kurdistan region, and we urge the Kurdistan Regional Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the planned elections take place on 25 February 2024 next year without further postponement. It is incumbent on all political parties to exercise unity, compromise and engage in constructive dialogue to ensure an electoral process which adheres to international standards and upholds the rights of all citizens, including women and minorities, to participate in the democratic process. President, we also welcome Iraq's commitment to tackling climate change, including through ending gas flaring by 2030. Iraq's exposure to multiple climate hazards, including floods, droughts and sandstorms, climate-related epidemics, and earthquakes makes this an important shared priority. Progress here will bolster Iraq's security and we stand ready to support. We welcome the SRSG's update on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property. Regarding Khor Abdullah, we would like to strongly echo the point made by the SRSG. We welcome Prime Minister Sudani's recommitment at High Level Week to international law and to the Resolutions of this Council, and like others we would like to recall in particular the importance of SCR 833. We look forward to the resolution of our standing issues through dialogue between Iraq and the Kuwaiti government. Finally, President, following the extension of UNITAD's mandate last month, we are committed to ensuring that UNITAD's legacy is preserved and that international efforts to deliver justice for Da'esh atrocities continue. Noting Iraq's recent request, we will work closely with the Government of Iraq, the UN and this Council to improve evidence sharing arrangements in accordance with UNITAD's Terms of Reference, as well as options for the future of UNITAD's work. Once again, I'd like to renew the UK's commitment to the stability and security of Iraq and to the essential role the Mission plays in support. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 10, 2023 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant by phone today to reiterate the unwavering U.S. support for Israel in the wake of Hamas' abhorrent terrorist attack and to receive updates on Israel's operations to restore security. The Secretary reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to expedite air defense capabilities and munitions requested by Israel in support of their efforts to defend the Israeli people. Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant agreed to remain in close contact in the days and weeks ahead. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3553044/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong: Lam Sai-hung tours Vietnam Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung led more than 10 members of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council to Vietnam for a four-day visit, with a view to introducing Hong Kong's advantages as an international logistics hub to local political and business communities. Mr Lam met Vietnams Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho in Hanoi today and they explored business opportunities between the two places. Upon arrival yesterday, the delegation toured a large-scale local modern logistics warehouse in Hanoi and inspected the operation of the logistics facilities. The delegation also exchanged views with representatives of related enterprises to learn about Vietnam's smart logistics development. Mr Lam noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been progressively exploring new markets from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Middle East regions as well as other countries under the Belt & Road Initiative. The transport chief pointed out that Vietnam is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner among the 10 ASEAN member states. He also hoped this trip would further promote Hong Kong's advantages as an international logistics hub and provide him with firsthand knowledge of Vietnam's development in modern logistics. The visit also aims to facilitate industry exchanges between the two places and explore new opportunities for co-operation, Mr Lam added. The delegation will continue their visit tomorrow by attending a business luncheon in Ho Chi Minh City and meeting local business representatives. This story has been published on: 2023-10-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Press Release October 11, 2023 STATEMENT OF SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS EXTENDING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF TWO FILIPINOS KILLED IN ISRAEL, URGES DFA, DMW TO PREP IN CASE VIOLENCE EXTENDS BEYOND BORDERS Ipinapaabot ko po ang aking buong pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya ng dalawa nating OFWs na pumanaw sa gitna ng sigalot na ito. This is very heart-wrenching. The whole nation is with you in this moment of immense grief. Pakikiramay po. Government is ready to assist in any way we can. With the escalating threat of violence extending beyond Israel, the DFA and DMW must be able to redirect available resources at their disposal to these conflict areas. I strongly urge the DFA and the DMW to pre-position necessary resources for the swift implementation of their contingency plan to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipino nationals in Israel and Gaza. Prompt implementation will undoubtedly provide much-needed reassurance to both OFWs and their families back home. But there must be sufficient resources to support any effective contingency plan, should it become necessary. May nakatabi ba tayo para diyan? Dapat lang. Napakakomplikado ng giyerang ito. Sana agad na maipaalam na sa mga Pilipino ang plano ng gobyerno for both short and long-term scenarios para mapaghandaan, lalo na sa ongoing budget process. We must be prepared to charter flights and buses, hire additional security personnel, and provide adequate medical and humanitarian aid to our kababayan. Dapat may budget na, ngayon pa lang, para sa emergency financial assistance at libreng serbisyong legal. I commit to working closely with the DFA, the DMW and other relevant government agencies to ensure the safe return of our OFWs, kahit na sa mga kababayang malapit sa conflict area. Dapat kasama sa planong paglikas ang mga kababayan nating nasa mga karatig-bansa na maaaring maapektuhan kung tumagal pa ang sitwasyon-- whether documented or undocumented. This plan should include transportation logistics, communication strategies, and safe shelter provisions even beyond Israel. In the face of this tragedy, we must stand united as a nation and support our OFWs without complacency or delay. Their lives are under imminent threat. The administration must continue to prepare amid the volatile situation in and beyond the region, so we can give our kababayan the care and support that they rightfully deserve. ******* VIDEO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sATcoSWOf15zLJyWrffW-pSl-IlLiTQ6/view?usp=drivesdk SOFIA, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS/BTA. The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) is expected to sail from Varna to Antarctica in early November to participate in the upcoming 32nd Bulgarian polar expedition, the head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Prof. Christo Pimpirev, told BTA. The ship is expected to reach Livingston Island after a 45-day voyage. Its first stop will be in Cartagena, Spain. That's also where Hesperides, the flagship of Spain's polar research programme, will also be anchored, he added. "After that, the Bulgarian ship will cross the Atlantic without stopping for about twenty days, and then perhaps stop at Brazil's southernmost port, Rio Grande do Sul. It will then necessarily stop in Mar del Plata and again we will have the Argentinean support in crossing the Drake Passage [by providing a] navigator, because those are the most turbulent waters on Earth. Our vessel is expected to reach the St. Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian base on Livingston Island, but before the Drake Passage [it] will stop in Ushuaia, which is the southernmost port of Argentina - Tierra del Fuego. There, the ship will be boarded by our builders and scientists, as well as by the logistics team of the Bulgarian Antarctic expedition. They will arrive by plane in Ushuaia, Prof. Pimpirev explained. He said that the Bulgarian polar base on Livingston Island is expected to open for the new scientific season in mid-December. The construction of the new laboratory unit will also continue. "The Bulgarian polar expedition will continue until the end of March 2024, our ship will sail in mid-February from Livingston to Bulgaria, but the builders will stay to finish their work," the head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute explained. RSV 421's first voyage to Antarctica started on December 27, 2022, and ended on May 2, 2023, as part of the 31st Bulgarian polar expedition. BTA's Daily News editor Konstantin Karagyozov was the only member of the media who travelled on board the ship to Livingston Island and back, covering the expedition on site throughout the stay in Antarctica. All media outlets could use the Bulgaria-Antarctica BTA's Log for free. During the 32nd Bulgarian expedition to Antarctica, the vessel will transport all the materials for the new laboratory unit - its metal structure and panels, because now the building must be erected. In early 2023, the foundations of the laboratory were completed, and within the current expedition, the rough construction of the building should be completed as well, with only finishing works inside to remain, Prof. Pimpirev added. Scientific Projects within the 32nd Bulgarian polar expedition he 32nd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition will include many scientific projects. It will be focused on projects related to global climate change, Pimpirev said. There will also be geological projects, but not only on Livingston Island, but also on the neighbouring, almost inaccessible Antarctic island of Smith. Smith Island is the highest island in the whole of the South Shetland archipelago it is 3,000 metres high. For this reason, two of our most famous Bulgarian mountaineers - Kiril Doskov and Doichin Boyanov will join the expedition to help the geologists who will explore hard-to-reach rocks, Pimpirev also noted. Pimpirev spoke to BTA ahead of the premiere of a documentary about him, Da badesh Hristo Pimpirev [Being Hristo Pimpirev], in Sofia on Wednesday evening. Produced by the Bulgarian National Television, the film seeks to answer the question about what drives a scientist and a discoverer to pursue his dreams. Prof. Christo Pimpirev teaches geology at the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. He is also a polar researcher, founder of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute and head of the National Centre for Polar Studies. He has headed 31 Bulgarian polar expeditions and has authored ten books, eight documentaries and over 250 scientific articles. (This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.) Gaza Conflict Deals Blow to Pakistani Debate on Whether to Recognize Israel By Ayaz Gul October 10, 2023 While the hostilities between Israel and Hamas have raised doubts about the future of Israel's efforts to develop ties with Saudi Arabia and the wider Muslim world, critics say the hostilities will also significantly restrict public debate in Pakistan about whether to recognize the Jewish state. Islamabad does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and refuses to recognize it as a sovereign country until the state of Palestine is established a a long-running policy of many Muslim-majority countries. Pakistanis cannot visit the Jewish state because their passport states it is "valid for all countries of the world except Israel." A debate, however, has intermittently flared up in national mainstream television channels, newspapers and social media platforms on whether the South Asian nation should reconsider its stance on Israel. The two countries have held secret meetings on security-related issues since their foreign ministers met publicly in 2005. The latest public debate stemmed from efforts to forge ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel in line with the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which enabled the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to normalize relations with the Jewish state in 2020. The discourse gained momentum in March when Fishel Benkhald, a Pakistani Jew in the southern port city of Karachi, revealed via his social media platform that he had successfully exported his first kosher food shipment to Jerusalem and Haifa. Officials in Islamabad at the time said the export activity had taken place through a third country and was Benkhald's initiative, saying it did not signal in any way the establishment of direct trade ties with Israel. The hostilities that began Saturday appear to have shut down any further discussion of potential Israeli-Pakistani ties, at least for the time being. "The first lesson of the Gaza war is that the so-called recognition of Israel debate or discussion in Pakistan has been buried, and rightly so," Senator Mushahid Hussain, the defense committee chair of the upper house of the Pakistani parliament, told VOA. "It was a nonissue, and just because some Arab countries are doing it, there was no need, no requirement for Pakistan to do so, because we have our own perspective on that, which is more long-standing and older than the Arab one," said the influential senator. Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States and the United Nations, said the time is not ripe to explore normalization. "In Pakistan, like other Muslim countries, public sentiments are very strong in support for the people of Palestine," Lodhi told VOA. "Pakistan has been a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian cause. It would want to see de-escalation in the conflict." Pakistani Islamic groups and right-wing parties vehemently oppose forging ties with Israel over the Palestinian issue. Dozens of people staged a demonstration in Karachi this week to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza and to express solidarity with Palestinians. The Pakistani foreign ministry took a fairly neutral stance on the war when Hamas pulled off its surprise attack against Israel Saturday, saying, "We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East. ... We are concerned about the human cost of the escalating situation." The statement urged the international community "to come together for cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and for a lasting peace in the Middle East." Pakistan Says 'No Change' on Israel Policy Last month, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told a national media outlet on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session that "six or seven" Muslim countries could "make peace" with Israel if it signed a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia. He said, "Peace with Saudi Arabia means peace with the greater Muslim world." Cohen's reported comments prompted Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to dismiss suggestions his country was among those considering regular ties with Israel. "There is no change, nor are we contemplating a change in our policy regarding Israel. We keep our national interests supreme when we decide on any matter in Pakistan," Jilani said at a recent news conference in Islamabad. Pakistan has a traditionally close partnership with Saudi Arabia and received crucial Saudi financial assistance and oil supplies on deferred payments to overcome economic problems. Ahmed Quraishi, a Pakistani political commentator and peace activist, said that the Gaza conflict could slow down progress in Arab and Muslim normalization with Israel because governments need to take into account public opinion while revisiting policies. "There's no question that the escalation by the Hamas militant group hits at the heart of efforts for peace and will complicate the work of peacemakers in the region," Quraishi told VOA. "However, so far, it doesn't look like normalization will stop. If anything, Hamas has shown the urgency of integration and normalization to stop militant groups hijacking regional conflicts for terrorism and proxy agendas," he argued. "Everyone supports Palestinian rights and rightly so, but there's a debate in the media across the region on whether groups like Hamas are rogue militants or representatives of a cause." Senator Hussain criticized U.S.-led Western nations for backing Ukraine's resistance to Russian occupation of its territory but failing to support Palestinians demanding Israel vacate their land. "The Western countries, the Western apologists of Israel, have double standards, they have hypocritical attitudes, and their stance has nothing to do with principles," he said. "They only use human rights and democracy when they want to weaponize it for geopolitics but not as a principled position." Quraishi and Benkhald were among a 15-member group of primarily Pakistani-American peace activists who undertook a rare trip to Israel last year in collaboration with an Israeli organization promoting ties with Muslim countries. "I'm a proud Pakistani living in Pakistan And I Stand With Israel," Benkhald said on X (formerly Twitter) after hostilities broke out on Saturday. "Hope friends of Israel and Palestinian mediate immediate stop to human suffering on both sides. There should be no provocation again to escalate and undermine peace process." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Junta training civilian militias for security patrols in Bago region Some areas in the central Myanmar region remain under control of anti-junta forces. By RFA Burmese 2023.10.10 -- The military junta is recruiting civilians for militia training across central Myanmar's Bago region, where they plan to use the trainees for security patrols and to transport injured troops from the frontline, local residents said. Junta soldiers recently trained about 40 people from eight villages from Thayarwady district in western Bago, according to a person in charge of a local anti-junta People's Defense Force, or PDF. The junta has also been recruiting from some townships in eastern Bago, local residents told Radio Free Asia. Junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told RFA in June 2022 that the military was organizing civilian militia groups and providing systematic training to protect villages in Bago, where intense fighting with anti-junta forces continues. Nearly 100,000 residents of eastern Bago have been forced to flee their homes since the February 2021 military coup d'etat, according to the United Nations The majority of the recent trainees are members of either the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia or the Union Solidarity and Development Party, or USDP, which is also aligned with the military, residents said. After one month of training, the military gives them weapons and assigns them watch duty near a local PDF, according to a Kyauktaga township resident who refused to be named for security reasons. "The first batch completed the training just last month. I have heard that about 14 or 15 Pyu people left Kyauktaga for training last week," he said, referring to Pyu Saw Htee members. Most of the villages in Kyauktaga between the Sittaung River and the old Yangon-Mandalay highway are controlled by the joint forces of a regional PDF - that's why the junta is organizing some towns into defensive positions, he said. Training in Taungoo Junta troops also began doing militia training in a field near the police station in Taungoo city in September, according to a local resident who refused to be named for security reasons. Most of the trainees were members of the USDP, the resident said. USDP spokesman Hla Thein said he was unaware of the recent training sessions. "To be honest, I don't know about this yet," he said. "I think the locals are saying what they think and what it seems. But political parties like us are not legally allowed to get involved in the civilian militia." The PDF official in Thayarwady district urged the new militia trainees to consider joining anti-junta forces. "I think it is time for them to come to their senses and join the people in the revolution," he said. "Those who join the military junta or work with them are the enemies of the people. So I think they should avoid being in such a position." RFA telephoned Tin Oo, the junta's economic minister and Bago region spokesman, regarding the militia recruitment, but he did not respond on Tuesday. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Matt Reed. 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Burma Regime Attack in Kachin State US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson October 10, 2023 We are deeply concerned by reports of a Burma military attack on an internally displaced persons camp near Mung Lai Hkyet village in Kachin State on October 9. Early reports indicate dozens of civilians were killed. We strongly condemn the military regime's ongoing attacks that have claimed thousands of lives since the February 2021 coup and continue to exacerbate the region's most severe humanitarian crisis. More than 1.6 million people have been internally displaced since the coup. The United States will continue to support the people of Burma and all those working peacefully to support their aspirations for peace and inclusive democracy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi GoAta Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi GoAta at the initiative of the Malian side. October 10, 2023 18:20 The leaders discussed the implementation of the agreements reached by Vladimir Putin and Assimi GoAta at the Second Russia-Africa summit in July 2023 and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further enhance trade and economic relations, cooperation in providing security, and fighting terrorism. The Mali side expressed appreciation for the diverse assistance provided by Russia. The Presidents also shared opinions on the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-Iraq talks Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Muhammed Shia Al-Sudani, currently on an official visit to Russia. October 10, 2023 14:55 The Kremlin, Moscow The beginning of Russia-Iraq talks President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, colleagues, friends, Welcome to Russia and Moscow. Mr Prime Minister, We are delighted to see you. Relations between our countries are developing rather successfully. Next year, we will mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations. In previous decades, our country accomplished very much in building relations with Iraq, and in the most diverse fields - first and foremost in the economic sphere. An intergovernmental commission is working on this today. In 2022, our trade soared by 43 percent but, unfortunately, dropped this year. We have a lot to discuss. In this sense, of course, your visit is quite timely. The energy sector is certainly the main aspect of our collaboration. Our largest companies operate rather successfully in your country. Our companies have invested a total of about $19 billion, and our collaboration, already quite effective in this area, is only going to expand. We coordinate our work within the OPEC + format, and we are doing this rather successfully in order to stabilise the situation on global markets. On the whole, we are enjoying much success, and I hope that we will continue working in this manner moving forward. We have many bilateral objectives, and we will focus our attention on all of them. Tomorrow, we will take part in a plenary meeting of the Russian Energy Week. This is a valuable and respectable international event in the field of global energy, during which specialists and experts can convene and discuss current developments, as well as shorter-term and remote prospects. Of course, your visit to Russia is taking place amid crises: the Ukrainian crisis continues, and, unfortunately, we are witnessing a sharp deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. I think that many will agree with me that this is a clear example of the United States' failed policy in the Middle East, which tried to monopolise the settlement process, but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides, but, on the contrary, put forward its own ideas about how this should be done and put pressure on both sides, truly both: first on one, then on the other. But each time without considering the fundamental interests of the Palestinian people, bearing in mind, first of all, the need to implement the decision of the UN Security Council on the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. But in any case, no matter what happens there... I know your position, Mr Prime Minister, and our position is that harm to the civilian population should be minimised and reduced to zero, and we call on all sides of the conflict to do so. We will certainly talk about this, as well as other problems, during your visit today. After the expanded meeting, we are also planning a face-to-face conversation during a private lunch. There will be an opportunity to discuss everything in detail. Welcome again, Mr Prime Minister. Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Muhammed Shia Al-Sudani (retranslated): Thank you very much, Mr President. Greetings to the members of the delegations. Thank you very much for the invitation to visit Russia. Russia is a friendly country we have deep and historic ties with. I would like to once again express Iraq's gratitude to Russia for its support in the fight against terrorism, the war against terrorism, for providing us with weapons so that we could resist armed terrorist gangs. Without a doubt, this episode in the relationship is very valuable; 2014 was of great importance for relations between our countries. With our visit, we want to strengthen interaction and develop relations that have excellent prospects in the political, security, cultural and economic spheres. We have many different opportunities before us. We have a good foundation; there are Russian companies that operate, for example, in the oil and gas sector. Our countries play an important role on the oil market, and therefore it is important for us to continue bilateral coordination and cooperation within the OPEC+ format. This coordination should be based on consideration of supply and demand mechanisms, and the interests of investors, producers and consumers. We will, of course, touch on and discuss these issues during today's meeting. And tomorrow we will also have a good opportunity to discuss these issues, as well as energy issues, which, of course, are the focus of many, including the Iraqi government. Our visit is taking place at a time when we can see the implementation of a large development project that will ensure trade between Asia and Europe and contribute to the integration of transport corridors, I mean the North - South Transport Corridor first of all. This will support all countries in the region and the entire world and have a positive effect on them. Now, developments in Palestine have taken a complicated and dangerous turn. This is the natural result of the fact that Israel has continued to violate the rights of Palestinians, while the international community has remained silent and failed to live up to its obligations under internationally recognised resolutions. We are now witnessing another Intifada: an uprising of Palestinians demanding to put an end to such violations of their rights. An obvious escalation, and a very dangerous one, with civilians killed as a result and spontaneous bombings carried out, including against civilian targets: all this may result in the destruction of the Gaza Strip. Now we all, as Arab and Islamic countries, and also together with Russia, a permanent member of the [UN] Security Council, a great power, have a responsibility here. This is a moral responsibility, including on major powers, to stop these violations of the rights of Palestinians and to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip. Of course, today Iraq is trying to maintain stability in all regions through its policies, including with regard to the Ukrainian crisis. We have suffered greatly from blockades and war; of course, that is why our position is firm: we support the search for peaceful solutions through dialogue to end conflicts that have very negative consequences at the humanitarian level and at the economic level. Obviously, the purpose of this visit is discussing these issues and our common positions as well as strengthening our bilateral relations. We also want to contribute to relieving the suffering in the region and ensuring stability in the Middle East and the entire world. Thank you. Vladimir Putin: Thank you. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: We'll be forced to mirror US if it conducts nuclear test Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 2:02 PM Russia will be forced to resume its nuclear testing program if the United States conducts an atomic test, says Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, amid signs of nuclear activities at a site in Nevada. The Russian official said on Tuesday Moscow had seen signs the United States was making preparations to resume nuclear testing. "The indications are that there is or was, at least until recently, (preparatory) work underway at the Nevada Testing Site." He said if the US conducts a nuclear test, "we will be forced to mirror that as well." Ryabkov also said Moscow will move to revoke the ratification of a global test-ban treaty to put itself on par with the States. The treaty, known as the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), was signed by the presidents of the two countries in 1996. It was never ratified by Washington. It bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world. The Russian diplomat said Washington "believed that we will keep turning a blind eye" to its failure to ratify the pact. "We hope that Washington will get the signal." His remarks echoed those of President Vladimir Putin, who said last week that the parliament should consider withdrawing Moscow's ratification of the treaty. Putin has given Russian lawmakers 10 days to find the best avenue to revoke Moscow's ratification of the treaty. The president also said Russia's nuclear doctrine did not need updating. Moscow possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal. The US has warned that Russia's pulling out from the treaty will endanger the "global norm" against nuclear test blasts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Kremlin Critics Fleeing To Bulgaria Often Find They Are Not Welcome By Georgi A. Angelov October 10, 2023 SOFIA -- Amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Andrei Karpov and Irina Dmitrieva, two Russian anti-Kremlin critics who have had their asylum requests rejected by Bulgaria, stood silently outside government offices in Sofia for several days last week, holding up a placard that read: "The State Agency for Refugees is against Russian refugees." It's a message that resonated with many Russians seeking asylum here, who, in the vast majority of cases, have failed to convince the bureaucrats at Bulgaria's State Agency for Refugees (DAB) that their cases warrant it. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a total of 232 Russian citizens have applied for asylum in Bulgaria but only 15 have so far received refugee or humanitarian status, according to data from DAB that was shared with RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service. The reason? The agency contends that in most cases the applicants will unlikely face any risk of persecution in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has tightened the screws even more since the start of the war, shuttering nearly all independent media, NGOs, and any other remnant of civil society, while the State Duma, the country's largely rubber-stamp lower house of parliament, has passed sweeping censorship laws. "We can never be safe at home after leaving the country, where our hatred of Putin, his policies, his war, were well-known to the authorities there," Dmitrieva told RFE/RL. "DAB pretends that there is no repression in Russia, no persecution of opponents of the regime, while thousands of Russians are in prison for making lesser statements than we did." The DAB wasn't convinced by Karpov and Dmitrieva's three-day vigil outside the Council of Ministers, which oversees the refugee agency. DAB accused the two of trying to pressure "the agency to grant international protection to every Russian citizen who requested it, even to those who do not meet the conditions," it said in comments to RFE/RL. Although many are wary of speaking on the record, some lawyers defending refugees have suggested that the attitude of some DAB bureaucrats may merely reflect the generally positive view of Russia that many in Bulgaria still have. Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member state, has strong cultural, historical, and language ties with Russia, although the Kremlin's war against Ukraine has caused major cracks in that support. While firm figures are elusive, tens of thousands of Russians are thought to have left Russia, especially after Moscow announced a partial military mobilization on September 21, 2022. Georgia and Kazakhstan -- former Soviet republics that offer Russians visa-free travel -- have been top destinations. The European Union saw a surge in arrivals after the mobilization announcement. Some 66,000 Russian citizens entered the bloc from September 19-25. The number fell to 53,000 in the week starting September 26, according to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The agency cited a stricter EU visa policy and Russian measures to keep military-age men from leaving as possible reasons for the drop-off. Most Russians then entering the EU already had residence permits or visas, while others had dual citizenship, Frontex said. According to Eurostat, Russian citizens filed 18,400 applications for asylum in European countries in 2022, with Germany (3,855), France (3,350), and Poland (2,215) the top destinations. Asylum applications aren't the only way that Russians can secure residency visas in Bulgaria. They can be granted if the applicant is opening a business or will be representing a company. Such a route, however, often requires the applicant to have significant financial resources or to own investments or real estate in Bulgaria. For Karpov, his problems in his homeland began on March 21, 2021, when he held a solitary picket outside the Kremlin on Red Square in Moscow. (Under Russian law, a protester is allowed to hold a solitary picket without notifying the authorities in advance). Karpov held up a placard reading "No to repression! Freedom for political prisoners." After about five minutes, police intervened, dragged him away to a police station, where Karpov said he was beaten, suffering a concussion that a medical exam reportedly later showed. Besides his solo protest, Karpov had also run afoul of the Russian authorities by contributing to opposition activist Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund, declared "extremist" by Russian authorities in June 2021. Navalny has been sentenced to 19 years in prison on charges that supporters and the West say are politically motivated. As Russia's crackdown on dissent intensified in step with the aggression against Ukraine, Karpov again found himself in the crosshairs of the authorities. And he wasn't alone. More than 16,000 Russians were arrested for anti-war actions between February and July 2022, according to the Russian human rights monitor OVD-Info, an apparent peak of anti-war activity that has since waned. Karpov was accused of "discrediting" the Russian Army in social media posts, a criminal offense in Russia punishable by up to five years in prison. According to Karpov, police offered him a deal: Criminal proceedings against him would be dropped if he agreed to sign a contract for military service in Ukraine. In a bid to stall them, Karpov said he had lost his military identification and would not get a replacement card for about a week. That worked, and Karpov fled his hometown of Trubchevsk in Russia's Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine. Like other fleeing Russians, Karpov flew first to Istanbul and then made his way by car to the border with Bulgaria. At the Malko Tarnovo border crossing with Turkey on November 9, 2022, Karpov asked for political asylum in Bulgaria. Karpov was left in limbo for several days, until his documents were accepted by DAB for consideration on November 13, 2022. Karpov was then transferred to a refugee camp in Sofia. It was only in February this year that Karpov was interviewed by DAB and, seven months later in August, Karpov got the news he was dreading: His political asylum request had been rejected. At first, DAB faulted him for failing to file proper documents backing his refugee claims, although Karpov said he had submitted the necessary paperwork and had copies to prove it. Later, however, DAB offered a more definitive reason, concluding Karpov faced no "well-founded fears of persecution" if he were to return to Russia, noting the situation there "cannot be defined as an armed conflict," according to an official document seen by RFE/RL spelling out the reasons why Karpov was denied humanitarian status. If someone does not meet the criteria for refugee status but is deemed to possibly face mortal danger if repatriated, they can be offered humanitarian status. Dmitrieva arrived in Bulgaria in March 2022 with her daughter, who was 13 years old at the time. Dmitrieva, from Moscow, said she was a veteran of anti-Putin demos back home predating Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Dmitrieva filed for asylum with DAB on March 31, 2022, but had her request rejected six months later on September 21, 2022. "When my daughter turned 14, she went through a separate interview at DAB, and they issued a separate asylum-seeker document. What amazed me really was that not only was I refused but so was she. We then had to appeal the refusal in two courts. The situation is absurd," she said. According to DAB, "Dmitrieva's personal refugee story shows that she does not have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of her race, religion, national, ethnic, political, or social origin and that there is no persecution in respect of her and the conditions for the grant of humanitarian status do not exist." Of the 232 applicants for political asylum in Bulgaria since February 2022, 115 people have had their applications refused. Many have appealed and have the chance to appeal again before they are sent home. During this period, 58 Russian applicants have had their proceedings terminated. That usually means that the asylum seekers have given up on their claims and decided to return home. One of Dmitrieva's appeals ended with a victory of sorts. The Supreme Administrative Court, which oversees the application of the country's law, ruled DAB "should have investigated Dmitrieva's refugee history more thoroughly." DAB has so far not begun a review of her case. Her daughter's administrative case is still ongoing. In this legal limbo, Dmitrieva found herself without her personal documents, as they remain at the refugee agency while her case is decided. Instead, she has been issued a temporary residence card, with which she can neither find employment, open a bank account, nor receive any school benefits for her daughter. Karpov complains about the same problem. "Temporary documents do not even have a photo and are not recognized by anyone," Dmitrieva lamented. Despite the apparent long odds, some asylum requests filed by Russians in Bulgaria have ultimately had a happy ending. Margarita Shurupova came to Bulgaria with her husband and two sons from Kazakhstan, where they received Czech visas in the spring of 2022. They wanted to move to Bulgaria as they have relatives here. DAB initially refused asylum to all four. The family appealed, and the Sofia Court of Appeal ultimately ruled that the agency should reconsider its refusal and reassess the need for protection for the mother and youngest child. For the other two family members, the Administrative Court in Varna, a resort city on the Black Sea coast, upheld DAB's rejection of refugee status and allowed the father and eldest son to be transferred to the Czech Republic, which, it argued, had issued the first visas. Eventually, DAB allowed them to resubmit their asylum applications. On October 9, Shurupova posted on Facebook: "The Bulgarian Refugee Agency granted me and my youngest son refugee status. According to our lawyer, my husband and eldest son will get their status a little later as they had to reapply." Written by Tony Wesolowsky based on reporting by RFE/RL Bulgarian Service's Georgi Angelov Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kremlin-critics- fleeing-bulgaria-not-welcome/32631596.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN General Assembly Rejects Russia's Bid To Regain Seat On Human Rights Council By RFE/RL October 10, 2023 Russia's attempt to regain its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council has failed in the UN General Assembly, which handed the two seats on the council available to the East European regional group to Bulgaria and Albania. The secret ballot on October 10 for the Human Rights Council's 2024-2026 term had been viewed as a test of Moscow's contention that it had support from developing countries weary of the West's billions of dollars in support of Ukraine and despite fierce Western-led criticism over its brutal assault on its neighbor. Russia won 83 votes, considerably less than 160 for Bulgaria and 123 for Albania. "UN member states sent a strong signal to Russia's leadership that a government responsible for countless war crimes and crimes against humanity doesn't belong on the Human Rights Council," said Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). Albanian Ambassador Ferit Hoxha said before the vote that the UN General Assembly had "an important choice" to "demonstrate that it is not ready to take an arsonist for a firefighter." In April 2022, less than two months after Russia invaded Ukraine, the General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the 47-member council over "gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights" by invading Russian troops in Ukraine. The U.S.-initiated resolution passed with 93 votes in favor, 24 against, and 58 abstentions. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council before the vote that it would be an "ugly stain" that would undermine the credibility of the UN if Russia were re-elected to the Human Rights Council "while it openly continues to commit war crimes and other atrocities." Moscow's UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, has accused the United States of leading a campaign to prevent Russia's return to the council. "The main phobia of our American colleagues today is electing Russia to the Human Rights Council," Nebenzya told a Security Council meeting called by Ukraine to discuss last week's strike by a Russian missile on a Ukrainian soldier's wake in the village of Hroza that killed more than 50 people. In the October 10 election, the only other competitive race was in the Latin America and Caribbean group in which Cuba, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic defeated Peru for the three seats available. HRW had said Cuba didn't deserve a place on the Council because of systematic rights violations, including the harassment, arbitrary detention, and torture of dissidents, but Cuba received 146 votes, the highest number among the four countries competing. In the other regional races, which were not competitive, the Asian group put up China, Japan, Kuwait and Indonesia for four seats; the African group chose Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, and Ivory Coast for four seats; and the Western group has France and the Netherlands seeking two seats. HRW called on General Assembly members to oppose the candidacies of Russia and China. "Every day, Russia and China remind us by committing abuses on a massive scale that they should not be members of the UN Human Rights Council," Louis Charbonneau, said in a statement on October 5. HRW said Russian forces in Ukraine continue to commit "apparent war crimes, including unlawful attacks and mistreatment of prisoners, and crimes against humanity, including torture, summary executions, and enforced disappearances against civilians." The watchdog said China's rights record should also disqualify it from the Human Rights Council, adding that discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups in the western region of Xinjiang may constitute crimes against humanity. The Geneva-based Human Rights Council was created in 2006 to replace a commission discredited because of some members' poor rights records. But the new council soon came to face similar criticism, including that rights abusers sought seats to protect themselves and their allies. The council reviews the human rights records of all countries periodically, appoints independent investigators to examine and report on issues like torture, and situations in countries like North Korea and Iran. In last year's election, Venezuela, South Korea, and Afghanistan lost contested races, but countries, including Vietnam and Sudan, which have been accused of having poor human rights records, won seats. With reporting by AP and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-un-human-rights-council- suspended-abuses/32631606.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Minister General of Army Sergei Shoigu inspects implementation of state defence order at JSC Concern VKO 'Almaz-Antey' in Ulyanovsk 10.10.2023 The Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu inspected implementation of state defence order at JSC Concern VKO 'Almaz-Antey' in Ulyanovsk. After inspection of the workshop for the production of modern medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) Buk-M3 Sergei Shoigu noted that Almaz-Antey's products are in demand and demonstrate high efficiency in the special military operation zone. In the course of the work, the head of the enterprise reported to the head of the Russian military department on the readiness for early transfer of to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation of the next division of the Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system in October. In September this year, the company has already transferred a division of the Buk-M3 SAM system to the Russian Defence Ministry ahead of schedule. Under the terms of this year's state defence order, we are to ship two divisions, the first division was shipped ahead of schedule in September, the second division is in its final stages of completion. In September, the second one is under final assembly, adjustment', - emphasised General Director of JSC Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant Sergei Churin. The head of the enterprise noted that the staff of the plant and infrastructure are ready to increase production volumes of the complexes planned for 2024 and 2025. The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation presented state and departmental awards to the employees of the enterprise who performed tasks on maintenance and repair of equipment in the areas of the special military operation. 'Dear comrades, colleagues, I have come here specially to say a word of gratitude to you. Thank you for your work, both here, in the workshops of this wonderful enterprise, and, of course, there, on the front line, where your hands are doing a lot to make our air defence systems the most effective, and, most importantly, to ensure that they arrive in time after repair, after maintenance for their combat work,' said Sergei Shoigu at the award ceremony. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Defence Minister Aleksandr Fomin holds talks with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Lebanese Republic to Russian Federation 10.10.2023 Today in Moscow, Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin held talks with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to the Russian Federation Shawki Bou Nassar. During the talks, the sides discussed topical issues and perspectives of bilateral military and military-technical co-operation between Russia and Lebanon. The sides exchanged views and assessments on the current situation related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Both officials noted that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict can be solved exclusively by political and diplomatic means. The talks were held in a friendly atmosphere and confirmed mutual intention to further develop comprehensive interaction of the defence departments. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas has employed almost 5,000 of these rockets and missiles without much interception by Israels famed Iron Dome A war of such intensity, the employment of unbridled violence and the sheer brutality of the ongoing war between the Palestinian organisation Hamas and the State of Israel appears to be a new normal in the violent landscape of West Asia. One is reminded of the time when Yasser Arafat led the PLO and the militant methods then used to make statements of relevance. They pale before what has happened in the past few days on the Israel-Gaza border and is threatening to probably happen at the other borders of Israel too. In four conventional wars fought by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) with various Arab armies, we have never witnessed anything even remotely a patch on the intensity of brutality that the Hamas terrorists converted to tactical fighters launched against Israeli civilians and the citizens of several other countries. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is now several decades old, with frequent flashes of hostilities which did not end in anything decisive. However, this time the initiative by Hamas seems to be of a different order, a very negative transformation of the 75-year-old conflict. A very brief look at the nature of operations by Hamas appears to suggest a clearer strategy but without anything near achieving a military victory. What comprises this strategy is the employment of unbridled violence without any qualms about the nature of the target. This is exactly the strategy employed by the Islamic State (ISIS) a decade ago when it attempted the capture of northern Iraq and Syria and resisted at Mosul and other large built-up areas through the employment of conventional means. The violation of all human rights is being blatantly advertised on the social media to create a fear psychosis among Israeli citizens. No doubt there will be many claims by Hamas of similar treatment by the IDF of Palestinian citizens, as a counter to the moral weapon used against the Palestinians. Israels very existence has focused on its legendary and extremely sharp readiness to prevent any Arab-initiated offensive. Its intelligence services such as Mossad, Aman and Shin Bet are known to have developed such expertise that every intent of an adversary is well known and many lessons of the past are used as case studies to predict innovative methods that could be used. While the reputations of all these entities is enviable, it is forgotten that on almost the same day 50 years ago Israel was embarrassingly surprised by the Egyptian Army through one of the most intricately spun deception plans. On October 6, 1973, even by day the Egyptians could cross the Suez Canal and defeat the defensive system of the Bar Lev Line. This time Israeli commentators are blaming the hubris of the IDF and of the political leadership; the belief that Hamas or any other Arab or Palestinian organisations were under such intense watch that they could never muster tactical forces against the IDF. What Israeli intelligence did not perhaps cater for was the long-known fact that Hamas has no remorse about targeting civilians, or the aged, and women and children. This time they designed their operations around these targets and a few IDF installations closer to the Gaza border. The breaching of the fences and walls, and the use of tunnels and passages to induct the terrorists into Israel, was obviously planned and rehearsed. How this could have escaped the intelligence agencies is anybodys guess. Perhaps Israel has diluted its human intelligence sources which were usually the most effective and reliable, in favour of electronic intelligence, in which there are greater chances of deception. Being small and intensely vulnerable to infiltration of adversary elements to cause harm, Israel has relied on physical obstacles such as walls and barbed wire fences. These have been converted into systems through the use of electronic surveillance and alarm systems. The Indian Army adopted similar systems for the Line of Control, but the difference has been the number of human resources employed to reinforce these systems. It seems that Hamas elements involved in the employment of para-gliders, bulldozers and other heavy equipment to breach and cross the obstacles could do all this with impunity. Even if early warnings were available, there were too few resources to respond. The Hamas hit squads could approach the obstacles at will and the proximity of the built-up areas close to the obstacles offered suitable targets. Being a small country with limited real estate, Israel can hardly be expected to leave tracts of territory without populating it. The speed and brutality employed by Hamas was reminiscent of shock and awe at the tactical level. Hamas also seems to have exploited the Israeli perception that the mass use of rockets and missiles would be avoided by Hamas planners for fear of severe retribution. What Israel did not cater for is Hamas resorting to hostage-taking, being fully aware of the propensity of Israel to hold back the intensity of operations until the hostages are returned. Hamas readiness to accept the consequences is almost akin to the psyche of suicide bombers. To say that Israel was unaware of the magnitude of munitions held by both Hamas and Hezbollah would be a fallacy. As early as 2017, the Israeli assessment was that 130,000 such pieces existed and could be brought to bear against Israel. Senior Israeli leaders did express their concern at that time but had no solutions except for the deterrence caused by the promise of heavy retribution. Hamas has employed almost 5,000 of these rockets and missiles without much interception by Israels famed Iron Dome anti-missile systems. There also does not seem to be any coordinated attempt by Hezbollah to assist Hamas, although some activities have been reported from the border in the north. A coordinated assault would have spelt an existential threat and brought more nations into the war, with possible Israeli reprisals without consideration for the consequences. Both Hamas and Israel have limitations in further moves on the ground which can expand the scope of violence. Hamas is limited by the complete blockade involving the cutting of supplies, water, power and medicines. Israel has the severe limitation of lives of many of its citizens under threat; those taken hostage. Yet, both sides also have leaderships which have a propensity to care little for the consequences. We are thus perhaps just seeing the beginnings of brutality and human suffering in this intractable conflict, which could drag longer than any such event in the past. Russia Upholds Detention of US Reporter Evan Gershkovich October 10, 2023 A Moscow court on Tuesday rejected U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich's appeal of his detention on spy charges and ordered him held until November 30. Gershkovich was arrested during a reporting trip at the end of March in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, becoming the first Western reporter to be jailed on spy charges in Russia since the Soviet era. The 31-year-old Wall Street Journal Moscow correspondent, his employer and the U.S. government have rejected the spying allegations. Judge Yuri Pasyunin at Moscow City Court ruled to "keep (the detention) without changes" until November 30, an AFP reporter at the court said. Gershkovich wore a checkered shirt and jeans, smiling to journalists that he knew from behind the glass cage where he was held in court. U.S. diplomats were present at the hearing. Gershkovich had appealed an August decision to prolong his detention by three months. Russia has not provided public evidence of the allegations it has made against Gershkovich. The American, who previously worked for AFP, continued to report from Russia after the Kremlin launched its Ukraine offensive, despite many Western journalists leaving the country. He has been held at Moscow's notorious Lefortovo prison. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsai calls for 'peaceful coexistence' with Beijing on National Day ROC Central News Agency 10/10/2023 01:57 PM Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) Peace is the only option across the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan is willing to work out "a path to peaceful coexistence" with Beijing, President Tsai Ing-wen () said Tuesday during her National Day address in Taipei. Taiwan is willing to "develop with the Beijing authorities a mutually acceptable foundation for interaction and a path to peaceful coexistence" provided that "the Taiwan public consensus" is respected and both sides engage with each other on reciprocal terms, Tsai said. Tsai, however, did not elaborate on what such a pubic consensus entailed during her speech at a ceremony marking the National Day of the Republic of China, Taiwan's formal name. While noting that cross-Taiwan Strait relations have seen "drastic changes" over the past seven years, Tsai said her administration had "kept its promises and maintained the status quo." "Peace is the only option across the strait," she said in her last National Day address before she leaves office on May 20, 2024 after completing two four-year terms. "Maintaining the status quo, the largest common denominator for all sides, is key to ensuring peace." Differences across the Taiwan Strait must be resolved peacefully, she said at the ceremony outside the Presidential Office, adding that neither side should unilaterally change the status quo. Tsai said her administration had not provoked China nor acted rashly when it came to cross-strait relations since she took office in 2016. The administration has instead sought to deepen cooperation with democratic countries, and thus made Taiwan "the most reliable [and] effective" partner in global supply chains and democratic development, she said. The international community has come to realize that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is an indispensable component of global security and prosperity and its support for Taiwan has reached "an unprecedented height," she added. All these efforts, according to Tsai, have allowed Taipei to deal with Beijing in a "calm and self-assured" manner and created conditions for peaceful coexistence between both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan and China should work to contribute to regional peace and promote "free [and] unrestricted" interactions among their people, she said, adding that it is "an unavoidable historic responsibility" born by the two sides. She also called for unity among different political parties and people with various backgrounds in Taiwan in the face of "external threats," as "everyone in Taiwan has a shared destiny." Through efforts to improve its defense capabilities, Taiwan has demonstrated its resolve to defend the country, Tsai said, mentioning in particular the launch of the military's prototype of the first indigenous defense submarine called Narwhal in late September. The submarine project is "a big step forward" in Taiwan's ambitions to achieve greater defense self-sufficiency and further enhance its asymmetric capabilities, she said. Tsai's address was delivered after she and Vice President Lai Ching-te () greeted dozens of foreign guests at the Presidential Office, including parliamentarian groups from Japan and Canada, as well as former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The ceremony outside the Presidential Office was also attended by Lai, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's presidential nominee, and his rival from the Taiwan People's Party Ko Wen-je (). The main opposition Kuomintang's presidential nominee Hou Yu-ih (), who is also New Taipei mayor, attended a separate National Day ceremony hosted by the New Taipei City government, where he was joined by former President Ma Ying-jeou (). Meanwhile, aspiring presidential candidate Terry Gou () took part in another celebratory event hosted by the Taipei City government. (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address KMT agrees to discuss TPP proposal for joint presidential ticket (update) ROC Central News Agency 10/10/2023 05:31 PM Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) Taiwan's two opposition parties, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT), could be closer to agreeing on collaboration terms for the 2024 election after the KMT agreed to a TPP proposal to discuss a potential joint presidential ticket on Tuesday. The TPP has said that whoever has the highest opinion poll ratings out of KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih () and TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je () should be on the ticket as the presidential candidate, with the losing side proposing the option for vice president. According to Lee Li-chen (), spokesperson for Hou's campaign, it is essential that any KMT-TPP cooperation revolves around the idea of working toward 'the greater good' Regarding cooperation parameters, the KMT maintains an open stance without specific preconditions, including a willingness to discuss using opinion polls to determine who runs as the presidential candidate, she said in a press release Tuesday. With less than 100 days remaining until Taiwan's 2024 presidential election, recent polls indicate a likely win for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, Lai Ching-te (), while Hou and Ko compete for second, and independent Terry Gou () trails behind. This indicates that cooperation between Ko and Hou could be crucial if the DPP is to be defeated. Lee also urged the TPP to promptly appoint representatives for bilateral discussions following Hou's proposal Monday that King Pu-tsung (), the executive officer of his campaign office and KMT secretary-general Justin Huang (), engage in preliminary discussions with Ko's team. In response, Ko said in a press conference held later on Tuesday that his campaign director, Huang Shan-shan (), and campaign manager, Chou Yu-hsiu (), will engage in discussions with the KMT to explore potential collaboration options. The former Taipei mayor outlined how the priority of the initial talks will be to organize three policy debates between Ko and Hou. Subsequently, there will be a comparative analysis of poll results. Addressing queries from reporters, Huang, who served as Ko's deputy during his mayoral term, underscored the importance of transparency and openness while the two sides are communicating. The TTP aims to wrap up the debates and polling by the end of this month, about 24 days before the deadline for presidential and vice-presidential candidates to register their candidacy, she added. Meanwhile, Gou said to his supporters on Tuesday that he understands "the public's eagerness for opposition cooperation" and hinted that "new hope" could soon emerge, without expanding. (By Wang Chen-chung, Chen Yu-ting, Kuo Chien-shen and Chung Yu-chen) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsai's last 'Double Tenth' speech a 'self-boasting show'; peace calling fails to hide secessionist essence Global Times By Wang Qi Published: Oct 10, 2023 09:31 PM Taiwan island's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday said that despite "external challenges," she's willing to develop relations with the Chinese mainland based on a mutually acceptable foundation for interaction and maintain peaceful and stable cross-Straits relations in her "Double Tenth" speech. Analysts said the speech was full of self-boasting and attempted to deceive the Taiwan people, as it's not hard to find that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s secessionism and concept of "resisting reunification with force" remains unchanged, making Tsai's talk of "maintaining peace and the status quo across the Straits" hypocritical and wishful thinking. The 2023 Double Tenth Day marks the 112 anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, which ultimately led to the collapse of the imperial Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and thousands of years of Chinese monarchy. Taiwan secessionists also commemorate the day as Taiwan's "national day" by distorting historical fact. The outgoing regional leader will leave office in May 2024 after the island's election. Tsai listed her achievements in economic development, promoting livelihoods, and external relations as examples of the island's "increased strength." "Taiwan's democratic achievements have set a benchmark for the world... Taiwan at this moment has become a Taiwan of the world," Tsai boasted, per island-based media. Regarding cross-Straits relations, Tsai said she's willing to develop with the mainland a mutually acceptable foundation for interaction and a path to peaceful coexistence. She said that "maintaining the status quo, as the largest common denominator for all sides, is the critical key to ensuring peace." Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded on Tuesday that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, which is the true status quo in the Taiwan Straits. "In order to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, we must unequivocally adhere to the one-China principle, oppose Taiwan secession and oppose external interference." The greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits is the DPP authorities' stubborn adherence to their separatist stance and their collusion with external forces. No matter what the DPP authorities say or do, they will not be able to change the general trend of China's reunification, Wang said. Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Tsai bragged about her "achievements" while hiding the problems that arose during her term, such as the breakup of nine "diplomatic relations" and the aggravation of the wealth gap and social problems. Li Zhenguang, deputy director at the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University, said that Tsai's speech was the shortest of her Double Tenth speeches in the past four years. Although her rhetoric was relatively less irritating, it did not carry the connotation that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to the one and the same China. The peaceful development and resolution of cross-Straits relations must have a common political foundation, that is, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to the one and same China, without which Tsai's words are only wishful thinking, Li told the Global Times on Tuesday. "In fact, since Tsai came to power in 2016, secessionist operations frequently occurred, eroding the previous political basis for cross-Straits exchanges and communication, and cross-Straits relations have gradually moved from dAtente to tension and confrontation," Li said. Tsai, also mentioned the launching of the prototype of the island's first indigenous submarine, describing it as "a big step forward" in defense self-sufficiency. When it comes to the intention of Tsai's emphasis on maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, experts say it is due to the approach of the regional leader election, as Taiwan people still have many concerns about the DPP, especially about its candidate Lai Ching-te's secessionist stance, which could trigger a conflict and even crisis. Coupled with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the shadows brought about by war are also visible to Taiwan people, Zhang said. The Kuomintang (KMT), the main opposition party on the island, skipped Tsai's speech on Tuesday, with KMT 2024 regional election candidate Hou Yu-ih slamming the DPP for adopting the English name "Taiwan national day" instead of "Double Tenth" day. Hou said the move is intentional, as the DPP aims to "move Taiwan toward secession," Taiwan-based media reported. Former Taiwan regional leader Ma Ying-jeou also said on Tuesday that the subtle name change is not only nudging Taiwan in a dangerous direction but also misleading the local people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan says peace 'only option' to settle political differences with China Iran Press TV Tuesday, 10 October 2023 5:25 PM Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), says the self-ruled island considers peace as the "only option" to settle political differences with China, which views the island as part of its territory. Secessionist Tsai, who will leave office in May next year, said during her speech at Taiwan's "National Day" on Tuesday that the island seeks "peaceful coexistence" with China. She strongly asserted Taipei's military might against what she called Beijing's threats to invade. "Let me reiterate that peace is the only option across the Taiwan Strait. Maintaining the status quo, as the largest common denominator for all sides, is the critical key to ensuring peace." "Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo. Differences across the strait must be resolved peacefully." China has sovereignty over the Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries, including the United States, recognize that sovereignty. However, the US, which has long courted Taipei in an attempt to unnerve Beijing, infuriates China by selling weapons to the self-governed island in violation of its own official policy. Taiwan's military purchases from Washington have come under growing military and political pressure from Beijing, including two major sets of Chinese military exercises in the vicinity of the island since August 2022, heightening fears of a conflict which would have global ramifications. "Since this is a time we can now face the world with confidence and resolve, we can also be calm and self-assured in facing China, creating conditions for peaceful coexistence and future developments across the Taiwan Strait," Tsai said. China describes Taiwan as the most sensitive and significant issue in its relations with the US, and the topic remains a constant source of friction between Beijing and Washington. Beijing has time and again said it will use force, if necessary, to add Taiwan to China's mainland. President Xi Jinping, in an address to the 20th Communist Party Congress in October 2022, made the same warning. The Chinese leader said at the time that mainland China would continue to seek peaceful unification with the "greatest sincerity and the utmost effort" but would "absolutely never promise to renounce the use of force" and "reserve the option of taking all necessary measures." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 10, 2023 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2023/10/10 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 10, 2023 09:00iUTC+8i 1.Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Monday to Tuesday, Oct. 9-10 2.PLA activitiesis 4 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities. 3. Illustration of flight paths is not provided due to no trace of PLA aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entering Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ during the time frame. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "The integration of Europe will have been completed only after TArkiye's full membership to the Union" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey .10.10.2023 Holding a joint press conference with Chancellor Nehammer of Austria, President ErdoAYan said: "We exchanged views on the TArkiye-European Union relations during our meeting with Mr. Chancellor. The integration of Europe will have been completed only after TArkiye's full membership to the Union. I particularly underscored, at this point, that we will accept no alternative to the full membership." President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan and Chancellor Karl Nehammer of Austria held a join press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Complex. Drawing attention to the historic nature of the visit taking place at the Chancellor level after 22 years, President ErdoAYan said: "The sincere dialogue we have forged with President Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria and Mr. Chancellor has indeed paved the way for a new page in the TArkiye-Austria relations. We share a joint will to strengthen our relations. Accordingly, we stressed during our meeting that high-level visits should continue." "WE WILL ACCEPT NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE FULL MEMBERSHIP" Pointing to the deep-rooted history of the TArkiye-Austria relations, President ErdoAYan said: "Next year, we will mark the 100th anniversary of the TArkiye-Austria Friendship Agreement and the 60th anniversary of the Labor Recruitment Agreement. We will jointly carry out the necessary works to duly observe these anniversaries." President ErdoAYan stated: "During our meeting with Mr. Chancellor, we also exchanged views on the TArkiye-European Union relations. It is already well known that we are sincere as regards the improvement of our ties with the European Union, and that we have reaffirmed our country's will in this respect. We, however, cannot see the same attitude from the European Union side. The integration of Europe will have been completed only after TArkiye's full membership to the Union. I particularly underscored, at this point, that we will accept no alternative to the full membership." "IT IS NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE, WITH EAST AL-QUDS AS ITS CAPITAL" Noting that the recent developments in the Middle East as well as the Russia-Ukraine war were on the agenda during their meeting, President ErdoAYan said: "A permanent peace can be achieved in the Middle East only if an ultimate solution is found to the Palestine-Israel issue. It is necessary to establish an independent and geographically-integrated Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with east al-Quds as its capital. So long as we are late in doing so, our region will not be able to get rid of the spiral of conflicts, bloodshed and tears. Any step that may escalate tension, cause more bloodshed, and exacerbate the problems in the region must be avoided." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia allocates half a million euros to Ukraine for winterisation aid Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10.10.2023 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is allocating half a million euros worth of humanitarian aid to Ukraine to help it prepare for winter. The aid will reach the people of Ukraine through the Estonian Refugee Council and NGO Mondo, the strategic humanitarian partners of the Foreign Ministry. An estimated 17.6 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in Ukraine, which is 40% of Ukraine's population. "Russia's aggression caused the most serious humanitarian crisis of 21st century Europe in Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine have shown extreme resilience," Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. "Support for Ukraine in meeting its humanitarian needs is part of Estonia's comprehensive assistance and Ukraine continues to be a priority country in our humanitarian aid policy." "Since the start of the full-scale war, an estimated 1.4 million homes have been damaged or destroyed in Ukraine; assistance needs are the greatest in regions close to the frontline," Tsahkna said. "The arrival of winter brings new needs - last winter we saw Russia's numerous attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in violation of international humanitarian law." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is allocating a200 000 to the Estonian Refugee Council for buying solid fuels for the most vulnerable internally displaced civilians in Ukraine, and for Ukrainian refugees in Georgia to help them cope with winter conditions. NGO Mondo is allocated nearly a301 000 for repairing and insulating two centres for internally displaced people in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, and for supplying heating devices, solid fuels and generators to eight refugee centres in the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk oblasts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Certain state hindered resolving Ukraine plane crash case: Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 10, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that negotiations regarding the Ukrainian plane crash have not yielded any significant results, due to political interference from a certain government, causing Ukraine, Britain, Canada, and Sweden to disregard Iran's diplomatic efforts. Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down near the Iranian capital Tehran on January 8, 2020, as a result of a misaligned radar and a mistake by an air defense operator. The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement explaining the failure of this round of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 2-3, arguing that the other side disregarded the Iranians' efforts and neglected international regulations, focusing instead on political objectives based on ambiguous data. This resulted in a gap in stances between the Iranian delegation and the four countries, leading to a stalemate in the negotiations. The Iranian delegation intended to provide the other side with a comprehensive report on their actions with the aim of showing goodwill and transparency; however, the report was not presented as a result of the other party's lack of cooperation in holding functional talks free from any prejudgment and accusation, the Foreign Ministry noted. The statement also highlighted that Iran has published the technical report of the incident with participation from relevant states ahead of schedule specified in international regulations. Furthermore, Iran has allocated $150,000 for each victim as a gesture of sympathy towards the families of the victims. The Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized its commitment to continue negotiations while standing firmly against hostile stances and baseless allegations. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy, Iohannis Discuss Romanian Defense Aid For Ukraine, Doubling Grain Transit By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, RFE/RL's Romanian Service October 10, 2023 President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said after talks in Bucharest with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis on October 10 that the two sides discussed military aid for Ukraine, and that "there will soon be very good news about artillery and air defense." He also confirmed that a center for training Ukrainian pilots on U.S.-made F-16 warplanes will be established in Romania. "We agreed a future strategic partnership between Romania and Ukraine and we instructed our teams to prepare the basis of this document," Zelenskiy said at a news conference with Iohannis after signing a joint declaration with Iohannis during his first visit to Ukraine's NATO neighbor since the start of Russia's invasion. "I thank the whole Romanian people for its backing and help for Ukraine. I will always remember how warmly our people were welcomed here. Romania gave us military and humanitarian aid," Zelenskiy said after talks with Iohannis at Cotroceni Palace. Zelenskiy referred to "good agreements on weapons," saying that while he can't reveal everything now, "the shells are a plus, the air defense enhancement is a plus." He said the pilot training center for the F-16 fighter jet is being created in Romania, and Ukrainian pilots will be among the first to be trained. Zelenskiy also said more must be done to protect against Russian missile and drone that attacks that threaten the Black Sea area. Since the collapse in July of a United Nations-brokered deal allowing the safe passage of Ukrainian grain shipments from Black Sea ports, Ukraine has used its Danube ports of Reni and Izmayil on the border with NATO member Romania to ship food to the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta. "We agreed to double the transit capacity for Ukrainian grain through Romanian ports to 4 million tons," Iohannis announced. Russia has launched several drone attacks on Reni and Izmayil, damaging port facilities and grain installations, while Russian drone fragments have landed on Romanian territory, unsettling those living in border areas even though there was no damage or injuries. "Every Russian missile or drone that attacks our ports [threatens the Black Sea area]. We must do everything possible to prevent Russia from turning the Danube and Black Sea into a dead area," Zelenskiy said. Iohannis in turn said Romania is backing Ukraine and Moldova's opening membership negotiations with the European Union by the end of this year. Ukraine and Moldova were invited to open accession talks with the 27-member bloc in June 2022. "I will personally plead for this at the European Council in December. It is a decision that will confirm the two countries' progresses despite extremely difficult conditions," Iohannis said. Iohannis also said he assured Zelenskiy of Romania's determination to continue "multidimensional and consistent support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, including military support, for as long as it takes until victory against Russian aggression." The General Staff of the Ukrainian military said 75 combat clashes took place during the day along the front line, adding in its evening summary on October 10 that the operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine "remains difficult." The statement cited the situation near Avdiyivka, saying Russian forces intensified their offensive there. The General Staff said the Russians sent up to three battalions supported by tanks and armored vehicles into clashes in Avdiyivka, Pervomaisky, and other areas of the Donetsk region. "Our defenders repelled all enemy attacks and did not allow the loss of lines and positions," the General Staff said. Avdiyivka has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance as Kyiv's forces hold on in the face of relentless Russian attacks. "Our Avdiyivka is under massive attacks by Russian artillery and aviation," presidential aide Andriy Yermak later said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter Overnight, Ukrainian air defense shot down 26 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia on three southern regions, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in its earlier report on October 10. "The Russian Federation carried out another air strike against Ukraine, using 36 Shahed-136/131 type attack UAVs. Twenty-six drones were destroyed by air-defense forces," the message said. The Russian drones were launched against targets in the Odesa, Mykolayiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. There were unconfirmed reports of an explosion in the city of Odesa. Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said unspecified "logistics infrastructure" had been hit. On the battlefield, the Ukrainian military said it had repelled five Russian counterattacks in the northeastern Kharkiv region and in the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. The General Staff said Ukrainian forces are continuing offensive operations in the Bakhmut area of Donetsk and in the Melitopol direction of the southern Zaporizhzhya region. Since the start of their counteroffensive, Ukrainian troops have been attempting to retake Bakhmut, a town captured earlier this year by Russian forces after months of some of the bloodiest fighting in the war. Ukrainian troops have also focused on reaching the city of Melitopol in an attempt to cut off a land bridge that links Moscow-occupied territory in the east to the Crimean Peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. The battlefield reports could not be independently verified. With reporting by AP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drone-strikes- ukraine-counteroffensive-war/32630742.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Pranay Chaudhry New Canadian Media The Canadian population is currently well north of 40 million, growing by over one million between the summer of 2022 and 2023, which has been significantly aided by a large number of immigration programs and pathways. Like with most initiatives that attempt to strengthen our rapidly changing socio-economic landscape, newfound solutions and implementations will always have their fair share of constructive criticism. However, sometimes its good to take a step back and realize that the multitude of immigration programs that currently exist sometimes go under-appreciated, although they allow families to re-unite and individuals are provided with more opportunities to experience Canadian culture and settle here permanently. The most common economic immigration pathway available to new immigrants to obtain their Permanent Residency in Canada is through the Express Entry system, first started in January 2015. At the peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Express Entry system issued more than 114,431 Invitations To Apply, to candidates seeking Permanent Residency in 2021. It was a surprising number considering the closed borders and limited travel. Those candidates came almost entirely from individuals already in the country who were working towards improving their chances of being Invited To Apply for Permanent Residency by gaining Canadian educational qualifications and obtaining Canadian work experience. It illustrated that while Canada is one of the most attractive destinations in the world for individuals who are still on the outside looking in, there is also significant interest from potential candidates who have experienced our culture and quality of life and wish to call Canada home permanently. It is not a surprise then, that we have seen record-breaking immigration numbers year-over-year, from a bit of a dip of 226,309 in 2020 when the Pandemic had just begun, to a sharp increase to 492,984 in 2021, and 437,180 in 2022, and with a goal of inviting up to 505,000 additional Permanent Residents in 2023. To reach these numbers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made some notable changes to the Express Entry system, by introducing targeted occupation-specific draws such as individuals in agriculture and agri-food candidates working as agriculture service contractors, farm supervisors, retail and wholesale butchers, with a minimum CRS score of 354 as of the draw on September 28, 2023. Additional recent draws have also focused on newcomers with transport experience such as commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers, with a recent September 20, 2023, draw minimum CRS score of 435 and the recent Federal Skilled Trades draw on August 3, 2023, with a minimum CRS score of 388. The advantages to these occupation-specific draws are the greater ability to meet the eligibility requirements and the chances of receiving an Invitation To Apply, which are now higher for individuals in these in-demand occupations without them necessarily being compared to individuals who have professional degrees and work experience. The increase in professional candidates has affected the Canadian Experience Class pathway of the Express Entry system, contributing to recent all-program draws sharply increasing to CRS scores north of 500, a number significantly higher than the minimum CRS scores needed pre-COVID 19, where a general range of 438 to 475 was commonly accepted. These new implementations to the system allow for pathways to be more tailor-made to suit the realistic circumstances that candidates in other occupations are in, as they are extremely valuable to our economy, our quality of life as a society, and most importantly, deserve to have their skills and qualifications highlighted in a way that will provide them with better opportunities to be able to permanently reside in Canada. Outside of the Express Entry system, the different Sponsorship programs are another common pathway for candidates who wish to re-unite their families in Canada permanently. Earlier this year, IRCC implemented key public policies to aid Spousal Sponsorships, allowing the applicants the opportunity to apply for a work permit so they can work in Canada while their application is being processed. This policy was previously only available to candidates who were eligible for Inland applications. However, Canadian immigration has rightly responded to the criticism they received, as there are candidates who are mostly residing in Canada but need to travel in and out of Canada to attend to family matters at home, making them realistically only able to apply for the Outland pathway. These new public policies allow for these candidates to have the choice to pick the pathway that is more suitable to them without necessarily sacrificing their ability to work in Canada. In addition, these new Temporary Resident Visa and Work Permit options for Spousal Sponsorships have also been given priority, as the application processing times are expedited. Nevertheless, there is valid constructive criticism of Canadian immigration and its pathways, programs, and processing times. The criticism is an essential part of the process as well, as it allows IRCC to actively streamline and improve their pathways and programs by understanding the issues real newcomers are facing. However, with several different avenues to immigration already existing, sometimes a suitable program may already exist but has not been given as much of a spotlight. Pranay Chaudhry is an immigration lawyer at JC Law Professional Corporation. He has a law degree from the University of London, UK, and he also holds a Masters in Law from SUNY University at Buffalo, New York, USA. Population report highlights Ukraine Loses Over 350 Troops in Donetsk, South Donetsk Directions in Past Day Sputnik News 20231010 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost more than 350 soldiers both killed and injured in the Donetsk and South Donetsk directions over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday. Over the given period, the Russian armed forces repelled two attacks by the Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk direction, two attacks in the South Donetsk direction, four attacks in the Kupyansk direction, and two attacks in the Krasny Liman direction. "Over the past day in this [Donetsk] direction, the enemy's losses amounted to 165 Ukrainian military personnel killed and wounded, two armored combat vehicles and three cars," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Kiev lost up to 200 servicemen in the South Donetsk direction. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis President of Ukraine 10 October 2023 - 22:20 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid an official visit to Romania upon invitation of the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis. The Presidents of Ukraine and Romania had talks, following which they: - underlined that they share the vision of relations between Ukraine and Romania as a Strategic Partnership based on the principles of good neighbourliness, shared democratic values and respect for international law. They decided to build a Strategic Partnership between Ukraine and Romania and asked their teams to begin working on this, without delay; - agreed to further intensify their efforts aimed at developing a solid and comprehensive relationship between Romania and Ukraine, based on mutual trust, respect, and solidarity; reaffirmed in this context their commitment for a positive, predictable, forward-looking, project-based agenda of cooperation between Romania and Ukraine, to be pursued in a constructive spirit; - confirmed unconditional support and commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters. Ukraine is grateful to Romania for its meaningful defence assistance package provided since the beginning of the large scale invasion; - resolutely condemned the ongoing war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and agreed on the imperative to continue practical assistance to the Ukrainian state for as long as necessary to achieve victory over the aggressor state and establish a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace; - expressed full support for the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Presidents positively noted Romania's particular interest for and involvement in the "Food security" and "Radiation and nuclear security" points of the Peace Formula and called on all states that respect norms of international law and principles of the UN Charter to support the implementation process of this initiative; - confirmed the joint intention to use all available international formats to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine, including the International Crimea Platform; - noted the readiness to continue and deepen cooperation on issues of strengthening the security in the Black Sea region, response to the challenges and of the consequences of the Russian armed aggression as well as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. In this context they welcomed the successful First Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform, jointly organized by Ukraine and Romania in Bucharest in April 2023, and expressed their desire that the conference will become an annual event; - emphasized that today Ukraine and Romania jointly make a critical contribution to ensuring global food security by virtue of the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through the territory of Romania. The Presidents supported ongoing, coordinated efforts to double the transit volumes through Romania from the current 2 million tons to 4 million tons per month; - welcomed the fact that a new railway route for transit of grain from Ukraine will be opened soon connecting it with Romanian ports. They commended Romania's readiness to step up the export potential for products originating in Ukraine; - agreed to keep a close, transparent, predictable and principled coordination regarding the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romania, to continue finding common solutions in good faith and swiftly and fully implement the already agreed ones; - underlined the importance of improving the connectivity between Romania and Ukraine, including through the development of existing transport infrastructure, facilitation of border crossings and the removal of bottlenecks, and the establishment of new border crossing points; - highly valued Romania's multidimensional assistance to meet the needs of Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens since the first days of the full-scale military invasion of the Russian Federation and noted the importance of continuing such support; - agreed on the importance of starting training of the Ukrainian pilots within the dedicated F16 training centre in Romania and agreed that Ukrainian pilots will be included in the first wave of such training. The Presidents noted that this, along with the participation of Ukrainian soldiers at other training facilities in Romania, is an important contribution of Romania to the strengthening of Ukraine's defence capabilities; - strongly condemned the grave crimes and atrocities committed by the Russian military and officials, including deliberate and indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure of Ukraine, other war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Presidents confirmed their commitment for full accountability for all crimes committed in Ukraine, including for the crime of aggression. They saluted in this respect the ongoing investigations carried out by the International Criminal Court, the activity of the Joint Investigation Team and the establishment of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine as well as the activity of the Core Group of States aiming at identifying the most adequate legal solutions for the establishment of Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression in Ukraine; - strongly condemned the deliberate and systematic Russian attacks against the civilian infrastructure, including of the Ukrainian ports on the Danube, which affected both banks of the Danube, pose serious threats to the safety of citizens and are war crimes that further undermine the Ukrainian economy, food security, including at the global level, and violate free navigation on the Danube and in the Black Sea; - emphasized that the sanctions introduced by the EU and the wider international community against the Russian Federation should be maintained and strengthened until the full restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; - agreed on the importance of implementing an effective policy of isolation of the Russian Federation, as an aggressor state, in the framework of international organizations; - noted the importance of Romania joining the group of founding countries of the International Register of Damages caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (under the auspices of the Council of Europe); - stated the importance of Romania's participation in the implementation of projects for the reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine, as well as the use of the Romanian logistics and transport infrastructure as a hub for partner countries participating in the implementation of projects in Ukraine; - noted Romania's firm support for Ukraine's progress towards the strategic goal of full membership in the European Union. The Presidents positively assessed the results of Ukraine's implementation of seven recommendations of the European Commission. They took note of Ukraine's commitment to carry out and fully implement in a sustainable manner all the reforms required in the process of European integration, notably those aimed at strengthening democracy, the rule of law and the respect of human rights, including those of persons belonging to national minorities. The Presidents emphasized the need for a political decision to be taken by the end of 2023 on opening the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova; - noted the consistency of joint efforts to support Ukraine's integration into NATO and implementation of relevant standards, including in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Statement of the Presidents of Ukraine and Romania on the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine dated June 1, 2023; - welcomed the fact that Romania became a signatory of the Joint Declaration of the G7 on support for Ukraine and Romania's willingness to start negotiations for a bilateral framework with Ukraine in this respect; - emphasized the importance of using existing cooperation mechanisms within the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, UNESCO, IAEA, etc., as well as of regional formats - including the trilateral Ukraine-Romania-Republic of Moldova, the Three Seas Initiative, the Bucharest 9 - to strengthen practical assistance to Ukraine and foster cooperation between respective countries on security, energy, infrastructure and other projects; - reaffirmed mutual determination to strengthen practical cooperation between Ukraine and Romania in all spheres of mutual interest. The Presidents emphasized that the first Joint session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Romania in October 2023 in Kyiv should make a new impetus in fostering such cooperation; - noted the importance of effective cooperation aimed at ensuring the rights of the persons belonging to the Ukrainian national minority in Romania, and of the persons belonging to the Romanian national minority in Ukraine, including by developing the bilateral legal framework, based on the principle of equivalent level of protection of the rights of persons belonging to the Romanian minority in Ukraine and the persons belonging to the Ukrainian minority in Romania, taking into account international obligations and standards; - tasked the Governments to resolve, without delay, the issue of the artificial distinction between the Romanian and "Moldovan" languages, with due regard to all legal aspects. - highlighted the importance of joint efforts, both bilaterally and in multilateral formats, to counter foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), in particular Russian disinformation and propaganda; - stated that Ukraine and Romania demonstrate resolve to further strengthen interstate relations on the basis of mutual trust and respect, openness and comprehensive cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both states. Signed on 10 October 2023, in Bucharest, Romania, in two copies, both in English. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Romania Klaus Iohannis NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strategic relations between Ukraine and Romania are a new force for the entire Black Sea region - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 10 October 2023 - 20:48 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! A really good visit to Romania. A fruitful one. Meetings with President Iohannis, the heads of the chambers of the Romanian parliament, MPs, and the Prime Minister of Romania. What have we achieved? First, there are good agreements on weapons. I can't disclose everything now, but shells - affirmative, bolstering air defense - affirmative. We are still preparing some things. They will be powerful. A training center for F-16 pilots is being set up in Romania, and Ukrainian pilots will be among the first to be trained. Secondly, we stated that we are moving to the level of strategic partnership. There is a very clear meaning behind this political wording. As President Iohannis told me, we can rely on Romania. Romania can definitely rely on Ukraine. Together, we will significantly strengthen our region. We are already making a critical contribution to global food security through cooperation in the Danube ports and in the western part of the Black Sea. There will be more cooperation. We are expanding our transport corridors, there will be more jobs and economic opportunities. Today we signed a joint statement of the presidents that outlines our plans for the future. Third, we will soon open a new railroad line through Moldova, which will become a new transport corridor. Together with Moldova, we are moving towards the start of negotiations on EU membership - with Romania's full support. I am grateful for this. The majority in the Romanian parliament supports us. The Romanian government - in the coming weeks, we are preparing a joint meeting of Ukrainian and Romanian government officials. I am grateful to Mr. President Iohannis, the entire Romanian political class and society. Our strategic relations are a new force for the entire Black Sea region. If we succeed in implementing everything we have planned now and which our teams will be working on, this part of Europe will get a new source of economic and security development. Thank you to everyone who supports us! It is good that today we managed to bolster our defense! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Presidents of Ukraine and Romania sign a Joint Declaration President of Ukraine 10 October 2023 - 20:28 Following a meeting in Bucharest, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Romania Klaus Iohannis signed a Joint Declaration. The signing followed bilateral talks between delegations chaired by the leaders of Ukraine and Romania. "We have just signed a bilateral declaration that sets out the key points of our cooperation - security, in particular in the Black Sea region, support for our Peace Formula, and the expansion of our economic and logistics cooperation," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with media representatives following talks with Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest. As noted by the President of Ukraine, the document also reflects the issues of transport connectivity, simplification of border crossing procedures, opening of new Ukrainian-Romanian border crossing points and approaches of the parties in cooperation with national communities. Separately, in the Joint Declaration, the presidents stated their shared vision of relations between Ukraine and Romania as a strategic partnership based on the principles of good neighborliness, common democratic values, and respect for international law. "We have decided to build a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Romania and have asked our teams to begin working on this, without delay," the document says. For his part, the Romanian President noted that the leaders of the two countries had begun a concrete process of bringing relations between Ukraine and Romania to the level of strategic partnership, and the signed document outlines the fundamental framework for further cooperation between the two countries. "Today we are focused on helping Ukraine win the war. But as neighbors and partners, we have a duty and obligation to look at our relations in the long term," Klaus Iohannis emphasized. In the Joint Declaration, the presidents strongly condemned the ongoing war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and agreed on the need to continue to assist Ukraine for as long as it is necessary. In addition, the parties expressed full support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, noted Romania's interest in engaging in the implementation of a number of points of the Formula, and called on all states to back the implementation of this initiative. In the document, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Klaus Iohannis noted their readiness to deepen cooperation to enhance security in the Black Sea region, supported efforts to double the volume of transit through Romania to 4 million tons per month, and agreed to maintain coordination on the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romania. The presidents agreed on the priority of training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s at a training center in Romania. The parties also emphasized the need to bring to justice all those responsible for the crime of aggression in Ukraine and stated that sanctions against the Russian Federation should be preserved and intensified. They also emphasized the importance of joint efforts to counter Russian disinformation and propaganda. In addition, the presidents emphasized the importance of Romania's participation in the implementation of projects to rebuild Ukraine. Romania's firm support for Ukraine's progress toward EU membership was declared, including the need to make a political decision by the end of 2023 to open negotiations on EU accession for Ukraine and Moldova. In addition, the heads of state expressed support for Ukraine's integration into NATO and praised Romania's readiness to start negotiations on a bilateral security agreement in the framework of the G7 Joint Declaration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President meets with Prime Minister of Romania in Bucharest President of Ukraine 10 October 2023 - 19:34 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Romania Marcel Ciolacu in Bucharest. The Head of State expressed gratitude to the Romanian government for the significant practical assistance to our country since the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. The President praised the constructive and efficient interaction at the level of executive authorities of the two countries, particularly the preparation of the first in the history of bilateral relations joint meeting of the governments of Ukraine and Romania in Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Marcel Ciolacu discussed defense support for Ukraine and strengthening bilateral cooperation at the defense industry level. The parties emphasized the critical contribution of Ukraine and Romania to global food security, in particular, ensuring the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products to third country markets. They emphasized the importance of implementing the agreements on doubling the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through the territory of Romania. The President and the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the rights of the representatives of the Ukrainian national minority in Romania and the representatives of the Romanian national minority in Ukraine, in particular by developing a bilateral legal framework in line with international obligations and standards. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President met with the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament President of Ukraine 10 October 2023 - 18:57 In Bucharest, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Senate Nicolae CiucA and Acting President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament Alfred Simonis. The Head of State expressed gratitude to the leaders of both chambers of the Romanian Parliament for their clear position in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. "I am grateful to your country, your society for the strong support of all Ukrainians, for sheltering our people from the first day of full-scale Russian aggression. We have seen true strong friends. I also thank the Romanian Parliament for important resolutions in our support," the President said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the adoption of a declaration by Romanian senators and parliamentarians on the anniversary of the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion, as well as consistent support for Ukraine's initiatives in international parliamentary formats. The Head of State underscored the importance of the parliamentary dimension for the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories. The parties also emphasized the importance of participation of the partner countries in the second parliamentary summit of the Crimea Platform. Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the adoption by the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament of the declaration on the recognition of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a crime against humanity and appealed to the speakers of both chambers to take the next step - the adoption by the Romanian Parliament of a decision to recognize this terrible crime as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. In Bucharest, the President also laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Head of State honored the memory of the fallen soldiers with a moment of silence and made an entry in the Book of Honorary Guests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "Grain corridor" from Ukraine through Moldova to Romania to be launched shortly - Volodymyr Zelenskyy following talks with Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest President of Ukraine 10 October 2023 - 18:04 In Bucharest, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Romania Klaus Iohannis. The Head of State emphasized that he was visiting Bucharest for the first time since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. He expressed gratitude to Klaus Iohannis, his entire team and the people of Romania for the vital and sincere assistance to our country and Ukrainians in this difficult time. "Romania has provided Ukraine with defense, political, and very important humanitarian and economic support. We are grateful for every manifestation of your solidarity and will always remember that at a decisive moment, Romania did not hesitate to choose Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized during a meeting with media representatives following the talks with Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest. He noted the extremely important decision to train Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Romania at the newly established Pilot Training Center. "We discussed with Mr. President how to accelerate such training and agreed that Ukrainian pilots would be included in the first wave of training," the Head of State said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also informed his counterpart about the situation on the battlefield and the defense needs of the Ukrainian army. As a result of today's talks, there will be good news regarding artillery and air defense, the Head of State noted. The President emphasized that Russia is firing missiles and "shaheds" at Ukraine's port infrastructure, so strengthening air defense is a key factor in protecting global food security, as it will prevent any part of the Black Sea and the Danube region from becoming a "dead zone" for shipping. "We are working with various partners to bolster our air defense both in the country as a whole and in Odesa region. We discussed with Mr. President our possible joint actions to protect not just ports, but the entire region. Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, and our people," he emphasized. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted one of the strategic areas of cooperation in the Ukraine-Romania-Moldova triangle. "The "grain corridor" from Ukraine through Moldova to Romania will start working soon, and this is an example of how much we can do together, which will be of great importance not only for us, but also for Europe and the world as a whole," the President noted. The Head of State noted that cooperation between Ukraine, Romania and Moldova provides a significant incentive for the development of business, infrastructure and jobs for our nations. He also expressed confidence that Ukraine and Moldova will become members of the European Union. "It is therefore important that Romania supports our countries on the path of European integration," he said. Klaus Iohannis, for his part, assured that Romania and Romanian society are determined to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in a multilateral and meaningful way, including through defense assistance, for as long as it takes - until the Russian aggressor is defeated, all Ukrainian territory is liberated, all those responsible for crimes are brought to justice, and then - in the process of restoring and rebuilding Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Zelenskyy Meets With Romanian Counterpart By VOA News October 10, 2023 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Bucharest on Tuesday to meet with his Romanian counterpart, Klaus Iohannis, where they discussed bilateral relations amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This meeting marks the first time Zelenskyy has officially visited Romania since Russia's invasion in February of last year. Romania, a member of the European Union and NATO, has been a supporter of the Ukrainian war effort, with President Iohannis stating his country is "focused on helping Ukraine win the war." Zelenskyy reiterated the two nations' steadfast relations and thanked Romania for continued military and humanitarian support. Zelenskyy stated on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the two countries' relations are crucial to "stability for Europe and beyond." Romania and Ukraine share a border along the Danube River, where Russia has been attacking Ukrainian ports in an effort to disrupt the nation's export of grain. Ukraine is a major world supplier of grain, and its economy relies heavily on that export. The nation has looked for alternate trade routes, and turned to Romania, which has stressed the importance of getting Ukrainian grain to the world. Twenty-seven million tons of Ukrainian farm goods have been exported from Romanian ports, according to Iohannis. Amid the backdrop of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of the Black Sea and Danube region, and emphasized the need for security in the area, stating that they cannot let the region turn into a "dead zone" for shipping. Among the announcements made Tuesday in a joint news conference, Zelenskyy stated that plans have been confirmed for training Ukrainian pilots in Romania to fly F-16 jets. Such plans were first considered by Romanian officials earlier this year. Following the invasion, millions of Ukrainian civilians fled to Romania with many moving on to third countries. Around 85,000 Ukrainian refugees are registered in Romania, under the EU's temporary protection directive. Ukraine-Middle East Addressing the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Monday, Zelenskyy drew a parallel between the atrocities committed on civilian populations in Ukraine and those on the people of Israel. "The only difference is that there is a terrorist organization that attacked Israel, and here is a terrorist state that attacked Ukraine," he said, and called for unity amid the crisis. In a separate video address, Zelenskyy warned that Russia is interested in triggering a war in the Middle East, "so that a new source of pain and suffering could undermine world unity, increase discord and contradictions, and thus help Russia destroy freedom in Europe." "We see Russian propagandists gloating. We see Moscow's Iranian friends openly supporting those who attacked Israel. And all of this is a much greater threat than the world currently perceives," he added. In an exclusive interview with VOA's Ukrainian Service, Ukraine Main Directorate of Intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said the Russian special services are using the terrorist attacks on Israel in an anti-Ukrainian propaganda campaign. Yusov claimed that Ukrainian intelligence received information that Russia has funneled to Hamas "trophy" weapons captured by Russia in Ukraine. This move, Yusov alleged, is meant to implicate Ukraine as a supplier of Western weaponry to Hamas terrorists and subsequently discredit it "in the eyes of the free world, its partners and allies." Yusov added such a propaganda campaign aims "to disrupt or complicate the provision of further Western military assistance" to Ukraine. "These are fakes and provocations, of course," Yusov said. "All aid to Ukraine and all armaments are under strict control by our partners, the United States and the countries of the European Union, NATO. The results of this control and the results of inspections have been reported on several times. Ukraine is being as transparent and open as possible," he said. A warning that the Kremlin "is already and will likely continue to exploit the Hamas attacks on Israel" a to hype its rhetoric against Western interference in Ukraine, demoralize Ukrainians and reassure Russians the focus of the West on the Israeli crisis will deflect its attention from the war in Ukraine a was reiterated Sunday by the Institute for the Study of War. Following Hamas' attacks in Israel on October 7, the Kremlin primarily blamed the West for neglecting conflicts in the Middle East in favor of supporting Ukraine. The Kremlin claimed that the international community will turn its attention to the Middle East crisis and cease to focus on Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said that the United States and its allies should be "busy" with work on a "Palestinian-Israeli settlement" and not "interfere" in Russia's affairs and provide military aid to Ukraine, the ISW reports. VOA Ukrainian service reporter Mariia Ulianovska contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse, Reuters and The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Major new package of support for Ukraine's counter-offensive announced by Grant Shapps The Defence Secretary will today announce a new package of support for Ukraine and the signing of further air defence contracts, procured through the International Fund for Ukraine. 11 October 2023 A new package of military support for Ukraine, worth more than A100m, will be announced by the Defence Secretary today. It will help its armed forces clear minefields, maintain its vehicles, and shore up defensive fortifications to protect critical national infrastructure. The support package, which will be provided using money from the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), will be jointly announced today by the Defence Secretary and his counterparts from the IFU partner nations at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels. It comes as the final contract from the previously announced IFU package of air defence capability was signed, which will see more than A70m of capabilities provided to Ukraine - including the MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin, a platform which can track and destroy drones and protect critical national infrastructure. The UK and Denmark launched the IFU in 2022 and the UK engages closely with Ukraine to procure capability that best meets the needs of its armed forces. Since then, five other nations have contributed to the IFU, demonstrating the unity and resolve of allies and partners in supporting Ukraine. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: During my recent visit to Kyiv, I assured President Zelenskyy that the UK's support for Ukraine and their most urgent needs is unwavering. Today I am proud to announce that the UK, alongside our allies, is delivering on that promise with new contracts to provide Ukraine with critical air defence systems to protect civilians from Putin's barbaric bombing campaign, and more than A100 million of new equipment pledged to give Ukrainian soldiers what they need to breach Russia's deadly minefields. Today, the Defence Secretary attends his first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, where ministers from member countries and Ukraine will discuss the ongoing international response to Putin's illegal invasion. It provides an opportunity for the Defence Secretary to raise the UK's concerns regarding the crisis in Israel and Gaza, the developing situation regarding reported damage to undersea infrastructure between Finland and Estonia, as well as the UK's recent deployment to Kosovo in support of NATO's peacekeeping mission. The announcement comes after the Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy at the European Political Community in Grenada last week. The Ukrainian President has said that air defence is Ukraine's most critical capability need, and the Terrahawk Paladin will help deliver what Ukraine needs to protect its citizens from Putin's indiscriminate campaign of missile strikes against civilian targets. This latest package will also provide crucial equipment to help Ukrainian soldiers cross minefields, bridging capabilities to assist with river and trench crossings, and heavy duty plant vehicles to destroy Russian non-explosive obstacles and help build defensive positions to protect Ukraine's critical national infrastructure. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, said: This new package of support is the latest in an unprecedented and sustained effort by 50 nations to give Ukraine the tools it needs to counter Russia's aggression and recover what it has lost. This winter, Russia will seek to undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and divide the international community, but in both cases Putin underestimates the strength and resilience of his opposition. If we stick together, and stay the course, then Russia will continue to lose, Ukraine will prevail and the rules that matter to global security will endure. Ukraine is now the most mined country on earth, which has provided the biggest obstacle in the path of Ukraine's counter-offensive this year and mine clearing capabilities will be essential to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in pushing forward. Equipment from both the air defence package and mobility support package will arrive in the coming months, joining other IFU-funded equipment already in Ukraine, including around 100 uncrewed aerial systems. The IFU uses financial contributions from international partners to procure priority military assistance for Ukraine. This will ensure the continued supply of military support - lethal and non-lethal - to Ukraine through 2023 and beyond. To date, A785m has been raised through the IFU following contributions from the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Lithuania. The IFU has recently expanded to include Lithuania on its Executive Panel, which is now formed by the UK and six other nations which provide oversight and assurance of the Fund, including the endorsement of capability packages. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's remarks to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly United Nations Secretary-General 10 October 2023 [Bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English] Ambassador Osama Mahmoud, Chairman of the Fifth Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome this opportunity to introduce the proposed programme budget for 2024. This budget is being put forward as we face challenges on every front. Conflicts are disrupting the lives and livelihoods of millions. The nuclear threat is growing. Human rights are under assault and humanitarian needs are at record levels. Inequalities are growing wider and the prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals are growing more distant. And climate disasters are becoming more frequent, more deadly, and more costly. One in three countries is at high risk of a fiscal crisis, and almost half of those in extreme poverty live in countries with severe fiscal problems. The role of the United Nations has never been more vital - and we are stepping up our efforts. We have put forward Our Common Agenda to help accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism for the 21st century. I have proposed an SDG Stimulus to scale-up affordable, long-term financing for developing countries to help rescue the SDGs and I want to pay tribute to all Member States for the consensus achieved in the SDG Declaration that I consider one of the most important documents ever adopted by the General Assembly. We are advocating a Climate Solidarity Pact and Acceleration Agenda to help tackle the climate crisis before it is too late. On these and so many other fronts, we are determined to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights. Monsieur le PrAsident, Mesdames et Messieurs les reprAsentants, Les propositions du projet de budget-programme pour 2024 reflAtent notre engagement A amAliorer la vie des populations et Ariger une culture de progrAs constant pour pouvoir exAcuter nos mandats de maniAre efficace et rationnelle. Nos investissements dans la rAforme sont en train de porter leurs fruits. Le systAme des coordonnatrices et coordonnateurs rAsidents apporte un soutien renforcA et concertA aux pays pour la mise en Auvre du Programme 2030. Pas moins de 88 % des gouvernements hAtes ont indiquA que les coordonnatrices et coordonnateurs rAsidents assurent un leadership efficace et stratAgique A l'appui de leurs plans et prioritAs nationaux. Tous les Pays les moins avancAs et les Pays en dAveloppement sans littoral interrogAs ont indiquA que les activitAs du systAme des Nations Unies Ataient Atroitement alignAes sur leurs besoins et leurs prioritAs. Et tous les Petits Atats insulaires en dAveloppement ont indiquA que la collaboration entre les entitAs des Nations Unies s'Atait amAliorAe depuis la mise en place des rAformes. Cela Atant, le maintien de l'efficacitA du systAme des Nations Unies pour le dAveloppement dApendra de la mesure dans laquelle nous pourront garantir un financement suffisant et prAvisible. Les rAformes menAes dans le domaine de la paix et de la sAcuritA nous ont permis de commencer A mettre en Auvre des stratAgies rAgionales intAgrAes - et ainsi mieux coordonner notre action avec les organisations rAgionales et sous-rAgionales et d'autres parties prenantes. Il y a dAsormais un seul point de contact pour les missions de maintien de la paix et les missions politiques spAciales opArant dans une mAme rAgion et ayant des mandats distincts mais complAmentaires. Le Bureau d'appui A la consolidation de la paix, qui a AtA renforcA, est maintenant chargA d'assurer la jonction avec le pilier DAveloppement. Ces progrAs peuvent Atre consolidAs si cette Commission accueille favorablement ma demande de financement prAvisible et durable du Fonds pour la consolidation de la paix A travers des contributions statutaires. Et je tiens A souligner que tous les pays qui bAnAficient de ce fonds sont unanimes A reconnaAtre l'efficacitA du fonds, la rapiditA de l'action du fonds et surtout l'effet multiplicateur, notamment, en permettant que d'autres instruments financiers, y compris les banques internationales de dAveloppement puissent aussi joindre les efforts du fonds. Cet effet multiplicateur est extrAmement important pour les pays en dAveloppement qui n'ont pas un accAs facile A d'autres sources de financement. Nos rAformes de gestion rApondent A une logique d'amAlioration constante. Le soutien politique et opArationnel est plus ciblA et plus adaptA. Nous sommes davantage concentrAs sur notre action sur le terrain et ses rAsultats - et sommes devenus de plus en plus prestes et agiles. Et nous simplifions nos rAgles et procAdures. Nous renforAons Agalement les contrAles internes et A amAliorons la transparence en matiAre d'utilisation des ressources. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, More information has been made available to Member States and the Advisory Committee through portals -- namely the Budget Information Pilot and the Budget Results Dashboard "results.un.org" -- with better capabilities to retrieve and analyze resource and programmatic information. We have rolled out an Integrated Performance Management and Reporting capability that will in the future provide greater visibility to programme performance as we broaden its coverage and ensure consistent adoption. Member States have access to more information on staff and demographics through the new UN Secretariat Workforce portal. Uniformed Capabilities Support Portal provides visibility to Troop and Police Contributing Countries over the payment of their reimbursements and conclusion of memoranda of understanding. But the success of our efforts to improve programme delivery depends on the availability of cash. Our liquidity situation has worsened this year with lesser collections through the end of the third quarter. Specifically, we have collected only 64% this year compared to 71.9% in 2022 and 82.7% in 2021. This starts to be a very worrying trend in which payments are made later in the year, which creates as you can imagine an extremely difficult management problem. In August, we had to borrow the entire balance of the Working Capital Fund. In October, we will have to borrow from the Special Account. In November, we will come close to exhausting the surplus cash of Closed Tribunals, creating a crisis of payment unless collections improve. To align cash outflows with reserves, temporary cash management measures were introduced in mid-July in the hope of discontinuing them by end of September. Unfortunately, we had to introduce additional measures in September. As in the recent past, programme managers will strive to minimize the negative impact on programme delivery. But protracted cash conservation measures, including the suspension of hiring, will impact the delivery of some mandates. Even in the best-case scenario, we will be starting 2024 with less cash than 2023 because we have returned credits at the beginning of 2023. This illustrates the absurdity of our budget rules - that we have to return money that we could not spend during the year because we did not receive it on time. Therefore, unless the cash situation improves drastically before the end of the year, programme delivery in 2024 is likely to be impacted even more significantly. I thank the 137 Member States that have paid their contributions in full. I am encouraged that more Member States are paying earlier in full now than in the last 20 years, and appeal to all Member States to do so. Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, In December 2022, the General Assembly lifted the trial period and formalized the change to an annual budget period. We are grateful for the support and will continue to implement all the guidance from the General Assembly. The format of the 2024 programme budget has stabilized. The programme plans for 2024 reflect our increased results-orientation. Our 350 results frameworks continue to improve, moving further towards demonstrating the impact and positive change of our work on the ground. More than 60 percent of quantitative planned targets are now aiming to achieve a 10 percent or more increase in performance. This is an increase from 45 percent in the 2023 plans. And from less than 30 percent in the 2018-19 biennium. We have reduced duplication in the strategies and deliverables, while maintaining the same level of information. Our message is clear: every programme manager must look carefully at every dollar spent and planned to be spent. And they must constantly review and adjust programmatic activities to achieve planned results. This will allow us to optimize resources for mandate delivery and focus even more effectively on results. Let me now turn to the overall resource requirements in the proposed programme budget for 2024. To fully implement our mandates, we will require a total of $3.3 billion dollars. This includes a total of 10,334 posts, a net increase of 199, excluding special political missions. Most of the additional posts are required to implement new inter-governmental mandates. We are also proposing the conversion of posts from extrabudgetary funding to provide appropriate, sustainable, and predictable funding for mandated activities, mainly in the areas of counter terrorism and human rights. Further, you will consider later in the session, additional proposals for construction, revised estimates -- including for our efforts to address racial discrimination in the Secretariat -- and programme budget implications. We have made every effort to find efficiencies that would enable us to allocate more resources towards direct implementation of mandated programmatic activities. At the same time, resource requirements for support departments have reached the limit to ensure continued adequate policy, operation and communication support to programmatic areas. Overall -- excluding recosting, construction projects, and new mandates -- my proposed programme budget broadly remains at the 2023 level, and in real terms, below the 2019 budget level preceding my first annual programme budget. I would like to highlight four specific elements. First, we propose continued investment in sustainable development. We are seeking an increase of $4 million dollars for programmes in the development pillar. This is the fifth consecutive proposed increase for development. As a result, resources for the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation have increased by 30% compared to the 2019 approved levels. I have to say that I am a very strong supporter of this regular programme. One thing is to spend money with our own posts, the other thing is to be able to spend money providing direct support to governments in their action to promote development of their countries. And I think that progressively we should have a budget organization in which this capacity to support governments should increase in a substantial way. And we are proposing a 25% increase in the number of posts in OHRLLS to increase our capacity to support Least Developed and Landlocked Countries, as well as Small Island Developing States. I am also seeking an increase of 700 thousand dollars for DESA to implement the new mandate on enhancing global geospatial information management. I am proposing a financing modality for the Development Account that will ensure that future resource levels will amount to 0.5% of the approved budget of the prior year. This will ensure more predictability and less fluctuation from year to year, which will support project planning and improve implementation rates. Second, we seek to provide additional regular budget funding for human rights and UNRWA. Based on last year's guidance by the General Assembly, we are proposing an additional US $15 million, to convert to regular budget funding, the operational costs related to executive and management functions of the UNRWA which has been reliant on extrabudgetary resources. I cannot be more emphatic in relation to the needs of UNRWA. We are all aware of how dramatically important it is for the Palestinian people and for peace and stability - the work of UNRWA. Further, based on the Guidance from the General Assembly, we included new proposals for the consolidation of resources for mandates by the Human Rights Council in the proposed programme budget, to reduce fragmentation of budgetary proposals and allow for more predictability and better planning of resources used by the Office. We are also including regular budget funding for growing demands under existing mandates, to support intergovernmental proceedings, to strengthen evaluation, and to reduce the backlog of the treaty body process. Third, we propose strengthening support to Member States to counter terrorism. Our programme budget requests an additional US$4.3 million, including 24 posts, for the Office of Counter Terrorism, as a conversion from extrabudgetary resources, building on the proposals from last year. This is in line with the guidance from the General Assembly. And fourth, we need to strengthen data protection and privacy, and ensure the responsible flow, use and sharing of personal data by Secretariat entities in support of UN Mandates. As part of this effort, I am proposing the establishment of a small technical Office for Data Protection and Privacy to provide effective oversight, coordination and technical guidance on data protection and privacy management. In addition, we are committed to strengthen multilingualism, as mandated by the General Assembly, by enabling simultaneous press releases in all six UN official languages. This will allow us to amplify our voice, reach broader audiences and complement our social media and web presences. Our 2024 budget demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our workforce and make it fit for purpose. For instance, the rate of increase in the number of posts at the P-2 and P-3 levels is more than 10 times higher than the rate of increase of posts at the D-1 and above levels, which will help rejuvenate the Secretariat. This is a significant reversal of past trends. With this, the UN is also becoming increasingly less top-heavy. Of the 10,334 total posts proposed in the 2024 budget, less than 5% are proposed at the D-1 and above levels. Our budget proposes a shift towards new skills, including in the areas of data, innovation, digital, foresight and behavioral science expertise, in line with my data strategy and the vision for a UN 2.0. We are also sparing no effort to ensure that our workforce reflects the international character of the membership of the United Nations. I commend the General Assembly's decision to increase the number of geographical posts. This is critical to every dimension of our work. We are currently revising our geographical representation strategy to focus on attracting more staff from countries that are un-or under-represented and this is, for me, an absolute priority in my guidance to our management department and to our managers in general. Through our UN Information Centres, we are launching targeted outreach strategies in those countries. In the same vein, we will strive to expand opportunities for recruitment from as wide a geographical basis as possible for all posts. Let us not forget that the geographical posts have a specific indication, but the others have not. And so for the others we are really asking all our managers to have a clear priority in order to guarantee a balanced regional distribution, which to be honest, we have not inherited from the past. We have maintained gender parity at senior levels and, based on current projections, we will be able to reach parity at an Organizational level by 2028, with some particular difficulties in relation to field operations. And so, much work remains to achieve parity at every entity and every level. Against this backdrop, I look forward to your support for the 2024 budget proposals, as we prepare our Organization to better respond to the needs and demands of governments and people. I welcome this opportunity to engage with you today and assure you that our senior managers will continue to support your deliberations on these proposals. Thank you. ********************************************************************************** [All-English] Ambassador Osama Mahmoud, Chairman of the Fifth Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome this opportunity to introduce the proposed programme budget for 2024. This budget is being put forward as we face challenges on every front. Conflicts are disrupting the lives and livelihoods of millions. The nuclear threat is growing. Human rights are under assault and humanitarian needs are at record levels. Inequalities are growing wider and the prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals are growing more distant. And climate disasters are becoming more frequent, more deadly, and more costly. One in three countries is at high risk of a fiscal crisis, and almost half of those in extreme poverty live in countries with severe fiscal problems. The role of the United Nations has never been more vital - and we are stepping up our efforts. We have put forward Our Common Agenda to help accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism for the 21st century. I have proposed an SDG Stimulus to scale-up affordable, long-term financing for developing countries to help rescue the SDGs and I want to pay tribute to all Member States for the consensus achieved in the SDG Declaration that I consider one of the most important documents ever adopted by the General Assembly. We are advocating a Climate Solidarity Pact and Acceleration Agenda to help tackle the climate crisis before it is too late. On these and so many other fronts, we are determined to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights. Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, The 2024 programme budget proposals reflect our commitment to improving people's lives and ensuring a culture of continuous improvement to effectively and efficiently deliver on our mandates. Our investments in reform are reaping dividends. The Resident Coordinator system is providing enhanced, concerted support to countries for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Fully 88 percent of host governments indicated that Resident Coordinators provide effective and strategic leadership in support of their national plans and priorities. All Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries surveyed said the UN's activities were closely aligned with their needs and priorities. And all small island developing states indicated that collaboration between UN entities has improved since the reforms. However, the continued effectiveness of the entire UN development system will depend on the extent to which we can secure sufficient and predictable funding. The peace and security reforms have allowed us to begin implementing comprehensive regional strategies, leading to greater harmonization of action with regional and subregional organizations and other stakeholders. There is now a single point of contact for peacekeeping and special political missions operating in the same region, with distinct but complementary mandates. A strengthened Peacebuilding Support Office now serves as a dedicated 'hinge' with the development pillar. These gains can be solidified with a favorable decision by this Committee on my request for predictable and sustained funding from assessed contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund. And I would like to stress that all the countries that benefit from this fund are unanimous in recognising the fund's effectiveness, the speed of its action and, above all, its multiplier effect, in particular by allowing other financial instruments, including international development banks, to also join the fund's efforts. This multiplier effect is extremely important for developing countries that do not have easy access to other sources of financing. Our management reforms are focused on continuous improvement efforts. Policy and operational support are more targeted and tailored. We have increased our field and results orientation - becoming ever more nimble and agile. And we are simplifying our policies and processes. We are also further strengthening internal controls and increasing transparency over the use of resources. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, More information has been made available to Member States and the Advisory Committee through portals -- namely the Budget Information Pilot and the Budget Results Dashboard "results.un.org" -- with better capabilities to retrieve and analyze resource and programmatic information. We have rolled out an Integrated Performance Management and Reporting capability that will in the future provide greater visibility to programme performance as we broaden its coverage and ensure consistent adoption. Member States have access to more information on staff and demographics through the new UN Secretariat Workforce portal. Uniformed Capabilities Support Portal provides visibility to Troop and Police Contributing Countries over the payment of their reimbursements and conclusion of memoranda of understanding. But the success of our efforts to improve programme delivery depends on the availability of cash. Our liquidity situation has worsened this year with lesser collections through the end of the third quarter. Specifically, we have collected only 64% this year compared to 71.9% in 2022 and 82.7% in 2021. This starts to be a very worrying trend in which payments are made later in the year, which creates as you can imagine an extremely difficult management problem. In August, we had to borrow the entire balance of the Working Capital Fund. In October, we will have to borrow from the Special Account. In November, we will come close to exhausting the surplus cash of Closed Tribunals, creating a crisis of payment unless collections improve. To align cash outflows with reserves, temporary cash management measures were introduced in mid-July in the hope of discontinuing them by end of September. Unfortunately, we had to introduce additional measures in September. As in the recent past, programme managers will strive to minimize the negative impact on programme delivery. But protracted cash conservation measures, including the suspension of hiring, will impact the delivery of some mandates. Even in the best-case scenario, we will be starting 2024 with less cash than 2023 because we have returned credits at the beginning of 2023. This illustrates the absurdity of our budget rules - that we have to return money that we could not spend during the year because we did not receive it on time. Therefore, unless the cash situation improves drastically before the end of the year, programme delivery in 2024 is likely to be impacted even more significantly. I thank the 137 Member States that have paid their contributions in full. I am encouraged that more Member States are paying earlier in full now than in the last 20 years, and appeal to all Member States to do so. Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, In December 2022, the General Assembly lifted the trial period and formalized the change to an annual budget period. We are grateful for the support and will continue to implement all the guidance from the General Assembly. The format of the 2024 programme budget has stabilized. The programme plans for 2024 reflect our increased results-orientation. Our 350 results frameworks continue to improve, moving further towards demonstrating the impact and positive change of our work on the ground. More than 60 percent of quantitative planned targets are now aiming to achieve a 10 percent or more increase in performance. This is an increase from 45 percent in the 2023 plans. And from less than 30 percent in the 2018-19 biennium. We have reduced duplication in the strategies and deliverables, while maintaining the same level of information. Our message is clear: every programme manager must look carefully at every dollar spent and planned to be spent. And they must constantly review and adjust programmatic activities to achieve planned results. This will allow us to optimize resources for mandate delivery and focus even more effectively on results. Let me now turn to the overall resource requirements in the proposed programme budget for 2024. To fully implement our mandates, we will require a total of $3.3 billion dollars. This includes a total of 10,334 posts, a net increase of 199, excluding special political missions. Most of the additional posts are required to implement new inter-governmental mandates. We are also proposing the conversion of posts from extrabudgetary funding to provide appropriate, sustainable, and predictable funding for mandated activities, mainly in the areas of counter terrorism and human rights. Further, you will consider later in the session, additional proposals for construction, revised estimates -- including for our efforts to address racial discrimination in the Secretariat -- and programme budget implications. We have made every effort to find efficiencies that would enable us to allocate more resources towards direct implementation of mandated programmatic activities. At the same time, resource requirements for support departments have reached the limit to ensure continued adequate policy, operation and communication support to programmatic areas. Overall -- excluding recosting, construction projects, and new mandates -- my proposed programme budget broadly remains at the 2023 level, and in real terms, below the 2019 budget level preceding my first annual programme budget. I would like to highlight four specific elements. First, we propose continued investment in sustainable development. We are seeking an increase of $4 million dollars for programmes in the development pillar. This is the fifth consecutive proposed increase for development. As a result, resources for the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation have increased by 30% compared to the 2019 approved levels. I have to say that I am a very strong supporter of this regular programme. One thing is to spend money with our own posts, the other thing is to be able to spend money providing direct support to governments in their action to promote development of their countries. And I think that progressively we should have a budget organization in which this capacity to support governments should increase in a substantial way. And we are proposing a 25% increase in the number of posts in OHRLLS to increase our capacity to support Least Developed and Landlocked Countries, as well as Small Island Developing States. I am also seeking an increase of 700 thousand dollars for DESA to implement the new mandate on enhancing global geospatial information management. I am proposing a financing modality for the Development Account that will ensure that future resource levels will amount to 0.5% of the approved budget of the prior year. This will ensure more predictability and less fluctuation from year to year, which will support project planning and improve implementation rates. Second, we seek to provide additional regular budget funding for human rights and UNRWA. Based on last year's guidance by the General Assembly, we are proposing an additional US $15 million, to convert to regular budget funding, the operational costs related to executive and management functions of the UNRWA which has been reliant on extrabudgetary resources. I cannot be more emphatic in relation to the needs of UNRWA. We are all aware of how dramatically important it is for the Palestinian people and for peace and stability - the work of UNRWA. Further, based on the Guidance from the General Assembly, we included new proposals for the consolidation of resources for mandates by the Human Rights Council in the proposed programme budget, to reduce fragmentation of budgetary proposals and allow for more predictability and better planning of resources used by the Office. We are also including regular budget funding for growing demands under existing mandates, to support intergovernmental proceedings, to strengthen evaluation, and to reduce the backlog of the treaty body process. Third, we propose strengthening support to Member States to counter terrorism. Our programme budget requests an additional US$4.3 million, including 24 posts, for the Office of Counter Terrorism, as a conversion from extrabudgetary resources, building on the proposals from last year. This is in line with the guidance from the General Assembly. And fourth, we need to strengthen data protection and privacy, and ensure the responsible flow, use and sharing of personal data by Secretariat entities in support of UN Mandates. As part of this effort, I am proposing the establishment of a small technical Office for Data Protection and Privacy to provide effective oversight, coordination and technical guidance on data protection and privacy management. In addition, we are committed to strengthen multilingualism, as mandated by the General Assembly, by enabling simultaneous press releases in all six UN official languages. This will allow us to amplify our voice, reach broader audiences and complement our social media and web presences. Our 2024 budget demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our workforce and make it fit for purpose. For instance, the rate of increase in the number of posts at the P-2 and P-3 levels is more than 10 times higher than the rate of increase of posts at the D-1 and above levels, which will help rejuvenate the Secretariat. This is a significant reversal of past trends. With this, the UN is also becoming increasingly less top-heavy. Of the 10,334 total posts proposed in the 2024 budget, less than 5% are proposed at the D-1 and above levels. Our budget proposes a shift towards new skills, including in the areas of data, innovation, digital, foresight and behavioral science expertise, in line with my data strategy and the vision for a UN 2.0. We are also sparing no effort to ensure that our workforce reflects the international character of the membership of the United Nations. I commend the General Assembly's decision to increase the number of geographical posts. This is critical to every dimension of our work. We are currently revising our geographical representation strategy to focus on attracting more staff from countries that are un-or under-represented and this is, for me, an absolute priority in my guidance to our management department and to our managers in general. Through our UN Information Centres, we are launching targeted outreach strategies in those countries. In the same vein, we will strive to expand opportunities for recruitment from as wide a geographical basis as possible for all posts. Let us not forget that the geographical posts have a specific indication, but the others have not. And so for the others we are really asking all our managers to have a clear priority in order to guarantee a balanced regional distribution, which to be honest, we have not inherited from the past. We have maintained gender parity at senior levels and, based on current projections, we will be able to reach parity at an Organizational level by 2028, with some particular difficulties in relation to field operations. And so, much work remains to achieve parity at every entity and every level. Against this backdrop, I look forward to your support for the 2024 budget proposals, as we prepare our Organization to better respond to the needs and demands of governments and people. I welcome this opportunity to engage with you today and assure you that our senior managers will continue to support your deliberations on these proposals. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qantas chairman Richard Goyder has announced his early retirement. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard The transport union has called on Qantas boss Richard Goyder to immediately step aside after announcing his early retirement. Mr Goyer will retire as Qantas chairman before the airlines annual general meeting in late-2024 as part of a wider refresh. The 63-year-old came under fire after he reportedly accepted a salary increase during a turbulent time for the airline. Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said Mr Goyder stood to earn another $750,000 before retiring. Why should he get that amount when he has presided over the illegal sacking of 17,000 Qantas workers, Mr Kaine said. He has the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission breathing down his neck and class actions at his doorstep. We want Richard Goyder gone and we want him gone right now so that we can rebuild the service standard. Mr Kaine said Mr Goyder had realised he should not be chairman after only weeks ago rebuffing calls for his departure. Its taken (Mr Goyder) this long to realise he has presided over the most spiteful corporate dictatorship in Australian history, he said. The board needs to be recast. There should be a worker representative so that we can avoid the type of situation weve just seen. Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce retired early in September. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis Its time for renewal and that cannot start while the chair that presided over the downfall of a great Australia carrier is still in that position. While not calling for an immediate departure, calls for renewal were echoed by the Australian and International Pilots Association. AIPA has previously stated that the Qantas board needs a reset, president Tony Lucas said. So we note todays announcement as the start of that process and hope it will help facilitate the renewal of our great airline. Obviously, we would prefer things to move more quickly, but we acknowledge that at least now we are heading in the right direction. Mr Goyder is understood to have been paid about $2,500,000 since taking over as chairman in 2018 after a year on the board. Story continues His departure comes after he told a Senate inquiry he would not step aside following the departure of former chief executive Alan Joyce. Mr Joyce was replaced by Qantas stalwart Vanessa Hudson in September as criticism mounted over the blocking of Qatar airlines flights. Non-executive director Michael LEstrange will also retire at this years AGM, with a further two members to step aside in February 2024. Three new directors will also stand for election at this year, including Ms Hudson, Doug Parker, and Dr Heather Smith. Mr Goyder said the Qantas board acknowledged the significant reputational and customer service issues facing Qantas. Qantas has gone through an incredibly difficult period since our operation was grounded during the pandemic, he said. The recovery has not been easy, and mistakes were made. We again apologise for those times where we got it wrong. I have always sought to act in the best interests of Qantas. Measured and orderly succession at Board level will support the important work underway led by Vanessa and her new management team. The (Qantas) Group is in a very strong position to overcome its current challenges and deliver for all its stakeholders in the years ahead. Qantas chairman Richard Goyder told a senate inquiry in September he would not step aside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman In a statement, Qantas said that once the new directors are in place the board is expected to have an average tenure of about three years. The airline said the change would provide a balance of fresh leadership with necessary continuity, but faced pushback from unions. The Transport Workers Union slammed Mr Goyders early exit as an attempt to retire in dignity after presiding over illegal conduct. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine urged Mr Goyder to follow Mr Joyce and depart this year, ahead of next years planned departure. This announcement is an attempt by Goyder to leave in a dignified manner with another years pay in his pocket, after presiding over the largest case of illegal sackings in Australian history, Mr Kaine said. We need to put an end to illegal conduct being blindly rubber-stamped by a board that fails to scrutinise the CEO, who is treated as their equal by having a place on the board. A fresh start for Qantas governance requires a new board composition that excludes the CEO and embeds a worker representative to avoid the repeat of colossal errors of judgment being repeated. Labor senator Tony Sheldon, who has previously clashed with Mr Joyce, also called for Mr Goyder to leave his post earlier than planned. Meaningful change would be to immediately compensate the 1700 illegally sacked ground staff and offer to employ any worker that wants their job back, Mr Sheldon said. Mr Joyce was replaced by Qantas stalwart Vanessa Hudson. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman They should also support closing the Qantas labour hire loophole. Over their tenure, Joyce and Goyder have outsourced much of the workforce to 38 labour hire companies and subsidiaries in order to drive down wages. This would go some way in repairing the long term damage to Qantas caused by Joyce and Goyder. Qantas has also faced recent criticism over allegations it colluded with the federal government to block increased flights from competitor Qatar Airlines. In September, the Australian and International Pilots Association called on Mr Goyder to step down in a latter to CEO Vanessa Hudson. The union called for a cultural reset and described revelations that Mr Goyder accepted an $100,000 pay rise as galling, amid a pay freeze. Mr Goyder nonetheless backed his own tenure, telling the Senate inquiry: Major shareholders are very strongly supportive of me staying. I would also argue that my history in business has been one of high ethics, looking to create value for all our stakeholders, he said. Ive navigated a company through the Global Financial Crisis, chaired Qantas through the most existential crisis weve ever had as an airline. Right now, the major shareholders and the board feel that Im the best person to chair the board to navigate us through the current situation. NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 19, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE: FOUR), if they purchased the Companys securities between November 10, 2021 and April 18, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Get Help Shift4 investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-four/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Shift4 and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On April 19, 2023, Blue Orca Capital reported 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, and that in 2022, the Company 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]. On this news, shares of Shift4 fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023. The case is O'Meara v. Shift4 Payments, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-03206. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. LEHI, Utah, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DeepPower, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough geothermal drilling technology to access the Earths unlimited source of clean energy, today announced that in a recent Company podcast CEO Andrew Van Noy spoke with the CEO of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), Dr. Marit Brommer, about geothermal energy and the advancements the industry has experienced over the past 6 years. During the conversation, Dr. Brommer reported that when she was appointed CEO of the IGA 6 years ago, geothermal was a nice and interesting technology that had small-scale impact without a global voice. Fast forward 5 years, the industry has changed drastically and with the global directives to become carbon neutral, the industry has seen great technological progress. This focused narrative to become less dependent on fossil fuels has allowed the IGA to bring together players throughout the industry and act as a collective voice. Dr. Brommer commented, We need to enhance the narrative and make sure we get the narrative and messaging right when it comes to educating lawmakers and the general public about the value of geothermal energy and how it can replace fossil fuels as a consistent baseload power generation opportunity. Dr. Brommer continued, Not only do we need to constantly subsidize and get funding for new tech for innovation, which without innovation we will hit a dead end, but we also need to build an ecosystem to develop and build out the geothermal industry from within and to educate politicians from without. The International Geothermal Association (IGA) is the leading global platform on geothermal energy. With its four pillars Visibility, Sustainability, Partnerships and Authority, it is committed to push geothermal as a gamechanger for achieving Sustainable Development Goal #7 which is providing affordable, clean, baseload energy for all. The IGA connects the Global Geothermal Community, serving as a hub for networking opportunities aimed at promoting and supporting global geothermal development. With industry partners the IGA sets standards, matures the technology agenda and nurtures entrepreneurs engaged in clean technology. Dr. Brommer has served as CEO of the IGA for the past 6 years. Prior to this role, she was an E&P Technologist at Shell, and Exploration and Production Geologist at Total E&P Netherlands, and a Team Leader and International Account Manager at Royal Haskoning. She received her PhD from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. This podcast can be viewed at: https://deeppower.com/single-video.php?id=K3MDKXXujNw To learn more about DeepPower, please visit https://deeppower.com/index.php About DeepPower, Inc. DeepPower is developing a breakthrough drilling technology to access Earths unlimited source of green geothermal energy. The Earths molten core is as hot as the Sun and, harnessing just 0.1% of that heat energy can power humanity for 2 million years. Current state-of-the-art drilling technology cannot drill deep enough to make geothermal cost effective at a global scale. We are developing a suite of breakthrough drilling technologies to boldly go where no humans have gone before. The deeper we go the more heat energy we can unleash. Unlike large area solar and wind farms, a 9-inch hole drilled 5 miles deep can produce the same amount of power as 320 acres of solar panels. By plugging into this power deep within the Earth, we aim to provide direct access to an unlimited source of constant heat energy which can be used to produce low-cost green electricity anywhere in the world. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, which may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law. Press Contact: 1 (800) 347-0589 Stellantis Recognizes Suppliers for Commitment, Performance, Quality and Operational Excellence Third annual supplier recognition event recognizes 16 suppliers with the Stellantis Supplier of the Year award 40 suppliers were nominated across 16 different strategic categories, including purchasing, supply chain, supplier quality and innovation DETROIT, October 11, 2023 This week Stellantis honored 40 of its suppliers for their outstanding commitment, performance, quality, and operational excellence in 2022. One supplier in each of 16 categories, including aftermarket parts and services, direct materials, indirect services, and regional performance, was named Supplier of the Year. The third annual event was attended by more than 150 global suppliers as well as Stellantis leadership. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this years Supplier of the Year winners whose dedication and impeccable standards have helped us navigate challenges and achieve new heights, said Stellantis Chief Purchasing and Supply Chain Officer Maxime Picat. Their collaborative spirit, exceptional performance, uncompromising quality, and timely delivery of parts and services have been integral to our achievements. All Supplier of the Year nominees and award winners were selected by cross-functional leadership teams at Stellantis. The teams assessed the suppliers on several criteria such as performance, innovation, quality, cost, program launch, and safety, as well as their focus on activating the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 plan. As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis announced plans to reach a 100% passenger car BEV (battery electric vehicles) sales mix in Europe and 50% passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales mix in the U.S. by 2030 while reducing complexity and lowering the cost by 40%. These targets are a key focus of the purchasing and supply chain team as Stellantis moves to provide clean, safe, and affordable transportation for all. 2023 Regional Supplier of the Year Award Winners North America Alps Alpine South America F2J Industry Enlarged Europe Plastic Omnium Middle East & Africa A2ME Industry India & Asia Pacific Iljin Group China VMAX New Energy Co. 2023 Stellantis Global Supplier of the Year Award Winners Indirect Services Accenture Quality Gestamp Direct Material Performance Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) Program Management Plastic Omnium Innovation EFI Automotive Corporate Social Responsibility Pirelli Tire LLC Capex Qian Yuan Mould Supply Chain Parts Aisin Corporation Supply Chain Logistics Bertani Transport Aftermarket Sercore Tech SL # # # About Stellantis Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the worlds leading automakers and a mobility provider. Its storied and iconic brands embody the passion of their visionary founders and todays customers in their innovative products and services, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Powered by our diversity, we lead the way the world moves aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com. @Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis For more information, contact: Fernao SILVEIRA +31 6 43 25 43 41 fernao.silveira@stellantis.com Nathalie ROUSSEL +33 6 87 77 41 82 nathalie.roussel@stellantis.com communications@stellantis.com www.stellantis.com Attachment Wilmington, Delaware, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- India Calcium Phosphite Market consumption is estimated at US$ 138.5 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of over 6.5% over the forecast period of 2023-2030, according to the latest market report by RationalStat Market Definition, Market Scope, and Report Overview4 CaHPO3 is the chemical formula for calcium phosphite. It is a white crystalline powder that is mostly used in agriculture as a fertilizer and fungicide. Phosphorus, a vital ingredient for plant growth and development, is provided by calcium phosphite. There is a constant demand for appropriate fertilizers and nutrients to boost crop output and quality in India's large agricultural sector. Calcium phosphite is a source of phosphorus that is needed for crop growth. According to a deep-dive market assessment by RationalStat, the India Calcium Phosphite market has been analyzed on the basis of market segments, including application, form, end user and geography/regions (including North India, West & Central India, South India, East India) . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030. . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030. Market intelligence for the India Calcium Phosphite market covers market sizes on the basis of market value (US$/EUR Million) and volume (Tons) by various products/services/equipment, demand assessment across the key regions, customer sentiments, price points, cost structures, margin analysis across the value chain, financial assessments, historical and forecast data, key developments across the industry, import-export data, trade overview, components market by leading companies, etc. In addition, the long-term sector and products/services 10-year outlook and its implications on the India Calcium Phosphite market. It also includes the industry's current state Production Levels, Capacity Utilization, Tech quotient, etc. Key information will be manufacturing capacity by country, installed base, import volumes, market size, key players, market size, dynamics, market data, insights, etc. Request A Customization- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/india-calcium-phosphite-market/#tab-ux_global_tab India Calcium Phosphite Market: Segmental and Market Share Analysis On the basis of application, fertilizer segment is anticipated to dominate the India calcium phosphite market. As it is widely used as a fertilizer in agriculture to promote higher yield. On the basis of form, powder form segment is expected to dominate the market. It is commonly available in powder form, making it easy to blend with other fertilizers or fungicides for application Report Synopsis Report Metrics Details Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Base Year Market Size US$ 138.5 million Market Size Forecast US$ 215.1 million Growth Rate 6.5% Key Market Drivers Increasing demand for calcium supplements Growing population and increasing demand for food Favorable regulatory environment Growing use of calcium phosphite in the animal feed industry Companies Profiled Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited Hindustan Phosphorous Limited (HPL) Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) JSW Chemicals Limited Deepak Nitrite Limited Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (GSFC) Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (TNM) Punjab Phosphorous Limited (PPL) Supreme Petrochem Limited Akash Purochem Limited Narmada Chemical Industries Limited Krishna Phosphates Limited Vikas Phosphates Limited United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) Explore more about this report- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/india-calcium-phosphite-market/#tab-ux_global_tab Competition Analysis and Market Structure Players engaged in manufacturing of calcium phosphite adopt various strategies in order to reinforce their market share and gain a competitive edge over other competitors in the market. Mergers & acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and product launches are some of the strategies followed by industry players. Some of the prominent players and suppliers operating and contributing significantly to the India Calcium Phosphite market growth include Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited, Hindustan Phosphorous Limited (HPL), Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), JSW Chemicals Limited, Deepak Nitrite Limited, Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (GSFC), Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (TNM), Punjab Phosphorous Limited (PPL), Supreme Petrochem Limited, Akash Purochem Limited, Narmada Chemical Industries Limited, Krishna Phosphates Limited, Vikas Phosphates Limited, and United Phosphorus Limited (UPL), among others. Get A Free Sample- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/india-calcium-phosphite-market/#tab-ux_global_tab RationalStat has segmented the India Calcium Phosphite market based on application, form, end user and region India Calcium Phosphite Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Tons), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Application Fertilizers Fungicides Food Additives Others (Water Treatment, Nutritional Supplement) India Calcium Phosphite Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Tons), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Form Powder Liquid India Calcium Phosphite Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Tons), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by End Use Agriculture Food and Beverage Others India Calcium Phosphite Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Tons), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Region North India West & Central India South India East India For more information about this report- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/india-calcium-phosphite-market/ Key Questions Answered in the Calcium Phosphite Report: What will be the market value of the India Calcium Phosphite market by 2030? What is the market size of the India Calcium Phosphite market? What are the market drivers of the India Calcium Phosphite market? What are the key trends in the India Calcium Phosphite market? Which is the leading region in the India Calcium Phosphite market? What are the major companies operating in the India Calcium Phosphite market? What are the market shares by key segments in the India Calcium Phosphite market? Running a year End discount of 20%- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/india-calcium-phosphite-market/#tab-ux_global_tab Explore Our Trending Reports Research Methodology RationalStat has developed a state-of-the-art research methodology to crunch numbers and provide the best possible real-time insights to clients. We combine a varied range of industry experience, data analytics, and experts viewpoint to create a research methodology for market sizing and forecasting. RationalStat combines a mix of secondary sources as well as primary research to assess the market size and develop a forecast. Key steps involved in accurately deriving the market numbers are: Defining the problem by understanding the type of market and data required by the client. Data gathering and collection through relevant paid databases, publicly available sources, company reports, annual reports, surveys, and interviews. Formulating a hypothesis to create market numbers, forecasts, influencing factors, and their relevance. Evaluating and analyzing the data by referring to data sources utilized and leveraged. Validating, interpreting, and finalizing the data by combining the details gathered from primary and secondary sources with the help of experienced analysts. Download Key Insights and Market Data - Raise a Query About RationalStat LLC RationalStat is an end-to-end global market intelligence and consulting company that provides comprehensive market research reports, customized strategy, and consulting studies. The company has sales offices in India, Mexico, and the US to support global and diversified businesses. The company has over 80 consultants and industry experts, developing more than 850 market research and industry reports for its report store annually. RationalStat has strategic partnerships with leading data analytics and consumer research companies to cater to the clients needs. Additional services offered by the company include consumer research, country reports, risk reports, valuations and advisory, financial research, due diligence, procurement and supply chain research, data analytics, and analytical dashboards. Contact RationalStat LLC Kimberly Shaw, Content and Press Manager sales@rationalstat.com US Phone: +1 302 803 5429 UK Phone: +44 203-287-1245 Dublin, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market (2023 Edition): Analysis By Control Agents (Predators, Parasitoids, Pathogens), By Application, By Region, By Country: Market Insights and Forecast (2019-2029)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides a complete analysis of the Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control industry for the historical period of 2019-2022, the estimates of 2023 and the forecast period of 2024-2029. The Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control market showcased growth at a CAGR of 4.24% during 2019-2022. The market was valued at USD 4.4 Billion in 2022 which is expected to reach USD 7.2 Billion in 2029. The Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market is anticipated to experience growth at a CAGR of 8.36% during the forecast period. The research report delivers valuable insights, including market size, annual growth analysis, competitive evaluation of market participants, investment prospects, and demand predictions. It also evaluates growth determinants, constraints, supply and demand risks, and essential statistics. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive assessment of both current and future market trends relevant to its evolution. The environmental repercussions of chemical pesticide usage, such as water contamination, soil deterioration, and harm to non-target species, have gained significant awareness and raised concerns. Consequently, there is a heightened demand for biological pest control, with natural enemy pest control emerging as the most sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional pesticides. This has led to a global increase in demand for natural enemy pest control. The utilization of pest management services for insect control is poised for substantial growth, driven by the expanding insect population and the thriving agricultural and manufacturing sectors. In the face of challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and food security, the adoption of sustainable practices has become imperative. Natural enemy pest control exemplifies a harmonious and balanced approach to pest management that aligns with ecological principles, economic viability, and societal values. Furthermore, due to growing concerns about biodiversity and the adverse effects of chemical pest control methods, farmers are seeking biological pest control solutions that effectively mitigate unwanted pests while preserving the ecosystem. The traction for biological insect pest control is steadily increasing. Integrated pest management (IPM) encompasses biological control as a vital component. Importation, augmentation, and conservation play pivotal roles in the agro-natural enemy pest control sector. Notably, applications cover a range of common pests, including ants, beetles, birds, mosquitoes, flies, rats, and rodents. Organic agriculture practices are prevalent in 187 countries, with at least 3.1 million farmers managing 72.3 million hectares of agricultural land organically. Unlike conventional farming, organic farmers cannot rely on the same chemical pest control methods. Instead, they employ creative strategies such as cultivating non-crop vegetation to support natural enemies that combat pests, crop rotation to prevent pest accumulation in the same area year after year, and the use of biological soil amendments for soil fertility management, eschewing synthetic nitrogen. Research has indicated that plants with lower nitrogen content are less attractive to pests. Furthermore, organisms that exploit arthropods as resources, leading to their demise, weakening, or reduced reproductive capabilities, fall under the category of natural enemies, biological control agents, biocontrols, or beneficials. In agricultural ecosystems, other insects and spiders commonly serve as natural enemies. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $4.81 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $7.2 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.3% Regions Covered Global Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market: Historic and Forecast (2019-2029) Impact Analysis of Macro Economic Factors on Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Factors Influencing Pest Management System Decision Survey Sugarcane Area in Brazil treated with releases of Natural Enemies Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market: Dashboard Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market: Market Size and CAGR, 2019-2029 (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market: Market Value Assessment Assessment: Degree of Impact of COVID-19 on Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Segmentation : By Control Agent Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Predators, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Parasitoids, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Pathogens, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Segmentation : By Application Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Ant Control, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Beetle Control, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Insects Control, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Mosquitoes and Flies Control, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Global Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Size, By Other Applications, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Million & CAGR) Competitive Positioning Companies' Product Positioning Market Position Matrix Market Share Analysis of Agri Natural Enemy Pest Control Market Company Profiles Syngenta AG BASF SE Koppert Biological Systems Biobest Group Bioline AgroSciences Ltd Andermatt Group AG Certis Biologicals Applied Bio-nomics Rincon Vitova Insectaries Inc. Anatis Bioprotection For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/glk57e About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment MISSISAUGA, Ontario, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHARP Electronics of Canada Ltd. (SECL), a subsidiary of SHARP Corporation, today announced the launch of two new kitchen appliances - SMD2443JSC Microwave Drawer Oven with Sensor Cook and 24-inch Bottom-Freezer Counter-Depth Refrigerator SJB1257HSC. SHARP has been consistently expanding its innovative kitchen appliances portfolio in Canada, and these new additions strengthen its position in the premium compact kitchen space. The SMD2443JSC Microwave Drawer Oven with Sensor Cook is our next step in advancing the modern kitchen, and we're excited to see the benefits this appliance will bring to home cooks everywhere. It makes the premium built-in kitchen of your dreams more accessible than ever before. Classic stainless-steel design with a modern, angled touch control panel compliments your style. The built-in airflow control lets you choose between proud or flush mount installation in an island, peninsula, standard cabinetry, or beneath other 24-inch built-in appliances, shared Alex Litvinov, Product Manager, Consumer Solutions, SHARP Electronics of Canada. The SHARP SMD2443JSC Microwave Drawer Oven with Sensor Cook features our Easy Touch Automatic Drawer system to gently open the drawer with the touch of a button. Use the same button or give the drawer a small nudge, and it closes smoothly. The even, gliding action and solid construction help prevent liquids from spilling during opening and closing. The SMD2443JSC can be wiped with a damp cloth inside and out for quick and easy cleanup. Audible signals can be turned on or off, and the control panel can be locked down to prevent accidental operation by small children and while cleaning, added Alex Litvinov. The SHARP SMD2443JSC Microwave Drawer Oven, proudly engineered and assembled in our factory in Memphis, Tennessee, will be available in Canada by end of October 2023. Talking about the new SJB1257HSC 24-inch Bottom-Freezer Counter Depth 11.5 cu. ft. Refrigerator, David Servos, Director, Sales - Consumer Solutions, SHARP Electronics of Canada, shared, Futuristic vision and original innovation have always been a top priority for SHARP, especially when we look to propel our brand promise of Simply Better Living to help consumers live healthier lifestyles. The recent addition of the Bottom-Freezer Counter Depth Refrigerator is our next step in the same direction. Whether you are looking to downsize your main refrigerator, add a second refrigerator , or choosing a practical and energy-efficient solution for a second home, the Eco Mode and Vacation Mode gives you the flexibility you need to best fit your lifestyle. No matter your situation, the SJB1257HSC 24-inch Bottom-Freezer Counter Depth Refrigerator is a perfect addition, added David Servos. Standing tall and slim, the sleek and contemporary stainless-steel SJB1257HSC is fingerprint and smudge resistant. The reversible door option is a thoughtful finishing touch to accommodate compact spaces. An innovative space-saving refrigerator with well-designed storage solutions, the SJB1257HSC includes two shelves, a spacious 4.2 cu. ft. freezer with three drawers, and a removable wine rack for quick and easy organization. The settings for the SHARP SJB1257HSC are at your fingertips with a bright, easy-to-read LED display and Electronic Temperature Control for each compartment. The Multi Air Flow distribution system helps to adjust the internal temperatures throughout the refrigerator quickly, while Freeze Boost brings an extra chill to the freezer when you need it. The dual-purpose Fresh Converter Drawer can be set to Chiller for fresh foods or Crisper to keep your fruits and vegetables crisp and delicious. Auto Defrost helps remove frost buildup in the freezer, so you always have the most storage space available. With SHARP, its Simply Better Living. The SJB1257HSC 24 in. Bottom-Freezer Counter Depth Refrigerator is Now Available to order. Learn more about SMD2443JSC Microwave Drawer Oven: https://SHARP.ca/en/product/home-cooking-smd2443jsc Learn more SJB1257HSC 24 in. Bottom-Freezer Counter Depth Refrigerator: https://SHARP.ca/en/products/home-cooking-refrigerators About SHARP Electronics of Canada Ltd SHARP Electronics of Canada Ltd. (SECL) is a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of Osaka-based SHARP Corporation, founded in 1912. Since its founding, SHARP Corporation has evolved into a brand recognized for creating new possibilities with its original technologies and products. Here in Canada, we are proud to be one of the first five sales companies established outside Japan in 1974. As one of SHARP Corporation's first five subsidiaries established outside of Japan, SHARP Electronics of Canada will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in September 2024. At SHARP Canada, we are driven by the vision of Simply Better Living. The company continues to grow in Canada by marketing and supporting a diverse range of Consumer and Business Solutions. From our unique line of cooking and air purification appliances, comprehensive offering of SHARP-NEC commercial displays, and a breadth of office solutions including high-quality multi-function printers and Dynabook laptops, SHARP is well positioned to drive the positive opportunities to change the way we work, collaborate, amplify communication, and enjoy life. SHARP has been named to Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Company List, ranking the world's most respected and reputable companies. For more information on SHARPs products, visit our website at https://sharp.ca/. Become a fan of SHARP business products on Facebook , follow us on X , LinkedIn and Instagram and watch us on YouTube . Media Inquiries: Manali Jain, Manager, Brand & Marketing Communications, SHARP Electronics of Canada, Email: jainm@sharpsec.com | Direct: 416-357-2914 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/072d876d-0ff2-4b68-9e72-4c23ee101820 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/669f4f39-eb02-4743-b59f-b97275fd3474 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1262f515-beb3-4fa8-885d-758c821e8368 PENTICTON, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Kerkhoff Develop-Build as they broke ground on Sokana at 270 Riverside Drive in Penticton, B.C. Amid the overwhelming success of Sokana's first building, which sold out in an impressive 72 hours , the developer, in partnership with Epic Real Estate Solutions , the Okanagan's leading real estate sales and marketing firm, announced an accelerated construction timeline to meet the strong demand for this new riverside community. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on October 10th, was attended by Leonard Kerkhoff, President and CEO of Kerkhoff Develop-Build; Penticton-Naramata MLA Dan Ashton; Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield; Deputy Mayor Helena Konanz, Councillor Campbell Watt, and Anthony Haddad, City Manager at the City of Penticton. The group celebrated this significant progress, marking the commencement of the construction phase. "We're thrilled by the response from the community and are working tirelessly to meet the high demand," said Leonard Kerkhoff, President and CEO of Kerkhoff Develop-Build. "The accelerated schedule will ensure more people can enjoy the unique lifestyle that Sokana offers. Our second building has recently started selling and we are still seeing significant demand from people across Western Canada who want to own a home in Sokana and Penticton." This swift response highlights the developer's commitment to fulfilling the strong demand for quality homes in Penticton, the Okanagan's rising real estate hotspot. The second building's expedited timeline reinforces the development's premium location, best-in-class building amenities, and the city's escalating appeal as a top investment destination. "The quick sell-out of the first release speaks volumes about the desirability of Sokana, and by extension, Penticton," said Shane Styles, President of Epic Real Estate Solutions. "Buyers love the fact that Sokana is ideally situated in the city, walking distance to downtown, the lake, numerous restaurants and its also next door to Riverside Village shopping centre." The final building promises to replicate the appeal of Sokana's first release, boasting a curated collection of 1, 2, and 3-bed homes. These homes are complete with contemporary interiors, unparalleled amenities, and the attractive potential for short-term rental without speculation tax. Residents can look forward to relishing an enriched lifestyle with access to a host of resort-inspired amenities such as an outdoor pool, hot tub, outdoor firepits and games area, putting green, coworking space, and a fitness center. Kerkhoff Develop-Build remains committed to delivering this extraordinary living experience to more residents sooner than anticipated. To stay updated on the accelerated release of Sokana's final building, prospective buyers are encouraged to register at www.liveatsokana.com . For more information about Epic Real Estate Solutions and its diverse range of projects, visit www.epicres.com . About Epic Real Estate Solutions Epic Real Estate Solutions is the premier real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the Okanagan Valley. As the trusted partner for top development companies in Western Canada, Epic Real Estate Solutions offers a comprehensive range of customized sales and marketing services. With a deep understanding of the local market, their expert team provides strategic leadership, market expertise and support to ensure the success of each project. About Kerkhoff Develop-Build With over 50 years of forward-thinking experience, Kerkhoff Develop-Build has established a reputation for excellence in the construction industry. Known for their unwavering commitment to reliability and integrity, Kerkhoff has successfully delivered exceptional projects in British Columbia and across the globe. Their expertise in construction has shaped skylines and created iconic landmarks that stand as testaments to their dedication to quality craftsmanship. Media Contact Amber Coyle Talk Shop Media Amber@talkshopmedia.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/908e6a85-aabd-43af-9152-bba25cbd3583 MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a contract to build nine small unmanned undersea vehicles (SUUV) for the U.S. Navys Lionfish System program. The contract has the potential to grow to as many as 200 vehicles over the next five years with a total value of more than $347 million. The Lionfish System, based on HII's REMUS 300, is a highly portable, two-person SUUV with an open architecture design and versatile payload options. In early 2022, REMUS 300 was chosen as the Navy's official program of record for the next-generation SUUV. Administered by Naval Sea Systems Command, this contract provides for the delivery and support of the Navys next generation SUUVs, as well as afloat and auxiliary support equipment and engineering services. The vehicles, incorporating the latest in autonomous and unmanned technology, will conduct critical undersea missions for the Navy. Lionfish provides increased capability and interoperability that aligns with the Navys undersea priorities, and we look forward to delivering next-generation vehicles that can readily adapt to and support a variety of mission needs, said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies. Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-navy-lionfish-small-unmanned-undersea-vehicle-contract-2023/. We are pleased with the Navys decision to support a combat-proven technology, essential to the Navys undersea mission, said Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies Unmanned Systems business group. Our team is committed to delivering fully capable vehicles that will enhance the effectiveness of the warfighter against emerging threats. The Lionfish System was developed through an innovative process with the Department of Defenses Defense Innovation Unit and the Navy that incorporated feedback from multiple user groups to uniquely meet the needs of the warfighters. HII is the largest producer of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV) worldwide. Serving customers in more than 30 countries, HII provides design, autonomy, manufacturing, testing, operations and sustainment of unmanned systems, including UUVs and unmanned surface vessels (USV). About HII HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world. As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 43,000 strong. For more information, visit: HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/ HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII HII on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII Contact: Greg McCarthy (202) 264-7126 gregory.j.mccarthy@hii-co.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb47b63d-f55f-4fb0-ba3e-d17465eb0e7a Memphis, TN, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MULE, a company dedicated to providing solutions for DIYers and professionals, has released their 5-in-1 Mobile Workshop, designed to reduce clutter and add convenience to any project. Crafted with high-quality materials, this functional mobile workshop is designed for convenience and durability, combining all the project essentials in one place and letting users transport their tools efficiently. Alongside the MULE Garage Fan, their flagship 5-in-1 Mobile Workshop debuted at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas earlier this year. The innovative utilitarian cart won the Most-Loved Award," and gained recognition from various national publications. As its name suggests, the MULE 5-in-1 Mobile Workshop boasts versatility with various tools at users disposal. It includes unique features like an LED work light providing 1,100 lumens of light output and an adjustable 14-inch, 3-speed, high-velocity fan with 2,500 CFM, designed to increase airflow and keep worksites free of fumes. Additionally, the utilitarian cart provides an integrated power strip with three 110v outlets, two USB 2.0 ports, and a 10-foot power cord, allowing users to plug in tools and provide power wherever users need it. To increase the practicality of the Mobile Workshop, MULE also offers a tailored Cup Holder and Phone Caddy (sold separately on MULEs website) that ensures your essentials are secure while users work on projects. The MULE 5-in-1 Mobile Workshop also has a 200-lb loading capacity, allowing users to haul toolboxes, 5-gallon buckets, project materials, coolers, and other supplies in one seamless trip. Its slim fold-away design and integrated tool organizer make it simple to store and access tools. With its professional-grade construction, the Mobile Workshops durable design can withstand the demands of the worksite and make even the most challenging tasks achievable. Additional Features of the 5-in-1 Mobile Workshop: Tool tray with bungees for additional organization of small parts and/or things like extension cords 8-inch tires made with solid rubber construction and rugged tread A 1-year limited lifetime warranty The new 5-in-1 Mobile Workshop from MULE is available for purchase for $299.00. To learn more about MULE and its other products designed to make renovation and contracting projects easier, please visit https://muleproducts.com/. ### About MULE: MULE fuses durability and versatility to create innovative products and accessories that improve the efficiency of any challenging project. Our professional-grade products endure the demands of job sites while simplifying everyday tasks at home. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a renovation professional, MULE products instill confidence and ease, ensuring you always have the perfect tool for the job. Unlock your project's potential at https://muleproducts.com/. Attachments TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Realty Partners (Crown) is pleased to announce the results of its 2023 GRESB assessments. The GRESB Real Estate Assessment is the global standard for ESG benchmarking and reporting for listed property companies, private property funds, developers, and investors in real estate. It provides investors with validated data on which to evaluate, monitor, and manage ESG risks, opportunities, and impacts. For the fifth consecutive year, Crowns submission on behalf of its Core Fund of office properties achieved a 5-star rating. Crown has continued to show its ESG leadership, having achieved a score of 90 for its Core Fund submission and an outstanding performance ranking of 1st in its peer group of non-listed Canadian office funds and 2nd in a broader peer group in the Americas. In addition to disclosures for the Core Fund, Crown has also expanded its submissions to other special purpose investment vehicles managed on behalf of institutional investors and has achieved similar success. By reporting to this global benchmarking standard, Crown can monitor performance and continually raise the bar. This will help us build resilience and future-proof our portfolio, while delivering outstanding office premises. We appreciate that GRESB itself is always evolving, said Erica Lam, Director, Sustainability Strategy at Crown. This year, GRESB expanded disclosures around climate risk and resilience. These changes are aligned with Crowns own ESG journey, as we include climate-related risks and opportunities into our investment process and operations. The real estate industry has a critical role to play in mitigating climate risk, said Emily Hanna, Managing Partner, Investments. The investments we are making in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and improving the overall sustainability of our assets will impact their long-term value. Leading businesses will seek tenancy in these buildings, their workforce will favor occupying these workspaces, lenders will be more inclined to lend on them and discerning investors will want to own them. Crown has once again been recognized with GRESBs highest 5-star rating, remarked Tom Idzal, GRESB Head of Americas. The continued improvement Crown has shown, together with its expanded disclosures since its first GRESB submission in 2018 are to be applauded and reinforce its commitment to being a leader in responsible and sustainable real estate investment and management. About Crown Crown is an integrated commercial real estate investment and management firm focused on value-add opportunities across Canada, with over three billion dollars of real assets under management. Crown has a well-established track record, an experienced team and takes a hands-on approach to provide superior returns for investors and better workplaces for businesses. For more information, click here. Crown submitted its Core Fund to the Non-Listed Canadian Office: Corporate Core Fund category within GRESB. Crown also submitted to GRESB on behalf of special purpose vehicles managed by Crown under the Non-Listed Canadian Office: Corporate Core: High Rise Office and Non-Listed Canadian Office: Corporate: Mid-rise Office categories this year. For further details on categories, click here. About GRESB GRESB is the global ESG benchmark for real estate and infrastructure. We synthesize data and provide actionable insights to our members, partners, and investors. Our engagement tools and reporting solutions aid over 170 institutional investors and more than 2,000 fund managers, companies, and asset operators to make informed decisions based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data. The GRESB Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organization, plays a key role in setting the standards for assessing the ESG data performance of real estate, infrastructure, and other assets. Please visit this page to get better acquainted with the Foundation and how it influences GRESBs efforts. For further information, please contact: Emily Hanna Managing Partner, Investments Crown Realty Partners 647.729.2609 ehanna@crp-cpmi.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/170906c6-a2b3-4c96-b369-1f0ca0534c48 An Australian woman has issued a desperate warning to Bali travellers after her leg was left completely covered in blisters and bruises following a run-in with a "little-known" insect. Victorian resident Emma Rose Lowry said she was holidaying in Indonesia, visiting the resort town of Kuta when a small insect "walked over her body" during a dinner late last month. The bug, "small and similar to a bull ant" in appearance, "but is very venomous", was later identified as a tomcat beetle. Tomcats are type of rove beetle that carry an extremely toxic venom which causes paederus dermatitis a severe type of skin irritation that stems from physical contact. The insects are found all over the world, but prefer to live moist habitats like crops and riverbanks a reason why the creatures tend to favour Bali. Emma Rose Lowry returned from Bali with a huge blister on her leg. Source: Supplied. Tomcat beetles puzzle Aussie traveller The 28-year-old said she didn't even notice the insect at the time of the dinner, but the next morning found a five centimetre-long blister "on my leg and couldnt figure out what it was". The following day, the blister "burst" and the redness began to spread further across her body. By the third day, her bruises began to deepen and spread even further, and, she began presenting with flu-like symptoms, including hot and cold flushes and swollen lymph nodes. "My partner and I were walking around the shops and he's like, 'everyone's gonna think that I've slapped you'," Ms Lowry told Yahoo News Australia. "It happened about two days before I was coming home. I googled it and was thinking: 'What the hell is this?' Ms Lowry has issued a warning to those hoping to travel to Bali, urging people to be cautious of rove beetles. Source: Facebook. "So, I got it looked at in Australia at my GP and all the GPs had never ever heard of that. All the pharmacies said they'd never heard of it, they were like bringing people over to look at it." Story continues Blister 'explodes' over woman's leg Ms Lowry said that eventually it was determined that the blister was a result of exposure to the beetle, which required a round of antibiotics. Dr Swaid Abdullah, an expert in Veterinary Parasitology, previously told Yahoo News Australia that the injuries would've not been inflicted by a bite or sting, rather from the beetles crawling on skin, clothes, bedding or towels. Due to the fact venom isn't injected into the bloodstream, it's a persons skins that cops the brunt of the toxins. Ms Lowry's sting went from barely being noticeable to taking over her entire leg. Source: Facebook. "We were just sitting in the corner at dinner next to where some plants were," Ms Lowry said. So it could have been in there and just made its way over. But apparently it's more common for them to be found in remote areas. "Once the blister burst, it really started to spread. It still looks terrible now. "But a lot of other people suffer from vomiting, like, a really serious reaction. I've been a bit lethargic and stuff, but not too bad. But the scars are full on." Rove beetles, more commonly known as Tomcats, carry toxic venom than cause a skin irritation called Paederus dermatitis. Source: Wikipedia (Wikipedia) 'Please be careful' A self-described Bali-lover, who has spent a lot of the time on the island, Ms Lowry made it clear she does not wish to deter people from travelling to the hotspot, but does think Aussies should be aware of the beetles before they arrive. She said it's a good idea to "tap the bottom of chairs" in places like restaurants before sitting down, to ensure any insects drop off. While the young Aussie explained she felt little pain, the bruising and swelling had lasted a lot longer than she expected, and it's very noticeable on her skin. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Linthicum Heights, MD, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Fire Sprinkler Association is proud to support and partner with other national fire service organizations in support of national initiatives. Plans are confirmed for a press event at Station 3 in Washington, DC tomorrow. We are happy to support and be involved in so many positive national fire initiatives, this weeks Summit on Fire Prevention and Control brought together national leaders to share about so many important issues affecting us all, stated Shane Ray, NFSA President and Congressional Fire Service Institute board member. Fire Service One Voice is more than a slogan, it is a movement, and we love collaborating with Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and the U.S. Fire Administration for these worthwhile efforts that ensure safety for American citizens and the fire service members who serve them. Information about tomorrows press event: WHAT: National organizations representing Americas fire and emergency services are calling on Congress to ensure that vital fire service grant programs are reauthorized before they face a permanent sunset. WHO: This event is hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, and National Volunteer Fire Council. Members of the media are invited to attend to cover this urgent issue that impacts the nations public safety. WHY: The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs are the primary mechanism for the federal government to support local fire departments. These critical programs will sunset on September 30, 2024, if they are not reauthorized. This would have a detrimental impact on the ability of the nations fire and emergency services to protect communities. Fire departments across the country respond to more than 36 million calls for service each year. Firefighters respond to all hazards, including structural fire and wildfire, lithium-ion battery and hazardous materials response, opioid overdoses and other medical emergencies, natural disasters, and much more. Even while they protect their communities from an ever-increasing range of hazards, firefighters face physical and mental health challenges due to their service. Furthermore, departments are struggling to train and equip fire and EMS personnel and ensure that they have proper staffing to meet minimum requirements for response. WHEN: Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 1 PM ET WHERE: D.C. Fire & EMS Engine 3 439 New Jersey Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 MEDIA CONTACT for Press Conference: Michaela Campbell, mcampbell@cfsi.org, 202-371-1279 * For more information on this urgent issue, visit www.cfsi.org/support-afg-safer-and-usfa-take-action-now. NFSA will continue to partner with advocate groups and fire service organizations to prevent future tragedies and ensure a fire safe America. Together, with all stakeholders, we will continue to persevere. Examples like this, underscore the importance of "Fire Service One Voice." About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the worlds most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires. For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world. ### Eindhoven, Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ONWARD Medical N.V. (Euronext: ONWD), the medical technology company creating innovative therapies to restore movement, function, and independence in people with spinal cord injury, today announced that it will host a webcast to discuss its Q3 2023 business highlights. The webcast will be held on November 16, 2023, at 2:00PM CET / 08:00AM ET. It will be hosted by CEO Dave Marver and CFO Khaled Bahi, who will discuss highlights from Q3 2023 and provide a business update. To join the webcast via Zoom, please register using this link. Participants may also join by phone: +32 2 290 9360 (Belgium) +49 69 3807 9884 (Germany) +31 20 794 0854 (Netherlands) +41 22 591 0156 (Switzerland) +44 203 481 5240 (United Kingdom) +1 346 248 7799 (US) Additional telephone numbers available Meeting ID: 869 3710 5839 A recording of the webcast will be available on the Companys website following the live event. About ONWARD Medical ONWARD is a medical technology company creating therapies to restore movement, function, and independence in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and movement disabilities. Building on more than a decade of science and preclinical research conducted at leading neuroscience laboratories, the Company has received nine Breakthrough Device Designations from the US Food and Drug Administration for its ARC Therapy platform. ONWARD ARC Therapy, which can be delivered by external ARC-EX or implantable ARCIM systems, is designed to deliver targeted, programmed spinal cord stimulation. Positive results were presented in 2023 from the Companys pivotal study, called Up-LIFT, evaluating the ability for transcutaneous ARC Therapy to improve upper extremity strength and function. The Company is now preparing regulatory approval submissions for ARC-EX for the US and Europe. In parallel, the Company is conducting studies with its implantable ARC-IM platform, which demonstrated positive interim clinical outcomes for improved blood pressure regulation following 3 SCI. Other ongoing studies include combination use of ARC-IM with a brain-computer interface (BCI). Headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, ONWARD has a Science and Engineering Center in Lausanne, Switzerland and a US office in Boston, Massachusetts. The Company also has an academic partnership with .NeuroRestore, a collaboration between the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). For more information, visit ONWD.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and YouTube. For Media Enquiries: Aditi Roy, VP Communications media@onwd.com For Investor Enquiries: Khaled Bahi, CFO investors@onwd.com Disclaimer Certain statements, beliefs, and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Companys or, as appropriate, the Company directors current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve several risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forwardlooking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition, and technology, can cause actual events, performance, or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such persons officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All ONWARD devices and therapies referenced here, including but not limited to ARC-IM, ARC-EX, and ARC Therapy, are investigational and not available for commercial use. CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volt Lithium Corp. (TSX-V: VLT, OTCQB: VLTLF, FSE: I2D) (the Company or Volt) is pleased to announce that Mr. Alex Wylie, President and CEO of the Company, will be presenting at two different investor focused conferences this month. The first of these is the Schachter Catch the Energy Conference (the Schachter Conference), taking place in person on Saturday, October 14th; while the second is the Lytham Partners Fall 2023 Investor Conference (the Lytham Conference) taking place virtually on Tuesday, October 17th. Details and registration links for each conference are outlined below. Schachter Catch the Energy Conference Details The Schachter Conference is being held on at Calgary's Mount Royal University in the Bella Concert Hall & Ross Glen Hall, from 7:30 a.m. MT to 4:00 p.m. MT and features 45 participating companies. In addition to giving a presentation, Mr. Wylie will be available to engage with attendees throughout the day at the Companys exhibitor area. The Schachter Conference offers a unique opportunity for investors to learn how Volt plans to become North Americas first commercial producer of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonates from oilfield brine, helping the world to prepare for a greener tomorrow. Interested parties can register for the Schachter Conference at this link. The Schachter Conference is a unique opportunity for active, individual investors with an interest in the energy sector to interact directly with CEOs and other executives as they share stories and answer audience questions in a moderated format. There are 45 companies participating including energy producers, energy services, royalty companies, clean tech along with critical metals companies. The TMX Group is a major sponsor of the Conference, which is designed to provide attendees with information they need to make smart investment decisions in Canadas energy sector, as a new energy cycle gains momentum. Lytham Partners Fall 2023 Investor Conference Details Volts pre-recorded presentation, along with a question and answer session with Alex Wylie, will be available for viewing by webcast available at the link below beginning at 7:00am ET on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. The webcast will also be archived and available for replay. In addition, Mr. Wylie will be participating in virtual one-on-one meetings throughout the event. To request a meeting with Volts management, please contact Lytham Partners at 1x1@lythampartners.com or register at https://www.lythampartners.com/fall2023invreg/. Webcast Link: https://wsw.com/webcast/lytham9/vlt.v/2159120 . Lytham Partners is a leading investor relations firm in the United States. With more than two decades of Corporate Access experience, Lytham has built one of the industrys most diverse and effective platforms for connecting small cap companies with high-quality and focused institutional investors. The Lytham Partners Investor Conference Series creates value for small cap companies through virtual connections with high-quality institutional investors. The events include virtual 11 meetings, webcast presentations, engaging fireside chats and panels on special topics within the industry. About Volt Volt is a lithium development and technology company aiming to be North Americas first commercial producer of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonates from oilfield brine. Our strategy is to generate value for shareholders by leveraging managements hydrocarbon experience and existing infrastructure to extract lithium deposits from existing wells, thereby reducing capital costs, lowering risks and supporting the worlds clean energy transition. With four differentiating pillars, and a proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, Volts innovative approach to development is focused on allowing the highest lithium recoveries with lowest costs, positioning us well for future commercialization. We are committed to operating efficiently and with transparency across all areas of the business staying sharply focused on creating long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Investors and/or other interested parties may sign up for updates about the Companys continued progress on its website at www.voltlithium.com. Contact Information For Investor Relations inquiries or further information, please contact: Alex Wylie President and CEO M: +1.403.830.5811 NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Boeing Company (Boeing or the Company) (NYSE: BA). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Boeing 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 23, 2023, Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit Aerosystems), a key supplier of components for Boeing aircraft, issued a press release acknowledging a quality issue involving elongated fastener holes on the aft pressure bulkhead on certain models of the 737 fuselage produced by Spirit AeroSystems. Spirit Aerosystems stated that it has implemented changes to its manufacturing process to address this issue and is working closely with [Boeing] to address any impacted units within the production system and address any needed rework. On this news, Boeings stock price fell $11.27 per share, or 4.93% percent, to close at $217.31 on August 24, 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 . COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Breezeline, the nations eighth-largest cable operator, today presented a check for $50,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio to support families who are staying at the facility while their children are receiving critical care. The support from Breezeline includes extending and activating its broadband network to the facility. Breezeline is also providing complimentary WiFi and TV services to the 206 guest rooms in the space, which is expected to open next month following a $42M expansion and renovation. Breezeline is proud to support the work of Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, which provides a comfortable place to stay for families whose children are receiving critical care at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, said Nathan Robson, region director of operations for Breezeline. The Breezeline services will provide state-of-the-art connectivity for guests throughout the newly expanded facility. Last year, Ronald McDonald House in Columbus served more than 4,000 families from nearly every state in the US and 14 countries worldwide. The Columbus facility is now the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world after the recent expansion. We are grateful for Breezelines support, as our operation relies on the generosity of community partners through donations and the provision of in-kind goods and services, said Dee Anders, CEO and executive director, RMHC of Central Ohio. ABOUT BREEZELINE Cogeco US, operating as Breezeline, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States. The company provides its residential and business customers with Internet, TV, and Voice services in 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Cogeco Communications Inc. also operates in Quebec and Ontario, in Canada, under the Cogeco Connexion name. Cogeco Inc.s subsidiary, Cogeco Media, owns and operates 21 radio stations as well as a news agency serving audiences primarily in the province of Quebec. To learn more, visit Breezeline.com. ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL OHIO Since 1982, the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, Ohio has provided one million nights of rest for families of seriously ill, hospitalized children. The Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio is located directly across the street from Nationwide Childrens Hospital. Open 365 days a year, the Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in the hospital. In addition, RMHC of Central Ohio operates two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms; one at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, and the other at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Childrens Hospital. RMHC is proud to partner with Nationwide Childrens Hospital to operate a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. To learn more, visit RMHC-CentralOhio.org. Attachment Dallas, Texas, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parker University annually recognizes initiatives like World Spine Day and National Chiropractic Health Month that positively impact the mission of the chiropractic industry. These campaigns help introduce students to the value of public awareness and the positive change they will bring when serving their communities as DCs. Recognizing the Importance of World Spine Day World Spine Day highlights spinal pain and disability worldwide. It brings attention to a global commitment to tackling spinal pain and disability by governments, communities, and public health groups. October 16, 2023, marks this years annual World Spine Day, with Move Your Spine! as its theme. Organized by the World Federation of Chiropractic, World Spine Day has more than 800 official organizational supporters worldwide. Move Your Spine encourages people to support spinal health through movement and will highlight the necessity of staying mobile, avoiding physical inactivity, and adopting healthy habits like weight loss and smoking cessation. An estimated one billion people worldwide suffer from spinal pain. It is the most significant single cause of disability. Low and middle-income countries often have limited access to healthcare resources or spinal health professionals. Effective management and prevention are vital, and this years World Spine Day will encourage people to be kind to their spines. Ready to get involved, move your spine, and learn more about this health initiative? Visit worldspineday.org for all this years World Spine Day information! Parker University Celebrates National Chiropractic Health Month The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and DCs nationwide will celebrate National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) 2023 throughout October! This years theme is Chiropractic: Relieve, Restore, Resume, and the campaign is designed to bring attention to the impact of chronic pain and the importance of non-drug approaches like chiropractic services for effective pain management. This event helps to raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, evidence-based, patient-centered, and drug-free approach to health and wellness, which is critically important in todays world of opioid addiction. Raising public awareness of this growing problem improves access to non-drug pain relief options like chiropractic and helps fight against prescription drug abuse and overuse. During NCHM 2023, chiropractors raise extra awareness of chronic pain and chiropractics evidence-based, patient-centered, non-drug approach, encouraging chiropractic care to relieve pain, restore function, and resume memorable activities that matter most. To get involved in NCHM, consider the various resources and participation ideas available at acatoday.org/NCHM. Parker Universitys promotion and participation in these annual causes help bring awareness and continued support to the ever-changing, innovative chiropractic industry. Parker University is proud to be part of a community that encourages initiatives to help raise public awareness and educate others about the value of chiropractic. About Parker University Parker University, the fourth-fastest growing college in Texas and the fastest-growing college in Dallas, was founded in 1982 by Dr. James William Parker (formerly Parker College of Chiropractic). Today, Parker University has more than 2,100 students and more than 35 academic programs, including its famed chiropractic program, as well as masters degrees in clinical neuroscience, strength and human performance, and functional nutrition. Currently, Parker Universitys chiropractic cohort is the second largest of any campus in the world. Parker University has been recognized as an Honor Roll Institution by Great Colleges to Work For, one of the 25 Fastest-Growing Colleges in the U.S., as a recipient of the FutureEdge 50 Awards, and as a Best Texas Online College of 2023 by Forbes. Attachment Davenport, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Davenport, Iowa - La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries & Decor, a furniture store in Davenport, IA, wants to highlight their free design services for customers to help them create great looking rooms to achieve the home of their dreams in Quad Cities area in Iowa. This store offers the services of their Certified Design Experts without any charge. They will work closely with the customer and apply their extensive knowledge and experience about La-Z-Boy products to come up with attractive looking spaces in the home. They will make some recommendations based on their knowledge and the customers budget. A spokesperson for La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries & Decor says, The planning, presentation and coordinating services you would normally pay a professional interior designer to do are 100% free from La-Z-Boy. You only pay for your La-Z-Boy furniture and any delivery charges. Our Certified Design Experts will work right alongside you, offering suggestions based on your budget and their extensive knowledge of La-Z-Boy products. But the customer always has final approval. They also understand the importance of integrating your existing furniture, accessories and artwork into your new look. They are trained to offer designs that bring together old and new for results that showcase your individual taste and style. Customers can take advantage of the interior design services offered at their home, in-store, or virtually. For in-store design service, customers simply need to visit their local La-Z-Boy store to consult with one of their interior designers. For at home service, they can book a consultation with one of their designers. Homeowners can also work with an interior designer virtually in the comfort of their home. La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries & Decor offers a wide range of furniture choices, such as beds, chairs, sofas, recliners, nightstands, chests, dressers, mirrors for the bedroom, dining chairs, dining tables, dining storage, and barstools. Such a broad array of alternatives can be quite confusing for homeowners who are looking for the right furniture for their home. That is why they have a team of designers who provide a free consultation. Their interior designers will offer a number of suggestions based on their vast knowledge and experience with regards to the La-Z-Boy products and what they believe are the most suitable for the customers budget, but the customer will always be allowed to make the final decision on which furniture to use. For those who want to get some ideas about potential designs to use, they have several photographs of designs, such as: Contemporary Condo, Family Style Fun, Magazine-Worthy Style, California Dreaming, and more. Started in 1927, La-Z-Boy is the originator of the idea of a reclining chair that has become very popular and it has currently more than 2,300 retail outlets in the United States. Founded in 2008, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries & Decor in Davenport offers the La-Z-boy brand that has become well-known when it comes to in-home furniture and accessory items and services for the Quad Cities region in Iowa. This furniture store has a 25,000 sq ft warehouse and is the leading La-Z-Boy store in the Midwest based on sales volume, achieving a year-on-year record sales growth since it started. La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries & Decor currently has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google after receiving more than 1,100 reviews. In a recent review, S. Ramirez gave them a five star rating and said, We will definitely be repeat customers. Our sales rep. Aaron answered all of our questions. If it was something he did not know off hand, he promptly found a response. And when our furniture was delivered, they even moved the old outside for us. The delivery guys gave us tips about our new items from wrinkles in the leather, papers to keep. Great experience all the way around. Those who are interested in the broad variety of furniture and the design services they provide to customers can check out the La-Z-Boy Davenport website or contact them through the phone or via email. The store is open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, from Monday to Saturday; and from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sundays. ### For more information about La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries & Decor, contact the company here: La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries & Decor Tonia Noordt (563) 355-7801 storemgr@lazboydav.com 4775 Elmore Ave Davenport, IA 52807 NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alta Copper Corp. (TSX: ATCU; OTCQX: ATCUF; BVL: ATCU) (Alta Copper or the Company) is pleased to announce, subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement (the Private Placement) to raise gross proceeds of Cdn. $766,645. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for working capital and ongoing community initiatives in Peru. The Private Placement will consist of the sale of approximately 1,533,290 common shares (the Common Shares) at a price of Cdn. $0.50 to raise gross proceeds of approximately Cdn. $766,645. The Common Shares will be subject to a mandatory hold period ending four months and one day after issuance, in accordance with applicable securities law. There will be no warrants included in this Private Placement. Giulio T. Bonifacio, Executive Chair, commented: In view of the context of the current capital markets we have limited the amount raised to minimize dilution to all shareholders while also arranging our equity offering with no warrant and at a premium to the market close on October 11, 2023. We are continuing to advance discussion with several interested parties for purposes of funding our drilling program planned for 2024 while ensuring we minimize dilution to all shareholders. Our optimized preliminary economic assessment which will prove to be a significant project catalyst is advancing with results now targeted for publication by Q1-2024 in view of our desire to capture recent positive project developments both by way of metallurgical test-work and our geological modelling." Certain directors and officers of the Company will subscribe for a portion of the Private Placement, which subscriptions will constitute related party transactions pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). It is anticipated that the Company will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements in connection with the participation of insiders in reliance on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, as the fair market value of the insider participation is anticipated to not exceed 25% of Alta Coppers market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. About Alta Copper Alta Copper is focused on the development of its 100% owned Canariaco advanced staged copper project. Canariaco comprises 97 square km of highly prospective land located 150 km northeast of the City of Chiclayo, Peru, which include the Canariaco Norte deposit, Canariaco Sur deposit and Quebrada Verde prospect, all within a 4 km NE-SW trend in northern Perus prolific mining district. Canariaco is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not held by a major. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the of the Private Placement, the use of proceeds for the Private Placement, the insider participation in the Private Placement and the business plans of the Company, including the drill program and the completion and anticipating timing of the preliminary economic assessment. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Although the Company believes the forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the state of the equity financing markets in Canada and other jurisdictions; the receipt of regulatory approvals; fluctuations in metals prices, the actual results of current development activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and delays in obtaining approvals or financing. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. On behalf of the Board of Alta Copper Corp. Joanne C. Freeze P.Geo., President, CEO and Director For further information please contact: Joanne C. Freeze, President, CEO and Director jfreeze@altacopper.com +1 604 512 3359 or Giulio T. Bonifacio, Executive Chair and Director gtbonifacio@altacopper.com +1 604 318 6760 From left to right: Mary, Queen of Scotts, Elisabeth de Valois and Catherine de Medici. Wikimedia Commons Young Queens tells the entwined stories of Catherine de Medici, her daughter Elisabeth, Queen of Spain and her daughter-in-law, Mary, Queen of Scots. Each of these women was a different type of queen: Queen Regnant, Queen Consort and Dowager Queen. Author Leah Redmond Chang delves into the early lives of each queen, interweaving the relational, emotional and political challenges these women encountered over the course of their lives. The book is a remarkable attempt to capture the tumultuous nature of the 16th century in Europe through the eyes of three influential queens. Review: Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power Leah Redmond Chang (Bloomsbury) Queenship studies has exploded in the last 30 years, as scholars rewrite master narratives to recover womens histories, adding complexity to how we understand power in the past. Queens were not accessories but complex individuals whose actions and relationships influenced the political dynamics of royal spaces. Throughout the medieval and early modern periods, kings and queens across Europe were mostly seen not as distinct entities but as interrelated functions of the royal family. We have come to know the lives of many queens in considerable detail, perhaps most notably, for Anglophone audiences, Elizabeth I. Biographies of queens might now be commonplace on historical non-fiction shelves, but Redmond Changs decision to write an interconnected biography offers a breath of fresh air to the genre. In particular, the focus on the youth and emotional worlds of three famous queens invites the reader to immerse themselves in the decadent yet often traumatising spaces of their adolescence and adult lives. Novelist L P Hartley once wrote, The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there, and this has often led to a certain distance between modern readers and historical subjects. Redmond Changs tender treatment of each queen ensures the reader is conscious of the humanity of her protagonists, albeit with occasional modernisms that distract an expert eye. Story continues Catherine de Medici is the driving force throughout the book. Young Queens opens with the gripping account of her seizure by Florentine lawmakers while ensconced in the Benedictine convent of Le Murate at the age of eleven in 1530. As the lone descendant of statesman and banker Lorenzo de Medici, she represented a threat to the incumbent regime. Read more: Who was Catherine de' Medici? The Serpent Queen gives us a clever, powerful and dangerous woman Redmond Chang writes the episode through Catherines eyes, drawing on a later account recorded by one of the convents nuns. She charts Catherines early adulthood in much the same fashion, inviting the reader to step into the shoes of a frightened yet resilient young woman who ultimately became the Queen of France when she married Henry II at the age of 14. Catherine de Medici wearing the black cap and veil of widow, after 1559. Workshop of Francois Clouet (15101572) The decadent descriptions of 16th-century chateaux interspersed with political intrigue and fleeting intimacies make for a rich narrative tapestry. The arrival of Mary, Queen of Scots, (who married the dauphin, Francis, in 1548) and the quiet tension between Catherine and her husbands mistress Diane de Poitiers is captured well. As is Catherines tenure as Queen Mother, a title she assigned herself, in 1549 arguably the period from which much of her infamy is derived. Catherine de Medici has a number of dark legends associated with her rule, reflecting her alleged manipulative and ruthless nature. She has been accused of having a flying squadron of attractive women who seduced courtiers to achieve her political goals and practising witchcraft. She has also been accused of masterminding the Bartholomews Day massacre of 1572, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants). Redmond Chang is not the first to write from the perspective of Catherine de Medici, but the focus on the queens early life is welcome. Mary, Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots, arrived at the French court a decade after Catherine. One year after her marriage, Francis became King and Mary, Queen of France. However, Franciss reign was brief and he died in 1560. Mary returned to Scotland shortly afterwards and her later life is recounted by Redmond Chang. Mary, Queen of Scots, painted by Francois Clouet. Wikimedia Commons At times, there are some repetitive and chronological jumps that make the narrative difficult to follow. Moreover, readers well accustomed with Marys story will find some narrative choices curious, particularly the acceptance of the veracity of the Casket Letters. These letters were a 1567 collection of self-incriminating letters allegedly written by Mary that discussed a plot to murder her second husband, Lord Darnley. But, overall, the decision to situate Mary in relation to her French heritage (her mother was a member of the Guise dynasty who came to prominence during the French Wars of Religion of 1562-1598) offers a new perspective to readers more accustomed with Marys fight for survival in Tudor England. Mary had a legitimate claim to the English throne and was locked in a battle with Elizabeth I for the remainder of her life while also defending herself from Scottish lords who opposed her rule in Scotland. Read more: Mary, Queen of Scots is newly relevant in the age of #MeToo Elisabeth, a bride at 14 Finally, Elisabeth of Valois, Queen of Spain, enters the fold as a childhood companion of Mary and pawn in her mother Catherine de Medicis politics. Following the conclusion of the Italian Wars (between 1494-1559) Catherine de Medici and Philip II, king of Spain, agreed to unite their houses in the Peace of Cateau-Cambresis in 1559. Aged just 14, Elisabeth became Philip IIs third wife in the same year. Despite the two-decade age gap, the marriage appeared to be relatively happy. Redmond Changs retelling of Elisabeths few years in Spain are compelling and the reader is left wanting more. Elisabeth de Valois with her husband, Philip II of Spain. Miniature from a prayer book of Catherine de Medici. Bibliotheque nationale de France, Paris. Wikimedia Commons Elisabeths life was tightly controlled compared to the French court. Her days were spent following a strict protocol in the Spanish fashion: outings were orchestrated from the ornamentation on the horses saddles down to the rank and file of litters, ladies and lackeys. Elisabeth enjoyed art and writing to her mother, who maintained a voluminous correspondence with her daughter. Closely observed for signs of pregnancy, her various ailments alarmed those around her. Eventually she gave birth to two daughters but the labours of childbirth were too much for her frail body. Sadly, Elisabeth died only a decade into her marriage. Again, here, there are some instances of chronological confusion. However, the sensitive attention paid to Elisabeths string of miscarriages and difficult births is engaging and provides the reader with a gripping depiction of the extremely challenging lives of early modern women. Even the Queen of Spain, with all of the wealth of the New World, could not escape the gruelling nature of childbirth in the 16th century. Read more: How a 16th century Italian anatomist came up with the word 'placenta': it reminded him of a cake Blurring history and fiction Young Queens excels when the reader is immersed in the rich relationship dynamics of women at this time. Unlike their menfolk, elite women moved between different houses, which usually involved learning new languages and cultures. Often, marriages were pragmatic and young wives must have felt isolated and lonely in a foreign land. There were, of course, exceptions, as the three protagonists of Young Queens illustrate. Catherines own experiences perhaps led her to insulate her young children and daughter-in-law against the loneliness of her childhood. Catherine housed them together in a separate chateau, where they had each others company and the supervision of tutors. Redmond Chang situates each woman at the centre of their own stories rather than as supporting characters in the careers of their husbands. Yet, her commitment to vivid storytelling occasionally leads to some rhetorical devices that blur the line between history and fiction. A comment that Catherines union with Henri II was the strangest marriage on account of the presence of Diane de Poitiers veers towards the bombastic as many noble marriages were often crowded. (De Poitiers was 20 years Henri II senior and his mistress for close to 25 years). The commitment to modernisms, for example, a comment that boys will be boys in relation to Franciss penchant for sports, can be jarring for the expert reader, but is a small price to pay to open up a fascinating and engaging series of entwined stories to a wider audience. In the epilogue, Redmond Chang briefly summarises two events that have preoccupied scholars of Mary and Catherine for centuries: the Babington Plot (a 1586 conspiracy to kill Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots) and the St Bartholomews Day massacre. Perhaps this was a deliberate decision to steer attention towards the queens themselves, rather than the narratives that made them infamous. Admittedly, the book is titled Young Queens and so such quibbles about their later lives may be unwarranted. Indeed, while Catherine lived to the age of 70, Mary and Elisabeth only survived to the ages of 45 and 23, respectively. This article is republished from The Conversation is the world's leading publisher of research-based news and analysis. A unique collaboration between academics and journalists. It was written by: Jessica O'Leary, Australian Catholic University. Read more: Jessica O'Leary 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. ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Oct. 10, 2023 /CNW/ - Visible Gold Mines Inc. ("Visible Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: VGD) (Frankfurt: 3V41) announces that, further to the Company's news release of September 18, 2023, it has issued 78,125 common shares at a deemed price per share of $0.16 in partial settlement of a debt in an amount of $12,500. The debt referred to in this news release has been settled and resulted from management services provided by a company controlled by Visible Gold's President and Chief Executive Officer (the "Debt Settlement"), from April 2023 to August 2023, inclusively. The Debt Settlement is considered a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). 9086-0735 Quebec Inc. ("9086"), a company controlled by Martin Dallaire, the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Visible Gold, was issued 78,125 common shares of Visible Gold at a price per share of $0.16 (representing 0.22% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Visible Gold following the issuance). Immediately after the issuance, Martin Dallaire holds, directly or indirectly, 4,357,625 common shares, 625,000 common share purchase warrants and 1,365,000 stock options of Visible Gold. The Debt Settlement is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as Visible Gold's securities are not listed on any of the stock exchanges set out in Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and neither the fair market value of the common shares issued to the company controlled by Visible Gold's President and Chief Executive Officer, nor the fair market value of the services provided by such company, exceeds 25% of Visible Gold's market capitalization. Mr. Dallaire, a director of the Company (the "Non-Independent Director"), disclosed his interest to the Board of the Directors of the Company pursuant to Section 120 of the Canada Business Corporations Act. The terms of the Debt Settlement and the agreement related thereto were submitted to and unanimously approved by way of a resolution adopted by all the directors of the Company other than the Non-Independent Director. The Non-Independent Director did not vote on the resolution to approve the Debt Settlement and the agreement relating thereto. The remaining directors determined that the Debt Settlement was in the best interest of the Company as it will allow Visible Gold to preserve its cash position. The common shares issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement will be subject to a four-month hold period pursuant to applicable securities legislation and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Visible Gold Mines Visible Gold Mines is a corporation focused on gold in the prolific Abitibi Gold Belt and lithium in the James Bay region in the province of Quebec. Visible Gold Mines has 35,155,164 common shares issued and outstanding. 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 the release. SOURCE Visible Gold Mines Inc. HIGHLIGHTS Golden Horse has completed a series of key appointments: Jonathan Lea appointed as Non-Executive Director Martin Bouwmeester appointed Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary Travis Vernon appointed as Geology Manager Appointments significantly bolster management resources ahead of a proposed dual-listing on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") Improves the Company's geological experience as exploration accelerates across its >900km 2 of tenure within the well-endowed Southern Cross Greenstone Belt of tenure within the well-endowed Southern Cross Greenstone Belt Golden Horse extends thanks to long-serving Director Mr. Kerry Griffin who has resigned to focus on other director duties Perth, October 10, 2023 - Golden Horse Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: GHML) ("Golden Horse" or the "Company") wishes to advise the Company is undertaking several strategic board and management changes to ensure it is best placed to meet its objectives ahead of a proposed dual-listing on the ASX and as it further expands its operations in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, Western Australia. The Company is pleased to welcome highly experienced mining industry executive Jonathan Lea to the board of directors of Golden Horse as a Non-Executive Director, effective today. Mr. Lea has over 35 years' experience in all aspects of the minerals industry. After commencing his career as a geologist, he has more recently served as managing director for a number of junior mineral exploration companies and is experienced in resource development, project generation, corporate management and capital raising. Mr. Lea has extensive project development and production experience with a particular focus on gold, as well as other commodities including iron ore and base metals in both open cut and underground settings, primarily in Western Australia as well as elsewhere in Australia and overseas. Jonathan's experience includes a 10-year period working around Kalgoorlie. Success was achieved with Polaris Metals following the discovery and initial development of the Carina iron ore deposit leading to a takeover producing significant shareholder benefits. Mr. Lea was formerly a director of Ozz Resources Limited (ASX: OZZ) and Managing Director of Zuleika Gold Limited (ASX: ZAG). He has qualifications in geology, finance and mineral economics and is a member of AusIMM. Golden Horse also welcomes Martin Bouwmeester to the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary effective today. He is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant, highly experienced in exploration, mine development and operations. Martin was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at Orion Minerals Limited (ASX: ORN). Prior to his role at Orion, he worked closely with a number of companies to identify and assess exploration, development and mining opportunities and develop and implement financial strategies. Mr. Bouwmeester was Chief Financial Officer, Business Development Manager and Company Secretary of Perseverance Corporation and was a key member of the executive team that developed the Fosterville Gold Mine. In addition, highly experienced geologist and operations leader Travis Vernon will be joining the team at Golden Horse Minerals in the role of Geology Manager commencing on October 23, 2023. Mr. Vernon has extensive experience as a geologist across Gold Fields Australia, Karora Resources, BHP and Barrick Gold. Golden Horse would also like to announce the resignation of Non-Executive Director Mr. Kerry Griffin, who has stepped down to focus on other director duties. Commenting on the appointments, Golden Horse Interim CEO Graeme Sloan said: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Jonathan, Martin and Travis to the Golden Horse team. These key appointments further bolster the Company's board and management ahead of what is a pivotal time in the brief history of Golden Horse as we gear up to dual-list on the ASX. "At the same time, I would like to thank Kerry for his outstanding service to Golden Horse Minerals and note that his contributions have been vital in developing the Company's consolidation strategy in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt. "Golden Horse is in a strong position as we take great strides in accelerating exploration and development of key targets across our >900km2 of tenure in a highly prospective region." On behalf of Golden Horse Minerals Ltd. For more information contact: Graeme Sloan Director / Interim CEO Email: graeme.sloan@goldenhorseminerals.com.au +61 9322 1788 Josh Conner Chief Operating Officer Email: josh.conner@goldenhorseminerals.com.au +61 9322 1788 Media David Tasker Chapter One Advisors Email: dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au +61 433 112 936 Investors Adam Davey Canaccord Genuity Financial Limited Email: ADavey@cgf.com +61 8 9225 2811 Mason Brown Canaccord Genuity Financial Limited Email: mpbrown@cgf.com +61 8 9225 2862 Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This release contains "forwardlooking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to statements relating to the Company's planned dual-listing on the ASX, the start date of Mr. Vernon and the Company's exploration and development opportunities. All statements in this 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 from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development, the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of gold and other commodities, operating hazards and risks inherent in the resource industry, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's financial statements and/or management discussion and analysis available on www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183577 TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 - Goliath Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: GOT) (OTCQB: GOTRF) (FSE: B4IF) (the "Company" or "Goliath") is pleased to announce it has closed $4,484,384 in the second and final tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), for aggregate gross proceeds of $8,600,000 raised in total. Mr. Rob McEwen and Crescat Capital LLC ("Crescat Capital") completed their strategic investments in the first tranche which closed on October 2, 2023. Goliath welcomes a new 9.9% partially diluted ("P/D") strategic institutional shareholder, further demonstrating that the Company's new discoveries at its 100% controlled Golddigger Property is getting the financial support of smart long-term money from investors recognized globally specializing in precious metals and mining. Pursuant to the Offering, Mr. McEwen acquired 1,000,440 NFT Units priced at $0.63. Mr. McEwen now holds an aggregate of 1,588,000 NFT Units through his personal holding company, representing approximately 2.4% (P/D) ownership of Goliath. Mr. McEwen is the founder and former chairman of Goldcorp where he discovered, built, and operated the Red Lake Mine in Ontario which was acquired by Newmont Mining in 2019 for US$10 billion. Mr. McEwen is currently the Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc., a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, and Mexico. Pursuant to the Offering, Goliath's largest shareholder, Crescat Capital acquired 794,000 NFT Units priced at $0.63, resulting in 18.4% (P/D) ownership of Goliath. Crescat Capital participated in the Offering pursuant to a pre-emptive right granted to them by the Company (see about Crescat Capital below) and are considered to be a "related party" of the Company. The issuance of units to an insider pursuant to the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such related party participation in the Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the Offering, insofar as it involved the related party, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). Further details will be included in a material change report to be filed by the Company. The material change report will not be filed more than 21 days prior to closing of the placement due to the timing of the announcement of the amended private placement and closing occurring in less than 21 days. The Offering was a combination of: (i) 5,656,406 non-flow-through units ("NFT Units") sold at a price of $0.63 per NFT Unit. Each NFT Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of a purchase warrant, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78; (ii) 824,000 flow-through shares ("FT Shares") sold at a price of $0.67 per one FT Share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada); and (iii) 4,484,384 charity flow-through units ("CFT Units") sold at a price of $1.00 per CFT Unit, which represent 52% of the total gross proceeds raised. Each CFT Unit consists of one common share that will qualify as a FT Share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), plus one-half of a purchase warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds raised from the CFT and FT offering for exploration and related programs on Goliath's 100% controlled Golddigger and Lucky Strike properties located in and around the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. The proceeds from the NFT offering will be used for general working capital and administrative purposes. The gross proceeds from the CFT and FT offering will be used for Canadian exploration expenses as such term is defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of "Canadian exploration expense" in subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), flow-through mining expenditures as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) that will qualify as flow-through mining expenditures, and British Columbia flow-through mining expenditures as defined in subsection 4.721(1) of the Income Tax Act (British Columbia), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2024, and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023. British Columbia Super Flow - the British Columbia mining flow-through share tax credit allows British Columbia Residents who invest in FT Shares to claim a provincial non-refundable tax credit of 20% of their British Columbia flow-through mining expenditures. British Columbia flow-through mining expenditures are specific exploration expenses incurred by a PBC and renounced by a corporation issuing the FT Shares. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid cash finders' fees totaling $320,348 and issued 350,468 warrants priced at $0.78 for 18 months, subject to compliance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued and sold under the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from their date of issuance. Completion of the Offering and the payment of any finders' fees remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Crescat Capital LLC Crescat Capital is a global macro asset management firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Crescat Capital's mission is to grow and protect wealth over the long term by deploying tactical investment themes based on proprietary value-driven equity and macro models. Crescat Capital's goal is industry leading absolute and risk-adjusted returns over complete business cycles with low correlation to common benchmarks. Crescat Capital's investment process involves a mix of asset classes and strategies to assist with each client's unique needs and objectives and includes Global Macro, Long/Short and Precious Metals funds. Crescat Capital is advised by Dr. Quinton Hennigh, its geologic and technical director on investments in gold and silver resource companies. Dr. Hennigh became an economic geologist after obtaining his PhD in Geology/Geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines. He has more than 30 years of exploration experience with major gold mining firms that include Homestake Mining, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining. Recently, Dr. Hennigh founded Novo Resources Corp., and is currently serving as co-chairman. Among his notable project involvements are First Mining Gold's Springpole gold deposit in Ontario, Kirkland Lake Gold's acquisition of the Fosterville gold mine in Australia, the Rattlesnake Hills gold deposit in Wyoming, and Lion One's Tuvatu gold project in Fiji, among many others. Golddigger Property The Golddigger property is 100 % controlled covering an area of 61,685 hectares (152,427 acres) and is in a world class geological setting of the Eskay Rift within the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The property encompasses 56 kilometers of the 'Red Line' that is host to multiple world class deposits. The Surebet discovery has exceptional metallurgy with gold recoveries of 92.2% inclusive of 48.8% free gold from gravity alone at a 327-micrometer crush (no deleterious elements or cyanide required to extract the gold). It's in an excellent location close in proximity to the communities of Alice Arm and Kitsault where there is a permitted mill site on private property. It is situated on tide water with direct barge access to Prince Rupert (190 kilometers via the Observatory inlet/Portland inlet). The town of Kitsault is accessible by road (190 kilometers from Terrace, 300 kilometers from Prince Rupert) and has a barge landing, dock, infrastructure capable of housing more than 300 people, and high-tension power. Additional infrastructure in the area includes the Dolly Varden Silver Mine Road (only 7 kilometers to the East of the Surebet discovery) with direct road access to Alice Arm barge landing (18 kilometers to the south of the Surebet discovery) and high-tension power (25 kilometers to the East of Surebet discovery). The city of Terrace (population 16,000) provides access to railway, major highways, and airport with supplies (food, fuel, lumber, etc.), while the town of Prince Rupert (population 12,000) is located on the west coast and houses an international container seaport also with direct access to railway and an airport with supplies. About Goliath Resources Limited Goliath Resources Ltd. is an explorer of precious metals projects in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia and Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec. All its projects are in world class geological settings and geopolitical safe jurisdictions amenable to mining in Canada. For more information please contact: Goliath Resources Ltd. Mr. Roger Rosmus Founder and CEO Tel: +1.416.488.2887 roger@goliathresources.com www.goliathresourcesltd.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this press 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 Goliath's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the ability of the Company to complete financings and its ability to build value for its shareholders as it develops its mining properties. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Goliath. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the proposed transactions will occur, or that if the proposed transactions do occur, will be completed on the terms described above. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and Goliath is not obligated 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. This announcement does not constitute an offer, invitation, or recommendation to subscribe for or purchase any securities and neither this announcement nor anything contained in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. In particular, this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 - Canadian North Resources Inc. ("the Company," TSXV: CNRI; OTCQX: CNRSF; FSE: EO0 (E-O-zero)) is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, aimed at providing an enhanced online experience for its stakeholders, investors, and the broader public. The revamped website offers a modern, user-friendly interface that reflects the Company's commitment to innovation and sustainable resource exploration and development. With improved navigation, accessibility features, and updated content, the new website serves as a valuable resource for those seeking information about CNRI and its mission. "As we continue our marketing awareness campaign, the launch of our new website will be a powerful tool for engaging with current and potential shareholders and stakeholders alike," said Sophy Cesar, Head of Corporate Development for the Company. "We believe that an informed and engaged community is vital, and this website will serve as a hub for sharing our progress, values, and vision for the future." Explore the revamped website and learn more about Canadian North Resources at www.cnresources.com. About Canadian North Resources Canadian North Resources Inc. is an exploration and development company focusing on the critical metals for the clean-energy, electric vehicles, battery and high-tech industries. The company is advancing its 100% owned Ferguson Lake nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, and platinum project that covers an area of 253.8 km2 of mining leases (96.9 km2) and surrounding exploration claims (156.9 km2) in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The Ferguson Lake mining property contains substantial resources in compliance with NI43-101 standards, which include Indicated Mineral Resources of 24.3 million tonnes containing 455 million pounds (Mlb) copper at 0.85%, 321Mlb nickel at 0.60%, 37.5Mlb cobalt at 0.07%, 1.08 million ounces (Moz) palladium at 1.38gpt and 0.18Moz platinum at 0.23gpt; Inferred Mineral Resources of 47.2 million tonnes containing 947Mlb copper at 0.91%, 551.5Mlb nickel at 0.53%, 62.4Mlb cobalt at 0.06%, 2.12Moz palladium at 1.4gpt and 0.38Moz platinum at 0.25gpt. The resource model indicates significant potential for resource expansion along strike and at depth over the 15 km long mineralized belt. (Refer to "Independent Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, Ferguson Lake Project, Nunavut, Canada, Prepared by Ronacher McKenzie Geoscience Inc. and Francis Minerals Ltd" filed by the Company to Sedar.com on July 13, 2022). In addition, the Company has identified the pegmatites with lithium potential at the Ferguson Lake project. Sophy Cesar, Corporate Development Phone: 905-696-8288 (Canada) 1-888-688-8809 (Toll-Free) Email: info@cnresources.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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law. VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2023 - Highland Copper Company Inc. (TSXV: HI; OTCQB: HDRSF) ("Highland" or the "Company") today announces that Denis Miville-Deschenes, President and Chief Executive Officer, will depart the Company. Barry O'Shea, Highland's Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed by Highland's Board as Interim CEO, effective immediately, while the Board seeks a full-time replacement. Steve Hicks, Chair of the Board of Highland, stated, "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Denis for his contributions as Highland CEO over the past seven years." Mr. O'Shea has considerable operating, capital markets and finance experience across diverse industries and countries. Prior to Highland, he was the CFO of Fiore Gold Ltd., who successfully restarted the Pan Mine in Nevada and was subsequently acquired by Calibre Mining Corp. Prior to Fiore, Mr. O'Shea spent eight years with New Gold Inc., initially as Vice President of Finance where he oversaw operational analytics, financial planning and capital project controls, particularly new mine construction. He then served as Vice President, Business Development, responsible for corporate development, investor relations, and strategic capital allocation. Mr. O'Shea is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has an Honours Business Administration degree from the Ivey Business School. "The Highland Board is confident that Barry has the right balance of skills to execute our business plan during this transition period", Steve Hicks further stated. "His broad background across operations, business development and finance will best position the Company for future success. As well, the addition of Mike Foley continues to add to our regional Michigan team and our capacity for project execution. We look forward to progressing Copperwood to financing and development." Highland is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Foley, of Ironwood, Michigan, to the position of Copperwood Site Manager. Mike has 32 years of experience as a Civil Engineer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin. He was most recently the Director of Environment & Infrastructure at the Back Forty Mine. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Project Manager for Coleman Engineering Company ("Coleman"), where he had been the lead contact for a number of mining, industrial, utility and municipal clients. With Coleman, Mike was instrumental in working with the mining consulting team on the Copperwood Project to obtain a variety of regulatory permits. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, with an Environmental emphasis, from Michigan Technological University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in both Michigan and Wisconsin. ABOUT HIGHLAND Highland Copper Company Inc. is a Canadian company focused on exploring and developing copper projects in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A. The Company owns the Copperwood deposit through long-term mineral leases. The Company also owns surface rights securing access to the deposit and providing space for infrastructure as required. Additionally, Highland Copper owns a 34% stake in the White Pine North Project, a past-producer in the Upper Peninsula. The Company has 736,363,619 common shares issued and outstanding. Its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "HI" and trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under symbol "HDRSF". More information about the Company is available on the Company's website at www.highlandcopper.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These include, without limitation, statements about; (a) the Board's expectations with respect to the continued advancement of the Company's projects during the transition period; and (b) the anticipated hire of a full time replacement. Such forward looking statements are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Important assumptions include that management will have sufficient capacity during the transition period to meet the Company's goals, and that replacement will be identified and hired on terms acceptable to the Company in the medium term. Important factors that could materially impact the Company's expectations include unanticipated developments in the Company's business that may affect management's short to medium-term capacity and the Company's development timeline. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Barry O'Shea, Interim CEO Email: info@highlandcopper.com Website: www.highlandcopper.com Officials in the Israeli military say they have uncovered evidence of a bloody assault by Hamas fighters on the village of Kfar Aza that included the killings of women and children as young as infants. They cut heads of children, cut heads of women, David Ben Zion, a deputy commander in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), said in an on-camera interview with Israeli television station i24 News. IDF officials took a group of reporters to the Kfar Aza village near Gaza, but much of the information on specifically what happened has come from IDF sources. Nicole Zedeck, an i24 correspondent, said she had been told by soldiers that 40 babies had been killed in the attack, a figure that has widely been picked up elsewhere. The horrors that Im hearing from these soldiers that about 40 babies, at least, were taken out in gurneys, Zedek said. Still, right now, theyre going house to house, still evacuating dead bodies. Major Nir Dinar told Insider that forces had found the corpses of decapitated babies at the village but said he had not seen images or videos himself. He also could not confirm the number of casualties a soldier had told the i24 reporter. We cannot confirm any numbers. What happened in Kibbutz Kfar Aza is a massacre in which women children, toddlers and elderly were brutally butchered in an ISIS way of action, he said in a statement to Insider. The Hill has not confirmed the accounts from i24 or IDF personnel. The Hill has reached out to the State Department and an Israeli military spokesperson for more information about what happened at the village. President Biden, during remarks from the White House on Tuesday, talked of his horror at stomach turning reports of babies being killed. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told CNN that he heard that a woman who gave him a tour of Kfar Aza sent him a message that her parents had been killed in the village. Story continues McCaul said he traveled to the community with a bipartisan congressional delegation over the past year to see how people live there on the border of a tense security environment. That kibbutz, they recommended we go there because its one of the most terrorized places in Israel, he said. I asked why do you choose to live here? And they say well its where my family always lived. They have a bond to it and they love its almost kind of like patriotism for Israel and sadly I think most of them got killed as well. Shaar HaNegev Regional Council, where the town is located, has thus far reported 56 deaths, 20 abductions and 36 residents who are unaccounted for, according to Ynet, the online outlet for Yedioth Ahronoth, Israels largest daily newspaper. Most of these individuals are either from Kfar Aza or neighboring Kibbutz Nahal Oz, the regional council determined. Kfar Aza has a special connection to Washington; national security professionals, members of Congress and their staff have visited the community on organized trips to learn about the security situation and meet residents. Such aid has helped reinforce Israels defenses, including the Iron Dome missile defense system that has allowed communities in the region to survive rocket fire. When a reporter from The Hill visited the town in 2018 and 2022, residents described it as a paradise where neighbors are family and children run freely. Yet it also lies just 1 mile away from the Gaza Strip and has suffered from mortar attacks, rocket fire and improvised explosives and fire starters that torched surrounding farm fields. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) had twice traveled to Kfar Aza, in 2018 as a master chief in the Navy and in 2022 as a congressman, he told The Hill. When asked about his visit, he pointed to statements he posted on X, formerly Twitter, of his reaction Saturday that he was both enraged and horrified by the brutal attacks being carried out by Hamas against Israel. I fully stand by our close ally as it defends itself against these terrorists. Enia Krivine, senior director for the Foundation for Democracies Israel Programs and National Security Network, said visitors from Washington have connected deeply with residents they have met at Kfar Aza. Among those Krivine introduced during trips she helped to organize was a woman named Chen, who explained to visitors what life is like in the community. The Hill is withholding her last name to protect her privacy because she could not be reached. What struck so many who spent time with Chen is that although she spoke of the trauma of living under rocket fire, she remained optimistic, Krivine said. Each time she hosted a delegation, Krivine explained, Chen would share her desire for peace and coexistence with her neighbors in Gaza. Chens generosity of spirit has touched so many lives, Krivine said. Hundreds and maybe thousands of Americans are watching the scenes from the massacre in Kfar Aza and feeling a deep connection and sadness today. I hope Chen can continue telling her story one day. Updated: 6:03 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Stroll in exceptional situation amid F1 dramas Lance Stroll has found himself at the centre of multiple intersecting narratives in Formula 1 - as it emerges that the FIA is now investigating his behaviour. Lance Stroll, Qatar GP 2023 Aston Martin Racing Amid the Canadian's performance slump, and after his calamitous participation in the most recent race weekend, an FIA spokesman said the body's compliance department is in talks with Stroll over several incidents in Qatar. He threw his steering wheel after qualifying, violently shoved his trainer Henry Howe after refusing to go for his mandatory post-qualifying weight-check, and then lashed the FIA and the stewards to the media. It's a joke that they are giving penalties for this, he said on Sunday about the track limits issues in Qatar. "They don't understand what Formula 1 is these days. What they're putting us through - making the track narrower and saying you can't go over kerbs because the tyres are failing if we do. The FIA spokesman said the Paris federation is now looking into Stroll for potential breaches of FIA rules, policies and procedures . And it all comes at a time in which rumours are flying around that Stroll's motivation and form are flagging at the same time and rate - and that his Aston Martin-owning father Lawrence may be considering Yuki Tsunoda for the team's works Honda future. It's an exceptional situation, well-known Spanish commentator Antonio Lobato told A Diario. "Not only is he the owner's son, but he built this team for his son to race. So I don't think he's going to tell him to get out. 2023 Banking and Insurance Fair kicks off Kester Aburam Korankye Business News Oct - 10 - 2023 , 17:26 Experts and players in the countrys banks, insurance, pensions and securities sector will converge on Accra from Wednesday for this years edition of the Banking and Insurance Fair. Dubbed The Financial Fair, it will take place simultaneously at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) Park, near the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Park in Central Accra. The three days fair, which begins tomorrow and closes on Friday (October 13), will be held on the theme: Making prudent financial decisions in times of adversities. Key to recovery The event is expected to draw key stakeholders in the banking and insurance industries to deliberate on expediting the recovery of the institutions from recent struggles. There will be sales, marketing, education, business opportunities, partnerships and networking at the fair and more. There will also be a Business Forum which will address all challenges in making prudent financial decisions in times of adversities from creative ideas, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate bodies. Ideal platform The CEO of Kotlers Management Service, Samuel Ogyiri Sackey, organisers of the event said the importance of the banking and insurance sectors to the growth of the countrys economy could not be understated. He said the fair would provide the ideal platform for financial and insurance institutions to build networks and strike partnerships with investors, clients and others. The financial sector, which is a strong bedrock for economic growth in Ghana and beyond, has in recent times witnessed some turbulence. This has necessitated the need to deepen and further engage the general public on financial literacy and inclusion, especially in light of the fact that about 70 per cent of the Ghanaian populace are unfamiliar with financial knowledge. I must reiterate that the fair will parade financial institutions in good standing with their respective regulators, thus, customers can be rest assured of transacting business with the right institutions, he said. Ghana Link's Dr Nick Danso Adjei honoured - Wins Entrepreneur of the Year for 2nd time at Ghana CEO Awards Daily Graphic Business News Oct - 11 - 2023 , 09:14 Accolades continue to pour in for the Executive Chairman of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd (Ghana Link), Dr Nick Danso Adjei, after he clinched the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award for the second consecutive year at the second edition of the Ghana CEO Awards. This recognition underscores his leadership and commitment to leveraging technology for trade facilitation and national development, particularly through the successful implementation of the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS). Dr Adjei's unwavering dedication and vision have been instrumental in automating critical trade processes, boosting revenue streams and catalysing the nation's development agenda. Under his leadership, the ICUMS system has emerged as a vital revenue generation tool for the government, contributing significantly to its financial resources. Speaking on the sidelines of the award ceremony held on September 30, 2023, Dr Danso Adjeis brother, who doubles as the Deputy Managing Director of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd who received the award on his behalf, expressed his gratitude, emphasising the collective effort of his team at Ghana Link. "This award is proof of the hard work the team at Ghana Link puts into the day-to-day running of the ICUMS system to ensure its effective and smooth operationalisation to generate the needed revenue for the government," he remarked. Beyond Ghana Link, Dr Danso Adjei's entrepreneurial prowess has shone through in a diverse array of ventures, including the Royal Nick Hotel, Royal Light, Nick TC Scan (Ghana and Port of Gambia), Misyl Energy BDC, Nick Petroleum, and several other successful enterprises. His ability to initiate and manage businesses effectively underscores his commitment to contributing to economic growth and development, not only in Ghana but also in the broader international context. The Ghana CEO Awards serves as a distinguished platform, celebrating CEOs who make a positive impact across various economic sectors. This initiative brings together outstanding CEOs from different industries, recognising their efforts to advance the nation's economic progress, foster social transformation, and champion environmental sustainability. Dr Adjei's repeated mention as Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ghana CEO Awards highlight his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to driving positive change in Ghana's economic landscape. His visionary approach and remarkable achievements continue to make a difference in the fields of technology, trade facilitation and entrepreneurship. Profile Dr Nick Danso Adjei is a renowned Ghanaian industrialist whose entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to national development have made him a leading figure in the country's business landscape. Born in Nkoranza/Bredi, Dr Adjei showed an early aptitude for business, engaging in petty trading at just 11years old. After completing his basic education, he travelled to Spain to further his education where he quickly established himself in the business world, rising through the ranks of Cilogar Construction and Exporting SL to become a partner in the company. In 1992, he returned to Ghana, and founded the Royal Nick Hotel in Tema and established Nick & Cilogar Limited, which is now known as Royal Lighting Limited and specialises in sanitary wares, building materials and tiles. Beyond borders Dr Adjei's entrepreneurial pursuits extend beyond Ghana's borders, with his companies operating in Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau,Gambia, among other countries. His business ventures include the establishment of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, a destination inspection company that enhances trade facilitation and helps in revenue maximisation for the Ghanaian government at the Tema port. He is also the founder of Nick TC-Scan Limited, the first African company to provide non-intrusive scanning of containerised cargos using state-of-the-art technology. In addition to his business ventures, Dr Adjei is committed to giving back to society and has undertaken several corporate social responsibility projects, including the construction of a mortuary facility for St. Theresas Hospital in Nkoranza and the establishment of an education endowment fund in the Bono East Region. His companies have also provided financial support to hundreds of less privileged Ghanaian students and monthly financial assistance to widows in the Bono East Region, among other initiatives. Dr Adjei's impact on Ghana's economy and society has been significant, providing jobs to Ghanaian youth and professionals through his various companies. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, with Azteca University conferring on him an Honorary Doctorate Degree for his hard work and immense contribution to individuals, society and the nation as a whole, taking into consideration his creativity and innovation. You are kings and queens, come back home -Black Sherif urges Diasporans at BET Hip Hop Awards Edith Mensah Showbiz News Oct - 11 - 2023 , 14:00 In an act that could only be described as a pride for his African roots, popular Ghanaian rapper, Black Sherif has thrown a special invite to Black Diasporans to return home to where they are kings and queens. In a touching speech after winning the Best International Flow at BET Hip Hop Awards 2023, the Kwaku The Traveller himaker talked about his small beginnings at Konongo Zongo and how despite where he began, was still very confident that his music will go global one day. But the highlight of his speech, which has now gone viral, was how he confidently asked the audience, who were predominantly Blacks to reconnect with their African roots. And dont forget, remember you are kings and queens back home. Come back home, Black Sherif said. The reigning VGMA Artiste of the Year emphasised the profound sense of unity and belonging that awaits those who choose to return to their motherland. He noted that Ghana was known for its vibrant culture, historical significance, and warm hospitality and going back home would offer them a wealth of experiences of the culture. In addition to his message to the diaspora, Black Sherif took a moment to express his deep gratitude to his family, team and loyal fans across the world for their immense support over the years. He recognised that their support played a pivotal role in making his dream of winning the Best International Flow award at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2023 a reality. Black Sherif isn't new to the BET stage. Last year, he was also nominated for "Best International Flow," but didn't win. He, however, came back stronger this year beating a tough competition from the likes Aka (South Africa), Central Cee (UK), Gazo (France), J Hus (Uk), K.O (South Africa), Major Rd (Brazil), Ninho (France), Sampa The Great (Zambia) and Tasha & Tracie (Brazil). How not to apologise Elizabeth Ohene Elizabeth Ohene Oct - 11 - 2023 , 08:36 We do not seem to quite understand what is meant by an apology. As the dictionary says an apology is: A regretful acknowledgement of an offence or a failure. Every day I hear and read of people in the public eye purporting to apologise for something or the other that they have said or done and it is clear to me that far from apologising, we simply go through some format and move on. The latest in the series issuing these non-apologies would be the Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xarvier Sosu. I had been following this Member of Parliament especially when he sponsored a Private Members Bill that has led to the striking out of the Death Penalty from our laws. He is reported to be also currently involved in trying to get taxes removed on sanitary pads and I had been toying with writing to him about my ideas on the issue. But before I could do that, he was shown spewing a tirade of unbelievable foul and vile language at the #OccupyBOG demonstration organised last week by the Minority in Parliament. The very next day, the MP issued what was reported on the radio as an unqualified apology following his outburst during the demonstration. He followed it up with various appearances on media outlets. The statement he issued was short enough to be reproduced here. First thing I noticed was that he himself had labelled his apology as unqualified and it was not an adjective supplied by the reporters. Unqualified apology I wish to sincerely apologise for my choice of words during my outburst yesterday. I unreservedly apologise for my actions and words and ask that all those offended would find a place in their hearts to forgive me. I have reflected and realised that though I spoke those words, out of anger and extreme provocation, I was completely out of character. Hence, consistent with my avowed values, I am sincerely sorry. When I reached the second sentence of the statement, I discovered that far from it being an unqualified apology, there were qualifications. He unreservedly apologises for his actions and words and asks that all those offended would find a place in their hearts to forgive him. Obviously, the Honourable Member of Parliament did not think that the actions and words he was apologising for, had offended everybody. He knows there are some amongst the public on whom he unleashed his foul language who would not be offended and would probably laugh it off. The apology therefore is aimed at the thin skinned amongst us. If the MP indeed wanted to apologise, he would not be directing it to all those offended, he would know that the apology should be directed to everybody, without any qualifications. Then he proceeds by stating that he had reflected and realised that even though I spoke those words out of anger and extreme provocation, I was completely out of character. At this stage, the Honourable MP lost me completely. We are supposed to understand that it was the anger and extreme provocation that drove him to utter those words and he wants us to believe that the words were completely out of character. So, indeed, this is not an unqualified apology. As he went from media station to station to expand on his statement, it was clear that the fault did not lie with the Honourable MP, even though he said he was taking full responsibility. Of course, he did not make himself angry and it was the frustration about the rotten system in the country that had driven him to such language. If only things werent so hard in Ghana and the system werent so rotten, the Honourable MP would never have been driven to such extremis. He is obviously not accepting any, never mind, full responsibility. Going on this tangent of a qualified apology, he now asks us to take a truly huge leap in the dark on his behalf. He says what he said and did, as a result of anger and extreme provocation, were completely out of character. Character? I was taught that there are certain words and expressions that would never come out of your mouth, even if you were in a room by yourself, with the door locked. Honourable MP, life is full of anger and extreme provocation and we cant ever tell when we would walk into one of those situations. If anger and extreme provocation can drive you to such language, then it is surely dangerous to take a chance on what you would come up with the next time. The Honourable MP is suggesting that if we are conversant with his character, if we know the type of person that he is, when he is not angry and when he is not provoked, we would know that the foul language that poured out of him, was not the real him. Well, when I watched that video of him, I must say he did not sound at all like he was saying something that was alien to him or that he was employing language that he was uncomfortable with, indeed, he sounded quite practiced, like the type of thing he says regularly. And that is what I mean by the Honourable MP going into dangerous territory, inviting us to accept that what happened was out of character. As a Member of Parliament and lawyer, you could, if you thought you could get away with it, try a qualified apology; show us the extent of the provocation, tell us about the young man, out of camera shot who was mouthing the words to you and you just repeated them. You could tell us, like I have heard a panellist on TV3, who when challenged on his persistent use of abusive language on the President of the Republic, claimed that our politics allows for robust language. But it would seem to me that if you are going to apologise for use of unsavoury words, it is better to stay on the straight and narrow. The apology is and must be to ALL, and not to those you think might have been offended; even if some friends of yours tell you they enjoyed your outburst. You decide that what you said was offensive, that decision is not up to the public, that is how we judge character, Dont try to find any justification for what you are apologising for, no matter how tempting. And as we all know, our lives are now ruled by an unforgiving and unforgetting Internet, so dont send us to look up your past use of language. An apology is first to yourself and if you are not persuaded you are wrong Systematic constriction of voters democratic expression in Ghana Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey Opinion Oct - 11 - 2023 , 08:25 The recent limited voter registration exercise by Ghanas Electoral Commission (EC) presented systemic challenges that ultimately restricted rather than enhanced mass registration by first-time voters in Ghana. The ECs decision to limit voter registration to its 268 district offices instead of maximising electoral areas as advocated by opposition parties and civil society organisations, accounts for this. The latter had argued that this decision would present formidable logistics and financial challenges for first-time voters. They followed up with a suit in Ghanas Supreme Court, to ground its claims in a court directive. In typical fashion, the EC has debunked these resorting to arguments that affirm the ECs current untouchable status per the estimation of the Commissioner for Human Rights & Administrative Justice. Per one Electoral Commissioner, it is not compulsory to vote. Per another, even if there will be future ongoing opportunities to register continually, aligning registration centres to electoral areas cannot be guaranteed. Did the CSOs and the opposition parties embellish the said significant logistics and financial challenges posed to some potential first-time voters by design? I reached out to Fredrick Quodzo Tetteh, a former Assemblyman of the Kwaekese Bampo Electoral Area, and a Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC in the Kwahu Afram Plains North constituency, to understand the practical implications of the ECs decisions. I learnt about 575 surrounding communities accessing 125 Polling Stations at the ECs Kwahu Afram Plains North District offices at Donkorkrom. Out of these 575 communities, 220, constituting 38 per cent, are made up of so-called island communities aka hard to reach areas or overseas territories. From the last polling station on Digya Island which is Agordeke, you need about GH800 to GH1000 to get to Donkorkrom if you are coming as an individual with a service boat. The financial reality is even more compounded where an individual lacks a Ghana card for identification purposes, associated transportation costs of an accompanying guarantor with a Ghana card ought to be factored in. Let me break it down further Although most of these Island communities fall under Donkorkrom, there is apparently no direct public transportation linking the islands to it. Individuals, therefore, resort to privately operated speed boats which are smaller and fitted with outboard motors and more expensive. On any given day, these options are often likely to be derailed by shortages in premix fuel. To access markets, fishermen routinely travel from these islands in the Eastern Region to Abotoase in the Oti Region. To continue to their district capital Donkorkrom from Abotoase however, one needs to travel to Kpando in the Volta Region, cross over to Agordeke via Pontoon and pick a car to Donkorkrom. Of note is the fact that this boat connecting a traveller from Abotoase to Agordeke is available only on market days. As my Comrade Stephen Kemetse eloquently argued, Getting even GH5 to access a tangible benefit such as a health insurance card renewal is a challenge in some quarters. Why do we think the villagers are going to incur exorbitant extra costs to access a perceived intangible benefit like a voter ID card? No doubt, the exercise will end with thousands being registered. In fact within six days of the commencement of the exercise, the EC touted the figure of 182,931 Ghanaians being registered. They would be silent on the tens of thousands that will be systematically disenfranchised even as we await the ECs plans for continuous registration in all district offices nationwide in 2024. Other red flags emerge. The Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), once a useful deliberative mechanism, is now weakened with the withdrawal of the National Democraticb Congress, the main opposition party accusing the EC of intransigence. As tensions simmer, the charge of intransigence is further amplified by other opposition parties that have joined the NDC in its lawsuit on the limited voter registration exercise, their IPAC membership notwithstanding. Lets zoom out of the limited registration exercise a little. Put yourself in the shoes of the ordinary Ghanaian. Increasingly, a lot of initiatives centre around possession of the Ghana card. Meanwhile, there is no universal coverage in registration for and possession of the Ghana card. One systemic bottleneck. Why dont the aggrieved political parties resort to law courts? Well, the suit filed by them is still pending, waiting to be heard as the voter registration exercise ends. Second systemic bottleneck. Even after the opposition parties filed the lawsuit, the Court Registrar delayed in scheduling hearing because the Chief Justice was abroad. On return to the jurisdiction, the Chief Justice continued to Cape Coast to attend the Bar Conference. Third systemic bottleneck. The registration continues, meanwhile. Eventually, it dawns on you that there is no outlet. The political and governance systems, set up to give free expression to your democratic rights and freedoms are conspiring against you. You see where this is going? What do you think will happen one day when the people decide they have had enough of the merry go round? The writer is the Chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, an Accra-based think tank advocating for progressive social transformation and people-centered development. Aussie travellers in Bali have been urged to be vigilant as concerns rise over the spread of the deadly Nipah virus. The rare virus which originated from fruit bats has been detected in Kerala, India with five infected, two of whom have already died. Although the virus has not been identified in Indonesia, the high number of Indian tourists who travel into Bali has health authorities concerned. Indians make up the second-largest group of foreigners visiting Bali behind Australians, authorities have announced a swift response in attempt to prevent the virus from breaching international borders. In accordance with the Ministry of Healths directive, we must remain vigilant regarding the Nipah virus threat, Head of the Bali Provincial Health Service, I Nyoman Gee Anom said. Aussies travellers can expect additional health screenings as they arrive in Bali as the Nipah virus spreads. Source: Getty What changes can Aussie travellers expect Tourists will now have a mandatory temperature check upon arrival by an airport temperature detection device. Any who record a high temperature or have travelled through an area where the Nipah virus is currently present will be transported directly to hospital for assessment by a team of specialists. "A team of neurologists, surgeons, and so on have been prepared because the virus can attack the brain," Mr Anom said. There are currently no drugs or vaccine for the virus, with a fatality rate between 40 to 75 per cent, according to the World Health Organisation. The virus can be transmitted directly from human-to-human via bodily fluids, close contact with an infected animal or contaminated food. Signs and symptoms to look out for Infected people can develop symptoms including fever, headaches, vomiting, muscle pain and a sore threat, while others remain completely asymptomatic. In extreme cases, people can experience severe respiratory problems and seizures which can induce a coma. Story continues Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Liberia awaits election results Kwamena Nyamekye, MONROVIA International News Oct - 11 - 2023 , 14:38 Liberians are waiting with bated breath as the National Elections Commission (NEC) slowly receives and tallies results from 5,890 polling places for the October 10 presidential and legislative elections. The 15 counties have 19 magistrates for the collation. Under Liberia's electoral laws, the election management body has 15 days after voting day to declare results. However, it is expected that by the fifth day, the president-elect will be known. The delay could be attributed to the poor condition of roads leading to hard-to-reach areas during the six-month rainy season. As predicted by pundits, early results indicate a straight battle between incumbent President George Weah and former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai. But many others insist that with 20 candidates, there is likely to be a second round. After a day's national holiday for voting, the people are going about their normal daily activities, with many others glued to their radio sets listening to the results as to which of the 20 presidential candidates will lead the country for the next six years. Polling Places Each polling place's results will be sent to their respective county magistrates (regions) for collation and onward transmission to the national headquarters for declaration. The Daily Graphic team observed that the poll, which commenced at 8am and ended at 6pm on Tuesday, was generally peaceful despite the initial complaints of a slow voting process at some centres. No major incidents were recorded, except for a few areas that had delayed voting. Voting On voting day, voters queued as early as 4am, with the elderly and people with disabilities often given priority to vote. Red Cross At each polling precinct (a collection of polling places), personnel of the Liberia Red Cross in their red and white vests were on hand to provide first aid to voters. They were seen distributing drinking water to voters who had stood in the queue for long hours. In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr. Richards Gweh, a member of the Red Cross, said the move was part of their contribution to a successful election and a peaceful Liberia. ECOWAS Observers Over 500 local and international observers were accredited by the NEC for the elections. In almost every polling precinct, observers were seen watching the processes keenly. ECOWAS, on September 10, deployed 15 long-term observers to all 15 counties who had been serving as detectors of challenges and other issues for the regional body to be able to engage in early warning mechanisms for preventive diplomacy. About a week to the election day, the West African regional bloc deployed an additional 80 short-term observers for the voting process. The entire ECOWAS Observation Team is headed by Prof. Attahiru Jega, the former National Independent Election Commission of Nigeria. Legislative elections Under the legislative elections, the country will elect 30 senators for the upper house and 73 for the lower house. See the fixtures for the NSMQ 1/8th stage: Find out when your school is competing GraphicOnline Education Oct - 11 - 2023 , 08:05 The quest for the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) champion advances as the competition progresses into its one-eighth stage. Following the conclusion of the preliminary stage, qualifying schools and those seeded from the 2022 contests are set to vie for a spot in the quarter-final stage. Enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the performance of the 2022 seeded schools, as well as last year's semi-finalists and finalists. The ultimate question remains: which schools will earn the coveted bragging rights and the opportunities that accompany victory? Presec Legon, the 2022 NSMQ champions, will face potential banana skins in Kumasi Wesley Girls SHS and Konongo Odumase SHS on Friday, October 13, 2023. Prempeh College, last year's first runners-up, will square off against Fomena T.I Amass and Navrongo SHS. Adisadel College, a one-time champion and 2022's 2nd runners-up, will engage in fierce competition with St Louis SHS and Abuakwa State College. Achimota School is poised to clash with Holy Child School, along with last years seeded school, Assin State College. Wesley Girls will go head-to-head with Archbishop Porter Girls SHS, as well as Ghanata SHS representing the Greater Accra Region. Furthermore, Mfantsipim School, Kumasi Academy, and Mamfe Methodist Girls SHS will fiercely compete for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals. In total, there will be 27 contests spanning three days, from Wednesday, October 11, to Friday, October 13. See the entire fixtures below; 2nd Cancer treatment centre for Tamale Teaching Hospital - To serve five regions Mohammed Fugu Oct - 11 - 2023 , 05:25 A cancer treatment centre has been inaugurated at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to serve patients in the Northern, North East, Upper East, Upper West and Savannah regions. The oncology centre has patients waiting rooms, three consulting rooms, chemotherapy room, procedure room, infusion pumps, counselling room, washrooms and other amenities for the convenience of patients. Constructed by the Nelly Foundation, a humanitarian organisation, in collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the centre would treat cancer patients, create awareness and conduct periodic cancer screening exercises. It will also augment the existing oncology centre at the hospital and enhance quality health care of cancer patients who, hitherto, had to be in long queues to be attended to due to the pressure on the existing facility. Inauguration Inaugurating the facility, the acting Chief Executive of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr Adam Atiku, said the centre would help save many lives and lessen the burden of patients who had been having traumatic experiences before accessing health care. He lamented the cost and trauma cancer patients went through and expressed optimism that the centre would go a long way to address the needs of patients. More equipment Dr Atiku appealed for mammogram and radiotherapy machines to undertake comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients, saying currently, we dont have such machines so patients have to travel to Kumasi to access such services. While thanking the Nelly Foundation and the NPA for the gesture, Dr Atiku pledged his outfits commitment to take proper care of the facility to enable it to serve the intended purpose. Honour The founder of Nelly Foundation, Ellen Sey Batin, indicated that the centre was established in honour of her late mother who died as a cancer patient in the Netherlands. She also expressed gratitude to the management of the hospital for taking good care of her when she was on admission as a cancer patient at the oncology unit some time ago. The Deputy Chief Executive Office of NPA, Linda Asante, reiterated the authoritys commitment to ensuring quality health care in the country. 1st Centre In 2021, the TTH inaugurated its first oncology centre, which was built by Roche Product Ghana Limited in collaboration with World Child Cancer. The GH600,000 facility was to help enhance quality health care for cancer patients in the area. Apart from the infrastructure, the benefactors also provided the necessary ancillary facilities for doctors in the hospital to offer quality treatment to cancer patients. Businesses must leverage data to enhance customer experience Justice Agbenorsi Oct - 11 - 2023 , 05:43 Businesses have been advised to leverage data insights of their customers to make informed decisions on enhancing customer experiences. In the present day of competition, leveraging data by using data analytics such as customer behaviour, preferences and expectations, play a key role to better understanding customers to create a more targeted and effective strategies that promote customer loyalty. The Patron of Customer Experience Professionals Ghana (CXP Ghana), Margaret Takyi-Micah, who gave the advice, said: Leverage data to understand your customers better. Analyse their behaviours, preferences, and feedback to make informed decisions and personalise their experiences, she said in her remarks at the third annual CXP conference in Accra last Friday (Oct 6). The conference was on the theme: Customer centricity: re-orienting business, technology, process and people around the customer. It brought together various customer experience professionals across different institutions to discuss and learn about the new trends in the area of customer experience. Various experts and speakers also shared their insights and experiences in the realm of customer experience. Feedback Mrs Takyi-Micah explained that beyond the analytics, customer experience professionals in organisations must not just solicit feedback but must act on them and added that It's a valuable source of insights for refining your products, services, and overall customer experience. Customer experience, she said, was not just a department but a mindset that should permeate every corner of business to create moments of delight, build lasting relationships, and exceeding at every touchpoint. The true essence of customer experience is not just about satisfying customers; it's about creating brand advocates who willingly promote your business. By embracing a customer-centric mindset, staying, and consistently finding ways to improve, you can achieve CX excellence and drive sustainable success, she added. Technology On the use of technology, the Executive Director, First National Bank Ghana, Sylvia Inkoom, said to stay relevant, she said businesses must choose the appropriate technology based on customer preferences and not because their competitors were using such platforms Also, she said, in order to cut down customer frustration, businesses must ensure that they train their employees to be abreast of best practices. Satisfaction For her part, the President of CXP Ghana, Esther Dokuwaa Ofosuhene, said customer service was the lifeblood of every organisation, as such customers service must go beyond providing products and create memorable, meaningful interactions that leave customers not just satisfied, but delighted. A Customer and Employee Experience Expert, Claire Boscq, entreated customer experience professionals to create an environment for both employees and customers to feel part of the companys success saying a good atmosphere had an impact on the individual. Cecilia Dapaah: FBI commences investigation into her US assets and financial transactions Kweku Zurek Oct - 11 - 2023 , 12:20 The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States have launched concurrent inquiries into the activities of Ms. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her associates. The investigations will focus on examining their assets and financial transactions within the United States. The goal of the collaboration is to determine the lawfulness of Ms. Dapaah and her associates' wealth, both in the context of their funds transitioning from Ghana to the United States and vice versa. This was disclosed in a tweet by the Office of Special Prosecutor. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)@USEmbassyGhana have initiated concurrent inquiries into the activities of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her associates. These Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) October 11, 2023 The OSP is a Ghanaian anti-corruption agency that was established in 2017. The agency is responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption involving public officials and other high-profile individuals. The FBI is the United States' domestic intelligence and security service. The agency is also responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes involving financial fraud, bribery, and other forms of corruption. The launch of the concurrent inquiries into Ms. Dapaah and her associates is a significant development in the OSP's probe of Ms. Dapaah. Background It will be recalled that the OSP commenced an investigation on Ms Dapaah for corruption and corruption-related offences following the revelation that she was keeping more than $1 million in her house. That was after police prosecutors had arraigned two househelps working for Ms Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, at an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing money and items worth millions of Ghana cedis from the couple's residence at Abelenkpe in Accra. Subsequently, the OSP searched the residence of the former minister and found $590,000 and GH2.73 million. The Special Prosecutor seized the cash and froze the former ministers cedi and dollar bank accounts, pending further investigations. The OSP then applied to the High Court to continue the seizure and freezing of the bank accounts of the former minister. Officials of the OSP argued that the cash was seized on the grounds that they were suspected to be tainted property, hence the need to prevent the former ministers bank accounts from concealment or loss. However, the application was dismissed and the OSP was ordered to return the confiscated assets of the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources within seven days. Five days after that ruling, the OSP once again directed the freezing and seizure of Ms. Dapaahs bank accounts and cash found at her residence. CSOs appeal to President to pardon people on death row Alberta Mortty Oct - 11 - 2023 , 09:26 Civil society organisations (CSOs) have appealed to the President to pardon those on death row and commute their sentences to life imprisonment. They made the appeal at a round table discussion as part of programmes to mark the 21st commemoration of the Death Penalty in Accra yesterday which was organised by Amnesty International. Various speakers at the event said those currently on death row had the benefit of the abolition of the death penalty as no one on the death row had been executed since 1993. Ghana abolished the death penalty with the exception of high treason in July this year through a private members Bill led by Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament (NDC) for Madina. Significance The Country Director of Amnesty International, Genevieve Partington, said pardoning of those on death row will "improve the country's reputation and standing in the global community. It will also help maintain consistency in our legal system that values the preservation of human lives," she added. Ms Partington further said that it would also allow the rehabilitation and personal growth of inmates who had turned their lives around. The Founder of Advocate for Fair Legal Access, Ghana, Rita Nupe Demuyakor, described conditions at the condemned cell as terrible and inhumane. They come out for an hour or two to enjoy the sunshine. Mentally, they go through a lot," she said. The Executive Director of Perfector of Sentiments (POS) Foundation, Jonathan Osei Owusu, acknowledged the role played by various stakeholders in advocating the abolishment of the death penalty. The discussants were also unanimous that commuting the sentences of those on death penalty would resolve infrastructural challenges, especially for male prisoners. There are about 185 prisoners on the death row, out of which six are females. Facilities for males serving life sentences which were for 10, 265, now accommodate more than15,000 inmates. They also entreated international organisations to lend financial support to provide adequate accommodation for the prisoners. Mr Sosu asked the CSOs to take advantage of the goodwill the President exhibited during the passage of the Anti-death Penalty Bill. If you consider the role of the President in the abolition process, I have no doubt he showed a lot of commitment, and so it will be easy to take advantage of the goodwill, he added. Awards Amnesty International presented plaques of appreciation to Martin Kpebu and Mr Sosu for their immense contributions towards deepening the frontiers of human rights. The French Ambassador to Ghana, Jules-Armand Aniambossou, assisted by Amnesty International Ghana Board Chair, Francis Nyantakyi, presented the mementos to them. The ambassador applauded Ghana for achieving a key milestone in abolishing the death penalty. He said it took many years of advocacy and amendments for France to also abolish the death penalty some 42 years ago. Ghana became the 24th African country and the 124th globally to abolish the death penalty, although high treason offence still attracts the ultimate punishment. Dont turn service personnel into errand boys and girls Bagbin GraphicOnline Oct - 11 - 2023 , 07:48 The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged leaders of both public and private institutions to refrain from relegating National Service Personnel (NSP) to mere errand-runners. Mr. Bagbin emphasized the significance of the national service period, highlighting its critical role in the development of these personnel. He stressed that this valuable time should not be squandered on menial tasks that do not contribute to their growth. I plead with my brothers and sisters, who are leaders in the various public institutions, private sector organisations not to turn the service personnel into messengers errand boys and girlsIt is a very critical year for their development, do not waste it, he said. Speaking at the launch of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in Accra, Mr. Bagbin underlined the theme, "National Service at 50: Repositioning the Scheme for a Sustainable National Development." He lamented instances where service personnel were ill-treated, often lacking even basic seating arrangements in offices. He emphasized that this period was a crucial stage for their preparation for the professional world. Addressing the nation's challenges, Mr. Bagbin advocated for sustainable solutions, identifying NSS as an avenue to nurture the next generation of leaders, problem solvers, and catalysts for change. He emphasized the imperative to instill in the youth a sense of duty towards the nation, necessitating investment in the operations of NSS. Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, Executive Director of NSS, noted that the Scheme had successfully deployed more personnel to bolster the health, education, and civil service sectors. He disclosed that this year, approximately 65,000 personnel were dispatched to classrooms. Regarding the agricultural sector, Mr. Assibey Antwi highlighted that, with the support of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NSS had secured 20,000 acres of land for various projects. Death over cash-and-carry at Aflao: Family appeals for justice Doreen Andoh Oct - 11 - 2023 , 06:49 The family of the woman who died after she was refused emergency treatment at the Central Aflao Hospital over the mode of payment has appealed to government and its agencies to help it get justice. The family has since petitioned the President, the Minister of Health, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Medical and Dental Council to investigate the issue and bring the culprits to book. It argued that the hospital, popularly known as Nkansah Hospital, in the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region, failed to support the burial of the deceased after promising to do so at a meeting with the family. Burial Linda Adua, 39, passed away on April 11 this year as nurses at the hospital allegedly refused to offer her any form of service because she was unable to pay cash, even though she was willing to pay through Mobile Money (MoMo). She was buried on September 10, this year. However, the family alleged that the hospital failed to engage them after an initial meeting where the hospital administration apologised for the incident and promised to assist in any way possible. Complaint Abigail Adua, an elder sister of the deceased, told the Daily Graphic that the owner of the hospital, Dr Gabriel Kwadjo Nkansah, sent a delegation to the family to apologise for the loss, seek an amicable solution and help give the deceased a befitting burial. She, however, said the disposition of the delegation after that first and only meeting made the family to believe that it was just a facade, as the hospital had cut links with the family since then. It was like a camouflage precipitated by media publications and reviews of the circumstances leading to the death of our relative, she noted. She said at that meeting held on July 9, this year, the hospital delegation asked the family to propose any help from them for their consideration before the burial, which they did but did not hear from the hospital afterwards. Message to family In a recorded audio intercepted by the Daily Graphic, a male voice, supposed to be the spokesperson for the hospital, was overheard saying at the meeting that, We are representing the Central Aflao Hospital. Our mission is to render our unqualified apology to the family. We know that to lose a daughter, a sister and a breadwinner is not easy. It is actually a great loss. What he has asked me to say is that, we cannot pretend to imagine that you are fine; it is not easy to actually lose a family member in this way. We appreciate that you are going through a lot and he says that we are sorry for whatever actions or omissions on the part of the Central Aflao Hospital (Nkansah Hospital) - that led to the demise of Linda. We cannot say we want to argue out anything here. He wants to say that it is an omission on the part of the hospital from whichever angle we look at it. We dont want to scratch wounds here by trying to narrate the whole story and apportion blame, it said. We are only here to meet with the family and apologise and resolve this issue amicably because a lot of damage has been caused to the family and the hospital as well. At this juncture, we are rendering our unqualified apology in the first place to the family. Lessons have been learnt. If we have acted proactively, we would not have been here wasting your time and causing you this pain. So we are ready to support the family to give a befitting burial to our sister who lost her life through this unfortunate incident. This is the message from Dr Nkansah and the entire facility. We want the family to accept out apology, the spokesperson of the Nkansah Hospital told the family. Familys proposal Ms Adua said the family sent a proposal to the hospital later, but they were yet to get a response. We sent that proposal to them and it included financial support for the funeral of Linda, a compensation to the family and educational support for the only surviving child of my sister who was preparing to go to the university before his mother died. Unfortunately, we have not heard from the hospital since that meeting, she lamented. When the Daily Graphic contacted Dr Nkansah, he rudely declined to comment on the issue and hung up the phone. Investigation However, the Medical Director of the Aflao Central Hospital had earlier confirmed to the Daily Graphic that a team from the GHS was at the hospital to investigate the matter. The police have summoned us to release the nurses involved for interrogation on the matter, which we have done, Dr Nkansah said. Dr Makafui Dagbasu, the Medical Director of the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, the main referral centre of the municipality, also confirmed that the hospital was currently being investigated on the matter. Call for justice Ms Adua said justice for her sister would help avert any negligence that could lead to the death of many innocent people. The deceaseds family petitioned the President, the Minister of Health, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service and the Medical and Dental Council over five months ago but justice is yet to be served. The only official response the family received was from the Medical and Dental Council which said it had referred the matter to the Nursing and Midwifery Council due to the role of the nurses in the processes leading to the death of Linda. We are glad about the efforts of the council but like we have always said, we believe it when the nurses said they were acting strictly on the order of the hospital to not take any form of electronic payment and that only cash was accepted at the facility. We think that the nurses should not be the only focus, although they could have added a human face to carrying out that order when my sister pleaded with them, she said. Ms Adua said the Council also copied the family the response of the Nursing and Midwifery Council dated July 10 this year, informing the Medical and Dental Council that investigations had commenced. She said the family was still pleading with all the stakeholders to help them get justice for Linda to serve as deterrent to healthcare providers who treated human lives as though they did not matter and as if money was more important than human life. I know a lot of families like ours are suffering in silence because they are voiceless. Background Ms Adua said on April 11, this year, Linda asked her 19-year-old son to accompany her to the hospital because she was not feeling well and was also having difficulty breathing. They reached the hospital around 4:05 a.m., and were met by two nurses on duty, who requested that they made a deposit of GH400 before she would be attended to, she narrated. The sister of the deceased added that Linda offered to pay through mobile money transfer but the nurses said electronic transfers were against the hospitals policy, insisting that the son should go out of the hospital to look for a mobile money merchant and withdraw cash for the payment. My sister pleaded with the nurses to take the MoMo and attend to her because it was too early in the morning to find a merchant to withdraw the money, but they refused, she said. The family said the pleas of the sick woman and her 19-year-old son could not convince the nurses to accept mobile money payment for her treatment, leaving the patient unattended to until she passed away. She said Lindas son later had to walk from the hospital to Avoeme Junction before getting a motorbike to take him to the Aflao Border - about two kilometres from the hospital - in search of a mobile money merchant in vain. All this while, Linda remained seated in a wheelchair in the outpatient department (OPD) unattended to by the nurses. No details of the complaints were recorded and her vitals were also not taken, except her name which was recorded in the patient register at the OPD, she added. Linda, meanwhile, had complained of difficulty in breathing and pleaded with the nurses to put her on oxygen. One of the nurses retorted that she was disturbing them as she scanned her phone, she said. She said Linda, who had then been wheeled to a ward, asked the son to assist her to the washroom, but she fell on the way. It was at that point that another patient in the ward, who witnessed the whole incident, rushed out to inform the nurses about what had happened. Referral The nurse, apparently sensing danger, told Lindas son to get a taxi and take her to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital since her situation was beyond their capacity, she said. She said the nurses asked the young man to sit in the taxi as they pushed the motionless body of his mother into the taxi, with her head resting on his laps, and instructed him to take her to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital without a referral note or an accompanying officer. The boy took his mum alone to the government hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Just upon arrival at the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, Linda was pronounced dead by the medical staff who said they were sure she had died several minutes before being brought to their facility at about 7:40 a.m, she said. Galamsey allegations: Frimpong-Boateng fails to provide evidence - A-G Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Oct - 11 - 2023 , 08:39 The Office of the Attorney-General (A-G) and Ministry of Justice has stated that Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has failed to provide evidence to substantiate accusations against 12 persons for engaging in illegal mining. The A-Gs Office, in a seven-page legal advice signed by a Chief State Attorney, Evelyn Keelson, said the evidence provided by the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, were bare and could not support a criminal case against 12 of the 15 individuals. The Office, therefore, cannot prosecute the 12 persons he accused of engaging in illegal mining, due to the lack of evidence. The 15 persons, who include top government officials, bigwigs in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and others, were accused by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng in a report to the President, put in the public domain, of either engaging or complicit in illegal mining popularly known as galamsey, or frustrating the fight against the menace. No criminality The 12 persons the legal advice absolved of any act of criminality include the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; a leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko; the Director of Operations at the Presidency, Lord Commey; a Presidential Staffer, Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe; the Director of Political Affairs to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Frank Asiedu Bekoe; a security aide to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Captain Edmund Kojo Koda (retd), and a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie. The rest are a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Manso Nkwanta, Joseph Albert Quarm; Editor of the Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr; a businessman, Donald Entsuah, one Charles Owusu and an unnamed former MP for Wassa East Constituency. Investigations by the police have not revealed any evidence in support of the allegations. The allegations are, therefore, bare and do not provide a basis for any criminal charge against the persons cited in the Report except the three mentioned above. In the absence of any evidence on the docket in support of any of the allegations of illegal mining activities, we are unable to recommend the prosecution of any of the persons cited in the Report. We, however, await the outcome of the investigations being conducted in the case involving Seth Mantey, John Ofori Atta and Ekow Ewusi, the legal advice added. Plausible evidence The A-Gs Office said there were plausible evidence against three others Seth Mantey, a journalist with Accra-based radio station, Peace FM; John Ofori Atta, a former Central Regional Security Coordinator, and Horace Ekow Ewusi, a former Central Regional Vice-Chairman of the NPP. The legal advice explained that the case against the three was already under investigation by the police and, therefore, the A-G would await the outcome of that investigation. No supporting information The A-G further explained that Prof. Frimpong-Boateng failed to provide concrete evidence to support most of his allegations when the police requested it. The legal advice was provided by the A-G after the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service forwarded the case docket of investigations into the allegations made by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng to the A-G for legal advice as stipulated by law. Details Giving more details, the A-G said it examined the galamsey report authored by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng and statements taken by the police from those accused by the former minister. The A-G said it examined other pieces of evidence such as documents presented by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, which included a list of excavators seized by the government, a list of small-scale miners with permit to mine, and a police statement taken from Mantey after he (Mantey) was arrested in the alleged illegal sale of excavators in 2019. The legal advice said the only evidence worth considering was the statement of Mantey in which he admitted to aiding Ofori Atta to take money from miners to help them get back their seized excavators. In the statement dated 16th October 2019, Seth Mantey stated that he was an errand boy for John Ofori Atta, the Central Regional Security Coordinator and member of the GalamStop, a task force against illegal mining. According to Mantey, in the course of the operation, he became a contact boy for miners whose excavators were seized by the task force. Mantey alleged that the miners were directed by John Ofori Atta to pay between GH50,000 and GH55,000 into his account at NIB to influence the team to release the seized excavators. Mantey further alleges that all the money paid into his account was withdrawn by him and paid to John Ofori Atta who gave some to Ekow Ewusi. According to him, about 27 of the seized excavators were released, the A-Gs legal advice recounted. It was based on the above statement by Mantey that the A-G said the only persons of interest worth pursing were Mantey, Ofori Atta and Ewusi. Frimpong-Boatengs Report In a report presented to the Presidency in March 2021, which is currently in the public domain, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng mentioned dozens of people in the Akufo-Addo Administration, as well as party bigwigs, as being complicit in illegal mining and frustrating the efforts of the President to combat the menace. However, the Presidency and some of the individuals mentioned in the report have dismissed the report. The government appointees and NPP bigwigs mentioned in the report who refuted the allegations include Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Lord Commey Gabby Otchere-Darko, who has also sued the former minister for defamation. Presidencys reaction A statement from the Presidency dismissed the report in its form and substance, and further described it as unfounded and hearsay. In terms of the form, the statement said the report was not an official document, but rather a catalogue of personal grievances by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng in response to some issues during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM). The report, the statement said, was delivered by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng to the Chief of Staff on March 21, 2021, when President Akufo-Addo decided not to renew his mandate as a minister in his second term. The document did not have a transmittal or cover letter nor, indeed, an addressee, such as to suggest that it was submitted to the Chief of Staff for action. It is noteworthy that the IMCIM was a creation of Cabinet, and any formal report on its activities would, normally, be submitted to Cabinet through the Cabinet Secretary, or directly to the President of the Republic as Chairperson of Cabinet. To date, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng has done neither, the statement added. With regard to its substance, the statement noted that although the allegations made by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng were serious, he failed to provide any shred of evidence to support them. It is important also to point out that while Prof. Frimpong-Boateng makes serious allegations against some government appointees, as having been involved in, supporting or interfering with the fight against illegal mining, not a single piece of evidence was adduced or presented to enable the claims to be properly investigated. When reached, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng declined to comment. KMA to the rescue of Asem Cluster of Schools Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Oct - 11 - 2023 , 03:31 Renovation works have begun on the Asem Cluster of Schools that were affected by rainstorm recently. The repair works, being undertaken by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), is in response to an appeal for help by the headmasters of the affected schools. The roofs of seven schools within the Asem Cluster of Schools were ripped off following a rainstorm that hit the Ashanti Regional capital and its environs on September 29, 2023. The incident rendered the classrooms uninhabitable and, therefore, not conducive for teaching and learning for the cluster of schools located within the Subin Constituency and close to the Jubilee Park within the Kumasi metropolis. The affected schools are Asem Boys, Yaa Asantewaa MA Basic School, Yaa Achiaa Primary, St Augustine Junior High School (JHS), Asem Mixed Experimental JHS Asem Mixed Primary B and Asem Mixed Kindergarten. Urgent The KMA has already awarded the repairs to contractors to reroof the classrooms to enable the pupils to have access to the room to continue their studies. As of last Monday (October 9), the contractors had already moved to site and were working assiduously to complete the reroofing to enable the affected pupils to return to their classrooms. With schools reopened for the new academic year, some of the affected schools are sharing classrooms with others in the classroom blocks that were not affected. Metro Education During a site tour last Monday (October 9), the Kumasi Metro Director of Education, David Oppong, expressed his appreciation to the Chief Executive of KMA, Sam Pyne, for responding swiftly to the appeal by the headmasters of the seven schools under the Asem Cluster of Schools. He said during an assessment tour last week by a delegation from the assembly, the extent of damage was noted to be extensive, therefore, there was the need for an immediate intervention to make the place conducive for teaching and learning. "We are grateful to the mayor for responding swiftly to our call for help by dispatching heads of department of both Works and Finance to assess the situation to advance funds for the reconstruction to begin," the Director said. He said the storms rendered the classrooms uninhabitable, with Yaa Asantewaa being the hardest hit. Timelines Mr Oppong said the contractor had given the assurance that works would be completed within two weeks. "We are sure that by two weeks' time, works would have been completed and pupils would return to their original classrooms as some were now putting up with others in the blocks that were not affected", Mr Oppong stated. [Source] Super Junior member Eunhyuk joined Manny Pacquiao and his family as they celebrated the legendary boxers daughters 17th birthday party in the Philippines. Key details: Eunhyuk, whose real name is Lee Hyuk-jae, was among the guests invited to Mary Princess Pacquiaos 17th birthday party in the familys home in Forbes Park, Makati, on Sunday. South Korean actress Lee Jin-ju, who shared pictures and videos from the event with her Instagram followers on Monday, was also present at the party. This embedded content is not available in your region. He serenaded them: Videos from the party show the K-pop idol casually singing a few songs on karaoke, such as the Backstreet Boys' As Long As You Love Me and Crushs Beautiful, which is the official soundtrack of the K-drama hit Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. More from NextShark: 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Chris Pang joins Hulu's 'Interior Chinatown' series Eunhyuk also reportedly sang Super Juniors hit 2009 song Sorry, Sorry as the birthday celebrant and her sister, Queenie, danced along. Wishing her a happy birthday: In an Instagram post, the elder Pacquiao wished his daughter Princess a happy birthday, writing in the post's description, We are so proud of you. Love you always. More from NextShark: Alleged Chinese migrants seen crossing US-Mexico border in Instagram video Visiting Manila: Eunhyuk was in Manila on Sept. 30 along with his fellow Super Junior member and D&E partner Donghae as part of their Delight Party World Tour Fancon. The event was held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. More from NextShark: HBO Maxs Velma sees 127% popularity spike as it becomes worst-rated animated show in IMBD's history Medical and Dental Council signs MoU with Ghanaian counterparts in UK Daily Graphic Oct - 11 - 2023 , 09:19 The Medical and Dental Council (MDC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ghanaian Doctors and Dentists Association in the UK (GDDA-UK) to enable the foreign-based group to support the training of undergraduate and postgraduate doctors and dentists in Ghana. The agreement is also to facilitate health research collaboration between members of the two groups. The Registrar of MDC, Dr Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, and the President of GDDA-UK, Dr William Kedjanyi, signed the agreement during the 18th annual health conference of GDDA-UK in London on October 7, 2023. The agreement was reached between the two groups after years of discussions that started around 2005. Dr Pamela Abban Ohene Djan, the Executive Secretary of GDDA-UK who has been instrumental in helping bring the MOU into fruition opened the conference with a warm welcome to the delegates and the international speakers from Ghana. Benefits Dr Kedjanyi said the agreement would establish a clear process of registering members of GDDA-UK who desired to support Ghanas health system by contributing to the training of undergraduate and postgraduate doctors and dentists, including the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS). He said the support would also reduce the cost of training by 50 per cent and activate a waiver of examination in certain special situations. Harnessing diasporan resources The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana, Dr Banyubala, said harnessing diasporan resources and leveraging technology were at the core of the vision of the council to boost the local training of doctors and dentists at the general duty and specialist levels, ensure quality, safe specialist services and collaborative health research. He said the signing of the MoU was born from last years historic medical and dental training and practice conference by the council as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. The registrar said the council was committed to decentralising the training of doctors and dentists to suitable regional and municipal or district hospitals as a measure of dealing with issues of inequity in the distribution of doctors and dentists, as well as access to specialist services. He said a similar agreement signed last year between the council and the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America had started yielding tangible results. Dr Banyubala commended the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons for starting a postgraduate training in the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman, and Afia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Takoradi. Commendation Ghanas High Commissioner to the UK and Northern Ireland, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, commended both groups for their vision and commitment in coming up with the initiative and thanked members of the GDDA-UK for their willingness to give back to their motherland. He said the initiative fit into the embassy and the governments agenda of mobilising Ghanaians in the diaspora for national development. I look forward to Ghana becoming a health education and financial services hub that will take advantage of the services of experts in the diaspora, Mr Owusu-Ankomah added. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, also affirmed the support of parliament for the initiative. Also present at the signing ceremony were the President of Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), Prof. Samuel Debrah; the Rector GCPS, Prof. Richard Adanu; the acting Dean of University of Ghana Dental School, Prof. Sandra Hewlettand, Dr Pamela Abban Ohene Djan, Executive Secretary GDDA-UK and the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye. No Ghanaian caught up in cross fire in Gaza, ignore social media video - Ghana Embassy Enoch Darfah Frimpong Oct - 11 - 2023 , 19:32 No Ghanaian has been caught up in Gaza in the on-going Israel and Hamas conflict, the Ghana Embassy in Israel has clarified. A video clip said to be Ghanaians caught up in cross fire in Gaza has been circulating on social media since Monday. The video has gone viral especially on WhatsApp and TikTok as the voices in the video in the Twi language. This has ignited conversations back home in Ghana as to whether there were Ghanaians in Gaza. In a public notice dated October 11, 2023, issued by the Embassy of Ghana in Israel, it was explained that the incident [video] being circulated on social media did not occur in Gaza nor in Israel. "The attention of the Embassy has been drawn to a viral video clip of Ghanaians purportedly trapped in the on-going conflict between Israel and Hamas." "The Embassy wishes to state categorically that the incident did not occur in Gaza nor in Israel." "The general public is, therefore, advised to disregard the circulating video clip and remain assured that the Ghanaian community in Israel is safe at the moment," the Embassy said. Writer's email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh Realign operations with national development goals - President Akufo-Addo to NSS Chris Nunoo Oct - 11 - 2023 , 09:10 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the National Service Scheme (NSS) to align its operations with the long-term development objectives of the country. He mentioned education, health and information and communication technology (ICT) as some of the sectors they could tailor their programmes along. Others are digitalisation and graduate youth in agriculture programmes to support import substitution and also address food security challenges. President Akufo-Addo gave the charge when he launched the 50th anniversary celebration of the scheme in Accra yesterday. The event was aimed at reigniting passion to give meaning to the schemes core values of integrity, patriotism, professionalism, excellence and self-reliance. It was also to project the schemes contribution to national development through partnership with other stakeholders. Transformation agenda President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the current administrative arrangements of the NSS to expand its scope of operations to respond to the exigencies of the time. In doing so, he said, the scheme had created and executed initiatives to harness the potential of the youth for national cohesion and job creation for sustainable development. This holistic transformation agenda is tied to the new strategic direction of using the scheme and other pro-youth agencies to address specific employment needs of fresh graduates and national service personnel as it relates to their training and skills development for pre-employment support activities, as well as instil the values of civic responsibility, nationalism and volunteerism in them, he added. Draft policy While commending the scheme for its immense contribution since its inception, President Akufo-Addo announced the establishment of a draft policy document to guide the scheme in its work. In line with that, he said, a draft bill to transition the scheme to the status of an authority would be developed and laid before Parliament for consideration. The policy and the law will give backing to a model called deployment for employment, a scheme designed to encourage young graduates to create a positive impact and contribute to the development of our nation, the President added. With emerging developments across the world such as growing youth unemployment, increased migration, climate change and its adverse effects on the environment, as well as the general economic downturn bedevilling many countries, he said the state and its agencies would not continue with business as usual. President Akufo-Addo further said that the government had since 2017, engaged young people, including national service personnel, in productive and constructive ways to build their capacity. We should not only prioritise young adults needs and build schemes needed for them to become productive and successful members of society, but we also need to strengthen young people's sense of identity and belief in the future, he said. The scheme, the President said, had also undertaken economic enclave programmes in the last four years. They include the deployment of 65,000 graduate youth to agricultural enclaves, creation of 81,000 jobs to agriculture and allied sectors, development of 20, 000 hectares of land for production, production of 110,000 metric tonnes of food, 1.5 million beds and the generation of $92 million revenue. Advice The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, advised against the frequent use of NSS personnel as messengers and for running of errands. He said the scheme was meant to help the youth to develop a character of placing the nation first. Mr Bagbin also gave an assurance that allocation of funds to the scheme would be scrutinised by parliament. For his part, the Executive Director of NSS, Osei Assibey Antwi, said the scheme had not departed from its core mandate as it was still deploying personnel to the health and education sectors while it continued to offer administrative support. In a speech read on her behalf, the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkonoo, suggested a review in the operations of the scheme to make more impact on national development. Some ECG customers unable to purchase prepaid, company says it's working on challenge GraphicOnline Oct - 11 - 2023 , 12:15 The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited has issued a notice to its NURI Kamstrup metre prepayment customers, explaining that their current inability to purchase electricity is a result of a technical challenge. Some customers of the company who use the NURI Kamstrup metering system have been unable to purchase power over the past three days. However, the company in a statement issued on October 9, 2023, said in a bid to provide uninterrupted service, its dedicated team is actively working to address the issue and restore normal operations. The company also reached out to its customers via text message today, stating: "Dear cherished Nuri Kamstrup prepaid customer. We are experiencing a technical challenge. Please bear with us while we work assiduously to get it resolved. Sorry for the inconvenience caused". ECG said it deeply regrets any inconvenience this situation may have caused. OSP charges Cecilia Dapaah for failing to declare income and property Enoch Darfah Frimpong Oct - 11 - 2023 , 05:37 The Office of the Special Prosecutor has charged Cecilia Dapaah, former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources for failing to comply with a directive from the office to declare her property and income. The Office of the Special Prosecutor as part of investigations had demanded that Cecilia Dapaah should declare her income and property. Cecilia Dapaah is a suspect under investigation for corruption and corruption related offences including using public office for profit in respect of suspected "tainted large cash sums reportedly stolen from her residential premises." The Office of the Special Prosecutor has retrieved the said large cash from her residential premises. According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor per a Charge Sheet signed by Kissi Agyebeng and filed on October 6, 2023, without lawful excuse, Cecilia Dapaah has failed, within thirty (30) days, to comply with a notice to declare her property and income served on her by the Special Prosecutor on July 24, 2023 under regulation 20(1) per Forms 1A and 1B of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374) as specified in regulation 20(2) and Form 21 of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374). The OSP has thus charged the former minister with one count of failing to comply with a lawful demand of an authorised officer of the Office of the Special Prosecutor in the performance of his functions, contrary to section 69(1)(a) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). Read the full Charge Sheet filed on October 6, 2023 below COUNT ONE STATEMENT OF OFFENCE FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A LAWFUL DEMAND OF AN AUTHORISED OFFICER OF THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR NI THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS FUNCTIONS, contrary to section 69(1) (a) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE CECILIA ABENA DAPAAH, 68 years, circa 25 August 2023 in Accra in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana and within the jurisdiction of this Court, being a suspect under investigation for corruption and corruption related offences including using public office for profit in respect of suspected tainted large cash sums reportedly stolen from your residential premises and also retrieved from same by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, without lawful excuse, failed, within thirty (30) days, to comply with a notice to declare your property and income served on you by the Special Prosecutor on 24 July 2023 under regulation 20(1) per Forms 1A and 1B of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374) as specified in regulation 20(2) and Form 21 of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374). Dated at the Office of the Special Prosecutor, 6 Haile Selassie Avenue, South Ridge Accra this Sixth day of October 2023. FACTS TO BE ADDUCED The Accused was, until 22 July 2023, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources. She is a suspect under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor for corruption and corruption-related offences including using public office for profit in respect of suspected tainted large cash sums reportedly stolen from her residential premises and also retrieved from same by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The evidence will establish that on 24 July 2023, the Special Prosecutor, in the performance of his functions, served on the Accused a notice to declare her property and income under regulation 20(1) per Forms 11A and 11B of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374). The Accused was duly notified as per the statutory forms and by a cover letter under the seal of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the seal and mark of the Special Prosecutor, that she was required by law to make the specified declarations and return same to the Office of the Special Prosecutor as per Form 12 of the First Schedule of L.I. 2374, within thirty (30) days of service on her of the notice. As at the close of business on 5 October 2023, the Accused had willfully failed, without lawful excuse, to return the duly completed statutory forms to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, more than thirty (30) days after the service of the notice and forms on her. The Accused has been duly charged with the offence on the Charge Sheet. Writer's email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh Women in media asked to challenge status quo Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Oct - 11 - 2023 , 07:53 The Executive Director of GDA Media Limited, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, has urged women in media to up their game and add value to their work in order to challenge the status quo and beat the usual discrimination against them. She explained that although there had been many policies and seminars to encourage women, there were still some sort of discrimination in one way or the other which called for women to make their voices to be heard. Ms Anti, who was speaking at the launch of Media Foundation for West Africa's (MFWA) Equal Voices project, said in order for female voices to be heard and prove that indeed women can thrive in every space, it was important for them to get their facts and figures right and challenge why they needed to be in that space. "We have to be constantly adding value to ourselves, we have to do our research, we have to get our arsenals ready to defend and challenge why, as women, we deserve to be in that space," she said. Project The Equal Voices project is a collaboration by MFWA, and France's Canal France International (CFI) to combat gender inequalities and stereotypes in the media in Ghana and Cote dIvoire. The project, which also encourages managers of media outlets to promote better representation of women in managerial practices and editorial policies, would train eight journalists from eight media outlets from Ghana and Ivory Coast. The Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, said the underrepresentation of women in media was not just in Ghana and Africa but a global issue. "Over the years, many initiative have been taken to address the challenge but there is still much more to be done because it is not just an equality issue but an issue of injustice," he said. The Deputy Director-General of CFI, Alan Dreanic, said the media had a role to play in changing mindset and priorities. He, therefore, encouraged all to join forces and ensure that women gain equal access to every opportunity there was within the media profession. World Vision advocates tax exemption for NGOs - To encourage critical donation, support Diana Mensah Oct - 11 - 2023 , 05:38 A Christian charity organisation, World Vision Ghana (WVG), has appealed to the government to grant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) tax exemption on items they import for donation towards a worthy cause. That, they said, would incentivise more organisations to commit resources to support the countrys health system and other good causes. The National Director of World Vision, Laura Christina Delvalle, made the request when the organisation donated 230,000 pieces of medical gowns to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Accra last Friday. The gesture, she said, formed part of their efforts to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging infectious diseases. The request is basically because we have donors and organisations that are very interested to provide some resources and items to support the health service, so we need to have this tax exemption to bring these items and make it available to the system, she said. Presenting the items to officials, Mrs Delvalle said the move was to help health workers perform their duties with the needed protection. World Vision Ghana is an organisation that has been working here in the country for 47 years now, so giving this personal protective equipment (PPE) to GHS would ensure efficient and equitable health for all. Mrs Delvalle, stressed that World Vision Ghana was committed to supporting the governments efforts at strengthening the health system in ending Healthcare Facility Associated Infections (HAls) adding: the items would continue to protect and prepare them for any emerging diseases. She indicated that WVG over the years had collaborated with the GHS in the implementation of several health interventions, including the Infection Prevention and Control project under the COVID-19 Emergency Response. "Inasmuch as health workers are doing their jobs, they are also risking their lives and those of their families. So providing this PPE is our contribution to enable doctors and nurses work in safer environments to save lives," she added. Appreciation The Acting Director of Institutional Care Division of the GHS, Dr Lawrence Ofori Boadu, who received the items on behalf of the GHS, thanked the management of WVS and assured them that the items would be used for its intended purpose. These PPE came at the right time and it would go a long way to improve healthcare delivery in the country and achieve a universal health coverage, he said. He said his outfit under the leadership of the GHS would work on WVS request. Dr Boadu reiterated his outfit's commitment to continue to partner with World Vision and various organisations to improve healthcare delivery in the country. Let's engage Alan Kyerematen to come back to NPP - Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu Graphic.com.gh Politics Oct - 11 - 2023 , 05:33 Let us still engage Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen to see if he will have a change of mind to come back to the New Patriotic Party as a party member, the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has urged the leadership of the governing NPP. To him, the NPP should reach out to Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, in an effort to convince him to return to the party. Alan Kyerematen resigned from the NPP in September and declared his intention to lead a movement as an independent presidential candidate for Election 2024. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is the Member of Parliament for Suame in Kumasi thinks that an overture to Mr. Kyerematen may resolve all issues. I think that every effort must be made, even if its a one percent possibility, lets see what will come out of it. We are talking about Alans situation, where we are saying that lets still engage if he will come back. To now go into specifics will be a difficulty, it may hamper the reconciliation Im suggesting. Its possible to bring him back, the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs said. Nunoo Mensah and Nyaho Tamakloe address press conference on perceived corruption among public officials Kezai Asantewaa Osei Politics Oct - 11 - 2023 , 19:03 Two statesmen, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe and Brigadier-General Joseph Nunoo Mensah (retd), have expressed worry over what they say was an increasing level of corruption, particularly among political office holders in Ghana. For Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, Ghana had been riddled with corruption, and he accused ministers serving in the current Akufo-Addo administration of engaging in corruption and extravagant lifestyle. He indicated that government officials were living ostentatious lifestyles and amassing unexplained wealth while the vast majority of the people wallowed in poverty without any gainful employment. Watch the press conference in the video attached below State of Ghana Speaking on the topic The State of Ghana alongside Brig. Gen. Nunoo Mensah, a former National Security Advisor, at the press conference in Accra on Wednesday (Oct 11), the two statesmen said the current development could negatively affect the security of the nation if not addressed. They expressed worry over the level of tribalism, nepotism and parochial interest, especially under the current government. How do ministers hoard cash in foreign and local currencies in their homes, acquire properties in prime areas of Accra and other parts of the country, drive the most luxurious cars and live extravagantly and expect our youth who remain largely without meaningful employment to be satisfied, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said. They noted that good governance, anti-ethnocentrism, honesty, probity and accountability, anti-corruption and integrity of the political leadership was imperative for the countrys success. Ideally, we should be happy about the recent democracy we are enjoying. However, the experience of Brig. Gen Nunoo Mensah and myself, Captain Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, in the dark days of this dear country of ours gives us a cause to worry about. In fact, in the old days of arms, we didnt sleep soundly at night, he said. Police meet NPP elections committee, flag bearer hopefuls Emelia Ennin Abbey Politics Oct - 11 - 2023 , 07:57 The Presidential Elections Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and representatives of the partys flag bearer hopefuls have met with the police. The meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service in Accra last Monday, also had in attendance some members of the police management board and other top police officials. It was to discuss security arrangements ahead of the November 4 presidential primary of the party to elect a flag bearer for the 2024 general election. Police The police has been tasked with the exclusive responsibility to provide security for the election which would take place in all the 276 constituencies nationwide and the party headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra bringing the total number of voting centres to 277. The aspirants for the flag bearer election are the NPP sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central in the Central Region, Ken Ohene Agyapong; Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and a former MP for Mampong in the Ashanti Region, Francis Addai- Nimoh. Meeting After the meeting, which was held in camera, the police indicated that it discussed the safety of the flag bearer hopefuls, supporters and the public, as well as the security of the entire electoral process. The police then pledged their commitment to providing adequate security, resources and intelligence to ensure law and order during the entire election period. Delegates About 200,000 delegates are expected to cast their votes in the election and voting would commence at 7 a.m. and close at 2 p.m on Saturday, November 4, 2024. The delegates for the election are made up of all members of the national council, national, regional and constituency executive committees,electoral area coordinators, five polling station executives in each polling station (chairman, secretary, organiser, youth and women organisers). The others are 15 members of the national council of elders to be elected from among themselves, Members of Parliament (MP), past national officers, three representatives of each of the special organs of the party (women organisers, Nasara and youth wings), 12 delegates from every external branch (27 branches in all). The rest are founding members who were signatories to the registration documents of the party at the EC, one TESCON representative from each recognised tertiary institution, all party card-bearing ministers and deputies and all metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives. An officer with the Cayuga County Probation Department is suspended following his arrest last week for alleged abuses of power. Cayuga County Legislature Chairman David Gould told The Citizen on Tuesday that probation officer Nicholas G. Flanigan has been suspended with pay, per county policy, pending investigations by the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office and the county's human resources department. Gould, who was formerly the Cayuga County sheriff, said he could not say more due to the ongoing investigations. Flanigan, of Auburn, was arrested by New York State Police Oct. 3 after an investigation into him allegedly abusing his authority and power over probationers for his own personal and financial benefit. State police said Flanigan "repeatedly engaged in inappropriate communications with probationers" and failed to properly supervise probationers under his supervision. He was charged with first-degree falsifying business records and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing (both class E felonies) and two counts of official misconduct (a class A misdemeanor). Flanigan pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on his own recognizance. Cayuga County probation officer charged with misconduct An officer with the Cayuga County Probation Department was arrested Tuesday, state police said. Politics, the UTV incident and our democratic temperaments Dr John Osae-Kwapong Politics Oct - 11 - 2023 , 08:11 Politics should not be this adversarial! Like many of you, I watched with disapproval the incident on the premises of UTV, a local TV station, where citizens who described themselves as partisans of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) forced their way on to the set of a show to express their displeasure at what they deemed as attacks on their party and key figures within it. It is my sincere opinion that this is not something we must defend, justify or seek to explain. The use of force to settle political disagreements should not be a tool we legitimise. More importantly, we must strive to protect the sanctity of our media spaces as best as we can. This is not to say we must excuse conduct that undermines democracy. In the most recent Afrobarometer Survey (Round 9, 2022), seven out of 10 Ghanaians (74 per cent) expressed support for media rights. That says a lot about our commitment to see the media flourish. I have another concern as I reflect on this incident. Our democratic temperaments If you enjoy politically themed movies, you will appreciate the movie The American President, starring Michael Douglas. There are so many thought-provoking lines in that movie, but this is one of my favourites You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing centre stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. This is the litmus test that the president in the movie advocated as the yardstick by which citizens demonstrate their belief in free speech. It is not an easy litmus test to pass especially in an environment of strong partisan feelings. However, it is a test we must strive to pass daily. The national cohesion the Ministry of Information pointed to in its statement responding to the incident will not only come from the content of shows in our media spaces but from how citizens respond to each other on political matters. The more I reflect on democracy in Ghana, our thirty-year journey so far, and the task ahead as we deal with various challenges, I have become increasingly interested in this idea of democratic temperament. These are the ideal behaviours we must strive to exhibit in our political spaces if we are to strengthen the democracy, I keep saying we have made our peace with. For the most part, I have focused my reflections on the ideal behaviours of state actors as it deals with citizens. I recently wrote about this in a Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana) blog post where, among many other things, I urged state actors to exercise the highest form of forbearance in dealing with citizens. But there is another important dimension that cannot be overlooked. I urge you also to reflect on this important idea of democratic temperaments by answering the following questions. How should citizens treat their fellow citizens in our political spaces? How should we respond to political speech and actions we disapprove of or may even find offensive? Let us practice forbearance. The same forbearance I ask of state actors. When you look up the dictionary definition of forbearance, it is defined as patient self-control, restraint and tolerance. You see, democracy has its irritations. The demands of democratic governance can feel so overwhelming sometimes that political actors it seems get irritated when the demands are activated. But if we have made our peace with democracy, as I forcefully and consistently argue, then we must also make our peace with the irritations that come with it. The way forward We are entering a major election year soon. Citizens will engage each other in passionate debates about conditions in the country. This is what gives life to democracy. How are we going to respond in these debates especially to things said that we disagree with? How are we going to respond when our irritations are triggered? This is my concern and the reason why we cannot give legitimacy to actions that undermine the positive democratic temperaments needed to sustain our peace with democracy. I dont know if democratic temperaments can be taught. However, I do know that developing them has become more important than ever. As our democracy evolves, the character of citizens must evolve too. Perhaps leadership at the political party level can find ways to cultivate these positive temperaments in their most loyal supporters. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) can also help. Prof. Joshua Miller, whose research has examined in detail this idea of democratic temperament, views them as the solution to what he describes as the mean-spiritedness that characterises so much current political discourse. I agree with him. The writer is a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana). These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Earlier this month, OnePlus started its hype-building campaign for the Open with a promotional video that showed the device from some angles, but not all of them, and also concealed what seemed like a huge camera island on its back. Today a usually reliable source brought us a ton of leaked renders of the upcoming foldable smartphone, and these leave nothing to the imagination, showing every single detail. And indeed, there is a gigantic camera island on the rear. OnePlus Open leaked renders The renders suggest that the OnePlus Open will be offered in two colorways - a faux leather black, and a glass green. The phone will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which makes sense considering the rumors saying it would launch this month. But Qualcomm will introduce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 within only a few days after that, and that will leave the Open in an awkward spot. Especially since this leak brings us a rumored price in the US of $1,699, which is only $100 less than what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 launched at. So it's not possible to place the Open in a more affordable spot of the market in order to alleviate the use of what will almost instantly be a superseded chipset. More OnePlus Open leaked renders Anyway, the OnePlus Open will come with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of storage, a 6.31-inch outer screen, and a 7.8-inch flexible main screen sourced from BOE. It's said to be made official on October 19. According to previous rumors, it will have a 48 MP main camera, a 48 MP ultrawide, and a 64 MP 3x optical zoom camera. The handset will make it to the US and Europe at least, but not Germany due to parent company Oppo's ongoing patent dispute with Nokia in the country. Source (in German) Humanities Guahan has been awarded a prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities grant, allowing it to further promote creative arts, cultural understanding and social justice through the humanities, according to a news release. The announcement helps kick off the celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month in October. The grant award is part of the United We Stand: Connecting through Culture initiative, which recognizes the commitment to fostering cultural understanding, creativity, and social justice in the vibrant island community of Guahan. The grant will enable Humanities Guahan to expand its renowned program, Art + Ideas: Creativity and Connection through the Humanities, which explores the intersection of creative arts, including filmmaking, visual and performing arts, traditional art making, culinary arts, poetry, and creative nonfiction, with the humanities. Through a series of immersive workshops, readings, conversations, and presentations, our goal is to foster engagement in our communities on a wide range of social justice issues, including migration, identity, discrimination, environmental sustainability, militarization, colonial histories and decolonization, Humanities Guahan said. At the root of Art + Ideas is the belief that the intersection of creative arts and humanities generates a powerful tool for critical dialogue, fostering cross-cultural understanding and empathy, and building community resilience. This program offers participants a unique opportunity not only to learn creative skills but also to contemplate how these skills relate to and resonate with the pressing social, cultural, and environmental issues of Guahan, the Marianas, wider Micronesia, and the larger Asia Pacific region. The grant will support a series of interpretive workshops and presentations featuring CHamoru and Micronesian artists and cultural practitioners, with sessions providing a platform for critical discussions on key topics, such as emphasizing the preservation of cultural knowledge and the celebration of cultural values. The grant from NEH will further expand the Art + Ideas program to include five curated workshops and presentations, combining artistic expression with facilitated discussions. These sessions will be hosted at various community and cultural spaces across Guahan, providing opportunities for participants to gain in-depth knowledge and firsthand insights into diverse art forms. Humanities Guahan is honored to receive this grant, which aligns perfectly with the organizations mission to foster community engagement and dialogue, inspire critical thinking, celebrate diversity and enrich the quality of life of island residents through the power of the humanities, it said. By bringing together artists, cultural practitioners, and the community, this initiative will contribute to a deeper understanding of Guahans rich cultural heritage and foster a sense of unity among its residents. As part of National Arts and Humanities Month, Humanities Guahan will also be featuring a range of digital content on its Instagram @humanitiesguahan to celebrate its staff, facilitators, community and ongoing work on the island. For more information about Humanities Guahan and its programs, visit https://www.humanitiesguahan.org/. Shoppers stroll through a first floor common area of the Micronesia Mall in Dededo, Aug. 1, 2021. The KFC restaurant in Tamuning on June 7, 2023. KFC is one of some businesses reopening after COR 4 declarations. Senators went into an emergency session on Wednesday but with no decision yet on fresh funding for the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority. The session resumes at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Senators discussed the Republican minoritys resolution asking Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero to declare a state of emergency for the Guam Memorial Hospital. The resolution wants to direct funding to assist GMHA with its financial challenges, supply deficiencies and structural rehabilitation. The answer is needed now. Our people cannot wait. Healthcare does not stop, Sen. Frank Blas Jr., minority leader, said in support of the resolution. Blas said GMHA owes up to $26 millions in vendor payments, necessary repairs, and supplies, while theres still over $200 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding. We dont need a new hospital five years down the road. We need a hospital that can function for us today, Blas said. Blas said the need for the hospitals supplies may soon be seen as a state of catastrophic crisis due to GMHA stating in an oversight hearing that they have to look for other vendors when they are on credit watch with other vendors. How many more vendors do you have in this well before the well runs dry and now, we have a crisis on our hands? This needs to get fixed now, he said. Sen. Chris Duenas noted that while the resolution may state the obvious, the bottom line is that patient care at GMH is inadequate, dangerous and insufficient. This is not a call for the federal government to give us less self-governance. This is a call to do our job so that we are not held accountable to money that is already provided for a specific purpose, Duenas said. Lets prove to the people that were committed to the process and do what is right. Sen. William Parkinson, who opposed the resolution, said its one that is not needed, pointing out that the real issue is the hospital management. We cant just keep giving GMH money because it failed even when it had plenty of money. For too long, we as a body have done nothing to address this issue except throw money at it and write strong-minded resolutions, Parkinson said. The problems with this hospital are the Legislatures fault. Even if we pass this resolution today, I guarantee we will still have the same problems tomorrow. Parkinson added that this calls for active prioritization for funding both the current GMH and a new hospital. We need to do both. The best time to build a new hospital was 10 years ago. The next best time is today, Parkinson said. Until we do both, I cannot support more funding to GMH until we settle on a new location, have financial oversight, and address medical negligence. Let us be the change today. Leon Guerrero has also put in legislation for the new location of the new medical complex to occupy six lots in Barrigada that are in the Guam Ancestral Lands Commissions inventory. The legislation has officially been introduced as Bill 184-37 and has been referred to Speaker Therese Terlajes committee on health, Sen. Chris Barnett told the Pacific Daily News. A public hearing on the bill has not been set yet. As the island has returned to Condition of Readiness 4, the Guam Department of Education announced that students will resume classes on Thursday. Here are the school schedules for all GDOE schools. GDOE schools follow one of the three options listed below: Traditional school schedule: Schools following the traditional schedule will have students attending five days a week. School instructional hours are the same as in previous school years. Double session schedules: Schools following a double session schedule are two separate school populations sharing one campus. One school population will attend in-person instruction on campus in the morning. The second school population will attend in-person instruction on campus during the afternoon. Alternating school schedules: Due to an insufficient number of school buses to accommodate students, several schools have opted to follow the alternating school schedule. The alternating school schedule is when two student populations will alternate their presence on a school campus. There are two types of alternating schedules: Internal alternating schedule: The school population will be separated into two groups and alternate attending school on campus every other day (e.g., Grades K through 2 will attend school Monday/Wednesday/Friday this week. Grades 3 through 5 will attend school on Tuesday/Thursday this week.) Alternate schedule with another school: Two school populations will share one campus and alternate attending school on campus every other day (e.g., V.S.A. Benavente Middle School students will attend school Monday/Wednesday/Friday this week. Astumbo Middle School students will attend school Tuesday/Thursday this week.) Elementary schools 8:30 a.m. to 2:43 p.m. Agana Heights Elementary School Astumbo Elementary School B.P. Carbullido Elementary School C.L. Taitano Elementary School Captain H.B. Price Elementary School Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary School D.L. Perez Elementary School Finegayan Elementary School Harry S. Truman Elementary School Inalahan Elementary School J.Q. San Miguel Elementary School Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School M.U. Lujan Elementary School Machananao Elementary School Marcial A. Sablan Elementary School Merizo Martyrs Memorial School Ordot Chalan Pago Elementary School P.C. Lujan Elementary School Talofofo Elementary School Upi Elementary School Middle schools 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Agueda I. Johnston Middle School Luis P. Untalan Middle School Oceanview Middle School High schools J.P. Torres Success Academy: 6:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. - All class periods. Southern High School: 6:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. - All class periods Tiyan High School: 6:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. - White Day (4th/5th/6th) George Washington High School: 7:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. - Gold Day (4th/5th/6th) Double session Okkodo High School/F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School Okkodo High School: 6:55 a.m. to 12 p.m. - B-Day (4th/5th/6th) F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School: 1:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - White Day (Team Time/6th/7th/8th/9th) John F. Kennedy High School/Simon A. Sanchez High School John F. Kennedy High School: 6:10 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. - Gold Day (2nd/4th/6th) Simon A. Sanchez High School: 12 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. - Gray Day (4th/5th/6th) Internal alternating elementary schools Liguan Elementary School: 8:30 a.m. to 2:43 p.m. - Cohort B (Thursday), Cohort A (Friday) Tamuning Elementary School: 8:30 a.m. to 2:43 p.m.- Cohort B (Thursday), Cohort A (Friday) Internal alternating secondary schools Inalahan Middle School: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Black Day (Grades 7th and 8th) Thursday, Gold Day (6th grade) Friday Jose L.G. Rios Middle School: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Gray Day (8th grade) Thursday, Blue Day (Grades 6th and 7th) Friday Alternating schools on the same campus: Elementary schools Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School (Host)/Adacao Elementary School: 8:30 a.m. to 2:43 p.m. - Adacao (Thursday), JMG (Friday) Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School (Host)/Wettengel Elementary School: 8:30 a.m. to 2:43 p.m. - Wettengel (Thursday), Maria A. Ulloa (Friday) Alternating schools on the same campus: Secondary schools Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School (Host)/Astumbo Middle School: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Astumbo (Thursday), BMS (Friday) Education Superintendent Erik Swanson, in a statement, commended all the school administrators and their teams, as well as the GDOE Facilities & Maintenance team, for their quick and thorough assessments of campuses to prepare them for the return of students. He also extended his appreciation to fellow GovGuam agencies for their assistance in closing the emergency shelters so school teams could open campuses for instruction. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their childrens schools for more information. They can also contact Michelle A.T. Franquez at matfranquez@gdoe.net. Press Release October 11, 2023 Senator Mark Villar Condemns Multiple Cyber Attacks Against Government Agencies Senator Mark Villar condemns the multiple cyber attacks against government agencies as the Philippine Statistics Authority has been a recent victim. This is only a few weeks after the Medusa ransomware cyber attack against the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). "Ang mga atake na ito laban sa ating mga government agencies ay hindi lamang laban sa gobyerno. Ang mga ito ay bahagi ng malawakang atake laban sa publiko, sa mga mamamayang Pilipino na mayroong mga sensitibo at pribadong impormasyon sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno," Senator Mark said. The senator further asserts that the recent cyberattacks on the systems of government agencies not only compromise the systems and processes of agencies but these attacks also endanger the safety and privacy of Filipinos. "These cyber attacks against government agencies are very concerning. Everytime an agency is subjected to these opportunist attacks, the information of the general public is put on the verge of being released into cyberspace where it could be utilized by the wrong hands for criminal activities," Senator Mark added. The Senator expresses his growing concern about the series of cyber attacks against different government institutions, the PSA being the latest victim. During the attack against PhilHealth last month, Senator Mark Villar filed Resolution No. 811 before the Senate directing the appropriate Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation over this cyber attack incident and all the other attacks against government websites. "It is high time that we strengthen our cyberspace security as we are dealing with private and delicate information that could endanger, not just of one institution, but of the general Filipino public," Senator Mark Villar emphasized. Senator Mark Villar, a staunch advocate for heightened security in digital cyberspace, stands in his firm belief that the regulation of cyberspace is timely and relevant, provided that this attack against PSA is the second one against a government agency in the past four weeks alone. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, has unveiled legislation to replenish Israel's Iron Dome defense system amid its war with Hamas. The bill proposed by Tenney, R-Canandaigua, would provide $2 billion to restock the Iron Dome, which intercepts rockets targeting sites within Israel. The defense system was tested over the weekend when Hamas launched its surprise attack. Some rockets launched from Gaza, where Hamas is based, slipped through the Iron Dome and hit targets in Israel. "Without the critical Iron Dome system, which intercepts Palestinian rockets in the air, many, many more civilians would have been wounded or killed," Tenney said, adding that the Iron Dome intercepted nearly 700 rockets during a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. In the latest conflict, more than 3,200 rockets have been intercepted by the Iron Dome. President Joe Biden announced military aid for Israel, including more Iron Dome interceptors. Biden informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the assistance during a call Tuesday. The legislation in Congress is supported by a broad coalition of Democrats and Republicans. Several Republicans from New York are supporting the legislation, including House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik. Democratic U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Brad Schneider are among the bill's cosponsors. "I will always stand with Israel the democracy in the region and support our partner's right to defend herself from those who seek her destruction," Gottheimer said. The bill is supported by several groups, including the Republican Jewish Coalition and the Zionist Organization of America. As the island braced for Typhoon Bolaven Tuesday, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero wrote Speaker Therese Terlaje a letter seeking emergency approval on 100 acres of ancestral lands to be used for a new medical campus. The governor has been eyeing the land in the Barrigada-Mangilao area, valued at more than $10 million, for the future site of a public hospital and other healthcare facilities. The parcels are in the inventory of the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission, and the Legislature will have to give the approval before the commission can begin negotiations with the government of Guam for a sale or lease. The land identified is so-called Spanish crown land, which has passed from the hands of the Spanish to the U.S. to the local government, and which GALC is tasked with distributing. Its in the communitys best interest for the construction of a new hospital to move forward quickly, Leon Guerrero wrote the speaker, given the deteriorating condition of the Guam Memorial Hospital. GMH can no longer meet the needs of our people, no matter how many costly renovations are performed on its facility. A new hospital is necessary for the continued health and well-being of our community. We simply cannot afford further delays. Our people have waited long enough, the governor wrote. The properties, located approximately across the Hawaiian Rock Products property in Mangilao, are the second choice for a new hospital and attached medical campus after a deal on the Eagles Field property in Mangilao fell through earlier this year. Leon Guerrero noted that the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission has already backed the use of the land for a medical campus project, to be paid for at fair market value. But certain federal funds that are available to fund a new medical campus may not be usable if a site for the project is not identified, according to the Adelup-drafted legislation for the land. Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin said the $160 million worth of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds that have been set aside for the construction of a new hospital, are the main concern. She said a survey of the land in Barrigada has started, but has not been completed. The ARP funds have to be obligated by the close of fiscal 2024 and spent by 2026. Leon Guerrero requested that an emergency session be called to entertain the approval of the land negotiations. An emergency session to pump funding into GMH to help pay its $26 million worth of outstanding vendor bills was meant to be held Monday, but was postponed by the storm. The hospital is facing issues with equipment, supplies, and an infestation of mold in the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar earlier this year. Doctors opposedBut several prominent members of the local medical community are still staunchly opposed to the site being eyed for the new medical campusand to the entire idea of a medical campus. Its the same chorus that was heard when the Eagles Field site in Mangilao was being considered as a medical campus location. A number of members of the medical community have stated they want a new hospital built at Ypao Point in Tamuning. Dr. Tom Shieh said he was puzzled over Adelup continuing to push for a medical campus in the Mangilao and Barrigada area. The property being eyed was not conducive to patients accessing care given 90% of medical providers were in Tamuning, Shieh said. He said he did not have time to read the letter from Leon Guerrero Tuesday. Shieh was also opposed to the idea of a medical campus that would include the Department of Public Health and Social Services, or outpatient clinics beside it. Majority of our healthcare providers have said, we need a hospital, just a hospital, not a lab or a Public Health or a physician office building next to it. Just build it on Ypao Point. That is the best choice if you really want to save lives, he said. Dr. Hoa Nguyen, who said his American Medical Clinic in Mangilao would benefit from a hospital in the area, echoed Shiehs feelings. Every time we have a (patient with) chest pain that comes to Mangilao, we pray and pray and pray that patient does not pass away in our clinic. Because a long way through GMH and (the Guam Regional Medical City), Nguyen said. Doctors that had invested in clinic space in Tamuning were not going to uproot and move their clinics to be near the new hospital location, Nguyen said. The situation was even more serious for specialty practitioners like endocrinologists, the majority of whom were already in Tamuning. Some doctors have told him that they dont plan to continue practicing on Guam if GMH is moved out of Tamuning, Nguyen said. The idea of building a bigger hospital in Barrigada didnt make sense, Nguyen said, as GMH already consistently lacked the personnel to keep all of its inpatient beds staffed. Barnett: Action now More support is needed for the islands current public hospital, not an attempt to force through a pie in the sky pet project, that was too costly, said Sen. Chris Barnett. Barnett was one of the biggest critics of Adelups handling of the potential deal on the Eagles Field site, and helped to block the deal in the Legislature over concerns about transparency and claims by ancestral landowners. {p class=p1}He noted Tuesday that the governor and lieutenant governor could put federal ARPA money down on issues at GMH at any time. {p class=p1}Politics had poisoned the hospital, and most problems stemmed from mismanagement, not money, Barnett said. {p class=p1}Adelup acknowledges the urgent help GMH needs, but acknowledgement isnt action, and we need action on GMH now. Adelup needs to act now. Then I hope we can work together to reach a realistic solution for our islands future healthcare needs, he said. {p class=p1}Leon Guerrero in her letter said she had committed $20 million of ARPA money to fix immediate structural needs at GMH. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Joint Region Marianas Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman declared a return to Condition of Readiness 4 at 10 a.m. Wednesday, with the governor saying that Guam has not sustained major damages. In COR 4, government of Guam operations resume but Guam Department of Education public schools and Catholic schools will remain closed for Wednesday. GDOE employees are to report to work by 12 p.m. "We are very blessed and fortunate that there are no known major damages. Houses are up. Commercial buildings are intact. All RISE roofs that have been done are standing strong. FEMA tents are up. Every part of our island is pretty much safe," the governor said in a video message shortly before 10 a.m. The governor thanked residents for their adherence to warnings and for following requests to prepare and plan for the storm. "Without that, I think we wouldn't be in a very safe place right now. As a result of that, I am declaring Condition of Readiness 4 at 10 am. All government agencies will be open and operational," she said. But the weather, she said, would still be a little treacherous with rain from Bolaven's tail end. "Please continue to be safe. We 've been very blessed that this storm didn't hit us with damaging winds. Now our work returns to restoring this island and continue to support all our efforts in recovery,' Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said in the same video message. Guam was spared the brunt of Typhoon Bolaven. Its closest approach to Guam was at 50 miles around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Most businesses have resumed operations. But while the island dodged Bolaven, it still got heavy rains, flash floods and strong winds that kept most residents indoors and businesses closed for most of Tuesday. Bolaven started pulling away from the Marianas late Tuesday night. It developed into a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, and held steady for six to 10 hours, and then passed right between Rota and Tinian Tuesday night. Bolaven's closest point of approach was about 20 miles from Rota at about 5 p.m. and 25 miles from Tinian at around 7 p.m. Tuesday, NWS said. At first light Wednesday, the governor did a windshield assessment of damages. This was followed by a decision to return Guam to COR 4. All major thoroughfares were clear of any major debris and accessible. The community is reminded to conduct assessments around their homes in a safe manner, the Joint Information Center said. Joint Region Marianas, Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz conducted assessments and declared the All Clear. "For all military base personnel, please report to work when it is safe for you to do so. For base patrons, please continue to visit the JRM Facebook page as well as each of the individual military installation social media pages for all of the latest information about the return to steady state and the availability of services," JIC said. As of 7 a.m., Bolaven was located 16.4 degrees north latitude and 144.3 degrees east longitude, about 205 miles north of Guam, moving north-northwest at 10 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The typhoon watch and tropical storm warning has been canceled for Guam as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. Damaging winds of 39 mph or more are no longer expected for Guam. Stay out of the water Everyone should remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions, JIC said. Hazardous to dangerous sea and surf conditions are still expected. High risk of rip currents is in effect. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from the shore into deeper water. Residents and visitors of Guam and the CNMI are advised to remain out of the water. Residents and visitors are also advised against venturing along trails close to the water or shoreline, as high surf can knock a person down and sweep them off beaches and rocks. These waves can be deadly, even for the most experienced swimmers. Reopening updates Matsons Maunawili at the Port of Guam on May 28, 2023. Ron McNinch is a longstanding member of the Guam community and frequently gives his opinion on a wide range of topics. Haiti - FLASH : Canada offers Haitians access to permanent residence Tuesday October 10, 2023, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, made the following statement : "Today, I am announcing that, as part of this commitment to welcome 15,000 migrants from the Americas, Canada will welcome up to 11,000 Colombians, Haitians and Venezuelans through a new humanitarian permanent residence pathway. "Starting this fall, foreign nationals of these 3 countries who have extended family connections in Canada will be eligible to apply for this new pathway. To qualify, the principal applicant must be a child (regardless of age), grandchild, spouse, common-law partners, parent, grandparent or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. "Successful applicants will be offered enhanced pre-arrival services, including an employment skills assessment and a referral to a settlement provider organization in their intended community. More detailed information will be available closer to the launch of the new pathway." To be continued... HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Former senator John pleads guilty to participation in the assassination of Jovenel Moise Tuesday October 10, 2023, former Senator Joseph Joel John (52 years old) made an about-face. After pleading not guilty in October 2022, he pleaded guilty in United States federal court in Miami to participating in a conspiracy to kidnap or kill a person outside the United States. The former Senator admitted to FBI agents that he provided vehicles and other material resources, knowing that this material support would be used to prepare a plot to kidnap or kill the President of Haiti, assassinated July 7, 2021 in his residence https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html A summary of the facts from the Office of the Prosecutor, signed by the defendant, indicates that he "attended several meetings with his co-conspirators to discuss the operation, both in the Southern District of Florida and in Haiti." Furthermore, he admitted before the court to having participated in a meeting at the home of Rodolphe Jaar with other members of the plot on July 6, 2021, the day before the attack followed by the assassination of the Haitian Head of State according to the agreement to "plead guilty" that he signed with the American prosecutors office. On the night of the assassination, he was in communication with several prime suspects. John is the third person indicted in the United States in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise; the other two are former Colombian soldier Mario Antonio Palacios (sentence expected) and Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar (sentenced to life). https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39685-haiti-flash-rodolphe-jaar-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-the-usa-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html ). The former senator could face a life sentence when he delivers his verdict on December 19 before District Judge Jose Martinez, but as he cooperates with federal prosecutors, he hopes for a sentence less heavy. Also read about former Senator Joseph Joel John: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36497-haiti-flash-jamaica-authorizes-the-extradition-to-the-usa-of-former-senator-joseph-in-the-case-of-the-assassination-of-the-president.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36629-haiti-justice-assassination-president-a-third-suspect-appeared-in-federal-court.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36259-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-towards-the-extradition-to-the-usa-of-former-senator-joseph-joel-john.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36117-icihaiti-justice-former-senator-joseph-tries-to-obtain-asylum-in-jamaica.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35724-haiti-flash-assassination-of-the-president-former-senator-john-joel-joseph-arrested-in-jamaica.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34225-haiti-notice-the-pnh-is-looking-for-3-dangerous-and-armed-individuals-including-a-former-senator.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Security : Recruitment criteria for the 1,000 Kenyan police officers The Kenyan Government has begun recruiting the 1,000 members of the mission it plans to send to Haiti to participate in a multinational intervention force in Haiti. Among the recruits are officers assigned to special tasks who will be joined by specialized officers including 35 drivers, six sign language specialists, 12 priests and pastors as well as 8 mechanics. All officers assigned to this mission must have more than five years of experience in the National Police Service (NPS), be between 20 and 40 years old and have no more than two convictions during their career. Other requirements are that these men and women, must be mentally, physically and medically fit, have proven shooting skills, be proficient in English and have clear discipline and control. These requirements will also apply to specialist officers who must be between 20 and 40 years old. Kenya, which agreed to lead this Mission to support the Haitian National Police (PNH) to combat gang violence https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40134-haiti-flash-kenya-agrees-to-deploy-1-000-police-officers-in-haiti.html awaits approval from the Kenyan Parliament to begin work, a mission that the United Nations Security Council has already approved https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40642-haiti-flash-the-security-council-approves-the-intervention-of-a-multinational-force-in-haiti.html Kenya will be assisted by other contingents from partner countries, including Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana among others https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40604-haiti-flash-12-countries-have-confirmed-their-participation-in-an-intervention-mission-in-haiti.html See also: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40701-haiti-politic-the-high-court-of-kenya-suspends-for-2-weeks-the-deployment-of-the-mission-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40690-haiti-security-soldiers-from-guyana-will-participate-in-the-multinational-force-to-assist-the-pnh.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40642-haiti-flash-the-security-council-approves-the-intervention-of-a-multinational-force-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40604-haiti-flash-12-countries-have-confirmed-their-participation-in-an-intervention-mission-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40134-haiti-flash-kenya-agrees-to-deploy-1-000-police-officers-in-haiti.html S/ HaitiLibre Published on 2023/10/10 | Source Actor Ji Sung generously showed off his good looks in a pictorial. Advertisement The agency, Surpass ENT, released a behind-the-scenes still of Ji Sung on the 5th. This still shows him filming the fashion magazine Allure photo shoot with actress and wife Lee Bo-young to mark his 10th wedding anniversary. Ji Sung in the released stills has a strong charisma in the combination of dark eyes and heavy aura, while his smile catches the eye with his unique sweetness. As such, Ji Sung displayed the power to complete every moment with highly sensitive A-cuts. The creation of an ever-changing mood according to styling has produced results as good as pictorials, with basic, cool visuals that do not change over time and the ability to digest concepts without limits. In addition, Ji Sung led the scene in a friendly way with his bright energy and professional appearance throughout the photo shoot, drawing admiration from the field staff, and more behind-the-scenes stills of him can be found on the official Naver Post channel of Surpass E.N.T. On the other hand, Ji Sung was challenged to play two roles per person through tvN's drama "Adamas" which aired last year, and showed his reputation as an actor. Published on 2023/10/11 | Source Korean movies opening today 2023/10/11 in Korea: "Hopeless", "Miss Fortune", "Welcome to Bongtaeri" and "Pay Off" Advertisement "Hopeless" (2023) Directed by Kim Chang-hoon With Hong Xa-bin, Song Joong-ki, BIBI, Jeong Jae-kwang, Woo Ji-won-I, Hong Seo-baek,... Filming dates: 2022/09~2022/12/12 Synopsis Although he never had what he wants in his 18 years life, he still struggles to grasp a hope Yeon-gyoo (Hong Xa-bin) is a teenage boy who wants to escape his hometown where violence is commonly enacted among neighbors. He only hopes to have a peaceful life with his mother. However, the world never allows him to have a dream nor hope for life. When Yeon-gyoo needs a hand from grown-ups, Chi-geon (Song Joong-ki), a thug of the town, offers a favor. The simple favor leads Yeon-gyoo to explore the world of Chi-geon. It ironically results Yeon-gyoo gradually falling into Chi-geon's life. Grasping a hope to run away from where he is, he struggles between the border. Can he escape from the town at the end? "Miss Fortune" (2021) Directed by Lee Seung-joon-I With Uhm Jung-hwa, Song Sae-byeok, Bang Minah, Son Byung-ho, Kim Jae-hwa, Park Ho-san,... Started filming: 2021/12/15 Synopsis A work that depicts the story of Ji-hye who dreams of turning her life around, and her daughter infiltrating the house of a cultural property broker worth 60 billion won. "Welcome to Bongtaeri" (2020) Directed by Park Jung-rye With Oh Seung-hoon, Kim Yoon-hye, Lee Sang-hee-VI, Lee Shin-seong, Kim Shin-kwang, Kim Ja-young,... Synopsis A delightful, fantasy, romantic comedy film featuring 'Il-woo' who became a 'fake natural person' and Bong-sook who became a 'fake farmer' in Bongtaeri, the dead end of life. Thinking that 'a home of one's own' and 'stable and happy life' go together, Il-woo goes to the mountainous valley called Bongtaeri for the first time to save a failing pharmaceutical company and get 200% of his annual salary, in turn becoming a 'fake natural person'. Bong-sook's parents, on the other hand, declared that their economic aid will be suspended so to achieve their dreams, Bong-sook becomes a 'fake farmer' in Bongtaeri where her maternal grandfather lives. "Pay Off" (2023) Directed by Kang Sang-woo Synopsis As the novel "LimGeojeong" becomes a great success, the publisher and the writer's bereaved family in North Korea meet to solve the copyright problem. Their exchanges between South and North Korea create another novel-like story that condenses issues in various fields including politics, economy, and culture together with concerns and hospitality.= Korean Movie | 2011 Animation Directed by Kim Sunah () Park Se-hui () Written by Kim Sunah () Park Se-hui () Shin Hye-jin () 72min | Release date in South Korea: 2012/03/08 Synopsis In-hye and Sun-mi visit their hometown, a small and quiet village in the countryside, after a long time only to face unexpected news: their old friend Eun-sil died while giving birth. The town is left in an uproar because of the baby, whose father is unknown, and it is neglected, protected by no one. While In-hye and Sun-mi try to save the baby with the help of Ji-young, their friend who has stayed in town, they find out that Eun-sil, who was mentally retarded, was a plaything of the village. In-hye and Sun-mi are troubled with the rage they feel against the village people and the guilty conscience they feel towards Eun-sil. Although they abandoned Eun-sil in the past, will they be able to protect her baby until the end? Director's statement Anyone can be the victim or the villain. The 13th Puchon International Student Animation Festival (2011) Source Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Subscribe to our daily NewsLetter Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password or receive our NewsLetter. Stay logged in Lost password Contact Published on 2023/10/10 | Source Actress Park Se-wan will appear in the new drama "Not Strong But Attractive Homicide". Advertisement On the 10th, an official from the agency Ghost Studio told OSEN, "Actress Park Se-wan has confirmed her appearance in the new drama "Not Strong But Attractive Homicide"". "Not Strong But Attractive Homicide" is a drama about a powerful squad with the lowest performance rate among police officers across the country, meeting an elite strong squad leader and becoming the best team. It is a new work by Lee Young-cheol, who wrote TV Chosun drama "Shut Up and Smash", KBS 2TV drama "The Best Hit", and Lee Kwang-jae, who wrote tvN's "Potato Star". It was known that actor Kim Dong-wook was proposed to appear before Park Se-wan and was considering it. Among them, Park Se-wan has decided to appear and is looking forward to meeting Kim Dong-wook. Park Se-wan is scheduled to meet the public with Netflix's new original drama "Doona!" which will be released on the 20th. Nearly 66 percent of Finnish companies report that a shortage of skilled workers is impeding their growth and business development, according to a recent survey conducted by the Chambers of Commerce. The survey revealed that 59 percent of businesses are struggling to find competent labor, and this talent shortage is significantly limiting their expansion plans. The most acute shortages are in the field of vocational expertise. The economic downturn has temporarily affected companies' employment opportunities and labor needs. However, the Central Chambers of Commerce warns that businesses will face severe challenges when the economy recovers if proactive measures are not taken to address the talent shortage. The survey, conducted among over 1,150 companies across Finland, highlighted the ongoing struggle for businesses to find skilled workers. A staggering 66 percent of companies reported that the availability of skilled labor is restricting their growth and business development. Out of the respondents, 12 percent felt severely limited, 35 percent felt somewhat restricted, and 20 percent felt limited to some extent due to the shortage of skilled workers. "These figures are alarming. Even in a weakened economic situation, a significant portion of companies in Finland is still grappling with labor shortages. This problem remains acute in the country," said Johanna Sipola, Deputy CEO of the Central Chambers of Commerce. While the economic situation has led to a decrease in companies seeking new employees, the survey indicates that a clear need for recruitment will emerge in the next couple of years. Up to 68 percent of companies anticipate their recruitment needs to grow significantly within the next 2-3 years. However, finding the right talent remains a challenge. The primary reasons cited by companies for recruitment difficulties include insufficient applicants for open positions (42%), applicants' limited work experience (41%), intensified competition for employees (35%), and applicants' unsuitable education (29%). The demand is particularly high for professionals with vocational qualifications. About 82 percent of companies expressed a need for individuals with vocational qualifications, with 32 percent needing them significantly, 36 percent needing them somewhat, and 15 percent needing them to a limited extent. Similarly, 84 percent of companies indicated a need for individuals with a university of applied sciences degree, with 20 percent needing them significantly, 40 percent needing them somewhat, and 24 percent needing them to a limited extent. "It is crucial to address the needs of businesses, especially in terms of skilled professionals. One essential solution is to significantly increase immigration of skilled workers since our domestic population will not be able to cover the long-term needs of companies," added Sipola. The survey, conducted from September 6 to 11, 2023, provides a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by Finnish businesses in the context of the ongoing talent shortage. Actionable strategies to bolster the workforce are vital to sustain economic growth and promote business development in the country. HT A recent entrepreneur survey in Finland has exposed a concerning trend: large corporations are unlawfully extending payment deadlines, leaving smaller businesses financially strained. Over 50% of the surveyed companies revealed that laws governing payment periods between businesses were being flouted, with major companies treating small enterprises as their personal banks. Tiina Toivonen, Head of Legal Affairs, expressed her concerns, stating, "Big companies are using small businesses like their own banks, often breaking payment term laws. Even some state and municipal entities are delaying payments beyond 30 days without formal agreements. It's become customary for large corporations to unilaterally inform small business owners that they will receive their funds later." Industries hit hardest by these prolonged payment periods include manufacturing and construction, both of which are grappling with the economic fallout. To address this issue, Toivonen emphasized the need for the current government to propose measures to safeguard the financial stability of small businesses. She highlighted a prevailing trend where payment periods are being extended, both within the confines of the law and illicitly. Even minor delays, such as a few weeks' extensions, can create problems for companies as essential expenses, including salaries, taxes, and other overheads, continue to accrue. According to business representatives, 33% of them reported having their payment periods extended within the last two years, a significant increase from the 22% reported in November 2022. Among the offenders, large private companies were the most common culprits, with 66% extending their payment deadlines, a significant uptick from the previous survey. The law states that invoices between companies can exceed 30 days only if explicitly agreed upon by both parties. However, a third of businesses find themselves waiting for payments for more than 30 days. Among these, over half (51%) stated that the law was not adhered to when extending their payment deadlines. These unauthorized extensions are especially problematic for service-oriented businesses. "In half of the cases where a company providing services or products had to wait for payment for over a month, there was no agreement for the extended payment period, despite the legal requirement. This is a significant issue that needs to be addressed," Toivonen emphasized. The financial burden imposed by these lengthy payment delays is substantial. For businesses with payment periods exceeding 30 days, nearly half (43%) suffer financial setbacks. As payment deadlines increase to 60 days and beyond, over 60% of businesses face economic challenges. "It's estimated that a quarter of bankruptcies result from companies not receiving their payments on time. With the current rise in bankruptcies from last year, we anticipate the statistics to worsen in the coming months. It's crucial to curb law violations and mitigate the harm caused to entrepreneurs," Toivonen added. Toivonen suggested a solution: stronger regulatory oversight. Approximately half of the respondents agreed that authorities should monitor compliance with payment period laws. This proposal found significant support in the construction sector, with 65% in favor. The Finnish Business Federation echoed this sentiment. "In the previous government term, the Ministry of Justice's working group proposed comprehensive measures to curb law violations through regulatory oversight. This proposed legal amendment needs to be swiftly implemented and presented to the parliament," Toivonen urged. In September, the commission also recommended that member states ensure regulatory oversight of payment periods, advocating that agreements extending payment deadlines beyond 30 days should not be permitted. "The proposal is largely sound and aligns with the objectives advocated by the Finnish Business Federation. By shortening payment periods and enhancing oversight, we can notably improve the financial capacity of smaller enterprises," Toivonen concluded. Fact Highlights: Extended payment periods affect nearly 100,000 small and medium-sized businesses. Industries hit hardest include manufacturing (40% of respondents) and construction (36% of respondents). Payment periods between businesses can exceed 30 days only if mutually agreed upon. Over 50% of companies report non-compliance when payment deadlines are extended beyond 30 days. The majority of violators are found in the service sector and among solo entrepreneurs. The entrepreneur survey included responses from 1,207 small and medium-sized businesses from August 9 to 16, 2023, with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points. The research was conducted by Kantar Public on behalf of the Finnish Business Federation. HT In recent years , Finnish vacation plans have been influenced by various factors, including changes in the domestic and global economy. With the upcoming autumn holidays on the horizon, a survey conducted by POP Insurance sheds light on how these economic shifts affect the travel habits of the Finnish people. Interestingly, many are opting to reduce their international travels. The survey, carried out through email questionnaires and answered by approximately 2870 individuals, delved into various aspects of travel habits, highlighting how often respondents travel abroad for vacations. Surprisingly, over 30 percent of respondents stated that they travel internationally less frequently than once a year. 28 percent of respondents indicated that they travel abroad for leisure purposes 2-4 times a year, while a quarter of respondents travel internationally once a year. On the other hand, slightly more than 13 percent of respondents either do not travel abroad at all or only holiday within Finland. Economic considerations are compelling over half of the respondents to cut back on international travel. However, when it comes to actual travel expenses, respondents are less willing to compromise. Over half of the respondents admitted that economic considerations are forcing them to reduce international travel. Despite their financial situations, 45 percent of respondents plan to continue traveling as before. However, when it comes to travel expenses, respondents are less flexible. According to the survey, nearly 40 percent of the respondents stated they wouldnt compromise on any of the given options, including transportation costs, accommodation, and travel insurance. Interestingly, all three options were evenly split, each garnering a 20 percent response rate. Finnish travelers are notably conscientious about travel insurance, with only 15 percent of the respondents indicating that they would consider traveling abroad without it. Travelers abroad are often plagued by various infections and food poisoning. Just a visit to the hospital can be costly, not to mention if one falls seriously ill and needs, for instance, an ambulance flight back to Finland. In extreme cases, the cost of an ambulance flight can exceed one hundred thousand euros, reminded Tommi Lehmusvirta, the operational manager of POP Insurance's claims services. Lehmusvirta also emphasized the importance of carrying a travel insurance card, which serves as proof of valid coverage. In cases where families travel together, POP Insurance provides coverage for children under 18 years old under the parent's travel insurance policy. HT Beijing (Gasgoo)- In September 2023, the US electric vehicle maker Tesla sold a total of 74,073 China-made vehicles via wholesale, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). In September, Tesla was challenged with a 11.98% month-on-month decline and a 10.9% year-on-year dip in monthly wholesale volume of China-made vehicles. Specifically, wholesale volume of the Model Y came in at 53,249 units, which ranked second-best in sales among other passenger vehicle models in China last month, following the BYD Song (62,840 units). Meanwhile, the Model 3 was sold by 20,824 units in September. In the past month, Tesla saw 30,566 Shanghai-made vehicles set sail to overseas markets, which accounted for roughly 41.26% of the automakers total monthly wholesale volume. In the first nine months of this year, the cumulative wholesale volume of China-made Tesla vehicles summed up to 699,056 vehicles, representing a 44.71% leap over that of a year ago. Among which, 265,327 units were shipped to overseas markets. Regarding performance of the entire new energy passenger vehicle (NEPV) industry, last month, Chinas NEPV wholesale volume stood at roughly 829,000 vehicles, jumping 23% year over year while rising 4.2% month over month. From January to September, there were a total of 5.904 million NEPVs sold via wholesale, zooming up 36% from the year-ago period. NEPVs accounted for 49.9% of Chinese indigenous brands total passenger vehicle (PV) wholesale volume in September, while wholesale volume of luxury brands showcased a 31.1% NEPV penetration rate. In contrast, mainstream joint-venture brands fall behind, with a mere 5.8% of its monthly sales composed by NEPVs. Photo credit: Tesla Notably, among the 26 vehicle models whose September wholesale volume surpassed 20,000 units, 11 of which were NEPVs, including the top six models in sales. The top six models were successively the BYD Song (62,840 units), the Tesla Model Y (53,249 units), the BYD Qin (45,072 units), the BYD Seagull (40,092 units), the BYD Dolphin (32,927 units), and the BYD Yuan (32,856 units). On the other hand, Chinas PV export volume (including complete vehicles and CKD) reached about 357,000 units in September, spiking 50% year over year while increasing 8% month over month. Of the vehicles shipped overseas in the last month, around 91,000 units were NEPVs, more than doubled from that of a year ago (+107% YoY) and climbed up 16% from the previous month. According to the CPCA, NEPV made up for about 25.4% of Chinas total PV export in the month. The top two exporters of NEPVs in September were Tesla China (30,566 units) and BYD (28,039 units). 'Extremely toxic' pesticides pollute Hoopers Creek State environmental regulators notified the Henderson County Department of Public Health on Monday that a pesticide release resulting in an unknown amount of Bravo and Baythroid pesticides had occurred near a two-mile section of Hoopers Creek between Souther Road and Jackson Road on or about Oct. 3, the county said in a news release Wednesday. Upon discovery of the spill, cleanup was immediately conducted but some contamination of the surface water did occur. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has been evaluating the creek regularly to address the concerns and ensure the safety of the surrounding area. NCDEQ has determined that both products released are extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. They can also be absorbed through the skin during extended exposure. Although time and dilution of the chemicals have now reduced the associated risks for humans, the county health department urged people in and around that section of Hoopers Creek to limit exposure to the creek and avoid allowing pets and livestock to consume water from the creek until additional rainfall occurs. For more information, call NCDEQ at 828-296-4500. INDIAIMBesharam.com celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a celebration in Singapore. The team holiday brought together the brand's creator partners, dedicated employees, and industry peers, Team Sangya Project and Team Sassiest, to commemorate ten years of normalizing sexual wellness and pleasure in India. The Besharam team welcomed an ensemble of Meta creators playing an instrumental role in advocating for sexual wellness and LGBTQ+ rights, including the Pallavi Barnwal, Khushboo Bistt, Kajol Tyagi, and lesbian couple Nikita and Sayantika. Additionally, Aishwarya Dua, founder of Sassiest, was in attendance. While cheering past victories, the team celebrated the release of the first made-in-India vibrator, the Sangya 1, with their peers, the Sangya Project. Another figure included in the celebration was Deep Mehta, of Digichef. To know more, follow @imbesharam on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For more information, visit IMBesharam.com. Screen grab: AEW Dynamite The highly anticipated episode of AEW Dynamite on Tuesday night took an unexpected turn when the company ran an angle than many are accusing of being antisemitic in its nature. The angle took place during a promo between wrestlers Juice Robinson and Maxwell Jacob Friedman. During the promo, Robinson taunted MJF who is Jewish with a roll of quarters, which he had written Friedmans last name on. ? https://t.co/lV8KyVN4op pic.twitter.com/hnPjP5BHyJ CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 11, 2023 During promos in previous, unrelated angles, MJF has referenced being pelted with quarters by antisemitic bullies in high school. Meanwhile, Robinson has previously used a roll of quarters an old school wrestling trope to hit opponents as a part of his heel (bad guy) character. But while the use of quarters as a weapon is a common thread in both wrestlers backstories, the decision to use that reference especially in an antagonistic manner toward a Jew is especially controversial this week following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. The full segment can be seen in the social media post below. Jay White challenged #AEW World Champion MJF to an 8-man tag match! But will anyone team up with Max? Watch #AEWDynamite Title Tuesday LIVE on TBS!@The_MJF | @JayWhiteNZ pic.twitter.com/WITImXJE1B All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 11, 2023 Shortly after the promo aired on TBS, many took to social media to criticize it and its poor timing. Yep I am not down with this. https://t.co/D2NCOR1mt8 Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) October 11, 2023 Whew, Juice. That was a choice! Kazeem Famuyide ?? ? (@Kazeem) October 11, 2023 Ive said this many times politics and religion are two things you shouldnt touch publicly because you risk dividing your audience. A storyline involving the suggestion of antisemitism is bad business, period. https://t.co/zs6Zvq6EFL Jimmy Van (@jimmyvan74) October 11, 2023 Guessing it was MJF's idea to do the quarters thing (albeit much more subtly than The Podcasters were suggesting for Wembley), butehhhhh I don't like it. https://t.co/n7zLaJysu8 David Bixenspan (@davidbix) October 11, 2023 AEW is legit running an anti-Semitic storyline https://t.co/ZoFQy19hpI Gus (@WashedUpTweeter) October 11, 2023 As noted by Fightfuls Sean Ross Sapp, even if Friedman approved this promo, that doesnt mean it should have been approved by AEW. Tensions across the world are understandably high right now and an angle with even the slightest implication of antisemitism is insensitive to that. Its also worth noting that AEW was under an even bigger microscope on Tuesday, as the show went head to head against WWE NXT. With the rival wrestling promotions squaring off thanks to Dynamite being moved as a result of TBS coverage of the MLB Playoffs, both WWE and AEW loaded up their cards and secured commercial free stretches in an effort to beat the other in the ratings. It will be interesting to see if/how AEW, (company owner) Tony Khan, and broadcast partner Warner Bros. Discovery respond to the backlash to the segment. [AEW] Nanded is in the news for a spurt of deaths in the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital. Half the deaths on the first day were of newborns. By the fourth day, the number of dead rose to 55, of which 18 were babies. The Nanded episode in Maharashtra is not an isolated incident, it is part of a larger pattern. Similar spurt of newborn deaths have occurred in government hospitals in Purulia (15 deaths in June 2013), Nashik, (55 deaths in August 2017), Gondia (34 deaths in May 2017), Gorakhpur (63 deaths in August 2017), and Kota (104 infant deaths in December 2019 and January 2020). PREMIUM The real cause of newborn deaths in the Nanded hospital overcrowding is yet to be addressed The features common to this pattern: One, newborns formed the majority of those who died. Second, a culprit was found and publicly denounced. In Gorakhpur, it was Dr Kafeel Khan, a paediatrician; in Nanded, Dr Wakode, the dean of the hospital, was publicly humiliated and then booked for homicide. In Gorakhpur, a company was blamed for the failure of oxygen supply. In Nanded, the lack of supply of medicines is blamed. Even the scapegoats are predictable. But the real cause overcrowding is yet to be addressed. In Gorakhpur, very sick neonates admitted to the NICU were three times the number of available beds. Recently, three maternal deaths occurred in a week in the district-level women and childrens hospital in Gadchiroli. The reason? 300 women were admitted for delivery when the hospital had a capacity of 100 beds. Overcrowding causes a breakdown in hygiene, exhausts supplies, and leaves the doctors and nurses stretched to capacity. As a result, the quality of healthcare suffers. Monetary issues The red tape, corruption, political apathy, poor governance and vacancies worsen the situation. Maharashtra has nearly 18,000 unfilled posts in the health department, including 32 out of the 42 positions of directors, 1,600 positions of doctors and 14,000 class three and four positions. Healthcare is not produced by machines. Human resources is the most crucial ingredient. The state government recently decided to create 2,800 temporary positions on an urgent basis. Too little, too late. There are three national policy decisions that can also be identified as central to these tragedies. One, the number of patients seeking healthcare at government health centres and hospitals has increased. The financial allocation, however, hasnt increased in tandem. For nearly three decades, the government health expenditure Centre and states together has stayed at around 1% to 1.4% of the national GDP. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as well the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments made policy pronouncements of allocating money equal to 2.5% of the national GDP to the health sector. But that never happened. It remained 1.3% in 2015-16 and 1.4% from 2016-17 to 2019-20. In the latest two national budgets (2022-23 and 23-24) the honourable finance minister played a clever trick by including the earlier non-health allocations (water supply and nutrition) under health, inflating it to 2.1% of GDP. But the actual budget of the ministry of health has changed little from 84,500 crore in 2021-22 to 89,200 crore in 2023-24. Even at the claimed 2.1% of GDP, India would be at the lower end of the international ranking. The majority of the governments in developed countries spend 8 to 10% of their GDP on healththe financial gap between the need and the allocation results in breakdowns like Nanded and Gorakhpur. Dependence on hospitals The second policy decision, named the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), was to incentivise women to deliver in healthcare institutions. Mothers and ASHA workers were paid money for that. Consequently, the proportion of institutional deliveries nationally increased from 40% to over 90%. Out of these, nearly 70% of the deliveries in rural areas occur in government hospitals. This has resulted in nearly 15 million additional deliveries each year in health facilities. Have we increased our institutional and human resource capacity? Only the gap has increased. The third reason is the bad implementation of a good policy. In 2011, the then Planning Commission and the health ministry decided to provide Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) through ASHAs. This was due to the impossibility of providing facility-based care to 26 million neonates born annually in the country. Moreover, the scientific field trials (1995-98, 2002-05) conducted by our NGO in Gadchiroli, Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health (SEARCH) and subsequently by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (2006-2010), had proven that HBNC was eminently feasible, acceptable to people, effective in rapidly reducing infant mortality rate (from 72 to 30) and was most cost-effective (US$ 5 per life-year saved). Only 5% of newborns ended up needing hospitalisation. Nine lakh ASHAs were trained and equipped. They now make home visits to 1.42 crore newborns each year. However, the strong hospital bias in the medical system and in the JSY policy resulted in ASHAs, Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs), and Primary and Community Healthcare Centres referring most of the mothers and newborns to district hospitals and medical colleges. It is well-accepted that only 15% of deliveries need active medical intervention. Instead, the JSY has resulted in 90% of deliveries occurring in healthcare institutions. Neonatal ICUs (NICUs) were crowded to three times their capacity. In this situation, Nanded and Gorakhpur, Thane and Kota are bound to be repeated. So, what is the way forward? Double the real healthcare allocation and human resources, strengthen and empower the peripheral institutions and delegate more roles to frontline workers, ASHAs and ANMs. That is the only way India can provide healthcare to 1.4 billion people living in its nearly million villages, hamlets and towns. Padma Shri Dr Abhay Bang is a physician and public health researcher, and founded SEARCH with his wife, Dr Rani Bang. He was chairman of the Expert Committee on Tribal Health, Government of India The universe of finance is on the cusp of monumental change, thanks to the dynamic duo of blockchain and AI. Have you ever thought about what happens when you combine the best of both worlds? Ever caught yourself marvelling at the marvels of modern technology? In the financial world, there's a buzz that's hard to miss. The fusion of Blockchain and AI is not just a trendy topicit's redefining the contours of financial services. Where knowing the fusion is important for many others, its equally valuable to learn for global expatriates, including the 32 million Indian diasporas. These Indians owe the swiftness, ease, and convenience they enjoy each time they send money to India from overseas to the rapid technological advancement taking shape, which is one side of the story. The fusion of blockchain and AI is the other side that they ought to learn. In the days of yore, technological advancement in different fields would offer great help to the users in a specific field. But nowadays, every advancement in almost any field impacts life and behaviours as a whole. Blockchain is one such step the technology has taken that shook the entire world of finance and also bore a deep impact on the financial behaviours of people. Understanding Blockchain and AI is of extreme importance for Indian migrants who use these technologies to send funds back home. This blog sheds light on Blockchain and AI so that you know what to use, how and at what time. Understanding Blockchain and its Rise The technology known as Blockchain shot to prominence through its role in cryptocurrency. But its use has now gone far beyond cryptocurrency and the associated data. Now, Blockchain is utilised as a technique to store and verify data in different other financial areas in addition to areas like human resources, land registry, and supply chain. Satoshi Nakamoto is credited with creating the first modern cryptocurrency and the Blockchain infrastructure. For public use, it was launched in 2009. How Blockchain Works? A Blockchain is a ledger or database shared and distributed among a vast computer networks nodes. They are known for their critically important role in cryptocurrency systems to maintain a decentralised and secure transaction record. They are not limited to cryptocurrency uses alone. Blockchain is used to make data in any industry immutable. The term immutable, in this context, means the inability to be altered or manipulated. Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer or a robot that is controlled by the computer to perform tasks that are known to be performed by intelligent beings or were associated with human beings until the launch of AI recently. Financial Services The Current Status Although AI, in the strict context of its definition above, has not covered every aspect and operation taking place in the financial world, it, indeed, has had a deep impact on how financial operations are carried out. For example, for Indian migrants who earn a living abroad, AI has created ease and convenience to send money across borders. They can use several smartphone apps or log into the official websites of some of the most reputable companies, like ACE Money Transfer, to deliver funds within a few clicks. Impact of AI on Financial Services The first impact of AI on financial services was to dilute the monopoly of the banks on remittance operations. Since the focus is on Indian migrants and educating them about the impact of AI on how they transfer funds across borders, remittances within the financial world will stay in the limelight. After diluting the power and monopoly of the banks in the remittance industry, AI birthed the alternatives to serve the same purpose. The feathers in AIs cap in the remittance industry are as follows. AI has added to the speed and efficiency of the process of delivering funds The incidence of fraud resulting from technology lapse has substantially decreased; the margin for human error, however, remains Costs involved in the process have been reduced substantially through AI AI has also increased customer engagement by increasing their satisfaction threshold AI has also helped increase financial inclusion in societies where financial inclusion was less until the advent of AI Major Challenges Faced by Financial Institutions Technological advancement comes and brings convenience, but all of the comfort every technological advancement brings with it comes at a cost. In the financial world, this cost comes in the shape of the following few challenges. Scalability Challenge The scalability challenge refers to the ability of AI to expand and grow. It also means the ability of AI to cater to the changing and evolving needs and requirements of the migrants who want something new in their every money transfer back home. For example, despite being the leading financial institution worldwide, the banks still face the scalability challenge in their remittance operations because they are unable to cater to the ever-evolving needs of the customers. Regulatory and Compliance Challenges Every service, to be legal, has to work within the regulations defined and set by the regulatory authorities of a country. For example, if Indian migrants were to choose ACE Money Transfer to send money to India online, they would have to see if the firm operates within the financial framework laid out by the regulatory authorities, which are the central banks and finance ministries, given the remittance services the firm offers. This regulation and compliance are a big challenge because certain restrictions can hinder operations and expansion. Integration Challenges Antiquated mobile apps and outdated mobile experiences are another grave challenge for financial firms because customers demand something new every single day when they wish to send money back home. A fascinating experience of today may cause ennui tomorrow. Therefore, integrating the latest technology in financial operations and then educating customers about it and ensuring a smooth transition to the new methods from the old is a big challenge. Real-world Applications and Success Stories in the Financial World The financial world does not work in a vacuum. It breeds certain applications and success stories in the process of its evolution spanning over centuries. The following are essential to look at in this context. Blockchain Integrated in Banking Services Some banks worldwide are integrating Blockchain in their financial services because, as mentioned earlier, Blockchain ensures transparency in its services. And since the database is shared with millions of users at once, it makes manipulating the data impossible for all. AI Integrated in Insurance Services Insurance services are a complicated matter involving ones hard-earned money. It can involve many discrepancies in the process of getting insurance in different areas. The integration of AI in insurance services can help in the following few ways. AI in insurance services can detect anomalies It can serve as an outlier analyst. It means that AI can detect if a high credit card score is genuine or fake AI, through its Natural Language Process (NLP), can detect fraud and tell if a text or email is human- or machine-generated Biometric authentication is made possible only through AI Investments and AI Like insurance, investments are another tricky business. One can fall prey to sight-alluring ads and media campaigns to encourage one to make investments. It can land one in financial trouble. But with the help of AI, one can seek advice for investment opportunities without any interest involved that one has to endure while seeking help from professional investment experts. The Future of Financial Services with Blockchain and AI So long as the replacement of Blockchain and AI does not push these into insignificance, both of these will likely reign supreme while enjoying a tight grip on the AI-driven future. Here are a few areas in which the impact of both AI and Blockchain will be more visible than elsewhere. Future Evolution of Remittance Services AI and Blockchain are impacting remittance services in the years ahead in the following few ways. Fintechs and Challenger Banks Cryptocurrency and Blockchain (explained above) Mobile Money Services Neobanks Payment Gateways Microfinance Institutions Creation of New Financial Models Some of the names listed above, like Neobanks, Challenger banks, and mobile money apps, are birthed by AI and are remodelling traditional banking models and services. These are entirely based on AI and are revamping how old financial models serve people. Furthermore, most of the existing models are also driven by AI, but the models just named above are likely to throw them into oblivion soon enough. AI and Financial Inclusion Everyone has to use banking services at least once in their lifetime, if not regularly. And given that they do not cross paths with banks and other financial institutions regularly, they remain unbanked. The reasons are aplenty. But AI and Blockchain and the trust these financial technologies are reinforcing are bringing more and more people into the fold of banks and financial institutions, leading to increased financial inclusion. Wrapping Up Every global money transfer is being deeply impacted by the advent of Blockchain and AI, as is sufficiently evident from the preceding discussion. Therefore, Indian migrants need to stay updated about the emerging trends ensuing from these technologies and also exhibit the necessary flexibility to adopt these trends and adjust accordingly to derive optimal benefits. Where several other resources can help you stay updated, you can check ACE Money Transfers website or social media platforms to get insight into whats new in the fusion of blockchain and AI. 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 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! India, 11th October 2023: Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology, a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), is dedicated to elevating technical education standards in the country. The institution's primary mission is to produce management professionals who possess the capability to tackle industry challenges with innovative, technology-driven solutions. By imparting its advanced MBA programmes - MBA in Information Technology Business Management (ITBM) and MBA in Data Sciences and Data Analytics (DS & DA), SCIT plays a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow, who are not only well-versed in technology but also possess strong management acumen, making them invaluable assets in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Sharing the vision of the institute, Dr. Dhanya Pramod, Director, SCIT said, SCIT's MBA programmes groom future tech-savvy business leaders in today's tech-driven landscape, spanning e-commerce and finance. The curriculum sharpens analytical skills to confront industry challenges. Students gain technical expertise, mentorship from industry pros, and a wide professional network. SCIT empowers aspirants to embark on a path to becoming the next-gen business leaders, blending tech prowess with a profound grasp of the business realm. To elaborate, SCIT's innovative MBA programmes, namely MBA in Data Sciences and Data Analytics and MBA in Information Technology Business Management are meticulously designed to nurture aspiring leaders for the dynamic landscape of Industry 4.0, characterized by the emergent technology-driven market economies. These programmes are well-rounded and offer broad applicability across various sectors. Both MBA programmes incorporate a cutting-edge fusion of technology and management courses, empowering students with the skills and knowledge demanded by the industry. Students can expect to gain proficiency in indispensable tools like R, Python, Tableau, Hadoop, and MapReduce to name a few. Additionally, they have the unique opportunity to establish valuable industry connections through SCIT's extensive network. The MBA in Information Technology Business Management takes a deep dive into advanced technical specializations like Information Security Management(ISM), Digital Transformation(DT), Systems (SYS) and Data Science (DS). These specializations are meticulously curated by a blend of industry experts and distinguished academicians, ensuring that graduates are primed to take on diverse roles such as Functional Consultancy, Requirements Engineering, Process Optimization, Business Development, Business Analysis, Quality Management, and Business Process Management, among others. On the other hand, for individuals with a penchant for data science and analytics, the MBA in Data Sciences and Data Analytics offers a comprehensive education in the domain. Expert instructors guide students through real-time data-driven challenges, equipping them with the skills needed to excel in the burgeoning fields of Data Science and Analytics, opening doors to numerous career opportunities. Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT) is at the forefront of innovation and excellence in India's technical education landscape. Its unwavering commitment to nurturing capable management professionals, armed with the ability to address industry challenges using technology-driven solutions, is highly commendable. SCIT's advanced MBA programmes, encompassing Information Technology Business Management and Data Sciences and Data Analytics, offer a comprehensive education that moulds future leaders for the ever-evolving Industry 4.0. Thus to conclude, through a state-of-the-art curriculum, expert mentorship, and an extensive professional network, SCIT empowers students to emerge as adept business leaders, proficiently bridging the gap between technology and management in today's dynamic business landscape. For more information visit: https://www.scit.edu/ Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! She moved to the US from India at a tender age of 11. She was just 15 when she launched her technology startup. She now employs 10 people in her firm, valued at a whopping 100 crore. This is the life story of Pranjali Awasthi, the 16-year-old Indian protege who has proved age is merely a number when it comes to entrepreneurship. Pranjali Awasthi (Twitter) Her venture, Delv.AI, offers services linked to data extraction for research. She launched the firm in January 2022. Her firm has raised $450,000 ( 3.7 crore) at a valuation of 100 crore. She shared her story with Business Insider. She told the business website that her father is a computer engineer who has been teaching her coding since she was seven years old. She moved to Florida from India. She studied mathematics and computer science for two years before she became an intern at the Florida Internal University lab that had been working on machine learning. As an intern, her tasks included searching, data extraction and generating literature reviews. The year 2020 presented a massive opportunity for the teenager -- OpenAI released its ChatGPT-3 beta version. "I knew we could use it to make extracting and summarizing research data easier," she said. In 2021, she was accepted into an accelerator program in lieu of a small piece of her future company. Her parents showed their encouragement by allowing her to leave high school for some time. She launched the beta version of Delv.AI on Product Hunt, a platform that allows people to share software for free. "As more content gets uploaded online, it's getting harder for people to find the right information, especially when that information is very specific. Delv.AI helps researchers leverage AI to find exactly the information they're looking for," she wrote on her blog on the website. She said her time at the accelerator program helped her land her first investment and build her network. The first investment helped her hire her first engineer. As of now, they have raised a total of $450,000 and are valued at around $12 million. She has decided not to go to college for now. She said she might consider going to college later to learn new business skills like law and psychology. However, at the moment, she is focusing on improving the product and raising funds. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj on Wednesday said that the Pro-Kannada organization will protest and besiege the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru over the Cauvery water issue. Pro Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj with his supporters in Bengaluru. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo) The protest will be held today and will be led by Vatal Nagaraj and other Pro Kannada activists. The Karnatak Rakshina Vedike is demanding an immediate stop in Cauvery water being released to Tamil Nadu. As per the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority Karnataka has been releasing 3000 cusecs of Cauvery Water to Tamil Nadu. The order is in place till October 15 when the Authority will meet again. The pro-Kannada organisations also held a protest on Tuesday at Bengaluru Rural's Hoskote in Karnataka over the Cauvery water issue. READ | Cauvery row: Annamalai says resolution passed by TN against Karnataka was unilateral The protest was held against the state government and was headed by pro-Kannada activist Nagaraj. They blocked the National Highway near the Hoskote toll which connects Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh. Some activists were detained by the police for blocking the National Highway. Earlier on October 5, Mandya police detained members of pro-Kannada organizations protesting over the Cauvery Water Issue. The governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been locked in a protracted tussle over the sharing of Cauvery waters. The river is seen as a major source of sustenance for the people in the two states. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee had ordered Karnataka to ensure the release of 3000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu starting from September 28 till October 15, 2023. Karnataka had filed a review petition against the order both in the Supreme Court and in CWMA (Cauvery Water Management Authority). Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier expressed his disappointment on the recommendation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) which has directed Karnataka to ensure the release of 3000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu starting from September 28 up to October 15, 2023. READ | Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah appeals for 4,860 crore compensation over drought, says actual loss is over 30,000 crore "Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) ordered to release of 3,000 cusecs of water, I have already spoken to our advocates. They have suggested us to challenge this order in the Supreme Court. We will challenge it in the Supreme Court. We don't have water to release to Tamil Nadu. We are challenging the orders of the CWRC," CM Siddaramaiah had said. The Cauvery water-sharing issue has led to political turmoil in Karnataka with former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accusing the state government of "lacking" the "will" to protect farmer's interests. The Karnataka government had cited a severe drought in parts of its state to refuse the supply of water to Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government has accused its neighbour of lying to the nation about the supply of water. Tamil Nadu also passed a resolution in the Assembly calling upon the Centre to intervene and ensure that Karnataka continues to release Cauvery Water as per the CWMA guidelines. The resolution was moved by TN Chief Minister MK Stalin and was passed unanimously. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! IndiGo would strengthen its network with the launch of three new direct routes to and from Salem in Tamil Nadu later this month, the country's largest airliner said on Tuesday. Salem stands as the 82nd domestic and 114th overall destination in the 6E network, IndiGo said. (AFP File Photo) The air carrier would launch direct flights connecting Salem to Chennai from October 29, to Hyderabad and Bengaluru from October 30. ALSO READ | Kochi-Bengaluru flight receives bomb threat, passengers offloaded Salem now proudly stands as the 82nd domestic and 114th overall destination in the 6E network. These new connections are poised to significantly bolster interstate connectivity and advance regional accessibility, aligning with the regional connectivity scheme's objectives, IndiGo said in a statement. "We are thrilled to introduce these new routes from Salem to the vibrant cities of Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. These direct routes not only provide convenient and cost-effective travel choices between these cities but also significantly reduce travel time," IndiGo, Head of Global Sales, Vinay Malhotra said. ALSO READ | Man booked for trying to open emergency door of Paris - Bengaluru flight: Report "As we venture into new skies, connecting people with their favored destinations, we remain committed to delivering our promise of providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences across our extensive network," he said in a statement. The introduction of new direct flights would offer travelers more convenient travel options, enhance connectivity, and promote tourism in these regions. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Karnataka is facing an acute shortage of approximately 1,500-2,000 MW, and at present the state is facing an extraordinary situation of high-power demand due to deficit rainfall, according to the Energy department. The state is realising an unexpected demand of more than 15,000 MW in October. (Sakib Ali/Hindustan Times) The state is realising an unexpected demand of more than 15,000 MW in October. Energy available for the current year is reduced by approximately 3,000 million units (thats approximately four per cent of the states annual demand). The deficit rainfall in the state has increased demand for agricultural IP (irrigation pump) loads as the farmers to save their crops, started using the IP sets earlier than the regular season, it said in a note explaining the power situation in Karnataka. Due to the absence of normal monsoons in the state, a surge in demand is being experienced. Except for the last two weeks in July, the monsoon was highly in deficit for the period of August and September, and this has resulted in low storage in major hydro dams in the state. READ | Bengaluru faces power cuts all of September The state recorded peak demand of 16,950 MW and energy consumption of 294 MUs on 25 August. It is noticeable that the state's highest demand in August 2022 was only 11,268 MW, and also, the state's highest consumption in the same month last year was only 208 MU, it said. During September, scanty rainfall was experienced and there was some respite in demand. However, in October, the state again faced an increased demand of more than 15,000 MW. "The state is facing a daily shortfall of 40-50 MU." Due to sub-normal rainfall in the state, the reservoir levels are very less when compared to last year, leading to heavy dependence on thermal sources to meet the demand. In October, it is observed that the Renewable Energy (RE - wind & solar) generation has reduced considerably. Many of the coal mines from where the state receives its coal for thermal power plants have received heavy rains due to which Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) is receiving wet coal, resulting in frequent breakdown of plants. "All the above adverse circumstances have led to the state facing acute shortage of approximately 1500-2000 MW," it added. READ | BBMP opens window clearance centers for Ganesh pandal applicants in Bengaluru To mitigate the shortfall in the power situation and to meet the increasing demand, power purchases are made through Day-Ahead-Market (DAM) and Real-Time-Market (RTM). The state has negotiated for swapping of power from Uttar Pradesh during the pre-solar and post-solar hours to an extent of 300 to 600 MW for the period from October 2023 to May 2024; this power is to be returned to Uttar Pradesh from June to September 2024. A similar swapping arrangement has been finalised with Punjab for a quantum of 500 MW of Round-The- Clock (RTC) power from November 2023 to May 2024. The state is proposing to procure power through a short-term tender to the extent of 1,250 MW power on a RTC basis and 250 MW on RTM as and when required (primarily for peak hours). The permission has been obtained from Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to procure power on a cap rate basis. The department requested all consumers to assist the state in saving energy and help it tide over "this temporary phase of shortage". Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! The National Investigation Agency has filed a charge sheet in a court in Karnataka against two persons for allegedly raising funds for furthering the activities of Pakistan-based terror group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case against the accused Mohd Arif (42) of Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh who was working as a French translator in Bengaluru and Hamraz Worshid Shaikh (27) of Maharashtra's Thane.(Representational image) The accused also allegedly attempted to radicalise and recruit gullible Muslim youths in India for the banned outfit to carry out acts of terrorism, a spokesperson of the federal agency said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case against the accused Mohd Arif (42) of Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh who was working as a French translator in Bengaluru and Hamraz Worshid Shaikh (27) of Maharashtra's Thane. READ | Balochistan blast: Pakistan's minister alleges external involvement in suicide attack; toll rises to 60 "Both the accused have been charged under various sections of the UAPA and the IPC on Monday," the spokesperson said. The official said investigations have revealed that the accused communicated over encrypted social media applications. In furtherance of a conspiracy with a Syria-based online handler of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, both the accused identified gullible Muslim youths in India and attempted to radicalise and recruit them by propagating the ideology of the banned outfit, the official said. "These youths were also motivated to migrate and join the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for carrying out violent Jihad," the spokesperson said. The official said Arif also made preparations to illegally cross over to Afghanistan through the Iran-Afghanistan border to join the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan along with his family. READ | We are in constant touch with Delhi police: Karnataka cops after ISIS terrorists arrest "Arif had applied for an Iranian visa for his entire family and had also booked four flight tickets to Iran and four dummy return flight tickets to India for his family, including his wife and two minor children. Arif had also booked rooms in Boshra Hotel of Mashhad city of Iran, as per instructions of the online handler," the spokesperson said. The agency said investigations also revealed that Shaikh had sent money to Pakistan to further the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. "The accused persons intended to establish Islamic rule in India by overcoming the democratically elected government through violent Jihad. Further investigations against the accused persons and suspects are in progress," the official said. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Procurement of paddy came to a standstill in Sangrur district on Wednesday after arthiyas (commission agents) went on a strike against the central government for lowering their commission. Heaps of paddy lying in the open at the Sangrur grain market as procurement came to a standstill due to the strike by commission agents on Wednesday. (HT Photo) Demanding a rollback of the decision and the implementation of the old commission system, the agents said earlier they got 2.5% of the notified minimum support price (MSP) of the crop, but now their commission had been fixed lower at 46 per quintal, just 2% of the MSP. Also read: Procurement hit as commission agents, millers go on strike in Punjab Pawan Kumar, the president of the Sangrur Arhtiya Association, said, We are receiving at least 9 less than the old commission system. The MSP of paddy is 2,203 a quintal but we get only 45.88 a quintal. If the old commission method was implemented, we would have got 55.70 per quintal. Jagtar Singh Samra, the president of the Artiya Association at Dhuri, said, The payment of 45 crore is pending towards the Food Corporation of India. The procurement agency had not released 45 crore of labour cost, which was being withheld on the account of EPF. We demand the central government implement the old commission method. We will continue to protest till our demands are not met. Buggar Singh, a local farmer, said they were at the receiving end due to the strikes by labourers, rice-shellers and now by arhtiyas as their harvested crops were lying in the open at grain markets. Another five acres under paddy is ready for harvest but due to the strike of arhtiyas, it will be delayed and could lead to decreased yield, he said. Another farmer from Namol, Happy Singh, said that the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government has been claiming to transfer crop payment to farmers within hours but due to the strike ofarhtiyas, the procurement process is at a standstill. He said if the strike lasts longer, it would force farmer unions to initiate action against the government as their tall claims are felling flat. District mandi officer Jaspal Singh said, Procurement has been stopped since morning due to the strike. The arhtiyas and representatives of the state government are meeting to resolve the issue at the earliest. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Paddy procurement came to a halt on Wednesday after arthiyas (commission agents) and rice-millers went on strike in Punjab on Wednesday in support of their demands. Paddy procurement held up at the grain market in Sangrur on Wednesday after commission agents went on strike against the Centres policies. (HT Photo) Bathinda Arhtiya Association president Satish Kumar said the commission agents are facing loss due to the Centres poor policy-making. Also read: SYL row: Mann govt calls two-day assembly session on Oct 20 and 21 We are entitled to 2.5% daami or commission on the paddy purchased by government agencies. In accordance with the revised minimum support price (MSP) of 2,203 a quintal for the current kharif procurement, it should have been 55.08 a quintal. But the Centre has frozen the commission at 45.86, which is unacceptable, Kumar said. Punjab Mandi Board officials said they expect a fall in paddy arrival at the grain markets as the agents have told farmers to avoid bringing produce to purchase centres to avoid inconvenience. On October 10, 2.28 lakh tonnes of paddy had arrived in purchase centres of the state. The board said 11.76 lakh tonnes of paddy has arrived so far since October 1. Chanderkant Garg, the vice-president of the Mansa District Arthiya Association, said labour charges should be increased so that the workforce can be retained at the grain markets. Ranjeev Raheja, a commission agent from Abohar, said that a silo run by a corporate house in Moga was reluctant to pay commission to the agents for the wheat procured in April this year. The management of the silo was paying commission agents according to norms for seven years but this time when wheat was bought through the agents, they were denied payments. The state government should pursue this with the Centre, he said. Millers to meet in Ludhiana on Friday Rice-millers, engaged in milling non-basmati varieties for government agencies, have gone on an indefinite strike against the Food Corporation of India (FCI) guidelines regarding the acceptance of only fortified rice kernels (FRK). Rice is fortified by adding a micronutrient powder that sticks to grains in layers with a vitamin and mineral mix in the form of a coating. FRKs blended with custom-milled rice (CMR) in a specific ratio are supplied for public distribution as part of the Centres plan to tackle malnutrition and reduce nutrient deficiency. Punjab Rice Millers Association president Tarsem Saini said rice fortification was started in 2021 as a pilot project, and Punjab produced 80 lakh tonnes last year. The millers source fortification material from the agencies prescribed by the government and the FCI holds the former responsible if the nutritious value is not according to the requirements. The millers role is only to blend and they cannot be blamed for poor supply, if any, by the government-approved agencies, he said. The association laments the FCIs decision to reduce the cost of gunny bags, too. Saini said the association will not supply bags in mandis. For several years, millers were being paid 7.32 per gunny bag to pack paddy but two weeks ago, the FCI revised the rates to 3.75 a bag. Worse, the central agencies have decided to recover 3.75 per bag from millers from 2017-18 onwards. This is unjust. A general house meeting has been called in Ludhiana on Friday to decide on the course of action. Till then, our strike will continue, Saini said. Official sources in the state food and civil supplies department said procurement operations might be hit if the strike by both crucial stakeholders continues. Millers provide 50% of the required gunny bags and it would impede lifting the grains from mandis if they do no resume work soon, a senior official said, requesting anonymity. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the Delhi Polices report to close the first information report (FIR) case against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shahnawaz Hussain alleging rape and criminal intimidation and took cognisance of the charges. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain (PTI File Photo) Additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) Vaibhav Mehta, who rejected the cancellation report, also ordered that Shahnawaz Hussain be present before the court on October 20, the next date of hearing. This court takes cognizance of the offences u/s 376 (rape), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc with intent to commit an offence) and 506 (criminal intimidation) IPC. Accordingly, Accused Syed Shahnawaz Hussain be summoned through SHO PS concerned for the next date of hearing, Mehta said, allowing a plea by the woman who accused the senior politician of rape and opposed the cancellation report filed by the police. In her complaint, the woman alleged that Hussain took her to his farmhouse in south Delhis Chhatarpur on April 18, 2018, on the pretext that his brother and wife were there. The woman alleged that she was drugged and raped by Hussain who also threatened her. Shahnawaz Hussain has previously denied the allegations, saying that the complainant had a marital discord with his brother and had unnecessarily dragged him into the case. The Delhi Police filed a cancellation report in August 2023, stating that no material has come on record to substantiate the allegations or to file the chargesheet in the matter and no prima facie case is made out. The woman filed a protest petition against the cancellation report, saying the police didnt want to investigate the politician from the beginning and had adopted a negative approach with the objective of closing the complaint. She also underlined that it had taken her five years to get the police to investigate Hussain after even the Supreme Court in January this year refused to cancel the FIR. The ACMM explained why the court was going ahead with the trial. Here is a woman before the court who is stating before the police and before the court, repeatedly, that she has been raped by being intoxicated; unless IO (investigating officer) brings such material on record to establish that there is no possibility that she could have been raped, this court has no reason to throw out her case at the outset. Statement of the prosecutrix u/s 164 Cr.P.C. is the most clinching piece of evidence, especially in case of rape as there are seldom any eye-witnesses to such heinous offences. Whether the statement of the complainant is reliable or not can be found out only after the same is put to scrutiny before the court of trial, Mehta said in his order. The judge also underlined that while taking cognizance of an offence, the court is only required to see whether prima facie, an offence appears to have been committed or not, and was not required to test the authenticity of witnesses. According to the woman, she first approached the Mehrauli police with a formal complaint of rape on April 22, 2018. Four days later, she approached the police commissioners office. She was subsequently called to the Mehrauli police station on three occasions to record her statement but a FIR was not registered. She eventually approached the metropolitan magistrate concerned who ordered the registration of an FIR on July 7, 2018. Hussain filed a review petition against the order, but it was dismissed on July 12. A petition to cancel the FIR was filed next before the Delhi high court, which upheld the magistrates decision on August 17, 2022. Hussain also approached the Supreme Court, reasoning that the complainant woman initially filed the case against his brother and targeted him due to his social status. But the top court declined to interfere on January 16, 2023: This is a case where the FIR was not even registered (by police). Let it be investigated. You may be a victim, but there is possibility of the reverse. . Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Mumbai: The two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party are preparing for another round of clash as they are likely to contest the upcoming assembly elections that have been announced in five states. In such a situation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) may choose to freeze the NCPs clock symbol until the dispute between them is resolved. The Ajit Pawar faction has staked a claim to the partys name and election symbol and hearing over the dispute is on before the poll body. The states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram will go to polls starting November 3 (HT PHOTO) The Ajit Pawar faction has staked a claim to the partys name and election symbol and hearing over the dispute is on before the poll body. The states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram will go to polls starting November 3. While the Sharad Pawar faction is yet to decide about fighting elections in other states, the Ajit led faction is likely to contest assembly elections in at least three states. We are planning to contest elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram. The discussions are on and will be announced subsequently, said an insider from the Ajit faction. As part of the INDIA alliance, the Pawar-led faction is in talks with the Congress. Our discussions with Congress are going on and the decision on contesting elections in other states is likely to be taken in the next two days, said senior NCP leader Jitendra Awhad. However, both the factions are also wary that their move would result in freezing of the partys name and election symbol. The party may avoid contesting the assembly polls for two reasons. One, we dont want anti-BJP votes to be divided and second, if we go to contest polls then the rebel faction would raise an objection after which the partys name and election symbol is likely to be frozen by the poll body, said a senior leader from Pawar led party. We were in the process of contesting elections in all five states but since the matter is yet to be cleared by the election commission, we are not sure if we should go ahead or not, said Brijmohan Shrivastava, national spokesperson of the Ajit led faction. On July 2, Ajit Pawar joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government as deputy chief minister along with eight other ministers. The same day, he moved ECI for use of the name and the clock symbol of the NCP. The faction declared that it has elected Ajit Pawar as the new NCP national president in a meeting held on June 30. Taking cognisance of the petition filed by the Ajit led faction, ECI started hearings over the split from October 6. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Realty major Jai Prakash Associates Limited (JAL) has obtained the support of banks to its demand that the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) restore to the firm the allotment of 1,000 hectares of prime land along the Yamuna Expressway. On June 13, 2023, the high court had rejected the JALs proposal to sell 150 acres of this 1,000 hectares and raise 1,500 crore to pay the land cost dues owed to Yeida, settling their dues once and for all. (HT Photo) The Yeida had cancelled the allotment on the grounds that JAL had defaulted on payment of land costs. But the banks have supported the JALs request before the Allahabad high court that the two years of Covid-19 (2020-2022) be deemed a zero period when penal interest on payments stand waived on account of all-round financial distress, which would bring down JALs total dues from 3,621 crore to a mere 1,483 crore. On June 13, 2023, the high court had rejected the JALs proposal to sell 150 acres of this 1,000 hectares and raise 1,500 crore to pay the land cost dues owed to Yeida, settling their dues once and for all. However, Yeida objected to the plan on the grounds that the parent company of the group, JAL, has already mortgaged 80 of the 150 acres to banks and thus the company cannot sell the same to raise funds. On Tuesday when the matter was heard by the chief justice Pritinker Diwaker, JALs counsel informed the court that the most of the banks have filed their affidavits in support of the writ petition and prayed that Yeidas cancellation order be set aside. The counsel also disputed the dues amount of 3,621 crore, as stated by Yeida, and called it a calculation error. The counsel told the court that Yeida was seeking interest on the principal amount even for the period post the cancellation order in February 2020, stating that such levy of interest is illegal. The firm claimed that it has to pay only 1,483 crore. But Yeida argued that it has the power to levy additional penal interest in case the petitioner has requested for an extension to pay the dues. The court subsequently directed JAL to file an affidavit within three days highlighting its reasons for the lower amount. The Court listed the matter for further hearing to October 16. It may recalled that it was JAL which built and opened the countrys first Formula One track the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in October 2011. The venue was dropped from the Formula One calendar in 2014 and later redesigned to hold the MotoGP Grand Prix this September. The companys infrastructure projects have been mired in controversy with around 6,000 homebuyers and investors struggling to get possession of their units for several years.Jaypee Infratech Limited, the groups infrastructure company, has been facing corporate insolvency proceedings since 2017. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The controversial head priest of Dasna temple, Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, was booked by the Ghaziabad police on Tuesday after several videos emerged on social media in which he was allegedly heard speaking against the police and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The police clarified that there was no arrest in the case till Wednesday evening. (HT Photo) Narsinghanand on Tuesday was on his way to join the protest led by Hindu Raksha Dal (HRD) chief Pinki Chaudhary outside the district headquarters, demanding the scrapping of two recent FIRs lodged against Chaudhary and also proceedings under the Goonda Act, when a commotion broke out. One of the videos showed him falling to the ground and being helped up by his supporters and police personnel. It was after this that Narsinghanand allegedly made remarks against the CM and police. In the second video, he could purportedly be seen and heard making a speech against Adityanath. Calling the CM by his name, Narsinghanand dared him to use bulldozers in Aligarh (a city with a sizeable Muslim population). Mai apne baccho ke liye lad raha hu, aur tu raja ban ke baith gaya . Laga kitne mukadme lagaega (I am fighting for my children and you have become a king. Levy as many cases as you can), he could he heard saying. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of these videos. Narsinghanand is no stranger to controversy or police cases, and has a large following on social media. According to police, he has at least 20 previous cases against him for his allegedly objectionable statements about women, minorities and the police, besides allegedly inflammatory speeches aimed at disturbing communal harmony. Narsinghanand, police said, is currently on bail in connection with the Haridwar hate speech case. The case pertains to December 2021, when he had participated in a three-day religious conclave in Haridwar, Dharma Sansad, where he allegedly called for genocide and usage of arms against Muslims. Vivek Chandra Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (rural), said on Wednesday that the police registered an FIR against Narsinghanand under Indian Penal Code sections 295a (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), 505 (2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred) and provisions of the IT Act. The police did not prevent him from going to the district collectorate to join the protest. We took cognisance of the videos and booked him in an FIR lodged at Wave City police station for his remarks and speeches, Yadav said. After coming to know about the FIR, Narsinghanand said he would reach the police station on Wednesday to court arrest but he did not do so. The DCP said the sections levied in the FIR against him entail a punishment of less than seven years, if proved, and hence there was no need for an imminent arrest in the case. I did not make any derogatory remarks against the CM and I apologise if any of my words hurt him. But I will continue to protest the action taken by the police against Chaudhary. I am ready to court arrest if I have done anything wrong. The atrocities on Hindus have increased, Yati told reporters on Wednesday. The police clarified that there was no arrest in the case till Wednesday evening. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Ahead of the inauguration of the countrys first section of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in Ghaziabad, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), the agency executing the RRTS project, said it has provided parking for vehicles at all five stations on the stretch and the first 10 minutes --for picking or dropping passengers -- at these stations will be free of charge. The 17km priority section in Ghaziabad has five stations at Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot. It is expected that the stretch will be inaugurated during the festival of Navratri later this month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI) The 17km priority section in Ghaziabad has five stations at Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot. It is expected that the stretch will be inaugurated during the festival of Navratri later this month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The rates for parking at the five stations have been kept on par with parking charges at any other urban mass transit system. However, it is probably for the first time that the first 10 minutes, for vehicles to drop or pick passengers, is being offered for free, said a spokesperson from NCRTC. NCRTC officials said parking lots have been built near the entry/exit gates of stations, so that passengers do not have to go far to park vehicles. According to the rates announced by the NCRTC, cars/SUVs will be charged 25 for the first six hours while the charges will be 50 beyond six hours and up to 12 hours. Officials said the charges will be 100 if a vehicle is parked beyond 12 hours and up to RRTS train operational timings up to 11pm. The car owners can also avail of parking beyond the operational hours, up to 6am the next day, at a charge of 200 per night. Likewise, the rates for parking of two-wheelers range from 10 to 30 based on the parking hours. The night parking charges for two-wheelers have been fixed at 60. The rates for parking bicycles range from 5 to 10, depending on the number of hours it is left parked, while the night parking charge for bicycles is fixed at 20. The officials said three entry/exit gates have been made at the Sahibabad station, of which one entry gate is connected to Sahibabad bus stand, the second gate is built on the other side of the road. Parking arrangements have been made at all three entry/exit points, officials added. At Ghaziabad station, a parking has been developed in front of the station. At Duhai station, four entry/exit gates have been constructed and parking space has been provided accordingly, officials said. The NCRTC is yet to announce the parking capacity at each of the five RRTS stations, said officials, adding that provisions for feeder buses are yet to be made from the RRTS stations in Ghaziabad. In June, the regional transport authority (RTA) proposed 17 routes with nine originating from the Sahibabad RRTS station while four each were proposed from Ghaziabad and Guldhar stations. So far, no operator has come forward for the permits to run feeder buses. We are hopeful of a response once the RRTS priority section is inaugurated. However, there are other options available for passengers such as autos, e-rickshaws etc for the time being, said PK Singh, regional transport officer. The NCRTC spokesperson said the issue of feeder buses will be looked into. The 17km priority section in Ghaziabad is part of the 82km RRTS network to link cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. The project cost is estimated at 30,274 crore and is likely to get fully operational by March 2025. The project will operate RapidX trains which have design speed of 180kmph. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR 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 LUCKNOW Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya directed sharp criticism at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday, accusing him of becoming restless without power. Akhilesh Yadav (HT File) Maurya added, Akhilesh Ji must also provide a clear explanation for his alliance with the Congress, the same party that his father, the late Mulayam Singh Yadav Ji, vehemently opposed throughout his life, even during the dark days of the national emergency. Is Akhilesh Ji oblivious to the fact that Jai Prakash Narayan Ji, whose statue he intended to garland, dedicated his entire life to challenging the Congress? Mauryas remarks were in response to Akhilesh Yadavs recent allegations that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh had instructed officials to obstruct his attempt to lay a wreath at the bust of the renowned socialist icon, Jai Prakash Narayan, on the occasion of the late leaders birth anniversary. Maurya also attended a commemorative event honouring Jai Prakash Narayan. In a similar vein, deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak expressed his views, stating, SP and lawlessness go hand in hand, and the recent behaviour of the SP chief serves as corroborative evidence of this claim. With a touch of sarcasm, he added, Furthermore, if the SP chief is so good at scaling heights, he must consider participating in the Asian Games to win accolades for our country. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said that all the details of the states caste survey, including the educational and socio-economic data, would be placed before the legislative assembly during the forthcoming winter session of the House and the future course of action, including whether the reservation ambit would be extended, would be decided after taking feedback from the lawmakers. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. (File Photo) Everything will be placed before the House to get feedback from the legislators. We had called an all-party meeting to apprise everyone of the findings. Now, it will be circulated to all in the House and then the future course of action will be decided, he said, flanked by deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, after paying tributes to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan in Patna. On whether the reservation ambit would be extended, Kumar said he would not comment on anything of this sort before placing all the findings on the floor of the House. We will listen to all and then decide what to do next. Whatever the government has to do will be done, but I cannot comment on that at this stage. Dont worry about that, he added. Bihar chief secretary Amir Subhani had also said a couple of days ago that the need for any review of the caste survey data has not been felt by the government and that the government will release all the figures at the appropriate time. Despite growing opposition from leaders cutting across party lines to the caste survey findings about some caste groups, which claim to have been shown in lesser number, Kumar said the exercise had been completed in Bihar properly and now the result was that a similar demand was growing in other states also. I dont know who is saying what. There is no sense in these allegations. I dont pay heed to them. The BJP has hijacked the media and so its leaders keep making all kinds of statements, but I am least bothered about that. The people will decide how the country needs to be run in 2024, not they. We are doing everything to unitedly fight them, he said. He also hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Samrat Choudhary for saying Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was cancer for Bihar. On Lalu Prasads statement with reference to caste survey that a pill for headache cannot cure cancer, Choudhary had hit back, saying that a convicted RJD chief is himself cancer for Bihar, responsible for unleashing anarchy in the state and now fanning caste tension for his own selfish interest. Kumar called Choudhary a party hopper adept at making baseless statements, withouth naming him. Kumar said that the BJP leader was earlier in the RJD and was made an MLA despite being underage and later a minister by Lalu Prasad Yadav. He is now in the BJP. He changed party every now and then. The man (Lalu Prasad) he is talking about is no ordinary person. I dont care what he says, he added. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi accused the government of ignoring nearly 50% of the population and presenting hypothetical data to suit its interests. Everyone was for caste survey. Earlier I thought around 25% population may have been skipped, but now it seems up to 50%. Those who benefit from the survey will certainly speak in favour, but those whose numbers have been reduced will definitely oppose it. Even if the existing data is accepted, the government should present its roadmap and restructure the cabinet to give all castes due representation, he added. The Bihar government on October 2 released the first tranche of caste survey data, which is being viewed as a game changing exercise by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties ahead of the 2024 General Elections to counter the BJP. More and more states ruled by the non-BJP parties are now backing it. The Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar-- comprising the JD-U, the RJD, and the Congress-- ordered the survey based on the previous NDA governments cabinet decision on June 6, 2022, after the Centre declined its request for a headcount of social groups other than SCs, STs and religious minorities as part of the census. The first round of the caste survey was conducted between January 7 and 21. The second round started on April 15 and was scheduled to continue till May 15, but was stopped following a high court order. It started again on August 1 after the bench of chief justice K Vinod Chandran and justice Partha Sarthy removed the stay and dismissed the writ petitions against the caste survey. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has inaugurated the third Light House Skill Center in Matia Mahal area of old Delhi. The initiative aims to provide the necessary skills to youth to secure employment. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurates third Light House Skill Center in Delhi (HT Photo/for representation) "During the inauguration on Tuesday, the Chief Minister emphasised that we need to provide education along with skills to the coming generation. He stated that employment should inevitably come after education, if it doesn't, education is hardly of any use," according to a press release from the Chief Minister's office. He said, My constant effort is to create more and more employment opportunities for the youth, in addition to improving the education system. Currently, there is an atmosphere of fear in the country, and in recent years, 12 lakh affluent people have taken foreign citizenship by leaving India. Instead of increasing, employment opportunities are decreasing in the country. But we don't want to complain; rather, we want to create jobs for the youth in this environment. CM Arvind Kejriwal stated, "Today, the biggest problem faced by India's youth is employment. Since the formation of the AAP Government, we have greatly emphasized on imparting quality education. There is an excellent school in Matia Mahal, which used to be a ruin earlier. In the entire Delhi, children of poor are receiving excellent education in the Delhi Government schools. People trusted us and elected an AAP Government in the MCD. We have initiated the procedure of making MCD schools excellent. We have invested heavily in education. Students are withdrawing their admission from private schools and enrolling in government schools." Emphasizing the need for employment opportunities, the CM stated, "After education , if one doesn't get employment, then what's the point of education? Preliminary thoughts of getting educated are taking care of the families, whether by doing job or business. Today, I have the biggest challenge of providing ample employment opportunities to our youth. On the other hand, due to crumbling economic conditions, instead of job creation people are losing their existing jobs. As per the data, in recent years approx 12 lakhs high network individuals (Business persons and Entrepreneurs) have left the country by renouncing the Indian Citizenship. These business persons have opted for the citizenship of other countries because of the environment of intimidation created in the country." The Chief Minister continued, "Nobody wants to work in India anymore. If big businesses keep shifting to other countries then who'll employ our youth? This is reducing the chances of employment opportunities to our youth. Shedding tears won't help, irrespective of the environment we'll create as many job opportunities as we can for our youth. In the same context, I'm glad that the Lighthouse Skill Center has been constructed in the area." Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! The Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University (TNTEU) has announced BEd/BEd(Spl.Edn.) and MEd/MEd(Spl.Edn.) semester and non-semester degree examination results. As per notices issued on the official website of the university, tnteu.ac.in, colleges affiliated to the university can download results of their students using their login credentials. TNTEU announces BEd, MEd semester exam results (tnteu.ac.in) This means students can not access their results directly on the university website. They have to collect it from their respective colleges. The Principals of the Colleges are requested to download the result galley by using the user name and password already provided. The College login link is available on the University website, reads an official statement on TNTEU BEd, MEd August result 2023. The university further informed that it will not send hard copies of results to colleges separately. In a separate notice, TNDEU said that principals of affiliated colleges can send their result queries to the email ID tnturesultquery@gmail.com. On receipt of enquiries, necessary action will be taken at the earliest, it added. For more information, students and colleges can visit the university website, tnteu.ac.in. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Get latest news on Education along with updates on Board Exams and Competitive Exams at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras) is taking basic and advanced scientific and engineering concepts to rural schools of Tamil Nadu to provide hands-on learning of scientific concepts to the students. School Students at Poonamalle GHS in Thiruvallur District, TN, at a DEL Lab established by IIT Madras(Handout) According to a press release by IIT Madras, the initiative called Device Engineering Lab was started by Teach to Learn and it involves teaching school students the scientific concepts behind everyday devices and also applying 3D-Printing to make or fabricate toys and other household objects. Designed as a platform for Capacity Building, the DEL initiative has a three-year curriculum that targets students of VIII, IX and X or XI. A lab hosts different inexpensive devices that are seen/used in their everyday life and most importantly, are based on principles involved in the school syllabus. By connecting IIT Madras students with the students of rural schools, the objective is to imbibe a Culture of Making at the school level and thus enhance design and fabrication skills. Another objective is to develop an entrepreneurial mindset as these classes could even provide possible livelihood options in the future, informed IIT Madras. Course Components The Two major training components of the Device Engineering Labs (DEL), which run parallel are Device Engineering Concept and 3D Printing. The training and the teaching provided to the students are completely experimental and hands-on in nature. Students will learn to print, applying primarily the FDM technique of 3D printing. The complexity or the difficulty level of devices and printed objects increases as one goes from first to second and then to third year, stated the media release. We believe that the culture of Making in India should begin at the school level. IIT Madras is reaching out to rural schools to build this culture together. In the process of making or fabricating something, students understand the concepts and principles involved better and thus gain more confidence and find learning a lot more interesting," said Project Lead Prof Pijush Ghosh, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering. According to the press release, as many as 200 postgraduate Students from 25 research labs prepared the content for about 30 devices for DEL Labs. They also built the teaching modules which include documentation and PowerPoint Presentations, among others, besides Train the Trainer modules. As a part of this project, recently, 30 PG Students directly taught these device-related concepts to rural students. Currently, DEL labs have already been established in 13 schools, mainly in Chengalpet, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Krishnagiri, said IIT Madras. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Get latest news on Education along with updates on Board Exams and Competitive Exams at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, lauded the efforts of students of CBSE in the Special Campaign 3.0. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh lauded the efforts of students of CBSE in the Special Campaign 3.0.(PTI Photo) The Special Campaign 3.0 in its first week, has been holistic in size and scale and witnessed widespread participation from offices across the country. More than 42000 sites have been covered and 4000 tweets have been issued from all Ministries/Departments highlighting the progress of the campaign in field offices/PSUs/ Defence Establishment/Missions and posts. The efforts of thousands of officials and citizens have created a mass movement for Swacchata in Government offices. According to the official press release, Shramdaan in Swachhata Campaign by CBSE school students by cleaning up their surroundings and spreading a message of cleanliness and sustainability was mentioned as one of the best practices that emerged in the first week of Special Campaign 3.0. The Special Campaign 3.0 concludes on October 31 with the beginning of the evaluation phase in 1st week of November. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Get latest news on Education along with updates on Board Exams and Competitive Exams at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Zareen Khan's advocate Rizwan Siddiquee has said that she plans to file a case against the cop who was involved in the case of cheating involving his client. The statement came a day after a Kolkata court cancelled the arrest warrant it had earlier issued against the actor. (Also read: Kolkata court issues arrest warrant against Zareen Khan in cheating case) Zareen Khan gets relief as Kolkata court cancels the warrant that was issued against her. Zareen's lawyer to file case against cops In his statement, advocate Rizwan said, "My client had to suffer because of the wilful acts of the Investigation Officer, therefore I have no other option but to initiate prosecution against the said police officer under Sections 166 and 166A(b) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 which provides 'rigourous imprisonment' for such police officers (public servants) who knowingly disobey direction of law." Arrest warrant cancelled In his statement, the advocate also said, "Foremost I, for and on behalf of my client would like to inform the general public at large, that the Ld. Magistrate had issued a Warrant against my client, only because of the fraudulent and misleading statements which were made by the Investigating Officer Mr. Dilip Yadav to the said Ld. Magistrate, because of obvious reasons. On learning the true and correct facts of the matter the Ld. Magistrate, has accordingly passed a detailed Order, forthwith cancelling/recalling the Warrant issued against my client. Even the Honble High Court of Kolkata, has passed an Order favouring my client in the same matter." What was the case The arrest warrant was issued in September this year. It was in relation with a 2018 case in which it was alleged that Zareen took 12.5 lakh from an event management company to attend and inaugurate six community Kali Puja pandals in Kolkata. However, she allegedly failed to honour the commitment. In a statement to India Today, Zareen had said, Im sure there is no truth to this. Im surprised too and am checking with my lawyer. Only then will I be able to give you some clarity. Zareen Khan's career After making her debut along side Salman Khan in their 2010 film Veer, Zareen went on to feature in films popular Hindi films such as Housefull 2 and 1921. Most recently, she was seen in Harish Vyas' Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele, released in 2021. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have come to a temporary custody arrangement for their two daughters, Willa (3) and Delphine (15 months), after a mediation process. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner arrive for the 2022 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (File Photo/ AFP) The former couple, who split in September after four years of marriage, issued a joint statement on Tuesday, saying that they have agreed to share custody of their children equally between the U.S. and the UK until early 2024. After a productive and successful mediation, we have agreed that the children will spend time equally in loving homes in both the U.S. and the UK. We look forward to being great co-parents, they said in the statement. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE on Tuesday, an interim consent order outlined the custody arrangement for the next few weeks, following a mediation session from Oct. 4-7. The order is valid until Jan. 7, and the parties are required to submit a status report letter by Dec. 23, indicating the progress of their mediation. The mediation came after Turner filed a lawsuit against Jonas for wrongful retention, claiming that he was keeping their passports and preventing them from returning to England. The lawsuit demanded the immediate return of children wrongfully removed or wrongfully retained, and alleged that the wrongful retention started on Sept. 20. Jonas denied Turners allegations in a statement, saying that he thought they had agreed to work on a co-parenting plan. He also filed for divorce in Miami on Sept. 5, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. ALSO READ| BTS' Namjoon feels really sad about Bangtan, reveals relationship status The divorce filing stated that the couple had a prenup and asked for a parenting plan that allows for frequent and continuous contact with both parents. Before reaching the temporary agreement, Turner and Jonas had to keep their children in New York, as per an interim consent order filed in New York and obtained by PEOPLE. The order specified that Turner and Jonas were required to retain custody of their children within the Southern and Eastern districts of New York, encompassing New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Gigi Hadid has broken her silence on the attacks in Israel, saying that they are not helpful for the cause of Palestinian freedom. US Model Gigi Hadid walks the runway to present a creation by Chanel during the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 at the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris on October 3, 2023. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)(AFP) The model, whose father, Mohamed Hadid, is Palestinian, posted a statement on her Instagram on Tuesday, expressing her sorrow and sympathy for the victims of the violence. I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, its a responsibility I hold daily, Hadid wrote. My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict too many of which are children. The 30-year-old also clarified her position on the Jewish people, saying that she does not wish them any harm. I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person. ALSO READ| Dwayne Johnson, Justin Bieber react to escalating Israel-Hamas conflict: 'Heartbroken, angry and sickened' The attacks in Israel started on Saturday, when the Hamas terrorist group and movement launched a surprise attack from Gaza. Since then, more than 1,000 people have been killed and more than 3,400 have been injured. About 150 people are also being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The American supermodel condemned the attacks, saying that they are not in line with the principles of the Free Palestine movement. The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with & does not do any good for the Free Palestine movement. The idea that it does has fueled a painful, decades-long cycle of back & forth retaliation (which no innocent civilian, Palestinian or Israeli, deserves to be a casualty of), and helps perpetuate the false idea Pro-Palestine = antisemitic, she wrote. This is the first time Hadid has spoken out about the attacks. Her sister Bella, who has been vocal about her support for Palestinian rights in the past, has not commented on the situation yet. Hadid ended her statement by sending her love and strength to everyone who is hurting because of the conflict. ALSO READ| BTS member V sparks debate over durag wear in livestream, faces netizen's backlash If you are hurting as I share my condolences today with my loved ones, both Palestinian and Jewish, Im sending you my love & strength whoever and wherever you. There are a lot of complex, personal, and valid feelings, but every human deserves basic rights, treatment, and security; no matter their nationality, religion, ethnicity, or where they were born, she wrote. I know my words will never be enough to heal the deep wounds of so many, but I pray for the safety of innocent lives, always. BTS member V has faced backlash and accusations of cultural appropriation for wearing a durag in a livestream. He explained that he received it as a gift, but some fans were not satisfied with his explanation. V cited he received the durag as a gift(Weverse) Kim 'V' Taehyung, did a short livestream on WeVerse after attending an afterparty for rapper Lil Uzi Vert in Seoul. Behind him, fans spotted a red durag hanging on a keyboard stand. I received it as a gift, V said. He then put it on briefly and took it off. He did not mention who gave it to him, but fans noticed that he had the durag in previous livestreams. A durag is a piece of cloth that is used to maintain hairstyles, especially for Black men. It became more popular in the 1990s thanks to rappers like Jay-Z, Nelly, and 50 Cent. ALSO READ| BTS' Namjoon feels really sad about Bangtan, reveals relationship status Some BTS fans criticized V for wearing the durag, saying that it was disrespectful to Black culture and that he was using it to look hood or gangsta. One fan wrote on X: for people trying to downplay Taehyung wearing the durag: its part of black culture and used to protect our hair. The fan said that durags and other aspects of Black culture have been used to portray negative stereotypes. He is not racist but it is ignorant, the fan said. Another fan said, I wake up and the first thing I see is Tae wearing a durag. Im crying so bad, what? Why the f**k Tae got a durag and which dumbs gave it to him? wrote another person. However, some fans defended V, saying that anyone can wear a durag and that V was not aware of the cultural significance or history of the durag. One fan wrote, Anyone can wear a durag. I see it all the time around me and yes Im Black. Taehyung always promotes Black artists. He even works with them. Another fan wrote, As a Black person, I dont understand why Taehyung wearing a durag is offensive especially if its not being used in an offensive way and especially cause it was a gift." "I dont know, educate me if Im wrong. Im not gonna respond anymore so Ill leave with this, wrote another person. Ignorant means being unaware about something. I dont think Tae is aware about the cultural significance or history of the durag, so I dont think he acted maliciously, just without knowledge. ALSO READ| Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner open up after reaching temporary custody agreement for their daughters V released his first solo album Layover last month with music videos for all the songs. He also became the first K-pop artist to appear on Tiny Desk Korea, an international version of NPRs Tiny Desk series. BTS announced on June 14, 2022, that they would take a break from group activities as the members started their mandatory South Korean military service. Three members have already enlisted as of September 2023: Jin, J-Hope, and Suga. The group plans to reunite in 2025 when all the members finish their service. Samantha, who recently appeared in the movie Khushi, shared a picture of herself in a pink saree on Instagram, striking stunning poses. She looked incredibly beautiful in the photo but more than her great looks, the disappearance of the tattoo on her ribs intrigued her fans. (Also read: There is no chance of a patch up between Naga Chaitanya and Samantha, confirms source) Is it makeup or has Samantha Ruth Prabhu removed her Chay tattoo. Where's the tattoo? That tattoo was the word 'Chay' (short for Chaitanya). Even after her divorce with Naga Chaitanya, Samantha has shared photos that always showed the tattoo. However, in the recent photo, it's conspicuously absent. This has sparked discussions among fans whether she had the tattoo removed or just concealed it with make up. A fan asked in the comments section, Where is the Tattoo??? Pic is astonishing. Another shared emojis and wrote, Where is the tattoo. When was it last spotted? Back in 2019, when she was with Chaitanya, Samantha got the tattoo made on the right side of her ribcage. The word 'Chay' was clearly visible in cursive font. While she might have got it removed recently, it was still there at the premiere show of Citadel in London, which she attended in April. 'Never ever get tattoos' Notably, Samantha hosted an Ask Me Anything session on Instagram some months ago. One fan asked if she regretted getting the tattoo, to which she subtly hinted that it might have been better not to get one in the first place. A fan asked her, Some tattoo ideas you'd love to try some day. Samantha posted a video in reply on her Instagram Stories and said with clear, strong words, You know the one thing I'd tell my younger self is never ever get a tattoo. Never. Never ever. Ever, get a tattoo. She was smiling throughout the video. Her other inks Samantha has three tattoos. One is the YMC tattoo on her back. These are the initials of her first movie, Ye Maaya Chesave. The film released in 2010 and also starred Naga Chaitanya. The second is her Chay tatoo. The third tattoo is on her right wrist. It is a symbol of two upward arrows. Chay has a similar tattoo on his right wrist as well. On the professional front, after the failure of movies like Yashoda, Shakuntalam, and Khushi, Samantha has taken a short break from films. However, she will soon be seen in the web series Citadel alongside Varun Dhawan, directed by Raj & DK. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! ott:10 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In the annals of global diplomacy, India's tenure at the helm of the G20 presidency will be remembered as a period of significant milestones and transformative initiatives. From spearheading discussions on sustainable economic growth, championing the cause of the global south to the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, India's leadership has been both eventful and impactful. One of the most noteworthy outcomes of this presidency has been the comprehensive discourse on the regulatory approach towards cryptoassets. The creation of the Synthesis paper in collaboration with the IMF and FSB was the culmination of year-long discussions. Cryptocurrencies Historically, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) operated in silos, focusing on regulation and macrofinancial stability, respectively. However, under India's G20 presidency, a landmark initiative was undertaken to amalgamate the expertise of these two key institutions. The objective was clear: to craft a holistic regulatory framework for crypto assets that seamlessly integrates both regulatory and macrofinancial considerations. This unified approach is a testament to India's drive to ensure that there are global frameworks in place where the crypto industry evolves in a manner that is both sustainable and in harmony with financial stability. The Synthesis paper underscored the importance of safeguarding monetary sovereignty. In a world where cryptoassets like Bitcoin are gaining traction, the directive against their legalisation as legal tender is significant. This stance is not merely a protective measure for traditional financial structures but also ensures that governments retain their regulatory powers over their respective currencies. Another pivotal guideline emphasised is the need for issuers of crypto assets to be both licensed and registered. This not only ensures the legitimacy and credibility of these issuers but also maintains a certain baseline standard in the volatile world of crypto assets. It fosters trust among users and investors, ensuring that they are transacting in a safe and regulated environment. A significant principle introduced is the equitable treatment of similar activities and risks. This means that if two activities pose the same risk, they should both be met with the same regulatory action. Such a stance ensures fairness and consistency in the world of crypto, setting a precedent for other financial instruments in the future. Amidst the cacophony of speculations regarding potential crypto bans, the synthesis paper offers a resounding clarification: no blanket ban on cryptoassets. Recognising the challenges of implementing a blanket ban on such a widespread and popular asset, the discussions have instead leaned towards effective regulation and security. Ajay Seth, the secretary of the department of economic affairs, shed light on India's perspective during the G20 leaders' summit. He emphasised that India's policy decisions would be significantly influenced by the risk assessment framework established by the G20. He said that the Synthesis Report recommendations would be studied and, in due course, decisions would be made tailor made for Indias unique socio-economic fabric. India's tryst with cryptocurrency has been a roller-coaster ride. From enjoying a burgeoning crypto industry to grappling with challenges like high taxes, shadow bans on banks working with crypto companies, and crypto coming under PMLA, the journey has been eventful. From thriving in a rapidly expanding crypto sector to navigating hurdles such as high taxes, shadow bans on banks working with crypto companies, and the inclusion of cryptocurrency under the purview of PMLA, India's crypto journey has been eventful. However, the synthesis paper's recommendations indicate a potential paradigm shift. While the central bank's advocacy for a crypto ban did create ripples, the government's stance, is a more practical, one that leans towards strict regulation rather than prohibition. This year's G20 was not just a diplomatic event; it was a resounding win for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The deluge outside seemed to cleanse the air, heralding a new era of financial diplomacy and cooperation. The world's eyes now turn to the next steps at the G20 finance ministers and Central Bank governors meeting scheduled for October 2023 in Morocco where the next steps for global crypto regulation will crystallise. This article is authored by Rajagopal Menon, vice president, WazirX. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! The world is well aware of the ongoing political and socio-economic crisis in Myanmar as a result of military takeover in February 2021. Though the military predicted that it would crush the opposition forces and establish their rule by conducting the elections again, the military has faced tough resistance from the side of the opposition forces and other Ethnic Armed Organisations. As soon as the military took over power and arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) came to the forefront with the Five Point Consensus (FPC) to bring normalcy in Myanmar. While ASEAN received international recognition for its role to restore normalcy in Myanmar, it has failed to achieve its goal due to the lack of commitment by Myanmar generals towards the implementation of FPC and differences within the grouping on how to deal with the military leaders and opposition forces. In the past few months, ASEAN has become more conscious of its divided approach towards Myanmar. This photograph taken on August 10, 2023 shows the logo of the ASEAN Summit 2023 displayed in Jakarta. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP)(AFP) As the chairmanship of ASEAN will be shifted from Indonesia to Laos for the year 2024, this article reflects on the role of ASEAN in solving the ongoing crisis in Myanmar as it continues to pose a serious challenge to ASEANs unity, centrality and credibility. Before evaluating the progress made under Indonesian chairmanship, we must review of ASEANs role under the chairmanship of Brunei and Cambodia. We must also explore the responses by other ASEAN members, Malaysia, Singapore and especially Thailand, who have adopted different approaches to the current situation in Myanmar. After the military takeover, ASEAN adopted the Five Point Consensus in April 2021. As Brunei held the ASEAN chairmanship, it appointed Erywan Yusof as a special envoy. In August 2021 he committed to visit Myanmar in October 2021, but later cancelled his visit as he was denied a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi. He, thereby, adopted a low profile and achieved little progress in implementation of the FPC. However, for the first time at the 38th and 39th ASEAN summits in October 2021, Min Aung Hlaing was not allowed to attend the meetings as Myanmar representative. Instead, ASEAN leaders invited Chan Aye, the militarys foreign ministry permanent secretary, as the countrys non-political representative. However, Chan Aye did not attend the summit. Cambodia took over as the chair for the year 2022. Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian foreign minister was appointed as ASEANs special envoy on Myanmar, during which he visited the country twice, March and June 2022. Before the visit by the special envoy, Cambodia's Prime Minister (PM) Hun Sen met the Myanmar militarys foreign affairs minister, Wunna Maung Lwin in December 2021 and then in January 2022, he visited Myanmar and urged Myanmar's military ruler to allow a visit by a special envoy of ASEAN. In March 2022, special envoy Sokhonn visited Myanmar but did not make any significant breakthroughs. Though the visit was the first by the ASEAN representative, which opened a window for dialogue for engaging with military leaders and ensuring implementation of FPC. In the second visit from June 30 to July 2, Sokhonn met senior general Min Aung Hlaing to discuss Myanmars progress in implementing the FPC. Sokhonn also met with other representatives and Uko Ko Hlaing, the SAC-appointed minister for international cooperation and chairman of the Myanmar Task Force on ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance. Additionally, as part of ASEANs humanitarian efforts, Cambodia dispatched teams to administer Covid-19 vaccines to Myanmar. Sokhonn was also appreciative of the State Administration Council (SAC) declaration of Myanmars Year for Peace in 2022. This was understood as a step to reduce violence and bring normalcy in the country. During his visit, he also held talks with the representatives of seven ethnic armed organisations, which have signed the NCA with the SAC. However, he was denied a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi due to unspecified judicial procedures. It must also be noted that Myanmar was disallowed from only ASEAN summits, but continued to attend other meetings. For instance, a Myanmar delegation attended the 19th ASEAN Military Intelligence Meeting and the 40th ASEANAPOL Conference held in Cambodia in 2022. Moreover, the Myanmar military and Russia continued to co-chair the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting - Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism. Concerns were raised when Myanmar, being the co-chair, included a section titled Terrorist News, in which it labelled Myanmars NUG, Committee Representing Peoples Hluttaw (CRPH) and Peoples Defence Forces (PDFs) as terrorist. Additionally, Laos handed over the ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference chairmanship to the Myanmar military. These engagements raise doubts about the collective role of ASEAN to pressure Myanmar military to implement FPC. Earlier, ASEAN's divided stand was highlighted during the adoption of the United Nations (UN) resolution in July 2021, on the call of imposing an arms embargo on Myanmar. ASEAN countries failed to put forward a united stand. While Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam supported the resolution; Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand abstained from the resolution. Myanmars representative, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, who is a civilian government representative, also supported the resolution. However, ASEAN also took strong steps to ensure the Myanmar military takes course to the FPC. Under Cambodian chairmanship, Myanmar military Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin was barred from attending 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and other forum meetings. Though the invitation was sent, they had asked the military to send a non-political representative instead. But Sokhonn called Sen Gen Aung Hlaing to exchange views on situational updates and challenges in implementing FPC. As the Myanmar military failed to implement the provision of FPC, the members admitted that "little progress" has been made in implementing the FPC, during the 40 and 41 ASEAN summits held in Cambodia. During the meetings concerns were raised about the situation in Myanmar and the 25 July execution of four democracy activists. They decided to follow a timeline to support the peace plan. It is also important to note that Cambodias special envoy, cancelled his third announced trip to the country, which reflected growing tensions between ASEAN and Myanmar's military regime. Another point of contention emerged as ASEAN announced during the meeting that ASEAN would initiate talks with the opposition groups. However, the Myanmar military slammed ASEANs decision to engage with opposition groups, which include NUG and EAOs. The military blamed the lack of progress on the pandemic and was hindered by armed resistance movements that it calls terrorists. In contrast, the NUG released a statement in support of ASEANs decision and stated that there is a need to reframe or expand the 5PC. At present, ASEAN as an organisation has not engaged officially with NUG or CRPH, but individual countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia have held talks. The next section talks about the role of Indonesia as ASEANs chair. Indonesia took over chairmanship in November 2022 with an aim to focus on the theme Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. It was believed that Indonesia would help restore democracy in Myanmar as it had the experience and was successful in beginning its democratic journey as stated by President Widodo. Indonesia followed the path of previous two chairs and barred Myanmar military representatives from attending ASEAN summits in July and September 2023 and also few other meetings such as ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF). However, it is interesting to highlight that the Myanmar representative defence attache attended a five-day ASEAN Solidarity Exercise held in Indonesia in September 2023. These were non-combat exercises, in which forces were trained in areas such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, rescue operations and joint maritime patrols. But on the other hand, when Myanmar hosted Air force chiefs from ASEAN members in September 2023, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore did not send their representatives to attend the meeting. Air force chiefs from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam attended. In the past week, there were reports that Indonesian companies under DEFEND ID were supplying arms to the Myanmar military. But the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (Kementerian BUMN) and DEFEND ID both denied any involvement in export activity to Myanmar following the military takeover. Coming back to the progress made during meetings and summits under Indonesian chairmanship, two major meetings were hosted. First in July 2023 and second in September 2023. At the ASEANs Foreign Ministers Meeting, held from 1112 July 2023, a joint communique was released which reiterated the need to maintain 5PC as ASEANs main reference to address the political crisis in Myanmar. The communique expressed appreciation for Indonesia as chair, which intensified engagement with all stakeholders in Myanmar in order to arrange an inclusive dialogue for a comprehensive political solution. However, it was during these meetings that ASEANs divided stand became visible. Thailand briefed ASEAN members on its consultative dialogues with Myanmar military representatives along with Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, and Track 1.5 format dialogues, with these and other neighbouring countries including India, China and Bangladesh. Most importantly, what came as a major astonishment was the meeting between the Thai deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Don Pramudwinai, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Pramudwinai claimed that Suu Kyi favoured dialogue with the military. Thailand also hosted the BIMSTEC foreign ministers' meeting and Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting in Bangkok. This laid the ground for clear division in ASEANs approach towards the Myanmar crisis. Again, at the 43rd ASEAN Summit held in Indonesia from 05-07 September 2023, ASEAN released a statement condemning the violence and urging the Myanmar military as well as all related parties concerned to de-escalate violence and stop targeted attacks on civilians. The statement emphasised that military leaders must ensure implementation of ASEANs FPC and engage in constructive dialogue with other stakeholders. The members also released an assessment recognising the need for a specific timeline with practical and measurable indicators to support the FPC. However, the Myanmar military rejected both the statements as one-sided. In response, Myanmars military-led foreign ministry condemned the ASEAN for not mentioning its alleged efforts to restore democracy by peaceful means. Myanmar also accused ASEAN of issuing country specific paragraphs which contradicts the blocs principle of non-interference in the country's internal affairs. Additionally, at the latest round of meetings, ASEAN leaders took two steps regarding ASEAN chairmanship. One, the leaders denied Myanmar its turn in the rotating presidency in 2026. Second, Marsudi announced that from now a troika of States would lead the bloc on the Myanmar issue. As Laos is going to be the next chair, the preceding chair, Indonesia and the succeeding chair, Malaysia, these three would work together for implementation of FPC in Myanmar. While this troika system of dealing with the crisis in Myanmar is seen to be a positive step as it relives Laos from taking decisions alone and thereby be free from external pressures, it also opens up the opportunity to assert more pressure on military leaders as both Indonesia and Malaysia have taken strong stand against the military rule in Myanmar. It must also be noted that as ASEAN chair, Indonesia has also held around 110 meetings (virtual or in-person) with Myanmars opposing stakeholders, such as the NUG, its PDF and allied ethnic armed organisations. Though ASEAN as a regional organisation does not recognise NUG or CRPH, these engagements are a step towards an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders. Malaysia has been a strong defender of democracy and critical of military takeover in Myanmar. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim issued a strong call for ASEAN members to take measures to pressure Myanmar's military to end "atrocities" against its own people. Last year, Malaysia also announced that it will not support the Myanmar militarys planned election in 2023, becoming the first among the ASEAN to reject the polls. Earlier in 2023, Malaysian foreign minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah proposed that ASEAN must engage informally with the NUG to discuss humanitarian aid. He also became the first minister from ASEAN to publicly meet a NUG minister. Singapore, though has not severed ties with the military leaders, it has taken a principled position against the militarys use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. Singapore has continued its economic relations. Foreign affairs minister Vivian Balakrishnan in a response to a parliamentary question stated that total bilateral trade between the two countries in 2022 amounted to $5.8 billion and thereby Singapore has not imposed a general trade embargo on Myanmar. However, he said Singapore does not authorise the transfer of dual-use items of which it was accused in the UN Report. Balakrishnan also said as Myanmar is on the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force, financial institutions in Singapore have been applying enhanced diligence for Myanmar-linked customers and transactions that present higher risks. Therefore, Singapore continued to maintain trade ties with Myanmar and has restricted export of arms to the military. Sharing a land border of around 2400 km with Myanmar, Thailand has been active in engaging with military outside the ASEAN framework, thereby creating a dent in ASEANs collective approach. Thailand hosted an informal meeting with all ASEAN foreign ministers (including Myanmar) to discuss the Myanmar peace process in June 2023. Thai deputy PM and foreign minister Don Pramudwinai sent the invite to his ASEAN counterparts to fully re-engage the generals of Myanmar. While representatives from Myanmar along with Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam attended the meeting; Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore did not send their representatives. The foreign minister of Myanmar also attended the MGC and BIMSTEC meetings in Bangkok just after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in July 2023. This was the first time Indian foreign minister, S Jaishankar also met the Myanmar minister. Similarly, in December 2022, Thailand hosted a consultative dialogue with Myanmar military representatives headed by foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin, which was attended by Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. But Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines declined invitations to the meeting. Most importantly as discussed earlier, one of the major shifts away was the meeting between Don Pramudwinai and Suu Kyi outside the ASEAN framework. None of the ASEANs special envoys were allowed to meet her in these years and the details of the meetings were also not disclosed. Furthermore, Thailand reinvigorated diplomatic relations with Myanmas as it appointed its first special envoy for Myanmar, Pornpimol Kanchanalak in April 2023. Even Thailand's ambassador to Myanmar, Mongkol Visitstump, presented his credentials to the State Administration Council and PM Min Aung Hlaing in December 2022 and discussed a wide range of issues in bilateral ties including trade, investment and tourism. Thailand, on the other hand, also participated in the 34th meeting of the Thailand-Myanmar Regional Border Committee hosted by Myanmar in July 2023. However, the close relations are also affected because of the ongoing crisis. Because of the ongoing attacks many instances have been reported where either Myanmar military or bordering EAOs have intruded Thailand airspace. For instance, in July 2023, a MiG-29 from the Myanmar Air Force intruded into Thai airspace while Karen EAO. In response, the Royal Thai Air Force initiated two F-16 fighter jets to patrol the border district. Following this, Myanmars Air Force Chief, General Htun Aung, apologised to his Thai counterpart. As a result of attacks from both sides, many people have tried to cross borders. However, Thailand has refused to accept them and did not open any temporary safe zones across the borders. As the new PM Srettha Thavisin takes over the seat in Thailand, it would be interesting to see how he navigates Thailands approach to Myanmar as well as divisions within ASEAN. ASEAN has been criticised for failing to push the military in restoring democracy and ceasing violence. Lately, international organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have expressed disappointment and failure of ASEANs FPC. To some extent, ASEAN has been asked to scrap the FPC by the Fortify Rights. Myanmars foreign ministry also issued repetitive statements objecting to a reference in the ASEAN joint statement about the lack of progress in implementing the 5PC and stated that pressure from ASEAN to implement a peace plan would create more negative implications. However, a slight diplomatic success can be seen in incidents where the military reduced the term of Aung San Suu Kyi by five years and have repeatedly granted amnesty to prisoners. But these are mere symbolic moves to reduce pressure, it is more of regional show of efforts being taken, and, in reality, the military still disagrees with the implementation of FPC, which calls for inclusive dialogue and release of all political principles. The statements released after the latest round of ASEAN meetings have reaffirmed ASEANs position on the FPC to remain a main reference to address the political crisis in Myanmar. These statements condemn the violence and air strikes, and call for inclusive dialogue within Myanmar. ASEAN members also recognise that the FPC has not been implemented, and therefore mentioned the need for a comprehensive review of the FPC implementation which will be discussed at the upcoming 43rd ASEAN Summit. To conclude, it must be remembered that Myanmar remains one of the core members of ASEAN despite being barred from summits and meetings. For years, ASEAN has worked on the principle of consensus and non-interference. And it is not the first time the regional organisation is facing a crisis emanating from a single country. To address the Myanmar crisis, a divided ASEAN is only further going to complicate the situation and give mixed signals in dealing with military generals. While Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore have called for the restoration of the democratic process, but the rest have continued engagements with the military generals which gives them certain legitimacy to continue with their own tactics. In this background, the decision to form a troika of states in dealing with the Myanmar crisis is a step in the right direction. In the next year as Laos chairs the ASEAN, it will be accompanied by Indonesia and Malaysia to address the crisis in Myanmar. Both these countries have responded strongly to military actions and have called for an inclusive dialogue along with NUG and other stakeholders. However, it also means that there is an implicit acceptance of the fact that the crisis in Myanmar is not going to end soon. Therefore, apart from ensuring an inclusive political dialogue, ASEAN has the responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance for the people in need. While one cannot bring back normalcy by isolating the country, one needs a comprehensive approach to ensure an inclusive dialogue. The military leaders in Myanmar must be pushed for a consultative dialogue with all stakeholders, especially the NUG and major EAOs, so that peace and stability can be restored. This article is authored by Cchavi Vasisht, research associate, Centre for Neighbourhood Studies, Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Avoiding another war on the scale of the first two world wars became the most dominant theme of the international system from the 1940s onwards. As countries focused on strengthening themselves to prevent their respective sovereign existences from being threatened, it was soon realized that trade and finance can no longer be regarded as indices of soft power. Trade, investments and finance can actually empower countries in big ways, which can then feed into furthering military security as well. While the focus on economics as an important facet of power grew, the hopes were that through the interdependences created through foreign trade and investments, military aggression and conflicts in turn could be avoided. However, owing to the selfish nature of countries, the realm of economics also soon turned into a realm that saw frequent conflicts. In this context, the example of Chinas claims in the South China Sea (SCS) become important. Chinese structures are pictured in Subi Reef in South China Sea.(Reuters File Photo) China stakes sovereignty claims over land parcels and their adjacent waters in the South China Sea, angering competing claimants like the Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei. The other claimants besides China, also have staked claims in various zones in the sea- such as those of the Paracels and the Spratly. The only differences in the claims made by China on one hand, and all the other claimants on the other is that China has tried to back its expansive claims with island building and naval patrols in the disputed waters. The United States (US) -the current leader of the existing system, which is not a claimant in the dispute in the SCS, states that it does not take sides in the disputes but has often sent planes and military ships near the disputed islands in freedom of navigation operations. Similarly, Japan, which does not have a direct stake in the SCS also provides military equipment and ships to claimant States like the Philippines and Vietnam. The absence of aggression and an ensuing stable order in the region is of paramount importance for both the US and Japan for varied reasons. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favour of the Philippines, and in its judgment, it stated that Chinas claims of historic rights within what Beijing calls the nine-dash line and uses to demarcate its claims in the SCS are without legal foundation. The Court also concluded that Chinas activities within Philippines two hundred nautical miles exclusive economic zones (EEZs), such as illegal fishing and environmentally disastrous construction of artificial islands, infringes on Manilas sovereign rights! China responded angrily to the ruling by stating that neither does it acknowledge the ruling, nor does it accept it. While China is a signatory to the treaty, which established the tribunal, it refused to accept the courts authority. Despite the ruling, China continued its spree of construction of artificial islands in disputed waters. In 2022, satellite imagery revealed that there was a land formation at Eldad Reef in the Spratley Islands, in addition to underway constructions of Chinese artificial islands in Lankiam Cay of Panata Island, Whitseun Reef of Julian Felipe Reef and at Sandy Cay. In December last year, Philippines stated that it was seriously concerned over Chinas reclamation activities in the SCS. In September this year, China installed a barricade near the Scarborough Shoal. If the construction spree from China was not enough, this year in September, China released a map in which, instead of the nine-dash line, it showed a ten-dash line- an extended version of the previous nine dash line, which already covers 90% of the SCS. The move set off a wave of protests from Chinas neighbours, which saw the new map as an attempt to extend Beijings claims over parts of their exclusive economic zones in the SCS. Clearly, international laws are not adequate to contain Chinas aggression. But to understand why China stakes claims to the disputed waters, it is pertinent to understand the economic importance of the region. The region, rich in fishing and mineral resources has an estimated 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. As countries industrialisation processes started adopting more vigour in the 1970s, countries needed more resources to fuel their industrialisation which coincided with the various claims made in the SCS. This year, in June alone, 48 illegal Chinese fishing vessels were sighted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines- just exemplifying how vast are the fishing resources that exist in the disputed waters. China consumes 65 million tonnes of fish per year. In addition to fish resources, China needs ever increasing amounts of oil and minerals to continue its economic rise, owing to which it has garnered its political and diplomatic clout in international affairs. Clearly economics as a tool alone cannot ensure a more peaceful world order, given the fact that economics is also just another excuse for further conflict seeking behaviour- as exemplified by China in the SCS conundrum. However, aggressive political, military and diplomatic behaviour can also foster cooperation and an example of this is seen in the maritime initiative of Quad countries announced last year. The Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness of Quad aims to combat China in its expansionist ambitions in the South and East China Sea, where Beijings fishing practices have long been called out. While no names were taken at the announcement of the initiative, the target is not difficult to understand, given the ever-increasing concerns over questions of sovereignty and economic tights in the disputed waters of the SCS. While economics may not have fared in curtailing conflict seeking behaviour, it is time to rethink cooperation among states through an amalgamation of economics and politics as seen in the ever-increasing synergies between the countries of the Indo-Pacific to tackle Chinas heightened aggression. This article is authored by Sriparna Pathak, associate professor, Chinese Studies and International Relations, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! New Delhi G20 countries are working on automatic exchange of data related to undisclosed immovable properties abroad, says Nitin Gupta, CDBT chairman. (HT Archive) Access to data of undisclosed real estate assets located overseas under active consideration of G20 countries will further boost the technology-driven compliance system of the income tax authority, which was one of the key factors behind a robust 22% jump in annualised net direct tax collections in the first half of 2023-24 at over 9.50 lakh crore, a senior official said on Tuesday. G20 countries are working on automatic exchange of data related to undisclosed immovable properties abroad beyond the current arrangement of sharing financial data, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman Nitin Gupta said. On the initiative of the Indian presidency, leaders of the G20 agreed to cooperate towards a globally fair, sustainable and modern international tax system and adopted the OECD Report on Enhancing International Tax Transparency on Real Estate in their Delhi Declaration on September 9. The OECD report proposed automatic exchange of such information among countries on a real-time basis. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is visiting Marrakech (Morocco), is also expected to deliberate on this matter, a finance ministry official said requesting anonymity. The FM is scheduled to attend the annual meetings of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with G20 meetings. Providing provisional details of direct tax revenues in the little over six months of the current financial year (April 1 to October 9, 2023), Gupta said the collections continued to register steady growth, with gross collections at 11.07 lakh crore, a 17.95% year-on-year jump. After refunds, direct tax collection in the period was 9.57 lakh crore, a 21.82% y-o-y jump, which is 52.5% of the total Budget Estimates (BE) for the current financial year (2023-24), he said. According to the Union Budget, the BE for direct tax revenue in the entire FY24 is 18,23,250 crore, including corporate income-tax (CIT) of 9,22,675 crore and personal income tax (PIT) of 9,00,575 crore. According to the latest data released on Tuesday, as on October 9 of the current financial year, the growth rate for gross CIT revenue was 7.3%. The gross PIT (excluding securities transaction tax or STT) revenue, however, grew by 29.53%. With STT, the gross PIT revenue growth was 29.08%. After adjustment of refunds, the net growth in CIT collection for the period was 12.39% and that in PIT collection was 32.51% (PIT alone), and 31.85% (with STT). The income tax department issued refunds of 1.5 lakh crore between April 1, 2023 and October 9, 2023, according to the data. Gupta said the option of the new tax regime is picking up as about 70% of individual tax payers (PIT) are likely to switch over to the exemption-free income-tax regime. In order to make the new regime attractive, the FM on February 1 announced raising the rebate limit for this category to 7 lakh from 5 lakh. According to the CBDT chairman, about 60% of corporate income is already under the exemption-free tax regime with a lower tax rate. For the convenience of taxpayers, the income-tax department is reaching out to about 3.5 million assessees whose refunds are held up due to technical reasons, including changes in IFSC codes of their respective bank branches, Gupta said. The department is first sending them an email in this regard offering assistance through a special call centre the Demand Management Facilitation Centre. We want to credit the refunds to the correct bank accounts of the taxpayers quickly, the CBDT chairman said. The facility, initially available in Karnataka, Goa, Mumbai and Delhi, is expected to be available in other areas soon. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dilip Pandey on Wednesday claimed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was conspiring to kill Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh who was arrested by the probe agency last week in connection with a money laundering probe. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh brought to Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI) The events that followed Sanjay Singh's appearance in court yesterday and the truth that emerged, it exposed BJP's cheap politics and intention of revenge, Pandey said at a press conference in New Delhi. It became clear that ED is conspiring to kill Sanjay Singh on the BJP's direction. It's a big question which should be answered by both ED and BJP, he further claimed. A special court on Tuesday extended the ED custody of Sanjay Singh till October 13, saying the remand was necessitated based on the discovery of new facts, and the recovery of fresh digital evidence in a recent search conducted by the federal agency. At the end of the arguments on extension of custody, Singh claimed before the judge that the ED tried to whisk him away from its office with ulterior motive. After you granted remand (to ED) on the last date of hearing, at 10 at night, I was told that I was being taken somewhere else. I asked why didn't they inform the court. They (ED officials) said there was some issue of chemical pesticide. They said they have got phone calls from people above. I told them I won't go outside without the court's order. They asked me to give that in writing. "The next day they said the same thing. They had some ulterior motive. I asked what happens if I am killed in an encounter, who will be responsible? They said they will be responsible. What's the point of responsibility when I am dead. Again and again, I asked for court's order, Singh told the judge. The judge asked the ED why it wanted a written statement from Singh about his reluctance to leave its office. The central agency rejected Singh's allegations of any wrongdoing. You should not take him away without the court's order, the judge said. It was also brought to the notice of the court that the advocates and family members who had gone to visit Singh faced harassment and were made to wait for considerable time. "You are torturing the family members by not allowing them to meet (Sanjay Singh in ED custody). The court took cognisance of this and directed the ED to not make any movement without its permission and allow the family to meet him (Sanjay Singh)," Pandey told news agency PTI. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kunal Gaurav Kunal Gaurav is a multimedia journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. He handles daily editorial operations for the digital news desk, including news tracking, news prioritisation, writing and editing. ...view detail NEW DELHI: Indian and Chinese senior military commanders concluded another round of talks on the standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by agreeing to continue their dialogue and to maintain peace in the border areas. N) (AP File Photo/Gurinder Osan) The 20th round of talks between corps commanders of the two countries since the face-off in the Ladakh sector of the LAC started in April-May 2020 was held almost two months after the previous round held in mid-August. A statement issued by the external affairs ministry on Wednesday after the two-day talks didnt point to any breakthrough. During the meeting on the Indian side at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on October 9-10, the two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues in the western sector of the LAC, the statement said. They agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. They also committed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim, the statement added. The remaining issues on the LAC will be settled in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries and by building on progress made in the last round of military talks during August 13-14, according to the statement. This was the second time that the military commanders held talks for two consecutive days. The talks between the military commanders comprise one of two tracks being used by India and China to address the dragging military standoff, with the other being the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on IndiaChina Border Affairs (WMCC) which involves diplomats and other officials. The standoff and a bloody clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, have taken bilateral ties to their lowest ebb in six decades. After several rounds of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides withdrew frontline forces from both banks of Pangong Lake, Gogra and Hot Springs, but have been unable to make headway on the larger friction points at Depsang and Demchok. Buffer zones created by the two sides have also resulted in Indian troops losing access to areas they patrolled earlier. There was intense speculation in diplomatic circles that the two countries might reach an understanding on the standoff before the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Summit in Johannesburg in August or the G20 Summit in New Delhi the following month. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping opted to skip the G20 Summit. The Indian leadership has linked the normalisation of bilateral ties to the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas, with external affairs minister S Jaishankar describing the current situation as abnormal. The Chinese side has contended the border situation has moved towards normalcy and the two sides should take forward ties in all spheres. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday triggered a fresh controversy while reacting to the ongoing war between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, where he hailed Palestine and Gaza and condemned violence (mainly by Israel). All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi (ANI) Follow LIVE Updates While sharing a photo of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque in a post on X, Owaisi wrote, Hands of GAZA,Falasteen Zindabad. Violence Murdabaad (done mainly by Israel or any Group/organisation). Masjid e Aqsa Aabad Rahe. This is not the first time when the AIMIM leader supported Palestine over Israel. Earlier on Monday, the AIMIM chief said that India historically stood with Palestine. He further claimed the shift in India's policy (towards the Palestinian cause) came when the Congress came into power. While referring to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's old video where he spoke in favour of the Palestinian cause, Owaisi has said, "A late BJP leader once said about Palestine that land worth billions has been acquired. We had released a post stamp for solidarity with Palestine. This shifted when Congress came into power." Read here: Owaisi invokes 'late BJP leader' in Palestine solidarity remark, calls out Congress's 'shift' The war between Israel and the Hamas terror group entered the fifth day on Wednesday after the former witnessed an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants who fired rocket barrages and stormed Israeli cities killing at least 1,200 citizens, making it the deadliest attack in the country's 75-year history, according to the Israel defence forces. In retaliation, Tel Aviv announced a war against the militant group. It also initiated a massive airstrike operation in the Gaza Strip and surrounding areas. Gaza officials reported more than 900 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. The Israel-Palestine conflict has its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Zionist Jews began immigrating to Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, with the aim of establishing a Jewish homeland. This movement eventually led to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, resulting in a war between Israel and its Arab neighbors and the displacement of Palestinian Arabs. Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday hit out at the Uttar Pradesh governments dictatorship after he was forced to jump over the locked gate of Lucknows Jayprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) to garland Jayprakash Narayans statue on the socialist leaders birth anniversary. Yadav hit out at the Uttar Pradesh governments dictatorship. (X) Yadav accused the state government of trying to stop him from garlanding the statue by locking the gate. He attacked the government over its undemocratic behaviour and said those with iron will cannot be stopped. Samajwadis [socialists] will continue to struggle against the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] governments autocracy. He questioned what was the point of democracy when obstacles were created for even garlanding a statue. The BJP cannot block the SP. A furious Yadav jumped over the gate and garlanded the statue after SP workers unwrapped it from a tarpaulin sheet. Earlier, Yadav arrived at JPNIC on a bus. SP workers created a ruckus amid a heavy police deployment demanding the authorities allow Yadav entry on the bus. SP leader Ashutosh Varma said the BJP was repeating the same mistake that Congress made in the 1970s when Narayan, popularly known as JP, led his Total Revolution Movement against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Officials insisted that JPNIC was closed due to some work and that a case could be registered for trespass. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hyderabad Speaking to reporters after coming out of the CID office at Tadepalli in Guntur district, Lokesh said the CID authorities had asked him to appear again at 10 am on Wednesday for questioning in the case. (PTI) The Crime Investigation Department officials of the Andhra Pradesh police on Tuesday grilled Telugu Desam Party general secretary and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidus son Nara Lokesh for seven hours in connection with the alleged irregularities in the alignment of Amaravati inner ring road project taken up during the previous TDP government in the state. Speaking to reporters after coming out of the CID office at Tadepalli in Guntur district, Lokesh said the CID authorities had asked him to appear again at 10 am on Wednesday for questioning in the case. I have no problem in attending the probe. I am not scared, as I have not done any crime, he said. Stating that the CID authorities questioned him about the inner ring road, which is a non-existent project, the TDP general secretary said out of 50 questions they had posed, answers to as many as 49 questions could be obtained by searching Google. They asked me questions like what I am doing now, what my role was when I was in Heritage Foods and what responsibilities I had discharged during the TDP government. Answers to all these questions can be found online, he said. Lokesh said the investigating authorities had not placed even a single document related to the Amaravati inner ring road case. It is quite obvious that the government is trying to harass me and prevent me from going to the people by taking up padayatra, he alleged. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Wednesday that the Union government is trying to introduce draconian anti-citizens provisions in the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which aims to alter the current criminal justice system in India. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. (HT file) (I) Have been reading the drafts prepared by the Union home ministry to substitute the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act. Stunned to find that there is a serious attempt to quietly introduce very harsh and draconian anti-citizen provisions in these efforts, Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson, wrote on her social media page. The TMC is part of the INDIA coalition group that opposition parties have formed to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Earlier there was Sedition Law; now, in the name of withdrawing those provisions, they are introducing more severe and arbitrary measures in the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which can affect citizens more gravely. The current Acts should be decolonized not only in form but also in spirit. Urge the jurists and public activists of the country to study these drafts seriously for democratic contributions in the realm of the criminal justice system, Banerjee wrote. My colleagues in Parliament will raise these issues at the standing committee when these will be deliberated. Laws need to be improved in light of experiences but colonial authoritarianism should not be allowed to have backdoor entry at Delhi, she added. Also Read: 3 criminal bills people-centric, focus on justice: Shah The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam were introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 11 by Shah to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Act, 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively. Chief minister Banerjee made her statement on social media around 4 pm on Wednesday, hours after Rujira Banerjee, wife of her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at the Salt Lake office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in response to summons sent to her for questioning in the bribe-for-job scam in the state education department. Bengal BJPs chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said: The chief minister in unwell and has been advised to rest at home. We all know that she cant keep quiet for too long but statement like this from her at this hour is not expected. We wish her a speedy recovery. Banerjee was advised rest by doctors in mid-September in view of some old leg injuries. She is working from home since then. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chennai: In a debate during the assembly session on the Muslim prisoners languishing in jail in Tamil Nadu, chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said that they are awaiting for Governor R N Ravis nod to release 49 prisoners, including 20 Muslims, who remain in prison even after completion of their life-term sentence. Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said that till October 8, , as many as 335 life prisoners have been released of which nine are Muslims. (ANI) Stalin was replying to a Special Calling Attention Motion moved by AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) on the plight of Muslim prisoners. Given that the AIADMK recently exited their alliance with the BJP and is hoping to regain its lost support among minorities, Stalin wondered about EPSs sudden concern for Muslims. The DMK government had constituted a committee in December 2021, under retired judge N Athinathan, to address the issue of releasing prisoners, including those who are terminally ill, aged and those who have spent more than 20 years in jail. The committee submitted its report to the government in October 2022. They recommended the release of 264 prisoners. Based on that, we chose 48 eligible prisoners, including 20 Muslims, and sent their files to the Governor on August 24, 2023, for his consent,Stalin said. Once the green signal is received from the Governor, we will release all of them. Till October 8, he said, as many as 335 life prisoners have been released of which nine are Muslims. There is an attempt to portray that no Muslim prisoner has been released so far. I would like to inform the House that the Government will go by the law on this issue, Stalin said. In response to Stalins question on what the AIADMK government did for the release of Muslim prisoners, EPS said that it was his regime which made possible the release of seven convicts in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case under the present DMK government. Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, met with Hadas Meitzad, the Israeli Ambassador to Georgia.According to the Parliament of Georgia, the Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Chairman for the support of the State and the people of Israel.Papuashvili expressed his condolences for the human tragedies caused by terrorist aggression and reaffirmed his solidarity with Israel to the ambassador.Hadas Meitzad provided the Chairman of the Parliament with a comprehensive briefing on the outcomes of the attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip and the measures taken by the State of Israel. Additionally, the parties engaged in a discussion regarding the geopolitical context of the aforementioned attack and its implications for global peace.Ilia Darchiashvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, held a telephone conversation with Gert Jan Koopman, the Director General of Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the conversation addressed the progress made by Georgia in fulfilling the 12 recommendations of the European Commission.The parties positively assessed the ongoing intensive consultations between the Georgian authorities and the European Commission. They also reconciled the outcomes of high-level meetings held in Tbilisi and Brussels in September and early October.Both parties agreed to continue these active consultations to ensure that Georgia's progress is well-reflected in the European Commission's report, which is scheduled for publication in early November as part of the 'expansion package'. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., visits East Campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA A political group that made its name by opposing former President Donald Trump asked U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and 17 of his House GOP colleagues in competitive districts Tuesday to oppose Trump-friendly candidates in the vote for House Speaker. The Lincoln Project, known for its pithy online ads attacking Trump and others they accuse of enabling him, opposed Bacon in 2020 and sought to increase turnout in swing House districts that backed President Joe Biden. This week, the group pressed 18 GOP House members to reject the Republican frontrunners for Speaker. They called Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise MAGA in a suit and said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio proudly displays his MAGA party number. The group did not identify a favored candidate for Speaker. Bacon and the rest of the Biden 18 must make a choice: Will they stand with the American people, decency, and democracy here, and around the world, or will they choose Trumpism, and chaos, said Reed Galen, a Lincoln Project co-founder. Galen told the Nebraska Examiner the group doesnt want Bacon and the others to cater to Trumps base voters. The group could damage those Republicans either way, local political observers said. Theyll either anger moderates who oppose Trump by picking a Trumpy Speaker or theyll anger Trump voters by picking a more traditional Republican, consultants explained. Bacon twice endorsed Trump. He occasionally criticized the former presidents statements and actions, including after the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Trump and his team have tried recruiting a Republican to run in the 2022 and 2024 primaries against Bacon since Bacon voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Competitive districts All 18 targeted by the group serve in districts that are fairly evenly split among Republicans, Democrats and nonpartisan voters. The districts voted for Biden in 2020 while sending Republicans like Bacon to Congress that year. Bacon has not publicly discussed whom he might support for Speaker. He was a strong supporter of ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. The Lincoln Project used to be a Republican group that opposed Trump, Bacon said. Its now become a full appendage of the Democrat Party. Its doing the bidding of the Far Left and doing best to make Hakeem Jeffries the Speaker. Jeffries is the House minority leader. State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat from Omaha, is seeking a rematch against Bacon. He said the Lincoln Projects effort is the latest example of Bacons shortcomings. For the last 7 years, Bacon has enabled Donald Trump and contributed to the chaos that has led our country into disarray, Vargas said. Meanwhile, people here in Nebraska are in the crossfire, with the threat of a government shutdown hanging over our heads. Nebraskas other two House members, who also backed McCarthy, have been vague about whom they might support. States Newsroom reported this week that McCarthy is willing to return if his colleagues choose him again. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., said last week in his weekly column that he had not yet decided whom to support. Rep. Mike Flood, through a campaign spokesman, said essentially the same. Both said Republicans need to elect a Speaker soon to get on or get back to doing the peoples business. Flood said he was looking forward to Tuesday nights forum with Speaker candidates. Some in GOP still care about Lincoln Project Randall Adkins, a University of Nebraska at Omaha political science professor, said some Republicans still care what the Lincoln Project says and does. The group is led by current and former conservative political consultants who oppose Trump. Basically what weve got in the Republican Party is different factions, Adkins said. While it looks like the Republicans may have a majority, its pretty clear that there is not a majority of Republicans that agree on any specific thing. Bacon, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, remains a Lincoln Project target because Nebraska splits its five Electoral College votes in presidential elections. All other states but Maine award votes to the popular vote winner statewide. Here, the winner of the popular vote in each of the states three congressional districts earns a single electoral vote. The statewide winner earns another two votes. Trump won Nebraska in 2020 and the electoral vote in the 1st and 3rd Districts. Biden won the 2nd District, matching the 2008 feat of his former boss, President Barack Obama. Conservatives in the Nebraska Legislature have said they will try again next session to adopt winner-take-all presidential races. Similar bills have fallen to filibusters, derailed by Omaha and Lincoln-area state senators whose voters have said they like feeling that their votes matter. Others have complained that splitting votes distorts the will of a red states voters. Bidens team and Nebraska Democrats are laying the groundwork to compete in the Omaha area in 2024. Trumps team has said it will do the same if he is the GOP nominee. New Delhi: Union information and broadcasting minister, Anurag Thakur, on Wednesday unveiled the trailer of an upcoming animated series titled Bharat Hain Hum, which will focus on several unsung heroes of Indias freedom struggle. Union minister Anurag Thakur (HT photo) The series will be launched on Prime Video, Netflix, and Doordarshan, the national broadcaster. Speaking on the occasion, Thakhur said that the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was conceptualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay tribute to the people who contributed to the countrys freedom struggle. Under his vision, it is our humble endeavour to reignite the nations memory and gratitude towards these unsung heroes, who deserve our unwavering admiration and respect. Through this animated series, we are trying to shed light on Indias culture, history, lives, and achievements of those heroes, which had not happened earlier, Thakur said. According to Thakhur, many schools teach about selective people and about the parts they played in the freedom struggle, but there were many freedom fighters about whom people remain unaware. Like Birsa Munda, Rani Abbakka and others, students are unaware of them. From where should people know what has happened in the country? There are many names, like Rani Abbakka, he said. Also Read: Anurag Thakur launches sanitation campaign in Hamirpur This is a beautiful animation series that will provide information about India. Efforts have been made to make sure that language isnt a barrier. A unique effort has been made that this has been made in 12 Indian languages and seven international languages so that not only the country but the world can know about our unsung heroes, he added. At least 30% of the characters in the series are women, Thakur said. Nearly 30 % of the characters in this series are womenPrime Minister Modi gave 33 % of the reservation to women in Parliament. In India, women have contributed from the time when we were fighting for Independence Also present at the event, Munjal Shroff and Tilak Shetty, co-creators of the series, said, We wanted to revive these tales of patriotism and pursuit of freedom, paying tribute to their remarkable sacrifices, and inspire the children and the youth of India to take pride in our heritage. Animation is the perfect medium to bring alive these glorious tales and make them accessible to the children of our country. Our history often remains confined to the pages of school textbooks, and a knowledge gap exists beyond secondary education. This entertaining and informative series is aimed at every Indian irrespective of age, the dup added. The series is slated to premiere on October 15 and will comprise 26 episodes in Season 1. Reacting to the Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena's sanction for prosecution against author Arundhati Roy, Congress leader P Chidambaram said the sanction clearly shows that "under the rule of the LG (and his masters)" there is no room for tolerance. "When speeches are made, even if many people disagree, the state should show tolerance and forbearance. "I am in favor of freedom of expression and against the colonial law of sedition. Section 124A has often been misused and hence it should be abolished. There are other provisions of law which are adequate to deal with incitement to violence," the senior Congress leader said. Chidambaram said there is no room for tolerance under LG's rule. Chidambaram was the Union home minister in 2010 when Arundhati made the speech for which she will now be prosecuted. Chidambaram said he stands by what he said in 2010 when he was asked why there was no action against Arundhati Roy for her Azaadi speech. "I still stand by what I said in 2010 at the speech of the famous writer and journalist Ms. Arundhati Roy. Then there was no justification for filing a case against him on treason charges," Chidambaram said. In 2010, Chidambaram said Delhi Police not filing a case against Arundhati Roy was in accordance with the letter and spirit of law. BJP's Amit Malviya said Chidambaram has 'again jumped the gun', trying to 'earn brownies' in his 'zeal to please his Faux Liberal Casteist and Dynastic Masters'. "The LG has not sanctioned Arundhati Roys prosecution under section 124A (Sedition) of IPC, precisely because the matter is with a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court. The sanction to prosecute Arundhati Roy has been given under section 153A, 153B and 505 of the IPC. But then facts hardly matter when arrogance rules the head," Malviya tweeted. 13 years after the speech, Delhi LG on Tuesday gave sanction for prosecution against Arundhati Roy and former professor at central university of Kashmir Sheikh Showkat Hussain. What was Arundhati Roy's speech? On October 21, 2010, a conference was organised by the Committee for Release of Political Prisoners under the banner Azadi - The Only Way. Arundhati Roy was one of the speakers at the conference. The FIR registers on November 27, 2020 in New Delhi accused Roy and the other speakers of delivering provocative speeches SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya on Tuesday took a swipe at Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel claiming that the Congress leader was playing a popular tile-matching video game on his mobile phone during a party meeting on the selection of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls. Sharing a purported photograph from the meeting, Malviya said a "relaxed" Baghel thought it was appropriate to play Candy Crush knowing no matter how much he fights, the government will not come. BJP's Amit Malviya shared a photograph from Congress meeting claiming Chhattisgarh CM was playing Candy Crush on his mobile phone. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is also relaxed, he knows that no matter how much he fights, the government will not come, Malviya said in a social media post on X. Perhaps that is why instead of paying attention to the meeting related to Congress candidate selection, he thought it appropriate to play CANDY CRUSH, he said in Hindi. HT couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the photograph. The ruling Congress is seeking to retain power in Chhattisgarh by banking on the welfare schemes of the Baghel government, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is hoping to corner it on the issues of alleged corruption and unfulfilled poll promises. Congress's Chhattisgarh incharge Kumari Selja on Tuesday said that the party's Central Election Committee will meet on October 12 to decide on the candidates' list. "...On 12th October, a meeting of our Central Election Committee (CEC) will be held...The final decision is taken by the CEC...When they put their final stamp, the final list of candidates will come out," she told reporters. The BJP has so far released two lists of candidates for the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, taking the total number of named candidates to 85 for the 90-member house. Former chief minister Raman Singh will be contesting from his traditional Rajnandgaon seat, while Leader of Opposition in the assembly Narayan Prasad Chandel has been renominated from his current seat Janjir-Champa. The Naxal-affected state will have a two-phase polling on November 7 (20 seats) and November 17 (70 seats) to elect a new 90-member assembly. In the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress won 68 of the total 90 seats, while the BJP finished a distant second with 15. The Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J), founded by former CM late Ajit Jogi, bagged five seats and its ally Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won in two segments. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hyderabad Police on Tuesday announced the seizure of cash, gold and silver worth nearly 11 crore at different places in the state, just a day after the model code of conduct (MCC) came into effect in the province after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced assembly elections on November 30. HT Image Deputy commissioner of police, Hyderabad (central zone) M Venkateshwarlu said soon after the announcement on Monday afternoon, police authorities began enforcing the model code as per ECI directions. We have started intense checking of vehicles and frisking of suspected individuals to prevent the flow of cash and kind during the election campaign, he said. According to MCC guidelines, any cash, gold, silver or other material has to be accounted for. Officials under the supervision of assistant commissioner of police, Abids, A Chandra Shekar, stopped a white car at Nizam College at around 7.30 pm on Mondayand found some bags in it. On verifying the bags, the police found 7 kg of pure gold biscuits and 295 kg of pure silver, all worth 7.50 crore, the DCP said. The police said the driver, identified as Sai Kumar, and two other people present in the car identified by the police as K Venkatesh and M Siva Prasad -- said they were working as employees of a gold merchant shop at RP Road, Secunderabad and were transporting the material to their branch at Gunfoundry, Abids. However, they did not produce any bills or documents to substantiate their claims. They only showed a piece of paper related to the delivery of the gold and silver, which is need to be verified thoroughly through the Income Tax and Goods and Services Tax departments and the Static Surveillance Team (SST) of the Election Cell for further enquiry, Venkateshwarlu said, adding that the seized material would be handed over to these authorities for further investigation. Police also seized 15 lakh in cash from a two-wheeler at Puranapul area, 30 lakh from a vehicle at Narayanamma Engineering college near Shaikpet and 9.3 lakh from a person at Chaderghat on Monday night. On Tuesday afternoon, the commissioners task force, North Zone, along with Banjara Hills Police, seized unaccounted cash of 3.35 crore from a vehicle in Banjara Hills and took four people into custody. On inquiry, it was revealed that the amount was hawala money meant for delivery at various places in Hyderabad. We are inquiring into the source of money flow, DCP (West Zone) Joel Davis said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Caste politics is heating up in the three Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh ahead of elections next month in what some political experts see as the first test for the Congress pitch of caste census . JD(U) workers and supporters celebrate the results of the Bihar caste survey, in Patna on October 4. (PTI) The Congress and some other members of the INDIA bloc of opposition parties see the caste census, potentially followed by proportionate reservations, as a way to combat the Bharatiya Janata Party and challenge its political dominance. These parties believe this will negate the success the BJP has had in appealing to non-dominant other backward classes (OBCs) and scheduled castes and tribes, sections of which now form a part of its voter base. Also read: Bihar caste survey: A new strand to Indias identity politics Although the last caste census was done in 2011, its findings were not released. As per the OBC survey done by Chhattisgarh government in 2022, around 43.5 % of the states population comprises OBCs, the Madhya Pradesh Backward Classes commission has pegged states OBC population at 48% of the overall population and the Rajasthan backward commission estimates that 42% of the states population is made up of OBCs. The governments in these states have tried to woo the OBC community. In Madhya Pradesh, chief minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved nine welfare boards for OBC communities such as Kurmi, Teli and Vishwakarma; Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has set up eight welfare boards for OBC communities such as Mehgwal and Dhanka; and the Chhattisgarh government has set four welfare boards for OBC communities. Many of these have been created in the past year. In addition, the Rajasthan government notified a caste survey on October 7, two days before polls for five states were announced. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has announced caste surveys in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in the past one week, days after Rahul Gandhi termed the caste census as progressive, historic and powerful step for emancipation of the poor people. All of this follows Bihars caste survey, conducted earlier this year, and headline results from which was released on October 2, showing that backward classes account for 63% of the states population. BJP leaders on the other hand have maintained that the caste surveys can create further divide among castes. Political commentator Narayan Bareth said that the demand for a caste census is an attempt by the opposition alliance to corner the BJP and side-line its Hindutva agenda. The results in three Hindi heartland state will show whether it works or not. Rajasthan In the run-up to the 2023 assembly election, almost all caste groups held mahasammelans (large meetings) as a show of strength, with more reservation and a caste census as major demands. To pacify them, Gehlot set up welfare boards for different castes and also announced a caste survey to gauge their backwardness and give them proportionate representation in reservation. Rajasthan has 64 % reservation in government jobs and admission to educational institutions 16% for Scheduled Castes, 12% for Scheduled Tribes, 21% for OBCs, 5% for MBCs (most backward classes) and 10% for those from the Economically Weaker Sections or EWS. There are 92 castes under the OBC category in Rajasthan including Jats, Gurjars, Muslims, Brahmins, and Rajputs. Different caste groups have supported the CMs call for caste census. Raja Ram Meel, president of the Rajasthan Jat Mahasabha said OBCs are the biggest chunk of the states population but they have not got adequate reservation. The general category is only about 15% and they have 10 % reservation (the EWS reservation is meant only for forward classes) and OBCs are more than 50% and they have only 21% reservation because no one knows the real status. A census is required to get real data and give reservation according to that, he said. Claiming that the 5% reservation announced for Gurjars in 2019 improved their socio-economic indicators, Gurjar leader Himmat Singh said the caste census will show the real backwardness of their community and electoral strength. The caste census will strengthen our case for seeking ST status. BJP spokesperson Laxmikant Bharadwaj said, Gehlot and the Congress are trying to divide society. Congress was in power for 50 years in the country and Gehlot has been chief minister three times. Why was caste census not carried out then? At the fag end of his tenure, Gehlot spoke about a caste census. This shows his hypocrisy. Political commentator Bareth said the caste politics has become more prominent in the recent decades with caste-based organisations becoming stronger. In elections, caste is a big factor in deciding tickets, after elections, each caste felicitates its candidates who win. Madhya Pradesh In Madhya Pradesh, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has projected himself as a OBC leader and the BJP not projecting him as the chief minister for November polls can have an impact, said a senior BJP functionary in Bhopal, commenting on the Congress promise of a caste survey. I think the BJP will have to bank upon Chouhan as he is the biggest BJP OBC leader in the state, he added. As per 2011 census, tribals constitute 21.1% population of the state and scheduled castes, 15.6%. An official of the states backward classes commission said that though no OBC survey has been done, different studies estimate this segment to constitute around 48% of the states population. A retired government official said that then chief minister Arjun Singh (of the Congress) initiated the process way back in 1982 to bring backward classes into the mainstream by instituting the Ramjilal Mahajan Commission. Based on reports and feedback the commission found that the backward classes constituted about 52% of the population -- but it has always been a contentious issue. A second senior BJP leader said: In Madhya Pradesh our party has always been cautious about the OBC factor. Thats why the party ensured that there was an OBC chief minister right from day one when the party defeated the Congress . Political analyst Dinesh Gupta said: It is too early to say whether the Congress will benefit from the promised caste survey as the BJP has several prominent OBC leaders in the state including the CM. Now the BJP leadership may find it difficult to overlook Chouhans natural claim for a fifth term as the CM in case the party wins. Chhattisgarh In Chhattisgarh, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel can be credited with the increased focus on OBCs. Political observers believe that the promise of a caste survey is aimed at bossting his OBC politics further. Baghel became the states first OBC chief minister in 2018. Chhattisgarh is considered a tribal state but it has more OBCs than tribals. As per the states own data, 43.5% population is made up of OBCs and the 2011 census put 34.5% of states population as tribals. Political experts said that like most states in India, OBCs dont vote in one block . To foster his OBC politics, Baghel got two bills passed in state assembly in 2022 to increase OBC reservation from 14% to 27% and that of SC from 12% to 13% in the public employment and admissions. The 32% reservation for scheduled tribes or STs was kept unchanged. Besides, a provision of 4% reservation was also provided to Economic Weaker Section (EWS), taking the total extent of reservation in the state to 76%. The bill is pending with the Governor . Not getting approval from the governor shows that the BJP is anti-OBC. Their voice against caste census shows their arrogance towards deprived, said Congress spokesperson R P Singh. To counter the Congress, the BJP appointed Arun Sao, another OBC leader, as state party president and has given tickets to 29 OBC leaders out of total 85 of the 90 seats declared so far. In 2018, BJP gave tickets to 28 OBC leaders. The BJP said it does not believe in OBC politics. We have given tickets to OBC leaders on the basis of winnability. The Congress across the country is doing OBC politics to divide the people and destroy our country, said Ajay Chandrakar, former minister and chief spokesperson of BJP. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid the ongoing protest over the sharing of Cauvery water in Karnataka, several trade unions in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu have called for a shutdown in the delta districts on Wednesday, demanding the intervention of the Centre to ensure that the Karnataka government release adequate water from the Cauvery to save Kuruvai paddy and begin Samba cultivation. More than 40,000 shops are closed in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district(X/ PTI) Read here: Cauvery water dispute: Pro-Kannada organisations to stage protest in Bengaluru The blockade, being held by the Cauvery Delta Protection Movement and the farmers' union, was launched across 8 districts including Trichy, Tanjore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur, on Wednesday morning and will continue till Thursday. As many as 40,000 commercial establishments and shops have put their shutters down in Thanjavur district while 12,000 shops have been closed in Nagapattinam as a sign of protest over the Cauvery water dispute. Only those for meeting the daily needs of the people have been opened in these districts. The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly on Monday adopted an unanimous resolution urging the central government to direct Karnataka to release Cauvery river water as per the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority. CM M K Stalin has said the state government opened the Mettur dam on June 12 for the Kuruvai (short-duration paddy) crop and at a time when farmers had taken up related farm work, Karnataka created an "artificial crisis" and did not release water from the river as per the apex court's directions. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee ordered Karnataka to ensure the release of 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu between September 28 and October 15. However, Karnataka had earlier refused to comply with the orders of the Cauvery board to share the waters with Tamil Nadu, citing severe drought in parts of the state. Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar last week said that cumulative inflows into the reservoirs in the state's Cauvery basin were decreasing. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has accused its neighbour of lying to the nation about the supply of water. Read here: Tamil Nadu passes resolution seeking Cauvery water as per SC ruling The Karnataka government, meanwhile, has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a direction to CWMA to review its decisions on water release to Tamil Nadu. The state governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have locked horns in a protracted tussle over the sharing of Cauvery water. The river is seen as a major source of sustenance for the people in the two states. 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 their individual water-sharing capacities. (With inputs from agencies) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday carried out raids at the residence and office of Prabir Purkayastha, founder of NewsClick, after registering a case to probe violation of foreign contribution violation act (FCRA), people familiar with the development said. CBI action against NewsClick is the new addition among multiple agencies already probing the news portal. (AP photo) CBI action against NewsClick is the new addition among multiple agencies already probing the news portal for its alleged Chinese links and dubious funding. Last week, the Delhi Police arrested Purkayastha and Human Resources head of NewsClick, Amit Chakravorty after charging them under stringent unlawful activities prevention act (UAPA). ED is already probing the website since 2021 and has already attached assets belonging to Purkayastha. Also Read: NewsClick founder, HR head in 10-day custody The Delhi Police FIR alleges that Prabir Purkayastha conspired with a group named Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism to sabotage the 2019 general elections and that Chinese firms such as Xiaomi and Vivo incorporated shell companies to infuse foreign funds to further the conspiracy. Citing secret inputs, it claims that Indian and foreign entities illegally infused funds worth crores and that this was done in pursuance of conspiracy and intention to disrupt Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity, cause disaffection, and threaten the countrys unity and integrity. It also names activist Gautam Navlakha and Neville Roy Singham, the American millionaire, accusing them of spreading Chinese propaganda. On Navlakhas association with Purkayastha, the FIR claims they have known each other since 1991. The FIR cites emails between Purkayastha, Neville, and some other Chinese employees and says they expose their intent to show that Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir as not parts of India. NewsClick has refuted the charges, saying it never published any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority. It denied taking any directions from Singham. All funding received by NewsClick has been through the appropriate banking channels and been reported to the relevant authorities as required by law, as substantiated by the Reserve Bank of India in proceedings before the high court of Delhi, the portal said in a statement. ED, which is also examining Delhi Police FIR, had raided Purkayasthas premises in September 2021. The financial crimes probe agency has claimed earlier that it is probing fraudulent foreign funds infusion of over 86 crore into the company that runs the portal. As per NewsClicks website, it is an independent media organisation dedicated to covering news from India and elsewhere with a focus on progressive movements. It was founded in 2009. The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday registered a case against NewsClick for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. Searches are being carried out at two locations in Delhi -- the office and the residence of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha. The initiation of the CBI probe into the case comes a day after a Delhi court sent Prabir Purkayastha and NewsClick HR head Amit Chakravarty to 10-day judicial custody. The duo were arrested in a case under the UAPA for allegations that the news portal took money to spread pro-China propaganda. Read | NewsClick founder conspired to sabotage 2019 polls, siphoned off funds: FIR CBI to probe against Newslick over foreign fund rules violation, searches on (HT_PRINT) On October 3, Purakayastha and Chakravarty were arrested and the NewsClick office was sealed. According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to the news portal came from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country. It also alleged Purkayastha conspired with a group -- People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) -- to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Raids were conducted at 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states on October 3 on the suspects named in the FIR and those that surfaced in the analysis of data, police said. Around 300 electronic gadgets were also seized from the offices of NewsClick and the residences of the journalists who were examined. Following the raids, 46 individuals, including nine female journalists, were questioned by the Special Cell in Delhi and NCR. NewsClick rejected Chinese fund allegation NewsClick issued a statement and said the proceedings initiated against the portal are nothing but a blatant attempt to muzzle the free and independent press in India. "The Newsclick has not received any funding or instructions from China or Chinese entities. Further, Newsclick has never committed or sought to encourage violence, secession or any illegal act in any manner whatsoever...A perusal of Newsclick's coverage, which is freely available online, should be sufficient to indicate the veracity of Newsclicks claims," it said. (With bureau and agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail A day after the Union government assured the top court that the much-delayed appointment of the new full-time chief justice for Manipur high court will be notified soon, the collegium recommended the transfer of MV Muralidaran, acting chief justice of Manipur high court, to the Calcutta high court. MV Muralidaran, acting chief justice of Manipur high court The collegiums recommendation, which was finalised on Tuesday, also recorded its rejection of justice Muralidarans request to either let him continue in the Manipur high court or shift him to his parent high court at Madras. Also read: Tribal woman among 4 likely to be appointed as HC judges Justice MV Muralidaran, by a communication dated October 10, 2023, requested to transfer him to his parent high court and if that is not feasible, to permit him to continue to function in the high court of Manipur, instead of transferring him to the high court at Calcutta. We have considered the requests. The Collegium does not find merit in the requests made by him, stated the resolution, made public on Wednesday. The Supreme Court collegium comprised Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and Surya Kant. HT on October 5 reported first that there was progress on the appointment of Delhi high court judge Siddharth Mridul as the chief justice of Manipur high court with the N Biren Singh-government replying to the Centres correspondence after withholding its opinion for three months. The recommendation to appoint justice Mridul as the Manipur high court chief justice was made on July 5. On October 9, when the Supreme Court took up a contempt plea complaining against inordinate delay by the Centre in clearing names, attorney general R Venkataramani informed the bench, led by justice Kaul, that the notification to appoint the new full-time chief justice of Manipur high court will be issued soon. Responding, the bench cautioned the government against any further delay, setting a deadline of October 20 when the case will be heard next. According to people aware of the matter, the notification to appoint justice Mridul is expected over the weekend. The office of the chief justice of the Manipur high court had fallen vacant in February 2023, following the elevation of justice PV Sanjay Kumar to the Supreme Court. Justice Muralidaran has since been functioning as the acting chief justice of the high court. A judicial order issued by a single-judge bench of justice Muralidaran on March 23 had become the trigger point for the ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kukis in the northeastern state. Justice Muralidaran passed the controversial order for the Manipur government to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. The clashes started in Churachandpur district of Manipur on May 3 after a group of tribals took out a march to protest against justice Muralidarans order and the Meitei communitys demand to be included into the ST category. Over two separate hearings in May on a clutch of petitions relating to the ethnic strife in Manipur, a Supreme Court bench, headed by the CJI, had also taken a grim view of justice Muralidarans order, saying that any direction on inclusion or otherwise of a community in a SC/ST list was beyond the remit of a court and that justice Muralidaran should have corrected his order after the top court cited the legal flaws. The bench, however, refrained from issuing any directive after it was informed that justice Muralidarans order has been appealed against before a division bench of the Manipur high court where the state government has also pressed for an extension of the time frame to take a decision on granting the ST status to the Meiteis by one year. As on date, as many as 26 recommendations on transfer of judges from one high court to another remain pending with the Centre. During the hearing on October 9, the A-G had informed the court that 14 of them had been processed while the remaining were still being examined. On Wednesday, the collegium also released a raft of other recommendations for the appointment of judges in the high courts of Delhi, Bombay, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Tripura and Gujarat. Most of these recommendations relate to elevation of judicial officers, including a woman judicial officer who retired on September 30 and has now been recommended for the Delhi high court. The collegium referred to the judicial officers proven track record, merit and integrity, adding there is a need to ensure greater representation to women on the Bench to promote diversity and inclusion. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utkarsh Anand Utkarsh Anand is Legal Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on law, judiciary and governance. ...view detail The Delhi high court will pronounce on Monday its order on the plea of the leading think tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR) for utilising 25% of its funds in its fixed deposits (FD) for salaries months after its license under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was suspended in February. Income Tax department surveyed the premises of CPR last year. (X) The suspension came five months after the Income Tax department surveyed the premises of CPR, Oxfam India, and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation, which funds digital media entities. Monday...pronouncement on the [CPR] application, said a Justice Subramonium Prasad-led bench while reserving its order. The think tank has challenged the suspension of its license. The high court on Tuesday directed the Union government to decide by Wednesday the amount CPR could use from the 25% unutilized funds. If they want to survive, they have 20 crore and 1/4th will be 5 crore. If you permit them 1/4th which is 5.5 crore, what is the prejudice that will cause? You need to decide on the unutilized till tomorrow otherwise I am closing the matter tomorrow. Why cannot [CPR] be permitted to break the FDs and pay the salaries? Justice Prasad asked advocate Arunima Dwivedi, who appeared for the government. Senior advocate Arvind Datar, who appeared for CPR, cited FCRA Rules and said they allow an organisation whose licence has been suspended to spend 25% of unutilized funds with prior approval for declared aims and objects. He added you may get a grant at the beginning of the year. Money which we do not need immediately, we are bound to put in a government bond or some security which bears interest. The idea is 25%. I have a right to get it. The relaxation is because I have been suspended. Once suspended, I have day-to-day expenses and I have to pay salaries. We are now asking the court as to what the amount in my custody would be, Datar said. Dwivedi objected to CPRs request saying it would have grave ramifications and would become a precedent and prompted Justice Prasad to ask for the reason for the refusal to permit CPR to utilise FDs to pay salaries. The government told the court CPRs foreign funding needed to be stopped as it was receiving its foreign contributions for undesirable purposes likely to affect the states economic interest. It added CPR transferred foreign contributions to other entities and deposited the contributions in non-designated accounts in violation of FCRA. Until more is known about Sundays deadly Hamas attack in Israel, Montanas congressional delegation is asking the Biden Administration not to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian oil assets as agreed to in a hostage exchange brokered in August. U.S. Sen Jon Tester, a Democrat facing reelection in 2024, joined Republicans on Tuesday calling for the $6 billion to be withheld. Tester called for an investigation, while GOP lawmakers were confident Iran played a role in an attack thats killed more than 1,000 Israelis. As American intelligence officials continue to investigate the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should review our options to hold Iran accountable for any support they may have provided, Tester said in a press release that surfaced ahead of a Wednesday push in Congress to withhold the funds. At a minimum, we should immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools we have at our disposal. Moving forward, we need to ensure our ally Israel can defend itself from these ongoing deadly attacks against its civilians. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke in an early morning interview on Fox News said there was no doubt about Iranian involvement. You look at the coordination and no surprise that Russia, China and Iran were doing offshore military operations in the Persian Gulf. This is a coordinated effort, Zinke said. And whats astonishing is our State Department yesterday (Monday), again, evidently gets their intelligence in the Washington Post or the Washington Journal, or the Times. Clearly theres a link between Iran and Hamas in this case. We funded billions of dollars in this. And then you got of course, you have an . . . envoy today, which now suggests that pro-Iranians may have funneled billions of dollars in the back door into Iran. This is absolutely astonishing. Zinkes mention of offshore military operations between Russian, China and Iran references joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, which occurred in March and are not part of the Hamas attack on Israel. Zinke likened the U.S. hostage exchange with Iran to the disastrous U.S. exit from Afghanistan, as have several Republicans crafting an inventory of controversial foreign policy outcomes by President Joe Biden. The criticism of the hostage exchange five Americans freed in exchange for five Iranians held in the U.S. plus the unfreezing of Iranian bank accounts was similar to Republican objections to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. That agreement, in which the U.S. and five other nations lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for the Iranians not developing a quickly scalable weapons-grade nuclear program, made it into Testers 2018 Senate race. Republicans branded Tester Tehran Jon for supporting the agreement, from which Donald Trump withdrew the United States in May 2018. The attack on Tester didnt take root with voters as he captured more than 50% of the vote for the first time. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said that whether Iran intended to spend its returned oil profits on Hamas, money is interchangeable, meaning the $6 billion returned would have an effect. Daines was one of 19 Republican senators on a letter requesting that funds not be returned. To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes, and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable, the senator wrote. Your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel. Moreover, allowing $6 billion to flow into Irans economy, even if the purpose is for humanitarian aid, allows the Iranian regime to reallocate even more funds to supporting terrorism. Eastern District Rep. Matt Rosendale issued a statement of support for Israel, in which he advocated for not logrolling other aid packages into whatever Congress considers. The Biden administration had indicated a day earlier that aid for Ukraine, which is facing increasing opposition by House Republicans, could be presented to lawmakers as a package deal with aid to Israel. This horrific attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel, Americas strongest ally in the Middle East, puts the face of hate on full display, Rosendale said. It is my sincere hope that whatever additional support is necessary for Israel to protect itself is kept as a separate request. This support must be considered by itself and not politicized by combining it with other requests. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday ordered the transfer of several senior police and administrative officials in the five states going to polls next month after finding that their performance was unsatisfactory or complacent, people familiar with the matter said. Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar. (File Photo) The decision came at a review meeting held by chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, who had earlier issued clear directive to officials to halt the movement and distribution of liquor, cash, drugs, and freebies to ensure free, fair, and inducement-free elections. The officials transferred include nine District Electoral Officers (DEOs) and District Magistrates (DMs) and 25 Commissioners of Police (CPs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and Additional SPs. The Commission conducted an intensive review of sensitive routes and zones on Wednesday, with Kumar emphasising the need for coordinated actions by enforcement agencies through joint operations. Four DEOs/DMs in Telangana (Ranga Reddy, Medchal Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Nirmal), two DEOs/DMs in Madhya Pradesh (Ratlam, Khargone), and one DEO/DM in Rajasthan (Alwar) have been transferred. Additionally, two DEOs/DMs in Chhattisgarh (Raigarh & Bilaspur) have also been reassigned. Among the 25 CPs/SPs/Additional SPs transferred, are SPs (non-cadre police officers) from Telangana, three Commissioners of Police from Telangana (Warangal, Hyderabad, and Nizamabad), two from Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur, Bhind), three SPs (Korba, Rajnandgaon, Durg) and two Additional SPs from Chhattisgarh (Bilaspur & Durg), two from Mizoram (Champhai & Saiha), and three from Rajasthan (Hanumangarh, Churu, Bhiwadi), who have been moved. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana are headed for assembly elections in November with results set to be declared on December 3. During the review meeting, Kumar addressed the issue of illegal liquor infiltration from Haryana and Punjab into Rajasthan. Illegal liquor has been entering Rajasthan through districts including Hanumangarh, Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Alwar, extending its reach into the hinterland districts and neighboring Gujarat, he said, as quoted by an official familiar with the matter. In Telangana, Kumar observed, Several non-cadre officers held district incharge positions, while officers from Administrative and police services were assigned non-significant roles, adding, The Commission ordered the transfer of 13 SPs/CPs in the state, including the relocation of Commissioner of Police positions in Hyderabad, Warangal, and Nizamabad. Kumar also urged the agencies concerned, including the Border Security Force (BSF) and Assam Rifles, to maintain a vigilant stance along the international borders from Mizoram to Rajasthan. The state of Mizoram, given its proximity to the golden triangle, remains vulnerable to drug and arms trafficking, he said, adding, Four districts in Rajasthan, namely Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, share an international border and are susceptible to narcotics smuggling. Regarding the Election Commission of Indias dedication to ensuring inducement-free elections, Kumar stated, In the last six state assembly elections, we witnessed seizures worth over 1,400 crores, marking a remarkable 1000% increase from previous elections in those states. To enhance the efficiency of the election process, the Commission introduced a tech-based platform called the Integrated Election Seizure Management System. This system allows real-time updates on seizures by enforcement agencies, facilitating seamless coordination and intelligence sharing among various agencies, he said. The online data availability aids in the analysis of trends, red-flagging specific routes and methods used for the illicit trafficking of cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested four persons, including the chairman and managing director of Lava International, a Chinese national and a chartered accountant, in connection with its money laundering probe against Chinese phone maker Vivo, agency officials said on Tuesday. The federal agencys probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Vivo, started in 2022 (Representative photo) Those arrested have been identified as Hari Om Rai, founder and managing director of Lava International, who is accused of assisting Vivo, Guangwen Kyang alias Andrew Kuang (a Chinese national who allegedly played a key role in Vivos money laundering activities), and Nitin Garg (chartered accountant who worked for Vivo) and Rajan Malik (statutory auditor of Lava). The federal agencys probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Vivo, started in 2022, has revealed that the Chinese phone manufacturer, after its entry in India in 2014, had incorporated 19 more companies in various cities. These companies had Chinese nationals as directors and shareholders, and controlled the complete supply chain of Vivo mobile phones in India. The foreign direct investment policy of 2014-15 permitted 100% overseas investment in single-brand retail under the government route, but for wholesale businesses, 100% FDI was permitted under the automatic route, which didnt require any government approval. In order to avoid taking government approval, Vivo, China, devised a plan whereby they entered India under the garb of wholesale cash and carry business as part of criminal conspiracy to conceal its real ownership, control and nature of activities from Indian government authorities and entered India through automatic route, the ED alleged. The agency had raided Vivos offices and associate companies in July last year. At that time, it alleged that Vivo had illegally transferred 62,476 crore to China to evade taxes in India. Vivo firmly adheres to its ethical principles and remains dedicated to legal compliance, the company said in a statement. The recent arrest deeply concerns us. We will exercise all available legal options. On Tuesday, the ED revealed that Vivo remitted over 1 lakh crore out of India since its inception in 2014 to some trading companies hired by it to create a layer so that the control of Vivo China over these local firms does not come to the notice of government authorities. While no profit was shown from 2014-15 to 2019-20 in the statutory filings and no income taxes were paid in India, however, huge sums were siphoned off out of India, the ED said in the court on Tuesday while seeking custody of the accused persons. According to the EDs court documents reviewed by HT, the network of Vivo companies communicated through various Chinese applications such as WeChat, Ding Talk, VChat, etc., and despite operating in India, their data was not maintained within the country but on servers in China. PMLA investigation has revealed several findings that show complete Chinese control over the Indian entities and that the Chinese ownership and control was concealed from the Indian authorities, the ED said. The manner in which entire structure was setup all over the country without revealing its true ownership and control and was given a garb of genuine business activities reflects a well-planned multi-layered criminal conspiracy. The Chinese control over Indian entities, the agency said, is reflected from the fact that a single individual Bin Luo, a Chinese national -- was the founding or first director of Vivo India as well as 18 other entities of Vivo. Nitin Garg, a chartered accountant, assisted in incorporation of most associate companies. About Hari Om Rais role, the ED has said invitation letters to the employees of Vivo China, including its CEO Shen Wei, were given by Lava International in 2013-14 and 2014-15 for business visas. Rai, along with Malik, assisted in cheating Indian government for setting up an elaborate Chinese controlled network throughout the country, it said. Besides, the ED said, Rai helped Chinese nationals associated with Vivo in their setup across India by arranging funds for their security deposit and in acquiring office and residential spaces. During investigation, it has come to light that various Chinese nationals have been travelling across India, including sensitive places of J&K and Ladakh, in gross violation of Indian visa conditions, the ED said. HT reached out to Lava through email, but received no response. Hitting people on their buttocks with a stick should not constitute custodial torture, four police officers facing contempt of court charges for publicly flogging Muslim men in Kheda district submitted in the Gujarat high court on Wednesday. The Gujarat high court framed charges against the police officers for contempt of court for violating the Supreme Court guidelines(Representative pic) Senior counsel Prakash Jani, representing the accused officers, made the submission before the bench of justices AS Supehia and Gita Gopi, contending that the policemen have dedicated 10-15 years to the service, and a guilty verdict and subsequent punishment at this stage would adversely affect their professional records. Also read: Couple engages in PDA while riding a bike, UP Police imposes hefty fine The accused Gujarat police officers AV Parmar (inspector), DB Kumavat (sub-Inspector), KL Dabhi (head constable), and Raju Dabhi (constable) urged the court to consider directing them to pay compensation to the victims instead. The police inspector facing contempt of court charges in the Kheda flogging case, A V Parmar, told the Gujarat high court on October 11 that striking the victim on the buttocks with a stick, while unacceptable, does not amount to custodial torture and hence does not invite contempt charges. Giving three to six stick blows on buttock of applicants though not proper and acceptable, it would not constitute custodial torture as to punish Respondent No 2 (Parmar) for contempt of court, Parmar said in an affidavit. The other three officers also made similar submissions. All four tendered unconditional apologies. On October 4, 2022, the accused police officers publicly flogged three Muslim men by tying them to a pole after arresting them on charges of pelting stones at a garba event during the Navratri festival a day ago in Undhela village in Kheda district. Last week, the court framed charges against the police officers for contempt of court for violating the Supreme Court guidelines in the DK Basu vs the state of West Bengal case, which lays down rules for polices conduct during arrests and detentions. The officers were directed to submit a written statement in the court by October 11. After taking the submission made by the accused, the high court called for a response from the complainant Muslim men on the plea of the police officers, and adjourned the hearing till Monday. Shahid Latif, a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander and key handler of terrorists who carried out the attack on the Pathankot Indian Air Force (IAF) base in 2016, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakistans Sialkot area, according to Indian intelligence officials. Undated photo of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Shahid Latif, believed to be the mastermind of the 2016 attack on an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, who was gunned down on Wednesday by unidentified assailants in a mosque in Daska town of Pakistan's Sialkot district.(PTI) Designated an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Latif , released in 2010 by India, was attacked inside a mosque in Sialkots Daska town by two persons who reportedly fled on a motorbike after shooting him, said one of the people cited above. Also read: Who was Shahid Latif, Pathankot attack conspirator, killed in Pakistan? He was very close to JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar and played an important role in the outfits planning and launching of cadres into India, said a counter-terrorism official who didnt want to be named. Latif, 54, was the main handler of terrorists sent for special operations to India and his death comes soon after the killing of an alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member. Mufti Qaiser Farooq, who was said to be close to LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, in Karachi late last month (he too was gunned down by unidentified people). Earlier this year, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, head of the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Pakistans Lahore on May 6. A native of More in Gujranwala (Pakistan), Latif was arrested by Indian agencies in Kashmir in 1994. When JeM terrorists hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in 1999, Latifs name was among the terrorists whose release was demanded by the hijackers. While JeM chief Azhar was freed along with Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh in exchange for 154 passengers, the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government refused to release Latif and 31 others on Jaishs wishlist. However, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government released him along with 24 other terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and JeM on May 28, 2010 as a goodwill gesture to improve ties with Pakistan. The released terrorists were lodged in various jails including Agra, Srinagar, Jammu, Delhi, Varanasi, among others, and most had completed their jail term. During the 2016 Pathankot attack, Latif, along with Kashif Jan, also known as Ustad Ji, was in continuous touch with four fidayeen attackers, Nasir Hussain, Abu Bakar, Umar Farooq and Abdul Qayum (residents of Pakistans Punjab and Sindh), who barged into the IAF base on the night of January 1, 2016 and killed seven security personnel. NSG (National Security Guards) and army commandoes launched Operation Dhangu and eliminated the terrorists in an 80-hour long operation. An Interpol red notice was pending against Latif, but like other terror leaders, he roamed freely in Pakistan. Kashif Jan continues to operate from Pakistani soil along with the JeM leadership Azhar (JeM founder; a UN listed terrorist), Abdul Rauf Asghar, and Ammar Alvi . The Pathankot attack chargesheet filed by National Investigation Agency (NIA), naming Maulana Masood Azhar, Latif, Jan and others in 2016 itself, stated that the fidayeen attackers left two slips in Pathankot attack, which mentioned that Jaish-e-Mohammad Zindabad Tangdhar se le kar Samba Kathua Rajbagh aur Delhi tak Afzal Guru Shaheed Kay Jan Nisar Tum Ko Meltay Rahenge. Insha Allah. (Hail Jaish-e-Mohammad. From Tangdhar to Samba, Kathua, Rajbagh and Delhi, you will find followers of Afzal Guru.) India allowed a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to visit Pathankot to collect evidence, but Islamabad violated the terms of reciprocity and didnt share any evidence with Indian investigators. A detailed dossier was handed over to Pakistan with evidence, including phone conversations of the four slain terrorists, their addresses, family members details, financial details of Al-Rehmat Trust (the financial arm of JeM) and chats/messages of JeM handlers. The US shared evidence, comprising over 1,000 pages of chats and conversations between Kashif Jan and the four fidayeens, with India. The US also shared details of a mobile number in Pakistan connected to a Facebook account of Mulla Daadullah. The account, operated by Jan, was accessed before and around the time of the attack using IP addresses of telecom firms based in Pakistan (Telenor and Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd, Islamabad) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The number of farmers opting for the central governments flagship farm insurance scheme has recorded a jump for two years in a row, along with an improvement in other indicators, a review by the agriculture ministry showed, pointing to a rebound in a welfare programme that has long been hobbled by large inefficiencies. A latest review of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana by the farm ministry, up until the current summer cropping season, shows an increase of 22% in the number of enrolled cultivators at 24.9 million (Reuters) A latest review of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana by the farm ministry, up until the current summer cropping season, shows an increase of 22% in the number of enrolled cultivators at 24.9 million, the highest in six years, according to data seen by HT. Besides, the total area insured, another key indicator, stands at 50 million hectares, the largest so far. Premium rates in the current cropping season dipped by 32%, which has saved 10,500 crore, the lowest level since the schemes launch, a sign the government has been able to negotiate better deals with insurance firms . The PMFBY is the countrys main subsidized crop insurance scheme, where farmers pay between 1.5% and 2% of the premium, depending on crop cycles. The remaining premium is shared 50:50 between the Centre and state governments. In case of northeastern states, the Centre pays 90% of the premium subsidy. Launched in June 2016, the PMFBY replaced a web of complicated, multiple farm insurance schemes, all running simultaneously, with a single countrywide plan. Yet, the schemes biggest drawback has been delays in payment of insurance claims to farmers, the most important consideration for cultivators. To be sure, despite the improvements, outstanding claims worth 2,761.10 crore are still pending till 2021-22, the agriculture ministry told Parliament in July. The PMFBYs CEO Ritesh Chauhan recently told an event that constant evaluation of the scheme has resulted in the gains, including reduced actuarial costs. Farmers have often protested long delays in compensation payouts, mainly due to administrative issues. In a key revamp of operational guidelines of the scheme, the Centre now releases its share of premium even if the states dont. This change, the Centre hopes, will help to quicken settlements, an official said, seeking anonymity. This year, the scheme has enrolled 13.8 million agriculturists with a subsidized farm loan, while 11.1 cultivators enrolled did not have any loans, making up a total of 24.9 million enrolments, or a jump of 22%, latest data show. Last year, too, the number of farmers opting for the state-run insurance scheme saw a 25% increase at 20.4 million. The improvement in these markers came after two years of poor performance marked by exit of farmers in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, the number of farmers enrolled had dropped 23% to 23.7 million. The following year, the number plunged by 10% to 16.3 million. To process claims in a timely manner, the government is now considering satellite-based advanced technologies to assess crop damage, the official said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Zia Haq Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories. ...view detail India has joined a global effort to harmonise various pharmacopoeias, which are lists of medicinal drugs with their effects and directions for use, the government said in a statement on Tuesday. A standardised pharmacopoeia will make it easier for drugmakers to adhere to procedural norms for multiple markets. The World Health Organization is an observer of the group (Representative photo) The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has officially joined as a member in the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG), which was established in 1989to harmonise pharmacopeial standards in the world, the statement said. The PDG will now bring together the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP), the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) to harmonize global pharmacopoeial standards, it said. The objective is to reduce manufacturers burden of having to perform analytical procedures in different ways, using different acceptance criteria, in order to satisfy pharmacopoeial requirements that vary across regions. The Indian commissions membership to the global group will significantly increase the visibility of the Indian Pharmacopoeia on an international platform and recognition of standards set by it by other countries. The move will establish IP as progressive pharmacopoeia that designs drug quality standards at par with global standards, according to the health ministry. Application of these standards will lead to production of world-class pharmaceutical products for domestic and export markets, it said. It will also help the local commission to collaborate and harmonise pharmacopoeial standards with other major regulatory or standard setting authorities, leading potentially to improve the acceptance of Indian medicinal products in global markets, as they adhere to globally recognized quality standards. In the long run, it will reduce trade barriers. The Indian commission will also benefit from the exchange of information and best practices with other members, helping India in aligning its regulatory processes and practices with global standards. It will contribute to the global effort to ensure the safety and efficacy of marketed pharmaceutical products having a direct impact on public health worldwide, as it would help to prevent the circulation of substandard or counterfeit drugs. The World Health Organization is an observer of the group. The PDG announced the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission as one of its members on October 5 during a stakeholder meeting in Hyderabad, the government statement said. The groups pilot for global expansion started in September last year. IPC was only Pharmacopoeia body in the world to be selected for pilot phase initiated in September 2022. After reviewing each application, the PDG agreed by consensus, to start the pilot phase with the IPC, the only applicant that met all the requirements in the entry criteria for the pilot, the statement said. This represented IPCs continued commitment and capability to develop world-class quality standards for drugs and pharmaceuticals. The PDG sent a letter to domestic commission on September 18, confirming its membership. IPCs membership in the PDG is one step forward towards promoting harmonization of pharmaceutical standards, improving regulatory compliance, facilitating international recognition, and ultimately contributing to global public health through the assurance of drug quality and safety, the statement said. It is a good development, no doubt, but eventually everything boils down to quality of drugs, and India needs to work harder in that direction given the cases of contamination of India-made drugs that have come to light in recent past. If we are competing with the best in the world then there can be no room for loopholes. The regulators need to work more towards ensuring that our manufacturers adhere to regulatory guidelines, said a senior pharmaceuticals expert, requesting anonymity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhythma Kaul Rhythma Kaul works as an assistant editor at Hindustan Times. She covers health and related topics, including ministry of health and family welfare, government of India. ...view detail India on Wednesday launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of Indian citizens from Israel. Aftermath of a scene where a rocket that was launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel landed in Ashkelon, southern Israel on Wednesday.(Reuters) Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad, external affairs minister S Jaishankar posted on social media platform X. The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv informed on X that it has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight tomorrow. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights", the embassy added. Israel-Hamas war LIVE coverage Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs announced it has set up a 24-hour control room to monitor the situation in Israel and provide information and assistance. The Indian embassy has also issued helpline numbers for the Indian nationals. At least 2,200 people have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war which entered the fifth day. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with a leading opposition leader formed an emergency war-time cabinet to oversee the fight against Hamas. Israel has unleashed an increasingly destructive bombardment in Gaza that has flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Militants in Gaza continued to fire rockets at Israel on Wednesday, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon. ALSO READ: Tell them we are here: Hamas holds Israel family hostage on Facebook live India has already extended its support to Israel in its fight against Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday had spoken to his Israeli counterpart Netanyahu over phone about the current situation in the Jewish country. I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Modi had posted on social media platform X. (With AP inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail India has set up a 24-hour control room in the external affairs ministry to monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine and to provide information and assistance to its citizens. There have been no reports of casualties among the 18,000 Indian nationals living in Israel. (Reuters photo) The move follows concerns about the safety of Indian nationals in the region following the launch of a massive military operation by Israel to retaliate against attacks by Hamas militants last weekend that killed almost 1,200 Israelis and injured 2,400. Another 950 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military strikes. There have been no reports of casualties among the 18,000 Indian nationals living in Israel. Officials have said there were no plans to evacuate the citizens as no requests have been received in this regard so far. Also Read: Israel-Palestine war: At least 1,200 Israelis killed in Hamas attack The Indians include about 900 Indian students, caregivers for elders, diamond traders and IT professionals. In view of the ongoing developments in Israel and Palestine, a 24-hour Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance, the ministry said in a statement. The phone numbers for the control room are 1800118797 (toll free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905 and +919968291988, and the email ID is situationroom@mea.gov.in The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv has also set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed on the numbers +972-35226748 and +972-543278392, and the email ID cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in Indias representative office in Ramallah too has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed at the phone number +970-592916418 (also WhatsApp) and the email ID rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in Soon after the violence erupted, the Indian embassy issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to exercise caution, avoid movement and stay close to safety shelters. In view of the current situation in Israel, all Indian nationals in Israel are requested to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities, the advisory said. Concerns about the security situation have grown after citizens of neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka lost their lives in the violence. Ten Nepalese citizens were killed in Kibbutz Alumim, one of the locations attacked by the Hamas fighters, while four more were injured and another has been reported missing. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has said a Sri Lankan woman reported missing is suspected to be dead. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said it has set up a 24-hour control room to monitor the situation in Israel and provide information and assistance. This comes amid the intense fighting between Israel and Hamas which has entered the fifth day. The ministry shared the following contact numbers for information related to the war situation in the Middle East nation. Israeli firefighters work to put out vehicles on fire after a rocket, launched from the Gaza Strip, landed in Ashkelon, southern Israel on Wednesday.(Reuters) 1800118797 (Toll free) +91-11 23012113 +91-11-23014104 +91-11-23017905 +919968291988 The ministry shared the following email address as well: situationroom@mea.gov.in The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed through the following contact details: +972-35226748 +972-543278392 Email address: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in On the other hand, the Representative Office of India in Ramallah has also set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed as per contact details given below: +970-592916418 (also whatsapp) Email address: rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in Israel-Hamas war enters fifth day Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition set up a war-time cabinet to oversee Tel Aviv's fight against Hamas following the devastating attack on Saturday. The Israeli forces bombarded the entire neighbourhoods in Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip as it ran out of power, AP reported. The government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas following the terror group's coordinated attacks in Israel on Saturday. The Hamas terrorists stormed Israeli homes and streets. They gunned down hundreds of citizens at an outdoor music festival. The Israeli airstrikes in Gaza smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The Hamas are said to be holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel which include soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. They continued to fire rockets at Israel on Wednesday, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon. Israel has already stopped entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into Gaza a 40-kilometer-long (25-mile) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail More than 20,000 Indians live in Israel but he was not aware of any Indian national getting injured or killed in the ongoing fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, Israel's Consul General in Mumbai Kobbi Shoshani has said. Airline operations from India to Israel have been stopped and the Ministry of External Affairs is working to bring back the Indians stranded in his country, he told PTI on Tuesday. Israeli soldiers work on a tank near the Israeli Gaza border, Israel(AP) We do not know about any death or injury to civilians of India who are staying in Israel. If we come to know about any case I will be personally involved. More than 20,000 Indians stay in Israel. I don't know the exact number of Indians stuck in Israel, Shoshani said. Many Bollywood actors were at an event in Israel when Hamas launched its incursions on Saturday, he said. Actor Nushrratt Bharuccha recently came back to India safely from Israel, he added. The multi-pronged attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza and the Israeli retaliation have left over 1,200 people dead so far. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON TWIN FALLS Recently, spigots were turned on and, gradually, thousands of gallons of molluscicide were intentionally released into the Snake River from the hydropower plant at the Twin Falls downstream to Centennial Waterfront Park in an effort to kill quagga mussels. It shows that sometimes you have to harm something for it to survive. It was an aggressive move, but state officials said they had no choice after quagga mussel larvae and an adult mussel were found in that section of the river last month. It was either that or let the small invasive pests slowly take over the waterway, clogging pipes and choking out wildlife. It is hard, said Chanel Tewalt, director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and as hard as it is, it would be harder to have this river changed forever. Even though officials say the water will still be considered safe for humans to drink during the treatment, no one knows exactly how the river will be affected in the attempt to kill the larvae and mussels. Fish and plant life will and have died. Within days, 20 hatchery-raised sturgeon ranging from 6 feet to under 2 feet, along with several hundred other fish, including largescale suckers, common carp, northern pike minnow and yellow perch, have been pulled from the river, although officials say mammals and waterfowl living near the river are not expected to be affected. The treatment is expected to be wrapped up on Friday, after which there will be an evaluation conducted to determine its success. Everyone is holding their breath for a positive outcome. It would be a huge step for ISDA to get life back to normal, including for recreation enthusiasts boaters, kayakers, fishermen and hunters whove been banned from the stretch of the river out of fear their activities could spread the mussel. We are very cognizant of the closures and people who want to get back to the river they love, Tewalt said. Natrix, a copper-based molluscicide, which in May 2020 became an approved pesticide under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, is the chosen treatment and the first 96-hour phase of the procedure concluded last week. A second treatment is now being applied from Shoshone Falls to Pillar Falls, the area where a plume of larvae was detected and adult mussels are suspected of hiding under the water, latched onto rocks or other surfaces. Depending on the results of the initial 10-day effort, more treatment might be needed. No sitting around Once mussels mature, they quickly start reproducing. Each year, a female mussel can produce up to 1 million microscopic free-swimming larvae, called veligers. After a few weeks, the larvae begin to form shells and attach to firm, underwater surfaces. The urgency is there to kill both adults and larvae and do it quickly. Tewalt told a crowd at a briefing Oct. 1 at Twin Falls City Hall that under normal circumstances, the department would reach out to people to give them a chance to comment on a plan of action, but there was no time for that. The window of opportunity to have the best chance at killing the mussels is small, she said. Idaho Code allows the state to make quick decisions when something is deemed an environmental emergency. There is no sitting around ..., Tewalt said. We get to work as quickly as possible. The stretch of the river near Twin Falls has become a battleground. It is not just a local issue; the future of the Columbia River Basin, the only major river system in the U.S. that had been free of the invasive pests, could be at stake. Gov. Brad Little said if the mussels got firmly established in Idahos waterways, it could cost the state $100 million each year in direct and indirect costs. Mussel larvae were confirmed Sept. 18 after a routine sampling of water at Centennial Waterfront Park. Ten days later, a scuba diver found a single adult mussel at Shoshone Falls. The discovery of the adult mussel was incredibly fortunate, officials said, equating it to locating a needle in a two-mile-long haystack. But its not the only one down there. As soon as you find one, you know they cant exist by themselves; there needs to be more, Tewalt said. When the adult was discovered, it added more urgency to the situation. There was no such luck as what Montana faced five years ago when veligers were found in a river in the central portion of the state, but no adults were ever discovered and the state officially remains mussel-free. While coming up with the final plan, although officials were working quickly, corners werent cut, Tewalt said, and agencies were given a chance to comment. Numerous state and federal agencies, offices and utilities a total of 16 listed in a recent news release were kept in the loop and officials gave advice and helped with the plans formulation. Tewalt said the ISDA took a number of groups on the river to explain the situation and to discuss the scale and magnitude of the plan. The agency faced plenty of questions and plenty of different options were discussed. As an announcement grew near, Tewalt recalled that the ISDA told them, We need you all to tell us now if there is a problem with the treatment plan as we have constructed it collaboratively. No one objected, Tewalt said. Twin Falls Commissioner Don Hall said he has been happy with the accessibility to ISDA officials. I have been impressed with the team and their communication, he said, likening it to having Tewalt on speed dial. In addition, property owners were notified of the release of Natrix. Releasing the chemical Natrix began to be released into the river on the evening of Oct. 3. A few issues, including doing some last-minute calibrations and fixing a broken hose, caused a later start than anticipated. It was normal stuff, Tewalt said, but we obviously wanted to make sure everything was right. As the initial wave of treatment was released, the water at Shoshone Falls began to take on a bluish color, but that was an anticipated, temporary byproduct of the release. It didnt run blue for very long, she said. And in the first place, getting the amount of product to the river was not an easy task. Hats off to the manufacturing company for being able to work with us, Tewalt said. They didnt just have this amount sitting on a shelf somewhere. The manufacturer, SePRO Corporation, ramped up manufacturing and rushed it from the East Coast to Idaho. The trucks were tracked hour by hour, Tewalt said. Workers set up empty 250-gallon totes along strategic parts of the river, and transported the product to the totes by boat. The chemical is also being dispensed on boats by the hired applicator, who has worked with ISDA in the past. In addition, SePRO Corporation has chemists on-site to ensure it is applied appropriately. They know their product better than anyone, Tewalt said. The target rate of one part per mission was reached a day or more after the applications began. From its initial release, every piece of that is very carefully calibrated to get us to 1 ppm in a way that is measured and in a way that is appropriate and fits with the plan that is laid out, Tewalt said. ISDA employees are camped out on the river, monitoring and finetuning the treatment. Releases were reduced once monitoring sites hit 1 ppm. The treatment was to last 96 hours to help ensure quagga mussels receive a lethal dose. Varley explained at a briefing that mussels have a tendency to hold their breath, or close up, if there is something in the water that they dont like, much like what children might do when offered broccoli. Treating all the river at that 1 ppm can be tricky, Tewalt said, as the river is not all the same depth. There are also deep pools, including one near Pillar Falls that is 90 feet deep, which are being treated as a separate body of water, said Varley. The total amount of pesticide used per treatment is about 11,000 gallons in each of the two sections from Centennial Waterfront Park to Pillar Falls, and from Pillar Falls to Shoshone Falls. An additional amount is needed to treat the deep pools. The area near Twin Falls hydroplant took a lesser amount. Safety and wildlife Downstream from Centennial Park, on a dirt road leading to Auger Falls, are signs posted at nearly every potential point of river access, alerting people to stay off the river. They warn of danger and pesticides, along with mentioning the quagga mussel treatment. Regardless of what kind of danger it may or may not pose, people have been told to stay off the river from the Twin Falls to Niagara Springs for weeks, so they shouldnt be in the river, Tewalt said. The amount of Natrix being added to the river will keep it safe to drink, officials say, as the drinking water standard is 1.3 ppm, Tewalt said. The product starts killing fish, however, at a rate of 0.4 ppm. This copper product is toxic to fish and aquatic organisms. Unlike most organic pesticides, copper is an element and will not break down in the environment and will therefore accumulate with repeated applications. Copper is a micronutrient, but its pesticidal application rate exceeds the amount of copper needed as a nutrient, warnings on the Natrix label reads. Fish kills have been documented so far, and Tewalt said organic matter in the river is showing signs of breaking down. We love the sturgeon, Terry Thompson of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said. Hes never caught one of the huge sturgeon in the river but knows people who have. For people who catch them, it is quite the memory, he said. He said he wasnt sure if larger sturgeon stand a better chance of surviving the treatment, and that very few of the sturgeon on the stretch of river are native. The best chance of fish survival could depend on them finding water sources coming into the river, so they could escape the toxic levels, Thompson said, noting that has been happening. But the river is more than fish and plant life. Native mussels such as the Western pearlshell are in the river and expected to take a hit. Thompson said Fish & Game is running two boats on the river 12 hours a day, documenting fish mortality. He expects the department will be monitoring fish kill two weeks after the treatment. Mary Anne Nelson, with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, said the department doesnt know how long it will take for the river to heal. Fish & Game will look at restocking options after the treatment is over. I dont like the killing of fish in that stretch of the river, Commissioner Hall said. But I like it better than to let the mussels infiltrate the river. What those mussels will do is 1,000-fold worse. If the river wasnt treated, a quagga mussel infestation would end up fouling the ecosystem, leading to fish kill, officials said. The molluscicide doesnt settle into the flesh of the fish, but travels over the gills so they cannot breathe, preventing the fish from being able to take oxygen out of the water and into their bloodstream, officials said. The two 96-hour treatments, with a short period of time in between, are done to keep within the label directions, Varley said. The pesticide wont suddenly disappear from the environment, but officials say it will dissipate as springs pour into the river downstream, as well as bubble up from under the river. In addition, plant life is expected to die as it absorbs the copper and suspended sediment also absorbs copper. The product is expected to dissipate by 70% within a 16-mile stretch downriver of Centennial Waterfront Park, as springs flowing into the river will aid in the dilution process. The rate at Centennial Park is about 380 cubic feet per second and increases to about 2,000 cfs at the Highway 46 Bridge north of Buhl, Varley said. Having to do the treatment is heartbreaking, Tewalt said. But one thing is certain, Tewalt said. The alternative is worse. NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday highlighted the dangers posed to the Indian Ocean region by hidden agendas, unviable projects and unsustainable debt in an apparent swipe at China. External affairs minister S Jaishankar at the 23rd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting in Colombo on October 11. (AFP) Indias message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) can act as a binding force for Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) members, and the country, with its extensive coastline and maritime interests, appreciates the importance of fostering collaboration and dialogue in the Indian Ocean, Jaishankar told the media after the council of ministers meeting of IORA in Colombo. China has the status of dialogue partner with the 23-member grouping that promotes cooperation among Indian Ocean states. New Delhis commitment to IORA is rooted in principles such as peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity and regional collaboration, and IORA members should cooperate on different aspects of the maritime economy, resources, connectivity and security, he said. Jaishankar added: We should be equally clear where the dangers are, be it in hidden agendas, in unviable projects or in unsustainable debt. Exchange of experiences, sharing of best practices, greater awareness and deeper collaboration are part of the solutions. While he didnt name any country, it was apparent he was referring to China. Several countries in the region, including Sri Lanka and the Maldives, have been affected by the debt burden created by massive infrastructure projects launched under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Concerns have grown in India following the victory of Mohamed Muizzu, a pro-China politician, in the presidential election in the Maldives. India is currently locked in a dragging military standoff with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has taken bilateral relations to a six-decade low. Earlier, in his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said Indias priorities include developing an Indian Ocean community that is stable, prosperous and resilient. It is thus important to maintain the Indian Ocean as a free, open and inclusive space based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), as the Constitution of the Seas, he said. India will persist with its approach of ensuring safety and security in the Indian Ocean region, including as first responder and a net security provider, and a multilateral rules-based order along with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity will revive the Indian Ocean as a strong community, he added. Jaishankar suggested that responding to the key concerns of the Global South, an issue highlighted through Indias G20 presidency, could empower IORA. In this context, he pointed to initiatives such as women-led development, the use of digital public infrastructure, and sustainable development. India views the IORA as a platform for promoting sustainable development, economic growth and prosperity, and stability in the region, Jaishankar said as India took on the role of vice-chair of the grouping for 2023-25 at the meeting. In this capacity, India will focus on priority areas such as maritime security and blue economy. Following the stint as vice-chair, India is set to take over the chairship of IORA during 2025-27. . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A day after Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan's premises were raided by the Enforcement Directorate, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said all cases against AAP ministers and MLAs are false. Throwing a challenge to PM Modi, Kejriwal said, "Not a single paisa has been found from any AAP leader. Over 170 cases have been filed against AAP leaders and in about 140 cases, the verdict is in our favour -- against PM Modi. I am again challenging Kejriwal said all cases against AAP leaders including yesterday's raid at Amanatullah Khan's residence are false. "Then in the last two years, they have arrested our ministers, MPs -- Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh. And now they raided Amanatullah Khan. I won't say much as the matter is subjudice. But if you have seen what happened in the Supreme Court hearing of the Manish Sisodia case last week...the judge was repeatedly saying koi to saboot do (Give at least some evidence). They don't have any evidence. Because all cases are false. This raid at Amanatullah Khan's residence was also baseless," Kejriwal said. Amanatullah Khan met Kejriwal at the latter's residence and briefed him about what happened at the raid. "I told (CM Arvind Kejriwal) what all happened yesterday. They took away our mobile phones and remained there for 12 hours. They came in connection with an FIR lodged in 2016, in which the CBI has already filed chargesheet. There is no corruption, they (agencies) just cite irregularities," Amanatullah Khan said. The Supreme Court in a hearing of Manish Sisodia's case asked why the Aam Aadmi Party was not named as an accused if the party benefitted in the alleged liquor scam. The Supreme Court told ED that it has to establish a chain of the money that the agency alleged to have been funnelled in the scam. "Manish Sisodia is not involved in all this. Vijay Nair (AAP communication chief and businessman) is there, but Manish Sisodia is not in this part. How will you bring him under the money laundering act? The money is not going to him. In case it is a company with whom he is involved, then we have vicarious liability. Otherwise, the prosecution falters. Money laundering is entirely a different offence," the Supreme Court observed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail The Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Gujarat government to probe the collapse of a British era bridge in Morbi in 2022, has in its final report pinned blame on the management of Oreva, the company that operated the bridge, its managing director Jaysukh Patel, as well as the chief officer of the Morbi municipality. On October 30, the suspension bridge that was built across the river Macchu in 1887 collapsed into the waters below, plunging 135 people to their deaths, with 56 others injured. Patel was arrested under Indian Penal Code Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 336 (act which endangers human life), 337 (causing hurt to any person by doing any rash or negligent act), and 338 (causing grievous hurt by doing rash or negligent act) in January this year after spending a few weeks on the run, and is in Morbi jail. At least 135 people were killed and 56 others injured after a bridge collapse in Gujarat (AP) The Final Report on Morbi Bridge Incident submitted by the five member SIT to the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday also lays blame on three office bearers of the executive committee of the Morbi municipality, and said that they had deviated from procedure. HT has seen a copy of the report. The report said that the lackadaisical approach on the part of the management of Oreva company, resulting in one of the most severe and tragic human calamities, cannot be countenanced. For this, prima facie, the whole management of the company including its Managing Director and two Managers Dinesh Dave and Deepak Parekh, appears to be responsible. Of course, the apportionment of the said responsibility may differ amongst them, dependent upon the role played by them, the report says. Oreva first signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) with government authorities in August 16, 2008 for about nine years (till June 15, 2017)to run and operate the bridge. The company had claimed that it had sent several letters to the concerned authorities on the dilapidated condition of the bridge post the expiry of the initial MoU, and had asked for an increase in ticket charges that was rejected. As against this, the concerned authorities told the company to either continue the work at the same user charge or return the possession of the bridge to them. However, the company failed to hand over the bridge to the concerned authority and no corrective action could be taken by the company to improve the condition of the bridge, the report says. In March 2022 however, a renewal agreement was signed between Morbi Municipality and Oreva, authorising the company to carry out maintenance, repairs and operate and collect payment of the bridge for 15 years. The company, in turn, gave the contract to a Morbi based firm Dev Prakash Solutions, a non-competent agency, the report says, the bridge was opened to the public on October 26 without a fitness report or consultations with the Morbi municipality. There was no restriction on the number of persons accessing the bridge at a given point in time and there was no restriction on the sale of tickets leading to unrestricted movement on the bridge. Also, there was insufficient security to prevent public from damaging the bridge, as per the report. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the state government has suspended Sandipsinh Jhala, then chief officer of Morbi municipality, who signed the MoU with the private firm. A departmental inquiry is underway. CCTV footage, site observations and investigations by the SIT revealed that the reason the bridge collapsed was the breaking of the main cable on the Darbargarh side of the bridge. Considering all the safety aspects and design calculations, safe live load capacity of the bridge may be taken maxmium 75 to 80 persons at a time (if all 94 wires were in working condition). But as per site observation, 22 wires out of 49 wires were already broken due to corrosion, therefore safe live load capacity of the bridge may have been drastically reduced, the report says. Puducherry Puducherrys lone woman minister S Chandira Priyanga sent her letter of resignation to the office of chief minister N Rangasamy. (ANI) Puducherrys lone woman minister S Chandira Priyanga resigned on Tuesday from the AINRC-BJP coalition government, raising charges that she faced caste and gender discrimination. Priyanga is the transport minister in the 30-member assembly of the union territory. A Dali woman, Priyanga sent her letter of resignation to the office of chief minister N Rangasamy. She was the first woman minister of Puducherry in 40 years and was sworn in in July 2021. An official of the chief Ministers office confirmed they have received the resignation letter but did not wish to elaborate on whether it has been accepted or rejected. Priyanga was elected from Neduncadu, a reserved constituency for the Schedule Caste community, in Puducherrys Karaikal. She posted a two-page statement on X (formerly Twitter) announcing her resignation. Though I entered the Assembly through peoples confidence, I realised that it is not so easy to overcome the politics of conspiracy, she said in her statement. I could not continue my fight against money power. I didnt know that pride over my Dalit identity was the problem for others. I was being continuously subjected to caste and gender bias. She also said that she would respond to criticism by releasing a list of her achievements as a minister in the past two years. I am indebted to the people who elected me as a legislator, she said. But I resign my ministers post as I realise that I cannot continuously fight against dominant forces. I apologise to my voters for resigning. She asked the chief minister to accept her resignation and appoint a person belonging to the Vanniyar, Dalit, or minority communities in her place and to ensure that all government welfare are implemented continuously without any pause in her constituency. She did not respond to HTs calls. The union territory government did not react to her letter of resignation and related charges. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Manipur government on Wednesday extended the suspension of mobile data Internet services until October 16 to prevent the use of social media for transmitting images, hate speech and hate video messages, which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state. Ethnic violence in Manipur has claimed at least 178 lives and displaced thousands since May 3. (PTI file photo) In the order, commissioner (home) T Ranjit Singh, said it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest to thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain peace and communal harmony and to prevent any loss of life or danger to public/ private property. Now,therefore,in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 2 of Temporary suspension of Telecom services(public emergency or public safety)Rules,2017,having satisfied that the above situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order suspension/curbing of mobile internet/data services,internet/datas services through VPN in the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Manipur for another 5(five)days with immediate effect from the time this suspension order becomes operational till 07.45pm of 16-10-2023,the two page order said. Also Read: Manipur govt asks people not to encroach properties of displaced persons The Manipur government had suspended mobile data services in some districts of the state on May 3 following ethnic violencea day later all internet services had been shut across the state and it has continued since. On September 23, the Manipur government lifted the ban but reimposed it on September 26. Meanwhile, curfew both in Imphal West and Imphal East districts where state capital Imphal is located, was relaxed from 5 am to 7 pm, on Wednesday, according to an order from the district magistrate. The on-going ethnic conflict that has engulfed Manipur since May 3 has claimed 178 people until now, at least 1430 people have been injured and over 50,000 people have been displaced. Following clashes, thousands of Kukis, who were residents of Imphal Valley, fled to the nearby hills where their community was in the majority. A similar exodus of Meiteis residing in the Kuki-dominated hills districts, to safety in Imphal Valley, took place in the first few days of May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condemned all forms of terrorism during a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and raised the issue of the safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel. HT Image This was the first contact between the two leaders since the brazen attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas and other factions over the weekend that sparked fresh tensions. Some 900 Israeli nationals were killed in the attacks and another 700 Palestinians have died in retaliatory Israeli strikes. Modi, who received the phone call from Netanyahu, reiterated that India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, said a readout from the external affairs ministry. He expressed deep condolences and sympathy for those killed and wounded as a result of the terrorist attacks in Israel and told Netanyahu that the people of India stand in solidarity with Israel. Modi highlighted the issue of safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel, and Netanyahu assured of full cooperation and support, the readout said. The two leaders agreed to remain in close touch. In a post on X, Modi thanked Netanyahu for his phone call and for providing an update on the situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, he said in the post. Hours after Hamas launched the assault on Saturday, Modi had posted on X that he was deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks in Israel. He had also said that India stands in solidarity with Israel. There are some 18,000 Indian citizens in Israel, including about 900 Indian students. Many of the Indians primarily work as caregivers for elders, diamond traders and IT professionals. People familiar with the matter said there are no plans as of now to evacuate Indian nationals from Israel. Most of the Indians work and live in areas far away from the places targeted by Hamas. Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation and preparations have been made for all eventualities, the people said. The Indian embassy in Israel had earlier issued an advisory following the attacks that urged Indian citizens to exercise caution and avoid movement. In a post on X, Netanyahu thanked many world leaders for their unprecedented support for Israel. He said he is in continuous contact with US President Joe Biden, whom he thanked for the US commitment to the security of Israel. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chennai. Following a roster change, Justice Anand Venkatesh, who was handling the MP/MLA portfolio and took up suo moto revisions of acquittals against six politicians including sitting ministers, was shifted to the Madurai bench and Justice G Jayachandran who has now been assigned the portfolio in the principal bench at the Madras high court will hear related cases. On Tuesday, justice Jayachandran accepted a request for an early hearing of minister V Senthil Balajis bail plea listed for Wednesday. On Tuesday, justice Jayachandran of Madras high court accepted a request for an early hearing of minister V Senthil Balajis bail plea listed for Wednesday. (PTI) Earlier on September 20, the principal sessions court in Chennai had denied bail to minister Balaji. But after he complained of numbness on his leg on Monday, his senior counsel N R Elango requested to take up his bail application early. Balaji was taken from the central Puzhal prison to the Stanley government hospital and sent back to the prison hospital on the same day on Monday since his vitals were stable. His bail will be heard on October 11. Justice Jayachandran will also hear the suo motu case against higher education minister K Ponmudi on October 19, said cause list announced by the high court. Ponmudys case was the first to be taken up by justice Venkatesh. Besides him, justice Venkatesh notices in August to ministers Thangam Thennarasu (finance) and KKSSR Ramachandran (revenue and disaster) and former chief minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam. In September, he issued notices to minister I Periyasamy (rural development) and former AIADMK minister B Valarmathi. All six heavyweight politicians were either discharged or acquitted in corruption cases probed by the states Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). I have opened a can of worms but someone has to do this. Anand Venkatesh is not the problem here. I am on this seat today, tomorrow I will be gone, the justice had said in September amidst the DMK accusing him of malafide intent and ministers Pomudy and Ramachandran asking him to rescue himself from hearing the case. Justice Venkatesh refused to recuse himself. Ponmudy and his wife P Visalatchi accused in the case filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging Justice Venkateshs suo moto. In a routine portfolio reallocation made by chief justice of Madras high court, S V Gangapurwala effective from October 3, justice Venkatesh has been allocated writ petitions associated with mines, land reforms, general miscellaneous and other issues and the suo moto petitions he initiated has come under justice Jayachandran. A Delhi court on Tuesday remanded NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and the websites human resource department chief Amit Chakraborty to 10 days in judicial custody in connection with a case registered by Delhi Polices special cell against the portal under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha being brought to the Patiala House Court by Delhi Police's special cell on Tuesday. (PTI) In an order issued late on Tuesday evening, additional sessions judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur sent the two men to Tihar jail till October 20. Purkayastha and Chakraborty were arrested on October 3 after 400 police officials raided around 30 locations across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai and Ghaziabad, questioning 46 people, including journalists, freelancers, writers and satirists, for eight hours. Appearing for Delhi Police, additional public prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava sought 10 days judicial custody for Purkayastha and Chakraborty, submitting that police custody as of now was not needed but adding that the special cell reserved the right to seek further police custody. Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurrana, appearing for Purkayastha, opposed the judicial custody and told the court that the arrest and remand were both challenged before the Delhi high court, which reserved its order on Monday. The two men had told the high court that they should be freed because they were neither provided the grounds of arrest nor heard adequately. Khurrana pointed out that the high court previously granted protection to NewsClick and Purkayastha in cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2021 and argued that the UAPA case was registered to circumvent the protection. Appearing for Chakraborty, advocate Rohit Sharma also opposed the judicial custody, arguing that his client was only a shareholder who had done some administrative work for the company and was not involved in any journalistic activities. On August 17, Delhi Polices special cell registered a case under section 153A (promoting enmity) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 16 (terrorist act),17 (raising funds for terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy), and 22C (offences by companies, societies or trusts) of UAPA. This came days after an investigation published in The New York Times alleged that the portal was part of a global network that received money for pushing Chinese propaganda. The American newspaper said that millionaire Neville Roy Singham funded NewsClick, among other outlets across the globe, to sprinkle its coverage with Chinese government talking points. The FIR alleged that Purkayastha allegedly conspired with a group named Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism to sabotage the 2019 general elections and Chinese firms such as Xiaomi and Vivo illegally incorporated shell companies to infuse foreign funds to disrupt Indias sovereignty. The news portal first ran into trouble in 2021 when the Enforcement Directorate registered a case based on a first information report (FIR) by the Delhi Polices Economic Offence Wing in 2020. The allegations pertained to overvaluing of shares, diverting funds, and violation of FDI regulations. NewsClick has repeatedly rejected all charges, saying that proceedings against it were a blatant attempt to muzzle the free press. The allegations in the FIR, apart from being ex facie untenable and bogus, have been made time and again, in investigations by three government agencies the Enforcement Directorate, the Economic Offences Wing, Delhi Police, and the income tax department. None of these investigations led to any charge sheets or complaints over the last three years. In fact, Prabir was granted interim protection in these investigations. The latest FIR has been registered only to circumvent this protection and carry out illegal arrests under the draconian UAPA, it said in a statement. Last week, the Delhi high court refused to grant interim bail to the websites founder and HR head, saying that the allegations against them were not of such a nature where immediate relief could be given. You may be right or wrong, but well have to give them (Delhi Police) a hearing, justice Tushar Rao Gedela told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who represented the two arrested men. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India on Wednesday launched an operation to facilitate the return of its nationals from Israel following an upsurge in violence, with the first batch expected to come home on a special flight on Thursday. Israeli border police walk past a burnt out car as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel,(REUTERS) External affairs minister S Jaishankar announced the launch of Operation Ajay hours after his ministry set up a 24-hour control room to monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine and to provide assistance to citizens. Also read: India sets up 24-hour control room to monitor situation in Israel and Palestine Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place, Jaishankar said in a post on X. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad, he added. The Indian embassy in Israel said in a post on X that it had contacted by email the first batch of registered Indian citizens for a special flight on Thursday. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights, the mission said. People familiar with the matter said the operation is not technically an evacuation as travel arrangements are being made only for Indian nationals who have specified that they wish to return home. The move comes at a time when several countries, including Hungary, Poland, Italy and Mexico, have operated special flights to evacuate their citizens from Israel in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and several dozen foreigners over the weekend. There have been no reports of casualties among the 18,000 Indian nationals living in Israel. The figure includes,include caregivers for elders, diamond traders, IT professionals and about 900 Indian students. Concerns about the security situation have grown after citizens of neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka lost their lives in the violence. Ten Nepalese citizens were killed in Kibbutz Alumim, one of the locations attacked by Hamas fighters, while four more were injured and another was reported missing. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has said a Sri Lankan woman reported missing is suspected to be dead. On Wednesday, officials from the Indian embassy met students at Tel Aviv University and a group of caregivers to allay their concerns and to assure them of help. The embassy posted on X that it is working to help citizens in Israel through a 24-hour helpline. Please remain calm & vigilant & follow the security advisories, the post added. The external affairs ministry said the 24-hour control room in New Delhi will monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine and provide information and assistance. The phone numbers for the control room are 1800118797 (toll free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905 and +919968291988, and the email ID is situationroom@mea.gov.in The Indian embassys 24-hour emergency helpline can be accessed on the numbers +972-35226748 and +972-543278392, and the email ID cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in Indias representative office in Ramallah too has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed at the phone number +970-592916418 (also WhatsApp) and the email ID rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in Soon after the violence erupted, the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to exercise caution, avoid movement and stay close to safety shelters. Israel has launched a massive military operation to retaliate against the attacks by Hamas militants that killed almost 1,200 Israelis and injured 2,400. Another 950 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military strikes. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail Eastern Montana's short-horned lizard, also known as a horny toad, has a unique way to stay safe. The reptile can shoot blood out of its eyes. The blood has a bad taste that comes from eating harvester ants. If you happen to see one, blood squirting out its eyes or not, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks would like to know. The greater short-horned lizard was once considered the second most abundant reptile along the Missouri River in Montana, second only to the western rattlesnake. Now scientists need more information on the lizard's population and where they live. If you happen to observe one anywhere in the state, please record the location, get GPS coordinates if possible, and note the date, number observed, and take a photo with something in the picture for scale if you can, said Nicole Hussey, an FWP wildlife biologist. Observations can be reported to local FWP biologists. Adult greater short-horned lizards are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the warmer daylight hours. The color of their skin blends in with their surroundings and can vary depending on where they live. The broad, flattened body separates this lizard from the other three lizard species regularly found in Montana, and where it lives overlaps only with the common sagebrush lizard, which is much more slender. It's head has a heart-shaped appearance when viewed from above. They are often found on south or east-facing slopes of coulees and ridge tops, and some open flats. They prefer living near sagebrush, creeping juniper, or rabbitbrush with sparse bunch grass, patches of bare ground, and shale-like soil. They are even found in some ponderosa pine stands. Fish, Wildlife & Parks Shahid Latif, a Jaish-e-Mohhamad (JeM) commander and key handler in 2016 Pathankot Indian Air Force (IAF) base attack, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakistans Sialkot on Tuesday, according to Indian intelligence officials. He was the commander of JeM in Sialkot for a long time. (HT sourced photo) Designated as an individual terrorist under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Latif, 41, was killed inside a mosque, said a person cited above. He was the commander of JeM in Sialkot for a long time and was involved in planning and coordination of several terror activities in India. Also Read: Two years after Pathankot attack, Punjab police have second line of defence Along with Kashif Jan, who was also known as Ustad Ji, Latif was in continuous touch with four fidayeen attackers who had barged into the IAF base on January 1 2016 night. The fidayeen attackers - Nasir Hussain, Abu Bakar, Umar Farooq and Abdul Qayum, residents of Pakistans Punjab and Sindh, killed seven security personnel, after which NSG (National Security Guards) and army commandoes launched Operation Dhangu and eliminated the terrorists in an 80-hour long operation. An Interpol red notice was pending against Latif but like other terror leaders, he roamed freely in Pakistan and was involved in planning and execution of attacks in India. Kashif Jan continues to operate from Pakistani soil for organising attacks in India. The Pathankot attack chargesheet filed by National Investigation Agency (NIA), naming Maulana Masood Azhar, Latif, Jan and others in 2016 itself, stated that the fidayeen attackers had left two slips in Pathankot attack, which mentioned that Jaish-e-Mohammad Zindabad Tangdhar se le kar Samba Kathua Rajbagh aur Delhi tak Afzal Guru Shaheed Kay Jan Nisar Tum Ko Meltay Rahenge. Insha Allah. India had allowed a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to visit Pathankot to collect evidence, but Islamabad violated the terms of reciprocity and didnt share any evidence with Indian investigators. A detailed dossier was handed over to Pakistan with evidence, including phone conversations of the four slain terrorists, their addresses, family members details, financial details of Al-Rehmat Trust (financial arm of JeM) and chats/messages of JeM handlers. The US had shared evidence, comprising over 1,000 pages of chats and conversations between Pathankot attack handler Kashif Jan and the four fidayeens, with India. The US had also shared details of a mobile number in Pakistan connected to a Facebook account of Mulla Daadullah. The account, operated by Jan, was accessed before and around the time of the attack using IP addresses of telecom firms based in Pakistan (Telenor and Pakistan TeleCommunications Company Ltd, Islamabad) NIA probe also found that at the time of attack, the web page of Al Rehmat Trust was uploaded on rangonoor.comand alqalamonline.com, which are administrated by one Tariq Siddiqui with a common email for both sites, and its address, is in Rafah-e-Aam Society in Malir, Karachi. A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party announced its first list of 41 candidates for the November 23 assembly polls, there has been murmurs of discontent from those who have been denied tickets, according to people aware of the development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice President Vasundhara Raje at a public meeting,(ANI) The BJP in its list announced on Monday fielded 31 new faces. It has also selected seven MPs for the assembly polls. Many leaders considered close to former chief minister Vasundhara Raje did not find their names in the list and are reportedly upset, according to party leaders. Also read: Congress looks to buck the trend; BJP eyes power On Monday night, Pralhad Joshi, the partys election in-charge in the state, arrived in Jaipur to take stock of the situation. We will talk to the leaders and convince them. It is an internal matter of the party, Joshi told reporters on Tuesday. The Congress has failed to provide law and order and crimes against women have increased, Joshi alleged. The people of Rajasthan have made up their mind and will vote out the Congress government, said Joshi, who is a minister in the Narendra Modi government. Supporters of Rajpal Shekhawat, whose ticket from Jhotwara has been cut, gathered on Monday night at his residence in and shouted slogans in his support. His supporters also marched to the BJP office in Jaipur. The decision to deny him a ticket was shocking, Shekhawat said. He had nurtured Jhotwara constituency for the past 15 years and won the seat two times, he added. The BJP has fielded Jaipur Rural MP Rajyavardhan Rathore from Jhotwara. Anita Singh, who was denied a ticket from Nagar constituency, said she was upset by the partys decision. She was a strong contender, but the party had given the ticket to a candidate who lost the election by a huge margin in 2018, Singh said. She would meet with her supporters and decide on her next course of action, she added. The party has fielded Jawahar Singh Bedham from the Nagar seat. Bedham is a former MLA and minister. On Monday night and Tuesday, BJP leaders Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, Anita Nagar and other leaders met with former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, according to people aware of the developments. Raje is upset with tickets of her supporters being cut but is toeing the party line for now,the people said. She has not said anything publicly, but congratulated the candidates on Monday in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Sitting MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi, who has been denied a party ticket from Vidyadhar Nagar constituency, is also upset, a leader close to him said on condition of anonymity. The party did not discuss the Jaipur seats with anyone and all are surprised, the leader said. Rajvi would not rebel and contest, or join the Congress, he added. Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi said while dissent was an internal matter of the BJP, the party fielding MPs shows it does not have strong candidates on many seats. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 70-year-old man has accused Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound Rajasthan of misusing his photo for its election campaign and lodged a case against the party for portraying him as an indebted farmer whose land was auctioned. On Sunday, Madhuram Jaipal met chief minister Ashok Gehlot and sought action. (X) In his complaint Madhuram Jaipal, a resident of Ramdevra in the Jaisalmer district, sought action against the BJP, alleging that the party defamed him. People are raising questions about me and my family. That is why I approached the police seeking justice, said Jaipal. He added that neither his land was auctioned nor was he indebted. He added he belongs to a family of farmers and has around 200 bighas of land. BJP posters as part of its election campaign titled Nahi Sahega Rajasthan (Rajasthan would not tolerate) with Jaipals picture claimed lands of over 19000 farmers in the state have been auctioned. Khammaram Bishnoi, a local police officer, said a case under the Indian Penal Codes section 500 (defamation) was lodged at Ramdevra police station on the basis of Jaipals complaint. Jaipal complained the BJP misused his photo in the posters in Jodhpur and Jaipur. He said the BJP defamed him and demanded action, said Bishnoi. He added they lodged the case and initiated action. Bishnoi said Jaipal was forced to file the complaint after BJP leaders ignored his requests to remove the posters. On Sunday, Jaipal met chief minister Ashok Gehlot and sought action. Gehlot, who assured him that all the posters would be removed, shared a video of his meeting with Jaipal on social media. The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for not objecting to the repeated extension of the two-week interim bail granted to former ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar and her businessman husband Deepak Kochhar in January in connection with an alleged loans-kickbacks case. The Supreme Court pulls up CBI for not objecting to the repeated extension of the two-week interim bail granted to former ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar. (PTI) The top court pointed out that the federal agency appealed against the January 9 order of interim bail granted to the couple by the Bombay high court, but seemed to have raised no objection to the extension of the reprieve, which continues till date. This order is of January 9 and interim bail was granted for only two weeks. Why have you not resisted? Why are you permitting it to continue for such a long period? According to us, this plea has become infructuous because the impugned order was for only two weeks. You should have moved an objection there (high court), observed a bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi. If the agency was truly aggrieved by the order of bail, it should have resisted all subsequent orders of extension before the high court, the bench said. You should have resisted there instead of coming here. Why are you allowing it to continue till date? This seems to be continuing with your consent, the court told additional solicitor general SV Raju, who appeared for CBI. Raju said he would request his counterpart in Mumbai to approach the high court by filing an application. The bench then posted CBIs plea for October 16, asking Raju to seek instruction on what needs to be done when the January 9 order has already been superseded by subsequent orders of extension of bail. Chanda Kochhar is being investigated by the CBI as well as the Enforcement Directorate for her alleged role in granting out-of-turn loans worth 3,250 crore to the Videocon Group, which benefitted her husband, Deepak Kochhar. She was sacked in 2019, even though ICICI Bank had previously approved her resignation in October 2018. CBI arrested the Kochhars on December 23, 2022. CBI also named Videocon Group promoter Venugopal Dhoot as a co-accused in the case. On January 9, the high court criticised CBI for arresting the couple in a casual and mechanical manner and clearly without application of mind in the case, and granted them interim bail. It added that the Kochhars arrest was not in accordance with law and that they were entitled to be released on bail pending the hearing and final disposal of their petitions. India's market regulator is investigating the relationship between the Adani Group and a fund incorporated in the British Virgin Islands to see if there has been a violation of share ownership rules, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Art teacher Sagar Kambli gives final touches to a painting of Gautam Adani highlighting the ongoing crisis of the Adani group. The fund is called Gulf Asia Trade & Investment, the sources said. It is owned by Dubai businessman Nasser Ali Shaban Ahli, according to checks of its website last month although the site has since been pulled down. The fund has invested in several listed Adani firms, according to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and data that the investigative journalist group has provided to Reuters. The probe is part of the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) investigation into the Indian conglomerate which follows a January report by short-seller Hindenburg Research that said offshore shell companies "surreptitiously" owned stock in Adani listed firms, posing governance concerns. A key question for SEBI investigators is whether Gulf Asia's ties with the Adani Group were such that it would be deemed to be acting "in concert" with key Adani shareholders, said the sources, who declined to be identified as the investigations are ongoing and private. This part of the SEBI investigation has not been previously reported. The Adani Group did not comment on the SEBI probe and its possible ties with the fund when contacted by Reuters. The conglomerate has previously said it categorically rejects allegations by OCCRP that there was an "opaque use" of funds by business partners to invest in its listed companies. It has also denied allegations made by Hindenburg, saying all transactions made with entities that qualified as related parties had been fully disclosed. SEBI and Gulf Asia did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters was not able to contact Ahli. Emails and phone calls made to his main financial services firm, Al Jawda Trade and Services which is based in the United Arab Emirates, went unanswered. MERGER DOCUMENT Indian law stipulates that listed companies should at least be 25% publicly owned to avoid price manipulation and that all deals involving entities acting in concert must identify and disclose the parties. Ahli was described by the OCCRP in August as one of two individual investors with "longtime business ties" to the group's founder, billionaire Gautam Adani. The non-profit global network of investigative journalists also alleged Gulf Asia used offshore structures to buy and sell Adani shares between 2013 and 2018, citing a review of filings from tax havens and internal company emails. A filing made with the British Virgin Islands corporate registry and reviewed by Reuters shows Gulf Asia merged with EZY Global Pte Ltd - a "related entity" of Adani Enterprises, the conglomerate's flagship firm, in September 2011. Gulf Asia was the surviving entity. At the time of the merger, EZY shareholders would have had ownership in Gulf Asia but the information provided in the document did not make clear how much. EZY had been incorporated in the British territory in 2006, while Gulf Asia was incorporated there in May 2011. According to data shared by the OCCRP with Reuters, Gulf Asia started investing in Adani shares months after SEBI ordered 105 Indian companies in June 2013 to increase the number of shares held by the public to at least 25% of their total floats. In April 2014, Gulf Asia held $51.4 million worth of shares in Adani Enterprises and Adani Power. In March 2017, that had increased to $202 million in four group companies - Adani Enterprises, Adani Power, Adani Transmission and Adani Ports, according to the OCCRP data. Adani Enterprises has not listed Gulf Asia as a related party in its annual reports, although EZY Global was listed for the 2006-2011 fiscal years. SEBI said in August it was close to completing its probe. At the time, it said it was investigating 24 transactions involving the group's listed companies and had completed work on 22 of them. The Adani Group, whose businesses span ports, airports, power as well as the property sector, has seen its main seven listed firms lose a combined $100 billion in market value since the Hindenburg report. YSR Telangana Party chief Y S Sharmila has dropped plans to merge her party with the Congress and will contest the November 30 elections to the state assembly alone, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. YSR Telangana Party president YS Sharmila. (HT file) Sharmila, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddys sister, failed to get a positive response from the Congress high command on her proposal to play a role in the party in Telangana, apparently under pressure from Congress leaders, particularly state chief A Revanth Reddy, they said, requesting anonymity. Now that the Election Commission has announced the schedule for assembly elections, Sharmila has decided to field party candidates for all 119 seats in the state. She will make a statement to this effect in a day or two, a YSRTP functionary said on the condition of anonymity. Sharmila had floated YSRTP on July 8, 2021, on the birth anniversary of her father and former chief minister late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy (YSR). The party claims to have a support base in the entire state. It does not have any MLAs in the assembly since it did not exist during the last elections. There was no immediate reaction available from the Congress. Earlier, the YSRTP president set a deadline of September 30 for the Congress high command to respond to her merger proposal. On the same day, the high command sent an emissary to hold discussions with her. He requested her to wait for a few days, as the high command was busy in the finalisation of party candidates in various poll-bound states, the functionary said. Sharmila felt there was no point in going to Andhra Pradesh to fight against her own brother Jagan Mohan Reddy. Secondly, the Congress is a virtual non-entity in Andhra Pradesh, as it had not won even a single assembly or Lok Sabha seat in the last two terms and its vote share was just 1.29%, which was less than the vote share of 1.5% of NOTA. She wont able to do anything in Andhra, the functionary said. Moreover, Sharmila had floated the party in the name of Telangana and if she runs away from the battlefield and moves to Andhra, she would lose credibility. For good or bad, she has decided to confine herself to Telangana and test the waters, the party functionary said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday, while speaking on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, said he understands Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solidarity to the Jewish country but termed his statement as incomplete. Palestinians evacuate wounded in Israeli aerial bombing on Jabaliya, near Gaza City. (AP) Speaking to news agency ANI, Tharoor said, While we understood the Prime Minister standing up for Israel showing solidarity at this time of great grief and this horror that has been visited upon them. At the same time, we felt that his statement was incomplete. Because I felt that, we needed to remember that there's a larger issue at stake here and a reason behind all of this, which is that there is a dehumanising occupation continuing in many places. Tharoor added, The people of Gaza have been imprisoned in the strip for a long time. The people of West Bank have a wall which is interfereing with their normal freedom of movement and conditions of life. On Saturday, Hamas carried out the biggest attack on Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur War, using boats, motorgliders and trucks to hit the country. As Hamas militants went on killing civillians and taking Israeli soldiers hostage, Israeli Defense Forces launched a counter attack on the Gaza Strip, which hosts 2.2 million Palstinians. Tharoor said that the entire situation was provoked by the surprise attack by Hamas during a national holiday in Israel. Condemning the violence, the Congress MP added, It was done in the cruelest possible way. It was a terror operation. They killed innocent civilians, children, elderly people, and youth attending a music festival. It really was impossible to accept any justification for what Hamas did. I certainly join in the condemnation of the terrorist act. The Israeli rescue service Zaka said its paramedics removed about 260 bodies from an all-night nature music festival near the Gaza Strip attended by thousands that came under attack by Palestine-based Hamas militants on Saturday. Recalling the incidents endured by Palestinians, Tharoor also said that it has been a difficult situation for the people of Palestine since settlement buildings and the construction of new houses for Jewish settlers in several occupied territories has continued unabated for the many years. Tharoor also spoke about the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), saying that they gave up the way of gun and choose the way of peace and dialogue, and the world was heading towards a two-state solution. That has essentially been completely stagnant. For the last two and a half decades there has been no progress on that and Israel has had, under Prime Minister Netanyahu, a very tough government, Tharoor said providing a context of the current situation. Tharoor said that his views stem from what Congress party's and India's views have traditionally been. We want both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and dignity behind secure borders and conditions where neither has to fear for their lives at any time. Today, Israelis are fearing for their lives and Palestinians are fearing for their lives. The death toll on both sides is mounting every day. And that in my mind is not something that India welcomes in any shape or form. We want to see this matter halt and peace be restored. Tharoor on CEC resolution on Israel-Palestine crisis Congress Working Committee on Monday passed a resolution supporting the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity. The resolution also called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations. The resolution said, CWC expresses its dismay and anguish on the war that has broken out in the Middle East where over a thousand people have been killed in the last two days. The CWC reiterates its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity and respect. The CWC calls for an immediate cease-fire and for negotiations to begin on all outstanding issues including the imperative issues that have given rise to the present conflict. Tharoor said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was making it a political point. It is an evolving picture, and our, reactions will also evolve. There's already a much more detailed statement by itself. This CWC meeting was focused principally on domestic issues and focused overwhelmingly on the question of a socio-economic and caste census. And that issue dominated everything. If you'll remember, Rahul Gandhi's press conference after the CWC. He only mentioned that. He didn't even mention this issue. It somehow came to the resolution in a very brief form. It is by no means a sort of comprehensive view of the issue. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Advanced Warning System (AWS) installed almost a month before the disaster at Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim, failed to send any alert before the lake burst triggering a flash flood in river Teesta, official said. On the night of October 3, the Lhonak lake burst triggered a flash flood that killed at least 92 people. (ANI photo) Two AWS were installed at Lhonak Lake and Shako Cho Lake between September 9 and September 19 this year. Unfortunately, the system didnt send any early warning. Most probably it wasnt working when the incident took place, said VB Pathak, chief secretary of Sikkim. On the night of October 3, the Lhonak lake burst triggered a flash flood that killed at least 92 people. It is one of the largest and fastest growing proglacial lakes in Sikkim and is among the 11 large glacial lakes monitored by the Central Water Commission. Also Read: 165 more airlifted as rescue ops continue in Sikkim Officials said that an early warning about a possible Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) could have given authorities more time to evacuate people living in houses along the river. Two expedition teams including Swiss scientists and comprising 14 persons each, were sent to the lakes in September to install the AWS. It was a joint operation, which was conceived by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with Sikkim state disaster management authority and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. It was a pilot-project, which was supposed to generate data on the lakes based on which an Early Warning System (EWS) was to be developed. The data was to be monitored by the Swiss agency. Even though the one installed in Shako Cho was sending data, the one in Lhonak didnt generate any data, said another senior official. With the Swiss-system failing to generate any kind of alert before the flood, the Sikkim government has now sought the help of ISRO. I have written to the chairman of ISRO and director of North Eastern Space Application Centre in Shillong to keep a watch on Lhonak, Shako Chu and other glacial lakes in Sikkim. I have requested them to analyze satellite images and data and let us know if any immediate steps need to be taken. We are receiving regular updates from them, said Mathur. Even though the machines failed to generate an early alert, a robust response and evacuation model developed by the Sikkim government for such events, including GLOF, dam burst and cloud burst, helped in the evacuation process. Around 2am on Wednesday, I heard frantic whistles and people shouting. Then somebody banged on my door. As soon as I got out from the bed, there was ankle-deep water in my room. My roommate and myself rushed out to reach higher ground. Within minutes, the floodwaters covered everything, said Sidhant Chetri, a resident of Rangpo in east Sikkim. Several tourists who were stranded in Lachen and Lachung towns of north Sikkim recalled how they were alerted by the hotel staff of an impending flood. They could also hear the constant sound of whistles that were sent out as warnings. The hotel employee who alerted us told us to grab only important documents, cash and medicines before evacuating. By the time we reached out scores of people including tourists and locals were scrambling uphill. We could hear the river down below fuming, said Malay Kumar Saha, a tourist who was stranded in Lachen before the army rescued him. Senior officials of the Sikkims land revenue and disaster management department said that residents living in Chunthang and other north Sikkim towns and villages, that are vulnerable to flooding events, were made to undergo mock-drills at least once a year based on special response and evacuation models. They were also shown computer simulations of such extreme events and when to respond. Special response and evacuation models have been developed for such vulnerable towns and the people were made aware of the plan through computer simulations, mock drills and regular campaigns. When an alert came, they knew what to do and where exactly to go, said Anil Raj Rai, relief commissioner of Sikkim. The first alert reached the director of the states disaster management authority at around 10:42pm on Tuesday night that water level was rising in river Teesta. The alert had come from ITBP personnel posted close to Lake Lhonak. The alert was soon passed on to the 24X7 control room at the secretariat which is always manned by three officials. Warnings were issued to the districts after which police personnel on duty began whistling to wake up people. Hooters were sounded and by 5am, the control centre was bustling. It could have been worse. The flood hit around 80 towns and villages. It struck at the dead of the night when everyone was fast asleep. The casualty and missing figures could have been much higher had it not been for the evacuation, said a senior official. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joydeep Thakur Joydeep Thakur is a Special Correspondent based in Kolkata. He focuses on science, environment, wildlife, agriculture and other related issues. ...view detail A second-year postgraduate (PG) resident doctor of Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Science in Tamil Nadu has died by suicide, leaving behind a note that alleges sexual harassment and mental abuse by senior doctors in her department, police said on Tuesday. In her suicide note, the victim has named her professors and seniors, accusing them of sexual harassment, senior toxicity, and mental abuse (Representative photo) On October 7, the 27-year-old doctors body was found in her hostel room, along with a handwritten suicide note that blamed three senior doctors of the department of anesthesiology, an officer familiar with the case said. In her suicide note, the victim has named her professors and seniors, accusing them of sexual harassment, senior toxicity, and mental abuse. The victim, a resident of Thoothukudi, ended the letter saying: Sorry Appa, I love you the most. Taking note of the matter, the Kanyakumari police have booked all the three doctors under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code and have begun their questioning, an officer familiar with the case said, requesting anonymity. We are not just investigating the faculty and friends associated with her in this institution. The people she previously studied with at the Saveetha Medical College (in Chennai) are also being questioned, the officer added. HT reached out to the Sree Mookambika Institute for a comment on the matter but didnt get a response till the time of print. The Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association has also demanded speedy justice in the case. The Tamil Nadu government should take immediate action on the issue, said Dr Keerthy Varman, president of the organisation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Union government has processed four names for appointment as judges in the high courts of Madras, Karnataka and Manipur, people aware of the matter said on Tuesday, potentially boosting the social diversity and representation of marginalised sections in the higher judiciary. HT Image Among the four recommendations that are likely to be notified by the Union law ministry soon, one is a tribal woman while two others belong to Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes (OBC) respectively, according to the people cited above. The four names form part of a batch of nine recommendations made by the Supreme Court collegium earlier this year but were yet to be processed by the Centre. The oldest recommendation was pending since January; the people quoted in the first instance said. According to data presented by the government in Lok Sabha in March, out of 575 high court judges appointed since 2018, 67 belong to the OBC category, 17 to the SC category, 9 to the ST category and 18 to minority communities. The development follows key Supreme Court hearings before a bench led by justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul that has been monitoring the steps taken by the Centre in processing the collegiums proposals for appointing and transferring judges in constitutional courts. On September 26, the top court said that it would periodically take stock of the steps taken by the Centre in processing the collegiums recommendations, expressing its anguish at delays. That day, it flagged nine names recommended for appointment as judges in various high courts that were pending with the government for several months without any indication if they would be appointed of if the government had any objection to the proposals. The court is seized of a contempt plea filed by Advocate Association, Bengaluru, through advocate Amit Pai, highlighting several instances of pending appointments and unexplained holdover by the government. Hearing this matter on Monday, the justice Kaul-led bench cautioned the government that the collegiums recommendations cannot remain in limbo. Instead of sitting on names indefinitely, the court said, the government must either notify the appointments or send the names, back citing specific objections. The processes delineated in the judgment of this court and the timeline laid down in it should work out by themselves. It should not require any monitoring by this court, the bench, also comprising justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, recorded in its order while referring to the April 2021 judgment that prescribed a three-month deadline for the government to process the names. When the bench sought to know the status of 19 recommendations for high court judges, which included nine names sent for the first time and 10 others that have been reiterated but are yet to be appointed, attorney general R Venkataramani responded that four out of nine names recommended for the first time have been cleared. The delay at the end of the government in processing the collegiums recommendations was viewed seriously by the top court during its proceedings in January and February too, when it took up the contempt plea. Lack of consistency in the time taken by the Centre to notify the recommendations was creating issues of faith between the judiciary and the executive, the apex court had said at the time. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A project that would have installed sidewalks in part of the historic Highland Acres neighborhood in Bismarck came to a halt on Tuesday. The city commission voted 3-2 to not move forward with the project to place sidewalks in the post-World-War II neighborhood. Commissioners Anne Cleary and Greg Zenker were the dissenting votes. I would let (City Engineer Gabe Schell) go out to the residents and see if the residents want it. If they dont then so be it, and if they do then so be that as well, Zenker said prior to voting. Highland Acres is a hilly neighborhood with curved streets, irregularly shaped lots, cul-de-sacs and an elementary school. It was developed after World War II as a housing cooperative for returning veterans and their families. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places last year amid a dispute that began in 2017 over whether the neighborhood that has some sidewalks along areas such as main roads should also have them in more private cul-de-sac areas. The city commission postponed its sidewalk installation project three times to allow a group to research the historical significance of the area. Some supporters of sidewalks said not having them was a safety concern and that they believed the nomination project was used as a delay tactic. The project denied on Tuesday would have placed sidewalks along the remaining main roads without them, and not in cul-de-sacs. Over half of the roads in the neighborhood already have sidewalks, according to a map of the proposed sidewalk locations. Highland Acres resident Bruce Whittey, who helped spearhead the National Register nomination, on Tuesday said I ask you as the commission to respect the original plat approved by the city. And respect the original design by preserving the last defining character, which is the absence of sidewalks within the subject area." Commissioners Steve Marquardt and Michael Connelly -- who voted to stop the project -- cited neighborhood disapproval for the project. Most of the residents said that sometimes it was safer (to walk) on the street than on the sidewalk just because of the ice and some of the buildup, Marquart said, referring to a meeting held in the past with neighborhood residents. Schell has said previously that any sidewalk additions would have to go through the city's Historic Preservation Commission and the State Historical Society. On Tuesday he said he did not reach out to the Historic Preservation Commission because it is a (city) commission decision. A Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable rescued a male passenger at Howrah railway station when the latter slipped while trying to board a moving Vande Bharat Express on Tuesday. The passenger expressed his gratitude to his saviour, and thanked RPF cops for being kind and helpful(X/ @imurpartha) Read here: On camera | Woman railway cop saves passenger from being crushed to death The passenger was rushing to catch the Howrah Puri Vande Bharat Express, which departed from the platform. Thinking the door was open, the man tried to enter the train through the guard's cabin. However, he lost his balance, fell down, and slipped into the gap between the train and the platform. However, the alert RPF officer rushed towards the man and pulled him to safety. The entire incident was recorded by a person who was presented on the platform. The video opens to show the train leaving the platform. Within moments, a person tries to enter the train and loses balance. The RPF personnel quickly pulls the passenger back to safety. The alertness and quick actions of RPF policemen have frequently saved the passengers' lives. There are incidents where passengers try to board/de-board a moving train slip and fall with the risk of coming under the wheels of the train. Earlier in June, a constable rescued a female passenger at Telangana's Begumpet railway station who attempted to board a moving train. However as the train picked up speed, the passenger was at risk of falling into the gap. RPF constable noticed the lady passenger and rushed to help her. Read here: Passenger trying to catch moving train at Bandra terminus falls, saved by RPF constable In another incident, in March, an RPF constable Sushil Kumar rescued a passenger to safety when the latter with luggage tried to board a moving train by holding its door at Mumbai's Bandra Terminus but lost balance and got dragged briefly. The ministry of railways has time and again urged passengers to not board or deboard moving trains as it can be dangerous. NEW DELHI: Among the people who joined defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday in paying tribute at a memorial in Italy for Indian soldiers who fell in World War II, one man stood out. Indias defence attache to Italy Col VS Salaria (centre, in uniform) with Freeman in blue shirt. (HT photo) Roger H Freeman, a 79-year-old from Australia. A day ago, Singh visited the war memorial at Montone, a sleepy hill town north of Rome, named after Naik Yeshwant Ghadge and which commemorates the gallantry and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fought in the Italian campaign during the war. The Australian paid tribute to Ghadge, and an enduring friendship dating back to the 1940s. Freemans uncle and British army soldier, HW Goodwin, fought against the Germans alongside the 23-year-old Ghadge as part of the 10th Indian Infantry Division. Ghadge served with the 3/5th Mahratta Light Infantry and was posthumously awarded Victoria Cross (VC), the UKs highest military decoration, for his uncommon courage in one of the fiercest battles of the Italian campaign. Also Read: Video | Bomb dating back to World War II explodes after deactivation fails in UK town Freeman travelled to England in 2017 to attend Goodwins funeral. The latter was 94. It was during this trip that the nephew chanced upon a hand-written diary kept by his uncle and the Goodwin-Ghadge connection became known to the Freeman family. Freemans visit to the Naik Yeshwant Ghadge memorial, built in July, was possible because of the Indian Armys help after he wrote an email last year to Indias defence attache to Italy, Colonel VS Salaria. The e-mail was a request. Would you know how and where the ashes of Yeshwant Ghadge would have been scattered at the Arezzo cemetery as I would like to place flowers at the location, Freeman wrote to Salaria on February 7, 2022. In a hand-written letter to Freeman the same day, Salaria, a decorated commando of the Indian Armys 10 Para Special Forces, said, It will be my honour to assist you in your solemn endeavour. I am so happy to hear from you and admire your dedication and enthusiasm to fulfill the legacy of your late uncle. Naik Ghadge, VC, exemplified courage, selflessness and sacrifice in the highest traditions of soldiering and continues to inspire younger generations of warriors, the colonel, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, wrote back. This followed a series of exchanges between Freeman, a retired petroleum engineer, and Salaria. One of those exchanges revealed the back story of an undying friendship. It revealed how Goodwin provided financial support to Ghadges widow, Laxmibai, who lived in a Maharashtra village and died last year at the age of 97, till his last days even though the two never met. Ghadge was one of the two and a half million Indian men, who fought alongside the British during World War II. VC was awarded to 20 soldiers for their heroism in the Italian campaign. Eight of them, including Ghadge, are still buried near battlefields where they fought. It was unusual for a British soldier to make a close friendship with an Indian soldier that was any more than a casual acquaintance. Even when I was a young boy my uncle spoke very highly of Indian soldiers and he was very disappointed, if not bitter, with how they had not been recognised adequately by the British government, Freeman wrote in another email last year. Goodwins private papers contained copies of detailed correspondence he had had over the years with the British authorities and the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association about Laxmibais pension issues. On July 10, 1944, Ghadges unit attacked a position strongly defended by the Germans in the upper Tiber Valley. His VC citation sheds light on his brave actions. Without hesitation, and well knowing that none were left to accompany him, Naik Yeshwant Ghadge rushed the machine gun post. He first threw a grenade which knocked out the machine gun and firer, after which he shot one of the gun crew with his Tommy gun (Thompson submachine gun). Finally, having no time to change his magazine, he grasped his gun by the barrel and beat to death the remaining two men of the gun crew, his citation reads. Unfortunately, Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was shot in the chest and back by enemy snipers and died in the post which he had captured single handed. The courage, determination, and devotion to duty of this Indian NCO (non-commissioned officer) in a situation where he knew the odds against him gave little hope of survival, were outstanding, it adds. Also known as World Eye Day or World Vision Day, World Sight Day is an international day of awareness to focus attention on and encourage everyone to think about the importance of their own eye health. World Sight Day is globally observed to raise awareness about eye health and to recognise the work done by the thousands of ophthalmologists across the world to fix vision impairment. World Sight Day 2023: Date, history, significance and theme (Photo by Twitter/Radio2000_ZA) Date: World Sight Day is observed every year on October 12, 2023. History: World Sight Day (WSD) is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The day began to be officially observed as an IAPB event in the year 2000 and has been marked in several different ways in nations across the world each year since then. The then Queen of the United Kingdom had joined the awareness campaign for World Sight Day in the year 2020, marking a milestone in recognition. Significance: Eye health impacts education, employment, quality of life, poverty and so many other sustainable development goals hence, WSD aims for organisations and the public to come together to encourage governments, corporations, institutions and individuals to actively support universal access to eye health and ensure that everyone counts. World Sight Day is supported by over 150 IAPB member organisations, including every major eye care NGO in the world, apex professional bodies for ophthalmology and optometry, teaching hospitals and corporations, united in working together to eliminate avoidable blindness and visual impairment. Theme: The theme for World Sight Day 2023 is Focusing on preservation of vision in the workplace. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A curtain-raising event dedicated to the 9th edition of the 'India International Dance and Music Festival' and the International Kullu Dussehra Festival 2023 was jointly organised by the Himachal Pradesh government and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi on Tuesday. Himachal Pradesh gears up to welcome tourists at International Kullu Dussehra Festival 2023 (Unsplash) Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism, Sunder Singh Thakur, who is also Chairman of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival Organizing Committee, launched the teaser and released a booklet on the occasion to provide a peek into the grand celebration of the festival. While interacting with the media on the occasion, Thakur informed them that the International Kullu Dussehra Festival, which dates back to the 17th century, will be organised from October 24 to October 30 at Kullu this year. He said that the celebrations will commence with the famous Lord Raghunath ji's Rath Yatra, and more than 300 local deities will participate in the mega event. He further added that the major highlights of the festival will be the International Carnival on October 25 and the Kullu Carnival Fest on October 30. The International Cultural Festival is a major attraction of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival, in which cultural troupes from over 20 countries, including Russia, Israel, Romania, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Panama, Iran, the Maldives, Malaysia, Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Ghana, and Ethiopia, have been invited to participate in the Dussehra festivities this year. He said, "The state government is making efforts to make the festival a global event and added that the "state is recovering from the aftermath of the disaster and is now ready to welcome the tourists to Kullu and Manali. He gave credit for the expedited efforts of restoration and rehabilitation to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after the natural calamity. He said that travel time from Chandigarh to Kullu has been reduced from six hours to four hours and added that 13 out of fifteen tunnels were open to commuters. The flights from Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Delhi to Kullu were operating to facilitate tourists, said Thakur. Anu Ranjan Dy. Director General, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, detailed the support being provided by the ICCR and cultural troupes performing in the festival.Shashi Pal Negi, Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner Kullu, welcomed the guests and briefed them about the background of the event. Special guests from embassies, Nandita Gupta, Advisor, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and Sh Sushil Kumar Singla, Principal Resident Commissioner, were present on the occasion. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan could not have been more wrong when speaking at the Atlantic Festival on September 29 now infamously said that the Middle-East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades. As many as 1200 Israeli Jews including infants and toddlers have been massacred by Hamas jihadists since October 7 and the casualty numbers are continuing to increase by the hours with more than 200 innocents being held captive by the Sunni Salafi group in underground tunnels of Gaza. The Hamas slaughter at Kibbutz Kfar Azza in South Israel where even babies were not spared by the Islamic jihadists. There are a number of direct inferences from this statement which should be red flags for nations facing Islamic jihadists on their doorsteps. First, over-reliance on technical and spatial intelligence will always lead to grief as highly radicalized societies like the Hamas-ruled Gaza are very secretive with total focus on the destruction of the enemy by all means. And this includes the butchery of babies and toddlers as well the geriatric community with religious brainwashing giving them clear-cut so-called military objectives. NSA Sullivans statement clearly shows that the US intelligence including the National Security Agency, rulers of the spatial intelligence world, had no clue about the impending invasion of medieval barbarian hordes in South Israel on October 7. Perhaps, after the US forces withdrawal from Iraq by highly overrated Barack Obama and the conquering of Kabul by equally medieval Taliban in 2021, the US intelligence had taken its eyes off the ball in the Middle East after back-slapping itself for the detente between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Clearly, human intelligence in the West Bank and Gaza would have paid more dividends but the famed and much-written about Israeli intelligence was found complacent and wanting in achieving key result objectives. Abandoned cars after the Hamas terrorists massacred Israeli youth at a festival across Gaza. The inability of Western intelligence to read the calm before the terror tsunami in South Israel is also due to confused political leadership in the US and Israel where both the leaders were fighting within for their survival rather than focusing on the incoming threats. Israel had five general elections in three years with the public still not providing a decisive mandate to the incumbent, who is fighting the Knesset for day-to-day survival. Similar confusion has prevailed in the US over Joe Bidens migration policies and the increasing pressure from left-of-center politicians within his own Democratic Party. And the recipe for disaster was completed with the Woke liberal movement sweeping the democratic world. With Israel now fighting on its southern and northern front and the threat of totally radicalized Iran looming over the horizon, the world is on a cliffhanger as all signs of an impending massive conflagration are there. The religious extremists are driving the agenda in the Middle East and the moderates within the Islamic world are maintaining silence as usual or else they will also be targeted. The hypocrisy of so-called social media influencers in the Islamic world to call out and condemn the massacre by Hamas of innocent Israeli Jews is also quite evident. However, the industrial scale of killings of innocent non-combatants done by Hamas terrorists at the behest of Iran will ensure that Israel will not stop till its vengeance is complete. This means that the world is on a short fuse for the coming years. Given that the UN hardly has any credibility left in preventing conflicts and terror strikes all over the world, it is high time that the democratic world formed a counter-terror alliance with teeth and muscle to take on the jihadists all over the world. Rather than debating on the international convention on terrorism in an irrelevant and ineffective UN, victims of terror strikes need to come together, pool intelligence resources and pledge material support to take on the barbarians. The sooner these steps are taken the better as the brutal success of Hamas strike will encourage their ilk the world over to take on their enemies for their own objectives using religion for political power. Presently, the real terror threat is from the weaponized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Chinese and Turkish versions of which are available at cheap rates. One more terror strike and the world will go over the edge. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shishir Gupta Author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (2011, Hachette) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (2014, Hachette). Awarded K Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the 2011 Ben Gurion Prize by Israel. ...view detail Elevate your grooming game to a whole new level with the phenomenal deals available today during the Amazon sale today on cutting-edge trimmers. Bid farewell to unruly facial hair and welcome a well-groomed and polished appearance. Whether you prioritize precision, power, or versatility in your grooming routine, this sale has got you covered in more ways than one. 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Specifications of Litmus HELIOS 20 (Chrome Edition) Beard & Body Trimmer for Men | 20mm Precision Length Settings | Cordless Run Time: 90 Minutes | C Type USB Fast Charging |5 Mins Quick Charge for Single Trim: Recommended Uses for Product: Beard Colour: Chrome Hair Type: All Brand: Litmus Power Source: Battery Powered Material: Alloy Steel Special Feature: Battery Powered, Rechargeable Item Dimensions L*W*H : 40 x 40 x 190 Millimeters Blade Material: Stainless steel Pros Cons Precision Length Settings Chrome Edition (Limited Aesthetic) Long 90-Minute Runtime Potentially Pricier Fast C-Type USB Charging May Require Maintenance B0CCS8CNSJ Also read: Amazon Sale 2023: Up to 65% off on shampoo, trimmer, dryer, grooming kit 9. Havells BT5100C Rechargeable Beard Trimmer with Hypoallergenic Blades; Zero Trim with 0.5 mm Precision; Upto 17mm Length Setting for All Trending Styles; 45 min runtime (Grey) The Havells BT5100C Rechargeable Beard Trimmer is a grooming essential that ensures precision and style. Featuring hypoallergenic blades, it's gentle on the skin and ideal for those with sensitive skin. Achieve a zero trim with remarkable 0.5mm precision or explore lengths of up to 17mm to suit all the latest trends. With a 45-minute runtime on a single charge, it provides ample time for grooming without interruptions. The sleek grey design adds sophistication to your grooming routine. Upgrade your style and enjoy a comfortable grooming experience with Havells BT5100C Beard Trimmer. While the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2023 is still on, make this product yours. Amazon sale today offers this product at a flat 69% off. Specifications of Havells BT5100C Rechargeable Beard Trimmer with Hypoallergenic Blades; Zero Trim with 0.5 mm Precision; Upto 17mm Length Setting for All Trending Styles; 45 min runtime (Grey): Recommended Uses for Product: Beard Colour: Grey Hair Type: All Item Weight: 104 grams Brand: Havells Power Source: Battery Powered Material: Stainless steel Special Feature: Battery Powered, Rechargeable Item Dimensions L*W*H : 38 x 25 x 155 Millimeters Blade Material: Stainless steel Pros Cons Hypoallergenic Blades Limited Runtime Precision Trimming Limited Color Options Wide Length Range Potential Maintenance B07C6CSF6K Top 3 features for you Product Feature 1 Feature 2 Feature 3 PHILIPS BT3231/15 Efficiency Convenience Versatility Vega P1 Long Runtime 40 Length Settings Multicolour Design Kubra KB-1001 Versatile Functions Long Runtime Sleek Design Svish On The Go Versatile Grooming Skin-Friendly Care Convenient Cordless Bombay Shaving Co Trimmer Fast Charging Long Runtime Warranty Included Nova NHT 1073 Cordless Convenience USB Rechargeable 60 Minutes Runtime ARDAKI Beard Trimmer Adjustable Blade Metal Body Versatile Grooming Litmus HELIOS 20 Precision Length Settings Long 90-Minute Runtime Fast C-Type USB Charging Havells BT5100C Hypoallergenic Blades Precision Trimming Wide Length Range Best overall product The Nova NHT 1073 stands out as the best overall product due to its remarkable combination of features and performance. This professional hair clipper for men offers the convenience of being battery-powered, USB-rechargeable, and cordless, ensuring optimal flexibility for grooming. It excels in providing an all-around grooming experience, making it a top choice for users seeking both efficiency and convenience. The right time to make this product yours is now, during this awesome Amazon great Indian festival 2023. Best value for money The Havells BT5100C Rechargeable Beard Trimmer is a value-for-money grooming tool due to its combination of key features and affordability. Its hypoallergenic blades make it suitable for sensitive skin, ensuring a comfortable grooming experience. While its 45-minute runtime may not be the longest, it still provides sufficient usage on a single charge for most grooming needs. Overall, this trimmer strikes a balance between essential features, quality, and cost-effectiveness, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious individuals seeking a reliable grooming solution and even more so now that the prices have gone down on the occasion of Amazon big sale 2023 How to buy the best trimmer during the Amazon sale? Visit the Amazon Website: Go to Amazon's official website or use the Amazon mobile app. Search for Trimmers: In the search bar at the top of the page or within the app, type in keywords related to the trimmer you're looking for. For example, you can search for "beard trimmers" or specify a brand or model if you have a particular one in mind. Check for Discounts: Look for trimmers with discount tags, deals, or special offers. Amazon sales today often highlights products on sale with a percentage-off or dollar amount discount. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Google has hired a teenager, 18, who was rejected by 16 out of 18 colleges he applied to after graduating from high school. Stanley Zhong, from Palo Alto, United States, was denied admission by colleges including MIT, Stanford, and others, despite a Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) score of 1590 out of 1600. FILE - This Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, file photo shows Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) Zhong, a 2023 graduate from the Gunn High School in his hometown, also founded his own e-signing startup, RabbitSign, during his high school days. Oh, well, some of them (rejection letters) were certainly expected. You know, Stanford, MIT, you know, it's, it is what it is, right? Some of the state schools, I really thought, you know, I had a good chance and turns out a bit of a chance I had, I didn't get in, he told ABC7. A wave of rejections later, however, arrived the job offer from Google; the tech giant offered him a full-time job as a software engineer. The teenager started with the Mountain View, California-headquartered company, this week. To take up the job, Stanley had to put aside his admission to University of Texas, one of only two colleges where his application got accepted, the other being University of Maryland. His story became so viral that it was brought up by a witness testifying at the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing, held on September 28. The hearing's goal was to consider how the US Supreme Court's June decision to ban affirmative actions in college admissions, was shaping policies at universities. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail While Twitter has always struggled with combatting misinformation about major news events, it was still the go-to place to find out whats happening in the world. But the Israel-Hamas war has underscored how the platform now transformed into X has become not only unreliable but is actively promoting falsehoods. If such posts go viral, their blue-checked creators can be eligible for payments from X, creating a financial incentive to post whatever gets the most reaction including misinformation. (File) Experts say that under Elon Musk the platform has deteriorated to the point that it's not just failing to clamp down on misinformation but is favoring posts by accounts that pay for its blue-check subscription service, regardless of who runs them. If such posts go viral, their blue-checked creators can be eligible for payments from X, creating a financial incentive to post whatever gets the most reaction including misinformation. Ian Bremmer, a prominent foreign policy expert, posted on X that the level of disinformation on the Israel-Hamas war being algorithmically promoted" on the platform "is unlike anything I've ever been exposed to in my career as a political scientist. And the European Unions digital enforcer wrote to Musk about misinformation and potentially illegal content on X, in whats shaping up to be one of the first major tests for the 27-nation blocs new digital rules aimed at cleaning up social media platforms. While Musk's social media site is awash in chaos, rivals such as TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are also coping with a flood of unsubstantiated rumors and falsehoods about the conflict, playing the usual whack-a-mole that emerges every time a news event captivates the world's attention. People are desperate for information and social media context may actively interfere with peoples ability to distinguish fact from fiction, said Gordon Pennycook, an associate professor of psychology at Cornell University who studies misinformation. For instance, instead of asking whether something is true, people might focus on whether something is surprising, interesting or even likely to make people angry the sorts of posts more likely to elicit strong reactions and go viral. The liberal advocacy group Media Matters found that since Saturday, subscribers to X's premium service shared at least six misleading videos about the war. This included out-of-context videos and old ones purporting to be recent that earned millions of views. TikTok, meanwhile, is almost as bad as X, said Kolina Koltai, a researcher at the investigative collective Bellingcat. She previously worked at Twitter on Community Notes, its crowd-sourced fact-checking service. But unlike X, TikTok has never been known as the No. 1 source for real-time information about current events. I think everyone knows to take TikTok with a grain of salt," Koltai said. But on X "you see people actively profiteering off of misinformation because of the incentives they have to spread the content that goes viral and misinformation tends to go viral. Emerging platforms, meanwhile, are still finding their footing in the global information ecosystem, so while they might not yet be targets for large-scale disinformation campaigns, they also don't have the sway of larger, more established rivals. Facebook and Instagram owner Meta's Threads, for instance, is gaining traction among users fleeing X, but the company has so far tried to de-emphasize news and politics in favor of more friendly topics. Meta, TikTok and X did not immediately respond to Associated Press requests for comment. A post late Monday from Xs safety team said: In the past couple of days, weve seen an increase in daily active users on @X in the conflict area, plus there have been more than 50 million posts globally focusing on the weekends terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. As the events continue to unfold rapidly, a cross-company leadership group has assessed this moment as a crisis requiring the highest level of response. While plenty of real imagery and accounts of the carnage have emerged, they have been intermingled with social media users pushing false claims and misrepresenting videos from other events. Among the fabrications are false claims that a top Israeli commander was kidnapped, a doctored White House memo purporting to show U.S. President Joe Biden announcing billions in aid for Israel, and old unrelated videos of Russian President Vladimir Putin with inaccurate English captions. Even a clip from a video game was passed on as footage from the conflict. Every time there is some major event and information is at a premium, we see misinformation spread like wildfire, Pennycook said. There is now a very consistent pattern, but every time it happens there's a sudden surge of concern about misinformation that tends to fade away once the moment passes." "We need tools that help build resistance toward misinformation prior to events such as this, he said. For now, those looking for a central hub to find reliable, real time information online might be out of luck. Imperfect as Twitter was, theres no clear replacement for it. This means anyone looking for accurate information online needs to exercise vigilance. In times of big breaking news such as the current conflict, Koltai recommended, going to your traditional name brands and news media outlets like AP, Reuters, who are doing things like fact checking and active reporting on the ground. Meanwhile, in Europe, major social media platforms are facing stricter scrutiny over the war. Britains Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan summoned the U.K. bosses of X, TikTok, Snapchat Google and Meta for a meeting Wednesday to discuss the proliferation of antisemitism and extremely violent content following the Hamas attack. She demanded they outline the actions theyre taking to quickly remove content that breaches the U.K.s online safety law or their terms and conditions. European Commissioner Thierry Breton warned in his letter to Musk of penalties for not complying with the EUs new Digital Services Act, which puts the biggest online platforms like X, under extra scrutiny and requires them to make it easier for users to flag illegal content and take steps to reduce disinformation or face fines up to 6% of annual global revenue. Musk responded by touting the platforms approach using crowdsourced factchecking labels, an apparent reference to Community Notes. Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports, Musk wrote on X. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them. Breton replied that Musk is well aware of the reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk, he said. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! A couple in Uttar Pradesh was caught on camera engaging in PDA while riding a bike, and the video has gone viral on social media. In the video, the woman is seen tightly hugging the man while riding the bike, and neither of them is wearing a helmet, which puts their life at risk. The Hapur Police fined the couple under the Motor Vehicles Act in response to the video. Couple hugging each other while riding a bike in Uttar Pradesh. (X/@yauvani_1) #Hapur. Video of the romance of the new couple on the bike. The woman was sitting on the tank of the bike and hugging her husband, reads the caption written alongside the video shared on X. The video shows the woman sitting on the tank of the bike, facing her partner, and hugging him tightly. The incident took place on National Highway 9, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Simbhaoli police station. Watch the video right here: Hapur Police took notice of the video and imposed a 8,000 fine on the couple. While tweeting a picture of challan, Hapur Police wrote, Photos of a couple doing stunts on a bike on the National Highway under Simbhaoli police station area went viral on social media, taking immediate cognizance #Hapurpolice issued a challan of 8000/- for the said bike under the MV Act. A legal action is being taken by @Uppolice. Take a look at the copy of the challan posted by Hapur Police below: The tweet shared by Hapur Police has so far accumulated over 11,700 views, and the numbers are still increasing. Many even took to the comments section of the post to express their thoughts. Heres how people reacted to the tweet shared by Hapur Police: Jai Ho. Many congratulations and thanks for the commendable work done by Uttar Pradesh Police, posted an individual. Another added, There should be a suspension for 3 months from the RTO authority. @hapurpolice Hapur police won hearts, expressed a third. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Humans of Bombay (HOB) recently filed a case in Delhi High Court against People of India (POI) over protecting their intellectual property. The platforms founder Karishma Mehta has now taken to Instagram to address the controversy around the case and also inform that the court has upheld their contentions. The image shows Humans of Bombay (HOB) founder Karishma Mehta. (Instagram/@karimehta05) In the post, she revealed that she drew inspiration from Humans of New York (HONY) and founded HOB to show how storytelling can positively impact a society. She also mentioned that the Delhi High Court issued summons to the party in question because there was substantial imitation, including the shots and writeups. In the next few lines, she shared how 16 posts of POI got deleted over plagiarism when HOB reported it to Meta. However, it didnt stop the plagiarism, even after we tried to resolve the matter amicably. We were left with no option but to lean on legal counsel, a part of the note reads. The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of HOB, restraining POI from using their literary works and creative expressions. The note further reads, The outcome of this case will set a precedent for the creator community, and will hopefully go a long way in safeguarding the original content that creators work so hard to build. Our story, wrote Humans of Bombay while sharing the message from Karishma Mehta. Take a look at the entire note posted on Instagram here: The post was shared a few minutes ago. It has since collected scores of likes. Many even dropped comments on the post. While some extended their support, others expressed their disagreement with her. Check out how people reacted to this post by Humans of Bombay: Kudos to the team, posted an individual. Another added, Kudos. You have made a difference and thats all that matters. HNY cannot post about the People Of India, taking inspiration is no crime, copying and posting stuff that is an intellectual property of a company is a crime. Kudos to all the amazing stories that you have posted and yes those matter, commented a third. A fourth wrote, Lets be honest here everyone. No one would like their entire work to be copied and pasted without even having a courtesy to give credit. I would not comment morally, but legally, HOB have every right to file a case. Bruh you copied Humans of New York. Please dont preach being an angel when you are nothing but hypocritical about this whole thing, expressed a fifth. A sixth joined, In the interview you yourself said that the idea of HOB was something that you thought of. Didnt you? Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arfa Javaid Arfa Javaid is a journalist working with the Hindustan Times' Delhi team. She covers trending topics, human interest stories, and viral content online. ...view detail The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations top official is retiring at the end of the year after nearly four decades of public service in the state. DOCR Director Dave Krabbenhoft has led the department since March 2021. He announced his intent to retire Wednesday. His departure will mark the end of a wide-ranging career in North Dakota state government that began in 1985 and spanned multiple agencies. Krabbenhoft began his career with stints in the State Auditors Office, Department of Public Instruction, and Office of Management and Budget before his arrival to Corrections in 2007. He joined the department as its director of administration, a role he held until he took the top job in 2021. He had served as interim director from August 2020 until his formal appointment. Krabbenhoft has devoted himself to giving North Dakotans the best possible opportunities for a bright future -- including ensuring that those involved in the criminal justice system can rehabilitate themselves and become healthy, productive and safe neighbors, Gov. Doug Burgum said in a statement Wednesday. Dave has transformed lives and strengthened communities through his work at DOCR. Krabbenhofts retirement is the latest in a string of high-level departures under the Burgum administration that began last summer, when six Cabinet members left their jobs in the span of 11 weeks. Former Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford also stepped down at the end of 2022, and former Health and Human Services Commissioner Chris Jones announced in August that he had accepted an executive role at a nonpartisan policy think tank. DOCR oversees numerous facilities across the state, including the State Penitentiary and the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck as well as the Heart River Correctional Center and the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center in Mandan. During Krabbenhofts time with the department he helped implement criminal justice reforms that included the expansion of mental health and addiction treatment, vocational training and education, and reentry programs, according to the governor's office. Krabbenhofts interim and full-time director tenure also coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, as prisons across the country became hotbeds for the virus. North Dakota has seen 2,214 cumulative prisoner cases and two deaths alongside 1,055 prison staff cases and one death, according to the UCLA Law COVID Behind Bars Data Project. Krabbenhoft also secured the majority of the planned $161.2 million needed for new womens facilities, though $30 million is expected to be appropriated in the next legislative session. The project looks to replace the Dakota Womens Correctional and Rehabilitation Center in New England, which was meant to be a temporary location and has housed women inmates since 2003, with a new facility in Mandan. Krabbenhoft said he is proud of the work he has done to change the states prison system. I will leave with a deep sense of pride in the work that has been accomplished and the positive impact made to public safety, he said in a statement. Israel's military on Tuesday expanded its mobilization of reservists to 360,000, according to the countrys media, as it intensified attacks on Hamas in response to the surprise assault launched by the Islamist militants. Netanyahu on Saturday called up an extensive mobilization of reserve forces, known as the backbone of the army, after the Israeli government was taken aback by the surprise attack by Palestinian militants who control the Gaza Strip. Israel's military has expanded its mobilization of reservists to 360,000. (File Photo / Reuters) Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia added more flights on Tuesday to bring home reservists, according to their websites and Israel's airports authority. Israel has a system of reserve forces known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Reserves. In Israel, military service is compulsory for most citizens, with men serving for two and a half years and women for two years, starting at the age of 18. After completing their mandatory service, individuals typically become part of the IDF Reserves, which means they can be called back to active duty in times of need. All you need to know about Israel's reserve army: Eligibility: In Israel, most citizens are eligible to join the reserve army. This includes both men and women who have completed their mandatory military service. Some individuals, like those with certain medical conditions or those who serve in specialized roles, may have limitations on their reserve service. Call-up: Reservists can be called up for active duty during times of conflict, war, or other national emergencies. The IDF typically conducts periodic training exercises for reservists to ensure they are prepared and maintain their skills. Age Limits: The age at which individuals are eligible for reserve duty can vary, but typically, reservists are called up until the age of 40 or even 50, depending on their role and specific circumstances. Commitment: Reserve duty in Israel can vary in terms of the duration and frequency of service. Some reservists might serve several weeks a year, while others may be on-call for longer periods. Training: Reservists are required to participate in refresher training exercises to ensure they remain capable and up to date with the latest military tactics and equipment. Specialized Units: Some reservists serve in specialized units, such as the intelligence corps, special forces, or other highly trained and specialized roles. These units may have different requirements and training. Benefits: Reservists in Israel receive certain benefits, including pay for their service, which can be a significant part of their income during their reserve duty. They also receive other benefits such as healthcare and other entitlements. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail The Israel-Palestine conflict has once again flared up for the Hamas attack that started on Saturday, with devastating consequences for both sides. It is a moment of reckoning for the United States, which has the potential to play a pivotal role in resolving the root causes of this ongoing crisis. The situation demands a comprehensive approach that considers the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis, aims for a just and lasting peace, and seeks to avoid further bloodshed. Explosions illuminate the sky during Israeli strikes on Gaza City on October 10, 2023. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)(AFP) The following outlines the appropriate U.S. response to the Israel-Palestine crisis: 1. Acknowledging the current war crisis I. The recent events in the Middle East have brought the region to the brink of a broader regional war, posing a significant threat to peace and stability. II. Israel's massive military campaign in Gaza, while aimed at Hamas, inevitably results in civilian casualties, exacerbating long-standing grievances. 2. Pursuing a more comprehensive approach I. The U.S. must avoid a one-sided approach and consider the root causes of political violence in Palestine, addressing the longstanding grievances of the Palestinian people. II. Simply condemning Palestinian violence while ignoring its causes perpetuates the cycle of conflict and hatred. III. A genuine effort to resolve the core issues of the Israel-Palestine conflict is essential. Though it is unlikely to do so, the US has the power to stop the bloodshed. It must exert maximum pressure on Israel and Hamas to do what basic human decency dictates: free the Israeli hostages immediately, end the bombing and end the blockade of Gaza, Joshua Leifer, Dissent editorial board and a contributing editor at Jewish Currents stated. ALSO READ| Exclusive: We pretended to be dead, but they found us and then, Israel music fest survivor recounts horror 3. Rethinking U.S. support I. The U.S. has historically been a staunch supporter of Israel, providing substantial financial, military, and diplomatic support, which has been instrumental in maintaining the status quo. II. Recent U.S. actions, such as condemning Palestinian violence without addressing underlying structural violence against Palestinians, are unhelpful. 4. Lifting the siege, ending the war, and dismantling apartheid I. A durable peace in the region necessitates addressing the root issues: ending the occupation, lifting the Gaza blockade, and dismantling Israeli apartheid. II. U.S. policies have, to some extent, obstructed the path to peace by providing unconditional support to Israel. III. The U.S. should reconsider its role in perpetuating these structures of violence. The other path is one the US has generally failed to take, and that is to make an immediate and genuine effort to resolve the root causes of political violence in Palestine by addressing the long-standing grievances of the Palestinian people, who have been denied their basic rights to freedom and dignity by the USs ally, Israel, Yousef Munayyer, the head of the Palestine-Israel program at the Arab Center in Washington DC cited. 5. The way forward I. The U.S. can play a pivotal role by exerting pressure on both Israel and Hamas to release hostages, cease the bombing, and lift the blockade of Gaza, in accordance with basic human decency. II. Diplomacy should be prioritized over military action, with an emphasis on achieving a just, long-term resolution to the conflict. III. Failure to reach such an accord could lead to a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions in the region. 6. A new paradigm for peace I. U.S. should recognize that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved by maintaining the status quo of indefinite occupation and siege. II. Addressing the root causes of violence, ensuring basic rights and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis, and pursuing diplomacy are essential steps toward lasting peace. III. It is time for the U.S. to reevaluate its approach, rethink its unqualified support, and commit to being a constructive force in resolving the Israel-Palestine crisis. ALSO READ| US libraries are under threat from digital assault, can they be saved? In this war-wounded moment, the United States holds the power to influence the course of events in the Middle East. By embracing a comprehensive, balanced, and diplomatic approach, the U.S. can contribute to the establishment of a just and lasting peace that benefits Palestinians and Israelis alike. Afghan authorities on Wednesday significantly lowered the death toll from a series of quakes that struck western Herat at the weekend to around 1,000. The initial quake was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks. (File) The Taliban government had originally said over 2,000 people had been killed in Saturday's magnitude 6.3 quake, centred on rural communities northwest of Herat city. The initial quake was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks. Public Health Minister Qalandar Ebad on Wednesday lowered the toll to around 1,000, attributing the confusion to the remoteness of the area and double reporting by agencies involved in the rescue effort. "We have over 1,000 people martyred from the first incident," Ebad told reporters in Kabul. Another earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck Wednesday morning in the same area, where thousands were spending a fourth night in the open. Officials said one person died and 130 were injured. Canadian flag carrier Air Canada grounded a pilot for wearing pro-Palestinian colours over his uniform, according to local media reports. The pilot, identified as Mostafa Ezzo, also allegedly made profane comments about Israel in his social media posts after Hamas militants, who control the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on the West Asian nation. Demonstrators in support of Palestinians wave Palestinian flags during a protest in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on October 9, 2023.(AFP) The pilot was taken out of service as of yesterday, The Toronto Sun quoted Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick as saying. "We did this because this individual's opinions and publications on social media do not represent Air Canada's views in any way," said Fitzpatrick. "This person has never been authorized to speak publicly while identifying themselves as an Air Canada employee." The social media accounts of the Montreal-based B787 first officer were full of controversial remarks about Israel and one of his Instagram stories showed him promoting Sundays pro-Palestine rally with a caption that said F*** you Israel, burn in hell. Another Instagram story showed him holding a banner that termed Israel a terrorist state, according to the report. Air Canada in a social media post on X said, We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms. Meanwhile, Air Canada has temporarily suspended its flight routes at this time to Tel Aviv in the wake of the Hamas attack. Canada's foreign minister said Tuesday that Canadian citizens will be flown out of the country from the Tel Aviv airport in the coming days. The government plans to conduct the evacuation using aircraft from the Canadian Armed Forces, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The post did not mention those Canadians who are believed to be trapped in Gaza after Israel closed off the Hamas-controlled territory. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel on Wednesday on a Middle East mission to prevent a wider war from erupting after an attack and hostage-taking by Palestinian Hamas militants and an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken(via REUTERS) In a show of solidarity with Washington's closest Middle East ally, Blinken was due to meet senior Israeli officials, possibly including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss further boosting military support. "I'm going with a very simple and clear message ... that the United States has Israel's back," Blinken told reporters before boarding a plane bound for Israel. He will work with regional U.S. allies to try to secure the release of more than 100 people that Israel says Hamas holds captive, some of whom may be American citizens. The top U.S. diplomat, Blinken flew out as Israel was forming an emergency unity government. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hamas gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns over the weekend, killing 1,200 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. At least 22 Americans were killed during the attack, Blinken said. "That number could still go up, and it probably will," Blinken said, adding that U.S. officials were working with Israeli counterparts to determine the fates of other U.S. citizens who remained unaccounted for. Israel has retaliated with air strikes that have killed more than 1,100 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Israeli military said its troops had killed at least 1,000 Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated from Gaza. Asked if Washington had advocated for Israel to exercise restraint in its response, with a ground operation in Gaza expected, Blinken said that Israel respects international law and makes efforts to avoid civilian casualties. "We know that Israel will take all of the precautions that it can, just as we would, and again thats what separates us from Hamas and terrorist groups that engage in the most heinous kind of activities," Blinken said. A top priority for Blinken will be to convey a message of deterrence, largely aimed at Iran and Iran-backed groups such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, to stop a wider war from erupting. Hezbollah has moved carefully since Hamas and Israel went to war, keeping Israeli troops busy with attacks at the Lebanese border but not opening a big front, sources familiar with its thinking say. Violence on the border between Israel and Lebanon flared up for a fourth day on Wednesday with Israeli shelling hitting southern Lebanese towns in response to a fresh rocket attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah. NO WEST BANK VISIT IN BLINKEN TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT Since Saturday, Blinken has spoken on the phone with his counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials said Washington was pushing regional countries with influence on Hamas and others hostile to Israel to help stop the conflict from worsening. "The attack by Hamas is a reminder of the perception of an American absence or lack of commitment to the region that some actors might interpret and do things they should not be doing," Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute said. Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack "sheer evil", reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel and issued an apparent warning to Iran and Iran-backed groups against exploiting the conflict: "I have one word: Don't." Blinken's trip announcement did not include the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On previous trips to the region, Blinken has visited the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority and its President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel has also tightened its siege in Gaza, which it has kept under a blockade since Hamas seized power there in 2007, saying it will keep out food and fuel while vowing to further escalate with a ground offensive. Washington said it was talking with Israel and Egypt about the idea of safe passage for civilians from Gaza, another key topic that Blinken may be discussing with his counterparts during the trip. Biden has stopped short of an overt plea to Israel to show restraint to avoid Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. It was unclear whether Blinken might make such an appeal when he meets Israeli officials behind closed doors. A Chinese-Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. Australian journalist Cheng Lei speaks on the phone, on arrival at Melbourne Airport(via REUTERS) Cheng Lei, 48, worked for the international department of China's state broadcaster CCTV. She has reunited with her two children in Melbourne, Albanese said. Her return comes ahead of Albanese's planned visit to Beijing this year on a date yet to be announced. Albaneses government has been lobbying for the release of Cheng and another Chinese-Australian held in China since 2019, Yang Hengjun. Bilateral relations have improved since Albanese's center-left Labor Party was elected after nine years of conservative rule. Beijing has lifted several official and unofficial trade barriers on Australian exports. Albanese suggested that Cheng had recently been sentenced after she was convicted in a closed-court trial last year on national security charges. Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms. Cheng and her family. The government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians, he added. Albanese said he spoke to Cheng in Melbourne, where her children have been living with her mother, and that they discussed a letter she had written to the Australian public in August to mark the third anniversary of her detention. The Chinese-born journalist spoke in her letter about her love for her adopted country. In the letter, she also described her living conditions in detention in China, saying she was allowed to stand in sunlight for just 10 hours a year. She is a very strong and resilient person ... and when I spoke with her she was delighted to be back in Melbourne, Albanese said. Albanese did not say whether Yang was also likely to be released. We continue to advocate for Dr. Yangs interests, rights and wellbeing with the Chinese authorities at all levels, Albanese said. Yang, a 58-year-old writer and democracy blogger, told his family in August he fears he will die in a Beijing detention center after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst, prompting supporters to demand his release for medical treatment. Yang has been detained in China since January 2019, when he arrived in Guangzhou from New York with his wife and teenage stepdaughter. Yang received a closed-door trial on an espionage charge in Beijing in May 2021 and is still awaiting a verdict. NEW DELHI: Australian journalist Cheng Lei, 48, who was detained by China for over three years on charges of spying has returned home in Melbourne after her release by Beijing, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday. Australian journalist Cheng Lei speaks on the phone, on arrival at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, October 11, 2023. AAP Image/Supplied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. AUSTRALIA OUT. NEW ZEALAND OUT (via REUTERS) Cheng, a high-profile television anchor for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, was detained in August 2020. I am pleased to confirm that Ms Cheng Lei has arrived safely home in Australia, and has been reunited with her two children and her family. I spoke with her on the phone this afternoon. This is an outcome the Australian government has been seeking for a long time, Albanese said on X, formerly Twitter. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong met Cheng, an ethnic Chinese, at the Melbourne airport. Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for her family. The government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians, Albanese said at a press conference, according to a Reuters report. Chengs release comes ahead of Albaneses visit to China later this year, a sign of smoothening bilateral ties, which faced diplomatic turbulence over several issues including Canberras vocal demand for an international investigation into the source of the Covid-19 pandemic. Beijing had promptly responded with trade restrictions against Australian products. Since then, ties have improved with PM Albanese meeting Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of a regional summit in September. Both leaders pledged to boost exchanges and bilateral ties. Penny said the matter was concluded through the legal processes in China. Cheng, who was working out of Beijing, disappeared in 2020 sending ripples of worry among the journalistic community and foreign workers based in China. She was formally placed under arrest much later on charges that she illegally supplied state secrets overseas to unknown people. In 2022, the Chinese foreign ministry said Cheng provided state secrets to foreign countries, a charge that usually attracts life imprisonment, even the death penalty in China. Australian citizen Cheng Lei is suspected of committing the crime of illegally providing state secrets to foreign countries, and the case involves state secrets, so the court held the trial in a closed session in accordance with the law, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said at a press conference after a one-day trial in Beijing in March, 2022. In a moving letter that she wrote from prison in August, Cheng wrote of missing her children, aged 11 and 14, who have been living in Melbourne with their grandmother while she was detained. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year, she wrote, according to Reuters, in what she called a love letter to 25 million people, her first public statement since her arrest. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Queen of England, Camilla Parker Bowles has recently given her husband, King Charles a divorce ultimatum according to a new report, per Radar. The report alleges she forbade King Charles' estranged son Prince Harry from seeing his father or staying at any royal property without an appointment. However, King Charles was blindsided and Queen Camilla took matters into her own hands. She is allegedly working behind the scenes to make sure that King Charles' legacy remains unaffected by Prince Harry and Megan Markle's accusations. Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla react during a visit to Enniskillen Castle, on May 25, 2023 as part of a two-day visit to Northern Ireland. (Photo by Oliver McVeigh / POOL / AFP)(AFP) READ MORE: New royal family feud? King Charles 'very jealous' of Prince William, Kate This comes after the claims of King Charles being very jealous of Prince William and Princess Kate for stealing his limelight. According to a royal author King Charles has reached a compromise so that he is able to get attention as well. He's worked out a deal now, whereby William and Kate can have an allotted percentage of the limelight, royal author Clive Irving said. However, some insiders suggested that Queen Camilla is working to ensure peace, according to The National Enquirer. Their sources allege Camilla is the power behind the throne! and she demanded the king to man up. When King Charles confessed to being guilt-ridden for not being a good dad to Harry as a boy, she took control. When Prince Harry was invited to the coronation, Queen Camilla was allegedly furious and agreed with Prince Williams that he and Megan should have been banished from the kingdom instead, as per Radar. READ MORE: Prince William-Kate Middleton's new royal strategy: No mention of Harry-Meghan On the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death, Prince Harry received the invitation to stay in Balmoral, as a kind gesture from the king but he refused due to his busy schedule and made a secret visit to Queen Elizabeth's grave in Windsor. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON China announced that it will host a gathering of foreign leaders next week to celebrate a decade of its Belt and Road infrastructure project. Russian president Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the event which marks 10 years of the Belt and Road project- China president Xi Jinping's bid to expand China's clout overseas- as Beijing said that it had now inked over two trillion dollars in contracts around the world. Russian president Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping.(File) "We welcome countries and partners actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to come to Beijing to discuss cooperation plans and seek common development," China foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning earlier said. While China has been accused of attracting lower-income countries into debt traps by offering huge, unaffordable loans through the initiative, representatives from over 130 countries are due to take part in the event where Xi Jinping is set to deliver an opening speech. He will also hold a welcoming banquet for foreign leaders. This will be the third forum of its kind since China launched the vast initiative, as events were previously held in 2017 and 2019. Vladimir Putin to attend Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he will attend the event- marking his first visit to China since Moscow's war in Ukraine. Top Russian diplomat Sergei Lavrov will also attend and hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Moscow informed. What has Beijing said on Belt and Road initiative Beijing hailed the initiative as having delivered real gains to participating countries saying that the balance of loans for the projects from the Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) now totalled 2.2 trillion yuan ($307.4 billion). Eximbank has financed major transport and energy projects across the projects. Italy opting out of Belt and Road initiative Italy- one of the group's leading developed democracies to sign up to the investment scheme- said last month that it was considering opting out of the deal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON China will hold its third Belt and Road forum in its capital next week, Beijing said Wednesday, confirming the details of an event that several foreign leaders are expected to attend -- including Vladimir Putin. Chinese President Xi Jinping(AFP) Representatives from over 130 countries are set to take part in the event celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Beijing's vast infrastructure initiative. "Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a keynote speech," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. He will also "hold a welcome banquet for foreign leaders and heads of international organisations attending the forum", she added. READ | China to host Belt and Road forum in October: Foreign ministry Russian President Putin has said he will attend the event, in what will be his first visit to China since his war in Ukraine threw him into international isolation. China and Russia describe each other as strategic allies, frequently touting their "no limits" partnership and economic and military cooperation. They came even closer following the invasion of Ukraine, with the Kremlin seeking to deepen ties with Beijing after finding itself increasingly ostracised by the West. China has refused to condemn the war, and has tried to position itself as a neutral party, while at the same time offering Moscow a vital diplomatic and financial lifeline. READ | Xi Jinping says China may hold Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation Moscow's foreign ministry said Tuesday that top diplomat Sergei Lavrov would also attend next week's Belt and Road forum and hold talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. "We welcome countries and partners actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to come to Beijing to discuss cooperation plans and seek common development," another foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last month. Next week's forum will focus on the theme of "high-quality joint construction" of the Belt and Road, as well as "joint development and prosperity", the foreign ministry said. Beijing said in a white paper on Tuesday that the BRI has generated over two trillion dollars in contracts around the world -- equivalent in size to some of the world's biggest economies. It hailed the BRI on Tuesday as having "delivered real gains to participating countries". It also said the balance of loans for BRI projects from Eximbank -- a key BRI creditor -- now totalled 2.2 trillion yuan ($307.4 billion). Critics have long accused China of luring lower-income countries into debt traps by offering huge, unaffordable loans. And some of its partners are increasingly wary about the cost involved. Italy, the only one of the group of leading developed democracies to sign up to the investment scheme, said last month it was considering opting out of the deal. A tour group including North Dakota residents and faith leaders that was stranded in Bethlehem amid the early stages of the latest war between Hamas and Israel will be returning to the United States in the next several days. The group on Tuesday had made its way to Jordan, a country that borders Israeli and Palestinian territory. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said in a statement Wednesday that he confirmed with the groups tour director that all members of the trip are booked on flights home in the coming days. The announcement comes after a period of uncertainty as thousands attempted to flee the region in the wake of an attack on Israel leveled by Hamas, an Islamic militant group which is in control of Palestine. Hamas first attacked Israel on Saturday, deploying around 1,000 troops and firing thousands of missiles. Israel responded by declaring war and launching a counteroffensive focused largely on the Gaza Strip, which has been under a land, air and sea blockade from Egypt and Israel after Hamas seized power over Palestine in 2007. Its the latest iteration in a decadeslong land rights conflict focused on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory that stretches back to the 1922 Mandate for Palestine and 1948 Israeli Declaration of Independence. Palestinian authorities have said at least 1,055 people had died in Gaza as of Wednesday, and the Israeli death toll exceeded 1,200. In the days since the attack began, the tour group attempted to find a way home, but airline cancellations and the demand for flights presented logistical challenges. Hoeven and Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., have been working with the State Department to ensure the groups safe return to North Dakota. This is a welcome piece of good news as we continue to see the results of Hamas terrible attack against Israel, Hoeven said in a Wednesday statement. We continue to pray for the victims, offer our unequivocal support to Israel and work to contain Irans efforts to spread violence and hate. Many North Dakota elected officials have decried the Hamas attack and called for aid to Israel. The country is one of Americas longtime allies and the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II, according to congressional research. President Joe Biden has already signed off on an initial wave of aid, though the prospect of future aid may come with some challenges, as some in Congress seek to tie Ukraine funding with assistance to Israel, and the House of Representatives is currently without a speaker. Gov. Doug Burgum directed all government agencies to fly the U.S. and North Dakota flags at half-staff from sunrise Wednesday until sunset Friday and lit the Governors Mansion in the blue and white colors of the Israeli flag to show support for the U.S. ally. Canadian police are searching for a suspect after three temples were robbed on Sunday. These burglaries follow a spate of similar incidents in the GTA in late 2021 and into early last year. There were at least 18 such break-ins. (File) In a release on Wednesday, Durham Regional Police said that on October 8, approximately 12.45 am., officers from the West Division responded to reports of a break-and-enter in progress at a religious temple in the town of Pickering in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA. A male was seen on security surveillance making entry into the temple and taking a large quantity of cash from the donation boxes. The male fled the area prior to police arrival, the release noted. Soon after, at approximately 1:30 am, officers responded to reports of a similar incident at another temple in Pickering. A resident of the temple reported that a male had broken through a window and attempted to steal a safe which contained donated cash. The male was unsuccessful and fled prior to police arrival. Surveillance footage was reviewed and the male was confirmed to be the same suspect who had committed the earlier break-and-enter, the release stated. After that, at about 2.50 am, the same person broke into another temple in the neighbouring town of Ajax. He stole a large quantity of cash from a donation box. The person was described as: 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He was seen wearing a blue surgical mask, black poofy jacket with tightly zipped hood, green camo cargo pants, and green running shoes. He was observed walking with a limp. Police have sought the assistance of members of the public with information that could aid their investigation. These burglaries follow a spate of similar incidents in the GTA in late 2021 and into early last year. There were at least 18 such break-ins. Three persons were arrested in March 2022 in connection with the burglaries that had shaken the Indo-Canadian community. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail Canada has said that diplomatic engagement with India remains private even as the deadline from New Delhi for Ottawa to pare its diplomatic presence in the country passed on October 10. Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly speaks at the High-Level Dialogue on the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations, in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly. (AP) Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private, Canadas foreign affairs Minister Melanie Joly told the media in Ottawa on Wednesday morning during the course of a press conference to address the situation in Israel. She was asked whether Canada had downsized the number of diplomats in India following Indias demand for parity. Meanwhile, the outlet CBC News reported that all or almost all Canadian diplomats remain in India. Citing an unnamed senior Canadian government source, it said Canada remains in discussions with India, and has allowed the deadline to pass without complying with Indias demand. Jolys remark came in the wake of a report in the Financial Times or FT that Canada and India were still discussing the issue of pulling 41 diplomats and bring the number down from the current 62. Earlier reports in Canadian media suggested that some Canadian diplomats have already been reassigned to countries like Singapore and Malaysia. That demand arose after the rupture in ties between the two countries following Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons on September 18 that there were credible allegations that Indian agents were potentially linked to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Nijjar on June 18. Nijjar, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justices principal organiser in British Columbia, was murdered in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Singh Gurdwara Sahib he headed in Surrey. FT had also reported that Joly met secretly with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Washington late last month. It also said that Ottawa was trying to resolve the issue of diplomats losing immunity as announced by India. However, even as Joly has stressed on keeping diplomacy private. Trudeau has publicly raised the matter in conversations related to the terror attacks on Israel. Trudeau first spoke on Sunday with the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE is among Indias closest friends in the region. A readout of the conversation from the Canadian PMO said, Prime Minister Trudeau provided an update on the situation between Canada and India. He also tweeted he raised the issue of India and the importance of upholding and respecting the rule of law. He subsequently spoke with Jordans King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein. Once again, India featured in the conversation, as the Canadian readout said, Prime Minister Trudeau provided an update on the situation between Canada and India, underscoring the importance of respecting the rule of law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON California has enacted a new law called, Ebony Alert, which is similar to Amber Alert, to aid in locating missing Black children and young women between the ages of 12 and 25. On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 673 into law, which will go into effect on January 1. The law will allow the California Highway Patrol to activate an alert using electronic roadway signage to spread information when a Black youth goes missing. The law also encourages TV, cable, radio, and social media outlets to cooperate with the information. FILE California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law called Ebony Alert (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)(AP) Senator Steven Bradford, who sponsored the bill, while talking about the law, said in a statement, Today, California is taking bold and needed action to locate missing Black children and Black women in California. I want to thank the Governor for signing the Ebony Alert into law. READ MORE: California to ban Skittles and other candies officially from 2027 Our Black children and young women are disproportionately represented on the missing persons lists. This is heartbreaking and painful for many families and a public crisis for our entire state. The Ebony Alert can change this, Sen. Steven added. However, netizens are not too excited about the newly enacted law. Various social media users expressed their discontentment over it, with one user saying, Guess they didn't like Amber. So who is the famous Ebony girl this is named after? Oh, it's just a reference to skin color? Good to know California has its priorities in order. Very important stuff. Another user inquired, Why is the Amber alert not sufficient to find all children? Not sure I understand why something so important needed to be racially divided? One more furious citizen wrote, Amber Alert isnt a color thing, its a missing child thing. Who cares what color, the child is missing!! Hurricane Lidia plowed into Mexico's Pacific coast at the beach town of Las Penitas on Tuesday evening as a powerful Category 4 storm, killing at least one person as resorts hunkered down to shelter from lashing rain, powerful wind and flooding. Waves crash against an ocean pier in Mexico's Pacific coast, in Puerto Vallarta.(REUTERS) Authorities in the state of Nayarit said a person was killed when a tree fell on the van he was driving north of the major tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta. In Puerto Vallarta, residents boarded up windows and dragged sacks of sand from the beach to reinforce flood barriers on their storefronts, and the airport said it would shut down until 8 a.m. (1400 GMT) on Wednesday. The city's streets were empty by nightfall, as strong winds hurled water across its palm-lined promenade and shook buildings. READ | Hurricane Hilary makes landfall in Mexico, hits California: Check top 10 updates The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lidia was of "extremely dangerous" strength and blowing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph) in the state of Jalisco. "I urge people living between Nayarit and Jalisco, especially in Bahia de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta and Tomatlan, to take precautions," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, telling people to stay away from low-lying areas, rivers and slopes. Social media videos showed heavy rain as far as the inland city of Guadalajara. Some people reported fallen trees blocking roads and rivers threatening to burst their banks. READ | Tropical storm Idalia forms in Gulf of Mexico on a possible track towards US The Miami-based NHC said Lidia was moving east-northeast at 16 mph (26 kph) and should weaken quickly as it barrels inland. A hurricane warning is in effect from the Islas Marias to the inland town of El Roblito in Nayarit state to the port city of Manzanillo, while tropical storm conditions could extend as far as Michoacan state and southern parts of Sinaloa. Lidia is expected to dump up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain, though some areas could see up to 12 inches through Wednesday, the NHC said. Farther south, Tropical Storm Max killed two people and injured at least two in the state of Guerrero, according to media reports. Lidia comes eight years after Patricia, a Category 5 hurricane - the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale - struck close to Puerto Vallarta with winds that tore down trees, moved cars and forced thousands of people to flee from their homes. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Israel formed an emergency unity government on Wednesday as its jets pounded Gaza and tanks massed around the Palestinian enclave, and the army said it killed three Hamas militants in a fresh confrontation on nearby Israeli territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in tie, with Benny Gantz(Shutterstock) Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz, a centrist opposition leader, spoke live on Israeli television alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after forming a war cabinet focused entirely on the conflict. "Our partnership is not political, it is a shared fate," said Gantz. "At this time we are all the soldiers of Israel." Netanyahu said the people of Israel and its leadership were united. "We have put aside all differences because the fate of our state is on the line," he said. Israel's death toll rose to 1,200 with over 2,700 wounded, its military said, in a weekend rampage by militants who breached the border fence enclosing Gaza in a shock infiltration of nearby Israeli towns and villages. Israeli reprisal strikes on blockaded Gaza have killed 1,100 people and wounded 5,339, Gaza's Health Ministry said. Some 535 residential buildings had been destroyed leaving around 250,000 homeless, Hamas officials said. Most of the displaced were in U.N.-designated shelters, others huddling in shattered streets. U.S. President Joe Biden, who has pledged Washington's ongoing support for Israel, despatched his top diplomat, Antony Blinken, to the region in a bid to avert a wider Middle East war. Hamas' armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, said it was still fighting inside Israel on Wednesday, and the Israeli military said a tank fired on three militants in a vehicle near Nir Am kibbutz, just outside northeast Gaza, and killed them. Israel has deployed formations of tanks and armoured vehicles near Gaza in possible preparation for a ground offensive into the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave. Hamas's armed wing said it had targeted the northern Israeli coastal city of Haifa with an R60 rocket. There were no immediate reports of casualties after sirens sounded in Haifa and nearby towns. A Reuters TV crew saw a house hit by an apparent projectile near Metulla in Israel's far north, close to the border with south Lebanon where the heavily armed Iran-backed Hezbollah group is active. Israel has vowed swift punishment for the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in its 75-year-old history, which left corpses strewn around a music festival and a kibbutz community. Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck more than 200 targets in a neighbourhood of Gaza City overnight that the military said had been used by Hamas to launch its attacks. Israel has put Gaza under "total siege" to stop food and fuel reaching the enclave of 2.3 million people, many poor and dependent on aid. Hamas media said on Wednesday electricity went out after the only power station stopped working. With Palestinian rescue workers overwhelmed, others in the crowded coastal strip searched for bodies in the rubble. "I was sleeping here when the house collapsed on top of me," one man cried as he and others used flashlights on the stairs of a building hit by missiles to find anyone trapped. The Israeli military said its troops had killed at least 1,000 Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated from Gaza as they regained control of the border region, and the Chief of the General Staff met commanders to discuss their next steps. "We will wipe this thing called Hamas, ISIS-Gaza, off the face of the earth," Defence Minister Gallant said in the televised joint address, likening Hamas to the Islamic State group. "It will cease to exist." WEST BANK VIOLENCE Scores of Israelis and others were taken to Gaza as hostages, some of whom were paraded through streets. Both sides have said many women and children were among the dead and wounded, and distraught relatives have held multiple funerals. Israel said it was shifting schools to remote learning from Sunday and issuing more firearms to licensed citizens, predicting possible friction between its Jewish majority and Arab minority amid calls for more protests in support of Gaza. Israeli security forces have killed at least 27 Palestinians during clashes in the occupied West Bank since Saturday, as Palestinian factions called on people in the Palestinian territory to rise up following Hamas' strike from Gaza. The acting governor of the West Bank city of Nablus, Ghassan Daghlas, said Palestinians were shot at and reportedly wounded by Israeli settlers. Reuters could not immediately verify the report and there was no immediate Israeli comment. In another sign of the crisis widening, Israeli shelling hit southern Lebanese towns after a rocket attack by the powerful Hezbollah in the fourth consecutive day of violence there. A ground offensive into Gaza carries risks for Israel, notably to the hostages held in the narrow, widely urbanised enclave. Hamas has threatened to execute a captive for each home hit without warning. Palestinian sources said one of the homes Israeli air strikes hit in Gaza overnight killed three relatives of Hamas military wing chief Mohammed Deif, the secretive mastermind of the assault, which was planned for two years. Israel withdrew settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005 after 38 years of occupation. An Israeli blockade since Hamas seized power in the enclave in 2007 has created conditions which Palestinians say are intolerable. Washington said it was talking with Israel and Egypt about safe passage for civilians from Gaza, with food in short supply. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell, James Mackenzie, Dan Williams, Emily Rose, Henriette Chacar and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Humerya Pamuk in Washington and Andrew Mills in Qatar; Writing by Simon Lewis, Michael Georgy, Philippa Fletcher and Mark Heinrich; Editing by Howard Goller, Lincoln Feast, Michael Perry, Andrew Cawthorne and Toby Chopra) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON French police have arrested more than 20 people over dozens of antisemitic acts carried out since Saturday, including harassment of Jewish children by fellow pupils at school, the government said on Wednesday. People hold and wave Israeli flags as they gather gather during a demonstration in a show of support for Israel, Tuesday in Lyon, central France. (AP) France is home to some of Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish populations and conflicts in the Middle East can lead to tensions there - which Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the government aimed to avert with heightened police protection of Jewish sites, including schools and synagogues. "It's important that all French people of Jewish faith know they are protected," Darmanin said as he and Education Minister Gabriel Attal visited a Jewish school near Paris. Some 10,000 police are protecting 500 sites, Darmanin said. Attal said pupils of Jewish faith had faced problems in their schools, including a pupil in the wider Paris region who had been attacked by fellow pupils who ripped his t-shirt. Any such incidents would be referred to judicial authorities, he said. In Britain, reports of antisemitic incidents have tripled since the weekend compared with the same period last year, a Jewish charity said on Tuesday. Gaza is a coastal strip of land that lay on ancient trading and maritime routes along the Mediterranean shore. Held by the Ottoman Empire until 1917, it passed from British to Egyptian to Israeli military rule over the last century and is now a fenced-in enclave inhabited by over 2 million Palestinians. Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Gaza City(REUTERS) Here are some of the major milestones in its recent history. 1948 - End of British rule As British colonial rule came to an end in Palestine in the late 1940s, violence intensified between Jews and Arabs, culminating in war between the newly created State of Israel and its Arab neighbors in May 1948. Tens of thousands of Palestinians took refuge in Gaza after fleeing or being driven from their homes. The invading Egyptian army had seized a narrow coastal strip 25 miles (40 km) long, which ran from the Sinai to just south of Ashkelon. The influx of refugees saw Gaza's population triple to around 200,000. 1950s & 1960s - Egyptian military rule Egypt held the Gaza Strip for two decades under a military governor, allowing Palestinians to work and study in Egypt. Armed Palestinian "fedayeen," many of them refugees, mounted attacks into Israel, drawing reprisals. The United Nations set up a refugee agency, UNRWA, which today provides services for 1.6 million registered Palestine refugees in Gaza, as well as for Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank. 1967 - War and Israeli military occupation Israel captured the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. An Israeli census that year put Gaza's population at 394,000, at least 60% of them refugees. With the Egyptians gone, many Gazan workers took jobs in the agriculture, construction and services industries inside Israel, to which they could gain easy access at that time. Israeli troops remained to administer the territory and to guard the settlements that Israel built in the following decades. These became a source of growing Palestinian resentment. 1987 - First Palestinian uprising. Hamas formed Twenty years after the 1967 war, Palestinians launched their first intifada, or uprising. It began in December 1987 after a traffic accident in which an Israeli truck crashed into a vehicle carrying Palestinian workers in Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp, killing four. Stone-throwing protests, strikes and shutdowns followed. Seizing the angry mood, the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood created an armed Palestinian branch, Hamas, with its power base in Gaza. Hamas, dedicated to Israel's destruction and restoration of Islamic rule in what it saw as occupied Palestine, became a rival to Yasser Arafat's secular Fatah party that led the Palestine Liberation Organization. 1993 - The Oslo Accords, and Palestinian semi-autonomy Israel and the Palestinians signed an historic peace accord in 1993 that led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority. Under the interim deal, Palestinians were first given limited control in Gaza, and Jericho in the West Bank. Arafat returned to Gaza after decades in exile. The Oslo process gave the newly created Palestinian Authority some autonomy, and envisaged statehood after five years. But that never happened. Israel accused the Palestinians of reneging on security agreements, and Palestinians were angered by continued Israeli settlement building. Hamas and Islamic Jihad carried out bombings to try to derail the peace process, leading Israel to impose more restrictions on movement of Palestinians out of Gaza. Hamas also picked up on growing Palestinian criticisms of corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement by Arafat's inner circle. 2000 - Second Palestinian intifada In 2000, Israeli-Palestinian relations sank to a new low with the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada. It ushered in a period of suicide bombings and shooting attacks by Palestinians, and Israeli air strikes, demolitions, no-go zones and curfews. One casualty was Gaza International Airport, a symbol of thwarted Palestinian hopes for economic independence and the Palestinians' only direct link to the outside world that was not controlled by Israel or Egypt. Opened in 1998, Israel deemed it a security threat and destroyed its radar antenna and runway a few months after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Another casualty was Gaza's fishing industry, a source of income for tens of thousands. Gaza's fishing zone was reduced by Israel, a restriction it said was necessary to stop boats smuggling weapons. 2005 - Israel evacuates its Gaza settlements In August 2005 Israel evacuated all its troops and settlers from Gaza, which was by then completely fenced off from the outside world by Israel. Palestinians tore down the abandoned buildings and infrastructure for scrap. The settlements' removal led to greater freedom of movement within Gaza, and a "tunnel economy" boomed as armed groups, smugglers and entrepreneurs quickly dug scores of tunnels into Egypt. But the pullout also removed settlement factories, greenhouses and workshops that had employed some Gazans. 2006 - Isolation under Hamas In 2006, Hamas scored a surprise victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections and then seized full control of Gaza, overthrowing forces loyal to Arafat's successor, President Mahmoud Abbas. Much of the international community cut aid to the Palestinians in Hamas-controlled areas because they regarded Hamas as a terrorist organization. Israel stopped tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from entering the country, cutting off an important source of income. Israeli air strikes crippled Gaza's only electrical power plant, causing widespread blackouts. Citing security concerns, Israel and Egypt also imposed tighter restrictions on the movement of people and goods through the Gaza crossings. Ambitious Hamas plans to refocus Gaza's economy east, away from Israel, foundered before they even started. Viewing Hamas as a threat, Egypt's military-backed leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who took power in 2014, closed the border with Gaza and blew up most of the tunnels. Once again isolated, Gaza's economy went into reverse. Conflict cycle Gaza's economy has suffered repeatedly in the cycle of conflict, attack and retaliation between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. Before 2023, some of the worst fighting was in 2014, when Hamas and other groups launched rockets at heartland cities in Israel. Israel carried out air strikes and artillery bombardment that devastated neighborhoods in Gaza. More than 2,100 Palestinians were killed, mostly civilians. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians. 2023 - Surprise attack While Israel was led to believe it was containing a war-weary Hamas by providing economic incentives to Gazan workers, the group's fighters were being trained and drilled in secret. On Oct.7, Hamas gunmen launched a surprise attack on Israel, rampaging through towns, killing hundreds, and taking dozens of hostages back to Gaza. Israel took revenge, hammering Gaza with air strikes and razing entire districts in some of the worst blood-letting in the 75 years of conflict. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Spokesperson of the Israel Defence Force (IDF) Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus on Wednesday took to social media platform X to launch an attack on the militant group Hamas. Conricus said that around 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamas' attack on Israel and that the security forces were stepping up their efforts to ensure that Hamas would not have any military capabilities at the end of the war. Spokesperson of the Israel Defence Force (IDF) Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus(X/Israel Defence Forces) READ | Israel prided itself over surveillance. Then, Hamas outmaneuvered by going dark "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1,200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2,700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that the Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens," Conricus added. READ | Israel mobilises 360,000 reservists: 7 things to know about 'backbone of army' The IDF spokesperson clarified about the bombing of a building in Gaza which reports claimed was a residential building. He said that the building was used by Hamas for their research and planning. It isn't a civilian building, it is a legitimate military target because Hamas uses all its locations, all of their officers, headquarters for their research and development and all of their military assets, if it is above ground, they locate themselves in civilian buildings. "Hamas being cowards that they never put signs on their building saying, Welcome to the Hamas Headquarters for planning terrorist activity in Israel," Conricus said. The Israel Defence Forces said earlier that it struck over 200 targets of the terrorist group in the Al Furkan neighbourhood of the besieged Gaza Strip. "The IDF continues extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip; dozens of Air Force fighter jets attacked over 200 targets in the Al Furkan neighbourhood for the third time in the past day This is the third attack in the area during the last day, in which the IDF attacked over 450 targets in the area of the neighbourhood," the IDF posted on X. Over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in the air raids. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indias position on the Israel-Palestine issue has come into focus following the devastating attacks by Hamas that left more than 1,200 Israelis dead, with New Delhi expressing solidarity with Tel Aviv while maintaining silence on other aspects of the long-drawn conflict. PREMIUM Modis visit to Israel in 2017 marked another break from the past, as he skipped the tradition of Indian leaders also making a stopover in Palestine(AFP Photo) The only official reaction so far has come from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first Indian premier to visit Israel, who expressed shock at the terrorist attacks and conveyed a message of solidarity to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone conversation on Tuesday. Many in diplomatic circles have noted the external affairs ministrys silence on the matter. A note on India-Palestine relations on the ministrys website describes the countrys support for the Palestinian cause as an integral part of the nations foreign policy, and lists milestones such as India being the first non-Arab state to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974, and India being one of the first countries to recognise the state of Palestine in 1988. Over the decades, however, Indias position on Palestine and Israel has been closely linked to domestic politics and global geopolitical equations. This has ranged from Mahatma Gandhis opposition, in the pre-independence era, to the creation of a Jewish state on the basis of religion and under the shadow of the British gun, to a more open embrace of Israel as a key strategic and security partner in West Asia in recent years. Indias links with Arab states and Muslim-majority countries in the decades after independence, including through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and its own sensitivities related to Pakistan often influenced New Delhis decisions on key matters related to Israel at the United Nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas inspect a ceremonial guard of honour at Al-Muqata'a, the compound of the presidential headquarters in Ramallah on February 10, 2018. (PTI) This explains Indias move to join 12 other countries, including Pakistan, Cuba and Saudi Arabia, to vote against the UN plan to partition Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states in November 1947 and to vote against Israels admission to the UN in May 1949. It was only after Muslim-majority countries such as Iran and Turkey recognised Israel that India too accepted the Jewish state in September 1950. However, it would take India another 42 years to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. A number of other factors were behind Indias position in the period from the 1950s to the 1980s fears that recognising Israel could prompt Arab states to back Pakistans position on Kashmir, the near complete reliance on crude imports from West Asia, the overall mood within NAM, and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafats relations with prime minister Indira Gandhi as well as her son, Rajiv Gandhi. Under Indira Gandhi, India granted full diplomatic status to the PLOs official representative in New Delhi in January 1975, a time when some in the West saw Arafat as a terrorist. Again, under Indira Gandhis leadership, the PLO office was upgraded to an embassy in March 1980. The NAM Summit hosted by India in March 1983 resulted in a declaration that contended a durable peace could not be established in the Middle East without the total and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied by it since 1967, and reaffirmed the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Yasser Arafat with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 07 June, 1983. (HT Photo) Some experts attribute these developments to the close relationship between Indira Gandhi and Arafat. Rajiv Gandhi continued with Indias support for the Palestinian cause after his mothers death, and Arafat attended the funeral of both Indian leaders after their assassinations. Despite the public support for the Palestinian cause, Indias leaders displayed pragmatism in quietly cultivating contacts with Israel, mainly for security purposes. Documents in Israeli and Indian archives have shown that prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was in touch with his Israeli counterpart David Ben-Gurion during the confrontation with China in 1962, when the Indian side received some weapons from Israel, and that Israel again supplied arms to India through Liechtenstein months before the 1971 war with Pakistan. But it was under the PV Narasimha Rao government that things moved into higher gear with the establishment of full diplomatic ties in 1992. Experts have said several geopolitical factors were behind this move Indias move to balance its ties with the US and the West following the break-up of the Soviet Union, the beginning of a peace process between Israel and the PLO, and Chinas decision to have diplomatic ties with Israel. India-Israel ties advanced further under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose predecessor, the Jana Sangh, had been wary about New Delhis support for the Palestinian cause. The first breakthroughs were made under the BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the area of defence and Israel soon emerged as one of the leading suppliers of hi-tech weapons such as precision munitions and missiles and avionics. This cooperation was on display during the 1999 Kargil border conflict with Pakistan, when the Indian Air Force used Israeli kits to drop bombs with deadly accuracy on positions occupied by Pakistani infiltrators. This was followed by back-to-back visits to Israel by then Union home minister LK Advani and then external affairs minister Jaswant Singh in the summer of 2000. Recent years Modis visit to Israel in 2017 marked another break from the past, as he skipped the tradition of Indian leaders also making a stopover in Palestine, though he became the first Indian premier to travel to the West Bank city of Ramallah in 2018. More than other governments in recent years, the current BJP administration has sought to achieve a careful balance between its relations with Arab states and Israel, and more of this tight rope walking will be on display as India negotiates the fallout of the new conflict that has added to the complexities of the landscape of West Asia, which New Delhi describes as part of the countrys extended neighbourhood. Continue reading with HT Premium Subscription Daily E Paper I Premium Articles I Brunch E Magazine I Daily Infographics Subscribe Now @1199/year Already Subscribed? Sign In SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON If you are dealing with older versions of Exchange Servers, there are regulatory and technical obstacles making it harder to move to the cloud. This is where an Office 365 hybrid deployment comes in handy. This e-guide covers five key reasons to implement an Office 365 hybrid deployment. Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas which has claimed over 2,200 lives on both sides, a video has surfaced on social media showing a family held hostage by the group. The video shows the family -- comprising father, mother, daughter, son and another member -- surrounded by gun-wielding Hamas terrorists. The terrorist recording the viral video then asks the father to talk to Israel. "Talk to your country. Tell them we are here," he said. The family was held hostage in their house in a kibbutz in Israel's Nahal Oz, which is close to the Gaza border. (Screengrab) The family was held hostage in their house in a kibbutz in Israel's Nahal Oz, which is close to the Gaza border. The incident was live streamed on Facebook by the terrorists. Since Hamas levelled an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on October 7, the militant group has taken hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage. The group has left trails of bodies on the streets and several visuals of the group killing children, women and senior citizens under duress have surfaced on social media. Israel has intensified its attack on Hamas' locations in Gaza. The father said," The Hamas Group is here inside our house. I have been shot in the leg. Pointing towards his wife and their daughter, he said, We are here with the girls. Using pictures of the family, Hamas fighters also asked them about the members in the photographs who were not present in the house. Gesturing that they are away, the father says Haifa, indicating that those people live in Israel's Haifa city. Further in the video, the Hamas fighters also use the couple's son to persuade people to get out of their homes in the neighbourhood. On Saturday, Hamas carried out the biggest attack on Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur War, using boats, motor gliders and trucks to infiltrate the country. As Hamas militants went on killing civilians and taking Israeli soldiers hostage, Israeli Defense Forces launched a massive counter attack on the Gaza Strip. According to a Twitter handle, the whereabouts of the family are unknown as of now. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the Palestinian militant group Hamas's killing of Israeli civilians was a cold-blooded act of war and reflected an "ancient evil". Israel Palestine Latest: Palestinians walk through the destruction by Israeli bombing in Gaza City.(AP) "We have to be clear in defining this kind of horror," she said. "And there can only be one response to it. Europe stands with Israel. And we fully support Israel's right to defend itself." Addressing the start of a meeting of European commissioners, von der Leyen also supported a full review of the EU's multi-million-euro financial support for Palestinian projects. On Saturday, Hamas militants stormed Israel's border around the Gaza enclave and launched attacks on civilian and military targets, leaving more than 1,200 dead. Israel has responded with artillery and air strikes, and Gaza officials estimate more than 900 Palestinian dead after five days of ferocious fighting. The EU and its member states have responded with expressions of solidarity with Israel and furious disgust at Hamas's assault. "It is terrorism. And it is an act of war," von der Leyen said. But they are also concerned that Israel keep its response within the limits of international law. "Hamas terrorists killed women and children in their homes. They hunted hundreds of young men and women who were celebrating life and music," von der Leyen told the European Commission. "They took hostage hundreds of innocents, whose fate is still unknown," she said. "These innocents were killed for one single reason: For being Jewish and living in the State of Israel. It is an ancient evil, which reminds us of the darkest past and shocks all of us to the core." Von der Leyen also addressed a debate raging in Brussels over the European Union's huge budget to support the Palestinian Authority and state-building projects in Palestinian territories. The EU commissioner in charge of relations with Europe's neighbours, Hungary's Oliver Varhelyi, has called for aid to be suspended pending a review of whether any leaked to armed groups like Hamas. But EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, with the backing of most member state foreign ministers, wants funding to continue while any review is carried out to avoid punishing Palestinian civilians. "Our humanitarian support to the Palestinian people is not in question. Yet it is important that we carefully review our financial assistance for Palestine," von der Leyen said. EU funding has never and will never go to Hamas or any terrorist entity. So we will now again review the entire portfolio in light of an evolving situation on the ground. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For Mohammed Deif launching Al Aqsa Flood- Hamas' surprise deadly attack on Israel- was a plan he worked on since 2021. For Israel it was its 9/11 moment but for Hamas that fired thousands of rockets out of the Gaza strip, it was always in the offing. In May 2021, after a raid on Islam's third holiest site, Mohammed Deif began planning the operation that has killed 1,200 people in Israel and wounded more than 2,700. Mohammed Deif is seen. (File) "It was triggered by scenes and footage of Israel storming Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan, beating worshippers, attacking them, dragging elderly and young men out of the mosque," a source in Gaza told news agency Reuters. Who is Mohammed Deif? Born as Mohammad Masri in 1965, the militant leader became known as Mohammed Deif after joining Hamas during the first Intifada which began in 1987. He was arrested by Israel in 1989 and spent about 16 months in detention. Mohammed Deif earned a degree in science from the Islamic University in Gaza, where he studied physics, chemistry and biology. Rising up the Hamas ranks, Mohammed Deif developed the group's network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise. His wife, 7-month-old son, and 3-year-old daughter were killed by an Israeli air strike in 2014. Mohammed Deif is a survivor of seven Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021. He rarely speaks and never appears in public. When Hamas' TV channel announced that he was about to speak on Saturday, Palestinians knew something significant was about to happen. Read more: France reports dozens of antisemitic acts since Hamas attack "Today the rage of Al Aqsa, the rage of our people and nation is exploding. Our mujahedeen (fighters), today is your day to make this criminal understand that his time has ended," Mohammed Deif said in the recording. There are only three images of Mohammed Deif- one in his 20s, another of him masked, and an image of his shadow. The whereabouts of Mohammed Deif are unknown but an Israeli security source told Reuters that he was directly involved in the planning and operational aspects of the attack. One of the homes Israeli airstrikes hit in Gaza belonged to Mohammed Deif's father. Mohammed Deif's brother and two other family members were killed, it was reported. How was the attack planned by Mohammed Deif? The decision to prepare the attack was taken jointly by Mohammed Deif, who commands Hamas's Al Qassam brigades, along with Yehya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza. "There are two brains, but there is one mastermind," Reuters reported quoting an unnamed source who added that the information about the operation was known only to a handful of Hamas leaders. Iran was aware a major operation was being prepared but it was not discussed in any joint operation rooms involving Hamas, the Palestinian leadership, Iranian-backed Lebanese militants Hezbollah, and Iran, the report added. "It was a very tight circle," the source told the news agency. The plan as conceived by Mohammed Deif and involved a prolonged effort at deception. "We have prepared for this battle for two years," said Ali Baraka, the head of external relations for Hamas. Mohammed Deif said in his recording that Hamas had repeatedly warned Israel to stop its crimes against Palestinians and to release prisoners. Every day the occupation storm our villages, towns and cities in the West Bank and raid houses, kill, injure, destroy and detain. At the same time, it confiscates thousands of acres of our land, uproots our people from their houses to build settlements while its criminal siege continues on Gaza, he said. Mohammed Deif said Hamas had urged the international community to put an end to the "crimes of the occupation", but Israel had stepped up its provocation. "In light of the orgy of occupation and its denial of international laws and resolutions, and in light of American and western support and international silence, we've decided to put an end to all this," he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed to wipe Hamas off the face of the Earth as the new unity government signaled a major ground offensive would start soon in retaliation for an attack by the militant group that killed 1,200 people. Israeli security forces and infantry fighting vehicles move towards the border with Gaza outside Sderot.(Bloomberg) I say here, to everyone we will wipe out this thing called Hamas, Gallant said alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We will wipe them off the face of the Earth. The address came hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel in a push to show US support. Israel has cut electricity to the Gaza Strip, where airstrikes continued. Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the US and EU, is holding an unknown number of Israelis hostage and officials suggested the invasion would start before they had been brought to safety. Israel Mourns Another Level of Cruelty as Gazans Await Attack All time stamps are Israeli time. Netanyahu Says Every Hamas Member is a Dead Man (12 a.m.) Netanyahi described the horror of the weekend attack, saying people had been beheaded and women had been raped. He vowed to crush and destroy Hamas. Opposition leader Benny Gantz foreshadowed the looming ground campaign, as officials said all Israelis are soldiers now. There is a time for war and time for peace, Gantz said. Now is time for war. Blinken Heads to Israel With Fate of Hostages Uncertain (9:45 p.m.) Secretary of State Antony Blinken took off for Tel Aviv, saying the point of his trip, which may include other stops in the region, is to show the US has Israels back at a time of crisis. The US is also investigating the fate of the at least 17 Americans who remain unaccounted for following the Hamas attack in Israel. The White House is only aware of a very small number who are believed to be hostages, spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. The US has not received proof of life regarding the suspected hostages and does not know where they are, Kirby added. Israel Says Reports of Intrusion Were False Alarm (8:30 p.m.) Air-raid sirens sounded in northern Israel and local residents were told to go to bomb shelters, but authorities later said reports of an airspace intrusion from Lebanon were a false alarm. Israelis have been on high alert for any sign Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon to the north might step up attacks after Hamas deadly attacks from Gaza in the south over the weekend. About 90 minutes after the first report of an intrusion in the north, the Israel Defense Force said, a suspected infiltration has been ruled out. It blamed human error for an earlier alert telling residents across the country to remain in shelters. Biden Speaks to Netanyahu as US Death Toll Rises (7:21 p.m.) Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Netanyahu to discuss ongoing U.S. support for Israel as Israel defends itself and protects its people, the White House said in a statement. Around the time of the call, the US State Department said the death toll among US citizens rose to at leaset 22. Its still not clear how many Americans are being held hostage by Hamas. Israel Engaged in War of Extermination, Palestinian Official Says (7:15 p.m.) The Palestinian people are facing a war of extermination by Israel, the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki said Wednesday, adding that Israel is heading toward an option of total destruction of Gaza. We have repeatedly warned about the danger of the continued occupation of our land and the Israeli violations, Malki told an Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo. Malki detailed what he said were Israeli transgressions, including using illegal weapons in a blitz aimed at destroying Gazas infrastructure and its ability to support its residents. Shale Boss Warns of Oil-Market Peril If Iran Is Swept Into War (6:38 p.m.) Oil prices will surge if the Israel-Hamas war escalates to include Iran, shale magnate Scott Sheffield told Bloomberg Television. The founder and chief executive officer of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. issued the warning during an interview on Wednesday, hours after Exxon Mobil Corp. agreed to buy the shale giant for $59.5 billion. If Iran gets involved, [the war is] going to get bigger and bigger and itll significantly affect oil prices, he said. US to Send Iron Dome Interceptor Missiles, Other Munitions (6:12 p.m.) The US is sending interceptor missiles for Israelis Iron Dome air-defense system, as well as other munitions as part of initial support, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Brussels. The first munitions arrived Tuesday and the interceptors will be sent soon, Austin said, speaking after a meeting of the contact group supporting Ukraine. He said the US will keep supporting Ukraine and Israel. Were going to do whats necessary to help our allies and partners and were going to also do whats necessary to make sure that we maintain the capability to protect our interests and defend our country, Austin said. Israel Forms Rare Emergency Government (5:30 p.m.) Israel formed a rare emergency government with some opposition members on Wednesday to see the country through its war with Hamas. A war management cabinet will be established with three members, according to Netanyahus office. They are Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and ex-Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who now heads an opposition party. Gaza Runs Out of Power After Plant Stalls (4:02 p.m.) Electricity went out in Gaza after its only power plant stopped working. The station is unable to receive additional fuel after Israel cut off supplies in the wake of the Hamas attack. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said hospitals in Gaza will soon be without power. Hospitals are using backup generators to provide reduced emergency services, it said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan on Tuesday (local time) said the White House can not confirm the condition or the precise number of American citizens held hostage by Hamas militants. Sullivan said more than 20 US nationals are currently unaccounted for, but stressed that it does not necessarily mean they are all held hostage by Hamas. Palestinians rescue a man from the rubble of a destroyed residential building following an Israeli airstrike, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)(AP) "We do not know about their condition, and we cannot confirm a precise number of American citizens," he said, adding, "We believe that there are 20 or more Americans who, at this point, are missing, but I want to underscore and stress that does not necessarily mean that there are 20 more American hostages." The National Security Advisor assured the press and the American public that the government was working tirelessly to gather the most accurate information. "We will work hour by hour, both to determine whether we can account for any of those Americans or to confirm exactly what the number of Americans being held hostage is, and we will come back to you with that information as soon as we have it." On concerns and speculation about the potential involvement of Iran in a recent attack on Israel, Sullivan said, I laid out our view, which is the broad complicity based on the longstanding support that Hamas is giving to Iran. He, however, clarified, that the United States currently lacks specific information linking Iran to the recent attack. "We don't have specific information that ties Iran to this attack. At this time, we don't have that information. We may gain that information in the hours and days ahead, but we don't presently have it..." US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Israel in the coming days to engage directly with Israeli officials and address the situation on the ground. The secretary looks forward to meeting with senior leaders in the Israeli government and continuing the discussions he and the president have been having with them since the initial attacks on Saturday, he added. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel Saturday. More than 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the war on Hamas, the Israeli Defense Forces said in the latest operational update, up from 900 previously reported. Over 2,800 Israelis have been injured and 2,294 Hamas targets struck, the IDF added in a post at 12:30 am (1900 GMT) Tuesday. Israel launched heavy retaliatory airstrikes on the enclave, killing hundreds of Palestinians, and stopped entry of food, fuel and medicines into Gaza. The war, which has claimed at least 1,900 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. US President Joe Biden on Tuesday continued to condemn the attack by Hamas, calling it an act of pure unadulterated evil. In this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel, he said. Biden warned adversaries not to take advantage of the crisis. I have one word: Dont. Dont. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON AnIsraeli American soldier lost his life while fighting in Israel, trying to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. The incident took place during Hamas brutal attack on the country. Staff Sgt. Roey Weiser was stationed at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. During the invasion, the terrorists entered his base, launching a brutal attack on Israeli soldiers in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade. Staff Sgt. Roey Weiser was stationed at the Kerem Shalom border crossing (Naomi Feifer-Weiser/Facebook) Roeys mother told CNN that her son, a soldier from Efrat, sacrificed himself as a distraction so that his fellow fighters could flee to safety. He died how he lived, by putting others first and when his base was overrun by terrorists, he went on his own to divert their attention allowing others to escape. Because of his bravery, at least 12 other soldiers are alive today, Naomi Feifer-Weiser said. In a Facebook post, Roeys father Yami Weiser wrote in Hebrew, My son Roey was killed Saturday morning as a hero defending the southern border. We received a message from the IDF on Sunday afternoon. We still do not have information on when we can receive his body for burial. All we want is to lay Roey to rest and mourn him. Please share this post and maybe it will get to the right person who can move things for us. Roey is among at least 1,000 soldiers killed during the Hamas attack At least 11 Americans have reportedly been killed during the attacks over the weekend. The Biden administration has not confirmed how many Americans are being held hostage. "While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas," president Joe Biden said in a statement. "I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis." Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a post on social media platform X that Hamas is worse than ISIS while sharing a picture of the barbaric killings carried out by the terrorist group. Israel-Palestine Latest: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu(Reuters) "Hamas is worse than ISIS," the Israeli PM wrote as he shared the post. Sharing the same post on X, the the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, "Only a genocidal terrorist organization is capable of such horrors." This comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the area of the Gaza Division has been declared a closed military zone while the Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi told reservist officers at the Southern Command base in Beersheba that the defence forces are, at present focusing efforts on targeting the Hamas officials. "In any area that we know there are Hamas members, Hamas leaders, even if there are restrictions, we strike... accurately and with great power," Herzi Halevi said. The death toll on the Israeli side has crossed the 1200-mark whereas nearly 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since Hamas launched the attack on Saturday. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that he has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip. "I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, and no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly," Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said. Meanwhile, Gazas only power plant ran out of fuel, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, the energy ministry said. This means that only generators will power the territory but they also run on fuel that is in short supply. Germany also called on Qatar to mediate the release of hostages taken during the surprise attack on Israel. "Various actors in the region, including Qatar, must play an important role, because they have channels that we do not have," foreign minister Annalena Baerbock told MPs, ahead of a visit by Qatar's emir to Berlin. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Israeli lawmaker calling for her nation's military to use nuclear warfare in response to attacks by Hamas. Revital "Tally" Gotliv, a member of the Knesset for Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, published multiple posts advocating for a forceful retaliation following a surprise attack by Hamas. This comes as more than 2,200 combined Israelis and Palestinians have been killed since Hamas launched attacks. Israel-Palestine Latest: Palestinians evacuate a neighbourhood in Gaza City.(AFP) "Jericho Missile! Jericho Missile! Strategic alert. before considering the introduction of forces. Doomsday weapon! This is my opinion. May God preserve all our strength," Gotliv wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I urge you to do everything and use Doomsday weapons fearlessly against our enemies," adding that Israel must use everything in its arsenal, she said, adding, "Only an explosion that shakes the Middle East will restore this country's dignity, strength and security! It's time to kiss doomsday. Shooting powerful missiles without limit. Not flattening a neighbourhood. Crushing and flattening Gaza. ... without mercy! without mercy! Stressing for a swift response from her own government, she said that Hamas was "laughing" at Israel. Nikolai Sokov, senior fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, told Newsweek, For Israel, such loose talk is perhaps even more damaging because the country does not even admit it has nuclear weapons, so an indirect confirmation is not good for its image. Gotliv's calls for escalatory measures is nearsighted, Nikolai Sokov said adding, There are, effectively, no targets for nuclear weapons in this war/conflict. Gotliv has been a vocal critic of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In September, she accused the Israeli army of working for Palestinian "terrorists and security prisoners," according to The Jerusalem Post. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail Britain's King Charles is appalled by the "barbaric acts of terrorism" in Israel, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Wednesday, following attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Britain's King Charles III(Reuters) "This is a situation his majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated," the spokesperson said. "His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak." Israel's death toll has reached 1,200 with more than 2,700 wounded, its military has said, during the Hamas militants' hours-long rampage after breaching the border fence around Gaza on Saturday. Retaliatory strikes on the blockaded enclave have killed 1,055 people and wounded 5,184, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. "His majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel," the palace spokesperson said. Charles, 74, became the most senior British royal to pay an official visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories in 2020 when he met former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During his trip he spoke of the evil of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism, as well as expressing sadness over the suffering and hardship faced by Palestinians. Charles, who had previously travelled to Jerusalem in 1995 and 2016 to attend the funerals of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and President Shimon Peres, also visited the tomb of his grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, who is buried on Jerusalems Mount of Olives. She was honoured by Israel for sheltering Jews in her palace in Nazi-occupied Greece during the Holocaust. The king's son and heir Prince William also undertook an official visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories in 2018, becoming the first senior British royal to do so, speaking of his hopes there could be a "just and lasting peace". The number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to 22, the State Department said Wednesday. That's an increase from the 14 who'd been confirmed dead one day earlier. Israel-Palestine Latest: Palestinian militants fire rockets towards Israel from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Israel.(AFP) US citizens also are among the estimated 150 hostages captured by Hamas during its shocking weekend assault on Israel, President Joe Biden confirmed on Tuesday. The war has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. Biden, who is set to meet with Jewish leaders later Wednesday, sought to connect the attacks by Hamas militants directly to decades of antisemitism and violence endured by Jews around the world. This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people," Biden told reporters. "And this moment we have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale, beyond the pale. Biden said he and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was at least the fourth call between Biden and Netanyahu since Saturdays attack. We have to be crystal clear. There is no justification for terrorism," Biden said. The United States has Israels back and were going to be working on this through the day and beyond. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Kern County Police arrested four people in California not because they were driving in the middle of the night with their headlights off, but because their bacon and sausage pizza was topped with an illegal ingredient: a loaded semiautomatic handgun. And they happened to have a carload of illegal side dishes in the form of drugs, including meth, coke, Xanax and fentanyl. From the Los Angeles Times: Deputies initially pulled over Danny Carson, 47, at 3 a.m. for driving a vehicle without its headlights turned on in a residential neighborhood, sheriff's officials said. Deputies searched his car and also found an additional loaded handgun, a sawed-off shotgun, more than $1,000 in cash, scales, narcotic paraphernalia and packaging, sheriff's officials said. Carson was arrested along with three passengers in his vehicle: 47-year-old Benjamin Vasquez, 30-year-old Krista Rutledge and 18-year-old Saydee Vandehey. All four were charged with a variety of counts, including conspiracy to commit a crime, transportation of narcotics, concealment of a weapon in a vehicle, possession of cocaine for sale and felony possession of ammunition, according to deputies. In August, lovefood.com published a list of the "world's most outrageous toppings" on pizzas, including worms, marinated grasshoppers, kangaroo meat, and reindeer dust but loaded handguns did not make the cut. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian forces and hoped the war, which has already killed thousands over the last five days, would not expand. Israel-Palestine Latest: Russian President Vladimir Putin(Reuters) "It is necessary to avoid the expansion of the conflict at all cost, because if it happens it will have an impact on the international situation," Putin said, adding that parties need to return to a negotiation process that should be acceptable to all sides, including to the Palestinians. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Josh Duggar's legal appeal seeking a fresh trial in his 151-month conviction for child pornography, has been terminated. Duggar still has nine years left to serve his sentence in prison at FCI Seagoville near Dallas, Texas. Duggar was sentenced to prison in May 2022 after he was found guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography in December 2021. The appellate court has upheld the lower court's conviction of Duggar and issued a mandate which has been notified to the lower court. Josh Duggar(AP) "Upon issuance of the mandate, the jurisdiction of the court of appeals over the case terminates, and the district court acquires jurisdiction to implement the mandate," stated the Court of Appeals on the ruling. ALSO READ| 104-year-old Chicago woman dies just days after becoming oldest skydiver When was the fresh trial appeal filed? Duggar's lawyer Justin Gelfand, had filed a request to overturn the conviction and have a new trial in October 2022. Duggar's appeal rested on his stand that law enforcement authorities had allegedly seized his phone while he was trying to contact legal counsel during a raid at his car lot a year and a half prior to his arrest. "[Duggar] takes out his phone, physically puts it to his ear... for the purpose of contacting his legal counsel. Federal agents physically took the phone out of his hand and deprived him of the ability to communicate with his legal counsel," said Duggar's lawyer Gelfand in court. The Judge then questioned why Duggar didn't make the phone call from somewhere else. "This lot was accessible only by a highway with no sidewalk, it was in the middle of nowhere. There was nowhere to go. The vehicle he came in was searched, he had no access to it. The keys to the other vehicles in the car lot were in the office. He wouldnt be allowed to enter without an escort," explained Duggar's lawyer Gelfand. However, ultimately, the appellate panel rejected his argument because Duggar was not arrested by the federal agents during the raid. "To the contrary, he ended the interview on his own and then left the dealership hardly an option available to someone in custody. We accordingly affirm the judgment of the district court," the court ruled. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON One of the Americans who was killed by Hamas terrorists at a music festival in Israel has been identified as 24-year-old Lotan Abir, who has been described as a fun-loving man from Utah. During the attack, Lotan was attending the festival with a few friends from Utahs Jewish community. Lotan Abir has been described as a fun-loving man from Utah (Avremi Zippel/Facebook) Two of Lotans friends managed to escape, but he initially went missing, Rabbi Avremi Zippel, with Chabad Lubavitch of Utah, told the Salt Lake Tribune. Officials later confirmed that he died in the attack. He was the sort of person that you would want to call your friend, Zippel said. He ultimately gave up his life for the sake of our people at a rave while celebrating some of his greatest passions in life. Just a kind, sweet, fun-loving, innocent soul who was massacred by a terrorist. Towards the end of 2022, Lotan wrapped up military service in Israel and moved to Utah. However, he recently returned to Israel to attend some events. Lotans friend, Elad Ogorek, who lives in Utah, said that two of his friends who were at the festival told him they had not heard from Lotan ever since they fled. We knew it was going to be bad news; we didnt know what type of bad news it was gonna be, Elad said. We actually said ourselves, and asked each other, Whats better to get kidnapped to Gaza or just die? At least 14 Americans have reportedly been killed during the attacks over the weekend. The Biden administration has not confirmed how many Americans are being held hostage. "While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas," president Joe Biden said in a statement. "I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis." The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, candidly shared her apprehensions about her children's future engagement with social media during a discussion on mental wellness in the digital age. Joined by Prince Harry, the royal couple addressed the challenges faced by young people in the era of social media as part of Project Healthy Minds' World Mental Health Day Festival. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a panel held during Project Healthy Minds' second annual World Mental Health Day Festival and The Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit: Mental Wellness in the Digital Age in New York City, U.S., October 10, 2023. (REUTERS) Markle expressed her concerns, acknowledging the inevitability of her children, Archie and Lilibet, embracing social media. "Our kids are really young, they're two and a half and four and a half... but social media is not going away," she stated, emphasizing the initial positive intentions behind these platforms: "There is an entry point thats supposed to be positive and creating community. And something has devolved, and theres no way to hear that and not try to help these families have their stories be heard. Prince Harry echoed these worries, emphasizing the need to protect the youth online. "They dont know any better, he stressed, underlining the responsibility adults bear in guiding children through the digital landscape. Also Read | Here's one skill Meghan Markle wants her children to master While the couple feels fortunate that their children are still quite young, Markle admitted her fear about the rapidly changing social media landscape: 'Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life... outside of course being a wife to this one. But I will say, I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again, quite young, so this isn't in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened by how it's continuing to change. "And this will be in front of us. They say, being a parent, the days are long but the years are short." The discussion, hosted by the Sussexes Foundation, Archewell, shed light on the challenges faced by families in navigating the evolving digital world. Markle's heartfelt concerns resonated with parents globally, reflecting the shared responsibility of ensuring a safe and positive online environment for the next generation. A New Jersey high school graduate who was serving as a soldier in the Israeli military is reportedly missing after the Hamas attack. 19-year-old Edan Alexander was reportedly serving as part of the Israel Defense Forces Golani Brigade 51st Division near the Gaza Strip. Edan Alexander was reportedly serving as part of the Israel Defense Forces Golani Brigade 51st Division near the Gaza Strip (Governor Phil Murphy's Office) Tragically, we now know that there are New Jerseyans among the missing in Israel, Gov. Phil Murphy said, according to NJ.com. Edan graduated from Tenafly High School, a public school in Bergen County, last year. After the attack began, his family has been unable to get in touch with him. We pray for Edans swift, safe return. And we pray for every family in New Jersey and across the country with loved ones who are still unaccounted for, Murphy said. The world watched in horror as hundreds of innocent Israelis were murdered Murphy recently wrote in a post on Facebook, To every New Jerseyan with friends or loved ones in Israel and the Mideast region, please know that your neighborshere, and across the nationstand with you. We will do everything we can to keep you and your families safe. The world watched in horror as hundreds of innocent Israelis were murdered in cold bloodand thousands were injured or taken hostage, including innocent Americans. This was the bloodiest act of antisemitic violence since the days of the Holocaust. We pray for every innocent civilianIsraeli and Palestinian alike. But as we pray for peacewe also pray for justice. Because we know that lasting peace is not possible when terrorists remain on the run. Every loss of innocent life is a tragedy. And we owe it to future generations to end the cycle of war and trauma, he added. A New Jersey high school graduate who was serving as a soldier in the Israeli military is reportedly missing after the Hamas attack. 19-year-old Edan Alexander was reportedly serving as part of the Israel Defense Forces Golani Brigade 51st Division near the Gaza Strip. Tragically, we now know that there are New Jerseyans among the missing in Israel, Gov. Phil Murphy said, according to NJ.com. Edan graduated from Tenafly High School, a public school in Bergen County, last year. After the attack began, his family has been unable to get in touch with him. We pray for Edans swift, safe return. And we pray for every family in New Jersey and across the country with loved ones who are still unaccounted for, Murphy said. The world watched in horror as hundreds of innocent Israelis were murdered Murphy recently wrote in a post on Facebook, To every New Jerseyan with friends or loved ones in Israel and the Mideast region, please know that your neighborshere, and across the nationstand with you. We will do everything we can to keep you and your families safe. The world watched in horror as hundreds of innocent Israelis were murdered in cold bloodand thousands were injured or taken hostage, including innocent Americans. This was the bloodiest act of antisemitic violence since the days of the Holocaust. We pray for every innocent civilianIsraeli and Palestinian alike. But as we pray for peacewe also pray for justice. Because we know that lasting peace is not possible when terrorists remain on the run. Every loss of innocent life is a tragedy. And we owe it to future generations to end the cycle of war and trauma, he added. |#+| At least 14 Americans have reportedly been killed during the attacks over the weekend. The Biden administration has not confirmed how many Americans are being held hostage. "While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas," president Joe Biden said in a statement. I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis. New York Congressman George Santos faces new federal charges for allegedly lying about his campaign finances and using donors credit cards without their consent, according to a superseding indictment unsealed on Tuesday. FILE - U.S. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., holds a miniature American flag that was presented to him as he departs federal court, June 30, 2023, in Central Islip, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)(AP) The indictment adds 10 new charges to the ones Santos already pleaded not guilty to earlier this year, which accused him of misusing campaign donations for personal expenses such as luxury clothes, car payments, and personal debts. The new charges include conspiracy, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and credit card fraud. They allege that Santos and his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, falsified financial reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to inflate the campaigns fundraising numbers and qualify for support from Republican Party leaders. ALSO READ| US libraries are under threat from digital assault, can they be saved? According to the indictment, Santos and Marks knew that the campaign had to raise $250,000 in 2021 to get the backing of the national party. They allegedly devised a plan to report fake donations from 10 people, including some of Santos relatives, who had not actually contributed any money to the campaign. They also allegedly lied about a $500,000 loan that Santos claimed he had given to his own campaign in April 2022, when he had less than $8,000 in his personal and business bank accounts. The indictment says that they did this to make the campaign appear more financially sound than it was. The indictment accuses Santos of using the personal credit card information of some of his previous donors to make unauthorized charges in support of his political campaign. In one case, he allegedly charged $15,800 on a contributors credit card, which exceeded the federal campaign contribution limits. The donor did not know of or authorize charges exceeding such limits, prosecutors said. Santos is scheduled to appear in federal court on October 27, where he will likely face the new charges against him. His office and his defense attorney did not respond to CBS News multiple requests for comment. ALSO READ| Donald Trump blasts Joe Biden for betraying Israel and slams how anybody whos Jewish could vote for Democrats Marks pleaded guilty last week to one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, which covered much of the new alleged conduct by Santos. Her attorney said outside the courthouse that she would testify in Santos prosecution if subpoenaed. Santos, a newly-elected member of Congress representing the 3rd Congressional District of New York, has been plagued by accusations of embellishing his resume and providing inaccurate information about his prior experiences to enhance his prospects during his 2022 electoral campaign. He has openly acknowledged that he "embellished" his resume, and since assuming his role in Congress, has faced persistent inquiries regarding his educational background, and professional history, as well as concerns surrounding his financial affairs and campaign expenditure. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pope Francis on Wednesday called on militant Islamist group Hamas to release all hostages captured during its weekend attack on Israel, while expressing grave concerns about the "total" Israeli siege imposed on Gaza. Pope Francis speaks during his weekly general audience on St.Peter's Square in Vatican City (AFP) "I pray for those families who saw a feast day turn into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be immediately released," he said during his weekly audience. Referring to Israel's response to Hamas, Francis said, It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very worried by the total siege in which Palestinians in Gaza live, where there have also been many innocent victims. Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised the United States for its role in the ongoing Middle East crisis, triggered by the surprise Hamas attack in southern Israel, RT reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP) Putin stated, "I believe many would agree with me that it is a glaring example of the failures of the US Middle East policies. They tried to monopolize the peace settlement but unfortunately paid no attention to searching for compromises that would be acceptable for both parties," according to RT. RT is a Russian state-controlled international news television network funded by the Russian government. Putin also expressed concern about Washington's pressure on both sides, suggesting it was an attempt to impose "unilateral solutions" without considering the core interests of the Palestinian people, including the creation of an independent Palestinian nation-state as outlined in UN Security Council resolutions. The US "never took into account the core interests of the Palestinian people," Putin claimed. Putin's remarks came during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani in Moscow. He also emphasised the need to prioritise minimising harm to civilians on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as reported by RT. Senior Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, have also blamed the US for the renewed hostilities. Lavrov proposed that the quartet of Middle East mediators, which includes the US, Russia, the EU, and the UN, should take a leading role in peace talks, suggesting that the US had sidelined this mechanism to "monopolise" its own interests. Hamas, based in Gaza, launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory, leading to a military response from Israel with the goal of obliterating Hamas. While the US has pledged military support for Israel and called on other nations to condemn Hamas, Moscow has condemned all violence against civilians, regardless of the responsible party, and has advocated for a two-state solution as the path to genuine reconciliation, RT reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign intelligence chief said on Wednesday that the issue of support for Ukraine was becoming toxic in the United States and that the divisions would deepen ahead of next year's U.S. presidential election. Russia-Ukraine War: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the plenary session at the 2023 Russian Energy Week international forum.(Reuters) Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, the United States and the European Union have made more than $160 billion in commitments to Ukraine, including tens of billions of dollars in weapons. However, President Joe Biden last week expressed fears that U.S. aid to Ukraine could be hurt by congressional chaos while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly warned of the dangers of allowing Russia to win the war. "The Ukrainian topic is becoming more and more toxic on the eve of the upcoming presidential election," Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), said during a visit to the Azerbaijani capital Baku. "It is becoming a bone of contention," Naryshkin said, casting the struggle in Washington as one between those interested in improving the lives of Americans and those who were gripped with a hatred of Russians. Diplomats and intelligence analysts have said for months that Putin is betting that American resolve over Ukraine will weaken as Washington faces different global crises and it becomes clear just how arduous a task it is to defeat hundreds of thousands of well-dug-in Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Republican lawmakers' ouster of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy has raised questions about the future of aid to Ukraine. The United States has also repeatedly urged Kyiv to do more to tackle corruption, CNN reported this month. Naryshkin, who has served as Russia's foreign spy chief since October 2016, said the ouster of McCarthy illustrated the "malignancy" of the Ukraine issue in the U.S. body politic. He said that Moscow's counter-terrorism cooperation with Western spy services was continuing, though he said the scale of such contacts had been reduced due to the West's "aggression" against Russia over Ukraine. Moscow casts its military operations in Ukraine as defensive against what it says is a hostile and aggressive West. Kyiv and its Western backers say this is absurd and that Russia is waging an unprovoked war of aggression and land grab. Sundar Pichai had raised concerns over Google's search engine partnership with Apple, years before he became the CEO of the company. In 2007 as head of the team responsible for Googles Chrome browser, Pichai had warned about the bad optics of Google. The Justice Department says that Google pays Apple $10 billion to remain the default search engine on Apple devices, including the iPhone. Google CEO Sundar Pichai(Reuters ) As per evidence produced by the Justice Department during the ongoing antitrust trial, Pichai sent emails in 2007 to Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, highlighting how the arrangement with Apple could affect user's experience on browsers. I know we are insisting on default, but at the same time I think we should encourage them to have Yahoo as a choice in the pull down or some other easy option. I dont think it is a good user experience nor the optics is great for us to be the only provider in the browser, wrote Pichai in the email. ALSO READ| 104-year-old Chicago woman dies just days after becoming oldest skydiver The ongoing lawsuit has involved statements from top executives of other tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, and DuckDuckGo sharing their experiences with Alphabets search business and competition against it. It would be a game changer [for Bing] to be a default on Safari," Microsofts Satya Nadella had told the court, highlighting the advantage given to Google by Apple. Meanwhile, Google defends itself in the ongoing trial by arguing that customers choose to use its search engine because it's the best in the business. The company's lawyers have also rejected the allegations that default status plays any big role in its market access. Google's lawyers argue that customers can easily change their search engine with just a few clicks. Notably, Google has been the default search engine for Apples Safari browser since 2002. Google and Apple renegotiated their partnership in 2021. Trump stole documents and stored them in his chandeliered bathroom at Mar-A-Lago. This alone is a crime, but as part of the Department of Justice's document stealing case against the out-on-bail, charged with multiple felonies Republican front-runner for President, they claim to know why and will prove it in court. There has been much speculation as to why Trump would have done this, and the buffoon has confessed to the action while maintaining it wasn't illegal or that he somehow claims ownership of the US Government's secret documents. The Washington Post found a sentence in a recent DOJ filing that says it knows "what Trump intended in retaining them" and intends to prove those intentions in court. Washington Post: A Black Lives Matter chapter in Chicago has been blasted for seemingly supporting the Hamas attack on Israel. The organisation took to X to post an image of a person paragliding with a Palestine flag attached to its parachute. The photo has I stand with Palestine written on it. That is all that is it! the post is captioned. People watch as a firetruck is deployed outside a burning collapsed building following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11 (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)(AFP) The post seemed to refer to Hamas terrorists descending on communities in Israel with parachutes and gliders. The worst of the attacks, perhaps, was launched at a music festival in Israel. The party descended into chaos when the terrorists attacked the site, killing at least 260 people and abducting many more. Thousands of people attended the party, near Kibbutz Re'im close to Gaza. Palestinian gunmen attacked the site and shot people down as they tried to escape. BLM Chicagos post is under fire, with one user commenting, Thanks for letting us all know who you really are. Another wrote, One of the worst posts I've ever seen. This is vile. I dont know how Im surprised you went this low, one user said, while another wrote, Shame on you. Totally discrediting the BLM cause. One user wrote, Thanks for showing the world what you really stand for. I already knew, but many didn't. (@BLMChi/X) Several videos from the site went viral on social media, one of them showing militants abducting a young woman, Noa Argamani, taking her away on the back of a motorcycle as she screamed for help. The men were seen restraining her boyfriend, Avinatan Or. He was seen being made to walk with his hands held behind his back. They are being considered two of several Israelis who are believed to be held captive in Gaza at present. Another bone-chilling footage has captured the moment anIsraeli mother and her two young boys were abducted by Hamas terrorists during the attack over the weekend. 30-year-old Shiri Silberman-Bibas appears visibly distressed and frightened in the video as she clutches her children, three years old and nine months old, as the terrorists take them away. A major car park fire that forced London's Luton Airport to suspend flights on Wednesday appears accidental, authorities said. A charred section of a parking structure is seen after it caught fire and partially collapsed at London's Luton Airport. (AFP) "We've got no intelligence to suggest it's anything other than an accidental fire that started in one of the vehicles," local fire chief Andrew Hopkinson told reporters. The United States has collected intelligence showing that key Iranian leaders were surprised by the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Israel, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing American officials. Hamas, an Iranian-backed group, launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of Israelis and seizing dozens of hostages. (File) The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that the US did not have confirmation of an Iranian link to the attack. "We are talking to our Israeli counterparts on a daily basis about this question. We are looking back through our intelligence holdings to see if we have any further information on that," he said. Hamas, an Iranian-backed group, launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of Israelis and seizing dozens of hostages. Israel's death toll rose to 1,200 with over 2,700 wounded, its military said, from the militants' hours-long rampage after breaching the border fence enclosing Gaza on Saturday. Israel subsequently battered Palestinians with air strikes in Gaza. The retaliatory strikes on the blockaded enclave have killed 1,055 people and wounded 5,184, Palestinian officials say. The U.N. said nine staffers working for the Palestinian refugee agency were among the dead. An hour after Rabbi Jonathan Leener put out a call for donations among his small Brooklyn synagogue community, he had raised $5,000. Soon he had taken in enough supplies to fill an SUV. People attend a memorial event for the victims in Israel held by the Jewish Community(REUTERS) The contributions included everything from sleeping bags to toiletries for the 300,000 reservists - some of whom live in the United States - called up by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. "I think people here feel somewhat helpless being so far away, so the response from people has been really dramatic in the best way possible," Leener said, noting that many community members have immediate family in Israel. In the days since Hamas attacked Israel, that response has translated into contributions of millions of dollars, loads of military gear and mountains of clothing, food and household supplies from Jewish communities across the United States. Items have ranged from granola bars to boots and bulletproof vests. The donations underscore the concern and connection Jews in the United States feel toward Israel. Despite reports in the Israeli press that soldiers lack important pieces of equipment, including body armor, the IDF has denied that there are systemic equipment shortages. The outpouring of U.S. support has come from the smallest neighborhood synagogues to the wealthiest corners of the Jewish business community - and everything in between. Some 5.8 million Jews live in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. Billionaire investor Yuri Milner said on Tuesday that his philanthropic foundation would donate $5 million to the Jewish Agency for Israel, a non-profit organization, to provide emergency aid and long-term rehabilitation. Businessman Mike Bloomberg promised to match all donations to Magen David Adom, an Israeli disaster relief and emergency medical service organization. Bloomberg had matched $7.5 million of donations as of Wednesday, a spokesperson said. While airlines have suspended flights to Israel amid the violence, communities are relying on word-of-mouth networks and social media to connect with organizers who are loading the few flights out of major cities with supplies and chartering private planes to transport reservists and donations. Elan Kornblum, the Brooklyn-based head of Great Kosher Restaurants Foodies, has turned his company's Facebook page of 91,000 members - who usually discuss favorite kosher restaurants - into a forum for coordinating Israel aid efforts. Someone in the Facebook group offered to drive supplies to Newark Liberty International Airport. Another asked where to donate blood in New York City. One person sought advice on how to buy and send bulletproof vests to a family member's IDF platoon, and was answered by someone who said they had a friend with 15 such vests. One group member posted the phone number of a contact who was chartering a plane to Israel so others could reach out directly. "This was just a natural turn for us to help out here," Kornblum said of the foodies Facebook group. Legacy aid organizations have also leapt to raise money for lifesaving support in Israel and the Palestinian territories in the wake of the attack. Palestine Children's Relief Fund called for donations on its website to help provide medical aid and humanitarian relief to children in Gaza as Israeli air strikes hit civilian areas. Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross, both of which are active in Israel and the Palestinian territories, were accepting donations on their websites, although Israel's blockade of food and supplies to Gaza could thwart aid efforts. Chayal el Chayal, a nonprofit organization that supports IDF soldiers who do not have family in Israel, has raised about a half million dollars in a day and a half, according to founder Mordy Botnick. Botnick said the organization's fundraiser had garnered a huge amount of support through online page shares and through word of mouth. Chayal el Chayal was sending over gear on charter planes this week, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States on Wednesday of inflaming the Middle East by sending an aircraft carrier group to the region, saying "compromise solutions" were needed and that he hoped common sense would prevail. Russian President Vladimir Putin(AP) The Kremlin chief has called the explosion of violence between Israel and the Palestinians a vivid example of the failure of US policy in the Middle East, which he says has taken no account of the needs of the Palestinians. Following the surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel on Saturday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. was moving a carrier strike group, which includes the USS Gerald R. Ford, closer to Israel. Putin, speaking at an energy conference in Moscow, said the U.S. move, which was also fiercely criticised by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, was a mistake. "I don't understand why the U.S. is dragging aircraft carrier groups into the Mediterranean Sea. I don't really understand the point. Are they going to bomb Lebanon or what?" he said. "Or have they decided to try to scare someone? There are people there who are no longer afraid of anything. This is not the way to solve the problem. Compromise solutions need to be looked for. Of course, such actions are inflaming the situation." Israel got a warning from Egypt of potential violence three days before Hamas caught Israeli forces off-guard in a large-scale attack, the chairman of the powerful US House Foreign Affairs Committee said Wednesday. An Israeli soldier mistakenly thinks he hears an air raid siren and jumps to the ground to take cover in Kibbutz Be'eri,(AP) "We know that Egypt has warned the Israelis three days prior that an event like this could happen," Republican Michael McCaul told reporters following a closed-door intelligence briefing for lawmakers on the crisis. "I don't want to get too much into classified (details), but a warning was given," he said. "I think the question was at what level." Israel is reeling from the deadliest attack in its 75-year history, as more than 1,500 militants stormed through the Gaza security barrier in their coordinated land, air and sea attack on the Jewish Sabbath. Hamas' ability to remain undetected while preparing and launching such a big, complex assault from the closely monitored and heavily guarded Gaza strip represents an unprecedented intelligence failure for US ally Israel. Israeli authorities say Hamas gunmen killed more than 1,200 people and wounded over 2,700 as they swept into small towns and kibbutzim and indiscriminately killed residents who hid in their homes or died defending their communities. Israel has been relentlessly pounding Hamas targets in Gaza in response, and the war has already claimed the lives of more than 3,700 lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, soldiers and combatants. In Washington, President Joe Biden has pledged to send more US munitions and military hardware and expressed revulsion at the "sheer evil" of the slaughter of civilians. McCaul said the attack may have been planned as long as a year ago. "We're not quite sure how we missed it. We're not quite sure how Israel missed it," he told reporters. Cairo has not commented officially on suggestions that it may have offered an early warning. But Egyptian media with close ties to the country's intelligence services on Wednesday quoted senior security sources denying Israeli press reports that such a warning was issued. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spoke about their fear for their children Archie and Lilibet four and two years old as they grow up in a world where social media has a huge part to play. To mark World Mental Health Day, the couple appeared on a panel in New York City at an event for their charity Archewell Foundation. Many other parents attended the event. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle participate in The Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit "Mental Wellness in the Digital Age" as part of Project Healthy Minds' World Mental Health Day Festival on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in New York (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) I think for us, for myself and my wife, with kids growing up in a digital age, the priority here is to again turn pain into purpose and provide as much support as well as a spotlight and a platform for these parents to come together, to heal, to grieve and to also collectively focus on solutions so that no other family anywhere has to go through what theyve been through, Harry said at the event. This isnt in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened Meghan opened up about meeting families involved in the panel families that have experienced losses in relation to social medias impact on their children, People reported. Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life - outside, of course, being a wife to this one, Meghan said, gesturing towards Harry. But I will say I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again quite young, so this isnt in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened at how its continuing to change and this will be in front of us. Meghan admitted that while her children are still very young, social medias impact on them worries her. But Im also given a lot of hope and energy by the progress weve made in the past year being able to have these incredible parents, these survivors of these experiences, share their stories and the more information gathering were able to do, the more we can move the needle a little bit, she said. She added, Everyone is affected by the online world and social media. We all just want to feel safe. Im confident that with more ears and awareness and visibility of what is really happening, we can make some significant change together. As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies it continues to wreak havoc on the lives of Israeli citizens, a lot of whom lost their houses in the barbaric rocket attack by Hamas. The residents of Yahuda Halevi in the South Israel are among those who suffered loss of homes, infrastructure and lives of civilians. A salvo of rockets is fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards Israel on October 10, 2023. Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas as the war's death toll passed 3,000 on October 10(AFP) The visuals came from the South Israel, Yahuda Halevi showed the devastating scenes of destruction and damage to residential houses and buildings. One of the Israeli citizen Dima, whose house was destroyed in the Hamas attack on Israel expressed his pain and shared his experience of when the rocket struck his house. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dima said, "While we were sleeping at night, a rocket was dropped and my house was completely destroyed and we suffered serious injuries.". READ | Exclusive: Our govt. is doing nothing for our safe evacuation,' Indian researcher stuck in Israel requests for help He mentioned that his son was also injured in the attack and is being treated in the hospital. Earlier, Yaacov, an Israeli national from Ashkelon, vividly recounted his upsetting experience, stating, "We came here because a rocket fell on our building... we have no shelter, we escaped thanks to local administration and they suggested that we should come here to this hotel, and this is a good place. My 11-year-old son, 2-year-old daughter, my wife and I are staying here." The fear and urgency felt by Yaacov and his family mirror the widespread anxiety and turmoil that have gripped residents in the region. Ashkelon, like many other Israeli cities and towns, has been the target of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, leading to a dire need for safe havens for its residents. READ | International law is clear: UN rights chief on Israeli air strikes in Gaza Galaia, another resident of Ashkelon, shares a similar sentiment, "My children and family are here (hotel) because rockets fell on the roof of our neighbour's house, our windowpanes were broken... for one week, we have been staying here, now we don't know if this place is safe... we want a new place... I want to tell my Prime Minister that... finish this terrorism as soon as possible." Galaia's plea reflects the frustration and longing for an end to the ongoing conflict. The emotional toll it has taken on families and individuals cannot be overstated, as the daily threat of rocket attacks and the trauma of seeking refuge in unfamiliar surroundings continue to plague their lives. The Israel Defence Forces said on Wednesday that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded since the Hamas attack began on Saturday. The IDF emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza. Nearly 1,000 people have been killed and 5,000 others have been injured in Gaza after Israel launched a strong retaliation after the 'surprise attack' by Hamas, CNN reported citing Gaza Health Ministry. Today the Israeli Air Force attacked the Islamic University in Gaza City, which according to them served as a major training center for Hamas engineers. The Israeli Air Force in a statement said "Fighter jets recently attacked the Islamic University, which serves as an important center of political and military power for the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip and a training institution for the development and production of weapons. The Air Force continues with extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip at this time as well." Israeli Air Force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler, reviewed the IAF's operational activity and said that the forces were operating on a multi-front attack. "We will not concentrate on what was, we concentrate on what is happening here and now. The IDF knows how to operate in a multi-front manner as long as necessary. We don't differentiate between day and night - that's what war looks like." said Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Brigadier General Omer Tishler. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas with ISIS saying both terror organisations were the same and should be treated as such. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 28-year-old former active-duty paratrooper and navigator, whose name has not been disclosed due to security reasons, received a call from his unit a day after Hamas attack on Israel. He was asked to return to his ancestral home during this time to help. The soldier had been living with his wife and two children a two-year-old daughter and a three-month-old newborn in Manhattan. They moved back from Israel to America in May 2022. Israel-Palestine war LIVE: Smoke billows behind buildings after after an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.(AFP) He could just say, Im in America, and theyd say, OK, no problem, his wife told New York Post. But we looked at each other, and he was like, Ive got to get over there, she said. And I was like, You have to get over there. You have to go home. The soldier and his wife were born in New York and went to live in Israel. When he was just 15, his family moved to the country from Riverdale, New York. He joined the Israeli army as a volunteer after studying at a yeshiva for a year. His wife, on the other hand, was a native of Great Neck, Long Island, and met him in 2016. At the time, she was an NYU student volunteering as an EMT overseas. They lived together in Israel for six years before getting married in 2019. The couple eventually settled in Manhattan. The young soldier's morals pushed him to go and help his country in the time of need. It wasnt something you have to think about, his wife said. We feel deeply connected to Israel and for Jews across the world, if we dont have Israel, we cant survive. We feel such a strong duty and obligation for our people I knew it wasnt a choice. He arrived in Israel this week. While his son is too young to understand the situation, his daughter realised something was wrong. We said Israel is not safe, there are some scary things going on there, his wife told their daughter. But shes safe and Da-Da (as she calls him) is our superhero. Hes going to wear a cape and a mask and be a superhero for Israel. Hes going to go help everybody because thats what superheroes do, and hes going to be back soon, she added. Every time she asks where he is, thats what I tell her. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chinese leader Xi Jinping spent the first part of this year seeking to play global peacemaker, proposing a cease-fire in Ukraine and helping long-time rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran reach a diplomatic truce. Chinese President Xi Jinping(AFP) Yet his governments reaction to the Israel-Hamas conflict is exposing the limits of Xis ability to bring lasting solutions to some of the worlds most intractable clashes. Much like his proposal on Russias war in Ukraine, Chinas initial statement on Sunday sought to avoid naming an aggressor and failed to offer any specific offer of immediate assistance. After Hamas launched a shock incursion into Israel, killing hundreds, Chinas Foreign Ministry reiterated a call for an independent Palestinian state while making no mention of the attacks on civilians. All parties should act with restraint, according to the two-paragraph statement, which did not mention Hamas by name. The ministry later said it was a friend to both sides, and that it was saddened by the casualties. Israel pushed back, with Yuval Waks deputy chief of the nations mission in Beijing saying Chinas failure to condemn the violence as terrorists are holding children was regrettable from a country with friendly ties to Israel. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday directly confronted Xi about Beijings position, telling the Chinese leader in a rare meeting that he was disappointed the Asian nation showed no sympathy for the Israeli people. Xi didnt address those criticisms, only saying publicly during a meeting with Schumer: We have a thousand reasons to make US-China relations better, and no reason to make them worse. The attacks on Israel by the militant group Hamas have handed Xi an awkward moment, according to Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Beijing has moved to paint itself as a global player, he said. You would expect them to offer some ideas or thoughts about how to resolve this situation, and yet we do not really see them offering anything. Peace player Xi first waded into the Middle East peace process in March when he took credit for a detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia, after providing the physical site in Beijing for representatives from both sides to talk. That deal came shortly after Xi met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, and held talks with Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi. While there was widespread skepticism the pact would last, and of Beijings extent in brokering the deal, its existence put Washington on notice that the Middle East had alternative diplomatic partners. The Chinese leader followed up that win by hosting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing in June, saying he was willing to play an active role in resolving the conflict. Expectations Xi could play a part in peace talks that have been stalled since 2014 were bolstered by subsequent reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was planning his first trip to China in six years. Xis engagement in the Middle East gave him credibility as a global statesman, as the Chinese leader faced pressure from the US for failing to condemn Russias war, and providing Moscow with diplomatic and economic shelter. Chinas 12-point position paper on ending the war has been criticized by Ukraine and Western democracies for handing Russia territorial gains. Chinas efforts on Middle East diplomacy worked to offset pressure on its inaction on Ukraine-Russia, according to Wen-Ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub. Beijings recent moves in the Middle East, though limited, also handed Arab Leaders some bargaining power against Washington while giving China a diplomatic boost, Sung said. But when the chips are down, the Middle East looks to Washington, not Beijing, he added. President Joe Bidens administration has already dispatched the first tranche of a security aid package for Israel, with more assistance to come. Furthermore, the US said Monday it wanted to press ahead with its push to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which inflamed tensions in the Middle East. Balancing Ties Chinese state media has stressed a need for neutrality, with a China Daily editorial on Monday urging the international community to play an impartial role in the crisis to help reach a ceasefire. China has reasons to balance its relationships on both sides of the conflict, with Beijings bilateral trade with Israel totaling some $22.1 billion last year, according to International Monetary Fund figures. More than half of Israels exports to China are electric components including microchips, according to a June paper by Tel Aviv Universitys Institute for National Security Studies. That trade with Israel is crucial as the US urges its partners to implement curbs on Beijings access to cutting-edge technology. Intel Corp. abandoned a $5.4 billion deal in August to acquire Israels Tower Semiconductor Ltd. after failing to win Chinese regulatory approval in time as rising geopolitical tensions slow down that process. Xis attempts to counter US constraints have seen him increasingly embrace Middle Eastern nations. In August, he presided over the BRICS blocs expansion to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The month before, China announced Iran a nation suffering from punishing US sanctions would join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Chinas decision to skip naming Hamas, which is backed by Tehran, as the aggressor in its response to the weekends violence sent a message to Iran and other authoritarian regimes in the region that China recognizes their regional interests, said Mercy Kuo, a geopolitical risk adviser at Pamir, a global risk consultancy in metro Washington DC. China essentially seeks opportunities to project an image of peace builder but has no intention of tarnishing it with the complexities and vicissitudes of peacemaking in the Middle East, she added. Leaders of Global South nations, including from the Arab world, are set to descend on Beijing next week for Xis flagship Belt and Road Forum. The Israel-Hamas conflict that has roiled oil prices and markets will likely color conversation at the event, which will also be attended by Russias Vladimir Putin. Chinas position of neutrality might help make those conversations slightly smoother. But it could also just reflect a simple reality: Beijing knows it has limited ability to influence Israel. Unlike Iran and Saudi Arabia, where both parties were willing to go to China to achieve a mutual goal, said William Figueroa, assistant professor of history and theory of international relations at University of Groningen. Israel has no interest and no incentive to invite Beijing to broker any kind of agreement. An African view of the endeavour to balance the allocation of water for agriculture, ecology and economy in China By Andam Andin Ndi Buma Andam Andin (second right) with farmers in Gansu Province, China, on 22 July (COURTESY) A tale of harmony unfolds in the enchanting deserts of northwest Chinas Gansu Province where water, agriculture, ecology, society and economy dance in a delicate balance. Despite generations of water scarcity, this arid land has learnt how to use its resources rationally, and the desert dwellers have found an equilibrium between human needs and natures preservation. Gansus historical significance intertwines with the ancient Silk Road, connecting China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Positioned strategically between Chinas eastern and western parts, the province plays a pivotal role in development. While challenges like water scarcity and desertification affect the Shiyang River basin, Gansus historical allure, and commitment to environmental concerns accentuate its contemporary importance in northwest China. I studied the water-saving irrigation technologies applied to combat droughts impact in this kind of landscape. While looking at the desertification prevention initiatives, I found inspiration from communities striving for ecological preservation and economic growth. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, governing bodies, and communities strike a harmonious balance between nature and humans. My Gansu experience illuminated a shared vision of prosperity, environmental harmony, and socio-economic advancement. Andam Andin (third left) communicates with farmers in Gansu Province, China, in July(COURTESY) Collaborative endeavour In an effort to foster agricultural collaboration between China and African countries, I embarked on a field trip to learn how people have overcome the pressing challenges of drought and desertification in the Shiyang River basin. This endeavour aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinpings vision on building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, inspiring hope for a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow. During my field trip to the Shiyang River basin in Gansu Province, I had an enriching experience filled with diverse interactions. Engaging with the local communities, researchers, and extension agents provided valuable insights into the regions water management challenges and the efforts being made to combat drought and desertification. I witnessed the local villagers resilience in the face of water scarcity. Villagers showcased their commitment to sustainability through a creative rainwater harvesting system, strategically designed with small check dams and contour trenches to get water for home use and irrigation. This demonstrated their strong sense of community engagement to safeguarding the environment and their livelihoods. The villagers resourcefulness in finding local solutions to water challenges and their dedication to maximise water utilisation left a lasting impression. During my interactions with researchers at the Shiyanghe Experimental Station, I was fascinated by their experiments on water-saving irrigation technologies, each holding the promise of transforming agriculture while conserving precious water resources. They showcased a state-of-the-art drip irrigation system that efficiently delivered water directly to plant roots, reducing water wastage significantly. Additionally, I learnt about their cutting-edge use of soil moisture sensors and weather forecasting systems, enabling precise irrigation scheduling tailored to the crops needs and weather conditions. Their dedication to promoting such innovative solutions left a deep impression on me, as these advancements could lead to a more sustainable and prosperous future for the regions farmers and ecosystems. Meeting with extension agents highlighted their crucial role in bridging scientific research and practical water management implementation. Through informative workshops and hands-on training, they enabled local farmers to adopt water-efficient practices, like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting. Field demonstrations showed the effectiveness of these techniques, fostering knowledge exchange and making research findings relevant to farmers needs. Their work has facilitated widespread adoption of sustainable practices, positively impacting agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. Being on the site allowed me to make direct and accurate assessments of the water resources, infrastructure, and practices in place. It also provided me with a deeper contextual understanding of the local environment, climate, and socio-economic factors that influence water availability and usage. The opportunity to engage with local communities enriched my experience. Overall, firsthand observations on the field played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between theory and practice. In Gansu, government policies play a critical role in shaping water management strategies. Recognising water scarcity challenges, policymakers encourage conservation and sustainable practices through subsidies for water-saving irrigation technologies and rainwater storage methods. Asias biggest desert reservoir, Hongyashan Reservoir, exemplifies the governments commitment to enhancing water availability in the arid desert region. Additionally, targeted subsidies incentivise efficient water use in different sectors, striking a balance between supply and demand. This holistic approach reflects the governments dedication to safeguarding the environment, supporting livelihoods, and securing a sustainable water future for Gansu. A research team from China Agricultural University pose for a group photo at the Laohukou Desertication Prevention and Demonstration Area in Gansu Province on 21 July(COURTESY) Valuable lessons As for the significance of policymaking, I have realised how effective policies can enhance water security and protect livelihoods. The participatory approach I witnessed empowers communities, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. Equitable distribution of resources allows for sustainable development, benefitting both present and future generations. The regions efforts in aligning policy governance with ecological and socio-economic goals, are commendable, paving the way towards a more balanced and resilient water future. My experience in Gansu helped me to understand the significance of policymaking in achieving water harmony. I commend the participatory approach empowering communities, leading to a more balanced and resilient water future. Valuable lessons I gained include the importance of effective policies in enhancing water security and protecting livelihoods. Balancing water use for agriculture, ecology, and human consumption through equitable resource distribution fosters sustainable development. These lessons have relevance for arid regions facing similar challenges worldwide, offering insights into collaborative strategies for addressing water scarcity, fostering environmental preservation, and promoting socio-economic wellbeing. My experiences in the Shiyang River Basin reaffirmed the significance of collaborative efforts in combating water challenges, involving local communities, researchers, and extension agents. Effective ecological restoration relies on solution-based approaches, and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders for a sustainable future. Gansu Provinces key takeaways in water management encompass effective policies, participatory decision-making, and equitable resource distribution for ecological and socio-economic goals. Cross-cultural exchanges play a vital role in addressing complex issues, fostering collaboration, and sharing innovative solutions for a sustainable and harmonious future that benefits all. The author is a student at China Agricultural University. ChinAfrica Oct. 3rd, 2023 The European Commission sent Xitter owner Elon Musk a letter, warning him that he was violating the EU's Digital Services Act by failing to moderate content. The letter begins, "Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we have indications that your platform is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU." It's signed by Thierry Breton, Member of the Commission. It continues, "Given the urgency, I also expect you to be in contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities and Europol, and ensure that you respond promptly to their requests. "Moreover, on a number of other issues of DSA compliance that deserve immediate attention, my team will follow up shortly with a specific request. "I urge you to ensure a prompt, accurate and complete response to this request within the next 24 hours. We will include your answer in our assessment file on your compliance with the DSA. I remind you that following the opening of a potential investigation and a finding of non-compliance, penalties can be imposed." In August, The Verge published a good article about the Digital Services act, which included this paragraph about what could happen to a platform like Xitter if it violates the act: Online platforms that don't comply with the DSA's rules could see fines of up to 6 percent of their global turnover. According to the EU Commission, the Digital Services Coordinator and the Commission will have the power to "require immediate actions where necessary to address very serious harms." A platform continually refusing to comply could result in a temporary suspension in the EU. The letter asks Musk to provide a "prompt, accurate and complete response to this request within the next 24 hours." Given Musk's erratic nature, it's likely he'll reply with a poop emoji, leaving the titular CEO Linda Yaccarino to clean up his mess. The following is a joint statement by US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stating their support for Israel after Hamas attacked from Gaza. Today, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America released the following joint statement following their call: Today, we - President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States - express our steadfast and united support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism. We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism. In recent days, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred families in their homes, slaughtered over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapped elderly women, children, and entire families, who are now being held as hostages. Read Also: EU Reverses Suspension of Palestinian Aid Freeze Following Deadly Hamas Attacks on Israel Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasize that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage. All of us recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. But make no mistake: Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed. Over the coming days, we will remain united and coordinated, together as allies, and as common friends of Israel, to ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region. Related Article: Qatar Leads Talks About Hostage-Prisoner Swap Between Hamas, Israel @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. More than a thousand migratory birds were killed in a single-building collision in Chicago overnight. Experts believe this was a result of the building's lack of "bird-friendly" features and the fatal mix of migration season and resilient weather. Annette Prince, director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, told CNN that over 1,000 dead birds were retrieved by the Chicago Field Museum on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, October 4 and 5, after they had crashed into the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, a conference center situated on the coast of Lake Michigan. Chicago Bird Collision Monitors volunteers found and removed another thousand dead birds from the central business district, according to Prince. She speculated that many more birds had flown away after hitting a structure, only to die from their wounds later. To witness so many dead birds was both overwhelming and terrible, she said. Deadly Building Collisions That night, a large number of birds were expected to begin their annual migration to the south for the upcoming winter. The birds had been holding back until they could catch a northerly or westerly breeze to help them on their way. On Wednesday, when the winds were favorable, several migratory birds took off simultaneously. Foggy and low cloud situations, Prince said, might cause them to mistake lights and structures for one another. The birds were probably flying lower because of the clouds, putting them in closer proximity to the buildings. She said that McCormick Place is one of the first structures the birds see as they fly over Lake Michigan. Collisions are also more likely to occur at buildings that keep their lights on throughout the night when most birds travel. Like a lighthouse, the lights serve as a major beacon for migrating birds. Even during the day, she added, birds were still crashing into the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, proving how much big panes of transparent glass can disorient flying species. Birds will attempt to fly through a huge expanse of glass since they will not be able to tell that there is a barrier between them and the building. See Also: US Study: Climate Change Is Causing Whales, Dolphins to Lose Food, Home Early Bird Migration In a September report by the Chicago Tribune, Professor Michael Patrick Ward of the University of Illinois's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences claims that bird migration occurs twice a year, in the spring and autumn. According to Ward, fall migration begins about the middle of August and may go as late as the beginning of November. The start of this year's bird migration was earlier than usual. He suggested this could be partly attributed to the early-summer wildfires in Canada. Fog may derail birds migrating hundreds of miles from Canada's northern woodlands to South America. Over 300 bird species migrate along the Mississippi Flyway, which passes through Chicago. Birds feed all day to preserve energy for their nighttime journey. Skyscrapers, however, may be an obstruction. See Also: Nearly 41% Or Over 2,000 Amphibian Species in Danger of Becoming Extinct, Experts Claim @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. You may be surprised that there are some Hamas supporters in the U.K. This behavior of some residents in the United Kindom is heavily criticized by many ministers, especially Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Because of this, the U.K. leader warned them, saying that if they continue supporting the terrorist group, they will be held to account. Hamas Supporters in UK Receive Warning From PM Rishi Sunak According to The Guardian's latest report, Rishi Sunak is prepared to provide any support to all British citizens who are affected by the Israel-Gaza war. He said this during his visit to Staffordshire on Tuesday, Oct. 10. The prime minister told U.K. residents that he strongly supports Israel in the ongoing conflict with Gaza. Aside from this, he promised that he would ensure that all his people would feel safe during the barbaric acts of terrorism. Sunak confirmed that police officials were already given clear guidance and advice on how they can keep the community safe. On the other hand, the U.K. prime minister condemned those who support Hamas, saying that law enforcement officers will clamp down on any act that "falls foul of the law." "People should not be supporting Hamas and we will make sure that we hold people to account if they are," said the British leader. Previously, U.K. officials confirmed that some Britons were caught up in the violence in Israel and Gaza. However, the exact number of victims has not yet been identified. Because of this, Sunak wants to reassure their families that the U.K. government is doing its best to protect Britons suffering in Israel and Gaza. "I want to reassure them we're doing everything we can, working very closely with the Israeli authorities to establish what is happening on the ground, provide support to people where it's needed," said Rishi Sunak. Read Also: British-Israeli Soldier Killed in Palestinian Attacks, His Family Says Other UK Ministers Condemn British Hamas Supporters Independent UK reported that other British ministers also condemned Hamas supporters in the United Kingdom. They shared their statements after many British Hamas supporters were spotted glorifying acts of terrorism. For example, Manchester Friends of Palestine President Dana Abuqamar said that they are full of pride after the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. During her recent interview, the Hamas supporter stated that they were proud that Palestinian resistance "has come to this point." When U.K. shadowing policy minister Chris Philp learned about the statement of Abuqamar, he was really disappointed. The British official said that he was appalled to see people hold such "repugnant views." Related Article: Sunak Fails To Provide WhatsApp Messages to COVID Inquiry, Prompting Criticism from Opposition @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An inquiry against members of the Islamist organization Hamas has been opened in Germany in connection with murders and the abduction of hostages. This was announced on Tuesday, October 10, by a representative for the federal public prosecutor. Hamas carried out an offensive over the weekend that saw its members rushing into Israeli cities. This attack resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and the kidnapping of dozens more. Hamas, an organization that advocates for the destruction of Israel, claims that their strike was justifiable because of the situation of Gaza, which has been subjected to a siege for the last 16 years, as well as the bloodiest Israeli crackdown in years in the occupied West Bank. German Prosecutors Launch Probe According to Reuters, prosecutors in Germany are required by law to examine allegations of criminal activity that may have occurred outside of the country if the accusations implicate German residents. On Monday, October 9, the German foreign ministry acknowledged that German people were among those seized by Hamas, the Islamist organization controlling Gaza, during its onslaught over the weekend on Israel. However, the ministry did not provide any specific data about the number of German citizens who were among those taken. "We are working intensively with Israel regarding those who are kidnapped and missing," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. "We are trying to do as much as possible to ensure the freedom, the lives, and the health of these citizens," he added. The German daily Bild was the first publication that reported on the probe. It was claimed that the relatives of those who had been abducted had made a request for assistance to the German government. Also Read: Qatar Leads Talks About Hostage-Prisoner Swap Between Hamas, Israel Nearly 200,000 Gaza Residents Displaced In a report released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday evening, almost 200,000 people in Gaza have been displaced as a consequence of the continuing war between Israel and Hamas. The number of people forced to relocate is rising in tandem with the increasing number of fatalities on both sides of the war, The Hill reported. On Monday, OCHA reported that over 187,518 people have been forced to leave their homes, making this the largest displacement since the 50-day escalation of violence in Gaza in 2014. Over 137,000 displaced people are being housed by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in approximately 83 schools. About 41,000 people whose houses had been damaged or destroyed were staying with friends and family. Israeli military ordered the evacuation of dozens of villages close to the Gaza Strip as retaliatory bombings continued. Also Read: EU Reverses Suspension of Palestinian Aid Freeze Following Deadly Hamas Attacks on Israel @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As of Monday (October 9), the combined civilian death toll brought by Hamas's massive coordinated attack across southern Israel over the weekend has climbed to nearly 1,600. Palestinian officials confirmed 687 of its citizens were killed, while Israeli authorities tallied over 900 of their residents dead. Many of the first identified casualties were reportedly from the Supernova music festival just a few kilometers from the Gaza border. According to local emergency services, they have confirmed they have recovered some 260 bodies just on that party alone. In the aftermath, Israeli officials and geopolitical analysts recognized the attack as Israel's version of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor combined. However, dozens of foreigners were also killed, abducted, or still unaccounted for after being caught in the crossfire. As of writing, this is what multiple countries have been saying about the status of their nationals and expatriates in Israel as reported by UPI, Al Jazeera, and the BBC. Argentina The Argentinian Embassy reported on Monday that seven of its citizens were killed and another 15 were still missing. The embassy has also received calls from 625 Argentinians to have them evacuated from Israel. Austria The Austrian foreign ministry stated on Tuesday (October 10) that three Austrian-Israeli dual citizens could be among those abducted. However, Vienna officials are still confirming the information. Brazil In a statement, the Brazilian foreign ministry reported that three Brazilians were still unaccounted for and that around 1,700 others, mostly tourists in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, have "expressed interest" in being repatriated, with the Brazilian Air Force announcing on Monday it was in the process of organizing six evacuation flights with the first already landing in Rome en route to Israel. Cambodia Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet confirmed a Cambodian student in Israel died during Hamas's attack. Canada Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told CTV News she received reports that a Canadian had been killed and three others were missing. Earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his country's solidarity with Israel by lighting the Peace Tower at Parliament Hill in blue and white, as well as lowering Canadian flags to half-mast in other key government offices in Ottawa. Chile Chile's foreign minister Alberto van Klaveren confirmed Loren Garcovich and her Spanish husband Ivan Illarramendi were missing and reportedly kidnapped by Hamas. He added that he had spoken with Garcovich's father, Danny, about the matter. Meanwhile, the Chilean Jewish community added that the couple lived in a kibbutz near the Gaza border and that their home had been destroyed. Van Klaveren's office also stated they were also in the process of organizing repatriation flights. China A Beijing-born Chinese-Israeli woman called Noa Argamani was among those taken from the Supernova festival, according to the Israeli Embassy in China. The embassy has published a video of what it claims to be the abduction, which has since been one of the most iconic so far in the conflict. The welfare and whereabouts of her boyfriend, who also attended the festival and has been abducted, remains unknown. Colombia Israeli Ambassador to Colombia Gali Dagan confirmed that Colombian couple Ivonne Rubio and Antonio Mesias Motano reportedly went missing when they attended the Supernova music festival. He prayed that both of them be found safe and well soon. France The French foreign ministry said it was mourning the death of a second citizen in Hamas's attack. They said in a separate statement that 14 French nationals were believed to be abducted by Hamas, including a 12-year-old child. The ministry also told reporters that it has nearly 62,000 French nationals registered at its consulate in Tel Aviv and a further 25,000 in Jerusalem. Germany The German foreign ministry said there were several German-Israeli dual nationals who were allegedly taken hostage but have not specified how many. Among the allegedly killed was 23-year-old Shani Louk, whose body was reportedly stripped naked in the back of a pickup truck when it was paraded back into the streets of Gaza. Ireland Irish officials said an Irish-Israeli woman. 22-year-old Kim Danti was confirmed missing. Irish broadcaster RTE reported that she was allegedly among those abducted in the Supernova festival. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the Irish Embassy in the country was dealing with the matter. Italy Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that an Israeli-Italian couple was missing and continued to be unresponsive to phone calls. Read Also: Qatar Leads Talks About Hostage-Prisoner Swap Between Hamas, Israel Mexico Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Barcena announced over the weekend that two Mexicans, a man and a woman, were believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas. She provided an update on Monday saying that a third Mexican initially thought to have been taken hostage by Hamas has been found safe and well. Barcena earlier said around 500 Mexicans have registered with Mexican authorities for evacuation should the situation worsen in Israel. Nepal The Nepalese foreign ministry said in a statement that it was in the process of repatriating the bodies of 10 Nepalese students who were killed by Hamas at Alumim Kibbutz in southern Israel. Officials back in Kathmandu have declared a national day of mourning and will fly the Nepalese flag at half-mast at all government offices and foreign missions. Nepal also said it was working on accounting for one more Nepalese person still missing in Israel, as well as working to repatriate those wishing to return home. Panama Panama's government said one of its nationals, Daryelis Denises Saez Batista, was missing, but provided no further details. Paraguay Two Paraguayan nationals who had been living in Israel are missing, Paraguay's government said, without giving details. Peru The Peruvian foreign ministry said four of its nationals have been reported missing since Saturday's (October 7) attack. They have also said seven Peruvians have left Israel aboard commercial flights with the assistance of the mission, with 73 more to follow them in the next two days. Philippines The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said seven Filipinos in Israel remained unaccounted for, according to a report by state news agency PNA. Officials in Manila added that the 22 other Filipino expatriates who earlier went missing were rescued by Israeli forces, with one of them taken to hospital for treatment. The department also said that 25 of the 137 Filipinos living in Gaza have indicated their intention to leave. It also issued a travel advisory recommending all travel between the Philippines and Israel be suspended indefinitely. Russia The Russian embassy in Tel Aviv stated that at least one Russian was killed and four were missing, as reported by Russian news agencies. Tanzania Tanzania's ambassador to Israel Alex Kallua told the French news agency AFP that two Tanzanian nationals were missing. He added that his mission had been in contact with approximately 350 Tanzanians around the country, most of them students. Thailand Thailand reported on Monday that 18 Thais in Israel were reportedly killed but were still waiting for verification. An additional nine others were injured and 11 others taken hostage, officials from Bangkok also stated. Thai deputy foreign minister Jakkapong Sangmanee added that about 3,000 Thais working in Israel - or around 10% of the 30,000 total expatriate Thai population in the country - have put in requests to be returned to Thailand. Ukraine Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said Two Ukrainian women who had been living in Israel for years were killed. UK British MP Jackson Carlaw stated that a certain Bernard Cowan had been "murdered" by Hamas militants on Saturday, with Cowan's family confirming the death. The BBC reported that at least three other UK nationals have been killed and several others missing. Additionally, 20-year-old British-Israeli soldier Cpl. Nathaniel Young was killed in action while responding to Hamas's attacks. US US President Joe Biden was briefed late Monday that an additional two Americans were confirmed dead after a previous report putting the death toll at nine. This increased the total American deaths to 11. Related Article: US, 4 European Countries Release Joint Statement on Israel @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Clorox shortages are affecting many American consumers. If you are wondering why there are not enough Clorox products in the market, then you can blame it on the recent cyberattack against the American consumer products giant. Although the security breach happened in August, the consumer and professional products manufacturer said that it still suffers from its negative effects. Clorox Shortages Blamed on Recent Cyberattack According to NBC News' latest report, ever since the massive cyberattack targeted Clorox, the American global company said that it had been unable to automatically process orders for its vendors. These include Target, Walmart, and other giant retail stores. Because of this issue, the sales of Clorox slowed down. The cybersecurity breach is also leading to outages and product shortages. "When [Clorox] couldn't take in the orders, even though the lines themselves could run, [Clorox] couldn't tell them what to produce or where to send it," said Allan Liska, a Recorder Future cybersecurity expert, who is familiar with the long-lasting effects of the Clorox cyberattack. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, Clorox said that it could lose lots of money in the first quarter of its 2024 fiscal, which already ended on Sept. 30. The consumer products manufacturer said that this is among the results of the recent breach. Before the cybersecurity attack happened, Clorox claimed that its sales could have grown in the mid-single digits in the first quarter. Unfortunately, the American firm confirmed that its sales could fall by 23% to 28%. Read Also: Target Store Shutdown: Retailer Blames Theft, Other Crimes for Branch Closures; Affected US Cities, Other Details About Recent Clorox Cyberattack CNBC reported that the cyberattack against Clorox was announced in August. The American consumer product firm said that the effects of the security breach have widescale effects. Authorities said that the Scattered Spider, the ransomware gang behind the recent cyberattacks on Caesars and MGM, might be connected to the Clorox breach. Thanks to its efforts, Clorox was able to repair its operational systems. However, the manufacturer still resorted to manual procedures. Because of this, its product fulfillment slowed down. Although this is the case, Clorox was still able to contain the threat. "Clorox has already resumed production at the vast majority of its manufacturing sites and expects the ramp up to full production to occur over time," said the consumer products giant. But, Clorox clarified that it can't estimate how long will it take to resume fully normalized operations. Related Article: Walgreens Pharmacies May Be Closed Next Week; Workers Preparing to Strike Over Pay, Benefits @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo: by Nick Hunt/Getty Images for MVAAFF) MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 09: Dr. Brandi Waters speaks at Collegeboard "AP African American Studies" activation during the 21st Annual Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 09, 2023 in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The history of the Black experience, from the earliest African kingdoms to slavery and the civil rights movement, is the main focus of Advanced Placement African American Studies. Students in the course claim that despite criticism from certain Republicans who see it as an example of "woke-ism" contaminating education, it shouldn't be viewed as contentious. African American Studies, like all other AP classes, is created by the nonprofit College Board with assistance from university experts and gives students the chance to receive college credit. After widespread demonstrations were prompted by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020, the class started to take shape, according to CBS News. Next year, the College Board intends to make it accessible to every U.S. high school that requests it. More than 700 American high schools are currently testing the course, despite opposition from Republican leaders. An Indoctrination? Republican governor of Florida Ron DeSantis referred to the course as "indoctrination" in January, and the state explicitly forbade it. It was "inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value," according to the state's education department. The course would no longer count toward graduation credits, Arkansas announced in August. In a statement to state superintendents, the administration stated that "the pilot may not comply with Arkansas law." Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican governor, said on Fox News that "we cannot perpetuate a lie to our students and propaganda leftist agenda teaching our kids to hate America and hate one another." It is hoped that the class will draw interest from a group of students who haven't enrolled in AP courses as frequently as others at Dorsey High School, where the majority of students are Black and Latino. The course material may conflict with laws that have recently been established in 18 states restricting how K-12 teachers can discuss race. Florida's Department of Education emphasized that the state has guidelines for teaching Black history, which were approved by the state legislature in July. According to the department, they adhere to state legislation. The inclusion of information on "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit" among other things has led to accusations that the standards are an attempt to "rewrite" or "omit" certain aspects of the Black experience. Read also: Louisiana Principal Makes Amends After Punishing Girl Dancing at Party Giving In to Political Pressure? The College Board changed the curriculum shortly after Florida prohibited the course in January, deleting information about structural racism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the call for reparations. Some educators claim that even though the College Board said the modifications were a result of their "regular development process," the organization actually gave in to political pressure. Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, asserted that he thinks the College Board sterilized the curriculum. A College Board spokesman denied bowing to political pressure and suggested that some of the themes it had eliminated might still be included in the final curriculum when it is unveiled later this year. The College Board added that it has "given teachers the flexibility to teach the essential content without putting their livelihoods at risk" and that "in some states, teachers have more room to maneuver than others." Related article: California Governor Vetoes Bill to Increase Access to Condoms for Teens @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A day after Congressliar George Santos (RNY) racked up another 10 criminal charges to complement his 13 previous charges, House Republicans in New York are introducing a resolution to oust the fraudster from Congress. "Today, I'll be introducing an expulsion resolution to rid the People's House of fraudster George Santos," said Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y. today on X, adding that his resolution will be co-sponsored by his Republican colleagues Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, Nick Langworthy and Brandon Williams. (See tweet below.) Rep. Lawler then chimed in, saying on CNN, "With the guilty plea of his treasurer admitting to the very scheme he has been now twice indicted on with 23 felony counts, he cannot serve." "The time to act is now," Lawler continued. "It's clear with his treasurer's guilty plea what occurred. And as far as I'm concerned, he should not be a member of Congress." (See video below, posted by Republican Accountablity.) From NBC News: Booting Santos would require a two-thirds vote of the entire House, a benchmark LaLota seemed confident of meeting. "I predict this resolution is going to catch fire. Many people feel how we do," he said. Santos's New York GOP colleagues had previously called for him to step down in light of the criminal charges and revelations that he'd fabricated large parts of his resume. "I said he should resign and he should still resign," Molinaro said in a post on X Tuesday after the additional charges were announced. House Democrats moved to expel Santos in May after he was initially charged, but Republicans voted to refer their motion to the House Ethics Committee, which has been investigating Santos since March. D'Esposito suggested he and his colleagues have waited long enough. "I know that Ethics has been a little busy, but, you know, it's time that we see some results," he said. Rep. Mike Lawler on expelling George Santos: "The time to act is now. It's clear with his treasurer's guilty plea what occurred. And as far as I'm concerned, he should not be a member of Congress." pic.twitter.com/OYnjgg64vT Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) October 11, 2023 (Photo: by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images) People visit the booth of Google during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 6, 2023. According to Scott Beaumont, head of Google's Asia Pacific division, the company would investigate new markets in the Asia-Pacific area with an emphasis on generative artificial intelligence technology. Google has released a beta version of its Search Generative Experience (SGE), which uses generative AI technology to improve its internet search engine, reported Nikkei Asia. Growing Interest in Asia After rolling out SGE in the U.S. market, Beaumont underlined that Google released SGE in two additional markets: Japan and India. He claimed that the "degree of interest from those two countries has been extremely high" in comparison to other international markets. Beaumont said that "Korea would be high on the list" in terms of AI. In September, Google celebrated its 25th birthday. The firm, which began as a provider of search engines, today offers six services that are utilized by more than 2 billion people globally, and there are more than 3 billion devices running its Android operating system. Beaumont said it had been "more convenient in the early days" for Google to introduce services in the U.S. initially before spreading them to Europe. He said that "across a number of products over the last five years, and now particularly with AI, it's not Europe next, it's where in Asia do we go? ... That's a really important shift." In the Asia-Pacific (APAC) area, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, recorded sales of $47 billion during the fiscal year 2022 that ended in December. APAC sales made up 16 percent of worldwide sales. During the same time period, sales in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa totaled $82 billion, or 29 percent of global sales. In reference to the APAC market, Beaumont emphasized that "over half of the world's internet population is here" and noted the region's increasing degree of digital penetration as well as the region's economic development. Beaumont concluded by saying that the region has "enormous growth levers" and "the wind is in its sails." Read also: Google Wins Against Sonos Lawsuit Accusing Tech Giant of Infringing Multi-Room Audio Patents Increasing Revenue in Asia According to Beaumont, Google wants to increase its revenue from all avenues in the Asian market, including sales of smartphones, cloud computing services, and traditional web advertising. The demand from small and midsize businesses is high in the Asian market, according to Beaumont, who noted that generative AI can serve Asia as an "invaluable pinch hitter" or "executive assistant in your pocket." Technology will be used to help significantly increase the productivity of these businesses. He denied the notion of joining the generative AI industry in mainland China, saying that "we don't have any of our consumer services" for that market. On the other hand, Beaumont said the company has "numerous hardware partners" in China and that the Android development community there is "very vibrant, very motivated." "I actually like that we've got a group of employees in China because [the group] keeps us as a first-party witness and participant in some of the innovation ... going on in China," he stated. Related article: Arabic AI Breakthrough Could Benefit Millions of Language Speakers Worldwide @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nevada's biggest teachers union challenged a law that forbids walkouts by the state's public school workers who seek better pay and working conditions. The region is home to the fifth-largest school system in the United States. According to the Clark County Education Association's complaint, the state's anti-strike statute from 1969 is unconstitutional. They claim that the contract, which was negotiated over months of heated debate, violated the First Amendment rights of the organization's 18,000 members at over 380 schools in Las Vegas and adjacent Clark County. Additionally, they argue that the state's definition of a strike is too broad, violates fundamental rights, and allows for discriminatory and arbitrary application of the law. Two entities are named as defendants in the case: the Clark County School District and the state of Nevada. Both the Clark County School District and the Nevada Attorney General's office sent comments via email indicating that they were reviewing the lawsuit and would not comment more while the litigation was ongoing. The 'Sickout' Several schools in the Las Vegas region were forced to close last month due to widespread teacher absences, as AP News reported. At least 87% of educators at one school called in sick. The school district sued the union, and the court ruled that the union had to cease the walkout, which the judge described the situation as "very clearly a strike." Participants in the "sickout" could have been facing prison time, suspension, or termination, as well as fines of up to $1,000 per day for union officials and $50,000 per day for the union itself if the strike had persisted. The union challenged the verdict before the Nevada Supreme Court on the grounds that it was not engaged in the absences. A union spokeswoman told AP News that the membership would be asked to vote on whether or not to strike if the union wins in court and a contract deal has not been reached. Pay, benefits, and working conditions have all been on the table during ongoing contract negotiations that have been taking place since March. If a contract had not been agreed upon before the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year in August, the union threatened to take action, raising tensions. Instructors' refusal to work beyond their allotted time was one move. Also Read: Nepal: Schools Shuttered as 100,000+ Teachers Strike Against Education Reform Bill Teachers' Demands In a year when labor unions have regularly questioned the treatment of workers throughout the nation, the current round of bargaining over teachers' salaries comes at an interesting time. The Las Vegas teachers' union has asked for % a two-year wage boost of roughly 20% for all instructors. Also, union officials want higher pay for educators working longer days at certain schools and those teaching in high-vacancy, low-income districts. Several state lawmakers have pushed for the district to grant the union's school raise demand, noting the record amount of money they allotted to public schools this legislative session. Also Read: President Joe Biden Announces New $9 Billion Student Loan Debt Cancellation To Benefit 125K Borrowers @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The South Carolina nuclear plant owned by Dominion Energy concerns officials after numerous cracks were found on the facility's fuel line. Because of this, the American energy firm is accused of safety violations since federal regulators found out that its utility workers failed to fix the cracking problems over the past 20 years. South Carolina Nuclear Plant Fuel Line Cracks Concern Officials According to Fox News' latest report, Federal authorities issued a warning after they discovered a substantial safety violation at the V.C. Summer plant near Columbia. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said that small cracks were identified in a backup emergency fuel line. NRC officials said that for the past 20 years, they have been seeing numerous cracks in the nuclear plant's pipes. These cracks are concerning since the pipes carry fuel to emergency generators, which provide cooling water for a reactor if electricity fails in the nuclear plant of Dominion Energy. Because of this, the US NRC decided to issue a preliminary "yellow" warning to the American energy firm's nuclear facility. To give you an idea, the yellow warning is considered to be the 2nd most serious warning category issued by NRC. Aside from this, only seven yellow warnings have been issued across the United States since 2009. Read Also: Germany Shuts Down Last 3 Nuclear Power Plants After Ukraine War Extended Its Operations How Serious Are Dominion Energy Nuclear Plant's Cracks? The State reported that NRC the V.C. Summer's diesel generator system is one of the most essential backup safety systems at the atomic power plant. Since NRC officials continue to identify cracks in the nuclear plant's emergency fuel pipeline, they concluded that Dominion Energy violated an atomic safety standard that could put the power plant under more scrutiny. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirmed this in an enforcement letter it sent to the energy firm's operations president, Eric Carr, who received it on Oct. 4. "We are considering escalated enforcement for the apparent violation," said the NRC division of reactor projects acting director LadDonna Suggs. David Lochbaum, one of the national energy experts of NRC oversight, said that this cracking issue could have been avoided. He added that there were already signs revealing the cracks in the pipeline. However, these were overlooked by Dominion Energy, as claimed by Lochbaum. This simple mistake allowed the problem to grow to a point where the diesel generator failed to work during testing. "You're supposed to find and fix problems that occur," the national energy expert explained. Related Article: Russia Allegedly Approves Nuclear Power Plant Detonation Plan; Will This Be Another Chernobyl Disaster? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Shani Louk, the 22-year-old German-Israeli woman in her 20s who was attending the Tribe of Nova music festival and was reportedly stripped naked and killed by Hamas fighters has been revealed to be alive in a hospital inside Gaza after receiving serious head injuries. German news website Bild reported that Louk's mother, Ricarda, feared her daughter was killed in the Hamas attack after seeing a video showing Louk unconscious at the back of a pick-up truck and was identified with the dreadlocks in her hair and the tattoos on her leg. Read Also: Germany Launches Inquiry Into Hamas Over Murders, Kidnappings Still Alive and in Hospital? Newsweek reported a new revelation on Tuesday (October 10) that Louk was alive and taken to a hospital inside Gaza. "We now have more information that Shani is alive," Ricarda told German broadcaster NTV, adding that she received the information from unnamed Palestinian sources. The mother also asked the German government for help and quick action as her daughter seemed to be seriously injured. "Every minute counts," she added. At least 150 people were estimated to be kidnapped by Hamas fighters during their coordinated surprise attack across southern Israel over the weekend. Many of those abducted, including Louk and her Brazilian boyfriend, were attendees of the music festival. While the exact number of people who were taken hostage from the festival and elsewhere in southern Israel has not been determined, at least two other partygoers were still unaccounted for - 25-year-old Chinese-Israeli Noa Argamani and 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Golberg-Polin. Related Article: LIST: Foreigners Among the Dead, Abducted, Missing In Israel-Hamas War @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis made a statement about the Israel-Hamas War on Tuesday (October 10), saying that the state is standing in solidarity with Israel and the wider Jewish community, and it was eliciting both sadness and anger about what happened. "I think that we need justice and I think that justice needs to be so severe that they wouldn't think of doing this ever, ever again," he said in a speech at The Shul of Bal Harbour, a synagogue at Surfside. "And you can count on us to be a friend and to be an ally of the state of Israel and of the Jewish people." DeSantis promised he would increase protections near places of worship throughout the state. "What we witnessed this weekend was one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of not just Israel but the modern world," he added. "It's important that we say as Americans and as Floridians, we stand with the people of Israel and we stand with the state of Israel in this dark hour." Read Also: Still Alive? Naked Girl Paraded by Hamas Reportedly in Gaza Hospital, Mother Says DeSantis Plans to Place Sanctions on Iran According to NBC Orlando affiliate WESH, Florida has a large Jewish community and the second-largest Israeli-American community in the country. This in mind, DeSantis also called for sanctions on Iran during the next legislative session that would block Iranian businesses in Florida. It was alleged that Iran provided Hamas the financial and strategic backing it needed to conduct its raid and Tehran was said to be complicit in the attacks, which they vehemently deny. "We all know the truth. If Hamas and Hezbollah and any Palestinian Arab simply laid down their arms tomorrow, that would result in peace," DeSantis added "If Israel laid down its arms tomorrow, that would result in the destruction of the Jewish state." DeSantis also said that Israel does not only have the right to defend itself, but also the duty to do so.with "overwhelming force." He also urged state legislation to starve out Iranian businesses in the state and would not lift the sanctions until both US President Joe Biden and the US Congress certify that Iran has stopped supporting international terrorism and seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction. Related Article: US, 4 European Countries Release Joint Statement on Israel @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. US President Joe Biden denounced Hamas and stressed US support for Israel in his latest speech about what people described as the bloodiest day in Israel since the Holocaust. In a speech on Tuesday (October 10), he mourned the death of over 1,000 people, including at least 14 Americans, from a coordinated surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group. Biden also expressed concern for Americans being held hostage by the Iranian-supported Islamist group Hamas, Reuters reported. "There are moments in this life and I mean this literally when pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend," he said. "This is an act of sheer evil." Biden also offered support for American Jews, saying that they should be allowed to worship in peace in the US. This remark was also in conjunction with his previous speech saying antisemitism in the country had risen to record levels. "At this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel," Biden addressed the public. Read Also: US, 4 European Countries Release Joint Statement on Israel US Aims to Help Israel Prior to the speech, the White House reported that Biden got to talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden outlined in his speech Washington's military assistance being sent to help Israel in its fight. The president also offered an overview of the actions the United States is taking with allies around the world to support Israel. Earlier this week, the White House said it expected to fulfill additional security requests from Israel as quickly as possible. While the US was not planning to put American boots on the ground, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Israel has called up an unprecedented 300,000 of its own reservists to stem the Arab tide. In addition, Biden and Netanyahu have forged a wartime partnership following the Hamas attack. Related Article: DeSantis Calls for 'Severe' Justice for Hamas's Attack on Israel @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images) Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers discovered the lifeless bodies of dozens of babies, some beheaded, in a city that was previously attacked by Hamas militants. Israeli military forces discovered the bodies of at least 40 babies, some beheaded, in a village previously attacked by Hamas militants. The latest development shows the unspeakable horrors an Israeli community faced in light of the recent conflict. Local news reports said that Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers moved into the area, Kfar Aza, one of the communities attacked by Hamas terrorists on Saturday, and found the bodies of the deceased babies. Deceased, Beheaded Babies in Israel The IDF was working on removing the bodies of victims found in the area when they discovered the children's remains. Later, Israeli military soldiers tried using the bones to identify the victims. In a statement, IDF Maj. Gen. Itai Veruv said that this was not war, nor a battlefield and called it a massacre. He said that there were babies, mothers, and fathers inside their bedrooms and protection rooms, and they were killed by terrorists, as per Fox News. Hamas-led militants poured over the Israel-Gaza border on Saturday morning while residents slept. They allegedly dragged people into the streets, taking some hostage while beheading and killing others. Over 700 Israelis, including men, women, children, and the elderly, were indiscriminately killed in only one day. It was the largest terror attack in a single day in the history of Israel. After the assault, the Israeli army allowed media members into Kibbutz Kfar Aza, less than a quarter of a mile from the Gaza border. Residents in the city were murdered, and their lifeless bodies were left to litter the streets. Vehicles could be seen burned, and the devastation of the latest attack extended to buildings, some abandoned and destroyed. Read Also: LIST: Foreigners Among the Dead, Abducted, Missing In Israel-Hamas War Israel-Palestine Conflict The media crews that surveyed Kfar Aza on Tuesday came as explosions and artillery fire could be heard in the background. They wore helmets and flak jackets while picking through the devastated city. According to the Times of Israel, they were protected by at least a company of IDF soldiers who wore full combat gear as they continued to clear the inside of the homes in the area. Reporters at the scene spoke of the foul odor of death lingering in the air because of all the dead bodies lying around. Veruv added that the situation in Kfar Aza was something that he had never seen in his entire life. He said that it was something that he used to imagine of his grandmother and grandfather when they were in Europe and other places. The situation comes as Hamas militants took many people hostage, including a three-generation family living in a southern Israeli kibbutz. They are feared to have been taken by the terrorists. Yossi Sneider expressed his horror after recognizing his cousin and her two young children surrounded by Hamas militants in a video. On Saturday, he tried to contact his family at around 6:00 a.m. to ensure they were safe, but they did not answer. A few hours later, he saw a picture of his cousin, Shiri Bib, and her two children, four-year-old Ariel and nine-month-old Kfir, said BBC. Related Article: Still Alive? Naked Girl Paraded by Hamas Reportedly in Gaza Hospital @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Money SHARMA / AFP) (MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images) A 104-year-old Chicago woman, Dorothy Hoffner, has died days after making a skydive that could make her the oldest skydiver in the world. (not actual photo) Dorothy Hoffner, the 104-year-old Chicago woman who went skydiving, could make history after the daredevil stunt that could put her in the Guinness World Records for being the oldest person to even jump from a plane. The elderly woman's close friend, Joe Conant, said that Hoffner was found dead on Monday morning by Brookdale Lake View senior living community employees. Conant added that Hoffner died while sleeping on Sunday night. Oldest Skydiver in the World Conant is a nurse and said he met his close friend, whom he called Grandma at her request, several years prior while working as a caregiver for another resident at the senior living center. He noted that Hoffner had amazing energy and remained mentally sharp despite her age. In a statement, he said that Hoffner was "indefatigable" and just kept moving forward, adding that she was not someone who would simply take naps in the afternoon or not show up for any function, dinner, or anything else, as per KAKE. Hoffner made a tandem skydive on Oct. 1 that could put her in the record books as the oldest skydiver in the world. She achieved This feat by jumping out of a plane from 13,500 feet at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, which is located 85 miles southwest of Chicago. Speaking to a cheering crowd moments after landing, Hoffner said, "age is just a number." The skydive was not her first time jumping from a plane, which she had already done when she was 100. Conant added that he was working through some paperwork to ensure that Guinness World Records would certify his close friend posthumously as the world's oldest skydiver. However, he said that he expects the process to take some time. Currently, the record was set in May 2022 by 103-year-old Linnea Ingegard Larsson of Sweden. Read Also: Why Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler Becomes Emo? A 104-Year-Old Skydiver A spokesperson who represented Hoffner said that they were honored that the 104-year-old's skydiving experience was able to serve as an incredible cap to her "exciting, well-lived life." According to Fox News, Hoffner's recent skydive lasted seven minutes, including the time that her parachute's slow descent gently put her on the ground. Hoffner's friends congratulated her after she landed while clinging to the harness over her narrow shoulders. Someone also brought over the walker that the 104-year-old woman left before she went on the plane. She said it was a delightful and wonderful experience as she planned to take a hot-air balloon ride next. Conant also said that Hoffner was not excited about all of the attention from news media last week before her skydive. However, she said the attention had grown on her because she saw it as an opportunity to meet new people she would never have known. During interviews with reporters, Hoffner asked them about their lives and appeared uninterested in talking about her upbringing in Chicago and the early 20th century. It was a time when World War I had ended and an influenza pandemic was spreading, said the New York Times. Related Article: Oldest Skydiver: Breaking World Record at 104 years old @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Biden administration officially declared the Niger military takeover as a coup d'etat. The US Department of State announced this on Tuesday, October 10. Ever since junta leaders imprisoned President Mohamed Bazoum, the situation in the African nation has been considered a coup. Now, here's why the US government officially declared and what it means for Niger residents. What Biden Admin Niger Coup Declaration Means to African Country? According to CNN Politics' latest report, the coup d'etat declaration made by the US government is essential since the United States has exhausted all available avenues to preserve constitutional order in the West African country. A senior Biden administration official explained this. The US government's decision to officially declare a coup in Niger will suspend military aid and foreign assistance to the country. "That assistance is now also suspended pursuant to section 7008 of the Department of State's annual appropriations act," said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He added that the US government also halted all assistance the Millennium Challenge Corporation provided to Niger. These include preparatory work on its $302 million Niger Regional Transportation Compact. Aside from this, MCC's ann new activity on its 2018 Compact has been suspended as well. Read Also: Readout of President Biden's Engagement with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu Will the US Still Assist Niger? Matthew Miller clarified that despite an official coup declaration, the US government will maintain food, health, and life-saving humanitarian assistance to Niger residents. "The United States also intends to continue to work with regional governments, including in Niger, to advance shared interests in West Africa," he added. The US Department of State is still open-minded about the possibility of military aid and other assistance resumptions. However, Miller said that if ever these aids return, an action from the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland will be required. He added that this will usher democratic governance in a credible and quick timeframe. The Biden admin official said the US government still stands with the Niger residents in their aspirations for prosperity, stability, and democracy. The State Department spokesperson stated that the US has supported the Economic Community of West African States' efforts to help Niger return to democratic rule. This is why they are still calling out junta leaders to release Mohamed Bazoum and his family members and other Nigeriens who are still detained. Related Article: French President To Pull Out France's Military in Niger, Claims African Country No Longer Fights Terrorism @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images) United States President Joe Biden confirms that American citizens are among the people taken hostage by Hamas militants as well as among the ones who have been killed since the Saturday attacks. United States President Joe Biden confirms that Americans were among the hostages taken by Hamas militants and those who the terrorists' attack on Israel has killed. The Democrat's remarks on Tuesday noted that Hamas militants killed at least 14 US citizens during the weekend assaults in southern Israel. He added that he likened Hamas to ISIS and blasted the group as "sheer evil." Biden Address Israel-Palestine Conflict The US president did not say how many American citizens were among the roughly 150 people believed to have been taken hostage by the Hamas militant forces. Additionally, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said moments later that the number remains murky. The hostages were allegedly taken to Gaza, which the Hamas militant group has controlled since 2007, following a series of morning raids by air, land, and sea on Saturday. During the assaults, the terrorists slaughtered more than 1,000 civilians and Israeli military troops, as per the New York Post. In his statement, Biden said he had directed his team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on efforts to recover hostages. He said that as the president of the US, he has no higher priority than the safety of the American citizens who are held hostage worldwide. The Democrat gave a roughly 10-minute speech, which was made after remaining out of public view on Monday and Sunday. Biden did not take any questions from the press, and he previously addressed the Israeli crisis in a three-minute speech on Saturday before the full scale of the conflict became clear. The president also did not address calls from Republican lawmakers to halt releasing $6 billion in unfrozen assets to Iran, which some have claimed drove the Hamas militants to conduct the assaults on Israel. Amid the conflict, Israeli soldiers successfully retook two dozen towns and villages near Gaza from Hamas militant forces. However, the devastation left by the terrorists was evident, as in Kfar Aza, lifeless bodies littered the streets. According to the New York Times, Israeli soldiers used stretchers to clean up the mess of dead bodies in the area. Read Also: LIST: Foreigners Among the Dead, Abducted, Missing In Israel-Hamas War Pledging Support for Israel The Israeli military also noted that it had since recovered the bodies of roughly 1,500 Palestinian assailants since the start of the conflict. The announcement offered one of the first clear indications of the size of the attack. The United States government pledged its full support for the upcoming Israeli offensive as American officials seek to play down the prospects for massive humanitarian consequences. It comes despite growing concerns about civilians in Gaza losing access to food and water and becoming collateral damage in the raging conflict. The Israeli military was forced to summon 360,000 reservists to fight in the war against the Hamas militants, which marks the largest mobilization since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. According to the Washington Post, roughly 4% of the Middle Eastern country's population of 9.8 million left their regular jobs and their families to respond to the military orders and join the fight. Related Article: Israeli Soldiers Found More Than 40 Babies, Some Beheaded, in a Village Attacked by Hamas Militants @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tim Ballard, the self-styled rescuer of sex-trafficked children and inspiration for the Christian thriller, Sound of Freedom, has been hit with a lawsuit alleging that he sexually assaulted five women. As reported in The Washington Post: In a lawsuit filed Monday in Utah, the women alleged that Ballard would "manipulate" them and coerce them into sexual acts as part of his trafficking rescue missions via Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), the nonprofit he founded. Ballard would insist that he and his female counterpart had "physical chemistry" to better sell the ruse, flying them across the country to "practice" their sexual chemistry through "tantric yoga, couples massages with escorts, and lap dancing," according to the suit. The lawsuit also alleges that Ballard "engaged in a ploy where he would tell the women that if they were offered alcohol, which is forbidden by the Mormon church, that she should take the drink and then open mouth, kiss him and spit the alcohol in his mouth, and then he would spit it out when the traffickers weren't looking." Ballard encouraged the women to share the same bed and shower with him on his missions, and eventually began coercing sex acts from them, the suit claims. These acts would take place in private accommodations, according the lawsuit, because Ballard would claim he and his partner "had to maintain the appearance of a romantic relationship at all times in case suspicious traffickers might be surveilling them." Ballard is also alleged to have told the women that engaging in sex play with him would improve their own marriages, while also advising that they not tell their husbands about these acts, lest it compromise their mission. The QAnon/Maga crowd, who has elevated Ballard to demigod status, is unlikely to stop admiring him. Even after he'd been forced out of the organization he founded because of allegations that he had been accused of sexual misconduct by 7 women his followers continued to lavish him with praise on his Xitter account. "The dark will always try to blot out the light of those doing Gods (sic) work but the dark looses (sic). Stay strong and stay the course. Prays (sic) coming your way," xitted one. "Doing good ain't got no end. Drive on brother. Godspeed," xitted another. "Thank you Mr. Ballard for all you to (sic) save the children. The deep state and coruption (sic) are doing all they can to stop the work you and your team are doing. We're talking about people in high places that would love for you to go away," xitted another. Given the bizarro nature of the GOP, this lawsuit just might be what Ballard needs to win a seat on the Senate. Sound of Freedom is starting to sound a lot more like Sound of Trafficking. Last month, Paul Hutchinson (not Ballard), executive producer of the film, was accused of groping an underage trafficking victim's breasts during a sting operation in Mexico, A US Navy sailor pleaded guilty to conspiring with a Chinese spy officer. He also admitted to receiving thousands of dollars in bribes from the Chinese intelligence official. He admitted his crimes in a plea agreement filed in the federal court in Los Angeles, confirming that the Chinese spy could receive unclassified private military information about the US military. US Navy Sailor Admits Conspiring With Chinese Spy Officer According to The Guardian's latest report, 26-year-old Petty Officer Wenheng "Thomas" Zhao pleaded guilty to accepting almost $15,000 in bribes from an unnamed Chinese spy official. He explained that he received this money in exchange for photographs of unclassified private U.S. military information. Specifically, Thomas admitted that he was sending plans for US military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. Aside from this, the Chinese intelligence officer also received operational orders, electrical diagrams, and blueprints for a radar system on the US military base in Japan. Because of this, the person who worked at the Nava Base in Ventura County in California faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment on the charges. ABC News reported that Zhao has been in custody since his arrest on August 3. But a judge hasn't determined the US Navy sailor's final sentence yet. US Atty. Martin Estrada of the California central district argued that the US Navy officer "betrayed his country" and the American people of the US Navy by accepting bribes in exchange for critical military information. Matthew G Olsen, the assistant attorney general of the justice department's national security division, heavily condemned Zhao after being arrested in August. "These individuals stand accused of violating the commitments they made to protect the United States and betraying the public trust, to the benefit of the [Chinese] government," he said. Read Also: China Exposes CIA Spy Who Worked for Military Company Another US Navy Sailor Accused of Conspiring With China's Spies Another US Navy sailor in California was arrested due to similar Chinese espionage crimes when Thomas was arrested. 22-year-old Jinchai Wei, assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, also faces charges of providing detailed weapons systems and aircraft information to a Chinese spy officer. Critics said that the cases of Zhao and Wei are just the tip of the iceberg in China's larger espionage scheme. But, unlike Thomas, Jinchai decided to plead not guilty in federal court in San Diego. If you want to learn more details about Wei's separate case, you can click this link. Related Article: US Navy Sailor Sells Naval Secrets to China, Says Mom Encouraged Him to Trade Sensitive Military Details @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Tuesday, Utah government filed a lawsuit against Tiktok in Salt Lake City state court, claiming that the app endangers children with its addictive, harmful content. Utah accused Tiktok that their algorithms or "recommendation engine" target children to view violent videos to increase their profit. Utah Lawsuit: 'Anti-TikTok' According to NBC News, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes filed and announced the suit at a news conference, revealing that the app has affected the users' mental health. The lawsuit claimed that TikTok failed to verify the truth about their commitment to protecting the youth and removing sexual and other harmful material, including self-harm and eating disorders. Reyes highlighted that the "unlimited scroll" in TikTok causes the children to engage their attention in the app, which tricks them into using it occasionally. Scrolling creates fresh videos or "filter bubbles" that contain extreme content based on the user's interest, which may harm users into exploring inappropriate content. "TikTok directly profited from addicting children to the app and continued to capitalize on the addictive nature of the app despite knowing the harm that addiction would cause Utah's children," the state's suit said. The two leaders said that the lawsuit is the first step to protect the children from the adverse effects of the app in their state. "The harms to children need to stop," Gov. Spencer Cox said. TikTok's lack of action will violate the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act. According to the court filing, the corrective action and damages will amount to more than $300,000. Cox and Reyes continue performing an investigation of the platform's practices after filing the lawsuit. Read Also: South Carolina Nuclear Plant Fuel Line Cracks Concern Officials; Dominion Energy Accused of Safety Violation TikTok Denies Utah's Allegations Meanwhile, TikTok rejected Utah's allegations and said, "TikTok has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts." According to NBC News, the app was almost banned in March. But the company CEO, Shou Zi Chew, defended and told Congress that the app is safe and secure for teenagers. The CEO said they are working on preserving a healthy community by discussing industry-wide challenges. "TikTok has lied to parents to create a false sense of security," Reyes said. Reyes aimed to prioritize the children's mental health and said that he would no longer tolerate the app in taking the innocence of the youth. The lawsuit said they had noticed the peak of TikTok last year, reaching 150 million active U.S. users - nearly half the population, and its ad revenue last year was almost $10 billion. TikTok has also received a lawsuit from the state of Arkansas and Indiana with the exact charges. Montana was the first state to ban TikTok. However, the app and the creators continued challenging states who tried to go against them. Related Article: TikTok Gifts: Here's How Much They Cost and Why Everyone is Desperate to Do Livestreaming @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images) Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that the Baltic gas pipeline leak was caused by "outside activity" in a deliberate act that damaged the structure as well as a telecommunications cable. Finland is blaming "outside activity" and a deliberate act for the Baltic gas pipeline leak after an incident that damaged the structure and a telecommunications cable connecting the country to Estonia. The remarks on Tuesday came as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the global military alliance would share information related to the damage and is ready to support its allies. Finland joined NATO in April after stalled negotiations with Turkey, and Estonia joined the alliance in 2004. Baltic Gas Pipeline Leak On Sunday, officials decided to shut the Balticconnector gas pipeline early over concerns that gas leaked from a hole in the 77-kilometer-long pipeline. In a statement, Finnish operator Gasgrid said it would take several months or more to repair the damage to the structure. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a Tuesday statement that it was likely that the damage to both the pipeline and the telecommunications cable was the result of outside activity. He added that the cause of the damage was not yet clear as an investigation continues in cooperation between Finland and Estonia, as per Reuters. Additionally, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that the damage to the gas pipeline was "worrying" but noted that the country's energy supply remains stable. He also said that the damage to the telecommunications cable did not affect the nation's overall connectivity. During a press conference, Orpo said that it was still too early to conclude who or what caused the damage to the pipeline and the telecommunications cable. He added that gas accounts for roughly 5% of Finland's energy supply. Elisa, a Finnish telecommunications operator responsible for operating the damaged cable, said that the distance from the cable to the Balticconnector pipeline was "significant" but declined to comment on the exact length between the two. Read Also: Hungary, Poland Defy European Union's Planned Migration Reform, Threatens To Derail Granada Summit Possibility of a Sabotage There were also reports from local media that cited unnamed government sources who claimed that Russian sabotage was suspected of the incident. According to The Guardian, this comes as regional security experts said that a Russian survey vessel was recently spotted making repeated visits to the vicinity of the Balticconnector pipeline. Orpo added that based on observations of the damage, they could not have resulted from normal use of the pipeline or pressure fluctuations. When asked directly about the possibility of Russia's involvement, the prime minister said that he did not want to speculate on potential perpetrators before a complete investigation has concluded. The situation comes as European countries have been exceptionally sensitive to the possibility of sabotage since the explosions that blew up the Nord Stream pipelines between Russia and Germany occurred just a little over a year ago. At the time, seismologists detected two distinct blasts, compared to recent times when experts did not measure any unusual activity near the Finnish pipeline. The research director at the University of Helsinkin's Institute of Seismology, Timo Tiira, said that they did not detect any signals of an explosion, said the Washington Post. Related Article: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Faces Mounting Pressure as Far-Right Makes Rapid Gains @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Maison DesChamps, also known as "Pro-Life Spiderman," was arrested after he decided to climb the Accenture Tower in Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Police officials were able to detain the anti-abortion activist after he completed his 588-foot building climb stunt. But, he explained that there's a good reason why he did the dangerous "publicity stunt." Pro-Life Spiderman's 588-Foot Building Stunt Leads to His Arrest DesChamps reportedly started climbing the Accenture Tower around 9:45 a.m. local time. Unfortunately, officers were already waiting for him at the top of the 40-story building. The Daily Mail UK reported that Pro-Life Spiderman did his spine-tingling stunt to help a mother of two who recently found herself unexpectedly pregnant. DesChamps said that he was hoping to raise money for the charity group "Let Them Live," as well as to help the mother named Sierra to have a choice about her unborn child. Although his intent was good, some pro-abortion people criticized his dangerous stunt. These include Chicago Abortion Fund's Movement Building Director Alicia Hurtado. "The organization being amplified by this dangerous stunt is the antithesis of reproductive justice," she explained. "And we instead hope that this moment is used to amplify groups on the ground that are standing up for bodily autonomy for all," she added via Yahoo News. Read Also: Abortion Rights: Ohio Voters Reject Issue 1 in Special Election Other Details of DesChamps' Latest Stunt Many people in the Accenture Tower were able to record videos of DesChamps while he was climbing to the top. Of course, the anti-abortion activist climber also livestreamed his stunt. He even opened a can of "Woke-Free" beer Ultra Right after reaching the top, confirming that the beverage company sponsored his stunt. But, DesChamps' happy moment didn't last since the Chicago Police Department arrested him right after. Police authorities described Pro-Life Spiderman as an offender. They said that charges against Maison are still pending and no other information is available at the moment. This is not the first time that Maison DesChamps has been arrested. In May, he was also detained after climbing San Franciso's Salesforce Tower. After that, he continued his hobby. He even managed to climb the New York Times building, which led to a police complaint. In his other building climbing stunts, such as the Devon Tower in Oklahoma, he had been arrested as well. Despite all the police reports against him, DesChamps is still committed to help the anti-abortion movement. In one of his stunts, he hung a sign that read "Abortion Kills More Than 911 Every Week!" Related Article: 'I Did Exist': Abortion Survivor "Penny" Mentioned by GOP Candidate Ron DeSantis Speaks Out @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Users posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, and expressed dismay at the the Black Lives Matter's support for Palestinian people on Tuesday. The BLM released a statement about the fight between Hamas militants and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), claiming they are in solidarity with the Palestinian people. BLM Criticized For Being Pro-Hamas Black Lives Matter is a social movement that fights racism and social violence against Black people. The BLM Grassroots chapter posted on their social media about the Hamas terrorists attacking Israel and the death of hundreds of civilians. BLM Chicago also posted and extended their support to Hamas by uploading a silhouetted photo of one of the terrorists flying a powered parachute used in the music festival that killed more than 250 civilians. The photo was captioned, "I stand with Palestine." A Twitter user named Aviva Klompas reposted the parachute photo and said that BLM "makes her sick as they still used the photo that killed hundreds of civilians." According to Newsweek, the post went viral as users tweeted replies about the BLM's sudden approval of Hamas. "As the world is faced with deep questions about self-determination, as well all desire and pray for a world of peace, we must stand unwaveringly on the side of the oppressed... their resistance must not be condemned, but understood as a desperate act of self-defense," the BLM stated. Natalie W tweeted on X that she has been a Black Lives Matter supporter, but it ended as soon as the BLM expressed their support for Hamas. Former White House official Ari Fleischer wrote on Twitter, "This is disgusting. BLM celebrates murder. Never forget this." Others commented on BLM Grassroot's Instagram account and bashed the organization for being pro-Hamas. "I'm for human life. Whatever you are. Blown away," one comment said. Social media users and other BLM supporters said that they are no longer sure if they will continue supporting the group as they do not condone the Palestinian people. Hamas Terrorists' Supporters Other than the BLM, there are other Hamas supporters worldwide, including Australia. Supporters are mostly Muslims. They gathered and chanted near the Sydney Opera House. Muslim Pro-Hamas supporters chanted, "Gas the Jews." According to The Daily Mail, the local police allowed the pro-Hamas supporters to gather in the Sydney Opera House to chorus violence against the Jews. Still, they arrested pro-Israeli protesters for attempting to raise an Israeli flag. BLM stands with the Palestinian community and is combatting 57 years of settler colonialism and prejudice. However, as the Black people continue to fight militarism and mass incarcerations, they approve of the murder committed by Palestinians. Related Article: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Criticizes Pro-Hamas Protesters in Times Square for Spreading Hatred @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla Giga Berlin is accused of having safety and health issues. Authorities claim that the EV maker's factory in Germany has inadequate health and safety provisions. However, the automaker denies all these accusations despite local officials providing reports proving work-related accidents at the EV factory. Tesla Giga Berlin Work Accident Accusations Denied by EV Maker On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Tesla rejected the claims made by a German union and recent media news. The EV maker reiterated that ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees is still one of their top priorities. However, this is not what German media discovered after it cited documents from local authorities in Brandenburg. According to Reuters, local authority documents revealed a high number of work-related accidents. These reports stated that some of these incidents forced Tesla employees to take at least three days of sick leave. Aside from this, the documents also provided detailed information about work-related accidents. Based on these reports, some serious injuries include amputated limbs, burns, and hydrochloric acid exposure. But, Tesla claimed that its workers receive safety training and are always provided with protected gear, as reported by Investing.Com. The giant automaker also argued that local authorities regularly check if Giga Berlin follows the needed safety measures, seemingly questioning the credibility of the work-related accident reports. Read Also: Ford's Billion-Dollar EV Battery Factory Suspended; Here's Why Its Construction is Halted Tesla Giga Berlin Faces Scrutiny As of writing, Tesla is under scrutiny because of the work safety issue allegations against its Gigafactory in Berlin. This can be seen in the rising members of the German union IG Metall. The worker union said that its membership numbers are continuously rising as more Tesla employees become concerned over safety, health, and overworking issues. On Monday, Oct. 9, twelve Tesla workers at Giga Berlin were interviewed. Four of them claim that they are satisfied with the working conditions at the EV facility. However, eight of these employees said that the pressure for fast production was too high. Some of them also revealed the accidents happening inside Giga Berlin, as well as other issues, such as overtime pay problems. If the work issue allegations are really true, then Elon Musk needs to do something about it to make Giga Berlin safer, especially since the factory is estimated to have over 11,000 workers. These are just some of the details about the ongoing Giga Berlin scrutiny experienced by Tesla. You can click here to learn more. Related Article: Tesla Accuses Chinese Chipmaker of Stealing Tech Secrets; Hearing for New Lawsuit to Happen @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) Republican Kari Lake's announcement of her bid for U.S. Senate in Arizona was met with various reactions from both colleagues and opposition lawmakers. Conservative firebrand and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake officially launched her bid for the US Senate in Arizona for the 2024 races. In her announcement, the Republican lawmaker said she would not retreat and would stand with every American. Her remarks were made to a crowd in Scottsdale, Arizona, as they cheered Lake, a longtime former television anchor turned MAGA champion. She also narrowly lost her race to become Arizona's governor last year. Kari Lake for Senate This will pit Lake off with Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, the only other major candidate in the race for the GOP nomination. The winner between the two will likely face off against Phoenix-area Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego, who many see as the front-runner for his party's nomination. On the other hand, incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party to become an independent lawmaker last year, has not yet said if she plans to run for re-election. As per Fox News, Lake spent several months in the lead-up to her announcement boosting her national profile by hitting the pavement as a top surrogate for former United States President Donald Trump's presidential campaign. In the last three months, the conservative traveled to 14 states to headline events and address Republican organizations at the state and county levels. She has even expressed her support for candidates in other Senate races. Following Lake's announcement to join the US Senate race in Arizona, Lamb said he was the "only one proven conservative winner" running for Senate in the state. He added that he is a lifelong conservative who dedicated his life to protecting the state's people and keeping them safe when Democratic policies make it harder to do so. Read Also: RFK Jr. Drops Democrat Bid, Runs for President as Independent Facing Off Against Other Candidates Lamb noted that what separates him from his opponents is that he is not a talker but a doer, which makes him win elections. On the other hand, Gallego's campaign reacted to Lake's announcement by predicting that voters would reject her again. This referenced the conservative's loss to current Democrat Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs. During her speech announcing her bid, Lake tossed a pre-taped video of Trump, who said he was endorsing the conservative firebrand. The Republican also supported the former president's false claims about extensive fraud in the 2020 presidential election, according to CNN. On top of that, Lake claimed she won the gubernatorial race against Hobbs last year. Since her loss, the conservative has lost a series of legal challenges that sought to overturn the election result, in which she was down by more than 17,000 votes. Lake is now courting support from Republicans she previously insulted as she tries out new messages amid her bid for US Senate in Arizona. She is also not backtracking on the qualities that made her a star on the far right: her combativeness with perceived enemies, her loyalty to Trump, and her willingness to defend his election lies said Yahoo News. Related Article: Ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy Hints at Re-Running for Position @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Gigi Hadid posted her comment about terrorizing innocent people under the 'Free Palestine' movement on Instagram. Hadid supports the 'Free Palestine' movement, but murder is not a part of her principles and values. Gigi Hadid Breaks Silence About Israel Conflict The model expressed empathy to her Instagram followers, primarily those affected by the Hamas conflict. Hadid's thoughts were posted after the Hamas terrorist group and movement began a surprise attack Saturday on Israel. She continues to convey her regards, especially to the innocent civilians and children. " My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict - too many of which are children," she said. According to TMZ, Hadid said she recognizes the struggles of her fellow Palestinians, but she also feels sorry and accountable for her Jewish friends. "I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person," she added. Hadid claimed that the attacks happening in Israel have done no good for the 'Free Palestine' movement. She made sure that her prayers to Palestine did not include any harm to a Jewish person. She also added to always pray for innocent lives. Hadid ended her post by saying, "Every human deserves basic rights, treatment and security; no matter their nationality, religion, ethnicity, or where they were born." She turned off her comment section, as she shared it has a lot of personal and valid feelings involved. Read Also: Kari Lake Officially Launches Bid To Run for Senate in Arizona Gigi, Bella Hadid's Stance on 'Anti-Israeli' Issue Since then, Gigi and Bella Hadid have publicly advocated pro-Palestine for years, attending marches and demonstrations, and supported Palestinian causes. According to The Daily Mail, Gigi cleared that being pro-Palestine does not mean antisemitic, as she and Bella are both half-Palestine. In 2021, Gigi and Bella were criticized for commenting on anti-Israel online, claiming Israel was not a country but a colonized land. In March 2022, Gigi compared the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the Israeli-Palestinian on an Instagram post. She also announced on her Instagram that she would donate her earnings from fall fashion shows to the victims of Ukraine and Palestine. Furthermore, in the recent Hamas attack, Gigi Hadid has actively showed sympathy for the victims of Israel and wishes everyone well. Meanwhile Bella still has not spoken about the attack in Israel, but other celebrities, such as Gal Gadot and Natalie Portman, extended their support in Israel, as stated in Page Six. Related Article: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Criticizes Pro-Hamas Protesters in Times Square for Spreading Hatred @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) soldiers, wearing full riot gear, place barbed wire around the municipal building in Zvecan, northern Kosovo, following clashes with Serb protesters demanding the removal of recently elected Albanian Mayors on May 31, 2023. Tensions remained high in northern Kosovo as hundreds of ethnic Serbs again gathered outside a town hall after violent clashes with NATO-led peacekeepers left 30 soldiers injured earlier this week. A top NATO commander declared on Tuesday that the alliance has provided its military force in Kosovo with weapons of "combat power" in response to a recent firefight between masked men. Serb gunmen and Kosovo police that resulted in the deaths of four people and heightened tensions in the region, as per to WIONews. NATO Boosts Troop Presence in Kosovo Amid Escalating Tensions Adm. Stuart B. Munsch of the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, announced that a battalion of 200 troops from the United Kingdom and 100 soldiers from Romania would be deployed to the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) with heavier armament. The decision comes as tensions escalate in Kosovo following recent clashes between opposing factions. To preserve peace, NATO is prepared to increase its troop presence and armaments in the region. Kosovo has been the site of a protracted conflict between Serbia and Kosovo, its former province. After 78 days of NATO attack, Serbian forces withdrew from Kosovo in 1999, bringing an end to the conflict between the two countries. Tragically, the conflict resulted in the loss of over 10,000 lives, the majority of which were Kosovo Albanians. In response, KFOR was established. Approximately 4,500 forces from 27 nations are equipped with light weapons and vehicles to maintain peace in the region. The recent surge in tensions in Kosovo was sparked on September 24 when around 30 Serbian gunmen killed a Kosovar police officer. Therefore, they set up barricades in northern Kosovo and engaged in a prolonged gun battle with Kosovo police, resulting in the deaths of three gunmen, according to Fox News. Read Also: DeSantis Calls for 'Severe' Justice for Hamas's Attack on Israel Kosovo: NATO Bolsters Troop Presence Amid Ongoing Tensions After this incident, NATO deployed 600 Turkish troops to the region to bolster KFOR's presence. Adm. Munsch emphasized NATO's commitment to preserving peace in Kosovo by stating that the alliance is ready to increase troop numbers and armament capabilities if necessary. A high state of readiness has been maintained, ensuring that additional forces with even heavier armament are deployable if the NATO nations decide to do so. Maj. Gen. Angelo Michele Ristuccia, the outgoing KFOR commander, highlighted the significance of a political solution in achieving lasting peace and stability in Kosovo. KFOR fully supports the EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina (the capital of Kosovo) and Belgrade (the capital of Serbia) aimed at normalizing their ties. Ristuccia acknowledged the volatility of the situation and the potential for further escalation. He emphasized that only through political negotiations can a sustainable solution be found. In February, the European Union presented a 10-point plan to resolve Kosovo's ongoing political crises. While Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic initially approved the project, several unresolved reservations persist. The EU-facilitated dialogue, which commenced in 2011, has yielded limited progress in resolving the complex issues between Pristina and Belgrade. Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 remains a contentious issue, as Belgrade refuses to recognize it. The unresolved political disputes contribute to the ongoing tensions in the region. NATO's increased troop presence and armament demonstrate their commitment to maintaining stability. However, a comprehensive political solution is essential to ensure peace in Kosovo, INDEPENDENT Reported. Related Article: Kosovo Monastery Siege: 4 Dead After Gunfight Between Ethnic Serbs, Local Police @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In January 2022, the original Winnie-the-Pooh book from 1926 entered the public domain, freeing up the character from copyright protection. One outcome was Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023), a British splatterpunk film about Pooh and Piglet terrorizing and killing women at a university near Hundred Acre Wood, the setting of the original book series. Here's the IMDB description of the movie: "After Christopher Robin abandons them for college, Pooh and Piglet embark on a bloody rampage as they search for a new source of food." (Trailer above.) While the reviews were bad, the film is a cult success. Apparently, even some kids appreciate it, at least according to one parent of twins in a fourth grade class at Miami's Academy of Innovative Education charter school. Apparently a math teacher showed the film to the class and, according to parent Michelle Diaz, it was students who had requested it. From CBS News: "He didn't stop the movie, even though there were kids saying, 'Hey, stop the movie, we don't want to want this'," Diaz told CBS News, adding that some kids were seriously affected[] According to Diaz, the students selected the movie. "It's not for them to decide what they want to," she said. "It's up to the professor to look at the content." As a BB reader HMS Goose asked in our comments, is the quote of "we don't want to want this" that's attributed to the children an editing error by CBS News or were the kids truly feeling guilty about their desire to see the movie? (Likely the former, but still.) According to a statement from the school, "the administration promptly addressed this issue directly with the teacher and has taken appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of students. We are actively monitoring the students and our mental health counselor and principal have already met with those students who have expressed concerns." (Photo : ADAM GRAY/AFP via Getty Images) Demonstrators in support of Palestinians and Israel hold opposing protests near the Consulate General of Israel in New York on October 9, 2023. Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip Monday and cut off the water supply as it kept bombing targets in the crowded Palestinian enclave in response to the Hamas surprise assault it has likened to the 9/11 attacks. Reeling from the Islamist group's unprecedented ground, air and sea attacks, Israel has counted more than 700 dead and launched a withering barrage of strikes on Gaza that have raised the death toll there to 560 people. Israeli-Palestinian conflict seeps into the sphere of higher education, American colleges and universities are contending with a bitter divide on their campuses. Campuses across the US have become the battleground for a war of words, with school administrators, far-left student groups, and politicians are at odds over how to address the recent attacks by Hamas on Israel, as per Politico. Campus Conflict Over Israeli-Palestinian Relations Sparks Debate What initially began as discussions in campus email lists and student newspapers has quickly escalated into a broader, national conversation, drawing in members of Congress from both political parties, including conservative Senator Ted Cruz and Cornel West, a prominent left-wing professor who once ran for president. The conflict on these campuses has led to intense discussions about balancing free speech, empathy, and diplomacy in the face of a highly charged international crisis. On one side, college presidents and administrators have called for calm and compassion in response to the ongoing conflict. They emphasize the importance of understanding both sides of the issue and advocating for peaceful resolution. Conversely, some student associations have taken a solid pro-Palestinian stance, with rhetoric that blames Israel for the conflict and resists condemning Palestinian resistance. The clash has ignited strong reactions from all sides. Members of Congress, advocates, and lawmakers have criticized pro-Palestinian messaging on college campuses. Many are concerned that such messaging lacks empathy for the suffering of Israelis, particularly those who have lost loved ones in the conflict. However, these tensions are not limited to campus communities; they have spilled over into national politics and city life. The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America promoted a pro-Palestinian rally, drawing a response from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who condemned antisemitic messages at the rally. Similarly, at Harvard University, where tensions ran high, Cornel West, an independent presidential candidate and former Harvard professor, voiced partial agreement with a student-led statement blaming Israel for the conflict, according to The Times of Israel. Read Also: California Governor Vetoes Bill to Increase Access to Condoms for Teens Campus Clashes and Broader Divisions Critics, including Senator Ted Cruz and former Harvard president Larry Summers, have denounced Harvard's response to the student statement, insisting that the university should have taken a different stance. In response to the controversy, some universities have emphasized that student groups do not speak on behalf of the entire institution. Meanwhile, students and alums are taking action, with some planning rallies and demonstrations to express their support for either side of the conflict. It's crucial to note that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply complex, and its impact on American campuses underscores the challenges of addressing highly charged international issues in the context of higher education. While some groups push for strong advocacy, others emphasize the importance of empathy, peaceful dialogue, and recognizing the suffering of all those affected by the conflict. The ongoing debate on college campuses reflects larger divisions in American society and the Democratic Party and the broader challenge of balancing free speech and diplomacy with international crises. The clash of ideas, emotions, and political interests is a microcosm of the broader culture war, with universities serving as battlegrounds for these contentious discussions. As the situation in Israel and Palestine remains tense, these debates will likely continue as students, faculty, and administrators grapple with how best to address the complexities of the conflict, The Washington Post reported. Related Article: New OceanGate Titan Sub Human Remains Recovered by Coast Guard @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 29: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper speaks during the lighting ceremony for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the West Lawn on November 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. The 79-foot-tall red spruce, nickname "Ruby," was cut from the Pisgah National Forest near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, and is decorated with 12,000 ornaments from 125 communities in 13 different states across the country. North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature passed sweeping new election regulations on Tuesday, which were immediately challenged in court by Democrats and voting rights organizations. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the bills earlier this year, stating in a statement that they make it more difficult to register, but Republicans have a legislative supermajority and voted to override his vetoes, as per to CNBC News. North Carolina's Controversial Election Bills The two bills in question are expected to impact the state's election process in 2024 substantially. However, legal challenges are anticipated and could delay or block the implementation of specific provisions. One of the bills, Senate Bill 749, is of particular concern to advocates as it alters the composition of both state and local election boards. These five-person boards are crucial in overseeing democratic operations and certifying election results. County boards are responsible for registering voters, operating polling sites, and counting ballots, while the state board appoints individuals to and supervises these local boards. Under the existing system, all election boards are controlled by the governor's party, with nominations made by state parties and appointments by the governor. However, the new legislation completely removes the governor from the appointment process. Instead, it establishes state and local boards that are evenly divided between the two major political parties, with members appointed by state legislative leaders. Supporters of the bill argue that it depoliticized the election administration process. Still, experts warn that it may lead to a nightmarish scenario of deadlocked election boards, making it difficult to carry out essential election administration tasks, according to CNN News. Read Also: Honoree Fleming Case: Former Vermont University Dean Shot Dead Near Campus; Who's the Suspected Killer? North Carolina's Voting Restrictions The bill needs to adequately address what would happen when election boards cannot reach a consensus on administration or result certification matters. Governor Cooper expressed his concerns when vetoing the bill: "The legislative takeover of state and local elections boards could doom our state's elections to gridlock and severely limit early voting.It also creates a grave risk that Republican legislators or courts would be empowered to change the results of an election if they don't like the winner. That's a serious threat to our democracy." Of particular concern to advocates and Democrats is the bill's potential impact on early voting. If county or state election boards fail to approve early voting sites and schedules by state law, early voting may only occur at the county board of elections office. This could leave hundreds of thousands of voters with only one early voting option in populous counties. The second bill, Senate Bill 747, introduces a range of new voting restrictions in North Carolina. These include a ban on drop boxes and most private funding for elections. Additionally, the bill shortens the deadline for mail ballots to be received by election officials by three days. In the 2020 election, such a rule change would have resulted in the rejection of 11,000 votes. The debate over these bills underscores the broader divisions in American society and the challenges of balancing election integrity with access to the ballot. As North Carolina prepares for the next presidential election, the consequences of these legislative changes will likely be hotly contested and closely watched by advocates, lawmakers, and legal experts, Fox The Washington Post. Related Article: Las Vegas Teachers' Union Files Lawsuit Over Nevada's Anti-Strike Law @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 10: Caroline Ellison, former chief executive officer of Alameda Research LLC, leaves Manhattan Federal Court after testifying during the trial of FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, on October 10, 2023 in New York City. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy in connection with the collapse of the crypto exchange he founded, FTX. Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison, a couple whose lives entwined in business and romance, took a dramatic turn. The high-profile case, now in its fifth day, revolves around the collapse of their cryptocurrency trading companies, FTX and Alameda Research, in November. Caroline Ellison, the government's star witness and a key figure in the trial, faced Bankman-Fried in court, accusing him of directing the actions that led to FTX's downfall, as per Washington Examiner. Sam Bankman-Fried Crypto Case Trial The former couple's journey began on a trading floor in New York, continued with their start-up venture in Hong Kong, and eventually morphed into a highly publicized office romance. However, it wasn't their romantic history that took center stage in the courtroom; instead, Ellison focused on allegations of financial misconduct and fraud within their cryptocurrency ventures. Ellison, who has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy, testified that Bankman-Fried instructed her to utilize FTX customer deposits for venture investments and loan repayments by Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency hedge fund under her management. She claimed that Alameda took approximately $14 billion from FTX, only partially repaying the borrowed funds. The trial's proceedings, especially Ellison's testimony, shed light on the complex financial dealings and corporate governance that contributed to the collapse of their ventures. The case against Bankman-Fried has drawn significant attention as he faces charges of masterminding a conspiracy to embezzle billions of dollars from FTX's customers. Despite his not-guilty plea, a conviction could result in a life sentence. In the courtroom, Bankman-Fried's defense strategy seeks to shift blame towards Ellison, arguing that she disregarded his instructions and made mistakes in managing Alameda, which exacerbated FTX's financial woes. Notably, this case turned even more dramatic when Bankman-Fried had his bail revoked after allegedly attempting to intimidate Ellison by leaking her private writings to the media, according to ABC News. Read Also: Lawmakers Urge Biden to Refreeze Iran's $6 Billion Funds as GOP Links Hamas Attack on Prisoner Swap Deal Caroline Ellison's Testimony The trial's unfolding events, filled with personal accounts, financial intricacies, and misconduct allegations, have captivated observers in the cryptocurrency industry and beyond. Caroline Ellison's testimony delved into the financial aspects and explored the personal dynamics of her relationship with Mr. Bankman-Fried. The two met over five years ago at a New York trading firm, Jane Street, where Bankman-Fried briefly worked. Their shared commitment to effective altruism, a philanthropic movement popular in tech, laid the foundation for their personal and professional connection. Eventually, they became romantically involved, which gave Ellison a unique vantage point as FTX's founder built his cryptocurrency empire. After joining Bankman-Fried at Alameda in 2018, Ellison worked as a trader and was later promoted to chief executive. The couple's on-and-off romantic relationship was marked by the challenges of maintaining a professional dynamic in the workplace. At times, Ellison described feeling powerless and ultimately decided to end the relationship due to perceived emotional distance and inattentiveness on Bankman-Fried's part. The courtroom proceedings also unveiled how Alameda had dipped into FTX's customer funds for years. Additionally, Ellison detailed how Bankman-Fried aimed to maintain the value of FTX, a digital coin he created. FTX was used as loan collateral, but its importance was largely hypothetical. Ellison expressed discomfort with this approach, as selling FTT in large quantities could render it worthless. Nevertheless, she claimed that Bankman-Fried directed her to proceed with it, keeping these actions concealed from prying eyes. As the trial continues, the cryptocurrency world watches with bated breath, witnessing the unraveling of a complex tale that entwines personal relationships, financial intricacies, and allegations of financial misconduct. The trial's outcome may hold significant implications for the crypto industry, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in this evolving landscape, The New York Times reported. Related Article: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Criticizes Pro-Hamas Protesters in Times Square for Spreading Hatred @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Officials from the Philippines confirmed on Wednesday (October 11) that two Filipinos had been killed as the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters dragged on to its fifth day. Both the Malacanang and the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv said the two Filipinos killed were identified as a 33-year-old female from Pangasinan province and a 42-year-old man from Pampanga, both north of Manila. They have not named the two for privacy purposes at the request of their families. 1/3 The Philippines condemns the killing of two (2) Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence as a result of Hamas actions against Israel. Enrique A. Manalo (@SecManalo) October 10, 2023 Reactions from Manila, Foreign Missions Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo took to X, formerly Twitter, his condemnation of the deaths and other atrocities that happened and were discovered in the past few days. "The Philippines is ready to work with other countries towards a long-lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the general principles of international law," he said. "The Philippine government will continue to provide all possible assistance to distressed Filipino nationals in Israel and Palestine." Around 30,000 Filipinos reside in Israel, most of them living outside the conflict area in the southern region near Gaza. An additional 150 Filipinos are trapped in Gaza, the Philippine Star reported. Manalo also assured that the Philippine government would continue to provide assistance to distressed Filipinos in both Israel and Palestine. In a separate statement, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also condemned the killings, saying his country "stands firmly against the ongoing terror and violence." "My heart is heavy upon hearing confirmation of the deaths of two Filipinos in Israel," he added. Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss told Filipino broadcaster ABS-CBN he was both gutted by the two Filipino deaths in his country and his gratitude for the Filipino workers staying behind to assist Israelis. "I [would like] to express our gratitude to those Filipinos, and generally speaking, to overseas Filipino workers in Israel who are staying there with other families, elderly people," he added. "Even in the time of this emergency, the Filipinos are not requesting to be evacuated from Israel." He also slammed Hamas for its actions and for using civilians as "human shields." Additionally, Philippine Ambassador to Jordan, Wilfredo Santos, told CNN's Philippine bureau that 70 Filipinos in Gaza have requested repatriation. Read Also: Gigi Hadid's Support Goes to Israel, Says Murder Is 'Unacceptable' Filipino Officials: 3 Still Unaccounted For On the other hand, a Philippine embassy official in Tel Aviv Patricia Narajos told reporters that there might be a third Filipino who might have been killed in Hamas's attack. "This is subject to confirmation by DNA evidence," she cautioned. This puts the number of Filipinos still missing down to three, as 26 have been rescued by Israeli security forces. Narajos added that the Filipino individual who was shot was "recovering well" in the hospital, while another Filipino was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, but was later discharged. The Philippines and Israel have been close allies ever since the Philippines voted for the UN resolution to partition Palestine in 1947 and the establishment of the Jewish State in 1948. Prior to this, Commonwealth-era president Manuel Quezon made an attempt to save the Jews from the Holocaust, which was cut short by the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in late 1941. As of Wednesday, there is a total of over 2,000 deaths on both sides, both military and civilian. Related Article: Israel Conflict Puts US College Administrators at Odds Over Pro-Palestinian Student Groups @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo: by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) A Walgreens sign is displayed outside one of its stores in Hollywood, California, on March 9, 2023. - California Governor Gavin Newsom has stated that California will cease all business with Walgreens after the company announced it would not dispense abortion medication in several US states. A new CEO has been appointed by Walgreens following this week's pharmacy staff walkout due to concerns about unsafe working conditions for both staff and customers. As of October 23, Tim Wentworth, who recently served as CEO of pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, was named CEO. Rosalind Brewer, the former CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, resigned from her position in late August as the company struggled with a staffing and prescription shortfall. The recent Kaiser Permanente strike demonstrates that there is widespread worker unhappiness and staffing difficulties in health care that are not unique to pharmacies. Uncertainty surrounded the precise scope of the pharmacists' protest. On Tuesday, organizers projected that walkouts scheduled for Monday through Wednesday would affect more than 300 of the approximately 9,000 Walgreens outlets nationally, as reported by The Associated Press. According to a corporate spokeswoman, problems occurred at "no more than a dozen" pharmacies. Teams were understaffed and overworked, especially with the added demands from the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a Walgreens pharmacy manager who assisted with organizing the walkouts, told The Associated Press. The Staff's Requests The staff who walked out are organizing online; many Walgreens employees aren't unionized. According to the organizer, they made three key requests of the business: to increase transparency regarding shift times and schedules; to reserve time for new team members to get training; and to modify tasks and expectations at each site based on staffing numbers. The organizer warned that more walkouts would occur at the end of the month if Walgreens did not address concerns from pharmacy staff. According to Fraser Engerman, a spokesman for Walgreens, the firm is taking the employees' complaints seriously. As the busy fall season approaches, drugstores around the nation are faced with a challenging burden. Read also: Kaiser Permanente Protesters Threaten More Demonstrations if Demands Not Met Several Pharmacy Staff Walkouts Last month, there were walkouts at CVS sites in the Kansas City area as well. As a result, the firm pledged to increase recruiting. According to Bled Tanoe, a former pharmacist who has been supporting the walkouts on social media, many of these underlying worries about working conditions have been accumulating for years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic made the situation worse by introducing additional requirements, like as testing and immunization, without providing "the proper support for the people behind the counter," she claimed. Brewer, who departed the firm in late August, said that 1,100 pharmacies, or around 12% of its U.S. locations, were having their hours reduced. This was a decrease from the 1,600 earlier this year, but a firm executive has stated that it does not anticipate returning all pharmacies to regular business hours by the end of the year. Stefano Pessina, the executive chairman of Walgreens, said in a statement that the business had been looking for a CEO with "deep healthcare experience." Related article: Walgreens Pharmacies May Be Closed Next Week; Workers Preparing to Strike Over Pay, Benefits @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As descendants of Holocaust survivors who eventually lived in Israel faced its deadliest attack on Saturday (October 7) since the Second World War, the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome held an international conference earlier this week to shed new light on the historical and theological events related to Pope Pius XII and the Vatican during the Holocaust. The event - entitled "New Documents from the Pontificate of Pope Pius XII and their Meaning for Jewish-Christian Relations: A Dialogue Between Historians and Theologians" - began with a minute of silence and prayer for the victims of the war in Israel and Palestine. According to Bishop Etienne Veto, auxiliary bishop of Reims in France and former director of the Cardinal Bea Center for Judaic Studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, the conference required two years of preparation. The conference's first session was introduced by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who emphasized that, after Pope Francis's decision in March 2019 to make the documents of the Vatican Secret Archive regarding the pontificate of Pius XII accessible and the publication of several studies, it has been "of fundamental importance to establish historical truth" through historical-critical research. Read Also: Report: SecDef Austin Receives Bipartisan Senate Request to Transfer 2 Iron Dome Batteries to Israel The Pope who Saved the Jews Prior to the 2019 announcement, urban legends say Pius XII was complicit in the Holocaust and was even called "Hitler's Pope." All such accusations and labels have been discredited by the Vatican ever since. However, the Vatican's top diplomat noted that there were still cases of "scientific dishonesty" that morphed into "historical manipulation," where documents were "negligently or deliberately hidden." Parolin provided three examples of how Pius referred to the Jews as "brothers," all of which when he was still a young Vatican diplomat named Monsignor Eugenio Pacelli. In 1916, he wrote to Cardinal Pietro Gasparri and to the American Jewish Committee, and then to the Ashkenazi Jews of Jerusalem in 1919. All of the letters were only recently discovered, Cardinal Parolin as quoted by Vatican News, and they stated how Catholics should perceive the Jews. "Jews are our brothers," the cardinal quoted the documents as saying. "And the Jewish people should be considered brothers of any other people in the world." As a result of Pius's very friendly relations with the Jews, the Jews turned to the pope to seek help when the Second World War broke out, Parolin added. The Jews of Rome were not disappointed, as Pius was well aware of the Holocaust and would like to save as many Jews as he could. "[D]uring the Second World War, the Pope invited a considerable number of Catholics from religious institutes to defend Jews with all means, as well as participating in the resistance against fascism and Nazism," the Vatican's top diplomat added. Francis Demands Hamas to Release Hostages Immediately Meanwhile, Pius's successor to the See of St. Peter, Pope Francis, has appealed for the immediate release of hostages that were held by Hamas fighters in Gaza on Wednesday (October 11). During his weekly general audience, the pope also expressed concern for the safety of Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip, Catholic News Agency reported. "I pray for those families who saw a feast day transformed into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be immediately released," he said. The pontiff added that terrorism and extremism "do not help to reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians," but instead "fuel hatred, violence, revenge, and only make both suffer." Related Article: Israeli Soldiers Found More Than 40 Babies, Some Beheaded, in a Village Attacked by Hamas Militants @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Suppose Elon Musk does not comply with the requests made by Brussels to delete violent photos and misinformation relating to the events in Israel from his social network X by the end of Wednesday, October 11. In that case, he will be subject to the total weight of Europe's new social media laws. EU vs. Musk European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is in charge of the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), wrote to CEO Musk to remind him of his responsibilities under the bloc's standards. According to Politico, Musk may be fined up to 6% of X's income for any violations of EU law if he fails to comply. Social media platforms are obligated to delete any content that promotes terrorism, including but not limited to hate speech, incitement to violence, or graphic pictures or propaganda. Since Hamas began its terrorist strikes on Israel on October 7, X has been overwhelmed with photographs, videos, and hashtags documenting how a lot of individuals have been slaughtered or abducted. Also, such content is prohibited under X's own rules and must be taken down immediately. Breton wrote late Tuesday night, October 10, on X, "I urge you to ensure a prompt, accurate, and complete response to this request within the next 24 hours. We will include your answer in our assessment file on your compliance with the DSA." Meanwhile, British minister Michelle Donelan, who is responsible for the United Kingdom's distinct online content rules, will also meet with many social media giants, including Google, Meta, X, TikTok, and Snapchat on Wednesday. This is to serve as a gentle reminder that, in the light of the Hamas assaults, they are obligated to take down any and all information that promotes or glorifies antisemitism or extreme violence. "We are taking action to stand in solidarity with Israel and our Jewish community," Donelan stated on X. While responding to Breton's tweet, Musk demanded that the French lawmaker provide specific examples of how he believed X breached Europe's content laws. "Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent," according to him. To which Breton answered, Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk." Vu, merci. You are well aware of your users and authorities reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk. My team remains at your disposal to ensure DSA compliance, which the EU will continue to enforce rigorously. Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 10, 2023 See Also: Biden Vows To Provide Support to Israel After Confirming Americans Among Hostages, Killed Live Broadcast of Hostage Execution? Earlier this week, as the Israel-Palestine crisis continues, Hamas terrorists vowed to kill captives on live broadcasts if Israel struck Gaza without notice. A Hamas official claimed in a video posted on X that any attack on innocent people without notice would result in the execution of hostages. He said the murders would have to be aired. Unidentified sources indicated that, unlike previous Gaza operations, Israel would not drop mock bombs on buildings to warn the civilians inside. At the time, Israel estimated Hamas had 150 Israeli captives. The Western Journal reports that this number has increased after last weekend's assaults. See Also: Israel Conflict Puts US College Administrators at Odds Over Pro-Palestinian Student Groups @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A wrong-way driver in Georgia killed two more drivers after counterflowing a four-lane highway. Authorities said that the incident happened near Roopville, south of Carrollton. Georgia State Patrol troopers confirmed that the counterflowing driver also died as well. Here are other details shared by law enforcement officials about the latest car crash in Georgia. Georgia: Wrong-Way Driver Kills Two Other Drivers on Four-Lane Highway According to Fox News' latest report, the driver was traveling the wrong way on a four-lane highway. He was zooming north in the highway's southbound lanes on Monday, Oct. 9. Authorities said that the reckless driver was riding a Lincoln Town Car. Because of his dangerous driving, he eventually hit a Mazda Miata. After that, he crashed into a Chevrolet Cruze; both of the victims were traveling south. Georgia state troopers said that the Chevrolet and Lincoln cars both caught fire. All three drivers died before responders could take them to the nearest hospitals. Police officers said that the three cars were not carrying any passengers. As of writing, the identities of the reckless driver and his victims haven't been disclosed yet. However, Carroll County police could release more information about them once they complete their ongoing investigation. Because of the wrong-way driving incident, authorities had to close the highway while clearing the scene of the deadly car crash to avoid further accidents. Read Also: Honoree Fleming Case: Former Vermont University Dean Shot Dead Near Campus; Who's the Suspected Killer? Why Some Drivers Counterflow? Parker & Parker law firm explained that there are numerous reasons why some drivers end up counterflowing one-way roads and even wide highways. Of course, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is among the major reasons. The National Traffic Safety Board said that around 50% of wrong-way accidents in the U.S. are caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. NTSB warned car owners that even drinking only a small amount of alcohol can affect their driving awareness, which can lead to serious or life-threatening road accidents. Another reason why some drivers counterflow is because they are distracted. If they are using their smartphones to text, browse, or call other individuals, then their road attention is likely divided. Aside from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and getting distracted, overconfidence is also to blame for wrong-way accidents. Other reasons include mistakes of officials and road builders. These include insufficient road lights, poor road design, and inadequate signage. Related Article: Rhode Island: 20-Mile Police Chase Leads to Animal Abuser's Death-Here's What Happened @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Maggie Wilson, the former Philippines candidate for the Miss World 2007, announced that her mother was arrested on Oct. Wednesday, Oct. 11. The Filipino-British model confirmed this incident via her official Instagram account's stories. She said that Sonia Nales was arrested because of carnapping allegations. Based on her statements, she blames her ex-husband, Victor B. Consunji, for what happened to her beloved mom. Maggie Wilson Blames Ex-Husband for Arrest Against Her Mother According to Rappler's latest report, Maggie Wilson posted a series of IG stories about the arrest made against her 64-year-old mother. She explained that the arrest was one of the strangest things happening in her life and her family, especially since her mother doesn't have a driver's license and has no driving capabilities. Because of this, she questions the actions of police officers who arrested her mother. "A few moments ago, multiple police officers came to arrest my mom," said the model. "My mother has looked after OUR son and YOU through thick and thin. You've hit a new low," added Maggie via her official Instagram story. She added that she is now unsure how to tell her son (with Victor) that her husband had the child's mother and grandmother arrested because he can no longer control her ex-wife. Based on Maggie's statements, she is blaming her estranged husband for the latest issue. This just shows that the feud between the former couples is far from finished. The Filipino celebrity promised Philippines residents that she would continue documenting the events that have been happening for the past weeks. Maggie Wilson claimed that the government and the justice system wouldn't listen to their arguments. Because of this, she is relying on the world to listen to her family. "One man is about to bring great shame to our country," she warned. Read Also: Britney Spears Dancing With Knives Video Update: Pop Singer Says Police Abuses Power After Welfare Check Filipino Netizens Support Maggie, Bash Ex-Husband In one of Maggie Wilson's Instagram posts, many Filipino netizens shared their support for the model. One of them said that Maggie was "scammed" by her husband after promising a 20,000 PHP monthly stipend, which the celebrity claims she didn't receive. Another Pinoy fan said that she fears for Maggie's son because the kid has a father like Victor. The netizen added that the mode's estranged husband could be detrimental to the child's mental health and overall well-being. Meanwhile, others criticized the promised stipend of Victor Consuji, questioning why it was only 20,000 PHP despite him being a magnate. These are just some of the comments made by Filipino netizens about the latest issue between Maggie and her ex-husband. You can click here to learn more about their opinions. Related Article: Jada Pinkett-Smith Reveals Secret 7-Year Split from Will: 'We're Still Figuring It Out' @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Following strikes by the terrorist organization Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition party leader Benny Gantz declared they had reached an agreement to establish an emergency unity government. Gantz and Netanyahu met secretly for about 30 minutes at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters in Tel Aviv. Then they stayed there to sort out specifics, according to a report by The Times of Israel. What Is Specified in the Agreement? Gantz and his fellow party members will be sworn in as ministers under the terms of the deal, which will last for the length of the conflict. Gantz is a former minister of defense as well as the former chief of staff of the IDF, a position shared with fellow National Unity party member Gadi Eisenkot. They will join Netanyahu and Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in the security cabinet. The Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer will be an observer in the war cabinet, making room for opposition leader Yair Lapid to enter the government. National Unity also included a clause that said the emergency government could not adopt any laws unrelated to the war. This clause seems to be a reference to the administration's very contentious plan to revamp the judicial system. Whether or not it decides to join the war, National Unity has pledged its complete support to the government and security services. The political landscape in Israel would alter dramatically because of this deal. Notably, Gantz has been advocating for Netanyahu's removal. He cited the hardline coalition's support of radicals, the prime minister's continuing corruption investigation, and the coalition's drive to remove judicial checks on the government as reasons for his disapproval. See Also: British Airways Plane Makes U-Turn Before Reaching Tel Aviv; Suspends Flights to Israel 'Sheer Evil' Hamas, which serves as the de facto authority in Gaza, launched a horrific onslaught against Israel on Saturday, October 7. The attacks killed over a thousand Israelis. More than 150 Israeli troops and civilians are being held prisoner, according to Israeli authorities. These prompted the establishment of an emergency government. With Netanyahu promising a "huge price" for the assault on Israel, the IDF has begun a counteroffensive against Hamas. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden confirmed that Americans are among the captives held by Hamas militants and the victims of the terrorist assault on Israel. Likening Hamas to ISIS, he condemned the organization as "sheer evil." Although it is estimated that Hamas militants have kidnapped over 150 persons, the US president did not specify how many of them were American citizens. White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan said afterward that the exact figure is still unclear. Biden said in his statement that he had ordered his staff to meet and advise their Israeli colleagues on attempts to take back captives by sharing information and sending in extra US government professionals. He stressed that the security of the hostages held in Israel is his first responsibility as president. See Also: Elon Musk Has 24 Hours to Handle Israel-Hamas War Propaganda, Disturbing Footage on X @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nine months after a Christmas weekend blizzard killed 47 people, a Buffalo woman says her mother died waiting for rescue crews to take her to a hospital during the storm a fatality that isnt counted in Erie Countys official tally of confirmed storm deaths. Yolanda Ross said she believes her mother, Janet Gamblin, would be alive today if the City of Buffalo had been better prepared for the blizzard that paralyzed much of Western New York for more than 48 hours in December. Gamblin, who suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and needed continuous oxygen, was denied when she asked first responders to take her to the hospital during the storm, according to Ross and other family members. She struggled for days to breathe in enough oxygen and died on Dec. 26 at age 71 in her second-floor apartment. She would have had a chance at living and still surviving if they had got her to the hospital, Ross said. My mother was literally begging for her life. Ross in March filed a notice of claim accusing the city of failing to respond properly to an emergency medical call, and she said she intends to follow up with a lawsuit in state Supreme Court. What we know about the people who died in Buffalo Niagara's blizzard At least 40 people have died in Erie and Niagara counties due to the blizzard that paralyzed the city of Buffalo for six days. Michael J. DeGeorge, spokesman for Mayor Byron W. Brown, declined to comment, citing pending litigation. Ross said she was on the telephone with her mother when she died. As Im talking to her, she gets quiet. Im like, Ma, I love you, and the next thing I hear is her take a gasp of breath, and that was it, she said. I just bugged out, like Oh my God, this cant be happening. The morning after Christmas. I freaked out. I lost it. Ross lives in Buffalo about 10 minutes by car from her mother, but couldnt get to her due to the impassable roads and a travel ban that continued for days after the storm. Ross brother Omar Hill and his wife Tiffany Kenner had been staying with Gamblin prior to the blizzard and were with her when she passed. Emergency dispatchers had warned them to wait for first responders and not to try and take Ross to the hospital, Kenner said. Kenner hummed hymns to her mother-in-law as she became weaker and weaker. She was a beautiful woman, a mother to everyone, Kenner said. She liked church songs. I was basically humming it to her, maybe singing a verse here or there. The deaths of at least 46 people in Erie County were related to the storm, according to county official. Another person in Niagara County also died in the storm. An Erie County spokesman said Gamblin was not included in the countys tally, but gave no details as to why. By her familys account, however, the storm and the citys lack of response to it contributed to Gamblins death. 2 claims filed over blizzard deaths The Buffalo News learned about Ross notice of claim through a Freedom of Information Law request to the city attorneys office, then contacted Ross and other family members for details about what happened in the blizzard. Widow of man who died in December blizzard seeks to sue city, county for wrongful death Around noon on Christmas Eve, Abdul Sharifu, 26, left his home on Buffalo's East Side during the blizzard to get milk and other supplies. About 10 hours later, he was found unconscious in the snow. One other notice of claim has been filed against the city regarding a blizzard-related death. An attorney for Gloria Mawazo filed the notice with the city on March 6, accusing city and county officials of failing to adequately warn residents of the blizzards severity. Mawazo is the widow of Abdul Sharifu, 26, who left his East Side home for supplies around noon on Christmas Eve and was found in the snow about 10 hours later, according to the notice of claim. Attorney Brittany Penberthy also filed the notice in State Supreme Court, which The News reported on previously. The notice said Sharifu died that night in John R. Oishei Childrens Hospital of hypothermia and exposure after being denied access to Buffalo General Hospital. Gamblin was left to die at home when she could have been treated at a nearby hospital, according to her family. We lost a lot of people in this blizzard due to EMT delays and things like that, because they were unprepared, Ross said. Ross criticized the city for using the National Guard to help fend against store lootings, rather than focusing on people like her mother who were desperate for help. Gamblin died around 9 a.m. on Dec. 26, according to family members, although her death certificate lists time of death at 9:03 p.m. Family members said they waited several hours for Gamblins body to be picked up and were further upset by how police and National Guard handled the situation. They just threw her on the floor like a slab of meat, and when we said something about it, they pointed the gun and put the hand up and told us to get back, Kenner said. They treated us like they were in a raid ... It was a whole ordeal. It was traumatizing. Ross said the authorities arrived in a vehicle that was capable of driving through the heavy snow and could have been used to transport Gamblin to a hospital when she was alive. The sad part about it is they just zipped her up in a bag and threw her in the back of a truck like she was a piece of trash, she said. You know, that hurts. Thats somebodys mother. Thats my mother. A native of Mobile, Ala., Gamblin had lived in Buffalo most of her life and managed a family-owned barbeque business and a corner store and laundromat when she was younger. She later worked at Roswell Park Cancer Center, and she was a regular at Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She was a pillar of the community, Ross said. Gamblin used an electric-powered machine to supply continuous supplemental oxygen, and when the power at her home went out on Dec. 23 and 24, the machine did not work. She switched to a portable oxygen tank, and at one point, Hill and Kenner carried her down a flight of stairs to a senior center that had power, presumably from a generator, so that she could use a portable powered machine for a few hours. Hill and Kenner carried Gamblin back to her apartment when the power in the apartment returned. But by Christmas Day, Gamblin was panting, out of breath and leaning listless to her side. Seeking help Hill and Kenner said they called 911 dozens of times to get emergency personnel to check on her. Eventually, Hill said, dispatchers hung up on him, so he ventured outside to try and flag down police, an ambulance or a fire truck. Buffalo firefighters from the Jefferson Avenue station about a half mile from Gamblins apartment arrived sometime in the evening on Christmas Eve, according to the notice of claim. By that time, the blizzard had clogged streets with so much snow that many emergency vehicles were getting stuck, and the city was operating with limited emergency services. Gamblins oxygen saturation level was measured at a dangerously low 53 mm, which should have warranted a trip to the hospital, said Kenner, who works as a surgical technician and is familiar with medical conditions such as hypoxemia. At first, firefighters seemed ready to call for an ambulance to get Gamblin to the nearest hospital, according to Kenner, who said she was asked to get Gamblin dressed. The firefighter who measured her oxygen levels said she needed to go to a hospital, Kenner said. But then the firefighters gathered among themselves in a hallway, and moments later announced Gamblin would stay put. They left a small tank of oxygen and said to call 911 again if Gamblins condition worsened, said Kenner and Hill. About an hour after the firefighters left, the family began calling 911 again, to no avail. Hill said dispatchers told him they couldnt get an ambulance to the apartment. My moms specific words was, What do I have to do, die before yall come and get me? Ross said. Kenner said she doesnt understand why no emergency personnel could get back to Gamblins apartment, because she had seen vehicles traveling along Jefferson Avenue by then. In a hospital, at least she would have had a chance, Kenner said. But you showed up and left her here. The Tesla Cybertruck hasn't officially arrived yet as Elon Musk missed its recent prediction, claiming that the electric pickup truck was supposed to launch in 2023's Q3. Unfortunately, critics believe that the most-awaited Cybertruck could be delayed once more. Although this is the case, exciting rumors about the Tesla pickup truck are starting to appear. These include the arrival of new colored wraps for the Cybertruck. If you are among the interested buyers, here's why these alleged color options are a big deal. Tesla Cybertruck Colored Wraps Could Arrive On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Tesla launched seven new colored wraps for the popular Model 3 and Model Y. Now, many EV fans and enthusiasts speculate that the Cybertruck will receive new color options next. According to Teslarati's latest report, some interested EV buyers are also wondering if the upcoming Cybertruck will receive urethane-based films as well. While other users are just making speculations, X user Teslascope made more specific claims, saying that the giant American automaker will offer colored wraps for the initial Cybertruck deliveries within the first six months once it arrives. However, the car platform said that no sources shared the exact price for these color options. Although this is the case, it is believed that the Cybertruck color wrap service could range between $8,000 to $12,000. "There are no price confirmations yet, but it is expected to be $8-12K," said Teslascope via its official X post. The price estimate provided by Teslascope is reasonable since the color wraps for Tesla Model 3 and Model 7 cost $7,500 to $8,000. Here are the exact available color options for these Tesla EV modes: Satin Stealth Black: $7,500 Slip Grey: $7,500 Glacier Blue: $8,000 Satin Rose Gold: $8,000 Forest Green: $8,000 Satin Ceramic White: $8,000 Crimson Red: $8,000 Read Also: What is Tesla Giga Water Loop? Here's What Elon Musk is Possibly Building Outside Gigafactory Texas Why Cybertruck Color Wraps are Big Deal Business Insider explained that the upcoming Tesla Cybetruck has a stainless steel color. Because of this, most prototypes of the electric pickup truck are usually spotted covered in fingerprints and other dirty markings. But, this issue can be solved by color wraps. Car experts said that color wraps can help Cybertruck buyers thousands of dollars on stainless-steel cleaner over the lifetime of the pickup truck. This is because a thin film will be applied outside the entire body panel of the Tesla Cybertruck. Of course, color wraps can also benefit consumers in other ways, especially when it comes to customizing. Tesla Giga Berlin Work Accident Accusations Denied by EV Maker Despite Reports From Local Authorities @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. UK's monarch, King Charles III, has expressed his condolences and "deep shock" at the "barbaric" actions by Hamas in its attack on Israel in his call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. In response, Herzog thanked the king for his support and said his words were an "important statement" that could serve as a "great comfort to the people of Israel." "President Isaac Herzog spoke today with the King of the United Kingdom, King Charles III, who called to express his condolences and deep shock at the criminal and barbaric actions of the terrorist organization Hamas in its attack on the citizens of Israel," the Israeli president's office said in a statement. "The conversation between the two took place as part of a series of conversations the president has been holding on a daily basis with leaders from all over the world, including leaders of international organizations, and Jewish community leaders." Buckingham Palace also said Charles has also asked to be "actively updated" on the war as he was "appalled" by the "barbaric acts of terrorism" in Israel, Sky News reported. "This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about and he has asked to be kept actively updated," a palace spokesperson told reporters. "His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak. His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel." Read Also: Israel Declares Emergency Unity Government 5 Days Into Conflict William and Kate Also in Mourning Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales said they were "profoundly distressed" by the "horrors" that came out of Israel. "The Prince and Princess of Wales are profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days," a spokesperson for William and Catherine said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. "The horrors inflicted by Hamas's terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling, they utterly condemn them. As Israel exercises its right to self-defense, all Israelis and Palestinians will [continue] to be stalked by grief, fear, and anger in the time to come." UK's Involvement with Israel and Palestine On the other hand, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrived in Israel on Wednesday (October 11) to show the UK's "unwavering solidarity" with their Middle East ally. The UK's involvement with Israel began when the then-British Empire made a deal with France to partition a majority of the territories of the Ottoman Empire through the Sykes-Picot Agreement. However, it was the Balfour Declaration, which stipulated the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people," that the Palestinians and Hamas have been criticizing the UK for the longest time. Related Article: Hamas Supporters in UK Receive Warning from PM Rishi Sunak @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has departed for a two-day trip to Israel and Jordan to meet with senior leaders in both nations. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken's trip was a solidarity visit following a Hamas attack that killed over 1,000 Israelis, as per Reuters. "The Secretary will reiterate his condolences for the victims of the terrorist attacks against Israel and condemn those attacks in the strongest terms," he said in a statement dated Tuesday (October 10). "The Secretary will also reaffirm the United States' solidarity with the government and people of Israel. He will also discuss measures to bolster Israel's security and underscore the United States' unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself." Prior to his departure, Blinken reiterated the Biden administration's support for Israel. "As I head to Israel, I will be working to ensure they are equipped to defend themselves and making sure any hostile parties know they must not seek to take advantage of the situation," he said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Read Also: King Charles, Prince William Send Messages of Condolence, Grief to Israeli People In the days ahead, we will continue to stand with our Israeli partners. As I head to Israel, I will be working to ensure they are equipped to defend themselves and making sure any hostile parties know they must not seek to take advantage of the situation. pic.twitter.com/kwchxyggnO Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 11, 2023 Blinken's Trip a Gesture of Support Miller added in a briefing that Blinken's trip was "a message of solidarity and support." "He, of course, wants to hear from the leaders of Israel, hear from them directly about the situation they're facing ... about what they need and how we can best support them," Miller added. Earlier, the State Department announced that the American death toll on Hamas's attack has been updated to at least 22, up from yesterday's tally of 14. "At this time, we can confirm the deaths of at least 22 US citizens," the State Department said in an earlier statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected." Related Article: [BREAKING] Israel-Hamas War: State Department Updates US Death Toll to 22 @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) Chicago chapter is under fire for tweeting an image of a person with a parachute with a Palestinian flag and the caption "I Stand with Palestine," which was a presumed reference to the deadly first strike at a music festival near Kibbutz Re'im in Israel. An estimated 260 partygoers were killed in that incident on October 7. BLM Chicago stands with the murder of women children in a tweet depicting the parachute attack of peace music festival. pic.twitter.com/Wx1iPcBVqz Dean Dorame (@DorameDeano) October 10, 2023 Backlash Galore The reaction to the graphic was swift and relentless, the Washington Times reported. Several conservative individuals and other persons or groups have criticized the group for allegedly supporting the massacre of civilians at the music festival. "Black Lives Matter Defends Hamas, Salutes Killer Paragliders, "conservative podcast host Todd Starnes said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "The guy with the parachute raped, tortured, kidnapped and murdered people... including 40 babies," posted Chicago talk-radio station AM 560 The Answer. "That's who BLM Chicago is standing with." "BLM Chicago, like many leftists, comes out in support of slaughtering innocent people they don't like," conservative filmmaker Robby Starbuck added. "Now ask yourself this: Do they like you? Unless you're an extremist, they probably don't. Consider the future ramifications of that for your family." Elon Musk, who owns X, made a one-word reply to Starbuck: "Exactly." Read Also: Israel Conflict Puts US College Administrators at Odds Over Pro-Palestinian Student Groups BLM Chicago's Non-Apology After the reaction, BLM Chicago responded to the criticism by removing the tweet and instead issued a statement on Wednesday (October 11). "Yesterday we sent out [messages] that we aren't proud of," the chapter said. "We stand with Palestine & the people who will do what they must to live free. Our hearts are with the grieving mothers, those rescuing babies from the rubble, who are in danger of being wiped out completely." In response, conservatives retorted in what seemed to be BLM Chicago's apparent doubling down. "[The image] represents the Hamas terrorists who paraglided into the music festival and shot 260 people and took hostages," said Puck News founder Julia Ioffe. "Honest question: Does [BLM Chicago] advocate for the kind of methods we saw from Hamas on Saturday - like paragliding into a music festival and shooting 260 people, then taking hostages & raping them - for American cops or even white Americans? Or is that reserved just for the Jews?" Conservative radio host Erick Erickson also wrote in his daily email about the post. "Look at the progressives right now, please," he wrote. "BLM is sending out graphics of Hamas paratroopers with Palestinian flags claiming to support them. Hamas parachuted into a music festival in Israel and killed over 200." Related Article: Blinken Leaves for Israel, Jordan on 2-Day Solidarity Trip @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The long-planned redevelopment of a former Broadway school into 65 affordable apartments, along with 22 more townhomes on three nearby streets, is moving ahead, after a series of design changes. 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. For the second time in the past year, developer SAA-EVI won city approval for the $27 million project, which will bring much-needed housing to the Emerson neighborhood northeast of the Central Terminal. That clears the way for the firm to submit its application to the state for low-income housing tax credits next month, enabling construction to begin as soon as next spring. Its a great project. Its needed, Planning Board member Martha Lamparelli said. The three-part project by the firm led by Ernst Valery and David Alexander -entails converting the former Buffalo Public School 44 at 1349 Broadway into 65 apartments, while constructing four buildings on 14 vacant lots on Ashley, Person and Peck streets. The 127,000-square-foot building which also previously housed Lincoln Academy will feature 24 one-bedroom, 27 two-bedroom and 14 three-bedroom units, along with an 80-space parking lot, a patio and a playground. Half of the apartments 33 units would be reserved for victims of domestic violence, who would receive services from Catholic Charities. The apartments will range in size from 740 square feet to 1,600 square feet. All the apartments will be affordable for those earning no more than 60% of the area median income. The three-story building will also include a community room and a computer lab. Constructed in 1907 and expanded in 1930, the brick building was designed by Howard Beck and includes an unusual smokestack tower, a basement level and a gymnasium, as well as a central courtyard. Located on 2.65 acres at Broadway and Person Street, with Krupp Street in back, it stretches across an entire city block. Its full size is actually 165,000 square feet, but the developers are mothballing a portion of it. In addition, SAA-EVI plans to build four two-story townhome clusters on either side of the school, south of Broadway. The larger of the two expansion efforts would feature three two-story buildings with 16 townhome units, wrapping around the northwest corner of Ashley and Person. Those would take up 0.95 acres, and would combine 100, 104, 106 and 112 Ashley and 120, 124, 126, 128 and 132 Person. The second venture involves vacant lots at 158 and 162 Ashley, and 82, 84 and 86 Peck. That is a 0.34-acre site two blocks away from the first cluster. Plans for the second phase call for construction of a single-frame 8,264-square-foot building on the northwest corner of the intersection, with six two-story townhomes and seven rear parking spaces. The projects were approved months ago, but the developer decided to change the appearance of the townhomes from a more traditional style to contemporary, with brick and fiber-cement paneling and sloped roofs, and different colors including blue, white and brown. It also added another unit in one of the buildings, increasing the count from 21 to 22 townhomes. The rest of the building layout, parking, coverage and other details remains the same. The school project will be completed in accordance with state and federal preservation standards, so it will qualify for historic tax credits. The rest of the funding will come from the 9% tax credits, HOME funds from the city, grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency, gap financing through New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and funds from the Supportive Housing Opportunity Program. Construction is expected to take about 18 months. In other action Tuesday, the Planning Board: Approved a negative declaration of environmental impact for the proposed $400 million redevelopment of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authoritys Marine Drive Apartments, as well as a request to combine the two lots at 90-100 Erie Street and then break up the 9.65-acre site into four parcels to better fit with the new roads that will be created. The three-phase project, which will take eight years, will tear down the seven 12-story towers with 616 units, and replace them with a modern affordable housing complex with 738 new units that are bigger, along with 855 structured parking spaces, 5,000 square feet of retail space and more amenities. Granted a one-year extension for Douglas Development Corp.s nine-story parking and apartment project at 61 Terrace. Developer Douglas Jemal originally obtained site plan approval in October 2021 and got an extension last year, but the project has been delayed until now because he only recently completed his purchase of the site from the city and submitted his application to the states Brownfield Cleanup Program. Recommended that the Common Council agree to abandon and sell a one-acre portion of a rail line right-of-way on William L. Gaiter Parkway to McGuire Development Co., for construction of a new commissary for the Buffalo Public Schools. Buffalo School Board Member Paulette Woods said she was awestruck in disbelief. Fellow board members Sharon Belton-Cottman, Kathy Evans-Brown, Larry Scott, Jennifer Mecozzi and Terrance Heard all said they were surprised by the low numbers. The entire board challenged bullying data presented by members of the Buffalo Schools Superintendents Cabinet at a work session last week. The department shared that in 2022-2023 the district reported 43 instances of bullying to the state split into 24 bullying and 19 cyberbullying and 15 total the previous school year. From their exchanges with parents and families in their districts, board members agreed the numbers were unrealistically low. I can give you 30 just in the last year in my district, said Woods, who oversees 19 schools. Buffalo enrolls roughly 31,000 students across 60 schools. We know bullying and violence are happening, said Cindi McEachon, the North District representative. Buffalo School Board wants assurances district follows state bullying regulations The Buffalo School Board wants to know more about how Buffalo public school administrators and school leaders handle state-mandated reports of bullying, harassment and cyberbullying, as well as how often those reports have been filed by schools. The boards conversation with Student Support Services was prompted by an August resolution in which Scott requested to see how often Buffalo schools filled out Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) reports, as well as to understand how the district trains employees on understanding the state anti-bullying law and its mandated reporting. Scott said the initiative was spurred by severe bullying at School 48 and School 45 shared by caretakers with the board in June. The death by suicide of Dariel Rivera Reyes, a 12-year-old at School 48, was one of the incidents mentioned at that emotional board meeting. Reyes grandmother Blanca Martinez in June began legal proceedings against the district, alleging a deliberate indifference to severe, pervasive and disturbing bullying. Grandmother of bullied student who died by suicide takes step toward suing Buffalo Schools The grandmother of a 12-year-old student from Buffalo who died by suicide in May has begun legal action against Buffalo Public Schools, the Buffalo School Board and the City of Buffalo, claiming each paid "deliberate indifference" to "severe, pervasive and disturbing" bullying that caused the boy's death. Woods was most vocal about the dissonance between district statistics and her own dialogue with parents. She said parents do not know about DASA forms they come to her crying and move their feet to escape bullying, which she said in some cases is done by teachers. She described a Mean Girls situation, or group bullying, in one of her schools. Where is this disconnect? Woods asked. The principal just decides, Im not going to report it? The system is not accurate, these numbers are not accurate. This is a serious concern for me. Mecozzi said the discussion touched her personally. Her concerns went beyond whether the formal reporting process is followed. I know too many families who deal with this, she said through tears. You can go to the website all day but thats not going to help the here and now, when that child says, I cant take it anymore. A related disagreement arose over who should hold the DASA coordinator role at each school. Sharon Brown, chief of student support services, said the principal holds the role because that person is almost always present, receives discipline reports and has the authority to suspend. We dont want anything to slip through the cracks, Brown said. Principals should know and are in charge of the whole building. Evans-Brown, with several board members in support, said an administrator should not hold the role. Scott said mental health professionals are better prepared to serve as DASA coordinators because of their familiarity with DASA reporting and their more neutral position. The district did not seem to budge on its current practice. Superintendent Tonja M. Williams said she recently met with district principals and told them not to worry about their numbers spiking were trying to save lives. We can only report what the schools give us, the superintendent said. But what were trying to get out to the schools is that weve got to know so that we can get support, we can change that culture. Theres nothing negative about reporting that there are bullying issues that are happening at the schools. Board members and parent group leaders have become increasingly skeptical of some district data reporting and have repeatedly accused principals of failing to report suspensions and bullying incidents in order to not attract negative attention from the district. 'No easy, quick solution': Bullying experts describe trends in schools following tragedy Regional mental health experts say the most important takeaway from a BPS school climate survey is acknowledging that bullying is a significant challenge, and that discussions among educators, community organizations and students are vital to moving forward. When principals get reports of bullying happening, it needs to become a priority, Williams said. Darlene Jesonowski, the districts chief of school leadership, said parents, students and teachers may fill out DASA reporting forms at the school website, in-person at their office, or written or spoken to the school principal, who then conducts an investigation to see if the claims are founded. Only founded claims are labeled official reports and then passed along to the state. Laura Samulski-Peters, an assistant superintendent in the districts Office of Shared Accountability, said the district has begun a new tracking formula for bullying incidents this year which counts bullying reports before its determined whether they are founded. She anticipates that will give a more accurate assessment. We want to normalize a stand up, speak up culture, and were continuously working diligently every day to create those cultures in our buildings, Brown said. Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is pleased to announce the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation to its 277 All-Suite Hotel. The Fourteen-month extensive renovation project includes fresh and modern chic updates to all guest suites, lobby, atrium area, Omaha Steakhouse and more than 7,200 square feet of event spaces. Located at 225 Shorecrest Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL on beautiful Cranes Roost Lake, Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is just 8-miles north of Downtown Orlando. Conveniently close to major Orlando venues, such as the RDV Sportsplex, Maitland Art Museum, Orlando Science & Art Museums, the Amway Center, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Camping World Stadium and Exploria Stadium. The hotel's newly-designed suites feature neutral tones of greys and browns coupled with tasteful pops of orange and walls decorated with an homage to reflect our ties to Orlando and Uptown Altamonte. All meeting space, including the Regency Ballroom, Florida Room, six Conference Suites and Volusia Boardroom have incorporated grey, burgundy and burnt orange colors, making each space feel open, light and airy. Guests can relax in the spacious, retro modern style open-air atrium with a warm and welcoming new lobby, featuring contemporary lounge decor and furniture. They can also enjoy a delicious meal in the new open-concept breakfast area featuring a variety of seating, including the new Evening Reception Bar, set to a backdrop of light-toned marble. Each area of the hotel's redesign hopes to bring peaceful and serene retro vibes into guests' overall experience. Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North offers amenities for both leisure and business travelers, including two-room suites, free made-to-order breakfast, an inviting open atrium with an Internet Connectivity Zone, a 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool and hot tub, complimentary Wi-Fi and a complimentary evening reception. Each Suite includes a separate parlor and bedroom, 2-HDTV's, sleeper sofa, wet bar with microwave, mini-refrigerator and coffeemaker. Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's portfolio of 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can't be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key. Hotel website Leading global hospitality company Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Yala Resort, marking Hilton's third flagship-branded property in Sri Lanka. Just outside Sri Lanka's Yala National Park and surrounded by lush greenery, the resort provides an elevated escape for guests seeking adventure and relaxation, with a vast view that overlooks the Indian Ocean. Distinct Nature-first Design Designed to immerse guests in the wonders of nature, the resort boasts striking architecture that draws from Yala's natural beauty. The 42 stylish rooms, suites, and villas feature contemporary interiors that are decorated in neutral tones with safari chic accents and local artworks, which add subtle hints of the locale. Vast windows draw the eye to the resort's natural surroundings which is home to an abundance of flora and fauna. Ground floor rooms feature private pools, which span from eight to 16 square metres, while those on the level above offer private hot tubs, providing a serene space for guests to unwind. Gastronomic Delights from Local to Global Three exceptional restaurants stand unrivalled, spotlighting head chef Jerome Tissera's repertoire of contemporary Sri Lankan cuisine, which feature predominantly locally sourced ingredients. Guests can explore the flavours of contemporary Asia at Dhira, the all-day dining establishment; Sandali, a premier dining destination known for its Western cuisine or indulge with cocktails at night at Vanya, while enjoying scenic views. For a truly memorable meal, guests can venture into the wild to experience Lanthaaruma, the resort's bespoke dining experience set between the lush jungle and the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean, where a fully customised menu of the freshest and highest quality ingredients is accompanied by sommelier-selected wines. At the heart of the resort is the outdoor pool, which blends seamlessly with its breathtaking surroundings. The resort also features a fully equipped gym, and a state-of-the-art spa that sits beside the main building, providing relaxing treatments in a beautifully designed space. Destination Stewardship Hilton Yala Resort's guest experiences extend far beyond its perimeters. The resort offers an elevated and environmentally responsible safari experience - with locally trained rangers. This team of wildlife experts is dedicated to helping guests experience the best of Yala National Park through personalised, twice daily game drives. Each safari is dedicated to delivering enlightening and impactful educational sessions to bring about a stronger sense of awareness and appreciation of the wildlife and ecosystem. The protection of Yala's biodiversity and environmental sustainability is at the centre of Hilton Yala Resort's ethos, with the resort designed to ensure the utmost care for the surrounding environment, ecosystem and local communities. Hilton is working with many local partners to advance efforts to preserve and protect local habitats and biodiversity as part of their destination stewardship efforts. An onsite animal research programme has also been initiated under the support of microgrant funding provided by the Hilton Global Foundation, equipping rangers with the latest wildlife information, technology and necessary tools, such as solar-powered weather sensors, and night vision binoculars to monitor wildlife in and near the resort, helping them further understand and protect indigenous species. This research will be in collaboration with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) Small Cat Advisory, Leopard Diary and the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) to better inform local conservation efforts. Hotel website Timothy Kelly has been promoted from executive vice president and managing director of Atlantis Dubai to president of the Atlantis brand worldwide. Kelly has been in charge of Dubai's Atlantis, The Palm for six years and was the leader who oversaw the successful launch of Atlantis The Royal earlier in 2023. The move was announced on LinkedIn by Atlantis, which is operated by Kerzner International, the South African-born group that also has One&Only and the new Siro brand in its portfolio. Mews, the innovative hospitality cloud, today announced that Davin Fan has joined the company in the new role of General Manager, North America, as it experiences significant growth in the region. Mews has acquired two hospitality companies in North America this year, Hotello and Nomi, which has seen the company triple its presence in North America. Fan, who is based in San Francisco, will support the continued expansion of Mews across the United States and Canada. The team in North America has grown by 118% in the last 12 months. Mews also works with some of the most innovative brands in North America, including Stay Hospitality, Fortune House and The Neighbourhood Hotel. Over the course of his 15-year career, Fan has successfully led marketing and sales teams, driving revenue growth, go-to-market execution, and customer success across multiple software sectors. Prior to joining Mews, Fan served as Head of Partner Marketing at Toast, Senior Director of Global GTM strategy & operations at MuleSoft, and Senior Director of Sales Strategy and Operations at Salesforce. He also led various marketing teams at Gusto, Jetsetter, and BuyWithMe. Mews is currently hiring for over 100 roles. If you're interested in working at Mews, check out its careers page. Noble House Hotels & Resorts, the family-owned, boutique hotel brand with a collection of 25 distinct and visually captivating properties, is pleased to announce the promotion of Steven Marais to Vice President (VP) of Rooms. Marais has been with the Noble House Hotels & Resorts brand since 2015, when he began his tenure as Front Office Manager at the Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco for nearly two years, before his promotion to Director of Guest Services. In this role, he extended his talents to provide crucial support for diverse task force initiatives across the brand. Marais then transitioned to the corporate team as Corporate Rooms Director in September 2018, drawing upon over 15 years expertise in the hospitality industry. He supported the Noble House Hotels & Resorts portfolio through development of initiatives and programming that benefitted overall operations of the brand. During the pandemic, he was responsible for creating the COVID-19 operating standards for rooms operations, developing trainings for employees across the brand, and navigating supply chain disruption. He also led the re-opening teams at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, River Terrace Inn, and The Edgewater Hotel. Marais was then promoted to Corporate Director of Rooms and IT Operations, expanding his role to sourcing and implementing new technology to improve efficiency. Steven is a proud alumnus of San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Beyond his professional achievements, he maintains an active and dynamic lifestyle, immersing himself in pursuits such as running, swimming, biking, and obstacle course races. View Steven Marais's LinkedIn Profile Steven Marais is a graduate of San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California - United States An investigation by the Erie County District Attorneys Office found no evidence of criminal conduct by Cheektowaga Councilman Brian Nowak, who was publicly accused last month of bribing another elected town official. The finding was relayed Tuesday morning by District Attorney John Flynn in an email to Cheektowaga Councilman Brian Pilarski. Pilarski brought the district attorneys finding to the attention of the Town Board on Tuesday evening during its bimonthly meeting, when the board was considering a resolution to launch a formal investigation into claims that Nowak bribed the towns highway superintendent. According to the investigation resolution, Nowak last year offered to help Cheektowaga Highway Superintendent Mark Wegner get re-elected for another four-year term if he supported Nowaks resolution to get rid of the deputy highway superintendent position. Cheektowaga Town Board deadlocks over censure of fellow Council member as controversy continues Cheektowaga Council Member Brian Nowak escaped censure by the Town Board on Tuesday night after the town's current supervisor and his opponent in the upcoming supervisor election accused him of offering a bribe to a fellow elected official and disparaging a resident who applied to serve on a municipal board. Town Supervisor Diane Benczkowski and Councilman Michael Jasinski who sponsored the resolution that first made the accusation public claimed this offer amounted to a $400,000 bribe, as the annual salary for highway superintendent is $100,000. But, according to Flynn, this matter had already been brought to his offices attention by the Cheektowaga police chief. Based on the information provided, our offices Public Integrity Unit determined that there was no evidence of criminal conduct, Flynn wrote in his email to Pilarski. Flynn said that if Wegner has more information to share about the incident, his office would review it. But at this time, the matter is closed. The resolution to investigate Nowak was tabled at Pilarskis request so the other board members could do their homework and speak to Flynn. Benczkowski said she was not aware that the police chief had brought this matter to the district attorneys attention and wasnt told of the outcome of the investigation. She questioned the thoroughness of the investigation, as Wegner said he had never been contacted by the District Attorneys Office. I just relayed a general statement to the chief of police, I didnt know he was going to the DAs Office, Benczkowski said. The DA never contacted me at all. Nowak previously said he welcomes the investigation. His attorney, Marco Cercone, called the accusation against Nowak libelous during Tuesdays meeting. [BN] Politics Now : The politics in Cheektowaga are pretty wild right now The last four to five months have been truly unique for the Town of Cheektowaga, Councilmember Brian Nowak said. Ive heard from a lot of old-timers who have been around for a long time that this is the worst theyve ever seen it at meetings. These allegations and a call for criminal investigation are nothing more than a political stunt, Cercone said during Tuesdays meeting. In an Oct. 2 interview with The Buffalo News, Nowak questioned why the accusation against him was coming to light now. If thats such a huge issue, I dont know why that came to the surface publicly 30 days before the start of early voting, Nowak said. Benczkowski previously sent a letter from Wegner describing the allegations against Nowak to both the state Comptrollers Office and the U.S. Department of Justice. The letter was sent to both agencies on April 20, according to emails the supervisor shared with The Buffalo News. Neither agency responded to Benczkowskis request to investigate the incident. In his letter, Wegner stated that Nowak has a personal vendetta against Deputy Highway Superintendent Charles Markel. Wegner claims Nowak was taking advantage of his power to bully, manipulate and intimidate me and harm Mr. Markels career, reputation and financially destroy him. Before Markel became deputy highway superintendent in 2018, he served six years on the Cheektowaga Town Board, but was forced out of office in 2014 after admitting to unlawfully collecting unemployment benefits. Wegner chose Markel for the deputy position. In his letter, Wegner claims Nowak also asked him not to transfer Markel into another supervisory position in the town. ... both Mr. Markel and myself fear every day that Councilmember Nowak will do anything in his power to bully and harm us, reads Wegners letter, dated April 20. I have chosen not to re-run for Superintendent of Highways because the target put on my back by Councilman Nowak has affected my family and personal life. Nowak, a Democrat, is running for town supervisor against Jasinski, a Republican. Benczkowski is not seeking re-election. PARIS A new report from Accor, the world leading global hospitality group, has revealed a need to focus on balance and belonging as the global meetings and events sector continues to recover and drive strategic growth for 2024 and beyond. The report, titled Meeting Expectations: The Future of Meetings & Events addresses the transformation that the M&E sector has undergone in recent years and explores the fundamental shifts impacting the industry as it continues to evolve and recover. The global business landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The way we live, work, and interact has been reshaped over the last few years, and the ripple effects of these changes have created new opportunities in the meetings and events industry. The pandemic was a defining moment for the industry. We were thrust into a world of virtual gatherings, with in-person events grinding to a halt. Yet, we adapted and evolved. That evolution continues today and the one thread that connects all the trends we forecast is the human connection. Today, more than ever, it is about the human need to meet, share and thrive. Sophie Hulgard, Chief Sales Officer, Accor Coming out of the pandemic there were fears that the events industry might struggle to reclaim its audience. Today that audience has largely returned and is expected to rise far beyond its 2019 peak in the years to come. This is great news for the sector but it also brings fresh challenges and opportunities that will alter the way events are booked, planned and executed. The total global meeting industry worldwide is forecast1 to be worth $1.78bn by 2030, added Hulgard. Thats because being in a room with people matters - its powerful and its valuable. Accors Meetings & Events Industry Forecast survey data reinforces this predicted growth trajectory. 78% of respondents said that their or their clients expenditure had increased since 2022, with 36% saying it had increased by more than 25%. Looking to 2024 the growth is expected to continue with 80% of surveyed experts expecting increased spend in 2024, with 30% saying it would rise by more than 25%. According to the Accor research, continued growth is forecast across all meeting and event sizes in 2024. Three-quarters (78%) expect the number of small and medium sized meetings (under 100 delegates) to increase next year, and the same number said they expect the number of meetings of over 100 delegates to increase. More than half (57%) predict a rise in large meetings (over 300 delegates) to increase and almost three-forth (78%) said it would be very important for their industry to attend exhibitions, conferences and tradeshows in 2024. Reconfirming the value of meeting in real life (IRL), 33% of meetings planners expect in excess of 40% more revenue from face-to-face meetings vs a virtual meeting, and the majority, 80%, would not be happy to use video-conferencing to close deals in 2024. The new Accor report, MEETING EXPECTATIONS: THE FUTURE OF MEETINGS & EVENTS reveals five trends expected to shape the growth of the industry. 1/Softer Productivity The work hard, play hard ethos once associated with business and events is changing in line with the demands of new lifestyles. Key Take-away: Balance purpose and productivity 2/Selling Belonging The meetings and events sector is all about one thing: people. Human connection and fostering a sense of belonging are the cornerstones of successful event design. Key Take-away: Celebrate the human connection. Sell belonging. 3/Designing Experiences Event bookers are looking for a return on their investment, but they are more than ever looking for ROX, a return on experience. Key Take-away: Create memorable experiences that forge meaningful connections 4/Green Gatherings Positive impact is the differentiator, and, more than ever, the sector has the green light to drive change. Green credentials are no longer a bonus for events they will be a deciding factor in who secures the business. Key Take-away: Sustainability should be the first thought, not the afterthought 5/Disruptive Technology In-person conferences are now a vital way of bringing together people who may only see one another through laptop screens. Key Take-away: Digital has reach. Face to face has value. Being in the room matters. The Meetings & Events industry has demonstrated its resilience, innovation, and adaptability. The trends outlined in this report stem from the DNA of the sector face to face business matters. The human connection goes with commercial success, it makes business stronger. As the industry continues to drive recovery globally, it is the commitment to forging meaningful connections, being a catalyst for commercial and cultural growth and creating a sense of belonging that will ensure the sector exceeds its forecast growth. Travel is back, and, for the M&E sector, its belonging and balance that will drive the bottom line in 2024. Karelle Lamouche, Chief Commercial Officer of Accors Premium, Midscale & Economy division To discover more and download the report click here. *Accors report MEETING EXPECTATIONS: THE FUTURE OF MEETINGS & EVENTS will be published on 16 October 1. Data from Statista 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. Charlotte Thouvard Senior Vice President Group External Communications Accor Indian School of Hospitality (ISH), one of the most preeminent hospitality education institutions in the country, takes immense pride in announcing that Mr Kunal Vasudeva, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Indian School of Hospitality, has been selected as the keynote speaker for the upcoming UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) General Assembly. He shall address the audience on Education, Investing in the Future and moderate a panel discussion on the same topic. Mr Vasudeva, a highly accomplished figure in the hospitality domain, will address this prestigious gathering in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on October 19. Leveraging an unprecedented wealth of experience, he will discuss the exciting opportunities that come with investing in education in the ever-evolving tourism industry. In addition, he will shed light on innovative educational programs that not only impart knowledge but also foster creativity and sustainability. Addressing the gathering, Mr Vasudeva will further emphasise the significance of education in fostering the next generation of hospitality leaders and change agents. The UNWTO General Assembly is an esteemed event held every two years that draws top representatives from the organisation's member states and eminent figures from the global tourism sector. The assembly is highly recognised for its ability to foster extensive discussions, knowledge sharing, and the formulation of strategies that promote sustainable tourism development across the globe. In this regard, Mr Kunal Vasudeva's keynote address will significantly contribute to the ongoing discussions. Sharing his delight on the occasion, Mr Kunal Vasudeva said, "I am deeply honoured to have been chosen as the keynote speaker for the UNWTO General Assembly. In an ever-changing sector, innovative educational programs are vital for sustainable growth. I aim to inspire change and highlight the crucial role of education in nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders and innovators. This momentous occasion is a testament to ISH's commitment to delivering excellent hospitality education and creating a lasting impact on the industry." ISH is part of Sommet Education's global network of 18 campuses nestled across eight countries. The institution is highly acknowledged for delivering exceptional hospitality education and has immensely contributed to the industry's growth. The institution's commitment to excellence has made it a preferred choice for students who aspire to have a rewarding career in the global hospitality industry. About Indian School of Hospitality: Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) is an institution of higher education focused on reimagining hospitality education for todays generation and tomorrows businesses. ISH is a part of Sommet Educations global network of 18 campuses across 8 countries. The ISH philosophy is to impart lifelong skills to students to help them succeed as leaders of tomorrow giving them the tools they need to shape one of the biggest industries worldwide. At its ultra-modern campus in Gurugram (Delhi NCR), ISH offers an International degree as well as diploma and certificate programs in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Their undergraduate culinary program is offered with the expertise, know-how and industry recognition of the global Ecole Ducasse brand, and their hospitality management program is offered in alliance with Les Roches, one of the worlds leading hospitality business schools. About Sommet Education: Sommet Education is the worlds leader in hospitality management education. Its global network of prestigious institutions comprises Swiss originated hospitality business schools Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches, together with culinary and pastry arts school Ecole Ducasse. In 2021, Sommet Education acquired South African Education leader Invictus Education and Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) with a campus in Gurugram (Delhi NCR). These institutions offer 400 undergraduate, graduate and technical training programs to 9,000 students from 100 different nationalities and 10,000 learners. Teaching is offered across four continents on 18 campuses, as well as through state-of-the-art remote learning platforms. Between them, the schools have a network of 60,000 influential alumni in hospitality and beyond. Sommet Education is the only education group with two in the Top 5 globally-ranked institutions for hospitality education and by employer reputation (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023). Website: www.sommet-education.com Anouck Weiss Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education Sommet Education What makes a luxury property different from other hotels? While some might say its the grandeur of the property the building, the artwork, the furniture others may say its the amenities the heated bathroom floors, lush towels and floor-length Turkish cotton robes, incredible gourmet food selections, and an undeniable service level from staff members. While these answers are correct, there is one thing that is missing: personalized hospitality moments that reflect many of these features but take the guests experience to an elevated level. Expensive things and guest service isnt enough. (Luxury hotels) recognize the potential importance of hospitality within the context of luxury, an opportunity to provide unique personalized brand experiences and exceptional service, noted Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne, widely recognized as one of the worlds best hotel management schools, in a recent EHL Insights article. It includes an individual interpretation and expression of innovation and quality, and defining how they will deliver it, which is unique to the brand and is then built into their service philosophy and values. Traditional service guidelines often limit employees from providing the level of hospitality experiences that guests expect from a luxury resort. Hospitality is about the propertys ability to create those authentic moments of exceptional experience delivered by empowered, energized team members using the rich tools that arm them with detailed insights that show they truly know their guests. Its granting staff permission to act autonomously on behalf of the resort to deliver true hospitality moments that exude the luxury experiences guests expect from a luxury property. Hospitality Moments Defined As noted in the same EHL Insights article, Luxury, it seems, can be a small thing such as creating a meaningful experience or showing you care. But large or small, it should create an emotional connection with people, the product and the brand. Through a modern, integrated property management system, luxury properties can learn more about their guests from the moment they reserve their room through every touchpoint on their journey prearrival, when on-site, and even after they return home. When staff members have access to their guests information, they can view personalized preferences including a particular view from their favorite table, a special bottle of wine, their tee time preferences and if they are celebrating a special event when they arrive. This data becomes richer and more insightful for loyal, repeat guests. By connecting with guests before they arrive, the property can track if their flights are delayed or if they will be late for their dinner reservation. In a typical service scenario, staff would follow the set protocol of canceling a room reservation after a guest doesnt show up on time or giving their table away to another guest in the restaurant if they miss their reservation. In a luxury property powered by a comprehensive property management solution, the staff stays informed in real time and is truly empowered to step in and create those rich hospitality moments, creating a radically different situation. The guests would be greeted by name upon arrival no matter when they arrive and offered a welcome beverage. The guests would go straight to their room at their leisure via mobile check-in and digital keys and are assured the restaurant will continue to hold their table until they are ready for dinner. Once in their room, their luggage would be waiting for them, they would have time to change, while noticing the special note wishing them a happy 30th anniversary and thanking them for returning to the property. It might also include a gift certificate for the spa. The couple can take their time to make their way to the restaurant, where they would be greeted by name and escorted to their favorite table. The hotel and its staff in the second scenario have transformed what could have been a nightmare travel experience defined by heightened frustration into a truly positive experience ensuring they are able to enjoy their stay and still celebrate their special occasion without the stress or disappointment. This is an opportunity for luxury properties to create a personalized arrival experience, fully engage their guests and create champions for their brand who are willing to share their experiences with others online. Why Will Nothing Less Than Hospitality Moments Do? The EHL article adds, Luxury is when I get exactly what I want, when I want it, and how I want it, before Ive actually asked for it. While rules have their place when it comes to operational efficiency and safety, creating exceptional experiences should always supersede traditional protocols when it comes to guest expectations from a luxury property. Now more than ever, this perspective prevails. Travelers are planning far more in advance than they did before the pandemic. Travelers are booking their U.S. trips 58 days in advance and 80 days out for international trips (compared to 44 days and 60 days in 2019). Hotels with next era property management systems with advanced personalization capabilities provide luxury property staff with ample time to forge relationships with guests even before they set foot on their property, keep them engaged through the communication channel of their choice, send them updates and upsell offers through real-time triggers and truly understand them by reviewing their guest profiles and history. The global luxury hotel market is projected to reach $125.46 billion (USD) by 2027, with North America predicted as the highest revenue share. In a world where the term luxury is overused, hotels must elevate their brand by providing staff with the freedom to identify hospitality moments and act on them using advanced tools and systems to provide truly exceptional luxury experiences to guests. The result will be luxury hotels that rise above the rest by creating brand champions willing to share their unforgettable five-star experiences backed by many return stays and memorable visits for years to come. Reprinted from the International Luxury Hotel Association with permission from theilha.com. About Agilysys Agilysys is well known for its long heritage of hospitality-focused technology innovation. The Company delivers modular and integrated software solutions and expertise to businesses seeking to maximize Return on Experience (ROE) through hospitality encounters that are both personal and profitable. Over time, customers achieve High Return Hospitality by consistently delighting guests, retaining staff and growing margins. Customers around the world include: branded and independent hotels; multi-amenity resort properties; casinos; property, hotel and resort management companies; cruise lines; corporate dining providers; higher education campus dining providers; food service management companies; hospitals; lifestyle communities; senior living facilities; stadiums; and theme parks. The Agilysys Hospitality Cloud combines core operational systems for property management (PMS), point of sale (POS) and inventory and procurement (I&P) with Experience Enhancers that meaningfully improve interactions for guests and for employees across dimensions such as digital access, mobile convenience, self-service control, personal choice, payment options, service coverage and real-time insights to improve decisions. Core solutions and Experience Enhancers are selectively combined in Hospitality Solution Studios tailored to specific hospitality settings and business needs. Agilysys operates across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and India with headquarters located in Alpharetta, GA. For more information visit Agilysys.com View source Rendering of the Kimpton Algarve So Rafael Atlntico IHG Hotels & Resorts today premiers its Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand in Portugal, with the signing of Kimpton Algarve Sao Rafael Atlantico. This addition reinforces the strength of the Kimpton brand as part of IHGs Luxury & Lifestyle offering in Europe, where it currently operates 93 hotels in this segment and a further 57 under development. Signed under a franchise agreement with Highgate Portugal, the hotel is expected to open in 2025 offering 149 guest rooms, more than 1,300 m2 of meeting space and multiple restaurants and bars. The hotel will also offer a rounded wellness experience, with indoor and outdoor pools, a gym and a full-service spa. The interior design concept takes its inspiration from the areas natural and cultural surroundings, including vibrant orange groves, azueljos (tin-glazed tileworks) and ceramics. The southernmost area of the country, the Algarve is a major Portuguese tourist destination thanks to its sunny climate, world renowned beaches and natural beauty. The beachfront hotel is located steps from Sao Rafael beach, one of the top ten beaches in the Algarve framed by limestone cliffs, and a short distance from Albufeira - a lively and historic resort town on the coastline with whitewashed houses, 18th century churches, shops and bars. Mrs Willemijn Geels, VP Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: What a milestone to be able to sign our first Kimpton property in Portugal. We have focussed on building our presence in the country, especially in the Luxury & Lifestyle segment with our recently opened first Vignette Collection hotels in Lisbon and Porto which complement our three existing InterContinental properties and a Six Senses in Douro Valley. This signing shows the confidence that owners have in our Luxury & Lifestyle expertise, market knowledge and enterprise, as well as the appetite that guests have for the Kimpton brand. It promises to be a stunning hotel and we look forward to welcoming our first guests in 2025. Alexandre Solleiro, CEO of Highgate Portugal said: We are proud to bring the first Kimpton hotel to one of Portugals most popular tourist destinations together with IHG Hotels & Resorts. Weve seen the success of the brand across Europe in countries like Spain, France, Netherlands and the UK, and we think this hotel will be a perfect addition to the portfolio. We are delighted to work together to realise the full potential of this property and show our continued investment in the local area. IHG operates 19 open hotels across six brands in Portugal, including Six Senses, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. In Iberia, IHG has 66 open hotels and a pipeline of 26 properties. Excerpt from TTG Hotel group Accor has been rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after the watchdog banned an influencers TikTok post about her stay at the famous Savoy hotel in London for not being identifiable as an ad. Despite a prior commercial agreement between The Savoy and influencer Lydia Elise Millen concerning just Instagram posts in return for hotel stays, the ASA ruled that a TikTok post published around the same time, with similar content that related to the same hotel stay, came under the "ad" umbrella. The post received complaints for not being obviously identifiable as a marketing communication. Millen posted on TikTok in November 2022 about a stay for an "annual Christmas shopping trip", inviting her followers to comment on their favourite of two outfits she tried on for a theatre night. The influencer had a commercial relationship with The Savoy under a "Fairmont Ambassadorship" that included an agreement to post two Instagram stories per stay across two of her five stays at the hotel. The stay featured in the TikTok post was part of the agreement, but Accor argued that only Instagram posts mentioning Accor brand Fairmont or associated hotels were covered by the terms. Because the content appeared on TikTok, it was outside the agreement, and so was not paid for and could not be seen as an ad. Millen's representative pointed to her Instagram posts of the stay being labelled as ads. But the TikTok post did not show The Savoy and the content was not signed off by Fairmont as it was out of scope of the commercial agreement. The ASA disagreed, saying the TikTok post being of similar content to the Instagram ad, and posted around the same time, was further exposure likely to benefit The Savoy. Click here to read complete article at TTG. Excerpt from CoStar Labor challenges and a lack of implementation of technology are the two biggest challenges facing the hotel industry, according to executives. Labor woes across the hotel industry have motivated hoteliers to increase their reliance on technology such as automation and artificial intelligence to retain and improve efficiency. Neal Patel, immediate past chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and managing partner of Blue Chip Hotels, said during the Tech Talk: Real-World Solutions for Your Hotels panel at The Lodging Conference that the two biggest challenges facing the hotel industry are labor and a lack of implementation and adoption of technology. Patel said one of his hotels started using kiosks that connect to a live person in an international country to serve as a replacement for front-desk employees. He added this is how technology can play a role in closing the labor gap. Is it perfect? I dont think it is right now, but for us, where we had no other options, this has been a huge resource for us in our entire portfolio, he said. Jacob Messina, CEO of Stayntouch, a hotel property management system provider, said the industry has had to get creative in filling jobs. Some hoteliers have turned to employees from other sectors such as retail and food and beverage. To entice these employees to work in the hotel industry and not overwhelm them with a complicated system, Messina said his company made sure its property management system is simple to use but has complex functionality at its core. Someone can come from another industry and really pick up the platform within an hour to a day, he said. That makes it very easy to unlock those other sectors and expand labor markets. Especially with younger generations, theres an expectation that the technology in place will be easy to use and will get tasks done quickly, said Tanya Pratt, vice president of strategy and product management for Oracle Hospitality. With the rise in cross-training in the industry, the platforms also need to be able to switch fluidly between one functional area to the next. What we need to continue to do from a technology perspective is support easy onboarding of new team members and then continue to enhance and support new business models that help generate revenue, that help operational efficiencies [and] that help deliver a better guest service, Pratt said. Click here to read complete article at CoStar. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360. If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email. We wouldnt go a far as one parent did by describing the implementation of facial recognition technology in Lockport schools as stupid. But it surely wasnt wise. New York State acted correctly in banning the use of facial recognition technology in schools. The September order by State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa prohibits schools from buying or using the technology. The order came more than five years after the Lockport City School District spent $2.75 million on surveillance cameras and facial recognition software in an effort to make 10 school buildings more secure. It was a mistake, but district leaders surely made it honestly, in the alarming aftermath of school shootings such as the massacres at Colorados Columbine High School, Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Connecticuts Sandy Hook Elementary School. Those attacks have continued, as the people of Uvalde, Texas, know too well. Nevertheless, the technology is flawed and unreliable and again, as if to prove a point a recent development underscored the problem. The article reported the arrest of a Black man based on facial recognition technology. Randal Quran Reid was arrested in Georgia last November because the technology identified him as having committed crimes in Louisiana a state he says he has never visited. In response, Reid has sued law enforcement in Louisiana, making him one of at least five Black plaintiffs filing such claims, three of them against police in Detroit. While supporters say the technology has been instrumental in many investigations, critics say it misidentifies people of color at a higher rate than it does white people. Given those issues, and with the availability of lower-tech responses, Rosa made the right call while cracking the door open to other biometric identifying technology, with caveats: Any other such system must factor in privacy implications, its impact on civil rights and the effectiveness of the technology. Districts would also be required to receive input from parents. All school districts should keep those possibilities in mind. If Lockports attempted use of facial recognition technology was a mistake, a worse one would be failing the fundamental task of keeping kids safe in school. Americans have learned in the hardest way possible that those threats are real and unforgiving. 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. remaining of Thank you for using HudsonValley360! On your next view you will be asked to log in or create an account to continue reading. Campaign Statement: Krol Outlines Steps for Strong Financial Oversight PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mayoral candidate John Krol has released a plan on how his administration will root out waste, provide effective financial oversight, find savings for residents and small business owners, all while growing the economy. "At a time when we have seen a record amount of excess cash, new cannabis revenue and an historic influx in federal dollars through ARPA, residents are rightfully upset that their taxes and water/sewer rates are skyrocketing. We need to fundamentally change the way we approach managing tax dollars in the city to provide professional oversight, identify waste and inefficiencies, and make our tax dollars go further," said Krol. A former city councilor, he also has been a small-business owner and executive in the health-care industry. Krol outlined four simple steps to professionalize and to depoliticize city finances and operations to bring tax and fee relief to residents and local small business owners. 1) Hire non-political financial experts Begin a national search to hire a director of finance from outside the Pittsfield political establishment. 2) External audit performed by a fresh set of eyes Currently Pittsfield has contracted with the same external auditor for more than a decade. It is time for a fresh set of eyes by contracting with a professional firm that has never done work for the city of Pittsfield in the past. 3) Leave no stone unturned an internal city auditor In addition to the aforementioned external auditing process, a Krol administration will work to create a position for a full-time internal auditor. The role of the position would not only include audits of the financials of every department but also key city functions and operations. This is a role that has been established in many other municipalities in Massachusetts and throughout the nation. Krol's vision is to have an internal auditor who is independent and does not report directly to the mayor. 4) Prioritize tax and fee relief for our residents and small local businesses Savings discovered through rooting out waste, inefficiency and any corruption will be prioritized for tax and fee relief for our residents and small businesses. "We need to hire the right people who are experts and have no connection to the political establishment, and then look under the hood to see why taxpayers and businesses have seen their taxes and fees go up. Where is that money going?" said Krol. "We can talk about building strong schools, safe streets, making Pittsfield more business-friendly and providing exceptional city services, but at the core of it all, none of this can be accomplished without building trust and confidence that our tax dollars are being spent properly." The under-construction outdoor center is expected to open this spring. Greylock Glen Development Hitting Milestones Workers are completing exterior projects and will focus on the interior over the winter. ADAMS, Mass. Work will continue on the Greylock Glen outdoor center with substantial completion expected this coming spring. Town Administrator Jay Green last week gave the Selectmen an update on the progress to date. The exterior work is being largely completed this fall crews were working on the roof Thursday and work on the interior will continue through the winter. "We anticipate assessing that as we go and make a determination as to when we think will be a grand opening," said Green in the recording of the meeting on Northern Berkshire Community Television. "Right now, shingles are going on. That's what you see the most that's happening on the exterior. Framing is continuing, along with mechanical and ventilation. Some of the kitchen equipment is in and it's very exciting to watch it come to fruition." So far the $8.3 million project has had only about $150,000 in change orders, some for higher prices in materials, particularly the cedar shakes. "When you look at the total cost in that building, $8.3 million versus $150,000 in additional cost that's pretty good in the construction, very good. So within budget," Green said, but added there are aspects of the building design the town wanted that may not fit within the budget, such as $770,000 quoted for stonework. "So what we're going to have to do is we'll sit in with the contractor figure out, we'll get the building built," he said. "It'll be furnished, it'll be usable, but then some of the landscaping and some of the things we may not be able to do right away we'll have to phase that in and we'll have to figure out how we're going to pay for that." That may be through capital funds or grants, or the enterprise may pay for itself as it goes. U.S. Rep. Richie Neal was able to get the project another $1 million, which is already going to some things outside the budget. "I tell Donna [Cesan] please don't ask for anything more," Green said. "What you have to work with is what you have to work with." A working group will be established to review the single bid for the educational programming at the center submitted by Massachusetts Audubon . The board will get a presentation on that prior to voting whether to accept it. The same will happen with the campground being designed by Shared Estates . Green said the process in developing a lease agreement has been "very complicated." "This is not necessarily a routine commercial transaction. So we're going back and forth. There has been no snags, there's been good dialogue between the town and Shared Estates," he said. "We anticipate sitting down and wrapping those up hopefully in November. But these are very long and very thick documents. A lot of legalese in there." Once that is clear, the campground will begin the permitting process with the Planning Board and the Selectmen will have final approval of the design. Work on the 350,000-gallon water tank for fire protection at the glen will start this fall with the construction of the pad. The tank will be installed later next year and Green wasn't sure if the center could open prior to it going online. "I think the best analogy I can get for the water system design at the Glen is no different than the water system designed when you look at the tank over on East Orchard Street," he said, to questions asked by Selectman John Duval. "The only differences is that these are drinking water tanks. That tank up there will provide adequate fire protection for the outdoor center." Drinking water is being supplied directly to the center and other glen developments by the Adams Water District. A clear sign that the project is real is the posting of positions to oversee it. Job descriptions for the executive director and the superintendent of buildings and grounds have been completed and are expected to be posted this month. These positions were accounted for in the fiscal 2024 budget with the expectation they will be filled for January. "The Greylock Glen project did take a lot of time. It's still exciting," Green said, but acknowledged, "sometimes we stay up at two o'clock in the morning and wonder about it, but we're getting it done." In other business: The board appointed Deborah Calderara to the Historical Commission to fill a term expiring in June 2026. The board set the Halloween hours as 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31; the Lions Halloween parade is on Oct. 29 at 3, marching from Center Street to the Visitors Center. Police Chief K. Scott Kelley informed the board that department has received $110,000 grant for the implementation of body-worn cameras. He is currently working with the vendor and will have more information for a later meeting. He expects the cameras to go online within the next couple months. The board was updated on plans for new bus stops. The initial stops will have only signage but future improvements may include lighting, pads for handicapped accessibility and shelters. These are designed to replace the often uncertain flag stops. The board set a tax classification hearing for its meeting on Oct. 18. The hearing is later than usual because fiscal 2024 is a five-year recertification year. A preliminary information session was expected to be held at this meeting but the Assessors' office is waiting for the state to approve the values. Leaves from town-owned trees on town-owned land will be picked up beginning Nov. 1. White Label Expo Frankfurt 11.10.2023 bis 12.10.2023 Art der Veranstaltung: Sonstiges Ort: Messe Frankfurt Datum: 11.10.2023 - 12.10.2023 Uhrzeit: 10AM - 4PM Veranstalter: Fortem International Teilnahmeoptionen: , Prasenzveranstaltung Zielgruppe: , Fachexperten, Branchenoffentlichkeit, Arbeitnehmer, Endverbraucher URL: https://www.whitelabelworldexpo.de/ E-Mail: https://bit.ly/3NckRQ0 Eintritt/Gebuhr: Free Voranmeldung erwunscht: ja White Label World Expo Frankfurt is Europe's leading online retail sourcing show with 350 innovative exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and technologies.The event is an unmissable opportunity for any forward-thinking online seller or entrepreneur to take their business to the next level! Taking place on the 11th & 12th of October 2023, the Messe Frankfurt, Germany, will be transformed into the ultimate business networking event in Europe! White Label World Expo Frankfurt will bring you the latest ecommerce industry trends and strategies in an exciting hub for retail, to help you see exponential growth and success for your business.Thousands of visitors will be looking to source private label and white label products as well as branding and marketing solutions. Build relationships with new connections and join thousands of professionals looking to grow their business and increase their profits. At the White Label Expo Frankfurt 2023 edition, listen and learn from over 200 of our key industry experts, who will equip you with the profound knowledge required for you to embark on your ecommerce endeavour! Gain tips on offers to stand out from the competition and boost your revenue. Not to mention, we have highlighted 5 key sectors within ecommerce to ensure you have an all-encompassing understanding of the industry, so make sure to visit the theatre you want to learn from! Secure your FREE ticket via the website! - https://bit.ly/3NckRQ0 Teachers at Riverside Academy are complaining that violence at their school lacks the attention it deserves. They dont mean its missing coverage from local media; an Oct. 4 slashing at the school involving a nonstudent attacking a student with a box cutter has been widely reported. The accusation is that Buffalo Public Schools administration has been paying scant attention to the disciplinary problems at Riverside. If its true, that inattention needs to stop in terms of Riverside and at every other BPS location where violence and disruption have been taking hold. Arguing about whether its a problem doesnt help. Sadly, it is all too evident that school violence is a problem in Buffalo and throughout the U.S. What students, teachers, parents and administrators need is thoughtful and comprehensive action. Marc Bruno, the Buffalo Teachers Federation delegate chair at Riverside, has asked that BPS superintendent Tonja M. Williams visit Riverside Academy and meet in person with teachers and staff. As Bruno told News reporter. Ben Tsujimoto last week, Theres a reluctance to tell how bad things are. Bruno filed a grievance regarding safety concerns at Riverside last year, which was denied; he has since filed an appeal. Statistics substantiate his concerns: Through Oct. 4, Riverside had 25 short-term suspensions (five days or fewer) and nine long-term suspensions (six days or more) the most in the district this year in both categories. Of the 34 suspensions, more than two-thirds were either for fighting or inciting or participating in a disturbance. Last year, 204 suspensions were imposed at the school. A 2022 Investigative Post report noted that BPS high-priority 911 calls for fights, weapon threats and shots fired, among other reasons surged from 87 to 149 between 2018 and 2022 and that most of these calls involved four schools: McKinley, International Prep at Grover, Bennett and Riverside. If, as Bruno alleges, BPS is determining the level of security personnel it assigns to school on the number of students and not the number of violent incidents, it should rethink how it uses statistics. Security measures are, of course, just part of the solution, albeit an essential part; students who act out need support even when they are removed from the classroom. Ultimately, it is up to the entire team teachers, administrators, counselors and security staff to make sure safe and nurturing educational environments are maintained. If part of the effort requires a visit from Superintendent Williams to help put together a plan with Riverside staff, she should make that visit. 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. The Philippines leading finance super app, GCash, teams up with global payments leader Visa to introduce the new GCash Card giving millions of unbanked Filipinos access to the benefits of owning a payment card. New card gives millions of unbanked Filipinos access to benefits of having a payment card GCash is giving every Filipino, whoever or wherever they are, the benefits of owning a card, especially those with no bank accounts or documents typically required to apply for a card. These include Filipinos with informal sources of incomes like freelancers and independent professionals as well as micro and small enterprises, said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange, the mobile wallet operator of GCash. With the new GCash Card, more Filipinos, especially those busy with the daily hustle, can have access to another cashless payment option which they can use for their everyday expenses like groceries, restaurants, and transportation. The GCash Card can be used by customers to shop securely online on their favorite websites and apps. They can also use the card in physical retail stores simply by tapping or inserting the card in terminals. The new card powered by Visa unlocks more payment options for GCash users as they can use it at over 100 million merchants in the Philippines and across the world, noted Reyes. Any fully verified user can now order their own GCash Card powered by Visa through the app, without additional documents or approvals. The launch of GCash Cards aim is Dahil Kaya All with the Card for All, providing Filipinos with numerous benefits similar to those enjoyed by those with bank accounts, such as quick ATM withdrawals locally and abroad. Powered by Visas global reach, the card can also be used for payments overseas in over 200 countries and territories, at over 100 million merchants. This gives traveling GCash Card users and overseas Filipinos another secure and convenient way of paying abroad whether it be in restaurants, hotels, retail shops, convenience stores, ride-hailing apps and other transport services, as well as other merchants who accept Visa as payment. Jeff Navarro, Visas Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam, said, We are very happy to partner with GCash to provide the GCash Card to Filipinos, which paves the way to better financial inclusion. With the cards contactless capability, it enables Filipino shoppers, especially those who dont usually pay with cards, to shop conveniently and securely, joining millions around the world who have been tapping to shop, dine, and travel. Users who have availed of the GCash Card will also have access to GInsure, where they can get free insurance of up to Php20,000 coverage for unauthorized transactions for the first 30 days after activation. This also includes the Php185 price for card replacement in the event of accidental loss or damage to the card, as well as the shipping fee of up to Php225. To order, users can open their GCash app, go to View all, and find the Manage section. Click on Cards and tap Order a GCash Card. To know more, visit GCash at https://www.gcash.com. PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business arm of PLDT, the largest integrated telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines, bolstered its alliance with 8x8 Philippines Inc., a global leader in cloud-based infrastructure and platform solutions, with a new collaboration that enhances business communications with advanced security and authentication features. A2P PARTNERSHIP. Top executives of PLDT Enterprise and 8x8 Philippines Inc. present the certification stemming from their latest A2P partnership that provides mobile customers instantaneous and secure business communications. From left to right are Chet Alviz, PLDT Enterprise Vice President and Head of Wireless Marketing for Enterprise and International Business Groups; Albert Villa-real, PLDT Global President and CEO and PLDT Enterprise Revenue Group Head; Mitch Locsin, PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups; Stephen Hamill, 8x8 International Pte Ltd, General Manager; Oscar Lee, 8x8 International Pte Ltd, VP Carrier Relations; and Richard T. Loberas, 8x8 International, VP for Sales. When business exchanges are now more frequently conducted on the digital and mobile platforms, providing secure telecommunications systems with seamless connectivity is essential to ensure a better experience of customers. These critical features of secure connections safeguard data transmissions. The rise of remote work, the ubiquity of e-commerce and digital transactions demand instantaneous and secure communications, and the need for technologies such as A2P SMS have skyrocketed. A2P SMS, also known as Application-to-Person SMS, is a rapidly growing service in the industry that enables businesses to send messages from applications directly to users. The technology is instrumental in enhancing customer experiences, especially in areas like one-time password (OTP) deliveries to secure mobile payments and screening legitimate marketing messages. PLDT Enterprises recent collaboration with 8x8 Philippines Inc. addresses this growing requirement for reliability, security, and efficiency in communication platforms. Since 2018, 8x8 Philippines Inc. (formerly known as Wavecell Inc.), has been a valued partner of PLDT Enterprise and this partnership is a testament to the long-standing alliance between the organizations. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision," says Mitch Locsin, First Vice President & Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups at PLDT and Smart. "Together, we aspire to revolutionize digital communication, ensuring businesses and individuals experience seamless, secure, and innovative interactions through Smart's domestic A2P SMS solutions. Meanwhile, Stephen Hamill, General Manager of 8x8 International Pte Ltd, the parent company of 8x8 Philippines Inc., expresses his enthusiasm saying, The Philippine market is dynamic and full of potential. Our collaboration with PLDT Enterprise has allowed us to tap into this potential, offering state-of-the-art solutions that prioritize both efficiency and security. We're excited about the journey ahead and the innovations it will bring. As part of this renewed partnership, PLDT Enterprise has recognized 8x8 Philippines Inc. as a Certified A2P Messaging Partner. The certification underscores 8x8 Philippines Inc.'s commitment to delivering top-tier services and its position as a direct A2P VAS Partner with Smart, PLDTs wireless unit. The partnership also aligns with PLDT Enterprise's commitment to driving digital transformation and ensuring businesses are future-ready. Other developmental countries can adopt China's methods for rapid developmental strides. This summer, I was part of a team of International and Chinese students that went from Beijing to Gansu province in north-western China; this is part of the positive response to President Xi Jinpings call toward a high-level China-Africa community with a shared prosperous future. I will share stories from my experience. Like other developing countries, agriculture was undeveloped in the early to mid-nineties, like other areas of China's economy. However, the basis of development started with the land reforms that the Communist Party of China established. The fact that all land now belongs to the government made it possible for the people-oriented government to quickly carry out policies that would benefit all citizens rather than getting bogged down by disputes with private landowners. This formed the basis of all other development that has taken place in China till today. The peoples government feels more work needs to be done in northwestern China. During my trip to Gansu province, I learned that President Xi visited the region on August 26, 2019, and charged the officials that Chinas 2nd and 3rd largest deserts must not be allowed to join. He also charged the party officials and residents that the county must be protected and not allowed to become a desert. On July 21, 2023, I visited Minqin County, between Chinas two largest deserts. The Party Secretary of Minqin stated that without the reservoir, another great desert would have been formed; the Mingin reservoir is also the most extensive man-made reservoir in front of a desert. In addition, we were also informed that the Chinese government carried out extensive dredging and expansion of the reservoir between 2016 and 2020. In Minqin, I saw the various water-saving technologies implemented by the locals. Some of these water-saving technologies included drip irrigation. In drip irrigation, there is a network of pipes from the central Hongyashan reservoir, where water is directly applied to each plant. This eliminates the massive water wastage that is experienced during regular irrigation. The drip irrigation system ensures that the cultivated plants get the needed water. In addition, fertilizers are sometimes added to the irrigation water, so irrigation serves a dual purpose of water and nutrient provision for the plants. The Hongyashan Reservoir is now a primary water-saving method in the region. I learned that the Hongyashan Reservoir was constructed to serve as a valuable water source for the region, especially Minqin, since the reservoir is between Chinas two largest deserts. Also, since the region usually experiences little rainfall compared to other coastal areas in China, according to already arranged protocols between the party officials and farmers, during periods of drought, water from the reservoir is channelled to the villagers for irrigation, animal husbandry, and other uses. A significant contributing factor to the fall of the water table in various countries is private citizens' indiscriminate use of wells and boreholes. Thus, the availability of the Hongyashan Reservoir has eliminated the need for indiscriminate construction of wells or other water sources for private use; we were made to know that the local government in the region strictly enforces the construction or use of any private well as approvals have to be gotten before the use of such private water sources. This helps to keep the water table from falling even further and also helps to prevent the complete desertification of Minqin County. Another environmentally friendly policy I noticed in Minqin is the closed-farming system. However, from what I later learned during the trip, this system is implemented in the whole of Gansu province. In this closed-farming system, the feed used in animal husbandry is obtained from the same crops the farmers grew. The maize husk, wheat chaff, and others from the crops are kept and used to feed the animals. So, even the region grows its animals for meat and is self-sufficient in meat production. We also visited the Laohukou Desertification Prevention and Control Demonstration Area during the trip to Gansu province. While in this area, I learned how the government demonstrated to the local population and made residents understand the importance of protecting their immediate community from desert encroachment. Professor Weizhe Feng the field trip advisor called it the bottom-up approach. This is a crucial step as it ensures the projects sustainability and provides ample job opportunities to the residents. Also, one of the residents told us it provides a sense of fulfilment because they feel they are protecting their community from the harsh desert. The system used in the Laohukou Desertification Area involves preventing sand storms and the desert from encroaching into residential areas. The creation of sand squares achieves this. The sand squares are created from biodegradable materials such as maize or wheat straws. Meanwhile, inside the sand squares, various types of grass are grown for animal forage. In addition, since the Laohukou area has abundant sunshine due to its arid nature, the sand squares are also incredibly beneficial for installing solar panels for electricity generation. Professor Weizhe Feng made us understand that the whole Gansu province is being designated to be a large base for solar energy generation, and this has, in return, made China the largest producer of solar devices/solar power globally, producing up to 70% of the solar systems worldwide. At Laohukou Desertification Prevention and Control Area, sand squares are seen in the background Another vital aspect of the trip to northwest China is visiting the Shiyanghe experimental station of China Agricultural University (CAU). CAUs Vice President, Professor Du, the field trips advisor, Professor Feng, and other teachers took time to explain how the experimental station started around 20 years ago with little funding but has grown through the efforts of the teachers and students to bring reality to what is being taught in the classroom. The teachers and students were passionate about protecting the environment. To further demonstrate how the experimental station has grown, the station just got electricity supply during winter five years ago. The station overcame these challenges to become the big reference point that it is today, such that it is now recognised as a National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on efficient water use of oasis agriculture. A significant point of note in the Shiyanghe experimental station is using greenhouses and drip irrigation systems (also replicated throughout Gansu Province). Plants are living things that require nutrients, water, sunlight, and other necessary conditions to grow. The role of the greenhouse, as seen at the experimental station, is to ensure that the temperature, air velocity, nutrients (such as Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus), and environmental conditions are controlled to suit the specific crop. This is crucial because the whole of Gansu region is arid. Thus, the greenhouse system ensures that crops like tomatoes, dragon plants, alfalfa, watermelon, and other crops, including seedlings, are grown even in an arid region like Gansu province. This provides a valuable source of livelihood for the residents. To demonstrate how lucrative and successful the greenhouse system is, in Liangzhou District, Fafang town, a farmer told me that in each greenhouse, he makes revenue of about 100,000 yuan annually. Also, in terms of research, in the Shiyanghe experimental station, the teachers and students can use the greenhouses to experiment with the productivity of crops under various nutrient levels and environmental conditions. The best results are then demonstrated and explained to the farmers, who can utilise these improved methods on a large scale. Thus, the experimental station works closely with the farmers. Due to this close collaboration, I saw that the local community trust and love the work done at the experimental station because they are also part of the whole process. A teacher at the Shiyanghe experimental station is explaining the workings of a greenhouse. The sprinkler on the roof is used to mimic rainfall conditions Then, the use of greenhouses and drip irrigation systems demonstrated at the Shiyanghe experimental station of China Agricultural University (CAU) and throughout the Gansu Province is another vital point noted during the trip. The role of the greenhouse is to ensure that the temperature, air velocity, and environmental conditions are controlled to suit the specific crop. Thus, this greenhouse system ensures that crops like tomatoes, dragon plants, alfalfa, watermelon, and other crops, including seedlings, are grown even in an arid region like Gansu province. This provides a valuable source of livelihood for the residents. In Liangzhou District, Fafang town, a farmer told me that in each greenhouse, he makes revenue of about 100,000 yuan annually. At the open field demonstration site in CAUs Shiyang Experimental Station. The drip irrigation system is a major enabler of this farming system in the desert I would also like to point out three other examples of the closed production and value addition systems I experienced during the trip to Gansu Province. On July 22, 2023, we visited Fafang town in Liangzhou district. While there, we visited some of the greenhouses and the seedling factory of a Chinese entrepreneur, and he talked of his experience running his seedling company for 20 years and how he grew his company from just two staff to now operating with 100 staff and using a closed production system where he controls everything from supply chain to actual production, marketing and also after sales. This, he said, will increase profitability and sustain high quality at all sections of the business. The Chinese entrepreneur explained that even though it is compulsory to target a closed-production system, initially, it might be impossible to do that because finance and capacity would need to be built up. So, from his experience, he recommended starting small and having a consistent five-year plan for growth. At a tomato greenhouse in Fafang where closed-production is implemented Still in Fafang town, we visited a tomato plant where tomatoes are grown in greenhouses and packaged for supply to other regions in China. We understand this is a form of value addition because the greenhouses where the tomatoes are grown and the processing unit are interconnected. These factories help to also provide a means of income to the local population because they are the ones working in these factories implementing closed production systems. We even understood that the very rural people living in extremely harsh conditions in the mountains are willingly relocated to these other places in Fafang and Minqin and I saw a sense of fulfilment in their eyes and comportment when I related with them. A vivid picture of a greenhouse in Fafang showing vertical tomato farming and the brightness of the sweet tomato species grown in Chinas desert region and the layout of the greenhouse The other example I would like to state is the visit to Liangzhou District on July 23, 2023. The party secretary for the village told us how the local farmers of about 12 families decided to produce maize for seedlings this year instead of maize for food. It costs 3,700 yuan per Mu for seedlings, unlike the 2,000 yuan for maize for food. So even though market demands were one of the driving factors necessitating the switch from maize for food to maize for seedlings, it also led to the villagers specialising in value addition because it takes extra expertise to grow maize for seedlings rather than for food. With the partys secretary in Liangzhou District In addition, this switch also led to more prosperity for the villagers because the party secretary of the district explained that since the village households per capita income is 10,000 yuan per annum, the villagers have been able to overcome abject poverty several years ago. At a farm in Liangzhou District where mixed farming and ranching are practised. The robustness of the livestock came as a surprise to me because this is an arid region, just like northern Nigeria. If this can be replicated in Nigeria, it can help to solve the perennial issue of farmers-herders clashes The trip to Gansu province taught me that for good development to occur in a disadvantaged area, there must be a dual top-down and bottom-up approach. The top-down approach involves government intervention, initiatives, and policies to create a good enabling environment for the local people to key into. The bottom-up approach involves the need for the local people to key into the government programme and sustain it; the local population would ensure the programme's sustainability and continuity. Finally, since China developed these developmental models through extensive research for several decades and counting, other developmental countries can adopt these methods for rapid developmental strides. * Victor Olusola Opatola is a Nigerian Master's degree student of China Agricultural University. Pluse.ng Sep. 19th, 2023 My wife and I recently returned from a weeklong bus tour of Iceland. Geologically stunning is an excellent way to describe the landscape that appeared in our bus picture windows. Covering more than a thousand miles, we marveled at majestically rugged volcanic mountains and larva fields, countless waterfalls, steaming geysers and lush green hillsides. All of this became a preface to a deeper understanding. We were tourists, of course, but we began to realize that we were experiencing something more than a sightseeing trip with destinations. This was a journey that offered a different perspective. At every stop, we felt as though we were building an understanding of how people interact with each other and their environment. Especially after returning home, we realized that few countries are more ecologically attuned than Iceland. Icelanders connect with and deeply appreciate their environment. As we left the capital of Danish-flavored Reykjavik, where 60% of the countrys 370,000 residents live, we noticed clusters of the four million pine trees the country has planted since 2015. Centuries ago the Vikings stripped the land bare, so erosion is chronic. This reforestation demonstrates the attention Iceland gives to its own renewable resources. Importing trees from overseas is forbidden. Soon we visited one of the countrys six massive geothermal plants. A resident geologist explained that more than a quarter of Icelands energy derives from underground sources. About 94% of the countrys residents have no home heating bills, nor do they need furnaces. One of Icelands major exports is electricity. Geothermal science has made Iceland a world leader in efforts to transform super-heated carbon dioxide into rock. As we traveled on, sheep seemed to be scattered everywhere. We also saw small groups of pony-sized horses originally brought by Norse settlers. Other breeds are forbidden from being imported, and exported native horses cannot be returned. What makes these steeds distinctive is their unique gait that simulates riding on shock absorbers. We journeyed north to a coastal town surrounded by towering mountains. Sheep farming, fishing and music festivals are the norm in this isolated community for 200 residents. Our host and his young daughter serenaded us, led a walking tour of puffin habitat and a fish factory, and explained how fairies and elves are an affectionate presence. Social bonds, traditions and economic necessity link community and environment. Our tour director spent hours telling us hair-raising legends and sagas that describe the history of her country. In a brief time we learned how life in a volatile land has enabled Icelanders to thrive. They take the countrys 32 active volcanoes in stride and track eruptions like weather reports. We think the key to Icelands burgeoning tourism success is how it integrates with, celebrates and preserves its environment. Even though our stay in Iceland was brief, we learned to appreciate not only the countrys natural beauty, but its sincere efforts to conserve and share that beauty while maintaining its traditional identity. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A top Delhi official has approved the prosecution of celebrated Indian novelist Arundhati Roy and a former Kashmiri professor for speeches they made in 2010 a move that has been criticised as the latest blow to freedom of expression in the country. The 61-year-old Booker Prize winner is one of the fiercest critics of prime minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has made her a polarising figure in India. Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena signed off on the prosecution of Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a former professor at the Central University of Kashmir, for allegedly delivering provocative speeches in public. A criminal complaint was filed against Ms Roy and others accusing them of sedition in 2010 for the speeches made at a conference organised by a group called the Committee for Release of Political Prisoners under the banner Azadi (freedom) - The Only Way. Sushil Pandit, an activist from Kashmir, filed a police complaint alleging that the participants had discussed and promoted the "separation of Kashmir from India". The Himalayan region of Kashmir is at the heart of a decades-old dispute between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the region as theirs, but control only parts of it. An official from the Delhi LGs office told The Telegragh that separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Ms Roy strongly propagated that Kashmir was never the part of India and was forcibly occupied by Armed Forces of India and every possible effort should be made for the independence of the State of J&K from India. Geelani was present at the meeting. The official said a prima facie case could be made out against Roy and Dr Hussain under various sections of Indian law for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. Two of her co-defendants Geelani and Delhi University professor Syed Abdul Rahman Geelani have died in the 13 years since the case was first lodged. The decision to approve prosecution now was criticised by civil society members and political leaders in the opposition, who have accused the Modi government of increasingly throttling dissent. "I stand by what I said in 2010 on a speech by Ms Arundhati Roy There was no justification then to register a case against her on the charge of sedition," said P Chidambaram, a former federal minister and senior member of Indian National Congress. "There is no justification now to sanction prosecution against her," he added, alleging misuse of the sedition law. "When speeches are made, however much others may disagree, the state must show tolerance and forbearance. I stand by free speech and against the colonial law of sedition." I stand by what I said in 2010 on a speech by Ms Arundhati Roy, the well known writer and journalist There was no justification then to register a case against her on the charge of sedition There is no justification now to sanction prosecution against her The law on sedition P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 10, 2023 Arundhati Roy has spoken with power, courage and eloquence for justice and truth at every turn of the journey of the Indian republic, wrote author Harsh Mander on social media X. For the government today to turn to a speech made in 2010 to prosecute her reflects its desperation, its fear of her truth-telling. But she will not be silenced. Arundhati Roy has spoken with power, courage & eloquence for justice & truth at every turn of the journey of the Indian republic. For govt today to turn to a speech made in 2010 to prosecute her reflects its desperation, its fear of her truth-telling. But she will not be silenced https://t.co/OgyOeZZ2W5 Harsh Mander (@harsh_mander) October 11, 2023 If Modi is going after Indias most brilliant and most courageous writer for a speech made a decade ago, it shows the levels of desperation of the regime, said author Meena Kandasamy. Roy was last seen attending a journalists' demonstration at the Press Club of India in Delhi on 4 October in protest against the arrest of the editor of the NewsClick news website, Prabir Purkayastha, and one of its administrators following raids at the houses of journalists working for the site. NewsClick is seen as one of the few remaining media organisations in India that is critical of the Modi administration. While the authorities said they were doing their job in investigating whether the website received illegal funding from China, NewsClick denied financial misconduct and said its website does not propagate Chinese propaganda. India's Central Breau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday conducted fresh searches at Mr Purkayastha's house in Delhi and filed a complaint for violating the Contribution (Regulation) Act. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that comedian Chris Rock once asked her out on a date when he believed she and Will Smith were getting a divorce. The Hollywood couple, who were married in 1997, have long been fielding speculation that they were calling it quits. Speaking to People, Jada detailed how her and Wills relationship with Rock goes far beyond the infamous Oscars slap in 2022. I think every summer all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce. And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce, she recalled. So he called me and basically he was like: Id love to take you out. And I was like: What do you mean? He was like: Well, arent you and Will getting a divorce? I was like: No. Chris, those are just rumours. He was appalled. And he profusely apologised and that was that. The Girls Trip star, whose memoir Worthy is out 17 October, revealed that she hasnt spoken to Rock since the Oscars incident in March 2022, when her husband struck him onstage after he made a joke about Jadas shaved head. [Do I have] any desire to talk to Chris? Heres my desire: I just hope that all the misunderstanding around this can be cleared up and that there can be peace, she told People. I talk about this in the book, I think that there might be some misunderstanding between Chris and I as far as the 2016 Oscars. I think that he mightve taken offense, which I meant no harm in offending. That wasnt my intention. But I do think that theres a big misunderstanding there. The actor, 52, was referencing the 2016 Academy Awards ceremony, when no actors of colour were nominated for an Oscar in any acting category. Jada became a vocal supporter of the #OscarsSoWhite movement and called for a boycott of the award show, which Rock just so happened to be hosting that year. Rock claimed in his recent Netflix stand-up special, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, that Jada told him he should quit the hosting gig out of solidarity. However, she now admits to not really recognising the level of pressure [Chris] mightve been under at the time. I probably should have called him and gone: Hey, are you okay? And just know that although Im speaking out about the Oscars, I do wish you the best and I just want you to know that, Jada said. Me taking the time to have called him and said that, just to touch base, but his feelings mightve been hurt. Jada went on to reveal that Rock had called her after their brief spat in 2016, and she thought theyd moved on from their disagreement. He apologised and I apologised to him as well, she said. So I actually thought that we were good, that the hatchet was buried between us. And we hadnt talked since then, until 2022 came. During the awards ceremony, Rock was presenting the Oscar for Best Documentary when he made a joke about Jadas appearance. Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, cant wait to see you, he quipped, in an apparent reference to her shaved head. Will then walked onstage and slapped the comedian, yelling keep my wifes name out your f***ing mouth. When asked whether she was offended by Rocks joke about her shaved head, given that shes been open about her experience with alopecia, Jada brushed off the comedians criticism about her appearance. I mean, thats what comedians do, she said, adding: I would just have to say that I am not really here to make any judgement on how people decide to express themselves and express their art. Ill say that several times Ive had my feelings hurt, for sure. Ive had my feelings hurt a lot by Chris. But at the end of the day, too, being in the spotlight, it comes with the territory. In 2018, Jada first revealed that she was diagnosed with alopecia, a hair loss condition. She shaved her head in July 2021 because it was time to let go. The Independent has contacted representatives for Chris Rock for comment. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Gigi Hadid has issued a statement addressing the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict, after Hamas terrorists and Islamic Jihad launched an unprecedented massacre of civilians from Gaza. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war and warned Palestinians would pay a heavy price, after hundreds were killed in the attack and hundreds more taken hostage. The death toll in Gaza from Israels retaliatory strikes has passed 900, with around 4,500 wounded. More than 1,200 Israelis have been killed. In what has been called a complete siege, Israel has cut off water, fuel and electricity supplies to the Gaza strip, while tens of thousands of Israeli troops have massed at the border. US supermodel Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, condemned the terrorising of innocent people in her statement issued on Tuesday (10 October), writing that her dreams for a free Palestine are not at the cost of Jewish people. While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person, Hadid wrote on Instagram. She added that inflicting terror on innocent people is not in alignment with and does not do any good for the Free Palestine movement. The idea that it does has fueled a painful, decades-long cycle of back & forth retaliation (which no innocent civilian, Palestinian or Israeli deserves to be a casualty of), and helps perpetuate the false idea that being Pro-Palestine [is equal to] antisemitic, she continued. Hadid acknowleged a multitude of complex, personal, and valid feelings while affirming that every human being is deserving of basic rights and security irrespective of their nationality, religion, ethnicity, or where they were born. I pray for the safety of innocent lives, always, she concluded. Hadids sister, fellow supermodel Bella Hadid has not yet commented on the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine. Their father, American real-estate developer Mohamed Anwar Hadid is a Palestinian immigrant. In the past few days, celebrities such as Madonna, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Amy Schumer, and Sarah Silverman have also shared their stance on the ongoing conflict. My heart is shattered for the people of Israel, Portman wrote. Children, women and the elderly have been murdered and abducted from their own homes. I am in horror at these barbaric acts and my heart is pounding with love and prayer for the families of all affected. Natalie Portman shared a statement on the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict (2023 Invision) Mark Ruffalo quoted Jerusalem-based American author Nathan Thrall, in response to the horror [that] is unfolding between the Israeli Government and Hamas today on X. I received a note today from Nathan Thrall, journalist and author of A Day In The Life of Abed Salama that resonated deeply with me, the Hulk actor wrote. I wanted to share his words as we all watch in horror what is unfolding between the Israeli Government and Hamas today. It is horrific to see innocent civilians killed and held hostage, and there is no justification for it. We pray for their safety, as we pray for the safety of the innocent people of Gaza who are being bombarded and besieged. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} With all the access teenagers today have to the internet and social media, they may see more distressing news stories than even their parents. Palestinian militant group Hamas deemed a terrorist group by the UK Government invaded Israel on Saturday from Gaza, with rocket attacks by air as well as military in boats. Since then, Israel has sealed the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip off from food, fuel, medicine and other supplies, while launching retaliatory air strikes on the territory, which is home to 2.3 million people. The most recent numbers suggest 900 people have been killed in Israel, 700 in the Gaza territory and the West Bank, and many hostages have been taken. Hamas has pledged to kill captured Israeli hostages if attacks target civilians in Gaza. The conflict has sparked protests by pro-Palastine and pro-Israel groups in the UK and prompted political division on social media. Teenagers are likely to be exposed to a lot of the news, internet discussion and perhaps distressing images of conflict. So how should parents approach this? Talk about it at home Dr Jeri Tikare, clinical psychologist at Kooth, a digital mental health platform, believes parents should be as truthful as they can with their teenagers. This means that it is important for us to not to hide things away from them. It is better for them to hear it from us (their people of safety) as opposed to reading it or hearing it from others, he says. Also bearing in mind the curious nature of the mind. It is inevitable that for things that they do not understand, they might research and look for answers. It can be helpful if they get their information from a reliable source which can feel contained and reassuring. But share information at a level that is developmentally right and just enough to help the young person feel contained and safe. Check yourself As the parent, learn the basics of what is going in the conflict yourself from reputable sources so you can have balanced, informed conversations with your child. It can also be useful to be aware of our own reactions as parents or primary caregivers, he says. One of the ways young people learn and develop is via observing and then modelling adult behaviour. Hence, they can pick up anxieties or worries displayed by parents. Validate and normalise expressing emotion If your teen is particularly affected by distressing news stories about war and conflict, Tikare encourages parents to give their teenagers the opportunity to express how they are feeling in different ways such as writing, drawing, stories, songs, and things that feel helpful for the young person. Some find a feelings box helpful, he adds. It might also be helpful to introduce them to some simple relaxation techniques such as taking three deep, slow breaths, breathing in for a count of three and out for three. Be there for them Giving your teenager the space, time and encouragement to open up about how they feel on any subject world news or otherwise is key. I know that life can be hard, busy and sometimes young people are aware of this and might not want to disturb you, Tikare says. Therefore, it might be helpful to make a conscious effort to let them know that you are mindful of how difficult it can be and reassure them that you are available to talk about things. Giving them extra love and attention at this time can be helpful, especially at difficult times like this. Discuss social media Tikare acknowledges that television, social media and other platforms can be very distressing and exacerbating for teenagers. But you may not be able to prise your child away from posting on their social media accounts altogether. It would depend on the motivation behind posting and where they are posting, Tikare says. Posting about the feelings experienced around the conflict in a supportive and possibly moderated space, with people sharing similar feelings associated with the conflict, can help normalise the experience and leave them feeling less alone. On the other hand, it could also expose them to content and comments that could potentially trigger distress. So be sure to make them aware of the content they may come across online. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} It was a not-so glamourous end to Paris Fashion Week, as a widespread outbreak of bedbugs caused panic and disgust in the French capital. Paris authorities sent out a public warning that no-one is safe, with the small insects making their way through the city. In recent weeks and months, there have been numerous sightings on public transport and other locations. No one is safe. You can catch them anywhere and bring them home, and not detect them in time until they have multiplied and spread, deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire, told French TV. Videos posted on social media show insects crawling over seats on the Paris Metro as well as appearing in huge numbers on cinema seats. Some users have also shared their experiences of being bitten by the critters. So, how can you help protect yourself against a bedbug infestation? Heres everything you need to know. How do you know if you have bed bugs? Bedbugs cause cause itchy welts aroud the body (Getty Images/iStockphoto) To find out if you have bedbugs, its best to keep an eye out for two things: 1. Bites on your body these look like little red marks that cause itchy welts. These welts usually appear in a zigzag pattern, the American Academy of Dermatology Association says. 2. You should always keep an eye out for signs of bedbugs, this includes odour, specks of blood on bedding, exoskeletons, tiny blackish specks and eggs. Odour: If you notice a sweet or musty smell in your sleeping area, there might be a heavy infestation in the room, the AADA says. Specks of blood: Look at your bedding, mattress and furniture if you notice specks of blood anywhere, the insects might have made their way into your home. Exoskeletons: The small insects have an outer shell that they shed and leave behind. Check for remains on your bedding, mattress and cushions. Tiny blackish specks: The blackish specks are a sign of beg bug excrement. Eggs: After mating, female bedbugs lay white, oval eggs in cracks and crevices, the AADA says on its website. These will be in the size of an apple seed, so keep your eyes peeled. These small creatures can be found in your mattress as well as other spaces around your home (Getty Images/iStockphoto) How do I treat bedbug bites? The NHS says bedbug bites usually clear up on their own in a week or so but there are a few steps you can take to help you during your recovery process: Put something cool, like a clean, damp cloth on the affected area to help with the itching and to ease off any swelling. Be sure to keep the affected area clean to prevent any further infection. Try your best not to scratch the affected area. You can also get steroid creams like hydrocortisone cream to ease bedbug bites. However, children under 10 and women who are pregnant should get advice from a doctor before using this cream. Another option would be to use antihistamines, these may help if the bites are very itchy and youre unable to sleep, the NHS says. How to get rid of bedbugs the dos and donts You might have to call pest control to help you get rid of the insects. (Getty Images) It can be hard to get rid of the small insects on your own, so you might need to contact your local council or pest control service to get rid of the pesky creatures. Here are some steps you can take to reduce bedbugs: Remove the affected bedding and clothing wash on a hot wash of 60c and tumble try on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes. You can also put the infested bedding and clothing in a plastic bag and place It in your freezer for 3 to 4 days. Its time to up your cleaning game bedbugs are found in both clean and dirty places, but regular cleaning will help you spot them early, the NHS adds. Heres what you should avoid doing: Do not keep clutter around your bed, try to keep your space as clean as possible. Do not bring second-hand furniture indoors unless you have cleaned and carefully checked it. Do not take luggage or clothing indoors without checking it properly especially if you have come from somewhere where you know there are bedbugs. What are the causes of bedbugs and where do they live? The wingless parasitic insects are found all around the world and may be linked to, more frequent travel, changes in pest control practices and insecticide resistance. Bedbugs can be found in: Clothing Luggage Bedding Boxes Box springs Mattresses Headboards Objects near beds According to the Mayo Clinic, they can also be found: Under peeling pain or loose wallpaper Under carpeting near baseboards In upholstered furniture seams Under light switch plates or electrical outlets (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Can bedbugs reach the UK? The short answer is yes Bedbugs have a lifespan of between four to six months and are known to cling onto dirty suitcases so it is possible that they may hitch a ride on the Eurostar which is just two hours away from London. The Independents Barney Davis asked David Cain, founder and MD of Bed Bugs LTD and a qualified microbiologist, whether the bugs could survive the journey. Easily, yes, without a shadow of a doubt, he responded. Read the latest on the bedbug infestation in Paris here. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court is recommending the removal of a lower court judge who was caught on camera scrolling through social media and texting during a murder trial. An investigation by the Oklahoma Supreme Court Council on Judicial Complaints found District Judge Traci Soderstrom exchanged more than 500 texts with her courtroom bailiff during the trial. Texts included in a court filing showed the judge mocked prosecutors, laughed at the bailiffs comment about a prosecutor's genitals, praised the defense attorney and called the key prosecution witness a liar, according to the petition filed Tuesday by Chief Justice John Kane IV. Soderstrom, who was sworn in on Jan. 9 after being elected in November, was suspended with pay pending the outcome of a hearing by the Court on the Judiciary, which will determine whether to remove her from the bench. The pattern of conduct demonstrates Respondents (Soderstroms) gross neglect of duty, gross partiality and oppression, Kane wrote. The conduct further demonstrates Respondents (Soderstroms) lack of temperament to serve as a judge. A phone call to a number listed for Soderstrom rang unanswered before disconnecting Wednesday. Soderstrom's texts included saying the prosecutor was sweating through his coat during questioning of potential jurors and asking why does he have baby hands? according to Kane's petition. The texts described the defense attorney as awesome and asked can I clap for her? during the defense attorney's opening arguments. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} British citizens living abroad face being locked out of their pensions because of post-Brexit rules which see bank accounts shut down. Britains exit from the EU has caused some British banks to re-examine which bank accounts they let non-UK residents keep open. And finance experts are warning that retirees living in Europe are struggling to access their savings as accounts are closed, in yet another Brexit headache. They say pension providers are less likely to offer services to British expats leading to big problems in moving pension money into drawdown or making other changes to contributions. Paul Beard, chief executive of Alexander Beard Group, told The Telegraph that dozens of UK expats had contacted him saying their pension provider had refused point blank to pay out money. Philip Teague, of Cross Border Financial Planning, told the newspaper that his firm was starting to uncover some big problems for our clients who have got these very vanilla regular pensions. The financial planner accused pension providers of failing to offer good advice to older expats who have seen their bank accounts shut about how to access their money. He added: Were proactively starting to feed complaints through to them which will ultimately end up with the Financial Ombudsman because of [providers] lack of communication in this area. HMRC rules mean Britons who are a resident overseas cannot move UK pensions to a new company. So expat pensioners are dealing with complicated overseas transfer processes, which can see them lose up to 25 per cent in tax to access their savings. And moving pension money into drawdown to release an income is considered cross-border business by many providers. Mr Beard said the policies of some providers were a dereliction of duty and broke rules brought in by the Financial Conduct Authority earlier this year. Thousands of Britons living in EU states were told by UK banks that their accounts would be shut after the initial Brexit transition period ended. Lloyds Banking Group said it had shut 13,000 accounts of expats in Europe. The pensions row comes as the Rishi Sunak government continues to try to ease key banking and insurance rules after Brexit. Draft legislation set out last month proposes to increase the threshold at which so-called ring-fencing applies to banks from 25bn to 35bn. The ring-fencing rules followed the costly taxpayer bailouts of banks during the financial crisis a decade ago. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Exxon Mobil Corp. is buying Pioneer Natural Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $59.5 billion, its largest buyout since acquiring Mobil two decades ago, creating a colossal fracking operator in West Texas. Including debt, Exxon is committing about $64.5 billion to the acquisition, leaving no doubt of the Texas energy company's commitment to fossil fuels. Pioneer shareholders will receive 2.3234 shares of Exxon Mobil for each Pioneer share they own. Exxon purchased XTO Energy in 2009 for approximately $36 billion. In the late 1990s, the merger between Exxon and Mobil was valued around $80 billion. The deal with Pioneer Natural expands Exxon's presence in the Permian basin that straddles the border between Texas and New Mexico. Pioneer's more than 850,000 net acres in the Midland Basin will be combined with Exxons 570,000 net acres in the Delaware and Midland Basins, which all border each other. The company will have an estimated 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource in the Permian. Once the deal closes, Exxon Permian production volume will more than double to 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, based on 2023 volumes. It's expected to climb to about 2 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2027. "The combination of ExxonMobil and Pioneer creates a diversified energy company with the largest footprint of high-return wells in the Permian Basin,: Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield said in a prepared statement. Exxon has been flush with cash. The company posted record annual profits in 2022, bringing in $55.7 billion in annual profits, exceeding its previous record of $45.22 billion in 2008. Exxon has been using some of that cash on acquisitions. In July the company announced that it was buying pipeline operator Denbury in an all-stock deal valued at $4.9 billion. Pioneer Natural has been making similar moves. In 2020 the company said it was buying Parsley Energy in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $4.5 billion. It then purchased DoublePoint Energy in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $6.4 billion in 2021. Both companies' boards have approved the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of next year. It still needs approval from Pioneer shareholders. Pioneer's stock gained more than 2% before the market open on Wednesday, while shares of Exxon fell slightly. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The BBC has rejected criticism over its decision not to call Hamas militants terrorists after it was labelled disgraceful by the Defence Secretary. It is a long-standing editorial position of the broadcaster to use the word terrorist carefully, with its editorial guidelines describing such language as potentially a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. The comments by Grant Shapps come after several Conservative ministers hit out at the BBC over its editorial position. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also joined calls for the BBC to explain. Its remarkable to go to the BBC website and still see them talking about gunmen and militants and not calling them terrorists Grant Shapps, Defence Secretary On Wednesday, the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis also called for urgent change, warning that while guidelines may have been borne out of well-intentioned aspirations to appear accurate and impartial, the depth of the terror that Hamas has inflicted upon innocent people across Israel in recent days is not in doubt. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: This is not resistance or struggle. It is terrorism. To purposefully avoid that word is to wilfully mislead. I call upon broadcasters to urgently change the way they describe Hamas. Further, I call upon all decent people to have the courage to call out this terror for what it is. We must all be unequivocal that the loss of any innocent life is a tragedy, and that the barbaric, murderous terrorism of Hamas cannot be denied or obfuscated. It is a matter of deepest regret that some feel otherwise. The BBCs broadcast channels and online site have been dominated by the conflict in Israel and Gaza since the attack by Hamas over the weekend. The militant group is a proscribed organisation in the UK, meaning the Government sees it as a terrorist organisation. Mr Shapps suggested the BBC needs to fix its moral compass, as he urged it to revise its long-standing editorial position. He told LBC: I actually think it is verging on disgraceful, this idea that there is some sort of equivalence, and theyll always say well theres two sides what Hamas have done, as a proscribed terrorist organisation, meaning that they are illegal in Britain, its illegal to support them, is to have gone out and slaughtered innocent people, babies, festival-goers, pensioners. They are not freedom fighters, they are not militants, they are pure and simple terrorists, and its remarkable to go to the BBC website and still see them talking about gunmen and militants and not calling them terrorists. I dont know whats going on there, but I think that its time to get the moral compass out at the BBC. Sir Keir told the same station on Wednesday: I think the BBC needs to explain why it isnt. I said terrorism and terrorist, and to me thats obviously what we are witnessing. I think other channels may not be either, but Im not across all the detail of that. A BBC spokesperson said: We always take our use of language very seriously. Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word terrorist used many times we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK Government. This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening on the ground so our audiences can make their own judgment. Other senior ministers, including Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, have been among those expressing concern about the BBCs position. Similar criticism does not appear to have been targeted at other broadcasters or news organisations. The BBCs editorial guidelines on terrorism tell reporters and editors: The word terrorist itself can be a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. We should convey to our audience the full consequences of the act by describing what happened. We should use words which specifically describe the perpetrator such as bomber, attacker, gunman, kidnapper, insurgent and militant. We should not adopt other peoples language as our own; our responsibility is to remain objective and report in ways that enable our audiences to make their own assessments about who is doing what to whom. Senior BBC foreign and world affairs correspondent John Simpson hit out at politicians urging the broadcaster to reform its language. He said on X: British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word terrorist, and over the years plenty of them have privately agreed with it. Calling someone a terrorist means youre taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality. The BBCs job is to place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting. Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, also joined in the defence of the broadcaster. He said on social media: No-one watching the reporting of my BBC colleagues in Israel can have any doubt of the horror of what has happened. I understand entirely why some want the word terrorism used. It is, though, the long-standing practice of BBC, ITV & Sky to report others using that language rather than using it ourselves. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Bridget Phillipson has hit back at critics of Labours plans to strip private schools of tax exemptions. The shadow education secretary responded to reports in the Guardian from June, which suggested that officials at the Independent Schools Council (ISC) described Ms Phillipson as very chippy in private messages. She told the final day of the Labour Party Conference that chippy people make the change that matters. She added that high and rising standards cannot just be for families who can afford them as she revealed Labours plans to reform early years education provision. Ms Phillipson said: Conference, we know what the private schools lobby think of our ambition. They were arrogant enough to write it down. Chippy. And if they or anyone else doubt my determination to deliver on our dream, then I have a message for them: Chippy people make the change that matters. I will make the change that matters. Together we will make the change the matters. We will end the tax breaks that private schools enjoy to deliver high and rising standards, in every school for every child. Last month, Labour backed down on its pledge to strip private schools of their charitable status. Being able to claim gift aid on donations and not paying tax on annual profits, which must be reinvested in education, are among the tax breaks that the status confers. But the party remains committed to its policy for England of charging 20% VAT on fees and ending the business rates relief from which private schools benefit. Ms Phillipson also said she is determined to carry out ambitious reform to ensure early education is available in every corner of our country for every family and every child. Sir David Bell, former permanent secretary at the Department for Education and former chief inspector of schools, will develop Labours new early years plan that the next generation deserve, Ms Phillipson said. The last Labour government began a revolution in reading standards, a revolution still unfolding in our schools Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson Labour said its early years review would look at ways to increase the amount of primary school-based nursery provision amid falling birth rates, and how to remove restrictions on local authorities from opening nursery provision. Ms Phillipson also responded to Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks plans to extend maths provision to 18 in schools, warning that if young people hate maths at 16, its just too late. The Labour frontbencher said her party would aim to promote practical numeracy skills needed at work and in daily life right from the start of school. Its why Im proud to tell you today, that well tackle our chronic cultural problem with maths, by making sure its better taught at six, never mind 16, she told the conference. The last Labour government began a revolution in reading standards, a revolution still unfolding in our schools. Its past time we brought that same focus to maths. Labours plans were welcomed by the National Education Union, whose general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said: Labour politicians are recognising that a reset between the teaching profession and government is required and that very little of national government ambitions can be achieved without working with, and in partnership, with teachers. It should go without saying that programmes of educational improvement should recognise and support teachers expertise and build on the successes of the teaching profession. We welcome the focus today about the importance of early education and getting good foundations for young children. But this will require grappling with the funding issues and putting nursery schools on a sure footing. Numeracy skills are really important skills for life and it makes more sense to focus on numeracy skills in primary. An ISC spokeswoman said: We share Labours goal of wanting the best outcomes for every child and we have been consistent in our offer to work together towards achieving this. News / National by Staff reporter The Pacific Cigarette Company (PCC), formerly known as Savanna Tobacco Company, has been granted its request to undergo voluntary business rescue due to alleged tax violations and outstanding obligations, resulting in a liability of US$19.3 million and Z$79.8 billion.PCC attributed its financial difficulties to foreign currency challenges faced by Zimbabwe in 2005, leading the company to enter into a partnership with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and initiate toll manufacturing to cope with the introduction of a 50% foreign currency surrender requirement on exports.PCC claimed that the toll manufacturing model had been promoted by the RBZ as a durable business model to address foreign currency challenges for companies. However, in June of this year, without prior notice, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) changed its stance, considering raw materials funded by PCC's customers as income subject to VAT and issuing tax assessments against the company.As a result, ZIMRA garnished PCC's bank accounts and instructed its customers to pay any owed monies directly to the tax authority, effectively closing off the company's income streams. In response to these actions, PCC submitted a payment plan proposal, which was rejected by ZIMRA. To safeguard the interests of all creditors and stakeholders, PCC decided to place the business under voluntary business rescue while seeking an amicable resolution to the matter with the tax authority.PCC, as one of Africa's largest indigenous tobacco companies and Zimbabwe's first locally-owned cigarette company, expressed its commitment to working with ZIMRA to find a solution to the ongoing dispute. ZIMRA declined to comment on individual taxpayers' tax affairs, citing client confidentiality protection by law. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A local councillor has lost a High Court fight with Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the housing of asylum seekers on a barge. Carralyn Parkes wanted to challenge the lawfulness of the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Harbour, Dorset. A judge ruled on Wednesday that Mrs Parkes, a member of Portland Town Council and the mayor of Portland, did not have an arguable case. Mr Justice Holgate had considered arguments at a High Court hearing in London on Tuesday. Mrs Parkes said she is deeply concerned by the Governments planned accommodation on the Bibby Stockholm and had made challenges relating to planning and equality legislation. Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman said Mrs Parkess claims should be dismissed. Mrs Parkes, who is from Liverpool, argued housing asylum seekers on the barge was a breach of planning control and said there had not been compliance with environmental impact assessment duties. She also argued Mrs Braverman had not complied with duties under the 2010 Equality Act. Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman said the challenge was made to a decision taken in April to house destitute asylum seekers on a specially adapted barge. They argued Mrs Parkess claim was out of time, without merit and said the judge should refuse to give permission for the challenge to proceed to a trial. Government lawyers said the local planning authority did not think planning permission was required. They also argued there was no general principle that housing non-British asylum seekers together on a vessel was unlawful under a public sector equality duty. Mrs Parkes is represented by law firm DPG (Deighton Pierce Glynn). Lawyers said afterwards that they will consider their next steps. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A maintenance worker has admitted going on a violent hospital rampage with a digging tool but denied he tried to kill three colleagues. Matteo Bottarelli, 44, is alleged to have chased co-workers with the mattock, a pickaxe-type implement, around the grounds of Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London before stabbing one of them in the neck from behind. A second man was later found collapsed with head injuries shortly after the incident, which saw the hospital evacuated on June 21. Bottarelli, from Central Way in Brent, north-west London, was arrested by armed police outside the hospital and charged with attempted murder. On Wednesday, Bottarelli pleaded guilty to the lesser offences of wounding Gideon Tesfay and Trevor McGuire with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm. He also admitted affray by using or threatening unlawful violence to cause a person to fear for their safety and having an offensive weapon at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal. Bottarelli pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Mr Tesfay, Mr McGuire and a third man, Mark Quigley. An alternative charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Quigley with intent was also denied by the defendant. Bottarelli entered his pleas by video link from Wormwood Scrubs before Harrow Crown Court, sitting at the Old Bailey. The prosecution indicated the pleas were not acceptable to the Crown and the defendant faces a trial of up to seven days from February 12 next year. A further hearing was set for December 13 and Bottarelli was remanded into custody. At the time of the incident, the Metropolitan Police said one man had injuries that were thought to be life-changing while another escaped with minor injuries. The third alleged victim did not sustain any injuries during the incident. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A local councillor is waiting to see whether she has won the first stage of a High Court fight with Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the housing of asylum seekers on a barge. Carralyn Parkes wants Mr Justice Holgate to give her the go-ahead to challenge the lawfulness of the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Harbour, Dorset. Mr Justice Holgate considered arguments at a High Court hearing in London on Tuesday, and is listed to deliver a ruling on Wednesday. Mrs Parkes, a member of Portland Town Council and the Mayor of Portland, says she is deeply concerned by the Governments planned accommodation on the Bibby Stockholm. Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman say Mrs Parkess challenge should be dismissed. Mrs Parkes, who is from Liverpool, has argued that the housing of asylum seekers on the barge is a breach of planning control and says there has not been compliance with environmental impact assessment duties. She is also arguing that Mrs Braverman has not complied with duties under the 2010 Equality Act. Lawyers representing Mrs Braverman say the challenge was made to a decision taken in April to house destitute asylum seekers on a specially adapted barge. They argued that Mrs Parkess claim was out of time, without merit and said the judge should refuse to give permission for the challenge to proceed to a trial. Government lawyers said the local planning authority did not think planning permission was required. They also argued there was no general principle that housing non-British asylum seekers together on a vessel was unlawful under a public sector equality duty. Meanwhile, separately it is expected the first asylum seekers could be returned to the barge next week, after it was evacuated following the discovery of Legionella bacteria in the water supply. The Home Office said all necessary tests have been completed on the floating vessel, which has been out of use since August. Letters are being sent to asylum seekers confirming their re-embarkation and it is understood the first people could begin returning to the vessel on October 19. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Suella Braverman doubled down on her crackdown on woke policing as she called for officers to be patrolling the streets, not policing pronouns. Addressing officers at the annual Police Federation of England and Wales Conference, the home secretary said she was fighting a campaign against political correctness in policing. She said it was right that crimes should only be recorded when a criminal threshold has been reached, rather than when someone claims to be offended. She told officers: It was right for bureaucratic reasons and in the cause of free speech to ensure that a malicious communication crime will be recorded only if a criminal threshold has clearly been reached and not just when someone claims to be offended. Im not fighting my campaign against political correctness in policing only for the sake of the law-abiding majority who want to see officers patrolling the streets, not policing pronouns on Twitter. I also know thats what the majority of you signed up for, too. She also repeated calls for police to investigate every crime, adding she expects significant improvements in police responses to crimes such as phone theft, car theft, shoplifting, and criminal damage. She said anything which distracted officers from that was unwelcome. Suella Braverman tells a police conference she was fighting a campaign against political correctness in policing (PA Wire) She added: You need clarity from political leaders and I could not be clearer: I believe in the Peelian Principles of policing, I believe in investigating every crime, and I believe in keeping the public safe by catching criminals. Anything that distracts from this is unwelcome - whether thats enforcing non-existent blasphemy laws unnecessarily recording a non-crime hate incident or joining in with political demonstrations. Her comments come after the politician, who previously railed against the tofu-eating wokerati, ordered a probe into police impartiality in September. She raised concerns about officers pandering to politically correct causes, such as taking the knee and dancing with protesters, as she ordered an impartiality review by Andy Cooke, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary. She also repeated her commitment to officers withdrawing from mental health callouts, despite safety concerns from mental health campaigners. She said the Right Care, Right Person approach announced in July following a pilot in Humberside, could save forces a million policing hours. The police will only be expected to attend mental health incidents if there is a real and immediate risk of serious harm or where there may be criminal activity, she said. Anyone suffering a mental health crisis needs the right support in the most appropriate setting. That is not a police cell. Answering questions from federation members, Ms Braverman rejected claims that police forces are institutionally racist, after Baroness Louise Casey concluded the Metropolitan Police was institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic in damning review earlier this year. I dont believe that term is a useful one or an accurate one. It is not a term that I use when describing the police, she said, adding that she believes it has a disempowering effect for officers trying to build confidence with communities. She also announced plans to focus on preventing one-punch homicides impacting men over 25 killed in public. She said: Too often we have heard about a group of friends on a night out over Christmas ending in tragedy, with an argument escalating into a one-punch homicide. We are investing in the polices national communications campaign to raise awareness of the danger of this appalling phenomenon and in local police-led activity to make pubs, other licensed premises, and the night-time economy safer this winter. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said there is no chance of losing focus on the war in Ukraine despite conflict in Israel and Gaza. The Cabinet minister said it would be a massive mistake for Russian President Vladimir Putin to think the worlds attention is in any way distracted and that should somehow give him a free hand. Mr Shapps is in Brussels for a meeting with his Nato counterparts, where he is also due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and attend his first Nato-Ukraine Council. No chance of us forgetting what's going on in Europe, whilst we rightly also think about and support our friends and colleagues in Israel Defence Secretary Grant Shapps Speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday morning, Mr Shapps insisted that, although the UK is offering support to Israel following the recent attack by Hamas, the world cannot be distracted or lose focus on the situation in Ukraine. The International Fund for Ukraine, administered by the Ministry of Defence, has announced its partner nations are providing a further 100 million package of support for Ukraine, which will include equipment to clear minefields. Speaking to LBC about concerns that the situation in Israel may take focus away from Ukraine, Mr Shapps said: Its an obvious concern to have. Its not going to happen. And thats because people, like the United Kingdom, the British public, whove been so generous when it comes to Ukraine, understand that this is a battle that Putin must not win. We have to win this battle, ultimately, for all of our sakes. He added: Its extraordinarily important that our focus remains. Countries like the United Kingdom are first amongst many in terms of our support. I was in Kyiv meeting President Zelensky a couple of weeks ago with him there. So no chance of us forgetting whats going on in Europe, whilst we rightly also think about and support our friends and colleagues in Israel. It would be a massive mistake for Putin to imagine for one moment that the worlds attention is in any way distracted and that should somehow give him a free hand Defence Secretary Grant Shapps Mr Shapps, speaking to Times Radio, said UK support for Ukraine will continue, and that it is important the worlds attention is not distracted by whats happening in the Middle East, vital and important and supportive as we are there. He earlier told GB News: We will not lose sight of, and will not be forgetting, what is happening right here in Europe. And it would be a massive mistake for Putin to imagine for one moment that the worlds attention is in any way distracted and that should somehow give him a free hand. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A leading disaster expert has warned that Britain is not ready for the bedbug invasion claimed to be gripping the French capital. Reports of infestations in Paris have been on the rise, to the extent that one French MP last week brought a test tube filled with dead bugs into parliament to warn that the parasites were proliferating in all daily living spaces and were making the lives of millions a living hell. Such claims have sparked concerns that the infestation could soon reach London, with Underground passengers fretting over whether to sit down on the Tube for fear of contamination. I promise you this... Britain is not ready for an invasion of bed bugs, disaster management expert Professor Lucy Easthope wrote on Twitter/X. I once got caught up in an outbreak in Knoxville and the lengths you have to go to get rid of them is arduous. Ditching your bed is not enough, added Prof Easthope, who has worked on the Covid crisis and the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks over her two decades in the field. But experts have been pointing to the rising threat of bedbugs for years, with pest control company Rentokil warning back in August of a 65 per cent increase in infestations across the UK since 2022. This week, Luton Council reported an alarming number of bedbug jobs on a weekly basis, according to the BBC, with the councils pest control experts having dealt with 86 such incidents in the past year albeit not as dramatic a rise as that reported by Rentokil. Issuing guidance on what people should do to prepare their homes for treatment, the council warned it did not have limitless resources to tackle the issue. Pest control technician Lucas Pradalier looks for bedbugs in a Paris apartment (AP) Bedbugs are small insects, typically around 5mm long, which feast on blood and whose primary hosts are humans, causing itchy bites that can be painful but are not known to spread or carry any disease. The NHS warns bedbugs can hide on bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper. It is very likely that we are going to hear about more infestations in the UK because bedbugs are increasing globally, said Professor James Logan, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Bed bugs are becoming resistant to insecticides that we normally use to kill them. We are also seeing increasing travel which helps them to spread, he added. Professor Robert Smith, of the University of Huddersfield, added that the increasing reports of bedbugs in Luton and elsewhere are likely to reflect widespread media coverage over the last week or so. But he added that infestations have become more common over many years in the UK and across the world. The threat of Frances bedbug outbreak spreading to Londons public transport network is a real source of concern, Sadiq Khan said (PA) Bed bugs can be hard to get rid of because they live for many months and hide in cracks and crevices during the day, he said. I avoid unpacking luggage in hotels (I leave my clothes in a zipped suitcase) and never use hotel drawers to reduce the chances of picking up unwanted bugs. Some people store their suitcases in the hotel bathtub. Urging people not to panic if they think they have bedbugs, Prof Smith advised: Washing bed clothes at a higher temperature or putting sheets in sealed bags in a freezer for a couple of days will kill some of them off. Regular vacuum cleaning of mattresses and the crevices in bedrooms will help. You are likely to need professional help from your local council or pest-control company, however, if you want to eliminate them completely. Londons mayor Sadiq Khan has told ITV that Transport for London is conducting world-leading cleaning and told passengers to remain vigilant. The good news is there is no evidence of those issues in London, the mayor said. There is no complacency at all lots of preventative measures. I want to reassure everybody public transport is safe in London but we have to keep on being vigilant to make sure all steps that can be taken are taken to make sure we're not seeing in London what we are seeing in France. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police have said they are assessing claims made in a podcast covering three mysterious murders in the 1960s. Patricia Docker, 25, Jemima McDonald, 32 and Helen Puttock, 29, were all killed in Glasgow in 1968 and 1969 after visiting the Barrowland Ballroom in the citys east end. The murders, which have never been solved despite one of the largest police inquiries in Scottish history, became a media sensation, with blame being foisted on a man named only as Bible John, owing to his quoting of scripture during a taxi journey with Ms Puttock and her sister before she was murdered. A podcast released by the BBC last year examined the cases, speaking to the families of the victims and former police officers who investigated the murders. The podcast claimed the involvement of the man in the taxi, who was also believed to be the last person to see Ms Puttock alive, was covered up because he was the cousin of a senior police officer. Officers interviewed said they believed the man to be John Irvine McInnes the cousin of Jimmy McInnes, a detective. The body of John Irvine McInnes who died by suicide in the 1980s was exhumed in 1995 in relation to the investigation, with DNA analysis against a sample taken from Ms Puttocks tights coming back inconclusive, clearing him of involvement. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said on Wednesday: We are assessing the contents of a recent podcast in consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The murders of Helen Puttock, Jemima McDonald and Patricia Docker remain unresolved, however, as with all unresolved cases, they are subject to review and any new information about their deaths will be investigated. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British man who went missing after Hamas attacked attendees at a music festival in Israel has been confirmed as dead by the countrys embassy in London. Jake Marlowe had not been seen since the invasion early on Saturday morning when he was providing security for the event in the desert near Kibbutz Reim, close to the Gaza border. On Wednesday afternoon, Israels Embassy in London said: UK national Jake Marlowe, now confirmed dead in southern Israel. Repatriation plans being put in place. His mother Lisa wrote on Facebook that she and her family were heartbroken after hearing the crushing news. We are heartbroken to have to inform you the crushing news that our son Jake has been confirmed dead in Southern Israel. Jake Marlowe reportedly moved to Israel two years ago (Sourced) Repatriation plans are being put in to place, more information will follow. Please respect our privacy at this most devastating time. The former pupil at the JFS School in Kenton, north London, reportedly moved to Israel two years ago. Concerns remain for the safety of British citizens in the region, as the BBC reported that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. Briton Nathanel Young, 20, was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass attack. He had attended the same school as Mr Marlowe. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Cherie Blair has warned that rape victims are being woefully failed by the courts because pervasive myths are blocking survivors from obtaining justice. Writing for The Independent, the leading barrister said a huge proportion of Britons do not properly understand how rape and consent work, with misconceptions of sexual violence prevalent among those who sit on rape trial juries. Ms Blair, the wife of former prime minister Tony Blair, argued that progress has stalled on tackling violence against women and girls drawing attention to lengthy wait times for victims and abysmally low conviction rates. It comes after The Independent revealed that the number of rape suspects out on bail has reached record highs as a massive court backlog means tens of thousands of victims battle delays. Ms Blair cited YouGov polling, commissioned by the prominent campaign group End Violence Against Women Coalition, which found that a third of people in Britain believe it is not rape if a woman is pressured into having sex with someone but there is no physical violence. Ms Blair said: A third of men think if a woman has flirted on a date it generally wouldnt count as rape, even if she hasnt explicitly consented to sex, and a quarter think that sex without consent in long-term relationships is usually not rape. These social attitudes are concerning because they show a huge proportion of adults in Britain who make up juries that are responsible for deciding the verdict in rape trials are doing so despite being very unclear about what rape and consent is. Her comment comes days after a government rape adviser announced she was quitting her job over the criminal justice systems failures to hold her alleged attacker to account for repeatedly breaching his bail conditions. Emily Hunt told The Independent her decision to step down was also prompted by feeling like there was a lack of will and drive to improve justice for rape survivors. Ms Blair said Ms Hunt was by no means the first person to warn of these problems, with others condemning a culture of disbelief and victim blaming, where often survivors themselves feel they are on trial and face harrowing experiences in the courts. The barrister drew attention to those who have warned that rape has effectively been decriminalised in the UK, as she warned victims of rape deserve a legal system that stands with them, not against them. She argued women and girls must feel able to trust police officers when they come forward to report abuse adding that faith needs to be restored in the criminal justice system and that we must not permit conviction rates to continue to decline. Ms Blair, who heads the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, added: The backlog of rape and sexual offences in the Crown Courts in England and Wales has also risen to a record high. Rape cases are now taking an average of more than two years to complete in court with these long waiting times leaving survivors in limbo and having a devastating impact on their wellbeing. These delays put survivors at risk, compound trauma, and increase the chances of women dropping out of the criminal justice process. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An invasive species of crab has been spotted crawling around the waterways of Britain. The Chinese mitten crab, a native of East Asia, was seen alongside waterways in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Peterborough resident Stuart Selby saw one crossing a busy road and described the sight as bizarre. It comes as Londoners refused to use the London Underground after bed bugs were spotted on its Victoria Line following a super bed bug infestation in Paris, France. The crabs live in rivers, canals and estuaries, and can damage river banks, compete with native species, block water outlets and damage fishing gear with their claws, according to the Natural History Museum. The mitten crabs live in rivers, canals and estuaries (Richard Bailey/BBC) The first mitten crab was recorded in the River Thames near Chelsea, London, in 1935. The species, which have furry claws resembling mittens, had become well-established in Britain by the 1990s, research shows. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to release or allow the species to escape into the wild in Britain. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it received reports of the crab in Cambridgeshire and it encouraged people to report sightings to stop the movement of their eggs. A spokesperson said: The species was considered to be established in the Thames in 1973 and since then it has been found in other riverine systems within the UK. In the UK, there is no legal fishery for the species; if a Chinese mitten crab is caught as a by-catch, they cannot be sold live for human consumption. The species can damage river banks and fishing gear (Richard Bailey/BBC) Last week, a widespread outbreak of bed bugs caused panic and disgust in Paris. The alarm quickly spread to London, where bed bugs were spotted on the London Underground. With a lifespan of 4-6 months, it is possible the bugs could make the 2hr 16min trip between Paris to London. One bedbug expert from Bed Bugs Ltd, based in London, said the creatures are already in Britain but could increase in numbers with the Paris epidemic. News / National by Staff reporter The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, expressed his satisfaction with the final preparations for this year's edition of the Sanganai-Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, set to commence on Thursday at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair groundsThe Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is an annual event held in Zimbabwe, showcasing the country's vast tourism potential. This expo attracts a wide range of local and international exhibitors, industry professionals, and visitors interested in exploring Zimbabwe's unique attractions and investment opportunities.After conducting a brief tour of the exhibition stands earlier this Tuesday, Deputy Minister Mnangagwa confidently stated that this year's expo will surpass the previous edition in terms of quality and excitement. He commended the uniqueness of each stand and the promising developments leading up to the first day of the exhibition.Mnangagwa enthusiastically articulated, "Each stand holds its own unique appeal, and the ongoing developments here are quite promising. I anticipate an even more exhilarating experience this year, surpassing the success of the previous edition, as we navigate through effects of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic that wrecked havoc in the industry and expand our tourism industry. Exciting opportunities lie ahead for the tourism sector," he said.Highlighting the growth of the event, he emphasized, "We have witnessed a significant increase in exhibitors this year, with over a hundred more compared to the last edition. Moreover, a hundred buyers have already arrived in the country to explore the various tourism destinations," he added.The Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo aims to elevate Zimbabwe's status as a world-class marketing platform and generate significant revenue for the tourism sector Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Defendants convicted of some of the most serious crimes including rape and burglary will reportedly face delays in going to prison from next week because jails are full. Crown Court sentencing hearings are set to be delayed to keep down prison populations, leaving anyone on bail either free in the community or held in cells in magistrates courts. Figures uncovered by The Independent last week show overcrowding in prisons is nearing breaking point. Most jails are dangerously full, with some holding 70 per cent more inmates than they should, including Wandsworth, from which terror suspect Daniel Khalife is accused of escaping. Lord Edis, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales, has ordered judges to delay sentencing from Monday, The Times reported. And justice ministers are understood to have proposed some prisoners be released early. The chief of prison governors, former home secretary Jack Straw and former Tory prisons minister Rory Stewart all warned last week that early release may have to be considered to tackle the crisis. Nearly two-thirds of jails in England are officially overcrowded, with the number of free spaces in the prison estate falling from just 768 last week to 651 this week, over which period the male prison population has increased by 211 to 84,412. A prison union threatened to take legal action if the Ministry of Justice asked governors to find extra capacity in already packed prisons. Andrea Albutt, president of the Prison Governors Association (PGA), said: If the government further overcrowd our prisons, if they say to our members you will put more people in your already overcrowded prison, we will take legal action. One senior judge said that from Monday, judges have been ordered/strongly encouraged not to send to jail defendants on bail so as not to add to the prison population. In 2018 prison staff staged an unofficial protest over overcrowding and violence (Getty Images) The judge said: We have been told that this is a short-term measure, but nobody knows what that means. The judge added that the biggest concern was defendants charged with historic rape or rape of a child under 13 or other sexual assault. What am I going to do if a jury finds someone guilty [of rape], asked the judge, adding: Do I release that person who is now convicted back into the community, where the victim might see them? What will the victim think? The UKs prison population has been steadily rising since 2020 and as of last Friday, it was 88,016, compared with a total capacity of about 88,670. HMP Wandsworth is at 170 per cent occupancy, according to August statistics from the Ministry of Justice. HMP Durham is at 171 per cent. The government estimates these figures will only worsen, with the prison population expected to increase to between 93,100 and 106,300 by 2027. At his speech to the Conservative Party conference this month, Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, announced plans to rent prison spaces in foreign countries to reduce the pressure. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: Our first priority is to keep the public safe from dangerous criminals. That is why we have ended automatic halfway release for serious sexual and violent criminals and increased the average time spent in prison by 3 years cutting violent crime by nearly 50 per cent since 2010. However, the criminal justice system has seen unprecedented growth in the prison population, following the pandemic and barristers strike, particularly among those awaiting trial, with 6,000 more prisoners on remand than pre-pandemic. The Prison Service has already put in place measures such as rapid deployment cells and doubling up cells to help manage these pressures, and the Government is carrying out the biggest prison building campaign since the Victorian era to build 20,000 new places, making sure we always have the places we need. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Girls in the UK have much lower levels of confidence than their male peers, according to new research. A study published by Girlguiding discovered girls are battling a crisis in confidence with their self-esteem plummeting when they hit their teenage years. Researchers found there is virtually no difference in girls confidence to boys at the age of ten but when they reach the age of 12, girls are 17 per cent less likely to report high confidence in comparison to boys. The study, released on International Day of the Girl, discovered this gap surges to 24 per cent by the age of 15. Researchers found girls in Girlguiding aged between 10 and 15 are 12 per cent more likely to report not feeling nervous in new scenarios than those who do not belong to girl guides. Ellan Day, who works as a supply teaching assistant, told The Independent she experienced a lot of self-doubt from school years until university but this has improved substantially in recent years. The 26-year-old, who is from Derbyshire, said she grappled with a strong fear of rejection and a dearth of confidence which was exacerbated by developing a problem with her wrist during her GCSEs which meant she could not write so needed extra help with her exams. She dropped out of school at the age of 17 due to not feeling like it was the route for her but later returned to education and has completed a degree in psychology, she added. Ms Day said many of the girls she supports at school whose ages range from four to 18 struggle with confidence issues and argued that this is compounded by social media. You definitely notice a lack of confidence in them, she added. We will be running an activity and they say I cant do that. I ask what are you struggling with? They cant pinpoint what it is. They write it off immediately they wont even try it. Ms Day, who volunteers for Girlguiding and has been involved in the organisation since the age of 10, said many young people are consumed by how they appear to the outside world and comparing themselves to others on social media. She added: It is now much easier to see what everyone else is doing. Social media is a lets celebrate everything Ive done place. It can make people feel very envious. People can get very angry as well and it can make people quite sad. It makes people question themselves. Ms Day explained Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter (X), and YouTube had exploded by her late teens and warned it often felt like a popularity contest. She said: If your post doesnt get as many likes or comments, it feels like your success doesnt matter as much. If your success was in looking pretty, having lots of friends, nice outfits and being good at makeup - that felt like more important than doing well in an exam. You knew when it was results day coming up there would be streams of posts of people getting As in exams. If you had not done as well, it felt like there was no point in posting. I tried to avoid being on social media for the week around exams day. Angela Salt, chief executive of Girlguiding, said polling the organisation released last month showed girls happiness is at a 15-year low. She added: Girlguiding plays a vital role in providing a space for girls to explore, have fun and belong, all whilst building their confidence to navigate the pressures that come with being a girl in 2023. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Inmates at a south-west London prison at the centre of a recent escape scandal succeeded in illegally brewing 1,900 litres of alcohol with only 50 per cent of staff regularly on-duty to keep watch. Inspections between June 2022 and May 2023 at the inhumane HMP Wandsworth found prisoners are forced to wait days for showers and regular exercise, while the majority of men are forced to share single cells with broken furniture and inadequate heating. A report by the Independent Monitoring Boards found that staff were struggling to provide even a limited regime, while the Category B prison had witnessed a 25 per cent increase in the number of assaults, with 10 each week recorded against staff. Daniel Khalife is charged with escaping from custody at Wandsworth Prison (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Media) Meanwhile, two wings only had 11 shower stalls available for 265 men, who were only provided with a one-hour time slot to queue and make use of the wash facilities. HMP Wandsworth recently attracted attention after a terror suspect allegedly escaped under a delivery van, causing a six-day national manhunt. It later emerged that 80 officers had not attended their shift on the day Daniel Khalife absconded, with the government since launching an independent investigation. Other key findings in the report include: Prisoner on staff assaults rose by 21 per cent, while incidents of self-harm rose by 11 per cent, with four deaths reported in custody. Three of these were self-inflicted and are currently being investigated by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman. The prison repeatedly had no access to hot water or heating during the winter months, with regular flooding of cells disrupting entire wings. A new multi-million pound healthcare centre remains unused, despite having a scheduled opening date of October 2021. A vulnerable young prisoner with mental health issues spent over 550 days in the separation unit before finally being transferred to Broadmoor Hospital, which the Board described as inhumane and unacceptable. As well as illegally brewed alcohol being confiscated from inmates, contraband continued to pose a problem with over 330 mobile phones and 210 drug stashes removed. The Victorian-era building is chronically overcrowded and suffers a high staff turnover (PA) Due to the unavailability of staff, the prison is severely limited in preventing the influx of illicit items, with drones and throw overs listed as the main means of access. The overall CCTV system has deteriorated, meaning that security is solely dependent on officers observations. The use of force used against inmates had also increased by 49 per cent, with body-worn cameras used to capture only 73 per cent of incidents. High staff turnover meant that inexperienced staff with minimal training were forced to work without mentoring, while library, gym and inductions were cancelled for inmates due to lack of staff. Detailing his eight month experience being held on remand at the prison, one inmate told the Board there were 87 days without hot water, 89 days without being allowed outside and only 5 library visits when it should have been one per week. Smashed lavatory pans causes frequent flooding and inmates struggle to gain access to showers (Getty Images) Chronic overcrowding was also listed as a serious problem at the Victorian-era building, with Wandsworth prison yet to see the benefit of a 3.8billion investment to deliver 20,000 new uncrowded prison places. Processing immigrants and asylum seekers was also found to be taking too long, with over half of the 228 men being held under immigration powers still awaiting their fate for more than 300 days. Describing the shower situation on G and H wings as appalling, unhygienic and unacceptable, the Board said that daily showers were not an option due to a lack of stalls. Inmates were only provided with one-hour to queue, with officers remarking that men missed their slot if they did not queue, but by queuing they missed the opportunity to do anything else during their social hour. Violence had also increased in the prison, with over 10 incidents against staff recorded each week (Sky News) Smashed lavatory pans and sinks led to frequent flooding, while broken windows contributed to the vermin problem as pigeons and rodents continued to pose a serious health risk to the establishment. Despite this, the food was perceived as varied and tasty with the Board receiving few complaints, while an improved distribution system had been introduced in May. Due to staff shortages, there was a three-month delay in returning valuables and a backlog in distributing parcel post and items sent by family members. Poor communication regarding property led to considerable and avoidable stress and frustration amongst both families and inmates. Delivering a full, safe regime in a prison with under half its staff present is virtually impossible the report read. The Board wished to emphasise its support for the management team who were under extreme pressure to deliver against generally unrealistic HMPPS targets without sufficient staff. However the regime remains unacceptable and will continue to do so until the prison reaches its planned level of staff availability. IMB Chair, Tim Aikens, said: Recent events at Wandsworth have demonstrated the shortcomings of the prison system that the IMB has been highlighting repeatedly for many years. Prisoners are being failed and most have a severely reduced chance of rehabilitation upon release. We are told there is significant investment in the prison system, but we see little evidence of this in Wandsworth. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The wife of Scotlands First Minister has said she feels like she is just living in a nightmare and that her parents are terrified about what will happen next after they became trapped in Gaza. In an interview with the BBCs Reporting Scotland on Wednesday, Nadia El-Nakla said her parents, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, continually tell her they feel like they are going to die. The El-Naklas travelled to Gaza last week to visit an elderly relative and Ms El-Naklas brother, who works as a doctor in Gaza. They found themselves trapped after militant group Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets in what it said was a new operation on Saturday. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was at war as its military began striking targets in Gaza in response. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. In a video clip played as part of the interview, Elizabeth El-Nakla said: Weve no electricity, weve no water, the food we do have, which is little, will not last because there is no electric and it will spoil. A visibly emotional Ms El-Nakla told the BBC it was incredibly difficult right now. She said: There is no electricity from 2pm their time, which was just a few hours ago. No electricity means no hospital supplies, it means no food, you cant even preserve the food that you have. Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) I dont know what it means for them in the long-term, I dont know whats about to happen to them. For me, my number one is my family being safe. Ms El-Nakla said her parents are now talking about saving their phone batteries due to the lack of power, which means they are having to limit contact. She added: Every few hours Im seeing things, and Im calling my parents. But now we are talking about having to preserve their battery on their phone. We cannot keep talking to them because theres no electricity. Weve taken numbers of neighbours, theyve written down all of our numbers. If I cant get in touch with them, can I contact a neighbour to find out if theyre still alive? These are conversations we need to have. At times my arms just feel like lead. It feels like I am just living in a nightmare. For them, I just cant understand how they feel. On Tuesday, Ms El-Naklas husband Humza Yousaf wrote to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, urging him to call on Israel to open a humanitarian corridor. He wrote: I am writing concerning the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas over the weekend, and the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza. Too many innocent people have already lost their lives as a consequence of these completely unjustifiable and illegitimate attacks by Hamas. However, innocent men, women and children cannot, and should not, pay the price for the actions of a terrorist group. Collective punishment of innocent civilians cannot be justified and will do nothing to set the conditions for peace in the region. As a close friend and ally of Israel, I therefore ask the UK Government to call on the government of Israel to ensure innocent civilians are protected and to put in place an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe passage of civilians through the Rafah border. Furthermore, it should open a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, for those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Goodnight, sleep tight, dont let the bedbugs bite was once the playful prevail of parents sending their children off to bed at night. But now as fears grow that the creepy crawlies could come to infest London in the way they have done Paris, commuters are beginning to spot the insects on the Underground. Isolated sightings have begun popping up all over social media since The Independent were told they could easily survive the two hour Eurostar journey. One skin-crawling clip, viewed more than 1.7m times on TikTok, shows a small brown insect crawling up the trouser leg of somebody sitting on the Victoria line. The terrified passenger wrote in the caption: Minding my own business on the Victoria line, a f*****g bedbug is on my leg. Said hed got a great deal on the Eurostar and wondered if I could take him home. No!! Sort it out, Transport for London. Another woman films herself stamping on a suspected bed bug after spotting it waiting on the platform at Kennington. Londoners shared how they have not sat down on the tube for over a week with one user positing the horrifying notion that: That single one has laid like 400 eggs on those jeans already! One itchy and paranoid Londoner jumped out of her bus seat at a sighting of a huge insect before being informed it was just a cockroach. Sadiq Khan was asked about the issue by Joe Politics at Labour conference where he moved to reassure Londoners that TfL were taking steps to control any potential infestations. Bed bugs are seen in hiding in seat material in Paris (REUTERS) He said: I want to reassure those listening TfL have one of the best regimes to clean our assets on a nightly basis and were speaking to our friends in Paris to see whether there are any lessons to be learned. We dont think those issues will arise in London, but no complacency from TfL. GPs have been offering advice to returning Irish and Scottish rugby fans who had been in Paris to watch their teams. Dr Trish Horgan from Cork posted on X: You did a super job supporting our boys in green. Now we ask you to do something to support the team at home. She urged anyone who is coming back home from France to ask a family member or a friend to put two large bin bags, one ziplock bag, and a towel in front of their house. The next step is taking a scalding hot shower and scrubbing. After doing so, the contents of the toiletries bag should be washed in hot water. The bag should also be turned inside out and cleaned under hot water. Footage of the blood-sucking insects has horrified TikTok users in Paris, leading to some avoiding the infested Parisian metro, or posting warnings about the creepy critters swarming all over their Airbnb rentals. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of people are facing travel chaos after Luton Airport was forced to delay flights because of a fire that destroyed a multi-story car park last night. All flights have been grounded until at least 3pm after Terminal Car Park 2 suffered a significant structural collapse as a result of the blaze. Pictures shared online on Tuesday evening showed flames engulfing the car park, with a number of cars damaged. The fire service said that the blaze, thought to have started inside a car, appeared to be accidental. At 9am it had been fully extinguished, although fire crews remained at the scene on to monitor the smoldering debris. If the fire is out, why are flights still not running? By law, an airport has to close its runways to passenger flights if it has no fire cover, which could happen when the airport fire service is on strike or short-staffed. Last night, it appears that the airports fire service left the runway to tackle the blaze, meaning the airport itself had no proper cover. It may be that having worked through the night to tackle the car park blaze, airport fire staff are not yet back on duty today and therefore unable to provide runway cover, hence why flights are still delayed. Luton Airport has been contacted for comment. Simon Calder, The Independents travel expert, says tens of thousands of passengers are likely to face disruption. Ten flights were cancelled with passengers onboard last night and 23 were diverted all over the UK, he said. "Much worse in terms of sheer scale are the 240 cancellations that we will see even if Luton is able to start operations on schedule at 3pm today. Simon Calder provides update on Luton airport fire as travellers 'in limbo' "I have calculated that there are between 40,000 and 50,000 people who will have their travel plans wrecked today," he said. A Polish family who came on holiday to London told how they were forced to sleep on the floor overnight due to the disruption. Gregorz Szmit, 46, said their flight to Gdansk should have departed at 9.50pm on Tuesday and is now scheduled to leave at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Mr Szmit, speaking from the terminal building where he is waiting with his wife and their two sons aged seven and 15, said: We were on holiday for five days to visit London British Museum, Trafalgar Square. This is difficult, I must say. This is our first journey to England, to London. Its been an adventure. Over 100 firefighters battled through the night to extinguish the car park inferno, which has left thousands of passengers affected by diversion and cancellations. Four firefighters and a staff member were treated for smoke inhalation. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) said it believes the fire started in a diesel car before spreading to other vehicles. Up to 1,500 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire. Around 25,000 passengers are suffering flight disruption as Luton Airport remains closed because a vehicle fire caused a car park to collapse (Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service/PA) (PA Media) The scene at Luton Airport (Sam Russell/PA) (PA Wire) The newly-built car park building at the airports Terminal 2 partially collapsed after a fire broke out at around 9pm, the fire service said. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for (BFRS), said the fire service first received the first report about the blaze at 8.47pm and its first two appliances arrived at the scene just under 10 minutes later. The fire was on the third floor of the terminal car park two and a major incident was declared at 9:38pm. AA technical expert Greg Carter said the most common cause of car fires is an electrical fault with the 12-volt battery system. He added that diesel is much less flammable than petrol, and in a car it takes intense pressure or sustained flame to ignite diesel. Luton Airport said flights would remain suspended until 3pm on Wednesday following a fire in a multi-storey car park. In a statement, the airport said emergency services remain on the scene at Terminal Car Park 2. The statement said: Our priority remains supporting the emergency services and the safety of our passengers and staff. Therefore, we have now taken the decision to suspend all flights until 3pm on Wednesday 11th October. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Four people have been arrested and bailed following reports of disorder outside a former airbase during a protest over its planned use as migrant accommodation. The government wants to use RAF Scampton to house 2,000 asylum seekers. The airbase was formerly home to the famed 617 Squadron, who were involved in the Dambuster raid in the Second World War, and the Red Arrows. Lincolnshire Police said the four were arrested on Tuesday afternoon following reports of an assault and disorder at the main entrance to the site. A 56-year-old man from the Yorkshire area was arrested on suspicion of assault and aggravated trespass. Two men, one aged 44 and from the Grimsby area, and another aged 42 from the Lincoln area, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, with a 51-year-old woman from the Yorkshire area arrested on suspicion of the same offence. If we receive further reports of people causing disorder this will not be tolerated, and we will step in to protect those in the area and our community Lincolnshire Police They were bailed on Wednesday with conditions not to go within 200 metres of the site, as police investigations continue. Police remained at the scene for several hours on Tuesday during a protest over the planned use of the site to house migrants. Officers will continue to carry out patrols over the coming days while protesters are present to keep them and the wider community safe, the force said. Lincolnshire Police said: If we receive further reports of people causing disorder this will not be tolerated, and we will step in to protect those in the area and our community. We will continue to provide advice around safe and lawful protest while they remain at the location. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} EU laws could block the UK from sending asylum seekers to Rwanda despite Brexit, lawyers have argued in the Supreme Court. The government is challenging a Court of Appeal ruling from June that its multimillion-pound plan to deport migrants to Rwanda to have their claims processed is unlawful. Richard Drabble KC, who represents one of the asylum seekers who challenged being sent to the east African country, argued in the UKs highest court on Wednesday that the UK was still signed up to a crucial part of EU law, which bans the removal of asylum seekers to a country where they have no connection. The argument, if it is accepted, was described as a potential knockout blow for the governments Rwanda deal by Supreme Court judge Lord Reed. Mr Drabble told the court: The EU bans removal of people to countries to which they have no connection ... that part of EU law has been retained in UK law following our removal from the European Union. He argued that the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 had withdrawn the UK from EU law relating to immigration, but had not mentioned asylum law. Immigration and asylum are distinct concepts in EU law, which are subject to distinct legal frameworks, he said. He added that UK lawmakers had no intention to repeal a whole corpus of asylum rights when they were writing the EU withdrawal act for Brexit. Mr Drabble continued: The secretary of states case is that this whole body of law has been repealed with nobody lending their mind to it. But the Home Offices claims the EU asylum directive was not retained after Brexit and that the withdrawal act was written in a broad enough way to cover withdrawal from these asylum rights. Lord Pannick, representing the government, argued that the 2020 withdrawal act is not confined to removing retained EU law concerning free movement, and would still be relevant to asylum directives. He objected to Mr Drabble characterising the Home Offices removal of these asylum rights as legislation by side wind. Lord Pannick said Mr Drabbles argument that issues of immigration and asylum were separate was unsustainable. Earlier on Wednesday, Sir James Eadie KC, acting for the Home Office, argued that it was not necessary for the judges to pay significant attention to past abuses by the Rwandan government over concerns the rights of asylum seekers sent there could be breached. They should instead consider the wording of the agreement the Rwandans had made with the UK and trust them on their promises, he said. The UK has a very powerful incentive itself to ensure that Rwanda does operate a safe system, he said. He previously told the court on Tuesday that Rwanda had pretty strong financial incentives that would encourage them to treat asylum seekers properly. He also said that an extensive monitoring scheme had been set up by the UK government to oversee asylum decisions made by Rwanda. But Raza Husain KC, who represents a number of asylum seekers, argued that the UK governments monitoring would lack teeth, and would not be able to act quickly enough if any abuses took place. Several asylum seekers who were set to be deported on the first planned flight to Rwanda in June 2022 are opposing the appeal. The flight was grounded before take-off after the European Court of Human Rights ruling in Strasbourg. The hearing before Lords Reed, Hodge, Lloyd-Jones, Briggs and Sales is expected to end on Wednesday, with a judgment expected in a few months time. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Sycamore Gap tree will finally be removed from Hadrians Wall this week and put into safe storage, the National Trust has said. A crane will lift the 50-foot tree, which was felled a fortnight ago, off the delicate Roman wall on Thursday before it is removed from the area and taken to a trust site. Early signs suggest historical wall, which stands next to where the sycamore had been, suffered some damage, preservation body Historic England said. A National Trust spokesman said: The tree is currently resting on Hadrians Wall in a precarious position, so its necessary we move it now, both to preserve the monument and to make the site safe again for visitors. During the past fortnight, seeds from the tree have been collected by our specialist propagators and are being looked after at our Plant Conservation Centre. We encourage people to stay away from the site while this complex process takes place. Weve also been amazed and inspired by the offers of help and good wishes weve received since the news of the trees felling broke - its clear the tree at Sycamore Gap captured the imaginations of so many people who visited. The felled Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrians Wall in Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire) Forensic scientists are searching for traces from the chainsaws oiler, which lubricates the chain of the saw to keep it from overheating and seizing up. According to those familiar with the case, a distinctive oil mixture might lead officers to the saw. The hope of a breakthrough comes after police arrested a 69-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy in connection with the incident. Both have been released on bail. The sycamore perhaps first became known around the globe after featuring in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman and Alan Rickman. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The wife of Scotlands First Minister has said she feels like she is just living in a nightmare after her parents became trapped in Gaza. In an interview with the BBCs Reporting Scotland on Wednesday, Nadia El-Nakla said her parents, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, continually tell her they feel like they are going to die. The El-Naklas travelled to Gaza last week to visit an elderly relative and Ms El-Naklas brother, who works as a doctor in Gaza. They found themselves trapped after militant group Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets in what it said was a new operation on Saturday. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was at war as its military began striking targets in Gaza in response. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. At times my arms just feel like lead. It feels like I am just living in a nightmare. For them, I just can't understand how they feel Nadia El-Nakla In a video clip played as part of the interview, Elizabeth El-Nakla said: Weve no electricity, weve no water, the food we do have, which is little, will not last because there is no electric and it will spoil. A visibly emotional Ms El-Nakla told the BBC it was incredibly difficult right now. She said: There is no electricity from 2pm their time, which was just a few hours ago. No electricity means no hospital supplies, it means no food, you cant even preserve the food that you have. I dont know what it means for them in the long-term, I dont know whats about to happen to them. For me, my number one is my family being safe. Ms El-Nakla said her parents are now talking about saving their phone batteries due to the lack of power, which means they are having to limit contact. She added: Every few hours Im seeing things, and Im calling my parents. But now we are talking about having to preserve their battery on their phone. We cannot keep talking to them because theres no electricity. Weve taken numbers of neighbours, theyve written down all of our numbers. If I cant get in touch with them, can I contact a neighbour to find out if theyre still alive? These are conversations we need to have. At times my arms just feel like lead. It feels like I am just living in a nightmare. For them, I just cant understand how they feel. On Tuesday, Ms El-Naklas husband Humza Yousaf wrote to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, urging him to call on Israel to open a humanitarian corridor. He wrote: I am writing concerning the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas over the weekend, and the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza. Too many innocent people have already lost their lives as a consequence of these completely unjustifiable and illegitimate attacks by Hamas. However, innocent men, women and children cannot, and should not, pay the price for the actions of a terrorist group. Collective punishment of innocent civilians cannot be justified and will do nothing to set the conditions for peace in the region. As a close friend and ally of Israel, I therefore ask the UK Government to call on the government of Israel to ensure innocent civilians are protected and to put in place an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe passage of civilians through the Rafah border. Furthermore, it should open a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, for those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave. News / National by Staff reporter THE ZIMBABWE government has raised concern on the ongoing fighting between Hamas and the Israeli army which has left more than 1 000 people dead while several others have been displaced or injured.In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, said equally disturbing is the indiscriminate targeting of civilians especially women and children and the disproportionate use of force."The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe is closely following the developments in the Middle East and is deeply concerned at the ongoing fighting between Hamas and the Israeli army which has left more than 1 000 people dead while several others have been displaced or injured. Equally disturbing is the indiscriminate targeting of civilians especially women and children and the disproportionate use of force," said the Ministry before urging all sides to exercise restraint and allow humanitarian workers access to the injured and displaced."We convey our deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones and wish the injured speedy recovery.These tragic developments, once again highlight the urgent need for the revival of the political process aimed at finding a durable and just solution which respects the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people as envisaged under the United Nations Resolutions," read the statement by the Ministry. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has travelled to Israel to show the UKs unwavering solidarity in the wake of the Hamas attacks. His arrival in the country on Wednesday comes as global leaders reel from the surprise incursion by Hamas, which has provoked a major retaliation from Benjamin Netanyahus administration. Both the UK and the US have been among those offering firm backing to Israel but concerns have been expressed in the UN and elsewhere about the impact on civilians as air strikes continue to hit Gaza. The Israeli government has stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory, with the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down on Tuesday after air strikes near the border crossing. The conflict has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, with fears it could escalate further. The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Cleverlys arrival in Israel on Wednesday afternoon. A spokesman said he was there to demonstrate the UKs unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamass terrorist attacks. He will be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israels right to defend itself. Concerns remain for the safety of British citizens in the region, as the BBC reported that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. A previous estimate had put the figure at more than 10. The UK Government has not so far confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass attack. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared dead. A post from Mr Darlingtons sister Shelley on social media said he was murdered at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Mr Marlowe was providing security at the Supernova music festival in the desert near Kibbutz Reim when the area was invaded by Hamas gunmen. Labour asked for clarity about the steps being taken by the Foreign Office to ensure that anyone who wants to leave Israel is able to do so. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, in a letter to Mr Cleverly, said: While Israeli airspace has not officially been closed, most UK airlines have been forced to cancel their flights for the foreseeable future. This is obviously deeply concerning for all those who are desperate to return to loved ones in the UK. Several countries have announced rescue flights to return their nationals who are stranded. Does the UK government have plans to do the same? Both the Government and Labour have been united on the right of Israel to defend itself in the wake of the assault by the Palestinian militant group. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that while Israel needed to respect international law, the UK would absolutely defend Israels right to do what they need to do now to go after Hamas. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer echoed that support for Israel on Wednesday. Ministers have also in recent days stressed the need to protect the UKs Jewish community. Home Secretary Suella Braverman told police chiefs on Tuesday that waving a Palestinian flag on British streets may not be legitimate if it is deemed to be a show of support for acts of terrorism. Sir Keir suggested that flag-waving could be an issue in certain contexts. He added: Its very important that at times like this we dont conflate peaceful discussion of Palestinian issues with Hamas. Now, the flags is a different situation. It really depends on the circumstances. If its provoking or encouraging attacks that might be one thing, there might be other situations. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Seventeen British nationals are feared dead or missing after the attack by Hamas over the weekend, as the conflict intensifies. The BBC, citing an official source, said that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. A previous estimate had put the figure at more than 10. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had said on Tuesday that a significant number of British-Israeli nationals had been caught up in the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides. The UK Government has not confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass charge. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared dead. A post from Mr Darlingtons sister Shelley on social media said he was murdered at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Mr Marlowe was providing security at the Supernova music festival in the desert near Kibbutz Reim when the area was set upon by Hamas gunmen. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has written to Mr Cleverly to ask what steps are being made to ensure that any British people who want to leave Israel are able to do so. Mr Lammy, whose Tottenham constituency is home to a significant Jewish population, told the Foreign Secretary: While Israeli airspace has not officially been closed, most UK airlines have been forced to cancel their flights for the foreseeable future. This is obviously deeply concerning for all those who are desperate to return to loved ones in the UK. It comes as the Israeli government continues to retaliate following the attack by Hamas, with air strikes targeted at locations across the Gaza Strip. The UK and US governments have given a firm backing to Benjamin Netanyahus administration in the wake of the incursion by Palestinian militants. But concerns have been expressed in the UN and elsewhere about the impact on civilians, as Israel embarks on a siege of Gaza in response to the attack. Both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman have stressed the need to protect the UKs Jewish community in recent days. Ms Braverman told police chiefs on Tuesday that waving a Palestinian flag on British streets may not be legitimate if it is deemed to be a show of support for acts of terrorism. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested that that flag-waving could be an issue in certain contexts. Its very important that at times like this we dont conflate peaceful discussion of Palestinian issues with Hamas. Now, the flags is a different situation. It really depends on the circumstances. If its provoking or encouraging attacks that might be one thing, there might be other situations. Sir Keir said that Israel had the right to defend itself, as he added his voice to calls for Wembleys arch to be lit in the colours of the Israeli flag during the upcoming England friendly against Australia. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Foreign Secretary has travelled to Israel to express the UKs solidarity in the wake of the Hamas attacks, as the King condemned the barbaric acts of terrorism. The arrival of James Cleverly in Israel comes as the world reels from the shock incursion by the Palestinian militant group, which has provoked a major retaliation from Benjamin Netanyahus administration. Both the UK and the US have been among the major states offering firm backing to Israel but concerns have been expressed in the UN and elsewhere about the impact on civilians as air strikes continue to hit Gaza. The conflict has already claimed at least 2,200 lives, with fears it could escalate further. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said that Charles is extremely concerned about the situation. His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak. His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel. The King held telephone calls with President Isaac Herzog of Israel and King Abdullah of Jordan on Wednesday afternoon, the palace said. The monarch is understood to have personally expressed his thoughts and prayers for all of those suffering. The Prince and Princess of Wales issued their own condemnation of the horrors inflicted by Hamass terrorist attack. A spokesman for William and Kate said they were profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days. The UK Government has made clear that Israel has the right to defend itself in the wake of the assault by Hamas amid an ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip. Foreign Office officials said Mr Cleverly had met with Mr Herzog since his arrival, with the pair discussing the UKs ongoing security, military and diplomatic co-operation with Tel Aviv in the face of terror. He also travelled with Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen to the southern Israeli village of Ofakim, a site of one of Hamas strikes on the country, where he spoke with survivors. His department said the Foreign Secretary was the first international foreign minister to visit one of the locations targeted by the Palestinian group, which is banned in the UK and proscribed as a terror organisation, during its weekend assault. Mr Cleverly said: Im in Israel today to show the UKs unwavering support for Israel. The facts are clear. Hamas are terrorists. Israel has the right to defend itself. Hamas and Hamas alone are responsible and accountable for these appalling attacks. Terrorism must never be allowed to prevail. In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Israeli foreign ministry said that Mr Cleverly was among those who had to seek cover after sirens went off during his visit to Ofakim, warning of incoming Hamas rockets. His arrival in the country has sparked calls for the Foreign Secretary to express a clear humanitarian position on the fate of civilians in Gaza. The Israeli government has stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory, with the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down on Tuesday after air strikes near the border crossing. The territorys only power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday. Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UKs chief executive, said: Its entirely right that James Cleverly is offering his support to Israeli civilians whove suffered in these completely appalling attacks. The horrific and completely unjustifiable human rights violations against Israeli civilians by Hamas including war crimes must end, and those responsible must be held to account. Mr Cleverly should be urging all parties to the conflict, including the Israeli authorities, to respect international humanitarian law. Security minister Tom Tugendhat said he was deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza but went on to state that no comparisons could be drawn between the actions of Hamas and the Israel Defence Force. He told Sky News Politics Hub programme: For the time that Hamas has been in charge of Gaza all it has done is abuse the Palestinian people in Gaza, arm itself and use the Palestinian people as pawns in its twisted jihad against Israel. And what weve got to do is stop Hamas from having this control over the Palestinian people. This is absolutely vicious fascism. And yes, you are right to be concerned about the Palestinian people, of course you are. What we do need to have is a peaceful solution. But it is wrong to say that is possible with Hamas. And to side now with Hamas is to side with the most brutal terrorists that this world has seen in decades. Concerns remain for the safety of British citizens in the region, as the BBC reported that 17 UK nationals are either dead or missing, including children. A previous estimate had put the figure at more than 10. The UK Government has not so far confirmed any figures for those believed dead or missing, pointing to the fast-moving situation in the region. Among those known to have died is Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed during Hamass attack. Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow, also died. Jake Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, was originally recorded as missing but was confirmed dead by the Israeli Embassy in London on Wednesday. Mr Marlowe was providing security at the Supernova music festival in the desert near Kibbutz Reim when the area was invaded by Hamas gunmen. Photographer Dan Darlington is also feared to be dead. A post from Mr Darlingtons sister, Shelley, on social media said he was murdered at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His death has not been officially confirmed. Labour asked for clarity about the steps being taken by the Foreign Office to ensure that anyone who wants to leave Israel is able to do so. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The King will acknowledge the painful aspects of the UK and Kenyas shared history when he makes a state visit to the east African nation his first to a Commonwealth country. Charles will be joined by Camilla when he flies to Kenya for the four-day trip, which ends on November 3, following an invitation from President William Ruto whose country is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain. Kenya became independent on December 12 1963 and the two countries have enjoyed a close relationship since, despite the violent colonial legacy of the Mau Mau uprising which led to a period known as the Emergency. Chris Fitzgerald, deputy private secretary to the King, said: The King and Queens programme will celebrate the close links between the British and Kenyan people in areas such as the creative arts, technology, enterprise, education and innovation. The visit will also acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenyas shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960). His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya. The Mau Mau armed movement began during the early 1950s, fuelled by the resentment some members of the Kikuyu tribe felt towards their British rulers, European settlers who farmed land in Kenya as well as at a lack of political representation. White farmers were targeted in violent attacks as well as some Kikuyu who were said to have collaborated with the authorities. The Kenya Human Rights Commission said 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed during the British administrations counter-insurgency. In 2013, the British Government made a historic statement of regret over the torture and other forms of ill-treatment perpetrated by the colonial administration during Kenyas Emergency period of 1952-1960, and paid out 19.9 million to around 5,200 Kenyans for human rights abuses. The development came after a legal battle between a number of elderly victims and the British Government. Kenya is the country where Queen Elizabeth II was told of the death of her father, King George VI, and acceded to the throne. The then princess was making an official visit with the Duke of Edinburgh to Kenya and was staying at the Treetops hotel in 1952, a lodge deep in the Aberdare National Park, when the King died on February 6. Royal visits are also a chance for members of the monarchy to use their soft diplomacy and help renew and develop relationships between the UK and her allies. A senior Foreign Office spokesman said: From His Majestys Governments perspective, Their Majesties visit will celebrate, and drive forward, the UKs strong partnership with Kenya, and together were working on some of the most important global challenges, such as tackling climate change, and as close members of the Commonwealth family. The UK is committed to ensuring Kenya sees the UK as a partner of choice on peace, on trade, on economic development and much more, and were aiming to increase the UK-Kenya trade and build a deeper investment partnership, mobilise private finance to support low carbon growth and climate resilient jobs. Highlights of Charles and Camillas state visit include a ceremonial welcome in the capital, Nairobi, at the presidents official residence, State House, with the King and Kenyas leader holding a bilateral meeting, as will the Queen and First Lady Rachel Ruto. The Kings deputy private secretary said: During the visit, Their Majesties will meet President Ruto and the First Lady as well as other members of the Kenyan government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines. The King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate, the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangaris daughter, Wanjira Mathai. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Labours conference in Liverpool has ended with the traditional renditions of the Red Flag and Jerusalem. Heres what we learned during the partys time on the banks of the Mersey: At a highly disciplined conference with MPs on their best behaviour and almost no feuds, a glitter-throwing protester provided some drama by disrupting Sir Keir Starmers keynote speech. The (literally) sparkling Labour leader took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, later saying he was determined not to let an idiot derail his attempt to deliver a crucial address ahead of the general election expected next year. Labour is keen to show people the real Keir Starmer. Sir Keir ditched his tie for the conference curtain-raiser interview with the BBC and his wife Victoria has played a prominent role by his side the pair were photographed strolling along the River Mersey and sharing a relaxed breakfast before his crunch conference speech. But her role was relatively restrained compared with Rishi Sunaks wife Akshata Murtys on-stage love letter to her husband at the Tory gathering. Sir Keir is in a secure position as Labour leader, but at 61 and setting out plans for at least a decade in power, the next generation of senior figures in the party is already attracting a lot of attention. Fringe events featuring the 40-year-old Wes Streeting were routinely packed while those featuring 44-year-old shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves have been standing room only. Deputy leader Angela Rayner, 43, delivered a crowd-pleasing speech to kick off the conference before keeping a lower and more tempered profile than in previous years. In John Lennons home city, Sir Keir presented himself as a working class hero. He talked about smashing the class ceiling, saying that the biggest barrier facing some young people in poorer households was not their talent but the nagging voice that held them back from seizing opportunities because of their background. The mass killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas cast a sombre shadow over the Labour conference where it also posed tricky questions for a party whose membership has often sought to raise the struggles of the Palestinian people. Sir Keir swiftly condemned Hamas as terrorists. Jeremy Corbyn, attending a nearby left-wing festival, resisted directly criticising the militants who rule over Gaza. The drastic change in the party since Mr Corbyns leadership, during which Palestinian flags were waved in the conference hall, was further demonstrated when the audience was brought to its feet by Sir Keir using his keynote speech to forcefully support Israels right to defend itself. The transition did not go without hitch, however. Shadow minister Afzal Khan was forced to apologise for appearing at a Palestine Solidarity Campaign stall calling for the end of the apartheid in Israel. Former senior civil servant and partygate investigator Sue Gray was seen prowling the conference after being installed as Sir Keirs chief of staff, in a sign Labour is getting ready for government after more than a decade in opposition. Frontbenchers were coming up with plans to hit the ground running and there was no shortage of warnings of the task ahead, with Sir Keir arguing that as prime minister he would face a combination of the challenges taken on by predecessors Sir Tony Blair, Harold Wilson and Clement Attlee. The party is unashamedly trying to occupy the political centre ground, believing the Tories have drifted to the right and left moderate voters up for grabs. Sir Keir highlighted in his conference speech how he had transformed Labour since Mr Corbyns leadership to no longer being a party of gesture politics and protest. Labour aides were eager to stress the differences between their conference and the Tories gathering last week, which was considered a more muted affair, as Rishi Sunak scrapped the Manchester leg of HS2 while speaking from a convention centre in a former train station in that very city. Echoes of the New Labour era were all around. Lord Mandelson was touring the conference telling anyone who would listen Sir Keir had returned the party from weird to normal. Sir Keir referenced New Labour anthem Things Can Only Better, and when the D:Ream classic was pumped out at the wildly popular Daily Mirror party on the closing night, the dancefloor was packed with party aides. Labour insiders believe Mr Sunak will call a May election and the party said its finances were in a position to invest more in this campaign than ever before. But they are acutely aware that overturning the crushing defeat of 2019 is a huge task, and must work flat out if they are to stand a chance of making it to No 10. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The national party conference season draws to a close on Wednesday after three weeks of speeches, announcements and networking in Bournemouth, Manchester and Liverpool. The SNP is still to hold its annual gathering at the weekend, but the UK-wide parties are preparing to head back to Westminster for what is expected to be the final 12 months before the next general election. Below, the PA news agency looks back at the key points from this years contrasting conferences. Who was there? Attendance is usually obvious at party gatherings, with MPs, activists, lobbyists and businesspeople all making their way to the UKs conference centres. But this year a few guests stood out more than others. In Manchester, where the Conservatives held their annual meeting, the star of the show for some was former prime minister Liz Truss, who received a rapturous reception at her Great British Growth Rally on the conference fringe. However, Ms Truss may not have been welcomed by all Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said she should have shown more awareness and stayed away but her call for tax cuts added to pressure on Rishi Sunak. Another surprise visitor to Manchester was Nigel Farage, the former Ukip and Brexit Party leader, who showed his support for Ms Truss and was filmed dancing with former home secretary Dame Priti Patel at one late-night drinks reception. His attendance prompted questions about whether he is preparing to join the Conservatives, something senior figures in the party said they would welcome but which Mr Farage himself suggested is not on the cards. Despite these high-profile guests, however, numbers appeared to be down on previous years, with many events sparsely attended and several MPs choosing to stay away. Liverpool, in contrast, was heaving for the Labour Partys annual conference. The most obvious difference was the number of businesses that were represented, the result of both a long-running charm offensive by Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, and the partys commanding poll lead. Not only were more businesses there, they were represented by more senior people. One Blair-era adviser told PA that where companies would previously send their communications directors, they were now sending chief executives. Who was in charge? Parties hope for a disciplined conference, allowing them to push their messages without the distraction of infighting and disunity. Labour largely achieved this, with almost no prominent MPs deviating from the official party line. But Sir Keir Starmer did not have everything his own way. Several protesters were ejected from the venue, including one who threw glitter over the Labour leader at the start of his speech to the main conference hall, and a number of young environmental activists who interrupted a meeting on net zero. In Manchester, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at times struggled to assert himself as questions swirled around the fate of HS2. Some Conservative MPs were accused of auditioning for a post-election leadership contest, while others appeared to stray into conspiracy theories. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was also unable to assert his will over his party, losing a key vote on housing targets which means the party will fight the next election on a policy of building 380,000 homes per year across England rather than the more local approach favoured by the leadership. What were the key policy announcements? Rishi Sunak had three major announcements in his leaders speech in Manchester. The Prime Minister scrapped the HS2 link to Manchester, replacing it with a series of smaller transport projects across the country. That list of projects included some that have already been built, with Mr Sunak later claiming they had only been meant as illustrative examples. He also pledged to phase out smoking by raising the age for buying cigarettes by a year every year, meaning those aged 14 now will never be able to purchase them legally. And the Prime Minister announced a major reform to A-levels and T-levels, saying he will replace them with a baccalaureate-style Advanced British Standard in England. In Liverpool, Labours big announcement was on housing. Sir Keir Starmer pledged to build 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament an average of 300,000 a year including a string of new towns to prevent home ownership becoming a luxury of the privileged few. This would also involve reforming planning laws to enable more housebuilding, although Labour denied it wants a revolution in the planning system. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves reaffirmed her commitment to charging VAT on private school fees, and announced measures to tackle fraud and waste including a Covid Corruption Commission to claw back money lost to corruption during the pandemic. The Liberal Democrats major policy was on cancer care, with Sir Ed Davey saying he would invest 4 billion in NHS cancer treatment over the next five years and give cancer patients a legal right to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral. Sir Ed said he hopes to build a cross-party consensus to make cancer a top priority in the next parliament. What other conferences took place this year? Away from the major conferences, Britains smaller parties staged gatherings of their own. In Brighton, the Green Party set out plans to target four seats at the next election its existing seat of Brighton Pavilion, plus Bristol Central, Waveney Valley in East Anglia, and North Herefordshire and said it would be open to a deal with Labour if needed after the election. The small Reform Party, previously known as the Brexit Party, staged a conference in central London at which Nigel Farage attacked the Conservatives for copying his partys rhetoric, but not its policies. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A disability rights activist has called for environmentalism to be more inclusionary after she became an MBE at Windsor Castle. Michaela Hollywood, who is deputy chief executive of the Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and lives with the genetic condition spinal muscular atrophy, was made an MBE by the Princess Royal on Wednesday. She told the PA news agency: I think up until now climate change activism and environmentalism has been very exclusionary. But if we dont include disabled people as part of our conversation, then climate justice will never be achieved. So, I think that will be our next frontier. The activist said she had been inspired to take up campaigning after being told she was not allowed to be on the ground floor at a concert when she was 17. She said: Not being allowed to sit where I wanted for that concert really sparked a tiny flame into a massive fire and I havent looked back since. Ms Hollywood, who is from Co Down, said she was very honoured to become an MBE and that it was the combination of a large team effort. She added that receiving the honour was a resounding vote of confidence in the work she was doing. Ms Hollywood also spoke about the links between mental health and disability. She said: My overarching message to people is that being disabled itself doesnt impact mental health necessarily, but what does is when the structures in society are failing people. Inaction has consequences for disabled people being denied entry or not being able to access a service has a knock-on impact because that denial is due to something we cant control. News / National by Staff reporter In various regions of the country, villagers have accused prominent Zanu-PF members of taking control of the presidential inputs program and engaging in theft and favoritism.The government claims to have amassed more than 360,000 tonnes of agricultural inputs, including seeds and fertilizers, to support small-scale farmers under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Input Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa).However, the distribution of these inputs to the intended 3.5 million beneficiaries, which commenced on April 18 in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central, has been marred by allegations of misappropriation and nepotism.Villagers under Chief Mudzimu in Magunje constituency, Mashonaland West province, have accused traditional leaders and Zanu-PF councillors of denying known opposition members access to these inputs.One villager stated, "The Chief (Mudzimu) has been explicit that no opposition members should receive the inputs. Village heads in Mahwada, Kapfunde, and Dzimaihwe have been instructed to exclude opposition members from their lists."Chief Mudzimu could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts to contact him.In Gutu district, Masvingo province, Zanu-PF district co-ordinating committee vice-chairperson Fabios Musara acknowledged the party's involvement in the distribution of these inputs. He explained, "It's from our President (Emmerson Mnangagwa), so naturally, as a local party leader, I am involved. I am familiar with those in our community who are deserving of these inputs."Last week, acting Chief Nyamandi, also known as Siyano Machaya, stirred controversy by instructing village heads to withhold presidential agricultural inputs and government food aid from opposition supporters.Weather experts predict that this year's cropping season may be affected by the El Nino weather phenomenon, which tends to result in delayed and below-average rainfall.The government is aiming for cereal production of 3,512,658 tonnes, including 2.8 million tonnes of maize and 712,658 tonnes of traditional grains and oilseeds, enough to meet the country's human consumption needs. Zimbabwe typically requires around 2.2 million tonnes of grains each year. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} British author Michael Rosen has announced Rahile Dawut as PENs Writer Of Courage 2023 for defending freedom of expression at the risk of her own safety and liberty. Rosen, 77, known for writing childrens book Were Going On A Bear Hunt and poetry collection The Hypnotiser, won the human rights organisations Pinter Prize for 2023 in June. The author collected his award on Wednesday night during an event held at the British Library and spoke about his co-winner Dawut, an associate professor at Xinjiang University and Uighur scholar, who went missing six years ago. In December 2017, Dawut was due to travel to Beijing for an academic conference but she never reached her destination. It was widely believed that she had been taken by the Chinese authorities. Her daughter, Akeda Pulati, led a campaign for her release but Dawut continues to be held incommunicado. My mother is a distinguished scholar. She should be doing her research and enjoying her retirement life right now, but instead, she is in prison Rahile Dawuts daughter, Akeda Pulati It has been widely reported that a sentence of life imprisonment originally handed down in 2018 on charges of endangering state security by splittism pursuits of interests that stand in opposition to Chinese Communist Party policy has now been upheld. Discussing Dawut and the award, Rosen said: Standing here in the British Library, I could not be more aware of the huge gulf between the kind of freedoms I have or often take for granted but are denied to many others in the world. I have devoted many hours in my life to the enjoyment and study of folklore story and song in particular trying to understand the values, ideas, and feelings that these express. My passion for what the American poet Carl Sandburg once called The People, Yes (poetry book by Sandburg) is pushed towards sorrow and anger on hearing that someone could be imprisoned for precisely the kind of interest that I have. This is why I have chosen Rahile Dawut to be this years Writer of Courage. I must wish her well, fervently hope that whatever we are doing here today, helps her case. I want to express admiration for what she has done, and I wish her all the mental and physical strength she needs, or as my parents would say: shkoyech a Hebraic Yiddish saying, meaning something like a mix of appreciation and wishing strength to someone. Dawuts daughter, Pulati, said: My mother is a distinguished scholar. She should be doing her research and enjoying her retirement life right now, but instead she is in prison. And recent news about her life imprisonment not only devastated me, but also devastated anyone who loves her and who loves Uighur culture. She is being punished for being a hard-working scholar and for loving culture. The award was accepted on Dawuts behalf by Rachel Harris, professor of Ethnomusicology, SOAS University Of London. English Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists (PEN) is a human rights organisation and the charity works to promote literature that defends freedom of expression. The PEN Pinter Prize was established in 2009 in memory of Nobel Prize In Literature winner and playwright Harold Pinter. Dawut is among the writers featured in English PENs international letter-writing campaign, PEN Writes, in solidarity with writers in prison and at risk around the world. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Eye-opening messages sent between Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings about the governments handling of the start of the pandemic have been released for the first time. In a WhatsApp exchange between the former prime minister and his then chief of staff, released by the Covid inquiry, Mr Cummings described the Cabinet Office as terrifyingly s***, and said it had no proper plans in place for lockdowns. The messages also revealed that Mr Cummings told his boss that some civil servants wanted to delay ordering people to stay at home as they havent done the work and dont work weekends. The shocking messages also reveal Mr Johnson thought it was wrong for the prime minister to meet Scotlands leader Nicola Sturgeon and Waless first minister Mark Drakeford regularly during the pandemic. Mr Drakeford had been frustrated by what he saw as a lack of meetings with Mr Johnsons government, but the PM believed working closely with the heads of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland would leave the UK looking like a mini-EU of four nations. That is not, in my view, how devolution is supposed to work, he said. In his witness statement to the Covid inquiry, Mr Johnson added that he often left Michael Gove to chair four-nation Cobra meetings, partly because he was a target of nationalist ire and did not want to provoke the Scottish National Party (SNP). Mr Johnson said: It is optically wrong, in the first place, for the UK prime minister to hold regular meetings with other DA [devolved administration] first ministers, as though the UK were a kind of mini EU of four nations and we were meeting as a council in a federal structure. That is not, in my view, how devolution is meant to work. More importantly, I am afraid I was conscious that I tended to be a particular target of nationalist ire. Rather than provoking the SNP, I wanted to mollify and gain consent. I believed Michael would do a good job. As well as claiming civil servants wanted to delay the government making a stay-at-home announcement, Mr Cummings said the then civil service chief Sir Mark Sedwill hasnt a scooby what was happening. The then prime minister Boris Johnson with his senior aide Dominic Cummings (PA) Mr Cummings said: Mark is out to lunch hasnt a scooby whats going on and his own officials know he doesnt. We must announce TODAY not next week if feel ill with cold/flu stay home. Some CABOFF want delay cos havent done the work and dont work weekends. We must force the pace today. We are looking at 100-500 thousand deaths between optimistic/pessimistic scenarios. 1918 was 250k for comparison. In a message on the morning of 12 March 2020, the day Britain moved from a contain phase to a delay phase in the fight against Covid, Mr Cummings said: We got big problems coming. CABOFF is terrifyingly s***, no plans, totally behind pace. He added that political advisors including Lee Cain and James Slack were having to drive and direct the response. The comments on civil servants working patterns sparked a row, with the head of the FDA union for senior civil servants hitting back. Dave Penman said: The only lazy thing here is Cummings tired old tropes, self-aggrandising as the only saviour of the country. Our evidence shows a quarter of senior civil servants work more than 16 hours unpaid every week and more than 80 per cent work an extra day unpaid each week. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sir Keir Starmer has promised to get tough with any Labour MPs who oppose new housing in their own constituency as he aims to rip up planning red tape to build more homes. The Labour leader, who has promised to bulldoze his way to 1.5 million homes said he would stand up to his own party if they side by so-called nimbys those who say not in my back yard. Promising that he would overcome nimby Labour MPs, he told Times Radio: We are going to have to be tough with anybody who stands in the way of that and that will include any Labour MPs who say, Well, Im signed up to the project but just not here. It came as Sir Keir condemned the idiot protester who threw glitter over him at the start of his conference speech saying he was determined not to let the activist distract from his message. Sir Keir acknowledged the security breach which saw a protester rush the stage could have been a lot worse as Labour launched a review before joking that the glitter was a nightmare to get off. The party will probe the failings which led to the activists glitterbomb attack, with sources blaming the Metropolitan Police protection which monitors Sir Keirs movements round the clock. Grilled on housing plans in a long series of broadcast interviews, Sir Keir told broadcasters he was confident he could hit his ambitious targets which includes a plan for the next generation of new towns. The Labour leader, who spoke against the impact of HS2 on his own constituency in north London, said concerns of local MPs like him would sometimes have to be overridden in the national interest. You will always get, and quite understandably and quite rightly, individual MPs standing up for the communities in their patch, he told BBC Radio 4s Today. The role of government is obviously different. The role of government is to deliver on big projects. Keir Starmer delivers leaders speech with glitter on shoulders (Getty Images) Questioned by the BBC if he would bulldoze through local opposition to new housing, Sir Keir said: Yes, thats exactly what Im saying. Asked if he was a yimby a yes in my back yard the Labour leader said: I am, yes. He rejected the idea he was bulldozing through local democracy, but said he wanted to centralise decisions. We need to ensure the planning goes up a level so it is not so localised. Tory chairman Greg Hands said it was bad news for local democracy if Sir Keir Starmer ever won power. Grilled on BBC Breakfast on where funding would come from for new towns, Mr Starmer said he was confident bidders will come forward. My instinct is that well get more bids than we think. Under Labours plans, companies will get powers to buy land at lower prices, without having to factor in the current increase in the value to get potential planning permission. In a bid to create 300,000 new homes a year, low-quality green belt areas will be released for development. Reminded on ITVs Good Morning Britain that parties had promised to build millions of homes in the past, Sir Keir conceded that politicians have promised before, before adding: Im not prepared for us not to deliver. The Labour leader said he had been bombproofing the partys promised in the past year. Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner want series of new towns (PA Wire) Sir Keir also confirmed Labour also would look to eradicate the 7.7 million NHS waiting list in England in a single term. The opposition leader said the plan is there to cut the numbers waiting for treatment by two million per year, potentially resetting it by the time a four-year term in No 10 is over. Meanwhile, Sir Keir continued to emphasis his strong support for Israels right to defend herself after the shock attack by Hamas. Asked if Israel has a right to lay siege to Gaza, the Labour leader told BBC 5Live: I think Israel has the right to defend herself in the face of appalling and shocking terrorism. Questioned if the bombardment of Gaza worries him, he said: Responsibility lies with Hamas. We need to be really clear about that. Grilled earlier on LBC if he thought a siege of Gaza was appropriate if it involved cutting off power, cutting off water, Labour Sir Keir Starmer replied: I think that Israel does have that right, before also clarifying: Obviously, everything should be done within international law. The Labour Muslim Network later accused Mr Starmer of endorsing the collective punishment of 2.2 million people in Gaza calling for him to retract his comments on LBC, and apologise. Sir Keir also said the colours of the Israel flag should be displayed at the Wembley arch for Englands match this Saturday, as the FA deliberates whether to do so. He told LBC: I do think they should be on the arch. I think a message needs to go out that we stand with Israel. He also said waving a Palestinian flag on the streets of Britain could be an issue depending on the circumstances. If its provoking or encouraging attacks that might be one thing, there might be other situations. Labours conference drew to a close on Wednesday with a focus on public service reforms and greater use of technology in the NHS. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told that activists a Labour government would turn the NHS on its head arguing that reform is more important than pouring money into a health system that isnt working. In the closing speech, shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth called on Rishi Sunak to call a general election now and issued an appeal to Tory voters to join us. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged the security breach which saw a protester rush the stage to dump glitter over his head could have been a lot worse as Labour launched a review. The party will probe the failings which led to the activists glitterbomb attack, with sources blaming the Metropolitan Police protection which monitors Sir Keirs movements round the clock. The Labour leader revealed that he felt determined not to let an idiot disrupt his big pitch to the public, but conceded on Sky News: It could have been a lot worse. Sir Keir told Times Radio on Wednesday that my overwhelming feeling was, I am not going to let you ruin four years of hard work in this party. I just wanted to get on with the speech and thats why I rolled up my sleeves and got on with it, he added. I didnt want that idiot to interrupt that and I dont want that idiot to dominate what Ive got to say today." He also joked on LBC: It did feel a bit like a five-a-side moment where someone is trying to get the ball off me. Channelling the inner Arsenal obviously. Sir Keir also said he immediately checked his wife, Victoria, who was in the front row of the conference hall, was all right before continuing, with remnants of glitter in his hair and on the shoulders of his shirt. Labour shadow justice minister Shabana Mahmood has said she expects questions are being asked surrounding security. We will want to make sure that nothing like that can ever happen again, she told BBC Radio 4s PM programme. One Labour source told The Times they were really angry about the incident. If he had a weapon, Keir couldve been killed. And a senior Labour source told the newspaper that theu blamed the Metropolitan Police. A protester throws glitter over Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (PA Wire) It is believed that the Scotland Yard officers afforded to the leader of the opposition were in the all along with the security staff provided by the ACC Liverpool venue. The Met said that it did not comment on security given to Sir Keir. A spokesperson for the ACC said that their highly trained stewarding and security team ensured the incident was dealt with appropriately. Meanwhile, Labour is selling limited edition Sparkle with Starmer T-shirts after a protester stormed the stage during the party leaders conference speech and doused him in glitter. A description of the 20 tops, which have already sold out, urged Keir Starmer fans to unleash your inner shimmer with our brand new, exclusive T-shirts. The protester, identified as Yaz Ashmawi, was wearing a T-shirt linking him to a pro-proportional representation group called People Demand Democracy shouted that true democracy is citizen-led. The 28-year-old from Surrey was arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing publice nuisance, Merseyside Police said. Sir Keir, who has put great emphasis on shifting the party since Jeremy Corbyns leadership, said protest or power, this is why we changed our party before getting on with his speech. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Labour is selling limited edition "Sparkle with Starmer" T-shirts after a protester stormed the stage during the party leader's conference speech and doused him in glitter. A description of the 20 tops, which have already sold out, urged Keir Starmer fans to unleash your inner shimmer with our brand new, exclusive T-shirts. Moments after taking to the stage for his keynote speech in Liverpool on Tuesday, Mr Starmer was accosted by a glitter-bombing protester. The man, named Yaz Ashmawi, rushed on stage and shouted: We demand a peoples house, we are in crisis politics needs an update. We are in crisis. A protester throws glitter over Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (PA Wire) The 20 T-shirts have sold out online (Labour Party) A group that calls itself the People Demand Democracy, which Just Stop Oil describes as friends and had just five followers on Twitter before the incident, claimed responsibility for the stunt. The protester was wearing a T-shirt featuring the groups name. Ashmawi was dragged from the room by security after the microphone was cut and shouted democracy first as he was removed from the venue. Police later said a 28-year-old from Surrey was arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance. A protester throws glitter over and disrupts Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (PA Wire) Security at the Liverpool venue was notably laxer than that at the Conservative conference in Manchester last week, with limited bag-searched for attendees on the way in, in contrast to the full airport-style security for Rishi Sunaks party. Following the incident, Sir Keir, who has repeatedly highlighted how he has shifted the party since Jeremy Corbyns leadership, told the audience: If he thinks that bothers me, he doesnt know me. Protest or power? Thats why weve changed our party, conference. Its just as well it was me, because my wifes dress is really beautiful. The Labour leader then removed his jacket, before continuing his speech with glitter on the shoulders of his white shirt. During his speech, Sir Keir promised to oversee a decade of renewal if his party wins the next general election, expected in the spring or autumn next year. He promised to build 1.5 million homes by developing the next generation of new towns, vowing to bulldoze through the planning system and reform public services. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ferocious wildfires surrounded a resort city in Argentina overnight, forcing the mass evacuation of hundreds of families during an intense heatwave. Alarming footage shows a wall of flames tearing towards the resort city of Villa Carlos Paz, with a population of 56,000, in the Punilla Valley of the central Cordoba province as temperatures reached 35C. Almost 1,000 firefighters are tackling the inferno, which broke out on Monday. Emergency teams have been using eight firefighting planes and two helicopters and have been helped by members of the public using buckets and hoses. A 27-year-old man accused of starting the fire has been detained, according to local media. It has been reported the suspect told police he started a campfire to make coffee and lost control of the flames due to strong winds. A volunteer of a local fire service told The Telegraph: Currently a dozen homes have been totally or partially destroyed by the fire. Three hundred people have been compulsorily evacuated, and 300 have self-evacuated. Civilians are suffering breathing difficulties, and there are a large number of dead farm animals. The fire remains active. A total of 960 firefighters were working to combat the wildfires (AP) The governor of Cordoba, Juan Schiaretti, urged people to leave their homes. He said: I call on the population to respect the indications of the firefighters and authorities who are working in the affected areas. People look at a wildfire that has forced the evacuation of residents (Reuters) A man carries a bucket of water to help fight the forest fire behind him (AP) The most important thing is to save lives, wherever evacuation is necessary, it will be done. There were five active wildfires in the region Tuesday, according to Argentinas National Fire Management Service. Images and video from the area showed massive flames in hills surrounding populated areas, with the blaze reaching some homes in the region. People have been urged to evacuate areas by the citys governor (AP) The fire was said to have been started by a camper making coffee (Reuters) The Cordoba administration said it had sent trucks with potable waters, food, mattresses and blankets to the affected areas. We request that prevention measures be taken to the highest degree, as the weather conditions are adverse, Cordobas government and security minister Julian Lopez said. This year, Argentina has been impacted by an unprecedented drought exacerbated by high temperatures linked to climate change. It leaves the countrys forests at risk of wildfires. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dr Kenny Smiles, a TikTok famous dentist whose real name is Kenneth Wilstead, has sued another social media famous dentist for damaging his business during an online debate. The 9 October complaint claims that Texas-based Dr Kenny is suing Massachusetts-based dentist Dr Miguel Ortiz for business disparagement against his practice Smile Again Dental and intrusive invasion of privacy after a livestream between the two dentists went haywire. The filing hinges on a live debate between the two dentists on Instagram that began on 10 June. It also refers to the Texas dentist by his TikTok nickname Dr Kenny. Dr Ortiz reportedly told Dr Kenny ahead of time that the debate would focus on the different methods of cosmetic dentistry, the filing stated. Little did Dr. Kenny know or even imagine that Dr. Ortiz was planning to ambush him and cross-examine him as to his ethics, embarrass him to a national audience, and attempt to arrogate Dr. Kennys patients and potential patient base to his own. Dr Kenny claimed the debate was not actually about modern dentistry, but rather about Dr Ortiz suggesting that Dr. Kennys methods were unethical and wrongful. The complaint described the dentists discussion as a witch hunt. Dr Kenny was hounded on his use of dental caps and crown replacement method, the complaint said, accusing Dr Ortiz of concocting a ploy, under the guise of a debate, in an attempt to embarrass Dr. Kenny and destroy his image and business, to bolster his own national reputation and increase his patient rolls, the complaint said. Dr. Ortiz used falsification and exaggeration to discredit Dr. Kennys methods, labeling them extreme and impermanent, harmful to the patient, overpriced and a process that will eventually lead to future dental problems, the complaint said. Dr Miguel Ortiz, a Massachusetts dentist (@dr_miguel_ortiz / screengrab) Dr Kenny eventually walked off the camera during the debate, according to the filing. But Dr Ortiz kept the cameras rolling to discuss Dr Kennys ethics a topic not elaborated on further in the complaint, but one that has been trending on TikTok for the past month. A barrage of TikTok users is accusing the Texas dentist of sending scandalous messages to social media users and potential patients. One user, Krystal Widrig, told The Independent that she messaged Dr Kenny about a quote for her fixing her teeth. In response, he replied: Youre perfection. Now take off your clothes. The Independent has reached out to a lawyer for Dr Kenny about such allegations. NBC News previously reported that a patient of Dr Kenny sued him last year, accusing him of touching her inappropriately. Dr Kenny told the outlet that he vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Regarding the suit, he said, a woman is suing me and falsely accusing me of touching or grabbing her buttocks. He added that he is totally innocent of any inappropriate touching of that woman. Dr Kenneth Wilstead aka Dr Kenny Smiles (@drkennysmiles / screengrab) The filing argues that as a result of the livestream, Dr Kenny has been publicly humiliated, lost business, and has fielded a myriad of complaints and questions from current and former patients, who have no issues with the work performed but are now worried about the quality and steadfastness of the Plaintiffs product. He is seeking monetary relief between $250,000 and $1,000,000. Dentists are coming together across the country to help the victims of the alleged sexual predator. This person has ruined a lot of lives and we are here to help, Dr Ortiz said in a 28 September Instagram video, showing a team that he selected personally to help treat all the victims of sexual harassment, aggression, racism of the alleged perpetrator who has been in the news lately. He did not name Dr Kenny. This isnt the first time that the Texas dentist has taken another dentist to court. Dr Kenny previously sued North Carolina dentist Dr Shelby Comer in 2020, alleging that he made defamatory statements, business disparagement and other claims, to which Dr Comer filed counterclaims; the case was ultimately dismissed in September 2021. The Independent has reached out to Dr Ortiz and Dr Kenny and his lawyers for comment. A lawyer was not listed for Dr Ortiz. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new bill into law to help address the disparity in missing persons cases involving Black children and young Black women. The newly enacted legislation, dubbed Ebony Alert, is the first of its kind in the country, according to the bills co-sponsor Senator Steven Bradford. The law will go into effect at the beginning of next year, allowing California Highway Patrol to activate the alert when Black children and women between the ages of 12 and 25 are reported missing by local law enforcement. The Ebony Alert operates in a similar fashion as the Amber Alert but the latter is only for individuals 17 years or younger activating electronic highway signs to alert the public of the missing person. It also encourages television, cable, online, radio, and social media outlets to cooperate with disseminating the information contained in an Ebony Alert. Today, California is taking bold and needed action to locate missing Black children and Black women in California. I want to thank the Governor for signing the Ebony Alert into law, Sen Bradford said in a statement. He added: Our Black children and young women are disproportionately represented on the lists of missing persons. This is heartbreaking and painful for so many families and a public crisis for our entire state. The Ebony Alert can change this. Mr Bradford said that Black youth do not receive the Amber Alert or media attention when they go missing because they are disproportionately classified as runaways in comparison to their white counterparts. The nationwide Amber Alert system was named after Amber Hagerman, a Texas girl who was abducted and murdered in January 1996. Officials say that more than 1,100 have been rescued using the Amber Alert system since it was implemented in 1997. California already has Silver Alerts, for missing and endangered seniors as well as Feather Alerts, for missing indigenous individuals. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Connecticut family has spoken of their grief after their nephew was killed in an attack by Hamas terrorists in Israel on Saturday. Aryeh Ziering, 27, died after going to the aid of an injured colleague as he raced south from Tel Aviv as the terror attack unfolded on Saturday morning. When he stood up to call the medic, he got shot, his aunt, Debby Ziering, told CBS. Twenty-seven years was not enough. He had his whole life ahead of him. Were gonna really miss him. He was a wonderful kid, she added. Mr Ziering grew up in Israel but was born to American parents. He split his time between the Middle East and the United States, and was a captain in the Israel Defense Forces. His parents kept hold of their American citizenship, his aunt told USA Today from her home in Greenwich. Were shattered, his aunt said. I mean, Im in the United States and I feel so helpless. My sister got on a plane on Saturday as soon as she heard and she flew to Israel. I decided I was going to go a little later on when the whole shiva (mourning period) calmed down and spend some time with the family then. The 27-year-old received military honours at his funeral on Wednesday, where his family spoke of the pride he had in leading his IDF unit. His commitment and convictions told him this is what I believe, and this is what we do, and Im going to be there and defend this country that is so important to me, his father Mark Ziering said. According to his family, Aryeh travelled home just last weekend to celebrate the holiday of Simchat Torah and attended festivities at his synagogue on Friday night, but quickly left to report for duty after hearing of the attacks. His aunt recalled spending time with her nephew in April, who, she said, was contemplating leaving the IDF. IDF Captain Aryeh Ziering (Family Handout) There was a whole different side to him, seeing him as a captain, seeing him with his troops. He gave 200 per cent to his guys, and they loved him, she told CBS. And although he was a very brave and heroic soldier, thats really not who he was, and thats really not who he wanted to be. She said his loss has left his family with an immense sadness. All the bloodshed, the anger, the hate, the killing. It breaks my heart, she said. He was a kid. He was 27 years old. He had his life ahead of him. He was smart, he was handsome, he had it all and its just such a pity that a life was lost. Its a real loss for all of us. Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel early on Saturday morning, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens captive across the Gaza border. At least 22 Americans have been killed since the violence began on Saturday, the US State Department has confirmed. Thousands more are believed to be injured while the number of individuals taken hostage by Hamas is currently unclear. Hamas militants reportedly killed babies and decapitated women, according to Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared a state of war and promised mighty vengeance on Israels attackers. On Monday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the complete siege of Gaza, saying authorities would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel. Gaza has also been hit by retaliatory airstrikes by Israel, which have left at least 765 Gazans dead. An Israeli defence official vowed no buildings would remain in the region, saying that Gaza will eventually turn into a city of tents. Human rights experts have warned that the blockade of Gaza will have devastating consequences for the region, which is expected to run out of fuel within hours. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sobbing families issued a heartbreaking plea for President Joe Bidens help to bring missing Israeli-Americans home as they revealed the harrowing last moments they heard from their loved ones. Gathered at the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv in front of a room full of reporters, the relatives of four American citizens shared their personal drama as they continue desperately searching for their loved ones days after Hamas launched an unprecedented terror attack on Israel over the weekend. According to local media reports, more than 1,500 people have been killed in Israel and Gaza, while US officials confirmed at least 11 American fatalities in the ongoing conflict. During the press conference on Tuesday, families shared the Israeli governments shortcomings in keeping them informed about the ongoing efforts to bring the missing home and demanded that the Biden administration choose to be on the good side of history. The adult children of Adrienne Neta, a 66-year-old grandmother and dual citizen who was kidnapped from her home in Berum, recounted the haunting last call they had with their mother when terrorists barged inside her home. Adriennes daughter Dayana Neta said her mother had tried to reason with Hamas militants using the little Arabic she had learned in her career as a nurse before the call got cut off. When she walked into the delivery room she saw a human being in front of her. Not a religion, not a race, not a hijab, not an orthodox Jew it was always the human being she saw, Dayana Neta said as she held back tears. When Hamas walked into my mothers room in Berum? They saw her alone. But they did not see a human being. Weve had zero communication from the Israeli government Dayana Neta described her mother as a compassionate and devoted healthcare provider who had brought thousands of lives into the world. Adrienes son, Nahar Neta, also broke down in tears as he revealed that he had zero communication with the Israeli government I want to speak of the responsibility that President Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and that is to bring American citizens home safe and sound. I expect nothing less, said Nahar Neta, who was brought up in Israel by his American mother but moved to the United States five years ago. Adriennes daughter Dayana Neta said her mother was taken hostage by Hamas (Adrienne Neta/Facebook) Im Israeli blunt and I want to be blunt ... and say weve had zero communication from the Israeli government, he added. I do have friends who are currently engaging in the combat and I can appreciate the total mayhem that the combat is creating, but I think that after three days it is more than reasonable to request that officials with the Israeli government approach us with any type of info on our family members. American severely injured, taken hostage Meanwhile, the parents of 23-year-old Hersh Golberg-Polin said they had reason to believe their son was taken as a hostage by Hamaas at a festival in Reim a kibbutz about three miles from the Gaza border. More than 260 bodies have been recovered at the site of the Supernova Festival, and hundreds remain missing, the BBC reports. Hershs mother Rachel Goldberg said that she received two final text messages from her son, hours later she found out through footage and people who were with Hersh when he was taken hostage that he had been severely injured. I woke up my two daughters so we could get in the bomb shelter. At 8.11, the first [text] said I love you, and immediately at 8.11, he texted, Im sorry, Ms Godlberg said. I took it to mean, Im sorry and I love you because whatever happened is going to cause you tremendous pain and worry. Ive not heard from him since that text. Hersh Golberg-Polin, 23, has not been seen or heard from since Saturday (The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies/Facebook) Ms Goldberg said that she was told by people who were hiding in the same bomb shelter as her son that his arm had been blown off. He was sitting at a bombs shelter, terrorists came to the door, they were throwing grenades in, shooting machine guns, the mother said. We know that Hershs arm, from the elbow down, was severed, and that he tied a tourniquet around with his shirt. Hamas came after the gunfire settled down and said, Anyone who can walk, stand up and get out. Ms Goldberg said that she was told her son appeared calm and that his phone last pinged near the border with Gaza. Following Israels retaliatory attacks on Tuesday, the spokesman of Hamass military wing said the group was responding to heavy bombarding of Gazas residential areas and threatened to execute one civilian hostage every time Israel launched an attack without prior warning. We ask the US not to take a backseat Another American missing is Itay Chen, a 19-year-old US-Israeli dual-citizen who was serving with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the border with Gaza, according to his father Ruby Chen. Mr Chen spoke directly to reporters on Tuesday, asking them not to bury his personal tragedy under loaded headlines. Itay has been described as missing in action after he stopped any communications with his family and the IDF on Saturday morning. He is not listed as deceased and authorities have not located him at any area hospital, prompting fears that he was taken hostage, his father said. I just want to ask all of you here and those listening to us. Please do not think of us just as a headline, we are more than that, Mr Chen said. Itay, in order to be at home this weekend [for his brothers Bat Mizvah], was at his base this previous weekend. So we could all be home celebrating the Bar Mitzvah, we still hope for that celebration. Itay Chen, a 19-year-old US-Israeli dual-citizen who was serving with the Israel Defence Force (IDF) on the border with Gaza (Itay Chen/ABC) Mr Chen said that his son joined the Israeli army a year ago. He said that he had been contacted by the US Embassy but hoped to sit down with State Department officials in the following days to discuss what they could do for their son, whom he described as a prisoner of war. We want to go back to become a family again, Mr Chen added. We ask the US not to take a backseat, the US has a lot of resources and can do things that the Israeli government cant do. They had one thing in mind .... to kill, maim and destroy Jonathan Dekel-Chen also joined the press conference on Tuesday to plead for the safe return of his 35-year-old son Sagui Dekel-Chen, who was led away by terrorists in Nir Oz, a kibbutz of about 400 people. Mr Dekel-Chen spoke out about the tragedies the besieged community had experienced in the last three days, saying that he hoped the US government did anything in its power to rescue his son. [Nir OZ] was destroyed in a barbaric attack in which dozens of my friends and neighbours were killed and attacked, Mr Dekel-Chen, originally from Connecticut, said. He is an arms length away from me in Gaza, but couldnt be farther from me and my family right now. 35-year-old son Sagui Dekel-Chen was led away by terrorists (Sagui Dekel-Chen/Fox) Mr Dekel-Chen is a father-of-two with one on the way. The worried father said that the community in Nir Oz had come together, trying not only to make sense of the senseless violence they had experienced but also to gather efforts to help locate their missing loved ones. The contact with Israeli officials had been limited, Mr Dekel-Chen said. Hundreds of heavily armed, well-organised terrorists walked and ran over the border with one [thing] in mind, Mr Dekel-Chain said. And thats to kill, maim and destroy civilian life within the border. He continued: The US always wants to be on the side of good ... the Hamaas are evil and when we witness this kind of savagery, this kind of inhumanity, it must be stopped. News / National by Staff reporter Parliament was engulfed in chaos yesterday as anti-riot police were summoned to remove opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators who were protesting the recall of their 15 colleagues.Sengezo Tshabangu, a CCC supporter from Bulawayo claiming to be the party's interim secretary-general, had recalled 15 CCC Members of Parliament (MPs) and 17 councillors, alleging that they were no longer members of the opposition party.The turmoil unfolded after the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, officially announced the recall of the MPs.Upon hearing the announcement, opposition MPs began singing and chanting slogans to denounce Mudenda, bringing parliamentary business to a standstill.CCC interim organising secretary Amos Chibaya argued that Mudenda was out of line for accepting Tshabangu's letter."Mudenda, we sent you a letter on September 11, informing you that all communication must come from our president, Nelson Chamisa," Chibaya declared. "I don't think it is proper for you to rule in favor of Tshabangu."In response, Mudenda ordered the recalled MPs to leave the House, but they refused and continued singing party songs. This led to anti-riot police being called in to remove them.Efforts to obtain a comment from national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi were unsuccessful as his mobile phone went unanswered.Mudenda also ruled that all CCC MPs would be banned from attending Parliament for six sittings and would lose two months' salaries for boycotting President Mnangagwa's state of the nation address the previous week.As the CCC continued to be embroiled in chaos, Chamisa was engaged in lengthy meetings in Harare with party members to strategize following the recall of his MPs and councillors.CCC interim spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi stated that they would announce their next steps in due course. He said, "We will take action following a collective decision of all party organs. The consultative process is currently underway today (yesterday). We are holding a series of meetings to discuss the issue, and we will inform our members of the next course of action. However, we will not allow Zanu-PF to undermine the people's will."Both Chamisa and the CCC have denounced Tshabangu as an imposter and a proxy of Zanu-PF. Zanu-PF, however, distanced itself from the recalls.In a related development, human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa staged a solo protest in Harare against the recall of the MPs. She displayed a placard with the message "Tshabangu, respect our vote" during her demonstration."I did it to release the anger that was building up inside me," Mtetwa told NewsDay. "The recalls are an insult to the people of Bulawayo. One person has taken away their rights. For Mudenda, a lawyer, it's a disgrace to the legal profession. He disregarded the dictates of the law and acted in favor of political maneuvers."Mudenda declined to comment on the matter outside of Parliament, stating, "I don't discuss these issues over the phone. You better check Hansard for my position on this issue."Additionally, Tshabangu's spokesperson, Khalipani Phugeni, disowned a letter circulating on social media, claiming that Chamisa had also been expelled from the party. The letter alleged that Chamisa had been ousted for personalizing the party, among other allegations.Phugeni stated, "It's a fake letter, there is nothing truthful about it. These are individuals trying to create mischief for no reason."Chamisa launched the CCC in January last year after being ousted from the MDC Alliance by Douglas Mwonzora. Mwonzora subsequently took control of the party's headquarters, symbols, and emblems from Chamisa. The CCC has not held a congress to elect a permanent leadership since its formation. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Billionaire Bill Ackman has called for the release of the names of all Harvard students who signed a letter holding Israel entirely responsible for the attacks by Hamas terrorists this week so that the prospective hires can be blacklisted from top Wall Street firms. A group of 33 student organisations at Harvard University, led by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, released a statement on social media on Saturday arguing that Israels apartheid regime created the impetus for the war. Todays events did not occur in a vacuum, the letter read. For the last two decades, millions of Palestinians in Gaza have been forced to live in an open-air prison. The apartheid regime is the only one to blame, the group added, describing Israels subsequent campaign in Gaza as colonial retaliation. The letter sparked an instant backlash and now hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman is leading calls for the names of the signatories to be released to the public. In a post on X, Mr Ackman said that he has been approached by a number of CEOs asking for the names of the student organisations to ensure none of us inadvertently hire any of their members. He argued the names should be released to the public because students should not be able to hide behind a corporate shield when issuing statements supporting the actions of terrorists, who, we now learn, have beheaded babies, among other inconceivably despicable acts. The billionaires call was supported by a number of other company leaders, including Jonathan Neman, the CEO and co-founder of healthy fast-casual chain Sweetgreen, healthcare services company EasyHealth CEO David Duel, and DoveHill Capital Management CEO Jake Wurza. But Mr Ackmans request did not receive universal support. Meds.com CEO Stephen Sullivan cautioned against putting college students names on a list, writing people should be angry at the administration and teachers. The letter signed by Harvard students quickly stirred up controversy after it was published on 7 October the same day Hamas militants launched a surprise attack into Israel. Harvard alumni and professors were among those slamming the letter, with former Harvard president and Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers saying he had never been more disillusioned and alienated with Harvard. Billionaire Bill Ackman has called for the names of the Harvard students who signed a letter holding Israel entirely responsible for war with Hamas to be released (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The silence from Harvards leadership, so far, coupled with a vocal and widely reported student groups statement blaming Israel solely, has allowed Harvard to appear at best neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel, he wrote on X. To be clear nothing is wrong with criticizing Israeli policy past, present or future, he added. I have been sharply critical of PM Netanyahu. But that is very different from lack of clarity regarding terrorism. Former Harvard Medical School Dean Jeffrey Flier called on the university to issue a statement denouncing Hamas, while the universitys Jewish center Harvard Hillel, argued the statement contributed to further hatred and anti-Semitism. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a Harvard alum, also took a critical stance towards the student statement. What the hell is wrong with Harvard? he wrote on X. Given the choice between standing with Israel or supporting terrorists who are raping, kidnapping & killing thousands of women & children31 student groups choose the terrorists. Their blazing hatred & antisemitism utterly blinding. Harvard president Claudine Gay released a statement condemning the Hamas attacks and distancing herself and Harvard University leadership from the letter. As the events of recent days continue to reverberate, let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas, she wrote. Such inhumanity is abhorrent, whatever ones individual views of the origins of longstanding conflicts in the region. Let me also state, on this matter as on others, that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership, she added. More than 1,600 people, including at least 900 Israelis and 765 Gazans, have so far been killed since fighting broke out on Saturday, with thousands more believed to be injured and the number of individuals taken hostage by Hamas is currently unclear. At least 14 American citizens are among the dead, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel early on Saturday morning, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens captive across the Gaza border. Hamas militants reportedly killed babies and decapitated women, according to Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared a state of war and promised mighty vengeance on Israels attackers. A wounded donkey sits amid the rubble in a ravaged neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images) On Monday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the complete siege of Gaza, saying authorities would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel. Human rights experts warn this will have devastating consquences in Gaza on top of continued Israeli strikes on areas filled with civilians. The head of the Gaza Energy Authority warned on Wednesday that the region is set to run out of fuel within hours. Human rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have concluded that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid and crimes against humanity against Palestine for the countrys systematic occupation of Palestinian lands, its support for illegal settlements in the West Bank, and its institution of laws that create ethnic and religious inequalities and segregation. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The mother who died saving her son from Hamas terrorists. The Washington University graduate who longed for peace. The 23-year-old missing after celebrating his birthday at a desert festival. These are just some of the Americans killed, kidnapped or feared missing following the attacks launched by Hamas militants on Israel over the last four days. The State Department confirmed the death toll of US citizens had risen to 22 people on Wednesday. An unknown number are believed to have been take hostage by Hamas militants. We also know that American citizens still remain unaccounted for, and we are working with Israeli officials to obtain more information as to their whereabouts, Biden said in a statement on Monday, when the confirmed toll was at 14. While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas. The president said that finding the Americans and bringing them to safety is a top priority as he condemned the attacks on Israel by the designated terrorist group. Amid the Biden administrations efforts, families and friends have spoken out about their loved ones who have been tragically killed and pleaded for information about the whereabouts of those missing. Heres what we know so far about some of the Americans caught up in the unprecedented attacks. Mother who sacrificed life for her son US citizen Deborah Matias, 50, died sacrificing her own life to save that of her child. Ilan Troen, professor of Israel studies at Brandeis University in Boston, said that his daughter Deborah, her husband Shlomi and their son Roten, 16, were in their home when Hamas militants stormed across the border, broke into homes and killed those inside. Professor Troen said that Deborah threw her body on top of her sons in order to protect him from the gunfire. She and Shlomi were shot and killed while Roten was shot but survived. Ilan Troen (centre), Brandeis University professor, with daughter Deborah Shahar Troen Matias and her husband Shlomi Matias (Sourced) They made sure to fall on him and thereby saved his life. Although a bullet actually entered his abdomen, but he was saved, he told WBZ-TV. Professor Troen said he rushed to hospital to be reunited with his grandson who is recovering from his injuries. The devastated father told CNN that Deborah was a child of light and life. She, rather than becoming a scientist or a physician, she said to me one day, Dad, I have to do music, because its in my soul, he said. Washington graduate who dreamed of peace found dead in home Dr Hayim Katsman a University of Washington graduate who hoped for peace in the Middle East was found dead inside his apartment in Israel after Hamas terrorists tore through the community. Hayims family last heard from him on Saturday morning when they received chilling messages from him saying that Hamas terrorists had entered Kibbutz Holit in southwest Israel where he lived. The family never heard from the 32-year-old again. Hayims friend Avital Alajem told CNN that they both hunkered down together inside a shelters closet to hide from the Hamas militants. But they broke in and fired through the door. Ms Alajem survived but Hayim was shot and killed. Hayim Katsman (Hannah Katsman Facebook) He was murdered, she said. I was saved because he was next to the door and they shot him. Hayims sibling Noy Katsman told CNN the family spent hours desperately trying to get in touch with him before learning of his murder. Hayim was born in the US and studied at the University of Washington where he earned a PhD in international studies in 2021. His parents were originally from Israel before locating to the US more than three decades ago and so Hayim had moved there to carry out research. Noy Katsman said that Hayim had longed for peace and supported a solution for this bleeding conflict between Israel and Palestinians. Man, 23, missing after celebrating at festival rave Hersh Golberg-Polin, 23, has not been seen or heard from since early Saturday morning when he was partying with hundreds of other ravers at the Supernova festival in northern Negev. During the celebrations, Hamas militants carried out a surprise attack, killing and kidnapping dozens of people from the site. The Israeli rescue service Zaka said on Sunday that more than 260 bodies had since been found at the music festival site, with the death toll likely to climb higher. Hershs father Jonathon Polin told The Jerusalem Post that his son was among those partying at the rave. The 23-year-olds birthday was just days earlier and he was also celebrating his release from Army service at the end of April, he said. Hersh Golberg-Polin, 23, has not been seen or heard from since Saturday (The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies/Facebook) At around 8am local time on Saturday morning, the 23-year-old sent a couple of heartbreaking final messages to his parents. I love you, one of the messages read. Im sorry, read another. No one has heard from him since, with the family now desperately trying to find out what happened to him. In a heartbreaking press conference on Tuesday, Hershs mother Rachel Goldberg said that they had seen a picture of him taking cover in a bomb shelter with other festivalgoers. She said witnesses had told the family that his arm had been blown off from the elbow down. The Hamas terrorists then told the group anyone who can walk, stand up and walk out and so Hersh walked out completely calm, she said. He was then reportedly put on a pickup truck and driven away by Hamas, with his cellphone signal last pinging on the Gaza border. Hersh was born in Berkeley, California, and moved with his family to Jerusalem when he was seven. He went on to join the Army, training as a medic and tank driver in the 7th Armored Brigade. On completion of his Army service, Jonathon Polin said his son got a job as a waiter and was saving up for his lifelong dream of travelling to India. He is a smiley, fun-loving guy and people of all ages just gravitate towards him... hes the guy that is just fun to be around and makes people have a good time, his father said at the press conference. Midwife who brought thousands of babies into world and was last heard screaming on phone California-born Adrienne Neta has brought thousands of babies into the world as a midwife. She was last heard screaming down the phone to her adult children as Hamas terrorists stormed into her home. Her son Nahar Neta said at a press conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday that he and his siblings had been on the phone to their mother on Saturday trying to keep her calm as the attacks unfolded and she hunkered in a shelter. They were still on the call when they heard gunfire in the background. We were on the call with her when the terrorists barged into her home. We heard a little bit of screaming and that was our last contact with her, he said. Mr Neta said that they did not hear shooting on the call after the terrorists breached the building so they are hoping that she is being held hostage. Desperate family members hold press conference to plead for help in finding missing Israeli-American loved ones (YouTube) Its our hope its ridiculous to say our optimistic scenario is that she is being held hostage in Gaza and is not dead in the street, he said, breaking down in tears. He said that their mother devoted her life to helping people of all races and genders in the hospital where she worked. My mother is an exceptional human being. She spent most of her life in the community and then as a midwife in a hospital, said her daughter Dayana Neta. When she walked into the delivery room she saw a human being in front of her. Not a religion, not a race, not a hijab, not an orthodox Jew it was always the human being she saw. We once calculated our mother brought thousands of lives into this world. When Hamas walked into my mothers room... they did not see a human being. New Yorker turned Israeli soldier missing in action Itay Chen was born and raised in New York before his family later moved to Israel. Around a year ago, Itay joined the Israel Defense Forces as a corporal. He was based along the Gaza border when Hamas terrorists breached it on Saturday morning. His father Ruby Chen said at a press conference on Tuesday that he last heard from him then when Itay said they were under attack. Since then silence, he said. Now, the 19-year-old is feared to be among the hostages kidnapped and held by Hamas terrorists. Itay Chen (Chen family) Israeli officials have designated him missing in action. Mr Chen said that they believe his son could be being held as a prisoner of war as no one has been able to physically locate him, identify him hes not in a hospital not on a deceased list. Please think of us not just as a headline, we are people, we are family, he said. We want to go back to becoming family, hopefully as soon as possible. Itays family joined a protest outside the US embassy in Israel on Monday. Dressed in t-shirts that read Help Find Itay and holding up photos of the missing 19-year-old, they begged President Joe Biden to help bring him home. Father expecting third child now believed to be in Gaza Sagui Dekle-Chen is a married father who was last seen on Saturday in his Kibbutz close to the Gaza border. His father Jonathan Dekel-Chen said in a press conference on Tuesday that hundreds of heavily armed, well-organised terrorists entered their community of around 400 with an intention to kill, maim and destroy civilian life. Mr Dekel-Chen, a Hebrew University academic who previously held positions at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and Rutgers University, said he believes his son has been taken to Gaza by Hamas militants and is being held hostage there. He is an arms length away from me in Gaza, but couldnt be farther from me and my family right now, he said. Sagui is the father of two beautiful daughters and his wife is pregnant right now. Sagui is the kind of son everyone would want, he said of his son. Mr Dekel-Chen said only 160 of the 400 community members have survived. The rest died or are prisoners or are missing, he said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A drug dealer who was part of the crew that sold actor Michael K. Williams a lethal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin has been sentenced. Luis Cruz, 58, was ordered to serve at least five years behind bars, with a maximum of 40 years, on Tuesday in a New York City court. He had previously pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy in April. Michael K Williams (2020 Invision) At that hearing, Cruz reportedly said he sold drugs to support his own addiction. However, he said he said he would rarely register the fact some of the drugs he sold contained fentanyl. It was a terrible mistake in judgment, he wrote in a letter to the judge. A search of Cruzs apartment found more than 500 small bags of drugs, according to authorities. Williams, who was best known for starring the HBOs The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, was found dead in his Williamsburg penthouse in September 2021. One day earlier, the 54-year-old was seen on a CCTV video buying drugs from Irvin Cartagena, another member of the gang. Williams had spoken regularly about his difficult childhood and issues with drug addiction. Williams posthumous memoir, Scenes From My Life, which discussed his battle with addiction (Crown Publishing) Cartagena took a plea deal with a 10-year minimum as he was the person to hand Williams the fatal dose. A third member of the group got more than two years in prison and the fourth person has yet to be sentenced. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Australian journalist Cheng Lei has returned home and reunited with her family after three years in detention in China, prime minister Anthony Albanese said. We are pleased to confirm that Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei has arrived safely home in Australia and has been reunited with her family, Mr Albanese said in a statement. Her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians, he said. The 48-year-old worked for the international department of Chinas state broadcaster CCTV and was held under murky espionage charges since August 2020. Mr Albanese suggested that she had recently been sentenced after she was convicted in a closed-court trial last year on national security charges. Chinas state security ministry said on Wednesday that it deported the Australian journalist after she served a full sentence. Her return comes ahead of Mr Albaneses planned visit to Beijing this year on a date yet to be announced. His government has been lobbying extensively for the release of Ms Cheng and another Chinese-Australian held in China since 2019, Yang Hengjun. Ms Cheng was detained at a time when the bilateral ties between Australia and China were severely strained over human rights, trade disputes and responses to the Covid pandemic. But relations between the countries have improved since Mr Albaneses centre-left Labour Party was elected after nine years of conservative rule. Beijing has lifted several official and unofficial trade barriers on Australian exports. Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms Cheng and her family, Mr Albanese said, adding that the authorities have raised concerns about the rights of Mr Yang as well. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong speaking with journalist Cheng Lei upon her arrival at the airport in Melbourne (Handout) Her matter was concluded through the legal processes in China, Mr Albanese said. We continue to advocate for Dr Yangs interests, rights and wellbeing with Chinese authorities at all levels. Mr Yang, a 58-year-old writer and democracy blogger, told his family in August he fears he will die in a Beijing detention centre after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst, prompting supporters to demand his release for medical treatment. Yang has been detained in China since January 2019, when he arrived in Guangzhou from New York with his wife and teenage stepdaughter. He received a closed-door trial on an espionage charge in Beijing in May 2021 and is still awaiting a verdict. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong meets Australian journalist Cheng Lei on arrival at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, 11 October 2023 (Reuters) We sat next to each other at the G20 at a formal dinner as well. It was an opportunity in a less formal way to be able to have discussions and dialogue, he said. Dialogue is always a good idea. Even with people who you have disagreements with. Mr Albanese also requested the media to respect Ms Chengs privacy and that of her family as she adjusts to what has obviously been a very difficult and traumatic period for her in her life. Earlier in a letter to the Australian public, on the three-year anniversary of her detention, she shared the detention conditions including being able to stand in the sunlight for just 10 hours a year. I relive every bushwalk, river, lake, beach with swims and picnics and psychedelic sunsets, sky that is lit up with stars, and the silent and secret symphony of the bush, Ms Cheng said, in the letter shared by her partner, Nick Coyle. She hasnt seen a tree since she was detained, she wrote, and she misses the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has claimed it can play a role in resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine as Vladimir Putin blamed US foreign policy for the escalation in the region. The comments from Moscow come despite Russia currently being the primary aggressor in the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War, and also make no mention of Russias own role in the Middle East peace process since 2002 as part of the Quartet of powers with the UN, US and EU. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was speaking to both sides in the conflict and that it would seek to be involved in its settlement. He told a briefing on Wednesday that Moscows top priority was the safety of its own citizens in the region. Russias own history in the region is complex and seemingly riddled with contradictions as the former Soviet Union had supported the immediate recognition of the state of Israel along with the US after the Second World War. Mr Peskov said the conflict risked spilling over into other regions and stated Moscow has engaged in diplomatic efforts, despite limited progress. But nevertheless we intend to keep making efforts and play our role in terms of providing assistance to seek ways to a settlement, he said. In comments reported by Russian news agencies, Mr Peskov said the turmoil was more than worrying. It has the potential to be dangerous by growing and spilling over from the current zone of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is very important now that both sides show restraint, he said in comments earlier on Russias Channel One on Tuesday. And while Mr Peskov on Tuesday said Russia has a lot in common with Israel, with many Israelis being former Russian citizens, Mr Putin blamed the US for ignoring the interests of Palestinians and their calls for an independent Palestinian state. The Russian president did not refer directly to Hamas in his own comments the militant group that launched terror attacks across southern Israel on Saturday and which is heavily backed by Iran, a Russian ally. Moscow is accused of using Iranian Shahed drones in its war in Ukraine and has longstanding ties with Hamas, which sent a delegation to Moscow in March. Mr Putin hosted Iraqs prime mininster Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Tuesday and took the opportunity during talks with his Iraqi counterpart whose own country was invaded by the US after 9/11 to attack American foreign policy in the region. I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East, Mr Putin said. He said Washington had sought to monopolise efforts at forging peace, and accused it of failing to seek workable compromises. The situation has meanwhile continued to escalate in Israel as the country said it sealed the Gaza strip, governed by Hamas, from getting supplies of food, fuel and medicine in a decision sharply criticised by the UN and several non-profits. Israel also vowed to intensify its response to the attack by Hamas with aerial bombardments on Gaza, seen by many as a prelude to a ground offensive. US president Joe Biden has pledged Americas full support for Israel and issued a warning to anyone who might seek to take advantage of the situation. Russia has issued a range of diplomatic statements with a far less full-throated support for Israel. A Kremlin statement said Mr Putin and Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Erdogan deplored the catastrophic rise in the deaths among civilians. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov called for a rapid ceasefire in a conversation with his Iranian colleague Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Since the latest crisis erupted, the Kremlin has sought to appear even-handed, underscoring its relations with both sides. Additional reporting by agencies Close Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russian forces are trying to regroup and recover their losses near the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, where heavy fighting has been ongoing since mid-October. This comes after Putins troops bombarded 118 Ukrainian towns and villages over the course of 24 hours, the most intense day of shelling this year, Kyiv said. Communities near the front lines in the east and south were targeted, with 10 out of 27 of Ukraines regions coming under attack. Vladimir Putins warplanes have dropped explosive objects into the paths of civilian shipping lanes in the Black Sea, the regions military command said. The occupiers are continuing to terrorise the paths of civilian shipping in the Black Sea with tactical aviation, dropping explosive objects into the likely paths of civilian vessel traffic, it said. There were three such drops registered in the last 24 hours. However, the navigation corridor continues to function under the watch of the defence forces. Ukraine is trying to build up a new shipping lane without Russian approval to revive its vital seaborne exports. But Russia said it would consider any vessel a potential military target after it quit UN-brokered deal allowing Ukrainian goods to pass through. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch a live view of the Gaza skyline as the Israel-Hamas war enters a fifth day. Palestinian civilians were scrambling to find safe havens on Wednesday morning (11 October) as Israel stepped up a campaign of airstrikes that are now targeting entire neighbourhoods at once. The escalation in aerial bombardments by Benjamin Netanyahus government is seen as a prelude to a ground offensive by the Israeli military, a retaliation for the surprise land, sea and air attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants over the weekend. At least 830 Palestinians were killed and up to 4,250 wounded in airstrikes since Saturdays unprecedented attacks by Hamas, which has seen over 900 Israelis killed and at least 2,600 injured. US president Joe Biden has labelled the Hamas assault an act of sheer evil and said Washington was rushing additional military assistance to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome aerial defence system. He called for Israel to follow the law of war in its response. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hospitals in Gaza are running out of supplies including anaesthetic, while the only power plant is on the brink of shutdown, pushing the enclave to the verge of humanitarian collapse. Israel has unleashed one of the heaviest bombardments of the tiny strip ever recorded, after the ruling Hamas militant group launched a deadly surprise attack in Israel on Saturday, that left more than 900 dead. The Israeli government later announced a total siege on the 42-km long territory, vowing to cut off power, water, fuel and food to the more than 2 million people who live there. The sole remaining access from Egypt shut down Tuesday after Israeli airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Humanitarian organisations, who have warned a total siege could violate international law, have unsuccessfully pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid into Gaza. Now, prominent British-Palestinian plastic surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta said Gazas largest hospital al-Shifa is already at capacity and they are being forced to improvise. He said he had to clean a teenage girl with 70 per cent surface burns using regular soap because the hospital is out of chlorhexidine, an antiseptic. Ive been in Gaza during the 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2021 [wars] and this is the worst, he told The Independent from Gaza City where he was helping the Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) organisation. The sheer number of wounded in the last 72 hours has completely overwhelmed the system. Al-Shiafa is at capacity. Now we cant find things like external fixtures for the orthopaedics, plates, screws, we have run out of tracheal tubes for [childrens] sizes. Even anaesthetic medication is starting to run low, he added. The United Nations World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals in Gaza have already run out amid the sheer number of wounded. The head of the medical aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. Gaza, often labelled the most densely populated place on earth, is home to more than two million people, half of which are children, according to the UN. It has already suffered 15 years of an Israeli and Egyptian blockade, which was imposed shortly after Hamas seized control of the strip in 2007. This has strangled supplies before the conflict erupted. Palestinian medics told The Independent before the bombardment started the Gaza Strip was already missing half of the list of essential drugs. Now a total siege could spark hunger, disease and people dying from their injuries. It will not contribute to peace and security, said the Oxfam charity, warning it was a violation of international law. Instead, it will further fan the flames of this crisis. It added that Gazas sole power plant, crucial for running essential services such as water and sanitation, was on the brink of complete shutdown. [This] will have dire consequences for hospitals and healthcare facilities that rely heavily on generators for vital medical equipment such as life-support systems, Oxfam wrote, adding that nearly half a million people had restricted access to clean water. On Tuesday morning as the situation worsens in Gaza and the airstrikes intensified Israeli military suggested Palestinian civilians leave Gaza via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. They later revised the suggestion when it emerged Rafah closed because Israel had bombed it. Egyptian officials are said to be talking with Israel and the US about declaring Rafah a no fire zone and setting up humanitarian corridors in Gaza to deliver aid. But so far no corridors have been established. A looming question is whether Israel will launch a ground assault into Gaza which could have a devastating impact on civilians. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to run to, one desperate father-of-five told The independent. On Tuesday, a large part of Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood was reduced to rubble after warplanes bombarded it for hours the night before. Residents found buildings torn in half or totally demolished. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dramatic aerial images of Gaza shows the extent of damage caused by deadly Israeli airstrikes, that have caused terror and devastation across the region. Residential buildings, markets and mosques have been destroyed in retaliation for the attack launched by Hamasterrorists on Israels territories on Saturday. The Gaza energy authority has warned that they only have only 10 to 12 hours of fuel left, while hospitals are said to be at capacity with thousands injured and awaiting treatment. Aerial image shows an airstrike over the Gaza Strip (Maxar ) Following the attack upon its citizens by Hamas, Israel has announced a complete siege and has cut off water, food, fuel and electricity supplies to the region, which is home to 2.3 million people. One image taken by Maxar shows smoke rising above buildings in Gaza, which has so far killed at least 950 people, with more than 2,700 wounded. Follow our live blog for all the latest updates Israeli military officials have warned that they have created an iron wall of tanks, helicopters and aircraft around the enclave, with airstrikes continuing for the fourth day. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of targeting the entire neighbourhood around the Al-Sousi mosque, which was razed to the ground by an airstrike on Monday. . A view over Gaza City in August, before the latest conflict erupted with Israel (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The mosque is located inside Gaza Citys Shati refugee camp, with three other mosques targeted in the area, with its population running low on medicine and food. Dozens of Palestinians are said to have been killed in the camp, with images showing survivors clambering over rubble and piling bodies onto stretchers. The Al Sousi mosque in Gaza Citys Shati refugee camp has been completely destroyed (Maxar ) Palestinians seen inspecting the damage at the Al-Sousi mosque (AFP via Getty Images) Gaza Citys Yassin mosque has also been destroyed in an airstrike, with satellite imagery showing the structures dome to be obliterated. The Rimal neighbourhood has also suffered deadly bombardments, with residential buildings and shops destroyed, with rescue officials reporting that large numbers of people were still trapped under the rubble. A number of residential buildings have been destroyed with at least 900 Palestinians killed (Maxar ) The Israeli military said it had struck undreds of targets in Rimal, which is home to universities, media organisations and ministries of the Hamas government, who first gained control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. The latest conflict has now claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people, with Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating on Monday that their bombardment of Gaza had only started. It began after an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on Saturday morning, which saw armed groups open fire on Israeli civilians and launch rockets towards major cities including Tel Aviv. Smoke rises above Watan Tower after it was destroyed in an aerial bombardment (Maxar) Families were killed in their own homes, while gunmen killed 260 partygoers at a festival near the border before taking an estimated 100 people hostage. Following aerial bombardments, Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for the armed section of Hamas, said that they would begin to execute civilian hostages if innocent civilians are targeted. As well as the siege, Israel have also called up 300,000 of its reservists, with Netanyahu warning: What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later said he was deeply distressed by Israels decision to impose the siege, while the UN are attempting to accommodate 200,000 refugees in Gaza. News / National by Staff reporter THE Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has approached the High Court in Bulawayo in an attempt to reverse 15 controversial Parliamentary recalls by Sengezo Tshabangu.Tshabangu recalled the CCC legislators alongside 17 councillors citing the members had ceased to be their members.The Matebeleland North politician claims to be CCC's Secretary General, a position contested by party President Nelson Chamisa.Mudenda, after receiving Tshabangu's communication proceeded to notify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of vacancies in the 15 mainly Matebeleland constituencies.Tshabangu has been labelled an impostor, funded by Zanu-PF to destabilise CCC and ensure a two-thirds Parliamentary majority for the ruling party.A Declaratory and Consequential Relief filed on Monday by the opposition identifies Tshabangu as First Respondent, and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda as the Second."Plaintiffs' (CCC) claim against the Defendants is for a declaratory and consequential relief as follows; an order declaring that the Plaintiffs' have a right to remain in, and be recognised as Members of Parliament by virtue of having been so elected in the general elections held on the 23rd and 24th of August 2023 and having been so sworn on the 7th of September 2023."An order declaring that 1 Defendant has no authority to communicate, engage, or correspond with the 2nd Defendant purporting to represent the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in respect of the Plaintiffs' positions as Members of Parliament," reads High Court papers filed by CCC."An order declaring that the 2nd Defendant has no obligation to act on the basis of any communication or correspondence addressed to him by the 1st Defendant purporting to communicate any information pertaining to Plaintiffs' membership of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) or in respect of the Plaintiffs' position or status as Members of Parliament"Consequently, the letter written by the 1st Defendant dated 3rd October 2023 and any other communication or documents incidental thereto addressed to the 2nd Defendant communicating that the Plaintiffs have ceased to be members of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) be declared null and void and of no force and effect."If the recalls are upheld Zimbabweans will, barely two months after a general election, be expected to re-choose Parliamentarians in the 15 constituencies.Having denied Zanu-PF a two-thirds majority, the elections could give President Emmerson Mnangagwa an opportunity to finally claim it and give him enough power to amend the constitution in his favour as feared by CCC and analysts. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Described as the worlds largest open-air prison by human rights groups, the Gaza Strip is facing its biggest humanitarian crisis yet as airstrikes rain down on its civilian population. Since the conflict began six days ago, more than 1,500 people have been killed by Israels retaliatory airstrikes, while a further 6,000 have been wounded with hundreds of children and families affected. A 25-mile long enclave which has been the subject of a blockade since 2007, more than 65 per cent of its 2.3 million inhabitants live below the poverty line, with conditions for children previously described as hell on earth. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have now ordered roughly 1.2 million residents in northern Gaza to evacuate southward in what the United Nations has called an impossible task that will have devastating humanitarian consequences for the region. View more With the last power plant turned off and hospitals at capacity, the latest complete siege of the strip has blocked all electricity, food and water with no escape route available for its desperate citizens. A brief history A narrow wedge of land on the Mediterranean Sea that had once been part of the Ottoman Empire, the Gaza Strip was controlled by Egypt for two decades after Israel declared its statehood in 1948. However, after Israels victory in the 1967 Six-Day War against its Arab neighbours, it came under their control for the next 38 years. Over this period, Israeli troops oversaw the territory and the construction of 21 Jewish settlements began, causing tension and resentment to rise between both populations. Smoke rises from Gaza City after Israeli airstrikes decimate buildings (Anadolu/Getty) In 1993, a historic agreement was reached with the signing of the Oslo Accords, with Palestinians given limited control in Gaza and in the West Bank with envisaged statehood after five years. This never happened due to ongoing tensions, with Israel accusing the Palestinians of reneging on security agreements. Facing international pressure, Israel eventually withdrew around 9,000 Israeli settlers and military personnel from the strip in 2005, leaving it to be governed by the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority. Just one year later, Hamas led a surprising victory in the Palestinian election, and have controlled Gaza since 2007. Regarded as a terrorist organisation by the international community, Israel imposed a land, air and sea blockade which has crippled its economy. Despite the devastating effect on Palestinian civilians and condemnation from the United Nations and human rights groups, Israel has maintained the blockade is necessary to protect their citizens from Hamas. Can people leave and enter the Gaza strip? Israels blockade has prevented people and goods from freely entering or leaving the strip, a move which has also been enforced by Egypt. Palestinians in Gaza have been under a 16-year blockade (AFP via Getty Images) The Israeli government forbids Palestinians from entering or leaving Gaza except in extremely rare cases, which include urgent, life-threatening medical conditions and a very short list of merchants, according to BTselem, an Israeli human rights group. Israelis, Jewish settlers and tourists are not subject to these restrictions and are free to travel in and out. Egypt also periodically closes its land-border crossing at Rafah, which is often the only way Palestinians in Gaza can access the rest of the world. The International Committee of the Red Cross deems the blockade illegal and says it violates the Geneva Convention while the UN and various human rights groups consider the Gaza Strip to still be under military occupation by Israel. Israel reserves the right to enter Gaza at will with its military and maintains a no-go buffer zone within the Gaza territory. What are the living conditions in Gaza? With over two million Palestinians living within roughly 140 square miles, Gaza is one of the worlds most densely populated territories, with half of its occupants under the age of 19. Last year Save the Children reported that 80 per cent of Gazan children suffer from depression (AP) Described as an open-air prison by Human Rights Watch and bordered by walls and fences, conditions in Gaza have long since been difficult with 95 per cent surviving without access to clean water. Eight recognised refugee camps span the strip with its exhausted economy struggling to create job opportunities and its population reliant on international aid. Despite these challenges, life has continued in the besieged enclave, with a number of universities providing educational courses and markets sellings locally crafted goods. Catering to around 16,000 students, Al-Azhar University provides courses in agriculture, medical scientists and dentistry while the Al-Quds Open University operates six centres across Palestine. A number of residential buildings have been destroyed with at least 900 Palestinians killed (Maxar ) Recent airstrikes have targeted the Islamic University of Gaza since Saturday, with Israel describing it as a training institution for the development and production of weapons. Along the coast, fishermen who are able to work within the 15 nautical mile fishing limit continue to sell their produce, while small restaurants along the coast sell fresh sardines and watermelons. Speaking to The Independent, Dr Nathaniel George, a lecturer in Middle East Politics at SOAS University said: that a ground attack from Israel will likely be the most extensive of all that have come before now. What they are doing now is bombing 2.3 million people trapped in 140 square miles with very little ability to defend themselves. Half the population are children. Israel is levelling entire city blocks, cutting off electricity and gas, and endangering medical provisions for the injured. A ground attack will lead to more civilian deathswhich is not a political solution to the crisis. There must be international pressure for a ceasefire and political negotiations to settle all the outstanding issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Israeli village smells of death. The air is thick with the scent of bodies decomposing in the sunshine. A stutter of machine-gun fire erupts as we first enter Kfar Aza, located a few miles from the border fence with Gaza. Israeli soldiers, some flat to the ground, fan out silently in a staggered Z-shape. They edge steadily forward through a field, while rocket fire burns lines through the sky above us. When Hamas came here they cut the heads of women, they cut the heads of children, says Major David Ben Zion, while making a chopping motion towards his neck. We saw dead babies, girls. The 37-year-old is a reservist deployed here on Saturday to try to evacuate the few survivors of the onslaught. The Independent did not see evidence of his claims. Bel Trew reports from Kfar Aza, Israel Watch the full episode on Independent TV here We succeeded in saving some of them but we found most dead in their houses, he adds as soldiers in masks pack the corpses of slain civilians into body bags behind him. They came with just one mission to kill more and more of our people. After four days of street battles with Hamas militants, the Israeli military has said it is more or less in control of the border regions. But here, in one of the first neighbourhoods to be breached in Saturdays unprecedented attack, lone gunmen are apparently still left. The gunfire sounds like a desperate last stand. The rocket fire is also constant. There is no warning as we are so close to the rocket launch pads. The booms shake your chest as they chisel into the ground or erupt above us, intercepted by Israels Iron Dome air defence system. Israeli soldiers carry a body in Kfar Aza (Reuters) You can see the blood and carnage everywhere, even on baby carriers, says Major Doron Speilman, just before we dive for cover. How can anyone shed their humanity to such a degree? The task now is to retrieve the dead. Soldiers are busy pulling bodies of local residents out of booby-trapped houses. They have chosen to leave the militants, however, stretched out obscenely along the ground. Most are wearing trainers and tracksuit bottoms, with ammunition belts and vests loaded with grenades strapped to their chests. And so the village is a chilling tableau of what happened on Saturday when the militants broke the border fence in 80 different points and attacked from air, sea and land. Intermingled with shot-up cars, blood-spattered strollers, and spent ammo casings, are the mangled remains of Hamass homemade paragliders. The aftermath of the Hamas attack on Kfar Aza (Bel Trew/The Independent) Just in front of the breached fence is a destroyed motorcycle with a Gaza number plate wedged under a car. A metal sign tied to the back reads Khalas Waqtak in Arabic, which means your time is up. Terrified families were in some instances smoked out of their homes or shelters. Among the dead are several children. Inside one deserted home, is a pool of blood next to a bloodstained rag, implying someone potentially survived. If you dont see signs of a dead body here, then you know the owner was probably kidnapped to Gaza, one soldier tells me with a shrug. None of the units know exactly how many people were killed here or how many have been taken hostage in Gaza. In total 130 people, including British and American citizens, women and children, are believed to be in Hamass hands. The Israelis collect and note the dead in front of us: these bodies may increase the death toll, which is already more than 1,000. The militants who tore through this area made it as far as Sderot, a city which is five miles down the road. There, they managed to commandeer a police station for nearly 24 hours, engaging in constant gun battles with Israeli security forces An Israeli tank and soldiers in Kfar Aza (Bel Trew/The Independent) How did this happen? We are so angry, we have so many questions, says Michel Ohayon, 56, an invalid, from his home which is located just a few yards from the police station. Militants knocked on his door on Saturday morning and tried to force him out. Powerless, he watched them slaughter multiple women and police officers, he knew personally, on his doorstep. How can it be that the terrorists made it all this way to Sderot? He asks again in disbelief. And it is these scenes which are galvanising resolve here in Israel. Rabbi David Fendel, who is delivering aid to Michel, says there can be no peace now. We have to keep bombing until they cant lift their heads, he adds. The destruction in Kfar Aza (Bel Trew/The Independent) Back in Kfar Aza, the soldiers seem to agree. Gaza, choked by smoke, stretches out against the horizon just a few miles behind the village. Israeli warplanes are relentlessly pounding the 26-mile strip, strikes which have killed more than 800 Palestinians including 90 children. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed in a fiery statement this week that the bombardment of Gaza will reverberate with [our enemies] for generations. To pile on further pressure, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant also declared a total siege on the strip, an act human rights groups said would amount to collective punishment and may violate international law. There are concerns a total blockade will spark a devastating humanitarian catastrophe for the more than two million people who live in the strip. Almost half of them are children. No power, no food, no gas, everything is closed, Gallant said. We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly. The soldiers and residents here say Hamas brought this on themselves because of these barbaric attacks. And so all must be held responsible. They arent warriors, this wasnt a war, this was a criminal terrorist attack, says Major General Itai Verve, as his unit continues to go door-to-door looking for militants in the background. We will fight hard until we kill them all, until we hit the last one. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Fears are growing over the safety of dozens of hostages being held in Gaza after attacks by Hamas over the weekend. Israels troops are battling to clear out Hamas gunmen more than two days after they carried out the deadly rampage that has left hundreds of people dead. Hostages, including members of the Israeli Defence Forces as well as civilians, some of whom were taken from a nearby music festival on Saturday, are currently being held in the heavily-militarised Gaza area. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, said it was an unprecedented [moment] in our history that we have so many Israeli nationals in the hands of a terrorist organisation. Below we look at everything we know about the hostage situation. What has happened? On Saturday, members of the al Qassam brigades crossed into Israel via land, sea and air, flooding into nearby civilian towns and engaging in violent clashes with the IDF. In a post on Telegram, a Brigades spokesperson said they had captured dozens of (Israeli) officers and soldiers in the first day of fighting. We bring good news to our (Palestinian) prisoners and our people that the al Qassam Brigades have dozens of captured (Israeli) officers and soldiers in their hands, the groups spokesman Abu Obaida said. They have been secured in safe places and resistance tunnels. Noa Argamani was filmed being seized from the festival on a motorbike (Telegram) Avinatan Or was filmed as he was kidnapped by Hamas alongside girlfeind Ms Argamani (Sourced) IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari later confirmed Hamas fighters had taken hostages from the border community of Beeri and the town of Okafim, 20 miles east of Gaza. He described these as the main focal points of the unfolding crisis. Local Channel 12 also reported that infiltrators had taken hostages in Netiv HaAsara. A second Palestinian militant group, Islamic Jihad, said it was also holding more than 30 captives. The hostages are not only soldiers. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the militarys international spokesperson reported later in the weekend that civilians, children and grandmothers were among those being held captive. An unknown number of civilians who had been attending a music festival near Kibbutz Reim, close to the Gaza border, are also believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas. One video shows a woman attending the festival being hoisted onto the back of a motorcycle and driven away by Hamas fighters. Other footage geolocated to inside Gaza showed a barefoot woman being pulled from the trunk of a jeep by a gunman. Her face is bleeding and her wrists appear to be tied behind her back. What does Hamas want and where are the hostages now? Understanding where those hostages have been taken is difficult. Miles of underground tunnels built by Hamas run beneath the enclave, many of which are unmapped. Other hostages might be kept overground with other fighters. They will not be immediately distinguishable from the Palestinian civilians and Hamas fighters around them. This difficulty is one of the main issues facing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu when considering a possible military invasion. The risk of killing Israeli civilians remains incredibly high. What Hamas intentions are for the hostages is also unclear, though it is likely they have been taken to deter an Israeli invasion of the enclave. 26-year-old Briton Jake Marlowe is among those believed to have been taken (Jake Marlowe/Facebook) Who has been taken? There is no definitive list of who has been taken hostage by Hamas. The Israeli forces are being careful not to reveal exactly how many they believe to have been taken. An IDF spokesperson Lt Col Jonathan Conricus said last night: I can only say that we are talking about many many Israelis Women, children, infants, elderly and even disabled people. However, families have shared their concerns for missing loved ones who could either be held captive or killed following the attacks. Among those who have yet to be found is 26-year-old Briton Jake Marlowe, who had been providing security at the music festival near the enclave. Kim Damti, an Irish-Israeli woman, was last in contact with family on Saturday morning (Sourced) Another Briton, photographer Dan Darlington who was visiting from his home in Berlin, Germany, is also missing. Irish-Israeli citizen Kim Damti, 22, is another young woman among those who have yet to be found. Her mother last spoke to her at 6.30am local time on Saturday. She was last seen at a party in southern Israel the night before. Ms Damtis brother instructed his sister to take shelter but the family has not heard from her since. Shani Louk, a German tatto artist, was captured by Hamas (Sourced) The woman seen being taken away from the music festival on the back of a motorbike has been identified as Noa Argamani. Her boyfriend Avinatan Or was also filmed being apprehended and being made to walk with his hands behind his back. A German-Israeli national, Shani Louk, has been identified as another hostage. A video showed her unconscious at the festival being displayed by armed militants shouting Allahu Akbar. Mexicos foreign minister Alicia Barcena said on Sunday she believed two of their nationals, a man and a woman, had been taken hostage. At least three Brazilian nationals are also missing, according to Brazilian authorities. On Sunday evening, Israelis whose family members are either missing or have been taken hostage held a joint news conference. For many, they only found out their friends and relatives had been taken when they saw videos posted by Hamas on social media and through WhatsApp groups. One father and husband, Yoni Asher, said he found out about his family being kidnapped when he saw a video of a gunman seizing his wife and two small daughters. My two little girls, theyre only babies. Theyre not even five-years-old and three-years-old, Mr Asher said. Another father, Uri David, said he had been on the phone with his two daughters, Tair and Odaya, before they were suddenly cut off. I heard shooting, shouting in Arabic, I told them to lie on the ground and hold hands, Mr David said. I am asking for the whole world to see what I am going through. We have to bring the children home and as fast as possible. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Israel is laying siege to Gaza after a deadly attack by Hamas left hundreds of people dead. The country is drawing on its huge military capabilities to hit back at the terrorists and say they have already killed around 1,500 militants following Saturdays incursion. We are going to go on the offense and attack the Hamas terrorist group and any other group that is in Gaza, Israeli Brigadier General Dan Goldfus said. We will have to change the reality from within Gaza to prevent this from happening again. An Israeli tank drives toward the southern border with the Gaza Strip (Getty Images) The surprise Hamas attack is by far the deadliest by militants in Israeli history, with Goldfus telling reporters on Tuesday the death toll had topped 1,000. In response, the military has mobilised 300,000 reservists, with speculation a ground invasion of Gaza is imminent. Below we look at the significant resources Israel can call on in its war on Hamas. How big is the Israeli military? Israeli soldiers scan an area while sirens sound as rockets from Gaza are launched towards Israel (REUTERS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is the national military. It has three branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. Fixed-term military service has been compulsory in the country since the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. All citizens over 18 years of age, regardless of gender or ethnicity, are required to serve for at least 24 to 32 months. There are a few exceptions, such as religious women, married individuals, and those with disabilities. There are currently 173,000 active soldiers in the Israeli army, including 8,000 commanders. Soldiers and a civilian take cover as a siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets (AP) The military has also called up 300,000 reservists to prepare for its largest ever mobilisation, with special flights being organised to bring reservists from abroad to join its efforts. Israel is also drawing on its special forces from the Sayeret Matkal unit to fight against Hamas. It is believed that they will be aiming to neutralise high-ranking fighters within the terrorist organisation and rescue Israelis who have been taken hostage. In 2021, the Israeli military spend was $24.34 billion. What weapons does the Israeli army have? Soldiers with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) near Israels border with Lebanon (REUTERS) Israeli forces have already used 600 planes and 300 rocket launchers to strike the Gaza Strip. The ground troops are also drawing from Israels arsenal of 300 military tanks, with a further 2,000 available for use. Israels Merkava tank is similar to the German Leopard 2 battle tank that has been widely used in Ukraine. The tank has a thick front armour plate to provide maximum protection for its crew and is armed with a 120mm main gun. On Monday the Israeli Air Force said it had dropped around 2,000 munitions and more than 1,000 tonnes of bombs on Gaza aimed at over 10,000 targets in less than 24 hours. The air force is known for its Kfir fighter jets and also has a number of F-35 Lightning II jets obtained from the USA. The IDF is believed to have maintained a nuclear weapons capability since 1967, with an estimated 90 warheads according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NFI), although Israel does not officially confirm this. Fire and smoke rise from an explosion on a Palestinian apartment tower following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City (AP) What is the Iron Dome? The Iron Dome is an Israeli mobile air defence system and Israel is the only country in the world operating such a system on a national level. The system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells whose trajectory would take them to a populated area. The missile defense system is one of Israels most important tools and has saved many civilian lives since it became operational in 2011. The IDF said the system had a 95.6% success rate during a missile raid fired by Islamic Jihad in May. There are 10 Iron Dome batteries across Israel and each one can carry 11 kilograms of explosives. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip (REUTERS) The USA contributed to the construction and maintenance of the Iron Dome, spending $1.6 billion on the system from 2011 to 2021. Each missile costs around $40,000, so intercepting thousands of incoming Hamas rockets can become costly. The IDF says the Iron Dome is a purely defensive system and has no attacking capabilities. Israel has now asked the US to assist in restocking the defence system after suffering large missile barrages during Hamas attacks. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Israeli army is making preparations for a ground invasion of Gaza that will likely eclipse all previous offensives in scale, ferocity and civilian harm. Following the brutal massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis by Hamas this weekend, Israels army has moved masses of tanks and soldiers to the perimeter of the densely populated Gaza Strip, evacuated its own civilians from border areas and called up 300,000 reservist troops. All the places that Hamas hides in, operates from, we will turn them into ruins," Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said . The Israeli government announced a total siege on the 42-km long territory, vowing to cut off power, water, fuel and food to the more than two million people who live there. The sole remaining access from Egypt shut down Tuesday after Israeli airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Israeli officials have made clear that due to the severity of the Hamas attack, this incursion will strike deeper and harder than previous invasions of the territory. During a visit to the area near Gaza on Tuesday, Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he has released all restraints for Israeli troops in the coming fight against Hamas. They will regret this moment Gaza will never return to what it was, Gallant added. Massive aerial bombardment Israel has already begun preparing the way for its ground invasion with heavy aerial bombardment of Gaza, destroying entire city blocks and killing hundreds in the process. As of Tuesday evening, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed and 5,339 others injured by the strikes, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. The ministry has accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting civilian neighborhoods, health facilities, and notably, medical and rescue crews, as well as ambulance vehicles. Israel army spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said that civilian buildings could be targeted if they are being used by Hamas. In buildings where people are living there could be a weapons store there could be a Hamas kingpin living there, he said Tuesday. The Associated Press reported that civilians in Gaza struggled to find any safe area on Wednesday as strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel. The bombardment has caused mass displacement within Gaza, according to the UN , with the total displacement now exceeding 263,934 people. Some 170,000 are seeking shelter in UN schools, it added. Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza (Anadolu/Getty) Prominent British-Palestinian plastic surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta said Gazas largest hospital al-Shifa is already at capacity and they are being forced to improvise. He said he had to clean a teenage girl with 70 per cent surface burns using regular soap because the hospital is out of chlorhexidine, an antiseptic. Ive been in Gaza during the 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2021 [wars] and this is the worst, he told The Independents Bel Trew from Gaza City. The sheer number of wounded in the last 72 hours has completely overwhelmed the system. Al-Shiafa is at capacity, he added. Tunnels and urban fighting Vastly outnumbered and outgunned, Hamas will likely stick to the hit-and-run tactics is has deployed in previous assaults. The group has used underground tunnels to surprise and attempt to outmaneouvre Israeli forces. It will deploy suicide bombers and IEDs to slow Israels advances. The best clue for what Israels ground offensive will look like comes from its previous two incursions into the territory, in 2008/9 and 2014. The Israeli army will continue to use heavy bombardment to clear a path for its ground forces entering the strip in the coming days. In 2008, when Israel invaded the Strip to end Hamas rocket fire, Israeli intelligence had a list of more than 600 major Hamas targets. On the first day, it launched airstrikes against 100 targets in a matter of minutes . The airstrikes were followed by the incursion of three infantry brigade task forces and one armoured task force. The last time Israeli forces invaded Gaza, in 2014s Operation Protective Edge, they faced the most severe resistance in Shujaiya, a densely populated neighbourhood of Gaza City with some 90,000 residents. The Israeli army faced heavy urban fighting as Hamas fighters sprung up from tunnels and alleyways. In one battle, the Israeli army lost 13 soldiers in the space of eight hours. As Israeli leaders warn that they will go further into Gaza than they have before, it is likely this conflict will feature the same kind of urban battles. It is also likely that in the years since 2014, Hamas has been able to rebuild some of its capacity and, as evidenced by the brutal operation last weekend, improved its tactics. The 2014 operation lasted for two weeks and penetrated only a few miles into the strip. During that time more than 2,000 Palestinians were killed mostly civilians, as well as 66 Israeli soldiers, six Israeli civilians . Hostages Israels ground operation will no doubt be complicated by the more than 100 hostages taken during the Hamas attack and currently held by the group in unknown conditions among them women, children and the elderly . Israel has so far given no indication that it will negotiate with Hamas over their fate, and insisted the presence of captives in Gaza would not slow down their efforts. "We have an unprecedented number of hostages," Israeli Ambassador to the US, Gilad Erdan told CNN , estimating the number was between 100 and 150. "We expect the Red Cross, we expect all international organizations to focus on these hostages and how they are treated and that they receive treatment according to international law, but its not going to stop us, prevent us from doing what we need to do in order to secure the future of Israel. But if Israel receives specific information about the location of hostages in certain areas, it may be forced to hold back. Hamas, meanwhile, has threatened to kill hostages if Israel targeted civilians without prior warning. An already dire situation Amid the mass of unknowns about how the coming war will play out, one thing is certain: Civilians in Gaza will pay a heavy price. Hundreds have already been killed before the battle has even begun. In 2008, more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed in Israels 22-day invasion. The 2014 invasion saw the death of 2,000 civilians in Gaza over two weeks of heavy fighting and bombardment half that number of Palestinians have already died in just a few days and the ground invasion has yet to begin. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip was already dire before the latest outbreak of hostilities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Monday that he was deeply distressed by the announcement from Israel that it will impose a full siege. The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities. Now, it will only deteriorate exponentially, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Israeli army is poised for a ground invasion of Gaza, as the United Nations warned of an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged Strip. Hundreds of thousands of IDF troops have amassed in multiple divisions on the border of the enclave, which they have sealed off and cut access to water, fuel, electricity and food. Over the last few days, the Israeli air force has launched near continual and ferocious bombardments of Gaza, levelling whole neighbourhoods and reducing city blocks to rubble. Military officials warned that every option was on the table in response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas militants who breached the border fence in dozens of locations at the weekend, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens hostage. We are preparing our forces for the option of a ground operation. I believe that they are ready, the forces want to do that, IDF spokesman Major Nir Dinar told The Independent. [The military] is signalling the government that they are ready. He said the airstrikes were ongoing and much stronger than they used to be from previous escalations. It is heavier in number and scale and force, he added. Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City (AP) The development came as: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined forces with opposition leaders to form an emergency wartime government The number of British citizens either killed or missing rose to 17, including children. Briton Jake Marlowe was confirmed dead The US says 22 of its citizens have died in Israel, while 17 are missing, with some believed to have been taken hostage The Israeli death toll rose to 1,200 as airstrikes killed 1,100 Palestinians UK foreign secretary James Cleverly visited Israel and had to run to a bomb shelter when air-raid sirens went off In Gaza, where the only power plant ran out of fuel, United Nations officials told The Independent that a humanitarian disaster was fast unfolding because of the bombings, blockade and the closure of border crossings. Tamara al-Rifai, spokesperson for the UNs Palestinian refugee agency, said nearly 180,000 displaced people, fleeing airstrikes, had taken shelter in 88 UN schools in Gaza in just two days. Meanwhile, no humanitarian aid has been getting in because of Israels total siege and the fact the border with Egypt had been closed. It is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding, she said. Civilians search for survivors after an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP/Getty) She added nine UN personnel had been killed that number later rose to 11 and 18 UN buildings damaged, including the headquarters, in the bombardment. Power and water cuts from Israel as well as fuel shortages have meant little clean drinking water, and poor sanitation. More than 1,200 Israelis died after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Saturday, breaching the border fence and storming villages and a music festival. Militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel including soldiers, women and children. Witnesses of the attack described watching friends slaughtered on their doorstep as they cowered in their homes. In comments that could be damaging for Mr Netanyahu, a senior Republican has suggested a warning of potential violence came three days before the attack. We know that Egypt has warned the Israelis three days prior that an event like this could happen, Michael McCaul, the chair of the US House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, told reporters after a closed-door intelligence briefing for legislators on the crisis. I dont want to get too much into classified but a warning was given. I think the question was at what level, he said. In Gaza, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed in one of the heaviest bombardments Israel has unleashed on the territory, that total includes 326 children. Israel has stopped all supplies, including medication, to Gaza which is just 42km (26 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, and is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. In the UK, Mr Marlowes mother Lisa said she and her family were heartbroken after hearing the crushing news that he had died. Mr Marlowe, from north London, had not been seen since the invasion early on Saturday morning when he was providing security for a music event in the desert near Kibbutz Re'im, close to the Gaza border. More than 250 festivalgoers were killed in the attacks. King Charles condemned the "barbaric acts of terrorism" in Israel, with a Buckingham Palace spokesperson adding that he was "extremely concerned" about the situation in the region. "His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak, they added. The Prince and Princes of Wales said they were profoundly distressed by the devastating events. The US has said it is in conversations about safe passage out of Gaza for civilians. It's the civilians who did nothing wrong so we want to make sure they have a way out, said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Gazas only power plant has run out of fuel, plunging swathes of the enclave into darkness and threatening its water supply. It comes as UN officials have said the crowded Strip is effectively sealed and no aid was being allowed in while food and medical supplies are worryingly low. Israel is pounding the tiny besieged enclave with the heaviest strikes ever recorded, according to Israeli military officials, who told The Independent they had launched an unprecedented response to an unprecedented attack from the Hamas militant group. The militants, who breached the border fence on Saturday in dozens of locations, stormed villages, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens of hostages. In response, the Israeli defence minister announced a total siege on the tiny enclave, vowing to sever water, electricity, food and fuel supplies. On Wednesday, Gazas energy ministry said a consequence of this was that Gaza's only power plant had run out of fuel. That leaves only generators to power the territory, which are running out of fuel as it is in short supply. The UNs health agency also said that supplies it had earmarked for seven hospitals have already run out. It is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding, Tamara Al-Rifai, spokesperson for the UNs Palestinian refugee agency, said. She added that there was an unprecedented displacement of civilians desperately seeking shelter in UN schools that were well over capacity. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza more than a tenth of the population. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed A man carrying bags filled with his belongings leaves a bombed area in Gaza City (AFP/Getty) Our personnel have already lost their lives in the last few days, 18 of our buildings have sustained damage including our headquarters where my colleagues are hiding in a bunker, Ms Rifae added. The number of workers for the agency how had been killed reached 11 by Monday night. She said the UN had two key calls, that our buildings, institutions, schools and our headquarters remain protected and that we are able to bring food, humanitarian supplies and UN personnel in and out of Gaza. Palestinian civilians in Gaza told The Independent that they were running out of water and food and had nowhere to hide. Medics in Gaza meanwhile said the largest hospital was at capacity and amid chronic shortages of medical supplies, including anaesthetic medicines, and now power, doctors were having to improvise. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said on Wednesday that crucial life-saving supplies must be allowed into Gaza. "We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now," he told reporters. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric later said: "Civilians need to be protected. We do not want to see a mass exodus of Gazans." The loss of the power plant and blackouts will have far-reaching consequences, impacting the clean water supply and sanitation, according to Israeli rights groups Gisha. It effectively means a total blackout in Gaza. That will impact the functioning of hospitals, getting water to peoples home and sanitation, the groups Miri Marmur said. Sewage disposable is unable to take place, we hear a number of desalination plants are not able to work. On top of this Israel has cut its supply of water to Gaza which is purchased by the Palestinian Authority and accounts for a third of its clean water supply. The decision she added showed a deep and total disregard for the civilian population. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Partygoers at a rave in the desert near the border with Gaza have told how the first hint of the horror raging towards them in the early hours of Saturday was a barrage of rockets roaring through the morning sky, as it emerged more than 260 people had died in the attack. It was 6am. Most of the attendees, including a British and a German citizen, had not been to bed and were dancing to trance music under multicoloured tents set up for the Supernova festival. The music stopped briefly and they dropped to the floor a well-rehearsed drill for Israelis in the south of the country used to frequent cross-border exchange of fire with the Hamas militant group. But this was so much worse than usual. Peleg Oren was one of the revellers at the desert rave music festival in Israel when Hamas attacked (Peleg Oren) For five minutes there wasnt a seconds break without a rocket, says bartender Peleg Oren, 26, one of those who escaped safely. The barrage was so relentless that his friend started to have a panic attack, and begged him to help her leave. I had my own car, I tried to convince friends to leave with me but some had already arranged taxis and wanted to stick together so they wouldnt listen, he told The Independent. The main problem was many of the festivalgoers arrived on buses and had no transport. Minutes later, Hamas operatives who had blown through the border fence into Israel burst into the campus with grenades and assault rifles. Israeli festivalgoers flee as Gaza strikes begin They shot and killed and kidnapped dozens of people, according to eyewitnesses and friends. They hunted down partygoers many dressed in just swimsuits and shorts as they tried to hide in the wooded area surrounding the encampment. Parents and friends received panicked messages, seen by The Independent, desperately asking for help and for the army to deploy, saying they were wounded and had no way out. Partygoers run from the rave in the Israeli desert after it was hit by bombing (supplied) One girl named by Israeli media as Karin had a pre-existing broken leg, her brace preventing her from being able to run. She had no way to escape, her mother Inbal told the Israeli news network Mako. Those who escaped the initial onslaught were then filmed running through dusty fields against the backdrop of machine-gun fire with some dropping to the ground. Then videos from Gaza started appearing online, including one showing a young woman Noa Argamani being abducted by Hamas militants as she rode with her boyfriend on a motorcycle. We last heard from Noa around 10am and then the next thing we see is her on a Hamas propaganda video, says Yad Gorjalstan 27, a childhood friend. You can hear her screaming, No, no, no, I am innocent! he added breaking down. Yad shared the last screenshots of Noas messages moments before she was captured where she says she was hiding with a group, while assailants were lynching people. She repeatedly called for help, asking for soldiers to come and help them. She was saying there are terrorists going crazy killing and kidnapping people, Yad added, audibly shaken. Among those believed to have been taken hostage in Gaza is Jake Marlowe (Jake Marlowe/Facebook) Among those believed to have been taken hostage in Gaza is a British man named locally as Jake Marlowe who had been doing security at the event according to Daniel Aboudy, a friend who spoke to The Independent. He sent a last voice note saying he was watching militants round up people from the party in front of our eyes. We are telling everyone to get the f*** outta there, he said in the voice note. We have spoken to the home front command in Israel and then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but so far, we dont know anything about what happened after that, Daniel added. On Sunday night, Israels search and rescue agency said more than 260 dead bodies had been recovered from the music festival. They havent all been collected yet, added the agency, called Zaka. The Israeli military had earlier told The Independent they had no firm figures of how many had been abducted to Gaza from the festival saying very significant numbers of people had been killed and taken hostage. Noa Argamani appeared in a chilling video being abducted by Hamas militants as she rode with her boyfriend on a motorcycle (Telegram) They are beginning the impossible task of trying to locate and retrieve them. It is unlike anything we have ever seen, said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, the international spokesperson for the army. There is a deep concern for the wellbeing and lives of the hostages. At this stage, I dont think anyone can guarantee they will be returned alive. We do not know who is alive and who is dead. The hostages were not only taken from the Nova party. In Kibbutz Nirim, just 8km south of the festival, militants raided the town, going from house to house trying to abduct people. One resident who asked not to be named said she knew of a family of three who had been kidnapped: No one knows what happened to them. Terrorists broke into their house and took them hostage. It took the army almost eight hours to get here, she told The Independent. We have been hiding in our shelter all day. As for Peleg, the bartender, he only survived because he left the Nova festival just in time. He described manically driving through farmlands trying to find safety past bombed-out cars full of shot-up Israeli civilians who had been killed trying to flee. There was no army or any help there at all. We used [navigation app] Waze to navigate through the fields, we saw a car returning that had been near us, the passenger circling his hand saying go back go back. A childhood friend of Noa shared her last messages moments before she was captured where she says she was hiding as people were lynched (Sourced) There was a car full of holes and dead bodies inside. So we drove back into the fields. There was so much gun and missile fire that he parked by the side of the road and hid until help finally came. My friend Ori is still missing, as are the other bar staff, he added. Family members of the missing put out desperate pleas for help. The mother of Shani Louk, a tattoo artist whose body was filmed being driven around Gaza, released a video in German begging for her body to be returned. Yad, Noas friend, says the family is devastated. My heart is broken as its Noas birthday coming up very soon and knowing she will be in Gaza is killing me. I was with Noas dad and family yesterday to see him crying for help because his only child has been taken, he is broken, you can not imagine what this feels like. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwean government has expressed concern about the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 1,600 people.Hamas launched a significant surprise attack on Israel, resulting in thousands of casualties, including women and children.As of Tuesday afternoon, the Israeli Defense Forces reported that over 2,000 people had been injured, and approximately 150 people had been abducted.In its first official response to the conflict, Zimbabwe's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for a lasting and equitable resolution.The ministry did not provide information on whether any Zimbabweans were missing, deceased, required medical assistance, or needed flights to return home."Equally troubling is the indiscriminate targeting of civilians, particularly women and children, and the disproportionate use of force. The Government of Zimbabwe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and grant humanitarian workers access to the injured and displaced."We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."These tragic events once again underscore the urgent need for the revival of the political process aimed at achieving a just and lasting solution that respects the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, as outlined in United Nations resolutions," the ministry stated in a press release.In the meantime, governments worldwide are working to locate their citizens in Israel to facilitate their evacuation. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The modern state of Israel was founded in May 1948 in the aftermath of the Holocaust and Second World War but the conflict that has raged between Israelis and Palestinians since can be traced back much further. Historians and commentators offer differing opinions as to when this chapter of history begins. In her series Al Nakba (2008) on Al Jazeera, documentary maker Rawan Damen begins her story with Napoleon Bonaparte, who proposed a Jewish homeland in Palestine as long ago as 1799 in the wake of the siege of Acre during his war against the Ottoman Empire. Pre-1900 The French commander was ultimately defeated in that conquest but his attempt to establish a European stronghold in the Middle East was revived by the British 41 years on, when foreign secretary Lord Palmerston wrote to his ambassador in Istanbul, urging him to press the Sultan to open up Palestine to Jewish immigrants as a means of countering the considerable influence of Egyptian governor Mohammed Ali. While there were only around 3,000 Jews living in Palestine at that time, wealthy benefactors such as French aristocrat Baron Edmond de Rothschild began to sponsor others from Europe to join them and establish settlements, the most notable being Rishon Le Zion, founded in 1882. Austrian writer Nathan Birnbaum coined the term Zionism in 1885 as Jews, particularly from eastern Europe, continued to arrive in Palestine. Austro-Hungarian journalist Dr Theodor Herzls book The Jewish State appeared a decade later, envisioning the establishment of such an entity with the coming of the 20th century. According to Al Nakba, two rabbis were sent by Herzls friend Max Nordau to Palestine to investigate the feasibility of the prospect and reported back: The bride is beautiful but she is married to another man, although the authenticity of this exchange is contested. Birnbaum, Herzl and Nordau organised the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897 to discuss their dream of an independent Jewish nation and plans to lobby European powers for its realisation. By 1907, Britain was considering the need for a buffer state in the Middle East to bolster its dominance. British Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann, a biochemist, would arrive in Jerusalem at this time to establish a company engaged in buying up land near Jaffa. Within three years, about 10,000 dunums, an old land measurement equivalent to acres, had been acquired in the Marj Bin Amer region of northern Palestine, forcing out 60,000 local farmers to accommodate Jewish arrivals from Europe and Yemen. As a Jewish militia, Hashomer, was established to protect the growing number of settlements, Palestinian pharmacist Najib Nassar set up a newspaper, Al-Karmel, to warn against what he considered to be a colonising force. The First World War 1914 - 1918 The outbreak of the First World War prompted a Britain distrustful of Mohammedans to intensify its interest in developing an allied presence in Palestine, not least to strengthen its grasp on the Suez Canal. In January 1915, Liberal Party politician Herbert Samuel drafted his secret memo The Future of Palestine, which was circulated among the Cabinet and in which he backed annexation and the country gradually becoming an autonomous Jewish state under the protectorship of the British Empire. Samuels recommendations were discussed privately by diplomats Sir Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot the following year, architects of the Sykes-Picot Agreement that demarcated British and French spheres of influence in the event of the collapse of Ottoman rule. Austro-Hungarian journalist Dr Theodor Herzl who wrote The Jewish State advocating a nation in Palestine (Getty) The Balfour Declaration 1917 The British governments Balfour Declaration followed on 9 November 1917, formally declaring support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine in a letter between David Lloyd Georges foreign secretary Arthur Balfour and Jewish community leader Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild, effectively assuming ownership over a land that many would argue it had no legal right to give away. Rothschild, Samuel, Sykes and Weizmann addressed a celebratory meeting in London a month later before, on 11 December 1917, General Edmund Allenby captured the holy city of Jerusalem. Following the Kaisers defeat and the Great Wars end, US president Woodrow Wilson commissioned a report into the non-Turkish regions of the fallen Ottoman Empire conducted by academic Dr Henry King and orientalist Charles Crane, who found that the almost 90 per cent non-Jewish population of Palestine were emphatically against the Zionist project. The authors warned of the intensity of feeling and argued that Jewish immigration should be limited in the greater interests of peace but were roundly ignored by the international community, their conclusions suppressed until 1922. At the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, lieutenant-colonel TE Lawrence (much-mythologised as Lawrence of Arabia) mediated the signing of an agreement between Weizmann, now leader of the Zionist delegation, and his Arab counterpart Prince Faisal bin Hussein, agreeing in principle the founding of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and an independent Arab nation in the Middle East. In 1922, the League of Nations recognised the British Mandate to rule Palestine under the jurisdiction of Samuel, now high commissioner, who was instrumental in enacting at least 100 legal initiatives to establish a Jewish presence, including recognising Hebrew as an official language and permitting a separate Jewish educational system and Jewish army. The Hebrew University and Histadrut, a labour union, were in place by 1925. As the decade progressed, mass protests began to erupt opposing Jewish immigration as the Palestinian movement tried in vain to counter and resist what its members considered a usurpation backed by the military and diplomatic muscle of imperial Britain. Black flags were raised by Palestinians when Balfour visited Jerusalem and almost 250 Jews and Arabs were killed and many more wounded in August 1929 at the Wailing Wall in a tragedy that became known as the Buraq Revolt. Three Muslim men were put to death by Samuels successor, Sir John Chancellor, for their part in the unrest, an act of brutality intended as a deterrent. Foreign secretary Arthur Balfour, right, formally declared British support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people (Getty) But the protests continued, reaching fever pitch in 1933, as more Jewish immigrants arrived to make a home for themselves, the influx accelerating from 4,000 in 1931 to 62,000 in 1935. That same year, Muslim revolutionary leader Sheikh Izz ad-Din al-Qassam was shot dead by British soldiers in the hills above Jenin. In 1936, the intensity of opposition to British colonial rule imposing the Balfour Declaration on a people who deplored it resulted in a six-month-long general strike, an impressive feat of organisation that nevertheless resulted in a backlash in which Palestinian homes were destroyed. The Second World War 1939 - 1945 The wider world would once more be plunged into war in 1939 in the fightback against Adolf Hitlers Nazi Germany, whose Third Reich would ultimately be found responsible for executing six million Jews in extermination camps, and concentration camps. Not long after the US entrance into the conflict, American-Zionist relations would be cemented with a 1942 conference at the Biltmore Hotel in New York. This occurred against a backdrop of several years activity by an armed Zionist paramilitary force known as Irgun, that had been attacking local Arab groups in Palestine. Irgun would become notorious for the bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on 22 July 1946, in which 91 people died, and the Deir Yassin Massacre on 9 April 1948, carried out in collaboration with another organisation, Lehi (or the Stern Gang), in which 107 were killed. That summer, Lehi would assassinate Folke Bernadotte, a Swedish diplomat dispatched by the United Nations to mediate the dispute. Following the Allied victories in Europe and the Pacific in 1945, world powers turned their attention towards ending the violence in Palestine. UN Partition Plan (or two-state solution) 1947 A two-state solution to the disputed territory almost came into being in 1947, when the UN General Assembly volunteered Resolution 181, which proposed carving a new state from Palestine west of the River Jordan: one housing Jews, the other Arabs. The resolution was adopted after a vote, allegedly as a result of diplomatic pressure from the US, but rejected by the Palestinians, who argued that Jewish residents owned no more than 5.5 per cent of the land at the time and so had no right to receive 56 per cent, in addition to the accompanying international legitimacy. Jewish jubilation met with Arab hostility and a civil war duly erupted. The first Israeli prime minister David Ben-Gurion officially proclaims the state of Israel in Tel Aviv in 1948 (AFP/Getty) The Arab-Israeli War and Nakba 1948 The state of Israel was nevertheless founded under prime minister David Ben-Gurion on 14 May 1948 with the end of the British Mandate, winning immediate recognition from the US and Soviet Union but prompting the outbreak of the bloody Arab-Israeli War, which saw 3,000 resistance fighters rise up against the new nation and forced 700,000 Palestinian people to flee the fighting, seeking refuge in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza, often without citizenship being granted. The displacement of the Palestinian people on that date is still marked every year on Nakba Day, named for an Arabic word for catastrophe and on which Palestinians give speeches, hold rallies and brandish the keys to the homes they were forced to leave behind and still hope to return to. In December of 1948, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 194, recognising that Palestinian people who want to return to their homes and live in peace with their neighbours should be given the right to do so as soon as possible. Israel though rejected the notion as a threat to the exclusively Jewish nature of the new state. A year later, the chamber would establish the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to further support those displaced. In the interim between those two events, Israel had signed armistice agreements with its neighbours in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Six-Day War 1967 Jordan assumed administrative control of the West Bank in 1950 and Egypt would hold Gaza, an arrangement that would last until the Six-Day War of 1967, when Israeli forces conquered those territories. Prior to that, the violence continued sporadically. Notable massacres took place in the villages of Qalqilya, Kufr Qasim and Khan Yunis in 1956 and in as-Samu in 1966. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation was founded in Cairo in 1964, dedicated to fighting for the liberation of Palestine through armed revolution rather than dwelling on rights issues, a stance the PLO would not abandon until 1993 and which would see it labelled a terrorist organisation by both Israel and the US. It would be recognised as the sole representative of the Palestinian people by the Arab League in 1974. Israels military advance on the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Golan Heights and Egyptian Sinai in 1967 sparked fresh bloodshed and saw the UN Security Council pass Resolution 242 ordering it to withdraw from territories it considered occupied. The council was ignored. Following the Yom Kippur War, the Security Council would pass another resolution, 338, calling for a ceasefire and again demanding Israel retreat from its 1967 incursions. Again, Israel refused. On 30 March 1976, Israeli land confiscations were met with uprisings, strikes and further violent reprisals in towns from the Sea of Galilee to the Negev, a date commemorated by Palestinians ever after as Land Day. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was befriended by Donald Trump (AP) An apparent breakthrough for peace in the Middle East occurred on 17 September 1978 when Israeli PM Menachem Begin met Egyptian president Anwar Sadat to sign the Camp David Accords at the Maryland retreat of president Jimmy Carter. One of the framework agreements clinched harmonious relations between their two nations and won the signatories the Nobel Peace Prize but the other, concerning the future of the disputed territories Palestine, would be condemned by the UN for being agreed without a Palestinian delegations involvement. The First Intifada and Oslo Accords 1987 - 1993 Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 while the first Intifada in Palestinian territories would erupt protesting occupation at the decades end. However, further incremental steps towards peace did occur when the PLO accepted UN Resolutions 242 and 338, formally recognising the state of Israel. Talks stalled again in 1991 and 1992, with no resolution in sight. Then, in summer 1993, the Oslo I Accord was signed by Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, providing for the creation of a Palestinian interim self-government, the Palestinian National Authority, and the withdrawal of Israeli Defence Forces from zones still widely considered occupied. A second agreement, Oslo II, followed in 1995 and granted Palestinian autonomy in certain parts of the West Bank and Gaza but, again, did not offer statehood. The Second Intifada and Gaza wars 2002 - 2021 An uneasy truce held until a second Intifada saw Israel reoccupy West Bank cities in 2002, a destabilising event that would be worsened by the death of Arafat in 2004, a great blow to the Palestinian cause. Since that time, violence has returned, with Israel declaring war on Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006 and launching repeated assaults on Hamas in Gaza, including Operation Cast Lead (2008), Operation Pillar of Defence (2012) and Operation Protective Edge (2014). Further violence blew up on Nakba Day in both 2017 and 2018, the latter severe enough to merit a UN war crimes investigation. The election of Donald Trump as US president further shook up the situation, with the former reality television star befriending Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as a gesture of recognition that the city is its capital before designating the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, in defiance of the broad international consensus that the region was illegally annexed. Mr Trump also cut US funding to the UNRWA and absurdly tasked his Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner, with developing a plan to bring peace to the Middle East, something the junior property developer was confident he could achieve without bias having read no fewer than 25 books on the subject. The tensions have subsequently erupted again, after Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets at Israel in what it said was a new operation on Saturday. Israel has responded by saying the country is "at war" and fired at targets in Gaza in response. For the latest updates, follow the Independents live coverage For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The mother of a young woman who was killed by Hamas militants at an Israeli music festival has compared the terrorist group to the Nazis. Hannie Ricardo, whose 26-year-old daughter Oriya Ricardo was one of the victims at the Supernova psytrance festival on Saturday, described the attackers as monsters and said the world needed to stand against them. The rave, held in the Negev desert, not far from the Reim millitary base, was directly in the path of Hamas fighters, who stormed over the border from Gaza into Israel on Saturday. Israeli rescuers said at least 260 bodies had been recovered from the site of the festival. By Sunday, Israel announced that 600 people had been killed, with 100 more being taken hostage. Speaking to MSNBCs The ReidOut, Ms Ricardo said she had not known that her daughter had been attending the music festival before she received a call at her home in New York telling her that her daughter was missing. She said that Oriya, the youngest of her three daughters, was the source of power of my life. Its pretty hard to speak in past tense about her, Ms Ricardo said, audibly emotional. She brought light everywhere she came a very happy girl. [She] loved to party and was always the centre of everything. Oriya Ricardo was among those killed at a music festival attacked by Hamas (MSNBC/ TheReidOut) She continued: I think that I need to speak about her and for her and for all those young people that were massacred by the Hamas. They have not a bit of humanity in them. These kids went to dance. And these kids, I know for sure, at these parties are peace people, you know they all fight for peace. And now theyre gone. And among them, my youngest daughter. The only thing I can compare these monsters, these inhuman beings [to], are the Nazis during the Holocaust. [They are] the same kind of people and the world needs to know and the world needs to fight them. Some commentators have suggested that Saturdays terror attack may be the worst loss of life for Jews in a single day since the Holocaust, with The Times of Israel quoting Eylon Levy, a former spokesperson for Israeli President Isaac Herzog saying: Its no exaggeration to say yesterday was the darkest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust. Lazar Berman, The Times of Israels diplomatic correspondent, made a similar reference, writing on X: October 7, 2023 saw the most Jews slaughtered in a single day since the Holocaust. Ms Ricardo said that Hamas would next target the US with its attacks, and that the attack on Israel was worse than 9/11. Hannie Ricardo said she felt she needed to speak out on behalf of her daughter and those others killed (MSNBC/ The ReidOut) I feel for these Palestinians. These people I feel for them but they are hostages, she said. They are hostages in the hands of the Hamas, and Iran and all of these terrorists. [Those groups] have no other focus in life rather than killing as many as possible. And when theyre done with the Jews, they will come for the Americans they did it already in 9/11 . I call this massacre that happened in the south of Israel even worse than 9/11. This is our 9/11, and my daughter is one of them. She added: This wonderful, beautiful, cheerful, amazing girl is dead now and Im going to bury her the day after tomorrow. My heart is broken to pieces, but I will go everywhere to speak about her, for her and against this terrorism. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The mother of a tattoo artist, believed to have been killed by Hamas terrorists at a music festival, has claimed her daughter is alive but in critical condition. Shani Louk, 22, was recognised by her distinctive tattoos and dreadlocks as the partially naked body inside a pick-up truck that was paraded through the streets by Palestinian gunmen. She and her friends had been attending the Supernova festival just three miles from the Gaza border when they were caught in the crossfire during Saturdays shock attack. Shani Louks mother has claimed she is alive in a Gaza hospital (Sourced) Her mother Ricarda Louk has now told German outlet Bild: We now have evidence that Shani is alive but has a serious head injury and is in critical condition. Every minute is critical. You have to act quickly and get Shani out of the Gaza Strip! she declared in a message directed at German officials. We shouldnt argue about questions of jurisdiction now! Clips on social media had shown Ms Louk, a German citizen raised in Israel, dancing and singing with her friends just hours before Hamas militants crossed into Israeli territories and opened fire on partygoers. Around 260 bodies have been retrieved from the festival site, with numerous others missing while Hamas claims to have taken around 100 people captive. Burnt cars are abandoned in a carpark near the Hamas festival attack (REUTERS) During a media appeal over the weekend, Ms Louks mother held a picture of her daughter and said: This morning my daughter, Shani Nicole Louk, a German citizen, was kidnapped with a group of tourists in southern Israel by Palestinian Hamas. We were sent a video in which I could clearly see our daughter unconscious in the car with the Palestinians and them driving around the Gaza Strip. I ask you to send us any help or any news. Thank you very much. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Palestinian group Hamas has launched its largest-ever attack on Israel, with militants launching thousands of rockets and storming through the Gaza border in an unprecedented assault. In the deadliest assault Israel has suffered in generations, hundreds of soldiers and civilians living in settlements close to the border have been killed or abducted, after Hamas blew up observation posts and other fortifications and broke out of beseiged Gaza on motorbikes, speedboats and paragliders. Two days after the shock incursion, Israel is still engaged in gunfights with Hamas fighters lodged within eight locations on its territory, with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to root out every last militant and fire on all those hiding in Gaza one of the worlds most densely-populated regions. With Israel reporting at least 260 fatalities at a trance music festival in the Negev desert raided by Hamas militants armed with assault rifles and grenades, the groups actions have been widely condemned internationally, with the United States sending military assistance. Here, The Independent takes a brief look at the groups history and aims: What is Hamas? The Hamas movement was founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, shortly after the first of the intifada uprisings by Palestinians against Israel. An acronym for Islamic Resistance Movement, which also means zeal in Arabic, Hamas was created on the three pillars of religion, charity and the fight against Israel also establishing a military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, named after the militant Syrian preacher first active in the 1920s. A plume of smoke rises in the sky of Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on the third day since Hamas launched its attack on Israel (AFP via Getty Images) Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip since winning the most recent elections in 2006, held a year after Israels withdrawal from the enclave, since which time its borders and airspace have been strictly controlled by Israel and Egypt. While much of Gazas young population was born under Hamas rule, some older Palestinians who voted them in many in frustation with corruption in the rival Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) have expressed regret over years of fatal repression from Israel partly stoked by Hamas militance. What are Hamass aims? Unlike the PLO, which has been the internationally recognised Palestinian leadership since its acceptance of Israels right to exist peacefully in 1993 led to the Oslo Accords, Hamas does not recognise the state of Israel. Instead, Hamas advocates for a Palestinian state stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River based on its historical borders. However, since 2017, Hamas has said it accepts a Palestinian state shaped around the borders of 1967, which existed prior to the war in which Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip after it was invaded in a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria, echoed nearly 50 years to the day later by Saturdays incursion. A Palestinian demonstrator throws rocks towards Israeli soldiers during clashes in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Sunday (AFP via Getty Images) What has Hamas said about the new attack? Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, has said the assault named Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was in response to the 16-year blockade of Gaza, the Israeli occupation, and a series of recent provocations including at Al-Aqsa mosque which have brought tensions to fever pitch. Weve decided to say enough is enough, said Mr Deif, announcing the launch of the attack on Saturday, adding: This is the day of the greatest battle end the last occupation on earth. Ismail Haniyeh, the exiled political leader of Hamas, said on Saturday that the group was engaged in these historic moments in a heroic operation to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Ismail Haniyeh said the incursion was a heroic operation as hundreds of Israeli civilians were killed (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) He claimed the assault would spread to the West Bank and Jerusalem, adding: This was the morning of defeat and humiliation upon our enemy, its soldiers and its settlers. What happened reveals the greatness of our preparation. What happened today reveals the weakness of the enemy. How is Hamas received internationally? Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by the United Kingdom, the European Union, Egypt, United States, Canada and Japan. However it has long been provided with funding and weapons by Iran, and has the support of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which on Sunday exchanged rocket and artillery fire with Israel amid fears the conflict could spread. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A top EU official has asked X/Twitter owner Elon Musk to walk the talk when it comes to curbing fake content and the glorification of violence following the terror attack against Israel by Hamas. EU commissioner Thierry Breton wrote in an open letter shared on X that illegal content and disinformation were being shared via the social media platform about the Hamas incursion into Israel, which began on Saturday. He warned the EU could punish X for failure to comply with its obligations to moderate content under the Digital Services Act, and gave Mr Musk 24 hours to give a prompt, accurate and complete response. You need to be very transparent and clear on what content is permitted under your terms and consistently and dingently enforce your own policies, Mr Berton said, adding that the social media company must be timely, diligent and objective in taking action and removing relevant content when it receives warranted notices of illegal content in the EU. I therefore invite you to urgently ensure that your systems are effective, and report on the crisis measures taken to my team, the EU commissioner said, calling for Mr Musk to respond within 24 hours. Replying to the statement, the Tesla chief called on the commissioner to list the violations. Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them, the multibillionaire posted on X. You are well aware of your users and authorities reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk, Mr Breton said in response to Mr Musks tweet. While X has claimed it was treating the ongoing crisis in Israel with its highest level of response, watchdog groups and the EU said misinformation and harmful content continue to flourish on the microblogging platform. Xs own safety team acknowledged there had been an increase in daily active users on X in the conflict area in the past couple of days, saying that there have been more than 50 million posts globally focusing on the weekend attack. As the events continue to unfold rapidly, a cross-company leadership group has assessed this moment as a crisis requiring the highest level of response, the team said. The struggle to find reliable news on the platform was exacerbated when Mr Musk himself flagged two accounts as good for following the war. Journalists, however, pointed out that these accounts had previously shared a fake AI-generated image of an explosion at the US Pentagon, and that one of them had also posted antisemitic comments. Mr Musks posts recommending them have now been deleted. Users on the platform also pointed out that old videos are being repackaged and circulated on X as if they are from the most recent attack. One widely shared video falsely claimed to show a Hamas militant shooting down an Israeli helicopter, but was later found to be a clip from a video game. Public media and civil society organisations widely report instances of fake and manipulated images and facts circulating on your platform in the EU, such as repurposed old images of unrelated armed conflicts or military footage that actually originated from video games, the Eu commissioner said in his letter addressing Mr Musk. X has not immediately responded to The Independents request for comment. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice We walked along the narrow wooden jetty towards the forest in deliberate silence. The sky was pastel grey, but the day felt mild. A fresh breeze skimmed off the Baltic, brushing the tops of the pine trees. Listening mindfully, I realised how incredibly satisfying I found the sound of the dry spindly needles and chunky cones crunching underfoot. I like starting nature hikes quietly, to help us become instantly connected with our surroundings, said my local nature guide, Simo Peri, tying up his shoulder-length blond hair as we walked. On his back, a pack containing a surprising number of supplies for our half-day adventure, as I would realise later. Its so easy to just start chatting or taking pictures that we dont notice whats going on around us, he explained. Seals also have incredible hearing and Im hoping well spot some. open image in gallery Ulko-Tammio is in the unsung Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park (Annika Ruohonen) I was in the unsung Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, a serene area in south-eastern Finland, that tourists often overlook in favour of the western archipelago. I was also fresh from a highly invigorating 45-minute RIB water taxi ride across the inky-black Baltic from Sapokka harbour at Kotka. This port and industrial city is two hours east of Helsinki, and acts as the gateway to Finlands south-east. I was on an otherworldly uninhabited island called Ulko-Tammio, 10km from the Russian border, and nearly completely covered by forest except for the shoreline. Read more on Finland travel: Its been dubbed the countrys first phone-free island, as part of a campaign to encourage visitors to put their phones away and experience it with all their senses. There are 100 islands and islets in the Eastern Gulf, but Ulko-Tammio is one of the most unspoiled and beautiful. No one has ever lived here, Simo told me later over lunch around the campfire, and thats what gives it a unique atmosphere. Its only been used as a fishermens camp and a pasture for people from other islands, like nearby Tammio. Its also easy to hike around, a habitat for rare birds. You can freely pick berries, and edible mushrooms, camp out and light fires, he said. Eventually, we emerged into the open, onto huge slabs of grey-red granite lapped by the Baltic. I felt like Id landed on another planet, or time-travelled to a prehistoric age on earth. There was no one else around. We call this rapakivi, Simo pronounced, with a pleasing Finnish roll of the letter r. What a great word, I thought, as he looked down, lightly tapping the ground with a hiking shoe-clad foot. Its so easy to just start chatting or taking pictures that we dont notice whats going on around us Simo Peri, guide I looked down too, and took in the beauty of this billion-year-old-plus geology, the bedrock of Ulko-Tammio. Here, he said, handing me a delicate, grass-like blade. I think you call them chives? Sure enough, it tasted just like a chive. Its discovery had completely distracted me from the fact we hadnt yet spotted a seal and, for that matter, the fact I hadnt touched my phone since my arrival. They know better than to hang about on rocks catching a cold, said Simo of the former. Theyre probably out diving for fish, keeping warm somewhere. My introduction to Finlands peaceful eastern archipelago had started in a glass cabin at the Santalahti Resort in Kotka the previous night. As well as hiking the paths around the resort, I spent hours at the fascinating Maritime Centre Vellamo in town, where I learned about the areas relationship to water and the weather and icebreakers. These giant vessels clear the shipping lanes in winter, and are a vestige of Finlands long tradition of shipbuilding. I dined like a local on Varissaari restaurant island, as it is known home to the Vaakku Summer Restaurant, a 10-minute ferry ride from Kotka harbour, followed by a traditional Finnish nightcap: a sundowner session in Santalahtis dreamy outdoor glass sauna, before a swift dip in the Baltic. On Ulko-Tammio, away from the shore, the island interior felt mysterious and otherworldly. The air was cool and moist, and a carpet of glistening elkhorn and reindeer lichen covered the forest floor along with, to my surprise, wild strawberries, my favourite fruit. Theyre so much smaller than Id imagined: delicate, ruby-hued miniatures of what were used to in England. Automatically, I reached for my phone but just as quickly stopped myself. Instead, I focused on savouring the unusual earthy-sweet flavour and juicy texture. open image in gallery Travellers are encouraged to down phones and appreciate nature tech-free (Annika Ruohonen) In contrast to Ulko-Tammios wild innocence, wartime remnants such as cannons, gun emplacements and ammunition stores are haunting reminders of its role in the Second World War as a guard post on the eastern border of Finland. Theres also an eerie 70-metre-long cave built to protect personnel, which we walked through in almost complete darkness to get to the other side. Towards the end of our loop walk in and out of the forest, at the top of the wooden bird-watching tower the highest point on the island the sun emerged in full force. From here, you get a 360-degree view across the island, and in good weather of the distant islands of Bolshoi Tyuters, Gogland and Sommer, which belong to Russia and lie just 10km away. A stroll past a traditional red hut, complete with beds and a kitchen, that visitors can stay overnight in, and were at the end of our nature walk. On Ulko-Tammio, away from the shores, the island interior felt mysterious and otherworldly You cant be unhappy if you have marshmallows, said Simo at this point, taking out all manner of snacks and cooking equipment ready for lunch: two Bialetti coffee pots, two small gas cookers, two packets of sausages, cups and plates. He sawed some wood, swiftly made a fire and served us up barbecued sausages, which we topped with Sinappi, hot Finnish mustard, squeezed from a metal tube. I used to be a chef in Helsinki, he told me, carving points on the ends of two sticks with a big knife from his leather case. One day I realised I wanted to step away from the high-pressure environment. We were cooking great food, and getting great reviews, but I knew I wanted to change things, so I started to investigate how I could work more in nature, and here I am. He stopped talking and stabbed a chunky marshmallow onto the end of a carved stick and held it over the crackling fire. open image in gallery The island is uninhabited, making for a tranquil visitor experience (Annika Ruohonen) My last night is spent on Kaunissaari, an inhabited island peppered with traditional red Finnish summer cabins and home to just one hotel, Hotelli Maja, open in the summer months. The island is also well known for its big bowls of salmon soup; I sampled a big pot of the steaming, delicate clear broth filled with chunks of fresh fish and flavoured with fragrant dill at the hotels restaurant and wasnt disappointed. It was the perfect meal after a cycle through the Kaunissaari forest to the lighthouse on the islands northern edge. Here, I surprised myself; after my experience on Ulko-Tammio, I didnt think once about taking a photo of the idyllic scene. Instead, I paused, breathed deep, and absorbed it without the buffer of a screen in the way. Well played Finland. Travel essentials Getting there Finnair flies from London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh to Helsinki all year round, from 166 return. Staying there Santa Glass Villa at the Santalahti Resort cost from 550 per night based on two people sharing, including breakfast and activities. Rooms available from{{#price}}{{price}}per night{{/price}} {{^price}}Check availability for dates and prices{{/price}} Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Hotel Amenities {{#amenities.foodDrink.length}} Food & Drink {{#amenities.foodDrink}} {{.}} {{/amenities.foodDrink}} {{/amenities.foodDrink.length}} {{#amenities.internet.length}} Internet Please check hotel for more information on amenities {{#amenities.internet}} {{.}} {{/amenities.internet}} {{/amenities.internet.length}} {{#amenities.services.length}} Services {{#amenities.services}} {{.}} {{/amenities.services}} {{/amenities.services.length}} {{#amenities.parking.length}} Parking Please check hotel for more information on amenities {{#amenities.parking}} {{.}} {{/amenities.parking}} {{/amenities.parking.length}} {{#amenities.health.length}} Health & Wellbeing {{#amenities.health}} {{.}} {{/amenities.health}} {{/amenities.health.length}} {{/amenities}} {{#amenities}}{{/amenities}} Rooms at Kaunissaaren Hotelli Maja from 149, based on two people sharing. Rooms available from{{#price}}{{price}}per night{{/price}} {{^price}}Check availability for dates and prices{{/price}} Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Hotel Amenities {{#amenities.foodDrink.length}} Food & Drink {{#amenities.foodDrink}} {{.}} {{/amenities.foodDrink}} {{/amenities.foodDrink.length}} {{#amenities.internet.length}} Internet Please check hotel for more information on amenities {{#amenities.internet}} {{.}} {{/amenities.internet}} {{/amenities.internet.length}} {{#amenities.services.length}} Services {{#amenities.services}} {{.}} {{/amenities.services}} {{/amenities.services.length}} {{#amenities.parking.length}} Parking Please check hotel for more information on amenities {{#amenities.parking}} {{.}} {{/amenities.parking}} {{/amenities.parking.length}} {{#amenities.health.length}} Health & Wellbeing {{#amenities.health}} {{.}} {{/amenities.health}} {{/amenities.health.length}} {{/amenities}} {{#amenities}}{{/amenities}} More information For more information on guided adventure nature walks around Ulko-Tammio and other areas of south-eastern Finland with Simo Peri, visit retkipiste.com Ellie Seymour was a guest of Visit Finland and Visit Kotka-Hamina. Read more of our best Europe hotel reviews Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Barcelona is set to reduce the number of cruise ships that can call at its central port in a bid to tackle overtourism. The number of ships able to dock at any one time will be cut from 10 to seven. Certain piers will also be completely off limits in the central port to help decrease pollution, such as the citys Muelle Barcelona Norte northern docks and the World Trade Centre, with cruise ships told to stop at the southern port instead. The move is aimed at lowering exhaust gases near the city centre, reports Cruise Industry News. Passengers will have to take 30-minute shuttle buses from the piers that remain open into the city centre. The new rules are expected to come into affect from 22 October. The decision to limit cruise ships has been on the cards for some time. Barcelonas Mayor Ada Colau first pledged to cap the number of cruise ships in the city in 2019, telling El Pais: There are thousands of people who arrive at once. Most of them stay for just a few hours and are highly concentrated in the downtown area. They generate a feeling of collapse. The Catalonian capital is following in the footsteps of a number of destinations which have tried to curb overtourism through restricting cruise ships. In Venice, large cruise ships were banned from the Venice lagoon back in 2021. The government decided to act after Unesco warned the Italian city could be placed on a blacklist for not banning liners from the World Heritage Site. Liners weighing more than 25,000 tonnes were barred from the Giudecca Canal, the waterway that goes past Piazza San Marco one of the citys most recognisable sites. Meanwhile, the Croatian city of Dubrovnik decided to cap the number of cruise ships that can dock each day to two, carrying a maximum of 5,000 passengers between them, back in 2019. More recently, earlier this week cruise passengers were met by a crowd of around 80 protesters as their ship docked in France. Travellers aboard the World Traveller liner were greeted with shouts of shame on you, go home and youre not welcome as they arrived into the port of Douarnenez in Brittany on Sunday. Many of the demonstrators were dressed up as animals, including polar bears and sea lions, as well as Venetian carnival goers, to protest against the environmental impact of cruising. One 25-year old protester said she is fed up with luxury and expedition trips. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice British Airways' flight from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv is returning to the UK after a decision not to land at Israel's main airport. The Airbus A350 had flown almost all of its 2,233-mile journey before turning around. BA has now suspended flights on the route until further notice, as has Virgin Atlantic. A spokesperson for British Airways said: Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation we're suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv. Were contacting customers booked to travel to or from Tel Aviv to apologise for the inconvenience and offer options including a full refund and rebooking with another airline or with British Airways at a later date. We continue to monitor the situation in the region closely. The move comes after an aviation membership organisation, OpsGroup warned: Israel is now an active war zone. As such, all lessons learned regarding civil operations in conflict zones over the last nine years since MH17 need to be applied. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied eastern Ukraine in 2014 by a Buk anti-aircraft missile that belonged to the Russian army. All 298 passengers and crew died in the attack. Ops Group added: The ultimate sentiment from MH17 still echoes: What were they doing flying over a war zone? We truly hope the same question doesnt need to be asked in Tel Aviv airspace this week. Most UK airlines have already suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv. El Al continues to operate on the Heathrow-Tel Aviv route. Tuesdays final Virgin Atlantic flight before its suspension arrived at the Israeli airport at about the same time as the British Airways crew decided to return to London. On Tuesday Finnair cancelled all its flights to and from Tel Aviv until 30 March 2024 because of the unstable situation in Israel. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice A woman says she was removed from a Jet2 flight after cabin crew spotted that she was sweating. Helen Taylor, 56, was due to fly from Newcastle to Rome with her husband on 2 October for a much-anticipated minibreak. The mother from Chester-le-Street, who suffers from type 2 diabetes and is currently going through the menopause, boarded the plane without issue. But she says that on the way back from the toilet she felt slightly dizzy and started sweating as she had just eaten for the first time that day. I had just eaten after not eating all day and I have type 2 diabetes, so it is just my blood sugars relevelling. All I [needed] is to sit down and have a drink of water and I will be perfectly fine, she told Chronicle Live. Two minutes later, I was right as rain, Flight attendants, however, started to question whether she was fit to fly, with one saying she would have to undergo a medical examination, claims Ms Taylor. Already starting to feel better, she reassured cabin crew that she would be fine within a matter of minutes. But she came back again 10 minutes later and said, Weve made a decision that you are going to have to leave the aircraft, we think you are a flight risk. I said, What, for having diabetes? Do I look ill now? and she said, Well actually you dont. Ms Taylor alleges she spoke with the captain, who agreed she did appear fit to fly, but still endorsed the flight attendants decision to remove her from the flight. I had never heard anything so ridiculous in my life, she said. I cannot believe how we were treated. It was absolutely insane. They cant do this to people. She added: They were making a decision on unsubstantiated evidence because they were not doctors. The couple claim they were frogmarched through the airport, forced to return their duty-free purchases and questioned by Border Control. Ms Taylor alleges that she attempted to contact Jet2 multiple times in the days following the incident in order to claim a refund for the 1,800 holiday, but initially received no response. I want to put this out there so, hopefully, Jet2 think twice before doing this to someone else, she said, adding that she and her husband are loyal Jet2 customers who have booked three trips with the operator next year. Jet2 has confirmed it will now refund the cost of the holiday. After liaising with independent medical aviation specialists, our crew took this decision as the health, wellbeing and safety of our customers is always our first priority, a spokesperson said. However, after investigating further as a matter of absolute priority, we have been in touch with Ms Taylor to apologise and to refund her holiday as a gesture of goodwill. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice After Hamas attacks in southern Israel swiftly escalated and culminated in war, concerns over the safety of travel to Israel and countries in the surrounding region haven risen. Jordan, a popular winter sun destination for tourists, shares its northern border with both Israel and Syria, and travellers with trips booked may be questioning the wisdom of holidaying there amid the conflict. Heres the latest travel advice for Jordan, plus all the key questions and answers. What does the Foreign Office say? On Tuesday the Foreign Office (FCDO) strengthened its stance on travel to Jordan updating its guidance to read: The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 3km of Jordans border with Syria. Crossings from Jordan to Israel may also be closed at short notice as a result of the conflict in southern Israel close to the border with Gaza. The Foreign Office says the situation in Syria is fragile and security threats in the form of instability or terrorist activity could arise with little or no notice, advising against all travel to the country. What do the Jordan authorities say? The Jordan Tourism Board said in a statement: In light of the recent developments in Gaza, we want to emphasise that Jordan continues to be a safe and welcoming destination for tourists from around the world. Our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all visitors remains unwavering. We want to reassure everyone that Jordans borders are open to tourists, and we are eager to share our extraordinary experiences with the world. We understand that tensions around the world can raise concerns, but we believe in the power of travel to foster understanding and build bridges between nations. As always, the Jordan Tourism Board is here to assist and support tourists in making the most of their visit. Jordans deputy Prime Minister and minister of foreign affairs, Ayman Al-Safadi, stressed the need to stop the dangerous escalation in Gaza and its surroundings and highlighted the ongoing Jordanian effort to launch immediate international action to stop the escalation, the necessity of protecting civilians and respecting international humanitarian laws. Al-Safadi said that the need to protect civilians, whose killings are condemned by international laws, fuelled Jordanian efforts to stop the escalation and end the war on Gaza, in order to avoid their repercussions on the entire region. Are Jordan flights continuing? Yes. Queen Alia International Airport, south of Amman remains operational as does King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, Jordans southernmost point. The main airlines that fly from the UK to Jordan include British Airways, easyJet, Tui, Royal Jordanian and Wizz Air out of London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Luton. In 2021, Jordan and Israel reached a historic agreement to open up the Jordan-Israel air corridor and allow flights that previously flew around Israel to cross over into each countrys airspace, cutting flight times from the west. An international aviation group, OpsGroup warns: Lessons learned regarding civil operations in conflict zones over the last nine years since MH17 need to be applied. The risk of a passenger aircraft becoming a casualty of this war is high. What if I have booked a package holiday to Jordan? Travellers who have booked package holidays to Jordans new no go zone as advised by the FCDO can cancel without penalty for a full refund, although the main tourist spots are a fair distance from here anyway. Outside of the 3km radius between Jordans northern border and Syria, the conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund you if you want to cancel and you will not be able to claim on travel insurance due to safety concerns unless FCDO advice changes. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) experienced a slight 0.75% depreciation on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's (RBZ) Foreign Exchange Auction this week. This was due to a substantial allocation of foreign currency to the country's key economic productive sectors.According to a trading update issued at the close of business on Tuesday, the exchange rate declined to US$1: ZWL 5,633, down from the previous week's rate of ZWL 5,591, representing a 0.75% decrease.As a result, traders are permitted to set the US dollar exchange rate at a maximum of ZWL 6,196, considering a margin of +/- 10% above or below the official exchange rates.At this rate, exchange rates have remained relatively stable, closely tracking the parallel market rates, where ordinary trades are offered at premiums of US$1: ZWL 6,500. Nevertheless, certain participants in the alternative market are setting even higher premiums depending on demand dynamics.On the Wholesale Auction platform, where banks purchase foreign currency for resale to their clients, a total of 17 bids were accepted, resulting in an allocation of US$18.1 million, which falls short of the US$20 million available.Market observers suggest that this trend indicates that liquidity levels in the market remain under control since not all the foreign currency on the Auction platform is fully purchased.On the Retail Auction platform, a total of US$1.86 million was allocated, with allocations of US$552,534 for raw materials, US$468,099 for machinery and equipment, US$209,539 for consumables, US$323,296 for services, and US$175,616 for retail and distribution, among other categories. Meghan Markle has said being a mother is the most important thing in her life outside of being a wife to Prince Harry. The Duchess of Sussex made her comments while appearing at a World Mental Health Day panel event in New York City on Tuesday, alongside her husband, as she discussed the dangers of social media. Meghan said: Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life... outside of course being a wife to this one. But I will say, I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again, quite young, so this isnt in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened by how its continuing to change. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, called US President Joe Biden on Tuesday evening (10 October) to thank him for his continued and unequivocal support. In a video released by the Israeli government, Mr Netanyahu is heard describing Saturdays incursion by Hamas as savagery I can say we have not seen since the Holocaust. We had hundreds massacred, families wiped out in their beds, in their homes, women brutally raped and murdered, over a hundred kidnapped, including children. And since we last spoke, the extent of this evil, its only gotten worse, he told Mr Biden. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverley is forced to run for cover as an air raid siren sounded during in visit to Israel. Mr Cleverly was visiting Ofakim in southern Israel in a show of support for the Israelis when the warning of incoming Hamas rocket fire went off. Footage shows Mr Cleverly running for cover as the siren rings out warning of an incoming Hamas rocket fire. The Foreign Secretary has travelled to Israel to express the UKs solidarity in the wake of the attacks, as the King condemned the barbaric acts of terrorism. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Wednesday, House Republicans gave themselves a half-victory when they nominated Majority Leader Steve Scalise to be speaker. This came after a standoff between Mr Scalise, the number two in the House Republican conference who is a well-liked figure, and Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), a right-wing firebrand and co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus. Former president Donald Trump had endorsed Mr Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who played a key role in Mr Trumps attempts to oveturn the 2020 election. This does not necessarily translate to Mr Scalise getting the gavel. Remember, that requires a majority of the House as a whole; not just a majority of the party. And given that Republicans have only 221 seats in a 435-seat House of Representatives with two vacancies, that means any nominee for speaker can only afford to lose four votes. Indeed, Rep Ken Buck (R-CO), another member of the House Freedom Caucus, told reporters that he grilled Mr Jordan and Mr Scalise about who actually won the 2020 presidential election. And in frustration, he said he voted present. (Mr Buck, for those who forget, was one of the eight Republicans who voted to boot Kevin McCarthy). But beyond the current fight, there is one question nobody is asking: Why in Gods name would any rational Republican member of Congress take the job? Any study of the most recent Republican speakers shows the job requires making promises that are impossible to keep and inevitably infuriating enough of the conference that you leave in disgrace. Its important to remember that Democrats controlled the House of Representatives for the majority of the 20th century. Indeed, from 1955 to 1995, Democrats never lost control of the majority until the 1994 midterms when Newt Gingrich led the Republican Revolution. But Mr Gingrich left office in disgrace. Many people remember how he had an extramarital affair all while he ravenously pursued an impeachment trial of Bill Clinton. But his downfall actually came before then, when after the fallout from the Clinton impeachment, Republicans actually lost House seats in the 1998 midterm election. Before that, the House had lurched from crisis to crisis, including two government shutdowns. Afterward, Republicans picked Bob Livingston before reports emerged that he had engaged in an extramarital affair, which led to Dennis Hastert taking the top job. Mr Hastert would serve from 1999 to 2007, when Democrats took control of the House for the first time in more than a decade. In 2010, Republicans rode the Tea Party wave that largely came in response to anger during Barack Obamas first term. In turn, John Boehner would take the gavel. He lasted a respectable five years, but the most right-wing voices in his conference among them, Mr Jordan often pressured him, making it nearly impossible for him to negotiate with the White House. In 2013, a handful of conservatives and Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) shut down the government in an attempt to defund Obamacare, something that never would have happened given Democratic control of the Senate. Eventually, Mark Meadows, the future chief of staff to Mr Trump but then a congressman from North Carolina, filed a motion to vacate. While a vote never happened, it was enough to push Mr Boehner over the limit. After bringing Pope Francis to address Congress, Mr Boehner called it a day and resigned. These days, he mostly spends his days lobbying for legal marijuana and posts pictures of himself fishing on social media. That led to Mr McCarthy seeking the speakership before he prematurely dropped out. In a panic, the House coalesced around Paul Ryan, the doe-eyed Ways & Means chairman who often dazzled the Washington press corps with his seeming mastery of economic statistics. But Mr Ryans tenure coincided with the rise of Trumpism, which firmly rejected Mr Ryans message of free trade, restricting entitlements and supporting immigration reform. Mr Ryan would pass massive tax cuts with Mr Trump and criminal justice reform but the legislation he shepherded to repeal Obamacare died in a spectacularly public fashion when the late John McCain delivered a dramatic 11th-hour thumbs-down vote. Mr Ryan often feigned ignorance about Mr Trumps worst impulses, telling reporters he hadnt seen the presidents tweets before he finally called it quits in 2019. Then, of course, there is Mr McCarthy, who tied himself in knots to please every faction of the House GOP conference, and went 15 rounds earlier this year before he got the gavel, only to face the ultimate humiliation of being booted last week. Ironically, Republicans are largely unified in supporting tax cuts for the wealthiest earners, restricting immigration, prohibiting transgender people from participating in much of public life and imposing work requirements for recipients of social welfare programs. Republicans in the House are mostly split on tactics. This differs wildly from Democrats, who are largely split about everything from foreign policy (as seen with the divergent responses to Hamas attack on Israel), how much money to spend at any given rate and solutions to climate change. But Democrats, particularly in the House, largely move as a unit. On Tuesday, they unanimously voted to nominate Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, just as they did in January. Meanwhile, the slight disagreements in tactics can be enough to end a Republican speakers career. Indeed, Mr Hastert, the longest-serving Republican speaker, would only get his comeuppance after he left office when he went to prison for hush money payments he made related to child sexual abuse. DAA was seeking amendments to its 2007 planning permission that curtails flights between 11pm and 7am An Bord Pleanala has rejected a request from north Dublin residents that it stage an oral hearing into DAA plans to ease restrictions on the operation of its 320m runway. It is now over 14 months since Fingal Co Council granted planning permission to DAA to amend two planning conditions attached to the original 2007 planning permission for the runway. DAA was seeking amendments to the runways 2007 planning permission that would allow the 3.1km runway be used between 6am and midnight and that a noise quota system would be used to dictate the number of night-time flights at the airport. The 2007 planning permission which remains in place curtails flights between 11pm and 7am. The airport operator in August of last year succeeded on both fronts with the Fingal County Council decision and the decision was appealed by local residents groups as part of the long-running planning saga. Fourteen separate third party appeals were lodged against the grant of permission and now in a letter to all parties in the dispute, An Bord Pleanala has stated that it has decided to determine the case without an oral hearing. The letter states the board has concluded that the case can be dealt with adequately through written procedures. St Margarets The Ward Residents Group has lodged an extensive appeal against the Fingal Co Council decision and requested that the appeals board hold an oral hearing. In response to the decision not to stage an oral hearing, a spokesman for the residents said that it and the communities we represent in Fingal and East Meath are very disappointed with the decision not to hold an oral hearing. The spokesman said that DAAs application to relax night-time restrictions at Dublin Airport is something that will significantly, negatively alter the noise environment for thousands of residents. He said: We feel that there are significant local issues and therefore an oral hearing is necessary. The spokesman added: We are concerned that without an oral hearing our opportunities to effectively advocate on behalf of our communities is seriously hampered. This decision only favours one party, the DAA. A spokesman for DAA said that it wouldnt be commenting on the An Bord Pleanala oral hearing decision to respect due process currently in train. After the Fingal Council planning green light in August 2022, a DAA spokesman said that the decision helps provide the operational flexibility required by Dublin Airport to enable the regrowth and development of international connectivity at Irelands main gateway. As part of a planning condition attached to the permission, DAA faces a potential bill of 6m to insulate up to 300 homes in the vicinity of the airport from night-time air traffic noise. This followed Fingal County Council making it a condition that eligible householders around the airport are to receive a 20,000 grant from DAA to insulate their homes from night-time air traffic noise. As part of its 245-page planners report into the case, Fingal County Council concluded that the application would further safeguard the role of Dublin Airport and the long-term amenity of residents in the area. DAA has stated that the runway will support the creation of 2.2bn in additional economic activity by 2043. Centra has launched a new delivery service across five of its Dublin stores. The trial service, which will be known as Centra Go, will offer delivery for around 1,000 products, including grocery and household items. Customers can also order items from the bakery, off-licence and hot food counter for delivery, while made-to-order deli items will also be available to order in the new service. The five stores are located on North King Street, Harolds Cross, Ballsbridge, Ballinteer and Coolock. Centra Go will be available from 8:30am until 10pm each day, with delivery expected within 45 minutes of ordering. Centra said it plans to roll out the service to more stores in the coming months if the trial period is successful. As part of the new service, the retailer has also developed a dedicated app for customers to order items. UK-based firm Snappy Shopper has provided Centra with the technology for the Centra Go delivery app, as well as for the in-store technology for staff members picking the items after they are ordered. Dublin-based logistics business Ondway is also working with Centra to provide the delivery service. Ondway, which launched in the city last year, has a fleet of over 1,000 riders. At Centra, we strive to provide the best convenience offering to our customers and give them what they want, when they want it, Centra managing director Ian Allen said. We are delighted to launch the Centra Go delivery service, ensuring that our customers have the best and most seamless shopping experience available, he added. Breda Cahill, who is the owner of the Centra store in Ballinteer on the south- side of Dublin , said the shop was looking forward to providing the service to customers in the area. Weve witnessed the high demand for delivery services among our customers, spanning breakfasts, evening dinners, nights in, lunches, and household essentials, Ms Cahill said. Ordering through the app is a simple process, and our teams are dedicated to swiftly fulfilling these orders, enhancing the overall shopping experience for our customers. Centra also reported that the new service will offer an expanded product range online compared with the selection of products available for delivery from some Centra stores on the Just Eat or Deliveroo platforms. The option for delivery from certain stores on these platforms is set to remain in place, the retailer confirmed. The strategic communications and advisory business has been sold to a New York firm Irish financial journalist turned top-tier public relations advisor Rory Godson has agreed a deal to sell London-based Powerscourt, the strategic communications business he founded in 2004. The business is being acquired by a US firm in a deal believed to value the firm at about 50m (58m). Its being bought by New York-based Morrow Sodali, a strategic advisory and shareholder services firm thats backed by private equity giant TPG. Morrow Sodali has more than 1,000 corporate clients across more than 80 markets. It advises on issues including corporate governance, stock market flotations, shareholder activism and mergers and acquisitions. It plans to use Powerscourt as a growth platform to build a full-service advisory and shareholder services practice across Europe, with the financial backing of TPG. Mr Godson, Powerscourts CEO, and Powerscourt managing partner Victoria Palmer-Moore, will remain with the business to help build out the platform. The terms of the deal werent disclosed. Mr Godson is a former business editor of the Sunday Times. He was subsequently director of corporate affairs at Goldman Sachs International. Powerscourt, which also has an office in Dublin, advises more than 170 clients, many of them listed on the FTSE-100. Its Irish clients include DCC, Greencore and Datalex. It has also advised on projects such as the $6.3bn debt restructuring undertaken in 2022 by Limerick-based aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital. Last year, Powerscourt generated revenue of 12.7m (14.7m), unchanged on the 2021 figure following a 19pc rise that year compared to 2020. It made an operating profit of 3m (3.5m) last year and a profit after tax of 2.4m. The directors noted in the 2022 accounts that sluggish capital markets hit the revenue performance that year. Capital markets were challenging in 2022, without which management believe there would have been significant upside to these results through greater transaction advisory fees, they said. The firm paid dividends of 2m last year, compared to 838,000 in 2021. It had cash and cash equivalents of 12m on its books at the end of last December. Powerscourt, which employs 75 people between London and Dublin, also operates a management incentive share programme, which is likely to see senior executives besides Mr Godson also benefit from the sale of the business. Mr Godson described the acquisition of Powerscourt as a great deal for the firm and his colleagues and that the cultural alignment between the firms is incredibly strong. We are adding new capabilities and new countries, transforming Powerscourt into a multi-disciplinary advisory firm with global reach, he said. The Powerscourt team has proved itself with its core services in its home markets. We will now be able to deliver greater perspective for boards, leadership teams and public figures. Eavan Gannon, a partner at the firm who leads Powerscourts Dublin office, said the deal would broaden the firms reach and deepen its expertise. Morrow Sodali employs about 500 people. It has made other recent acquisitions, including the purchase of Citadel-Magnus, one of Australias top corporate communications and investor relations firms, and ESG consulting firms HXE Partners and FrameworkESG. Ocean Kinetics said it hoped the partnership would drive innovation and growth in the marine engineering sector. The UK company said the deal will give the business better access to European markets. It said that following the deal, the investment will lead to an expansion of facilities and jobs at MMG. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. MMG has 15 staff and was established in 2005 by current managing director Martin McGuinness. The company describes itself as a leading firm in coded welding and marine fabrication. Mr McGuinness said the arrangement opens up immense opportunities for the company. We believe that our partnership will give us the capacity to expand and deliver a much wider offering than each of us currently has, he said. Mr McGuinness said that joining the design expertise and production capacity of both companies will give them the ability to fulfil major contracts in renewables, marine, and fisheries. He said the firms are targeting new business across the UK, Ireland, Europe, and beyond. Ocean Kinetics, which has been operating since 1992, are experts in engineering. Areas it works in include making machinery, inspection and testing, industrial insulation and underwater works. As well as its offices in Shetland, the firm has a presence in multiple locations across Scotland. Ocean Kinetics said the investment follows the two businesses past collaboration on a number of projects, including a clean energy storage system for the aquaculture industry, the sector focused on raising and harvesting fish and marine plants. The company said the two businesses have constructed the marine grade metal frames for offshore wind developments. John Henderson, the managing director of Ocean Kinetics, said: We are really excited about our partnership with MMG Ocean, which brings together Ocean Kinetics extensive industry experience and market reach with MMG Oceans innovative product development and access to European markets. Mr Henderson also said the transaction underscores the synergy between the two companies and positions us as industry leaders across a range of sectors. Building from an established relationship, we now have a solid base from which to expand our reach and create transformative engineering solutions that bring genuine innovation to the marketplace, he said. The deal comes shortly after Ocean Kinetics bought Scottish firm Hamnavoe Engineering in May. The High Court has given troubled fit-out firm Mac Interiors additional time to see if a new investor is prepared to support a modified scheme aimed at ensuring the companys survival. Late last week, Mr Justice Michael Quinn ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to approve a scheme of arrangement put together by the companys examiner Kieran Wallace, of Interpath Advisory. Had the scheme, which was opposed by Revenue, been approved by the court, the company would have successfully exited examinership and continued to survive as a going concern. After the courts decision, a proposed investor who had committed funds towards the companys survival scheme pulled out of the deal. However, the examiners lawyers told the judge on Monday that a new investor, whose identity was not given in open court, is interested in getting involved with Mac Interiors and potentially funding a modified scheme of arrangement. Mr Justice Quinn gave the examiner until Tuesday afternoon to present an alternative proposal to the court. On Tuesday James Doherty SC, for the examiner, told the court that some further additional time was required to see if an agreement can be reached between his client and the new investor. Counsel said if an agreement can be reached it was envisaged that the court will be asked to use its discretion to allow Mr Wallace put a modified scheme of arrangement, where there may be more funds available from the new investor, before the companys creditors. Dermot Cahill SC, appearing with Sally ONeill Bl, said that finality should be brought to the matter and the court had no option other than to make orders winding up what is an insolvent company. Counsel said that what the examiner was potentially proposing in relation to the new investor was a new scheme and not a modified one. The examinership process is a time-sensitive process and the examiner has already had more than the 100 days legally allowed to put together the best arrangement possible, counsel said. That proposal had been rejected by the court, and the examiner should not be allowed to put a new survival scheme to either the creditors or the court, counsel said, adding that the firms assets are losing their value as the process before the court continues. In reply, Mr Doherty rejected any criticisms of the examiner who, counsel said, was continuing to act in the best interests of all the creditors. Mr Justice Quinn agreed to the examiners request to further adjourn the matter until this morning. The judge stressed that if any application is made by the examiner to continue the examinership process, then it must be supported by evidence to the court. In his judgment, Mr Justice Quinn rejected the examiners original proposal for returning Mac Interiors, which owes creditors some 27m, to solvency following opposition by Revenue, Revenue is owed 14.3m, including 13.2m in warehoused debt that would have been almost entirely written down. The judge found the only impaired creditor class had been erroneously formed. As a consequence of this finding, no meeting of a validly formed class of impaired creditors has accepted the proposal, which involved a proposed investment from Quartz Holdco Limited comprising a loan of 2.25m and 1.5m working capital. All other tests were satisfied and, the undisputed evidence showed, the plan would provide the company with a reasonable prospect of survival, the judge noted. There is also a first reduction in USC for five years while standard rate income tax cut-off point increases by 2,0000 Changes to the income tax system mean a typical worker is set to gain up to around 800 a year, after yesterdays Budget details were announced. The changes take effect from the start of next year and mean workers will be able to earn more before they are hit with the top rate of tax. There will also be changes to the Universal Social Charge (USC) as well as increases in the income tax credits. Credits are amounts of income people can earn before paying tax. Department of Finance calculations indicate that the income tax and USC changes will mean a single parent on 48,000 will gain 882 a year. A couple, where the husband is self-employed and earns 120,000 a year, will gain 1,292 from the tax and USC changes. Finance Minister Michael McGrath said: Taking the example of a single person earning 46,000 in 2024, they will see an increase of over 2,000 in their net income as a result of cumulative income tax and USC changes since 2021. However, this includes measures introduced over a number of budgets. There was surprise when the minister increased the standard rate income tax cut-off point by 2,000 to bring entry to the higher rate of income tax to 42,000. This means from next year a single worker will continue to pay income tax at a rate of 20pc up to 42,000 before being levied at the 40pc. At the moment a single person pays tax at 40pc on income over 40,000. Employees are set to benefit from a 100 increase each in the personal tax credit and the PAYE tax credit. The self-employed will benefit by getting an extra 100 in the earned income tax credit. Also on the way is a 100 increase in the Home Carer Tax Credit. If you are married or in a civil partnership and you care for a dependent person, you can apply for the Home Carer Tax Credit. This year it is 1,700. Mr McGrath also announced a 100 increase in the Single Person Child Carer Credit. The USC has seen big changes. A reduction in the middle rate of USC from 4.5pc to 4pc was outlined in the Dail. The minister said this was the first reduction in the USC rates in five years. He also made changes in the entry threshold to the 4pc USC rate. There is an increase of 2,840 in the threshold at which the middle rate of USC is paid, from 22,920 to 25,760. This is to ensure that the rise in the national minimum wage does not get eaten up by higher USC payments. The minimum wage goes up by 1.40 to 12.70 per hour from the start of next year. Mr McGrath said: Therefore, to ensure that such workers remain outside the higher rates of USC, I will be raising the entry threshold to the 4pc rate to 25,760 in line with the increase to the national minimum wage. A full-time worker on the minimum wage will see an increase in their net take-home pay of approximately 2,300 on an annual basis. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said the increase in the minimum wage represents some progress towards a real living wage, but still leaves it below the rate of 14.80 for next year as estimated by the Living Wage Technical Group. The 12 increase in welfare rates is below the steep increase in prices over the past year. The Budget also sees the extension of the USC concession which applies to those who have a medical card and earn less than 60,000 per year for a further two years until the end of 2025. There is also an increase in the Rent Tax Credit from 500 to 750. One element of the States take from pay packets that is going up is Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. PRSI contributions from October next year will rise by 0.1pc to raise 240m. This is despite the fact that social insurance contributions (PRSI) exceeded expenditure on contributory benefits by 2.1bn last year as reported in the annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, Irish Congress of Trade Unions policy officer Dr Laura Bambrick pointed out. Deloitte Ireland tax partner and head of tax and legal, Daryl Hanberry, said the changes to the personal tax system and reduction in USC would be welcomed by workers. The reduction in the middle USC rate from 4.5pc to 4pc and the increase in the threshold to 25,760 per year for the 2pc rate will benefit many taxpayers, particularly the squeezed middle, said Mr Hanberry. He said a competitive and effective tax policy is a vital part of Irelands position in retaining and attracting talent in a world which is highly digitalised and mobile. This is critical both in the context of inward investment to Ireland and supporting indigenous business and entrepreneurs, Mr Hanberry said. News / National by Staff reporter Exiled former Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi has issued a warning, stating that Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda will work to ensure that President Emmerson Mnangagwa secures a two-thirds majority and a third term in power.Mzembi's comments come in the wake of Sengezo Tshabangu's letter to Mudenda, notifying him of the withdrawal of 15 legislators from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Tshabangu, claiming to be the interim Secretary-General (SG) of the CCC, has created chaos within the opposition.Mzembi, posting on X, cautioned that Mudenda would utilize Tshabangu to recall as many Members of Parliament (MPs) as possible. He expressed concern about the lack of separation of powers between the Executive and Parliament due to Mudenda's ties to Zanu-PF.Mzembi further suggested that more recalls were imminent, and he questioned how voters would respond. He advised the CCC to anticipate additional recalls and ponder the political and legal implications of these developments.Mzembi also raised the issue of the legitimacy of the response, emphasizing that the CCC had decided to go to court. He underscored the importance of considering the consequences of moving CCC's parliamentary and council representatives out of their "new comfort zones."He urged a focus on the larger question of whether this issue pertained solely to the CCC or if it extended to the voters and their concerns. UK specialist insurance group PIB has expanded its Irish portfolio with its ninth acquisition so far this year. Campion Insurance, the Kilkenny-based firm which leads PIBs Irish business, has acquired Munstergroup Insurance, a brokerage based in Ennis, Co. Clare. Munstergroup provides insurance cover for homes, cars, vans, businesses and farms, while the financial services side of the business offers health insurance, as well as pensions and investments assistance. The deal also highlights the ongoing consolidation in the Irish insurance industry as smaller Irish brokers are snapped up by global players. Campion said it would continue to expand its footprint and offering in Ireland, adding that further acquisitions in the Irish market are pending. The group now offers a broad range of services and offerings in Ireland, including specialist commercial products, motor and home insurance and life and pension products. Padraic McNicholas will step down from his role as chief executive of Munstergroup following the sale. "As a long-time admirer of the PIB Group I believe we have found a company whose guiding principles are very much aligned with our own core behaviours, he said. It is for these reasons why I personally believe that this acquisition was the best option for our customers, staff and Munstergroup Insurance. Campion Insurance chief executive Jim Campion said that Munstergroup was a highly sought after business. "Now that [Munstergroup] is part of Campion Insurance and PIB we will be able to support the business as it grows giving people the opportunity to reach their potential, he said. Campion Insurance was established in 1984 in Kilkenny. It was acquired by PIB Group two years ago. Russell Crowe stars in 'The Pope's Exorcist', filming in Wicklow, Dublin and Limerick. Photo: Sony Pictures A tax break for the film sector, the Section 481 credit, will be significantly expanded under a measure announced in the Budget but ministers were tight lipped on funding for crisis hit RTE. Previously, the Section 481 credit offered a 32pc corporation tax credit on qualifying expenditure for films or television productions made in Ireland, up to a limit of 70m per project. That cap has now been raised to 125m. The change is expected to come into effect in early 2024. The relief is likely to be of significant value to the sector. Figures from Revenue show just over 127m of payments were made under the scheme in 2022. Dozens of productions received funding under the initiative, including The Popes Exorcist, a major production starring Russell Crowe. Season 2 of Irish crime drama Kin and Netflix movie The Irish Wish starring Lindsey Lohan are among the productions which have used the credit so far in 2023. The relief had been due to expire at the end of 2024. However, a Department of Finance cost benefit analysis recommended that it be extended to provide certainty to the sector. The report estimated the initiative cost the state just over 600m between 2015 and 2021. While it estimated the net economic impact of the measure overall during that time period was negative 78.5m, it said there should be regard given for the intangible benefit of cultural productions. Tourism and culture minister Catherine Martin has previously pushed for an expansion of Section 481. In a letter to then finance minister Paschal Donohoe before last years budget, she wrote: Feedback from Irish visual effects companies from my recent trip to Los Angeles, is that we are losing out to other countries in attracting major internationally mobile productions costing in the region of 100m. They do not consider Ireland, because of the cap. Raising the cap now would send a strong international message that aligns with and bolsters our infrastructure, creative talent and beautiful scenery, she said. Audiovisual Ireland, a representative group for the screen industry connected to business lobby group Ibec, said the change would make a major difference to the sector. This enhancement will not only bolster Ireland's cultural and economic fabric but help to achieve the governments Audiovisual Action Plan objective of doubling employment in the sector, it said. With the backing of the sort contained in todays budget, there's immense potential to elevate the sector even further. Minister Martin will likely to come under pressure after the budget to provide information on funding RTE especially amid a growing loss of licence fee income. Like most parents, Lucy OReilly worries about being able to provide for her three children. But being a single parent while also running her own digital strategy, branding and design business www.designsforgrowth.ie, involves a lot of responsibility. The Dublin mum was concerned that the results of Budget 2024 would cause further issues for her and others in a similar situation. My income bracket would be 50,000 - 60,000 and my biggest expense outside of my mortgage would be food as three teenage boys go through a lot of grub. Back-to-school costs are huge too and September is worse than Christmas in this regard. Two of her three teens are still eligible for child benefit. She said she very much welcomed the double child benefit payment before Christmas and the fact that child benefit will apply to 18-year-olds in full-time education. Any extra help they can give families in the current climate is much appreciated. I didnt fair it was fair that they cut kids off from child benefit at their 18th birthday when most of them are still at school. She said that, as a family, they will benefit from the widening of the tax bands, the reduction in the USC and the slashing of university fees. The halving of the college registration fee for undergraduates from 3,000 to 1,500 is another bonus for me. So, as the typical squeezed middle this has been a good budget for me. It's a pity the free school book scheme doesn't extend to senior cycle but I'm happy to see the hot meal scheme has been extended to all primary schools, even if it doesn't affect me. However, she criticised the Government for not introducing its promised tax on e-cigarettes after deferring it to next years budget. I was hoping for a massive tax on vapes as it's a scourge on our teenagers. On measures to reduce childcare costs, she said: Luckily, I have no creche or afterschool costs anymore, but I would prefer to see government-run, means-tested childcare facilities instead of subsidising payments to the private creches. My eldest was born in France and when he was a tot, he was entitled to state-run pre-school childcare for a tiny fraction of what I paid in creche fees in Ireland for his brothers." She said that ultimately, she feels what is most important is that the families who are really struggling get the help they need through increased social welfare payments. Two-bed house listed as new HQ for company allegedly used to launder Kinahan cartel cash Basic two-bed in Scotland is now base for alleged Kinahan cash washing operation Nicola Morrissey has registered this house as Nero Vodkas HQ Patrick O'Connell Wed 11 Oct 2023 at 12:33 This is the humble Scottish two-bed now listed as the international headquarters for the vodka company allegedly used by Daniel Kinahan to help launder up to 200 million in cartel drugs cash. As the country digests Budget 2024, we asked six employees spanning six decades for their reactions to the measures and how they will affect their day-to-day living In my first year in Dublin, I paid 800 a month to rent a tiny box room. I had found it so hard to find somewhere that in the beginning I even felt lucky to pay that amount. My 20s Maeve McTaggart: Rent credit unlikely to prevent migration of young people Maeve McTaggart I had been searching for over three months, sending hundreds of enquiries on Daft that led to just seven viewings and one offer. There were viral videos of hours-long queues at viewings. I knew that if I didnt take it, I would need to cut my losses and go home to Cork. Budget 2024: What's in it for 18 to 25 year olds? The week before I moved in, I had to stay in two different hotels when my temporary fix fell through, spending hundreds of euro to avoid going to work from a hostel in the city centre. Others I knew were commuting on the earliest trains or had turned down jobs in Dublin, unable to justify the same stress. I was just eight when the boom went bust, but I remember the stories of older siblings heading to Australia. I am now 24 and my own friends are revealing their plans to emigrate because they cant bear to burn through their earnings to spend their 20s in strangers spare rooms. Many of us paid some of the highest college contribution fees in the EU just to find that when we graduated, there were few places for us to go. It is hard to imagine how another rent credit will be enough to persuade young people that the sleepless nights and long commutes are worth it. My 30s Ellen Coyne: Starting a family brings financial hardship Ellen Coyne For people in their 30s in Ireland, life choices which were once modest ambitions are starting to carry premium price tags. Mine is a generation which has spent eye-watering amounts on rent throughout their 20s, struggling to navigate a vicious and unsecure housing market. For the ones fortunate enough to be able to buy a home, extremely high mortgage rates and energy costs have made being a homeowner an achievement that is hard to enjoy. Budget 2024: What's in it for 25 to 45 year olds? Family planning is being increasingly influenced by economics. High childcare costs remain the key issue for very many households, and the prospect of doubling what is already a major expense is influencing many families to delay or defer having another child. Poor pay and high staff turnover in the industry means that many creches are closing increasing pressure on working parents who struggle to find alternative childcare. On one side of things, working parents are struggling with the issue of childcare outside the home. On the other side, stay-at-home parents who work in the home are struggling with the lack of state support for caring. This is exacerbated exponentially for parents of children with disabilities, and those who are caring for their own older parents. This is combined with the housing crisis. Many couples who have saved to buy a home are finding themselves starting their families in rented accommodation, which is far more expensive than a mortgage and is far less secure. My 40s Alan Caulfield: Why I hate the annually short-sighted Budget Alan Caulfield I hate the Budget. It always feels like that time when the bridal shop in Cork went into liquidation overnight and dozens of panicked brides with deposits paid stormed the warehouse and grabbed any half-finished wedding dress they could, regardless of whose it was. It probably wasnt going to fit them, and the person it belonged to was left without their own dress, but at least they had something to hold onto as collateral. For me, the Budget perfectly illustrates the lack of trust between the public and the State. As someone now in my 40s, I was lucky enough to be among the first (and last) group of third-level students to benefit from free third-level fees yes, thats right kids, no college fees. Unbelievable, isnt it? There was an argument at the time free fees came in that it unfairly benefited wealthier families, as it wasnt means-tested. I tended to agree, but now with children who may demand to go to college in the next few years, Id grab anything I can get. From housing to childcare, to the cost of fuel, and healthcare, any measures the Government takes against the rising cost of living seem to involve shovelling cash into an ever-expanding hole, and avoid radical structural measures at all costs. Where is the industrial-scale CPO-ing of vacant properties and a plan for large-scale, directly built housing? Where is the plan for a fully functioning public health service? Why did we not claw back extortionate profits made by energy companies during the Ukraine war? I hate the Budget and its short-sighted confetti launch of cash, but for the moment, Budgetzilla is going to grab anything he can. My 50s Charlie Weston: Chez Weston can breathe a little easier now Charlie Weston Like a lot of people, I could write a long list of spending items I would have liked to have seen in the Budget that would benefit my family. As a father in his 50s of two college-going girls, I am feeling the pinch just like everyone else. The past two years have ripped the backside out of the Weston family budget. That is why, in a repeat of last year, I was glad to see Finance Minister Michael McGrath announce again this year a cut in the student contribution fee. Budget 2024: What's in it for 50 to 65 year olds? The once-off 1,000 reduction in the fee is a great help. With two in college this year, the fee reduction was high on my wish list. Like all families, energy is a major expense in our house. With young women in the house, the power shower seems to be constantly in use. There may have been cuts announced by all the big energy suppliers lately, but these are small relative to the increases we have seen, and most have been delayed until next month. That is why more energy credits are welcome in Chez Weston. Like a lot of middle-income, middle-aged couples, myself and my wife Emer welcome income tax cuts. We both work, but feel the income tax burden is a heavy one. I am glad the Government was as generous as last year with the Fuel Allowance. For those other than ourselves, its a good move. But I feel strongly that something more substantial should have be done for those people whose mortgages were sold to vulture funds. These people have been double-crossed and abandoned. My 60s - John Downing: Celtic Tiger-style largesse brings a pension boost John Downing When you hit the 60s, the retirement age which appeared for a long time like the title of a futuristic sci-fiction movie becomes immediate and real. So, no surprise from my liking the news that the state pension will go up by 12 a week, with double payments in December and January. A growing number of younger people see the 60s age cohort as people who got a deal of lucky breaks from the various economic cycles. But I began my working life amid a series of semi-permanent economic recessions which remain a strong memory. Budget 2024 is reminiscent of the glory days of the Noughties with Bertie Ahern and Charlie McCreevy delivering big spending increases alongside tax cuts. We know how that one ended in 2008, when bloated construction tax revenues came to a shuddering halt. This current largesse is based on fickle company tax windfalls. So, it was reassuring to hear about two funds which hopefully can, to some degree, mitigate against a repeat of what happened last time. We shall see but at least the issue is being given attention on this occasion. Children make one conscious of the future. So, it was disappointing to hear a tone of self-congratulation from both ministers on housing. We are not achieving anything like enough on housing and we could have hoped to hear something new here. But we did not. My 70s Marianne Heron: Healthcare and energy reforms would help Marianne Heron At the top of my Budget wish list is to see effective spending to end the agony of the housing crisis quickly. Although, like four out of five pensioners, I own my own home. The answer: invest in modular housing. Prefab homes can be delivered for half the cost of traditional houses in a fraction of the time, and if this involves the Government setting up a dedicated body and bringing in expertise from elsewhere to build them, so be it. Telling pensioners to free up accommodation by moving out of family homes to non-existent downsize properties isnt the answer. Budget 2024: What's in it for over 65 year olds? Reducing carbon emissions also matters to me. I want to cut down on car use so I would like transport spending to be on park-and-ride facilities linked to increased public transport, rather than on unused cycle lanes and pointless bollards infesting on our streets. The cost- of- living crisis hits pensioners half of whom have no occupational pensions hard. But I would rather see the Government get electricity suppliers to lower their swingeing prices than spend on energy credits which subsidise companies making massive profits. Better to spend one-off cost-of-living benefits at Christmas. Thankfully, I am healthy but consistency would help with healthcare. Why allow free doctor visits but not free dental and eye visits for those without medical cards? It would be money well spent. Speaking of health, the HSE with its 1.1bn overrun and scandals needs a drastic cure: so spend on a crack team to cleanse this Augean stable and give us a health service we can trust. Nicole Doyle was last seen in Drimnagh, Dublin 12, on Friday. Photo: Gardai. Gardai have renewed their appeal for a missing teenager who has not been seen since Friday, October 6. Nicole Doyle (14) from Portlaoise has been missing since Friday. It is understood that Ms Doyle could now be in Belfast. Ms Doyle is described as being five foot three inches in height, of slim build with brown hair. Last seen in the Drimnagh area of Dublin 12, Ms Doyle was wearing a navy school uniform. Gardai said they are renewing their appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 14-year-old Nicole Doyle who is missing from Portlaoise, Co. Laois, since Friday 6th October 2023. Gardai are asking for members of the public with any information on Ms Doyles whereabouts to get in contact with Portlaoise Garda Station or the Garda confidential line. Nicole is described as being approximately 5 foot 3 inches in height, is of slim build and has brown hair. When last seen, Nicole was wearing a navy school uniform. Nicole was last seen in the Drimnagh area of Dublin 12, but it is understood she could be in Belfast. Anyone with information on Nicole's whereabouts are asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 8674100, the Garda Confidential, Gardai said. Gardai seized a firearm and suspected drugs worth over 21,000 in Dublin Monday. A day of action took place as part of Operation Tara in DMR West on October 9. Gardai attached to the Ronanstown Drugs Unit within the Lucan District, carried out a search of a premises at a location in Ronanstown and made the discovery. A statement from gardai today said: Over the course of this search, gardai seized over 21,000 in drugs. "Diamorphine with an estimated street value of 10,500, cocaine worth 9,170, dalmaine tablets with a value of 1,400 and a small quantity of cannabis was seized. A firearm was also seized along with a quantity of ammunition. "All of the suspected drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis and the firearm will undergo analysis at the Ballistics Section of the Garda Technical Bureau. No arrests have been made as of yet and investigations are ongoing. Operation Tara is an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021. The focus is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, sale and supply of controlled drugs. Nearly 800,000 students wont have to pay for school books from next year John Boyle, general secretary of the INTO, said the Government has missed an opportunity with this Budget. Nearly 800,000 students will have access to free school books from next September after the Government sought to reduce the cost of education in the Budget. A total of 10.5bn has been allocated to the Department of Education for next year. This will fund a further 200 school building projects, the provision of free school books to Junior Cycle students from next September, an extra 1,216 special needs assistants and 744 additional teachers. The fee waiver on school transport services will be extended for a further year while the fee waiver for students sitting State exams will also be extended. Budget 2024: Michael McGrath announces investment in sporting facilities and clubs However, the countrys largest teaching union described Budget 2024 as demoralising, deleterious and disappointing after the Government failed to address the issue of overcrowded classrooms. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said that while some of the supports are welcome, the Government missed an open goal by failing to tackle classroom sizes. Over 60,000 children are in so-called supersized classes of 30 pupils or more. INTO general secretary John Boyle said: It would have been a legitimate hope that a government with a record budget surplus would have taken decisive action. Instead of doing that, todays no-change announcement will add to overcrowding in schools. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said reducing the cost of education is the priority for the Government, which is what prompted the introduction of the free school books scheme. Around 212,000 Junior Cycle students will be able to avail of free school books from next September. It is estimated to be worth just over 310 per student and is expected to cost 67m. It follows the decision in last years budget to provide free school books for primary students. This means that 770,000 students in Ireland will now have access to free books. The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said that the announcement is a step in the right direction, but should have been extended to Leaving Cert students. Those schools that utilise electronic devices should not lose out in terms of this additional funding, the TUI said. The union also said it was bitterly disappointing that the Budget appears to be silent on measures that would tackle the teacher recruitment and retention crisis. More schools are also set to benefit from the hot meals scheme, which will be rolled out to another 900 primary schools from next April. There will be 20m allocated to continue the enhanced summer programme to address the ongoing impact of Covid on children. An additional 50m will also be provided to the school transport scheme. The fee for school bus transport will also be waived for another year, which will mean a saving of up to 500 for some families. The fee for State exams is also being waived for another year. This waiver means that the usual fee of 116 for the Leaving Cert exams and 109 for the Junior Cert exams will not have to be paid by students. The Department of Education said capital funding will also facilitate the rollout of urgently needed school building projects, which includes the progression of 300 building projects currently under construction. A further 200 school building projects that are currently at advanced design or tender stage will also begin construction over the course of next year and 2025. Government will not renew contract to house refugees in tents at Electric Picnic site Refugees from Ukraine are to be accommodated in the Punchestown event centre in Kildare from next month, the Irish Independent has learned. It is the latest centre to be secured amid ongoing pressure to find accommodation for incoming refugees. But it comes as Minister Roderic OGorman also confirmed that the Government would not be extending the contract for refugees to stay in tents at the Electric Picnic site in Stradbally, Co Laois. From next month, 378 beds will be provided at the facility for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, a spokesman for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth confirmed. The term of the contract for the facility is two years. It is currently envisaged that residents can expect to stay for a number of weeks and then be moved to more suitable accommodation, though this will depend entirely on longer-term accommodation being available, the spokesman said. There will be 78 pods in the event centre, incorporating two bedrooms with a maximum of three people in each room, with a small living area. The bathroom areas are in a communal space, with private cubicles. There will be a designated dining area which will operate on a staggered basis, with times allocated to avoid over-crowding. There will also be tables outside as well, along with play areas for children. The laundry facilities are communal and located within the centre, the spokesperson said. Security will be present on the site 24/7 and catering will also be supplied, which will take account of cultural and religious issues as well as flexibility around lunches for students and workers. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ireland has seen an unprecedented number of people arrive here fleeing the Russian aggression, the spokesperson said. In addition, there has been a huge increase in people seeking asylum from other countries. Since February 2022 to date, the Government is providing 96,965 people seeking refuge with state-provided or pledged accommodation and support services, and that number continues to increase, the spokesman said. This consists of 72,745 people who have fled the war in Ukraine and 24,222 people seeking international protection". In the last six months, there has been an average of 600 people seeking accommodation every week. Last month, 750 refugees were temporarily housed in tents at the site of music festival Electric Picnic in Stradbally in Co Laois. As of yesterday, 175 refugees were still accommodated in Stradbally. The contract for tented accommodation ends on October 17. However, Integration Minister Roderic OGorman has announced that the Government will not be renewing its contract to accommodate refugees there. The Government had been criticised after it decided to contract Ukrainian refugees in glamping tents at the former Electric Picnic campsite, shortly after the music festival ended. The accommodation had been contracted for a six-week period, which is due to end shortly. A number of Ukrainian families had reported suffering extreme cold in the tents as the weather turned and the campsite became waterlogged. We are not planning to extend the contract for tents at Stradbally, Mr OGorman said on Tuesday. He said the Government is looking at various accommodation options all over the country for refugees, including modular housing. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said last week that Ireland may pay to not accept asylum seekers from safe places in other parts of the European Union. Mr Varadkar said Ireland will not turn migrants away but said as part of the new European deal on migration, which reached a breakthrough last week, the State may pay into a fund instead of accepting more asylum seekers. Speaking at the European Political Community meeting in Granada, Spain, Mr Varadkar said countries will be able to accept migrants who are already in other parts of the EU or make a financial contribution. He said Ireland has taken in over 100,000 migrants over the past two years and struggles to house them. At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, will pay a visit to China and the two sides will hold the 12th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue from October 12 to 14. China News Service: You just announced that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell will visit China. How does China view the current China-EU relations and what does China expect to achieve through the dialogue? Wang Wenbin: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Since this year began, Chinese and EU leaders have had frequent exchanges. Dialogue and cooperation has been carried out across the board at various levels. China-EU relations have shown a positive momentum of growth. China welcomes High Representative Josep Borrell to visit China and the opportunity to hold a new round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue. This will contribute to the sound and steady growth of China-EU relations, lay the ground for future high-level interaction and invigorate joint response to global challenges and efforts for global peace and stability. In a turbulent world and in the face of mounting global challenges, solidarity and cooperation is the only viable option for the world to better meet the challenges. China and Europe are the worlds two major forces, mega markets and great civilizations. We share extensive common interests in the worlds peace, stability and development and human progress. Our relations have global influence and significance. China stands ready to work with the EU to stay committed to our comprehensive strategic partnership, enhance strategic communication and policy coordination, increase mutual trust, expand cooperation, overcome disturbances, properly settle differences and deliver more benefits to our two peoples and the world. The Wall Street Journal: The Australian Prime Minister announced that Australian journalist Cheng Lei had returned home to Australia after three years in prison in China. Could you clarify whether she was sentenced, why she was released now and any discussions between the Australian government and the Chinese government over this issue? Wang Wenbin: Relevant Chinese authorities have released the information on this, which you may refer to. After a trial, the Beijing No.2 Intermediate Peoples Court sentenced Cheng Lei to two years and 11 months of imprisonment and deportation for illegally providing state secrets to an overseas party. After serving her sentence, Cheng Lei was deported out of the country by the Beijing Municipal State Security Bureau in accordance with the law. I would like to stress that Chinas judicial authorities tried the case and delivered the sentence in accordance with the law. The rights of the individual concerned under the law were fully protected, and Australias consular rights including the right to visit and the right to be notified were respected and implemented. The Paper: During the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday, Chinas domestic and outbound tourism experienced significant rebound and consumer spending continued to go up. Some foreign media commented that the new record-setting boom of Chinese tourism shows the vitality of Chinas economy and consumer market. Do you have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: The Chinese enthusiasm for traveling and spending during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday reflected once again the strong resilience, potential and vitality of the Chinese economy. Statistics show that during the eight-day holiday, domestic tourist trips and tourism revenue surged year-on-year and rose by 4.1 percent and 1.5 percent respectively from the levels of 2019 on a comparable basis. Daily service retail spending on certain e-commerce platforms in China soared by 153 percent compared to the same period in 2019. During the Golden Week holiday, the number of passenger train trips made nationwide reached 195 million, and for the first time ever, that number for a single day exceeded 20 million. The performance of Chinas holiday economy is evidence that the Chinese economy on the whole has been steadily recovering and on an upward trajectory, which is being felt by the international community. Lately, international financial institutions including J.P.Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Citibank, Deutsche Bank and ANZ Bank have all revised up their forecast for Chinas economic growth this year to between 5 percent and 5.5 percent. A report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development says that China will remain a major contributor to global growth this year. China is the worlds second largest consumer market and a mega-market with unparalleled potential. The robust holiday spending offers a glimpse of Chinas promising market prospects and vast domestic demand potential. The macro economic policies that have kicked in will continue to unlock the potential for consumption. Chinas economy will continue to look up and serve as the worlds important growth engine and source of opportunities for shared prosperity. China Review News: We noted that the official website of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was launched today. Can you share more information? Wang Wenbin: As you rightly said, the official website of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (http://www.beltandroadforum.org) has been officially launched today. The website will release timely information about the forum in both Chinese and English. Its interactive section Belt and Road: Connecting the World provides users with an immersive experience while exploring the network of friends to the Belt and Road Initiative on a three-dimensional globe with Q&As to help people learn about the achievements of Belt and Road cooperation over the past decade. The website of the BRF Media Center (http://www.brfmc2023.cn) has also been launched to provide information and services to Chinese and foreign journalists. You are welcome to visit the websites and help spread information about the third BRF. NHK: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said recently that IAEA scientists and international scientific observers will visit Japan next week to take marine samples near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. It said experts from laboratories in countries including China will participate in the sample collection. China has been calling for an international monitoring arrangement that will stay effective for the long haul. Do you think this sampling can be seen as such an arrangement? Whats Chinas expectation? Wang Wenbin: China remains unequivocal about our opposition to Japans ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water. As to the planned collection of marine samples near Fukushima next week and laboratories analysis and comparison of those samples, these are again carried out by the IAEA Secretariat under its bilateral arrangement with Japan and therefore fall short of an international monitoring arrangement with the full and substantive participation of all stakeholders that will stay effective for the long haul. It has been nearly two months since Japan began the discharge. The international community requires immediate establishment of an international monitoring arrangement with substantive participation of all stakeholders including Japans neighboring countries that will stay effective for the long haul. The IAEA needs to play its due role and work constructively for this, and step up to its responsibility of providing rigorous supervision on Japans ocean discharge. China urges Japan to seriously respond to international concerns and seriously establish an international monitoring arrangement that will stay effective for the long haul. AFP: A follow-up question on the BRI summit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he will visit China during that time. Will Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the BRI summit as well? Wang Wenbin: We will release information in due course. AFP: China has good ties both with Israel and Palestine and supports a two-state solution in the Middle East. How does China see and qualify Hamas? Wang Wenbin: We have stated a few times Chinas position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Id like to reiterate that to end the cycle of conflict between Palestine and Israel, it is essential to restart the peace talks, implement the two-state solution and seek a comprehensive and proper settlement of the Palestinian question through political means at an early date, so that the parties legitimate concerns can be taken care of. CCTV: On October 10, China was elected Member of the Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. How will China promote further progress of the international human rights cause? Wang Wenbin: On October 10, the UN General Assembly elected members of the Human Rights Council for the term 2024-2026. China was re-elected, marking the sixth time of its election to the Human Rights Council and making it one of the most frequently elected countries. China holds a people-centered human rights philosophy and believes that a happy life for the people is the most important human right. We have found a path towards better human rights that follows the trend of the times and fits our national realities. We have made historic progress in our human rights cause. Chinas re-election shows the international recognition on Chinas human rights progress, active participation in international human rights exchanges and cooperation and important role in the global human rights cause. We view the re-election as a good opportunity to continue Chinas active participation in global human rights governance and extensive exchanges and cooperation with other countries to contribute even more to the sound advancement of the international human rights cause and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Wall Street Journal: From a diplomatic perspective, the Cheng Lei case has been a major source of tension between China and Australia for three years now. Is it Chinas hope that with this case now resolved theres an opportunity for better relations between Australia and China going forward? Wang Wenbin: Chinas position on the growth of China-Australia relations is consistent and clear. A sound and stable China-Australia relationship is in the interest of both countries and peoples. It is also conducive to peace and stability of the region and beyond. China stands ready to work with Australia to continue to improve and grow the bilateral relationship and bring more benefits to the two peoples. News / National by Staff reporter SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa continues to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the political lockjam in Harare arising from a shambolic election, with the latest engagement having been a meeting with the embattled Zimbabwean leader on the border of the two countries on Thursday.Ramaphosa has so far met Mnangagwa three times inside a month in Harare, New York and in Beitbridge as he pushes his behind-the-scene engagement on Zimbabwe.He took the opportunity to again engage Mnangagwa in Musina on the sidelines of an event held to launch the Border Management Authority (BMA), an integrated border enforcement agency between Zimbabwe and South Africa meant to curb illegal goods smuggling, illicit drugs and cover up porous border concerns.It was the third time that Ramaphosa was using public diplomacy skills to engage Mnangagwa over the political crisis in Zimbabwe, in the aftermath of the discredited 23 August elections largely condemned by Sadc observer mission and other international blocs.Ramaphosa first engaged Mnangagwa at his low-key inauguration ceremony in Harare last month and also at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York soon afterwards.At UNGA, Ramaphosa acknowledged to the media that Sadc election observer mission led former Zambian vice-president Nevers Mumba had documented challenges in the Zimbabwean elections and promised that the regional bloc's leaders would discuss the issue.Mnangagwa, in turn, used the opportunity to attend UNGA to engage regional leaders and try to douse the surmounting pressure on him after the shameful elections whose results were rejected by his main rival Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens' Coalition for Change party.CCC is demanding fresh elections.The Sadc secretariat and the bloc's council of ministers have already blasted the Zimbabwean government over its stance to rubbish the elections observer mission report which said the polls were shambolic.Some Sadc leaders are pushing for an extraordinary summit on Zimbabwe as they resolutely dig in on Harare's disputed elections although others are willing to let the matter go to rest.Although diplomats have raised concern that not much is being done from key stakeholders in Harare to empower regional leaders to put more pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, calls for special summit are growing.There is consensus in Sadc that the 23 August general elections violated Zimbabwe's constitution, Electoral Act and Sadc Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections as highlighted by the regional body's election observer mission (EOM).Diplomatic sources said minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Sadc Organ Troika Ministerial Committee held on 26 September 2023 captured the thinking of Sadc leaders. The ministers, diplomats said, cannot reflect their own opinions but express the views of their leaders.The minutes showed that the ministerial committee defended the report produced by the Sadc EOM which was headed by former Zambia vice-president Nevers Mumba.The ministers slammed senior Zanu-PF and government officials for vilifying Mumba and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema after the observer mission, for the first time, gave an adverse report on the polls.They said attacks from Harare had the potential of undermining Sadc processes and credibility while insisting that the report reflected the opinion of the regional observers and not Zambia as wrongly portrayed by Zanu-PF propagandists.Diplomats told The NewsHawks that the ministers reflected the Sadc opinion which was expressed in a way that heads of state would not do.Hichilema chaired an online Sadc organ on politics, defence and security cooperation troika meeting which discussed the political and security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe's recent disputed elections and the upcoming polls in Eswatini.Tanzania was represented by Vice-President Phillip Mpango and Namibia by Deputy President Nangolo Mbumba. DRC Defence minister Jean-Pie secretary Elias Magosi and secretariat staff, including Elvado Santos and Barbara Lopi, who is head of communication and public relations, also participated in the meeting.A communique released after the meeting revealed that the Sadc EOM had presented its final report to Hichilema who was preparing to hand it over to Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.Minutes of the ministerial meeting however gave a reflection of Sadc leaders' thoughts."The EO-MCO Troika noted that the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) was deployed to the Republic of Zimbabwe to observe the Harmonised Elections which took place on 23rd-24th August 2023. In accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, the Chairperson of the Organ, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, appointed Dr. Mumba, to lead the SEOM to Zimbabwe."The EO-MCO Troika also noted that the SEOM is mandated to observe elections in terms of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections which all SADC Member States signed and adopted, and have been operational since 2004 . . . . The EO-MCO Troika further noted that all SADC Member States send individuals to serve as observers under the SEOM each time another SADC Member State conducts elections."For the purposes of the August 2023 Harmonised Elections, observers were seconded from the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Zambia."The EO-MCO Troika noted that the Sadc EOM issued its preliminary statement on 25 August 2023, as stipulated by section 11.8.1 of the Principles and Guidelines.The meeting said the SEOM was meant to produce its final report within 30 days, adding this had been done.In terms of section 11.8.2, when SEOMs officially submit their election reports, member states which held elections may consider the recommendations advanced by the SEOM for improving the conduct of elections; submit to the chair of the Organ, a response to the SEOM report.The ministers then blasted Zimbabwe over its conduct."The EO-MCO Troika also noted with concern, the personal attacks and threats on the media that have been directed at the SEOM Head of Mission Dr Nevers Mumba and the Chairperson of the Organ, His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichelima since the Zimbabwe SEOM released its Preliminary Statement on 25th August 2023."The attacks were made by individuals in both the ruling Zanu-PF political party and some in high level positions in the Government of Zimbabwe," the minutes read."The narrative in these attacks have been that the SEOM Preliminary Statement on the Zimbabwean elections was personally authored by Dr Nevers Mumba."The EO-MCO Troika further: (i) noted that such attacks undermine the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections and might have a negative bearing on the SEOMs that are to be deployed in the future elections, especially with another election coming on the 29 September in the Kingdom of Eswatini; and (ii) reiterated that SEOMs are in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, and that reports are produced by a collective of the Member States observers, led by the Organ Troika and supported by the Secretariat."The EO-MCO Troika noted that there is a risk that if unchecked, further attacks on the leadership of the Organ and of the SEOM have the potential to damage the credibility of SADC as an institution."Ministers commended the secretariat for taking the initiative to issue media statements that clarified the procedures that are followed by the SEOM, as they rebuffed Zimbabwe's position, while protecting the credibility and leadership of the Organ and the SEOM.Some Sadc leaders have been pushing for an extraordinary summit to deal with the Zimbabwe crisis. Only three leaders attended Mnangagwa's inauguration, in what was seen as a snub to Mnangagwa following the controversial polls.Mnangagwa however used the United Nations General Assembly in New York to lobby Sadc leaders as the pressure mounted.Although there is consensus that the Zimbabwean polls were shambolic and not free and fair, Sadc leaders are divided on what action to take."Sadc's position has been further complicated by lack of a push by key stakeholders in Zimbabwe, including political parties. With each passing day, Mnangagwa's hand is evidently getting strengthened," said a diplomat. Modern morals: Our friend is a terrible godfather to our daughter. Can I change my mind and ask my brother to be godparent instead? Mourners carry the bodies of the Palestinian members of the al-Agha family, who were killed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Israel must abide by international law as it lays siege to Gaza in the wake of the most deadly attack from Hamas in decades, Minister Simon Coveney has said. This comes as his party Fine Gael are to send a letter of condolence to the Israeli embassy in Ireland in the wake of the deadly Hamas attacks. The letter, which will be drafted by Fine Gaels parliamentary party chair Richard Bruton, will include an appeal to the Israeli government for restraint and adherence to international law. Israeli strikes demolish Gaza neighbourhoods as power plant runs out of fuel The war, which has claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides since the conflict broke out over the weekend has threatened to engulf the Middle East in conflict at rocket fire from both Syria and Lebanon into Israel has been witnessed in recent days. Minister Coveney said that while Israel has a right to defend itself, the situation in Gaza is hugely concerning. In retaliation to the attack by Hamas, Israel on Monday announced a siege on Gaza which has stopped the entry of food, fuel and medicine into the Gaza strip. What happened and the savagery of what happened when Hamas militants slaughtered unarmed people, many of them whole families, children, women, up to 1,200 of them, that has to be absolutely condemned outright, unreservedly, Minister Coveney said on RTEs Drive Time. There is no justification for that kind of terrorism, and we have to be clear and unambiguous about that, he said. What is happening now unfortunately in Gaza as Israel responds to that savagery is also hugely concerning. When asked if the response and punishment imposed on Gaza by Israel should also be condemned, the minister said Israel has the right to defend itself. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people, but of course Israel is a state that has to abide by international law. What we are seeing at the moment is a small piece of land that is 12km wide and 42km long, thats it. About 2.2 million people live there and they have nowhere they can escape to, Mr Coveney said. Minister Coveney said that it is important that the international community try and find a way to protect civilians in Gaza and for humanitarian corridors to be opened. Gaza is such a densely populated place where civilians cannot escape because they have nowhere to go to...and that is why the international community needs to insist on Israel abiding by international law and taking actions to protect civilians, the minister said. However Mr Coveney said that the decision to impose a siege on Gaza was something that allies of Israel were growing more concerned about. I think there is increasing concern now within the UN and amongst Israel's allies that actually it is something that shouldnt be happening," Minister Coveney said. Meanwhile, minister Coveneys party, Fine Gael, is to send a letter of condolence to the Israeli embassy in Ireland in the wake of the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel last weekend. Following a proposal by former foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan on Wednesday, Fine Gaels parliamentary party unanimously agreed at its weekly meeting to send a letter of condolence to the Israeli embassy in Dublin. With Taoiseach Leo Varadkar attending a meeting of the Council of State, Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney addressed Fine Gael TDs and senators, telling them the Hamas attack had to be condemned unreservedly as an act of terrorism. The former foreign affairs minister also emphasised the need for de-escalation of violence and adherence to international law to protect innocent civilians in Gaza. It is helpful for those who wish to access higher or further education using a Leaving Cert qualification to think of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) as a ladder system. Higher level qualifications will require more entry requirements than similar, lower level qualifications but they will also provide those who undertake the course with deeper learning outcomes. Level 8 is the highest qualification level which can be entered directly from Leaving Cert. Students mainly apply for these courses through the CAO with some private colleges offering level 8 courses outside of the CAO system. In previous years, the minimum requirements for all level 8 courses are a minimum of two H5 grades and four O6 or H7 grades with the exception of Trinity College Dublin which requires three H5 grades and three O6 or H7 grades. Students are required to present at least six subjects. CAO points for these courses are the highest in the system and in 2022 there were a whopping eight courses which required a minimum of 625 CAO points for entry. Lowest points for level 8 entry is approximately 200. Level 8 degrees are offered at universities, institutes of technology, private colleges and training colleges. Level 7 degrees are known as ordinary degrees. They are generally three years in duration and students mainly apply for these courses through the CAO while some private colleges offer level 7 courses outside of the CAO system. Once again, Leaving Cert students are required to meet the minimum entry requirements, essential subjects and then compete for places on CAO points. Many institutions require a student to achieve five O6/H7 grades for entry to level 7 although there are some exceptions. Essential subject requirements are also lower at level 7 courses. Level 7 degrees are offered at universities, technical universities (TUs) and private colleges. CAO points range from AQA to 473. The majority of level 7 degree courses contain an option of an add on year. This makes it possible for students to complete one extra year and receive a level 8 qualification. Level 6 qualifications are often referred to as higher certificates. These courses are often two years in duration and require applications to present with five passes at Leaving Certificate and do not normally require an applicant to achieve any higher level grades. These courses are available in TUs as well as at further education institutions and points requirements tend to be lower than points which are required for level 8 and level 7 courses. The majority of these courses also include add on years to allow students to achieve their level 6 qualifications but also to stay on to complete level 7 and 8. Accessing higher education may be easier than it seems. For those whose Leaving Cert is not what they hoped for, it might just mean beginning at a lower level for the career you want. Aoife Walsh is a guidance counsellor at Malahide Community School, Co Dublin Solidarity with Israel will evaporate very quickly if its expected military assault on the Gaza strip is disproportionate, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned. Israel is gaining a lot of solidarity from other parts of the world, the Taoiseach told the Dail. But I believe that will evaporate - and evaporate very quickly - if the Israeli response in Gaza is disproportionate. So there must be restraint. Mr Varadkar reiterated Ireland's total condemnation of the attack by Hamas and other militant groups on Israel and the devastating loss of life caused. In these circumstances, Israel has the right to defend itself. It is surrounded by enemies, many of whom want to see Israel wiped off the map, from the mountains to the sea, he said. But it was critical that Israels response was within the parameters of international humanitarian law and proportionate. The protection of civilians and de-escalation must be a priority, he said. There must be no attacks on civilian infrastructure. If it was unacceptable for the President of Russia to target power stations and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, then the same must apply to the Israeli Government, Mr Varadkar told Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Fein. She told the Taoiseach that the region stood on a dangerous and frightening precipice. The attacks by Hamas on Israel at the weekend had rightly been met with outrage and condemnation, in Ireland and internationally, she said, and she joined in that condemnation unreservedly. There is no justification for targeting civilians and taking civilians hostage. All hostages should be released immediately. Our hearts are with every person harmed and we hope for the safety of our citizens, she said. But the attacks had occurred against the backdrop of decades of deep injustice, she said. She added: As we speak, Israel's retaliation and collective punishment of Gaza is already under way. Israeli rockets rain down hell on an impoverished and beleaguered refugee population, half of whom are children. In the face of this overwhelming military bombardment, they have no food, no magical infrastructure, no electricity no fuel, and no way out. Innocent men, women and children stare annihilation in the eye. Mr Varadkar said he could give an assurance that Irish aid to Gaza will continue, as well as EU aid. That aid is not for Hamas. It's aid for Palestinian civilians, and they need it in order to have any form of existence. Certainly we will we will not support any suspension of Irish or EU aid, provided the money goes to the Palestinian people and not to Hamas. Ireland would do all that we can at EU and UN level, he said. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is very much engaged in that in that effort. We have a longstanding commitment to supporting humanitarian aid and development projects in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Taoiseach said. Our funding provides both emergency assistance to the most vulnerable, while also assisting the Palestinian Authority in public service delivery on the West Bank. Irish funding comes to 16 million a year. He added: The baseline position of the Irish Government is that we can only bring peace to the region through a two-state solution. I think that becomes increasingly difficult with every day that passes and with every settlement that is built. There has to be a willingness on both sides. I don't see that leadership in Palestine. I certainly don't see it with Hamas. Hamas is hell bent on the destruction of Israel and on wiping Israel off the face of the earth. They must change that policy. He told the Sinn Fein leader: They must renounce terrorism. They must renounce violence as a means to achieve their political objectives, just as people did on this island. Richard Collins, chief financial officer at RTE, is to quit. Photo: PA Media Minister Catherine Martin has revealed that RTE is facing a TV licence fee shortfall of more than 61 million for this year and next year. It comes as RTE will have a round of staff redundancy as part of its cost-cutting programme. Meanwhile, RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins is due to resign. The lead accountant in the national broadcaster was a key figure in the RTE payments scandal. Kevin Bakhurst, the director-general of RTE, announced the departure at a meeting of staff in Montrose this afternoon as he outlined some details on the cutbacks and restructuring at the national broadcaster. Ms Martin said on Wednesday that she would be providing the financially stricken broadcaster with 16m in interim funding in late November or early December as part of a supplementary budget. However, she also revealed that the States New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) had identified a 21m fall in licence fee revenue this year and another 40m loss in 2024. Ms Martin said she would be prepared to provide RTE with an additional bailout of 40m subject to being satisfied with its forthcoming cost-cutting plan, but said it would need to do a job of work in relation to cost efficiencies and cost savings. Asked if she was expecting RTE to find 21m in cutbacks over the next year to make up for the licence fee shortfall, Ms Martin said the advice from NewERA was they expected the broadcaster to make up for that or it could be a case that the TV licence will recover. She said the Government was looking for genuine cost-saving measures and cost efficiencies and I think the strategic vision is also the opportunity for RTE to show its commitment to public service and reform. Ms Martin said she was hopeful the plan being devised by Mr Bakhurst would be available by end of October, early November. She said she did not want to see compulsory redundancies and said she did not want a menu of options from Mr Bakhurst but instead his vision to be presented to Government colleagues. On privatisation she said these are operational matters for Mr Bakhurst to make a decision on. Whatever way he wants to move it, thats for the DG to bring to us, she said. However, she later added she did not expect there to be full privatisation of the national broadcaster. Ms Martin said she was aware that chief financial officer Mr Collins was resigning, having been informed that he was likely to be leaving by Mr Bakhurst earlier this week. She said she would not have any role in relation to employment matters of individuals and had no details in relation to his exit package. She was speaking at a post-Budget press conference when it was confirmed that Ms Martins department has secured a funding boost of 4.7pc for 2024 and will have an overall budget allocation of 950m next year. Funding for the media and broadcasting sector of 304m including 57m for TG4 and a new media fund including 6m for local democracy and courts reporting schemes which will be rolled out next year. The Budget documentation shows a 182pc increase in expenditure on policy reviews, consultancy services, and research from 440,000 last year to 1.24m for next year. Ms Martin confirmed the extra funding was to pay for the reviews she has commissioned into RTE's culture and governance in the wake of the crisis at Montrose that was triggered by secret payments to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy in July. RTE CFO reluctant to answer when asked about his salary RTE is also now highly unlikely to sell its Montrose campus, but a smaller part of the Dublin 4 site could yet be put on the market. The Donnybrook site is thought to be worth up to 500m, but Mr Bakhurst said he was not personally convinced of the economics of moving entirely from Donnybrook. The station would need to build a new headquarters at another location. RTE sold part of its campus five years ago for about 100m. The broadcaster has examined a sale and moving to a new location as part of its cost-cutting programme. Outgoing finance chief, Mr Collins came to public attention when he told an Oireachtas Committee he did not know his exact salary. But he also provided the committee with extensive detail of the operation of the barter account at the centre of the Tubridy payments controversy. The chief financial officer was on a salary of 200,000. Mr Collins was not on the interim leadership team appointed by Mr Bakhurst, but was the chief financial officer from January 2020 and remained in that post. After Mr Bakhurst came in as director-general in July, he said Mr Collins had stood back from his day-to-day role at RTE. Mr Collins was working on supplying documents requested from RTE and did appear at the last Oireachtas committee hearing in July, which occurred after that change. The chief financial officer was the latest executive to not appear before a Dail committee digging into the broadcasters finances last month. Mr Collins had been left off the RTE team to attend last month's Oireachtas Media Minister hearings into the controversy at the station. There was no indication Mr Collins was unavailable or unwilling to attend and he was still the chief financial officer of the organisation. Instead of Mr Collins, RTE brought a different accountant who only joined the organisation last year so wasnt there for any of the now-controversial events. RTE group financial controller, Mike Fives, who is a member of RTEs interim leadership team, attended to represent on RTEs financial matters. Mr Collins also featured prominently in a report into the understatement of pay to Ryan Tubridy. Former RTE chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe had blamed Mr Collins for the accounting treatment of the unpaid 120,000 exit fee to the top presenter. The Grant Thornton report, which analysed how 120,000 was understated in Tubridys earnings between 2017 and 2019, included a statement by Ms OKeeffe that significant changes were made in relation to the exit fee waiver which were not agreed by the time she left the broadcaster. An Irish man who was in Jerusalem on holiday when the attack on Israel by Hamas began, has spoken of his difficulty trying to leave the country. Gerry McGeehan (69) who is on a three-month trip taking in over 20 countries, described how when at the airport attempting to get a flight out of Israel, he had to take cover with other passengers as air raid sirens rang out. I was fearful on a few occasions. After a few days I realised I better forget about my other plans and try and get out of here, Mr Mc Geehan said. It became very, very difficult to get out. I spent the best part of two days at the airport and I had five flights booked and four of them were cancelled. At the airport it was frightening at times because you could hear the air raid sirens going off and the explosions on quite a few occasions. On two occasions we were moved down to the shelter and we had to lie down on the ground while we left our luggage behind, Mr McGeehan said. Mr McGeehan arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday had tried to visit Bethlehem on Saturday, not knowing that Hamas has begun their attack on Israel. Gerry McGeehan I stepped onto the bus [for Bethlehem] and I just happened to say the driver is this the correct bus for Bethlehem. He said it was but if you there, you won't get back, Mr McGeehan said. Mr McGeehan said he was unaware at that stage that war had broken out but decided to get off the bus. While he described the Old Town as being quiet, Mr McGeehan thought that was down to the time of the morning and that it was Shabbat, the time of rest in the Jewish faith. Despite seeing rockets in the distance and hearing explosions, Mr McGeehan said there was no sense of panic or fear in the city at that stage. It wasnt until he returned to his hotel that he discovered from the manager what had happened. Drone footage reveals damage in Gaza after Israeli strikes He said its not safe to be around the Old Town and that there was a war, Mr McGeehan said. Mr McGeehan described the stress of trying to get a flight, spending four hours in the airport trying to rebook a cancelled flight before being forced to return to a city hotel in the hopes he could secure a ticket out. I was having flights cancelled as quick as I could book them... I started to panic. I spent four hours trying to rebook another flight for the following morning, he said. I spent four hours [trying] which was quite stressful because I just couldnt see a way to get out. After two days, Mr McGeehan managed to secure a spot on a flight to Athens and will continue his trip in the coming days. Separately, a group of 50 Irish pilgrims to the Holy Land are still in Israel and waiting to leave on their flight on Thursday. The tour, organised by the Irish Catholic Newspaper and Marian Pilgrimages, had hoped to leave on an earlier flight on Tuesday but it was booked out as thousands of people try to leave the country. The funeral details of Niamh Berkery have been announced Heartfelt tributes have been flowing in for a young Limerick woman described as a treasured member of the community following her death. Niamh Berkery of Shanaclune, Cappamore died peacefully on Saturday surrounded by family and friends at St. Jamess Hospital, Dublin. Ms Berkery was involved in a number of community groups and teams and was Public Relations Officer for Cappamore GAA and Camogie Club. A note on rip.ie reads: "Cherished eldest daughter of Breda and John and adored sister of Siobhan, Con and Michelle, and boyfriend Pete McNamara (Cork). Sadly missed by her parents, sisters and brother, their boyfriends Conor and Liam and girlfriend Jean, her boyfriend, godson Mason (Australia), aunts, uncles, cousins, grandaunts Nora and Mary, relatives, kind neighbours, a wide circle of wonderful friends and her work colleagues in Scoil Chaitriona. Reposing at Lynch-Kelly Funeral Home, Cappamore Wednesday evening from 5 pm until 8 pm. Arriving in St. Michaels Church, Cappamore for Requiem Mass Thursday morning at 11.30 am. Niamh will be laid to rest in Towerhill Cemetery. Limerick Community Games paid tribute to the young woman. Niamh was a member of our county committee for several years and was a dedicated, treasured and committed volunteer at area, county, provincial and national levels, the organisation said. Niamh competed with Cappamore community games as a child and had many wonderful memories as a participant. Niamh made many wonderful friends from all corners of the country through her volunteering, such friends for whom we know this loss will be exceptionally difficult. Today's News in 90 seconds - October 11th We send our sincere sympathies to Niamh's family, extended family, community and friends. We think especially of her family John, Breda, Con, Siobhan and Michelle and her partner Peter. May her beautiful soul rest in peace and may God comfort all who knew and loved her so much at this difficult time. Cappamore GAA and Camogie Club were at a loss for words to describe the loss of their friend and colleague. Niamh took on her role of PRO with the pride and passion she had for her club . She was a committed supporter of our club both on and off the field. As a mark of respect to Niamh, our club field is closed and off the field activities will cease until further notice. We send our sincere sympathies to Niamh's family, extended family and friends. We think especially of John, Breda, Con, Siobhan and Michelle and Peter. On rip.ie, some of the condolences that appeared are: "I, on behalf of Kerry Community Games would like to extend our sincere condolences to all of the Berkery family on the sad untimely passing of Niamh. May her gentle soul rest in peace. "Our deepest sympathy to Mary and extended Berkery Family on the passing of your lovely niece Niamh, so sorry to hear that sad news, may she rest in peace, read another. Deepest condolences to the Berkery family on the passing of Niamh. She will be sorely missed. East meets West for this mash-up of Japanese and Scandinavian interiors trends Its easy to see how the two distinct styles would marry well together when both cultures celebrate the simplicity of nature, functional design and a simplified aesthetic There is a lot that distinguishes the Japanese from us Europeans but I have always been struck by their ability to declutter. As I sit among my bits, I realise how I often long for a space that pervades that sense of calm, simplicity and Zen where simple objects sing from their designated places without being elbow-to-elbow with a mass of other decor pieces. Hashira portable table lamp, 185, Lampmasters; lampmasters.ie How furniture and design is deeply rooted in traditional crafts with a strong connection to nature and how materials are humble, not overused or overdesigned, but often detailed. Everything is orderly, but in a serene way. Cushion cover, 13.99, La Redoute; laredoute.com Even though the Japanese embrace simplicity, their spaces never feel glossy or mass-produced because they also live by the tenet of wabi-sabi: the idea that something is more beautiful because it is imperfect: a handcrafted ceramic bowl or irregular shaped vase, for example, or an aged table or rustic floor its about embracing natural, honest and authentic living materials. Japan stool, 129, Woo Design; woodesign.ie The Japandi trend, a mash-up of Japanese and Scandinavian interiors styles, is on trend and its easy to see how the two distinct styles would marry well together when both cultures celebrate the simplicity of nature, functional design and a simplified aesthetic. Its clean, orderly but soft also and always with an appreciation of materials and a strong leaning towards balance and serenity. Wave bowl, 55, Toast; eu.toa.st Eastern influence on Western design is not a new phenomenon with roots in the 18th century and Japonisme, the French interpretation of Japanese style. After Japans closed-border policy reopened in the 1850s, Scandinavian designers began visiting the country bringing home with them the inspiration for much of their work. Black cabinet, 4,392, Finnish Design Shop; finnishdesignshop.com Its resonating again now because we yearn for its simple, earthy premise in a time when technology and mass production is overwhelming, especially in 2020 when the trend seemed to take off right at the moment when the pandemic made us value our surroundings, nature and our sense of serenity. Coffee table, 2,035, Ferm Living; fermliving.com But its not just the materials or craftsmanship of the Japanese or Scandinavian home that are appealing, its the attitude of the occupants. Much of what they do at home, whether thats pouring tea, preparing dinner or arranging flowers is done mindfully. The practice of meditation and mindfulness is at the core of Japanese Zen and when applied to design and interiors it helps promote balance and tranquillity in a space. Set of Japanese ceramic cups, 43, Industry & Co; industryandco.com Even the work of renowned Japanese designers, while often pushing boundaries, is rooted in the serene. Designer Kenzo Takada uses vibrant pinks and reds but they are mixed with black and gold predominantly and his homeware lines are sleek and classic. &Tradition Formakami pendant light, 236, Smallable; smallable.com Ariake is a nuanced hybrid of Asian and Scandinavian design and 1616 /arita japan makes contemporary ceramics using the same traditional materials and techniques used for centuries. Tray, 63, Wolf and Badger; wolfandbadger.com Its a trend that has longevity given its traditional roots so you can invest in that sleek wooden table, Noguchi pendant light or wabi-sabi ceramics for a home thats beautiful, functional and serene. Wild yet tranquil, a cottage escape next to the islands tallest onshore lighthouse offers something totally unique The living room at one of the cottages I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve, writer George Bernard Shaw once said. For our stay at St Johns Point in Co Down, we got the rare chance to see this up close in all its glory. St Johns Point lighthouse is one of 33 sites across the island of Ireland that are looked after by the Irish Landmark Trust. As well as lighthouses, they also have castles, old schoolhouses and gate lodges in their portfolio, which you can stay at, offering something a little bit different than your typical hotel. St John's Point lighthouse with its distinctive stripes We stayed for two wonderful nights at the lighthouse keepers cottage at St Johns Point. The cottage is called JP Ketch, named after a type of boat, and is one of two you can book into for a relaxing break. Dating back to 1839, JP Ketch can house four people and has retained many of its original features, with rustic wooden floors and sash windows. Nautical-themed ornaments, books on the history of lighthouses and St Johns Point are dotted about the place. It is self-catering and has a large kitchen/dining room and all the modern appliances you would need to rustle up a home-cooked meal. Upstairs is a twin bedroom and a larger master bedroom, with lovely views out the window of the Irish Sea. There is no TV or wi-fi, so its a great place to disconnect and get away from it all. In the cottage youll find an array of board games and books to keep you occupied if you so choose. The living room at one of the cottages The location is remote, peaceful and perfect for a relaxing break. A few hundred yards away you can take a refreshing dip in the sea, and theres plenty of places for long walks in the countryside. Tyrella is the closest Blue Flag beach, while Kilclief and Ballyhornan are popular for swimmers. One hidden gem nearby is Ballynoe Stone Circle, an ancient monument that is essentially Co Downs answer to Stonehenge. It also has a smaller version of the famous Dark Hedges. Theres also plenty of places to visit just down the road in Downpatrick, from the burial place of our patron saint, to Inch Abbey and Downe Cathedral. The lighthouse itself is in Killough and the nearby village has a few pubs the Ann Boal Inn is a popular spot and a well-stocked shop. Restaurants can be found in Strangford, about 16km away, including The Artisan Cookhouse, The Cuan and The Lobster Pot, which are all well-reviewed. There are also many fine eateries in Ardglass and Downpatrick. In terms of food, if you dont do fancy cooking, or eating out, Irish Landmark Trust has recently teamed up with Co Down-based food company Hara at Home to offer guests a premium meal delivery service (from around 85; hara-food.com). One of the bedrooms at JP Ketch, St John's Point We chose to go for the beef wellington dinner. The main course came with red wine sauce, sweetheart cabbage and mash. For starters we had sweetcorn, basil and sour cream soup. Dessert was treacle tart with plums and buttermilk custard. The box of goodies was delivered right to St Johns Point and all we had to do was follow the simple instructions and within about 30 minutes we had a slap-up, three-course meal. The quality of the food was top notch and certainly filling. The views from the cottage are something to behold, with the Mourne Mountains in the distance to the right as youre standing out the back of the cottage, where you can make friends with the two Shetland ponies that graze in the small field there. While the views of the Mournes are amazing, its at night when St Johns Point shines. When darkness falls the light at the top of the 120ft structure is turned on. St Johns is now the tallest onshore lighthouse on the island of Ireland. Powered by electricity, it has a range of 47km. The pre-prepared meal from Hara at Home The lighthouse, which is one of 70 on the island of Ireland that are operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, is only a few feet from the door of JP Ketch and standing out the back gazing upwards at the magnificent rays is unforgettable. Originally painted white, since 1954 it has had the distinctive black and yellow bands that stand out from miles away. St Johns Point has an interesting connection to the famous Irish writer Brendan Behan. Behans father was once contracted to paint several lighthouses here and got his son to paint St Johns. The writer, who had yet to find fame at this stage, ended up causing havoc. The lighthouse keeper at the time, Henry Harvey, described Behan as the worst specimen he had encountered in 30 years of service and called for his dismissal. Read more The Mourne Mountains are as magical as Wicklow or Kerry if only more of us knew about them St Johns Point is also mentioned in Van Morrisons song Coney Island. The weather for our stay wasnt the best, but that made it all the better to experience a taste of what life would have been like for the lighthouse keepers of old. With the wind howling outside and sounds of the crashing waves of the nearby coast, there is something strangely peaceful about it. Our stay at St Johns was definitely one to remember and Im sure well be back. How to do it Cottages at St John's Point are available from 362/419 for two nights, sleeping up to four. irishlandmark.com News / National by Staff reporter Nelson Chamisa, the President of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has announced his party's withdrawal from Parliament and Councils across the country in a concise statement that poses a significant challenge to the government.Chamisa's announcement comes in response to the controversial removal of 15 legislators from his party, purportedly based on a letter sent to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda by an individual claiming to be the CCC's Secretary General, Sengezo Tshabangu.Addressing journalists following the CCC's 18th Citizens National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, Chamisa issued an ultimatum, threatening a complete withdrawal of all elected Members of Parliament and Councillors if Mudenda fails to reinstate them within 14 days."Until this matter is resolved, CCC MPs and councillors will cease their participation in Parliament and Councils," Chamisa declared."When we say 'cease participation,' we do not mean complete withdrawal; we are indicating that no business will be conducted until appropriate remedies and justice are achieved through the agreed-upon mechanisms. We hereby alert all significant stakeholders, including Civil Society, SADC, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN), that Zimbabwe is facing a constitutional crisis and a disputed election."Mudenda took action based on Tshabangu's letter, informing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of 15 vacancies, despite a communication from Chamisa on September 7 asserting that only he had the authority to withdraw CCC members.Chamisa experienced a similar maneuver when he lost the presidency of the MDC-T, orchestrated by his former Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora, who has since vanished from the political scene."We have decided to disengage, but complete withdrawal is also an option. This could further exacerbate the country's existing constitutional crisis, which we are already facing. We will not allow the same tactics and tricks to be used twice," Chamisa added.CCC MPs engaged in clashes with anti-riot and Parliament police on Tuesday as they resisted Mudenda's efforts to prevent them from attending parliamentary sessions.Mudenda has asserted that his decision is final and can only be challenged in a court of law. Claims have emerged that Tshabangu's letter on Tuesday was allegedly coordinated with former legislator Tendai Biti, who subsequently dismissed the claims. Amid a shock last weekend that was as monumental for Israel as September 11, 2001, was for the US, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu set out a good framework to respond. Whether he can stick to that strategy and execute it, rather than repeat the mistakes the US made in the years after Al-Qaidas equally unexpected attack on New York, will decide his place in Israels history. Netanyahu said his country was now at war with Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and the US. Although understandable, or even inevitable, this wasnt a good sign. Wars demand clear battlefield victories that dont necessarily bring strategic ones, and Israels strategic priority right now should be containment. This conflict could grow a lot worse if allowed. The more substantive part of Netanyahus statement on Saturday was hard to fault. He divided his prescription for the days and weeks ahead into three parts: First, clear Hamas fighters from Israeli territory and restore security to the border; second, exact a price from Hamas, including in Gaza, while securing other borders to ensure nobody else attacks; finally, unite and remain level-headed. Its the second and third parts that will be hard to stick to. Netanyahus second point balances the need for retribution and to weaken Hamass capacity for any repeat with the need to make sure this brutal raid on Israeli territory doesnt become a real war, fought by Israel on one side against a range of state and non-state actors on the other. This is likely to be Hamass intent. As for the US with Afghanistan after September 11, Netanyahu has little choice but to send his armed forces into Gaza, not least to retrieve hostages. But the extent of that assault isnt predetermined. Gaza is a densely populated urban territory of about two million people, and achieving full control will probably require the most vicious, difficult form of warfare. The Israel Defence Forces are equipped to do that, but it isnt clear what an achievable endgame would be, and that needs to be determined. A full-blown invasion aimed at wiping Hamas and its supporters off the map, and online images of civilian Palestinian casualties, would increase the risk that other regional players become involved, seeing an opportunity as Israeli forces become bogged down in Gaza. Some, including Republican US senators, have concluded already that Iran organised Saturdays attack, enabled by $6bn (5.67bn) in fresh funding approved by the Biden administration as part of a prisoner exchange deal. Iran does finance and support Hamas, and on Monday President Ebrahim Raisi congratulated the group on an attack that has already claimed more than 1,000 lives, many of them civilians. The US says there is no hard evidence of Tehrans substantive involvement. A Wall Street Journal report says there was Iranian coordination, citing sources in Hamas and Hezbollah. That $6bn, which consists of previously frozen Iranian cash, is, as far as anyone can be sure, still tied up in Qatari banks. Given that the funds arrived in Qatar only after a September 27 agreement, they couldnt have paid for the months-long preparations needed for Hamass multi-pronged attack. Its also reasonable to expect that if this plan had originated with Iran, it would have involved a second front opened by Hezbollah from Lebanon. So far, Hezbollah has only fired a few warning shots into the tiny, disputed Shebaa farms strip, which were met with a similarly symbolic response from the Israelis. A larger Hezbollah intervention could yet come. Others have accused Russia, which could benefit from the distraction from its war in Ukraine. But there is no evidence to support this. Confirmation of an Iranian role needs to be rock solid, because that could trigger a much wider regional war with unpredictable consequences. That brings us to Netanyahus third agenda items: unity and level-headedness. There is no justifying what Hamas has done, yet there will also be no repairing the puncture its attack has inflicted on Israeli confidence in the invincibility of its defences. That needs to feed into a reassessment of whether the Netanyahu governments uncompromising approach on every Palestinian red line from access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque to the status of Jerusalem or settlement policies in the West Bank is sustainable. Saturdays mayhem suggests strongly that it is not. Scripture suggests the divine dividend in giving can be a thousandfold. Such a hope may have been in the mind of Finance Minister Michael McGrath when he signed off on Budget 2024s extra 14bn in spending. It is quite a gamble, as there is none so fickle as folk. But once a year, a government gets a chance to show it is on the side of the people. Get it right and the people reward them; if they dont, they pay the price. This could be the Coalitions last pitch before going to the polls next year. Voters will probably judge it in terms of the cost of living, housing and health. And all have been addressed to one degree or another, with 1.9bn allotted for housing. For renters theres a credit up to 750, and theres temporary mortgage tax relief worth up to 1,250. The health service will get an extra 500m next year in a 22.5bn package. But has the Government gone far enough to shore up the support it has been shedding and possibly even boost its popularity? The electorate will examine whats on offer. A prerogative of power sees governments spend other peoples money, hoping they can also find favour as the cash is flashed. So is this a cash and dash Budget? Time will tell. What matters is whether the expenditure is effective in helping society and protecting the economy. Most workers will be 800 better off after cuts to the Universal Social Charge (USC) and income tax tweaks. Families feeling the pain of the biting cost of living crisis and 10 successive interest hikes needed such help. The mooted mini-sterile zone touted around the Dail speaks to some tension. A 12 a week rise for welfare recipients may be welcome, but according to Vincent de Paul, it would have taken a rise of 27 to keep in line with rising costs. Meanwhile, the Simon Communities said: Theres nothing in the Budget today that would suggest we are going to see ourselves get ahead of the homelessness crisis. Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty argued that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail had caused the housing crisis and the Budget was further confirmation that they are not the ones to fix it. However, looking ahead, Mr McGrath spoke of a Future Ireland Fund that could have up to 100bn in the next decade. A 14bn Nature and Climate Fund is also in place to address environmental challenges. Both have the potential to be transformative. Andrew Carnegie said: Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community. Both the ESRI and Fiscal Advisory Council have warned the days of golden windfalls may be numbered. The country needs to get the best return possible, but as to whether this is the last roll of the golden dice for the Government, that is now in the hands of the voters. Alzheimer Society of Ireland reopens facility Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler TD pictured with the centre staff at the official reopening of The ASI's new Dementia-Specific Day Centre in St. Mary's Day Centre, Mallow, County Cork. Photo by Chani Anderson. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) has re-opened its Dementia-specific day care centre in Mallow. Located at the organisations St Marys Day Care Centre in Mallow, ASI say that the reopened facility has undergone a significant transformation in order to provide appropriate care and support for people living with dementia in the region. Various activities will be offered by the centre in order to promote cognitive stimulation, social engagement and physical activity for patients who avail of its services. Present at the opening of the facility were members of the ASI, local dignitaries and members of the community. Cork native and head of operations for the society, Siobhan OConnor, said she was delighted to see the facility reopen. It warms my heart to see what a community can achieve when they band together, Ms OConnor said, adding: This centre will provide a home for support and services to people living with Dementia and their families in North Cork. The minister of state for mental health and older people, Mary Butler TD, was also present at the centre for its reopening. As a long-term champion for people with dementia, I'm delighted to officially open the new Mallow dementia-specific day centre, the minister of state said. This centre exemplifies the Government's commitment to funding a variety of supports for people with dementia and their families. "I am pleased to once again partner with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland as we open the 49th dementia-specific day centre, which will undoubtedly bring immense benefits to individuals living with dementia and their families in the locality, the minister added. The opening of the Mallow centre follows the recent openings of locations in Westmeath, Dungarvan, Wexford and Cavan. ASI says it hopes to open its 50th dementia specific facility in November. ILC Dover to close five years after opening in Blarney Business Park Despite the recent news that over 100 jobs will be lost in Blarney, there is optimism that new opportunities will come to the town as a result. Last week US pharmaceutical company ILC Dover announced that it will close its facility in Blarney Business Park, with approximately 110 jobs to be lost. Despite opening in 2019, the company stated that the plant would seize operations in the first quarter of 2024 as it looks to relocate its operations to Gliwice, Poland and Juarez, Mexico. Nevertheless, there is hope in the North Cork town despite the news that over 100 people locally will lose their jobs. Blarney local, Cllr Damian Boylan, says he would have no fear of those people being out of work for long. Those people that are going to lose their jobs will have no issue getting new jobs, Im entirely sure because they have eminently transferrable skills, he says. The Cork City North-West representative is also hopeful that the soon-to-be vacant ILC Dover facility will be quickly taken up by a new occupant. The building that ILC are currently in is an ISO 8 and an ISO 9 cleanroom environment, which are in constant demand, the Fine Gael official says, adding: So, I can guarantee you that that wont be empty for long either. It wouldnt surprise me if the news is out on that and that there are people already interested in taking it, he adds. Cllr Boylan says it is desperately unfortunate that anybody would lose their job in the town, stating that its an awful thing to happen. Despite this, he believes the pharma industry in Ireland is absolutely stable, citing the expansion announced by Merck last year, who claim they will create 235 jobs at new facilities in Blarney and 135 new jobs in Carrigtwohill by 2027. News of the ILC Dover job losses came as a surprise to Blarney Chamber of Commerce chairperson, Marlene Griffin, who says that any job losses coming up to Christmas is horrendous for families. I suppose you dont imagine these established businesses are suddenly just going to suddenly pull out, Ms Griffin says. However, like Cllr Boylan, she is optimistic that new businesses will be drawn to Blarney Business Park, run by John Cleary Development, where the ILC Dover facility is located. That business park is really great and they work very hard and Im confident that theyll fill a bit of the gap and pull somebody else as big as Dover into that business park very quickly. Having recently met with officials from Cork Education and Training Board, Ms Griffin also points to courses available at CETB as a useful resource for anyone facing redundancy. You dont have to be employed, you can do any of these courses to upskill and it doesnt have to be something you work at, you can choose from any of their courses free of charge, she explains. Friends go under the knife in Lithuania for less than half the cost of ops in Ireland The two women are delighted with the results A corset and bandages were used after the surgery Meet the Dublin yummy mummies who flew abroad together to get nip and tuck ops at less than half the price it costs here. Best friends Michelle Clancy and Jennifer Mullen travelled to Lithuania where they underwent breast implant removals and replacements, boob lifts, liposuction on their bellies, backs and hips, and tummy tucks. The total cost of the procedures was 8,600 each, plus a further 600 each for flights and hotel. The women reckon the same operations in Ireland would cost them each around 22,000. Jen and Michelle with their surgeon Its so much less expensive there than it is here, says Michelle (47). I had priced a tummy tuck here and it was the guts of 10,000, then for the breasts a simple implant is about 5,000. But we did a removal, implant and then an uplift and liposuction. It all mounts up. Michelle and Jennifer (50) both underwent breast augmentation within days of each other 19 years ago and needed new implants due to wear and tear. I got mine done as I was quite pear shaped and had large hips and then would be quite small chested, so I just wanted to have a pair, laughs Michelle. To feel a bit more feminine. A corset and bandages were used after the surgery We felt medically for health reasons we had to get the boobs replaced, and we thought the two of us are always giving out about our stomachs, Jen has three kids, I have four. I had my recent one when I was 42, so the body does not go back the way it would have when youre in your 20s and 30s, and I had a section I kind of had a bit of a pot belly, and Jen would have had a bit of a belly as well, so we just said Jesus, rather than always worry about it and having to wear the Bridget Jones knickers and the vanity of all, sure while were there. The ladies are both from Tallaght, with Michelle now living in Kilcullen, Co Kildare with her husband Nigel and their three daughters aged 22, 17, 14, and a four-year-old boy, while Jennifer lives in Bailieborough, Co Cavan with her partner. They have three sons, aged 29, 22 and nine. Both of us have had sections and theres no coming back from sections after having a baby, theres nothing you can do, explains Jennifer. While were under the knife sure feck it, were getting the boobs done anyway, and I always wanted to get a tummy tuck as I have stretch marks from my first boy. I had my first child when I was 21, so Ive had stretch marks all that time, so its not really nice. The two women are delighted with the results The pair met through mutual friends in Tallaght and cemented their relationship after former nail technician Michelle did Jennifers nails for her brothers wedding. Were like sisters, beams Jennifer. The pair were followed to Lithuania by RTE cameras as part of the two-part TV series Sun, Sea and Scalpels. I had always said Id never go to Turkey, as you hear all the stories, and theyre not EU regulated, so I got wind of a girl I know who went to Lithuania that I knew and I contacted her, says Michelle. They reached out to a doctor based in a clinic in Lithuania and then decided to travel there together. We got the implants removed, new implants, a lift, liposuction 360 its called, they do your back, stomach and hips and a tummy tuck to remove excess, recalls Michelle. Jen and Michelle with the camera man We had to get general anaesthetic and were knocked out for about three-and-a-half hours After it I felt like I was hit by a bus. You cant initially stand up properly because youre after getting a tummy tuck, but within a few hours of the surgery you can walk to the bathroom. After two nights in hospital the women were transferred to their hotel, where a masseur tended to them, and they returned the next day for a change of bandages. I was sorer for longer than expected. Even still on parts of my back Im still quite tender, and this is nearly five months after the operation, reflects Michelle. Thats because of the liposuction, especially on the back. Their boob operations were quite complicated. Both of us had very hard surgeries getting the implants out, reveals Jennifer. Our muscles are so damaged from the implants that I couldnt go a bit smaller than I already was. Michelle wanted to be the same size, but shes a lot smaller now. My implants were ridiculously big; I was a 32D. She would have been 32DD. I got my implants when I was aged around 30, so when you gain weight its still going to go on your boobs. So they put the same size implant in but theyre a lot smaller, but theyre still big. My waist was 26 inches, I had these big boobs. I was sick of big boobs. It was like my boobs walked into a room and I walked in five minutes later! Jen and Michelle But shes now thrilled with the end result. I look better, she beams. It actually makes your posture stronger, because you constantly feel a pull on your tummy, so your back is straight from the lipo behind as well. My God the lipo is horrendous, but only in the back. On my front I would recommend it because the way they did my back it makes me look like I got a bum now, its just lovely. Ive now got a six pack, my belly is crazily good, Im so chuffed with it. Their partners have mixed views on cosmetic surgery. Nigel was kind of like you didnt need to get it done, I love you the way you are, theres no need, your body is perfect to me, smiles Michelle, who works as a legal executive. He just said, if you want to do it Ill support you in whatever way. When I came back and was moaning about being sore hed joke well, you brought it on yourself! Jennifer, who cares full time for her autistic son Finn, says her partner is comforting. He said I loved you before this, after this, forever. But this was for all for me. A discovery was made at Pigeon House Road on Tuesday afternoon. Dublin residents in the Sandymount / Ringsend area were shocked yesterday evening as army bomb disposal experts and gardai rushed to the scene of a discovery which required a controlled explosion. The unsettling incident played out in front of passers-by along the beach as authorities moved in to secure the area, in what was described as a major operation by members of the public. The Army bomb squad. Stock image. A statement from an Garda Siochana on Tuesday evening said: Gardai were alerted to the discovery of a device at a premises on the Pigeon House Road, in Dublin earlier this afternoon, Tuesday, 10th October. "The services of the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) were requested and a controlled explosion was carried out. "Initial enquiries suggest the device was historical in nature. This is at least the second call out in the space of a week for the Irish Armys bomb unit after former broadcaster Fergal Keane came across a cache of old munitions gelignite, at his farmhouse in Cork. The bomb squad was called to take care of the rare find, thought initially to date from around the War of Independence. It is thought that around 100 or so sticks of gelignite were recovered from inside the building's walls. REPRO FREE - NO REPRO FEE. 11/10/2023 Dublin Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of a white-naped mangabey to its troop. The baby, born on September 26th, is the eighth offspring of mother Monifa and father Danso. Weighing approximately 400g, keepers have said it is too early to determine the sex of the yet-to-be-named infant. To celebrate this significant birth, Dublin Zoo is offering visitors a 50% discount off full price tickets booked online for this Saturday, 14th October and Sunday, 15th October. Visit www.dublinzoo.ie to book your tickets now. Patrick Bolger Photography Dublin Zoo is celebrating the birth of a new white-naped mangabey Dublin Zoo is celebrating the birth of a new white-naped mangabey by offering visitors half-price tickets this weekend. The popular Phoenix Park tourist attraction is giving the discount this Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, so the public can catch a glimpse of the yet-to-be-named baby monkey. The baby was born on September 26 and joins the other seven white-naped mangabeys at the Dublin Zoo African Plains. Weighing approximately 400g, it is the eighth offspring of mother Monifa and father Danso. Keepers have said it is too early to determine the sex of the infant. We are thrilled to welcome the arrival of an infant white-naped mangabey, Monifa and Dansos eighth offspring at Dublin Zoo, Helen Clarke-Bennett, team leader of the African Plains said. Although their wild population size is unknown, the species is considered endangered, with their numbers rapidly declining. Danso and Monifa are attentive parents, and we are excited to watch their family grow as they develop a natural bond with their infant. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Dublin Zoo this weekend, when they can hopefully catch a glimpse of our growing troop of white-naped mangabeys at the African Plains, she added. The new white-naped mangabey is yet to be named The home of the white-naped mangabeys is on an island at Dublin Zoo which is very similar to their natural habitat in the wild as it has plenty of tree cover and ground space. The troop spend their time gathering food on the forest floor and in the heights of the trees. Their strong jaws and large teeth allow them to eat hard nuts, fruit, seeds, and insects. White-naped mangabeys are listed as endangered species due to being hunted for food and deforestation. Their population in the wild is restricted to densely forested pockets in Ghana and Cote dIvoire. Dublin Zoo takes part in the European Endangered Species Programme to help prevent animals from no longer existing. The Zoo has also supported the West African Primate Conservation Action since it was established in 2001. Dublin Zoo is open seven days a week from 9.30am - 5.30pm. Alan Hughes has said he once had to call gardai because of a stalker calling to his home. He made the revelation following the Holly Willoughby case, in which a man has been charged over a plot to kidnap her. Forty-two-year-old Slawomir Walus never thought that he would face a serious cancer battle when he cycled the Ring of Kerry for Recovery Haven some years ago. Life had never been better, but then he received the frightening diagnosis that turned his and his familys life upside down. They have had to leave Ireland and return to Poland to be close to their families. Slawomir and his beloved wife and daughter have been living in Manor for more than 10 years. He first came to Ireland 17 years ago and loves his new home having spent nearly half his life here now. In fact, he met his wife here in Ireland, though they lived only 40 miles apart in Poland, and the couple got married in 2014. He is well-known in Tralee but also across South Kerry, where he is a delivery man for Kieran Hartnetts Pork and Bacon, travelling across the towns of the Iveragh Peninsula. His job means he has many friends across the county, and they are rallying around to help the family, whose lives have been devastated by the cancer diagnosis. The funds will be used for their daughters future and for the cost of returning home to Poland. Slawomir and his wife, Dorota, have a two-year old daughter, Julia, who is the light of their lives as they spent years hoping for a baby. Her birth in September 2021 completed their lives. We got the baby and we were happy out. Not even a year after, we got my news [that I had cancer]. From heaven you go down to hell, he said. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in May 2022 and underwent the removal of his colon and treatment. In January of this year, he finished treatment and everything was looking fine. They removed my colon it was the only option and you do what you have to do, he says. Making the familys situation even more difficult, Dorota has MS, and while she can carry out most task, mobility is an issue. She is currently receiving treatment and has had huge support from the MS society. "It is tough for her when I am not around. Family came from Poland, everyone is living there. We have friends here, but you cant expect them to come all the time, Slawomir said. The family believed their nightmare was over until July when, during a regular check-up, it was discovered that Slawonir's cancer had returned, and this time it is stage four, with spots on his liver and lungs. He has restarted treatment but has no idea what the future holds. "I am undergoing chemotherapy now, and in November I will have a CT scan to see if the drugs are working or not, and then they will say what is next, explains Slawomir. However, as Slawomir is unable to work and they need family support, they have decided to return to Poland a heart-breaking decision for them as they love Ireland and want to stay here. "We never thought of going home...Our family is over there, and if we go back we will be close to our family and they wont have to fly over. It is not an easy decision, he said. The house they rent is also to be put on the market, leaving them in a difficult situation as it is very hard to find a new home, though they have until next April before they have to move. The cost of returning home and ensuring medical care and support for their daughter led to the decision to set up a fundraising page. "I never want to ask for money, the treatment here is covered, but I am not able to work and I wont have any funds for the small one...Any penny, we would be grateful, and it is for the future of our little girl. You are always thinking about family and protecting them, he said. "You never know what is going to happen. If you told me two years ago I was going to have cancer, I would have laughed. I cycled the Ring of Kerry for Recovery Haven...I never thought I would be on that side of it. The fundraising link is https://4fund.com/mvfx9n Josie ODonnell of the Killorglin History and Folklore Society, Shane McElory Killorglin Chamber Alliance, Education Minister Norma Foley and John O'Connor of the Killorglin Archive Society. The town of Killorglin has a rich history and now its stories are being brought to life with a digital heritage trail to provide information on unique locations across the town. Tourists and locals alike will now be able to explore and discover over 20 specific points of historical interest in the town, by accessing the information on each buildings history and the people who lived there via plaques placed on the buildings. Each plaque carries a QR code that links via mobile phone to the relevant information on the Killorglin Archives Societys website creating a Killorglin Heritage Trail. This trail was officially launched by Education Minister Norma Foley who praised the initiative. For example Killorglin is the birthplace of Irish Republican and IRA Chief of Staff in the 1930s Tom Barry and also the birthplace of Mairin Cregan - Irish Nationalist and famed author and playwright and their homes can now be discovered as you walk around the town. The project was professionally assisted by Munster Technology University Tralee, who developed the customised software; Killorglins own Slogadh Signs who designed the plaques, ably assisted by Fexcos IT arm who built out the web pages. The idea was that of Sean O Suilleabhain, one of the drivers of the Kerry Way walk, he will be delighted that another of his initiatives, The Killorglin Heritage Trail, was brought to fruition by his colleague Josie ODonnell of the Killorglin History and Folklore Society, along with the Killorglin Chamber Alliance, and the Killorglin Archive Society. Funding was provided by Leader and under this Killorglin Archives Society, have installed four large television screens, placed in strategic positions around the town, that show the Societys material such as old photographs and videos portraying the history and people of the town. The Killorglin Digital Heritage trail is a superb marriage of innovation and creativity showcasing the many hidden gems and places of historical significance in Killorglin. I would like to take this moment to congratulate everyone involved in this unique initiative and I salute the great ambition and breadth of vision of those who have led and supported the project. News / National by Simbarashe Sithole A 25-YEAR-OLD Plumtree man is in soup after he broke into a shop to steal snacks and sugar worth $15.Knowledge Ndlovu appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Joshua Nembaware yesterday.He was remanded in custody to October 27 for judgement.Prosecutors said on September 26 Ndlovu broke into Richard Mazhindu's (33) shop and stole 15 Hello snacks and 6 packs of 2kg sugar.He went away unnoticed and was unlucky to be apprehended by the police after investigations.The police managed to recover $2 from the $15 worth of goods stolen.Ndlovu told the court that he committed the crime due to hunger. The late Johnny Enright of Cahara, Glin was laid to rest on Tuesday, October 10 following his sudden and tragic passing last Wednesday, October 4. The funeral of a West Limerick man who died in a road incident between Tarbert in Kerry and nearby Glin in County Limerick last Wednesday night took place on Tuesday afternoon when mourners heard how he had suffered a stroke on the side of the road. Johnny Enright was remembered by friends and family, many of whom had gathered for his Requiem Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glin others watched online from as far away as the UK and Vancouver as a good character and someone who lived a simple life. The collision occurred at approximately 10pm last Wednesday, and it involved a car and a pedestrian, Mr Enright. His nephew, Donnacha, spoke on behalf of Johnnys family as items related to Johnnys life, including a sod of turf signifying Johnnys love of peaceful work in the bog and a family photo, were brought to the altar. Read more Man in his seventies killed in collision near the Kerry and Limerick border Donnacha said on Tuesday that his uncle, who was a former employee of Limerick County Council, lived a simple life with his brother and that his presence in the Square in Glin will be missed, before adding that Johnny had a great motto when it came to work: Arrive on time, take your time and go home in plenty of time. He was a good character to talk to and he always had that good laugh about him, Donnacha continued. Donnacha also stated that there was no one to blame in relation to Johnnys untimely passing. There is no fault here, but nature itself, he said. Johnny died of a stroke...That person [the driver] is a victim. My prayers and thoughts are with her today, too, he said. Internment took place afterwards at Kilfergus Cemetery in Glin. 100 to the charity from each property booking Co. Louth suicide prevention charity SOSAD has received a boost from a young entrepreneur who is using his own experiences of mental health challenges as a force for good as he launches a fundraising drive to raise funds for the charity. Michael Fitzpatrick, Property Manager of the luxury destination property, Fitz of Inch in Stradbally, Co.Laois, will donate 100 to the charity from each property booking from now until December to SOSAD, whose head office is in Drogheda with another in Dundalk as well as others nationally. Michael says he went through a period of serious and sustained bullying through part of secondary school, causing him to face anxiety and depression as he got older. I have first-hand knowledge of the insidiousness of bullying and indeed how it can lead to serious mental health challenges with the person who has been bullied needing support, and this support can come in many forms he says. Bullies can feed on difference, and I was a young gay man, to be honest I didnt even know my sexuality then, and as such was a target for them. I was very fortunate, however, in that I had unwavering support from my family, I could go and confide in them, and they were just a rock of strength and comfort, as were my close friends. I was just a kid then, and I would have been completely lost without my circle. I was able to go and seek professional support which helped me enormously and helped me understand my mental health. Years later Michael was approached by somebody who had subjected him to bullying, but this time the bully had just one thing on his mind and that was to apologise. Really when any bully sees the effect his or her actions have on people, it makes them sit up and reflect. It takes a lot of courage to apologise, it was clearly on the bullys mind, and I genuinely really appreciated the acknowledgement and the apology. I now know the warning signs if my mental health is taking a dip; I can get overwhelmed and I tend to suffer with SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder) in the winter months but Im extremely lucky in that I know myself extremely well and I address it and tackle it head on. Its all about knowledge, where to go and who to go to and when. That is why I am so happy to be able to give back and to help SOSAD (Save Our Sons and Daughters) who do such incredible work in the area of positive mental health and suicide prevention. Michael says he is a stronger more resilient person following his experience of bulling and his mental health challenges and credits it with giving him strength of character which has carried him through to today. I am definitely a more robust person as a result of what I had to go through. I know the bullies were probably struggling to fit in as well and probably just trying to put up a front for their own insecurities and mental health challenges. Im one of the lucky ones and I cherish the peace I have, and I am able to deal with dark days when and if they come. The whole experience brought me closer if anything to my family and friends and that is truly priceless. Michaels message for anybody who is going through any issues with mental health is. "Pick up the phone! I truly cannot stress this enough. To whomever that may be, your mum, your best mate, the girls, your granny or a work colleague, ring them and talk to them, in fact do a mental health check in with them, you never know who needs to hear your voice!" We look forward to working closely with SOSAD Mental Health Charity during this fundraiser and hope that our contribution can make a positive impact on the lives of those in need within our community. In a bid to raise as much money as possible for SOSAD, Fitz of Inch has also launched a social media campaign, allowing people who may not be able to stay at the property, a chance to donate online. Click on donate button on www.fitzofinch.ie The funds raised by Fitz of Inch will go towards SOSADS brand new Ambassadorial campaign where it hopes to create a network of people from all walks of life who have been trained to understand what mental illness is, what to look out for and help them to develop the necessary skills including active listening, having difficult conversations, and signposting people to appropriate help to get the help they need. We are delighted that you have chosen us to be the beneficiary of this special fundraiser. This is a great opportunity for us to not only raise funds for our Wellbeing Ambassador Programme but to also raise awareness of Mental Health and the services that are available, says Carol Murphy, General Manager of SOSAD Ireland. The Wellbeing Ambassador Programme will train and support individuals who would like to take action to help support the mental health and wellbeing of others. They can be a member of the public, perhaps a person who is already a volunteer in their community, or indeed anyone who would like to be involved. To make a booking for Fitz of Inch and help this campaign please go to www.fitzofinch.ie. IF YOU NEED HELP NOW, CALL SOSAD on1800-901-909. Dont ignore signs as 30 men a year diagnosed in Ireland The shocking words that far too many women in Ireland hear on a daily basis; currently the figure stands at one in nine. But what about men? Surely not, or so Gormanston man Dara McDonough thought. What do you mean breast cancer? The 61-year-old fitness fanatic was stunned when his doctor told him the news two years ago. "When I went back for the results of my biopsy and was told I had breast cancer, Prof. Stokes may as well have said Dara, you're pregnant, says the father of three. "My first thought was, I'm a man. I can't get breast cancer, but I was soon to learn different. In fact, about 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Ireland; the figure for women is about 3,400 each year. From the time of my diagnosis was a peculiar journey, says Dara. The waiting rooms during my treatment were a story onto themselves. I'd be the only man amongst 15 or 16 patients and the reaction was nearly bordering on hostility from the women. But in hindsight, they were all in a very vulnerable stage of their life, and like me, they'd no idea men could get breast cancer. So they were probably thinking what the hell is this man doing in here? Why doesn't he wait in the car for his partner? Dara is passionate about getting the word out about male breast cancer and he says that education is just as much as for women and for men. For me, being sent for a breast cancer biopsy and treatment felt alien and thats understandable, as a society we are programmed to think only women get breast cancer. The stark truth is that, when diagnosed, it is just as dangerous to men, he adds. And after a while, I was in awe of the women I encountered in these waiting rooms. They have to deal with all the additional trauma psychological and societal associated with breast cancer treatment, including removal. Like many people who get a breast cancer diagnosis, it all started with a chance discovery in the shower. I was having my regular morning shower and I felt something to the right of my right nipple. It wasnt painful, it wasnt protruding, it just felt strange. After the shower I kind of forgot about it, but the next day I felt it again. Now, as a guy, if it was lower down Id probably have been on alert immediately, but it was in my chest, so I wasnt too worried, explains Dara. After five days of being aware of it in the shower, something clicked I thought I cant ignore this. I was lucky that I went to Dr. Oliver Lynn in the Drogheda Medical Centre. Although, he thought it might be a cyst, he had a small ultrasound facility there where he scanned it. He then sent the scan to Prof. Maurice Stokes in the Mater and within 10 days, I was having a mammogram, a biopsy and being diagnosed with breast cancer! Dara says he couldnt quite believe how fast everything happened from when he found that lump to surgery. It was all very very quick from when Prof Stokes said it was malignant, and I picked myself up off the ground and said what are we gonna do? says Dara. His exact words were to me your breast and nipple will have to come off; what are you doing next Thursday? What Dara needed was a mastectomy, something he said he couldnt understand as he didnt have a breast. "But sure enough, there I was a few days later, lying down in the operating theatre and having a canula inserted. Thats all I remember before a nurse asked me if I was feeling any pain and at that point the surgery was all over, he says. After the surgery I was told that some of my lymph nodes had been taken out as they needed to be checked to see if the cancer had spread anywhere else. It was a tense few weeks until Dara was given the all clear, and he is now over two years in remission. Throughout this process a couple of things became clear to me firstly, men just dont have breast cancer on their radar, but they must, he says with a laugh. Excellent awareness information and education is provided to girls from their time in school. Checking for lumps in their breast is second nature I saw it with my own daughters. But for guys, were a little more in the dark. He says it also became clear to him through his own experience how vital early detection is. I was lucky enough to have my tumour removed with no spread of cancer cells to the lymph nodes and no follow up treatment required. The wonderful Prof. Stokes, who brought me safely through this journey told me, Your reaction to the lump saved you. So, Id plead with the men (and women) out there who feel a lump in or around their chest area dont ignore it, dont be embarrassed, because it could take your life. Although more rare in men, there are a few factors which increase the risk of breast cancer in men: Age Most men who get breast cancer are over 60, although younger men can be affected. High oestrogen levels can increase the risk. High oestrogen can happen with chronic liver damage, obesity and some genetic conditions. Obesity Being very overweight (obese) seems to increase the risk of male breast cancer, especially for men over 35 years of age. Kleinfelter's syndrome This is a rare genetic condition where a man is born with an extra female chromosome. For men who have this syndrome the risk of breast cancer is 20 times greater than the average. Radiation Men who have had repeated and prolonged exposure to radiation can be at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. For example, radiotherapy treatment to the chest wall, particularly at a young age. Significant family history or genetic link Men with a significant family history of female breast cancer are also at a higher risk of breast cancer. This includes a mother or sister, particularly if the relative was under the age of 40 when diagnosed. Dara has always been a keen runner, and took part in last weekends Pink Run to support Breast Cancer Care at the Mater Hospital. They saved my life so the least I can do it join in the run, which was on a very wet day, but still great fun, says Dara, who runs his own transport company. "I would encourage all young men and women to make checking for unusual lumps in their breasts a regular part of their routine. You can find out more about taking part in a Pink Run in October on https://www.materfoundation.ie/gopink/ Then, in November, the men can also get involved in a Dip in the Nip, with their Dickie Dip campaign - https://www.materfoundation.ie/event/dickiedip/ - which will focus on mens cancer care and awareness. American journalists and content creators with Ruth Moran, Tourism Ireland (third right), get ready to enjoy a surf lesson in Strandhill with Seamus McGoldrick, National Surf Centre (right). A number of American journalists got to sample Sligos great outdoors over the past week as part of a trip with Tourism Ireland. Tourism Ireland invited eight American journalists to visit Sligo and Ireland over the past week. The group many of whom are members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America includes writers, digital content creators and podcasters, who have a combined audience of millions of readers and followers. The writers action-packed itinerary which had a focus on green experiences and soft adventure was designed by Failte Ireland and included a surf lesson at the National Surf Centre in Strandhill, lunch in Shells Cafe in Strandhill, dinner in Eala Bhan and an overnight stay in The Glasshouse. Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Irelands Head of North America, said: Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite this group of influential writers and content creators to visit Sligo and Ireland, to come and enjoy some of our superb outdoor activities and sustainable experiences. "Through their articles, blogs, posts, videos and podcasts, they will encourage their readers and followers to come and experience our wonderful outdoor activities and beautiful scenery for themselves. The United States remains an extremely important market for tourism to the island of Ireland. In 2019, we welcomed 1.7 million American visitors, whose visits delivered 1.6 billion for the economy. In highlighting World Mental Health Day, Minister Butler commented: "The key message I would like to deliver today is to remind people, of whatever age, to be conscious of the importance of protecting your mental health. Supports are there if needed. "If anyone has mental health difficulties around anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or otherwise, in Waterford or throughout the country, I urge them to seek help without delay. There are a wide range of mental health supports available in Ireland, through the HSE or the many agencies providing high-quality care on its behalf." The best way to find out what supports would best suit someone is through their GP, or via information sign-posting such as online at YourMentalHealth.ie which provides information and signposting on all mental health supports and services that are available nationally and locally provided by the HSE and its funded partners. Freephone Your Mental Health Information Line is available 24 hours to find supports and services (1800 111 888). text HELLO to 50808. The service provides emotional support 24 hours a day to anyone experiencing a crisis through engagement in a text message conversation with a trained and supervised volunteer. Record investment in mental health services over the past number of years has allowed for the development of new models of care, including for crisis resolution, dual diagnosis, and for new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) hubs. For the first time in the history of the State, a dedicated National Office for Youth Mental Health in the HSE is in place. A new HSE Assistant National Director and a new National Clinical Lead for Youth Mental Health recently took up post. Reaffirming the importance of people protecting their mental health, Minister Butler, concluded: Often people find it difficult to have conversations about their feelings and it is important that we break down that stigma so that they can feel more comfortable seeking support. Anyone can experience mental health challenges at any time during their lives, and recovery can and is possible. If any person is feeling pressure, I encourage them to reach out for help. Get Out (2017) BBC1, 10.40p.m. Gifted Black photographer Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) is nervous about a road trip to meet the parents of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams). When he arrives at her parents pristine home, he is warmly welcomed by Dean Armitage (Bradley Whitford) and his psychiatrist wife, Missy (Catherine Keener). But something about the neighbourhood feels out of kilter and Chris is unnerved by the passive behaviour of the Armitages black groundkeeper Walter (Marcus Henderson) and maid Georgina (Betty Gabriel). Get Out is a razor-sharp satire, which draws inspiration from the creeping dread of The Stepford Wives to take a scalpel to simmering racial tensions in present day America. Jordan Peeles slickly engineered horror prescribes shocking violence and laughter in equal measures. THURSDAY GoldenEye (1995) ITV4, 8p.m. One of the best 007 offerings was also a fine debut for Pierce Brosnan as the suave agent who attempts to stop old friend 006 from unleashing havoc with the aid of the eponymous weapon. Sean Bean is terrific as the bad guy, Famke Janssen steals the show as sexy assassin Xenia and Izabella Scorupco is a likeable heroine. Strong support comes from Alan Cumming, Robbie Coltrane and Judi Dench, in her memorable first appearance as M. Good special effects too by Derek Meddings in what was to be his final Bond offering. Although the film made $350million worldwide, heres a funny thing: the computer game of the same name made even more money. FRIDAY Shutter Island (2010) 5STAR, 11.50p.m. The lunatics are taking over the asylum, or thats what Martin Scorseses impeccably crafted psychological thriller would have us believe. But then perception and reality are completely blurred in this 1950s-set mystery, adapted by screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis from the best-seller by Dennis Lehane (whose other novels include Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone). Here, Leonardo DiCaprio (in his fourth collaboration with Scorsese) plays a troubled US marshal sent to the spooky Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane to investigate the disappearance of an inmate. The fact that no trace of her has been found, even though the institution is situated on a remote island, makes the case particularly puzzling but thats not the only matter that seems odd Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley also star SATURDAY Knives Out (2019) Channel 4, 9.30p.m. Wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) presides over a motley crew of dysfunctional relatives (played by, among others, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans and Toni Collette) who have their eyes on his vast fortune. He invites his kin to an 85th birthday party at his large mansion and apparently commits suicide by slitting his throat after doting carer Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas) gives him his medication. Detective Lieutenant Elliott (Lakeith Stanfield) and Trooper Wagner (Noah Segan) attend the scene, accompanied by private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, clearly having a blast). Knives Out pays loving tribute to Agatha Christie, and writer-director Rian Johnson enjoys pulling the rug from under us. SUNDAY The Beach (2000) BBC1, 10.30p.m. Backpacker Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) is working his way around Thailand when he meets a frazzled fellow traveller (Robert Carlyle), who gives him the directions to a remote, unspoilt island. When Richard reaches his destination, he finds its inhabited by a makeshift community, led by Sal (Tilda Swinton), but is life there as idyllic as it seems? Its directed by Trainspottings Danny Boyle, is based on the cult novel by Alex Garland and stars DiCaprio at the height of his post-Titanic fame no wonder expectations were high for this drama. The finished product failed to live up to them, although viewed now, its a pretty decent thriller. DiCaprio is good in the lead, plenty of interesting ideas get bandied out, and those sun-kissed beaches look very inviting. MONDAY Summer of Soul (2021) Channel 4, 10p.m. In August 1969, a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, attracted huge crowds to the Woodstock rock festival billed as Three Days of Peace & Music. The same summer, almost 100 miles south-east of Bethel, large crowds flocked to Mount Morris Park for the inaugural Harlem Cultural Festival masterminded by Tony Lawrence. Concerts headlined by The Fifth Dimension, Mahalia Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Mongo Santamaria and Nina Simone were also recorded for posterity but hours of precious film stock languished unseen in a basement for more than 50 years, and as a result, the so-called Black Woodstock was largely forgotten. Lovingly restored footage from 1969 forms the spine of this exuberant documentary directed by musician Ahmir Khalib Thompson, aka Questlove, told in the words of festival performers and members of the public who flocked to see their idols and party at the ultimate black barbecue. TUESDAY Drive (2011) GREAT! movies, 10.50p.m. An unnamed guy known only as Driver (Ryan Gosling) performs death-defying stunts in big-budget films but when hes not on a set, he works as a mechanic for his good friend Shannon (Bryan Cranston) and also performs illegal jobs, which invariably involve high-speed getaways from crime scenes. When one heist goes wrong, Driver is marked for death at the hands of hoodlums Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks, brilliantly cast against type) and Nino (Ron Perlman). There are romantic complications when Driver falls for pretty neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan), whose husband Standard Gabriel (Oscar Isaac) has just been released from prison. Director Nicolas Winding Refn hits the accelerator in the opening scenes and barely touches the brakes as the plot skids with sickening inevitability towards its bloody resolution. Wexford folk band Green Road return from their recent successful US and Irish Tours for this one-off concert in St. Michaels Theatre on Saturday, October 14, at 8 p.m. They are joined by the Niall Toner Band in a concert entitled From the Blackstairs to the Appalachians, a special celebration of Irish American music connections which will explore the unique cross fertilisation of Irish folk music and the bluegrass and country music of the Appalachians. Ladies Night A Ladies Night hosted by Wexford Rose Bronagh Hogan from Clonroche and chef Edward Hayden from Ireland AM, is being held at the Brandon House Hotel on Friday, November 30, at 8 p.m. The evening will feature health and wellness speakers, make up and beauty tips, skincare demos and musical guests, with ladies fashion show featuring the latest styles from local boutiques and footwear outlets. Tickets cost 15 and are available from St Michaels Theatre or via Revolut to Rosemarie (087 6755909), Carmel (086 8424793), Claire (087 6739008) or Deborah (085 2133503) There is a prize for Best Dressed Lady. All money raised is in aid of New Ross Musical Society. Training course Southwest Wexford Family Resource Centre has welcomed its new class of 2023 who will be partaking in the LTI (Local Training Initiative course) over the next 18 months. This is a part-time course and runs from 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., Monday to Thursday each week. The course is fully funded by WWETB and is free to learners. Those on a DEASP payment may be eligible to get a Training Allowance. During this time, learners will complete eight modules that are QQI level 5 Certified. On completion learners will receive a major award. Also, during the course, learners will also engage in non QQI accredited classes including HACCP, Barista skills, Canva training and more. Learners will also enjoy learning about and visiting local heritage sites, getting a better understanding of Irish heritage. To kick-start the course learners participated in a Team Building activity at the Escape Rooms experience at Leisure Max, Wexford and great fun was had by all. If you would like further information on this course, please contact Christina on 087 4552980 or email christina@swwfrc.ie. Transgender war hero play Actor Ceara Carney, hailing from Ballywilliam, outside New Ross, is performing in a thrilling new historical play based on the extraordinary true story of the Irish Transgender American War Hero; Albert D.J. Cashier. The play The Curious Case of Albert Cashier: Lincolns Lady Soldier will be staged in 17 venues across the country this autumn, including in Waterford and Kilkenny. A powerful and absorbing show...Fine ensemble work as we have come to expect and a terrific central performance from Ceara Carney, wrote one reviewer. The play is being performed at the Theatre Royal, Waterford, on Thursday, October 12, at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at 051 874402 / www.theatreroyal.ie for 18/16. Anthony Kearns concert An evening of Music & Song with Anthony Kearns tenor and friends takes place in St Michaels Theatre on Thursday, November 2, at 8 p.m. Call 051 421455 to book your ticket. Enrolments at St Canices St. Canices National School, Rosbercon is now taking applications for enrolment for Junior Infants 2024. An application form for enrolment is available by phoning the school at 051 422813 or by emailing info@stcanicesns.com Forge Vintage Club run The Forge Vintage Club will hold an all vehicle Road Run on Sunday, October 15, with registration in Clongeen Hall from 11.30 p.m. and leaving at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be available in the hall afterwards. All types of vehicles both old and new are welcome on the day. All money raised will go to local charities later in the year. A great day is in store. Your support is gratefully appreciated. Wexford flora The Flora of County Wexford's Churchyards and Cemeteries with Botanist Paul Green is a talk at New Ross Library on Tuesday, October 31, at 7 p.m. Paul has visited many churchyards and cemeteries in County Wexford to study their native and non-native flora. Especially the older churchyards as they can have very herb-rich grassland with well over 100 species of native plant and they hold the best natural grassland away from the coast in the county. Several rare plants in the county have half of their known sites in churchyards, including the tiny Adders-tongue Fern and the Green-winged Orchid. Booking is essential as places are limited. Phone: 051 421877. YMCA results Last weeks YMCA Whist results are: Top score Mary Shannon, Top lady Biddy Naddy, 2nd lady Brid Murphy, 1/2 time lady Teresa Dollard, Top gent Bridget Murray, Ned Conway, 1/2 time gent Eamonn Doyle, Lily Treacy, Specials; Marion Duggan, Paddy Walsh, Statia Gahan, Marion Dalton, Eileen Conway, Raffles Peggy Malone, Mary Shannon, Brid Murphy, Statia Gahan and Dinah Proctor. Obituaries This newspaper offers tribute pieces to bereaved family members who have recently suffered the loss of a loved one. The obituary tells the story of the persons life, celebrating their personality, and is free of charge. Contact David Looby, whose details are listed above, if this is something that interests you. Rugby Lotto The current weekly New Ross Rugby Club Lotto jackpot is 11,400. Match 3 prize fund 200. Ticket price 2. Tickets can be purchased in local businesses throughout New Ross or play online - https://clubs.clubforce.com/clubs/rugby-new-ross-rugby-club-wexford. Civil War Ireland talk The End of the Irish Civil War and the 1923 Election in County Wexford is the title of a talk at New Ross Library on Tuesday, October 17, at 7 p.m. Join Historian in Residence Barry Lacey to discuss the end of the Irish Civil War in County Wexford and the election which took place afterwards in August of 1923, the first election since the foundation of the Irish Free State. The talk will look at the candidates involved in the election and how they lost or won seats to represent the people of the county. Booking is essential as places are limited. Phone: 051 421877 Volunteer session Wexford Volunteer Centre Information Session in New Ross Library takes place on Wednesday, October 18, from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering or are part of an organisation that uses volunteers, please come and meet with John Bird, Development & Placement Officer with Wexford Volunteer Centre. John can support you with all queries relating to volunteering, assist you in registering and teach you how to upload opportunities. You can book a 10 minute appointment slot with John via the link below: Booking is essential as places are limited. Phone: 051 421877. Bridge Club results The September bridge club results are: September 4, 1st Patricia Quinn and Carol Freaney, 2nd Kathleen O Farrell and Anne Kennedy O' Brien, 3rd Rosari Donovan and Lorrie Butler. September 11, 1st Carmel Delaney and Mike Murphy, 2nd Mary Murphy and John Halpin, 3rd Breda Kehoe and Kathleen O ' Farrell. September 17, 1st Anne Curtis and Kevin Treacy, 2nd Kathleen Kennedy and Anne Lawlor, 3rd Breda Kehoe and Annette Kelly. September 24, 1st Marie Walsh and Mike Murphy, 2nd Bridie Sweeney and Jane Parker, 3rd Cathy Casey and Patsy O' Farrell. Cardiac training course Campile Area Development Group are invite people to attend a Cardiac First Responder (CFR) Training Course delivered by Wexford Civil Defence this Saturday, October 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Campile Hall. To register (places are limited) - Email campileareadevelopmentgroup / 087 6569345 or go to facebook.com/CampileAreaDevelopmentGroup or t. 087 6569345 for more information. Flowers Craft workshop Everyone is invited to learn the pressed flower craft in New Ross Library with Zdenka Maksimova on Tuesday, October 24, at 7 p.m. Discover a variety of shapes and shades from the plant world and assemble a piece which will last for years. Booking is essential as places are limited. Phone: 051 421877. Paddy Power plan to close one of its two New Ross betting offices, as the business undergoes major transformation. Flutter UKI which owns Paddy Power announced the closure of 21 Paddy Power shops in Ireland last week following a review of its high street estate. The closures comprise a mixture of lease expiries and early terminations and leave an estate of 230 across the Republic. The company would not specify which of the Quay Street or Irishtown branches is set to close. The majority of the 78 colleagues employed across the affected shops will be offered redeployment opportunities across the remaining estate and in close proximity to their existing employment. However, the closures will unfortunately lead to a small number of job losses. We are consulting closely with colleagues and providing support to those affected by these changes, a company spokesperson said. Commenting on the closures, David Newton, Chief Commercial Officer of Paddy Power, said: As with all businesses in the retail sector, we regularly review our estate to ensure we are operating efficiently and meeting the evolving needs of our customers. Indeed, a well invested retail estate remains a key component of our omnichannel strategy. Whilst the majority of our estate continues to perform well and is growing market share, we have decided to close a number of underperforming shops. "This is absolutely no reflection on our hard-working shop colleagues, and I would like to thank them for their service and professionalism during this difficult time. We are in contact with all affected colleagues and our focus is very much on providing support to those who may be impacted by the changes. Work has been ongoing to convert the old Wexford Garda Station building into refugee accommodation in recent weeks. While work continues apace on converting the old Wexford Garda Station building on Roches Road into accommodation for Ukranian refugees, Sinn Fein councillor Davy Hynes has asked why councillors were previously told it would be impossible to convert the building into accommodation. Cllr Hynes queries arose from a discussion around newly established emergency accommodation beds for the homeless in the old Moyne Nursing Home in Enniscorthy. "Thats great, but weve been asking for emergency accommodation in Wexford for years and there is none, he said. "The OPW (Office of Public Works) were asked could the old garda station building be converted into emergency accommodation and they said no. It was subsequently sold to a private developer and we all know what happened then. "I dont want to get into that too much. Im in favour of welcoming anybody, particularly those coming from a bad part of the world, but the point remains. Back in the summer of 2022, the Department of Integration turned down an offer from the OPW to make the old garda station building available to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, stating it was "not viable. In March of this year, the building was subsequently sold to a private developer, Dekeldale Ltd, and a short time later a planning application was lodged to use the building for that very purpose providing temporary refugee accommodation for those fleeing war in Ukraine. Construction work has been ongoing on site in recent weeks and up to ten Ukrainian families are expected to be living in the long-term vacant building by Christmas. An Arklow man was stranded in Longford for six hours after being allowed to board the wrong bus from Dublin. A bereaved Wicklow man who was allowed to board the wrong bus home from Dublin and ended up stranded in Longford for six hours has received a disrespectful and humiliating response to his request for compensation - one year after his ordeal. On October 15, 2022, Polish native and Arklow resident Tomasz who asked not to include his surname for fear of hurting his case boarded what he thought was the Expressway 2 bus from Dublin Airport to Arklow, having been visiting Dublin for a mass in memory of his recently deceased wife. The bus driver scanned his ticket, the light on the reader turned green, and Tomasz sat down. When more than an hour of the journey had elapsed, he became concerned and approached the driver to ask where they were. To his shock, Tomasz discovered he was on route to Longford. The driver told the confused passenger to stay on the bus until it reached Longford Railway Station, where he could get a train back to Dublin. Still reeling from the loss of his wife and with little spoken English, Tomasz said that he could not believe he had been allowed to board the bus and would never have envisaged the misery that followed. I went onto a bus and was convinced it was the correct one, Tomasz began. The time was correct for the bus to Arklow. The driver scanned the ticket and let me on. The light flashed green, so it meant the ticket was valid. I did not pay attention to the surroundings on the way. My wife had died recently, and I was going to Dublin twice at the weekend for mass for my deceased wife. I was confused when I discovered I was in Longford. I asked the driver how it was possible that he let me in with the ticket, which was for Arklow. The driver did not answer. He went with me to the train station and asked about the train to Arklow, he continued. There were none, and no buses until 2.30 a.m. the next day. The driver said I could take a taxi home, but I could not afford a 500 taxi to Arklow. I did not know Longford. My English is basic. I could not get any help to go back home to Arklow. I was told to leave the train station because it was closed for the night, and had to wait at the bus stop for nearly six hours to get a first bus to Dublin Airport at 2.30 a.m., and another one from the airport to Arklow. Days after enduring the nightmarish experience, Tomasz initiated contact with Bus Eireann, asking for an explanation and seeking compensation for his troubles. After receiving a request for more information from Bus Eireann a month later, Tomasz received no follow-up until he escalated his case with the National Transport Authority, with their intervention leading to a recent response from the Expressway route provider. On the evening in question, our ticketing system is showing that the ticket you presented for travel was not validated for travel, the response from Bus Eireann reads. While we do acknowledge that the driver did not deal with the situation in an efficient manner, we are not liable for the compensation being requested. Under our Conditions of Carriage, all tickets are valid for travel as indicated by the fare paid and/or other details printed on the tickets at the time of issue. Passengers are obliged to ensure that these details are correct in respect of the journey intended. However, as a gesture of goodwill, we are in a position to refund you the cost of the additional tickets purchased, which was 32. After relaying Bus Eireanns response to the NTA, Tomasz received a reply from the NTA, which stated: For instances relating to driver behaviour and or refunds, the NTA will escalate cases on the customers behalf for review by the operator but does not have a role in adjudicating on the operators response. These are issues to be dealt with by the operator directly. As such, I am afraid I am not in a position to take any further action on this issue. Arklow woman Ewa Winkel, who has been assisting Tomasz with his correspondences, said that she and Tomasz were incensed by the response from Bus Eireann and the lack of apology or offer of meaningful compensation. Bus Eireann brought a grieving, distressed man to a wrong destination and left without any help or shelter for the night, Ewa said. Bus Eireanns customer service admitted it was their employees fault, but not Bus Eireanns responsibility it does not make much sense to us. He is so upset about the whole situation and has been fighting for months to get an answer. Its disgraceful that there was no offer of (meaningful) compensation, and no apologies. We emailed almost every institution I could think of, from the Ombudsman to the NTA, and at the end, to hear that they werent liable, its shameful, disrespectful, careless and humiliating. I cant imagine someone reading his story and not empathising with him and apologising. The way Bus Eireann behaved is not only unprofessional, this was simply inhuman. Opinion / Columnist ZIMBABWE is the only country in Africa which spends much of its resources conducting by-elections for the whole term whilst unemployment is hovering above 90% with street vending hitting very high levels. It is the only country which is always in election mode from January to December rather than in the development mode.The country is riddled with unresolved political issues, poverty, corruption, moral decadence, human rights abuses for example the incarceration of Job Sikhala political and political intolerance. The country is on autopilot. There is need for devine intervention. We need to pray for Zimbabwe.This new republic has failed. Robert Mugabe at his worst never reached at this level of poor leadership, incompetence, confusion and nepotism. Zimbabwe under this new dispensation has now become a laughing stock. How did we arrive at this stage? A coup government has never worked at all.The recalling of twenty-five members of Citizens Coalition for Change using an imposter Sengezo Tshabangu who is claiming to be an interim CCC Secretary General a position which is currently not existing within the CCC circles.There is really internal fighting within the citizens project. Actually a certain group of people within the ranks who feel aggrieved in the party, have now resorted to miscalculated political manvoures just to outwit each other. One cannot rule out the fact that this group is getting all the support to effect these recalls from a party which is seeking a two thirds majority rule in parliament.There is a clear indication that the ruling party is working in cohorts with this group to subvert the will of the people and undermine their rights. They are doing this for selfish agendas and to wholly consolidate political power.Sengezo has always been at the centre of controversy from the beginning. This is the man who tried to bar the Bulawayo 12 to contest and also caused the double candidate issue. Mr Sengezo who has no legal standing to effect the recalls is just a tortoise on a lamp post. There is a secret agent working behind the scenes where money is exchanging hands.The people thought that they have now done with these modern day Morrison Nyathi but alas we are now back at full throttle to the days of Douglas Mwonzora who was used by Zanu PF to recall members of MDC-Alliance after a fall out with the leadership. Its a pity that we have a country where politicking has become the order of the day.It is only in Zimbabwe where you can find a street kid orchestrating the recalling of elected members of a political party and then get away with it without the authorities interrogating him.We saw the persecution of Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC supporters in the 2000s and we are also witnessing the same modus operandi being applied on Nelson Chamisa. Some people fail to see the bigger picture that they are there to serve the people before they serve themselves. Colluding with Zanu PF is the worst ever thing to do.Email - konileonard606@gmail.comTwitter- @Leokoni Arklow native and cancer survivor George Horsman pictured with his friend Decky McLaughlin at Slieve Doard - the highest mountain in Ulster. Arklow native and cancer survivor George Horsman pictured with his friend Richie O'Brien at Lugnaquilla - the highest of the Wicklow mountains. Arklow cancer survivor George Horsman will summit four of Ireland's highest peaks in five days for charity this October. An inspirational Wicklow man will mark being five years free of cancer on October 18 by hiking the highest peak in each of Ireland's four provinces in five days for charities close to his heart. Beginning with Carrauntoohil in Kerry on October 14, Arklow native George Horsman will summit Mweelrea in Mayo and Slieve Donard in Down before finishing in Wicklow with Lugnaquilla, with all proceeds from the fundraising challenge going to Arklow Cancer Support, Headway Ireland, the Beaumont Hospital Foundation, Breast Cancer Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society. In March 2018, George's life was flipped upside down when he was diagnosed with a Grade-4 pineoblastoma, a tumour of the pineal gland in the brain, just two months shy of graduating college and starting his professional career. An eager and attentive student, George had to drop out of college to start his cancer treatment, which included a gruelling combination of brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. I started getting headaches at the beginning of February, but being young and focusing on my final year of college, I brushed them off as nothing," George began. It wasn't until the point where the headaches were so painful that I was up all night vomiting because of the pain that I finally got an MRI in March. I went to my GP a few days later, where I was diagnosed with tension headaches, and as he was giving me that diagnosis, he got a call from the MRI people who informed him of the results of my MRI I had a 3cm large brain tumour on my pineal gland. I immediately admitted myself to Beaumont Hospital, where I had two surgeries to relieve the pressure build-up in my brain and underwent a biopsy. Because of my age and other characteristics, it was initially thought that the tumour was going to be a Grade 1 Glioma. Later, I got my tumour diagnosis, where my neurosurgeon gave me the unanticipated diagnosis of a Grade 4 Pineoblastoma. This tumour is typically diagnosed in children, and the oldest person to get diagnosed with it before in Ireland was 13, which is why it was so unexpected. George had surgery to remove the tumour soon thereafter, with the neurosurgeon successfully removing 80 per cent of it. His next course of treatment started in April, comprising six weeks of radiotherapy, five days per week, along with a range of chemotherapy drugs. Arklow native and cancer survivor George Horsman pictured with his friend Decky McLaughlin at Slieve Doard - the highest mountain in Ulster. The radiotherapy took a huge toll on my brain and body, and once this course of treatment elapsed, I was like a walking zombie, George continued. My CLV Treatment (Cisplatin, Lomustine and Vincristine) were a combination of three chemotherapy drugs, two intravenous and one oral. This block of treatment was to be done in 8 cycles, so 48 weeks of chemotherapy. My first block of treatment was very rough, and I ended up being dreadfully sick and having to be admitted to hospital for a few days for observation. By October, I had completed three cycles of chemotherapy and was due to have my first MRI since my brain surgeries. It felt like a life-or-death situation, and the anxiety while waiting for the MRI results was unbearable. I was over the moon to hear that the scan was clear, and I can't put into words how relieved I was. I celebrated with my family and friends, and it felt surreal to hear what I had been praying for. That high lasted about a week, and despite the news being amazing it caused my fight-or-flight instincts to deactivate, and the gravity of what I had gone through hit me like a truck. I still had seven more months of chemotherapy ahead of me, and while it was great that the cancer was gone, it was tough having to continue the treatment while coming to terms with it all. In January 2019, I got more good news. The doctors were happy with how my treatment was going and decided to reduce the number of cycles from 8 to 6, enabling me to finish three months earlier than planned. This allowed me to start planning my recovery and focus on positives such as getting back to good health and returning to college. I finished my chemotherapy on February 21. George spent the remainder of the year getting back to good health, dealing with the side effects of his treatment and preparing to return to university. With only the second semester of the final year of his degree to complete, the university allowed him to sit in semester one classes to get acclimatised to being a student again. Returning to studies was difficult for George, as the radiotherapy treatment had left him with a brain injury that severely affected his short-term memory. Due to the social distancing implementation in 2020 and university courses going online, final year exams were replaced with assignments, which George said worked in his favour and aided him in graduating with a first-class honours. Arklow native and cancer survivor George Horsman pictured with his friend Richie O'Brien at Lugnaquilla - the highest of the Wicklow mountains. Having secured his first job with Ryanair shortly thereafter, George went on to work in Eirtrade before landing his current post at Pfizer in Dublin. With his life now firmly back on track, George said that he felt the time was right to give back to those who helped him get through his cancer journey. I have received so much support on my cancer journey, and I have always felt a great desire to give back, and the five charities I am raising money for mean so much to me, George said. Headway Ireland has supported me with my brain injury that the radiotherapy left me with and coming to terms with my other treatment-related problems. They provided me with a neuropsychologist to help me with my problems that I have seen for over three years. They also did a cognitive function report to assess the impact of the injury and how I can manage it in my day-to-day life and at work. Headway has been vital for my post-cancer rehabilitation. Arklow Cancer Support has been by my side since day one. As soon as I got the news that I had a brain tumour, I went round the corner of my GP to their building and made contact. They provided me with lifts to and from my hospital appointments, waiting for me while I did my treatment. This was especially important during my radiotherapy appointments, which were every weekday, as I was nowhere near healthy or strong enough to get public transport to those radiotherapy sessions. They provided me with advice and support and continue to this day. Beaumont Hospital is where I got all my brain surgeries and chemotherapy, and I still regularly go for check-ups for all my post-treatment-related problems. I know most people dislike going to hospitals, but Beaumont almost feels like a home away from home. I went through so much with them as an in-patient, and they continue to provide me with out-patient care. The Irish Cancer Society is the largest cancer resource for people and I've learned so much about cancer and cancer-related information through their resources and the information and support they provide to help not just the cancer patient but the whole family and friends going through the journey by their sides. Although the Breast Cancer Society never provided me with treatment for my cancer, they are very dear to my heart and a charity that cannot get enough support. When I was going through my chemotherapy, I sat in the oncology ward awaiting my treatment and was shocked to see that one third of the people around me were women with breast cancer. This really stuck with me cancer is cruel. I truly appreciate every bit of support for giving back to the charities that mean so much to me, George added. If you aren't able to donate, even sharing the fundraiser would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to join me on any of these hikes, please reach out to me and let me know, as the support would really help. The more people, the merrier! Georges fundraising page has just passed 3,000 mark and is well on the way to reaching its 10,000 goal. To support George on his fundraising challenge, visit idonate.ie/fundraiser/GeorgeHorsman Music Director Laura Carroll, choreographer Darragh Cox and show Director KathyAnn Murphy pictured ahead of Glenart College's performances of the 'Dare to Dream' musical. Glenart College students pictured at rehearsals for their upcoming performances of the 'Dare to Dream' musical. Glenart College students in Arklow pictured at rehearsals ahead of their upcoming performances of the 'Dare to Dream' musical. Anticipation is building at Arklows Glenart College as students prepare to perform the schools first-ever full-scale musical, Dare to Dream, over three nights at the school on November 23, 24 and 25. An original musical written by the talented KathyAnn Murphy and Laura Carroll, with choreography from Darragh Cox, Dare to Dream follows the story of Jamie and Chad, two students from very different friend groups one a rock star and the other a pink mean girl. The two meet during detention while working with the musical theatre club and soon find out that they are welcomed into this new group of friends and begin to work together to put on a school performance. Throughout, they are bullied by the other students in the school and question where their place really is. Full of chart songs and funny dialogue, this musical is an uplifting story of resilience and love. It also includes the original titular song, Dare to Dream. This is the first-ever full-scale musical at Glenart College, and it is a great moment for the school, a Dare to Dream spokesperson said. Our main sponsor is Topline Bolands in Arklow, and we are very thankful for their support. Glenart College students will perform Dare to Dream on November 23, 24 and 25, commencing at 8 p.m. Tickets are 12/8 concession, and available at gr8events.ie The childrens bookshop Halfway Up The Stairs, in Greystones, has announced details of two special in-store events that will be taking place to mark Irish Book Week 2023, which runs from October 14-21. The first event will take place on Saturday October 14, at 4pm, where the store will welcome local writer, Peter Donnelly, to celebrate the launch of his brand new picture book, Little Wolf. A second book launch event takes place on Saturday, October 21, at 4pm when the store hosts the Wicklow launch of I am the Wind, a poetry anthology, edited by Sarah Webb with Lucinda Jacob and illustrated by Irish Book Week Ambassador and well-known childrens illustrator and author Ashwin Chacko. The stunning artwork for this years campaign was produced by Ashwin, who has also come on board as a campaign Ambassador. Joining Ashwin as Ambassadors this year are author, Courtney Smyth, writer, musician and publisher, Tadhg Mac Dhonnagain and consultant endocrinologist and author, Dr Mary Ryan. Now in its 6th year, Irish Book Week is a nationwide celebration of Irish bookshops, Irish books, publishers, writers, illustrators, and poets. The campaign aims to encourage people from across Ireland to visit their local bookshops to discover and enjoy a range of exciting and interesting events, readings, parties, displays and much more. Irish Book Week was created by Bookselling Ireland, a committee of Booksellers Association members representing bookshops big and small across Ireland, in partnership with Publishing Ireland. Part of the aim of the initiative was to back Irish bookshops, which play a crucial role in championing homegrown talent and putting great Irish books into the hands of readers. Irish Book Week celebrates Irish authors and illustrators, publishers, and Irish interest books, as well as the many brilliant bookshops that sell them. Over 200 bookshops are registered to participate this year. Parish of Powerscourt with Kilbride Services at Powerscourt with Kilbride: All Services are available on the Parish YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0XYER9clb4mj3NcYdExQ. Service of Worship in St. Patricks Church, Powerscourt, for this Sunday The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity: 11.30am Holy Communion 1. Service of Worship in St. Brigids Church, Kilbride, for this Sunday The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity: 9.45amMorning Prayer 2. Irish Trefoil GuildGuiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at braytrefoilguild@gmail.com. St. Marys Church Parish Website: www.enniskerryparish.ie is the Parish website of the Immaculate Heart of Marycheck it out for the latest information about our parish. Facebook Page: There is a facebook page for the parish of Enniskerry, incorporating all four churches which facebook users will find under Enniskerry parish with a cover photo of trees and profile picture of a quote from Pope Francis. Please give it a like and feel free to post news from your community. Enniskerry (also Curtlestown & Glencree) Parish Office opening times: Monday to Friday: 10am to 1pm; email: stmarys@enniskerryparish.ie; or call 01-2760030. St. Mochonogs Parish Office opening times: Monday: 9am to 2pm, Tuesday: (by phone) 10am to 1pm, Wednesday: 10am to 2pm, Thursday (by phone) 10am to 1pm. Closed Friday. Parish Churches Schedule of Masses: EnniskerrySt Marys: Saturday evening 6pm and also via parish webcam; Sunday 11am and also via parish webcam. Weekday Mass at Enniskerry is at 10.15am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and also via parish webcamlay led prayer service on Wednesday; and Saturday at 10.15 am and also available via parish webcam. Masses in Curtlestown and Kilmacanogue are on Sunday at 10am. Mass in Glencree is at 9am on the first Sunday each month. Hard of Hearing: There is a hard at hearing acoustic loop in St. Marys Church. If you are having difficulties in hearing and you have hearing aids with a hard at hearing radio facility, switch your hearing aid to this radio mode. New Music Ministry: Please join us on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm in St. Marys church if you would like the opportunity to sing and fill in from time to time when our regular musicians are not available. See you there Community Builder: Our Meet and Greet Sundays have now changed to the last Sunday of the month. Our next community builder will be Sunday October 29th. Auction coming up on Saturday October 14th: The collecting of items is going full steam ahead now! Here are some examples of what we will takeGlassware, silverware, candles, ornaments, vouchers for everything and anything, antiques, designer clothes (good as new) jewellery. Just about anything as long as its new or good as new. A big thank you to those who have already donated but we need lots more. Please contact Aideen on 086-8182241 or the parish office if you have something you feel would suit collection can be arrange, Parish Registration: If you are living in the Parish and are not registered as a Parishioner, you would not receive any letters from us, If you wish to receive items, or if you would like to receive the Parish Link by email weekly please phone the Parish Office in Enniskerry on 01 2760030 (10am to 1pm Monday to Friday or email: stmarys@enniskerry.ie; and Kilmacanogue on 01-2021882. (10am to 1pm) Monday to Thursday or email -stmochonogs@enniskerry.ie. Rosary: A group from the parish meets every Wednesday evening, on Zoom, from 7.30pm to 8pm, to pray the Rosary. Please call or message 087-4189 338, to be added to the group or for further information. Society of St. Vincent de Paul: The local telephone number is 01-8550022. St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays the Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome. History Society Members and supporters of the Enniskerry History Society are asked to note that the following events will take place during the coming week. Today (Wednesday) Dr. Mary Muldowney will present Up and Away: Escaping from Mountjoy Jail by helicopter in October 1973 at 6.30pm in Phibsboro Library, Blacquiere Bridge, North Circular Road, Phibsboro, Dublin 7. Admission is free but booking is required book in branch, call 01-2228333 or email: phibsboro@dublincity.ie; Maria OReilly will present Warrenmount House through Time at 8pm to the Knocklyon History Society in the Iona Centre, Knocklyon, Dublin 16. All are welcome; tomorrow (Thursday) Dr. Mary Muldowney will present The Dublin Cattle Market in the twentieth century: from the busiest in Europe to its closure in 1973 at 6pm in Dublin Central Library, Ilac Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1. Admission is free but booking is required book in branch, call 01-2228300 or email: centrallibrary@dublincity.ie; Dr. Audrey Whitty will lead a Directors Tour of the National Library at 6pm. Assemble in the National Library of Ireland, 7/8 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. All are welcomeadmission is free but registration is required further information from www.nli.ie; Susan Pegley will present Thomas Connolly 1823-76 and the lost 19th century of Castletown House to the Kilmacud-Stillorgan Local History Society in St. Raphaelas Primary School Hall, St. Raphaelas Road, Upper Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. All are welcome admission is 3 for non-members; on Friday there will be a screening of the film Builders and Visionaries, produced by Ranelagh Arts Society, at 2pm and 3pm in Rathmines Library, Rathmines Road Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6; next Tuesday Derville Murphy will present The Irish ArtistMargaret Allen (1832-1914) at 8pm to the Foxrock Local History Club in Foxrock Parish Pastoral Centre, Foxrock, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5 for visitors, while next Wednesday David Gunning will present Shifting FoundationsThe Big Houses of Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown at 8pm to the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire. All are welcomeadmission is 5. The 2024 issue of the Societys annual journal will be launched at this meeting. On Thursday October 19th the first of this years Wicklow Branch Library, The Mall, Wicklow Town, monthly local history lectures will be presented by Arklow historian and author Jim Rees, who will present his lecture The remarkable Captain Robert Charles Halpin all are welcome admission is free. Enniskerry Library Opening hours are Tuesday 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Wednesday: 2pm to 4.30pm & 6pm to 8pm; Friday: 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Saturday: 10am to 2.30pm. This library is closed on Mondays and Thursdays and on the Saturdays of Bank Holiday weekends. The library can be contacted at 01-2864339 or email: hkinsella@wicklowcoco.ie. On-line services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available from the library website. On Thursday October 19th the first of this years Wicklow Branch Library, The Mall, Wicklow Town, monthly local history lectures will be presented by Arklow historian and author Jim Rees, who will present his lecture The remarkable Captain Robert Charles Halpin all are welcome admission is free. On Saturday October 21st a National Harp Day Recital with Bray CCE Harp Ensemble will take place in Bray Library from 11am to 12pm. All welcome admission is free and no booking is required. Kilmacanogue National School Enrolment opened on Monday October 2nd for Junior Infants for September 2024. Please contact the school office at 01-2861934 for further information. LARAGH-GLENDALOUGH Mobile Library A mobile comes to Laragh every second Thursday from 12.15 to 12.50pm and parks at the back of Lynhams Hotel. Phone on 087 9135229 or email library@wicklowcoco.ie. Next dates are Thurs 19th Oct and Nov 2nd. For people who have difficulty accessing their nearest public library, the Mobile Library Service gives them the opportunity to avail of a public library facility. The mobile library carries approximately 2,500 items with free access to many online resources including downloadable audio books, newspapers and more. Christmas Tree Lights Fundraiser Save the date and come join us to raise funds for our annual Christmas Tree Lights Event 2023 at our Table Quiz in Lynhams of Laragh at 8.30pm. 100th birthday Adolf Bader of Annamoe celebrated his 100th birthday on September 4th and he would like to thank everyone for the many good wishes, cards and gifts he received to celebrate his day. Fighting For Blindness run Oct 21st - The 15km long course has 550+m of gain/loss. TrailShoes are Strongly Advised. This route has an 11am start. The 8.5km short course (jog/walk option) has 270m of gain/loss mainly on forestry tracks. This route has an 11.30am start. Race sign-on is from 9am at Brockagh Centre in Laragh. Sign-on closes 30 mins before race start (Long Race starts 11:00 & Short Race starts 11:30).Registration and further details are here: https://glendaloughtrail.ie/ Yoga with Louise Vinyasa Krama Yoga (step-by-step). Classes are from 10am to 11.20 in the Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh. The practice will provide gentle stretching, improved strength and flexibility, as well as help students to find balance and calm in everyday life. Louise takes students through Asana, Pranayama and Meditation for a full Yoga practice. Contact Louise to book or for any queries: 087 603 2202, louise@louiseyoga.ie, www.louiseyoga.ie. Chair Yoga - Classes are from 11.30am to 12.30 in the Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh. Chair Yoga is suitable for those who find a regular yoga class too strenuous, are recovering from injury or illness or are generally less active and mobile. Louises classes include physical poses (asana), breathing practices (pranayama) and relaxation and meditation. There is some standing work which is optional and done next to the chair. Contact Louise to book or for any queries: 087 603 2202, louise@louiseyoga.ie, www.louiseyoga.ie. Christmas Market Traders Our very popular and successful Christmas Market is back on Sunday 3rd Dec 2023 from 10am to 3pm. As always, there will be a great selection of gifts, crafts, baking, jewellery, art, and beauty products etc.. Making your Christmas shopping experience a pleasure. Traders are now welcome to contact Michelle at brockaghoffice@gmail.com to get a booking form or for more information phone 0404 45600, www.brockaghresourcecentre.ie. Laragh Badminton Club Badminton classes are in the Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh with Monday evenings: Adults 7.30-9.30pm. Thursdays Evenings: Juniors 4th class beginners 6-7pm, 5-6th class & 1st year secondary school 7-8pm, Teenagers 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th year Secondary School Classes 8-9pm. Contact Phil Curley 0404 45175/087 2067607 Or Gosia Ward 087 063 8898. Small club fee for the year applies for participation. All are welcome. Laragh and Glendalough Tidy Towns Our community clean up/planting day will be taking place on the first Saturday of each month from 10-11am. As usual, meet opposite Lynhams on the green. Young people are welcome to take part(with their guardians). SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition results are in and we have gained 10 points from last years result. Well done to all our volunteers who have generously given their time throughout the year. Laragh and Glendalough do appreciate your efforts greatly! Brockagh Digital Hub We have a mixture of Hot Desks, Dedicated (Weekly/Monthly) Desks, Pod and Meeting rooms available with High Speed Broadband Connection. Our shared working space is located in the the heart of county Wicklow with panoramic views of the stunning Glendalough Valley. Free parking, free tea/coffee facilities and lift access. To avail of the discounted rates you must pre-book your desk through brockaghhub@gmail.com only. Daily Rate 15, half day rate 10, weekly rate 60, monthly rate 199. We also have a special student rate of 10 day rate or half day rate 5. Register now as a Member on our connectedhubs.ie site.. We are waiting to see if they are renewing the voucher scheme. All bookings to be made through either connectedhubs.ie or for discounts email brockaghhub@gmail.com. Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm. www.brockaghresourcecentre.ie. NEWCASTLE Survey Community and villagers of Newcastle, we need your help! We would love if you would please complete an online anonymous survey to gather further information, opinions and awareness about the Newcastle Community Centre. The survey should take approximately 5 minutes to complete and we hope to use this information to improve the Centre and help us to apply for targeted grants for the Centre. Please visit the link https://questionpro.com/t/CzVagZlSWDE? to get started.000000000000e4b05a0607389ceb The principals of the three secondary schools in Greystones Ruairi Farrell, Principal, Greystones Community College; Simon Carey, Principal St Davids Holy Faith Secondary School; Alan Cox, Principal, Temple Carrig School have said they are aware of the distress, worry and frustration because of the shortfall of 72 school places in the town for the next academic year. With the application process having gone live last week, the schools will be offering places to students for the 2024 academic year over the next eight weeks, however they have advised that the availability is significantly less than last year and is likely to be insufficient for the number of students coming out of the local primary schools. Providing details on the shortfall, the schools said that St Davids will offer 120 places in the first year for the academic year 2024-2025, the same number as in the last academic year. The school is now at full capacity with 752 students, increasing to 770 next year. Greystones Community College is at full capacity, due to the delay in construction of the permanent school building. Consequently, the intake has had to be reduced from 144 to 96 places for the academic year 2024-2025 and there are concerns that a further reduction will have to be made in 2025 if the building is not complete. Temple Carrig is in a building designed for 750 students, but already has over 950 students. The school agreed to an expansion in 2021 and has been taking an additional class group every year as our part of that agreement. However, the plans for building the extension have stalled within the Department of Education and the school said it has already been forced to hold classes in stairwells, corridors, tents and meeting rooms. After extensive pressure, four prefab classrooms which were promised for September 1, 2021 were finally opened on September 28 2023, but the Department have admitted that these are merely intended to cope with the existing numbers in the school and there is no prospect of additional capacity being put in place for the academic year 2024-2025, the school said. We wont be reducing the size of the school, but, as a result of the delays in providing classroom accommodation, all we can do is keep numbers stable by replacing the number of outgoing sixth years. This means that the numbers in first year for the academic year 2024-2025 will be 144, down from 168 last year. The schools added: We will continue to work together on admissions and are doing everything we can within our control, but we just cant say with the same confidence as previous years that every child is going to get a place. We are particularly grateful to our local TDs who have all been extraordinarily helpful in supporting the three schools in our dealings with the Department of Education. They, like us, have been lobbying hard behind the scenes to urge the Department to increase the supply of secondary school accommodation in the area and they share our exasperation with the pace of progress. We are acutely conscious of the enormous distress, worry and frustration that difficulties in securing a secondary school place causes for families, both parents and children alike, and felt we should alert parents to the reduction in places in first year next year and, at this time of year when most schools are running their admissions processes, to advise them to apply elsewhere as well as in Greystones so that they have back up options in case their child is unfortunate not to secure a place in the town itself, they concluded. Pictured were Imelda Hurley CEO, Coillte with Pippa Hackett Minister for State for Land Use and Biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and MC on the day, architect and broadcaster, Dermot Bannon. Picture Jason Clarke. THE second annual Build with Wood conference held at Beyond the Trees Avondale brought over 200 national and international experts together to explore how to increase the use of wood in construction in the face of the climate and housing crises. The conference was organised by Coillte and the Department of Agriculture and featured contributions from the construction industry, scientific community and regulators and was moderated by architect and broadcaster Dermot Bannon. Irelands use of wood in construction is extremely low compared to other European countries, and without increasing its use in the built environment, it will be difficult for Ireland to meet its embodied carbon reduction targets. Last year Coillte launched a new forestry strategic vision, designed to capture up to 28m tonnes of CO2 from the environment by 2050 and which aims to balance and deliver the multiple benefits of its forests for climate, nature, wood, and people. In the period to 2030, Coillte plans to produce 25 million m3 of certified Irish wood to support the delivery of Irelands climate action plan which seeks to cut the embodied carbon emissions for materials produced and used in Ireland by at least 30 per cent. It will also continue to promote the increased use of wood products to raise the level of wood use in the construction of housing from its current low level of 20 per cent to 80 per cent by 2050. Following Build with Wood 2022, a new Interdepartmental and Industry Timber in Construction Steering group was established to examine the regulatory challenges and changes to building standards needed to increase the use of timber in modern methods of construction. Speaking at the conference, Minister of State for Forestry, Senator Pippa Hackett, said: We need to use much more wood in our built environment to displace emissions-intensive steel and cement where possible, and we need to maximise the increasing supply of timber that is coming from our forests. The Forest Strategy that I launched last month recognises the importance of timber, in particular its potential to reduce the embodied carbon of our buildings. Government is giving strong support to the expansion of our forest estate, and I encourage all farmers and landowners to give serious consideration to the generous grants and premiums now available under the new Forestry Programme. Imelda Hurley, CEO, Coillte, welcomed the establishment of the Interdepartmental and Industry Timber in Construction Steering group and said: With a collaborative approach, a framework can be created to work through the current barriers, unlock regulatory constraints support demonstrator buildings, and develop the guidance and training materials which our architects and design specifiers need to move this critical agenda forward. The BBC has been attacked by senior Conservatives over its description of Hamas (Lucy North/PA) The BBC has rejected criticism over its decision not to call Hamas militants terrorists after it was labelled disgraceful by the Defence Secretary. It is a long-standing editorial position of the broadcaster to use the word terrorist carefully, with its editorial guidelines describing such language as potentially a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. The comments by Grant Shapps come after several Conservative ministers hit out at the BBC over its editorial position. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also joined calls for the BBC to explain. On Wednesday, the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis also called for urgent change, warning that while guidelines may have been borne out of well-intentioned aspirations to appear accurate and impartial, the depth of the terror that Hamas has inflicted upon innocent people across Israel in recent days is not in doubt. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: This is not resistance or struggle. It is terrorism. To purposefully avoid that word is to wilfully mislead. I call upon broadcasters to urgently change the way they describe Hamas. Further, I call upon all decent people to have the courage to call out this terror for what it is. We must all be unequivocal that the loss of any innocent life is a tragedy, and that the barbaric, murderous terrorism of Hamas cannot be denied or obfuscated. It is a matter of deepest regret that some feel otherwise. The BBCs broadcast channels and online site have been dominated by the conflict in Israel and Gaza since the attack by Hamas over the weekend. The militant group is a proscribed organisation in the UK, meaning the Government sees it as a terrorist organisation. Mr Shapps suggested the BBC needs to fix its moral compass, as he urged it to revise its long-standing editorial position. He told LBC: I actually think it is verging on disgraceful, this idea that there is some sort of equivalence, and theyll always say well theres two sides what Hamas have done, as a proscribed terrorist organisation, meaning that they are illegal in Britain, its illegal to support them, is to have gone out and slaughtered innocent people, babies, festival-goers, pensioners. They are not freedom fighters, they are not militants, they are pure and simple terrorists, and its remarkable to go to the BBC website and still see them talking about gunmen and militants and not calling them terrorists. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (Stefan Rousseau/PA) I dont know whats going on there, but I think that its time to get the moral compass out at the BBC. Sir Keir told the same station on Wednesday: I think the BBC needs to explain why it isnt. I said terrorism and terrorist, and to me thats obviously what we are witnessing. I think other channels may not be either, but Im not across all the detail of that. A BBC spokesperson said: We always take our use of language very seriously. Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word terrorist used many times we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK Government. This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening on the ground so our audiences can make their own judgment. Sir Keir Starmer urged the BBC to explain its decision (Peter Byrne/PA) Other senior ministers, including Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, have been among those expressing concern about the BBCs position. Similar criticism does not appear to have been targeted at other broadcasters or news organisations. The BBCs editorial guidelines on terrorism tell reporters and editors: The word terrorist itself can be a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. We should convey to our audience the full consequences of the act by describing what happened. We should use words which specifically describe the perpetrator such as bomber, attacker, gunman, kidnapper, insurgent and militant. We should not adopt other peoples language as our own; our responsibility is to remain objective and report in ways that enable our audiences to make their own assessments about who is doing what to whom. Senior BBC foreign and world affairs correspondent John Simpson hit out at politicians urging the broadcaster to reform its language. He said on X: British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word terrorist, and over the years plenty of them have privately agreed with it. Calling someone a terrorist means youre taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality. The BBCs job is to place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting. Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, also joined in the defence of the broadcaster. He said on social media: No-one watching the reporting of my BBC colleagues in Israel can have any doubt of the horror of what has happened. I understand entirely why some want the word terrorism used. It is, though, the long-standing practice of BBC, ITV & Sky to report others using that language rather than using it ourselves. Diana, Princess of Wales is played by Yolanda Kettle in The Interview which takes to the stage at Londons Park Theatre later this month (Michael Wharley/Park Theatre/PA) Images have been released showing an actress portraying Diana, Princess of Wales looking serious and pensive as a play exploring the royals explosive Panorama interview is set to take to the stage. Yolanda Kettle, who previously starred in Netflixs The Crown as the wife of inventor Jeremy Fry, will play Diana, as Saving Christmas Spirit star Tibu Fortes takes on the role of former BBC journalist Martin Bashir in The Interview at Londons Park Theatre. In the pictures, Kettle has short, blonde hair and is wearing a navy suit and white top, clothes which appear to replicate those Diana wore in the original BBC programme. Diana, Princess of Wales is played by Yolanda Kettle (Michael Wharley/Park Theatre/PA) She also looks down at her feet as a black camera is pointed in her direction and she sits on a formal grey chair. Former journalist Jonathan Maitland, who was behind The Last Temptation Of Boris Johnson and An Audience With Jimmy Savile, wrote the production and Michael Fentiman who worked on a musical version of Olivier-nominated Amelie serves as director. The play is described as giving an insight into the story behind the interview: the woman who gave it, the man who made it happen and the institution that broadcast it. Fentiman said: Jonathan Maitland is a writer of great integrity and bravery and its been an honour to be trusted with his play. Maitland previously told the PA news agency that substantial chunks of the interview would not be used due to copyright law and the view of the Prince of Wales. A report by Lord Dyson concluded in 2021 that the BBC covered up deceitful behaviour by Bashir to secure the meeting and led to a call from William for it never to be aired again. Maitland said: The things that led to the famous interview and the events that came after it revealed much about our country and its institutions. Its definitely the stuff of drama and I cant wait to see our superb cast and brilliant director Michael Fentiman bring it all to life. The Interview runs from October 27 to November 25 at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, London (Michael Wharley/Park Theatre/PA) Also in the cast is Finding Alice star Matthew Flynn as former royal butler-turned-Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Paul Burrell, Belgravia star Naomi Frederick as a character called Luciana Dyson and Spotless actor Ciaran Owens as Matt Wiessler. In October 2021, a financial settlement between the BBC and graphic designer Mr Wiessler was reached after he claimed he was side-lined and alleged he was made the scapegoat for the scandal despite attempting to raise the issue at the time. Mr Wiessler was commissioned by Bashir to create mocked-up documents used by the journalist to persuade Diana to do the 1995 interview. He received a personal apology from BBC director-general Tim Davie following the Dyson report. The Interview runs from October 27 to November 25 at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, London. Dame Judi Dench is to feature in new documentary, Shakespeare: Rise Of A Genius, which is part of a new BBC season on the playwright (Yui Mok/PA) Oscar-winning actresses Dame Judi Dench and Dame Helen Mirren are to give an insight into William Shakespeares enduring legacy as part of a documentary celebrating his first published works. Shakespeare: Rise Of A Genius features the two Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) performers, who have played various roles in the Bards plays, including Lady Macbeth, and is part of a BBC season on the playwright that begins next month. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first printed edition of Shakespeares collection of plays, commonly referred to by modern scholars as the First Folio, which is believed to date from 1623. Dame Judi, who won her Academy Award for her role as Elizabeth I in 1998 film Shakespeare In Love, said: His (Shakespeares) understanding of everything of love, of anger, of jealousy, of rage, melancholy who did it better? Who has ever done it better? I wish Id met him, oh, I wish Id met him. Dame Helen Mirren will contribute to Shakespeare: Rise Of A Genius (Doug Peters/PA) The BBC Two documentary also sees academics and writers such as Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit novelist Jeanette Winterson, Jeremy OHarris, known for 2020 black comedy Zola, and University of Birmingham professor Ewan Fernie provide fresh insights into the Stratford-upon-Avon natives writing. Succession star Brian Cox, Hustle actor Adrian Lester and Sherlocks Martin Freeman also appear, with Truly, Madly, Deeply actress Juliet Stevenson providing narration. BBC Four will also reshow archive performances throughout October, with newly filmed introductory segments from those associated with them. They include David Tennant speaking about Hamlet, former National Theatre artistic director Sir Richard Eyre discussing King Lear, Dame Helen on As You Like It, Hugh Quarshie on Othello, and Sir Simon Russell Beale talking about his BBC series The Hollow Crown. A re-broadcast of All Is True, about Shakespeares relationship with his wife, starring Dame Judi and Kenneth Branagh, will be introduced by a clip featuring actor Sir Ian McKellen, who played the Earl of Southampton. A new performance of Hamlet, filmed at the Bristol Old Vic, and starring On Chesil Beach actor Billy Howle in the title role, will also be shown on BBC Four. EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis will perform the playwrights poems in Shakespeares Sonnets, A Modern Love Story, along with other stars. The First Folio of works by William Shakespeare (Andrew Matthews/PA) Suzy Klein, head of BBC Arts and Classical TV, said: Shakespeare lived in a dangerous age of plague, violence, vicious rivalries and political assassinations, and his very survival is something of a miracle. His work was almost lost to history and, without the First Folio being published in 1623, 18 of his greatest plays would have been lost forever. We would have none of those immortal characters such as Cleopatra and Marc Anthony, Macbeth or Malvolio, Prospero and Ariel. Shakespeare changed the way we talk, the words we use, our films, books, catchphrases and memes, the very way we think and yet we know very little about him. This major new season pieces together the clues from his life and work to reveal the driving forces behind the glovers son from Stratford-upon-Avon who became the greatest writer that ever lived. There will also be re-broadcasts of Sir Michael Parkinsons interviews with American actor Orson Welles and Welsh actor Richard Burton, who both had numerous Shakespeare roles. Sir Michael died in August at the age of 88. Shakespeare: Rise Of A Genius will be shown on BBC Two on Wednesday November 8 at 9pm. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was found guilty of disobeying a police order and ordered to pay a fine, TT news agency reported on Wednesday, the second time in three months she was convicted and fined for the same offence. Thunberg, 20, was ordered to pay a fine of 4,500 Swedish crowns (approx 400) for failing to leave a climate protest on July 24 when police ordered her to do so. Earlier that day she had been fined 1,500 Swedish crowns for the same offence. Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images As crisis unfolds in Israel-Palestine following horrific acts of terrorism this past Saturday, King Charles has joined other world leaders in weighing in on the situation. "This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said today. "His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak." The Palace spokesperson added, "His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel." The death toll continues to rise in the region, with Israel saying 1,200 have been killed, with around 150 people estimated to be held hostage in Gaza. According to Gaza officials, over 900 Palestinians have been killed as Israel retaliates. In 2020, Charles visited Israel and Palestine, becoming the most senior British royal to undertake an official visit. While there, he met former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In addition, he delivered a speech at the World Holocaust Forum. During his trip, he also visited the grave of his grandmother, Prince Philip's mother Princess Alice of Greece, who is buried on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives. She sheltered a Jewish family in Athens during World War II, and was honored by Israel's Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem, as Righteous Among the Nations. Charles had previously visited Jerusalem in 1995 and 2016 to attend funerals, but 2020 marked his first state visit. You Might Also Like A Russian court yesterday dismissed a complaint by US reporter Evan Gershkovich against the extension of his pre-trial detention, more than six months after his arrest on spying charges which he denies. Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on March 29 in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that carry up to 20 years in prison. Photo courtesy: linkedin.com/in/pranjali-awasthi At just 16 years old, Pranjali Awasthi, an Indian prodigy, has entered the tech arena with her startup, Delv.AI. Her venture, dedicated to streamlining the process of data extraction for research purposes, took off in January 2022. Since its inception, Delv.AI has secured $450,000 (around Rs 3.7 crore) in funding, showcasing Pranjalis impressive entrepreneurial skills. She leads a team of up to 10 employees. With $450,000 (approximately Rs 3.7 crore) in funding, Delv.AI presently boasts an estimated valuation of $12 million (Rs 100 crore). Pranjali's journey into technology began at a young age, and she attributes her father, an engineer, as the main source of inspiration for her entrepreneurial path. She told Business Insider that her father's passion and values motivated her to start coding at the age of 7. At 11, she relocated to Florida with her family from India, which introduced her to the world of computer science and competitive mathematics. At 13, she began interning in university research labs at Florida International University, working on machine learning projects while attending school. During the COVID pandemic, she dedicated about 20 hours a week to her internship since her school had shifted to virtual learning. In 2021, Pranjali earned a spot in an AI startup accelerator in Miami, organized by tech enthusiasts Lucy Guo and Dave Fontenot from Backend Capital. She joined their 12-week program starting in September, in exchange for a small equity stake in her future company. Temporarily stepping away from high school, the accelerator provided the launchpad and facilitated her in attracting investments from notable entities including On Deck and Village Global. Pranjali clarified that Delv.AI's primary aim is to assist researchers in accessing specific information within the realm of online content. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Jaish-e-Mohhamad (JeM) commander and key handler in 2016 Pathankot Indian Air Force (IAF) base attack Shahid Latif was shot dead by unknown attackers in Pakistans Sialkot city on Tuesday, media reports said. Designated as an individual terrorist under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Latif, 41, was killed inside a mosque, Indian intelligence officials told Hindustan Times. Also Read: Talks with Pakistan only after action is taken on Pathankot attack : NSA Advisor According to reports, he was the mastermind behind planning and coordinating several terror attacks in India. An Interpol red notice was pending against Latif but like other terror leaders, he roamed freely in Pakistan and was involved in planning and execution of attacks in India, reports Hindustan Times. He has reportedly guided the four terrorists who attacked who carried out the terror attack at the Pathankot airbase in India in 2016. Seven security personnel were martyred and another 20 injured when six terrorists crossed the border and launched the massive attack on the air base. All of the terrorists were eliminated after a three-day battle. The Indian government had designated Shahid Latif as a most wanted terrorist in 2010. CONFIRMED: Unknown assailants shoot dead Pathankot terrorist Shahid Latif in a mosque on the outskirts of Sialkot The shooters fled on a motorcycle. Police has cordoned off the mosque pic.twitter.com/YcVLVZZBRB Journo Vinay (@journo_vinay) October 11, 2023 He was arrested in India in 1994 on terror charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He was put on trial and eventually jailed. He reportedly spent 16 years in Kot Balwal, Jammu jail, alongside Masood Azhar. After the completion of his sentencing term in India, he was deported to Pakistan via Wagah in 2010. Photo Courtesy: President of India X page President Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar on Wednesday where she said the country is proud of the 'responsible youth' of the Valley. She urged students of University of Kashmir to actively participate in social service along with their studies. She said that by doing this, they could bring social change and set an example. She was happy to note that alumni have brought glory to this university by serving the country. Referring to the motto of the University of Kashmir which means let us move from darkness to light, the President said that the more our youth move towards the light of education and towards the light of peace, the more our country will progress. She added that the society and country whose youth follow the path of development and discipline, move forward on the path of progress and prosperity. The President was happy to note that 55 percent of students at Kashmir University are girls. She said that they present the picture of our country and its destiny. The women and girls are ready to play a bigger role in the leadership of the country. She expressed confidence that the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act' 2023 would prove to be a revolutionary step towards women-led development in our country. Speaking about sustainable development, the President said that the lessons of sustainable development are part of Kashmir's heritage. President Droupadi Murmu addressed the 20th convocation of University of Kashmir at Srinagar. The President urged students of University of Kashmir to actively participate in social service along with their studies. She said that by doing this, they could bring social change. pic.twitter.com/5qjAzmLKKd President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 11, 2023 She cited a saying which means there will be food only as long as there are forests and said that it is the responsibility of all of us to preserve this paradise on earth. She urged Kashmir University to be alert in preserving the Himalayan ecosystem. She was happy to note that work related to glaciology, biodiversity conservation and the Himalayan Ice-Core Laboratory is at different stages. She expressed confidence that the university would work at a fast pace in all such areas. The President said that in the National Education Policy emphasis has been laid on Indian Knowledge Systems. "If our youth are given good information about Indian Knowledge Systems, they will get many inspiring examples," she said. The work done by an expert, Suyya, about 1200 years ago, to save the city of Srinagar from the flood of Jhelum can be termed as hydraulic engineering. She said that our country has priceless treasures in every field of knowledge and science. It is the responsibility of the academic world to find ways to re-use such organically grown knowledge systems in today's circumstances. Photo courtesy: NewsClick website New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against NewsClick and others associated with the news portal including its director for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and carried out searches at two locations in the national capital, the federal anti-crime agency said on Wednesday. According to a CBI statement, NewsClick had received an unexplained export remittance of Rs 28.46 crore through four foreign entities in violation of FCRA provisions. It has been alleged that there was an unexplained receipt of a foreign fund of Rs 9.59 crore by incorrect characterisation of the fund as FDI. The agency claimed the director of the said company with his close associates had allegedly violated the provisions of FCRA, 2010. The CBI alleged that the provisions of FCRA, 2010, prohibiting the acceptance of foreign contributions by a company engaged in the production and broadcast of audio-visual news or current affairs programme through any electronic mode and by any correspondent or columnist or writer, or owner of such company, were violated. Searches were conducted at two locations in Delhi at the premises of the accused. The investigation is underway, it added. Earlier this month, the Special Cell of Delhi Police filed a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and conducted raids at the residence of a number of journalists linked to NewsClick. After that police arrested its founder Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty, in this connection. A total of 37 male suspects were questioned at the premises, while nine female suspects were questioned at their respective places of stay, Delhi Police had said then. Some digital devices and documents were reportedly seized and collected for further examination, police earlier said. In a posting on X, NewsClick said: The CBI is currently conducting search and seizure operations at the NewsClick office and the residence of our Editor-in-Chief. This is the fifth agency that is investigating us. We are cooperating with the authorities. Photo courtesy: Youtube video screengrab New Delhi/IBNS: India has launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of its citizens from war-hit Israel after the surprise attack by the Hamas group in Gaza. There are 18,000 Indians in Israel. "Special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad," Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X. Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2023 The first lot of Indians who had registered to return have been notified and they will be put on the first special flight tomorrow to India, the country's embassy in Israel said in another post. "The Embassy has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight tomorrow. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights," the post read. Israel has formed an emergency government to conduct the war against Hamas, five days after the group's fighters killed civilians in their homes and on the streets in an unprecedented assault on Israeli soil. Thousands have died over the last five days, with Israel responding to the killings with a massive bombardment of the Gaza Strip which Hamas rules. Israel has massed its military forces around the besieged Palestinian enclave in what appears to be preparation for a possible ground invasion. Hamas also took around 150 hostages including at least 14 Thais, two Mexicans, and an unknown number of Americans and Germans, according to Israel. Indian actress Madhura Naik claims her sister, and brother-in-law were killed by Hamas members in front of their children. Photo Courtesy: Madhura Naik Instagram page. Indian actress Madhura Naik has said that Hamas members have killed her sister Odaya and her husband in front of their children during the ongoing conflict with Israel. Sharing images of the family, the actress, who is a Jew of Indian-origin, said: "Odaya, my sister and her husband were brutally murdered by a Hamas terrorist in front of their children, and were found dead today (Sunday)." "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our beloved cousin in the terror attack. Her warmth, kindness, and love will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and all the victims. May they rest in peace," she said in an emotional post. The actress also shared a separate video on the issue and said: "As of today, Israel is in pain and the streets are burning in flames in the wrath of Hamas." The Israel-Hamas conflict Since the brutal attack on Oct 7, at least 1,200 people have died in Israel, according to the IDF, and 900 people have died in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, said CNN. A total of 2,741 injured people were treated in Israeli hospitals since Saturday, including many in critical conditions. A total of 4,949 rockets have been launched at Israel since Saturday, the Israeli state-run media Kan TV said. According to Israeli Defence Forces, about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in southern Israel. Hamas on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. More than 100,000 people have been displaced so far, according to reports. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu earlier gave a strong message to the world when he equated Hamas with ISIS and vowed that his country would defeat the 'terrorists'. What is Hamas? Hamas, the Palestine Islamist group which governs Gaza and attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023, is an offshoot of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s. The militant group defeated its political rival Fatah (which officially renounced violence) in the 2006 elections and took over the Gaza Strip, a 41-km-long and 10-km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, inhabited by about 2.3 million people in one of the most densely populated regions of the world. Since 2006, Hamas has been ruling the Gaza Strip without elections. The United States and European Union have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization which believes in violence as a means to liberate Palestinian territories from Israel and propagates the eradication of the state of Israel. Photo courtesy: UN News/Ziad Taleb A building is engulfed in flames in central Gaza More than 123,000 people have been internally displaced in Gaza as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday. Four large residential towers in Gaza City were destroyed, along with houses and residential buildings as a result of Israeli airstrikes and shelling. Six healthcare workers have been killed and four others injured, with seven healthcare facilities and nine ambulances damaged, said the office. Damage to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has undermined services to more than 400,000 people in Gaza. The Gaza Power Plant is now the only source of electricity and could run out of fuel within days, it warned. The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) estimates that more than half of those displaced are sheltering in dozens of schools. UNRWA has designated emergency shelters to host them and provide critical aid, said the office. Cash assistance is also urgently needed for both displaced people and host communities in Gaza, thus humanitarian partners are working to provide dignity kits and psychosocial support for affected families, it added. Also Read: What is Hamas in the context of Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun distributing food for up to 100,000 internally displaced people in Gaza, who are seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters, with fresh bread and canned food, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. WFP in the coming days plans on starting to roll out assistance to up to 800,000 people with food and cash assistance as the situation develops, thus needing 16.8 million U.S. dollars to reach 805,000 people in the next month. The aid was from pre-positioned supplies, which were not endless and at some point in the not-too-distant future, the world body will run out of supplies unless more can come in, warned the spokesman. Guterres on Monday said he was deeply distressed by Israel's announcement that it would initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, with nothing allowed in - no electricity, food, or fuel. Also Read: #IsraelAtWar: LIVE updates of Israel-Palestine Conflict The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire even before the sudden escalation of violence over the weekend. Now it would only deteriorate exponentially, he warned at a press conference. Medical equipment, food, fuel and other humanitarian supplies are desperately needed, along with access to humanitarian personnel. Relief and entry of essential supplies into Gaza must be facilitated, he said. "I urge all sides and the relevant parties to allow United Nations access to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians trapped and helpless in the Gaza Strip. I appeal to the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian support for this effort," stressed Guterres. An UNRWA school sheltering displaced families was directly hit over the weekend. The school was severely damaged and was housing about 225 people, though no casualties were recorded among the displaced, said Dujarric, the spokesman. All UNRWA schools across the Gaza Strip are closed and more than 300,000 students are impacted, he said. Dujarric said UNRWA has 13,000 staff members in Gaza, the vast majority of them are national staff. The UNRWA staff are not able to leave Gaza. They are focused on trying to do whatever they can to help the population within their mandate, said the spokesman. (With UNI/XINHUA inputs) Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab The death toll in Israel over the conflict between Israel and Palestine touched 1,200 while more than 900 people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, media reports said. The Israeli military has said hundreds of thousands of troops are near the Gaza border. The military said troops are "ready to execute the mission we have been given," BBC News reported. More than 123,000 people have been internally displaced in Gaza as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday. Hamas transformed an institute of knowledge into an institute of destruction. A short while ago, the IDF struck an important Hamas operational, political and military center in Gazathe Islamic University. Hamas transformed a university into a training camp for weapons pic.twitter.com/pWKxR8Dhmd Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 11, 2023 Four large residential towers in Gaza City were destroyed, along with houses and residential buildings as a result of Israeli airstrikes and shelling. Six healthcare workers have been killed and four others injured, with seven healthcare facilities and nine ambulances damaged, said the office. Damage to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has undermined services to more than 400,000 people in Gaza. The Gaza Power Plant is now the only source of electricity and could run out of fuel within days, it warned. What is Hamas in the context of Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel Hamas, the Palestine Islamist group which governs Gaza and attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023, is an offshoot of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s. The militant group defeated its political rival Fatah (which officially renounced violence) in the 2006 elections and took over the Gaza Strip, a 41-km-long and 10-km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, inhabited by about 2.3 million people in one of the most densely populated regions of the world. Since 2006, Hamas has been ruling the Gaza Strip without elections. Also Read: What is Hamas in the context of Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel The United States and European Union have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization which believes in violence as a means to liberate Palestinian territories from Israel and propagates the eradication of the state of Israel. Also Read: #IsraelAtWar: LIVE updates of Israel-Palestine Conflict Calling it their 9/11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a war on Hamas, launching a massive offensive that killed many Palestinians. An UNRWA school sheltering displaced families in Gaza has received a direct hit.Photo Courtesy: UNRWA/Mohammed Hinnawi The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza on Wednesday said 1055 people have died in the Gaza Strip ever since Israel launched an airstrike in the region. The ministry said 5184 people were injured in the incident. Israel launched airstrike in Gaza after Hamas attacked the country on Saturday. Meanwhile, amid airstrikes and a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, staff from the UN agency that supports Palestine refugees, UNRWA, continue their lifesaving work, even in the face of immense personal losses. UNRWA was established more than 70 years ago, and its services include education, healthcare, camp infrastructure and social safety net assistance to Palestine refugees across the Middle East. This includes around two million people in Gaza, where UNRWA schools are now housing roughly 170,000 residents who have fled their homes in the wake of the escalating crisis sparked by Hamas attacks against Israel last Saturday. The UN agency is also a casualty of the conflict. Four staff have been killed and 14 facilities have sustained damage. Many personnel are also sheltering in its schools. UN News spoke to Juliette Touma, UNRWA Director of Communications, who is based in Amman, Jordan. She described her 13,000 colleagues who include doctors, nurses, teachers and sanitation workers - as unsung heroes who "have been on the ground providing services to people in need". What is Hamas in the context of Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel? Hamas, the Palestine Islamist group which governs Gaza and attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023, is an offshoot of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s. The militant group defeated its political rival Fatah (which officially renounced violence) in the 2006 elections and took over the Gaza Strip, a 41-km-long and 10-km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, inhabited by about 2.3 million people in one of the most densely populated regions of the world. Since 2006, Hamas has been ruling the Gaza Strip without elections. The United States and European Union have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization which believes in violence as a means to liberate Palestinian territories from Israel and propagates the eradication of the state of Israel. According to American think tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Iran provides it with material and financial support, and Turkey reportedly harbours some of its top leaders. Organisations like Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group with strong presence in southern Lebanon, also share a common goal with Hamas and hence during the ongoing conflict has fired a barrage of rockets into Israel inviting retalitaion from the latter. Hezbollah is also designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States and U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states including Saudi Arabia. On Oct 7, 2023 (Saturday) when the Israelis were nearing the end of their seven-day-long Jewish festival of Sukkot, Hamas mounted a surprise attack on southern Israel launching over 5000 rockets decimating buildings, killing hundreds of people by the strikes and infiltrating on a festival across the Gaza border, taking innocent hostages of young women, men, children and families besides killing many. FILE PHOTO: The IMF logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington FILE PHOTO: The IMF logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington By David Lawder MARRAKECH, Morocco (Reuters) - Support increased on Wednesday for the U.S.-backed call to boost the International Monetary Fund's quota lending resources without shareholding changes, according to statements from various countries issued at the IMF's annual meeting in Morocco. France, Britain, Ghana, Switzerland, Finland and Belgium said in statements to the IMF's steering committee that they supported an equi-proportional increase, under which countries would contribute money in proportion to their current shareholding in the IMF. Brazil's finance minister, Fernando Haddad, who has pushed for an increase in shareholding for itself, China and other fast-growing emerging markets, said in a statement that Brazil would support such a quota increase if it were coupled with an "ad-hoc" share increase for the most "blatantly underrepresented" IMF members. The IMF said on Tuesday that it was seeing "substantial support" for the U.S. proposal, aimed at bolstering the IMF's $1 trillion in lending firepower and keeping it at the center of the global financial safety net. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the extra resources were needed to ensure the IMF can respond to another large-scale crisis. With momentum growing behind the U.S. proposal, she has called for a deadline to realign voting power to reflect the growth of big emerging markets and preserve the fund's political legitimacy, adding that without an adjustment, "we are stuck." Quota contributions, which are based on member countries' shareholdings, now account for only about 40% of the IMF's total resources, with emergency capital pledges and bilateral borrowings making up the rest. The last increase in quotas took place in 2010, when China's GDP was one third its current level. China would be the biggest winner in any share realignment, with 6.08% of the IMF's voting power and roughly 18% of global GDP. Story continues But with anti-China sentiment running high in the U.S. Congress, any IMF funding increase that increases Beijing's influence would face stiff opposition. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen proposed the money now, shares later plan as a way to sidestep the China issue and speed resources to the IMF. She said in her statement to the International Monetary and Financial Committee that the U.S. was committed to a "fair and simple" share realignment based on economic size, but "we regret" that one has not been reached. "In the absence of a new formula, an equi-proportional increase is the only viable outcome that avoids arbitrarily picking winners and losers," she said. Ghana's central bank governor Ernest Addison, in a statement also representing host country Morocco and Algeria, Iran, Libya, Pakistan and Tunisia, said that the U.S. proposal "is not our first option" "For the sake of reaching a compromise in the coming weeks, we support a substantial equi-proportional increase in quotas of at least 50%," an amount he also said was inadequate to meet developing countries' needs. A 50% quota increase would be equivalent to about $312 billion at current exchange rates. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Alex Richardson and Andrea Ricci) Photo courtesy: wikipedia.org Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has justified his stance of not hiring Harvard University students who support Hamas. He clarified that his concern is not about free speech, but rather about students endorsing this anonymously while using the university's reputation as leverage. I am 100% in support of free speech. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do however object to students putting out a statement holding Israel entirely responsible for terrorists heinous and despicable acts, but doing so anonymously under a corporate veil while leveraging the @Harvard brand, tweeted the founder of Pershing Square Holdings. I am 100% in support of free speech. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do however object to students putting out a statement holding Israel entirely responsible for terrorists heinous and despicable acts, but doing so anonymously under a corporate veil while leveraging https://t.co/jzYzSntDRP Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) October 11, 2023 One should be prepared to stand up and be personally accountable for his or her views, he added. Ackman wrote on X that several CEOs had asked him, whether the university would release the names of the members of these student organizations, so as to insure (sic) that none of us inadvertently hire any of their members. He added, If, in fact, their members support the letter they have released, the names of the signatories should be made public so their views are publicly known. I have been asked by a number of CEOs if @harvard would release a list of the members of each of the Harvard organizations that have issued the letter assigning sole responsibility for Hamas heinous acts to Israel, so as to insure that none of us inadvertently hire any of their https://t.co/7kzGOAGwp9 Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) October 10, 2023 Ackmans response came after senior journalist and author Mehdi Hasan called out Ackman on this decision to shame and punish the students for taking a stand that Ackman disapproves of. According to media reports, he posted, Hedge fund guy who has pretended in the past to care about free speech now wants to name, shame, and punish college students for expressing views he dislikes and finds offensive. But sure, this isnt cancel culture. This isnt straight-up McCarthyism *shrugging emoji*. The post in question could not be found at the time of writing this report. In response to Hasan, Ackman tweeted that he was not against free speech but disapproved of anonymous solidarity that also leverages a brand. Members of various student organizations have dissociated themselves from the public letter and announced their resignation, stating that they did not support the public letter. The law students at Harvard are beginning to really sweat the fact that they might get fired from their first-year associate jobs helping Dow Chemical cover up pesticide spills in small town reservoirs, simply because they supported a terrorist organization in law school pic.twitter.com/P6IfkHqi1i Chris Bakke (@ChrisJBakke) October 11, 2023 Harvard law student linked to statement blaming Israel denounces contents, says she didn't read ithttps://t.co/xiQrr81RwF Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) October 11, 2023 There is nothing wrong with criticising Israel. That is the essence of free speech. But you shouldnt hide behind a Harvard-branded corporation while doing so anonymously, he reiterated. There is nothing wrong with criticizing Israel. But if you state that Israeli is entirely responsible for Hamas egregious acts, you should stand up and be counted, not hide in anonymity behind the corporate veil of a student group. Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) October 11, 2023 Earlier, Ackman had remarked on Harvard University's student organizations, pointing out that they were putting the entire blame for the Hamas attack on Israeli citizens on Israel. Another 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Herat region of Afghanistan. Photo Courtesy: UNICEF/Rebecca Phwitiko A second earthquake has hit Afghanistan's Herat region which experienced a magnitude 6.3 quake a few days ago that left over 2,000 people dead. The intensity of the new quake was also 6.3 on the Richter Scale. According to reports, the epicentre of the quake was located 28km (17 miles) north of the city of Herat. The impact of the new quake is not yet clear, but many are already sleeping in the open after their homes were destroyed on Saturday, reports BBC. OCHA spokesperson, Jens Laerke, said an estimated 12,110 people, or 1,730 families, have been affected in five districts of Herat. That number is expected to rise as assessments continue. World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said that the immediate focus now is to save the lives of the injured and to ensure survivors have access to humanitarian relief, including essential health services. Women, children and vulnerable populations are gravely affected by the disaster, he said, adding that female health workers in the country continue to attend to patients, with no discrimination. Jasarevic confirmed that the UN health agency has provided enough supplies to treat 650 injured patients at Herat Regional Hospital. An additional 25 metric tonnes of medicines and medical supplies have also been sent to Herat, while 54 mobile health teams, including three by WHO, have been deployed in the affected areas and 12 ambulances have been sent to Zindajan District and Ghorian District to evacuate causalities to the regional and other hospitals. Risk of disease The WHO spokesperson warned that displacement caused by the disaster poses a significant health risk, including increasing the transmission of infectious diseases, such as measles, acute respiratory infections and acute watery diarrhoea. He urged the authorities to boost preparedness in the event of disease outbreaks. He also called for psychological first aid for the survivors and friendly spaces for the children who have experienced significant stress and loss of loved ones. Echoing those concerns OCHAs Laerke warned that children are particularly vulnerable, having suffered severe psychological distress from the earthquake, and require mental health and psychosocial support. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A group of Bangladeshi political activists, who are currently living in Europe, gathered near the Broken Chair sculpture in front of the United Nations in Geneva to condemn the religious extremism and terrorism perpetrated by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami in the South Asian country. The activists held the demonstration and banner campaign during the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. Organised by the Forum for Secular Bangladesh, the theme was Zero tolerance against religious extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh, reported ANI. European Freedom Fighters Associations Bangladesh and Switzerland Chapter of Bangladesh also joined these activists and raised slogans accusing BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami as collaborators of terrorism, the Indian news agency reported. They termed them as human rights violators who were responsible for killing secular Bangladesh Army personnel during their rule. Nazrul Islam, president of Switzerland Awami League, told ANI, We are here to recognise the genocide of 1971 and we are demanding the United Nations and other international community to recognise the genocide in Bangladesh, and Pakistans brutal army have to apologise Bangladesh. Khalilur Rehman, a Bangladeshi human rights activist living in Switzerland, even accused the West of backing Khalida Zia-led BNP party. He told ANI, We are observing in Bangladesh that the United States is backing Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP to destroy the country. We gained independence in 1971 by a revolution and we will not allow any such conspiracy. Photo Courtesy: Pakistan Flag from Pixabay Baloch Voice Association, in collaboration with Baloch Peoples Congress and Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, organized two conferences within the United Nations during the 54th Human Rights Council Session with the aim of highlighting the severe human rights violations perpetrated in Balochistan by Pakistan. The first conference, titled Enforced Disappearances and Balochistan: A Land of Disappearances, took place on October 5, 2023. The event brought together prominent European Parliamentary members, experts, policy-makers, international human rights organization representatives, and peoples representatives, reports ANI. The discussions focused on the urgent need for a reinvestigation into the mysterious murder of Baloch activist Karima Baloch and the overall human rights situation in Balochistan. Moderated by Munir Mengal, the conference featured insights from various speakers, including Yvonne Apiyo Brandle Amolo, a Swiss Parliamentary member. Amolo emphasized the strength of Baloch women within their community and highlighted the immense suffering endured by families due to enforced disappearances, the news agency reported. Harry Van Bommel, a senior Dutch politician, drew parallels between the accounts from Balochistan and the atrocities he witnessed in Bangladesh in 1971. Tariq Baloch of Baloch Peoples Congress presented visual evidence of Pakistani forces atrocities, including mutilated and tortured bodies of missing persons. Fazal Afridi, Executive Director of Khyber Institute and President of PTM Europe zone, stood in solidarity with the Baloch people and highlighted the enforced disappearances faced by the Pashtoon people, the news agency reported. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Police in Islamabad Police have been directed to shift all illegal immigrants to camps set up for them at I-12 on a voluntary basis within 48 hours, media reports said. The police directed those living in Pakistan's capital city without legal documents should be moved to camps. A police officer told Dawn that there were 54 official camps set up for refugees in the country 44 in KP, nine in Balochistan and one in Punjab. However, there is no camp setup in Islamabad and Sindh. He told Dawn News that the illegal immigrants have been asked to move to the camp at I-2 set up for them on humanitarian grounds. Another officer told the newspaper that an e-tagging of foreigners residing in the capital legally had been completed and data in this regard also prepared by a unit of the Counter-Terrorism Department. The data will assist the police in identifying illegal immigrants, he added. In image Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting Justin Trudeau last month in Canada Toronto/IBNS: Canada is sending more munitions to Ukraine including artillery rounds and aircraft bombs, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced in Brussels on Wednesday at the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Ukrainians are fighting valiantly on the frontlines against Russias illegal and unprovoked warcomprehensive military aid will ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to continue its battle for freedom, territorial integrity, and democracy. To our Ukrainian friends Canadas support is unwavering, Blair said in a news release. Coming out of the Canadian militarys existing stocks, the donation being sent include 2,000 rounds of 155-millimetre artillery ammunition along with 955 rounds of artillery smoke shells, meant to be fired out of the same howitzers, as well as 277 1,000-pound bombs, for use in close air support missions by the countrys military aircraft. A total $25 million worth of winter clothing and equipment for Ukraine, including boots, thermal layers, and winter sleeping bags were also part of the package announced Wednesday. In addition, the federal government plans to buy 2,000 sets of patterned Canada-manufactured military uniforms for female Ukraine soldiers. Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since February 2022 which included eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Canada and held talks with Prime Minister Jstin Trudeau. "Canada will train our pilots on F-16s and provide additional air defense missiles. Todays new military aid package includes armored vehicles and medevacs," Zelenskyy had tweeted then. During our talks, @JustinTrudeau and I reaffirmed the strong Ukrainian-Canadian partnership. Canada will train our pilots on F-16s and provide additional air defense missiles. Todays new military aid package includes armored vehicles and medevacs. We also focused on pic.twitter.com/elafAMAZ1f Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2023 (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) On a recent trip to Hawaii, Theresa Bear Fox, Konwasennawi David and Ida Cameron, met with several Indigenous Hawaiians while visiting. Rudy Tahawennase Webster, Oneida and his wife Jaydeen, whose family organizes the Hawaii Islands All Nations Po... In a decision that will have an impact on thousands of people who live in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Brazils government has started expelling thousands of non-Indigenous people from two native regions. The Apyterewa and Trincheira Baca... Approximately 1,100 children from 20 indigenous tribes were enrolled at the Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School over a span of 17 years. For many, this institution symbolized forced labor, imposed assimilation, and maltreatment rather than genuine e... Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this story misstated the price of Steve Jobs' Birkenstocks, which sold at an auction in November 2022. Birkenstock has gone public. Birkenstock Holding Ltd. sold about 10.8 million shares in the offering, its shareholders selling an additional 21.5 million. The German sandal company raised about $495 million, the Associated Press reported. Birkenstock sandals came to the U.S. in the mid-1960s today, they're a staple of comfort and style. But the shoe has, in part, come into mainstream footwear because of its emphasis on foot health over fashion. They're sometimes referred to as Jesus sandals," not because of the water-friendly options that allow you to (partially) walk on water but because of a signature B.C.-era style. Even the designer credited with popularizing them in the U.S. called them odd-looking sandals. Here's a look back on the sandal from its family shoemaker beginnings to its place in modern-day fashion. This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Kate McKinnon in a scene from "Barbie." When did Birkenstocks become popular? The shoes transcontinental journey. The story of the iconic sandal goes like this, according to the history and heritage section of Birkenstock's website: The modern-day Birkenstock has roots in an 18th-century family shoemaking dynasty the earliest mention of the shoemaker Johannes Birkenstock is from 1774. Generations later, Konrad Birkenstock designed a unique anatomical shoe featuring a rounded heel, malleable sole and different left and right feet, allowing the foot to roll. He sold flexible footbed insoles and contoured arch support. Parts for the production of Birkenstock shoes are seen at the Alsa GmbH company in Goerlitz, eastern Germany, on May 10, 2016. His son launched the physician-endorsed System Birkenstock in 1932, a series of podiatry and specialist courses with an accompanying podiatry textbook in 1947. It was here that Carl Birkenstock laid out his plans to design a shoe based on the concept of Naturgewolltes Gehen or natural walking. His son, Karl Birkenstock, created the original footbed sandal with a flexible base and adjustable strap. Story continues It was a time when stilettos were all the rage, and the first launch of the Madrid shoe at the 1963 shoe trade fair in Dusseldorf failed. They were the laughingstock of the fair, Karl Birkenstock said. He pivoted and distributed pamphlets to doctors to drum up support for his sandals. Berlin-born American designer Margot Fraser, who suffered from foot pain, found her antidote in Birkenstocks while on a trip to Germany. Fraser brought Birkenstocks to the U.S. in 1966 and secured distribution rights to sell them in California by 1972. From there, American popularity spread thanks to a loyal fan base of Northern California hippies, the Los Angeles Times reported. Birkenstocks were originally sold in health stores because of mainstream retail skepticism. Apple founder Steve Jobs famously loved the sandals around this time. A well-used pair of brown suede Birkenstocks from the mid-1970s sold for nearly $220,000 at an auction in November 2022. It was the highest price ever paid for a pair of sandals. Buying stocks for the first time?: How to navigate the market for first-time investors Birkenstock breaks into mainstream footwear culture During its early years (and perhaps even now), the words Birkenstocks and ugly went hand-in-hand. In the 1950s and 1960s, really design was heavily based on aesthetics over necessarily the function of the shoes, says Liz Tregenza, a fashion historian, in Birkenstocks 2022 Ugly for a Reason documentary series. It was really about ... creating a total look and I think comfort had a secondary place. But the hippie and grunge circles quickly embraced the shoe as a symbol of counterculture. In 1992, Marc Jacobs drew inspiration from this and styled Tyra Banks in Arizona Birkenstock sandals in the infamous show that got him fired from Perry Ellis. This wouldn't be the last time Birkenstocks appeared in high fashion. The 2012 Celine collection morphed them into whats since been referred to as Furkenstocks, an adapted Arizona sandal lined with mink, Vogue India reports. Dior has a collection with them. A shopper wearing Dior Birkenstock Sandals attends The Billion Dollar Babes VIP Party April 1, 2005 at The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Heidi Klum even designed her own line of bejeweled Birkenstocks. Supermodel Heidi Klum launches self-designed Birkenstock shoe collection at Bryant Park Hotel Cellar Bar Feb. 26, 2003 in New York City. But even as the decades roll on, theyve been called the Jesus sandals, deemed geeky and hallmarks of hipster culture. Theyve even been the subject of the hot socks and sandals debate just see the Socks and Sandals jingle from Disney Channels So Random! But since COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, today's styles place a greater emphasis on comfort. Birkenstocks are worn by celebrities and spotted in viral TikTok styling videos. Theyre now part of a cool girl aesthetic. Margot Robbie even traded her pink heels in for a pair of them in the 2023 Barbie movie, though with great reluctance. Where are Birkenstocks made? Birkenstock sandals are made at the companys production facilities in Germany and the brands closed-toed shoes are made in Portugal. The four German factories are located in Bernstadt, Gorlitz, Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. An employee of the Alsa GmbH company in Goerlitz, eastern Germany, works on the production of Birkenstock shoes on May 10, 2016. What is an IPO? Heres what it means for Birkenstock. An IPO is an initial public offering you can think of it as a fundraising effort. When a company is private, the shareholders often include comprised of founders, family, friends and professional investors, according to Investopedia. When a company goes public, it means theyre offering shares to the public for the first time, allowing the company to grow and public investors a front-row seat. After going public, a company is subject to Exchange Act reporting requirements, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. What to expect: Stock market outlook for 2024 Birkenstock's IPO comes two years after it was acquired by private equity firm L Catterton and the investment company of Bernard Arnault, the billionaire owner of the LVMH conglomerate. Birkenstock is valuing the company at $8.46 billion, the Associated Press reported. The stock opened at $41 each and ended the day down 12.6%. Birkenstock sales boosted this year in part because of the Barbie movies use of the famous sandal. Bloomberg News reported a 29% rise in revenue last year. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Birkenstock launches IPO: A look back on the popular sandal's history ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico Alexander M.M. Uballez, announced the selection of Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Eliot Neal as the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) AUSA for the Sou... There's rich, there's wealthy and then there are some who reek of old money. This Dubai couple is one of them but they are in the limelight for not-so-right reasons. Insta What happened? A Dubai millionaires wife has triggered outrage on the internet after she revealed that she spent more than $3 million in one week. Linda Andrade, 23, spent a huge chunk of her husbands salary after spending more than $US356,000 ($589,087) on a shopping spree of designer brands, as well as $200,000 ($330,948) on gold and $7200 ($11,914) on chocolate. Where and when? These details of her uber-luxury expenditure were divulged in a TikTok video. The clip that detailed the womans profligate spending spree, has amassed over 5,80,000 views. However, it is unclear where and when this TikTok video was shot. Insta But, why? I dont have any shame in flaunting a gold-digger aesthetic, Andrade, 23, admitted to The Post while describing her conspicuous spending habits. Who are they? The California transplant is reportedly married to a super rich, Dubai-based Forex and Crypto baron named Ricky Andrade, whom she reportedly married when she was just 19. The self-proclaimed Original Dubai Housewife frequently puts money where her mouth is via videos flaunting how this sultan of bling lavishes her with luxury gifts. These clips, which regularly amass millions of views, see the real housewife of Dubai boasting about spending $16,000 in one day, sampling a 24K gold cup of coffee and having her hubby light up the Burj Khalifa with a Happy Birthday message when she turned 23. In her latest display of wife privilege, Linda allegedly decided to blow a whopping $2.5 million dollars in a week, per a clip making the rounds online. Instagram How has social media reacted? Andrade's revelation on TikTok prompted social media users to call her antics out for being excessive and over the top. Is this for real?! Wow, one person questioned. How do you have infinite money like this? another asked. One angrily said: Shes just making up numbers at this point. On the other hand, users took to the comments to condemn her spending antics, especially when most people are struggling due to the cost of living crisis. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. In the world of renting, landlords sometimes seem to have an uncanny talent for inventing new fees to squeeze extra money from tenants. One such fee that often raises eyebrows is the "pet fee." While it's understandable when tenants have potentially destructive pets, like aggressive dogs or cats, that could damage property, some cases take this fee to absurd extremes, bordering on the comical. An upset tenant is speaking out against her landlord's attempt to charge her a hefty "pet fee" for a pet goldfish in a fish tank. She's not happy about this unexpected charge. Tell me why my Mother f- -king apartment complex tried to charge me $250 for a fish as a pet fee? Avianna Brown, a leaseholder from North Carolina, posted a trending TikTok video. In the video, she shared screenshots of text messages from her apartment complex's leasing office. They asked her to complete a "pet application" and pay a $250 money order for her pet goldfish. The video received over 236,900 views. Brown is a mother of one. The single mom, Avianna Brown, was puzzled by the request. She admitted to ignoring the demand because she didn't see her goldfish as a regular pet. Goldfish are usually small, live in fishbowls, and don't make noise or cause damage like dogs or cats. However, she got really frustrated when the landlord sent her a "past due" notice for October's rent, claiming she hadn't paid. She insisted that she had already paid for September and refused to pay the extra $250 for the goldfish. Avianna Brown shared her text messages with the apartment complex owners on social media. The owners were firm in their demand for the expensive pet fee, even though the goldfish lived on a table in a small 2.5-gallon tank. Unsplash Am I tripping or what?a bewildered Brown inquired of her audience, who enthusiastically shared their thoughts about this seemingly questionable tactic. This is robbery, wrote one user. [The landlord] better go straight to [hell], said another. The fish would be sitting right in their office because they have lost their minds, said an angry commenter. Tell them you flushed it and remove the fee, she said. Tell them your fish is your emotional support animallegally, they have to allow it with no fee, another suggested. Avianna Brown hasn't shared what she'll do about the pet fee issue. But she's not the only one dealing with strange landlord demands. In February, a woman in Kansas City, Missouri, went viral on TikTok for being charged $200 upfront and $15 monthly for her pet goldfish. In August, New York City was ranked as one of the "worst" cities for pet owners due to the high fees landlords impose on renters with pets. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. What could be Europe's oldest pair of shoes were unearthed in a cave in Spain and are now estimated to be much older than scientists previously believed. According to a new study, some 20 pairs of the sandals are at least 6,200 years old and possibly older and other woven artefacts in the cave are 9,500 years old. During the nineteenth century, the artefacts were discovered during mining works in the Cueva de los Murcielagos, literally called "cave of the bats," in Albuol in Granada, Spain. However, the researchers found that the uncovered materials were around 2,000 years older than previously thought. Credit: CNN According to the researchers, the low humidity and the chilly, dry breezes inside the cave prevented bacteria from growing, allowing the fibre-based devices to survive millennia. The researchers uncovered two types of footwear at the site, one with a continuous woven sole and the other with a tougher "central core."While no laces were identified with the first kind, "a small group of fibres emanating from the base of the sole may have been placed between the first and second toes with the central core type." These fibres are also linked to a braid attached to the centre of the sandal that can be knotted around the ankle." Researchers claim that grass sandals discovered in a cave in Spain are 6,200 years old, making them the oldest woven grass footwear ever discovered in Europe and pushing them to reconsider "simplistic assumptions" about our human ancestors in the region. The report came from a team investigating 76 artefacts discovered in a cave in southern Spain many years ago. Credit: SWNS According to scientists, sandals uncovered in a bat cave in southern Spain may be the oldest footwear ever discovered in Europe, who believe they could be up to 6,200 years old. As per the researchers from Universidad de Alcala and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, the artefacts are the first direct evidence of basketry among hunter-gatherer societies and early agricultural communities in southern Europe. Among the findings were baskets, sandals, and organic tools made of reed and esparto grass. The researchers could date the artefacts to the early and middle Holocene periods, between 9,500 and 6,200 years ago, by analyzing the basic elements they were built of. When And How Was The Discovery Made? Credit: SWNS The researchers employed radiocarbon dating to date 76 artefacts, including baskets and 22 sandals made from esparto, a type of grass used in crafts for thousands of years throughout the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. The grass was crushed to form twine, which was then used to braid baskets, purses, and sandals. To make the grass bendable, it had to be dried for 20 to 30 days before rehydration for 24 hours a sophisticated and skillful procedure. The sandals do not have laces, but some feature a single braid in the middle that can be knotted around the wearer's ankle. Later centuries of European history discovered similar sandals made of materials other than grass. According to the investigation, while some sandals had wear signs, others were unused and could have been constructed for the dead. The cave once housed burial objects from a vast early human history, possibly dating back 9,500 years. Credit: SWNS The ongoing study was worked on by a team of 20 professionals from several disciplines, including geologists and historians. The lack of humidity in the cave and the constant chilling breeze resulted in the best-preserved plant-based tools found in southern Europe. The same conditions have resulted in many significant archaeological finds in the Middle East, particularly in caves near the Dead Sea. The treasures of the bat cave were discovered in the nineteenth century, but this is the first study to cast light on their antiquity and significance completely. What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. One of the 11 Americans tragically killed in the recent Hamas attack on Israel has been identified as 32-year-old academic Hayim Katsman, hailing from Seattle. He was in the midst of his studies when he sought refuge in a kibbutz closet near the Gaza Strip border, only to encounter terrorists who ended his life. screenshot Katsman earned his Ph.D. from the University of Washington's Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies in 2021 and has been residing in Holit, where he conducted research, as reported by the Seattle Times. CWJ is devastated by the loss of Hayim Katsman zl, dear son of Hannah Katsman @mominisrael, CWJs resource development coordinator. Hayim was murdered by terrorists at his home in Kibbutz Holit. Our heartfelt prayers are with Hannah & family at this unimaginably difficult time. pic.twitter.com/PtB0rxvapv Center for Women's Justice (@cwjisrael) October 8, 2023 Hanna Katsman, his mother, revealed to ABC News that her initial concern was that her son had been abducted. However, she later learned that he had fallen victim to the invading terrorists in the early hours of Saturday. "I've been getting so many messages from people who worked with Hayim, who knew him, or who met him during their travels about how warm he was and how open he was," she told the outlet. "He was a very accepting person and a very loyal friend. He had a good sense of humor. He took things in stride." Lost my dear friend @hkatsman yesterday. A scholar of religious nationalism in Israel and Palestine, he was taken away by the very force he passionately researched and wrote about. Sharing our grief on the death of Hayim Katsman in Israel https://t.co/JMdCbHqgJ6 pic.twitter.com/tVS4Xv6bJR sauharda rai (@sauhardarai) October 10, 2023 Avital Alajem, a friend and neighbor, was with Katsman in a closet when the terrorists entered and shot him. However, she remained unharmed. Alajem believes that Katsman saved her life before she was kidnapped and taken to Gaza, along with two children. Fortunately, they were eventually released, as she shared during an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper. My dear friend Hayim Katsman, brilliant young scholar, gone, just gone . pic.twitter.com/LT2f01s0q7 Carmit Wolberg (@Carmit) October 8, 2023 "Hayim in Hebrew is 'life.' That's the meaning of his name. And he gave life to this planet as he saved me, and I was able to save two kids," she said. Katsman used to live in Petah Tikva before moving to the kibbutz. His friends and professors at the University of Washington remembered him as compassionate. His dissertation, which explored religious Zionism in Israel, was dedicated to all life in the region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. His former roommate and classmate, Francis Abugbilla, fondly described Katsman as kind-hearted. "On Saturday morning, I texted him, 'Hey Hayim, I hope you are OK amidst the current situation,'" he told the outlet. "He read it, but I didn't hear back from him." Later, a fellow alum told Abugbilla that Katsman had passed away. "It feels like a dream to me. I can't believe we've lost such a fine scholar who was out there to make the world a better place for everyone," he said. "He was always someone who would fight for the less privileged. For us to keep his memory, we all need to live up to what he stood for," Abugbilla added. Charlie-Moshe Elias, who crossed paths with Katsman during their time in UW's Jewish studies program, shared that the scholar had been a proponent of peace in the region and had offered critiques of the Israeli government. Liora Halperin, a UW professor specializing in international studies and history and also a member of Katsman's dissertation committee, conveyed to the news source that "his work helps illuminate some of the very dynamics that have brought us to this moment." In 2020, Katsman was honored with the Baruch Kimmerling Prize for the best graduate paper by the Association for Israel Studies, as indicated on the UW website. screenshot "He was really engaged in the issues that matter in Israel and in the Israel/Palestine space," Halperin said. "To lose somebody who was not only acting to promote a better society but also devoting his scholarly life to studying the place he lived in is obviously tragic." Another professor from UW, James Wellman, shared with KOMO News that Katsman "was a young guy and had his whole world waiting for him, and I just can't believe it even now. The fact that this wonderful human being was killed who had no malice towards either side, he was a beautiful human being," For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. This is the 50th anniversary of the US and AFL-CIO supported coup in Chile. The repression and privatization that the coup and Pinochet brought still torments the people and country.Join Elisabeth Milos, a Chilean American and member of CWA UPTE UCSF as well as LEPAIO who will be reporting on her trip to Chile on September 11th. She will also show video from her trip and she will be joined by Alicia Carvajal, a Chilean American and survivor of the 1973 coup who will share here experiences.The co-sponsor Labor Education Project on The AFL-CIO International Operations LEPAIO was formed to educate US trade unionists and workers about the role of the AFL-CIO around the world. The AFL-CIO is receiving over $75 million for the operations of the Solidarity Center which has is in 62 countries around the world and has been engaged in supporting pro-corporate unions and backing US coups and interventions.Additional Media:Stop AFL-CIO CIA Supported Coups! Speak Out & Action At AFL-CIO HQ On 50th Anniversary of Chile CoupChile 50 Years After 1,000 Days That Shook The Backyard Of Imperialism:The Workers Do Not Participate In The Government, They Are The Government Los Trabajadores No Participan En El Gobierno, Son El GobiernoThe US, CIA, AFL-CIO, AIFLD & The 1973 Chilean Coup With Professor Ruth NeedlemanChile's 9/11 & The Rise Of US FascismMemories of Chile On The 49th Anniversary Of The US AFL-CIO Supported Coup1962-1979: The AFL-CIO and Trade Union Counterinsurgency US INTERFERENCE. PART II (FINALU.S. Labor Reps. Conspired to Overthrow Elected Governments in Latin AmericaIf the health workers of Chile collapse, the entire population will sufferU.S. Responsibility for the Coup in ChileLEPAIO Greece hopes to raise more than 5 billion euros ($5.29 billion) in 2024 from the sale of state assets, including a stake in Athens airport and concession agreements for two toll roads, a senior official said on Wednesday. The euro zones most heavily indebted state has since 2011 raised about 10 billion euros from government asset sales, a key element of its recovery plan after memoranda that expired in 2018 kept it afloat during a decade-long debt crisis.The amount The 5 billion-plus amount targeted for 2024 will be the highest amount raised from privatizations in a single year, Dimitris Politis, CEO of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund-HRADF told Reuters. He said that figure included an estimated 1.5 billion euros from the long-term concession of the Egnatia Road, a 658-kilometer (411-mile) toll road in the north. It is worth noting that the agreement initially was supposed to be completed in 2023, as the national elections delayed the courts approval of this agreement and its ratification by the parliament. Greece had previously forecast privatization revenues of 2 billion euros for 2023 and 3.3 billion euros for 2024. Major transactions Two other major transactions, the sale of a 30% stake in Athens Airport through an initial public offering (IPO) and the long-term concession of Attica Road, a 70-kilometer (44-mile) ring road in Athens, will help raise the highest revenue that have ever been collected in one year in 2024, said Mr. Politis. The country aims to list the Athens airport in the first quarter and the sale could fetch more than 750 million euros, Politis said, adding that German-based operator AviAlliance, which owns 40% of the equity, will acquire an additional 10% premium over the AMK price. The modern Left should not demonize the word capital but consider it as a tool for the benefit of all, the leader of the official opposition Stefanos Kasselakis noted from the stage of the General Assembly of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises-SEV, thus giving the for the economic policy he is planning SYRIZA . In the same context, he emphasized that there is no need for more taxation, but a drastic reduction of waste in the public sector , in order to achieve the goals .Stock options and cooperation As he characteristically said: The Modern Left recognizes the economic environment in which we live. Capital is not a word to be demonized. And the word work must be a prompt for CO-work.for a new social contract in which workers are actively involved in the development of the business. But how will such a thing be done? The president of SYRIZA noted that As you may already know, from the first moment I announced my political thoughts and proposals, on which my candidacy for the leadership of SYRIZA was dynamically based, I spoke explicitly about the need to establish stock options to achieve of inclusive development, adding that I was referring, in other words, to the institutional incentive for employees to participate in the share capital of a company. So that they participate in the surplus value that comes from the performance of the business both from the managements choices and from the toil of the work. This means practical CO-working. He also added that There are many ways to support such a framework. Of course facilitating the legal framework. But also by supporting with tax incentives and accounting practices the registration of stock options in payroll expenses. Addressing those present, he underlined that If the small businesses fail, then the big ones of SEV will find themselves in a difficult position. He referred to the dispute with New Democracy. Our big difference from ND is that we consider labor a great productive force. Rules and strict control in the labor market. You as large and medium-sized enterprises are to your advantage. No to a tax increase Regarding taxation, Mr. Kasselakis was clear: We do not need more taxation to achieve these goals. What we need is a drastic reduction in government waste, an end to chronic entanglement, and bold cuts to the quality of our institutions, to add meaning that You have in front of you the President of a Left faction. At the same time, you have in front of you a left-wing entrepreneur who lived his own development dream unfortunately outside of Greece and understands the value of the risk you take every day. Just as he understands the value of human relationships in your daily life, however great the fixed investments. In fact, at that point he underlined: SYRIZA is moving to the next stage of its historical course. That of a Modern Left that does not demonize the word capital but sees it as a useful tool for prosperity. Framework for agreements and contracts The president of SYRIZA also referred to the workers: Beyond the self-evident humanity that must govern the professional relations of employer employee because without people there is no business, noting that That is why we must establish a strict institutional framework for contracts with the aim of abolishing virtual contracting. By establishing clear terms and conditions. In fact, he explained that it is required Inclusion of all those who work, with any relationship and form of work in a sector in the provisions of the relevant sectoral contract, but also: -Conversion of the contracts of those who work under freelance conditions and continuously renewed fixed-term contracts into open-ended ones. -Recognition of workers on platforms as employees, establishing, among other things, a presumption in favor of the character of their work as dependent, for their basic vesting in the matters of hours, salary and protection of their health and safety. -Enshrining and strengthening the institutional framework that regulates it as remote employment with respect to employment contracts. As he said: This is all a matter of fairness and common sense especially when there is no social welfare state. Know that you will hear neither pleasant words nor baseless or opinionated criticism from me. You will only hear common sense suggestions in the direction I have described to you: of CO-working. The triptych of the plan and debt settlement Mr. Kasselakis presented the SYRIZA policy triptych. Syriza plan definitive personal and business debt regulation, turning recovery fund resources to vertical production and industries leading in every sector. Our vision is a Greece that is a producer and not a consumer, where legitimate entrepreneurship flourishes. Where the state is social and allows a high level of welfare. Mr. Kasselakis referred to the policies of the SYRIZA government: So there are certain points that I want to focus on and for which SYRIZA has and is constantly working on comprehensive policies: 1. The functioning of the banking system, to which 8 out of 10 small and medium enterprises do not have access. 2. The utilization and direction of the resources of the Recovery and Resilience Fund. At the moment most of it is directed to passive public investment, i.e. large infrastructure, in the energy sector, where any investment does not end up benefiting the end consumer, i.e. your customers, due to international conditions. Justice The president of SYRIZA pointed out that in Greece the big patient is the Judiciary. Last in the awarding of Justice throughout Europe. To be first in the slowness of dispensing Justice you must pursue it. It is done deliberately because it favors the few and the powerful. At the same time, he meaningfully stated that It is a shame for Greek democracy. In a democracy, Justice must be the last resort of every Greek. Its a shame to influence. Change of the Independent Authority for Public Revenues Board of Directors and of course our phones that were monitored with the Greek taxpayers money. Dont wonder why our children dont come back from abroad And they see it being done by the American-educated elected officials. And he added: If the citizens honor me with their vote, you have my word that I will not exert any influence on the Justice and the media. You will never bargain with me for unfair growth. Dont let anyone approach me. The SYRIZA government will create a fully staffed public with little red tape. Permits will be issued soon and business will be conducted with full respect for the environment. The Bauchi Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old housewife, identified as Khadija Adamu, for allegedly beating up her 5-year-old stepdaughter, Hafsat to death. The command confirmed the suspects arrest at a press conference held at the police headquarters in the state capital on Tuesday. The incident was said to have occurred on September 28, 2023, in the Kandahar area in Bauchi metropolis. READ ALSO: Katsina University Suspends Six Students Over Alleged Murder Of Schoolmate According to the Police Spokesman, SP Ahmed Wakil, the suspect was reported at the A Divisional Police by her husband, Abdulaziz Adamu, 38, after she beat up the victim as a result of alleged pass-stool that spoiled her clothes. On 28th of September, 2023, at about 9:25 p.m., one Abdulaziz Adamu of Kandahar area Bauchi, reported at A Divisional Police Headquarters that the suspect had beaten up her stepdaughter. As a result, she sustained serious injuries on her body, and on receiving the report, a team of detectives led by the DPO swung into action. The team rushed to the scene and moved the victim to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, for medical attention, where she was certified dead by a medical doctor. Wakil said the investigation is still ongoing, after which the suspect will be charged to court for the established offense accordingly. No fewer than nineteen councilors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State and their supporters have decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). While announcing their decision on Tuesday, in a press conference held in the states capital, the councillors cited their admiration for the purposeful leadership demonstrated by the incumbent Governor Uba Sani, since assuming office. They expressed their belief that Governor Sanis leadership has been instrumental in guiding the affairs of Kaduna State. READ MORE: Kaduna Tribunal Upholds Gov. Sanis Election Victory After Confusing Split Judgment The councillor representing Yelwa ward in Chikun Local Government Area, Ishaku Duchi, led the group of defectors to the APC campaign office, Naija News learnt. In his address, Duchi appealed to Isah Ashiru, the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, to withdraw his lawsuit challenging Governor Sanis election at the appeal court. Instead, he urged Ashiru to collaborate with the governor in order to advance the progress of Kaduna State. Other councillors expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of progress they experienced during their time in the opposition party, leading them to join the APC. They praised Governor Sanis exceptional leadership as the driving force behind their decision. Meanwhile, the Kaduna State APC Organising Secretary, Kawu Yakassai, warmly welcomed the defectors and hailed them for their courageous choice to join the ruling party. He assured them that everyone would be included in the governance of Kaduna State under the APC. People looking at cancelled flights on a departure board at the airport in Tel Aviv (Getty ) A 69-year-old British charity volunteer said she and her 80-year-old friend have been living in a nightmare while trying to get out of Israel amid all the violence. Marilyn, a former healthcare assistant from Hertfordshire, had travelled to the Middle Eastern country with Helen, from London, on October 2 and enjoyed a weeks holiday in the northern region of Galilee. They were then supposed to head south to work with Shevet Achim a Christian organisation which helps children from Gaza, Iraq and Syria get to Israel for open-heart surgeries. But everything changed on Saturday, when Hamas militants attacked parts of Israel, the military responded with fierce airstrikes on Gaza and the region was thrown into the worst war its seen in 50 years. Marilyn told The Evening Standard how frightening it was as she and Helen realised they could not safely go to the charitys base in Ashdod, just 20 miles from the Gaza border. They started trying to book flights back to the UK, but nothing was available. I feel guilty saying even this when I know that people are going through so much more, but Ive never been so stressed in my whole life than I have been in the last few days, Marilyn said. Im worried about our medication that its going to run out, she continued, my friend is over 80, were vulnerable. She and Helen ended up going to stay with a friend in Jerusalem, where Marilyn found it impossible to sleep because she could constantly hear planes. The group had to hide out in a bomb shelter at one stage. Marilyn said: Ive never in my years heard a siren before and it was awful. I cant tell you how much that traumatised me, I heard two bombs go off. And my friends 10-year-old son heard everything too and I just felt so sorry for him. After two days in Jerusalem, Marilyn and Helen decided to head to Tel Aviv so they could be closer to the airport. But, like many other Brits, Marilyn had a nightmare trying to find an available flight out of Isreal. She even went to the airport herself, but was told she could only book trips online. Story continues The pair were finally able to find seats on a plane leaving on Tuesday, but this was cancelled the night before. We had packed everything, Marilyn said, and we were all quite excited to go home to family and that really shook us up, my friend got really down. The women are now hoping to fly home on Sunday, but Marilyn is still anxious with everything so up in the air. Travel update: we advise against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We advise against all travel to Gaza. Any British nationals in need of help should contact +972 (0)3 725 1222 or +972 (2) 5414100. If you require consular assistance pic.twitter.com/qKrSowHpir Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) October 9, 2023 Several Brits have complained about having to fork out thousands to leave Israel, with several accusing the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of failing to repatriate them five days into the bloody conflict. Several nations, including Bulgaria, Spain, Poland and Thailand, have organised evacuation flights for their citizens but the UK has not yet taken similar steps. On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told LBC Radio that ministers were working with the travel industry to make sure commercial flights remained available to Brits in Israel. The FCDO said: The UK government has a duty and a responsibility to support British nationals overseas. The situation here is a bit different because a lot of the Brits are dual nationals and regard Israel as their home. We will work closely with the Israeli government to provide support, if needed. We are working with the aviation industry and on border crossings. We are also in talks with Egypt on any Britons in Gaza. Israels ministry of tourism said it is committed to ensuring that all tourists visiting Israel are safe and informed - it is operating a WhatsApp hotline for tourists on +972 55 972 6931. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday disclosed that 5,409,438 Nigerians are expected vote in the upcoming off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States. In a statement on Tuesday, the Commission said soft copies of the complete register of voters for each state will be presented to the political parties participating in the elections on Thursday. For emphasis, 16 political parties are sponsoring candidates in Bayelsa State, 17 in Imo State and all the 18 parties in Kogi State. For the forthcoming elections, there are 1,056 862 registered voters in Bayelsa State; 2,419,922 in Imo State; and 1,932,654 in Kogi State, making a combined total of 5,409,438 registered voters for the three States. State Chairmen of political parties or their designated representatives are invited to attend the event which will take place at the Collation Centres in the State Headquarters of the Commission in Lokoja, Owerri and Yenagoa on Thursday 12th October 2023 at 10.00am, the statement read. READ ALSO: 18-Year-Old Housewife Allegedly Beats Five-Year-Old Stepdaughter To Death In Bauchi The electoral body also said it has finalised preparations for mock accreditation of voters in the three states to test-run the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload of polling units results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). The exercise will take place simultaneously in the three States on Saturday 14th October 2023 from 8.30am to 2.30pm. The list of designated polling units for each State has already been uploaded to our website and social media platforms. Lessons learnt from the exercise will be taken into consideration to ensure the seamless deployment of both the BVAS and IReV on Election Day. This is strictly a test-run and not the actual election. Once again, the Commission appeals to registered voters in the selected polling units to turn up with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for the exercise,the Commission added. The elections are scheduled to hold on November 11. The Federal High Court in Abuja, has disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, from running in the States gubernatorial election come November 11. Delivering judgment on Monday, Donatus Okorowo, presiding judge, held that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of the state, would breach the 1999 constitution if allowed to contest again. The judge held that Sylva was not qualified to run in the forthcoming poll because if he wins and is sworn in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state. Okorowo stated that the supreme court had ruled that nobody can expand the constitution or its scope. He added that if Sylva was allowed to contest the next election, it meant a person could contest as many times as he wanted. READ ALSO: Why My WAEC Certificate Bears Sadiq Abubakar Atiku Responds To Forgery Allegation Demesuoyefa Kolomo, a member of the APC, had asked the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete Sylvas name from the list of candidates contesting the election. The plaintiff averred that by the provisions of section 182(1)\(b) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), Sylva is not qualified to contest the election on APCs platform or any other political partys platform because he was elected in April 2007 and May 2008. But in his affidavit, Sylva had said he was elected once as the states governor, insisting that there was no election in 2007. While referencing a court of appeal judgment in April 2008 that nullified the 2007 election, the former minister maintained that he is within his constitutional and legal rights to contest the forthcoming election in Bayelsa. Sylva was minister of state for petroleum resources from 2019 to 2023. Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, Davido Adeleke popularly known as Davido has reportedly welcomed a set of twins with his wife, Chioma Adeleke. Recall that he bereaved couple tragically lost their only child together in October last year at their Banana Island residence,, Lagos State. According to PM News, the couple welcomed a set of twins on Monday, October 9 around 9pm. READ ALSO: Comedian AY Apologises To Davido Over Insensitive Joke Also, one Evangelist Gospel Agochukwu confirmed the report in a post on his churchs official Facebook page. The cleric shared a screenshot of what seemed like a Whatsapp chat with the Timeless crooner, where he revealed that his wife just put to bed, twin babies, a boy and a girl. Davido reportedly wrote: We don born twin. Na boy and girl we born. Baddest to the world. Gist me this gist well, reacted the cleric. The latest twin dad replied: Chioma don born twins at 9 pm. Omo, Im so excited. See post below: Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Matthew Ashimolowo, has shared recommendations on how the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government can fix the present challenges in Nigeria. The cleric, in a chat with The Sun suggested a total overhaul of the subsisting 1999 Constitution, restructuring and devolution of powers to the regions, as well as involvement of youths in politics. Despite the fact that majority of the resources that sustain Nigeria are located in the southern belt of the country, he lamented how the region remains neglected in the distribution of infrastructural development. He however urged Tinubu to empower youths in the South by creating industries in the region and giving them autonomy His words: Why should the South produce all the resources and a railway is built to the Niger Republic when the South remains underdeveloped? It does not make sense. It is very clear and obvious that there is a disequilibrium. You cannot blame the person, who sees resources leaving his area and going somewhere else. READ ALSO: Atiku Is Giving False Hope To His Funders, Supporters Presidency There will be agitation and you cannot stop these agitations by mere military presence. Rather you empower them and create employment and systems in the area that will make the people stop the agitation. If I were the president or if I was to advise the president, my counsel would be not to just go to a place like Imo and start throwing bombs at people who are agitating. The first thing to do is to empower the people by creating industries, and then make them guardians of their own economy; you do not destroy what is your own land. You also have to change this system in Nigeria where you either go to Abuja or Lagos for work. In England, the Ministry of Works is in Stanford, the Ministry of Environment could be in Leeds, and some other ministries could be in Kent. This means that every part of the nation has an equitable distribution. In Nigeria, everything is concentrated in the hands of an oligarchy that has created a system for themselves in just two small corners of the world. When there is employment and people have opportunities, it will change everything. A Kano High Court has sentenced a Nigerien, Sulaiman Abdullahi, 27, to death by hanging for the 2017 killing of 30-year-old Yahya Badamasi. The court, presided over by Justice Nasiru Saminu, found Suleiman guilty of culpable homicide, which is contrary to Section 221 (b) of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State 1991, and subsequently sentenced him to death by hanging. READ ALSO: Two Brothers Sentenced To Death For Murder In Akwa Ibom The convict, who is from Matamaye village, Niger Republic, reportedly had a misunderstanding with the deceased, who was a resident of Kofar Nassarawa Quarters in Kano. The disagreement over N700, which happened on April 9, 2017, resulted in a physical fight, which came to an end when the convict brought out a pair of scissors and stabbed the deceased in the neck. An injured Yahaya Badamasi was rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital but later died while receiving treatment. Police officers from the Kwalli Division subsequently arrested and charged Abdullahi in court. The Lagos Police Command has declared Benjamin Nnanyereugo,aka Killaboi, wanted over the brutal murder of 21-year-old Instagram influencer, Augusta Osedion Onuwabuagbe. Recall that Killaboi, few months ago, confessed via his social media that he mistakenly stabbed his girlfriend to death during a misunderstanding, which degenerated into a fight. He said that he was ready to surrender to the police and face the consequences of his actions but never did. Police had also confirmed the retrieval of a suspected confessional note allegedly left behind by Killaboi, who absconded after the incident. It was gathered that the state police also discovered Augustas body after her mother reported her inability to reach her daughter. The deceased mother had received a call from her daughter, an undergraduate at Lead University, Ibadan, Oyo State, on July 11, that she had a quarrel with her lover and would be going to his place for them to resolve the issue. READ MORE: Mohbad: Lagos Police Declares Primeboy Wanted, Offers N1m Bounty In a statement made available on Tuesday, the state police said that they are declaring Benjamin wanted in connection of the murder of Augusta. The statement reads: The Lagos State Police Command hereby declares Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo wanted. Nnanyereugo is a suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Augusta Onuwabhagbe Osedion, which occurred on July 13, 2023, in his Oral Estate, Ajah residence. After exhausting all available avenues to bring him in, he is now declared a wanted man. The suspect, aged 26, stands at approximately 59 ft tall, hails from Abia State, has a dark complexion, and is fluent in English, Igbo, and Pidgin English. The Police on Tuesday, arraigned a 20-year-old man, identified as Onoja Kingsley, in a Wuse Zone II Magistrates Court, for allegedly raising false claims that his genitals have disappeared. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Kingsley, is charged with joint acts, causing grievous hurt, attempted culpable homicide, theft and giving fake information to members of the public. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the allegations brought against him by the police. The prosecuting counsel, E. A. Inegbenoise, told the court that the case was reported by one Ndifreke Ebong of Gaduwa Estate, Abuja, on Oct. 7. Inegbenoise said that the complainant, in company of some of his church members, was sharing flyers in preparation for its Sunday service within the FCT and innocently handed a copy of the flyer to the defendant with other members of his gang now at large around AP Filing Station at about 6:30 p.m. He said: The defendant then unlawfully and falsely accused the complainant of stealing his manhood. The complainant was beaten and stabbed with all kinds of dangerous weapons by members of the defendants gang which they later ran away and he was apprehended. As a result of the beating, the complainant sustained some degree of injuries. READ MORE: Lagos Boy With Missing Intestine Dies The prosecutor added that the complainants mobile phone valued at N500,000 and wallet containing important documents were stolen from him during the incident. He further stated that the defendant revealed at the police station during interrogation that the said disappeared manhood is back and performing normal. According to him, the offences charged with contravened the provision of sections 80, 248, 229, 287 and 178 of the Penal Code. The prosecutor also objected to the bail of the defendant stating that the defendant has no traceable address. He added that granting him bail would affect further police investigation and the arrest of his other members who were still at large. But the magistrate, Abba Bello, said that bail is at the discretion of the court and shall be exercised judiciously. The magistrate admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with a surety in like sum that must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. He ordered that the surety addresses should be verified by both the prosecutor and the courts registrar before he should be released. The Yobe State Police Command said it has arrested a 25-year-old man identified as Lawan Saidu, of Tudun Wada, Potiskum Local Government Area, for raping a 13-year-old girl. The Commands Public Relations Officer DSP Dungus Abdulkarim disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday. The suspect reportedly had an illicit affair with the mother of the victim. The victim reported the menace to her father which eventually led to the divorce of the mother. READ ALSO: Catholic Church To Canonise 14-Year-Old Nigerian Killed For Resisting Rape The suspect became wild and developed interest towards the victim and then decided to transfer his aggression on her by attacking her in the house after her father left for his shop on 20th September 2023 at about 2030hrs, he said. According the police spokesperson, the suspect later raped the 13-year-old. He, however, noted that investigation is currently ongoing at the State CID, Damaturu, after which the suspect will face prosecution. Abdulkarim added that the victim has been treated and discharged from hospital. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Yobe State, Garba Ahmad, has urged the people of the state to be conscious of scrupulous elements in the society and report them to the nearest police station. While advocating stiffer sanctions against rapists, the CP tasked officers and men of the Command to always ensure proper investigation and diligent prosecution of perpetrators. Justice should not only be done, but be seen to have been done, the CP added. Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has reacted to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict which broke out on Saturday. Information Nigeria reports that as the war enters its fifth day, scores of innocent civilian lives have been reported dead. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israeli strikes had since destroyed more than 22,600 residential units and 10 health facilities and damaged 48 schools. Hamas, formally the Islamic Resistance Movement, is an Islamist political and military organization currently governing the Gaza Strip of the Palestinian territories, headquartered in Gaza City. Mohammed Deif, Hamas military commander, had said the attacks were a reprisal for Israels desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Deif alleged that Israel killed and wounded hundreds of Palestinians this year. Reacting via X, the renowned cleric, who noted that his prayers are with the people of Israel, said, Hello my beloved brothers in Israel, I want you to know that we are praying for you, that all members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God all over the world are standing by you at this critical moment. The almighty God, the only one of Israel, will give you absolute victory and give you permanent peace from now on in the mighty name of Jesus. It is my prayer for all our brethren in Israel that the Almighty will grant you absolute peace from now on in Jesus name. #Israel #peace. Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of Nigerian pilgrims. In a statement signed by the CAN President, Daniel Okoh, on Wednesday in Abuja, the christian body advised that the airlifting of Pilgrims be suspended until normalcy returns in the area. Furthermore, the ongoing war holds significant implications for Nigerias faith communities. It is crucial for religious leaders and communities in Nigeria to actively promote understanding, compassion, and peaceful coexistence among diverse religious groups. We must resist the temptation to allow this conflict to deepen divisions or inflame religious tensions within our nation, Nigeria, he said. READ ALSO: Youre Not Complete Without Killing At Least One Boko Haram Terrorist CDS Tells Nigerian Army Okoh also appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities and violence between Israel and Palestine, appealing to both parties to embrace dialogue and diplomatic solutions to end the war. The CAN President lamented that the recent surprise attack by a militant group on Israeli citizens, resulting in the tragic loss of numerous lives and abduction of several persons, including women and children, was a distressing event that undermined the pursuit of global peace. CAN firmly condemns any act of violence that threatens the lives of innocent individuals, regardless of their nationality or religious background. While recognizing Israels right to self-defense, we emphasize the importance of proportionality and the avoidance of harm to innocent civilians in any military response. The loss of innocent lives on both sides of the conflict is a tragic consequence of this escalating situation, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those who have suffered the loss of their loved ones in these incidents, CAN stated. He further stressed the sanctity of human life and the principles of justice and peace, as upheld by the Christian faith, urging all parties involved to engage in dialogue and seek diplomatic solutions. In light of these developments, CAN prays for the repose of the souls of those who were killed in the violent attack and the resultant war, as well as reconciliation, healing, and enduring peace in the region. May God Almighty comfort their families. We also call upon the international community, including the United Nations and relevant stakeholders, to redouble their efforts in facilitating a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Finally, we encourage all religious congregations in Nigeria to engage in fervent prayers for peace and unity in the region, for the protection and well-being of those affected by the conflict, and for the speedy release of the abducted individuals. Let us remember that our faith calls us to be peacemakers and agents of reconciliation, even in the midst of conflict and adversity, Okoh stated. READ ALSO: WAEC Certificate: Who Knows You As Sadiq? Where Is The Affidavit You Swore? Tinubus Aide Hits Atiku Also, Michael Freeman, Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, says his country will do everything possible to defeat the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Freeman said the ongoing battle between Israel and the Palestinian group was caused by hatred. This is about good and evil. This is about civilisation and barbarism. Either you stand with people who are defending themselves or you stand with those who cut their heads off babies, that is what this is about, Freeman said. It is not about anything else. Nigeria has also known terrorism. You know what it is like when terror groups like Boko Haram kidnap young girls. We as a people are in shock. We are in mourning and anybody who tries to justify this, I think that that is clear to all of us that anyone who will not condemn this; anyone who will not come out in a clear voice condemning this, needs to ask where their moral compass is if you cannot loudly and clearly condemn the murder of nearly a thousand civilians; of cutting off the heads of babies. The ambassador further said Israel would wage war against the Hamas group, adding that everything possible would be done to avoid civilian casualties. Freeman said, Hamas is ISIS. That is who they are and that is how we have to treat them. We are going to wage a war on Hamas now and I want to be very clear. War is a dirty game and war is a terrible thing. But sometimes it is necessary; this is one of those cases where it is necessary and where it is justified. We will do everything we can to avoid civilian casualties; we will do everything we can, but civilians will get killed, we should prepare ourselves for that. The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reintroduce himself to Nigerians. While addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Obi asked President Tinubu to again, tell Nigerians the schools he attended, if he participated in the one-year National Youth Service Corps scheme. The former Governor of Anambra advised Tinubu to provide Nigerians and the entire world with the necessary information about him once and now. He said: Mr Tinubu should tell the nation his true name, the school he attended, where he served and the certificate he obtained. He must do this task once and now. It is a matter of morality, honour, and integrity. Tinubu needs to come clean. READ MORE: I Posted My Certificates Because Everyone Is Now A Suspect Buharis Ex-Minister The world now sees every Nigerian as a fraudster, certificate forger and identity thief because of what Bola Ahmed Tinubu did at Chicago State University. Even though all you need to run for president are primary and secondary school attendance, I personally attached my University degree certificates, plus my NYSC. You can go and verify. I attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Soludo, Emefiele, the present Vice Chancellor and the two DVCs were all my schoolmates. You can go and verify. Bola Tinubu should reintroduce himself to the nation he governs, and tell the nation who he is, where he is from, where he went to school, and his real name. Its a simple task that will take only a few minutes. And he must perform this task immediately, he demanded. Defence Minister Bill Blair announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine on Wednesday, while visiting NATO headquarters in Brussels. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press - image credit) Canada is sending more munitions to Ukraine, including artillery rounds and aircraft bombs, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced in Brussels on Wednesday. The new package was unveiled at the beginning of a regular meeting of the allies that have been helping to arm the Eastern European country to withstand the full-scale invasion by Russian forces. The announcement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at NATO headquarters to personally appeal to allied defence ministers for more weapons and munitions ahead of what's expected to be another tough winter of fighting in the eastern and southern regions of his country. "We will speak about the priorities, how to push Russia out ... of the our native land. It means we will stop the war," Zelenskyy said upon his arrival, offering a preview of what he was planning to tell the gathering of defence ministers. "We [will speak] about priorities for Ukraine for defending [the country, and] how to survive during this next winter. For us [this] is big, big, one of the biggest challenges." After a multi-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine was held up recently in the U.S. Congress, top political leaders were intent Wednesday on demonstrating continued solidarity with Ukraine. "Your fight is our fight. Your security is our security and your values are our values," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in welcoming Zelenskyy. "We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes." Late Wednesday, Stoltenberg emerged from the closed-door meeting to announce a series of donations including more details of a plan for Denmark and Belgium to provide modern F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Denmark announced its jets will be delivered by spring 2024, while Belgium's donation of warplanes isn't expected until 2025. Canada's latest donation includes 2,000 rounds of 155-millimetre artillery ammunition and 955 rounds of artillery smoke shells meant to be fired out of the same howitzers. Story continues Ukrainian servicemen of the 43rd Artillery Brigade fire with 155mm self-propelled howitzer Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000), towards Russian positions at a front line near Bakhmut, Donetsk region on June 15, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian servicemen fire 155-millimetre artillery shells at Russian positions on the front line near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, on June 15. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images) The donation also includes 277 1,000-pound bombs, for use in close air support missions by the country's military aircraft. The munitions are coming out of the Canadian military's existing stocks. Over the last several weeks, a House of Commons committee has heard how ammunition stockpiles in Canada and allied countries are running low and production hasn't increased to compensate for donations. Gen. Wayne Eyre, the chief of the defence staff, said he was very concerned about ammunition stocks. His warning came as the head of NATO's military council, Admiral Rob Bauer, noted that allied nations were getting to the "bottom of the barrel" in terms of the munitions they can provide. Ukrainian forces are firing as many as 5,000 artillery rounds of various calibres per day. The U.S. is producing over 20,000 fresh rounds per month, while Canada is churning out just over 3,000 155-millimetre shells, the most common type used in big howitzers. The latest donation means Canada has provided 10,000 155-millimetre rounds to Ukraine, in addition to 10,000 105-millimetre shells, and approximately two million rounds of 7.62 mm small arms ammunition. On Wednesday, Stoltenberg said the state of ammunition stocks has been high on NATO's agenda for many months and that allies are dealing with their own munitions suppliers. "So this is extremely important," Stoltenberg said. "I welcome the allies [who] are doing more and I urged them to sign more and more contracts because ... the signing of contacts can enable the industry to produce more and also to make investments in increased production capacity." But Canada is an outlier among allies when it comes to hammering down agreements with companies that supply ammunition. Troy Crosby, the senior defence official in charge of material at the Department of National Defence, told a Commons committee last week that while a contract to manufacture shell casings has been signed, a overall contract to boost production has not yet been acquired. Also part of Canada's aid package announced Wednesday is $25 million in winter clothing and equipment for Ukraine, including boots, thermal layers and winter sleeping bags. Additionally, the federal government plans to buy 2,000 sets of patterned military uniforms for female Ukraine soldiers. The uniforms will be manufactured in Canada. Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, including eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles. The former chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Lauretta Onochie has condemned the presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi over his press conference on the controversy surrounding the academic records of President Bola Tinubu from the Chicago State University. The LP flag bearer on Wednesday, had asked the president to reintroduce himself to the Nigerian people. Reacting to Obis statement via an open letter shared on her X handle, Onochie stated that Obis advisers are mentally ill. She insisted that the request asking Tinubu to introduce himself is idiotic. She urged the former Anambra governor to dump his presidential ambition and retire from politics. The letter reads: Dear Peter Obi, You have shamelessly just gone on national TV to call on the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to reveal his identity to Nigerians and the world. This is the most idiotic request, Nigerians have had the misfortune of hearing from one, whose advisers are people with mental health issues. READ MORE: Reintroduce Yourself To Nigerians, Obi Tells Tinubu Nigeria parades some of the most intelligent people on earth and you disrespect our intelligence in this way? Manipulation is a skill and you are unskilled when it comes to Manipulation. If you do not know who President Tinubu is, you have been probably locked up as a prisoner in your warped mind, or you have been living in cuckcoo land. How can you allow yourself to be used to question the identity of a man, who has been in the limelight since his youth? How can you come low to the level of your gullible followers to begin this late in the day, to question the identity of a man who was checked by our security operatives and cleared twice to govern the most successful and cosmopolitan state in Nigeria, Lagos? If you can come on national TV, to question the identity of a man who was cleared by all our security operatives to become a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thats enough justification and validation for your resounding rejection at the polls in 2023. We watched carefully, to see if a gun was pointed at you as you demand for the identity of a man who was scrutinised and cleared by the Security operatives in Nigeria to run for the highest office of the land. But there was none. You did it on your own. What is wrong with you? This is like a drowning man grasping at grass. Its time to stop taking instructions from people who are bitter, angry, envious and who have lost their minds, years ago. Our Nigerian youth are more sensible than you think. You wont be able to manipulate them into turning against their own nation. Your comrades in arm have all tried and failed. This is the only nation we all have. WE WILL PROTECT OUR NATION. Go home, Peter. You will NEVER be declared President of our great nation. Apart from the simple fact that you came a distant third, you dont deserve to lead our nation. Your temperament and disposition are not the attributes needed to lead a diverse nation such as Nigeria. You failed Anambra. You cant even lead the South East! Under your nose, South East became a war zone. A once vibrant economy built on hardwork, destroyed. Lives and properties, ruined. Shelf your desperation. Your ambition is beyond what you deserve. It will never come to pass. Finally, you want to know our Presidents true identity. Well, his real name is, Nemesis Jupiter. His father Karma, is the King of Jupiter who married Nemesis mother from Mars. When Mr. President was 25 years old, his family came from Jupiter to swim at the Bar-beach in Lagos. They left him at the bar-beach to fend for himself. So at 25, he did not go to Primary, Secondary nor any Tertiary institution. I hope youre happy now. Just go home, Peter. Put your feet up and enjoy your retirement and grandchildren as Im doing. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), on Wednesday, posited that there is no proof that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu forged his academic records at the Chicago State University (CSU). Following the recent release and deposition of Tinubus certificate by CSU to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, reactions have trailed the political space as to whether Tinubu forged his certificate or not. A United States court had asked CSU to release the presidents certificate to Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Partys 2023 presidential candidate. While Tinubu, through his aides, has reiterated that his certificate from the CSU was not falsified, BBC via a report by its Global Disinformation Team also disclosed that there has not been any proof that he forged his record. Recounting the development that led to the certificate saga, BBC said there are three versions of the CSU certificates for Tinubu. The CSU released several diplomas issued between 1979 and 2003. We analysed all of them. There are three different diplomas for Mr Tinubu that we refer to throughout our analysis: The original one, from 1979, which he has said in the past was lost when he went into exile in the 1990s. The second one, that he submitted to INEC supposedly a replacement diploma from CSU (it is similar to diplomas issued by CSU in the 1990s). Additionally, CSU holds another replacement diploma for Mr Tinubu that they say is probably from the early 2000s that he never collected. The allegations on social media are based on a comparison between the document Mr Tinubu submitted to INEC and the 1979 diplomas released by CSU, the analysis stated. READ ALSO: Reintroduce Yourself To Nigerians, Obi Tells Tinubu The deposition by CSUs registrar, Caleb Westberg, according to the British media organisation, also attested to it that Nigerias leader did not forge his diploma. Mr Westberg said the template of CSUs diploma has changed several times over the years. He said any request for a new diploma would resemble the current template at that time, no matter when the student graduated, the Disinformation Team stated. The BBC reached out to Mr Tinubus team to get a copy of the diploma in question. They sent what they said was the only existing copy of the diploma. It is a black and white photocopy identical to what was submitted to Inec. Another claim, made by a fact-checking organisation in Nigeria, was that the diploma Mr Tinubu submitted was not from CSU as its diplomas do not include the phrase with honors under the degree name. But the BBC found that while this was not reflected in the other diplomas released by CSU, it does appears in Mr Tinubus diploma issued in the early 2000s, which was authenticated by Mr Westberg during his deposition. It has the words with honors a match with the diploma with the same detail submitted by the president to INEC. Mr Westberg said that the school could authenticate this particular diploma because it was still in its possession as it was never picked up. Not every student graduates from university with honours. Mr Tinubu, as attested to by CSU in several court documents seen by the BBC, did graduate from CSU with honours, the Corporation revealed. The BBC, having contacted CSU with questions about its diplomas, the institution referred the Team to a statement that read in part: We are confident and always have been in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubus attendance and completion of graduation requirements. Veteran Nollywood actor and director, Charles Inojie, has said most female actresses are richer than their male counterparts because of the extra money they make from meeting up with wealthy and influential men in the society. He said even some actresses who play minor roles in movies are richer than many actors who have starred in lead roles. The veteran actor made this statement in the latest episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast. Inojie said, I spoke about the influx of daughters of Jezebel that came into the industry, still coming into the industry. When you see some of them you will know that they cant even pass an audition. They will struggle with minor roles here and there. And the next thing you will hear is that she just acquired a multi-million mansion and a 2025 Range Rover. READ ALSO: Nollywood Movies Introduced Nigerian Entertainment To The World Before Afrobeats Omotola Jalade You will hear she just got N40 million mansion for her mum. And she got a N150 million mansion for herself. Then as a male actor you began to ask yourself, Whats happening? Are they paying them extra after settling us? But you know that for the female folk, their streams of income are many. For instance, whenever some of my politician friends call me, I know they are watching African Magic. They will be like, Charles, Im watching one movie right now. Theres this particular girl. Can I have Thats the multiple streams of income for them [actresses]. Even the actresses know that regardless of whatever the filmmaker is paying them, huge amount is going to come later from people who patronise them after watching the movie. So, by the time a Senator calls here and a House of Representatives member calls there. One big business executive calls there and they put it together Before you know, one of them would buy a multi-million naira duplex in Lekki. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa has urged troops of the Nigerian Army to be proactive and go after Boko Haram terrorists. Speaking to the troops of Operation Hadin Kai at the Maimalari cantonment, Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on Tuesday, the CDS said instead of waiting for the Boko Haram terrorists to attack, the troops should take the battle to their enclaves, seek them out and flush them out. Musa said it is wrong for the soldiers to sleep in the theatre and expect an attack before responding. In his words, any soldier who comes to the theatre without killing at least one terrorist is not complete. The CDS pointed out that it is by going after the terrorists that the war would end soon. Dont just come and sleep in the theatre, make sure you look for Boko Haram and kill, he said. READ MORE: Boko Haram Ambushes Motorists In Borno, Kill Soldier Anybody who comes to the theatre and finishes without killing one Boko Haram is not complete. So you must make sure before you go, look for them, thats the only way we can finish them completely. They should not be looking for us, we should be looking for them. Do not go and sit down until they attack and we repel, there is nothing like repel, go and find and kill them. Speaking further, Musa conveyed the best wishes of President Bola Tinubu to the troops who are sacrificing their comfort to keep the nation safe. He pointed out that President Tinubu recognises the sacrifices and commitment of the troops in the fight against insurgency. The president said he is happy with us and wishes us all the very best, he added. He also reminds us that it is not yet over but that we are moving on the right track. If we continue the way we are going, very soon Boko Haram will come to an end. The house where a man was murdered and another barely escaped with his life along the 4800 block of Fairhill Street in the Olney section of the city. Read more Philadelphia police did not at first believe the teen girl who told them shed witnessed a murder. It was a cold morning in January 2020 when the officers responded to an unusual call. A counselor at a North Philadelphia charter school said a 15-year-old student told her she saw a man get killed over Christmas break. The officers met with the girl, and the details she went on to share were like something out of a horror movie: Over the week of the Christmas holiday, she said, the people she was living with lured two young men to their North Philadelphia house, then beat and tortured them. One of the men escaped. The other died, and after they partially dismembered his body, she helped clean up the blood and dispose of the corpse. Can you take me to the body? Sgt. Gregorrio Santiago asked, according to police body camera footage shown in court. Advertisement Yes, she said, matter-of-factly. Following her directions, Santiago drove to the Olney section of the city, where the girl pointed out the house on Fairhill Street where she said the crimes occurred. Then, she told him to drive around the corner, to a small overpass on Rockland Street. Youre sure this happened, right? Santiago asked her skeptically. Yes, she said again. She pointed over the ledge, and there, about 20 feet below and barely visible in the brush, was a black trash can containing the mutilated body of Darius Cheeseboro, 23. And, she said, she knew exactly who killed him. The girls account, shared as she testified at a recent trial for one of the four killers, offered a disturbing look at one of the most heinous murders that Philadelphia has seen in years, and laid bare how the group calculated and carried out the vicious attacks. There was no rhyme or reason, said Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski, who prosecuted the case. The cruelty, the depravity, the maliciousness, the callousness. ... Its hard to hear and comprehend. The details outlined in three days of testimony revealed not only the violence inside the Fairhill Street house, but also the resilience of the young man who barely escaped with his life, and the strength of the teen girl, a runaway, who ultimately reported the crimes to police. The murder Soon after the teen came forward to law enforcement, four people were arrested and charged with murder, conspiracy, abuse of a corpse, and related crimes: Lashawana Dantzler, 23; Zahmir Mason, 19; Jordan Oliver-Williams, 19; and Zamir Burton, 18. The girl whom The Inquirer is not identifying because she was a minor at the time and was not charged with a crime was offered immunity in exchange for her testimony. Dantzler agreed to plead guilty to third-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and related offenses, and told prosecutors she would testify against the others in hopes of getting a lesser sentence. Mason and Oliver-Williams also pleaded guilty to third-degree murder. Burton decided to contest the charges at trial. Dantzler kept her promise, and on a recent Wednesday she walked through the courtroom, took a seat across from Burton, and calmly described what he had done and how shed helped. I was tired of living in lies, she told the jury about her decision to testify. Dantzler said she and her three children had been homeless for months when a friend invited her to move into the house on Fairhill Street. She said she invited Mason, her new boyfriend, and another acquaintance, Oliver-Williams, to stay with her. Their friend Burton and the 15-year-old his then-girlfriend also moved in. Dantzler previously had a relationship with Darius Cheeseboro, a 23-year-old from the neighborhood, and theyd recently reconnected on Instagram and started talking. But Mason was possessive, and when he found out, he wasnt happy, she said. He told her to invite Cheeseboro over to the house. So she did. I thought they were gonna fight, Dantzler said. Instead, according to trial testimony, events unfolded this way: About 11 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2019, Cheeseboro told his mother hed be right back, then walked about a half-mile down the block to Fairhill Street. Dantzler greeted him at the entrance and welcomed him inside. But unbeknownst to him, Mason, Burton, and Oliver-Williams were hiding behind the door. They jumped out and started beating Cheeseboro. Dantzler said she watched as they stabbed him more than 20 times and beat him with pots and pans. They dragged him out into the backyard, stripped off his clothes, and mutilated him. They stuffed his body in a trash can, then lit him on fire. The men ordered Dantzler and the teen girl to clean up the pools of blood in the house. They complied. I had no feeling, Dantzler said. I was numb. Then, the group rolled the trash can out into the cold, dark streets. Mason and Burton dragged it about two blocks to a small bridge on Rockland Street and threw it over the ledge and into an open field. It was over nothing Come morning, the 15-year-old girl was terrified. She had run away from home a few weeks earlier, and barely knew the people she had come to live with. Now, they had involved her in a murder. I GOTTA TELL YOU SOMETHING, she texted a friend the next morning. I helped kill somebody yesterday. WTF happened? the friend asked. It was over nothing, she said. She was frightened and filled with dread, and didnt know what to do. She couldnt go home, she said, but worried that they might kill her next. She decided to stay quiet. Meanwhile, Mason and Dantzler were plotting their next victim. Dantzler had a casual relationship with Marquise Swinton-Carpenter a few months earlier, she said, and after he posted a sexually explicit video of her on social media, she wanted revenge. I wanted to get back at him for what he did to me, she said. I wanted him to feel the pain I felt. She waited until they were on good terms again, then invited him over. Swinton-Carpenter, then 20 years old, came to the house on Dec. 26. Dantzler let him in, then said shed be right back. She had to grab something from upstairs. He took a seat on the couch. A few minutes later, Dantzler, Mason, Burton, and Oliver-Williams came down the stairs. These are my brothers, Dantzler told him, and one by one, they shook his hand. Thats when I saw the knife come across, Swinton-Carpenter told the jury. Mason slashed him across his throat. Dantzler hit him with a bat while others took turns stabbing and beating him. Mason tried to cut his head off, Dantzler said, but the knife was too dull. At one point, Swinton-Carpenter tried to escape. He got through the front door, but the group circled him. He tried to hold on to the edges of the door frame, but they ripped his fingers away and dragged him back inside. They attempted to cut off his right hand, then took him into the backyard, doused him with lighter fluid, and briefly set him on fire. Assuming that he was dead, the group went inside. Swinton-Carpenter said that when they tossed him in the yard, he hit his head and woke up. And when he saw the group go inside, he jumped up, threw himself over the back fence, and ran into the street. His abusers ran after him, but when they saw hed collapsed at the feet of a bystander, who was calling for help, they ducked into the shadows. Police Officer Troy Dighello arrived and found Swinton-Carpenter shoeless, unconscious, and spilling blood into the street. When Dighello turned him over to check his injuries his throat slashed and hand nearly amputated the officer jumped backward and gasped. Thats the first Ive ever seen someone like that, he said. The verdict The guilt was eating away at the teen. She was present during the assault of Swinton-Carpenter, too, but this time took short videos of the attack for evidence, in case she ever needed it. Cheeseboros family, meanwhile, had reported him missing after he didnt come home that December night. They were posting fliers across their neighborhood and rallying groups to search the city for him. The father of two young daughters was devoted to his family, his mother had said, and would never just abandon them. The girl ultimately decided that when she returned to school after winter break, shed reveal what shed seen. On Jan. 14, she walked through the doors, went straight to her counselor, and told her what had happened. Within a week, the four were arrested. At the trial, Burtons lawyer, Angelo Cameron, tried to sow doubt in the girls story by noting that she initially had not told police that Burton was involved in the crimes. And Dantzler, he said, couldnt be trusted. Her credibility is very suspect, her character disturbing, he said. The jury convicted Burton in September of third-degree murder, attempted murder, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit murder, and related crimes. He avoided a first-degree conviction and will be sentenced in November. He will likely face decades behind bars alongside the others involved. Common Pleas Court Judge Lillian Ransom sentenced Oliver-Williams to 30 to 80 years in prison, and Judge Giovanni Campbell sentenced Mason to 32 to 84 years. Dantzler is to be sentenced next month. Moving forward On the witness stand, Swinton-Carpenter, now 23, spoke of his recovery, which continues even three years later. He was hospitalized for more than a month, he said, and couldnt speak or eat solid foods for weeks as his neck healed. He endured three months of physical therapy to relearn how to walk and use his hand. He still struggles to put weight on his right leg and pain frequently shoots up his arm into his shoulder. When asked about his mental state, he went quiet and looked down. I think about it every day, he said. But hes trying to move his life forward. Hes in his final year of school to become an emergency medical technician, he said, and his life finally seems to be on track. At the conclusion of his testimony, Swinton-Carpenter stood up slowly and walked out with a slight limp. Before he left the courtroom, he stopped and looked back at Burton one final time. Id like to kill you, he whispered under his breath. As the jury deliberated the next day, he returned to the courthouse and sat with Cheeseboros family. They hugged and thanked him for testifying. Im glad that you can share peace in yourself, Cheeseboros sister said. He nodded and said he thinks of her brother often. I would have rather they took my life than his, he said. He didnt deserve that at all. They shook their heads, but said nothing. Josh Kruger, left, the then-communications director for the city's Office of Homeless Services, at a protest in 2020. Read more The family of Robert Davis, 19, who is accused of killing local journalist Josh Kruger, said that Davis was just 15 when he and Kruger began a years-long relationship involving drugs and that Davis told them Kruger was threatening to post sexually explicit videos of him online before, police say, Davis shot Kruger. Those assertions by Davis mother and older brother in recent interviews with The Inquirer add troubling new complexities to a killing that has garnered national attention. Their account, they said, is drawn from recent conversations with Davis, and from the years of watching his life unravel as he tried to keep the relationship and his drug addiction hidden. Kruger, 39, was killed after a man entered his Point Breeze home in the middle of the night, police said, and shot him seven times at the base of his stairs. Surveillance video near the scene and tips from Krugers friends and family led detectives to Davis, and a warrant was issued for his arrest a few days later. Police described the pair as acquaintances, and said Kruger was trying to help [Davis] get through life. The familys contentions come as detectives separately discovered and are investigating what multiple law enforcement sources have called explicit photos and messages in Krugers phone. The sources, who requested anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, did not say whether the images or messages were connected to Davis, but said they were disturbing and have been turned over to the departments Special Victims Unit for further analysis. Advertisement Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said the contents of Krugers phone are part of the investigation as detectives seek to learn more about why he may have been killed. But critical details of what happened, he said, lie with Davis, who remains at-large. I think he could answer a lot of questions if he comes into custody and surrenders, Vanore said. It might help us put all this together. Damica Davis said her son called her on Friday, just hours after Philadelphia police burst into her South Philadelphia home looking for him. She urged him to turn himself in, she said, but before the call ended, he frantically tried to explain himself, though he stopped short of admitting to the crime. He was scared, she said. He said ... He wanted me to do some stuff I didnt want to do and if I didnt do it, he said he was going to blackmail me. Put the pieces together Damica Davis and her older son Jaylin Reason said in an interview that Davis faced mental health issues from a young age. He struggled to control his anger in school, his mother said, partially because of the absence of his biological father in his life, and often got into fights. When he was about 15, she said, his troubles intensified after he started sneaking out in the middle of the night and coming home high on drugs. They said Davis told them he was seeing an older white woman he met online who worked for the government. They frequently saw the name Josh pop up in messages on his phone, they said, and when they asked who Josh was, Davis told them it was the womans brother, who was gay. It was only later, in their call with him Friday, they said, that Davis told them he had been seeing Kruger all along. Kruger worked for the city, including the Office of Homeless Services, from 2015 to 2020 which lines up with when they said Davis initially told them hed started seeing the woman who worked in government. And theyd followed Davis to Krugers block on Watkins Street before, they said, desperate to find out where he was going and getting drugs. They trailed behind and watched as he turned onto Watkins Street, but then couldnt figure out which house he was going into, they said. For years, Damica Davis said, Weve only had pieces of everything. We could never put the pieces together, and now everything is coming out and we see whats going on. Davis sometimes returned home with expensive gifts, such as designer belts and Gucci pants, they said, and would tell his family the woman bought them for him. Hed sometimes stay out until early morning, they said, and return under the influence of drugs. They found needles, pills, and other drug paraphernalia in his pockets, and believe he became addicted to meth. Damica Davis said that she tried to get help for her son but that resources were limited. He never stayed long at any rehabilitation facilities, she said, and other institutions treated him like a prisoner. His drug use escalated. He struggled to hold a job and sometimes scrapped spare parts and metals. He was arrested in August and charged with trespassing after police said he broke into a building at the Navy Yard and was acting erratically. The charges were dropped after the security guard who witnessed the incident failed to appear in court. Davis family said he was home the week Kruger was killed, and behaving like his normal self. On Friday morning, Reason said, he returned home from his girlfriends house about 3 a.m., and his brother came home about 4:45 a.m. with his cart of scrapping materials. They argued for a bit about why Davis was out so late, Reason said, then Reason went to his room. Then, at 6:01 a.m., Philadelphia Police and SWAT Officers burst through the door with a photo of Davis and a warrant for his arrest. But Davis was gone. Reason and his mother said they dont know where hes hiding. Damica Davis said that if her son did kill Kruger, theres no excuse. But she, too, wants answers. Its tragic what happened, she said. But I feel like my son is a victim in this, as well. A difficult past Kruger, for his part, was transparent about the struggles in his own life. He has said he was homeless for years and was addicted to crystal meth and used intravenous drugs. While on the streets, he wrote in 2017, he relied on sex work, his religion, and the kindness of others to survive. I saw a lot of trauma and acted out of a lot of pain, he said about that time of his life. He said he started making changes in 2013. He said he got sober and wrote for blogs and alt-weekly publications about his experiences. Then, in 2015, he was hired by the city. Over five years, he oversaw the mayors social media platforms, and acted as spokesperson for the citys Office of Homeless Services. He returned to writing in 2021 and for various outlets including The Inquirer, he typically wrote about the issues that intersected with his life, including living as a gay man with HIV, addiction and harm reduction, and city and state politics. He became known for his strong positions and activity on social media, and grew a following. Police sources say he was concealing parts of his life, and that meth was found in his bedroom. Still, news of his death left many shocked and devastated. City and state leaders shared statements celebrating his life and support for vulnerable communities. Police, meanwhile, are working to figure out how it all fits together. Were looking at everything as part of the case, Vanore said. Staff writer Chris Palmer contributed to this article. Veronica Joyner, founder and chief administrator, gives a hug to a seventh grader outside Math Sciences and Civics Charter School, the charter she founded in 1999. The school is closing at the end of the year because of Joyner's retirement. Read more Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter, the Center City school that has operated for nearly a quarter of a century, will close at the end of the school year, its founder and chief administrative officer said. Veronica Joyner on Tuesday confirmed the closure of the 900-student school, which she said was due to her impending retirement and she was tired of dealing with the Philadelphia School Districts Charter Schools Office. The longtime administrator, who is 73, said she was offended that the office was going to propose only a one-year renewal for her school after its contract expired in June, rather than the typical five-year term granted to most charters. I was insulted after 25 years of having top grades, Joyner said in an interview. Advertisement At the same time, Joyner said she chose to close the school, which educates students in grades 1 through 12, rather than have someone else take over because she didnt think someone else could run it on the level I run it on estimating she works probably 12 hours plus, seven days a week. I dont feel that anybody would be able to take on that kind of responsibility, and that I would be assured these children are learning, she said. It might take five people to do the one job I do. The news caught district leaders off guard. Both school board president Reginald Streater and acting charter schools chief Peng Chao said they had just received word about the planned closure, and it was very much a surprise they had been planning for the schools continued operation. We just learned about it this afternoon, and so we will gather as much information as possible, Chao said. We look forward to working with school leadership to support students. In August, the school board discussed Math Sciences and Civics fate, deciding offering a one-year charter would be best. The districts charter school framework spells out that schools can be nonrenewed if they fail to meet standards in more than one of three domains academics, operations and financial standards. Joyners charter failed in two domains, academics and operations. The building will be sold In a letter to parents Monday announcing the closure, Joyner said the charters building would be sold. That building is owned by People United for Better Schools, a nonprofit of which Joyner is the president. The charter, which is publicly funded, pays rent to the nonprofit. Joyner said Tuesday that proceeds from the building sale would go back into Parents United, which would continue to operate assisting parents. None of the board members get any money, I dont get any money, unless I start being the head of that after resigning from the charter, Joyner said. She said that she hadnt been paid by the nonprofit over the years, and if we were looking for profits, I would be taking a salary and increase the charters rent payments. In her role as the charters CEO, Joyner was paid $229,000 in 2021, according to tax filings. Parents are left scrambling Both Streater and Chao said they worry about whether the news will destabilize the school for the remainder of the year. Its certainly a concern when schools make decisions like this, in terms of staff members leaving and even families seeking other options ahead of the school year, said Chao. There might be disruption to the operations. Streater stressed that the district will work with affected families to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Were going to promote the beauty of our sector there are high-quality options in the charter sector, and high-quality options in the district, said Streater. I am sure that the district will engage with parents to the fullest extent possible. Parents were left scrambling and, in some cases, furious. Rayanna Tomlin, whose daughter is in fifth grade, found about the closure by accident, when a friends child overheard teachers talking about it. Tomlin reached out to Joyner, who confirmed the news. Tomlin, who also works in education, said she had loved Math Sciences and Civics. Ive referred a lot of people to this school over the years. There was never a safety concern, Ive never had a problem with her teachers. The curriculum is OK, said Tomlin. Once Tomlin discovered the closure, she scrambled to look for new schools for her daughter for next year, and discovered when she requested her daughters PSSA scores that her daughter scored below basic in her third grade year and had no scores for her fourth grade year, despite attending class every day. Tomlin has filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Education against Joyner for conduct unbecoming an educator. I was never informed of her ever scoring below basic, said Tomlin. She has received all As since first grade at the school and has never been absent. No one at the school can explain why she has no recorded PSSA scores for last year and why she scored below basic the year before but had honor roll. I am utterly disgusted by everything that is going on at the time with the school. I and my child deserve more, and this is an injustice to children and families. Accused of exclusionary practices The school has been accused by some parents of using exclusionary practices, including a family represented by the Education Law Center who said their daughter was illegally expelled after an argument with a fellow student. A Common Pleas Court judge sided with the charter in February, ruling that it hadnt expelled her because it offered her the option to attend virtually. In a 2019 case also brought by the law center, a mother alleged her 6-year-old was barred from enrolling after the charter learned she required services for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Joyner called it a misunderstanding; the law center noted the charter had glaringly low rates of special education students. Last year, Joyner barred another student from attending this years prom and graduation after he was shot 10 times; she worried that his assailants may return and his presence would be a danger. Still, Joyner touted the schools successes Tuesday, pointing to high graduation rates and occupations of some of the schools graduates. She said she would support families in finding new schools for their children. I would never leave these parents stranded, she said. Despite losing money from February through June, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia finished its most recent fiscal year with a narrow operating profit. The $23 million operating profit amounts to a margin of 0.57% for the year that ended June 30. The previous years operating profit was $154 million. Both figures are low compared historically at CHOP. In the five years before the pandemic, CHOPs average operating profit margin was 8%. Operating profit excludes most investment profits and losses and certain unusual items that are not central to day-to-day activities. CHOP CEO Bell warns of insurance changes, rising costs CHOP CEO Madeline Bell told employees in a May 18 note to staff that the organization was operating in a health-care environment that is changing and evolving very quickly. The Inquirer obtained the note after publishing an article reporting that Bell received $7.7 million in pay in 2021, the bulk of it in a $5.6 million bonus from a three-year incentive program. Bells note said financial headwinds, including changes in the mix of payments from private and public insurers and increases in labor and supply costs, had added a significant amount of risk to our financial position. Advertisement READ MORE: What do you think about our Eds and Meds content? Please share your thoughts in this brief survey Separately on Tuesday, CHOP said in a statement that in the first half of fiscal 2023 that it, like other pediatric hospitals, faced an unprecedented surge in respiratory viruses, including RSV, flu and Covid-19. That crush of patients hurt hospital financial results because beds were filled with less complex cases that bring in less revenue from insurers. Even so, the health systems revenue increased 10% in fiscal 2023, to $4 billion. However, its largest expense salaries, wages, and professional fees increased 15%, squeezing CHOPs profit margin. Bells May note also said employees should expect managers to defer discretionary spending, put off hiring except for jobs that are especially hard to fill, and cut back on overtime and expensive temporary staffing through outside agencies in order to stay in the black for the fiscal year. The new fiscal year Cost-cutting continued in July, when managers at CHOPs new King of Prussia hospital asked employees who work during the day either to buy their own coffee in the facilitys cafeteria and coffee shop or take advantage of the free Wawa coffee cart, according to an internal email. The message dated July 24 said that CHOP would reduce the number of K-cups stocked in staff lounges. The goal was to preserve K-cups for people who work overnight, when other options are not readily available. Despite its financial challenges, CHOP said that in the current fiscal year it still plans to increase capital expenditures and other investments by 15%. Among the projects planned is a childrens crisis and behavioral health inpatient center at the PHMC Health Center on Cedar in West Philadelphia, at the former Mercy Philadelphia Hospital. That project, combined with the new outpatient behavioral health center at 4601 Market St., represents a $100 million investment. CHOP also said it would have money for merit pay raises and compensation equity adjustments for all employees. Lankenau Medical Center retrained all nurses on medication policy after being cited by state inspectors for a medication error in which a patient received a double dose of a powerful opioid. Read more A nurse at Main Line Healths Lankenau Medical Center accidentally gave a patient a double dose of a powerful opioid painkiller, resulting in the patient overdosing and leading state inspectors to slap the hospital with its most serious safety warning, immediate jeopardy. On Aug. 11 a nurse at the Wynnewood hospital gave a patient 3 mg of hydromorphone an opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain double the 1.5 mg prescribed, according to a state inspection report released last week. The patient was found unresponsive and had to be revived with the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. The patient then required treatment in the ICU. Inspectors concluded that the nurse had failed to follow the hospitals protocol for using potentially dangerous drugs and verifying medication information before administering it to patients. READ MORE: What do you think about our Eds and Meds content? Please share your thoughts in this brief survey. Advertisement The August incident resulted in the state placing Lankenau in immediate jeopardy a serious warning that indicates a hospital has safety problems that could threaten the lives of patients. The immediate jeopardy label was removed a day later, after the hospital retrained all its nurses on medication protocol and committed to a month of quality checks, according to the report. Providing safe, high-quality, and equitable care to our community is our top priority. We take the situation very seriously and have implemented immediate and ongoing steps to correct any deficiencies identified by the state, said Larry Hanover, a spokesperson for Main Line Health, in a statement. Strict protocol for administering medication Medication errors are common and can be deadly. Pennsylvania hospitals reported nearly 34,000 medication errors in 2022, according to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System, which logs mistakes and incidents that hospitals are required to report. Of those, 228 were considered serious events, in which the medication error resulted in death or grave injury. READ MORE: A Philly-area woman was severely burned after a Main Line Fertility doctor mistakenly injected acid into her body Thats why hospitals have strict protocol for use of such medications. Like many hospitals, Lankenau uses a computerized medicine cabinet that tracks which medications are removed. If the vial contains more medication than needed, the nurse must eliminate the excess to reach the correct dosage in front of another nurse, according to the state inspection report. Before administering any medication, Lankenaus policy requires nurses to verify that they are removing medication for the correct patient, and confirm the medication name, dosage, strength (which may be different from dosage), and expiration date. The states inspection found that the nurse had not properly documented the vials of hydromorphone that she removed, which led to the double-dose error. Hospital staffers told state inspectors that the nurse admitted the mistake and was removed from the schedule. Hanover declined to say whether the nurse was still employed by Main Line Health. Immediate jeopardy indicates serious safety risks Immediate jeopardy is among the most serious warnings Pennsylvania inspectors can impose, indicating potentially life-threatening safety failures at a state-regulated medical facility. Once flagged for immediate jeopardy, hospitals are required to immediately draft a plan to correct the problem and to prevent it from reoccurring. They risk losing their government Medicare and Medicaid funding, as well as their national accreditation, if they fail to quickly correct the problem. Under Lankenaus plan of correction, nurses on duty the day of the inspection were retrained on how to administer medications and policies for using opioids and other stringently regulated drugs, known as controlled substances. All others were trained before their next shift. Lankenau also said it would conduct 30 observation audits per week for at least 30 days. Administrators said they would continue auditing nurses until they reached 100% compliance. The hospital had met its auditing goals as of Sept. 28, according to the inspection report. Members of the Temple Association of University Professionals gather for a rally on campus at Temple University, on Oct. 10, 2023. The union, which represents more than 2,300 faculty, librarians and academic professionals, will see its contract expire later this month and is planning to negotiate for better pay and more sick time, among other changes. Read more As the unionized faculty at Temple University near the end of their current contract, union members are reflecting on recent labor struggles including the Temple University Graduate Students Association (TUGSA), which won a new contract in March after a monthlong strike. You saw how it was done with TUGSA. You see whats happening all over the country, said Kenneth Ruff, an assistant professor of math and science. They are saying yes, not because theyre handing it out. Its because of the fight. Members of the Temple Association of University Professionals (TAUP) rallied on campus Tuesday during a meeting of Temples board of trustees, five days before their current contract is set to expire. The union, which represents more than 2,300 faculty, librarians, and academic professionals, has been negotiating with administration since Aug. 30. But theres been little progress so far, according to union leadership. Advertisement TAUP president Jeffrey Doshna said the union has made around 30 proposals on noneconomic contract terms, but university administrators have only responded to a couple of them. The next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday at Temples Center City campus. We just need them to engage a little bit more, Doshna said. TAUPs contract is set to expire on Oct. 15. TAUP rejected the universitys offer in July to extend its current contract for 18 months, with salary increases and the same benefits. The union instead is pushing the university to engage in negotiations now, as members seek changes to the sick leave policy, expanded parental leave, and pay increases, among other benefits. We are eager to continue negotiations with TAUP, which we hope will lead to an agreement in the near future, university spokesperson Stephen Orbanek said Tuesday. Orbanek added that the university has more recently proposed an extension through Jan. 16 and is waiting to hear back from TAUP. Its common for unions in higher education to continue bargaining past contract expiration, Doshna noted, adding that strikes are reserved for situations when no progress is being made. I hope it doesnt come to that, Doshna said. I hope us coming here today sends a message to the board of trustees so it doesnt come to that. What Temple faculty are asking for The unions proposals so far have included 15 sick days for all employees under the TAUP contract and a uniform long-term paid sick leave policy. The current sick leave policy which the union also tried to eliminate in 2019 says employees can be disciplined for using more than six sick days, even though theyre granted 10 per year, and their unused time rolls over year-to-year. The policy was paused in 2020 for the pandemic. It was a bad and dangerous policy before the pandemic and it remains a bad and dangerous policy now, said Josue Hurtado, a librarian on campus. Its particularly challenging for TAUP employees who work on an hourly basis, such as librarians, Hurtado added. The union is also seeking expanded parental leave and more transparency into Temples budget, including salary transparency, as well as increased job security by way of multi-semester contracts for adjuncts and multiyear contracts for non-tenure-track faculty. TAUP also wants pay increases, but Doshna declined to discuss specifics of the unions economic asks, as members are still discussing those proposals. The [teachers] who made a larger impact were also the ones who were more invested in their careers, said Rimun Murad, a non-tenure-track assistant professor in writing, reflecting on his own education. This is achievable only through equity and fair compensation. Negotiating in a difficult time Orbanek said Temples request to extend TAUPs current contract until January is meant to provide the university with stability during what has been a difficult time. Just last month, the universitys acting president, Joanne Epps, died suddenly. Epps was a longtime leader at Temple, having also served as law school dean and provost, and she spent nearly four decades working at the university. READ MORE: From Cheltenham to Temple and all stops in between, JoAnne A. Epps made people feel special, important, and seen Epps had replaced Jason Wingard, who resigned as president in March. His resignation came after the faculty union planned to hold a vote of no confidence against Wingard, provost Gregory N. Mandel, and Mitchell Morgan, chair of the board of trustees. At the start of Tuesdays rally, Doshna asked the crowd to recognize a moment of silence for Epps. While a university president isnt typically physically present at the bargaining table, they set the tone for negotiations, Doshna said. Epps had set the right tone, he added. But, he said, its unclear to the union whether the new acting president, Richard M. Englert, will continue that. 1 - Credit: Magnolia Pictures The new documentary Joan Baez I Am a Noise, arriving in theaters nationwide on Oct. 13, examines the life and work of Joan Baez, a folk legend and renowned activist who emerged as a powerful voice for change during the 1960s counterculture movement. Born in Staten Island, New York, to a Mexican father and Scottish mother, Baez has released over 30 albums of music, a collection of her own songs, and poignant covers, and she famously sang We Shall Overcome at the 1963 March on Washington. Baez also performed at Woodstock, was arrested a number of times for protesting the Vietnam War, has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, is a vocal proponent of prison reform, and campaigned against the Iraq War. More from Rolling Stone Directed by Miri Navasky, Karen OConnor, and Maeve OBoyle, Joan Baez I Am a Noise is an intimate exploration of Baez, comprised of interviews, artwork, home videos, diary entries, and even tapes of her in therapy, capturing one of the most important voices in the American musical canon. Baez is also known for her association with Bob Dylan. The two met in 1961, with Baez recording some of his songs and having him join her onstage during performances, giving an early boost to his burgeoning music career. A romantic relationship ensued until the two split following his legendary 1965 tour of the U.K., which proved too chaotic for Baez. The unraveling of their union is captured a bit in D.A. Pennebakers 1967 documentary Dont Look Back. We didnt know that [Baez] played such a huge role in launching Bob Dylan out into the music world, the filmmaking trio tells Rolling Stone. But we also didnt know the complicated role that politics played in their relationship. Joan wanted Dylan to show up at marches and be more political, but it just wasnt his interest. While it was devastating for her at the time, now shes simply grateful. He spent that time writing the beautiful songs we used, Baez told us. And she was sorry that she demanded so much of him. It simply wasnt who he was or who he wanted to be. Story continues In the following clip from Joan Baez I Am a Noise, which you can view exclusively at Rolling Stone, Baez opens up about why she left Dylan following his U.K. tour: Following the demise of their relationship, the two wrote a number of songs about each other. Baez composed To Bobby (her nickname for Dylan), Diamonds & Rust, and Winds of the Old Days. Dylan has been cagey about which songs of his are about Baez, though Baez had said she believes that Like a Rolling Stone and Visions of Johanna were inspired by her. Joan told us that she has only gratitude now for the time she and Bob Dylan had together, the filmmakers say. She told us this story: One day she was painting his portrait, and she put on his music and cried for a long time. Then all of the resentment, and whatever was lingering, just completely evaporated: Im happy that I was there when I was there. Im happy that I was able to sing his songs. And Im happy that Ill be associated with him for the rest of my life. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. A retired Campbell Soup Co. employee who helped break racial barriers at the companys flagship plant in downtown Camden, Daisy Riley began celebrating her 100th birthday last week in grand style in her Parkside neighborhood. Although she never believed she would reach this milestone, Riley has embraced her new status as a centenarian and credits healthy living and daily meditations with God for her longevity. I dont even feel like Im 100. I know I am, she said during an interview. I say Lord, I thank you! Wearing a rhinestone-studded tiara and a sash, Riley was heralded on the stoop of her rowhouse on Haddon Avenue with a convoy led by a Camden fire truck, sirens blaring. Riley, known by nearly everyone in the neighborhood as the Queen, smiled and waved as motorists honked their horns. Passersby shouted greetings. Advertisement Shes a blessing, a nice lady, said Aleta Goodwater, 58, a school crossing guard walking by on her way to her post. A fixture in Camden for more than 80 years and the matriarch of a large family, Riley is beloved by generations of children in her neighborhood where she gave out peach and vanilla ice cream. Born on Oct. 3, 1923, in Wadley, Ga., Riley recalled how she played with mud pies growing up with two brothers and a sister. In 1942 when she was 18, she moved to Philadelphia, following relatives who migrated here. A few months later, she moved to Camden, where she landed a job at Campbell Soup Co. during World War II. READ MORE: Heaven can wait: How the super-centenarians live Among the first Black women hired on Jan. 14, 1943, in the soup manufacturers plant on the Delaware River, Riley endured the sting of racism. Because men were deployed to fight the war, the plant was largely operated by women. The plant produced rations for soldiers. They werent hiring any Black women at that time, Riley recalled. I broke the ice. Riley said her white coworkers refused to sit with her in the lunchroom, where a platter cost 25 cents, so she ate alone. They also banned her from using the same bathroom facilities, she said. It was really rough. They treated me terribly, Riley said. Those white girls didnt want me there. Riley said conditions improved when more Black women were hired. She worked the production line for more than 18 years, making lids for soup cans, and in the canned division packing soup into cases. At the start, she was earning 51 cents an hour. I got $25 for my first paycheck. I thought I had some money, Riley said with a smile. Working in the plant could be grueling, standing for eight-hour morning or afternoon shifts, grabbing cans as they moved down a conveyor belt. It was noisy and hot in the factory. But Riley said she loved working there, especially helping other Black employees get hired. She brought Campbells products home to her children especially Swanson TV dinners and Pepperidge Farm cookies. We were the Campbells kids, joked her daughter, Alicia Riley, 63, a Camden teacher. Her mother never remarried after she divorced. Eventually, Daisy Riley was sent to work in the kitchen, preparing meals for Campbell executives in the companys headquarters. She retired with 43 years of service on Jan. 1, 1986. (She recalls the exact date and day of the week for most life events.) After retiring from Campbells, Riley was a lunch aide at then-John Whittier Elementary School in Camden and Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken. She later worked at the Adventure Aquarium and would take neighborhood children like Yaniece Spencer to the waterfront attraction. She has been a pillar on our block all of my life, said Spencer. Im glad to know Ms. Daisy and I look forward to more years of her wisdom. Riley has resided in the same neatly-kept rowhouse since 1966. She fondly recalls Camdens glory days, shopping on Broadway, a once-bustling strip downtown dotted with markets, movie theaters and Lit Brothers, a popular department store based in Philadelphia. READ MORE: More of us are living past 100; here's how to join the club Riley lives with her daughter, but maintains her independence as much as possible. She begins every day with prayer and meditation, prepares her own breakfast and gets fully dressed with her hair meticulously coiffed. She stopped driving several years ago after undergoing three cornea transplants. She had a double-knee replacement, too, but walks without a cane. I dont know where that cane is. Im driving Miss Daisy these days, quipped her daughter. Known for her stylish dress, Riley has been a highly sought after senior model for fashion shows. She is the founder and Queen Mother of the Ladies of Royalty Chapter of the Red Hat Society, a social group for women over 50. She also started a travel group, Traveling with Miss Daisy, in 1995, organizing trips to Europe, as well as cruises and cross-country bus trips. Im the Queen, she proudly proclaimed. Riley faithfully attends First Nazarene Baptist Church where she has been a member for 72 years. She is the oldest member and has served under four pastors. She sang with the senior and gospel choirs and was president of the usher board. She stopped ushering during the pandemic. On Sunday, the congregation gave Riley a standing ovation during a presentation by the Rev. DyheimT. Watson to honor her birthday. Riley was overcome with emotion as she marched down the aisle to the altar. Watson presented her with a plaque and $100 a dollar for every year. Her extended family, which includes five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, has planned additional festivities later this week. Thank God, Hallelujah! she said. A correctional officer at the troubled Chester County Prison has been charged with smuggling and selling drugs in the facility, District Attorney Deborah Ryan said Tuesday. Antoine Williams, 27, of Philadelphia, was charged with multiple felony counts of drug distribution and related offenses. Williams was released on $150,000 unsecured bail meaning that he was not required to pay anything as long as he did not violate his bail conditions. His next court date is Oct. 18. The defendant was hired as [a] correctional officer to uphold the law and keep order in the prison, but he completely violated his position of authority. No one is above the law, Ryan said in a statement. Prison procedures led to the discovery of the distribution of illegal substances and as soon as it was confirmed, staff gathered information on how it could have entered the prison, Acting Warden Howard Holland said in a statement. Advertisement That information was immediately turned over to the Chester County detectives for investigation. I am proud of the team here at the prison for acting quickly on this matter, Holland said. The prison drew international attention after convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante escaped on Aug. 31 and led law enforcement on a two-week manhunt. Cavalcante was able to climb up to the roof to escape; another inmate used a similar method to escape in May, but was captured moments later. READ MORE: A step-by-step look at Danilo Cavalcantes escape, search, and capture In a news release, Ryan described the investigation of Williams that began in June: An inmate told a correctional officer that Williams had been smuggling drugs into the prison and hiding them in small trash bag rolls. The inmate alleged that his former cellmate bought Suboxone from Williams, who was paid through a mobile app. That same day, a search of a cell block at the prison yielded trash bags in the former cellmates cell, Ryan said. The former cellmate submitted a urine sample and tested positive for buprenorphine, also known by the brand-name Suboxone. Two days later, another inmate told a lieutenant at the prison that Williams was smuggling and selling drugs in the facility, and that Williams allegedly used the former cellmate to distribute the drugs to other inmates. Security video later showed Williams with a roll of toilet paper and trash bags and placing the trash bags on cell bars, according to Ryan. The investigation allegedly found that Williams was using the mobile payment app and there were nine different accounts connected to him. He received payments ranging from $50 to $400, Ryan said. The news release did not say whether Williams was fired. Court records did not list a lawyer representing Williams. Philadelphia police investigate the scene of a shooting during which a Philadelphia Water Department employee was shot inside a store at 2300 Oakford Street. Read more U.S. Marshals on Wednesday arrested a 22-year-old Philadelphia man who police say killed a Philadelphia Streets department worker last month and had been on the run since. At about 6:30 a.m. U.S. Marshals arrested Senaaj Jackson on the 2400 block of Arlington Street in North Philadelphia, after learning he was visiting a family member at a residence there, the agency said in a statement. U.S. Marshals surrounded the house, knocked on the door, and arrested Jackson without incident. Jackson had been on the run since Sept. 7, when police say he shot and killed Masir Williams, 21, a Philadelphia Streets Department worker, at a corner store in South Philadelphia after Williams stopped in for a bottle of water before work. Williams was shot in the back during an argument inside the store, Philadelphia police said. Advertisement Jackson was in police custody awaiting charges and processing. He is expected to be charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment of a person, and related crimes, a spokesperson for the District Attorneys Office said. About 8:44 a.m. on Sept. 7, three Streets Department employees, including Williams, arrived at 23rd and Oakford Streets to work in the area, police said. As the crew arrived, Williams got out of the vehicle and went into a corner store to buy water and other items before the start of his day. While in the store, Williams got into a fight with another man, who pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the back, police said. Williams was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than two hours later, police said. He had worked for six months at the Streets Department. Palestinians walk through the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on Tuesday. Gazan civilians who object to Hamas authoritarian rule have no avenue to challenge it, and are now at the mercy of Hamas war and Israels bombs, writes Trudy Rubin. Read more As Israel relentlessly bombs Gaza and moves troops toward the border, it is hard to predict how the war with Hamas terrorists will end. The scenes of carnage in Israeli towns and villages near the Gaza border 900 dead, including scores of families with small children executed in cold blood; young women dragged off as hostages, some with babies; and 260 young people gunned down at a music concert have horrified Israel and much of the world. This was an ISIS-style slaughter. Yet the challenges confronting Israel in its expressed goal of smashing Hamas are mammoth. The terrorist group and other militants are holding around 150 Israelis hostage in Gaza and have threatened to kill them if the bombing continues. The war could expand to the occupied West Bank and to Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants, backed by Iran, have 150,000 missiles pointed at Israel. And hanging over this crisis is a question about whether the current Israeli government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, can handle this immense challenge, after the incomprehensible intelligence and security failures that enabled Hamas to invade. Advertisement Below are a few questions Ive had from readers that Im mulling over in my own mind, along with answers based on conversations with Israelis, conference calls, and my own experiences in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza over several decades. How could this disaster have happened? Israel suffered an unimaginable security failure. Egyptian intelligence officials say their Israeli counterparts ignored repeated warnings that something big was about to happen with Gaza. Netanyahus office denies this, but Hamas training operations near the Gaza border fence, prior to the attack, were apparently dismissed as unimportant. No one [in the government] was willing to see that they were practicing, said Nimrod Novik, an Israeli Mideast expert who advised former Prime Minister Shimon Peres and is a board member of the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia. Meantime, he said, Eighty percent of the Israeli standing army was deployed policing the West Bank, which government ministers seek to annex. That meant only a handful of depleted units were guarding the Gaza border and were easily overrun. Why did Hamas attack now, and what was its goal? Most experts concur that a main goal was to disrupt a potential U.S.-led deal to normalize diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Iran, a key backer of Hamas, sees such an agreement as a threat because, if it ever went through, it would bring the Saudis U.S. security guarantees, weapons, and possibly nuclear technology. And it would offer the Palestinians very little. However, Hamas had bigger goals. Taking hostages gives Hamas bargaining chips to exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Moreover, its military success boosts its prestige on the West Bank, which it dreams of taking over when the 86-year-old Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas who heads the anti-Hamas Fatah faction exits the scene. And it no doubt hopes that Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon will ultimately join the war. Meantime, the Netanyahu government has undermined and blocked funds to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, whose police force helps Israeli forces put down Hamas terrorists there. Israeli media blame this paradox on the fact that unlike Hamas, which wants to destroy Israel, the PA supports a two-state solution that Netanyahu opposes. Why do Gazans support Hamas? Not all have in the past. Hamas won only a third of the vote in the 2006 Palestinian elections mostly because voters were angry at Fatah corruption but a bizarre election system gave it a majority of parliamentary seats. Hamas then seized total power by military force in Gaza in 2007. Israel has maintained a land, sea, and air blockade on Gaza ever since, creating a virtual prison in which unemployed young men are all too easily drawn to a violent Islamist movement that rejects Israels right to exist. Those Gazan civilians who object to Hamas authoritarian rule have no avenue to challenge it. They are now at the mercy of Hamas war and Israels bombs. Can Israel destroy Hamas militarily? Unclear. Israel has tried several times before with bomb strikes and limited military incursions. Each time, Hamas has bounced back. Previous Israeli governments have sought to avoid being dragged into a long-lasting, dangerous ground war in a tiny strip thats 25 miles long and between three and seven miles wide. A place thats crowded with two million people and where streets and alleyways have been booby-trapped. Israel does not want to be trapped into reoccupying Gaza as it was trapped in southern Lebanon for 20 years. What is the best possible outcome? And can the United States help? First, it would be best if a wider war could be avoided. Second, if Arab mediators, such as Qatar (which provides Hamas with funds to run its government), could negotiate a prisoner exchange. And third, if the Netanyahu government can pursue a military strategy that includes a viable long-term vision for dealing with Gaza and the West Bank. Right now, all of the above look doubtful. The first may be possible if Iran can be convinced that a wider war will boomerang on Tehran. As for the second, Hamas has said there will be no prisoner exchange until the war ends. But the third is the most problematic, as Israel faces one of the greatest challenges in its history. At this writing, Netanyahu is still resisting the formation of a national unity government with opposition parties, as has been the norm during previous wars. Such a cabinet is essential to convince much of the country that its leaders wont repeat the failures that enabled this disaster. U.S. assistance with weapons or intelligence or diplomacy can only be useful if the Israeli government has both a short- and long-term strategy to succeed. Yet Netanyahu refuses, so far, to meet opposition demands that he sideline his most radical, reckless cabinet ministers who could push Israel toward a self-defeating expansion of the war deep into Gaza and the West Bank. One can only hope that, somehow, wiser heads will prevail. Qabil Ashirov Middle Corridor, playing out from the Far East to Europe, is an important and promising mega project that will shape the future of the region. The current geopolitical situation ramped up the significance of the Corridor. China and many European countries are keen on increasing the load capacity and speed of the corridor. Fortunately, the South Caucasus is situated in the heart of the corridor, and Azerbaijan and Georgia are irreplaceable parts of this transport segment. The two Caucasian fraternal countries do their best to complete all infrastructure works located on the corridor to increase the load capacity and speed. The issue was one of the main topics on the agenda of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs visit to Tbilisi. The construction of the Anaklia deep-water port, the completion of the East-West road, and other issues were voiced in the press conference within the framework of the visit. Speaking to Azernews on the issue, expert on transport issues Rauf Agamirzayev said that the construction of the port of Anaklia as a deep-water port on the Eastern Coast of the Black Sea was planned even during the time of the Soviet Union, and then it was actively put on the agenda during the years of independence. He stressed that the construction of this port could have a very positive economic impact on the region as a whole. Because this deep water port will bring new opportunities. The annual turnover of the port alone is 80-100 million tons, and it is planned to handle up to one million containers. It means berthing of Panamax-type ships (which can carry 10,000 containers at the same time), which in turn will increase the attractiveness of the corridor. However, blocking the construction of the port has had political aspects. However, the construction of this port was tabled once again in a complicated period. Because Russia is under sanctions and traditional roads are blocked, alternative roads and the elimination of bottlenecks on these roads are on the agenda. The port construction budget should be equal to $2.5bn. Probably, not only Georgia but also its partners can participate in this construction. There are countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the UAE, China, etc., which are interested in the construction of this port. Georgia should make a choice so that investors can actively participate in it, he noted. Rauf Agamirzayev told that Azerbaijan has a port, Kulevi terminal, on the Black Sea. The terminal is the final point of the Baku-Supsa pipeline. He noted that its expansion project is also tabled because Kazakhstan wants to diversify oil export through Azerbaijan's pipeline system to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Kazakhstan's main export pipeline is a pipeline from the CPC (Caspian Pipeline Consortioum) that stretched from Tengiz field in the north of the Caspian Sea to Novorossiysk. They expressed their desire to diversify it. For this, additional work should be done in order to use the existing infrastructural means that we already have, as well as to increase the volume in the future. Construction of oil terminals in ports in Kazakhstan and expansion of existing terminals in Azerbaijan are on the agenda, Raul Agamirzayev said. The transport pundit touched on the highways and railways and pointed out that most of the East-West highway has already been built and upgraded to four lanes. In Azerbaijan, a part of the last 27 km is left in the Gazakh district. However, on the Georgian side, there are more works in comparison with Azerbaijan. He underlined that it is likely that the handover will be completed by the end of next year with the completion of many parts and completion in 2025. Meanwhile, reconstruction works on the Azerbaijan railway segment have been completed. Electric current has been finished from Ujar to Beyuk Kesik and continues from Ujar to Baku. As for Georgia, the modernization of the railways has been carried out since 2012 and will be completed in 2024. It is worth noting the modernization of railways will double the capacity for transporting goods. The modernization project involves the construction of six tunnels, including the longest in the South Caucasus, the Kvisheti-Zvare tunnel with a length of more than 8 km, R. Agamirzayev added. If youre outside Saturday and notice the day darkening around noon only to look up and see the moon taking a big bite out of the sun its not some cataclysmic event but a solar eclipse. The ring of fire annular eclipse will be visible in the western half of the country, cutting a path from Oregon, to Nevada and Utah, over the Four Corners area of the Southwest and then through New Mexico and Texas. Kentuckians can still get a partial look at the eclipse. About 40-60% of the suns face will be covered depending on where you are in the Bluegrass State. Heres what to know about the eclipse, where you can get the best views of it in Kentucky and how to observe this uncommon astrological event safely. What is a solar eclipse? As explained by NASA, a solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and Earth align, either fully or partially. Depending on how they line up, eclipses provide a rare and unique look at either the sun or the moon. In the case of a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, projecting a shadow onto the Earths surface that can partially or completely block out the suns rays in some areas. The path of totality is the track of that shadow across the Earths surface during an eclipse. A screenshot of a solar eclipse visualization from NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center NASA Goddard Space Flight Center There are several different types of solar eclipses, including partial, total, annular and hybrid eclipses. The eclipse happening Saturday is an annular eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth while the moon is further away from the Earth. Because the moon is on the farther end of its elliptical path, it will appear smaller and unable to completely cover the sun. Instead of seeing the suns shimmering outer atmosphere called the corona like you would during a total solar eclipse, viewers in the eclipses path of totality will see a solid ring of fire, which is why its called an annular solar eclipse. A screenshot of a photograph capturing an annular eclipse. The eclipse occurred during the 2012 Hinode mission. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Where and when is the best eclipse viewing in Kentucky Saturday? The annular eclipse anticipated Oct. 14, 2023 will appear as a partial eclipse for observers in Kentucky, where 40 to 50% of the sun will be covered by the moon. Photo credit: Great American Eclipse. Great American Eclipse Eclipse viewers in Kentucky will generally have a better view from the farthest southwest corner of the state. Story continues In Lexington, weather permitting, the eclipse here will appear as a partial solar eclipse, as explained by University of Kentucky astrophysics and astronomy professor Thomas Troland, who wrote in response Monday to a Herald-Leader query via email. The eclipse will be a partial eclipse seen in Lexington, that is, at mid eclipse (1:06 p.m. in Lexington) about half of the suns disk will be covered by the moon. The eclipse begins at 11:42 a.m. (moon begins to move in front of the sun), and it ends at 2:34 p.m. (moon moves completely away from the sun), Troland told the Herald-Leader. Farther south, in Bowling Green, up to 60% of the suns visible surface will be covered during the eclipse, according to Chris Chandler, with Western Kentucky Universitys Hardin Planetarium. A partial eclipse will begin in Bowling Green at 10:38 a.m. (central) and will continue until 1:34 p.m. The moon will reach maximum coverage at 12:04 p.m., but will only cover 60% of the suns apparent surface, Chandler told the Herald-Leader in an email Monday. If you want to see the moon completely line up with the sun on that day, youll have to go far southwest of Kentucky. But even if you did go there, the moon would not appear to totally cover the sun; it would look like it fits inside the disc of the sun, leaving a bright ring of light around the moon, Chandler wrote. Saturdays eclipse also presents an opportunity for WKU students representing the Ogden College of Science and Engineering, the Potter College of Arts and Letters and the WKU XR Lab, who will test an app they designed to sketch the shape of the sun. To do this, they will travel to Odessa, Texas. According to Gordon Emslie, a professor of physics and astronomy at WKU, the students project could have broader scientific implications. The app is programmed to take pictures of the eclipsed sun when the moons limb is nearly coincident with that of the sun. This will reveal flashes of light known as Bailys Beads, formed when the sunlight passes through valleys between the lunar mountains. Precise timing of the Baily Bead flashes from phones at different locations along the eclipse path, combined with knowledge of the lunar profile during the eclipse, will allow the shape of the sun to be very precisely determined, with implications for understanding of interior flows and perhaps even different theories of gravity, Emslie told the Herald-Leader in an email Monday. How to watch the eclipse safely In Lexington, the eclipse will begin Saturday at 11:42 a.m., reach its peak at 1:06 p.m. and end at 2:34 p.m., according to Date and Time, an online world clock. The entire event will last for almost three hours. However, to observe the eclipse safely without damaging your eyes, you need to use true solar protective film or solar glasses, which you can buy online. Alternatively, you can make one at home with materials from around the house, such as aluminum foil and cardboard. The video below offers instructions for how to do it. What other astronomical events are coming up? April 8, 2024, will bring a much anticipated total solar eclipse visible across the U.S., with the path of totality passing through Kentuckys far western corner. Totality for this upcoming eclipse will last for four minutes and 27 seconds, which is almost double that of the Great American Eclipse in August of 2017 witnessed by 20 million people. Next year, there will also be a penumbral lunar eclipse visible from Lexington. I think where we [traditional insurers and mutuals] definitely are all on the same page is we have got to stop kicking the can down the road by just talking about the price of the premium, she said. Its in everybodys interests because insurers of businesses have to be profitable whether theyre mutual or not. Over his career, Barry has fostered strong long-term relationships with many across the industry, enabling him to work collaboratively and achieve great customer outcomes on even the most complex and technical coverage situations, Hillman said. He has also dedicated his time to mentoring and developing colleagues, building their technical knowledge and soft skills, so they can forge their own successful paths. Its this commitment to his customers and the broader insurance community that ensured Barry stood out, and were proud to recognise his efforts alongside NIBA. According to the release, she said there were a number of interested parties but ABICO was the perfect choice to take care of long-term clients, due partly to the firms location. In this dynamic era, when data steers our choices, its crucial for the insurance industry to remain informed, proactive and tactical, said Paul Martin, director of academic content for the National Alliance. The report not only captures the current industry sentiments, but also provides a roadmap for the future. It encapsulates the evolving storyline of insurance, fueled by data, insights, and modern technology. He added: We believe in talent mobility and fair competition for the sake of our colleagues and clients. We also believe in integrity and abiding by contractual obligations. Its not right that others can disregard these standards and treat breaking the law as just another cost of doing business. The court record shows that Howden senior executives acted in blatant disregard for the law by knowingly planning and implementing an unlawful conspiracy. Catastrophes, by their nature, are unprecedented. There are much bigger, broader, and unfortunately sometimes more severe events that can happen in the future, he said. But a lot of the regulation does not allow insurers to even look at the present, let alone the future. Digital technology allows insurers to gather and process large sets of data using connected devices, data analytics, and machine learning. This will allow more holistic and accurate risk assessments and better pricing of risks. Digital solutions can also automate standardized tasks, such as data collection and analysis for underwriting, driving down costs and ultimately leading to lower premiums. Insurers' digital transformation projects are targeting 3% to 8% improvement in loss ratios and savings of 10% to 20% in other parts of the value chain. Customize sub-limits and enhancements to suit the specific needs of each insured Access risk reports detailing exposures identified within an insureds network Establish collaborative teams for remote submission reviews Facilitate policy issuance and enable the download of policy forms We created the CPLG Broker Portal as a way to continue to deliver on our commitment to brokers, while we put a razor-sharp focus on the companys digital priorities, Tokio Marine HCC CPLG president Michael Palotay said. The CPLG Broker Portal cuts the cumbersome workflow for brokers and adds a layer of digital accuracy thats unprecedented. Brokers can self-quote and bind cyber accounts on an intuitive portal that is as robust as it is flexible. We want to make doing business with us quick and convenient an enormous time-saver trifecta for our brokers, customers, and underwriters. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. Integrating compliance solutions into the rest of your technology is the biggest time saver (and risk-reducer!) for compliance teams and their variable lines brokers. Retirement-focused insurance products have driven a rise in dually licensed financial professionals. These pros hold both insurance licenses and have passed Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series exams. Many professionals acquire dual licensure to address federal and state concerns about funds amassed in Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) accounts. Yet, that move comes with what may feel like a more-than-doubled compliance responsibility. For financial professionals like variable lines brokers or insurance-licensed financial advisers, maintaining compliance traditionally takes a huge amount of time for administrative tasks. Meanwhile, increased regulatory scrutiny over products like annuities demands these professionals spend more time with clients and prospects. With this kind of time squeeze, whats a person to do? Its not just individual brokers, producers, and advisers who are in this position. Carriers, MGAs/MGUs, and agencies that take on compliance responsibilities for their contracted partners must tackle both sides of the proverbial house. The unique challenges of variable lines brokers and dually licensed advisers Thanks to regulatory developments from the last decade, financial professionals dealing with retirement funds ERISA funds like 401(k)s and IRAs have to handle regulations from their state department of insurance and the Department of Labor (DOL). If that professional is dually licensed, they also have to follow rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). General carrier duties of best interest annuity compliance Under some of these rules, carriers that sell products like annuities anything that might be funded by ERISA assets like 401(k)s have duties beyond basic license and appointment compliance. Of course, they need to ensure a broker has the appropriate insurance licenses and has the correct exams to sell their products. But they may also have to track data like: whether a broker gave their clients the correct disclosures, whether the broker historically has a high policy replacement rate (and is potentially churning or twisting contracts), or whether a broker or advisers total sales are heavily weighted in one single product. State insurance compliance State laws and department of insurance (DOI) regulations require carriers to only accept business from and pay commissions to licensed producers in good standing. That means carriers should know their brokers insurance license status at all times, or, at a minimum, every time they accept new business or cut a commission check. This isnt easy with brokers who may be selling products across the country and who may have more than 50 insurance licenses to maintain at any given point. Basic securities compliance Like insurance license compliance requirements, securities compliance mandates that carriers and agencies benefiting from variable lines sales must verify their brokers have passed the correct Series exam and are registered to a securities firm. In sum, carriers have to examine both sides of a brokers licensure, as well as fulfill more holistic requirements like anti-fraud, background checks, and annuities scrutiny. Variable lines brokers and the struggle to maintain compliance Variable lines products are notoriously difficult to understand and sell correctly. Its understandable that they come with an extra level of scrutiny. To fulfill this extra level of scrutiny, brokers have to spend more time with clients to make adequate disclosures, or, if using ERISA funds, do a thorough analysis of a clients financial situation. But maintaining the administrative work of compliance will also require a brokers time and attention. When each business submission requires 12 pages of data, thats 12 pages of risk to a broker, 12 pages they can forget or mangle. Why do broker duties matter to carriers? When brokers are squeezed for time and their livelihoods depend on how much business they can submit in a day, they have very real incentives to cut corners. If your brokers have to complete manual paperwork and repetitive data entry as part of your compliance process, thats not just inconvenient. Its a systemic risk. Operationalizing a lower risk variable lines broker compliance process How can carriers, MGAs, MGUs, and agencies avoid the systemic risk that pits variable lines sales against compliance? Automated, integrated compliance is the answer. How? With AgentSync Manage. Lets unpack. Insurance compliance is a difficult beast because of the abundance of state requirements your organization and insurance brokers or producers may have to meet. Seeing data directly from a source of truth is mission critical. If you arent validating your brokers self-reported data against the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), then you may very well be working with faulty (risky) data. AgentSync Manage draws NIPRs rich, comprehensive data into a Scorecard view so you can see at a glance where the trouble spots are regarding your producer or broker licenses and appointments. Variable lines compliance adds complexity because of the FINRA component. AgentSync Manage with enhanced variable lines support gives you a unified view of both insurance and securities data for your brokers. Dont guess whether your brokers gave you the right CRD know with accurate data drawn from the securities industrys source of truth. Unhassle your variable lines brokers Compliance is a hassle for people up and down the distribution chain precisely because it involves re-inputting the same data across multiple systems, double-checking, triple-checking, and then still finding errors later in the process. By validating broker data against both industries sources of truth, you can skip the part where you enter and re-enter inaccurate data, and avoid having to return to your brokers time and time again for repetitive information, forgotten documentation, or updated data. Use integrations to simplify your annuity compliance Your holistic policy outlook is stored in one place. Your commission data lives in a payment system. And your license and appointment compliance data is housed in spreadsheets or possibly a bespoke legacy compliance system. If these systems dont talk to each other, then every compliance check, every commission payment, is a matter of struggling across data silos. AgentSync Manage users often have their license and appointment data drawn across systems via data integrations that give them fullstack visibility. With integrations, your software could automatically validate that your commission is being paid to someone with the proper licenses and appointments, stopping violations before they happen. Policy admin systems with license and appointment integrations can red-flag someone with a history of spotty compliance, giving you the data to protect your organization before something happens, and providing an audit trail in case of a review from a state department of insurance. AgentSync Manage: Solving for compliance before its a problem You can simplify compliance for both internal and external stakeholders by using AgentSync Manage with enhanced variable lines support to get visibility into your brokerforce. Stop waiting for the time crunch to catch up with your team, and use AgentSync Manage to end compliance violations before they happen. To see how AgentSync Manage can help you with your variable lines brokers, request a demo today. The top two leaders of Connecticut State Police will be stepping down in the middle of multiple investigations into whether troopers submitted bogus data on thousands of traffic stops that may have never happened, Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday. State public safety Commissioner James Rovella and Col. Stavros Mellekas, commanding officer of state police, will be retiring next month, the Democratic governor said, adding that they were not being forced out. At a state Capitol news conference, Lamont and Rovella denied the investigations played major roles in the retirements. Mellekas did not attend and did not immediately return an email message seeking comment. Rovella said he and Lamont discussed his retirement plans Tuesday as well as the investigations into the traffic stop data. That wasnt the driving force behind this, Rovella said. Lamont, who began his second four-year term in January, said, So every four years I think its time to have a fresh start, and thats what were going to do with public safety. The governor announced his nominee to succeed Rovella is Ronnell Higgins, former police chief at Yale University who now serves as the school`s associate vice president for public safety and community engagement. Higgins must be confirmed by state lawmakers. Database The information in question was entered into a database that tracks the race and ethnicity of drivers stopped by police, under a Connecticut law aimed at preventing racial profiling. Auditors said the alleged false data was more likely to identify motorists as white, which skewed the race and ethnicity data collected to compile statewide reports. The reports have shown nonetheless that Black and Hispanic drivers are pulled over at disproportionate rates compared with white motorists. In August, the state police union voted no confidence in both Rovella and Mellekas, accusing them of not defending troopers against allegations involving the traffic stop data. Rovella was confirmed by state lawmakers in February 2019 to serve as commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which oversees state police. He`s been in law enforcement for four decades, including as a homicide detective and the chief for Hartford police. Mellekas joined the state police as a trooper in 1994 and worked his way up to become commanding officer in 2019. He previously worked as a police officer at the U.S. Capitol. An audit released by University of Connecticut data analysts in June found a high degree of confidence that troopers submitted false information on citations for at least 25,966 traffic stops, and possibly more than 58,000 stops, that may have never happened from 2014 to 2021. Auditors said information on those stops could not be found in the state`s court system, which handles all traffic violations __ leading to the conclusion that data was likely falsified. Auditors said 130 troopers had significant disparities between the number of citations that were sent to the court system and higher numbers entered into the race and ethnicity database. They said a total of 311 troopers had discrepancies in at least one of the years audited. Intentional or Human Error? The data analysts, however, cautioned that they did not try to determine whether the records were intentionally falsified or were wrong due to carelessness or human error. The Connecticut State Police Union has cautioned against making any conclusions about troopers` conduct before the investigations are complete. It says more than two dozen troopers already have been cleared of wrongdoing in connection with the traffic citation data, and it expects more to be cleared. Union officials have said many discrepancies found in the audit could be due to recordkeeping or data entry errors. Rovella has said he was angry about the false reporting allegations. He previously said the department had taken steps to guard against troopers submitting bogus ticket information to pad their numbers and curry favor with supervisors after four troopers were disciplined for falsifying tickets. Lamont touted Higgins for his work in reducing crime at Yale and his efforts in improving relationships between the community and police. Higgins would be the second Black person to serve as public safety commissioner, following the late Reuben Bradford, who retired in 2014. Higgins, who was at Wednesday`s news conference, said he will be getting himself up to speed on the traffic citation investigations. He also will be choosing a successor to Mellekas. Im looking forward to learning actually what happened, how it happened and how I can be a part of it never happening again, he said. Associated Press writer Susan Haigh in New London, Connecticut, contributed to this report. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Connecticut The World Food Programme said Tuesday it had partially resumed distributing food aid in Ethiopia, after halting assistance four months ago over the diversion of supplies. The UN agency said the aid was intended only for the country's almost 900,000 refugees living in camps. The World Food Programme (WFP) and US agency USAID halted food aid to Africa's second most populous country in June after discovering supplies were not reaching those in need, raising fears that millions of Ethiopians would be left starving. Around 17 percent of the country's 120 million people depend on food aid. Last week USAID said it had resumed food aid to refugees in around 30 camps. Refugee camps in Ethiopia Most refugees in Ethiopia are from Somalia, Eritrea, and South Sudan. Around 35,000 have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan in recent months. "Families living in refugee camps across five regions, including new arrivals who have fled from Sudan, are receiving food parcels for the first time since WFP paused food distributions in June," WFP assistant executive director Valerie Guarnieri, said. It followed "a full revamp of the safeguards and controls in its refugee operations," the WFP added. "Refugee food security has deteriorated in the past months, leading to increased malnutrition, heightened tensions around the camps and even unsafe journeys back across the border. (with AFP) Read more on RFI English Read also: Ethiopia conflict at a 'national scale' according to UN investigators Ethiopia unveils joint Saudi probe into alleged migrant killings US, UN halt food aid to Ethiopia's Tigray over diverted shipments The main mast of a historic excursion vessel splintered and fell onto the vessel`s deck Monday, killing one person and injuring three others aboard the schooner Grace Bailey, officials said. A nearby Coast Guard vessel began evacuating the injured passengers within minutes of the mast`s catastrophic failure and collapse on the deck, which occurred while the schooner was returning from a four-day cruise, the vessel`s owner said in a statement. One person died from injuries and three people were transported to hospitals Monday, the Rockland Fire Department said. A helicopter transported one of the injured, while the other two were transported to a local hospital, fire officials said. Charlie Weidman, owner of Charlie`s Marine Service, was first on the scene at 10: 26 a.m., shortly after the initial mayday, to find CPR was already being performed on one victim while another victim had a head injury and two others had crush and spinal injuries, said Weidman, a trained emergency medical technician who pulled alongside and went aboard to assist. It is an unforeseen circumstance, Weidman said Monday afternoon. No one trains to have a giant mast break on a schooner. Everyone acted with professionalism. Everyone was doing the best they could with the gifts that they had. Afterward, Weidman towed the schooner to Rockland Harbor. The Grace Bailey is part of the states so-called windjammer fleet, a collection of sailing vessels that take people on excursions up and down the coast. It was not known how many passengers were aboard when the mast collapsed. My crew and I are devastated by this mornings accident, especially since the safety of our guests is always our biggest priority. Most importantly, we are beyond heartbroken that we lost a dear friend, the vessel`s captain, Sam Sikkema, said in a statement. The schooners operators said they had no idea why the mast failed. The Coast Guard will conduct a full investigation into the incident, they said. No names of the victims were released. The Grace Bailey had posted images on social media earlier in the trip, including an image the day before of passengers carving pumpkins on the vessel. The Grace Bailey`s overall length is 118 feet long (36 meters) and it can carry 29 passengers, according to its official website. It was built in Long Island, New York, in 1882. Photo:This photo provided by Kurt Schleicher shows the schooner Grace Bailey with its main mast broken off the coast of Rockland, Maine, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. (Kurt Schleicher via AP) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Maine Spanish airline Air Europa has suffered a cyberattack on its online payment system that let some of its customers credit card details exposed, the company said on Tuesday. The airline emailed customers whose credit card details were affected and notified the relevant financial institutions, it added. It did not specify the number of customers affected, nor did it estimate the financial impact of the cyberattack. The company said no other information had been exposed. There is no evidence that the breach was ultimately used to commit fraud, the airline said. An email received by an Air Europa customer and seen by Reuters on Tuesday advised that the card used to pay on the Air Europa website should be canceled and replaced to prevent possible fraudulent use of your information following the incident. Spanish consumer association OCU recommended that users who receive the email follow Air Europas advice and called on the countrys data protection watchdog to investigate when the cyberattack occurred as unauthorized use of the exposed cards could pre-date the companys alert. In 2021, the airline was fined for its mishandling of another breach that affected 489,000 customers in 2018, the OCU said in a statement. Air Europa reported that incident 41 days after it happened, whereas companies are required to do so within 72 hours. Madrid-based Air Europa is in the process of being taken over by British Airways-owner International Consolidated Airlines Group ICAG.L. (Reporting by Corina Pons, editing by Inti Landauro and Louise Heavens) Topics Cyber Aviation A subsea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea have been damaged in what may have been a deliberate act, the Finnish government said on Tuesday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO was sharing its information over the damage and stands ready to support the allies concerned. Finland joined the military alliance in April, while Estonia has been a member since 2004. The Balticconnector gas pipeline was shut early on Sunday on concerns that gas was leaking from a hole in the 77-km (48-mile) pipeline. Finnish operator Gasgrid said it could take months or more to repair. Re/Insurers Grapple With How to Respond to Claims From Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts It is likely that damage to both the gas pipeline and the communication cable is the result of outside activity. The cause of the damage is not yet clear, the investigation continues in cooperation between Finland and Estonia, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a statement on Tuesday. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the damage to the pipeline was worrying, but that Finlands energy supply remained stable and that the damage to the telecommunications cable did not affect Finlands overall connectivity. It is too early to draw conclusions on who or what caused the damage, Orpo told a press conference. Gas accounts for 5% of Finlands energy supply, he added. Finnish telecommunications operator Elisa, which operates the damaged cable, told Reuters the distance from the cable to the Balticconnector pipeline was significant, but declined to comment on the exact length between them. The damage to the gas pipeline was believed to have taken place in Finnish waters, while the telecoms cable breach was in Estonian waters, Finnish authorities said. Prior to the war in Ukraine, some of the gas transported by the Balticconnector came via pipeline from neighboring Russia, but Finland has since year stopped importing Russian pipeline gas. Norwegian seismology institute Norsar said on Tuesday it had identified a probable explosion close to the location of the pipeline in the Baltic Sea at around the time of the outage early on Sunday, but said there was significant uncertainty in the data and that more analysis was required. The indication of an explosion came from data collected at seismic stations along the Finnish coast, Norsar said. Deliberate or Accidental? A spokesperson for the Finnish defense forces said it did currently not see any military threat against Finland. The Finnish bureau of investigation has initiated an investigation into the external damage to the pipeline. We are still verifying if the damage is caused deliberately or accidentally, the bureau said, though it added that the size of the damage was such that it indicated deliberate action. Causing this kind of damage to the pipeline requires special knowledge, the Finnish national bureau of investigation said. This act could not have been done by an ordinary person, Detective Inspector Timo Kilpelainen told reporters. The Balticconnector runs to a depth of 100 meters (328 feet) at its deepest point, according to operator Gasgrid. European gas prices rose on Tuesday afternoon following the news, with the benchmark front-month Dutch contract touching TRNLTTFMc1 49.75 euros ($52.72) a megawatt hour (MWh) according to LSEG data, its highest level for six months. Prices were already up on Tuesday due to fears over tensions in the Middle East but expectations that outside activity caused the pipeline damage pushed prices in the nervous market higher. The Finnish government said repairs would take months, and that the cost of gas in Finland could slightly increase over the winter as a result of the leak but that electricity prices would likely not be affected significantly. The fall in pipeline pressure was quite fast, which would indicate its not a minor breach. But the cause of it remains unclear, said a Baltic energy official with knowledge of the situation, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. The pipeline between Inkoo in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia crosses the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea that stretches eastwards into Russian waters and ends at the port of St Petersburg. Nord Stream In 2022, the larger Nord Stream gas pipelines which cross the Baltic Sea between Russia and Germany were damaged by explosions that authorities have said were deliberate acts of sabotage. North Sea Nations to Develop Critical Infrastructure Security Pact The Nord Stream blasts were of a much greater magnitude than the signals from Sundays data indicated, Norsar said. The Balticconnector pipeline opened in December 2019 to help integrate gas markets in the region, giving Finland and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania more flexibility of supply. Elering and Gasgrid have both said they did not anticipate shortages of gas even if the pipeline were to remain inoperable during winter. Lithuanian gas system operator Amber Grid said Latvias Incukalns gas storage has switched from storing gas to pumping it out immediately after the Balticconnector damage, in order to supply Estonia. Finland last year leased a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG), replacing supplies from Russia which were cut in the wake of Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Much of Finlands LNG imports come from the United States, LSEG data shows. Situated at Inkoo, the Exemplar FSRU vessel has supplied gas to Estonia via the Balticconnector. (Its) not a big deal for Estonia and Latvia because a lot of their gas is stored in Latvian storage, but Finns will not be able to get their gas from Latvian storage, said a source with direct knowledge of Baltic gas supplies. Finland has a second LNG import terminal in Hamina, and the continuity of gas supply is secured in the coming winter season, national operator Gasgrid said in a statement. ($1 = 0.9437 euros) (Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo, Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, Anna Ringstrom in Stockholm, Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, Marta Frackowiak in Gdansk, Louise Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Susanna Twidale in London; Julia Payne and Bart Meijer in Brussels; editing by Gwladys Fouche, Susan Fenton, Jonathan Oatis and Sharon Singleton) Photograph: A view of the Vessel FSRU Exemplar, the floating liquefied natural gas LNG terminal chartered by Finland to replace Russian gas, at the port in Inkoo, Finland, on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP, File) Activity at Israels ports is slowing after Saturdays attacks by Islamist group Hamas on towns close to Gaza, with the cost of insurance premiums for Israeli shipments soaring amid tightening supplies of food stocks, according to sources and data. Israels southern coastal city of Ashkelon, which has a small port well in range of Hamas rockets, is not allowing ships to enter, shipping sources said. While the main Israeli ports of Ashdod further up the coast and Haifa in the north, remain open, shipping and maritime security companies are reviewing their operations for Israel, industry sources said. Israeli ports are deemed to be at heightened risk, said Noah Trowbridge, with British maritime risk advisory and security company Dryad Global. With continuous rocket barrages expected from Gaza, alongside the potential for a protracted conflict, the damage to port infrastructure becomes increasingly probable. Ashdod port said workers continued to work regularly despite the emergency situation. The ports berths are open as much as needed and we are offering a response to meet all Israels needs, Ashdod port said in a statement. German container shipping company Hapag Lloyd told Reuters that Ashdod port had imposed restrictions on the loading or discharging of dangerous cargo, which includes flammable, explosive or toxic substances, adding that the company was monitoring its shipping services to Israel. Shipbroker BRS said security had been stepped up at Israeli ports, adding that the principal threat to shipping coming into Israel was from rockets fired from Gaza and from hostile forces on the ground in Israel after Hamas fighters infiltrated the country. Since Gaza has a coastline, direct threats to shipping inside Israeli waters cannot be ruled out, BRS said. Israel is among countries in the Middle East already considered a high-risk area by insurers in the London insurance market, a key center for marine insurance cover. Ships pay an additional war risk premium for seven-day voyages to Israel. Since Saturdays attacks additional premiums have soared ten fold to around 0.15-0.2% of the value of a ship translating into tens of thousands of dollars of additional costs. This compared with a premium of 0.0125% earlier this year, insurance sources said. Empty Shelves Nearly all of Israels trade is via the sea. It is a food producer, but relies on imports for the majority of its grain needs, as well as quantities of fish, beef, nuts and consumer food products. Residents across Israel reported many neighborhood supermarkets had bare shelves and low inventories of food staples as consumers stocked up in anticipation of a prolonged war. The Israeli armys homefront command reposted on Monday its standing guidance for being prepared in times of emergency, which includes families collecting water and food for up to three days, as well as medicine and flashlights. Danish container shipping group A.P. Moller Maersk said on Tuesday it continued to accept container bookings to and from the country. Israels leading container shipping carrier Zim said it was offering its vessels for national needs. The companys ships will be directed, as a first priority, to transfer cargo from anywhere in the world to Israel according to the requirements and needs of the Ministry of Defense and the government of Israel, ZIM CEO Eli Glickman said on Facebook. There were growing risks facing merchant shipping connected to Israel. INTERTANKO, the association which represents the majority of the worlds tanker fleet, said in an advisory to members this week that after the Hamas attacks, it expected tensions to rise in the broader Middle East Gulf and Gulf of Oman, with heightened risks for shipping connected to Israel. Ships and cargos with a connection to Israel or Israeli nationals (however tenuous) have also been subject to attack, INTERTANKO said. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul and Ari Rabinovitch; editing by Sharon Singleton) Photograph: Smoke rises from an area near a power plant outside Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) CHICAGO (AP) The mother of a 19-year-old Chicago woman who was found dead in 2017 in a freezer at a suburban hotel where she had attended a party has reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the hotel and others. A settlement was reached in August, Cook County court records show, but it has not been entered on the court docket because attorneys for Kenneka Jenkins mother have asked that the terms be sealed from the public, the Chicago Tribune reported. A judge denied that request Tuesday but asked the mothers attorney to resubmit the request. A status hearing is scheduled for next week in the case, which had been set for a trial starting Oct. 16, court records show. Attorneys for Jenkins mother, Tereasa Martin, argued that the familys safety and privacy trumped any reason to require that the records be publicly filed. The widespread publicity of this case, including uncontrolled speculation and social media commentary has resulted in various threats made against various individuals in the case, including Martin, witnesses and the defendants, an attorney for Martin wrote in an unopposed motion to seal the settlement`s terms. The lawsuit was filed in December 2018 against Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, its security company and a restaurant that rented the walk-in freezer in which Jenkins was found dead. It alleged the defendants were negligent because they didnt secure the freezer or conduct a proper search following Jenkins` disappearance. The suit initially sought more than $50 million in damages. Jenkins was found dead inside the freezer on Sept. 10, 2017, nearly 24 hours after she disappeared from a ninth-floor room at the Crowne Plaza where she had attended a party with as many as 30 other people. The Cook County medical examiners office found that she died from hypothermia and ruled her death an accident. Alcohol intoxication and the use of a drug for treating epilepsy and migraines were significant contributing factors in her death, the office said. Surveillance videos released by police days later show Jenkins wandering alone through a kitchen area near the freezer not long after she disappeared. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Illinois Drugmaker Mallinckrodt on Oct. 10 won court approval for a bankruptcy plan that cuts $1 billion from what it must pay opioid crisis victims, cancels existing equity shares, and trims nearly $2 billion in other debt. The Ireland-based company reached a relatively swift conclusion to its second Chapter 11, which began on Aug. 28, just 14 months after its previous bankruptcy concluded. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey approved the restructuring plan at a court hearing in Wilmington, Delaware. With substantially less debt and additional financial flexibility, we will be better positioned for the future as we continue delivering therapies that improve outcomes for patients with severe and critical conditions, Mallinckrodt CEO Siggi Olafsson said in a statement. Mallinckrodt, which makes branded and generic drugs, first filed for bankruptcy in 2020 to address its high debt load, litigation over its allegedly deceptive marketing of highly addictive generic opioids and disputes over its drug pricing. Despite the previous bankruptcy settlement that resolved those litigation threats and cut $1.5 billion in debt, Mallinckrodt quickly found itself in financial trouble again due to declining sales for its key branded drugs, including Acthar Gel. Sales of Acthar, used to treat multiple sclerosis and infantile spasms, were down 20% for the first six months of 2023 after the treatment raked in $516 million in 2022. As part of its previous bankruptcy, Mallinckrodt, which denied wrongdoing, agreed to pay $1.7 billion to settle about 3,000 lawsuits alleging it used deceptive marketing tactics to boost opioid sales. The new bankruptcy reduces that to $700 million, all of which has already been paid to a settlement trust. The companys opioid creditors, including state and local governments, individuals and others who will seek payment from the settlement fund, supported Mallinckrodts fast-track second bankruptcy, agreeing to accept a reduced amount as the best deal they could get given its financial woes. Mallinckrodts first bankruptcy also included a $260 million settlement with federal and state government entities that accused the company of overcharging Medicaid health insurance programs for Acthar. Unlike the opioid settlement, Mallinckrodt intends to pay the full amount due under the Acthar settlement after its second bankruptcy. The bankruptcy plan approved Tuesday will turn over ownership of the company to Mallinckrodts lenders. It will emerge from bankruptcy with about $1.75 billion in debt owed to the lenders, which include asset managers like Deerfield Partners and JPMorgan Investment Management, court filings showed. Dorsey overruled an objection filed by shareholder Alta Fundamental Advisers, which had argued that Mallinckrodt improperly rushed into a second bankruptcy at the expense of equity owners. Dorsey said Mallinckrodts second bankruptcy was a reasonable exercise of its business judgment in light of its near-term debt obligations, including $1 billion in opioid settlement payments and $817 million for lenders in 2025. The reorganized company has a total enterprise value of about $2.95 billion, according to Mallinckrodts financial advisor Guggenheim Securities. In a move that has come to be expected following most cyberattacks, two victims of the recent 23andMe data breach have filed a class action lawsuit. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleges negligence, invasion of privacy, unjust enrichment, and breach of implied contract. As a result of the data breach, plaintiffs and class members suffered injury and ascertainable losses in the form of the present and imminent threat of fraud and identity theft, loss of the benefit of their bargain, out-of-pocket expenses, loss of value of their time reasonably incurred to remedy or mitigate the effects of the attack, and the loss of, and diminution in, value of their [personal identifiable information], alleged the lawsuit filed Oct. 9 filed by Monica Santana of Florida and Paula Kleynburd of New York The plaintiffs said victims of the breach face present and imminent threat of fraud and identity theft. Recent reports have said an anonymous hacker has put the information from millions of customer accounts for sale, including email addresses, photos, gender, date of birth, and DNA ancestry. Related: Hacker Puts 23andMe User Data Up for Sale on the Internet The notification about the breach from 23andMe, a genetics test-kit company that offers ancestry and health reports after analyzing a customers saliva, was deficient, allege the plaintiffs because it did not address whether the threat has been contained or how the breach occurred. Originally posted on Oct. 6, a blog entry from 23andMe said it has recently learned of suspicious activity and started an investigation. While we are continuing to investigate this matter, we believe threat actors were able to access certain accounts in instances where users recycled login credentials that is, usernames and passwords that were used on 23andMe.com were the same as those used on other websites that have been previously hacked, the company said. 23andMe said it exceeds industry data protection standards and attained multiple ISO certifications of its security program. The company said that since 2019 it has offered and encouraged customers to use multi-factor authentication. The case is Santana v. 23andMe Inc., Northern District of California, No. 3:23-cv-05147. Topics Lawsuits Cyber NEW ORLEANS (AP) A grand jury in Louisiana has decided against indicting anyone in the deadly collapse four years ago of a Hard Rock Hotel that was under construction in New Orleans. The panel, which heard evidence in the case over several months, met once more on Thursday. It was the last chance to file criminal charges before a four-year window closed to pursue gross negligence charges under state law. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams decided to have the panel hear testimony and vote on potential charges, rather than directly filing them, and it returned a no true bill verdict, meaning at least nine jurors did not find sufficient evidence to establish criminal liability. Williams said in a statement that the grand jury did not hear enough evidence to meet the threshold for a criminal case. Unfortunately, criminal negligence carries a much higher burden than civil negligence, and upon deliberating, the jurors decided there simply wasnt enough certainty to proceed, Williams said. His office also expressed frustration at the grand jurys decision, calling it a disheartening day. Our entire team is frustrated with this outcome, it said in the same statement. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with (the families) as they continue their healing from such an emotionally taxing process. The collapse of the building on Oct. 12, 2019, killed three men 36-year-old Quinnyon Wimberly, 49-year-old Anthony Floyd Magrette and 63-year-old Jose Ponce Arreola __ injured others, damaged nearby property and led to the closure of Canal Street for more than a year. Following the grand jury`s decision, Magrette`s sisters said in comments to WVUE- TV that the legal system is cruel and they remain without closure after four years of waiting. Angela Magrette, the victim`s twin, said the family will continue clamoring for justice. Theres no way another buildings not going to fall, because nobody was held accountable. Its going to happen again, she said. Photo: This aerial photo shows the Hard Rock Hotel, which was under construction, after a fatal partial collapse in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the states leading provider of workers compensation insurance, has awarded over $2 million in safety grants to policyholders. The safety grant program opened in July and eligible policyholders were invited to apply on a first-come, first-served basis. Safety grant applicants were asked to provide company information and detail what types of equipment they planned to purchase and how it would improve safety and health conditions in their workplace. Applications were reviewed by a grant committee of safety professionals who ensured that applicants were asking for approved equipment which aligned with their business operations. The overwhelming majority of items requested were in the personal protective equipment category of clothing, shoes and hats. Specific items include steel toed boots, high visibility clothing, cooling vests and hard hats. Respiratory protection and first response equipment, including first-aid kits and AEDs, were the second and third most requested categories. After an extensive review process, 1,343 policyholders were approved for a $1,500 grant to be used toward the purchase of approved safety equipment listed in their application. Safety grants are an exclusive opportunity for Texas Mutual policyholders and since 2016, Texas Mutual has awarded over $9.9 million in safety grants to more than 6,600 businesses. Source: Texas Mutual Topics Texas A St. Petersburg pastor and head of a drug recovery program, along with his wife, mother and others, is awaiting trial after authorities say he ran a theft ring that stole tools from Home Depot and sold them on eBay for millions of dollars. Robert Dell, former minister of The Rock Church and former director of a halfway house, was arrested in August. He allegedly used threats of abuse to get others to participate in the theft ring, which was uncovered by Home Depot theft investigators amid a rising wave of theft at retailers around the country. Home Depot suspects Dell operated this scheme for more than 10 years, resulting in the loss of more than $5 million, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a bulletin. Moody announced the arrest in August but the alleged crime ring gained new attention this week in light of escalated reports of organized theft around the country. The Wall Street Journal, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and other news outlets reported that Home Depot worked with local and state law enforcement for several months to investigate the loss of merchandise from Tampa-area stores. Investigators eventually focused on the fence the person selling the stolen items the news outlets reported. That person turned out to be Dell, authorities said. Using the eBay account Anointed Liquidator, Dell, 57, repeatedly sold tools, batteries and other items, according to the reports. The trail to Dell allegedly began after Home Depot loss-prevention crews, monitoring security footage, documented two people leaving a Ruskin, Florida, store with power tools they had not paid for. An investigator gave an image of the peoples car to law officers, the Wall Street Journal and others reported. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services then surveilled the suspects and found that they visited Home Depots in multiple counties, then dropped items off at Dells home. Law enforcement in June arrested the two suspects. One said she had been involved in the ring for years and was paid as much as $10,000 a day, according to the news report. The investigation is indicative of the increased efforts big box stores and others have made in recent months as shoplifting, smash-and-grab and other organized theft has soared. Some retailers have closed stores, while others have increased security and investigations, according to news reports. Topics Florida Fraud Up to 40,000 passengers have been affected by flight cancellations after a large fire broke out at one of Londons Luton Airports car parks. The airport has now suspended all flights until at least 3pm, as firefighters remain at the site of blaze that broke out just before 9pm. The newly-built car park building at the airports Terminal 2 has partially collapsed, the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said. It was not known if any passengers were trapped on the tarmac, inside the airport or in the Terminal 2 car park. The fire service said it was called to the incident just before 9pm and over 10 fire engines were at the scene. It added that 80 per cent of one of the car parks third floors was impacted by the blaze. Up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged. In a statement posted to X on Wednesday morning the airport added: Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time as access remains severely restricted. Key Points All flight services at Luton Airport cancelled till 3pm today 40,000 passengers affected at Luton Five injured as massive fire engulfs Luton Airport How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? About 1,200 vehicles damaged in airport fire 40,000 passengers affected at Luton 08:36 , Athena Stavrou The number of passengers affected is thought to be around 40,000, Simon Calder reports. Luton Airport have suspended all flights until 3pm, the airport said in a statement on X. Emergency services are still at the site of the blaze, which began at 9pm last night in newly built Terminal 2 car park. It was not known if any passengers were trapped on the tarmac, inside the airport or in the car park, but 1,200 vehicles are thought to be damaged. Britain Luton Airport Fire (Molly Bullard) 04:08 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Good morning and welcome to The Independents live blog where we bring you the latest updates from the fire at Luton Airport. Firefighters among five injured as fire engulfs Luton Airport 04:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Story continues Firefighters and an airline official have been taken to hospital as emergency services battle a blaze that broke out at Luton Airport just before 9pm on Tuesday. Footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal. Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was incredible. Joe Middleton reports. Flights suspended at Luton Airport after fire engulfs car park All fights cancelled till 12pm Wednesday 04:34 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar All flight services have been temporarily cancelled after a massive fire broke out in Terminal Cark Park 2 that resulted in the partial collapse of the structure. "All flights are suspended until 12pm on Wednesday," the airport said in an update on social media X. It advised passengers to not travel to the airport at this time due to restricted access. In pics | Emergency services respond to a fire at Luton Airport 04:44 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) People leave as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at Luton Airport (REUTERS) Flames are seen as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) Fire services still battling Luton Airport blaze 04:58 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Firefighters are still battling to extinguish the blaze at Luton Airport, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has said in an update. The fire broke out at the newly-built car park building at Lutons Terminal 2 just before 9pm on Tuesday. At least 10 fire engines and over 100 firefighters were pressed into action to bring the fire under control, it said.We are continuing to protect surrounding airport infrastructure, vehicles and the Luton DART, it said in a statement. According to the authorities, about 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged. Cars going up in flames: Witness shares what he saw at Luton Airport 05:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh. There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm, he told PA news agency. A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible. Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 05:20 , Simon Calder The airport is saying: Emergency services continue to respond to a significant fire in Terminal Car Park 2, which has resulted in partial structural collapse. All flights are suspended until 12pm on Wednesday 11 October, please contact your airline for the latest flight information. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted. Whats the effect on flights? Twenty-three incoming flights were diverted on Tuesday night and in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Passengers arrived as far away as Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Bristol late at night. Ten outbound departures were cancelled on Tuesday evening, including flights which had already been boarded. On Wednesday morning, 85 planes are due to depart by 12 noon when the airport may re-open. With the inbound cancellations, that means a total of 170 flights with an estimated 27,000 passengers booked. Adding in last nights cancelled and diverted flights and thats about 30,000 passengers. Even if the airport is able to reopen at noon, more travellers likely to be affected due to knock-on effects from the closure. What happens to those people? Under European air passengers rights rules they are entitled to alternative flights and hotel stays as necessary, but such is the scale of this that its likely many people will need to try to find alternative flights and claim back the cash. Presumably some people will come back and find their car has gone up in smoke? Yes. The airport says: For passengers who have queries regarding a parked vehicle or future booking please contact luton.customerservices@apcoa.com. Hotels around Luton Airport fully booked as passengers forced to cancel tickets 05:39 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Hotels around Luton Airport were fully booked as passengers were forced to cancel their tickets last minute following a massive blaze at the car park. Got last three rooms in Ibis hotel, we were lucky, there are so many cant get into any hotels. Staff at Luton very helpful, wrote a passenger on social media X. Firefighters taken to hospital after fire at Luton Airport 05:48 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Firefighters and an airline official have been taken to hospital as emergency services battle a blaze that broke out at Luton Airport just before 9pm on Tuesday. Five people have been admitted to Luton and Dunstable hospitals for smoke inhalation. A sixth person was treated at the scene but did not require further medical treatment. More here. Firefighters taken to hospital after fire at Luton Airport Passengers told to get off the flight amid fire at Luton Airport 05:59 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Passengers on board a plane that was due to take off were asked to get off the flight after a massive fire erupted at the Luton Airport last night just before 9pm. We were all just told to get off the flight, that there was an incident and then we were left in the airport with no proper explanation, an unnamed passenger was quoted by the BBC as saying. The passengers were informed two hours later that there had been a major incident and they would need to leave the airport. It was all a little bit confusing because I dont think the staff knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing. Another passenger told the broadcaster that some of us were very frightened because wed travelled by ourselves and didnt have anywhere to go. In pics | Emergency services battle blaze at Luton Airport 06:09 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Firemen battle a fire at London's Luton Airport which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure (AFP via Getty Images) Firemen battle a fire at London's Luton Airport which caused a partial collapse of a parking structure (AFP via Getty Images) Flames are seen as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 06:16 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Flights have been suspended at Londons Luton Airport after a significant fire broke out at a terminal car park, and passengers have been told to not go to the airport at this time. Twenty-three incoming flights were diverted on Tuesday night and in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Passengers ended up at airports as far away as Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Bristol late at night. Ten outbound departures were cancelled on Tuesday evening, including flights that had already been boarded. About 30,000 passengers have been impacted, adding in last nights cancelled and diverted flights. Simon Calder has more. Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? Bus service at Luton Airport suspended due to fire 06:26 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Buses were unable to serve the Luton Airport terminal following a fire at the multi-storey car park at the airport, Arriva Beds and Bucks said. All services are unable to serve the airport terminal, it said in a social media post this morning. Services A and 100 are operating up to Vauxhall, terminating at Luton bound stop on Kimpton Rd. Significant structural collapse of car park at Luton Airport 06:42 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The multi-storey car park at Terminal 2 of Luton Airport suffered significant structural collapse following a massive fire that erupted just before 9pm last night. Upto 1,200 vehicles were in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged, according to the fire services. One half of the structure is fully involved in fire and the building has suffered a significant structural collapse, a spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire Service told PA news agency. Fire crews are working to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings and vehicles on air side of the airport. Passengers wait at Luton Airport after all flights cancelled 06:46 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Passengers wait at Luton Airport after flights cancelled until Wednesday noon following fire at the car park (Simon Calder) How important is Luton airport? 06:49 , Simon Calder Luton airport is the fifth-busiest airport in the UK, normally with several hundred flights a day across Europe typically carrying 40,000 passengers daily. It is the location for easyJets headquarters, and a base for many of the flights on Britains biggest budget airline. Luton is the main UK base for Wizz Air, which has many flights to and from destinations mainly in eastern Europe. Ryanair has a substantial operation, with dozens of flights to destinations in Ireland and Continental Europe. Flights suspended at Luton Airport after fire engulfs car park 07:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Flights have been suspended at Luton Airport because of a large fire that has engulfed one of its car parks. Footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal on Tuesday evening. Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was incredible. Joe Middleton reports. Flights suspended at Luton Airport after fire engulfs car park Watch | Fire engulfs Luton Airport car park as all flights suspended 07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar All flights to and from Luton Airport cancelled till 3pm today 07:22 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar All flight services to and from Luton Airport have been cancelled till 3pm on Wednesday after a massive fire broke out in Terminal Cark Park 2 that resulted in the partial collapse of the structure. Emergency services remain on the scene following last nights fire in Terminal Car Park 2, the airport said in an update this morning. It advised passengers to not travel to the airport at this time due to restricted access. How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 07:38 , Athena Stavrou As flights are cancelled until 3pm today, Simon Calder looks at how the Luton Airport fire affects passengers: Simon Calder: How does Luton Airport fire affect passengers? 1,200 vehicles believed to be in car park at time of blaze 07:54 , Athena Stavrou Up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged, fire service say. In their latest update on the blaze Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: Firefighting operations were undertaken to control the blaze and protect nearby buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and the Luton DART. They added: It is believed that up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged. (AFP via Getty Images) Simon Calder reports from a silent' Luton airport 08:03 , Simon Calder Normally the first wave of flights would be departing from Luton airport for destinations across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe. The three biggest budget airlines in Europe easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have substantial operations at Luton, which is one of the five busiest airports in the UK. But no flights have arrived or departed since around 9pm on Tuesday night after a severe fire broke out in a car park just 200m from the passenger terminal and adjacent to the main access road. Firefighters have put out the blaze during the night, and work is now going on to drain the water used in dousing the flames. The terminal area is completely closed to traffic, and the Dart shuttle from the nearby Luton Airport Parkway rail station has been suspended. Some airport staff have walked into work, but for operations to restart at 3pm as currently hoped will require considerable coordination. Flight crew, aircraft and passengers are all out of position, and anyone booked to fly to or from Luton on Wednesday will face disruption. Passengers wait at Luton Airport after flights cancelled until Wednesday noon following fire at the car park (Simon Calder) Over 100 firefighters tackled blaze 08:44 , Athena Stavrou Over 100 firefighters tackled the car park blaze at Luton Airport, fire chief says. He added that at the peak of the fire, firefighters used 15 fire appliances to battle the blaze, which caused the new Terminal 2 car park to collapse. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: At its peak we had 15 fire appliances, over 100 firefighters and a number of specialist resources including the one you will see over my right-hand shoulder, with resources provided by neighbouring fire and rescue services. He added that the car park as a capacity of just over 1,900 cars and that they estimate up to 1,500 cars have been affected. Watch: Video shows flames engulfing terminal car park 08:59 , Athena Stavrou Footage shows flames raging from a fire that broke out at Londons Luton Airport on Tuesday evening (10 October). All flight operations have been suspended at the airport after the blaze engulfed one of its car park buildings. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have said the newly-built car park, at Terminal 2, has partially collapsed. Video shows flames engulfing Luton airport terminal car park as flights suspended Between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers are out of position as a result of the closure of Luton airport. 09:26 , Athena Stavrou Around 273 flights have been either diverted, suspended or cancelled as a result of the fire at a London Luton Airport car park. Simon Calder reports that, assuming 160 passengers were due to fly on each plane, 44,000 passengers are thought to be affected. Ten outbound flights were cancelled on Tuesday night after being boarded and 23 inbound flights were diverted. There were 120 flights due to depare from the airport before 3pm today, as well as 120 corresponding inbound flights. (PA Wire) The Luton airport blaze is out, so why arent flights already taking off and landing? 09:30 , Athena Stavrou The reason: a temporary water main is blocking the main access road. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, told Simon Calder at The Independent: Weve had to do is close a number of roads in the surrounding areas in order to lay a temporary water main to supplement the on-site water supplies. Were keen to get that released. Its really about the access and egress of travellers getting to and from the airport. The flights can probably start to resume and I know the airport are working with the airlines to get things back up and running. But really, its about getting the travellers to and from thats causing, you know, the delays at this time. Fire controlled and extinguished" 09:37 , Athena Stavrou The blaze at London Lutons Terminal 2 car park has been controlled and extinguished, fire service says. In a post on X, the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: Crews have controlled and extinguished the fire at Luton Airport. Four crews and an aerial appliance remain at the scene. All flights are suspended until 3pm. If you have a flight leaving before 3pm, please do not travel. Please avoid the area owing to severe traffic delays. Crews have controlled and extinguished the fire at Luton Airport. Four crews and an aerial appliance remain at the scene. All flights are suspended until 3pm. If you have a flight leaving before 3pm, please do not travel. Please avoid the area owing to severe traffic delays. pic.twitter.com/ji5HR1Qmug Beds Fire and Rescue (@BedsFire) October 11, 2023 Local residents hear explosions as car park collapsed 09:51 , Athena Stavrou Local Luton residents have shared the terrifying sight of the airport car park as it burnt down. A 19-year-old Luton resident, who lives close to the car park, told deputy travel editor Benjamin Parker:It was terrifying. We saw multiple stages of the car park collapsing and there were constant loud popping sounds from what I suspect were car tyres exploding, and probably the cars too. A few times when a large section of the building went down, a huge cloud of smoke almost like a mushroom cloud would form. It was crazy Flames are seen as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2 at London Luton Airport (REUTERS) Cause of fire confirmed 10:12 , Athena Stavrou The cause of the huge blaze at Londons Luton Airport has been named as a diesel powered vehicle. We have no intelligence at this stage to suggest that this was anything other than an accidental fire that started in one of the vehicles that had not long arrived at the airport. It was not an EV, Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service told reporters on Wednesday morning, The Mirror reported. He added: This was a diesel powered vehicle. Luton airport on course to reopen at 3pm 10:25 , Simon Calder Officials have confirmed to The Independent that arrivals and departures will resume at Luton airport at 3pm. By that stage 120 outbound flights are likely to have been cancelled though some airlines may hold earlier flights to depart after operations start up. Access for passengers and staff remains difficult, with the entire central area at Luton airport cordoned off.It is not clear when passengers will be allowed through to begin formalities. A temporary drop-off zone will be installed at the mid-term car park, close to the Holiday Inn Express, a 10-minute walk from the airport terminal. Buses may provide a shuttle service. The Independent understands that airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air will despatch aircraft to Luton ahead of the 3pm reopening. No sprinklers in car park 10:59 , Athena Stavrou There were no sprinklers in the Luton Airport car park that collapsed due to a huge blaze, fire chief says.. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service told reporters at the scene: We are already talking to the airport about ensuring that any future, and the existing, car parks have sprinklers fitted because this building is not sprinkler protected. He added: Sprinklers may have made a positive impact on this incident. Ramp to be put in place for exit route 11:11 , Athena Stavrou A ramp is currently being installed in the collapsed car park to allow safe exit for undamaged cars. Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire at Luton Airport has been stood down from a major incident. He told reporters at the scene that a ramp is being installed into the unaffected car park because the normal exit route is not safe to take vehicles out. He went on: Weve currently got four fire appliances and a couple of other specialist crews but we are very much focused on getting a handover and getting this airport open as quickly as we can. He said there are just shy of 1,500 vehicles in the affected car park. He added: There is a substantial number that are not damaged and our focus as well is can we remove those vehicles safely without causing any danger to the responders? Today: Ask Simon Calder anything as Luton Airport fire disrupts journeys for 30,000 passengers 11:30 , Athena Stavrou The Independents travel expert Simon Calder will be answering your questions live from Luton Airport at 2pm today. Ask Simon Calder anything as Luton Airport fire disrupts journeys Tourists sleep on the floor amid cancellation chaos 11:55 , Athena Stavrou A Polish family who came on holiday to London have told how they slept on the floor at Luton Airport after a fire at a multi-storey car park caused flight cancellations. Gregorz Szmit, 46, said their flight to Gdansk should have departed at 9.50pm on Tuesday and is now scheduled to leave at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Mr Szmit, speaking from the terminal building where he is waiting with his wife and their two sons aged seven and 15, said: We were on holiday for five days to visit London British Museum, Trafalgar Square. This is difficult, I must say. He added:This is our first journey to England, to London. Its been an adventure. Ambulance Service releases statement 12:10 , Athena Stavrou It went on: We assessed five people suffering from smoke inhalation at the scene. Three firefighters and one member of airport staff were transported to Luton and Dunstable Hospital. One firefighter was discharged at the scene. In relation to the Luton Airport car park fire, East of England Ambulance Service said in a statement it sent two ambulances, seven hazardous area response team vehicles and ambulance officer vehicles to the scene of the Luton Airport fire. (PA Wire) Brand-new car park may need to be demolished 12:43 , Simon Calder The fire inside the car park at the heart of Luton airport was so intense that the whole structure may need to be demolished with up to 1,500 vehicles still inside it. A senior fire officer has told The Independent that the extreme temperatures during the blaze will have weakened the multi-storey car park so much that attempting to recover vehicles could be deemed too dangerous. Theyll probably fly a drone around to assess the damage, they said. But once steel gets above 600 degrees [C] it become brittle. It was a lot more than 600 degrees in there. Some vehicles appear undamaged and were some distance from the worst of the fire damage. But if a decision is taken to demolish the structure they will be lost. Demolition itself will prove extremely complex due to the car parks proximity to one of the busiest airport terminals in the UK, together with the main access road and live aircraft taxiways. The scene at Luton Airport (Sam Russell/PA) (PA Wire) Airlines release statements after car park inferno 13:15 , Athena Stavrou Major airlines EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have all released statements on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Luton Airports attempts to reopen. An EasyJet spokesperson said their flights were currently unable to operate as planned and say they are doing all possible to minimise the impact on customers. Meanwhile, Ryanair say that affected passenfers will be advised via email, Push and SMS as soon as possible but regret to advise passengers of possible delays or cancellations on flights to/from Luton. Wizz Air similarly told customers that they would be provided updates on their flight via email and SMS and apologised for the situation that was beyond our control. Flights are expected to begin departing from Luton Airport at 3pm today. (PA Archive) First passengers re-entering airport 13:17 , Athena Stavrou Luton Airport said it expects flights to resume at 3pm and passengers are now re-entering the terminal. They said in a statement: Following last nights car fire in Terminal Car Park 2, emergency services have now downgraded the incident but remain on the scene as a precaution. The teams have worked hard to get the airport operational, with the first passengers now re-entering the terminal and the first flights expected to depart from 3pm. For those arriving by car, the long and mid-stay car parks are fully operational, and a temporary drop-off area has been established in the mid-stay car park. For those travelling to the airport by rail, the Dart shuttle remains out of service with replacement buses in operation. Additional staff remain on hand to assist passengers across the airport. (PA) (PA Archive) No room at the (Holiday) Inn or any other hotels in the Luton area 13:40 , Athena Stavrou Airport hotels in the Luton area are reportedly fully booked as passengers remain unceratin of their travel plans. The Luton Airport Holiday Inn had this sign posted on their door. No room at the (Holiday) Inn or any other hotels in the Luton area (Independent) Proposed strike cancelled after fire 14:00 , Athena Stavrou A planned strike by cleaners and parking attendants at Luton Airport has been suspended because of the fire which has halted flights. Members of Unite employed by a cleaning contractor were due walk out for five days from Saturday, while parking attendants were due to strike for a week from Friday. Tens of thousands of airline passengers suffered disruption on Wednesday, with Luton Airport closed after a vehicle fire caused a car park to collapse. Woman forced to leave airport without her car 14:21 , Athena Stavrou A woman whose car is stuck in a car park at Luton Airport has told how she saw a fire take hold in a multi-storey soon after her flight landed. Cristina Cristea, 25, had been at her sisters wedding in Romania and landed back at Luton at around 8pm on Tuesday, hearing sirens afterwards. By the time we came out of the airport it was 9.10pm and we heard more noises and saw flames, said Ms Cristea, of Towcester, Northamptonshire. She said her car is stuck in terminal car park one, next to car park two where the fire broke out. Ms Cristea, who has two jobs at a dry cleaners and at a restaurant, said she had missed a day of work and was told around lunchtime that no cars would be able to come out of the car park for the next three hours. At first we thought it was shotguns or something as we couldnt see any flames, then we saw what happened, she said. Slowly, slowly they blocked all the access. She said she paid to stay in a local hotel overnight. Speaking from a grass bank in view of the car park on Wednesday, she said: Thank God our car isnt affected. Workers are constructing a new exit ramp to get cars out. Watch: First flames of car park inferno 14:45 , Athena Stavrou An alleged video of the Luton Airport car park fire from inside the building has surfaced. Originally posted to Instagram, the footage appears to show flames engulfing cars hours before the structure partially collapsed. Watch below: Insurance industry issues advice to drivers affected by fire 15:04 , Athena Stavrou In a statement on the Luton Airport car park fire, a spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said: Owners of vehicles caught up in this fire will naturally be very concerned. Comprehensive and third-party fire and theft motor insurance policies will cover fire damage. Drivers affected should notify any claim to their motor insurer. We will continue to work with our members and Luton Airport to understand the situation, as and when more information becomes available. They went on to say that it is too early to estimate the insured cost of the fire, and added that Some travel polices may offer limited cover for delays or any abandonment of travel. Flights resume but tens of thousands affected 15:44 , Athena Stavrou Luton Airport has reopened after a vehicle fire caused a car park to collapse, sparking disruption for tens of thousands of passengers. The Bedfordshire airport suspended flights from when the fire happened at around 9pm on Tuesday until 3pm on Wednesday. Its thought that at least 150 flights were cancelled, with almost 30 more diverted to cities as far as Cardiff or Manchester. Airlines including EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have all issued statements apologising for the ongoing disruption that was beyond our control. Luton airport passenger flights resume first in and out both on Ryanair 15:51 , Simon Calder The first passenger flight to leave Luton airport for over 18 hours took off shortly before 3.30pm. The Ryanair aircraft was the delayed 1pm from the Bedfordshire airport to Cork. More than 200 flights have been grounded as a result of the serious fire in a car park adjacent to the main access road and close to the passenger terminal at one of the UKs five busiest airports. Britains biggest budget airline, easyJet, has made more than 100 flight cancellations due to the prolonged closure of the airport. The carrier will operate only 19 Luton flights today, barely 15 per cent of its planned schedule. The first arrival, also on Ryanair, is expected to arrive from Barcelona shortly before 4pm. (PA Archive) London Luton issue update as airport reopens 16:25 , Athena Stavrou Londons Luton Airport has issued a statement as flights resume after an 18-hour hiatus. In a post on X, formerly twitter, the airport said the runway is now open, and flights are beginning to arrive and depart. Update at 15:48 pic.twitter.com/9jMwcA7p5g London Luton Airport (@LDNLutonAirport) October 11, 2023 Reminder: Cause of inferno named as diesel car 16:45 , Athena Stavrou Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service revealed on Wednesday morning the cause of the blaze was a diesel car. We dont believe it was an electric vehicle, Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said. Its believed to be diesel-powered, at this stage all subject to verification. And then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread. Read more below: Cause of Luton Airport car park inferno revealed Simon Calder issues advice on Luton Airport fire chaos - from travel insurance to flight compensation 17:30 , Joe Middleton Simon Calder tackles a wide range of your questions - from what you can be compensated for and what to do if youre stranded and your flight is cancelled Luton Airport fire: Simon Calders insurance and compensation advice Flights return to Luton airport after dramatic car park fire 18:19 , Joe Middleton British Airways flight to Tel Aviv returns to Heathrow as BA and Virgin Atlantic suspend flights 19:15 , Joe Middleton British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv is returning to the UK after a decision not to land at Israels main airport. The Airbus A350 had flown almost all of its 2,233-mile journey before turning around. BA has now suspended flights on the route until further notice, as has Virgin Atlantic. A spokesperson for British Airways said: Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation were suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv. British Airways flight to Tel Aviv returns to London as BA and Virgin suspend flights Fire chief says lessons must be learnt from car park blaze at Luton airport 20:15 , Joe Middleton Luton Airport fire: Cause of car park inferno that damaged 1,500 vehicles revealed 21:22 , Joe Middleton The cause of a huge blaze at Londons Luton Airport that damaged up to 1,500 cars and sparked travel chaos has been revealed. More than 100 firefighters battled through the night to extinguish the car park inferno, which left tens of thousands of passengers facing cancelled or diverted flights. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service revealed on Wednesday morning the cause of the blaze was a diesel car. Cause of Luton Airport car park inferno revealed U.S. investigators have confirmed that a mechanical issue caused the seaplane crash that killed 10 people off an island in Washington state last year. The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigated the Sept. 4, 2022, crash, said Thursday that a single component of a critical flight control system failed, causing an unrecoverable, near-vertical descent into Puget Sound`s Mutiny Bay near Whidbey Island. About 85% of the aircraft was recovered from the ocean floor several weeks after the crash. NTSB investigators examining the wreckage found that a component called an actuator, which moves the plane`s horizontal tail and controls the airplane`s pitch, had become disconnected. That failure would have made it impossible for the pilot to control the airplane. Evidence showed the failure happened before the crash, not as a result of it, investigators concluded. The plane was a de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter turboprop operated by Renton- based Friday Harbor Seaplanes. It was headed to the Seattle suburb of Renton from Friday Harbor, a popular tourist destination in the San Juan Islands, when it abruptly fell into Mutiny Bay and sank. The pilot and all nine passengers died. Witnesses said, and video showed, that the plane had been level before climbing slightly and then falling, the NTSB said. The Mutiny Bay accident is an incredibly painful reminder that a single point of failure can lead to catastrophe in our skies, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a news release. Weeks after the crash, the NTSB said the cause appeared to be the disconnected actuator and issued a recommendation that all operators of the DHC-3 planes immediately inspect that part of the flight control system. In early November, the FAA issued an emergency directive to operators mandating the inspections, The Seattle Times reported. The NTSB in its final report recommends that the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada require operators of those planes to install a secondary locking feature, so this kind of tragedy never happens again, Homendy said. Friday Harbor Seaplanes didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Thursday. Those who died in the crash include pilot Jason Winters, Sandy Williams of Spokane, Washington; Ross Mickel, his pregnant wife Lauren Hilty and their child Remy Mickel, of Medina, Washington; Joanne Mera of San Diego; Patricia Hicks of Spokane, Washington; Rebecca and Luke Ludwig, of Excelsior, Minnesota; and Gabrielle Hanna of Seattle. Lawsuits have been filed in King County Superior Court by the family members of the victims against the aircrafts charter operator, Friday Harbor Seaplanes; as well as the DHC-3 Otter manufacturer, de Havilland Aircraft of Canada; and the planes certificate holder, Viking Air __ saying they are responsible for the deaths. Nate Bingham, who is representing the Ludwigs families, said the plane crashed because of an antiquated design with a single point of failure. The companies have not responded to requests for comment about the lawsuits. Northwest Seaplanes said last year it was heartbroken over the crash and was working with the FAA, NTSB and Coast Guard. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Washington Source: Streetwise Reports October 11, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Anti-drone defense company DroneShield Ltd. has a new detection and adaptive disruption system for detecting and tracking multi-domain unmanned systems. See why the company has seen "explosive growth" this year, according to one analyst. Anti-drone defense company DroneShield Ltd. (DRO:ASX; DRSHF:OTC) has announced a new detection and adaptive disruption system for detecting and tracking multi-domain unmanned systems, the DroneSentry-X Mk2. "The DroneSentry-X Mk2 can be mounted to standard vehicle roof racks, on military vehicles, surface vessels, and unmanned mobile platforms," the company said in a release. "It can also be deployed as a permanent or fixed site install on standard tripod masts or towers and supports local or remote operations." DroneShield develops technologies to protect people, vehicles, and installations from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It provides artificial intelligence-based platforms for protection against drone threats and other hostile autonomous systems with products designed for a variety of terrestrial, maritime, and airborne platforms. Its customers include military and intelligence community members, governments, law enforcement, critical infrastructure providers, and international airports. The company provides both custom counter-drone and electronic warfare solutions and off-the-shelf products designed to meet a variety of terrestrial, maritime, and airborne requirements. Its more notable products include the DroneGun Tactical, DroneGun MK3, DroneGun MK4, DroneSentry, DroneSentry-C2, DroneSentry-X, and RfPatrol. DroneSentry-X makes its debut this week at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition (AUSA 2023) in Washington, D.C. Initial deliveries under received orders will start this month. The Catalyst: 'Explosive Growth' The company said it has seen "explosive growth" this year and has expanded its U.S. headquarters in Northern Virginia and added top talent to its team. DroneShield secured an AU$33 million government sale, an AU$9.9 million 2-year R&D contract, an AU$40 million capital raise, and expanded to 90 employees spread across operations in both Sydney and Virginia. It has been working through an AU$62 million order backlog backed by an AU$200 million pipeline. Over the coming half decade, the company hopes to expand to employ some 120 to 150 staff supporting revenue of AU$300 million to AU$500 million per year, with roughly half of that income generated via software as a service (SaaS) and software R&D channels that are being developed alongside its manufacturing base. "The recent capital raise has provided DroneShield the ability to build inventory in anticipation of material contracts (and fulfill smaller contracts faster) that are expected to close in the short to medium term," wrote Peloton Capital analyst Darren Odel. Odell rated the stock Buy with an AU$0.84 per share target price. Constantly Evolving Platform DroneShield said the DroneSentry-X Mk2 is designed for deployment in harsh environments. The web-based user interface allows for real-time analytics of detection activity with map overlay. Updates to its proprietary artificial intelligence/machine learning-driven detection engine mean the unit's capabilities can constantly evolve. The DroneSentry-X Mk2 is also compatible with DroneShield's DroneLocator technology, providing drone and controller coordinates and altitude and velocity in real-time. Technical Analyst Says 'Stay Long' Several analysts and writers recommended the stock, including analyst Daniel Laing of Bell Potter Securities Ltd., who wrote that DroneShield was "on track for a big year." "We remain bullish on the outlook for DroneShield, with this update pointing to a strong H1/23 setting up the foundation for a record year," Laing wrote. Technical Analyst Clive Maund published a piece about DroneShield In a piece titled "Stay Long on This Buy Rated Antidrone Co." In it Maund wrote, "We bought DroneShield Ltd. at good prices last year, having correctly calculated that the company had a bright future, and never sold it, but mostly lost interest this year when it ran off into a long correction." Maund said he would normally not be interested in a stock that "has risen quite a lot toward a zone of resistance and that has almost 600 million shares in issue." But he said the stock had been "behaving like a young, dynamic stock," which implied "something big is in the offing." "The business environment for the company has been completely transformed over the past year or two due to the war in Ukraine, which NATO seems determined to continue and expand, and the resulting big demand for drones and related paraphernalia looks set to continue to grow rapidly. We, therefore, stay long, and DroneShield is rated a Buy again here," Maund wrote. Market Set to Grow By Billions The global anti-drone market size is projected to reach US$3.8 billion by 2027 from US$1.47 billion in 2023, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.7% during the forecast period, analysis firm Markets and Markets predicted. The key factors fueling the growth of this market include rising incidence of security breaches, growing use of drones to counter terrorism and prevent illicit activities, and increased adoption of counter drones for remote sensing, analysts said. A recent report by Allied Market Research noted that "the global anti-drone market size was valued at US$1.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach US$14.6 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 27.9% from 2022 to 2031." Also, Fortune Business Insights reported that "the global anti-drone market size was valued at US$1.34 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from US$1.58 billion in 2022 to US$6.95 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 23.55% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with Anti-Drone experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels." Ownership and Share Structure Approximately 5.16% of the company is held by management and insiders. Charles Goode owns 3.66% with 21.50 million shares, CFO Carla Balanco owns 1.44% with 8.45 million shares, Angus Bean owns 1.26% with 7.39 million shares, Paul Jonathan Shaw owns 0.95% with 5.58 million shares, CEO Oleg Vornik owns 0.86% with 5.03 million shares, and Chairman Peter James owns 0.65% with 3.82 million shares. Institutions own 8.31% of the company. Epirus Inc owns 3.15% with 18.50 million shares, SR Bennett Pty. Ltd. owns 0.91% with 5.35 million shares, and P & B Shaw FT CB Pty. Ltd. owns 0.59% of the company with 3.43 million shares. There are 586.9 million outstanding shares, with 496.03 million free-float traded shares. The company has a market cap of US$98.53 million. It trades in a 52-week range of US$0.10 and US$0.34. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Source: Streetwise Reports October 11, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) World events are demonstrating the importance of defense technology, and this company hopes its British Columbia project will curtail dependence on Chinese rare earth elements in this sector. That's why these analysts say the stock is a Buy. Defense Metals Corp. (DEFN:TSX.V; DFMTF:OTCQB; 35D:FSE) announced Tuesday that tests performed on samples from its Wicheeda rare earth element (REE) project in British Columbia confirm the production of high-grade flotation concentrate at high recovery just as analysts note world events have made the need for the mine more pressing. "Our recent results show that the Wicheeda feedstock can be crushed, ground, and floated to produce a rare earth flotation product with similar or better recoveries and grades to the top producers globally," said Craig Taylor, Defense Metals' chief executive officer. "Our project has many favorable conditions for success: mineralogy, metallurgy, infrastructure, and community collaboration further supporting a path to production." Right now, China accounts for about 60% of REE current mine production and more than 85% of the refined output of REEs. Bob Moriarty of 321gold.com wrote that attacks by Hamas on Israel show how critical it is for the West to find more sources of the minerals. "The lack of any production of REEs in North America is critical," Moriarty wrote. "In an unstable world, it is vital to have control of the resources you need to maintain your economy. The U.S. and Canada have mumbled about getting involved in helping junior mining companies advance their projects of critically necessary minerals. Now would be a good time to stop talking and start acting on those discussions." Wicheeda has "the potential to be a globally significant producer" of REEs, analyst Mark Reichman of Noble Capital Markets has noted in a research note. "The project has several competitive advantages, including a mining-friendly location, well-developed infrastructure, and a strong technical team," Reichman wrote. He kept his Outperform rating on the stock and set a target price of CA$0.70 per share. "Wicheeda is well positioned to take a leading role in the North American and Global REE supply chain," Reichman wrote. Flotation Recovery, Concentrate Grades 'Very Favorable' The comminution and beneficiation test work was done by SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario, on Wicheeda samples, the company said. A total of 90 open-circuit flotation tests, using 1 or 2 kilograms of feed, were conducted on seventeen individual variability samples, various composites, and blends. Considering all open-circuit flotation tests, at a feed grade of 3% TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxide), the best-fit line indicated 80% recovery to a 45% TREO concentrate, Defense said. In addition, 29 bulk flotation tests using 10 or 12-kilogram charges were completed to both further optimize parameters and generate 16 kilograms of 46% TREO content with a recovery of 78% for use as feed for hydrometallurgical tests. The company said very favorable results were obtained in a locked cycle test on a deposit composite, giving a recovery rate of 85% of the rare earths at a concentrate grade of 50.7% TREO. The work confirms and expands on data obtained during 2020 pilot plant work, Defense said. "The new results are close to those reported earlier and used in previous studies," noted John Goode, a consulting metallurgist to the company. "Grinding energy requirements have been shown to be relatively low, and flotation recovery and concentrate grades are high and very favorable." The Catalyst: Stock at 'Cyclical Low' After issuing a Buy alert on Monday, Technical Analyst Clive Maund rated the stock a Strong Speculative Buy Tuesday "Because, after a long and grueling decline for much of this year, it is viewed as way oversold and is down at a cyclical low at strong long-term support with downside momentum easing and the recent volume pattern bullish and Accumulation line positive relative to price." "It's surprising how far this stock has retreated this year given the company's assets and what it looks set to produce," Maund noted. A long downtrend from February of this year has begun losing momentum and morphed into a bullish Falling Wedge, the analyst wrote. "On the five-year chart, we can see that while the overall trend is neutral, this year's reaction has brought the price back into a zone of quite strong support at a cyclical low, which is a good point for it to turn up, and this is made more likely by the ramping up of conflict around the world increasing the demand for the rare earth metals that the company will produce coupled with the growing likelihood that either the government or a big company or companies will show up to expedite the company achieving its objectives," Maund wrote. Defense Metals recently announced what one analyst called a "significant upgrade" to its Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Wicheeda, increasing the total TREO by 17%, or a 31% tonnage increase, compared to an MRE in 2021. The MRE comprised a 6.4 million tonne Measured Mineral Resource, averaging 2.86% TREO; a 27.8 million tonne Indicated Mineral Resource, averaging 1.84% TREO; and an 11.1 million tonne Inferred Mineral Resource, averaging 1.02% TREO. The results are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.5% TREO within a conceptual open pit shell, the company said. World in Conflict Moriarty noted that the company could produce as much as 10% of the world's REEs at full output. "The world is in a conflict, and finding a reliable source of supply for critical minerals is far more important than price," Moriarty wrote. "The U.S. and Canada have made a giant mistake in outsourcing both mining and production over the last few decades. As a result, China has a stranglehold on the supply of rare earth elements primarily used to create powerful magnets for electric vehicles, but also the critical materials for things such as video screens for television and cell phones." The global market for the elements is expected to grow from US$2.6 billion in 2020 to US$5.5 billion in 2028, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights. "The rising demand for consumer durables such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones (are some) of the factors driving the consumption of rare earth elements," the report said. "The demand for these elements in developing economies is estimated to expand rapidly." Once it reaches commercial production, Wicheeda is expected to produce more than 25,000 tonnes of rare earth oxide annually, Reichman wrote. "It all begins with developing a world-class deposit that contains high-quality ore," Reichman wrote. "We think Defense Metals is well positioned to benefit from growing demand for rare earths for use in electric vehicle batteries, metal alloys, and advanced technology applications." Ownership and Share Structure About 5% of the company's stock is owned by insiders, including Director Andrew S. Burgess with 1.63% or 4.18 million shares, and CEO Taylor with 0.98% or 2.5 million shares, according to Reuters. About 11% of the company is owned by institutional entities, including RCF Opportunities Fund II LP, with 10%, the company said. The rest, 84%, is retail. Defense Metals has a market cap of CA$49.88 million with 255.78 million shares outstanding and 212.98 million free floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.39 and CA$0.185. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Clare-based Munstergroup Insurance is the latest Irish broker to be acquired by a private equity-backed multinational, being purchased by the Irish arm of UK-based PIB Group for an undisclosed amount. The Ennis firm is the 19th Irish broker to be acquired by the group, which is headquartered in London, as the company continues its ongoing acquisition-led growth strategy across Ireland and further afield. Munstergroup was acquired through PIB's Irish subsidiary, Campion Insurance, which the group purchased in November 2021. Based in Ennis, Munstergroup provides insurance cover for homes, cars, vans, businesses and farms, with the financial services side offering health insurance, pensions and investment assistance. Since this year alone, nine businesses have been acquired through Campion for PIB, including Tim Duggan Insurances, based on O'Curry Street in Limerick city, Ennis-based Gleeson Insurance, as well as Landmark Insurance and Halligan Insurance, both based in Dublin. Backed by private equity firms Apax Partners and the Carlyle Group, PIB Group was founded in 2015 and has since embarked on numerous acquisitions across Poland, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as Ireland. I am delighted that Munstergroup Insurance is now part of Campion Insurance and PIB Group," said Jim Campion, chief executive of Campion Insurance. Established in Urlingford, Kilkenny in 1984, Campion Insurance has grown into one of Irelands largest brokers, with offices nationwide. The business was acquired by PIB Group in 2021 with the broker now PIBs lead brand in the Irish market. "The business was highly sought after, and I am delighted that we have successfully completed the purchase. Now that they are part of Campion Insurance and PIB we will be able to support the business as it grows giving people the opportunity to reach their potential," Mr Campion continued. Padraic McNicholas, who currently leads Munstergroup, is stepping back from the business following the acquisition, with Michael Henchy taking over the role. "Today, marks a new chapter for Munstergroup Insurance, one which excites me," said Mr Henchy. "This is a market-leading insurance business, with a dedicated, ambitious, and hard-working team." British pub group Marston's has said its operating profitability should improve beyond its initial expectations after cutting costs. The company, which operates 1,415 pubs and bars across England, Scotland, and Wales, said in a trading update it was aiming for its operating profit margin to improve over two to three years. Some of this has been achieved through cost reductions, including the cutting of headcount costs. Marston's said it had fixed its energy costs for the coming financial period and has secured a significant portion of its food and drinks costs, giving it confidence about its financial outlook. In the past year, Marston's like-for-like sales rose by over 10%. "We do have limited exposures to city centres and what the numbers show is that over the last year, (suburban) businesses are incredibly resilient," said chief executive Andrew Andrea. The pub chain, which has not declared a dividend since 2020 due to tough economic conditions, raised its debt reduction target. In 2023, Marston's disposed about 55m (64m) of "non-core" pubs and expects around 50m in similar disposals in 2024. Rival Wetherspoon, which prices its food and beverages lower than average pubs, said last week it had returned to annual profit, and pub group Mitchells & Butlers also reported a rise in sales helped by resilient demand. Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin told the Irish Examiner last week that the company in the Republic had traded profitably at pub level in 2023, but had spent a total of 49m on its premises at Keavan's Port Hotel on Camden St in Dublin, at South Strand close to Grand Canal Dock in Dublin, and at Wetherspoon in Waterford. The latest results showed Wetherspoon was carrying cumulative gross tax losses in the Republic of 24.2m through its latest financial year, up from 18.4m in cumulative losses from prior years reported in 2022. Reuters and Irish Examiner Finance Minister Michael McGrath acknowledged in his budget speech the importance of indigenous businesses, describing them as the backbone of the economy. A number of welcome new measures, as well as amendments to existing measures, to support these businesses were announced by the minister. Positive changes to the R&D tax credit were announced. The key change is an increase in the headline R&D tax credit rate from 25% to 30%. This will be very much appreciated. The other positive change announced is an increase in the R&D tax credit first instalment threshold to 50,000. This will particularly benefit companies in the SME sector by providing much-needed additional cash flow. The changes announced on Tuesday build on the positive changes that were introduced to Irelands R&D tax credit regime last year and endorse the importance of the R&D tax credit in anchoring and stimulating investment in R&D in Ireland. A new targeted capital gains tax relief is being introduced for angel investors in innovative start-up SMEs who hold their investment for a minimum period of three years. Qualifying angel investors may avail of an effective reduced rate of CGT of 16%, or 18% if through a partnership, on a gain up to twice the value of their initial investment. There is a lifetime limit of 3m on gains to which the reduced rate of CGT will apply. Welcome relief This is a welcome relief at a time when start-ups are having difficulty raising funds. Private investors provide invaluable advice as well as finance to these start-ups and the relief should help to encourage investment. The minister announced an increase to the age limit from 66 years to 70 years for qualifying individuals claiming the maximum retirement relief from CGT, while at the same time, he introduced a new maximum limit of 10m for disposals to a child up until the age of 70, both of which are due to take effect from January 1, 2025. It is welcome to see this age limit move out to 70, as many owners are not ready to pass on their business at age 65. On the Employment Investment Incentive scheme, Mr McGrath announced a doubling of the amount an investor can claim relief on to 500,000 and a standardising of the investment period to four years. On the Key Employee Engagement Programme (Keep), the minister announced the changes signalled in Budget 2023 had been approved by the EU and would be commenced. Technical adjustments to the Keep are due to be published as part of the Finance Bill to increase the value to employees using the scheme. Indigenous businesses will be dealing with increased costs including the rising minimum wage, sick leave and auto-enrolment. It was announced a 250m package of temporary support is being developed to support businesses with these costs. It is hoped businesses will be able to easily access these payments without huge red tape. Budget 2024 was an opportunity for the ministers to deliver pro-growth policies and the measures announced, while modest, are a step in the right direction to support indigenous business. The Government must continue to support indigenous businesses and introduce measures to increase their overall competitiveness going forward. Nicola Quinn is tax partner with PWC Matthew Halsall isnt one to blow his own trumpet. But ask a knowledgeable jazz fan, and they will tell you the Manchester-based artist is a pioneering figure in the genre today. He runs the influential label Gondwana Records, which has put out material by Mercury-nominated Portico Quartet and Polish composer Hania Rani. Hes also a successful composer and band leader in his own right. Halsall has released a series of acclaimed albums, including the recent An Ever Changing View, praised by the UKs Guardian for mixing ambient percussion and yearning melodies. Just what the doctor ordered, agreed All About Jazz. Its quite a distance from his formative years as a musician, when jazz was widely perceived as strange and obscure. Growing up, I felt in a minority liking jazz and being a trumpet player. Especially growing up in a little mill town in Manchester, says Halsall, who returns to the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival for performances at the Everyman on October 27 and 28. Jazz has reached an increasingly diverse audience across the 15 years of Gondwanas existence, he says. One driving factor is technology. Streaming lets the listener sample different kinds of music. It turns out that a lot of people you might never have previously got near jazz love it. Theres a younger generation. Through the evolution of how people listen to music the ideas of playlists, if you like this youll like that These have allowed people to discover things you might not discover if you went in a record shop, he says. Traditionally youd go to a record shop and go to a genre you like. Online, with streaming, you can listen to something and if you like it great and if you dont its gone. I think that accessibility has allowed people find jazz that they really like. Ive got to be honest. In jazz theres a lot of stuff I dont like. I have a beautiful record collection, thousands of records. But theres plenty out there the would put me off jazz. In addition to steamers, he feels the vinyl boom and websites such as Bandcamp, where artists can sell vinyl and digital downloads as bundles, have contributed. Its funny. Fifteen years ago, when I started the label, youd sell a lot of CDs. Digital was coming in. In 2008, Spotify had just started. Bandcamp has become absolutely huge over the 15 years Ive been releasing music. Its platforms like that that have helped vinyl sales. The idea that you get a super high-quality digital download and this physical product... I also know loads of people who buy records and never open them. They like to collect them but dont listen to them." That jazz has come a long way in its mainstream appeal was confirmed recently when Londons Ezra Collective won the Mercury Prize for best British or Irish Album of the Year. Theyve also played several acclaimed Irish shows over the summer including at the All Together Now festival in Waterford. Its proof jazz is no longer niche or the preserve of obscurists and chin strokers, as used to be the cliche. Today, its squarely in the spotlight. Matthew Halsall and his group at the Everyman in 2021. Picture: John Cronin The success of Ezra Collective is an indication that people are more open-minded about what they listen to, feels Halsall. But it goes the other way, too our definition of jazz has stretched to encompass many forms of music. I would say Ezra Collective are much more Afrobeat than jazz to me, he says. I can hear more [famed Afrobeat drummer] Tony Allen. My girlfriend was playing Ezra Collective, and I said to her, Is that Tony Allen? And she said no, its Ezra Collective. That crossover of African rhythm and reggae and all sorts of neo-soul and trip-hop has broadened what jazz is or what people in the industry want jazz to be. Decades of sample culture have fuelled jazz, too. A Tribe Called Quest, the Pharcyde and Nas are among the hip-hop artists who have woven jazz into their music. People have been soaking up jazz for decades. Its just that they didnt know it. When I was in my teens discovering the likes of Cinematic Orchestra. They were sampling loads of beautiful jazz records, says Halsall. Coltrane, all sorts of stuff was getting put in. Even in the 1990s and 2000, people were like, Oh, I hate jazz, but I love hip hop, a Tribe Called Quest. Nearly all of the samples are from classic jazz records. Sample culture has been a huge part. Even if you look at contemporary artists like Flying Lotus...Kendrick Lamar is one of the big ones having [saxophone player] Kamasi Washington playing with him. That thing of two worlds colliding. At that point, the jazz world exploded a lot. Kamasi isnt necessarily my favourite artist. Neither is Kendrick Lamar. I saw a huge shift in the younger generations going to jazz gigs." He played Cork Jazz two years ago and had a blast. The festival has an eclectic programming philosophy and hes all for it. Jazz can mean all sorts of things and Halsall feels a diverse bill is always a plus. Its a funny thing isnt it? In Europe when you played a jazz festival it was very jazz. When you look at Cork Jazz Festival or Love Supreme [a three day-er in Sussex], theyre a real mixture of soul, hip hop and r n b. All sorts going on. I dont mind: I remember playing a jazz festival in Finland. It was Lauren Hill, Richard Ashcroft. And then Gregory Porter and myself lots of jazz artists. I found it quite entertaining going around watching all the different artists. Its fine its making jazz a bit more open. Matthew Halsall plays an evening show at Everyman Palace Cork, Friday, October 27, and a matinee at the same venue, on Saturday October 28, as part of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. An Ever Changing View is out now Groovin On Up: Other new faces of UK jazz GoGo Penguin. Moses Boyd: Moving comfortably between jazz, soul and R&B, the London-born drummer and bandleader received a Mercury Prize nomination for his 2020 solo debut, Dark Matter. GoGo Penguin: Contemporary classical, electronica and jazz collide in the music of the Manchester collective, whose latest album, Everything Is Going to be OK, was released in April. Their Cork gig was one of the highlights of the festival last year, and they play Dublin in early 2024. Shabaka Hutchings: Best known of the projects, Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors, the London artist has also collaborated with Floating Points and the Sun Ra Arkestra. Nubya Garcia: A saxophone player and composer, Garcia blends jazz and the Afrofuturism genre, which uses science fiction, history and fantasy to explore black identity, and in 2019 won the Jazz FM Breakthrough Act of the Year Award. Emma-Jean Thackray: Leeds-born Thackray released one of 2021s finest LPs in Yellow nothing to do with Coldplay but a record that tapped into the brass band music with which she grew up in the North of England. From the headlights of a DHL van so bright, A new device has entered my life. An air fryer, born of culinary might, An end to oil-soaked gastric strife. At first, I thought it was an alien device from the future sent to spy on my nightly raid of the fridge. But no, it was an air fryer, the new sentinel of our kitchen, standing stout and ready for culinary combat. I eyed it suspiciously, as one would regard a new colleague who laughs a little too loudly at the bosss jokes. Was this contraption a friend or a fiend? My wife, a wizard in online shopping, proclaimed it the next guardian of our gastronomy. I, a sceptical muggle of modernity, wasnt entirely convinced. According to a plethora of published studies, air fryers use hot air to cook food that would otherwise be dunked in a gallon of oil. Less oil means fewer calories and less guilt as you reach for that third piece of fried chicken. The science was as crisp as the fries promised undeniable and tempting. It was brought to market by the Dutch company Philips but invented by Fred van der Weij, a name etched in the golden halls of crispy delight. In 2010, van der Weij introduced us to the air fryer. This culinary wizard turned our greasy indulgence into a whisper of calorie count. With a wave of his inventive wand, van der Weij brought to life a machine destined to sit in our kitchens, as essential as the stove, yet as revolutionary as the first slice of bread. Philips refined rapid air technology, a fancy term for using hot air circulated at high speed to cook food. It was like giving your meals a sauna, where they come out not just cooked, but incredibly crisp, and minus the excessive oil a miraculous middle ground between fried and, well, not fried. Im unsure if van der Weij envisions a yoghurt function. (My wife has warned me: Dont start making f**king yoghurt in my air fryer.) In this whirlwind of culinary evolution, the air fryer is not alone. GOLDEN DELIGHTS We need to remember how miraculous inventions that seem mundane to us have changed the domestic kitchen. It joins the ranks of the iconic toaster, a morning wizard turning bread into warm, crispy slices of heaven. The electric kettle, an unsung hero, is quick to boil and ready to brew our favourite teas and coffees in a jiffy. And who could overlook the George Foreman grill, the champ of indoor grilling, giving us those charred lines of perfection without stepping outside? The air fryer is joining those countertop ranks. And as we embrace the golden, crispy delights that the air fryer bestows upon us, the quest for the perfect air-fried chip is akin to the holy grail. I spoke to Ray Darcy on his radio show about this particular grail search a few weeks back. This might seem a trivial topic, but its not. It consistently ranks high in the Google search: What is the best frozen chip for an air fryer? My answer? Seek frozen chips with a dash of oil, for they awaken golden and crisp in the airy embrace of the fryer. Beware of the overly thin; they are the sirens leading your crispy dreams to a mushy demise. Embrace the chunky, for in their ample embrace lies the perfect equilibrium of crispy exterior and tender soul. But my pick would be, without naming them, rhymes with santy messy. Another golden nugget of the air fryer is its efficiency. This magical contraption is a beacon of economic radiance in a world where utility bills haunt ones peaceful slumbers. Consuming less power than a traditional oven, its like having a Tesla in your kitchen. In the future, we may even travel to work on an air fryer. Every succulent bite of your guilt-free fries isnt just a victory over calories but also a tiny rebellion against the tyranny of the electricity bill. Reflecting on my journey, air fryers symbolise a blend of science and tradition. No more peeling half-burnt chips off a baking tray for me, I tell ya! A dance of flavours, tradition and tech unite, Crispy tales spun, breaking the silent night. Each golden bite, a flavourful flight, Yet, the yoghurt function beckons to a new height. Im definitely going to try and make my own yoghurt. It was nothing really. Just a person turning up to one of my author readings and knowing far too much about me. It wasnt the first time this person had shown an unhealthy dedication to my online life or who hung around when I left the event, making me nervous as I ran to my car. But it was probably my own fault for posting on social media, I told myself. It scared me though. As a relatively new author, I am encouraged to reach out to my readers, to cultivate an online presence. Ive a mere 6,000 followers. Imagine, like influencers and many celebrities, if you have six million Platforms such as Instagram and Twitter have taken the relationship between those in the spotlight and fans to new heights. Those who follow famous people on social media feel closer to them than ever before. Exposure Social networks act as a window into the often interesting and engaging personal lives of individuals we admire. We even joke about 'stalking' the Instagram accounts of influencers we like, but the fact is that we can glean a lot of information from the snippets of lives that are there to be consumed online. In the wrong hands, that can be dangerous. Nurturing that relationship with fans is an integral part of building a successful brand. But what happens when the risk of exposure tips the balance? Where do we draw the line when it comes to celebrities interacting with fans safely? At the farthest end of the spectrum there are extremes like when Kim Kardashian was targeted by thieves in France. Shed displayed her expensive jewellery on her social media over time which may have triggered robbers to pinpoint her movements to the Paris hotel where she was staying. The result was a frightening armed robbery that made international headlines. Frightening Elsewhere, and perhaps not as a result of social media exposure, but of her TV presence, presenter Holly Willoughby was warned by police of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. The disturbing revelation caused the This Morning presenter to immediately take leave and subsequently quit the show that shed co-anchored for fourteen years. Closer to home, Irish TikTok star Miriam Mullins has spoken out before about the pitfalls of fame. The Cork native has more than two million followers on her social media channels. But, she says some days she wishes she hadnt started at all. Ive had my tyres slashed. Ive had people stand outside my house recording me in my home. Ive had to go to the guards but they cant do anything about it really. Exposure is a double-edged sword for those hoping to remain in the spotlight. In other words, you are damned if you do. and damned if you dont. Shawn Tuma, a cyber-security attorney with Scheef & Stone says it can be a tricky line for celebrities to toe. They use their social media, they use their public presence as a huge part of their business model, he told Vanity Fair. So what this shows is the importance of evaluating your risk profile, whether you're a company, whether you're an individual, and saying, How much risk am I exposing myself to? And then looking at it and saying, What level of security do I need to implement to match the risk that I'm exposing myself to? Of course, in my case, I dont have anything to fear about the theft of my multimillion euro jewellery collection (unless the thieves are really into Accessorize and TK Maxx hoops) Nor do I have millions of obsessive fans who feel as if they know me to such an extent that they want to hurt me. But what happened to me at that reading wasnt nothing. It made me uncomfortable enough to think twice about the things I now post. Social media is a great many things, and I enjoy using the platforms creatively, but maybe whats happened in the media this week shows the extremes of just how exposed celebrities are in exposing themselves. Missing Irish-Israeli woman Kim Damti (22) has been confirmed dead following the Hamas attack on a music festival in Israel last weekend. Ms Damti had been unaccounted for since Hamas gunmen opened fire on festival-goers on Saturday, but in a post on social media on Wednesday night, her sister Laura confirmed that she had died. With great sorrow and gloomy grief, I announce the killing of our angel, our flower, Kim, my blood, who was murdered by the cursed terrorists," she said. Kim Damti's funeral will take place later today in Gedera, according to a social media post made by her sister. An unprecedented attack was launched by Hamas at the weekend, with thousands of rockets fired into Israel and militants breaking down wire fences and entering Israeli villages. Ms Damti was attending a music festival near the Gaza border when gunmen arrived at the site. In an interview with ABC News after the attack, her mother Jennifer Damti said her daughter had phoned them in a panic after gunmen opened fire. I just want her back, she told ABC on Sunday. On Wednesday night, President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to Kim Damti and offered his condolences to her family. "The circumstances in which her life was taken, having travelled as she did to attend a music festival, are truly appalling," he said in a statement. "It is not only those of us who are parents, but all of those who feel that young people should be free to attend events with their peers in conditions of safety, who will find such circumstances where a young life is taken so appalling. "Kim's death once again reminds us what an outrageous breach of fundamental international law in conditions of conflict it is to target civilians in this way." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the nation would mourn for Kim Damti. "This vibrant young Irish-Israeli woman was struck down in her prime, with her adult life ahead of her. Her death, and the deaths of more than a thousand other citizens of Israel and from around the world, was senseless and barbaric. Kim gave happiness and joy to her family and those around her." Tanaiste Micheal Martin also offered his condolences to the family. "When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely. The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating," Mr Martin said. "Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise." Earlier, Mr Varadkar had warned the Israeli government that international solidarity with it could "evaporate" if its response in Gaza is disproportionate. "We very much oppose the fact that civilian infrastructure (in Gaza) has been cut off, like water, electricity, we think that's very much the wrong approach," he said. On Wednesday night, Fine Gael members unanimously agreed to send a letter of condolence to the Israeli embassy following the weekend attack. A meeting of the parliamentary party agreed to send the letter which will also include an appeal for restraint and adherence to international law. Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney told party colleagues that the recent Hamas attacks have to be condemned unreservedly as an act of terrorism. He also emphasised the need for de-escalation of violence and adherence to international law to protect innocent civilians in Gaza. The U.S. Supreme Court will not take up a high-profile Idaho case that tested whether a drug-sniffing police dog illegally searched a car during a traffic stop. The Idaho Supreme Court in March ruled that when a Mountain Home police drug-sniffing dog jumped on the side of a car while following an officers directions, a suspects Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful searches was violated. The federal courts inaction means the decision from the states highest court will stand, setting a precedent for limitations on law enforcements use of canines in drug searches. The case stems from the 2019 arrest of Kirby Dorff, a Mountain Home man, who was later convicted of drug possession and delivery. During a traffic stop, the dog, Nero, alerted to drugs in Dorffs car, after the dog jumped up against the vehicle multiple times to sniff its upper seams, including once when his paws rested on the drivers side door and window. Dorff appealed his conviction to the state Supreme Court, arguing that law enforcement found a pill bottle, folded papers and a baggie with a white substance found in his car during an illegal search. The Idaho Supreme Court ruled that when Nero intermeddled with Dorffs property, it meant police conducted a warrantless search. In June, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labradors petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. In its petition to the federal court, the attorney generals office argued that Neros actions were instinctive and unattributable to law enforcement and that a police dogs brief contact with the outside of a car is not a physical intrusion of a constitutionally protected area. The court last week declined the petition. The Dorff case attracted national attention among other recent cases asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on police powers under the Fourth Amendment. That includes a California case that involved a police officer who, while attempting a traffic stop for a noise violation, followed a man into his garage, where the officer discovered the suspect was drunk. The court ruled that police pursuits for suspected misdemeanor offenses dont always justify warrantless entry into suspects homes. The Idaho Supreme Court previously determined that the dogs actions were prompted by an officer who made upward gestures, directing the dog toward areas to sniff. There is no asterisk to the Fourth Amendment excusing the unconstitutional acts of law enforcement when they are accomplished by means of a trained dog, Idaho Justice Robyn Brody wrote in the majority opinion. The defence in a fatal assault case expressed surprise that the post-mortem report in the case which dates back almost four months is still not available. Sergeant Gearoid Davis said: The DPP are outstanding. We are awaiting a full post-mortem report. Everything else is read. Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said on behalf of Aaron Babbington: I would have thought that post-mortem report would be through by now. It is obviously a key piece of the information. While the State sought a two-week adjournment with the accused remanded in custody, Mr Buttimer said the defence was prepared to consent to a four-week remand in custody. Judge Olann Kelleher commented that the post-mortem should be available on the next occasion in Cork District Court. The defendant appeared by video link from prison. The post-mortem will be part of an extensive garda file related to an incident where a 32-year-old man died two days after sustaining injuries in an alleged bottle attack in Cork city centre. Aaron Babbington, aged 29, of 25 Churchfield Avenue, Churchfield, Cork, is charged with assault causing harm to Jason Butler on Grand Parade, Cork, on June 14. Mr Butler died two days later. It was alleged that the late Mr Butler was slashed in the throat during the daylight incident on Grand Parade at around 7.30pm on June 14. In relation to bail for the accused, Det Garda Patrick Russell objected to bail on various grounds, including the seriousness of the alleged offence. Chuck Feeney, the Irish-American philanthropist died on Monday. A visionary man, he made a fortune and gave it away transforming Higher Education in Ireland by investing hundreds of millions in the sector. He came from a modest background and went to college with the help of the GI Bill. This left him with a passionate belief in education which he saw as an essential accelerator for individuals and societies. One suspects that Tanaiste Micheal Martin might agree. He recently suggested shortening the teacher training by a year because of a dire shortage of teachers. The nine-month H-Dip became a two-year educational Masters to raise teaching standards in schools. But it has resulted in a sharp drop in applications and Micheal Martin contends that it has locked out lower-income students. The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) welcomed his comments but Education Minister Norma Foley and academics disagree saying the lengthier course has raised standards. The competing viewpoints suggest a wider debate about the purpose of education, specifically postgraduate degrees. We value education. Until 1967 when FF Minister for Education Donogh OMalley (another visionary) introduced universal secondary education many people left school at 14 but since then, its fair to say we ran with the ball. According to last years CSO figures, we have one of the lowest rates of school leavers in the EU with 96% of Irish students attaining at least a higher secondary level of education, ranking us joint second with Greece among EU member states. We have the joint second-highest level of third-level educational attainment at 62% along with Cyprus, marginally behind Luxembourg. This represents a big leap since in 1991 only 13.6% of the population had a degree. The Higher Education Authoritys (HEA) figures last year show that in 2021 almost one in five students graduated with a Taught Masters. Another HEA study estimates that about 35% of Irish undergraduates go on to study at postgraduate level. Utility or personal development? But is college education about utility, with degrees being a gateway to economic and social mobility and a better future? Or is it essential for the individual development of the student, assisting them to understand the issues that arise in society, generating more civically engaged, rounded students? The question isnt binary, its both although in Ireland, at second level we veer towards the utility end of the spectrum. The arms race approach to education from which a vastly lucrative grinds industry profits culminates in the Armageddon of the Leaving Certificate. At third level, the reasons students go to college are probably a mixed bag. Currently, in the USA the narrow, grim idea that universities and colleges should function as assembly lines for industry and business where content is designed solely to make graduates useful to employers or to power the economy is gaining traction. Consequently, many liberal arts programmes are under attack with language, philosophy and literature programmes being curtailed or even closed. Similarly in the UK, Tory Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently vowed to crack down on rip-off university degrees with poor career prospects leading to critics accusing him of attacking arts and humanities degrees. Seeing education as not having an abstract value beyond a financial one is deeply philistine but post-graduate degrees represent a significant financial commitment. So, its reasonable to run the slide ruler over courses to see how much they cost, what their content is, and whose needs they serve and to consider graduate outcomes as Micheal Martin has done. Read More Tanaiste in favour of halving the length of teacher training courses Also, at the post-graduate stage, most students apart from those who wish to remain in academia are building their human capital. And you wonder if there might be another aspect to the decision to lengthen the teaching qualification. The third-level sector has long been underfunded in Ireland. In the late 1980s, Chuck Feeney visiting Ireland responded to this chronic underfunding by pumping money into Irish universities. Since the 2008 crash funding has never recovered. Irish universities have effectively been forced to act as semi-privatized businesses looking for sources of income to shore up the bottom line with post-graduate courses and foreign students being money-spinners. Masters programmes Mastersportal.com suggests there are 1,296 masters programmes in Ireland. The average cost of a masters in Ireland seems to be anywhere from between 4,000 to 12,000 and is an expense borne not solely by students but often by their families. If you want to be a teacher you have no option but to undertake the masters. But lets say you want to work for a company, do you need one? A line thats often peddled is that primary degrees have declined in status and that a masters degree is now necessary, but is that true or are students press-ganged into doing them for fear of being left behind? Various factors, such as the particular sector a graduate enters and the state of the economy at a given time, impact earning power but a postgraduate degree does suggest a boost in earnings. The HEA Graduates Outcomes Survey showed that 59% of taught postgraduates earned more than 35,000 per annum compared to 33.2% of undergraduates with an Honours degree. One further European statistic from 2022 indicates that Irish graduates earn 21% more if they have a masters degree or greater qualification. Another benefit of a postgraduate qualification often cited is that it leads to greater long-term job security. However, in a fast-moving global jobs market this proposition is arguably somewhat qualified when the idea of long-term has taken on a different meaning. Having undertaken a masters where the content was shockingly thin (this is not to suggest that all masters programmes are but its worth researching them properly) when my offspring edged towards the end of a basic degree, I began to canvass people in senior positions in various fields (including banking, tech, and management consulting) for their opinion. The question I asked was: Should a graduate undertake a masters directly after their degree or work first possibly returning to do a masters at a later stage, if necessary? The answer was unanimously that a graduate should work first. The student would have a better idea of what to study. And the learning experience would be richer thanks to the cumulative knowledge gained from work. In other words, it wouldnt simply be a box-ticking exercise. Also, a company might fund or partially fund an employees studies if they consider the employees improved human capital might benefit the company. Postgraduate degrees are generally considered necessary to be eligible for upper-management positions and to be promoted but the conclusion I drew was that they may not be as strong a deciding factor for employers at the application or early career stage as is sometimes believed. A graduate can consider working before pursuing a postgraduate degree. As a college education becomes harder to fund, particularly with increased accommodation costs, its likely that more students particularly at the postgraduate stage will want to know whether theyre getting a return on their investment. While this metric for success may be offensive to educationalists, its probably the biting reality for a growing number of students. Where the teaching qualification is concerned, it will be interesting to see, which point of view wins out, Micheal Martins or his Education Ministers. The true significance of Budget 2024 from an environmental point of view may be best understood by looking at our recent past. Over the last two decades, Irelands collective response to the emerging climate and biodiversity crises has been, at best, piecemeal and at worst, recklessly negligent. These crunch issues rarely merited more than a cursory passing reference from successive Taoisigh or finance ministers, while the actual environment ministry was considered a backwater that any politician with serious ambition would do well to avoid. This can be most clearly illustrated by considering the fate of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the agency charged with managing all the States extensive natural amenities, as well as policing crimes against wildlife. In 2008, its budget was 46.6 million, but the Fine Gael-led coalition gutted the organisation as part of its post-crash austerity programme, with funding falling by 70% to just 14 million by 2011. While the NPWS was by no means the only State agency to see its funding slashed, the severity of the cuts were indicative of an indifference bordering on hostility to nature protection that seemed to have been the zeitgeist of the time. This was best captured by then agriculture minister, Simon Coveneys declaration in April 2015 that aggressive expansion plans for the Irish dairy sector should not be constrained by petty concerns over emissions or pollution. Nobody in the Irish administration ever suggested that agriculture was going to reduce emissions long term, was Coveneys remarkably candid assessment at the time. SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE Check out our Sustainability and Climate Change Hub where you will find the latest news, features, opinions and analysis on this topic from across the various Irish Examiner topic desks and their team of specialist writers and columnists. Elections matter. The arrival of a cohort of 12 Green Party TDs into government in 2020 was on the back of the huge climate marches of the previous year and indicated that public anxiety about environmental issues had nudged from the fringes and was moving slowly towards the heart of political decision-making. The centrepiece of Budget 2024 from an ecological standpoint is undoubtedly the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund, which is due to reach 14 billion by 2030, rising in annual increments of 2 billion, using a portion of our windfall in corporate taxes. Within this fund, according to finance minister, Michael McGrath, there is a climate and nature component worth over 3 billion, which will be available for projects between 2026-2030. The funds will be invested and managed by the National Treasury Management Agency and subject to State audit. By any standards, this is a massive win for the Greens, who had watched much of the progressive environmental agenda developed during their first stint in government from 2007 to 2011 being quickly eviscerated. Recession-proofing this fund and placing it beyond the whims of the next minister or administration is seen as a way of firewalling major climate investment projects well into the next decade. This could be the turning point weve waited for, commented ecologist Padraic Fogarty. This is serious money, over the longer term, to deliver real changes, for farmers and for communities. In introducing the governments climate measures, it was heartening to see Minister McGrath frame them in their wider context. In recent weeks and months, we have again seen the devastating impact of climate change on communities across the globe. Extreme heatwaves, droughts and wildfires have swept many parts of the world, and 2023 is now virtually certain to be the warmest year since records began in the mid-1800s. It is doubtful that many of the TDs who gathered to listen to the budget speech can have remembered heading into the Dail in their shirt sleeves in mid-October as temperatures remained eerily high in recent days, well above 20C in a month where the average high temperature is just 13C. However pleasant, an October heatwave in Ireland is as ominous as it is unexpected. Read More Nature restoration to benefit from new fund of more than 3bn Despite what the naysayers would have us believe, the green transition is in fact gathering pace in Ireland. Last month, fully electric cars were the single biggest seller in Ireland, with over 26% of sales, outselling either diesel or petrol models for the first time. This trend is only going in one direction, and the budget extended VRT relief on EVs up to the value of 50,000 until the end of 2025. A few years ago, the idea of solar panels being commonplace on Irish homes would have sounded fanciful. However, a combination of high electricity prices and the recent removal of VAT on solar panels has seen their uptake more than double in 2023. The budget also doubled to 400 the amount of tax-free income a homeowner can earn by selling surplus electricity back to the grid, as well as sensibly removing VAT on solar panels for schools. Apart from producing free electricity, school solar installations could present a valuable practical learning opportunity for children on the clean energy transition. The governments budget for energy transformation, including retrofitting, is now approaching half a billion euros, including 380 million for residential and community schemes operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This cost is fully funded by carbon tax revenues. Like them or not, carbon taxes really do work. By gradually raising the price on highly polluting products and using the revenues to make cleaner, greener alternatives affordable, they ease the pain of the energy transition while sending a clear longer term signal to the market that clean energy is the only game in town. Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan during a budget 2024 press briefing yesterday. Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos Environment and climate minister, Eamon Ryan describes Irelands home retrofitting plan as one of the most ambitious in Europe, with around 40,000 home energy upgrades due to be completed this year. Assuming the momentum is maintained and even modestly increased, this could see half a million Irish homes receive a significant energy upgrade in the next 10 years or so. Irelands big opportunity over the next decade is in rapidly scaling up our renewable energy production, including onshore and offshore wind as well as solar power. Fossil fuel interests are fighting an intense rear-guard action to try to scupper this transition. They are dangling such nebulous prospects as clean gas and HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) as alternatives to oil and gas. In reality, these create more problems than solutions, and are little more than a distraction from the serious business of electrifying transport, home heating and much of our industrial sectors. While it tends to grab fewer headlines, the scale of changes being rolled out mean that key bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the SEAI, NWPS and the Department of Environment and Climate need not just funding but also the skilled staff to ensure that political plans get implemented. And, after years of chronic underfunding and political neglect, nature and heritage protection has come roaring back. Junior minister Malcolm Noonan secured 166 million for built and natural heritage, which included a 67.5 million budget for the NWPS, up 28% on last year, and more than quadrupled since the dark days of a decade ago. For a country that trades internationally on its green reputation, the political hostility to nature and biodiversity protection and willingness to coddle vested interests has long been a source of national shame. We can and must do better, much better. Long after Budget 2024 is a footnote in the history books, its likely that the visionary and potentially game-changing Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund will be what its best remembered for. Among Israeli citizens living abroad are some who have decided not to run from the war at home but towards it, scrambling to airports and joining online chat groups for help, desperate to make their way to the country after Hamas militants attacked. From Athens to New York, there are some Israelis wanting to serve, whether that means fighting in a military reserve unit or volunteering to shuttle supplies to those in need, even as the war has already claimed at least 1,800 lives and shows no signs of abating. On Tuesday, Israels military expanded its mobilisation of reservists to 360,000, according to the countrys media, as it ramped up its retaliation for the surprise attacks. Yaakov Swisa, a 42-year-old father-of-five, said nobody called and asked him to return to Israel to fight, but he felt he had no choice. He served for 15 years, and said he learned his army roommate was among at least 260 killed at a music festival. Passengers waiting in a queue to board flights to Israel at the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens were offered food and water (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP) Mr Swisa wants to rejoin his reserve unit, even if that means leaving his family and his construction-business job in Los Angeles. Ive been crying for two, three days. Enough. Thats it. I am ready to fight, he said. What else would I do while my friends are being buried in Israel? Some of the Israelis living, working or just travelling abroad who were trying to make it back said their reserve units were among those called up. Others said they had not yet been called or could not reach their commanders but expected to be asked soon. In other cases, Israelis who were too young to serve in the military, as well as non-Israelis with close ties to the country, have been trying to travel to assist family members or volunteer. Adam Jacobs, an 18-year-old community college student in New Jersey, said he was born and raised in the US and had travelled for years every summer to visit family in Israel. He said he learned his cousin was among those killed, and said he wanted to make his way to Israel to take on volunteer work, possibly shuttling supplies. I couldnt live with myself if I stayed here, Mr Jacobs said. Its never been this bad. People attended a rally in support of Israel in Rome, Italy (Andrew Medichini/AP) Eric Fingerhut, a former US congressman who now leads The Jewish Federations of North America, said he was not surprised by how many people wanted to help. As soon as we can possibly enable that, we certainly will, he said from Tel Aviv, where he had arrived just before the weekend attacks. There are many Israeli reservists who are abroad. And so getting them back home to join the fight, you know, has been a priority. And it should be a priority. So people are just scrambling. The war began after Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday during a major Jewish holiday, killing people and abducting others. In response, Israeli warplanes have hammered the Gaza Strip, destroying buildings and sending Palestinian residents scrambling to find safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory. Travel has been challenging, with major airlines suspending flights in and out of Israel. The US state department issued travel advisories for the region. Some reservists in the United States, home to more than 140,000 people born in Israel, were trying to get on charter flights. Ofer Cohen, a New York businessman, said he learned there were more than 200 reservists travelling through South America on holiday at the time of the attacks. They had been called back to base but unable to get there, due to cancelled flights. So Mr Cohen was trying to cobble together hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire a plane to pick them up, as WhatsApp messages describing their troubles kept rolling in. In Greece, hundreds of people waited hours to board emergency flights at Athens International Airport, many without a ticket and most travelling from other European destinations after cutting holiday and work trips short. As officers patrolled the area to provide security, volunteers handed travellers apples, bananas and bottled water. Supporters of Israel attended a solidarity event in Illinois in the US (Nam Y Huh/AP) Nir Ekhouse, a 19-year old from near Nazareth, had been in the Maldives with family. They reached Athens via Istanbul as they tried to get home. Once there, Mr Ekhouse said he planned to volunteer for an organisation that supported the military. This is the first time in the history of Israel that something like that has happened. Its very shocking, he said, standing in line with his parents and younger siblings. Israel Lawrence, 27, was born in Israel and grew up in London. He said that although he had not been formally called up, he was making the trip to join his fellow soldiers, many already on the front lines, and help his family members, who he said were living in terror and chaos. I want to be honest with you, Im scared, said Mr Lawrence, a trained rifleman who was on his way to Israel via Cyprus. All the guys Im with are terrified, but we are trained, and well do the best we can. Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area on Wednesday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel, deepening the misery of a war sparked by a deadly assault by Hamas militants. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Since then, militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. After the attack, Israel stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 25-mile-long (40km) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the Gaza Strip (Mohammad Al Masri/AP) The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. There is no safe place in Gaza right now, journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the bombardment of a city centre neighbourhood home to government ministries, media offices and hotels. I am genuinely afraid for my life. Gazas only power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday afternoon, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, the energy ministry said. Israeli tanks were stationed near the border with Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP) That leaves only generators to power the territory but they also run on fuel that is in short supply. The UNs World Health Organisation said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals had already run out amid the flood of wounded. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one hospital we consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once, Matthias Kannes, the aid groups head of mission in Gaza, said on Wednesday. He said the territorys biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only had enough fuel for three days. Gaza City was hit by Israeli airstrikes (Adel Hana/AP) Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense public pressure to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007 and remained firmly in control through four previous wars. That would likely require a prolonged ground assault and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Israeli airstrikes late on Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Unknown numbers of bodies lay beneath the debris (Hatem Moussa/AP) Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. Meanwhile, exchanges of fire over Israels northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. US president Joe Biden warned other countries and armed groups on Tuesday against entering the war. The US is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. On Wednesday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. An Israeli army column was deployed to Sderot, a town close to the Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole neighbourhoods rather than just individual buildings then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory, said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done. Israeli soldiers patrolled Sderot (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the worlds apathy. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It was not clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late on Tuesday. In Gaza, more than 250,000 people have fled their homes, the UN said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites have cut off services to 400,000 people, the UN said. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival on Wednesday to create a wartime Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighbourhoods and the only power plant ran out of fuel. The new Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and comes as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence on Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at a music festival. In a televised address on Wednesday night, Mr Netanyahu detailed atrocities that took place during the attack. We saw boys and girls bound, who were shot in the head. Men and women burned alive. Young women who were raped and slaughtered. Soldiers who were beheaded, he said. Israeli soldiers take cover on the ground. Over five days, Hamas has fired thousands of rockets into Israel (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults and have fired thousands of rockets into the country over the past five days. The Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will be led by Mr Netanyahu, Benny Gantz a senior opposition figure and former defence minister and current defence minister Yoav Gallant. A former chief of staff and another government minister were named as observer members. The countrys chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join the Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Mr Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. Israels increasingly destructive airstrikes in Gaza have flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath debris. A ground offensive in Gaza, whose 2.3 million residents are densely packed into a tiny, coastal strip, would likely result in a surge of casualties for fighters on both sides. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the Gaza Strip (Mohammad Al Masri/AP) Militants in Gaza have fired thousands of rockets into Israel since Saturday and their barrages continued on Wednesday, aimed at the southern town of Ashkelon. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza, most crowding into UN schools. Others sought the shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometres (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After nightfall, Palestinians were plunged into pitch blackness in large parts of Gaza City and elsewhere after the territorys only power station ran out of fuel and shut down. Only a few lights from private generators still glowed. On Sunday, Israel halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory and the sole remaining crossing from Egypt was shut down after airstrikes hit nearby on Tuesday. Israeli tanks were stationed near the border with Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP) Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders said the strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, Mr Kannes said. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a reconstructive surgeon at al-Shifa, said he had 50 patients waiting to go to the operating room as more critical wounded are treated. Were already beyond the capacity of the system to cope, he said. The health system has the rest of the week before it collapses, not just because of the diesel. All supplies are running short. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days, while residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Gaza City was hit by Israeli airstrikes (Adel Hana/AP) Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food on Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said. In Gazas Jabalia refugee camp, rescue workers and civilians carried men covered with blood and soot towards ambulances after strikes toppled buildings. Streets were left blanketed with metal, chunks of concrete and thick dust. Medical teams and rescuers struggled to enter other areas where roads were too destroyed, including Gaza Citys al-Karama district, where a large number were killed or wounded, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. Strikes have killed at least four Red Crescent paramedics, the organisation said. Unknown numbers of bodies lay beneath the debris (Hatem Moussa/AP) The risk of the war spreading was evident on Wednesday after the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. Additionally, an alert in the evening over an incursion by hostile aircraft from Lebanon was a false alarm, the military said. US president Joe Biden warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The United States is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. An Israeli army column was deployed to Sderot, a town close to the Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the territorys health ministry said. Israel has mobilised 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near Gaza and evacuated tens of thousands of residents from nearby communities. Toppling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would likely require prolonged ground fighting and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas said it launched its attack on Saturday because Palestinians suffering had become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation, increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. Israeli soldiers patrolled Sderot (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas are running high in Israel. Past conflicts with Hamas included heavy bombardments of Gaza but ended with the group still in power. Mr Netanyahu said this week that Israel is committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighbourhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then levelling large swathes in waves of airstrikes. In a meeting with soldiers near the southern border, defence minister Mr Gallant said: We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. Even with the evacuation warnings, Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no warning at all, survivors say. Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that Israel is committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike levelled his home in Gaza City said: There was no warning or anything. We were sitting there as civilians, dressed like anyone else. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press that Israeli airstrikes in the southern town of Khan Younis struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the so-called shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. A Palestinian woman who had 10 relatives killed near a United Nations school, weeps during their funeral (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa, File) In Gaza, 1,100 people have been killed, according to authorities there. In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli police during clashes. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israeli territory, and that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members. Nasa said the building blocks of life on Earth could be present in a 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid as the agency showed off samples collected from it in space. The US space agency said on Wednesday that early tests of materials collected from the Bennu asteroid as part of the Osiris-Rex mission showed evidence of high-carbon content and water. Scientists and space agency leaders gave a first glimpse of the asteroid material returned to Earth last month at a live streamed event at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. The display came after a capsule containing about 250g of rocks and dust collected from asteroid Bennu touched down in the Utah desert near Salt Lake City on September 24. The asteroid Bennu could contain the building blocks of life on Earth (Nasa/PA) Nasa has said it was the biggest, carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth, and its contents have now been hailed as scientific treasure. Nasa administrator Bill Nelson said the sample will help scientists investigate the origins of life on our own planet for generations to come. He added: Almost everything we do at Nasa seeks to answer questions about who we are and where we come from. Nasa missions like Osiris-Rex will improve our understanding of asteroids that could threaten Earth while giving us a glimpse into what lies beyond. As we peer into the ancient secrets preserved within the dust and rocks of asteroid Bennu, we are unlocking a time capsule that offers us profound insights into the origins of our solar system The sample has made it back to Earth, but there is still so much science to come science like weve never seen before. Asteroid Bennu is a 4.5-billion-year-old remnant of our early solar system and scientists believe it can help shed light on how planets formed and evolved. The spacecraft launched on September 8 2016 and arrived at Bennu in December 2018. It dropped the samples off sealed in a capsule last month. Already this is scientific treasure, said the missions lead scientist, Professor Dante Lauretta, of the University of Arizona on Wednesday. In a statement, he added: As we peer into the ancient secrets preserved within the dust and rocks of asteroid Bennu, we are unlocking a time capsule that offers us profound insights into the origins of our solar system. The bounty of carbon-rich material and the abundant presence of water-bearing clay minerals are just the tip of the cosmic iceberg. These discoveries, made possible through years of dedicated collaboration and cutting-edge science, propel us on a journey to understand not only our celestial neighbourhood but also the potential for lifes beginnings. With each revelation from Bennu, we draw closer to unravelling the mysteries of our cosmic heritage. Nasas mission goal was to collect was 60 grams of asteroid sample. But when the canister lid was opened, Nasa said scientists discovered bonus material covering the outside of the collector head, canister lid, and base. There was so much extra material it slowed down the process of collecting and containing the primary sample, Nasa said. The juntas new energy minister has asked Russia to provide technology embedded with artificial intelligence to extract oil from wells in Myanmar that do not have much left in them, as he continues scrambling for investment in what was one of Myanmars most attractive industries for foreign investment before the coup. Former major general Ko Ko Lwin was appointed to the position last month. Critics say he does not have enough experience for the job. On Tuesday, he held talks with senior executives from ROSGEO, the Russian state-owned geoscience exploration and research holding company. Ko Ko Lwin is in Moscow for the Russia Energy Week International Forum from October 11 to 13. At the meeting with ROSGEO executives, Ko Ko Lwin discussed the potential for using AI technology to extract oil from low-potential layers and old oil wells. They also discussed technology for collecting and analyzing data on sedimentary basins to identify new oil fields, and for conducting 2D and 3D seismic surveys to identify potential oil and gas reserves. According to junta media, Ko Ko Lwin is keen to use the latest technology to reduce losses and risks as oil production declines in Myanmar. He expressed a strong desire to deepen cooperation with ROSGEO to acquire technical assistance to accomplish this, according to junta media. The regime is desperately searching for new investment in the countrys oil and gas industry, which provides it with its single largest source of foreign income. After global giants like Total, Chevron, and Woodside Energy withdrew from the country following the 2021 coup, investment dried up. Blackouts since late 2021 are disrupting lives and businesses, and wreaking havoc on the national economy. Before his visit to Russia, Ko Ko Lwin hosted Russia-Myanmar Association for Friendship and Cooperation chief Anatoly Bulochnikov in Naypyitaw on September 26 for talks on potential cooperation in the oil and gas industry. Ko Ko Lwin also tried to woo investors at the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations first energy forum in Kazakhstan from October 3 to 6. Myanmar needs investment from partner countries to meet its power needs, he told the forum. He also sought Kazakhstans help to produce electricity from charcoal. Ko Ko Lwin also met a delegation from Roscongress Investment-RCIled by an official identified by junta media as Segey Vladimirovishto discuss the energy sector in Russia last Friday. They discussed construction of an oil refinery in Myanmar, an oil port that can handle large oil tankers, and accelerating cooperation in the energy sector. The regime, according to Ko Ko Lwin, has assigned focal persons in every energy sub-sector to ensure more effective cooperation. He also urged Russia to do the same. At least two of three siblings hospitalized following the strikes that annihilated their village in Kachin State shortly before midnight on Monday have yet to learn that their mother was killed, according to a volunteer helping survivors. One is too youngone-and-a-half-months oldwhile the three-year old is unconscious. It is unclear whether their elder brother, a six-year-old, can comprehend what happened. Their mother died at the camp while her three children suffered injuries from the bombing. The middle child is severely injured, and he remains unconscious, the volunteer said, adding: Their father is somewhere at a front line fighting against junta troops. Like his oldest son, he may not yet know that his wife had been killed. He also may not know that his three children have been hospitalized. The three siblings are among the 57 people injured that night in a series of blasts that killed at least 29 people, including 13 childrenone of whom was just one-and-half-years old. Regime troops bombarded the village located about two miles north of Laiza Town, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) said. Laiza is the KIAs headquarters. A girl from my village lost all of her family members; her parents, her older brother and his wife. She is the only one who was not harmed because she was studying away from home, a resident of Mung Lai Hkyet Village said. Now she has nothing. She is not the only one. She is not the only one who lost an entire family, residents of the village that was home to internally displaced persons (IDPs) said. The junta said on Wednesday that the deaths were a result of an explosion at a KIA warehouse containing about 105 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and weaponscountering the media reports that said the deaths were caused by the juntas airstrikes or shelling. KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu dismissed the regimes account as propaganda, telling The Irrawaddy that the armed group would never position a gunpowder warehouse near civilians. A KIA investigation had determined that junta had either used a high-tech drone or a fleet of drones carrying bombs to strike the IDP camp, he added. Other media reports say a series of blasts began shortly before midnight, with some reporting that the first one occurred at 11.30pm. Former residents of the village told The Irrawaddy that there was a series of explosions. The first was massive, and it was followed by several more, they said. Some pointed to craters that they said were proof their village was obliterated by numerous bombs. More than 600 IDPs from Mung Lai Hkyet Village are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, local aid groups said on Wednesday. Most former residents of the village are taking refuge in four shelters near the office of Woichyai IDP camp, a representative of the camp told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday. We are struggling We dont have enough space for a large number of people. We also dont have enough food to feed them, he said. They lost everything. We need to provide food, water, clothes, bedding, blankets, diapers, utensils and all sorts of commodities for them, he added. Road blocks due to ongoing fighting between KIA troops and junta infantry units make it almost impossible to deliver humanitarian assistance to the victims, said a volunteer from Myitkyina, Kachin States capital. Former residents of Mung Lai Hkyet cannot return to their village because it no longer exists. We want justice This is not the first time they [junta troops] committed crimes against humanity, a Kachin human rights activist, adding: I want to stress the need for humanitarian assistance for those affected. Following the massacre, the KIA and Myanmar parallel National Unity Government condemned the bombing as a war crime. The United Nations responded with a press release. It quoted Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying he was alarmed by the deaths and that those responsible must be held to account. The Secretary-General condemns all forms of violence, including the militarys intensifying attacks throughout the country, which continue to fuel regional instability, the press release from Guterres office added. The British embassy in Yangon also issued a statement. It said it was appalled by reports of a Myanmar military strike that killed civilians. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has rejected Myanmar juntas denial of involvement in a massacre at a Kachin State displacement camp as pure propaganda. At least 29 people, including 13 children, died at Mung Lai Hkyet village in Waingmaw Township on Monday night. The site is about 3km north of Laiza, where the KIA has its headquarters. The ethnic armed group is fighting the junta. The junta said on Wednesday that a KIA warehouse containing more than100 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and weapons exploded while all other sources blamed a regime airstrike, drones or shelling. KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that a gunpowder warehouse would never be located near civilians. It is pure propaganda, he said. Mung Lai Hkyet had more than 600 mostly displaced residents. The colonel said a KIA investigation had determined the junta had either used a high-tech drone or a fleet of drones carrying highly explosive bombs. The investigation team found pieces of the bombs and they are examining them, he said. He earlier said no aircraft had been heard. Laiza residents reported their windows shattering with the blast and camp residents said some blast craters were six meters deep. In October last year, junta aircraft bombed an outdoor concert at ANang Pa village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, to mark the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the KIAs political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization, killing at least 75 people. Mondays attack came 13 days before the first anniversary of the ANang Pa massacre. The earliest years of Sri Lankas three-decade civil war are the earliest years of American fiction writer V.V. Ganeshananthan's life. Stories of the war are imprinted on her memory. They are the stories she grew up hearing and reading about. Ganeshananthan shares one such story in her historical novel Brotherless Night, a New York Times Editors Choice. Set in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, during the 1980s, it is the story of Sashi, a 16-year-old girl who wants to become a doctor, as well as her brothers and their friend K, who are swept up in the violence of war. Sashi works as a medic at a field hospital for the militant Tamil Tigers, who, following years of state discrimination and violence, are fighting for a separate homeland for Sri Lankas Tamil minority. But events lead Sashi to question where she stands, and when shes invited to join a secret project documenting human rights violations, she embarks on a dangerous path that will change her forever. Brotherless Night is part of this years Chippewa Valley Book Festival readings. Ganeshananthan will present Brotherless Night: Political Fiction of the Recent Past from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, in University of Wisconsin-Stouts Harvey Hall Theatre. It will also be live-streamed at bit.ly/3ED1aLx. The event is free and open to the public; no registration is needed. It is co-hosted by the festival and UW-Stouts Literature Committee. Ganeshananthan will discuss how she researched 1980s Sri Lanka to create a historically accurate setting for her novel. She'll also delve into themes and style, emphasizing their places in the larger tradition of literature addressing war, feminism and ethnicity. I hope my audience and readers can hear me tell the beginning of a good story, particularly a story that looks to restore to common knowledge of an erased narrative, Ganeshananthan said. Brotherless Night is a book that approaches several marginalized vantage points of the civil war women and minorities and places them at the center. Ganeshananthans work has appeared in Granta, The New York Times, Best American Nonrequired Reading and other publications. She is a former vice president of the South Asian Journalists Association, has served on the board of the Asian American Writers Workshop and is a member of the boards of the American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies and the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop. She teaches in the MFA program at the University of Minnesota and co-hosts the podcast Fiction/Non/Fiction on Literary Hub, which is about the intersection of literature and the news. Brotherless Night will be available for sale by Dragon Tale Books at the event for $28, plus tax. Ganeshananthan will autograph books. It is also from the University Library in electronic book and audiobook formats. The role of literature in remembering UW-Stout professors Lopa Basu, Literature Committee co-chair, and Kevin Drzakowski are members of the festivals Authors and Events Committee, which chooses the authors each year. I recommended Brotherless Night because it is a really important document of the Sri Lankan civil war. I wanted V.V. Ganeshananthan to come to campus to share her perspective with our community and students to increase their global awareness of terrorism, conflict and the role of literature in remembering, said Basu, who is looking forward to learning how to write about and teach complex and painful histories. Literature can play a role in teaching us about our histories, Ganeshananthan thinks. We live in a world where official storytellers, whether they are governments and non-state actors like the Tamil Tigers, are insistent on telling their versions. And a lot of stories are left out, she said. Fiction uniquely fills that imaginative space of covering history at its margins or where stories are flat-out missing. A lot of Ganeshananthans favorite writers work to fill those gaps. For example, Edward P. Jones, Dolen Perkins-Valdez and Shyam Selvadurai, author of Funny Boy, a queer coming-of-age novel set right before Sri Lankas civil war. Some think these sorts of narratives are too complicated for most people to comprehend in fiction writing. I dont believe this, she added. Its important to write about things that other people try to intentionally erase. And as a reader, to find stories that exist outside of the official bounds. These are unknown narratives, but unknown to who? Brotherless Night and other historical fiction ask, What does the reader assume? and can show the reader they might be wrong in their assumptions, she said. Ganeshananthan will also visit with Basus Honors Composition students, who will be reading Brotherless Night and will have an informal Q&A with the author. The students will write about the novel or use it as a source for a research paper on conflict and resolution. Basu would like her students to learn about how othering (the act of treating someone as though they are not part of a group or are different in some way) by race and ethnicity can create unbelievable tragedies and violence, she said. Ganeshananthan will talk with them about how she became a writer, what its like to write a book and the difficulties of approaching historical material in writing. She has the same discussions with her own creative writing classes. Although water levels have fallen in Bago Region after four days of flooding, nearly 30,000 residents are still sheltering in relief camps and urgently need assistance, according to relief volunteers. On Tuesday, the military regime announced that more than 27,000 flood victims in Bago had entered 47 relief camps since Saturday (October 7). More heavy rain was forecast for Bago on Wednesday and Thursday. Flood levels in low-lying areas initially rose above 1.5 meters but had fallen to 0.9 meters on Wednesday. A local volunteer said Bago Citys west side was still submerged but floodwater had receded from other urban areas. Although the flooding has subsided, we are not letting people return home. Their houses need to be cleaned before they go back, a volunteer told The Irrawaddy. Bago Region suffers seasonal flooding but the current crisis is the worst in 60 years, submerging 80 percent of Bago City and leaving at least one resident dead, according to locals. We have to travel by boat in some places. People cant walk in some areas although the flood level has fallen, said U Tun Myat Nyunt, head of the Wonyan Hmue rescue foundation. He said that around 20,000 people in three wards that had never suffered flooding before Mhaw Kan, Ponnar Su, and Socialist are still in need of assistance. We are delivering drinking water and food. Currently, drinking water sources are scarce, U Tun Myat Nyunt told The Irrawaddy. To the southwest, flood victims in Hlegu Township on the outskirts of Yangon Region remain in relief camps as they wait for floods to recede, according to camp volunteers. Food and medicine supplies are urgently needed for people in Bago and Hlegu affected by the floods, the Myanmar Red Cross Society said. Meanwhile Bago residents said that villages near the city are still submerged and require emergency assistance. Myanmars civilian National Unity Government (NUG) and the United Nations have strongly condemned Mondays strike which is being blamed on the junta on a displacement camp in Kachin State. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) said Myanmars regime killed at least 29 people, including 13 children, and injured 57 at Mung Lai Hkyet village 3km north of the armed groups headquarters in Laiza. The junta has denied involvement and blamed an explosion at an ammonium nitrate store in a KIA training camp near the village. KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that the regimes account of the explosion was propaganda as the armed group would never position a gunpowder warehouse near civilians. He added that a KIA investigation had determined the junta had either used a high-tech drone or a fleet of drones carrying bombs. On Tuesday, the NUG said the juntas deliberate targeting of civilians fleeing conflict constituted a crime against humanity and a war crime. The civilian administration said it stood strongly with the people of Kachin, sharing the pain at the tragic loss of many lives and remaining committed to working to bring justice for those affected. Duwa Lashi La, acting NUG president, told The Irrawaddy: I am ethnically Kachin. Scores of people, including children, were killed and wounded in this brutal attack. I am with them in their immense sorrow. I am in solidarity with the entire Kachin people. My heart hurts for those in my Kachin State who have suffered again. The president condemned the regimes daily killing of civilians, particularly large-scale attacks like at A Nang Pa village in Kachin State. In October last year, junta aircraft bombed an outdoor concert held at the Hpakant Township village to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Kachin Independence Organization, killing at least 75 people. Such atrocities only make us more determined to root out the military dictatorship. We will turn sorrow into strength. By fighting together with greater unity, we will soon be able to put the juntas atrocities to an end, said Duwa Lashi La. Matthew Miller, a US Department of State spokesman, on Tuesday condemned the Kachin attack. Ken OFlaherty, head of mission of the British Embassy in Yangon, said on Tuesday that the UK was appalled by the reports of the military strike. We reiterate that the Myanmar military must stop its brutal campaign against the people of Myanmar, he said. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday that civilians should be protected under international humanitarian law. Those responsible must be held to account, he said. The Brotherhood Alliances three members, the Arakan Army, Taang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, in a joint statement on Tuesday said the regime openly commits crimes against humanity and war crimes by bombing civilians who oppose military rule. The alliance expressed solidarity with the people of Kachin and demanded justice. The Karenni State Consultative Council in Kayah State said the attack by the regime was a clear violation of international law, pledging solidarity with Myanmars people and to fight to end the dictatorship. At least 31 Myanmar junta forces as well as three resistance fighters were killed in the last four days as Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to clash with regime targets across the country. Incidents were reported in Sagaing and Magwe regions and Shan State. The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs and EAOs. Some military casualties could not be independently verified. Clash erupts in upper Sagaing At least four regime soldiers were killed in Banmauk Township, upper Sagaing Region on Monday when Katha District PDF battalions and other local resistance groups jointly clashed with a military unit between two villages, said Banmauk Revolution (BR), a media wing of local resistance groups. Regime forces bombed in Sagaing Junta troops are ambushed using remotely triggered mines at an entrance of a village in Khin-U Township on Monday. / Sagaing Regional PDF At least 10 regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region on Monday when local resistance groups used land mines and firearms to ambush a military unit of 100 troops including pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias at the entrance of Shwe Gu Tae Su Village, said Sagaing Regional PDF group. Regime forces ousted from power substation in Sagaing Many regime forces were reportedly killed in Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region on Monday when combined local resistance groups launched an early-morning raid on the Nga Pyaw Tine Village electricity substation, which had been occupied by around 120 junta troops and pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias since last week, according to Kyun Hla Activists Group, another media wing of local resistance groups. The resistance groups managed to occupy the power station. After sustaining heavy losses, the junta used Mi-35 helicopter gunships to attack the resistance forces. Two resistance fighters were killed. Regime forces killed in resistance attack in Sagaing The Chinland Defense Force (Kalay-Kabaw-Gangaw) group claimed to have killed three soldiers and injured eight when it and four other resistance groups clashed with a military unit traveling in the south of Kale Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday. After an hour of fighting, resistance forces were forced to retreat from the clash site as a military unit from Kale town hit them with heavy shelling. Two resistance fighters were injured in the junta shelling, the resistance group said. Resistance drones bomb regime targets in Sagaing Two regime forces were killed or injured in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region on Monday when five resistance groups used improvised remote-controlled airplanes to drop bombs on a military checkpoint at the entrance of Shwebo town, said Northern Tigers Group, which coordinated the strikes. Personnel at the military checkpoint have been extorting money from civilian vehicles, the resistance group said. On the same night, the combined groups continued to conduct drone strikes against bases of military troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia groups in three villages in the township. Casualties among regime forces and militias were unknown. Military convoy ambushed in Magwe Resistance forces ambush a military convoy of 70 vehicles in Pauk Township on Tuesday. / Myaing PDF Many regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured in Pauk Township, Magwe Region on Tuesday morning when Myaing PDF group ambushed a military convoy of 70 vehicles near the entrance of Pauk town, said the PDF group. During the ambush, regime forces stationed in nearby Ohn Taw Village used heavy explosives and drone bombs to attack the resistance forces. On that afternoon, the resistance group used land mines to ambush regime forces and Pyu Saw Htee militia from Yar Gyi Pyin Village while they were heading to Ai Kine Village, killing two regime forces. Regime forces, resistance fighter killed in clash in southern Shan Ten regime forces were killed in Mobye town in Pekon Township, southern Shan State on Monday when resistance groups including the Karenni National Peoples Liberation Front attacked regime forces stationed in Done Du Htan ward, said Demoso PDF, which joined the attack. An 18-year-old resistance fighter from Mobye PDF was killed and three others suffered serious injuries in the clash. Resistance forces had to retreat from the clash site after running out of ammunition. Clash erupts in northern Shan The Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said it clashed with a military unit of 140 troops in Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan State on Monday when the military unit launched an offensive against a TNLA base between two villages. Details of casualties on both sides were unknown. Wednesday, Oct 11th, 2023 (12:49 pm) - Score 6,576 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today opened up a consultation for feedback on the proposed mobile mega-merger between Three UK and Vodafone (here), which would reduce the number of mobile operators in the market from four to three and may thus impact upon competition, consumer prices, jobs and security. The agreement, which would see Vodafone hold a 51% slice of the business and CK Hutchison (Three UK) retain 49%, has thus far been promoted as something that would be great for customers, great for the country and great for competition, while also resulting in a major 11bn investment to upgrade the UKs 5G mobile (broadband) infrastructure and network coverage. NOTE: The combined business aspires to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their The combined business aspires to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their 5G Standalone (SA) network by 2034 and push fixed wireless access (mobile home broadband) to 82% of households by 2030, among other things. However, regulators and politicians are known to be cautious, particularly given the concerns over any potentially negative impacts upon competition (e.g. both at retail and wholesale) and consumer prices that may result from having fewer primary operators. Not to mention some fears over national security (i.e. Three UK is owned by CK Hutchison, which is perceived as being closely tied to China) and the risk of job losses (here and here). The UK is not the first market to run into such concerns and EU regulators, as well as Ofcom, previously took the approach of effectively blocking such agreements. But that changed in 2020 after a ruling by the European Court of Justice (here) found that having only 3 operators still made for a competitive market, although this isnt a green card for success and significant concessions may still end up being required. Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said: Millions of consumers and businesses in the UK rely on Vodafones and Threes mobile networks to stay connected. We will be carefully considering how this deal may affect competition in the UK, which could affect the options and prices available to customers. We will also assess how it may affect incentives to invest in the quality of UK mobile networks. This is an opportunity for those with an interest in this merger to let us know their views before we launch a full investigation. The CMAs remit, by law, is to assess the potential impact of a merger on competition. It cannot consider other potential effects that a merger might have, for example, on employment or access to personal data. Any national security concerns would be a matter for the UK government, which could potentially intervene under the National Security and Investment Act if it finds concerns, but so far weve seen no solid indications of that. According to the CMAs related merger page for the deal, the regulator will seek initial feedback until 1st November 2023 before proceeding with a formal phase one investigation. But the reality with a deal this big is that the CMA will almost certainly find cause to go through both a phase 1 and deeper phase 2 investigation, as should be considered fairly normal even for less contentious mergers. Both Vodafone and Three UK have spoken of their desire for the transaction to close before the end of 2024, but that will be subject to regulatory approvals. The CMA notes that a Phase 1 merger investigation must be completed within 40 working days, while Phase 2 investigations can last 24 weeks. The telecommunications regulator of South Korea warned Alphabet Inc. and Apple that the regulation might fine the companies up to $50.5 million for abusing their dominant app market positions. Read Also: PayPal Gets Hit with an Antitrust Lawsuit as Well South Korea's Regulators Find Google, Apple Unfair Processes In a statement released by the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), the two companies are reportedly forcing app developers to use a specific payment method, causing an unfair delay in app review. After reviewing, the regulators could impose fines of around $35 million for Google and $15 million for Apple. In 2021, South Korea amended its Telecommunications Business Act. The enforced policy is meant to ban app store operators from forcing software developers to use their payment systems. The KCC remained firm that both companies have enforced certain payment methods. Moreover, Apple has a "discriminatory charging of fees to domestic app developers." Meanwhile, Google issued a statement to Reuters stating that the company will carefully review and evaluate its next course of action. On the other hand, Apple voiced its disagreement with KCC's report and cleared that they have been compliant with the Telecommunications Business Act. Both companies have promised to continuously discuss with the KCC. Country Regulators Come at Tech Giants This is not the first time that a giant tech company has been warned and fined by state regulators. In 2022, Google and Meta were fined by the South Korean government with $71.8 million for violating privacy laws. In addition, Meta was also fined by Norway with $98,500 for privacy data breaches. On the other hand, several companies have been hit with antitrust lawsuits. Both the Federal Trade Commission and the European Union have been watching big tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Alphabet. Read Article: South Korean Government Fines Google, Meta Approx. $71.8M for Violating Privacy Laws The Chippewa County Board voted unanimously Tuesday to continue its investigation into county sheriff Travis Hakes for alleged misconduct. Going forward, the board will consider the existing investigation report, any new information that comes to light and a binder of information Hakes presented to each board member Tuesday, which he referred to as a counter-investigation. The vote was held following a 1-hour, 45-minute closed session in which the board discussed Hakes. After reconvening in open session, county commissioners amended their resolution to continue the investigation slightly to allow for new information to be considered. No additional public discussion took place among the board members prior to the vote. Tuesdays meeting began with public comments, in which 12 people took to the podium to speak for or against Hakes and to comment on the boards investigation. An unusually large crowd was gathered for the meeting. The county board room was filled with spectators, and two overflow rooms were set up to handle the number of people who showed up. Hakes was then granted 10 minutes to speak, and he provided a typed copy of his statement to board members before taking to the podium to read it. He ran out of time before completing his statement. Hakes had just one page left to read, he said, but the board did not let him finish and told him he was out of time. I will tell you this, I think it's disheartening. But there's something fitting there with this whole process, Hakes told the Herald after speaking at the podium. They had four hours to attack me behind closed doors, and I had 12 minutes in front of the public to defend myself. Hakes defends himself The statement Hakes gave during the meeting implied that he was relieved to be able to speak publicly in his own defense. I stand here before you tonight, finally able to speak to you in person, 144 days after I was first made aware of an issue brought forward to (human resources) by one of my employees, he said. Tonight is a meeting I wish would have occurred 143 days ago, as it would have prevented a lot of misunderstandings on all sides. Hakes said the investigations report was full of overreaching accusations. The Chippewa County Board initiated its investigation into Hakes during a June meeting after a county employee alleged in May that Hakes had sexually harassed her. Hakes said Tuesday, in regard to my text messages with the employee, my intention was to make her feel welcome and included in our office. That investigation resulted in a report prepared by von Briesen & Roper that was made publicly available Oct. 3. The report showed the investigation into Hakes had expanded beyond allegations of sexual harassment to include a host of other concerns about alleged misconduct and policy violations. The 87-page investigation report demonstrated the Chippewa County Board is concerned about Hakes' honesty, leadership, competence, training compliance, absenteeism, handling of confidential information, conflicts of interest and impropriety on the job. Hakes claimed the investigator excluded at least one interview from her report and that she and her firm was known for taking on cases that were anti-law enforcement. He also wanted to know why the board hired a firm from Madison instead of using lawyers from the local community. Hakes asked the board why they would believe the words of an obviously biased attorney from Madison, who financially profited from this investigation and who I will prove withheld critical information from her report to drive home false narratives, over the words of your duly elected sheriff, who the majority of your constituents voted for based on his reputation of being honest and trustworthy. Hakes also defended his training record and said he is fully in compliance with the mandatory peace officer requirements of the state of Wisconsin. He said he has sought out training opportunities throughout his career, including becoming a certified crisis negotiator and certified evidence technician. It has always been my intention to take the leadership courses recommended by the county, but given the fact that our office had already exceeded its training budget, I opted to take these courses at a later time, he said. Hakes also said he rejects the idea that there has been a conflict of interest between his businesses and his role as sheriff. To the limited extent these businesses have continued since I've been sworn into office, I have not had a single transaction with a sheriff's office employee in either my real estate or firearms business, he said. At the suggestion of several employees, I ordered coffee mugs with the sheriff's office logo on them to improve morale and instill pride in our office. I purchased these mugs with my own money. Closed session The county board later moved to a closed session to discuss Hakes. Todd Krysiak the executive editor for River Valley Media Group, which includes The Chippewa Herald reached out to the Chippewa County clerk before Tuesdays meeting to question why the board would meet in a closed session to discuss Hakes, asking that the conversation happen in a public session. In the email Krysiak wrote to county clerk Jaclyn Sadler, he said he did not believe Wisconsin State Statutes on closed meetings apply to this matter. Wisconsin State Statutes Sec. 19.85(1)(f) was cited in the county board meeting agenda as the reason for the board to go into closed session during the meeting. It states that meetings of governing bodies may occur in closed session if the subject of their discussion involves financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations. Sadler responded to Krysiak by saying she believed he was incorrect and that she hoped he understood that the board and administration has been open as to the prompt release of the report and the sheriffs augmentation. The board is careful with the matters it is addressing in closed session with the understanding that transparency is very important. Krysiak also pointed out that Hakes is not a county employee but an elected official, saying, it does not seem that 19.85(1)(f) would apply. Sadler said that though the sheriff is not an employee, the investigative report includes the initial complainant and many other county employees who cooperated in this investigation and have reputational interests in this matter, who the county has sought to protect from retaliation, and who the county continues to protect. As part of our remedial efforts to protect these employees, closed session discussion for part of this evening is appropriate, Sadler said. Krysiak questioned how a public discussion of the allegations against Hakes could cause a substantial adverse effect upon his reputation, as the allegations have already been made public. Krysiak said that he believed that any potential adverse effects upon Hakes reputation have already been done. An open discussion regarding the findings of that investigation would seem appropriate, he wrote. Sadler responded that there was an agenda item for the board members to have an open discussion regarding the findings of the investigation and to make a decision on how to move forward. At the end of Hakes time at the podium Tuesday, before the board entered into a closed session, Hakes told the board, If you are meeting in closed session to discuss anything that involves me, I waive all my rights to privacy, and in the interest of transparency with the media and everybody here, I would encourage you to stay in open session. The meeting proceeded as scheduled, and the board entered a closed session. It returned to an open session, in which the board said it would continue its investigation. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. What Is WordPress? WordPress is a popular content management system. It provides a convenient user interface that lets you manage many important aspects of a website, in particular posts and pages that contain the websites content. WordPress is open source under the GPLv2 license, meaning you can use WordPress for free, and also access and modify its source code. WordPress on the Cloud vs. Other Hosting Models Here are the four primary hosting models for WordPress sites: Hosting WordPress On-Premises You can run a WordPress website on a local server to achieve full control over your website. It means your website runs on dedicated infrastructure resources, and you must ensure the server stays online at all times. Additionally, you are solely responsible for maintaining, securing, and updating your website. Hosting WordPress Using Shared Hosting Shared hosting is a popular option for cost-effectively hosting WordPress sites. It means your site shares cloud resources with other websites. The hosting provider is responsible for setting up and maintaining the server, guaranteeing minimal downtime, and providing security features you can use to secure your website and its data. The main benefit of shared hosting is that it allows you to host your site cheaply. However, the downside to sharing resources is that you face potential issues such as erratic performance and exposure to cybersecurity risks that threaten others on the shared server. You can use shared to easily manage a small website, but it is not recommended for large-scale websites requiring high performance and availability. Hosting WordPress Using Managed Hosting Virtual private server (VPS) providers deliver resources that are entirely dedicated to hosting your website. The hosting service provides a management interface and typically hosts your website in a public cloud like Google (News - Alert) Cloud or Amazon Web Service (AWS). Managed hosting vendors offer a service level agreement (SLA), better security than shared hosting, and advanced site-management functionality. It is ideal for websites with strict uptime and performance requirements. Hosting WordPress in the Public Cloud Websites that cannot allow uptime or performance issues can use a cloud platform like Azure and AWS. These cloud providers provide full management features, uptime SLAs, and robust security. Hosting WordPress websites in a public cloud gives you access to advanced capabilities, such as high availability, replication across globally distributed data centers, and automated scalability. The main disadvantage is that you are responsible for achieving uptime and performance goals, and you must learn to use the vendors tools. Running WordPress on the Three Leading Cloud Providers Lets see how you can run WordPress on each of the worlds leading cloud providers: Amazon, Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure, and Google Cloud. Because WordPress in the cloud can be significantly more expensive than traditional hosted options, I added a pricing section for each cloud to help you consider how to optimize the costs of your cloud migration. WordPress on AWS Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) (AWS) is the worlds largest cloud provider. Among its hundreds of services, it provides Amazon Lightsail, a virtual private server (VPS) solution for small businesses, developers, and others who need to build applications and host them in the cloud. Lightsail provides the compute, networking, and storage capacity required to deploy and maintain web applications and websites. Lightsail is especially suitable for projects that require multiple virtual private servers to run WordPress at large scale. Service features The Lightsail service offers all the features you need to get projects up and running quickly, including virtual machines, managed cloud databases, a content delivery network (CDN), containers, DNS management, and load balancers. Lightsail provides several application and operating system templates, which you can choose from and automatically install when creating new Lightsail instances. These templates include WordPress with a LAMP or LEMP (NGINX) stack, and also other popular CMS platforms like Drupal, Joomla! , Ghost, Magento, and Redmine. Pricing Pricing for the Lightsail service is by the hour, so you only pay for what you use. There is a flat hourly rate that starts at $3.5 per month for a minimal Linux instance and $8 per month for a minimal Windows instance (each with 512 MB memory, single core processor, 30 GB SSD drive and 1 TB data transfer). The largest packages cost $160 per month for Linux and $240 per month for Windows and include 32 MB memory, an 8-core processor, a 640 GB SSD drive, and 7 TB data transfer. WordPress on Azure Azure App Service is a hosting service based on HTTP, suitable for web applications, mobile backends, and REST APIs. It provides a variety of application templates for WordPress and other popular CMSs, which can be obtained from the Azure Marketplace. Service features Azure App Service supports web applications in all popular programming languages, including PHP for WordPress applications. Websites hosted by App Service can run in Windows-based and Linux-based environments. App Service gives you the basic features of the Microsoft Azure cloud, including load balancing, security, and autoscaling. You can leverage advanced DevOps capabilities like continuous deployment (via Azure DevOps, GitHub, and Docker Hub), staging/testing environments, package management, TLS/SSL certificates, and custom domains. Pricing You can choose from several price tiers in Azure App Service, and the tier you choose determines what App Service features are provided. The pricing tiers available in your App Service plan depend on the operating system you choose when you create it. Pricing plans include Free and Shared plans which are primarily suitable for testing applications. The Basic, Standard, and Premium plans are suitable for production applications, and run on dedicated virtual machines. Another option is the Isolated plan, which hosts an application in a dedicated, secure environment. Pricing starts from $13.140 per month for Linux and $9.49 per month for Windows in the Shared plan, intended for development and testing. To run your web application on dedicated instances in the Standard plan, youll pay $69.35 per month for Linux and $73 per month for Windows (including up to 10 instances). WordPress on Google Cloud Google Cloud lets you run a WordPress site with high scalability, enterprise-grade security, while retaining control and flexibility over the deployment. Service options There are three primary service options: WordPress on Compute Engine the easiest and fastest deployment option, which gives you a single Compute Engine instance running WordPress. Suitable for low-to-medium traffic, with basic customization. the easiest and fastest deployment option, which gives you a single Compute Engine instance running WordPress. Suitable for low-to-medium traffic, with basic customization. WordPress on App Engine runs the website in a container, which provides additional flexibility, and is easier to deploy than WordPress on Google Kubernetes Engine. Suitable for applications with variable loads and peaks that require high scalability. runs the website in a container, which provides additional flexibility, and is easier to deploy than WordPress on Google Kubernetes Engine. Suitable for applications with variable loads and peaks that require high scalability. WordPress on Google Kubernetes Enginethe most flexible option that can support the largest scale, but requires more complex setup and deployment than App Engine. Provides advanced autoscaling options and can support full development projects for your WordPress site and integrated systems. Pricing Pricing starts from $12.71 per month for WordPress on Compute Engine. For App Engine, pricing depends on the instance size you select, and starts from $0.06 per hour. There are additional charges for outbound network traffic. Conclusion In this article, I introduced the concept of running WordPress in the public cloud, and showed the options for running your WordPress site on the worlds three leading cloud providers: Amazon provides Lightsail, a virtual private server (VPS) solution that lets you build and host applications in the cloud. The service includes a variety of templates including WordPress with LAMP or LEMP stacks. provides Lightsail, a virtual private server (VPS) solution that lets you build and host applications in the cloud. The service includes a variety of templates including WordPress with LAMP or LEMP stacks. Azure provides App Service, an HTTP-based web app hosting service, with application templates for WordPress and other popular CMSs. provides App Service, an HTTP-based web app hosting service, with application templates for WordPress and other popular CMSs. Google Cloudoffers three options for running WordPress, including self-managed on Compute Engine, fully managed on App Engine, and large scale deployments on Google Kubernetes Engine. I hope this will be useful as you consider taking your WordPress instance to the cloud. Author Bio: Gilad David Maayan Gilad David Maayan is a technology writer who has worked with over 150 technology companies including SAP (News - Alert), Imperva, Samsung NEXT, NetApp and Check Point, producing technical and thought leadership content that elucidates technical solutions for developers and IT leadership. Today he heads Agile SEO, the leading marketing agency in the technology industry. LinkedIn (News - Alert): https://www.linkedin.com/in/giladdavidmaayan/ HARRISBURG In the partisan politics of education funding, the school choice movement has pressed states for decades to send taxpayer money to private and religious schools and long had to concentrate its efforts on states where a Republican governor was an ally. That changed over the summer. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a first-term Democrat, put his weight behind a Republican-backed proposal to send $100 million to families for private school tuition and school supplies. Shapiro would later back down in the face of House Democratic opposition, but his support has raised Pennsylvanias profile in the national voucher debate and given advocates optimism that the program will eventually become law. With the backing of a major GOP campaign donor and now Shapiro, vouchers are on the states political agenda. A win for voucher advocates would mark an evolution in traditional alliances on school choice politics and could set Shapiro apart from other Democrats. Previously, Democratic governors who had backed school choice measures had done so in compromise deals with Republican-controlled legislatures. The signal Shapiro sent came through loud and clear to supporters of the program. What made Shapiro unique is his desire to lead on it, said Robert Enlow, president and CEO of the Indianapolis-based EdChoice. Vouchers have long been viewed in partisan terms: Democrats and public school allies say they drain critical resources from public schools. Republicans and school choice advocates say they give freedom to families who may not like their local public schools. At $100 million in a state where public schools spend more than $35 billion a year, the Pennsylvania proposal was viewed by some as largely symbolic. But both sides say its passage in Pennsylvania would open the door to a larger program. As many as 16 states have voucher programs, according to groups that study the programs, and they vary in size, with some becoming widely available after big expansions in the past year. To some, Shapiros support is viewed as a potential presidential candidate in 2028 positioning himself as a moderate who bridges political divides. I see that he understands the political value of school choice, and I thought, My goodness, hes going to pave his way to the White House by embracing this particular issue, said Matthew Brouillette, a voucher advocate in Pennsylvania. Public views about vouchers are complicated and do not necessarily reflect the partisan divide in statehouses, or even the usual assumptions. The school choice movement has long been a coalition of Roman Catholic school advocates, libertarians and private school boosters, as well as Black educational empowerment proponents giving the cause traction with some big-city Democratic lawmakers. An AP-NORC poll last year found that Americans are divided 39% favor, 37% oppose on whether to give low-income parents tax-funded vouchers they can use to help pay for tuition for their children to attend a private or religious school instead of public schools. Democrats were similarly divided. Its a nuanced picture in terms of public attitudes that dont totally follow partisan divides that are seen across other issues, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. The division reflects similar polls over the past two decades but support drops when people are told vouchers siphon money from public schools. Shapiro insists he only supports a voucher program that doesnt do that something public school advocates dispute, saying every voucher dollar could have gone to public schools. The voucher debate in Pennsylvania came at a particularly charged time: a court had ruled only months earlier that the states system of school funding had for decades unconstitutionally discriminated against the poorest districts. That had motivated public school advocates and Democrats to demand billions more for the poorest public schools, a quest that Shapiro has said he supports. Shapiros familiarity with private schools, meanwhile, is born of experience. He attended a private Jewish school, his children attend the same school and his father is on the schools board. But some observers connect his interest in vouchers to the influence of Jeffrey Yass, a securities trading billionaire who is one of the GOPs top national donors and the biggest donor to Republican campaigns in Pennsylvania. School choice is Yass top issue in Pennsylvania. In Shapiros case, I think it demonstrates the long arm and pocketbook of Jeff Yass, said Charlie Gerow, a Republican operative and marketing consultant. Yass campaign donations in Pennsylvania filter through groups that put $13 million into supporting a would-be Republican rival to Shapiro who nonetheless lost in last years GOP primary. Yass did not ultimately support the GOP nominee whom Shapiro beat. Shapiro has received a relatively tiny sum from those groups: at least $135,000 out of nearly $90 million hes reported raising for races for governor and attorney general since 2015. But even if Yass never gives another dime to Shapiros campaigns, keeping Yass on the sidelines may also be a potent strategy to weaken Republican opponents. Shapiro first broke ranks with Democrats last year when, during his campaign for governor, he said he supported the Republican-sponsored voucher bill. Still, as governor, Shapiro didnt talk about vouchers until June, while in the midst of intense closed-door budget talks. During an appearance on Fox News, he was asked about the voucher proposal and said every child of God deserves a shot. And one of the best ways we can guarantee their success is making sure every child has a quality education, Shapiro said. Those fluent in the history of school vouchers could think of no other Democratic governor who had embraced them. The last prominent Democrat to really champion school vouchers was like in Milwaukee in 1990, said Joshua Cowen, a Michigan State University professor of education policy, referring to a Democratic state lawmaker in Wisconsin. Every other champion in state government for these programs has come from the Republican Party. Within days, Shapiro had struck a budget agreement with Senate Republicans that included the $100 million voucher program blindsiding Democratic lawmakers, teachers unions, public school advocates and school boards. The budget deal, however, fell far short of what Democratic lawmakers had sought for public schools, adding fodder to their argument that vouchers drain resources from public schools. We werent prepared to have this conversation when we have this massive problem here, said House Education Committee Chairman Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh. Teachers unions some of Shapiros strongest supporters in his campaign for governor mustered support against the proposal from across labor, including AFSCME, SEIU, the AFL-CIO and building and construction trades. In the end, House Democratic opposition prompted Shapiro to agree to veto the $100 million program from wider budget legislation drawing angry recriminations from Republicans and school choice allies. Yass, in a letter published by the Wall Street Journal, accused Shapiro of flip-flopping, siding with radical education activists, throwing poor children under the bus and cowering before his union financiers. The episode has left an uneasy feeling among both voucher opponents and advocates. In an interview last month with WURD radio in Philadelphia, Shapiro shrugged off the fallout. I recognize that there are some in my party that dont agree with that, Shapiro said, but my view is weve got to be working to empower parents to put their kids in the best possible position to succeed. The man who shot a stranger last December in a popular Charlottesville commercial district adjacent to the University of Virginia learned his jail sentence Tuesday. Anthony Marcus Paige, 29, will spend eight years behind bars, Charlottesville Circuit Judge Claude Worrell decided. Its a completely unprovoked attack, said prosecutor Nina-Alice Antony, who urged Worrell to fix the sentence at that level, about a year and a half above the upper range of the sentencing guidelines. It was an emotional hearing that included tearful testimony from the victims mother as well as regretful statements from the perpetrator and his mother. The 24-year-old victim, Airrick Salisbury, attended but did not speak at the hearing. He took one bullet, said the victims mother, Jessica Irving. It changed everything. Irving recounted an array of wounds: a collapsed lung, a damaged aorta and pancreas, spleen removal, and months of paralysis and use of a colostomy bag. It took all his independence from him, Irving testified. Hes not that happy-go-lucky guy he was before. A multi-sport athlete who graduated from Monticello High School, Salsibury was living on his own and working at UVas Runk Dining Hall when he went out with friends to the Corner by the school in the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 18. Video shown in court depicted the minute in which Salisburys life changed. A pair of passing cars suddenly halt on 14th Street near Christians Pizza and Boylan Heights, and a man approaches Salisbury. They get out of the vehicles and go directly to Mr. Salisbury, said Antony, the prosecutor. He starts getting punched immediately in the face by Mr. Paige. The video shows Salisbury attempting to escape the confrontation, but Paige continues attacking until Salisbury flips Paige to the ground. Paige then fires his handgun. The video also shows that police arrived within seconds. Salsibury reportedly reached UVa Medical Center within minutes. But for UVa this is a homicide, said Antony. This very nearly cost the life of Mr. Salisbury. Paiges lawyer, David Heilberg, did not dispute any of the facts presented, but he did urge compassion for his client, who has been a victim of at least two instances of violence. The first was in 2013, when Paige was a ninth-grader sitting on a sofa at a friends house playing Xbox video games, his mother Chanel Wilson testified. A troubled man inexplicably slashed Paiges face. Heilberg filed a photograph of that injury under seal, presumably because of the gore. However, a grainy black-and-white version of it remains in the case file of Tony Savalas Page, no relation, who was convicted of malicious wounding and sentenced to 4 1/2 years behind bars for that attack. Hes slashed from ear to chin across the entire cheek, noted Heilberg. The other violence to befall Paige occurred just two months before the Corner shooting. On Oct. 23 on the Downtown Mall, a hail of gunfire began inside Lucky Blues restaurant that killed Paiges brother, 31-year-old Davonn Jamar Wilson. The suspect charged in that case faces trial in February. After the violence that Paige endured, Heilberg said, his client was legally and understandably carrying a gun. He clearly was armed because he was afraid, said Heilberg, who said his client regrets firing it. Hes thrown to his back and he acts instinctively, said Heilberg. It was only after his clients arrest, said Heilberg, that Paige was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. If he had been in proper therapy, we wouldnt be here, said Heilberg, who offered no clue about his clients motive in attacking a stranger. Paige pleaded guilty to three charges, including malicious wounding, in July. The full sentence imposed Tuesday was 28 years, minus time that Worrell suspended. Paiges accomplice that evening, Mariah Shavone Smith of Staunton, has also pleaded guilty to attacking Salisbury and will be sentenced in January. Paige took the opportunity to speak at the Oct. 10 sentencing hearing, and Salisbury and his mother stood to listen. I would like to start off by saying I am truly sorry for my actions, said Paige. I take full responsibility for everything. Paige said that he was drunk at the time of the attack but noted that he didnt consider that an excuse. I just made some terrible decisions, said Paige. I thank god Mr. Eric survived. The judge seemed to take note that Paige has a prior arrest for having a gun while selling drugs as well as a prior conviction for carrying a concealed weapon. Every time theres a significant offense, there you are in possession of a firearm, said Worrell. Your use of it was extraordinarily bad. Worrell also noted the tragedy for everyone in a case that drew nearly 20 friends and family of the perpetrator to the gallery of the main courtroom in Charlottesville Circuit Court. We are not in a position in the criminal justice system to fix you, said Worrell. Most of it is going to be up to you. Paiges mother declined a request for comment for The Daily Progress, but Salisburys mother urged healing and not just for her son. They are a family as well, said Irving. They have to get along; they have to heal as well. Abbas Ganbay The XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, chaired by Maulen Ashimbaev, the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress, kicked off at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana, Azernews reports. Azerbaijan is represented at the meeting by Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazada, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Administration. At the opening ceremony, Ashimbayev noted that this meeting has become a good tradition and now the international community provides special support to the initiatives of the Congress: "Our meetings are always based on principles and trust. We are glad to see all of you in this hall". The meeting was attended by religious leaders of the world and traditional religions from Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Shintoism from 24 countries, including Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mongolia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Vatican, and others. The agenda for the meeting included an exchange of views on the results of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as the discussion of the Concept for the Development of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for 2023-2033. The Secretariat meeting was organized in accordance with the decision of the participants of the First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held on September 23-24, 2003 in Astana. Three, two, one, shop! Contestants were off to the races Tuesday morning at the Rio Hill Shopping Center Kroger, given 60 seconds to grab as much food as possible and load it into their shopping carts. All of that food was donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. There were five contestants in this years Shop to Stop Hunger, the 10th iteration of the event put on by the food bank which attracted a crowd of nearly two dozen. The winner based on who had the most valuable cart as well as the most monetary donations made in their name online since Oct. 1 and in-store item donations by other shoppers on Tuesday was Rebecca Haydock with Central Virginia Small Business Development Council. Haydock collected enough to make 7,440 meals for people in need through her Shop to Stop Hunger cart run and online and in-store donations. She left Kroger Tuesday with the Cart Away Hunger trophy and $5,000 in the her name funded by the UVa Community Credit Union. Its amazing to think about that we can stop hunger in just 60 seconds, at least for a day or two for a lot of families. Over time, the impact is really significant. In the 10 years that weve done this, we have generated enough money and enough food to provide more than 620,000 meals families in the service area we cover, Michael McKee, CEO of Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, told the crowd gathered at Kroger before the race Tuesday. The four other contestants who competed alongside Haydock included: Sabrina Feggans with Beyond Fitness with Sabrina. Anne Oliver with Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors. Kate Purnell with Central Virginia Swim Services. And Connor Shellenberger, the University of Virginia mens lacrosse team captain. Before the competition began, the contestants had time to go through aisles six through 10 and design a game plan: where to go, what to grab, items sizes and costs. Cereals and other boxed goods as well as cooking supplies were a favorite. Feggans, who recently won the 2023 John. F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award for minority business owners, told The Daily Progress she went through multiple game plans in her head until she overheard Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Director Millie Winstead say, Think about things that you would feed your family. Feggans said she changed her strategy; she would not just be looking at an items cost but its impact on the health and wellness of the family who eventually found it in their pantry. It was so much fun. And to be able to feed that amount of families is just amazing, Feggans said after finishing the race. In total, all five contestants collected roughly 74,000 meals through their shopping spree, support and donations. Kroger and Home Instead Senior Care covered the costs of the event and the donations to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Every dollar allows us to provide food for about four meals. That is because of the leverage we get from food donations, cash donations and volunteer support, McKee said. When we do an event like this, and we count the cash and equate that to meals in addition to the equivalent to the amount of the pounds [of food] we gather, thats how we come up with the total today. Jeanne McCusker of Home Instead Senior Care came up with the idea of Shop to Stop Hunger in 2013 when she was a food bank board member and event sponsor. She had won a gift card to the Reid Super-Save Market on Preston Avenue through an American Cancer Society silent auction, and wanted to use the gift card to help the community and make it beneficial to the food bank. McCusker and the food bank got five people together to do the first Shop to Stop Hunger at Reid and in the following years brought the contest to Kroger. Reddit Email 20 Shares By Timothy Neal, UNSW Sydney | Scientists say severe climate change is now the greatest threat to humanity. Extreme weather is expected to upend lives and livelihoods, intensifying wildfires and pushing ecosystems towards collapse as ocean heatwaves savage coral reefs. The threats are far-reaching and widespread. So what effect would you expect this to have on the economy in coming decades? It may surprise you, but most economic models predict climate change will just be a blip, with a minor impact on gross domestic product (GDP). Heating the planet beyond 3 is extraordinarily dangerous. The last time Earth was that warm was three million years ago, when there was almost no ice and seas were 20 metres higher. But economic models predict even this level of heat to have very mild impacts on global GDP per capita by centurys end. Most predict a hit of around 1% to 7%, while the most pessimistic modelling suggests GDP shrinking by 23%. In these models, some countries are completely unaffected by climate change. Others even benefit. For most countries, the damage is small enough to be offset by technological growth. Australias recent Intergenerational Report suggests something similar. This, it is becoming abundantly clear, is a failure of the modelling. To make these models, economists reach into the past to model damage from weather. But severe climate change would be a global shock that is wholly outside our experience. Inevitably, models cant come close to capturing the upheavals climate change could cause in markets fundamental to human life, such as agriculture. Economic models arent capturing the reality When the Intergenerational Report came out in August, it pictured what Australia would look like in 2063. What would unchecked climate change mean for the economy? The report estimated what it would do to labour productivity Australias GDP would be lower by between A$135 and $423 billion. Over 40 years, that figure is actually vanishingly small, implying an average yearly effect of around 0.3% of todays GDP. The report stressed that a number of impacts of severe climate change were not modelled. Even so, it appears the damages that were included werent likely to be major economic concerns. So why the disconnect between climate scientists and economists? Most economic models in this area rely on a fundamental premise that we can gain useful insight into future damage by looking at how economies have been hit by earlier weather shocks. But theres a fundamental limitation here. Historically, weather shocks tended to be local or regional. Even if theres intense drought in, say, India, harvests will still be good elsewhere. And, for economists, that means you can potentially trade your way out of danger. Photo by Saikiran Kesari on Unsplash There is some truth to it. Almost every country including Australia uses international trade to cushion themselves from weather shocks. Even in regular years, large parts of the globe rely on imported food. Heres how it works. During the intense 20182020 drought in eastern Australia, wheat production across the country roughly halved compared to 2017. In New South Wales and Queensland, the production of all grains fell below consumption levels. That forced these states to import grain, largely from Western Australia where the drought was not as severe. But what would have happened if Australias western and eastern grain regions were hit by severe drought at the same time? Prices would rise significantly. Wholesalers would look to import grains from overseas. But climate change makes it more and more likely that several parts of the world could be in severe drought at the same time. As Australian researchers have found, climate change could indeed lead to crop failures across multiple regions at once. If that happened, food prices would surge to unprecedented levels. You can see the early warning signs already. When there are food production shortfalls, the first thing exporters tend to do is stop exporting to try to keep down domestic prices. India did exactly this earlier this year because of damage to their crops from extreme weather. At a stroke, the worlds largest rice exporter stopped half their exports and made it harder for other countries to trade their way out of food shortages. Top soy and corn producer Argentina had less to export this year too due to severe drought. Already, the worlds surging growth in farm productivity has slowed to the lowest rate in 60 years. Yet the risk of global food insecurity is not captured in economic models of climate change. Global shocks are greater than the sum of their parts National security experts and the United Nations have warned climate change makes wars more likely, as countries fight over water, food or land. Climate change also threatens crop yields and damage to homes and infrastructure from extreme weather and sea level rise. A collapse in biodiversity and mounting extinctions could also have fundamental implications for our economy. Thats to say nothing of labour productivity, health impacts, zoonotic virus spillover, and mass migration among other possibilities. These upheavals will interact in unpredictable ways. When economists model how economies perform in the future, they often have to simplify by ignoring certain risks or variables. The Intergenerational Report did just this by focusing on the climate impact on labour productivity and crop yields. But these kinds of damage can overlap and make others worse. Because our global economy is so tightly interwoven, what happens elsewhere affects us here in many ways, as we saw during the early COVID years and the global financial crisis. We need better economic models of climate damage So why, in 2023, are we still not properly accounting for the real risks? Its hard, but it is possible. My research as well as that of other other economists is working towards building global weather shocks into modelling of what climate change will do to individual economies, which should radically change economic predictions. In the meantime, when you see economic modelling suggesting climate change wont do much, you should treat it with serious scepticism. Look at what is being modelled and everything left out. The impact of climate change on natural systems is well understood. We dont know nearly as much about what it will do to human systems. We must hope the world decarbonises before we find out the hard way. Timothy Neal, Senior lecturer in Economics / Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Reddit Email 44 Shares Respect International Law, End Impunity to Deter Further Abuses ( Human Rights Watch ) (Jerusalem) Palestinian armed groups carried out a deadly assault on October 7, 2023, that killed several hundred Israeli civilians and led to Israeli counterstrikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians, Human Rights Watch said in releasing a questions and answers document about the international humanitarian law standards governing the current hostilities. As of October 8, the attacks by Palestinian armed groups killed more than 677 Israelis and foreign nationals, including civilians, according to Israeli sources cited by the United Nations. Subsequent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza left at least 413 Palestinians dead, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported. Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups breached the fences separating Gaza and Israel and attacked surrounding Israeli communities, infiltrated homes, apparently shot civilians en masse, and took scores of Israeli civilians as hostages into Gaza. They reportedly launched more than 3,000 indiscriminate rockets towards Israeli population centers. Deliberate killings of civilians, hostage-taking, and collective punishment are heinous crimes that have no justification, said Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch. The unlawful attacks and systematic repression that have mired the region for decades will continue, so long as human rights and accountability are disregarded. Israeli authorities have systematically repressed Palestinians for decades and since 2007 have imposed a crushing closure on Gazas population. On October 7, Israels Energy Minister announced that Israeli authorities would no longer provide electricity to Gazas 2.2 million residents. Palestinian armed groups apparent deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate attacks, and taking of civilians as hostages amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law. Israeli authorities cutting off electricity to Gaza and other punitive measures against Gazas civilian population would amount to unlawful collective punishment, which is a war crime. The laws of war apply to all parties to a conflict, irrespective of the lawfulness of their going to war or imbalances of power between the parties. Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) have recently faced perhaps unprecedented repression. During the first nine months of 2023, Israeli authorities killed more Palestinians in the West Bank in 2023 than in any year since the United Nations began systematically recording fatalities in 2005. As of October, the number of Palestinians being held in administrative detention without charges or trial based on secret information reached a 30-year-high. Israels unlawful closure of Gaza, including its generalized ban on the travel of Palestinian residents who live in this 40-by-11 kilometer (25-by-7 mile) strip of land, with few exceptions, recently entered its 17th year. The Israeli governments systematic oppression in the OPT, coupled with inhumane acts committed against Palestinians as part of a policy to maintain the domination by Jewish Israelis over Palestinians, amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution, as Human Rights Watch previously found. During prior rounds of hostilities, Human Rights Watch documented serious violations of the laws of war by Israeli forces and by Palestinian armed groups. Israel has repeatedly carried out indiscriminate airstrikes that killed scores of civilians wiping out entire families and strikes that targeted civilians or civilian infrastructure, including destroying high-rise Gaza towers full of homes and businesses, with no evident military targets in the vicinity. Palestinian armed groups have launched thousands of indiscriminate rockets that violate the laws of war and amount to war crimes. Human Rights Watch has for years called for Palestinian armed groups to cease these unlawful attacks, including in a recent exchange of letters with Hamas authorities. In 2021, the then-International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, opened a formal investigation in 2021 into serious crimes committed in Palestine, which is a party to the courts Rome Statute. The current fighting highlights the urgent need for justice and for the ICC Office of the Prosecutor to accelerate its investigation into serious crimes committed by all parties in Palestine, Human Rights Watch said. If weve learned anything through prior escalations, it is that so long as there is impunity for serious abuses, we will continue to see more repression and shedding of civilian blood, Shakir said. Via Human Rights Watch VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Mako Mining Corp. (TSXV:MKO) (OTCQX:MAKOF) ("Mako" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following update: After the Company resumed its original processing plan of producing 50% high grade diluted vein material mixed with 50% lower grade stockpile material, which resulted in substantial improvements in head grades and recoveries (see Press Release dated Sep 20th, 2023), Mako has recorded outstanding production results, reaching a record 3,817 Au Oz recovered in September. A comprehensive quarterly production update will be released later this month. Head grades averaged 8.4 g/t Au with recoveries of 85.5% during September. We expect this trend to continue as the Company accesses the higher-grade zones at Las Conchitas while maintaining an optimal blend to the plant. On August 23rd, the Company increased its Wexford Loan by US$2M to ensure there was enough working capital during the ramp-up at Las Conchitas. Since then, the Company has repaid approximately US$1.0M in principal1 while increasing its cash and bullion from US$1.8M at the end of Q2 2023 to approximately US$ 4.7M as of today. Akiba Leisman, CEO of Mako states that "operating improvements, resulting from permits to begin mining Las Conchitas in parallel with San Albino, have significantly improved free cash flow generation from the mine. This allows the Company to rapidly repay debt while investing heavily in exploration. A maiden resource for Las Conchitas is very nearly complete, which will allow the Company to be operating at these levels for year to come." Qualified Person John Rust, a metallurgical engineer, and qualified person (as defined under NI 43-101) has read and approved the technical information contained in this press release. Mr. Rust is a senior metallurgist and a consultant to the Company. On behalf of the Board, Akiba Leisman CEO About Mako Mako Mining Corp. is a publicly listed gold mining, development and exploration company. The Company operates the high-grade San Albino gold mine in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, which ranks as one of the highest-grade open pit gold mines globally. Mako's primary objective is to operate San Albino profitably and fund exploration of prospective targets on its district-scale land package. For further information: Mako Mining Corp., Akiba Leisman, Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: 203-862-7059, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at www.makominingcorp.com and SEDAR www.sedar.com. Forward-Looking Information Some of the statements contained herein may be considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as, without limitation, "estimate", "project", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" or variations thereon or comparable terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein reflects the Company's current beliefs and expectations, based on management's reasonable assumptions, and includes, without limitation, that the Company's maiden resources at Las Conchitas (expected to be published by the end of the quarter) will allow Mako to generate a 5-year interim mining plan. Mako's primary objective to operate San Albino profitably and fund exploration of prospective targets on its district-scale land package. Such forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, changes in the Company's exploration and development plans and growth parameters and its ability to fund its growth to reach its expected new record production numbers; unanticipated costs; the October 24 measures having impacts on business operations not current expected, or new sanctions being imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department or other government entity in Nicaragua in the future; and other risks and uncertainties as disclosed in the Company's public disclosure filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof, based on information currently available. Mako does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. October 11, 2023 TheNewswire - Vancouver, British Columbia Volcanic Gold Mines Inc. (TSXVVG) (Volcanic or the Company) is pleased to provide an exploration update on the high-grade Mila prospect in the Motagua Norte project in Guatemala. Highlights of the gold discoveries at the Mila prospect: Concentration of bonanza-grade and visible gold in quartz veins over a 250 x 570 m area. Continuous line rock chip sampling across mixed outcrop, subcrop, boulder fields of 34 m averaging 42 g/t gold and 24 m averaging 54 g/t gold. High-grade gold in both quartz veins and stockwork quartz in the wallrock suggests wide zones of gold mineralization. Visible gold in quartz veins identified in new areas to the south and west of Mila. Orogenic gold-silver deposit with significant depth potential. Trenching and drilling planned to establish the geometry, width and grade of the gold mineralization. The Companys initial prospecting samples returned exceptional gold grades at Mila prospect (see news release Sept 1, 2022). In order to determine whether the very high gold grades (many samples above 1 oz gold / tonne) were the result of selective sampling or widespread across the target zones, a program of continuous 2 m chip sampling was conducted across mixed terrain of outcrop, subcrop and float boulders. In these areas it is not possible to be sure of true widths, and sampling was conducted to define the distribution of gold mineralization and target trench and drill priorities. Map of the Cirilo 1 exploration licence showing the location and gold grade of 513 rock chip samples collected during initial prospecting. High-grade gold assays and visible gold occur in both quartz veins, and in wallrock quartz stockwork zones. Multiple quartz veins with at least two different orientations are recognized; north-south and northwest-southeast striking. The principal mineralized quartz veins form prominent mounds and ridges of collapsed outcrop boulder piles with quartz boulders up to 2 m in diameter and outcrops up to 4 m or more in width. Continuous chip channel sampling across one prominent ridge has returned average grades of up to 95 g/t gold across a 10 m width of collapsed quartz vein boulders, each sample representing a 2 m long segment of the line. Significantly wider quartz boulder fields occur where multiple, close-spaced veins reach surface. Continuous lines of 2 m long chip channel samples of mixed outcrop and colluvium have returned average grades of 42 g/t gold along a 34 m line, and 54 g/t gold over a 24 m line from two parallel lines 70 m apart in one boulder field at the centre of the prospect area. The distribution of mineralized boulder float, supported by limited outcrop data, suggests that the high-grade gold mineralization in the Mila prospect is concentrated in two north-south structures approximately 200 m apart, each structure at least 250 m strike in length. The current interpretation is that one or both structures support multiple quartz veins across a width of at least 25 to 50 m. Trenching and drilling will be required to look beneath the quartz boulder cover and establish the true geometry, width and grade of the mineralized veins and wallrock stockwork zones in the Mila prospect. Additional gold vein discoveries Beyond the Mila prospect ongoing prospecting and rock chip sampling continues to identify additional mineralized veins within the licence area: Two gold quartz veins have already been identified approximately 500 m to the south of the Mila prospect with two high-grade rock chip samples of 9.34 g/t and 29.6 g/t gold some 280 m apart. Quartz veins grading up to 60.2 g/t gold have also been identified at a couple of locations further along the regional Motagua Norte trend between 800 and 1700 m to the west of the Mila prospect. Gold mineralization and geology The mineralized quartz veins and stockwork zones are hosted by biotite schist and phyllite of the Motagua Suture Zone, an east-west striking belt of metamorphic rocks that formed at the line of collision between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. Gold mineralization appears to be hosted by north-south and east to southeast-striking veins. High-grade assays have been returned from both sulphide-bearing quartz veins and quartz stockwork in the wallrock. The mineralized quartz veins are enriched in gold, silver, lead and minor copper and have textures and a geological host consistent with emplacement from a mesothermal system in an orogenic setting. The mineralization appears to be zoned with quartz veins at the eastern end of the licence area at Mila and to the south of Mila containing the highest gold values, and veins to the west of Mila with generally lower gold but higher silver and lead values. Exploration potential and way forward The Mila prospect is a new discovery with a sizeable footprint of abundant high-grade quartz at surface, pointing to a significant gold system. The abundance of high-grade quartz vein and quartz stockwork spread across a 250 x 570 m area, the identification of multiple cross-cutting gold mineralized quartz veins at surface, and the demonstration that high-grade quartz is not confined to the quartz veins but also occurs in the wallrock, point to a broad, high-grade and extensive gold system. The mineralization is orogenic style, with mineralization at mesothermal depths within a major transform structure. These systems and structures typically support mineralization over significant vertical distances, and so there is potential for mineralization to continue to significant depths. Trenching and drilling is planned to map out individual veins, vein sets, and stockwork zones, quantify the width and grade of mineralization, and explore the gold mineralization to depth. Technical Information Luc English PhD, who is a Chartered Geologist and Fellow of the Geological Society of London, is the Companys Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. English has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Volcanic Volcanic brings together an experienced and successful mining, exploration and capital markets team focused on building multi-million-ounce gold and silver resources in underexplored countries. Through the strategic acquisition of mineral properties with demonstrated potential for hosting gold and silver resources, and by undertaking effective exploration and drill programs, Volcanic intends to become a leading gold-silver company. For further information, visit our website at www.volgold.com. Volcanic Gold Mines Inc. Simon Ridgway, President and CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward- looking statements and include, without limitation, statements about the Companys plans for its property interests in Guatemala. Often, but not always, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as estimate, estimates, estimated, potential, open, future, assumed, projected, used, detailed, has been, gain, upgraded, offset, limited, contained, reflecting, containing, remaining, to be, periodically, or statements that events, could or should occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the mineral resource estimates; whether the Companys planned exploration work will be proceed as intended; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; the Company or any joint venture partner not having the financial ability to meet its exploration and development goals; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in the Companys quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to: that the Companys stated goals and planned exploration activities will be achieved; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goliath Resources Limited (TSX-V: GOT) (OTCQB: GOTRF) (FSE: B4IF) (the "Company" or "Goliath") is pleased to announce it has closed $4,484,384 in the second and final tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), for aggregate gross proceeds of $8,600,000 raised in total. Mr. Rob McEwen and Crescat Capital LLC ("Crescat Capital") completed their strategic investments in the first tranche which closed on October 2, 2023. Goliath welcomes a new 9.9% partially diluted ("P/D") strategic institutional shareholder, further demonstrating that the Company's new discoveries at its 100% controlled Golddigger Property is getting the financial support of smart long-term money from investors recognized globally specializing in precious metals and mining. Pursuant to the Offering, Mr. McEwen acquired 1,000,440 NFT Units priced at $0.63. Mr. McEwen now holds an aggregate of 1,588,000 NFT Units through his personal holding company, representing approximately 2.4% (P/D) ownership of Goliath. Mr. McEwen is the founder and former chairman of Goldcorp where he discovered, built, and operated the Red Lake Mine in Ontario which was acquired by Newmont Mining in 2019 for US$10 billion. Mr. McEwen is currently the Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc., a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, and Mexico. Pursuant to the Offering, Goliath's largest shareholder, Crescat Capital acquired 794,000 NFT Units priced at $0.63, resulting in 18.4% (P/D) ownership of Goliath. Crescat Capital participated in the Offering pursuant to a pre-emptive right granted to them by the Company (see about Crescat Capital below) and are considered to be a "related party" of the Company. The issuance of units to an insider pursuant to the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such related party participation in the Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the Offering, insofar as it involved the related party, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). Further details will be included in a material change report to be filed by the Company. The material change report will not be filed more than 21 days prior to closing of the placement due to the timing of the announcement of the amended private placement and closing occurring in less than 21 days. The Offering was a combination of: (i) 5,656,406 non-flow-through units ("NFT Units") sold at a price of $0.63 per NFT Unit. Each NFT Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of a purchase warrant, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78; (ii) 824,000 flow-through shares ("FT Shares") sold at a price of $0.67 per one FT Share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada); and (iii) 4,484,384 charity flow-through units ("CFT Units") sold at a price of $1.00 per CFT Unit, which represent 52% of the total gross proceeds raised. Each CFT Unit consists of one common share that will qualify as a FT Share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), plus one-half of a purchase warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds raised from the CFT and FT offering for exploration and related programs on Goliath's 100% controlled Golddigger and Lucky Strike properties located in and around the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. The proceeds from the NFT offering will be used for general working capital and administrative purposes. The gross proceeds from the CFT and FT offering will be used for Canadian exploration expenses as such term is defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of "Canadian exploration expense" in subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), flow-through mining expenditures as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) that will qualify as flow-through mining expenditures, and British Columbia flow-through mining expenditures as defined in subsection 4.721(1) of the Income Tax Act (British Columbia), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2024, and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023. British Columbia Super Flow the British Columbia mining flow-through share tax credit allows British Columbia Residents who invest in FT Shares to claim a provincial non-refundable tax credit of 20% of their British Columbia flow-through mining expenditures. British Columbia flow-through mining expenditures are specific exploration expenses incurred by a PBC and renounced by a corporation issuing the FT Shares. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid cash finders' fees totaling $320,348 and issued 350,468 warrants priced at $0.78 for 18 months, subject to compliance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued and sold under the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from their date of issuance. Completion of the Offering and the payment of any finders' fees remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Crescat Capital LLC Crescat Capital is a global macro asset management firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Crescat Capital's mission is to grow and protect wealth over the long term by deploying tactical investment themes based on proprietary value-driven equity and macro models. Crescat Capital's goal is industry leading absolute and risk-adjusted returns over complete business cycles with low correlation to common benchmarks. Crescat Capital's investment process involves a mix of asset classes and strategies to assist with each client's unique needs and objectives and includes Global Macro, Long/Short and Precious Metals funds. Crescat Capital is advised by Dr. Quinton Hennigh, its geologic and technical director on investments in gold and silver resource companies. Dr. Hennigh became an economic geologist after obtaining his PhD in Geology/Geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines. He has more than 30 years of exploration experience with major gold mining firms that include Homestake Mining, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining. Recently, Dr. Hennigh founded Novo Resources Corp., and is currently serving as co-chairman. Among his notable project involvements are First Mining Gold's Springpole gold deposit in Ontario, Kirkland Lake Gold's acquisition of the Fosterville gold mine in Australia, the Rattlesnake Hills gold deposit in Wyoming, and Lion One's Tuvatu gold project in Fiji, among many others. Golddigger Property The Golddigger property is 100 % controlled covering an area of 61,685 hectares (152,427 acres) and is in a world class geological setting of the Eskay Rift within the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The property encompasses 56 kilometers of the 'Red Line' that is host to multiple world class deposits. The Surebet discovery has exceptional metallurgy with gold recoveries of 92.2% inclusive of 48.8% free gold from gravity alone at a 327-micrometer crush (no deleterious elements or cyanide required to extract the gold). It's in an excellent location close in proximity to the communities of Alice Arm and Kitsault where there is a permitted mill site on private property. It is situated on tide water with direct barge access to Prince Rupert (190 kilometers via the Observatory inlet/Portland inlet). The town of Kitsault is accessible by road (190 kilometers from Terrace, 300 kilometers from Prince Rupert) and has a barge landing, dock, infrastructure capable of housing more than 300 people, and high-tension power. Additional infrastructure in the area includes the Dolly Varden Silver Mine Road (only 7 kilometers to the East of the Surebet discovery) with direct road access to Alice Arm barge landing (18 kilometers to the south of the Surebet discovery) and high-tension power (25 kilometers to the East of Surebet discovery). The city of Terrace (population 16,000) provides access to railway, major highways, and airport with supplies (food, fuel, lumber, etc.), while the town of Prince Rupert (population 12,000) is located on the west coast and houses an international container seaport also with direct access to railway and an airport with supplies. About Goliath Resources Limited Goliath Resources Limited is an explorer of precious metals projects in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia and Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec. All its projects are in world class geological settings and geopolitical safe jurisdictions amenable to mining in Canada. For more information please contact: Goliath Resources Limited Mr. Roger Rosmus Founder and CEO Tel: +1.416.488.2887 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.goliathresourcesltd.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this press 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 Goliath's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the ability of the Company to complete financings and its ability to build value for its shareholders as it develops its mining properties. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Goliath. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the proposed transactions will occur, or that if the proposed transactions do occur, will be completed on the terms described above. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and Goliath is not obligated 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. This announcement does not constitute an offer, invitation, or recommendation to subscribe for or purchase any securities and neither this announcement nor anything contained in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. In particular, this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - October 11, 2023: Inflection Resources Ltd. (CSE:AUCU) (OTC:AUCUF) (FSE:5VJ) (the "Company" or "Inflection") is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing exploration programs in New South Wales, Australia conducted under an Exploration Agreement with AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited (AngloGold) announced on June 14, 2023. Summary Highlights: Initial drilling has focused on two principal target areas, Duck Creek and Myallmundi where earlier drilling by the Company intercepted favourable alteration indicative of being in proximity to a possible porphyry system; 6,845 metres of drilling comprising fourteen holes has now been completed using two combination mud rotary/diamond drill rigs. All assays are pending from the laboratory; One deep drill hole has been completed on the northern sector of the Duck Creek exploration license. Hole DCKDH007 intersected biotite-magnetite K-feldspar altered andesitic volcanic rocks cut by minor quartz-magnetite and porphyry-style B veins indicative of a porphyry-proximal outer potassic environment. The alteration suggests this hole vectored to a more distal area of the potential mineralised porphyry. To improve targeting, geophysical surveys are underway over this specific area prior to drilling the next phase of deeper drill holes; Two separate geophysical surveys are currently underway on the northern Duck Creek exploration license including Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) and an Induced Polarisation/Magnetotellurics (IP/MT) survey. Both surveys are expected to be completed shortly. A third survey, a ground gravity study, was just completed by the Company; and, Four follow-up drill holes completed on the Myallmundi target intersected chalcopyrite and molybdenite bearing quartz veins which locally exhibit K-feldspar selvages along with early biotite-magnetite-epidote alteration indicative of being in the porphyry proximal environment. The occurrence of chalcopyrite and molybdenite bearing quartz veins have been reported on the margins of mineralised porphyry copper deposits in the Macquarie Arc including Newcrests Cadia East mine. Alistair Waddell, Inflections President and CEO, states: We are pleased with the initial progress of the resumed drill program in New South Wales. Initial deep drilling on our northern Duck Creek target area has provided guidance in terms of a vector towards a potential porphyry centre and when combined with the soon to be completed geophysical surveys should greatly assist the positioning of additional deep holes. We are also highly encouraged by the Myallmundi target which has returned the most significant copper sulphide and molybdenite mineralisation since the Company started drilling in Australia. These wide spaced drill holes, which extend over an approximate distance of ~1,400 metres, exhibit alteration indicative of a porphyry-proximal environment which will be followed up with additional drilling once all assays from this phase have been received. Duck Creek Drill Update The Company considers the Duck Creek exploration license to be highly prospective for large-scale alkalic porphyry-related copper-gold style targets comprising favourable magnetic and gravity features which are interpreted to be part of the prospective Macquarie Arc volcanic sequence. Nine additional drill holes (DCKDH007-015) totalling 4,632 m have recently been completed on the Duck Creek exploration license (Figure 1). Figure 1: Duck Creek drill hole location map with showing aeromagnetic data (reduced-to-pole) as background. Drill hole DCKDH007 was drilled to a depth of 819 metres on the northern target where previous Inflection drilling intersected strongly hydrothermally altered rocks with characteristics similar to those often found adjacent to mineralised alkalic coppergold systems such as Newcrests Cadia mine and the Northparkes mine complex. Previous Inflection drill holes DCKDH002, 005 and 006 intercepted porphyry-style alteration over an approximate 400 by 250 metre area which included biotite-albite-K-feldspar-tourmaline and blebs of bornite. The principal target area of interest is associated with an 800 by 1,300 metre aeromagnetic low feature interpreted to represent magnetite destruction associated with hydrothermal alteration. DCKDH007 was an angle hole drilled with a 115 azimuth and -70 dip which intersected biotite-magnetite K-feldspar altered andesitic volcanoclastic conglomerate cut by minor quartz-magnetite and porphyry-style B veins (Figure 2). This hydrothermal alteration and vein style are indicative of a porphyry-proximal outer potassic environment and suggests being more distal from a potential mineralised porphyry relative to the earlier holes. The decision was taken, in conjunction with AngloGold, to complete three different geophysical surveys over this specific area prior to the next phase of deeper drill holes. These surveys are almost complete and drilling in this specific area is expected to recommence once all the processed data has been received and interpreted in late October, 2023. Figure 2: Select Duck Creek diamond drill core - Hole DCKDH007 695.1m, K-feldspar flooded andesite conglomerate, 705.1m, Massive magnetite vein in K-feldspar altered andesite conglomerate, 729.1m, Strong K-feldspar with biotite-magnetite altered andesite conglomerate, 746.6m Strong K-feldspar altered andesite conglomerate, 768.2m Quartz-pyrite vein in hematite-sericite altered andesitic volcanics. Eight additional scout holes (DCKDH008-015) were drilled elsewhere on the Duck Creek license, testing new previously undrilled geophysical targets with distances ranging from 2 to 16 kilometres south from DCKDH007. All holes intersected mixed andesitic volcanic rocks with regional propylitic alteration and no material mineralisation. Sample assays have yet to be received for these holes although no copper or gold values of significance are expected. Myallmundi Drill Update The Company has completed five additional drill holes (MYLDH014-018) totalling 2,214 metres on the Myallmundi target, testing an approximate 1.5 by 2.0-kilometre zone of magnetite enrichment evident in aeromagnetic data (Figure 3). The drill program was designed to step out from porphyry-style quartz-chalcopyrite-molybdenite bearing veins intersected in first-pass drill hole MYLDH003. Four of these drill holes (MYLDH014, MYLDH015, MYLDH016 and MYLDH017) which extend over an approximate distance of ~1,400 metres intersected chalcopyrite and molybdenite bearing quartz veins that locally exhibit K-feldspar selvages and are suggestive of a porphyry-proximal environment (Figure 4). The occurrence of chalcopyrite and molybdenite bearing quartz veins have been reported on the margins of mineralised porphyry copper-gold deposits such as Newcrests Cadia East Mine. Additionally, these drill holes exhibit early biotite-magnetite-epidote K-feldspar alteration, also indicative of a porphyry-proximal environment, which has been overprinted by silica-sericite alteration. Figure 3: Myallmundi drill hole location map with showing aeromagnetic data (reduced-to-pole) as background. Figure 4: Select Myallmundi diamond drill core Hole MYLDH016 384.0m: Quartz-epidote-chalcopyrite vein cutting magnetite-epidote altered feldspar porphyritic andesite; 387.7m: Quartz-chalcopyrite-magnetite vein which cuts chlorite altered andesite; 387.9m: Quartz-chalcopyrite-magnetite vein which cuts chlorite altered andesite; 443.3m: Chalcopyrite veins which cut chlorite-carbonate veins in magnetite altered feldspar porphyritic andesite; Hole MYLDH017 211.4m: Quartz-chalcopyrite-molybdenite vein with K-feldspar selvage which cuts chlorite altered andesite; 285.5m: Quartz-molybdenite vein which cuts epidote-magnetite-chlorite altered feldspar porphyritic andesite; 293.7m: Quartz-chalcopyrite-molybdenite vein which cuts early biotite with sericite alteration overprinted feldspar porphyritic andesite. The Company is awaiting the core sample geochemistry and additional sample data to enable accurate positioning of further drill holes into this developing priority target. Duck Creek Geophysical surveys: Two separate geophysical surveys are currently underway on the Duck Creek exploration license including Ambient Noise Tomography and an Induced Polarisation/Magnetotellurics (IP/MT) survey. A third survey, a ground gravity study, has also just been completed by the Company with the final delivery of data still pending. The principal objective of the three surveys is to enable the more accurate positioning of further deep drill holes specifically on the northern Duck Creek target. Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) - The Company has engaged Fleet Space Technologies to complete an ANT survey. ANT is a passive seismic exploration technique that makes use of pervasive seismic noise from natural and anthropogenic sources to visualise the three-dimensional subsurface. ANT offers the advantages of covering a large area and can visualise below cover of more than 2,000 metres and can potentially indicate the depth of post-mineral cover and structures within the basement rock. The survey is covering an area of approximately 30 km2 across the northern Duck Creek Project area where previous drilling returned encouraging results. The survey will produce an image of the paleotopographic surface allowing for detailed 3D constrained modelling of magnetic and gravity data. The aim of the survey is to map the paleosurface and basement rocks to identify areas of potential alteration or intrusions in the basement sequence for further drill testing. The survey data is expected to be finished in mid October, enabling the Company to better position deeper drill holes in the Northern Duck Creek target area. Induced Polarisation/Magnetotellurics (IP/MT) - The Company has commissioned Fender Geophysics to complete a focused ~35-line kilometre IP/MT survey over selected aeromagnetic targets in the northern Duck Creek exploration license area. The survey is configured for acquisition of standard Pole-Dipole IP data at 200 metre dipole spacing. The purpose of this survey is to identify zones of elevated chargeability that may represent sulphides commonly associated with porphyry systems in proximity to the area where previous drilling returned encouraging results. Gravity survey - The Company commissioned Daishsat Geodetic Surveyors to complete and infill a ground-based gravity survey to enable almost full coverage of the broader Duck Creek exploration license. The now completed survey included 1,190 stations collected on a 500 metre grid over an area depicted in the sparsely collected NSW Geological Survey data as a broad zone of low gravity. The Northparkes porphyry Cu-Au mine situated approximately 180 kilometres southeast is associated with a large gravity low indicative of a batholith and smaller porphyry intrusions at depth. The purpose of this survey is to identify similar gravity lows suggestive of porphyry intrusions within the greater Duck Creek exploration license. AngloGold Exploration Agreement Terms All the work programs noted above form part of the AngloGold Ashanti Exploration Alliance where AngloGold is sole funding up to AUD$10,000,000 on exploration expenditures across a wide range of different intrusive related exploration targets over a maximum 36-month period, which includes a minimum expenditure commitment of AUD$6,000,000. Inflection is operating Phase I and is receiving a 10% management fee for doing so. Upon completion of Phase I, AngloGold then retains the right to designate up to five individual projects where it may potentially earn up to a 75% interest in each by completing various milestones. See Inflection news release dated June 14, 2023 for further details. About Inflections NSW Projects The Company is systematically exploring for large copper-gold and gold deposits in the northern interpreted extension of the Macquarie Arc, part of the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales. The Macquarie Arc is Australias premier porphyry copper-gold province host to Newcrest Minings Cadia deposits, the CMOC Northparkes deposits and Evolution Minings Cowal deposits plus numerous exploration prospects including Boda, the discovery made by Alkane Resources. The Company uses cost-effective mud-rotary drilling to cut through unmineralised post-mineral sedimentary cover before transitioning to diamond core drilling once basement is reached. It is well documented that mineralised bodies elsewhere in the belt, in particular porphyry and intrusive related systems have large district-scale alteration and geochemical halos or footprints surrounding them. The Company completes a series of short diamond drill holes into bedrock rather than just one or two deep and more expensive diamond drill holes. Multiple data points gained from alteration and mineral geochemistry is then used to vector additional deeper holes. This is a proven exploration strategy in the covered segments of the Macquarie Arc having been directly responsible for the discovery of the Northparkes and Cowal deposits. Qualified Person and Sampling Quality Control The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Carl Swensson (FAusIMM), a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Drilling is being conducted using a truck-mounted multi-purpose drill rig. Mud rotary drilling is utilised to drill through the cover sequence before transitioning to diamond drilling using NQ sized core at the unconformity. Core is logged at the Companys field office, photographed and marked before being cut to the Companys specified sample intervals. Half core samples are placed in bags with internationally certified blanks and standards inserted. Samples are dispatched to ALS Laboratories in Orange NSW, an accredited analytical laboratory meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015. Samples are prepared by crushing and grinding via ALS methods CRU-21 and PUL-32 respectively. The pulps are then assayed for 48 elements via ALS method ME-MS61 using a 25g sample after a four acid near total digest with an ICP-MS finish. Gold is assayed by fire assay using ALS method Au-AA23 using a 30g sample charge and AAS finish. Laboratory standards and QA-QC are monitored by the Company. Coarse rejects from the sample preparation are subjected to spectral analysis. About Inflection Resources Ltd. Inflection is a technically driven copper-gold and gold focused mineral exploration company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol AUCU and on the OTCQB under the symbol AUCUF with projects in Australia. For more information, please visit the Company website at www.inflectionresources.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors Alistair Waddell President and CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For further information, please contact: Brennan Zerb Investor Relations Manager +1 (778) 867-5016 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") 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, amount of drilling, receipt of the maximum amount of available grant funding, anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, AngloGolds anticipated funding of the Minimum Commitment and timing thereof, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. 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", "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. 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 differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's exploration plans. the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, 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, 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 June 12, 2020 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law. In the center of a roundabout on the western side of Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, a bronze statue with a green-blue patina towers over a field of headstones. Its quiet there: The cemeterys bus tours do not stop at the site, and several cemetery workers said they didnt even know it existed. But the monument, simply named the Confederate Memorial, has caused quite a commotion outside the cemetery gates. The 109-year-old, 32-foot-tall work, the largest remaining Confederate memorial on public land in Virginia, is slated for removal by Jan. 1 under the terms of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibits names related to the Confederacy on any base, installation, facility, aircraft, ship, equipment, or any other property owned or controlled by the Department of Defense or a military department. The dismantling is part of a wave of Confederate symbols, names and statues that have been erased from view in Virginia after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis three years ago. The killing of Floyd, who was Black, by police reignited calls to rid public spaces of Confederate iconography. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimated more than 160 symbols of hate in 2021 alone were removed from public property after the death of Floyd, more than in the previous four years combined. For three consecutive years now, Virginia has led the nation in the removal of Confederate symbols from public spaces. Since 2020, the law center estimates 116 Confederate symbols have been removed from public spaces in Virginia. Of the 48 removed last year nationwide, 13 were in Virginia. But some, such as the massive Arlington work, remain. The statues removal has faced legal and logical challenges that its predecessors have not. Unlike the statues commemorating our Confederate dead or honoring individual generals funded by Confederate veteran groups, the Confederate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery was authorized by Congress. In the wake of the Spanish-American War, President William McKinley supported the memorial as an act of reconciliation and national unity. While the bulk of the cost was fronted by donations collected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the memorial also found support among Union veterans; the 23rd New Jersey Regiment donated $2,961 in todays money to the construction. Unlike other Confederate icons, the Arlington memorial does not depict a real historical figure, but rather a figurative one: a woman representing the American South in classical garb, wrapped in a robe and crowned with olive leaves. Below her feet, a mount depicts 32 life-size figures: soldiers and civilians, men and women, white and Black. Rare for a Confederate memorial, the installation includes two Black figures: a body-servant compelled to follow his white master into war and a weeping woman holding a child up to a departing soldier. And then there is the artist behind the artwork. Moses Ezekiel was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, a Confederate veteran and one of the first American-born Jewish artists to win international acclaim. Ezekiels involvement with the memorial went well beyond its construction. He is buried at its base alongside the nearly 500 bodies of Confederate veterans and widows. Those opposed to removing the Arlington memorial have argued that what makes it different is what makes it worth preserving. There are those such as former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., who argued that removing the statue is outside the scope of the National Defense Authorization Act. I cannot imagine that the removal of this memorial, conceived and built with the sole purpose of healing the wounds of the Civil War and restoring national harmony, could be within the intent of a sweeping sentence placed inside a nearly trillion-dollar piece of legislation, Webb, who also served as U.S. Navy secretary under President Ronald Reagan, wrote in an Aug. 18 Wall Street Journal commentary. About this story The killing of George Floyd three years ago resulted in the removal of Confederate statues and symbols in numerous communities across Virginia. In a three-part series, we look at which ones remain and what comes next. Part one: More than 100 of Virginias Confederate memorials have come down. But the process has been complex. Part two: How statues created mythological characters from Confederate generals. Part three: In the Lynchburg region, less movement towards dismantling iconography Then there are those such as Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The governor, who declined to comment for this piece, has had a hands-off approach to the debate over Confederate icons: neither supporting their removal nor directly intervening when localities choose to remove them. His approach has been so hands off that Ann Hunter McLean, a noted defender of Confederate memorials whom he had appointed to the state Board of Historic Resources, said she resigned. We have a wonderfully rich heritage in Virginia, and I think we are destroying that by destroying and removing it, McLean said in the wake of her departure. The looming January deadline, however, has moved Youngkin to speak out against the Arlington memorials removal. I have a strong opinion on this. I dont believe that statue should be removed, Youngkin said March 10, while speaking with radio host John Reid. During the interview, Youngkin cited the memorials origin as a monument to reconciliation and the numerous visits both Democratic and Republican presidents have paid to the site, as well as Ezekiel and his faith, noting that under Jewish law transferring a dead body from one grave to another is strictly prohibited. Ezekiel is buried underneath it, and by Jewish tradition he cant be moved, Youngkin said. With U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin making no move to keep the statue in place, Youngkin has since requested the Virginia Military Institute accept the memorial and place it at its Civil War museum at New Market Battlefield, roughly 80 miles from campus. The schools board of visitors has voted to accept the request, but said in a statement that it still needs permission from the Army and all the necessary funding from available federal or state resources for the project which means the artworks fate is still very much in limbo. Groups supporting the statues removal have said that the arguments posed by Youngkin, Webb and others are distorting and misrepresenting history in order to defend Confederate iconography. - We have a wonderfully rich heritage in Virginia, and I think we are destroying that by destroying and removing it." Ann Hunter McLean, a former member of the state Board of Historic Resources, on removing Confederate statues. The Southern Poverty Law Center has argued that not only must the statue go by law the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act makes that much clear but that the notion that the memorial symbolizes any sort of national unity is an outright lie. McKinley, the group says, was after Southern votes not reconciliation. If the Confederate memorial at Arlington born from McKinleys act of political expediency is a symbol of unity at all, it is this false unity created by erasing the cause of freedom from American memory and from American priority, the group said in a statement. Karen Cox, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who specializes in Southern history, said she concedes the Arlington statue is different, but that doesnt make it better than its counterparts. Even though the Arlington memorial is different and just pays homage to the dead and was built as a symbol of peace and reconciliation, it still perpetuates the Lost Cause and white supremacy, Cox said. It should be taken down. Neither side in the debate actually has any authority to preserve or remove the memorial, but the substance of the debate is significant, historians say. Its significant because it has changed. It appears the fight has shifted from monuments and symbols that glorify leaders of the Confederacy to more nameless statues and ones that simply commemorated the dead, said Thomas Brown, a University of South Carolina history professor specializing in the Civil War. The figurative and the literal Although the monuments have had their detractors since they were erected, the movement to rid the state of them really picked up momentum after the deadly Unite the Right rally-turned-riot in Charlottesville over the fate of that citys statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. It only picked up speed in 2020, when the states Democrat-controlled General Assembly passed a bill allowing localities to decide the fate of their war memorials, including Confederate monuments. But one of the real reasons Virginia has removed so many is because it had so many to begin with, said Caroline Janney, director of the John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History at the University of Virginia. Virginia was in many ways the most important state to the Confederacy, in part because they sent the most men to fight, the most famous officers like Lee and Johnston were from the state, and Richmond embraced the image as the head of the Confederacy during the war and in the Lost Cause years, Janney said. So how have some survived? Brown argues that its perhaps because pieces such as the Arlington memorial are more figurative and less visible. The mammoth statues erected across Virginia in the likeness of Lee and other Confederate officials were lightning rods, sparking mass protests and violent riots. Charlottesville in 2017 and Richmond in 2020 attracted the largest crowds and the most attention. Their memorials to Confederate leaders were also among the largest: The monument to Lee that once sat on Richmonds Monument Avenue stood more than 60 feet tall, and the monument that sat in what was once called Lee Park in downtown Charlottesville weighed roughly 1,100 pounds. Less literal monuments and more obscure tributes have attracted less attention and remain standing. Just last year, The New York Times proclaimed, Richmonds Last Confederate Statue Is Removed, after a memorial to Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill at West Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road was toppled. (The remains of Hill, who was buried beneath the statue, were reinterred in Fairview Cemetery in Culpeper, his hometown, following a long legal battle.) But The Times was wrong. Hill was the last city-owned statue to fall, but not the last statue of a Confederate in Richmond. In fact, just outside the doors of the Capitol sit three Confederates in a neat row. In the center sits a 7-foot-tall statue of Gen. Stonewall Jackson on a 9-foot pedestal; to his left on a 7-foot base is a 6-foot-tall Hunter Holmes McGuire, the Confederate doctor who removed Jacksons arm and a lifelong defender of slavery; and to his right on a 9-foot base is a 7-foot William Extra Billy Smith, a Confederate veteran who served as governor before and after the Civil War. Like with the Arlington memorial, several visitors just steps away were not even aware the statues were there. Unlike the Arlington memorial, the statues fall under the jurisdiction of the governor. And one of the key reasons they remain standing is because Youngkin has made no effort to remove them. Asked last year about their fate, the governors spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said in a written statement that he firmly believes that we must not airbrush our history. The governor believes that we must not overlook or excuse the sins of our past, but we must resist the movement to cleanse our history.But in many cases, it is exactly because Confederate memorials can be overlooked that they go undisturbed. Just south of Fredericksburg, a 23-foot-tall pyramid of rough-hewn Virginia granite stands as a monument to the 1862 Confederate victory at the battle fought there. Commissioned in 1897 by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, the pyramid has stood untouched in a field for more than a century. Perhaps because it sits on the other side of a set of railroad tracks or perhaps because its name Meades Pyramid suggests it might be a monument to Union Gen. George Meade, the pyramid largely goes unvisited and unnoticed; it doesnt even have a Wikipedia page. In Amherst, a plain obelisk stands in the grass in front of the county courthouse dedicated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1922 to the memory of the sons of Amherst County who from 1861 to 1865 upheld in arms the cause of Virginia and the South. In May, years after other Confederate memorials were toppled, the Amherst chapter of the NAACP asked that the county reconsider the monument. In a letter sent to the board of supervisors, the group never calls for the removal of the structure but rather the removal of the language used on the structure, specifically citing references to a noble cause. Our goal is a solution that is amenable to our community, the group wrote. We stand ready to collaborate. While Washington & Lee Universitys tributes to its second namesake are far from figurative or obscure Lee is in the name, after all the college has been making moves to both preserve its physical monuments while making them less visible. Chief among them: the recumbent statue of Lee in the universitys chapel. In 2014, the university removed the Confederate battle flags that once circled the statue. In 2021, it opted to change the name of the sanctuary from Lee Chapel to University Chapel. And in February, after two years of back-and-forth, the school and the city of Lexington came to an agreement to build a partial wall obscuring the statue of Lee from public view within the chapels auditorium. Rather than make their monuments less noticeable, localities in other corners of the commonwealth have added more memorial markers, contextualizing those that already exist. In a small grassy square in Christiansburg on the corner of Main and Franklin streets, a 15-foot obelisk stands in the shade of an enfeebled oak. The unadorned pillar was dedicated in 1883, honoring Montgomery Countys sons who fell in the Lost Cause. The gnarled tree standing beside it, stunted by years of nearby development, is likewise a monument to that cause. Planted in 1902 by Montgomery County treasurer and Confederate veteran Arthur O. Sullivan, the Constitution Oak celebrates the adoption of Virginias 1902 state constitution. Basically what it did was disenfranchise African American voters at that time, said Montgomery County Museum of Art & History Executive Director Casey Jenkins. And in its way of reclamation, it tried to disenfranchise any freedoms that they had guaranteed for themselves after the Civil War. The two symbols still stand, but next to them now stand three storyboards describing Black community life, education and slavery in the area. They were developed by the Christiansburg Institute, a grassroots Black cultural heritage and historic preservation organization, along with public input over a four-year process that began in 2018. Those storyboards in tandem with the other memorials provide a sense of balance, according to Jenkins. For lack of a better term, that square is no longer whitewashed, Jenkins said. Were telling those fuller stories, making sure that all voices are a part of those stories. Impounds, graveyards and museums These are the circumstances that most Confederate memorials will likely remain standing, according to historians. Those that are taken down, often with the promise of future relocation and contextualization, are frankly never going to be seen again, they say. A lot of statues may end up in storage facilities like impound lots or somewhere that can hold them, Janney said. Many we wont see again. Thats despite the promises many of the statues procurers have made once the monuments were removed. Museums such as Richmonds Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia were supposed to receive multiple statues removed from Monument Avenue in 2020, according to Mayor Levar Stoney. But three years later, workers at the museum, who declined to be quoted, said they havent received and never will receive them simply because the weight of the statues would break the floors of the museum and some are too tall to even fit through the doors. Theoretically, leaders can say, Lets put a statue in a museum, but logistically, physically and financially, it makes no sense, Janney said. Museums have a hard enough time storing small collections, much less storing and displaying 20-foot-high statues that weigh tons. The Black History Museum said in a statement that it remains committed to ensuring the Confederate monuments, objects that were created and intended to glorify and ultimately perpetuate the ideology of those who led the fight to enslave African Americans, are repurposed so they are no longer used in that way. The museum, however, did not say how it planned to ever accept the statues that cant fit in its facility, nor did the mayors office answer what the city planned to do with the statues in the meantime. Similarly, Charlottesvilles statue of Jackson, removed in 2021, was loaned to the LAXART museum in Los Angeles after removal, but two years later, it has not even left the East Coast. LAXART obtained the statue along with two other Confederate monuments from the city of Baltimore. Those statues are being held at a car impound lot on the side of a Baltimore highway surrounded by a chain-link fence. Though clearly visible, when employees at the lot were asked if the statues were still there, they said they could neither confirm nor deny their presence. LAXART has, however, confirmed that the statues are not on the West Coast, and the exhibition meant to feature them is still only in the planning stages. MONUMENTS will feature existing and newly commissioned works of contemporary art displayed alongside decommissioned Confederate monuments, including the Stonewall Jackson monument. Planning for the exhibition is still underway, Danielle Bias, a spokeswoman for LAXART, said. Moving the monuments poses a financial and logistical challenge, and placing such large statues in museums risks overshadowing neighboring exhibits and essentially establishing them as attractions for both tourists as well as the white supremacists, neo-Nazis and neo-Confederates who once defended them from removal. Until they were threatened with removal, they rarely attracted large crowds. Thomas Chapman would know. He leads the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society, and works across the street from the park in downtown Charlottesville where Lee once stood. According to Chapman, most of the time, the park was quiet. People would not travel out of their way from far and wide to see these statues, Chapman said. There werent even any large ceremonies with the statues besides a couple of Confederate anniversaries. They werent a mecca for white supremacists. Placing them in an art or history museum could incidentally attract more visitors to the statues post-removal than when they were originally standing. This could be ameliorated by following the lead of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center in Charlottesville, which obtained the citys Lee statue free of charge after its removal in 2021 and has so far successfully fought off legal challenges to its ownership. The center plans to melt down the statues bronze and use the material to build a more inclusive and appropriate piece of public artwork that expresses the citys values of inclusivity and racial justice, according to a statement. The organization has christened the project Swords Into Ploughshares. The two groups that attempted to block the statues destruction, Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation and the Ratcliffe Foundation, expressed concerns that the statue had already been melted down. But the citys attorney Richard Milnor has said Lee had merely been disassembled and stored at an undisclosed location. Because of the legal challenges, a gag order had been imposed guarding the location of Charlottesvilles Lee statue. A Freedom of Information Act request, however, identified a foundry in Nashville, Tennessee, as its current location. When contacted, the foundry denied the statue was there. Other monuments locations are even more ambiguous. In 2020, the United Daughters of the Confederacy removed a statue that once stood in the heart of Alexandria. Erected in 1889, the Appomattox portrayed an unarmed Confederate soldier facing south with a bowed head, standing on a base inscribed with the names of Confederate soldiers from Alexandria who died in the Civil War. The statues location was unknown for two years before the base, without its crowning figure, resurfaced at Bethel Cemetery in the city by the graves of 10 members of Col. John Singleton Mosbys rangers and 15 soldiers of the 17th Virginia Regiment from the Alexandria area. Neither the city of Alexandria, the United Daughters of the Confederacy nor cemetery owner James Clink would say when, how or why the pedestal had been moved to the cemetery or where the missing statue is being kept. Clink has publicly said he would like to have the rest of the memorial installed at the cemetery, but has acknowledged the United Daughters of the Confederacy ostensibly the group fostering the statue wont even tell him where it is. They wont say, Clink told local news outlet ALXnow in February, just that its in a big crate. The fates of Alexandrias, Charlottesvilles and Richmonds statues essentially unknown suggest Arlingtons memorial will likely join them in the ether. Will we see it again? Brown of the University of South Carolina asked. Once its down, I doubt it. Haley Sandow with The Daily Progress contributed to this report. Confederate monuments are removed in Richmond Luke Fountain (828) 320-6633 Luke Weir (540) 981-3331 "Strong Girl Namsoon" episode 2 continues with positive responses from the viewers. The new rom-com series, which stars Lee Yoo Mi, Kim Jung Eun, and Kim Hae Sook, entertained viewers with jam-packed scenes in its first week. Based on the hit K-drama "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon," the JTBC spin-off depicts the story of three generations of strong women with superhuman abilities. They use their powers for the common good and maintain a peaceful and safe community in Gangnam. 'Strong Girl Namsoon' Viewership After a successful pilot episode, the newest K-drama joins the rating race after "Strong Girl Namsoon" episode 2 garnered an impressive 6.1 percent, almost scoring a 2 percent increase from the previous episode. Airing every Saturday and Sunday, viewers get to see the latest episode via JTBC, while global fans can stream it through Netflix. Meanwhile, "Strong Girl Namsoon" episode 3 is expected to air on October 14. 'Strong Girl Namsoon' Episode 2 Recap After Gang Nam Soon's background was introduced in episode 1, viewers witnessed how she fulfilled her dream to find her family as she traveled all the way from Mongolia to South Korea. Unfortunately, she experienced major setbacks from being scammed and living as a homeless person. After the incident in the airplane, detective Kang Hee Shik took some of the passengers' belongings that seemed intriguing. It includes Namsoon's personal thighs, like the baton she had from her real parents and the souvenir from her beloved horse. IN CASE YOU MISSED: Here's What Viewers Call 'All of Us Are Dead' Star Lee Yoo Mi After her Successful Back-to-Back Kdramas As soon as the police cleared her things, Hee Shik tried to contact her, but to no avail. That is because the woman, who pretended to be the leasing manager of the place that Namsoon was renting, conned her and even took her personal stuff like her passport, money, and cellphone. However, being the positive person that she is, she tried to find a way out of the situation and built a tent, or what she calls a "ger," in the middle of the park. Interestingly, she was joined by two homeless hippies that she met at the park. On the other hand, Kang Hee Shik was able to meet Namsoon after a few locals complained about tents at the park. He saw a helpless Namsoon feeling defeated by what happened to her, but all thanks to Kang Hee Shik, he promised to help her find her parents and even gave her a phone so he could communicate with her regarding her family. As for her real mother, Hwang Geum Joo, she has already found out about Hwang Ja, the woman who is posing as her daughter. Her assistant found out that Hwang Ja wanted to con Geum Joo and all her money by pretending to be her daughter. But Geum Joo wanted her secretary to secretly follow Hwang Ja because she felt that her daughter was somewhere near her. In the last scene, as Namsoon is preparing to get a passport replacement, she goes to a studio where her real father operates. It hints that Kang Bong Go recognized her daughter, Nam Soon. READ MORE: Lee Yoo Mi To Make Her Paris Fashion Week Debut For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article written by Geca Wills After learning that changing the past can drastically affect the future, Ryeoun becomes more careful in his actions. However, he makes an impulsive move upon seeing Seol In Ah. Meanwhile, Choi Hyun Wook feels guilty after discovering the truth about Shin Eun Soo. Read on to know what went down in "Twinkling Watermelon" episode 5. Ha Eun Gyeol Learns More About His Father's Disability "Twinkling Watermelon" episode 5 begins darkly as Ha Eun Gyeol (Ryeoun) drowns in a nearby lake while having a picnic with his family. He screams for help but no one can hear him due to his family's inability to hear. Thankfully, his father comes to his rescue a little later. Ha Eun Gyeol's father reveals that he lost his voice due to an accident which he correlates to the present time. With this, he swears to save Ha Lee Chan (Choi Hyun Wook) from harm even if it means changing what happens in the future completely. Ha Lee Chan Forms His Band Ha Eun Gyeol comes to Ha Lee Chan's school to compete in a guitar battle. If he wins, the best guitarist in school has to join the latter's band along with the drummer and the pianist. After an intense brawl, Ha Eun Gyeol ultimately wins the bet, much to Ha Lee Chan's delight. Ha Lee Chan finally forms a band but he sees another struggle which he has to pass. The new members don't want him as the front man, making it difficult for everyone in the group. Because he doesn't know how to sing or play the guitar, Ha Eun Gyeol agrees to teach him so long as he studies hard to prepare for college. Ha Lee Chan happily obliges. READ MORE: 3 Reasons To Check Out Ryeoun & Seol In Ah's 'Twinkling Watermelon' Elsewhere, Choi Se Kyung (Seol In Ah) leaves South Korea to study abroad for a greener pasture. She shocks everyone when she returns to the country again with a different persona. Ha Eun Gyeol Makes Bold Decision Choi Se Kyung chops her hair off and goes to the flea market to sell all her clothes where she meets Ha Eun Gyeol who confronts her for leading Ha Lee Chan on. She confesses that she feels bad about it and apologizes. Ha Eun Gyeol then decides to keep her from going away, leaving Ha Lee Chan disappointed after learning about it. He then comes to work where the owner shows him the girl who left the ticket for the concert before. Ha Lee Chan then runs after Yoon Chung Ah (Shin Eun Soo) and confronts her. Ha Lee Chan accuses her of playing with his feelings and curses at her. Sooner, he feels bad after he learns that she has difficulty hearing. After coming back to work again, his feelings continue to churn inside his stomach. When he decides to look for her and apologize, Choi Se Kyung arrives at the ice cream shop. ALSO READ: 'Twinkling Watermelon' Episode 4: Ryeoun Saves Choi Hyun Wook's Life KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Director Lee Chung Hyun shared his honest thoughts about his romance with "Ballerina" star Jeon Jong Seo. Officially released on Netflix on October 6, the action-thriller movie immediately gained attention from viewers due to its unique story and action-packed scenes. In an interview cited by a news portal, director Lee Chung Hyun talked about his new project and working with Jeon Jong Seo for the second time. Lee Chung Hyun on His Relationship With Jeon Jong Seo Lee Chung Hyun dishes on the similarities and differences between Jeon Jong Seo and her character in "Ballerina." Taking on the role of Ok Joo, a former bodyguard who takes revenge for her best friend after taking her own life, the 29-year-old actress once again delivered an exceptional performance, wowing viewers with her skills in action scenes. According to the director and Jeon Jong Seo's boyfriend, a lot of people "misunderstand" her and think she is a "scary person," but in reality, this is the total opposite. If given a chance, he would like to work with her again because of her natural skills as an actor. "I don't know what kind of work I will do in the future, but if I get the chance, I would like to work with Jeon Jong-seo one more time," he said, praising his girlfriend. Describing the actress as someone who is a "fiery person who gives his all," Lee Chung Hyun says this is what makes her an "attractive actor and girlfriend." Speaking of their relationship, the "Ballerina" director revealed the reason for publicly admitting his relationship with the actress. In the same interview, Lee Chung Hyun shared that it was a mutual decision to go public and "have never regretted" admitting his romantic relationship with Jeon Jong Seo. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Is 'Money Heist Korea' Star Jeon Jong Seo Married? Actress Stirs Buzz With New Photo Moreover, he emphasized that he "never had any intention of denying" it, even if it became public and spread over media sites. In December 2021, various news portals shared Jeon Jong Seo's relationship status with the "The Call" director, noting that the duo grew interested in each other while working on the movie. Following the dating rumors, the actress' agency, MY Company, confirmed the news, saying that they "recently began dating." Jeon Jong Seo on Working With Boyfriend and 'Ballerina' Director Lee Chung Hyun Besides the filmmaker, Jeon Jong Seo gets to talk about her experience doing another project with Lee Chung Hyun. In a separate interview, the actress said that they did the movie "carefully without causing concerns to staff." In addition, she mentioned that they are very casual on set and maintain a professional relationship by treating each other as director and actress while focusing on their respective responsibilities. "I didn't talk with the director much on the set because we already talked with each other before the shoot," she explained. As for the movie itself, Jeon Jong Seo said that she had a lot of fun doing the scenes, most especially because the staff were around her age and "had a lot of young energy" on the set. Other than the 29-year-old star, the "Ballerina" cast also includes Kim Ji Hoon, Park Yu Rim, and Kim Mu Yeol. READ MORE: 'Money Heist: Korea' Cast Update 2023: What's Next for Yoo Ji Tae, Jeon Jong Seo, Park Hae Soo, More For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills By AFP Armed men in eastern DR Congo have killed two Chinese nationals and two soldiers, a local official said Tuesday, in the latest violence to hit the turbulent region. The attack occurred on Saturday night at a Chinese-operated gold mine in the village of Misisi, in eastern South Kivu province, according to local administrator Sammy Kalondji. Unidentified gunmen exchanged fire with soldiers guarding the mine, he explained, killing two of them along with two Chinese nationals. The assailants also shot and wounded three civilians, including one Chinese national and a Guinean interpreter, making off with suitcases full of money, mobile phones and documents, Kalondji told AFP. AFP was unable to independently confirm the details of the attack. Militias have plagued eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for decades, a legacy of regional wars that flared in the 1990s and 2000s. Attacks on mining sites in gold-rich South Kivu, where many Chinese nationals are involved in the industry, are also common. Last month, four people including two Chinese people were also killed in the province. Police in the Kampala Metropolitan Area through its divisions of Entebbe, Kajjansi and Kawempe have charged 59 National Unity Platform (NUP) party supporters for allegedly holding an unlawful assembly, and inciting violence. While addressing journalists in Kampala, police spokesperson Mr Fred Enanga said that 46 of the suspects were charged under Kajjansi division for holding an unlawful assembly contrary to section 65 and 66 of the Penal Code Act. Additionally, nine suspects were charged under Entebbe Division, for allegedly taking part in an unlawful assembly while in Kawempe division, and four were charged for inciting violence, contrary to section 82 (1) of the Penal Code Act. Enanga says the suspects were planning to conduct an unlawful procession, code named One Million March which police believe would disturb other peoples peace. In an apparent contradiction, two government ministries have disagreed over the proposed policy on contraceptives for teenagers. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has distanced itself from the Ministry of Health proposal to allow 15-year-old girls access contraceptives to address teenage pregnancy. Dr. Charles Olaro, the director for curative services at the Ministry of Health was earlier quoted as saying that the policy targets out-of-school teenagers and young adults. The Minister of State for Children Affairs Sarah Mateke says the government is not part of the plan to have girls of such an age start using birth control methods recommended for adults. Delivering her message for the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl, Mateke called for a holistic review of the policy involving all stakeholders. Yesterday, Members of Parliament also rejected the proposal to roll out birth control methods among teenage girls, terming it devilish. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa equated the move to legitimizing sexual violence in Uganda, further asking government to reject the idea. We pray that the devil doesnt find his way and such thoughts should never come into the minds of our people because it would imply that we have given up on our girl children by formalizing defilement. That is clearly saying we have failed. We would rather strengthen the monitoring to ensure that we fight this vice but not legitimize it by giving such services, and I am glad it isnt yet a policy, Tayebwa posted on his X account on Tuesday. International Day of the Girl (IDG) observed annually on 11 October is a global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls rights. By Franklin Draku Government has tabled before Parliament a request to borrow up to $650 million (Shs2.9 trillion) from different financial institutions to finance part of its budget. According to a request presented by Mr Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, government will borrow up to $295 million (Shs1.3 trillion) from the Islamic Development Bank and $30 million (Shs136.2 billion) from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) fund for international development for the upgrading of national road project in Uganda. Mr Kasaija said the government will borrow another $325 million (Shs1.5 trillion) and receive a grant of up to Standard Drawing Right of $19.5 million (Shs88.5 billion), equivalent to $25 million (Shs113.5 billion) from the International Development Association of the World Bank Group to finance the Uganda climate-smart agricultural transformation project. If approved, Ugandas public debt will increase to more than $24 billion (Shs108.9 trillion) putting the country into further debt distress. Currently, the country owes more than $13.6 billion (Shs61.7 trillion) to external creditors accounting for 31.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while domestic debt amounts to more than $8.4 billion (Shs38.1 trillion), 19.3 percent of GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF says while debt increased substantially during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was already on an upward trend previously, mainly driven by increased borrowing to finance the countrys development needs. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged the Committee of National Economy charged with the responsibility of scrutinising the request not to delay the process and submit the report with the urgency it deserves. The request is referred to the Committee on National Economy and the relevant sectoral committees as per section 155 of our rules of procedure and please report within time. This business of saying we have delayed because of benchmarking and all the other things must not happen,he said. However, Mr Elija Okupa, the Kasilo County MP, wondered why the minister did not name the roads that will be upgraded under the loan request. We have had outstanding issues with some of the roads which need upgrading and the President has kept promising, like Kumi-Serere-Kasilo-Kagwara road. Serere-Soroti Road was on the programme but was later removed. Apart from that, there are also roads in other regions. It is very important that all the regions must benefit equally, he said. However, Mr Tayebwa said the finer details will be dealt with by the committee which will then report to the Parliament. By AFP The UKs King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla will make a four-day state visit to Kenya from the end of this month, Buckingham Palace announced Wednesday. Kenya President William Ruto invited the royal couple for the visit, which comes as the African nation prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence from Britain. The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to Kenya, from Tuesday 31st October to Friday 3rd November 2023, to celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge, said the palace. The King and Queen will visit Nairobi City County, Mombasa County and surrounding areas, said the palace. Their programme would reflect how the two countries were working together on a range of issues, the statement added. They were working to boost prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development and create a more stable and secure region, said the statement. This will be Charles IIIs first visit to a Commonwealth nation since becoming monarch last September. A special celebration day will take place in Jenkinstown this weekend to raise awareness around biodiversity and the importance of protecting the nature around us. It is a Leave the Grass Grow initiaitve which is A Creative Ireland Collaboration hosted by the Acorn Project with Kilkenny artists Kasia Kaminska, Mairead Holohan, Maura Brennan, Michelle McMahon and Ross Stewart. Leave the Long Grass Grow is a call to action. It calls artists and communities to give a voice to plant species facing decline in the biodiversity crisis through creative practice and ask how we can collectively act to restore biodiversity. This autumn artists and communities have come together across Kilkenny in workshops in Graine, Callan, Thomastown , Graignamanagh , Kilkenny and Jenkinstown to explore how we can hold a collective vision for nature and her restoration in a series of nature immersion experiences, creative workshops, curated action days (seed saving /scything/ plant ID Workshops/ biodiversity recording) and wild food experiences in which participants came together to reflect on an ecological ethic based on systems thinking. This project was initiated by Kilkenny Council Biodiversity Officer Bernadette Moloney . Join us this Saturday, October 14 for a celebration day at Jenkinstown Woods between 4pm to 6pm Kilkenny City Vocational School (KCVS) received welcome news on Thursday, October 5, when the school was named a School of Sanctuary Champion, a first for a post-primary school in Kilkenny. Kilkenny City Vocational School now joins schools across Ireland and the UK who are recognised for their highly effective ability to foster a culture of inclusion and diversity for all in their school community. The mission of School of Sanctuary is to foster a culture of welcome and inclusion in Irish schools, North and South, particularly for children from a refugee, asylum-seeking and other immigrant backgrounds, but also for Irish children who might feel marginalised or excluded. On Thursday morning, teachers, students, parents and member of the School Board of Management including Kilkenny Mayor Joe Malone were joined by the School of Sanctuary National Coordinator Homayoon Shirzad and nine members of the School of Sanctuary Monitoring Committee. The committee team included Ashlee Hally, Mark Kelly & Liz Murphy (Champion School of Sanctuary teachers), Bohdanna Harasimenko, Hashem Badran (Sanctuary Ambassadors), Alina Piskaryova (Kilkenny Leader Partnerships Local Action Group) and Inga Heafey (KCVS Parent Representative). The monitoring committee were there to evaluate the progress of the school with a view to deciding whether it had done enough to be recognised as a School of Sanctuary. A spokesperson from the adjudicating panel stated: "All the teachers and students at the school welcomed the team with great care and empathy from the moment they arrived at the school. It was clear there was a real sense of belonging and community associated with the school and this could be instantly seen in how all students and teachers interact so pleasantly with one another." The scene for this had been set by a portfolio put together by Kilkenny City Vocational Schools School of Sanctuary Committee of students and teachers. It was a joyous and inspirational morning which began with heartfelt presentations from a number of KCVS students from diverse backgrounds who spoke eloquently about the welcome, respect and support they have been shown inside and outside of their classrooms everyday by their teachers. Several KCVS parents from many diverse cultures then spoke, thanking the school for showing them and their families such warm welcomes, respect and acceptance since joining the school community. The celebrations continued through the morning with a Diversi-tea Party in the school library where the students showcased their various cultures and nationalities with school projects, traditional dress and traditional foods. Linda McCormack, Assistant Principal and School Inclusion Coordinator on behalf of the school expressed a warm welcome to the monitoring committee and gratitude for their visit. She stated that having led the initiative within the school for the past two years, the morning was a fantastic celebration of the schools commitment to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion for all. She thanked School of Sanctuary for bestowing this award to the school and its community and stated that the day was a celebration of the richness of what a multi-cultural, multi-denominational student body brings to a school community. This wonderful school now becomes a model school for over 300 schools in Ireland who hope to make the leap to champion status! Gardai investigating the disappearance of Co Cork woman Tina Satchwell continued a major search operation at a property in the county on Wednesday. The 45-year-old, originally from Fermoy, has been missing from her home in Youghal since March 2017. A man in his 50s who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday was released on Wednesday without charge. Heavy machinery, including a digger, was taken on to the site of the property in Youghal where the search was focused on Wednesday, and a large screen has been erected around the building and grounds. Forensic officers from the Garda Technical Bureau worked on the site through the day. A Garda photographer was also involved in the operation. The search took place amid heavy rainfall and a wooden structure was erected to cover the Garda activities. Gardai investigating the circumstances of Ms Satchwells disappearance have upgraded their inquiries to a murder investigation. The suspect arrested on Tuesday had been held on suspicion of murder at a Garda station in Co Cork. He was released on Wednesday without charge. Justice minister Helen McEntee stressed the need to give families of missing people hope as she commented on developments in the Satchwell case. When it comes to any missing persons case, whether its a more recent case, or whether its one that might be decades old, its so important that we always give families hope, Ms McEntee told reporters in Dublin. And that is exactly what is happening here. Where new evidence comes to light, gardai obviously take that on board but also, where no new evidence comes to light, they will often ask the general public for more information, theyll ask people to wrack their memories or their brains for anything that might help them solve a particular case that might help them identify where a person is. We also have advancements in technology, investments in forensic science as well where new evidence comes to light. So, really, the approach that the gardai take is, where possible they will always continue to work on a case to give families that hope to identify a person and to importantly, as well, bring whoever is responsible, if there is a murder case, to bring them to justice. And obviously, as minister, I support the gardai in anything that they need to be able to make those discoveries. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - While the definitive IMF data has yet to be released, the early returns on gold purchases by central banks show that buying was as strong as ever in September, according to Krishan Gopaul, senior analyst at the World Gold Council. Gopaul shared the latest data in a series of posts on Twitter, which were gleaned from reports and media statements by the central banks themselves. The largest single purchaser last month remained China, which maintained its record-setting pace of precious metals buying. Data from the People's Bank of China shows they bought gold again in September, Gopaul wrote. Gold reserves rose by 26t, lifting their reported 2023 buying to 181t. China also bought 29 tonnes of gold in August. Since it started its buying spree last November, the People's Bank of China has increased its gold reserves by 243 tonnes, and the precious metal now represents over 4% of its total foreign reserves. Chinas official gold reserves now total 2,192 tonnes, though many speculate that the real quantity could be much higher. Indias central bank also made a big splash in the gold market last month with its largest single purchase in 15 months. Weekly data from the Reserve Bank of India suggests its #gold reserves rose by 7 tonnes in September - all added in the last week of the month, he wrote. This would be the largest monthly gold purchase by the RBI since July 2022 (13 tonnes), and lifts gold holdings to 807 tonnes. India bought 2 tonnes of the yellow metal in August, so Septembers number represents a massive month-over-month jump in gold purchases by the RBI. Poland was another major buyer in September, with the Polish central bank increasing its total gold holdings by 6% last month alone. Based on data published by the National Bank of Poland suggests they have added ~19 tonnes to their gold reserves in September, taking total gold holdings to ~330 tonnes, Gopaul said, adding that the WGC would confirm the exact figures once the IMF data is released. The National Bank of Poland also bought 18 tonnes of gold in August, and he noted that the country is on pace to reach the 100-tonne target it announced in 2021. Gopaul also posted recent comments made by National Bank of Poland President Adam Glapinski to local media, which help to explain the central banks torrid pace of purchases in 2023. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Mako Mining (TSX-V: MKO) (OTCQX: MAKOF) announced today that it has recorded outstanding production results, reaching a record 3,817 gold ounces recovered in September. The company said this result was achieved after it resumed its original processing plan of producing 50% high grade diluted vein material mixed with 50% lower grade stockpile material, which resulted in substantial improvements in head grades and recoveries. Mako also noted that head grades averaged 8.4 g/t Au with recoveries of 85.5% during September, adding it expects this trend to continue as the company accesses the higher-grade zones at Las Conchitas while maintaining an optimal blend to the plant. CEO Akiba Leisman stated, Operating improvements, resulting from permits to begin mining Las Conchitas in parallel with San Albino, have significantly improved free cash flow generation from the mine. This allows the company to rapidly repay debt while investing heavily in exploration. A maiden resource for Las Conchitas is very nearly complete, which will allow the company to be operating at these levels for year to come. Mako Mining is a gold mining, development and exploration company. The company operates the high-grade San Albino gold mine in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, which ranks as one of the highest-grade open pit gold mines globally. Oct 11 (Reuters) - British lender Metro Bank (MTRO.L) on Wednesday confirmed the support of the required number of bondholders to approve its debt refinancing plans. The bank said it received more than 75% support commitments from Tier 2 and MREL noteholders for its plans to raise 325 million pounds ($399.30 million) in capital and 600 million pounds in debt refinancing. ($1 = 0.8139 pounds) Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips 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. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - John Burzynski, CEO and executive chair of Osisko Mining (TSX:OSK) was part of a trio that raised a billion dollars to put the Canadian Malartic mine into production. Now, Burzynski is trying to do the same thing with the Windfall project in Quebec. He spoke to Kitco mid-September at the Gold Forum Americas 2023 held in Colorado Springs, CO. Earlier this year, Osisko formed a joint venture with Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI) to develop the high-grade asset, which has a 7.4-million-ounce resource grading an average 9-10 grams per tonne. Asked why the company partnered with Gold Fields rather than agree to a buyout, Burzynski said it was due to the production potential. "It's the largest single underground high-grade mine ever discovered in Canada, so why we didn't do a takeout deal with Gold Fields is because we believe it will end up being a substantial producer," he said, noting the feasibility study shows about 300,000 ounces per year over a 10- year mine life. "We certainly believe this is going to be a multi-decade asset, that 7.4-million-ounce resource we believe will double in time or more," Burzynski continued. "The deposit continues from the drilling that we've done down to at least 2.8 kilometers. Our resource only covers the first 1,200 meters, so having even half of that asset as a substantial producer in time will be of great benefit to the Osisko shareholders. I think ultimately, it's going to have a cash flow and ounce-per-year production profile similar to Canadian Malartic when we started that." With Windfall comprising only five square kilometers of the 2,300 km2 controlled by Osisko, Burzynski said it has district-scale potential. "It really is a district that's analogous to the whole of the Val-d'Or camp or the Timmins camp. The geology is the same, we age-dated all the porphyries when we initially acquired it in 2015, and it showed us that everything related to gold mineralization happened at the same time between 2.69 billion and 2.71 billion years ago, which is the identical age of the gold-bearing intrusives in the Timmins camp. And so that told us was that Windfall shouldn't be a singularity. There should be dozens of Windfalls over time." Kitco Mining's coverage of the Gold Forum Americas 2023 was sponsored by Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - In September of 2022, the Ethereum network successfully completed its transition from a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. The move was done in an effort to bring greater efficiency and scalability to the network as its ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps) continues to grow and evolve. Several months after the Merge took place, the network underwent its Shanghai upgrade, which for the first time enabled the withdrawal of staked Ether some of which had been locked on the beacon chain since it first launched in December 2020. This event ushered in a new era for the top smart contract platform and gave the Ether token an added value proposition in the eyes of institutional investors, as staking rewards can be loosely compared to dividends that are distributed to stockholders. To gain insights into the world of staking from an institutional standpoint, Kitco Crypto had a conversation with Jesper Johansen, founder and CEO of Northstake, a regulated, custodial, virtual asset service provider focused on helping institutions participate in crypto staking while mitigating the risks involved. If you are an institutional investor and you have a long position on proof-of-stake crypto assets like Ethereum, then we can support you in the process of staking those assets long term, but done so in a way where we observe KYC/AML legislation, as well as the incoming Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation in Europe, Johansen said. He noted that there are a variety of obstacles early adopting institutional investors face on this front, including dealing with the travel rule and a number of other regulatory challenges. Johansen said that, for the most part, institutional investors are currently focused primarily on Bitcoin and Ether, saying that everything else is just too early. We know that there are a plethora of other projects out there, but from our point of view, ensuring that institutional investors have a way to securely and compliantly hold their investments in the top crypto assets is what we specialize in, he said. To do this, Northstake handles the infrastructure side of things, operating validation nodes on the networks they provide services for and serving as a virtual asset service provider under EU Law. The firm is also a regulated custodian. On top of the typical custody and staking services that people are familiar with, we then lay on top of that compliance monitoring, tax reporting, and a number of additional services that comprise a product that, from an institutional point of view, can be allocated towards, he said. There is only one known counterparty, which is Northstake. Northstake first launched in November 2021 which coincided with the end of the last bull market and has steadily grown over the years, recently surpassing $80 million in assets under management. I think our company and our business model have shown resilience in the face of that, Johansen said. Since launch, weve onboarded approximately 25 institutional clients and accumulated $80 million in AUM, so we are still in the early stages. But asset volume has grown over the past four months, primarily on Ethereum. So we do see a lot of institutional interest, he said. However, for the larger institutions, sovereign funds, endowments, and pension funds, it's still very hands-off. But investors in large family offices, hedge funds, crypto hedge funds, venture capital, crypto VC, and liquid funds have shown a great deal of interest. Johansen said the lack of a clear regulatory framework in the U.S. has been one of the biggest hindrances to adoption, as well as multiple blow-ups in the crypto space that have led to some reluctance by larger firms to engage with the asset class. Assets with the highest level of interest Northstake currently offers staking support for 12 tokens including Ether, Solana, Avalanche, Cardano, Cosmos, Polkadot, and Polygon. Johansen said that part of their business involves supporting projects early on by offering staking and running validator nodes. This is a valuable service for early projects as it provides an avenue for institutional investors to make an investment. We then can onboard institutional investors with a cap table who need custody and staking services, he said. As far as which tokens Northstake has seen the most interest in, Johansen said that Ethereum and layer-two (L2) projects like Polygon, Optimism, and Arbitrum have seen a lot of demand, but the firm has yet to offer support for the latter two networks. Outside of the Ethereum ecosystem, he said that the Near protocol and Solana have received a lot of interest. Staking services and regulation When asked how regulators are going to respond to staking services and whether they will carve out specific regulations that apply to staking, Johansen said that will depend on the jurisdiction. From the perspective of the European Union (EU), the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) bill will take effect by mid-2024, he said. This will establish legal definitions in the crypto space, most notably defining rules for crypto-as-a-service providers, how they should act, and what requirements they should meet, he said. This includes staking providers, so that will provide a lot of clarity. Johansen said the EU is already working on updates to MiCA which he referred to as MiCA 2.0 which will include specific references to staking. MICA in its current form will support other regulatory frameworks and provide definitions they can use, he said. In the U.S., there is currently a gap in terms of crypto regulation, he said. The E.U. spent four years drafting MiCA. The U.S. now needs to play catch-up to close that gap, which will only increase as time progresses. So when we see Coinbase and Kraken being sued by the SEC for their staking services, that's something that Europe will address in their upcoming updates to MiCA, he said. MiCA 2.0 is another iteration ahead of where the U.S. is just starting from. The first version of MiCA is already being implemented and the second version is being developed. But in the U.S., they havent even started on legislation for the crypto industry, and consequently, they are trailing behind. Until that gap is closed, from a U.S. perspective, there will be regulatory uncertainty about how to define staking, Johansen said. This includes issues around metadata, running nodes, as well as lending, borrowing, and earn programs, which are also sometimes referred to as staking. The question regulators will need to clarify is how do you actually differentiate between those things, he said. The answer to that question will have significant implications for crypto exchanges, centralized exchanges, and node infrastructure providers who are based in North America. They will be under increased scrutiny until we have regulatory clarity from lawmakers in the U.S. Based on these facts alone, Johansen suggested that the U.S. will be at least a couple of years behind Europe in establishing crypto regulations. And with the current political climate and an upcoming presidential election, I think it's unlikely that you will be able to put meaningful crypto regulation forward within the next 12 months, which will only extend the gap further. And that's to the detriment of the crypto industry, broadly speaking, because we need the U.S. on board, he said. But also for the crypto projects and companies that are dependent on the U.S. because they are based in the U.S., have investments from the U.S., or have users in the U.S. Staking as a way to attract investors When asked about stakings role in attracting more institutional investors, Johansen said he believes staking will be conducive for bringing in the next billion users on-chain. The reason for this is that the current way for institutional investors to invest in the underlying technology of blockchain is by owning tokens on the networks, he said. As institutional adoption rises, This will cause the overall market cap of crypto to appreciate, which will invigorate the ecosystem. He said that institutional capital tends to have a longer perspective, and any buy-and-hold strategy is likely to include staking because no institutional investor, no professional investor, would risk leaving extra yield on the table once they understand the risks involved with actively participating in the networks. The majority of institutional capital coming in will be long, and therefore, will find its way into staking positions, and by that mechanism, support growing the broader crypto ecosystem, he said. Regulatory uncertainty is one of the main things holding back the realm of staking and not allowing it to progress forward. As for staking yields and Bitcoin, Johansen said, Anything that has to do with staking on Bitcoin is most likely a borrowing or lending product, which introduces credit risk, informal counterparty risk, and liquidity risk. While Northstake doesnt offer any of these types of products as they focus on staking that involves actively participating in the network, Johansen said there has been an increased demand for those types of yield generating services for Bitcoin in whatever shape or form simply because there has been a flight to quality during this bear market. From an institutional point of view, the first asset that you would consider in your digital asset portfolio would be Bitcoin and then Ethereum, he said. Institutional investors are just getting acquainted with Bitcoin and Ethereum to the point where they feel comfortable holding those assets, Johansen said. Now we need to teach them about the risks of actively participating in the network if you hold Ether. And they need to understand how that works and be able to price that risk into their investments. Theres a big difference between running a validator node on Ethereum as a way to protect your investment long-term, compared to lending out your Bitcoin. Its a completely different risk profile and includes credit and liquidity risks. This is the next step of the educational journey that institutional investors will need to go through, he said. I think that they will gradually get there because Bitcoin, as well as Ethereum, work in a similar fashion as traditional commodities or assets that institutional investors are familiar with. Johansen said he sees a new breed of companies coming in now focused on serving institutional investors by building on the foundation that's already been laid down. Similar to how Levis was established by serving gold miners, some of the biggest opportunities will be found by creating products and services that facilitate access to digital assets and staking. We need a new guard of crypto companies that operate on the technology and infrastructure that has been laid down and introduce the layers of regulatory compliance and risk management that infrastructure and technology providers do not, he said. From an institutional point of view, although you can be excited about the visions, prospects, and traction of blockchain technology, it is still a very high-risk investment, which means that you want to make sure that you are on the right side of regulation and the law when you do that, Johansen said. So the differentiation is not about how much APY or yield you can generate; it's about providing the safety and assurance that your investment is kept safe and in compliance with current and future regulations. MARRAKECH, Morocco, Oct 11 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas posed additional risks to an already tepid global economic outlook, but the United States still appeared headed for a soft landing. Yellen condemned Saturday's attacks on Israel and pledged Washington's strong support for Israel "in any way that's necessary," She told a news conference on the sidelines of World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings that funding for Ukraine and "resources" for Israel were an "absolute top priority" for the Biden administration. Crude oil prices jumped and safe-haven currencies like the yen rose following a massive incursion into Israel from Gaza launched by Hamas on Oct. 7 that has triggered ongoing retaliatory strikes by Israel on the Gaza Strip. Yellen said she had nothing to announce yet on whether the United States would impose new sanctions on Iran if evidence emerged that the country was involved in the attack, and said Washington also had sanctions in place on Hamas and Hezbollah. "This is something that we have been constantly looking at, and using information that becomes available to tighten sanctions," she said. "We will continue to do that." As Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza neighborhoods ahead of a potential ground offensive and a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Yellen downplayed the potential for the conflict to batter the global economy. "Thus far, I don't think we've seen anything suggesting it would be very significant," she said. World Bank President Ajay Banga told a separate news conference that the conflict would complicate the global economy's path, echoing comments in a Reuters interview on Tuesday. "I believe that wars are completely, extremely challenging for central banks who are trying to find their way through a very difficult situation, to a relatively soft landing," Banga said. IRAN FUNDS Asked whether Washington could reverse its decision to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds as part of a U.S.-Iran prisoner swap in September, Yellen said those funds had not been touched yet, but Washington was keeping its options open. "These are funds that are sitting in Qatar that were made available purely for humanitarian purposes, funds that have not been touched. I wouldn't take anything off the table in terms of future possible actions." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he had "not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but theres certainly a long relationship." SOFT LANDING 'NOT ... ABSOLUTELY SURE THING' She said she continued to expect a soft landing for the U.S. economy, but conceded that exogenous shocks - such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the attacks on Israel - brought additional risks. "Of course the situation in Israel causes additional concerns. I'm not saying soft landing is an absolutely sure thing. But I continue to think it's the most likely path," due to the resilience in the labour market and moderating wage pressure, Yellen told a briefing. Yellen said Washington was monitoring the potential economic impact of the escalating conflict, though it was unlikely a major driver of the global outlook. CSquared has selected Adtrans FSP 3000 open optical transport technology to bring high-speed broadband services to Togo. The Adtran FSP 3000 open optical transport solution gives CSquareds network a total transport capacity of 400Gbit/s. Featuring Adtrans intelligent, compact and power-efficient FSP 150 Ethernet access devices, the backbone and metro networks ensure residential and business customers can expect reliable, symmetrical services ranging from 1Gbit/s to 10Gbit/s. Enabling more automatic and flexible optical networking, CSquareds scalable infrastructure caters to changing traffic demands quickly and efficiently. Googles Equiano subsea cable is a key enabler of the new network, giving Togo 20 times more bandwidth than any other cable serving West Africa. With the network connecting to this cable, CSquared gains enough transport capacity to support faster services in the future. Leveraging Adtrans optical networking technology, we can scale rapidly to connect some of Togos most underserved communities to high-quality broadband. Our new network guarantees widespread, affordable connectivity, ensuring no citizen gets left behind in the race to digitalize the global economy, said Samuel Owusu Yeboah, West Africa CTO at CSquared. Harnessing our open, programmable and scalable technology, CSquared can get to work closing the countrys digital divide, enabling people to reap the economic and social benefits of our globally interconnected digital economy, commented Stuart Broome, GM of EMEA sales at Adtran. From where the Equiano subsea cable lands, CSquared is using our technology to scale its network in record time, connecting the people of Togo to each other, the rest of Africa and the world beyond. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. In yet another reminder of the opportunities for private 5G in multiple industries, John Deere, a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment, has outlined plans to launch its first private 5G network in a new factory in Brazil later this year. The planter and harvest factory in Horizontina will use 3.5GHz mid-band spectrum, moving to an 80% mobile connectivity system within five years and lessening reliance on the miles of Ethernet cables now deployed. According to the Mobile World Live news resource, this is part of a plan to deploy more mobile connectivity across John Deeres global manufacturing facilities. The company currently uses two 4G networks and standalone (SA) 5G at its headquarters in the US, an approach that could inform plans to build mobile networks. However, before the company uses SA 5G networks in its facilities, it apparently feels, according to Jason Wallin, principal architect of infrastructure and operations at John Deere, that the device ecosystem needs to mature. That said, the company apparently regards private 5G as less prone to latency than Wi-Fi, which it also uses. Fewer latency concerns would help speed up the manufacturing process. Regular readers may have noticed that this isnt the only private 5G news relating to Brazilian agriculture in recent weeks. Indeed, as we reported at the time, in early October Jacto, a Brazilian multinational corporation in the machinery sector, selected technology giant Nokia to deploy what is described as the first industrial-grade private wireless 4.9G/LTE and 5G network for the agricultural machinery industry in Latin America. Initiatives like this could be an undoubted shot on the arm for 5G use case viability, although the private network model does not always benefit operators. Mobile World Live says John Deere plans to deploy more 4G and 5G private networks across its 70 manufacturing sites, and 70 logistics and parts locations worldwide, as more spectrum becomes available. Whether this will be in-house managed or operator-supported is not clear. MEXICO, Mo. The community is coming together to help residents displaced by an apartment fire in Mexico, Missouri, early Monday morning. 0:08 VIDEO: Mexico, Missouri, apartment building fire Video shared with KOMU 8 shows large flames tearing through the second-floor of the building. The Mexico Public Safety Department responded to the fire at East Jackson and North Coal Streets around 2:40 a.m. Monday and remained on scene until noon. Sheila Ball, 53, died in the fire, according to Chief Brian Mesko. Five adults and an infant successfully made it out of the building, but a few animals died, as well. St. Brendan Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, a neighborhood church, donated necessities to those displaced by the fire. "It's hard because when there's especially children involved, that's near and dear to my heart, and to all of our hearts," Kristen Rowe, president of the St. Brendan Society, said. She says the families are left with nothing. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "People have been donating. I will say our community is amazing at coming together and helping one another so by the time we got to their house," Rowe said. "They had bags of things, they had a crib. But they still lost all of their personal belongings, and that's tough." Slumberland also donated mattresses to the residents who were displaced. "When somebody calls, we do whatever we can to help and we just try to return the blessings that we get from the community to the people in need," Owner Logan Ray said. One of the family members of a victim who was evacuated says hes concerned for Mexico. "My cousin lives up there, and they lost everything. I mean I don't know what they are going to do about it. It's like the third or fourth fire in a year here in Mexico," Corey Soils said. Officials do not yet have a cause of the fire. The Missouri State Fire Marshal and Mexico Public Safety Department are investigating. The lawyer for the family of Daniel Santulli said the resolutions made so far for the criminal cases may not be enough to many people. Continuum Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report) by 7.0% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 118,302 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 7,710 shares during the period. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF accounts for about 8.2% of Continuum Wealth Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Continuum Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $11,588,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AGG. Steph & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 80.4% during the second quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 359 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. raised its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 697.9% in the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 375 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 328 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the 1st quarter worth $37,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the 1st quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Nordwand Advisors LLC purchased a new position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the first quarter valued at about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.21% of the companys stock. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Up 0.2 % NYSEARCA:AGG traded up $0.21 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $93.83. The company had a trading volume of 7,255,715 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,450,289. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $95.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $97.42. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $92.37 and a 1 year high of $101.15. About iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GAM Holding AG lifted its stake in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Free Report) by 67.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,056 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 8,113 shares during the period. GAM Holding AGs holdings in Accenture were worth $6,189,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aries Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of Accenture by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Aries Wealth Management now owns 4,288 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,323,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Mitchell Sinkler & Starr PA increased its position in shares of Accenture by 0.6% during the second quarter. Mitchell Sinkler & Starr PA now owns 5,172 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,596,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. jvl associates llc lifted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. jvl associates llc now owns 3,682 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,136,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Country Club Bank GFN grew its stake in Accenture by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Country Club Bank GFN now owns 3,378 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,042,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cadence Bank increased its position in Accenture by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Cadence Bank now owns 4,999 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,686,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.42% of the companys stock. Get Accenture alerts: Accenture Stock Performance Shares of ACN stock traded down $0.88 on Wednesday, reaching $311.44. 292,293 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,294,171. The company has a market cap of $207.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.22. Accenture plc has a 1 year low of $242.80 and a 1 year high of $330.43. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $314.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $302.66. Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, September 28th. The information technology services provider reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.06. Accenture had a return on equity of 29.74% and a net margin of 10.72%. The business had revenue of $15.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.60 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.11 earnings per share for the current year. Accenture announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, September 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the information technology services provider to buy up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Accenture Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 12th will be paid a $1.29 dividend. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.66%. This is a positive change from Accentures previous quarterly dividend of $1.12. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 11th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.60%. Insider Activity at Accenture In other Accenture news, CEO Leonardo Framil sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $311.52, for a total value of $934,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 16,898 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,264,064.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,930 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $316.23, for a total transaction of $926,553.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 21,982 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,951,367.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Leonardo Framil sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $311.52, for a total transaction of $934,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 16,898 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,264,064.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 24,430 shares of company stock valued at $7,735,251. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on ACN. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $340.00 price target on shares of Accenture in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Piper Jaffray Companies dropped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $314.00 to $312.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 22nd. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Finally, Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and set a $330.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $333.24. Read Our Latest Report on ACN About Accenture (Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, interactive, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management, intelligent automation comprises robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents, and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprises turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 4,226 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $240,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Horan Securities Inc. increased its position in Charles Schwab by 1,741.2% during the 2nd quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 4,474 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $254,000 after buying an additional 4,231 shares in the last quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 668.6% in the 2nd quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. now owns 962,132 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $54,534,000 after purchasing an additional 836,955 shares in the last quarter. EA Series Trust purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter worth $669,000. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter worth $256,000. Finally, IFM Investors Pty Ltd lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 10.2% during the second quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 291,426 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,518,000 after purchasing an additional 26,992 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.61% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently commented on SCHW. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $46.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 15th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Charles Schwab from $66.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Wolfe Research lowered their price target on Charles Schwab from $62.00 to $60.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. Barclays lowered their price target on Charles Schwab from $64.00 to $55.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $64.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $70.03. Charles Schwab Price Performance SCHW stock traded down $0.46 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $51.32. The stock had a trading volume of 3,387,595 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,054,830. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The Charles Schwab Co. has a twelve month low of $45.00 and a twelve month high of $86.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $90.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.19, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.93. The companys 50-day moving average price is $58.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $56.07. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.61 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.54% and a net margin of 33.15%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.97 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.23 EPS for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 11th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.95%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is currently 29.15%. Insider Activity In other news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 8,000 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.61, for a total transaction of $476,880.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $477,714.54. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Charles Schwab news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.61, for a total value of $476,880.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at $477,714.54. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 72,047 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.66, for a total value of $4,802,653.02. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 59,748,538 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,982,837,543.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 159,599 shares of company stock valued at $10,542,469. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Charles Schwab (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Reaves Utility Income Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:UTG Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, October 10th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.19 per share by the closed-end fund on Friday, December 29th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. Reaves Utility Income Fund has raised its dividend payment by an average of 2.6% per year over the last three years. Get Reaves Utility Income Fund alerts: Reaves Utility Income Fund Stock Performance UTG traded up $0.35 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $24.60. The companys stock had a trading volume of 346,366 shares, compared to its average volume of 234,365. Reaves Utility Income Fund has a 1 year low of $23.24 and a 1 year high of $30.71. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Reaves Utility Income Fund About Reaves Utility Income Fund A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UTG. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of Reaves Utility Income Fund by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 323,333 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $8,866,000 after purchasing an additional 2,711 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 31.9% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 4,188 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $115,000 after buying an additional 1,012 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 294.0% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 39,856 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $1,093,000 after purchasing an additional 29,739 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 4.5% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 302,543 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $8,592,000 after purchasing an additional 12,956 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of Reaves Utility Income Fund by 264.5% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,509 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 1,095 shares in the last quarter. (Get Free Report) Reaves Utility Income Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by W. H. Reaves & Company, Inc The fund invests in public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating in the Utilities sector. The fund primarily invests in dividend paying stocks and debt instruments of companies operating across all market capitalizations. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Reaves Utility Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Reaves Utility Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of TELUS International (Cda) Inc. (TSE:TIXT Get Free Report) shot up 0.6% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$10.35 and last traded at C$10.26. 175,161 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 14% from the average session volume of 203,047 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$10.20. TELUS International (Cda) Trading Down 0.9 % The stock has a market cap of C$768.12 million, a P/E ratio of 19.96 and a beta of 0.62. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$11.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$18.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 95.89, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Get TELUS International (Cda) alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at TELUS International (Cda) In other news, Director Sandra Stuart purchased 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$12.06 per share, with a total value of C$36,180.00. Insiders own 2.60% of the companys stock. About TELUS International (Cda) TELUS International (Cda) Inc design, builds, and delivers digital solutions for customer experience (CX) in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, and the Central America. The company provides digital experience solutions, such as AI and bots, omnichannel CX, enterprise mobility solutions, cloud contact center, big data analytics, platform transformation, and UX/UI design; and customer experience solutions, including work anywhere/work from home, contact center outsourcing, technical support, sales growth and customer retention, healthcare/patient experience, and debt collection. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TELUS International (Cda) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS International (Cda) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yes, by at least $1 Yes, by $2 or more No Vote View Results Within the framework of the visit, Sheikhul Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh met with the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev, Azernews reports. Sheikhul Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh took part in the XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan. M. Ashimbayev warmly welcomed the guest and emphasized the brotherly ties uniting our people: "Our countries and peoples are united by centuries-old strong ties of friendship, common history, traditions and culture. In Kazakhstan, we are very happy about all the achievements of your country. Last year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the past years, interstate relations have strengthened in many areas. Of course, constant contact between the Presidents of the two countries Kasym-Jomart Tokayev and Ilham Aliyev contributed to this. I also consider it important to continue joint work on the development of inter-religious dialogue". Maulen Ashimbayev conveyed sincere congratulations to our people and the country's leadership on the occasion of the full restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty: "This happened thanks to the unwavering will of the leadership and people of Azerbaijan on the path of establishing justice. Kazakhstan has always supported and will continue to support brotherly Azerbaijan in its struggle. Today we are ready to provide comprehensive support to brotherly Azerbaijan in carrying out reconstruction works in the territories liberated from occupation. Garabagh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, the victory of Azerbaijan is the victory of all Turkic peoples. The Senate Speaker expressed deep gratitude to Sheikhul Islam for his active participation in the work of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and stressed that the secretariat of the Congress uses the experience and wisdom of the religious leader of Azerbaijan. In turn, Speaker Sheikhul Islam Allahshukur Pashazade conveyed greetings of the leadership of Azerbaijan and our people to the Chairman of the Senate of the brotherly country. "We are very pleased with the successes achieved by Kazakhstan in political and economic spheres, and the growing international authority of our brotherly country. Sheikhul Islam emphasized the exceptional role of President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev in strengthening the authority of the Congress. Speaking about Azerbaijani-Kazakh cooperation, and solidarity of the leadership and peoples of the two states, the AGM chairman particularly stressed President Tokayev's visit to the liberated territories and the initiative to build the Kurmangazy Centre for Creative Development in Fuzuli, describing it as a symbol of common culture and solidarity of the two peoples. The meeting was attended by the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Agalar Atamoglanov, and the First Deputy Chairman of the PSC, Mufti Salman Musayev. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The world of music is about to witness an unprecedented union of talent as Australian artist The Kid Laroi, South Korean sensation BTS Jungkook, and British rapper Central Cee join forces for their upcoming single, "TOO MUCH." The music industry is buzzing with anticipation as this powerhouse trio unveils their collaborative masterpiece, set to drop on October 19th in the United States and October 20 in Korea at 8 AM. Global Musical Fusion Unveiled as BTS Jungkook, The Kid Laroi, and Central Cee Announce Mega Collab An announcement that has sent shockwaves through the global music industry, three musical powerhouses from different corners of the world are joining forces for an unprecedented collaboration. READ ALSO: BTS Jungkook Finally Speaks Up On Real Story Behind His Girlfriend Rumors: 'The only girlfriend I have...' BTSJungkook, Australian sensation The Kid Laroi, and British rapper Central Cee are set to create a cross-cultural masterpiece that promises to push the boundaries of musical fusion. The surprise revelation came via a series of Youtube videos from the artists involved, each one teasing the impending musical extravaganza. You can watch it here: Global Music Fans Eagerly Await Unprecedented Collab by BTS Jungkook, The Kid Laroi, and Central Cee READ ALSO: BTS Jungkook Opens Up About Home Address Leak To ARMYs: 'People who go to someone else's house...' This electrifying announcement has sparked a whirlwind of reactions across the globe, with fans and netizens alike expressing their excitement and curiosity. Here's a glimpse of what some had to say: A Korean idol and a British rapper feature in an Australian's song. LOL the variety "I hope it's a catchy song." "All the artists have different nationalities, so they gave us time announcements. New York, London, Seoul, Sydney? Lol" "Jungkook's voice at the end was so cool!" "Jungkook worked really hard. I can't wait to hear it." "Oh this combination is fresh, I'm looking forward to it." "Ah, I'm so excited for this combination." "Was that Jungkook in the end?" The global music scene is in for a thrilling treat as "TOO MUCH" approaches, uniting talent from around the world in a historic collaboration. Stay tuned for this musical phenomenon, set to drop on October 19 and 20, and prepare to be awed by the variety and innovation this unique collaboration promises to bring. YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: BTS Jungkook Caught in Dating Rumor Amid THIS Video, ARMYs Debunk Speculations Follow and subscribe to KpopStarz for more news. KpopStarz own this article. Madison Cullen wrote this. NEW ORLEANS Five of the six candidates leading a field of 16 who want to be the states ne Your Ballot & Voting Locations Click here for a look at what's on your ballot. Click here for a look at voting locations. SHREVEPORT, La. - Late at night in July 2017, two men waited outside the El Compadre Mexican Restaurant with the intent to rob the owner. They OZARK- A $50,000 grant for a planned apartment complex coming to Ozark and a $6,000 pay raise for the Emergency Management Agency Director were among the agenda items approved at the Dale County Commission meeting Tuesday. The 28-unit apartment complex is a project spearheaded by the Dothan-based Watson-Downs and will be constructed on Campus Drive nears Loves Gas Station next to the Alabama Aviation College on Highway 231 in Ozark. Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Holle Smith told the commission that the moderately priced apartments will be convenient for students attending the aviation college but will not be available exclusively for students. Smith said the $5.2 million construction project will receive a $250,000 grant over 10 years from the city of Ozark and the Ozark Water Board has provided incentives to move the project forward. The commission approved a $50,000 grant derived from the county lodging tax to be used for asbestos abatement, demolition of buildings and grading of the property. For years the college has been asking us to come up with some sort of housing for students at the college who are commuting from as far away as Opelika now, Smith said. The college is a big part of our workforce and the college has a very unique set of skills students can train for. The commission also approved raising EMA Director Willie Worshams salary to $60,000 from $54,192. Dale County Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon said the pay raise comes on the heels of a recent survey of EMA Director salaries in the surrounding counties and Worshams level of experience. Worsham, appointed Dale County EMA in March 2021, served most recently as the Emergency Manager at Fort Novosel from 2006 until 2020. Before that Worsham served at Fort Novosel as a Department of the Air Force weather forecaster from June 2006 until being named EMA at the military installation. The 20-year Air Force veteran has worked to update the EMA office, website and services since he came on board. The Dale County EMA combines the local resources of Dale County and the municipalities of Ariton, Clayhatchee, Daleville, Grimes, Level Plains, Midland City, Napier Field, Newton, Ozark and Pinckard, along with state and federal resources to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of natural or man-made disasters, technological accidents, national security threats and other disrupting incidents that may impact our areas, Worsham previously explained. On 10 Octobera former Haitian senator, pleaded guilty in a US court for his role in the July 2021 assassination of Haitis former president(2017-2021). End of preview - This article contains approximately 393 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 10 October the attorney generals office in Mexicos Chihuahua state (FGE) announced that four members of the military were being investigated over the killing of two migrants in the border city of Ciudad Juarez the previous day. End of preview - This article contains approximately 361 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options A Munich-based startup has secured $32 million in funding to advance its technology for egg scanning and has ambitious plans to extend its applications to human subjects. Several European countries, including Germany, France, and Italy, introduced legislation last year to prohibit the culling of male day-old chicks, citing not only the wastefulness of the practice but also concerns for animal welfare and ethical considerations. These laws were enacted with the explicit goal of encouraging technology companies to devise methods for determining the gender of chicks before they hatch. One technology that has emerged as a solution is hyperspectral imaging, which can accurately discern the gender of chicks based on plumage color on the 13th day of incubation. Commercial hatcheries are now employing fully automated systems like CHEGGY to implement this technology. These systems also have the capability to detect various characteristics of eggs, such as freshness, broken yolks, and shell cracks, with up to 97% accuracy in some cases. However, there is a significant drawback to these systems: they operate slowly. In response to this challenge, Orbem, a startup based in Munich that originated from PhD research in MRI technology, embarked on a mission to expedite the egg-scanning process. Orbems innovative solution combines an industrial MRI scanner with an AI-based platform, allowing hatcheries to determine the gender of an egg in a contactless and non-invasive manner. Orbem asserts that it can scan an egg in just one second, a significant improvement over existing methods. After scanning approximately 20 million eggs, Orbem claims to have achieved profitability. Founded in 2019, the company recently secured 30 million ($31.8 million) in a Series A funding round led by 83North, with participation from new investor La Famiglia and existing investors The Venture Collective and Possible Ventures. Previously, Orbem had raised 10 million, with half of that amount coming from equity-free sources like research grants from the European Union and the German government. The founders of Orbem met during their PhD studies at the Technical University of Munich and established the company as a spin-off from the institution. German AI startup ecosystem In 2023, the landscape of AI startups in Germany has witnessed a significant surge, with 508 startups making their mark in the German AI Startup Landscape for the year. This marks an impressive 67% growth compared to the previous year. Of the 304 AI startups from 2022, 262 have retained their position on the list, while 246 new AI startups have secured a spot. Among the 42 AI startups that are absent from the German AI Startup Landscape for 2023, 28% have been acquired, 38% have been liquidated, 10% have relocated their products or companies, and 24% have been excluded due to having surpassed the 10-year mark. This highlights the notably high survival rate of AI startups in comparison to their non-AI counterparts. Overall, industry observers believe that the substantial rise in the number of AI startups can be attributed to two primary factors: First, it is worth noting that there is often a time gap between the actual establishment of an AI startup and its inclusion in the AI Startup Landscape. This discrepancy arises because only AI startups with robust business models and a certain number of full-time employees are listed (for more details, see the Methodology subsection). Consequently, there is a delay between the founding of an AI startup and its listing, as only the most promising startups make the cut. In contrast, AI startups with limited resources and unspecified value propositions are not included until they are further developed. Second, the methodology for data collection has evolved and expanded, allowing for a more comprehensive view of the landscape. As such, the reasons for the remarkable growth can be attributed, in part, not only to the rapid expansion of the German AI startup scene but also to an improved data collection process. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. On 10 October Colombias attorney generals office (AG) announced it would investigate claims made on 6 October by, a Colombian, that Paraguays former president(2013-2018) was one of the masterminds behind the murder of Paraguays special prosecutor against organised crime, End of preview - This article contains approximately 382 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Politicians usually bend over backward for their donors, but George Santos did things differently. The Republican is accused not only of stealing his donors' IDs but also using their credit cards by using those stolen IDs. Now, the controversial Republican congressman is facing brand new charges because of these accusations. According to the Associated Press, Santos allegedly stole the identities of his donors and then used their credit cards for thousands of dollars worth of unauthorized charges. He then wired these unauthorized credit card charges to his own personal bank account and used the rest to inflate his campaign's funds. The criminal charges against him were filed last Tuesday. The indictment has 23 counts, with the New York Republican being charged with embezzling money from his campaign and lying to Congress about his wealth, as well as other crimes. Prosecutors accused George Santos of fraudulently using his donors' credit cards and charged more than $44,000 to his campaign over several months. He also charged one of his donors $12,000 and transferred the "vast majority" of that money to his own bank account. In addition, Santos is accused of falsely reporting that he had loaned his campaign $500,000. This amount was reported to the Federal Elections Commission, but in reality, he never really gave anything to his campaign. Moreso, at that time, Santos had less than $8,000 in his personal bank account, Prosecutors alleged that the fake loan to his campaign was his attempt to convince Republican Party officials that he was a serious candidate and worth their financial support. US Attorney Breon Peace released a statement regarding the new Santos charges, saying, "As alleged, Santos is charged with stealing people's identities and making charges on his own donors' credit cards without their authorization, lying to the FEC and, by extension, the public about the financial state of his campaign." George Santos and His Many Lies Santos has become one of the most controversial Republicans in the House, and that is saying a lot with people like Laurent Boebert, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, and Marjorie Taylor Greene also serving alongside him. He became so controversial because of the many lies he made to get his House seat. READ MORE: George Santos Admits To Stealing Checks in Brazil Court According to the BBC, Santos lied about his college degree and claimed that he worked for several financial giants but in reality, they were all lies. He claimed that he was Jewish and that his grandparents survived the Holocaust but this was false as he is Brazilian and did not have any Jewish lineage. He also claimed that his mother died on 9/11 but in reality, she is still pretty much alive. When videos of him as a drag queen in Brazil surfaced, he denied that but his fellow Brazilian drag queens revealed more evidence to show he was lying. George Santos Gets Serious Challenger as Former Democratic Congressman Comes Out of Retirement Democrat Tom Suozzi previously returned and his retirement opened the door for George Santos to take his seat. Now, he is coming back to challenge his successor and take back that seat from the controversial Republican. "Today I'm filing a committee to run for Congress in November 2024," he said, effectively coming out of retirement. "The madness in Washington, D.C., and the absurdity of George Santos remaining in the United States Congress is obvious to everyone." According to People Magazine, he retired from the House to try and become the governor of New York. After failing in his bid in 2022, he has largely stayed out of politics until this announcement. READ MORE: George Santos Stole Money From a Veteran's Dying Service Dog This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: George Santos facing new criminal charges including identity theft - Eyewitness News ABC7NY Testimony in the case against Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, took a dramatic turn as Caroline Ellison, a former associate of Bankman-Fried, accused him of instructing her to embezzle funds from FTX's customers to repay loans to Alameda Research, a crypto trading firm she was leading, per NBC News. During her court appearance, Ellison claimed that Bankman-Fried ordered her to engage in these criminal activities. She revealed that Alameda Research had siphoned approximately $10 billion from customers who had deposited their funds on the FTX exchange for digital currency trading. According to Ellison, Bankman-Fried had established the system that enabled the unauthorized transfer of these funds. Ellison also stated that Bankman-Fried directed her to send balance sheets to lenders in an attempt to minimize the perceived risk associated with Alameda's financial losses. This testimony followed that of FTX co-founder Gary Wang, who also appeared as a witness for the prosecution. Both Bankman-Fried and Ellison faced charges related to financial crimes in December, with Ellison pleading guilty to multiple counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering. READ NEXT: Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Begins Caroline Ellison Caroline Ellison's testimony began with a brief background explaining how she became acquainted with Sam Bankman-Fried. Their initial encounter occurred when she worked as an intern at Jane Street, a proprietary trading firm in New York. Subsequently, they both worked at Alameda and had been in a romantic relationship for a couple of years, with Bankman-Fried serving as her superior during that time, according to CNBC. Ellison had been one of Bankman-Fried's earliest recruits to Alameda in 2017, and he had persuaded her to leave her position at Jane Capital to join Alameda as a trader when the hedge fund was still operating from its original office in the San Francisco Bay area. In the courtroom, Ellison hesitated before identifying Bankman-Fried, as the two had not made eye contact during her entrance. Sam Bankman-Fried, who had a distinct appearance characterized by disheveled hair and casual attire, had reportedly undergone a change in appearance before the trial, which included getting a haircut in jail. Ellison mentioned that Bankman-Fried was the original CEO and owner of Alameda. Sam Bankman-Fried Case Prosecutors have accused Bankman-Fried of misappropriating billions in customer funds to support Alameda, make real estate investments, and donate over $100 million to US political campaigns, Reuters noted. This ultimately led to FTX's bankruptcy in November 2022, causing widespread shock in financial markets and a tarnished reputation for Bankman-Fried. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud and conspiracy, maintaining that any mistakes made during FTX's operation were not intentional theft. Defense lawyer Mark Cohen had previously suggested that cooperating witnesses like Caroline Ellison may be presenting past decisions of Bankman-Fried in a negative light, decisions that they had initially concurred with. Testimony from additional cooperating witnesses, such as former FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh, is anticipated during the trial, which could span up to six weeks. Ellison's testimony revealed Bankman-Fried's ambitions, including viewing political contributions as a cost-effective method to accumulate power and even contemplating the possibility of becoming President with a 5% chance of success. Bankman-Fried had donated $10 million to President Joe Biden's campaign, according to Ellison's statements in court. READ MORE: Driver Who Hits Chinese Consulate Fatally Shot This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Sam Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend set to take stand as fraud trial's star witness - From New York Post The resort city of Villa Carlos Paz in Argentina is in danger as a massive wildfire is approaching the city rapidly, triggering an evacuation. Scenes of the fire and its wall of smoke approaching Villa Carlos Paz have been widely shared on social media. Villa Carlos Paz is found in Central Argentina and is part of Cordoba. It is supposed to be a resort city, but temperatures there have hit 91 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) and is in the middle of a drought, which has engulfed Cordoba. According to Earth Sky, the Argentina wildfires have approached the 400 Homes Community, with locals trying to combat the approaching blaze by trying to moisten the landscape with water from swimming pools. Drone footage of the flames showed towering black smoke outside the city, creating a deadly wall. These scenes of heat have been going on for two days now, starting October 9, which was hotter at 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Forest fires in Villa Carlos Paz near #Cordoba, Argentina. Satellite view + detected heat for October 9 and 10: pic.twitter.com/Z5H63k8Zkb Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) October 10, 2023 Awful situation unfolding right now in Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina as a fast-moving wildfire is approaching the city. Multiple structures on fire. Urgent evacuations are underway. pic.twitter.com/6741nRG2ZV Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) October 10, 2023 READ NEXT: Argentina Election Campaign Gets Intense With Meme Wars, Influencer Battle Officials Outline Evacuation Efforts Due to Argentina Wildfires Officials from Villa Carlos Paz and the nearby city of San Antonio to talk about how they are handling the evacuations. Claudio Vignetta, the Secretary of Risk Management, told local news that their primary concern right now are the areas with the highest level of activities, which is between Villa Carlos Paz and San Antonio, specifically the 400 Homes area. Air and ground assets, including three planes and a helicopter, have already been deployed to combat the flames, according to Times Now News. However, Vignetta acknowledged that battling these flames would be hard and that this wildfire is a "complicated fire." Aside from 400 Homes, residents from the Solares neighborhood in Playa de Oro have also self-evacuated as a precaution, with officials warning that the wildfire has become even more intense due to the intense heat and high winds that are spreading the flames even further. Argentina Man Arrested for Starting the Wildfire Argentine authorities believe the devastating wildfire was caused by a man named Ulises Xarate, 27. The fire started last Monday in an area close to Villa Carlos Paz. According to the Associated Press, Xarate admitted to police that he started a campfire to make coffee. However, he lost control of the flames due to the strong winds, and it soon became the massive wildfire threatening the city. For now, weather forecasts indicate it might rain and help quell the raging flames. On Tuesday, there have been five active wildfires, with a total of 960 firefighters working to extinguish them. Meanwhile, Cordoba Gov. Juan Schiaretti has called on residents to evacuate as the flames draw near. "I call on the population to respect the indications of the firefighters and authorities who are working in the affected areas," he posted on social media. "The most important thing is to save lives, wherever evacuation is necessary, it will be done." READ MORE: Pope Francis Is Planning to Visit His Native Argentina Next Year This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: ARGENTINA On Fire, People Flee! Dramatic scenes of argentina wildfires,villa carlos paz cordoba fire - UnderSphere Haiti ex-senator John Joel Joseph has entered a guilty plea in a Miami federal court to charges related to the 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moise, AP reports. Joseph changed his plea after reaching an agreement with the US government. Federal Judge Jose Martinez scheduled Joseph's sentencing for December 19. While Joseph faces the possibility of a life sentence, the US government is expected to recommend a reduced sentence if he cooperates with the ongoing investigation, as outlined in the plea agreement. John Joel Joseph had been extradited from Jamaica to the United States in June to face charges of conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and providing material support that resulted in death, with the knowledge or intention that such support would be used to plan or execute the conspiracy to kill or kidnap. Joseph, a well-known politician and an opponent of the late President Moise's Tet Kale party, is one of 11 individuals facing charges related to the assassination in South Florida. Two other individuals have also pleaded guilty in the case: Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar, who was sentenced to life in prison in June, and former Colombian soldier German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, scheduled for sentencing on October 27. Eight additional defendants are awaiting trial in the United States. According to the charges, Joseph, along with about 20 Colombian citizens and several dual Haitian-American citizens, partook in a conspiracy to kidnap or kill Haiti's president, who was assassinated at his home in Haiti on July 7, 2021. READ NEXT: Haiti Crisis Explained Haiti Ex-Senator John Joel Joseph's Statement John Joel Joseph admitted to being present at meetings where the assassination of President Jovenel Moise was discussed, including one that occurred the night before the killing was carried out, Reuters noted. The assassination of President Moise, which took place in his bedroom two years ago, left a political vacuum in Haiti. This vacuum allowed violent gangs to expand their territorial control, making them de facto authorities across significant portions of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. These gangs engaged in a wave of violence, including killings, kidnappings, and gang rapes. John Joel Joseph was arrested in Jamaica and later became the third individual to be charged with involvement in President Moise's murder in May of the previous year. His guilty plea follows that of retired Colombian army officer German Rivera last month and that of dual Haitian-Chilean citizen Rodolphe Jaar in March. Rivera's sentencing is scheduled for October 27, while Jaar received a life sentence. Violence in Haiti A year ago, Haiti's unelected government urgently called for international assistance to restore order in the country, according to DW. In response, the United Nations Security Council recently approved the deployment of a Kenya-led international force to provide operational support to Haiti's national police. This force, however, has yet to materialize on the ground, leaving Haiti in a state of ongoing instability. Elections in Haiti have not taken place since 2016, with the interim government initially promising them for 2023. However, Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry later stated that elections could not be held under the current security circumstances. Haiti remains plagued by violence and political instability, making the situation increasingly dire. Nairobi volunteered to lead the international force to support Haiti's national police, and it is prepared to deploy up to 1,000 personnel. However, the deployment is temporarily delayed due to a legal challenge in Kenyan courts filed by an opposition politician, with a decision expected by October 24. READ MORE: Caroline Ellison Takes Witness Stand Against FTX Founder This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Former Haitian senator arrested for assassination of Moise - From TeleSUR English In Guatemala, protesters decry government efforts to stop President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from gaining power. After weeks of peaceful protests, the demonstrations took a violent turn and paralyzed much of the Central American country. Protesters have installed over 120 roadblocks around the country and disrupted not just transportation but also commerce. Now, riot police are taking down these roadblocks, which have been strategically placed in some of the country's major roadways. As riot police came to clear these roadblocks, there were reports of some pushback from the protesters, but they were ultimately unable to stop the police from destroying their barricades. However, at one particular roadblock at a major roadway, the protesters outnumbered the police and quickly surrounded them, preventing authorities from clearing the roadblock. The ensuing scuffles forced President Alejandro Giammattei to threaten protest leaders with arrest. He also claimed that they were "funded and advised by foreigners," according to the Associated Press. The president, who is deeply unpopular in Guatemala, accused protesters of damaging the economy and causing "vandalism." However, critics say that his comments mean he is supporting his embattled attorney general, Consuelo Porras, who has been sanctioned by the US over corruption. Porras is currently leading the charge in the "investigations" against Arevalo. "We are requesting the appropriate arrest warrants, so that justice can be applied," said the Guatemala president. He then claimed that protest leaders "have received support and advice from foreigners," vowing that these foreigners would also be arrested. "Foreign money has been transferred to Guatemalan NGOs, and these funds have been used to feed and pay for portable toilets, in short all the logistics, for the blockades," he further claimed. READ MORE: Guatemala Protests Intensify as President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo Warns of Government Using Violence To Stamp Out Protests Guatemala Protests Descend Into Looting and Violence As the protests against Porras and the persecution of Bernardo Arevalo continue to intensify, some of the protesters have turned violent and have been looting several shops around the capital, Guatemala City. Videos of protesters smashing windows with metal bars have been shown on social media, though other protesters did not join in and continued their peaceful protest. However, Sky News pointed out that the videos were released by the Attorney General's Office, and AG Consuelo Porras had been the main reason why these protests have been going on in the first place. The violent protesters were reportedly attacking the National Palace of Culture in Guatemala City. Violent Protesters May Have Infiltrated the Actual Peaceful Protesters in Guatemala City The more peaceful protesters who did not join the looting may have been infiltrated. This was confirmed by Napoleon Barrientos Giron, a government official who stated that the violence was used by "groups of infiltrators." Barrientos told BBC that they are now going after these infiltrators. This news was first reported by local media, which noted that the peaceful protest had been "infiltrated" by about 200 troublemakers. These infiltrators also threatened the more peaceful protesters and members of the press with sticks and clashed with police officers. READ MORE: Guatemala Elections: Observers Say Political Parties and Justice System Interfered This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Guatemala Shut-Down, Huge Protests, Roadblocks and No food. - sailing ZERO Dorothy Hoffner, the 104-year-old Chicago woman who recently made a record-breaking skydive, has passed away, Yahoo! News noted. She may soon be recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to have ever completed a parachute jump. Hoffner was discovered deceased by staff at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community on Monday morning, having seemingly passed away peacefully in her sleep the previous Sunday night. Her close friend, Joe Conant, a nurse who affectionately called her "Grandma" as per her request, expressed his admiration for her remarkable energy and mental sharpness. He recalled her as an indefatigable individual who never napped in the afternoon or missed any social function, always fully engaged and present. Hoffner made a tandem skydive on October 1, from 13,500 feet at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, a remarkable feat that could potentially secure her a place in the record books as the world's oldest skydiver. She declared to a cheering crowd after landing, "Age is just a number," emphasizing her adventurous spirit. Remarkably, this wasn't her first leap from a plane; she initially took the plunge at the youthful age of 100. Conant is working on the necessary paperwork to ensure that Guinness World Records posthumously certifies Hoffner as the world's oldest skydiver, though he expects this process to take some time. The current record was established in May 2022 by 103-year-old Linnea Ingegard Larsson of Sweden. READ NEXT: Chicago Officials Face Backlash Dorothy Hoffner' First Skydive Hoffner's journey into skydiving began in 2019 when she learned of Conant's plans to go skydiving. Eager to join in, she successfully completed her first jump on her 100th birthday, per PEOPLE. Interestingly, Hoffner kept her skydiving exploits a secret from her family until she recently graced the front page of a local newspaper with her record-breaking achievement. Initially, Hoffner wasn't overly fond of the media attention she received, but she later embraced the spotlight. Conant emphasized that she wasn't motivated by world records but by her personal desire to experience skydiving. In a statement, Skydive Chicago and the United States Parachute Association acknowledged Hoffner's contribution to the sport, emphasizing that skydiving is an activity that many dream of but often postpone. Hoffner's legacy serves as an inspiring testament to pursuing thrilling experiences at any age. Oldest Skydiver Dorothy Hoffner Dorothy Hoffner was a lifelong Chicago resident, residing in the Humboldt Park area before settling in Jefferson Park, according to Chicago Sun Times. She spent a substantial portion of her career with Illinois Bell Telephone Co., commencing with a wage of 25 cents per hour. By the time she reached the age of 104, Hoffner had enjoyed an equal number of years in retirement as she had working. Although she never married, Hoffner maintained close friendships within her neighborhood, fondly reminiscing about her past acquaintances. She often hosted communal meals and engaged in intense trivia games, where her astute knowledge consistently outshone the rest. Hoffner's sudden passing came as a shock to Conant and the Brookdale community. Despite her age, she remained active, routinely embarking on a daily four-block walk to Mariano's and participating in interviews with various media outlets. Friends do not suspect any connection between her demise and her record-breaking skydive, and Conant described her as a truly fascinating individual who underestimated the richness of her own life. READ MORE: 69-Year-Old Skydiver Found Dead This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: At 104, is Dorothy Hoffner the world's oldest skydiver? - From Reuters Laurel, MS (39440) Today Mainly clear skies. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mainly clear skies. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable. In the backdrop of the report, September 2023 saw a 1.8% month-on-month decrease in national job advertisements when compared to August 2023. This shift in the job market was even more pronounced when examined on a year-on-year scale, with a substantial 18.5% reduction in job ads compared to September 2022. Applications per job ad: A glimmer of hope While the job ad numbers dipped, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of a 0.7% month-on-month increase in applications per job ad. This uptick signals a modest resurgence in job seekers activity, indicating a growing pool of candidates eager to secure employment opportunities. State-by-State job market dynamics A closer look at the job market on a state level revealed intriguing variations. Western Australia (WA) saw a 2.2% decrease in job ads compared to the previous month, reflecting regional fluctuations. Simultaneously, the Northern Territory (NT) experienced a 2.7% decline in September 2023 compared to August 2023. However, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) stood out with a positive change, recording a 1.1% increase in job ads. Year-on-Year comparisons: A challenging landscape Year-on-year comparisons painted a challenging picture, highlighting the ongoing impact of economic shifts and global events. In this regard, New South Wales (NSW) grappled with a substantial 22.2% decrease, while Queensland (QLD) faced a 13.8% drop. Victoria (VIC) experienced the most significant decline, recording a substantial 25.5% reduction in job ads compared to the previous year. Top 10 Industries by job ad volume: Mixed fortunes The report also cast a spotlight on various industries. The Trades & Services sector faced an 11.9% decrease in job ads compared to August 2023. Conversely, the Hospitality & Tourism industry encountered a substantial challenge, grappling with a daunting 38.8% reduction in job ads year-on-year. Industry Insights Healthcare & Medical: Resilience Amidst Challenges Despite the overall downward trend, the Healthcare & Medical sector exhibited remarkable resilience. It saw only a marginal 0.4% decline in job ads compared to the previous month, showcasing the sectors enduring demand for skilled professionals. However, it was not without its challenges, as the sector also contended with a 6.0% drop in job ads year-on-year. Kendra Banks, SEEK Managing Director ANZ said: Job ads fell by 1.8% in September, continuing the trend of incremental decline that has been recorded for most of the year. While job ads have been moderating since the 2022 peak, volumes are still 17.1% higher than September 2019. Apart from job ads in Science & Technology, which increased by 3.5%, all other industries declined in volume month-on-month, the most notable Engineering, which dropped 8%. The rise in applications per job ad slowed month-on-month, increasing just 0.7% in September, with Retail & Consumer Products showing the greatest increase in applications per ad volumes. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Members of Bethlehem City Council said they felt reassured after meeting with Mayor J. William Reynolds and his staff on Tuesday about plans to bring more affordable housing construction into Bethlehem. The mayors Administration shared several strategies to encourage investment into missing middle housing during a council Community Development Committee meeting Tuesday night. Reynolds warned the council, some of the ideas that came out of the study would receive pushback and criticism if they were pursued. The conversation behind missing middle housing is the idea that youre willing to prioritize adding units in places that you can, which goes beyond peoples self-reflective identity about what they want their neighborhood to look like, he said. The presentation was the result of a yearlong comprehensive study by the city called Opening Doors: Strategies to Build Housing Stability in Bethlehem. Last month, members of the mayors community and economic development staff also presented a new mapping tool it could use to create permanent homeless shelter. Some of the strategies highlighted at the Tuesday meeting included: Increasing the amount provided to renters who use federal Choice Home Vouchers (Section 8). Expanding By-Right affordable housing development incentives. Leading planning of the Pembroke public housing redevelopment , under the federal Choice Neighborhoods grant program. Encouraging development of accessory dwelling units (ADU) and cottage courts. Revising the citys zoning laws to encourage compatible development of neighborhoods. Funding emergency rental and eviction mediation assistance programs. Affordable housing is not just a moral imperative, but its also an economic necessity for creating a stable and thriving community, Reynolds said. According to the study, 8,300 of Bethlehems total 35,000 households are currently cost-burdened, which means they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. By comparison, the study showed 73% of Bethlehems cost-burdened households were also renters, a group that also makes up nearly half of the citys growing population. Since 2019, the citys seen its rental vacancy rate drop to 2% down from a normalized 7%, which would signal a healthy housing market, said Deputy Director of Community Development Sara Satullo. We knew that we were going to see some of this growth, but it was probably going to happen over a decade, she said. The pandemic fast-tracked the Lehigh Valleys growth trajectory. Bethlehems housing inventory needs to grow by approximately 1,052 units (specifically, 497 very low income units, 243 low income units, 312 market rate units) in order for the citys vacancy rate to recover back to 7%, she said. Thats where the new strategies come into play. 2% really signals a crisis, Satullo said. That means right now if I wanted to move, theres no inventory for me to even choose from and that has a huge impact on desire to move, costs to rent and barriers to attaining otherwise affordable housing. She used West Bethlehem as an example of the sort of future development the city hopes to encourage throughout more suburban spaces. Planning in that part of the city includes mixed-use housing, primarily townhomes and single family homes. In higher density areas, she said infill development such as alley homes, popularized in locations like South Philadelphia and New York City, could be the citys direction. City zoning codes currently restrict construction of varied types of housing in some parts of the city, added Darlene Heller, city director of planning and zoning. Councilwoman Paige Van Wirt said she was surprised to find she was encouraged to hear the results of the study. When this process first started over a year ago and we talked about committing the funds to this study, I was skeptical. I thought this was going to be redundant, Van Wirt, the committees chairwoman, said Tuesday night. Today I have a real sense of hope. I think this was a vigorous start. Watch Tuesday nights meeting on YouTube. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter. Legal cousel for Bethlehem Landfill Co., opponents of its proposed expansion and Lower Saucon Township agreed this week to new requirements related to the expansion project. The parties attorneys reached the stipulation agreement Tuesday while meeting with Northampton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Abraham Kassis. It follows Lower Saucon Township Councils decision Aug. 30 to rezone 275.7 acres adjacent to the 2335 Applebutter Road landfill to permit the expansion onto the property, which the landfill company owns. The expansion is subject to land development approval, with Lower Saucons planning commission opening its review on Sept. 28. Additional approvals for the expansion include permitting from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This weeks agreement regarding the expansion came as Kassis was set to review expansion opponents request for a preliminary injunction to block the rezoning. Township residents and other opponents of the expansion asked for the injunction in an August lawsuit that argues the acres eyed to become part of the landfill are protected from development by conservation easements put in place nearly 30 years ago. What the stipulation that was agreed to Tuesday does is require the Bethlehem Landfill Co. to provide all parties of record in the lawsuit with 30 days notice prior to the removal or cutting of any live trees on the rezoned land. That advance notice is reduced to three days prior to the removal or cutting of trees necessary for groundwater and geotechnical investigation. The landfill company, owned by Texas-based Waste Connections, may still pursue its plans for a new disposal footprint on around 86 acres of the rezoned land, under the expansion plan known as Phase V. Bethlehem Landfill Company may proceed with applying for and potentially obtaining preliminary land development and subdivision approval for the Phase V expansion, a DEP permit for the Phase V expansion, and final land development and subdivision approval for the Phase V expansion but may not record any final land development and subdivision plan for the Phase V expansion until this litigation is resolved by the trial court, the stipulation states, as provided by township solicitor B. Lincoln Treadwell Jr. No construction for the Phase V expansion shall commence prior to the issuance of the DEP permit for the Phase V expansion and the recording of a final land development and subdivision plan for the Phase V expansion, this weeks agreement continues. Treadwell declined to comment beyond providing the agreement. Landfill company attorney Maryanne Starr Garber did not immediately respond to a request for comment but in a statement to The Morning Call stressed that the expansion is not designed to increase daily limits on refuse brought to the site. Citizens for Responsible Development, a grassroots organization opposed to the expansion, said the 30 days notice will give opponents time to take court action in an attempt to block any clearing of the largely wooded acres that slope down to the Lehigh River and which the township rezoned for the landfill expansion. We were very pleased with the outcome, the groups spokeswoman, Victoria Opthof-Cordaro, told lehighvalleylive.com. We were very excited to see that the land was protected. Opthof-Cordaro is one of three Democrats running for the township council in the Nov. 7 election, along with Laura Ray and incumbent Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon. The Republicans running are Susan Blair and incumbent council Vice President Mark Inglis and Councilwoman Sandra Yerger. The next step in the expansion opponents lawsuit is a hearing being scheduled for the week of Dec. 4, Opthof-Cordaro said. Separately, the Lower Saucon Township Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, in Town Hall at 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike to review a separate effort by the expansion opponents to block the rezoning. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. The age-old question asked every year is always, Which is the most popular Halloween candy? The answer to that question depends on what state you live in, according to CandyStore.com. The company, which specializes in wholesale and bulk candy orders, released data to determine what is the most popular candy in each of the 50 states. The ranking is based on 16 years of its sales data in the months preceding Halloween. While the top candies varied between states, CandyStore.com found that the top three most popular candies overall in the U.S. were Reeses Cups, M&Ms and Hot Tamales. The remaining seven popular candies are Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, Hershey Kisses, Candy Corn, Hershey Mini Bars and Snickers. In New Jersey, the top three were Tootsie Pops, M&Ms and Skittles. You can view the data from all 50 states here. 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. WILLIAMSPORT It could be more than a year before the federal wrongful death suit brought by the parents of a Penn State student who died following a fraternity hazing incident in 2017 is ready for trial. The reason is a Centre County judge recently listed next September as a possible trial date for the remaining two defendants charged criminally in the death of Timothy Piazza, who grew up in Readington Township in Hunterdon County. Brendan Young and Daniel Casey have yet to be tried because of appeals over whether evidence on their cell phones should be suppressed. The parties by court order are prevented from engaging in any discovery regarding the two until their criminal cases are concluded. Another factor in the delay, according to a filing Monday in U.S. Middle District Court, is the need by the defendants to depose the State College police detectives who investigated the Feb. 4, 2017, death. They are now employed by the state attorney generals office, which will not let them testify in the civil proceeding until the criminal cases are concluded, the document states. Also, James and Evelyn Pizza who brought the suit on behalf of their sons estate and themselves have not been deposed, it states. Under the revised case schedule proposed by Young and Casey, which is opposed by the Piazzas, discovery still would be conducted a year from now. Despite the delays, the parties say they have continued to engage in discovery that has included depositions of Penn State officials. Timothy Piazza died two days after falling down steps while intoxicated at a bid acceptance event in the former Beta Theta Pi fraternity house. His injuries included traumatic brain swelling, a skull fracture and a lacerated spleen. Young and Casey are among the 28 students the Piazzas sued claiming fraternity members failed to properly address their sons injuries causing him to suffer for more than 11 hours. Claims in the suit include negligence, breaching a duty to care, intentional infliction of emotional distress, battery and conspiracy. This is a summation taken from court documents based on video from closed-circuit cameras of what occurred on Feb. 2, 2017, after Piazza and 13 other pledges arrived at the fraternity house: Each was required to drink from a large bottle of vodka until it was consumed and then they had to participate in a series of drinking events called the gauntlet. After the gauntlet, the pledges were lined up along a wall in the basement where they were given another beer and encouraged to drink more. The events of Bid Acceptance Night lasted approximately 90 minutes, during which time Piazza consumed 18 alcoholic drinks. He was assisted to a couch on the first floor but at 11:20 p.m. he fell down the basement stairs. He was found face down unconscious, was carried back upstairs, and placed onto a couch. He remained unresponsive and began vomiting and thrashing but medical help was not sought until 10:48 a.m., more than 11 hours after he fell down the stairs. Prior to 911 being called he rolled off the couch several times and hit his head on the floor, an iron stair railing and the front door. Following an investigation Penn State revoked recognition of the Beta chapter and the national organization closed the on-campus fraternity house. More: Pa. father, mother now both charged in the death of their infant daughter Student who fell on Pa. hiking trail faces lengthy recovery: parents Sidewalk economy, once harried now embraced From a cart stationed on a HCMC sidewalk, Doan Van Minh Nhut and Ho Duc Hai have grown their banh mi brand to annual sales of US$2 million. One investor makes an offer to the founders of Banh Mi Ma Hai: "We will invest VND5 billion (US$205,000) for 36% of your equity." Within a span of eight years Nhut and Hai have gone from selling on the streets to pulling in big investors. Their business model has shown that sidewalks are not necessarily just a place to eke out a meager living but can produce million-dollar businesses that attract investors as much as trendy start-up tech companies do. The sidewalk economy is the unofficial name given to all business activities that occur on the streets and are categorized into three kinds: retail storefront, street vendor and fixed stall. Nhut and Hais stall fell under the third kind, but is now considered part of the formal economy. A street vendor on Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Binh Thanh District, HCMC, Oct. 5, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/ Thanh Tung Sidewalk millionaire A brilliant 22-year-old graduate from HCMCs University of Economics with an opportunity to work for a multinational company was how Nhut might have been in 2015. But despite warnings from his family he decided to begin his career on the sidewalk. He partnered with Hai, a senior of his at university, to create the "Banh Mi Ma Hai" brand. Nhut had more than 10 years experience of helping his mother sell banh mi in his hometown, An Giang Province. All the duo had when they started were eight carts in District 10and 30 students looking to earn a small income by working for three hours every morning. They invested VND3 million in each cart, an amount they would go on to recover within two months after selling more than 100 loaves of banh mi every day. Theirs was the epitome of a small business in the informal economy: no registration, no company seal, no labor contract, and no taxes. They faced the problem all street vendors do: they were not allowed to conduct business on the sidewalk. According to the Law on Road Traffic, streets and sidewalks are for use only for traffic purposes. Street vendors and sidewalk stalls face fines. Inevitably, the urban order management team became an adversary of the two young entrepreneurs. "Every month without fail we would pay a fine at the ward office to get back our carts and then continue selling," Nhut recalls his first days in the business as he gradually became a familiar face to the District 10 urban order management team. As one of the first banh mi street sellers with consistent branding, Nhut and Hai had the vision to redefine street food and the sidewalk economy. But they realized their business lacked legitimacy in the eyes of the law. "The urban order team was doing its job, so of course I cannot complain," Nhut says. Not only did they have to worry about fines, but also had to deal with street gangs demanding protection money. Knowing they would continue to harass him for more if he paid them once, Nhut refused to pay them anything. Some unsavory gang members also came to hover around them. Their intimidating aura meant customers no longer stopped by and the duos workers were also reluctant to continue selling. They decided to give up that location and focused on selling near schools and offices. People eating on a sidewalk in HCMC's Go Vap District, Oct. 4, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/ Thanh Tung Within a year the two young entrepreneurs had added 40 carts to their fleet. With the number of employees climbing into the hundreds, Nhut and Hai decided to formalize their business by registering a company. From running everything on their own, they decided to switch to a franchising model to increase the scope. In some places local authorities urged them to take in poor franchisees to help them earn a living. Nhut and Hais sidewalk banh mi business by now had a presence in over 37 provinces, with nearly 500 carts providing jobs to thousands of people. Communal economic area Though sidewalks have been buzzing with economic activity for more than 100 years, an official legal framework for conducting business on them has never existed, says Dr. Nguyen VanDang, a specialist on public management from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. In a research article written by Tran Nguyen Chan in 1929, when HCMC was Saigon-Gia Dinh, it was pointed out that mobile business activities had cropped up all over the city. Wherever there was a street, there was a sidewalk economy, it added. The French who ruled Vietnam during this period tried to control this by passing laws on rightful, orderly behavior in cities, including banning street vendors and allowing police to confiscate anything sold on the sidewalks. Against all odds, the sidewalk economy has endured for over a century since, becoming one of the most important aspects of the informal economy. Official statistics related to it are lacking, but a study done by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam in 2017 estimated that street vendors and small personal businesses on sidewalks contributed 11-13% of the countrys GDP. Dr Dang points out that this economic contribution is what makes it difficult for authorities to deal with street vendors. They cannot recognize economic activities on the sidewalk since they go against the ostensible purpose of streets and sidewalks, but they cannot get rid of them either due to the economic benefits they provide. Most street vendors are not trained or well educated, and so it is difficult for them to find jobs in a traditional workplace. The city-based Institute for Development Studies estimates there are 20,000 street food vendors with nearly 25,000 workers in HCMC. Sidewalks are a refuge for many workers who have been laid off, and Nhut knows this better than almost anyone. The time when their banh mi business received the most interest from potential franchisees was two years ago after the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic passed. There was great interest again this year when companies laid off or furloughed workers amid falling demand for their products. Customers sitting on the sidewalk in front of cafes on Nguyen Sieu Street, District 1, HCMC, Oct. 4, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/ Thanh Tung For customers, the sidewalk is a place where they can shop quickly, conveniently and cheaply, not to mention it is conveniently accessible to motorbikes, the main mode of transportation in Vietnam. For foreign tourists, the bustle of activity they see on the sidewalks has become a unique feature of Vietnamese culture. Tom Divers, founder of the Vietnam travel resource website Coracle, fell in love with the dynamic flow of life on the sidewalks when he first set foot in Vietnam 18 years ago. It was something he could never see in his native London in the UK. "Forget all the landmarks that they say you cannot miss; street food is actually the most valuable tourism asset and the number one attraction for tourists in Saigon," he claims. Whenever he invites his friends to HCMC, he delights in taking them to dinner on a sidewalk and wander around the maze of alleys off Su Van Hanh (District 10) Van Kiep or Phan Van Han (Binh Thanh District) streets. It is a way to help strangers immerse in "the identity of Saigon," he says. "Instead of trying to turn this city into Singapore or Seoul, you should improve on its inherent identity." He cannot countenance a time when all the sidewalks are wiped clean of food and drinks stalls, and if that day does come, it will be a sad day indeed, he says. HCMC will then lose its "most valuable attraction," and thousands of immigrant workers will lose their livelihoods, he adds. Legitimizing the sidewalk economy The love that foreigners like Divers have for street food and the ambition to grow that young entrepreneurs like Nhut have are not enough to provide legitimacy to the sidewalk economy. "Reclaim sidewalks for pedestrians", and "clean up the sidewalks" are some of the slogans used in campaigns for urban order. Once the campaigns wrap up, however, everything returns to what it once was. "The endurance of the sidewalk economy makes all efforts to wipe it out unsuccessful," Dr Dang says. He emphasizes that all extreme solutions that abruptly deprive some citizens of their only livelihood are doomed to fail. This can even create a rift in society and deepen social inequality, he warns. The government does not earn anything from this informal economic segment, but yet has to spend large sums of money to mitigate possible repercussions such as traffic and food safety hazards and urban disorderliness. Tran Linh Huan of the HCMC-based University of Law says the lack of management of the sidewalk economy means vendors have to pay unofficial "fees" to do business. A survey done by HCMCs University of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2019 of more than 100 street vendors in the downtown area found 22% of saying that at least once they had faced problems like having to pay for "protection," stealing and disputes with other vendors. Last month, the Hoc Mon District police investigated two members of the Urban Order Management Team for allegedly confiscating vendors carts and then demanding bribes of VND0.5-3 million. Food stalls operating in Nguyen Van Bao Street, Go Vap District, HCMC, Oct. 4, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/ Thanh Tung Multiple adults and children fell ill Wednesday morning inside a North Whitehall Township childcare center, Pennsylvania State Police said. Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer with the state police Troop M based in Bethlehem, told lehighvalleylive.com crews at 10:32 a.m. were dispatched to Lehigh Valley Childrens Centers Inc. (LVCC), 3880 Park Ave. A total of eight children ranging in age from infant to toddler and five adults were taken by ambulance to area hospitals, police said. All staff and children were evacuated from the building, Branosky said. The cause and manner of the reason why people became ill in the Day Care were unable to be determined, state police said in a news release Wednesday afternoon. Branosky said those transported to area hospitals reported symptoms that were not life-threatening. Symptoms were mostly headaches and dizziness, he said. Authorities are calling the incident an inside hazard with crews from a Lehigh County Special Operations unit leading testing at the scene. The Day Care will be closed for the remainder of the week while Air Quality Specialists are brought in to determine the source of the complaints of illness, the state police release continued. No one answered the phone Wednesday afternoon at the North Whitehall childcare center and its voicemail box was full. LVCC did, however, shortly after noon Wednesday alert parents to the incident via the business Facebook page. Thanks to the LVCC Park Avenue staff for their prompt evacuation to ensure the safety of all within the center. More details to follow, the posting states. Brian Downs, spokesman for the Lehigh Valley Health Network, told lehighvalleylive.com Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township received nine children and five adults in relation to the incident. All symptoms are currently listed as being minor and stable, Downs said. Aside from state police and county Special Operations, also responding were Lehighton Emergency Medical Services, Northampton Regional Emergency Medical Services, Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services, Neffs Volunteer Fire Co. and fire companies from North Whitehall. The chain of childcare centers, in existence for about five decades in the Lehigh Valley, has at least nine sites. The facilities care for children aged infant to elementary-aged with full-time, part-time, daily and hourly drop-in rates. The Schnecksville location in North Whitehall was formerly known as Park Avenue Kids Korner. The owner of Park Avenue Kids Korner sold the facility to LVCC in 2019, according to the operators website. Crews at 10:32 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 were dispatched to Lehigh Valley Childrens Centers, 3880 Park Ave., in North Whitehall. All staff and children were evacuated from the building after an unknown cause made them ill, state police said. Editors note: This article was updated with additional information from Pennsylvania State Police on the ongoing investigation into the source of the cause of complaints about feeling ill. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Hackettstown police are urging motorists to be more vigilant of deer following a freak accident earlier this week in the 600 block of Willow Grove Street. The incident began shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday near the wooded area between Hackettstown Medical Center and Hackettstown Senior Housing. A 13-year-old bicyclist reported being injured by a deer just after it was struck by a car, police said. The teenager was riding the bike when the deer ran out into the roadway. The animal was then hit by a motorist traveling south on Willow Grove Street. The deer then hit the 13-year-old on the bike, according to police. Police said the bike was damaged and the teenager suffered minor injuries. The driver of the car left the scene after hitting the deer, Hackettstown Police Lt. Darren Tynan, the departments public information officer, told lehighvalleylive.com. Hackettstown police offered safety tips for drivers who may come in contact with deer: Slow down if a deer is spotted and watch for possible sudden movement. If the deer is in the roadway and doesnt move, wait for the deer to cross and the road is clear. Do not try to drive around the deer. Watch for Deer Crossing signs. Slow down when traveling through areas known to have a high concentration of deer and allow for enough time to stop, if necessary. Use high beams after dark if there is no oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead. High beams will be reflected by the eyes of deer on or near roads. If you see one deer, assume that others may be in the area. Dont tailgate. The driver ahead might have to stop suddenly to avoid colliding with a deer. Always wear a seatbelt, as required by law. Drive at a safe and sensible speed, following the speed limit, and factor speed for weather, available lighting, traffic, curves and other road conditions. Do not swerve to avoid impact if a collision appears inevitable. A deer may counter-maneuver suddenly. Brake appropriately and stay in your lane. Collisions are more likely to become fatal when a driver swerves to avoid a deer and instead collides with oncoming traffic or a fixed structure along the roadway. Obey New Jerseys hands-free device law or refrain from cellphone use while driving. Report any deer-vehicle collision to a local law enforcement immediately. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Laois County Council members agreed to call for a mandatory right to be forgotten for cancer survivors dealing with life insurance companies. Fine Gael Cllr Thomisina Connell raised the issue as she said cancer survivors who are no longer ill are being refused mortgages because they are unable to get life insurance cover. She tabled a motion asking that this Council write to Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister of State at the Dept of Finance, with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance seeking the enactment of legislation to allow cancer survivors the right to be forgotten which at present is a voluntary code of practice agreed by Irish life insurance companies. Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanely supported the motion. She recalled a family she knew who were refused insurance and couldnt get a mortgage. Cancer is something that no doubt has touched everyone. However, thanks to improvements in treatment and screening programmes over the last number of decades a cancer diagnosis is no longer a terminal one and over 200,000 cancer survivors now live in Ireland having overcome their illness, said Cllr Connell. Although the rise in survival rates is good news, those who have overcome cancer still face many challenges particularly when they try to obtain various life insurance policies, which are essential when taking out a mortgage to purchase a home. A cancer diagnosis must be declared no matter how long ago someone recovered. For example, an adult taking out a life policy for a mortgage must declare if they had any form of cancer in childhood, which could be decades later, she said. Many cancer survivors have reported that they cannot even get a quote for a wide range of financial products, life policies, health and travel insurance and are turned away at the first mention of having had cancer, many years after they got the all-clear, Cllr Connell revealed. When surveyed, many survivors who managed to get a quote for a policy, which was simply unaffordable in some cases, experienced discriminatory treatment when applying, being forced to jump though hoops with banks, brokers and life insurance companies. Research showed that people who are affected by cancer found banks and insurance providers more difficult to deal with, compared to the rest of the general population. Many were left feeling demoralised. People affected by cancer reported refusal and unfair treatment as the most common difficulties they experienced. This is unacceptable, she said. Cllr Connell said at an EU level steps have been taken to address the unfair treatment. Cancer Survivors in applying for life insurance and other types of cover such as health and travel insurance will have the Right to be Forgotten, that their cancer diagnosis will no longer have to be declared after a specified time period. It is essential that these measures are implemented at a national level here in Ireland. We must follow the lead of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Romania who have all introduced legislation for the Right to Be Forgotten, she said. Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney congratulated Cllr Connell for raising the issue. The councillors agreed to write to the Minister seeking the enactment of legislation. District Courts in Laois and Offaly will distribute tens of thousands of euro to local charities arising from drug posession and other incidents at the Electric Picnic. The donations will include funds from an estimated 65,000 paid out by hundreds of revellers in Stradbally who came before the courts. Court Poor Box payments are generally paid by someone who has been charged with a minor criminal offence, usually a first-time offender, who may be given one chance to avoid a criminal record by making a contribution to charity. The Court Poor Box is used most often in the District Court. Typical cases where the Court Poor Box is used include first-time possession of a small amount of drugs particularly cannabis, being drunk or disorderly in a public place, petty larceny, or minor assaults. The payments to the Court Poor Box are generally less than 500 per case. In 2022, Portlaoise District Court oversaw donations of 64,180. The Poor Box balance for distribution at the end of that year was 27,000. Of this, 2,000 each went to Portlaoise Lions Club and Tullamore Lions Club. 1,000 each went to St Vincent de Paul in Portlaoise, Clara, Tullamore, Castletown, Birr and Abbeyleix. Laois Hospice is one of the biggest beneficiaries getting more than 5,000 while Foroige is getting 3,500. Money is also going to the St Vincent De Paul conferences in Laois. Some individuals will also benefit. Offaly Hospice, The Acorn Project, Fusion Project and the Block Project all received 1,000 as did Laois Domestic Violence support and Offaly Domestic Violence. A further 500 each went to PATH(Portlaoise Action To Homelessness), Tullamore Rape Crisis Centre, Accessible Counselling, Tullamore Tidy Towns, Portlaoise Tidy Towns, Little Blue Heroes, Cara Projects and the Cara Curley Foundation. The Electric Picnic Poor Box payments were made by first-time offenders who were caught with relatively small quantities of drugs at the music and arts festival. They were given the option of donating to the Poor Box in lieu of a criminal conviction, but only if they had no previous convictions and admitted the offences. Poor Box donations are used by the court to assist local charities and also pay for professional reports of psychologists and other professionals where children are affected by proceedings involving domestic violence, custody and access disputes. While some donations are ordered to go directly to charities relevant to proceedings, such as to animal welfare charities for someone charged with mistreating animals, a pot of money generally remains with the court at the end of the year to disperse to local charities. The distribution of Court Poor Box donations from Portlaoise District Court, which is part of Court District 15 along with Tullamore District Court, is unique in Ireland in that a committee composed of local officials has been assembled to decide on how best to allocate the money. In other Court Districts the money is allocated by the Judge alone. https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/crime---court/1319701/new-recruitment-covered-nearly-440-m-budget-for-jails-in-portlaoise-and-elsewhere.html Above: Recipients of funds from Portlaoise District Court in 2022. Individuals aren't identified. The Laois Offaly committee includes Judge Andrew Cody, Garda Inspectors Jane Ryan and Kieran Keyes, Court Service Managers Breda Costello and Catherine Magnier along with solicitors Gerry Meagher and Emily Mahon. The committee are due to meet later this month when they will decide which charities to donate the court Poor Box proceeds to. Its anticipated the funds will be greater than what was available last year. Kim Damti, the young Israeli / Irish woman with Laois roots caught up in a Hammas attack, has been confirmed dead. Her familiy in Laois has issued a statement following the tragic news from Israel where she had been unnaccounted for since last Saturday when Hammas attacked a music festival. "It is with heartfelt sorrow we announce the death of our beloved niece Kim Damti. "Her body was found today (October 11). We would like to thank all those who expressed love and support for us over the past five days. We respectfully request the media to allow our family to grieve in private," said the statement issued by her aunt Pat Cooper. Kim was attending a dance music festival when the terrorists attacked. Kims most recent visit to Ireland was just this summer when she and her mother joined the family to celebrate the wedding of her cousin Alan. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin paid tribute to the young woman who held Irish citizenship. "When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely. "The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating. Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise. "For anyone to lose a child is devastating. To lose a child in such circumstances is indescribable," he said. Israel's rescue service Zaka said at the weekend it removed about 260 bodies from the festival, and that number was expected to rise. Hospitality trade bodies from across the UK and Ireland have called on governments to work together on the creation of a unified deposit return scheme. The United Kingdom and Ireland Licensed Trade Association which brings together UKHospitality, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, the Vintners Federation of Ireland and Hospitality Ulster met in Belfast this week. In a joint statement from the groups, they urge the UK Government and the devolved administrations to work in partnership with our industries to secure the future of hundreds of thousands of people, jobs and businesses. The body pointed to the deposit return scheme (DRS) an initiative that would put an increased charge on disposable drinks containers to be paid back when they are returned. SLTA representatives attending the United Kingdom and Ireland Licensed Trade Association meeting today in Belfast to discuss a range of issues affecting the licensed trade including the forthcoming UK wide deposit return scheme. pic.twitter.com/OEXHMUUF2m The SLTA (@SLTAssociation) October 10, 2023 Its statement added: In particular, as the different jurisdictions move to introduce deposit return schemes, it is vital that there is collaboration between governments and the respective industry bodies to ensure interoperability between the UK nations and the Republic of Ireland markets, which are intrinsically linked. One such scheme was due to be put in place next year in Scotland, but the inclusion of glass was blocked by the UK Government over fears of its impact on other such schemes, prompting the Scottish Government to put the plans on hold until October 2025 at the earliest when the UK Governments DRS is due to be put in place. The move was described as sabotage by the Scottish Government. The statement continued: As we have already seen there was a potential divergence in Scotland in relation to the inclusion of glass. From an industry perspective, two of the key asks are that we have one interoperable scheme throughout the UK nations and the Republic of Ireland, and that glass should be excluded. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: The Scottish Government understands the importance of our hospitality sector to Scotlands economy. We are aware of the enormous pressures facing businesses including the impact of inflation, energy prices, and higher costs of borrowing and are taking decisive steps to offer support during this crisis. The Scottish Government remains committed to the delivery of a successful deposit return scheme. We have always said that we want to ensure schemes across the UK work together as seamlessly as possible and are holding discussions across the four nations and with industry bodies in the UK and Ireland to achieve this. However, the onus is now on the UK Government to provide the clarity that is needed for the schemes to move forward. THE BODY of 22-year-old woman Kim Damti has been found. Irish-Israeli woman Kim Damti, who was missing following Hama's attacks in southern Israel has died. "With heartfelt sorrow the Cooper family announce the death of their beloved niece, Kim Damti," said her aunt, Pat Cooper in a statement. "We thank all those who have supported us with love and encouragement over the past five days. We respectfully request the media to allow us to grieve in the privacy of our family," she added. Kim Damti spoke to her Laois mother for the last time on Saturday, October 7 just as Hamas militants launched their attacks. When she last called her mother, Kim was running towards a car with a friend, in a bid to flee the rocket barrage, which occurred near the border of the Gaza Strip. Kim Damti was attending a trance music festival for the Supernova Sukkot gathering. In a statement tonight to RTE News, Tanaiste Micheal Martin paid tribute to her. "When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely," he said. "The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating. Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise." "For anyone to lose a child is devastating. To lose a child in such circumstances is indescribable," he said. A total of 378 beds will be set up in Punchestown Event Centre for Ukrainian nationals who have been displaced by Russias military invasion of their home country. According to a briefing document from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Ukrainians citizens will be accommodated at the Event Centre from November onwards as part of a two-year contract. The Department said that mainly women and children will be housed in 78 pods which will each fit two bedrooms. There will be a maximum of three people in each room. Punchestown Racecourse, which owns the Event Centre, is liaising with local residents on the issue. Punchestown CEO Conor O'Neill said that Punchestown is fully committed to engaging with the local community and keeping people fully informed at all stages. He explained: "It is our objective from the outset to implement a facility to the very highest possible standards that provides a welcome, safe, secure and comfortable environment." Mr O'Neill added: "The facility will be fully managed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year both internally and externally. "There will also be a regular bus service provided to Naas seven days a week for all occupants to ensure that there will be no people walking the roads locally." According to a briefing document, the Department said it will manage the arrival of people into the Event Centre. It also says that the residency will be entirely made up of citizens from Ukraine. The profile of arrivals from the war in Ukraine to date is mainly women and children. Officials said the Ukrainians will be provided with full medical checks, medical cards and PPS numbers at Citywest before transport to their accommodation. They are then eligible to seek work. Regarding the length of time the citizens will be situated at the Event Centre, the document says: "It is currently envisaged that residents can expect to stay for a number of weeks and then be moved to more suitable accommodation, though this will depend on suitable longer-term accommodation being available." FACILITIES As for the 78 pods, each one will consist of two bedrooms, with a maximum of three people in each room (the documents says that there are some bigger family style pods that have a single bed and a bunk bed in the room) with a small living area. The toilet, shower and bathroom areas are in a communal space, with private cubicles. There will also be a designated dining area which will operate on a staggered basis, with times allocated to avoid over-crowding. There will also be tables outside as well, along with play areas for children. The laundry facilities are communal and located within the centre. Catering will also be supplied at the site. The facility is fully fire safety compliant. It will be staffed with a rostered team to include the facility manager, duty managers, night managers, security teams, food service staff and cleaners. Security personnel will be on-site 24/7, 365 days a year and the manager on duty will be contactable at all times. Further alleged details in a court case involving a massive suspected haul of drugs were heard at Naas District Court on Thursday, October 5 last. Last month, it was alleged by gardai that Dallandgshe Mersini, with an address listed as no fixed abode in Newbridge, but who is currently remanded in custody, was involved in harbouring and/or possibly trafficking the suspected haul. Gardai claimed that the 18-year-old was discovered with the suspected haul at a property in Brownstown in the Curragh on August 1 last. The suspected drugs are believed to be cannabis. On the latest court date, Judge Desmond Zaidan was told that Ms Mersini was a passenger in a car being driven by an unknown male on August 1. Gardai alleged that the car failed to stop for them, but later came to a halt. Shortly afterwards, the driver fled from the car, but Ms Mersini was apprehended by gardai. Gardai added that upon further inspection of the car, the suspected haul was discovered. After it was heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions indicated a trial on indictment, Judge Zaidan adjourned the case to October 12, to allow time for a book of evidence to be presented. A Newbridge resident allegedly made a threat to a woman over money that was allegedly owed for drugs. Dylan Lennon, with an address given as 925 Moorefield Crescent in Newbridge, but who is currently remanded in custody, was accused of the offence when he appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, October 5 last. Garda Detective Seamus Doyle alleged to the judge that on September 5 last, the 27-year-old made a threat to a woman in Newbridge, relating to 10,000 owed for drugs. It was claimed that Mr Lennon told the woman that 'he would get men to come down to her and shoot up her house.' Det Doyle alleged that the woman was the mother of a person who owed money for the drugs. The court was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed a trial on indictment for the accused. Judge Zaidan adjourned the case to October 12, to allow time for a book of evidence to be presented in the case. Indonesia has just opened a bid for 500,000 tons of imported rice, including from Vietnam, while the Philippines has placed orders again. Indonesias National Logistics Agency has announced the bid for 500,000 tons of imported rice, including 300,000 tons for supplies from Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and 200,000 tons from Pakistan. The winning bidder will deliver the goods to Indonesia before Dec. 25. Due to the continuous increase in purchasing, Indonesia has surpassed China to become Vietnams second biggest rice importer. Indonesia imported 871,000 tons of rice from Vietnam in the first nine months of this year, up 16 times against the same period last year. The Philippines, Vietnams biggest rice importer, has also increased its purchases again after nearly a month of suspension due to its imposition of the ceiling price on domestic rice. On Oct. 4, the Philippines lifted the ceiling price for conventionally milled and well-milled rice. In the first nine months, Vietnams rice exports to the Philippines reached 2.4 million tons worth nearly $1.5 billion, an increase of 20% in turnover. China, Vietnams third biggest rice importer, is also increasing its purchases of sticky rice and ST 24 and 25 rice from Vietnam in October. China imported 850,000 tons of Vietnamese rice in the first nine months, up 35%. In addition to the above major markets, Vietnams rice exports to Ghana, Turkey, and Chile rose from 46% to several dozen times over the same period last year. On Oct. 9, the prices of Vietnamese 5% broken rice were $600-613 per ton, and those of fragrant rice were $640-650 per ton, $30 higher than Thai rice and $65 higher than Pakistani rice. Vietnam exported 6.35 million tons of rice totaling $3.5 billion in the first nine months, up 18% and 34% respectively. Irelands current 'car priority culture' needs to change, according to an Independent county councillor. The comments were made at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting on Friday, October 6 last. He put forward the following motion at the meeting: "That the council consider the pattern of car parking at the upgraded footpaths and pedestrian crossing near the schools on the Prosperous Road, Clane, and whether any further engineering interventions are required to take account of the needs of pedestrians and cyclists at school opening and closing times." Cllr McEvoys motion was seconded by Social Democrats Cllr Aidan Farrelly, and he also received support in the form of Green Party Cllr Peter Hamilton. In response to his motion, Kildare County Council (KCC) said in its report at the meeting: "The MD engineer will carry out an inspection and from correspondence already received it seems cars are parking up on the new footpaths. "It may be necessary to install bollards to prevent drivers from driving up on the footpaths." Independent councillor Padraig McEvoy. File photograph. KCC continued: "Scoil Bhride on the Prosperous Road, Clane, is currently on round 2 of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme. "The council are currently awaiting the outline delivery plan for Scoil Bhride Primary School as part of the SRTSl programme. "A full design review will be completed at that stage by the Sustainable Transport Section," KCC concluded. Cyril Buggie, an engineer with KCC who was present at the meeting, said that he has seen photos of the area, but stressed that 'the works come down to the developer... you have no idea how frustrating this is for me too.' "The most we (the council) can do is to drill in bollards in this area," he added. Cllr McEvoy also told those in attendance that he read a news article that discussed car emissions near schools, and how it may potentially negatively impact children. He said: "We really have the wrong culture , and we need to change this car priority culture we have in Ireland." THE COLLEGE of Psychiatrists of Ireland has dismissed Budget 2024 as a backward step for the provision of mental health treatment in Ireland. The college notes that the current level of funding and resourcing would lead to increased doctor burnout and, ultimately, negative impacts on patients. Speaking today, Dr Lorcan Martin, President of the College of Psychiatrists and a consultant in general adult psychiatry, said: Before the Budget, the College warned that a detailed plan for doctor recruitment and retention and significantly increased funding were urgently needed to give patients the care they need. Regrettably, on World Mental Health Day, the Government has not delivered in this Budget, and ultimately this will be seen as a backward step for the provision of mental health treatment in this country. Lorcan continued; The College is disappointed to note that mental health funding has not increased in line with our recommendations, and meaningful connections between psychiatry and primary services have not been established. We still await the introduction of a modern IT and electronic patient record system, and the government has not re-established the role of Mental Health Director and the Mental Health Division to include the current Clinical Lead for CAMHS and Youth. One person has been arrested and charged after an individual gained access to the Government Buildings campus during heightened security on Budget Day. Gardai increased security around the Leinster House and Government Buildings area in Dublin for the Budget announcement on Tuesday, weeks after demonstrations during the return of the Dail saw entrances to the premises blocked and included a mock gallows featuring ministers and opposition TDs. Speaking at a post-Budget press conference on Wednesday, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said one person had been arrested during the security operation. Tanaiste Michael Martin said there was an incident in Government buildings but added it was not related to a protest. A spokesman said An Garda Siochana does not comment on matters before the courts. Amid the heightened security, the protests did not reach the level seen for the return of the Dail. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: There werent any protests or any significant protests yesterday. But notwithstanding that, there might have been. And you know, Im never going to criticise the gardai for taking precautions and planning for particular scenarios. Asked about the extra security measures around the parliament, Ms McEntee said she trusts the gardai in their response to protests. Commenting on the measures for the return of the Dail and Budget Day, Mr Martin said: I dont like that level of security around Leinster House, because I used to walk in and out on Budget Day for years. But lets be mindful of what happened two weeks ago, that was particularly violent and Id say the gardai said: Were not going to have a repeat of that. Mr Martin said the protests outside Leinster House for the return of the Dail two weeks ago were fascist. I think its for all of us as a society to make it very clear that we are intolerant of the kinds of fascist protests we witnessed two weeks ago. There has to be no tolerance for anybody or any group that would inhibit the free movement of people across roads and streets. The Tanaiste said many politicians had been victims of harassment and intimidation. People should be allowed access and egress to Leinster House without harassment and intimidation, he added. Mr Martin said there was a need to be always alert around the security of all those working in Leinster House. He said embassies had also been subject to attack during protests, after paint was thrown at the door of the Israeli embassy. Boyle Arts Festival 2023, with its strong programme of Classical, Folk and Traditional music, took place in July, and showcased some unique performances featuring many of the finest musicians in the country. The Boyle Arts Festival Committee would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everybody who helped make this years Festival a resounding success. The Committee told the Leitrim Observer: We received tremendous support as always from the people and businesses of Boyle - in terms of sponsorship through our GoFundMe page, attendance of events, provision of premises for exhibition space, voluntary help and of course, that wonderful hospitality that welcomed the considerable numbers of visitors to the town from all over the country and further afield. We are also indebted to The Arts Council, Roscommon Co. Council and their Creative Ireland Programme for their financial support and belief in us. Publicity is vital to any Festival, and we would like to thank BoyleToday.com, Realboyle.com and Una Bhan Tourism/Discover Boyle, along with all the regional and national newspapers and radio stations, for all the publicity afforded to us, both before and during the Festival. The Committee thanked the Roscommon Arts Officer Rhona McGrath and Roscommon Co. Council for the use of An Rioga to house the Open Art Exhibition and also the Festival information office. Thanks also to the St. Josephs Hall committee and Canon Gerry Hanly for the use of the Hall as a venue. We also thank Rev. Edward Yendall and Rory and Pearl Anderson for the use of the Church of Ireland and Joan and Belinda Collier for the use of Frybrook House. We are very grateful to all in The Bazaar, Feelystone, Boyle Family Resource Centre, The Patricks Well and Dodds Crescent Bar for allowing us to use their premises as venues. A very special word of gratitude is extended to Brendan Gleeson for coming to officially open our Festival and also to Marian Ahern, for her assistance with the annual Fergus Ahern Award, they said. To make the Festival a success, local volunteers joined the Committee, including Laura Tighe, Bernie Lyons, Perpetua McGee, Elaine Bennett, Marian Brogan and Jessica McCauley, Stephen Tighe and Damien Wallace. We are very grateful to the Boyle Tidy Towns Committee for having the town looking so well in the run-up to the Festival and to the Gardai for assisting with traffic management. And finally, we would like to thank all the visual artists, performers and contributors who took part in BAF 2023 and especially all the local artists and musicians, who once again made this years Festival so special. Without them, the Boyle Arts Festival would be incomplete, the Committee said. Boyle Arts Festival 2024 will take place from July 18-27. For more information, please visit www.boylearts.com or follow BAF on Facebook, Instagram and X. Having performed at The Dock in 2017, Cassiopeia Winds, the quintet of the country's finest performers, returns to Carrick on Shannon this Saturday, October 14. Formed in 2010, Cassiopeia Winds is an Irish chamber wind ensemble whose performances are marked by vivacity, panache and dedication to the exploration of fine sound worlds. Together, these five friends have formed a group of Ireland's top wind players committed to sharing their passion for the superb wind quintet repertoire with audiences throughout the country. Individually, they are Catriona Ryan, flute; Matthew Manning, oboe; Deirdre O'Leary, clarinet; John Hearne, bassoon; and Cormac O hAodain, French Horn. Together, they are musicians at the top of their game who delight in playing chamber music together and sharing it with audiences. With backgrounds in such venerable orchestras as the RTE National Symphony, the Royle Philharmonic, the Irish Chamber, the Wexford Festival Opera and the Crash Ensemble, amongst many others, the members of the quintet have musical resumes to die for. They each inspire and refresh their audiences with their infectious enthusiasm for the music they play. Members of the group introduce each piece in the programme, engaging with and developing a rapport with their audience, drawing them in so that they feel almost like a sixth group member. The ensemble aims with each performance to run the full and varied gamut of the wind repertoire from 19th-century to contemporary works. They are dedicated to bringing this repertoire's lesser-known works into the Irish and international concert halls and festivals. Their concerts represent the startling originality and exoticism and the inimitable palette of tone colours of the wind ensemble. The team at The Dock are delighted to bring Cassiopeia Winds back to Leitrim audiences on Saturday, October 14. For more information about the quintet, please visit their website, windquintet.ie or check them out on YouTube. Tickets are 16 full price and 12 concession. For bookings or to find out more about the upcoming performance at The Dock, call 071 96 50 828 or check out www.thedock.ie. TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Limerick woman who has been described as a treasured member of her community following her untimely passing. Niamh Berkery of Shanaclune, Cappamore passed away peacefully on Saturday surrounded by her family and friends at St. James Hospital, Dublin. Ms Berkery was involved in a number of community groups and teams and was the PRO for Cappamore GAA and Camogie Club. The eldest daughter of Breda and John, Niamh will be greatly missed by her siblings Siobhan, Con and Michelle, and boyfriend Pete McNamara. Limerick Community Games paid tribute to their colleague and special needs assistant at Scoil Chaitriona. Niamh was a member of our county committee for several years and was a dedicated, treasured and committed volunteer at area, county, provincial and national levels. Niamh competed with Cappamore community games as a child and had many wonderful memories as a participant. Niamh made many wonderful friends from all corners of the country through her volunteering, such friends for whom we know this loss will be exceptionally difficult. We send our sincere sympathies to Niamh's family, extended family, community and friends. We think especially of her family John, Breda, Con, Siobhan and Michelle and her partner Peter. May her beautiful soul rest in peace and may God comfort all who knew and loved her so much at this difficult time. Cappamore GAA and Camogie Club said they had no words to describe the loss of their PRO. Niamh took on her role of PRO with the pride and passion she had for her club . She was a committed supporter of our club both on and off the field. As a mark of respect to Niamh, our club field is closed and off the field activities will cease until further notice. We send our sincere sympathies to Niamh's family, extended family and friends. We think especially of John, Breda, Con, Siobhan and Michelle and Peter. Ms Berkery was also a member of Bilbao AC who confirmed their clubhouse and field would remain closed until further notice as a mark of respect. Niamh was a beloved member of our club for many years both as an athlete and a valued volunteer at sporting events. Niamh will be sorely missed by everyone here at Bilboa A.C., by her family and her many friends. May she rest in peace. The young womans family was involved in the local Cappamore Show who said they were joined with her family in mourning her loss and celebrating her life. It is always heartbreaking when someone so young passes. Niamh was involved in a number of her local community organisations. Her work in supporting Cappamore Show from a very early age was a continuation of the years of service given by her family members, her aunts, uncles & cousins. Niamh had a friendly & kind greeting for everyone she met no matter what her role or duty. Ms Berkery is sadly missed by her parents, sisters and brother, their boyfriends Conor and Liam and girlfriend Jean, her boyfriend, godson Mason (Australia), aunts, uncles, cousins, grandaunts Nora & Mary, relatives, kind neighbours, a wide circle of wonderful friends and her work colleagues in Scoil Chaitriona. Predeceased by her grandparents: Biddy and Mikie (her godfather) and Con and Brigid (her godmother), cousin Gearoid, uncle Jimmy, grandaunt Josie and other relatives. Ms Berkery will be reposing at Lynch-Kelly Funeral Home, Cappamore on Wednesday, October 11 from 5 pm until 8 pm. Arriving in St. Michaels Church, Cappamore for Requiem Mass Thursday morning at 11.30 am Ms Berkery will then be laid to rest in Towerhill Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be streamed live at https://www.churchcamlive.ie/cappamore-parish/ Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Bone Marrow Leukaemia Trust. May she rest in peace. TWO food premises were the subject of Closure Orders last month due to concerns over public health. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has confirmed the orders were served for breaches of food safety legislation - both were issued by Environmental Health Officers with the HSE. In one case, the proprietor of a take away premises in Dublin, Xi'an Street Food, was ordered to stop cooking duck spring rolls. In their inspection report, published this Wednesday, the EHO noted there was "a repeat failure to cook duck spring rolls thoroughly" at the premises which is located at 28 Anne Street South, Dublin 2. The report adds: "During the inspection, it was observed that the core temperature of homemade duck spring rolls displayed uneven heat distribution, resulting in cool pockets in the core of the spring rolls as low as 36 degrees. Further investigation revealed that when the duck meat was probed, it registered at 56 degrees." According to the FSAI, the proprietor was order to review their cooking procedures "to ensure consistent cooking temperatures as per your critical cooking limit of 75 degrees". The Closure Order, which was served on September 29 has since been lifted. Separately, a butcher in County Tipperary was ordered to cease all activity relating to the production and processing of cooked and ready-to-eat food following an inspection on September 5. According to the FSAI, Paul Tobin Butchers, which is located at 3 Abbey Road, Clonmel was previously advised about cleaning in HSE inspection reports dated in February 2023 and December 2020. Last month's Closure Order was served after a "poor standard of cleanliness" was observed during an inspection. The EHO inspection report states there was a "a significant build-up of food debris, spillages and engrained dirt were observed on the floor in the cooked/ready-to-eat foods preparation area." An "accumulation of cobwebs" was also observed on the racking below the oven and "a significant build-up of food debris was observed beneath the blast chiller." Dust and food debris were observed on top of the blast chiller and both the floor and skirting boards beneath the sinks in the equipment wash room were unclean. The Closure Order, which did not apply to the sale of raw meats, has since been lifted. Commenting, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said consumers have a right to safe food. "Under food law, it is the legal responsibility of food businesses to ensure that the food they sell to the consumer is safe to eat. All food businesses must establish and regularly review a food safety management system to prevent instances of non-compliance and violations of food safety regulations such as these, which are only imposed when a significant risk to consumer health has been identified or when there are persistent, severe violations of food regulations, she said. TAAG Angola Airlines to Renew Fleet with Boeing 787 Dreamliners LUANDA, Angola, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and TAAG Angola Airlines announced today that the African carrier is adding the highly fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner to its fleet with an order for four widebody jets. "Our goal is to work with the best manufacturers in the world towards a multi-type fleet, in order to ensure we have the appropriate airplanes for each flight typology, namely our intercontinental connections," said Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines. "The 787 option suits our intent for modern, size-wise and efficient equipment, able to progressively replace our current widebody fleet, and provide our customers with an improved flight experience." "The 787 Dreamliner will enable TAAG Angola Airlines to open new routes and expand their international network," said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa. "The Dreamliner's market-leading efficiency and passenger comfort will advance the carrier's fleet modernization plans." TAAG Angola Airlines currently flies five 777-300ER (Extended Range) jets, three 777-200ERs and seven 737-700s to 12 destinations across Africa, Europe, South America and China. Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook for Africa projects that the continent will need 1,025 airplanes over the next two decades. Overall African air traffic growth is forecast at 7.4%, the third highest among global regions and above the global average growth of 6.1%. Since revenue service began in 2011, the 787 family has launched more than 370 new nonstop routes around the world. The 787 Dreamliner reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces. Passengers enjoy a better experience with the largest windows of any jet, air that is more humid and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude for greater comfort, large overhead bins, soothing LED lighting, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride. About TAAG TAAG Angola Airlines was founded in 1938 and it is based in Luanda, Angola's capital city. For more than 80 years, TAAG has connected Angolans with its key domestic and international markets. TAAG is the leading airline in the country and is recognized worldwide for its strong high-yield market, having grown its current network to 12 domestic and 13 international destinations. Its fleet allows, in addition to passenger transport, air cargo services which have become essential for Angola's growth and development. TAAG is a company that prides itself on a strong track record of service and performance excellence. About Boeing As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers. Contact: Nadine Fanous +971-56-422-9051 [email protected] Boeing Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE Boeing 10 october 2023 at 04:00 News published onand distributed by: The Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino returns to the US with the newest edition of Benvenuto Brunello New York, Miami, and Dallas will host this year's event on November 28 for a preview of the latest vintages of Brunello. NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino is thrilled to announce its return to the United States for the latest edition of Benvenuto Brunello. This annual, exclusive wine tasting event offers a unique opportunity to get an early taste of the newest vintage releases, featuring Brunello di Montalcino 2019 and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018. Over the years, Benvenuto Brunello has evolved into one of the most eagerly awaited events in the wine world. It serves as a grand showcase for one of Italy's most iconic, celebrated, and beloved wines. This year, Consorzio Brunello di Montalcino is excited to host the event simultaneously in three vibrant cities: New York, where it will take place at the Public Hotel; Miami, hosted at Briza on the Bay; and Dallas, at the Tower Club. All three events are scheduled for November 28th. The event will kick off with a seminar that provides an overview of the appellation, soils, and weather patterns of the 2018 and 2019 vintage for a select group of media, critics, and sommeliers from the United States under the guidance of experts such as Mark Guillaudeu, MS, in New York, Lyn Farmer DipWSET in Miami and James Tidwell, MS in Dallas. Members of the trade and media will have the opportunity to taste over 70 labels from nearly 40 renowned Brunello producers. "From Italy and Montalcino to the world: Benvenuto Brunello showcases the newest vintages of Brunello 2019 and the Riserva 2018. This international event will be an opportunity for media and trade to discover our unique terroir in terms of biodiversity and quality?characteristics of excellence that make Brunello di Montalcino an ambassador of 'Made in Italy' in the world," says Fabrizio Bindocci, President of Consorzio Brunello di Montalcino. "This recognition is a great responsibility, our motivation to be constantly committed to maintain the high quality of the grapes and authenticity in our wine production". Brunello di Montalcino is made from the Sangiovese grape, a variety traditionally referred to as Brunello in the Montalcino area. Renowned for its thicker-skinned berries, Brunello yields wines characterized by exceptionally bold fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and robust, age-worthy tannins. Brunello can only be released onto the market on January 1st of the fifth year, or 6 years for the Riserva, after harvesting and must undergo a minimum of two years of aging in wooden barrels, followed by at least four months of bottle aging, or 6 months for the Riserva. Benvenuto Brunello promises to be a journey through the diverse and exquisite expressions of Brunello di Montalcino, allowing attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into each bottle. For more information about Benvenuto Brunello 2023, contact [email protected] [[email protected] __title__ ] About Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino The Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino, established in 1967 shortly after the DOC designation, is a voluntary association of vineyard owners dedicated to safeguarding and highlighting the qualities of Brunello di Montalcino. The consortium plays a pivotal role in preserving the wine's distinct characteristics, promoting it nationally and internationally, and ensuring its quality. It boasts approximately 200 members, including producers and bottlers, representing a majority of the region's wineries. The consortium is committed to protecting the Montalcino territory and promoting environmental sustainability through eco-friendly farming practices and responsible resource management. Its primary objective is to elevate the status of Brunello di Montalcino on a global scale, emphasizing the wine's quality, history, culture, and regional heritage. https://www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it/en/home/home About Colangelo & Partners Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on "closing the loop" between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com Media Contact eleonora vatteroni, Colangelo & Partners, 6466242885, [email protected] SOURCE Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino 10 october 2023 at 15:00 News published onand distributed by: SUPER PAC RECEIVES $11,280,000 IN DONATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER KENNEDY ANNOUNCES HE IS RUNNING AS INDEPENDENT Surging Donations Come Equally from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents as Bobby's Populist Message Resonates Across Political Spectrum PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Within six hours of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr's announcement of his decision to run as an Independent, more than $11,000,000 in contributions have flooded into the SuperPAC from people of all political persuasions across the country. This is not unlike the $5,000,000 in contributions that came in DURING Bobby's congressional testimony on censorship, where Democratic Committee members, ironically, attempted to censor him. In total, American Values 2024 has now raised more than $28,000,000 since it was founded in late 2022. "Americans don't like censorship or propaganda and they are tired of being lied to." "It's clear that Bobby is inspiring a populist movement that unites left and right, black, and white, rural and urban, young and old. His campaign is a movement built for and by the people, not corrupt politicians and corporations. You can see it from town to town across the country: There is real electricity and a palpable desire for change." "Millions of independent-minded Americans are seeing through the most powerful censorship and propaganda campaign against any candidate in American political history. They are angry at the DNC for attempting to disenfranchise them, eager to support an honest Democrat and more open than ever before in American history to an Independent and honest candidate." - Tony Lyons, Co-Founder of American Values 2024 About American Values 2024: American Values 2024 is a Super PAC dedicated to electing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to President of the United States. The SuperPAC was founded by Tony Lyons, President of Skyhorse Publishing, and Mark Gorton, CEO of Tower Research Capital. Learn more at https://americanvalues2024.org/ . Paid for by American Values 2024, ( 307 W. 36th St., 11th floor, New York, NY 10018 ) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. SOURCE American Values 2024 10 october 2023 at 15:21 News published onand distributed by: (From L) Le Minh Cong, Hoang Van Toan, Hoang Van Khiem at a police station in Hai Duong Province for selling two girls into a karaoke bar. Photo by police Three men are under investigation for tricking and selling two teenage girls to a karaoke parlor in the northern Vinh Phuc Province as staff. Le Minh Cong, 26, Hoang Van Toan, 21 and Hoang Van Khiem, 17, are now facing the charge of human trafficking. All of them are natives of Hai Duong Province, 75 km east of Hanoi. According to the police, Cong got connected with a 17-year-old girl who was working at a karaoke bar in Hanoi. He then asked her to visit his home in Hai Duong. She agreed. On August 13, the girl and her cousin, a 15-year-old girl, grabbed a taxi cab to travel from Hanoi to Hai Duong. Cong and Khiem picked them up and brought them to a hotel in Quang Ninh Province that borders Hai Duong. After that, Cong kept them hostage, seized their mobile phones, and threatened them with weapons. He then forced the two girls to talk on the phone with a stranger. As demanded by Cong, the two girls must tell that stranger they were over 18 and in debt. Around 10 p.m. on August 13, Cong and Toan took the two girls to meet a person for the purpose of selling the girls but as the price was too low, they turned down the deal. Later, they found a new customer, the owner of a karaoke bar in Tam Dao Town of Vinh Phuc Province. He agreed to buy the girls at VND33 million (US$1,350) and as agreed with Cong, he will recover the capital by gradually deducting the girls' monthly salaries. Later, he found that one of the girls he had bought was under 18 so he reached out to her family to return her. The girls' families reported Cong and his accomplices. Cases of girls being tricked and sold to karaoke and massage parlors are not rare in Vietnam. In most cases, the girls came from poor families and dropped out of school early, and were lured by recruitment information on social media promising them high salaries put out by human traffickers. The Government of Canada invests in new multi-purpose community facility for FortWhyte Alive in Winnipeg WINNIPEG, MB, Oct. 10, 2023 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is investing $12.4 million to support the construction of a new green multi-purpose community facility in Winnipeg. The Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, Ben Carr, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, Terry Duguid, made the announcement today along with President and CEO of FortWhyte Alive, Liz Wilson. Funding will support the construction of the Buffalo Crossing facility, which will serve as a gateway to FortWhyte Alive. FortWhyte Alive is a 660-acre reclaimed urban green space in Winnipeg, Manitoba dedicated to providing programming, natural settings and facilities for environmental education, outdoor recreation and social enterprise. The new community space will be a hub for immersive outdoor recreational and educational experiences. Featuring green building elements such as a rigorous voluntary energy-based standard in the design and construction, the 18,000 square foot space will be a living exhibit of climate resilience while also minimizing its impact on the planet. The new facility will seamlessly integrate the community with their surrounding environment, further supporting FortWhyte Alive's mission of providing foundational outdoor experiences to foster lifelong relationships with nature and to promote stewardship. The surrounding landscape will also be an accessible, welcoming, and inviting space for community members to connect with nature. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians. Quotes "Investments in green and recreational infrastructure foster healthy and resilient communities, protect the environment, and support sustainable development. Today's announcement to fund the construction of a new multi-purpose facility will support FortWhyte Alive's mission of fighting climate change and building a community of environmental stewardship. This project will ensure Winnipeggers and visitors have access to quality educational and recreational opportunities for years to come." Ben Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "Through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, we are paving the way for a prosperous future for Manitoba. We are proud of this investment in the new Buffalo Crossing facility, an important space that will allow communities to develop a meaningful understanding of the importance of protecting our environment. We will continue to collaborate with our partners on projects that enable residents to enjoy the province's breathtaking landscapes for generations to come." Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South "Thanks to this generous green investment in our community by our government partners, FortWhyte Alive will continue to be a leader in championing sustainable practices while strengthening our connections with the natural world. Buffalo Crossing, our new visitor centre on McGillivray Boulevard, will be the southern gateway to our site, offering expanded capacity for year-round educational programming and events. Buffalo Crossing will not only act as a centrepiece of FortWhyte Alive as we look toward the future, but will be a catalyst for climate resilient architecture throughout our province." Liz Wilson, President & CEO, FortWhyte Alive Quick facts The Government of Canada is contributing $12,400,000 towards this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and the Government of Manitoba is investing $3,366,304 . Through corporate support and fundraising, there is an additional $8,833,696 being raised towards this project. is contributing towards this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and the Government of is investing . Through corporate support and fundraising, there is an additional being raised towards this project. The GICB program aims to improve the places Canadians work, learn, play, live and gather by cutting pollution, making life more affordable, and supporting thousands of good jobs. Through the green and other upgrades to existing public community buildings and new builds in underserved communities, the GICB helps ensure community facilities are inclusive, accessible, and have a long service life, while also helping Canada move towards its net-zero objectives by 2050. move towards its net-zero objectives by 2050. At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres. The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, supporting the Plan's first pillar through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the increase of energy efficiency, and higher resilience to climate change. It is providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. Strengthened Climate Plan: a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, supporting the Plan's first pillar through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the increase of energy efficiency, and higher resilience to climate change. It is providing over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations. For more information, please visit the Infrastructure Canada website . Associated Links Green and Inclusive Community Buildings https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-mb-eng.html Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada 10 october 2023 at 18:18 News published onand distributed by: National Press Club calls for release of Nigerien journalist WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the kidnapping and detention of Samira Sabou, an independent journalist in Niger. "Samira Sabou, a widely respected online journalist and blogger in her home country, was forcibly taken from her home on Sept. 30 by masked men who told her husband they were with security services but provided no identification. After eight days without word of her whereabouts, there are now reports that she is in custody of Niger's federal police under suspicion of trying to undermine the country's current regime. No case more vividly illustrates the precarious position of truth-tellers than Sabou's. A little more than a year ago, Sabou was threatened with prison by the administration of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. Now she's being accused of treason by the coup leaders who overthrew her would-be jailer. For journalists, making enemies on both sides of a political conflict is a badge of honor. It's a sign that a reporter is serving the right cause ? fairness ? and the right interest group ? the people. Sabou has been an outspoken defender of journalism's watchdog role no matter who is in power. Her last Facebook post before her detention urged the government to revise a "cybercrime" law that threatened to muzzle reporters with heavy penalties for vaguely defined offenses. In a Sept. 4 interview on Radio Television Niger, she said her work has made her the target of an online trolling campaign. She argued that her dedication to journalism is evidence of her patriotism. 'With all that has happened with the crisis, with all the harassment I have endured, I could have packed my bags and left," she said. "But I stayed, despite the danger.' Now that the danger has arrived at Sabou's door, we urge American diplomats and members of Congress to send a strong message to Niger's new leaders: If they want to be recognized as members of civil society, rather than proponents of organized terrorism, they must signal that journalism is not a crime in Niger, and free Samira Sabou." About the National Press Club Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world. About the National Press Club Journalism Institute The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club 10 october 2023 at 21:30 News published onand distributed by: Victoria Gold Amends Secured Loan Facility WHITEHORSE, Yukon, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Victoria Gold Corp. (TSX-VGCX) ("Victoria" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has further amended its secured debt agreement (the "Loan Facility") dated December 18, 2020, as amended December 20, 2021, June 16, 2022 and February 17, 2023. The Loan Facility is comprised of a term loan (the "Term Facility") and a revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Loan Facility is provided by a syndicate of Canadian banks including Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Desjardins and National Bank. Pursuant to the amended Loan Facility, the Company has extended the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility from December 31st, 2024 to December 31st, 2025. No other terms of the Revolving Credit Facility have changed. There is no change to the Term Facility which has four equal quarterly instalments remaining through to the maturity date of September 30th, 2024. "I would like to thank BMO, CIBC, Desjardins and National for their continued support of Victoria Gold and our Eagle Gold Mine," stated John McConnell, President & CEO. "Victoria expects to generate significant free cash flow over the coming quarters and years and will be focusing on debt repayment. The extension of the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility will add greater flexibility to our balance sheet." Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., as the "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About the Dublin Gulch Property Victoria Gold's 100%-owned Dublin Gulch gold property (the "Property") is situated in central Yukon Territory, Canada, approximately 375 kilometers north of the capital city of Whitehorse, and approximately 85 kilometers from the town of Mayo. The Property is accessible by road year round, and is located within Yukon Energy's electrical grid. The Property covers an area of approximately 555 square kilometers and is the site of the Company's Eagle and Olive Gold Deposits. The Company issued a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine dated April 10, 2023 (the "2023 Eagle Technical Report"). As at December 31, 2022, the Eagle and Olive deposits include Proven and Probable Reserves of 2.6 million ounces of gold from 124 million tonnes of ore with a grade of 0.65 grams of gold per tonne. As at December 31, 2022, the Mineral Resource for the Eagle and Olive deposits set forth in the 2023 Eagle Technical Report has been estimated to host 245 million tonnes averaging 0.59 grams of gold per tonne, containing 4.7 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated category, inclusive of Proven and Probable Reserves, and a further 35 million tonnes averaging 0.62 grams of gold per tonne, containing 0.7 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category. Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Except for statements of historical fact relating to Victoria, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information, including any information related to Victoria's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "budget", "target", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could" or "should" occur, and includes any guidance and forecasts set out herein (including, but not limited to, production and operational guidance of the Corporation). In order to give such forward-looking information, the Corporation has made certain assumptions about its business, operations, the economy and the mineral exploration industry in general. In this respect, the Corporation has assumed that production levels will remain consistent with management's expectations, contracted parties provide goods and services on agreed timeframes, equipment works as anticipated, required regulatory approvals are received, no unusual geological or technical problems occur, no material adverse change in the price of gold occurs and no significant events occur outside of the Corporation's normal course of business. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information. These factors include 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, anticipated metal production, fluctuating metal prices, currency exchange rates, estimated ore grades, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in Victoria's corporate resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in development and production time frames, the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainty of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, higher prices for fuel, steel, 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, final pricing for metal sales, unanticipated results of future studies, seasonality and unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, requirements for additional capital, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage and timing and possible outcomes of pending litigation and labour disputes, risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations. Although Victoria has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding Victoria's expected financial and operational performance and Victoria's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof, as the case may be, and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management of the Corporation as at the date hereof. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information contained herein and the documents incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. For Further Information Contact: John McConnell President & CEO Victoria Gold Corp Tel: 604-696-6605 [email protected] 11 october 2023 at 04:00 News published onand distributed by: Collective Mining Reports a New Precious Metal Discovery at its Guayabales Project by Drilling 136.45 Metres at 1.31 g/t Gold Equivalent at the Plutus Target Drill hole PNC-2 was drilled in the western portion of the Plutus Northern Corridor which forms part of the large Plutus porphyry centre. The hole was designed to pass through the previously drilled Donut breccia (now part of the Plutus North Corridor) in order to drill test below a newly discovered mineralized breccia outcrop. PNC-2 cut three mineralized intervals with the first and third intersecting new zones of mineralization. Importantly, the third zone intersected 136.45 metres @ 1.31 g/t gold equivalent in a new porphyry related breccia discovery with an abundance of CBM vein sulphides flooding the matrix. The hole was terminated prematurely in an area of complicated faulting. The geochemical signature of the mineralization encountered in PNC-2 is interpreted to be at the edge of a major new porphyry system in the Plutus target area. Mineralization defined to date in the Plutus Northern Corridor measures 285 metres in strike by 250 metres width by 375 metres vertical and remains open to the east, south, southwest and at depth. Five drills are currently in operation at the Guayabales project with three rigs drilling at the Apollo porphyry system, one rig drilling at the Plutus target and the final rig drilling initial reconnaissance holes at the Marmato Extension target ("ME target"). Additionally, drilling is expected to begin in Q4 2023 at the Trap target, which displays similar mineralization styles as the Apollo porphyry system. Fourteen new diamond drill holes have recently been completed with assays pending in the near term. Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "Making a new discovery in only the second hole drilled in the Plutus Northern Corridor as part of the 2023 exploration program is a testament to both the tenacity of our operating team on the ground and the robust geology of the intrusion complex at the Guayabales project. We remain steadfast in our goal of being aggressive with drilling to unlock as much value as we can in what we firmly believe is an emerging mining district. The area in which we operate has all the earmarks of evolving into a series of important and strategic deposits for Colombia and we are honored to help push this initiative forward for our stakeholders and shareholders." TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Collective Mining Ltd. (TSX: CNL) (OTCQX: CNLMF) ("Collective" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results for two diamond holes drilled into the Plutus Northern Corridor, which is one of a series of targets at the Guayabales Project located in Caldas, Colombia. The Plutus Northern Corridor forms part of the larger Plutus porphyry centre ("Plutus") and is located approximately 1,000 metres east of the Apollo porphyry system. Plutus measures approximately 1,000 metres by 720 metres as outlined by a magnetic high which is coincident with copper and molybdenum soil anomalies measuring greater than 300 ppm and 20 ppm respectively. The Plutus Northern Corridor, situated within the northern portion of Plutus, hosts brecciated porphyry and overprinting CBM vein mineralization within a NE-SW trending corridor. The Plutus Northern Corridor target zone is coincident with the transitional area between a magnetic high and a magnetic low as seen in magnetic susceptibility sections. It is worth noting that the Apollo porphyry system, as well as the area currently being drilled for the first time by the Company at the ME target, are also located in the same magnetic transition zone. Details (See Table 1 and Figures 1-3) This press release outlines results from two holes designed to test below new recently defined outcropping targets within the Plutus Northern Corridor. PNC-2 was drilled southwest from a new pad, PPad 1, to a maximum downhole depth of 579.40 metres (450 meters vertical due to topography). The hole entered a 35.10 metre mineralized zone at 65.30 metres downhole and is hosted in diorite and quartz diorite porphyry rocks with multiple quartz, magnetite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenum veinlets (up to 2% veinlet density) being observed. At a downhole depth of 143.20 metres, the hole intercepted a continuous zone of hydrothermal breccia for 185.80 metres with the cement matrix hosting 0.1% chalcopyrite, 1% pyrite, 0.2% sphalerite, and 0.1% pyrrhotite. At 369.35 metres downhole, the hole entered a new zone of mineralization located below a recently identified outcrop and cut 136.45 metres of continuous hydrothermal breccia with overprinting CBM veinlets. This new mineralized zone hosts a sulphide cement matrix of chalcopyrite (up to 0.3%), pyrite (up to 1.5%), sphalerite (up to 0.6%), galena (up to 0.5%) and pyrrhotite (up to 0.7%) with assay results as follows: 35.10 metres @ 0.41 g/t gold equivalent from 65.30 metres downhole (consisting of 0.20 g/t gold, 2 g/t silver and 0.10% copper) in mineralized porphyry; 185.80 metres @ 0.81 g/t gold equivalent from 143.20 metres downhole (consisting of 0.59 g/t gold, 13 g/t silver and 0.02% copper) in hydrothermal breccia, and; 136.45 metres @ 1.31 g/t gold equivalent from 369.35 metres downhole (consisting of 0.97 g/t gold, 20 g/t silver and 0.04% copper) in hydrothermal breccia including: 42.95 metres @ 2.39 g/t gold equivalent from 462.35 metres downhole in breccia with overprinting sheeted CBM veinlets. PNC-1 was drilled south-southwest from PPad 1 to a maximum downhole depth of 594.95 metres (490 meters vertical due to topography) and encountered diorites and quartz diorite porphyry rocks with secondary biotite alteration and veinlets of quartz, magnetite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenum with assay results as follows: 22.45 metres @ 0.32 g/t gold equivalent from surface (consisting of 0.19 g/t gold, 1 g/t silver and 0.04% copper); 85.05 metres @ 0.31 g/t gold equivalent from 53.00 metres downhole (consisting of 0.18 g/t gold, 1 g/t silver and 0.06% copper); 39.35 metres @ 0.35 g/t gold equivalent from 169.75 metres downhole (consisting of 0.11 g/t gold, 4 g/t silver and 0.09% copper); 24.40 metres @ 0.35 g/t gold equivalent from 254.90 metres downhole (consisting of 0.11 g/t gold, 5 g/t silver and 0.07% copper) and; 31.35 metres @ 0.53 g/t gold equivalent from 312.10 metres downhole (consisting of 0.25 g/t gold, 6 g/t silver and 0.09% copper). Based on drilling, the known mineralized dimensions of the Plutus Northern Corridor measures 285 metres in strike by 250 metres width by 375 metres vertical and remains open in most directions for expansion. Exploration Drill Program and Assay Update The 2023 Phase II drilling program is advancing on schedule with assay results reported for 41 holes and an additional 14 holes awaiting assay results from the lab. With five diamond drill rigs now operating at site, the Company is advancing with the following objectives: Expanding the Apollo porphyry system both laterally and vertically. The Company is currently advancing with directional drilling for the first time with the initial fan of four holes now complete. Additionally, the Company is drilling a series of short holes from surface targeting extensions to the sheeted CBM vein systems located above and peripheral to the Apollo brecciated porphyry. Three drill rigs are actively drilling at Apollo. Drill test the Marmato Extension ("ME") porphyry centre for the first time in search of both a high-grade sheeted CBM vein system at shallow elevations and a potential buried porphyry system at depth. One drill rig is currently active at ME. Drill test the Trap target in the northern portion on the Guayabales project. Three widely spaced reconnaissance holes were completed at Trap in 2022 with the discovery hole, TRC-1 assaying 102.2 metres @ 1.53 g/t gold equivalent and containing similar mineralization to the Apollo porphyry system. Fly airborne geophysics on the Plutus target ahead of first phase drilling of the large and untested coincidental copper and molybdenum in soil anomaly covering the central and southern portion of the target area. Table 1: Assay Results for PNC-1 and PNC-2 Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Mo % AuEq g/t* PNC-1 2.90 25.35 22.45 0.19 1 0.04 0.006 0.32 and 53.00 138.05 85.05 0.18 1 0.06 0.003 0.31 and 169.75 209.10 39.35 0.11 4 0.09 0.004 0.35 and 254.90 279.30 24.40 0.11 5 0.07 0.006 0.35 and 312.10 343.45 31.35 0.25 6 0.09 0.006 0.53 PNC-2 65.30 100.40 35.10 0.20 2 0.10 0.002 0.41 and 143.20 329.00 185.80 0.59 13 0.02 0.002 0.81 and 369.35 505.80 136.45 0.97 20 0.04 0.002 1.31 and incl 462.35 505.30 42.95 1.90 28 0.08 0.002 2.39 *AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.97) + (Ag g/t x 0.016 x 0.88) + (Cu (%) x 1.79 x 0.90)+ (Mo (%)*11.62 x 0.85) utilizing metal prices of Cu ? US$3.85/lb, Ag ? $24/oz Mo - US$25/lb and Au ? US$1,475/oz and recovery rates of 97% for Au, 88% for Ag, 85% for Mo, and 90% for Cu. Recovery rate assumptions are speculative as limited metallurgical work has been completed to date. True widths are unknown, and grades are uncut. About Collective Mining Ltd. To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com. Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective Mining is a copper, silver, and gold exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines. The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo target, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade copper-silver-gold Apollo porphyry system. The Company's near-term objective is to drill the shallow portion of the porphyry system, continue to expand the overall dimensions of the system, which remains open in most directions and test newly generated grassroots targets. Management, insiders and close family and friends own nearly 45% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the TSX under the trading symbol "CNL" and on the OTCQX under the trading symbol "CNLMF". Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG). Technical Information Rock, soils and core samples have been prepared and analyzed at ALS and SGS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program. Social Media: Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) and Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on Twitter. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. In this news release, forward-looking information relate, among other things, to: anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated April 7, 2022. Forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd. 11 october 2023 at 06:30 News published onand distributed by: Wellcare's Expanded 2024 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Offerings Bring Enhanced Value and Affordability to Members Wellcare will offer 23 newly designed plans as well as new Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries New in 2024, Wellcare Spendablestm debit card will allow pre-loaded funds to be used across 55,000 nationwide retailers in 37 states Wellcare to offer Medicare Advantage plans to 37 states and 102 Prescription Drug Plans nationwide TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellcare, the Medicare brand and wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today it will expand its wide range of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) offerings during the 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), beginning Oct. 15, 2023. This includes the addition of Delaware and expansion into 21 new counties, increasing its total Medicare Advantage footprint to 37 states and 1,808 counties. Wellcare will also now offer the 23 newly designed plans as well as new Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP), accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries, and introduce a Wellcare Spendablestm debit card that will allow pre-loaded funds to be used across 55,000 nationwide retailers in 37 states. "Centene's Medicare footprint has grown in the past several years, and we are proud to continue offering Wellcare's Medicare Advantage products now in 37 states, including the newest state of Delaware," said Chief Executive Officer of Medicare for Centene, Rich Fisher, Wellcare's parent company. "We are committed to serving our communities, members, brokers and partners with exceptional healthcare solutions by offering a wide range of comprehensive products that support our members' whole health. The investments and innovations we've made like our Wellcare Spendable card will make things simpler and more affordable for our members." Expanded Footprint and Plan Offerings For 2024, Wellcare will be offering plans to more than 52 million eligible beneficiaries, accounting for 80% of eligible beneficiaries in 37 states. More than 1.5 million beneficiaries are currently enrolled in an Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan. In addition to Delaware, Wellcare also added 21 new counties in four markets: California, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington. Wellcare will offer 23 newly designed plans as well as new D-SNP, accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries, even those who are not cost-share protected in Alabama; Arkansas; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Michigan; Mississippi; North Carolina; New Mexico; Ohio; Oklahoma; Texas and Wisconsin. Wellcare's 2024 MA Plans: Wellcare D-SNP members have access to additional support designed to provide help to make everyday needs like food, utilities and Part D prescriptions more affordable. Introduced the NEW Wellcare Spendables card , a single card with preloaded funds available at more than 55,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare's 37-state footprint. Members may use their Wellcare Spendables on multiple benefits. Depending on their plan, benefits may include over-the-counter products; cost-share assistance for dental, vision and hearing; healthy food groceries from a variety of nationwide retailers; rent/utility assistance; and pay at the pump gasoline. , a single card with preloaded funds available at more than 55,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare's 37-state footprint. All plans cover Telehealth for many in-network key services at a no out-of-pocket cost to a member. Most plans offer dental, inclusive of preventive services members need most. Many plans offer several enhanced services such as vision coverage and fitness benefits to cover the more comprehensive care members may need. Express Scripts will be Wellcare's pharmacy benefits manager for 2024, bringing increased value to members to provide quality at the lowest cost. Current members will be notified of actions they need to take to continue using this service in the fall. For 2024, preferred retail pharmacy networks will include Walgreens, CVS and select grocers. A robust network is expected with more than 60,000 total pharmacies. Wellcare's MA New Strategic Partners: A new strategic alliance between Wellcare and Mutual of Omaha will offer co-branded plans in five states: Georgia , Missouri , South Carolina , Washington and select areas of Texas . This alliance leverages Wellcare's proven MA distribution capabilities and Mutual of Omaha's broad market brand synergy. Ten (10) co-branded preferred provider organization (PPO) plans will be serviced by Wellcare across the five states ? Wellcare Mutual of Omaha No Premium (PPO) and Wellcare Mutual of Omaha Low Premium (PPO). will offer co-branded plans in five states: , , , and select areas of . This alliance leverages Wellcare's proven MA distribution capabilities and Mutual of broad market brand synergy. Ten (10) co-branded preferred provider organization (PPO) plans will be serviced by Wellcare across the five states ? Wellcare Mutual of Omaha No Premium (PPO) and Wellcare Mutual of Omaha Low Premium (PPO). Wellcare also announced it will serve as the exclusive Medicare Advantage partner for The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans organization, comprised of nearly 2 million members in more than 12,000 posts across the country. Through the multi-year partnership, Wellcare will serve as the exclusive MA partner, connecting Medicare-eligible veterans, their spouses and the greater military community with innovative products and solutions that complement the benefits eligible veterans receive through their Veterans Affairs healthcare. Wellcare and The American Legion will also host joint events at Legion Posts nationwide and virtually to connect and educate about opportunities for MA Plans. 2024 Medicare PDP Highlights: Three plans will be offered across all 50 states and the District of Columbia . . On average, monthly premiums for the Value Script plan will be among some of the lowest offered by Wellcare at less than $1 , with 16 states offering $0 premiums. More than 500,000 existing members will experience lower cost-sharing in 2024 due to formulary improvements. , with 16 states offering premiums. More than 500,000 existing members will experience lower cost-sharing in 2024 due to formulary improvements. 100% of all plans will feature a $0 Tier 1 benefit for prescriptions filled at preferred pharmacies. Tier 1 benefit for prescriptions filled at preferred pharmacies. PDP plans will continue offering preventive vaccines for $0 and insulins for $35 maximum per month. The 2024 Medicare AEP begins on Oct. 15, and continues through Dec. 7, 2023. Most plans purchased during AEP are effective Jan. 1, 2024. For more details about Centene's MA and Medicare PDP, visit www.WellcareNow.com. About Wellcare For more than 20 years, Wellcare has offered a range of Medicare products, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), which offer affordable coverage beyond Original Medicare. Today, the company offers benefits with every Medicare beneficiary in mind, such as dental, hearing and vision services; transportation services; telehealth visits; wellness and fitness programs; in-home support services; and special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill. Wellcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Centene's Medicare brands, including Allwell, Health Net, Fidelis Care, Trillium Advantage, 'Ohana Health Plan and TexanPlus transitioned to the Wellcare brand. For more information about Wellcare, visit www.wellcare.com. 'Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Our plans use a formulary. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. "Wellcare by Health Net" is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. Washington residents: "Wellcare" is issued by Wellcare of Washington, Inc. Washington residents: "Wellcare" is issued by WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc. "Wellcare" is issued by WellCare Prescription Insurance, Inc. For Louisiana D-SNP members: As a Wellcare HMO D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. You receive your Medicare health care and prescription drug coverage through Wellcare and are also eligible to receive additional healthcare services and coverage through Louisiana Medicaid. Learn more about providers who participate in Louisiana Medicaid by visiting www.myplan.healthy.la.gov/en/find-provider or https://www.louisianahealthconnect.com. For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid and select the "Learn about Medicaid Services" link. To request a written copy of our Medicaid Provider Directory, please contact us. Notice: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any benefits above and beyond traditional Medicare benefits are applicable to Wellcare Medicare Advantage only and do not indicate increased Medicaid benefits. For Indiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Indiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://www.in.gov/medicaid/ Arizona D-SNP plans: Contract services are funded in part under contract with the State of Arizona. New Mexico (NM) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Members: As a Wellcare by Allwell D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid services are funded in part by the state of New Mexico. NM Medicaid benefits may be limited to payment of Medicare premiums for some members. Louisiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid or https://www.louisianahealthconnect.com. To request a written copy of our Medicaid Provider Directory, please contact us. Wellcare by Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions, Inc. Wellcare (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by WellCare of Texas, Inc., WellCare National Health Insurance Company, and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. Please contact your plan for details. Other Pharmacies/Physicians/Providers are available in our network. SOURCE Wellcare 11 october 2023 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: Coalition of leading industry stakeholders voice continued support for vital Canadian Payments Act amendments The Fall Economic Statement presents an opportunity to modernize the Canadian Payments Act to strengthen financial competition, innovation, consumer protection and economic stability. OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Leaders across Canada's payments industry continue to demonstrate unified support for amendments to the Canadian Payments Act to expand Payments Canada's membership. This support was previously expressed through various pre-budget consultation submissions, a joint letter to the Minister of Finance and a 2018 Department of Finance consultation. Expanded membership eligibility is essential to broaden safe access and participation on Payments Canada's infrastructure. By broadening access to include payment service providers, credit union locals, and operators of financial market infrastructures that meet regulatory and legislative requirements, the Government of Canada will foster competition and innovation and help ensure the future of digital payments happens within -- and not outside -- the regulatory system. "Payments are changing at an unprecedented rate," said Tracey Black, President and Chief Executive Officer of Payments Canada. "Canada must evolve its payment systems and supporting legislation in parallel to deliver continued financial stability, to support increased competition and innovation and to ensure Canada remains globally competitive." "Payments Canada, and the regulatory framework that underpins the organization, has a long, proven history of serving Canadians' best interests by getting money to where it needs to be, safely," said Garry Foster, Chair of the Board of Directors of Payments Canada. "But the world is changing. Payments are changing. And innovation is happening no matter what. If we want to continue to serve Canadians in a way that reflects the level of safety and security expected from Canada's financial system, we need to modernize the Canadian Payments Act." Currently, Payments Canada membership is limited to banks, credit union centrals, and select other financial institution types, including securities dealers. Membership is required to access Payments Canada's infrastructure as a participant. Proposed changes to the Canadian Payments Act would expand membership eligibility to include payment service providers registered with the Bank of Canada, provincially regulated credit unions, and operators of financial market infrastructures designated by the Bank of Canada. To gain access to the payment systems, a Payments Canada member must meet the risk-based access and participation requirements set out in Payments Canada's by-laws, rules and standards. Contributed quotes: "As new technology and services continue to transform the way payments are made and processed, amending and broadening access to the Canadian Payments Act can help modernize Canada's payment landscape. Allowing for a more diverse group of financial service providers can ensure the path is open for innovation and encourage the development of new user-friendly, accessible and cost-efficient payment solutions for small businesses. It can also foster competition within the industry, which can drive costs down and improve financial services." ? Dan Kelly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) "The most important benefits we can offer Canadian consumers are greater choice and competition within the context of a safe and well-regulated payment system. A measured approach to broadening access to Payments Canada membership, which includes effective rules and robust consumer protection, can help to create a more innovative and competitive marketplace that is good for everyone." ? Elizabeth Mulholland, Chief Executive Officer, Prosper Canada "Canada has a strong record of payment innovation. At the same time, we know we must continue to update policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure they meet the needs of Canadians and support growth and competitiveness in the market. Interac supports updating the Canadian Payments Act to enable broadened participation in national payments infrastructure and will continue to work with industry stakeholders to advance opportunities for increased access on our network and products." ? Kirkland Morris, VP Enterprise Initiatives & External Affairs, Interac "Making the financial sector work harder for its customers is a necessary part of solving Canada's affordability crisis. Expanding access to payment systems would promote responsible competition in the financial sector, letting Canadian consumers and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets." ? Alex Vronces, Executive Director, Fintechs Canada. "Expanding membership to Payments Canada will allow fintechs to serve on the front lines of bringing the benefits of faster payments to consumers, merchants and the economy." ? Scott Talbott, SVP, Government Affairs at Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) The payment fintech industry in Canada has made commendable strides in introducing new and innovative concepts. However, there are still some elements hindering the overall progress of the sector. The lack of representation and access to these fintechs in Payments Canada's membership is presenting certain obstacles in the discussions surrounding crucial policies and infrastructure. To overcome these hurdles, we firmly believe that expanding membership criteria is necessary. This will enable innovative fintechs to offer Canadians superior products and services, foster healthy competition, and promote innovation. Ultimately, this will help Canada remain competitive in the global fintech landscape. At Fintech Cadence, we wholeheartedly support the idea of extending membership eligibility to Payment Canada's membership." ? Layial El-Hadi, Executive Director, Fintech Cadence "Canada must act now to modernize payments. The amendments to the Canadian Payments Act are long overdue and necessary to enable non-bank access to the payment system. Allowing a broader group of financial service providers like Wise to become members of Payments Canada will lower payment costs while increasing speed, competition, innovation, and consumer adoption. Payments modernization will allow Canada to go from a global fintech laggard to a leader." ? Nick Catino, Global Head of Policy & Social Impact, Wise "It is evident that the most significant innovations in payment services within Canada have been pioneered by organizations that, unfortunately, do not qualify for membership within Payments Canada. This exclusion has placed payment service providers (PSPs), such as Telpay, and their valued customers, in a highly disadvantageous position. The inability to participate in the Payments Canada network has stifled competition and hindered progress within our industry. This has resulted in a glaring disparity in access to essential payment infrastructure, directly impacting the ability of PSPs to offer reliable and flexible solutions to their clients. We firmly believe that broadening access to these systems is not only a matter of fairness but also of economic necessity. It is our assertion that providing greater access will not only empower PSPs but also benefit end-users?both payors and payees. A more inclusive approach to payment systems will foster innovation, enhance competition, and drive the demand for more reliable and flexible payment solutions." ? John Zajic, Vice President, Corporate Policy & Compliance, Telpay "Implementation of open banking and amendments to the Canadian Payments Act that allow a broader set of stakeholders to safely and securely gain access to Canada's payment systems will facilitate a consumer-centric 21st century financial services marketplace. The Fall Economic Statement provides a unique opportunity to meaningfully advance both of these important initiatives and to promote innovation, competition, and a more inclusive Canadian financial services system." ? Steve Boms, Executive Director of the Financial Data and Technology Association of North America. For media inquiries, please visit our media centre. SOURCE Payments Canada 11 october 2023 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: MycoMeditations Data Shows Positive Outcomes of PTSD Treatments for Psilocybin Retreat Clients The report is based on surveys of clients who attended MycoMeditations retreats in Jamaica, beginning in July 2021 TREASURE BEACH, Jamaica, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- MycoMeditations, a world leader in legal psilocybin-assisted therapy retreats, has released the results of nearly two years of longitudinal observations involving the effects of its legal psychedelic psilocybin retreats on clients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While clinical trial data are promising and benefit from rigorous controls, these trials can only accept a small subset of individuals and often exclude people who are a more accurate representation of the public at large. These findings, which are the result of client surveys and observational data, indicate that clients suffering from PTSD may experience significant and long-lasting benefits when undergoing psilocybin retreats at MycoMeditations. The survey used the PCL-5 questionnaire to evaluate self-reported symptom severity. The survey results add to the growing evidence for the mental health benefits of psilocybin. Guests who indicated struggling with PTSD at baseline (average PCL-5 score = 43.04) showed a large reduction in self-reported PTSD symptoms one month after treatment (average PCL-5 score = 17.90). Evidence suggests that a 5-10 point change in the PCL-5 represents reliable change (not due to chance) and a 10-20 point change represents clinically significant change. The study's clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms among these guests is sustained at the 12-month mark post-retreat. A more complete discussion of the survey is included in MycoMeditations' white paper, "Self-Reported Client Data on Therapeutic Outcomes in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Psilocybin," published online today. MycoMeditations operates its Treasure Beach, Jamaica retreat center based on a contemporary psychotherapeutic model, with the majority of the team consisting of licensed therapists. Guests must first complete a thorough medical and psychiatric screening to determine suitability and desired treatment outcomes before being admitted to any MycoMeditations program. The organization is the first non-research group to widely disseminate for analysis and discussion the results of its psilocybin-assisted therapy protocols leading to positive outcomes in the management of PTSD symptoms. MycoMeditations acknowledges this data is not intended to constitute either an academic study or a clinical trial in its controls, procedure, structure, or review process. Nevertheless, the data is expected to guide future research and to highlight the mental health benefits of psilocybin-assisted treatment for some people with PTSD. "While clinical trial data are promising and benefit from rigorous controls, these trials can only accept a small subset of individuals and often exclude people that are a more accurate representation of the public at large," said Justin Townsend, CEO of MycoMeditations. "For example, those who are experiencing multiple mental health conditions, traumatic brain injuries, cognitive issues, and physical health conditions are typically excluded from clinical research. Our data suggest that our psilocybin-assisted retreat model may produce lasting improvements in PTSD symptoms within a broader population at a comparable rate of success." MycoMeditations is committed to complete data transparency surrounding these important issues. MycoMeditations team members and therapists, including CEO Justin Townsend, are available for comment. About MycoMeditations MycoMeditations operates legal psilocybin-assisted retreats in Jamaica for individuals seeking both therapeutic outcomes and personal growth. As a world leader in the evolving fields of psychedelic therapy and wellness tourism, its success is driven by its commitment to providing safe, life-changing, and spiritually-affirming experiences to its clients in beautiful natural settings. Guided by expert facilitators and mental health professionals, the MycoMeditations team brings together diverse skill sets and a deep knowledge base to create professional and personalized retreats, all while investing in the local Jamaican community. Since 2014, MycoMeditations' unique psilocybin-assisted retreat protocols have helped over two thousand clients by administering over six thousand doses of therapeutic psilocybin. For more information, please visit MycoMeditations.com. Media Contact Brad Burge, MycoMeditations, 1 6508636887, [email protected], https://www.mycomeditations.com SOURCE MycoMeditations 11 october 2023 at 07:28 News published onand distributed by: On/Go for Good, Charitable Foundation, Donates Essential Intrivo COVID-19 Test Solutions to the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership The much needed donation, on the heels of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases around the U.S., helped keep the border safe and healthy during the late summer surge MIAMI, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On/Go for Good , the charitable foundation founded by Intrivo , the leading health technology company that delivers the On/Go digital health suite for a variety of health and wellness related conditions, has made a much needed donation of COVID-19 tests to the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership ( BPP .) The tests are to be used for distribution to the public through the Ventanilla de Salud program at Mexican Consulates throughout the U.S. During the significant summertime surge in COVID-19 cases in the US, On/Go for Good donated COVID-19 test-to-treat kits to help keep border personnel and the immigrant population healthy and safe. The test kits were distributed among a variety of in-need populations across the U.S. On/Go for Good was established last year by Intrivo's co-CEO and co-founder Ron Gutman as a charitable foundation with the mission to support access to healthcare and wellbeing services with focus on weaker populations, children, and conflict zones. Contributions are made in the form of financial support, medical supplies, and technology resources. "One of our core values at On/Go for Good is providing those in need with immediate access to high quality healthcare anytime anywhere, especially when they cannot afford it," said Ron Gutman, co-CEO and co-founder of Intrivo. "I wholeheartedly believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right and with On/Go for Good we're helping make it more accessible for more human beings everywhere. Our collaboration with the U.S.- Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership exemplifies our commitment to helping everyone live healthier, happier lives." Andy Carey, Executive Director of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, said, "We are elated to continue to support COVID-19 programming with our partners at On/Go. Our community was one of the most impacted by COVID-19, and we look forward to supporting this important effort through the end of January 2024." On/Go for Good's first endeavor in helping globally was a million dollar plus donation of medical supplies, computers and software to five hospitals in Ukraine. Ron Gutman has traveled personally to Ukraine with the On/Go for Good delegation, to deliver medical goods and train hospital staff in using the population management software developed by Intrivo. In light of this, and the more than thirty other donations made to American charitable organizations such as the Make A Wish Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMCH), and Pillar Care Continuum, among others, On/Go for Good has won the prestigious Greater Good Award 2023 for Emergency Aid. Recently, On/Go for Good has been recognized by Fierce Healthcare as a 2023 Fierce 50 honoree for Social Impact. To reach out to On/Go for Good for donation inquiries please visit https://www.intrivo.com/contact-us-for-good . About On/Go for Good On/Go for Good is a charitable foundation that supports those in most need, particularly groups who may not have sufficient access to healthcare services or well-being support. Contributions are made in the form of financial support, in addition to necessary medical devices, supplies and other medical goods. About On/Go On/Go is a leading health and technology platform that delivers delightful digital health and care solutions for a variety of health and wellness related conditions such as respiratory care, and weight loss & control. Built on a scalable, extensible platform, On/Go's award winning digital and physical products harness the power of AI and delightful user experience and design to create solutions that have helped over 100 million people worldwide live healthier happier lives. About Intrivo Intrivo is a global healthcare technology company committed to delivering highly effective, comprehensive, and delightful population health & care solutions. Its platform features a fully integrated, highly scalable, and extensible digital health infrastructure that is engineered to easily connect healthcare partners with speed, quality, and delight. Intrivo is the parent company of On/Go. About the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership The Border Philanthropy Partnership is the leading binational organization focused on building prosperity along the U.S.-Mexico Border region through leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy. The BPP network is made up of more than 400 members from academia, business and corporate entities, government, philanthropy, and nonprofit organizations spanning all regions of the U.S. and Mexico. MEDIA CONTACT Zeke Silvani Head of Growth, Intrivo press@intrivo.com SOURCE Intrivo 11 october 2023 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Preamble CEO selected for CEOcircle Program's new cohort Bunker Labs and JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking's CEOcircle Program accelerates business growth for veteran and military-spouse owners Preamble is the only AI safety and PA company in the 2023 cohort PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeremy McHugh, CEO and co-founder of Preamble, Inc., has been named a member of the new cohort for CEOcircle, a program launched in 2021 by Bunker Labs and JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. The year-long program builds a brain-trust of peers dedicated to helping companies scale and grow through education, connections, and networking. Preamble is a Pittsburgh-based technology startup pioneering SaaS-based safety and security for generative AI systems. It is the only AI safety-focused business and Pennsylvania-based company in the 2023 cohort. McHugh is a veteran of the United States Air Force. "Being a part of CEOcircle is an honor, and insights we'll gain to grow Preamble are especially timely, given the intensity of AI development and adoption by governments, enterprises, and organizations ?including here in Pennsylvania," said McHugh. AI Safety Implications in Pennsylvania McHugh noted that Preamble is uniquely positioned to support the recent Executive Order endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania for responsible and ethical use of generative AI within Commonwealth agencies. "As one of few technology companies dedicated to AI safety, we are committed to helping public and private sector organizations in Pennsylvania ? and globally ? advance their integration of AI in safe, responsible, and ethical ways for security, risk mitigation, and compliance." The PA Executive Order requires standards and a governance framework, emphasizing core values of AI safety, security, accuracy, mission alignment, and transparency. The initiative aims to protect Pennsylvania consumers from AI-related threats and ensure AI's safe integration into state functions. Preamble also recently announced it has joined NVIDIA Inception, a program that nurtures startups revolutionizing industries with technological advancements. It is also a member of MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) Alliances and Penn State University's Nittany AI Alliance. About CEOcircle McHugh was selected through CEOcircle's rigorous evaluation process, including historical and projected growth, business strategy, and openness to mentorship. The 2023 cohort includes 82 business leaders who will engage in a thirteen-month peer accountability training program. The full list of companies selected to participate in the 2023 CEOcircle cohort is available at: https://bunkerlabs.org/welcome-2024-ceocircle-cohort/ Companies interested in participating in the next CEOcircle can learn more at: https://bunkerlabs.org/ceo-circle/ About Preamble Preamble democratizes a safety and security layer for generative AI systems. Its comprehensive platform and AI policy marketplace allow organizations, domain experts, and all stakeholders to curate shared values and deploy generative AI guardrails that integrate ethics, maintain security, comply with policies, and mitigate risk. Beyond applying values to AI, Preamble provides AI red-team tools to continuously improve safety guardrails. With a mission to develop safe, inclusive AI systems that respect diverse values and ethical principles, Preamble is committed to shaping the future of AI safety. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with employees globally, Preamble is a veteran-led business. SOURCE Preamble 11 october 2023 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: TRICORBRAUN SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH AFA DISPENSING GROUP, FURTHER EXPANDING ITS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING OFFERINGS TricorBraun is the Preferred Distributor of AFA's Next Generation Sustainable and Rechargeable Flairosol Sprayer and Bottle Device in the US and Canada ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global packaging leader TricorBraun announced today that it has signed an agreement with AFA Dispensing Group to be the preferred distributor for AFA's next generation sustainable and rechargeable Flairosol spray technology dispensing device in the US and Canada. Flairosol is designed to replace aerosol packages. It is a propellant-free, non-pressurized system that can be recharged and reused, providing a better, healthier, and more sustainable solution. The agreement broadens TricorBraun's sustainable packaging offerings and as AFA's preferred distributor, enables it to offer the Flairosol device to customers in the US and Canada in segments including personal care and beauty, nutraceuticals, home and fabric care, animal and pet care, and automotive. "At TricorBraun, we are focused on helping our customers become more sustainable," said Mark O'Bryan, chief operations officer, TricorBraun. "Our Flairosol agreement is another example of our efforts to provide our customers with a vast array of innovative, sustainable packaging options across substrates. We are thrilled to partner with AFA Dispensing Group." As an aerosol alternative, Flairosol reduces environmental, health, and safety issues as well as supply chain restrictions and complexities. Without the use of propellants or pressure, Flairosol contains only product and has a more than 98% liquid evacuation rate. Designed to last, the Flairosol spray head can be easily removed and reused multiple times reducing overall waste. The larger head-style device has a prolonged, output and a continuous spray effect that produces an even, fine mist, ultra mist, or foaming spray pattern; the smaller-head design is applicable for the personal care market and on-the-go use. The Flairosol device features sustainability, high performance, and convenience with premium quality and an innovative design. "TricorBraun shares our commitment to providing innovative solutions that offer better, healthier and more sustainable packaging options, enhancing brands in their differentiation," said Nir Gadot, CEO, AFA Dispensing Group. "We are excited to partner with TricorBraun to offer this unique technology and we look forward to working with their team to expand into new segments. Flairosol is good for people, good for the planet, and good for business." TricorBraun's agreement with AFA Dispensing Group marks the latest development in the company's ongoing sustainability journey and continuous efforts to improve its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact. Read more about TricorBraun's progress in its inaugural Sustainability Report. For more information about TricorBraun and AFA's Flairosol solution, contact [email protected]. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. About AFA Dispensing Group Afa Dispensing (Afa) is a world leader in technologically advanced liquid dispensing systems. AFA's mission is to disrupt the market with leapfrog-innovation, aiming at superior solutions that delight consumers, offer premium value and are most sustainable. AFA engages with customers to co-create solutions, enhancing brands. Production capabilities include Asia and North America, coupled with logistic support and extensive customer service provided around the globe. AFA's technology portfolio includes OpUs pre-compression sprayers, Flair double-layer bottle technology as well as Flairosol next generation spray solutions, the aerosol alternative. About TricorBraun Founded in 1902, TricorBraun is a global packaging leader. We provide innovative solutions across a wide array of customer end markets in plastic, glass, and metal containers, closures, dispensers, tubes, and flexibles. Our award-winning Design & Engineering Center provides forward-thinking design, driven by consumer insight and creative solutions. TricorBraun is comprised of more than 2,000 packaging professionals operating from more than 100 locations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. SOURCE TricorBraun 11 october 2023 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Ngoc Trinhs representative confirmed that the model had admitted to violating the Law on Road Traffic by driving hands-free and lying down on her motorcycles. She also did not have special license needed to drive motorcycles larger than 175 cc. The model was invited to go to the police station to file a report and have her two motorcycles temporarily confiscated, Minh Phuong, Ngoc Trinhs manager, told Ngoi Sao Monday. Footage of Ngoc Trinh performing dangerous acts while driving. Photo obtained by VnExpress "Ngoc Trinh is ready to pay a fine according to the law. The police have yet to specify how much her fine is or how her case will be handled," Minh Phuong said. The manager also stated that the model will cease riding her motorcycle until her health fully recovers. "Ngoc Trinh isnt sure whether she will continue or not. But if she does, she will be sure to find locations that are licensed for motorcycle practice to ensure the safety of herself and others while also ensuring that she doesnt break the law," Minh Phuong said. Previously, a one-minute video of a woman riding a large motorcycle, standing upright, and letting her hands go to outstretch her arms went viral on social media. Not only that, but the woman also knelt, swung her legs to one side, and operated the vehicle with one hand. The behavior of the rider caused outrage online. The video of the woman was posted on Trinhs personal TikTok account on Sept. 24, and then shared widely online. The Thu Duc City Police affirmed last Sunday that they had identified the woman riding the motorcycle as Ngoc Trinh. Trinh, 34, rode a vehicle over 175cc without the appropriate license. The model confessed that she began riding the motorcycle through empty streets in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area, Thu Thiem ward, and Saigon Hi-Tech Park at the beginning of October. Last Sunday, Trinh shared photos of her accident from doing tricks while riding the motorcycle. There were injuries all over her body, and she was taken to a hospital in HCMC by her best friend, her assistant Thuy Kieu, and her manager Minh Phuong. She had stitches in her leg and had bruises on her arms, back, and shoulders. The "lingerie queen" said that she began practicing with a large motorcycle in September with a personal trainer. After about 10 days, once she had mastered the basic controls, she wanted to learn some of the advanced tricks. Ngoc Trinh was asked by her trainer to put on a protective suit before attempting to drive while lying down. However, when she donned the suit, she felt that it would be difficult to pose, so she decided to wear regular jeans instead. "At first, everything went fine, but when it came time for me to switch from sitting to lying down, I was approaching a curve. I panicked and wanted to go back to the sitting position so I looked down to find the footrest. As soon as I did, I lost control and fell. Before, I knew that I would fall one way or the other. But I paid a hefty price this time," Trinh said. Coming from a poor family background, Trinh started her modeling career in 2005 before gaining public recognition with her lingerie and swimsuit photo shoots. She then became the title winner of the Miss Vietnam International pageant in 2011. She made her debut as an actress in 2016 with her role in "Vong Eo 56" (Queen of the Bikini), which was based on her life, and has participated in various movie projects since then. Impact Fusion Provides Year End Update NAPOLEONVILLE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Impact Fusion International Inc. (OTC PINK:IFUS) September 30, 2023 marked our official year end and as of that date we have accomplished a great deal. As article after article was published about the conditions in many states that have been severely affected by the drought that ravished many of the states in the south of the country including but not limited to Texas, Mississippi. Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma and New Mexico we have reached out to and met with government officials, both state and federal, to educate them on the availability of SGP+. We are waiting confirmation of meetings with local and federal senators, governors and Lt. Governors. We firmly believe that our technology, when properly applied, following our protocols, is proven to increase herd health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, can eliminate fly infestation, produces ideal Score 3 manure patties (Manure scoring determines supplementation needs - Noble Research Institute), reduces the cost from $3.45 per day per head to $0.45 per day per head while at the same time generating more revenue for the ranchers and the farmers. We have the capability of producing 4900 tons per week on a six day schedule. Using our existing equipment we can run 2 10 hour shifts over 6 days. We have the capacity to feed America's herds of both beef and dairy cattle. The link below is of a short video produced by Pixel TV which provides in depth information about your product. https://youtu.be/E8_q5TpwkMU We have individually reached out to close to 300 Extension Agents in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma via email with follow up phone calls to further discuss the opportunities afforded by using our technology platform. The Extension Agents are on the front lines working with ranchers and farmers to provide guidance and advice. We will continue to educate the Extension Agents who work in concert with State Universities such as LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State and their agriculture departments. Our concentration will now be on Alabama and New Mexico. Over the summer, Marc Walther, CEO attended symposiums and trade shows attended by cattle ranchers and dairy farmers with whom he had the opportunity to discuss SGP+. He continues to reach out to those ranchers with whom he met. Word of mouth and neighborly referrals have continued to build our customer base. Marc has also conducted a number of Podcasts the most recent being a 90 minute interview with Buffalo Fireside Chats which was a comprehensive discussion of all things Impact Fusion. https://t.co/QAkG4vPuvR. As previously stated in the most recent Letter to the Shareholders, the Company reported that Marc Walther, CEO, had had conversations with representatives from India who control 10 sugar refineries and have access to feeding 500,000 dairy cattle in the sub-continent. In addition, they have expressed interest in our Intact Nutrition product line. The Company is pleased to report that we are concentrating on sharing information about how our SGP+ could help them by establishing a facility in India. We recently received a forage analysis report from their laboratory in India on their bagasse. It shows that their bagasse product is superior to ours. This can be explained by soil, weather and sugarcane management. In short, it shows that the lignin content (crucial to providing crude protein to the cattle) is of higher concentration. The next step in this proposed process is to have this group ship to us, 2 containers of their raw bagasse to our facility. Once received, we will process the product in our facility and ship to our test ranch in Jefferson, Texas. Once the test is successfully complete, we will ship the processed product back to India for testing on their herds following our protocols. This is understandably a long-term project with a view to establishing SGP+ 2.0 in India. We are already sourcing equipment and ingredients in the region to start building a logistics and cost platform. We are committed to working with these fine business people to prepare and negotiate a business proposal that will benefit both groups. IFUS Letter to the Shareholders September 28, 2023 | IFUS - Impact Fusion International Inc. | News | OTC Markets We have formulated our long and short term goals to include securing additional ranchers and dairy farmers into our customer base, we are committed to working with Extension Agents attached to State universities and their livestock nutritionists, government agriculture commissioners and other governmental officials to further educate participants in the beef industry. About Impact Fusion International Inc. Impact Fusion International, Inc. is in the business of marketing products in the "Health and Wellness" sector of all international markets. It is the company's mission to invent, develop and market these proprietary products worldwide for the health and well-being of humans and animals. The information contained in this release includes some statement that are not purely historical and that are "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our and their management's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including our financial condition, results of operations. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipates," "believes," "continue," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "might," "plans," "possible," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "should," "would" and similar expressions, or the negatives of such terms, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and the potential effects on the parties and the corporate and administrative transactions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Updates can be found at the official Impact Fusion Twitter account @impactfusionl Contact: Impact Fusion International Inc. 204 Highway 1011 Napoleonville LA 70390 1-800-775-4130 Email: [email protected] https://www.impactfusionbrands.com/brands https://www.impactfusionint.com SOURCE: Impact Fusion International Inc. 11 october 2023 at 09:15 View source version on accesswire.com:News published onand distributed by: Melinta Therapeutics Announces Presentations of New Data on Infectious Disease Portfolio at IDWeek 2023 Melinta Therapeutics, LLC (Melinta), a commercial-stage company providing innovative therapies for acute and life-threatening illnesses, announced today, the presentation of nine scientific presentations with data from its current anti-infective portfolio at Infectious Disease Week (IDWeek) 2023, taking place October 11-15, 2023, in Boston, MA. IDWeek is the combined annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP). Details of the presentations are provided below. The complete program of titles and abstracts can be accessed on the IDWeek 2023 website at www.idweek.org. Melinta Portfolio Poster and Oral Presentations Product and Presentation Type Date/Time/ Location Title Poster number Oritavancin (poster) Thursday, October 12 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Trend Analysis of Oritavancin and Comparator Agents Activity against Enterococcus Causing Infections in US Medical Centers between 2017?2019 and 2022 734 Oritavancin (poster) Friday, October 13 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Comparative Activity of Oritavancin and Comparator Agents against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. Causing Skin and Skin Structure Infections in US Medical Centers between 2017?2019 and 2022 1812 Rezafungin (poster) Saturday, October 14 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Rezafungin Activity against Invasive Candidiasis Isolates Globally: Results from the 2022 Rezafungin Surveillance Program 2115 Rezafungin (oral) Friday, October 13 1:45-3:00 PM Room 102AB Activity of Rezafungin against Echinocandin?Non-wild type C. glabrata Clinical Isolates from the Rezafungin Surveillance Program (2014?2021) Oral presentation Meropenem and Vaborbactam (poster) Saturday, October 14 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Activity of meropenem-vaborbactam tested against Burkholderia species isolates 2757 Meropenem and Vaborbactam (poster) Saturday, October 14 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Comparative Effectiveness of Meropenem/Vaborbactam vs. Ceftazidime/Avibactam among Adults Hospitalized with an Infectious Syndrome in the US, 2019-2021 2816 Meropenem and Vaborbactam (poster) Saturday, October 14 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Outcomes of Timely vs. Delayed Meropenem/Vaborbactam Treatment of Infections with CRE among Adults Hospitalized in the US, 2019-2021 2817 Meropenem and Vaborbactam (poster) Friday October 13 PK, Safety and Tolerability of VABOMERE (meropenem-vaborbactam) in Infants, Children and Adolescents 1676 Delafloxacin (poster) Saturday, October 14 Delafloxacin and Comparator Fluoroquinolone In Vitro Resistance Trends in Isolates from Skin and Skin Structure Infections in the USA (2017?2022) 2754 About Melinta Therapeutics Melinta Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to providing innovative therapies to people impacted by acute and life-threatening illnesses. We focus our expanding portfolio on serving patients with an unmet need because that's how we make the most meaningful impact. At Melinta, we're visionaries dedicated to innovation while staying grounded in what matters most: patients. Our portfolio currently includes seven commercial-stage products: BAXDELA (delafloxacin), KIMYRSA (oritavancin), MINOCIN (minocycline) for Injection, ORBACTIV (oritavancin), REZZAYOtm (rezafungin for injection), TOPROL-XL (metoprolol succinate) and VABOMERE (meropenem and vaborbactam). For more information about Melinta Therapeutics, our commitment to patients, and to learn about our portfolio of therapies, visit Melinta.com. 11 october 2023 at 09:35 News published onand distributed by: Unprecedented Demand Propels Early Groundbreaking of Penticton's Sokana PENTICTON, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Kerkhoff Develop-Build as they broke ground on Sokana at 270 Riverside Drive in Penticton, B.C. Amid the overwhelming success of Sokana's first building, which sold out in an impressive 72 hours , the developer, in partnership with Epic Real Estate Solutions , the Okanagan's leading real estate sales and marketing firm, announced an accelerated construction timeline to meet the strong demand for this new riverside community. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on October 10th, was attended by Leonard Kerkhoff, President and CEO of Kerkhoff Develop-Build; Penticton-Naramata MLA Dan Ashton; Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield; Deputy Mayor Helena Konanz, Councillor Campbell Watt, and Anthony Haddad, City Manager at the City of Penticton. The group celebrated this significant progress, marking the commencement of the construction phase. "We're thrilled by the response from the community and are working tirelessly to meet the high demand," said Leonard Kerkhoff, President and CEO of Kerkhoff Develop-Build. "The accelerated schedule will ensure more people can enjoy the unique lifestyle that Sokana offers. Our second building has recently started selling and we are still seeing significant demand from people across Western Canada who want to own a home in Sokana and Penticton." This swift response highlights the developer's commitment to fulfilling the strong demand for quality homes in Penticton, the Okanagan's rising real estate hotspot. The second building's expedited timeline reinforces the development's premium location, best-in-class building amenities, and the city's escalating appeal as a top investment destination. "The quick sell-out of the first release speaks volumes about the desirability of Sokana, and by extension, Penticton," said Shane Styles, President of Epic Real Estate Solutions. "Buyers love the fact that Sokana is ideally situated in the city, walking distance to downtown, the lake, numerous restaurants and it's also next door to Riverside Village shopping centre." The final building promises to replicate the appeal of Sokana's first release, boasting a curated collection of 1, 2, and 3-bed homes. These homes are complete with contemporary interiors, unparalleled amenities, and the attractive potential for short-term rental without speculation tax. Residents can look forward to relishing an enriched lifestyle with access to a host of resort-inspired amenities such as an outdoor pool, hot tub, outdoor firepits and games area, putting green, coworking space, and a fitness center. Kerkhoff Develop-Build remains committed to delivering this extraordinary living experience to more residents sooner than anticipated. To stay updated on the accelerated release of Sokana's final building, prospective buyers are encouraged to register at www.liveatsokana.com . For more information about Epic Real Estate Solutions and its diverse range of projects, visit www.epicres.com . About Epic Real Estate Solutions Epic Real Estate Solutions is the premier real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the Okanagan Valley. As the trusted partner for top development companies in Western Canada, Epic Real Estate Solutions offers a comprehensive range of customized sales and marketing services. With a deep understanding of the local market, their expert team provides strategic leadership, market expertise and support to ensure the success of each project. About Kerkhoff Develop-Build With over 50 years of forward-thinking experience, Kerkhoff Develop-Build has established a reputation for excellence in the construction industry. Known for their unwavering commitment to reliability and integrity, Kerkhoff has successfully delivered exceptional projects in British Columbia and across the globe. Their expertise in construction has shaped skylines and created iconic landmarks that stand as testaments to their dedication to quality craftsmanship. Media Contact Amber Coyle Talk Shop Media [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/908e6a85-aabd-43af-9152-bba25cbd3583 11 october 2023 at 10:00 News published onand distributed by: SINGAPORE AND JAPAN CLINICIAN-SCIENTISTS COLLABORATE ON GROUNDBREAKING TELESURGERY TRIAL SPANNING OVER 5,000KM This preclinical trial surgery involves clinician-scientists in NUS Medicine and the National University Hospital in partnership with Fujita Health University SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore's National University Hospital (NUH) and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) are collaborating with Fujita Health University (FHU) in its first robotic telesurgery trial between Singapore and Japan, from 9 to 11 October 2023. Leveraging Japan's first surgical robot, clinician-scientists from NUH and NUS Medicine will remotely perform a gastrectomy (stomach surgery performed for cancer) from a surgeon cockpit in Singapore. The surgeons' movements will be transmitted, directed, and replicated by a robotic operation unit located in Japan via a dedicated international fiber-optic network, all performed on a simulated organ (refer to Annex A for technical details on the remote surgery setup and connection). This collaboration follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in August 2023 between NUS Medicine and FHU, one of Japan's leading universities with a strong research focus in robotic surgery and telesurgery. The MOU aims to deepen academic partnership through active joint collaborations, including the execution of remote surgical experiments, and by promoting mutual exchange activities such as student exchange programmes. Harnessing the potential of telesurgery The two gastric surgeons leading the demonstration in Singapore are Professor Jimmy So from the Department of Surgery, NUS Medicine, and Senior Consultant in the Department of Surgery, NUH, as well as Assistant Professor Kim Guowei from the Department of Surgery, NUS Medicine, and Consultant in the Department of Surgery at the NUH. In Japan, the surgical team is led by Professor Ichiro Uyama and Professor Koichi Suda from Fujita Health University. Tapping on FHU's vast expertise in robotic surgery, this latest project aims to evaluate, clarify and address the potential issues arising from such remote surgeries. The preclinical trial ? involving a series of complex gastrectomy procedures conducted by both teams ? aims to prove that long-distance robotic telesurgery for technically demanding procedures can be safely conducted using a robotic system connected by high-speed fiber-optic communication. While robotic surgery is not new in Singapore, this collaboration between NUS Medicine, NUH and FHU marks a critical step towards making remote surgeries an accessible option to patients in the near future. Professor Jimmy So, who led the surgical team in Singapore, said, "Remote telesurgery offers immense potential to enhance global access to specialised care, reduce travel and wait times for patients, minimise health risks during emergencies and pandemics, and foster training and collaboration among medical professionals worldwide. It also contributes to improved surgical expertise for complex cases, particularly benefiting underserved areas." During public health crises, such as a global pandemic, remote telesurgery helps minimise the risk of disease transmission between patients, healthcare workers, and surgical teams. Surgeons can perform surgeries from a safe location, reducing the potential for infection spread. Such forms of surgery also help promote tele-mentoring or distance learning in medical education, allowing young doctors and medical students to learn surgical techniques and skills from lecturers and medical experts based not only in a different part of Singapore, but also anywhere in the world. Assistant Professor Kim Guowei added, "In partnering with our Japanese colleagues, we hope to advance and unlock the potential of telesurgery for patients and doctors alike. This continuous exchange of knowledge, advanced surgical techniques, and best practices across borders contributes to improving surgical expertise and outcomes." SOURCE National University Hospital 11 october 2023 at 10:13 News published onand distributed by: Aviceda Announces AVD-104, a Novel Glycomimetic Nanoparticle, Demonstrates Continued Clinical Safety in the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Macular Degeneration Aviceda Therapeutics, a privately held, late-stage clinical biotech company focused on developing next-generation immunomodulators by harnessing the power of glycobiology to alleviate chronic non-resolving inflammation, announced today the recent presentation of positive data about AVD-104, its lead ophthalmic clinical asset, at the EURETINA congress held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from October 4?7, 2023. The Phase 2/3 SIGLEC trial is currently underway evaluating patients with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Updated data presented at the EURETINA congress showed continued safety of AVD-104, with no drug-related adverse events or serious adverse events thus far at three months in cohorts 1 and 2, two months in cohort 3, and one month in cohort 4. No evidence of any significant dose-limiting toxicity has been observed, locally or systemically. Notably, no drug-related ocular inflammation, retinal vasculitis, choroidal neovascularization, infection, or optic nerve abnormalities were observed in any eyes. The presentation entitled, "Modulation of Macrophages and Complement Dysfunction in Nonexudative AMD utilizing Novel Sialic-acid Coated Nanoparticles," was given by Baruch Kuppermann, M.D., Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at University of California Irvine, Director of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, and the Roger F. Steinert Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology. Key Highlights Include: Safety Profile ? AVD-104, the novel sialic acid?coated nanoparticle, demonstrated an excellent safety profile in an ongoing 9-month repeat-dose toxicology study in non-human primates, with no significant safety signals observed thus far with the three tested doses. All animals tolerated AVD-104 very well indicating its suitability for further development. ? AVD-104, the novel sialic acid?coated nanoparticle, demonstrated an excellent safety profile in an ongoing 9-month repeat-dose toxicology study in non-human primates, with no significant safety signals observed thus far with the three tested doses. All animals tolerated AVD-104 very well indicating its suitability for further development. Treatment Efficacy ? AVD-104?treated mice experienced a significant reduction in outer nuclear layer thickness attenuation on day 7 following bright light severe retinal degeneration compared to control eyes. Treatment also reduced choroidal neovascular (CNV) lesion sizes comparable to aflibercept in a laser induced CNV mouse model. ? AVD-104?treated mice experienced a significant reduction in outer nuclear layer thickness attenuation on day 7 following bright light severe retinal degeneration compared to control eyes. Treatment also reduced choroidal neovascular (CNV) lesion sizes comparable to aflibercept in a laser induced CNV mouse model. Clinical Advancement ? No dose-limiting toxicity or drug-related adverse events were reported in any eyes during Part 1 of the US Phase 2/3 SIGLEC clinical trial for AVD-104 at three months. "The preclinical results of the safety and efficacy data from animal models provide a strong foundation for human clinical trials," said David Callanan, M.D., Aviceda's Chief Medical Officer. "We are eager for the continuation of parts 1 and 2 of the US Phase 2/3 SIGLEC clinical trial for patients with AMD-related geographic atrophy. Initial data is coming in from part 1 and part 2 is scheduled to commence by the end of 2023." Additional clinical data will be presented at the upcoming Retina Society annual meeting being held in New York, New York from October 11?14, 2023 as well as at other upcoming scientific meetings. Key Presentation: Thursday, October 12, 2023 10:01?10:05 a.m. ET, David Chow, M.D. Modulation of Macrophages and Complement Dysfunction in Geographic Atrophy Utilizing Sialic-acid Coated Nanoparticles To learn more about the SIGLEC trial, click here. About Aviceda Therapeutics and AVD-104 www.avicedarx.com Aviceda is a private, late-stage clinical biotechnology company located in Cambridge, MA, with a proprietary HALOStm nanotechnology platform and an Investigational New Drug?cleared ophthalmic lead product, AVD-104, for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration. AVD-104 is a promising intravitreal glycan-coated nanoparticle with a dual mechanism of action that modulates critical inflammatory cellular and complement pathways through 1) direct inhibition of the activity of damaging phagocytic macrophages and repolarization of activated macrophages to their resolution state and 2) inhibition of complement cascade amplification. AVD-104 has demonstrated robust in vitro/vivo efficacy with inhibition of both proinflammatory cellular and complement signaling pathways, and it has the potential for every 3- to 6-month dosing in humans. Outstanding safety has been demonstrated in multiple animal models, including non-human primates, in which no signs of intraocular inflammation were seen. AVD-104 has also shown significant anti-neovascular activity equivalent to that of aflibercept (Eylea) in a well-established ocular choroidal neovascularization animal model. The U.S. SIGLEC Phase 2/3 clinical trial is currently actively enrolling for geographic atrophy. Along with AVD-104, Aviceda has a broad pipeline of products in development in ophthalmology and multiple other therapeutic areas, including neurology, oncology, fibrosis and immunology. 11 october 2023 at 11:05 News published onand distributed by: TechManitytm Propels Shapiro+Raj to #5 Ranking on Global List of Most Innovative Research Companies CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shapiro+Raj, the largest minority-owned, research and insights consultancy in the US, is proud to announce that it ranked as the 5th most innovative research company worldwide, according to the prestigious 2023 Greenbook Research Industry Trend's (GRIT) report. This recognition continues to validate the company's commitment to creating the most innovative social science-based methods to solve business problems and marks the sixth consecutive year that the company has been in the top 25 of the most innovative research companies in the world. TechManitytm Propels Shapiro+Raj to #5 Ranking on Global List of Most Innovative Research Companies This climb, from #21 to #5 is a result of the disruptive idea called TechManitytm that Shapiro+Raj introduced late in 2022. TechManitytm is an approach that leverages a perfect blend of technology AND humanity to deliver Future Forward Insights. While most of the industry looked to ResTech as innovation, the firm broke through the confusion with a tech-empowered plus human-inspired approach. The 2023 GRIT Report represents Greenbook's latest annual exploration of the challenges faced by insights professionals in the field of market research, emphasizing the pivotal role that innovation plays in their success. "In today's continually reshaping landscape, innovation is one area that our clients are prioritizing when looking for partners. TechManitytm is a human-led and tech-empowered approach to help them shape the future of their brands with future forward insights and inspired ideas that they can activate at the speed of business. This is why we are a preferred partner with so many leading companies and helping create billions in value," said Zain Raj, CEO of Shapiro+Raj. Amir Kapadia, COO of Shapiro+Raj, expressed pride in breaking into the top 5 ranking after being in the top-25 for the five prior years. "Our enduring presence in the global Top 25 rank is a testament to our consistent commitment to finding new and interesting ways to connect social science and tech platforms together. We are super privileged to have clients that allow us to experiment and tech partners that agree to play together. We all win! This allows us to be the company our clients adore, our peers respect, and our people love." About Shapiro+Raj Shapiro+Raj is the sixth-largest independent insights and inspiration company in the US. Our mission is to unearth Future-Forward Insights that help our Fortune 500 clients shape the future of their business and brands. We are recognized as a top-5 most innovative research company and the #1 strategic consultancy in North America. The company is a Nationally Certified Minority Business Enterprise. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm has offices in New York and Pune, India. SOURCE SHAPIRO+RAJ 11 october 2023 at 11:31 News published onand distributed by: Carlisle Companies to Announce Third Quarter 2023 Results on October 26, 2023 Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL) will release third quarter 2023 results on Thursday, October 26, 2023, after the market close. A conference call to discuss these results has been scheduled for 5pm ET on Thursday, October 26, 2023. The call can be accessed via webcast, along with related materials, at www.carlisle.com/investors/events-and-presentations and via telephone as follows: Domestic toll free: 888-886-7786 International: 416-764-8658 Conference ID: 27222791 Please dial in or access the webcast at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. An audio replay will be available on the Company's website shortly after the completion of the call. About Carlisle Companies Incorporated Carlisle Companies Incorporated is a leading supplier of innovative building envelope products and solutions for more energy efficient buildings. Through its building products businesses ? Carlisle Construction Materials ("CCM") and Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies ("CWT") ? and family of leading brands, Carlisle delivers innovative, labor reducing and environmentally responsible products and solutions to customers through the Carlisle Experience. Carlisle is committed to generating superior shareholder returns and maintaining a balanced capital deployment approach, including investments in our businesses, strategic acquisitions, share repurchases and continued dividend increases. Leveraging its culture of continuous improvement as embodied in the Carlisle Operating System ("COS"), Carlisle has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 11 october 2023 at 16:10 News published onand distributed by: Orion Office REIT Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Release and Webcast Dates Orion Office REIT Inc. (NYSE: ONL) ("Orion" or the "Company"), a fully-integrated real estate investment trust focused on the ownership, acquisition and management of single-tenant net lease mission-critical suburban office properties located across the U.S., announced today that it will release its operating results for the third quarter of 2023 after market close on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Webcast and Conference Call Information Orion will host a webcast and conference call to review its financial results at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, November 10, 2023. The webcast and call will be hosted by Paul McDowell, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Gavin Brandon, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer. To participate, the webcast can be accessed live by visiting the "Investors" section of Orion's website at onlreit.com/investors. To join the conference call, callers from the United States and Canada should dial 1-877-407-3982, and international callers should dial 1-201-493-6780, ten minutes prior to the scheduled call time. Replay Information A replay of the webcast may be accessed via the Internet by visiting the "Investors" section of Orion's website at onlreit.com/investors. The conference call replay will be available after 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, November 10, 2023 through 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, November 24, 2023. To access the replay, callers may dial 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and use passcode, 13738939. About Orion Office REIT Inc. Orion Office REIT Inc. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, acquisition and management of a diversified portfolio of mission-critical and headquarters office buildings located in high-quality suburban markets across the U.S. and leased primarily on a single-tenant net lease basis to creditworthy tenants. The Company was founded on July 1, 2021, spun-off from Realty Income (NYSE: O) on November 12, 2021 and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 15, 2021. The Company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and has an office in New York, New York. For additional information on the Company and its properties, please visit onlreit.com. 11 october 2023 at 16:20 News published onand distributed by: THE NATIONAL Car Testing Service (NCTS) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have announced that a new National Car Testing Service centre will open. The centre will open in Castleisland, County Kerry on Monday October 9. The opening of this new two-lane centre will see the NCTS network increase to 50 centres nationwide and over time, create an additional 12 jobs for the Castleisland area. Speaking ahead of its first day of operations, Minister of State with responsibility for Road Transport, Jack Chambers TD, said; I am delighted to see the opening of this new two-lane centre in Castleisland which will serve the people of North East Kerry, and will provide motorists with a convenient alternative thats close to them, rather than having to travel to other neighbouring centres in Tralee, Killarney and Abbeyfeale for an NCT. Intensive efforts are underway to reduce NCT waiting times for motorists including the recruitment of extra vehicle testers, and other measures. This new centre will also help to ensure a more efficient and reliable service for motorists. Commenting on the opening Mr Sam Waide, CEO, Road Safety Authority said; The new 2 lane centre will have the capacity to inspect over 20,000 vehicles annually when fully operational. The NCTS plays a fundamental part in Irelands overall Road Safety Strategy. By requiring vehicles to undergo periodic roadworthiness checks it is helping to improve vehicle safety and ensure that defective and unroadworthy vehicles are kept off the road Mr Mark Synnott, Managing Director of NCTS said; We are delighted to serve the people of Northeast Kerry with this new two-lane centre and the opening of the Castleisland centre will see us increase our network to 50 NCT centres nationwide and employ over 630 vehicle inspectors, the highest number ever in the history of the NCTS. This new centre will help increase capacity and bring the number of vehicles inspected across the NCTS network to over 2 million vehicles annually. Over the next year, there are plans to provide a range of additional benefits to customers such as, the continued upgrading and refurbishment of existing centres and other service improvements such as the installation of defibrillators in higher volume centres Located in the Castleisland area in Kerry, this new NCTS centre is the fourth test centre in the Kerry region and will serve people from Northeast Kerry, West Cork and South East Kerry covering areas such as Castleisland, Farranfore, Ballydesmond, Brosna, Farranbrack, Ardagh, Renagowan, Firies and Clash. The NCTS is responsible for the compulsory car inspection programme in Ireland. The primary aim of the NCTS is to improve road safety and enhance environmental protection by reducing harmful vehicle emissions in Ireland. For further information on the NCTS, visit HERE or HERE. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries Director of the Russian Federation Federal Security Service, Chairman of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Russian Federation Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, Chairman of the State Security Committee of Belarus Ivan Tertel, Chairman of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan Yermek Sagimbayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev, Chairman of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan Abdusalom Azizov, Chairman of the State Committee for National of Tajikistan Security Saimumin Yatimov, Head of the CIS Anti-Terrorist Center Yevgeny Sysoyev. Welcoming the participants of the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said: - I am pleased to welcome our distinguished guests, heads of secret services of friendly states. I am sure that the event in Baku will serve to strengthen our interaction and make another contribution to further cooperation. It is noteworthy that your meeting is being held on the eve of another CIS Summit, where the heads of state will have an opportunity to communicate and discuss very important issues of our interaction. Azerbaijan has always attached great importance to participation in the CIS. There are very close contacts in all directions, including, of course, the sphere of security. In the challenging international situation, your work, as well as the interaction with your colleagues, is of particular importance, as threats are growing, new centers of instability are emerging, and the stability and security of our countries largely depend on the operational work of your agencies. I believe that at today's meeting you will also discuss ways of strengthening cooperation. Of course, it is necessary to always exchange operational information. You know better than anyone that information is of great importance, including how quickly it is received and how quickly it is responded to. Of course, the close interaction between our countries creates excellent opportunities for our cooperation to be sincere, targeted, result-oriented and aimed at eliminating or preventing possible threats. There are, of course, external threats in the regions where our countries are located, and operational work in this direction allows us the opportunity to minimize the risks. It is gratifying to see that public and political stability in our countries is strengthening and our states are successfully confronting many challenges. As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, we no longer have any internal threats. As a result of the activities carried out three weeks ago, the sovereignty of Azerbaijan has been fully restored and, of course, this opens up opportunities for strengthening security and achieving peace in our region. We are committed to this and believe that there is no alternative to it. Proceeding from the fact that the events of recent weeks are interpreted differently in the media, first of all, in the Western media, I would say in a lop-sided and biased way and do not reflect the history of the issue or the present-day realities, I would like to briefly inform you about what has been happening over the past three years. But in order to make my information more complete, I would like to make a small historical excursion, as it were. I will begin by saying that an entity called Nagorno-Karabakh never existed in history. There was Karabakh Khanate, which became a part of the Russian Empire in 1805. The Kurekchay Peace Treaty was signed, on behalf of the Azerbaijani side it was signed by the Karabakh khan, his position was called the khan of Karabakh and Shusha Ibrahim Khalil. On the Russian side, it was signed by Royal General Tsitsianov. The text of the Treaty of Kurekchay is available on the Internet and everyone can familiarize themselves with it. There is no mention of the Armenian population or any special rights of the Armenian population in it. In other words, it clearly says again, and historians know it well, that Karabakh is ancient land inhabited by Azerbaijanis who have lived on this territory for centuries, for millennia. After the Kurekchay Peace Treaty, there were two more treaties between Azerbaijani khanates and Russia the 1813 Gulistan Peace Treaty and the 1828 Turkmenchay Peace Treaty, according to which other Azerbaijani khanates, including Iravan, became part of Russia. Also, these documents naturally referred to Azerbaijani lands. After the Sovietization of the South Caucasus, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was created. Why was it created? Because after those 19th century documents, mass resettlement of the Armenian population to the territory of Azerbaijan from Persia and Eastern Anatolia began. And by the time of Sovietization, the national composition of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was not the same as it was before the beginning of the 19th century. Based on this, maybe there were some other reasons too, the Soviet power, the Soviet Union created the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, not even a republic, but a region within the Azerbaijan SSR. It was exactly one hundred years ago. By the time centrifugal tendencies started to emerge in the Soviet Union, Armenian separatism and aggressive extremism raised its head. By late 1980s, informal extremist organizations were created. Unfortunately, this was not properly assessed by the Soviet leadership and in many cases it was even encouraged by it. We all remember who was at the head of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and, naturally, it was impossible to expect anything else. All this led to the fact that the traditional relations of peace, friendship and harmony between the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples were disrupted, a harmful ideology of national exclusivity and superiority was thrown in and attempts were made to justify claims to the Karabakh land of Azerbaijan. These tendencies were transformed into overt aggression after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the occupation of Azerbaijani lands. As a result, about 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan both the Karabakh region and the former Nagorno-Karabakh region, as well as seven districts that had nothing to do with that autonomous formation, were also occupied. Ethnic cleansing was carried out, more than a million Azerbaijanis were expelled from their native lands and the situation remained as such until the fall of 2020. Azerbaijan tried to resolve the issue peacefully in every possible way. We were engaged in long and fruitless negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE. By the way, the fact that this conflict was not resolved shows that the OSCE is in need of major transformation. We also see in this conflict the inability of the United Nations to use its authority and leverage, because although four resolutions of the UN Security Council were adopted, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijani territory, they were not implemented. We waited for a long time. We had hopes. I was also involved in the negotiations at different stages from 2004, but unfortunately, all hopes collapsed in 2019. Then the prime minister of Armenia said that Karabakh is Armenia, full stop, thereby putting an end to all negotiations and making them completely meaningless. Not to mention the fact that it was an open territorial claim to the sovereign state of Azerbaijan, because no country in the world, including Armenia itself, had recognized the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. So this provocative, reckless and I would even say suicidal, as it turned out, step of the Armenian leadership, as well as other provocative actions, including those of military nature, led to the Second Karabakh War in September 2020, which lasted 44 days and ended with the complete defeat of the Armenian army and restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Through the mediation of the Russian Federation and personally President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, a Trilateral Statement was signed on the night of 9-10 November, 2020, according to which the territories of the districts adjacent to the former Nagorno-Karabakh region that were still under occupation were also returned to Azerbaijan, and the Russian peacekeeping contingent was brought into the region. This is a brief history of the issue. And the question may arise: what happened three weeks ago? Well, although the declaration I mentioned was signed, Armenia did not fulfill its provisions, namely, one of the most important provisions said that all Armenian armed forces should withdraw from the territory of Karabakh. This was not done. In fact, it was not done in a demonstrative fashion. Moreover, in the two years from 2020 to the beginning of 2023, when Azerbaijan did not control the border in the Lachin district, huge amounts of ammunition were brought in, amounting to millions, which was revealed quite recently. Mines were brought in and our territory was additionally mined. All this led to the fact that Azerbaijanis continued to die on their own land. Since the end of the Second Karabakh War, we have 315 dead and badly maimed military personnel and civilians. Unfortunately, the number is growing every week. Our repeated appeals to Armenia to put an end to territorial claims to Azerbaijan received a very strange response, which I would also like to inform you about. A year ago, last October, at a meeting of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan with international partners, a statement was adopted, in which both countries recognized each other's territorial integrity and commitment to the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, which confirmed the territorial integrity of our countries. We considered this an important step on the part of Armenia, which would finally give up its territorial claims to Azerbaijan. But, unfortunately, our hopes were in vain. Recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in words and on paper, the Armenian leadership actually did the exact opposite. Azerbaijan's repeated appeals to give up provocative actions, unfortunately, were not taken seriously. The situation aggravated even more when on September 2 of this year, the Armenian prime minister sent a letter of congratulation on the anniversary of the establishment of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This was a crossing of a red line, which Azerbaijan, naturally, could not tolerate. It was an obvious claim to our territory. On September 9, the so-called authorities of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh held elections, chose a new leader, which represented complete disregard for the existing realities, and left Azerbaijan with no other option but to conduct an anti-terrorist operation on September 19 and fully restore its sovereignty. As a result of the operation, which lasted less than a day, the Armenian army in Karabakh was completely disarmed, the contingent of many thousands there were from 10,000 to 15,000 of them was disarmed and full control over the territory was established. At the same time, we have already published a plan for the reintegration of the Armenian population of Karabakh, which is also available on the Internet. An appeal was made to the Armenian population to stay in their homes, because our operation was very targeted. Civilian infrastructure, civilian facilities and civilians were not harmed and, as I said, the whole operation lasted less than 24 hours. It was enough for the illegal armed formations of Armenia to be completely demoralized and, in fact, to surrender. Today, the process of cleansing the territories from bandit gangs is underway. According to our data, there are still certain groups hiding in this territory. After September 20, there were armed provocations in Karabakh. The territory is quite large, with mountains and forests, so we will need time to completely clear the territory from these gangs. This is basically the history of the issue. What is going on around us? I think you will also be interested to hear our assessment of what is happening from us. Well, let me start by saying that Azerbaijan complied with all humanitarian norms during the occupation, during the second Karabakh war and during the anti-terrorist operation. By the way, this is evidenced by international experts, including the UN mission, which visited the liberated territories just recently, yesterday and before that, about a week ago, twice, and noted that all humanitarian norms had been observed. Nevertheless, Armenian patrons in the West have launched a dirty, provocative and false campaign against Azerbaijan, accusing us of all possible sins. France plays the main violin here, and this is reflected in the statements of officials of this country, attempts to discredit Azerbaijan, an extensive media campaign against Azerbaijan, where everything is turned upside down. Azerbaijan is portrayed as an aggressor, while Armenia is described as a victim. The history of the 30-year occupation, the destruction of all our towns and villages, the Khojaly genocide all this is naturally ignored and completely false stories are invented. By the way, I must say that just yesterday I was familiarized with a video where a candidate for the US President makes accusations against Azerbaijan, while showing the footage of Armenian missile shelling of Ganja. Just imagine the degree of falsification and cynicism! During the Second Karabakh War, Armenia shelled our cities located hundreds of kilometers away from the conflict zone with long-range artillery, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred civilians, including children, were killed. So the so-called candidate, blaming Azerbaijan, shows footage of the Armenian attack on Ganja and Barda. How can we talk to these people and what can we explain to them? They do not want to hear anything. They have their own instructions, which are sent down to them from the center, and they act upon them. That is why now we are facing an unprecedented information war against Azerbaijan. Of course, we are fighting it with our own resources, trying to convey the truth about what happened. But we should realize that the forces are unequal. Countries such as France, which has a long colonial history, have much more media resources around the world than we do. Nevertheless, using various platforms, international organizations and other ways, we are conveying and will continue to convey the truth about what has happened. Speaking about France, I would also like to note the destructive and provocative role of the leadership of this country during the entire period since 2020 and now. Numerous accusations, groundless threats and blackmail against Azerbaijan have had no effect. The recent statement by the President of France that Azerbaijan has problems with international law can only cause laughter. Azerbaijan has not violated international law. We fought on our territory, we suppressed separatism, we observed all humanitarian norms and all Geneva Conventions. In fact, international law has been violated for 30 years by France's protege and today's main ally, Armenia, which occupied the territory of another state. And as the saying goes, one should see the log in one's own eye before seeing a straw in someone elses eye. One and a half million Algerians were exterminated by the French regime just because they were Algerians and Muslims. That is genocide. Not to mention France's bloody crimes across Africa, in other parts of Africa and around the world. And the fact that France still retains its colonies to this day is incomprehensible. Azerbaijan, as the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, and I personally raised this issue at the summits of the Non-Aligned Movement. And this country, which has a bloody colonial past, which some African countries cannot get rid of to this day no matter how hard they try, accuses us of violating international law. This is absurd. There is also another question. Some countries and international organizations are trying to mediate the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia today. I recently said that if this policy is not one-sided and biased, we will accept these attempts. But when we see from the side of France, on the one hand, a flagrant violation of all diplomatic norms, statements bordering on insults, dirty insinuations, provocations and lies, and on the other, attempts to provide mediation services, it does not fit into any logic. We do not need such mediators. That is the first. Secondly, if someone wants to engage in mediation, this should not be a PR exercise, but should actually aim to achieve a result. I would also like to inform you that on October 12, a day later, at the suggestion of the Russian side, a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia was to be held in Bishkek. We perceive the mediation of the Russian Federation with gratitude, because Russia is our neighbor and ally, as well as Armenia's ally. This country is located in our region, unlike those who are thousands of kilometers away. Naturally, the history of relations between our countries naturally presupposes the mediation of the Russian side. We took this proposal positively, and our foreign minister was ready to meet with his Russian and Armenian colleagues. Unfortunately, the Armenian side refused to attend that meeting. Now the question arises: does Armenia want peace? I think not, because if it had wanted peace, it would not have missed this opportunity. The Armenian prime minister flies six hours to Granada, participates in an incomprehensible meeting there, where Azerbaijan is discussed without actually being present, but he can't fly for two to three hours to Bishkek, he has other important things to do. This is what we all have to say openly. Everyone can see that it, but we should talk about it and proceed from it. Concluding my comments, I would like to say a few words about the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We are ready for that. We are ready to continue working on the peace treaty. In case the mediation of the Russian Federation is rejected by the Armenian side, I think that direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia may be an alternative. We will analyze any other platforms, taking into account the attitude of these countries, which offer their services, to the truth not to Azerbaijan, but to the truth and international law. I would like to thank you again for finding the time to come here. It is a difficult time everywhere, everyone has a lot to do, but the fact that you are in Baku today speaks about your attitude to our country, the level of cooperation between the secret services of our countries and is an important factor of security in the former Soviet Union. I think we should strengthen our cooperation. Historical ties, common past all these are factors that will contribute to strengthening friendship and mutual support in the CIS. So welcome again, and I wish you success with today's event. x x x Director of the Russian Federation Federal Security Service, Chairman of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries Alexander Bortnikov said: - Dear Ilham Heydarovich! First of all, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to hold another meeting of heads of secret services of the Commonwealth countries in Azerbaijan. This is the fifth time we have organized our meetings during the existence of our Council. Azerbaijan has always created favorable and excellent conditions for our council meetings. Of course, we are grateful to the head of the Security Service of Azerbaijan for the work they have done in preparation for our today's event. Let me note that during the time of the Councils existence, it has proved its relevance. Many issues you have just communicated to the heads of security services they do exist taking into account the problems we faced after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, every republic, every sovereign state has, to a greater or lesser extent, experienced the problems that we are discussing on the platform of our Council. These are separatist manifestations, extremist manifestations, terrorist manifestations, and we have been constantly talking about them for years. We have encountered them in one way or another. We are talking about issues that have direct bearing on security, sovereignty and constitutional order of our states, because some problems both inside our countries and external factors have a combined impact on security issues. It is regrettable that almost all CIS states have recently been facing the issues you have just mentioned. I believe that our meeting today will contribute to the advancement of our joint work in many areas. I would like to thank you once again, Ilham Heydarovich, for the opportunity, for today's meetings, for the guidance you gave us today, for the historical background and justification of the processes that are taking place in the CIS and in the region we are visiting now. This is very important from the point of view of understanding and objective perception of what is happening. Of course, we will do everything in our power to make the most effective and productive use of today's meeting and address the issues of security of our countries in the future. Thank you very much. When the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee recently announced the 2023 winner of the prestigious Peace Prize, Berit Reiss-Andersen uttered the slogan Woman, Life, Freedom! as she declared Iranian human rights defender Narges Mohammadi the winner. That slogan rang throughout the nationwide protests following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Irans morality police in September 2022. Narges Mohammadi has stood up to the Iranian regime for decades fighting for those principles on behalf of Iranian women and men, including religious minorities and political prisoners. And she has paid a heavy price. First arrested in 1998, Ms. Mohammadi has been repeatedly imprisoned. Currently she is serving a lengthy sentence in Tehrans notorious Evin prison. In a statement, President Joe Biden congratulated Narges Mohammadi and spoke of her unshakeable courage. She has endured repeated arrests, persecution, and torture at the hands of the Iranian regime, yet Ms. Mohammadis advocacy and determination have only grown stronger, he said. The world still hears the clarion voice of Narges Mohammadi calling for freedom and equality. He urged Iran to release her and her fellow gender equality advocates from captivity. President Biden noted that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Ms. Mohammadi the same week that horrifying reports emerged about Irans so-called morality police assaulting 16-year old Armita Geravand in Tehran for not wearing a hijab. The people of Iran refuse to be silenced or intimidated as they fight for a free and democratic future for their nation, and their peaceful movement - Woman, Life, Freedom demanding respect for their human rights has brought hope to the people of the world, he said. President Biden pointed out that the United States is leading a diplomatic initiative at the United Nations to highlight and promote accountability for the Iranian regimes abuses. The U.S. has also deployed anti-censorship tools to make it easier for Iranians to access the internet and has sanctioned more than 100 Iranian individuals and entities responsible for supporting the regimes oppression. The United States, President Biden declared, will continue to stand with Ms. Mohammadi, with the brave people of Iran, and with all those around the world who are working with resilience and resolve to make our world more equal and more free. INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into a collision on a Limerick road. Johnny Enright, aged in his 70s, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the incident which occurred on Wednesday evening, October 4, on the N69 Glin to Tarbert road. Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of the incident, which involved a car. A Glin native, Mr Enright was a retired farmer who previously worked with Limerick City and County Council. He has been remembered as a quiet man, a very gentle soul and an absolute gentleman, whose passing has left a very sad air in the Glin community. Speaking of the untimely passing of the pensioner, Cllr John Sheahan said: There was a very sad air about Glin the other morning when the news broke that Johnny unfortunately lost his life. He was a quiet man and kept very much to himself. He was well known in the community. He buried a brother recently. We were very sad to hear the news, and pass our sympathies to the Enright family, he told the Limerick Leader. Other tributes have been paid online. Very sorry to hear of Johnnie's tragic and untimely death, may he RIP. An absolute gentleman, I had the pleasure of working with Johnny In Tarbert Island in the early 1970s commiserations to his immediate and extended family, wrote someone in tribute. Another person wrote: So very sorry for the sad loss of John. We would meet every Sunday at Glin mass. He was a very gentle soul. His mam and my mam were great friends back in the day. So very sad. Rest in peace. His funeral took place this Tuesday October 10 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Glin, and was followed by burial afterwards in Kilfergus Cemetery. Johnny Enright is predeceased by his parents Denis and Anne; brothers Patrick, Tom and Danny, nephew Denis and niece Mary. He will be fondly remembered by his loving aunt Nora Gromann, his nephew Donnacha, his nieces Carol Ann, Isabel, Patricia, Marthina, Sharon and Danielle, sisters-in-law Marian and Ann, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, extended family, and by his neighbours and many friends. May he rest in peace. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said it will be extremely challenging to meet Defence Forces recruitment targets by 2028, as he set out a Budget ambition to recruit just 400 new members within the year. Mr Martin, who is also Minister for Defence, said 12 million euro of the 1.23 billion euro allocation for his Department under Budget 2024 will be used to recruit 400 additional members. As of the end of August, the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces stood at 7,671, with 6,221 Army, 755 Navy and 695 Air Corps. However, this is well below the current establishment of the Permanent Defence Forces at almost 9,600, with the ambition to move to 11,500 (including civilian staff) by 2028. Speaking at a post-Budget press conference on Wednesday, Mr Martin said: Were aiming to get a net 400 increase this year, which would be good going. The 11,000 is well off, if Im honest. He said the 400 figure was a realistic target based on current trends but said there was no limit for recruitment within the year. Mr Martin said there were difficulties in recruiting due to high levels of employment in the economy, but added that the offer for new recruits is very competitive. However, the defence minister said there were acute problems in relation to navy recruitment due to competition from pharmaceutical and technology companies in the Cork area. There is significant evidence of literally poaching of naval personnel. In some cases, companies buying out the contracts to recruit. Asked if there was competition with the Governments own ambition to recruit 1,000 more gardai, Mr Martin said there was a focus on cultural transformation within the Defence Forces to make it a more attractive place to work. Asked if he expected to meet the 11,500 target by 2028, Mr Martin said: I think its going to be very challenging. In a recent report, TU experts reviewed that trading in the Forex market offers potential rewards, but understanding broker requirements, especially concerning minimum deposits, is crucial for traders. The TU report confirms that while Forex brokers generally have minimum deposit criteria, the amounts vary significantly. Some brokers might demand an initial deposit as high as $5,000, while others might have no minimum balance prerequisites. The reason, as explained by the TU experts, is twofold: covering the costs associated with setting up an account and safeguarding against potential fraudulent activities. The Ups and Downs of Low Minimum Deposits Drawn from the TU expert analysis, the benefits of low minimum deposit thresholds include reduced financial risks for novice traders, diversified trading options, access to tutorials and tools, and the convenience of smaller order sizes. However, these come with challenges. The TU study warns of the risks of high leverage, potentially limited profits, and restrictions on withdrawing money. Spotlight on top Forex brokers with low minimum deposits Based on the TU findings, several brokers stand out for their low minimum deposit offers. Here are the minimum deposit Forex brokers they listed. 1. Exness: Requires a mere $1 deposit and currently has no ongoing promotions. 2. Forex4you: Another broker with a $1 minimum deposit and additionally offers a deposit bonus of up to 100%. 3. InstaForex: Allows traders to start with just $1 and provides a deposit bonus that can reach 100%. 4. FXOpen: Offers a low entry point with a $1 deposit, though they currently have no promotions. 5. WForex: While they also have a $1 deposit threshold, their unique promotional offer can provide up to $20. 6. FreshForex: Traders can begin with $1, and they offer a substantial bonus that can go up to $2021. 7. Deriv: They, too, have set their minimum deposit at $1, but currently, they don't offer any promotions. 8. Admiral Markets UK: This broker also allows a $1 starting deposit but has no ongoing promotions. 9. FBS: Their minimum deposit stands at $1, and they have a no-deposit bonus offer that can reach up to $140. 10. NPBFX: With a $1 deposit criteria, they stand out by offering traders competitions as promotions. While HFM broker didnt make it into the list, it was praised for its great offers. The TU report affirms that trading with as little as $1 in Forex is possible, mainly by leveraging micro lots and high leverage. However, while this might amplify potential profits, the experts caution that it simultaneously raises the potential for significant losses. Ideal Forex minimum deposit recommendations The TU experts suggest that the best deposit amount is contingent on a traders experience. For novices, starting with $2 to $5 on a cent account or $100 to $200 on a standard account is advisable. More seasoned traders might consider higher amounts based on their comfort and objectives. While many brokers tout low or even zero minimum deposits, the TU report emphasizes that traders must be discerning. Apart from deposit considerations, factors like spreads, leverage levels, customer service quality, platform reliability, and hidden fees play a pivotal role. Concluding their findings, the TU experts emphasize: "Forex brokers allowing a $1 minimum deposit present both opportunities and risks. While they grant accessibility to many, it's paramount to examine the broker's regulatory stance, trading conditions, and support mechanisms. With informed choices, these brokers can be a valuable entry point to Forex trading." 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. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Boeing, one of Americas largest manufacturers, has a very basic problem: keeping its factories churning out enough of the jets that fill the skies. Deliveries of 737 MAX jets to customers fell in September to the lowest level in more than two years. Meanwhile, production of the more than $100 million jetwhich accounts for the bulk of its outputis running at about half the companys target. The companys operations have been disrupted this year by a series of snafus at one of Boeings key suppliers. The latest problem, discovered in August, is misdrilled holes on the fuselage of its bestselling 737s. Boeing executives have said that deliveries would slow but that they still expected to meet their targets for the full year. Boeing said earlier this year it was moving to complete an average of 38 new 737s a month. It made 22 in September, according to data from Aero Analysis Partners/AIR, a research firm. The delays have disrupted key airline customers, which are trying to ramp up schedules after a rebound in travel after the pandemic. European carrier Ryanair recently cut its winter schedules citing Boeing delivery delays. Boeing shares have slumped in recent weeks and are now back to where they started the year, compared with a roughly 13% gain for the S&P 500 index. The company reports third-quarter results on Oct. 25. On Tuesday, Boeing said it delivered 15 new 737 jets to the worlds airlines in September, the smallest number since shipping out 11 in May of 2021. In August, Boeing discovered the manufacturing defect in the rear of 737 fuselages supplied by Spirit AeroSystems. Fixing the issue requires inspecting and correcting misdrilled fastener holes in a key structural part. Last week, Spirit replaced its chief executive. Boeing says there is no immediate flight safety concern tied to the Spirit defect. But rooting out and repairing the misdrilled holes is complicated and requires X-ray inspections of the planes, Boeing finance chief, Brian West, said in September at an investor conference. We have to make sure we do this right," he said. Weve got literally armies of people from Boeing and the supplier working on this issue and to drive stability in their factory." West warned investors last month that deliveries would slow due to the defect issues. The company has projected it would hand over 400 to 450 of the narrow-body jets to customers for all of 2023, and the company stuck with that guidance. West had said the number will likely be toward the low end of that goal. It has delivered 286 of the jets through September. Write to Sharon Terlep at sharon.terlep@wsj.com and Andrew Tangel at andrew.tangel@wsj.com Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Mumbai: Sidharth Rath, the head of State Bank of Mauritius (India), has stepped down ahead of the scheduled term conclusion to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, two people in the know said. Rath decided not to renew his five-year contract, which is ending in December," said one of two people requesting anonymity. The board was also wanting a change in leadership so that the new person could take a fresh look at the business model after what the bank has gone through in the past year due to restrictions by the Reserve Bank of India." Rath joined SBM in 2019, just before the onset of covid. With a network of 12 branches and a primary focus on corporate lending and transactions, Rath faced significant challenges in growing the business during the pandemic, compelling him to explore partnerships with fintech firms, and branching into new verticals such as payments, credit and investment. In two years, business grew nearly 10 times under his leadership. According to the latest annual report, the banks customer base expanded to 5 million from just 2,000, contributing to a Current Account and Savings Account (CASA) business of 2,046.2 crore. Deposits crossed 7,000 crore, while its loan book was at 4,835.93 crore. Its net non-performing asset, which was at 9% before his tenure, fell to below 1%. However, SBM India faced challenges after RBI in August 2022 took action against all the non-bank prepaid instruments or wallet licence holders. RBIs directive prohibited loading PPIs with credit lines, impacting SBMs six-million buy now pay later (BNPL) customers and fintech companies like Slice, Uni, and Lazypay, which offered credit services on SBMs prepaid cards. To make matters worse, RBI directed the bank in January to stop all international transactions under Liberalised Remittance Scheme due to supervisory concern. The ban affected around one million corporate credit card customers of SBM as well as its partnerships with fintech companies like Niyo. While, RBI partially eased the restrictions by allowing it to carry out ATM and poin-of-sale transactions under LRS, it asked SBM to ensure all customers were KYC-compliant. RBI directed the bank to insource its card management system, switch and network instead of relying on third party entities," the second person said. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production," Adam Smith pointed out. But his perfectly self-evident" maxim has never held much sway in China. Earlier this year the countrys statisticians revealed that household consumption accounted for only 37% of Chinas GDP in 2022, its lowest since 2014. Although removing strict covid-19 controls should have helped lift that percentage a bit, improvements in Chinese data analysis could lift it rather more. Chinas headline statistics may understate both household income and consumption. Look closer and both appear higher than often reportedand both have risen faster. For almost two decades, Chinese policymakers have sought to rebalance" the economy from exports and investment towards spending on more immediate gratifications. We will work to restore and expand consumptionand increase personal income through multiple channels," the finance ministry declared in this years budget, for example. Yet progress has been slow. In recent years, the IMF has graded Chinas efforts on a colour-coded rebalancing scorecard". The latest card, published in February, was mostly red. Advocates of rebalancing typically identify two problems. First, Chinese households save a lot of their income; second, their income is too small a slice of the national cake. The second problem features prominently in the arguments of Michael Pettis, an influential professor at Peking University. In the West, he has noted, household income typically represents 70-80% of GDP. In China, by contrast, it is only 55%. Rebalancing, he has argued, will necessarily involve shifting wealth and therefore power to ordinary people. Indeed, some analysts now wonder if Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, has soured on the goal altogether. For him, the end and purpose of Chinese production is not limited to consumptionit includes aims like making China a resilient power, less dependent on chokehold" technologies dominated by the West. As a young man, he was repulsed by the all-encompassing commercialisation of Chinese society", according to the leaked account of a professor who knew him in the 1970s and 1980s. But although Mr Xi is no fervent champion of rebalancing, his scorecard may be better than commonly thought. Economists have long believed that Chinas figures understate household earning and spending. Surveys probably fail to capture the unreported grey" income of the wealthy. And the national accounts probably still underestimate the implicit rent" that homeowners pay themselves when they live in property they own. Less well known are the struggles of Chinas statisticians to account for goods and services that governments provide to individuals at little or no cost. These transfers include education and health care, such as reimbursements for medicines. They also encompass cultural amenities and subsidised food. Zhu Hongshen of the University of Virginia has highlighted community canteens, often housed in state-owned buildings but operated by private contractors, which provide tasty dishes, such as oyster mushroom or spicy cucumber, at heavily discounted prices. According to international standards, these goodies should appear in the official statistics as social transfers in kind" (sometimes abbreviated to stik). They can then be added to household income and consumption to provide a fuller adjusted" picture. In principle, social transfers should be included in a complete definition of income", argued an international team of experts known as the Canberra Group in 2001, although they recognised it is not straightforward to do in practice. China in particular has struggled. In the past, it has not reported them cleanly or separately, shovelling them into other parts of the national accounts, including government consumption. If these transfers are ignored, then the disposable income of Chinas households was only 62% of national income in 2020 (and as low as 56% in 2010). This seems strikingly low, as Mr Pettis has argued. But that is partly because of everything it leaves out. If social transfers in kind are also stripped out of the disposable income of other countries, their numbers look more like Chinas. The figure for the euro area would be less than 64% in 2020 (see chart 1). By this measure, a dozen European countries had a smaller income share than China. View Full Image (The Economist) Fortunately, Chinas statisticians can now do better. In the past few years, they have begun publishing figures for social transfers in kind in their annual statistical yearbooks, Mr Zhu has pointed out. They amounted to 6.8trn yuan ($1trn, or almost 7% of national income) in 2020, larger, as a share of gdp, than Americas. That has allowed Chinas National Bureau of Statistics to publish an adjusted" figure for disposable income that makes international comparisons with oecd countries easier. Adding these social transfers in kind raises Chinas share of household income to 69% of national income, placing it near the bottom of the pack, but not at the very bottom. Moreover, since they have grown faster than the economy over the past decade, they make Mr Xis rebalancing record more promising. Household consumption, including these transfers, increased from 39% of gdp in 2010 to 45% in 2019 before the pandemic struck (see chart 2). View Full Image (The Economist) These revisions do make government consumption look weaker. And Chinas social transfers in kind, as a share of national income, are still not high compared with the OECD average. There is thus scope to raise them. If Mr Xi objects to the commercialisation of Chinese society or idleness-breeding cash handouts, the state could instead provide more of the things that he thinks his citizens should be consuming. That would be a way for Mr Xi to rebalance towards consumption without reconciling himself to consumerism. 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 World Bank requires internal process improvement and a cultural change to accelerate private sector mobilization, said US treasury secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday. The World Bank had begun working on principles for using concessional finance to target support for projects that address global challenges. But more efforts were needed to equip its staff to deliver the desired results, said the US treasury secretary. This will require internal process improvements that increase agility and speed up decision-making without sacrificing quality, as well as cultural change to accelerate private sector mobilization and responsible risk-taking," said Yellen while speaking at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben Guerir, Morocco. This week the bank's governors would endorse a new vision to end poverty on a livable planet" and its new president Ajay Banga was turning the envisioned evolution of the bank into action, said Yellen. At annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to be held this week in Morocco, the reforms of the multilateral development banks (MDBs) are a key topic. Calling the World Bank dysfunctional", Banga has vowed to fix the plumbing" and make the 16,000-strong institution more nimble. Significant process had been made to boost the financial capacity of the MDBs and reforms under consideration could add at least $200 billion in new lending capacity, Yellen also said. The World Bank's International Finance Corp and MIGA divisions should expand their lending, guarantee and insurance instruments, and find new ways to smartly manage foreign exchange risk, she added. For private investors to better understand the actual risk and opportunity of investing in emerging markets, the bank should also release global emerging market data, said Yellen. In her speech she also tried to rally support for increasing resources for concessional loans those with terms more favorable than markets would provide to confront global threats like climate change and pandemics. The G20 has committed to mobilizing more resources, and other countries are making announcements on how they will boost capacity as well," Yellen said. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. The Reserve Bank of India has barred the Bank of Baroda (BoB) from onboarding new customers through its 'Bob World' mobile app following material supervisory concerns. In a notification to the exchanges on Tuesday, Bank of Baroda said corrective measures were being taken to address the deficiencies. We would like to inform, in pursuance of the above LODR Regulations, that the Reserve Bank of India has vide its Press Release no. 2023-2024/1083 dated 10th October 2023, directed Bank of Baroda to suspend, with immediate effect, any further onboarding of customers onto its bob World mobile application, based on certain supervisory concerns that RBI had observed in the Banks mobile banking onboarding processes. Further onboarding of customers on the bob World" application will be subject to further strengthening of related processes by the Bank to the satisfaction of RBI," BoB said in an exchange filing. While the Bank has already carried out corrective measures to address the concerns of the RBI, we have initiated further steps to plug any remaining gaps identified and we will work closely with the RBI to address their concerns at the earliest to their satisfaction, the lender added. The PSU bank assured that existing customers will not face any disruption whatsoever and will continue to enjoy uninterrupted services on the Banks Bob World mobile app. "Further, this order does not impact any of the bank's other digital banking channels such as netbanking, WhatsApp banking, debit cards, ATMs, etc, for servicing its existing customers as well as for onboarding of new customers," the lender added. The bank does not expect the RBI's action to have a material impact on its overall business and growth plans. Bank of Baroda's share price fell almost 4 per cent in morning trade on BSE on Wednesday, At 9:40 am, the scrip was trading 2% lower at 210.05 apiece on the NSE today. RBI bans Bank of Baroda from onboarding new customers on its mobile app The action, the RBI said is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the manner of onboarding of their customers onto this mobile application. "Any further onboarding of customers of the bank on the 'bob World' application will be subject to rectification of the deficiencies observed and strengthening of the related processes by the bank to the satisfaction of RBI," the central bank said in a statement. In December 2020, the RBI barred HDFC Bank from issuing new cards and launching new digital initiatives after repeated instances of technical outages. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. There are moments in this life ... when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world, declared President Joe Biden when describing the October 8 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. This was an act of sheer evil. More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered not just killed, slaughtered in Israel. Among them, at least 14 American citizens killed, he said. There are still so many families desperately waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones, not knowing if theyre alive or dead or hostages, said President Biden. Infants in their mothers arms, grandparents in wheelchairs, Holocaust survivors abducted and held hostage hostages whom Hamas has now threatened to execute in violation of every code of human morality. Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination, declared President Biden: Its stated purpose is the annihilation of the State of Israel and the murder of Jewish people. They use Palestinian civilians as human shields. Hamas offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard to who pays the price. The United States is surging additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome, said President Biden. Were going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens. We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas, said President Biden: Ive directed my team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts, because as president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world. President Biden stressed again, to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation, I have one word: Dont. For 75 years, Israel has stood as the ultimate guarantor of security of Jewish people around the world so that the atrocities of the past could never happen again, said President Biden. The United States has Israels back. We will make sure the Jewish and democratic State of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow, as we always have. The United States stands with Israel. The Private Equity Group within JPMorgan Chases asset management arm is tossing a new entry into the growing competition to open private equity to individual investors. The group is unveiling a perpetual fund with quarterly liquidity options and a $25,000 minimum commitment, pitching it as a democratization of alternatives." The JPMorgan Private Markets Fund, managed by the banks advisory group that oversees around $30 billion in private-equity assets, is also open to institutions. But the bank is targeting individual investors who control vast assets. Individual investors hold roughly 50% of the estimated $275 trillion to $295 trillion of global assets under management, according to industry consulting firm Bain & Co. But the firm said individuals represent just 16% of the assets allocated to alternative investments. We have started to see over the last several years more individual investors interested in getting access to this end of the market in private equity and venture capital," said Ashmi Mehrotra, co-head of the Private Equity Group. So far, the fund has attracted roughly $100 million in commitments. The bank already has invested $52 million from the vehicle, including in funds such as Ishtar Co-Invest-B and Banks Fund I-B as of Aug. 31, a document on the banks website shows. Other than institutional investors, only the banks qualified individual clients, or people in the U.S. with a net worth of at least $2.2 million, or who have committed at least $1.1 million to J.P. Morgan Investment Management or another registered investment adviser can get into the fund. Class I shares require a $1 million minimum commitment, while the funds Class D and S shares require at least $25,000 investments. JPMorgan joins other well-known institutional money managers in New York and Europe that also offer access to private-markets investments for certain individual investors. Asset manager Apollo Global Management earlier this year expanded its team for a private-market strategy tailored to wealthy people, a market long served in Europe by Swiss buyout firm Partners Group Holding. And private-equity giant Blackstones nontraded Real Estate Income Trust, or Breit, gives individuals the opportunity to invest just $2,500 to own a piece of apartment buildings, warehouses and commercial properties with monthly liquidity options. Like Blackstones Breit, JPMorgans fund, now available to qualified and accredited investors through private banks and custodial platforms, limits investor withdrawals based on the funds overall assets. JPMorgan limits withdrawals to 5% of the funds net asset value. But the JPMorgan fund doesnt feature capital calls, in which the sponsor asks investors to pony up cash to fulfill their previous commitments to the vehicle whenever the need arises. Participants can add to their investments in the fund monthly in increments of at least $10,000. The bank said it set up the vehicle in a way that simplifies investors tax reporting requirements compared with the typical private-equity fund. The fund is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, a U.S. law that regulates the responsibilities of investment advisers. Marketing for the fund began in July and has attracted a variety of institutional investors such as pensions and insurers. But now the bank is pivoting to the individual market, as have so many other fund sponsors, and talking publicly about the fund and its strategy for the first time. The trend is overall the democratization of alternatives. Were going after a large market," Mehrotra said. JPMorgan made nine investments through the fund by the end of last month. The fund focuses on primary investments, buying secondhand slices of private-equity and venture-capital funds and co-investing alongside other managers. Over 70% of the fund will be focused on the U.S., and then the remainder will be majority northern Europe," Mehrotra said. The fund managers plan to stick with a strategy focused on the small and middle-market vehicles, which the investment manager defines as funds managing less than $3 billion. The bank considers small- and middle-market companies they back directly as having enterprise values of no more than $1.5 billion. Write to Isaac Taylor at isaac.taylor@wsj.com With demand for electricity growing rapidly, the need to resolve long-standing issues of Indias power sector is becoming ever more urgent. The huge debts of power distribution companies (discoms) continue to threaten states financial health. According to the Centres PRAAPTI portal, state-run discoms owed a staggering 87,059 crore to power generating companies (gencos) as of 9 October, of which 36% was past its due date. Power distribution companies in India are mainly owned by state governments, with private firms limited to a few states. Many states provide subsidies, artificially depressing tariffs for the farm sector and a section of households. They also bail out discoms from time to time, making the sector a financial burden, both in terms of subsidies and contingent liabilities, as noted by a June 2022 report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Several reforms, including the now-discontinued Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), have aimed to restructure their debt and instil financial discipline. Last year the union government allowed repayments to gencos in easy monthly instalments (EMIs) and announced a scheme to cut losses through upgraded infrastructure and smart meters". The EMI facility has helped reduce dues to gencos sharply since crossing 1 trillion in mid-May. However, latest available data shows discoms total borrowing was as high as 6.2 trillion in March 2022, up 6% in a year, suggesting states debt burden is still high. Discoms in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have the highest amounts overdue to gencos. Some of these states are also highly indebted, with debt surpassing 30% of their gross state domestic product (GSDP). Burden of guarantee Since the power sector is largely state-owned, governments must inject capital through equity and debt to keep discoms afloat and ensure proper supply of electricity. According to a December 2020 report by PRS Legislative Research, over 60% of the total outstanding loan guarantees given by state governments are for power sector companies. (These guarantees are contingent liabilities of the states, which will have to honour them in case a discom defaults.) Under UDAY, 15 state governments took over 75% of the outstanding debt of state-owned discoms (about 2.1 trillion) between 2015-16 and 2016-17. The scheme wanted these states to fund a portion of losses of discoms until 2019-20. With UDAY bailouts, the guarantees provided by Andhra Pradesh went up from 4.6% in 2017-18 of GSDP to 9% in 2020-21, and Rajasthans from 7.5% to 8.6%. Even in Bihar, where it was 1.1%, it went up to 3.4%, RBI data showed. Rising costs The deterioration of discoms' financial health could be attributed to several key factors, including substantial technical and commercial losses, elevated power procurement expenses, the imposition of cross-subsidy burdens on tariffs by state authorities, and a range of operational inefficiencies. A drilldown into the cost structure of selected discoms shows that a substantial 70-80% of their expenditures are attributed to power purchase, according to the latest Annual Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities report by the power ministry. Additionally, discoms find themselves ensnared in suboptimal procurement contracts, often manifested as long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). These long-term PPAs often lack clearly-defined exit clauses. While various factors significantly influence the cost of electricity generation, volatility in energy commodity prices could be the most prominent moving forward. Australia is one of the major coal exporters to India and prices there are expected to remain elevated despite some moderation from their 2022 highs. It's a similar case for Brent crude oil. The way forward? The 15th Finance Commissions stress on states maintaining strict fiscal discipline has landed them and discoms in a tight spot. To qualify for an additional borrowing space of 0.5% of GSDP, states must commit to gradually absorbing their discoms losses. As of 26 April the union government, under the National Electricity Fund, released 2,396 crore to subsidize interest on loans raised by discoms. The Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) recently noted that states must be directly responsible and accountable for improving the financial mess in the power distribution sector. To address the unending financial woes of state-run discoms, IEEFA suggested a slew of remedies, including doing away with legacy contracts such as long-term PPAs, massive cuts in cross-subsidies, and reducing losses through digitalization. But, more importantly, political will is required to break the market monopoly and improve the performance of state-run discoms. The author is an independent financial writer and data analyst. Banks globally reaped a $280 billion profit boost in 2022 thanks to rising rates, in the sectors best performance since the 2008 global financial crisis, McKinsey & Co. said. An unprecedented series of interest-rate increases by monetary authorities across the world has provided the biggest tailwind for the global banking industry in over a decade. The bonanza has prompted several lenders to announce billions of dollars in share buybacks. Though the return on equity jumped to 12% in 2022 from an average 9% since 2010, McKinsey struck a note of caution in its Global Banking Annual Review. A return to ultralow spreads seems unlikely in the short term, but the outlook for net margins remains uncertain," the New York-based consultancy said. Banks also face rising competition with transactions increasingly moving to non-traditional institutions that are less regulated than lenders, it said in the report. Between 2015 and 2022, more than 70% of the net increase in financial funds was held by insurance and pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, private capital and alternative investments rather than banks. While the growth of assets under management outside of banks balance sheets is not new, our analysis suggests that the traditional core of the banking sector the balance sheet now finds itself at a tipping point," McKinsey said in the report. As that trend continues, governments are broadening scrutiny of non-traditional financial institutions as the macroeconomic system comes under stress, the firm said. Theres also a divergence in performance, the report said. Financial institutions in the region around the Indian Ocean including in Singapore, India, Dubai and parts of eastern Africa are home to half of the best performing banks in the world, while in Europe and the US as well as China and Russia, banks have struggled to generate their cost of capital. Valuations of banks at 0.9 times price-to-book remain unchanged since the global financial crisis, with a historic gap" to the rest of the economy, the report said. That reflects the challenges the sector faces, and potential upside, it said. But Chinese banks, with major ones trading at 0.5 times book value, are facing tougher times and have limited prospects" of achieving higher returns, according to McKinsey. Artificial intelligence could be a game changer," helping cut operational costs by between $200 billion and $300 billion, according to the consultancys estimates. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. The collapse of crypto exchange FTX wiped out millions of its customers crypto holdings and turned its billionaire founder into a pariah now facing criminal fraud charges in New York. But the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried and his Bahamas-based exchange, which at its peak held more than $10 billion in customer deposits, hasnt fundamentally changed how crypto works or is regulated. The sector is still the Wild West of finance. Terrorists and money launderers use cryptocurrencies to cover their tracks. Hackers frequently find ways to steal digital coins. Worldwide trading is still concentrated in a huge offshore exchange, Binance, which has been accused of some of the same risky practices as FTX. Although it roiled the crypto world, FTXs collapse didnt alter the legal and regulatory landscape. Unlike past crises that spurred U.S. lawmakers into action, this one has legislators divided over how, and even whether, to address crypto markets. Instead, regulators have pursued a piecemeal enforcement campaign designed to impose Wall Streets rules on cryptoa move the biggest crypto exchanges, such as Binance, are fighting in court. The upshot is that another FTX could happenand investors could be the losers again. Of course it could happen again, because there is nothing to stop it," said John Reed Stark, a former enforcement official at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Granted, some of the challenge with regulating crypto stems from its global nature. The biggest exchanges are offshore, and Americans still find ways to trade on them. Almost 20% of Binances customers were in the U.S. in 2020, despite the exchanges not being eligible to serve traders here, according to regulatory lawsuits. FTX and Binance both started in Asia and hopped from one country to another to stay ahead of regulatory clampdowns. FTX eventually landed in a crypto haven, the Bahamas, that didnt effectively regulate it. Binance claims it has no headquarters. Another possible reason FTX hasnt led to more action? For all the hype around it, crypto is still smallwith a global market capitalization of about $1 trillioncompared with mainstream markets and the financial system. So while individual investors are often at risk, the sector hasnt so far posed a systemic danger. While bitcoins price has risen since last year, venture capitalists have reined in their support since FTXs downfall. U.S. banks dont fund crypto, limiting its consumer reach and the knock-on effects of market turmoil. The potential risks to individual investors, though, are behind ongoing efforts by the SEC to bring the sector to heel. Another FTX could happen because cryptos basic business model is rife with conflicts of interest, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said in an interview. There is a lot of interconnectedness, centralization and leverage in the system, and noncompliance," Gensler said. Its a recipe for more investors to get harmed going forward." FTX was forced into bankruptcy after users learned some of their funds were misused and rushed to pull crypto from the exchanges digital vault. The stampede revealed a multibillion-dollar shortfall and revelations that Bankman-Frieds hedge fund, Alameda Research, had siphoned off billions in FTX customer funds for other investments. Bankman-Frieds former top lieutenants testified against him last week in court. He has been charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, money laundering and other violations. The red flags that played a role in FTXs demise are still present at other exchanges. Binance, like FTX, has affiliated trading firms that traded with customers on the platform, including on Binances American outpostknown as Binance.USaccording to the SECs lawsuit against the company. FTX wasnt the only big ship to sink in 2022. A number of crypto-lending companies grew quickly and imploded just as fast when borrowers defaulted on loans or they were taken down by their deep connections to FTX. Binance also stores its customers assets and, according to the SEC, kept them in an account controlled by one of its affiliated trading firms. On Wall Street, brokerages that safeguard investors assets must follow rules requiring that they keep them separate from the firms own. Binance says it shouldnt be confused with FTX. The exchange can account for all user assets and the company can meet withdrawal requests, it said in a statement. The company doesnt have any debt and has a diverse base of trading firms that support 24/7 trading, it said. The SEC and other U.S. regulators have filed lawsuits asking American courts to impose federal investor protections on Binance and the biggest American-based exchange, Coinbase. The companies are fighting the complaints in court, arguing the SEC doesnt have jurisdiction over their activity. But litigation is a slow-moving way to impose change on a market. Another problem: The SEC could lose in court. So far, it has a good record in crypto litigation, but a federal judge in July dismissed part of the agencys lawsuit over one of the biggest cryptocurrencies, a token known as XRP. Meanwhile, Congress is divided over what, if anything, to do. Republicans tend to favor legislation that would impose customized rules on crypto. But top Democrats are content letting the SEC and other regulators police the system, said Ian Katz, a policy analyst at Capital Alpha Partners. If they really felt like there were more Main Street mom-and-pop types getting hurt, there would be more of a drive to get something done," Katz said. Market participants who think another FTX wont happen say the investing landscape is different today and that crypto has improved its own practices. FTX thrived during a period of a few years when bitcoin and other asset prices were climbing and small traders could gamble with contracts that paid off 100-to-1 as long as prices rose. They also say U.S. investors are more reliant on American exchanges such as Coinbase and Kraken, whose risk-management practices and compliance teams are much better than FTXs. What FTX did has been incredibly damaging to the industry," said Kristin Smith, chief executive of the Blockchain Association, a group that lobbies for crypto in the U.S. None of the good actors in this space want to see that happen again." Write to Dave Michaels at dave.michaels@wsj.com Bank of Baroda share price fell almost 4 per cent in morning trade on BSE on Wednesday, October 11 a day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ordered it to suspend further customer onboarding on its bob World mobile app with immediate effect. The stock opened at 209.60 against the previous close of 214.20 and fell 3.7 per cent to its intraday low of 206.25 on BSE. As Mint reported earlier, the RBI ordered Bank of Baroda (BoB) to suspend further customer onboarding on its bob World mobile app immediately, citing material supervisory concerns. The central bank further directed the PSU to ensure that already onboarded bob World customers do not face any disruption due to the suspension. Also Read: RBI orders Bank of Baroda to suspend further customer onboarding on bob World mobile app The bank, however, later issued a clarification that it was taking corrective measures to address the deficiencies. While the Bank has already carried out corrective measures to address the concerns of the RBI, we have initiated further steps to plug any remaining gaps identified and we will work closely with the RBI to address their concerns at the earliest to their satisfaction," the company said. Also Read: Bank of Baroda issues clarification after RBI bars PSU bank from onboarding new customers through BoB World (Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels. Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights! Click here!) Bank of Baroda share price has gained about 61 per cent in the last one year against a 16 per cent gain in the equity benchmark Sensex. Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services has a buy call on the stock with a target price of 240, implying a 12 per cent upside potential. "While there may not be any near-term asset quality implications of this ban, given the rising mix of digital sourcing and the higher cross-sell rate that the bank has been focusing on via 'bob World', this ban can affect the growth trajectory in the retail product segments over the near term," Motilal said. "The RBI has advised that further onboarding of customers via the bob World application will be subject to rectification of the deficiencies and strengthening of the underlying processes. Going by the recent digital embargo episode on another private bank, we think that the ban may stay for at least a few quarters," said Motilal. Motilal pointed out that the bank has 53 million app downloads and 30 million activated users as of March 2023. The RBI ban may impact the bank's ability to sustain healthy business growth, as the acquisitions of about 98 per cent of savings accounts and 91 per cent of current accounts are currently done through digital channels. Moreover, 58 per cent of fixed deposits and 42 per cent of recurring deposits are also booked via digital channels. On the lending front, 61 per cent of credit cards and 89 per cent of personal loans are sourced digitally. Even in other retail products, 67-68 per cent of home and auto loans are sourced digitally and the bank has been guiding to increase the mix of the RAM (retail, agriculture and MSME) segments in total loans, Motilal pointed out. "Retail loan growth currently stands at 25 per cent YoY (year-on-year), led by strong growth across secured and unsecured products. We will be watchful of growth in unsecured PL (personal loan) as the current growth rate is 83 per cent YoY (100 per cent YoY growth in FY23). The RBI has already been cautioning about faster growth in these segments," Motilal said. Bank of Baroda share price traded 3.06 per cent lower at 207.65 around 10:25 am on BSE. BANK OF BARODA More Information Read all market-related news here 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. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. NEW DELHI : The Peoples Bank of China (PBoC) continues to own shares worth at least 25,000 crore across 20 major Indian companies, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Ltd, Infosys Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Ltd and Vedanta Ltd, despite escalating geopolitical tensions between the two nations over the past three years, company filings showed. Infosys and ICICI Bank are PBoCs biggest portfolio holdings in India. The Chinese central bank owns 0.8% of Infosys, worth 4,678 crore, and 0.7% of ICICI Bank, worth 4,583 crore at current prices. It also owns a 0.24% stake in TCS, valued at approximately 3,157 crore, and a 0.4% stake in Bajaj Finance, worth 1,928 crore. Other portfolio companies include Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Asian Paints Ltd, Tata Steel Ltd and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. A person who has dealt with PBoC in the past said the Chinese central bank has been cautious about keeping its holdings below the 1% threshold in companies that require public disclosure, aiming to prevent the kind of backlash it faced in 2020 after it became known that its investments exceeded 1% in Housing Development Finance Corp., the then parent of Indias largest private lender, HDFC Bank Ltd. View Full Image Graphic: Mint The acquisition sparked concerns in New Delhi that Chinese investors were looking to snare stakes in Indian firms following a sharp fall in stock prices in March and April of that year due to the pandemic. Shortly after the backlash, PBoC pared its stake in Housing Development Finance Corp. below 1%. Under Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) regulations, listed companies are required to disclose ownership stakes exceeding 1%. However, during annual filings, companies also provide a more extensive list of shareholders to the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA). The data compiled by Mint is based on these MCA filings. However, any investments made through indirect routes such as participatory notes (P-notes) or through related entities could not be ascertained. An email sent to PBoC remained unanswered. Some of the early investments PBoC made in India were through passive funds, but subsequently, since 2018-19, they started picking up small quantities of shares in select Indian companies. Compared to its global portfolio, PBoCs investments in India are small, probably due to the geopolitical equations," the person said. India remains the most attractive market globally, and hence, all the big global institutions look for some exposure. However, PBoC has been very cautious in India and in the last three years, they have kept their stakes below 1% in all portfolio companies." Mint could not verify when PBoC purchased these stakes and how their India portfolio has changed post covid since, in the past, companies disclosed their MCA filings infrequently. The development assumes significance as the rise of PBoCs portfolio in India sparked concerns during the pandemic. In 2020, Chinese funds aggressively invested in developed and developing markets equities amid a global markets meltdown. These investments occurred amid rising tensions between India and China, with border clashes in the Ladakh region leading to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese troops. The investment in Housing Development Finance Corp. prompted the Indian government to tighten rules applicable to Chinese investors. In a circular issued in 2020, the government said any foreign direct investment (FDI) coming from China needs prior approval. The investment in HDFC prompted the Indian government to tighten rules applicable to Chinese investors. In a circular issued in 2020, the government said any foreign direct investment (FDI) coming from China needs prior approval from the Indian government. However, FDI is made only in unlisted companies, while investments into listed entities are governed by Sebis foreign portfolio investor (FPI) rules. Currently, there is no restriction on FPI investments from China. There are currently 17 FPIs in India from China. Of these, at least 11 are Chinese government-owned. Best Investment Corp., a subsidiary of China Investment Corp. has eight different funds operating in India. However, these funds dont own any significant portfolio in India, according to the data. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Today's Google Doodle celebrates the life and legacy of Cartola, a legendary Brazilian composer, poet, and singer known for his mastery of samba. Born on this day in 1908 in Rio de Janeiro, Cartola's birth name was Angenor de Oliveira. He played a crucial role in shaping the samba genre and became a beloved figure in Brazilian music. As per the description, Cartola grew up interested in music; he watched his father strum the guitar and cavaquinho (Brazilian ukulele), loved samba at Carnival, and learned to play his dads instruments. At a young age, he had to work jobs to help support his family he was a painter, mason, bricklayer, and construction worker. This is where he got the nickname Cartola, because of the bowler hat he wore to keep cement out of his hair," it added. Also Read: Google celebrates Uganda's Independence Day with a special Doodle At the young age of 17, Cartola was already creating samba compositions and performing at neighbourhood bars. It was during this time that he formed a deep and enduring musical partnership with Carlos Cachaca, a friend he had met in the Morro da Mangueira community. In 1928, Cartola and Carlos Cachaca, along with a few additional musicians, came together to establish one of Rio de Janeiro's earliest samba schools, known as the Estacao Primeira de Mangueira. Within this school, Cartola assumed the role of harmony director, playing a significant part in shaping the school's musical direction and samba culture. Cartola, known for his sambas, not only excelled as a music teacher but also had his compositions performed by renowned artists. He rose to fame in 1932 with the chart-topping hit 'Divina Dama.' Also Read: Google Doodle celebrates Hangul Day dedicated to Korea's writing system Cartola was a master at showcasing the poetic language and deep emotional resonance of samba, which he did on the radio program 'A Voz do Morro,' during Carnival celebrations, and through his unforgettable songs like 'Nao Quero Mais,' 'Sim,' and O Sol Nascera. The description further noted that Cartola didn't make his solo LP debut until 1974, a remarkable release that garnered instant success, earning him awards and critical praise. Subsequently, three more LPs followed, including the standout "As Rosas Nao Falam," which was featured on a soap opera soundtrack. At the age of 70, this sambista held his inaugural solo concert, marking a late but thriving stage in his career as he continued to perform and compose until the end of his days. Today, his legacy endures as contemporary musicians continue to perform and record his timeless works. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. India and China exchanged views in an open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday, a day after the two sides concluded two days of military talks. It said the two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. There was no clear indication of any breakthrough in the talks. The previous round of military talks took place on August 13 and 14. The latest round of the Corps Commander level talks was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "The two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries, and building on the progress made in the last round of Corps Commanders' meeting held on August 13-14," the MEA said. "They agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms," it said in a statement. "They also committed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim," the MEA added. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. The Supreme Court will be hearing four crucial cases on Wednesday (October 11) - including Eknath Shinde group disqualification, Bilkis Bano plea. Here is all you need to know about the cases. Eknath Shinde-group MLAs disqualification The apex court onWednesday will hear plea relating to disqualification of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-group MLAs. Last month, SC rebuked the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker for 'sitting on disqualification pleas' of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and other 56 Shiv Sena rebel MLAs. The apex court further ordered the Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly to list before him for hearing the disqualification petitions and set down a time schedule to decide disqualification pleas. Javed Akhtar seeking direction for CBI probe in Gujarat encounter case The Supreme Court will hear two separate petitions seeking a probe into the alleged fake encounters in Gujarat from 2002 to 2006. The pleas were filed in 2007 by senior journalist BG Verghese, and noted lyricist Javed Akhtar and Shabnam Hashmi. Verghese died in 2014. The pleas came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia. Umar Khalid bail plea The top court on Wednesday will hear the bail plea filed by Umar Khalid, former JNU student leader, against charges of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots case. A Bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M. Trivedi last month told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mr. Khalid, We will grant leave now and list the case after four weeks... You have to show us what evidence is available and how it does not match with the charges against you." Bilkis Bano gangrape case: Premature release of 11 convicts The Supreme Court will hear on petitions challenging the premature release of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case and murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The case was initially listed for hearing on Monday but was deferred. The top court said it has received written submissions of the petitioners which have been taken on record. "List on October 11, 2023 at 2 pm," the bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, which was scheduled to hear the rejoinder submissions of those opposed to the premature release of the convicts, said. The bench had on October 6 asked the counsel for the petitioners, including Bilkis Bano, to file their short written rejoinder arguments. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Jaish-e-Mohammaed terrorist, and alleged mastermind of the 2016 Pathankot attack Shahid Latif was gunned down in a mosque in Daska town of Sialkot district in Pakistan , officials have said, according to news agency PTI . The 2016 Pathankot attack on an Indian Air Force (IAF) base saw four attackers and two security forces personnel die. Latif was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). On 2 January 2016, militants from Islamic separatist Kashmiri groups attacked the Indian Air Force's Pathankot Airbase, part of its Western Air Command. Latif, also knows as Bilal is a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. According to reports, Latif was killed along with two of his associates by three gunmen. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here! Latif had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley in 1993 and was arrested a year later. He was in Jammu jail with Masood Azhar, founder of the JeM, till 2010, officials said. He was deported to Pakistan in 2010 following his release and formally joined the terror group, they said. "This is the biggest blow to JeM on Pakistan soil," an official said. Notably, with this Latif joins a small reported list of extremists, designated as terrorists by India under UAPA, mysteriously getting killed in other countries. While Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar left the India-Canada diplomatic relations in a bittersweet symphony. 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. 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. What is the 2016 Pathankot Attack? Seven IAF personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station on 2 January 2016. The siege went on for three days. The gun battle and the subsequent combing operation lasted about 17 hours on 2 January, resulting in five attackers and three security personnel dead. Further three soldiers died after being admitted to hospital with injuries, raising the death toll to six soldiers. Further three soldiers died after being admitted to hospital with injuries, raising the death toll to six soldiers. On 3 January, fresh gunshots were heard, and another security officer was killed by an IED explosion. The operation continued on 4 January, and a fifth attacker was confirmed killed. Not until a final militant was reported killed on 5 January was the anti-militant operation declared over, though further searches continued for some time Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. One of the hallmarks of Russias war on Ukraine is Russias brutal attacks on Ukraines civilian population, as well as its targeting of civilian infrastructure. This, despite the fact that attacks against civilians contravene international law and rise to the level of war crimes. On October 5, Russia conduced a missile attack on Ukraines Kharkiv region. One of the targets was the tiny town of Hroza, which was, at the time, the home to 330 people, and of no strategic value. A missile hit a cafe full of people, gathered there after a funeral. Fifty-two of the mourners were killed. As a result of Russias aggression, in just one morning, 15 percent of [Hrozas] inhabitants have been laid to rest, said Robert Wood, United States Alternate Representative to the United Nations. These were people gathered to mourn a death. I want everyone here to take a moment and let that appalling fact sink in. People gathered to grieve their loved ones must now be grieved themselves. This is one of the deadliest strikes by Russia against Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion last year. Nonetheless, in an act shocking in its brazenness, Russia, which was voted off the Human Rights Council in April 2022, for its actions in Ukraine, attempted to regain a seat on this body as one of two representatives of Eastern Europe. Russia lost that vote. Nonetheless, the depth of its cynicism is breathtaking, said Ambassador Wood. After its suspension last April, Russia could have ceased its flagrant disregard for human rights. Instead, it has doubled down. Despite its attempts to deny and shift blame, let me be clear: It is Russias own actions that make it unfit to serve on the Human Rights Council. What further evidence does the international community need? Every day, the massive death toll in Ukraine rises. Every day, new unspeakable horrors are discovered. Every day, children live through dire pain and suffering, including after being separated from their families. Every day, the humanitarian crisis grows. Every day, havoc reigns supreme as Russias missiles and drones leave wanton death and destruction in their wake, he said. The United States again calls on Russia to end its savage attacks on Ukraine and withdraw its forces from Ukraines internationally recognized territory , said Ambassador Wood. Russia alone has the power to end the war it so senselessly started. Israel-Hamas war: The Israel-Hamas war continues to wreak havoc on the lives of Israeli residents, with many forced to flee their homes and seek refuge as rocket attacks intensify. As per the latest update, more than 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the war on Hamas, the Israeli Defense Forces said, up from 900 previously reported. Over 2,800 Israelis have been injured and 2,294 Hamas targets struck, the IDF added in a post at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday, while Gaza officials have reported at least 900 people killed. Residents in Southern city of Israel, Ashkelon, are among those enduring the daily fear and uncertainty brought about by this protracted conflict. The city too has been the target of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, leading to a dire need for safe havens for its residents. Also Read: Hamas Attacks Are the Beginning of the End for Netanyahu While speaking to news agency ANI, Yaacov, an Israeli national from Ashkelon recounted his upsetting experience and state that, "We came here because a rocket fell on our building... we have no shelter, we escaped thanks to local administration and they suggested us to come here to this hotel and this is a good place. My 11-year-old son, 2-year-old daughter, my wife and I are staying here." The fear and urgency felt by Yaacov and his family mirror the widespread anxiety and turmoil that have gripped residents in the region. Another resident of the Ashkelon, Galaia also shared a similar sentiment, "My children and family are here (hotel) because rockets fell on the roof of our neighbour's house, our windowpanes were broken... for one week, we have been staying here, now we don't know if this place is safe... we want a new place... I want to tell my Prime Minister that... finish this terrorism as soon as possible." His plea reflect the frustration and longing for an end to the ongoing war. It is impossible to emphasise the emotional toll that the daily threat of rocket attacks and the anguish of seeking safety in strange places has had on families and individuals. As the conflict rages on, Israeli residents like Yaacov and Galaia continue to hope for an end to the violence and a return to normalcy. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of this enduring conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution that can bring stability and security to the region. According to the latest updates, at least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 people are wounded. On the other hand, over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in air raids after Israel launched a strong counter-offensive. The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 770 Palestinians have been killed and 4,000 wounded in Israeli air raids. Among the dead are 140 children and 120 women, a ministry spokesperson said. A day ago, in a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "though Israel did not start this war" but "will finish it". "Israel is at war. We didn't want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn't start this war, Israel will finish it," said Netanyahu in an address to the nation. Hamas, which seeks Israels destruction has said that it is defending Palestinians right to freedom and self-determination. On Tuesday, the militant group also rejected US President Joe Biden's latest condemnation of its attack on Israel, calling it a cover-up for what they view as criminal acts by Israel in Gaza and other occupied territories. The Militant group said, We, in the Hamas movement, call on the American administration to review its biased position, and to move away from the policy of double standards when it comes to the Zionist occupation, and we affirm the right of our Palestinian people to defend themselves, their land, and their Islamic and Christian sanctities ... until their legitimate aspirations ... are achieved to establish a Palestinian state with its capital (in) Jerusalem." (With inputs from ANI, Reuters) Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. While addressing the council of ministers meeting of IORA, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took a dig at China. In his speech, he warned IORAs member nations of being able to identify dangers that come in the form of hidden agendas, unviable projects and unsustainable debt." In his media briefing, S Jaishankar said that Indias idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which translates as the world is one family", can act as a binding force for the IORA members. He also highlighted how it is important for a country like India, with extensive coastline and maritime interests, to foster collaboration and dialogue in the Indian Ocean Region. However, he didnt hesitate to smartly target Beijing for its policies like debt trap and other agendas. We should be equally clear where the dangers are, be it in hidden agendas, in unviable projects or in unsustainable debt. Exchange of experiences, sharing of best practices, greater awareness and deeper collaboration are part of the solutions," said S Jaishankar. It is worth noting that the EAM didnt mention any specific country in his speech. New Delhis commitment to IORA is rooted in principles like peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity and regional collaboration. After mentioning Indias commitment for the association, he suggested IORA members to cooperate on different aspects of the maritime economy, resources, connectivity and security, he said. Many countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, etc have fallen into the debt trap created by China in the garb of massive infrastructure projects. Most of these projects were launched under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China holds the status of dialogue partner with the 23-member grouping IORA. The group promotes cooperation among Indian Ocean states. "For Member States to grow and prosper, development challenges must be continuously and effectively addressed. In particular, we should cooperate on various aspects of the maritime economy, resources, connectivity and security," the EAM said at the press conference of the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers Meeting in Sri Lanka. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians escalated with a recent deadly rocket attack that killed more than 1,500 people and left several injured. In negotiations with Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations, Hamas has pushed for Israeli concessions that could loosen the blockade on the Gaza Strip and help halt a worsening financial crisis. Here's a 10-point guide on Israel-Hamas war 1) The Israeli military on Tuesday said that it had shelled Syria after rockets hit open land in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. However, it did not accuse any group of the rocket attack as Israel had already exchanged fire previously with militant forces firing rockets from southern Lebanon into Israel. 2) After the deadly rocket attack, Israel also expanded its mobilization of military reservists to 360,000. The chief military spokesman emphasized the unprecedented nature of the current campaign against Hamas, saying all options are on the table. 3) More than 137,000 Palestinians were packed into United Nations shelters, and the World Health Organization reported that the medical supplies it had pre-positioned in seven Gaza hospitals were already used up. 4) The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It wasnt immediately clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths previously reported by Palestinian authorities, AP reported. 5) US President Joe Biden on Tuesday continued to condemn the attack by Hamas, calling it an act of pure unadulterated evil". Antony Blinken is traveling to Israel on an urgent mission to show support for Israel, the State Department said Tuesday. 6) As per the latest update, more than 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the war on Hamas, the Israeli Defense Forces said, up from 900 previously reported. Over 2,800 Israelis have been injured and 2,294 Hamas targets struck, the IDF added in a post at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday, while Gaza officials have reported at least 900 people killed. 7) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he had spoken with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone and thanked him for providing an update on the ongoing situation". People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour." 8) Israel recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas on Tuesday, the fourth day of fierce fighting that has left thousands dead on both sides since the militants launched a surprise attack. 9) PM Netanyahu has warned Israel's military campaign following Saturday's onslaught is only the start of a sustained war to destroy Hamas and "change the Middle East". 10) The US has sent an aircraft carrier and other warships to the eastern Mediterranean as part of efforts to deter an expansion of the conflict and is also providing other assistance, including sharing intelligence with Israel. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Amid the ferocious fighting between Hamas and Israel, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on 11 October said that he is heartbroken by the horrific terrorist attacks on Israel where the company has nearly 3,000 employees. The Microsoft CEO shared his deepest condolences with all those are killed and impacted by the war. Further adding, he said that company's focus remains on ensuring the safety of the employees and their families. Taking to X, Nadella wrote, Heartbroken by the horrific terrorist attacks on Israel and the escalating conflict. My deepest condolences are with all those killed and impacted. Our focus remains on ensuring the safety of our employees and their families." Israel-Hamas War LIVE Updates: In his post, Nadella also shared the message sent to their employees in Israel by Kathleen Hogan, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Condemning the hatred and brutality, Kathleen Hogan said we have been focused on the safety of our employees and their families in Israel and their overall wellbeing. Many teams across Microsoft including our Crisis Management Team have been activated and are working to assist employees. Our SLT is in direct contact with our local leaders in Israel and our employee communities, to offer support and to understand how best to help employees and their families during this unimaginable time." Also Read: What are global firms with presence in Israel doing after Hamas attack In a Microsoft blogpost, she said that the company has Jewish employees around the world who are also experiencing grief, fear and anxiety as hatred and vitriol increase. She further added saying that the company also have Palestinian employees globally who are deeply concerned for the safety of their loved ones in the region and stand against these acts of terrorism. She further wrote, We have many resources to help. Microsoft CARES provides mental and emotional wellbeing programs. In addition, we are responding quickly to support those impacted by these tragic events, assessing their needs and providing benefits such as adding virtual support groups. We will continue to listen and determine what other resources are needed." Microsoft Philanthropies has activated a giving opportunity for eligible employees who wish to support relief efforts. Additionally, Microsofts Disaster Response is connecting with local organizations to support first responders with digital technology and services and will help as they receive further requests for assistance." She added in the blogpost, Microsoft employees show great care, empathy and allyship for each other. Thank you for checking in on your colleagues, listening, and showing support. Thank you to the many employees in Israel volunteering to address urgent community needs and leveraging their AI, cybersecurity, data and research expertise to help. And thank you to local leadership in Israel for coordinating efforts with the SLT and being there for our employees." Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Israel-Hamas war: The Israel-Hamas war continues to wreak havoc on the lives of Israeli residents, with many forced to flee their homes and seek refuge as rocket attacks intensify. As per the latest update, more than 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the war on Hamas, the Israeli Defense Forces said. Over 2,800 Israelis have been injured and 2,294 Hamas targets struck, the IDF added in a post at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday, while Gaza officials have reported that at least 900 people killed. Israel-Hamas War LIVE Updates: Amidst the war, Google CEO Sundar Pichai on 11 October in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said that he is deeply saddened by the escalating conflict in the war-ridden country. The CEO also added that the company's immediate focus since Saturday has been employee's safety and also shared an update stating that all the local staff have been contacted and will keep helping them. Google has two offices in Israel one in Haifa and the other in Tel Aviv and have over 2000 employees. Also Read: US President Joe Biden pledges military support for Israel amid Hamas attack, raising questions about aid for Ukraine In his post, he wrote, Deeply saddened by the terrorist attacks in Israel this weekend and the escalating conflict underway. Google has 2 offices and over 2,000 employees in Israel. Its unimaginable what theyre experiencing. Our immediate focus since Saturday has been on employee safety. Weve now made contact with all of our local employees, and will continue supporting them. Were also working to provide reliable, accurate information to people through our products, as well as sharing the cyber activity that our experts are seeing. Well be supporting humanitarian and relief organizations on the ground. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families." Also Read: What are global firms with presence in Israel doing after Hamas attack Earlier on Saturday, Pichai had also addressed the employees via an internal email hours after the attack on Israel was launched by Hamas. In his email, as reported by 9to5 Google, Pichai had expressed concern and had said that company has started the process of contacting all employees in the country. Im sure by now youve all seen the news of the terrible attacks on civilians in Israel, and the escalated conflict now underway. Google has two offices and more than 2,000 employees in Israel, and its unimaginable what they are experiencing right now. Our priority is making sure that every Googler in the area is accounted for and safe beyond our employees based locally, we have identified more who were traveling there. GSRS is continuing safety checks as we speak locating every employee and ensuring they have the best security information we can offer from our experts. Weve spent today connecting with most of them, but it will take some time to reach everyone, Pichai wrote to employees as reported by 9to5 Google. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure this, as well as to detect and remove graphically violent, hateful or terrorist content, or coordinated disinformation campaigns," he added. As per 9to5 Google, later the company's spokesperson also issued a full statement and wrote, Following the terrible attacks in Israel, our immediate focus has been on ensuring our employees safety. Weve now made contact with all of our local employees, and well continue supporting them. Were also working to provide reliable, accurate information to people who use our products. Our systems across Google and YouTube prioritize authoritative information in moments of crisis and breaking news. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure this, as well as to detect and remove graphically violent, hateful or terrorist content, or coordinated disinformation campaigns. Our cybersecurity experts are also sharing their findings in real time with the broader security community. For example, our security unit, Mandiant, has observed fake accounts connected to Iran which are promoting anti-Israeli narratives across various services, as well as investigating reports of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks by suspected pro-Hamas and pro-Russia hacktivist groups targeting Israeli government websites. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones, and all those affected." Earlier, TCS also said that it is closely monitoring the safety of its employees in Israel amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. We are monitoring, and have been in touch with the HR (human resources) officials there. We are helping them with safety measures. There are some employees from India and their families," a TCS executive said on condition of anonymity. The executive , however, did not disclose the number of employees in Israel, including those from India. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday that the escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians highlights the failure of US policy in the Middle East, as it neglects the Palestinian needs. Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, mentioned that the Kremlin is in contact with both conflicting parties and intends to contribute to conflict resolution, although the specific approach was not detailed, Reuters reported. Peskov also cautioned that the conflict had the potential to spread to neighbouring regions. Also Read: Israel-Hamas War LIVE Updates: Palestinians struggle for safety as Israel pounds sealed-off Gaza Strip During talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Putin took the chance to link the considerable increase in violence to the United States' long-standing policy in the region. "I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East," Putin said. Putin asserted that Washington had aimed to "monopolise" the initiatives for establishing peace and criticized it for not actively pursuing viable compromises. The United States had neglected the interests of the Palestinians, including their need for an independent Palestinian state." Also Read: A brief history of Gaza's 75 years of woe There was no reference to Russia's involvement in the Middle East peace process. Russia, alongside the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union, has been a part of the Quartet" since 2002, a group of influential powers tasked with facilitating mediation efforts in the region. Putin further stressed diplomatic efforts and engagements. According to Kremlin spokesperson Peskov, Moscow participated in various diplomatic initiatives but noted that there had been limited advancement in these efforts. "But nevertheless we intend to keep making efforts and play our role in terms of providing assistance to seek ways to a settlement," he said. Amid the recent crisis, the Kremlin has aimed to maintain a balanced approach, emphasizing its relationships with both parties involved. Also Read: What is Hamas and what does it want? Moscow allegedly uses Iran-made drones in its war in Ukraine and has longstanding ties with the Palestinians, including Hamas, which sent a delegation to Moscow in March. But it also has "a lot in common" with Israel, including the fact that many Israelis are former Russian citizens, Peskov said, as reported by Reuters. In subsequent remarks that were later covered by Russian news agencies, Peskov mentioned that the turmoil was more than worrying. It has the potential to be dangerous by growing and spilling over from the current zone of the Arab-Israeli conflict." Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday also expressed alarm regarding the "dramatic rise" in the civilian casualties in both Israel and the Gaza Strip, following four days of intense conflict, AFP reported. In a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin issued a statement, highlighting their focus on the sharply worsening situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone", the Kremlin said in a statement. "Deep concern was expressed about the continuing escalation of violence and the catastrophic increase in the number of civilian casualties," it added. According to the Kremlin, Putin and Erdogan emphasized the requirement for "an immediate ceasefire" and for the resumption of the negotiation process." (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Amid the heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada over the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held a secret meeting with his Canadian Counterpart Melanie Joly in September, reported Financial Times. According to the FT report, Justin Trudeau and Joly last week said Ottawa was trying to resolve the stand-off in private. S Jaishankar was in Washington DC from September 27 to 30 after concluding a five-day trip to New York. The report of secret meeting has come at a time when Canada is yet to comply with India's communication to Ottawa to withdraw over three dozen of its 62 diplomats in the country. Till now there has been no official confirmation from both the countries about the secret meeting between their foreign ministers. Recently, India asked Canada to withdraw the diplomats amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation. THe Canadian PM alleged the involvement of Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. However, the claim has been vehemently rejected by India. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was an equivocal supporter of Khalistan. He was shot dead by two masked gunmen. He was designated as a terrorist in 2020. According to media reports, India asked Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats by October 10. 'Diplomacy is better when conversations are private' The two nations are holding talks on over India's demand on reducing the number of Canadian diplomatic staff in the country, reported PTI citing sources. In the other corner of the world, Canadian Minister Joly said diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private. She also reaffirmed her stance on India-Canada row and said that she will continue with the same approach when it comes to India. "Well, I've said it many times, and I'll continue to say it. Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private. And that's the approach I will continue to take when it comes to India," Joly said while responding to a question during a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday. Referring to the VIenna Convention, India has demanded parity in mutual diplomatic presence. It is learnt that Canada has rejected the argument. Regarding the matter, India had set a deadline of October 10 for its demand to downsize Canadian diplomatic staff, reported PTI citing reports. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. IT HAS BEEN a bumpy journey for investors in Uber, the worlds biggest ride-hailing company, since it was listed in 2019. In its first six months as a public company Ubers share price plunged by a quarter as doubts swirled over whether the perennial lossmaker would ever turn a profit. Thereafter it has seesawed, soaring amid the pandemic-era craze for tech stocks, then diving back down as rising interest rates spoiled investors appetite for businesses reliant on cheap funding. Since its nadir in July last year signs of greater financial discipline have pushed the price of Ubers shares back to where they first traded in 2019. Costs have come down; fares are up. This month the company reported an operating profit of $326m for the second quarter of the year, its first time in the black. Ubers glee was heightened on August 8th when Lyft, its domestic arch-rival, reported yet another operating loss, of $159m. Lyfts market value remains in the doldrums, down by 85% from the level at which its shares began trading publicly in 2019, six weeks before Ubers. Still, for Uber, breaking even is a low bar for success. Even adding in the latest profit, the company has clocked up $31bn of net losses since its first available results in 2014. Investors now have $21bn of invested capital tied up in the company. Annualising its most recent quarterly operating profit implies a return on that capital of roughly 5% after tax. That is less than half the companys current cost of capital, suggesting that investors money could be more fruitfully deployed elsewhere. The hope, of course, is that Ubers profits, having broken above ground, will now soar into the stratosphere. Hold your horses. In the past five years over 60% of the firms revenue growth has come from businesses other than ride-hailing. Most important has been food delivery, which surged during the pandemic. Ubers profit marginbefore interest, tax, depreciation and amortisationwhen ferrying meals is less than half that when ferrying people. Uber promises that the business will continue becoming more lucrative as it matures. Yet margins for DoorDash, which generates nearly three times Ubers food-delivery sales in America, are barely better. In freight, Ubers third line of business, the company is losing money as it fights for space in a crowded industry in the throes of a downturn. A further concern is Ubers focus on expansion beyond America, where it is now scarcely growing. Although it does not split out profits by geography, its margins are probably best in America, where it captures nearly three-quarters of sales in the ride-hailing market. Elsewhere, it faces stiff competition from local rivals: Bolt and FREENOW in Europe, Gojek and Grab in South-East Asia, and Ola in India. That will keep a tight lid on margins. Investors bet on Uber was predicated on the idea that ride-hailing is a winner-takes-all business. That justified torching billions of dollars in a race for market share, which Uber is, seeing Lyfts woes, indeed winningat least at home. Whether taking it all turns Uber into the colossal cash machine investors once hoped for is another question. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com WASHINGTONPresident Biden, whose support for Israel dates back a half-century, faces a foreign-policy conundrum following Hamass devastating attacks: how to support the United States closest ally in the Middle East without pulling the U.S. into a dangerous regional conflict. The Israeli war presents Biden with a series of thorny foreign-policy challenges as U.S. officials work to deter regional powers such as Lebanon-based Hezbollah from opening up a northern front in the war while weighing what to do about more than 100 hostages taken by the Hamas militant group. Bidens decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in 2021 and scale back U.S. presence elsewhere in the world, including the Middle East, signaled a new era in which he vowed to move on from forever wars" and place emphasis on diplomacy and competition, particularly with China, which his administration has said is the U.S.s No. 1 strategic competitor. In Ukraine, hes had to walk a fine line providing military assistance to Ukraine, without provoking a direct confrontation with Russia. Now, the question is whether he can offer staunch support for Israel, without wading into a regional war that could pit the U.S. against Iran. Biden angrily condemned the attacks in Israel as pure, unadulterated evil," and he made certain that the U.S. alliance was resolute. So in this moment, it must be crystal clear. We stand with Israel," Biden said. The emotional toll from the attacks, along with Americas longstanding relationship with Israel, portends a major U.S. role in support of Israeli military forces in the weeks ahead. The U.S. has offered planning and intelligence support from its special operations command to help Israel deal with the hostage crisis. Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, a political risk research and consulting firm, said it made sense for Biden to have a strong response given the scale and brutality of the Hamas attacks. The level of American support should be immediate, nonpolitical, at a time when everything is political in the U.S. This is a no-brainer," Bremmer said. If Americans stand for anything, we stand for this," he said. Biden, who conferred with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday in their third call since Saturdays onslaught, moved more U.S. military assets into the region, announcing Tuesday the deployment of a second aircraft carrier and its flotilla of supporting ships would head to the region as part of an escalation of the U.S. military effort to keep Hezbollah from joining the warand Iran from escalating and exploiting it. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its accompanying ships were scheduled months ago to sail this week near the Middle East. They are expected to reach the Mediterranean Sea in roughly two weeks, defense officials said, potentially putting two aircraft carrier strike groups, or about a dozen warships, near Israel for a potential response to the crisis inside Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying ships, some of which have nuclear capabilities, arrived near Israel Tuesday, the Pentagon announced. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday there were no current plans to send U.S. ground troops into Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier this week offered Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant planning and intelligence support by special operations commandos to help Israel deal with a deepening hostage crisis. On Tuesday, Austin said he spoke with Gallant again to discuss details of that support, but Austin didnt elaborate. A U.S. military official clarified that there are no plans for the U.S. to send special operations forces into Gaza to rescue any hostages, but that the support Austin offered to Gallant would include other kinds of assistance to Israeli forces, who are in the lead. Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, said he expected Biden would avoid sending in American troops to the region, though he did not rule out naval or air support if Hezbollah gets involved in the conflict. Thats a major turning point," Sachs said. That would completely change the tenor of the war. It would also complicate things for Biden." As vice president, Biden was a key part of Washingtons reluctant decision to conduct airstrikes in Syria and Iraq and provide support to Iraqi forces decimated by Islamic States 2014 blitzkrieg. The Obama administration had, until then, significantly scaled back U.S. presence in Iraq and emphasized its interest in an Asia-pivot." The attacks in Israel have injected another foreign-policy hurdle for Biden as he faces a difficult re-election at a time of isolationism within the country. Those challenges have emerged as he seeks to secure billions in more aid to help Ukraine in its war to expel Russia forces from its territory but faces reluctance among some congressional Republicans, who need to elect a House speaker before any aid package can proceed. Israel, meanwhile, has increasingly served as a dividing line among members of Bidens party, with fewer of his fellow Democrats sharing his pro-Israel views. A Gallup poll released in March found that 49% of Democrats said their sympathies lay more with Palestinians in the conflict, while 38% said their sympathies lay more with Israelis, a reversal from previous Gallup surveys. The poll showed Israel had the sympathy of 78% of Republicans and 49% of independents. But as Biden has often maintained, all foreign policy is personal. In Tuesdays White House address, the president noted that he met with then-Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1973 as a young U.S. senator and she told him about the secret weapon" of Israel: We have no place else to go." Bidens relationship with Netanyahu, meanwhile, dates back to the 1980s when the future prime minister was serving at the Israeli embassy in Washington. While they have often been at odds, that familiarity has helped stabilize U.S.-Israeli relations. Biden noted in 2014 that he inscribed a photograph for Netanyahu with this message: Bibi, I dont agree with a damn thing you say, but I love you." Those bonds will be tested in the weeks and months ahead. Catherine Lucey, Vivian Salama and Nancy A. Youssef contributed to this article. Write to Ken Thomas at ken.thomas@wsj.com and Gordon Lubold at gordon.lubold@wsj.com It wasnt long ago that President Biden was dismissing the massive surge of unlawful border crossings as a seasonal phenomenon, and New York Mayor Eric Adams was grinning ear-to-ear for the television cameras while welcoming migrants in person as they arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. But that was then. Last week Mr. Adams scurried down to Latin America to dissuade potential migrants from heading north, while Mr. Biden announced plans to erect 20 miles of new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. This is tacit acknowledgment from Democrats that were dealing mainly with economic migrants in search of a better life and not refugees fleeing persecution back home, which is how liberals and the media have been framing the crisis. Mr. Biden has spent much of his presidency contrasting himself with his immediate predecessor, especially when it comes to immigration policy. How it must have pained him to go back on his pledge in 2020 that there will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration." Understandably, the president is less concerned about eating crow and more concerned that chaos on the border has become a political liability. Last month the veteran political strategist Rick Swartz sent a memo to fellow immigration activists with some pointed questions: Is it humanitarian to tell migrants they have a right to claim asylum when on the merits, perhaps 80%+ will be denied even if they have a lawyer?" Is there a duty to make every effort to educate migrants on the harsh realities they face, legally and humanly, before they embark for the US border?" Will the border and immigration be a major cause if Biden/Dems lose in 2024?" The Department of Homeland Security reports that some two million people entered the U.S. illegally in fiscal 2023, which ended Sept. 30. Thats slightly lower than the 2.2 million who came in fiscal 2022. Mr. Adams is one of several big-city mayorsBrandon Johnson of Chicago is also planning a trip to the borderwho have been riding the White House about the extraordinary costs of housing and feeding hundreds of thousands of destitute new arrivals. Leaders of sanctuary cities and states all over the country have spent years suggesting that only bigots care about illegal immigration. Now they are begging the federal government to do its job. Mr. Biden is fully aware that building another 20 miles of border wall will do practically nothing to address the problem, just as Mr. Adams knows that his message to Latin Americans will be ignored. Immigrants dont respond to suggestions as well as they respond to incentives. Wall or no wall, so long as the administration allows people to enter the U.S. illegally and stay, we can expect them to keep coming illegally. The president may not care about border integrity, but he does care about being re-elected. That means he must at least make a show of doing something about a problem that has worsened demonstrably on his watch and could jeopardize his shot at a second term. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday, the economy remains the top concern of voters, with 19% citing it as the No. 1 problem in the country. But immigration wasnt far behind at 14%, and that was up from 8% a month ago. A Marquette Law School poll in September showed Donald Trump with a 24-point advantage over Mr. Biden52% to 28%on handling immigration and border security. Even in reliably blue states, the issue is hurting the president. According to a Siena College survey released in August, only 46% of voters in New York had a favorable view of Mr. Biden, while 50% had an unfavorable view. Moreover, the pollsters found that New Yorkersincluding huge majorities of Democrats, Republicans, independents, upstaters and downstatersoverwhelmingly say that the recent influx of migrants to New York is a serious problem for the state." Sadly, Mr. Bidens inability to say no to his partys left wing and give the border the attention it deserves has allowed an avoidable humanitarian crisis to not only continue but fester. Its also allowed Mr. Trump to pound away with credibility on his signature issue. Youd think the last thing Joe Biden and the political left want is for the 2024 election to be about illegal immigration, yet here we are. Mr. Trumps rhetoric, however noxious, proved to be an effective vote-getter once already. How foolish of Democrats to play to his strength. CEO Christian Rynning-Tnnesen has informed the Board of Directors (BoD) of Statkraft AS that he wishes to step down after almost 14 years of leading the company. The BoD will now initiate a process to find a new CEO. Mr. Rynning-Tnnesen will remain President and CEO until further notice. "I would like to thank Christian for his leadership and contributions to Statkraft. Statkraft has become Europe's largest producer of renewable energy and a leading player in the global energy markets. Statkraft has a robust platform for continued growth, both operationally and financially," says Chair of the Board of Statkraft AS, Mrs. Thorhild Widvey. Rynning-Tnnesen assumed the role as President and CEO of Statkraft in 2010. The company has over the last five years delivered an average annual return after tax of 26 percent, including dividend to owner. Statkraft is today one of Norway's largest companies with an enterprise value of more than MNOK 300. Statkraft today operates in 21 countries, with focus on Norway and Europe, as well as activity in Brazil, Chile, Peru, India and the US. The company develops and produces renewable hydro-, wind-, and solar power, and is an important partner to Norwegian and international industry. Statkraft has a leading international analysis and markets department and develops new renewable technologies, such as hydrogen and biofuel. Statkraft has an ambitious growth strategy with the aim to increase its capacity for renewable energy production by 2,500 - 3,000 MW annually from 2025. Statkraft also has the ambition to develop offshore wind in Ireland and Norway as well as in selected markets. "After almost 14 years as President and CEO, and after careful considerations, I have concluded and informed the Board that it is time to step down. It is a privilege to lead a company that contributes to the green shift through large scale renewable energy development and production. I am proud of what all the employees have achieved and confident that I leave Statkraft fit to deliver on our ambitious growth strategy," says President and CEO of Statkraft, Christian Rynning-Tnnesen. For additional information, please contact: Claus Sonberg, SVP Corporate Communication and marketing in Statkraft Tel.: +47 92 46 23 93 E-mail: claus.sonberg@statkraft.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Too long have I lived among men who hate peace," says Psalm 120, recited by Jews around the world for safety in Israel. I am for peace; but whenever I speak of it, they are for war." Israelis know the feeling. They awoke Saturday to a jihadist invasion that may shatter as many illusions as it has lives. How can it be, Israelis have begun to ask, that they allowed a genocidal terrorist group to reign for so long in Gaza, the fiefdom next door? There was no mystery about Hamass intentions. It seeks to kill Israels Jews any way it can. Crazy as it now seems, Israelis learned to live with that. They took a series of defensive measures: a blockade to keep weapons out, a missile-defense system to shoot down cheap rockets, and, when those rockets got out of hand, brief campaigns of targeted strikes to quiet Hamas down. But Hamas never had to worry about Israel sweeping it from power. To force out Hamas, Israel might have had to govern Gaza itself, and the usual suspects in the safe Western democraciesdiplomats, reporters, human-rights groups and prize-seeking politicianswould have screamed bloody murder. Our cautious eminences would have deemed it bad for peace." But as the Jewish tradition teaches, whoever is kind to the cruel will end up being cruel to the kind. A perverse alternative reality was constructed in which every Israeli response to the threat from Hamas was illegal, immoral and disproportionate, a war crime if not sadistic outright. Gaza, which Israel gave up in 2005, is still called Israeli-occupied" by the U.N., a claim Western media parroted. Never mind the territorys dictatorial rulers sworn to Israels violent destruction. The terrorists themselvesthe ones live-streaming their slaughter and mutilation of defenseless Jewish civilians to shouts of Allahu akbar"were politely termed militants," their savagery usually excused as a Newtonian reaction to Israeli security measures. Israel was even condemned for using force to stop Hamass previous attempts to rush the border. Gullible Western media described those would-be infiltrators as protesters." Did Israel really need to shoot? On Sunday, after a meeting with the Turkish foreign minister, Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted, I encouraged Turkiyes advocacy for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas immediately." He deleted the tweet as criticism mounted, but we should recognize it as his departments first instinct. Its Office for Palestinian Affairs (in another deleted tweet) had already urged all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks." This is like calling for a cease-fire the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Its just another word for surrender. Peace isnt the answer when the enemy will come back to kill you the next day. But what could be more ingrained and respectable than the push to impose such a peace on Israel? Enlightened opinion in the West is firm that Israel needs to end the occupation" in the West Bank, establishing a Palestinian state a stones throw from Israels capital, or a binational state in which Israels Jews are subject to an Arab majority. Not doing so, Israelis are told, is unsustainable and against international law. Its even apartheid." In other words, by law Israel must offer up its major population centers for the kind of slaughter we have witnessed in its south, doubtless provoking an even larger war. We call this the peace process." The Second Intifada (2000-05) disabused many Israelis of that idea. Maybe this, a whole intifada packed into a single weekend, will help Western liberals catch up. The two-state solution, rejected by the Palestinians every time it has been offered, is dead. Palestinian terrorism has killed it. Israelis instead have put their faith in deterrence. Hezbollah, the story used to go, had been deterred by the pummeling it received in the 2006 Lebanon war. Iran, beset by the sabotage, bombings and assassinations that a former Mossad director called divine intervention," knew that it could push Israel only so far. Hamas, too, it was thought, had been deterred by its previous bouts with Israel. That Hamas had stayed out of recent exchanges between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad was taken as confirmation of the thesis. Until Saturday, the threat from Gaza was supposed to be manageable. Israel even allowed Qatar to transfer monthly cash infusions to Hamas to grease the peace. The Jerusalem Posts Yonah Jeremy Bob, an expert on Israeli intelligence, writes that every official who briefed the Jerusalem Post made it clear that Hamas was broadly deterred from a big conflict with Israel." They were dead wrong, and Israel will never be the same because of it. One wonders if evidence will emerge that this conceptual error concerning deterrence, in a replay of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, led Israeli intelligence to discount indications of aggression. More important for the future, has Israel made a similar mistake with Hezbollahsitting on its northern border with more than 100,000 rockets? We may find out in the coming days. How about with Iran? Like the Psalmist, the Biden administration is all for peace. Its plan is to pay as much as it takes for Iran to stand on the nuclear threshold without tipping over. But Iran is for war. It doesnt stop pursuing nuclear weapons, and it sustains 19 terrorist proxies, including Hamas, on Israels borders. For 20 years, Israel has sought to buy time and establish deterrence by striking Iran in the shadows. Once considered aggressive, this policy, too, may come to be seen as remarkably dangerousbecause it is so restrained. Mr. Kaufman is the Journals letters editor. Hamas upended the stability of the entire Middle East when its fighters surged into Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7. Israelis across the political spectrum were shocked by the scale of the assault and the extent of the violence. Some called it Israels 9/11 for how some of the worlds best trained and equipped security forces were caught unprepared and powerless to ward off the incursions. At least 900 people were killed and dozens of others taken hostage. Israeli forces are now pounding Gaza, killing more than 780, in what many anticipate to be a prelude to a full ground invasion of the tiny enclave. But what exactly is Hamas, and what are its objectives? What is Hamas? Hamas, an Arab acronym for Islamic Resistance Movement, was founded in 1987 after an eruption of protests and riots over Israels military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Founder Sheik Ahmed Yassins initial aim was to create an Islamic state on the land now comprising Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, a goal later reaffirmed in the Hamas Charter a year later. It subsequently signaled it is willing to accept a two-state solution based on Israels borders as they were before 1967. The group continues to reject Israels right to exist and the Oslo Accords negotiated by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1990s, however, and maintains a powerful military wing in addition to its political and social welfare arms. The U.S., European Union and Israel deem it to be a terrorist organization. After winning legislative elections in Gaza in 2006, the following year Hamas forcibly removed officials from the more moderate Fatah group in a week of fighting. More than 100 people were killed in the conflict, which separated the Palestinian territories into Hamas-controlled Gaza and the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Why did Hamas attack Israel now? The Oct. 7 assault saw Hamas fighters entering Israel by land, sea and in some cases by motorized paragliders. It happened the day after the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Yom Kippur War, when the armies of Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack overwhelming the Israeli defenses in the Sinai Peninsula and on the Golan Heights before Israel could strike back, subsequently settling areas of the West Bank. Hamas said the specific trigger for the assault was an unspecified desecration at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third-holiest site in Islam. The timing, however, may have been dictated by Iran. The Wall Street Journal has reported how Tehran sent top military and diplomatic officials to meet with the leadership of both Hamas and Hezbollah, which operates in southern Lebanon, in the weeks and months before Oct. 7, hoping to direct its allies in a coordinated attack on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was facing increasing opposition over his plans to limit the power of the countrys judges, leaving Israel badly divided. More important, perhaps, the attack was aimed at disrupting U.S.-brokered talks to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel that Iran and the Palestinians saw as a threat, senior Hamas and Hezbollah members said. Who is the leader of Hamas? Hamas is largely concentrated in Gaza City but also has operations in the West Bank and has an overseas presence among the Palestinian diaspora. Israel has long accused the group of operating in civilian areas to discourage attacks. Where is Hamass headquarters? Hamas is largely concentrated in Gaza City but also has operations in the West Bank and an overseas presence among the Palestinian diaspora. Israel has long accused the group of operating in civilian areas to discourage attacks. What is the history behind the Israel-Gaza conflict? The enmity between Israel and the Palestinians ultimately can be traced back to the territorial conflicts surrounding the creation of the Israeli state in 1948. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes to seek refuge in areas including the West Bank and Gaza, a coastal strip of land between Israel and Egypt around twice the size of Washington, D.C. Egypt subsequently occupied the area until the Six Day War in 1967 when Israeli forces took control. Israel agreed to give Palestinians partial autonomy in part of the territory after the signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords. It withdrew its remaining settlers and soldiers from the strip in 2005, instead adopting a policy that effectively sealed off Gaza from much of the rest of the world. Egypt also moved to pen in many of Gazas two million people. When Hamas secured control of Gaza in 2007, tensions with Israel steadily escalated, with Israeli forces launching military operations in the enclave in the winter of 2008-09 and again in 2011. Then, in 2014, Hamas-affiliated militants kidnapped and killed three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank. The incident led to Israeli raids in the territory and some 350 arrests. Hamas responded by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel from Gaza, sparking a seven-week-long conflict in the territory and the deaths of more than 2,000 Palestinians. In addition, 67 Israeli soldiers, five Israeli civilians and a Thai citizen were killed. The conflict was notable for the way Hamas demonstrated a greater capability to fire deep into Israel, with rockets now reaching Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Since then, Israel largely tried to follow a policy of containing Hamas, though violence was ever-present in the background. In 2021, after weeks of confrontation in Jerusalem between Israelis and Palestinians over access to some of the citys religious sites, Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets into Israel, killing 14 civilians and one soldier. Israeli counterstrikes killed more than 250 in Gaza before Egypt helped broker a cease-fire. With Israeli forces now massing on the border with Gaza and Netanyahu vowing retribution, the containment policy could be at an end. Who funds Hamas? U.S. officials have said Iran has provided significant financial and weapons support for Hamas. In 2019, for example, the U.S. Treasury said the militants military wing, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades, had received more than $200 million from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the previous four years. Israeli defense officials said Iran has also helped provide technical expertise for Hamas to develop its own rockets and missiles and evade Israeli blockades. Some are now capable of reaching Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Hamas also is increasingly using cheap drones to hit Israeli targets. But Tehran isnt alone in providing funds for Hamas. The Al-Qassam Brigades have meanwhile benefited from a wave of cryptocurrency donations, particularly after the 2021 conflict. Other countries have provided relief aid and other funding for civilian purposes. Qatar has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to fund reconstruction and government expenses after Israeli bombardments. The White House, meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions from Republican opponents that Iran is now able to provide more support to Hamas after the U.S. unfroze a $6 billion tranche in Iranian funds as part of a prisoner swap agreement. U.S. officials say the money can only be used for specific humanitarian purposes. Nikki Haley, among others, has said it still frees up money elsewhere in the Iranian budget that could be directed to Hamas. Whats the difference between Hamas and Hezbollah? Hamas is a Sunni group, a branch of Islam followed by the majority of the Muslim world. Hezbollah, like Iran, is a Shia group and as a consequence has longer-running ties to the Islamic Republic. It was formed in the aftermath of the 1982 Lebanon war as an umbrella group for disparate Shia groups in the country and was trained in part by forces from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp. In the 1990s, Hezbollah took on a more formal political role in Lebanon and is today a prominent faction in the ruling alliance. Hezbollah and Hamas have a shared antipathy toward Israel and aim to eradicate the Israeli state. Hezbollah leaders said they stood in solidarity with Hamas leaders after the Oct. 7 attacks and there has been sporadic fighting with Israeli troops along the Israel-Lebanon border since the Hamas assault. But Hezbollah, which, like Hamas, is designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. and other countries, also serves Irans broader objectives in the Middle East by opposing any Western or Israeli presence. A U.S. aircraft carrier strike force is due to arrive in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday, a deployment a defense official described as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and any other proxy across the region" who were weighing joining the conflict. This article may be periodically updated. Write to James Hookway at James.Hookway@wsj.com Its an incendiary mix of politics, religion and economics. Modern Palestine was populated with Jews from the global diasporaa British imperial drivein 1948. Around 750,000 Palestinians were expelled as Jews captured 78% of the land. The remainder were settled in Gaza and the West Bank. In 1967, Israel annexed the remaining Palestinian land from Jordan, Egypt, and Syria, expelling more Palestinians. In time, Israel became the protector of western interests in an oil-rich region. As to religion, the holy city of Jerusalem lies in Israel. Both sides claim the Temple Mount, venerated by Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Who are the players in this war? There are two main players. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now in his sixth term, has been PM for more years than any other Israeli. But the right-wing politician has faced mass protests, including by military reservists, over plans to curb the judiciarys powers. Hamas, an Islamic group which governs Gaza, is opposed to the very existence of Israel. Its political wing is headed by Ismail Haniyeh and the armed wing by Mohammed Deif. Sidelined by the Hamas attack is the moderate president of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas. Globally, he remains the face of Palestine. What happened to the two-state solution? The closest we came to it was the US-brokered Sep 1995 Oslo pacts between the head of the secular Palestine Liberation Organization, Yasser Arafat, and Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin. It ended when Rabin was shot by a Jewish extremist two months later. Now US President Joe Biden looks too preoccupied with domestic challenges and Ukraine to make a move on West Asia. What are the global implications? It may get Biden to finally consider brokering a peace in West Asia. The likely short-term fallout is worrying though: shooting oil prices, global recession, mounting resentment in the Islamic world and galvanized militant groups, led by the Lebanon-based Hezbollah. The role of Iran, which backs both Shia Hezbollah and Sunni Hamas, will be key. Netanyahu may solidify his position; equally he could be blamed for the military failure and ousted. There have been some calls already for a government of national unity. What does the attack spell for India? India has to be watchful about Pakistan and its deep state drawing opportunistic inspiration. A messy country will often seize upon such chances. The economic challenges are stiff: selling pressure on Monday drove the volatility index to its biggest rise in 10 months. With soaring crude prices, Indias dependence on cheap Russian oil will increase. Plans to build an India-Middle East-Europe corridor have come under a cloud. Civilians must be repatriated from Israel. And trade with Israel, at $12 bn, is likely to be seriously impacted. Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Japanese streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and Bandais classic Tamagotchi brand are partnering for a fashion drop and co-branded virtual pets. The collaboration will feature a collection of BAPE apparel and accessories with Tamagotchi imagery, as well as a limited-edition Tamagotchi device in BAPEs signature camouflage pattern. The collection is scheduled to drop on October 14 at BAPE stores and online, and will be available at Bandai Premium starting October 15. The collaboration leverages nostalgia for Tamagotchi, which was a global sensation in the late 1990s. Tamagotchi has since seen a resurgence in popularity, with Bandai releasing new versions of the device in recent years. For BAPE, the collaboration also reaches a new audience. The brand is known for its high-end streetwear, but the Tamagotchi collaboration could appeal to a wider range of consumers, including those interested in nostalgia and pop culture. The collaboration also signals BAPEs interest in emerging technologies. The brand has its own metaverse play called the Bapetaverse, and is also working on a collaboration with the Bored Ape Yacht Club. The BAPE and Tamagotchi collaboration is a strategic move for both brands. It is also a sign of the growing popularity of nostalgia and pop culture, as well as the increasing intersection of fashion and technology. Analysis The BAPE and Tamagotchi collaboration is a unique and exciting partnership. It is likely to be successful, as both brands are popular with a wide range of consumers. The well-designed collection includes the Tamagotchi device with the BAPE camouflage pattern, adding a touch of luxury. The collaboration is also a sign of the growing popularity of nostalgia and pop culture. Many people who grew up with Tamagotchi are now adults with disposable income, and they are eager to relive their childhood memories. The collaboration also attracts a younger generation of consumers interested in vintage and retro fashion. The collaboration is also a sign of the increasing intersection of fashion and technology. BAPE is one of the first streetwear brands to embrace emerging technologies such as the metaverse and Web3. The collaboration is a way for BAPE to continue to innovate and reach new audiences. Overall, the BAPE and Tamagotchi collaboration is a smart move for both brands. It is a unique and exciting partnership that is likely to be successful with a wide range of consumers. Implications for the Global Economy China has saved billions of dollars this year by importing record amounts of oil from countries under Western sanctions, such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. This has been a boon for the Chinese economy, which has been struggling to grow in recent months. Chinas Increased Imports of Sanctioned Oil According to Reuters calculations, China has saved nearly $10 billion on oil imports from these countries in 2023 so far. This is due to the fact that Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are all selling their oil at a discount to the global market price. Chinas increased imports of sanctioned oil have come at a time when the West has been trying to pressure these countries to change their behavior. The United States and its allies have imposed a number of sanctions on Russia, Iran, and Venezuela in an attempt to isolate them from the global economy. However, China has been able to continue importing oil from these countries without facing any significant consequences. This is because China is a major economic power, and the West is reluctant to impose sanctions on China that could damage the global economy. Impact on the Global Oil Market Chinas increased imports of sanctioned oil have raised concerns among some experts, who argue that it is helping to prop up these regimes and allowing them to continue their harmful activities. However, China has defended its decision to continue importing oil from these countries, arguing that it is doing so in order to protect its own economic interests. Chinas increased imports of sanctioned oil have also had a significant impact on the global oil market. If Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are able to sell their oil to China at a discount, it will put pressure on other oil producers to lower their prices. This could lead to a decline in global oil prices, which would benefit consumers but hurt oil producers. Implications for the Global Economy The implications of Chinas increased imports of sanctioned oil are far-reaching. First, it could lead to a weakening of the Western sanctions regime. If China is able to continue importing oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela without facing any significant consequences, it will send a message to other countries that they can ignore Western sanctions with impunity. Second, Chinas increased imports of sanctioned oil could lead to a decline in global oil prices. If Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are able to sell their oil to China at a discount, it will put pressure on other oil producers to lower their prices. This could lead to a decline in global oil prices, which would benefit consumers but hurt oil producers. Third, Chinas increased imports of sanctioned oil could lead to increased geopolitical tensions. If China is seen as being too supportive of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, it could damage its relationships with the West. This could lead to increased geopolitical tensions, which could have a negative impact on the global economy. Conclusion Chinas increased imports of sanctioned oil is a significant development with far-reaching implications. It is important to monitor this situation closely to see how it evolves and what impact it has on the global economy. Potential Impact on the Stock Market The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas has raised concerns about its potential impact on the stock market. Historical data shows that geopolitical events can have a short-term negative impact on stock prices, as investors tend to flock to safe-haven assets such as gold and bonds. However, the long-term impact of geopolitical events on the stock market is typically less significant. This is because investors tend to focus on the underlying fundamentals of the economy and corporate earnings, which are not typically affected by geopolitical events in the long run. In the case of the Israel-Hamas war, the impact on the stock market is likely to be limited. The Israeli economy is relatively small, and it is not a major trading partner of most countries. Additionally, the war is unlikely to have a significant impact on global oil supplies, as Israel and the Palestinian territories are not major oil producers. However, there are a few potential ways that the Israel-Hamas war could impact the stock market: Rise in oil prices: The war could lead to a rise in oil prices, which could hurt corporate profits and consumer spending. The war could lead to a rise in oil prices, which could hurt corporate profits and consumer spending. Increased geopolitical tensions: The war could lead to increased geopolitical tensions, which could dampen investor sentiment. The war could lead to increased geopolitical tensions, which could dampen investor sentiment. Decline in tourism: The war could lead to a decline in tourism to Israel and the Palestinian territories, which could hurt the economies of those regions. How to Mitigate the Risk Investors can mitigate the risk of the Israel-Hamas war impacting their portfolios by following these tips: Diversify your portfolio: By investing in a variety of asset classes and sectors, investors can reduce their overall risk. By investing in a variety of asset classes and sectors, investors can reduce their overall risk. Invest in long-term trends: Investors should focus on investing in companies and sectors that are well-positioned to benefit from long-term trends, such as technological innovation and population growth. Investors should focus on investing in companies and sectors that are well-positioned to benefit from long-term trends, such as technological innovation and population growth. Invest in quality companies: Investors should focus on investing in companies with strong fundamentals, such as healthy balance sheets and consistent earnings growth. Investors should focus on investing in companies with strong fundamentals, such as healthy balance sheets and consistent earnings growth. Dont panic sell: Investors should avoid panic selling their stocks if there is a short-term decline in the market. Instead, they should focus on staying calm and sticking to their long-term investment plan. Conclusion The Israel-Hamas war is likely to have a limited impact on the stock market. However, investors should closely monitor the situation, as any further escalation of violence could lead to a more significant impact on the market. By following the tips above, investors can reduce their risk and protect their portfolios. Additional Considerations In addition to the potential impacts and mitigation strategies discussed above, there are a few other things that investors should keep in mind: The war is still in its early stages, and it is difficult to predict how long it will last or how it will evolve. This uncertainty could lead to increased volatility in the stock market. This uncertainty could lead to increased volatility in the stock market. The war could have a disproportionate impact on certain sectors of the stock market, such as energy, tourism, and defense. Investors who are overweight in these sectors may want to consider reducing their exposure. Investors who are overweight in these sectors may want to consider reducing their exposure. The war could also have a negative impact on the global economy. If the war leads to a prolonged period of instability in the Middle East, it could hurt economic growth and corporate profits. Investors should carefully consider all of these factors when making investment decisions. This grant will help public institutions reduce greenhouse gas pollution, improve indoor air quality, and save taxpayer dollars spent on energy costs The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) launched its innovative Public Building Electrification Grant (PBEG) program Tuesday. This program is one of the first statewide grant programs in the nation to provide funding to public institutions for building electrification projects, such as replacing gas furnaces with high-efficiency electric heat pumps. A total of $10 million is available for this program through June 2026 as a result of the "Building Greenhouse Gas Emissions" bill (HB22- 1362). "Public buildings tend to be older with inefficient energy systems and high energy costs," said CEO Building Efficiency and Electrification Lead Brittney VanCuran. "Limited or restrictive budgets often make energy upgrades in public buildings cost- prohibitive. Enabling public institutions to install new, highly-efficient electric technologies in their buildings will reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions; make our schools, libraries, and other public buildings safer; and save taxpayers money on energy costs." Fossil fuel use in buildings is among the top-five leading sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in Colorado, making building electrification a top priority to meet the state's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The State has implemented several policies to reduce emissions from this sector, including the recently adopted Building Performance Standards (BPS) and Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready building energy code. The BPS rules require large buildings to lower their energy usage or GHG emissions a specified amount over time in order to achieve the state's statutory goal to reduce emissions from this sector 7% by 2026 and 20% by 2030 from 2021 levels. PBEG funding will help public institutions that own a public building covered by the BPS rules pay for the energy improvements needed to comply with the rules. Additionally, the State's Energy Code Board adopted a model electric-ready and solar- ready building energy code in June 2023. Local governments that update any other building code are required to adopt this model code, as well as the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. The PBEG is available for electrification projects in new construction, enabling new public buildings to comply with and exceed local building energy code requirements. Higher education institutions, municipalities, counties, public school districts, state agencies, and special districts are eligible to apply for funding from the PBEG program. Awardees may use PBEG funding to identify and plan electrification projects; install high-efficiency electric equipment for heating/cooling, water heating, and cooking; make electrical upgrades to support electrification; and implement other innovative building heating technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CEO will cover 50% of the cost of an energy audit (up to $8,000) to plan electrification projects and 75% of total project costs (up to $500,000) to implement energy upgrades. Enhanced incentives are available for projects in disproportionately impacted (DI), low- income (LI), and just transition (JT) communities, with 75% cost coverage (up to $12,000) for an energy audit, and coverage of an extra 40 hours of administrative time during implementation. In addition to these enhanced incentives, at least 30% of the $10 million allocated for this program is reserved for projects in DI, LI, and JT communities. In early 2024, CEO will host an electrification technology information session. Applicants who attend will be allowed a $5,000 reduction in their cost match requirement. CEO will accept applications for the PBEG program on a rolling basis until funding runs out or until June 30, 2026. To learn more about the program, including applicant and project eligibility, program guidelines, and how to apply, please visit the Colorado Energy Office's Public Building Electrification Grant Program webpage. Public institutions applying for the PBEG program are also eligible for the State's Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) financing program. The EPC program offers cost neutral financing to public institutions to fund energy upgrades. We recommend applicants explore EPC to help identify electrification equipment opportunities, fulfill PBEG application criteria, and provide cash match dollars to meet the grant's financial requirements. Authorities say Nashville police fatally shot a man accused of holding a housemate hostage at knifepoint after the suspect allegedly came toward came toward officers with the weapon The Tennessee Aquarium celebrates pollinator week with a movie featuring the journey of the Monarch butterfly. It's only playing for a while, so see it while you can. The south Longford village of Abbeyshrule swept all before it as the idyllic tourism hotspot was once again crowned Longfords tidiest town at the competitions national awards ceremony in Dublin last week. It was a success that emulated that of 12 months earlier with the village racking up 373 points to claim the top spot and a gold medal. The second highest points tally went to Newtowncashel who secured 361 points and the county bronze medal, while the third highest was Longford town who had 357 points, earning them the silver medal. This is our 14th gold, said Philip Butler of Abbeyshrule Tidy Towns. We were glad we didn't stay on 13. The second highest points tally went to Newtowncashel who secured 361 points and the county bronze medal, while the third highest was Longford town who had 357 points, earning them the silver medal. The medal awards are weighted by population. This year, 887 towns were competing for the prestigious awards demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition which has been running since 1958. Abbeyleix, Laois was named as Irelands Tidiest Town as well as Irelands Tidiest Small Town. Longford had 15 of the 25 assessed towns achieve over 300 points, an impressive feat. Barry, a first time entrant into the competition, netted 233 points in their first outing, and also received an Endeavour Award. Philip Butler of Abbeyshrule Tidy Towns said the achievement had a special significance for those who are superstitious: This is our 14th gold. We were glad we didn't stay on 13, he laughed. A particularly wet summer had an impact on some of the plans the Abbeyshrule volunteers had in place: Because of the nature of the year our efforts were not as good as we would have liked. We did get a very good critical report from the judge which has given us a lot to work on, Philip said. Those 'areas to work on' range in difficulty: Mostly they are small general items. They said the old furniture factory is our biggest challenge. We will have to work with the council towards resolving that. Developments at The Yard Remote Working Hub, the Abbey and Whitworth Aqueduct have all helped improve Abbeyshrule's already impressive standing: The greenway has added immensely to it. If you look at all the presentations one feature that is common to all is having water and we have the river and the canal. Philip commended all who put in the effort to improve the village's standing: You can work your tail off all year, but if you haven't got it right when the judges come then that is another thing. There are other facets of Tidy Towns that many people don't see. The work Niamh Dowler does on our application means a lot. The Abbeyshrule Tidy Towns spokesperson said the assistance of the local authority was another component of the group's success: The council gave us outstanding help, we got tremendous cooperation from the area engineers. I also have to hand it to our local councillor Michael Cahill for all he does on our behalf. It is up to us to build those relationships. A lot of what we work on now came from advice we got from Donal Mac An Bheatha. Longford Tidy Towns volunteers were also celebrating their success in the 2023 competition. The county town received the silver medal award for their efforts which saw them increase their overall score from 347 to 357. Chairperson of Longford Tidy Towns, Michael Keenan, was pleased with the progress: We are delighted with it. We got bronze for seven years in a row and now we have finally got our silver. That means we are close to those at the top level of the competition, which has always been our ambition. To use a GAA analogy, Longford is a First Division town. It has been for years, but here is the recognition. We saw the marks go up by 10 points. It's difficult to get that sort of an increase the further up you go. Longford Town's increase last year was 12 points, so in the space of two years we have gone up by 22 points. You don't get those points for nothing, Michael said. Michael has very real ambitions for the voluntary organisation: We want to reach the gold standard. We want to be one of the towns that is for an overall win in the next number of years. A 22-year-old Irish-Israeli citizen has been confirmed dead after the Hamas attacks in Israel. Kim Damti had been attending a music festival near the Gaza border on Saturday when the surprise attack by the Hamas militant group was carried out. Irish President Michael D Higgins said he heard the news of Ms Damtis death with the greatest sadness. The circumstances in which her life was taken, having travelled as she did to attend a music festival, are truly appalling, he said. It is not only those of us who are parents, but all of those who feel that young people should be free to attend events with their peers in conditions of safety, who will find such circumstances where a young life is taken so appalling. Kims death once again reminds us what an outrageous breach of fundamental international law in conditions of conflict it is to target civilians in this way. May I send my deepest condolences to Kims family, friends and all those with whom she shared her life. Irish Premier Leo Varadkar said the death of Ms Damti was senseless and barbaric. As a nation we are united in mourning for Kim Damti, he said. This vibrant young Irish-Israeli woman was struck down in her prime, with her adult life ahead of her. Her death, and the deaths of more than a thousand other citizens of Israel and from around the world, was senseless and barbaric. Kim gave happiness and joy to her family and those around her. As we learn of her death, we pause to think of her, her family in Israel and Ireland and of all those now grieving in countless other nations. Hamas militants stormed through a border fence on Saturday and killed hundreds of Israelis. In response, Israeli bombardment demolished neighbourhoods in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. The war has already claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides. Irish deputy-premier Micheal Martin confirmed Ms Damtis death in a statement on Wednesday evening, and said she was a young woman full of promise. It is with immense sadness that I learnt this evening that Kim Damtis death has been confirmed, he said. When news reached us over the weekend that an Irish citizen was one of the many hundreds missing after the repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, we hoped against hope that she would be found safely. The news that this hope has now been extinguished is devastating. Anyone looking at the photo of Kim in the media over the last few days will have been struck by the radiance and energy in her expression; a young 22-year-old woman with a whole life ahead of her, full of promise. The Tanaiste said he had spoken with Ms Damtis family, and extended condolences to her family in Ireland and in Israel. For anyone to lose a child is devastating. To lose a child in such circumstances is indescribable, he said. On my behalf and on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, I convey our heartfelt condolences to Kims family in Ireland and in Israel. We are with them in their grief. I spoke with Kims family earlier this evening and expressed this to them. Our thoughts remain with all the families of those who have died, who are injured or who are missing in the wake of these terrible events. May her memory be a blessing. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu created a wartime Cabinet with political opponent Benny Gantz as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project Mitigation and Enhancement Fund - often called simply the Clackamas Habitat Fund or Clackamas Mitigation Fund - recently selected five projects to receive a total of more than $2 million. Chosen for their promising benefits for native fish populations in the Clackamas River Basin, where PGE operates the Westside Hydropower Project, the proposed projects will create shadier streams, reduce the presence of invasive species and enhance the quality of habitat within the river and its tributaries. "All of the organizations selected for funding in 2023 have proven track records of successful project implementation," said Briana Weatherly, PGE's hydropower license manager at Westside Hydro. "It is exciting to see the continued commitment and widespread community support for aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement in the basin." The North Fork Reservoir Habitat Project was completed in the midst of a pandemic, just weeks before the Riverside Fire swept through the Clackamas River Basin. This project was successful thanks to close collaboration with the Oregon Wildlife Foundation and Bureau of Land Management, with funding from the 2019 cycle of the Clackamas Habitat Fund. These structures provide shade and improve streamflow, and are already being used by spawning fish. In Central Oregon, alongside the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Pelton Round Butte Fund contributed about $370,000 to the Deschutes Land Trust, a nonprofit partner dedicated to land conservation, for the second phase of their Ochoco Preserve restoration project. This multiyear effort, previously awarded by the Pelton Fund in 2021, aims to restore a 185-acre area critical for juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead. Funds will be used to restore historic floodplains, create side channels where juvenile fish can rest on their journey to the ocean, and build an acclimation pond - an area where juvenile fish are held instream prior to release to adjust to the river's conditions and imprint on the water's scent. This process helps fish navigate their way back home as adults. Restoration efforts at the Ochoco Preserve have increased the sinuosity - or natural curviness - of the stream and added large woody structures that make attractive habitat for migrating fish. (Below) After restoring the stream's shape, native plants were installed. "This project is upstream of the Pelton Round Butte Project and supports our long-term fish reintroduction program by helping to achieve a self-sustaining Chinook salmon population and a sustainable salmon harvest," said Nancy Doran, PGE licensing specialist at Pelton Round Butte. Both the Clackamas Habitat Fund and Pelton Fund help PGE offset some of the environmental impacts of generating power on Oregon's river systems, and are included in each hydropower project's operating license. Another habitat grant program, funded by customers, works a little differently. The Habitat Support Fund is enabled by PGE Green Future customers who opt to pay an additional monthly fee of $2.50. These contributions are dedicated to the restoration of local fish habitat, with preference given to projects in the Willamette, Sandy and Deschutes River basins. The Nature Conservancy, which administers these grants, selected six projects this year to receive a total of more than $163,000, with a combined impact on approximately 189 miles of river. "We're grateful for the PGE Green Future customers who support these habitat restoration projects," said Kelsey West, PGE grants manager. "Their monthly contributions to the Habitat Support Fund will have a lasting impact on fish, their habitats and the broader ecosystem." Together, these contributions will support ongoing environmental partnerships and create healthy habitats for species relying on the river systems where PGE generates power. One of the projects funded by the PGE Habitat Support Fund helps organizations collect water quality data in the Crooked River Basin - an agricultural area upstream of the Pelton Round Butte Project with a large impact on overall water conditions. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: October 11 2023 Voting is power. It is the responsibility of citizens to be informed about the issues, said Leon P. Hart, a civic-minded Long Islander who started the blog "Civics in Seconds." We each have the ability to spark change. One way to do this is by voting. Voting is power. It is the responsibility of citizens to be informed about the issues, said Leon P. Hart, a civic-minded Long Islander who started the blog " Civics in Seconds " to discuss basic civics. "The purpose of the blog is to help people become more engaged with the issues to make more informed choices in the voting booth. The term "civics" refers to the rights and duties of citizenship. Civics in Seconds discusses contemporary topics ranging from politics to social issues to history and more, all of which revolve around the basic concept of civics. Articles include Civics and NATO, "Civics and Woke in America, Civics and Memorial Day, and much more. The blog is comprised of short, easily digestible articles to give readers a distinct and comprehensive overview while maintaining an unbiased and fact-based viewpoint; its just enough information to whet the readers appetite and encourage more thought about the issues. Armed with information, Hart believes that people will be able to make better informed decisions when voting. Hart has been a practicing attorney for more than 30 years working in various positions. He has been aprosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorneys Office and works currently for the City of Yonkers. Until recently, Hart taught at Queensborough Community College, where his classes ranged from government to criminal justice. He also runs a private practice, and at one point launched an unsuccessful, yet spirited, bid for the N.Y.S. Assembly as his first and only time running for elective office...though perhaps not his last. Hart also has a long history of volunteering time for political issues. He believes in maintaining community ties and participating in activities that make good citizens of us all. Therefore, when his teaching duties were greatly diminished during the COVID-19 pandemic - and considering the vast political discord overtaking our nation - Hart was inspired to start a discussion on basic and pressing civics issues. And in October of 2020, Civics in Seconds was born. I try to give a background on the issue, and then ask the reader: Why do you need to know this? Why is this important? And that's where I give my opinion, Hart said on the blogs format. I try to challenge people and get them to think. I present both sides without being dismissive. I try not to alienate anyone. My approach is unbiased, just laying out the facts as I believe they are. I recognize that opinions differ. Hart notes that he deeply researches the topics he writes about to get the facts straight before presenting them to the reader. The most time-consuming part of this is to make sure that I get things right. The last thing I want is for someone to check my article and find out I was wrong, or that I presented unsupported information, he said. I am married to that way of doing things. If something is not my idea, I strive to give the proper credit and attributions. While writing on different topics of national interest, Hart began to see a need to also incorporate a more regional focus for his articles, especially as it relates to more local matters. The driving force behind "Civics in Seconds," as well as his overall engagement with his local community, is his sense of wanting to be a good and active citizen. He sees the blog is another way to get involved. I love being out there in the community, which is why I ran for office," he said. "I always said to my students, it is your responsibility to be informed citizens and by all means, vote. If you want to see change, get involved. Try to make a difference, Hart added. Dont let life pass you by. That's why I created 'Civics in Seconds'...to help people to become informed voters so they can turn around and make informed decisions. Don't be afraid to step up. Every vote matters. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: October 11 2023 20th Annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month Emphasizes Keys for Staying Safe Online. Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation designating October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event as part of an effort to engage and educate the public about cybersecurity and provide tools and other resources to help all New Yorkers operate safely online. This proclamation follows Governor Hochuls announcement of the first-ever comprehensive statewide cybersecurity strategy, which outlines an approach to protect digital assets through engaging public and private stakeholders and upholding the privacy and safety of our residents. For twenty years, New York States proclamation of Cybersecurity Awareness Month has helped raise awareness of digital security and educate New Yorkers about the steps they need to take to protect themselves online, Governor Hochul said. Through this designation, we are shining a bright light on the need for our citizens and businesses to be vigilant in the face of cyber threats that have become more numerous and more sophisticated. By establishing our states first-ever, comprehensive statewide cybersecurity strategy, my administration remains committed to creating a formidable statewide defense against cyber threats and protecting the critical services that our residents, businesses and local governments rely on every day. Cybersecurity Awareness Month this year will focus on four key behaviors: Enabling multi-factor authentication; Using strong passphrases; Updating software; and, Recognizing and reporting phishing. New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern said, Marking the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, New York State is more committed than ever to safeguarding our digital landscape. The Governor's nation-leading cybersecurity strategy highlights how in our interconnected world everyone plays a critical role in defending against cyber threats. Together we'll continue building a resilient digital New York for generations to come." New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, In the modern world, its critical we remain vigilant against cyber criminals who threaten our personal information and safety. This Cyber Security Awareness Month, New Yorkers should take time to safeguard themselves against cyber-attacks. Take simple steps to keep yourself and your information safe. Remember -- think before you click, use strong passphrases, keep your antivirus software current, and enable multi-factor authentication. Cybersecurity is essential for all organizations, but it can be challenging for smaller businesses that may not have dedicated staff or resources. In partnership with the non-profit Global Cyber Alliance (GCA), the State Department of Financial Services provides a free cybersecurity toolkit to small businesses so they can protect themselves and their customers from growing cyber threats. The cybersecurity toolkit includes information on identifying hardware and software, updating defenses against cyber threats, strengthening passphrases, enabling multi-factor authentication, backing up and recovering data and protecting email systems. The free cybersecurity toolkit for small businesses and the DFS-developed sample cybersecurity policies can be found on the DFS website. New York State Superintendent of Financial Services Adrienne A. Harris said, Cybersecurity is vital to protect our nations most critical infrastructure. The Department of Financial Services sets and maintains the national benchmark of cybersecurity standards and safeguards in financial services to protect businesses and consumers from increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals. New York State Office of Information Technology Services Chief Information Officer Dru Rai said, The employees of the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) work every day to protect New York States digital infrastructure, secure our data and educate New Yorkers about the dangers that lurk in email inboxes and malicious websites. As we recognize Cybersecurity Month once again in New York State, we encourage all New Yorkers to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their families and their personal assets. I commend Governor Hochul for highlighting this important initiative and for making cybersecurity a priority. New York State Chief Information Security Officer Chris DeSain said, When it comes to protecting yourself or those around you from cyber attacks, we know that information is power. Thats why it is critical to raise awareness not only of the seriousness of the threat, but also the simple steps that anyone can take to make their digital space more secure. Whether you are a state employee, operate a business or are one of millions of hardworking New Yorkers across our state, we need you to be a cyber warrior and join us in this fight. The New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) is also coordinating a statewide cybersecurity poster contest for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, a timely opportunity for teachers to focus on keeping children safe online in a fun and informative way. Submissions are due Dec. 15, 2023. New York State winners will be featured on the ITS website and entered into the national contest sponsored by the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). Additionally, the agency provides free resources to the public, including the Cybersecurity Awareness Toolkit, which includes cybersecurity-themed posters, calendars, brochures and other content that can be downloaded and shared to help promote and reinforce cyber safety themes in practical, informative, and entertaining ways. For more information, visit Governor Hochul's website on enhancing cybersecurity across New York State, the ITS Chief Information Security Office website, and follow the agency on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (#NYSCyber). Crime By Chris Boyle Published: October 11 2023 The Female Defendant Allegedly Trafficked the 14-Year-Old Daughter of Her Domestic Partner and Forced the Minor to Engage in Sexual Acts with the Male Defendant in Exchange for Cash. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of a 41-year-old woman and 52-year-old man[1], both of Huntington Station, for crimes associated with the sex trafficking of a 14-year-old child. This child victim was allegedly sold for sex by a parental figure. No child should ever be subjected to the horrors of sex trafficking, let alone for the financial gain of an adult that they look to for security and love, said District Attorney Tierney. Holding sex buyers and human traffickers accountable for creating the demand that fuels the exploitation of children is important, in order to eradicate this scourge from our community. According to the investigation, the female defendant began dating the victims mother in 2019 and began to regularly stay at her apartment where she lived with three children, including the 14-year-old victim. The female defendant regularly watched the victim and siblings while their mother was at work. During these times, the male defendant, who was friends with the female co-defendant began stopping by the apartment. Both defendants allegedly engaged in grooming behaviors such as talking to the victim about engaging in sex with the male defendant. In November 2019, while the victims mother was at work, the then 49-year-old male defendant allegedly picked up the victim, then 14 years old, from the apartment and brought the victim to a motel in Huntington, where he allegedly raped the victim. Afterwards, he allegedly gave the victim cash, and directed the victim to give the money to the female defendant. The female defendant allegedly sold the victim to the male defendant for sex at least three more times over the course of the next year when the victim was between 14 and 15 years old. In each of these instances, the female defendant allegedly arranged for the male defendant to take the victim to the same motel where he would allegedly subject the victim to sexual acts and then pay the female defendant. All the incidents occurred while the female defendant was allegedly caring for the victim and her sibling while their mother was at work. The victim disclosed the alleged sexual abuse to a counselor in August 2022, after one of the victims younger siblings told the victim that they were also approached by the female defendant to engage in similar sexual activity with the male defendant. When the victim learned that the sibling was in danger, the victim disclosed the alleged sexual abuse in order to protect the sibling. Both defendants were arrested on September 13, 2023. The female defendant was indicted for the following charges: Four counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child, Class B violent felonies; Two counts of Promoting Prostitution in the First Degree, Class B felonies; and Two counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, Class C felonies. The male defendant was indicted for the following charges: Two counts of Rape in the Second, Class D violent felonies; Six counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies; Two counts of Aggravated Patronizing a Minor for Prostitution in the Second Degree, Class D felonies; Three counts of Rape in the Third Degree, Class E felonies; Five counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, Class E felonies; Three counts of Aggravated Patronizing a Minor for Prostitution in the Third Degree, Class E felonies; and Six counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, Class B misdemeanors. On October 6, 2023, at the female defendants arraignment on the indictment, Acting Supreme Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis ordered her held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. The female defendant is due back in court on November 21, 2023, and she is being represented by Scott Zerner, Esq. On September 14, 2023, at the male defendants arraignment on the felony complaint, the District Attorneys Office requested that the defendant be held on $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. However, District Court Judge Bernard C. Cheng ordered the defendant released and placed him on supervised release with the probation department over the District Attorneys objection. The male defendant is due back in court to be arraigned on the indictment on October 17, 2023, and he is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Anne E. Oh of the H.E.A.T. Unit (Hate Crimes, Elder Abuse, Anti-Bias/Immigrant Affairs, Human Trafficking), with investigative assistance from Detective John Paul OConnor of the Suffolk County Police Departments Human Trafficking Investigations Unit. SCPD On Lookout for Two Women Who Made Off with Pricey Pink Purse from Southampton Store Crime By Chris Boyle Published: October 11 2023 Two women stole a $1,350 Gucci purse from The Perfect Purse, located at 27 Hampton Road, on June 27 at 2:20 p.m. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Southampton Village Police Department are seeking the publics help to identify and locate the women who stole a purse from Southampton in June. Two women stole a pink Gucci purse from The Perfect Purse, located at 27 Hampton Road, on June 27 at 2:20 p.m. The purse was valued at approximately $1,350. The green flag of the Badr militia can be seen flying on the Abrams tank in the background. The Badr Organization, an Iranian-backed Shiite militia, has released new photographs showing it to be in possession of at least one US M1 Abrams tank. In both photos, the Badr flag can be seen flying on top of the tank. The photos, which were shared with The Long War Journal by Twitter user @Green_Lemonnn, show at least one Abrams tank being touted reportedly in the Saqlawiyah area of Iraqs Anbar province. Six Badr fighters and commanders posed with the tank in one photo. One fighter can be seen holding a US-supplied AT4 anti-tank rocket. The US began sending the rockets to Iraq in previous months to help the Iraqi military defeat armored Islamic State suicide assaults. Badr is not the first Shiite militia to publicize its use of the M1 Abrams. The Hezbollah Brigades, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization, showed an Abrams, flying the Hezbollah Brigades flag, being transported by the group earlier this year. Additionally, the group has also recently published two videos from Anbar in which several US-made vehicles are seen being used by its forces. [See LWJ report, Video shows Hezbollah Brigades convoy transporting American M1 tank, and Threat Matrix report, Hezbollah Brigades flaunts US equipment in Anbar operation.] The Badr Organization, formerly known as the Badr Brigade and Badr Corps, is led by Hadi al Ameri, Iraqs Minister of Transportation. Ameri is closely tied to Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and to Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani. During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, Badr fought on the side of the Iranians. Ameri is routinely photographed with Soleimani, and has been quoted as saying, I love Qassem Suleimani! He is my dearest friend. The Badr Organization is part of the Popular Mobilization Committee, which is directed by Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, a US-listed Specially Designated Global Terrorist who is an adviser to Soleimani. Badr is one of several militias engaged in the fighting against the Islamic State. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of The Long War Journal. Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Hezbollah Brigades, an Iranian proxy that operates primarily in Iraq but also in Syria, has joined the chorus of so-called Islamic Resistance groups in issuing threats against the United States as it supports Israel against the Hamas-led assault against it. In a short statement released on its website, the Hezbollah Brigades first congratulates the Palestinian people for their great victories despite the criminality from the Zionist entity. The Iranian-backed militia goes on to say that they [the Palestinians] have broken the power of the criminal Zionists, and increased the conflict to a level that terrified the entity [Israel]. According to the militia, this brave group [referring to Palestinian militants] has proven the superiority of the will of the mujahideen over the enemys technology. After heavily praising the continued Hamas-led fighting against the Jewish state, it turned its attention to the United States. Our missiles, drones, and special forces stand ready to direct qualitative strikes against the Americans in their bases and against their interests if it intervenes in this battle. The Hezbollah Brigades also seemingly directly threatens Israel itself by saying that known positions of the Zionist entity and its allies will also be hit by our missiles, if necessary. At the end of its statement, it also calls on its supporters to help raise and donate funds to send to the so-called Islamic Resistance in Gaza. The Islamic Resistance is a euphemism used by Iranian-backed groups to refer to each other. Hezbollah Brigades is now the second Iranian-backed Shia militia in Iraq to directly threaten the United States over involvement against the Hamas-led militant offensive. Another Iranian-backed militia, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, has also issued a similar warning. Elsewhere, an Iranian-backed militia has threatened violence in Bahrain, while Yemens Houthis movement has also implied its willingness to support Hamas and its allies in Gaza against Israel. The Hezbollah Brigades is one of Irans predominant proxies inside both Iraq and Syria and a U.S. designated terrorist organization. It has attacked, or attempted to attack, U.S. personnel in both Iraq and Syria in the past. The group was also responsible for many U.S. deaths during the Iraq War. As such, threats issued by the Iranian proxy must not be entirely dismissed by U.S. officials. Its former leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was a longtime Iraqi operative for Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and was killed alongside the IRGCs Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani in Jan. 2020. Its current leader, Ahmed al-Hamidawi, is also a U.S. designated terrorist. In addition to strong ties to the IRGC, the Hezbollah Brigades is also closely linked to other groups in the so-called Islamic Resistance, particularly Lebanese Hezbollah. Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The chorus continues to grow of various Iranian-backed groups and individuals entering the fray to openly threaten the United States over its support for Israels counter-attack against Palestinian militants. Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of Iraqs Badr Organization, a key Iranian proxy, and Ashab al-Kahf (or People of the Cave), have also expressed the same sentiments. In a short speech yesterday, Hadi al-Amiri praised the Hamas-led invasion of Israel and stated that the current victories achieved in Palestine have been unable to be achieved by all the Arab armies. He goes on to say that all the Arab leaders abandoned the Palestinian cause, and only the Islamic Revolution [referring to Iran] and the resistance factions remain with it. Today, the will of the Palestinian people is thus victorious. The terrorist leader stated that if America intervenes in Palestine, we will be forced to intervene and will not hesitate to target [US personnel]. Al-Amiris threat against the United States is less descriptive than threats issued by other groups and individuals. Hadi al-Amiri is the longtime commander of Iraqs Badr Organization, which was previously known as the Badr Brigades. It is one of the oldest proxies of Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and fought alongside Iran during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. During the U.S.-led war in Iraq, it successfully infiltrated Iraqs Interior Ministry through its parent organization, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, where it maintains significant influence. Today it also forms a core nucleus of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs). Newer so-called resistance group also issues threat One of Irans newer proxies in Iraq, Ashab al-Kahf (People of the Cave), has also issued a warning to the United States. The direct warning came after the group heaped praise onto the Hamas-led invasion of Israel. In a short message released on its Telegram channel, the shadowy Iraqi group ended its message by stating that we do not forget to remind America that its bases and forces are well within range of our missiles and drones. It continues that and we are only waiting for the leaderships order to level them to the ground. The leadership referred to by the group is a not-so-subtle reference to the IRGC, to which Ashab al-Kahf has previously expressed its loyalty. People of the Cave is a newer Iraqi militant group that first popped up on the radar in 2020 when it began claiming attacks some dubious on American forces and contractors inside Iraq. It has not been secretive about its loyalty to Iran, while its logo remains a carbon copy of the IRGCs, and the Iranian-led Islamic Resistance around the greater Middle East. However, it is still known if People of the Cave represents a newer, organic militant group, or a front group for more established networks. Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Joining other al-Qaeda branches around the world, Shabaab, al-Qaedas branch for East Africa, expressed jubilation for the Hamas-led invasion of Israel in a new statement. Shabaab thus joins al-Qaedas men in Yemen, the Indian Subcontinent, and Syria in congratulating the Palestinian militants. Shabaab now joins al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, and Hurras al-Din in Syria as al-Qaeda branches commenting on the Hamas-led invasion. And though not an official al-Qaeda branch, the key al-Qaeda ally of the Pakistani Taliban has also expressed support for the Hamas-led invasion. Prior to its official statement, it was releasing several updates a day on the conflict through its local radio stations in Somalia. Signed by the groups general command, Shabaab begins its communique by stating the epic Al-Aqsa Flood [name used by the Palestinian militants to refer to their invasion of Israel] has reached us, which is filled with takbeers, congratulations, and blessings. Shabaab then apologizes to the Palestinian people for not releasing a timely message on the matter. The Somali group then continues to say that we salute all the brave heroes, the brave commandos, and all those stationed in the Holy Land, and we say to all of them: May God reward you with good on behalf of the Islamic Ummah [worldwide Islamic community], and may God reward you for your jihad and your noble deeds. According to Shabaab, the Palestinian assault is a victory against all so-called Crusaders. As the group notes as we watch the global responses to the Al-Aqsa Flood attacks, we see how the Crusaders came together in America and Europe, and in every land where the cross is raised and idols are worshiped, to support the Jewish aggressors, criminalize heroism, and brand it as terrorism and extremism. The Palestinians have thus demonstrated the weakness and fragility of Israel, which Shabaab refers to as a bastard entity. However, Shabaab, like other al-Qaeda branches, puts the current fighting in Israel and Palestine in the context of global jihad. For instance, Shabaab also states that this battle with the criminal Jews is not just the battle of the Islamic factions in the land of Palestine in particular, but rather the battle of the entire Muslim Ummah. As such, according to the Somali group, Muslims must gather and offer everything they can to support the mujahideen against the Jews and their hypocritical infidel allies. The strength of this nation lies in the strength of its jihadist fronts. Offering condolences for not doing much else to support the Palestinian militants, Shabaab notes that if we had found a way to you, we would not have delayed you, but you are struggling in the land of Palestine and we are fighting in the land of East Africa. However, according to Shabaabs leadership, our enemy and your enemy are one. They have gathered against the nation of Islam and joined forces to commit sin and aggression against the Muslim peoples, east, west, south and north. And as Shabaab assures the Palestinians, our eyes are on Jerusalem. Shabaab then asks God to accept all Palestinian martyrs and provide them with an army from Heaven and Earth. Before ending its statement, Shabaab calls on Muslims around the world to enlist in jihad. We remind Muslims that the path to their glory and elevation in this world and on this land is only through jihad for the sake of God. Shabaabs prior self-involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict This is not the first time that Shabaab has inserted itself into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For instance, during al-Qaedas Jerusalem Will Never Be Judaized campaign, announced in 2019 after then President Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, Shabaab conducted a series of high-profile raids in this name. The January 2019 attack on the Dusit D2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, the Sept. 2019 assault on a US airfield in Baledogle, Somalia, and the January 2020 attack on a US base in Manda Bay, Kenya, were all claimed as part of this campaign. Speaking after the Dusit D2 raid, Shabaab wrote that Trumps decision was an attempt to confer legitimacy upon the illegitimate Zionist regime. And that Trump and his cohorts granted the Zionist Jews the approval to desecrate the sanctity of one of Islams holiest sites with their filth and vile policies of ethnic cleansing. Following the Manda Bay raid, Shabaabs official spokesman, Ali Mohamud Rage, stated that the US has recognized the annexation of the Golan Heights by the Zionists, supported the illegal Jewish settlements in occupied Palestine, and remains committed to providing over $3 billion dollars in military assistance annually to the Zionist invaders so as to maintain the relentless oppression and bombardment of Muslims in Palestine. Rage also added that the issue of Palestine is not merely an Arab or Palestinian issue but rather one that concerns every Muslim and is directly related to the faith of every believer. To note, al-Qaeda has little to do with hostilities inside Israel or Palestine (despite nominal affiliations with small Gaza-based units such as Jaysh al-Ummah). However, the group and its various branches and allies around the world, often seek to capitalize on the collective anger among the wider Muslim world over the conflict for its own benefit. Al-Qaeda has also targeted Israeli and Jewish targets globally in the past, including in East Africa, wherein it targeted Israeli commercial aircraft and a hotel in Mambasa, Kenya, in 2002. Those involved in those attacks would also go on to help found Shabaab. The various statements from al-Qaeda global branches show that while al-Qaeda has taken a hardline approach against the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Hamas is the Palestinian representative, it nevertheless celebrates Hamas recent mass killings of Jews. And though al-Qaeda is supportive of the current hostilities, this likely only extends to the fighting of Israel itself, and thus not an implicit doctrinal approval of any of the factions involved in the ongoing war. Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Voltalia (Euronext Paris, ISIN code: FR0011995588), an international player in renewable energies, announces that it has sold a 420-megawatt solar plant developed by Voltalia to Newave Energia, a partnership between Gerdau and Newave FIP. Newave Energia will also rely on Voltalia for the construction and maintenance of electrical infrastructure. Newave Energia has acquired ready-to-build solar projects in the Arinos cluster, located in the state of Minas Gerais, in the south-east region of Brazil. Voltalia will also provide construction and maintenance services for the electrical infrastructure. Newave Energia's future photovoltaic power plants will produce the equivalent of the consumption of 1.3 million of the country's inhabitants and avoid the emission of approximately 350 kt of CO2 per year. The project that was sold is a part of the larger Arinos cluster. The cluster has a total potential capacity of over 1.8 gigawatts, and Voltalia is responsible for developing the entire cluster, including this sold project. The whole site will enjoy cost savings due to its size, and Newave Energia's project plays a significant role in this. This partnership with Newave Energia is a further demonstration of the appetite for projects developed by Voltalia. By the end of the year, in Brazil and other countries, more than 100 additional megawatts should be sold by Voltalia, along with construction and maintenance services. "Our success with the Arinos cluster demonstrates our skill in developing high-quality energy projects. It not only adds to our future project pipeline of sites to be built but also lets our partners contribute to renewable energy growth. We're delighted to be joining forces with Newave Energia", said Sebastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia. Next on the agenda: Q3 2023 turnover, on October 25, 2023 (after market close) About Voltalia (www.voltalia.com) Voltalia is an international player in the renewable energy sector. The Group produces and sells electricity generated from wind, solar, hydraulic, biomass and storage facilities that it owns and operates. Voltalia has generating capacity in operation and under construction of more than 2.7 GW and a portfolio of projects under development representing total capacity of 16.1 GW. Voltalia is also a service provider and supports its investor clients in renewable energy projects during all phases, from design to operation and maintenance. As a pioneer in the corporate market, Voltalia provides a global offer to private companies, ranging from the supply of green electricity and energy efficiency services to the local production of their own electricity. The Group has more than 1,700 employees and is present in 20 countries on 3 continents and is able to act worldwide on behalf of its clients. Voltalia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris, compartment B (FR0011995588 - VLTSA) and is part of the SBF 120, Enternext Tech 40 and CAC Mid & Small indices. The Group is also included in the Gaia-Index, an index for socially responsible midcaps. Contact Loan Duong, Head of Communications & Investor relations Email: invest@voltalia.com T. +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00Seitsei Actifin Press Contact: Jennifer Jullia jjullia@actifin.fr . T. +33 (0)1 56 88 11 19 Around 250 people in Luxembourg commemorated the victims of terror in Israel at a solidarity rally in the capital On Tuesday evening, about 250 people commemorated the victims of the Hamas terror attacks in Israel at a solidarity rally in the capital as Luxembourg resists calls to cut off aid to Palestine. Numerous people gathered - draped in Israeli flags or carrying placards, many of which showed photos of the victims of the Hamas attacks. She was shocked by the events, Luxembourg's mayor Lydie Polfer said on the sidelines of the event. "My thoughts are with the victims of these terrible massacres." The Israeli ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, said, "It warms my heart to see so many people here today." She drew parallels between the attacks, whose death toll is still rising and already stands at more than 900, to the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September 2001: "This is the Israeli 9/11. There is nothing to compare it to." Ambassador Idit Rosenzweig-Abu expressed her gratitude for the solidarity with Israel. Photo credit: Chris Karaba Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel had expressed his solidarity with Israel and condemned the act of terror. "But that is not enough," the ambassador said. Luxembourg must help to put pressure on the terror organisation, she said. "Hamas must understand that the presence of the hostages in Gaza is a burden, not an advantage. We need Luxembourg to make that very clear." In addition, she is calling for aid money to Palestinians to be frozen, as that is the only "effective leverage for [against the] Palestinian people." 1 / 6 Photo credit: Chris Karaba 2 / 6 Photo credit: Chris Karaba 3 / 6 Photo credit: Chris Karaba 4 / 6 Photo credit: Chris Karaba 5 / 6 Photo credit: Chris Karaba 6 / 6 Photo credit: Chris Karaba Luxembourg has rejected this, however. "We must continue to ensure that no EU funding reaches Hamas. At the same time, we must maintain our vital humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population," Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said at an extraordinary meeting of EU ministers on Tuesday, according to a press release. "Luxembourg stresses the absolute necessity of de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities. The civilian population of Gaza cannot be held collectively responsible and subjected to collective punishment for the horrific acts committed by Hamas," the release added, whilst also condemning the attack on civilians and demanding the immediate release of the hostages. EU foreign ministers on Tuesday decided to maintain humanitarian aid to Palestine. This comes after the Hungarian Commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, unexpectedly declared that the 27-nation bloc was immediately suspending all payments to the Palestinians on Monday. He has been a long-time critic of EU aid to Palestine, but it appears he acted without any legal authority or sufficient political support to make that decision, the Guardian reported. Showing solidarity The attacks on Saturday triggered a wave of pro-Israel and pro-Palestine rallies across the world. Among the participants in the rally in Luxembourg City was Nitzan Livneh, daughter of a Luxembourger and an Israeli. "It is important for me to show that all over the world people are there for Israel and think of the victims," she said. Livneh's sister lives in Tel Aviv and is doing well under the circumstances. Her mother is also currently visiting there. She is experiencing the chaos and fear of the people, she said. "Today they have already run into an air-raid shelter three times," Livneh said. She stresses that it must still be possible for Jews, Christians and Arabs to live together: "Despite everything, I hope that there will be peace in the Middle East." The Consistoire Israelite du Luxembourg, the body representing the Jewish community in the country, called for the solidarity rally. "This 7 October 2023 is a black day for Israelis and for all humanity," the call for participation said. The Grand Rabbi of the Israeli Community of Luxembourg, Alain Nacache, invited people to pray at the synagogue on Sunday at 7pm. "I believe that in the face of the shock we are experiencing today, this is a moment of silence, reflection and unity," Nacache stressed. Luxembourg infections diseases physician Gerard Schockmel came to prominence during the Covid pandemic and now wants to head the health ministry Luxembourg infections diseases physician Gerard Schockmel came to prominence during the Covid pandemic and now wants to head the health ministry Photo credit: Gerry Huberty Luxembourg infections diseases physician Gerard Schockmel came to prominence during the Covid pandemic and now wants to head the health ministry Photo credit: Gerry Huberty Ahead of the first formal coalition talks between the CSV and DP on Wednesday, the infectious disease consultant at the Robert Schuman Hospital, Gerard Schockmel, said he has the knowledge and experience to take on the health ministry portfolio. In what is an unprecedented move for a candidate who has been elected to parliament for the first time, the DP's Schockmel on Wednesday morning told 100,7 radio that he wants to be Luxembourg's next health minister. Schockmel, who came to prominence during the covid pandemic, was elected to parliament in Sunday's election as the fifth best placed candidate on the DP list in the centre constituency. But with top placed Xavier Bettel and second placed Yuriko Backes both shoo-ins to be in the next cabinet if, as expected, the DP comes to a coalition agreement with the CSV Schockmel could be in line for a ministerial role. Also read: Luxembourg may pressure unwilling with jab mandate The other two candidates who placed better than him are Luxembourg City mayor Lydie Polfer, who was foreign minister in the last CSV-DP coalition from 1999 to 2004, and former family minister Corinne Cahen, who sits on the capital's town council since the June local elections. Both have said they want to stay committed to local politics. One needs a great knowledge of medicine and of health systems. And at the same time, one also needs managerial qualities. Gerard Schockmel DP Schockmel's ambition rests on a few other factors. Firstly, whether the DP is assigned the health portfolio when the coalition talks are concluded. And secondly, whether the party decides to select three of its cabinet ministers from the centre constituency. In addition to Bettel and Backes, ministers from the last government who were elected on Sunday include Lex Delles in the east and Max Hahn and Claude Meisch in the south. In the north, the former speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Fernand Etgen, topped the list and could also be expected to be offered a cabinet post. "You need a great knowledge of medicine and of health systems," Schockmel told 100,7 journalist Maurice Molitor. "And at the same time, you also need managerial qualities." Also read: Luxembourg doctors overprescribe CT, MRI scans, audit says In the 100,7 interview, Schockmel pointed to what could be considered a more liberal approach to Luxembourg's health system if he were in charge. For instance, he praised the initiative of a medical diagnostics centre in Potaschbierg that purchased its own MRI scanner but faced delays in obtaining a licence to operate the machine. "They purchased it with their own funds, at their own risk, which I find is something that should be honoured." He also thinks that being a doctor should continue to be a liberal profession, working in independent practices, even though the president of the Luxembourg Medical Students Association, Anne Eyschen, recently stated that many of her members are happier working under a regime that provides them with fixed hours and a fixed income. Even if he does not get the health ministry position, Schockmel said he would fulfil his commitment to serve as a backbencher for the DP and rejected the notion that he would not be happy in the Chamber of Deputies. "No risk, no fun," he told Molitor. (Corrects spelling of shoo-ins in fourth paragraph.) Based in Wiltz, Circuit Foil established presence in Luxembourg in 1960. It says it has suffered substantial financial losses since 2022. Based in Wiltz, Circuit Foil established presence in Luxembourg in 1960. It says it has suffered substantial financial losses since 2022. Photo credit: Circuit Foil Based in Wiltz, Circuit Foil established presence in Luxembourg in 1960. It says it has suffered substantial financial losses since 2022. Photo credit: Circuit Foil The announcement by Circuit Foil Luxembourg on Tuesday that it has started consultation with the companys staff delegation to set up a social plan affecting around 30 staff has sparked a strong response from the countrys two main trade unions, the OGBL and the LCGB. The copper foil manufacturer based in Wiltz has blamed a macroeconomic deterioration of the market for the decision. Demand for 5G has stagnated for the company which employed 360 at the start of this year, according to an annual report by national statistics agency State. Increased competition from Asia hurt international sales, which fell by 20% in 2022 and by another 10% so far in 2023, Circuit Foil Luxembourg said. Also read: Luxair cargo handlers press for job guarantees Indeed, at a meeting in July, management had informed staff and union representatives that it would not be renewing fixed-term employment contracts. But it is precisely the fact that management were aware of the situation before the summer holidays that has angered the unions. The OGBL says that in July it had proposed setting up a job maintenance plan. A proposal unfortunately rejected out of hand by management, the union said in a statement Tuesday. On Wednesday the LCGB also issued a statement, saying the social plan approach was totally unacceptable and disrespectful of the social dialogue practised in the company. The redundancy plan would cut nearly 10% of the workforce at the Wiltz site, most of whom would be administrative and technical staff. According to the company, the move is necessary to safeguard the overall competitiveness of the Luxembourg CFL business in an increasingly challenging international environment. Also read: Union threatens strike at Coca Cola Luxembourg Both unions are urging management to abandon the redundancy plans and begin negotiations for a job maintenance plan. It has to be said that some employers still do not want to understand, or worse, ignore and flout social dialogue in Luxembourg, the LCGB said. Meanwhile, the OGBL and the staff delegation say they are prepared to use all the means at their disposal to safeguard jobs at Circuit Foil Luxembourg. The companies products are is used in bank-card chips and smartphones and its South Korean owners in 2018 announced plans for a 7.5 million investment in Luxembourg to move into the electric car battery market. Its CEO of six years, Fabienne Bozet, left at the start of this year. She was replaced by Sang Beom Kim. There has been a lot of talk of late about Apples default search engine, which is Google (and for a time, Bing would power Siri/Spotlight search requests). Recent court documents have shown just how much Google pays Apple to be the default search engine across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Microsoft reportedly pitched selling Bing to Apple back in 2020, but with Google paying Apple billions of dollars a year to remain the default, Apple decided against it. There have also been reports of Apple building its own search technology, with crawlers indexing the web to provide answers to common Siri questions and such. It fueled further speculation (yet again) that Apple would launch its own search engine, though that doesnt appear to be happening any time soon. Apples new next-generation search technology is allegedly code-named Pegasus and it is already in use to index and find content within some Apple apps (like TV or Maps), and may soon extend to other apps or services, like the App Store. It looks like, for searching the web, Apple users that use Safari (which is most of them) are going to be stuck with Google as the default search for quite some time. But you dont have to use Google if you dont want to! Buried within settings, where 99.9 percent of the users will never look, is the option to change search engines. Heres how you can change your Safari search default on iPhone/iPad and Mac. Highlights Iberdrola and GIC, Singapore's sovereign fund, and one of the world's main institutional investors, have closed a strategic agreement to develop transmission networks in Brazil for 2.4 billion Brazilian reals (456 million euros). The agreement, which was first announced in April, now has the approval of both the National Electrical Energy Agency (ANEEL) and the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE). Both companies will co-invest in the operational transmission assets (Jalapao, Santa Luzia, Dourados, Atibaia, Biguacu, Sobral, Narandiba and Rio Formoso), covering a total of 1,865 km of power lines, with an average concession term of 25 years. Iberdrola, through its subsidiary in Brazil, Neoenergia, will have a 50% stake in the company, valued at 1,200 million Brazilian reais (228 million euros). In addition, Iberdrola and GIC have signed a framework agreement to jointly participate in future tenders for new electricity transmission assets in Brazil. With the closure of the agreement, Neoenergia will stop accounting for the debt consolidation of the operational assets, as outlined in the scope of the transaction. GIC is a leading global investment firm established in 1981 to secure Singapore's financial future. As manager of Singapore's foreign exchange reserves, GIC takes a disciplined, long-term investment approach and is committed to investing in critical solutions to accelerate the energy transition. This transaction is part of Iberdrola's non-essential asset rotation program, which has already been 100% fulfilled, to support Iberdrola's record investment plan of 47 billion euros. Brexit has made buying a home for British citizens in Spain alot more difficult, in some cases you even have to ask permission from the military and remember as a non-resident you can only spend 180 days a year. However, the British continue to snap up homes in Spain and so far this year 6,500 homes have been sold to UK citizens. Infact the British are the biggest buyers of Spanish property, making up 10 percent of the total. The Germans are in second place on eight percent. Andalucia and Murcia are the two provinces most popular with British buyers. There is some bad news for the Balearics with a 32 percent fall in property sales to foreigners. The high prices and the recession in Germany have been blamed but 60 percent of foreign homes sales in the Balearics are to Germans. The British are in second place on 11 percent. There is some concern about the state of the Spanish property market because it does appear that foreign residents are thinking twice about it. Lazada, a leading e-commerce platform, teamed up with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the 2023 Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) held on Sept. 30 at the Philippine International Convention Center. Lazada chief executive Carlos Barrera earlier met with DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual to reaffirm the companys commitment to the flourishing local creatives industry. Barrera underscored the companys support for the creative economy by actively engaging with DTI on initiatives such as the Young Creatives Challenge and the Philippine Creativity and Innovation Convention. We are excited to empower young talents through our platform, sparking hope and happiness in their artistic journeys and helping build a vibrant future for our artists and content creators, Barrera said. We are looking forward to expanding more partnerships with the DTI that support Lazadas ESG commitments by empowering MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and the local creative industry, he said. Lazada Philippines head of affiliates and marketing solutions Mishie de la Cruz noted Lazadas shared vision to champion the local creative community. It was formalized through the signing of the Manifesto of Commitment, alongside various other private companies and academic institutions. Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba, supervising undersecretary and interim secretariat of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC) and undersecretary of the DTI Competitiveness & Innovation Group, said the agency is looking forward to developing impactful activities and initiatives that will foster the growth and advancement of the Philippine Creative Industries. This endeavor holds particular significance as it plays a crucial role in enabling the Philippines to attain inclusive and sustainable growth, she said. Lazada launched the Add-to-Life Film Competition on Sept. 14. The competition, designed to ignite the aspirations of budding filmmakers, granted a P1 million award to the winning pitch. Under the mentorship of director, producer and screenwriter, Pepe Diokno, the winning project will soon come to life. United Nations, United States The UN General Assembly on Tuesday rejected a bid by Russia to regain a seat on the Human Rights Council, from which it was ousted after invading Ukraine. Russia, which was competing with Bulgaria and Albania for two open spots allocated to the region, nonetheless received 83 votes in its favor from the UN General Assemblys 193 members. Russia can still boast that it got support from nearly half the UNs members today, said Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group. This does offer some support to Russias claim that its diplomatic isolation is gradually decreasing as many states are tiring of arguments over Ukraine. But, he added, Ukraines friends are still the most powerful force in the General Assembly. The election for the Human Rights Councils 2024-2026 term had been viewed as a test of what Moscow contended was quiet support despite fierce Western-led criticism over its brutal assault on its neighbor. The vote comes just days after a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian village of Groza killed more than 50 people, although global attention has since turned to war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas. UN Member States have sent a strong response to the Kremlin on its aggression, war crimes, and atrocities committed in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said Emine Dzheppar, Ukrainian first deputy foreign minister, in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. Albanian ambassador Ferit Hoxha, whose country received 123 votes while Bulgaria received 160, had said earlier that the UN General Assembly has an important choice to demonstrate that it is not ready to take an arsonist for a firefighter. The Human Rights Councils 47 members are allocated by region, and each large regional group usually pre-selects its own candidates, which the General Assembly then typically approves. But this year, two groups had more candidates than available seats. In Latin America, Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Peru were vying for three seats, and in Eastern Europe, Albania, Bulgaria and Russia sought two seats. The vote takes place by secret ballot, testing Russias contention that it has private support in developing countries weary of the Wests billions of dollars in support to Ukraine. In April 2022, 93 countries voted to suspend Russia from the council, while 24 opposed that punishment. That vote against Russia was less lopsided than other resolutions defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which drew approval from around 140 countries. Votes for the Human Rights Council are more complicated as some countries whose own records face scrutiny are uneasy about authorizing repercussions. Undermine credibility The United States has often criticized the Human Rights Council over its membership and alleged slant against Israel, although President Joe Biden rejoined the group after a pullout by his predecessor Donald Trump. Russias reelection to that body, while it openly continues to commit war crimes and other atrocities, would be an ugly stain that would undermine the credibility of the institution and the United Nations, senior US diplomat Robert Wood said. But Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, insisted that there are no beacons of democracy or rogue states, as is sometimes being portrayed. No member-state can claim to be immune from human rights violations. But the solution is to strengthen international regulation, he said. Human Rights Watch had called on countries to oppose the candidacies of Russia, China and Cuba. The international advocacy groups Louis Charbonneau said after the vote that UN member states sent a strong signal to Russias leadership that a government responsible for countless war crimes and crimes against humanity doesnt belong on the Human Rights Council. China was ultimately reelected with 154 votes while Cuba also retained its seat with 146 votes. China faced little risk as it was one of the four countries in the Asian group vying for four open seats, alongside Japan, Indonesia and Kuwait. The United States and several other Western governments say China is committing genocide against its mostly Muslim Uyghur minority through massive camps, a charge denied by Beijing. In recent years millennial and Gen Z queer people in Pakistan have carved out a vibrant digital space for themselves on TikTok, Instagram and X, where they showcase their activism and offer glimpses into their personal lives KARACHI, Pakistan Clad in a Barbie-pink shalwar kameez, influencer and doctor Mehrub Moiz Awan reels off endless examples of harassment shes received since becoming the sharp-tongued figurehead of Pakistans queer community. A growing and highly organized digital hate campaign driven by the religious right has put trans people at risk both of losing their legal rights and their lives. It became quite vicious where there were death threats against me, there were attacks on me, Awan told AFP from a fellow activists crowded apartment in Pakistans megacity of Karachi. I had to file FIRs (police complaints) and applications for police protection. The digital hate campaign started shortly after Awan was disinvited from a TedX panel at a private school in August last year following complaints from parents. When she called out the decision, local celebrities including a prominent fashion designer accused her of promoting an LGBTQ agenda in a country where homosexuality has been criminalized since colonial times. Since then, a variety of players from Pakistans religious right have converged into a mainstream anti-queer movement in the conservative Muslim country. They include the leaders of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami political party, podcasters, influencers from a religious collective called the Youth Club, and an online group known as Mothers for Pakistan. Blasphemy allegations Tactics used by the campaign include hardline Islamic rhetoric, harassment, cyberbullying, and doxing in the form of leaks of personal data, including pre- and post-transition pictures of activists. Outright accusations of blasphemy allegations that can lead to mob killings in Pakistan have also been used. Although exact figures are not available due to severe underreporting, human rights groups such as Amnesty International say there has been a concerning rise in violence against trans people in Pakistan. In February, Marvia Malik, Pakistans first transgender news anchor, was shot at by two men and narrowly escaped. Two weeks earlier, a transgender woman was found hanged in the city of Rawalpindi in a case police suspect to be murder. Our lives are in danger, said Shahzadi Rai, a transgender activist and member of the municipal council of Karachi, Pakistans most populous city. I first used to use a rickshaw to travel, but within the span of one year that has changed. I have been attacked four times. Progressive act The Digital Rights Foundation, a non-profit which tracks online harassment, has recorded 74 cases against the trans community since the start of the hate campaign. The landmark passing of a Transgender Rights Act in 2018 was regarded as highly progressive, lauded around the world for the protections it granted the community. But four years later Jamaat-e-Islami led the charge against it party chief Siraj-ul-Haq saying it was against Islamic law and a conspiracy to destroy our family system. The group and others claim the act is a means of normalizing same-sex marriage in Pakistan. Even people in the community started believing it and began denouncing (the act), researcher Mehleb Shaikh, who helped draft the law, told AFP. People were just so paranoid at the time that they will be seen as these figurative homosexuals a boogie man created in our society in order to create more policing of gender. In May, the Islamabad Shariat Court which gives Islamic oversight to secular laws revoked the act. An appeal is being sought with the Supreme Court. Closeted community Pakistans indigenous third gender, or Khawajasira community, has a rich, spiritual, cultural and political history that spans centuries in the Indian subcontinent. But British colonization brought the criminalization of homosexuality and the imposition of strict gender binaries which have been reinforced with increasing Islamization. As the queer community is forced to remain largely closeted, the brunt of this is experienced by Khawajasiras, many of whom are forced to resort to begging, dancing, or sex work for survival. I have never seen our community this distressed, said Rai. In recent years millennial and Gen Z queer people in Pakistan have carved out a vibrant digital space for themselves on TikTok, Instagram and X, where they showcase their activism and offer glimpses into their personal lives. The trans communitys content has been phenomenal, especially in terms of TikTok, Aradhya Khan, a transgender rights activist and digital content creator, told AFP. People love the content trans girls make; they are killing it right now. However, activists say the hate campaign has shrunk their digital footprint. Self-censorship and deactivation of social media accounts have become commonplace. For the trans male community, which already lacks visibility, the trend is even more concerning. Trans men are treated as women and girls in Pakistan, where they live in very controlled, restricted and conservative environments, transgender activist and freelance journalist Rayhan Muqadam told AFP from his home in Karachi. But Awan says despite the ongoing onslaught of hate and disinformation, the trans community is determined to resist by centering on their own communal joy, resilience, and beauty. The biggest threat to patriarchal sanctimonious bigotry is joy. Thats what threatens them the most, said Awan. Theyre afraid of laughter. Theyre afraid of joy, theyre afraid of love. And how we are resisting is by continuing to love. Highlights The Zero Outages Initiative will deliver an energy system by 2030 where customers stay powered up across the state while reducing costs Urgent need following devastating year of severe climate change-driven storms Initiative rapidly accelerates proven energy storage programs, proactive line undergrounding, and system storm-hardening Green Mountain Power (GMP) today (Oct 10) launched its Zero Outages Initiative, the first utility in the country to commit to a comprehensive, data-driven plan that creates layers of resiliency across Vermont by building on GMP's successful and proactive undergrounding and storm-hardening of lines, as well as deployment of energy storage through batteries and microgrids. Combined, this work will keep customers and communities connected while lowering costs for all. The phased initiative rapidly accelerates this resiliency work through 2030, tackling the hardest hit areas in rural central and southern Vermont first, following a devastating year for the state that saw an unprecedented string of damaging storms due to climate change. "We all see the severe impacts from storms, we know the impact outages have on your lives, and the status quo is no longer enough," said Mari McClure, GMP president and CEO. "We are motivated to do all we can to combat climate change and create a Vermont that is sustainable and affordable, but we must move faster. Together with our customers, regulators, our communities, and that Vermont spirit that manages to innovate despite all odds, we have all we need to revolutionize the energy system and ensure a stronger, more affordable Vermont." Here's how it works: the Zero Outages Initiative leverages circuit-level resiliency data, combined with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) community vulnerability data, topography, and other metrics to determine the right resiliency approaches for each of GMP's 300 circuits. This ensures that all customers experience zero outages, whether in a remote area, or in a densely developed downtown. The Zero Outages filing with regulators addresses the first phase of the initiative and calls for an investment of up to $280 million over the next two years, with $250 million of that for undergrounding and storm hardening lines, and $30 million for energy storage. The second phase of the initiative will involve another filing with regulators and will seek approval to accelerate and expand beyond 2026, while outages and associated repair costs start to drop off. For context, major storm costs are escalating and not sustainable. In the past twelve months alone, major storms required more than $45 million in repairs. Since 2014, major storms caused $115 million in damage across GMP's service area, with 60% of that in the last five years, 40% of that in just the last two years, and the $45 million in 2023 was the most yet. That is money spent to repair the existing system and get customers reconnected after storm damage, and it does not prevent future outages. "Projects to reinforce the grid and integrate energy storage are more important than ever. We know that we will continue to see an increase in extreme weather events, and research shows that every dollar invested in disaster preparedness and mitigation ultimately saves several times more in avoided response and recovery costs, while also preventing health and safety impacts," said Jeff Schlegelmilch, Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Climate School. "Building resilience into the grid is essential to sustaining this lifeline, which facilitates broader well-being." During the unprecedented storms over the last several years, some Vermonters have already experienced the benefits of the type of work planned under the Zero Outages Initiative. GMP has already installed 50 miles of underground lines in rural residential areas and those customers did not experience damage to those lines during these major storms. In addition, where spacer cable has been installed, trees from outside the rights-of-way fell on the lines, but did not cause an outage. The three worst storms in GMP history, in terms of outages, happened in just the last twelve months, with highly skilled lineworkers like Mike Tyler based out of Rutland working around the clock to repair storm damaged equipment and get customers reconnected. "This will be a game changer. For customers, the lights stay on for them, and then for us in the field, it increases safety. Every line worker I know has had a close call, and being up on a pole when there is a big gust of wind isn't a great feeling. Our exposure to the most severe elements will be reduced with Zero Outages, and our neighbors stay powered up," said Mike Tyler. Energy storage and microgrids are also key to this multi-year initiative, which also anticipates incorporating emerging technologies like vehicle to home, as another method of achieving storm resiliency for customers. The Zero Outages Initiative would provide residential batteries to customers in remote locations, delivering resiliency where it is needed most first, with a goal to have all customers have energy storage. GMP's industry-leading experience over the last couple of years, partnering with customers on innovative approaches shows that they cost-effectively keep customers powered up even when storm damage happens. Examples include GMP's home battery programs, community microgrid and Resiliency Zones, and a resilient all-electric neighborhood which is under construction now. GMP customer Kathy Grise of Colchester says having batteries through GMP has made a difference for her and her family during storms and any outage. "It is seamless and provides such peace of mind. We stay safe and connected, plus I've been able to continue working from home, which is so important." Vermont regulators recently agreed to GMP's request to lift the enrollment cap on its home battery programs, so all customers who'd like to get cost-effective home batteries can now sign up. There are currently 5,000 batteries in customers' homes, part of GMP's larger stored energy network which also includes utility scale batteries, controllable devices like EV chargers, and school bus batteries through V2G. This filing kicks off a public review process through the Vermont Public Utility Commission. If approved, the first projects could get underway in the spring/summer of 2024. About Green Mountain Power Green Mountain Power serves more than 270,000 residential and business customers in Vermont with electricity that's 100% carbon free and 78% renewable on an annual basis, and GMP is partnering with customers to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is providing solutions to cut carbon and is delivering electricity that is clean, affordable, and always on. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2022, GMP was named to TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies. Fast Company named GMP one of the top five Most Innovative Companies in North America in 2022. GMP also earned a spot on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in the World list in the energy sector four years in a row, and in 2023 and 2021 the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) honored GMP as a nationwide leader in energy transformation. Media Contact: Kristin Carlson, (802) 229-8200 A little bit of Memphis has touched down in Massachusetts and guests wont help but fall in love with the space inspired by Elvis Presleys historic Jungle Room. Memphis Tourism has brought their Love Me (Bar)Tender experience to Boston for just two nights, Oct. 10-11. The immersive, experiential pop-up is a replica of the iconic Jungle Room at Elvis Presleys Graceland, but with a modern twist. The Love Me (Bar) Tender pop-up will be on display for two nights in Boston. The space, which is occupying the top floor of The Point at 147 Hanover St., features duplicates of the Rooms green shag carpet, stone wall, rock waterfall, funky furniture, animal-themed decor, tiki bar and more. Guests can sip on Elvis- and Memphis-inspired cocktails, like Memphis Soul Fashioned and Heartbreak Hotel Highball, while being serenaded by the King of Rock n Roll himself. The Moody Blues cocktail at the Love Me (Bar) Tender pop-up in Boston. The space also features plenty of photo opportunities, including a booth where guests can enter to win a trip to Memphis with a complimentary hotel and roundtrip airfare. Were taking a slice of Americana and making it authentic and exciting to generations of travelers, said Regena Bearden, chief marketing officer at Memphis Tourism. After experiencing the Jungle Room and getting a taste of Memphis magic and vibe, we want that next step to be booking a trip to Memphis to experience the real thing. Memphis Tourism brings their Elvis Presley-inspired pop-up bar to Boston (Photo courtesy of Memphis Tourism). Elvis Presleys Graceland is one of the countrys most visited homes, averaging about a half-million visitors annually, according to Memphis Tourism. The Jungle Room is also where Elvis recorded songs like Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain and Moody Blue, which became part of a series known as The Jungle Room sessions. The pop-up has already made two stops in New York City and will be on display in Chicago from Oct. 18-19. Tickets are free and can be found on Memphis Tourisms website or on Eventbrite. Before Christian Collins shot Michael Parks, he had taken the gun from his half-brother, Thomas Martin, so he didnt hurt someone else with it, according to Collins attorney. But when Parks pulled out a gun and shot Martin in the leg, Collins shot back to save Martins life, attorney Elliot Levine said in Worcester County Superior Court Wednesday morning. AGAWAM With preliminary polls closed for Agawams candidates for mayor, Christopher C. Johnson and Cecilia P. Calabrese will move on to the Nov. 7 general election. Preliminary results on Tuesday show Johnson as the frontrunner in the race. Johnson racked up 1,077 votes, Calabrese came in second with 640 votes, William J. Clark received 237, and Andy A. Montefusco received 58. In May, current Mayor William Sapelli said he would not seek reelection. Johnson, the current Town Council president, said he is running because he wants to keep Agawam on a positive path, especially with its planned new high school. There is the proposed high school that I want to make sure gets a fair shot, Johnson said. Setting Johnson apart from other candidates is that he has held the position before. I have had the honor to serve as Agawams first mayor, and I will be able to get to work on day one. My campaign motto is proven, experienced, leadership. I was mayor once before, and once you get a taste of it, it is in your blood. I care deeply about the city of Agawam, Johnson said. Calabrese, former vice president of the Town Council, who unsuccessfully ran for state Senate as a Republican in 2022, said whats most at stake is the future. Calabrese said a new high school must be shepherded in, and she wants to ensure all details are accounted for. I am not sure that they (Massachusetts School Building Authority) have given the high school a fair evaluation, she said. The town has certain demographic changes that are not being talked about and being accounted for. One of Calabreses main priorities is to increase workforce housing, in hopes of attracting young people looking to work, play, live and grow their families in Agawam. Agawam mayoral candidate Cecilia Calabrese greets passing cars in front of Agawam High on election day. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 10/10/2023 Despite low voter turnout, residents concerned with the future of the town made their way to the polls to make their voices heard. Around 4 p.m. at the William P. Sapelli School, there about 114 voters who cast their ballots, with more walking in. Poll 1 warden Joanne Brown said the voters that did cast their ballots were very concerned about the election results. This election is important because of the people took the time to come out and cast a vote. They are true patriots, Brown said. Voters Peter and Karin Shatos said voting for who becomes mayor is high stakes. Unfortunately, Mayor Sapelli is not running again, Peter Shatos said. Although the new school has been a concern on their minds, making their voice be heard was equally important in the race for mayor, the Shatoses said. Voting in the presidential election doesnt affect Agawam residents day-to-day like voting for the mayor will, Karin Shatos said. Brown has been a poll worker for almost eight years, and in her opinion the main reason voter turnout is low in this preliminary is because it is not a presidential election, and the school committee or city council is not in the ballot. According to warden Peter Demos, Precinct 4 at Roberta G. Doering School seemed busy only because school was in session; however, he agreed that there was also low voter turnout. More voters are expected for the Nov. 7 election, because the City Council and School Committee candidates will be on the ballot, Demos said. Additionally, the presidential primary in March is expected to have a higher voter turnout, he said. Demos said few absentee ballots were cast this year. According to the results, only 2,028 of 21,991 registered voters cast ballots in this election. An employee working at a cranberry bog in Carver became stuck in the mud on Tuesday, requiring the help of firefighters to pull him out. The Carver Fire Department confirmed to MassLive on Wednesday that the worker became stuck in the bogs silt, with water up to his waist and about six feet from the shoreline. The name of the bog was not released. The side of the bog, made up of gravel and sand placed there recently, gave way as he was trying to pick cranberries, Carver Deputy Fire Chief Eric Germaine told the Boston Globe Tuesday night. He was calm, he wasnt really in much distress, Germaine told the newspaper. But he was definitely stuck. Firefighters arrived at around 2 p.m. to save the worker, donning wetsuits before going in to save him, the fire department said. Emergency services inspected the worker to find that he was not injured, Germaine told the Globe. Of the 33 years serving with the fire department, Germaine said to the Globe that a rescue out of a cranberry bog was not typical. HOLYOKE Law enforcement officials have put out an all-points bulletin for a third murder suspect linked to the shooting of an eight-months pregnant woman who caught a stray bullet amid a shootout last week. The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorneys Office, Holyoke Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section is actively pursuing Kermith Alvarez, 28, of Holyoke. Alvarez is the third suspect being sought in connection with last weeks shooting on Sargeant Street in Holyoke which claimed the life of an infant, said a spokesman for the Hampden District Attorneys office. The Massachusetts State Police also have placed Alvarez, also known as Kermith Vargas, on its Most Wanted list. Alvarez is believed to have fled via an Uber after being treated for a gunshot wound on Oct. 4. A shootout broke out that day as the expectant mother, who survived, was riding a bus in the middle of the day headed from Holyoke to Springfield. The infant, who was delivered, and needed life-saving medical services, tragically passed away, said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gullunis spokesman, James Leydon. All involved suspects are believed to have been identified. The one remaining suspect, is being actively sought by law enforcement, Leydon added. The killing of the baby brought the countys murder rate to 33, Leydon said. Two men have already been charged with murder. On Oct. 6, Johnluis Sanchez, 30, of Holyoke, was arraigned by Zoom in Holyoke District Court for is suspected involvement in the shooting. His bail was revoked on an open firearms case out of Holyoke District Court, and he was held without the right to bail on a charge of murder for his alleged involvement in this case. Other charges are expected to follow. A day earlier, Alejandro Ramos, 22, also of Holyoke, was arraigned on a charge of murder in Holyoke District Court in connection with his alleged role in the shooting. He is being held without the right to bail. The pairs next scheduled court date is Nov. 3, Leydon said. Read more: Top Hampden County law enforcement officials speak on street violence after Holyoke shootout kills baby If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kermith Alvarez you are asked to contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit at (413) 505-5993 or the Massachusetts State Police: Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873). Alvarez is actively avoiding law enforcement. The firearm used in this incident has not been recovered, and he should be considered armed and dangerous, Leydons public release said. After nazis was spray painted on a sign for the Islamic Seminary of Boston and the Palestinian Cultural Center for Peace, the Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) called on law enforcement to investigate the vandalism as a possible hate crime. Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Haydens office told the Boston Globe it is aware of the incident. This is a despicable act that goes beyond simple vandalism, Hayden said in a statement, according to the news outlet. It is intended to harm and vilify members of our community and we will explore all charging options including civil rights violations if and when an arrest is made. The nonprofit is Americas largest Muslim civil liberties organization with its national headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1994 and has worked to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America, according to its website. We urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this disturbing incident as a hate crime, said CAIR-MA Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud. All Americans, whatever their faith or ethnicity, should be free from acts of intimidation and hate. The vandalism happened in the aftermath of a surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday morning. An estimated 1,600 people have been presumed dead in Israel since then, the Associated Press reported. Among those slain in Israel were at least 11 Americans, the U.S. State Department said Monday. Israeli authorities also said an estimated 150 people had been taken as hostages into Gaza, including children, according to the New York Times. Legislation that would offer families financial assistance with the cost of early education and child care and address the stability of the industry would lead to huge increases in the percentage of young kids in such programs and would dramatically reduce the cost burden for families, a new report from the University of Massachusetts Boston found. Having child care be more accessible and affordable would also allow more people, particularly women, to work or work more. But it would come at a cost to taxpayers, the researchers noted. The legislative proposal studied in depth would shift the cost burden for child care and early education from the families that receive financial assistance onto the state -- to the tune of $1.7 billion, the report said. Quality child care and early education matters for childrens development. But it is expensive for families, despite the relatively low compensation rates for early childhood and out-of-school time educators, the research brief from the UMass Boston Early Ed Cost and Usage Simulator Project team said. The estimates presented in this brief suggest that financial assistance would effectively enable more children access to licensed care as well as substantially reduce the cost burden on families. Additionally, because parents would be able to afford reliable care, a portion of them, especially mothers of young children, would be able to engage in more employment opportunities, they continued. The additional earnings will provide more resources for their families and it will lift some families, especially single-parent families, out of poverty. The researchers looked at Beacon Hill legislation that would provide operational grants to help stabilize the system through increased compensation and improved training, and so child care providers can enhance the quality of care. The legislation would also offer financial assistance aimed at families earning at or below 85 percent of the states median income. Companion Senate and House bills, respectively filed by Sens. Jason Lewis, D-5th Middlesex, and Susan Moran, D-Plymouth/Barnstable, and Reps. Adrian Madaro, D-1st Suffolk, and Kenneth Gordon, D-21st Middlesex, will get a hearing before the Joint Committee on Education on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. in the Gardner Auditorium in the State House complex. The report found that almost half of all Massachusetts families with children under 14 (or under 17 for children with special needs) would be eligible for the legislations proposed financial assistance, saving the average eligible family $13,260 per year and reducing the percentage of their family income going to child care from an average of 17.2 percent to an average of 4.3 percent. And more kids would be enrolled in licensed child care and early education programs because of the availability of financial aid: up from 55 percent to 75 percent of infants, from 66 percent to 82 percent of toddlers; and from 64 percent to 76 percent of preschool children, the report said. With more kids enrolled in child care, an estimated 10,400 mothers would enter or re-enter the workforce, and 21,000 currently employed parents would increase the number of hours they work, the report found. The overall family poverty rate would fall from 15.5 percent to 14.1 percent. This report confirms that solving the child care crisis in Massachusetts is both achievable and necessary. Previous research has found that Massachusetts loses $2.7 billion each year due to inadequate access to child care; we cant afford not to act, said Deb Fastino, director of the Common Start Coalition, referring to a 2022 report from the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation. The Common Start Coalition said the legislation is co-sponsored by a majority of legislators in both branches; 102 representatives and 28 senators. The importance and vulnerabilities of the early education and care field came into sharp focus when the pandemic closed schools and child care centers, upending the work routines of many parents. Early education and child care began this legislative session looking primed to be a major focus of investment and attention with Gov. Maura Healey, House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, and Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, all on board. Healey singled out the issue as a priority in her inaugural speech, calling for state government to pledge to be the first state to solve the child care crisis and referencing a version of the Common Start proposal that she endorsed during her campaign, which would eliminate child care costs for the lowest-income families, limit those costs to no more than 7 percent of income for other families, and increase early educator pay. Lets finally pass legislation in line with Common Start to make sure every family pays what they can afford and that care workers are paid what they deserve, she said. This is something our families, workers and businesses all agree on. Mariano said during his own session-opening speech that the full attention of the House will be directed at examining ways to further support our vital early education and care workforce during this session. And Spilka, whose chamber unanimously approved a bill last July (which went unfinished by the end of the session) seeking a years-long expansion of subsidies, increased pay and benefits for workers, and permanent grants to stabilize providers, also pointed to early childhood care as one of her priorities this session. Simply put, it is past time to update the way we imagine and support this crucial sector, the Senate president said. A report released last year by the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission estimated that $1.5 billion in investments are needed to stabilize the early education and care system and help it meet the needs of families. The new state budget signed in July made significant investments in early education and child care. Spilka has indicated she plans to revisit the omnibus early care bill but Democrats in the first nine months of this two-year session have yet to put a bill up for debate in either branch. The first group of students in Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College's brand new lineworker program climbed poles for the first time this week. The workforce program was launched earlier this year in conjunction with SWEPCO to help train a future generation of lineworkers. These students are part of a 32 week program that includes up to 1,100 hours of both classroom and hands-on instruction. Students will graduate with the skills and knowledge to be successful at SWEPCO, in part, because the program's curriculum is based on programs already underway within AEP. "This work and our comprehensive labor strategy results in SWEPCO's ability to hire lineworkers at varying levels of skills and experience and increases the available pool of qualified candidates while optimizing training costs" explained Drew Seidel, SWEPCO's Vice President of Distribution Region Operations. Seidel and SWEPCO's Technical Training Supervisor Brad Brown were recently honored along with NLTCC Chancellor Dr. Jayda Spillers by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System at their recent Impact Awards Gala for the excellence in workforce development. AEP and SWEPCO are designing a comprehensive labor strategy to expand higher education career and technical education partnerships as well as implement internship programs for craft positions. A similar program was similarly launched at Texas State Technical College in Marshall, Texas. A retired Rhode Island state trooper and personal security for Beyonce died a few weeks after a crash in Massachusetts. James E. Griffin Jr., 61, of Providence, Rhode Island, died Friday, Oct. 6, from injuries in a recent crash, according to his obituary. The crash involved three vehicles on Interstate 95 on Aug. 28 near exit 7 in North Attleborough, according to WJAR. All northbound lanes were closed after the crash. A 50-year-old man who was driving a Buick Lacrosse southbound struck a Cadillac Escalade and caused it to veer off the road, go through the median, and collide with the Jaguar XJ on the northbound side of the highway, according to Massachusetts State Police. Griffin had been driving the Cadillac. The man in the Jaguar, Randall Ricketts, 58, of Foxborough, also died. Police said the Buick driver, later identified as Joseph Pompei Jr., 50, of Cranston, Rhode Island, fled the scene. However, the Buick was damaged and later located in Attleboro. He was then arrested and faces charges, including motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and leaving the scene of a crash. Jimmys family and friends would like to give special thanks to the many police officers, firefighters and rescue workers who responded to the crash scene, as well as the healthcare providers at Rhode Island Hospital for the exceptional compassion and care provided to Jimmy following this tragedy, the obituary read. We are all profoundly grateful. Read more: 2 women rescued after being washed off Dog Bar breakwater in Gloucester Harbor He was part of the Rhode Island State Police for 17 years. A job-related back injury forced him to retire in 1996 and he joined the Blackwater international private military firm, where he was assigned to the security team responsible for protecting former U.S. Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, who was overseeing the reconstruction of the war-torn Iraqi government following the U.S. invasion there in 2003. Later, he provided personal security for the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia for seven years. And he eventually formed his own private security company, providing personal protection for numerous high-profile hip-hop, R&B and rap artists, including Jay-Z, Beyonce and Drake. His death is a tremendous loss for all of those who loved him, and he will be dearly missed in the days and years to come, the obituary read. Family, friends and firefighters who knew Revere firefighter Steven Ferrante are paying tribute to him after he died suddenly on Oct. 4 at the age of 35. His death was announced as an active duty death, according to a statement from the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts released Tuesday. Speaking with MassLive, the group confirmed Ferrante did not die in the line of duty battling a fire but did not know the cause of death. An obituary from the Buonfiglio Funeral Home listed Rachel Ferrante as Steven Ferrantes sister. On Monday, Rachel Ferrantes Academy of Performing Arts posted a note about the death on its Facebook page. Our hearts, our prayers, and our thoughts are with the entire Ferrante, Raffaele and Bova families as we are saddened to share in their loss of a beloved member of our studio family, read the Facebook post. Steve was an amazing person who was always there to support RFAPA in all aspects, even if we were never quite successful in our attempts at getting him on stage to take a true bow, the post read. We at RFAPA cannot express in enough words, as there will never be enough, just how sorry we are for this tremendous loss to all those who knew Steve as the amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and selfless first responder for our city he was. We may not be able to stop the rain from falling, but we will always be there to take a walk with you through it, the post concluded. You will never walk through this alone. May his memory be a blessing. Ferrante was born on Jan. 12, 1988, to Revere Fire Capt. Steven M. Ferrante Sr. and Melinda K. (Bova) Ferrante, both of Revere, the obituary said. He is survived by his sisters Rachel and Katherine, his nephews Christopher, Vincent and Salvatore Raffaele, and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Friends and relatives are invited to a wake for Ferrante scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12, at St. Anthonys Church at 250 Revere St. from 4 to 8 p.m., the obituary said. Members of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts are asked to appear at 3:30 p.m. in class A uniforms. Ferrantes funeral will be held on Friday, Oct. 13, at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home on 128 Revere St. at 9:30 a.m. He will be remembered for his vibrant spirit, his infectious smile that lit up any room he walked into, and his unwavering love for friends and family, his obituary read. Comments below his obituary expressed gratitude, loss and love for Ferrante and his family. Elisa Porrazzo commented that Ferrante was at her house when it caught fire on Veterans Day 2022. Several people planted trees or purchased flowers. I grew up with Steve, from Garfield Middle School, Revere High (School) and then both attending Salem State University, commenter Karam Hamadeh said. Steve was not only kind-hearted, friendly and had a smile that was infectious, he was strong-willed and I had the privilege of calling him a great friend. Always around and available if anyone needed a hand or an ear. So many memories growing up that it is hard to pick a specific one. Steve will be deeply missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him. SPRINGFIELD Lark Grey Dimond-Cates only had one photograph and one memory of Theodor R. Geisel but from that grew a bronze sculpture honoring the 31-year Forest Park superintendent, his famous son and the park itself. Thursday the city will officially unveil the sculpture and the newly-renovated Monkey House, where it is located, as a kickoff to the weekend-long 140-anniversary celebration of the citys Parks Department and the 125th anniversary of Springfield Forestry. The event will also show off the $18 million master plan for Forest Park that includes major renovations to the Walker Grandstand, which is being funded with a $3 million federal grant; plans for a greenhouse conservatory similar to the one built in 1902 that was torn down years ago, new walkways, upgrades to the dinosaur footprint display and other improvements, said Patrick J. Sullivan, director of buildings, parks and recreation. Our next step will be to start looking for funding sources. We will be applying to foundations and looking for grants, Sullivan said, adding the projects are not expected to be done all at once. In her sculpture, Dimond-Cates, who is the younger Geisels stepdaughter, said she wanted to educate people more about his father, who worked at Forest Park between 1930 and 1961, and show how he and the park influenced the boy who later became Dr. Seuss and his books. I wonder, What did Papa G think about his sons career and his famous books? she said, using the nickname she gave to her step-grandfather. Her sculpture depicts the senior Geisel holding a lion cub from the Forest Park Zoo looking over a young Theodor Geisel. The two figures stand in the center surrounded by multiple elements of the park. His dad taught him to fish in Forest Park and McElligots Pool was dedicated to his father, Dimond-Cates said, showing off the boy catching a bright red fish. Dimond-Cates documented her step-by-step process to create the sculpture from her original sketch of the sculpture and her pin the tail on the donkey board where she cut out different elements she wanted in the sculpture and moved them around to find the perfect spot for each. There are also photographs of her creating her sculpture in clay and the final molds being taken so they could be cast in bronze by ART Research Enterprises Inc. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Tyler Crooks, of Art Research in Pennsylvania, works on installing the bas relief bronze sculpture in the former Monkey House building at Forest Park Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 10, 2023 and the sculpture will be officially unveiled this week. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican) While it was a labor of love and mostly fun to create the sculpture, Dimond-Cates said there were times when it became frustrating. She said she wanted the sculpture to be a walk through the park following dinosaur prints that are found in the northeast corner of the park. She would sometimes even take off her shoes and tread over the clay portrait to get a better feel for what she wanted. I wanted the faces so bad to be perfect and I have a hard time with faces. I am happy how it turned out, she said. Dimond-Cates met Theodor R. Geisel just once when she was a young child. He was wearing a formal black suit, a white shirt and a black fedora and she said she felt so intimidated by him she did not speak. When started working on the sculpture she found just one photograph of him holding the cub and realized that although it was the only one she had it was perfect for her art. The picture she used of her stepfather was him as a boy sitting on the steps of the familys home on Fairfield Street. He had his arm around a dog in the photo, which she took out and substituted with a notebook that he was known to carry around with him. The rest of the sculpture depicts Forest Park in the four different seasons and mixes together different beloved elements such as Snowball the polar bear, Morganetta the elephant, and an adult lion is next to the cub, just as the father is next to his son, she said. A large turtle with its head sticking out of the sculpture is on the bottom. There are many turtles in Geisels books, including the favorite Yertle the Turtle, and Dimond-Cates said her step-fathers introduction to turtles, frogs and rabbits were all from the park. Its low so children can rub the turtle. Eventually it will be shiny, she said. Dimond-Cates said she also tried to add plenty Seuss red to the sculpture since Geisel used the color predominantly in his books and there are also Seussian clouds and trees. There are also hidden elements such as a tiny sign saying Geisels Grove. That wooden sign was hidden in a wooded area of the park and eventually disappeared but years later it was discovered high up in a tree and is now at the Seuss museum, she said. It cost $246,000 to fund the mural; $100,000 came from the Dr. Seuss Foundation and the remaining money came from the city, Sullivan said. Dimond-Cates said she also gave a lot of her own time to create the mural, which was done over a six-year period. A new bas relief bronze sculpture is brought inside the former Monkey House building at Forest Park Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 10, 2023 and the sculpture will be officially unveiled this week. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican) The sculpture has been installed in the Monkey House, which was used for years by the forestry department and for storage. The renovated building is now to be used as event space and the explanation and photographs that show the step-by-step creation of the piece will be placed around the room so people visiting can read them, Sullivan said. The sculpture is only part of the 140th anniversary celebrations that will begin on Thursday with the 4 p.m. sculpture unveiling followed by music by Dee Reilly at 6 p.m. Friday will offer a number of events for senior citizens including a luncheon, music, lawn bowling and bocce lessons. Saturday will be the big day with an open house and tours at the Barney Estate, a 3 p.m. speech by historian Joe Carvalho about Dr. Seuss connection to Forest Park in the Monkey House, a magician, fire truck display and much more. The park will also unveil its new bandshell and has brought in a carousel and will offer free rides every day. As part of his plan, Sullivan said he would like to someday create a permanent carousel that would have a nod to Springfields history. He envisions a polar bear and an elephant and possibly a Gee Bee plane, which were manufactured in the city, along side horses. For Dimond-Cates the sculpture is the swan song of her career. At 70 she is ready to retire so she has more time to write, learn to oil paint and do other projects. Springfield has been the biggest part of my career and the happiest park of my career, said Dimond-Cates, who also created the bronze Dr. Seuss statues found outside the Springfield Museums. GREAT BARRINGTON Dozens of people gathered in this quiet town to show their support for the people of Palestine and Gaza four days after Hamas attacked Israel, saying they are retaliating after decades of being tear-gassed, shot at and oppressed. Tuesdays protest is the second held in Western Massachusetts to show support for the Palestinian people, following one held on Monday in Northampton. Likewise, the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts held services in three different locations Springfield, Amherst and Northampton on Monday night to show support for the people of Israel and condemn the organized and brutal attacks by Hamas on the country. A second evening of support is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday in Pittsfield by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. The protests come in reaction to the weekend attacks by Hamas on Israel. Since then, the fighting has escalated. Hamas has taken at least 150 hostages, including children and the elderly, and Israel has been unrelenting in its retaliatory airstrikes, sealing off Gaza from food and fuel. An estimated 2,000 people have been killed, including 14 Americans, as of Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. In reality, I know that it is not the Palestinian or Israeli people. It is the governments, and it is the people who are paying the price, said Amy Alpert, of Becket, who attended the rally. Alpert, who worked with medical missionaries in Gaza between 2015 and 2019, called the region an open-air prison. The Palestinian people have little food, limited access to jobs and electrical service for just four hours a day. She also has relatives in Israel, so she understands both sides, and did not endorse some of Hamas brutality, such as taking young children and the elderly captive. She is also worried about friends and family who are there. Her colleague is a pediatrician from the U.S. who planned on visiting Gaza for just a week to provide medications and medical aid, but was caught in the fighting. Negotiators are trying to arrange for her to get out through Egypt, Alpert said. Arlene Tolopko, of Otis, said she is half-Jewish and remembers her grandmother saying she was sending money to Israel for trees. Curious about the country, she went on a trip in 2012, which included staying with Palestinian families, and my eyes were open. She called the people warm, welcoming and just trying to survive. The word terrorist does not belong, she said. Hamas is a militant organization, and they represent the people who are in a pressure cooker. They have been doing this for 75 years, being occupied. Along with only having water and electricity four hours a day, children are hungry, Tolopko said. She said she saw people tear-gassed and shot just walking to a stream. Students were harassed and had feces thrown at them as they walked to elementary school. I saw the checkpoints. Men and women going to work have to go through these cattle-like checkpoints every day, like they are cows, like they are animals, she said. They are denied everything. Their water is contaminated. She said she feels Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the Palestinian people exterminated, and this is a quick way to do so. Tuesdays event was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation and the Berkshire Communists. Mondays rally in Northampton was held by Massachusetts Peace Action. The escalating violence we are seeing today is unfortunate, but unsurprising. What is needed now is an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation, Peace Action officials said in writing. We reject the framing of this event as unprovoked. Two million Palestinians in Gaza have been under a brutal Israeli siege since 2007 and periodically attacked by overwhelming Israeli military assaults. Maddie Elling, of West Stockbridge, pointed out at the protest that the United States celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, and the Palestinians are the settlers of Gaza and should be recognized in the same way. My heart breaks for everyone with all the violence. They are oppressed and fighting back, she said. During the rally, a small group of people confronted the marchers, and a short shouting match ensued but ended quickly. Motorists honked in support, but a few other passersby yelled insults, one calling them baby killers. Speakers protested the money the U.S. government has sent to Israel and said the political support emboldens the oppression of people in Gaza. They talked about bombs and tear gas manufactured in America being used against Palestinians. The Palestinian people have been under siege by an invading, occupying entity known as the state of Israel, which was formed out of militias, said Joel Northam, of New York, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. People want to change conditions, and they want to end this brutal occupation that kills Palestinians every day. He likened the war to the civil rights battles that Black people fight in the U.S. and said to condemn the Palestinians for fighting oppression, people also have to condemn Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and even Jesus Christ. The second the oppressed fight back, they become master guerillas, he said. A Taunton woman is facing an OUI charge after crashing into a Dighton police cruiser Monday night, Taunton Police Chief Edward J. Walsh and Dighton Police Acting Chief George Nichols said in a joint statement. The crash happened at the intersection of Winthrop (Route 44) and Burt streets on the Taunton/Dighton line just before 9 p.m. on Oct. 9, police said. Responding officers found a Dighton police cruiser without its driver-side door and airbags fully deployed. Officers also saw a brown 2014 Honda CRV with significant damage to its drivers side and airbags deployed, police said. It was determined that the cruiser, which had it blue lights on, was hit by the Honda while it was responding to a service call in Dighton. The Honda was speeding down Route 44 and crossed over the center line, striking the police car, authorities said. The Taunton Fire Department, Dighton Fire Department and Rehoboth police were also called to the scene. One Dighton officer was brought to the hospital and has since been treated and released, officials said. Meanwhile the driver of the Honda, identified as 30-year-old Michelle Sousa, was brought to the hospital for treatment. Police also found a half-empty bottle of liquor on the drivers side of her vehicle. Investigators later determined that there was probable cause to charge Sousa with operating under the influence, police said. She was charged with the following: Marked lanes violation Negligent operation of a motor vehicle OUI-Liquor (resulting in serious injury and negligent operation) Speeding Possession of an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle Sousa is scheduled to be arraigned today in Taunton District Court Wednesday, police said. UPDATE: Turtleboy blogger Aidan Kearney released, ordered no contact with witnesses The man behind the controversial blog Turtleboy is in Massachusetts State Police custody Wednesday, officials with the Stoughton District Court confirmed to MassLive. Aidan Kearney, 41, faces six counts of witness intimidation of a juror, police officer and court official and one count of conspiracy. Kearney was en route to the court and expected to appear for an arraignment Wednesday, a court official told MassLive. Kearney recently posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about law enforcement officials involved in the Karen Read case. He said on Tuesday that officials have called my peaceful protests illegal witness intimidation. The blogger has reported on the case on his website, rallying supporters who believe theres a coverup centered on Read, a woman accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. Read more: Top Hampden County law enforcement officials speak on street violence after Holyoke shootout kills baby Other posts on X feature the blogger wearing a hoodie that says Free Karen Read. He was seen on video from WCVB wearing the same hoodie as he entered court. This is a developing story and more information will be posted when available. Turtleboy blogger Aidan Kearney was ordered by a judge Wednesday to be released on personal recognizance and to stay away from several witnesses prosecutors accuse him of intimidating. Kearney, 41, of Holden, was taken into Massachusetts State Police custody Wednesday on several charges, including six counts of witness intimidation of a juror, police officer and court official and one count of conspiracy. Kearney arrived in Stoughton District Court wearing a hoodie that read Free Karen Read. He was arrested in connection with alleged witness intimidation of people involved in the Karen Read case, in which she, the girlfriend of Boston police officer John OKeefe, is accused of killing OKeefe. During the arraignment, special prosecutor Kenneth Mello read through pages of details outlining events he said led to the intimidation charges, prefaced with an explanation of Kearneys online presence through his online blog and social media accounts, including Facebook, YouTube and X, formerly known as Twitter. Mello listed several occasions when Kearney suggested the case against Read is part of what he and his viewers, nicknamed turtle riders, have called the Canton cover-up, a reference to where OKeefes death happened. Mello spelled out for the judge examples of what he characterized as witness intimidation, including voicemails Kearney left on Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctors work cell phone. Proctor oversaw the criminal investigation into OKeefes death. Mello also claimed Kearney contacted Proctors wife, Elizabeth. Aidan Kearney, who runs the blog Turtleboy, appears in Stoughton District Court for his arraignment on charges of intimidating a witness, juror, police or court official and conspiracy on Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo from video still of pool livestream)www.nbcboston.com Mello also claimed Kearney unlawfully sought Registry of Motor Vehicle license plate information through a civilian dispatcher named in court records as Jannell Webb at a local police department, in order to determine whose cars were parked outside Proctors home. Earlier this month, Kearney spoke in a YouTube video of how it is illegal to run license plate information but that he thinks it shouldnt be, Mello said. According to court documents, Kearney conspired with the police dispatcher in order to commit intimidation, resulting in the conspiracy charge. In addition to the Proctors, Mello said other witnesses faced intimidation: Chris Albert; Juliana Albert, Jennifer McCabe; Matthew McCabe; Colin Albert and Juliana Nagel. Mello said Kearney claimed on several occasions, on his blog and elsewhere, that he hoped his reporting might influence the jury pool in Norfolk Country for Reads eventual trial. Kearneys lawyer, Sean Reynolds, said Kearney considers the state trooper he writes about to be a public figure, and that he wants to be allowed to pursue the story given his role as a news person. He is a news person who is using his First Amendment rights to cover a story, the defense attorney said. Read more: Top Hampden County law enforcement officials speak on street violence after Holyoke shootout kills baby Supporters, some also seen wearing Free Karen Read shirts, lined the courtroom, and car horns could be heard honking from outside throughout the court proceedings. Kearney was ordered not to have any contact with any of the witnesses or victims named during his arraignment, directly or indirectly, including via text, phone, email or social media. The judge said a violation would result in 90 days in jail with no chance for bail. The judge agreed with the defense attorney that given Kearney has no criminal record, he is not believed to be a danger or a flight risk considering he has commitments to his family, including two children he supports. The judge also denied a request by the prosecution for Kearney to wear a GPS-tracking device and did not grant the request that Kearney submit $1,000 cash bail. Next week in Hampshire Superior Court, the question shifts from whether Cara Rintala killed her wife in their Granby home in 2010 to the punishment she will receive. This case was unusual from the start and got more so. Annamarie Cochrane Rintala died six years after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage, a fact that drew national interest to her death. Last Friday, the jury selected to try Cara Rintala for a fourth time making her only the second defendant in Massachusetts to be prosecuted that many times found her guilty of voluntary manslaughter. After weeks of coordination with the federal government, Gov. Maura Healey was finally able to meet with officials from the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday and Wednesday to assess the states ongoing migrant crisis. Our administration welcomes the opportunity to show officials from the Department of Homeland Security the extremely difficult situation we are facing and discuss badly-needed support, a spokesperson for the Healey administration told MassLive. Congress needs to act on President [Joe] Bidens $4 billion supplemental request which would make available some funding for cities and states. We will continue to advocate for more funding in addition to that and changes to the work authorization process. The rising number of new arrivals, many of whom have come from Haiti, has overburdened the commonwealths shelter system, leading to a state of emergency. Since then, Healey has repeatedly called on Biden to provide the commonwealth with federal funds and to expedite work authorization papers for the new arrivals. As of Tuesday, there were 6,877 families in the emergency family shelter system, half of which are estimated to be new arrivals, according to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Although Healey has met with the DHS before, this is the agencys first site visit, according to a spokeswoman for the Healey administration. In August, the Commonwealth was awarded nearly $2 million in grants from the federal government to expand shelter services and transportation for newly arrived families. As we know all too well, Congressional action is desperately needed to address what everyone agrees is a decades-long broken immigration system, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas wrote in a letter to Healey on Tuesday. We look forward to having the DHS team visit Boston this week to better understand the challenges the city and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are facing, and to make responsive recommendations as to how we continue to work together. The letter, which was first obtained by Politico, said that the department has taken several concrete steps to speed up work authorization papers for migrants. The agency shrunk its processing time for employment authorization documents to 30 days for migrants paroled in the U.S. following a CBP One appointment, and those paroled from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The department also said its sent more than 1 million messages via text and email to migrants whove either been paroled into the U.S., or whose asylum application has been pending for 150 days to apply for work authorization papers. The messages have been delivered in several foreign languages including, Spanish and Haitian Creole. In late September, the department granted temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants, making them eligible to enter the workforce. We will continue to offer best practices and guidance to interior cities as they work to integrate eligible noncitizens into the American workforce, and to manage our nations broken immigration system in a safe, orderly, and humane way until Congress acts to fix it, the department said. The meeting between the federal government and Healey occurred two months following a comparable meeting with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, both of whom have also called on the Biden administration for increased federal assistance to address their respective migrant challenges. Republican state Rep. Peter Durant, of Spencer, has declared victory in a special primary for the Hampshire- and Worcester-based state Senate seat most recently held by Democrat Anne Gobi, according to a published report. The contest was one of several on the ballot across the Bay State on Tuesday. Voters in Agawam, Gardner, and Marlborough also voted in local preliminary elections. Heres a look at who won and who lost. The Senate Special Primary Durant faced Bruce Chester, of Gardner, in the primary election to replace Gobi, who left the Legislature last summer to become the states rural affairs director under Gov. Maura Healey. Durant told the Boston Herald that it was statistically impossible for Chester to close the gap in votes, according to unofficial results reported by town clerks. Democratic state Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik, of Gardner, is running without opposition. Libertarian Janel Holmes, of Spencer, also is running for the seat, according to the local Gardner News. The candidates will face each other in the Nov. 7 general election. Agawam With preliminary polls closed for Agawams candidates for mayor, Christopher C. Johnson and Cecilia P. Calabrese will move on to the Nov. 7 general election, the Republican, of Springfield, reported. Unofficial tallies on Tuesday show Johnson as the frontrunner in the race. Johnson racked up 1,077 votes, Calabrese came in second with 640 votes, William J. Clark received 237, and Andy A. Montefusco received 58. In May, current Mayor William Sapelli said he would not seek reelection. Johnson, the current Town Council president, said he is running because he wants to keep Agawam on a positive path, especially with its planned new high school. Gardner Voters in the Worcester County community were asked to narrow a field of mayoral and school committee candidates on Tuesday. In the mayoral contest, incumbent Mayor Michael J. Nicholson and Kimberly Ann Blake will move on to the general election. Nicholson won with 1,308, or 64.1%, of the votes, according to unofficial tallies. Blake took 654 votes, or 32%, according to unofficial tallies reported by the Gardner News. Candidate Martin Gray finished third with 80 votes, or 3.9%, according to unofficial tallies, the newspaper reported. In the race for school committee, incumbents Rachel Cormier, John LaFreniere, and Robert Swartz finished atop a field of six candidates, allowing them to move on to the general election, according to the Gardner News. Marlborough Four candidates were vying for the top spot in this Middlesex County community. Tuesdays canvass marked the first time that voters had a preliminary election without an incumbent since 2011 the year that current Mayor Arthur Vigeant, who is not running for re-election, first won the seat, according to the Marlborough Patch site. Ward 3 Councilor Christian Dumais and At-Large City Councilor Samantha Perlman were the top two vote-getters and will move on to the general election, according to unofficial tallies reported by the Marlborough Patch site. Candidate Patrick Hogan finished third, while hopeful Michael Baker ran at the back of the pack, Patch reported, citing unofficial tallies. Turnout for Tuesdays preliminary election, which included only the mayoral race, was 4,822, or 19.2% of the communitys 25,091 registered voters, MetroWest Daily News reported. Hong Kong: Water charges bill to be introduced The Development Bureau today announced that the Waterworks (Amendment) Bill 2023, designed to strengthen enforcement powers against overcharging for water, will be submitted to the Legislative Council imminently. The bureau stressed that there is currently no provision in the Waterworks Ordinance or the Waterworks Regulations to empower the Water Authority (WA) to compel the provision of information in relation to suspected water overcharging cases. It added that there is no provision requiring parties who charge others for using water to give or keep copies of receipts. The bureau said it is therefore difficult for the WA to obtain sufficient evidence to prosecute those suspected of overcharging for water. It also called for increased penalties to enhance deterrence. The amendment bill is intended to empower the WA to obtain relevant information and documents relating to cases and to mandate that parties who charge others for water use issue and keep copies of receipts. The bill will also make it an offence to provided false or misleading information or documents and increase the penalty for overcharging for water. Additionally, it will empower the WA and the Rating & Valuation Department to share information obtained from investigating overcharging cases with each other. The bureau previously briefed the Legislative Council Panel on Development on its initial proposals for a legislative amendment. It has also sought comments from stakeholders. Stressing that the amendment bill will enhance enforcement of the law, as well as deterrence against overcharging for water, the bureau said it anticipates the proposed amendments will be of most benefit to tenants in subdivided units. It added that the Government will fully support the councils examination of the bill, with the hope that it can be passed and implemented as soon as possible. The waterworks amendment bill will be gazetted on October 13 and introduced into the council for first a reading on November 1. This story has been published on: 2023-10-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Qabil Ashirov On October 11, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received Pakistani Top Diplomat Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is visiting Azerbaijan within the framework of the 27th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization. The Foreign Ministry noted that at the meeting, the parties exchanged views on strategic bilateral relations based on mutual trust, solidarity, and respect between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. They expressed satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between the two countries, including the existing political dialogue, and emphasized the importance of high-level visits and contacts in all directions, including parliamentary diplomacy. It was also pointed out that there is a wide potential for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in economy, transport, trade and other fields. During the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed his colleague about the latest situation in the region, and the anti-terrorist activities implemented by Azerbaijan in order to disarm the illegal Armenian armed forces and remove the illegal regime. The Pakistani minister expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for organizing the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization at a high level in Shusha, Azerbaijan. Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasized that Pakistan supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the legitimate steps taken in its sovereign territories. In this context, the support provided to Azerbaijan during the 30-year occupation of Armenia, as well as during the 44-day Patriotic War, was highly appreciated. At the meeting, the ministers also discussed other regional and international issues of mutual interest. In addition, Pakistani FM shared a post on X about the meeting and noted that he congratulated Azerbaijan on successfully hosting the 27th Council of Ministers of ECO. He added that we reiterated our resolve to further cement the Pakistani-Azerbaijani relations in economy and trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. VANCOUVER Calibre Mining Corp. reported production for the third quarter of 73,485 ounces of gold for the fourth consecutive quarter of record ounces from mines in Nicaragua and Nevada. The third quarter production that included 63,756 gold ounces from the Nicaragua mines and 9,729 ounces from the Pan Mine in Nevada was up 50% from the third quarter of last year when 49,081 ounces were produced. Calibre also announced that production for the first three quarters of 2023 is up 30% at 208,011 ounces, compared with 160,704 ounces in the first three quarters of 2022. The company is in an excellent position to deliver the high end of full-year production guidance of 250,000 - 275,000 ounces while continuing strong free cash flow, said Calibres president and chief executive officer, Darren Hall. He said the company increased cash to $97 million in the third quarter, after exploration and growth investments. October 15 marks the fourth anniversary of our Nicaragua operating complex acquisition, which transformed the company to a growth-focused gold producer. Four years on, we have built a strong foundation, consistently delivering on our commitments while self-funding investments and growth, Hall said in the Oct. 10 announcement. He said that during that time Calibre joined the World Gold Council, committing to WGCs Responsible Gold Mining Principles, and integrated sustainability into all aspects of its operations, as well as permitting five new mines. Over the past four years the company has increased gold production 93%, compared with 136,000 ounces in 2020; grown reserves 370%, net of production depletion; and increased cash from $4 million to $97 million. I am excited about the future. Calibre presents a compelling investment opportunity with its consistent delivery of strong free cash flow, ongoing reinvestment in exploration and growth, and commitment to conducting operations in a responsible, sustainable, and transparent manner, Hall said. Calibre acquired Fiore Gold in January 2022, including the Pan Mine, Gold Rock Project and the potential exploration site of Illipah in White Pine County, and the Golden Eagle Project in Washington state. A senior Democrat in the U.S. House is calling for a bipartisan path forward, even as the chambers Republican majority tries to cobble together the votes to name a new House speaker, and that path appears uncertain. For @HouseDemocrats, bipartisanship isnt a dirty word, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District, the Democratic whip, posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. Its time for House Republicans to reject MAGA extremism and join us in forging a bipartisan path forward. For @HouseDemocrats, bipartisanship isn't a dirty word. It's time for House Republicans to reject MAGA extremism and join us in forging a bipartisan path forward. https://t.co/u3TAieDQ1P Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) October 11, 2023 The post came as news emerged that Republicans, in a closed-door session, had nominated U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., to succeed ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. But no sooner had Scalises name been put into play that it became clear that the No. 2 House Republican did not have the votes to win the Speakers gavel, the New York Times reported. Because it is a constitutional office, the full House must vote to approve the chambers presiding officer. Democrats have tapped U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as their pick for speaker. U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., is serving as the chambers interim speaker, a caretaker position until a permanent replacement is named. Last night, @HouseDemocrats unanimously nominated @RepJeffries for Speaker. We are united, eager to get to work for the people, and determined to find a bipartisan way forward. Its time to reject MAGA extremism and find common ground. Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) October 11, 2023 Without a permanent speaker in place, the House cannot conduct business, including approving additional aid for Israel as it fights a bloody war with the terrorist group Hamas. In an interview with MSNBC on Sunday, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, said the GOPs disarray was undermining the United States ability to help Israel as it prosecutes its war against Hamas. This is unprecedented in American history to not have a speaker like this, Moulton, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and a former Marine, told MSNBC anchor Katy Tur. The fighting in Israel just highlights how important it is to have a functioning government here at home to deal and respond to these international crises, he continued. McCarthy was ousted last week by a cadre of disgruntled Republicans and Democrats who said they could no longer work with the Houses presiding officer. Speaking to MassLive on Monday after a pro-Israel rally on Boston Common, U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, slammed extremists in the House Republican conference, arguing that three different countries that are being held hostage to MAGA extremists. Its United States, because were asking people to fund our government for the next three weeks, Auchincloss said, referring to the temporary funding measure thats keeping the government running until November. Its Ukraine, because theyre not going to be able to ... sustain their counter-offensive. And now its Israel. So how many how many nations need to be held hostage to Matt Gaetz before the Republican conference will finally set aside the political games and just put governance before politics? Auchincloss said, referring to U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican who spearheaded the push to remove McCarthy. House Democrats stand united to deliver for everyday Americans. Meanwhile, Republicans have delivered chaos: No Speaker of the House Almost shut the government down Sent us home while they fight with each other Blocking confirmation of a U.S. Ambassador to Israel pic.twitter.com/I6BLZQ84bZ Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) October 11, 2023 In a post to X on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-2nd District, criticized what he said was the chaos the GOPs disarray had left in its wake. That included an unfilled vacancy for U.S. ambassador to Israel, he said. A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. University students on some of the countrys top college campuses are voicing their support for Palestine as Israel has declared it is at war with the territory and has plans to seize Gaza, one of the countrys enclaves. On Saturday, Hamas, a Palestinian faction with a military wing, launched a surprise, coordinated attack against Israel, igniting a war between the two countries that has since left over 1,000 dead on each side. For 16 years, Palestinians in Gaza have been trapped by the Israeli government in what is effectively an open-air prison, according to the United Nations and the Human Rights Watch. At a news conference from the White House, President Joe Biden called the attacks an act of sheer evil, which has seen 14 American citizens killed. The US has supplied the country with $3.8 billion in military aid annually since 2016. We stand with Israel and we will make sure it has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack, Biden said. Theres no justification for terrorism. Theres no excuse. During a news conference Monday, Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan referred to the attacks as Israels 9/11. We will not let the world forget the autocities our country suffered, Erdan said. Of Hamas, he said, They want one thing only: The annihilation of the Jewish state. In an interview by media outlet Democracy Now on Tuesday, The Nations Palestinian journalist Mohammed El-Kurd argued that likening the incident to 9/11 was being used by Israels PR strategy to invoke Islamophobic sentiments and to further justify mass genocide. It feels to me as though we are living in the very first few days of an unfolding genocide, said El-Kurd, who was named in TIMEs top 100 list as one of the extraordinary leaders from around the world working to build a better future. Media outlets and journalists who have taken on this framing without any questioning not only work to equate the violence of a besieged, politically isolated group like Hamas with the violence of al-Qaeda and ISIS and so on, but they are also doing the dirty work for Israelis. They are preemptively justifying the genocide of hundreds and thousands of Palestinians. Dozens of student groups across college campuses in the US publicly condemned Israels war against Palestine. Students at Harvard are still experiencing backlash after 35 student organizations at Harvard university signed a letter blaming Israel for the bloodshed. We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence, the letter reads. Todays events did not occur in a vacuum. For the last two decades, millions of Palestinians in Gaza have been forced to live in an open-air prison. Israeli officials promise to open the gates of hell, and the massacres in Gaza have already commenced. Palestinians in Gaza have no shelters for refuge and nowhere to escape. In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israels violence. Statements released by other pro-Palestine organizations at Yale University, Portland State University and City College of New York also echoed similar sentiments. The events of October 7th are not an isolated event but the inevitable outcome of a decades-long apartheid and suffocating blockade, in addition to a year of escalated settler violence against civilians in the West Bank, read a statement released by Yalies4Palestine, Yale Universitys pro-Palestine group. Students at Tufts University in Massachusetts also released a statement raising their support for Palestine, which was denounced by the college, the Boston Herald reported. On Sunday, Israel announced that it would be cutting off food, fuel and water to the Palestinian city of Gaza, which is home to approximately 2.3 million people. The war marks the latest attacks in approximately 7 decades of on and off fighting between the territories, leading to the 5,739 deaths of Palestinians and 251 Israeli deaths from 2008 to 2021, according to Al-Jazeera. Gaza is made up of 2 million Palestinian citizens, half of whom are children, according to the charity Save the Children. Israel previously launched a ground operation in Palestine in 2014, leaving about 2,000 people dead, mainly civilians. Tensions between the nations first ignited after Israels founding in 1948, a year after the United Nations voted to partition Palestine into two states: one for Arabs and one for Jews. On Tuesday, Harvard academics released a letter signed by at least 100 faculty members calling the attacks launched by Hamas a war crime with no military or specific objective. It continued: The Israeli security forces were engaging in self-defense against this attack while dealing with numerous hostage situations and a barrage of thousands of rockets hidden deliberately in dense urban settings. The letter went even further to say that the students who supported the letter blaming Israel were justifying the deaths of innocent people. In the context of the unfolding events, this statement can be seen as nothing less than condoning the mass murder of civilians based only on their nationality. Based on initial numbers, Hamas took at least 100 hostages from Israel during the first attacks Saturday, the Israeli government announced Monday. Student solidarity with Palestine has a long history, dating back to the 1960s. In the early 2000s, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement gained traction on campuses around the world, and National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) was founded in the United States in 1993. BDS campaigns have successfully pressured universities and other institutions to divest from companies that support what they believe is Israels occupation and colonization of Palestine. Over 200 NSJP chapters across the nation have organized protests, demonstrations and educational events to raise awareness of the Palestinian struggle. Given that history, it was all but guaranteed that those same student-led groups would continue to support Palestine, as tensions heightened this weekend. Israeli violence has structured every aspect of Palestinian existence for 75 years, the Harvard student letter states. From systematized land seizures to routine airstrikes, arbitrary detentions to military checkpoints and enforced family separations to targeted killings, Palestinians have been forced to live in a state of death, both slow and sudden. On Wednesday, Gazas only power plant ran out of fuel and shut down. Medical supplies in the city are limited, the World Health Organization said, as the area attempts to grapple with the number of dead and injured from increased fighting. The war is expected to intensify as Israel continues to launch airstrikes into the region. The Africa Fintech Summit is proud to announce Flutterwave as the Lead Fintech Sponsor for its highly anticipated 10th-edition summit, set to take place in Lusaka, Zambia, on November 2-3, 2023. This partnership marks a significant milestone for both the Africa Fintech Summit and Flutterwave, showcasing their shared commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the African fintech ecosystem. Flutterwaves dedication to advancing the fintech industry in Africa has been unwavering, making the company a natural choice as the Lead Fintech Sponsor for this landmark event. Over the years, Flutterwave has consistently demonstrated its support for the summit and the broader African fintech community, contributing to the growth of digital financial services across the continent. The Africa Fintech Summit, now preparing for its 10th edition, has become a pivotal platform for thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and innovators to converge, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships that drive financial inclusion and economic development across Africa. It has consistently provided a stage for discussing the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in the fintech space. Flutterwaves COO, Bode Abifarin, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, We are honored to once again be the Lead Fintech Sponsor for the Africa Fintech Summit. The summit has played a crucial role in shaping the fintech landscape on the continent, and we are thrilled to continue our long-standing support. At Flutterwave, we believe in the potential of African fintech to transform lives and drive sustainable economic growth. We are committed to working together with the Africa Fintech Summit to create an even more vibrant ecosystem for fintech innovation in Africa. Some of Flutterwaves recent accomplishments and developments that will be highlighted at the summit include: 1. Expansion into New Markets: Flutterwave continues to expand its presence and strengthen its foothold across Africa, facilitating effortless cross-border transactions for both businesses and individuals. Earlier in the year, Flutterwave secured two additional licenses in Rwanda: Electronic Money Issuer and Remittance Licenses, in addition to its Payment Service Provider license, enabling the company to strengthen its operations in East Africa. The company recently disclosed that it is on track to expand to India via cross-border remittance partnerships with IndusInd Bank and engineering mobility collaboration with Capgemini. 2. Partnerships with Leading Institutions: Flutterwave has also recently sealed a flurry of partnerships that will either strengthen its capabilities to offer seamless payment solutions or extend its influence into multiple industries. A recent partnership includes a collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to simplify payments for airlines serving sub-Saharan Africa. Others are the strategic partnership with Audiomack to support more payment modes and empower artists on the platform to monetize their work and collaboration with Token.io to power Pay By Bank transfer capabilities for SMEs on Flutterwave for Business while giving Token.io the opportunity to provide Pay by Bank payment method for businesses in Africa. 3. New and Enhanced Payment Solutions: Flutterwave has remained committed to rolling out solutions that will simplify payments for businesses and individuals in various contexts. The company recently launched Swap in partnership with Wema Bank and Kadavra BDC. Backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Swap addresses the challenges individuals and businesses face when they need foreign currency (FX). With the solution, Flutterwave is positioned to redefine the Nigerian FX exchange scene. Its currently available only in Nigeria and will be rolled out to other African markets later. Flutterwave also rebranded its cross-border remittance solution from $end to Send App to facilitate easier, faster, and more affordable money transfers from people in the diaspora to Africa. The updated solution now allows users in the US and Canada to send money to Africa and access new recipient countries, namely Egypt and Senegal, bringing its coverage to over 34 countries since the launch in 2021. 4. International Recognition: As Africas leading payments service provider and most valuable company, Flutterwave has recently gained wider recognition marked by milestones such as the acceptance of Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga GB Agboola into the prestigious Wall Street Journal (WSJ) CEO Council. This followed after the inclusion of Flutterwave CFO Oneal Bhambani into the Wall Street Journals CFO Network and further cemented the companys place as a globally recognized institution. All these indicate that Flutterwave is a company that is on the rise, and we could not be any more proud to have the payment giant as the lead fintech sponsor for AFTSLusaka2023. The 10th Africa Fintech Summit promises to be an unforgettable event, bringing together over 600 industry decision-makers to discuss and debate emerging fintech trends, regulatory developments, and opportunities for collaboration. By partnering with Flutterwave, the summit aims to empower attendees to leverage the power of fintech to transform Africas financial landscape. TRIBUTES have been paid to an Inishbiggle man who drowned after the car he was driving veered off the road into a lake on the island. Sixty-one-year-old Christy Henry died on Friday evening when his car became submerged at around 8.30pm. Mr Henry was well known as a leader in the small community of the island, which has a population of less than 20 people. Over the years, he had campaigned for greater facilities on the island, including a long and but ultimately unsuccessful campaign for a cable-car link to the mainland to improve accessibility. He was also heavily involved in organising the annual Inishbiggle festival on the August Bank Holiday weekend, which brings people onto the island every summer. Fr Chris Ginnelly, the Parish Priest of Ballycroy (which includes Inishbiggle), paid tribute to Mr Henry, saying he did much to bring life to the island. He was so kind and caring to both his parents when they were alive. The entire island, as well as communities along this part of the Mayo coastline, are in total shock, he told Aine Ryan of The Irish Times. Alarm The alarm was raised just after 8.30pm on Friday evening when neighbours heard the sound of tyres skidding and the splash of the car entering the water. Moments earlier, Christy had left a neighbours home, where he had been visiting. He had travelled only approximately 200 metres before entering the water. The lake is roughly 16 metres from the side of the road, and the Peugeot car was completely submerged when locals arrived at the scene. They managed to retrieve Christy from the car and administered CPR. Members of the Achill Island Coast Guard unit and paramedics arrived at around 9.20pm and continued CPR, but despite all their best efforts they were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Henrys body was removed to Bullsmouth Pier on Achill Island and transferred to Mayo University Hospital. A postmortem took place over the weekend. The car was retrieved from the lake over the weekend and taken to Castlebar where gardai were to examine it as part of the investigation into the death. A great man Peter McManaman, Officer in Charge of the Achill Island Coast Guard Uunit, expressed his condolences to Mr Henrys family, saying the deceased had also been of great assistance to the Coast Guard in the past. Christy was a great man and very supportive of the Coast Guard whenever we would have to go onto the island. He would be there to collect us at the slipway and was always a great help to us when the need arrived. The assistance and help he would give us will be greatly missed by us, and his death is a great loss for everyone on Inishbiggle, he said. Mr Henry was predeceased by his parents, Paddy and Baby, and brother, James, and is survived by his sister, Mary (London), and brother, PJ (Foxford), his sisters-in-law, Patricia and Fran, and his nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and large circle of friends. He reposed in Lavelles Funeral Home, Cashel Achill yesterday evening (Tuesday) followed by removal the Church of Holy Family, Ballycroy, where his funeral Mass will take place at 12 noon today (Wednesday) followed by burial afterwards in the local cemetery. Gardai investigating the cause of the accident have appealed to anyone who may have information in relation to the incident to contact them at Westport Garda Station on 098 50230, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Only one person in Mayo has used the First Home Scheme to buy a house in the county with builders urged to build more houses aimed at the first time buyer market. The First Home Scheme, which is aimed at first time home buyers, was launched in July 2022 to help people bridge the gap between a first time buyer's deposit and mortgage, and the price of the new home. The scheme is a joint venture between the Government and the three retail banks in the State, to provide equity funding in exchange for a 30 percent stake in a home valued at as much as 450,000. In Mayo the price ceiling to buy or build a first time home is set at 325,000. A presentation on the scheme was made to members of Mayo County Council by Michael Broderick, Chief Executive of First Home Scheme, at yesterday's monthly meeting. Mr Broderick said that the take-up of the scheme in Mayo was 'disappointing' with only six people approved for the scheme since it was launched. It is a little bit disappointing when I looked at the figures for Mayo where we had six approvals and only one person used the scheme to purchase a house. The reason I am here is we want people to use the scheme but appreciate there is a challenge in that there aren't many new homes being built and that is an issue. We have spoken to builders down here and the message is if you build the right type of property and with the assistance of this scheme there will be a cohort of purchases there. We have got that message across slowly to builders in other parts of the country, so-much-so that builders are very much building properties with this scheme in mind. It is in their own interest to build property within the price ceiling of this scheme, he said. Mr Broderick confirmed that the scheme is open to people who wanted to build their own home and to people who might have undergone a separation and no longer have access to the family home. He confirmed the price ceiling of 325,000 was set using the median price of a new house in Co Mayo. Expressed frustration While welcoming Mr Broderick's presentation, councillors expressed frustration that the price ceiling was too low with Independent councillor John O'Malley saying that first time buyers would not be able to purchase a 'hen house' around Westport for 325,000. If there were six approved in Mayo and only one took up the scheme, what is wrong with it that only one took it up, said Cllr O'Malley. I am afraid that with the limit of 325,000 there is not much you would buy in the Westport area for that and that is the reality. There is a three bedroom house beside me and they are asking 640,000 which is cuckoo. Someone will come along but it won't be a local couple who will give close to what they are asking for. The young people are up against it and I am wondering will this scheme do them any good. I feel sorry for them. He was supported by a number of other councillors who said that unless there is further government intervention to help first time buyers they will not be able to afford a home. There was also a call for a relaxation of the planning rules to allow builders the opportunity to build homes without making a loss. Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus said that the feeling from the meeting was the figure of 325,000 is not sufficient and asked Mr Broderick to take that observation with him. In response Mr Broderick said that he listened to what the councillors had to say and they needed evidence to support any call to increase the price ceiling. We need some evidence to support that instead of people saying today it needs to be 400,000. That's great ... I could go into every chamber in Ireland where they would all ask for 100,000 [added to the ceiling] but we need evidence to support that. If the evidence is there from agents and builders we can use that but I can't just go back and say it should be 400,000, he said. Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) will honour its three World Skill Ireland Champions and their mentors at a ceremony on the Moylish Campus later this month, following All- Ireland wins for a quarter of the TUs entries. The TUS winners won the strongly contested Industrial Control, Industrial Mechanical, and Plumbing categories at the all-Ireland event at this years competition in the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin. Mechanical automation and maintenance fitter apprentice Gary Golden from Swinford won gold in his category. Supported by TUS Moylish Campus Lecturer in the Mechanical and Automobile Engineering Department Keith OBrien, Gary is employed by Olandi Engineering, Castlebar, Conor Grace from Toomevara in Co Tipperary won the Industrial Control Competition with the support of Moylish based lecturer Francis Condon. Conor works with the ESB in Nenagh. Meanwhile, plumbing apprentice Frank Moffit from Ballynacarrigy, Co Westmeath was also successful, winning his competition under the mentorship of lecturer Shane Kelly, based on the Athlone Campus. In total 12 TUS based apprentices qualified for the World Skills Ireland finals this year, with a quarter of the entrees bringing home gold. TUS is no stranger to success at the World Skills competition with culinary arts student Jack Rice and mechanical automation apprentice Reece Seery winning their respective categories last year. TUS is a leading provider of apprenticeship education in both craft and consortia-led apprenticeships, training in the excess of 2,000 apprentices annually across a range of disciplines. Congratulating this years winners, their mentors and employers President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane highlighted the importance of craft and consortia-led apprenticeships to the regional economies. TUS continues to futureproof apprenticeship capacity and recognises the need for qualified workers and people who are highly and technically trained in areas with future skills needs, he said. We are already catering for the significant increased demand for apprenticeships nationally. Earlier this year we opened a new state-of-the-art apprenticeship facility on our Athlone Campus, which will create active learning space for up to 1,000 apprentices a year, almost doubling the campuss existing capacity. With the opening of our new Coonagh Engineering Campus we will be able to increase our apprenticeship intake to 1,900 in Limerick, all the while we are also developing new apprenticeships up to level 9 for 2024, he said. THE number of burglaries in Mayo has increased by 17 percent in the past 12 months, despite a nationwide decrease of 8 percent. According to the quarterly PhoneWatch Burglary Report, 153 burglaries have occurred in the county in the past 12 months. This represented the second-highest increase of any county, with only Sligo/Leitrim recording a higher increase (25 percent) on the previous recorded period. Mayo was one of only seven areas to record an increase in burglaries so far this year. Figures presented at the most recent meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee showed a sharp increase in recorded property crime but a decrease in property crime overall. Sgt Sean Cunnane, Crime Prevention Officer for Mayo, said that gardai are investigating several burglaries in at private houses in Ballinrobe, Partry, Crossmolina, Foxford, Swinford, Claremorris, Aghamore, Irishtown, Ballyhaunis, Ballindine and Kilkelly. Earlier this summer, three premises in the South Mayo area, including a creche, were broken into in a 48-hour period. We are appealing to the public for any information, no matter how insignificant, to report it to the gardai, said Sgt Cunnane. Eoin Dunne, Managing Director of PhoneWatch, called on people to remain vigilant during the winter months, during which burglaries can rise by as much as 20 percent. Nearly half of these burglaries occur between 5pm and 11pm in the evening. Mr Dunne said: When you look at the broader data over the last decade it shows that on average, one in every ten Irish homes has experienced a break-in during the last 10 years. We need to get this number down and we want to work with all homeowners to ensure they are taking the necessary steps to keep their homes secure and their families safe, 24/7. PhoneWatch is advising people to ensure that their doors and windows are locked, to secure their keys and to leave a light on when not at home. People are also advised never to leave car keys, cash, jewellery or any valuable items openly on display and to install an alarm system in their home. The full PhoneWatch Burglary Report can be read here: https://www.phonewatch.ie/burglaryreport/ Meissner Corporation has celebrated the official opening of its new 3,900 m (42,000 ft) manufacturing facility in Castlebar. Although the facility has been producing therapeutic manufacturing systems for Meissners pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical client base since March of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the official grand opening celebration until today. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Camarillo, California, USA, the company operates globally and supports clients worldwide. Meissners product portfolio enables the development and manufacture of critical medicines in therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiology and immunology. The company recently played a leading role in the industrys response to the Covid-19 pandemic, providing critical products that enabled the development, manufacture, and distribution of numerous lifesaving therapeutics and vaccines. This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney, TD, said: I am delighted to congratulate Meissner Corporation on the opening of their manufacturing facility in Castlebar. Since production commenced, the Mayo facility has been providing global clients with essential pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, including playing such an important role in the fight against Covid. The West Region has become a hub for leading biopharma companies and Meissner opening their first facility outside the US, in Castlebar, truly is a vote of confidence to the West, and our talented workforce. Thanks to Meissner Corporation for choosing Castlebar, and I wish them continued success in Ireland. The Castlebar, Ireland facility, which was first announced in 2019, represents the global organizations first manufacturing facility in Europe. An incredible amount of teamwork ensured that our facility could not only open, but also successfully manufacture during a global pandemic. As a critical supplier to industry, our focus has always been to guarantee our clients receive the products that are critical to their manufacture of life-saving medicines, including those directly related to Covid-19, said John OShea, Director of Operations at Castlebar, Ireland. Meissner currently has over 90 employees at our Castlebar facility and looks forward to continuing to add team members to support future growth. When the decision was originally made to locate in Castlebar, one of the critical factors considered was access to talent and the organisation has been exceedingly pleased with the results, added Lisa McNama, Human Resource Manager, at Castlebar, Ireland. Executive Director of IDA Ireland Mary Buckley said: The decision by Meissner in 2019 to establish its first manufacturing facility outside the US in Co Mayo was significant, especially as 2020 became a time of unprecedented global uncertainty. From Castlebar, Meissner manufactured and delivered mission critical products as the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors responded to the demands of a global pandemic. I wish to thank Meissner for the confidence they have demonstrated since 2019, congratulate them on todays grand opening and wish them continued success. A controlled explosion has taken place on an Irish beach after a historical device was discovered. It came during an operation by the Defences Forces in the Ringsend area of Dublin following a security alert. It is understood that a device historical in nature was found. A spokesperson for the Garda (Irish police) said they were alerted to the discovery of a device at a premises on the Pigeon House Road on Tuesday afternoon. The services of the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) were requested and a controlled explosion was carried out, they said. An Irish Defence Forces spokesperson said its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts were tasked to both Ringsend and Dundrum, for two incidents during which historical devices had been found. This was in response to two separate requests for assistance from An Garda Siochana, they said. In both cases historical ammunition had been found. All munitions have been disposed of, with the historical munition found at Ringsend being countermined at the scene. All EOD personnel have now returned to base. ELKO Police are seeking two suspects and a person of interest in the attempted armed robbery of a city employee early Monday morning, who fled after one suspect was punched by the victim. Elko Police said the employee was unlocking a maintenance shed at approximately 6:24 a.m. Oct. 9 at the City Cemetery when he was approached by a male and female who demanded money from him. The male was holding a knife when he began approaching the employee, police said. The employee fought back, punching the male in the face and causing the male and female to flee. The male was described as Hispanic of unknown age, standing about 5-foot 6-inches or 5-foot 7-inches. He wore a black coat, a face mask, winter clothing and was carrying a backpack. The female was described as a white adult in her 30s, standing about six feet tall, weighing about 200 lbs., wearing a thick blue coat and winter clothing. Police also asked for the publics assistance to identify a man who was photographed walking in front of a residence who may be related to the incident. His identity is needed so he can be questioned in regards to this crime, police stated. If anyone has information concerning the mans identity or information related to this or similar crimes, call the Elko Police Departments non-emergency dispatch line at 775-777-7300. Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung receives visiting Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko in Hanoi. At the meeting, Trung said the Party, State, and people of Vietnam appreciate Japan's companionship and cooperation during the past time, contributing to Vietnams socio-economic development, industrialisation, and modernisation process. The two sides hailed the good developments in Vietnam - Japan relations which benefit the two countries' peoples and actively contributing to peace, cooperation, and development of the region and the world. The two sides agreed to coordinate closely to continue to concretise important common perceptions reached during the online talk between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida in February 2023. They discussed directions to promote cooperation in the coming time, including relations through the party channel, contributing to taking Vietnam-Japan relations to a new stable level. The two officials also compared notes on global and regional situations./. According to Ariztons latest research report, the holter monitor market growing at a CAGR of 8.45% during 2023-2029. Holter Monitor Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) $1.20 Billion Market Size (2023) $742.61 Million CAGR (2023-2029) 8.45% Base Year 2023 Historic Year 2019-2022 Forecast Year 2024-2029 Market Segmentation Channel Type, Monitoring Capacity, End-user Type, Product Type, and Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Market Dynamics Increasing Prevalence of Cardiac Disorders Increasing Adoption of Ambulatory Heart Monitoring Devices Growing Focus of Vendors on Inorganic Growth Strategies Request for Free Sample Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3990 Wireless Holter monitors are primarily used in monitoring patients with conditions such as palpitation, ventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation. They find extensive applications in large and medium-sized hospitals for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases. The Extended Holter Technology, also known as Patch technology, is a long-term wearable Holter device that operates without wires. It consists of two components that sync data to a remote device through Bluetooth. According to one-year data presented at the American College of Cardiologys 67th Annual Scientific Session in March 2018, individuals at a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) may benefit from wearing a self-adhering chest patch that records heart patterns. This approach could enhance AFib detection and enable more timely treatment compared to standard care. Despite being costlier, the convenience and accuracy offered by these devices justify their increasing popularity in the global cardiac holter monitor market. Market Segmentation Overview The Holter monitor with a 3-channel type segment accounted for the highest share of the Holter monitor market. In 3-channel devices, ECG signals selected by the microprocessor are amplified, filtered, and sent to a 3-channel multiplexer. The multiplexed analog signals are sent to an analog-to-digital converter, which is then stored and sent to a digital-to-analog converter for reconstructing the analog signals. These signals are de-multiplexed and sent to the chart recorder or video display to display the recorded data. Multiple tracings with 3-channel devices could eliminate the need for electrostatic copying, which is often costly and time-consuming. Therefore, using three-channel Holter monitors has become crucial in improving the efficiency of operations in medical settings. This, in turn, drives the growth of the 3-channel Holter monitors segment in the global Holter devices market. Further, the commercial availability of a wide range of Holter monitors with 3 channels is another major factor propelling the segments growth. Geographical Analysis The holter monitor market in the US is growing significantly and is likely to grow at a similar pace during the forecast period. An increase in the prevalence of CVDs and AF, high awareness regarding the benefits of the latest-generation Holter monitors, aggressive expansion plans of vendors to penetrate the US market, and product approvals of new Holter monitors are likely to fuel the growth of the market in the country. The increase in the prevalence of AF is one of the major factors contributing to the increasing adoption of Holter monitors in the country. According to the CDC, about 2.7 million to 6.1 million people in the US suffer from AF. The Holter monitor market in the US is expected to grow during the forecast period due to the launch and increasing demand for advanced devices, especially the latest generation Holter monitors with patch-based and wireless technology. For instance, in May 2018, Preventice Solutions launched BodyGuardian MINI, the worlds first 16-day submersible Holter monitor with a wearable patch that can be moved and reapplied by the patient to optimize comfort and wearability. Therefore, the holter monitor market in the US is expected to grow steadily during the forecast period due to an increase in the elderly population, awareness of advanced Holter monitors, and focus of market players on launching advanced Holter monitors in the region. About the Report The report analyses the current state of the global Holter monitor market and its market dynamics from 2024 to 2029. It provides an extensive overview of various factors that drive growth, hinder growth, and highlight trends within the market. This study encompasses both the aspects of demand and supply within the industry. Furthermore, it offers profiles and assessments of top companies and other noteworthy firms operating in this sector. Market Dynamics Increasing Prevalence of Cardiac Disorders Increasing Adoption of Ambulatory Heart Monitoring Devices Growing Focus of Vendors on Inorganic Growth Strategies Buy this Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/holter-monitors-market-size-analysis Post-Purchase Benefit 1hr of free analyst discussion 10% of customization Key Company Profiles Koninklijke Philips N.V. GE Healthcare iRhythm Technologies Hill-Rom Holdings Inc (Baxter) Nihon Kohden Corp Fukuda Denshi Co Ltd ACS Diagnostics Advanced Instrumentations AMEDTEC Medizintechnic Aue Aspel SA Hangzhou Beneware Medical Equipment BioMedical Instruments Biotricity Bittium BPL Medical Technologies Borsam BioMedical Instruments BTL Corporate Contec Medical Systems Diagnostic Devices Development Cortrium ApS Custo Med GmBH DMS Services EB-Neuro EDAN Instruments Inc Forest Medical LLC Labtech Ltd LEPU Medicals LUMED srl Medical ECONET Medicomp Inc Meditech KFT Meditech Equipment Midmark Monitor Nasan Medical Electronics Nasiff Associates NeuroSoft Norav Medical NorthEast Monitor Preventice Solutions Recorders & Medicare Systems SCOTTCARE Cardiovascular Solutions Schiller Shenzhen Biocare Bio-Medical Equipment SPACELABS Healthcare Suzuken Company Trimpeks Trismed Medtronic Plc Braun and Company Livetec Ingenieurburo GmbH DIMETEK CardioSecur ECGMAC Seiva s.r.o. TZ Medical VasoMedical, Inc. Medset Medizintechnik GmbH Purple MicroPort Market Segmentation Channel Type: 3 Channel, 12 Channel, and Others Monitoring Capacity: Up to 7 days and Above 7 days End-user Type: Hospitals, Specialty Cardiac Centers, and Others Product Type: Wired Holter Monitors and Wireless Holter Monitors Geography: North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Key Questions Answered in the Report: How big is the global Holter monitor market? What is the projected growth rate of the global Holter monitor market? What are the rising trends in the holter monitor market? Which region holds the most significant global Holter monitor market share? Who are the key players in the global Holter monitor market? Check Out Our Wide Range of Top-Selling Research Reports: Cardiac Biomarkers Market Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028 Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Market Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028 Vital Signs Monitoring Devices Market Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028 Laboratory Equipment Services Market Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028 Ariztons Expertise in the Healthcare Industry Arizton offers syndicate and custom market intelligence & competitive intelligence solutions across MedTech, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences & biotechnology markets within the healthcare industry. Ariztons healthcare vertical provides unbiased research and evidence-based analysis to support business decisions and comprehensive end-to-end solutions to its customers, covering all dimensions of the healthcare value chain. We track various devices (equipment, implants, and hospital supplies) and drugs (patented, generic, & OTC) across North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa regions. The healthcare reports provide historic and forecast data for 20+ key countries worldwide. We track product approvals/launches, M&A activities, and collaboration/partnership activities among pharma/biotech, medical device, and life sciences companies. Our pharmaceutical portfolio tracks 15+ therapy areas with a major focus on immunology, oncology, rare & genetic diseases, dermatology, and metabolic diseases. Our medical devices and life sciences portfolio covers in-vitro diagnostics, healthcare IT, patient monitoring, cardiovascular devices, medical imaging, personal protective equipment, clinical laboratory services, and CMO/CDMO services. Explore more healthcare reports: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/category/healthcare-lifesciences Why Arizton? 100% Customer Satisfaction 247 availability we are always there when you need us 200+ Fortune 500 Companies trust Ariztons report 80% of our reports are exclusive and first in the industry 100% more data and analysis 1500+ reports published till date About Us: Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services. We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts. Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports. Contact Us: Call: +1-312-235-2040 +1 302 469 0707 Mail: enquiry@arizton.com Contact Us: https://www.arizton.com/contact-us Blog: https://www.arizton.com/blog Website: https://www.arizton.com/ According to Ariztons latest research report, laboratory equipment and consumables market will grow at a CAGR of 5.80% during 2022-2028. Laboratory Equipment and Consumables Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 139.90 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 99.75 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 5.80% Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Product, Laboratory Type, and Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Market Dynamics Preference for Early Diseases Diagnosis in Clinical Laboratories Increasing R&D by Biotech, Pharma, Medical Devices, & Life Sciences Companies Preference Towards Smaller Lab Equipment & Lab Automation To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3927 Laboratory equipment services are the most integral and vital part of the laboratory industry. The growing number of laboratories and advanced products launched in the market drive the demand for lab equipment services. OEMs only deliver lab equipment services for a particular time after vendors launch the product due to the product being new in the market and developed by technologies. Multi-vendor lab equipment services are also known as LAM or single-source services. They are privately managed laboratory equipment maintenance services for multiple vendors from a single provider. Multi-vendor services are included but not limited to only one service. These services offer repair, inventory management, purchasing, installation, equipment logistics, calibration, and compliance. In contrast to contracting third parties for lab equipment services, this service model binds a group of laboratories to obtain many services. Lab networks help deliver services that are unavailable through multi-vendor service providers. This is a major benefit of multi-vendor lab equipment service providers. Some leading laboratory equipment manufacturing companies offer multi-vendor services. They are among the top lab equipment manufacturers and leading service providers in the global market. Vendors in the market experience competition from various service providers. Currently, two major lab equipment service providers are available in the market with 60% and 40% market penetration. The service providers are OEMs and third-party service providers. Almost all manufacturing companies offer lab equipment services for particular periods, such as bi-annual or annual services. Third-party service providers offer various services for multiple lab equipment brands with one point of contact. Both entities constantly try to hold major share and penetration. North America to Lead the Market Growth North America is the leading region in the global laboratory equipment services market, accounting for higher revenue generation and market share in 2022. It is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. R&D activities across North America increase across every industry that require laboratories and associated tools. Increased R&D activities accelerate the demand for lab equipment services. The regions rapidly growing healthcare and life sciences sector delivers lucrative market growth opportunities. In healthcare sectors, the significant patient population demand for clinical and diagnostics tests fuels the clinical lab testing volume and impacts lab equipment conditions, where lab repair, maintenance, calibration, and other services are in high demand. Furthermore, the rapid development in pharma, biotech, and medical devices companies accelerates the demand for advanced and automated lab equipment where the need for preventive and other lab services is significantly high. The region has many hospitals, clinics, and other health laboratories. Vendors in North America have opportunities to focus on the healthcare industry with the application of lab equipment in these settings to achieve significant revenue. Buy the Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/laboratory-equipment-and-consumables-market Post-Purchase Benefit 1hr of free analyst discussion 10% of customization Vendors Key Company Profiles Agilent Technologies Bruker Bio-Rad Laboratories Danaher FUJIFILM Holding Corporation PerkinElmer Inc. Shimadzu Corporation Thermo Fisher Scientific Waters Corporation Other Prominent Vendors Abbott Agappe Diagnostics altona Diagnostics Analyticon Biotechnologies ARKRAY Balio Diagnostics BD Biocartis bioMerieux Bioway Biological Technology Boule Diagnostics BRAND Borosil BIOTEC CellVision CLINDIAG SYSTEMS CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS Convergent Technologies cpc Diagnostics Corning Incorporated CPM Scientifica CELLINK Dexcom DiaSorin S.p.A. Diagon Diatron DIALAB EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc ELITechGroup Eppendorf FORMULATRIX Flow Robotics Gilson Greiner Bio-One International HiTec Zang Hudson Robotics Hamilton Company HighRes Biosolutions Integra Biosciences Ingersoll Rand METTLER TOLEDO Metrohm Orochem Technologies Sartorius SPT Labtech Siemens Healthineers Tecan Wuhan Bonnin Technology DIRUI Drucker Diagnostics Erba Diagnostics Genrui Biotech Hologic High Technology HORIBA Luxlighting Technology ACMAS Technologies Labtop Instruments ALSIN Technology Services BIONICS SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGIES Customization Available Our team is always ready to answer your questions and concerns, guide you through the purchasing process, and dive into the research report. To learn more about the medical tent market, request an Analyst Brief from Arizton Advisory & Intelligence; our sales team will assist you in making an informed market decision to achieve market growth. We also provide customization solutions based on your business requirements and assistance with your questions and future goals. Our researchers will prioritize your interests and investigate all possible avenues to increase your business profits. To Get the Benefit of Our Free Report Customization Service, Send Your Enquiry Here https://www.arizton.com/customize-report/3927 Market Segmentation Product: Consumables & Lab Apparatus, IVD Equipment, and Core & General Lab Equipment Laboratory Type: Clinical & Diagnostics Labs, Pharma, Biotech, & Medical Device Companies, Academic & Research Lab, and Other Labs Geography: North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Key Questions Answered in the Report: How big is the laboratory equipment and consumables market? What is the projected growth rate of the global laboratory equipment and consumables market? Who are the key players in the global laboratory equipment and consumables market? What are the rising trends in the laboratory equipment and consumables market? Which region holds the most significant global laboratory equipment and consumables market share? Check Out TOC in Detail Now: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/laboratory-equipment-and-consumables-market?details=tableOfContents Check Out Some of the Top Selling Research Reports: Laboratory Gas Generators Market Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028 Plastic Labware Market Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028 Cleanroom Consumables Market- Global Outlook and Forecast 2022-2027 Lab Automation Market Global Outlook and Forecast 2021-2026 Ariztons Expertise in the Healthcare Industry Arizton offers syndicate and custom market intelligence & competitive intelligence solutions across MedTech, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences & biotechnology markets within the healthcare industry. Ariztons healthcare vertical provides unbiased research and evidence-based analysis to support business decisions and comprehensive end-to-end solutions to its customers, covering all dimensions of the healthcare value chain. We track various devices (equipment, implants, and hospital supplies) and drugs (patented, generic, & OTC) across North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa regions. The healthcare reports provide historic and forecast data for 20+ key countries worldwide. We track product approvals/launches, M&A activities, and collaboration/partnership activities among pharma/biotech, medical device, and life sciences companies. Our pharmaceutical portfolio tracks 15+ therapy areas with a major focus on immunology, oncology, rare & genetic diseases, dermatology, and metabolic diseases. Our medical devices and life sciences portfolio covers in-vitro diagnostics, healthcare IT, patient monitoring, cardiovascular devices, medical imaging, personal protective equipment, clinical laboratory services, and CMO/CDMO services. Explore more healthcare reports: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/category/healthcare-lifesciences Why Arizton Research Reports? 100% Customer Satisfaction 247 availability we are always there when you need us. 200+ Fortune 500 Companies trust Ariztons report. 80% of our reports are exclusive and first in the industry. 100% more data and analysis. 1000+ reports published to date. About Us: Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services. We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts. Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports. Contact Us: Call: +1-312-235-2040 +1 302 469 0707 Mail: enquiry@arizton.com Contact Us: https://www.arizton.com/contact-us Blog: https://www.arizton.com/blog Website: https://www.arizton.com/ Scientists at the University of Galway in Ireland and MIT have collaborated to create a soft robotic implant that can work to fight fibrotic encapsulation and deliver drugs despite the presence of fibrous scar tissue. The device, which the researchers have termed the FibroSensing Dynamic Soft Reservoir (FSDSR), is designed to reside in the body for extended periods and deliver drugs. However, the immune system typically recognizes such medical implants as foreign, and walls them off with a thick layer of fibrous scar tissue, limiting drug diffusion and leading to eventual failure. This new soft robotic implant can inflate and deflate, like a sea creature, which helps to reduce the amount of scar tissue that is deposited on its surface. However, in a key development, the researchers have also furnished the implant with a sensor that can measure the amount of scar tissue present on the device, allowing it to use AI to calculate how to release the same dose of drug, regardless of the amount of fibrosis present. The foreign body response is a key hurdle in developing more effective medical implants, such as an artificial pancreas. The thick scar tissue that builds up on such implants greatly reduces their lifespan and limits their ability to sense their environment and release drugs in response. Techniques to reduce this biofouling, such as surface patterning on medical implants, have met with mixed success. To address this, these researchers have created a soft robotic drug delivery implant that can reduce the foreign body response by actively inflating and deflating. This movement appears to confuse the body, which cant deposit as much scar tissue on the device. This robotic actuation also serves another purpose, by helping to push liquid drug out of the device into its surroundings. So far, so good, but in this latest study, the researchers took it a step further by introducing artificial intelligence, according to a press release from the University of Galway. They incorporated a sensor membrane into the device that can sense the amount of biofouling that has occurred. Then, machine learning calculates how many actuations, and of what force, the device will need to apply to squeeze a consistent dose of drug through the surrounding fibrous capsule. In this way, the technology can continue to deliver consistent drug dosing even if it is heavily covered in fibrotic scar tissue. The technology may pave the way for fully autonomous implants that can monitor their environment and make adjustments as required to achieve their goals. This is a new area of research that can have implications in other places and is not solely limited for the treatment of diabetes, said Garry Duffy, a researcher involved in the study. Our discovery could provide consistent and responsive dosing over long periods, without clinician involvement, enhancing efficacy and reducing the need for device replacement because of fibrosis. Study in journal Science Robotics: Soft robotmediated autonomous adaptation to fibrotic capsule formation for improved drug delivery Via: University of Galway by Fern Siegel , October 11, 2023 The&Partnership executive Sam Lewis has been named CEO, U.S. A 10-year veteran of the agency, Lewis previously served as managing director, EMEA, leading client wins for Toyota, Mars and Aon. He also oversaw the first AI-written TV ad for Lexus and the rebrand of Uncle Ben's to Ben's Originals. As CEO, U.S., Lewis will work closely with the company's media agency mSix&Partners, which is jointly owned with GroupM. Electronic Arts and David Yurman are among its clients. Lewis will report to The&Partnership's Worldwide CEO Nick Howarth. Johnny Hornby, founder of The&Partnership, called Lewis a "phenomenal leader," noting he helped Toyota achieve its highest-ever market share in Europe last year and set up multiple regional content studios for Mars Wrigley. Before The&Partnership, Lewis was a senior account director at McCann Erikson, handling clients such as MasterCard, Nestle, LOreal and General Mills. advertisement advertisement "The most successful brands of the next decade will be those using AI technologies to create and deploy data-informed content at the speed of business," said Lewis. He is charged with guiding the agency's implementation of AI tools. Founded in 2001, The&Partnership is a privately owned corporation backed by WPP. The agency recorded 2022 revenues of over $160 million. by Richard Whitman , Columnist, October 10, 2023 In January, Cincinnati-based media agency Empower was sold to Ashlee Clarke and it seems the transition to new ownership has been anything but smooth, according to a report by Adage.com on Monday. According to the report, there has been a clash of new and old cultures as the agency has seen an exodus of over 100 staffers since February, over a dozen landing at nearby Procter & Gamble where theyve been hired to help run its in-house media department. advertisement advertisement Also, previous owner Jim Price who originally agreed to stay on to 2024 has taken what the Adage.com report described as an "early buyout," as did another top executive, Chief Investment Owner Kathy Shaffner. Per the report Empower was so miffed at the defections to P&G it wrote a cease-and-desist letter to the company. Under old ownership Empower positioned itself as the Un-Holding Company, a reference to the alleged lack of transparency on the part of some holding companies in dealing with clients. Those allegations and more were the subject of a widely reported on Transparency Report issued by the ANA in 2016. The agency issued a comment to Adage.com confirming many parts of its story including its moving away from the Unholding company positioning. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 10, 2023 For the second time in eight years, a watchdog has found online marketplace Etsy out of compliance with some requirements of the ad industry's self-regulatory privacy code, which aims to notify consumers about online ad tracking and allow them to opt out of receiving behaviorally-targeted ads. Specifically, Etsy allegedly allowed outside companies to collect data from consumers for ad-targeting purposes but failed to provide enhanced notice regarding targeted ads -- meaning ads based on users' activity across different sites -- according to the BBB National Programs' Digital Advertising Accountability Program. Providing enhanced notice requires website operators to offer a prominent link that takes visitors directly to an opt-out site. While Etsy's website had a link labeled Interest-based ads, clicking it took people to a privacy policy, instead of taking them directly to an opt-out mechanism, according to the accountability program. advertisement advertisement In 2015, the watchdog faulted Etsy over similar issues with the notices provided to consumers. At the time, the self-regulatory group said Etsy had remedied the matter. The watchdog said Tuesday that it discovered the recent issues with Etsy's website as part of periodical monitoring of companies that were previously reviewed. The accountability program also said Tuesday Etsy's mobile app -- which allowed third parties to collect users' unique identifiers for ad targeting -- failed to meet self-regulatory standards regarding enhanced notice. The watchdog said the issues it discovered with both the mobile app and website have been fixed by Etsy. BBB National Programs has enforced the Digital Advertising Alliance's self-regulatory privacy code for more than 10 years. That code pre-dates the current wave of state privacy statutes, including new laws and regulations requiring online companies to comply with opt-out requests sent through mechanisms like the Global Privacy Control." That tool, developed by privacy advocates, enables web users to reject online ad targeting on a universal basis, instead of opting out site-by-site. Currently, states including California, Colorado, Connecticut and Montana have passed legislation or issued regulations requiring companies to honor universal opt-out requests. The BCI nudged up to 45.1 in Q3 2023, from 43.5 the previous quarter. While still below the 50-point threshold for four straight quarters, this small rise indicates emerging positive economic momentum. Business sentiment appears to be in flux. Between Q2 and Q3, there was a three percentage point drop in pessimism regarding the current situation, while positive and neutral perspectives increased by six and four percentage points respectively. Furthermore, the Q3 survey revealed a shift in projections for the quarter to come. Compared to responses in the Q2 survey, there was an 11 percentage point rise in businesses anticipating economic stabilization and growth for the upcoming quarter. On the other hand, businesses projecting a negative trend reduced by five percentage points. Approaching year-end, hope and caution persist. Though Vietnam's Q3 GDP grew a promising 5.3% year-on-year, companies continue to be cautious. Expectations regarding increased revenue or orders remained stable, with no change from the previous quarter. Just 22% of companies plan to expand their teams in Q4. Only 16% expect an increase in investments. Vietnam's FDI outlook: bright spots and areas for improvement Vietnam's global investment appeal remains strong. A notable 63% of surveyed businesses positioned Vietnam within their top 10 FDI destinations. Even more striking, 31% ranked Vietnam among their top three, while an impressive 16% hailed it as their foremost investment destination. Reflecting this confidence, over half of those surveyed plan to increase their foreign direct investment in Vietnam by the end of the year. Yet hurdles persist. A substantial 59% cited administrative difficulties as their main challenge when operating in Vietnam. Challenges such as uncertainties in rules and regulations, hurdles in permit acquisition, and strict visa and work permit requirements for foreign workers also stood out as prominent barriers. To improve the nation's FDI attraction, 58% of respondents said streamlining bureaucracy is key, 48% advocated for enhancing the regulatory environment, one-third called for upgrading transport infrastructure, and 22% emphasized easing visa and work permit requirements for foreign experts. Sustainability in Vietnam: high priority, high hurdles Sustainability is rising as a priority for European companies in Vietnam, with 80% citing ESG alignment as highly or moderately important. However, major obstacles remain when translating priorities into practice. Regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure gaps, and insufficient government support were cited as hindrances to implementing sustainability measures locally. Additionally, only 20% of firms are proactively preparing for impending EU green regulations, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Meanwhile, 38% currently have no plans for alignment. This distinct lack of preparedness not only poses challenges domestically but can hinder international competitiveness, especially in the crucial EU market. EuroCham's 2023 Green Economy Forum (GEF) provides a timely opportunity to address these challenges on 2 November in Hanoi. Expanding on the success of EuroChams 2022 Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE), this forum promises to be a hotspot for knowledge-sharing, helping businesses and policymakers to stay abreast of EU green regulations and other pressing issues related to sustainability. By attending, companies can gain invaluable insights into how to navigate these evolving challenges and capitalize on opportunities for green growth. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreements dual impact: opportunities and obstacles More than two years after its implementation, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is continuing to have a strong positive impact on Vietnam's business landscape. Over 60% of companies called the deal beneficial, citing tariff cuts as the top perk, followed by improved competitiveness in Vietnam, reduced trade barriers, expanded partnerships with local firms, and increased access to the Vietnamese market. However, challenges persist. Discrepancies in customs valuations for imports, opaque and protracted customs clearance procedures, technical obstacles to trade, and an overarching uncertainty or lack of clarity concerning the agreement stand as barriers that curb its full effectiveness. EuroCham Chairman Gabor Fluits comments: "It's clear: Team Europe stands firmly behind Vietnam," said EuroCham Chairman Gabor Fluit, commenting on the BCI. "Nearly one-third of our members ranking Vietnam as a top-three investment location sends a powerful message about our faith in this partnership." However, he noted challenges remain. "While we saw promising Q3 GDP and FDI growth, issues persist - especially with exports and real estate. To progress, addressing administrative burdens, unclear regulations, and permitting hurdles is crucial. We remain committed to open dialogue to effectively tackle these issues together." Fluit emphasized sustainability as a standout finding. "Seeing that 80% of our members prioritize ESG alignment underscores a genuine commitment to responsible growth among businesses. By integrating green practices into business strategies, we pursue both development and progress." He said the alignment between European firms and Vietnam on sustainability objectives is commendable and pivotal. "This shared commitment will be highlighted at EuroCham's 2023 Green Economy Forum (GEF) on 2 November. We'll discuss actionable paths to a greener future. I urge all stakeholders to join us." Decision Lab CEO Thue Quist Thomasen's perspective: "After weathering challenges, Vietnam now shows signs of recovery and resilience," said Decision Lab CEO Thue Quist Thomasen. "Retail and tourism have grown strongly, helping drive the economy forward. Resumed FDI growth also offers optimism, reinforcing Vietnam's status as a global business hub." He noted that while exports and real estate still face hurdles, cautious optimism prevails. "This sentiment signals a possible turnaround in the country's economic narrative." While the BCI still indicates a slightly negative sentiment, it is positive to note the continued stability in the quarterly measurement. Following a three-year period of high volatility, this new stability indicates that European business leaders can now predict the year ahead and better plan for future investments. This is a positive development in itself./. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 10, 2023 TikTok must face a privacy lawsuit over allegations that it tracked web users on sites operated by Hulu, Etsy and other outside companies, a federal judge has ruled. In a decision issued late last week, U.S. District Court Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr. in the Central District of California ruled that if the allegations in the complaint are proven true, they could show that TikTok, owned by Chinese-based ByteDance, violated privacy standards in California. The ruling comes in a class-action complaint brought in June by state resident Bernadine Griffith. She alleged that TikTok's pixel -- a tool publishers can install on their sites to collect ad-related data -- enables the company to compile information about web users, regardless of whether they have accounts with TikTok. By aggregating private data over a wide range of websites, defendants assemble a comprehensive profile of these non-TikTok users, Griffith alleged. advertisement advertisement The complaint included claims that TikTok violated California's constitution, which says residents have a right to privacy, and that it engaged in intrusion upon seclusion -- a privacy claim that involves offensive conduct. Some of the allegations draw from a September 2022 Consumer Reports investigation concluding that TikTok is partnering with a growing number of other companies to hoover up data about people as they travel across the internet. According to Consumer Reports, hundreds of large organizations including Weight Watchers, Planned Parenthood and the Girl Scouts were sending data about web visitors to TikTok. At the time of the report, Google's and Meta's tracking tools were far more prevalent than TikTok's, according to Consumer Reports. Griffith, a non-TikTok user, alleged that the company secretly intercepted and collected her browsing and search data from sites including the streaming service Hulu, online marketplace Etsy, and retailer Build-a-Bear Workshop. She also alleged that TikTok's technology allows it to collect information about users even when they attempt to prevent tracking by blocking cookies set by third parties -- meaning cookies set by web companies other than the one a user has deliberately visited. TikTok urged Blumenfeld to dismiss the case at an early stage, writing that the claims were non-starters, noting that Hulu, Etsy and Build-a-Bear all disclose that they allow third parties to collect data. Plaintiffs complaint against data sharing ... is equivalent to complaining about how the Internet works, TikTok's lawyers wrote in a motion filed in July. The Internet functions as a network of information. For Plaintiff to visit any website, data must go from Plaintiff, to her Internet Service Provider who connects her online, to numerous computers along the way, and ultimately to the website she visits. The company added that analytics codes like its pixel are widely used by website owners in order to evaluate the effectiveness of their ad campaigns on a platform. Blumenfeld threw out some claims -- including allegations that TikTok violated a computer fraud law -- but said Griffith could move forward with the bulk of the lawsuit. He noted in the ruling that other judges in California had allowed privacy lawsuits over online tracking to proceed against Meta and Google. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 10, 2023 California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed the Delete Act, which aims to enable state residents to easily remove their information from all data brokers registered with the state. The bill (SB 362) was backed by privacy advocates but opposed by the ad industry and business groups. California's privacy laws already allow residents to request removal of their information from data brokers, but on a company-by-company basis. The Delete Act, introduced earlier this year by Senator Josh Becker, expands on that law by requiring all data brokers in the state to honor a delete request made through a single mechanism, to be created by the California Privacy Protection Agency. The bill also requires data brokers to register with the privacy agency and disclose the types of personal data they collect. The measure will become a law next year, but the provision regarding the opt-out mechanism won't take effect until 2026. advertisement advertisement Last month, a coalition of ad organizations urged Newsom to veto the bill, arguing it will end the widespread availability of free and low-cost Internet offerings to state residents. If enacted as-is, SB 362 will create catastrophic impacts for Californians by eradicating the very data that powers their access to free and low-cost online content, products, and services, the Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Interactive Advertising Bureau. American Advertising Federation, and Digital Advertising Alliance said in a letter to Newsom. The bills deletion mechanism will remove data necessary for modern marketing and advertising, which subsidizes the vast and varied content, products, and services consumers access for free or at a low cost today (such as maps, news, informational content, videos, music, games, and more), the groups added. The advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation supported the law, arguing it will enable residents to wield more control over their information. California Attorney General Rob Bonta also supported the law, arguing in a recent letter to sponsor Senator Josh Becker that it's impractical to expect people to submit individual deletion requests to around 500 data brokers registered in the state. The ad industry groups that lobbied against the bill argued to state legislators that it will harm small businesses and also hinder anti-fraud initiatives, loyalty programs and research. The groups reiterated those concerns in their letter urging Newsom to veto the measure. SB 362s deletion provisions will eliminate data from small and start-up businesses marketing efforts... making it considerably more difficult for them to find customers and causing many small businesses to be driven out of the market due to the loss of available audiences for their offerings, the ad organizations wrote. They also said the bill will thwart data brokers ability to provide vital anti-fraud services. The bill allows data brokers to maintain some consumer data for security purposes -- even after a consumer has requested its deletion. But the ad industry says that provision doesn't go far enough to enable data brokers to combat fraud. On Tuesday, Chris Oswald, Association of National Advertisers' executive vice president for government relations, called the Delete Act a lose-lose-lose-lose for California's consumers, businesses, government agencies, and economy. "The coming cascade of damage from the Delete Act will hopefully serve as a cautionary tale to other states, so they can avoid the broad negative impacts from any similar sledgehammer approach to our interdependent digital economy, he said. This new law also creates another ripped seam in the nation's increasingly frayed and unsustainable patchwork of state privacy regulations, highlighting the critical need for preemptive federal legislation that protects both consumers and the data-supported services they love." by Ray Schultz , October 10, 2023 The U.S. Supreme Court has again declined to revisit the libel protections afforded to publishers by its New York Times-Sullivan decision in 1964. But Justice Clarence Thomas reiterated his view that SCOTUS should reconsider that ruling, arguing that The Court usurped control over libel law and imposed its own elevated standard in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. The Court declined without comment to reconsider Sullivan, not granting cert in the case of Don Blankenship vs. NBC Universal, LLC et al. Thomas concurred with that. But he stated in a comment that in Sullivan, the Court decreed that the Constitution required a federal rule that prohibits a public official from recovering damages for a defamatory falsehood relating to his official conduct unless he proves that the statement was made with actual malice that is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. advertisement advertisement Thomas believes the issue should reside with state courts and legislatures, and concurred today because Blankenships claims are independently subject to an actual-malice standard as a matter of state law. Last year, the Court rejected a churchs request to reconsider Sullivan, Thomas being the only dissenter. It has declined to revisit the decision on several occasions since 1964. Blankenship is a former coal mine operator who sued several media outlets for describing him as a convicted felon, although he served only a misdemeanor sentence for an explosion at a mine, reports state. by Colin Kirkland , October 11, 2023 Popular language-learning mobile app Duolingo is expanding its repertoire this fall by launching a new music course. First announced last month, the course material is taught to users through hundreds of bite-sized lessons, including games and exercises surrounding musical notes, rhythm, and basic songs on virtual piano keys. While other apps focus on training learners for a performance on a specific instrument, we decided to take a much broader (and more accessible) approach, the company said in a blog post. With the new course, anyone can learn music literacy, including reading and identifying notes and playing familiar songs. Much like its current language lessons, Duolingo has gamified music learning through a swath of levels that users must complete by accumulating a certain number of points. advertisement advertisement Unlike traditional music learning models, the company uses an onscreen keyboard to help users practice playing without having to buy or rent a costly instrument. To make the experience as accessible to as many users as possible, Duolingo is offering the material for free, like its other classes. Super Duolingo subscribers will be able to work through the lessons without ads. Karen Chow, senior learning scientist at Duolingo, told Fast Company that the companys style of instruction lends well to this new offering because learning to read music and recognize notes is linked to learning a language. Users can sign up to be on the waitlist for the upcoming music course, which will launch first in English and Spanish on iOS devices, although the company has plans to expanding the course to more languages post-launch. While this is Duolingos first music instruction offering, the company expanded beyond language last year when it debuted its math program, of which there are new skills being added now, like calculating tips and hourly wages. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, October 11, 2023 Google has built an ad-measurement tool that connects with marketers first-party data and is designed to work without browser cookies and other data tools that measure performance based on old methods. Google Ads Data Manager -- the measurement tool announced Wednesday -- will become available in Google Ads early next year. The product roadmap includes rolling it into other Google platforms as the company continues to streamline the management and use of first-party data. Advertisers will learn about connecting data sources and ensuring consumer data privacy as the advertising industry heads into the new year, and Google deprecates third-party cookies for 1% of Chrome users globally in the first quarter of 2024. In time, advertisers will have the ability to connect a variety of data sources, including customer relationship management (CRM) and customer data platforms (CDPs). This will include data sources like ActiveCampaign and Pipedrive, in addition to marketing technologies like Shopify Audiences. advertisement advertisement Common cloud-based enterprise data storage systems, including CDPs such as Lytics, will also become available as well as data sources through Zapier. Google wants the platform to provide access to all types of data through one collaborative interface where analysts can create new data connections and marketers can apply discrete data to measure conversions or reach people with relevant ads, explains Kamal Janardhan, senior director of product management and measurement at Google. Until now, creating these connections could mean engineers or analysts duplicating tasks, including custom queries, Janardhan wrote in a post. Brands and agencies struggle to build technologies that house customer information, but many make it difficult to use that data in marketing campaigns. Google Ads Data Manager, if it is successful, will make it easier to measure customer interactions with the Google tag or sales that happen off the advertisers website. The platform does not change the way Googles products work today, but rather simplifies the way advertisers use them. It requires minimal or no code knowledge, reducing the workload to use your data in marketing. Gabe Joynt, Salesforce senior director of product management, told Google it has made it easier for customers to connect with their customers using Google Ads. More customers can use data and insights in Salesforce Data Cloud by activating audiences across Google's Ads ecosystem. Some refer to this transition of measuring ads without cookies and serving ads from the browser a complicated mess, but Google execs believe thats about to change. When Google Ads Data Manager launches, it will simplify from numerous partners the conversion for leads, which is meant to improve the accuracy of conversion measurement and bidding, and Customer Match, which consolidates the view of audiences. by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, October 11, 2023 Of all the horrific images coming out of Israel, the most powerful one for me is one I have not actually seen. And hope I never do. It's the image of men riding in the back of a pick-up truck with one of them sitting atop the lifeless, mostly naked body of a young woman, as if she was a Big Game trophy kill. I've only read descriptions of it as part of the coverage of the atrocities Hamas committed during its attacks on a music festival and Israeli kibbutzim. The reason I don't want to see it is because I don't need to. The power of the second-hand descriptions has been more than enough for me to envision and process it. I don't need the photographic proof. That may sound strange for someone who began his career as a photojournalist, albeit not an especially good one, but I think there are times some images are best left unseen. advertisement advertisement Needless to say, that's virtually impossible today when anyone with a browser is a mere click away from anything that has already been posted. Or at most, two clicks away from a subreddit or a dark social post. Don't get me wrong, I think photographic or video images of horrific human tragedies sometimes are very important for the public to witness. One of my photojournalism heroes, AP photographer Eddie Adams, helped change U.S. sentiment about the Vietnam War by publishing some especially grueling images, including one of a South Vietnamese military officer summarily executing a prisoner by firing a bullet into his head. Another powerful image from that war was taken by another AP photographer -- Nick Ut -- of a naked nine-year-old Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm attack. Both images haunt me to this day, but they served an important role in an era of pre-digital, everything, everywhere, all at once media, by conveying an important reality to people who otherwise might have no idea what was actually going on. There are other more modern examples from the post-digital, citizen journalist era of ubiquitous access, including the chronicling of many, many angles of jets crashing into the Twin Towers, their collapse and the carnage that followed. More recently, Turkish photojournalist Nilufer Demir's photo of the lifeless body of two-year-old Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi, who drowned trying to reach safety on a European shore, brought the plight of the refugees home to everyone else in the world. Then there was Minnesota teen Darnella Frazier's video of a police officer murdering George Floyd, which helped galvanize the Black Lives Matter movement, accelerating the push for police reform, as well as DEI initiatives. These were necessary images for the masses to experience, otherwise they would not have resonated and moved society to change, or at least try to. I don't feel that way about the image of the German tattoo artist Shani Louk that I've read described in various posts. For several reasons: by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, October 11, 2023 Editor's Note: This story has been updated from an earlier version that incorrectly reported DELTA is Dentsu's new currency, not its allocation system utilizing VideoAmp as its linear TV advertising market currency. Dentsu has struck deals with seven major media companies to do deals on the basis of its own, proprietary media allocation system, Dentsu Senior Vice President U.S. National Video Innovation Brad Stockton said during a presentation at the Advertising Research Foundation's CIMM (Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement) in New York City Wednesday afternoon. Importantly, Stockton said the deals arent just with the biggest players, such as NBC Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which have been pushing the adoption of alternative advertising currencies, but smaller network suppliers, including Hallmark and A+E networks. advertisement advertisement Stockton said the new system began as an RFI (request for information) process in 2020 before historic TV ad currency Nielsen even lost its Media Rating Council accreditation, and the horse race among alternative currency providers began to ramp up. Stockton said the goal was to integrate Dentsu's proprietary audience databases -- Merkle's Merkury and M1 audience profiles -- into a new market currency that could be used for negotiations, and that the result is Dentsu is able to plan, and allocate linear TV advertising buys based on its bespoke audience profiles, and negotiate guaranteed schedules with TV networks utilizing VideoAmp's audience estimates as the transactional currency. Stockton also revealed plans to introduce a version of DELTA next year that will enable the agency to do the same thing for CTV advertising buys utilizing streaming data as the currency. Stockton said that system, dubbed DELTA+, is still in development, but the goal is to utilize the first-party data provided by streaming services as the "source of truth" for those advertising buys. Importantly, he said that while both DELTA and DELTA+ are designed to utilize Dentsu's proprietary audience data, the agency can also work with a client's own, first-party audience data or other third-party sources if they want. by Teresa Buyikian , October 11, 2023 Just when you think every single Pumpkin Spice item has launched for the holiday season, and its safe for this PSL-hating QSR reporter to emerge from her PSL-proof hyperbolic chamber, Starbucks announces the 20th anniversary of the creation of its ubiquitous Pumpkin Spice Latte. Oct. 10was the actual day, and of course the chain launched a line of merchandise and promos to commemorate the drinks 20th birthday. Starbucks partnered with the streetwear designers at KidSuper Studios to develop a PSL limited-edition varsity jacket, which features PSL-themed artwork including fall leaves and a new PSL logo. The jacket is available on KidSupers website for $295 (the cost of approximately 50 PSLs) while supplies last. Grammy-Award-winning artist Ashanti created an original birthday song and and music video celebrating Pumpkin Spice Latte love. The video also coincides with the 20th anniversary of her hit album Chapter II," so it includes 2003-esque music performances. It can be found on Peoples and Ashantis TikTok accounts and Instagram. advertisement advertisement Customers who pick up their PSL in person are in for more throwback fun, with a curated list of 2003s most popular hits playing in Starbucks stores. The 2003 playlist is also available on Starbucks Spotify profile. During the rest of October, members of the Starbucks Odyssey loyalty community will be invited to attend a virtual PSL Celebration. The party allows viewers to explore a 3-D fall-themed village, play games and interact with other Starbucks Odyssey members. Those who attend the event will also unlock the 20 Years of PSL Journey stamp. The chain is also giving away PSL temporary tattoos, and launched a new PSL eGift birthday card design. If all that isnt quite enough PSL, you can hear about the origins of the drink on a podcast on the brands website, from how it was created in the Liquid Lab (the beverage development lab in Starbucks headquarters) to where it is now. (Editor's note: Coincidentally, we published another, less-celebratory, story today about pumpkin-spice products. Click here ) by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 11, 2023 An ongoing battle between Apple and iPhone users who lost money after downloading a fake cryptocurrency app could result in widespread disruption to mobile app marketplaces. That's according to a coalition of tech industry organizations, which this week argued that Apple shouldn't be required to face a class-action complaint over the distribution of Toast Plus -- a phishing app that falsely claimed to be a cryptocurrency wallet. A decision against Apple could lead to disruption to the app markets ... ultimately harming consumers and the creator economy that Apple supports, the tech-funded groups Chamber of Progress and NetChoice, digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, and others argue in a proposed friend-of-the-court brief filed this week with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. They add that an Apple loss could effectively force app store providers to monitor millions of apps, likely leading to the removal of most or all third-party apps from app stores. advertisement advertisement They are weighing in on a lawsuit brought against Apple by Hadona Diep and Ryumei Nagao, who allege they lost money after downloading Toast Plus. They argue they thought the app was legitimate based on Apple's representations that its app store was a safe and trusted place. U.S. District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton dismissed the complaint last year, ruling that Apple was protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency App. That law immunizes interactive services from liability for material posted by third parties. The consumers recently asked the 9th Circuit to reinstate the complaint, arguing that the claims centered on Apple's own statements about the safety of its app store. Apple countered in papers filed last week that the claims inextricably depend on the app's content -- and are therefore covered by Section 230. Plaintiffs seek to recover for harm arising from their interaction with the Toast Plus app -- and they seek to hold Apple liable for that harm because Apple allegedly failed to discover in advance that the Toast Plus apps content was a 'spoof' or fraud and instead allowed the app to be distributed on the App Store and 'failed to remove' it, Apple wrote. The tech groups agree with Apple. The real thrust of plaintiffs claims is that they were harmed by third-party content published on an app store, NetChoice and the others write. The only way Apple could have met its alleged duties would be to monitor and remove third-party content. The groups add that consumers, app developers and the broader Internet ecosystem will be harmed if companies like Apple are effectively forced to meticulously review apps in advance. The result would be fewer options, less competition in the digital marketplace, and disproportionate harm to marginalized voices that rely on app stores and third-party services to distribute content, the groups write. by Teresa Buyikian , October 11, 2023 BurgerFi recently announced it will return to New York with a new concept location in the city this December. The chains previous New York location, launched in 2013, was permanently closed during the pandemic. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based burger chains new Upper East Side location, at 2,400 square feet, will be a Better Burger Lab experience offering Angus beef, fresh sides, draft beer and frozen custard desserts. In addition, the space will also offer a yet-to-be announced lineup of limited-edition menus, tastings, and other items not available at any other location. "As a born and raised New Yorker, reopening our Manhattan location is a personal passion point for me," said Carl Bachmann, CEO of BurgerFi International ,in a release. We will have a late-night menu to make sure we are meeting the needs of our guests.... The Burger Lab will create a unique experience [for them]. advertisement advertisement The NYC unit will now serve as the chains flagship location, as well as an event space that will also sell alcoholic beverages. New York members of BurgerFis rewards program will have an opportunity to be invited to exclusive tasting events at the store. Bachmann also has plans to expand the brands footprint by capturing opportunities in new markets and nontraditional space."He just recently joined BurgerFi in July 2023 from Smashburger, where he rose from COO to president in his 6+ years with the company. He previously spent over three years with Bertuccis Brick Oven Pizza and Pasta, where his last position was vice president of operations. President Vo Van Thuong receives Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko in Hanoi on October 10. (Photo: VNA) President Thuong said Japan is Vietnam's leading economic cooperation partner in such areas as official development assistance (ODA), investment, trade, labour, and tourism. He spoke highly of the two countries' growing locality-to-locality cooperation and people-to-people exchange as nearly 100 pairs of their localities established cooperative relations and the Vietnamese community in Japan reached nearly 500,000 people. Thuong affirmed that the two countries have many similarities and room to further develop their friendship and cooperation in all fields. During the reception, President Vo Van Thuong says that the two countries have many similarities and room to further develop their friendship and cooperation in all fields. (Photo: VNA) He proposed the two sides continue to promote the exchange of all-level delegations to consolidate and strengthen political trust, focus on boosting economic cooperation, trade, investment, labour, ODA, human resources training, promote locality-to-locality, cultural, tourism, people-to-people exchanges. He recommended FM Kamikawa pay attention to and urge the Japanese government to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study and work in Japan. FM Kamikawa expressed her impression of the development of Vietnam and Vietnam-Japan relations since she visited the Southeast Asian nation six years ago. She also expressed her wish that the two countries continue to deepen cooperation in existing areas and expand to new fields such as digital transformation and green transition. Regarding international and regional issues, Minister Kamikawa affirmed Vietnam plays an important role in Japan's foreign policy in the region, and Japan will continue to coordinate closely with Vietnam at multilateral forums and in international and regional issues of shared interest. President Thuong affirmed that Vietnam is willing to cooperate closely with Japan to contribute to the success of the ASEAN - Japan Summit that is set to take place in late this year./. This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy Privacy Policy , and our Terms of Use Welcome to your Daily Horoscope for 12th October, 2023! Get ready to ride the waves of destiny as we delve into your daily horoscope. What does the universe have in store for you today? Aries shutterstock Today, be cautious of jealousy and possessiveness creeping in. The unusual alignment of Uranus and the moon in your intimate eighth house might make you fixate on possessing something or someone exclusively. However, resorting to demanding or manipulative behavior won't lead to success. Instead, practice restraint and trust. Your Lucky color is mauve. Your Lucky number is 4. Taurus shutterstock Under the influence of today's planetary alignment, your usually positive outlook may take a back seat. It's a good time to explore deeper emotions, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable. Prioritize empathy over trying to convince others of your viewpoint, and consider sharing your more complex feelings for a deeper connection. Your Lucky color is peach. Your Lucky number is 44. Gemini shutterstock This morning, let your creativity flow freely and save detailed work for the afternoon. With the moon in your fifth house of creativity, you'll feel inspired to express yourself. It's also an excellent time for open and honest conversations, especially if there have been conflicts with a loved one. In the afternoon, shift your focus back to your usual business-related tasks. Your Lucky color is rust. Your Lucky number is 21. Cancer shutterstock Today, instead of being overly literal, be adventurous. Saturn, your ruling planet, is aligning with Venus in your eighth house of secrets and metaphysics. This may lead you to explore unconventional ideas or experiences. If you've had recurring dreams or unusual thoughts, take them seriously. Spend some time meditating or connecting with nature to reflect on the messages the universe might be sending your way. Your Lucky color is gold. Your Lucky number is 40. Leo shutterstock Don't let anyone take you for a ride. You're a magnanimous soul by nature, but some people will take advantage of your generosity. While it's true that you quietly enjoy saving the day, enabling others will drain your vital energy. Keep that superhero cape in the closet, and gently insist on accountability from your peers. You might need to be more involved during the training process to be able to delegate tasks. But if someone is simply dragging their feet, show them the door. Your Lucky color is pink. Your Lucky number is 34. Virgo shutterstock Your closest relationship might face some challenges today as Uranus challenges the moon in your partnership zone. You might feel tempted to bring up something you've been holding back, but be careful with your approach. If you can communicate your concerns effectively, it could lead to healing in the long term. Your Lucky color is cyan. Your Lucky number is 5. Libra shutterstock If you've been uncertain about the status of a relationship that has felt unclear recently, today's harmonious moon-Chiron trine encourages you to address this issue without getting overwhelmed by emotions. Choose the right moment for such conversations; discussing these matters in the middle of a busy workday might not be the best approach for clarity and understanding. Your Lucky color is charcoal. Your Lucky number is 38. Scorpio shutterstock Don't let the morning's heavy atmosphere get to you. It's the final stretch of a moody Taurus moon in your family area, and any lingering tensions from a disagreement with a relative or roommate might still be on your mind. Focus on your work to divert your attention and stay patient. The Moon shifts into your social and fun-loving fifth house in the afternoon, brightening your mood. Your sense of humor will return, and you'll probably meet your friends for some karaoke. Your Lucky color is bronze. Your Lucky number is 23. Sagittarius shutterstock Don't overlook the "little people" as you climb the ladder of success. If you've been neglecting those who have supported you on your journey, pause and reevaluate your approach. Today's helpful trine between social Venus and grounded Saturn serves as a reminder true character runs deeper than appearances and status. By concentrating solely on surface-level attributes, you might overlook valuable connections and opportunities for collaboration. Your Lucky color is cream. Your Lucky number is 2. Capricorn shutterstock Today's square between the Sun and your cosmic co-ruler Saturn prompts you to think twice before sharing your secrets with colleagues and relatives. It's wise to separate personal and professional matters. If you need to talk, consider seeking guidance from a mentor or therapist rather than straining close relationships. Your Lucky color is teal. Your Lucky number is 6. Aquarius shutterstock You could find yourself being hyper-critical of everyone today, as hot headed Uranus picks a fight with the moon. Before you read someone the riot act for a small mistake, ask yourself if it's really worth getting upset over. Instead, exercise to blow off steam in a healthy way. Your Lucky color is mustard. Your Lucky number is 12. Pisces shutterstock Today's advice is to question rules but also understand their purpose. While you might be ready for change, it helps to communicate effectively with others and consider the existing process. There could be some logic behind it. Remember, questioning things and people doesn't mean you're losing your edge. Your Lucky color is navy blue. Your Lucky number is 36. Conclusion As our celestial voyage comes to an end, remember that the universe is ever-watchful. Your destiny awaits your command. All the horoscopes and predictions have been provided by the renowned astrologers from Askganesha.com. For personalized consultations and astrological advice, you can reach out to Askganesha astrologers. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with visiting Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at a joint press conference in Ankara, Trkiye, on Oct. 10, 2023. Trkiye is making efforts to mediate in a bid to end the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Erdogan said on Tuesday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) ANKARA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Trkiye is making efforts to mediate in a bid to end the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. "We are seeking possible ways to mediate. We expect to end this war as soon as possible, restoring peace in the region," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with visiting Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in the capital Ankara. Erdogan called on all influential actors in the region to "take responsibility for the establishment of peace," warning that fueling the tension, "especially targeting civilians and civilian settlements," does no good to anyone. Any act that will escalate tension in the region will cause further bloodshed and deepen the problems that must be avoided, he added. He also criticized the United States for sending a carrier strike group to support Israel, saying the move would lead to "serious massacres" in Gaza. "The U.S. is sending an aircraft carrier to Israel. It will take a step towards serious massacres by striking Gaza," he said. Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The Israel-Hamas conflict has so far left heavy casualties on both sides, with the death toll in Gaza and Israel rising to 900 and 1,008, respectively. Editor: WXL Recruits will now be required to deadlift anywhere from 40 pounds to 110 pounds to qualify to join the Air Force and get certain jobs, after the service revised a more than 40-year-old test used to determine new airmen's eligibility for different career fields. The change is part of the updated Strength Aptitude Test, which had been in place since the 1980s, to evaluate how much weight recruits can deadlift, which requires lifting a weight from the ground to a standing position. The old method tested how much weight they could clean and press, which requires picking up and hoisting a weight overhead. Gen. David Allvin, who currently serves as the acting chief of staff for the Air Force and is awaiting confirmation for the permanent job, acknowledged the change in testimony submitted to the Senate last month, saying the test was updated "to better reflect the actual demands of the career fields, thus expanding career field opportunities, especially for our female recruits." Read Next: Troops Suing Defense Department over Vaccine Mandate Reach $1.8 Million Settlement The change, which went into effect in January, makes the test safer and allows for more gender diversity in many jobs, Air Force Recruiting Service spokeswoman Leslie Brown told Military.com on Tuesday. It is more in line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifting standards, which "promotes safe techniques while affording individuals an opportunity to lift more weight compared to a traditional clean-and-press movement," Brown said. The Strength Aptitude Test is conducted on incremental lifting machines found in most fitness facilities and gyms. It was criticized by the Government Accountability Office and nonprofit research groups for decades as being an inaccurate measure of whether someone is physically prepared for a job, as well as for limiting the number of career fields female airmen could join. A Government Accountability Office report in 1996 recommended that the service "reassess the use of the Strength Aptitude Test as a means of predicting future performance in physically demanding occupations." GAO officials argued that recruits tend to get stronger during boot camp training, pointing out that many "scored lower during their initial tests than they did when retested during basic military training." In 1996, "244 females were retested during the second week of basic military training and lifted an average of nearly 18 pounds more than they did initially," according to the GAO report. A 2018 study from the Rand Corp., a federally funded think tank, brought up similar concerns with the old test. Rand researchers found that, between 2000 and 2021, "almost all of the men entering the Air Force lift 60 pounds or more, and about 87% of the women also do so." But they noticed a big split between the genders at 70 pounds, "with almost all of the men and [only] about 70% of women meeting this requirement." When the weight requirement increased to 100 pounds, only 7% of women could hit the mark compared to 90% of the men. That discrepancy made many women ineligible for a variety of career fields -- including munitions systems, which requires a minimum lift of 60 pounds; aircraft armament and security forces, which requires 70 pounds; and fire protection, which requires 100 pounds, according to the Rand study. Since the new test was introduced at the beginning of this year, 4,111 women have taken it, and 1,162 of them qualified for specialties with higher weight requirements, such as aircraft maintenance, security forces, munitions and special warfare, Brown said. "It has increased our applicant pool, but the most significant impact has been to the job specialty qualifications, which are now more gender diverse," she added. The change to the Strength Aptitude Test comes in the wake of a variety of reforms the Air Force has been pursuing to address barriers to service. A Pentagon study from 2021 shows that 77% of young Americans would not qualify for military service without a waiver due to being overweight, using drugs, or having mental and physical health problems. The Air Force missed its active-duty enlisted recruiting goals for the past fiscal year, which ended last month, by roughly 11%. It was the first time since 1999 the service didn't reach its projected numbers. Other reforms enacted by the service include a pilot program that allows certain applicants who test positive for THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, a chance to retest; new tattoo policies; and changes to acceptable body fat percentages for new recruits. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Air Force's Marijuana Waiver Program Proves More Popular Among Applicants Than Expected A barrage of rockets are fired from Gaza toward Israel over Gaza City, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA/JERUSALEM, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel intensified on Tuesday its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and bolstered its forces along the border, the fourth day of one of the most intense clashes between Israel and Hamas militants in decades. In retaliation, Hamas has launched barrages of rockets targeting central Israel, including Tel Aviv. Many recreational sites and shops in Tel Aviv have remained closed since the conflict began. As night fell, rockets were fired at Ashkelon, prompting residents to seek shelter. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, reported that the IDF has regained control over most of the southern region that was infiltrated by Hamas militants on Saturday during a surprise attack. However, clashes are still ongoing. Armed Palestinian militants continue infiltrating Israel. The IDF confirmed that two Palestinian militants, who apparently crossed into Israel during Saturday's attack and were in hiding, were killed in a firefight. Four armed militants also infiltrated Israel's southern shore at Zikim and were killed in an exchange of fire. Israel's Education Ministry has announced that schools across the country, which have been shut down since the beginning of the conflict, will remain closed on Wednesday. People walk past destroyed buildings following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza has risen to 900, with 4,500 injuries. Meanwhile, at least 1,008 individuals have been killed in Israel since Saturday, as reported by Israel's state-owned Kan TV news. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed to exact "mighty revenge" and approved a call-up of an additional 60,000 reservists, bringing the total number mobilized to a record 360,000, setting the stage for a possible ground offensive. Israel's military also targeted Hamas officials, killing Hamas' Economy Minister Jawad Abu Shamala, and another senior official, Zakaria Abu Muammar. In Gaza, Israel continues its massive airstrikes and has halted the supply of water, electricity, and food. The United Nations reports that at least 200,000 Palestinians have been displaced, with more than 120,000 taking shelter in U.N. schools under challenging conditions with limited access to essential resources. People walk on a street following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) The Israel-Lebanon border has also seen an escalation, with the Israeli military responding to rocket barrages from Lebanon with retaliatory artillery fire. Schools near the volatile border in southern Lebanon remained closed. Earlier in the day, Israeli airstrikes hit the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Negotiations between the United Nations and Egyptian officials are ongoing to ensure aid can flow through the crossing, with Egypt seeking assurances from Israel and the United States. As a crucial negotiator between Israel and Palestine, Egypt has been ramping up efforts to de-escalate the conflict. This photo taken on Oct. 9, 2023 shows an Israeli tank at the Israel-Gaza border. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi warned Tuesday that the ongoing military escalation is "very dangerous" and could have repercussions for regional security and stability. He emphasized Egypt's commitment to a two-state solution and urged negotiations for a just peace and an independent Palestinian state. Also on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud pledged ongoing support for the Palestinian people and efforts to prevent further escalation, in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, the Arab League has announced an emergency meeting for Wednesday. Foreign ministers from Arab League member countries will convene to discuss strategies aimed at de-escalating the conflict and preventing additional harm to civilians. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss measures to ease tensions and voiced concerns over targeting civilian settlements. Both Erdogan and Putin expressed deep concern over civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict and reiterated the need for "an immediate ceasefire" and for "the resumption of the negotiation process" Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed on Tuesday allegations of his country's involvement in the attacks conducted by Palestinian resistance groups against Israel, stating that such accusations are "nonsensical." Editor: WXL As the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages, U.S. military and government officials were quick to condemn the surprise attack, but on Tuesday were keeping American military might focused on deterrence, intelligence and hostage efforts. The possibility of direct American military involvement appeared unlikely, as the world rallied around Israel and condemned the bloody terrorist attack by Hamas over the weekend that sparked the war. There are no plans to put "boots on the ground," the State Department said in a press conference Tuesday. Defense and White House officials have categorized the movement of U.S. military assets to the region as an act of deterrence -- a stern warning to malignant actors in the area to keep away from taking advantage of the chaos embroiling the Middle East. Read Next: Troops Suing Defense Department over Vaccine Mandate Reach $1.8 Million Settlement To date, the largest, publicly announced shift in American troop posture came Sunday when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that he was repositioning the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, along with four destroyers and a cruiser, to the area. The Ford announced it was in the area of the eastern Mediterranean Sea via social media Tuesday afternoon. "The United States has also enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence," President Joe Biden said Tuesday. "Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation. I have one word: Don't." On Monday a senior defense official told reporters that "a US military security cooperation team was at the embassy working to deepen military cooperation with Israel and that they had been there for years now. Later, a senior Pentagon official confirmed to Military.com on Tuesday evening that there were currently no plans to deploy American troops to Israel for the purpose of engaging in combat. However, special operations personnel were already on the ground in Israel as part of their jobs at the Embassy or in support of unit-to-unit bilateral training agreements between U.S. and Israeli special operations, the official said. They have offered to help with hostage recovery efforts. While the Ford and her five accompanying ships have significant firepower, officials have stressed that the strike group offers military leaders a "full spectrum of missions" -- not just the ability to conduct long-range strikes. A Defense Department spokesperson also noted that the carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with her strike group, will deploy "in the coming week" to Europe from Norfolk, Virginia, but the spokesperson, along with Navy officials, stressed that it was a regularly scheduled deployment and not a response to the Israeli conflict. The spokesperson did add that Austin "will continue to review both the Eisenhower and Ford's deployment plans as he considers the appropriate balance of maritime capability across theaters in support of national security priorities." Hamas' sudden assault into Israel with gunmen and rockets on Saturday took many officials and experts by surpise in its brutality and viciousness. The senior defense official described it as unprecedented and "ISIS-level savagery," with Hamas militants "going across Israel murdering children in front of their parents, massacring with indiscriminate violence in music festivals, burning down entire houses while families sheltered in their bunkers." Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in return promised to "exact a price that will be remembered by them, and Israel's other enemies, for decades to come." Military.com spoke to two Middle East experts on Tuesday who both said that a direct conflict between regular U.S. forces and militants in the region is unlikely, though one noted a few important caveats that rest in the hands of presidential, congressional and defense authorities. "The U.S. military role is primarily to stabilize the region and deter additional actors from opportunistically choosing to join in the fight against Israel," Jonathan Lord, a senior fellow and director of the Middle East security program at the Center for a New American Security think tank, told Military.com on Tuesday. Like officials in the Pentagon, Lord said Hezbollah, the U.S.-designated terrorist group to Israel's north, is one of the main concerns. "Primarily, the U.S. military is going to be tasked with providing logistics to resupply the Israeli military during its fight," Lord said, adding that Israel has requested precision-guided missiles and interceptors for its Iron Dome from the U.S., according to CNN. Biden confirmed those munitions Tuesday and said that the U.S. would "make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens." Meanwhile, thousands of U.S. citizens, some with dual citizenship, live in Israel and in harm's way. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Tuesday that 14 American citizens have died in the conflict so far and 20 more remain unaccounted for -- though that number appears fluid. Miller also said that the "first tranche of security assistance is on its way and will arrive in the coming days, and more will follow." "The president could potentially -- if the threat is warranted -- introduce the U.S. into hostilities in order to protect American lives," Lord said. "I don't believe that is under discussion at this time, but those are the avenues by which the U.S. could find itself directly in conflicts with Hamas or others." Should hostilities become necessary, having the Ford carrier strike group in the Eastern Mediterranean gives Biden options, including intelligence sharing, non-combatant evacuation operations, and defense capabilities, Lord noted. "Wherever they are, the U.S. military retains the right to self-defense," Lord said. Zack Gold, a research scientist with the Center for Naval Analyses, said that U.S. deterrence is important for keeping Iran and its proxies at bay while Israel embarks on what is shaping up to be a grueling ground and artillery campaign in Gaza. "We think of Israel as a very small country, but to them it's attacks from two sides of the country," said Gold, whose specialization is working with U.S. partners in the Middle East, including in the maritime domain, referencing the threat of Hezbollah lurking to the north in Lebanon. "So, certainly one of the priorities for the U.S. [forces] flowing in is making sure that groups other than Hamas, groups outside of Gaza -- and of course their overall state sponsor, Iran -- stay out of the fight," he said. The tension between Washington and Tehran has been mounting in the region since Iran began harassing commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, Gold said. The U.S. sent additional forces to the region as recently as this summer as a result, so there is a precedent for the buildup of U.S. maritime deterrence there. Gold also said that intelligence cooperation between partners -- including to confirm whether there was any state-sponsored connection to the Hamas attack -- would certainly be key moving forward, an effort that Israel may be looking to bolster after initial failures. "Certainly, Israel thought it could take its eye off the ball in Gaza, and it has paid a very steep price not just in its military, but in hundreds of civilians killed for doing so," Gold said, alluding to the West's shift to near-peer threats. "While obviously the U.S. military needs to prioritize, it does also need to realize that there are areas where they shouldn't take their eye off the ball. "We have declared an end to the war on terror," Gold said. "Terror groups have not necessarily agreed to that end." Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information from a senior Pentagon official. -- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on X @df_lawrence. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on X @ktoropin. Related: Despite Talk, No Evidence Marines Have Boarded Commercial Vessels in Persian Gulf Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer took the service's top enlisted job two months ago. While he's still trying to figure out how best to serve as the enlisted voice in the room during big meetings with the Army secretary, Congress and other key stakeholders, he's already started to roll out a single-word message to the troops that he hopes will be his legacy -- "discipline." Though it's a term that can quickly get ambiguous and sometimes catch eye rolls from the rank and file, he's been seasoning his remarks with it as he's kicked off his world tour to introduce himself to the force, with stops in Alaska, California, Texas, Poland and Romania. Weimer is zeroing in on having a buttoned-up Army ready for inspection and war. The rallying cry for his tenure will be "Brilliance at the Basics," an idea that he's still figuring out how to fully articulate but boils down to emphasizing the basic expectations for the job, like weapons competency and fitness. And he wants those standards to live in every soldier's pocket in an app that will include the regulations he hopes to reinforce. Read Next: The Army Is Working Toward Better Physical Training and Mental Health Care for Its Dogs "You're going to see us focus on standards and discipline," Weimer said in an interview with Military.com. "There should be no ambiguity on what the standard is, and there should be no ambiguity on what it means to have the personal courage to enforce the standards. And right now, we have a little bit of ambiguity; we've got people nervous to enforce the standards." A key to what Weimer wants for the Army is the development of a so-called "Blue Book." The concept isn't new. Some organizations, including military service academies, have them -- pamphlets that soldiers are sometimes expected to carry on their person outlining basic rules and expectations, tactics, job-specific resources and history specific to their formation. Weimer wants to broadly standardize that -- have every soldier have a Blue Book, but as an app on their phone. The app, which Weimer hopes can launch in October 2024, will have regulations and policies updated, a centralized location that he hopes will combat confusion over which is the latest version of a set of rules. He's quick to say an app isn't going to solve what he sees as discipline issues in the force, but still views it as a potential tool. "We build a lot of things that don't get used," Weimer said at a Wednesday event where he announced plans for the app. "But I'm pretty sure when you build something that literally removes the ambiguity of what the current status standard is, and what right looks like, it'll get used." This isn't meant to just be an app for the Army Publishing Directorate, which houses all of the service's policies and doctrine, typically referred to as Army Pubs. He wants the app to be a central location for creeds, Army history and commonly used publications, though the app idea is largely in its infancy. Weimer has a new challenge as he moves from a career spent almost entirely in Special Forces, a chunk of that in the secretive Delta Force. Those organizations are far removed from what the typical junior troops experience in the conventional force, and Weimer has been busy trying to get his bearings with Army policy, though no one questions his combat bona fides. For now, he's focused on making sure noncommissioned officers are not afraid to correct soldiers, whether for uniform infractions in parking lots or within units for not conducting physical training as frequently as they should. "There's a fear to enforce the standards," Weimer said. "It comes from the fact soldiers inside units see different versions of right. It's inconsistent across the board." -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on X @StevenBeynon. Related: How the Army's Retiring Top Enlisted Soldier Fought to Make Life Better for Troops by Being Open About Himself LOS ANGELES A U.S. Navy sailor charged with providing sensitive military information to China pleaded guilty in Los Angeles on Tuesday to conspiring with a foreign intelligence officer and receiving a bribe, federal prosecutors said. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, originally pleaded not guilty when he was charged Aug. 4. The Justice Department alleges that Zhao, based at Naval Base Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, conspired to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for information, photos and videos of involving Navy exercises, operations and facilities. The information included plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which detailed the location and timing of naval force movements, prosecutors said. The Chinese officer told Zhao the information was needed for maritime economic research to inform investment decisions, according to the indictment. Zhao, who also went by the name Thomas Zhao and held a U.S. security clearance, admitted he engaged in a corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the intelligence officer in violation of his official duties, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release Tuesday. Zhao, of Monterey Park, California, faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He has been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 3. Zhao was charged on the same day as another California-based Navy sailor who is accused of similar crimes. But they are separate cases, and federal officials haven't said if the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme. Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, is charged with providing detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in San Diego. Last week, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer was charged in Seattle with attempting to provide classified defense information to the Chinese security services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sgt. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 29, was arrested Oct. 6 at San Francisco International Airport as he arrived from Hong Kong, where he had been living since March 2020, the Justice Department said. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with retention and attempted delivery of national defense information. U.S. District Court records in Seattle did not yet list an attorney representing Schmidt on the charges, and neither the U.S. attorneys office nor the federal public defenders office had information about whether he had a lawyer. An FBI declaration filed in the case quoted Schmidt as telling his sister in an email that he left the U.S. because he disagreed with unspecified aspects of American policy. RICHMOND, Ky. After decades of living in the shadow of chemical weapons, a Kentucky community on Wednesday celebrated the final destruction of the arsenal culminating what Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called a once seemed unimaginable achievement marking a new era in U.S. defense policy. The milestone was reached in July, when workers destroyed the last rockets filled with chemical nerve agent that had been stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond. It completed a decadeslong campaign to eliminate a nationwide stockpile that by the end of the Cold War totaled more than 30,000 tons (27,200 metric tonnes). Chemical weapons made peace uneasy in our modern world, and the U.S. and our allies must continue to condemn the use of these vile weapons and punish those who deploy them," McConnell said during the celebration. Today, however, we stand on the threshold of a new era in American defense one without these weapons of terror. This achievement is as much a global victory as it is a local triumph." The Kentucky Republican joined state and local leaders as well as Defense Department officials to pay tribute to the workers given the painstaking assignment of destroying the weapons, closing a chapter of warfare dating back to World War I. Today, our nation and the American people are safer because the hard-working citizens of the commonwealth of Kentucky delivered, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said. McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader, called it one of the great honors of his career to be at the forefront of the long-running campaign to destroy the weapons. Together, we achieved what once seemed unimaginable," McConnell said. And together now, Madison County celebrates the triumphant close of this chapter in American history. The weapons destruction was a major watershed for Richmond and Pueblo, Colorado, where an Army depot destroyed the last of its chemical agents earlier in the year. It was also seen as a defining moment for arms control efforts worldwide. The U.S. faced a Sept. 30 deadline to eliminate its remaining chemical weapons under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997. McConnell got involved at the urging of citizens who opposed the Armys plan to burn the weapons. The senator stayed engaged over the decades by steering massive amounts of federal dollars to the disposal effort. In 1996, McConnell introduced and won passage of legislation that led to efforts to identify and demonstrate responsible alternatives to incineration at the Kentucky facility, the senator's office said. Officials settled on using a process known as neutralization, which removes the deadly chemical from a projectile and dilutes it in a solution. For many Americans, the international ban on chemical weapons may seem distant from their daily lives," the senator said Wednesday. "But for the people of Kentucky, especially right here in Madison County, this commitment has been deeply personal. Kentucky has been home to over 500 tons of chemical weapons, including mustard, sarin and VX, since way back in the 1940s, and for years, the community coexisted with these munitions," he added. Richmond, situated along the edge of the Appalachian foothills, is 27 miles (43 kilometers) southeast of Lexington. McConnell credited Craig Williams, a Vietnam War veteran and local environmental activist, for his expertise and years of work on the project. He thanked Williams for his commitment to transparency and credibility. The broader communitys engagement has been a textbook example of how a democracy should work," McConnell said. America is at its best when communities, like this one, lead from the bottom up. Destruction of Kentucky's 520-ton (470-metric-tonne) stockpile began in 2019 after decades of planning and debate over how to dispose of the deadly war weapons. The Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant, built with a single purpose of destroying the stockpile, was completed in 2015. Workers disposed of VX, sarin and mustard agent loaded into projectiles that had been sitting in underground bunkers for decades. The last of the mustard agent was destroyed in 2021, and the final rocket containing VX agent was eliminated in April 2022. The final remaining chemical weapon in the U.S., an M55 rocket tipped with sarin, was destroyed at the Kentucky plant in July. Some members of Congress on Wednesday left open the possibility of deeper U.S. military involvement in the unfolding war between Israel and Hamas as Americans were killed and taken hostage, and others were struggling to leave a country at war. "Whatever Israel wants, they should ask us, and we should be there to help," Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a retired Air Force brigadier general and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said about rescuing hostages. Pressed on whether that should include U.S. troops participating in raids, Bacon replied, "We should do whatever is needed to rescue Americans and to kill those bad guys." Read Next: How the Army Plans to Prevent 'Another Fort Hood' by Dispatching Survey Teams to Brigades The sentiments from Bacon and other lawmakers came after officials from the Pentagon, State Department and Office of the Director for National Intelligence briefed House members Wednesday morning on the weekend's horrific attack and the escalating war that has followed. After Saturday's brutal and unprecedented assault by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, at least 1,200 people were confirmed killed. The U.S. military rushed the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The U.S. has also sent hostage recovery experts from across the federal government to Israel to help coordinate rescue efforts and share intelligence, national security advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday. A senior Pentagon official also told Military.com on Tuesday that special operations personnel who were already in Israel working at the embassy or participating in bilateral training have offered to help with hostage recovery efforts. But defense officials have so far stressed that there are no plans for direct U.S. military involvement in the conflict or for deploying American troops to engage in combat. The Ford's presence is meant as a deterrent to Iran, Hezbollah and any other malign actors who might seek to widen the war or otherwise take advantage of the chaos, defense officials have said. At least 22 American citizens have been confirmed to be among the dead from Saturday's attack, the State Department said Wednesday, up from the 14 that officials cited a day earlier. At least 17 others remain unaccounted for, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday. While the Biden administration has confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages, it has not publicly offered an estimate of how many are being held. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, told reporters Wednesday that "dozens" of Americans are being held, but declined to be more specific about the details of a classified briefing. "We will provide assistance to Israel to get them out of there," McCaul said, pointing to the capabilities of both the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team and U.S. special operations forces. He said the Israeli militarys bombing campaign in Gaza is aimed at defeating Hamas command-and-control operations. But the next phase of the war will include troops clearing the area as Hamas forces hold hostages, including Americans. "It's going to be very difficult going house to house, like Fallujah in 2005, to rescue these hostages when they use them as human shields," McCaul added. "It's very dangerous doing that. It's very dangerous, but we have to get the Americans out, and we have to get the Israelis out." Rep. Adam Smith, of Washington state, who is the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said some lawmakers asked during the closed-door briefing about deeper U.S. military involvement in rescuing hostages or evacuating civilians but that "nothing specifically was said" by the briefers about the prospect of doing so. Thousands of U.S. citizens, including some with dual citizenship, live in Israel, and the U.S. is also Israel's largest source of tourism. While Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international airport, remains open, several major airlines have suspended service to and from the country since the fighting started, and hundreds of flights have been reported canceled or delayed. It's unclear exactly how many U.S. citizens want to leave Israel and can't, but several lawmakers said the issue was discussed at Wednesday's briefing. "They have contingency plans right now to help people get out of this," Bacon said, adding, "That's why our Ford battle group is there." Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., a Marine Corps veteran, said it's more likely the administration would tap civilian aircraft to help evacuate Americans if necessary. Many times in the past, the U.S. has organized charter flights to evacuate Americans from international crises rather than relying on the military, and more than 140 lawmakers in both parties earlier this week urged the State Department to arrange charter flights for U.S. citizens who want to leave Israel. Still, Auchincloss also highlighted the presence of the Ford in the Mediterranean when asked about evacuating Americans. "I think we've got the ability on the commercial side to do that," he said. "But clearly the strike group is there in the eastern Mediterranean to send a strong signal to Hezbollah and to Iran that opening up new fronts in this war is unadvisable." -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on X @reporterkheel. Related: In Israel Conflict, US Military Warns Others to Stay Out, But No 'Boots on the Ground' for Now The U.S. Coast Guard has completed recovery of the Titan submersible, including collecting additional "presumed human remains," after the craft and crew were lost in June during an expedition to the Titanic wreck, the service announced Tuesday. Marine safety engineers with the service's Maritime Board of Investigation recovered debris, including the remains and the Titan's titanium end cap, from the floor of the North Atlantic on Oct. 4, according to the service. The remains were "carefully recovered" from within the detritus and will be transported for analysis by medical experts, Coast Guard officials said. Read Next: In Israel Conflict, US Military Warns Others to Stay Out, But No 'Boots on the Ground' for Now Five people died in the expedition that launched June 18 to view the Titanic, more than two miles below the ocean's surface. The trip ended tragically when the submersible suffered what was later determined to be a catastrophic implosion. Those who died included Stockton Rush, the submersible's pilot and chief executive officer of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the tour; Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet; Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; and British adventurer Hamish Harding. Suspected human remains were first recovered in late June shortly after debris of the Titan was located and recovered from the seafloor, at a depth of more than 12,000 feet. The submersible's disappearance within two hours of its attempt to explore the Titanic sparked a multiday, multinational search-and-rescue operation that morphed four days later into a search-and recovery-operation when the Coast Guard announced that debris had been discovered. The service said the Titan had experienced a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber" during its descent. The salvage mission was conducted under an agreement with the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, and in partnership with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. According to the Coast Guard, the Marine Board of Investigation will analyze and test the debris at a U.S. port, which it did not name. The Marine Board of Investigation also plans to schedule a joint evidence review of the debris to "determine the next steps for necessary forensic testing" and will continue analyzing evidence and interviewing witnesses ahead of an expected public hearing. The tragedy raised questions about the safety of submersibles and private undersea exploration operations. Shortly after the incident, Coast Guard Capt. Jason Neubauer, the service's chief investigator, said the results of the investigation could improve the safety of submersibles and recreational submarine craft. "My primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by making the necessary recommendations to advance the safety of the maritime domain worldwide," Neubauer said during a press conference June 25. OceanGate Expeditions charged up to $250,000 to explore the fated cruise ship Titanic, which famously hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912, and sank, killing more than 1,500 passengers and crew members. The Coast Guard will update the public on the Marine Board of Investigation's progress on its Titan submersible web page. Anyone wishing to provide information that may assist the Coast Guard MBI can submit it to accidentinfo@uscg.mil. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@military.com. Related: Here's How the Military Is Helping Search for the Lost Titanic-Bound Sub The secretary of defense said Wednesday that the Pentagon is able to continue providing aid to Ukraine in its war against Russian invasion and also support Israel after a Hamas attack Saturday sparked a new and bloody war there. "Absolutely, we can do both, and we will do both," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at a press conference Wednesday in Germany, where he appeared with newly confirmed Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown to announce the 48th aid package to Ukraine. On Sunday, Austin ordered the USS Gerald Ford, the nation's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, along with a cruiser and four destroyers to the Eastern Mediterranean to be prepared to assist Israel and as a massive show of force aimed at keeping Iran, Hezbollah and any other factions in the region from entering the war. Read Next: Lawmakers Mull Deeper Military Role in Israel as 'Dozens' of Americans Are Held Hostage by Hamas Hamas, the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip, launched rockets and sent gunmen into Israel on Saturday to slaughter civilians, including Americans, sparking a war and devastating retaliatory strikes by the Israelis. House lawmakers who were briefed on the situation Wednesday said the group has taken "dozens" of Americans hostage and raised the possibility of deeper U.S. involvement as troops go door to door as part of a rescue mission. "Aid to Israel started flowing in yesterday, including key munitions, and will be providing more Iron Dome interceptors so that Israel can protect its citizens and cities," Austin said. Meanwhile, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also told reporters that "in the immediate term" the U.S. can "continue to support, with the authorities in the appropriations that we have, Israel and Ukraine." "But we're certainly running out of runway," Kirby warned. The Biden administration is sending additional air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition to aid Ukraine. The U.S., its allies and other nations around the world stepped up to support Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded in February 2022 with the aim of quickly toppling the democratic, Western-leaning government. The weapons and security aid -- the bulk of which has come from the U.S. -- have been key to Ukraine's ongoing war effort, which repelled Russian forces from the capital of Kyiv early in the war, orchestrated a recent counteroffensive, and pushed the front lines to the eastern reaches of the country. The Biden administration has contributed nearly $44 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, according to the Congressional Research Service. The need for additional aid to both Ukraine and Israel comes at a politically uncertain time on Capitol Hill, where the spending for both countries needs to be approved by Congress. Last week, far-right House Republicans ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from leadership which, in turn, threw the Ukraine aid, as well as Congress' annual defense policy bill, into a holding pattern. While the GOP conference did settle on a replacement for McCarthy, current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., the issue of aid to Ukraine itself became a key topic of debate among Republicans. Scalise's opponent for the top House job was Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who ran for the leadership post on the promise to oppose any more funding. Scalise must also still secure the speakership by winning a majority of the votes in a full House session -- something that is far from guaranteed. Austin alluded to the infighting Wednesday, saying, "Democracies will take their time to work things out." But he said Ukrainians "know that these processes have to play themselves out" and that, from his perspective, "there is still bipartisan support for Ukraine." However, despite the political uncertainty, many of the top initiatives -- like training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets -- continue both in Europe and the U.S. The fighter jets have been a top ask from the Ukrainians since April 2022, and Austin only approved the plan to train pilots in May. Since then, the message out of the Pentagon has been that the jets and the training would largely come from European nations like the Netherlands and Denmark. In August, the Pentagon announced that some of the pilots would be trained at a U.S. military base in Arizona. Now, Austin is saying that the jets could be in Ukraine and providing an "initial capability" as early as next spring. "We are the strongest nation in the world. ... We're going to do what's necessary to help out our allies and partners," Austin said. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on X at @ktoropin. Related: In Israel Conflict, US Military Warns Others to Stay Out, But No 'Boots on the Ground' for Now It might come as a surprise to some, but for most of the Cold War, Hollywood never really depicted what might actually happen to Americans if the Soviet Union suddenly nuked the United States. Sure, they did emergency drills in schools and likely saw photos of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, but it was a 1983 made-for-television movie starring Steve Guttenberg and John Lithgow that changed how many Americans felt about the looming prospect of a nuclear war. "The Day After" aired on Nov. 20, 1983, and bluntly showed everyday Americans going about their lives before getting vaporized to the bone by a Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, as they ran in vain for the nearest fallout shelter. More than 100 million people watched Kansas and Missouri get suddenly and violently obliterated -- and they didn't handle it well. Nearly 40 years later, director Nicholas Meyer (who is also responsible for all the good "Star Trek" movies featuring the original cast) is back to warn us again about the danger posed by nuclear weapons and how the world is currently teetering on the edge of destruction. This time, he's doing it through a new documentary, "How to Stop a Nuclear War" based on the book "Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner" by famed Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. In "The Day After," NATO forces in Europe go to war with the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies. Meanwhile, families in and around Kansas City are going about their everyday lives; what's going on in the news is somewhere in the background. Then the fighting in Europe suddenly escalates into a full nuclear exchange. A dress rehearsal becomes way less important at 100 million degrees Celsius. (ABC) A mushroom cloud appears over Kansas City, citizens are vaporized and the latter half of the movie pretty much depicts everyone from the first half dying from radiation poisoning. It's a grim scene. The movie ends with a disclaimer: A real nuclear war would have been much worse. Americans were understandably shaken to their core. They were scared, and "The Day After" changed the way most of the country felt about nuclear weapons and U.S.-Soviet relations. One American in particular was so shaken, he decided to do something about it. In his autobiography, President Ronald Reagan wrote that the movie deeply affected him and helped change his mind about nuclear war. Four years after "The Day After" aired, Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, reducing both countries' stockpiles. Before he died in June 2023, Ellsberg, a former military analyst for Rand Corp. think tank, told "How to Stop a Nuclear War" director Paul Jay of the "institutional madness" of American nuclear war plans and how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has left the world a more dangerous place. His book, "Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner," reveals that madness is a real U.S. "doomsday machine" nuclear policy, one created by Rand Corp. First conceived in 1961, the policy was one that would kill half a billion people in a nuclear strike. The resulting smoke in the stratosphere would have absorbed the sun, creating a nuclear winter that killed harvests and, eventually, everyone else on Earth, according to Ellsberg. The danger of a nuclear winter and mass extinction of the human race, he said when "Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner" was published, still exists 40 years after The Day After first aired. "That's insane," Ellsberg told PBS' Chicago Tonight in 2017. "But people aren't aware of it, so I'm trying to awaken them from this sleepwalking toward an abyss." Whether Jay and Meyer's upcoming documentary "How to Stop a Nuclear War" will have an effect on whoever occupies the White House after its release is anyone's guess. But if it's anything like "The Day After," it will likely have an effect on the rest of us. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, X or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox Author Anthony Doerr took 10 years to write his 2014 book All the Light We Cannot See, pouring himself into the annals of World War II history. The hard work paid off: The master work of fiction won a Pulitzer Prize and a Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and spent more than 200 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Now its coming to the screen in a beautifully made adaptation that appears to do justice to Doerrs work. The upcoming Netflix series stars Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers) as an employee at Frances Museum of Natural History and Aria Mia Loberti (who is visually impaired in real life) as his blind daughter, Marie-Laure. Louis Hofmann (Red Sparrow), Hugh Laurie (House) and Lars Eidinger (White Noise) co-star in the series. Marie-Laure is a blind girl living in Paris when the Nazis capture France in 1940. Over the course of the four-episode series, Marie-Laure and her father, Daniel (Ruffalo), have to flee Paris for the Saint-Malo home of a reclusive uncle and veteran of World War I, Etienne (Laurie). They take with them a legendary diamond from the museum to keep it from falling into the hands of the Nazis. Once in the seaside town, they learn Etienne has been making radio broadcasts for the French Resistance -- and Marie-Laure starts making them, too. Ladies and gentlemen, before I begin my broadcast today, I have something to say, Marie-Laure says in the trailer. In this time of darkness, of fading cities, Im trying to remember: Light lasts forever; darkness lasts not even for one second when you turn on the light. Its also in Saint-Malo where she meets a young German soldier named Werner (Hofmann), who is tasked by the Third Reich to hunt down those making the illegal radio broadcasts. Despite his mission to find and kill her personally, the two make an instant human connection, their own flicker of hope during one of Europes darkest times. I know that broadcasting can get me executed, but I will not be silenced, Marie-Laure says in the trailer, just before the world explodes around her. One of the central events in the book is the 1944 Battle of Saint-Malo, part of the Allied breakout of Normandy during Operation Overlord. Saint-Malo was a key naval port, as was the rest of Brittany during the German occupation. The Germans believed Brittany was one of the potential landing areas for the Allied invasion of Europe and was heavily reinforced as part of Hitlers Atlantic Wall. The increase in German troops meant an increase in French Resistance fighters, leading Brittany to be one of the most contested areas of occupation from 1943 onward. When the Allies finally came in 1944, Saint-Malo was bombed twice, first in July and then in August, inflicting civilian casualties both times. It took the Allies nearly a month to dislodge the towns 12,000 German defenders. The town itself suffered incredible damage. Fewer than 200 of Saint-Malos old town buildings were left standing, and so much of the city was reduced to rubble, the French almost opted not to rebuild it. While the Battle of Saint-Malo was very real, the story and characters of All the Light We Cannot See are a work of fiction, but a brilliant work of fiction with a powerful message. The four-episode limited series begins streaming on Netflix on Nov. 2, 2023. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, X or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has created new engines for global economic growth and a new paradigm for international cooperation, giving a boost to the development of China and other BRI countries. China released a white paper titled "The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future" on Tuesday, underlining the initiative as "a Chinese solution to global development issues," which aims to advance modernization in participating countries in tandem, make economic globalization more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable, and ensure that more of the fruits will be shared more equitably by people across the world. At a press conference held Tuesday on the white paper, several Chinese officials fielded questions ranging from the initiative's current status and cooperation mechanisms to its potential for future development. NEW PARADIGM "BRI cooperation has created a new paradigm for international cooperation, rising above the outdated mentality of geopolitical games," said Li Kexin, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, at the press conference. Over the past decade, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations. People take selfies in front of the Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, Croatia, Aug. 29, 2023. The bridge, a project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was opened for traffic on July 26 last year. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun) "The circle of friends has grown larger and larger, which fully proves that the initiative does not seek to form any closed and narrow circles," said Li. "Trade and investment have expanded steadily between China and other BRI countries in the past decade," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting said at the press conference. From 2013 to 2022, the cumulative value of imports and exports between China and other BRI countries reached 19.1 trillion U.S. dollars, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4 percent, said the white paper. The cumulative two-way investment between China and other BRI countries reached 380 billion U.S. dollars, including 240 billion U.S. dollars from China. This aerial photo taken on May 20, 2023 shows a ceremony for the temporary diversion of the Cuanza River at the site of the Chinese-built Caculo-Cabaca Hydropower Station in Cuanza Norte province, Angola. (China Gezhouba Group Company Limited/Handout via Xinhua) The BRI has connected the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end with the developed European economic circle at the other, and includes the countries in between with huge potential for economic development, and also fostered closer economic cooperation with African and Latin American countries, according to the white paper. FROM VISION TO REALITY Since its launch 10 years ago, the BRI has evolved from ideas into actions, from a vision into reality, and from a general framework into concrete projects. It has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform, said the white paper. BRI cooperation has delivered real gains to participating countries. It has contributed to the sound development of economic globalization and helped to resolve global development challenges and improve the global governance system, according to the white paper. It has also opened up a new path for all humanity to realize modernization, and ensured that the efforts of building a global community of shared future are delivering real results, the white paper said. Kelvin Josephat Kituruka (front), a native of Mwanza who joined the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as a quality engineer, helps local villagers with access to drinking water in Misungwi of Mwanza Region, Tanzania, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Guo said in taking the next step China is working to foster new drivers of economic growth, while advancing large key projects as well as some "small yet smart" projects to help BRI participating countries lay a solid foundation for development. China will create a pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and host the global expo on digital trade to share development dividends with other BRI countries, Guo added. A train drives on the China-Laos Railway's Luang Prabang cross-Mekong River super major bridge in Laos, May 28, 2023. (Photo by Chen Chang/Xinhua) To facilitate two-way trade, Guo said China will work actively towards joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement. Guo said China will also support companies from Hong Kong and Macao to participate in the construction of the Belt and Road and deepen cooperation in the green economy, digital economy and other fields, to achieve sustainable development in BRI countries. Editor: WXL CYLAD, celebrates its 10th anniversary in Germany In 2013, CYLAD, the independent consulting firm, opened its first office in Hamburg, Germany. With today 8 offices worldwide (Hamburg, Munich, Paris, Toulouse, Zurich, Geneva, Montreal and Adelaide), the German office was the first step of the internationalization journey of the France-born consulting firm. For the past 10 years, CYLAD Germany has been guiding industrial companies to overcome performance, transformation, and growth challenges, in sectors such as aerospace and defense, machinery and electronics, high tech, medical technology, transport, and infrastructure. Since 2013, the firm has expanded its activities with today 2 dedicated offices in Hamburg and Munich and employs 30 employees in the country. We are very proud of our journey thus far. In 10 years, CYLAD Germany has grown tremendously without losing its DNA: a deep knowledge of the technology intensive industries, strong analytical problem-solving skills while having in mind the implementation for the client and specific attention paid to human factors. We have also managed to build up a broad customer portfolio with long-term customer relationships, with 80% of our projects performed with long-term clients on a regular basis says Thomas Trautmann, Founder and Partner of CYLAD Germany. Looking ahead to the next ten years, our goal is to pursue our growth and to double the size of both offices. We also aim to further develop our client base and services, reaching new industry sectors and providing our customers a further enhanced support through offerings explains Steffen Petersen, Partner at CYLAD Germany. To celebrate this milestone, the CYLAD Germany team invited its clients and friends to share a convivial evening in Hamburg with a leadership training session Conducting and Leading with Prof. Gernot Schulz and musicians from the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra. ALLEN PARK, MI - Reality television star Kendall Jenner is coming to Michigan today. The model and daughter of Kris and Caitlyn Jenner will be in town for a meet and greet with fans to promote her 818 Tequila brand. Jenner will be at Top Shelf Liquor, located at 6660 Allen Road in Allen Park, at 2 p.m. The event is only for those ages 21 and over. A valid ID is mandatory. Top Shelf Liquor made the announcement of the event on its Facebook page, adding that there is plenty of free city public parking around the store and people can park anywhere thats open. The event is free, but if you want to meet Jenner, there are two options: 1. An autographed Eight Reserve bottle for $225 (Limited quantity); 2. An 818 tequila package which includes 1 Blanco, 1 Reposado, and 1 Anejo for $185. (Autograph not guaranteed). Both packages will include a picture with Kendall Jenner. People can take one selfie with her or have a staff member take a photo for you. Theres no limit on how many bottles or packages people can purchase. Bringing extra people for pictures is not allowed. Executive Chef Michael Shotroff from Prestige Banquet Hall and Detroit Royal Sweets will be providing free food and desserts. Free water and other drinks will also be available. The blocked-off area will include a live DJ, 360 camera booth and samples of 818 Tequila. The number of your ticket will be the order that you come in. Showing up early is highly recommended. MORE FROM MLIVE: Queen and Adam Lambert perform a powerful concert of operatic rock in Detroit Eagles forced to replace Steely Dan as opener at their final Michigan concert Ann Arbor teen nails Kelly Clarkson song on The Voice, lands with Team Reba SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) More than 100 students walked out of classes at a high school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, calling attention to an epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women across the U.S. The crowd of Washington High School students congregated Thursday morning at a nearby park to recognize thousands of missing and slain Indigenous women, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported. No ones going to care if we go missing, said Washington High School student Rosalia Szameit, who is Oglala Lakota, as tears welled in her eyes. Its unacceptable, and we have to do something. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Units caseload covers a small fraction of an estimated 4,200 unsolved cases nationwide among American Indians and Alaska Natives, with the victims ranging in age from toddlers to the elderly. Indigenous people account for 3.5% of missing persons in the U.S. more than three times the percentage in the overall population, according to federal data. Despite some early success, most cases remain unsolved and federal officials have closed more than 300 potential cases due to jurisdictional conflicts which prevent federal agents from working off-reservation without an invitation from local authorities and other issues, The Associated Press reported in September. U.S. officials have shared frustration over the unsolved cases, which critics say reflect racial injustice, particularly when compared to the response when a white woman goes missing. The students who participated in the walkout left school property to highlight their cause and did so respectfully and without disruption to others, school district community relations coordinator DeeAnn Konrad said in a statement, the Argus Leader reported. Students, like all people, have constitutional rights to do as they wish as long as no laws are violated, Konrad added. Beyond those laws are school policy and attendance expectations. Skipping school for any reason is an unexcused absence. An 8-month-old girl was killed in a Wisconsin crash the occurred near the Michigan border. According to the Marinette County Sheriffs Office, Alana Price was restrained in a child safety seat when a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Cody Price of Oconto, Wisconsin was hit by a vehicle driven by 46-year-old Michael Galbraith of Coleman, Wisconsin. The crash occurred on Kamm Road and U.S. 41 in Grover at approximately 4:38 p.m. on Oct. 6 when Galbraith proceeded into the intersection after stopping and collided Prices vehicle. Grover is located less than 20 miles from Michigans Upper Peninsula. Alana Price was flown to the hospital for medical treatment but died on Oct.10. The crash remains under investigation by the Marinette County Sheriffs Office. Deputies were assisted at the scene by Grover Porterfield Fire Department, Peshtigo Police Department, Bay Area Rescue, Marinette County Highway Department, and an off-duty member of the Marinette Fire Department. This is the fourth traffic fatality in Marinette County in 2023, deputies said. READ MORE: 2 dead after driver of speeding car crashes into Michigan auto shop Man, 65, dies after head-on crash in Grand Traverse County U.P. sheriff praises deputies for actions during suicide by cop case on remote island CROSWELL, MI Im Lovin It or I do? How about both? Because thats what a German couple did when they celebrated their marriage at a McDonalds in Croswell on Oct. 8. The heartwarming but unconventional celebration of love at a McDonalds in Michigans Thumb featured Mike and Kathi Haller of Munich, who shared the ceremony, and a meal, with 23 guests, most of whom had traveled from Germany. Mike and Kathi, world travelers and McDonalds mega fans, first visited the Croswell area in Sanilac County near Lake Huron back in 2016 after connecting with a family friend who lives in the area. After their engagement, they set out to have a the ultimate United States wedding day. We love McDonalds. I think that that is clear, said Mike Haller. Every country we visit has its own unique burger or meal, so we like to try everything. Weve been to McDonalds in Japan, Israel, Italy, all over Europe and its always fun because you have your standard meal that always feels home anywhere you are. The McDonalds meal was organized by local Owner/Operator Brian Dickendesher and his staff in Croswell. Just to have the opportunity to do something different for these people from a different part of the world, its just wholesome, said Dickendesher. Having our customers see how much we are willing to do for anybody, its good for McDonalds and good for our community. Any opportunity to do things like this is something we dont take lightly. The newlyweds, adorned in their wedding attire, indulged in the classic McDonalds experience by sharing a cheeseburger, fries, McNuggets, and Coca-Colas. But the highlight of the McDonalds-themed celebration was the drive-thru experience, as the bride and groom rolled up to the restaurant in a McDonalds Ford Mustang. The couple and their guests were also visited by none other than iconic McDonalds character Grimace who joined the festivities. The Hallers wedding day began with their I Dos at the Lake Huron Lodge in nearby Lexington, followed by their first meal as husband and wife under the Golden Arches, and a reception with friends and family. Their honeymoon is taking them to see more of America across the Midwest and Northeast, including a stop in Washington D.C. I think when someone asks me about my favorite part of the wedding, one of the first things that will come up is McDonalds, added Kathi Haller. The experience we had there was so unique and special. The next time Im at a McDonalds, I will have these memories with me. The bride and groom were also left with several McDonalds-themed gifts, including a retro McDonalds tie that Mike wore to the reception, a McDonalds wallet, McDonalds luggage tags, and a McDonalds photo frame to remember their special day. Each wedding guest was also gifted a deck of McDonalds playing cards to commemorate the event. READ MORE: McDonalds is making 4 subtle changes to improve its burgers How to get free emergency pizza from Dominos New Holland Brewing bringing back Mad Hatter IPA for first time since 2019 A McDonalds worker shot and killed a 30-year-old woman at a North Carolina restaurant, officials said. The employee is accused of firing a gun at Jacklyn Marie Reed as a disturbance broke out at the fast-food restaurant. The bullet struck the woman in her chest, and she died on the scene Monday, Oct. 9, the Hendersonville Police Department told WLOS and wrote in a news release. This was a senseless cold-blooded crime, Police Chief Blair Myhand told WYFF. The worker was taken into custody outside his childs school and charged with second-degree murder. Police in their news release didnt list attorney information for the man, identified as 35-year-old Sam Antwan Ivey of Hendersonville. The shooting was reported at the McDonalds on Four Seasons Boulevard in Hendersonville. Teresa Edwards, owner and operator of the restaurant, said the location is cooperating with law enforcement. My entire restaurant team remains in shock after todays tragic events, and our hearts go out to the victims family during this difficult time, Edwards told McClatchy News Oct. 9 in an emailed statement. We are concentrating on ensuring our people receive the support they need, and are making crisis counselors available to all employees. Edwards also said guns are banned on the property, which expects to bolster its conflict-management training after the incident. Police said the shooting happened after Reed who is from Johnson City, Tennessee argued with another woman at a nearby bus stop. They came into the McDonalds, where a manager separated them. Reed left the restaurant only to return shortly after where she was met by the manager and a male employee, officers wrote. During the disturbance, the victim reached out and touched the male restaurant employee, who shot the victim with a concealed handgun. Based on what we see in surveillance video, this was a far over-reaction to the situation that was happening, Myhand told WYFF. Ivey left the scene before officials tracked him to his childs elementary school. Police dont believe he planned to harm people there. In addition to second-degree murder, Ivey faces a firearm charge. As of Oct. 9, he reportedly was being held without bond at the Henderson County jail, with a court appearance scheduled for the following day. Police in Hendersonville, a mountain town roughly 25 miles south of Asheville, didnt immediately share additional information about their investigation with McClatchy News on Oct. 9. 2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A woman sets afloat a lantern on water during the water lantern festival held in Foster City in California, the United States, Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) Lanterns float on water during the water lantern festival held in Foster City in California, the United States, Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) A girl sets afloat a lantern on water during the water lantern festival held in Foster City in California, the United States, Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) People set afloat lanterns on water during the water lantern festival held in Foster City in California, the United States, Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) People set afloat lanterns on water during the water lantern festival held in Foster City in California, the United States, Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) People carry lanterns adorned with their wishes during the water lantern festival held in Foster City in California, the United States, Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) A woman takes a photo of her lantern adorned with her wishes during the water lantern festival held in Foster City in California, the United States, Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) Editor: WJH GROSSE POINTE SHORES, MI A Detroit suburb has repealed its ban on pit bull dogs just one month after initially passing the ordinance, WXYZ Detroit reports. Grosse Pointe Shores Village Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to repeal the ban that it passed by the same margin in September, the report said. RELATED: Pit bulls dangerous label removed from Muskegon animal ordinance During the meeting, Mayor Ted Kedzierski held up a stack of emails from constituents arguing against the ban, the report said. Some people at the meeting were happy with the repeal while others argued for keeping it, the report said. CHELSEA, MI -- A renovated auditorium at a Washtenaw County high school will reopen to the sound of music Saturday, school officials said. A reopening concert will mark the unveiling of extensive renovation work done to the Chelsea High School auditorium. The free event will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the refurbished auditorium facility located at 740 N. Freer Road. We extend a warm invitation to all students, alumni, families and friends to join us for an unforgettable evening of music, memories and gratitude, officials said in a Facebook post. The facility will officially be named the Ron Mead Auditorium in recognition of the former administrators contributions to the district, officials said. Mead served as the high school principal for 19 years until his retirement in 2008. Renovations to the auditorium include updates to seating, theatrical lighting and sound, as well as upgrades to the facilitys theatrical curtain, fire curtain and band shell, said Superintendent Michael Kapolka. Reconstruction work also reinforced the auditoriums cantilever balcony to provide additional stability. The entire space received a fresh coat of paint to match the buildings colors -- navy, blue and gray -- Kapolka said. The overall cost of the renovations was $2.7 million, Kapolka said. The funding for the project originated from the $81 million bond passed by voters in 2019. Renovation work began this past June and lasted through the first week of October 2023. Kapolkas request to commemorate the auditorium with Meads name and a plaque describing his accomplishments was unanimously approved by the Chelsea School Board during an Aug. 7 meeting. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. More from The Ann Arbor News: These are Michigans 25 best high schools, Niche ranking says Helicopter-flying alum hopes to get more students into aviation with visit to Michigan high school Judge orders operations to cease at mine outside Ann Arbor after wells run dry Record $1.8B in research produced by University of Michigan in 2023 WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Michigan State Police detectives have developed a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a man found on M-14 in Washtenaw County in July. No arrest has been made at this time, Rene Gonzalez, Michigan State Police spokesperson, wrote in an email. However, we do want to assure the public that there is no threat to the public. Read more: Police investigate fatal shooting of 28-year-old man near Ann Arbor Michigan State Police troopers were called to the shooting in the area of westbound M-14 and Earhart Road around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18. When they arrived, they found the 28-year-old man from Detroit in a vehicle with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released his name and are investigating the death as a homicide but have provided no other details. A motive is not known, police said, adding that witnesses reported seeing a man standing outside the victims vehicle shooting a handgun before fleeing in a dark-colored sedan. Police are asking anybody with information about the incident, including anyone with a dashcam driving in the area at the time of the incident, to contact them at www.michtip.state.mi.us or call 877-646-4677. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. Read more from The Ann Arbor News: Judge orders operations to cease at mine outside Ann Arbor after wells run dry These are Michigans 25 best high schools, Niche ranking says A closer look at the high-rise proposed to replace nearly an entire Ann Arbor block FLINT, MI An HIV-positive Flint man previously convicted of knowingly having sex with someone with the intent of infect the uninformed partner has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly committing similar acts this time with a 15-year-old boy. John Dushan Cole was bound over to Genesee County Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 9, on 12 counts, including six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of knowingly engaging in intercourse with the intent to infect the uninformed partner, and single counts of accosting a child for immoral purposes, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and aggravated child sexually abusive activity. FLUSHING, MI - A Flint area man making cookies from his cottage law bakery will make a national TV appearance on The Food Network. Anthony Lerma, an Arizona native now based out of Flushing, will be a contestant on the second season of The Halloween Cookie Challenge on the Food Network. His episode airs 10 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 16. I didnt think it was real at first, Lerma told MLive-The Flint Journal. I was a little nervous. It was my first competition. Lerma will compete against other bakers from across the country, each hoping to win $10,000. Two years ago, Lerma applied for the Christmas Cookie Challenge but did not hear back. A Food Network representative reached out to him earlier this year to gauge his interest in competing for this years Halloween challenge. I had to make some sample cookies and then do a couple different interviews, Lerma said. Celebrity chefs Duff Goldman and YouTube star Rosanna Pansino co-host the second season of The Halloween Cookie Challenge, and Lerma filmed the episode in April in Burbank, Calif. Lerma grew up in Phoenix baking cookies with his grandparents and aunts. Watching food shows was his thing, including The Food Network. It was a dream come true, Lerma, 40, said. I grew up watching all the shows and people on them. And getting to actually be on it and meet those people, it was awesome. He moved to Flushing in 2011 and started his own business, The Cookie Sir, in 2020 making cookies from his familys orchard in Flushing located at 7290 Carpenter Road. I take different things I like out of different cookies and taste them out and perfect them, Lerma said. I put a lot of love into it and making people happy. His favorite cookie was a Valentine heart made after the movie My Bloody Valentine. If you can think it, I can turn it into a cookie, Lerma said. Im always pretty flexible and do things out of the box. Follow The Cookie Sir on Facebook. FLINT, MI Police have released the name of a 51-year-old Flint woman who was shot and killed inside her home Monday. Police said Cortensia Swiney died after being shot in the 1500 block of Jane Avenue in Flint on Oct. 9 following an argument with her childs father. The shooting was reported around 7:15 p.m. No other injuries were reported. Related: Suspect in custody after Flint woman shot, killed inside home A 43-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the shooting, police said. As of Wednesday morning, he had not been charged with a crime. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Flint Major Case Unit Detective Tpr. FraShaun Darrough at 810-259-0240, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Flint and Genesee County at 1-800-422-JAIL, the P3TIPS mobile app, or online at CrimeStoppersofFlint.com. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Read more at The Flint Journal: 2 homicides bring Flints total to 30 on the year Flint man who assaulted underage boy while positive for HIV to stand trial 15-year-old boy to stand trial in Mt. Morris Township teens death OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A 21-year-old Jenison man was critically injured Tuesday, Oct. 10, in a crash with a semi-tractor trailer on Chicago Drive at 80th Avenue in Zeeland Township. His name has not been released. The crash happened around 3:30 p.m., Ottawa County sheriffs deputies said. The investigation showed that the injured man was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix east on Chicago Drive, near 80th Avenue, when the driver of the semi-truck, going east, attempted to complete a Michigan turn and pulled into the path of the Grand Prix. The car struck the side of the trucks trailer, pinning the driver inside until he could be freed by Zeeland Township firefighters. He was taken by ambulance to a Grand Rapids hospital. The truck driver, a 48-year-old Jenison man, was not hurt. Both drivers used seat belts, police said. Westbound lanes are now open but eastbound lanes are closed. Sheriffs deputies continue to investigate. Zeeland police, state police and AMR paramedics assisted. Read more: Attorney for embattled Ottawa County health director disputes claims of misconduct, releases emails Allegan Schools worker fired over allegations of sexual misconduct with student Postal Service worker made U-turn in front of cement truck to cause collision Grand Rapids neighborhood getting new community hub. What should it be named? OTTAWA COUNTY, MI The Ottawa County Department of Public Health has laid off six staff members following budget cuts approved by the ultraconservative majority on the Ottawa County board. The six staffers three full-time and three part-time were in grant-funded positions that were cut after the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners ordered a rejection of $2.25 million in COVID grant funding from the health departments budget that began Oct. 1. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Grand Rapids police are investigating recent swatting incidents in which 911 callers falsely report a serious crime at a specific place. The incidents happened at Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown and a restaurant, police said. It is uncertain if the calls were related. Swatting, or calling 911 to falsely report a serious crime occurring at a specific address, ties up police and other emergency responders, creates confusion and concern in and around the reported location, leads to rumors and misinformation being spread online and in the community, and generally causes chaos, police said in a statement Tuesday, Oct. 10. Such incidents can lead to copycats. Businesses should take calls seriously until proven false, police said. Staff at the Holiday Inn was commended for providing accurate information to first responders as well as their guests to ease fears and return the business to normal once the call was determined to be false. Police said businesses should prepare or review emergency-response plans, including response to false calls. Those who hear about critical incidents occurring should check local media. Residents can also sign up for the citys emergency alert system. Dont spread unsubstantiated rumors, especially those that could cause panic and/or lead to unsafe behavior, police said. Police asked anyone with information in the recent swatting calls to contact detectives at 616-456-3380 or anonymously through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org Read more: Man, 21, critically injured in crash with semi-truck on Chicago Drive Attorney for embattled Ottawa County health director disputes claims of misconduct, releases emails Allegan Schools worker fired over allegations of sexual misconduct with student Postal Service worker made U-turn in front of cement truck to cause collision Grand Rapids neighborhood getting new community hub. What should it be named? GRAND RAPIDS, MI - If youre looking to get in the spooky mood, the Grand Rapids Film Society is inviting all horror fanatics this week to a showing of Friday the 13th: Part III in 3D. The 1982 slasher horror film will be shown at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, at Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. Doors open at 7 p.m. Nicholas Hartman, leader of the Grand Rapids Film Society and operations and film coordinator at Wealthy Theatre, said the goal is to provide audiences with fun, unique programming that cant be seen anywhere else. Friday the 13th happening on Friday, Oct. 13 this year just seemed like the perfect opportunity, Hartman said. Most theaters would play the first Friday the 13th, but we wanted to do something different. Guests can also expect to see the third installment in the series with original red and cyan-colored 3D glasses with each ticket purchase to make for a nostalgic fun night full of scares. Hartman said there is going to be an introduction before the start of the 1982 movie, directed by Steve Miner, to keep the community engaged with the classics and different experiences. The film is about serial killer Jason Voorhees stalking a group of friends enjoying a weekend at a cabin near Crystal Lake. Jason was first introduced to horror fans as the deformed son of the cook at the Crystal Lake Camp. I am a huge horror fanatic to begin with, Hartman said. This is kind of like a nostalgic thing for me as well just being young again, amongst friends and watching a cheesy slasher horror movie. Its fun. General admission tickets are $10 online and $8 for members. Door prices start at $12. The Wealthy Theatre concessions stand is usually open during most events for popcorn, candy, soda, coffee/tea, and filtered water. Beer/Wine/Spirits are also available for active Wealthy Theatre and Grand Rapids Community Media Center members who are over the age of 21. Memberships start at $15/year and you can sign-up online here. The Grand Rapids Film Society had a programming pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, relaunching in April at the Wealthy Theatre, hosting Titanic: An Evening At Sea. The society that formed in 2014 to connect local film enthusiasts was acquired by the Wealthy Theatre in 2019. The Wealthy Theatre has a whole month of horror movies planned for October, including Demons Live on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Learn more here. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. Read more: Cedar Springs Public Schools is asking voters to renew an operating millage Nov. 7 Construction on first phase of $50M Grand Rapids Public Museum expansion set to begin Will Ottawa County fire its health department director? New date set for termination hearing Inaugural Harvest Fest in downtown Muskegon will feature gourmet food, live music Ukraine needs real guarantees of long-term financial support to protect people's lives, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, speaking via video link at the fourth ministerial discussion at the annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank. According to the president, as part of supporting Ukraine, it is now necessary to introduce powerful and truly global sanctions against the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation, as well as the confiscation of Russian assets in order to compensate for the damage caused. "Third, we need real guarantees of long-term financial support to protect life. The resilience of defense is always based on the resilience of society. And when there is such support, aggressors and terrorists will not have the illusion that they can outlast and win something for themselves," he said. As Zelenskyy emphasized, such "use of funds should be fully controlled and accountable, just as it is with funds for Ukraine." Also, the president noted, as part of economic support for Ukraine, it is necessary for the IMF to introduce a reliable mechanism for stimulating private investment. "Especially a mechanism for ensuring military risks and multiplying donor capital with private capital. This is something that will always be of help," he said. In addition, the head of state stated the need to activate export credit agencies and project financing to ensure the implementation of investment and infrastructure projects. "And when we talk about all this, it is important to hear not only Ukraine. That is what makes Ukraine resilient and in the fight for independence, and brings our nation's victory closer, being a model of assistance for any other free nation. Together we can create a working model of how to make the world secure from evil elements of human nature," Zelenskyy concluded. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Just two weeks before the Ottawa County board will decide whether to fire its health department director, county attorneys argued Wednesday in state appeals court that the director never held the job. On Wednesday, Oct. 11, the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids heard arguments on why Ottawa County Health Department Director Adeline Hambley was never actually appointed to the role and why the court should reinstate an order barring the county board from firing her. The court issued no ruling on those questions during the Wednesday morning hearing but indicated it would soon issue an order. Through their responses and questions during the hearing, the three judges seemed to indicate they wouldnt overturn a lower courts judgment that Hambley was, in fact, appointed as health officer by the previous county board. However, the judges appeared reluctant to reinstate an order by the lower court preventing the board from firing Hambley until the conclusion of her lawsuit against the county board. Hambley faces an Oct. 23 termination hearing in which the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners will consider, and possibly decide, whether to fire her based on allegations of incompetence, misconduct and neglect of duty levied by Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss. The date of that hearing may be pushed back, as Hambleys attorney, Sarah Riley Howard, said Wednesday she is scheduled to be in court in Bay City that day. Related: Will Ottawa County fire its health department director? New date set for termination hearing Should the state appellate court not reinstate the order preventing Hambley from being fired, Howard said her aim is to get the case back before the lower court quickly in the hopes of that court reinstating the order preventing termination. If either court reinstates the order, Hambleys termination hearing wouldnt be allowed until the conclusion of her lawsuit. If neither court reinstates the order and Hambley is terminated, Howard said they will be seeking a court to order Hambley reinstated as health officer. Were going to be seeking that with the full force of the law, Howard said. Hambley, along with the department she leads, has been a longtime target of the ultraconservative board majority called Ottawa Impact that took power in January. Moss leads Ottawa Impact. The matter in court Wednesday stems from a wrongful termination and whistleblower protections lawsuit filed by Hambley earlier this year after Ottawa Impact commissioners at their first meeting in January attempted to replace Hambley without cause or termination hearing required by state law. Howard raised concerns about whether Hambley would get a fair termination hearing by the board. We know what theyve intended since day one, and so its really hard to have a lot of faith in this commission as an impartial decider of the facts, given all of the statements theyve made since the beginning that what they want to do is install their own person, she said. I mean, theyve already submitted (Nathaniel Kelly) to the state as if its a done deal, so that doesnt give you a lot of faith that were going to get an actual fair hearing. Howard was referring to the Ottawa County administration in late September submitting Kellys credentials to the state to confirm his appointment as health officer. The board appointed Kelly, a Hudsonville resident who works as a health and safety manager at an HVAC service company, on Jan. 3 to replace Hambley. Hambleys lawsuit has been paused since law firm Kallman Legal Group, the countys corporate counsel hired by Ottawa Impact commissioners, appealed rulings by a lower court favorable to Hambley. In April, Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Jenny L. McNeill granted initial rulings in the lawsuit that were favorable to Hambley, including a judgment that Hambley is the duly appointed administrative health officer and a preliminary injunction preventing the county board from firing Hambley until the conclusion of her lawsuit. Kallman Legal Group appealed those rulings, which were the basis of Wednesdays hearing in the Michigan Court of Appeals. However, when the state appellate court took the case, the judges vacated part of McNeills preliminary injunction that prevented Hambley from being fired by the board, even if done properly with cause and a hearing, before the conclusion of her lawsuit. David Kallman said Wednesday that move essentially gutted the preliminary injunction. Related: Far-right Ottawa County leaders can fire health officer but need cause, appeals court orders Howard on Wednesday asked the state appellate court to reinstate that order preventing Hambleys firing. Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Christopher Yates asked Howard what the legal basis is for barring the county board from using the state law which allows them to fire a public health officer with cause and a termination hearing. Because my client has filed a complaint alleging that there are multiple acts of retaliation and that there is intent to remove her by any means necessary and that theyre not going to follow the statute, your honor, Howard said. The other issue heard in the case Wednesday was regarding whether Hambley had actually been appointed in December as the countys new health officer by the previous county board. After Hambley filed her lawsuit, Ottawa Impact commissioners in late February approved changing the resolution by the previous county board that appointed Hambley. Related: Rewriting history: Ottawa Countys ex-attorney calls foul on boards revision to apparently oust official The revision added a third contingency for the appointment of Hambley. And Kallman argued the revision meant the previous board was required to vote a second time to appoint Hambley as health officer. Because the board didnt vote a second time, Kallman argued, Hambley was never in fact appointed as health officer. One counterpoint raised Wednesday is that a board or legislative body speaks through its resolutions, not its minutes as Kallman argued. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. Read more on MLive: Construction on first phase of $50M Grand Rapids Public Museum expansion set to begin 10 great places to get a mouthwatering burger in Grand Rapids Obamacare will stay law in Michigan if gutted nationally JACKSON, MI -- When Nicole Battjes flew into Jackson Tuesday to visit her old high school, she brought with her 25 years of piloting experience she hopes to instill in the next generation. Battjes -- a 2002 graduate of Northwest High School -- flew a helicopter to visit her alma mater Oct. 10, sharing her experiences aiding relief efforts for victims of wildfires that recently struck the Hawaiian island of Maui. Battjes also used her visit as a chance to speak with students of the schools recently-introduced aviation class. Related: Northwest alum takes helicopter to class in visit to alma mater Battjes hopes her visit -- and the chance for students to see a helicopter up close -- will spur more passion among students interested in the field of aviation. Sometimes you get so caught up in your day-to-day (life) and you forget that normal people are doing big things, Battjes said. I want the kids to know that if they have a dream or a little seed of hope or passion about aviation, get out there and explore the career. A day at a time, you can build a career in aviation. The new aviation class is taught by Brian Klinger, a math teacher at Northwest Community Schools who also taught Battjes when she was in high school more than two decades ago. (The class) is really about introducing kids to the world of aviation, Klinger said. Its a lot of project-based learning -- were trying to teach kids through trial-and-error using a lot of engineering principles. The STEM-based, year-long course has given students opportunities to explore aviation through experiments that look at the science behind things like hot air balloons and wind tunnels, Klinger said. The longtime educator said it was great to have Battjes come back. He hopes her visit can stoke the embers of passion in a younger generation of future aviators. If the class proves successful in its inaugural year, the district has hopes to offer it as a four-year course for high school students, Klinger said. If the program continues to grow as planned, future curriculum could include opportunities for students to try to get a drone piloting license or even train for flight school if they wish to pursue aviation even further. Northwest Superintendent Geoff Bontrager said Tuesdays event gave students a great hands-on chance to explore opportunities in the aviation field. You can study in books and see videos all you want, but for (students) to be able to see a helicopter in action and actually speak with Nicole is worth so much as far as getting a feel of what its all about, Bontrager said. Its really exciting for our kids. 15-year-old Raylan Shaughnessy -- a student of Klingers aviation class who got the chance to sit in the helicopters cockpit during Battjes visit -- said she appreciated that someone with so much flying experience made the long trip to Michigan to speak with students. It was pretty cool to see a helicopter come to school, Shaughnessy said. Ive never seen a real helicopter in-person, so that was a good experience. Being inside the helicopter made me think more about what it would be like to actually be in the air flying. At the age of 16, Battjes began taking flying lessons in a dual enrollment setup between Northwest and Jackson College (then Jackson Community College). With Klingers help, Battjes became one of the first students in Northwests history to earn her fixed-wing private pilots license at the age of 18. (Battjes) was just one of the those kids you knew in school that had a big future, Klinger said. Though she originally thought airplanes were her best ticket to the skies, Battjes fell in love with vertical aviation while attending Eastern Michigan University. After her undergraduate, she took an interest in flying helicopters, and moved to Orange County, California to go to flight school. In 2011, Battjes founded Rainbow Helicopters in Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 27. Battjes was recognized in Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 list in August for her efforts leading her company to deliver thousands of pounds of baby supplies to Maui to aid those affected by wildfires. In Hawaii, the neighbor islands are considered family, so we had friends and family calling us and saying We need help -- we need supplies for moms and babies particularly, Battjes said. I have a little one at home, which was of huge personal significance for me. Battjes serves as the current chair of the board for Helicopter Association International. She is also actively involved with groups like Women in Aviation, the Ninety-Nines, International Organization for Women Pilots and the Whirly-Girls -- all organizations that promote better opportunities for girls and women in aviation. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot: These are Michigans 25 best high schools, Niche ranking says Single-lane closures coming to U.S. 127 in Jackson County - again Suns magnetic poles are about to flip, and that could be a good thing Jackson home damaged in overnight fire JACKSON, MI A home on Jacksons northeast side was damaged in a fire late Tuesday night, displacing the homes residents. Fire crews were called at 11:30 p.m. Oct. 10, to a home in the 700 block of Edgewood Street for a reported structure fire, according to the Jackson Fire Department. Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the two-story home and its residents outside having evacuated the home prior to their arrival, officials said. Fire crews extinguished the fire, leaving the home standing, but not before the home sustained fire and smoke damage, making it uninhabitable in its current state, officials said. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the displaced residents. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials said. The Summit Township Fire Department and Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety assisted at the scene. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot: Single-lane closures coming to U.S. 127 in Jackson County - again Man arrested for second time in a month for exposing himself to cars Northwest alum takes helicopter to class in visit to alma mater JACKSON, MI Two candidates are running in the Nov. 7 election to become Jacksons mayor. Incumbent Jackson Mayor Daniel Mahoney faces challenger John Wilson for the seat. The two candidates advanced to the November election after beating Council Member Laura Dwyer Schlecte in the August primary election. Related: Mahoney, Wilson move ahead in Jackson mayoral race The winner will receive an extra year in office due to a recent change in city elections that moves the election cycle to even years. Each candidate was asked to fill out a questionnaire for MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot, answering questions the voters may have coming into the election. Their complete responses to the questions are listed below. The responses were not edited. Daniel Mahoney is running for mayor of the City of Jackson. He is seen in downtown Jackson on Sept. 24, 2021.J. Scott Park | MLive.com Daniel Mahoney What office are you seeking: Mayor, City of Jackson Age: 41 Family: Wife - Semaj Mahoney, Daughters - Calvena Mahoney (14), Sophia Mahoney (12), Olivia Mahoney (11), Cecilia Mahoney (9), Ila Mahoney (5) Education: Associates degree in Arts (Jackson College); Jackson High School (Class of 2000) Military Service: N/A Occupation/Current Employer: Workforce Development Institute - Access for All Apprenticeship Readiness Program Case Manager Have you previously been elected to office? Yes - Currently Mayor of the City of Jackson (Elected 2021); Jackson County Commissioner, 7 years Other relevant community service: Jackson County Branch NAACP Executive Board Member, Jackson Juneteenth Committee, Summit To Reduce Violence Planning Committee, Host of Jackson Back To School Bash, Why should voters elect you? I love Jackson. As Mayor, I have fought hard every day to make Jackson a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, because thats what it will take to Build a Better Jackson. I am running for re-election because I want to ensure that we continue to push for opportunity and prosperity for every resident of our city. If re-elected, Ill put my experience to work to Build a Better Jackson. A city with safe, vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, with a thriving economy, well maintained infrastructure. A place where anyone can feel at home, look to raise a family, or retire and where local government exists to serve the citizens of the community. If elected, what will be your top three priorities? If re-elected my top three priorities will be as follows: 1. Public Safety: statistically homicides and gun violence have gone down from 2021 to 2022 and we are on pace to further reduce those numbers in 2023. However, the impacts and trauma of when gunplay happens in our community is felt past what any stats can tell us. We have made progress but we will continue to work towards making Jackson a safer community. 2. Roads: Fixing the streets in Jackson is not an easy problem to address. The funding mechanism we are currently using to fix the streets will never be able to outpace the ware on our roads. I am committed to working collaboratively with our City Manager, City Council and other city staff to create a bold and robust long term plan to fix the roads in Jackson. 3. Neighborhood Revitalization: Revitalizing our neighborhoods includes building new homes and creating new homeowners, creating pathways for citizens to get assistance with home repairs. Continuing to support the backbone of our community through small and micro business development. Revitalizing our neighborhoods is what #BuildingABetterJackson is all about. Creating city with safe, vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, with a thriving economy, well maintained infrastructure. A place where anyone can feel at home, look to raise a family, or retire and where local government exists to serve the citizens of the community. John Wilson is running for mayor of the City of Jackson. He is seen in downtown Jackson on Sept. 21, 2021.J. Scott Park | MLive.com John Wilson What office are you seeking: Mayor, City of Jackson Age: 64 Family: Single, no children, 2 brothers and 1 sister. Education: Graduate: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson Community College and Western Michigan University Military Service: none Occupation/Current Employer: Retired from the Michigan Department of Corrections. Currently employed by my brothers small business located in the city and as a substitute teacher with Jackson Public Schools. Have you previously been elected to office? No Other relevant community service: Volunteer and veteran of campaigns for local elected office. I believe my interactions with local government, whether it be running for local office or speaking on issues during public comment at a city council or county commission meeting on votes pertaining to spending and taxing decisions that affect the citizens of Jackson, or interacting with the citizens listening to their concerns, I believe fits the definition of community service. Why should voters elect you? As a proud Jacksonian who was born and raised in the city of Jackson, I have an unwavering passion and belief in our city. While downtown may be shiny, new and lots of fun, many of our neighborhoods are in dire need of attention. As Mayor, I will always place priority with the responsible, law-abiding, hard-working and retired citizens. I will promote the importance of a high school education, good citizenship and personal responsibility. That along with always taking care of our most truly vulnerable citizens, restoring the value of hard work and respect for one another, will make Jackson once again a decent city to proudly call home. It will take teamwork! If elected, what will be your top three priorities? Gang Violence Special Assessment Taxes Water/Sewer Rates Gang Violence: Gangs and their trafficking of illegal drugs and stolen guns have a presence in our city. As Mayor, I will work closely with our police chief and sheriff to make these gangs feel unwelcome by treating them as criminals rather than victims. Nobody should have to wonder if their house, vehicle or even being shot themselves in a gang shootout will happen to them. Gang crimes must be treated as the violent crimes they are rather than be rewarded with crime coddling programs championed by the current mayor. An arrest, charge, conviction and jail will do more to reduce gang activity than a social worker and their programs. Rehabilitation can begin once a gang member is off our streets. Special Assessment Taxes - A homeowner should not be penalized with a special assessment tax costing them thousands of dollars to have their street made drivable. It is not the fault of the homeowner, nor the fault of city workers who work on our streets that their street is in terrible condition. Rather, its the fault of City Hall officials for neglecting neighborhood streets while they prioritized other spending. As has been done on some city streets, a neighborhood street can be paved over at no additional cost to the homeowner. City Hall has the money and the means to lower by significant amounts a homeowners street assessment. Washingtons Infrastructure Act dollars allocated to Lansing is to be spent on local infrastructure needs, including streets. All City Hall needs is a Mayor, who will work on getting that money from Lansing so city officials have no more excuses on assessing a homeowner thousands of dollars to have their streets fixed. Water/Sewer Rates - Rates have been increased over 100% the last few years, with another double-digit increase set to go into effect in 2024/2025. These rate increases are excessive and unnecessary. As Mayor, I will propose to rollback water rates to 2020 levels along with a two-year freeze. Street assessments, property taxes and excessive water rates are making it unaffordable for low-income workers and retirees on fixed incomes to stay in their homes. Again, Washingtons Infrastructure Act dollars allocated to Lansing is to be spent on local infrastructure needs, including water. All City Hall needs is a Mayor, who will work on getting that money from Lansing so city officials have no more excuses on taking any more from the citizens for water. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot: Helicopter-flying alum hopes to get more students into aviation with visit to Michigan high school Application deadline set for Jackson Ward 5 councilmember appointment Rives Township Treasurer resigns citing hostile work environment with clerk BENTON HARBOR, MI -- A 39-year-old man was found dead in the second story of a house that caught on fire, the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety reports. At 10:03 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire with entrapment at 725 McAlister St., in the city of Benton Harbor. The Michigan Republican Party has the most diverse slate of leaders in the partys history in fact, its one of the most diverse of any state GOP in the U.S. Four of the six vice chairs are women; three are Muslim. The party chairs a heavily-tattooed black lady from Detroit, so thats definitely a cultural change, the current chairwoman Kristina Karamo has joked. But Karamo has also placed her faith front and center in the Michigan Republican Party, saying, were not going to hide faith, at the partys Republican Leadership Conference in September. That statement, among other actions, have left at least two vice chairs deeply frustrated, who feel Karamo hasnt made good on her promise to broaden the party. The people elected three Muslim vice chairs, but you have a chair that refuses to acknowledge us because she wants to push the image of this Christian-only party, Hassan Nehme, the partys coalitions vice chair told MLive in an interview. Nehme had previously voiced his concerns that he and other vice chairs had been shut out of the party, but he said the conferences programming made their exclusion even more pointed. I would say theres definitely a strong push toward Christian nationalism, he said. We feel like were in a club where were not really welcome. For Nehme and Ali Hossein, the partys administrative vice chair, the conference was emblematic of their frustrations. Christian speakers peppered the lineup, for an audience that was largely older and white. Theyre not taking advantage of that diversity, Hossein said. Theyre doing the opposite. More: Michigans GOP is a doggone mess: inside a party torn by infighting and paranoia Some speakers at the conference were clearly selected by Karamo. She called one, a pastor and apologist podcaster named Jonathan West, one of the most influential people in her life. She cast the speaker selection, which included a talk on biblical conservatism, as only coincidentally religious. We are not going to hide faith, Karamo told reporters after the conference. That doesnt mean other people arent welcomed. That doesnt mean our goal of the Republican Party spread is to the gospel, we are a secular organization. But were not going to hide the faith component from our everyday lives, which necessarily includes politics. The party did not respond to a later request for comment from MLive. Nehme and Hossein are Arab-Americans who live in Metro Detroit. They became involved with the Michigan Republican Party in the explosion of outrage over school curriculum and efforts to restrict LGBTQ books. Its also how Hassan Aoun, a Muslim Dearborn-area activist, got involved with Michigan Republicans. He volunteered at the conference and saw no problem with the programming. I believe in the Christian faith, I believe in the Jewish faith Orthodox Jews, Aoun said. I believe in any religion you are, but only one thing do not sit here (and) throw down my throat about the LGBT community. Kristin Du Mez, a professor at Calvin University who has extensively studied Christian nationalism within the Republican Party, argues the once-fringe ideological movement has become integral to the partys identity. Du Mez noted the ideological movement has little to do with regular church attendance, but still remains fundamentally exclusionary, and based on a notion of Christian supremacy. Within the Republican Party, there is a tension between the pragmatism of you need the numbers and the purity of the mission, she said. Some might fall more on one side than the other but I think youre always going to kind of run up against those who are calling for purity. Even as they work to further the partys interests, Nehme said hes regularly presented with Islamophobia and discrimination. Theres so many meetings, where were sitting there listening and theyre talking about well, we got Muslims coming into the Republican Party trying to take over our country and trying to take over this, Nehme said. Its something Osama Siblani, the outspoken publisher of the Arab-American News in Dearborn has come to see. Hes jaded by politicians of all stripes, but is particularly skeptical the GOP is interested in making inroads with Michigans Arab-American or Muslim communities. These are cosmetics, Siblani said of the vice-chairs. Nobody thinks theyre serious. Issues are serious. The issues are important, but they are not serious. I mean, after Election Day they disappear. While the community he covers has traditionally voted for Democrats, Siblani said many Muslims in Michigan are politically liberal, socially conservative, but were pushed away from Republicans in the Islamophobia that followed 9/11. We are still open as a community to engage either party that tends to you know, fulfill at least part of our agenda, Sibliani said. Someone has to come up and address these issues the Democrats have miserably failed in addressing these issues. Hossein is certain the partys singular focus on Christianity will hurt Republicans efforts to reach out to other communities. All these different races, all these different people from different backgrounds, pretty much all grassroots (are) coming together to want to fix the state, Hossein told MLive. But if you dont use all your tools in your belt, whose fault is it? LANSING, MI Its a double fight for power. As Michigan tries to turn a clean energy future into its present but rural communities push back on wind and solar power, Democrats in the legislature propose a new pathway: give the state some control. The Clean Energy and Jobs Act, unveiled Wednesday in a standing-room-only meeting of the House energy committee, would allow landowners and developers who want to build large-scale solar and wind projects to get approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission instead of local governments. Locals would keep sole authority over smaller projects: solar below 50 megawatts, wind below 100 megawatts and energy storage projects below 50 megawatts and 200 megawatt hours. Large projects could also as is the only avenue now still try for local approval instead. Our bills set up a common-sense process where a willing landowner and a renewable energy developer have a streamlined process to move from private agreement to public permit to construction to electricity generation, said Rep. Phil Skaggs, D-East Grand Rapids. Related: Michigan anti-solar group withdraws proposed ban on rural utility projects Sponsors say these bills can help Michigan be energy independent, produce cheaper and more reliable power and create good-paying union jobs. But Republicans say they subvert local governments with anti-renewable ordinances already in place. In their mind right now, by usurping their local authority, you are essentially declaring war on these agricultural districts, said Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, a small city in the Thumb. Clean energy, long considered necessary to fight climate change caused by carbon emissions, is so far mainly a push from officials on the political left. But in the rural lands needed for large-scale renewable energy operations, communities lean conservative. So, these projects can be met with furious local pushback. Voters in Montcalm County, near Grand Rapids, rejected a $463 million, 75-turbine wind farm proposal last November that would have generated $80 million over 30 years for local governments and schools. Montcalm voters even recalled supportive local officials, too. FILE: A sign in Montcalm County on Election Day 2022 signals opposition to a 375 megawatt wind energy project from developer Apex Clean Energy. This goes directly against the will of the people, Rep. Pauline Wendzel, R-Watervliet, said of Democrats proposal. In her southwestern Michigan district, she said, voters recently rejected a renewable energy project 80% to 20%. But Michigan, with a Democratic governor and legislature, has set lofty clean energy goals. By 2050, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants the states economy carbon-neutral, which means no net release of carbon dioxide. Renewables were just 12% of Michigans energy generation last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Giving a state commission the MPSC the authority to approve new sites could fast-track the clean energy transition. These are crucial and imperative steps that the state needs to take if its serious about competing in the economy of tomorrow and the jobs of tomorrow, said Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck. These bills do not allow eminent domain or mandate communities to start investing in renewables, Aiyash added. They create a voluntary process for landowners and developers who want to build a wind or solar project. Michigan is not going to, all of a sudden, be covered with 50% solar panels and wind turbines, he said. Three percent of all farmland is what we would need to accomplish our clean energy goals. The MPSC is a three-member board appointed by the governor. Its chair, Dan Scripps, told lawmakers Wednesday that pushback on new projects is the single largest threat to Michigan achieving its clean energy targets. The commission is already allowed to site oil, natural gas and carbon dioxide pipelines and high voltage power lines in similar ways to this clean energy proposal. Its important that state interests arent subject to a local veto, Scripps said, insisting this also wont be a rubber stamp process. The plan, he explained, seeks a balance of the states energy interests and the wishes of local communities, who will absolutely have a seat at the table and a voice in the process. But Republicans still seem steadfastly opposed. You guys have outreaches, notices, discussions, but we dont have a vote, Rep. David Prestin, R-Cedar River, said of rural residents. Sponsors anticipate amendments to their legislation officially House Bills 5120 through 5123 before they move forward. They also said they welcome input from people across the ideological spectrum. People have legitimate fears about state takeover and local setbacks, Aiyash noted, but we have to think seriously and critically about how to get more reliable and affordable power. I would ask folks to instead of trying to politically posture in this moment to walk forward and suggest where we can actually move our state to a sustainable, more equitable future in terms of our energy supply. WAUKESHA, WI A suburban Wisconsin city has begun drinking from Lake Michigan after clearing initial regional approvals to tap the lake seven years ago. The city of Waukesha began drawing in lake water on Monday, Oct. 9, marking the start of a controversial lake diversion that required approval from eight states. The city of approximately 71,000 people, which straddles the divide between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins, will purchase water from the city of Milwaukee and return treated wastewater to Lake Michigan. Waukesha plans to pull up to 8.2 million gallons from the lake daily to serve as its public water supply. It will return treated wastewater to the lake via the Root River, resulting in what the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says will be a minimal net water loss. City officials say 90 percent of the city will be using Lake Michigans water within five days. The city applied for permission to withdraw Lake Michigan water in 2010 because its groundwater wells are contaminated. Waukesha is under a court order to provide safe water. Once known for its abundant freshwater springs, Waukesha says unfortunate natural geology keeps rain and snowmelt from replenishing the deep aquifer the city drinks from and depletion over time has concentrated levels of radium, a naturally occurring carcinogen, in the groundwater. A compact between the Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces Quebec and Ontario generally prohibits diversions of water outside the Great Lakes basin but makes exceptions for communities in counties that straddle the basins boundaries. Waukesha County fits that exception. Only the states were given legal authority to consider requests for U.S. water diversions. The states of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York unanimously approved the city of Waukeshas diversion request in 2016. The Wisconsin DNR issued final approval in 2021. Waukesha was the first community located entirely outside the basin to get a diversion approved under the interstate compact. Michigans approval came under former Gov. Rick Snyder, who, via surrogates, argued that approving Waukeshas request would end an existing diversion caused by city pumps pulling groundwater from the Lake Michigan basin side and discharging it to the Mississippi River side. Opponents to the request said it sets a bad precedent that would weaken the Great Lakes compact protections and become a slippery slope other thirsty communities around the U.S. would try to take advantage of. Loopholes in the compact have sparked warnings from experts, who point to another significant exception for the state of Illinois built into the 2008 agreement which enabled the Chicago water system this year to ink a 100-year service agreement to supply water to Joliet, Ill. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 11.10.2023 LISTEN Radio presenter and artist Blakk Rasta has blasted Kwame Sefa Kayi of Peace FM's Kokrokoo morning program for playing the devil's advocate in the wake of the attack on the United Television (UTV) platform. Blakk Rasta claims Kwame Sefa Kayi's appointment into government has caused him to turn a blind eye to the attack on the media house where he works. Speaking on the matter on 3FM, Blakk Rasta challenged the host of the radio program to openly condemn the behavior of the NPP supporters who stormed the studios of UTV to vent their anger at the media organization. Now that your UTV has been attacked, you don't even have the courage to condemn it to the highest level. Saying 'I am sitting and watching, which means you are waiting to see what will happen. I can advise you. I can only suggest; if I were you, I'd step down. Chairman General, the party is embarrassing you, right? If I were you, number one, I would not accept that appointment. Number two, in the name of honesty and in the name of neutrality, it would have been better for all these years that you have worked as a journalist of repute. You sat down; we all saw how this nation dwindled into oblivion, dwindled into the deepest parts of poverty and economic mismanagement. You sat down and watched E-levy become an albatross around our necks, Blakk Rasta stated. Some persons who identified themselves as NPP members stormed UTV studios during a live broadcast on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The Ghana Police Service disclosed that sixteen persons were arrested on the Saturday night attack. Following a complaint from the Despite Media Group and Ministry of Information that certain people had invaded the studios of U-TV this evening, the Police proceeded to the scene and arrested sixteen (16) persons in connection with the incident. They are currently at the Police Station assisting investigations, the Ghana Police Service statement emphasized. The young shall ground, but this one is mind-blowing." That's what social media users are saying about 16-year-old DJ Switch after a video of her dancing alongside popular Ghanaian dancer Dancegod Lloyd. The video, intercepted by this portal on Wednesday, October 11, shows the young DJ busting out energetic dance moves as she faces off against Dancegod. In the dance video that has gone viral, DJ Switch proves she's got smooth moves to match her already advanced DJ skills. Dancegod seems surprised but delighted as the teenage talent keeps up with his own animated dancing. Fans are hailing DJ Switch as she shows off fancy footwork, rhythmic hip movements, and expressive arm gestures - while never missing a beat. Social media is blowing up over this display of talent, confidence and competitive spirit from the young Ghanaian celebrity. DJ Switch, real name Erica Armah Bra-Bulu Tandoh, first shot to fame in 2017 at age 8 when she won TV3's Talented Kids reality show. Now at 16, the globally renowned DJ is pursuing her dreams after getting admitted to Chaminade College Preparatory, a private Catholic high school in Los Angeles. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Azernews reports. The head of state noted that there is a wide range of issues on the agenda of relations between the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev pointed out that the period since the signing of the Declaration on Allied Interaction between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation showed that the bilateral relations are indeed of allied nature, and underlined that it manifested itself in all spheres. The President of Azerbaijan expressed confidence that the cooperation would continue to strengthen in regional security, economic relations, transport and other fields. Nikolai Patrushev, first of all, conveyed President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putins greetings and best wishes to the head of state. President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings and asked Nikolai Patrushev to pass on his own greetings to Vladimir Putin. The Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council paid his respect to Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in connection with the 100th anniversary of the National Leader. The head of state expressed his gratitude over the conduct of events at the state level in Russia on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the Great Leader. Nikolai Patrushev reiterated that bilateral relations had deepened even more since the signing of the Declaration on Allied Interaction between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. They shared their opinions on global and regional issues including cooperation within international organizations, and discussed regional cooperation. The head of state underscored the need to solve regional issues in the 3+3 format with involvement of the regional countries and noted the conduct of meetings in this format at respective levels. During the conversation, they shared their views on the Azerbaijan-Russia-Iran cooperation to develop the North-South Transport Corridor. Iohannis: We want Romanian, Ukrainian minorities to have similar rights to language, education in it in both countries Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Bucharest, said Romania is interested in promoting a comprehensive order in favor of the citizens of both countries. "Bilaterally, Romania is interested in promoting a comprehensive order for the benefit of the citizens of Romania and Ukraine. We strive for a constructive approach, a transparent approach, aimed at solutions, including on sensitive issues," he said. Thus, according to Iohannis, he discussed with Zelenskyy in Bucharest during his visit the issue of ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in the two countries. "There is a large Ukrainian community living in Romania, a large Romanian community living in Ukraine. And we want these two minorities, which are important for our countries, to have similar rights, especially here, I mean, of course, to the language they speak and for education in their native language," he said. Veteran highlife musician, Rex Omar, has revealed that throughout his forty years of doing music, he has not seen $1million before. Speaking on Accra FM monitored by Journalist and Blogger Attractive Mustapha about the economy, he said Ghanaians have lost hope in politicians however, the last hope left is John Mahama. Rex Omar expressed dismay at how politicians are amassing wealth while majority of Ghanaians suffer. I have not seen one million dollars before, even though I have been doing music for forty years, and I dont think if I will see that money it will be through music, but today, people enter into politics and make more than one million dollars, the Abiba hitmaker said. According to him, he has observed that majority of the youth now see politics as a place to make quick money. Rex Omar is one of the few celebrities fighting for positive change for Ghana, and the second coming of John Mahama. Controversial Ghanaian socialite Afia Schwarzenegger has publicly accused New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful Kennedy Agyapong of being mentally unfit for the country's highest office. In a video posted to social media platform TikTok, Schwarzenegger alleged that Agyapong's allies had reached out seeking her support for his bid. However, she refused because to her, the Assin Central MP "Has undergone brain surgery and it will be impossible for him to lead Ghana, stressing, He can never be president." Schwarzenegger continued, "He is not of sound mind and he doesnt qualify. His lawyers and the people around him know this and they wont advise him." She insinuated that those close to Mr. Agyapong were exploiting him for personal gain. "They are just exploiting him, spending his money. Yes, I said it," Schwarzenegger stated. The accusations come less than a month before the NPP holds internal elections to choose its 2024 presidential candidate. Kennedy Agyapong is battling three other candidates for the party's nod: Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Francis Addai Nimoh and former Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto. Whoever emerges victorious on November 4 will aim to lead the party's agenda of securing a third consecutive electoral victory which will be an end of the 8-year jinx of governance since 1992. The Savannah Regional wing of the National Democratic Congress has called out the ruling New Patriotic Party for what they describe as the penchant for always claiming undue credit for projects initiated and completed by former president John Dramani Mahama in the region. In a news release, the Regional Communications Officer of the party, R.A Jalil said the recent attempt by the failed NPP led administration to accuse former President John Dramani Mahama of turning the Damba Festivals organized across the Savannah Region in recent times to political platforms falls flat in the face of logic. According to him, projects such as the Mpaha Community Day S.H.S, Buipe Accident and Emergency Centre, Ntereso Water Plant, Buipe Savacem among others have been made possible through the effort of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama. He said John Dramani Mahama is a royal son of the Savannah Region with a very solid track record in the areas of health, education, infrastructural development, livelihood empowerment among others and reserves the right to any social event in Gonjaland. Read full statement below: For Immediate Release. 10th October 2023. RE-JOHN MAHAMAs CONTINUES POLARIZATION OF GONJA CULTURE: A RECIPE FOR BAD PRECEDENCE AND A SIGN OF DESPERATION. My attention has been drawn to a statement authored by the regional secretary of the NPP S/R, lamenting on why H.E John Dramani Mahama the incoming President of the Republic of Ghana honoured the invitations to the 2023 Damba festival organised across the entire Gonja kingdom. The regional secretary of the NPP S/R accused the NDC of turning the events into political platforms. The secretary did not specify how the NDC politicized the festival, raising questions about the criticism. Excitedly, the reignited show of support and love for Mahama in his home region has caused unease within the NPP, but the question remains: why does honoring festival invitations lead to discomfort for others? Mr. Issah Mohammed should focus on reconciling with his chairman instead of making unnecessary and unfounded statements. Regarding their "tramadol" induced statement: Firstly, the NDC and John Mahama attended all major Damba invitations without violating any agreed terms with political parties. Vice President Bawumia was also invited to the Yagbon Damba but declined due to 10 questions posed by the NDC that required his response. Furthermore, H.E. Mahama was invited as a respected Prince in Gonjaland, and during his speech, He addressed national issues as a statesman. Similarly, if Bawumia had attended, he wouldn't have sung his childhood methodist hymns but discussed national concerns. Why then criticize Mahama for speaking responsibly? Without reservation, if any political party owes Gonjalanders an apology for disrespecting our chiefs, it is the NPP. They shamelessly branded calabashes used in the 2019 Damba at the Jakpa palace with NPP-branded apparel, a clear sign of disrespect and desperation. Have they issued an apology for this? It seems the NPP conveniently forgets their actions. Let me dive into the raised issues! It's astonishing that despite increasing our public debt from 120 million to nearly 600 million in just seven years, the NPP has little to show for it. Instead, they seize every chance to claim credit for projects initiated by H.E John Mahama. MPAHA MAHAMA E-BLOCK The Mpaha community day SHS affectionately called Mahama E-block will continue to be one of Mahamas legacies across the breadth and length of this country and the NPP cannot take that away from him. This facility after its completion was left at the mercy of the weather and a breeding habitat for grass cutters and squirrels. It took same Mahama to move to the premises of the school and called on government to operationalized the abandoned facility. E-blocks were promised by John Mahama and delivered by him. Facts are sacred and sacrosanct! BUIPE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CENTER On 1st January 2017, President John Mahama cut sod for the construction of five new ultra-modern district hospitals and a Polyclinic in Ghana. The loan facility was secured on March, 2016. The sod-cutting ceremony took place at Weta in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region. Report of the finance committee on the export credit facility agreement between the government of the Republic of Ghana and Raiffeiseeen Bank international AG of Austria for an amount of up to Seventy Seven Million, Nine hundred and Thirty Five Thousand Euros (77,935,000.00 Euros) for the design, construction, equipping and furnishing of five new district/ general hospital in Somanya, Buipe, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Weta, Toulon and one Polyclinic at Bamboi. The apostles of reading cant just goggle for this simple information. Mr Issah should tell us when the NPP government secured a loan for those facilities. NTERESO WATER PLANT CLAIMS: Mr. Issah admitted in his statement that the facility was actually constructed by John Mahama but it took the irresponsible attitude of the NPP when they allowed floods to destroy the facility. On 17th August 2015, H.E John Mahama commissioned 4 water plant communities which includes Ntereso, Nyawuripe, Fufulso Junction and Yapei-Yapala. This plant pumps 100,000 gallons of water daily to the communities. This was part of the Peri-urban rural and small town water and sanitation project being implemented across the country at a cost of 21 million euros. The propaganda to claim the Ntereso water project has fallen flat! THE SO CALL MPAHA-SALAGA ROAD: John Mahama in his statement chastised government for neglecting the Mpaha junction to Mpaha road and that of the Salaga-Makango road. These are roads that were under construction under his regime till Nana Addo took over power and abandoned them completely. The claim that NPP is tarring roads in the district capitals is a figment of his imagination, absolutely nothing is happening in the district capitals of Savannah. Its a fallacious statement from the secretary. I dare him to mention a single district that is seeing such tarring. THE BUIPE SAVACEM The Savannah cement enjoyed a number of tax waivers during the importation of some equipments of the factory under the leadership of the NDC and has every right to be part of the establishment of the factory. Has the NPP not included in their list of none existing factories companies that were built in the 70s? Issah Mohammed and his party should apologize unreservedly to Jirah Buipewura Jinapor II for the embarrassment caused his person when the NPP connived with the Dj of the occasion to turn off one of the microphones during the presentation of H.E John Mahama's speech. The NPP is by this reminded that HE John Mahama will continue to be the greatest asset and human resource the Gonja Kingdom and all people of Northern extract has ever had in recent times, and as such, no amount of name calling and character assassination will take that away from him. I want to conclude with a warning to the NPP in Savannah: we are prepared to confront them whenever they resort to their usual verbal attacks against our incoming President. Signed; R.A. Jalil Communication Officer NDC- Savannah Region The new head of the International Organization for Migration on Tuesday called for migration to be no longer treated as a problem but "a tool to unlock human potential to advance economic development". Amy Pope, the first woman elected to lead the IOM, chose Ethiopia, home to the African Union and nearly 4.4 million displaced people, for her first official visit. With Africa facing conflict, poverty and uneven development as well as the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, the continent is a priority for the agency, she told a press conference. The IOM, founded in 1951 to handle displacement in Europe after World War II, today offers "particular protections for refugees -- people who are fleeing because of their affiliation or participation in a particular social group, or because of their background, their race, their gender," she said. "But increasingly, and what we're seeing, including in Ethiopia, is that most people are migrating because of economic necessity." "If you're starving, you're no less worthy of a solution than someone who's being persecuted," she added. "So the first question is how do we ensure appropriate protections for people... on the move, even if they will not fall into the refugee definition?" The Geneva-based IOM is the leading international body addressing the needs of hundreds of millions of migrants throughout the world. "Too often we talk about migration just as a problem that has to be solved," Pope said. "We focus just on human suffering... on border management, but really the goal here is to identify how we use migration as a tool to unlock human potential to advance economic development." As global numbers of migrants soar, she urged countries to open "regular pathways for people to be connected to opportunity" and avoid abuses and exploitation. Pope noted that in Africa more than 80 percent of migration takes place within the continent. She said she wanted to engage with the African Union "to build out better ways for migrants to move, but also then to enable better economic integration". Human Rights Watch has accused Saudi Arabian border guards of killing hundreds of Ethiopian migrants trying to enter the kingdom between March 2022 and June 2023. Riyadh has denied the accusations. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Savannah Region has responded to the governing New Patriotic Partys (NPP) assertion that its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, did not complete a single hospital in the region when he was president of the country. The response is to what the NDC described as the NPPs penchant to always claim undue credit for projects initiated and completed by the former president in the region. In press statement signed by the Savanah Regional Communications Officer of the NDC, R.A Jalil, the party noted projects constructed under the former President. According to him, projects such as the Mpaha Community Day S.H.S, Buipe Accident and Emergency Centre, Ntereso Water Plant, Buipe Savacem, among others, have been made possible through the effort of the former president. He indicated that Mr Mahama is a royal son of the Savannah Region with a very solid track record in the areas of health, education, infrastructural development, livelihood empowerment, among others and reserve the right to any social event in Gonjaland. Read full statement below: Regarding their "tramadol" induced statement: Firstly, the NDC and John Mahama attended all major Damba invitations without violating any agreed terms with political parties. Vice President Bawumia was also invited to the Yagbon Damba but declined due to 10 questions posed by the NDC that required his response. Furthermore, H.E. Mahama was invited as a respected Prince in Gonjaland, and during his speech, He addressed national issues as a statesman. Similarly, if Bawumia had attended, he wouldn't have sung his childhood methodist hymns but discussed national concerns. Why then criticize Mahama for speaking responsibly? Without reservation, if any political party owes Gonjalanders an apology for disrespecting our chiefs, it is the NPP. They shamelessly branded calabashes used in the 2019 Damba at the Jakpa palace with NPP-branded apparel, a clear sign of disrespect and desperation. Have they issued an apology for this? It seems the NPP conveniently forgets their actions. Let me dive into the raised issues! It's astonishing that despite increasing our public debt from 120 million to nearly 600 million in just seven years, the NPP has little to show for it. Instead, they seize every chance to claim credit for projects initiated by H.E John Mahama. MPAHA MAHAMA E-BLOCK The Mpaha community day SHS affectionately called Mahama E-block will continue to be one of Mahamas legacies across the breadth and length of this country and the NPP cannot take that away from him. This facility after its completion was left at the mercy of the weather and a breeding habitat for grass cutters and squirrels. It took same Mahama to move to the premises of the school and called on government to operationalise the abandoned facility. E-blocks were promised by John Mahama and delivered by him. Facts are sacred and sacrosanct! BUIPE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CENTRE On 1st January 2017, President John Mahama cut sod for the construction of five new ultra-modern district hospitals and a Polyclinic in Ghana. The loan facility was secured on March, 2016. The sod-cutting ceremony took place at Weta in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region. Report of the finance committee on the export credit facility agreement between the government of the Republic of Ghana and Raiffeiseeen Bank international AG of Austria for an amount of up to Seventy Seven Million, Nine hundred and Thirty Five Thousand Euros (77,935,000.00 Euros) for the design, construction, equipping and furnishing of five new district/ general hospital in Somanya, Buipe, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Weta, Toulon and one Polyclinic at Bamboi. The apostles of reading cant just google for this simple information. Mr Issah should tell us when the NPP government secured a loan for those facilities. NTERESO WATER PLANT CLAIMS: Mr. Issah admitted in his statement that the facility was actually constructed by John Mahama but it took the irresponsible attitude of the NPP when they allowed floods to destroy the facility. On 17th August 2015, H.E John Mahama commissioned 4 water plant communities which includes Ntereso, Nyawuripe, Fufulso Junction and Yapei-Yapala. This plant pumps 100,000 gallons of water daily to the communities. This was part of the Peri-urban rural and small town water and sanitation project being implemented across the country at a cost of 21 million euros. The propaganda to claim the Ntereso water project has fallen flat! THE SO CALL MPAHA-SALAGA ROAD: John Mahama in his statement chastised government for neglecting the Mpaha junction to Mpaha road and that of the Salaga-Makango road. These are roads that were under construction under his regime till Nana Addo took over power and abandoned them completely. The claim that NPP is tarring roads in the district capitals is a figment of his imagination, absolutely nothing is happening in the district capitals of Savannah. Its a fallacious statement from the secretary. I dare him to mention a single district that is seeing such tarring. THE BUIPE SAVACEM The Savannah cement enjoyed a number of tax waivers during the importation of some equipments of the factory under the leadership of the NDC and has every right to be part of the establishment of the factory. Has the NPP not included in their list of none existing factories companies that were built in the 70s? Issah Mohammed and his party should apologize unreservedly to Jirah Buipewura Jinapor II for the embarrassment caused his person when the NPP connived with the Dj of the occasion to turn off one of the microphones during the presentation of H.E John Mahama's speech. The NPP is by this reminded that HE John Mahama will continue to be the greatest asset and human resource the Gonja Kingdom and all people of Northern extract has ever had in recent times, and as such, no amount of name calling and character assassination will take that away from him. I want to conclude with a warning to the NPP in Savannah: we are prepared to confront them whenever they resort to their usual verbal attacks against our incoming President. Signed; R.A. Jalil Communication Officer NDC- Savannah Region 0240998279/0249808911 -classfmonline.com Professor Joseph Osafo, a Senior Psychologist at the University of Ghana, has strongly condemned the invasion of United Television (UTV) studios on Saturday by some members and supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Professor Osafo described the actions of the invaders as unacceptable and commended the NPP for distancing itself from the incident. The NPP's Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah stated that the party did not endorse or sanction such actions. Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Professor Osafo told the intruders to redirect their energies into productive ventures that will contribute to the nation's progress, particularly in the agricultural sector. He stated, "Such energies are powerful but they must be channelled properly. So, our youth who exude such energies didn't act well. We need those energies in agriculture. We need maize, cassava, plantain; we are hungry. Those energies should be properly channelled." The Chief Executive Officer for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Opoku Ware Amponsah has revealed that, streamlining organ harvesting in Ghana will be one of the best way to save kidney patients in the country from dying prematurely. According to him, legalization of organ harvesting will be a serious game changer in Ghanas health care delivery. The renowned doctor has observed that, while providing dialysis treatment for kidney patients should be the priority of the government, legalizing organ harvesting will save thousands from the high cost of dialysis treatment. Speaking to Captain Koda on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM's morning show Nyansapo on Tuesday October 19, 2023, Dr Opoku Ware maintains that there were many human organs that could be harvested to save people if only there would be official legal backing. "While organ harvesting is very effective in saving individuals from death, poor regulations on the process could lead to abuse of the process. "There are some rich individuals who can induce the poor ones to harvest their organs, but with proper regulations and legalization, the process can be done effectively to save more lives," he said. Dr Opoku Ware Amponsah however appealed to the Parliament of Ghana to speed up processes towards the passage of the law on tissue donation, harvesting and storage of various organs. 11.10.2023 LISTEN Alan Kyerematen, the independent candidate for the 2024 general elections, believes the Butterfly movement has a stronger chance of defeating both New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections. The failed flagbearer candidate said it would be best for Kennedy Agyapong to join his movement considering the current happenings within the party. Speaking in an interview on Silver TV, Alan Kyerematen argues that he and Kennedy Agyapong share a similar philosophy of empowering the youth, which is why they both need to enter into a partnership. Mr Alan says if Ken Agyapong follows his vision of a Ghana where opportunities and initiatives for the youth are the norm, it is best to collaborate to push that vision strongly. Kennedy Agyapong is my brother, I dont mind us working together. I believe Ghanaians want this partnership as well. We will be a formidable force if we come together. My ideology of a youth empowerment is similar to his so I have no issues of us collaborating to work together, I invite him to join my alliance, he is free to join my alliance, Alan Kyerematen stated in a local dialect Twi. France has begun withdrawing troops from Niger after being ordered out by coup leaders as the United States on Tuesday cut off more than $500 million in assistance to the insurgency-hit Sahel nation. Washington declared that Niger's military had staged a coup on July 26, overthrowing a democratic government seen as a key bulwark against Russia. "Any resumption of US assistance will require action ... to usher in democratic governance in a quick and credible timeframe," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. The United States, along with West African nations and former colonial power France, had been pressing the military to restore President Mohamed Bazoum. "We're taking this action because over the last two months, we've exhausted all available avenues to preserve the constitutional order in Niger," a senior US official added. The United States is keeping about 1,000 military personnel in Niger, but they are no longer actively training or assisting Niger forces, another US official said. They will continue to work to monitor threats from jihadists. The French army move kicks off a complex and fraught process that Paris expects to be completed by the end of the year, drawing the curtain on another French anti-jihadist operation in Africa. "The first troops have left," the spokesman for the French chief of staff told AFP, confirming an announcement Monday by Niger's military leadership, which said the 1,400-strong French contingent would start leaving Tuesday. A convoy of soldiers with trucks transporting equipment and armoured vehicles from western Niger arrived in the capital Niamey around midday on Tuesday, an AFP journalist saw. A French defence source said a first group of soldiers considered a priority for evacuation for health or humanitarian reasons flew out of Niger on Monday. Logistical headache Niamey had spoken of convoys of troops being escorted out of the country overland by the Nigerien army, without saying where they would go. According to security sources, they are expected to head towards Chad over more than 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) to the capital N'Djamena, where French forces in the Sahel command are based. The withdrawal was expected to cause logistical headaches for the French, with few safe routes out of a region plagued by myriad jihadist groups. Niger's land borders with Benin and Nigeria have been closed since the coup. Map of Niger locating the capital Niamey and French military bases. By Sylvie HUSSON, Paz PIZARRO (AFP) Niamey forbids French flights over its territory. Around 1,000 French troops were stationed in Niamey, with another 400 deployed at two forward bases in the north-west, near Mali and Burkina Faso, a hotbed of insurgent activity. France had reinforced its presence in Niger, adding armoured vehicles and helicopters to the drones and fighter jets that were already deployed. It is the third time in 18 months that French troops have been sent packing by a former African colony, dealing a severe blow to France's influence on the continent and prestige on the international stage. France's ambassador to Niger was also given his marching orders by the leaders of the coup that toppled the French-backed president. Pivot away from Paris Niamey's military rulers had labelled the announcement of France's diplomatic and troop withdrawals in September as a "step towards the sovereignty of Niger". Mali and Burkina Faso, which have also undergone coups in the past two years, have also turned their backs on France, accusing it of a colonialist attitude and of failing to effectively combat jihadists. Mali has pivoted towards Moscow, bringing in mercenaries from the notorious Wagner group. In Niger, anti-French demonstrators have also been seen waving Russian flags -- scenes in stark contrast to rejoicing that greeted French troops in 2013 when they helped liberate northern Mali from Al-Qaeda-affiliated insurgents. Niger had in recent months been acting as a regional hub for French troops helping armies in the region fight Islamist insurgents. French President Emmanuel Macron initially attempted to keep his troops and ambassador in the country, but in late September gave into pressure to bring them home after months of anti-French protests. France still insists that Bazoum's ousted government remains the sole legitimate authority. The former president remains under house arrest in Niamey. The EU's election observation mission to Sierra Leone on Tuesday highlighted statistical inconsistencies, intimidation and political violence in its final report on the June vote, recommending a string of measures to boost transparency, safety and freedom of expression. "Voters' trust in the credibility of elections was undermined by (a) lack of transparency during critical stages of the process," the mission said in the report, which it presented to President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday. "Tabulation and announcement of results proved to be the tipping point for the credibility of the elections. The entire process was opaque, meaningful observation was impeded and the declaration of winners was not followed by publication of disaggregated results per polling station." Bio was re-elected for a second term in the first round of voting on June 24, with 56.17 percent of the ballots, according to results released by the electoral commission. The opposition All People's Congress (APC) has disputed the results and refused to participate in local or national government, with most MPs boycotting parliament. "Following the declaration of the results of the parliamentary elections... it was clear that result totals published by the (election commission) showed several statistical inconsistencies and mathematical improbabilities," the EU mission said. It also cited political violence in the weeks leading up to the polls, including at least 17 violent attacks. "Political activism was also discouraged through a demonstrative and disproportionate use of force by security agencies prior to, during and after election day," it said. "Live ammunition and tear gas was fired outside the main opposition party's headquarters in Freetown twice... In each case one person was killed." The mission said Bio's Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) had blurred the line between governing and campaigning, with ministers participating in rallies and extensive campaign messaging published on government websites and social media accounts. Intimidation On August 31, the US State Department announced visa restrictions on those "believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Sierra Leone", including through vote rigging or intimidation of observers. The names of those targeted were not made public, and visa decisions are confidential under US law. In September, Bio accused the US of pressuring him to interfere in the election count, speaking during an event in Washington. The election commission, he said, "had done all their calculations, collations, all the processes. I was now requested to stop them from calling the result by the United States. So I don't know who is accusing who of interference." The EU mission on Tuesday flagged what it described as public intimidation "by state and non-state actors" of a citizen observer group that published a parallel vote tabulation challenging the electoral commission's figures. It said that intimidation, "punctuated by a disinformation campaign, aimed to clamp down on voices of dissent and clouded future perspectives for genuine, non-partisan civic activism". It also criticised a 2021 cyber crimes act, which it said "puts undue restrictions on freedom of expression". The German Ministry of Defense announced the preparation of a new "winter package" of assistance for Ukraine worth about EUR 1 billion, which will include additional Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems, as well as Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. "Germany is preparing a second winter package for Ukraine: to protect critical infrastructure and assure further support, Germany is providing additional air defense with Patriot, IRIS-T SLM and SLS worth about EUR 1 billion, as well as three Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement. The Ministry of Defense also said in the next few weeks another ten Leopard1 A5 main battle tanks, some 15 protected transport vehicles and almost 20 protected medical vehicles will arrive in Ukraine. "Germany will continue to support Ukraine with what it needs most air defense, ammunition and tanks," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. A businessman has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court over a charge of defrauding a businessman of GHC 1,141,590 and $1,900. Abdul Hayyu Oudou is said to have collected the monies from Gao Yao Ben, a Chinese businessman, to pay for the supplies of oil and printing materials from Singapore and China, respectively, on his behalf, but failed to do so. Oudou, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges of defrauding by false pretences and forgery of official documents. The Court, presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah, consequently, admitted the accused person to bail in the sum of GHC 1 million cedis with three sureties to be justified. The court also asked the accused person to be reporting to the case investigator and deposit his passport and Ghana card with the Court's Registry. The accused person is expected to reappear on November 6, 2023. The Prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Coleman Afesi, said Oudou was an operator in the forex bureau business. Oudou had been in the money changing business in Ghana, changing Ghana cedis into dollars for about five years now. The court heard that in May 2023, Gao contracted SINOPEC Lubricant (Singapore) PTE, Limited and Shangai Janhong New Material Technology Company Limited to supply him with oil and printing materials from Singapore and China, respectively. He, therefore, discussed this with the Oudou who promised to facilitate the transfer of the money to the companies on his behalf. It said on May 17, 2023, the accused person demanded and took GHC 1,141, 590 and $1,900 from Gao under the pretext of facilitating payment into the account of the companies. The prosecutor said Oudou sent his brother, one Alhassan Adamu, to go with Gao to the Makola branch of a commercial bank where GHS1,141, 590 and $1,900 were withdrawn and handed over to Alhassan Adamu, who in turn gave the money to Oudou. According to prosecution, the accused person who was poised to unlawfully appropriate the complainant's money later gave him fake swift receipts indicating that payments of $43,800 and $60,000 had been made by him, on behalf of the complainant. The Court heard that Gao on March 1, 2023, called Oudou with a private number and took $30,000 from him. The prosecution said Gao, however, refuted those allegations. It said Oudou admitted to receiving GHC1, 141,590 and $1,900 from Gao but alleged that he in turn gave the monies to his friend, named Frank, who rather gave him the fake receipts. It said the accused person informed the Police that he knew where Frank's office at a bank was at Community One. When the Police proceeded to the place (bank), it was gathered that the bank had moved from the place five years ago, and the bank had been housed at a different location. The Prosecution said when investigations were extended to the new location of the bank, it turned out that there were only females working at the MoneyGram section. GNA A Kenyan court on Monday temporarily suspended the government's plan to send police to Haiti on a UN-backed mission that aims to restore calm in nthe Caribbean nation. The UN Security Council last week approved the Kenyan-led multinational security force for the country with Kenya promising 1,000 police officers. But a Nairobi court granted an interim injunction on Monday in a case brought by opposition politician and lawyer Ekuru Aukot, who argues the deployment is unconstitutional as it was not backed by any law or treaty. Aukot helped draft Kenya's revised 2010 constitution and charged that Kenya would be deploying its police abroad while it failed to quell insecurity within its own borders. "I am satisfied that the application and petition raise substantial issues of national importance and public interest that require urgent consideration," High Court judge Enock Mwita ruled. "A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until 24 October 2023," the ruling seen by French news agency AFP said. Details of Kenya's deployment are still not finalised, with parliament yet to approve the move as required by law. A new type of mission Haiti is considered the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation. It has been in turmoil for years, with armed gangs taking over parts of the country and unleashing brutal violence, and the economy and public health system also in tatters. The UN-backed mission is initially approved for one year and which envisions Kenyan police working with their Haitian counterparts, who are outnumbered and outgunned by gang members. The force aims to provide "operational support to the Haitian National Police, including building its capacity through the planning and conduct of joint security support operations," according to the UN resolution passed last week. The mission also aims to create conditions to hold elections, which have not taken place in Haiti since 2016. Kenya's proposition is "bold and comes in good faith", Haiti expert at the United States Institute of Peace Keith Mines told RFI, "and the police and army have done well in other missions, but for this one they need more men. What could really support the mission would be Haitian elements, perhaps from the Haitian diaspora, who can speak creole and gain the locals' confidence." The multinational mission "could be a relief" for people in cities such as the violence-plagued capital Port-au-Prince, noted Robert Fatton, a Haiti expert at the University of Virginia, even if he added that "anything that is short term...will obviously collapse." In a statement released early October, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Maria Isabel Salvador emphasised that, "unlike recent international missions deployed in Haiti, the MSS mission is not a UN mission". The BINUH "will fully support it", nonetheless, "within the limits of its mandate, the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy and in full respect of the decisions of the Haitian State." The exact dates remain to be set by the authorities of Haiti and the lead-country, Kenya. Many criticisms Kenya's involvement has been criticised at home, with many questioning the wisdom of such a risky mission. Many members of parliaments and opposition leader Raila Odinga have criticised the proposal. Whether Kenyan police will be a match for Haitian gangs on their own turf is doubtful, says Emiliano Kipkorir Tonui, who has overseen the deployment of Kenyan troops in several countries. "Our policemen are not trained like the military in map reading. They are not trained in communication. They are not trained in handling weapons like machine guns," the former soldier, now a member of the Nairobi-based NGO Kenya Veterans for Peace, told AFP. Abroad, rights watchdogs also say Kenyan police have a history of using sometimes lethal force against civilians, and that they pose an unacceptable risk in Haiti where foreign troops have committed abuses in past interventions. Kenya's President William Ruto keeps defended the deployment as a "mission for humanity." Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said on Sunday the state will ensure it seeks the requisite parliamentary approvals and will not employ "any shortcuts". (with AFP) The World Food Programme said Tuesday it had partially resumed distributing food aid in Ethiopia, after halting assistance four months ago over the diversion of supplies. The UN agency said the aid was intended only for the country's almost 900,000 refugees living in camps. The World Food Programme (WFP) and US agency USAID halted food aid to Africa's second most populous country in June after discovering supplies were not reaching those in need, raising fears that millions of Ethiopians would be left starving. Around 17 percent of the country's 120 million people depend on food aid. Last week USAID said it had resumed food aid to refugees in around 30 camps. Refugee camps in Ethiopia Most refugees in Ethiopia are from Somalia, Eritrea, and South Sudan. Around 35,000 have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan in recent months. "Families living in refugee camps across five regions, including new arrivals who have fled from Sudan, are receiving food parcels for the first time since WFP paused food distributions in June," WFP assistant executive director Valerie Guarnieri, said. It followed "a full revamp of the safeguards and controls in its refugee operations," the WFP added. "Refugee food security has deteriorated in the past months, leading to increased malnutrition, heightened tensions around the camps and even unsafe journeys back across the border. "Food is a lifeline for refugees living in unimaginably hard conditions, and it's a relief that we now have measures in place to resume vital support." The WFP added that it was also making progress rolling out "controls and measures needed to resume food distributions for millions of food insecure Ethiopians". At the end of July, the WFP launched "test distributions" of food aid in the Tigray region following the brutal two-year war between forces loyal to the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front. (with AFP) The body of the late former Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram constituency, E.T. Mensah has been received in Ghana from South Africa. It was conveyed to the morgue after a brief ceremony. National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwarts, government officials, and a host of other dignitaries lined up to receive the body of the Council of State member, ET Mensah. ET Mensah died aged 77 in South Africa, last week, after battling ill health for some time. Enoch Teye Mensah (born 17 May 1946) was a Minister for Education and a Member of Parliament in Ghana from January 1997 till January 2017. He was popularly referred to as ET Mensah and was married with seven children. Prior to his demise, he was the Greater Accra Regional representative on the Council of State. -Citi Newsroom Rashid Dauda, the New Patriotic Party (NPP)s Organizer in the Asawase Constituency in Kumasi, has been released on bail after being questioned by the police for allegedly assaulting the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Asokore Mampong Municipality, Kennedy Kankam. Mr. Dauda and some constituency executives had previously confronted the MCE in his office, demanding the release of funds to support activities during the recent Limited Voter Registration exercise. The MCEs refusal led to a heated verbal exchange between him and the Constituency Organizer. Although the incident was reported weeks ago, Mr. Dauda was only invited by the Asokore Mampong police for interrogation on Tuesday. After his statement was taken, he was released on bail while police investigations continue. The First Vice Chairman of the NPP in the Asawase Constituency, Noah Owusu, denied claims that Mr. Dauda physically assaulted the MCE during their altercation. He expressed concern that this situation is creating tension within the NPP in the constituency. At least eight French nationals have been killed in Israel and a further 20 are missing following Saturday's attack by Palestinian Hamas militants, the French Foreign Ministry said. As Israeli authorities carry out checks and identification, the number of victims has unfortunately risen, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said late Tuesday ahead of a hearing in the National Assembly. A 12-year-old child is among those missing in the wake of the Hamas raids, which the Israeli Defence Forces on Wednesday said had claimed at least 1,200 lives. Many of those missing were at an electronic music festival in the southern Israeli desert, where scores of revellers were massacred. Chartered flight Colonna told the French parliament, which had observed a minute's silence, that a chartered flight would be operated by Air France on Thursday to repatriate French nationals stranded in Israel. She said the ministry was working to "clarify the situation" of those missing and to "do everything to find and free the hostages". The head of diplomacy reiterated that there was no possible justification for terrorism and denounced acts of terror perpetrated against civilians and soldiers. In response to the attack, Israel is carrying out a massive air and artillery bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. More than 260,000 Gazans have been forced to flee their homes as the air, land and sea strikes continue to hit the coastal enclave, the United Nations said. The US is talking with Israel and Egypt about the idea of a safe passage for Gaza civilians. On Friday former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for protests across the Arab world in support of the Palestinians, in a recorded statement seen by Reuters. 11.10.2023 LISTEN Members of the Concerned Customers of the defunct Gold Coast Fund Management spent a night at the Finance Ministry's premises to demand the release of their locked-up funds. These customers, some of whom are elderly and some over 70 years old, nursing mothers among others braved harsh weather conditions and slept in the open as their 48-hour protest entered its first 24-hour stretch. Their funds were caught up in the collapse of Gold Coast Fund Management during the financial sector cleanup. They are demanding the release of some GH8.6 billion, which has already been approved by Parliament to settle their members. Charles Nyame, the Convener of the group, expressed disappointment and described the treatment they received from the Finance Ministry authorities as disrespectful. In a related development, another group named Concerned First Fund Shareholders is also demanding payment of around GHS164 million owed to over 22,000 members. They have pledged to join the ongoing protest today to amplify their demands for resolution. -Classfmonline A growing body of research shows that regularly attending religious services can significantly prolong one's lifespan. According to a recent article by Professor Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, an author, and a science writer, sourced from several studies, weekly churchgoers live as much as 14 years longer than non-attendees. One extensive 9-year study of over 21,000 American adults conducted by Hummer et al. in 1996 revealed that people who went to church every week lived 7 more years on average compared to those who didn't attend services. Even more strikingly, African-Americans who attended more than once a week were found to live 14 more years, twice as long as non-attendees. "Apart from this, another comprehensive study conducted by Stampfer et al. in 2016, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that women who went to any kind of religious service more than once a week had a 33% lower chance than their secular peers of dying during the 16-year study-follow-up period," revealed Professor Obu in a portion of the article. Additional research by Bruce et al. in 2017 published in PLOS One showed that regular service attendance was linked to reductions in the body's stress responses and mortality. Worshippers, per the article, were 55% less likely to die during an 18-year follow-up period than non-attendees. A 28-year study by Strawbridge et al. in 1997 published in the American Journal of Public Health also found lower mortality rates among frequent religious attendees. This was partly attributed to improved health practices, increased social contacts, and more stable marriages associated with attendance. "Some studies have found that prayer can improve disease outcomes and prolong survival, while others have been less conclusive," Professor Obu noted. Overall, the accumulated research strongly indicates that actively participating in religious services can add over a decade to one's lifespan compared to non-participation. This impact is more pronounced among African American churchgoers. The National Executives of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) have met the Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, Ali Redjel, in his office in Accra. The meeting, which was at the invitation of the Ambassador, was to discuss how PRINPAG can support the Algerian Embassy to deepen bilateral relationships between Ghanaian and Algerian journalists. Among others, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of the media in all walks of life, including foreign relations and diplomacy. He said the media is a powerful tool that, when properly resourced, could support the development agenda of every institution through the dissemination of accurate news and information. According to him, the Embassy is interested in creating a lasting relationship with the media in Ghana and sees PRINPAG as a strategic partner that can contribute to the dissemination of accurate information, hence the meeting. He highlighted the historical and cultural ties between Ghana and Algeria, dating back to the independence struggles of both countries. In his remarks, President of PRINPAG, Andrew Edwin Arthur, who led the five-member delegation, lauded the initiative and assured that, the Association stands in readiness to project accurate news on Algeria. He sought the support and guidance of the Algerian embassy to access credible sources and contacts in Algeria for professional exchange programmes. PRINPAG agreed to support the Algerian embassy for good collaboration. The Embassy has agreed with the proposal to facilitate the formation of a partnership between PRINPAG and the Algerian Press Service (APS) for the exchange of news and information about Ghana and Algeria for the development of both countries in all sectors and on African issues. This would culminate in training and exchange programmes with Algerian journalists so as to learn from their best practices and experiences, among others. There would also be a deliberate promotion of accurate and balanced reporting on the bilateral relations between Ghana and Algeria, especially in the areas of economic, trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructural development and cultural exchanges The UK Branch of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly refuted claims that it has declared support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the partys upcoming primaries. The branch labeled these reports as complete fabrications aimed at sowing confusion and disunity within the party. In an official statement, the Branch Executive Committee clarified that they have not held any meetings or authorised the issuance of any communique supporting a particular candidate. They emphasised that the letterhead used in the report was forged and exploited to mislead the public both in Ghana and the UK. The statement elaborated on an earlier meeting where Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had invited representatives from the NPP UK Branch to share his vision and aspirations for the presidency with them. However, the branch maintained that they are committed to remaining neutral in the upcoming presidential primaries. The UK Branch urged the public to disregard the misleading publication and emphasized their dedication to impartiality during the party's internal selection processes. -Classfmonline The International Donor Conference on humanitarian demining in Ukraine, organized by the governments of Croatia and Ukraine in cooperation with the European Commission, begins work in the Croatian capital Zagreb on Wednesday. "The conference serves as a platform to unite nations and mobilize resources for Ukraine's recovery efforts, starting with the vital task of humanitarian demining," according to the conference materials. The two-day event will be opened by Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal (via video conference) in the presence of European Commissioners Janez Lenarcic and Virginijus Sinkevicius. The key goals of the conference were to present Ukraine's demining needs, share global experience, mobilize resources, present Ukrainian developments in mine action response, use of assistance and international support mechanisms, and ensure transparency and accountability for the use of donor assistance. A report by the World Bank, the Ukrainian government, the European Commission and the UN estimates the cost of humanitarian demining at more than EUR 34 billion of the EUR 383 billion total cost of reconstruction and recovery, and Ukraine is among the countries in the world most contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war. However, the full extent of contamination remains unclear due to ongoing hostilities and occupation of the territory. "With this in mind, the conference endeavours to secure substantial financial commitments from the international community to aid Ukraine's humanitarian demining efforts. These contributions will play a central role in the reconstruction of areas impacted by war, allowing displaced Ukrainians to return home safely and reviving economic and social activities," according to the event materials. The conference will present best practices from experts around the world, effective mine action strategies and solutions to address Ukraine's unique challenges, and explore innovative strategies from international organizations and funding agencies to generate the necessary resources for Ukraine's comprehensive mine action efforts. In turn, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko will present the National Mine Action Strategy, and Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko (via video conference) will present an updated picture of mine contamination in Ukraine and the country's mine clearance efforts. In addition to Ukraine and Croatia, the conference is attended by representatives of more than 30 countries, as well as the UN, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and other international organizations. The National Service Scheme (NSS) has embarked on a comprehensive transformation agenda aimed at addressing youth unemployment in Ghana, said President Nana Akufo-Addo. Speaking at the launch of activities to mark the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the NSS on Tuesday, October 10, at UPSA Auditorium in Accra, President Akufo-Addo said the Scheme's new strategic direction, tied to other pro-youth agencies, focuses on skills training, pre-employment support and instilling values of civic responsibility. "Several youth development programmes have been put in place, which not only prioritise young adults' needs and build the skills needed to become productive and successful members of society, but also strengthen young peoples sense of identity and belief in the future," the President said. "Under the new agenda, the NSS will deploy 65,000 graduates to agriculture over four years, creating 81,000 jobs in farming and related sectors. "It aims to develop 20,000 hectares of land for production, generating US$92 million in revenue by year four. "For the first time, the NSS will present a draft policy to Parliament, transitioning the Scheme to an Authority with a legal framework for the new 'Deployment for Employment' model," Akufo-Addo announced. The President urged the NSS to scale up support to education, health and agriculture. "The capabilities of these energetic and educated youth would be deployed to generate maximum impact for socio-economic development," he said. Paying tribute to past MPs, Akufo-Addo quoted former MP and President John Kufuor, who said in 1980 that "the Scheme is a vehicle for building national cohesion. We should look at it as developing human resources to be used more efficiently." President Nana Akufo-Addo has emphasized the important role of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in promoting national cohesion in Ghana. Speaking at the launch of activities to mark the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the NSS at the UPSA Auditorium on Tuesday, October 10, Akufo-Addo said the comprehensive transformation of the Scheme is addressing youth employment while building citizens' values. "The transformation agenda primarily focuses on skills training, pre-employment support and instilling responsibility, discipline, nationalism and volunteerism," he stated. While paying tribute to past MPs, Akufo-Addo quoted former MP and President John Agyekum Kufuor, who said in 1980 that "the Scheme is a vehicle for building national cohesion. We should look at it as developing human resources to be used more efficiently." Several agencies including NEIP, GEA and CTVET are also prioritizing the needs of young people, Akufo-Addo noted. Akufo-Addo disclosed that "for the first time, the NSS will lay a policy before Parliament transitioning it into an Authority." The President urged scaling up support to key sectors and utilizing trainees' capabilities "to generate maximum impact." Through its new Economic Enclave Programme, the NSS will deploy 65,000 graduates to agriculture over four years, generating over $92 million. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said the comprehensive transformation agenda implemented by the National Service Scheme, tied with the new strategic direction of other pro-youth agencies, is addressing specific employment needs of young people. This youth-driven transformation agenda, according to him, relates primarily to training and skills development, provision of pre-employment support activities, as well as instilling the values of civic responsibility, discipline, nationalism and volunteerism. The President said several youth development programmes had been put in place to strengthen young peoples sense of identity and belief in the future. President Akufo-Addo disclosed this on Tuesday at the launch of activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the National Service Scheme at the Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra. The President said his government, since 2017 has engaged young people, including National Service Personnel, in intentional, productive and constructive ways, whilst recognising and enhancing their strengths. Under the Economic Enclave Programme, for example, President Akufo-Addo noted that the NSS, will, in the next four years, deploy 65,000 graduates to the Agricultural Enclaves, create 81,000 jobs in agriculture and develop 20,000 hectares of land for production, in addition to the production of 110,000 metric tons of food and production of 1.5 million birds. That, he said, would generate US$92 million in revenue in four years. Additionally, President Akufo-Addo said for the first time in its existence, the NSS would lay a Draft Policy document before Parliament, and transition to the status of an Authority. That, he emphasised, would provide a legal framework for the envisioned 'Deployment for Employment' (D4E) model that is designed to encourage young graduates to create a positive impact and contribute to the development of our nation. The President urged the Scheme to scale up and focus on the new modules that it has initiated, with the purposive intention that the capabilities of these energetic and educated youth would be deployed to generate maximum impact for the socio-economic development goals of the country. President Akufo-Addo paid glowing homage to the Members of Parliament who deliberated on the draft NSS Bill that culminated in the passage of Act 426, such as late statesmen, J. H. Mensah, A. A. Munufie, Peter Ala Adjetey, Harry Sawyerr, and Kwaku Baah, among others. Recounting the words of the then Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya and subsequently President, John Agyekum Kufuor, who intimated during the debate on the processes leading to the passage of Act 426 in 1980, that the Scheme is a vehicle for building national cohesion. Former President Kufuor posited that we should look at the Scheme as a development of human resources. We are going to make our future manpower more prepared to be used more efficiently. The Executive Director of the NSS, Osei Assibey Antwi, mentioned the achievements of the scheme, particularly since he took over as the executive director. He earlier commended his predecessors, all of whom were present at the launch yesterday, as he mentioned their names individually for acknowledgement. According to him, the work of the scheme in the country is evident in its face value across the country, adding that it has not deviated from its mandate. Because of the dedicated service, if you look around, all our works are there to see. Anyone who walks through the corridors of 37 Military Hospital will see that the trees you see there were planted by the national service. Not only here but across the country, he noted. He indicated that some 65,000 personnel were deployed to support teaching, 700,000 to the tourism sector, as well as setting up accounting aid to support the informal sector. The Managing Director of Ghana Commercial Bank, Mr. Kofi Adomakoh, encouraged National Service Personnel to leverage the opportunity to better their lives. Information Minister and Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on the ruling New Patriotic Party to deal with the October 7 attack on UTV by some members of the party. He said the party must call any member supporting the thuggery to order and possibly punish them, just as it does to those who violate the party's rules. Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM's Kokrokoo Morning Show, the minister stressed that every member of the party must condemn the attack. "If the party is punishing people for behavior inconsistent with the party's rules or national laws, and a member expresses support for such behavior, I believe the leadership should also look into it," he stated. "There must be consistency in the party's approach. Just as the party and government consistently condemn the incident, the party leadership should also ensure consistency between those positions and views expressed by party members," the minister added. The party, through its National Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah, has condemned and dissociated itself from members who stormed UTV studios during the broadcast of United Showbiz on Saturday, October 7, demanding regular pundit Kwame Asare Obeng, known as A Plus to apologise for consisting criticising the Akufo-Add-Bawumia government. The group were angry with A Plus for tearing a letter sent by NPP leadership to UTV management calling for United Showbiz reforms. Police later announced the arrest of 16 persons in connection with the attack. 11.10.2023 LISTEN An Accra High Court will on October 17, 2023, start the trial of Victor Stephen Nana Kankam, a landlord accused of killing his tenant, Benjamin Okyere at Ofankor in May 2020. The court is expected to call its first prosecution witness at the next sitting. Kankam, who has been charged for murdering Stephen Okyere by allegedly shooting him several times, has pleaded not guilty. The court asked Kankam, aka Nii Kojo Obo Schroeder, a businessman, to be on his former bail. The State will be calling nine witnesses in their bid to prove the charge of murder. At today's hearing, October 10, 2023, the prosecution and defense counsel took turns to address the court. The prosecution, led by Mrs Sefakor Batse, Principal State Attorney, said it would prove its case beyond reasonable doubt that Benjamin Okyere was dead, and that the accused person caused the death by intentionally inflicting unlawful harm on him by shooting him multiple times at close range. It said the accused person, in his own statement to the Police, admitted going to the house of the deceased armed with a loaded gun. He admits that he fired the gun, but denies intentionally shooting him to death." She urged the jury to listen with rapt attention and deliver a verdict depicting the truth and nothing else. The defense counsel said the accused person had no intention of shooting Okyere to death. According to the defense counsel, the accused went to the premises with a gun to talk to the deceased and not to shoot him. It urged the seven-member jury to return a verdict of not guilty on the accused at the end of the trial. The case of the prosecution was that the complainant in the matter was John Bosco Kotah, a friend to the victim, Benjamin Okyere, now deceased. The prosecution said the deceased rented the apartment of the accused located at Ofankor Spot M on May 24, 2018, for a period of two years and his rent was due to expire on May 24, 2020. It said the accused had earlier on made it clear to the deceased that he was not going to renew his tenancy after its expiration. The prosecution said on May 24, 2020, at about 1:33 pm, the day of the expiration of the said tenancy, the accused wearing a bullet proof vest and armed with a loaded gun, went to the apartment he had rented out to the deceased. It said the deceased came out of the apartment to meet the accused after he (accused) called him out. The prosecution said the deceased was later joined by his friend John Bosco Kotah, who was in the living room of the deceased prior to the arrival of the accused. According to the prosecution, the deceased upon realising that the accused was armed with a gun, he asked his friend to call a police officer friend of theirs whom they had earlier on informed about the misunderstanding between the deceased and the accused before the fateful day. The prosecution told the court that the complainant went back inside to take his phone phone and while inside, he heard a gunshot. It said the complainant then ran out of the room and saw his friend lying on the ground in a pool of blood, with the accused running away from the scene holding the gun. The prosecution said the complainant attempted going after the accused, but the accused threatened to shoot him. It said the accused run away while the complainant with the help of a taxi driver rushed the victim to the Aneeja Hospital, Tantra Hill and later to the Police Hospital. The prosecution said they later went to lodge a complaint with the Mile Seven Police Station. It said the victim was pronounced dead on arrival at the Police Hospital. It said the Police visited the crime scene and retrieved plastic wads as well as empty cartridges. The prosecution said the accused person was arrested and a search conducted at his residence where guns, lives cartridges and the bullet proof vest he wore to the residence of the deceased, were retrieved. On June 10, 2020, a postmortem examination was conducted on the deceased by Chief Superintendent Dr. O. Owusu Afriyie of the Police Hospital, who gave the cause of death as hemorrhagic shock, several chest injury and gun shot at close range. GNA Nigerias Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate has urged hospitals in Nigeria to focus on saving lives. His comment comes amid long-held complaints about hospitals demanding police reports from gunshot and accident victims before commencing treatment, which has led to avoidable deaths. Speaking on Nigeria-based Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, October 11, the Health Minister decried this practice, stating that the Federal Government has directed hospitals to always stabilize patients first before making any other demands. In his words, "Recently there have been concerns about patients who show up at the emergency facilities and police reports being asked about gunshots or accidents. Thats really unfortunate, but in all federal teaching hospitals, for instance, I was in Maiduguri at the weekend, life has to be saved first." "Life first and we have re-emphasized that. All our hospitals I believe are doing that. No person should come with an emergency, or life-threatening challenge and be made to lose their life while awaiting police report." He further noted: "Saving lives comes first and that is the direction we have given; that is what we would pursue and we hope that all hospitals including private hospitals will have this mindset that in health, its save lives first." The UK's King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla will make a four-day state visit to Kenya from the end of this month, Buckingham Palace announced Wednesday. Kenyan President William Ruto invited the royal couple for the visit, which comes as the African nation prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence from Britain in December. "The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to Kenya, from Tuesday 31st October to Friday 3rd November 2023, to celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge," said the palace. "The King and Queen will visit Nairobi City County, Mombasa County and surrounding areas," said the palace. It will be Charles III's first visit to a Commonwealth nation since becoming monarch last September. The programme will reflect how the two countries are working together on a range of issues, the statement added. These include working "to boost prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development and create a more stable and secure region", it said. The king will meet members of the Kenyan government, UN staff, faith leaders, young people and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines and will also attend an event to celebrate Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai. Lingering tensions Charles will also tackle "the more painful aspects" of the relationship, looking at the period of British colonial rule, which ended in 1963. Officials arrest Mau Mau chief Kalebain 1953. By - (AFP) This will include exploring the "Emergency" of 1952-1960, when a state of emergency was declared due to the guerrilla campaign against European settlers by elements of the Kenyan Kikuyu tribe, known as the Mau Mau. "His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya," said the palace. About 10,000 people were killed during the suppression of the uprising and as a result, the royal visit is likely to be greeted with mixed emotions. After a court case lasting several years, Britain agreed in 2013 to compensate more than 5,000 Kenyans who had suffered abuse during the revolt, in a deal worth nearly 20 million pounds (almost $25 million at today's exchange rates). Another lingering source of tension is the presence of British troops in Kenya. In August, the Kenyan parliament launched an inquiry into the activities of the British army, which has a base on the outskirts of the town of Nanyuki, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) north of Nairobi. The most notorious case is the death in 2012 of a young Kenyan mother allegedly murdered by a British soldier. Charles has made three previous official visits to Kenya, in 1971, 1978 and 1987, and both the king and queen have also visited the country privately. Kenya has a special significance for the royal family, being the country where the historic reign of Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II began. She was visiting the country when her father King George VI died in 1952. Kenya was the first stop on Elizabeth's tour of the Commonwealth that she had embarked upon with her husband, Prince Philip, in place of her ill father. And in 2010, Charles' elder son Prince William proposed to his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton while staying in Kenya. Market Women at Agona Swedru Central Market Annex (Eguaekyir) in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region last Tuesday staged a mammoth demonstration against their Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Evans Addison Onomah Coleman over what they termed as forceful eviction to deny them of their daily bread. They have called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo President of the Republic of Ghana to relieve him of his position as Agona West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) with immediate effect. The calls for the removal of the MCE were as a result of an attempt by the Agona West Municipal Assembly led by the MCE to erect crash barriers at the very place where the women ply their trade. "Hon. Evans Addison Onomah Coleman has not given us a place for relocation neither did he give us prior notice, he just decided to remove us from where we get our daily bread. "At this time of economic hardships facing Ghanaians, you want to add salt to our injury? It won't happen. We believe in President Akufo Addo-led NPP Government and know for a fact that the MCE made a sole decision for his personal interest. "In the other hand, if it is an order from President Akufo Addo, then we are highly disappointed in his Government, if not, Hon. Evans Addison Onomah Coleman should be removed from office with immediate effect," they stated. One of the traders who gave her name as Madam Veronica could not fathom why the MCE was treating them as outcasts adding that every market centre across the country has an annex where those who couldn't get a place at the main central market carry out their daily business transactions. She cited Techiman, Keneshie, Mankessim, Takoradi, Kumasi Central Market and other places where there are overflow of market women. "I have been at this place over the past 40 years. This is where I get my daily income to pay fees, feed my kids and family and also pay other utility bills, so you can't just get up from your office to evict me just like that, I have two children who are pursuing a course at the University, one at Level 200 and the other is at Level 300, this is where I get money to pay for their fees and there are others in Basic and Senior High school. "Most of us have collected loans to expand our businesses. I inherited this place from my grandmother who had been right for years. Nobody is moving out an inch from here, some people want to sabotage President Akufo Addo's government, I will urge him to open his eyes before the unexpected things happen," Madam Veronica noted. This lamentation attracted the attention of the Agona West NPP Constituency Executives who rushed to the scene to stop the MCE and his staff from evicting the women. They subsequently removed all the crash barriers and assured the traders of their unflinching support from the party adding that they would protect them to carry out their various business activities. Led by the Agona West Constituency 1st Vice Chairman of the NPP, Mr. Fredrick Boateng, the Constituency Executives added their voice for the removal of Hon. Evans Addison Onomah Coleman from office describing his action as inhumane and barbaric. According to Mr. Fredrick Boateng, the party will not sit aloof for some persons to use their selfish interest to tarnish President Akufo Addo-led NPP government. The Agona West Constituency Organizer of the NPP, Mr David Essandoh popularly known as 'Sam Toys' expressed deep concern about the alleged waywardness of the Municipal Chief Executive which he said would affect the fortune of the party going into the 2024 general elections. "We (NPP Constituency Executives) in Agona West have said many times without number that the action of our MCE, Hon. Evans Addison Onomah Coleman which is a sabotage to the very President who appointed him to his position and the party as a whole. But he has turned deaf ears to our concern and warnings of the consequences that will befall the party in Agona West Constituency. "He did what he had wanted to do at the Swedru Central Market Annex to Agona Abodom Market Women. The MCE forcefully evicted them from where they were trading with the excuse that the Assembly was going to construct a modern market center for them, it is over 8 months now, nothing has been done at the place, compelling them to sell their goods under the scorching sun. "At the time President Akufo Addo led NPP Government through our Member of Parliament for Agona West, Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Mamle Morrison is crusading for economic empowerment for the women folks, you (Evans Addison Onomah Coleman) want to put sand into their Gari? Tufiakwa Mbanu, it won't happen. "Instead of propagating the brilliant achievement of the NPP Government which is unprecedented in the history of the country, you want to stab the Government back in this manner? Agona Swedru is a commercial town and has created jobs for the people especially the females as well as various Transport Unions in the vicinity. Where did Evans Addison Onomah Coleman get that money to erect clash barriers when the Assembly needs funds to construct roads, classroom blocks and other developmental projects?" Mr. David Essandoh questioned the MCE. Similar concern was shared by Mr. Anthony Kwame Kum and Madam Florence Yamoah, Agona West NPP Secretary and Women's Organizer respectively. They expressed the hope that President Akufo-Addo will soon sack Hon. Evans Addison Onomah Coleman as MCE for Agona West to save the image of the party adding West Constituency is a stronghold of the NPP in the Central Region. An influential Angolan social media star known as Neth Nahara has had her prison sentence increased to two years for insulting President Joao Lourenco on TikTok. The popular creator, whose real name is Ana da Silva Miguel, was initially given a six-month sentence in August but an appeals court ruled it was too lenient. Ms Miguel, who has over 230,000 followers, had accused the president in a video of "anarchy and disorganisation" and blamed him for failing to provide schools, housing and jobs in the oil-rich country. As quoted in the ruling, Judge Salomao Raimundo Kulanda described the president as "sovereign" and said Ms Miguel was aware of this status when posting the criticisms. According to a BBC report, appeals court judge said the influencer's words against the president were "offensive" and that given her ability to sway public opinion, her actions were "more objectionable." Ms Miguel had pleaded for leniency as a first-time offender and mother but the court dismissed this, going so far as to order her to pay President Lourenco $1,200 in "damages." Her lawyer in an interview said this was the first TikTok conviction in Angola and that as the new sentence was under three years, no further appeal to the Supreme Court was possible. The state prosecutor had pushed for a harsher punishment, arguing the initial six months would not deter similar posts in future. Angola remains authoritarian despite elections. It is also wealthy in oil but many citizens live in poverty, leading to growing protests over high costs of living. Ministry of Finance has appealed to its bilateral creditors to quickly agree on the debt relief terms to help Ghana secure the second tranche of the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package. He expressed appreciation to the IMF for giving Ghana the needed support in its quest to help the economy to turn the corner. Mr Ofori-Atta in a tweet said, Great meeting with @KGeorgieva during the #IMFMeetings. Discussed recent achievement of SLA for first review. Grateful for strong IMF support, and calling on bilateral creditors to agree on debt relief terms as quickly as possible. #GhanaRising. The International Monetary Fund says it is waiting for the outcome of Ghana's engagement with its bilateral creditors before releasing the next tranche of the $3 billion facility. This was disclosed by the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, in a tweet on Wednesday after meeting Ghanaian officials to discuss the way forward. Ghana recently reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF following a review of the country's economic progress after the first tranche of $600 million was disbursed. Georgieva congratulated Ghana on securing the staff-level agreement. -citinewsroom The number of people killed as a result of a missile strike on the village of Hroza (Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region) on October 5 has increased to 55 and may increase, press secretary of the regional prosecutor's office Dmytro Chubenko has said. "Over the course of the day, two more women were identified among the dead; before that they were considered missing. Identification of the bodies of the dead continues. Some 55 bodies have already been identified, three people are listed as missing, no children are among them. Based on statements from relatives about the missing, the number of dead may further increase to 58," Chubenko said. As reported, on October 5, at about 13:25, the occupiers launched a missile attack, presumably with an Iskander-M, on a cafe-shop in the village of Hroza, where a funeral was being held on the occasion of the reburial of a Ukrainian serviceman, a native of this village. As of October 10, some 53 were known to have died as a result of the missile attack. Rita Asamoah 11.10.2023 LISTEN A 33-year-old female nurse has been murdered in what looks like a contract killing. The deceased, Rita Asamoah, a resident of Atwima Boko in the Ashanti Region, did not return home after closing from work on Monday, October 9, 2023. Her husband, Otuo Serebour, sensing danger, reported to the Denchemouso Police Station that his wife was missing at 12 midnight on Monday. Barely six hours later, Rita's lifeless body was found in a nearby bush at a distance of about 78 meters from her house at Atwima Boko. Surprisingly, there were no marks of violence on the body except some vomit and foam around the nostrils when she was found at the crime scene. Rita's handbag was also found at the scene as well as a polythene bag containing her ID cards and some medicines, the police said. No arrest has been made yet but the dead body has since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) mortuary for autopsy. However, preliminary police investigations revealed that Rita, a resident of Atwima Boko, worked as a nurse at Mac Hills Clinic Danyame in Kumasi. As usual, Rita went to work on 09/10/23 but she did not return home as at 7pm so her husband, Otuo Serebuor called her workplace to check. When her manager, Graham David, was contacted on the phone, he indicated that he personally alighted her at Sofoline around 1800hours same day for the victim to look for another vehicle and continue home, a police report said. The police document, sighted by the paper, also said the information was then relayed to the Regional Control Room for necessary action. Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Commander, COP Afful Boakye Yiadom has since spoken to the family and expressed the condolences of the IGP and the Police Administration. -DGN online Famine and thirst sigh like a scythe across the field of statistics and the desert is a moving mouth Derek Walcott (The Fortunate Traveler) TO THOSE who are involved in Galamsey, those who sponsor them, those who defend them, those who bankroll them, those who move in sympathy with them and of course, those who offer them land and sanctuary, the day of reckoning is beckoning. Their names will be recorded in brass in history's book of discarded crimes. These people should know that the nature they destroy is the handiwork of God, the Almighty who knows the reason why He created nature. Gird up your loins before reading these startling and heart-rending records on the water situation in the world. I am hunched with emotion and gutted with pain as I write this piece. I sleep with one eye open and wake up every day with tears on my pillows. I do not cry for myself but for my grandchildren and generations yet unborn who will be facing the stark reality of an acute shortage of potable water to drink and may die of thirst from water-borne diseases, if we run away from our collective efforts to fight Galamsey. Water, not oil, is the most precious fluid in our lives, the substance from which all life on the earth has sprung and continues to depend. If we run short of oil and other fossil fuels, we can use alternative energy. But if we have no clean, drinkable water, we are doomed. Here in God's own country, we all want to be heard as far as Galamsey and the destruction of our water bodies are concerned but we fail to acknowledge the difference between speaking up with intention and speaking up for attention. Many commentaries on the situation that we have found ourselves in are just for attention. I have been consistent with my criticism of Galamsey because I know if I am not for myself, nobody will be for me, so I have to strike or be struck. I cannot afford to buy imported water,neither am I prepared to die for drinking poisoned water. People can decide to be acquiesced and adopt deafening silence on the issue but not me. In fact, they can continue beating about the bush and foolishly read politics into the issue but not me, your irrepressible, unbreakable and irresistible Earth Angel Gabriel, the senior massager of God. Even in the darkest place, the light of a single candle can be seen far and wide. I am a lone traveler shouting from the wilderness. Those who have ears should listen. Water scientists say the planet is 71% water and less than 3% of it is fresh. They say most of that is either in the form of ice and snow in Greenland and Antarctica or in deep groundwater aquifers. Less than 1% of the earth's water, they say, is considered available for human needs. Even then, much of it is far from large population. At the dawn of this 21st Century, more than two billion people do not have access to safe drinking water. Worst of all, more than 5 million people die each year from water related diseases. Scientists tell us that the adult human body is about 75% water with up to 85% of human brain cells liquid: even teeth are 10% moisture. Alarmed? Say your prayers before you sleep tonight. Africa is more affected by the research of the scientists as enumerated above. In the case of Africa, poverty, rapid climate change, corruption, irresponsible exploitation of the environment, use of agrochemicals, ostentatious and reckless use of potable water and lust for quick money through irresponsible mining have made our situation worse. In parched Botswana, a country dominated by the Kalahari Desert, for example, water is so precious that the national currency is called 'Pula' (Rain, in Sestswana language.) There, the nickname of water is 'Blue Gold'. In other jurisdictions, the issue of water is a human rights issue and you dare not joke with it. Generally, it seems we are facing a world water gap. Scientists, water professionals, environmental campaigners, climatologists and others have warned for decades that a water crisis is building up yet these alarm bells ring on many deaf governmental ears. Back in Ghana, we must rethink water management. The truth is that because of Galamsey we no longer live in an era in which rivers can be endlessly dammed to pump water to treatment centers, carry our buckets to go and fetch water from our rivers to fill our pots and drink or fetch water from our rivers on our way to our farms. We sit by the banks of our rivers and yet thirsty because the waters are polluted with cyanide, mercury and other dangerous chemicals. We used to be proud when our colonial masters referred to this land of ours as the Gold Coast. The new name of the tag is now Gold Curse. In my previous piece, I suggested in that those who live by the river banks where galamsey is rampant should use river gods, goddesses and deities to curse anyone who pollutes the rivers. This time around, I want to challenge Christians and Muslims to join the battle. Halleluiah and Allahu Akbar alone cannot stop Galamsey. Here in Ghana you can find a church or mosque in every nooks and crannies that you go. In fact, there is no town or village where you cannot find a Christian or Muslim not to talk of a church or mosque. If Imams and Pastors spend just five minutes every Friday, Saturday or Sunday to preach against Galamsey, the problem will be half solved. Imams and Pastors only preach of salvation but my lexicon defines salvation as 'preservation or deliverance from harm or ruin'. It stands to reason that salvation is not only theology and deliverance from sin believed to be brought about by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohamed. Man of God, think and save your congregation from imminent death! Enough of the collections, tithes and 'adowa'. As for the chiefs who offer land for the Galamsey criminals for monetary gains, I will rain hellfire on them at the right time. I will name and shame some of them and dare them to summon me to their palaces. After all, who is afraid of a criminal parading as chief? If their ancestors who ruled before them had stooped so low, will they and their subjects have come to meet any fertile land to farm? Somebody should tell these so-called chiefs (or thieves) that, the law says they hold the land in trust for the people. In other words, the land does not belong to them. Period. This is not the time for niceties or unguarded politeness as far as the fight to save the river bodies is concerned. I hereby, serve notice that I will be firing from all cylinders and those who don't have crash helmets should go for one because what is coming from above is heavier than one ton of gold. I will delve into my arsenal of the Queen's language, spew out unprintable vitriolic invectives, acerbic, acidic, scathing and snobbish with professorial bombast and they should better go for a standby dictionary if they don't have one. Some chiefs will run and leave their sandals behind (apology to the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah). I have deleted FEAR and RESPECT from all my lexicons because of my fight against this menace. The crown of martyrdom has become too heavy to wear so the battle line is drawn. Asembebadabi!!! Good morning, Mr. Frank Appiagyei. Thanks for your encouragement. BY Eric Bawah [email protected] Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, has disclosed that a growing number of Ghanaian women have been engaging in anal sex, contrary to the commonly held perception that it is normally initiated by men. During a discussion on HIV/AIDS risk factors on Adom FMs "Burning Issues" hosted by Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom, Dr. Atuahene revealed that recent research indicates a shift in sexual preferences, with many women now expressing a preference for anal sex. Dr. Atuahene clarified that anal sex is not limited to same-sex encounters but is increasingly practiced between men and women. He said, Anal sex is not happening only between a man and his fellow man but also between a man and a woman. It has become a new trend or fun among some groups of women. Men who have sex with male colleagues, their chance or risk of getting HIV is 28 times higher than those who do not have anal sex. Dr. Atuahene pointed out that those involved in anal sex and individuals who inject illicit drugs are at a greater risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Discussing the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Ghana, Dr. Atuahene reported that by the end of 2022, 355,000 people had contracted the disease. Among them, 289,718 were aged 25 and above, 40,497 were between the ages of 15 and 24, and 24,712 were children aged 0 to 14. He emphasized that various segments of society, including pastors, preachers, chiefs, teachers, journalists, and others, all have at least one HIV/AIDS patient among them, given the figures provided. With the figures provided, each group in society like pastors, preachers, chiefs, teachers, journalists and many others have at least one HIV/AIDS patient, he revealed. Dr. Atuahene attributed the increase in HIV/AIDS among the youth to having multiple sexual partners. Regarding the regional prevalence rate, he noted that the Eastern and Bono regions had the highest numbers at 2.2%, followed by the Greater Accra region at 2%. The Western North region reported a rate of 1.9%, with the Ashanti region at 1.9%. The Bono East region had a prevalence rate of 1.8%, Ahafo reported 1.7%, Western Region was at 1.6%, Volta at 1.5%, Oti at 1.3%, Upper West at 1.2%, and the North East region had the lowest number of infections, with a prevalence rate of 0.45%. 11.10.2023 LISTEN The Fixing the Country Movement recently announced its intention to occupy the office of former President John Mahama over what it described as lack of progress in the Airbus Corruption investigations involving the former President. According to the group, a casual approach toward the Airbus corruption scandal is unacceptable, and it wants all parties involved to take quick action. The Fixing the Country Movement emphasises the need for transparency and accountability in addressing the scandal that involves the former President. "The Ghanaian public deserves transparency and accountability in addressing this corruption scandal involving a former President," a statement signed by Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu, Convener of Fixing the Country Movement stated. Kweku Baako, in a text message read during Peace FM's Kokrokoo morning show, criticised the group's plan to picket at the former President's office. He suggested that their efforts should be directed at the Office of the Special Prosecutor if they truly want an update on the investigation. He wrote, "Why picket the office of former President Mahama when your concern is about the pace of investigations in the Airbus saga? Shouldn't the office of the Special Prosecutor be your focal point if any? Picketing at the former President's office is to embark on a journey to the wrong destination, needless indeed." The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi has criticized the Attorney General of Ghana Godfred Dame over his recent criticism of Professor Frimpongs Boateng illegal mining report. According to Sammy Gyamfi, Frimpong Boatengs illegal mining report includes proof that several members of the current government's appointees are engaged in illicit mining activities. The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accused Attorney General (AG) Godfred Dame of being biased. In an interview with Joy News, Sammy Gyamfi argues that the AG has never prosecuted any of his own members for any actions relating to corruption. He referenced details from the Frimpong Boateng illegal mining report, which provides clear evidence of the corrupt practices of members of government neck-deep. He (Attorney General) has not done so because he is not interested in fighting corruption, neither is he interested in protecting the interest of the people. This latest advice from his office on Frimpong Boatengs damning report (on the involvement of government officials in illegal mining) is yet another attempt by this Attorney General to cover up clear acts of corruption on the path of government officials and members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Gyamfi stated. Gyamfis comment follows the Attorney Generals advice that former Environment Minister, Prof Frimpong Boatengs report on illegal mining activities are empty and do not have evidence to prosecute the persons fingered in it. The Attorney General therefore asked the police to discharge persons mentioned in the report except those still under investigation. The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey, has urged the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to process financial transactions on the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform. He said the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act binds them to process all public funds via the GIFMIS platform, adding that failure to comply shall attract sanctions as explicitly stated in section 98(1) of the PFM Act. Mr Quartey gave the directive in Accra when the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Ministry of Finance organised a Regional Budget Hearing for the 29 MMDAs in the region. He noted that the region had been zoned into ten with a maximum of three MMDAs converging at one central point for their turns. The Minister said findings of the Regional Monitory team on the work of the various departments in the assemblies revealed that most of them have been constrained by such challenges as lack of office space, inadequate staffing, logistics and funds. He charged the MMCEs to step up their game in revenue mobilisation to enable them to raise adequate funds for the effective running of the MMDAs. The Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr Eric Oduro Osae, said the use of the GIFMIS platform is a legal requirement. He urged the MMDAs to use the platform, adding that its use helps to eliminate audit irregularities. 11.10.2023 LISTEN To achieve an educational system consistent with the fourth industrial revolution, Ghana must integrate relevant educational systems that nurture the skills and mindset of the people needed for socio-economic transformation, Ministry of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has noted. Speaking at the launch of the National Educational Leadership Institute in Takoradi, the Minister said the countrys educational system was facing structural challenges like leadership issues that pose risks to the learning outcomes of students. Such challenges have resulted in many young people lacking the required skills to thrive academically and shape them to become successful people to help transform the country, he said. The National Educational Leadership Institute is a permanent independent institution that aims to provide tailor-made leadership programmes with certification for present and aspiring school heads and educational managers. The initiative sought to equip educational leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed for high-performing stewardship of learning experiences in all educational institutions across the country and also serve as an approach to improve their leadership capacities to promote collaborative teaching and learning geared towards improving students performances. Dr Adutwum said it was imperative to begin raising a new generation of educational leaders who would be interested in the learning outcomes of students and lead the charge to turn Ghanas socio-economic fortunes around. On his part, the Executive Director of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Ghana, Dr Charles Yeboah, the National Educational Leadership Institute implementing partner, said the Institute would roll out a five-month course for 400 heads of educational institutions that would form the first cohorts of the initiative. The Director-General of the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Michael Boakye-Yiadom, the lead implementing partner, speaking on the future and sustainability of the Institute, said there was the need for Parliament to pass a legislative instrument that would mandate successive governments to continue to implement the programme for the collective benefit of all. Ghana has made progress with its debt burden, says, Mr Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group (WBG). Zambia got out of the debt situation after a long process but we've seen progress with Ghana and other countries, Mr Banga said. Mr Banga was speaking during the opening press briefing on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the ongoing WBG/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Marrakech. However, Mr Banga urged Ghana to ensure that it completed its debt treatment with external creditors, and created the right regulatory framework for macroeconomic stability and an environment for businesses to flourish. Ghana's public debt rose from 79.6 per cent in 2021 to over 90 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, as debt service-to-revenue reached 117.6 per cent, IMF data showed. That pushed the country for a 17th Extended Credit Facility (ECF)-support scheme with the IMF in 2022 for the implementation of a Post-COVID-19 Programme of Economic Growth (PC-PEG). Mr Banga explained that such a debt burden hindered development as it squeezed the ability of investors to put their money into things that countries needed to grow sustainably. I wish there's a magic wand that says, abracadabra, we'll just wipe the debt out of the system, but I don't think that's likely to happen, the World Bank president said. He, therefore, encouraged Ghana and other countries going through debt restructuring to speed up efforts in completing, particularly, their external debt treatments. The reality is that what you need to do to get the form of debt exchange in these countries overseas, not domestic debt, he said. He added, It's important to get the facts ready, get the creditors to agree and move past it, and get better regulatory and macroeconomic frameworks into these countries so, that we don't fall into these same trap years down the lane. The World Bank president also called on Paris Club and non-Paris Club countries, as well as commercial creditors to sit at the table with debtors to agree on a country-by-country basis on debt treatments. In a related development, Madam Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF had lauded Ghana for the completion of its first Staff-Level Agreement on the review of the Fund's US$3 billion loan-support programme. Congrats on the Staff-Level Agreement on the Fund-supported programme's first review, she said in a Tweet after a meeting with Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister, and Dr Ernest Addison, Governor, Bank of Ghana. Counting on bilateral creditors reaching agreement on debt relief soon to move the review forward, the IMF Managing Director said. Ghanaian authorities are currently at the WBG/IMF annual meetings in Marrakech to cement efforts to reach an agreement with its external creditors on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by November 2023. The MoU would spell out specific debt treatment that external creditors would agree with Ghana as part of the implementation of the government's ongoing three-year US$3 billion IMF loan-support programme. The loan-support programme is to ensure Ghana's macroeconomic stability, and debt sustainability and chart a path for inclusive growth while protecting the vulnerable. GNA A total of 3,149 people have so far been displaced due to the floods at Buipe in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region, the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS), has said. Mr Solomon Gayoni, Secretary General of GRCS, who announced this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after visiting some of the affected persons and communities, said they comprised 571 male adults, 603 female adults, 950 male children, and 1,025 female children. He said some of them were staying in classrooms in the area, adding that there are challenges of water, sanitation and hygiene issues. Public latrines have been submerged in the floods. This means the whole water in the area has been contaminated. So, we expect issues of epidemics in the area, malaria could rise high, we could get cholera and intestinal infections and typhoid. Floods hit the Buipe area about two weeks ago after the Black Volta overflowed its banks, following torrential rains upland. Mr Gayoni said communities in the area were still inundated with flood waters, adding that information his outfit gathered from the communities indicated that this year's floods had been the worst. He said whilst the situation at Buipe was massive, collaboration among various relevant bodies to support the displaced persons was very poor. He, therefore, called for a coordinated approach by stakeholders in disaster management to come to the aid of the displaced persons, urging the Ghana Health Service and other health providers to also step in. Meanwhile, the GRCS society had provided tents for the displaced persons, which were housing about 42 households. Mr Gayoni said the GRCS was working to get a lot more shelter kits for the people as a few of them continued to call for help for shelter. GNA - Source: 11.10.2023 LISTEN Following two decades of fierce negotiations, over 60 countries recently signed a UN Ocean Treaty to conserve biodiversity on the high seas. The high seas are all ocean areas which aren't under a specific country's direct ownership or regulation. They make up two-thirds of Earth's oceans, providing 90% of the habitat available for life. The treaty has been celebrated as historic . It's the first time that action will be taken against unregulated use of resources in this ungoverned space. It's estimated that 90% of the world's marine fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited or depleted. Although less than 10% of the total global fish catch is from the high seas, the unregulated nature of fishing there has a harmful impact on marine life. The treaty consists of 76 articles . Their goals include the protection and sustainable management of the marine environment, preserving the integrity of ocean ecosystems such as coral reefs and conserving biological diversity. Once ratified, the treaty will allow the establishment of marine protected areas in the high seas. Though it doesn't explicitly prohibit commercial fishing in the high seas, it includes language that may allow for their sustainable use. So, the establishment of a protected area in the high seas is expected to address unsustainable fishing activities in the space, but only if fully implemented . Read more: African marine rules favour big industry, leaving small-scale fishers in the lurch Part of my expertise lies in maritime and natural resource governance in Africa, so I've been following this development. There are reasons to celebrate the Oceans Treaty for what it represents an extra mechanism to protect our oceans and their resources. But my main concern which has also been flagged by others is that the treaty could drive distant water fleets (fishing outside their own territory) to fishing grounds closer to land. And many of the most lucrative grounds belong to African countries. The treaty has been described as extremely broad and lacking specifics. Clear regulations must be put in place by the treaty's implementing agency. It's not yet clear who that will be. The treaty calls for state parties to allow for the establishment of various committees and working groups, together with a Conference of the Parties to guide implementation. I argue that clear regulations must ensure that fisheries subsidies to vessels that once relied on the high seas must be cut. Subsidies given to distant water vessels can encourage the overexploitation of vulnerable species. Attractive fishing grounds Having lost access to fish on the high seas, fleets will need new fishing grounds. African waters are an attractive target for various reasons. Firstly, they're rich in diverse species. Secondly, these waters are not properly monitored, which means countries can take advantage of them. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing already costs Africa over US$2.3 billion annually. Thirdly, coastal African states appear willing to enter into new agreements with nations that fish outside their own borders. This is worrying because it's going to put Africa's vulnerable fish stocks at risk. Distant-water vessels are already known to be exploitative. Who are these vessels? About 97% of high-seas fishing is done by vessels flagged to high-income countries the vast majority ( 86% ) are from China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Spain. Vessels from some of these countries, such as China , South Korea and Spain , already have fisheries arrangements with countries in Africa. And they're known to contribute to the overexploitation of fish on the continent through legal and illegal fishing. Harmful subsidies These high-sea fishing vessels come from the top 10 countries providing fisheries subsidies. Fisheries subsidies are financial support given by governments to help the private sector, including distant-water vessels , to catch more fish. Some of these subsidies have been shown to be harmful , particularly to vulnerable species. Harmful subsidies encourage overfishing, as the money is spent on capacity-expanding activities such as artificially lowering fuel and vessel construction costs. This allows large vessels to catch more fish than is sustainable by fishing farther out to sea and for longer periods. Many industrial fleets wouldn't be profitable without these subsidies. The treaty doesn't clearly address subsidies, but they are the subject of the World Trade Organization's 2022 Fisheries Subsidies Agreement . This, however, has not come into force as two thirds of the signatories have not yet accepted the deal. Under the proposed agreement, signatory countries must commit to stop providing harmful subsidies. If harmful subsidies aren't effectively addressed, a ban on fishing on the high seas could end up contributing to increased fishing activities within the jurisdictions of coastal countries. What must happen Aside from the treaty being effectively implemented, several measures and strategies can be deployed to ensure African countries are protected. There must be more support from the international community for regional fisheries bodies such as the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea and Regional Fisheries Commission for the Gulf of Guinea for countries in west Africa. The regional bodies must be in a better position to guide member states on sustainable fisheries practices, enforce regulations where they exist or update regulations as needed. Read more: Fisheries subsidies fuel ocean depletion and hurt coastal communities There must be increased support in monitoring fishing. Partners and non-governmental organisations share data from satellite technology and vessel tracking systems that helps coastal states monitor what goes on in their waters. The international community must provide further support so that coastal states can enforce existing regulations by sharing capacity, technological know-how and assets. By combining these strategies and fostering international cooperation, it is possible to strike a balance between implementing the treaty and fishing sustainably in Africa's oceans. Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood receives funding from the Scottish Funding Council through the University of St Andrews and the PEW Charitable Trust. By Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, Lecturer, University of St Andrews Ports of Big Odesa along corridor protected by Ukrainian Navy receive three more vessels The ports of Big Odesa received three more bulk carriers that passed through a temporary corridor established by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andriy Klymenko, head of the Monitoring Group of Sanctions and Freedom of Navigation at the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies, said on Facebook. According to him, these are the vessels Imperator (ship owner from Greece), Wu Yang Glory (ship owner from China) and Falcona (ship owner from Ukraine). According to the MarineTraffic resource, Imperator arrived at the ports of Big Odesa under the flag of the Marshall Islands. The deadweight of the vessel is 18,900 tonnes. The Wu Yang Glory vessel with deadweight of 75,500 tonnes is flying the flag of Liberia, and the Falcona with deadweight of 2,200 tonnes is flying the flag of Cameroon. "Thus, since September 16, 2023, 20 ships with a total deadweight of 668,900 tonnes have already arrived at the ports of Big Odesa along the Ukrainian corridor," Klymenko said. Unlike the previously existing grain corridor, the new corridor carries ships not only with agricultural products, but also with other cargo, in particular, mining and metallurgical goods or containers. Aggrieved workers at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) are demanding the immediate removal of their Director General for his alleged inefficient management of the corporation. They hoisted red banners inside and outside the GBC premises to press home their demands. According to the workers, the Director Generals four-year contract expired on October 1, and any further extension would be detrimental to the Corporation. Samuel Nathaniel Kevor, Divisional Union Chairman of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Workers Union told Citi News that It was last week that we read a notice on a communique from the management on the working relationship with the union of GBC and weve addressed that letter to our national chairman of the Public Service Workers Union. It is out of that that we had to organize a sub-durbar because the decision has gone viral. So we decided to have a sub-durbar to say that the decision taken by management is illegal, and is borne out of a resolve that workers of GBC are resisting an attempt to extend the contract. Our Director Generals contract has expired on the 1st of October, 2023. As a result, workers have resolved that since weve given him peaceful four-year tenure but we are not happy, the company is deteriorating, things to work with have become a challenge and weve realized that we need to make the appointing authority understand that if we extend the contract the place will collapse. Daniel Bugri Naabu, former Northern Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed a sense of vindication after alleging that Superintendent Eric Gyebi and Superintendent George Asare have confirmed the accuracy of the leaked tape's details and their voices. Both officers initially denied their involvement during the public hearing but Chief Bugri Naabu says at the In-camera hearing during the recent committee session., they have conceded. Bugri Naabu, addressing the media after the hearing, emphasised his truthfulness and role as a chief in not spreading falsehoods. He explained the reasons behind recording the conversation, highlighting its importance for national security and the government. You were all there when they told the committee in public that Im a liar but now before the committee they have all, including Gyebi, admitted their voices on the tape. I want to tell you all that as a chief I dont tell lies, I was in my office and these people came to say the things they said. I felt it was important for the national security of this state and for the NPP government to know what they were doing in there so I taped them and went to give the tape to the president, he said. He stressed Now they have all admitted that it is their voice so I want everyone to know that I am not a liar. And if they come out to challenge anything now, we will play what happened in there for all Ghanaians to hear, he told journalists. Bugri Naabu emphasised his intention to reveal the truth to the public and expose any further challenges to his credibility. In the aftermath, the committee, initially set for an in-camera session until Saturday, has suspended its sittings indefinitely. The committee chair mentioned their intention to review the audio and other evidence. -Classfmonline Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Communications and Digitalization Minister has disclosed that only 30 percent of Ghanas population can access high-speed internet. She said financing is a significant obstacle to expanding high-speed internet coverage across the nation. She highlighted that, despite the West African nation using a 4G infrastructure, little has changed in the last eight years. Speaking during the IMF and World Bank 2023 annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful noted that infrastructure projects should be implemented to make high-speed internet more accessible. One of the biggest challenges we are faced with is funding, [and] financing the big infrastructural projects. If you look at the fact that since we set up eight years ago to build the 4G network in our country, we only have 30% of our population having access to high-speed broadband. We still have a very long way to go, Ursula Owusu stated. Given that digitization is a key factor in growing the economy, she underlined the necessity of addressing the problem in order to improve life for Ghanaians. She added that government is exploring public-private partnerships as a way to increase funding for the creation of digital infrastructure. As our economies are struggling and getting increasingly saddled with the international capital market, we are finding other ways of financing our infrastructure development and looking at public-private partnership initiatives, she stated. She highlighted the establishment of the Cyber Security Authority, the creation of a cyber security committee, and the licencing of cyber security experts as measures to safeguard digital infrastructure. Another key area that is of utmost concern to us is cyber security, Owusu-Ekuful said. We cannot rollout digital infrastructure without securing our data and so much riding on it. Every sector is digitally connected. Axel Van Trotsenberg, senior managing director, development policy and partnership at the World Bank, who was also on the panel, said the World Bank is committed to scaling up the financing of digital infrastructure in developing countries, including Ghana, by making US$70 billion accessible for digital developments. Mali's ruling junta on Wednesday cancelled the authorisation given to Air France to resume flights to the country, which have been suspended for two months amid heightened tensions in the Sahel as well as between Mali and France. It comes a day after Air France announced it would resume its service between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Bamako's Modibo Keita International Airport from Friday. Air France told AFP that the resumption was now "postponed until further notice" following "additional requests from the Malian authorities". Mali's transport ministry said in a statement that the airline's request for flights to resume was being examined by the national aviation authorities. "Air France flights remain suspended during this examination procedure," it said. The reason for the backtrack has not been made public, but two senior Malian officials and an air transport official have suggested that an initial agreement may have been issued without all interested parties within the junta having been consulted. "The decision has been cancelled because the agreement was given without consulting the hierarchy," said one official. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official added that Mali's director of civil aviation had been dismissed, without saying on what grounds. "There will be no Air France flight on Friday," a second official said. "This must be done in a responsible and coordinated manner, all while respecting our sovereignty." The air transport official confirmed that "authorisation has been cancelled," without providing further details. "It is clear that flights will not resume on Friday," he said. Security situation Air France on August 7 suspended its seven flights per week to Mali, as well as its five flights per week to Burkina Faso, citing the geopolitical situation in the region. It came after neighbouring Niger closed its air space following a coup on July 26. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are all ruled by military juntas following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023. They are also plagued by jihadist insurgencies and violence. The three countries' relationships with former colonial power France have significantly deteriorated since the coups. Mali cancelled Air France's authorisation after the company suspended its flights. Air France on Tuesday said it would resume service to the Malian capital Bamako from Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport with three direct flights per week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It was to use crew members and a Boeing 777-200 ER from the Portuguese company EuroAtlantic Airways. France's foreign ministry has "formally" advised French citizens not to go to Mali, including aircrew, due to the security situation. Mali's junta has made the restoration of sovereignty one of its mantras. In the face of jihadist insurgencies, the three Sahel countries have blamed France, historically an ally, for many of their struggles. France's troops and ambassadors are being pushed out of the countries. Following hostile demonstrations in the capitals, France in August updated its travel advisories to include the three cities in its "red zone", which already covered most of the region. kt-mk-sd-lal/sba/prc-acc/kjm Minister of Health has announced that all public hospitals across Ghana will offer free breast cancer screenings for the month of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In a press statement released today, Wednesday, October 11, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu emphasized the importance of widespread screening and encouraged both women and men to take advantage of this opportunity. "Arrangements have been made to make it a free screening in all government hospitals. I entreat all women and men to visit the nearest hospitals to check their breast status this month to avoid any future predicaments," the Minister stated. According to the Health Minister, breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in Ghana. Making screenings freely available at public health facilities this month, he said aims to encourage more people to get checked. "With early detection through screening, breast cancer is highly treatable. That is why we are removing all financial barriers to mammograms and clinical breast exams at our hospitals during October," said Agyeman-Manu. The general public has been tasked with promoting awareness about the initiative within their communities. October is internationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and promote screening for early detection. Samuel Atta Akyea 11.10.2023 LISTEN Security analyst, Dr. Adam Bonaa is the latest to share the view that Samuel Atta Akyea, the Chairman of the committee probing the leaked tape of the plot to remove IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has displayed some level of bias. Although the chairman has described such allegations as baseless, Dr. Bonaa believes his conduct during sittings says otherwise. Speaking to Starr FM in an interview, the Security Analyst said Samuel Atta Akyea has been more than biased. Im wondering why the Chairman thinks those allegations were baseless. Maybe he doesnt have a monitoring team who are taking note of his commentary on his chairmanship when it comes to this very important committee. So Im wondering why he thinks he is not biased, he is biased. He is more than the word bias, Mr. Atta Akyea indicated. The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee continued, You monitored, we all saw it when this whole thing was televised. At a point he was acting either as the lead lawyer or he was acting as if he was the advisor to the lawyers to some of the lawyers of the witnesses. An instance where CoP Alex Mensah was asked are you a member of the NPP just when he was about to respond quickly the chairman interjected and said be careful what you are going to say. Because you know your Police Service Act will not permit you to say that. You can play the videos. I am not making it up. You can play the videos from that sitting. It was at that point Alex Mensah said he is a sympathizer. So as far as I am concerned there are several instances where you can see or anyone reading in between the lines will say that the Chairman was overly biased. In the midst of accusations of bias, Samuel Atta Akyea has assured the Ghanaian people that the committee probing the leaked take is committed to doing a solid job. Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu 12.10.2023 LISTEN The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has called on Ghanaians to actively participate in breast cancer awareness activities this October to help save lives. In a press statement, the Minister highlighted that October is designated as International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He stressed the importance of using this opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention, screening and treatment. "Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, including in Ghana. It is critical that we engage in nationwide campaigns and screenings during this month to catch cases early when treatment is most effective," the Minister said in a statement on Wednesday, October 11. According to the World Health Organization, over two million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed globally each year. In Ghana, rates of the disease have been rising steadily in recent years. Early detection through regular screening remains the most effective way to beat breast cancer. As part of efforts to promote screening this month, the Health Ministry has worked with Ghana Health Service to make mammograms and clinical breast examinations free of charge at all public hospitals. The Minister encouraged both women and men to take advantage of this opportunity. "I entreat all women and men to visit the nearest hospitals to check their breast status this month to avoid any future predicaments," he said. The Ministry again revealed that it has partnered with various civil society groups to organize public awareness activities like health talks, walkathons, and social media campaigns on breast cancer prevention. Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), says there are about 700 to 1000 people on dialysis treatment in the country. He said out of the number, the Dialysis Unit of the KBTH had 350 patients, adding that, they run 2,000 sections of dialysis every month. Dr Ampomah disclosed this when a team from The Maker's House Chapel International made a GHS 100,000 donation to the Dialysis Unit of the Hospital. The Church also donated GHS 50,000 to the Dialysis Unit of the 37 Military Hospital, making a total of GHS 150,000. The donation was the Churchs way of reaching out to help address issues that confronted people and society. This comes on the back of concerns about dialysis fees and how patients are finding it difficult to pay for their regular sessions. Dr Ampomah said due to exchange rate fluctuations and the high cost of importing dialysis equipment, they were not able to break even in operating the Unit. He said the GHS 300 fee charged for dialysis treatments was not sufficient to meet the cost involved. He said the Hospital fell short of GHS 961,000 every month due to that challenge, adding that, they had so far incurred GHS 4million loss. We are always under recovery, so we are not able to make payments to suppliers. As I speak, 45 machines are being held by our suppliers. Dr Ampomah said the Hospital had not increased the fee for dialysis as being speculated, saying the decision to increase the fee was not their prerogative. He said that decision was for the Fees and Charges Committee of Parliament. Dr Louis Agyeman Siriboe, Head of Dialysis Unit at 37 Military Hospital, said their Unit recorded new10 cases of kidney disease every week. He said dialysis was supposed to be done three times a week, but due to the cost involved, most patients were having it once a week. He urged the Government to put in place the necessary legal frameworks to enhance options for kidney transplants rather than patients being on dialysis, which was more stressful. We must begin looking at moving from dialysing patients to transplants. This would be a preferable option once we put in the legal framework, he reiterated. GNA Residents of Sogakope and its environs in the Volta Region are set to experience a power outage today, Wednesday, October 11. This is due to the emergency shutdown of GRIDCos Sogakope substation. In a joint press release from GRIDCo and VRA today, it said the shutdown is necessary as a result of the Akosombo Dam spillage. The Ghana Grid Company LTD. (GRIDCo) and the Volta River Authority (VRA) wish to inform the public of an emergency shutdown at GRIDCos Sogakope substation, affecting power supply to Sogakope and its environs. The shutdown is due to flooding of the Substation as a result of the ongoing controlled spillage from the Akosombo Dam, part of the release said. According to the release, GRIDCo has undertaken the shutdown at the Substation for safety reasons to mitigate the risk of electrocution, loss of life, and related dangers. The release further assured that power will be restored as soon as the situation improves. GRIDCo and VRA deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this exercise, the release added. Niger's post-coup military rulers have demanded that the United Nations coordinator in the West African country leave Niger before Saturday. The Niger foreign ministry said in the statement dated Tuesday and seen on Wednesday by the press that the government had ordered the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator, Louise Aubin, "to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours". In a statement dated 10 October, Niger's foreign ministry accused the UN of using "underhanded manoeuvres" instigated by France to prevent its full participation at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) last month and in subsequent meetings of UN agencies held in Vienna and in Riyadh. The military regime in power in Niamey has already criticised "the perfidious actions" of the UN chief, saying that they were "likely to undermine any effort to end the crisis in our country". Niger's current foreign minister is Bakary Yaou Sangare. Before the coup, he was Niger's ambassador to the UN. He was scheduled to go to UNGA's gathering, but, finally failed to send an application to represent Niger. The matter was finally deferred and no representative from Niger was added to the speakers' list. The UN in Niamey said it had no immediate comment. US reactions This decision comes as the United States has announced that it has decided to cut aid to Niger. "Any resumption of US assistance will require action to usher in democratic governance in a quick and credible timeframe," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. Washington earlier Tuesday declared that Niger's ousting of a democratic government had been a coup. The United States, along with some West African nations and the former colonial power France, had been pressing the military to restore President Mohamed Bazoum. "We're taking this action because over the last two months, we've exhausted all available avenues to preserve the constitutional order in Niger," a senior US official added. (with newswires) President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking about the transition with Romania to the level of strategic partnership, declared it as a new force for the entire Black Sea region, which can give impetus to the development of economic growth and strengthening security. We stated [with Romania] that we are moving to the level of strategic partnership. There is a very clear meaning behind this political wording. As President Iohannis told me, we can rely on Romania. Romania can definitely rely on Ukraine. Together, we will significantly strengthen our region," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address. According to him, both states are already making a significant contribution to global food security through cooperation in the Danube ports and in the eastern Black Sea. "There will be more cooperation," the president said. The head of state also announced the imminent expansion of transport corridors joint with the Romanian side. "There will be more jobs and economic opportunities," he said. "The majority in the Romanian parliament supports us. The Romanian government in the coming weeks, we are preparing a joint meeting of Ukrainian and Romanian government officials. I am grateful to Mr. President Iohannis, the entire Romanian political class and society," Zelenskyy said. "Our strategic relations are a new force for the entire Black Sea region. If we succeed in implementing everything we have planned now and which our teams will be working on, this part of Europe will get a new source of economic and security development," the president said. The General Overseer and the founder of Father's Chapel International (FCI), Snr Rev Isaac Osei Bonsu, on October 9, 2023, donated assorted items to the Akyem Tafo Government Hospital in the Eastern Region of Ghana, as part of his birthday celebration. The items include soft drinks, fruits, tissue papers, cleaning detergents, boxes of sanitary pads, boxes of wipes, Dettol, toiletries, bottled water, mosquito repellent, washing powder and so others. The items were presented to the hospital by pastors and members of the FCI on behalf of Snr Rev. Isaac Osei Bonsu. The said donation was done to show the love Snr Rev Isaac Osei Bonsu, has for humanity and the best place is the hospital so that the donation can save lives. "Birthday is a time of giving. God gave His Son to save the world; Jesus is a gift to the world and I pray that we all receive this gift of God. These items are being donated as one of the ways to show the love of God for blessing our Papa with another year. "Is about time we learn from Snr Rev Isaac Osei Bonsu. We don't have to wait for one to die before we do something to show our love to them, our little help for others may always save a soul and this will bring the blessings of God upon us," he added. In a short interview with Snr Rev Isaac Osei Bonsu, he emphasizes how Akyem Tafo is very dear to his heart and also a place where Fathers Chapel International is situated. "The first town to think of when development is mentioned is where you find yourself. "I always feel honored when I help the citizens in my town, and I will continue until the end of the world," a statement read on his behalf added. Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, the Principal Nursing Officer, Madam Mildred Afi Mensah, thanked the founder of FCI, Pastors and the church members for the donation. She said the items donated were timely, adding that, they would go a long way to improve health delivery and services at the hospital. "In fact, we are surprised by the kind of things presented to us, and it's our prayer that the good Lord blesses Snr Rev Isaac Osei Bonsu and all the church members for such a gift which we believe will cost a huge amount of money. "We will make sure these items are put to good use at the hospital so that the pressure on the government and the patients will be reduced. God will keep on blessing Papa and all his church members," she stated. She used that opportunity to plead to individuals, churches, and corporate institutions to always come to their aid since government alone cannot do everything. Independent presidential candidate Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has promised to shift Ghana away from "politics of one-upsmanship" and bring consensus-building if elected president. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 11, Mr. Kyerematen outlined his vision for a "Ghana where politics isn't a game of one-upmanship, but a collaborative effort for national development." The founder of the Movement for Change political movement criticized the current system where "NPP and NDC outdo each other, fail to continue each others' projects, and prioritize comparisons between records rather than solving urgent developmental challenges." The presidential hopeful said under his leadership, "Projects won't be initiated for election points, but for the genuine transformation of our beloved nation." He pledged to form a "consensus government that is driven by a sustainable, National Development Agenda" focused on economic transformation, not just growth. According to him, his Great Transformational Plan would place citizens, the private sector, and businesses at the "center of our national development efforts." In calling for Ghanaians to join his "Movement for Change," the former Trade Minister promised to "transform Ghana together, building a nation that is not just growing, but transforming. A nation that is not just stable, but dynamic. A nation that is not just developing, but thriving." 11.10.2023 LISTEN The Gomoa Central District Assembly in collaboration with Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Hon. Naana Eyiah last Friday distributed farming inputs to thousands of farmers in the district to boost crop production. The items which included 6,000 cutlasses, 1,000 bags of fertilizer, 800 boxes of weedicide, 800 boxes of pesticides, 1,000 bags of Amonia and 2,500 pair of Wellington boots were to enhance food and cash crop production. The beneficiaries were drawn from all the farming communities in the District as part of the Assembly's support to achieve food sufficiency thereby improving the local economy. According to DCE for Gomoa Central, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo, the Assembly periodically supply farm inputs to the farmers through both Planting For Food and Job as well as Planting For Export and Rural Development programmes. He noted that the policy has boosted farming thus reducing unemployment, especially among the youth and assuring that the programme would continue to create more jobs for the people. The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central Constituency, Hon. Naana Eyiah lauded farmers in the Constituency for their hard work and commitment towards the development of agriculture. Hon. Naana Eyiah stated that the items would boost the confidence level of the farmers and also attract potential ones to go into agriculture. "Gomoa Central has a vast stretch of land for agricultural purposes. I therefore encourage Gomoa Central citizens both home and abroad to take into farming because government is committed to agricultural production," she stated. She lamented the deplorable roads in the farming communities which is affecting the transportation of food and cash crop to marketing centres. "But for our deplorable roads, Gomoa Central has gotten its fair share of the National Cake. You can all attest to the fact that through His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP Government, infrastructure and human development has improved significantly better than any Government since the inception of the Fourth Republic, though there is much more to be done. "Classroom blocks, health facilities, market centers and employment for the teeming unemployed youth have been provided. "Apart from the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), many people have secured permanent jobs in security agencies and other public institutions to cater for their children and families," she stated. The Gomoa Central Member of Parliament reassured her constituents that all deprived roads in the vicinity especially Gomoa Nsuem to Awombrew, Ayensuadze to Abaasa, Darhom to Achiase and Gomoa Lome to Nduem which have been awarded on contract would be completed as assured by Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwasi Amoako Atta. The Deputy Director of Agricultural Development unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Alfred Nii Ayi Ayeetey was happy with the kind of cordiality between farmers and the department which has enhanced mechanized farming in the District. He commended farmers in the District for adhering to various advice of Agriculture Extension Officers on the modern method of farming practises which has improved food and cash crop production in the district. The NPP's ambition to retain power and 'break the 8' is widely seen as a distant dream, perhaps a comic relief. Save for those who directly benefit from their rule, it's challenging to fathom why any rational person would vote to keep them in power, considering the harm they've inflicted while in government. They've imposed taxes on almost everything imaginable, burdening ordinary people with a hand-to-mouth existence. The rich political elite continue to amass wealth, while the middle class is dwindling, and the poor are sinking even deeper into poverty. Even if the NDC government were to come to power and do nothing, it might offer more hope and satisfaction to Ghanaians than the NPP's continued rule, marred by scandals, press oppression, and rampant corruption. Akufo Addo, despite realizing his childhood dream of becoming President, has not only mismanaged the country but also tarnished the NPP's reputation. He and some within his party have siphoned off vast sums of money, potentially securing financial well-being for generations to come. What sin have the Ghanaian people committed to warrant such widespread theft? The lack of prosecution when a new government assumes power after the upcoming general elections would be a shock. The mass exodus of young Ghanaians in search of better opportunities abroad speaks volumes about the worsening economic conditions. Efforts to manipulate the upcoming general elections should be abandoned, as the youth, fed up with the status quo, are determined to usher in a new government. The prospect of the NDC, led by John Mahama, taking power and effecting positive change for the citizens is gaining traction. Except for those who blindly follow without reason, who would vote for the NPP in the upcoming elections? Ghanaians are becoming more discerning and will act to liberate themselves from the suffering inflicted by Akufo Addo and his associates. I urge every Ghanaian youth to prepare for the return of John Mahama and the NDC, who aim to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and transform the fortunes of our nation. Sarki Alhaji Musah Yahaya Yendu, the Greater Accra regional Zabarma Chief, has passionately encouraged Muslim parents to prioritize the education and social well-being of their children. He delivered this message during a gathering of Chiefs at Asabaham, hosted by the Zongo Chief of Asabaham, Sarki Jibo Fusseini Yaro, emphasizing the pivotal role parents play in shaping their children's futures. Sarki Alhaji Musah Yahaya Yendu particularly urged Muslim parents, especially women, to refrain from excessive spending on non-essential items and instead invest their resources in supporting their spouses in providing their children with a higher level of education. He stressed that education is a fundamental factor in elevating the Muslim and Zongo communities to greatness and strength. He implored parents to make education their utmost priority, underlining its significance in moulding children into assets that bring pride not only to the Muslim communities but also the entire nation. Sarki Alhaji Musah Yahaya Yendu placed special emphasis on the importance of educating the girl child, as it is a recipe for the growth of Zongo communities and the country as a whole. According to him, educating the girl child is essential for addressing societal challenges and providing opportunities, even in political leadership, as more consideration is given to females, including the possibility of having a female Vice President. "Without education, the Zongos risk missing out on such opportunities, making it crucial to focus on the education of the girl child," he stated. Sarki Alhaji Musah Yahaya Yendu also called on the people within the Zongo communities to unite and abstain from divisive actions such as hatred, backbiting, and vilification, which can hinder progress and unity within the Zongos. He emphasized the need for all Muslims to come together and actively contribute to the progress and development of their respective communities across the country. Furthermore, with the collective consultation of Chiefs and elders of the Zabarma Communities, the Greater Accra Zabarma Chief, Sarki Alhaji Musah Yahaya Yendu, officially installed Sarki Jibo Fusseini Yaro as the Zabarma Chief of Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. Sarki Jibo Fusseini Yaro received a certificate and Identification Card signifying his membership in the Council of Zabarma Chiefs. The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorates of Trade, Customs Union & Taxation, and Free Movement of Persons & Migration, along with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, officially launched an awareness raising campaign on Small Scale Cross Border Trade (SSCBT) for traders, particularly women in the city of Tema Ghana, October 9th October 2023. This launch is the first step in a series of activities designed as a multifunctional platform for interactions between policy makers and women traders. It aims to foster greater collaboration among institutions involved in trade and support women by addressing their specific needs and challenges within the context of regional trade. Mrs. Stella Akosua Ansah, Director, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) who represented the Ghananian Minister of Trade and Industry, hailed the ECOWAS Commission for exposing cross border traders to the existing protocols and regulations, which will go a long way in creating a more effective and efficient trading environment and improve their contributions to the regional economy. Ambassador Babagana Wakil, the ECOWAS Representative to Ghana, emphasized ECOWAS' commitment to facilitating free trade across borders. He highlighted the numerous texts and policies adopted by the Heads of States in support of free movement of persons and goods. He called on Member States to implement these policies which would facilitate business for traders across all borders and reduce bottle neck and delays. Mr.Kolawole Sofola, ECOWAS Commissions Acting Director of Trade, who spoke on behalf of Madame Massandje TOURE-LITSE, Commissioner, Economic Affairs & Agriculture and Prof. Fatou SOW SARR, Commissioners, Human Development & Social Affairs in his opening remarks, expressed ECOWAS profound appreciation to the Government and People of the Republic of Ghana, for graciously agreeing to host this event. He reiterated the Commissions commitment in addressing the challenges faced by the regional traders through the 4 x 4 Strategic Objectives of 2022 2026. He concluded with a call for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate barriers to trade and make Trade work for All. The Ghanaian Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah, who was represented by the Director, Gender department, Madam Faustina Achempong, officially launched the series of activities for the Campaign, highlighting the important role played by small-scale cross-border traders in regional integration, who are essential bridges between neighboring states, contributing to economic cooperation and collaboration. She stated that, ensuring they are well-informed about trade regulations will make cross-border transactions easier for all, with Gender equality and women's empowerment being very crucial to women liberation and sustainable national development. The campaign consists of a series of activities which includes a roadshow along the Tema- Ouagadougou Corridor Highway, traversing through several cities; Tema, Accra, Kumasi, Techiman, and Paga. During the Town hall meetings, the delegation will engage with traders of SSCBT, especially women, who operate along this corridor, where they will share their experiences and challenges faced in their line of business. Participants included, representatives from Member States, Small Scale Cross border traders, Women Traders Association, representatives of the Ghana Ministries of Trade and Industry; Gender, Children & Social protection and a delegation from ECOWAS. The quest for urgent medical solutions is driving some patients from seeking standard medical solutions. Thus, instead of going to the hospital upon falling sick, they prefer to go to pastors, marabout, traditional healers, prophets, seers, mallams, and prayer camps among others, with the expectation of getting total healing at any cost. Most of them, assert that orthodox medicines alone are not enough; they must be supplemented with anointing oils, counseling from pastors, herbal medicines, and other possible solutions. So when a patient seeks the services of a pastor for medical solutions, do these pastors lace the shoes of becoming medical doctors or drugless healers or does the court still consider them as pastors performing their clerical duties? Is there a standard of test for these pastors in case the patient suffers from any wrong medical advice such as to stop taking the prescribed medication from the hospital or the patient dies in the course of the wrong advice? I herein examine the legal aspect of a patient seeking medical advice or treatment from a pastor. Legal controversy Malpractice generally is defined as a failure to exercise an accepted degree of skill in the performance of professional duties that results in injury to another. In the past, malpractice suits were restricted almost exclusively to doctors and lawyersa doctor prescribed the wrong medication or made a faulty diagnosis; a lawyer missed a pleading deadline or made an error in a title search. In our jurisdiction, I am yet to see any malpractice suit against a pastor. However, in other parts of the world like the US, also a common law jurisdiction, I came across a few cases r of malpractice suits brought against ministers of the gospel. Though these cases are not binding in our jurisdiction, they could have a persuasive effect on clergy malpractice in our jurisdiction. The interesting thing is that most of these cases emanated from the US Supreme Court and generally are treated with great respect by other courts, and may be compelling elsewhere. I found that most courts have rejected clergy malpractice as a basis for liability in all cases. A few courts have found clergy guilty of malpractice for engaging in sexual misconduct with an adult or minor, or if they engage in non-religious counseling. Courts did not support malpractice against Clergy Men In 1955 at a Jack Coe revival service in Miami , Florida, Coe told the parents of a three-year-old boy that he healed their son who had polio. Coe then told the parents to remove the boy's leg braces . However, their son was not cured of polio, and removing the braces left the boy in constant pain. As a result, through the efforts of Joseph L. Lewis , Coe was arrested and charged on February 6, 1956, with practicing medicine without a license, a felony in the state of Florida. A Florida Justice of the Peace dismissed the case on grounds that Florida exempts divine healing from the law. Later that year Coe was diagnosed with bulbar polio and died a few weeks later at Dallas' Parkland Hospital on December 17, 1956. Another case worth deliberating is Nally v. Grace Community Church, 253 Cal. Rptr. 97 (1988). This case addresses clergy malpractice, the California Supreme Court ruled that a church and some of its ministers were not legally responsible for the death of a suicide victim who had been a member of the church and who had counseled with the ministers. The court further reasoned that clergy has no duty to refer suicidal persons to medical professionals, the court observed that because of the differing theological views espoused by the myriad of religions in our state and practiced by church members, it would certainly be impractical, and quite possibly unconstitutional, to impose a duty of care on pastoral counselors. Such a duty would necessarily be intertwined with the religious philosophy of the particular denomination or ecclesiastical teachings of the religious entity. Also a Texas court, in declining to recognize clergy malpractice as a basis for liability, reasoned in Sanders v. Casa View Baptist Church, 134 F.3d 331 (5th Cir. 1998): Because the [civil courts] must abstain from ecclesiastical disputes involving questions of doctrine or practice, state courts have rejected uniformly claims for clergy malpractice. This is because such a claim requires the definition of the relevant standard of care. Defining that standard could embroil courts in establishing the training, skill, and standards applicable for members of the clergy in a diversity of religions with widely varying beliefs. Furthermore, defining such a standard would require courts to identify the beliefs and practices of the relevant religion and then determine whether the clergyman had acted in accordance with them. Thus, as these courts have correctly concluded, to recognize a claim for clergy malpractice would require courts to identify and apply the teachings of a particular faith, thereby making the judiciary responsible for determining what conduct and beliefs are part of a particular religion. In Schmidt v. Bishop, 779 F. Supp. 321 (S.D.N.Y. 1991). See also Jones by Jones v. Trane, 591 N.Y.S.2d 927 (Sup. 1992) where the court reasoned that it is injustice to interfere in the affairs of Presbyterian doctrines. Before the court can interfere, it is prudent to examine whether the Presbyterian pastor performs his duties in line with their doctrines and expertise in the same Presbyterian community. The court concluded that since clergy malpractice was not recognized in New York, it had no choice but to dismiss the lawsuit against the pastor Also in a case involving a seduction allegation made against a catholic priest, the Colorado Supreme Court in Destefano v. Grabian, 763 P.2d 275 (Colo. 1988), declined to recognize the theory of clergy malpractice. The woman had claimed that the priest negligently performed his duty as a marital counselor. The court acknowledged that psychologists and psychiatrists may be sued for malpractice if they engage in sexual relations with counselees. However, a Colorado statute precisely excluded clergy from the list of counselors who can be sued for malpractice based on such conduct, and accordingly, the court ruled that the priest could not be sued for malpractice. In Joshua S. v. Casey, 615 N.Y.S.2d 200 (A.D. 1994), a New York court ruled that a church and diocese could not be sued based on malpractice for the alleged sexual misconduct of a priest. The court reasoned that we are unaware of any authority supporting the proposition that sexual abuse by a member of the clergy is cognizable as clergy malpractice. See also Stock v. Pressnell, 527 N.E.2d 1235 (Ohio 1988), where the court dismissed an allegation of sexual misconduct against a priest. Even where the pastor gives the wrong advice, the pastor is not liable. In Bladen v. First Presbyterian Church, 857 P.2d 789 (Okla. 1993), the Oklahoma Supreme Court declined clergy malpractice as a basis for liability in a case brought by a husband for bad advice he had received from a minister. The court concluded: Once a court enters the realm of trying to define the nature of advice a minister should give a parishioner serious First Amendment issues are implicated. We decline to determine the nature of the advice a minister must give during counseling sessions with a parishioner, and we decline to recognize a claim for bad advice from a minister under the facts before us. Where a Pastor could be held liable? A few courts have recognized malpractice claims against clergy in either or both of the following two situations: sexual misconduct with an adult or minor; and Non-religious counseling In DeBose v. Bear Valley Church of Christ, 890 P.2d 214 (Colo. App. 1994), the court only held the pastor for clergy malpractice when the pastor was a professional therapeutic counselor and also performed his duties as a pastoral counselor. In this case, if the pastor provided the said counseling as a professional counselor and not as a pastor would be held liable to the standard of a therapeutic counselor and not a pastoral counselor. This was further fortified in Barnes v. Outlaw, 937 P.2d 323 (Ariz. App. 1996), where the pastor said he was a therapist as well and counseled in his capacity as a professional therapist and not a pastor. Here he may be sued for therapist malpractice as a result of the pastors disclosure of confidential information shared with him by a counselee during counseling. The court noted that the inclusion of biblical passages on the chart [used by the pastor] did not convert the session into religious counseling, especially when the purpose of the meeting was not to provide her with religious or spiritual guidance, the churchs precepts and practices were not part of the counseling, and [the victim] was not a church member when she sought help from [the pastor]. In Sanders v. Casa View Baptist Church, 134 F.3d 331 (5th Cir. 1998), a federal appeals court decided that two female church employees may sue the minister who had seduced them since he had held himself out as a qualified marital counselor. This is because, at that particular church, the ministers duties did not include counseling, and he was aware that he was not responsible for providing spiritual counseling to church members. He also knew that the church had a written policy of referring church members in need of nonpastoral counseling to a licensed professional counselor. It explained its reasoning as follows: Because the jury found that [the former minister] held himself out as possessing the education and experience of a professional marriage counselor, his counseling activities with the [two women] were judged, not by a standard of care defined by religious teachings, but by a professional standard of care developed through expert testimony describing what a reasonably prudent counselor would have done under the same or similar circumstances. Take home From the courts' position, a pastor cannot be held for malpractice if he provides wrong medical advice to a church member if the church doctrines support the advice. A pastor can only be held liable if he claimed to be a professional such as a Medical doctor and provided the advice in his capacity as such and not as a clergyman. Finally, in determining the Standard of Care for Christian Science Practitioners in Medical Negligence Cases, the author submits that in our settings faith healers ought to be held to the same standards as other medical practitioners to best protect the interests of the public. Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu is a full professor of Naturopathic Healthcare. E-mail: [email protected]. This article is for educational purposes and awareness only. President Nana Akufo-Addo, left the country on Wednesday, 11th October 2023, at the invitation of the President of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) to deliver a keynote address at the headquarters of the Institute in Washington D.C., on Thursday, 12th October 2023. As West Africa and the Sahel face a wave of extraconstitutional movements and growing political instability, the United States and its partners are seeking ways to best support Ghana, seen as one of the United States most enduring democratic partners in West Africa, and other longstanding democracies in the region, to promote and sustain democracy as a governance model. The discussion with President Akufo-Addo will also examine Ghana's critical role as a regional leader in promoting peace, stability and sustainable development, with the President also set to meet with other US officials whilst in Washington D.C. He was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway and officials from the Presidency and Foreign Ministry. President Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on Sunday, 15th October 2023, and, in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60 (8) of the Constitution, act in his stead. -Classfmonline 11.10.2023 LISTEN A 33-year-old nurse named Rita Asamoah, employed at MC Hills Hospital in Danyame, was murdered by unknown assailants at Atwima Boko-Abrewa borga, located in the Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency of the Ashanti Region. Reports indicate that the attack occurred on the evening of October 9, 2023, around 7pm, while she was returning home from work. The assailants fatally assaulted her and left her body approximately 150 meters from her residence. Items found at the crime scene included sachets of cerelac, pieces of diapers, and her handbag containing Gh 300. The motive behind the murder remains unknown, prompting an investigation by the Atwima Techiman police. Rita Asamoah had closed from work at around 6:30 pm and was tragically killed upon reaching her neighborhood. Source: Classfmonline.com 11.10.2023 LISTEN The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says he is saddened by the devastation caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams. Hundreds of houses have been submerged by the excess water spilled from the two dams resulting in the displacement of many people at Sogakope and its environs including parts of North Tongu Constituency. Reacting to the damages caused, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has appealed to the Volta River Authority (VRA) to ensure all affected citizens are relocated to safety before more water is spilt from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams. Been a really difficult day touring communities in my beloved constituency submerged under water discharged by the Volta River Authority from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams. Thousands have been displaced and properties worth millions have been destroyed. I urge VRA to ensure all those in affected areas are relocated to higher ground before carrying out another round of discharge, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said in a post on Facebook. Meanwhile, the Ghana Grid Company LTD. (GRIDCo) and the Volta River Authority (VRA) have released a joint statement to inform the public of an emergency shutdown at GRIDCos Sogakope substation, affecting power supply to Sogakope and its environs. The shutdown is due to flooding of the Substation as a result of the ongoing controlled spillage from the Akosombo Dam. According to the release, GRIDCo has undertaken the shutdown at the Substation for safety reasons to mitigate the risk of electrocution, loss of life, and related dangers. The prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), with the participation of detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), reported suspicions of organizing the seizure of state property (natural gas) worth more than UAH 2.1 billion and the legalization of illegally obtained profits to the current MP of Ukraine. "On October 10, 2023, the said MP did not appear on the summons and did not answer phone calls from detectives. The MP's defenders told the investigation that they did not have information about the latter's whereabouts and also did not have phone contact with him. During the day, NABU detectives together with the SAPO prosecutor, they tried to establish the whereabouts of the MP in order to serve the suspicion, but he was not found at any address available to the investigation. Considering that the whereabouts of the MP had not been established, it was decided to inform him of the suspicion in accordance with Article 135 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Ukraine," the SAPO press service said in the Telegram channel. According to Interfax-Ukraine, this is about a member of the parliamentary group "For the Future" Yaroslav Dubnevych. The pretrial investigation established that during 2013-2017, Dubnevych, involving five other persons, organized the seizure of natural gas by officials of the Novoyavorivska and Novorozdilska CHPP (Lviv region) under his control for a total amount of more than UAH 2.155 billion. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a statement to explain to aggrieved Gold Coast Fund Management Limited customers why government has not yet paid their locked-up funds. The aggrieved customers on Tuesday, October 10, started picketing at the Ministry of Finance, insisting that they will not leave until their monies are paid in full. In its statement today, SEC has explained to the aggrieved customers why they should not be picketing at the Ministry of Finance. According to the commission, the delay in the payment of the locked-up funds is not deliberate. SEC explained that the delay is principally due to the legal action by Blackshield/Gold Coast contesting the liquidation petition brought by the Official Liquidator (Office of the Registrar of Companies) at the request of SEC following the revocation of licences. SEC in its release confirmed that so far, GHS 4.6 billion has been paid as follows: GHS3.1 billion to Amalgamated Fund Tier 1 payments and GHS1.45 billion assigned to Amalgamated Fund Tier 2 payments. It said the disbursement includes the partial bailout program, which entailed the proactive payment of a threshold sum of up to Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 50,000) to clients of Blackshield/Gold Coast and other companies who had not received winding-up orders from the Court by October 2020 but whose claims had been validated. "Altogether, 73,541 claims, amounting to GHS 1.34 billion have been paid to Blackshield/Gold Coast clients in the partial bailout program. "Out of this amount, a total amount of GHS 757,539,141 has been used to fully settle 61,734 claims of Blackshield/Goldcoast customers. "Blackshield/Gold Coast Gold clients have not been fully covered (full bailout) because of the litigation issues instigated by Blackshield/ Goldcoast which have slowed down the process of obtaining the Winding Up order from the court by the Official Liquidator," the statement added. Amid the litigation, aggrieved customers picketing at the Ministry of Finance are urged to remain calm and rely only on information provided by the SEC and the Official Liquidator. Below is a copy of the release by SEC: PRESS RELEASE UPDATE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF BAILOUT PROGRAM FOR AFFECTED CLIENTS OF BLACKSHIELD FUND MANAGEMENT LTD (FORMERLY GOLD COAST) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) wishes to update the public on the Bailout program, focusing on the unfortunate plight of the customers of Blackshield Fund Management Company Limited (formerly Gold Coast Fund Management Limited) (Blackshield/Gold Coast) who begun a 48-hour picketing at the Ministry of Finance (MoF). This follows our Press Release of 30th March 2023 and the engagement with aggrieved customers who came to picket at the SEC premises in May 2023. We wish to state that the delay in payment of bailout funds to affected customers is not due to the refusal of the Ministry of Finance to provide funds. The delay is principally due to the legal action by Blackshield/Gold Coast contesting the liquidation petition brought by the Official Liquidator (Office of the Registrar of Companies) at the request of SEC following the revocation of licences. The SEC will continue to support the Official Liquidator in pursuing the liquidation petition in court. Background to the Revocation Exercise It may be recalled that the SEC revoked the licenses of fifty-three (53) Fund Management Companies (FMCs) on 8th November 2019 due to various regulatory breaches, including their inability to return clients funds estimated at eight billion cedis (GHS 8 billion). The licenses were revoked in accordance with the mandate of SEC to protect investors and the integrity of the capital market as well as mitigate the risks to financial stability. Following the revocation of the licenses, the SEC took the following actions to protect investors: 1. Notified the Registrar of Companies/Registrar General to petition the Court for orders to commence the official liquidation of the fifty-three (53) FMCs under the relevant law. 2. Secured a bailout package for affected clients of the FMCs from Government on two conditions: that liquidation orders are granted by the courts; secondly, validation of claims of claimants should also be completed. SEC is currently working with these conditions. 3. Appointed an agent in line with the relevant provisions of the Securities Industry Act to take copies of records, lock premises to secure the assets of the affected companies and mandated the agent to receive as well as validate claims from the clients of the affected companies. Picketing of Clients of Blackshield/Gold Coast at the Ministry of Finance The SEC has noted comments seeking a release of GH8.6 billion which was purportedly approved by Parliament to settle clients of Blackshield/Goldcoast, hence the protest at MoF. We reiterate that a full bailout has been extended to affected clients of the companies where the liquidation orders have been granted by the Courts and a partial bailout in the case where the liquidation petition is pending. The SEC can confirm that so far, GHS 4.6 billion has been paid as follows: GHS3.1 billion to Amalgamated Fund Tier 1 payments and GHS1.45 billion assigned to Amalgamated Fund Tier 2 payments. This disbursement includes the partial bailout program, which entailed the proactive payment of a threshold sum of up to Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 50,000) to clients of Blackshield/Gold Coast and other companies who had not received Winding up orders from the Court by October 2020 but whose claims had been validated. Altogether, 73,541 claims, amounting to GHS 1.34 billion have been paid to Blackshield/Gold Coast clients in the partial bailout program. Out of this amount, a total amount of GHS 757,539,141 has been used to fully settle 61,734 claims of Blackshield/Goldcoast customers. Blackshield/Gold Coast Gold clients have not been fully covered (full bailout) because of the litigation issues instigated by Blackshield/ Goldcoast which have slowed down the process of obtaining the Winding Up order from the court by the Official Liquidator. Moreover, the approval from Parliament lapsed in line with the fiscal cycle, therefore any expenditure required for paying outstanding bailout payments at this moment will require the approval of Cabinet and Parliament. a. Rationale for Obtaining Winding Up Orders We emphasize that full disbursement of bailout funds only occurs after validation of claims and a winding-up order by the Court. This is to ensure that all claims are verified, and the assets and liabilities of the companies are transferred to the Office of Registrar of Companies. In compliance with the Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Act, 2020 (Act 1015), as amended by the Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring (Amendment) Act 2020 (Act 1031), a winding-up order can only be granted by a Court hence the ongoing court process between the Office of the Registrar of Companies and Blackshield/ Gold Coast. The Office of the Registrar of Companies has been granted 44 winding-up orders by the Court and only 2 are outstanding, namely Blackshield/ Gold Coast and Kron Capital Ltd. b. Why Full Bailout for Blackshield Clients is Still Pending As indicated in Press Release on 30th March 2023, the liquidation petition is still pending in court and thus stalling Governments full bailout program for the affected clients. Blackshield/Gold Coast have filed applications at various courts to challenge the SECs decision to revoke its license. The unfortunate consequence of this action is that the Official Liquidator cannot complete the liquidation process, which has subsequently impacted Governments ability to roll-out the bailout program to the remaining affected customers of Blackshield/ Gold Coast. It is evident that a change in the posture of Blackshield/ Gold Coast to the liquidation petition is key to speeding up the process. As many can attest, the Government has demonstrated commitment to the bailout program as evidenced in the partial bailout which has benefitted customers of Blackshield/Gold Coast. Even as we empathize with the very difficult conditions of clients affected by the legal hold-up, SEC wishes to appeal for calm and encourage affected clients to rely only on information provided by the SEC and the Official Liquidator. Affected investors or members of the general public are encouraged to contact the SEC via its toll-free line number: 0800100065 or email the SEC via [email protected] or alternatively the office of the Official Liquidator by calling 0242439453 or visiting www.bailout.rgd.gov.gh for enquiries on the issue. This Press Release is issued pursuant to Sections 3 and 208(c) of the Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929) as amended. ISSUED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) DATED: OCTOBER 11, 2023 The Ghana Police Service has confirmed the arrest of two armed robbers at Ejura in the Ashanti Region following a gun battle. In a release from the Police, it said the two were arrested on Monday, October 9, for preparation to engage in robbery and opening fire on Police officers. The suspects, Alhaji Wahab Suleiman and Ibrahim Abubakari, together with one other accomplice currently on the run, opened fire on officers who were on an operation to quell a planned robbery attack on a mobile money vendor at Ejura. Two of the officers sustained gunshot wounds in the process and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. However, one of the officers, General Sergeant Ahmed Kamal, unfortunately passed on. The two robbery suspects who also sustained gunshot injuries from the exchange of gunfire with the Police, are receiving medical attention under Police protection while efforts are underway to get their accomplice arrested to face justice. Exhibits retrieved at the scene include two (2) SB shotguns, one (1) pump-action gun, six (6) live BB cartridges and one (1) used BB cartridge. The Police in its release today mourned with the family of the deceased Sergeant who has paid the ultimate price in the service to the nation. Golden Star Resources Ltd. (TSE:GSC Get Free Report) (NYSE:GSS)s stock price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$0.00 and traded as high as C$4.99. Golden Star Resources shares last traded at C$4.96, with a volume of 124,735 shares trading hands. Golden Star Resources Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 370.50, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.44. The firm has a market capitalization of C$574.00 million and a PE ratio of -49.11. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$4.96. About Golden Star Resources (Get Free Report) Golden Star Resources Ltd. operates as a gold mining and exploration company. The company owns and operates the Wassa open-pit gold mine, the Wassa underground mine, and a carbon-in-leach processing plant located to the northeast of the town of Tarkwa, Ghana; and the Bogoso gold mining and processing operation, the Prestea open-pit mining operations, and the Prestea underground mine located near the town of Prestea, Ghana. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Golden Star Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Golden Star Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc (NYSE:HHH Get Free Report) Director Pershing Square Capital Manage acquired 20,262 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $70.04 per share, with a total value of $1,419,150.48. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 17,100,471 shares in the company, valued at $1,197,716,988.84. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Pershing Square Capital Manage also recently made the following trade(s): Get Howard Hughes alerts: On Monday, October 9th, Pershing Square Capital Manage purchased 48,500 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $68.61 per share, with a total value of $3,327,585.00. On Friday, October 6th, Pershing Square Capital Manage bought 41,200 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $69.08 per share, with a total value of $2,846,096.00. On Wednesday, October 4th, Pershing Square Capital Manage purchased 41,200 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $70.26 per share, for a total transaction of $2,894,712.00. On Monday, October 2nd, Pershing Square Capital Manage bought 41,200 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of $72.66 per share, for a total transaction of $2,993,592.00. On Friday, September 29th, Pershing Square Capital Manage purchased 38,800 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $74.37 per share, with a total value of $2,885,556.00. On Wednesday, September 27th, Pershing Square Capital Manage acquired 26,416 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $73.82 per share, for a total transaction of $1,950,029.12. On Monday, September 25th, Pershing Square Capital Manage bought 38,616 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of $73.97 per share, for a total transaction of $2,856,425.52. On Thursday, September 21st, Pershing Square Capital Manage acquired 21,288 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $74.72 per share, with a total value of $1,590,639.36. On Monday, August 21st, Pershing Square Capital Manage bought 1,500 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $74.94 per share, for a total transaction of $112,410.00. On Monday, August 21st, Pershing Square Capital Manage purchased 1,500 shares of Howard Hughes stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $74.94 per share, for a total transaction of $112,410.00. Howard Hughes Price Performance HHH stock traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $69.85. 120,828 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 190,832. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc has a 1-year low of $50.90 and a 1-year high of $89.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market cap of $3.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.98 and a beta of 1.47. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Howard Hughes Howard Hughes ( NYSE:HHH Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported ($0.39) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.18). Howard Hughes had a return on equity of 3.33% and a net margin of 7.72%. The business had revenue of $223.32 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $217.65 million. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Howard Hughes Holdings Inc will post -0.95 earnings per share for the current year. An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Howard Hughes stock. Beech Hill Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc (NYSE:HHH Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 6,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $493,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.60% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BWS Financial dropped their price target on Howard Hughes from $150.00 to $110.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Howard Hughes from $94.00 to $90.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 29th. View Our Latest Research Report on Howard Hughes About Howard Hughes (Get Free Report) Howard Hughes Holdings Inc owns, manages, and develops commercial, residential, and mixed-use properties in the United States. It operates through four segments: Operating Assets; Master Planned Communities (MPCs); Seaport; and Strategic Developments. The Operating Assets segment owns retail, office, multi-family, hospitality, and other operating properties and investments primarily located in Houston, Texas; Columbia, Maryland; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Honolulu, Hawaii. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Howard Hughes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Howard Hughes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Personal Finance plc (LON:IPF Get Free Report)s share price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 113.43 ($1.39) and traded as high as GBX 124.60 ($1.53). International Personal Finance shares last traded at GBX 124 ($1.52), with a volume of 56,570 shares traded. International Personal Finance Trading Down 2.2 % The companys 50 day simple moving average is GBX 123.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 113.60. The firm has a market cap of 276.26 million, a P/E ratio of 663.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 3.69, a current ratio of 3.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 117.61. Get International Personal Finance alerts: International Personal Finance Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 31st were issued a GBX 3.10 ($0.04) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 2.67%. International Personal Finances payout ratio is 5,263.16%. Insider Activity at International Personal Finance International Personal Finance Company Profile In related news, insider Deborah Davis bought 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 123 ($1.51) per share, with a total value of 18,450 ($22,582.62). 8.52% of the stock is owned by company insiders. (Get Free Report) International Personal Finance plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides consumer credit in Europe and Mexico. The company offers credit products, such as online payment transaction; revolving credit line; microbusiness loans; digital installment loans; credit card; hybrid loans; and home credit installment loans, as well as medical and life insurances. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Personal Finance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Personal Finance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Get Free Report)s stock price rose 4.9% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $6.82 and last traded at $6.82. Approximately 11,898 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 93,198 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.50. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Get IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on IRS IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Trading Up 6.5 % The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $6.80 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $6.65. The stock has a market cap of $509.38 million, a P/E ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, September 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $153.55 million for the quarter. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima had a net margin of 62.33% and a return on equity of 18.44%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of IRS. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the third quarter worth $58,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the first quarter valued at $77,000. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the second quarter valued at $108,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the first quarter valued at $135,000. Finally, Stokes Family Office LLC acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the first quarter valued at $204,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.56% of the companys stock. About IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (Get Free Report) IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the diversified real estate activities in Argentina. The company is involved in the acquisition, development, and operation of shopping malls, office buildings, and other non-shopping mall properties primarily for rental purposes. Read More Receive News & Ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Macquarie Group Limited (OTCMKTS:MQBKY Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $116.15 and traded as low as $104.75. Macquarie Group shares last traded at $105.62, with a volume of 23,606 shares traded. Macquarie Group Stock Performance The businesss 50 day moving average price is $110.26 and its 200 day moving average price is $116.11. Macquarie Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Macquarie Group Limited provides diversified financial services in Australia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through four segments: Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), Banking and Financial Services (BFS), Commodities and Global Markets (CGM), and Macquarie Capital. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Macquarie Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Macquarie Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Moovly Media Inc. (OTCMKTS:MVVYF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 31,500 shares, a decline of 56.2% from the September 15th total of 71,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 67,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days. Moovly Media Price Performance MVVYF stock remained flat at $0.03 during mid-day trading on Wednesday. 39,000 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 33,675. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.03 and a 200-day simple moving average of $0.04. Moovly Media has a one year low of $0.02 and a one year high of $0.14. Get Moovly Media alerts: About Moovly Media (Get Free Report) Read More Moovly Media Inc develops cloud-based digital media and content creation platform in Canada and Belgium. The company offers Moovly Studio, a video creation editor; Moovly API to add video production to platforms, products, and services; Video Automator to automate the production of videos, as well as to create videos for their customers, products, and services automatically; WordPress plugin to personalize and automate video content; and mobile app to upload video clips, images, and sound files directly to Moovly Studio library. Receive News & Ratings for Moovly Media Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moovly Media and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nevada King Gold Corp. (CVE:NKG Get Free Report)s stock price fell 5.5% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as C$0.43 and last traded at C$0.43. 70,583 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 62% from the average session volume of 184,921 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.46. Nevada King Gold Stock Performance The company has a market cap of C$125.88 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.69 and a beta of 1.65. The businesss 50-day moving average is C$0.37. Get Nevada King Gold alerts: Nevada King Gold (CVE:NKG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 24th. The company reported C($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Nevada King Gold Company Profile Nevada King Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of resource properties in Nevada, the United States. The company explores for gold, silver, iron ore, vanadium, and other base metals. The company was formerly known as Victory Metals Inc and changed its name to Nevada King Gold Corp in April 2021. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nevada King Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nevada King Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Teachers Retirement System reduced its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report) by 5.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,594,544 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 402,791 shares during the quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System owned about 0.10% of Bank of America worth $217,887,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAC. FNY Investment Advisers LLC raised its stake in Bank of America by 75.9% during the 2nd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 920 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 397 shares during the period. Castleview Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 45.7% during the second quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 1,036 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares during the period. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 1st quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in Bank of America in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. 68.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bank of America alerts: Insider Transactions at Bank of America In other news, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total value of $2,364,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 185,108 shares in the company, valued at $5,836,455.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total transaction of $2,449,332.88. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,143,007.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total value of $2,364,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 185,108 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,836,455.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.27% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have weighed in on BAC. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Bank of America in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a research report on Tuesday. HSBC assumed coverage on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. They set a buy rating and a $35.00 price target for the company. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Bank of America from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 15th. Finally, Oppenheimer decreased their price target on Bank of America from $49.00 to $48.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $35.32. Read Our Latest Analysis on Bank of America Bank of America Stock Performance NYSE BAC traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $26.97. 23,171,304 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 48,603,813. The stock has a market capitalization of $214.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. Bank of America Co. has a 1 year low of $25.47 and a 1 year high of $38.60. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $28.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $28.89. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.04. Bank of America had a net margin of 19.97% and a return on equity of 12.01%. The company had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.98 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.73 EPS. Bank of Americas quarterly revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.39 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of America Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 31st. This is a boost from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 27.59%. Bank of America Profile (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The United States will transfer a new package of security assistance to Ukraine worth $200 million, which will include, in particular, air defense missiles and artillery ammunition, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has said. "I am proud that the United States will announce its latest security assistance package for Ukraine, valued at $200 million. It includes AIM-9 munitions for a new air-defense system that we will soon deliver to Ukraine, as well as artillery and rocket ammunition, precision aerial munitions, anti-tank weapons, and equipment to counter Russian drones," Austin said, opening the 16th meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) in Brussels on Wednesday. Thus, Austin said, the total volume of announced assistance from the United States since the beginning of "Putin's war" is about $43.9 billion. New York State Teachers Retirement System cut its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 933,827 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 43,123 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for 0.8% of New York State Teachers Retirement Systems portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. New York State Teachers Retirement System owned approximately 0.10% of Mastercard worth $367,274,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. ERTS Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. ERTS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,376 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $541,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management raised its stake in Mastercard by 3.0% in the second quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management now owns 869 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $342,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Acropolis Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.6% in the second quarter. Acropolis Investment Management LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $660,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 3,409 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,209,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the period. Finally, Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 1,386 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $504,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. 74.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Mastercard alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard In related news, insider Timothy H. Murphy sold 7,419 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $397.28, for a total value of $2,947,420.32. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 39,007 shares in the company, valued at $15,496,700.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Mastercard news, insider Timothy H. Murphy sold 7,419 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $397.28, for a total transaction of $2,947,420.32. Following the sale, the insider now owns 39,007 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,496,700.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 2,093 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $415.00, for a total value of $868,595.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,587,525. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 418,446 shares of company stock worth $166,076,098. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MA has been the topic of a number of research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $442.00 to $452.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Mastercard from $450.00 to $475.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 25th. Barclays boosted their price target on Mastercard from $437.00 to $470.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 24th. StockNews.com started coverage on Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $425.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $445.70. Check Out Our Latest Report on Mastercard Mastercard Price Performance MA traded down $2.43 on Wednesday, reaching $397.94. The stock had a trading volume of 617,333 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,640,608. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57. The company has a market capitalization of $374.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.09. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $276.87 and a fifty-two week high of $418.60. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $402.51 and a 200-day moving average of $387.56. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.84 by $0.05. Mastercard had a net margin of 43.37% and a return on equity of 178.10%. The business had revenue of $6.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.18 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.56 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.14 EPS for the current year. Mastercard Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 9th. Investors of record on Monday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 5th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is currently 21.37%. About Mastercard (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NU (NYSE:NU Get Free Report) and SBI (OTCMKTS:SBHGF Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, earnings and analyst recommendations. Insider and Institutional Ownership 53.7% of NU shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of NU shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get NU alerts: Profitability This table compares NU and SBIs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NU 1.23% 11.40% 1.96% SBI 3.52% N/A N/A Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio NU $4.19 billion 8.78 -$364.58 million $0.02 392.00 SBI $7.39 billion 0.69 $259.05 million $0.87 24.00 This table compares NU and SBIs revenue, earnings per share and valuation. SBI has higher revenue and earnings than NU. SBI is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than NU, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings for NU and SBI, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NU 0 2 5 0 2.71 SBI 0 0 0 0 N/A NU currently has a consensus target price of $7.39, indicating a potential downside of 5.75%. Given NUs higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe NU is more favorable than SBI. Volatility and Risk NU has a beta of 1.12, meaning that its stock price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SBI has a beta of 0.99, meaning that its stock price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary NU beats SBI on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About NU (Get Free Report) Nu Holdings Ltd. provides digital banking platform and digital financial services in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and internationally. It offers Nu credit and debit cards; Ultraviolet credit and debit cards; and mobile payment solutions for NuAccount customers to make and receive transfers, pay bills, and make everyday purchases through their mobile phones. The company provides savings solutions, such as Nu Personal Accounts, a digital account solution that supports all personal finance activities, from daily purchases and money transfers to savings; and Nu business accounts designed specifically for entrepreneur customers and their businesses. In addition, it offers NuCrypto, a solution for buying and selling cryptocurrencies through the Nu app; NuInvest, an investment product that provides equity, fixed-income, options, and ETF products, as well as multimarket funds with curated asset allocations based on the customer's risk profile and financial position; personal unsecured loans; in-app buy now pay later' solution for Nu card customers to pay credit and debit purchases, and banking payment slips over time in up to twelve installments; and NuInsurance protecting solutions to help its customers secure life insurance and funeral benefits. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. About SBI (Get Free Report) SBI Holdings, Inc. engages in the online securities and investment businesses. It operates through five business segments: Financial Services Business, Asset Management Business, Investment Business, Crypto-Asset Business, and Non-financial Business segments. The Financial Services Business segment consists of a range of finance-related business, including securities brokerage business; banking services business; and life, property, and casualty insurance business. The Asset Management Business segment includes setting, solicitation, and management of investment trust; investment advice; and financial products information. The Investment Business segment includes fund management and investment in Internet technology, fintech, blockchain, finance, and biotechnology-related venture companies; private equity; and funds management businesses. The Crypto-asset Business segment provides crypto-asset exchange and trading services. The Non-Financial Business segment consists of biotechnology; development and distribution of pharmaceutical products, health foods, and cosmetics with 5-aminolevulinic acid; research and development of antibody drugs and nucleic acid medicine in the field of cancer and immunology; the digitization of medical and health information; provision of solutions and services that promote the use of medical big data, medical finance; business working on advanced fields related to Web 3.0; and renewable energy business. The company is also involved in the real estate secured loans, online mobile game, and e-sports related businesses. In addition, it operates and develops cybersecurity systems; exports used cars; offers back-office support services; and develops, operates, manages, and invests in real estate properties. The company was formerly known as Softbank Investment Corporation and changed its name to SBI Holdings, Inc. in July 2005. SBI Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for NU Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NU and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio (NYSE:NXC Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Thursday, October 5th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 13th will be given a dividend of 0.0435 per share on Wednesday, November 1st. This represents a yield of 4.32%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 12th. Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio Stock Performance Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio stock opened at $12.16 on Wednesday. Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio has a fifty-two week low of $12.05 and a fifty-two week high of $15.28. The firms fifty day moving average price is $12.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.06. Get Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NXC. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 22,485 shares of the companys stock worth $319,000 after purchasing an additional 2,046 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio by 150.2% during the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 66,824 shares of the companys stock valued at $949,000 after buying an additional 40,120 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio by 182.0% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 55,310 shares of the companys stock worth $785,000 after buying an additional 35,696 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio by 1,050.0% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,300 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 2,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors bought a new position in Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio during the second quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Institutional investors own 12.88% of the companys stock. About Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of California. The fund invests in the securities of companies that operate across diversified sectors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund (NYSE:NNY Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Wednesday, October 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 13th will be given a dividend of 0.028 per share by the investment management company on Wednesday, November 1st. This represents a $0.34 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.20%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 12th. Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Price Performance Shares of NNY opened at $8.00 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $8.21 and a 200-day moving average of $8.40. Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund has a one year low of $7.82 and a one year high of $8.93. Get Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund by 9.6% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 34,255 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $309,000 after buying an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund by 11.0% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 301,237 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,717,000 after purchasing an additional 29,884 shares during the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund by 20.5% in the first quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 159,891 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,443,000 after purchasing an additional 27,202 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund in the second quarter valued at about $85,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund by 13.5% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 12,823 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $105,000 after buying an additional 1,527 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 19.70% of the companys stock. About Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of New York. The fund invests in tax exempt municipal bonds, with a rating of Baa/BBB or higher. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Premier African Minerals Limited (LON:PREM Get Free Report)s stock price passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 0.65 ($0.01) and traded as low as GBX 0.44 ($0.01). Premier African Minerals shares last traded at GBX 0.44 ($0.01), with a volume of 94,936,131 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Shore Capital restated a house stock rating on shares of Premier African Minerals in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Get Premier African Minerals alerts: Read Our Latest Report on PREM Premier African Minerals Trading Up 9.1 % Insider Transactions at Premier African Minerals The company has a current ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 0.47 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 0.65. The firm has a market capitalization of 121.97 million, a P/E ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.45. In related news, insider George Greville Roach sold 50,000,000 shares of Premier African Minerals stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 4,050 ($49.57), for a total transaction of 2,025,000,000 ($2,478,580,171.36). Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 130,000,000 shares of company stock valued at $525,200,000,000. 30.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Premier African Minerals (Get Free Report) Premier African Minerals Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, evaluation, development, and investment of natural resource properties on the African continent. It explores for tungsten, lithium, tantalum, fluorspar, potash, and gold deposits. The company holds interests in RHA Tungsten mine, Katete REE project, zulu project, and Tinde projects in Zimbabwe, as well as properties in Mozambique. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Premier African Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Premier African Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Compass Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Free Report) by 515.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,221 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 1,860 shares during the quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $396,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of GLD. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 99,414.3% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 23,805,806 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,243,861,000 after purchasing an additional 23,781,884 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 67,584.6% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,037,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $515,198,000 after acquiring an additional 3,032,521 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 77.6% in the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 5,340,797 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $978,543,000 after acquiring an additional 2,333,468 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 256.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,142,717 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $206,432,000 after acquiring an additional 821,773 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd. lifted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 4,847.1% in the 4th quarter. Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd. now owns 622,043 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $105,523,000 after acquiring an additional 609,469 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 40.99% of the companys stock. Get SPDR Gold Shares alerts: SPDR Gold Shares Price Performance NYSEARCA GLD traded up $1.05 on Wednesday, reaching $173.58. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,676,697 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,059,490. SPDR Gold Shares has a twelve month low of $150.57 and a twelve month high of $191.36. The firms 50 day moving average is $176.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $180.79. SPDR Gold Shares Profile SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The North American Income Trust plc (LON:NAIT Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Thursday, October 5th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 12th will be given a dividend of GBX 2.60 ($0.03) per share on Friday, October 27th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 12th. The official announcement can be accessed at this link. The North American Income Trust Price Performance NAIT stock opened at GBX 272.29 ($3.33) on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is GBX 277.26 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 276.20. The North American Income Trust has a 12-month low of GBX 262 ($3.21) and a 12-month high of GBX 324 ($3.97). The company has a market capitalization of 379.65 million, a PE ratio of 913.33 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 10.20, a quick ratio of 7.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.57. Get The North American Income Trust alerts: About The North American Income Trust (Get Free Report) Featured Articles The North American Income Trust plc is an exchange traded fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Fund Managers Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund invests in the stocks of large-cap companies, within the market capitalization range of S&P 500 Index. Receive News & Ratings for The North American Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The North American Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. (OTCMKTS:TYCMY Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decline of 94.1% from the September 15th total of 1,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 12,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Price Performance Shares of TYCMY traded up C$0.70 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting C$27.85. The company had a trading volume of 3,602 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,309. Tingyi has a 1-year low of C$26.21 and a 1-year high of C$36.96. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$28.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$30.59. Get Tingyi (Cayman Islands) alerts: Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics. Receive News & Ratings for Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tingyi (Cayman Islands) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT Get Free Report) saw some unusual options trading on Wednesday. Stock investors purchased 16,206 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 18% compared to the typical daily volume of 13,677 put options. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Medtronic from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. CL King initiated coverage on shares of Medtronic in a report on Friday, June 30th. They set a buy rating and a $106.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on shares of Medtronic in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. They issued a neutral rating and a $90.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Medtronic in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Medtronic from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $91.67. Get Medtronic alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on MDT Insider Activity Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medtronic In related news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.97, for a total transaction of $175,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,948 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,106,705.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . In related news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.97, for a total transaction of $175,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 23,948 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,106,705.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.38, for a total transaction of $83,380.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 33,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,799,316.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 14,352 shares of company stock valued at $1,211,437. 0.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MDT. State Street Corp raised its stake in Medtronic by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 60,146,861 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $5,339,879,000 after acquiring an additional 175,765 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 31,493,771 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $2,774,598,000 after buying an additional 1,475,241 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Medtronic by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 29,945,349 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $2,414,194,000 after buying an additional 88,302 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Medtronic by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 20,349,983 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,640,616,000 after acquiring an additional 327,737 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in Medtronic by 2.7% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 20,120,071 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,622,080,000 after acquiring an additional 534,722 shares during the last quarter. 80.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Medtronic Stock Down 4.2 % Shares of MDT stock traded down $3.17 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $73.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,239,964 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,710,787. Medtronic has a one year low of $72.89 and a one year high of $92.02. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $80.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $84.25. The company has a market cap of $97.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a quick ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 2.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Medtronic (NYSE:MDT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 22nd. The medical technology company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.09. Medtronic had a net margin of 11.47% and a return on equity of 13.81%. The company had revenue of $7.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.13 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Medtronic will post 5.12 earnings per share for the current year. Medtronic Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 22nd will be issued a $0.69 dividend. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.78%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 21st. Medtronics payout ratio is presently 101.85%. Medtronic Company Profile (Get Free Report) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Medtronic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medtronic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 35,054 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $2,601,000. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Ltd boosted its stake in NextEra Energy by 29.6% during the 1st quarter. Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Ltd now owns 1,202,195 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $92,666,000 after purchasing an additional 274,371 shares during the last quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY boosted its stake in NextEra Energy by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 88,096 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,537,000 after purchasing an additional 923 shares during the last quarter. Appleton Partners Inc. MA boosted its stake in NextEra Energy by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Appleton Partners Inc. MA now owns 13,360 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,030,000 after purchasing an additional 432 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA boosted its stake in NextEra Energy by 14.0% during the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA now owns 8,776 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $676,000 after purchasing an additional 1,075 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Central Bank & Trust Co. boosted its stake in NextEra Energy by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 5,511 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $425,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.48% of the companys stock. Get NextEra Energy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $76.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $105.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. StockNews.com cut shares of NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $88.00 to $72.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $90.00 to $89.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, NextEra Energy has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $78.54. NextEra Energy Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:NEE traded up $1.54 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $53.12. The company had a trading volume of 13,630,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,339,898. The companys 50-day moving average price is $64.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $71.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $47.15 and a one year high of $88.61. The firm has a market cap of $107.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.87, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.51. NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.07. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 30.05% and a return on equity of 12.25%. The business had revenue of $7.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.81 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.11 EPS for the current fiscal year. NextEra Energy Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 30th were issued a dividend of $0.4675 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 29th. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.52%. NextEra Energys payout ratio is 46.29%. Insider Buying and Selling at NextEra Energy In other NextEra Energy news, Director James Lawrence Camaren bought 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 15th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $67.85 per share, with a total value of $271,400.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 8,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $542,800. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, major shareholder Nextera Energy Inc purchased 3,097,524 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $24.21 per share, for a total transaction of $74,991,056.04. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,097,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $99,201,056.04. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director James Lawrence Camaren purchased 4,000 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 15th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $67.85 per share, with a total value of $271,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,000 shares in the company, valued at $542,800. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 3,111,524 shares of company stock valued at $75,941,956 in the last 90 days. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. NextEra Energy Company Profile (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Belgium for joining the fighter coalition. "Thank you for involving Belgian specialists in the training of Ukrainian pilots and in the training of our Ukrainian technical personnel. And it is crucial that today there is a decision by Belgium about its readiness to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters and in 2025 aircraft will be supplied specifically from Belgium," he said on Wednesday at a press conference in Brussels after negotiations with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Zelenskyy said "our recently created IT coalition is gradually developing, Belgium has joined this coalition, I am confident that our joint work will make it possible to more effectively counter Russian threats and strengthen the interaction of Ukrainian units on the battlefield." Belgium, he said, is working to implement several points of the Peace Formula. "Belgium supports our state in both directions integration into the EU and NATO. We appreciate this highly. Today, judging by the content of our work here with all partners, by the mood of our partners, we can obviously say that it is felt that Ukraine will one day be a full member of both the European Union and NATO," Zelenskyy said. Harsh Dubey is a political commentator based in Raipur. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of the publication. you are here: Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced work with allies on "coalitions of opportunity" for military support of Ukraine, along the lines of those created to transfer Leopard tanks to Kyiv and train pilots on F-16 fighters. "Now, we're also here to discuss how to balance our immediate support to defend Ukraine with our longer-term assistance. The next step forward in our long-term vision will be working with our fellow Contact Group members to organize what we're calling 'capability coalitions.' These coalitions will be responsible for coordinating contributions from coalition members for each major capability area," Austin said, opening the 16th meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) in Brussels on Wednesday. The minister said the allies had already created "capability coalitions," such as on Leopard tanks for Ukraine and training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16. "But now, we're taking this concept a bit further. We're asking countries to organize coalitions focused on wider capabilities, beyond just specific platforms. Just as this Contact Group surged capabilities to support Ukraine's immediate needs, we will also organize ourselves to coordinate our investments in Ukraine's future force," Austin said. Santosh Nair is Executive Editor, Special Projects, Moneycontrol. He has been writing on the financial markets for over two decades, having previously worked with Business Standard, myiris.com, Crisil Market Wire and The Economic Times. He is also the author of the popular book on Indian markets, Bulls, Bears and Other Beasts. Turkiye has completed all preparations for the safe evacuation of its citizens from Israel and Palestine amid an escalation of tensions in the region, the country's transportation and infrastructure minister said on Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. The Foreign Ministry is working on the evacuation of Turkish citizens from Israel and Palestine, Abdulkadir Uraloglu told the media shortly before the AK Party group meeting in Ankara. We are prepared to carry out all kinds of operations from the sea and air, if necessary, he added. Regarding the decision of Turkiyes national flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) and Pegasus to stop flights to Israel, Uraloglu emphasized that this measure was taken independently by these airlines due to safety concerns in the Middle Eastern country. These companies should not operate until safety is ensured, he said. The minister also talked about the current security situation in the Mediterranean Sea, saying that "there is a (security) risk at ports at the moment." When there is a risk at ports, we also have advised Turkish-flagged ships to take decisions accordingly, he said. In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories. The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers growing violence against Palestinians. In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007. Zelenskyy at meeting with Stoltenberg: It's important for Ukraine to cooperate with leading arms manufacturers to implement NATO standards During his business trip to Brussels, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. According to the presidential press service, Zelenskyy noted Stoltenberg's important leadership role in coordinating the work of allies and making NATO decisions in support of Ukraine, and also thanked the Secretary General for participating in the first international Forum of Defense Industries in Ukraine. "I am grateful for your strong signal during the forum that Ukraine needs high quality means, in large numbers and quickly, to stop drones and intercept missiles," Zelenskyy said. In addition, the head of the Ukrainian state noted the importance of Ukraine's cooperation with the world's leading arms manufacturers in order to implement NATO standards in the defense industry and strengthen compatibility with the Alliance. Zelenskyy also expressed confidence that during Ukraine-NATO Council at the level of defense ministers and the meeting of the Alliance defense ministers on October 11 and 12, member countries will make positive decisions on further supplies of necessary weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, as well as on providing other assistance "Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the readiness of the Ukrainian side to actively work with the Allies to agree on a new adapted Annual National Program aimed at implementing NATO principles and standards in Ukraine. In this context, he also emphasized the importance of preparing jointly with the Alliance a Roadmap for Ukraine's interoperability with NATO," the press service said. The market extended its northward journey for a second consecutive session with the Nifty50 climbing above 19,800, which is on expected lines, on October 11. Hence, if the index sustains the 19,750-19,800 area in the coming sessions, the march towards the 20,000 mark can't be ruled out, while taking support at 19,600-19,500 levels, experts said. The BSE Sensex jumped 394 points to 66,473, while the Nifty50 rose 122 points to 19,811 and formed a bullish candlestick pattern with a minor upper shadow on the daily charts. "The daily momentum indicator has triggered a positive crossover and hence in case of a dip it should be used as a buying opportunity," Jatin Gedia, technical research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas said. Wednesday's intraday consolidation is a bullish sign as it sustained the gains. He expects the positive momentum to continue over the next few trading sessions till 19,883 which is the 61.82 percent Fibonacci retracement level of the entire fall from 20,222 to 19,333. On the downside, the gap area formed on Wednesday in the range of 19,71819,757 is likely to act as short-term support, he said. The broader markets also maintained momentum on positive breadth. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices gained half a percent and 0.8 percent respectively, while about two shares advanced for every share rising on the NSE. We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades: Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks are the aggregates of three-month data and not just the current month. Key support and resistance levels on Nifty The pivot point calculator indicates that the Nifty may be taking support at 19,771, followed by 19,752 and 19,720. On the higher side, 19,834 can be an immediate resistance, followed by 19,853 and 19,885. Nifty Bank On October 11, the Bank Nifty experienced a consolidation phase on the day of weekly F&O expiry, with support evident at 44,400 and resistance at 44,700 levels. Overall, the index remained positive for yet another session, rising 157 points to 44,517 and forming a small-bodied bearish candlestick pattern with upper and lower shadows as the closing was lower than opening levels. "The overall undertone of the index remains bullish, suggesting that a buy-on-dip approach is appropriate," Kunal Shah, senior technical & derivative analyst at LKP Securities said. He feels if the index manages to break above 44,700 levels, it is likely to see further upside potential towards the 45,000 mark. As per the pivot point calculator, the banking index is expected to take support at 44,432, followed by 44,361 and 44,247. On the upside, the initial resistance is at 44,661, then at 44,731 and at 44,846. Call options data As per weekly options data, the maximum Call open interest (OI) remained at 20,000 strike with 1.38 crore contracts, which can act as a key resistance for the Nifty. It was followed by the 19,900 strike, which had 1.13 crore contracts, while 20,100 strike had 93.93 lakh contracts. Meaningful Call writing was seen at 20,000 strike, which added 52.81 lakh contracts followed by 19,900 and 20,100 strikes, which added 52.64 lakh and 47.9 lakh contracts. Maximum Call unwinding was at 19,700 strike, which shed 31.25 lakh contracts followed by 19,600 strike and 19,500 strike, which shed 12.45 lakh contracts and 3.61 lakh contracts. Put option data On the Put side, the maximum open interest remained at 19,600 strike with 1.23 crore contracts. This can be an important support for the Nifty in the coming sessions. It was followed by 19,500 strike, comprising 1.13 crore contracts and 19,800 strike with 1.12 crore contracts. The meaningful Put writing was at 19,800 strike, which added 95.49 lakh contracts, followed by 19,700 strike and 19,500 strike, which added 44.78 lakh and 28.81 lakh contracts. Put unwinding was at 19,100 strike, which shed 15.09 lakh contracts, followed by 18,800 strike and 19,000 strike, which shed 10.59 lakh and 9.8 lakh contracts. Stocks with high delivery percentage A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. Bharti Airtel, Larsen & Toubro, Max Financial Services, Pidilite Industries, and Bajaj Auto saw the highest delivery among the F&O stocks. 42 stocks see a long build-up A long build-up was seen in 42 stocks namely, India Cements, Tata Chemicals, Deepak Nitrite, City Union Bank, and SRF. An increase in open interest (OI) and price indicates a build-up of long positions. 18 stocks see long unwinding Based on the OI percentage, a total of 18 stocks, including Coal India, Coromandel International, Escorts Kubota, L&T Finance Holdings, and Infosys saw a long unwinding. A decline in OI and price indicates long unwinding. 50 stocks see a short build-up A short build-up was seen in 50 stocks, including ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, Bank of Baroda, IndiaMART InterMESH, Balrampur Chini Mills, and Coforge. An increase in OI along with a fall in price points to a build-up of short positions. 76 stocks see short-covering Based on the OI percentage, 76 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included MCX India, UltraTech Cement, Titan Company, Hero MotoCorp, and ITC. A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering. Bulk deals For more bulk deals, click here Results on October 12 Also read: TCS Q2 results: Net profit stands at Rs 11,342 crore Stocks in the news Tata Consultancy Services: The country's largest IT services exporter has recorded 8.7 percent on-year growth in profit at Rs 11,342 crore for the quarter ended September FY24, slightly ahead of analysts' estimates due to better operating numbers. Revenue for the quarter grew by 7.9 percent YoY to Rs 59,692 crore, with constant currency revenue growth of 2.8 percent. The company has announced an interim dividend of Rs 9 per share and decided to buy back shares worth Rs 17,000 crore at a price of Rs 4,150 per share. Plaza Wires: The wire and cables manufacturer is set to make its debut on the BSE and NSE on October 12. The issue price has been fixed at Rs 54 per share. IndusInd Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has given its approval to SBI Mutual Fund for acquiring up to 9.99 percent of the paid-up share capital in IndusInd Bank. The RBI has advised SBI MF to acquire the said shareholding in the bank within a period of one year i.e. by October 10, 2024. Delta Corp: The casino gaming company has recorded consolidated profit at Rs 69.44 crore for the quarter ended September FY24, rising 1.74 percent over a year-ago period, impacted by muted topline and operating performance. Revenue from operations for the quarter stood at Rs 270.6 crore, increasing 0.2 percent YoY. PCBL: The RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company has been granted two patents for invention, from the Indian Patent Office. One is for the process for treatment of carbon black & oxidized carbon black obtained thereof, which is in relation to the innovative process for modifications of specialty grade carbon blacks for inks and coating applications. The second patent is for surface-modified carbon black grades to improve the performance of rubber compounds, which is in relation to the innovative carbon black composition developed by the company to improve fuel efficiency and tyre life. Pricol: The automotive components maker has entered into a cooperation agreement with Heilongjiang Tianyouwei Electronics. Both companies will closely work with each other through technology transfer and supply partnership in order to provide advanced technologies in driver information system solutions for Indian vehicle makers across various vehicle segments. Cipla: The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has inspected the manufacturing facility of InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company in Central Islip, Long Island, New York, USA. The company has received the EIR (Establishment Inspection Report) from the USFDA on the classification of this inspection as Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI). Fund Flow (Rs Crore) FII and DII data Foreign institutional investors (FII) offloaded shares worth Rs 421.77 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DII) purchased Rs 1,032.02 crore worth of stocks on October 11, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) showed. Stocks under F&O ban on NSE The NSE has added Balrampur Chini Mills, Hindustan Copper, and India Cements to its F&O ban list for October 12, while retaining Indiabulls Housing Finance, L&T Finance Holdings, Manappuram Finance, and Punjab National Bank. However, Delta Corp, and MCX India removed from the said list. Securities banned under the F&O segment include companies where derivative contracts cross 95 percent of the market-wide position limit. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Preeti Kulkarni is a financial journalist with over 13 years of experience. Based in Mumbai, she covers the personal finance beat for Moneycontrol. She focusses primarily on insurance, banking, taxation and financial planning 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 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees risks of a decrease in the level of support amid the war in Israel and changes in leadership in a number of European countries, but considers these risks not only for Ukraine. "Because if we don't help Ukraine, the war won't end, we won't have power, Russia will return to destroy all of Ukraine and move on. And then there will be the countries of the European Union and NATO," he said on Wednesday at a press conference in Brussels after negotiations with the Prime Minister of Belgium. "I think that what is happening in the world is not accidental. Today they are interested in seeing that assistance to Ukraine decreases and they do different things, even tragic ones, even on other continents, in other parts of the world, so that attention to Ukraine and assistance for Ukraine are reduced," Zelenskyy said. "After this terrorist attack, Israel had every right to defense and to take anti-terrorism actions. I just want to tell you that the world needs to prevent a full-scale war. This could be the beginning of a big war, a big tragedy," Zelenskyy said. According to him, "the world is in a situation where a world war could break out on any continent. And therefore, my assessment of the current situation is that leaders can, thanks not to weapons, but to politics, stop a possible global war." "The cheapest option for everyone is to stop Russia here, end the war here, get them out of our territory. Then, I am sure, there will be no big war both in Europe and throughout the world," Zelenskyy emphasized. At the same time, Zelenskyy added that in response to a question about a possible reduction in assistance "during a period of challenges in the United States, when elections are looming, the partners said 'no.'" "Who actually knows how this will happen? Nobody knows, in my opinion. We're counting on our direct, strong relationship with both the United States and with President Biden, we're counting on bipartisan support, we're certainly counting on our friends in the European Union," he said. Betsey Stevenson is a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan. She was on the presidents Council of Economic Advisers and was chief economist at the US Department of Labor. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering commodities, as well as industrial and consumer companies. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Shishir Prashant is a senior journalist. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Ruth Pollard is a columnist and editor with Bloomberg Opinion. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy would like to speed up the use of frozen Russian assets. "We discussed exactly how the frozen assets of the Russian Federation can be used now, without wasting time, in order to compensate for damage from aggression and missile attacks from the Russian Federation," he said on Wednesday in Brussels after negotiations with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. "It is important that Belgium became the first country to initiate this practice of using frozen Russian assets in support of the defense against Russian terror. The funds will be used for security," he said. According to Zelenskyy, "we would really like to be able to use this money right now. Well, the first of these funds, a total of 1.7 billion, will be used next year." In particular, he said, "today we talked about the introduction by Belgium of such a procedure as certification, which would not allow diamonds of Russian origin to enter world markets in circumvention of sanctions." Norway has announced the allocation of additional NOK 200 million (around $18.5 million at the current rate) for humanitarian mine action in Ukraine, State Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Norway Eivind Vad Petersson has said. "Norway has been an active supporter of mine action in Ukraine since 2015. And since Russia's full-scale invasion last year Norway has contributed approximately EUR 15 million to humanitarian mine action in Ukraine through experienced NGOs working closely with Ukrainian authorities. [] Today, we are stepping up our support and pledge an additional NOK 200 million, or approximately EUR 20 million for mine action in Ukraine," he said at the International Donors' Conference on Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine in Zagreb on Wednesday. The official also called on everyone to respect the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention which was adopted 25 years ago and expressed hope that Croatia would also join it. The government of Norway said in a press release issued on Wednesday that the widespread deployment of mines and cluster munitions in Ukraine has made it the most heavily mined country in the world today. Norway will more than double its support to efforts to clear mines laid in Ukraine since the start of Russia's brutal war of aggression. Approximately 30% of Ukraine's land area is now littered with mines and unexploded ordnance. Demining is vital to enable Ukrainian farmers to cultivate their crops, it said. "Russia's military aggression on Ukrainian territory is affecting more than just Ukraine. It is threatening food security across the entire world," Foreign Minister of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt is quoted in the press release. Norway has provided NOK 164 million for mine clearance activities since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022. The Norwegian Government has now decided to increase its funding for humanitarian mine clearance activities significantly. The funds will be channelled through established mine clearance organisations including Norwegian People's Aid, the HALO Trust and the UN system. Norway has provided support for mine clearance activities in Ukraine since 2015 and has extensive experience with mine clearance in the area. Norway has now provided more than NOK 4.5 billion in humanitarian support to Ukraine and the refugee response in neighbouring countries. Donors confirm commitments to help Ukraine in demining for almost EUR 500 mln Dpty PM of Croatia The total amount of commitments for assistance to Ukraine in humanitarian demining, which was confirmed on Wednesday by the participants of the first such special high-level International Donor Conference in Zagreb, amounts to almost EUR 500 million, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Croatia Davor Bozinovic has said. "The 34 participating states have expressed their clear political support for Ukraine in the field of mine action and upheld their political commitments... The total amount of these contributions amounts to almost EUR 500 million," he said at a briefing after the end of the first day of the conference. According to him, additional contributions have been and will be made in the form of equipment, materials and expert assistance. "Some countries have also made commitments that will be implemented in cooperation with international organizations such as the UN Development Programme," Bozinovic added. He stressed that the conference made it clear that Ukraine's partners will join forces and act together at the national, European and international levels to quickly identify threats to the status quo posed by mines and the explosive consequences of war. "We emphasize the importance of using the most modern technology, knowledge and experience, fully aware that this is vital for the safety of Ukrainian citizens, as well as for the economic, social, environmental and all other aspects of Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and development," the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Internal Affairs of Croatia said. He recalled that the EU Council is currently discussing a 4-year assistance program for Ukraine worth EUR 50 billion Ukraine Facility, after approval of which it will be very important to allocate part of these funds for mine clearance purposes. "We hope that today's conference confirmed these expectations and that it will be properly reflected in the upcoming rounds of negotiations in the Council and approved by the European Commission," Bozinovic added. He also welcomed Switzerland's announcement to organize, as a follow-up to the Zagreb event, the next international donor conference on humanitarian demining in Ukraine next October in Geneva. On Thursday, the second day of the conference, there will be an expert discussion of detailed mine clearance measures and activities in Ukraine. Canada will provide $25 million in aid to Ukraine, which will include winter clothing and equipment, as well as another package of military aid from Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) stocks, in particular artillery shells, ammunition and aircraft bombs, Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair has said. As reported on the Canadian government website on Wednesday, the minister announced this during the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels. "At the meeting, Minister Blair announced that Canada will donate $25 million worth of winter clothing and equipment to Ukraine. This includes boots, thermal layers, and winter sleeping bags. This also includes patterned military uniforms for 2,000 female Armed Forces of Ukraine soldiers, which will be manufactured in Canada. This donation is funded by the $500 million tranche in funding for military assistance to Ukraine announced by Prime Minister Trudeau in June 2023," the Canadian government said in a statement. Minister Blair also announced that Canada will also provide the following new package of donations from Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) inventory: 2,000 additional rounds of 155mm ammunition; smoke ammunition, including 955 rounds of 155mm artillery smoke and over 2,000 rounds of 81mm mortar smoke; 2,260 gas masks; 277 1,000-pound aircraft bombs and associated fuse assemblies; and various types of 76mm naval ammunition. The Minister also noted that the previously announced donations of almost 8,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition, 10,000 rounds of 105mm artillery rounds, and approximately 2 million rounds of 7.62mm small arms ammunition were delivered last week. Stefanishyna: by year end, it may be necessary to implement extra agreements with EU members for their consent to begin accession talks Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna admits that Ukraine will need to implement additional agreements with the member states of the European Union by the end of the year as a condition for their agreement to begin the accession negotiation process. "Today, even the most skeptical states that doubted whether it was worth granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for membership support Ukraine's movement towards negotiations, since this is equally important for both Ukraine and the countries of the Western Balkans, Moldova, Georgia," Stefanishyna said on a national telethon on Wednesday. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Ukraine feels support, but will negotiate with each country separately. "This means that before the end of this year, we may need to implement additional agreements that will arise from member states as conditions for their agreement to begin the negotiation process," she added. Finnish President Sauli Vainamo on Wednesday supported the government's proposal and decided to supply the 19th aid package to Ukraine, which will include military equipment totaling about EUR 95 million, according to the Finnish government's website. "The outcome of the war in Ukraine will determine the security order of Europe and Finland far into the future. This is why we will continue our determined support for Ukraine together with our allies. The total value of the defence materiel packages delivered by Finland to Ukraine is now EUR 1.4 billion," Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen said. For operational reasons, and to ensure that the assistance will reach its destination safely, further details on the content of the package, the way it is to be delivered or the schedule will not be given. Both Ukraine's needs and the resources of the Defence Forces have been taken into account when deciding on additional assistance, the report notes. Norway is joining forces with Sweden and Denmark to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine, the shells will be delivered in 2024. According to the website of the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, the head of the department, Bjrn Arild Gram, noted the great need and use of artillery ammunition in Ukraine. The department explained that several options were considered on how to ensure the supply of ammunition to Ukraine in the fastest and best way, and it was concluded that the most practical way would be to use the framework agreement that the Defense Logistics Organization (FLO) entered into with Nammo. "The three countries together contribute about NOK 600 million, and Ukraine will receive ammunition in 2024," the defense minister said. The Danish Ministry of Defense reported that the country will contribute DKK 150 million. "If we want to continue to be able to support Ukraine and replenish the Ministry of Defense's own stockpiles, it is critical that we also strengthen our production and supply chains for critical ammunition in the North," Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said. He noted that with this initiative the countries are also sending a clear signal of support for Ukraine in the long term. The Nobel literature prize goes to Norways Jon Fosse, who once wrote a novel in a single sentence This screenshot was taken of a video message released by the Office of the Governor on Oct. 11, 2023. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio reported on their assessment of the island following the passage of Typhoon Bolaven. Lujan says he did not agree to amend GMH bill, emergency session begins today Protesters gather for a rally to call for justice for Elijah McClain in Denver, Colorado, U.S., November 21, 2020. As a result of massive Russian shelling of Avdiyivka (Donetsk region), one civilian was killed, two were wounded, an investigation has been launched, the Prosecutor General's Office reports. "Under the procedural leadership of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pretrial investigation has been launched in criminal proceedings into violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). According to the investigation, on October 11, 2023, in the morning, troops of the aggressor state attacked residential areas of Avdiyivka. An 85-year-old local resident died from shell explosions in the courtyard of his own private house," the Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Wednesday. A 44-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man were also reportedly injured. "They were taken to hospital with fractures for emergency medical care. The latter is now in intensive care." Associated Press (AP) Gunmen abducted four university students in northern Nigeria during an attack early Tuesday, police said, the latest in a series of school abductions that have raised security concerns under the nations new president. The gunmen invaded a lodge for students of the Nasarawa State University, near the capital city of Abuja, and took the students hostage, Nasarawa police spokesman Ramhan Nansel said in a statement. It is the third school abduction in the West African nation in the last month, underscoring a security challenge under the government of President Bola Tinubu who rode to power in February on the promise of a renewed hope and ending the deadly violence in Nigerias troubled north. The latest attack followed a similar pattern of recent attacks in which gun-firing men break into student buildings and flee with hostages, some of whom are still in captivity. The students, like most other captives, are held for ransoms which analysts say the gunmen use to buy arms. Police said security forces in Nasarawa responded to a distress call about the attack early Tuesday morning and combed the area, but to no avail. The police commissioner has ordered a manhunt for the culprits with a view to rescuing the four victims unhurt, according to the spokesman. Nigerians have in recent years grappled with rampant school abductions which are blamed on bandit groups mostly made up of young pastoralists from Nigerias Fulani tribe caught up in a decades-long conflict between host communities and herdsmen over limited access to water and land in remote areas. The frequency of the attacks has reduced over the last year amid special security operations targeting the armed groups. Although Tinubu has taken some steps to improve Nigerias security challenges, including appointing new security chiefs, the government has not been able to end the violence and stop the abductions, said Confidence MacHarry, from the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence security firm. Security is not as much a priority to the president as the economy, MacHarry said, pointing out Nigeria security forces need to collaborate more and deploy more in violent hotspots. By CHINEDU ASADU LAGOS, Nigeria A Chinese Australian journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia View Photo CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A Chinese Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. Cheng Lei, 48, worked for the international department of Chinas state broadcaster CCTV. She has reunited with her two children in Melbourne, Albanese said. Her return comes ahead of Albaneses planned visit to Beijing this year on a date yet to be announced. He will become the first Australian prime minister to visit the Chinese capital in seven years. Albanese said Australia had traded nothing with China for Chengs release. Her release follows the completion of judicial processes in China, he said. Chinas Ministry of State Security said that Cheng had been approached by a foreign organization in May 2020 and provided them with state secrets she had obtained on the job in violation of a confidentiality clause signed with her employer. A police statement did not name the organization or say what the secrets were. A court in Beijing convicted her of illegally providing state secrets abroad and she was sentenced to two years and 11 months, the statement said. She was deported Wednesday after serving her sentence, presumably because she had already been detained for that long . Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms. Cheng and her family, Albanese said. The government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians. The FreeChengLei account on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted a photo of Cheng with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australias ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher. The post included a quote, apparently from Cheng, that read: Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine. Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies. Albaneses government has been lobbying for the release of Cheng and another Chinese Australian held in China since 2019, Yang Hengjun. Bilateral relations have improved since Albaneses center-left Labor Party was elected after nine years of conservative rule. Beijing has lifted several official and unofficial trade barriers on Australian exports. Albaneses reference to Chinas judicial system suggested that Cheng had recently been sentenced after she was convicted in a closed-court trial last year on national security charges. Questioned by a reporter, Albanese said China was not acknowledging through Chengs release that she posed no threat or had been wrongfully detained. No, China would have not have said that thats the position. China would say that the judicial processes have been completed in China, Albanese said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the Chinese judicial system tried the case in accordance with the law, fully safeguarding the rights enjoyed by the person concerned in accordance with the law. Albanese said he spoke to Cheng in Melbourne, where her children have been living with her mother, and that they discussed a letter she had written to the Australian public in August to mark the third anniversary of her detention. The Chinese-born journalist spoke in her letter about her love for her adopted country. In the letter, she also described her living conditions in detention in China, saying she was allowed to stand in sunlight for just 10 hours a year. She is a very strong and resilient person and when I spoke with her she was delighted to be back in Melbourne, Albanese said. Albanese did not say whether Yang was also likely to be released. We continue to advocate for Dr. Yangs interests, rights and wellbeing with the Chinese authorities at all levels, Albanese said. Yang, a 58-year-old writer and democracy blogger, told his family in August he fears he will die in a Beijing detention center after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst, prompting supporters to demand his release for medical treatment. Yang has been detained in China since January 2019, when he arrived in Guangzhou from New York with his wife and teenage stepdaughter. Yang received a closed-door trial on an espionage charge in Beijing in May 2021 and is still awaiting a verdict. Yangs friend, University of Technology Sydney academic Feng Chongyi, said on Wednesday a verdict had been postponed for three months 11 times and the next possible ruling was January. He said Chengs release was good news for Yang. I do hope Yang is treated in the same way. Given Yangs poor health, his release is actually more urgent, Feng said. ___ Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report. ___ This story corrects the name of the Chinese security agency. By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysias Wildlife Department defended its use of puppies as live bait to capture black panthers spotted at a Malaysian village after animal rights groups protested the method and appealed to the government to use other means. The department resorted to using puppies after earlier attempts to lure the panthers with a goat failed. Its standard procedure to use live animals, Wildlife Department Director General Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said in remarks published Wednesday, noting that the puppies were not physically harmed in the process. In this particular case, there was indication that the panther had attacked dogs (before), so we used the puppies for their barking and scent to attract the panther, he told the Free Malaysia Today online news portal. Farmers in a village in southern Negeri Sembilan state were terrified after spotting a panther near their home in September. Villagers lodged a complaint with the Wildlife Department after a panther mauled their dog at a fruit orchard in the state on Sept. 4, according to a Facebook post by Negeri Sembilan Chief Minister Aminuddin Harun. Aminuddin said the Wildlife Department immediately installed a trap for the big cat, which was believed to have come from a forest reserve nearby. The department managed to trap three panthers on Sept. 18, Sept. 27 and Oct. 1, he said. The operation, however, sparked controversy after local media reported that puppies were used as live bait to lure the panthers. Malaysian Animal Welfare Association slammed the move as shocking, and said it would have been more ethical for the department to use raw cattle meat. The Animal Care Society also appealed to the government to stop using live animals in such operations. Abdul Kadir explained that the trap a cage with a separate compartment to hold the puppies is able to swiftly release the canines once the panther is caught. He said the pups were unharmed and that officials adhered to operating procedures. Abdul Kadir did not immediately respond to requests for comment by phone and email. Wildlife officials in Negeri Sembilan told local media that the first panther caught was a female weighing about 40 kilograms (90 pounds). The department has caught a dozen panthers in the state since the start of the year, including the three caught in September. Aminuddin previously said the panthers have been treated and appeared healthy, though he did not say whether they were released back into the forest. He said the Wildlife Department was also conducting aerial investigations using drones to find out why the panthers had strayed into the village. Black panthers, found in tropical forests in Asia, Africa and Central and South America, are solitary animals that hunt at night and rarely bother people. Conservation researchers said panthers are a protected species and face threats of habitat loss and poaching in Malaysia. In May, an adult black panther was hit by a car and died after it strayed on to a road from a forest reserve and the driver couldnt stop in time. The Malay-language Utusan Malaysia reported that in August, wildlife officials trapped a male black panther using the carcass of a calf in northern Terengganu state after farmers said it attacked their herd. By EILEEN NG Associated Press Ukraines Zelenskyy joins a meeting of global defense leaders to make a direct plea for military aid View Photo BRUSSELS (AP) For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined a meeting of more than 50 defense leaders from around the world, making a personal pitch Wednesday for military aid in the face of lagging political support in the United States and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israels war with Hamas. His presence underscored growing concerns about cracks in what has been staunch international backing for Kyiv in its war against Russias invasion, and worries that Ukrainian forces havent made measurable progress in the counteroffensive as winter closes in. Asked about concerns that Ukraine could get less military support because of the Mideast conflict, Zelenskyy said there is a very understandable volume that the U.S. and Europe can provide. Zelenskyy said he has asked that question himself, adding he thinks nobody really knows but he is still assuming U.S. and European support. As for the Israel complication, of course, everybodys afraid, and I think also Russias counting on it, on dividing support, Zelenskyy said in remarks at a news conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dismissed suggestions that support to Kyiv could suffer as the U.S. sends help to Israel. In terms of our ability to continue to support both the efforts in Ukraine and support the efforts in Israel as well absolutely, we can do both and we will do both, Austin said. The meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by the U.S., comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress has stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers to any increase in spending. Speaking as he entered NATO headquarters, Zelenskyy noted the Israel war and said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraines ongoing need for air defense systems and long-range missiles to push Russia out of our land. Next Monday, we will mark the 600th day of our resistance to Russias full scale aggression against our people, against Ukraine. And today, no one can say for sure how many more days we will have to defend our independence and to defend our identity, Zelenskyy told the gathering at the opening of the meeting. But we can already say several things which I think are important. First, Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, Russia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle. Austin told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv. A key demand has been more air defense systems and munitions. The energy, in my view, is still there, said Austin. And I will reassure them that we remain committed to this. Austin also announced that the U.S. will take on a new leadership role in the broader effort to build Ukraines air force, specifically with F-16 fighter jets. He said the U.S. will co-lead a coalition along with Denmark and Netherlands, and will help organize donation of the aircraft, plans to sustain and maintain them and pilot training. That training has already started in the U.S. Austin said the training will likely take months and it may not be until next spring that Ukraine is operating the F-16s. He asserted that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war. And he said allies are focusing not only on meeting Kyivs immediate needs but also on setting up plans to coordinate investments in Ukraines future force. This was also the first Ukraine contact group meeting for Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who started the job October 1. He said that additional commitments of weapons and conversations with allies convinced him were putting Ukraine in a good spot ahead of the winter fight. The contact group is the main forum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyivs war effort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering. Zelenskyy, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immediately into a private session with Austin and Brown. Speaking to reporters as he came in, Zelenskyy reiterated his countrys need for long-range missiles and ammunition. Its very important that there are priorities. There are air defense systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them, Zelenskyy said. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. The new package of U.S. aid includes AIM-9M missiles that Austin said will be used with a new surface-to-air missile defense system that the U.S. will soon deliver to Ukraine. In addition, the U.S. will provide counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armor systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, so will be taken from Pentagon stocks and sent to the battlefield. Later in the day Zelenskyy spoke by video to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other top finance officials who met to discuss economic aid to Ukraine at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. Yellen said she believes there is bipartisan support to fund Ukraine and provide resources to Israel, but added, I cant tell you precisely what the timetable is for getting this done. Other nations also announced new support for Ukraine. Belgiums defense minister, Ludovine Dedonder, said Belgium will deliver F-16s to Ukraine and provide technical and maintenance assistance, but they wont be sent before 2025. She said the number of aircraft will depend on how soon Belgium gets its new F-35s. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the Netherlands will make three unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drone systems available to monitor NATOs eastern flank for at least six months beginning in the first quarter of 2024. The drones will operate out of Campia Turzii airbase in Romania and be used to gather intelligence. ___ Associated Press writers Raf Casert, David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, and Tara Copp in Washington contributed from to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine By LORNE COOK and LOLITA BALDOR Associated Press Georgian troops joined their Azerbaijani and Turkish counterparts in Eternity 2023, a computer-assisted command and staff exercises hosted by Azerbaijan last week, the Georgian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. Georgian Defence Forces servicemembers were taking part in the drills alongside professionals of the Department of Strategic Pipelines Protection of the Georgian Interior Ministry. Hosted by the Centre for War Games of the Military Administration Institute of National Defence University of Azerbaijan, the exercise aimed to simulate scenarios for the protection of strategically important facilities, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, as well as regional economic infrastructure. The project involved coordination between the military personnel of the three countries, sharing of experience, as well as the creation of a unified action plan and its implementation according to the NATO standards, the state body also noted. The exercise has been hosted since 2000 on a rotational basis. A woman died as a result of shelling in a suburb of Zaporizhia, an investigation has been launched, the Prosecutor General's Office reports. "According to the investigation, on October 11, 2023, Russian troops shelled the territory of Shyroke territorial community, Zaporizhia district. A 74-year-old woman was killed. As a result of a missile, the type of which is being established, hitting the private sector, residential buildings of local residents were destroyed," the Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Wednesday. As reported, under the procedural leadership of the Zaporizhia Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pretrial investigation has been launched in criminal proceedings into violation of the laws and customs of war, coupled with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Swans in Florida that date to Queen Elizabeth II gift are rounded up for their annual physicals Swans in Florida that date to Queen Elizabeth II gift are rounded up for their annual physicals View Photo LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) A flock of swans that grew from a gift nearly 70 years ago from Queen Elizabeth II has been rounded up in Florida to ensure they are all healthy. On Tuesday, there were 50 swans collected in Lakeland, which is east of Tampa. Park supervisor Steve Williams said the birds are a cherished part of the city. I mean, they are a city icon. They are. And we take very good care of them, he said. The roundup each fall enables veterinarians to conduct health examinations of the city-owned swans, with those scheduled for Wednesday morning. Lakelands swans are descended from a pair of mute swans given by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. The goal is to keep them all in good shape, said veterinarian Price Dickson. Tomorrow we will be taking all of these swans one by one and giving each of them a physical exam, weighing them, checking for any infections, any wounds, any problems that would need to be addressed, Dixon said. The city has conducted the annual wellness checkups since 1980. Fire tears through a parking garage at Londons Luton Airport, and 5 people have been hospitalized Fire tears through a parking garage at Londons Luton Airport, and 5 people have been hospitalized View Photo LONDON (AP) A massive fire tore through a newly built parking garage at one of Londons international airports early Wednesday, and four firefighters and an airport employee were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. All flights at Luton Airport were suspended until 3 p.m. U.K. time Wednesday, the airport said in a statement, and would-be passengers were asked to stay away because emergency crews were still on scene and access was restricted. Luton, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of central London, is a hub for budget airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and others. In addition to the five people hospitalized, a sixth person was treated at the scene. Video posted on social media and on British news outlets websites showed police and fire department vehicles gathered outside a multi-story parking structure where the top level was engulfed in flames. The parking garage for Terminal 2 partially collapsed after the fire started around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton from Edinburgh. He told the PA news agency that he first saw a couple of fire engines with a car on fire on an upper level. A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames, he said. The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible. Climate activist Greta Thunberg fined again for a climate protest in Sweden View Photo STOCKHOLM (AP) A Swedish court on Wednesday fined climate activist Greta Thunberg once again for disobeying police during an environmental protest in July in southern Sweden. The Malmo District Court ordered her to pay a 2,250 kroner ($206) fine. Thunberg, who already had been fined for a similar offense, took part in a July 24 environmental protest at an oil terminal in Malmo, where activists temporarily blocked access to the facility by sitting down and were removed by police. On Sept. 15, she was charged with disobedience to law enforcement for refusing to obey police asking her to leave the scene. She then was dragged away by two uniformed officers. Thunberg, 20, has admitted to the facts but denied guilt, saying the fight against the fossil fuel industry was a form of self-defense due to the existential and global threat of the climate crisis. We have the science on our side and we have morality on our side. Nothing in the world can change that and so it is. I am ready to act based on the conditions that exist and whether it leads to more sentences, she said after the verdict. On June 24, the same court fined her 2,500 kronor (about $230) for refusing to obey police orders when taking part in a similar demonstration the previous month where she and others blocked access to the same oil terminal days earlier and were removed by police. On Thursday, the Swede is due to travel to neighboring Norway to take part in a protest with activists, including Indigenous Sami. Theyre protesting a wind farm of 151 turbines and want it removed because they say it endangers the reindeer herders way of life. The activists say a transition to green energy shouldnt come at the expense of the rights of Indigenous people. Two years ago, Norways Supreme Court ruled that the construction of the turbines had violated the rights of the Sami, who have used the land for reindeer for centuries. The Norwegian government has no plans to remove the wind farm. Thunberg inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish Parliament starting in 2018. MCSO locate Subaru car believed to be involved in the case. MCSO photo View Photo Mariposa County, CA After releasing a photo to the public last Wednesday of a car believed to be involved in the Pullins homicide, investigators got the tip they needed. On Friday (10/6), less than two days later, Mariposa County Sheriffs Detectives searched an unidentified property, and as can be seen in the image box picture, they found the one they were looking for but did not report any arrests. Information we received led to the discovery of the 2005 Subaru Outback we had been looking for. This vehicle is now at the California Department of Justice lab being processed for any forensic evidence related to the homicide, disclosed sheriffs officials. It is a case that started out as a missing person report on 57-year-old Wendy Pullins of Manteca. She was last seen driving a Jeep Cherokee in the county in June of last year. Then in September, that SUV was found down an embankment on its side with Pullins blood inside. Nearly a year later, last month, a $1,000 reward was offered for information on Pullins whereabouts. Last weeks move, as reported here, to once again reach out to the public regarding the Subara was successful, leading Mariposa Sheriff Jeremy Briese to comment, Keep the information coming. Bringing those involved to justice and answers for her family continues to be our goal, and we will not stop until we meet those goals, stated Sheriff Jeremy Briese. Anyone with additional information surrounding the case is asked to contact the sheriffs office at 209-966-3615 or via email at sheriff@mariposacounty.org. Anonymous tips can be sent using the Mariposa Sheriff App. Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks about Fentanyl sentencing View Photo Placer County, CA Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and others, are weighing in on the first fentanyl murder conviction in California. 22-year-old Nathaniel Evan Cabacungan pleaded guilty in Placer County to supplying the drug to a 15-year-old girl, Jewels Marie Wolf, who later died. He also failed to intervene, or notify officials, when he could see that she was struggling after taking the drug. Cabacungan faces 15 years to life in prison as part of a second-degree murder plea deal with the Placer County District Attorneys Office. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated at a press conference, In California, and across the nation, we are witnessing a devastating rise in young people dying by accidental fentanyl overdose. We cant stress enough how dangerous fentanyl is. It is cheap, it is potent, and it is lethal; a horrifically tragic combination. Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, who represents the Mother Lode region, adds, My heart goes out to Jewels family, and surviving families of those killed by fentanyl, for the fight they faced in getting this outcome. We must remain steadfast in our efforts to protect our communities, particularly our youth, from the devastating impact of fentanyl. Eliminating this dangerous substance and holding those accountable for its distribution is a critical step in the right direction. However, we must remain vigilant in our efforts and continue to move forward rather than backward. It is imperative that legislative action focuses on enacting common-sense policies that address this health crisis. Law enforcement officials report that fentanyl, often made in foreign labs, is smuggled into the US and pressed into pills that give it the appearance of being a legitimate prescription opioid tablet. It is also sometimes made to appear like candy. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire stressed that Tuesdays milestone/sentencing was a time for reflection and recognition and in no way a celebration. Hamas unprecedented attack on Israel raises questions about the influence of its sponsor, Iran View Photo JERUSALEM (AP) Hamas unprecedented attack on Israel and the war it launched has raised new questions about the influence of its main sponsor, Iran, and whether it had anything to do with the assault. From Tel Aviv to Washington, however, no one is willing to directly blame Iran as they say they lack direct evidence. Tensions between the Islamic Republic and the West remain high over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. In Tehran, even its supreme leader has denied the country being involved while praising what he described as the capable, smart and courageous militants who killed more than 1,000 Israelis and for the first time took over 100 civilians and soldiers as hostages. Yet the suspicion of Iranian involvement remains and how it shakes out could threaten to morph what has been the most-shocking deadly attack on Israel in 50 years into a wider regional war that drags in the United States. WHY IS THERE SUSPICION OF IRANIAN INVOLVEMENT? Hamas grew out of the the first intifada, or Palestinian uprising, which was marked by widespread protests against Israels occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1987. Its name is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement and an acknowledgment of its early ties to the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood. Sworn to Israels destruction, it has launched numerous suicide bombings and other attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers, leading Israel and other nations including the U.S. to describe it as a terrorist organization. Although Sunni, it has grown increasingly close to the Mideasts Shiite powerhouse, Iran. For Tehran, Hamas fits into a pattern it has followed since its 1979 Islamic Revolution of backing regional proxies as a hedge against the superior firepower of archenemy Israel and its main backer, the U.S. Sundays attack showed a level of sophistication and scale so far unseen in previous Hamas attacks on Israel. Airborne militants flew into southern Israel on paragliders. Bomb-carrying drones dropped ordinance precisely on Israeli robotic gun positions. Within hours, militants detonated bombs to tear open Israels separation fence, body cam footage showed. Some of these militant techniques have been used by Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, whose Quds, or Jerusalem, force serves as an expeditionary unit that long has liaised with proxy militia groups across the Middle East. IS THERE ANY DIRECT EVIDENCE SUPPORTING AN IRANIAN HAND IN THE ATTACK? As of now, no government worldwide has offered direct evidence whether images, electronic surveillance or satellite imagery supporting that Iran orchestrated the attack. However, many have pointed to Irans long sponsorship of the group through extensive training, funding and smuggled rockets. On Iran, let me start by saying no question that theres a degree of complicity here. Iran has been supporting Hamas for many, many years, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday. That said, we havent seen hard, tangible evidence that Iran was directly involved in participating in or resourcing, planning these sets of complex attacks that Hamas pulled off over the weekend. Even Israel, which long has been suspected of carrying out out a covert campaign of sabotage and targeted killings to slow Irans nuclear program, hasnt directly blamed Tehran. We have no evidence, no intelligence proof of Iranian involvement in this situation, said Maj. Nir Dinar, an Israeli military spokesperson. Dinar, however, hinted at Iranian involvement in the same breath. You have to be very naive in order to think that someone in Iran woke up at 6:30 on Shabbat, on Simchat Torah, and was surprised to see this, he said, referring to the Jewish holiday that was commemorated last Saturday. Ali Barakeh, a member of Hamas exiled leadership in Lebanon, denied that Iran helped plan the attack or gave the go-ahead for it in an interview with The Associated Press. However, the extent of Iranian influence on Hamas was at one point a source of internal conflict that got papered over in the last few years as Iran became the groups main funder, said Randa Slim from the Washington-based Middle East Institute. Iran remains closer to Hamas military wing than its political wing, Slim added. WHATS THE RISK OF IRAN BEING INVOLVED OR BLAMED FOR THE ATTACK? For Israel, it already appears to be gearing up for what looks like a massive military operation including a possible ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. That urban fighting is incredibly dangerous for its troops, as well as the Palestinian civilians inevitably caught between them and Hamas fighters. Israel also has faced some sporadic missile fire and fighting from Hezbollah, Irans main regional partner in neighboring Lebanon since the violence erupted. The conflict expanding into a two-front war would make the situation even more dangerous. Adding Iran into the mix would escalate it further. Keeping that from happening is likely an American priority. The Washington-dispatched aircraft carrier group USS Gerald R. Ford reached the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday. President Joe Biden warned other countries not to get involved the conflict in hopes of exploiting the chaos. For any anyone thinking advantage of the situation, he said in a speech Tuesday, I have one word: Dont. However, given the grief and outrage in Israel over Saturdays attack, anything linking Iran to the assault would drastically increase pressure on long-embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to retaliate against Tehran. Netanyahu, who has campaigned as being Israels self-described protector, has pointed at Iran as his nations No. 1 regional enemy. He has repeatedly warned he wouldnt allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon something his nation possesses. And while Iran maintains its program is peaceful, it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. That makes those facilities, as well as military bases in Iran and abroad, possible targets for Netanyahu. Citizens of Israel, we are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war, Netanyahu told the nation after Saturdays attack. How wide that war will become remains in question. ___ Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut, Isabel DeBre in Jerusalem and Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report. By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press Scrutiny of Arkansas governors $19,000 lectern deepens after new records are released View Photo LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) New public records have widened questions over when Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders office planned to use Republican Party funds to reimburse the state for a $19,000 lectern, which was bought in June using a government credit card. The Arkansas GOP paid for the lectern in September, but the words to be reimbursed were only added later to the original invoice, records released this week show. The undated reimbursement note adds to weeks of scrutiny over the purchase, which has dominated political talk in Arkansas. A legislative panel is expected to vote this week on a lawmakers request for an audit of the lecterns purchase. An email about the reimbursement note was among dozens of documents released to The Associated Press on Monday under a Freedom of Information Act request related to the lectern. Republican Sen. Jimmy Hickey, who requested the audit, told the AP that the email further indicates the need for a full blown audit to get all the facts but declined to comment further. The custom blue and wood-paneled lectern was bought using a state credit card in June for $19,029.25, significantly higher than prices listed online for other lecterns. The Republican Party of Arkansas reimbursed the state for the purchase on Sept. 14, and Sanders office has called the use of a state credit card for the lectern an accounting error. Sanders office said it received the lectern in August. Sanders, a Republican who served as press secretary for former President Donald Trump and was inaugurated governor in January, has said she welcomes an audit of the lectern but has also dismissed questions about the purchase. Laura Hamilton, executive assistant and office manager for Sanders, added the note after being instructed that she or the agency that handles state purchasing should put it on the original invoice, according to the email released Monday. The Sept. 15 email written by Department of Transformation and Shared Services employee Cassie Cantlon to her superiors doesnt say who instructed Hamilton. I asked if she wanted to date the note and she stated that she was told not to date it, but to just make the note that the invoice was to be reimbursed, Cantlon, administrative services manager for the department, wrote in the email. Sanders office acknowledged Tuesday that the note was added, but did not say who told Hamilton to add it. A note was added to the receipt so that it would accurately reflect that the state was being reimbursed for the podium with private funding the governor raised for her inauguration and the check was properly dated, Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for Sanders office, said. She called questions about the invoice nothing more than a manufactured controversy. Tom Mars, an attorney, confirmed Tuesday that the note is the example of a public record about the purchase being altered that he referenced in a letter to Hickey. Mars has said he has a client willing to give a confidential statement to lawmakers who has firsthand knowledge that Sanders office interfered with open records requests. Mars said his client is not Cantlon, who did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday afternoon. The executive committee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee will take up Hickeys request on Thursday. The AP requested from the state invoices from and communications about Beckett Events LLC, the Virginia company listed as the seller of the lectern. The company did not respond to a message requesting more information about the lectern. Earlier emails about the purchase released Monday dont reference plans for the Arkansas Republican Party to reimburse the state. Appearing on the TV program Capitol View on Sunday, state Republican Party Chairman Joseph Wood dismissed questions about the purchase but did not say whether the original plan was for the party to reimburse the state. Sanders office has not said what features contributed to the lecterns seemingly high cost. The price also included a road case, taxes, shipping and a 3% credit card processing fee. The lecterns purchase was first uncovered last month by Matthew Campbell, a lawyer and blogger who has sued the Arkansas State Police and claimed the agency illegally withheld public documents he requested about Sanders travel and security. Days after Campbell filed his initial lawsuit, Sanders proposed restricting the publics access to a broad range of documents. Sanders signed into law legislation restricting public access to her security and travel records after her original proposal faced backlash from media groups, transparency advocates and some conservatives. By ANDREW DeMILLO Associated Press Former Haitian senator pleads guilty in US court to charges related to Haiti presidents killing Former Haitian senator pleads guilty in US court to charges related to Haiti presidents killing View Photo MIAMI (AP) A former Haitian senator pleaded guilty on Tuesday in the United States to charges related to the 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moise. John Joel Joseph made his appearance at a Miami federal court and changed his plea after reaching an agreement with the government. Federal judge Jose Martinez set his sentencing for Dec. 19. Joseph faces a possible life sentence, but the U.S. government would recommend reducing it if he cooperates with the investigation, according to the 11th page plea agreement. The former senator was extradited from Jamaica to the U.S. in June to face charges of conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and providing material support resulting in death, knowing or intending that such material support would be used to prepare for or carry out the conspiracy to kill or kidnap. Joseph, a very well known politician and opponent of the slain presidents Tet Kale party, is one of the 11 people facing charges related to the killing in South Florida. Another two people also pleaded guilty and one of them, Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar, was sentenced in June to life in prison. The sentencing for former Colombian soldier German Alejandro Rivera Garcia is set for Oct. 27. Eight more defendants are waiting trial in the United States. According to the charges, Joseph and others, including about 20 Colombian citizens and several dual Haitian-American citizens, participated in a plot to kidnap or kill Haitis president, who was slain at his home in Haiti on July 7, 2021. President Moise was killed when assailants broke into his private home in Port-au-Prince. He was 53 years old. The former senator was arrested in Jamaica in January, and in March he agreed to be extradited to the U.S. The Haitian government also arrested more than 40 people for their alleged roles in the murder. Memorial honors 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire deaths that galvanized US labor movement View Photo NEW YORK (AP) If people really looked for history at the New York City building where the Triangle Shirtwaist factory once existed, they could find it. There are plaques pointing out that it was the site of a horrific fire in 1911 that became a catalyst in the American labor movements fight for workplace safety protections. But for some, a few words on a wall arent nearly enough to honor the fires 146 victims. So after years of effort, the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition on Wednesday dedicated a new memorial that has no chance of being overlooked, welcoming a crowd that included victims descendants, union members and elected officials. A giant steel ribbon with the names of those who died in the disaster, predominantly women and girls, has been installed running horizontally from one corner of the building. Underneath it, a reflective panel shows the stenciled names as well as quotes from people who were there, describing the mayhem. In the coming weeks, a vertical steel column will be added to the corner to span almost the entire height of the building, a reference to how high up the victims were stuck. Its the story of desperate immigrant women, mostly Jewish and Italian, who were trapped by a door that was locked because there were no workplace safety rules that said it couldnt be. Some jumped to their deaths from the windows to avoid the flames. What they will see is a memorial that tries to build into the object itself the history of the fire, a history of working women, a history of Italians and Jews, a history of tragedy, but then also a history of change, Mary Anne Trasciatti, a Hofstra University professor and president of the coalition, told The Associated Press before the dedication. The victims were close to the end of their working day on March 25, 1911, when a fire started on the eighth floor of the clothing factory, which took up the top floors of a building now owned by New York University. Frantic workers tried to get out as the flames spread to the ninth and 10th floors, some scrambling to get into an elevator, others heading for the roof. But others who tried to get past a door to escape found it locked, trapping them inside. At a trial of the factorys owners afterward, some said the door had been kept locked on purpose, over theft concerns. Firefighters responded quickly. But their ladders were too short to get to the topmost floors. Horrified witnesses in the crowd watched as workers leapt from the windows. Among those bystanders was the late Frances Perkins, already an anti-poverty advocate trying to change workplace conditions, and who became even more dedicated after what she saw that day. It really started her in her push for we have to treat workers better, said Ileen DeVault, professor of labor history at Cornell University. Some of her words recollecting the day are part of the memorial, running along the reflective panel. Every one of them was killed, everybody who jumped was killed. Perkins would be part of a state commission that put a series of safety rules in place in New York that were emulated elsewhere, and later became an integral part of President Franklin Roosevelts cabinet as his secretary of labor. She pushed for policies like minimum wage, workers compensation, and old age pensions. One of the names on the memorial is that of Rosie Weiner, who died in the blaze, but whose sister and fellow factory worker, Katie Weiner, made it out alive. Later, Weiner would recount how she grabbed an elevator cable to make her escape. Today, her great-niece, Suzanne Pred Bass, is on the board of the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition. Growing up, Bass knew her great-aunt had lived through the fire, but it wasnt until years later that she heard about Rosie. Bass mother remembered accompanying her mother as a small child to the pier where the victims bodies were taken after the fire. She never forgot that, she was 4 years old and I can only imagine how how scary and awful, Bass said. Memorial designers Richard Joon Yoo and Uri Wegman wanted to find a way for modern-day people to connect with the fire and its legacy, they said. The public was invited a few years ago to contribute pieces of fabric that were joined together in a 300-foot (91-meter) Collective Ribbon. That ribbons design was then etched onto the memorial steel that rises up toward the top of the building. It was important to make that connection between past and present because issues of labor, workplace protections, and how workers are treated are still far from settled in the country and the world, Yoo and Wegman said. Everything that it talks about with women workers, immigration, labor, its these touch points that just keep on flaring up over and over and over again, Yoo said, pointing out that industrial disasters, at garment factories and elsewhere, still happen around the globe. The two came up with the design for the memorial about a decade ago. It is coming to fruition, with a capital budget of about $3 million, during a year of labor activism in some U.S. industries, with strikes by auto workers, hospital staff, film and television writers and screen actors. The presence of labor was very visible at the dedication, with people wearing shirts or carrying signs including SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the United Auto Workers. It just shows that the Triangle Shirtwaist fire still has lessons to impart, Bass said. We forget a tragedy like this at our own peril, she said. We have the same issues, immigrant issues, safe working condition issues, abuse of women in the workplace issues. Its not like any of these issues are all fixed. By DEEPTI HAJELA Associated Press Shadowy snitch takes starring role in bribery trial of veteran DEA agents View Photo NEW YORK (AP) In his two decades as a professional drug snitch, Jorge Hernandez was a master of the double cross. He lied to his handlers, threatened to unmask fellow informants and even admitted killing three people during his days as a cocaine runner. But time and again, he leveraged his extensive contacts in the narcotrafficking underworld to stay alive, avoid the inside of a jail cell and keep making money. Now Hernandez has turned the tables again, this time on the same U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that launched his lucrative career as the go-to fixer for traffickers, prosecutors and defense attorneys alike. And hes delivered his most explosive trophy yet: two veteran DEA agents charged in a $73,000 bribery conspiracy involving leaked information about ongoing drug investigations. Hernandez, a beefy, bald-headed figure known by the Spanish nickname Boliche bowling ball made secret recordings for the FBI and is expected to play a key role this month in the Manhattan federal court trial of former DEA supervisors Manny Recio and John Costanzo Jr. Its a case that threatens to expose the seamy underbelly of the nations premier narcotics law enforcement agency, which has seen at least 18 agents charged or convicted of crimes since 2015, many for being too cozy with informants. Not on trial but in the middle of it all is a fiercely competitive circle of high-priced Miami defense attorneys flippantly referred to as the white powder bar. Their stock in trade is not so much the finer points of law but in scrambling to sign up kingpin clients before the ink is dry on their indictments, negotiating surrender deals and converting them into government cooperators. In such a world, informants like Hernandez thrive by trading in the currency of information who will be charged and when, said Steven Dudley, co-founder of Insight Crime, a research center focused on Latin America. Hes a linchpin in a corrupt system that is about making cases and making money, Dudley said. When cases are made everyone wins, he added. The narcos get lower sentences and get to keep some proceeds, the prosecutors and agents get promotions, and the lawyers rake in the money. The only loser is Lady Justice. The case is just the latest embarrassment for the DEA, following the arrest of a standout agent in Colombia who laundered money for the cartels and spent lavishly on Tiffany jewels and VIP travel, and another accused of accepting $250,000 in bribes to protect the Mafia in Buffalo, New York. Hernandezs central role in the latest case emerged from an Associated Press review of hundreds of court records, some of which have never been revealed publicly, and interviews with 12 current and former law enforcement officials familiar with his career as a confidential informant, including several who spoke on the condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter. Lawyers for Recio and Costanzo have raised concerns in court papers about Hernandezs criminal history, particularly the three people he admitted to killing prior to becoming an informant. But prosecutors insist he is reliable, pointing to bank records and wiretapped calls they say corroborate his testimony. Just because someone has committed crimes doesnt mean that we immediately discount everything they say, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheb Swett told a judge earlier this year. Neither the DEA nor the Justice Department responded to requests for comment. Hernandez hung up when contacted by the AP. Call the Justice Departments customer service line, he later texted. They have all the information you desire. Court records show the 56-year old Hernandez began his criminal climb in the 1990s dispatching boatloads of cocaine for the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia, a right-wing group that later morphed into one of the worlds largest drug-trafficking organizations. In 2000, after a warlord placed a hit on him, he fled to neighboring Venezuela, where he was arrested. After paying bribes to secure his release, he approached the DEA about becoming an informant. By all accounts, Hernandez proved an adept casemaker, developing a reputation for delivering results but also aggressive behavior toward friends and foes alike. Agents grew so reliant on Hernandezs network of more than 100 informants across Latin America and the Caribbean that they set him up with a phone and desk at the Tampa headquarters of Operation Panama Express, a federal anti-narcotics task force combining resources from the FBI, DEA, U.S. Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, people familiar with Hernandezs past say his luck ran out in 2008 when he was recorded threatening to expose federal informants as snitches unless they paid him to keep quiet. Court records show the DEA abruptly terminated his cooperation agreement and he returned to Venezuela. But when one door closed, another opened. Despite being blackballed as an informant, Hernandez continued to keep in close contact with the DEA and in 2016 met Costanzo, who was supervising agents in Miami investigating Colombian businessman Alex Saab, a suspected bag man for Venezuelas socialist leader, Nicolas Maduro. At some point, Hernandez was also receiving money transfers on Saabs behalf from offshore accounts and banished from the case, people close to the probe said. Shortly after, Hernandez started cooperating with the FBI in New York, which had its own investigation into Saab. This time his payout wasnt in cash it was in seeking to avoid his own criminal exposure. In 2017, Hernandez connected Saab with Bruce Bagley, a University of Miami expert on narcotics trafficking. At Hernandezs urging, Bagley received $3 million from accounts controlled by Saab in the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland. He then transferred the money to Hernandez, prosecutors have said, believing it would be forwarded to Saabs U.S. attorneys, who were secretly negotiating a deal for Saab to turn on Maduro. But the professor admitted keeping a 10% commission and in 2021 was sentenced to six months in prison for money laundering. People familiar with the case told the AP that Hernandez was also charged under seal in the same money laundering scheme, and that may have pushed him to keep cooperating. Court papers show that in early 2019, at the FBIs direction, Hernandez recorded conversations with Recio as well as Miami attorney Luis Guerra in which they discussed recruiting targets of DEA investigations as clients using confidential information allegedly furnished by Costanzo. Recio had recently retired from DEA and was working as a private investigator with Guerra and another attorney, David Macey. Recio is accused in the indictment of speaking hundreds of times on a burner phone he purchased for Costanzo to allegedly coordinate unlawful searches of criminal databases. In exchange, Recio allegedly directed purchases to Costanzo totaling $73,000, including plane tickets and a down payment on a condo. Prosecutors did not allege in the indictment that the lawyers were aware of those gifts but a court filing this month said they belonged to the conspiracy. Also under scrutiny were conversations between Recio and Costanzo discussing confidential DEA plans in 2019 to arrest another potential client. Cesar Peralta was a high-level trafficker in the Dominican Republic who was able to elude capture for more than four months despite a massive search involving 700 law enforcement officials, according to court documents and people familiar with the case. The task of reaching out to drug suspects to steer them to the attorneys of choice was assigned to Hernandez, who was allegedly promised a generous cut of any legal fees. Dont tell anybody where that information comes from, Guerra tells Hernandez in one recorded conversation, according to court documents and the people familiar with the case. Do it the way you always do it, brother. Using your magic. Court filings in the case said agents also allegedly tried to gain favor with Nicholas Palmeri, a senior DEA official who last year was quietly ousted for improper contacts with attorneys for narcotraffickers, including Macey. In April 2019, Macey allegedly spent nearly $2,000 on tickets for a Yankees-Red Sox game and dinner in Manhattan for Costanzo, Palmeri and himself. We about to own Mexico. Nic is in, Costanzo texted Recio a few months later, when Palmeri was serving as regional director for the DEA in Mexico and Central America. Prosecutors declined to say whether any attorneys have been or will be charged. Attorneys for Recio and Costanzo did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Macey and Guerra. Costanzo, who was suspended by the DEA after being indicted, denied in a 2019 FBI interview that he ever took anything of value. But he acknowledged that he and other agents sometimes tipped off defense attorneys as part of their mission to encourage suspects to turn themselves in and cooperate. Weve been doing this for years, he said. As for Hernandez, hes still involved in Miamis legal community, running Hernandez de Luque Brothers, billed on its website as a new kind of consulting firm for a changing world. An integral part of our services is to work closely with our clients so that they can make the right decisions in selecting the right attorney. ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. By JOSHUA GOODMAN and JIM MUSTIAN Associated Press U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, following the results of the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format), announced that the United States would lead a coalition of countries in training the Ukrainian Air Force. "The members of this Contact Group are organizing into what we call 'capability coalitions,' and that' going to make our security assistance more nimble. Some of these capability coalitions have already been formed. Estonia and Luxembourg will lead a coalition focused on supporting Ukraine's IT infrastructure. Lithuania is leading a way in helping Ukraine neutralize Russian mines on Ukrainian territory. And I am proud to announce that the United States will step up again to help lead a coalition of countries working with Ukraine to develop its Air Force," Austin said at a briefing with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Brown. Austin noted that while leading the coalition, the United States will closely coordinate its actions with Ukraine and other partners, paying particular attention to developing the capabilities of Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets. "I am pleased that Denmark and the Netherlands will be co-leading this coalition together with us. I am also proud to announce that the United States will be joining several more of these coalitions as they form in the coming weeks, including those focused on Ukraine's air defense, armor and artillery," the minister noted. Nebraska voters will decide at the ballot box whether public money can go to private school tuition Nebraska voters will decide at the ballot box whether public money can go to private school tuition View Photo OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Nebraskas top election official confirmed Tuesday that state voters will decide next year whether public money can go to private school tuition. A petition effort to get the question on the November 2024 ballot far exceeded the number of valid signatures needed to put the controversial question before voters, the Nebraska Secretary of States office said in a written statement. The effort seeks to repeal a measure passed by the Nebraska Legislature earlier this year allowing millions in state income tax to be diverted to organizations that grant private school tuition scholarships. That passage set up a battle between powerful education unions and heavily-funded conservative groups trying to make their mark on school policies following COVID-19 lockdowns and ongoing fights over transgender policies. In August, the Support Our Schools referendum petition effort turned in 117,000 signatures to the Nebraska Secretary of State, nearly double the more than 61,000 valid signatures needed to make the ballot. On Tuesday, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced that election officials validated nearly 92,000 of those collected signatures. The overwhelming success of this petition sends a clear message to the governor and state lawmakers: Nebraskans want to vote on the issue of diverting public tax dollars to pay for private schools, petition effort sponsor Jenni Benson said. The new school funding law does not appropriate taxpayer dollars directly toward private school vouchers. Instead, it allows businesses, individuals, estates and trusts to donate a portion of their owed state income tax. Businesses and individuals would be allowed to donate up to $100,000 per year, while estates and trusts could offer up to $1 million a year. The bill would allocate $25 million a year over the first two years starting in 2024, and up to $100 million annually thereafter to cover such donations. That dollar-for-dollar tax credit is money that would otherwise go into the states general revenue fund. Supporters of the scholarship program say it helps underprivileged students who have few other choices when they find themselves in an underperforming or toxic public school environment. They deny opponents assertions that it will hurt funding to public schools, noting that lawmakers also passed a bill this year that will pump more than $1 billion mostly from federal pandemic recovery dollars into public education. Public school advocates counter that the act sends taxpayer dollars to private schools that are allowed under religious tenets to discriminate against LGBTQ+ students. This was a decisive victory and the first step to ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not private schools, said Benson, who is also president of the Nebraska State Education Association, the states largest teachers union. Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems. Supporters of the private school funding plan, including the states powerful Roman Catholic lobbying group, have launched their own effort called Keep Kids First Nebraska to counter the petition drive and made an aggressive push to try to convince people not to sign the petitions. The teachers union was willing to say and do anything to take educational freedom away from Nebraska families, so it is no surprise they gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the ballot, Keep Kids First said Tuesday in a written statement. Evnens office said Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers will draft the ballot language for the measure in the coming days. In the weeks ahead of the 2024 election, state election staff will schedule three public hearings about the measure and create informational pamphlets that will be available to voters at county election offices, the Secretary of States office said. By MARGERY A. BECK Associated Press Texas executes man who questioned evidence presented at trial in deadly carjacking of elderly woman View Photo HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) A Texas man who unsuccessfully challenged the safety of the states lethal injection drugs and raised questions about evidence used to persuade a jury to sentence him to death for killing an elderly woman decades ago was executed late Tuesday. Jedidiah Murphy, 48, was pronounced dead after an injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the October 2000 fatal shooting of 80-year-old Bertie Lee Cunningham of the Dallas suburb of Garland. Cunningham was killed during a carjacking. To the family of the victim, I sincerely apologize for all of it, Murphy said while strapped to a gurney in the Texas death chamber and after a Christian pastor, his right hand on Murphys chest, prayed for the victims family, Murphys family and friends and the inmate. I hope this helps, if possible, give you closure, Murphy said. He then began a lengthy recitation of Psalm 34, ending with: The Lord redeems the soul of his servants, and none of those who trust in him shall be condemned. After telling the warden he was ready, Murphy turned his head toward a friend watching through a window a few feet from him, telling her, God bless all of yall. Its OK. Tell my babies I love them. Then he shouted out: Bella is my wife! As the lethal dose of pentobarbital took effect, he took two barely audible breaths and appeared to go to sleep, The pastor stood over him, his left hand over Murphys heart, until a physician entered the room about 20 minutes later to examine Murphy and pronounce him dead at 10:15 p.m., 25 minutes after the drug began. The execution took place hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned an order that had delayed the death sentence from being carried out. The high court late Tuesday also turned down another request to stay Murphys execution over claims the drugs he was injected with were exposed to extreme heat and smoke during a recent fire, making them unsafe and leaving him at risk of pain and suffering. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday had upheld a federal judges order from last week delaying the execution after Murphys lawyers filed a lawsuit seeking DNA testing of evidence presented at his 2001 trial. But the state attorney generals office appealed the 5th Circuits decision, with the Supreme Court ruling in Texas favor. In their filings, Murphys attorneys had questioned evidence of two robberies and a kidnapping used by prosecutors to persuade jurors during the penalty phase of his trial that Murphy would be a future danger a legal finding needed to secure a death sentence in Texas. Murphy admitted he killed Cunningham but had long denied he committed the robberies or kidnapping. His attorneys argued these crimes were the strongest evidence prosecutors had to show Murphy would pose an ongoing threat, but that the evidence linking him to the crimes was problematic, including a questionable identification of Murphy by one of the victims. Prosecutors had argued against the DNA testing, saying state law only allows for post-conviction testing of evidence related to guilt or innocence and not to a defendants sentence. They also called Murphys request for a stay manipulative and say it should have been filed years ago. A capital inmate who waits until the eleventh hour to raise long-available claims should not get to complain that he needs more time to litigate them, the attorney generals office wrote in its petition to the high court. Prosecutors said the state presented significant other evidence to show Murphy was a future danger. In upholding the execution stay, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had said another case before it that was brought by a different Texas death row inmate raised similar issues and it was best to wait for a ruling in that case. Murphy had long expressed remorse for killing Cunningham. I wake up to my crime daily and Ive never gone a day without sincere remorse for the hurt Ive caused, Murphy wrote in a message he sent earlier this year to Michael Zoosman, who had corresponded with Murphy and is co-founder of Lchaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty. Murphy is Jewish. Murphys lawyers had said he also had a long history of mental illness, was abused as a child and was in and out of foster care. Zoosman said Murphys repentance should have been considered in his case but the reality is we dont have a system thats based on restorative justice. We have a system thats based on retributive vengeance. Murphys lawyers late Tuesday afternoon also asked the high court to stop the execution over allegations the lethal injection drugs the state would use on him were possibly damaged during an Aug. 25 fire at the Huntsville prison unit where they were stored. The Supreme Court denied that request without comment, in line with similar rulings by a federal judge and a state appeals court. Murphy was the sixth inmate in Texas and the 20th in the U.S. put to death this year. Tuesday marked World Day Against the Death Penalty, an annual day of advocacy by death penalty opponents. Although Texas has been the nations busiest capital punishment state, it had been seven months since its last execution. Public support and use of the death penalty in the U.S. has been declining in the past two decades. Three more executions are scheduled in Texas this year. ___ Lozano reported from Houston. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 By JUAN A. LOZANO and MICHAEL GRACZYK Associated Press Republicans are divided on far-right move to remove McCarthy as House speaker, an AP-NORC poll shows View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) The unprecedented ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has left no consensus among Republicans about whether his removal was the right move as the party struggles to coalesce around a new leader, according to a new poll. Only one-quarter of Republicans say they approve of the stunning decision by a small group of House Republicans to remove the California lawmaker from his post during a vote last week. Three in 10 Republicans believe it was a mistake for a small faction of the party, and all Democrats, to support a motion ejecting McCarthy from the speakership. Its just chaos, Betsy Young, a Republican from Oregon, told The Associated Press. And I dont think its helpful. About 4 in 10 Republicans (43%) say they neither approve nor disapprove. That is according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted after McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be voted out of the role. The political upheaval in Congress has left Americans as a whole split on the issue if they have an opinion at all with some saying McCarthy had it coming and others warning of the precedent such action could set for future speakers. Overall, a quarter of Americans said they approve, a quarter disapprove and about half say neither. Thomas Adkins, a Republican from North Carolina, told the AP that the former speaker relinquished his leadership when he made a deal with congressional Democrats to fund the government last month while facing a looming shutdown deadline. Thats sort of going over to the enemy in my thinking, so in that respect, I thoroughly disapprove of the speakers actions, the 84-year-old said. Kevin Fry, a Republican from Indiana, echoed those sentiments, saying McCarthy didnt keep his word to the party when he said he would not negotiate on cutting spending and other conservative priorities. When you give your word and everybody relies on that, then you know, you need to be held accountable, the 64-year-old added. It is the same argument the eight far-right members who voted for McCarthys removal made on the floor of the House last week. That decision and Democrats willingness to join along has since thrown the House and its Republican leadership into disarray as the majority is now rushing to vote in a new speaker this week to lead them during this divisive moment. But Young, who considers herself a moderate Republican, calls the reasoning for McCarthys removal stupid, resulting in a stain on the GOP moving forward. (Democrats and Republicans) are supposed to work together, and they forget that, she said. Theyre in their own bubble and they forget that the rest of the country is not Washington, or its not the state capitals. The poll shows that conservative Republicans are more likely than those who describe themselves as moderate or liberal to approve of the move to remove McCarthy, 31% to 16%. Even among conservatives, though, 33% said they disapprove. A quarter of Democrats also disapprove of McCarthy being removed, despite all their representatives voting in favor of the motion. Thirty percent of Democrats approve. Deedee Gunderson, a Democrat from New Mexico, said that while shes not a fan of McCarthy and how he has governed, shes worried that his ouster has given more power to the extremes of the Republican Party. I think they are trying to destroy this government, she said. Following McCarthys removal, 39% of Republicans say they have an unfavorable view of the former speaker. Thats up slightly from 25% in an AP-NORC poll conducted in January. The fight over congressional leadership also comes after the chamber narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding bill that delays its fiscal deadline until mid-November. That conflict over government spending and financial priorities is expected to resume in the coming weeks, with U.S. aid to Ukraine against Russias invasion one of the major issues at play. The poll shows 69% of Republicans but just 37% of Democrats think the U.S. government is spending too much on Ukraine aid. Overall, a majority of Americans continue to say U.S. spending is too high, but have little appetite for cuts to major programs. And Americans are split on which party would do a better job handling the federal budget, with 27% saying Democrats and 26% Republicans. A third of Americans say they trust neither party. Our spending is so out of control that I cant believe how much debt weve incurred on both sides, Fry said. I dont think thats necessarily a Democratic or Republican issue. ___ The poll of 1,163 adults was conducted Oct. 5-9, 2023, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to represent the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. By FARNOUSH AMIRI and LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press California governor signs laws compelling universities to report return of Native American remains View Photo SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two laws Tuesday intended to compel Californias public university systems to make progress in their review and return of Native American remains and artifacts. Decades-old state and federal legislation, known as repatriation laws, require government entities to return these items to tribes. Those artifacts could include prayer sticks or wolves skins that have been used for ceremonies. But the state auditor found in recent years that many campuses have not done so due to a lack of funding or of clear protocols from chancellors offices. Democratic Assemblymember James C. Ramos, the first Native American in the California Legislature, said campuses failure to return remains to tribes has denied the Indian people the right to bring closure to family issues and historical trauma. Were still dealing with a state that has not come to terms with its history deplorable history and treatment towards Californias first people, Ramos said. The laws require the California State University system and urge the University of California system to annually report their progress to review and return Native American remains and artifacts to tribes. In 2019, Newsom issued a state apology for Californias mistreatment of and violence against Native Americans throughout history. The repatriation proposals were among the hundreds of bills lawmakers sent to the Democratic governors desk this year. A report published by the state auditor in 2020 found that the University of California system did not have adequate policies for returning these remains and artifacts. The Los Angeles campus, for example, returned nearly all of these items while the Berkeley campus only returned about 20% of them. The auditors office has since found that the system has made some progress. For years, the University of California, Berkeley, failed to return remains to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It was not until 2018 that the university returned 1,400 remains to the tribe, according to the states Native American Heritage Commission. Kenneth Kahn, the tribes chairman, said it is appalling that campuses have held onto Native American remains for so long and disappointing that its taking law to get many universities to work to return these items. There certainly has been progress, but theyve been under duress, Kahn said. Weve been asking for years. More than half of the 21 California State University campuses with collections of Native American remains or cultural artifacts on campus have not returned any of the items to tribes, the state auditors office said in a report released in June. Some campuses have these items because theyve been used in the past for archeological research, but these laws nudge the University of California and require California State University to ban them from being used for that purpose. The University of California did not take a position on the legislation focused on its system but is committed to appropriately and respectfully returning Native American remains and artifacts to tribes, Ryan King, a spokesperson for the presidents office, said in an email. The university system already bans these materials from being used for research unless specifically approved by tribes, he said. University of California released a systemwide policy in 2021 for complying with repatriation laws. California State University supported the law setting requirements for its system and is working to teach employees about requirements to inventory and handle remains and artifacts, said Amy Bentley-Smith, a spokesperson for the chancellors office. Newsom also took action on two other bills Tuesday. He signed a law to bolster protections for sexual assault survivors facing the threat of retaliatory lawsuits. The new law makes it clear that a victims comments about sexual assault or harassment are protected against defamation lawsuits if the allegation is not knowingly false or made recklessly. Survivors who supported the legislation have said a defamation lawsuit is often used as a retaliation tactic to disempower victims. Under the new law, a victim who successfully defends themselves in a defamation lawsuit will be able to recover attorneys fees and damages. The law comes years after a former state lawmaker sued a woman over her sexual misconduct allegations against him. In 2017, roughly 150 women signed a letter condemning a culture of pervasive misconduct and sexism in California politics where men forcefully groped women, made inappropriate comments about their bodies and undermined their expertise. The #MeToo movement spurred a slew of resignations by state lawmakers in California and in dozens of other states. Newsom also signed into law the Delete Act, a measure that will create a way for Californians to demand deletion of their personal data from all data brokers doing business in the state. Such companies typically make money off peoples data by collecting it from a variety of sources and then licensing or selling it to other firms, often for marketing purposes. Much of that collection takes place behind the scenes and without obvious notification to individual users. Brokers use the data they collect to build detailed profiles that can reveal your past purchases, consumer preferences and demographic data including income, education level and even real-time location. The new law builds upon existing protections that guarantee state residents the right to request data deletion but requires people to make separate requests to every broker. The Delete Act directs the states privacy agency to set up a portal where individuals can issue blanket data-deletion requests to many or all data brokers at once. ___ Associated Press reporters Tran Nguyen in Sacramento and David Hamilton in San Francisco contributed to this report. Sophie Austin 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 Austin on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: @sophieadanna By SOPHIE AUSTIN Associated Press/Report for America California-based Navy sailor pleads guilty to providing sensitive military information to China View Photo LOS ANGELES (AP) A U.S. Navy sailor charged with providing sensitive military information to China pleaded guilty in Los Angeles on Tuesday to conspiring with a foreign intelligence officer and receiving a bribe, federal prosecutors said. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, originally pleaded not guilty when he was charged Aug. 4. The Justice Department alleges that Zhao, based at Naval Base Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, conspired to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for information, photos and videos of involving Navy exercises, operations and facilities. The information included plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which detailed the location and timing of naval force movements, prosecutors said. The Chinese officer told Zhao the information was needed for maritime economic research to inform investment decisions, according to the indictment. Zhao, who also went by the name Thomas Zhao and held a U.S. security clearance, admitted he engaged in a corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the intelligence officer in violation of his official duties, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release Tuesday. Zhao, of Monterey Park, California, faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He has been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 3. Zhao was charged on the same day as another California-based Navy sailor who is accused of similar crimes. But they are separate cases, and federal officials havent said if the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme. Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, is charged with providing detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in San Diego. Last week, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer was charged in Seattle with attempting to provide classified defense information to the Chinese security services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sgt. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 29, was arrested Oct. 6 at San Francisco International Airport as he arrived from Hong Kong, where he had been living since March 2020, the Justice Department said. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with retention and attempted delivery of national defense information. U.S. District Court records in Seattle did not yet list an attorney representing Schmidt on the charges, and neither the U.S. attorneys office nor the federal public defenders office had information about whether he had a lawyer. An FBI declaration filed in the case quoted Schmidt as telling his sister in an email that he left the U.S. because he disagreed with unspecified aspects of American policy. Some Israelis abroad desperately try to head home to join reserve military units, or just to help Some Israelis abroad desperately try to head home to join reserve military units, or just to help View Photo LOS ANGELES (AP) At the most harrowing of times, some Israeli citizens living overseas arent running from the war at home, but to it. From Athens to New York, theyre rushing to airports and diving into online chat groups for help, desperate to make their way to the country after Hamas militants attacked. Some of these Israelis abroad are yearning to serve, whether that means fighting in a military reserve unit or volunteering to shuttle supplies to those in need, even as the war has already claimed at least 1,800 lives and shows no signs of abating. On Tuesday, Israels military expanded its mobilization of reservists to 360,000, according to the countrys media, as it ramped up its retaliation for the surprise attacks. Yaakov Swisa, a 42-year-old father of five, said nobody called and asked him to return to Israel to fight, but he feels he has no choice. He served for 15 years, and he said he learned his army roommate was among at least 260 killed at a music festival. Swisa wants to rejoin his reserve unit, even if that means leaving his family and his construction-business job in Los Angeles. Ive been crying for two, three days. Enough. Thats it. I am ready to fight, he said. What else would I do while my friends are being buried in Israel? Some of the Israelis living, working or just traveling abroad who were trying to make it back said their reserve units were among those called up. Others said they hadnt yet been called or couldnt reach their commanders but expected to be asked soon. In other cases, Israelis who are too young to serve in the military, as well as non-Israelis with close ties to the country, have been trying to travel to assist family members or volunteer. Adam Jacobs, an 18-year-old community college student in New Jersey, said he was born and raised in the U.S. and for years traveled every summer to visit family in Israel. He said he learned his cousin was among those killed, and he wants to make his way to Israel to take on volunteer work, possibly shuttling supplies. I couldnt live with myself if I stayed here, Jacobs said. Its never been this bad. Eric Fingerhut, a former U.S. congressman who now leads The Jewish Federations of North America, said hes not surprised by how many people want to help. As soon as we can possibly enable that, we certainly will, he said from Tel Aviv, where hed arrived just before the weekend attacks. There are many Israeli reservists who are abroad. And so getting them back home to join the fight, you know, has been a priority. And it should be a priority. So people are just scrambling. The war began after Hamas militants stormed into Israel Saturday during a major Jewish holiday, killing people and abducting others. In response, Israeli warplanes have hammered the Gaza Strip, destroying buildings and sending Palestinian residents scrambling to find safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory. Travel has been challenging, with major airlines suspending flights in and out of Israel. The U.S. State Department issued travel advisories for the region. Some reservists in the United States, home to more than 140,000 people born in Israel, were trying to get on charter flights. Ofer Cohen, a New York businessman, said he learned there were more than 200 reservists traveling through South America on vacation at the time of the attacks. Theyve been called back to base but unable to get there, thanks to canceled flights. So Cohen is trying to cobble together hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire a plane to pick them up, as WhatsApp messages describing their troubles keep rolling in. I just saw one after another, he said, and I thought about this idea of getting a charter plane and get them back to Israel. In Greece, hundreds of people waited hours to board emergency flights at Athens International Airport, many without a ticket and most traveling from other European destinations after cutting holiday and work trips short. As officers patrolled the area to provide security, volunteers handed travelers apples, bananas and bottled water. Nir Ekhouse, a 19-year old from near Nazareth, had been in the Maldives with family. They reached Athens via Istanbul as they tried to make it home. Once there, Ekhouse said, he plans to volunteer for an organization that supports the military. This is the first time in the history of Israel that something like that has happened. Its very shocking, he said, standing in line with his parents and younger siblings. Israel Lawrence, 27, was born in Israel and grew up in London. He said that although he hasnt been formally called up, hes making the trip to join his fellow soldiers, many already on the front lines, and help his family members, who are living in terror and chaos. I want to be honest with you, Im scared, said Lawrence, a trained rifleman who was on his way to Israel via Cyprus. All the guys Im with are terrified, but we are trained, and well do the best we can. __ Hadjicostis reported from Nicosia, Cyprus. Taxin reported from Santa Ana, California. Also contributing were: AP reporters Bobby Caina Calvan in New York, Lefteris Pitarakis and Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, John Leicester in Paris and Nicole Winfield and Patricia Thomas in Rome. By JOCELYN NOVECK, MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS and AMY TAXIN Associated Press Live updates | Day 5 of the latest Israel-Palestinian war View Photo Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Hamas militants beheaded soldiers and raped women in their attack on Israel, and he vowed that Israel would crush and destroy Hamas in response to the attack. Netanyahu said every Hamas member was a dead man. Netanyahu made the remarks in a late-night televised address on the wars fifth day as Israeli planes pounded Gaza. The prime ministers allegations could not be independently confirmed, and authorities did not immediately offer further details. Rescue workers and witnesses have described horrifying scenes, including the slaughter of elderly people and finding bloody rooms crowded with massacred civilians. U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, and a campaign of pure cruelty. In the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, residents are facing ever-growing uncertainty after the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel and shut down Wednesday. Israel imposed what it called a complete siege on Gaza on Monday. The U.S. announced Wednesday that it is working with Egypt and Israel to open up safe corridors to get civilians out of Gaza. The war, which has claimed more than 2,300 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with a top political rival Wednesday to create a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge the stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. Israel is now determined to crush the groups hold in Gaza. Heres whats happening on Day 5 of the latest Israel-Palestinian war: STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS US CITIZENS TO RECONSIDER TRAVEL TO ISRAEL, WEST BANK WASHINGTON The State Department upgraded its travel warning for Israel and the West Bank on Wednesday to Level 3, reconsider travel. It kept its travel advisory for Gaza at the departments highest warning level, Level 4, meaning do not travel. The State Department cited extremists continuing to plot attacks, the possibility of violence erupting without warning, and increased demonstrations. The travel warning comes as five days of rocket fire and missile barrages between the Hamas militant group and Israel already have led many airlines to suspend commercial flights. BIDEN SPEAKS WITH UAE PRESIDENT ABOUT HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE WASHINGTON U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed on Wednesday about ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need as the war between Israel and Hamas extends into a fifth day, the White House said. The UAE was the first Gulf country to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which saw Bahrain and Morocco also establish diplomatic ties with Israel. FAR-RIGHT PROTESTERS RIOT OUTSIDE HOSPITAL IN TEL AVIV TEL AVIV, Israel More than a hundred far-right protesters rioted outside one of the main hospitals in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night after hearing reports that doctors there were treating a militant from Hamas, according to Hagai Levine, Chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians. Protesters from La Familia a group of notoriously racist Jerusalem fans of the Beitar soccer team blocked the main entrance to the emergency room for three hours, according to videos circulated by doctors on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The ultranationalist soccer fans clashed violently with police and disrupted the passage of emergency crews into the hospital. At the time of the riot, Sheba hospital was not treating any militants from Hamas, Levine said. Its unclear if militants have been treated in Israels public hospitals since the Hamas rampage on Saturday. The protest came on the heels of a letter circulated Wednesday by Israeli health minister Moshe Arbel that barred Israels public hospitals from treating militants. Arbel wrote that injured militants should be referred to the Israeli military or Israels intelligence services. IRANIAN PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO SAUDI ARABIAN CROWN PRINCE ABOUT WAR, NEWS AGENCY SAYS JERUSALEM Iranian hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi has spoken by telephone to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time to discuss the Israel-Palestinian war, the state-run news agency reported Wednesday. IRNA cited an online message from an adviser to Raisi acknowledging a 45-minute call between the two men on Wednesday. There was no immediate acknowledgment from the kingdom. Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a Chinese-mediated detente earlier this year. BIDEN CONNECTS HAMAS ATTACK TO DECADES OF ANTISEMITISM WASHINGTON U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday once again condemned the weekend attack by Hamas militants on Israel, and sought to connect it directly to decades of antisemitism and violence endured by Jews around the world. This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people, Biden said. We have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale, beyond the pale. Biden had what was at least his fourth phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. He said that during conversations with him, he stressed that it is really important that Israel operate by the rules of war as it strikes back against Hamas. And there are rules of war, Biden said. TURKEY NEGOTIATING FOR RELEASE OF HOSTAGES HELD BY HAMAS ANKARA, Turkey Turkey is holding negotiations for the release of civilian hostages held by Hamas, a Turkish official said Wednesday. The official said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had instructed Turkish officials to hold talks with Hamas for the release of the civilians. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, could not provide further details on the negotiations. Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and has frequently hosted members of the group. Turkey also recently restored full diplomatic ties with Israel after the two countries fell out following a U.S. decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. - Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser contributed to this report. UN ENVOY IN CAIRO WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO END WAR UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Mideast envoy is in Cairo working with other key regional and international partners and the Egyptian government on ending the Hamas-Israel conflict, preventing its expansion, and opening a humanitarian corridor to deliver fuel, food and water to access to Gaza which Israel has cut off, the United Nations said Wednesday. Tor Wennesland is following up on Egypts offer to facilitate humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing and to make the El Arish airport available for critical assistance, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Meanwhile, the U.N. humanitarian office reports that 263,000 people have been displaced in Gaza, a 40% increase since Tuesday, Dujarric said. More than 1,000 housing units in Gaza have been destroyed and about 560 severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable in the past day, the U.N. said. MOURNERS FILL EUROPES LARGEST SYNAGOGUE TO REMEMBER VICTIMS BUDAPEST, Hungary Mourners filled Europes largest synagogue in Hungarys capital on Wednesday in remembrance of the hundreds of people that were killed in unprecedented attacks against Israel over the weekend by Hamas fighters. The rabbinic service and solidarity commemoration in Budapests Dohany Street Synagogue drew around 3,000 people, including the countrys president, its chief rabbi, the Catholic Primate of Hungary and the mayor of Budapest. Waving Israeli flags and lighting candles following the service, those gathered listened to the names being read aloud of some of the Israelis killed so far in the war. Some wept as the names were read. PALESTINIAN WORKERS ARRIVING IN WEST BANK FROM GAZA RAMALLAH, West Bank Palestinians who have been expelled from their workplaces in Israel have begun showing up in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where a temporary shelter was set up to house them. The sudden influx of about 600 workers created an overwhelming situation that is bound to get worse as more arrive, Ramallah Governor Laila Ghannam said Wednesday. At the shelter where men sat on mattresses, some workers said they had been abused by Israeli soldiers. We were working and everything was fine, and suddenly they came to us and detained us, said Raed Al-Moghribi. When we told them that we are from Gaza, they started beating us. The workers began arriving in Ramallah on Wednesday after Israeli security forces brought them to checkpoints in the West Bank. Khader Achour, another Gaza resident who had worked in Israel, said he wanted to return home but it had been demolished and his nephew, cousin and neighbor had all been killed. I wish to return to my family in Gaza to die among them, Achour said. Violence in the West Bank continued to flare Wednesday, with Palestinian health officials reporting that 29 Palestinians had been killed in the Israeli-occupied territory since the start of the Hamas invasion. THE DEATH TOLL OF US CITIZENS RISES TO 22 AFTER HAMAS ATTACK WASHINGTON The number of U.S. citizens who have died in the Israel-Palestinian war has risen to 22, a White House official said Wednesday. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said he did not have details on where exactly the Americans were killed. He said there are at least 17 missing, and of those a handful are believed to be held hostage. NO CLEAR SIGN THAT IRAN WAS BEHIND HAMAS ATTACK, WHITE HOUSE SAYS WASHINGTON White House National Security spokesman John Kirby reiterated Wednesday that there is no clear sign that Iran was behind the Hamas attack on Israel. We havent seen anything that tells they have specifically cut checks to support this set of attacks, or that they were involved in the training, Kirby said. And obviously, this required quite a bit of training by these terrorists. Kirby said officials are going to continue to review the intelligence to see if that leads us to a different conclusion. Earlier Wednesday, a U.S. official said information collected thus far suggests that while senior Iranian government officials were likely aware that Hamas was broadly planning operations against Israel, they appeared to be caught off-guard by the exact timing and scope of the multipronged attack carried out by Hamas militants on Saturday. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the intelligence and spoke on condition of anonymity. - Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report. WHITE HOUSE SAYS US WORKING TO ALLOW SAFE PASSAGE OUT OF GAZA FOR CIVILIANS WASHINGTON The U.S. is in active conversations to achieve safe passage out of Gaza for civilians, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. Kirby noted that Israel and Egypt are the two most significant players in the efforts. We are having active conversations about trying to allow for that safe passage, Kirby said. Its the civilians who did nothing wrong so we want to make sure they have a way out. Kirby did not release any other details, such as whether aid groups would be able to use the safe corridors to bring in supplies. ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE CAIRO Arab foreign ministers called for an immediate cease-fire Wednesday in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza. The ministers call came in a statement released after their meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, which was called by the Palestinians to discuss the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war. The communique condemned the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of all detainees held either by Israel or the Palestinians. The ministers also called for Israel to end its siege on Gaza, and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, food and fuel to Palestinians in the enclave. DEATH TOLL OF UN STAFFERS IN GAZA RISES TO 11 BEIRUT The deputy director of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says 11 staffers have been killed in Gaza since Saturday. Jenifer Austin said in a statement Wednesday that the dead include five teachers at UNRWA schools, one gynecologist, one engineer, one psychological counselor and three support staff. She said some of the victims were killed in their homes with their families. UNRWA mourns this loss and is grieving with our colleagues and the families, she said. NETANYAHU AND OPPOSITION AGREE ON UNITY GOVERNMENT, WAR CABINET AFTER HAMAS ATTACK JERUSALEM A top opposition Israeli politician says he has reached an agreement to enter a wartime unity government with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff, released what he said was a joint statement with Netanyahu. The statement said they would form a five-member war-management Cabinet. It will consist of Netanyahu, Gantz, current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and two other top officials serving as observer members. It said the government would not pass any legislation or decisions that are not connected to the war as long as the fighting continues. It was not immediately clear what would happen to Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. PROMINENT MOSQUE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO WAR CRIMES BY ISRAEL CAIRO Al-Azhar al-Sharif, the Sunni worlds foremost seat of religious learning, on Wednesday called for an international investigation into allegations of war crimes by Israel against civilian Palestinians in Gaza. In a strongly worded statement, the Cairo-based religious institution called for Arab and Islamic countries to take a serious and unified position against the Wests inhuman rally behind Israels attacks against innocent Palestinian civilians. It said Israels inhuman siege, which included cutting off electricity and water, and preventing the delivery of food and humanitarian aid to the strip, is a genocide and war crimes. By The Associated Press Belgiums prime minister says his country supports a ban on Russian diamonds as part of sanctions Belgiums prime minister says his country supports a ban on Russian diamonds as part of sanctions View Photo BRUSSELS (AP) Belgiums prime minister said his country, which has the biggest interest in the global diamond trade in the European Union, is supporting a ban on Russian diamonds as part of sanctions targeting President Vladimir Putins government for its war against Ukraine. This came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyas visit to Brussels on Wednesday. He has repeatedly asked for such a move since the start of Russias invasion in February 2022. For months, the Group of Seven advanced economies and the EU have been working on a way to trace and restrict the trade in Russian diamonds to prevent it from skirting the sanctions. Russia exports about $4 billion worth of rough diamonds a year, nearly a third of the worlds total, according to various estimates. Asked when the ban will enter into force, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said, the goal is January 1st of 2024. According to The Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the worlds most important diamond trading hub, 84% of all rough diamonds mined worldwide are traded in the Belgian city, making it the most important gateway to the world for Russian diamonds. It has taken some time, because we want to avoid that diamonds ban would be circumvented, De Croo said, sitting next to Zelenskyy. If you only do it on the wholesale markets, then it will be traded to other diamond centers in the world, he added. And we will still have it in our shops, and it would make no difference for Russia. This full traceability and this full banning on the retail markets is the only way to make sure that Russia is not financing the war anymore with those diamonds. Diamond imports from Russia to the EU have not been hit by the 27-nation blocs measures so far, which have hurt many sectors of the Russian economy, including the lucrative gas and oil. In Belgium, the diamond sector accounts for 6,600 direct jobs and 26,000 indirect jobs, with annual trade amounting to 37 billion dollars. Diamonds represent about 5% of total Belgian exports to the EU and 15% outside the European bloc. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine By SAMUEL PETREQUIN Associated Press Record-Journal staff MERIDEN A former employee of Jonal Labs in Meriden has been charged with calling in multiple bomb threats that forced the evacuation of the Center Street business and shut down all rail traffic through the city. Gamalier Santiago, 29, was arrested last week as a fugitive from justice in Massachusetts. He is awaiting extradition to Connecticut to face two counts of first-degree threatening related to the bomb threats. Santiagos mother, Rosa Alvis, was also arrested and charged with Interfering with a police investigation. On Feb. 9, at around 9:49 a.m., a bomb threat was called in to Jonal Labs at 456 Center St., according to police. The phone call prompted the evacuation of the business as well as a satellite office location on Pratt Street. All rail traffic through Meriden was also shut down due to the business proximity to the railroad tracks, police said. A nearby family owned restaurant, La Azoguenita, was forced to evacuate and close, while several area residents were asked to evacuate and also prohibited from returning to their residences. A second bomb threat was called in on Feb. 21 at 9:16 a.m., according to police. This bomb threat caused the same level of disruption as the first incident, police said. During both threats, several organizations responded to assist in the investigation, including State Police, Amtrak Police, Midstate Medical Center and New Britain Transportation. Both threats were assigned to Meriden Police Det. Jon Femia, who worked with various other agencies including the FBI on the investigation. With the assistance of the South Hadley, Massachusetts Police Department, Santiago was taken into custody on Oct. 6. Bond for each of the threatening charges is $25,000. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, following the results of the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format), stated that the United States could and would do everything necessary to support both Ukraine and Israel. Austin said during a briefing with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Brown that in terms of the United States' ability to continue to support efforts both in Ukraine and Israel, they can certainly do both. And they will do this. As the minister said, the United States is the strongest nation. And they are going to do whatever it takes to help their allies and partners. We will also ensure that we maintain our own capabilities to protect our interests and protect our country, the U.S. Secretary of Defense said. Answering a question about further assistance to Kyiv in connection with the situation in Congress, the Pentagon head expressed confidence that bipartisan support for Ukraine remains. I have told my colleagues that I am confident, based on my interactions with members of Congress, that Ukraine continues to have bipartisan support, Austin said. He also informed his colleagues about the high level of support for Ukraine from the American people. Because Ukraine is really important, the minister added. Man Spends a Month in Jail for Alleged Presidential Insult A 28-year old unemployed man from Mutare, Zimbabwe spent one month behind bars over an alleged insult directed at President Emmerson Mnangagwa. According to lawyers, Elroy Anesu Muchaya was only recently granted bail after his arrest last month. Records indicate Muchaya was detained on September 6th under a law that prohibits undermining or insulting the authority of the President. Its reported he entered a local traffic police office that morning, stepped on the counter and removed Mnangagwas portrait and said: Munhu uyu arikukonzeresa kuti nditambure (this person is the one causing my suffering. Witnesses say Muchaya made a comment blaming the President for his current struggles. Muchaya denies the accusation and maintains his innocence. Nonetheless, prosecutors pursued the case vigorously, arguing his statements were unlawful and abusive. He was represented by Chris Ndlovu of ZLHR and Takunda Musara of Gonese Ndlovu Legal Practitioners. After a full month in pre-trial detention, a local magistrate finally granted him bail last week. However, the charges have not been dropped and Muchaya must return to court on October 19th to face the allegations. His lawyers believe the charge and length of remand imprisonment were unjustified and constituted an overreach. Breaking News via Email Exiled Politician Warns of Further Opposition Recall Efforts Former Zimbabwe Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi, now living in exile in South Africa, has issued a strong warning about the situation unfolding in parliament. He believes Speaker of the House Jacob Mudenda will help President Emmerson Mnangagwa gain a two-thirds majority through aggressive recalls of opposition MPs. Mzembis comment comes after Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim Secretary-General, wrote to Mudenda withdrawing 15 CCC legislators. This has caused chaos within the opposition, as Mudenda has informed vacancies must be filled. In a social media post, Mzembi argued Mudenda remains loyal to ZANU-PF as a politburo member. He will thus facilitate the ruling partys agenda, including achieving the supermajority needed to amend the constitution. Mzembi also contended Mudenda will utilize Tshabangu to systematically recall more CCC MPs in batches. The end goal, Mzembi asserted, is to split the CCC by pressuring remaining MPs to recognize Tshabangus leadership. He advised Zimbabweans and the CCC to brace for further recalls, and questioned what voters themselves will do in response. Mzembi felt the CCC decision to challenge the recalls in court gave legitimacy to a system that previously invalidated opposition challenges. He warned of more painful decisions that may be needed from the CCC regarding their parliamentary and local representatives. Mzembi wrote on his X handle: As long as this man Jacob Mudenda is a Zanu PF Politburo Member reporting to President Mnangagwa and is whipped by his Chief Whip during Zanu PF Caucuses there will be no separation of powers between the Executive and Parliament. He will facilitate anything Zanu PF wants including a 2/3 Majority for its Third Term Project. He will also through the tortoise on the fence post Tshabangu recall @CCCZimbabwe MPs at will in batches until the few remaining in Parly recognise Tshabangu as SG, agenda being splitting of this Party. Already the please dont recall me SG pleas seem to be in motion from the intelligence at hand. So the first wave has hit , there will be a second one and so forth CCC has decided to go to Court, Zanu PF is happy with this response which recognises the Courts after their invalidation when this Party did not contest its dispute of the Presidential Ballot result. The legitimacy question is being settled . Byo had a fair chance at the Courts during the Caretaker phase of this administration now they have fully assumed power. Beware the ides of Baghdad! A Political or Legal response or both is the Big Q? Can CCC move its Parliamentary and Council Reps out of their new comfort zones without consequence is the next Big Q? What will be the arguments for and against some painful decisions which clearly need to be considered . Is this about CCC only or about the Voter , and What is the Voter saying? Breaking News via Email There was chaos in Zimbabwes Parliament yesterday after anti-riot police were called to remove protesting opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators. The CCC members were upset over the recall of 15 of their colleagues from Parliament. This all stems from a man named Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the interim secretary-general of the CCC party despite the party disputing this. Tshabangu had announced the recall of 15 CCC MPs and 17 local councillors, alleging they were no longer party members. When Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda officially announced the recalls, chaos erupted. CCC MPs started loudly singing songs and chanting slogans against Mudenda, disrupting proceedings. CCC official Amos Chibaya argued Mudenda was overstepping by accepting recalls from Tshabangu instead of their actual party president, Nelson Chamisa. Mudenda ordered the recalled MPs to leave, but they refused and continued protesting. This led to police being called in to forcibly remove the rowdy CCC legislators. Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was unavailable for comment on the police action. Mudenda also decided to ban all CCC MPs from Parliament for six sessions and withhold two months of their salaries for boycotting the Presidents speech last week. As turmoil ensued, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa was holding emergency meetings in Harare to strategize next steps. Party spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said they would make an announcement after internal discussions. But we will not allow Zanu PF to subvert the will of the people, he asserted. Chamisa and CCC reject Tshabangu as a ZANU-PF plant. However, ZANU-PF denies involvement in the recalls. Rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa also staged a solo protest decrying the insult to Bulawayo voters. Mudenda declined further comment to a reporter. Breaking News via Email In a harrowing incident, a taxi driver from Bulawayo narrowly escaped with his life after being violently attacked by three individuals who hired him and subsequently stole his vehicle. Blessing Ngwenya (30), Thinkwell Moyo (30) from Nkulumane suburb, and Christopher Tigere (48) from Rusape in Manicaland province appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Joseph Mabeza, facing charges of motor vehicle theft. They pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody pending the start of their trial. According to the allegations, on August 17, at approximately 10 p.m., Brian Moyo was approached by one of the suspects while he was seeking customers at a city night club located at the intersection of 11th Avenue and George Silundika Street. The suspect hired Moyo to drive them to Nketa suburb, and he agreed to the request. Upon reaching another club, they picked up two additional individuals, and together they proceeded towards Nketa suburb. However, when they arrived at Nketa 9 flats, one of the perpetrators abruptly pulled the gear lever to park, engaged the handbrake, and brought the vehicle to a halt. In a brutal turn of events, the trio viciously assaulted the victim, prompting him to flee, leaving behind his vehicle and mobile phone. Seizing the opportunity, the perpetrators swiftly sped away from the scene. Moyo promptly informed his employer, Patrick Murevanemwe, about the robbery. Murevanemwe, utilizing the mobile tracker on the stolen phone, determined the direction in which the culprits were headingalong the Bulawayo-Harare highway. The matter was immediately reported to the police, who subsequently alerted their counterparts in Gweru. The following day, around 2 a.m., the Gweru police intercepted the vehicle at a tollgate approximately 20 kilometers after Gweru. As a result, the law enforcement agents successfully apprehended the three suspects, and the vehicle, valued at US$5,000, was recovered. Breaking News via Email Worlds Biggest Pumpkin Crowned At 50th Annual Competition Weather Channel (furzy) Giant Solar Storm 14,000 Years Ago Leaves The Carrington Event in The Dust ScienceAlert (Chuck L) Lost holy grail film of life in Brazils Amazon 100 years ago resurfaces Guardian (Kevin W) Silent walking is taking off on TikTok, but what does it actually say about us? ABC Australia (Kevin W) The worlds first true female car crash dummy is here and its a big deal ZMEScience (Dr. Kevin) Tragedy Beyond the Battlefield: Grief in Homers Iliad and WWI Poetry Antigone #COVID-19 ma writesSeems like Covid is getting a bit surgy around the globe.: The study adds to the already large body of evidence that COVID-19 is nothing like 'the flu.' It is far worse" https://t.co/6qTbDd1iy1 "SARS-CoV-2 is now the only respiratory virus known to directly infect blood vessels. People whove had Covid at least 5 times describe how the illness changed with each reinfection NBC (Carla). Covid 5x??? Climate/Environment How the Winnemem Winto won their ancestral land back and help save Chinook Salmon Vox (furzy) China? e.g. he is quite clear that the demarcation point when China started overinvesting was in the mid-2000s, when its debt/GDP "began to surge" pic.twitter.com/batV4vX31r Canada-India Row Trudeau Has Thus Far Failed To Internationalize The Indian-Canadian Dispute Andrew Korybko European Disunion Gaza If this is Israels 9/11, we should remember what happened next openDemocracy The Qatari elephant in the room Jordan Schachtel (furzy) Israel Confesses War Crime Moon of Alabama After Biden cheered on Israels decimation of Gaza, The Grayzones @MaxBlumenthal challenged the State Dept on the calls for genocide and collective punishment by Israeli leaders, and pressed @StateDeptSpox to acknowledge that Israel has killed masses of children this week pic.twitter.com/hskUQOrcUj The Grayzone (@TheGrayzoneNews) October 10, 2023 Gaza will soon be a tent city says Israeli official as IDF launches 250 airstrikes in one hour into Gazas Nest of Terror and readies for ground invasion: Generals have released all restraints on its troops for fight against Hamas Daily Mail Israel Has Never Needed to Be Smarter Than in This Moment New York Times (David L) Israeli troops massing at Gaza border ready to execute the mission BBC In blistering remarks, Biden commits aid, intel, and military assets to Israel Responsible Statecraft Jacob Dreizin, in his characteristic hyperbolic non-PC way, writes in his latest: U.S., Polish, Spanish military cargo aircraft flying from Europe and as far as Dover AFB delivered additional war materiel to Israel yesterday (Tuesday), & thats just what I know about, & its ONLY GETTING STARTED. Most deliveries so far are likely of bombs/fuses/JDAM kits, suggesting that Israel is cleared to drop AS MANY BOMBS AS IT NEEDS TO which means GLOBOHOMO JUST DOES NOT CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH CEMENT DUST GOES FLYING AROUND GAZA. jdams. what the us used on the prc embassy in belgrade. maybe these are the "advanced munitions" US flying into Israel https://t.co/YXDtsnkq7X chinahand (@chinahand) October 11, 2023 After demanding that Palestinians leave Gaza, the Israeli army is now bombing and reportedly killing civilians attempting to escape through the Rafah crossing to Egypt. This is hardly the first time its done this. pic.twitter.com/RKKUEXS3WQ Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) October 10, 2023 Ben Gvir says 10,000 assault rifles purchased for civilian security teams Times of Israel. Kevin W: Can you spell vigilantes? Breaking and very important. There is a reasonable possibility that Jerusalem is about to explode. Two Palestinian youths have been shot two death by Border Police in Silwan after firing fireworks at the Police. Ben Gvir is already boasting about it. Clashes all over Jslm Daniel Seidemann (@DanielSeidemann) October 10, 2023 Israel just shut a gas field near Gaza. Heres why that matters CNN (furzy) It Was Always BurningAndrei Martyanov, YouTube. From a couple of days ago. Important discussion of the viability of Israel attacking Iran. Israel-Hamas crisis tears a splintering ASEAN in half Asia Times (Kevin W) Yves here. Russia has tried to stay on a good footing with both sides in Israel-Palestine conflict. As Andrew Korybko pointed out in a recent post, Russia has supported Israel defending its national security interests. Both Korybko and Helmer below depict Putin as pro-Semitic. However, as we point out in Links today, a lot of Israeli little green men are reported to have decamped from Ukraine to Israel as a result of the Gaza hostilities. Not surprisingly, they almost certainly had been noticed by the MoD. By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears Until now Russia has never been so silent in the middle of a Middle Eastern war. Russian opinion pollsters are reluctant to reveal how far the countrys public opinion is moving away from Israel towards the Palestinians and the anti-American Arab and Iranian side. The silence from the Kremlin reveals how thoroughly the Israelis have burned their bridges to President Vladimir Putin, and how far, if silently, the Russian President has moved to the side of the General Staff in their assessment of Israel as hostile on the enemy front with the Ukraine, the US and NATO. Putins pro-semitism, on display in his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for several years, is now impossible in public, also in private. The Russian money which has moved easily between Moscow and Tel Aviv and exercised its influence on Putins dealings with the Israelis, is now fleeing back to Moscow with the oligarch, Mikhail Fridman. About Fridmans flight to safe haven in Russia, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has said: Fridman is a citizen of the Russian Federation. He can come back, live here, leave here, just like any other citizen of the Russian Federation. There is nothing unusual. About that, the Speaker of the Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, said something more unusual. Anyone who left the country and engaged in reprehensible acts, celebrating gunfire on Russian territory and wishing victory to the Nazi Kiev regime, should realize they are not only unwelcome here, but if they do return, Magadan [the gulag] is waiting for them. From a policy of equivalence and equivocation between Israel and the Arabs, Russia has reached the policy of engagement on the Arab side. The driver has been the US war to defeat and destroy Russia through the Ukraine. The longer the new Palestinian war lasts, the more clearly Russian military and political strategy in the Middle East will pursue a new anti-American line. The consequences are as great as the defeat of the US and NATO which Russia is now inflicting in Europe, and of the western sanctions war in the global commodity markets and the trading lanes at sea. We are witnessing a sharp deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, Putin said in his public welcome for Iraqs prime minister, Muhammed Shia al-Sudani, at the Kremlin on Tuesday morning. I think that many will agree with me that this is a clear example of the United States failed policy in the Middle East, which tried to monopolise the settlement process, but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides, but, on the contrary, put forward its own ideas about how this should be done and put pressure on both sides, truly both first on one, then on the other. But each time without considering the fundamental interests of the Palestinian people, bearing in mind, first of all, the need to implement the decision of the UN Security Council on the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. The Foreign Ministry followed Putin later in the afternoon, when the regular weekly briefing by Maria Zakharova was advanced several days early in order to report there have been direct negotiations with the leaders of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Arab League, Iran, and Turkey not with Israel.* The US bet on the freezing of the status quo and the promotion of economic peace, as well as the use of collective formats tailored for crisis response, has not justified itself, Zakharova said. Everyone sees the resultThe statements of American politicians and public figures calling for ethnic cleansing in the region look monstrous. They openly call for one group of people [to be] near-doomed to complete destruction. Once again, aggression, violation of the rule of law, and the cavemans hatred have emerged on the surface of the American declarations of good looks and human rights dogmas. In the first direct Russian warning to the US Navy force in the Eastern Mediterranean, Zakharova added: So far we see that the situation is developing along the path of escalation. There is a great risk of involving third forces in this conflict. And this is fraught with long-term consequences for the region and for the world. Putin followed in the evening on the telephone with the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The need for an immediate ceasefire by both sides and the resumption of the negotiation process was emphasised, according to the Kremlins communique. Mutual readiness to actively contribute to this was expressedSeparate issues of Russian-Turkish cooperation in various fields were also touched upon. Erdogans press release was more revealing. He and Putin had touched upon what initiatives can be taken to meet humanitarian needs in the region, as the Turkish president told Putin that targeting civilian settlements is worrying and Turkiye does not welcome such move. Erdogans twitter announcement adds: President Erdogan and President Putin of Russia also exchanged views on potential initiatives to meet humanitarian needs in the region. This is a hint that Erdogan and Putin are contemplating a Turkish ship convoy of aid to Gaza, protected from Israeli attack by the Russian Navy from its Tartous base on the Syrian coast, and by the Russian Air Force from Hmeimim. This humanitarian operation by sea would aim at breaking the blockade of the coast by the Israelis, and running the gauntlet of the USS Gerald Ford and its squadron further offshore. If this operation, a reminder of the Gaza Flotilla of 2010, is in planning now the open signals are warning Washington and the US Navy to expect it then the confrontation, and the risk to the US and Israel of strategic defeat at sea, are unprecedented. The planning of Russian military protection of seaborne humanitarian aid convoys to the Gaza also extends to Egypt. This was touched on in the conversation which Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry had with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. That was followed by Egyptian press disclosure of Israeli warnings, following by bombings, to stop Egyptian trucks delivering aid into Gaza across the Rafah land bridge at the southern end of Gaza. An alternative Egyptian option is a naval convoy. If this will be coordinated through the Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry with an Erdogan-Putin plan of a Turkish convoy sailing from the north, the escalation to regional and superpower level will have materialised before the Israeli invasion of Gaza can preempt it. The Russian Defense Ministry has not been silent towards Israel in the past. Since the ambush by the Israel Air Force of the Russian Il-20 surveillance aircraft, and the killing of its 15-man crew in September 2018, the General Staff has said it has been reserving its moves against the Israelis while identifying them as the enemy. Vzglyad, the Moscow platform for Russian military and security thinking, editorialised on April 17, 2023, that in siding with the Ukraine during the Special Military Operation, the Israeli government had become Russias adversary: The time has come to take a new position on the Palestinian issue. To take the celebration of Al-Quds Day to a new level, as well as to take a more pro-Palestinian position in the Middle East conflict. To stand on the side of those who help Russia within the framework of their own interests (Iran, Saudi Arabia) against those who help our enemies. And thereby to send a very clear signal to the world a signal that Russia will treat its partners exactly as they treat it. To help supporters and not to act in the interests of opponents. The creation of a humanitarian corridor was explicitly mentioned in the Foreign Ministry briefing on Tuesday. Tensions are rising in the West Bank of the Jordan River. There are high risks of the conflict spreading to the area of the Lebanese-Israeli border and drawing new parties into it. A large-scale humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes. The main thing now is to cease fire and stop the bloodshed. We support the efforts of interested parties aimed at solving this priority task. This would make it possible to avoid new victims, end the suffering of the civilian population, ensure its evacuation through humanitarian corridors and prevent the situation from sliding into a region-wide humanitarian catastrophe. This is not just a crisis or an emergency. We are talking about the fate of millions of people. Spokesman Zakharova also struck at the CIA and the Pentagon for their surprise defeat by Hamas. How did it happen that in a year; thats how much time the operation was being prepared for, then carried out now in a few days, the United States as Israels closest ally did not warn about this? They have satellites everywhere, appropriate tracking devices, military bases, including in the region. There are all the possibilities to carry out, not just monitoring, but surveillance the facts speak for themselves of all information circulating on American-made equipment (hardware and software). For the whole year of preparing such a large-scale operation, the United States with all the power of its special services did not transmit anything to Israel as intelligenceHow did it happen that during the whole year of preparation of the corresponding operation in the Middle East, the United States did not transmit any information to its partners in Israel? By contrast, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said, for two months at the end of 2021 and two months at the beginning of 2022, the United States at all levels told how Russia would attack Ukraine. This was done specifically to create an information backdrop in order to divert the eyes of the whole world from how, for all these years, the United States and their NATO colleagues (primarily the United Kingdom) have been pumping Ukraine with weapons and creating the anti-Russia project, an anti-Russian springboardAfter the corresponding instruction from Washington, a multiple increase in the shelling of Donbass by the regime of V.A. Zelensky followed. Then, in late 2021-early 2022, the US knew everything and told everyone. But in the area of their direct responsibility the Middle East has always been one of them in relation to the closest ally over which the American protectorate is carried out, the US special services, the State Department and the White House did not transmit any information necessary for self-defence. The first public indication of how Russian military intelligence and the General Staff assessed what had happened surfaced in Vzglyad on Sunday. Source: https://m.vz.ru/ Those who were previously perceived as peasants in woven slippers, capable at best of blowing up a bus stop, destroyed one of the myths about the state of Israel in a few hours, Yevgeny Krutikov concluded after itemizing the weaknesses of Israels defence lines, over-confidence in its technology, and under-estimation of Arab capabilities. The IDF [Israel Defence Forces] was in a comaThus, Israel has suffered losses more important than just tragic losses in manpower and equipment. The Palestinian attack has destroyed the idea of how the Israeli security forces are organised and how capable they are. It has turned out that the Israeli security forces rest on the laurels of the victories of past generations. Intelligence and counterintelligence are ineffective, and the Israeli military has been asleep through the changes in combat tactics taking place during the contemporary conflicts right now. In a personal Telegram post, Krutikov spelled out the consensus of Russian military staff thinking at present: 1. The IDF and the Mossad were completely unprepared. There is no primary protection system, the garrisons of the border posts were fast asleep on Saturday on the [Simchat Torah religious] holiday. The Arabs on foot, slowly, reached the unguarded positions of the Jews. The very idea of these posts was nonsense. 2. They dont know what drones, air defence systems and all of this are at all. The Iron Dome is a fiction. Theyve been living in some kind of fantasy world for the last few years.3. Everything about Israel is a myth. There is no such defence system, there is no such intelligence. Their PR is solid. 4. Either the Arabs were trained in a special way, or they somehow unexpectedly evolved into a new form of life. The operation was planned for at least a year, taking into account all the new trends5. A huge amount of weapons from the Arabs could not fall from the sky. How did it get there? again, we convey our warmest greetings to the Israeli mother of intelligence. 6. Tactical training is completely absent. As well as the vaunted patriotism. 7. Exceptional cruelty is a sign not only of this region. God is dead, including the Jewish God. 8. Where else will catch fire? In a last line intended to be an ironic echo of the Orthodox Jewish belief in the apocalypse, Krutikov wrote: Truly, the last days are coming. The reporter, who has served in the field as a GRU officer, reported in Vzglyad on Sunday: It is clear that Israel is technologically stronger. If it follows that, sooner or later, such a degree of destruction of Gaza will be achieved, that Tel Aviv will be able to call a victory, nevertheless the Arabs have already achieved the main thing: they have destroyed the myths around Israels defence systems, and this moral victory is much more important than the purely military counterattack that the Jewish state is now organizing against them. Furthermore, the events of these days may reshape the entire military-political structure of the Middle East, and lead to the emergence of new alliances and new front lines. Against the background of all other world events, this is almost the most terrible thing that could happen. Late on Tuesday, US time, a NATO veteran of the Afghan war cast doubt on what the Israeli offensive will be able to achieve in Gaza. The Israelis dont have the staying power to dig through, let alone occupy, Fort Gaza. Now, thanks to the bombing, theyve turned it into a giant improved defence complex. Its sure to be laced with tunnels and other underground workings well-stocked with food, water, medical supplies, weapons, ammunition, etc. We can bet those workings crisscross the border with Egypt. We can also bet that, no matter how nervous General Sisi [President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, right], there is certainly Egyptian support where it counts now. The Israelis are said to be mobilising 300,000 reservists. How long can such a mobilisation last before it tells on the countrys economy? The US, after nearly exhausting its arms stocks, and a great deal of treasure, on the war against Russia via the Ukraine, has little to show for it. How will giving Israel all it needs to slog through the ruins of the Gazan death trap work out any better? All of this goes without counting what the Russians, Turks, Iranians, Lebanese in the form of Hezbollah, and others, may do. If the Russians launch a blockade-busting run with the Turks, will the Americans and Israelis risk a nuclear exchange trying to stop them? Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal hopes for Slovakia to join the mechanism for verification and coordination of four groups of Ukrainian agricultural exports operating with Romania and Bulgaria. He announced this on his Telegram channel on Wednesday evening following a conversation with Prime Minister of Slovakia Ludovit Odor, during which the heads of government discussed issues of transit of Ukrainian agricultural products. "We are working together with the European Commission to expand the solidarity lanes with Slovakia. There is progress in this direction. Ukraine has introduced a mechanism for verification and coordination of four groups of Ukrainian agricultural exports, currently operating with Romania and Bulgaria. This is the basis for further dialogue. We expect that Slovakia will also join such an initiative and lift national restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products," Shmyhal wrote. The head of the Ukrainian government said that he thanked Odor "for constructive cooperation and support." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed the issues that NATO Defence Ministers will discuss over the next two days in Brussels, including support for Ukraine, strengthened deterrence and defence, NATO operations and missions, and the situation in the Middle East. He was joined by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy who is at NATO Headquarters to take part in the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, alongside more than 50 countries. The Secretary General told President Zelenskyy that your fight is our fight, your security is our security, and your values are our values. And we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. He indicated that we will further strengthen our relationship and help Ukraine move towards NATO membership. Allied Defence Ministers will meet with their Ukrainian counterpart, Minister Umerov, in the NATO-Ukraine Council this afternoon to discuss the situation in Ukraine and NATOs continued support. Tomorrows (Thursday 12 October 2023) discussions will focus on deterrence and defence. Ministers will take stock of the work underway to resource and exercise the robust defence plans that Allied leaders agreed at the Vilnius Summit. They will also address NATOs missions and operations, including in Kosovo and in Iraq, and discuss the recent damage to undersea infrastructure between Estonia and Finland. Regarding this incident, the Secretary General said that the important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen. If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure, then this will be of course serious, but it will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO. Defence Ministers will also discuss the situation in the Middle East in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks by Hamas against NATO partner Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will brief NATO Allies on Israels response. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday (11 October 2023) welcomed Allies' new pledges of support for Ukraine as Russia is preparing once again to use winter as a weapon of war. Speaking after the first NATO-Ukraine Council at ministerial level, Mr Stoltenberg said NATO would provide more cold weather clothing, demining capabilities, fuel, and medical equipment to help Ukraine weather another difficult winter. Allies discussed Ukraines priorities on its path to NATO membership, including long-term interoperability with NATO and defence procurement. Summing up the outcomes of a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a group of over 50 countries that support Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg welcomed announcements by Allies to provide further aid to Ukraine, including F-16 jets and training, as well as air defences, ammunition, and demining equipment. Your fight is our fight, your security is our security and your values are our values Mr Stoltenberg said alongside President Zelenskyy this morning, adding that we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. This was President Zelenskyys first visit to NATO headquarters since Russias 2022 invasion. On the sidelines of the Ministerial, Defence Ministers from ten Allied countries signed an agreement that will build the legal framework for any future air defence purchases under the Sky Shield Initiative. On Thursday (12 October 2023), NATO defence ministers will discuss strengthening the Alliances deterrence and defence, military operations in Iraq and Kosovo, and the situation in the Middle East, with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant set to join via videoconference. Ministers will also discuss damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. If the damage to an undersea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable between Estonia and Finland is proven to be the result of a deliberate attack it will be met by a united and determined response, the Secretary General said. (As delivered) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: President Zelenskyy, dear Volodymyr, It is a great honour and privilege to welcome you back here to the NATO Headquarters. And to return the warm welcome you gave me when I visited Kyiv just a couple of weeks ago. Your leadership, the bravery of the Ukrainian armed forces, the resolve of the Ukrainian people continue to impress and inspire all of us. And as you know, we will stand by you, provide support to Ukraine, because this is really important for the whole of NATO. NATO Defence Ministers will meet today and tomorrow. We will of course address Ukraine. We will meet in the US-led Ukraine Contact Group, where we will mobilize more support, coordinate our military support to Ukraine. We will meet in the NATO-Ukraine Council, that we established at the Vilnius Summit. That will further strengthen our relationship and help Ukraine move towards NATO membership. We will also tomorrow meet and address deterrence and defence. We agreed the new defence plans at the Vilnius Summit. And now everything is about implementing those defence plans, with 300,000 troops on high readiness. We will also address NATOs missions and operations, including our presence in Iraq, helping to prevent ISIS from returning. And also our presence in Kosovo. We have seen new increased tensions there, so its important that NATO has increased its presence in Kosovo. Then we will also address the incident in the Baltic Sea, with the damage caused to critical undersea infrastructure. I spoke with President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas yesterday and we are in close contact. The important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen. If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure, then this will be of course serious, but it will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO. And tomorrow, we will also be briefed by the Israeli Defence Minister Gallant on the situation in Israel. Allies condemned the horrific terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Israel over the weekend. And we are looking forward to the briefing from the Defence Minister. So once again, dear President Zelenskyy, dear Volodymyr, welcome to NATO. Your fight is our fight. Your security is our security and your values are our values. We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Welcome. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Thank you so much. Secretary General first of all thank you so much that two weeks ago I think youve been to Kyiv and it was very important meeting. We spoke about priorities for Ukraine, for defending how to go, how to survive during this next winter for us is one of the biggest challenges what will be but anyway we are preparing. We are ready now, we need some support from the leaders. That is why I am here today. Thank you for the invitation. Of course I will have the possibility to speak and address all the ministers of defence on the platform. Rammstein is so important, about 50 representatives of Ministers of Defence and their teams and Ministers so important. We will speak about priorities how to push Russia out, it means out of our native land and it means we will stop the war and yes we will speak about it. You mentioned Secretary that tomorrow you will speak about the situation in Israel. There will be some signals from us from Ukraine. Of course we are in a war so we understand what does it mean terroristic attacks, such victims, tragedy. My recommendation if I can use this word, my recommendation for the leaders of the world I remember the first days of our full scale war, it began from terroristic attacks from Belorus by missile then Russian army, that was the biggest tragedy what we had so many dying people and so many deaths, so many and it was very importantnot to be alone, very important. And it can help to save your nation people save the lives. So my recommendation to the leaders to go to Israel and I think to support people, just people. I am not speaking about any institutions, just to support people who have been under terroristic attacks, people who are dying now. It is very important. Unity is more important than to be alone. It is more strong. It is very important. That is what I can say about it. Sometimes we are thinking how to prevail or how to stop the war, how to manage dialogue with Iran or Russia. I think we have to think oppositely. We have not to give possibility for aggressors even to think about the third world war, the new wave of aggression, the new big tragedy. That means if there is a big political support of the people this means unity. That is why I recommend to go there. Of course Israeli side will be ready. NATO Spokesperson Dylan White: We will take a question from Kyiv independent President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: I have to answer in English. I said already that it is very important that there are priorities. Air defence systems. It is not just basic words. We need concrete things and we need them in very concrete geographic points on our land to save energy networks, to save people, to save grain, to save these routes for Africa, Asia, for the world. So it is important. There are long distance missiles or long distance weapons doesnt matter how you call the problem, how to get it, yes because you need these especially for the one reason to push Russia out of our land. I think these two things are the most important. The third thing how to defend, just to stay each day and defend. It is not just about counter offensive. Counter defensive is one direction but you also have to defence because opposite you is Russia, big army of these terrorists. That is about artillery. Just speaking about artillery. Three very concrete things. NATO Spokesperson Dylan White: Kyiv independent please NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: I think she is supposed to have the question. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: About EU I'm so sorry, very quickly about EU. I don't know, maybe we'll meet with President Michel, or We will see what will be today, because everything is very quick. But I will be happy. We will have this plan. Our teams will connect. But anyway, we had a meeting some days ago with President Michel, we spoke about it. Almost everything is ready from our side to open negotiations. So we have done almost everything. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: Fine. Kyiv Independent now. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Okay. Asami Terajima (Kyiv Independent): (Inaudible) Ukrainian. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: And its true, Kyiv is independent. Asami Terajima (Kyiv Independent): Thank you, Im from Kyiv. Ukrainian soldiers on the ground say there is severe lack of ammunition, particularly mortar bombs. That makes it even more difficult to wage a counteroffensive. What are NATO countries trying to help Ukraine and how soon can we expect rapid increases in price, and why has it been taking so long for NATO countries to increase the production of ammunition to match their needs? And sorry, Mr. Zelenskyy, I have a what are the most critical weapons that you need your country needs to to have a better result of the counteroffensive? NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: Well, first of all, we need today to mobilize more support for Ukraine. And as President Zelenskyy just said, this is about air defenses, about artillery, about ammunition. And I welcome the new announcement we have just heard in the last couple of days from Romania and also from Germany. And I expect more NATO Allies to make further announcements today for more support to Ukraine. Because we need to sustain and step up their support. Air defense is critical to protect the cities, the economy, the critical infrastructure of Ukraine. And that helps them to help themselves. Because then their economy can function, then things can work in Ukraine. And that will help Ukrainians to produce, to trade, to function as a normal country. And that will increase their ability to finance, and to provide also ammunition themselves for the war. What we are seeing now is that President Putin is preparing, once again, to use winter as a weapon of war. Meaning attacking the energy system, the gas infrastructure. We need to prevent that. And with more advanced and increased capabilities for air defense, we can make a big difference. NATO Allies have stepped up production. We have now 2,5 2,4 billion in what we call framework contracts for increased ammunition production, out of which 1 billion is firm contracts. And we're constantly working on ramping up production to enable Ukraine to continue to fight this just war, and to continue to move on to liberate the land. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Secretary General answered (inaudible) (Question inaudible) President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: We'll see, we'll have a meeting with Prime Minister, I hope. We will speak not only about F-16s. We also have to think how to live during the war. It means reconstruction, and there are some voices in the world that we don't have money to help Ukraine in reconstruction. The answer is very quick. You have assets, Russian assets. If they destroy us, we can use this money. Let's find the key to have this Russian money, and spend them on reconstruction of Ukraine. That is one of the main things that I want to speak about with the Prime Minister. NATO Secretary General: President Zelenskyy has to attend many important meetings. Now we need to end this. Thank you. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Thank you so much. At least 1000 killed, 1,590 injured so far in Hamas terror attacks on Israel The latest figures suggest that at least 1000 people have been killed and another 1,590 injured following "unprecedented attacks" by Hamas against Israel over the weekend. The Israeli military says it has since retaken full control of all communities in Gaza after the "surprise assault" that occurred on Saturday, the last official day of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot. Israel decided to take over Gaza despite warnings from Hamas that if the Israeli government targets anyone in the area, then civilian hostages would be executed without warning and those killings would be publicly broadcasted, Hamas promised. As of now, Israel has cut off all electricity, fuel, food, and even water from Gaza, and proceeded to "pound the enclave with airstrikes," to quote one media source. Gaza's health ministry says more than 550 Palestinians were killed in these strikes. Until instructed otherwise, Israelis in some areas of the country are being told to stay inside and lock their doors until given the all clear. Israeli security forces say they are busy trying to apprehend a number of Palestinian terrorists who they claim infiltrated from Gaza into Israeli territory to gun people down in the streets. "We need to take over Gaza and kill them," said Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi to Channel 12. "They need to be erased." (Related: Be sure to check out the untold story of the Pfizer COVID "vaccine" scam that swept Israel during the "pandemic.") Netanyahu's office says Israel must destroy military, government of Hamas In a meeting on Saturday following the initial attack, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office said the security cabinet made a "series of operational decisions aimed at bringing about the destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad." The office further promised to take away Hamas' "ability and desire to threaten and harm the citizens of Israel for many years." Netanyahu also promised to embark "on a long and difficult war" against Hamas because of the attacked that was "forced upon us by a murderous attack." On X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu said the first phase involves "destroying most of the enemy forces" that he says have infiltrated Israel to kill civilians and soldiers. The Israel offensive into Gaza will also "continue without hesitation and without respite until the goals are achieved." We will restore security to the citizens of Israel and we will win," Netanyahu promised at the end of his social media address. A spokesperson from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued a message in Arabic to the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip telling them to seek shelter because Israeli forces are now planning to attack with major force. "Hamas' operations are forcing the IDF to operate in your place of residence," the message, from spokesman Avichay Adraee, stated. "For your safety, you must leave your place of residence immediately." All across southern Israel where the attack originated, air sirens could be heard warning about incoming rocket attacks, including in Ashkelon and other Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a public condemnation against the "barbarity" of Hamas in attacking Israel. "As the barbarity of today's atrocities becomes clearer, we stand unequivocally with Israel," Sunak wrote on X. "This attack by Hamas is cowardly and depraved." Among those believed to have been abducted by Hamas and brought into Gaza are numerous Israeli citizens and soldiers. Hamas reportedly boasted that the number of hostages it is holding is much higher than Israel even knows. Sources for this article include: TimesOfIsrael.com CNN.com NaturalNews.com Every state is now a border state: Alabama deploys 275 National Guardsmen to southern border to deter illegals Alabama is deploying more of its National Guard troops to the southern border to help protect the country against the illegal immigration crisis. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey has pledged to send 275 Alabama Army National Guard troops to the southern border, becoming the latest GOP governor to do so. (Related: Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Massive Houston development known as Colony Ridge to house up to 200K ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS Brighteon.TV.) "Every state has become a border state under the current policies, and Alabama remains committed to being an integral part of the mission to protect our southern border," said Ivey in a statement. "The Alabama National Guard always stands ready to protect our citizens, and I thank our 275 troops, as well as their families, for their important service to our country." Ivey's troops will be joining the National Guard troops of Virginia, West Virginia and South Carolina who are already at the border aiding the efforts of border states to deter illegals. Ivey previously sent Alabama National Guard troops to the border in 2021 and 2018. Last year, Ivey joined America's 25 other Republican governors in creating the American Governors' Border Strike Force, which coordinates the efforts of 26 states in deterring illegal immigration on the southern border. Biden's inaction toward illegal immigration worsening border crisis Ivey has placed the blame on the worsening border crisis squarely on the shoulders of President Joe Biden's inaction. She was one of the Republican governors who signed a letter urging Biden to "provide honest, accurate, detailed information on where migrants admitted at the southern border are being relocated in the United States, in addition to comprehensive data on asylum claim timelines and qualification rates and successful deportations." Without the information, the governors claim they will be unable to fulfill their "fundamental duties to protect our citizens while providing our communities with appropriate services." The letter notes that the crisis at the southern border "extends to every state," and if Biden continues to incentivize illegal immigration through inaction, "our states are carrying the burden" not just of a potentially years-long surge in illegal border crossings, but a potential increase in cross-border criminal activity like drug and human trafficking perpetuated by Mexican cartels. "States are on the front lines, working around the clock responding to the effects of this crisis," wrote the governors in the letter. "Shelters are full, food pantries are empty, law enforcement strained and aid workers exhausted." Since Biden has taken office, there have been over 5.8 million recorded illegal border crossings at the southern border. Customs and Border Protection further estimates that around 1.6 million illegal crossers continue to evade apprehension. "States cannot afford to respond to a challenge of such magnitude while the federal government continues to turn a blind eye," wrote the governors. "As we have made clear repeatedly, every state is now a border state." Learn more about the worsening migration crisis at OpenBorders.news. Watch this clip from Newsmax discussing how the worsening border crisis could let terrorists into the United States. This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Costa Rica declares STATE OF EMERGENCY over thousands of illegal migrants transiting through country heading to America. CONFIRMED: Mexican cartels are now INSIDE the U.S. forming gangs and SNIPER NESTS to take out Americans. Biden admin finally admits there's an "acute and immediate need" for a border wall as Democrat-run cities are OVERRUN by illegals. SANCTUARY OVERLOAD: Texas sends more buses full of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to Democrat-controlled sanctuary cities. WEF takes over former U.S. military bases in Panama as migrants flood through Darien Gap on their way to America. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Al.com WAAYTV.com Brighteon.com Israel shows why Americans have right to weapons of war for self-defense As videos emerge from Israel about the recent invasion by Hamas, it should become clear that the Second Amendment here in the US is "Necessary to the security of a free state." (Article republished from ZeroHedge.com) While gun control continues to be pushed by the Biden administration, Israel, a state lauded by gun control advocates for its strict regulations, has axed some of its gun control measures in an attempt to fight the recent terrorist invasion. BREAKING: Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir just axed a ton of #guncontrol for the security of their free state. TRANSLATION BELOW ?? Today I directed the Firearms Licensing Division to go on an emergency operation, in order to allow as many citizens as https://t.co/HT0LmR3H1Q Aidan Johnston (@RealGunLobbyist) October 8, 2023 It's no wonder that Israel has realized that their gun control measures are getting their citizens hurt or worse. Horrifying video from border towns near Gaza shows Hamas fighters going house to house looking for Israelis. Without access to firearms, Israeli citizens are helpless to defend themselves against these heavily armed fighters, resulting in kidnappings and killings. You can thank our Founding Fathers we have the Second Amendment to protect ourselves now. https://t.co/EibtZ7wDnM Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) October 9, 2023 While Israel removing some of its firearms regulations is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, gun ownership still comes with heavy restrictions and unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. Israel JUST loosened firearm licensing, but many Israelis still dont live in an eligible region. Others simply cannot afford to wait a week for a telephone interview or need more than the allotted 100 rounds of ammo. A good first step, but Israel needs a Second Amendment ASAP! https://t.co/uPi6HaXy9N Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) October 9, 2023 During the hours of the initial invasion, US Senators continued to tweet support for gun control while similar policies were resulting in deaths across the ocean. Imagine all the shootings we could prevent and lives we could save if we reinstated a nationwide assault weapons ban. Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) October 6, 2023 Additionally, to those that say "that could never happen here" regarding the United States, be aware that the ATF recently notified FFLs in border states warning firearms dealers about straw purchases of 50 caliber and belt-fed firearms. A follower sent this alarming email to me ATF is apparently warning firearms dealers about intelligence showing criminal networks plan to buy .50 cal and/or belt fed rifles in the next 2 months via straw purchasers This is clearly due to our open border Terrorism event soon? pic.twitter.com/6rGqFhreMI DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) October 3, 2023 These threats are precisely why Americans have the right to own "weapons of war" for self-defense. Politicians who push gun control should realize that their actions will only empower criminals and terrorists. This really should be the end of the gun control debate in the United States. Randy Barnett (@RandyEBarnett) October 8, 2023 Read more at: ZeroHedge.com Are you ready for what comes next? Well that sure was a weekend of lies, misinformation, disinformation, and laying the ground work for the next stage in their Great Reset plan. The regime media is dutifully propagandizing the masses with the utterly ridiculous tripe that somehow rock throwing Hamas terrorists completely surprised the most militarized country in the world, launched 5,000 rockets, slaughtered hundreds, took over Israeli military bases, and are winning this war. (Article republished from TheBurningPlatform.com) And almost immediately regime media mouthpiece the Wall Street Journal has proof Iran was behind the attack. Being a card carrying conspiracy theorist (aka critical thinking individual), I dont believe one iota of what is being reported. The timing of this is impeccable. The Ukraine debacle is reaching its endpoint and a few congress critters refuse to fund this Biden money laundering operation any longer. Bidens impeachment hearings are underway. The economy has begun to tank. Bidens poll numbers are atrocious. The invasion of the southern border goes on unabated. Democrat run urban shitholes are becoming more lawless, dangerous, and bankrupt. The national debt is rising at a rate of $1 trillion per month. This Fourth Turning has begun to accelerate into the violent, dangerous, and likely bloody phase, where an incompetent, dementia ridden, empty vessel, who is being handled by mediocre minded, diversity hire, neocons, could destroy our country for good. native advertising As the drums of global war beat louder, does it comfort you that Biden drained our strategic petroleum reserve, and has left us with a 17 day supply of oil? Oil prices are only up $3 this morning, still lower than last weeks price in the $90s. Markets are only down modestly so far. The 35 year old masters of the universe on Wall Street are trying to figure out how to profit from this war. Its always about the Benjamins for the Wall Street cabal. Theyll be buying arms dealer stocks today. We all know war is a racket. Victor Orban and a few other global leaders see through their game. I already noticed on Twitter how anyone questioning the Israel narrative is attacked mercilessly. Hundreds of tweets mouthing the regime narrative. Before long, anyone without a SUPPORT ISRAEL flag in their profile will be scorned, censored, deplatformed, and called a murderer. Weve seen this show before, with the Covid scamdemic, and the Ukraine fake war. If the WEF and the globalists running the show dont like what I and others have to say about this conflict, and conflicts to come, well be declared criminals against the state. This Fourth Turning is entering the phase where global war and civil war, or both, are likely to engulf the planet. This isnt just scary words designed to generate clicks. Its a warning that if you havent prepared for whats coming, you better get prepared damn quick. Cant stop the gods from engineering Feel no need for any interfering Your image in the dictionary This life is more than ordinary Can I get two, maybe even three of these? Comin from the space to teach you of the Pleiades Cant stop the spirits when they need you This life is more than just a read-through Red Hot Chili Peppers Cant Stop Read more at: TheBurningPlatform.com Neuralink implant RUPTURED the brain of a female monkey, autopsy finds what will happen when they are implanted into humans? An autopsy report has confirmed that a Neuralink implant ruptured the brain of a female macaque during an experiment, forcing scientists to end its suffering. According to an Oct. 4 report by Wired magazine, the implant "deformed and ruptured" the brain of the test animal after an experiment caused severe cerebral swelling. The 2018 experiment done at the University of California, Davis' (UC Davis) California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) left the seven-year-old monkey with "severe neurological defects." Researchers realized that the test animal was in a terminal state after noting the severity of its brain swelling. But instead of ending its suffering, the scientist overseeing the experiment insisted that the monkey be kept alive another day. Wired then recounted the animal's torturous final 24 hours before being put down. "The monkey seized and vomited; [its] pupils reacted less and less to the light. [Its] right leg went limp, and [it] could no longer support the weight of [its] 15-pound body without gripping the bars of [its] cage," the magazine wrote. "Sometimes [the monkey] would wake and scratch at [its] throat, retching and gasping for air before collapsing again, exhausted." An anonymous former Neuralink employee disclosed: "If you want to split hairs, the implant itself did not cause death. We sacrificed her to end her suffering." An autopsy disclosed the reason behind the monkey's suffering. A "toxic adhesive" from the implant leaked internally, causing inflammation and "painful pressure" on a part of the monkey's brain that secretes cerebrospinal fluid. The effects were so severe that the rear part of the monkey's brain protruded from its skull. The results of the experiment opened up Neuralink, which is headed by Elon Musk, to potential legal actions under the Animal Welfare Act. But the CNPRC had proactively reported the violation to authorities, thus it could not be legally cited. Ethics group demands TRANSPARENCY from Neuralink The incident of the Neuralink monkey's gruesome consequence as a result of the implants was among the records obtained by Wired. But the magazine noted that this may not be the only instance of monkeys suffering from such experiments as UC Davis has a tight grip on records being released to the public. In October 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) sued UC Davis in an attempt to gain access to records of Neuralink's work with the CNPRC, including videos and documents. It argued in California state court that the public has the right to know about any suffering resulting from taxpayer-funded animal tests, given that UC Davis is a public institution. The lawsuit filed in the Yolo County Superior Court is ongoing. Corey Page, PCRM's legal counsel, said disclosure of information regarding these monkey experiments "is particularly important because Neuralink actively misleads the public about, and downplays the gruesome nature of, the experiments." Despite the lawsuit, the university remains adamant about refusing to release documentation about the female monkey that died during Neuralink's experiments. It argues that the public is simply unequipped to properly interpret the photographs. Moreover, it also claims that the backlash caused by the content of the photos would not only endanger the scientists but discourage them from taking such photos in the first place. "Nevertheless, the negative press hasn't deterred Neuralink from going ahead with human trials," Futurism's Frank Landymore wrote in an Oct. 7 piece. He pointed out, however, that "the outcome of the [PCRM's] lawsuit may cast a long shadow over those experiments." (Related: FDA rejects Elon Musk's bid to test Neuralink brain implants in humans.) Visit MedicalExperiments.news for more stories about Neuralink's experiments with monkeys. Watch this video of researchers implanting a Neuralink device onto a monkey's brain. This video is from the Covid Times channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Neuralink brain chip implants to be tried on humans despite causing MULTIPLE DEATHS in animal trials. Elon Musk's medical device company Neuralink facing federal investigation over animal testing. Ethical questions raised after Elon Musk's Neuralink company implants chip in monkey's brain. Elon Musk accused of "mutilating and killing monkeys" in gruesome Neuralink experiments. Sources include: Futurism.com Wired.com Brighteon.com The Ukrainian-Polish initiative PURE Hub has begun its work, aimed at restoring Ukraine, promoting investment in the Ukrainian construction market and supporting Ukrainian investors in Poland, the press service of the hub has told Interfax-Ukraine. The co-founders of PURE Hub were Ukrainian Serhiy Stoliarchuk and Poles Iwona Puchalska and Daniel Puchalski. The hub cooperates with investors from all over Europe, as well as with Ukrainian and Polish development and construction companies. The total portfolio of Polish projects developed by the hub participants amounts to EUR 500 million, and the portfolio of projects of Ukrainian development companies totals about 1 million square meters with a total cost of EUR 900 million. The hub said that despite the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, investment activity is growing in such sectors of the Ukrainian economy as agriculture, food production, IT, logistics, and production of building materials. In particular, Philip Morris, Carlsberg and others are investing in western Ukraine. Irish building materials manufacturer Kingspan wants to invest up to $280 million to build new factories. Also, the Polish manufacturer of ceramic tiles Cersanit continues to build its plant in Ukraine. Recently, the German government decided to provide guarantees for investments in Ukraine, after which the German pharmaceutical and agro-industrial giant Bayer announced plans to invest EUR 60 million in Ukraine. These guarantees can be applied even in the event of destruction of property due to missile attacks or other military actions at German production facilities objects in Ukraine. "Rebuilding infrastructure, demand for housing, and facilities for transport and logistics will drive the second wave of investment. This is happening soon. Those who take appropriate and responsible actions now will be ahead of those who wait for the end of the war," PURE Hub co-founder Daniel Puchalski said. PURE Hub's activities are focused on providing professional advice, assistance in coordinating the specific needs of participants with representatives of business and government agencies of both countries, support of agreements, legal advice, searching for capital, creating joint ventures and organizing social projects in the real estate sector. "We are working on a project to launch multi-factory prefabricated construction to deliver up to 1,900 social housing units per facility annually," Serhiy Stoliarchuk, co-founder of PURE Hub, said. He said to the agency that at this stage the issues of insurance for the construction of the plant are being resolved, both the number of factories and their location will depend on this. "We are now considering construction options in both Ukraine and Poland. The amount of investment in one factory is $60 million. Our goal is to promote and co-organize projects that contribute to building the economic foundations of a new modern Ukraine and its cooperation with Poland. Ukraine needs investments to create new jobs and build new, secure infrastructure, but it needs high business competencies even more to accelerate integration with EU countries and the democratic part of the world," he added. Daniel Puchalski, who manages PURE Hub's activities in Poland, is also the managing partner of real estate consultancy Immo Lab. Over the past 20 years, he has been involved in $4 billion in commercial real estate transactions. Stoliarchuk is an entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in launching international projects in retail, logistics and real estate in Ukraine, and is also the CEO and co-founder of Maxify, a SaaS platform for residential real estate developers with assets in a portfolio of more than EUR 600 million. Trump was right all along: Biden waives dozens of federal laws to expedite construction of border wall in Texas as Dems panic over illegal immigration The Biden administration has made a significant policy shift by waiving over two dozen federal laws to expedite the construction of approximately 20 additional miles of border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas' Rio Grande Valley. The 180-degree turn came amid the surge of illegal migrants flooding into the country. According to federal government data, approximately 245,000 illegal entries have occurred in the Rio Grande Valley since October 2022. During his 2020 Democratic campaign, President Joe Biden had pledged that not "another foot of wall" would be erected during his presidency. Once in office in January 2021, he issued a proclamation to halt the construction of the wall, which had been a key focus of former President Donald Trump's strategy to curb illegal entries into the United States. At the time, Biden emphasized that "constructing an extensive wall across the entire southern border is not a viable policy solution." The Trump border wall parts worth $300 million were sold for $2 million, according to journalist Maria Bartiromo. It took Biden two-and-a-half years of open borders and seven million illegal aliens entering the country to admit that Trump was right. (Related: Texas border sector reports 10K known border crossers in single week.) Biden trying to salvage some measure of pride But when questioned by reporters about the reversal in his policy, Biden explained that Congress had allocated funds for further wall sections and had rejected his request to redirect that funding elsewhere. He stated: "In the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated for. I can't stop that." When asked if he now believed that a border wall was effective in deterring illegal immigration, Biden responded with a "No." The policy change was announced by the Department of Homeland Security, with plans to waive several laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, to hasten the construction of additional wall sections. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas justified the move. "There is currently an urgent and immediate need to establish physical barriers and roads near the United States border to deter unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas," he said. Later on, Mayorkas changed his tune, claiming that his statement was taken out of context. He said the administration had not changed its policy relating to a border wall. "From day one, this administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer," he said in a statement. "That remains our position and our position has never wavered." Mayorkas said the government was legally obligated to use money Congress allocated four years ago for border barrier construction in south Texas for its intended purpose. The DHS secretary had come under fire from environmental activists, migrant advocates, Democratic lawmakers, and even Mexico's president who echoed Trump's controversial efforts to build hundreds of miles of wall to deter migrant crossings. Conservatives, on the other hand, said the latest move gave credence to Trump's signature border policy, and highlighted Biden's hypocritical 180-degree change of course. Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat, criticized the Biden administration's handling of the migrant crisis in a recent letter, describing the situation as "untenable" and chastising the administration for its "lack of intervention and coordination at the border." Just recently, NBC News released a poll indicating that the majority of Americans believe Republicans are better at addressing border security than Democrats. Read more news about the ongoing migration crisis at OpenBorders.news. Watch this report about Biden's order to resume border wall construction. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BORDER DEFENSE: America protects US-Mexico border with barbed wire and verbal warnings. IT'S BASIC MATH: Border Patrol agents link 575% increase in seizures of smuggling vehicles to surge in U.S. border crossings. 24 Republican governors pledge to support Texas in securing US-Mexico border. Sources include: CNBC.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Christian teacher in the U.K. FIRED for refusing to affirm LGBT ideology A Christian teacher in the United Kingdom has been terminated from her post for her refusal to affirm LGBT ideology pushed by the school she works at. Glawdys Leger was fired by the Bishop Justus Church of England School in the London borough of Bromley in May 2022. The 43-year-old modern languages teacher cited her refusal to teach "extreme" LGBT lessons which is anathema to her Christian faith as a reason for her sacking. Leger added that her sharing of her Christian beliefs in the classroom also contributed to her termination. The 43-year-old had objected to the content of Year 7 lessons, which had been incorporated into religious education (RE) classes. Year 7 in the British school system roughly corresponds to the sixth grade in the U.S. education system. According to the Christian Legal Center (CLC), the lesson materials that Leger opposed included "extreme content on gender identity with themes that begin to suggest to children that humans can be born in the wrong body." They also introduced fake gender identities such as pansexual, asexual, intersex and transgender. The lessons also encouraged children to be "allies of the queer community." During a discussion on LGBT issues, Leger also told pupils in her class that God made humans male and female, and expressed belief that LGBT practice was sinful. She had "also grown increasingly alarmed by the promotion and acceptance of abortion and Critical Race Theory within the school," the CLC added. One material brought up by the teacher included the slogan "Equality is a strength, diversity is our power, inclusion is a necessity" which was reminiscent of the novel "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. Leger "treated like a criminal" for being an "ally of God" The CLC said Leger had raised her conscientious objection about the RE lesson content, but her concerns were merely "brushed aside and ignored." The Aquinas Church of England Education Trust (Aquinas Trust), which oversees the school, reported her to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) following a complaint. The TRA is under the British Department for Education (DfE). The agency held a "fitness to practice" hearing on Oct. 9, with the CLC representing Leger. If the TRA rules against her, she could be removed from the list of licensed teachers and be permanently barred from teaching. (Related: High school teacher FIRED for refusing to play along with the transgender delusion now afflicting modern society.) A spokesman for the Aquinas Trust refused to further comment on the issue outside a statement that said: "Delivering a high-quality education and supporting the wellbeing of students is our top priority." "To ensure this is achieved, we promote fundamental British values including mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. The school teaches in line with statutory requirements to promote British values and follows relevant guidance outlined by the DfE." A spokesperson for the Church of England also refused to comment further as doing so "would not be appropriate." They nevertheless emphasized that "schools are bound by the Equalities Act, which assures that all children and adults are treated with respect regardless of their faith, gender or sexuality." "I was treated like a criminal and as though I was a danger for expressing my Christian beliefs," lamented Leger. "I have great compassion for LGBT people, especially for those suffering from gender confusion." "I cannot, however, in good conscience teach or say things I believe are contrary to my faith, for example saying that same-sex sexual relationships are good and/or affirming people in their gender confusion. I am certain that I have not shown, and never would show, any hatred or lack of love towards LGBT people." The beleaguered teacher also denounced the school for "compelling teachers to promote, teach and celebrate" the LGBT agenda. "For Christians, it is important to remain an ally of God rather than being an ally of things that are against [His] laws and commandments," she said. Head over to CampusInsanity.com for more similar stories. Watch this video about California teacher Jessica Tapia who was fired for refusing to yield to LGBT insanity at her school. This video is from the Counter Culture Mom channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Judge orders reinstatement of Virginia teacher fired over comments against transgenders. TRANS TYRANNY: Teacher arrested and IMPRISONED for using "wrong" student pronouns. INSANITY: Teacher fired for "misgendering" a student sues school, calls policies "totalitarian." Substitute teacher was FIRED for refusing to "meow" to a student who claims to self-identify as a CAT. Texas college FIRES biology professor for teaching students biological fact that chromosomes determine sex. Sources include: ChristianPost.com ChristianConcern.com Brighteon.com Creepy Hillary Clinton calls for DEPROGRAMMING of Trump supporters Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for supporters of former President Donald Trump to be "deprogrammed" during an interview with CNN. The former first lady made a distinction between the Republican Party's more moderate wing and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) wing, with Clinton describing the latter as a "cult." She also highlighted the prevalence of extremism in the GOP's MAGA wing, citing concerns about individuals aligning themselves with it. According to the former head of the Department of State, Trump has a "heavy influence" over MAGA which essentially means an America-first policy. "Sadly, so many of these extremists those MAGA extremists take their marching orders from Trump, who has no credibility left by any measure," Clinton remarked. "At some point, you know, maybe there needs to be a formal deprogramming of the cult members. Something needs to happen." According to the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, Trump's supporters are drawn to his confrontational style of politics. She noted that this following can be described as resembling that of a cult. Given this, Clinton underscored the importance of breaking this pattern. "Maybe they don't like [illegal immigrants], maybe they don't like gay people or Black people. [Maybe they don't like] the woman who got the promotion at work they didn't get, whatever the reason. So it is like a cult, and somebody has to break the momentum." (Related: Hillary Clinton calls for formal deprogramming of MAGA 'cult members.') The interview was not the first time Clinton openly derided the supporters of the former president. Back in 2016, she dubbed 50 percent of them as belonging to a "basket of deplorables" holding prejudiced views. "You can put half of Trump supporters into what I call a basket of deplorables racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic, you name it," she said at the time. The wife of former President Bill Clinton lost to Trump during the 2016 presidential elections. Despite winning the popular vote by having nearly three million more votes than her opponent, Clinton only garnered 232 electoral votes compared to Trump's 306. Crooked Hillary still has Trump Derangement Syndrome 7 years on But based on Clinton's remarks during the interview, it appears that she still has Trump Derangement Syndrome seven years after losing to him. In October 2022 exactly a year before the interview she reportedly denied the results of the 2024 presidential election. "Right-wing extremists already have a plan to literally steal the presidential election," she warned at the time. Given this, the former secretary of state called on her supporters to "take the fight [against] MAGA Republicans at the state level." Clinton also called attention to the "right-wing controlled Supreme Court," which she claimed would ultimately grant state legislatures the power to overturn presidential elections. "If that happens, the 2024 presidential election will be decided, not by the popular vote or even by the anachronistic Electoral College, but by state legislatures." The former first lady ultimately urged supporters to donate to the "crush the coup" campaign "to help defend democracy," adding: "This could not be more important or more urgent." Head over to Clinton.news for more stories about the former first lady and secretary of state. Watch this clip of Hillary Clinton calling for Trump supporters to be deprogrammed. This video is from the HALOROCK channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Hillary Clinton already denying results of 2024 presidential election. Arrest Hillary Clinton and all who supported the Russian collusion hoax. Hillary Clinton warns Democrats that their obsession with mutilating children to become transgenders could cost them the midterms. When Hillary Clinton claimed Trump 'stole' the election and was 'illegitimate,' Dems cheered; now Biden calls election doubters 'enemies of the state.' Twitter PURGE of conservatives spearheaded by Hillary Clinton and the left-wing media because the left can only win elections by silencing their opponents. Sources include: YourNews.com Breitbart.com Brighteon.com Israel-Palestine war causes GOLD PRICES to RALLY as demand for safe haven investment increases amid chaos Gold prices are trading significantly higher in the United States following the renewed outbreak of conflict between Israel and Palestine, as more investors are looking for safe havens to protect from other unexpected major geopolitical shocks that could shake the global economy. Israel has declared war on the pro-Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist terrorist group Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip following a Hamas-led raid that saw hundreds of Israeli civilians killed and wounded and several Israeli settlements close to the Gaza Strip briefly occupied. The outbreak of renewed large-scale conflict in the region and the possibility of more fighting in other parts of the Middle East caused Asian, European and American stocks alike to dip lower between Sunday, Oct. 8 to Tuesday, Oct. 10. (Related: American F-16 SHOOTS DOWN armed Turkish combat drone that flew within half a mile of U.S. troops in Syria.) This major conflict in Israel and Palestine will likely in the coming months impact major economies around the world, including potentially affecting the central bank policies of major nations like the United States. There is even speculation that the conflict between Israel and Palestine may impact the U.S. House of Representatives' process of selecting a new Speaker of the House, likely in the direction of a pro-Israeli speaker who is willing to provide more funding for the Israeli Defense Forces. Gold rises as investors flock to safety As the conflict affects stocks and global economies, investors are looking for safe havens, or types of investments that are expected to either retain or increase in value during this time of heightened market turbulence. Putting more of their assets into safe havens could limit the risk of investors' losses in the event these global catastrophes cause market downturns. This is what gold is to many and the precious metal's recent rally proves this. Gold Continuous Contracts, one of the most actively traded gold futures contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange, is up by more than 1.36 percent to $1,870.30 per troy ounce as of press time. "Gold took the lead as investors flocked to safety," noted Raffi Boyadjian, lead investment analyst at finance company XM. Spot gold prices in London also jumped by more than two percent compared to last week to a high of $1,866 per ounce. Market analysts will now be waiting to see whether the conflict between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip spreads. There is concern that Hezbollah, an anti-Israeli group supported by Iran and operating mostly out of southern Lebanon, might also use the opportunity to conduct renewed strikes against Israel. A report by the Wall Street Journal suggesting that Iran may have helped plan out Hamas' initial raid is also sparking fear that a war between Iran and Israel might begin. Israel's continued bombing of civilian housing and infrastructure in Gaza could also end up scuttling efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Learn more about gold as an investment in GoldReport.news. Watch this Oct. 9 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how the continued Israeli threat to obliterate Gaza will cause Palestinians all over the world to revolt. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Iran leader Khamenei uses X to hail Hamas terror attack that killed 1,000+ But Alex Jones still BANNED. Warmongers start push for U.S. involvement in Iran following Hamas attack. The big distraction: Global war is good for Joe Biden wall-to-wall war news provides the media a huge diversion from the Biden regime's destruction of America. WSJ: Iran helped Hamas plan its surprise attack on Israel shortly after Biden handed them $6 billion. Central banks continue their streak of accumulating more gold in 2023. Sources include: Kitco.com Investopedia.com WSJ.com MarketWatch.com Gold.co.uk Brighteon.com Squad member Rashida Tlaib breaks political silence to blame Israeli apartheid for recent attack In a statement that now appears to have been deleted from her official government website, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) condemned Israel for the recent attacks by Hamas, citing "the apartheid system" that Israel has created for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. After writing that she grieves the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost "yesterday, today and every day," Tlaib wrote that she is "determined as ever to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights and human dignity." "The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance," Tlaid wrote. "The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue." Tlaib's message was not received well from those who support Israel, and who say that she is wrongly blaming Israel for this series of attacks against its own people. One source to condemn her is The Gateway Pundit (TGP), who called her "a sick, sick woman" for Tlaib's apparently now-deleted statement. "This was the largest mass murder of Jews in one day since the Holocaust in World War II," wrote TGP's Jim Hoft. (Related: Remember during COVID when Tlaib called for the release of all federal prisoners across America?) How much longer will Rashida Tlaib last in Congress? Tlaib, in case you forgot about her, is from the same "squad" as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Rep. Ilhan Omar. The initial "squad" used to just be these three along with one other, but now boasts eight members, all of whom are "women of color" except for two "men of color" no whites allowed, apparently. Tlaib has been pretty silent in recent years ever since Donald Trump left office and was replaced by "the big guy" Joe Biden. Tlaib only just now broke her political silence with this highly controversial statement, which has many in an uproar. As Hoft points out, innocent children, including 12-year-old Erez Calderon watch the video below were kidnapped by Hamas and held hostage in Gaza. Tlaib did speak out on behalf of all children both Palestinian and Israeli, but Hoft feels as though "Jew-hating" Tlaib is off her rocker. This is Erez Calderon, a 12 year-old Israeli boy, kidnapped by Hamas and held hostage in Gaza. They are terrorizing this child. Hamas are savages with no red lines. Share this video??Show the world the evil of Hamas ??pic.twitter.com/NjS1EsnZIi Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) October 8, 2023 As disturbing as the situation in the Middle East might be, many prophecy watchers recognize that it does fit into what was long foretold for the end of days. "This woman should not be in America, let alone Congress," wrote one angry commenter about Tlaib's statement. "In other words, Hamas is evil because Israel? What a buffoon she is," wrote another. Someone else wrote that the first order of business should be to elect Jim Jordan as the new Speaker of the House. After that, this same commenter would like to see Tlaib "ejected from Congress." "She is a sleeper cell right in front of us, mocking and gloating," wrote another. "Nothing has been done about it in almost four years, so she is emboldened to continue talking like this without repercussion." The latest news about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: TheGatewayPundit.com NaturalNews.com Jewish community in Sydney urged to stay home while Hamas supporters celebrate the murder of innocent civilians and burn Israeli flags Jewish individuals in Australias biggest city were warned to stay home and avoid identifying themselves as Jewish as supporters of Hamas took to the citys streets, hijacking what was meant to be a tribute to those who have been killed by terrorists in recent attacks and celebrating the murders of hundreds of Jewish people in Israel. Emails were sent to the Jewish community warning them to avoid areas such as the city center and Sydney's harbor front as Hamas supporters marched through the downtown area to meet at the citys famous Opera House in an unauthorized gathering. The rally was organized by a group known as the Palestine Action Group Sydney, who is pushing Australia to sever ties with Israel and trying to launch protests. Hundreds of people showed up with Palestinian flags and chanted things like From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, which is commonly interpreted as a desire to eradicate the Jewish state rather than create a Palestinian state alongside it, and Resistance is justified when Palestine is occupied. Some members of the crowd chanted things like f--k the Jews and f--k Israel while burning Israeli flags. A spokesperson for the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said the rally was a sickening display from people with no souls and no humanity. He added: Worshippers of death, rape and misery have no place in civilized society. According to the president of the Australian Jewish Association, David Adler, some Jewish people who showed up were taken away by police for carrying an Israeli flag. The group posted on X: Police warn - No Jews near Opera house for their own safety as Muslim mobs gather to celebrate death. Why make a tribute to Jewish victims if they can't even go near. The march was at least partly a response to the governments decision to illuminate the landmark in the colors of the Israeli flag to support Jewish community groups there. Other landmarks, such as the Parliament House in Canberra, made similar gestures of solidarity. Protestors threw lit flares and celebrated Hamas murderers and rapists At the protests, some people threw lit flares at police officers, and authorities are now investigating a vehicle that lit fireworks in the streets in celebration of the savage murder of hundreds of Jewish people in Israel. One of the speakers at the protest, Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun, said: "I'm smiling and I'm happy...it's a day of courage, it's a day of pride, it's a day of victory." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the media that he believed the rally should have been called off as a show of respect to those who lost their lives. I support peoples right to demonstrate their views -- were a democratic nation ... But what is to be served apart from creating a climate that is not conducive to peace? he said, adding that Hamass actions were completely indefensible and that Israel has a right to defend itself. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles addressed an event in Melbourne for United with Israel saying that the people attacked by Hamas were innocent, which makes the terrorist group's actions murder. He commented: Tonight, Australias heart breaks for Israel. In the face of this evil, tonight Australia embraces Israel and all her people. Authorities have been trying to confirm the safety of upwards of 10,000 Australians who are currently in Israel. It is not known how many Australians are among the many hostages taken by Hamas. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com SkyNews.com TheGuardian.com At least 260 bodies recovered from Israeli music festival attacked by Hamas terrorists The ZAKA response team in Israel says it has retrieved 260 bodies and counting from a music festival that was struck by Hamas militants in last weekend's "surprise" attack. Partygoers were dancing the night away when armed terrorists started opening fire, we are told. One attendee, a 23-year-old named Hersh Goldberg-Polin, reportedly texted his family the following message before going missing: "I love you. I'm sorry." Another festival-goer named Reva told the media that many Israeli partiers were completely unaware that Hamas militants were coming their way until it was already too late for them to do anything about it. "It wasn't until the first shots and screams that people began to realize something was wrong, I think," she said. "Nobody noticed them until it was too late. They were right there with us." "The music didn't stop right away I looked at the crowd and some people were still dancing," Reva would go on to claim. "There were so many of us and we'd been up all night. Like, I have this memory of knowing I was hearing gunshots really close to me but there was this split second where I almost tried to convince myself it was just part of the set." NEW: 23 year old American citizen Hersh Golberg-Polin is missing after sending his parents a chilling message as Hamas terrorists paraglided into the desert rave in southern Israel. His parents are fearing the worst. In a text message to his mom and dad, Golberg-Polin wrote: I pic.twitter.com/2QcbnwRVnp Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 8, 2023 Depending on which media source you trust, the official death toll overall ranges anywhere from 300 to 600 to more than 700. (Related: The far-right Knesset, which is part of Netanyahu's government coalition, wants to outlaw Christianity in Israel tell people about Jesus Christ and go to jail!) Western finance media says Iran behind Hamas attack Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal is claiming that Iran is behind the attack, having planned it out weeks in advance with Hamas. "Iranian security officials helped plan Hamas's Saturday surprise attack on Israel and gave the green light for the assault at a meeting in Beirut last Monday, according to senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, another Iran-backed militant group," the WSJ insists. This is convenient, seeing as how Israel has been gunning for war against Iran for quite some time now. We are told that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers, along with four other Iran-sponsored terrorist groups, convened in Beirut, Lebanon, a few weeks back to plot out how they would invade Israel with this "surprise." "We have not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but there is certainly a long relationship," argues U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in opposition to this claim. "We don't have any information at this time to corroborate this account." According to Mahmoud Mirdawi, a senior Hamas official, his terrorist group planned the attacks all on its own without any help from Iran. "This is a Palestinian and Hamas decision," Mirdawi stated. On X (formerly Twitter), Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the Hamas attacks with the following message: "Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region." Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, agrees with the WSJ that Iran is responsible for the attacks. "We know that there were meetings in Syria and in Lebanon with other leaders of the terror armies that surround Israel so obviously it's easy to understand that they tried to coordinate," Erdan is quoted as saying. "The proxies of Iran in our region, they tried to be coordinated as much as possible with Iran." The latest news about the horrific situation in the Middle East can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: HumanEvents.com Newstarget.com Breitbart.com NYC Mayor Eric Adams appeals to suspend right to shelter law as hundreds of thousands of migrants flood Big Apple New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been sending out feelers of giving up on the current migration crisis. He recently wrote to a judge, appealing to suspend the city's longstanding law, the " right to shelter ," as he has been struggling to house hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens to his sanctuary city since last year. In the letter addressed to Honorable Erika Edwards of the New York Supreme Court, the 63-year-old mayor pleaded for the dismissal of the city's legal obligation to provide shelter to adults. According to him, in cases of state emergency, the 1981 law should be voided. He believes that the massive influx of asylum seekers "shows no signs of abating" and that this ongoing migrant crisis "will destroy" his beloved city. (Related: BREAKING POINT reached: NYC, other sanctuary cities tired of illegal immigrants influx, struggle with local resources.) He added that since May 21, two days before the citys initial May 23 request for leave to seek a modification of the Consent Judgment, approximately 50,600 migrants have sought shelter in the city, for a total of more than 122,700 from April 1, 2022, to date. He also said that NYC has opened 61 additional sites. As a result, expenditures associated with the crisis have increased by a whopping $1.1 billion. "The city is not seeking to terminate the Consent Judgment; we seek only the immediate relief that present circumstances demand. New York City has done more than any other city in the last 18 months to meet this national humanitarian crisis. The judgment's onerous terms are demonstrably ill-suited to present circumstances and restrain the city at a time when flexibility to deal with the emergency is paramount," he said in the letter's opening paragraph. Adams further complained that the state of Texas has resumed sending multiple buses each day. He also griped that thus far, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's office has been unwilling to respond to his requests for information about specific numbers of buses that are en route, the timing of their anticipated arrival, and the family composition of the people on the buses. "This makes planning for new arrivals nearly impossible for city personnel," the letter included. Back in September, during his opening remarks at a town hall meeting in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan, the mayor whined that because of the "migrant tsunami," the money does not get to be spent on things like homeless shelters, police and more public services, and actually go to Americans and legal residents. He was so frustrated that President Joe Biden's administration as well as his very own governor Kathy Hochul had just allowed the influx of illegals from the southern border. As he scrambles for solutions, Adams traveled south of the border on Wednesday in an attempt to deter migrants from moving to New York City after entering the United States. In a much-publicized four-day trip to Latin America, he said he intended to tell asylum seekers not to expect 'five-star hotels' if they move to the Big Apple. But with the city's focus turned squarely on the migrant crisis, which has seen iconic hotels such as the Roosevelt Hotel turned into shelters, homeless advocacy groups warned, following Adams' latest request, could be a slippery slope. Also, his letter faced a quick backlash from homeless advocacy groups who claimed that the move would 'gut' rights offered to homeless people. The Legal Aid Society, the group that filed the lawsuit that led to the right to shelter law, issued a joint statement with the Coalition for the Homeless condemning the move as a death sentence for protections given to homeless people. "This is the city's most significant and damaging attempt to retreat on its legal and moral obligation to provide safe and decent shelter for people without homes since that right was established 42 years ago, the groups said. Street homelessness would balloon to a level unseen in our city since the Great Depression." As of press time, a lot of migrants have been forced to sleep rough on the streets of New York City, with families given priority in hotel rooms while shelters reach capacity. Meanwhile, the mayor walked back some of his comments. He said the border should remain open, but those crossing should be funneled to other cities. "We believe the borders should remain open," Adams said at a news conference. "Thats the official position of this city, but we have made it clear there should be a decompression strategy so that we could properly deal with the volume thats coming into our city." InvasionUSA.news has more stories related to the influx of illegal immigrants via open borders. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NYC.gov TheFederalist.com Dr. John Diamond and Holly Adams discuss why the Churchs involvement in politics is so important Brighteon.TV Dr. John Diamond and Holly Adams of Turning Point USA Faith (TPUSA Faith) discussed why it is important for the Church to get involved in politics The theologian lamented during the Oct. 2 episode of "America Unhinged" on Brighteon.TV that Christianity has been pushed back into the four walls of the physical church structure. He blamed the government and the churches themselves who didn't want to get involved as the main reason why Christianity is constrained. Most pastors didn't want to be involved in politics because they were too religious, strictly constitutionalist or strictly Christian. He then turned to Adams and asked her about her role in TPUSA Faith. The endeavor, which is a 501(c)(3) organization under the wing of the main TPUSA founded by Charlie Kirk, seeks to "help unite pastors together across the country to stand firm for biblical truth." Adams said her job is to reach out to pastors and churches in the American states that she covers. (Related: Pastor Brandon Burden: The Church has to reengage back into culture Brighteon.TV.) She added that her group is also introducing themselves to others and explaining the resources TPUSA Faith has. These materials, Adams continued, come at no cost for churches. When asked by Diamond about whether the group has found pastors accepting TPUSA Faith's message, she replied in the affirmative. According to Adams, TPUSA Faith is hosting two pastor events each year. She cited two events one event held back in May in Nashville, Tennessee hosted over 800 pastors, while another one in San Diego saw more than 1,600 pastors in attendance. Diamond described the Church as a "sleeping giant" with many structures, manpower and money. However, it has squandered a lot of its resources after buying into the lie that it isn't supposed to be involved in politics. But Adams replied optimistically, noting that people are now seeing churches getting involved, biblical truth and addressing issues like transgenderism. Adams: Believers need to STAND UP against evil "The Bible had a very instrumental role in the lives of our Founding Fathers. [But] for years, it's apparent that pastors have made the decision that they don't want to breach politics from the church," she told Diamond. "What we're trying to do is just remind them what the Bible says as believers that they need to stand up against evil and tyranny that we're seeing so much of in our culture right now." The theologian and "America Unhinged" host also noted that based on the Declaration of Independence, humans are endowed by the Creator with certain rights. Thus, it is the government's job to protect those rights. He also noted that the Church has misinterpreted Romans 13, which pertains to obeying authorities. Diamond stressed that everybody, including the government, has to submit to and obey God. Nowhere in the chapter does it state that citizens must submit to the government, he added. He also cited several biblical characters who didn't obey government authorities in favor of God. This included the apostles of the early Christian church, who expressed their obedience to God rather than men. Adams then remarked that she believes churches do not want to offend anybody, as the truth can be offensive to somebody who is not living in it. She added that TPUSA Faith is now trying to remind the leaders of churches that it is their duty to address the issues. Follow Awakening.news for more news about the Christian Church taking its stand and speaking up on important issues. Watch the Oct. 2 episode of "America Unhinged" below. "America Unhinged" with Dr. John Diamond airs every weekday at 9-10 a.m. and every Saturday at 8-9 a.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Pastor Paul Blair tells Dr. John Diamond: Most Christians that run for office dont have biblical worldviews Brighteon.TV. The Resistance Chicks: Americas Founding Fathers were Christian nationalists Brighteon.TV. HIS Glory: Prophetic voice Joseph Z encourages America to stand up against rampant anti-life culture Brighteon.TV. Sources include: Brighteon.com BibleGateway.com Hillary Clinton compares pro-Trump supporters to CULT members even while mindless Democrats obediently parrot contrived government narratives Former Secretary of State and failed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said supporters of former President Donald Trump need to be deprogrammed in reeducation camps Clinton made this statement during a CNN interview, wherein she compared conservatives who still pledge their support to the former president even after the Jan. 6, 2021 incident at the Capitol to members of a cult. (Related: Hillary Clinton calls for "formal deprogramming" of MAGA "cult members.") "Sadly, so many of those extremists, those MAGA extremists, take their marching orders from Donald Trump, who has no credibility left by any measure. He's only in it for himself," she said in the interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. "When do they break with him? At some point, maybe there needs to be a formal deprogramming of the cult members. But something needs to happen." This is not the first time that Clinton has suggested government intervention against supporters of Trump. On a different occasion, Clinton spoke openly to a cheering crowd about how "We really need camps for adults," a euphemism for concentration or reeducation camps. "A 'formal deprogramming.' Right out of Mao's cultural revolution, right out of the struggle sessions," commented Alex Jones. Clinton urging "sane" Republicans to break from Trump According to Clinton, Republicans who are "sane" and have "common sense" are being intimidated by the pro-Trump and MAGA wings of their party. She pointed to the fact that many Republicans recently voted with Democrats to keep the government open and avoid a shutdown as proof that a "common sense" faction within the House Republican caucus exists. Clinton also talked about how both the Republicans and the Democrats in the past used to be able to cooperate. "There were very strong partisans in both parties in the past, and we had very bitter battles over all kinds of things gun control, climate change and the economy and taxes but there wasn't this little tail of extremism wagging the dog of the Republican Party as it is today," she claimed. Clinton predicted that Trump would once again be the Republican Party's nominee for president. She urged these "sane" and "common sense" Republicans in the GOP to "defeat him." Clinton further claimed that Trump has "no credibility left" and is seeking to use his presidency as a means of defending himself against both the civil and criminal cases lobbied against him, claiming that Trump is "only in it for himself." Jones found this ironic, pointing out that Clinton is "of course in it for herself" and "made billions in theft, with her foundation selling off America." Clinton's claims have also been refuted by Trump's campaign. "President Trump has said countless times that they are only coming after him because he stands in their way from coming after you and Hillary Clinton just confirmed that to be true," said Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump-affiliated super PAC, the Make America Great Again Inc. "Tens of millions of Americans will reject the Democrat Party's reeducation camp agenda in November 2024 when we make Donald Trump the 47th President of the United States." For the latest news involving Hillary Clinton, visit Clinton.news. Watch this video from InfoWars as Alex Jones reacts to Hillary Clinton's call for reeducation camps to be set up to imprison Trump supporters. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Pope Francis, Tony Blair and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla join Clinton Foundation event promoting globalism. Newt Gingrich breaks DC's code of silence: "The real corruption is HIllary Clinton and Obama, Biden is the smallest of the three players." Calls grow to indict Hillary Clinton, Obama and Biden for "Russia collusion hoax" after Georgia charges drop. Hillary Clinton: Joe Biden's AGE is a legitimate issue to consider ahead of 2024 presidential elections. Trump supporter found guilty, faces ten years in prison for 2016 anti-Hillary meme. Sources include: Brighteon.com TheHill.com Axios.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Azerbaijan and Pakistan intend to further strengthen cooperation in economy and trade, Pakistani Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani said, Trend reports. "We had a very productive meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. I congratulated him on the successful holding of the 27th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). We have confirmed our determination to further strengthen relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the economy and trade, as well as in ensuring connectivity and people-to-people contacts," Jilani said on X (Twitter). The 27th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship was held in the city of Shusha on October 10. The meeting heard speeches by representatives of member countries and observers, international partners and specialized structures of the ECO, discussed initiatives and proposals for the further development of regional cooperation within the ECO, as well as considered other issues on the agenda of the meeting. DARK SECRETS: Musks company Neuralink HIDES photos of DEAD animal subjects used to test brain implants Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain implant startup, has recently received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to begin clinical trials for brain implants. However, according to a shocking Wired investigation, Neuralink and the University of CaliforniaDavis (UCD) worked together to hide the gruesome photos of dead animal subjects that were experimented on. In one experiment, California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) staff observing a tan macaque via livestream recognized the signs of a "severe neurological defect." The monkey was seen sitting helpless as her brain began to swell. She advised that the monkey must be put "to sleep," but the client, a Neuralink scientist whose experiment left the seven-year-old monkey's brain mutilated, told her to wait another day. The attending staff observed as the suffering monkey seized and vomited. Eventually, the monkey's right leg went limp, and she was unable to support the weight of her 15-pound body without holding on to the bars of her cage. An attendant placed a heat lamp beside the animal to keep her warm. Sometimes, she would wake and scratch at her throat, retching and struggling to breathe, before collapsing with exhaustion. An autopsy later revealed that the mounting pressure inside the macaque's skull deformed and ruptured her brain. A toxic adhesive around the Neuralink implant bolted to the monkey's skull had leaked internally. The inflammation then caused painful pressure on a part of the brain producing cerebrospinal fluid, the slick, translucent liquid in which the brain floats in. The hind quarter of her brain visibly poked out of the base of her skull. (Related: Brain CONTROL: Musks neurotechnology company Neuralink looking for brain implant trial volunteers.) According to records obtained by Wired, the monkey was finally euthanized on September 13, 2018. Regulators later acknowledged that the incident was a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act, a federal law that is meant to set minimally acceptable standards for the handling, housing and feeding of research animals. But the shocking incident didn't have any consequences. Between 2016 and 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture enforced the humane treatment of animals through "teachable moments." The CNPRC, which is home to a colony of nearly 5,000 primates run by UCD, cannot be legally cited because it proactively reported the violation. The same goes for Neuralink. A former Neuralink employee said that while "the implant itself did not cause death," the monkey was euthanized "to end her suffering." The employee signed a confidentiality agreement and requested not to be identified. Animal photographs and videos missing The veterinary records released by UCD are missing hundreds of photographs of Neuralinks test subjects taken by the primate center's staff between 2018 and 2020. While UCD is publicly funded and bound by Californias open records law, it has fought disclosure of the photographs for more than a year. UCD claims that releasing them "would not serve the public's interest." At the same time, videos of the experiments have allegedly disappeared. Documents obtained by Wired revealed that the primate centers staff wrote about reviewing a "tape" of the tan macaque hours before they stopped her heart. Yet UCD has not acknowledged that such a tape exists, and Neuralink, whose partnership with the school ended back in 2020, was allowed to store its own footage and remove it from the property when it wanted to do so. In a September 2021 email to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), UCD claimed that Neuralink "provided their own computing infrastructure, and they had their own network connection, and they have removed their computing infrastructure from the premises." PCRM is suing UCD for the release of images and videos of Neuralink's experiments there. Records also revealed that UCD instructed Neuralink to request permission before recording any of the animals, with the school reserving the right to view the footage. Internal emails showed that Neuralink had tight control over what UCD was allowed to reveal about the experiments. Macaques procured for Neuralink from the UCD colony were trained for several months or years before being operated on, revealed a former Neuralink employee. However, they had "abysmal" chances of survival, partly because of "poor planning and poor procedure." Visit ElonMuskWatch.com for more news on Elon Musk and Neuralink. Watch Elon Musk say that artificial intelligence could kill all humans. This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: UNESCO warns against BRAIN CHIPS being used as personality-altering weapons. Elon Musks medical device company Neuralink facing federal investigation over animal testing. Elon Musks Neuralink receives FDA approval to begin clinical trials for brain implants. Sources include: Wired.com NAL.USDA.gov InsideHigherEd.com Brighteon.com Trump drops lawsuit against his former lawyer Michael Cohen due to conflict with presidential campaign schedule Former President Donald Trump has withdrawn a lawsuit against his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, due to the growing conflict between the lawsuit and his presidential campaign. According to the court filing submitted by Alejandro Brito, a Florida-based attorney for Trump, the former president was dropping the case with no explanation. However, the filing stated that the dismissal was "without prejudice." In short, Trump could potentially re-file the lawsuit in the future. "President Trump has decided to temporarily pause his meritorious claims against Michael Cohen. Once President Trump has prevailed in dealing with the witch hunts against him, he will continue to pursue his claims against Michael Cohen, who rightfully deserves to, and will be held accountable for his unlawful words and actions," a spokesperson for Trump said. The unexpected move comes as Trump faces multiple criminal cases and a scheduled deposition. A judge had previously ordered Trump to sit for a deposition in the Cohen lawsuit on Oct. 16 in New York. However, Trump had postponed the deposition twice and tried to reschedule it on Oct. 15. The judge remained firm, insisting on the deposition on the said date. But Trump announced a campaign rally in New Hampshire on that same date to further conflict the demands on his schedule. In response to the decision, Cohen released a statement suggesting that Trump was avoiding the prospect of a deposition where he would have to answer questions under oath. "Mr. Trump's cowardly dismissal spells the end of this latest attempt to deter me from providing truthful testimony against him," Cohen stated. Cohen plays key role in Trump indictment The lawsuit in question was filed by Trump in April in federal court in South Florida, alleging that Cohen had breached attorney-client privilege and a confidentiality agreement by making public allegations about Trump. This indictment of Trump comes after the unrelated December 2022 conviction of his family business, the Trump Organization, for tax fraud. The origins of Trump's indictment can be traced back to the 2018 federal conviction of Cohen, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance felony for facilitating the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels and received a three-year prison sentence. Both Cohen and federal prosecutors stated that he acted "in coordination with and at the direction of" the former president. "I stand by my testimony and the evidence that I provided to the district attorney of New York," Cohen said during an interview on MSNBC. But Trump consistently denied the affair and even released a statement shortly after the news. He described it as a "witch hunt" and claimed that it was an attempt by Democrats to interfere in the 2024 election. (Related: 'The witch hunt against me is DEAD': Trump says left-wing Manhattan DA 'tricked' by 'fraud' star witness in Stormy Daniels case.) "This is political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history," Trump said in a statement. "The Democrats have lied, cheated, and stolen in their obsession with trying to 'Get Trump,' but now they've done the unthinkable indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant election interference." Visit Trump.news for more stories about the former president. Watch Newsmax's Chris Salcedo as he talks to legal expert Alan Dershowitz about Trump's indictment below. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Musk FIRES former FBI lawyer who was heavily involved in 'Russiagate' hoax against Donald Trump. Biden's Justice Department might file a THIRD INDICTMENT against Donald Trump. Former federal prosecutor finds numerous problems with indictment documents against Trump. 2018 Letter from Cohen's attorney could compromise DA Bragg's indictment of Trump. Former Arizona AG: Trump indictment an example of weaponized government bureaucracy. Sources include: Politico.com 1 Politico.com 2 ELABORATE THEATER: Jailed Ukrainian oligarch BRAINWASHED people into voting for Zelensky as the countrys president The Ukrainian electorate had been brainwashed to vote for Volodymyr Zelensky as its president through the efforts of a now-jailed oligarch. Blogger Dmitro Chekalkin made this remark during an Oct. 4 appearance on the "Conversations That Matter" podcast, which is hosted by Alex Newman. The blogger had been included in a list of personalities whose Facebook and Instagram pages were blocked after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reached out to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Chekalkin was reportedly included due to his harsh criticism of Zelensky and his backer, media tycoon Igor Kolomoysky. According to the former military interpreter and diplomat, Kolomoysky has now been brought to justice for his economic crimes. But he added that the oligarch must also be charged for undermining Ukrainian security and engaging in anti-government activities. Chekalkin also accused Kolomoysky of cooperating with Russian President Vladimir Putin to brainwash the Ukrainian people and make them think that a peace agreement is possible. "Zelensky will go fishing with [Putin], we'll just drink a bottle of vodka at the bank of the river and we will settle all our differences, all our issues," the blogger told Newman. "But it was absolutely far from reality, and Kolomoysky was using his media empire to promote this false scenario." Chekalkin also quoted a journalist under the Kolomoysky media empire, who broadcast an interview with Zelensky promoting the idea that it was easy to make Putin a friend of Kyiv. This brainwashing mechanism had convinced a majority of Ukrainians to vote for the current president. Brainwashing mainly done through "Servant of the People" TV series Newman's guest said that even though the SBU had already prosecuted Kolomoysky for fraud and money laundering, the oligarch's main crime was brainwashing Ukrainians with Zelensky's TV series aired on a channel he owns. (Related: Zelenskys billionaire backer jailed, now facing $13.5 million in fraud and money laundering charges.) "Servant of the People," which aired on Kolomoysky's 1+1 channel, starred Zelensky as a high school teacher who becomes the chief executive of Ukraine. Chekalkin pointed out that the first three seasons of the show were aired in preparation for the main star's future presidential campaign. On a personal level, Chekalkin also shared that Kolomoysky himself reached out to him as a potential candidate for the series. While he has worn many hats, he did not want to be promoted as a future Ukrainian president. Chekalkin repeatedly turned down offers by the Kolomoysky empire until it convinced Zelensky then a comedian with his Kvartal 95 collective to jump on the project. Meanwhile, Newman said most Americans were unfamiliar with Kolomoysky until the American media discussed his links with the Burisma gas company. The oligarch also had a controlling interest in the Ukrainian energy firm, which also saw presidential son Hunter Biden on its board collecting money. He ultimately pointed out that Kolomoysky is the one who really created Zelensky with his propaganda media empire. Chekalkin, who served as the first Ukrainian diplomat to Israel, also contributed some information regarding Kolomoysky's businesses in America. He recounted investigators from risk advisory firm Kroll discovering the oligarch's dirty transactions amounting to $470 billion. Aside from these, Kolomoysky had also made huge investments abroad including blocks of property in American cities. The $470 billion went through numerous transactions that obscured the trails of the original source of the cash. Chekalkin told Newman that this money was taken from PrivatBank which Kolomoysky formerly owned before its 2016 nationalization and used to finance the oligarch's media empire. Follow UkraineWitness.com for more news about the corruption in Ukraine. Watch the full conversation between Dmitro Chekalkin and Alex Newman on the "Conversations That Matter" podcast below. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: George Soros helped Zelensky become president of Ukraine through massive propaganda campaign; now he backs puppet regime he installed. Zelensky and his cronies are trying to cover up a major corruption scandal in Ukraine what role is the US playing? Former Zelensky backer charged over EMBEZZLEMENT of $250M from Ukrainian bank. Sources include: Brighteon.com Reuters.com WSJ says Iran helped Hamas plot attack on Israel over several weeks; Israel eager to start BOMBING Iran The recent attacks by Hamas against southern Israel would not have been possible had Iran not helped plot the attack "over several weeks." This is the claim of the(WSJ), which says Iran ultimately gave the green light for the attacks. This narrative feeds right into Israel's desire to go after Iran with bombs or as one independent media outlet put it: "... that Iran may get dragged into what is rapidly emerging as the worst Middle-Eastern crisis in year, with various pro-Israeli hawks claiming that the Hamas attacks would have only occurred with explicit Iranian backing." If Israel does end up attacking Iran as desired for many years now, then this same media outlet suggests that Americans "fill up the gas tank" right away because it will be World War III on our doorstep before you know it. According to the WSJ, "Iranian security officials" are responsible for green-lighting the Hamas attacks at a meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, last month. This is according to senior members of both Hamas and Hezbollah, another Iran-backed militant group. The same WSJ report says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been working with Hamas since last August to devise a plan to attack Israel by air, land, and sea incursions. (Related: If the far-right Israeli Knesset gets its way, it will soon be a crime to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere in Israel violators would be thrown in prison.) Government officials say Iran not involved in Hamas attack Officials from the government are telling a much different story than the WSJ, though. According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "we have not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but there is certainly a long relationship." The Biden regime has a difficult situation on its hands now, especially with 2024 being an election year and gas prices at their highest level ever. The regime is desperate to vindicate Iran for its own reasons in order to get sanctions against Tehran lifted so more oil can flow into the United States before next fall. Fake president Joe Biden's chances of reelection apart from a major fraud operation are next to nil if America's dire economic situation does not improve. So, whether Iran was involved or not in the recent Hamas attack is almost irrelevant from the perspective of how Biden's people have to frame this thing to maintain public support. "We don't have any information at this time to corroborate this account," said another government official in denial of Iran's involvement in the Hamas attack. "Whether or not Iran actually did help Hamas plan and execute the attack, and whether Mossad the world's best intelligence agency was really completely unaware of what was going on, is for the time being irrelevant," one independent media outlet reported. "What matters is that the narrative is now being shaped so that the mainstream media will cast blame on Iran alongside Hamas, just as a U.S. aircraft carrier arrives in the Gulf to provide support to Israel." "The geopolitical implications are staggering, but once again we repeat our advice from Saturday morning: fill up your gas tank now." In the comments, someone added to the conversation that he, too, is simply shocked that Israeli intelligence somehow could not have known the attack was going to happen beforehand, seeing as how powerful and "all-seeing" it tends to be. "Impossible for me to imagine how the most secure state on earth suffered a surprise attack from slow-moving paragliders and mopeds," this person wrote. "This was an inside job." Will this fresh conflict in the Middle East lead to World War III? Find out more at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Newstarget.com The annular solar eclipse of 2023 will occur later this week and many will have the chance to witness the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse across the world's Western hemisphere, the Americas. Aside from astronomers, amateur skygazers and space enthusiasts can take a glimpse of the rare cosmic event on Saturday, October 14. In particular, the annular eclipse can be seen in North America, as well as in Central America and South America. Solar eclipse transpires when our Solar System's Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. The upcoming space phenomenon is significant since it will be the first time to occur in North America after more than a decade. In the United States, the last annular solar eclipse was visible in the western part of the country back in May 2012. Regardless, the event can be viewed in a successive pattern across the continent instead of the exact same time. 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the 2023 annular solar eclipse will be visible in some parts of the US, Mexico, and several countries in Central and South America. The rare celestial event will begin in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PDT (local time) on Saturday and it will end in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT on the same day. Although nothing beats viewing the annular eclipse first-hand, it can also be viewed (at least through online) by people in other parts of the world. This is possible through the US space agency's live YouTube stream of the event titled "The Ring of Fire: 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse" which is the official NASA broadcast of the October 14 eclipse. Also Read: Ring of Fire Eclipse Appears From Oregon to Brazil on October 14, Here's How to Prepare for It How to Safely Watch the Ring of Fire Phenomenon The approaching Ring of Fire eclipse is expected to partially obscure the shape or image of the Sun from the visual perspective of the viewer on Earth. Still, NASA recently warned that during an annular eclipse, it is never safe to directly gaze at the Sun without using any specialized eye protection for solar viewing. In previous yet related events, directly looking at the Sun has caused permanent damage to one's eyes due to exposure to its bright, radiating light. In this case, normal sunglasses will not help. According to the American Astronomical Society (AAS), pinhole projection is a convenient method when it comes to safe viewing of the partially-eclipsed Sun. One of the common ways to make a pinhole projector is by making a small hole in a piece of card. Yet, the AAS suggests that a pasta colander, a straw hat, a wall, or any material with small holes in it can serve as a pinhole projector. Furthermore, the organization also recommends that one can utilize optical projection when viewing a solar eclipse. The most common optical projectors are telescopes or binoculars. Related Article: Annular Solar Eclipse 2023: 5 Weird Facts About the Rare 'Ring of Fire' Eclipse Coming This Week Ancient tree rings indicate that the Earth had its most powerful solar storm thousands of years ago, which was 10 times more catastrophic than the Carrington Event. It is estimated that this enormously intense solar storm was at least ten times as catastrophic as the Carrington Event of 1859, which wreaked havoc on the primitive telegraph network of the time. The true amount of the sun's power and the possible risk it poses to us if a storm of this size occurs today are revealed by a radiocarbon spike found in ancient tree rings in the French Alps, according to a new study. The scientists discovered an odd radiocarbon peak in the tree rings of sub-fossilized trees that date to about 14,300 years ago. Sudden Spike of Radiocarbon Tim Heaton, a professor of applied statistics at the University of Leeds, discussed radiocarbon production in Earth's upper atmosphere. He said that cosmic rays trigger this process, usually mitigated by the sun and Earth's magnetic field. However, in 2012, Fusa Miyake detected an unusual radiocarbon spike in a Japanese tree from 774 AD. Initially attributed to a supernova, further research revealed it resulted from a massive solar storm. Such storms release energetic solar particles into Earth's atmosphere, causing sudden radiocarbon surges. This event is the largest of its kind, known as a Miyake event. Earth's Largest-Ever Solar Storm The radiocarbon spike in tree rings aligned with beryllium levels in Greenland ice cores, confirming it as a result of a massive solar storm. Professor Heaton verified the 14,300-year-old spike by comparing it with beryllium-10 levels, both produced by similar upper atmosphere processes. This dual confirmation indicated the spike's authenticity and its solar origin, signifying an unprecedentedly massive solar storm. Solar storms, like the Carrington Event, result from solar flares, involving powerful X-ray ejections from the sun. Associate Professor Daniel Brown explained that flares occur due to twisted magnetic field lines, storing energy until they snap and release electromagnetic radiation and material from the sun's active regions. The Carrington Event and Damages The Carrington Event considered the most potent solar storm in modern history, wreaked havoc in 1859, causing significant infrastructure damage and an extraordinary night sky aurora. Professor Alan Woodward, a space weather expert at the University of Surrey, noted telegraph lines sparking due to induced voltages during the Carrington Event. A similar solar storm today could result in trillions of dollars in damages. The tree ring-measured storm surpasses the Carrington Event, belonging to the extreme solar storm category known as Miyake Events. This 14,300-year-old discovery may be the most powerful, estimated to be at least 10 times larger than Carrington. Also Read: World's Greatest Solar Storm: Carrington Event That Threatened to Cripple Technology This discovery underscores the sun's immense power and the potential for future powerful solar storms to impact Earth. Professor Heaton warns that such storms today could have catastrophic consequences, given people's heavy reliance on technology. The economic toll could reach billions or even trillions of dollars, though the exact impact remains uncertain as modern society has not directly faced such events. Heaton emphasizes the need for further research to understand the potential damage, including disruptions to electricity grids, transformer destruction, prolonged nationwide blackouts, satellite damage, and risks to astronauts due to radiation exposure from energetic solar particles. Heaton emphasized the unknown resilience of current technology to massive solar storms and the need to shield it effectively. This discovery offers a unique opportunity to study past solar storms and gauge their frequency. The mysteries surrounding Miyake storms, including their causes, frequency, and predictability, underscore the urgent need for more research to enhance solar behavior modeling and people's understanding of risks. While rare, with only 9 Miyake Events in the last 15,000 years, comprehending their behavior remains critical for potential mitigation. Related Article: Tree Rings: Scientists Use a Simple Method to Unlock Trees' History Without Cutting Stick insects are fascinating creatures that can mimic the appearance of twigs and leaves to avoid being eaten by predators. However, some of them are also flightless, which means they have limited ability to move across long distances and overcome geographic barriers. How then do they manage to colonize new habitats and maintain genetic diversity? A recent study by researchers from Kobe University in Japan suggests that birds may play a key role in dispersing the eggs of stick insects after eating the pregnant females. This is similar to how many plants rely on birds to eat their fruits and seeds and carry them to new locations. The evidence for bird-mediated egg dispersal The researchers focused on a common stick insect species in Japan, Ramulus mikado, which is known to be parthenogenic, meaning that the females can produce viable eggs without fertilization. They collected specimens from 17 locations across Japan and analyzed their genetic relationship patterns using a technique called microsatellite genotyping. They found that most of the genes showed a positive correlation between genetic differentiation and geographic distance, indicating that the stick insects have limited active dispersal ability. However, they also found a few genes that were identical or very similar among populations that were separated by hundreds of kilometers and across geographic features such as mountains and seas. These genes were likely derived from a single or a few individuals that had been transported by birds. The researchers also conducted experiments in the lab to test whether the eggs of Ramulus mikado could survive the passage through the digestive tract of birds. They fed gravid females to brown-eared bulbuls, a common bird species in Japan, and collected their feces, and found that some of the eggs remained intact and viable after being excreted by the birds. The implications for stick insect evolution and ecology The study provides strong evidence that bird-mediated egg dispersal is a possible mechanism for the distribution of flightless stick insects. This may explain how some stick insect species have colonized remote islands and maintained genetic connectivity among isolated populations. The researchers suggested that this mechanism may also have evolutionary consequences for stick insects, such as promoting genetic diversity, facilitating adaptation to new environments, and increasing the risk of hybridization with other species. The study also highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between predators and prey, and how they can affect the dispersal and distribution of organisms. As the researchers conclude, "This finding invites researchers to delve deeper into the mechanisms of dispersal in various species and challenge long-held assumptions about the fate of organisms devoured by predators." Also Read: How Birds Hear Without Ears The diversity and distribution of stick insects Stick insects belong to the insect order Phasmatodea - the name comes from the Greek word "phasm," meaning phantom. The order includes about 3,000 species worldwide, with the most diversity around the tropics. New Zealand's temperate climate supports more than 20 described species of stick insect. Stick insect species, often called walking sticks, range in size from the tiny, half-inch-long Timema cristinae of North America, to the formidable 13-inch-long Phobaeticus kirbyi of Borneo. This giant measures over 21 inches with its legs outstretched, making it one of the world's longest insects. Females are normally larger than males. Phasmids generally mimic their surroundings in color, normally green or brown, although some species are brilliantly colored and others conspicuously striped. Many stick insects have wings, some spectacularly beautiful, while others resemble little more than a stump. Several species have spines and tubercles on their bodies. Found predominantly in the tropics and subtropics-although several species live in temperate regions-stick insects thrive in forests and grasslands, where they feed on leaves. Mainly nocturnal creatures, they spend much of their day motionless, hidden under plants. The origin and evolution of stick insects The fossil record of stick insects is scarce, but molecular studies suggest that they originated in the Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago. They may have evolved from an ancestor that resembled a modern-day cockroach or mantis. Some researchers have proposed that the diversification of stick insects was triggered by the emergence of birds and mammals as major predators in the Cretaceous period, about 145 to 66 million years ago. These animals have keen vision and can detect small movements, which may have favored the evolution of camouflage and mimicry in stick insects. However, other factors such as climate change, plant diversity, geographic isolation, and sexual selection may also have influenced the evolution of stick insects. More studies are needed to unravel the complex history of these forest phantoms. Related article: Blind Birds Sweep Washington, Terrify DC Residents Some ill-equipped hospitals in Afghanistan are already having a difficult time in accommodating victims of the powerful earthquake that struck the country. Many of those who were wounded, which the number is at more than 1,600, were sent to the Herat Regional Hospital. Officials said that the teams from the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) have been there since the weekend. Most of the patients arriving in the hospital were non-emergency cases. However, many of these patients no longer have houses to return to; therefore, many of them have remained in the hospital facilities while authorities are looking for alternative places where they could stay. Authorities said that majority of the earthquake survivors who are being treated in medical facilities were women and children. Read Also: Afghan Quake: Global Response 'Slow,' Approaching Winter Seen To Challenge Response Efforts Affected individuals The United Nations said that an estimate of 12,110 people or 1,730 families have been affected in five districts of Herat. The figures of those affected are expected to increase as assessments being conducted by authorities continue, according to OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke. Officials have also recorded a series of aftershocks, including one measuring 5.1 magnitude on Tuesday. This only made the situation worse. According to UNHC spokesperson William Spindler, search and rescue teams are on their way bringing water and shelter to assist traumatized survivors amid the extensive damage brought by the destructive earthquake. Spindler said that those worst-hit have lost all their belongings and as winter approaches the country, these people need warm clothing. World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said that at present, the immediate focus in the response measures is to save the lives of those injured and to ensure that survivors have access to humanitarian relief, including essential health services. "Women, children and vulnerable populations are gravely affected by the disaster," Jasarevic said, noting that female health workers in the country continue to attend to patients, with no discrimination. Jasarevic further confirmed that the UN health agency has provided enough supplies to treat 650 injured patients at Herat Regional Hospital. Jasarevic also said an additional 25 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies have also been sent to Herat, while 54 mobile health teams, including three by WHO, have been deployed in the affected areas. A total of 12 ambulances have been sent to Zindajan District and Ghorian District to evacuate causalities to the regional and other hospitals. The WHO also warned that displacement caused by the powerful earthquake has posed a significant health risk among the residents, including increasing the transmission of infectious diseases, such as measles, acute respiratory infections and acute watery diarrhea. Officials also urged the authorities to boost preparedness in the event of disease outbreaks. Second earthquake Authorities said that a 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck western Afghanistan and this came days after the series of deadly quakes that left more than 2,400 people dead. The powerful earthquake struck an area near Herat early Wednesday morning. Authorities said that there had been "huge losses" in districts near areas that had been flattened by the earlier quakes. Related Article: Western Afghanistan's Deadly Earthquake: Over 2,000 People Died, 1300 Houses Affected Related Video: The Amazon rainforest may contain thousands of unknown ancient earthworks. According to a recent study published in Science that combines scan data with archaeological knowledge and statistical methodologies, almost 10,000 undiscovered pre-Columbian remnants could be discovered. These relics are mostly earthworks, or buildings composed of raised or dug earth. Earthworks were created by indigenous peoples who lived in the area 500 to 1,500 years ago and have been linked to ceremonial and defensive purposes, and they provide a picture of how ancient settlements would have looked. Read Also: Brazil Records Big Increase in Amazon Forest Fires Scanning Techniques Revealed Amazonian Earthworks Many pre-European colonial Amazonian earthworks have been discovered in deforested areas. However, researchers anticipated that there were even more similar locations that are now almost undetectable, hidden beneath dense forest. To identify them, scientists examined topographical scans conducted with a remote sensing technique known as light detection and ranging, or lidar. This aerial technology uses laser pulses to ping the earth, monitoring fluctuations in distances to the ground. When the light bounces back, it is merged with other data to produce 3D maps of the landscape below. "Lidar is really essential to confirm the presence of the structures, especially beneath the forest," said geographer Vinicius Peripato, a researcher at Brazil's National Institute for Space Research in Sao Paulo. The lidar data analysis found 24 previously unknown earthworks in locations distributed across the Amazon basin. In the south, there was a settlement with a plaza and a fortified village; in the north, there were megalithic buildings; and in the southwest, there were rectangular and circular formations, or geoglyphs. The lidar area covered only 0.08% of the Amazon rainforest, which covers around 2.6 million square miles (6.7 million square kilometers). The researchers mapped 937 existing earthworks and instructed the algorithm to highlight additional earthworks that shared similar topographic traits with previously recognized sites. They restricted the list of potential secret places even further by examining tree survey data from 1,676 forest plots for appearances of any of the 79 species known to have been domesticated and grown by pre-Columbian cultures. According to the model, there are more than 10,000 earthworks and probably more than 23,000 earthworks lying beneath the Amazon's canopy. The known sites account for no more than 9% of what may be maintained under the Amazonian rainforest canopy. Understanding Amazon The findings have altered the understanding of the Amazon jungle. Many scientists previously considered that the forest had been unspoiled for ages, but the earthworks indicate human occupancy in the woodland long before Europeans arrived. Some anthropologists believe that the Amazon was once populated. "The conclusions are not surprising, but follow a trend in Amazonian studies to increase the scale, density and impact of human occupations on the Amazon forest," said Dr. Michael Heckenberger, a professor of anthropology at the University of Florida. These findings show that indigenous peoples' cultural history in the Americas and elsewhere is "remarkably dynamic and innovative." Earthworks research is important not only from a scientific standpoint, but it may also have societal ramifications. Indigenous Amazonians may utilize this research to demonstrate to the Brazilian government that they have been living in the jungle for decades, preserving their land rights. The discoveries could spark additional archaeological expeditions to previously unexplored areas of the Amazon, expanding "throughout the Amazonia in a wider area." Related Article: The Amazon Was Once Open Grasslands Related Video: In an effort to combat the impending sea level rise, Singapore plans to raise S$100 billion over the next 100 years. In 50 years, Singapore expanded by reclaiming land from the sea, growing 25% larger - now close in size to all five NYC boroughs. Despite global rising sea levels, Singapore plans a 4% expansion by 2030. PUB's Ho Chai Teck emphasizes a determined commitment to safeguarding their coastline, vowing never to lose any land permanently, by constructing a comprehensive coastal defense. S$100 Billion Over the Next 100 years Roughly one-third of Singapore, including iconic properties like Marina Bay's luxury hub and major banks, lies within 16 feet of sea level, making it highly vulnerable to flooding. With a 1.5C temperature rise, $50 billion worth of prime real estate faces a high flood risk. Jurong Island, hosting oil and petrochemical giants, is also at risk. Benjamin Horton, a sea-level expert at Nanyang Technological University, stressed that Singapore's exceptional economic wealth magnifies its vulnerability. PM Lee Hsien Loong committed $100 billion over a century to battle sea-level rise, with $5 billion allocated to a coastal protection fund. Singapore's defense against climate change is existential and crucial for its survival. Other coastal cities worldwide will closely observe Singapore's strategies as they grapple with similar challenges. Marina Barrage In Singapore, the Marina Barrage, a S$226 million dam, serves both as a tourist attraction and a vital flood defense structure. It houses seven enormous pumps designed to control excess water during high tides and heavy rainfall, safeguarding 70% of Singapore's coastline. As tropical storms and sea levels rise, strengthening these defenses becomes imperative. The Hydroinformatics Institute and the National University of Singapore collaborate with PUB to develop a computer model, projecting sea-level rise and rainfall impacts by 2025. This model will identify the most vulnerable areas, considering flood depth and duration. Minister Grace Fu stresses the need for dynamic solutions, avoiding resource waste, and the necessity for future enhancements in coastal protection. Strategies Singapore authorities are exploring storm surge barriers on its waterways, designed to remain open for shipping and close during major storms, protecting industrial areas. Other potential measures include raising coastal reservoir dikes, implementing tide gates, and constructing embankments. The airport is building a terminal 18 feet above sea level, with over 6 miles of drainage to prevent runway flooding. Businesses like City Developments Ltd. and Frasers Property have added flood defenses, but experts believe more urgent action is needed to address rising sea levels. Mangroves Mangrove trees at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve form unique shapes in response to tidal waters. These trees serve as a natural barrier against rising seas, but for comprehensive shoreline protection, they should extend for hundreds of yards or even miles as seen in Indonesia. In Singapore, mangroves reduce storm wave heights by over 75% and sequester up to four times more carbon than rainforests. To enhance coastal defense, Singapore is experimenting with combining mangroves and stone or concrete barriers, known as revetments, at locations like Kranji Coastal Nature Park and Pulau Hantu Island. Also Read: Dead Zone From Plankton Bloom Off Coast Thailand Puts 260 Mussel Farms in Danger Sea Walls According to Daisuke Taira, a mangrove researcher at the Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions at the National University of Singapore, Singapore's current sea walls and revetments restrict one potential remedy by promoting the creation of greater mangrove habitats. According to analysts, the nation should conserve the current habitat of tropical trees as well as their bulwark roots. However, it will probably need to rely more on technical marvels like walls. Taira claims Singapore is one of the hardest areas to grow mangroves in order to keep the seas at bay. Reclaiming Northeast of Singapore on Pulau Tekong, innovative machinery and drainage systems inspired by Dutch polders are used to reclaim land below sea level. The first polder in Singapore, a 3-square-mile area, will augment the country's landmass by 1% when completed in 2024 for military training. This method minimizes sand usage, an advantage for a major sand-importing nation like Singapore. While the region has calmer seas than the Netherlands, its intense rainfall demands enhanced drainage systems. The government aims to verify the technology's safety and effectiveness in Pulau Tekong before considering broader implementation. Related Article: 20-Year Drought Causes Panama Canal to Run Dry, Causing Maritime Trade Disruptions BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Representatives of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank, who are visiting Azerbaijan, have discussed improvement of activity of state enterprises, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy. Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov held a meeting with the representatives of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank, who are visiting Azerbaijan. The parties discussed the joint "Analysis of corporate governance in Azerbaijan Investment Holding and its portfolio of state enterprises" project, privatization and steps implemented in this direction, improvement of corporate governance and, in this context, other priority reforms. In addition, the meeting provided information on measures to develop the non-oil sector, economic diversification, investment promotion and progressive improvement of the business environment in Azerbaijan, as well as results achieved in these areas. Warming Colorado River waters encourages invasive fish, endangering native species as invasives spread downstream. Climate change and dwindling river reservoirs promote invasive species, notably the smallmouth bass. Scientists worry about potential harm to the Grand Canyon's native humpback chub. Officials and researchers seek solutions but face regional controversy. Good For Native Species, Also for Invasives The Grand Canyon once thrived with native species, a rarity in the Colorado River system, according to Brian Healy, a US Geological Survey biologist. Recently, a shift in temperatures led to the rise of non-native fish like brown and rainbow trout, benefiting the humpback chub. David Rogowski of the Arizona Game and Fish Department noted the area's warming trend, beneficial to both native and non-native species, raising concerns for the ecosystem's balance. Invasive Fish in the Colorado River Smallmouth bass, introduced to the Colorado River system in 1982, thrived in Lake Powell, contributing to a "fantastic fishery." However, with declining reservoir levels due to climate change, warmer waters near the Glen Canyon Dam's hydropower intakes now allow these fish to migrate downstream, posing a threat to native species. Previously, the water was too cool for smallmouth bass reproduction. Now, it's warm enough for their growth and reproduction, creating an unexpected ecological challenge in the Colorado River system. National Park Service's Controversial Rotenone Solution In the past two summers, the National Park Service took proactive steps to remove smallmouth bass and green sunfish from the Colorado River Slough below the Glen Canyon Dam. They used a fish poison called rotenone, but precautions were taken to minimize exposure to other species. While rotenone can be harmful to people and animals in high concentrations, any entering the main channel would quickly dilute to insignificant levels. Targeting specific breeding areas is not a comprehensive solution, but it's a productive strategy. The Colorado River Slough is the primary known location for invasive fish reproduction, making it a focal point for control efforts. Also Read: Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Lays Waste to 17-Mile Hiking Trail Prompting Closure for Pennsylvania's Tyler Arboretum Warming Water Temperatures The Bureau of Reclamation recently initiated a formal evaluation process to explore proposals for modifying flow velocity and temperature at the Glen Canyon Dam. This action aims to disrupt the downstream reproduction of invasive species. Located downstream from Lake Powell, the dam's warming upper layer has created optimal conditions for smallmouth bass reproduction. This evaluation has sparked controversy, with environmental groups and utilities expressing contrasting opinions. In August 2022, the agency's initial environmental assessment generated nearly 7,000 public comments. Some advocated for a solution involving regular cool water releases supplemented by high-flow cold water "spikes" during the summer, seen as the most viable and cost-effective approach by groups like Trout Unlimited. However, other environmental organizations called for more drastic measures. Despite the comprehensive evaluation, the Center for Biological Diversity considered it "too little too late." The situation underscores the complex challenges and differing perspectives surrounding the management of invasive species in the Colorado River system. Related Article: Bamboo: Highly Invasive in UK Destroys Driveways, Gardening Expert Warns BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020 in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, Trend reports. The erupted 44-day Second Karabakh War ended with liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation. Trend presents the chronicle of the 15th day of the Second Karabakh war: - President Ilham Aliyev in connection with the shelling of Ganja: the Azerbaijani side will give a worthy answer to all this! - President Ilham Aliyev: The missile attack on Ganja was carried out from the Vardenis region of Armenia. - President Ilham Aliyev: These dishonorable deeds of Armenia can never break thewill of Azerbaijani people. - First VP Mehriban Aliyeva: I call upon the international community not to remain indifferent to all happened. - The Ministry of Defense issued a statement that the information disseminated by the Armenian side about the alleged killing of civilians in Hadrut by Azerbaijani servicemen - a woman and her disabled son - is groundless, not supported by facts and is aimed at misleading the international community. - The Ministry of Defense issued a statement that the information disseminated by the Armenian side about the missile strikes allegedly inflicted by the Azerbaijani army on settlements in the occupied territories is a lie and disinformation. - Azerbaijani Ganja city once again under fire. - As a result of the next shelling of Ganja by the Armenian Armed Forces, 5 people were killed and 27 were injured. - Information about the shelling of Baku does not correspond to reality. - Armenian armed forces launch missile attacks on Azerbaijani Mingachevir. - Azerbaijani army delivers fire strikes against the Armenian Armed Forces. - Deputy regiment commander of the Armed Forces of Armenia destroyed. - A large number of forces and equipment of the Armenian army destroyed. - On October 11, around 08.00, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of Armenia, which attempted to fly in the Mingachevir direction, was destroyed by the air defense units of Azerbaijan. - The forces and means of the Armenian Armed Forces, which tried to go on the offensive, were destroyed. - The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan reported that as a result of the shelling of Ganja by the Armenian Armed Forces, 7 people were killed and 34 were injured. - The Armenian Armed Forces fired at an ambulance with a white flag on it, which was picking up the bodies of the Armenian military. - The death toll in Ganja as a result of rocket attacks from the Armenian Armed Forces has reached 9. - The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan reported that since the beginning of the attacks of the Armenian Armed Forces, 41 civilians were killed and 205 civilians were wounded. - The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that the responsibility for the aggravation of the situation in the region lies entirely with the leadership of Armenia. - Azerbaijan destroys another Armenian UAV. - Video of the moment of the missile strike on Ganja released. - Armenian armed forces suffer heavy losses as result of airstrikes. - Azerbaijani MoD publishes footage of liberated Dashkesan village. - Kub anti-aircraft missile system of Armenian armed forces destroyed. - Azerbaijani MoD publishes footage of liberated Horadiz village. - Azerbaijan shows newly liberated Sugovushan village of Tartar district. Jaison Wilson By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A Delhi Court on Wednesday summoned BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on a womans complaint alleging rape and criminal intimidation after taking cognizance of the offences against the former union minister. Asking Hussain to appear before the court on October 20, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vaibhav Mehta of Rouse Avenue Courts dismissed the Delhi police's cancellation report which contended that no case at all was made out on the allegations. The woman was approaching the court with a protest petition against the report of cops. "Here is a woman before the Court who is stating before the police and before the court, repeatedly, that she has been raped by being intoxicated; unless IO brings such material on record to establish that there is no possibility that she could have been raped, this court has no reason to throw out her case at the outset," the judge noted in the order. The court was of the view that the complainant woman had given consistent statements to the police. "This court after going through the cancellation report, protest petition filed by the complainant, the reply to the protest petition filed by the IO and other material on record is of the view that the complainant has given consistent statements to the police, to the court in her application and before the Ld. Magistrate in her statement u/s 164 Cr.PC," the order read. The judge said the allegations need to be scrutinised in order to find whether it is reliable or not. "Whether the statement of the Complainant is reliable or not can be found out only after the same is put to scrutiny before the Court of Trial," it was noted further. "The issues raised by the IO (investigating officer) while filing the cancellation reportare matters which can be decided during trial," it was added. "Moreover this court is of the view that the version of the complainant and her trustworthiness can be tested only during the trial when she is cross-examined by the accused and so this court on the basis of material placed on record along with the cancellation report especially the statement of the complainant wherein she has supported her allegation of rape and threats by accused Syed Shahnawaz Hussain this court takes cognizance of the offences," the judge said. Accordingly, the court took cognisance of alleged offences which are punishable under various provisions of the IPC including sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) while summoning Hussain for the next hearing. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: A Delhi Court on Wednesday summoned BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on a womans complaint alleging rape and criminal intimidation after taking cognizance of the offences against the former union minister. Asking Hussain to appear before the court on October 20, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vaibhav Mehta of Rouse Avenue Courts dismissed the Delhi police's cancellation report which contended that no case at all was made out on the allegations. The woman was approaching the court with a protest petition against the report of cops.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Here is a woman before the Court who is stating before the police and before the court, repeatedly, that she has been raped by being intoxicated; unless IO brings such material on record to establish that there is no possibility that she could have been raped, this court has no reason to throw out her case at the outset," the judge noted in the order. The court was of the view that the complainant woman had given consistent statements to the police. "This court after going through the cancellation report, protest petition filed by the complainant, the reply to the protest petition filed by the IO and other material on record is of the view that the complainant has given consistent statements to the police, to the court in her application and before the Ld. Magistrate in her statement u/s 164 Cr.PC," the order read. The judge said the allegations need to be scrutinised in order to find whether it is reliable or not. "Whether the statement of the Complainant is reliable or not can be found out only after the same is put to scrutiny before the Court of Trial," it was noted further. "The issues raised by the IO (investigating officer) while filing the cancellation reportare matters which can be decided during trial," it was added. "Moreover this court is of the view that the version of the complainant and her trustworthiness can be tested only during the trial when she is cross-examined by the accused and so this court on the basis of material placed on record along with the cancellation report especially the statement of the complainant wherein she has supported her allegation of rape and threats by accused Syed Shahnawaz Hussain this court takes cognizance of the offences," the judge said. Accordingly, the court took cognisance of alleged offences which are punishable under various provisions of the IPC including sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) while summoning Hussain for the next hearing. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI MUMBAI: Actor Madhura Naik, known for shows "Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahani" and "Naagin", said her cousin and brother-in-law were "murdered in cold blood" during the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out four days ago. In an Instagram video shared on Tuesday, Naik, who called herself a Jew of Indian origin, claimed her family members were killed on October 7. "My cousin Odaya was murdered in cold blood along with her husband in the presence of their two children. The grief and emotions that I and my family face today cannot be spoken in words. As of today, Israel is in pain. Her children, her women and her streets are burning in flames in the wrath of Hamas. Women, children, the old and the weak are being targeted," said the actor. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp blockquote {width: 100%; float: left;} MUMBAI: Actor Madhura Naik, known for shows "Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahani" and "Naagin", said her cousin and brother-in-law were "murdered in cold blood" during the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out four days ago. In an Instagram video shared on Tuesday, Naik, who called herself a Jew of Indian origin, claimed her family members were killed on October 7. "My cousin Odaya was murdered in cold blood along with her husband in the presence of their two children. The grief and emotions that I and my family face today cannot be spoken in words. As of today, Israel is in pain. Her children, her women and her streets are burning in flames in the wrath of Hamas. Women, children, the old and the weak are being targeted," said the actor.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); View this post on Instagram A post shared by Madhura Naik Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Speculation is rife on whether any Canadian diplomat has been posted out of India yet. This follows a story in the Financial Times suggesting that no Canadian diplomat has left India ahead of the October 10 deadline to downsize the mission. It was also reported that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a secret meeting with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Canadian High Commission in Delhi refrained from making any comments on the issue, when contacted by The New Indian Express. There has been a stalemate between India and Canada since the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made allegations on Indias involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau made these allegations in the Canadian Parliament and also expelled an Indian diplomat. India responded by calling this allegation 'absurd' and also expelled a Canadian diplomat. ALSO READ | Indo-Canadian community voices concern over 'pro-Khalistan ecosystem' in Canada India went further and suspended visa services for Canadians. Jaishankar said that since Indian diplomats were threatened in Canada, it wasnt possible for them to offer consulate services. India went a step further and said there were far more Canadian diplomats in India than Indian diplomats in Canada, so the Canadian mission needed to downsize. "We want to maintain parity and Canadian diplomats are seen interfering in our internal matters. Therefore, we would like the Canadian missions to downsize," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said earlier. Meanwhile, Trudeau has been making phone calls to different heads of state including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Jordanian king Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed. He mentioned the Nijjar killing in all his conversations and spoke about the India-Canada diplomatic row. He underscored the importance of respecting the rule of law and the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Speculation is rife on whether any Canadian diplomat has been posted out of India yet. This follows a story in the Financial Times suggesting that no Canadian diplomat has left India ahead of the October 10 deadline to downsize the mission. It was also reported that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a secret meeting with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Canadian High Commission in Delhi refrained from making any comments on the issue, when contacted by The New Indian Express.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); There has been a stalemate between India and Canada since the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made allegations on Indias involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau made these allegations in the Canadian Parliament and also expelled an Indian diplomat. India responded by calling this allegation 'absurd' and also expelled a Canadian diplomat. ALSO READ | Indo-Canadian community voices concern over 'pro-Khalistan ecosystem' in Canada India went further and suspended visa services for Canadians. Jaishankar said that since Indian diplomats were threatened in Canada, it wasnt possible for them to offer consulate services. India went a step further and said there were far more Canadian diplomats in India than Indian diplomats in Canada, so the Canadian mission needed to downsize. "We want to maintain parity and Canadian diplomats are seen interfering in our internal matters. Therefore, we would like the Canadian missions to downsize," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said earlier. Meanwhile, Trudeau has been making phone calls to different heads of state including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Jordanian king Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed. He mentioned the Nijjar killing in all his conversations and spoke about the India-Canada diplomatic row. He underscored the importance of respecting the rule of law and the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Ashish Srivastava By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday granted the police sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and Kashmiri law professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain for allegedly conspiring against the state in a 13-year-old case. They were booked in 2010 for making provocative speeches on Kashmir following a complaint lodged by social activist Sushil Pandit. The charges against them included CrPC Section 196. This section mandates seeking prosecution sanction from the state government for offences like hurting religious sentiments, hate crimes, sedition and promoting enmity. The Delhi government sat on it for years but after the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill recently gave the L-G powers to take the call, he issued prosecution sanction. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday granted the police sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and Kashmiri law professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain for allegedly conspiring against the state in a 13-year-old case. They were booked in 2010 for making provocative speeches on Kashmir following a complaint lodged by social activist Sushil Pandit. The charges against them included CrPC Section 196. This section mandates seeking prosecution sanction from the state government for offences like hurting religious sentiments, hate crimes, sedition and promoting enmity. The Delhi government sat on it for years but after the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill recently gave the L-G powers to take the call, he issued prosecution sanction.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service The five state assemblies going to the polls in November have performed poorly on a key indicator -- time spent on discussions before passing bills. A study says that members of these assemblies -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram -- passed half of the bills without any discussions. Moreover, these states preferred issuing ordinances despite assembly sessions being in session. The study by New Delhi based non-profit research organisation PRS Legislative Research also notes that the number and duration of assembly sittings in these states is very low. These assemblies met on average for less than 30 days in a year out of around 100 days of sessions. This ranged from 29 days in a year in Rajasthan to 15 days in Telangana. In 2020, Madhya Pradesh held only six sittings. Around half of the bills were passed by these assemblies within a day of their introduction, i.e., on the same day or the day after. Bizarrely, Mizoram passed 57 bills during its current term, all on the same day or the day after introduction. During its term, the Madhya Pradesh assembly issued 39 ordinances, followed by Telangana (14) and Rajasthan (13). States may issue ordinances when the assemblies are not in session. However, in MP, in 2020, 11 ordinances were issued, while the assembly met for only six days. Of these, six lapsed without being replaced by bills. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp The five state assemblies going to the polls in November have performed poorly on a key indicator -- time spent on discussions before passing bills. A study says that members of these assemblies -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram -- passed half of the bills without any discussions. Moreover, these states preferred issuing ordinances despite assembly sessions being in session. The study by New Delhi based non-profit research organisation PRS Legislative Research also notes that the number and duration of assembly sittings in these states is very low.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); These assemblies met on average for less than 30 days in a year out of around 100 days of sessions. This ranged from 29 days in a year in Rajasthan to 15 days in Telangana. In 2020, Madhya Pradesh held only six sittings. Around half of the bills were passed by these assemblies within a day of their introduction, i.e., on the same day or the day after. Bizarrely, Mizoram passed 57 bills during its current term, all on the same day or the day after introduction. During its term, the Madhya Pradesh assembly issued 39 ordinances, followed by Telangana (14) and Rajasthan (13). States may issue ordinances when the assemblies are not in session. However, in MP, in 2020, 11 ordinances were issued, while the assembly met for only six days. Of these, six lapsed without being replaced by bills. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Three years have passed since the missile attack launched by Armenian armed formations on Azerbaijan's Ganja during the second Karabakh war, Trend reports. On October 11, 2020, at around 02:00 (GMT+4), the city center was attacked by Armenian ballistic missile. As a result of the missile attack on multi-story residential buildings, none people were killed, and 35 others were wounded. Later, one of the injured individuals passed away in the hospital. In total, the city of Ganja was attacked 5 times with rockets and heavy artillery. As a result, 26 people became martyrs, and 175 people sustained injuries. Considerable damage was inflicted on vehicles and civilian infrastructure in the city. These attacks led to the deaths of 93 innocent civilians, including 12 children and 27 women. 454 people, including 35 children, suffered injuries of varying degrees, and 181 children lost one of their parents, while five children lost both of their parents. A total of 12,292 residential and non-residential buildings and 288 vehicles were damaged. Among the casualties and the wounded, there were children and women. Former 'president' of now-defunct Armenian separatist regime in Karabakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, accused of these terrorist actions against the civilian population in Ganja during the second Karabakh war, was detained by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan and taken to Baku. He was charged under Articles 100, 116, 117, 120, 214, 214-1, 214-3, 218, 279 and other articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Harutyunyan, born in 1973 in Azerbaijani city of Khankendi, acting as the so-called 'president' of separatists and under other aliases, took part in conducting an aggressive war on the territory of Azerbaijan. He was involved in recruiting, training, and financing mercenaries and using them in the armed conflict and military operations. He violated the norms of international humanitarian law during the armed conflict by giving criminal orders. Furthermore, there were reasonable suspicions that Harutyunyan was involved in financing terrorism, forming and organizing the activities of armed groups not provided for by the legislation of Azerbaijan, equipping these formations with weapons, components, ammunition, explosives, military equipment, and gear, organizing training exercises for their use, as well as smuggling the aforementioned ammunition and weapons into the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan. Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: Gujarat's economy has grown at a 15% annual rate, which is higher than the national average, said Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday during a state government roadshow in Mumbai to promote the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS), which will be held from January 10-12 next year. VGGS has increased Gujarat's GSDP from Rs. 1.42 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs. 22.61 lakh crore in 2023. Furthermore, Gujarat's economy has expanded at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15%, which is higher than the national average, he said. The summit has effectively brought together global investors and thought leaders on a single platform. Under the Prime Minister's visionary leadership, this conference has evolved into a global platform for business networking and strategic partnership for socio-economic growth, he added. The CM also said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will help improve the partnership between Gujarat and Mumbai at the social level. 38 percent of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. Additionally, work is underway on the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor for the bullet train. These pivotal projects will benefit the logistics sector and economic activities of Gujarat and Mumbai, he said. ALSO READ | SIT probing Gujarat bridge collapse points to technical lapses by private company The Chief Minister remarked that Gujarat's forthcoming wave of economic growth will be driven by forward-looking industrial infrastructure projects such as GIFT City, DREAM City, the Hybrid Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Park and Dholera SIR. The CM emphasized that while Mumbai and Gujarat are renowned for the diamond trade, Surat serves as the central hub for polished diamonds, houses numerous diamond-cutting units and plays a significant role in the lab-grown diamond industry. We will actively embody the theme "Gateway to the Future" by organizing seminars and events dedicated to emerging sectors in the forthcoming Vibrant Summit," the Chief Minister added. Notably, Gujarat alone contributes to 80 percent of the nation's diamond exports. During his address at the event, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar said Gujarat has become the best choice of investment for foreign investors, due to proactive policy-making, a conducive business environment and an investor-friendly approach. Around 35 diplomats and more than 350 leaders from business and industry sectors participated in the Mumbai roadshow. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp AHMEDABAD: Gujarat's economy has grown at a 15% annual rate, which is higher than the national average, said Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday during a state government roadshow in Mumbai to promote the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS), which will be held from January 10-12 next year. VGGS has increased Gujarat's GSDP from Rs. 1.42 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs. 22.61 lakh crore in 2023. Furthermore, Gujarat's economy has expanded at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15%, which is higher than the national average, he said. The summit has effectively brought together global investors and thought leaders on a single platform. Under the Prime Minister's visionary leadership, this conference has evolved into a global platform for business networking and strategic partnership for socio-economic growth, he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The CM also said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will help improve the partnership between Gujarat and Mumbai at the social level. 38 percent of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. Additionally, work is underway on the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor for the bullet train. These pivotal projects will benefit the logistics sector and economic activities of Gujarat and Mumbai, he said. ALSO READ | SIT probing Gujarat bridge collapse points to technical lapses by private company The Chief Minister remarked that Gujarat's forthcoming wave of economic growth will be driven by forward-looking industrial infrastructure projects such as GIFT City, DREAM City, the Hybrid Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Park and Dholera SIR. The CM emphasized that while Mumbai and Gujarat are renowned for the diamond trade, Surat serves as the central hub for polished diamonds, houses numerous diamond-cutting units and plays a significant role in the lab-grown diamond industry. We will actively embody the theme "Gateway to the Future" by organizing seminars and events dedicated to emerging sectors in the forthcoming Vibrant Summit," the Chief Minister added. Notably, Gujarat alone contributes to 80 percent of the nation's diamond exports. During his address at the event, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar said Gujarat has become the best choice of investment for foreign investors, due to proactive policy-making, a conducive business environment and an investor-friendly approach. Around 35 diplomats and more than 350 leaders from business and industry sectors participated in the Mumbai roadshow. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI BHOPAL: The BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh traded barbs on Wednesday after the governing party said that its rival was responsible for India's partition and it was now trying to create a divide among Hindus by raising the issue of caste survey. In its counter, the Congress sought to know if the BJP considers OBCs (Other Backward Classes) as Hindus. The Congress has welcomed the Bihar government's exercise to collect data on castes in the state and urged the Centre to carry out a similar exercise at the national level. Addressing a rally at Beohari in MP on Tuesday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced that his party would go for a caste survey if voted to power in MP. He termed it an "X-ray" of the country that will throw light on the condition of OBCs, Dalits and tribals who are "injured." Polling for all 230 seats in the state will be held in a single phase on November 17. State home minister Narottam Mishra sought to know why the Congress is talking about "caste census among Hindus and not about others." ALSO READ | Congress, BJP vie for OBC votes amid caste census chorus "First, the Congress divided the country through partition. Those who did this were his (Rahul Gandhi's) ancestors. Then, the same was done in Kashmir and an attempt was made in Punjab. Now they are trying to divide Hindus into castes. Why is there a talk of such division only among Hindus? Do it in other places (religions) also," Mishra told reporters at the state BJP media centre here. "Why does the Congress only raise questions over Ram Mandir and Mahakaleshwar," he asked. Asked about the BJP leader's allegations, MP Congress media department's spokesman KK Mishra said the ruling party should first clarify if it considers OBCs as Hindus or not. The MP home minister should also clarify if he considers that OBCs should get rights according to their population, he said. The Congress leader said that Narottam Mishra has no right to ask such a question as his own party got the power in Madhya Pradesh through "divide and rule." OPINION | The economics of caste-quota politics In the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress won 114 seats and formed a government under Kamal Nath with the support of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and independent MLAs. However, it collapsed after 15 months when a section of Congress legislators, most of them loyal to Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, quit the party and joined the BJP. The saffron party returned to power in March 2020 with Shivraj Singh Chouhan taking over as the chief minister for a record fourth term. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BHOPAL: The BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh traded barbs on Wednesday after the governing party said that its rival was responsible for India's partition and it was now trying to create a divide among Hindus by raising the issue of caste survey. In its counter, the Congress sought to know if the BJP considers OBCs (Other Backward Classes) as Hindus. The Congress has welcomed the Bihar government's exercise to collect data on castes in the state and urged the Centre to carry out a similar exercise at the national level. Addressing a rally at Beohari in MP on Tuesday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced that his party would go for a caste survey if voted to power in MP. He termed it an "X-ray" of the country that will throw light on the condition of OBCs, Dalits and tribals who are "injured."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Polling for all 230 seats in the state will be held in a single phase on November 17. State home minister Narottam Mishra sought to know why the Congress is talking about "caste census among Hindus and not about others." ALSO READ | Congress, BJP vie for OBC votes amid caste census chorus "First, the Congress divided the country through partition. Those who did this were his (Rahul Gandhi's) ancestors. Then, the same was done in Kashmir and an attempt was made in Punjab. Now they are trying to divide Hindus into castes. Why is there a talk of such division only among Hindus? Do it in other places (religions) also," Mishra told reporters at the state BJP media centre here. "Why does the Congress only raise questions over Ram Mandir and Mahakaleshwar," he asked. Asked about the BJP leader's allegations, MP Congress media department's spokesman KK Mishra said the ruling party should first clarify if it considers OBCs as Hindus or not. The MP home minister should also clarify if he considers that OBCs should get rights according to their population, he said. The Congress leader said that Narottam Mishra has no right to ask such a question as his own party got the power in Madhya Pradesh through "divide and rule." OPINION | The economics of caste-quota politics In the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress won 114 seats and formed a government under Kamal Nath with the support of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and independent MLAs. However, it collapsed after 15 months when a section of Congress legislators, most of them loyal to Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, quit the party and joined the BJP. The saffron party returned to power in March 2020 with Shivraj Singh Chouhan taking over as the chief minister for a record fourth term. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The 20th round of the India-China corps commander level meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on October 9-10. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, The two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries, and building on the progress made in the last round of Corps Commanders' Meeting held on 13-14 August 2023. Significantly, the Indian Army since the 18th round of Senior Highest Military Commander Level (SHMCL) talks which was conducted at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, on the Chinese side, on April 23 this year has been reinforcing its clear view on the restoration of its patrolling rights up until the traditional patrolling points (PPs). It was exclusively reported by The New Indian Express that the Army has put its foot down on the issue of patrolling rights and has insisted with the Chinese side that it be allowed to patrol till the traditional patrolling points in the remaining standoff locations. The standoff between the ground forces of the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) remains at two friction points -- Depsang and Demchok. The technical term for corps commander talks is Senior Highest Military Commander Level (SHMCL). Talks at the SHMCL levels took place for the first time on June 6, 2020. Else, matters were resolved at the Higher Commander Level (Major General) meetings. The standoff at Depsang is of much significance because the Chinese troops have blocked access to PPs 10, 11, 11A, 12, and 13. The area out of access, as per the sources, is around 952 sq km. As reported earlier by The New Indian Express, the five PPs, which are located east of the strategic Sub-Sector North road, are close to the LAC, but not located right at the LAC. However, they are located inside the line that marks Indian territory. Sub Sector North, of which Depsang is a part, is strategically most important. The terrain is such that large-scale armour operations are possible. China has multiple roads feeding this area while India has only the DSDBO road. By sitting at the Y Junction, China can obstruct India's movement. Depsang is also a link towards Siachen and the DBO airfield. The Y Junction is about 20kms from the strategic airfield Daulat Beg Oldi. The PPs are patrolling points identified and marked on the LAC where regular patrolling is done to assert the physical claim about the LAC. As per general estimates, G 219 (Tibet- Xinjiang Highway) is at a distance of less than four hours from Depsang. The average altitude ranges from 14,000 ft to 18,000 ft. There are valleys and plains which allow for fast movement of vehicles. But the problems exist due to differences in perception regarding the present boundary between India and China which came into existence after the 1962 border war. It is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and is a military-held line. Sources told The New Indian Express that problems keep occurring as there exist differences in perceptions among the border guarding forces of both countries about the actual alignment of the boundary on the ground. The other standoff which remains is at the Charding Nonong Nallah in Demchok with around three tents pitched across. The LAC passes through CNN. Tension prevails along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh with more than 50,000 soldiers from each side along with heavy equipment like missiles, artillery, tanks and other heavy equipment being deployed since May 2020. "In the latest round of SHMCL talks, the two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. They also committed to maintain peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in the interim, the MEA said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The 20th round of the India-China corps commander level meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on October 9-10. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, The two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries, and building on the progress made in the last round of Corps Commanders' Meeting held on 13-14 August 2023. Significantly, the Indian Army since the 18th round of Senior Highest Military Commander Level (SHMCL) talks which was conducted at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, on the Chinese side, on April 23 this year has been reinforcing its clear view on the restoration of its patrolling rights up until the traditional patrolling points (PPs).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It was exclusively reported by The New Indian Express that the Army has put its foot down on the issue of patrolling rights and has insisted with the Chinese side that it be allowed to patrol till the traditional patrolling points in the remaining standoff locations. The standoff between the ground forces of the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) remains at two friction points -- Depsang and Demchok. The technical term for corps commander talks is Senior Highest Military Commander Level (SHMCL). Talks at the SHMCL levels took place for the first time on June 6, 2020. Else, matters were resolved at the Higher Commander Level (Major General) meetings. The standoff at Depsang is of much significance because the Chinese troops have blocked access to PPs 10, 11, 11A, 12, and 13. The area out of access, as per the sources, is around 952 sq km. As reported earlier by The New Indian Express, the five PPs, which are located east of the strategic Sub-Sector North road, are close to the LAC, but not located right at the LAC. However, they are located inside the line that marks Indian territory. Sub Sector North, of which Depsang is a part, is strategically most important. The terrain is such that large-scale armour operations are possible. China has multiple roads feeding this area while India has only the DSDBO road. By sitting at the Y Junction, China can obstruct India's movement. Depsang is also a link towards Siachen and the DBO airfield. The Y Junction is about 20kms from the strategic airfield Daulat Beg Oldi. The PPs are patrolling points identified and marked on the LAC where regular patrolling is done to assert the physical claim about the LAC. As per general estimates, G 219 (Tibet- Xinjiang Highway) is at a distance of less than four hours from Depsang. The average altitude ranges from 14,000 ft to 18,000 ft. There are valleys and plains which allow for fast movement of vehicles. But the problems exist due to differences in perception regarding the present boundary between India and China which came into existence after the 1962 border war. It is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and is a military-held line. Sources told The New Indian Express that problems keep occurring as there exist differences in perceptions among the border guarding forces of both countries about the actual alignment of the boundary on the ground. The other standoff which remains is at the Charding Nonong Nallah in Demchok with around three tents pitched across. The LAC passes through CNN. Tension prevails along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh with more than 50,000 soldiers from each side along with heavy equipment like missiles, artillery, tanks and other heavy equipment being deployed since May 2020. "In the latest round of SHMCL talks, the two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. They also committed to maintain peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in the interim, the MEA said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By ANI NEW DELHI: As the war between Israel and Hamas grows intense, the Indian Embassy in Israel has set up a 24-hour helpline desk for the citizens stranded there and has asked them to follow the security advisories. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Israel has stated that it has been working constantly to help fellow citizens. "The Embassy has been working constantly to help our fellow citizens in Israel through a 24-hour helpline. Please remain calm & vigilant & follow the security advisories," India in Israel wrote on X. The Indian Embassy in war-hit Israel has activated a 24/7 helpline number +972-35226748 and +972-543278392 for Indian nationals citizens who need assistance amid the ongoing conflict or wish to register with the Embassy. "24*7 Emergency Helpline/Contact: Tel +972-35226748, Tel +972-543278392, Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in" the Indian Embassy in Israel wrote. Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in Israel and Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) has set up Helpdesks with 24/7 Emergency Helpline numbers. "Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS), an entity of Govt of Andhra Pradesh has set up Emergency Helpdesk and is prepared to assist in repatriating the Non-Resident Telugus (NRTs) of Andhra Pradesh from Israel in case of emergencies and communicated the same with the Indian Embassy in Israel," an official press release said. The Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, Israel has issued an important advisory to Indian citizens in Israel about the ongoing developments in Israel requesting Indian citizens to remain vigilant, observe safety protocols exercise caution, and stay close to safety shelters as advised by the local Government authorities. Indian nationals who are planning to travel to Israel are advised to reconsider their travel plans until the situation normalizes. "Non-resident Telugu (NRTs) of Andhra Pradesh in Israel may also contact APNRTS 24/7 Helpline numbers @ +91 85000 27678(w), 0863-2340678 for any assistance. Family members of NRTs are also advised to contact APNRTS helpline numbers if their dear ones in Israel need any assistance," the press release added. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it was carrying out strikes in Lebanon in retaliation to the attack on its border with anti-tank guided missiles, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF said it would soon come out with more information on the attack. Earlier, the IDF said an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon towards a military post near the community of Arab Al-Aramshe. Taking to X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated, "An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine." ALSO READ | Israel-Hamas conflict: 'Dehumanising occupation, larger issue at stake', says Tharoor Earlier in the day, the spokesperson for Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said 1,200 citizens were killed and more than 2,700 injured in the Hamas strikes, adding that the Israeli forces were ready to execute the mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson informed that about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed on the Gaza border, adding that they would ensure that Hamas is completely shorn of its military capabilities at the end of the ongoing war. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: As the war between Israel and Hamas grows intense, the Indian Embassy in Israel has set up a 24-hour helpline desk for the citizens stranded there and has asked them to follow the security advisories. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Israel has stated that it has been working constantly to help fellow citizens. "The Embassy has been working constantly to help our fellow citizens in Israel through a 24-hour helpline. Please remain calm & vigilant & follow the security advisories," India in Israel wrote on X.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Indian Embassy in war-hit Israel has activated a 24/7 helpline number +972-35226748 and +972-543278392 for Indian nationals citizens who need assistance amid the ongoing conflict or wish to register with the Embassy. "24*7 Emergency Helpline/Contact: Tel +972-35226748, Tel +972-543278392, Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in" the Indian Embassy in Israel wrote. Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in Israel and Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) has set up Helpdesks with 24/7 Emergency Helpline numbers. "Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS), an entity of Govt of Andhra Pradesh has set up Emergency Helpdesk and is prepared to assist in repatriating the Non-Resident Telugus (NRTs) of Andhra Pradesh from Israel in case of emergencies and communicated the same with the Indian Embassy in Israel," an official press release said. The Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, Israel has issued an important advisory to Indian citizens in Israel about the ongoing developments in Israel requesting Indian citizens to remain vigilant, observe safety protocols exercise caution, and stay close to safety shelters as advised by the local Government authorities. Indian nationals who are planning to travel to Israel are advised to reconsider their travel plans until the situation normalizes. "Non-resident Telugu (NRTs) of Andhra Pradesh in Israel may also contact APNRTS 24/7 Helpline numbers @ +91 85000 27678(w), 0863-2340678 for any assistance. Family members of NRTs are also advised to contact APNRTS helpline numbers if their dear ones in Israel need any assistance," the press release added. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it was carrying out strikes in Lebanon in retaliation to the attack on its border with anti-tank guided missiles, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF said it would soon come out with more information on the attack. Earlier, the IDF said an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon towards a military post near the community of Arab Al-Aramshe. Taking to X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated, "An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine." ALSO READ | Israel-Hamas conflict: 'Dehumanising occupation, larger issue at stake', says Tharoor Earlier in the day, the spokesperson for Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said 1,200 citizens were killed and more than 2,700 injured in the Hamas strikes, adding that the Israeli forces were ready to execute the mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson informed that about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed on the Gaza border, adding that they would ensure that Hamas is completely shorn of its military capabilities at the end of the ongoing war. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI NEW DELHI: Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Shahid Latif, the mastermind of the 2016 attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, and his brother were gunned down by unidentified assailants outside a mosque in Pakistan's Sialkot district on Wednesday, officials said. Officials in the know of the development said the incident happened outside the Noor Madina mosque in Daska town in the early hours of Wednesday when Latif was coming out after prayers. Three motorcycle-borne men fired indiscriminately killing 53-year-old Latif and his brother identified as Haris Hashim on the spot and injuring another, they said. Latif alias Bilal alias Noor Al Din, a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was the launching commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Sailkot and had been involved in planning, facilitation and execution of terror attacks in India. The officials said that Latif had entered into Kashmir in 1993 from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as a cadre of the banned Hakar-ul-Ansar terror group. However, he was arrested a year later and sent the Kol Balwal jail in Jammu. It is believed that he was brainwashed further by Masood Azhar, who was also lodged in that jail till he was set free in 1989 in exchange for the passengers of IC-814, an Indian Airlines plane that was hijacked by terrorists and taken to Kandahar. After spending 16 years in Indian jail, he was deported through the Attari-Wagah border in 2010 and is believed to have got in touch again with Azhar, who had by that time formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group. "This is the biggest blow to JeM on Pakistan soil," an official said. Latif, a resident of Aminabad in Punjab's Gujranwala, was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Seven IAF personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, 2016. The siege went on for three days. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Shahid Latif, the mastermind of the 2016 attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, and his brother were gunned down by unidentified assailants outside a mosque in Pakistan's Sialkot district on Wednesday, officials said. Officials in the know of the development said the incident happened outside the Noor Madina mosque in Daska town in the early hours of Wednesday when Latif was coming out after prayers. Three motorcycle-borne men fired indiscriminately killing 53-year-old Latif and his brother identified as Haris Hashim on the spot and injuring another, they said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Latif alias Bilal alias Noor Al Din, a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was the launching commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Sailkot and had been involved in planning, facilitation and execution of terror attacks in India. The officials said that Latif had entered into Kashmir in 1993 from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as a cadre of the banned Hakar-ul-Ansar terror group. However, he was arrested a year later and sent the Kol Balwal jail in Jammu. It is believed that he was brainwashed further by Masood Azhar, who was also lodged in that jail till he was set free in 1989 in exchange for the passengers of IC-814, an Indian Airlines plane that was hijacked by terrorists and taken to Kandahar. After spending 16 years in Indian jail, he was deported through the Attari-Wagah border in 2010 and is believed to have got in touch again with Azhar, who had by that time formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group. "This is the biggest blow to JeM on Pakistan soil," an official said. Latif, a resident of Aminabad in Punjab's Gujranwala, was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Seven IAF personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, 2016. The siege went on for three days. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI PALGHAR: A four-year-old girl died after falling from a flat on the fourth floor of a multi-storey building in Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place on Tuesday morning at the 19-storey building located in Virar area, they said. The girl and her family were residing in a rented flat on the building's fourth floor, an official from Virar police station said. While the girl was asleep, her mother went to drop the child's father to a railway station in the morning. In the meantime, the girl woke up. When she did not find her mother anywhere, she peeped out of the bedroom window and fell down, the official said. One of the residents spotted the child lying on the ground and rushed her to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her brought dead, he said. Her father later told reporters that the deceased was their only child. He also said the family has decided to donate her eyes. The Virar police have registered a case of accidental death, the official said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp PALGHAR: A four-year-old girl died after falling from a flat on the fourth floor of a multi-storey building in Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place on Tuesday morning at the 19-storey building located in Virar area, they said. The girl and her family were residing in a rented flat on the building's fourth floor, an official from Virar police station said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While the girl was asleep, her mother went to drop the child's father to a railway station in the morning. In the meantime, the girl woke up. When she did not find her mother anywhere, she peeped out of the bedroom window and fell down, the official said. One of the residents spotted the child lying on the ground and rushed her to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her brought dead, he said. Her father later told reporters that the deceased was their only child. He also said the family has decided to donate her eyes. The Virar police have registered a case of accidental death, the official said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise him of the ground situation in Israel following the brutal attack by Hamas. Modi expressed his deep condolences and sympathy for those killed and wounded in the terrorist attacks and assured Netanyahu of Indias unwavering support to Israel in these difficult times. I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation, Modi posted on X, while asserting that India unequivocally condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations. According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the toll from the terror attack on Israel crossed 1,000 as of Tuesday. Plus, around 1,500 bodies of Hamas fighters were retrieved from Israel around the Gaza Strip, officials said. The toll in Gaza due to Israels retaliatory airstrikes is put at 830, taking the total war death count to over 3,000. We are going to go on the offensive and attack the Hamas terrorist group and any other group that is in Gaza, said Brig Gen Dan Goldfus while briefing reporters in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The fighting intensified on the fourth day with both Israel and Hamas stepping up their attacks. While Israel continued to bomb select targets in Gaza, the militant outfit fired rockets on the Israeli city of Ashkelon. Notably, Hamas issued prior warning to residents of the city to leave. Israels high-intensity air strikes in the densely populated enclave flattened buildings and caused thousands of residents to flee. According to reports, hospitals are overwhelmed as waves of injured Palestinians are brought in for treatment. The IDF said it has killed two top leaders of Hamas Jawad Abu Shammala and Zakaria Abu Maamar in an air strike in southern Gaza Strip. However, Hamas is yet to confirm this claim. Meanwhile, in a blow to hopes of an early release of hostages, Hamas said it wont negotiate until the end of the battle. According to initial estimates, the invading militants had taken around 150 people from Israel hostage. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise him of the ground situation in Israel following the brutal attack by Hamas. Modi expressed his deep condolences and sympathy for those killed and wounded in the terrorist attacks and assured Netanyahu of Indias unwavering support to Israel in these difficult times. I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation, Modi posted on X, while asserting that India unequivocally condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations. According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the toll from the terror attack on Israel crossed 1,000 as of Tuesday. Plus, around 1,500 bodies of Hamas fighters were retrieved from Israel around the Gaza Strip, officials said. The toll in Gaza due to Israels retaliatory airstrikes is put at 830, taking the total war death count to over 3,000. We are going to go on the offensive and attack the Hamas terrorist group and any other group that is in Gaza, said Brig Gen Dan Goldfus while briefing reporters in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The fighting intensified on the fourth day with both Israel and Hamas stepping up their attacks. While Israel continued to bomb select targets in Gaza, the militant outfit fired rockets on the Israeli city of Ashkelon. Notably, Hamas issued prior warning to residents of the city to leave.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Israels high-intensity air strikes in the densely populated enclave flattened buildings and caused thousands of residents to flee. According to reports, hospitals are overwhelmed as waves of injured Palestinians are brought in for treatment. The IDF said it has killed two top leaders of Hamas Jawad Abu Shammala and Zakaria Abu Maamar in an air strike in southern Gaza Strip. However, Hamas is yet to confirm this claim. Meanwhile, in a blow to hopes of an early release of hostages, Hamas said it wont negotiate until the end of the battle. According to initial estimates, the invading militants had taken around 150 people from Israel hostage. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI NEW DELHI: The NIA on Wednesday carried out raids at several locations in six states in connection with a case related to creating a disruption during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar last year, officials said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had taken over the case registered by Phulwari Sharif police station in Patna in July 2022 against Popular Front of India (PFI) cadres for hatching a criminal conspiracy to create disturbance during the prime minister's visit, they said. The federal probe agency carried out searches in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. An NIA team conducted searches at the home of Abdul Wahid Shaikh in the Vikhroli area of Maharashtra's Mumbai. Shaikh was an accused in the 2006 railway blasts case but a trial court acquitted him of all the charges. #WATCH | Maharashtra: NIA raids underway at the residence of acquitted accused of 7/11 train blasts Wahid Sheikh, in Vikhroli area of Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/DtFS1cEq3q ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 Raids were also conducted in Tonk, Kota and Gangapur in Rajasthan and Hauz Kaji, Ballimaran, in the national capital. #WATCH | Visuals from Rajasthan's Tonk district as National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts raids across six states in Popular Front of India-related cases. pic.twitter.com/0ufDHYZ29m ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 In September 2022, the government imposed a ban on the PFI for its alleged terror activities. ALSO READ | NIA seized cell phone, sim cards from State functionary of Wahdate Islami Hind Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The NIA on Wednesday carried out raids at several locations in six states in connection with a case related to creating a disruption during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar last year, officials said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had taken over the case registered by Phulwari Sharif police station in Patna in July 2022 against Popular Front of India (PFI) cadres for hatching a criminal conspiracy to create disturbance during the prime minister's visit, they said. The federal probe agency carried out searches in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); An NIA team conducted searches at the home of Abdul Wahid Shaikh in the Vikhroli area of Maharashtra's Mumbai. Shaikh was an accused in the 2006 railway blasts case but a trial court acquitted him of all the charges. #WATCH | Maharashtra: NIA raids underway at the residence of acquitted accused of 7/11 train blasts Wahid Sheikh, in Vikhroli area of Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/DtFS1cEq3q ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 Raids were also conducted in Tonk, Kota and Gangapur in Rajasthan and Hauz Kaji, Ballimaran, in the national capital. #WATCH | Visuals from Rajasthan's Tonk district as National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts raids across six states in Popular Front of India-related cases. pic.twitter.com/0ufDHYZ29m ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 In September 2022, the government imposed a ban on the PFI for its alleged terror activities. ALSO READ | NIA seized cell phone, sim cards from State functionary of Wahdate Islami Hind Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Express News Service NEW DELHI: To combat malnutrition in children in the country, the Centre on Tuesday launched the first ever national protocol under which severe acute malnourished (SAM) children without medical complication will be managed at anganwadi centers instead of nutrition rehabilitation centers (NRC). The standardised national protocol, which was launched by Women and Child development Minister Smriti Irani, is a comprehensive guide to identify and provide extensive care and management of malnourished children. The protocol will also help in identifying severity of malnutrition among anganwadi children at an early stage and chart out a functional institutionalised course of treatment in a time-bound manner. Now, according to the Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children, severely malnourished children with medical complications will be enrolled in the NRCs. It introduces new initiatives like appetite testing and buddy mother, which is an arrangement between the mother of a healthy child and the mother of a malnourished child for joint supervision and exchange of guidance with respect to the health of the malnourished child. The protocol lists that children who suffer from bilateral pitting oedema and failed appetite test will be enrolled in the NRCs. Bilateral pitting oedema is swelling in both legs characterised by an indentation, or pit that remains when pressure is applied to the swollen area. The NRC is a unit in a health facility where children with severe acute malnutrition were admitted and managed. Severe Acute Malnourishment is a condition in which a child has a very low weight in relation to the height, as per WHO growth standards. Earlier, all SAM children were to be admitted in the NRCs. The new rules also included counselling of parents and follow-up care. It also ascertains accountability from the level of anganwadi workers to the district magistrate, who will be the nodal point in the district for monitoring nutritional status and quality standards. The protocol lays emphasis on a community-based approach, which involves timely detection and screening of children with SAM, management for those without medical complications with wholesome, local nutritious foods at home and supportive medical care. So far, majority of NRCs were managing SAM children aged 6-59 months, but they will now extend services to infants aged 1-6 months with severe malnutrition or nutritional risk. Nutrition indicators improve According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the nutrition indicators for children under five years have improved as compared with NFHS-4 (2015-16). It said that stunting children being shorter than normal for their age has reduced from 38.4% to 35.5% Wasting or low weight compared to height has reduced from 21% to 19.3% Underweight prevalence has reduced from 35.8% to 32.1% Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: To combat malnutrition in children in the country, the Centre on Tuesday launched the first ever national protocol under which severe acute malnourished (SAM) children without medical complication will be managed at anganwadi centers instead of nutrition rehabilitation centers (NRC). The standardised national protocol, which was launched by Women and Child development Minister Smriti Irani, is a comprehensive guide to identify and provide extensive care and management of malnourished children. The protocol will also help in identifying severity of malnutrition among anganwadi children at an early stage and chart out a functional institutionalised course of treatment in a time-bound manner. Now, according to the Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children, severely malnourished children with medical complications will be enrolled in the NRCs.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It introduces new initiatives like appetite testing and buddy mother, which is an arrangement between the mother of a healthy child and the mother of a malnourished child for joint supervision and exchange of guidance with respect to the health of the malnourished child. The protocol lists that children who suffer from bilateral pitting oedema and failed appetite test will be enrolled in the NRCs. Bilateral pitting oedema is swelling in both legs characterised by an indentation, or pit that remains when pressure is applied to the swollen area. The NRC is a unit in a health facility where children with severe acute malnutrition were admitted and managed. Severe Acute Malnourishment is a condition in which a child has a very low weight in relation to the height, as per WHO growth standards. Earlier, all SAM children were to be admitted in the NRCs. The new rules also included counselling of parents and follow-up care. It also ascertains accountability from the level of anganwadi workers to the district magistrate, who will be the nodal point in the district for monitoring nutritional status and quality standards. The protocol lays emphasis on a community-based approach, which involves timely detection and screening of children with SAM, management for those without medical complications with wholesome, local nutritious foods at home and supportive medical care. So far, majority of NRCs were managing SAM children aged 6-59 months, but they will now extend services to infants aged 1-6 months with severe malnutrition or nutritional risk. Nutrition indicators improve According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the nutrition indicators for children under five years have improved as compared with NFHS-4 (2015-16). It said that stunting children being shorter than normal for their age has reduced from 38.4% to 35.5% Wasting or low weight compared to height has reduced from 21% to 19.3% Underweight prevalence has reduced from 35.8% to 32.1% Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (Udhav Thackeray)s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has said that he fears that the Modi government, through Central agencies, may arrest more opposition leaders in the coming days. He alleged that those who speak against the dictatorial government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be arrested by the government. In the days to come, more leaders of opposition will be arrested in a similar way AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who is a politician with clean character, has been arrested, Raut said, adding, The government is giving an emergency-like treatment to opposition leaders. In a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, he said that those in the INDIA bloc standing against the dictatorship of the government would be targeted by ED, CBI and I-T. The Modi government resorting to such action cannot weaken the unity of INDIA bloc. The people will uproot the BJP from power in 2024. BJP leaders have become arrogant and even target journalists who ask questions to the government, he said. The BJP will not come back to power in 2024. It is scared of the growing INDIA bloc unity, Raut said, adding that actions against opposition leaders are being taken out of political frustration of the BJP. In an apparent reference to PM Modi, Raut said, The dictator is scared now. Thats why all such games are being played against opposition. The arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh will not weaken the INDIA bloc. He said that actions through agencies like ED and CBI are carried out only against the Opposition. Why doesnt the Modi government take any action against the corruption in Maharashtra or other BJP-ruled states? This shows that the BJP leadership at the Centre is scared of the opposition unity. In 2024, the people are waiting to give a befitting reply to this dictatorial government, he said. When asked about the reasons for breaking the alliance with BJP, he categorically blamed the saffron party. The BJP has broken up the alliance in Maharashtra, not the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena has also not been divided or split. Yes, some MLAs have been taken away by the BJP. The real Shiv Sena is still on the ground and will take the BJP to dust in the next election in Maharashtra, he said. He said BJP has only one leader but in the opposition, there is a choice of leadership. We have 10 faces suitable for PM and we can consensually choose anyone, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (Udhav Thackeray)s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has said that he fears that the Modi government, through Central agencies, may arrest more opposition leaders in the coming days. He alleged that those who speak against the dictatorial government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be arrested by the government. In the days to come, more leaders of opposition will be arrested in a similar way AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who is a politician with clean character, has been arrested, Raut said, adding, The government is giving an emergency-like treatment to opposition leaders. In a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, he said that those in the INDIA bloc standing against the dictatorship of the government would be targeted by ED, CBI and I-T. The Modi government resorting to such action cannot weaken the unity of INDIA bloc. The people will uproot the BJP from power in 2024. BJP leaders have become arrogant and even target journalists who ask questions to the government, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The BJP will not come back to power in 2024. It is scared of the growing INDIA bloc unity, Raut said, adding that actions against opposition leaders are being taken out of political frustration of the BJP. In an apparent reference to PM Modi, Raut said, The dictator is scared now. Thats why all such games are being played against opposition. The arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh will not weaken the INDIA bloc. He said that actions through agencies like ED and CBI are carried out only against the Opposition. Why doesnt the Modi government take any action against the corruption in Maharashtra or other BJP-ruled states? This shows that the BJP leadership at the Centre is scared of the opposition unity. In 2024, the people are waiting to give a befitting reply to this dictatorial government, he said. When asked about the reasons for breaking the alliance with BJP, he categorically blamed the saffron party. The BJP has broken up the alliance in Maharashtra, not the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena has also not been divided or split. Yes, some MLAs have been taken away by the BJP. The real Shiv Sena is still on the ground and will take the BJP to dust in the next election in Maharashtra, he said. He said BJP has only one leader but in the opposition, there is a choice of leadership. We have 10 faces suitable for PM and we can consensually choose anyone, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp GANJA, Azerbaijan, October 11. Employees of bp together with reporters visited the site of rocket shelling of Ganja by Armenian armed formations during the second Karabakh war, Trend reports. The BP organized a tour for media representatives on October 10-11, 2023. This visit was of special significance as the event coincided with the day of rocket shelling of Ganja during the second Karabakh war three years ago. The visitors decided to visit the site of the incident to express respect for the memory of the victims. This gesture was a vivid example of the social responsibility and support that bp brings to the community. Ganja, the second largest industrial city of Azerbaijan, was subjected to massive shelling by Armenian armed formations at about 02:00 (GMT+4) on October 11, 2020. As a result of rocket fire on an apartment building in the center of the city, 9 civilians, including 4 women, were killed and 35 others were wounded. One of the wounded later died. Overall, during the 44-day second Karabakh war, 26 civilians were killed and 175 people were wounded as a result of rocket and heavy artillery shelling of Ganja on October 4, 5, 8, 11 and 17. By Express News Service The Supreme Court collegium in its latest resolution has recommended the names of 13 judicial officers for appointment as judges of various high courts, including the transfer of Justice MV Muralidharan from the Manipur High Court to the Calcutta High Court. "..the Collegium proposed the transfer of Mr Justice M V Muralidaran, Judge, High Court of Manipur [PHC: Madras], to the High Court at Calcutta, for better administration of justice," read a collegium statement. In another decision, the collegium recommended the names of four advocates -- Harinath Nunepally, Kiranmayee Mandava, Sumathi Jagadam, and Nyapathy Vijay -- as judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Five judicial officers for appointment as judges of the Kerala High Court were also recommended including M B Snehalatha, Johnson John, G Girish, C Pratheepkumar, and P Krishna Kumar. It also recommended three judicial officers -- Abhay Jainarayanji Mantri, Shyam Chhaganlal Chandak, and Neeraj Pradeep Dhote -- for elevation as judges of the Bombay High Court. ALSO READ | Supreme Court judges differ over termination of 26-week pregnancy of married woman The collegium headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sanjiv Khanna recommended judicial officers Shalinder Kaur and Ravinder Dudeja for appointment as judges of the Delhi High Court while refusing to endorse a judicial officer senior to them. The collegium said the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues, had on May 30 recommended the elevation of the judicial officers as judges of that high court. Noting that there is a need to ensure greater representation to women on the Bench to promote diversity and inclusion, the collegium said it is conscious of the fact that Kaur recently retired from the Delhi Higher Judicial Service on September 30. "Despite this, having regard to the fact that the officer has a proven track record and possesses both merit and integrity, the Collegium is of the considered view that she is suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Delhi," it said. "While considering the above proposals, we have also taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of a senior judicial officer. Cogent reasons have been recorded by the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending his name. We are, therefore, in agreement with the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending his name," it said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp The Supreme Court collegium in its latest resolution has recommended the names of 13 judicial officers for appointment as judges of various high courts, including the transfer of Justice MV Muralidharan from the Manipur High Court to the Calcutta High Court. "..the Collegium proposed the transfer of Mr Justice M V Muralidaran, Judge, High Court of Manipur [PHC: Madras], to the High Court at Calcutta, for better administration of justice," read a collegium statement. In another decision, the collegium recommended the names of four advocates -- Harinath Nunepally, Kiranmayee Mandava, Sumathi Jagadam, and Nyapathy Vijay -- as judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Five judicial officers for appointment as judges of the Kerala High Court were also recommended including M B Snehalatha, Johnson John, G Girish, C Pratheepkumar, and P Krishna Kumar. It also recommended three judicial officers -- Abhay Jainarayanji Mantri, Shyam Chhaganlal Chandak, and Neeraj Pradeep Dhote -- for elevation as judges of the Bombay High Court. ALSO READ | Supreme Court judges differ over termination of 26-week pregnancy of married woman The collegium headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sanjiv Khanna recommended judicial officers Shalinder Kaur and Ravinder Dudeja for appointment as judges of the Delhi High Court while refusing to endorse a judicial officer senior to them. The collegium said the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues, had on May 30 recommended the elevation of the judicial officers as judges of that high court. Noting that there is a need to ensure greater representation to women on the Bench to promote diversity and inclusion, the collegium said it is conscious of the fact that Kaur recently retired from the Delhi Higher Judicial Service on September 30. "Despite this, having regard to the fact that the officer has a proven track record and possesses both merit and integrity, the Collegium is of the considered view that she is suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Delhi," it said. "While considering the above proposals, we have also taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of a senior judicial officer. Cogent reasons have been recorded by the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending his name. We are, therefore, in agreement with the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending his name," it said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: A Special Investigation Team probing the collapse of a bridge in Gujarats Morbi town last year informed the High Court on Tuesday that there were serious operational and technical lapses on the part of the Oreva companys management. The lackadaisical approach on the part of the management of the company resulting in one of the most severe and tragic human calamities cannot be countenanced, the SIT said. For this, prima facie, the whole management of the company, including its managing director and two managers appear to be responsible, it said. The British-era suspension bridge on the Machchu river in Morbi collapsed on October 30 last year, killing 135 people and injuring 56 others. The Morbi Nagarpalika gave the repair work of the bridge to Oreva company, which assigned it to a non-competent agency, and the work was carried out without consulting technical experts, the SIT said. It also found several design faults in the bridge post-renovation works, contributing to its collapse. Various steps taken in carrying out the repair works of the bridge could have been avoided by better steps had the company taken the help of a professional expert agency in the field, according to the report. The report filed before the court by Advocate General Kamal Trivedi says the Oreva company should have received its fitness assessment and consulted the municipality on this matter even after the repair was completed. According to SIT, after the contract between the Oreva Group and Morbi municipality for bridge maintenance and operation was renewed, the company failed to seek technical advice from an expert agency or consult the civic body before awarding the contract to one Dev Prakash Solutions to carry out major repair work. It said there were no restrictions on the number of people who could cross the bridge at any given moment or on the sale of tickets. According to the report, the Oreva Group addressed many letters to authorities worried about the bridges deteriorating condition after the initial MoU it had signed with local authorities for its maintenance and operation expired. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp AHMEDABAD: A Special Investigation Team probing the collapse of a bridge in Gujarats Morbi town last year informed the High Court on Tuesday that there were serious operational and technical lapses on the part of the Oreva companys management. The lackadaisical approach on the part of the management of the company resulting in one of the most severe and tragic human calamities cannot be countenanced, the SIT said. For this, prima facie, the whole management of the company, including its managing director and two managers appear to be responsible, it said. The British-era suspension bridge on the Machchu river in Morbi collapsed on October 30 last year, killing 135 people and injuring 56 others. The Morbi Nagarpalika gave the repair work of the bridge to Oreva company, which assigned it to a non-competent agency, and the work was carried out without consulting technical experts, the SIT said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It also found several design faults in the bridge post-renovation works, contributing to its collapse. Various steps taken in carrying out the repair works of the bridge could have been avoided by better steps had the company taken the help of a professional expert agency in the field, according to the report. The report filed before the court by Advocate General Kamal Trivedi says the Oreva company should have received its fitness assessment and consulted the municipality on this matter even after the repair was completed. According to SIT, after the contract between the Oreva Group and Morbi municipality for bridge maintenance and operation was renewed, the company failed to seek technical advice from an expert agency or consult the civic body before awarding the contract to one Dev Prakash Solutions to carry out major repair work. It said there were no restrictions on the number of people who could cross the bridge at any given moment or on the sale of tickets. According to the report, the Oreva Group addressed many letters to authorities worried about the bridges deteriorating condition after the initial MoU it had signed with local authorities for its maintenance and operation expired. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Jaison Wilson By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a 'split verdict' over a decision to terminate the 26-week pregnancy of a married woman, a mother of two kids, and the Centre's plea to recall the abortion of the "unborn." Following the difference of opinion, Justices Hima Kohli and B.V. Nagarathna referred the case further to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to constitute a three-judge bench. Dealing with the case of the 27-year-old woman, mother of two children (both sons, aged four years and one year) who is "neither physically, mentally, psychologically or financially prepared to continue" with the unwanted pregnancy, Justice B V Nagarathna said the court should respect the woman's choice as she has remained determined about it. Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, the upper limit for the termination of pregnancy is 24 weeks for married women, special categories including survivors of rape, and other vulnerable women such as the differently-abled and minors. Differing with Nagarathna, Justice Hima Kohli wondered which court will say stop the fetal heartbeat," adding, "Speaking for myself, I would not." Earlier on Monday, the top court had permitted the woman who has entered the third trimester to undergo the procedure of termination of her pregnancy at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The bench also took exception to an October 10 e-mail addressed by one of the members of the medical board about the strong possibility of survival of the foetus. "If the doctor could be so candid in two days short of the earlier report, why was not the (earlier) report more elaborate and more candid? the bench asked, adding, Why were they being ambiguous in the earlier report?. Justice Nagarathna, while "respectfully disagreeing" with the other judge, referred to the socio-economic condition of the petitioner, the fact that she already has two children and has reiterated that her mental condition and medicines which she is taking do not permit her to continue with the pregnancy, I find that her decision must be respected by the court. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, referred to the medical opinion which has now come on the matter. Once there is a viable baby on the other side, my respectful submission would be that your lordships may not give absolute primacy to her choice and her autonomy of exercising her reproductive rights, she said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a 'split verdict' over a decision to terminate the 26-week pregnancy of a married woman, a mother of two kids, and the Centre's plea to recall the abortion of the "unborn." Following the difference of opinion, Justices Hima Kohli and B.V. Nagarathna referred the case further to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to constitute a three-judge bench. Dealing with the case of the 27-year-old woman, mother of two children (both sons, aged four years and one year) who is "neither physically, mentally, psychologically or financially prepared to continue" with the unwanted pregnancy, Justice B V Nagarathna said the court should respect the woman's choice as she has remained determined about it.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, the upper limit for the termination of pregnancy is 24 weeks for married women, special categories including survivors of rape, and other vulnerable women such as the differently-abled and minors. Differing with Nagarathna, Justice Hima Kohli wondered which court will say stop the fetal heartbeat," adding, "Speaking for myself, I would not." Earlier on Monday, the top court had permitted the woman who has entered the third trimester to undergo the procedure of termination of her pregnancy at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The bench also took exception to an October 10 e-mail addressed by one of the members of the medical board about the strong possibility of survival of the foetus. "If the doctor could be so candid in two days short of the earlier report, why was not the (earlier) report more elaborate and more candid? the bench asked, adding, Why were they being ambiguous in the earlier report?. Justice Nagarathna, while "respectfully disagreeing" with the other judge, referred to the socio-economic condition of the petitioner, the fact that she already has two children and has reiterated that her mental condition and medicines which she is taking do not permit her to continue with the pregnancy, I find that her decision must be respected by the court. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, referred to the medical opinion which has now come on the matter. Once there is a viable baby on the other side, my respectful submission would be that your lordships may not give absolute primacy to her choice and her autonomy of exercising her reproductive rights, she said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, decided to provide an interest-free loan of Rs 3000 crore from the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority to the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEDA). The cabinet's nod for the interest-free loan came after it was apprised earlier that UPEIDA lacks the financial resources to acquire land to develop industrial corridors. As per the terms and conditions, the authority would have to arrange 50 per cent of the funds required for it. The UP government is working to convert expressways into corridors for an array of industries, including manufacturing and food processing units, warehousing and logistics which will generate employment opportunities in the state. The government has recently notified 84 villages in 23 districts to develop industrial corridors. UP has around half a dozen expressways including Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Yamuna Expressway, Meerut-Delhi Expressway and Gorakhpur link Expressway (which is yet to get operational). Moreover, the states longest Expressway, from Meerut to Prayagraj, is in the offing. With such a network of expressways, the state agency, UPEIDA will acquire about 100 acres in the vicinity of each expressway project for allotment to industry. The government will also incur nearly Rs 4,000 crore to acquire land near the expressway projects, especially at the entry and exit points, for faster transportation of goods and seamless logistics. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, decided to provide an interest-free loan of Rs 3000 crore from the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority to the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEDA). The cabinet's nod for the interest-free loan came after it was apprised earlier that UPEIDA lacks the financial resources to acquire land to develop industrial corridors. As per the terms and conditions, the authority would have to arrange 50 per cent of the funds required for it. The UP government is working to convert expressways into corridors for an array of industries, including manufacturing and food processing units, warehousing and logistics which will generate employment opportunities in the state. The government has recently notified 84 villages in 23 districts to develop industrial corridors.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); UP has around half a dozen expressways including Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Yamuna Expressway, Meerut-Delhi Expressway and Gorakhpur link Expressway (which is yet to get operational). Moreover, the states longest Expressway, from Meerut to Prayagraj, is in the offing. With such a network of expressways, the state agency, UPEIDA will acquire about 100 acres in the vicinity of each expressway project for allotment to industry. The government will also incur nearly Rs 4,000 crore to acquire land near the expressway projects, especially at the entry and exit points, for faster transportation of goods and seamless logistics. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp The Conversation By Among the hundreds already dead in the latest hostilities between Israel and Hamas, very many are children. And despite the killing of children being invoked by both sides as evidence of their enemys brutality, the death toll will no doubt continue to rise. For decades now, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown any willingness to abide by a basic principle of international humanitarian law that in the context of warfare, every effort should be made to spare the young. This aspect of the conflict rarely receives the attention it deserves from politicians or the media. But it is a subject that has been central to my research for many years. A 1977 addition to the Geneva Conventions (Article 77) states that: Children shall be the object of special respect and shall be protected against any form of indecent assault. It goes on to say that the opposing sides should provide children with the care and aid they require. But there is scant evidence of this care being shown by either Hamas or Israel. The indiscriminate launch of rockets into Israel has exposed children there to trauma, injury and death. In the recent attack, Hamas militants killed the young alongside their parents. Meanwhile, countless Palestinian children die in bombardments of the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the killing of Palestinian children is a frequent occurrence that goes unpunished. We also see a complete disregard for international law in the abduction of children by enemy forces. Following the recent Hamas attack on Israel, shocking reports have emerged of Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas and transported into the Gaza Strip alone or with their parents. Also shocking is the longstanding and routine abduction of Palestinian children, some as young as 12. Arrest by Israeli forces typically takes place in the middle of the night. Children are transferred to prisons, often within Israel where are they are commonly assaulted by guards, and denied access to legal representation and family. Administrative detention often lasts for months, with release offered only after signing a confession, typically for throwing stones. But those confessions are obtained under threat of continued imprisonment. Such violations continue with impunity. The mainstream media rarely report on violations of Palestinian childrens basic rights, while political leaders look the other way. Humanitarian workers on the ground, many of whom I have interviewed in the occupied territories, generally feel unable to speak out. Although keenly aware of the violence visited upon Palestinian children, they are constrained by governmental donors eager not to alienate Israels political and business elites. Even when there is a major outbreak of violence, humanitarian organisations have little power to demand adherence to international law. That said, Save the Children has condemned the current violence, saying the scale of the attacks in Israel and Gaza is causing damage that will endure long after the immediate crisis. The sort of damage they are referring to was the subject of a recent study in which my colleagues and I explored the protection of refugee children in the Gaza Strip and Jordan. We looked at the threats they were exposed to, and how those threats could be reduced. Constant fear We found the situation in the two places to be markedly different. In Jordan, daily life was tough, but somehow families managed to maintain a bare existence. In the Gaza Strip, children were routinely exposed to mortal danger which rained down from the skies at any time. The helplessness of Palestinian parents was regularly laid bare. As one mother in Gaza told us: Honestly, I never feel safe, and I am always terrified that something bad might happen and hurt my children. They never feel safe or comfortable. They are not mentally or physically healthy. That interview was conducted a few months after a major outbreak of military violence in 2021 in which 66 Palestinian children were killed. Two years later even greater hostilities are occurring. Compounding the threat to childrens existence, Israel has announced that the 16-year blockade of Gaza will become even more punitive with the withholding of food, water, electricity and fuel. Meanwhile, major donors to the Palestinians, including the European Commission and the governments of Germany and Austria, are considering the suspension of aid. The ability of Palestinian parents to protect their children is being comprehensively undermined as never before. And international law seems to count for nothing. Jason Hart Professor of Humanitarianism and Development, University of Bath This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Among the hundreds already dead in the latest hostilities between Israel and Hamas, very many are children. And despite the killing of children being invoked by both sides as evidence of their enemys brutality, the death toll will no doubt continue to rise. For decades now, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown any willingness to abide by a basic principle of international humanitarian law that in the context of warfare, every effort should be made to spare the young. This aspect of the conflict rarely receives the attention it deserves from politicians or the media. But it is a subject that has been central to my research for many years. A 1977 addition to the Geneva Conventions (Article 77) states that: Children shall be the object of special respect and shall be protected against any form of indecent assault.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It goes on to say that the opposing sides should provide children with the care and aid they require. But there is scant evidence of this care being shown by either Hamas or Israel. The indiscriminate launch of rockets into Israel has exposed children there to trauma, injury and death. In the recent attack, Hamas militants killed the young alongside their parents. Meanwhile, countless Palestinian children die in bombardments of the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the killing of Palestinian children is a frequent occurrence that goes unpunished. We also see a complete disregard for international law in the abduction of children by enemy forces. Following the recent Hamas attack on Israel, shocking reports have emerged of Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas and transported into the Gaza Strip alone or with their parents. Also shocking is the longstanding and routine abduction of Palestinian children, some as young as 12. Arrest by Israeli forces typically takes place in the middle of the night. Children are transferred to prisons, often within Israel where are they are commonly assaulted by guards, and denied access to legal representation and family. Administrative detention often lasts for months, with release offered only after signing a confession, typically for throwing stones. But those confessions are obtained under threat of continued imprisonment. Such violations continue with impunity. The mainstream media rarely report on violations of Palestinian childrens basic rights, while political leaders look the other way. Humanitarian workers on the ground, many of whom I have interviewed in the occupied territories, generally feel unable to speak out. Although keenly aware of the violence visited upon Palestinian children, they are constrained by governmental donors eager not to alienate Israels political and business elites. Even when there is a major outbreak of violence, humanitarian organisations have little power to demand adherence to international law. That said, Save the Children has condemned the current violence, saying the scale of the attacks in Israel and Gaza is causing damage that will endure long after the immediate crisis. The sort of damage they are referring to was the subject of a recent study in which my colleagues and I explored the protection of refugee children in the Gaza Strip and Jordan. We looked at the threats they were exposed to, and how those threats could be reduced. Constant fear We found the situation in the two places to be markedly different. In Jordan, daily life was tough, but somehow families managed to maintain a bare existence. In the Gaza Strip, children were routinely exposed to mortal danger which rained down from the skies at any time. The helplessness of Palestinian parents was regularly laid bare. As one mother in Gaza told us: Honestly, I never feel safe, and I am always terrified that something bad might happen and hurt my children. They never feel safe or comfortable. They are not mentally or physically healthy. That interview was conducted a few months after a major outbreak of military violence in 2021 in which 66 Palestinian children were killed. Two years later even greater hostilities are occurring. Compounding the threat to childrens existence, Israel has announced that the 16-year blockade of Gaza will become even more punitive with the withholding of food, water, electricity and fuel. Meanwhile, major donors to the Palestinians, including the European Commission and the governments of Germany and Austria, are considering the suspension of aid. The ability of Palestinian parents to protect their children is being comprehensively undermined as never before. And international law seems to count for nothing. Jason Hart Professor of Humanitarianism and Development, University of Bath This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI BEIJING: China will hold the third edition of the Belt and Road Forum here from October 17 to 18 and President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony, it was announced on Wednesday. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by President Xi when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. Under the ambitious BRI, China provides funding for major infrastructure projects around the world, in a bid to speed Chinese goods to markets further afield. The USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the BRI. India has strongly protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In July, India once again refused to endorse China's ambitious BRI, becoming the only country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation not to support the project. A declaration issued at the end of an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support for the BRI. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing from October 17 to 18. President Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a keynote speech, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced in Beijing. According to Hua, the theme of the third BRF is "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity." The BRI was in the news recently when Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said his country made an "improvised and atrocious" decision to join China's Belt and Road Initiative. Critics see the BRI as a tool for China to spread influence. Both the EU and the US expressed concern when Italy decided to join the scheme. However, a senior Chinese official has claimed that the BRI has delivered mutual benefits over the past decade, featuring deepened trade and investment cooperation, more abundant connectivity projects, and improved cooperation mechanisms. "China's super-large market has provided important development opportunities for BRI participating countries, which contributed nearly half of China's total imports," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting told the official Xinhua news agency. As the major trading partner of over 110 BRI countries, China saw its total goods trade with all BRI countries reach close to USD 2.9 trillion in 2022. China's direct investment in BRI partner countries topped USD 30 billion last year, while BRI countries invested more than 20 USD billion in China, the report said. India along with the US and several major economies last month announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The new economic corridor, which many see as an alternative to China's BRI, was jointly announced by the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BEIJING: China will hold the third edition of the Belt and Road Forum here from October 17 to 18 and President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony, it was announced on Wednesday. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by President Xi when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. Under the ambitious BRI, China provides funding for major infrastructure projects around the world, in a bid to speed Chinese goods to markets further afield.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the BRI. India has strongly protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In July, India once again refused to endorse China's ambitious BRI, becoming the only country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation not to support the project. A declaration issued at the end of an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support for the BRI. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing from October 17 to 18. President Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a keynote speech, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced in Beijing. According to Hua, the theme of the third BRF is "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity." The BRI was in the news recently when Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said his country made an "improvised and atrocious" decision to join China's Belt and Road Initiative. Critics see the BRI as a tool for China to spread influence. Both the EU and the US expressed concern when Italy decided to join the scheme. However, a senior Chinese official has claimed that the BRI has delivered mutual benefits over the past decade, featuring deepened trade and investment cooperation, more abundant connectivity projects, and improved cooperation mechanisms. "China's super-large market has provided important development opportunities for BRI participating countries, which contributed nearly half of China's total imports," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting told the official Xinhua news agency. As the major trading partner of over 110 BRI countries, China saw its total goods trade with all BRI countries reach close to USD 2.9 trillion in 2022. China's direct investment in BRI partner countries topped USD 30 billion last year, while BRI countries invested more than 20 USD billion in China, the report said. India along with the US and several major economies last month announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The new economic corridor, which many see as an alternative to China's BRI, was jointly announced by the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI COLOMBO: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe here and held "extensive discussions" aimed at enhancing the relationship between the two neighbours. The minister, who is here to attend the 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), met with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. "Called on President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe today evening in Colombo. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed the progress in taking the India-Sri Lanka relationship forward across the many domains of our cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on platform X. Called on President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe today evening in Colombo. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed the progress in taking the relationship forward across the many domains of our cooperation.@RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/TRNOafTcP0 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2023 During their meeting, they engaged in "extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship" between India and Sri Lanka, the President's office said. Additionally, three new bilateral agreements were signed to foster greater cooperation between the two countries, it added. Jaishankar arrived here Monday evening to attend the IORA Council of Ministers meeting - the highest decision-making body of IORA, the largest and pre-eminent organisation in the Indian Ocean Region with 23 members and 10 dialogue partners. At the meeting, India assumed the Vice Chair role of IORA for 2023-25 leading to chairing in 2025-27. This was his second visit to Sri Lanka in 2023. Jaishankar last visited Colombo in January during which he held talks with Lanka's top leadership and discussed the entire gamut of close bilateral partnership and steps to strengthen it in all spheres. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp COLOMBO: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe here and held "extensive discussions" aimed at enhancing the relationship between the two neighbours. The minister, who is here to attend the 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), met with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. "Called on President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe today evening in Colombo. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed the progress in taking the India-Sri Lanka relationship forward across the many domains of our cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on platform X.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Called on President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe today evening in Colombo. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed the progress in taking the relationship forward across the many domains of our cooperation.@RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/TRNOafTcP0 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2023 During their meeting, they engaged in "extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship" between India and Sri Lanka, the President's office said. Additionally, three new bilateral agreements were signed to foster greater cooperation between the two countries, it added. Jaishankar arrived here Monday evening to attend the IORA Council of Ministers meeting - the highest decision-making body of IORA, the largest and pre-eminent organisation in the Indian Ocean Region with 23 members and 10 dialogue partners. At the meeting, India assumed the Vice Chair role of IORA for 2023-25 leading to chairing in 2025-27. This was his second visit to Sri Lanka in 2023. Jaishankar last visited Colombo in January during which he held talks with Lanka's top leadership and discussed the entire gamut of close bilateral partnership and steps to strengthen it in all spheres. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Associated Press JERUSALEM: Gaza's only power plant has run out of fuel, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, the Energy Ministry said Wednesday. That will leave only generators to power the territory. The blackouts come as Israel has decided to block fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip as part of what the Israeli government has called a "complete siege" on the territory run by the Hamas militant group. This comes after Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area Wednesday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and a power blackout was expected within hours, deepening the misery of a war sparked by a stunning and deadly assault by Hamas militants. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Since then, militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. ALSO READ | Palestine's UN envoy accuses Israel of 'genocidal' campaign against Gaza The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. After the attack, Israel stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 40-kilometer-long (25-mile) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. "There is no safe place in Gaza right now," journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the bombardment of a downtown neighbourhood home to government ministries, media offices and hotels. "I am genuinely afraid for my life." ALSO READ | Children in Palestine, Israel suffer as international law is routinely ignored Gaza's power authority says its sole power plant will run out of fuel within hours, leaving the territory without electricity after Israel cut off supplies. Palestinians there have long relied on generators to power homes, offices and hospitals, but have no way of importing fuel for those either. The UN's World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals have already run out amid the flood of wounded. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one, "we consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once," Matthias Kannes, the aid group's head of mission in Gaza, said Wednesday. He said the territory's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel for three days. Israel has mobilized 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense public pressure to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007 and remained firmly in control through four previous wars. That would likely require a prolonged ground assault and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. "We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. "I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal." ALSO READ | Unprecedented Israeli bombardment lays waste to beating heart of Gaza City Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas' military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. Exchanges of fire over Israel's northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria, meanwhile, pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. On Wednesday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole neighborhoods rather than just individual buildings then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. "The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory," said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. "Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done." Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the world's apathy. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighbourhood in Gaza City, with a "large number" of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials say they have struggled to enter other areas as well. EXPLAINER | Why Gaza Strip's history is key to understanding its conflict with Israel In another neighbourhood on Tuesday, Palestinian Civil Defense forces pulled Abdullah Musleh out of his basement together with 30 others after their apartment building was flattened. "I sell toys, not missiles,'' the 46-year-old said, weeping. "I want to leave Gaza. Why do I have to stay here? I lost my home and my job." On Wednesday, an AP reporter witnessed waves of rockets rain down on Ashkelon, with shrapnel slamming into the street and Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepting at least one overhead. Residents screamed and wept as they heard the explosions. On Tuesday night, a group of militants entered an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gunbattle with Israeli troops, the military said. Three militants were killed, and troops were searching the area for others. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It wasn't clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late Tuesday. In Gaza, more than 250,000 people have fled their homes, the UN said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites have cut off services to 400,000 people, the UN said. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp JERUSALEM: Gaza's only power plant has run out of fuel, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, the Energy Ministry said Wednesday. That will leave only generators to power the territory. The blackouts come as Israel has decided to block fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip as part of what the Israeli government has called a "complete siege" on the territory run by the Hamas militant group. This comes after Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area Wednesday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and a power blackout was expected within hours, deepening the misery of a war sparked by a stunning and deadly assault by Hamas militants.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Since then, militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. ALSO READ | Palestine's UN envoy accuses Israel of 'genocidal' campaign against Gaza The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. After the attack, Israel stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 40-kilometer-long (25-mile) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into UN schools and a shrinking number of safe neighbourhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. "There is no safe place in Gaza right now," journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the bombardment of a downtown neighbourhood home to government ministries, media offices and hotels. "I am genuinely afraid for my life." ALSO READ | Children in Palestine, Israel suffer as international law is routinely ignored Gaza's power authority says its sole power plant will run out of fuel within hours, leaving the territory without electricity after Israel cut off supplies. Palestinians there have long relied on generators to power homes, offices and hospitals, but have no way of importing fuel for those either. The UN's World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals have already run out amid the flood of wounded. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one, "we consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once," Matthias Kannes, the aid group's head of mission in Gaza, said Wednesday. He said the territory's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel for three days. Israel has mobilized 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense public pressure to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007 and remained firmly in control through four previous wars. That would likely require a prolonged ground assault and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. "We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. "I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal." ALSO READ | Unprecedented Israeli bombardment lays waste to beating heart of Gaza City Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas' military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. Exchanges of fire over Israel's northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria, meanwhile, pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. On Wednesday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole neighborhoods rather than just individual buildings then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. "The objective is for this war to end very differently from all of the previous rounds. There has to be a clear victory," said Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel. "Whatever has to be done to fundamentally change the situation will have to be done." Hamas officials have said they planned for all possibilities, including punishing Israeli escalation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank, a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza and what they see as the world's apathy. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighbourhood in Gaza City, with a "large number" of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials say they have struggled to enter other areas as well. EXPLAINER | Why Gaza Strip's history is key to understanding its conflict with Israel In another neighbourhood on Tuesday, Palestinian Civil Defense forces pulled Abdullah Musleh out of his basement together with 30 others after their apartment building was flattened. "I sell toys, not missiles,'' the 46-year-old said, weeping. "I want to leave Gaza. Why do I have to stay here? I lost my home and my job." On Wednesday, an AP reporter witnessed waves of rockets rain down on Ashkelon, with shrapnel slamming into the street and Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepting at least one overhead. Residents screamed and wept as they heard the explosions. On Tuesday night, a group of militants entered an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gunbattle with Israeli troops, the military said. Three militants were killed, and troops were searching the area for others. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. The bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It wasn't clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. Days of clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left 15 Palestinians dead. The violence also spread into east Jerusalem, where Israeli police said they killed two Palestinians who hurled stones at police late Tuesday. In Gaza, more than 250,000 people have fled their homes, the UN said, the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000. The vast majority are sheltering in schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites have cut off services to 400,000 people, the UN said. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Agencies Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it fired missiles on Israel Wednesday drawing retaliatory Israeli fire, after three of its members were killed earlier this week amid soaring border tensions. The exchange of fire came as Israel massed troops and heavy armour around Gaza in its retaliatory campaign against Hamas militants in a conflict that has left hundreds dead on both sides. Anti-tank missiles were fired in northern Israel, near the Lebanon border, Israel-based i24NEWS English reported. A suspected infiltration attempt occurred near the border town of Rosh HaNikra, according to the news report. Hezbollah "targeted a Zionist (Israeli) position... facing Dhayra village, with guided missiles," in a "firm response to Zionist attacks... which led to the martyrdom of a number of brothers," the group said in a statement. The group warned of a "decisive" response to Israeli attacks "targeting our country and the security of our people, especially when these attacks lead to the deaths of martyrs". Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it was carrying out strikes in Lebanon in retaliation to the attack on its border with anti-tank guided missiles, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF said it would soon come out with more information on the attack. ALSO READ | Children in Palestine, Israel suffer as international law is routinely ignored Earlier, the IDF said an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon towards a military post near the community of Arab Al-Aramshe. "An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine," IDF wrote on X. The Israeli military said that "in response to the anti-tank missiles that were launched at... soldiers a short while ago, the IDF (army) is currently striking in Lebanese territory". Lebanon's National News Agency said two civilians had sustained "light injuries" in the border village of Dhayra, where an AFP correspondent reported shelling close to residential areas that triggered fires in nearby groves. Another AFP correspondent in the southern town of Qlaileh heard loud blasts, likely from rocket fire. The NNA said Israeli fire on several locations along the border had been "countered by resistance (Hezbollah) machine guns." On Monday, Hezbollah said three of its members had been killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon after Palestinian militants tried to slip across the border. Both Israel and its closest ally the United States have warned Hezbollah against opening a second front as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli army is "prepared for any scenario", spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. "Hezbollah is observing what Israel is doing in Gaza, it sees the volume of the destruction. Hezbollah sees this and understands," he said. EXPLAINER | Why Gaza Strip's history is key to understanding its conflict with Israel In Israel, the death toll from Hamas's shock cross-border assault rose to 1,200, the great majority of them civilians, while Gaza officials reported 1,055 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel fought a devastating 34-day war that left more than 1,200 people dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers. Meanwhile, the IDF said it targeted the Islamic University of Gaza, which serves as an "important centre of political and military power for Hamas in the Gaza Strip." In a post shared on X, the IDF stated, "Fighter jets recently attacked the Islamic University, which serves as an important centre of political and military power for the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip and a training institution for the development and production of weapons. The IDF continues with extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip at this time as well." Earlier in the day, the spokesperson for Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said 1,200 citizens were killed and more than 2,700 injured in the Hamas strikes, adding that the Israeli forces were ready to execute the mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. ALSO READ | Why did Hamas attack Israel, and why now? What does it hope to gain? The IDF spokesperson informed that about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed on the Gaza border, adding that they would ensure that Hamas is completely shorn of its military capabilities at the end of the ongoing war. In a live video posted on X, Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that (the) Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens." Continuing its air assault on Hamas, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it struck over 200 targets of the terrorist group in the Al Furkan neighbourhood, The Times of Israel reported. According to the news report, the security forces also bombed the house of the father of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's military wing believed to be the key plotter of the terror attacks. (With inputs from AFP and ANI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it fired missiles on Israel Wednesday drawing retaliatory Israeli fire, after three of its members were killed earlier this week amid soaring border tensions. The exchange of fire came as Israel massed troops and heavy armour around Gaza in its retaliatory campaign against Hamas militants in a conflict that has left hundreds dead on both sides. Anti-tank missiles were fired in northern Israel, near the Lebanon border, Israel-based i24NEWS English reported. A suspected infiltration attempt occurred near the border town of Rosh HaNikra, according to the news report.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Hezbollah "targeted a Zionist (Israeli) position... facing Dhayra village, with guided missiles," in a "firm response to Zionist attacks... which led to the martyrdom of a number of brothers," the group said in a statement. The group warned of a "decisive" response to Israeli attacks "targeting our country and the security of our people, especially when these attacks lead to the deaths of martyrs". Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it was carrying out strikes in Lebanon in retaliation to the attack on its border with anti-tank guided missiles, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF said it would soon come out with more information on the attack. ALSO READ | Children in Palestine, Israel suffer as international law is routinely ignored Earlier, the IDF said an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon towards a military post near the community of Arab Al-Aramshe. "An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine," IDF wrote on X. The Israeli military said that "in response to the anti-tank missiles that were launched at... soldiers a short while ago, the IDF (army) is currently striking in Lebanese territory". Lebanon's National News Agency said two civilians had sustained "light injuries" in the border village of Dhayra, where an AFP correspondent reported shelling close to residential areas that triggered fires in nearby groves. Another AFP correspondent in the southern town of Qlaileh heard loud blasts, likely from rocket fire. The NNA said Israeli fire on several locations along the border had been "countered by resistance (Hezbollah) machine guns." On Monday, Hezbollah said three of its members had been killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon after Palestinian militants tried to slip across the border. Both Israel and its closest ally the United States have warned Hezbollah against opening a second front as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli army is "prepared for any scenario", spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. "Hezbollah is observing what Israel is doing in Gaza, it sees the volume of the destruction. Hezbollah sees this and understands," he said. EXPLAINER | Why Gaza Strip's history is key to understanding its conflict with Israel In Israel, the death toll from Hamas's shock cross-border assault rose to 1,200, the great majority of them civilians, while Gaza officials reported 1,055 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel fought a devastating 34-day war that left more than 1,200 people dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers. Meanwhile, the IDF said it targeted the Islamic University of Gaza, which serves as an "important centre of political and military power for Hamas in the Gaza Strip." In a post shared on X, the IDF stated, "Fighter jets recently attacked the Islamic University, which serves as an important centre of political and military power for the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip and a training institution for the development and production of weapons. The IDF continues with extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip at this time as well." Earlier in the day, the spokesperson for Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said 1,200 citizens were killed and more than 2,700 injured in the Hamas strikes, adding that the Israeli forces were ready to execute the mission in Gaza. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. ALSO READ | Why did Hamas attack Israel, and why now? What does it hope to gain? The IDF spokesperson informed that about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed on the Gaza border, adding that they would ensure that Hamas is completely shorn of its military capabilities at the end of the ongoing war. In a live video posted on X, Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that (the) Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens." Continuing its air assault on Hamas, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it struck over 200 targets of the terrorist group in the Al Furkan neighbourhood, The Times of Israel reported. According to the news report, the security forces also bombed the house of the father of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's military wing believed to be the key plotter of the terror attacks. (With inputs from AFP and ANI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Associated Press JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a leading opposition figure on Wednesday created a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighborhoods and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel. The new war-time Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will consist of Netanyahu, Benny Gantz a senior opposition figure and former defense minister and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a statement released by Gantz said. The government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Still, Israels political divisions remain. The countrys chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join to new Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. A ground offensive in the tiny, coastal Gaza Strip, densely populated with 2.3 million people, is likely to dramatically hike casualties in a war that has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. So far, Israel has unleashed an increasingly destructive bombardment in Gaza that has flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Militants in Gaza continued to fire rockets at Israel on Wednesday, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza more than a tenth of the population most crowding into UN schools. Others crowded into a shrinking number of safe neighborhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After the attack by Hamas, Israel halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Gazas only power plant shut down Wednesday afternoon after running out of fuel, the Energy Ministry said. That leaves only private generators to power homes, hospitals and other facilities. With no fuel able to enter, those were on a ticking clock until individual stocks of diesel run out. The Gaza Strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days, said Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, Kannes said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days. Residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. The risk of the war spreading was evident Wednesday after the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. After nightfall, Israel urged residents in the north to shelter after hostile aircraft entered from Lebanon. It did not specify the kind of aircraft. But Hezbollah and Palestinian militants are known to have drones and gliders. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The U.S. is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the West Bank-based Palestinian Health Ministry said. It has mobilized 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near the territory and evacuated tens of thousands of Israeli residents from communities nearby. Toppling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would likely require prolonged ground fighting and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas said it launched its attack because Palestinians suffering has become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. But the shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas among Israelis have brought a new ferocity after past conflicts with Hamas that saw heavy bombardments of Gaza but ended with the group still in power. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighborhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then levelling large swaths in waves of airstrikes. Israels tone has changed as well. In past conflicts, military spokesmen repeatedly insisted on the precision of strikes in Gaza, trying to ward of criticism over civilian deaths. This time, military briefings emphasize the destruction being wreaked. They say targeted neighborhoods broadly are being used by Hamas, but rarely give specifics to justify strikes as they did in earlier wars. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Defense Minister Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. The military tells residents to evacuate neighborhoods about to be struck, and tens of thousands flee. But Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no warning at all, survivors say. ALSO READ | The Gaza Strip and why its history is key to understanding the current conflict with Israel They directly targeted our house, and there was no warning or anything, said Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike late Tuesday leveled his home in Gaza City. We were sitting there as civilians, dressed like anyone else. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighborhood in Gaza City, with a large number of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials say they have struggled to enter other areas as well. At least four Red Crescent paramedics have been killed in strikes, the organization said. Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. ALSO READ | Gaza's only power plant has run out of fuel after Israel cut off supplies: Report On Wednesday, waves of rockets rained down on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, with shrapnel slamming into the street. Israels Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted at least one overhead. Tuesday night, Israeli troops stopped an incursion by militants into Ashkelon, killing three, the military said. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there. In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli police during clashes with stonethrowers. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israeli territory and contends that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a leading opposition figure on Wednesday created a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighborhoods and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel. The new war-time Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza. The Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will consist of Netanyahu, Benny Gantz a senior opposition figure and former defense minister and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a statement released by Gantz said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Still, Israels political divisions remain. The countrys chief opposition leader, Yair Lapid, was invited to join to new Cabinet but did not immediately respond to the offer. It appeared that the rest of Netanyahus existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, would remain in place to handle non-war issues. A ground offensive in the tiny, coastal Gaza Strip, densely populated with 2.3 million people, is likely to dramatically hike casualties in a war that has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. So far, Israel has unleashed an increasingly destructive bombardment in Gaza that has flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Militants in Gaza continued to fire rockets at Israel on Wednesday, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon. Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza more than a tenth of the population most crowding into UN schools. Others crowded into a shrinking number of safe neighborhoods in the strip of land only 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. After the attack by Hamas, Israel halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Gazas only power plant shut down Wednesday afternoon after running out of fuel, the Energy Ministry said. That leaves only private generators to power homes, hospitals and other facilities. With no fuel able to enter, those were on a ticking clock until individual stocks of diesel run out. The Gaza Strips biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel to keep power on for three days, said Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, Kannes said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals generators will run out in five days. Residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner. Egypt and international groups have been calling for humanitarian corridors to get aid into Gaza. Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but were unable to enter Gaza, an Egyptian security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. The risk of the war spreading was evident Wednesday after the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. After nightfall, Israel urged residents in the north to shelter after hostile aircraft entered from Lebanon. It did not specify the kind of aircraft. But Hezbollah and Palestinian militants are known to have drones and gliders. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The U.S. is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the West Bank-based Palestinian Health Ministry said. It has mobilized 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near the territory and evacuated tens of thousands of Israeli residents from communities nearby. Toppling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would likely require prolonged ground fighting and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas said it launched its attack because Palestinians suffering has become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation and increasing settlements in the West Bank and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza. But the shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas among Israelis have brought a new ferocity after past conflicts with Hamas that saw heavy bombardments of Gaza but ended with the group still in power. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighborhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then levelling large swaths in waves of airstrikes. Israels tone has changed as well. In past conflicts, military spokesmen repeatedly insisted on the precision of strikes in Gaza, trying to ward of criticism over civilian deaths. This time, military briefings emphasize the destruction being wreaked. They say targeted neighborhoods broadly are being used by Hamas, but rarely give specifics to justify strikes as they did in earlier wars. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Defense Minister Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. The military tells residents to evacuate neighborhoods about to be struck, and tens of thousands flee. But Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no warning at all, survivors say. ALSO READ | The Gaza Strip and why its history is key to understanding the current conflict with Israel They directly targeted our house, and there was no warning or anything, said Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike late Tuesday leveled his home in Gaza City. We were sitting there as civilians, dressed like anyone else. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighborhood in Gaza City, with a large number of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials say they have struggled to enter other areas as well. At least four Red Crescent paramedics have been killed in strikes, the organization said. Israeli airstrikes late Tuesday struck the family house of Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas military wing, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives in the southern town of Khan Younis, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told The Associated Press. Deif has never been seen in public and his whereabouts are unknown. ALSO READ | Gaza's only power plant has run out of fuel after Israel cut off supplies: Report On Wednesday, waves of rockets rained down on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, with shrapnel slamming into the street. Israels Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted at least one overhead. Tuesday night, Israeli troops stopped an incursion by militants into Ashkelon, killing three, the military said. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. In Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, according to authorities there. In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli police during clashes with stonethrowers. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israeli territory and contends that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Qabil Ashirov Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Health Decade dedicated to the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev is being held in Tashkent with the organization of the health ministries of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Azernews reports. Within the framework of the visit, the delegation led by the Azerbaijan Health Minister, Teymur Musayev, visited the Heydar Aliyev Square created in Tashkent and the large memorial complex erected there. The delegation laid wreaths in front of the National Leader's monument and honored the dear memory of the National Leader of Azerbaijanis. The square was opened as part of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on June 21, 2022. The square, located on the street named after the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, is one of the places where city residents and guests go for recreation. Then the delegation visited the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan. As part of the Health Decade, Uzbekistan's Health Minister Amrillo Inoyatov had a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijan's Health Minister Teymur Musayev. The high level of bilateral relations and cooperation between the brotherly countries was emphasized at the meeting held in a friendly environment. It was stated that the mutual visits of the leaders of both countries are a clear example of interstate friendship. It was noted that the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan health forum will be held on October 11 within the framework of the Health Decade. In addition to deepening bilateral cooperation, the forum will create ample opportunities for strengthening the exchange of experience in the field of healthcare, stimulating public-private partnerships, and attracting additional investments in this field. Within the framework of the decade, the surgical operations, examination, and treatment procedures performed by medical specialists of the Azerbaijani Health Ministry together with their Uzbek colleagues were highly appreciated. It was emphasized that this event will bring the mutual cooperation to a new level, increase the practical knowledge of the doctors of both countries and create new opportunities for protecting the health of the population. During the meeting, opinions were exchanged on other issues of mutual interest. Besides, the delegation led by the Minister of Health of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev, visited the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Surgery Center named after Academician V. Vahidov within the framework of the Health Decade. Here, Teymur Musayev held a meeting with the citizens and doctors from Azerbaijan who were operated together on the sidelines of the Healthcare Decade. Medical procedures covered areas such as neonatal minimally invasive surgery, pediatric surgery, transplantology, minimally invasive laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, traumatology and orthopedics, oncology and ophthalmology, and heavy reconstructive operations. At the same time, acquaintance with the Republican Specialized Eye Microsurgery Center, National Children's Medical Center, Scientific-Practical Traumatology and Orthopedics Center and M-clinic took place. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Azerbaijan no longer has any internal threats, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said, as he received the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries, Trend reports. "There are, of course, external threats in the regions where our countries are located, and operational work in this direction allows us the opportunity to minimize the risks. It is gratifying to see that public and political stability in our countries is strengthening and our states are successfully confronting many challenges. As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, we no longer have any internal threats. As a result of the activities carried out three weeks ago, the sovereignty of Azerbaijan has been fully restored and, of course, this opens up opportunities for strengthening security and achieving peace in our region. We are committed to this and believe that there is no alternative to it. Proceeding from the fact that the events of recent weeks are interpreted differently in the media, first of all, in the Western media, I would say in a lop-sided and biased way and do not reflect the history of the issue or the present-day realities, I would like to briefly inform you about what has been happening over the past three years. But in order to make my information more complete, I would like to make a small historical excursion, as it were," President Ilham Aliyev said. By AFP GENEVA: Over 260,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, as heavy Israeli bombardments from the air, land and sea continue to hit the Palestinian enclave, the United Nations said. Fierce fighting has left thousands dead on both sides since Hamas launched a surprise assault on Saturday, spurring Israel's reprisal bombing campaign. "Over 263,934 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes," said UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in an update Tuesday, warning that "this number is expected to rise further". It said that around 3,000 people had been displaced "due to previous escalations", prior to Saturday. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Israel in the worst attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials have reported 900 people killed since the air strikes began. The bombing campaign has destroyed more than 1,000 housing units, and 560 have been so severely damaged they are uninhabitable, OCHA said, citing Palestinian authorities. Among the displaced, nearly 175,500 people sought shelter in 88 schools run by the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, it said. More than 14,500 others had fled to 12 government schools, while close to 74,000 were estimated to be staying with relatives and neighbours or seeking shelters in churches and other facilities. The number of displaced people inside of Gaza "represents the highest number of people displaced since the 50-day escalation of hostilities in 2014," it said. "Meeting basic needs is becoming increasingly challenging for those who have not been displaced," OCHA warned. Israel has imposed what it called a "complete siege" on the already blockaded Gaza Strip, cutting off food, water, fuel and electricity -- a move that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned would worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp GENEVA: Over 260,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, as heavy Israeli bombardments from the air, land and sea continue to hit the Palestinian enclave, the United Nations said. Fierce fighting has left thousands dead on both sides since Hamas launched a surprise assault on Saturday, spurring Israel's reprisal bombing campaign. "Over 263,934 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes," said UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in an update Tuesday, warning that "this number is expected to rise further".googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It said that around 3,000 people had been displaced "due to previous escalations", prior to Saturday. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Israel in the worst attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials have reported 900 people killed since the air strikes began. The bombing campaign has destroyed more than 1,000 housing units, and 560 have been so severely damaged they are uninhabitable, OCHA said, citing Palestinian authorities. Among the displaced, nearly 175,500 people sought shelter in 88 schools run by the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, it said. More than 14,500 others had fled to 12 government schools, while close to 74,000 were estimated to be staying with relatives and neighbours or seeking shelters in churches and other facilities. The number of displaced people inside of Gaza "represents the highest number of people displaced since the 50-day escalation of hostilities in 2014," it said. "Meeting basic needs is becoming increasingly challenging for those who have not been displaced," OCHA warned. Israel has imposed what it called a "complete siege" on the already blockaded Gaza Strip, cutting off food, water, fuel and electricity -- a move that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned would worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Online Desk Qatar is mediating with Israel and Hamas to exchange women and children hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian "women and teenagers held in Israeli jails," CNN quoted a diplomatic source "familiar with the discussions" as saying to its anchor Becky Anderson. The Jerusalem Post also reported citing a Hamas official as saying to a Chinese news agency Xinhua that Qatar is mediating a prisoner exchange agreement with Israel. "With US support, Qatar is seeking to accomplish an urgent agreement that would lead to the release of Israeli women captured by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian female prisoners in Israeli prisons," the anonymous source told Xinhua, the report said. ALSO READ | Israel: Netanyahu clinches deal with opposition for an emergency war cabinet The official source, according to The Jerusalem Post, informed Qatar that Hamas is not opposed to an exchange deal that guarantees the release of all Palestinian female prisoners. It is estimated that Hamas took over 100 Israelis hostage in the surprise attack. The CNN quoting an Israeli official said that up to 150 hostages are believed to be held in Gaza. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Qatar is mediating with Israel and Hamas to exchange women and children hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian "women and teenagers held in Israeli jails," CNN quoted a diplomatic source "familiar with the discussions" as saying to its anchor Becky Anderson. The Jerusalem Post also reported citing a Hamas official as saying to a Chinese news agency Xinhua that Qatar is mediating a prisoner exchange agreement with Israel. "With US support, Qatar is seeking to accomplish an urgent agreement that would lead to the release of Israeli women captured by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian female prisoners in Israeli prisons," the anonymous source told Xinhua, the report said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Israel: Netanyahu clinches deal with opposition for an emergency war cabinet The official source, according to The Jerusalem Post, informed Qatar that Hamas is not opposed to an exchange deal that guarantees the release of all Palestinian female prisoners. It is estimated that Hamas took over 100 Israelis hostage in the surprise attack. The CNN quoting an Israeli official said that up to 150 hostages are believed to be held in Gaza. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Online Desk The Pakistani education activist and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai has joined the call for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine. While the death toll and the number of people injured in the ongoing war kept mounting, Malala described her own experience witnessing terrorism while growing up, as she said, War never spares children not those kidnapped from their homes in Israel, not those hiding from airstrikes or without food and water in Gaza. She said she is grieving for all the children and people longing for peace and justice in the Holy Land. In an Instagram post on Tuesday night, Malala recalled she was only 11 when she witnessed violence and terrorism as she noted that as she processed the tragic news of the past days, she was thinking of the Palestinian and Israeli children caught in the middle. In 2012, Malala, then only 14, was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being shot in the head by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan for demanding education for women. The Pakistani activist has gone on to become the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp The Pakistani education activist and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai has joined the call for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine. While the death toll and the number of people injured in the ongoing war kept mounting, Malala described her own experience witnessing terrorism while growing up, as she said, War never spares children not those kidnapped from their homes in Israel, not those hiding from airstrikes or without food and water in Gaza. She said she is grieving for all the children and people longing for peace and justice in the Holy Land.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In an Instagram post on Tuesday night, Malala recalled she was only 11 when she witnessed violence and terrorism as she noted that as she processed the tragic news of the past days, she was thinking of the Palestinian and Israeli children caught in the middle. In 2012, Malala, then only 14, was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being shot in the head by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan for demanding education for women. The Pakistani activist has gone on to become the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp New Delhi, Oct 10 A ditya Roy Kapur and Janhvi Kapoor were announced as the brand ambassador for the upcoming collection of ALDO India. Adorning the brand's charisma, Aditya joins the brand family as their latest male brand ambassador, while Janhvi extends her association for the second consecutive year. Commenting on the associationAbhishek Bajpai, CEO of Apparel Group India Pvt Ltd, added: Apparel Group India is thrilled to welcome Aditya Roy Kapur and Janhvi Kapoor into the ALDO family. Their unique style and magnetic presence perfectly resonate with our brand's spirit. Together, well embark on a fashionable journey that celebrates individuality and innovation. Aditya, shared his excitement, saying, "ALDO has always been the brand that I love and admire so much, & am extremely excited to represent it in India. Its dedication to blending style and comfort aligns perfectly with my fashion philosophy. I'm thrilled to be part of a brand that embraces innovation but also sets trends in the world of footwear and accessories. Together, we'll make every step a stylish one." Janhvi, shared her thoughts: "I am thrilled to continue this journey ... It's been an incredible experience representing a brand that seamlessly combines style and comfort. The brand's commitment to innovative fashion resonates with me, and I can't wait to step into the world of footwear and accessories once again, making every fashion statement comfortable and chic." "Apparel Group Indias collaboration with the dynamic duo, Aditya Roy Kapur and Janhvi Kapoor represents a significant milestone in our journey. Their iconic status and fashion-forward personas align seamlessly with ALDO's commitment to style and excellence. We're excited to witness this partnership elevate the fashion landscape in India and beyond," Tushar Ved, President, Apparel Group India Pvt Ltd commented on the association with Janhvi and Aditya. (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) Aditya Roy Kapur, Janhvi Kapoor put their right foot forward Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, October 10 I n a day of impressive gains, the stock market closed on a high, bolstered by bullish sentiment and a flurry of green across key indices. The Sensex, India's benchmark stock index, surged 566.97 points, reaching a closing figure of 66,079.36 , while the Nifty, another significant indicator, added 177.50 points to finish at 19,689.85. This remarkable upward momentum was mirrored in the performance of individual companies listed on the Nifty, with 44 firms recording advances and only 6 seeing declines. Among the top gainers within the Nifty companies were Coal India, Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, Tata Motors, and Hindalco. In contrast, IndusInd Bank, Cipla, TCS, Dr Reddy, and Asian Paints were the top losers when the market concluded. The Indian markets exhibited a strong and positive trend throughout the trading day, signaling a healthy market structure. Investors witnessed notable gains across various stocks, particularly those recommended earlier in the day. Stocks such as Kotak, HDFC Bank, INFY, Reliance, and HUL performed admirably. Varun Aggarwal, founder and managing director, Profit Idea, said, "Stocks we shared in morning did well today. All stocks we shared went up. Kotak, HDFC Bank, INFY, Reliance, HUL did well. Nifty closed near 19700, it will be interesting to watch how market moves next. Crucial resistance for index remains at 19767, above this bulls will start sailing". The Nifty index settled near the 19700 mark, leaving traders and investors eager to observe the market's next moves. Analysts have identified the crucial resistance level at 19767, emphasizing that crossing this threshold could herald a bullish phase. The overall sentiment in the Indian market remains significantly bullish, with put writers actively selling 19500 Puts, indicating a strong desire to keep the market above the 19500 mark. Aggarwal said, "Bias for Indian Market remains strongly bullish. Put writers actively sold 19500 Puts today. Strong put base suggest bulls wants to keep the market above 19500 as per today's close. Focus remains on quality mid and small cap stocks for decent gains. Huge potential unlocking can happen. Mid and small cap ratio is quite favourable". This suggests that investors are confident in the market's potential and are taking steps to support its upward trajectory. Market participants continue to focus on quality mid and small-cap stocks, anticipating decent gains. The mid and small-cap ratio is currently favorable, with the potential for substantial value to be unlocked in these segments. As the Indian stock market closes on a high note, investors and traders are poised for what lies ahead, with optimism prevailing and a bullish bias guiding their decisions. Stock market ends on high note with bullish sentiment Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, October 10 U nion Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday said that mental health is a "universal" human right. "Mental health is a universal human right", said Mandaviya at the National Mental Health Conclave organized to mark World Mental Health Day here in the national capital. The health minister also virtually inaugurated new facilities at NIMHANS and launched the logo of Tele-MANAS, an official statement said. He was joined by Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Member), Niti Aayog. Mansukh Mandaviya lauded the resolve to work towards ensuring that the benefits of mental health care are available to all citizens of the country ensuring reach to the remotest areas. Praising the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Health Minister stated "The National Mental Health Survey was published in the year 2015-16 and was a pioneering initiative that brought to light that 10 per cent of the population is affected by mental health issues which reflects the huge burden it has on the affected people, society and economy." The Union Health Minister emphasized that the "use of technology" in mental health care is a force multiplier, citing the example of the National Tele-Mental Health Program (Tele-MANAS)." He further stated "The Tele Manas Seva, launched last year on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, has counselled more than 3,50,000 people to date and currently provides counselling to 2000 people through 44 Tele Manas Cells. More than 1000 calls are being received on this helpline every day." The Union Health Minister launched the logo of Tele-MANAS and inaugurated the new facilities in the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore namely the Platinum Jubilee Auditorium and Academic facility, New Administrative Office complex at NIMHANS, Centre for Brain and Mind. The Union Health Minister stated, "Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres have facilitated the integration of mental health services with primary health services as priority services for mental health, neurological disorders and substance use disorders. District-level activities are organized by a dedicated district mental health intervention team stationed in the district hospital. Additionally, OPD, counselling, care and medical support for mental health issues are provided at Community Health Center and Primary Health Center level. They are being provided through 1.6 lakh AB-HWCs situated across the country. Mental health also features under the Prime Minister-Jan Arogya Yojana." Mandaviya further added, "To improve coverage and access to mental health care, district-level activities have been supported under the National Mental Health Program in 743 districts across all 36 States/UTs." He highlighted that at the tertiary level, there are a total of 47 government mental health hospitals in the country, including three central mental health institutions at Bengaluru, Ranchi and Tejaspur. Many other central and state government hospitals have psychiatry departments. In addition, psychiatry departments have been established in the newly established All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Mandaviya commemorated the states on their performance, and states/UTs were awarded certificates of appreciation with mementoes for achieving the highest number of calls in the National Tele Mental Health Programme, as per the official statement. Ranking from first to third, in the larger states category Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh were awarded. Whereas, Telangana, Jharkhand, and Kerala were awarded for their performance in the smaller states category. In the North East category states of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur received awards, and Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were awarded in the Union Territories category. Highlighting the government's commitment and resolve to raise awareness and ensure the delivery of healthcare services to the last mile, Mandaviya said "Apart from Tele-MANAS, the Government has taken several steps to address mental health issues of children and women under the National Child Health Programme, National Adolescent Health Program and RCH programmes. As life expectancy improves, attention is also being paid to the mental health of the elderly." He also urged all to leverage the use of digital technology so that health care reaches everyone, citing drug addiction and workplace stress as significant contributors to mental health issues. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Bharat Lal, Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission of India, L.S. Changsen, AS and MD (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indrani Kaushal, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr B.N. Gangadhar, Chairman, National Medical Council, Pratima Murthy, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Lt Gen Daljit Singh, AVSM, VSM, PHS, DGAFMS, among others, were present at the event. Dr. Roderico H Ofrin, World Health Organization, Representative to India, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and Former Chief Scientist, World Health Organization attended the event virtually. It is worth mentioning that World's Mental Health Day is an international day for global recognition of mental health issues, and awareness regarding it. According to the World Health Organization, in recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the important role mental health plays in achieving global development goals, as illustrated by the inclusion of mental health in the Sustainable Development Goals. Mental health a universal human right: Mansukh Mandaviya Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Himachal CM Sukhu emphasizes need to change development model as per future challenges Shimla, October 10 H imachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday released the District Good Governance Index (HPDGGI) Annual Report-2022 on various critical governance indicators including the implementation of schemes and programmes for the well-being of the citizens. DGGI-2022 framework covered 8 themes, 19 focus subjects and 90 indicators. The Chief Minister said that as the districts function as the basic unit of field administration and governance, the performance of the districts must be measured for inclusive development. "Good Government with Good Governance was imperative for the welfare of people of the State and there is a need to change the development model to meet out the forthcoming challenges" said CM Sukhu. Himachal has performed better than many other States on different development indicators relating to education, health, electricity supply, water supply and several other areas and has emerged as a model State for inclusive and equitable development, he added. The report on the District Good Governance Index has been prepared by the Department of Economics and Statistics, Himachal Pradesh on the basis of secondary data of 12 districts, collected to assess the comparative performance of all districts. Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country who has started to measure the quality of governance in vital sectors, the release stated. The DGGI-2022 includes eight themes essential infrastructure, support to human development, social protection, women and children, crime, law and order, environment, transparency and accountability and economic performance. At the second tier there are 19 focus subjects, each of which falls into the respective themes from which they originate. They encompass power, water, roads, education, health, public distribution scheme, social justice, employment, issues related to children and women, violent crimes, law and order, atrocities, environmental violations, forest cover, issues related to transparency and accountability, contribution as agriculture and allied sector and finally, commerce and industry in the economy. At the third tier, there are 90 specific variables on which the data available in the districts is analyzed and integrated. The aggregation at the three levels finally results in the district level index which is used to rank the twelve districts, under examination in this report. As per ranking for 2022, district Kangra bagged the first prize of Rs 50 lakh while district Hamirpur was ranked second with prize money of Rs 35 lakh and district Lahaul-Spiti received the third prize of Rs 25 lakh. The Chief Minister gave away prizes to Deputy Commissioner Kangra Dr Nipun Jindal, Deputy Commissioner Hamirpur Hemraj Bairwa and Deputy Commissioner Lahaul-Spiti Rahul Kumar on the occasion. Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said that DGGI helps in identifying strong and weak areas for immediate improvement and measuring progress by ranking the districts. He also shared that this year's evaluation parameters differed significantly from previous years, as we recognized the need to create a level playing field for the tribal districts. Principal Secretary, Finance Maneesh Garg detailed various indicators and the comparative data of all the 12 districts used to compile this report. Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bharat Khera, Secretary Finance Dr Abhishek Jain, Economic Advisor Dr Vinod Kumar, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of various districts were also present on the occasion amongst others. Himachal CM Sukhu emphasizes need to change development model as per future challenges Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Los Angeles, October 10 C anadian-American actor and film producer Ryan Reynolds got candid about parenting and his children's mental health, reported People. "I think it's more about talking to them about everything," the actor, 46, told People at the Bring Change to Mind Revels & Revelations 11 event in New York City on Monday. "It's genuine when I say I take a huge interest in their days and how things are going." Reynolds also opened up to People about how he and his wife Blake Lively stress the importance of "self-awareness" to their four kids as well as sharing details of their daily routines. "For me, the best time of my day is walking them to school and walking them back," he says to PEOPLE at the event. "I think as parents, we are so much better equipped to handle the rigors of childhood through our kids now than when I was a kid. It's just totally different now. People are much more self-aware. And that's the thing we sort of hang our hat on the most is self-awareness with our kids. Not be happy, not be anything, just be self-aware and welcome everything in." Reynolds and actress Lively, 36, share three daughters: James, 8, Inez, 7, and Betty, 4. They welcomed their fourth baby in February. According to People, the 'Deadpool' star was honored with the Robin Williams' Legacy of Laughter Award at the event. Actress Glenn Close and her family established the organization Bring Change to Mind in 2009 to fight the stigma of mental illness. Reynolds told out about how he and Lively were adjusting to life as a family of six shortly after the birth of their fourth kid. "Everybody's doing great. Everybody's actually doing fantastic," he continued. "I think if we hadn't figured it out by now, I think we'd be in deep, deep trouble." Reynolds went on to joke that the couple's house resembles a "zoo" during his virtual appearance, adding, "It's a zoo over here. This is my office here and to be honest I'll probably spend the rest of my life in here," reported People. Ryan Reynolds opens up about parenting, mental health Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, Oct 10 B angladesh, and not just its government, is under siege from overseas forces. Its forthcoming general election has clearly begun to exercise minds in nations abroad. Governments in the West and elsewhere have cheerfully been putting pressure on the Sheikh Hasina government to guarantee a free and credible election come January 2024. That has cheered the political opposition in Bangladesh to no end, for it seriously believes that such pressure is a sign that Sheikh Hasinas days as Bangladeshs leader are numbered. Sheikh Hasina, it will be noted, recently returned to Bangladesh after a sixteen-day visit abroad. In the United States, she addressed the UN General Assembly in New York apart from spending time in Washington. On her way back home, she was in Britain for three days, where she met a number of British political personalities. It was during her stay in New York that the US authorities made it known that Washington had begun applying its visa restriction measures on Bangladeshi officials, politicians and others suspected to be undermining the electoral process in Bangladesh. The pressure on Bangladesh has been growing. Even as the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party have been trading charges and barbs at each other over the American visa policy, an individual certainly active in Dhaka these days is US ambassador Peter Haas. Of course, American ambassadors have always waded into Bangladeshs internal politics in recent years, but Haas appears to have outdone them through his rather aggressive position on the election scenario.Journalists in Bangladesh, a section of them, have been keen on soliciting from him American government views on the situation in Dhaka. He recently appeared on local television to proffer the thought that US visa restrictions could also apply to the Bangladesh media. That comment led to an uproar in the wider journalistic circles in Bangladesh, with leading journalists condemning the ambassadors comments as an interference in the free working of the media in the country. The US diplomatic mission swiftly went for damage control, through asserting that Washington respects media freedom in Bangladesh. Whether or not that clarification undid the damage caused by Haas comments remains a question. But what is obvious is the interference, in less than diplomatic manner, by American and other foreign diplomats in Bangladeshs politics. One cannot quite blame them, for in the past couple of decades and more, it has become something of a norm for politicians in Bangladesh, on both sides of the aisle, to curry favour with foreign diplomats. Bangladeshs leading politicians have been quick to accept breakfast invitations to the residence of the US ambassador. That did not go down well with Bangladeshs citizens. The political condition today has come to a pass where an irate Sheikh Hasina told a Bangladeshi-British audience in London before flying back home that in response to the US sanctions and visa policy, Dhaka would exercise its own sanctions on those who clamped sanctions on it. Her remarks were echoed in Dhaka by Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen, though it was not spelt out how Bangladesh means to go for sanctions of its own. With all such circumstances developing in and around Bangladesh, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller informed the media last week that Washington does not support any particular political party in Bangladesh and does not wish to influence the outcome of the forthcoming election in Dhaka. Millers statement has, however, not allayed feelings among political observers in Dhaka, for they are quite convinced that all the pressure brought to bear on the Hasina government by the US, the European Union and others is aimed at seeing the back of the present administration in Dhaka. A new development in this context is the letter written by a group of Australian MPs to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urging him to adopt a visa policy regarding Bangladesh similar to the position adopted by Washington. The pressure, one cannot but note, goes up by a few notches. Such pressure, one might add, has so far only resulted in defiance on the part of the Bangladesh leadership, which insists that the election will be held under the provisions of the countrys constitution, meaning that there will be no caretaker regime to oversee the election. A significant happening during Sheikh Hasinas visit to Washington was her meeting with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who spent a good length of time with the Bangladesh leader obviously discussing political conditions in Bangladesh. Sullivans meeting with Sheikh Hasina assumes significance given that it is one of those rare times such a significant American administration figure has called on the Bangladesh Premier at a time that has Bangladesh on the global radar. Back in Bangladesh, the government remains busy with its development projects. This month a number of mega projects will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Politically the Awami League prepares for the election, while the BNP holds on to the hope that foreign pressure will persuade the government to hand over power to an interim administration which will preside over the election in January next year. For Sheikh Hasina and her government, the tough job now is to weather the storm arising from overseas pressure for a fair election through convincing foreign leaders that despite the government being in charge, the election will be a credible exercise of the vote. The government will need to go out on a limb to convince the electorate of the many strides taken in the economic arena in the fourteen years since the Awami League returned to power in 2009. These achievements will, the party hopes, catapult it back to a new term in office. Achievements apart, the ruling partys election manifesto will, in addition, need to spell out measures aimed at slicing away at corruption, ensuring rule of law, putting a strict end to money laundering and bridging the widening chasm between rich and poor. Neither the Awami League nor its supporters base relishes the thought of the country sliding back to the era when anti-history and an absence of secularism prevented Bangladesh from exercising the fundamental principles underpinning the War of Liberation in 1971 and forming the core of the constitution adopted in 1972. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Foreign forces besiege Hasina's Bangladesh ahead of elections Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The Armenian prime minister flies six hours to Granada, participates in an incomprehensible meeting there, where Azerbaijan is discussed without actually being present, but he can't fly for two to three hours to Bishkek, he has other important things to do, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said, as he received the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries, Trend reports. "I would also like to inform you that on October 12, a day later, at the suggestion of the Russian side, a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia was to be held in Bishkek. We perceive the mediation of the Russian Federation with gratitude, because Russia is our neighbor and ally, as well as Armenia's ally. This country is located in our region, unlike those who are thousands of kilometers away. Naturally, the history of relations between our countries naturally presupposes the mediation of the Russian side. We took this proposal positively, and our foreign minister was ready to meet with his Russian and Armenian colleagues. Unfortunately, the Armenian side refused to attend that meeting. Now the question arises: does Armenia want peace? I think not, because if it had wanted peace, it would not have missed this opportunity. The Armenian prime minister flies six hours to Granada, participates in an incomprehensible meeting there, where Azerbaijan is discussed without actually being present, but he can't fly for two to three hours to Bishkek, he has other important things to do. This is what we all have to say openly. Everyone can see that it, but we should talk about it and proceed from it. Concluding my comments, I would like to say a few words about the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We are ready for that. We are ready to continue working on the peace treaty. In case the mediation of the Russian Federation is rejected by the Armenian side, I think that direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia may be an alternative. We will analyze any other platforms, taking into account the attitude of these countries, which offer their services, to the truth not to Azerbaijan, but to the truth and international law," President Ilham Aliyev said. New Delhi, October 10 A curtain-raising event dedicated to the 9th edition of the 'India International Dance and Music Festival' and the International Kullu Dussehra Festival 2023 was jointly organized by the Himachal Pradesh government and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi on Tuesday. Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism, Sunder Singh Thakur, who is also Chairman of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival Organizing Committee, launched the teaser and released a booklet on the occasion to provide a peek into the grand celebration of the festival. While interacting with the media on the occasion, Thakur informed them that the International Kullu Dussehra Festival, which dates back to the 17th century, will be organized from October 24 to October 30 at Kullu this year. He said that the celebrations will commence with the famous Lord Raghunath ji's Rath Yatra, and more than 300 local deities will participate in the mega event. He further added that the major highlights of the festival will be the International Carnival on October 25 and the Kullu Carnival Fest on October 30. The International Cultural Festival is a major attraction of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival, in which cultural troupes from over 20 countries, including Russia, Israel, Romania, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Panama, Iran, the Maldives, Malaysia, Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Ghana, and Ethiopia, have been invited to participate in the Dussehra festivities this year. He said, "The state government is making efforts to make the festival a global event and added that the "state is recovering from the aftermath of the disaster and is now ready to welcome the tourists to Kullu and Manali. He gave credit for the expedited efforts of restoration and rehabilitation to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after the natural calamity. He said that travel time from Chandigarh to Kullu has been reduced from six hours to four hours and added that 13 out of fifteen tunnels were open to commuters. The flights from Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Delhi to Kullu were operating to facilitate tourists, said Thakur. Anu Ranjan Dy. Director General, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, detailed the support being provided by the ICCR and cultural troupes performing in the festival.Shashi Pal Negi, Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner Kullu, welcomed the guests and briefed them about the background of the event. Special guests from embassies, Nandita Gupta, Advisor, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and Sh Sushil Kumar Singla, Principal Resident Commissioner, were present on the occasion. Himachal Pradesh set to welcome tourists at International Kullu Dussehra Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Himachal Pradesh, October 10 T he Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday while presiding over the conference of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of all the districts directed to set up Integrated Check Posts of Police-Excise and Forest in the border areas. He directed all officers for flagship projects of the state government and reviewed the progress being made for the implementation of the Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, e-charging stations, Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools and other major schemes. Directions were issued to crack down heavily on illegal mining and take the help of drones and CCTV cameras to monitor such activities. Instructions were also issued to create integrated police posts of the border areas with the posts of excise and taxation and forest department. All the DCs and SPs made a presentation before the Chief Minister about various developmental projects related to their districts and gave detailed information about the progress of the flagship projects of the government, in the meeting which was held after a gap of three years. "All the officers should come forward with new thoughts and ideas, and the government will embrace these ideas in its policies and programs," he said, adding, "Good governance is necessary for good government, and the officers should work with transparency, devotion, and enthusiasm and should achieve the targets fixed in a stipulated time period." The Chief Minister said that the administration should concentrate on implementing e-office in their respective districts, and the offices of all the Deputy Commissioners should be linked with the SDMs offices through the e-office system, and the field offices should adopt the e-filing system in letter and spirit. "We are not here to enjoy the fruits of power but have adopted 'Vyavstha Parivartan' as our motto, and in the last 10 months, various initiatives have been taken in these directions," said the Chief Minister. He said that in the next 10 years, we will make Himachal the most prosperous and self-reliant state in the country. The state government is promoting green industry, and adequate infrastructure is being developed for it, he said. Lauding the district administration of Kullu and Mandi for their brilliant efforts while carrying out relief and rescue operations during the disaster, the Chief Minister said that due to the collective efforts of all, 75 thousand tourists and 15 thousand vehicles were safely evacuated from the state during the time when the entire roads were either blocked or huge portions of highways swept away due to flash floods. Earlier, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said that the Chief Minister has been continuously communicating with DC's and SP's for the last 10 months. Especially during times of disaster, the Chief Minister led from the front to mitigate the sufferings of the people and helped in directing relief and rescue operations. The Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Bharat Khera, welcomed Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on the occasion. Administrative secretaries and various heads of departments also participated in this conference. Himachal CM directs to set up integrated check posts of police-excise and forest in border areas Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, Oct 10 A ctress Taraji P. Henson, who is best known for her work in the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and the drama-series Empire, was most recently seen in the Canadian animated-superhero film Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. In the movie, she essayed the role of the villainous scientist Vicky. Talking about her character, she said that Vicky is a deluded personality who doesnt see herself as the villain despite being one. Detailing her role, Henson said: I love how she plays against the mad scientist thing. That term really rubs Vicky the wrong way. If you want to tick her off, call Vicky a mad scientist because she honestly doesnt see herself that way. Vicky really thinks shes doing good in the world. But of course, shes not. The original film Paw Patrol: The Movie, which is based on the series of the same name, follows a bunch of dogs called the 'Paw Patrol' in the city of Adventure Bay. These dogs have multiple expertise such as firefighting, hacking, pilots, engineers, soldiers and more. The Paw Patrol protects the residents of their city from various threats ranging from social collapse, evil politicians and more. Following the events of the first film, Mighty Movie where the Paw Patrol gained superpowers from a meteor crashing, becoming the Mighty Pups sees a mad new scientist Vicky team up with the Paw Patrols archenemy, Mayor Humdinger. With these two villains combining their powers, the entire situation takes a dark turn as the mad scientist Vicky, given her obsession with the meteor plans to steal the Paw Patrols powers. Vicky Vance, who is voiced by Taraji P. Henson, while not evil, is basically an obsessed scientist conducting dangerous and unethical experiments from an abandoned observatory on the outskirts of Adventure City. Her latest invention, the Meteor Magnet, aims to bring meteors down to Earth from their orbit. During a meteor shower, Vance attempts to use her invention though inadvertently causes a meteor to crash into Adventure City, resulting in widespread destruction. Upon finding that this very meteors crystals granted the Pups their powers, Vicky is furious as she believes that those powers rightfully belong to her. Henson embraced playing the role of Vance, showcasing both her villainous side and some of her more complex qualities. She went on to put emphasis on Vickys intelligence as well as her madness. Talking about Henson, director Cal Brunker said that the actress brought about unexpected dimensions and energy to the character. Elaborating on his point, he said: Taraji was game for any and every idea we threw at her, and often came up with her own ideas. Tarajis Vicky walks the line between being a great villain and a character whos fun to watch. Beyond Taraji P. Henson's involvement, the comedy-adventure film also features the voice of actress Marsai Martin, who reprises her role as Liberty, a long-haired miniature Dachshund and devoted PAW Patrol fan from the previous film. Actor Lil Rel Howery takes on the character of Sam Stringer, a charming and modern news anchor who becomes Adventure City's new voice. In addition, comedian-actor Chris Rock briefly lent his voice to one of Humdinger's beloved felines, who due to the magical meteor crystals became capable of speech. Produced by Paramount Pictures and released by Viacom 18 studios, 'PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie' hit American theatres on September 29 and will release across India on October 13, 2023 in English and Hindi. Taraji Henson calls her 'Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie' character, a deluded personality Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Innovations to foster sustainable agri-food systems is need of the hour: Parshottam Rupala Kochi, Oct 10 M inister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala on Tuesday said that in view of the increasing food demand, environmental degradation and the challenges posed by climate change, there is an urgent need to transform agri-food systems into sustainable enterprises through scientific innovations. He said that the agricultural scientists should strive to infuse greater mechanisation in the agriculture production process and develop and popularise specialised farm implements for women in agriculture. The future of Indias agriculture depends a lot on how the accumulated scientific knowledge can be translated to commercial success, he said while inaugurating 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC). Himanshu Pathak, Secretary to the Department of Agricultural Research said that Indias food grain demand will rise to 340-355 metric ton by 2033. Research on genomics and genome editing would be the core focus for technological breakthroughs in agriculture and commodities where traditional breeding cannot yield the desired results, he said. Organised by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), the ASC will come out with recommendations that facilitate the agriculture sector for moving towards a path of greater sustainability. Over 1500 delegates from India and abroad are attending the four-day event, which is taking place for the first time in Kerala and hosted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). Innovations to foster sustainable agri-food systems is need of the hour: Parshottam Rupala Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi October 10 D elhi University on Tuesday re-opened the admission process in over a dozen colleges for around 2,500 seats for different undergraduate courses, giving candidates another opportunity to get into the university for the academic year 2023-24. The university has issued a list of colleges and seats available in different categories. In this "mop-up round", the admission would be done by respective colleges instead of the university, unlike the previous admission process. In a notification on Tuesday, Delhi University stated, "On the request of a few candidates and colleges, the University has decided to hold a Mop-up Admission Round for admitting candidates in the shortlisted Colleges and Programs only." "Interested candidates should apply to the respective College as per the schedule and procedure published by the concerned College on its website," the notification read. Speaking to ANI, a university official said the admission process has been opened for only 13 courses where seats remained vacant in large numbers. The colleges which have vacant seats in different courses are Acharya Narendra Dev College, AAditi Mahavidyalaya (W), Bhagini Nivedita College (W), Bharati College (W), Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, Institute of Home Economics (W), Zakir Husain College, Vivekananda College, Swami Shardhanand College, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women (W), Lady Irwin College and Kalindi College. Colleges will invite applications from Wednesday, October 11, 2023, till Sunday, October 15, 2023. The last date for admission is October 20, 2023. There will be no registration fee for applying to the 'mop-up' admission. The maximum number of courses that have vacant seats are in Zakin Husain College followed by Acharya Narendra Dev College. Some of the courses are BA program B.Com and BSc Mathematics. The admission process at Delhi University for undergraduate courses ended in September with 65,000 of a total of 70,000 seats filled. However, many colleges especially on the south campus and off campus could not fill seats in many courses. The colleges may consider CUET scores or 12th marks. "To fill the seats optimally, the colleges may take recourse to the following - CUET-2023 normalized scores as per Program-specific eligibility. In case the seats remain vacant after exhausting CUET-2023 applicants, the college may admit candidates on the basis of the marks," the varsity said. DU to hold 'mop-up' admission round to fill vacant seats in UG courses Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Aamir Khan, Ira Khan say they've been experiencing benefits of therapy for years Mumbai, Oct 10 B ollywood superstar Aamir Khan and his daughter Ira Khan have urged people to seek therapy whenever they are in need. They shared the message on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day on Tuesday through a video. On Tuesday, Aamirs production house, Aamir Khan Productions, shared a video of the superstar and his daughter highlighting the importance of therapy in the modern world. The two also revealed that they've been benefiting from therapy for many years. In the video, the Ghajini actor explained that seeking therapy is very normal, its akin to seeking help from a doctor, teacher, and carpenter as theyre an expert in their field. His daughter then says in the video: Similarly, if we ever need help with our mental or emotional health, we should seek help, with the same ease and lack of hesitation, from someone who's trained and is a professional. The actor added: My daughter Ira and me have been reaping the benefits of therapy for years. If you also feel like you're going through mental or emotional issues, you can seek a trained professional's help. There's no shame in that. All the best (sic). Aamir Khan, Ira Khan say they've been experiencing benefits of therapy for years Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Washington, Oct 10 U S President Joe Biden has said "it is likely" the Hamas are holding Americans hostages even as he confirmed that 11 of their citizens had been killed by them during the conflict. The President is also scheduled to make a statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict from White House on Tuesday, an official said. The announcement on Biden's forthcoming statement has come exactly three days after the Hamas fighters infiltrated into Israeli territory and launched a surprise offensive, triggering an all-out war between the two sides that has left 1,600 dead to the last count. The President said on Monday that 11 Americans had been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, and that "it is likely" Americans are among those being held hostage. The State Department said it feared 1,600 people had died in the war. Israel's military on Tuesday claimed regaining control inside the country after it ordered a "full siege" of Gaza, under "Operation Sword, to cut off supplies of food, gas or power into the densely populated area, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, according to media reports. The US President's scheduled statement comes on the back of fears, particularly among the Americans, as the Hamas fighters have threatened to execute the hostages if Israel did not stop bombing civilian targets in Gaza. Some Americans who had made Israel their second home are suspected to be among the hostages, according to the US State Department. The exact number of hostages taken by Hamas fighters is unknown. No Americans have been confirmed to be among the hostages, but US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said that a number of Americans are unaccounted for and that it's possible that they are among those being held hostage. In a statement onMonday, Biden said at least 11 Americans had been killed in the Israel-Hamas war and that "it is likely" that some Americans are being held hostage. "We are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy," Biden said. "In this moment of heartbreak, the American people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israelis. We remember the pain of being attacked by terrorists at home, and Americans across the country stand united against these evil acts that have once more claimed innocent American lives. It is an outrage." The Biden administration has supported Israel and the President has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would "continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people." To support Israel and raise its morale, the Biden administration is dispatching ships from the Navy's USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and officials plan to keep in place some F-16 and A-10 fighter jets that were previously scheduled to rotate out of the region, a US official told NBC News. The move is intended to send a strong message to Hamas to "stand down", an official said. The death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has soared to more than 1,600 people as of Tuesday morning, three days since Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel territory ambushing their forces, according to officials. More than 900 people died in Israel and at least 770 in Gaza, with over 6,000 people injured in Israel and Gaza, officials said. Biden is expected to face competing pressures within and outside of the Democratic Party that will make it more difficult to keep his pledge to provide support for Israel's plans to defend the country, media reports said. Biden believes Americans held 'hostage' by Hamas; to make statement from WH Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Yogi to launch fourth phase of Mission Shakti from Oct 14 Lucknow, Oct 11 U ttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will launch the fourth phase of the ongoing 'Mission Shakti' by organising a vehicle rally across the state on October 14. The campaign is aimed at empowering women and girls and making them self-reliant. The vehicle rally will raise awareness about the Central and state governments schemes related to women. The Chief Minister, according to a g stateovernment spokesman, said the campaign has had a positive impact on society. He said the women beat officers posted in the field should go among women and inform them about government schemes. He also instructed officials to solve womens problems on a priority basis within a stipulated time frame. Public awareness should be generated by involving the children of basic and secondary education across the state. Along with this, the home department should use the public address system for the awareness campaign of Mission Shakti, Yogi said. The Chief Minister said that this campaign should be organised in every gram panchayat and ward and participation of village head, women police beat, lekhpal, panchayat secretary, Asha worker, Anganwadi, ANM should be ensured. On this occasion, work like providing information about schemes related to women empowerment and women safety awareness launched by the Central and state governments should be ensured. Beat officers should visit the Panchayat Bhawan once a week and resolve the problems of women. The Chief Minister said that during this campaign, Prabhat pheris for public awareness should be organized by involving the children of Basic and Secondary Education Departments across the state. Additionally, the Home Department should use the Public Address System for the awareness campaign of Mission Shakti. All departments associated with Mission Shakti Abhiyan should organise awareness programs on October 14 and 15. Following this, department-wise scheduled programs should be organised in a grand manner from October 16. Yogi to launch fourth phase of Mission Shakti from Oct 14 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Thiruvananthapuram, October 11 C hief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday expressed grief and offered his condolences on the demise of Karthyayani Amma, the oldest learner under the Literacy Mission in Kerala. Karthyayani Amma (born 1922) passed away yesterday evening at Haripad in the Alappuzha district of Kerala at the age of 101. The Kerala Chief Minister took to his social media handle X and said that her passing away is a significant loss to the literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the State Literacy Mission. She served as an inspiring role model for many, showing unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges. Her demise is a significant loss to our literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. Heartfelt condolences," Vijayan posted on X. Karthyayani Amma had passed a literacy examination with top marks at the age of 96. She also received the Nari Shakti Puraskar Award the highest civilian award for a woman by the government of India. She was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Learning for the promotion of distance education among 53 member countries. In August 2018, Karthyayani Amma took an examination alongside 40,362 other people, as part of the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority's Aksharalaksham ("Million Letter") programme. She was the oldest person to take the test in her district. She had been given lessons in reading and writing by her great-grandchildren. Tested on reading, writing and mathematics, Karthyayani Amma scored 98 out of a possible 100 marks, giving her the top grade. Karthyayani Amma overcame the "I'm Too Old" mindset and proved that success has no age limit. She became an inspiration to hundreds of women across the country. Inspired by her story, Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna made a documentary on Karthyayani Amma called 'Barefoot Empress', which chronicles her journey and spirit. Country's oldest learner Karthyayani Amma passes away, Kerala CM offers condolences Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New York, October 11 I ndia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, on Tuesday (local time) said that the G20 Summit held in New Delhi showcased the country's commitment to "fostering a sense of global togetherness." She highlighted various instances when India practised 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which means the world is a family. In her opening remarks at the 'International Conference on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Kamboj said, "The recent G20 summit, an event that showcased India's commitment to fostering a sense of global togetherness." "Our leadership, marked by inclusivity and collaboration, saw the participation of 20 member states, nine invitee nations, and 14 international organizations. What is more, it witnessed the historic inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member, amplifying the voices of nations often left unheard," she added. Notably, the theme for India's G20 Presidency was 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth One Family One Future'. The G20 Leaders Summit hosted in Delhi from September 9-10 drew the highest-ever contingent of world leaders and dignitaries in the event's history, including US President Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak. Kamboj recalled PM Modi emphasing the significance of women-led development at the G20 Summit. She stressed that 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' finds expression in the empowerment of women. She also recalled PM Modi's remarks regarding India's model of financial inclusion in leveraging technology. "At the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of women-led development, highlighting that nearly 45 per cent of STEM graduates in India are women. And indeed, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' finds expression in the empowerment of women, who now play pivotal roles in India's space program, business landscape, and various fields," said. "Again, the Indian Prime Minister also highlighted India's model of financial inclusion in leveraging technology to make development increasingly equitable. Using this model, India has transferred 360 billion dollars directly to the bank accounts of those in need over the past decade. As the World Bank has acknowledged, this model has successfully achieved a financial inclusion rate in 6 years which would have taken 47 years to achieve," she added. Citing industry estimates, Kamboj said the costs incurred by banks for onboarding customers in India due to the use of its digital public infrastructure decreased from USD 23 to USD 0.1. Emphasising that yoga embodies the concept of unity, Kamboj stated that the International Day of Yoga, celebrated annually at the UN Headquarters, "brings people from diverse nationalities together in a harmonious union of body and mind, emphasizing our shared humanity." "This year yoga day held a special significance as we were led by Prime Minister Modi himself, achieving a remarkable feat by setting a Guinness World Record for the largest number of nationalities participating in a single yoga session," she said. Kamboj stressed that India consistently extended a helping hand in the face of global challenges, adding that the country's abiding commitment to 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' was evident even during the Covid-19 pandemic as New Delhi provided vaccines and medicines to more than 100 countries through the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative. Highlighting India's assistance to the international community during natural calamities, Kamboj said, "'Operation Dost' saw India extending life-saving humanitarian medical assistance to countries like Turkey and Syria, reinforcing the belief that the world is indeed one family, and in times of need, we stand united." She stated that PM Modi's launch of 'Mission LiFE' emphasises the importance of mindful and deliberate utilisation of resources to protect the environment, demonstrating India's dedication to a sustainable global family. In her opening remarks at the 'International Conference on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' Kamboj spoke about India's friendship with nations of the Global South, saying that New Delhi has offered training to 200,000 individuals from more than 160 countries, considering the unique needs of its partners. "India's friendship with the nations of the Global South is no less exceptional and inspiring. Our development partnerships have extended to encompass 78 nations across diverse regions. Within these collaborative efforts, we have initiated 600 projects, illustrating our goodwill and capacity," Kamboj said. "At the heart of our approach is the belief that progress should be inclusive and borderless. We have also offered training to 200,000 individuals from over 160 countries, always considering the unique needs of our partners. Our journey has been guided by the Kampala principles enunciated by Prime Minister Modi in 2018, which serve as the compass steering us towards our partners' needs," she added. She called for educating young about diverse cultures, promoting cross-cultural dialogues, and celebrating shared humanity. She said, "Let us focus on our shared dreams and values, rather than the differences that divide us." In her remarks, Kamboj also quoted Mahatma Gandhi, saying, "The greatness of humanity is not in being human but in being humane." She added that 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is a call for action and recognising the shared destiny to come together in the face of adversity. "I would like to emphasize that "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is more than a lofty ideal. It is a call to action, urging us to recognize our shared destiny, to come together in the face of adversity, and to build a world where every individual, no matter where they come from, is treated as part of this grand, global family," Kamboj said. She said the phrase -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- has travelled through millennia, reminding people that beneath the apparent divisions of nationality, religion, and culture everyone shares the same human essence. "Our fates are intertwined, our dreams interlinked, and our challenges interconnected," she added. G20 Summit showcased India's commitment to fostering global togetherness: Ruchira Kamboj Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on appointment of judges of a number of first instance courts and change of duties of judges of some first instance courts, Trend reports. Colombo, October 11 E xternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India will continue its approach of contributing to build capacity, secure safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region, including as first responder and a net security provider. In his address at the opening session of the 23rd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers as India assumes the role of Vice Chair, Jaishankar stated, "Where India is concerned, we will continue our approach of contributing to build capacity and secure safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region, including as first responder and a net security provider." "India's commitment to the well-being and progress of nations of the Indian Ocean is based on our Neighbourhood First policy, the SAGAR outlook, our approach to the extended neighbourhood and to the Indo-Pacific. A multilateral rules-based international order along with sincere respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the foundation for reviving the Indian Ocean as a strong community," he added. Emphasising that India's priorities as the Vice Chair and a member of the troika are clear, Jaishankar stated that New Delhi will continue to make efforts to develop an Indian Ocean community that is stable, prosperous, strong and resilient. "As the Vice Chair and a member of the Troika, India's priorities are clear. It is our effort to develop an Indian Ocean community that is stable and prosperous, strong and resilient, and which is able to cooperate closely within and to respond to happenings beyond the ocean. It is thus important to maintain the Indian Ocean as a free, open and inclusive space based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), as the Constitution of the Seas," he said. Speaking about India's efforts as the Vice Chair for the next two years, he said that New Delhi will continue to work with IORA member states to strengthen the institutional, financial and legal framework of IORA. "As the Vice-Chair for the next two years, India, the "vishwa mitra" or the world's friend, a voice of the Global South, will work with IORA Member States to strengthen the institutional, financial and legal framework of IORA, towards realising the true potential of this dynamic grouping," Jaishankar said. External Affairs Minister stated that India's specific focus will remain in the areas of maritime safety and security and blue economy as a coordinating country. Furthermore, he said that India will contribute to other priority and cross-cutting areas of IORA, as and when required. He noted that India looks forward to the support and cooperation of all member states, dialogue partners, academic and business groups. Highlighting the Indian Ocean's role in the resurgence of Asia and global rebalancing, Jaishankar said, "In the resurgence of Asia, and global rebalancing, the Indian Ocean holds a central position, playing a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the littoral nations, by supporting trade and sustaining livelihoods, offering immense possibilities of connectivity and resource utilisation. It is the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'the world is one family' which can be a binding force to bring the IORA Member States together." He stated that IORA has the responsibility to play a key role in making the Indian Ocean a "more seamless and cooperative space." He added, "Developmental issues, lack of robust connectivity, the burden of opaque and unsustainable debt generated by unviable projects, threats to social fabric posed by extremism and fundamentalism, dangers emanating from terrorism, natural disasters and climate change, all these are the challenges that we face." Jaishankar called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) "relevant" to encourage the world to live a life that is in tune with the well-being of the planet. He said, "Many of us here are members of the Global South and the focus that India has been able to bring through the G20 would surely be welcome to all of you. It would also help IORA to harness the power of women or as we say, Nari Shakti, by shifting the focus to women-led development." He noted that the significance of the democratisation of technology in bridging the data divide and promoting Data for Development cannot be over-exaggerated in IORA's quest for prosperity. S Jaishankar on Tuesday landed in Colombo on a three-day visit. This is Jaishankar's second visit to Sri Lanka this year. During the visit, Jaishankar will have bilateral meetings in Sri Lanka. India will continue contributing to safety and security in Indian Ocean region: S Jaishankar Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Srinagar, October 11 T he President of India, Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday graced the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar. Speaking at the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar, President Droupadi Murmu said "I want to congratulate all the students from Kashmir University who have graduated today. By serving the country, the students of Kashmir University have brought glory to this University." Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha recieved President Droupadi Murmu. President Droupadi Murmu laid a wreath at the Chinar War Memorial in Srinagar to pay tributes to the soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty on Wednesday. "The President of India, Droupadi Murmu will visit Jammu and Kashmir from October 11 to 12, 2023. On October 11, 2023, the President will grace the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar. On the same day, she will interact with the members of local tribal groups and women Self Help Groups at Raj Bhavan, Srinagar. The President will also attend a civic reception to be hosted in her honour at the Raj Bhavan." stated the release from the President's Secretariat. "On October 12, 2023, the President will visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine where she will inaugurate the remodelled Parvati Bhavan and Skywalk." added the release. . J-K: President Droupadi Murmu graces Kashmir University students at the 20th convocation Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Washington D.C., October 11 M alaysian-born British actor Henry Golding and his wife Liv Lo welcomed their second child, a daughter called Florence Likan Golding, on September 9, People reported. Henry took to Instagram to share a video of the newborn baby with her mother. He captioned the post, "The journey of childbirth is full of its ups and downs, but glorious none the other. This is our birth story." https://www.instagram.com/p/CyPM3U-PFAy/?hl=en Liv said on her FitSphere website that she gave birth a day after her due date after being admitted to the hospital owing to significant bleeding, according to People. Despite her preference for a vaginal birth, Liv developed a temperature and "the baby started to go into distress," causing the medical team to prepare for an emergency C-section. However, before she could enter the surgery room, she dilated to 10 centimetres. "My doctor came in and said, luckily, that I had the option to push, but the baby would have to be born right away," wrote Liv. "In 3 pushes Florence Likan Golding was born at 7lbs at 9:03 am on 9/9/23." Golding can be seen on the video cleaning the child and cutting the umbilical cord shortly after she was delivered. "Baby Flo breastfed like a champ during the golden hour before we were whisked together to postpartum recovery," according to Liv's website, but the newborn eventually struggled to breathe. In that case, "Daddy Henry oversaw as she was PICC lined and intubated." The video shows Golding sitting next to the incubator with his baby girl inside, while his 2-year-old daughter Lyla reaches out to lovingly touch her little sister. The Goldings were finally able to take baby Florence home after she was readmitted to the hospital and treated for a blood illness, as shown in the video as the Persuasian actor packs the newborn inside the car. As per people the actor and his wife announced on Instagram in May that they were expecting their second child together. The couple's daughter Lyla sat on the actor's knee as his wife sat next to them, leaning against Golding and stroking her baby bump, as they shared black-and-white images of their family. Last May, the actor tol People on his favourite aspect of being a father. "Seeing her grow and change," he explained at the time about his daughter Lyla. "Like today is actually Liv's birthday, and on Liv's birthday, little baby decided to really attempt to walk." "She's changing so much, so every day is like a treat," Golding added. Henry Golding, Liv Lo welcome their second baby Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, 11 Oct F rom now on, all universities, colleges and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across India will have to disclose their fee structure, national ranking, fee refund policy, hostel facilities, scholarship programs and other details on their official website. The initiative is being taken by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to bring more transparency and ensure that students are not misled. For this, the UGC has made a Minimum-Mandatory Disclosure regulation under which the HEIs will also disclose their National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings. Professor M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC told IANS, Of late different stakeholders in the higher education system like prospective students, parents, research scholars, government officials, alumni and the public at large desire to seek certain basic information from the websites of different Universities/HEIs. We have found that the websites of several universities lack basic minimum information related to their institute and many times their websites are not functional or updated. At this defining moment, when we are celebrating the third year of the National Education Policy 2020, it would be prudent to desire that HEIs provide basic minimum information and updated content on their websites. Hence, we have prepared a checklist of this information to be provided by the universities on their websites. The UGC has prepared a detailed document on the information that needs to be disclosed on the websites of the HEIs, which it will make public in a few days for feedback. The UGC has sent this document to all institutions. The document states that the Minimum Mandatory Disclosure rule for HEIs will mandate that the institutions have an About us page, Act and Statutes or MoA and information regarding the Institutional Development Plan, Annual Reports, Constituent Units, Affiliated Colleges, Off-campus and Off-shore campus. According to the UGC the universities and colleges will also have to upload details of their accreditation and nation rankings, and have profiles of senior administrative officials like the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Registrar, etc. The institutions will also be required to upload details of academic programs, academic calendar, schools/departments/centres, faculty details with photographs, admissions and fee along with other important details, the UGC added. Colleges must disclose their fee, hostel facilities, scholarships and accreditation: UGC Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, October 11 G ujarat is committed to becoming a 5 trillion USD economy, said Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patelon Wednesday, while addressing a roadshow of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 in Mumbai. During his address, Patel presented the success story of the state in the field of business and industry, as well as consulate generals of various countries. Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make India a five trillion USD economy, the CM specifically stated that Gujarat is committed to becoming a five trillion USD economy. "To achieve this, the goal is to attain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent by 2027 within crucial manufacturing sectors, including Semiconductor Manufacturing, Green Hydrogen, Electric Vehicles (EV), Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, and Technical Textiles, among others," Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said. The Chief Minister also invited industry leaders to participate in the 10th edition of the Vibrant Summit in January 2024. The Chief Minister also engaged in one-to-one meetings with 13 leading industry leaders. Some of the prominent industrialists include N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, of Tata Sons Private Limited, Sanjiv Puri, President CMD, ITC Limited, S N Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T, Dipak Gupta, Managing Director & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, L V Vaidyanathan, Managing Director, India & South Asia, P&G, Jai Shroff, Chairman & Group CEO, UPL, among others. During these meetings, the Chief Minister elaborated on the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, showcasing how the state has emerged as a role model of development. The Chief Minister emphasized that the Vibrant Summit, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2003 as Chief Minister of Gujarat, has made the state a globally renowned destination of choice for investors and a centre of major economic activities. He highlighted that the success of Vibrant Summit, has propelled Gujarat's GSDP from Rs. 1.42 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs. 22.61 lakh crore in 2023. Not only this, Gujarat's economy has grown at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15 per cent, above the national average. The Chief Minister emphasized that 38% of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. "Additionally, work is underway on the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor for the bullet train. These pivotal projects will benefit the logistics sector and economic activities of Gujarat and Mumbai," CM Patel added. He unequivocally mentioned that Gujarat's forthcoming wave of economic growth will be driven by forward-looking industrial infrastructure projects such as GIFT City, DREAM City, the Hybrid Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Park, and Dholera SIR. Prominent financial institutions, such as the World Trade Center, GIFT-NIFTY, and Bank of America, are established within GIFT City. GIFT City takes pride in being home to the nation's inaugural International Bullion Exchange. We will actively embody the theme "Gateway to the Future" by organizing seminars and events dedicated to emerging sectors in the forthcoming Vibrant Summit, the Chief Minister added. He extended an invitation to leaders of the trade, industry, and finance sectors, to participate in the Vibrant Summit 2024 and harness the vast growth potential across various sectors in Gujarat. More than 350 leaders from business and industry sectors and around 35 diplomats participated. The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished dignitaries including Gujarat's Finance and Energy Minister Kanubhai Desai, Industries Minister Balwantsinh Rajput, Minister of State Jagdish Vishwakarma, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, K Kailashnathan, and senior secretaries. Chief Secretary Raj Kumar highlighted that Gujarat has become the preferred investment destination for foreign investors, due to proactive policy-making, a conducive business environment, and an investor-friendly approach. S J Haider the Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, narrated the two decades of Vibrant Summit's success through a comprehensive presentation. Dhanraj Nathwani Group President of Reliance Industries, Kaku Nakhate, Country Head of Bank of America, along with Kulin Lalbhai of Arvind Limited, shared their experiences and lauded the investor-friendly environment in Gujarat. Gujarat committed to become 5 trillion USD economy: CM Bhupendra Patel Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, October 11 G ujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel held a Roadshow organized in Mumbai as a part of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. He presented the success story of two decades to leading figures from the business and industry, as well as various Consulate Generals of various countries.Around 35 diplomats and more than 350 leaders from business and industry sectors participated in the Mumbai roadshow.Ahead of the Roadshow, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel engaged in one-to-one meetings with 13 leading industry leaders. During these meetings, he elaborated on the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, showcasing how the state has emerged as a role model of development.The Chief Minister emphasized that the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, initiated by Narendra Modi in 2003 as Chief Minister of Gujarat, has made the state the most preferred investment destination and a centre of major economic activities. The Chief Minister highlighted that the success of the Summit has propelled Gujarat's GSDP from Rs. 1.42 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs. 22.61 lakh crore in 2023. Not only this, Gujarat's economy has grown at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15 per cent, above the national average.He further added that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the state government is organizing the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024, thus accelerating the legacy of development.The Chief Minister continued that the Vibrant Summit has successfully brought together global investors and thought leaders onto a single platform. Now, under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, this summit has evolved into a global platform of business networking and strategic partnership for socio-economic development.The Chief Minister said that 38 per cent of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. Additionally, work is underway on the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor for the bullet train. These pivotal projects will benefit the logistics sector and economic activities of Gujarat and Mumbai.The Chief Minister remarked that Gujarat's forthcoming wave of economic growth will be driven by forward-looking industrial infrastructure projects such as GIFT City, DREAM City, the Hybrid Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Park, and Dholera SIR.Prominent financial institutions, such as the World Trade Center, GIFT-NIFTY, and Bank of America, are established within GIFT City. GIFT City takes pride in being home to the nation's inaugural International Bullion Exchange, said the Chief Minister. Speaking about the diamond industry, The CM emphasized that while Mumbai and Gujarat are renowned for the diamond trade, Surat serves as the central hub for polished diamonds, houses numerous diamond-cutting units, and plays a significant role in the lab-grown diamond industry. Notably, Gujarat alone contributes to 80 per cent of the nation's diamond exports. Additionally, DREAM City in Surat is under fast-paced development.Aligning with PM Modi's vision to make India a five trillion USD economy, the CM specifically stated that Gujarat is dedicated to being a leader in fulfilling the PM's vision of making India a USD 5 trillion economyTo achieve this, the goal is to attain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent by 2027 within crucial manufacturing sectors, including Semiconductor Manufacturing, Green Hydrogen, Electric Vehicles (EV), Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, and Technical Textiles, among others.We will actively embody the theme "Gateway to the Future" by organizing seminars and events dedicated to emerging sectors in the forthcoming Vibrant Summit, the Chief Minister added. He extended an invitation to leaders of the trade, industry, and finance sectors, to participate in the Vibrant Summit 2024 and harness the vast growth potential across various sectors in Gujarat.The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished dignitaries including Gujarat's Finance and Energy Minister, Kanubhai Desai, Industries Minister, Balwantsinh Rajput, Minister of State, Jagdish Vishwakarma, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, K Kailashnathan, and senior secretaries.During his address at the event, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar highlighted that Gujarat has become the Best Choice of Investment for foreign investors, due to proactive policy-making, a conducive business environment, and an investor-friendly approach.The Chief Secretary invited everyone to the Vibrant Summit-2024, with the goal of cementing Gujarat's position on the global business map in trade, industry, and investments, thereby forging a prosperous future.SJ Haider, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, narrated the two decades of Vibrant Summit's success through a comprehensive presentation.Dhanraj Nathwani, Group President of Reliance Industries and Country Head of Bank of America, Kaku Nakhate, along with Kulin Lalbhai of Arvind Limited, shared their experiences at the Vibrant Summit and lauded the investor-friendly environment in Gujarat.The President Designate of CII, Shri Sanjiv Puri, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. Gujarat CM presents success story of Vibrant Gujarat Summit to industry, financial sector leaders in Mumbai Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, the Ministry told Trend. The sides exchanged views on the prospects of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, issues of normalization of relations between the two countries, the recent situation in the region, and steps taken towards the reintegration of the local Armenian population of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region. Bayramov emphasized that the Azerbaijani side was interested in positive outcome of the meetings on the peace agenda mediated by international partners, including the European Union, and that after 30 years, a historic opportunity had appeared in the region to ensure peace and stability. In particular, the inadmissibility of revanchist statements as well as of the smear campaign against Azerbaijan was emphasized. Bayramov informed about the ongoing work on the reintegration of the local Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region and said that the process of registration of the local Armenian residents continues through the electronic portal created by the Azerbaijani side. It was also noted that the departure of the Armenian residents of Karabakh is not related to any coercion and that the recent visits of UN officials to the region and the statements made after the visit once again confirm this. At the meeting, the sides also discussed other issues of mutual interest. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Armenian patrons in the West have launched a dirty, provocative and false campaign against Azerbaijan, accusing us of all possible sins, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said, as he received the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries, Trend reports. "France plays the main violin here, and this is reflected in the statements of officials of this country, attempts to discredit Azerbaijan, an extensive media campaign against Azerbaijan, where everything is turned upside down. Azerbaijan is portrayed as an aggressor, while Armenia is described as a victim. The history of the 30-year occupation, the destruction of all our towns and villages, the Khojaly genocide all this is naturally ignored and completely false stories are invented. By the way, I must say that just yesterday I was familiarized with a video where a candidate for the US President makes accusations against Azerbaijan, while showing the footage of Armenian missile shelling of Ganja. Just imagine the degree of falsification and cynicism! During the Second Karabakh War, Armenia shelled our cities located hundreds of kilometers away from the conflict zone with long-range artillery, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred civilians, including children, were killed. So the so-called candidate, blaming Azerbaijan, shows footage of the Armenian attack on Ganja and Barda. How can we talk to these people and what can we explain to them? They do not want to hear anything. They have their own instructions, which are sent down to them from the center, and they act upon them. That is why now we are facing an unprecedented information war against Azerbaijan. Of course, we are fighting it with our own resources, trying to convey the truth about what happened. But we should realize that the forces are unequal. Countries such as France, which has a long colonial history, have much more media resources around the world than we do," President Ilham Aliyev said. Two days later, Greg Panozzo was doing fine at Carle Foundation Hospital having been saved on the spot by the quick action of two UI police officers and others who worked together to bring him back from death, Neelie Panozzo said. High school students scores on the ACT college admissions test have dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Generating specific cell lineages from induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells is the holy grail of regenerative medicine. Guiding iPSCs toward a target cell line has garnered much attention, but the process remains challenging. Now, researchers from Japan have discovered that an anti-nucleolin DNA aptamer, iSN04, can determine a cell's lineage during differentiation. By demonstrating the generation of cardiomyocytes from murine pluripotent stem cells, their concept shows promise as a regenerative therapy. Self-renewal and pluripotencythe capacity to form any cell lineageare inherent characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Furthermore, they are highly prized in regenerative therapies targeting cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic diseases as they are immunologically suitable for transplantation back into a donor. Unfortunately, regenerative medicine is not yet feasible outside a laboratory setting as available protocols to generate target cells are complicated and expensive. This raises a pertinent question: Can regulating the fate of stem cells in clinical settings and at scale be made more economical? A team of researchers from Shinshu University, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and the University of Shizuoka in Japan set out to address this question by leveraging nucleic acid aptamers. Aptamers are single-stranded pieces of DNA that bind to target proteins and are able to modulate signaling cascades during cell differentiation when a stem cell commits to a specific functional role or phenotype. They hold promise in regenerative medicine as they are easily modified, can be synthesized economically, and are suitable for long-term storage. The team, led by Associate Professor Tomohide Takaya from the Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Shinshu University, recently discovered that an anti-nucleolin aptamer, myogenetic oligodeoxynucleotide iSN04, induced myocardial differentiation in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The study was led by Mina Ishioka, a graduate student in Dr. Takaya's laboratory, and published in The International Journal of Molecular Sciences on 21 September 2023. "We had previously found that iSN04 promoted myogenic precursor cells (myoblasts) to differentiate into skeletal muscle cells and had hypothesized that the aptamer also enhanced differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. We were intrigued by the prospect of using iSN04 to promote iPSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes as this could lead to regenerating heart tissue," says Dr. Takaya, elaborating on the team's motivation to pursue the research. Using various assays like RNA sequencing, cell staining and imaging, and molecular interaction and pathway analysis, the researchers investigated iSN04's effect on murine ESCs and iPSCs. iSN04 treatment under differentiating conditions inhibited stem cell commitment to the cardiac lineage. However, when these pluripotent stem cells were treated after experiencing differentiating conditions for five days, specific marker genes were upregulated, and the cells committed to forming beating cardiomyocytes. "Ours is the first report to confirm a DNA aptamer that allows cardiomyocytes to develop from iPSCs," explains Dr. Takaya when asked about the significance of the work. "We uncovered two mechanisms of nucleolin interference with iSN04 at play whereby early treatment inhibits cardiomyogenesis, while treatment at a later stage enhances the generation of cardiac progenitors. First, iSN04 governs the translocation of nucleolin protein between the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and nucleus. Second, it results in the modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway that governs cell differentiation." The immunostaining experiments revealed that nucleolin was retained in the nucleoli following iSN04 treatment. Nucleolar nucleolin has a role in chromatin remodeling and gene transcription, and interestingly enough, Wnt pathway genes were differentially expressed in the RNA-seq data following iSN04 suppression. The team postulates that the iSN04-anchored nucleolin alters gene expression and Wnt signaling. Ultimately, terminal cell differentiation commits to the cardiomyocyte lineage. And how could these findings impact regenerative medicine and patients' lives in the long term? Dr. Takaya provides insights into the broader implications of their work. "We believe there is a strong case to be made for further studies evaluating DNA aptamers in regenerative medicine. Aptamers are cost-effective and open up the possibility of producing specific cells from the patient's stem cells. But it doesn't end there! Since the aptamers can regulate stem cell fate, they can serve as therapeutic agents for many conditions linked to stem cell dysfunction," he concludes. Bristol University of Scientists have uncovered why night shift work is associated with changes in appetite in a new University of Bristol-led study. The findings, published in Communications Biology, could help the millions of people who work through the night and struggle with weight gain. Image Credit: BalanceFormCreative / Shutterstock Scientists from Bristol and the University of Occupational and Environmental Health in Japan sought to understand how 'circadian misalignment' a phenomenon commonly associated with 'jet lag' whereby the body's biological clock is disrupted affects the hormones responsible for regulating appetite. Prevalent in night shift workers, in this new study, the international team reveals how circadian misalignment can profoundly alter the brain's regulation of hormones controlling hunger to the detriment of metabolic health. The team focused on glucocorticoid hormones in the adrenal gland, which regulate many physiological functions, including metabolism and appetite. Glucocorticoids are known to directly regulate a group of brain peptides controlling appetitive behavior, with some increasing appetite (orexigenic) and some decreasing appetite (anorexigenic). In an experiment using animal models, comprising a control group and an out-of-phase 'jet-lagged' group, the team found misalignment between light and dark cues led the out-of-phase group's orexigenic hypothalamic neuropeptides (NPY) to become dysregulated, driving an increased desire to eat significantly more during the inactive phase of the day. Strikingly, the team discovered that rats in the control group ate 88.4% of their daily intake during their active phase and only 11.6% during their inactive phase. In contrast, the 'jet-lagged' group consumed 53.8% of their daily calories during their inactive phase (without an increase in activity during this time). This equated to nearly five times more (460% more) than the control group consumed during the inactive phase. These results show that it is the timing of consumption that has been affected. This discovery revealed how completely and significantly disordered the neuropeptides become when daily glucocorticoid levels are out of sync with light and dark cues. However, the authors suggest the neuropeptides identified in this study may be promising targets for drug treatments adapted to treat eating disorders and obesity. Dr Becky Conway-Campbell, Research Fellow in Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences (THS) and the study's senior author, said: "For people working throughout the night, a reversed body clock can play havoc with their health. "For those who are working night shifts long-term, we recommend they try to maintain daylight exposure, cardiovascular exercise and mealtimes at regulated hours. However, internal brain messages to drive increased appetite are difficult to override with 'discipline' or 'routine' so we are currently designing studies to assess rescue strategies and pharmacological intervention drugs. We hope our findings also provide new insight into how chronic stress and sleep disruption leads to caloric overconsumption." Stafford Lightman, Professor of Medicine at Bristol Medical School: THS and co-senior author on the study, added: "The adrenal hormone corticosterone, which is usually secreted in a circadian manner, is a significant factor in the daily control of brain peptides that regulate appetite. Furthermore, when we disturb the normal relationship of corticosterone with the day-to-night light cycle, it results in abnormal gene regulation and appetite during the period the animals normally sleep. "Our study shows that when we disturb our normal bodily rhythms this in turn disrupts normal appetite regulation in a way that is at least in part a result of desynchrony between adrenal steroid hormone production and the timing of the light and dark cycle." Dr. Benjamin Flynn, one of the study's co-authors who conducted the study while at Bristol but is now based at the University of Bath, added: "This is further evidence of how phase shift 'jet-lag' affects feeding behaviors and neuronal gene expression - data important for shift work co-morbidity research." The Medical Research Council funded this research. People who carry three gene variants inherited from Neanderthals are more sensitive to some types of pain, according to a new study co-led by UCL researchers. The findings, published in the journal Communications Biology, are the latest to show how past interbreeding with Neanderthals has influenced the genetics of modern humans. Study: Neanderthal introgression in SCN9A impacts mechanical pain sensitivity. Image Credit: I AM JIFFY / Shutterstock The researchers found that people carrying three so-called Neanderthal variants in the gene SCN9A, which is implicated in sensory neurons, are more sensitive to pain from skin pricking after prior exposure to mustard oil. Previous research has identified three variations in the SCN9A gene, M932L, V991L, and D1908G, in sequenced Neanderthal genomes and reports of greater pain sensitivity among humans carrying all three variants. However, prior to this study, the specific sensory responses affected by these variants were unclear. An international team led by researchers at UCL, Aix-Marseille University, University of Toulouse, Open University, Fudan University, and Oxford University, and part-funded by Wellcome, measured the pain thresholds of 1,963 people from Colombia in response to a range of stimuli. The SCN9A gene encodes a sodium channel expressed at high levels in sensory neurons that detect signals from damaged tissue. The researchers found that the D1908G variant of the gene was present in around 20% of chromosomes within this population, and approximately 30% of chromosomes carrying this variant also carried the M932L and V991L variants. The authors found that the three variants were associated with a lower pain threshold in response to skin pricking after prior exposure to mustard oil but not in response to heat or pressure. Additionally, carrying all three variants was associated with greater pain sensitivity than having only one. When they analyzed the genomic region, including SCN9A, using genetic data from 5,971 people from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, the authors found that the three Neanderthal variants were more common in populations with higher proportions of Native American ancestry, such as the Peruvian population, in which the average proportion of Native American ancestry was 66%. The authors propose that the Neanderthal variants may sensitize sensory neurons by altering the threshold at which a nerve impulse is generated. They speculate that the variants may be more common in populations with higher proportions of Native American ancestry due to random chance and population bottlenecks that occurred during the initial occupation of the Americas. Although acute pain can moderate behavior and prevent further injury, the scientists say additional research is needed to determine whether carrying these variants and having greater pain sensitivity may have been advantageous during human evolution. Previous research by co-corresponding author Dr Kaustubh Adhikari (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment and The Open University) has shown that humans also inherited some genetic material from Neanderthals, affecting the shape of our noses. Dr. Adhikari commented: "In the last 15 years since the Neanderthal genome was first sequenced, we have been learning more and more about what we have inherited from them as a result of interbreeding tens of thousands of years ago. "Pain sensitivity is an important survival trait that enables us to avoid painful things that could cause us serious harm. Our findings suggest that Neanderthals may have been more sensitive to certain types of pain, but further research is needed for us to understand why that is the case, and whether these specific genetic variants were evolutionarily advantageous." First author Dr Pierre Faux (Aix-Marseille University and University of Toulouse) said: "We have shown how variation in our genetic code can alter how we perceive pain, including genes that modern humans acquired from the Neanderthals. But genes are just one of many factors, including environment, past experience, and psychological factors, which influence pain." Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is causing a greater number of global deaths than melanoma, the more serious form of skin cancer, a new study presented today at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (EADV) Congress 2023 has found. Researchers also believe that NMSC is underreported and that the true impact of this disease may be even higher than estimated. Although NMSC is less likely to be fatal than melanoma skin cancer, its prevalence is strikingly higher. In 2020, NMSC accounted for 78% of all skin cancer cases, resulting in over 63,700 deaths. In contrast, melanoma caused an estimated 57,000 fatalities in the same year. The significantly higher incidence of NMSC has, therefore, led to a more substantial overall impact." Professor Thierry Passeron, lead author of the study Professor Passeron adds, "As alarming as these figures are, they may, in fact, be underestimated. NMSC is often underreported in cancer registries, making it challenging to understand the true burden." In addition to examining the overall burden of skin cancers, the researchers identified specific population groups that were more at risk of this disease, including people who work outside, organ transplant recipients and those who have the skin condition xeroderma pigmentosum (an inherited extreme sun sensitivity condition). The study, which utilized data from the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer, found a high incidence of skin cancer in fair-skinned and elderly populations from the USA, Germany, UK, France, Australia and Italy. However, even countries with a high proportion of dark phenotypes were not immune to the risk of death from skin cancer, as demonstrated by the registered 11,281 deaths in Africa. In 2020, there were nearly 1.2 million reported cases of NMSC worldwide compared with 324,635 cases of melanoma. The majority of skin cancer occurrences are non-melanoma, referring to a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin, with common types including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In comparison with melanoma, a type of skin cancer that develops in the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin), NMSC is less likely to spread to other parts of the body and can be treated more easily. Professor Passeron comments, "We have to get the message out that not only melanoma can be fatal, but NMSC also. It's crucial to note that individuals with melanin rich skin are also at risk and are dying from skin cancer. There is a need to implement effective strategies to reduce the fatalities associated with all kinds of skin cancers." "Our study did not find consistent evidence to suggest that having more dermatologists per capita could reduce mortality rates. Surprisingly, countries like Australia, the UK and Canada, with fewer dermatologists, exhibited low mortality-to-incidence ratios. We therefore need to explore what strategies these countries are employing to reduce the impact of skin cancer in further depth. The involvement of other healthcare practitioners, such as GPs, in the identification and management of this disease may partly explain their success. There remains huge opportunity worldwide to elevate the role of GPs and other healthcare professionals in this process and train them to recognize suspicious lesions early." "In alignment with this, there is an ongoing need to develop awareness campaigns that educate the general public about the risks of sun exposure and other relevant risk factors. These campaigns should be tailored to at-risk populations, including those with fair skin, outdoor workers, the elderly and individuals who are immunosuppressed. Importantly, these efforts should also extend to populations that may not typically be considered at high risk, such as darker-skinned populations." Professor Passeron concludes, "Skin cancers are preventable and treatable, so we need to do more to ensure we are stopping the progression of this disease as early as possible to save lives." Genes may be responsible for third of complex regional pain syndrome cases. But the condition is less common in men, even though they are more likely to have the 4 genetic variations implicated in heightened risk, suggesting that there may be sex specific causes, say the researchers. Most cases of CRPS are usually triggered by an injury, with the skin of the affected body part hypersensitive to the slightest touch or temperature change. CRPS is difficult to treat, and while it often improves with time, some people experience intense pain for many years. But why some people develop CRPS yet others don't after the same injury, isn't clear. A heritable component to CRPS has been suggested, sparking the theory that some people might be genetically predisposed to the condition. To explore this further, the researchers looked for variations in genes, formally known as single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs for short, in DNA samples from 34 people diagnosed with CRPS (discovery group). These were then searched for in 39 people with chronic back pain (comparison group), and then in another 50 people with CRPS (confirmatory group). The average age was mid 40s to mid 50s across all 3 groups, but ranged from 20 to 86. A single SNP in each of 4 genes (ANO10, P2RX7, PRKAG1 and SLC12A9) was more common in those with CRPS in both the discovery and confirmatory groups than it was in the back pain group. In all, 25 out of 84 (30%) patients who had had CRPS for more than a year expressed these variations in at least 1 of the 4 genes. None of these variations was evident in those with back pain. CRPS is more common in men than it is in women, by a ratio of 3-4:1. But more men than women expressed these genetic variations: 8 out of 14 (57%) vs 17 out of 70 (24%) women, although this discrepancy would need to be confirmed in a larger group, say the researchers. "This raises the possibility of different mechanisms of disease in males and females in [CRPS] and that therapeutic responses may also be influenced by sex," they write. "We acknowledge that our genetic results may be only part of the [CRPS] story; autoimmune disease is more common in women than men, and recent studies strongly suggest it could be causative in some cases of [CRPS]," they add. There may be plausible biological explanations for their findings, they suggest, as ANO10, P2RX7and SLC12A9 are expressed in immune cells in the peripheral nervous system, both of which are involved in the types of symptoms seen in people with CRPS And all 4 genes are normally expressed in macrophages-;a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response-;in healthy people, they note. This is an observational study, and as such, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. The researchers also acknowledge that the sample sizes were relatively small, which may well have precluded other SNPs from being detected. And the participants were mostly White. But they conclude: "Our data support an underlying genetic predisposition to [chronic regional pain syndrome] in up to a third of cases, with this effect being most prominent in males.Further study of these genes and SNPs may catalyze the generation of personalized precision diagnosis and treatments for [the condition]." A new $15.4 million grant will help Indiana University School of Medicine recruit and educate medical students to better care for underserved populations, in hopes of improving health care across Indiana. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) grant will provide about $4 million over four years to the Indiana Primary Care Advancement in Clinical Training (INPACT) program. The goal of the program is to recruit more students from medically underserved areas of the state and provide doctors with the tools needed to offer high-quality primary and specialty care to vulnerable communities. Scholarships will be provided to medical students who plan to practice in primary care specialties of pediatrics, family medicine and internal medicine. Experiential training opportunities will also be expanded throughout the state, particularly in underserved Indiana communities. INPACT will enhance the IU School of Medicine curriculum by focusing on health system sciences, including social determinants of health and primary care skills that can benefit underserved communities. This grant will help us recruit more students from medically underserved parts of the state who are more likely to return to serve those communities' health care needs as physicians." Bradley Allen, MD, PhD, senior associate dean for medical student education and the principal investigator on the INPACT team Through INPACT, the school also looks to expand its collaborations with the clinical facilities serving the underserved communities-;helping students develop the skillsets needed to meet the unique needs of their patients and help to close the health care gaps. The project will help improve the flow of IU School of Medicine graduates into the expanding number of primary care residency programs around the state. INPACT funding will also be used to expand the school's Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) program-;a two-year masters program developed to better prepare students to be successful applicants to medical school. The new funding will be used to help increase recruitment of prospective students from medically underserved areas in Indiana. In addition, the project will help students develop skills in advocacy and leadership so graduates can partner with communities to improve health. This will be accomplished in collaboration with the school's large number of clinical partners-;120 hospitals, clinics, practice groups and health care organizations-;to assist with educational placements. Clinical partners include 26 critical access hospitals and 13 federally-qualified health centers statewide. "It is my hope that through these grant funds, IU School of Medicine will be able to innovatively enhance our medical curriculum in topics of health equity and delivery of health care for underserved communities," said Paul M. Wallach, MD, executive associate dean for educational affairs and the co-principal investigator for the statewide INPACT project team. "At the same time, we want to strengthen educational experiences in primary care so that IU School of Medicine graduates are well-grounded in working with communities and delivering high-quality care for each patient." This project co-aligns with the school's previously funded Primary Care Reaffirmation for Indiana Medical Education (PRIME) program, which aims to improve preparation of IU medical school graduates in primary care skills and delivery to underserved populations as well as help students gain understanding, direct immersion and expertise in the impact of health care disparities in Indiana. Since its creation in 2020, IU School of Medicine has received $31 million in grant funding for HRSA-funded projects, which the school has supplemented with 10% matching funds. Dr. Jafar Jafari, expert in the field of gastroenterology, is excited to announce the forthcoming release of his groundbreaking book, "The Essential Guide to Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing." at one of the largest Gastroenterology congresses in the world, UEG Week 2023. Image Credit: Bedfont Scientific Ltd. Gastrointestinal disorders affect millions of individuals globally, impacting their quality of life and often leading to substantial healthcare costs. Dr Jafaris new book offers A Modern Approach to Investigating Gastrointestinal Disorders, shining a light on the transformative potential of Hydrogen Methane Breath testing (HMBT) to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions. In this comprehensive and expertly researched book, Dr. Jafari delves deep into the science behind HMBT, exploring its role in reshaping the way we understand and manage gastrointestinal health. This book will be published in 2024, and will be published in partnership with leading medical device manufacturer, Bedfont Scientific Ltd. Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont, comments, "We are excited to be working with Dr Jafari on the upcoming release of his new book, we believe it will really help healthcare professionals to unlock the potential of HMBT in Gastroenterology. Dr. Jafari, explains, I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for gastrointestinal health with the next generation of healthcare professionals. This book is a culmination of my experiences, insights, and dedication to the field. I hope it serves as a valuable practical resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of hydrogen and methane breath testing, ultimately leading to improved patient care and outcomes. While the official book launch is scheduled for 2024, attendees of UEG 2023 will have the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the book's content and meet the author, Dr. Jafar Jafari. They can also engage in discussions about the book's content, its implications for the field, and the future of gastroenterology. This year, UEG 2023 takes place on October 14 17, at the Bella Center in Copenhagen; Dr. Jafari will be at Bedfonts stand, C3-70. HOROSCOPE TODAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023: Horoscopes provide personalized advice tailored to the unique qualities of each astrological sign. It addresses various aspects of life including career, relationships, health, and finances. Virgos should exercise caution as overconfidence has the potential to undermine their hard work. For Libra individuals, theres a possibility of experiencing joint and hip pain today. On the other hand, Scorpios can anticipate the arrival of guests at their homes. Find out the detailed overview of your zodiac sign below. ARIES: MARCH 21- APRIL 19 Quality Time With Children Today, be cautious about potential complications arising from business partnerships. Unnecessary arguments or conflicts with someone could have adverse consequences. The stars hint that the guidance and wisdom of your life partner can be a valuable asset. For those engaged in politics, theres a possibility of attaining an important role or position. On the personal front, youll find yourself drawn to spending quality time with children. WATCH: Monthly Horoscope For October 2023 TAURUS: APRIL 20- MAY 20 Avoid Lending & Borrowing Money It is advisable to avoid lending and borrowing money today. On a brighter note, anticipate the possibility of recovering business losses. Prioritizing thorough planning before embarking on significant endeavours is very important and increases the chances of success. The performance of your subordinate employees is likely to bring happiness. GEMINI: MAY 21- JUNE 21 Workload Will Increase The stars hint that students should maintain their focus on their studies. Beware of unhealthy eating habits, as it could lead to stomachaches and gas-related discomfort. At the workplace, high-ranking officers may increase your workload. But you will complete all your tasks with smartness and confidence. Furthermore, an opportunity to resolve legal disputes may present itself today. CANCER: JUNE 22- JULY 22 Speak Sensibly In Any Situation It is essential to communicate sensibly and thoughtfully in any situation you encounter today. For those diligently preparing for competitive exams, the day holds a favourable energy. Individuals involved in artistic fields can look forward to potential fame and recognition. On the personal front, expect an increase in love and emotional connection in your marital relationship. Working professionals will find themselves earning respect and reputation in their workplace. LEO: JULY 23- AUGUST 22 Students Will Focus On Studies The stars hint that students will maintain an unwavering focus on their studies. Youll find yourself brimming with positive energy. Consider the possibility of modifying your business policies. Your productivity is set to increase which will allow you to achieve more. You may experience an increase in your social standing. Furthermore, there is a possibility of achieving great success in interviews. VIRGO: AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22 Overconfidence Will Spoil Your Work It is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of your life partner today. Be cautious about potential money-related tensions that could arise. In matters of lending money, exercise discretion and avoid lending to individuals you dont know well. Your work may suffer from overconfidence so make sure to remain balanced to avoid any pitfalls. Expect challenges in achieving the expected results in your professional endeavours. LIBRA: SEPTEMBER 23- OCTOBER 23 Joint Pain May Trouble You The stars hint that you should avoid making significant changes in your business today. You might find yourself concerned about your mothers health, so take extra care of her. Be attentive to any joint pain or hip discomfort that may trouble you. Tensions in your relationships could arise due to misunderstandings. Its important not to discuss your personal matters with others when emotions are running high. SCORPIO: OCTOBER 24 NOVEMBER 21 Guest May Arrive At Home Love is set to flourish in your married life today. Hindered property projects that may have been delayed will likely restart. Both your social and professional circles are primed for expansion, creating new connections and growth in your work and personal life. Anticipate guests arriving at your home and spending some quality time with your family. To maintain balance and well-being, consider incorporating regular Yoga and meditation practices into your routine. SAGITTARIUS: NOVEMBER 22 DECEMBER 21 Relief From Health Issues The stars hint that government employees may contemplate taking a brief leave from their duties for a few days. However, matters concerning your ancestral property may encounter hindrances. On a positive note, you might find relief from health issues that have been bothering you. Youll remain steadfast and focused on your goals. At the workplace, there will be an increased quality of your work. But theres a chance you may not find complete satisfaction with your achievements. CAPRICORN: DECEMBER 22 JANUARY 19 Cervical Pain May Trouble You Today, young individuals may find themselves anxious about their careers. The stars hint that you will plan a visit to a friend. Exercise caution and thoughtfulness before expressing your opinions on social media. In your family, discussions related to marriage may be initiated by a family member. Be attentive to your well-being, as cervical pain might trouble you. Additionally, maintaining kindness and respect in your interactions with neighbours is essential. AQUARIUS: JANUARY 20- FEBRUARY 18 Might Win Legal Battles Aquarius, today may see you taking a keen interest in religious and spiritual activities. In your professional life, your hard work and dedication are likely to be appreciated. Consider the possibility of emerging victorious in legal battles. At your workplace, you can expect good support and encouragement from your seniors. Your decisions will gain admiration from others. Your assertive nature may lead you to dominate your enemies. PISCES: FEBRUARY 19 MARCH 20 Good Profits In Business Today, concerns about your reputation may weigh on your mind. Maintaining a disciplined daily routine can help you stay organized. Expect good profits in your business endeavours, but the increased workload may contribute to higher stress levels. Avoid carelessness in legal matters as it could lead to complications. Additionally, its wise not to place excessive trust in strangers. The stars hint that your mothers health will be a matter of concern today. Stocks to Watch on October 11: The GIFT Nifty October futures contract indicates a flat start to domestic equities in trade on Wednesday. The futures contract was trading at 19,783, up 7 points or 0.04%. Bank of Baroda: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday asked the Bank of Baroda (BoB) to immediately suspend further onboarding of customers onto their mobile app bob World. This ban comes after RBI found material supervisory concerns while onboarding customers onto the app. Any further onboarding of customers of the bank on the app will be subject to rectification of deficiencies observed and strengthening of the related processes, said an RBI release. TCS: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the largest software service exporter in India, will report its earnings for the quarter ended September 2023 on Wednesday, October 11. Moreover, the TCS board will also consider a proposal for share buyback in its meeting on October 11. This will be its fifth share buyback in six years. The Q2FY24 results for the overall IT sector are expected to be muted, in continuation with the previous quarter, analysts said. MCX: Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) is all set to go live with its new commodity derivates platform on October 16. The announcement came two days after MCX received approval from capital markets regulator SEBI. The exchange has also planned to conduct mock trading on October 15 in order to allow members to participate, and validate setup and connection for which separate circular would be issued, said MCX in a statement on Tuesday. Union Bank of India: Union Bank of India has promoted Sudarshana Bhat to the position of Chief General Manager, effective from October 10. Sudarshana Bhat previously held the role of General Manager within the bank. Notably, the former Chief General Manager of Union Bank, Lal Singh, has been appointed as the Executive Director of Bank of Baroda by the Central Government. Cipla: Differences within the Hamied family, Cipla Ltds promoters, over the pricing of the deal and the decision of patriarch Yusuf K. Hamied to sell the drugmaker threaten to derail the $7 billion sale plan, according to five people aware of the discussions. Any sale may take longer than anticipated since a consensus is yet to emerge within the family, the people said on condition of anonymity. Some family members have questioned the deals pricing and the decision to exit the business. JSW Steel: JSW Steel has posted a 13% rise in its consolidated production to 6.41 million tonne (MT) for July-September 2023-24. It had produced 5.68 MT crude steel during the second quarter of 2022-23, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. However, on a q-o-q basis, the production was lower by 3%, primarily due to scheduled shutdowns undertaken at Indian operations and lower capacity utilisation at USA-Ohio due to market conditions, JSW Steel said. Religare Enterprises: Religare Enterprises Ltds board has commissioned an independent valuation report as it believes that the company is worth more than the price the Burman family has offered, a person with knowledge of the development said. On 23 September, the Burman family, which controls packaged goods company Dabur Ltd, offered to acquire an additional 5.27% stake in the financial services company for 407 crore, leading to a mandatory open offer to buy an additional 26% stake from the public. SpiceJet: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Tuesday deferred the case involving SpiceJet and aircraft lessor Celestial Aviation Services Ltd after both parties told the court they were in the advanced stages of a settlement. The court will hear the case next on 7 November. Celestial Aviation is one of four lessors to have filed a case against SpiceJet in the NCLT over pending dues the others are Willis Lease Finance Corp, Wilmington, and Aircastle. Indian Bank: Public sector Indian Bank on Tuesday said Shiv Bajrang Singh assumed charge as its Executive Director with immediate effect. Prior to taking up the new responsibility, Singh was serving the Bank of India as its chief general manager, the Chennai-headquartered Indian Bank said in a statement. Singh holds an MBA degree and is a certified associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. An internship of a duration of 60 to 120 hours after the fourth semester, and 360 hours for those pursuing an honours with research programme will be mandatory for students enrolled in undergraduate (UG) degree programmes across recognised institutions in the country, as per the draft guidelines released by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday. The UGC had last year announced that students enrolled in UG programmes will compulsorily have to do research internships. The move is in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that envisages research and innovation as its two inherently important aspects. According to the new rules, the undergraduate internships will be classified into two internship for enhancing employability and internship for developing research aptitude. A minimum of 2-4 credits, out of the required minimum 120/160 credits, of a 3-year UG degree/4-year UG degree (Honours)/4-year UG degree (Honours with Research) can be assigned for internship as per the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programme (CCFUP). An internship of 60 to 120 hours duration after the 4th semester will be mandatory for the students enrolled in UG degree programmes, the draft read. According to the new guidelines, one credit of internship means two-hour engagement per week. Accordingly, in a semester of 15 weeks, one credit in this course is equivalent to 30 hours of engagement in a semester. Similarly, for the 4-year UG degree programme (Honours with Research), engagement of students in the dissertations/research project during the entire eighth semester of 12 credits will be considered as a mandatory component for the award of the degree, it said. The students need to essentially submit the research project/ dissertations / thesis / project work to the allotted mentor. The research work should involve 360 hours duration during the 8th semester, the draft stated. The guidelines make it clear that the three-year UG degree, four-year UG degree (Honours) and 4-year degree (honours with research) programme will be operating strictly adhering to NEP-2020, NHEQF and CCFUP provisions. According to the new UG internship rules, each undergraduate student will have to complete an internship of 2-4 credits during after the 4th semester of the UG degree programme focussing on Hands-on Training/Short Research Project. However, the student who has to go for a 4-year UG degree (Honours with Research) programme will be required to choose courses (from a set of courses) during the 8th semester. Internships include working with government or private organisations, higher education institutions, universities, research and development labs/research organisations/non-government organisations, enterprises, centres involved in research, innovativeness and entrepreneurship, business organisations, local industry, artists, craftspeople, and similar other entities for providing opportunities to students for active engagement in on-site experiential learning, it said. The higher education regulator also said the HEIs should develop a roadmap for the smooth functioning of the internship programme under the Research and Development Cell at the institutions; the office of the nodal officer; internship portals and about roles and responsibilities of interns, supervisors and mentors; and a list of projects, among others. Internship outcomes should have been incorporated in developing a perspective among the candidates or students towards a profession and their ability to deconstruct a job role and to become job-ready as soon as they enter into a job or a profession, the draft said. The new education policy places a major thrust on employability of students once they graduate from an institution. This is mainly on account of high unemployment rate as well as low employability of young graduates in the country. The India Skill Report (ISR), 2022 highlights that youth employability has improved to 46.2 % in 2021 from 45.97% till 2020. Interestingly, 51.44% employability of females were observed compared to 45.97% of males for 2021-22. In 2023, undergraduates in commerce got the highest employability rating at about 60.62%. The report further mentioned that 88.6% of graduates are looking for internship opportunities. In 2022, 88.42% of respondents in the report have given preference to an internship for gaining experience. It was also recorded that 2022 was also the year to mark the highest demand for internships since 2016. It is also observed that in India employers like to hire employees having at least a year of working experience, the ISR- 2022 report stated. The Kerala State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has developed the Kerala Curriculum Framework (KCF) 2023 which calls for segmenting the states educational system into three phases: early childhood care and development (up to the age of 5 or 6), primary (Classes 17), and secondary (Classes 812). The framework pointed out that the absence of a uniform curriculum has resulted in an unscientific pre-school experience for young learners. It emphasises the significance of developing a consistent curriculum for all pre-schools in the state and prioritises informal and child-friendly evaluation approaches for pre-schoolers. General Education Minister V Sivankutty released the draft Kerala Curriculum Framework on October 9, highlighting that pre-schools should not be transformed into institutions that solely focus on academics, but rather must adapt to their students specific requirements considering their young age. The current pre-school education set-up in Kerala is run by a varied range of providers, including private schools, agencies, and government departments which makes maintaining uniformity a difficult task. The Kerala Curriculum Framework cites numerous challenges in pre-school education, including a lack of consistency in teaching techniques, parents lack of awareness of pre-school objectives, insufficient pre-school teacher training, and a lack of infrastructure. According to the draft NCF 2023, pre-school teachers must have undergone pre-primary teacher training from a government-approved institution. In an effort to standardise pre-school textbooks, the government proposes that they have 85 per cent pictorial content, including zero-text pages. This strategy seeks to make learning for young children more interesting and visually appealing. According to The New Indian Express, the draft Kerala Curriculum Framework 2023 holds local authorities responsible for pre-school institutions for failing to provide adequate support, supervision, or coordination. Additionally, it highlighted the need for greater coordination between the organisations in charge of administering these institutions, the general education department, the department for women and children, and the department for SC/ST development. The framework also encourages mother-tongue communication in pre-schools. In addition to facilitating peer conversation in a classroom setting, speaking in ones mother tongue promotes successful interaction between students and teachers. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The so-called US presidential candidate, blaming Azerbaijan, shows footage of the Armenian attack on Ganja and Barda, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said, as he received the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries, Trend reports. "How can we talk to these people and what can we explain to them? They do not want to hear anything. They have their own instructions, which are sent down to them from the center, and they act upon them. That is why now we are facing an unprecedented information war against Azerbaijan. Of course, we are fighting it with our own resources, trying to convey the truth about what happened. But we should realize that the forces are unequal. Countries such as France, which has a long colonial history, have much more media resources around the world than we do," President Ilham Aliyev said. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has released the mop-up round schedule for the Karnataka NEET PG 2023 counselling. As per the official timetable, medical candidates who are eligible for the mop-up round are requested to make the necessary payment of the caution deposit as well as download the challan starting today, October 11. Meanwhile, the exam conducting body will issue the seat matrix for the Karnataka PGET 2023 counselling after 11 am on the same day. The released seat matrix can be accessed and downloaded by the candidates from the official website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Eligible candidates can also fill out the option entry from today, October 11, (6 pm onwards). The deadline to make the payment of the caution deposit is October 12, and the last date to submit web options is October 13. KEA will release the Karnataka NEET PG Mop-up round seat allotment result on October 13, (after 9 pm). As per the schedule, students will be able to report to the allotted colleges by October 17. Candidates who are willing to participate in the NEET PG mop-up round are advised to deposit Rs 3,00,000 for the postgraduate Medical course and Rs 2,00,000 for the postgraduate Dental programme as a caution deposit to KEA. It is important to note that the caution deposit has to be paid via online mode by downloading the challan using the candidates login credentials from the official website. Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2023: Mop-up round schedule Display of seat matrix: October 11 after 11 am. Downloading of challan for caution deposit: October 11 from 11 am to October 12 till 2 pm. Payment of caution deposit: October 11 to October 12. Deposition of original documents: October 12. Entry of options by eligible candidates: October 11 from 6 pm to October 13 up to 2 pm. Mop-up round seat allotment result: October 13 after 9 pm. Payment of fees: October 16. Last date for reporting: October 17 up to 5 pm. Candidates who have not joined the college after allotment of seats in the PG medial/ PG dental first round or second round or in the mop-up round of All India Counselling for deemed universities as well as candidates who have not been allotted any clinical seat in Round 2 of state counselling are eligible for participating in the Karnataka NEET PG mop-up round. The University of Mumbais communication and journalism department and UNICEF released a mental health guide for mass media students on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on Tuesday. The guide, Navigating Waves of Mental Wellbeing, is prepared by Tanuja Babre, state consultant for mental health and psychosocial support at UNICEF, Maharashtra, in consultation with mass media students from the varsitys journalism department. It focuses on emotional well-being, career-related issues, relationships, and digital safety. The guide would help the mass media students as well as professionals to understand the problems and encourage them to seek help, said Dr Sunder Rajdeep, professor and head of the Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Mumbai. Karthyayani Amma, who attained the top rank in the state literacy missions flagship adult literacy programme Akshara Laksham at the age of 96 has passed away. She was 101 years old. She passed away at her home on Tuesday at 12 pm. She was bedridden for a year due to paralysis. Karthyayani Amma was the winner of the 2018 Narishakti award. She received the Narishakti Award from President Ram Nath Kovind in Delhi while studying in the fourth-level equivalence class. She was also selected as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while expressing his condolences, said Karthyayani Amma was an inspiring role model for many people. Deeply saddened by the passing of Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the State Literacy Mission. She served as an inspiring role model for many, showing unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges. Her demise is a significant loss to our literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. Heartfelt condolences, posted the chief minister on microblogging site X. Deeply saddened by the passing of Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the State Literacy Mission. She served as an inspiring role model for many, showing unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges. Her demise is a pic.twitter.com/1mXVRvWD7a Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) October 11, 2023 She was not able to complete schooling as she worked as a domestic help. In 2017, she took the Akshara Laksham exam that was held at Kanichanellur LP School near her home. She later secured the first rank in the exam. Kartyayanis mother also had the distinction of being the oldest literate student in the country. She was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Learning for the promotion of distance education among 53 member countries. Kartyayani Amma had earlier said that she wanted to get a job after passing class 10. Ahead of the first international IIT campus to be thrown open in Africas Zanzibar, the first woman president of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Jawaharlal Lal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on Tuesday for her role in fostering stronger ties between the two countries. The event saw Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan (education) and S Jaishankar (external affairs) addressing the Tanzanian delegation as well students who attended it offline and online. The first offshore campus of any IIT is being set up in Zanzibar, and is scheduled to be inaugurated early November while the classes are set to begin from October 25. The offshore campus is a branch of IIT-Madras. Pradhan said the institute will prove to be a milestone in educational cooperation between the two nations and continents. The support of Tanzania, a key African partner of India, is needed to amplify the aspirations of the Global South, especially on education and human resource development. Skill-focused and market-aligned higher education are to be delivered to the youth of both the countries in a collaborative manner, said Pradhan. The African Union was included as a full member of the G20 under Indias presidency this September. Tanzania became the preferred destination to set up the first overseas campus of IIT-, Madras in Zanzibar. Classes for the first batch are scheduled to begin this month. The institution has the potential to become the premier centre for technical education for the entire African continent, said S Jaishankar, who is also an alumnus of JNU. Hassan was conferred the honorary doctorate by Prof Santishree D Pandit, who is the first woman vice-chancellor of JNU. She mentioned that JNU has a Centre for African Studies that began in 1969, which, in 2009, became a specialised centre, and the Nelson Mandela Chair, established by the Ministry of External Affairs. Hassan, who acknowledged herself as a product of Indian education, attributing it to her ITEC training at NIRD, Hyderabad, said that India has remained loyal to the cause of global south and the developing countries. There are many areas where we have been already engaged with India including trade, energy or education. This tie-up with an IIT campus in Zanzibar will take it to new heights, she said. Telanganas Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) is set to start intense campaigning from October 15 for the state assembly elections next month. On the same day, the party is also expected to release the manifesto. BRS had already gone into election mode before the polling dates were announced by the Election Commission on Monday. BRS had even released the list of its 115 candidates (for the total 119 assembly seats) in August itself. On November 9, KCR will file nominations from Gajwel and Kamareddy. After the initial announcement, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) released a more rigorous tentative schedule on Tuesday night, which showed that the CM will address meetings in 40 constituencies between October 15 and November 8. This clarity is lacking in the schedules of the other two major opposition parties Congress and BJP. While Telangana Congress president A Revanth Reddy has been saying that the candidate list will undergo several rounds of approval, with their Central Election Committee having the final say, the BJP has lined up a series of public meetings to be addressed by Union ministers. However, there is no word regarding the candidate list or manifesto from either of the parties. According to sources, both the parties will announce their candidate list only after Dussehra on October 24. There is reportedly lack of auspicious dates for such announcements. However, KCR, who is a staunch believer in astrology and Vastu, seems to have given priority to action. His long absence from public eye due to viral fever was also giving rise to rumours, and the announcement of the schedule has put wagging tongues on rest. Sources say after AICC leader Rahul Gandhi started batting big for caste census, people from Backward Classes (BCs), including several leaders from Telangana, are lobbying in Delhi for tickets. After the BRS announced its candidates, there were allegations that the BCs did not find adequate representation in the list. Thus, Congress says it may want to address that issue in their list. A few leaders who were not happy with the BRS list have already joined the Congress, notable among them is Mynampally Hanumantha Rao who has been promised two tickets. Besides, the Congress has to chalk out a plan to accommodate defectors. After the introduction of womens reservation bill, BRS is facing flak for fielding only seven women for the upcoming state elections. Congress, which too has to identify women candidates, has a tentative bus yatra from October 15, said Revanth Reddy. Though the party has announced six guarantees for the state, there is no manifesto yet. Meanwhile, the BJP bus yatra, for which one of the routes was finalised, was shelved due to unknown reasons. The party seems to be relying on the promise of a double-engine government and Modis magic to influence voters. In his last meeting in Hyderabad, home minister Amit Shah highlighted what Modi had brought to the country including vaccines, improved foreign policy and border security. With Soyam Bapu Rao being the MP from Adilabad, which has a notable tribal population, and the PM announcing tribal university in Telangana, the BJP is invoking indigenous pride to garner votes. On Wednesday, BJP state president G Kishan Reddy visited Sammakka Sarakka temple in Mulugu district where the tribal university will be set up. Similarly, the turmeric board that was announced by Modi was a long-standing demand from the farmers of Nizamabad which is represented by their MP Arvind Dharmapuri. The party seems to be concentrating on protecting their existing vote bank. BJP has three MLAs in Telangana, one of them, Raja Singh (from Goshamahal), has been suspended. Despite this, Singh has repeatedly sworn allegiance to the BJP. It remains to be seen who gets the Goshamahal ticket. There are reports that many senior leaders in the party are reluctant to contest and have not even filed their nomination. Recently, the party formed 14 committees and selected senior leaders in an attempt to pacify them. There are reports that partys alleged link with BRS is harming its prospects in the state. The BJP, too, is yet to announce its manifesto. The Election Commission of India on Wednesday decided to change the schedule of Rajasthan Assembly polls. As per the new schedule, the polling will take place on November 25 (Saturday) instead of November 23. Election to the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will be held on November 23. The EC said it received representations from various political parties and social organisations regarding the change of poll dates in view of large-scale wedding/social engagement on that day (November 23) which may cause inconvenience to a large number of people, various logistic issues and may lead to reduced voters participation during poll. Rajasthan Election 2023 Schedule Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: October 30 Last Date of Making Nominations: November 6 Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures Date of Poll: November 9 Date of Polling: November 25 Date of Counting: December 3 Earlier, BJP MP from Pali, PP Chaudhary wrote to the Election Commission of India to change the date of the Rajasthan election (23rd November) as it coincides with Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Rajasthan BJP President CP Joshi said the people of Rajasthan have decided that there should be a double-engine government in the state. PM Modi came to the state to inaugurate and lay the foundation of different projects. If you (Gehlot government) had worked for the state since 2018 then the exam paper leak would not have happened, farmers would not have committed suicide and there would be employment opportunities in the state, he said. In a district in which almost 32 per cent of the population comprises tribal people, union home minister Amit Shah highlighted what the BJP government has done for the welfare of the community. Shah was in Adilabad district of Telangana on Tuesday as part of a public meeting called Jana Garjana Sabha. His visit is the first in a series of campaigns by union ministers in Telangana planned after the assembly poll schedule was announced on Monday. Shah began his speech by paying tributes to Komaram Bheem, a revered Gond leader who fought against the Nizams. When I used to visit this region and hear stories about Komaram Bheem, I used to get goosebumps. Before I start my speech, I pay heartfelt tributes to the warrior. Telangana fought for freedom twiceonce against the British and then Nizams. I salute this brave land, Shah said. He added that on December 3, the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to form the government and September 17 will be celebrated as Hyderabad Liberation Day all over the state. He pointed out that in his recent visit to the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu district (Samakka and Sarakka are tribal goddesses). In the last 10 years, chief minister KCR has not worked for the poor, farmers, Dalits, or Adivasis. He only worked towards making his son the CM. Our aim is to give jobs and education to tribal youths. Since 2014, Modi wanted to lay the foundation of this university, but KCR was not allotting land. But finally, that dream is being realised. It will educate tribal children along with their customs. Modi built toilets in every poor household, gave every woman a gas cylinder, put Rs 6,000 in every farmers account. As a mark of respect for the tribal community, Modi made a tribal woman the president of the country, the union minister said. Hitting out at the Congress party, the senior BJP leader said: Around every election, these Congress leaders come wearing new clothes. In 2013-14 when they were in power, the budget for Adivasi welfare was only Rs 24,000 crore. In 2023, Modi has hiked it to 1,24,000 crore. Telangana needs a double engine sarkar now. The union minister pointed out that Janjatiya Gaurav Divas was started by the Modi government to commemorate tribal freedom fighters. He also reminded people that the National Turmeric Board is coming up in Telangana and that the union cabinet has approved terms of reference to the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-II. He stated that while PM Modi has been steadfast in protecting the country from terrorists, KCR cannot protect Telangana from modern-day Razakars. KCR has made the state number 1 in farmer suicides, crimes against women and children, and corrupt practices. The government dances to the tune of MIM. Choose a government that does not work for its own family, but for farmers and Adivasis, Shah appealed to the people present there. Aly Goni and Jasmin Bhasin are one of the most adorable couples who stay together during each others highs and lows. As Jasmin is currently admitted to a hospital, Aly Goni visited her on Tuesday (October 10) night. Aly took to his Instagram stories and dropped a picture of his ladylove as she recovers from a stomach infection. In the photo, Jasmin is seen sitting on a hospital bed as she consumes her meal. Syringes can also be seen attached to her hand. Earlier on Tuesday, Jasmin also shared a picture of herself in which she was seen lying on a hospital bed. stomach infection, she wrote on the picture. Alu Gonis Instagram Story: Jasmin Bhasin and Aly Goni made their romantic relationship official on Bigg Boss 14. Last year, rumours of the two actors planning to tie the knot soon also made headlines. However, Jasmin later quashed those rumours and said shell inform all if something like that is to happen. Honestly, we dont discuss marriage, we only discuss work and at this stage of our careers, work is a priority for both of us. When marriage has to happen, it will happen. Right now, we are concentrating on our work. I am not thinking of marriage for the next four-five years, she told E-Times. Jasmin Bhasin has worked in several successful television shows including Dil Se Dil Tak, Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji and Naagin 4 among others. Besides Bigg Boss, Jasmin also participated in the action reality show, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi Made in India. She made her debut in the Punjabi film industry in 2022 with the movie Honeymoon, co-starring alongside Gippy Grewal. As far as Bollywood is concerned, there has been buzz about Jasmin Bhasin being signed by a big banner and that she would be making her Bollywood debut soon. However, there is no official confirmation regarding this as of now. When Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last week, many experts and military strategists pondered over one question: Why did the Palestinian armed group choose to carry out an unprecedented all of a sudden? Though Hamas carried out a coordinated land and air strike on Saturday killing over 900 Israelis and blowing Israels aura of invincibility, it was determined that Israel, with its most advanced weapons and military, would retaliate with all its might. The prediction of a counter-offensive turned true when Israeli warplanes hammered the Gaza Strip neighbourhood by neighbourhood on Tuesday reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling to find safety and killing over 700. However, the conflict is likely to delay if not derail the diplomatic push by the United States to improve relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours. What are the Abraham Accords? The Abraham Accords include a general declaration of support for peaceful relations in the Middle East among Jews, Muslims and Christians, all followers of religions linked to the patriarch Abraham. The normalization push, which began under former President Donald Trump, is an ambitious effort to reshape the Middle East and boost Israels standing in historic ways. The Trump administration saw the accords partly as paving a path toward full ties with Israel, including in security and intelligence cooperation to counter common rivals, such as Iran. It also encompasses opportunities like direct flights, people-to-people exchanges, and a better investment climate between the Middle East nations and Israel, which would lead to investment and growth in the region. However, according to critics, the accords skip past Palestinian demands for statehood. Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh has mocked the treaties by saying, All the normalisation agreements that you signed with that entity cannot resolve this (Palestinian) conflict. Result of Abraham Accords The Abraham Accords is in continuation with the peace process that has been undertaken over the last several decades in the region. In 1978, the Camp David Accords, a treaty between Egypt and Israel, was signed to normalise ties. In 1994, Jordan signed a peace agreement with Israel. Under the Abraham Accords, the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, in over two decades to establish ties with Israel in 2020. Under the normalisation talks, Israel has also signed a series of agreements with Morocco, Bahrain, and Sudan between September 2020 and January 2021. US officials also are working to encourage more business, education and other ties between the four Arab states and Israel. The treaty also resulted in improving ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel lately. Has Abraham Accords Suffered Setback? White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan recently noted that though there are challenges in the Mideast, but the region is quieter today than it has been in two decades. However, with the now escalating conflict between Hamas and Israel, that optimism has vanished. The conflict is threatening to delay or derail the progress that the US made in years to improve the relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours. Just three weeks back, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a meeting with President Joe Biden and on the historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, the attacks have left American, Israeli and Saudis officials in shock, especially at a time when the agreement was starting to come into focus. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Hamas attacks may have been driven in part by a desire to scuttle the United States most ambitious part of the initiative: the sealing of diplomatic relations between rivals Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Middle Easts two greatest powers share a common enemy in Iran, a generous military and financial sponsor of Hamas. Iran has been a vocal critic of the growing bilateral relations between Israel and Arab nations. Recently, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said, We are against any bilateral relations between our regional countries and the Zionist regime. Once the talks would is accomplished, it would create new alliance between the Gulf states and Israel and benefit Tel Avivs diplomacy against Irans axis of resistance. The pact would also have been a legacy-defining achievement for Biden, Netanyahu, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Navi Mumbai police in Maharashtra have registered a case against three persons, including the parents of a 16-year-old girl, from Bihar for allegedly marrying her off to a man, an official said on Wednesday. The police have also pressed rape charges after the girl was found to be pregnant. The official said the girl and her family hail from Sitamarhi district of Bihar. The teenager was married off to a 35-year-old a few months ago. The crime came to light after the girl recently visited a friend in Navi Mumbai. After learning about her illegal marriage, the friend took her to the Nhava Sheva police, who sent the minor to a child rehabilitation centre, the official said. A health check-up at the facility revealed that the girl was four months pregnant. The police then registered a case under the Indian Penal Code for repeated rape, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The girls parents and her husband have been named in the first information report (FIR), said the official, adding that the case has now been transferred to the Sitamarhi police in Bihar as the crime was committed there. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Baku hosted the 53rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Security Agencies and Intelligence Services of the CIS Member-States, State Security Service of Azerbaijan told Trend. Colonel General Ali Nagiyev, head of Azerbaijan's State Security Service, Colonel General Orkhan Sultanov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Azerbaijan, and heads of relevant bodies of CIS countries attended the meeting. The participants of the event first visited the Alley of Honor, where they respectfully honored the memory of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, architect and builder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at his tomb. Then the official opening of the event took place and discussion of the agenda items began. Colonel General Ali Nagiyev, Head of the State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan, who opened the meeting with an introductory speech, noted that in the short time since the last SORB meeting in the Belarusian capital Minsk, a number of radical changes have taken place in the world in terms of security and geopolitics, new conflict hotbeds have emerged in some countries, cases of international terrorism, transnational organized crime, religious extremism, drug trafficking have increased, which significantly complicated the operational conditions in the countries. He expressed hope that the event will create additional opportunities for exchange of opinions and experience in the above-mentioned directions, for improvement of methods of joint struggle and mechanism of coordinated work of the CIS countries against negative manifestations, create additional opportunities for outlining the contours of future activities, as a result of which the existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation relations will rise to a new stage. Ali Nagiyev stated that there were important issues to be solved on the agenda of the meeting and expressed hope that important decisions would be made within the framework of the event from the point of view of security of the states and the meeting would be productive in general. Providing information on the anti-terrorist activities undertaken against the illegal Armenian armed formations operating in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, which were the main threat to security and stability in Azerbaijan, Nagiyev noted that the lack of intention of these criminal groups to leave Azerbaijani territories despite the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, their constant mining of residential areas and communications, their continuous shelling of Azerbaijani Army's positions, committing terrorist acts, which resulted in the death of civilians and police officers, made short-term anti-terrorist activities necessary and urgent, and thus Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty. The meeting continued with speeches and discussions on security issues of the Commonwealth countries, including such issues as destructive activities aimed at destabilization in the CIS space and joint efforts against new challenges. The meeting concluded with the signing of the final documents. Fifteen years after gunshots rang in L-18 flat of Delhis Batla House, leaving two terrorists and one police inspector, Mohan Chand Sharma, dead, the Delhi High Court will on Thursday pronounce its order on the reference for confirmation of death penalty to Indian Mujahideen terrorist Ariz Khan. Khan alias Junaid was arrested by the Delhi Polices Special Cell in 2018, almost a decade after being on the run following the said encounter. A bench headed by Justice Siddharth Mridul and Amit Sharma will also pronounce orders on the appeal filed by Khan challenging his conviction and death sentence in the case related to Sharmas killing. SAKET COURT AWARDED KHAN DEATH SENTENCE In May 2021, Delhis Saket Court had convicted Khan for Sharmas murder during the encounter between police and the said terrorists at South East Delhis Batla House. Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav had held Khan guilty under sections 186, 333, 353, 302, 397 of the Indian Penal Code and section 27 of Arms Act. While pronouncing the order, the court had said, Proved on record Khan, with associates, voluntarily caused grievous hurt to one SI. Also been proved on record, Khan with associates, intentionally and knowingly caused murder of Sharma by firearm. With the evidence adduced on record ocular, documentary and scientific, the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Khan along with accomplices obstructed Sharma in discharge of public function and in furtherance of common intention, used criminal force to decease Sharma, the court said. The court had also observed that it is proved that Khan, with his associates, voluntarily caused grievous hurt to one SI. Khan, along with associates, fired gunshot on Balwant and another police officer. It has also been proved on record that he fired the gunshot on Sharma and thereby committed offence under the Arms Act. Khan managed to flee the occurrence and did not appear despite being declared a proclaimed offender, the court had said. Mumbai saw maximum number of fever and dengue cases in September itself compared to the last five years, according to the latest figures with civic body BMC. The data shows from 2019 to September, 2023, the number of such patients have increased constantly. In Mumbai city, 4,357 cases of fever were reported from 2019 to 2021. Around 3,985 cases were found in 2022 but the number touched the 5,000-mark in September, 2023. In case of dengue, the city saw only 1,200 patients in the last four years, but the number swelled to 3,753 in September, 2023 itself. BMC identified and destroyed 23.54 lakh breeding spots of mosquitoes in the last three years. Despite BMC taking additional measures to stop the spread of leptospirosis disease, more cases have been reported this year. Around 1,219 cases of leptospirosis were recorded in the last four years. But this year itself saw 617 cases compared to 346 last year. There has also been an increase in the number of cases of chikungunya this year to 163 compared to zero in 2019. Congress leader and former leader of opposition Ravi Raja has blamed BMC for the rising cases of fever and dengue in Mumbai. The captain of the ship who is the administrator is not concerned about the health of Mumbaikars as he is not taking any action after such figures have emerged. He further blamed the current Maharashtra government and private infrastructure projects for causing breeding spots for mosquitoes in the city. MNS leader and former corporator Sandeep Deshpande is of the opinion that BMC should have done pest control in the city. Corporators in BMC should personally do a follow-up on this, which helps control the breeding of mosquitoes in monsoon. This time it has not happened hence we are seeing so many cases emerging. China has released Australian journalist Cheng Lei after more than three years in detention, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday, adding she was now back in Melbourne. The Australian people very much wanted to see Cheng Lei reunited with her young kids, Albanese said, adding that the reporter was delighted to be back home. Cheng, a former anchor for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, had been detained since August 2020 but was only formally arrested in February 2021. She was formally charged with supplying state secrets overseas but no further details were given. Cheng was tried behind closed doors, with even Australias ambassador to China blocked from entering the court to observe proceedings. She had written about bleak prison conditions in a candid note dictated to Australian officials from jail and released in August. I miss the sun, read the message, described as a love letter to Australia. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year. Albanese said she had been released after the completion of legal processes in China. Chengs case had been a serious point of friction between Canberra and Beijing. Albanese said that Chengs release would facilitate his visit to China at some point this year. Australia-China relations had been in deep freeze after the Australian government barred Chinese tech firm Huawei from lucrative contracts and pushed back against Chinese influence campaigns in Australia. China was also furious at Canberras calls for an investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 outbreak that killed millions and plunged the worlds economy into a multi-year crisis. In retaliation, China introduced a swathe of de facto sanctions against Australian products, measures that have been slowly unwound as relations thaw. With BJP accusing the Congress of supporting Hamas and the Palestine cause, party leader Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday said Congress will never support a "militant" organisation like Hamas which can be called a "terrorist activity". Singh also said the Congress has always been against terrorism and violence. In light of the NIA conducting searches at 20 locations across six states against the banned Popular Front of India, the Rajya Sabha member said, "If there is any allegation against this organisation, conducting raids is alright, but accusations in 97 per cent of such cases were found to be false". There is a border dispute between Palestine and Israel. Hamas is a militant organisation and we (Congress) will never support itYou can call it a terrorist activity," he told reporters in Ujjain while replying to a question. Singh said the conflict between Israel and Palestine needs to be sorted out and peace should be established. The Congress came under attack from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly supporting Hamas and the Palestine cause, without referring to the attack on Israel in the CWC resolution. The Congress on Tuesday insisted there were no differences in the party on the resolution. Replying to a question, Singh termed Central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax, and the Central Bureau of Investigation "political weapons", which he alleged are being used to topple governments. "False cases are being framed (against leaders in opposition camps). Three days after the Prime Minister accused (NCP leader) Ajit Pawar of scams, the latter joined the government (of BJP in Maharashtra in July) and became deputy CM," the Congress leader said. Singh alleged PM Modi had promised to bring black money to the country (during the campaigning for the 2014 elections). "If voted to power, Congress will decide about free darshan in the famous Mahakaleshwar temple," he added. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting searches across six states in cases against the banned organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI). Raids have been underway in Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh since 5am on Wednesday. In Uttar Pradesh, searches were conducted in Lucknow, Barabanki, Bahraich, Sitapur and Hardoi. According to reports, three houses in the same locality in Lucknow were raided by NIA teams and paramilitary forces. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Visuals from Lucknow as National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts raids across six states in Popular Front of India-related cases. pic.twitter.com/SC3HbSeFY1 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 In Mumbais Vikhroli area, the investigating agency raided the house of Abdul Wahid Shaikh, accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blast. The trial court, however, had acquitted him of all charges. The agency reached his residence at 5am, but according to India Today, Sheikh refused to let the team in and asked for legal notice. NIA along with local police started conducting raids at Old Delhis Ballimaran. In addition to this, NIA teams conducted searches in Tonk, Kota and Gangapur in Rajasthan late at night with many suspects taken into custody, stated a report by India TV. #WATCH | Visuals from Rajasthans Tonk district as National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts raids across six states in Popular Front of India-related cases. pic.twitter.com/0ufDHYZ29m ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 The Enforcement Directorate had raided residences of former PFI employees in four Kerala districts Thrissur, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Wayanad earlier in September. The NIA also raided the Malappuram home of many PFI agents in August. The raids were carried out at the properties of members of the outlawed PFI, including Thayyil Hamza in Vengara, Kalathiparambil Yahuti in Tirur, Haneefa in Tanur, and Rangattur Padikkaparambil Jaffer. The raids came up months after the NIA filed charges against 19 individuals, 12 of whom were members of the banned organizations National Executive Council (NEC). Due to its alleged security risks and ties with terrorism, the Union Home Ministry banned PFI and eight of its partners, last year in September for five years. The National Development Front (NDF) of Kerala and the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) had merged to form the PFI in 2006. Hidden inside north Kolkata, Kumartuli, or potters abode is now one of the busiest places in West Bengal. In the maze of lanes and by-lanes, one can find deft hands molding clays to give shape to various divine forms. Once you enter Kumartuli, rows of idols covered with plastic will amaze your eyes. Suchandrima Pal, a woman potter told News18, Business is better than Covid times but incessant rains have kept us in apprehension. Buyers are not regular. I hope before Durga ma (mother) arrives, weather blooms. Ma has already reached various pandals. With the onset of Devi Paksha, potters in West Bengal will be occupied in making and selling the divine idols. Craftsmen in Kumartuli have observed that there is an influx of vloggers, Youtubers and college students. This inflow of visitors have made the narrow roads crowded. A young college student, Raina Roy, along with her friends strolled the shops to see pandals of Goddess Durga. Speaking to News18 she said, It is our biggest festival so we dont wait for Shashti Tithi. Rather observing potters giving a final touch to our deity is a different feeling. Not only Roy and her friends, but people across West Bengal have started to visit pandals. Things have changed now, visiting Kumartuli is a thing, says a vlogger. People from India and world visit Kumartuli especially during Durga Puja. After receiving UNESCO heritage tag, tourist footfall have seen a sharp rise. News18 met Robert who came from New York to visit the pandals of Durga ma, he said, Its a mesmerising religion. Culture is an important part of India and this Kumartuli is awesome. I am really looking forward to this Durga Puja. Kumartuli is also a part of heritage, believe people of Bengal. Here craftsmen painstakingly work throughout the year to make idols. Bidyut Pal, a young potter told News18, We work till 2 pm and again from 4 am we continue to craft idols from clay, this is our livelihood and we enjoy too. The Supreme Court on Wednesday voiced its concern over a recent medical report indicating a high chance of survival for a 26-week-old foetus belonging to a married woman. This woman had previously been granted permission to undergo an abortion. The Court questioned which authority would have the jurisdiction to intervene and stop the fetal heartbeat. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed AIIMS to defer medical termination, mentioning that there are potential signs that the foetus was viable (shows signs of life). Earlier on October 9, the highest court had permitted this woman, who is a mother of two, to proceed with the termination of her pregnancy. This decision was based on the recognition that she was grappling with depression and was not in a suitable position, emotionally, financially, or mentally, to care for a third child. The Court was now reviewing an application to reconsider this ruling. At the outset, a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and B V Nagarathna asked, If the doctor could be so candid in two days short of the earlier report, why was not the (earlier) report more elaborate and more candid? Why were they being ambiguous in the earlier report? the bench asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, who was representing the Centre. The bench said it had passed the earlier order after taking into account the report submitted by a team of doctors from AIIMS, New Delhi, which had examined the woman. It observed after giving an ambiguous report to the court saying the woman does have problem which could go up, the new report now says there is a strong possibility of survival of the foetus. which court will say stop the heartbeat of a foetus which has life? We are wondering which court would do that. Speaking for myself, I would not, Justice Kohli said. Now to say there is strong possibility of survival and if the court say, we will stop the fetal heartbeat. For heavens sake, which court will say stop the fetal heartbeat, she said. The bench said it does not appreciate the way the Centre had mentioned the matter on Tuesday before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud. When one bench of this court decides a matter, without any pleadings whatsoever, how can you move an intra-court appeal before a three judge bench of this court, Justice Nagarathna said. If the Union of India starts doing this, tomorrow, a private party will also do this, she said, adding, Every bench of the Supreme Court is Supreme Court. We are one court sitting in separate benches. Speaking for myself, I would not appreciate this on the part of Union of India. Bhati explained to the bench about the circumstances leading to mentioning of matter on Tuesday before the CJI-led bench. During the hearing, the bench also interacted with the woman and her husband who were present virtually. The bench made her understand as to what the new report has said about the foetus. It asked the counsel appearing for the woman to file an affidavit on what she wanted to do in the wake of the medical report. We dont want any such scope of misunderstanding. We are talking of a precious life here. We would not want to take any risk, the bench said while posting the matter for hearing at 2 PM. On Tuesday, a bench headed by the CJI had directed AIIMS to defer medical termination of the woman, who was allowed to abort the foetus a day before by another bench. Bhati had told the bench that termination of pregnancy was recommended despite the medical board saying the foetus had a viable chance of being born and they would have to conduct a foeticide. Can you come with a formal application for recall (of the order). We will place before the bench which passed the order. The AIIMS doctors are in a very serious dilemma I will constitute a bench tomorrow morning. Please ask AIIMS to hold for now, a bench headed by the CJI-led bench had said. On Monday, the bench headed by Justice Kohli had allowed the petitioner to proceed with medical termination of pregnancy. The top court had on October 5 asked the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to constitute a medical board to assess the medical condition of the woman, who was then over 25-week pregnant. The woman has moved the apex court seeking its approval to terminate her pregnancy citing medical grounds, including that she is suffering from postpartum depression. Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, the upper limit for the termination of pregnancy is 24 weeks for married women, special categories including survivors of rape, and other vulnerable women such as the differently-abled and minors. Mahatma Gandhi was sympathetic to the Jews and the atrocities happening to them, but he never favoured their forced settlement in an area that was already home to the Arabs. Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru followed the same belief as Mahatma Gandhi. When the United Nations was going to vote on Palestine and Israels statehood in 1947, Israel was looking for Indias support during the voting process and even approached Albert Einstein to convince the Indian Prime Minister. Nehru said no to it and voted against the UNGA resolution on the partition of Palestine on November 29, 1947. ALSO READ | No Indian Casualties in Israel-Palestine War: Envoy Naor Gilon Says Netanyahu, PM Modi Are In Touch Nehru probably couldnt support the religious division of another country because India was already experiencing the anguish of geographical partition. Additionally, India had a sizable Muslim population left even after the partition, as the country decided to adopt a secular nature. Muslims opposed the partition of Palestine. Pakistan was another big concern. The country carved out of Indias geographical expanse began its independent journey with a war on India, trying to grab Jammu & Kashmir. India needed international support, including that of Arab nations, to counter Pakistans propaganda in Islamic countries. Nehrus government formally recognized Israel as an independent country in September 1950, almost two-and-a-half years after the UN resolution, but decided not to establish diplomatic ties as the countrys domestic concerns were tied to the international policy approach. Arab countries were emerging as a major source of remittances, and India expected a further increase in the years to come with the oil economy being the core of global geopolitics. Also, Middle-Eastern countries supporting Palestine were Indias main crude oil suppliers to meet its growing energy needs. The rise of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), of which Nehru was a founding member in the 1950s, further discouraged India from publicly supporting Israel. COVERT PHASE In 1962, China imposed a war on India. The country was unprepared for such a hostile act from a neighbour that was never a threat earlier. Indias single-most significant enemy then was Pakistan, and the troop deployment was directed accordingly. India-Chinas border was indefensible, being a mountainous and difficult territory, and the country of the day then needed time to fortify those areas, with the deployment of troops and military logistics, and was not prepared for a surprise attack by China. India was looking for weapons and Israel came forward but with a condition. Prime Minister Nehru requested weapons from Israel, but also appealed if they could be shipped without the Israeli flag. He was concerned about how Arab nations would react. Israel refused. The country only sent military cargo to India once both agreed on the Israeli flag. Israel also helped India with arms and ammunition supply during the 1965 war with Pakistan. During the 1971 India-Pakistan war, Israels Prime Minister Golda Meir diverted an arms shipment intended for Iran to India, according to Srinath Raghavans book 1971. The book quotes then Prime Minister Indira Gandhis advisor PN Haksar. Israel additionally supported Indias intelligence efforts. Golda Meir demanded complete diplomatic connections in return. The phase of the informal relationship that Nehru began continued during the governments of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, though publicly they supported the Palestinian cause. Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 7, 2023 COVERT TO OVERT CHANGED GEOPOLITICS Between 1948 and 1973, Arab states waged four major wars against Israel, and they lost all. After the 1967 war, Israel went on to capture the Gaza Strip, Sinai, The West Bank, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem, with mostly Arab population. The 1978 Camp David Accords put a formal end to the active war participation of Arab nations against Israel on the Palestinian issue. The accords were part of a peace deal signed between Egypt and Israel and were mediated by the US. Although the Palestinian cause was still a core issue for Arab nations, they decided on indirect support afterward, in favour of their growing economies, increased international interface, and larger geopolitical interests dominated by the US, Israels closest partner. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Yasser Arafat was accepted as Palestines representative, but its support for Saddam Hussein in Iraqs invasion of Kuwait in 1990 made Arab nations even more pragmatic in the geopolitical theater as most of them were antagonized by Arafats move. Back home, for India, with the dissolution of the USSR, the world had no camps now. NAM was now a diluted hypothesis. Pragmatically, Arab nations took an anti-India stand when it suited their interests. China is a big oil importer like India, and Arab countries decided to take a neutral stand during the 1962 war. During the 1965 and 1971 wars, they decided to support Pakistan despite Indias friendly nature and foreign policy for decades. It was time for India to get pragmatic as well. Ties with Arab countries mostly transitioned to be transactional, of business interests. They needed headcounts from India, or manpower, for their industries. India needed oil. And together, they needed each others markets. Trade was the connecting link. ALSO READ | Modi Sensed Israel to be Crucial Partner & Sent His Trusted One: Meet Expert Envoy Singla in Tel Aviv THE 1992 NORMALISATION Changed circumstances pushed Indias Congress government, led by PV Narasimha Rao, to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. But while doing so, India didnt abandon its earlier approach to the Palestinian ties. It took the PLO and Yasser Arafat on board. After a meeting with Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in Delhi, Arafat declared that he respected Indias sovereign prerogative to establish embassies and maintain diplomatic connections. Arafat backed India because PLO itself was looking for a peace alternative with Israel and was engaged in negotiations. With the Oslo Accord, which was brokered by the US and signed in Washington in 1993, the State of Israel and Arafats PLO officially acknowledged one another for the first time. Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin shared the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for their work on the deal and on behalf of world peace. 1990S ONWARDS: CHANGED GEOPOLITICS FOR INDIA Post the Cold War and after economic liberalization in 1991, India had much gap to fill in its foreign policy. The nod to normalize ties with Israel came just a few days after China did so, in January 1992. Like India, China, too, had followed the policy of the Palestinian cause before this move, but moved ahead as per the changing times. The world was now an open strategic theater for two of its most populous countries to harness, and Israeli recognition was a part of it, being the closest US ally. Pressure from the USA was another reason. The version in bureaucratic circles is that when India decided to pursue economic liberalization in 1991 and required a worldwide interface for its economy as well as new markets to meet its defence needs following the collapse of the USSR, its primary defence supplier, it discovered that the USA was the best option. However, in exchange, America demanded that India make room for Israel in its foreign relations. Israel also fit the bill with the past willingness to come forward to help India militarily, with arms and ammunition supply. India was one of the most terror-affected countries, with Pakistan behind it, and needed a reliable international defence partner. Additionally, India also wanted loans from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to come out of the 1990-1991 economic crisis. Giving Israel a full diplomatic partnership was a tool to neutralize possible anti-India voices in Washington that dominate these institutions. ALSO READ | Use of Terror Attack, No Mention of Palestine: Decoding PM Modis 2 Statements on Israel-Hamas War FROM A NON-STATE NATION TO A CLOSE FRIEND Israel felt isolated in Asia as it could not get recognition from China and India for over four decades. While China pursued a different anti-US growth strategy, India decided to come closer to the worlds oldest democracy in a post-Cold War world and Israel was a part of this development. The 1999 Kargil war again proved it, like during the 1971 war with Pakistan. India needed precision bombs to target Pakistan soldiers hidden in and around Kargil mountains, and Israel came forward and helped India with supply from its emergency stock. Along with intelligence, Israel also offered India surveillance drones, laser-guided missiles, and mortar ammunition. Both countries started a series of high-level ministerial visits afterward. In 2003, Ariel Sharon became the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit India. During his visit, the Delhi Statement of Friendship and Cooperation was signed. Israel, for the first time, on record, accepted that India and Israel had close ties in defence, and Israel was the second-largest supplier of weapons to India". MODI COMPLETED THE NECESSARY DE-HYPHENATION Changing geopolitics meant India needed to de-hyphenate the Israel-Palestine issue from its foreign policy. Many Arab countries had started communicating with Israel. Egypt established diplomatic relations with the country in 1979, and Jordan in 1994. Post-1993 Oslo Accords, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar came forward to establish connections with Israel. Saudi Arabia led the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, pushing for conditional normalization of ties with Israel, with Palestinian statehood and Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories captured in 1967 being the primary demands. The red line was blurred, and its results could be seen in UAE and Bahrain signing normalization agreements with Israel in 2020. The Congress-led UPA government under Manmohan Singh failed to understand this change. It might be due to internal political pressure as the UPA government from 2004 to 2014 was a coalition government with some coalition partners not ready to promote ties with Israel. Ideally, India should have sent its prime minister to Israel on a reciprocal visit after Ariel Sharons visit in 2003, but it found no place in the foreign policy approach of the then government. ALSO READ | In Solidarity At This Difficult Hour: PM Modi Expresses Deep Shock Over Hamas Attack on Israel The NDA government under Narendra Modi brought ties back to the deepening level again, with much-needed de-hyphenation done. Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel in 2017, and he made it a solo visit, breaking the convention so far of earlier official visits of visiting Israel and Palestinian territory together. It didnt mean he changed Indias Palestine policy. Growing outreach and trade relations with Arab nations have been major pillars of Modis foreign policy approach. He had successful official trips to Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, and Qatar before his Israel visits. Also, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was on a four-day trip to India in May 2017, before Modis visit to Israel in July 2017. Modi visited the Palestinian territory separately in February 2018, and it was also a historical one, the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Palestine. External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo and held extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship between the two neighbours. The minister, who is here to attend the 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), met with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. During their meeting, they engaged in extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship between India and Sri Lanka, the Presidents office said. Additionally, three new bilateral agreements were signed to foster greater cooperation between the two countries, it added. Jaishankar arrived late on Monday (October 9) to attend the IORA Council of Ministers meeting the highest decision-making body of IORA, the largest and pre-eminent organisation in the Indian Ocean Region with 23 members and 10 dialogue partners. At the meeting, India assumed the Vice Chair role of IORA for 2023-25 leading to chairing in 2025-27. This was his second visit to Sri Lanka in 2023. Jaishankar last visited Colombo in January during which he held talks with Lankas top leadership and discussed the entire gamut of close bilateral partnership and steps to strengthen it in all spheres. In the first outreach from India to the Arab world following the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas militants, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday discussed the crisis in West Asia with his counterpart from the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two foreign ministers deliberated on the evolving situation during a phone conversation. Jaishankar is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka. Spoke to Foreign Minister @ABZayed of UAE this evening. Discussed the ongoing crisis in West Asia. Agreed to stay in touch, the external affairs minister posted on X. The multi-pronged attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza since Saturday and the subsequent Israeli retaliation have left around 2,150 people dead. The Israeli authorities said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel while the Palestinian side put the death toll in Gaza at 950. In a statement on October 7, the foreign ministry of UAE called for exercising utmost restraint and an immediate ceasefire. The sudden escalation in hostilities between Israel and Palestine has triggered global concerns. Leading powers like Germany, the US, France and the UK emphasised the importance of preventing the situation from further escalation. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that people of India stand firmly with his country in this difficult hour, expressing strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Netanyahu called up Modi to update him on the ongoing situation. The prime minister expressed deep condolences and sympathy for those killed and wounded as a result of the terrorist attacks in Israel and conveyed that people of India stand in solidarity with Israel in this difficult hour, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. He reiterated that India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, it said. Indias response to the escalating conflict so far has been limited to the MEAs readout on the phone conversation between the two prime ministers as well as Modis tweets. The MEA has not yet commented on the conflict. In the past, it said New Delhi is committed to supporting all efforts to resume direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a two-state solution. Our position on the Palestine question has been clear and consistent. We are committed to supporting all efforts to resume direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a two-state solution, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said in April following violence at al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. In a related development, the MEA on Wednesday said it has set up a round-the-clock control room in Delhi and separate emergency helplines in Tel Aviv and Ramallah to monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine and to provide information and assistance to the Indian citizens. Around 18,000 Indian nationals are living in Israel and there have been no reports of any casualties among them. In view of the ongoing developments in Israel and Palestine, a 24-hour control room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance, the MEA said. Following the escalation in the situation, the Indian embassy in Israel issued an advisory asking Indian citizens to exercise caution. In view of the current situation in Israel, all Indian nationals in Israel are requested to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities, it said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Azerbaijan, unfortunately, is one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world, Trend reports. More than 98,000 hectares have been cleared today. Since the end of the second Karabakh war, 307 persons have been harmed by mines in Azerbaijani territory that has been freed from occupation. Additionally, 251 (101 civilians) of them were hurt, and 56 (43 civilians) of them were killed. Following the local anti-terrorist actions, a sad new fact came to light. The surviving members of the Armenian military have placed at least 500,000 additional mines on Azerbaijani soil. Mines pose a severe threat to the security of Azerbaijanis by delaying the process of resettling them in their ancestral territories. Along with Azerbaijan, some nations experience this issue. Vietnam, Angola, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic are also among the nations with the highest mine contamination rates. The scale of the mine threat and its consequences make it necessary to solve this problem at the global level. A group of foreign NGOs and civil society activists have launched a petition entitled "Global Initiative for a World without Mines", and this is a very important step to solve the problem. The petition was posted on the Jotform international platform as part of the international campaign "World for Peace in the Caucasus". The petition stated that mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose a serious threat to the health, life, and safety of the civilian population. Mines continue to kill and maim people even after the end of conflicts. According to the campaign's creators, even after the second Karabakh war in 2020, Armenia has continued to mine Azerbaijani territory. Only after Azerbaijan constructed a border checkpoint on the Lachin route was the situation brought under control. The petition's authors are outraged that Azerbaijan learned that the remnants of the Armenian military forces have planted at least 500,000 new mines along the 480-kilometer line as a result of local anti-terrorist operations conducted on September 1920 of this year. They demand that Armenia give Azerbaijan maps of recently planted mines right away. Therefore, the world community should appeal to Armenia. Regrettably, Azerbaijani society is also observing double standards and the approval of several resolutions and remarks that are critical of Azerbaijan. The campaign's creators believe that the world has forgotten what justice really is. Additionally, the appeal has already had a significant impact: more than 100 civil society activists from roughly 10 different nations said that they had joined the international campaign to organize efforts against mines and supported a worldwide solution to this issue. The Maharashtra cabinet has approved the Lek Ladki Yojana for girl child, which will be implemented with retrospective effective from April 1, 2023. The scheme, announced during the budget session in March, assures financial support to girl child from the birth. This decision will ensure that the girl child is financially supported from the time she is born From next week, we will be celebrating Navratri and paying obeisance to the divine power of Goddess Durga. The Mahayuti government has pledged to honour and pay reverence to womanhood, said Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande. The state government aims to help poor families who hold orange and yellow ration cards. The orange ration cards are allotted to families with annual income of Rs 15,000 to Rs 1 lakh, while the yellow ration cards are for those earning Rs 15,000 a year (Urban Area). Initially, the family at the birth of a girl child will be given Rs 5,000 under the scheme. In the second phase, Rs 6,000 will be provided to the family when the girl goes to Class 1, Rs 7,000 when she goes to Class 6, Rs 8,000 when she takes admission in Class 9 and Rs 75,000 when she attains 18 years of age. This means, the girl and her family will receive a total of Rs 1,01,000 at the time she turns 18. According to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra, 2023, 2.56 crore families hold the ration card, out of which, 1.71 crore are orange card holders and 62.60 lakh are yellow ration card holders, who will benefit from the scheme. Often girls from families with yellow or orange ration cards are asked to compromise on their education due to money constraints. This decision will ensure that the girl child is educated and is truly empowered, Kayande said. Minister of child and welfare department Aditi Tatkare told media that the state government has floated the scheme to empower girl child. This took a bit longer to implement as we were getting continuous suggestions for this scheme, but now we have got the final nod of the cabinet. This will also reduce the incidents of female foeticides and school dropouts, which will help in curbing child marriages, Tatkare said. Bengaluru police has arrested a man for allegedly posting morphed private pictures of his live-in partner on various social media platforms. As per the police, the man derived pleasure from reading comments posted below the uploaded pictures of her girlfriend. The accused has been identified as 26-year-old Sanjay Kumar. He has been in a live-in relationship with his 24-year-old girlfriend for some time now. The couple, who hailed from Tamil Nadus Vellore, had known each other since class 10 and were planning to get married. The case came to light after the woman along with Sanjay Kumar filed a complaint with police alleging someone had uploaded her private pictures on some social media platforms such as Telegram and Instagram. Based on the complaint, a case was registered under section 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the India Penal Code and other relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, a senior police officer said. As part of the probe, the investigators approached the social media platforms concerned to take down those photos and also sought details of the alleged account holder through whose handle they were uploaded online. During investigation, it turned out that it was in fact her boyfriend who had posted them, he added. The accused was then arrested and he confessed to the crime during interrogation. He had also posted morphed pictures of his friends and relatives on social media platforms, police said. (With PTI Inputs) An NIA team conducting a raid in a PFI-related case had to wait outside the residence of a man, who was earlier accused in the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts case, in suburban Vikhroli on Wednesday as he did not open the door for more than six hours, an official said. The National Investigation Agencys action was part of its raids conducted at several locations in six states against the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with a case related to creating a disruption during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Bihar last year, officials said. An NIA team along with that of the Mumbai police reached the residence of Abdul Wahid Shaikh, who was earlier accused in the 7/11 train blasts case, located inside a chawl at Parksite in Vikhroli around 5 am. But Shaikh did not open the door for more than six hours and kept the officials waiting outside, the official said. From inside the house, Shaikh demanded a search warrant from the NIA, he said, adding that he opened the door around 11.15 am after his lawyer and some local social activists reached the spot, he said. The NIA team then entered his residence and started their inquiry in connection with the PFI-related case, the official said. A large number of police personnel were deployed outside Shaikhs residence, he said. Shaikh earlier posted a video message on WhatsApp, saying the police and some people had gathered outside his residence since 5 am. They want to enter my house, also broke one door and damaged the CCTV camera of my house. They are not showing any documents to me pertaining to the case or any FIR, he claimed. I have locked myself and my family members inside the residence for the last three hours, my wife and daughter are unwell. I have made a complaint with the police and the Mumbai Police Commissioner in this regard, he added. Shaikh was named as an accused in the 7/11 train blasts case, but was later acquitted by a court. On July 11, 2006, seven blasts were reported from different locations on the Western line of the citys local trains within a span of 15 minutes, killing more than 180 people and injuring several others. A social media influencer was arrested by the Bandra police on Monday night for allegedly stealing valuables worth Rs 24 lakh from a BMW car parked outside Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. The valuables included gold jewellery as well as diamonds priced around Rs 23 lakh. The accused identified as 31-year old Abhimanyu Gupta made reels on Instagram where he had four lakh followers and would show his flashy lifestyle. He was formerly a TikTok star where he had around nine million followers, before the platform got banned by the Indian government. As per a Hindustan Times report, Pratik Maheshwari, an import-export businessman from Seven Bungalows Andheri had come to the Bandra hospital on Saturday evening to check his father who was admitted there. When he parked the car outside the hospital, he had left a bag containing diamonds and other jewellery, 1 lakh in cash, documents and digital keys of the car on the rear seat, which was missing when he came back. The rear window of the car was also found broken. An official from the Bandra police said on finding the bag missing and the window of his car broken, Maheshwari came to the police station to report the theft. The police booked the then unknown accused under sections 379 (theft) and 427 (mischief causing damage of property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The CCTV footage outside the hospital was scanned by the police to look for the accused. Following this, a red and white Yamaha superbike used by the accused was spotted and the police started tracking its location. The bike was eventually found parked in Kurla. Hindustan Times quoted the investigating officer as saying, We waited for someone to take the vehicle and caught Gupta when he arrived. He later told us that he had stolen the bike from Panvel and affixed a fake number plate to it. The officer further said that apart from the bike, the goods that were stolen from Maheshwaris car on Saturday was also recovered by the police. Gupta was produced in court on Tuesday morning and is currently under police custody. The social media star, Gupta who had allegedly committed thefts and house break-ins to fund his lavish lifestyle was also arrested earlier in 2022 for stealing 14 mobile phones, sharp weapons, fake jewellery as well as foreign currency. As per police officials, he had also broke into a locked house in suburban Kurla last year and had fled with gold and silver ornaments. The theft came to light when the family residing in the house returned and found that their ornaments were missing and lodged a police complaint. The investigating officer of the latest robbery committed by Gupta said, He is a habitual thief who routinely steals to maintain a lifestyle which he can flash on social media. He added that Gupta has an eye for expensive things. (with PTI inputs) The NIA on Wednesday carried out searches at 20 locations across six states against the banned Popular Front of India in connection with a case related to creating disturbance during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Bihar last year, officials said. An official spokesperson said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out extensive search operations at 20 different locations, including Fazalpur, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla and Chandni Chowk in the national capital. Raids were conducted in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Thane and Mumbai in Maharashtra, Tonk and Gangapur in Rajasthan, and Lucknow, Siddharthnagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Kanpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, he said. Additionally, searches were also conducted in Madurai, the spokesperson added. These operations are part of ongoing investigations in cases linked with the PFI and its involvement in unlawful and anti-national activities, he said. During the searches, a substantial cache of crucial evidence in the ongoing case was found which included various digital devices such as laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen drives, and hard discs, the official said. Incriminating documents have also been recovered during the operations, the spokesperson added. The NIA has seized Rs 8.5 lakh cash. The agency had taken over the probe from the Patna Police, which had registered an FIR on July 12 last year. Ten days later, the central anti-terror agency re-registered the case and started its investigation. The Patna Police had raided the premise of one Athar Parvez in the Phulwarisharif area on July 11 last year resulting in the seizure of PFI literature and a document titled India 2047 Towards Rule of Islam in India, Internal Document: Not for circulation. Several individuals, including Athar Parvej, Md Jalaluddin Khan, Nooruddin Zangi alias Advocate Nooruddin, and Arman Malick alias Imteyaz Anwer, were arrested in the case. The NIA has filed three charge sheets so far against 13 suspects in this case and arrested 17 people. They are alleged to have been actively involved in furthering the unlawful activities of PFI, including the illicit funnelling of funds from overseas to the PFI members and suspects in this case, the agency said. The allegation of this case centres on a gathering of individuals with suspicious intent in the Phulwarisharif area of Patna to disrupt the rally that was to be attended by the prime minister. Previously, the NIA had conducted multiple searches in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala in order to collect evidence against the accused persons and suspects in the present case. During the ongoing investigations, the NIA apprehended Anwar Rashid, a former member of the banned organisation Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Anwar Rashids arrest is linked to his involvement in a criminal conspiracy, alongside FIR-named suspects Athar Parvej, Manjar Parvej, and others, all working towards advancing the agenda of the PFI. Their aim has been the pursuit and establishment of Islamic Rule in India by the year 2047, the agency said. Following the ban on SIMI, its members, including Anwar Rashid, were associated with the Wahadat-e-Islami, an organisation formed by former SIMI members, who continued to promote the ideology of Islamic rule in India. The investigations revealed that accused Anwar Rashid, in his association with a publication house, was involved in the supply of material for promoting the ideology of the PFI, specifically the establishment of Islamic Rule in India, the spokesperson added. India is not about unity in diversity, but diversity in unity, and that is why the G20 theme of Bharat was Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat while addressing a programme in Delhi on October 11. Explaining Indias secular character, Bhagwat referred to one of his meetings with late President Pranab Mukherjee. He narrated how Mukherjee reacted to the ruckus over Ghar Wapsi in Parliament and said that India did not need a lecture from the world on pluralism and secularism. I used to meet Pranab da often, and every time I got an opportunity to talk to him, I learnt from him. Once I sought an appointment with him. He was unwell. I requested 10 minutes. It was the time when there was a ruckus happening in Parliament over Ghar Wapsi. I went to meet him prepared as fingers were pointed at us, the RSS, for Ghar Wapsi, said Bhagwat. But to my surprise, he said that we did not need to hear lectures from the world about pluralism. We were always secular, not because our constitution was secular and also not because the architects of the constitution were secular. We are secular because we were traditionally and culturally secular, even 5,000 years ago. Secularism is inside us. The meeting lasted for over an hour. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief was speaking at the launch event of Ranga Haris book Prithvi Sookta: An Ode to Mother Earth in New Delhi on Wednesday. Bhagwat added that Indians should have a feeling of devotion, love, dedication, and sacrifice towards the motherland. Nationalism is an ideal for us. But to the international community, nationalism is something else. They feel scared of this word. They associate Hitler with the word nationalism. But Bharat and Bharats ideal, the people, are so different, he said. He said, The founding principle of our motherland is that the world is one big family. This is not a theory but a fact with experience. Our forefathers have experienced this. This is the reason that an international forum and platform like G20, which is generally a financial forum, turned into a platform of humanity with a humane touch, said Bhagwat. Bharat has always been like this. The reason for unity in the USA is always about their financial stability. That is why their policies always revolve around financial issues. For the Arab world, it has been about religion. But for us, it is our humanity or human approach, he said. The programme was also attended by Arif Mohammad Khan, governor of Kerala. Khan also stressed on this and said that the biggest ideal of India is unity. After the knowledge of Oneness, the difference between God and soul disappears, he added. The book launch event was organised by Prajna Pravah, the publication and research wing of the RSS. India on Wednesday launched Operation Ajay to repatriate its citizens from Israel which is at war with the Palestine-based terrorist organisation Hamas. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar made the announcement regarding the operation on X, formerly Twitter, and said the Government of India is fully committed to the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad. Under Operation Ajay, special charter flights will fly out of Israel to bring Indians back home. Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return.Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2023 Nearly 3,700 people have been killed in the war since Saturday when hundreds of Hamas militants stormed across the border from Gaza and killed hundreds. A 24-hour Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance. Indian Embassy in Israel Asks Citizens to Remain Calm, Follow Security Advisories | Check Helpline Numbers Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Israel emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight on Thursday. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights, it said. The Embassy has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight tomorrow. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights.@MEAIndia https://t.co/Qz4ieVd5l4 India in Israel (@indemtel) October 11, 2023 Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and provided an update on the ongoing situation in Israel which is under attack from the Hamas terrorist group. During their conversation, PM Netanyahu reassured PM Modi about the safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel. I thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, PM Modi posted on social media site X (formerly Twitter). This was the second time Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terrorist attack on Israel. PM Modi on Saturday said: Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour, PM Modi said on October 7, on the same day Hamas launched a multi-pronged offensive against Israel, targeting civilians. List of Countries Evacuating Citizens as Israel-Hamas War Rages Thousands of foreigners find themselves stuck in Israel and across the Palestinian territories, where a full-blown war has erupted since Hamas militants launched their onslaught on Saturday. With the violence having already claimed thousands of lives on both sides, several countries have launched operations to repatriate their citizens, while others plan to do so in the coming days. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that she was prevented from leaving her home in view of President Droupadi Murmus visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The president on Wednesday arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to the Union Territory during which she will attend the convocation ceremony of Kashmir University. Mufti, a former chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, alleged that she was not allowed to step out of her residence in the Khimber area on the outskirts of the city because of Murmus visit. Shocked to know that I cant even step out of the house to my party office only because the Honble President is visiting Srinagar today. The right of movement is snapped at a whim anytime, Mehbooba said in a post on X. Shocked to know that I cant even step out of the house to my party office only because the Honble President is visiting Srinagar today. The right of movement is snapped at a whim anytime. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 11, 2023 Security has been beefed up in Srinagar and adjoining areas for Murmus visit. Security forces, including police and Central Reserve Police Force, have been deployed in and around Kashmir University. Latest gadgetry such as drones and CCTV cameras are being used to maintain vigil in the city. An immigration tribunal in Canada has ruled that a Sikh man who housed and fed Khalistani militants in India over a decade should be allowed into the country because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, a media report said on Wednesday. According to the National Post newspaper, Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal member Heidi Worsfold in a recent ruling said the government did not have reasonable grounds to declare Indian citizen Kamaljit Ram inadmissible to enter Canada based on the belief he had provided a safe house and logistical support to Khalistani militants. The immigration tribunal ruled that the Sikh man who housed and fed armed Khalistani militants in India over a decade should be allowed into Canada because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, the paper said. The original decision to bar Ram from Canada by the federal government came after he told Canada Border Services Agency officers during an interview that he sheltered and fed armed Sikh militants at his farm in India on-and-off between 1982 and 1992. Worsfold found the government went well too far in its assessment of Rams support for the armed militants at the time, namely omitting to note that he repeatedly said he accepted to host the armed individuals because he feared the consequences of being on the wrong end of the group. The ruling comes amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia, a claim rejected by India as absurd and motivated. Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India last month asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil. An alarm could have gone out for the glacial lake burst in the Himalayas if an early warning system were installed in the Lhonak Lake last year, but work on the project was delayed and only began in September too late for the Sikkim flash floods that killed dozens. According to a report published by news agency Reuters, scientists were working on an early warning system at the glacial lake, which if fully operational could have given people more time to evacuate when the lake overflowed and triggered flash floods in the Teesta river. Officials said the advanced warning system (AWS) was installed almost a month ago and failed to send out an alert before the lake burst. Two AWS were installed at Lhonak Lake and Shako Cho Lake between September 9 and September 19 this year. Unfortunately, the system didnt send any early warning. Most probably it wasnt working when the incident took place, VB Pathak, chief secretary of Sikkim, told Hindustan Times. An expedition to the site last year could not be planned and, so, the project began just weeks before the floods killed at least 37 people with 78 missing. The report in Hindustan Times said two expedition teams, including Swiss scientists, and comprising 14 persons each were sent to the lakes in September to install the AWS. It was a joint operation conceived by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with Sikkim state disaster management authority and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. It was a pilot-project, which was supposed to generate data on the lakes based on which an early warning system (EWS) was to be developed. The data was to be monitored by the Swiss agency. Even though the one installed in Shako Cho was sending data, the one in Lhonak didnt generate any data, another senior official told HT. Krishna S Vatsa, NDMA member, said there was a delay as it was a complex expedition for several reasons including the fact that the lake, high in the mountains on Indias border with China, is accessible only from July to September. It was a large inter-agency expedition, which could not be organised last year and had to be done this year because you have to carry a lot of equipment and there is a limited window to go to the site, Vatsa told Reuters. Its a sensitive border area so we had to get all clearances, he said. We also had limited time to get there, and we had to get all agencies to agree on one particular date for this expedition. Sikkim govt seeks ISRO help The Sikkim government has sought the help of ISRO now that the Swiss system has failed to generate any kind of alert. I have written to the chairman of ISRO and director of North Eastern Space Application Centre in Shillong to keep a watch on Lhonak, Shako Cho and other glacial lakes in Sikkim. I have requested them to analyse satellite images and data and let us know if any immediate steps need to be taken. We are receiving regular updates from them, Mathur was quoted as saying. A robust response and evacuation model developed by the Sikkim government for such extreme events, however, helped in the evacuation process. Senior officials said residents of Chungthang and other north Sikkim towns and villages, which are vulnerable to flooding events, underwent mock drills at least once a year under special response and evacuation models. In recent years, glacial flood early warning systems have been deployed in China, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan as climate change has raised the risks of flooding. Many communities face dangerous glacial floods as lakes holding water from melted glaciers can overfill and burst their surrounding walls, sending torrents rushing down mountain valleys. More than 200 such lakes now pose a very high hazard to Himalayan communities in India, Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bhutan, as per a 2022 research. Toll reaches 37 with 78 missing The toll in the flash flood has increased to 37, while 78 people are still missing six days on, as per state disaster management authorities. Pakyong district accounted for the maximum number of deaths at 24, including 10 army personnel, followed by seven in Gangtok, four in Mangan and two in Namchi districts. Another 78 people are still missing. A total of 6,001 people have been either rescued or evacuated from flood-affected areas while the number of injured stood at 30. The number of people affected by the flash floods stood at 87,300. A total of 3,773 people were rendered homeless and provided shelter in 24 relief camps. (With agency inputs) BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The Warsaw Conference on the Human Dimension is holding in Poland, Trend reports. Representative of the Western Azerbaijan Community Parvana Veliyeva and deputy chairman of the organization "Return to Karabakh" Gulmammad Mammadov spoke at the VII plenary session on "Tolerance and anti-discrimination" on October 11. In their speech, they called on Armenia to recognize the right of Western Azerbaijanis to return to their homes in dignity and peace. "We welcome the dialog between the central government of Azerbaijan and the Armenian population of Karabakh. Through all processes, we call on Armenia to recognize the right of Western Azerbaijanis to return to their homes," said Gulmammad Mammadov. Representative of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Parvana Veliyeva, noted that the community appreciates the potential of the existing OSCE mechanism in the sphere of national minorities. "Unfortunately, we still see Armenia's extremely inappropriate attitude towards the issue of ethnic diversity and minority rights. This directly violates international human rights documents. We want Armenia to recognize our right to a peaceful and dignified return," she said. An Army personnel died of a bullet injury from his own service rifle near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district, a police official said on Wednesday. Sepoy Amritpal Singh was deployed to a forward post in the Mankote Sector. His colleagues found him in a pool of blood after hearing a gunshot around 5 am, the official said. Preliminary investigations revealed that Singh died of a bullet from his own service rifle, he said. The official added it is a matter of investigation if the soldier died due to an accidental discharge from his weapon or committed suicide. The police have started inquest proceedings to ascertain the facts, he said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated the purported criminal charges against Latha Rajinikanth in connection with the Tamil film Kochadaiiyaan. This decision was made by a panel consisting of Justice AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, who issued the ruling during the proceedings concerning the petitions contesting the judgment of the Karnataka High Court. Accordingly, the SLP(Crl) No. 9818/2022 and SLP(Crl.) No. 8327/2022 is disposed of by restoring the final report filed. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner(s) in SLP(Crl.) No.8327/2022 to file an appropriate application, if so advised, seeking discharge, the court said. We make it clear that if such application is filed on behalf of the petitioner(s), the findings rendered under the impugned order will not stand in the way, and the Trial Court is directed, the court said, reported Newsagency ANI. Taking into consideration the further submissions made, the physical presence of the petitioner-accused shall stand dispensed with until and unless the same is required by the court, the court said. According to the newsagency, the court added: Taking into consideration the further submissions made, the physical presence of the petitioner-accused shall stand dispensed with until and unless the same is required by the Trial Court. We further make it clear that we have not expressed any opinions on the merits of the case and it is well open to the parties to resolve the issue, also through mediation, the court said. Both parties contest the High Court of Karnatakas order dated August 2, 2022. After listening to both arguments, the court concluded that, based on this Courts prior ruling on July 10, 2018, in Criminal Appeal, the petitioners only options are to file for discharge or proceed with the trial. Ad Bureau Advertising Pvt Ltd, based in Chennai, has contested the Karnataka High Courts decision, which dismissed the cheating case against Latha. On August 2, 2022, the Karnataka High Court provided some relief to Latha by dismissing the cheating charges against her, though the forgery charges remain. CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed images of hoardings put by Gurdwara Nanak Dev in Surrey, Canada, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, and Indias high commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma as wanted. According to sources, the local police are watching this development and not intervening. These hoardings have been put by the Gurdwara Management Committee and secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), they added. This is the gurdwara where alleged Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed, which later triggered the ongoing diplomatic tussle between Canada and India. Recently Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his foreign minister expressed the desire to sit down and talk with New Delhi. But top Indian government sources said the Surrey incident shows Canada is only doing lip service. Nothing has changed on the ground. Anti-India sentiments are being fuelled by Khalistani terrorists and no one is stopping them, they added. There are just no words to describe the horrors unleashed by Hamas in many residential localities in Israel. But over the past 24 hours, chilling reports of how the Hamas brutalised children, babies included, have shattered faith in humanity. Bodies mutilated, in some cases without recognition, bear testament to the systematic dehumanisation of ordinary Israelis. It is this dehumanisation that underscores the anti-Semitism of the Hamas and its Palestinian voters, who clearly are collaborating in a 21st century iteration of a pledged Holocaust. Here is a particularly chilling report. ALSO READ | The Hard Facts | Israels 9/11 Divides India: Modi Sarkar with Israel, Ecosystem with Hamas. But Can Civilian Killings be Overlooked? The dance of death has been widesperead and systematically carried out to strike terror in Israeli hearts. Out of respect for the dead, it is undesirable to reduce fatalities to statistics, but in this case, to skip such details would be to do an injustice to the those who are fighting for justice. ISIS-STYLE CRUELTY EXPOSED 1,000: Terrorists entered Israel Terrorists entered Israel 1,200: Israelis killed Israelis killed 260: Killed at music festival Killed at music festival 50: Foreign nationals killed Foreign nationals killed 40: Children killed in assault Children killed in assault 100-150: Israelis abducted Israelis abducted 30+: Israeli women abducted Israeli women abducted 100+: Foreign nationals abducted NO DIFFERENT FROM ISIS: WHAT EXPERTS SAY Shared ideological foundations: Revere figures like Abdullah Azzam and Sayyid Qutb Revere figures like Abdullah Azzam and Sayyid Qutb Dehumanizing rhetoric: Against non-Muslims and bad Muslims Against non-Muslims and bad Muslims Dehumanizing enemies: View adversaries as less than human View adversaries as less than human Anti-Western stance: Intertwined with explicit anti-Semitism Intertwined with explicit anti-Semitism Treatment of non-Muslim women: Regard them as sex slavesSource: Dr Harel Chorev, Tel Aviv University Even President Joe Biden of America couldnt hold himself back. The rest of the West, too, has endorsed Biden and Prime Minister Modi too has taken an unapologetic view of the terror unleashed by the Hamas condemning it unequivocally. But no sooner had the prime minister made the statement the I.N.D.I Alliance criticised him for not taking a balanced view. Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 7, 2023 The I.N.D.I Alliances decision to urge the prime minister to take a middle of the road stand on the attack on Israel to balance the perceptions of Arab nations is to miss the wood for the trees. To suggest that the Modi government must take up the root cause" of the Palestine dispute and condemn Israel equally is to hand Indias enemies a handle to beat it with on Kashmir. After all, doesnt Pakistan always rake up the so-called unaddressed root cause" of Kashmir to justify terror on Indian soil. Worse, to advocate balance is to justify Hamass dehumanizing style of retributive violence. In any case, India could think about reciprocating had the Arab world been keener on putting Indias national interests first. Israel, in this regard, has proven to be a more steadfast ally. Here are the hard facts. WHAT I.N.D.I.A BLOC IGNORES: ISRAEL STEADFAST, MUSLIM WORLD FICKLE In a significant development for Indias technology and manufacturing sectors, Union Minister of Communications and Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated a state-of-the-art Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Line at VVDN Technologies in Manesar on Tuesday. The event marked a major step towards Indias goal of becoming a global leader in producing high-tech telecom equipment. Telit Cinterions CEO Paolo Dal Pino was present along with VVDN executives during the inauguration. The decision of the company, headquartered in California, to join hands with Indian player VVDN is a testament to the countrys growing technology industry. It opens new avenues for Telit to expand its business reach and models into data and intelligent edge solutions while embracing the Design and Make in India approach. VVDN, a global provider specialising in manufacturing 4G and 5G connectivity modules and data cards for Telit Cinterion, boasts a unique competitive advantage through integrated design and manufacturing for high-tech products. Their vertical integration strategy encompasses PCB assembly, mechanical engineering, tooling, molding, die casting, complete product testing and certification, enabling the mass production of cutting-edge electronic products. Telecom Growth Vaishnaw expressed pride in Indias accomplishments in the telecom sector, particularly highlighting the successful rollout of 5G technology. He emphasised that Indias engineering talent and manufacturing capabilities have earned recognition globally. Numerous companies are eager to manufacture in India due to the countrys robust design capabilities and supportive government policies. India is increasingly perceived as a trusted value chain partner, with its combination of design and manufacturing skills, he told News18. The newly inaugurated SMT Line will maintain six Sigma quality standards and feature a Class 8 clean room, setting it apart as a facility dedicated to excellence. Vaishnaw asserted: We will ensure that India emerges as a major telecom design, innovation, and manufacturing base. Role of PLI in Telecom Sectors Growth Indias Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for promoting telecom and networking product manufacturing has been instrumental in fostering growth. Vaishnaw said the scheme has already attracted investments of Rs 2,419 crore, exports have reached Rs 7,600 crore, and the employment supported by these units currently stands at 17,753. This growth trend is expected to continue, with projections of close to Rs 4,000 crore in global investment, 44,000 employment opportunities, and Rs 2,37,000 crore in total sales within the next few years. Vaishnaw noted with pride that India has begun exporting telecom equipment to several countries, including the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Spain, Austria, UAE, Japan, and others. Telits Collaboration with VVDN Technologies Puneet Agarwal, CEO at VVDN Technologies, elaborated on their collaboration with Telit, explaining that they will export printed circuit boards (PCBs) to Telit, which will incorporate these modules into various products for customers worldwide. These modules will be utilized in creating final products, including IoT devices, WiFi and 5G products, and industrial equipment. Agarwal highlighted the complexity of manufacturing these modules in India and the importance of enabling IoT capabilities. The collaboration between VVDN and Telit is expected to open opportunities for thousands of customers to utilise these modules and produce final products. It not only strengthens the VVDN-Telit partnership but also positions India as a preferred destination for further development and manufacturing, he said. VVDN Technologies, known for its inclusive policies, employs more than 10,000 individuals, with over 70 per cent of them being women. Agarwal stated that the company believes in the talent of women employees and their commitment to empowering women in Indias workforce. Hence, in future too, they will continue to hire more women. Dal Pino, CEO of Telit, explained the rationale behind selecting VVDN as a partner. He emphasised the need for local expertise and cost competitiveness, stating that VVDNs entrepreneurial spirit and local capabilities made them the ideal partner. Dal Pino also expressed his confidence in Indias potential to become a global manufacturing hub for high-tech products. He told News18: India already is a fantastic hub for software in the world and we do believe that India is on the right path for becoming the manufacturing hub in the world for high-tech products. India has young people who are very well-trained and there is a lot of enthusiasm. We trust that this is a country that is at the start of the big tech revolution and industrial revolution. A kindergarten school teacher from Surat was arrested after she was caught slapping a four-year old girl at least 30 times in a purported video that went viral on social media. The incident occured at the Sadhna Niketan School on Monday and the CCTV footage of the classroom garnered peoples attention on social media platforms. Following this, the teacher was suspended from school. The viral clip shows the teacher sitting next to the girl and repeatedly slapping her on the back and cheeks, for nearly 30 times. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vipul Patel said, The teacher, Jashodaben Khokharia, was arrested and charged under Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and also under relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. He added that the teacher was arrested on the basis of a complaint that was lodged by the girls parents. The issue came to light when the parents of the girl, studying in the pre-primary section of the school, shared the CCTV footage with the media showing Khokharia repeatedly hitting their daughter on her back and slapping her for some reason during a class on Monday. Following the uproar regarding the incident, Gujarat Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya condemned the ill-treatment of the child and asked the District Education Officer to conduct an inquiry into the incident. The school authorities soon suspended the teacher from services. The girls parents told reporters that their daughter did not inform them about the teachers brutality and they got to know about it only after seeing the swelling marks on her body when she came back from school. The enraged father of the girl said, We visited the school on Tuesday and asked the principal to show us CCTV footage of her classroom. The footage clearly shows how mercilessly my daughter was thrashed by the teacher in front of other students. We want authorities to give us justice. The viral clip has also garnered sharp responses from netizens. In another incident that oocured last month, a 10-year-old school student from Punjabs Ludhiana was brutally thrashed by a teacher. Two other people were also involved in the incident as the teacher forced them to hold the students hands and legs. The incident took place at Bal Vikas School and as per reports, the accused teacher allegedly tortured the child continuously for two days. The Ludhiana police immediately took action and registered a case against the teacher, identified as Sri Bhagwan who was a resident of Sherpur Kalan. The police has arrested the accused who was caught beating up the child in a viral video. (with PTI inputs) INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD 2023: Every year on October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child is commemorated to promote awareness about the importance of and potential of girls as the future of our society. According to the official website of the United Nations, this years goal is to bring together teenage girls and stand up for their rights, including UN officials, NGOs, corporations, and governments. The 2023 event, which is sponsored by UNICEF and Plan International envisions a society in which girls actively shape governmental regulations, commercial practises, and scientific agendas. For this goal to become the norm, there must be widespread support and dedicated investment. What Is the Theme Of International Day of Girl Child 2023? The theme for the International Day of the Girl Child 2023 is Invest in Girls Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being. The objective is to create a strategic moment that concentrates and celebrates the voices of girls while urging those in positions of official authority to enhance their financial support for girls rights. The International Day of the Girl event in 2023 will serve as an example of a world where girls have the opportunity to influence government policy and spending to inform the standards and rules that businesses should follow and to determine the priorities for new research and innovations. International Day of the Girl Child History In the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, for the first time in history, an action plan to improve the rights of girls was proposed. The International Day of the Girl Child was declared on October 11 by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 through resolution 66/170. It was a day set aside each year to honour girls. In 2012, the inaugural International Day of the Girl Child was celebrated. It emphasised the need to stop child marriages. Globally, the rights of downtrodden girls require a voice. International Day of the Girl Child encourages individuals to become change agents and empower girls. The goal of the International Day of the Girl Child is to create awareness about these concerns and to work towards an action-oriented strategy to help young girls. Because empowered girls are the future of a vibrant and forward-thinking society. International Day of the Girl Child Quotes in English If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion. Honour your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart and success will come to you Oprah Winfrey. My mother always told me, hide your face people are looking at you. I would reply, it does not matter; I am also looking at them. Malala Yousafzai. In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders. Sheryl Sandberg. To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams. Hillary Clinton. A wise woman wishes to be no ones enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyones victim. Maya Angelou. If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman. Margaret Thatcher. On Wednesday, October 11, Amitabh Bachchan celebrated his 81st birthday with his wife Jaya Bachchan and grandchildren, Navya Naveli Nanda, Agastya Nanda, and Aaradhya Bachchan. Navya shared a glimpse of the celebration on her Instagram Stories, featuring a photo where Big B stood in the middle, Navya posed with Aaradhya, and Jaya stood with Agastya. Not in the frame were Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Shweta Bachchan. Now, Abhishek has taken to social media to wish his father on his birthday. Taking to Instagram, the actor wrote, My idol, my hero, my inspiration and my best friend! Happy 81st birthday, Pa. Love you and always got your back. He chose a photo wherein Amitabh Bachchan is seated and he stands by his side, twinning in black. Amitabh Bachchan not only celebrated his birthday with his family but also greeted fans gathered outside his house at midnight. The actor waved at fans as they cheered for him and wished him on his special day. Shortly after, Big B took to his blog and wrote, Your blessings my good fortune! Meanwhile, fans gathering outside the megastars house hoping to catch a glimpse of him on his special day. Fans, dressed as the actors iconic characters such as Coolie, Shahenshah and more held up happy birthday placards. They also sported his signature French-cute beard and salt and pepper hair. The video is going viral on the internet. Sharing a family photo, his granddaughter Navya had written on social media, Happy Birthday Nana. She also shared a solo selfie with the Kaun Banega Crorepati host. Shortly after, Shweta took to her Instagram account and shared a photo collage featuring Amitabh from the in-house party. Happy 81st Papa Big shoes ( and hugs ) no one can ever manage to fill , she wrote. \ Amitabh Bachchan turned 81 on Wednesday, October 11. The superstar rang in his birthday with his wife Jaya Bachchan and grandchildren, Navya Naveli Nanda, Agastya Nanda and Aaradhya Bachchan. Navya took to her Instagram Stories to give a sneak peek into the celebrations. In the photo, Big B stood in the middle while Navya was seen posing with Aaradhya by her side and Jaya stood on the other side with Agastya. Missing from the frame were Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan, who seemed to be behind the camera. Sharing the photo, Navya wrote, Happy Birthday Nana. She also shared a solo selfie with the Kaun Banega Crorepati host. Shortly after, Shweta took to her Instagram account and shared a photo collage featuring Amitabh from the in-house party. Happy 81st Papa Big shoes ( and hugs ) no one can ever manage to fill , she wrote. The pictures received much love from everyone, including Ranveer Singh, Maheep Kapoor and Farah Khan Ali. Check out the photos below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by S (@shwetabachchan) Amitabh Bachchan not only celebrated his birthday with his family but also greeted fans gathered outside his house at midnight. The actor waved at fans as they cheered for him and wished him on his special day. Shortly after, Big B took to his blog and wrote, Your blessings my good fortune ! Meanwhile, Navyas photo with Aaradhya comes a few days after the internet noticed that Navya and Shweta had not shared pictures with Aishwarya and Aaradhya from Paris despite attending the same event. Navya and Aishwarya walked the ramp for LOreal in Paris, as part of the fashion week. While Shweta gave Navya a shoutout, she missed out on tagging Aishwarya. Navya also shared a post from the event but had not mentioned Aishwarya. This left Aishwaryas fandom upset. Hrithik Roshan has returned from Italy post shooting for Fighter. He was there with Deepika Padukone and reportedly they were shooting for a dance number. Videos and pictures have gone viral on social media. Well, the actor recently once again took the internet by storm with a selfie photo that has left his fans swooning. Hrithik Roshan shared a candid photo that radiated his signature charm, and fans couldnt help but shower him with adoration. On October 11, Hrithik Roshan shared a photo in which he is looking handsome. He is wearing a white tee and looks like he clicked when he was sitting in the car. He also wrote a long post about World Mental Health Day, Today is mental health day. I just wanna say that I wouldnt be here making each day count , being productive , being kind ( to myself too) , being at peace , taking on challenges , getting better at work, at life , at living , if it wasnt for the years I have put into therapy. Working on oneself , on ones inner world is precious. My wish is for all of us to learn how to look inside. Become a community of aware adults. And just by doing that , wed be changing the world. Take a look here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan) Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone wrapped up their shoot schedule in Italy. Recently, a snapshot of the actors from the set of Fighter had surfaced online. Although Hrithik and Deepika have not revealed much about the shoot routines, the picture indicated that the cast and crew were in full production mode. Hrithik wore a blue tee with a black jacket in the photo, while Deepika wore a white outfit with kohl-covered eyes. The duo was drinking coffee with director Siddharth Anand and other Fighter crew members. The first look for Fighter was shared on Independence Day this year. The motion poster shows three combat planes flying through the sky as the three main actors, Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor, approach one by one, dressed in their Air Force uniforms. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the aerial action-packed thriller film will hit the big screen on January 25, 2024. Abbas Ganbay Azerbaijan is grateful to Kazakhstan for support in reconstruction works in the territories liberated from occupation. Azerbaijan is restoring destroyed mosques, churches and temples in the liberated territories, Azernews reports. This was stated by the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Department (CMD) Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade at the meeting of the XXI session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions held in Astana. "At present, after restoring its territorial integrity on the basis of the UN Charter and four well-known UN Security Council resolutions, Azerbaijan is restoring destroyed cultural and spiritual heritage sites, including vandalized mosques, churches, and temples, in the liberated territories. We are grateful to all countries that have provided assistance and support to Azerbaijan in restoration works, reconstruction projects, and demining. We especially express our deep gratitude to brotherly Kazakhstan for a gratuitous donation of the Kurmangazy Creative Development Centre built in Fizuli City," Pashazade said. Clergyman recalled that during his visit to Azerbaijan last year, Kazakh President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev visited this Centre together with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "This Centre is a very valuable gift to Azerbaijan from our brothers," stressed the SMV Chairman. It is necessary to protest against insulting religious symbols and shrines, in some European countries the tendency of repeated burning of the Koran, the holy book of Muslims, is a very serious offense. Pashazade added that today, at a time when the world is going through great upheavals, the ideas of human solidarity are more relevant than ever. "As always, the undisputed priority is the defense of human life - this sacred value given to Azerbaijan by the Almighty. Attempts to foment inter-civilizational clashes can bring the world to the brink of major catastrophes," the clergyman stressed. According to Pashazade, the tendency to repeatedly burn the Holy Book of Muslims in some European countries is a very serious offense: "The fact that the UN Human Rights Council held an emergency meeting on such incidents and condemned the burning and desecration of the Koran in some European countries is an indicator of actual recognition of the seriousness of the situation. Therefore, the special UN discussion on this issue launched this year is commendable. It is the duty of every political and religious leader to prevent speech and actions that lead to hatred and conflict under the pretext of freedom of speech and democracy. We religious leaders should strongly condemn all forms and facts of abuse of religion for political purposes, including terrorist manifestations, hate speech, xenophobia, and extremist acts against religious people in churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship. We must raise our voices against insulting religious symbols and shrines," Allahshukur Pashazade said. The Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders is an important platform for global interreligious dialogue BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. External threats in the regions where our countries are located, and operational work in this direction allows us the opportunity to minimize the risks, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he met with the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries, Trend reports. "It is gratifying to see that public and political stability in our countries is strengthening and our states are successfully confronting many challenges, President Ilham Aliyev also said. As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, we no longer have any internal threats. As a result of the activities carried out three weeks ago, the sovereignty of Azerbaijan has been fully restored and, of course, this opens up opportunities for strengthening security and achieving peace in our region. We are committed to this and believe that there is no alternative to it, the head of state noted. Kartik Aaryan will be seen on Koffee With Karan 8, a source has exclusively confirmed with News18 Showsha. The anticipation surrounding the list of guests on the eighth season of Karan Johars Koffee With Karan wont die down anytime soon. Last week, News18 Showsha exclusively had learnt that The Archies trio of Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda and Khushi Kapoor will be making their debut on the much talked about chat show this season and will shoot for it in November. We had also reported that Ananya Panday and Sara Ali Khan will also grace one of the episodes of Koffee With Karan together. Rumour mills continue to remain abuzz with the possible guests for this edition with many reports claiming that even Kartik Aaryan and Kangana Ranaut might appear on the show. And now a source exclusively tells us that chances of Kangana appearing on the show are extremely slim but Kartik is most likely to feature in it. Following Kartik and Karans alleged fallout during Dostana 2, speculations had done the rounds that the duo doesnt see eye to eye anymore and might not even come together for a project in the future. However, it seems like Karan and Kartik are coming together to clear the air about their alleged feud. Theres still no clarity as to who Kartik will come with but hes likely to be seen on the Koffee couch for the second time. The duo has decided on sorting out their differences and the episode might also see them addressing the many reports of their alleged tiff, the source says. We reached out to the actors team for a confirmation on the same but they remained unavailable for comment at the time of publishing this story. Kartik made his Koffee With Karan debut during the sixth season of the show when he had appeared with his Luka Chuppi and Shehzada co-star Kriti Sanon. And though he wasnt a part of the show in its seventh season, his name popped up quite frequently during the Hey, Karan, its me segment. For the unversed, Karan took the internet by shock when he announced the recasting of Dostana 2, in which Kartik was supposed to share the screen space with Janhvi Kapoor. And that formed the cause of an alleged rift between them. Despite reports of a spat, Kartik and Karan have often been spotted at public events. Last year, they were also seen chatting and getting pally with one another at an award function. And during a screening of Satyaprem Ki Katha a while back, they shocked many as they greeted each other and even shared a cordial hug. They also shared the panel at a film event in Australia where Karan announced he is discussing a film with Kartik. It is also speculated that Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt could appear together on Koffee With Karan 8. It is also rumoured that actor-director duo Rohit Shetty-Ajay Devgn and Bollywoods popular couple, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have already shot their episodes at YRF studios. Nia Sharma has once again set the internet on fire with her sizzling and bold fashion choices. The actress grabbed the attention as she flaunted her bold and glamorous side in a striking transparent bodysuit, and the photos have gone viral across social media platforms. Nia Sharma is seen wearing a stylish transparent bodysuit. Taking to her official Instagram handle, Nia wrote, Get up.. dress up.. party.. repeat.. The actress is currently in Dubai and has shared a lot of updates from her holiday. In the photos, she is seen wearing a black colour transparent bodysuit. She has opted for bold makeup and is seen partying. On Tuesday too, Nia dropped a video on her Instagram handle in which she was seen flaunting her perfectly toned body in a plunging green outfit. She accessorised her look with a silver neckline and looked gorgeous as ever. In the video, Nia was seen roaming around on the 154th floor of the worlds tallest building Burj Khalifa. She revealed the same in her caption and wrote, When a random trip looks like this154th Floor Take a look here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nia Sharma (@niasharma90) Nia Sharma made her television debut in 2010 with Kaali- Ek Agnipariksha. She rose to fame with shows like Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai. The show also starred Krystle DSouza, Karan Tacker, and Kushal Tandon in key roles. Nia also gained immense appreciation for her show Jamai Raja in which she starred opposite Ravi Dubey. Nia has also participated in reality shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Last month, Nia celebrated her 13 years in the industry when she penned down a heart-warming note on social media and wrote, 13 Crazy wonderful years In the Television World. Whoops! Never really remembered nor even counting until these cakes and flowers start flooding on every little big occasion. Have only love and gratitude in return. Virginia Freda Noor Foram joory.. Thank you for making me smile today (no that I wanted to announce to the world how many years I have spent). Samantha Ruth Prabhu has seemingly shut down rumours of patch up with Naga Chaitanya. On Sunday, Naga Chaitanya sparked rumours of patch up when he shared a picture with Hash, a French Bulldog that he and Samantha welcomed when they were still married. The photo had fans believing that the actors have patched up. However, Samantha appeared to put an end to reconciliation rumours with her latest photos. Samantha shared photo from her trip to Dubai and through the pictures, she seemingly revealed that she has removed tattoo of Naga Chaitanyas name. For the unversed, Samantha Ruth Prabhu had inked Chaitanyas nickname, Chay, on her rib when they were still together. Samantha also had two more tattoos inked on her that were dedicated to Chaitanya. The tattoo was visibly until April this year, when Samantha attended the London premiere of Priyanka Chopras Citadel. However, the new photos do not feature the tattoo anymore, thus hinting that the patch up rumours are false. Check out the photos below: Last year, during an AMA session, Samantha had hinted she regrets getting tattoos. The actress was asked about tattoos when she said, My advice to my younger self would be not to get a tattoo. Ever!! Never get tattooed. Samantha and Naga Chaitanya got married in Goa in 2017, following Hindu and Christian traditions. In 2021, they announced their separation. Earlier this year, Chaitanya confirmed that the divorce came through last year and they have been legally single for over a year now. He also said that he and Samantha have moved on since the split. Yes. Its been more than two years since we separated and a year since we were formally divorced. The court has granted us a divorce. Both of us have moved on with our lives. I have tremendous respect for that phase of my life, he told The Times of India. Praising her, Chaitanya added, She is a lovely person and deserves all happiness. The exes have not delved into the reason behind their split. As the bloodletting continues by both sides in Israel and Palestine, the mystery of why and how it happened is only deepening. Already several theories are afoot, including that the whole is a false flag operation, that it was fathered by Russia or China or both, and oddly, with far fewer people blaming the whole on Iran. Thats surprising. The story is yet to unfold, and its endpoint may be quite different from what one expects. As a bare-bones facts-only scenario, the whole becomes even more baffling. Reportage shows not just a barrage of several thousand rockets a form of warfighting seen before but nowhere on this level followed by the large-scale infiltration through high-security fences on an unprecedented scale. Most fighters crossed through breaches in land security barriers separating Gaza and Israel. At least one was filmed crossing on a powered parachute while a motorboat was filmed heading to an Israeli coastal town and military base. Footage showed bulldozers tearing down fences, and according to the Israel Defence Ministry, rapid incursions into at least three military installations around the frontier. More than a thousand fighters were involved. Now consider this in terms of a secret operation. Backup for such a coordinated assault would have involved at least a thousand more in terms of provisioning the assault, a dedicated core team of a dozen or more to ensure coherence and a convoy that provided the rockets and the weaponry. Reports quoting sources say the attack team was exercising in plain sight, with a mock-up of an Israeli settlement, and had been in planning for two years. During this period, Hamas built up an image of itself as more interested in economic benefits, (apparently) fooling everyone, including groups like Fatah, who mocked it. That this level of secrecy was kept to the end, and no chatter picked up seems unbelievable in an area that is virtually under 247 surveillance. A real whodunit X, formerly known as Twitter, now has some detailed wondering about how the whole affair is assuming a 9/11 vibe, and whether this is, in fact, another instance of a false flag operation made worse by references to this as a Pearl Harbour event, which marked a huge shift by bringing the US into the World War. The reasons for these are not just the intelligence surprise, but also (alleged) Israeli covert operations like the Lavon affair, a failed operation conducted in Egypt in 1954. This involved the recruitment of a group of Egyptian Jews to plant bombs inside Egyptian, American, and British-owned civilian targets: cinemas, libraries and American educational centres. The bombs were timed to detonate several hours after closing time, and were to be blamed on the Muslim Brotherhood, Egyptian Communists, and unspecified malcontents. The reverberations of the operation, though it failed, swept across history, and eventually led to the nationalisation of the Suez Canal among other events. Other such operations include Israelis posing as American agents and recruiting Jundullah terrorists against Iran. These and other skilful operations are part of legend. But that a sitting prime minister would allow more than 700 of his people to die as part of a false flag operation is unbelievable. Besides, it is the worst ever timing. Israel is close to signing on to a historic peace aimed at bringing together the most important countries of the Middle East. And lastly, all agencies have had failures (including our own) sometimes, in the face of overwhelming evidence. Recall Kargil and the spate of reports that preceded it. Recall also that when a courageous Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, visited Pakistan in a gesture of trust, Kargil was already being planned. Sometimes, we like to believe what we want to believe. And Israel has seen a surge of those calling for peace and against so-called right-wingers. That movement is done. Who helped Hamas Could Hamas have done this without any assistance whatsoever? Unlikely. The history of terrorist attacks shows that success is usually concomitant with a degree of state support. Iran has absolutely denied its involvement. But then it would. Accusations that it was Iran at the bottom of this are already rife on social media, including major news outlets. The Israeli representative in the US says hes sure of Iranian support to Hamas and by extension, the present attack. The Israeli military has rather sensibly, yet to confirm its involvement. However, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken observed that there was no evidence that Tehran had done so, nor that it had been able to use $6 billion in (own) funds released by the US in a prisoner swap. That swap marked a major diplomatic breakthrough but was accompanied by more sanctions to underline that this did not mark any great shift. Iran expectedly praised Hamas for its attack, and its motivations were made clear by public imprecations of Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a clear warning to Riyadh that any Gulf state that backed the US was backing the wrong horse. It seems that a Middle East peace which leads to Israel being accepted by all is not in Irans interest. Many point to the public support of the Shia Hezbollah as evidence, but the group has so far not chosen to activate the northern borders. It is also worth noting that Hamas actions led to celebrations by right-wingers and anti-Semitic groups all over the world, not to mention countries like Pakistan who chose to restate their official positions (borders of 1967 which is completely off the table) while its foreign minister chose to go one step further in calling for withdrawal by occupation forces. In contrast, the UAE expressed a serious and grave violation while Saudi Arabia called for immediate cessation of attacks. All however underlined the need for the international community to provide a lasting solution, as did Turkey which has hosted Hamas in the past and called for mediation. Russias Sergei Lavrov questioned Western policy on Israel, and noted, We cannot agree with those who say that security can only be ensured through a fight with terrorism. Russia intends to work with the Arab League to end the conflict, which, when translated, means that Russia wants to retain its influence in this strategic region. China just called for an immediate ceasefire while backing a Palestinian homeland. Beijing is never one to overstate its case. Who benefits? The mainstream media reaction is that this marks the end of the US-brokered Middle East peace, which hinges on a Saudi-Israel deal. That seemed to be making some progress as the first-ever Israeli delegation even if only there for a UNICEF meeting in Riyadh last month. Clearly, progress in this final leg of a Middle East peace would have hugely increased the US role in this region and strengthened Saudi Arabias search for economic alternatives away from just fossil fuels. None of that would have benefitted Iran. But Iran chose to make peace with Saudi Arabia under the auspices of China, and in June opened its embassy in Riyadh after a gap of 7 years. That is progress too. Apparently, Iran also sees its future with the Saudis in peace. Thats an anomaly that the present rush to blame Iran doesnt account for, though it could also mean that Tehran doesnt want the Saudis to bring Israel and thereby the US into a stable Middle East, where the peace is brokered by China. Russia certainly is on the same page. Iran has certainly backed Hamas and other proteges. The question is whether it would sanction such a scale of an operation, and to what immediate benefit, when it torpedoes its own peace initiative. Meanwhile, the conflict has already spread. Furious pro-Palestine protests erupted in New York, while a Jewish restaurant was vandalised in the UK. For Delhi, the immediate reaction should be to significantly increase security for Israeli institutions and businesses here, and keep an even closer eye on Hamas copycats in the region. This is not going to end soon. Indeed, Tel Aviv has only just begun. The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. She tweets @kartha_tara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Ancient Indian literature is a treasure trove of eternal wisdom and knowledge, all of which is still relevant in the modern world. However, for decades, India has failed to embrace its ancient heritage and knowledge systems, and has continued educating students in a system handed over to us by our erstwhile colonial rulers. That is fast changing, and students pursuing higher education in India will soon have to opt for Indic knowledge courses to learn about the countrys ancient scientific, philosophical and literary prowess. The goal is not just to learn about Indian Knowledge Systems, but to also apply the learnings in the contemporary times we live in. More than 1,000 university teachers across the country are being equipped to teach courses on Indian knowledge systems at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels from the next academic session. This is part of UGCs plan of starting two credit courses giving an overview of Indian culture and traditions in the first years of both the UG and PG programmes in varsities across the country. UGC intends to train 15 lakh teachers over the next two years, as part of a big Modi government push towards mainstreaming ancient Indian knowledge systems and popularising them at a time when the country is shedding colonial legacies and symbols. The bulk of Indias modern education curricula does not lay significant emphasis on ancient Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The first concrete step to decolonise and indigenise Indias education system and curricula came only with the National Education Policy, 2020. NEP 2020 recommends induction of IKS at all levels of education. NEP 2020 says for purposes of cultural enrichment and national integration, all young Indians should be aware of the rich and vast array of languages of their country and the treasures that they and their literature contain. In order to comply with the National Education Policys recommendations, the University Grants Commission has been focussing on creating an ecosystem in universities and higher educational institutions where Indian Knowledge Systems can prosper. The UGCs training for university teachers focusses on concepts like parampara (tradition), drishti (perspective), and loukik prayojan (modern relevance) of ancient Indian knowledge systems. The training is expected to conclude by the end of October. UGC has organised training programmes for teachers in six cities so far: Nagpur, Chennai, Varanasi, Srinagar, Guwahati, and Delhi. With the training programmes being completed by the end of this month, the UGC is planning to begin the rollout of relevant courses on Indian knowledge systems from the next academic session. In order to push for the popularisation and mainstreaming of Indian Knowledge Systems, a separate IKS cell was created under the Ministry of Education to promote interdisciplinary research on all aspects of IKS and preserve and disseminate the same for further research and societal applications. In April this year, the UGC had released draft guidelines for the incorporation of the Indian knowledge systems in the curricula of all UGC-recognised universities and institutions. UGC had recommended that every student in UG and PG courses be encouraged to take credit courses in the Indian knowledge systems, amounting to at least five per cent of the total mandated credit. Students enrolled in UG programmes in medicine, for example, will be required to study the Indian system of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Homeopathy, and Siddha, in their first year. As a follow up to its efforts of pushing for IKS courses, the UGC had in June started an online course for Indian Knowledge System. This online course is divided into three parts: engineering, science and technology; humanities and social sciences. India Makes Indic Knowledge Push at the Right Time British rule has left an indelible mark on India which is still reflected in the countrys education system more specifically in the curricula. India is the civilisation that has pioneered several fields of knowledge, from sciences to philosophy to even the cosmos. Indias diverse heritage in terms of knowledge systems has evolved over thousands of years, and can be very relevant to the modern times we live in. Unfortunately, an earnest effort to incorporate IKS into the Indian education system has begun only recently. India has guided the world for millennia. Repeated invasions, however, bogged down the reach and impact of Indias diverse and sophisticated knowledge heritage. As India aspires to be a developed nation by 2047, and has already assumed a major role at the global stage, this is the perfect time for it to rediscover its rich educational and scientific heritage. The fact that India has become a major world player whose influence and heft is only on the rise, introducing the IKS into higher education now can attract international students seeking to explore the depth and wisdom of Indias traditional knowledge systems. It is important to remember that IKS is in no way replacing contemporary curriculum. In fact, the idea is to supplement contemporary curriculum with IKS in order to promote a uniquely enriched higher education system that celebrates Indias cultural heritage. Recently, the Indian Army had unveiled Project Udbhav to rediscover the profound Indic heritage of statecraft and strategic thoughts derived from ancient Indian texts of statecraft, warcraft, diplomacy and grand strategy. By reintroducing these classical teachings into contemporary military and strategic domains, the Army aims to nurture its officers to apply ancient wisdom in modern scenarios and also allow a more profound understanding of international relations and foreign cultures. At a time when India is working overtime to become Aatmanirbhar, it only makes sense for our education system to take inspiration from our rich civilisational and cultural heritage. Once rolled out, Indian Knowledge Systems will inspire confidence among Indian students who will realise that what the world discovered only recently was known to Indian scholars millennia ago. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The prolonged civil disobedience movement in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is now entering a new phase. Firstly, it has taken all the political parties unprepared and by surprise. The reason for this is simple. None had put their trust in the people that could fight for freedom by themselves. Political parties, whether nationalists in PoJK or in the diaspora, fell victim to the illusion that they were the sole representatives of the subjugated people of PoJK. This is called substitutism i.e. a group of terrorists, political parties and organisations act on behalf of the broader population. Each group then makes their own assumptions and carry out their activities accordingly. For instance, a terrorist organisation will explode bombs and use firearms to target government officials or state security forces and political parties will simply knock on the doors of international human rights forums and seek help. But history has proven time and again that liberation of subjugated and oppressed people is never achieved through acts of terrorism or by writing letters or delivering speeches at international forums. The real power to bring change lies with the people themselves. But they only realise their potential as a force of change after the circumstances force them to take collective action. And recent developments in PoJK have proven to do exactly the same. For months, the people of PoJK have been protesting against power cuts and load shedding, cuts in UN-approved subsidies, lack of flour and wheat and finally heavy taxes on electricity bills. Until recently, these protests had been sporadic and lacked coordination. But that changed after the call for a general strike and the formation of Jammu Kashmir Joint Action Committee (JKJAAC) in the last week of September. So far, there have been two general strikes in PoJK in one month. Lawyers have observed a PoJK-wide strike on October 9, women are due to take out protest rallies all over on October 12, and students will be doing the same on October 17. A PoJK-wide protest will happen on October 28 in which all of the above-mentioned social groups are expected to take part. The question is where this all is going to lead. There seem to be three scenarios. One is that the JKJAAC succeeds in forcing Pakistan to meet the demands of the movement which include reversing taxes on electricity bills, gaining control over all hydropower projects, and providing PoJK with free electricity and reintroduction of subsidies. This is most unlikely since Pakistan is not in a position to meet the demands due to its own economic constraints and failures. The second scenario is that the movement is crushed by force and everything is back to normal. This could happen but not without serious consequences. The JKJAAC has already warned that if Pakistan sends in Punjab Constabulary, Frontier Constabulary or even the Ranger into PoJK, it will be treated as an attack by a foreign country on PoJK. This is a very serious statement made collectively by the attendees of the JKAAC meeting held last week in a secret place, attended by leaders of JKAAC from all 10 districts of PoJK. If this happens, then we might witness the formation of some kind of peoples defence committees on the same lines as the East Pakistan Mukti Bahini militia that fought against the Pakistan Army in 1971. This would give India a solid pretext to intervene. However, so far, there are no signs of such development taking place. Which brings me to the third scenario. In case the movement is crushed, then the public anger and resilience that we see today will degenerate into haplessness and frustration. This could then lead to two things. One is the beginning of individual acts of terrorism and the second is a surge in recruitment of Jihadi organisations and a diversion of the public anger toward India. What should be done to make this once-in-a-lifetime prospect of ending the conflict in our region succeed? How it could be achieved? Well, by introducing new demands and replacing the old ones. We know that Pakistan cannot fulfil these demands due to the reasons explained earlier. Hence the new slogans must guide the consciousness of the people to something achievable which could really bring about change. Therefore, I am introducing the following three slogans in the movement. One, Go Anwar Go. By introducing this slogan, the movement gets a concrete direction straight away. The resignation of the PoJK prime minister, president and all members of the assembly is key to achieving the second slogan which is All power to the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee. The central executive committee of the JKJAAC must replace the government in Muzaffarabad. Similarly, all sections of Awami Action Committees in PoJK should prepare to take over every town and city by capturing administrative buildings, police stations, main roads and bridges and other key locations. The third slogan should be Quit Kashmir. This slogan will give people a great sense of freedom and a target that the main goal of the JKJAAC is to secure power and rid the territory of Pakistani occupation. Once in power, the JKJAAC itself will take charge of the running of the affairs of the liberated state. And enter into negotiations with the Government of India regarding the pending reunification of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the only way that the ongoing civil disobedience movement could guarantee success. Will this happen? Well, it depends on how quickly the masses learn from their experience and force the JKJAAC to adopt the three slogans I have introduced. Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist from Mirpur in PoJK. He lives in the UK. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. On Saturday, Hamas from the Gaza strip fired thousands of rockets into Israel while sizeable numbers (some claim hundreds) of their fighters infiltrated into southern Israel killing at random, while taking soldiers and civilians hostage. They termed it as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Infiltration was done by multiple means including paragliders and boats as also breaking the border fence indicating that this operation had been in the works for some time. Hamas also captured a few Israeli military bases as part of its initial assault. The numbers killed in Israel are in the hundreds with thousands injured in the combination of rocket fires and house to house attacks of the fedayeen. Prisoners, including men, women and children, both soldiers and civilians, were taken by Hamas to Gaza amidst loud cheers. There were videos emerging of brutality as also disrespect to those killed. These captives would be used as a bargaining chip for release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, those attackers who were caught alive and may be even as a shield against Israeli ground attacks. The fact that the Israelis were surprised, despite Mossads infiltration into the Hamas leadership and their ability to monitor communications emanating from Gaza, indicates that the operation was kept under wraps on a strictly need-to-know basis. There would have been minimum communication on open channels. Mossad may also have shifted its focus on Israels internal politics as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced protests over his attempts to overhaul the judicial process. Even the US failed to detect anything abnormal. Jake Sullivan had stated just a week ago, The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades. Sullivan failed to notice the calm before the storm. Neither the US nor Israel had ever imagined such an event unfolding. Rifles in the hands of the terrorists appear to be US made M4, which could only have come from Afghanistan and Ukraine, the two nations the US has supplied these in large quantities. The employment of paragliders indicates external support. These facilities do not exist in Gaza. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran. Just recently the US released $6 billion of frozen Iranian funds to Tehran in return for Iranian-American prisoners. It is possible that Iran delayed the Hamas action till the funds were received. Some of it may have been transferred to fund the operation. There is a possibility that an Iranian element may have also been involved in planning this attack. The assault coming on Shemini Atzeret, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar brings back memories of the 1973 Yom Kippur war, when Israel was attacked by Arab nations simultaneously, just a day prior to this incident, fifty years ago. The surprise of 1973 has been repeated. Netanyahu declared war on Hamas and launched Operation Iron Swords. The Israeli leadership advised Gaza citizens to leave as it retaliates. The first set of Israeli airstrikes were aimed at Hamas bases, which would have been vacated. Casualties were largely civilians. Simultaneously, Israel worked to regain control of regions which were infiltrated by the Hamas Fedayeen. This would be a slow grind as they would need to clear house by house, especially as Hamas holds civilian hostages. Hezbollah has opened the northern front by firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon. Terrorist groups including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and others have threatened to join the battle in case Israel enters Gaza, which Tel Aviv will have to. In Northern Israel, Palestinian settlers responding to a call by the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, began violent protests aimed at dividing the reaction of Israeli forces. In all probability attacks may also be launched on Israel from the West Bank. Israel would be facing terrorist strikes from multiple directions necessitating coordinated response. The attack by Hamas and subsequent Israeli retaliation displayed a global divide. Nations like Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Qatar, amongst others, displayed solidarity with the Palestinians and blamed Israel for the incident. They also warned Israel against employment of disproportionate force. The Iranian parliament witnessed calls for death to Israel, death to the US. Others, including Western nations and India, stood by Israel and criticised the terrorist attacks. Some including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan advocated de-escalation and talks. Any calls for ceasefire by the UN would be ineffective as Hamas is a terrorist outfit and would ignore any such message. Israels response has always been hard and would be similar this time too, despite calls for restraint. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his support for Israel. He stated, Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour. India, which has faced terrorist attacks on its soil, including 26/11, will always stand against actions of terrorists, despite New Delhi having cordial ties with the Palestinian Authority. The incident was not unexpected. A hint was provided to Tel Aviv by Egypt. Tensions have been simmering between the Israelis and Palestinians since the Israeli police raid on the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Rockets fired by Hamas have been responded to by airstrikes resulting in casualties. Netanyahus strong response to any incident from Gaza had enhanced Palestinian anger against Israel. Gaza remains an open prison with its residents blockaded from almost all sides adding to frustration within. At some stage the lid would have to blow and it did, catching Israel napping. Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas military commander stated, Weve decided to say enough is enough. This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth. The support Israel is receiving currently would wane as Palestinian civilian casualties mount. Nations which are supporting Israel today would demand a pull back. For Hamas, civilian casualties are an essential collateral as it would be unacceptable to most nations of the western and Arab world. While the US may protect Israel in the UNSC, global pressure, including from Arab states, would mount. Israel would demand release of its prisoners an act Hamas would be unwilling to accept, as it would signify surrender. Arab nations with embassies in Tel Aviv will have to consider recalling their ambassadors to display some form of Arab unity. The first major break would be an end to Israel-Saudi talks, brokered by the US for restoration of ties. In case Riyadh-Tel Aviv talks succeed; Gaza would be ignored with almost no financial support. Israel would gain. The two-nation theory, proposing an independent state for Palestine, would be just talk with no end. Riyadh is aware that in case it stays neutral and continues talks for recognition of Israel, its leadership of the Arab world is under threat. The conflict would also possibly signal the end or at least delay the much touted and recently launched IMEE-EC (India, Middle East, Europe Economic Corridor) which was to transit Saudi Arabia and move across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe from the Israeli port of Haifa. No Arab nation could be seen as trading with Israel at this stage. The two-nation theory has suddenly been given a new lifeline. It will become a matter of discussion for some time. Nations will insist that the UN seriously consider this. How far would it be implemented would depend on pressure which the US would apply on Israel. The war would also shift world focus from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which is heading into winters and a stalemate. The US, which is the main provider of funds to Ukraine may have to reconsider its commitments as Israel would need to be stocked. President Biden in his comments on the Hamas strike stated that the US has offered Israel all appropriate means of support. Hence, while Russia talks of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, it would prefer operations continuing drawing in other terrorist groups pulling in US involvement. The ongoing conflict in Syria would also come on the backburner. The Indo-Canadian spat now has no consequence as world attention shifts towards Israel. This suits both India and Canada as it would provide the much-needed space for normalisation of ties. Netanyahu would be compelled to accept the lapses which resulted in the infiltration as also Hamas accumulating sufficient rockets and weapons. Even if Israel destroys a large part of the Hamas network, the incident and loss of Israeli lives may mean the end of Netanyahus political career. At the end of the day, the conflict which has just commenced is unlikely to conclude early. It will drag on for sometime and the only sufferers would be civilians on both sides, largely in Gaza. Neither will Israel accept Hamas terms for return of prisoners nor would Hamas be destroyed. Israel would face criticism for civilian casualties. The damage to Israel-Arab ties would take time to mend. Rebuilding Gaza would take time and money, a slow process. Ultimately, Gaza would face stricter blockade and its residents would have lesser employment opportunities in Israel. Control over the Al Aqsa Mosque would increase. The trust between Arabs and Jews, residing in Israel, would take decades to be rebuilt. Insecurity in the region will remain. The author is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The nearly naked and clearly broken body of a woman lying in the back of a vehicle surrounded by jeering fatigues-clad men was meant to convey something very simple and specific on Saturday morning: terror. Armed terrorist cadres of Hamas swarmed out of the Gaza Strip to take the mighty state of Israel totally by surprise and wreak havoc on the oppressors of Palestinians. Images of Israeli soldiersdead or alivewere meant to drive home the victory. But the woman being passed off as a dead Israeli soldier was actually an Israeli-German pacifist and musician who had been dancing at a rave in the Negev desert near Gaza when she fell prey to waves of Hamas terrorists in that surprise early morning attack. Her real identity emerged when her horrified family saw the same photo on social media and recognised her from the distinctive tattoos on her legs and long dreadlocks. The photo then had the opposite effect. It exposed what Hamas had actually done. The gunmen had not attacked Israeli troops or indeed any other arm of the Israeli state but instead exterminated with extreme prejudice a large gathering of unarmed partygoers, like shooting goldfish in a bowl, as the saying goes. They had taken many others hostage too from the same party, including a girl who was seen on a video screaming for help as she and her boyfriend were frogmarched away by terrorists. These images defined Day 1 of the Hamas attack. Day 2 and 3 focused on the Israeli retaliation. And in their wake came the predictable flood of photos of devastation, death and despair in the bombed Gaza areas. Those photos were similar to what the world has seen many times before, from many other conflict zones and yet never seemed to get enough of. And these were used to great effect promptly at protest rallies and meetings round the world. There were photos of charred bodies being pulled out of the debris of bombed buildings, particularly those of women and children, wailing mothers, dazed residents looking at the devastation, defiant fighters and, of course, the ever-present aid workers talking about the brutal consequences of the Israeli actions. Amid this blatant play for sympathy in a situation caused by Hamas, there was a curious absence of photos of the massacre at that desert rave. The only visuals doing the rounds are Before and After onesbefore the massacre and after the clean-up. There are videos of what seem to be armed paragliders descending on the partygoers and scenes of them running helter-skelter into the fields ahead of some unseen enemy. Then there are images of damaged and destroyed cars. But empty cars. Doors open, windows shattered, some pockmarked with bullet holes indicating what had happened. The bodies of those innocent civiliansof many nationalitieswho were most certainly gunned down by Hamas terrorists as they tried to flee, had been removed by the time the images were recorded. Only the haphazard placement of the cars, some even off the road, gave an inkling of the bloody mayhem that had been wrought. So the terror-invoking potential of that sight had dissipated. Was this done to spare their families the additional pain of graphic images? In one case, a TV journalist showed a glimpse of a corridor leading to the room of an air-raid shelter where many young people had hidden to escape those terrorists. But they were foundand shot dead inside. The walls of the corridor of that doorless concrete bunker were riddled with bullet holes and there was blood spatter. As for the scene inside the actual room even after the bodies had been removed, the facial expression of the reporter said it all. Maybe in the coming days, there will be some sanitised visuals of what happened in the homes of the hundreds of Israeli settlers who were killed or kidnapped by the Hamas terrorists. Entire familiesincluding the very young and very oldwere wiped out, as the rising death toll confirms. There are so far only photos of those families in happy times, even as their relatives are completing the grim task of giving DNA samples to help identify their missing loved ones. The world may never see the exact extent of the barbarity of the Hamas terrorists and so the question arises about whether it ought to. Should visual evidence be that one-sided when the battle is as much about mind space as about rights and wrongs? By sparing people the horror of seeing what Hamas did to defenceless civilians, is the validity of the Israeli reaction being undermined? Or is Israel robbing Hamas of its glory by depriving it of its images of terror? That massacre in the desert deprived Hamas of any fig leaf of retaliation for oppression. Murdering hundreds of civilians as retribution for what Hamas considers the repressive actions of the Israeli state cannot be justified in any way. Hamas succeeded in its objective of shattering the iron dome of Israeli invincibility with this totally unexpected attack. Images of murdered or terrified Israelis could certainly further damage that image of omnipotence. But not putting out visuals to shock a distant and mostly uninformed world into the reality of the situation has its downside. It would not be surprising if, at some later date, there are denials by apologists that any massacre of unarmed civilians in the desert by Hamas took place at all. And the absence of graphic visuals could well be cited as evidence that it was all a cynical Israeli concoction to justify its bombardment of Gaza. And many will believe this version too. Regrettably, impressionable individuals in other countries often try to influence the actions of their governments on international issues on the basis of incomplete information. The anti-Israel petitions put out this week by student organisations of Harvard University demonstrate this truism. Had those young people also seen visuals of what Hamas terrorists had done to 260 partygoers of almost the same age, perhaps a few of them may have reconsidered their views. For generations of Indians, gory images of Rajiv Gandhis shattered body at Sriperumbudur ensured there was no sympathy at all for the Sri Lankan Tamil terrorists who killed him. Perhaps the lack of similar visuals of Indira Gandhi helped India heal after the anti-Sikh pogrom that followed her assassination. Visuals are a double-edged sword, and that is why there is a perennial debate about whether the media should put out grisly images of violence. The videos and photos of that unfortunate girl with the tattoos did a lot to put Hamas actions in perspective: that they were out to murder just about anyonepeaceniks, babies, granniesas representatives of the Israeli state whose destruction remains their sole goal. As more photos emerge of Gazas civilians bearing the brunt of Israeli retaliation for Hamass massacre, it would be germane to remember that retributive violence is never fairto anyone. The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. On World Mental Health Day 2023, I appeal to our prime minister to hold a mental health camp every quarter for the Parliamentarians, both from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. I am not insinuating them of suffering from any mental illness or distress. My wish or advice is sincere. This act can be one big bomb that will burn the stigma that stops millions of Indians from identifying their problems and seeking help. We need to hold the issue by the jugular. The camps can screen for emotional distress/illness and also have various activities to build positive mental health. The chief ministers of states and Union Territories can follow suit. Will everyone participate is the question. In a mental health workshop organised by the Speaker of the Goa Assembly and conducted by me for all MLAs, a few months back, the Opposition boycotted the same. But I feel this is a good beginning. The fence sitters and those who want to politicise the same will slowly join as mental health awareness is a secular health issue and the need of the hour for all. With 1/7 in India mentally ill as compared to 1/8 in the entire world, every family will need assistance. Mental health advocacy, awareness and intervention can unite political parties. I have conducted such awareness workshops for elected representatives of several states, including Gujarat, across many years on behalf of the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini Training Institute. I was pleasantly surprised that the elected representatives lapped it with genuine interest. A mental health camp goes a step further where the assessment of ones mental state through simple tests can be conducted. This is just like a screening camp for diabetes, hypertension, thalassemia or cancer. When the top guys are the first movers, the janta will follow. More than two decades ago, mental health camps at railway stations, initiated by the late Mr Gopal, a health activist, along with me received an overwhelming response. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry can also follow suit. If the top guns and honchos across all borders make mental health screening popular, we will save many lives all over the country. During the Covid-19 era, top leaders and bureaucrats took the Covid vaccine first across the world and shattered the stigma and fear of the vaccine for the common man. In Maharashtra, my friends such as Dr Shashank Joshi and others were the first to take the prick. Why cant the same guys replicate this to break the stigma of mental illness? A few months back, there were suicides in a couple of IITs. I do not know what transpired between the Parliamentary Committee that was investigating the suicides in these organisations recently and the Directors of the two IITs. Instead of politicising the deaths that happen after any high-profile suicide, positive measures can be a spin-off after such tragedies. Dragging the souls of those who have passed away due to emotional distress and scoring brownie points is the biggest crime. In my visit to Kota more than 5 years ago, to study the reasons for suicides (there were over 45 in that year), I found that the centres were pressure cooker boilers where students enrolled were never tested for their aptitude for JEE or NEET. When these centres began decades ago, there were entrance exams to check whether the students had core interests and skills, basis which, approximately 80 per cent of students would be rejected. Market forces and an aspirational India has changed the rules and the landscape of the classes in this city. Anyone can get admission today and those with non-compatible skills can get choked in the stressful milieu. The biggest centre had the maximum number of suicides recently. Again, appointing counsellors just as a tick mark for display will never help. Students indeed bring a lot of psychological baggage from home but Eternal Psychological Vigilance should be the dharma of centres and institutions. For this, one needs an ecosystem to protect and nurture mental health along with early identification of high-risk cases in these edifices. Suicide anywhere should never be viewed under the lens of caste and/or religion. A student dying of dengue or an accident is never highlighted. Following suicides, psychological autopsies are a must. If there has been intense trauma too, the autopsy can help unravel it. Such an autopsy is a systematic scientific method to evaluate the unfortunate event by going backwards and looking at it with a fine tooth comb. The evidence gathered can help build prevention strategies. I hear from a few IITs that they are slowly veering towards a no-failure policy in BTech due to the pressure. This is not an answer. Engineering is a serious business and can never be twisted and tonsured to suit societal pressures that are irrational. Lateral and an early exit according to the NEP (New Education Policy) for difficult students is being implemented. Instead, making mental health promotion and intervention in IITs as big as Mood Indigo and Techfest can help maintain the scientific temper while tackling emotional pain. The reservation policy in the field of education needs to be re-examined and re-evaluated. Counsellors sitting in their centres alone will not help. They need to be visible in the classroom discussing the feelings, issues and mental health concerns of students. They need to be seen in hostels and communities holding informal meetings in canteens or around a campfire beyond formal assessment and therapy sessions in private. Stigma diminishes when mental health professionals reach out rather than waiting for students to come. There has been a 10 per cent increase in suicides in 2020 and a 7 per cent increase in 2021 in India. Every 35 minutes, a student in India kills himself, and this is an alarming statistic. India is in the midst of anger, angst and alienation. An article titled Effect of globalisation on childrens mental health by Same Timimi (2005) states, Despite several decades of economic growth, we are no happier. Growth not only fails to make people contented, it destroys many of the things that do bring contentment by weakening social cohesion. Thus a hallmark of Western market economics is that it promotes individualism while weakening social relationships. Globalisation is helping export this economic and moral value system worldwide. The increased pace of life and rapid social change has been a norm for several years in our country. An increase in mental distress and suicide are a result of the same. An article, Globalization of Culture: Impact on Indian Psyche by Rama Rao and others (2019) believes that, Instead of becoming bicultural, Indians may feel isolated and excluded from both their local culture and the global culture, truly belonging to neither. It may result in an acute sense of alienation and impermanence as they grow up with a lack of cultural certainty. Identity confusion among young people may be reflected in problems such as depression, suicide and substance use. In the US, 1/2 of adults reported experiencing loneliness before the Covid epidemic. Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling. It harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. (Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: Surgeon Generals Advisory: USA 2023). The plight in India may be not as bad but very close. Poverty in India has had a great impact on mental health. 1/4 of Indians who die of suicide are daily wage labourers (NCRB 2021). Mental health is not only about feelings but it is also about food. Non-contributory pensions in Mexico had a significant positive impact on symptoms in adults. Personal Health Budget in the UK had positive outcomes for peoples choice, control and quality of life. Unconditional cash transfers in Sweden helped better-perceived quality of life and social networks. Unconditional cash transfers in Brazil reduced suicide rates, in Malawi, reduced symptoms of depression in youth, especially girls and in Kenya, reduced the prevalence of depressive symptoms among young men. Cash transfers to new mothers in India reduced measures of maternal depression (World Mental Health Report 2022). Suicides are not the only indicator of mental health burden. Road rage, wars between groups, violence in families, rage at workplaces and in communities also have mental health origins or associations. A three-year study of 26 cities in the US found that those with the highest level of resident attachment experienced the greatest growth in GDP during the study period. Loss of productivity is a consequence of the invisible mental health burden along with lifestyle diseases. Evidence across 25 years has demonstrated that social context is important to the development and management of diabetes (Diabetes Med 2020). So where do we stand now? India is a complex state and a million different interventions can help. Building affordable, acute, intermediate and long-term care is a must in at least every district. But the challenge is in building a culture of connection as disconnection is a silent killer, worse than Diabetes or AIDS. We need a Mental Health Minister today, both at the Centre and in the states. Dr Harish Shetty is a Psychiatrist and has been working with students across three decades and conducts sessions in educational institutions regularly. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national general secretary, Nara Lokesh on Tuesday said that the answers to 49 of 50 questions the Andhra Pradesh CID posed to him during a six-hour-long interrogation in connection with the Amaravati Inner Ring Road scam case, are available on Google. Talking to media after the CID questioning, Lokesh said the first question that they asked was who am I and what was my position when I was working for Heritage? The probe agency further asked Lokesh what position he held in the TDP government. The TDP leader said the answers to such questions are easily available on the internet. Making it clear that no evidence with regard to the case has been produced before him, Lokesh said he feels that it has become a habit of this government to take revenge on the Opposition and those who raise their voice against the policies of the ruling party. Lokesh also pointed out that the former chief minister and TDP national president, Chandrababu Naidu was illegally sent to jail without any evidence. He also raised questions at the state government regarding the incompletion of the Polavaram project and unemployment among the youth. This is nothing but political vendetta, Lokesh said, adding that false cases were being foisted against him because he was trying to bring awareness among the people on this anarchic government through his Yuva Galam pada yatra. This is only part of a conspiracy to see to it that Chandrababu Naidu and I should not be among the public and to check the TDP from reaching the people, he said. Lokes further took a hit at Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy for not being aware of Chandrababu Naidus arrest as he was in London at the time. This Chief Minister should learn the minimum basics from the Director General of Police (DGP), he said. The TDP leader stated that he made it clear to the CID officials that he is ready to wait longer if the agency wants more clarifications from him. He is again served notices under 41A CrPC and is asked to appear before the probe agency by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. When I have not done anything wrong there is no question of me being afraid of anyone, Nara Lokesh maintained. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. We are ready for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We are ready to continue working on the peace treaty, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he met with the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries. In case the mediation of the Russian Federation is rejected by the Armenian side, I think that direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia may be an alternative. We will analyze any other platforms, taking into account the attitude of these countries, which offer their services, to the truth not to Azerbaijan, but to the truth and international law, President Ilham Aliyev noted. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday climbed over the boundary of Jai Prakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow to pay floral tribute to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) had denied Yadav permission to enter the JPNIC, which was inaugurated by him in 2016 during his tenure as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The former CM said the government brought the law that for those who cause destruction to public property, the loss will be recovered from the person. Today JPNIC (Jai Prakash Narayan International Centre) is being destroyedThe government should also compensate for it, he said. The Samajwadi people will continue to fight against the dictatorship of the BJP government. Honourable national president Akhilesh Yadav garlanded the statue of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan at the JPNIC, the SP posted in Hindi. In another video, Yadav is seen showering the statue of Jayaprakash Narayan with rose petals. Yadav told the media that he was saddened by efforts to stop them from entering the centre by deploying police. He said the officers were not ready to allow them to enter the premises and that the SP workers and leaders were clueless as to whom they should seek permission from. Yadav said the public should know who is stopping the SP workers from paying tributes to Narayan, fondly called JP. He said the Samajwadi people used to garland his statue every year on his birth anniversary but this time they were compelled to climb the gate of the JPNIC. He recalled that Netaji (Mualayam Singh Yadav) was there during the inauguration of the centre. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said the BJP government has been doing injustice. The Samajwadi Party wanted to give respect to Jayaprakash Narayan. Since the time Akhilesh Yadav has talked about alliances, the BJP has felt weak Thats why Keshav Prasad Maurya has given such a statement The state government wants to create an atmosphere of fear, he said. BJP Says Akhilesh Has No Right to Pay Tribute to JP Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM and BJP leader Keshav Prasad Maurya said Yadav has no right to pay tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan if he is sitting in the lap of Congress. Congress wants to end democracy in this country It imposed an emergency and tried to weaken the roots of democracy. The Congress was uprooted at that time too, and the BJP will do it now too. Akhilesh Yadav should explain why he is sitting in Congresss lap. .. He has no right to pay tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan if he is sitting in the lap of Congress He is restless without power, he said. Deputy CM Brijesh Pathak took a jibe at Akhilesh Yadav and said if the SP chief knows how to jump so well then he should have taken part in the Asian Games and won some medals for the country. They always break the law. If the SP chief knows how to jump so well then he should have taken part in the Asian Games and won some medals for the country, he said. (With ANI, PTI inputs) Google is working to reduce vehicle pollution emissions with the help of artificial intelligence and Google Maps driving trends by optimizing the placement of traffic signals. Dubbed the Green Light project, it aims to make recommendations for optimising the existing traffic light plans. Google notes that optimisation takes as little as five minutes for city engineers using this model, and it can not only analyze traffic signals across an intersection but also coordinate across several adjacent intersections to create waves of green lights. This, in turn, can reduce stop-and-go traffic and lower overall emissions from road vehicles. In India, cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata have already implemented this Google model. According to Google, early numbers suggest that through the Green Light project, there is a 30% reduction in stops and up to a 10% reduction in emissions at intersections. Furthermore, Google claims that across the 12 cities worldwide where this project is implemented, it can save fuel and lower emissions for up to 30 million car rides monthly. Google Green Light: How It Works The search giant explains that it builds an AI-based model for every intersection it works on, which includes its structure, traffic patterns, light scheduling, and how traffic and the light schedules interact. Moreover, Google also builds a model based on the interaction between traffic lights. Based on this model, Google sends recommendations and optimisations to city-based engineers to implement across intersections, reducing emissions. Green Light is capable of analysing thousands of intersections simultaneously, improving the flow through multiple intersections in the city, Google said. It added, Our AI-based recommendations work with existing infrastructure and traffic systems, and city engineers are able to monitor the impact and see results within weeks. As mentioned earlier, Indian cities like Bangalore, Kolkata, and Hyderabad already using Project Green Light, but it remains to be seen when this will come to other cities, as it involves signing up for a waitlist. As the waging battle between Palestine and Israel takes a toll on millions of people, there are many in the region affected by the sheer turmoil, which includes employees of Google who are working in Israel with the sound of missiles and bombs blazing in the background. Google has two offices in Israel and now Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google has reached out to them internally via this email which has been quoted by 9to5Google this week. The company has highlighted the push to prevent misinformation through platforms like YouTube and working 247 to make sure that hateful content is not passing through the videos on the platform. Heres what Pichai has said to Google employees through this internal memo: Following the terrible attacks in Israel, our immediate focus has been on ensuring our employees safety. Weve now made contact with all of our local employees, and well continue supporting them. Were also working to provide reliable, accurate information to people who use our products. Our systems across Google and YouTube prioritise authoritative information in moments of crisis and breaking news. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure this, as well as to detect and remove graphically violent, hateful or terrorist content, or coordinated disinformation campaigns. Our cybersecurity experts are also sharing their findings in real time with the broader security community. For example, our security unit, Mandiant, has observed fake accounts connected to Iran which are promoting anti-Israeli narratives across various services, as well as investigating reports of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks by suspected pro-Hamas and pro-Russia hacktivist groups targeting Israeli government websites. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones, and all those affected. Google Spokesperson Pichai also assured that both the offices in Israel having 2,000 employees are accounted for and safe, including those who are travelling to the region. Google also pointed out the certain fake accounts connected to Iran have been spotted sharing content which is not ideal to temper the situation in the region, and tracking possible hacktivist groups from hacking government websites. Air Canada, the countrys largest carrier, has temporarily suspended a pilot who wrote unacceptable ant-Israel posts on his social media handle. This disciplinary action came in the wake of a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant outfit that control the Gaza Strip. Mostafa Ezzo, the pilot in question, was grounded for wearing pro-Palestinian colours over his uniform and making profane comments on social media regarding Israel. Ezzos conduct was met with severe backlash online, accusing of antisemitism. We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms, Air Canada said in a post on X. Mostafa Ezzo is an Air Canada pilot flying out of Montreal.Pictured in thread: Ezzo pointing out Hitler would be proud of Israel F*ck your Israeli Burn in Hell Keep the World Clean (and trash Israel) Enzos biography NO JEW would feel safe flying with this antisemite. pic.twitter.com/5Vmj9BpBdT StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 10, 2023 Soon after the issue came to light, Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick told The Toronto Sun that the airline promptly took Mostafa Ezzo out of service in response to his social media posts. Fitzpatrick stressed that the pilots personal opinions did not align with Air Canadas views and values. The airline spokesperson clarified that Ezzo had never been authorised to speak on behalf of Air Canada. This report comes as Air Canada temporarily suspended its flight routes to Tel Aviv due to the escalating conflict in the region. The Canadian government has announced plans to evacuate its citizens from the area. Britains King Charles III faced calls Wednesday to apologise for colonial-era atrocities in Kenya when he visits the country later this month. Buckingham Palace said Charles and his wife Queen Camilla will visit the East African nation from October 31 to November 3, his first trip to a Commonwealth country since becoming king last year, and his fourth official visit to Kenya. If he is not coming to apologise for the atrocities they did to us then he should not come, 53-year-old accountant John Otieno told AFP. Buckingham Palace said the visit was aimed at celebrating the warm relationship between the two countries as Kenya prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain in December. It said the trip would also acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenyas shared history including the Emergency in 1952-1960, a reference to bloody rebellions against colonial rule. His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya, the palace said. About 10,000 people were killed during Britains brutal suppression of the Mau Mau uprising, one of the British empires bloodiest insurgencies. Britain agreed in 2013 to compensate more than 5,000 Kenyans who had suffered abuse during the revolt, in a deal worth nearly 20 million pounds (almost $25 million at todays exchange rates). We are hoping that he will bring a national apology, Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi, the daughter of top resistance leader Dedan Kimathi, told AFP, saying she hoped the visit would lead to closure. Once we have the goodwill from the UK government, everything else will be okay, said Kimathi, who heads a foundation that looks after the interests of veterans of the independence war as well as campaigning on environmental issues. She also voiced hope that Britain would help Kenya identify graves of the freedom fighters including her father, who was hanged in 1957 at Nairobis Kamiti Maximum Security Prison but whose remains have yet to be located. Reset relations Other Kenyans voiced hope that the visit would forge a new path for relations with Britain. He is very welcome to Nairobi but as someone we can negotiate shared development with, not a colonial master who wants to take more from us, said teacher Kamau Njoroge, 49. Hopefully the visit will not be about our past but on our future. This is an opportunity to reset our relations, added businessman Kelvin Njuguna, 28. I pray that it will change the issues we have been seeing in Nanyuki, he said, referring to allegations of abuses by British soldiers at a training camp near Nanyuki, a town about 200 kilometres (120 miles) north of Nairobi. They continue to do bad things to our people in Nanyuki and go unpunished, added accountant Otieno. Kenyas parliament announced in August an investigation into the activities of the British troops, including the high-profile killing of a young mother in 2012. The body of Agnes Wanjiru, 21, was found dumped in a septic tank after she reportedly went out partying with British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki. In the latest development in the case, her family last week launched a lawsuit in Kenya to compel the British government to inform them about the status of its investigation and possible prosecution of the culprit. Mwangi Macharia, chairman of the African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action that filed the case on behalf of the Wanjiru family, said he would be seeking justice. He said he wanted King Charles to be informed about the Wanjiru case and a 2021 fire in an area used for training by the British troops that ravaged about 12,000 acres (4,800 hectares) of land. Student Emma Orido, 25, said she did not think the royal visit would have any impact. He will likely be guarded and will not go back to UK (understanding) the feelings of normal Kenyans, she said. Thousands of foreigners find themselves stuck in Israel and across the Palestinian territories, where a full-blown war has erupted since Hamas militants launched their onslaught on Saturday. With the violence having already claimed thousands of lives on both sides, several countries have launched operations to repatriate their citizens, while others plan to do so in the coming days. Here is an overview of ongoing and planned evacuations, according to official sources. Argentina Argentina, the Latin American country with the largest Jewish population, on Tuesday started evacuating more than 1,200 of its citizens from Israel. Three air force flights a day will take the 1,246 Argentines who have asked to be evacuated to the Italian capital Rome, Defence Minister Jorge Taiana said. From there, state-owned airline Aerolineas Argentinas will fly them to Buenos Aires. Brazil Brazils government plans to mobilise at least six planes in a bid to rapidly repatriate any of its citizens who wish to leave Israel and the Palestinian territories. It said that about 14,000 Brazilians live in Israel and 6,000 live in the Palestinian territories. Some had already left on commercial flights, it said. Nigeria Nigeria has airlifted more than 300 of its citizens back home after they fled to Jordan from Israel, where they were on a Christian pilgrimage, the Lagos state government said. The group was travelling from Bethlehem to Nazareth when they heard news of the attack in the south of Israel. With the war erupting, the group and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission organised for them to travel by road to Jordan and then take a chartered flight to Lagos. Switzerland Swiss International Air Lines repatriated 220 Swiss nationals on Tuesday. A second special flight with a capacity of 215 seats is planned for Wednesday, requested by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. A third flight is scheduled for Thursday, expected to land in Tel Aviv in the afternoon, also with a capacity of 215 seats. Around 28,000 Swiss citizens and their families are officially registered as living in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Spain Spain organised a flight from Tel Aviv overnight to Wednesday with 200 people on board, its foreign ministry said. South Korea A flight carrying 192 South Korean citizens took off from Tel Aviv and landed at the Incheon International Airport near Seoul early Wednesday, the foreign ministry said. Another 30 South Korean nationals will be evacuated later in the week by commercial flights, it said, adding that 27 others, who were in Israel on a Christian pilgrimage, will go by road to neighbouring Jordan. Canada The Canadian government said it would organise special flights from Tel Aviv later in the week for Canadian nationals, with help from the Canadian military. France French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced on Tuesday that her ministrys crisis unit was organising a special Air France flight from Tel Aviv on Thursday to help repatriate any French nationals who have been unable to leave. Germany Germany said it was working with Lufthansa to organise several special flights on Thursday and Friday to repatriate German citizens. Around 4,500 German citizens have registered on a list seeking help to return home, a foreign ministry source said. Iceland The Iceland government announced it will send a plane to repatriate around 120 of its nationals stuck in Israel. Norway Norway has organised a flight for Wednesday evening for its citizens stuck in Israel and Palestinian territories. There are around 500 Norwegian nationals in the region. Portugal Portugal repatriated 152 of its nationals Wednesday morning, as well as 14 other Europeans, in a Portuguese military aircraft. Finland Finland says it will organise the repatriation of its nationals from the region. Afghanistans acting president-in-exile Amrullah Saleh, who spoke to News18 exclusively from an undisclosed location, said the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel will be inspirational for other terror groups and even lead to repetition". This is Salehs first-ever interview in almost two years to any media publication around the world. ALSO READ | Who Betrayed Ayman al-Zawahiri? Afghanistans Acting Prez-in-Exile Amrullah Saleh Has A Theory | Exclusive It has established Iran and Hamas as masters of security in the Middle-East, above Saudi, UAE and Bahrain. Saudi and Israel can join hands, but the sentiment on the streets wont changeIt has immediately brought the Ukraine issue to number 2, which is good for Moscow. Israels retaliation will also act as a precedent, which the US will now not be able to stop This is what Hamas wanted. It is inspirational for any militant group. It will lead to repetition," said Saleh, who is fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Israel witnessed a surprise and unprecedented multifront attack by air, land and sea by the Hamas militant group, which rules the Gaza Strip, in its southern parts on Saturday morning. How did they do it?Operational Security: The media is wrong on calling the Hamas attack as a surprise. Hamas existed next door & next to the border fence. Hamas wasnt in state of ceasefire with Israel. You cant expect your enemy to pose like you or act like you. You lose when Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) October 10, 2023 The death toll, last updated over 3,000, is expected to go much higher as Israeli army on Tuesday said it found around 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants around the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the fierce battles continued between Hamas gunmen and Israeli troops in Gaza after the Palestinian military group fired over 5,000 rockets toward Israel killing thousands of people. Israels military scoured the countrys south for Hamas fighters and guarded breaches in its border fence with tanks on Monday, as it pounded the Gaza Strip from the air and mustered for a campaign its prime minister said would destroy the military and governing capabilities of the militant group. Saleh listed the three scenarios to end the crisis. One, occupation, which will be tough for Israel as it will have to fight and feed the enemy. Another is a UN-led peacekeeping force which is tougher, considering the troops may not want to enter a volatile region. Third is negotiations with Hamas, which will give them recognition" According to Saleh, the security interest of countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Russia is at stake in the ongoing situation. Russia doesnt even recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. The world isnt divided along very clear lines as Washington and Tel Aviv wish. It is far (more) complicated (than that)." India on Wednesday launched a special operation to repatriate its citizens from Israel where a full-blown war has erupted since Hamas militants launched their onslaught on Saturday. Nearly 3,700 people have been killed in the war since Saturday when hundreds of Hamas militants stormed across the border from Gaza and killed hundreds. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar made the announcement regarding the operation on X, formerly Twitter, and said the Government of India is fully committed to the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad. Under Operation Ajay, special charter flights will fly out of Israel to bring Indians back home. Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return.Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2023 A 24-hour Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance. Israel on Wednesday kept up its bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a political rival announced an emergency government for the duration of the conflict that has already killed thousands. Here are Latest Updates on Israel-Hamas War: Israeli diplomat Tammy Ben-Haim on Wednesday said Israels priority is to devastate Hamas so much that the militant group doesnt think of ever striking the country again. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are laying a siege on Gaza and have blocked water, fuel, internet and electricity to the blockaded coastal enclave. Israel-Hamas Conflict: Catch LIVE Updates Here We need to make sure that we devastate Hamas so much, we hurt their infrastructure, we hurt their commanders that they will not think of ever striking Israel again, the consul general of Israel to south India said while speaking to ANI. Israel confirmed that it hit dozens of Hamas targets during the night. The IDF claimed to have destroyed advanced detection systems that Hamas used to spot military aircraft. They said that over 80 Hamas targets were hit in the Beit Hanoun area of the northeastern Gaza Strip. They said two bank branches were also targeted as they were used by the terrorists to fund terrorism in Gaza. ALSO READ | Israel Counts on Global Support Amid Hamas War, Says Scenes Coming Out of Gaza Will Get Difficult However, a ground invasion will be different from the airstrikes. Two journalists, Frank Gardner of the BBC and Ben Wedeman of the CNN highlighted several important points which show that it will not be an easy task. Gardner points to the tensions between Hamas and Israel in 2014 when the IDF invaded Gaza leading to the deaths of more than 2,000 Palestinians. He says each death was used to radicalise more young Gazan men which has only exacerbated the conflict. He also highlights that the topography of Gaza Strip will only make it complicated for the IDF as the big tanks that Israel will be rolling into Gaza, will only find themselves trapped in the city which is one of the worlds most densely populated cities. EXPLAINED | What Did Hamas Achieve from the Surprise Attack on Israel A densely populated piece of territory is no place for tanks, which would be highly vulnerable to ambush, BBCs Gardner writes. He urges for a lasting peace deal but says the ground invasion can only bring short-term success as most of Hamass commanders would be eliminated. CNNs Wedeman also shares the same concern. In a report, the journalist who went on the ground to cover what Israel dubbed Operation Cast Lead in 2009, Wedeman says Israels main tactic is to move quickly, take control of as much territory as possible, but avoid street-to-street, house-to-house fighting as Hamas would have a better idea of the terrain. He says in Gaza it is not just Hamas but groups like Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and others could mount a serious resistance. He also says that Hamas military capability which was on full display during the weekend is far more stronger than previously imagined. They could be very well prepared for a prolonged conflict. Human Cost The journalist also pointed to the human cost of war. He says inside the Gaza Strip it is not just Hamas militants but also regular Palestinian citizens. They have been told to leave for Egypt but the average Palestinian is also fighting for their rights against Israel whom they call occupiers. It is unlikely that all Palestinians will heed to Israeli calls for evacuation. This could complicate the hostage rescue plans that Israel has. Over 150 people are being held hostage by Hamas and they are inside Gaza. Wedeman says that no one outside Hamas knows where they are kept but they could also be kept inside crowded refugee camps. An attack in a refugee camp may come at a huge cost. An air raid on the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp on Tuesday led to the death of 15 people. Israel probably expects more deaths in Gaza and has said the pictures coming out of Gaza will be difficult. Israel Defense Force (IDF) Spokesperson Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus expressed hope that the support from around the world remains unwavering, even as the scenes coming out of the Gaza Strip will be more difficult to cope with. The 22-year-old German woman, who was kidnapped and paraded naked by Hamas terrorists, might be alive, claims her mother. Mother of Shani Louk, the woman seen in viral videos on the back of a pickup truck in a semi naked state surrounded by Hamas men, said that they have received information from sources in Palestine, who confirm that their daughter is alive. While speaking to German news website Bild, said the family now has evidence that she is alive but her condition is very critical. Ricarda also mentioned that every minute is critical because her daughter has a serious head injury. Louks mother Ricarda has now urged the German government to help her get out of the war-torn region. Shani was reportedly attending an open-air dance music festival in southern Israel near the border with Gaza when the terrorist organisation launched an attack and also kidnapped her. Videos circulating on social media showed Louk, aged 30, dancing at the festival with a group of girls. Palestinian terror group Hamas launched the massive attack on Israel on Saturday, killing over 3000 people and injuring thousand others. While, in a response attack from Israel, over 1000 Gazans have also been killed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised strong retaliation for what he described as a cruel and wicked war against Israel. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Some countries and international organizations are trying to mediate the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia today. I recently said that if this policy is not one-sided and biased, we will accept these attempts, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he met with the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries. But when we see from the side of France, on the one hand, a flagrant violation of all diplomatic norms, statements bordering on insults, dirty insinuations, provocations and lies, and on the other, attempts to provide mediation services, it does not fit into any logic. We do not need such mediators. That is the first. Secondly, if someone wants to engage in mediation, this should not be a PR exercise, but should actually aim to achieve a result, the President of Azerbaijan underlined. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday described India as a Vishwa Mitra, or the worlds friend and a voice of the Global South. Speaking at the opening session of the 23rd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) here as India assumed vice chairship for 2023-25, Jaishankar said, Many of us here are members of the Global South and the focus that India has been able to bring through the G20 would surely be welcome to all of you. As the Vice Chair for the next two years, India, the Vishwamitra, or the worlds friend, a voice of the global south, will work with IORA member states to strengthen the institutional, financial and legal framework of IORA towards realising the true potential of this dynamic grouping, he said. This is perhaps the first occasion when a high-ranking cabinet minister has used Vishwa Mitra to describe India instead of Vishwa Guru. Jaishankar did evoke another popular phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as he said. It is the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, of the world is one family, which can be a binding force to bring IORA member states together. He also said that India would also help IORA to harness the power of women or Nari Shakti, by shifting the focus to women-led development. The significance of the democratisation of technology in bridging the data divide and promoting Data for Development cannot be over-exaggerated in IORAs quest for prosperity, he said. Jaishankar said India will continue our approach of contributing to build capacity and secure safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region, including as a first responder and a net security provider. Indias commitment to the well-being and progress of nations of the Indian Ocean is based on its Neighbourhood First policy, the SAGAR outlook, our approach to the extended neighbourhood and to the Indo-Pacific, he said. Jaishankar is among the 16 ministers attending the two-day IORA meeting which will also include the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Iran, Mauritius, Malaysia and South Africa. In a move that may mean no relief for Pakistans former PM Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the Practice and Procedure Act 2023, which curtails the power of the chief justice to take suo motu decisions or appoint a roster of judges to the three senior-most judges in the SC, but struck down the section dealing with the right of appeal having retrospective effect, calling it ultra vires of the Constitution. The denial of the right of retrospective appeal means that a prospective applicant such as Nawaz Sharif cannot appeal against his lifetime disqualification from participating in politics. Sharif left for Saudi Arabia for Umrah on Wednesday. He will stay there for a week during which he will hold important meetings. He will arrive in Dubai on October 18. Sharif will reach Pakistan in a chartered plane from Dubai on October 21, ending his four-year-long self-imposed exile in the UK, according to a media report. The flight carrying Nawaz will have the name Umeed-e-Pakistan which can carry approximately 150 passengers, Geo News reported. The booking has been made and all arrangements are in place, the report said. The 73-year-old three-time prime minister is expected to lead his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party in the general elections likely to be held in January next year. Sharif will be accompanied to the Saudi visit by his close aides Mian Nasir Janjua, Waqar Ahmed, his friend Karim Yousaf and a few others. Nasir Janjua, the owner of MIDJAC company, spent nearly three years in exile in London with Sharif and returned to Pakistan just a Sharif stepped down as the countrys prime minister in 2017 after he was disqualified for life from holding public office by the Supreme Court for not declaring a receivable salary. He has been living in London since 2019 after the LHC granted him four-week permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment. 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. 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. He was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018. Shahid Latif, Indias most-wanted terrorist and mastermind of 2016 Pathankot attack, was on Wednesday shot dead by unknown assailants inside a mosque in Daska town of Pakistans Sialkot. Latif, alias Bilal, is learnt to have been shot dead by three gunmen along with his driver after the fajr namaz (Islamic prayer before sunrise), district police officer Mohammad Hassan Iqbal told News18, adding that this is target killing and act of terrorism. According to sources, Shahid Latif was also booked by Pakistan government for Pathankot attack and Punjab police had registered an FIR against him. Latif (41) was a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He was an alleged commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, and was termed as one of the main handlers of the Pathankot attackers by NIA. Seven IAF personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, 2016. The siege went on for three days. Latif had been operating in Jammu and Kashmir until he was arrested and subsequently deported in 2010 after spending 16 years in Indian jails. He had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley in 1993 and was arrested a year later. He was in Jammu jail with Masood Azhar, founder of the JeM, till 2010, officials said. A report in Indian Express had in 2016 had traced Latifs history of terror. The report stated that the story of Latif, a resident of Gujranwala (Pakistan), begins in the early 1990s when Jaish-e-Mohammads parent group, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, entered the Kashmir theatre. Harkat was a splinter group of the Harkat-e-Jihadi Islami, which was engaged in the Afghan jihad against the Soviet Union but once it entered Kashmir, the two factions joined together to form the Harkat-ul-Ansar in 1994, the report had mentioned. IE further quoted NIA sources as saying that Latif was one of the militants holed up in the Hazratbal shrine during its siege in 1993. Around 40 militants, mostly locals, were holed up for a month while the Army, paramilitary and police laid a siege around it. The standoff was over only after the militants were given a free passage after negotiations, the report stated. The report quoted police sources in Jammu and Kashmir as saying that soon after the siege was lifted at Hazratbal, Latif was pushed back into Pakistan through the RS Pora border in Jammu which was part of the deal. While NIA claims that Latif was a member of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, J&K police sources say that their records show he was with Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Indian Express stated. The report further quoted NIA sources as saying that the names of militants that the hijackers of IC 814 initially wanted released in exchange of the crew and passengers of the Indian airliner in Kandahar included Latif. But nobody paid heed to the list once the deal was struck to release Azhar, Omar Sheikh and Kashmir militant commander Mushtaq Zargar, IE mentioned, adding that J&K police sources however said that there is no official record of his name being on any list. The report had in 2016 quoted NIA sources as saying that their investigation into the Pathankot attack revealed that Shahid Latif joined Jaish after he was deported and became an important member of the outfit. NIA sources had claimed they have enough evidence against Latif that they have put his name in the Letters Rogatory sent to Islamabad. He was on our radar also because his name had come up during Kathua (attack) too. We think he is one of the main planners of Pathankot attack like (Masood Azhars brother) Rouf, an NIA official was quoted by IE. A chilling video of a family father, mother, daughter, son and another member being held hostage by the Hamas militant group has surfaced on social media, where their gun-wielding captors are telling them to talk to Israel. Talk to your country. Tell them we are here, a militant, who is recording the video, tells the father, who has been shot in the leg. The incident took place in a kibbutz in Israels Nahal Oz, which is close to the Gaza border, and was livestreamed on Facebook by Hamas. In the video, the father is heard saying: The Hamas group is here inside our house. I have been shot in the leg. The man points at his wife and their daughter and says he is here with them. The militants also ask him about the people in family photographs who are not present in the house. The man gestures that they are away: Haifa, indicating that they live in the Israeli port city. In the video, Hamas fighters also use the son to persuade people in the neighbourhood to get out of their homes. The content of the video could not be verified and there is no information on where the family is placed at present. After Hamas launched a surprise military incursion into Israel on October 7, many such videos have surfaced on social media. Only a few days ago, the video of a family had gone viral, where it was established that the 18-year-old daughter of the couple had been executed in front of them and her younger siblings. There are also numerous other videos of militants either killing or taking women, children and senior citizens hostage. Hamas has taken around 150 hostages, Israel said. They include at least 14 Thais, two Mexicans and an unknown number of Americans and Germans. Indian Americans held a rally in the US city of Chicago to express solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of the terrorist attack by Palestinian militant outfit Hamas. Terrorism is not only an Israel issue, its an ongoing humanitarian issue. It must be stopped before it gets too late! members of the Indian American community were quoted as saying in a statement by PTI. During the rally, the protestors displayed flags of India, the United States, and Israel. This show of support comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led government has formally declared war on Hamas after its terrorists launched a brazen attack on Saturday that has killed more than 1,000 people in Israel. Israel has responded with a fierce offensive of airstrikes in Gaza that has claimed 830 lives and caused widespread destruction. Fierce fighting has left thousands dead on both sides since Hamas launched a surprise assault on Saturday, spurring Israels reprisal bombing campaign. On Wednesday, the United Nations said that more than 260,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, as heavy Israeli bombardments from the air, land and sea continue to hit the Palestinian enclave. As the conflict continues to escalate, Israel has imposed what it called a complete siege on the already blockaded Gaza Strip, cutting off food, water, fuel and electricity. In a phone conversation on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Israeli counterpart, Netanyahu, that the people of India stand firmly with his country in this difficult hour, and expressed strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms. I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, PM Modi wrote on X on Tuesday. British foreign minister James Cleverly traveled to Israel on Wednesday to show solidarity with the Israeli people following attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, the British foreign office said. The Foreign Secretary has arrived in Israel today to demonstrate the UKs unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamas terrorist attacks, a foreign office spokesperson said. He will be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israels right to defend itself. Britain, along with its Western allies, has expressed steadfast support for Israel and condemned the attacks by Hamas. Israel bombed Gaza overnight ahead of a potential ground assault against Hamas, while U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the Palestinian militant groups surprise attack as sheer evil. Earlier the BBC reported seventeen British nationals including children were dead or missing in Israel. A Hindu temple, billed to be the second-largest in the world, and the largest in the western hemisphere, has been inaugurated in US New Jersey, 99 kilometres south of New York City. Spread over a sprawling 185 acres, the Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville City of New Jersey stands at 191 feet high. The temple was inaugurated on October 8 in the presence of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) leader Mahant Swami Maharaj, with several thousand people attending the event. It was Pramukh Swami Maharajs divine wish to construct an Akshardham in North America, where people can come and visit, irrespective of race, creed or religion, said Mahant Swami Maharaj. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Delaware Governor John Carney and Congressman Steny Hoyer. It is the second largest ever Hindu temple on this globe planet and of course, the largest in the Western hemisphere, which was inaugurated on October 8th, on the 90th birthday celebrations of Mahant Swami Maharaj. It was dedicated to this society, to humanity, Gnanvatsaldas Swami, senior BAPS leader and motivational speaker, told PTI. The basic purpose of creating temples is to inspire people with values. Dharma, gyan, vairagya and bhakti, the four pillars of ekantik dharma that according to the Indian scriptures, was well prescribed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. So, this is a monument dedicated to Indian culture and tradition. Its a monument dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayans life and teachings, he said. The surprising element of this in the United States is that 12,500 volunteers ranging from 10 days of service to more than three years, five years of service have come together to build this Akshardham, Gnanvatsaldas Swami said. The temple has the story of Ramayana, Mahabharat carved on its stones. It has more than 150 Indian musical instruments and all the major dance postures on its pillars and wall. The best way to preserve art is regeneration. The BAPS has in its own humble way, been able to regenerate ancient art. In doing that, theyve also given the skills back because those skills are needed. Thousands of artisans who have once again begun to calve and their art is being valued so that art is preserved for the next generation, said Brahmaviharidas Swami, who is in charge of the under-construction Abu Dhabi Akshardham. The senior BAPS leader is currently in the US as part of the inaugural ceremony. The temple reflects universal values, said Yogi Trivedi, a scholar of religion and media at Columbia University and a volunteer spokesperson at Akshardham Temple. Stones from seven different countries, including Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, India, were used in the temple construction. All of those stones also represent different cultural streams. Theyve all come together. They were shipped to India, intricately carved, then dry assembled there to make sure that its going to fit when it comes here, disassembled and then shipped here, 8,000 miles where its coming together. So just the coming together of those stones also shows the pluralism that is here in this complex, Trivedi told PTI. As one walks in the Akshardham, the Brahmakund or the step wall at the front has the water from 400 different rivers and lakes from around the world: Africa, Australia, the US. It has water from Ganga and Yamuna in India, and Mississippi and East River and Lake Michigan from the US. That too shows the person who visits that this complex is open to all, and it brings a sense of belonging to anyone who comes here, he said. Theres that sense of inclusivity that everyone feels when they come inside to do darshan and to do pooja, he said. This is not just a Hindu story or a Hindu American story, it is an American and a global story, Trivedi said. When you walk around the base plinth of the mandir, you will see the universal beliefs of inclusivity, seva, bhakti, spiritual transcendence, love for all of humanity because God resides within it, he said. You will see those same messages from Socrates, Reverend Martin Luther King, President Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein. The point is that those universal beliefs have been shown here at the mandir in a way that the American audience that visits, the Hindu American audience that visits, and the international audience that will come as visitors, or the pilgrims will also come to appreciate and readily connect with the people who are sharing those messages, he said. Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni, who visited the temple a day after its inauguration said the temple brings Indias message to the rest of the world, adding that the message of the world is one family. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Congressman Steny Hoyer admired the craftsmanship behind the carved elephants, peacocks and other sculptures. But what I find most extraordinary is the community that built it. Appreciating the volunteers and their service, the Congressman said: They did it because they believe in the values this structure represents: equality, liberation, truth, harmony, and most importantly, service to others. The values enshrined here are not just Hindu values, they are human values. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York delivered a message of congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the temples construction. A plane carrying advanced US armaments designed to facilitate significant military operations landed Tuesday evening at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, the countrys defence forces said. US weapons were delivered as the war, which has claimed over 2,000 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. The Israel Defense Forces, however, did not disclose what types of weapons or military equipment it received. Israel has stepped up its offensive on the Gaza Strip in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas, pounding neighborhoods with airstrikes and expanding the mobilisation of reservists to 360,000. Less than two days after declaring war, the Israeli military said it had regained effective control over the Gaza border and areas Hamas attacked in the southern part of the country. We are grateful for the US backing and assistance to the IDF, and to the State of Israel in general, during this challenging period. Our common enemies know that the cooperation between our militaries is stronger than ever, and is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability, the IDF said in a statement. In another statement, the Israeli defence ministry said the equipment was procured and brought to the country by its Ministry of Defense and the US Procurement Mission. The equipment was procured & brought to Israel by the Israel Ministry of Defenses DOPP, the US Procurement Mission & the International Transportation Unit. They coordinated the mobilization of the cargo plane, ensuring the direct transport of armaments from the USA. pic.twitter.com/Zjy9TTla02 Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) October 11, 2023 A day earlier, US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Congress would need to pass more funding for weapons and military aid to be delivered to both Israel and Ukraine. The intent is to lean forward in support of Israel, Wormuth was quoted as saying by Fox News. But in particular with munitions and the ability to support Israel and Ukraine simultaneously, additional funding is needed to increase our capacity to expand production and then also pay for the munitions themselves. Sheer Evil The weapons were delivered to Israel as President Joe Biden on Tuesday again condemned the attacks by Hamas as sheer evil on Tuesday. In an emotional speech, Biden said Washington is ready to deploy more military assets to the region. The Palestinian militant group had carried out atrocities including murders of entire families and rapes of women, an indignant Biden said from the White House. There are moments in this life I mean this literally when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world, he said in a hushed voice during a televised speech. This is an act of sheer evil. Biden also confirmed that at least 14 Americans had died in the surprise attacks on Saturday and that a number had been taken captive by Hamas, which has threatened to kill hostages if Israel does not warn civilians of upcoming attacks on Gaza. At least 20 US citizens were still missing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. Amid the ongoing reports on possible intelligence failure in the wake of the Hamas attack, Sullivan stated that the US did not pick up any signs. We did not see anything that suggested an attack of this type was going to unfold any more than the Israelis did, Sullivan told reporters. Notably, the US Presidents remarks on Tuesday were his clearest show of support for Israel yet as the death toll surged above 1,200 in the sickening attack by Hamas. Gaza officials have also reported 900 people killed in air strikes. Meanwhile, Israels army said the bodies of roughly 1,500 militants had been found. Second Aircraft Carrier As the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants continues to escalate, the United States is considering the deployment of two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean. Earlier, US media said the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with its warships and fighter jets, was originally scheduled to depart from Norfolk, Virginia, this week. However, US-based publication Politico reported Tuesday that USS Dwight Eisenhower may now be ordered to position itself off the coast of Israel. USS Eisenhowers deployment was initially planned to take place near Europe, as stated by DOD spokesperson Lt. Col. Bryon McGarry. The ship is set to leave Norfolk on Friday, and if ordered, it could arrive in the eastern Mediterranean by the end of October. At that time, it would join the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its strike group, which the Pentagon had dispatched to the waters off Israel on Sunday. This move serves as a display of US forces in response to the unprecedented attacks on Israel. Israel has formed an emergency government to conduct war against Hamas, five days after the groups fighters killed civilians in their homes and on the streets in an unprecedented assault on Israeli soil. Thousands have died over the last five days, with Israel responding to the killings with a massive bombardment of the Gaza Strip which Hamas rules. Israel has massed its military forces around the besieged Palestinian enclave in what appears to be preparation for a possible ground invasion. This is what we know about the conflict so far: How The Assault Unfolded Hundreds of Hamas militants attacked Israel from around 6:30 am (0330 GMT) on Saturday, the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, in an assault that came 50 years and a day after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The Iran-backed Islamists fired thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and used explosives and bulldozers to break through the security fence around the blockaded Palestinian enclave. Using motorbikes, pickup trucks, motorised gliders and speed boats, the militants streamed into Israel, targeting cities including Ashkelon, Ofakim and Sderot. The gunmen fired on hundreds of young Israelis and foreigners at a music festival near Kibbutz Reim, close to Gaza. Some 270 people died at the site alone. Hamas also took around 150 hostages, Israel said. They include at least 14 Thais, two Mexicans and an unknown number of Americans and Germans. How Israel is Responding Israel declared war on Hamas on Sunday and has since carried out thousands of air strikes inside the densely populated territory of 2.3 million people. The bombing campaign has flattened more than 1,000 homes, while 560 more have been so severely damaged they are uninhabitable, UN humanitarian agency OCHA said, citing Palestinian authorities. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday ordered a complete siege of Gaza, meaning no electricity, no food, no water, no gas, in a move decried by the United Nations as a possible violation of international law. The military has massed tens of thousands of troops and heavy armour near Gaza, and called up 300,000 reservists for a campaign it has dubbed Swords of Iron. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that his countrys military campaign was only the start of a sustained war. By Tuesday evening, the United Nations said that the air strikes had forced more than 260,000 people to flee their homes in the impoverished territory hemmed in by an Israeli-Egyptian blockade for more than 15 years. Three Israeli strikes have also hit the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the only entry point into Gaza not controlled by Israel. The Israeli military meanwhile said Tuesday that it had largely reclaimed the embattled south and the border around Gaza, and dislodged holdout Hamas fighters from more than a dozen towns and kibbutzim. But late Tuesday in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, troops backed by helicopters and drones exchanged fire with several militants, leaving three fighters dead, the army said. And on Wednesday a rocket from Gaza struck a hospital in Ashkelon. Israel faced the threat of a multi-front war after days of back and forth shelling with the Iran-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah on the northern border with Lebanon. Hezbollah said it fired missiles at Israel Wednesday, and the Israeli military said it responded with by striking one of the groups military observation posts in southern Lebanon. Israel also exchanged fire with militants in Syria on Tuesday after the army said munitions were fired towards the occupied Golan Heights. On Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu and his centrist political rival Benny Gantz announced they had agreed an emergency unity government. Netanyahu said he would freeze his controversial judicial reforms that have divided Israel, but his extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies would remain in Government. Death Toll Mounts Israel says Hamas gunmen have killed more than 1,200 people and wounded over 2,700 in Israeli cities, towns and kibbutz communities. In the kibbutz of Beeri alone, Hamas gunmen killed more than 100 people, a volunteer who helped recover the bodies told AFP. The Israeli military said 169 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting and the bodies of 1,500 Islamist militants have been found in recaptured areas. Eighteen Thais, 14 US citizens and 10 Nepalis are among foreigners from more than a dozen countries killed. In Gaza, health officials said 1,055 people had been killed and more than 5,000 wounded. Hamass armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, on Monday said Israeli air strikes on Gaza had killed four of the enemys prisoners, in a claim that could not be independently verified. Eight Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli air strikes, according to media unions and officials. Unrest has also broken out in the occupied West Bank, where 27 Palestinians have died since Saturday. What Hamas Says About The Attack Hamas said it fired 5,000 rockets in an offensive it branded Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. On Monday it threatened to start killing hostages every time Israel launches a strike on a civilian target without warning. It has ruled out negotiating a prisoner swap with Israel as the military operation is still ongoing. Its chief Ismail Haniyeh vowed Saturday to press ahead with the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons. Hamas has called on resistance fighters in the West Bank as well as in Arab and Islamic nations to join the battle. How The World Has Reacted The United States has vowed rock solid and unwavering support for Israel, with President Joe Biden condemning the attacks by Hamas as sheer evil, and so far shown no sign of calling for restraint by its key ally. Biden said Washington was surging assistance for Israel, including missiles for its Iron Dome interceptor system, while the largest US aircraft carrier has been ordered to move closer to Israel. Washington is also deploying hostage experts to Israel to help, but says it is so far not sending troops. A joint statement by the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Italy condemned the attack and stressed their full support for Israel. They said they recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people but said Hamas offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed. Iran has meanwhile celebrated the Hamas assault, but has repeatedly denied allegations it had a role in it. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday harshly criticised the United States for its West Asia (Middle East) policy for the recent conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group. Israel-Hamas Conflict: Catch LIVE Updates Here I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East, Putin was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters. Sat in front of him was visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. The Hamas terrorist group launched a multipronged attack on Israel over the weekend and the conflict has entered its fourth day. Over 2,000 people have died so far with over 1,200 Israelis and more than 900 Palestinians killed. ALSO READ | Israel Lays Siege on Gaza to Devastate Hamas. How Will The Ground Assault Play Out? Putin said the US ignored the interests of Palestinians and did not pay heed to the need for an independent Palestinian state. He said the US did not listen to the Palestinian demand of a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital along with all the territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war. ALSO READ | Israel Counts on Global Support Amid Hamas War, Says Scenes Coming Out of Gaza Will Get Difficult However, the US feels the response was muted. The New York Times on Tuesday in an analysis piece pointed out that Putin, who had long cast himself as a friend of Israel and the Jewish people failed to send a message of condolence for the Israelis who died in the hands of the Hamas terrorists. Putin, when he declared his so-called military operation in Ukraine, compared the Ukrainian government to Nazi Germany as a justification. It is also true that certain Ukrainian leaders and entities sided with Nazi Germany during World War II but Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, who is Jewish, says they are not anti-Semitic nor Nazis. Citing his contempt for Nazis, the West expected Putin to retaliate sharply. Putin chose to not pick sides and since the onset of the conflict has urged both sides to exercise restraint. EXPLAINED | What Did Hamas Achieve from the Surprise Attack on Israel Russias support for Palestine dates back to its Soviet past. Putin balanced it by forging closer ties with Benjamin Netanyahu. The New York Times pointed out that oversaw the construction of the Moscow Jewish Museum in 2012 and in 2020 along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he inaugurated a memorial to the victims of Nazi Germanys siege of Leningrad but failed to call him once during the recent conflict. Putin is also cautious not to impact its friendship with Iran because it cannot afford to. China, North Korea, Iran and Russia (with Venezuela and few other anti-US nations on its side) present an opposing force to the world order the US imagines. Putin also has close ties with Saudi Arabia. Keeping this in mind, he may have chosen to highlight the Palestinian demands. The Hamas-Israel conflict also allows Putin to rethink his strategy in Ukraine. For him a window may have also opened somewhere because the US is now caught in two conflicts. One is eastern Europe with Ukraine and the second in West Asia with Israel-Hamas. The US is also heading into an election and US President Biden is eyeing a reelection. A Donald Trump win could change the scenario but it has to wait until 2024 Election Day and the prime challenger to Biden is also facing legal battles of his own. Americans are also not interested in funding, backing and participating in new wars. For now, Russia and Putin are partially benefiting from the conflict in Gaza because the US will likely face issues with funding the war in Ukraine partly due to growing bipartisan resistance towards military funding and also partly due to the state of the American economy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Azerbaijan complied with all humanitarian norms during the occupation, during the second Karabakh war and during the anti-terrorist measures. By the way, this is evidenced by international experts, including the UN mission, which visited the liberated territories just recently, yesterday and before that, about a week ago, twice, and noted that all humanitarian norms had been observed, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he met with the participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member countries. Nevertheless, Armenian patrons in the West have launched a dirty, provocative and false campaign against Azerbaijan, accusing us of all possible sins. France plays the main violin here, and this is reflected in the statements of officials of this country, attempts to discredit Azerbaijan, an extensive media campaign against Azerbaijan, where everything is turned upside down. Azerbaijan is portrayed as an aggressor, while Armenia is described as a victim, the head of state added. Was Mahmood Shah Habibi, former deputy chief of Afghanistans Aviation Authority, the man who leaked the whereabouts of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri to the United States of America (USA)? Afghanistans acting president-in-exile Amrullah Saleh, who spoke to News18 exclusively from an undisclosed location, thinks so. This is Salehs first-ever interview in almost two years to any publication around the world. ALSO READ | Hamas Attack Inspirational for Other Terror Groups, Will Lead to Repetition: Afghans Saleh to News18 An American drone strike killed al-Zawahiri, a key plotter of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US who took over as the leader of al-Qaeda after Osama bin Ladens death in 2011, at a safe house in Kabul in Afghanistan, on July 31, 2022. Zawahiri was the No. 2 in al-Qaeda when the group conducted the September 11 terror attacks, and American officials considered him a central plotter. The safe house in Kabuls upscale Shirpur where al-Zawahiri stayed was the home to a top aide to senior Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani. The Haqqani network is an Afghan Islamist insurgent group, built around the family of the same name. There was an agreement between the USs Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Haqqanis on the al-Qaeda. However, there was no discussion on the fate of al-Zawahiri per se," said Saleh. The Taliban had promised in the 2020 Doha Agreement on the terms of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan that they would not harbour al-Qaeda members. Consequently, they sent back the al-Qaeda members to their countries of origin such as Egypt, Algeria and Morocco, where they did not face prosecution. The Taliban was also negotiating with the leadership to leave. Zawahiri, however, stayed by himself with a few others in Kabul in an area which was home to foreign embassies and diplomats under the previous administration. The US went around the Taliban and found his location through Habibi, a US passport holder of Afghan origin, who owned a Kabul-based telecommunication company in al-Zawahiris neighbourhood," alleged Saleh. Two hellfire missiles fired by a drone crashed into the balcony of his home, killing only the al-Qaeda leader. According to Saleh, keen on finding the leak, the Taliban reached Habibis firm and detained him. Amid rumours of negotiations between the Taliban and the US for his release, Habibis family last spoke to the media in 2021, claiming they have no knowledge of his whereabouts. As far as we know, the US has been in secret negotiations with the Taliban over his release. Washington keeps silent on this matter to deter domestic pressure, especially ahead of the upcoming Presidential elections. Habibi is a high-value hostage for the Taliban". ALSO READ | Did Taliban Leak Zawahiris Kabul Location to US? Had They Asked Al-Qaida to Leave? Exclusive In August 2021, the United States and its NATO allies withdrew from Afghanistan after almost two decades of war with the Taliban, paving the way for the resurgent Islamist group. As President Ashraf Ghani fled after the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, Saleh declared himself the acting president of the country and is leading the fight against the Taliban. Afghanistans acting president-in-exile Amrullah Saleh, who spoke to News18 exclusively from an undisclosed location, said they are determined to fight the Taliban to take their areas back". This is Salehs first-ever interview in almost two years to any media publication around the world. ALSO READ | Who Betrayed Ayman al-Zawahiri? Afghanistans Acting Prez-in-Exile Amrullah Saleh Has A Theory | Exclusive We will get our areas backWe are countering Taliban internally and externally. They will lose The Taliban is a proxy and malicious force. We will fight till they agree to a process for establishment of a legitimate system in Afghanistan," said Saleh. In August 2021, the United States and its NATO allies withdrew from Afghanistan, as per the Doha agreement, after almost two decades of war with the Taliban, paving the way for the resurgent Islamist group. The agreement signed in Qatar sought to address four major issues withdrawal of American and other foreign troops from the country, reducing the level of violence, initiating a national peace dialogue, and ensuring that the country would never again become a safe haven for international terrorists. As President Ashraf Ghani fled after the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, Saleh declared himself the acting president of the country and is leading the fight against the Taliban. The Western narrative that they didnt abandon Afghanistan, but only corrupt politicians, is completely wrong and self-serving. There was a geopolitical schemeThey negotiated with the Taliban for almost 10 years to agree on the terms of exit and they were expecting us to agree to the Taliban in five days to rubberstamp the Doha agreement in which there is hardly any mention of Afghan people and their rights," said Saleh. NOT REALLY AIDING? According to Saleh, those opposing the Taliban are facing a couple of challenges that are beyond their capabilities. One is the 60-million-dollar per week aid from the United States to the Taliban, which is giving it maneuverability to use national revenue for consolidation of repressive conduct" he said. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State, is providing nearly $327 million in additional humanitarian assistance to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. ALSO READ | Shoot Me Twice in the Head: What Amrullah Saleh Told His Guard Amid Fears of Taliban Takeover The US aid is auctioned in Afghanistan. People with direct link to the Haqqanis an Afghan Islamist insurgent group built around the family of the same name are able to buy itThe NGOs, too, deliver services to areas identified by Taliban. So the aid money basically helps the Taliban," he explained. The TALIBAN OPPOSITIONs FOCUS According to Saleh, the opposition is looking at three main areas: Knowing the Taliban: Saleh feels that knowing who the Taliban are post August 2021 was important to say no to them. The total number of casualties in direct combat with the Taliban over two years is 1,000 men. Around 5,000 of our sympathizers and supporters are in detention of Taliban. They have saturated areas of our activities with their militias," said Saleh. Saleh feels that knowing who the Taliban are post August 2021 was important to say no to them. The total number of casualties in direct combat with the Taliban over two years is 1,000 men. Around 5,000 of our sympathizers and supporters are in detention of Taliban. They have saturated areas of our activities with their militias," said Saleh. Internal and external fight: According to Saleh, there is a lot of funding coming in to keep them divided. We are operating from an environment that is not willing to let us unite The Ankara-based alliance is less willing to engage with Taliban militarily," he said. According to Saleh, there is a lot of funding coming in to keep them divided. We are operating from an environment that is not willing to let us unite The Ankara-based alliance is less willing to engage with Taliban militarily," he said. Multiple voices: Saleh said some believe in gradual softening of the Taliban. They want to sell the Doha agreement to allies. Some wont return to Afghanistan without a process or referendum to determine the type of the state. Then there are us who say this dispensation is illegitimate," he said. ALSO READ | Genocide in Making: Amrullah Saleh Writes to UN on Catastrophe in Valley as Taliban Close in on Panjshir THE ISI FACTOR According to Saleh, the region was initially fooled by Pakistans Inter-State Intelligence (ISI). Pakistanis did a diplomatic initiative asking the region to give the Taliban six months for Af-Pak negotiations. Qataris started another campaign The second Taliban is in no way less associated with the ISI than the first," Saleh warned. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. An event on the theme "The impact of mine aggression on human rights" was held in Warsaw within the framework of the conference entitled "Human Dimension", organized by the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the OSCE, Trend reports. One-tenth of Azerbaijan was purposefully mined by the Armenian armed forces during the nearly 30-year occupation, according to the event moderator, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elshad Iskandarov. Over 1.5 million mines were installed. He claimed that the placement of fresh mines on Azerbaijani soil following the conclusion of the second Karabakh war was evidence of Yerevan's dishonesty in its pro-peace rhetoric. "More than 300 Azerbaijanis have become victims of mine terror over the past two years. Azerbaijan put an end to this type of terror after short-term anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh," Iskandarov said. At the event, the President of the Italian Federation of Human Rights, Antonio Stango, made a presentation of the first study on the topic "The destructive impact of mines on human rights", who assessed the contamination of Karabakh lands by mines as a humanitarian tragedy, as a result of which Azerbaijan was ranked second among the countries in Europe that were subjected to mine pollution. In the report's analytical section, it was noted that Armenia gravely breached international humanitarian law, the law of justice, as well as fundamental human rights as a result of the 30-year mining terror. Stango discussed the need to provide compensation to Azerbaijani citizens harmed by the mine terror after pointing out the significant violations of 700,000 former internally displaced people's rights to health, labor, and education that prevented them from returning to their homes. Ramiz Azizov, Head of the Department of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, spoke about the work done, noting that 2,636 hectares of Azerbaijans Karabakh lands have been cleared of 30,000 anti-personnel and 17,000 anti-tank mines to date, while all this has been done at the expense of Azerbaijan's internal resources. Dennis Sammut, Executive Director of the European LINKS Foundation and founder of the Landmine Free South Caucasus campaign, noted in his speech that regional cooperation in the field of mine clearance has created historic opportunities for mutual trust. He called on the EU to show effective support to the region, in particular Azerbaijan, in large-scale mine clearance actions, which will serve as a contribution by international partners to ensuring sustainable peace in the region. The participants of the event took the initiative to prepare a report with the broad participation of a group of experts, which would reflect concrete proposals and an international mechanism for restoring the rights of mine victims as a result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict that ended, and on the subsequent submission of this report to the UN. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The Azerbaijani Embassy in Israel appealed to fellow citizens, Trend reports. "We recommend that our citizens do not travel inside the country (mainly to areas located in the south and north) and act in accordance with the instructions of local authorities due to the military situation in Israel," the embassy said on X (Twitter). One Azerbaijani citizen was killed as a result of Hamas attacks in Israel. Among the dead are also three persons of Jewish origin who moved from Azerbaijan to Israel. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. The rocket attack killed more than 1,200 people and injured 2,500. The Israeli army declared a "state of readiness for war" and launched the "Swords of Iron" operation in response. UPDATE Oct 11, 2023 7:50 PM CDT A half-dozen Republican House members from New York said Wednesday they'll seek to have Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress. "He's a stain on the institution," said Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, who represents the district next to Santos.' House Democrats were unsuccessful in their attempt in May to boot Santos, but the GOP opponents said the time is right because he was just hit with new charges. They also hope to take advantage of the chaos in the Republican House leadership to push the resolution through, the New York Times reports. The New Yorkers want him gone before they face reelection next year. The resolution requires a two-third majority to pass. Oct 10, 2023 5:49 PM CDT Days after his campaign treasurer pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge, Rep. George Santos has been charged with 10 more felonies in a superseding indictment, bringing the total to 23. The earlier charges related to three alleged schemes and the new ones are connected to two more. Prosecutors say the New York Republican stole the identities and financial information of campaign donors, making charges on their credit cards without their authorization, the Hill reports. He is also accused of falsely inflating fundraising figures in an effort to qualify for campaign support from the Republican Party, report the New York Times. Israeli warplanes hammered the Gaza Strip neighborhood by neighborhood Tuesday, reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling to find safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory now suffering severe retaliation for the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants. Humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid into Gaza and warned that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. Israel has stopped entry of food, fuel, and medicines into Gaza, and the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. The war, which has claimed at least 1,900 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. The weekend attack that Hamas said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation has inflamed Israel's determination to crush the group's hold in Gaza. New exchanges of fire over Israel's northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. Israel stepped up its offensive on Tuesday, expanding the mobilization of reservists to 360,000, the AP reports. Israel's military said it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south and of the Gaza border. A looming question is whether Israel will launch a ground assault into Gaza. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate neighborhood after neighborhood, and then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. With troops massed along the border, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday that Israel is moving toward a "full offense" against Gaza and he has "released all the restraints," the Times of Israel reports. story continues below "Hamas wanted a change in Gaza; it will change 180 degrees from what it thought," Gallant said. "Gaza will never go back to what it was." Four previous rounds of Israel-Hamas fighting between 2008 and 2021 all ended inconclusively, with Hamas battered but still in control. This time, Israel's government is under intense pressure from the public to topple Hamas. On Tuesday, President Biden condemned the attack on Israel as "pure unadulterated evil." (Read more Israel-Hamas war stories.) The wreck of a three-masted ship that sank in 1565 rests a stone's throw from a Cape Canaveral beach in less than 33 feet of water. It holds three bronze cannons, worth more than $1 million each, along with untold treasures. Yet since the discovery of La Trinite in 2016, none of these treasures have been raised. That's because a seven-year battle has been raging over who can claim ownership of what's been described as "the single most historically important shipwreck in North America." That battle, however, may now be resolved. Late last month, Judge Allen Winsor of the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida concluded the wreck belongs to France under the 2004 Sunken Military Craft Act, "which recognizes the sovereignty of a country over its former warships," per AFP . It was what France and Florida had claimed all along, per the Guardian. But in the most recent court battle, Global Marine Exploration, the private company that discovered the wreck, argued La Trinite wasn't a warship, as France and its colonizing rival Spain weren't at war when it sank in a hurricane along with three other ships, ultimately allowing Spain to capture and destroy the French colony of Fort Caroline (present-day Jacksonville). However, records disputed that. According to Jim Goold, a lawyer representing the French, La Trinite had engaged in a conflict between French Protestants and Spain's Catholic monarchy. When the ship set out from Fort Caroline, its captain had "informed the French commander of the fort that he was going to attack the Spanish," Goold said. "France has presented sufficient uncontested evidence to establish La Trinite sank while on military noncommercial service, meaning La Trinite is a 'sunken military craft,'" Judge Winsor wrote in a Sept. 29 decision, per AFP. He also rebutted GME's claim that France had improperly benefited from its efforts to find and explore the wreck, saying the country hadn't ordered the work and couldn't be responsible for it. "This decision is a relief, and we hope that this legal saga will now stop, so that we can concentrate on the preservation of these elements of cultural heritage," Florence Hermite, a legal attache at the French Embassy, tells AFP. It's unclear if the wreck or its treasures will be raised. Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit previously found France had entered into an agreement with Florida to recover the remains. (Read more shipwrecks stories.) Almost no one has more places to drill in West Texas than Pioneer Natural Resourceswhich means almost no one will have more places to drill in West Texas than Exxon Mobil. The energy giant on Wednesday announced it would buy Pioneer in an all-stock deal worth just shy of $60 billion. That is Exxon's biggest buy since it merged with Mobil 1999 in a deal worth $75.3 billion, reports the Washington Post . The Wall Street Journal adds it's the biggest corporate transaction of 2023, and one that "[ties] the energy giant's future to fossil fuels." As the AP puts it, the deal creates "a colossal fracking operator in West Texas." The deal, at $253 a share, values Pioneer close to a 7% premium to its closing value Tuesday of just north of $55 billion. Pioneer shareholders will get 2.32 shares of Exxon for each Pioneer share they own. The AP explains the crux of the deal involves drilling in the Permian basin, "a massive oilfield that straddles the border between Texas and New Mexico," where nearly one-fifth of all US natural gas production took place in 2022. Pioneer holds more than 850,000 net acres in the Midland Basin, to Exxon's 570,000 net acres in the Delaware and Midland basins, two nearly contiguous fields. The deal is expected to close early next year; once it does, Exxon's Permian production volume will more than double to 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day and is projected to hit about 2 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2027. In a press release, Exxon writes that it believes the "transaction represents an opportunity for even greater US energy security." The Journal reads the tea leaves: "The deal puts pressure on Exxon rival Chevron and could usher in an era of megamergers as large public companies flush with cash and buoyed by institutional investors' capital snap up smaller competitors." (Read more Exxon Mobil stories.) A bipartisan group of senators on Tuesday evening requested two Iron Dome batteries that are held by the US be sent to Israel. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, NBC News reports Sens. Mike Rounds, Kirsten Gillibrand, Jacky Rosen, and Rick Scott said "the United States Army is currently in possession of two Iron Dome batteries that have not been deployed and have no operational use inside the United States where they are currently stored." Handing them off to Israel "would provide tangible, life-saving, and sustained support to our ally as it faces rocket and missile salvos that threaten to overwhelm its defenses," they wrote. NBC reports that Israel currently has at least 10 Iron Dome batteries at various locations in the country. As the Wall Street Journal explains, when a radar system detects an inbound missile, it transits info about its speed and trajectory to the batteries' control center, where computers determine whether the rocket is likely to hit a populated area. If so, an interceptor missile is fired from the launcher, connecting with the inbound missile and causing it to explode in the air. ABC News reports each Iron Dome battery is made up of three or four launchers that can each hold up to 20 Tamir interceptor missiles. The Iron Dome system has been in place since 2011. The Israel Defense Forces says Hamas has fired more than 4,500 rockets since Saturday. ABC reports the rockets "appeared to have at times overwhelmed" the Iron Dome system and suggests this was likely a strategic move on Hamas' part designed to "take advantage of the Iron Dome's human element. While Iron Dome could likely track every incoming rocket and launch all available interceptors, those rocket batteries would eventually run out of missiles" and have to be reloaded, leading to an idle period that Hamas could exploit. (Read more Israel-Hamas war stories.) American officials say there's no doubt that funding from Iran helped make the Hamas attack possiblebut the surprise attack on Israel may also have been a surprise to Iranian leaders. The New York Times , citing "US officials and another official in the Middle East," reports that intelligence shows Iranian officials who would generally be aware of operations tied to its Quds Force"Iran's paramilitary arm that supports and works with proxy forces"were not aware of the attack, suggesting Tehran was not directly involved. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that Iran was "complicit" in the attack but no intelligence pointing to direct involvement has been collected. "We've said since the beginning that Iran is complicit in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas, they've provided training, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support," Sullivan said. Matthew Levitt, a former senior counterterrorism official, says Hamas couldn't be a "fraction of the group that it is ... without Iran's financial support, provision of weapons, and training," NBC News reports. The State Department believes Iran provides Hamas with around $100 million a year, along with expertise in areas like rocket-building. Levitt says he doubts evidence of Iran giving Hamas direct orders to conduct the operation will surface. "That's just not how these things work," he says. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in the attack, with the count continuing to rise as Israeli soldiers find the bodies of massacred men, women, and children in communities near the Gaza border. Iddo Moed, Israel's ambassador-designate to Canada, tells Politico that he believes Iran was directly involved. He notes that the leader of the Quds Force held meetings in Lebanon in August with the leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. The Times notes the US "regularly track[s] and monitor[s] meetings" between Quds Force honchos and groups like Hamas. (Read more Israel-Hamas war stories.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Azerbaijan is ready for negotiations with Armenia with the EU in a trilateral format, representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov said in an interview with French Radio, Trend reports. He noted that Azerbaijan wants to resume negotiations with Armenia to achieve peace. Of course, if Armenia attacks us, we will not sit idly by. But I dont believe that this is in the interests of Armenia. We need to return to the path of negotiations and take advantage of the EUs desire to promote peace. We need to talk about delimitation of borders, lines of communication. We should pay attention to this. Armenia, which has declared its readiness to negotiate with Azerbaijan, but at the same time is waging a diplomatic war on all fronts, is playing a double game. Charles Michel has done a good job as President of the European Council to help restart negotiations. Azerbaijan is ready for trilateral negotiations with the European Union. We will end the hostility that has been going on for almost thirty years. Armenian claims that Azerbaijan is preparing for a new war, are completely unfounded. We respect the territorial integrity of Armenia, like all other countries in the world," Amirbayov said. He noted that a day after the end of local anti-terror measures, a dialogue began between the central government of Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenian community. "We held three meetings in ten days. We tried to present our view on their social, economic, political, humanitarian and religious rights. This clearly shows that the Azerbaijani government has no intention of depriving these people of their rights. However, in order to live peacefully with the Azerbaijanis ", they must know that power belongs to Azerbaijan. They must recognize the sovereignty of our country," Amirbayov said. The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. In accordance with the instruction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the restored city of Fuzuli continue, Trend reports. Another group of citizens was sent from the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in the Garadagh district of Baku on September 11. At this stage, another 22 families (59 people) moved to the city of Fuzuli. The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt on the basis of instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation. Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 187 families - 661 people. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com In implementation of the Royal Order of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to preserve the historical and cultural identity of Bahrains buildings and cities, to renovate the Isa Al Kabeer Palace, and to develop Muharraq in a way that preserves its storied identity, the Deputy King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, today visited the Isa Al Kabeer Palace, the Pearling Path, and historic and traditional houses in Muharraq. The visit marked the implementation of the Muharraq Development Plan, and the plan to preserve the historical and cultural identity of Bahrains buildings and cities. His Royal Highness affirmed that Muharraq, as HM the King expressed, is the "Mother of Cities," a place rich with authenticity and heritage. HRH the Deputy King affirmed that Muharraq and its people hold a special place in the hearts of all Bahrainis and its people carry inspirational stories that have become intertwined with the Kingdoms history, making them a source of pride and role models for future generations. During the visit to the Isa Al Kabeer Palace, His Royal Highness was briefed on the Muharraq Development Plan, which aligns with HM the Kings Royal Order. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Beyon Money, part of the Beyon Group, has launched Beyon Money Checkout, an innovative online payment acceptance solution for corporates and businesses in Bahrain. Delivered in partnership with Ottu, a leading financial technology company, the solution is reshaping the landscape of merchant services in Bahrain and other Middle Eastern regions. Ottu will be offering Beyon Moneys payment solutions across its extensive merchant network in Bahrain and other regional markets. Beyon Money Check Out reduces the number of steps for processing payments when compared to traditional solutions, leading to cost savings for merchants. Furthermore, the solution benefits users through delivering a seamless payment experience, with transactions completed instantly by simply using their phone number registered with Beyon Money, instead of entering their payment card details. Beyon Money CEO Roberto Mancone commented, Together with Ottu, we will empower merchants while also elevating the online payment experience for Beyon Money customers. Speaking about this transformative partnership, Ottu CEO Talal AlAwadhi said, This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of simplifying transactions in Bahrain, the UAE, and the GCC. The donation will support independent research in CAMH's Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics (KCNI) and help build a new leading research centre. TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - BMO marked World Mental Health Day this year with a $5 million donation to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. The donation will support independent research in CAMH's Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics (KCNI) and help build a new leading Research & Discovery Centre, which is set to begin construction in 2024. BMO Marks World Mental Health Day with $5 Million to CAMH to Drive Innovation in Research for Mental Health (CNW Group/BMO Financial Group) Together with CAMH, BMO's donation will help people living with mental illness by accelerating research and access to world-class mental health care through four strategic priorities: neuroinformatics, digital health innovation, education, and research. The KCNI collaborates globally to collect and integrate large-scale brain research data, applying machine learning and mathematics, to develop models that can transform the understanding of brain disorders. In any given year, one-in-five Canadians experience a mental illness and by the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, one-in-two have or have had, a mental illness1. In Canada, more than 6.7 million people currently struggle with mental illness, making it the leading cause of disability preventing nearly 500,000 employed Canadians from attending work each week2. Alarming statistics like these highlight the need to take action. "There is an urgent need for significant investment in mental health research including new models of care that increase access and eliminate inequities to ensure people get the help they deserve," said Sharon Haward-Laird, Group Head & General Counsel and Executive Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, BMO. "BMO has a long-standing record of supporting community organizations and funding mental health. We are proud to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life and work with partners like CAMH to make progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society." "We are grateful to BMO for their continued support of CAMH and life-saving mental health research," said Deborah Gillis, President & CEO, CAMH Foundation. "Philanthropic commitments from leading organizations like BMO show Canadians and people living with mental illness around the world that they are seen, they are valued and they are not alone in their recovery." October 10 is World Mental Health Day, an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Since its inception in 1992, the World Mental Health organization has worked to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health a mission that's observed in more than 150 countries to date. BMO and CAMH BMO has proudly supported CAMH with over $10 million in gifts since 1985. in gifts since 1985. In 2020, BMO partnered with CAMH to launch the first-of-its-kind Workplace Mental Health Playbook for Business Leaders and later participated in developing the supplement resource titled Navigating the New Normal: A COVID-19 Supplement to CAMH's Mental Health Playbook for Business Leaders. BMO in the community Over the last decade, BMO has contributed more than $23 million to enable access to mental health care programming, infrastructure and research in Canada. This includes supporting the important work of mental health and wellness organizations such as The Royal Ottawa, Kids Help Phone, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Royal Columbian Hospital, Douglas Institute, Fondation Jeunes en tete, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and many more. 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. _________________________ 1 "Mental Illness and Addiction: Facts and Statistics." CAMH, www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics. Accessed 26 Sept. 2023. 2 "The Mental Health Crisis is Real" CAMH, www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real. Accessed 26 Sept. 2023. SOURCE BMO Financial Group For further information: Media Contact: Kate Simandl, Toronto, [email protected], (416) 867-3996; Hannah Webster, Toronto, [email protected], (416) 867-3996 TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Eclipsys Solutions Inc. (Eclipsys), headquartered out of Ottawa, Ontario announced today that it has been acquired by DSP a leading UK based data management and Cloud platform management partner focused on Oracle solutions. This expands the Eclipsys brand into the European market to become a multi-national provider of Oracle technology and services. Simon Goodenough, CEO of DSP UK, and Michael Richardson, CEO of Eclipsys Solutions Inc in Canada. (CNW Group/Eclipsys Solutions) With over 200 employees and offices across the UK including London, England and Dublin, Ireland - DSP has established a reputation as a trusted partner for companies that want to invest in Oracle and multi-cloud technologies. The acquisition of Eclipsys only strengthens their breadth of resources and positions DSP to expand across North America. Eclipsys has a long history of providing Oracle solutions and services to leading organizations across Canada, both in the Public Sector and Commercially. Eclipsys has established deep proven expertise across the Oracle suite of offerings to help customers drive material business value from their investment in Oracle solutions. This includes over 258 manufacturers certifications, with 212 (and counting) in the Oracle space alone. When matched with DSP's robust capabilities in managed IT services and expertise in Oracle technology, the combined organization will be able to further drive Oracle Cloud technology growth. This acquisition follows recent record results for Oracle Corporation in which Wolfe Research predicts Oracle's Cloud business could double its market share by 2025 "on the backs of architectural advantages, partnerships" and generative AI. "The plan with my partner and co-founder Jack Gulas was to take stock of where we were as a company at the 5 and 10-year mark. Now after 11 years together, building multiple successful companies it was an opportune time to look to outside investment to further scale and take advantage of the explosive growth in Oracle Cloud Solutions." says Michael Richardson, CEO and Co-Founder of Eclipsys. "We went through a rigorous process, supported externally by LaBarge Weinstein, our long-time legal advisors out of Ottawa and Toronto and Alantra Investment Advisors from New York. We received multiple offers, in the end, we decided DSP was best aligned to our strategy. They have a similar culture and a customer first mentality paired with deep Oracle expertise and most importantly a huge focus on growth. These last months getting to know DSP has only reaffirmed that we have made the right decision and we are excited for what the future holds together." Richardson will stay in his role as Eclipsys CEO. Simon Goodenough, CEO of DSP UK commented publicly that "DSP has always had an acquisition strategy to expand into North America and the opportunity with Eclipsys presented itself as the perfect way to provide a beachhead to do so. From the moment I first met Michael and his senior team it was clear that there was a great cultural fit, both people and purpose I am hugely excited to be bringing together two such well respected Oracle specialists. Hot on the heels of our investment from Lloyds Development Capital this merger gives us access to the on-shore resources required to expand our portfolio, as well as further fuel to help drive our Oracle 'Ground-to-Cloud' strategy. We will continue to look for other partners, as well as invest organically, and continue with our plans to have deep skills and coverage across North America to best serve our customers there. We are delighted to bring Eclipsys into the DSP family of companies." Simon Goodenough, CEO of DSP and Michael Richardson, Co-Founder and CEO of Eclipsys meet in Ottawa, Canada to finalize acquisition details. About Eclipsys Solutions Inc. ( www.eclipsys.ca ) Located in Ottawa, Ontario and with offices across Canada, Eclipsys Solutions are THE Oracle Experts. They have been operating since 2009 (formerly Maplesoft Technology) as a Canadian consulting organization providing tailored mission critical services to help customers maximize the performance, availability, and security of their complex Oracle IT environments. Eclipsys is the place where Oracle experts want to work. They are the first and only Oracle Cloud Service Provider headquartered in Canada, have been named among Canada's Top 100 Small & Medium Employers (SME) two years in a row (2022-2023), and are also Great Place to Work certified. About DSP ( www.dsp.co.uk ) DSP is an Enterprise Database Management specialist that delivers innovative support, managed services & consulting for Oracle, SQL Server and Multi-Cloud technology. They pride themselves on employing world-class Oracle and Microsoft technologists, using best practice methodology and delivering services both on spec and on budget. Their client base includes start-ups, mid-market growth organisations and large enterprise; their forte is mission-critical database architectures. The names of actual companies or products mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of its release and is subject to change. SOURCE Eclipsys Solutions For further information: about Eclipsys Solutions: Shannon Beattie, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Analysis, 647-673-6044, [email protected]; For further information about DSP UK: Jonathan Cowling, Director of Marketing, 0774 034 8779, [email protected] Committed to the principles of corporate social responsibility and as a member of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, Nar took part in the "Uniting Business Europe 2023" (UBE) event. Organized by the UN Global Compact and the UN Global Compact Georgia Network, UBE 2023 brought together stakeholders to assess progress, identify challenges, and promote action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Aziz Akhundov, the head of Nar's Public Relations and Corporate Communications Department, emphasized Nar's dedication to the principles of the Agreement and stated, "Nar is proud to be a part of Uniting Business Europe 2023, which contributes to global efforts to achieve the SDGs. As a telecommunications company that fully comprehends its responsibilities in this regard, we actively integrate these goals into our business strategies and practices. Nar currently provides high-quality communication services to 2.2 million subscribers. Nar has been the leading mobile operator in the country according to the Net Promoter Score for the last 4 years. The mobile operator adheres to a customer-centric strategy and provides excellent service at an affordable price. National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdulahi Ganduje, Tuesday said despite the Abuja High Court judgement that disqualified Timopre Sylva, the partys governorship candidate for the November 11 elections in Bayelsa State, it will still go ahead with its preparations. Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ganduje who described the judgment as unfortunate and democracy in action said APC will approach the Appeal court to set aside the ruling in the case instituted by a party man who he said has no locus standi. He said: Well, its unfortunate that judgment, but we can say that it is democracy in action. But we learned that the person who took the issue to the court of law is not even qualified, because he did not contest with Sylva. Therefore, hes not even qualified for him to take the issue to the court. However, we are appealing. Were waiting for the judgment and then we appeal for calm on that issue. The former Kano state governor stressed that the party will not relent in its campaign for the governorship seat in Bayelsa State despite what he described as distraction via the court ruling. According to him: Last two weeks I was in Bayelsa for two good days and I think they were ready and theyre still ready to win the election. Therefore, this is a little distraction anyway, but we will overcome it. We believe the appeal court will give us positive judgment but that will not stop us from making arrangement for the forthcoming election which is coming up on 11th November 2023. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has released the school calendar of Atiku Abubakar, the partys 2023 presidential candidate. The calendar released by Momodu on Wednesday showed Atiku with his classmates and late mother. Atiku had come under scrutiny over some discrepancies in the name on his WASSCE certificate. The former vice president was accused of forging his certificate. Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had questioned the name Sadiq Abubakar in Atikus WAEC certificate as against his other documents. In a post on X, the veteran publisher berated those threatening Atiku over his certificate. Momodu posted the school calendar and wrote: Explanation is never tedious when you have nothing to hide. It is unfortunate that supposed Democrats resort to bullying and threatening opposition over what should not take five minutes to establish the facts. COMPLETE HISTORY OF ATIKU ABUBAKAR with his classmates, his school calendar, and his dear beloved Mum. Five persons have reportedly been beheaded as reprisal killings resumed yesterday between the Tiv people of Benue State and the Ijiegu-Yache of the Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State. Chief Jacob Uswa, Tiv leader in the community, confirmed this on Wednesday, adding that many others have been maimed. According to him, the Yache boys beheaded theirs when they went to their farms to harvest cassava. On Sunday 8th October 2023, they attacked and beheaded three of our boys in their farms where they had gone to harvest cassava for fufu. Two others were also killed in another farm. They displayed the heads before their Yache people. The Yache boys are all over the bushes to attack us, he said. Augustine Adula, a youth leader in Ijiegu-Yache community, said they had to defend themselves when the Tiv militia unleashed attacks against them on their farms. He alleged that the Tiv boys go to their farms to harvest their farm yields and attack their women and farmers. We have suffered incessant attacks from those Tiv settlers. They invade our community wearing military camouflages and some times they would take us by surprise through the bushes to attack us. As a result, our boys have stopped their businesses and schools and have taken positions in the bushes to defend our land and people, so that they can block the Tivs when they come surreptitiously, Adula said. According to Adula, the situation has made life very difficult for them, adding that markets and schools have not opened due to deep seated fears for their lives. The cause of the hostilities is said to be refusal by the Tivs to continue to pay royalties on the land they settled in. This led to killings and destruction of houses on both sides last month. But the Tivs have claimed that having settled in the community for over 100 years, they are more of Cross River than Benue State indigenes. Both community leaders have expressed unhappiness that the numbers of security men, including soldiers sent to keep the peace between them are very few and are mostly in the town, leaving the hinterlands very porous for the killings to persist. Earlier, the two deputy governors of both states, Peter Odey and Sam Ode of Cross River and Benue States, respectively, visited the community and appealed for cessation of hostilities while they worked towards peace. Police PRO, Irene Ugbo said they had not received a formal report about the latest killings. FUZULI, Azerbaijan, October 11. In accordance with the order of President Ilham Aliyev, the return of former IDPs to the restored town of Fuzuli continues, Trend reports. Today, keys to apartments were handed over to 22 more families who went to Fuzuli from the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in the Garadagh district of Baku. The families expressed gratitude to the President, victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for all-round state care, as well as to the valiant Azerbaijani Army that liberated Azerbaijani lands from Armenian occupation. They honored with great respect the memory of martyrs who gave their lives for the motherland. Thus, 187 families661 people in totalwere permanently settled in Fuzuli. The relocation of families to Fuzuli will continue in the coming days. Daniel Bwala, an aide to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the backlash against President Bola Tinubus son, Seyi, for flying the presidential jet to watch a polo match. Bwala said Seyi Tinubu worked hard for his fathers presidential position and hence deserves the treatment he is receiving. Recall that Seyi had come under heavy backlash after he flew to Kano in a presidential jet to watch the finals of this years edition of the Kano International Polo Tournament. Reports claimed that the presidential jet conveying Seyi Tinubu and his friends landed in Kano around midday on Sunday. He was said to have been received at the airport by some officials of the presidency, the Kano State Government, and the Kano Polo Club. He was thereafter chauffeured to the Usman Dantata Polo Ground amid tight security provided by gun-wielding detachments of the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service. After the final matches of the two-week tournament were played and awards handed to winners, the waiting presidential jet then transported Seyi Tinubu and his party back to Abuja, the nations capital, where he currently lives. Reacting to the backlash, Bwala noted that those who allowed Seyi to use the presidential jet should be held responsible. Posting on X, Bwala wrote: To be fair to @Stinubu Seyi Tinubu, he is a member of the first family and has worked hard enough for this father @officialABAT Tinubus presidential position of today, I dare say more than 7 governors combined. Besides, if all the people in this government who worked against democracy could enjoy same privileges, I do not think Seyi should be visited with indignation like that. Besides, he doesnt have the power to just hop into the jet, somebody in the hierarchy of govt. Made it happen. Lets rather point the fingers to the right direction. Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has called on residents of the State to support the military and other security operatives in the fight against insecurity. Alia made the call on Tuesday, in Tyodugh, Guma Local Government Area during the unveiling of Exercise Enduring Peace III, a military operation. The Governor urged residents to provide useful information to the operatives. Alis expressed confidence in the military exercise and efforts of other security agencies to flush out criminal elements from the state. He commended the military and other security agencies for the sacrifices and services they have rendered to the State and the entire nation. Earlier, the Commander of the 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Brig.-Gen Al-Amin Rabiu tasked the troops on professionalism during the discharge of their duties. He said the exercise which is based on real-time intelligence on the prevailing security threat in the state would last till Jan. 5, 2024. Also, the Commander, Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa State, Maj.- Gen Hilary Nzan said the exercise would be jointly conducted in Benue State by the troops of 401 Special Forces Brigade and personnel from paramilitary agencies drawn from various commands within the State. It was reported that Exercise Enduring Peace III is a joint security exercise aimed at addressing the various security challenges in the state, such as farmer-herder conflicts, cattle rustling and banditry. A military special court martial has sentenced Umaru Mohammed, a former group managing director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), to seven years imprisonment. The court found Mohammed guilty of 14 out of the 18 count charges bordering on forgery, misappropriation of funds, and conspiracy, among others. According to the NAN, the court also ordered the convicted senior officer to refund $ 2.17 million and N1.06 billion which is the money he stole from the company. James Myam, president of the court, said the sentence was based on the provisions of the criminal code Act cap C38 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004, and section 174 of the Armed Forces Act cap 20 laws, 2004. On count one which borders on stealing, Mohammed was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison and to refund $1.04 million to NAPL. The court also found the officer guilty on count two and sentenced him to five years imprisonment, in addition to paying $400,800 to NAPL. On count three, Mohammed was sentenced to five years imprisonment and to refund $85,400 while count four also attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back $35,300. On count five, the former NAPL boss was sentenced to five years imprisonment with an order to pay $55,500 to the NAPL. Count six also attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back $46,500. The court however discharged and acquitted him of the charge in count seven, but sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count eight, while the remaining charges he was convicted of, attracted five and two years imprisonment. Olalekan Ojo, defence counsel, who cited section 157 of the Armed Forces Act, prayed the court to move his client to a custodial centre instead of a military detention facility, which the court rejected. Nigers post-coup military rulers have demanded in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday that the United Nations coordinator in the West African country leave Niger within 72 hours. The foreign ministry said in the statement dated Tuesday that the government had ordered Louise Aubin, the UNs resident and humanitarian coordinator, to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours. It pointed to obstacles which it said were presented by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with a view to thwarting the full and complete participation of Niger at last months UN General Assembly. The military regime has already criticised the perfidious actions of the UN chief, saying that they were likely to undermine any effort to end the crisis in our country. Bakary Yaou Sangare, who before the coup was Nigers ambassador to the UN and is now its foreign minister, was the new leaders chosen representative for the gathering. Related News Over 260,000 people displaced in Gaza, says UN Insecurity: Senate demands more military presence in Niger French troops begin withdrawal from coup-hit Niger But, according to a diplomatic source, there was also an application by the overthrown government to represent Niamey. Because of the competing credentials, the matter was deferred and no representative from Niger was added to the speakers list. The decision to expel the UN official comes as France is withdrawing its 1,400-strong contingent in Niger after being ordered out by the coup leaders. Frances ambassador to Niger was also given his marching orders after the coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, an ally of Paris. AFP The National Examination Council, NECO, has warned that the results of candidates from states that are indebted to it will not be released. The examinations body said some states are owing it a total of N5.5 billion, between 2011 and 2023. The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this on Tuesday while announcing the June/July 2023 SSCE examination results. But he failed to reveal the identity of the states that are owing the examinations body. Wushishi called on the states to expedite action in settling the debt, warning that the Council will not release the results of their students until the debts are liquidated. It is the money we use for the running of the Council. They should please pay up. We will not release the results of candidates from these states, he said. Wushishi noted that the poor performance of some states is a call to look inwards to review their education sector and look also at all sectors of the education. DAILY POST reports that 61 per cent of the candidates scored five credits, including English and Mathematics. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, on Wednesday, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to officially withdraw all charges against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. Ohanaeze made the appeal in the wake of the recent release of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, from prison in Benin Republic. Recall that Ohanaeze had urged Tinubu to release Kanu and prevail on the Benin Republic government to release Igboho on October 1st, 2023. But, last week, the Beninese government released Igboho from prison after two years in custody. Igboho was picked up and remanded in Cotonou after he fled Nigeria after he was declared wanted by the Department of State Services, DSS. However, Ohanaezes factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, commended the unwavering contributions of Yoruba leaders such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof Wole Soyinka, and Pa Ayo Adebanjo in securing Igbohos release. A statement by Isiguzoro said their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Hence Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed its gratitude for their dedication and relentless pursuit of justice. To this end, he urged Tinubu to emulate his Beninese counterpart, President Patrice Talon, by releasing Kanu. Isiguzoro insisted that releasing Kanu would ensure national unity and peace. He said: We express our satisfaction with President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic for releasing Sunday Igboho through the intervention of Yoruba leaders and political figures. Now, we believe it is the opportune moment for President Tinubu to follow suit and show similar gestures by dropping all charges against Nnamdi Kanu. The release of Nnamdi Kanu will not only contribute to restoring peace in the Southeast region but also address the prevailing security challenges faced by our nation. Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly believes that granting Kanu his freedom will foster reconciliation and promote more harmonious coexistence among different ethnic groups in Nigeria. There is no evidence that the Chicago State Universitys academic certificates of President Bola Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2023 presidential election were forged, the BBCs Global Disinformation Team reports. Recall that the university released Tinubus academic records, which went viral on social media but were tagged as fake by some opposition party leaders and members, especially his main rivals, Labour Partys Peter Obi and the Peoples Democratic Partys Atiku Abubakar. The quest to release Tinubus academic documents led to the case filed by Atiku at the US court, where he accused him of falsifying the CSU diploma of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration awarded in 1979 that he submitted to INEC. In the trial, the documents Atiku demanded included a copy of any diploma issued by the CSU in 1979; a copy of the diploma the CSU gave to Tinubu in 1979; copies of diplomas with the same font, seal, signatures, and wording awarded to other students that are similar to what CSU awarded to Tinubu in 1979; and documents from the CSU that were certified by Jamar Orr, who was then a staff member of university, in the 12 months from August 1, 2022. But Tinubus lawyers insisted that the documents would not be relevant in Atikus appeal against Tinubu at the Supreme Court. The magistrate, Jeffrey Gilbert, however ordered the CSU to provide all relevant and non-privileged documents to Atikus legal team within two days. But, according to the BBCs findings, the Social Security Number in the transcript from Chicago varsity matched what it had in other documents in which Tinubus gender was marked as male. The released documents raised questions about Tinubus birth date and his secondary school. One of the documents stated that Tinubu attended Government College Lagos in 1970. However, information available on the school website states that it was only founded in 1974. The British medium also reported that aside from the gender discrepancy, the birth dates in some of the released documents differed from the official birth date of President Tinubu, which is March 29, 1952. According to it, Tinubus transcript from the CSU has his date of birth as March 29, 1954, while his undergraduate admissions application form had his date of birth as March 29, 1955. Meanwhile, the BBC report claimed that Atikus lawyer questioned the date of birth on the certificate during Westbergs deposition on the forms submitted to INEC because Tinubu was said to have given his date of birth as March 29, 1952. Westberg, during cross-examination, the report said, responded that the discrepancies could have been due to a human error. A 34-year-old New Jersey woman who authorities said had 21 sick cats and a dog in her decrepit Galloway home was indicted Tuesday on animal cruelty charges. Police were called to Lourdes Martinezs home by neighbors in July and found the cats suffering from respiratory illnesses and eye infections, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said in a statement Wednesday. In addition, a dog in the house was ill and suffering from malnutrition, officials said. The home smelled of, and was covered in, urine, feces and garbage, investigators said. None of the animals inside the home had access to clean food or water. On Tuesday, a grand jury indicted Martinez on 22 counts of third degree animal cruelty. Attorney information for Martinez wasnt immediately available. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Two people were charged with attempted murder after stabbing and robbing a man in Atlantic City on Saturday, authorities said. A 30-year-old Philadelphia man was hospitalized with serious injuries after he was stabbed in the arm around 9:30 a.m. at the building in the area of Kentucky and Pacific avenues, Atlantic City police said. Police said they tracked two suspects to the Atlantic City Boardwalk after they allegedly tossed the knife used in the attack onto the roof of a building. Anthonia Taylor, 58, and Berneisha Crosby, 31, were each charged with attempted murder, robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault and weapons offenses. Both Philadelphia residents were sent to the Atlantic County jail ahead of a court appearance. Attorney information for Taylor and Crosby wasnt immediately available. Editors note: This post has been updated to correct the location of the stabbing. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A 35-year-old woman was charged with criminal mischief hours after Atlantic City police say she threw stone pavers through the windows of city hall. Police were called to the building on Bacharach Boulevard at 12:05 a.m. Sunday after getting a report of window damage. Public works employees boarded the windows as police searched the building to make sure no one was inside. Later, at about 1 p.m., police found a woman who matched the person seen in surveillance video and arrested the Atlantic City resident in the area of Pennsylvania and Atlantic avenues. Last week, a 39 year old man was arrested after he entered city hall and spent the night in an office. He was charged with criminal mischief. A photo taken inside the office showed beverage bottles and food wrappers on a desk and clothing and other personal belongings strewn across the floor. Anyone with information is asked to call Atlantic City police at 609-347-5766 or submit a text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Laman Ismayilova Fashion designer Gulnara Khalilova has presented her collection in Kazakhstan. Her collection "Garabagh" was demonstrated in Astana and Turkestan within the Days of Shusha, Azernews reports. Considering its historical and cultural significance, Shusha has been declared the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023. Many events of cultural significance, including the Kharibulbul International Folklore Festival, the Vagif Poetry Days, the International Festival of Children's Creativity, Wonderland Shusha 2023 International Scout Camp, and other events were organized in Shusha in accordance with the Action Plan. The fashion collection "Garabagh" takes a special place in Azerbaijani culture. It is a dedication to the return of Garabagh to Azerbaijan. The collection represents the 12 historical cities of Garabagh: Agdam, Agdara, Jabrauil, Fuzuli, Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, Kalbajar, Gubadli, Lachin, Shusha and Zangilan and at the same time the national traditions and spiritual values that have been formed over the centuries. Through this collection, Gulnara Khalilova wants to convey to a wide audience the centuries-old Garabagh clothing culture, an integral part of Azerbaijan and the entire Turkic world as a whole. The fashion show was met with great interest. Notably, Gulnara Khalilova's collections have been successfully exhibited at fashion weeks and international events in the USA, Britain, Sweden, Austria, Romania, Turkiye, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Norway, and other countries. She is the author of a number of books dedicated to the traditions of clothing, including the history of Azerbaijan's national clothing, textbooks, and catalogs for higher education institutions. Khalilova is a member of the Eurasian Ethno Designers Association. She also heads the Azerbaijan National Clothing Center. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The State Service for Antimonopoly Control and Supervision of the Consumer Market under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan returned 447,000 manat ($262,941) to consumers from January through September 2023 due to appeals, head of the service Mammad Abbasbeyli wrote on "X" (Twitter), Trend reports. According to him, this is 64.7 percent more year-on-year. In addition, Abbasbeyli noted that during the reporting period, citizens were compensated 45,900 manat ($27,000) in damages. This is 2.6 times more year-on-year. Within 9 months, 2,162 appeals to the civil service were satisfied, which is 14.9 percent more than last year. "Achieving customer satisfaction provides a competitive advantage for businesses in the market and increases their efficiency. In this regard, the first place in the protection of consumer rights is the organization of relations between business entities and entrepreneurs and consumers on the basis of mutual trust," the head of service said. A Burlington County couple accused of letting dozens of the animals they were paid to foster die of malnutrition were arrested again last week and are facing new charges, police said. Evesham resident Rebecca Halbach, 35, was previously accused of posing as an employee of a local, unidentified, animal rescue and said she would adopt and care for animals, according to a release from the Evesham Township Police. She was aided by Brandon Leconey, 32, also of Evesham, police said. Halbach then did not provide proper adoption or care for the animals that were turned over to her, but still took over $7,000 from customers, authorities said. Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller previously said the couple contracted with a nonprofit rescue organization in North Carolina and took money to foster the animals until a worker from the agency became suspicious and sent a representative to Evesham to investigate. Police were investigating whether the couple had offered to foster animals through other nonprofit rescues and asked anyone with information to come forward, leading to their second arrests on Oct. 4. Halbach was charged with theft by deception and computer crimes while Leconey was charged with conspiracy to commit theft by deception and conspiracy to commit computer crimes, according to Tuesdays release. They were charged in August with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree animal cruelty after a 9-year-old boy and 30 dead animals were found inside their home on Monday, police said. Investigators found 14 sick or malnourished dogs in the home, and at least 30 dead dogs on the floor and in cages inside the couples home in the 600 block of Main Street. Halbach and Leconey were, again, held in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a first appearance in Superior Court. Police said more charges were anticipated as detectives were investigating more computer/electronic-related crimes involving posing as an employee for other animal rescues. Attorney information was not immediately available. Authorities also said another woman was arrested after being accused of burglarizing the couples home after the arrest. That woman told ABC6 she was working with two animal rescues looking for adoption papers in the home. The investigation into the alleged actions of Halbach and Leconey is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Evesham Police Department at 856-983-1116, its confidential tip line at 856-983-4699 or to email Mahand@eveshampd.org. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Mosaic asked readers and staff during Hispanic Heritage Month 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. Lizeth Morales, 40, of Union, restaurateur Lizeth Morales, owner of El Gordo Peruvian Eatery. The restaurant has locations in Paterson, Passaic, Jersey City and Union. Tell us about the work you do and about its importance to the community: Small business ownership holds a unique position in the tapestry of our communities. Beyond economic contributions, small businesses serve as the lifeblood, weaving intricate connections between owners, customers, and the local environment. These relationships are integral to the well-being and growth of our communities. One paramount aspect of being a small business owner is the opportunity to cultivate deep connections with local neighbors and customers. Unlike large corporations, small businesses are often characterized by a personal touch. Owners are not anonymous figures in suits; they are familiar faces who engage with their patrons daily. This personal connection fosters trust and loyalty, creating a symbiotic relationship where the community invests in the business, and vice versa. Through my years as a small business owner, Ive come to understand that supporting local enterprises is the cornerstone of community development. These businesses are invested in the prosperity of their neighborhoods, often sponsoring local events or contributing to community initiatives. Consequently, as a business owner, one becomes a steward of the community, participating in its growth and well-being. Tell us about your background and how you got involved in this work: My journey into the world of El Gordo Peruvian Eatery, the family business founded by my mother in 1996, has been a unique and transformative one. Growing up, I was immersed in the sights, sounds, and aromas of the restaurant industry, yet my path to becoming a part of this legacy was not a straightforward one. After completing college, I chose to venture into corporate America, believing that it was essential to acquire tangible leadership skills before returning to the family business. I recognized that the restaurant industry demanded more than just a passion for food; it required business acumen and management prowess. However, my life took an unexpected turn in 2012 when I confronted my own truth as a DACA recipient. I was detained by ICE, spending a harrowing 17 days in an immigration center. This experience proved to be the catalyst for a profound change in my lifes trajectory. Upon my release, I made a bold decision to invest my 401K savings in purchasing my first restaurant. It was a leap of faith and a commitment to preserving and expanding my mothers legacy. Over the past 11 years, I have worked tirelessly to turn that initial investment into a thriving business. Today, I am proud to say that I have successfully opened three high-volume restaurants under the El Gordo Peruvian Eatery brand. My vision is to propel my mothers legacy to new heights, aspiring to transform it into a national chain of Peruvian eateries. My journey into the family business has been marked by challenges, perseverance, and a deep commitment to honoring my roots. Through dedication, passion, and a resolute belief in the power of my heritage, I am determined to make El Gordo Peruvian Eatery a household name, sharing the flavors and culture of Peru with people across the nation. In doing so, I aim to carry forward my mothers legacy while forging my own path as a successful entrepreneur. Dont miss an issue of our Mosaic newsletter! Get it delivered each Tuesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." What advice would you give others pursuing the work you do?: As someone who has navigated the challenging and rewarding path of entrepreneurship for over a decade, Ive gathered invaluable insights that I would like to share with aspiring restaurateurs. These lessons have been instrumental in my journey, and I believe they can be a guiding light for others entering the world of restaurant ownership. First and foremost, know your why with utmost clarity. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows. When doubt and fear inevitably rear their heads, having a clear understanding of why you embarked on this journey in the first place will serve as your anchor. Its the unwavering belief in your purpose that will keep you moving forward. Recognize that you cant go it alone. Building a strong and cohesive team is paramount. As soon as youre in a position to hire, share your vision and goals with your team. Foster a sense of collective ownership in your restaurants success, and watch how their dedication fuels growth. Leverage local resources. Joining organizations like your states Hispanic chamber of commerce, which often offers programs tailored to entrepreneurs, can be transformative. Programs like the HETP can provide the knowledge and connections needed to excel in your business. Lastly, delegate the financial aspects of your business early on. A skilled bookkeeper or accountant is indispensable to your growth. Free yourself to focus on your restaurants core functions while leaving the intricacies of finances to a trusted professional. In your journey as a restaurateur, remember that each setback is a learning opportunity, and each success is a milestone. Stay true to your why, nurture your team, tap into available resources, and wisely delegate tasks. With determination and these guiding principles, you can navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and see your culinary dreams flourish. Linda OBrien may be reached at lobrien@njadvancemedia.com. More Hispanic Heritage profiles Hispanic Heritage Month: Rosemary Nivar helps maintain our highways Hispanic Heritage Month: Challenges didnt stop Jose Gonzalez. They inspired him. Hispanic Heritage Month: Teanecks 1st Latino mayor says mom urged him to pay it forward Welcome to Mosaic. Contact us at mosaic@nj.com. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom. Mosaic asked readers and staff during Hispanic Heritage Month 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. You can nominate your own Latino leader by filling out this form. Teaneck Mayor Michael PaganFile photo Michael Pagan Age: 47 Community: I live in Teaneck with my 8-year-old son and my 75-year-old parents. I work in Hackensack. Tell us about the work you do and about its importance to the community: I am the mayor of Teaneck and the senior community relations specialist for the Bergen County Division of Planning and Engineering. This means that I work for 42,000 residents, helping them with whatever they might need help with whether it is a pothole in front of their driveway, a dead tree near their property, upgrades to the park, investing more in our downtown business districts, holding the line on taxes as much as possible or providing them with the services they deserve to have a better quality of life. Its an honor and pleasure to be the mayor of the town I grew up in. Tell us about your background and how you got involved with this kind of work: I was born in Harlem and raised in Washington Heights until I was 10 years old. My family moved to Teaneck in 1986. I graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a degree in journalism, and then I was a reporter with The Herald News and a grant writer for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Because I was always involved politically, I ended up getting jobs as a press secretary for three speakers of the N.J. General Assembly, a U.S. congressman and two U.S. senators. I was also the public information officer for Bergen County prior to working in the Bergen County Division of Planning and Engineering. My mother is a big inspiration for my involvement in politics. She was a union member for 29 years, and she used to take me to union meetings as a kid. At the end of every meeting, she would come up to me and say, Mijito, you gotta help people, especially the poor. You gotta help children. In return, Id ask her, Mamita, why are we still here? Weve been here for four hours and my Game Boy battery is dying. Why do we have to come to all these meetings, and why are they so long? Over the years it gets beat into your head about helping people, paying it forward, helping your community and doing the right thing. What advice would you give others pursuing the work you do?: Never give up. Youre going to have good days and bad days, but it is absolutely worth it when it comes to helping your hometown and your neighbors have a better quality of life. A lot of people talk about helping, but they never follow through. When you follow through, you get to help a lot of people. Just the other day, for example, I helped an 88-year-old veteran get something done that he had been struggling for two years to get done. Public service is absolutely worth it. Nothing beats helping someone and paying it forward. Throughout the month, we will introduce more leaders, and were always open to hearing about additional inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form. Jacob Anthony Amaro may be reached at jamaro@njadvancemedia.com. Welcome to Mosaic. Contact us at mosaic@nj.com. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom. Although he was not the one who pulled the trigger, a man was convicted Tuesday of murder in the death of a 23-year-old Irvington gas station attendant last year, authorities said. On May 11, 2022, Lamar Sommers, 36, of Bloomfield, along with two men who have not yet been identified, conspired to shoot the attendant, Newark resident Jahque Benbow, at the gas station where he worked, according to a release from the Essex County Prosecutors Office. Sommers drove the pair to Irvington, where he dropped them off a block from the station and waited in the car while they shot Benbow five times before they fled the scene, the office said. Sommers, who left New Jersey shortly after the killing, was apprehended in North Carolina on June 16, 2022, investigators said. Following an eight-day jury trial, Sommers was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and weapons-related offenses, officials said. When you plan and participate in a murder, you are responsible for the consequences even if you dont pull the trigger, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Felicia Garnes said in a statement. Sommers was scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 4 and faces a minimum of 30 years in state prison, the office said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. An Essex County financial adviser has been indicted on accusations he siphoned $75,000 from the accounts of a 90-year-old client while letting her bills go unpaid, authorities said. John Boston, of Verona, faces second-degree theft charges after authorities claim he obtained power of attorney over the woman and used her money to cover his own bills in a scheme the states top law enforcement official described as elder abuse. No one should have to fear losing their lifes savings or their home because someone purporting to be a professional violated their duty and trust, said state Attorney General Matthew Platkin. An attorney for Boston, who has pleaded not guilty, said the indictment was unfortunate as Mr. Boston is an upstanding member and volunteer in his community. He has no prior criminal record whatsoever, said the attorney, Dennis Cleary. He is presumed to be innocent of these allegations, and we are looking forward to reviewing the States discovery and clearing his name and reputation. Boston, 47, is accused of taking on the woman as a client in 2017, but failing to notify his employer or formally register her as a client as required by federal law, according to the state Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, which brought the charges. Once in control of the womans accounts, Boston stole more than $75,000 through a series of bank transfers and ATM withdrawals using his own debit card, authorities saID. State prosecutors claim he then used the money on his own bills and purchases for himself and his family. Meanwhile, the victims bills went unpaid, authorities said. The investigation was launched after a referral from the state Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and was handled by the insurance fraud offices Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which specializes in such cases. We have resources in place whose sole mission is to eradicate this type of exploitation, said interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia. We are steadfast in investigating and prosecuting these cases. If you target our elderly, you will get caught, and you will face justice. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Gordon Ramsay is back in New Jersey. After nine years, Kitchen Nightmares has officially made its return to television and the famed chef is back doing one of the things he does best helping failing restaurants become successful, in between yelling at them. Hundreds of people, including Gov. Phil Murphy and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, participated in a candlelight vigil in Hoboken Tuesday night in support of Israel after the terrorist attacks by Hamas that began over the weekend. Murphy, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Rabbi Moshe Shapiro were among the speakers at the event held at Pier A Park. Its been an ambitious undertaking, but Jersey City Art Week is finally here. With two of Jersey Citys biggest annual art events under the same banner, Art Fair 14C and the Jersey City Art and Studio Tour (JCAST), there will be a multitude of events taking place this weekend around Jersey City. The 5th Edition of Art Fair 14C begins Friday and continues through Sunday at the CRRNJ Terminal Building at 1 Audrey Zapp Dr. in Liberty State Park. This years event will feature 33 New Jersey artists who were selected for the showcase, including returning artists Tim Daly of Hoboken, Kathleen Beausoleil of Little River, and local favorites such as Joe Waks of Bayonne, DISTORT of Jersey City, Clarence Rich of Hampton, Cheryl Gross of Jersey City, and early career artists Teena Soni of Somerset and Jennifer Martinez of Jersey City. The showcase will also pay tribute to the late Jersey City artist Robert Kogge (1953-2023). So, how often do you think about the Roman Empire? If your answer is A lot, then head over to New York City to see Ancient Rome: The Exhibition. Immerse yourself in authentic artifacts and reconstructions and learn about the triumphs and technological advancements of the legendary empire firsthand. There are over 50 reconstructed artifacts and authentic pieces, from weapons and armor to architectural marvels and machinery. A free audio guide is included with your admission, so dont forget to bring your headphones on the day you attend. The exhibit is open from now until Nov. 19. If you want to secure a ticket, you can find them on Fever Up for $13.00 for adults, $8 for seniors, students and military members and $7 for kids. You can also purchase group ticket bundles for $10 per person. The list of dates, times, ticket types and prices are available on Fever Up. Upcoming tours heading to New York City The Ancient Rome: The Exhibition is not the only event you can attend in New York City. Here are a few more tours you do not want to miss. RELATED STORIES ABOUT LIVE EVENTS: Stevie Nicks tour 2024: How to buy tickets to her spring tour Olivia Rodrigo tickets go on sale today, starting at just $20 How to get Olivia Rodrigo GUTS tour tickets if you didnt sign up for presale Is Harryween 2023 going to happen? Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. NJ Cannabis Insiders Oct. 12 conference in Newark is finally here. With some 200 insiders expected to gather to network and hear from their peers including trailblazers such as Wanda James, Suzan Nickelson, Bill Caruso, Rob Mejia, Tara Sargente, Tony Gallo, among others the all-day business event promises to set the tone for what lies ahead in New Jersey emerging marketplace. James, who opened a dispensary in Colorado in 2009 and has a foothold in New Jersey, is the business keynote speaker. New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Chairwoman Dianna Houenou will offer insights into where the state is with applications, along with how the application process works. Other government agencies presenting are the New Jersey Business Action Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which recently awarded 48 cannabis businesses with $250,000 grants. Going hand-in-hand with state approval is municipal approval. Cannabis attorney Ronald Mondello will host a panel with Plainfield City Mayor Adrian Mapp and Jersey Citys Council President Joyce Watterman. To supplement what operators have learned on their journey to approval, cannabis attorney Chirali Patel will host the Q&A session, Ask This Attorney Anything: Licensing, Strategic Planning, SOPs, etc. And to answer questions about how to market your business, NJ Advance Media sales executive Josef Ornegri will offer the CannaTalk, Marketing & Media: How To Get Your Brand Out There, a crash course on SEO and working with media. More than 40 vendors nearly half of them leaf-touching businesses will be exhibiting, with breakout areas, including the Womens Discovery Area and the Social Equity Discovery Area presented by Holistic Solutions. A special Speed-Networking Session is presented by Tenax Strategies. Doors open at 9 a.m. with Simply Pure founder Wanda James keynote address opening the all-day event at 10 a.m. The conference ends at 5 p.m. Attendees can join an official after party later that night minutes away in Downtown Newark. Tickets ($295) are limited for the conference. A select number of discounted tickets were made available for social equity applicants. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. Heres the full lineup, presentation topics, sponsors, vendors and special discovery areas: Keynote Wanda James, founder and CEO of , founder and CEO of Simply Pure CannaTalks & Presentations Government Meet Your Regulators: Understanding How CRC Works For You Dianna Houenou , chairwoman of the , chairwoman of the N.J. Cannabis Regulatory Commission Wesley McWhite III, CRC director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Government Services Grants & Training: What the N.J. Government Is Doing to Help You Tauhid Chappell , NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC), , NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC), Cannabis Training Academy Genna Jones , program manager at New Jersey Economic Development Authority ( , program manager at New Jersey Economic Development Authority ( NJEDA Donald Newman, manager of Small Business Advocacy, , manager of Small Business Advocacy, NJBAC Applications The Road to License Approval Is Never a Straight Line Ellie Siegel , CEO and founder of the cannabis consulting firm , CEO and founder of the cannabis consulting firm Longview Strategic Mollie Hartman Lustig, an attorney, is the chair of , an attorney, is the chair of McLaughlin and Stern s Cannabis Practice Group Wholesale, Distribution & Delivery: Following the Road to Success Manufacturing & Edibles: Expansion is Here. Infusion Demonstration Tara Misu , CEO of , CEO of Blazin Bakery and Green Alchemy Rob Mejia, author, founder of , author, founder of Our Community Harvest , professor at Stockton University Cultivation Essentials of Growing Indoors and Outdoors Smrita Choubey , founder and CEO of , founder and CEO of Veda Farms Spencer Belz, marketing director at Veda Farms Municipalities Talk to The Mayor and Council President: Insights on Municipal Approval Supply and Demand From Seed to Sale: Why Its Vital to Know Your Supply Chain Suzan Nickelson , founder of , founder of Holistic Solutions , NJ Cannabis Insider sponsor of Social Equity Discovery Area Kate Juliano, senior account manager, head of Social Equity-NJ at , senior account manager, head of Social Equity-NJ at Ascend Wellness Holdings Commerce Readiness Safeguarding Success: Compliance, Security and Commerce Readiness Tony Gallo , CEO of , CEO of Sapphire Risk Advisory Group Jacob Hicks, associate Vice President at associate Vice President at Tenax Strategies Capital & Spending Funding Your Build: Knowing the Costs Before Raising Money Special Sessions Ask This Attorney Anything: Licensing, Strategic Planning, SOPs, etc. Chirali Patel, founder and CEO of founder and CEO of Blaze Responsibly and Blaze Law Local and federal policy: Whats Next For N.J.s Cannabis Marketplace? presented by Simply Pure The Speed Networking Session presented by Tenax Strategies NJ Cannabis Insider has partnered with marketing and PR firm THCIAAB to moderate the 40-minute, intense speed-networking session designed to help license-holders meet other license-holders and all the other businesses they need to build and grow their operations. Sponsors and exhibitors The Social Equity Discovery Area presented by Holistic Solutions A spotlight on state-certified, social equity and minority-owned companies: The NJ Cannabis Insider 2023 Womens Discovery Area A spotlight on women-founded and owned by women: Strategic Partners Rob Mejia , provides curious adults clear, researched information, stories from the cannabis community and products that offer confident, safe, and smart ways to experience cannabis. Mejia writes the Prof. Mejias Weed Corner for NJ Cannabis Insider. Our Community Harvest , founded by, provides curious adults clear, researched information, stories from the cannabis community and products that offer confident, safe, and smart ways to experience cannabis. Mejia writes the Prof. Mejias Weed Corner for NJ Cannabis Insider. Ellie Siegel , provides advisory services and industry insights to public, private and not-for-profit entities throughout the country. With years of active experience, Longview has been able to provide top quality counsel, secure hallmark resources and connections, and contribute writing services for client projects and developments. Longview Strategic , founded by, provides advisory services and industry insights to public, private and not-for-profit entities throughout the country. With years of active experience, Longview has been able to provide top quality counsel, secure hallmark resources and connections, and contribute writing services for client projects and developments. Josh Alb , hosts free community education events on cannabis and how individuals can enter the industry. Cannademix is NJ Cannabis Insiders Cannademix , founded by, hosts free community education events on cannabis and how individuals can enter the industry. Cannademix is NJ Cannabis Insiders After Party partner. Ken Wolski. CMMNJ , is the all-volunteer not-for-profit Coalition for Medical MarijuanaNew Jersey, which established in 2003 by co-founder Cannabis Insider Jobs , in collaboration with NJ Cannabis Insider, is dedicated to helping individuals find a career in the cannabis industry, leveraging its digital presence through NJ.com s parent company Advance Local Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. NJ Cannabis Insider is a weekly subscriber-based online trade journal and events group produced by NJ Advance Media, which also publishes NJ.com, The Star-Ledger and other affiliated papers. Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for insider exclusives. Follow us on LinkedIn. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 11. Iraq has expressed interest in annual swap supplies of Turkmen gas through Iran in the amount of 10 billion cubic meters, Trend reports. During the working visit of the delegation headed by the State Minister and Chairman of the Turkmengaz State Concern Maksat Babayev from October 5 through October 8, Turkmenistan and Iraq signed a memorandum on the supply of Turkmen gas in Baghdad. The agreement provides for gas supplies from Turkmenistan to Iraq under the swap scheme through Iran. Thus, the Iraqi side will be ready to receive Turkmenistan's natural gas in the amount of about 10 billion cubic meters annually. At the same time, during the meeting, the parties also discussed various aspects of future joint activities in the gas industry, including legal, commercial, financial and organizational conditions. Meanwhile, the gas sector of Turkmenistan, which has huge reserves of natural gas, plays a key role in the country's economy, with active exports to China, Iran and Russia through various gas pipelines, providing substantial revenues for the budget and geopolitical importance. New Jerseys Cannabis Regulatory Commission, along with several community partners, gathered in Trenton Wednesday to kick off the states first campaign promoting safe, legal weed use. The campaigns primary goal is to equip the public with information and resources to make informed choices about cannabis consumption, according to the CRC. These messages will be shared through over 100 digital billboards placed across the states highways, as well as in bilingual ads posted in local community hubs and on social media platforms. The CREAMM Act, the legislation that paved the way for legal cannabis use in New Jersey, stipulates that the commission provide information for safe and responsible consumption as well as programs and campaigns to deter youth consumption, said Jeff Brown, executive director of the CRC. At risk populations including children and teens, people who are pregnant or nursing and those using prescription medicine are the main groups being targeted in the initiative, Brown said. Other goals of the campaign are to prevent impaired driving, promote safe packaging of edibles and to encourage people to take advantage of cannabis delivery services, which will soon be more widely available in New Jersey. Consuming edibles can be a very different experience for some than smoking cannabis, and ensuring that consumers understand labeling information such as potency, serving size and onset of effects...is crucial, said Krista Nash, co-chair of the Commissions public engagement and education committee. Children are especially vulnerable to accidental exposure to edibles, especially when improperly stored. This is also due to many edibles from the underground market resembling candy, according to Dr. Diane Calello, medical executive director, New Jersey Poison Center. To prevent youth from getting their hands on these items, Calello recommended placing edibles in child-resistant containers with resealable closures Additionally, the center offers a 24/7 confidential help-line staffed by medical professionals to address questions and provide emergency support. My 25 years in pediatric toxicology has taught me not to underestimate a childs ability to get something that they want to eat, Calello said. Accidents only take a minute but safe packaging on cannabis products can buy the time needed to prevent a child from ingesting that entire package. Along with the states Poison Center, the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, New Jersey CannaBusiness Association and AAA Northeast also partnered with the commission to facilitate the self-use initiative. Helen Hannigan, president of the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, a state-licensed maternal and child health consortium, highlighted that studies indicate an increase of cannabis use among pregnant and nursing individuals. A sample advertisement that will be used in New Jersey's safe cannabis use campaign. There is evidence that cannabis can cause harm and negatively affect fetal infant and child development, Hannigan said. And there is no proof that cannabis is effective in the treatment of morning sickness. She added that those who are currently using cannabis and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should stop using. And, in collaboration with the CRC and the states Division of Highway Traffic Safety, AAA will help distribute flyers to dispensaries, educating on the risks of driving under the influence of cannabis, according to Lauren Paterno, senior government affairs advisor for AAA Northeast. CRC members provided attendees with sample cannabis products to showcase what a legal products packaging should look like. The packaging should list the name, ingredients, serving size, usage instructions, warnings, manufacturing details and a mandated universal symbol that all legal weed products in the state must have. To ensure youre getting safe product, Scott Rudder, president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association the states largest cannabis trade group encouraged individuals to obtain their edibles and other cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries. Unlike the illicit market, when the average consumer and patients make a purchase at a licensed facility, they know exactly what they are getting, Rudder said. Staff writer Gabby Warren contributed to this report. Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com . Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A 22-year-old driver from Paterson was arrested Tuesday after he fled from a Montclair State University police officer, slammed into another vehicle and attempted to run away, authorities said . Miah Mahin, his passenger and three occupants of the other vehicle were treated at an area hospital for complaints of pain but no one was badly hurt in the crash, a university spokesman said Wednesday. The pursuit unfolded around 8 p.m. when a university police officer on patrol saw a vehicle with an expired registration, officials said. When the officer tried to pull over the car on Yogi Berra Drive, Mahin slowed and then sped off where he blew through stop signs at the intersection with Clove Road and Upper Mountain Road, the spokesman said. Mahin then tried to turn left from Upper Mountain Avenue onto Mt. Hebron Road, where he crashed head-on into another vehicle. An officer chased Mahin and took him into custody. Mahin, who is not a student at Montclair State, was charged with four counts of assault by auto, eluding and resisting on foot all second-degree charges, the university spokesman said. He is also charged with defiant trespass and violating a restraining order. In addition, Mahin had warrants for his arrest for domestic violence and trespassing. Mahin was sent to the Passaic County jail after being treated. Montclair, Little Falls and Cedar Grove police assisted Montclair State University police. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A former New Jersey resident who is being held in a Florida prison on charges related to the alleged stalking of an ex-girlfriend is now facing additional charges after investigators say he repeatedly assaulted her and locked her in his apartment bathroom for 30 minutes. Zachary Latham, 21, of Fort Myers, Florida, who was previously acquitted in the 2020 fatal stabbing of his neighbor in New Jersey, was arrested on September 27 in the stalking case, according to court records. He was charged with aggravated stalking, video voyeurism, contempt of court for violating a domestic violence injunction, loitering and battery. On October 6, Florida authorities additionally filed charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, domestic battery by strangulation and obstructing justice against Latham after conducting additional interviews in the case, charging documents said. When Latham was serving time in jail for a road rage incident, the ex-girlfriend sought and was given a restraining order against him. Shortly after his release after being sentenced to time served in August of this year, he allegedly began stalking the woman, records show. Latham is accused of demanding she come to his home, following her to her friends house, showing up at her appointments and entering her car and demanding to be driven somewhere, according to charging documents. On Sept. 26, Latham called her and told her information that he could only know if he had a tracking device on her vehicle, cellular device, or if he was following her, records say. After the phone call, she drove to a local police station to report the alleged incidents. Latham was arrested the following day. The most recent charges stem from two incidents involving the same victim that investigators said they recently learned about. In the first incident, he met her at a grocery store and allegedly instructed her to drive him in her car. Latham is accused of touching her inappropriately, assaulting her in the vehicle and forcing her back into the car after she attempted to escape. He then continued to assault her, including causing her to lose consciousness while choking her, court documents said. He eventually, had the woman drive him home. In the second incident, Latham allegedly persuaded the victim to come to his apartment. After she arrived, he assaulted her, forced her into the bathroom and closed the door for more than 30 minutes while he looked through her cell phone, charging documents said. While looking through her phone, he located a message thread between her and a man and allegedly demanded that she send him the mans contact information. When she was later attempting to drive away from his residence in her car, Latham allegedly placed his hands on the hood and stood in front of the vehicle in an effort to prevent her from leaving. After he finally moved out of the way, Latham allegedly punched the car as it was leaving the parking lot, according to charging documents. Latham is being held in a Lee County, Florida jail pending a court hearing scheduled for October 30. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. Last month, eighth graders Angie Bravo and Naoki Aguirre traveled to New Yorks Central Park and served as the voice for youth who need access to technology. There, they spoke before a crowd of 60,000 with Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg and actress and activist Danai Gurira, best known for her role in the movie Black Panther, discussing the impact and importance of bridging the digital divide among students. They later in a video on Good Morning America. It was such a cool experience, said Bravo, who attends Newarks Hawkins Street School with Aguirre. We felt like mini celebrities. Now, when we walk around the school, we see the little kids smiling and pointing at us after seeing our segment on Good Morning America. Bravo, 14, and Aguirre, 13, spoke during the 2023 Global Citizen Festival, an annual music festival where concertgoers can earn free tickets to attend by taking action to help end extreme poverty worldwide. At school, the teens participate in Verizons Innovative Learning Program (VILP), which addresses barriers to digital inclusion and supports high-poverty schools, providing free internet, technology devices, and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning programs nationwide. Verizon partners with Global Citizen to close the digital divide and show the impact technology can have on the lives of young people, said Jason Vilar, co-chair of the Verizon program at Hawkins Street. According to Action Against Hunger, 783 million people are affected by hunger, and 45% of child deaths are due to starvation. UNICEF Data reports that 33% of children worldwide have internet access at home. Vilar selected students from the pre-k through 8th-grade school, enrolling 696 students to represent their school at the festival on Sept. 23. Selecting Angie and Naoki was a no-brainer, he said. Their academic track record, extracurriculars, and perfect behavior in school made the choice that much easier. Alex Servello, Verizons director of corporate social responsibility, agreed. We are proud to work with Hawkins Street School and especially with students like Angie and Naoki, who were able to share their passion for STEM, he said. Nationwide, the program has helped 3.5 million students at 592 high-poverty middle and high schools, including 18 in New Jersey, to expand their education through technology since its inception in 2012, according to its website. Alejandro Lopez, Hawkins Street Schools principal, is beaming with pride. I feel tremendously honored that Angie and Naoki were selected to represent our school community at the Global Citizens Festival, he said. They are the embodiment of the goals we have set to bridge the digital divide for our students when we partnered with Verizon Innovative Learning Schools and evidence of the positive impact of our partnership. Bravo says her appearance at the Global Citizen Festival was an experience of a lifetime and that she was proud to be part of it and Verizons Learning Program. Being on stage with Vestberg and Gurira was cool, but it reminded me how I found my passion with technology and why the learning program is so vital, she said. With the technology weve been given, its easier for us to explore different interests in STEM. My hope is that one day, it will lead to me becoming a biologist. Aguirre shares her enthusiasm. The festival was cool, he said. My focus in school lately has been working in robotics as a member of the robotics club, and I want to pursue a career in technology. Both agree there is a need for more students in STEM fields. Being a part of STEM and the learning program comes with a lot of responsibility but is very rewarding, Aguirre said. The more students, the brighter the future. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or Twitter @DeionRJohhnson A now-former police sergeant charged with shoplifting from Walmart in Brick multiple times earlier this year agreed to quit his job last month and weeks later had the charges tossed after paying restitution, authorities said. Joshua Gunnell resigned from the Point Pleasant Borough Police Department effective Sept. 1 and is barred from future public employment, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said in a statement. Gunnell, who was 41 when he was first charged, received a conditional discharge of the shoplifting complaint signed by a Brick police officer. The charge will be dismissed if Gunnell, of Point Pleasant Borough, doesnt commit any offenses for the next year. The other two charges against Gunnell were dismissed Sept. 28 after he agreed pay restitution to Walmart, the prosecutors office said. While the actions that gave rise to the criminal complaint were extremely troubling, I commend Mr. Gunnell for realizing the gravity of the situation and voluntarily resigning from the Point Pleasant Borough Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billheimer said in the statement. Whenever a law enforcement officer is criminally charged for violating the very laws he or she swore to uphold, it reflects poorly on the vast majority law enforcement officers that live up to that oath every day. All members of the law enforcement community must maintain the publics trust by conducting themselves with the highest level of integrity, the statement said. Gunnells attorney couldnt immediately be reached to comment. Gunnell was suspended from his police department job with pay after authorities said he shoplifted more than $212 in groceries and health care products from Walmart in Brick. Surveillance footage from the store showed Gunnell removing items from his shopping cart at about 5 p.m. on June 25, but only scanning one item, according to the affidavit. Walmart employee interjected and properly scanned the missed items, the complaint reads. (Gunnell) then finished his transaction after payment, however, left numerous items concealed under reusable shopping bags, and in the top shelf of the cart that were not paid for. Gunnell tried to exit the store but was stopped by an employee, court records state. He was later charged with additional counts of shoplifting for offenses that allegedly took place earlier in June, according to court records. A public employee since 2008, Gunnell was paid an annual salary of $146,589, according to state pension records. He was promoted to sergeant in February 2020. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. The writers are back to work after a monthslong strike by the Writers Guild of America, leaving the actors' union still on strike, front and center. Back in the spotlight to settle their own job action, which began July 14, striking actors are hoping the writers settlement will serve as a roadmap. The two sides representing SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, and the AMPTP, representing the studios, met Oct. 9 for the fourth time in eight days. They were unable to reach an agreement, according to the union. Although late-night television and game shows that require writers have returned, there will be no new fall season until actors come back to read the lines that writers are scripting. And it's unknown whether the strike will affect theatrical releases scheduled for 2024, since union actors are prohibited from promoting their films during the strike. Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, former Tulane AD infuriates Green Wave and an opening federal judge seat in New Orleans. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Kazakhstan's liquid supply is anticipated to experience continuous growth, increasing from 1.8 (mb/d in 2022 to 2.1 mb/d by 2028, Trend reports. As OPEC forecasts, the initial phase of this medium-term expansion will be driven by the ongoing development of the Tengiz Future Growth Project, contributing an additional 260,000 b/d capacity. Subsequently, the implementation of a gas re-injection project at the Kashagan field and limited expansion at the Karachaganak field will further augment liquid production. In the long term, according to the outlook, sustained supply growth is expected at all three of Kazakhstan's significant fields mentioned above. This growth is projected to stabilize at around 2.4 mb/d from the mid-2030s, OPEC says. To accommodate these future expansions, it is likely that export routes will need to be reassessed. Historically, most of Kazakhstan's crude exports have traversed the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) line, which passes through southern Russia and loads from the Black Sea terminal at Novorossiysk. However, Kazakhstan is reportedly considering the expansion of a smaller pipeline that currently transports 200-400,000 b/d to China, a portion of which typically consists of Russian crude oil. Moreover, Kazakhstan is exploring the possibility of shipping more crude across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan. From there, it could be loaded onto the underutilized Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, terminating on Turkiye's Mediterranean coast. 2023 LYS Program Director Glynn Gross (left) and Assistant Program Director Caihren Wood (right) in front of the backdrop reinforcing the Leadership Laboratory theme of the 2023 seminar. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Kazakhstan has sent humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Afghanistan, press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan said, Trend reports. According to the information, the humanitarian aid in the volume of 1,659 tons is directed to support Afghanistan to eliminate the consequences of the devastating earthquake, food, tents, clothes and bedding have been allocated from the state material reserve. In addition, SK-Pharmacy, a unified distributor of medicines, has allocated medicines to be sent to Afghanistan. "Medicine and tents are sent by plane of the National Guard, the addressees will receive them today," the Ministry of Emergency Situations said. It is noted that the rest of the humanitarian aid will be delivered by rail. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Kazakhstan believes that the ECO can and should play a more important strategic role in the development of the region, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu said at the 27th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Shusha, Trend reports. Nurtleu stressed the growing role of the organization in light of the current geopolitical and geo-economic situation. "We need to make joint efforts in promoting common projects of the member countries of the organization," he said. He urged the participants of the meeting to jointly implement infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan, develop economic cooperation between ECO and CICA, resolve the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the key role in which will be assigned to the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Afghanistan being established in Almaty. Nurtleu also made a proposal to increase intra-regional trade and cargo flows, including using the potential of existing transportation and logistics routes between the countries of the region. He stressed the need to intensify cooperation in investment, energy, agriculture, finance, tourism, digitalization, production cooperation and food security. Following the meeting, the parties adopted the Shusha Declaration. Within the framework of the ECO Ministerial Council meeting, the Kazakh Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Jalil Jilani and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mehdi Safari. During the talks, the sides discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation in trade-economic and investment spheres, as well as confirmed the intention to intensify interaction within multilateral structures. Also on the margins of the event, Nurtleu held talks with ECO Secretary General Khusrav Noziri, with whom he discussed topical issues of Kazakhstan's cooperation with the organization. The parties agreed to continue work on further effective cooperation within the ECO. The Economic Cooperation Organization was established in 1985. The main purpose of the ECO is to promote economic, technical and cultural cooperation among member states. It includes 10 countries - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkiye and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan has been a member of ECO since 1992. Round up the family to appreciate some art together and try their hands at artmaking this weekend. The Lubeznik Center for the Arts at 101 W. 2nd St. in downtown Michigan City will host a free Family Day from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Families from across Michigan City and greater Northwest Indiana are encouraged to attend. Families can drop in throughout the event to view art, make their own scrap book photo albums and do a scavenger hunt in the two-story art centers' galleries. Parents and their children can enjoy the arts "in a relaxed, welcoming environment." "Family Days are particularly engaging for school-age children and their parents or caregivers. However, all ages are welcome to attend. Free snacks will be provided, and no advance registration is required," the Lubeznik Center for the Arts said in a press release. "Free Family Day offers children and adults opportunities to connect with each other while exploring LCAs current exhibition, 'Vivian Maier: In Color.'" Attendees can see the Chicago History Museums new Vivian Maier collection, "Vivian Maier: In Color." It features 50 color prints from the posthumously discovered photographer, now widely considered a genius, from late 1950s through the 1970s. The nanny took thousands of photos around Chicago but died before her work was ever exhibited, as she never shared it with other artists, galleries or dealers, giving her an elusive mystique. A collector found 100,000 negatives and a thousand rolls of undeveloped film she took over the course of her life. Visitors also can see art by Natasha Moustache, zakkiyyah najeebah dumas oneal, Laurie Schirmer Carpenter and Purple Window Gallery Members on the Free Family Day. For more information, visit LubeznikCenter.org or contact Samantha Bean at 219-874-4900 or sbean@LubeznikCenter.org. Two concerts honoring veterans will take place during the Valparaiso University Family Weekend just before Veterans Day this year. The Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band will perform at 4 p.m. and the Valparaiso University Luce Concert Band and the Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University, 1600 Chapel Drive in Valparaiso. The performances will honor veterans in anticipation of Veterans Day on Nov. 13. Jeffrey Scott Doebler will conduct both concerts. Jonah Morlock, Nilo Sanchez, Joseph Shelton and Jeff Voegtlin will serve as guest conductors of the 7 p.m. show. Both concerts are free and unticketed, since all seats are general admission. Both will feature music honoring veterans like the Armed Services Medley. The 4 p.m. concert features the Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band. "The bands associated with Valparaiso University have a long tradition of honoring veterans and those on active duty," Doebler said. "This tradition is part of our mission to serve the campus and local communities. Since 2010, the Chamber Concert Band has performed a Veterans Day concert on the Thursday nearest to Veterans Day. Since Family Weekend is now being held a week later than in the past, we are incorporating that Veterans Day celebration into our Family Weekend concert." The 4 p.m. concert by the Chamber Concert Band, which has played across the United States, Canada and Malta, will perform The Gallant Seventh March by John Philip Sousa, An Introduction to the Moon by Libby Larsen, The Chimes of Liberty March by Edwin Franko Goldman and the premiere of Symphony No. 1: Heroes by retired military musician Onsby Rose. The 7:30 p.m. concert will feature National Emblem March by Edwin Bagley, Anthem for Peace by Ed Huckeby, An American Celebration by Carl Strommen and the Royal Hawaiian Suite by Queen Liliuokalani. It will feature musicians from different majors in the Luce Concert Band and musicians from both the university and community at large in the 30-year-old Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band. It plays Memorial Day at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, the Salute the Recruits dinner at the Porter County Expo Center, the 49er Drive-In Theater in Valparaiso, Hawthorne Park in Porter, the Porter County Fair, Julefest, the VU Community Band Festival, Sousa Concert and the Veterans Day dinner at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso. "The Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band has been playing for the annual Veterans Recognition Concert and Ceremony at the Porter County Fair since 2002," he said. "We have been playing the Valparaiso Memorial Day Concert at the Memorial Opera House since the programs inception in 2007, and the Salute the Recruits Concert and Program since it began in 2018. Starting in 2017, we have combined with Luce Concert Band to play for the annual Veterans Recognition Dinner, sponsored by the local Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs." Just days after a judge held the Indiana Department of Child Services in contempt for initially withholding most documents sought in the torture and death of a 4-year-old LaPorte County boy at the hands of his parents, a representative of the dead child filed a federal suit accusing agency employees of paving the way to the boy's death. The three targeted DCS employees are accused in the civil suit filed Monday of "performing sham investigations, downplaying claims and concerns by relatives of abuse and neglect or declaring them unfounded, withholding Court ordered services for J.M. (Judah Morgan), not performing Court ordered drug tests for J.M.s parents, omitting information from reports and communications with J.M.s Court-appointed CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), providing and/or inserted false information in reports and investigations, and/or otherwise created an inaccurate report and not following DCS policies created for the purpose of protecting children like J.M." The suit, filed by Mishawaka-based attorney Charles Rice on behalf of Jenna Hullett, a second cousin to Morgan, who raised the boy until DCS placed him with his parents six months before his death, targets Jean Dreessen, Michele Stowers and Michelle Goebel. Dreessen is described in the suit as a family case manager who lived less than 1,500 feet from the Hamlet home where Morgan was "neglected, beaten, tortured, and murdered." Stowers was a family case manager supervisor and Goebel was the director of the LaPorte County DCS office who supervised Dreessen and Stowers, according to the suit. "Goebel and Stowers were aware of Dreessen's misconduct and facilitated, approved, condoned, and otherwise turned a blind eye to Dreessens misconduct," the suit says. "Each Defendants' actions ultimately emboldened and encouraged (parents) Alan Morgan and Mary Yoder to neglect, torture, and abuse J.M. to death." DCS Deputy Director of Communications Brian Heinemann said when contacted Wednesday morning for comment on the suit: "DCS cannot comment on pending litigation." 'Mommy, take me home please': Answers, changes sought in wake of torture death of Region 4-year-old Knox resident Jenna Hullett said she could not bring herself to tell young Judah Morgan on that fateful day in April 2021 that the visit with his biological parents was not going to be like the ones earlier. The suit sheds light on the history and conditions leading up Judah Morgan's death exactly two years ago on Oct. 11, 2021. Judah Morgan was born June 17, 2017, with drugs in his system and his parents "had substantiated allegations of neglect and abuse with regard to J.M.'s older brother," according to the suit. The boy was not allowed to go home with his parents and at the age of 4 months was placed in the care of Hullett, the suit says. From before the time Judah Morgan was born, the DCS was aware his parents had "significant drug and mental health issues," including his father's arrest in 2012 for domestic violence in the presence of a child that was later dismissed after he completed a domestic abuse program, according to the suit. "Despite this red flag, DCS never sought or obtained a psychological assessment of Alan Morgan." Alan Morgan, who pleaded guilty to murder, an amended felony battery charge and a felony count of resisting law enforcement from another criminal case, was sentenced in late November to 70 years behind bars. The child's mother, Yoder, pleaded guilty in August to her role in Judah's death and faces nearly 50 years behind bars if her proposed plea agreement is accepted by a judge Nov. 1. Man sentenced in Porter County molestation recorded, shared by victim's friends The alleged victim said her friend talked her into going first with the encounter and learned later her friend had recorded it. The suit says Yoder was herself subject to "extreme verbal, emotional and physical abuse from Alan Morgan" and that the defendants "turned a blind eye." Goebel, Stowers and Dreessen are accused of failing to obtain a permanent safe home for Judah Morgan. The lawsuit also says they "dropped the ball" in 2020 after a failed trial home visit involving Judah's older brother and went on to make the "callous and deliberately indifferent decision" to force Judah's case to a close by "cutting corners to place J.M. in a home with drug-using parents." The defendants further breached their duties by "consistently lowering the bar for safe conduct by J.M.s parents to the point where it became non-existent," the suit claims. This "emboldened Alan Morgan and Mary Yoder and created a hostility towards J.M. and increased J.M.s risk of harm after case closure." Goebel, Stowers and Dreessen never required Alan Morgan to undergo services for the threat he posed to children, according to the suit. "They simply ignored it." Man nabbed on doorbell cam with clothes in hand sentenced for child molesting Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary DeBoer said the only reason she transferred a year and a half of potential prison time to probation is to keep a closer eye on Scott Neiswinger when he is released. "For the six-month period prior to J.M.s death, J.M. was savagely beaten, tortured, abused and neglected by his parents," the suit says. Video footage from inside the family's Hamlet home shows Alan Morgan repeatedly punching his son, repeatedly holding the boy up by his neck and dropping him on the floor and leaving him alone for hours in a cold and dark basement, according to police. The basement had no furniture and officers found remnants of duct tape apparently used to bind the child. On the day police found the boy's dead body at his home, they also encountered "horrific conditions," the suit says. "The exterior of the residence was observed to be riddled with garbage; the interior of the residence was in disarray with clothing, garbage, rotting food and animal fecal matter strewn about. A strong pungent odor of urine and rotting food permeated the senses while inside the residence." The conditions were allegedly not substantially different than during the supervision period by DCS. The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of money for the emotional distress and legal fees resulting from the boys death and subsequent legal action. Hullett has also filed a lawsuit in state court in Hendricks County targeting Judah's parents and the DCS. Wallace Broadnax Wallace Broadnax, 70, of Gary, was shot during a robbery attempt by two boys June 26, 2021, at a gas station in Gary. CROWN POINT The widow of a retired Gary firefighter told a teenager who is partially responsible for the death of her husband that she cannot forgive him for taking her husbands life. Valerie Broadnax gave a victim impact statement in Judge Samuel Cappas courtroom Tuesday during a sentencing hearing for Tyjuan Jefferson, 17, of Chicago, who pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery in connection with the 2021 death of Wallace Broadnax, 70. I do not forgive [Jefferson], Valerie Broadnax said. Forgiveness to me is like respect. You have to earn it. Wallace Broadnax was shot to death June 26, 2021 in the parking lot of the Clark gas station at West 23rd Avenue and Grant Street in Gary. Jefferson and Antonio Terrell, 16, of Gary, approached Broadnax outside the gas station and a brief struggle ensued as Jefferson tried to grab Broadnaxs car keys, according to court documents. When Broadnax tried to escape, Terrell fired multiple shots in his direction. There are not enough words to express how I miss my husband Wallace, Valerie Broadnax said. His spirit and precious memories will live in our hearts forever. Valerie Broadnax said her husband was a Christian man with great faith and integrity who acted with compassion toward members of his community. His granddaughter, Sydney Perry, said she remembers him as an important paternal figure in her life and that he was considered a pillar in the city of Gary. Both women said they believe Jefferson should receive the maximum sentence for the crime. Attempted armed robbery is a level three felony, which carries a possible sentence of three to 16 years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop charges for murder and attempted robbery resulting in serious bodily injury. Jefferson appeared for the first part of his sentencing hearing Tuesday, but he wont learn his sentence until a second hearing set for Oct. 24. Defense attorney Matthew Latulip filed a motion Oct. 3 to ask for alternative juvenile sentencing for Jefferson due to his age. Deputy Prosecutor Veronica Gonzalez objected due to the heinous nature of the crime. Cappas, who said he watched video surveillance footage of the crime captured by the gas station, said he was inclined to side with Gonzalez. Even though your client didnt pull the trigger, he participated, Cappas said. He committed a man-type crime, he can do a man-type sentence. Jefferson and Terrell were initially charged with the crime in Lake Juvenile Court. They were waived to adult court following a joint probable cause hearing and best interest hearings. Terrell has also filed a guilty plea in connection with Broadnaxs death. He is set to appear for his sentencing Oct. 19 in Cappas courtroom. A parent who has previously raised concerns about conditions in Duneland schools under construction now claims that teachers have been told not to discuss matters regarding construction with parents. Sam Kadar made his accusations during a Duneland School Corp. Board meeting on Oct. 2. In his public comments, Kadar said some teachers have reached out to him and have shared they have been told to keep quiet about the construction occurring inside Duneland schools. He also said these teachers have asked to remain anonymous in fear of losing their jobs. Nearly all schools in the district are currently undergoing construction. Kadar had first filed a complaint with OSHA at the beginning of the school year regarding the exorbitant amount of dust he noticed when touring Westchester Intermediate School. OSHA later told Kadar they could only look into complaints made by school district employees. They later referred him to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Kadar had also briefly pulled his children out of Westchester and Brummitt Elementary School. At the school board meeting, he urged any Duneland schools staff member to file an OSHA complaint. Ive taken this fight as far as I can go, Kadar said. He also claimed that he has heard students have been harmed by dust inside Westchester. According to Kadar an incident occurred on Aug. 17 where construction dust from outside the building had been sucked into an intake vent and dispersed throughout the school. He said he took his complaint to the school district and Skillman Corporation, the general contractor, and claims they denied the incident happened. After Kadars comments, Superintendent Chip Pettit asked a teachers association representative in the audience if any teachers had made complaints to the union. The representative said no one had come forward with issues. Anne Stark and Bob DeRuntz, the co-presidents of the Duneland Teachers Association, told The Times the teachers union had raised concerns to Duneland schools regarding noise, dirt, dust and water since construction began. However, they also said the administration had responded in a timely manner to these concerns, and they worked with Skillman to find solution to their issues. Additionally, a Skillman representative said during the meeting there is continual air monitoring at the construction site and all air quality tests have come back negative for dust and other pollutants. He also reiterated the fact they have contracted a third-party consultant to conduct the air quality testing, which they believe is unbiased and wouldnt risked their reputation. The Duneland School Corp. Board also approve leasing out the property at the current Chesterton Middle School to the Duneland YMCA for their new Healthy Living Campus. After the meeting, the board held a public hearing for the school districts $88.1 million proposed budget for next year. The next school board meeting is Nov. 6. Close Three20 Recovery Community was founded in Chesterton in 2019 to encourage and support long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Three20 Recovery Community was founded in Chesterton in 2019 to encourage and support long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Three20 Recovery Community was founded in Chesterton in 2019 to encourage and support long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. There is a life recovery service, music and message every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Three20 Recovery Community was founded to encourage long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. A cooking class is offered to members every Thursday at 6 p.m. Three20 Recovery Community was founded to encourage long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Three20 offers a total-body resistance exercise every Thursday at 5 p.m. Three20 Recovery Community was founded to encourage long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Maria, a current member, has discovered art classes are very therapeutic for her. Three20 Recovery Community is having its second annual duathlon and relay for recovery this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. Members have painted posters with words of encouragement for participants. Three20 Recovery Community is having its second annual duathlon and relay for recovery this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. Members have painted posters with words of encouragement for participants. Three20 Recovery Community Three20 Recovery Community was founded in Chesterton in 2019 to encourage and support long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Three20 Recovery Community was founded in Chesterton in 2019 to encourage and support long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Three20 Recovery Community was founded in Chesterton in 2019 to encourage and support long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Three20 Recovery Community was founded in Chesterton in 2019 to encourage and support long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. There is a life recovery service, music and message every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Three20 Recovery Community was founded to encourage long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. A cooking class is offered to members every Thursday at 6 p.m. Three20 Recovery Community was founded to encourage long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Three20 offers a total-body resistance exercise every Thursday at 5 p.m. Three20 Recovery Community was founded to encourage long-term recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Maria, a current member, has discovered art classes are very therapeutic for her. Three20 Recovery Community is having its second annual duathlon and relay for recovery this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. Members have painted posters with words of encouragement for participants. Three20 Recovery Community is having its second annual duathlon and relay for recovery this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. Members have painted posters with words of encouragement for participants. HOBART The One Region organization unquestionably has succeeded in uniting Northwest Indianas numerous municipalities and disparate interests to accomplish big things over its first 10 years. One need look no further than the ongoing double-tracking of the South Shore Line between Gary and Michigan City to improve connections to the nations third-largest economic center, and the work underway to extend the commuter rail line to Dyer, for proof the Region works best when it works together. We dont benefit from having a very, very large central city (in Northwest Indiana). What we have is a wonderful collection of smaller municipalities that as time has gone on have started to work truly hand-in-hand with one another to create a rising tide, because we know were going to rise or fall together, said Matthew Wells, One Regions acting president. More than 500 Northwest Indiana business and community leaders celebrated One Regions track record Wednesday at Avalon Manor in Hobart. Many seemed to agree the organizations work over its next decade will continue relying on big partnerships to accomplish big goals but the physical output likely will be much smaller, perhaps even submicroscopic. Purdue University President Mung Chiang told the assemblage that Northwest Indiana is perfectly positioned to benefit from the anticipated boom in microchip manufacturing and quantum computing innovations set to develop and grow in the United States in the years ahead. Moreover, Chiang said, Northwest Indiana has the abundant fresh water and energy supplies, and the skilled workforce needed for those new industries, along with the continued growth of traditional manufacturing already located in the Region, and the ability to attract companies returning from overseas in response to national security concerns and other reasons. This is the moment. This is the place. And we are, you are, the people to try to drive One Region forward, Chiang said. The university leader said Purdue is eager to partner with Northwest Indiana, both in terms of building connections between its main West Lafayette campus, through the Region and into Chicago, as well as by enhancing the educational, job training and business development opportunities available at the Purdue University Northwest campuses in Hammond and Westville. Purdue is here to stay. Purdue is proud and blessed to be part of Northwest Indiana. And you know, everybody at Purdue, we love choo-choo trains, Chiang said. But we need to do a few things on the color scheme here, a little bit, on the South Shore Line, he quipped. On a more serious note, Chiang observed that Purdue leads the world in microchip development, thanks in part to the federal CHIPS and Science Act enacted last year with the help of U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland. Chiang said it would be tragic if Northwest Indiana failed to capitalize on the possibilities being unlocked through technology. There is hope, I believe, to have large-scale fabrication facilities with high-paying jobs and careers being created including right here in the stretch of land between West Lafayette and Chicago, right here in One Region, Chiang said. Now, semiconductors are only one of the many manufacturing industries that are getting revitalized in our country. Whether its pharmaceutical manufacturing, clean energy, electric vehicle batteries theres a lot thats coming and we better compete. And Chiang believes Northwest Indiana is ready to compete. Not just because of its central location and plentiful resources, but because of the transit and technology connections developed through One Region over the past decade that, when fully implemented, will put Michigan City only an hour away from Chicago by rail, and ensure every home and business has access to high-speed internet service. Thats going to change where people choose to live and were going to generate population growth, were going to generate tax revenue, and were going to generate a lot of wonderful resources for health care, for education, for quality of life. This will be transformational, Chiang said. PHOTOS: One Region annual lunch 2023 COLUMBUS, Ohio After Ohio Republicans bolstered their statehouse majority last year due to their dominating showing in the midterm elections, they split into rival camps over who should lead the lower chamber. The division between younger, more impatient conservatives and more traditional ones was only settled when Democrats crossed party lines to end a standoff over who would become speaker of the Ohio House. Since then, despite their power over all levels of state government, Ohio Republicans have been convulsed by infighting as party leaders censured everyone who voted for their new speaker, Republican Jason Stephens. Amid the divisions, the Legislature managed to pass only 10 bills this year. Childish would be my word, Republican state Rep. Sara Carruthers said of her colleagues who persist in opposing the speaker and even slapped him with a lawsuit on Saturday. Were on the right path, doing the right things, wanting to get good legislation passed and he's helping them do that. And then, bam, it blows up. From Columbus to Phoenix to the halls of Congress, the Republican Party has been stuck in a prolonged internal conflict, with power struggles and primary challenges becoming as much of a GOP staple as tax cuts and tough-on-crime rhetoric. In Michigan, the chair of one county party told police he was "kicked in the crotch" by a rival during a party meeting. In Arizona, Democrats last year swept four statewide races after insurgent Republicans won their party's nomination. In Texas, the Republican attorney general, after successfully fighting off removal from office following his impeachment by the GOP-controlled state House, this week suggested he could request criminal charges against some in his own party for allegedly violating state privacy laws. The party scuffling peaked last week when a small group of conservative U.S. House members banded with Democrats to depose Speaker Kevin McCarthy, leaving the post vacant just as war broke out in the Middle East. The internal tussle over who will become House speaker a position that is second in the constitutional line of succession to the presidency exemplifies the perpetual chaos inside GOP ranks. McCarthy was the fifth member of his party to hold the speaker's position in the 19 years the GOP has controlled the House of Representatives since 1995, and the first to be ousted in a vote. In contrast, during the eight years Democrats controlled the House during that time, they had a single speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Democrats have plenty of their own internal conflicts too New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has rebuffed calls from some inside his party to step down after his indictment on corruption charges last month, triggering primary challenges. But Democrats have seen nothing like the perennial GOP internal clashes. Republicans have had an aggressive wing of activists who challenged the establishment ever since former congressman Newt Gingrich moved from being a congressional backbencher to House speaker in 1995, after he targeted members of his own conference for not being conservative enough. "On the right, there's been a push, certainly since the Tea Party movement, to shift how Washington operates," said Jenny Beth Martin, a veteran activist who runs Tea Party Patriots Action, which has repeatedly clashed with the GOP establishment. "To get a shift like that to happen, you need to push against the people on your side who support the status quo before you confront the other side." Many Republican politicians also cite a media environment, especially on the right, that rewards polarizing, grievance-filled rhetoric. On Monday, McCarthy blamed his ouster on "a few individuals that love a camera more than they love the American public." In the end, the conflict comes from the party's base. Repeated polls show Republican voters are more opposed to compromise than Democratic ones, laying the groundwork for repeated struggles. "You have a party consisting of constituencies that see themselves as under siege white Christians who see a country that is less white Christian, working-class people who see a country where all advantages go to the college-educated," said Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College in California. In contrast, Democratic constituencies immigrants and their children, African Americans and younger college graduates see themselves as having brighter prospects. "It's the coalition of the ascendant versus the coalition of the resentful," Pitney said. The fight played out nationally in 2022, as a wave of insurgent Republican candidates, often backed by former President Donald Trump, beat party picks in key swing state primaries, only to fall short on Election Day. Most dramatically, in Arizona, insurgent Republicans who castigated the more moderate members of their own party who once supported the late Sen. John McCain won nominations for governor, U.S. Senate, secretary of state and attorney general. All of them lost to Democrats last November. Arizona is one of several states where hard-line activists forced out established Republican leaders as the party struggled in elections. That also happened in Michigan, where activists only increased their hold on the state party after a disastrous midterm cycle when their own insurgent candidates got crushed by Democrats. "This is a civil war that has been happening since 2015," said David B. Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Akron's Bliss Institute of Applied Politics. "It began in earnest when Donald Trump entered the fray and when he became the party's nominee. Then, when he became president, there was a transformation that took hold across the country and a lot of old-school Republicans were forced out." Hoosiers likely wont be able to cast their vote next year for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unless the Kennedy campaign makes a Herculean effort to earn a spot on Indianas ballot. State law requires independent presidential candidates to gather ballot petition signatures from registered voters equal to 2% of the total number of votes cast in the most recent contest for secretary of state. Records show 1,846,979 voters participated in the 2022 secretary of state election, making 36,937 the minimum number of valid signatures Kennedy must collect and submit to be included on Indianas 2024 general election ballot. Its an incredibly high hurdle. Several recent Republican and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates in Indiana who only must obtain a total of 4,500 signatures across the states nine congressional districts have failed to hit that mark and saw their statewide campaigns end prematurely. Kennedy, who appears to have no in-state campaign operation, would have to gather more than eight times as many signatures by June 30, 2024, and survive an inevitable challenge before the Indiana Election Commission, to get his name listed on the ballot. It can be done, however. Hoosier supporters of independent presidential candidate Ross Perot gathered more than the required 29,919 signatures to put the Texas businessman on the 1992 Indiana ballot, records show. In fact, Perot ended up on the ballot in all 50 states that year thanks to a well-organized Draft Perot movement fueled by grassroots supporters in Indiana and across the county attracted to his fiscally conservative, socially liberal policy agenda, along with his straight-talking, nontraditional campaign style. Perot eventually ended up winning 20% of Indianas vote and 19% of the nationwide popular vote in 1992. He won no electoral votes, however, and some Republicans afterward blamed Perot for drawing votes in key states from incumbent President George H.W. Bush and helping to elect Democrat Bill Clinton as president. Kennedy comes from a prominent Democratic family his uncle, John F. Kennedy, was president from 1961 to 1963; and his father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated while campaigning for president in 1968. Nevertheless, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disavowed those past partisan ties during a speech Monday in Philadelphia by terminating his campaign against President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, and instead declaring independence from the corporations he claims have hijacked both political parties and the U.S. government. I have come here to declare our independence from the tyranny of corruption which robs us of affordable lives, belief in our future and respect for each other. But to do that, I must first declare my own independence. Independence from the Democratic Party and independence from all parties, Kennedy said. Isnt that what we all want? Liberation from the system that robs us of our wealth, our health, our hope, our patriotism, our ideals, and our sense of ourselves as a good and capable people. Is that kind of freedom possible? Is the healing of our divided nation possible? If we wait for someone else to liberate us and unite us, then no, it is not possible. It becomes possible only when we believe it and take action. The Biden campaign largely ignored Kennedy when he was challenging the president for the Democratic nomination. The Democratic National Committee issued no statement after Kennedy said he was quitting the party to run as an independent. Though four of Kennedys eight siblings issued a statement denouncing his candidacy and describing it as dangerous to our country. Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment, it said. At the same time, amid concerns Kennedys anti-vaccine activism might attract support from right-wing Americans, the Republican National Committee condemned Kennedy as insufficiently conservative to appeal to Republican voters. Make no mistake a Democrat in independents clothing is still a Democrat. RFK Jr. cannot hide from his record of endorsing Hillary, supporting the Green New Deal, fighting against the Keystone Pipeline, and praising AOCs tax hikes he is your typical elitist liberal and voters wont be fooled, said Ronna McDaniel, RNC chairman. The most recent independent or third-party candidate to win electoral votes in an American presidential contest was in 1968 when racist former Alabama Gov. George Wallace and his American Independent Party were favored by voters in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Northwest Indiana 2023 early voting sites, hours Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point Judge Lorenzo Arredondo Justice Center, 3711 Main St., East Chicago Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Ave., Gary Lake County Courthouse, 232 Russell St., Hammond Hobart Police and Community Center, 705 E. 4th St., Hobart Lowell Town Hall, 501 E. Main St., Lowell Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Rd., Munster Schererville Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St., Schererville St. John Township Assessor's Office, 9157 Wicker Ave., St. John Wicker Park Social Center, 8554 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland Winfield Government Center, 10645 Randolph St., Winfield Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso North Porter County Government Complex, 3560 Willowcreek Road, Portage Valparaiso Fire Training Center, 355 Evans Ave., Valparaiso Chesterton Town Hall, 790 Broadway, Chesterton State Street Community Church, 209 State St., LaPorte LaPorte County Office Complex, 302 W. 8th St., Michigan City Dan Feferman posted this alarming missive on his social media Saturday morning: A rocket fell 2 blocks from my house. Later that day, the 41-year-old father of three posted again from his eighth-story apartment in Rehovot, Israel, located 30 miles north of Gaza: More sirens. More rockets. Back in the shelter for 4th time tonight. On Monday, another post update: Day 3 of hell on earth. Feferman is an author, speaker and a major in the Israeli Army Reserve. Hes the son of Rabbi Shoshana Feferman at Temple Israel in Valparaiso, where a bouquet of flowers now adorns the front sign. The rabbi was born and raised in Israel, also serving in the Israeli army with the rank of sergeant major. Its unbelievable what happened there, she told me. Region rabbi's son in Israel shares views on Hamas attack: 'Hell on Earth' Dan Feferman, a major in the Israeli Army Reserve is the son of Rabbi Shoshana Feferman at Temple Israel in Valparaiso, where a bouquet of flo On Saturday, during the holiday of Shmini Atzeret, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the countrys borders, and killing hundreds of Israeli civilians. An untold number of others were kidnapped and taken into Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared war against Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip under the guise of freedom fighters. Those barbaric animals murdered hundreds of innocent people, from children to Holocaust survivors, Rabbi Feferman said. But those terrorists also have united Israel. A common enemy will do this in any country, including the U.S. Remember just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when Americans temporarily suspended their political differences against each other to unite as one nation? It lasted only for a long cup of coffee but it felt real and genuine. Everyone is now united in Israel, the rabbi said. Her son agrees. The one bright spot out of this mass of darkness is that Israelisleft to right, religious to secular, Jews and Arabsare putting aside all their differences and coming together to the aid of southern Israel and of the Israel Defense Forces, Dan Feferman wrote on social media. Unity for Israel is a renewed rallying cry across our country and in our Region. On Monday, a public prayer service in Munster was hosted by Chabad of Northwest Indiana and led by Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov. The synagogue serves the Jewish community of Northwest Indiana and Chicagos south suburbs. Prayers were said. Hearts were touched. Minds were melded. Region rabbi's son in Israel shares views on Hamas attack: 'Hell on Earth' On Monday, a public prayer service in Munster was hosted by Chabad of Northwest Indiana and led by Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov. The synagogue serve Our community is both shocked and heartbroken, said Emily Benedix, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana. A vast majority of Jews in communities worldwide have personal ties to Israeli citizens and this was a direct attack on Israeli civilians. This also was a direct attack on those Americans in Israel who were injured, killed or taken as hostages by Hamas, possibly to be used as bargaining chips in the future. Locally, we are working on checking in with our community members who were in Israel at the time of the attack or have loved ones there currently, Benedix said. Region rabbi's son in Israel shares views on Hamas attack: 'Hell on Earth' On Monday, a public prayer service in Munster was hosted by Chabad of Northwest Indiana and led by Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov. The synagogue serve Saturdays attack by this vicious terrorist group from a world away can provoke related attacks in our country. Historically speaking, hate has a trigger finger in every culture, every language and every rationalization. Conflicts with Israel have caused a rise in antisemitism in Jewish communities outside of Israel, Benedix said. Unfortunately, anti-Zionism has become a new expression of antisemitism and the lines are often blurred between criticism of Israels leaders and political policy, and Israels right to exist. Thankfully, our community has a strong relationship with local law enforcement agencies, such as the Munster Police Department, and feel supported in our efforts to provide safe communal spaces for our Jewish members, she said. Support here for Israeli victims has been swift, both emotionally and financially. If you cant give money, please show support, said Rabbi Feferman, whose extended family lives in Israel. Theyre not leaving. Nobody is leaving. A national network of Jewish Federations has already been set up to offer support for social services and emergency response in Jewish communities internationally, including in Israel. We are encouraging our community to donate to a reputable emergency response agency such as our partners at Jewish Federations of North America, Benedix said. We are also asking that individuals reach out to their elected officials and let them know that our community supports Israel and condemns Hamas acts of terror. Although no one condones barbaric massacres of innocent civilians by militant groups, not everyone in the world, or in our Region, sympathizes with Israel. Critics cite the disproportionate number of injuries and deaths of the Palestinian people compared to Israelis through the years. I am against violence and my heart hurts for all innocent victims, but this is a clear result of the continued oppression by the state in power, said Shifa Safadi, a Muslim-American author and mother of four children. Islamaphobic rhetoric paints all Palestinians as terrorists, with no mention of why they resist in the first place. If we recognize the loss of life and safety for the Israelis since Saturdays surprise attack, we should also recognize the loss of life and safety for Palestinians living in Gaza. There are no borders dividing innocent victims. We are a species of constant conflict and never ending war, historically in the name of a God that conveniently resembles us. Region rabbi's son in Israel shares views on Hamas attack: 'Hell on Earth' On Monday, after a public prayer service in Munster was hosted by Chabad of Northwest Indiana, Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov, center, talks with U.S. Israel didnt start this but rest assured Israel will have to finish this and it wont be pretty, Dan Feferman wrote from his home in Israel. The situation in the Middle East is incredibly complex despite most Americans paint-by-number attempts to understand it. Until Saturday, most of us would likely struggle to find Gaza on an unmarked map. And our collective grasp of that regions complicated history is woefully uneducated from apathy or misconstrued by media. Unfortunately, years of media bias and distorted headlines have led to Palestinians being dehumanized and painted as villains, and the state of Israel falsely advertised as a democracy, Safadi said. Israel is an apartheid state and Palestinians in Gaza have been oppressed and confined in an open air prison for generations. The perception of this long-suffering situation is greatly influenced by someones history, culture and ethnicity. For Americans like me who dont fully understand the multiple complexities involved, we cant trust our nations politicians to guide us through this minefield of sociopolitical dynamics. Partisan politics has already weaponized Saturdays attacks, as it will continue to do with the ongoing war in that part of the world. More bombs will be launched. More rhetoric will fall from the sky. More people will be killed. Back to bomb shelteranother siren, Dan Feferman recently posted on his social media. For those of us safely on the sidelines, we can show compassion for all of the victims caught in the crossfire of warring governments, terrorists and ideologies. Its not the American thing to do. Its the humane thing to do. GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week BRUSSELS One day the war in Ukraine will be over. How and when remain the field of prophecy. But one of the most important questions will be how to ensure the future security of Ukraine and by whom. The possible answers are not easy and will depend on the outcome of the war. But what seems clear is that short of a Russian collapse and defeat, with Ukraine winning back all of its territory, any security guarantees are likely to be both partial and fragile. But without something, officials and analysts suggest, it is hard to imagine investors pouring back into Ukraine to rebuild the country or that another war would not flare in the future. Much pivots on the hesitancy of the West itself, which wants to protect Ukraine but has shown that it does not want to fight for it, and that it does not want a direct military confrontation with Russia. Instead it has sought to thread a course between deterring Russia but not provoking it. Two police officers who entered the apartment of a Bronx man and fatally shot him after he jumped toward them while holding a knife should not be punished, according to a draft decision by a deputy commissioner who presided over the case. Kawaski Trawick, 32, was cooking on the night of April 14, 2019, when the officers, Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis, arrived in response to 911 calls that Mr. Trawick had been threatening tenants and behaving erratically. Officer Thompson used his Taser on Mr. Trawick, then shot him four times. The officers left him lying on the floor. Prosecutors for the independent Civilian Complaint Review Board, which examines police misconduct, said that the officers should have de-escalated the situation before going into the apartment, a lapse that they called a fatal mistake. The officers were cleared in 2020 of criminal wrongdoing, but the review board brought administrative charges of assault, unlawful entry and unlawful use of force against Officer Thompson. They charged Officer Davis with trespassing and failure to render aid. The deputy commissioner of trials, Rosemarie Maldonado, the police administrative judge who presided over the internal trial this year, said in a Sept. 20 decision that the charges should be dismissed, arguing that board prosecutors filed the case too late, according to a copy of the decision. The board filed the charges on Oct. 20, 2021, five months after the statute of limitations expired. I have covered this conflict for almost 50 years, and Ive seen Israelis and Palestinians do a lot of awful things to one another: Palestinian suicide bombers blowing up Israeli discos and buses; Israeli fighter jets hitting neighborhoods in Gaza that house Hamas fighters but also causing massive civilian casualties. But Ive not seen something like what happened last weekend: individual Hamas fighters rounding up Israeli men, women and children, looking them in the eyes, gunning them down and, in one case, parading a naked woman around Gaza to shouts of Allahu akbar. The last time I witnessed that level of face-to-face barbarism was the massacre of Palestinian men, women and children by Christian militiamen in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut in 1982, where the first victim I encountered was an older man with a white beard and a bullet hole in his temple. While I have no illusions about Hamass long-established commitment to the destruction of the Jewish state, I am nonetheless asking myself today: Where did this ISIS-like impulse for mass murder as the primary goal come from? Not the seizing of territory, but plain murder? There is something new here that is important to understand. Since I cant interview the Hamas leadership, Im drawing on my experience in the region, and heres how I see it. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 11. The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan has ratified an agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Russia on the creation of a joint regional air defense system, Trend reports. This agreement provides for the establishment of a united regional air defense system that encompasses both Russia and Kyrgyzstan. For these purposes, a land plot of 5 hectares has been allocated near the Russian airbase in Kyrgyzstan's Kant city for the duration of the agreement. On May 29, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified this agreement between Russia and Kyrgyzstan. The document was initially signed in Moscow on August 16, 2022. It outlines the collaboration between the two countries to enhance their air defense capabilities by creating a unified regional air defense system, which is part of the broader air defense system of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The coordination of joint military actions within the unified regional air defense system of Russia and Kyrgyzstan, as well as with the forces of other regional air defense systems of CIS member states, will be overseen by the Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces of the Armed Forces of Russia. Some male frogs cannot take a hint. Come spring, they pile onto potential mates in such a determined frenzy that the females may drown. Thats why the females have developed tricks for getting away. A study published Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science shows that female frogs use evasive maneuvers to flip males off them. They also disguise their identities. They sometimes even fake their own deaths. Carolin Dittrich, a postdoctoral researcher at the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology in Vienna, made the discovery by accident. She was studying the mating habits of the European common frog. These amphibians lead solitary lives except for around two weeks every spring when they meet at pools for a free-for-all reproductive event called explosive breeding. Florence Fisher, an adoptee who spent decades searching for her birth parents and then spent another half century fighting to open adoption records for millions of others, died on Oct. 1 in Brooklyn. She was 95. Her granddaughter, Debra McDonald, said the death, in a hospital, was caused by complications of a series of strokes. Mrs. Fisher (as she preferred to be called, using her birth fathers surname) traced her advocacy to a car accident she had in 1969. Though she survived without serious injury, she later said that she could recall the single thought she had the second before impact: Im going to die and I dont know who am. By then a mother in her early 40s, she had been searching on and off for her birth parents since she was a child. The accident compelled her to redouble her efforts, and within a few years she found those parents. In nearly 50 years of @Harvard affiliation, I have never been as disillusioned and alienated as I am today, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Harvards silence, coupled with the student coalition letter, he said, has allowed Harvard to appear at best neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel. On Monday night, and again with more force on Tuesday, Harvard spoke. Its president, Claudine Gay, issued two statements, ultimately condemning the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas as abhorrent. A spokesman said Dr. Gay was not available for comment. The debate over Israel and the fate of Palestinians has been one of the most divisive on campus for decades, and has scorched university officials who have tried to moderate or mollify different groups. But Dr. Summerss pointed criticism raised questions about the obligation of universities to weigh in on difficult political matters. A famous 1967 declaration by the University of Chicago called for institutions to remain neutral on political and social matters, saying a university is the home and sponsor of critics; it is not itself the critic. But students over the years have frequently and successfully pressed their administrations to take positions on matters like police brutality, global warming and war. It is not clear whether the broad support on Capitol Hill for aiding Israels war effort might help break the logjam over sending more military supplies to Ukraine, or simply complicate the heavily politicized negotiations over doing so. A growing number of Republicans are resisting continued aid for Ukraine and suggesting that any additional assistance would have to come with major Democratic concessions, including more restrictive immigration laws. There are also questions about whether the House is even able to act. It has been rudderless with no permanent speaker after Republicans ousted Representative Kevin McCarthy from the post last week. G.O.P. lawmakers are set to meet on Wednesday to select a new nominee for speaker, but they are deeply fractured, which could prolong the process. In the interim, the House is under the control of Representative Patrick T. McHenry, the North Carolina Republican who was named temporary speaker after Mr. McCarthys removal. Many House aides believe Mr. McHenry has only limited governing powers that do not include the right to take major legislative action. But there is no precedent for the current situation, and according to some congressional experts, an acting speaker could do whatever a majority of the House agreed to allow him to do. The House as a legislative body is not powerless. It can come into session and consider legislation, said Sarah Binder, a congressional expert and professor of political science at George Washington University. At the end of the day, its a matter of interpretation. Leading members of both parties have used the war between Israel and Hamas to slam the far-right Republicans who voted along with all Democrats to remove Mr. McCarthy from the speakership. They argue that the G.O.P. rebels tactics have neutered the Houses ability to respond to the worst fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in over half a century. Dorothy Hoffner, the centenarian who gained international adoration for skydiving at age 104 earlier this month, all while exhibiting an air of blase disregard for the attention the feat brought her, died in her sleep overnight Sunday into Monday at her home in Chicago. Joe Conant, a nurse who had known Ms. Hoffner for around five years and whom she had referred to as her grandson, said Tuesday that a cause of death had yet to be determined. Born on Dec. 17, 1918, Ms. Hoffner last week had her life briefly transform from one of relative quiet she loved watching reruns of M*A*S*H at night in the Brookdale Lake View senior living center where she lived to one packed with calls from reporters and TV producers trying to schedule interviews. That interest was prompted by her unusual endeavor: parachuting off a plane at such an advanced age on Oct. 1, not to prove some existential point about seizing every thrill, but simply because she wanted to. After all, the first time she had gone skydiving, at age 100, it had been fun, Ms. Hoffner said in an interview last week. At the Musalla of Gawhar Shah, a 15th-century Islamic religious complex, the top of one of five minarets still standing was partially damaged by the quake, according to Farid Ahmad Ayoubi, the director of information for Herat Province. The Great Mosque of Herat, one of the oldest mosques in the region, widely considered a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and recognizable by its vibrant blue minarets, was also damaged, he said. At Herats regional public hospital, ambulances raced in and out of the gate Wednesday morning carrying dozens of injured people. Outside the intensive care unit, dozens of doctors and nurses stood at a makeshift triage station and swarmed the ambulances as each new wave of patients arrived. They bandaged bloodied arms and legs, rolled out IVs on rickety metal stands and tried to calm people crying with fear as their loved ones were treated. One man in a dirt-covered orange salwar kameez, a traditional loosefitting garment, carried a young boy to the triage station and laid him down on the pavement. After the initial quake Saturday morning, they had come from Nawabad village, on the outskirts of Herat, in an Army Ranger vehicle. As doctors inserted an IV into the boy, the man stood up in tears and let out a shriek. Theres nothing left! he cried, before pleading with hospital staff members to let him check the morgue for other relatives who were still missing from the weekend disaster, which leveled homes in his village. A fire that spread overnight through a parking garage at Luton Airport, the fourth largest airport serving London, caused the airport to suspend flights until 3 p.m. Wednesday. By Wednesday morning, the fire was extinguished and was no longer considered a major incident, though passengers were advised not to travel to the airport, the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said. Six firefighters and a member of the public were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, according to the BBC. The fire, which began on Tuesday evening, led to a partial structural collapse at Terminal Car Park 2, according to the operator of the airport, which is a hub for budget airlines, including easyJet and Ryanair. Hamas is deterred, the briefers said, according to one of the security officials. In calls monitored by Israeli intelligence agents, Hamas operatives who talked to one another also gave the sense that they sought to avoid another war with Israel so soon after a damaging two-week conflict in May 2021, according to two of the Israeli officials. Israeli intelligence, they said, is now looking into whether those calls were real or staged. The next failure was operational. Two of the officials said that the Israeli border surveillance system was almost entirely reliant on cameras, sensors and machine guns that are operated remotely. Israeli commanders had grown overly confident in the systems impregnability. They thought that the combination of remote surveillance and arms, barriers above ground and a subterranean wall to block Hamas from digging tunnels into Israel made mass infiltration unlikely, reducing the need for significant numbers of soldiers to be physically stationed along the border line itself. With the system in place, the military started reducing the number of troops there, moving them to other areas of concern, including the West Bank, according to Israel Ziv, a retired major general who commanded ground forces in the south for many years, served as the head of the Israel Defense Forces Operations Division from 2003 to 2005 and was recently recruited into the reserves again because of the war. The thinning of the forces seemed reasonable because of the construction of the fence and the aura they created around it, as if it were invincible, that nothing would be able to pass it, he said. Israeli troops mostly retook control of towns near the Gaza Strip from Palestinian gunmen on Tuesday, four days after fighters for the militant group Hamas assailed Israeli civilians and soldiers in devastating attacks that killed hundreds, wounded thousands and put the grieving country on the brink of a major military operation. The Israeli government approved the call-up of an additional 60,000 reservists, officials said, raising the total number of mobilized soldiers over the last three days to 360,000, the most in such a short period since the countrys founding. The mobilization has touched nearly every corner of the country of 10 million, which has been plunged into anguish by the killing of more than 1,000 people in the attacks since Saturday. With the border nearly secured on Tuesday even as rocket attacks from Gaza continued and some firefights broke out the scale of the horror unleashed on towns and villages near Gaza was rapidly coming into focus. In one kibbutz a mile and a half from Gaza, journalists with The New York Times saw Israeli soldiers carrying slain residents on stretchers, and more than a dozen bloated bodies lying on the ground. Read the latest updates about the Americans missing and killed. White House officials said on Tuesday that 14 American citizens were killed and 20 or more were missing after the brazen attack on Israel, which President Biden condemned as an act of pure unadulterated evil. Jake Sullivan, Mr. Bidens national security adviser, told reporters on Tuesday that it remains unclear how many of the missing were in the hands of Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls Gaza and carried out the attacks that began on Saturday morning and have killed more than 1,000 people in Israel. Mr. Sullivan said the government was in regular contact with the families of the missing, some of whom have pleaded with authorities in the United States and Israel to help find and bring back their loved ones. I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world, President Biden said in his speech from the White House on Tuesday. U.S. officials had not shared identities of any of the missing or dead Americans, but based on media and family reports, many appeared to be dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, with family in both countries, at least some of whom lived in small agricultural communities near the border with Gaza that came under attack from Hamas. The missing: Family members plead for help At a news conference in Tel Aviv, Nahar Neta fought back tears as he described being on the phone trying to calm his 66-year-old mother, Adrienne Neta, who was born and raised in California but living in a kibbutz near the border with Gaza as Saturdays attack unfolded. His siblings were on the phone with her as attackers broke into her home in Beeri, he said. They heard screaming, he added, and have not heard from her since. Rachel Goldberg said she woke up on Saturday in Jerusalem to the sound of sirens warning of incoming rocket fire. Her 23-year-old son, Hersh Golberg-Polin, was at a music festival near Gazas border. When she turned her phone on 10 minutes later, she saw two consecutive text messages from him that read I love you and Im sorry. Mrs. Goldberg who moved with her family from California to Jerusalem in 2008 has not heard from her son since. She said the only thing the police could tell her was that his last known cellphone signal was near the border with Gaza. Also among the missing Americans were a mother and daughter from Evanston, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, who were visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a kibbutz less than a mile from the Israel-Gaza border. Rabbi Dov Hillel Klein, the executive director of Chabad of Evanston, said Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter, Natalie, who recently graduated from high school, had not been heard from since Saturday. This was a woman that was full of hope, Rabbi Klein said of Judith Raanan. And I know she has a resilience to overcome her tormentors. The lost: A mother shielded her son from bullets In her final moments, Deborah Martias, who was born in Missouri and whose father is a longtime professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, covered her teenage son with her own body to protect him, her relatives told several news outlets on Tuesday. In the moments before she and her husband were killed by the assailants who burst into the familys home, Ms. Martias was on the phone with her father, Ilan Troen, he recounted in a televised interview, saying that she heard glass breaking, gunshots and people speaking in Arabic. In an email to The New York Times, Mr. Troen, who also teaches at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, said that he was heading to a hospital in Israel to visit his 16-year-old grandson, Rotem, who had been shot in the stomach but survived, hiding until he could be rescued. Mr. Troen described his daughter and son-in-law in the interview with MSNBC as idealists. They lived at Kibbutz Holit, a small community just over a mile from Gaza, and had sent their children to a school that taught both Hebrew and Arabic, he said, in the hope that somehow Jews and Arabs would learn to understand more about each other, and change the course of history here. Kirsten Noyes contributed research. Shelling sounded out along Israels volatile northern border with Lebanon for a third consecutive day Tuesday, stoking fears on both sides of a repeat of 2006, when Israel fought a bloody monthlong war with Hezbollah, the Shiite group committed to the destruction of the Jewish state. Although paling in comparison to the fighting that has taken place around Gaza, in the countrys southwest, the continued clashes on Israels northern border have deepened unease over the possibility that the conflict already the broadest invasion in 50 years could spread to multiple fronts. There were signs late Tuesday that could happen: The Israeli Army said it had identified a number of launches from Syria into Israeli territory, the first time that fire had been exchanged across that border since fighting erupted on Saturday. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The Israeli military said the projectiles apparently fell in an open area and that it had been firing artillery and mortar shells in return. Along the Israel-Lebanon border, the day had begun with residents assessing the aftermath of clashes Monday, when Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an armed group based in Gaza, sent fighters into Israel, two of whom died. Funeral processions were held in southern Lebanon for three Hezbollah fighters also killed amid the skirmish by Israeli shelling. But the relative calm was shattered Tuesday evening when 15 rockets were fired over the border from just outside the Lebanese city of Tyre, on the Mediterranean coast, the Israeli military said. Four of the rockets were intercepted, the military said. Although it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, the Israelis said they had responded by striking two Hezbollah observation posts with tank fire. Hezbollah responded in turn with an anti-tank guided missile attack on an Israeli armored personnel carrier in the northern Israeli town of Avivim, according to a statement from Al Manar, the Hezbollah-owned Lebanese broadcaster. Hezbollah published footage it said was of the attack, which showed two strikes on an idle military vehicle, leaving it with considerable damage. The Israeli Army said no soldiers were injured. It added that Israeli forces had struck another Hezbollah observation post in response. As the exchange of fire continued late into the night, two senior Lebanese army officials claimed that Israel had used munitions loaded with white phosphorus, the use of which can be a violation of international law when civilian areas are targeted. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the news media. Footage posted online showed white puffs trailing white smoke before falling to the ground. A spokesperson for the Israeli Army denied the use of white phosphorus, saying soldiers had deployed only illumination flares. When the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park opens in Montgomery, Ala., in early 2024, on a bluff flanked by railroad tracks overlooking the Alabama River, visitors will be able to arrive by boat retracing the footsteps of tens of thousands of Africans horrifically shipped, sold, then transported by rail in the 19th century. The park is intended to take viewers on an unflinching and moving journey through the story of slavery, at a time when what can be taught in schools about Black history is being debated in many states across the country including Alabama. The centerpiece will be a new national monument commemorating freedom: a 43-foot-tall, 150-foot-long wall, angled like an open book and inscribed with more than 120,000 distinct surnames documented in the 1870 census that were chosen by four million Black people emancipated after the Civil War. (Washington was most widely selected by people known previously only by their first names.) For the approach to the monument, set in a clearing, there will be 48 sculptures by 27 artists Wangechi Mutu, Theaster Gates, Rashid Johnson and Kehinde Wiley, among others. Their works, more typically displayed in the white cube of a contemporary art space, will be encountered in the wooded landscape along a circular route, punctuated with 18 collected artifacts and visual exhibits including a whipping post and two plantation dwellings once inhabited by enslaved people. The Alabama River was once a central corridor for the trafficking of enslaved people, said Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a Montgomery-based human rights organization, and the creative force behind this new cultural space merging art and history on a resonant 17-acre site. We had the most active slave-trading space in America. When Glory learns that her lifelong friend Amity once a partygoer, lately a nun has died, shes immediately suspicious, despite the fact that the police and the coroner rule it a suicide. No one is coming to save us, Glory tells her daughter, Delphine, a lawyer whos come to town for Amitys funeral but sticks around to help her mother do some de-cluttering. If we want the truth, were going to have to go out and find it. This involves an environmental scandal, a priest up to no good and several acts of violence. But Glory is up for the challenge. The FedEx plane, which had three crew members, skimmed less than 100 feet over the other jet. The 128 people aboard Southwest Flight 708 continued on their way to Cancun, Mexico. Passengers were unaware that they had nearly died. In a year filled with close calls involving U.S. airlines, this was the one that most unnerved federal aviation officials: A disaster had barely been averted, and multiple layers of the vaunted U.S. air-safety system had failed. While the incidents basic contours have been made public, a New York Times reconstruction of the near collision shows that an air traffic controller made virtually catastrophic mistakes. But the errors by the controller who has continued to direct some plane traffic in Austin were far from the whole story, according to 10 current and former controllers there, as well as internal Federal Aviation Administration documents reviewed by The Times. Austin-Bergstrom, like the vast majority of U.S. airports, lacks technology that allows controllers to track planes on the ground and that warns of imminent collisions. The result is that on foggy days, controllers cant always see what is happening on runways and taxiways. Some have even resorted to using a public flight-tracking website in lieu of radar. Mideast war tests Musks free-speech commitments Since taking over X, the social network once known as Twitter, Elon Musk has pledged to impose as few restraints on speech as possible. But the Israel-Gaza war has driven a flood of misinformation and violent images and videos on the platform, testing the companys commitment to those principles in the face of criticism from advertisers and hate-speech watchdogs. The stakes are growing for Musk after the European Commissions top digital regulator warned him to clean up the platform or face steep consequences. The site has become a war zone with no ethics, Achiya Schatz, director of FakeReporter, an Israeli organization that monitors disinformation and hate speech, told The Times. X has faced complaints about misleading posts including photos and videos taken out of context and violent imagery, much of it seeded by Hamas. Experts say that combating such content has become much harder since X, under Musks ownership, has gutted safety and moderation teams. This material is appearing on other platforms as well, including WhatsApp and TikTok to the point that child protection groups are urging parents in Israel to remove social media apps from their kids phones. But online advocates called out X, as well as the messaging platform Telegram, for not doing as much as other social networks to remove such content. Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist who was held in Beijing for more than three years, has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday. Mr. Albanese said Ms. Cheng had been reunited with her two young children in Melbourne. Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Cheng and her family, Mr. Albanese said at a news conference on Wednesday. Ms. Cheng, who worked for Chinas global television network, was detained in Beijing in August 2020 and formally arrested later on suspicion of sharing national secrets. A familiar face as a business news host for China Global Television News, Ms. Cheng, 48, had long presented herself as a bridge between China and Australia, according to friends. On Wednesday, Chinas foreign ministry said Ms. Cheng had been sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison. After serving her sentence, Cheng Lei was deported by the Beijing State Security Bureau in accordance with the law, said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry. Until now China had said little about the case. Natural gas prices have jumped this week in Europe on worries about supplies stemming from the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. Prices for benchmark European gas contracts are up more than 20 percent since the end of last week. In the latest concern, Finland said on Tuesday that a pipeline linking the country to Estonia had been damaged, possibly by sabotage. It added to unease in markets the day after the Israeli government ordered Chevron to shut down Tamar, one of the two large gas production platforms that the U.S. energy giant operates off Israels coast. Israel indirectly exports the gas to Europe via Egypt. Gas storage facilities in Europe are nearly filled to capacity, easing fears about immediate shortages, and prices remain far cheaper than they were a year ago after Russia shut down most pipeline shipments to Europe. But the incidents highlighted that the continent, which has largely disconnected from Russian gas supplies, remains heavily dependent on imported fuel and could see higher prices persist in the event of a colder-than-average winter or other unexpected disruptions. On Tuesday, the Finnish government raised fears that sabotage may have been involved in a leak detected along the offshore gas pipeline. Gasgrid, the Finnish transmission operator, on Sunday shut down the line known as Balticconnector after detecting the leak. Once their scalpels reach the edge of a brain tumor, surgeons are faced with an agonizing decision: cut away some healthy brain tissue to ensure the entire tumor is removed, or give the healthy tissue a wide berth and risk leaving some of the menacing cells behind. Now scientists in the Netherlands report using artificial intelligence to arm surgeons with knowledge about the tumor that may help them make that choice. The method, described in a study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, involves a computer scanning segments of a tumors DNA and alighting on certain chemical modifications that can yield a detailed diagnosis of the type and even subtype of the brain tumor. That diagnosis, generated during the early stages of an hours-long surgery, can help surgeons decide how aggressively to operate, the researchers said. In the future, the method may also help steer doctors toward treatments tailored for a specific subtype of tumor. In addition to cooking it, students should research the origins and history of the dish, as well as its cultural significance. Then have a day of celebration so students can share their food, as well as what they learned, with the class. Write a restaurant review. Students can visit a local restaurant that serves food from a Latin American culture and write a review of it using New York Times restaurant reviews as a model. Here are some recent examples: At La Pirana Lechonera, a Machete, a Shower of Pork and Other Magic Elegantly Dressed Peruvian Cuisine Makes Landfall in TriBeCa Flavors From the Ecuadorean Andes and a Friendly Wave to Mexico, at Leticias As in a Times review, students should be sure to evaluate the food, the environment and the management. They can even give the restaurant a star rating. Remember, if students are personally unfamiliar with the food and its cultural origins, they may have to do some additional research in order it to give it a fair review. (If students choose a restaurant that is new this year, they can enter their review into our Student Review Contest.) Explore the intersection of food, family and culture further with writing prompts. If this lesson inspired students to want to talk more about their own food, culture, memories and experiences, they can respond to one of these prompts, either on their own, in writing, or in a class discussion: Student Opinion Questions The Gerda III, with a top speed of eight knots, could make the lighthouse run in a couple of hours. It could manage to go on to Sweden and return before the Germans realized it had been gone a little longer than it should have been gone. The crew worked fast: Kliger said that Jews who had disembarked in Sweden sometimes turned around to thank the crew, and the boat was already gone, to make it back and not be discovered. The Gerda III had been on the water since the 1920s, carrying supplies, mail and lighthouse keepers to an installation at the entrance to the resund. It was one of 300 boats used to evacuate Jews to Sweden; Kliger said that only two others are known to still exist. Denmark donated the Gerda III to the museum in 1989, and it was restored in a Danish shipyard before making the trip across the Atlantic. Kliger said that when he went to Denmark a couple of years ago to retrace the route across the resund, he met a man who had been evacuated when he was 9 years old. He remembered being herded into the hold under nets and tarps and being told to be very quiet, Kliger said. The first half of the trip was in Danish waters that were German-patrolled, he continued. The crew told the stowaways, When you hear the boat slow down, when you hear boots on the deck, you have to be absolutely silent. The sound of the boots receded, and the boat went on. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 11. Turkmenistan and Calyk Holding, Turkiye discussed promising areas for further development of cooperation and the state of work carried out by the company, Trend reports. These issues were discussed in Ashgabat by the Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with the head of the Calyk Holding Ahmet Calk. The parties discussed promising areas for further development of cooperation and the state of work carried out by Turkish companies. Berdimuhamedov stressed that large-scale state programs are being successfully implemented in Turkmenistan, new cities and villages, scientific and educational institutions, healthcare, culture, and production facilities are being built. In turn, Ahmet Calk expressed gratitude for the conditions created for the high-quality performance of work by foreign companies and reported on the progress of the implementation of trusted projects in Turkmenistan. Currently, GAP Insaat company is building modern healthcare system centers in Ashgabat, the head of Calk Holding said, and he assured that all work will be performed at a high level and put into operation on time. Meanwhile, in recent years, both countries have established close trade and economic ties, which have contributed to the active development of Turkish companies in Turkmenistan. These companies operate in various sectors of the economy, from construction to energy and trade. After a 15-year-old girl had run away from her Brooklyn home in 2017, her relatives turned for help to a trusted figure: Jacob Daskal, the head of a private crime patrol called the Boro Park Shomrim Society. The girls aunt and uncle asked Mr. Daskal to help find their niece a place to live and he offered his summer home in upstate New York. There, according to federal prosecutors, Mr. Daskal began months of sexual abuse that took place in New York State and Illinois. Mr. Daskal, then 59, threatened to handcuff the girl if she did not comply, prosecutors wrote in a motion last summer, described himself to her as a big guy in the Jewish community, claimed he had police protection and instructed her to remain silent about the abuse, saying: Its just going to ruin your life if you tell people. On Wednesday a judge sentenced Mr. Daskal, who pleaded guilty last summer to transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, to 17 and a half years in prison, the maximum allowed under his plea agreement. A Long Island man was charged on Tuesday with smuggling $200,000 worth of deceased, protected butterflies, including exceptionally large ones known as birdwings, and other insects into and out of the United States. The man, Charles Limmer, 75, sought to conceal the smuggling scheme by conspiring with others to label the illegal shipments as decorative wall coverings, origami paper craft and wall decorations, according to a six-count federal indictment filed in the Eastern District of New York. The indictment says that Mr. Limmer expressed contempt for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency that, among other things, enforces regulations related to wildlife shipments. Screw USFWS, he wrote in an exchange with a co-conspirator, according to the indictment. Mr. Limmer had not been arraigned as of Tuesday. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of smuggling, prosecutors said. Adams officials have criticized the previous administration for not moving aggressively enough to shift seats into neighborhoods where demand is highest, while former de Blasio staff members say that City Hall is intentionally weakening the program by not promoting it, leaving many parents unaware that it is even available. The city still does not have a permanent funding source for 3-K. The previous administration used pandemic-era federal dollars to expand it into most neighborhoods after first rolling it out in low-income areas, a strategy that Mr. Adams did not continue. Still, many parents mark January of the year their child turns 3 as a milestone: the moment they can apply for 3-K seats. Families can request seats for their children at up to 12 sites, in public schools, child care care centers, day cares run out of private homes or community organizations that have received funding to offer the program. The Department of Education website warns parents that seats are limited in a lottery system that gives children preference for slots in their local school district. In some low-income neighborhoods including Brownsville, Brooklyn; Harlem; and the South Bronx there are many more seats available than there are applications. Elsewhere particularly in northeast and western Queens and southern Brooklyn there is a frenzy among in-the-know-families to grab a handful of open slots. A clutch of Republican House members from New York began pushing on Wednesday to expel one of their own, Representative George Santos, amid mounting federal charges that he defrauded donors and lied about his campaign finances. The group of six New York freshmen announced plans to swiftly introduce an expulsion resolution to try to capitalize on a spate of new charges against Mr. Santos and a vacuum in House Republican leadership, hoping to whip up enough support to rid themselves and their party of a major political liability ahead of next years elections. We feel that enoughs enough, said Representative Anthony DEsposito, one of the most vulnerable Republican freshman, who represents an adjoining New York district to Mr. Santoss. Hes a stain on the institution. As the Houses most extreme form of punishment, expulsion requires a two-thirds supermajority to pass, a barrier so high that it has only been cleared five times in the institutions history making it far from clear if the move was little more than a messaging exercise by Republicans preparing to defend swing seats next year. If the bill is passed and signed into law, anyone under 18 in New York would need parental consent to access those feeds on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X and other social media platforms that use algorithms to display personalized content. While other states have sought far-reaching bans and measures on social media apps, New York is among a few seeking to target the algorithms more narrowly. The legislation, for example, would target TikToks central feature, its ubiquitous For You feed, which displays boundless reams of short-form videos based on user interests or past interactions. But it would not affect a minors access to the chronological feeds that show posts published by the accounts that a user has decided to follow. Our children are in crisis, and its up to us to save them, Ms. Hochul, a Democrat, said during a news conference in Manhattan, using stark terms to compare the addictive effects of social media to underage drinking and smoking. Do you understand how an algorithm works? she asked. It follows you. It preys on you. The bill would also allow parents to limit the number of hours their children can spend on a platform and block their childs access to social media apps overnight, from midnight until 6 a.m., as well as pause notifications during that time. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, said that algorithms allow teens to find like-minded interests and communities, and that it uses them to quickly identify and remove harmful content from its platforms. Both Meta and TikTok also pointed to a range of tools the companies have implemented to give parents increased control and limit the types of content teens can see. Time may be running out for the Biden administration. It is critical for federal judges who would like to be replaced by a Democratic president to take senior status so that Mr. Biden can appoint their successors with sufficient time to allow them to be confirmed by the current Senate. A federal judge or justice may take senior status after meeting the age and service requirements of the Rule of 80 the judge must be at least 65 years old, and the judges age and years of service must add up to 80. A total of 121 federal judges are now eligible for senior status but have not announced their plans, according to the group Balls and Strikes, which tracks that information. Of those, 44 were appointed by Democratic presidents. By Jan. 20, 2025, the date of the next presidential inauguration, that number could rise to 69. There is little reason for judges not to take senior status. They can continue to hear cases, even carry a full load of cases. And taking senior status allows the president to fill that seat on the bench. The judge can condition taking senior status on the confirmation of a successor. A senior judge typically is not allowed to participate in en banc decisions, where all (or a significant number) of the judges on the court review a matter that is particularly significant or complex. But that is the main restriction on what a senior judge may do. We are long past the time when it could be said that judges appointed by Republican and by Democratic presidents were indistinguishable. This was made clear in an analysis of Supreme Court rulings published in July 2022 by the data-driven news site FiveThirtyEight, which found the partisan divide among the current justices is deeper than its been in the modern era. And this partisan divide is not confined to the Supreme Court. There are often huge differences between how judges in the lower courts who were appointed by Democratic and by Republican presidents decide cases. For example, a federal appeals court recently upheld Tennessee and Kentucky laws prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender minors, with the two Republican-appointed judges siding with the states and a judge initially nominated a Democrat, President Bill Clinton, dissenting. Whether it is reproductive rights or gun rights or employee rights, or in countless other areas, the outcome often depends on which president appointed the judge or judges hearing the case. For that reason, I wrote an opinion article in The Los Angeles Times in March 2014 urging Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, then 81, to retire so that President Barack Obama could replace her while there was a Democratic Senate and someone with progressive values would take her seat. She took offense at the suggestion, also raised by others, and remained on the bench until she died in September 2020; the next month, when President Trump replaced her with the conservative Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Ginsburg gambled, and America lost. Its hard to see the risks clearly, because Mr. Bidens people have played it so calm. They realize that others might take fright at these newly powerful weapons, especially after what the Trump administration did with a more limited tool kit. At every stage, the Biden team has consulted with allies, patiently cooperating to ensure that everyone stays onboard. That helps explain why European companies like ASML have grudgingly been willing to limit sending cutting-edge chip manufacturing equipment to China. The administration has even tried to reassure China. The national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, describes the approach as small yard, high fence imposing heavy restrictions, but only on a small number of militarily important technologies. If the yard stays small, then the administration might counter China while minimizing economic damage. But if Mr. Trump becomes the Republican nominee and wins next November, all bets are off. He prefers ferocious threats and grand, flashy gestures to measured economic strikes coordinated in partnership with allies. He doesnt even consider them allies when he was asked who Americas biggest foe was, he didnt identify Russia or China first, but the European Union. As one European national security expert (and lover of 1990s Arnold Schwarzenegger movies) told us, a second Trump administration would be T2 (a reference to the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day) a far more effective killing machine than the relatively crude original. What kinds of economic weapons might a different, more risk-tolerant administration deploy? Most obviously, it could repurpose Mr. Bidens semiconductor measures to drastically escalate the U.S. confrontation with China. Robert Lighthizer, who served as Mr. Trumps U.S. trade representative, has congratulated the Biden administration for doing an excellent job accelerating the use of export controls. Mr. Lighthizer also is already pushing Congress to adopt aggressive measures to decouple the United States and Chinese economies. Instead of the small-yard approach, a second Trump administration might not limit its intrusion to just cutting off Chinas access to specialized semiconductors for A.I. but could expand to a growing number of complex technologies. Mr. Lighthizer, for example, has proposed sweeping controls on U.S. investments in China, which would demand that businesses making technological investments tell the government that they are doing so; the government could then ban investments that it deemed harmful to national or economic security. This would most likely replace surgical strikes with indiscriminate bombardments, hitting U.S. companies with any but the most trivial investments in China. In San Francisco this month, a woman suffered traumatic injuries from being struck by a driver and thrown into the path of one of hundreds of self-driving cars roaming the citys streets. San Franciscos fire chief, Jeanine Nicholson, recently testified that as of August, autonomous vehicles interfered with firefighting duties 55 times this year. Teslas autopilot software, a driver-assistance system, has been involved in 736 crashes and 17 fatalities nationwide since 2019. For all the ballyhoo over the possibility of artificial intelligence threatening humanity someday, theres remarkably little discussion of the ways it is threatening humanity right now. When it comes to self-driving cars, we are driving blind. The reason is simple: There are no federal software safety testing standards for autonomous vehicles a loophole large enough for Elon Musk, General Motors and Waymo to drive thousands of cars through. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulates the hardware (such as windshield wipers, airbags and mirrors) of cars sold in the United States. And the states are in charge of licensing human drivers. To earn the right to drive a car, most of us at some point have to pass a vision test, a written test and a driving test. The A.I. undergoes no such government scrutiny before commanding the wheel. In California, companies can get a permit to operate driverless cars by declaring that their vehicles have been tested and the manufacturer has reasonably determined that is safe to operate the vehicle. It appears Hamas wants to draw Israeli soldiers into a quagmire, as Hezbollah did in Southern Lebanon from 1985 to 2000. After years of fighting, Israel suffered a humiliating and chaotic withdrawal, leaving an empowered and threatening Hezbollah on its northern border. Why might Hamas want to draw the Israel Defense Forces into a bloody ground battle? Hamas is the uncontested power in Gaza, though elections have not been held since 2006. The Palestinian Authority; its main political party, Fatah; the business community; civil society; and family clan leaders cannot effectively challenge Hamas, which has become only stronger after each successive conflict with Israel. Despite an Israeli blockade and round-the-clock surveillance, Hamas has apparently been able to build and buy more rockets, steadily improve their range and accuracy, provide offensive combat training for its fighters and develop an intelligence network sophisticated and far-reaching enough to launch a simultaneous assault on 22 Israeli locations. Hamas surely believes it can defeat the Israelis on its home turf in a war of attrition. Hamas also stands to expand its political credibility in the West Bank if Israel invades Gaza, particularly if Israeli advances stall. Many Palestinians in the West Bank already regard the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as corrupt, enfeebled and unable to realize the aspirations of its people. Israels July incursion into the West Bank city of Jenin further highlighted that the government of the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, can neither protect the people of Jenin nor provide a vision of a more hopeful future. If Israel invades Gaza, Hamas may have the public support to challenge the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and potentially assume leadership as the sole representative of the Palestinian people. In the broader region, Hamas can also count on its ally Hezbollah. The day after the Hamas attack in southern Israel, Hezbollah, presumably in an attempt to test the readiness of Israeli forces, engaged in fighting with the Israeli military along the northern border near Shebaa Farms, land that is controlled by Israel but claimed by Lebanon. Hezbollah may seek to gain advantage if Israel is fighting Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank. Despite its grotesque atrocities against civilians, Hamas may have already reset the political realignment in the Middle East by disrupting prospective diplomatic talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia. But if Gaza were now to escalate into a protracted ground war, Hamas could also undermine the Abraham Accords, which established agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and break the trend of increasing Arab-Israeli normalization. The Palestinian Authority was unable to block the Abraham Accords, but Hamas could still unwind them. Twenty-one years ago, in the shadow of the Sept. 11 attacks, George W. Bush warned of an axis of evil, encompassing the authoritarian and anti-American regimes of Iraq, Iran and North Korea. He did not claim that they were actually allies or partners in the style of Nazi Germany and imperial Japan. What made them an axis, in his rhetoric, was simply their ample cruelty, their shared pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their potential willingness to share such weapons with groups like Al Qaeda. The Bush address was a classic post-9/11 speech, inflating the real dangers of pariah regimes via a dubious World War II analogy, forced through with bluster rather than defended by specifics. Many members of Bushs team had spent their formative years focused on great power competition, and they preferred to conceptualize the war on terrorism in terms of enemy regimes that could be coerced or changed. This didnt really make sense; there wasnt actually an axis of culpable state actors for us to go to war with after Sept. 11. But the desire for one, the imagining of one, helps explain how Al Qaedas attacks led to our disastrous invasion of Saddam Husseins Iraq. Two decades onward, we can see that in this great squandering of American power, our leaders helped create in 2023 the kind of landscape that Bush imagined facing back in 2002. The 9/11 attacks did not reveal a world where the Pax Americana faced serious threats from rival powers. But the world of last weeks Hamas attacks, an equivalent trauma (at least) to Sept. 11 for Israel, is very different: From the American perspective, the crisis in the Holy Land must be analyzed in terms of great power politics and the pressure we face from broadly aligned rivals Iran, Russia and China on three fronts at once. To be clear, we do not know yet whether the Hamas attacks were planned with Tehrans blessing or connivance. But the fact that Iranians have in recent years increased funding and support for Hamas means that the attacks flowed in some way from Tehrans grand strategy its desire to surround Israel with enemies, to extend its power through allies and proxies and to disrupt the American attempt to mediate a rapprochement between Israel and the Sunni Arab states. Laman Ismayilova A film "The Patron" about the life of Azerbaijani philanthropist and oil magnate Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev will be screened next year. Executive Director of the Baku Media Center Orman Aliyev made this remark at the summit held within the 3rd Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival, Azernews reports. The series will consist of eight one-hour episodes. Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev invested in many important projects such as the first textile factory and fisheries. He sponsored the first Azerbaijan National Theater (1883), the first Muslim School for Girls (1896), the first Technical School (1911) and covered all the expenses for the construction of what would later become the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. He also helped to solve the water crisis in the city by helping to finance the Shollar water pipeline (1916). In his speech, Orman Aliyev also noted that the shooting of the film "Hadrut, You are Free" has been already completed. The film will be presented to the audience next month. Note that Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival is co-organized by the Culture Ministry, Heydar Aliyev Center, the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the State Film Agency and Baku Media Center in connection with the proclamation of Azerbaijan's Shusha city the 2023 Cultural Capital of the Turkic World. The film festival has been organized since 2021. The festival's first edition took place in Istanbul, Turkiye. The film festival was organized for the second time in the city of Bursa. Azerbaijan is hosting the third Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival. The festival's program includes 32 feature, documentary and animated films produced by Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, Gagauzia (Moldova), Tatarstan, Sakha-Yakutia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chuvashia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Tuva and Bashkortostan ( Russian Federation). ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 11. Turkmenistan and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) held constructive talks aimed at discussing the prospects for joint work and strengthening cooperation, Trend reports. These issues were discussed during the meeting in Ashgabat of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani. During the talks, the sides exchanged views on issues of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the OSCE in various fields, and also identified priorities and prospects for joint work in the implementation of projects and programs. Particular attention was paid by the parties to the development of cooperation in such areas as energy security, transport connectivity and ecology. Meanwhile, cooperation between the OSCE and Turkmenistan embodies the desire to strengthen dialogue and partnership in various fields, including political, economic and humanitarian aspects. Both sides are actively discussing the prospects for joint work, striving for joint initiatives that would contribute to strengthening stability, security and development in the region. The terror attacks by Hamas against civilians who were in their homes and dancing at a concert are being called Israels Sept. 11, and thats a fair comparison. Lets hope that Israel responds to this outrage more wisely than we in the United States did to the attack on our country. Theres a lot of loose talk about eliminating Hamas, and Hamas deserves it. As a journalist who has traveled repeatedly to Gaza, Im appalled by the sympathy that some Americans and Europeans have shown for a misogynist and repressive terror organization like Hamas. If you care about human rights, you want to see Hamas eliminated. Yet dismantling terrorist organizations can be harder than it looks and can raise troubling moral questions about collateral damage. The Taliban also deserved elimination, yet in the end it was the United States that was eliminated from Afghanistan. I worry that Israel may charge into Gaza with a ground invasion as thoughtlessly as we plowed into Iraq. To the Editor: Re The Anti-Israel Left Needs to Take a Hard Look at Itself, by Bret Stephens (column, Oct. 11): Hamass systematic and indiscriminate rape, torture, murder and kidnapping of children, grandmothers, ravers and peace activists are brutal enough. What compounds the despair, however, has been the response in the immediate aftermath by some of my fellow liberals. These are the people who reflexively see microaggressions everywhere, yet are blind to this macroaggression. The people who insist that words are violence, yet celebrated actual violence against innocents as a form of resistance. The people who are quick to accuse so many institutions of systemic racism, yet glorify an institution (Hamas) that has been publicly and unapologetically antisemitic for decades. It is possible, as I do, to support and sympathize with ordinary Palestinians, and strive for a future of peaceful coexistence, while also recognizing the unequivocal depravity of these terrorist attacks. This was not a difficult moral test. Yet liberals failed miserably. Mark Bessoudo London To the Editor: Bret Stephens is right to call out supporters of Palestinian rights who minimize or even celebrate the atrocities committed by Hamas, and to point to the explicit or implicit antisemitism of some anti-Zionist arguments. Update, 10/11/23: In an afternoon vote by the Republican caucus, Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana emerged as the choice of most members to be speaker. But its not clear whether he will win enough votes on the House floor to get the job. That floor vote may take place in the coming days. The crisis of terror in Israel has made it even more urgent that the House of Representatives move past its schoolyard infighting, elect itself a speaker and demonstrate that the United States still has a functional government, one that can play a significant role in supporting democratic allies around the globe. So far, however, the Republican House majority has shown no indication it is up to the job. Only two candidates, Representatives Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio, are officially running for speaker. Neither seems to have a majority of Republicans locked up yet, and both are trying to appeal to the partys worst instincts making it clear they would perpetuate the chaos that was unleashed during the reign of Kevin McCarthy, who was overthrown by a group of far-right rebels on Oct. 3. In several ways, Mr. Scalise and Mr. Jordan would probably be worse. Both express opposition to the Biden administrations request for additional military aid to Ukraine. Like Mr. McCarthy, both have cast doubt on the outcome of the 2020 presidential race, and voted against certifying the election results, a permanent stain on their reputations. But for anyone who cares about basic governmental function, the most worrisome part is that they also seem to be repudiating the two moments when Mr. McCarthy defused a fiscal crisis in recent months over the debt ceiling and the threatened government shutdown. They want the House to use more leverage in its battles against President Biden. Music is universal among humans, typically used for immediate benefits: aesthetic pleasure, accompaniment to ritual, dance or work or even getting a baby to sleep. However, there is a 2.0 kind of music. You may like it fine on first hearing, but only with repeated listenings do you fully take it to heart and feel that magic click. This music does not follow predictable patterns, the harmonies might be complex, the instrumental arrangement might be agitated with countermelodies and eccentric frills, the piece might not have been designed to summon you to move your body, or maybe the thing is just kind of long. Its hard to embrace its full essence until youve experienced it a few times. When you like a beat or the texture of a voice or are hooked by a catchy chorus the prime elements in most modern pop music songs can grab you instantly. Heres to them! But when music is founded on things beyond those three elements, it can take a few listens for me, often about seven before you connect with it as viscerally as you do to your favorite pop. It is not the most intuitive way of engaging with music, concentrating on it in solitude, hoping for enlightenment. And I realize that my predilection for this kind of listening, inherited from my father, is weird. After all, it doesnt even always pay off. For example, Harvey Sachs new study of Arnold Schoenberg is a sad book in its way, asserting that the composers serial music, based on unalterable sequences of twelve tones rather than conventional melody and harmony, will never truly move any but a sliver of listeners, even with repeated exposure. Caroline Ellison, a top adviser to the cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, testified on Wednesday that she had lied over and over at his request, misleading the public about his businesses and circulating dishonest financial documents to crypto lenders. By the time Mr. Bankman-Frieds two companies FTX, a digital currency exchange, and Alameda Research, a hedge fund collapsed in November, the lies had become too much to bear, Ms. Ellison said, and the implosions were almost cathartic. Overall it was the worst week of my life, said Ms. Ellison, 28, fighting back tears as she recounted the frantic week when the companies failed. I felt this sense of relief that I didnt have to lie anymore, and that I could start taking responsibility even though I felt indescribably bad. Ms. Ellisons testimony, in her second day on the witness stand, was the most emotional moment so far of Mr. Bankman-Frieds fraud trial. She was widely considered the governments star witness, partly because she dated Mr. Bankman-Fried on and off for years, giving her unique access to the FTX founder as his crypto empire grew. His trial in federal court in Manhattan has become a referendum on high-risk practices across the crypto industry that led to billions of dollars in losses last year. The unnamed narrator of Ralph Ellisons Invisible Man retreats, after an alienating odyssey through the South and Harlem, to live in a secret cellar. Underground is both an escape from oppression and a sanctuary where he can see himself on his own terms. Ellisons 1952 novel is like gospel to the eldest matriarch in The Refuge Plays by the playwright Nathan Alan Davis. Gotta make your own world in this world, says Early (Nicole Ari Parker), a great-grandmother homesteading with her family. She can still chop firewood and hunt squirrels with a hammer, but when we first meet Early in this keen but unwieldy family saga, opening Wednesday at the Laura Pels Theater, her daily life has evolved beyond the need for such primal skills. Four generations of Earlys family are living together in the present-day Illinois wilderness, sharing a cabin built years ago by Early and her husband, Crazy Eddie (Daniel J. Watts). The too-small sofa and ratty armchair draped with quilts and crochet (the persuasively salvaged set is by Arnulfo Maldonado) indicate a modest home where her relatives choose to live out of kinship rather than necessity. Earlys great-grandson, Ha-Ha (J.J. Wynder), is the purest product of this social experiment: a 17-year-old who is deferential, bookish and comically naive about girls. (Many of Daviss character names are freighted with exaggerated symbolism.) Ha-Has mother, Joy (Ngozi Anyanwu), tried striking out on her own when she was younger, but eventually returned. And Joys mother, Gail (Jessica Frances Dukes), the wife of Earlys deceased son, Walking Man, is the functional head of the household, though not for long: The spirit of Walking Man (Jon Michael Hill), a routine and welcome visitor, has just foretold her imminent death. On a recent trip to the Caribbean island of Antigua, Melissa Middlestadt, a writer from the Toronto area, was charged a $12-a-night resort fee by the all-inclusive Jolly Beach. She was told it covered the use of nonmotorized water-sports equipment and Wi-Fi. We challenged them to remove it, but they wouldnt, which was a bummer because the Wi-Fi was so spotty that it didnt even reach our room, and the kayak hut had such limited hours that we didnt get to use those either, said Ms. Middlestadt, 30, who was traveling with her husband on their honeymoon. It was spending money to get nothing, which was upsetting and ruined the all-inclusive experience. Resort fees are among the most loathed in the travel realm. These are usually mandatory fees that hotels apply to cover amenities such as access to a gym and the internet and less useful things like free local phone calls. The Biden administration lumps them in with other junk fees, including service charges on concert tickets, late credit card payment penalties and costs to check baggage on an airline. On the outskirts of Rio Grande City, Texas, Eva Alvarez stepped past the graves of her parents and grandparents before stopping at the edge of the small cemetery to marvel at the rust-red steel bollards stacked in piles, row after row, not far from her house. For years, the Trump administration had surveyed and condemned land along the border in Starr County, where Ms. Alvarez lives, constructing a steel border barrier in segments to deter and redirect unauthorized crossings. Many residents saw the wall as unnecessary and ill-advised, and when President Biden took office and ordered a halt to construction, Ms. Alvarez and others in this rugged, mostly rural South Texas borderland believed the project was over. No longer. Residents of Starr County, particularly those with land along the Rio Grande, are now bracing for the resumption of construction after the Biden administration last week said it would waive dozens of federal laws and regulations to begin erecting new sections of border wall in Texas. The decision to build about 17 miles of new fencing in Starr County prompted anger among many Democrats, who accused President Biden of going back on a campaign promise. But it coincided with a surge of unauthorized crossings along many parts of the southern border in recent weeks that has overwhelmed communities in Texas, Arizona and California, and posed a formidable political challenge to Mr. Biden. Representative Erin Houchin, a first-term Republican from Indiana, was chosen as the poster child for the new House G.O.P. in the opening months of the 118th Congress, promoted by leaders as a fresh, friendly and broadly appealing face for their party. Ms. Houchin joined the Main Street Caucus, a group of center-leaning Republicans, and became the president of the freshman G.O.P. class. She was a stalwart ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, voting for the debt limit deal he forged with President Biden, pushing for her Republican colleagues to get behind the stopgap funding measure to keep the government open and generally cheering on the party agenda. But on Wednesday as Republicans met to select a new speaker to replace Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Houchin was set to deliver a nominating speech for Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, the right-wing hard-liner who co-founded the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus. She is part of a group of lawmakers who view themselves as pragmatic centrists, but who are now lining up behind Mr. Jordan, whose right-wing bent, combative style and close alliance with former President Donald J. Trump have little in common with them. Iran has provided large numbers of weapons and support to Hamas over many years. U.S. officials have made clear that they believe this makes Tehran broadly complicit. But that was different from direct knowledge and involvement, they said. Morgan Muir, a senior U.S. intelligence official, told members of Congress in a briefing on Tuesday that there was no direct link between Iran and the Hamas attack, U.S. officials said. Mr. Muir provided few details but told lawmakers that U.S. agencies had intelligence contradicting assertions that Iran had helped plan the attack. The United States and its allies regularly track and monitor meetings between Quds Force leaders and their proxies and allies, including Hamas. But officials say there is no evidence so far that those meetings were used to plan the attack in Israel. While officials concede that there could have been other secret meetings that Western intelligence did not track, for now they have found no evidence of such meetings. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the intelligence. The American officials requested that The New York Times not report the means of collection to protect sources and methods. Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, said on Tuesday that agencies had not collected intelligence about direct Iranian involvement in the attack, which began on Saturday. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 11. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye and Turkmenistan signed a cooperation program for 20242025, Trend reports. This program was signed on October 11, 2023, during the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov with the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is in Ashgabat on an official visit. During the meeting, the ministers discussed a wide range of issues in the context of further development of political and diplomatic ties, expansion of inter-parliamentary cooperation, and strengthening of the legal framework. The parties agreed to intensify cooperation in the foreign trade sphere, energy, transport, construction and industry, and the textile industry. At the same time, they noted successful cooperation in the fields of science and education, sports, healthcare, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges. Meanwhile, cooperation between Turkey and Turkmenistan includes close relations in energy, economy, politics, culture, and education, contributing to the diversification of their resources, the development of economic relations, maintaining stability in the region, and strengthening cultural ties between peoples. The fighting in Israel has become another flashpoint in the Republican presidential primary, further revealing the foreign policy divide among candidates scrambling to distinguish themselves in a race dominated by former President Donald J. Trump. I will always condemn antisemitism, appeasement and weakness on the radical left, but I will also call out weakness or confusion among conservatives as well, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina said during a speech about Israel on Tuesday at the Hudson Institute in Washington. In a departure from his usually noncombative campaign style, Mr. Scott criticized both Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and the entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who along with Mr. Trump have outlined anti-interventionist foreign policy positions. Mr. Scott highlighted Mr. Ramaswamys comments on Israel earlier this year (he has shifted his stance on cutting U.S. military aid to Israel), and Mr. DeSantiss characterization of the war in Ukraine as a territorial dispute, which Mr. DeSantis later walked back. Former Vice President Mike Pence also attacked several candidates in remarks on Saturday in which he criticized Republicans who embraced the language of isolationism and appeasement. He named Mr. Trump, Mr. Ramaswamy and Mr. DeSantis as voices that have run contrary to the tradition in our party that America is the leader of the free world. Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana narrowly scraped together enough Republican support on Wednesday to become his partys choice to lead the House, but deep divisions in the G.O.P. ranks threatened to complicate his election as speaker. Mere minutes after a slim majority of Republicans voted in a closed-door party meeting to select him as the partys candidate, Mr. Scalises fate was thrown into doubt. Several Republican lawmakers announced they would not back him on the House floor without concessions, complaining of a rushed process to choose a new speaker and voicing skepticism that he could unite their fractious conference. Republicans delayed an election of the full House that had been planned for midafternoon while the party regrouped, and adjourned on Wednesday evening with no resolution. They scheduled another meeting of the House for noon on Thursday, but there was no sign that the G.O.P. was any closer to an agreement that would allow them to elect a speaker at that point. While I respect Steve Scalise, the underhanded efforts to rush this vote to the floor without getting full buy-in from the conference is extremely ill-advised and I will not be supporting the nomination on the floor, absent a further discussion, Representative Michael Cloud, Republican of Texas, said on the social media site X, formerly Twitter. Other Republicans thought Wednesdays closed-door conference meeting was that further discussion. They were following what has been the process for congressional leadership elections for decades. A top slot comes open, candidates emerge, they twist arms, make promises, court support and hold issue forums to answer questions. A secret ballot is held, and the winner is the partys choice. Thats it. But to the consternation of Mr. Scalises backers, some on the short end of Wednesdays 113-to-99 vote seemed to want a do-over. And that was after Mr. Jordans supporters actually lost two separate votes in the meeting the one for the speakership and an earlier vote to change party rules on how to choose the nominee. The proposal, which was favored by Mr. Jordan and his backers, failed by an even wider margin than Mr. Jordans loss to Mr. Scalise, opening the door to his nomination and a floor vote to fill the vacant speakers chair. The fact that many Republicans were unwilling to consider the case closed was stunning considering the history of leadership contests on Capitol Hill. Losers have generally accepted their fate and gotten behind the winners in their partys political interests. While they might not always have been enthusiastic about the outcome, they did not buck the party and try to overturn it or challenge it. Certainly there have been a few defections, but nothing on the scale of Republicans abandoning Mr. Scalise. But as the ouster of Mr. McCarthy and the willingness of House Republicans to block routine procedural votes has shown, there is a significant faction of lawmakers who do not see themselves as bound by the traditions of party discipline and loyalty. Several members of the Supreme Courts conservative majority seemed prepared on Wednesday to reinstate a South Carolina voting map that a lower court had ruled was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., for instance, seemed unpersuaded by the lower courts findings and reasoning. He said the evidence that Republican state lawmakers had used race as the predominant factor was circumstantial and consistent with something that is legally acceptable: trying to achieve the partisan goal of creating a district with a distinct conservative tilt. Disentangling race and politics in a situation like this is very, very difficult, he said. A ruling for the challengers, he added, would be breaking new ground in our voting rights jurisprudence. The case concerned a constitutional puzzle: how to distinguish the roles of race and partisanship in drawing voting maps when Black voters overwhelmingly favor Democrats. The difference matters because the Supreme Court has said that only racial gerrymandering may be challenged in federal court under the Constitution. Billions of dollars in U.S. military and economic aid have enabled Ukraine to fend off Russias invasion, but the future of that support is now in serious doubt. Congress approved a stopgap deal last month to keep the federal government open, but it excluded a request from President Biden to give Ukraine another round of funding. And as the House of Representatives decides who will be its next speaker, some Republicans are digging in against sending more money to Kyiv. Congress has approved about $113 billion in response to Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Nearly $62 billion of that has gone to the Defense Department, which uses the money allocated by Congress to contract with domestic arms manufacturers to restock the supplies it has sent to Ukraine from its own stockpiles. If Congress doesnt approve more aid, Ukraine has some breathing space. Under previous spending bills passed by Congress, Mr. Biden can still draw about $5.6 billion in materiel from the militarys reserves (mostly thanks to a Pentagon accounting error that overvalued aid that has already gone to Ukraine). All of us have eyes on, Clara Belle Wheeler, a former member of the Virginia State Board of Elections who now leads the trainings, said at the end of an hourlong training session for poll watchers last Tuesday, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The New York Times. Im watching. The group, like many others across the country, is taking its cues from former President Donald J. Trump, who has continued to make baseless claims that American elections are rigged. Behind the scenes and at public events, conservative activists who share his beliefs have been working to overhaul voting laws and recruit activists and supporters to serve as poll watchers and election workers. In numerous counties and localities across Virginia, conservative activists have been appointed to local election boards, the bodies that are in charge of determining early voting hours and locations, leading some to move early polling locations or reduce voting access on the weekends. The state also withdrew from the Electronic Registration Information Center, known as ERIC, an interstate clearinghouse for voter data that helps ensure secure elections, but became a flashpoint on the right based on a widely debunked conspiracy theory. Democrats and voting rights groups say these moves could have significant consequences that seemingly small changes and pressures on the system could add up and potentially affect the outcome of an election. They worry that overly aggressive poll watchers could intimidate voters, or that conspiracy-minded Trump supporters who insert themselves in the election process could interfere with the results. This is sort of like a death by 1,000 cuts, and theres no necessarily one thing that you can point to and say, Thats whats going to swing the election, said Aaron Mukerjee, the voter protection director for the Virginia Democratic Party. Taken together, the goal is to disenfranchise enough voters that they can win the election. The Indian authorities have charged the renowned novelist Arundhati Roy over public comments she made 13 years ago about the restive Kashmir region, the latest step in an intensifying crackdown on free speech by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Suman Nalwa, a spokeswoman for the New Delhi police, said the government had approved charges against Ms. Roy and the Kashmiri law professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a move required for certain crimes in India. The two have been charged under several sections of Indian law, including offenses related to provocative speech and the promotion of enmity between different groups. The lieutenant governor of the Delhi region said the government had considered filing a more serious charge of sedition against Ms. Roy and Mr. Hussain in the case, which sprang from a complaint filed in October 2010 by a right-wing Kashmiri Hindu activist against speakers at a conference on Kashmir. No such charge was filed, the official said, because Indias top court is deciding the validity of the colonial-era sedition law, which critics say has been abused for decades to shut down dissent. It was not clear why the police were acting only now on the activists complaint, well over a decade after it was filed. A French-Moroccan man was convicted on Wednesday on charges of complicity in the 2016 murders of an off-duty police officer and his partner at their home near Paris, part of a wave of deadly Islamist terrorist attacks that deeply shocked France. A criminal court in Paris found that the man, Mohamed Lamine Aberouz, 30, helped stage the attack that killed the officer, Jean-Baptiste Salvaing, 42, a police captain, and his partner, Jessica Schneider, 36, an administrative worker at a police station. The court found him guilty of multiple charges, mainly complicity in the murders and of being part of a terrorist conspiracy, and sentenced him to life in prison, with the possibility of parole only after 22 years. Mr. Aberouz had always denied playing any role in the killings. Mr. Salvaing and Ms. Schneider were murdered at their home in Magnanville, a small town northwest of the French capital, on the evening of June 13, 2016, by Larossi Abballa, 25, an Islamist extremist who cut Ms. Schneiders throat inside the couples home and stabbed Mr. Salvaing on the street in front of it before taking their 3-year-old son hostage for several hours. More debris and presumed human remains have been recovered from the Titan submersible, the U.S. Coast Guard said, months after the vessel imploded, killing five people as they were descending into the deep to view the wreckage of the Titanic. The Coast Guard said in a statement on Tuesday that engineers with its Marine Board of Investigation recovered debris and evidence from the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean during a salvage mission last week. The statement was accompanied by a photo that showed the intact aft titanium end cap of the 22-foot vessel. The debris was taken to a port in the United States to be analyzed, while the presumed human remains were carefully recovered from within Titans debris and transported for analysis by U.S. medical professionals, the Coast Guard said. The agency did not identify the port where the debris was being analyzed. Investigators have been analyzing and testing material retrieved from the Titan since late June, nearly two weeks after the Titan imploded. They will continue to examine the new evidence and interview witnesses to prepare for a public hearing, the Coast Guard said. Russian forces have intensified attacks in recent days, targeting a string of towns along an eastern stretch of the front line even as they defend against a Ukrainian offensive in the south. Their movements add to the sense of inconclusive, back-and-forth fighting that has characterized frontline combat for weeks, with few territorial gains. Ukraines military said on Wednesday that it had repelled tank attacks supported by artillery in one of Russias heaviest assaults in months on the city of Avdiivka, and that Russia had over the past 24 hours dropped 20 powerful aviation bombs near the cities of Lyman and Kupiansk, all in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian commanders had since last month cautioned that Russia was marshaling troops in the east for a renewed attempt to break through Ukrainian lines. The area was a focus of a Russian offensive last winter that largely failed. Our Avdiivka is under massive attacks by Russian artillery and aviation, Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidents office, said on Tuesday in a post on the Telegram messaging service, which included a photo of a building reduced to rubble. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Our company plans to launch social projects in all regions of Uzbekistan to allow everyone access to digital infrastructure in the near future, Chief Executive Officer of UZINFOCOM LLC, a unified integrator for the creation and support of state information systems, Emil Gimranov told Trend. "The first and most striking example of UZINFOCOM's activity in expanding the countrys digital infrastructure is the opening of the IT Village training complex. The educational village in the most remote part of Uzbekistans Samarkand is a social project accessible to children from the surrounding areas of the region," Gimranov noted. The CEO explained that the educational program of the IT Village includes specialized subjects important for basic knowledge in the field of IT: robotics, English, and programming. Summing up, almost 500 children from 7 to 17 years old became the first graduates of the IT Village. "UZINFOCOM sincerely hopes that the IT Village project will be a big step in the development of education in the inaccessible regions of Samarkand," he stressed. Gimranov stated that in the near future, the company plans to launch similar social projects in all regions of the country. "We hope that our experience will become an example for many other regional companies. Meanwhile, we will not stop there and will continue to develop the digital and information infrastructure of Uzbekistan," he concluded. Over the past few years, Uzbekistan's information and communication technology (ICT) sector has experienced significant growth. The total value of ICT services delivered in Uzbekistan during the period from January to November 2022 amounted to 13.1 billion soums (equivalent to $1.1 million). This figure represents a notable increase of 21.9 percent compared to the same period in 2021, which recorded a value of 10.8 billion soums (approximately $953,649). Rolling barrages of artillery strikes have cratered and pockmarked the hills and forests of eastern Ukraine. As Ukraine presses its offensive in the south, its elite assault brigades are deployed elsewhere to help stabilize defensive lines against Russian attacks. Those brigades have been fighting without a break for nearly 600 days. They know the price of victory will be high. As Moscow looks to pin down Ukrainian troops, the Russian forces mount waves of attacks that can gain a few hundred yards one week before losing them the next. Hidden in the forests, an extensive underground network is Ukraines first line of defense and where its soldiers prepare for the fight ahead. Four U.S. lawmakers met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other government leaders in Israel on Tuesday, in what they described as a show of solidarity after Hamass surprise attacks over the weekend. We stand shoulder to shoulder so that we can go toe to toe with any terrorist going forward, Representative Jimmy Panetta, Democrat of California, said during a news conference in Israel. It is from our solidarity that we have our strength. The bipartisan delegation to Israel, comprising three representatives and a senator, arrived after lawmakers made stops elsewhere in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The trip was organized to promote the expansion of recent agreements to normalize relations between Israel and Arab countries. During stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the lawmakers also met with the opposition leader, Yair Lapid, and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, who previously served as Israels ambassador to the United States. Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa and the leader of the trip, said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the group had also met with families affected by the attacks on Saturday and with American citizens in Israel. Representatives Donald Norcross of New Jersey and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, both Democrats, were also part of the delegation that stopped in Israel. Ms. Wasserman Schultz said in a post on X that the group had decided to go through with the Israel visit to demonstrate our solidarity and support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, to make sure that we acted not just with our words but with our deeds. In an interview on CNN on Tuesday, Ms. Wasserman Schultz said that the delegation had been in Saudi Arabia when Hamas fighters first broke through barriers encircling the Gaza Strip on Saturday and attacked nearby Israeli towns, where they killed hundreds of civilians and took scores of hostages. She added that Saudi officials told her the events had not deterred them from pursuing normalization of relations with Israel. The United States has been trying to broker a deal with Saudi Arabia and Israel, but the arrangement is likely to be contingent on matters like uranium enrichment, weapons sales and Palestinians territorial rights. Last week, days before Hamass assault, a group of Democratic senators indicated that the guarantees to Palestinians would need to be significant for them to support a treaty. After last weekend, Mr. Netanyahus government is less likely to meet those demands. Since Hamass initial strikes, Israeli leaders have ordered a full siege of the Gaza Strip, curtailing supplies of food, fuel, water and electricity to the population of two million Palestinians, and ordered a mass mobilization of reservists in anticipation of a retaliatory offensive. When Israeli airstrikes began pounding the Karama neighborhood in Gaza City on Tuesday night, the paramedic Amir Ahmed and his ambulance crew raced through streets lined with destroyed buildings and headed toward where black plumes of smoke were billowing above the rooftops. But as they got near, the explosions continued relentlessly and they couldnt get any closer, he said. Crowds of frantic people, some barefoot, rushed toward them, fleeing their just-destroyed homes. The ground shook with each strike from an Israeli fighter jet. People were crying for the children they had to leave behind under the rubble, Mr. Ahmed, 32, said. They were begging us to go in and pull their children from the rubble this was all they wanted, for us to go and pull their children out. Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Gaza after gunmen from Hamas, the armed Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip, crossed the border on Saturday, massacred Israeli soldiers and civilians in their homes, and fired thousands of rockets toward Israeli towns and cities. The day Israelis woke to the horror that the Palestinian squads that had infiltrated their country were shooting soldiers and civilians and dragging captives back to Gaza, the shadowy commander of Hamass military wing released a rare message blessing the attack. Speaking from a secret location, the commander, Muhammad Deif, described the operation as an explosion of anger at Israels treatment of Palestinians and told his forces it was a first step toward Israels destruction. Righteous fighters, this is your day to bury this criminal enemy. Its time has finished. Kill them wherever you find them, he said in an audio message posted on social media. Remove this filth from your land and your sacred places. Fight and the angels fight with you. Mounting grievances fueled Hamass decision to attack, but the nature of that attack was shaped by a deep thirst for revenge built up over decades of conflict a desire to see Israel bleed. Syrias sprawling prisons and its vicious torture routines have long been documented and condemned, only to be met with impunity and sneers from the countrys president, Bashar al-Assad. But on Tuesday, the International Court of Justice in The Hague the worlds highest legal body held a hearing on Syrian torture and other abuses. It is the first time that an international court has addressed the often-deadly routines said to have been carried out by Mr. al-Assads henchmen as they quashed opponents during 12 years of civil war. Canada and the Netherlands filed a complaint in June with the International Court of Justice claiming that Syria repeatedly and on a massive scale violated the Convention Against Torture, which all three countries had ratified. Canada and the Netherlands have said that they have the right to bring their case to the court because they are parties to the convention. Among Syrias violations, the case cites abhorrent treatment of thousands of people held in detention centers, including the use of torture, enforced disappearances, inhumane conditions, sexual assaults and violence, including against children, that often resulted in death. The villages along Israels northern border with Lebanon have become ghost towns, as most of their residents have already gone south. Army reservists have taken their place, on high alert and standing guard at the locked electronic gates of their communities and at new checkpoints along the roads. Any civilians left in the villages on Wednesday were bracing for the possible opening of a new front. People rushed in and out of the few stores that remain open. With every rumble, eyes darted upward to scan the skies. The atmosphere bristled with fear. Its terrifying, said Michael Fakin, 33, who distributes newspapers and has lived most of his life in Shlomi, a working-class town of about 7,000 people close to the border with Lebanon. Its nerve-racking even to walk around my neighborhood, he said, having just made a quick run to the only store that was open for ice cream and caffeine. Around noon on Wednesday, the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah took responsibility for firing an anti-tank missile at an Israeli military position at Arab Al Aramshe, an Israeli Bedouin border village in the western Galilee. Israeli aircraft responded by destroying a Hezbollah observation post. At dusk, sirens wailed all along the northern frontier amid rumors of swarms of drones entering Israeli airspace, setting the whole country on edge. After the deadliest assault on Israel in 50 years, the right-wing government and members of the centrist opposition formed a unity government on Wednesday to navigate the crisis, while its warplanes rained destruction on the Gaza Strip and both sides braced for an escalating war between Israel and Hamas. The creation of an emergency government came as the devastation of the Hamas incursion that overran dozens of towns and a military base last weekend became clearer: civilians, including children, shot dead in homes, in cars, on streets and in hiding places, with bodies still being recovered and counted. The Israeli government said the toll in the attack had risen to 1,200 people killed, 169 of them Israeli soldiers, almost 3,000 others wounded and an estimated 150 people believed kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza. Israels military forces are carrying out a more intense campaign of airstrikes than in past conflicts with Gaza against Hamas, the group that controls the region, and its allies, killing at least 1,127 people and injuring more than 5,300, according to Gazan health officials, who say most of the casualties are noncombatants, including children. After Israel escalated its 16-year blockade of Gaza to a complete siege this week, cutting off fuel, water and food, electricity to the region shut down on Wednesday, and hospitals, already overwhelmed, reported that they would soon be unable to function. Hamas has threatened to kill hostages if Israel strikes civilian homes without warning. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised news conference Wednesday night that the Palestinians who surged into Israel shot children in the head, burned people alive, raped women and beheaded soldiers. As Israeli forces finish securing southern towns after the Hamas-led incursion and assemble forces on the border with Gaza, attention is also falling on the countrys volatile northern frontier with Lebanon, where the Israeli Army has been engaged in four consecutive days of clashes with armed militants. Various Palestinian factions in Lebanon have claimed responsibility for attacks this week into Israeli territory, prompting retaliatory strikes from Israel. But it is Lebanons most powerful militant organization, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite group committed to the destruction of the Jewish state, that remains the most serious threat to Israel. With its vast arsenal of rockets and thousands of experienced fighters who gained combat experience in neighboring Syrias civil war, Hezbollah has long been seen in Israel as a formidable fighting force. Founded in 1985 to fight the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has grown into a powerful organization whose leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has also transformed the group into an influential political force inside the country. Israel briefly invaded Lebanon in 2006 after Hezbollah assailants crossed the border and abducted two Israeli soldiers, prompting a war that left parts of the country in ruins. Despite occasional skirmishes in the years since, border tensions have remained relatively contained. Kiattisak Patee, a chicken-farm worker, is feared to be one of 14 Thai citizens abducted during an attack in Israel by Palestinian gunmen. He remains missing, and his family in northeastern Thailand has spent the past few days racked with worry as it waits to hear about his fate. Mr. Kiattisak, 35, was working on a kibbutz near the Gaza Strip. His family fears he may have been abducted on Sunday morning, said Kanjana Patee, his sister. Thailand supplies the bulk of labor for Israels agriculture industry, and Mr. Kiattisak was one of 30,000 Thai citizens working in Israel, according to the foreign ministry. Many of them are underpaid and forced to work long hours, according to Human Rights Watch, which cited interviews with Thai workers. Thai workers in Israel can make at least $1,000 a month, according to Thailands labor ministry, far higher than what they would make in Thailand. Theres over a month left of the Atlantic hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. In late May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that there would be 12 to 17 named storms this year, a near-normal amount. On Aug. 10, NOAA officials revised their estimate upward, to 14 to 21 storms. Sean is the 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. After a review of an unnamed January storm, Hurricane Center officials said it would have qualified for a name, bringing the total number of such storms to 19 this year. There were 14 named storms last year, after two extremely busy Atlantic hurricane seasons in which forecasters ran out of names and had to resort to backup lists. (A record 30 named storms took place in 2020.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Georgia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed an agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation, Trend reports. Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum participated in the signing ceremony via video format. Garibashvili expressed confidence that the new stage of relations between the two countries will contribute to the activation and facilitation of trade and economic relations for the benefit of the peoples of both countries. The UAE Prime Minister noted that the agreement will become a new stage in the relations between the countries. The agreement between Georgia and the United Arab Emirates was signed by Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili and Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. The Long Wait for Help as Massacres Unfolded in Israel It took most of a day for Israeli soldiers to arrive as people tried to hide from Hamas terrorists on Saturday. Heres what the evidence shows about the response to some of the deadliest attacks. Beeri Kfar Aza Festival Nir Oz Evacuation 6:30 a.m. START OF ATTACKS Attackers in kibbutz Shooting and bombings Residents go into hiding Attackers terrorize streets 9:30 a.m. 3 hours into attacks Hostages taken to Gaza Strip Hostages taken 12:30 p.m. 6 hours into attacks About 8 hours after attack More than 8.5 hours after attack 3:30 p.m. 9 hours into attacks Rescues reported more than 13 hours after attack More than 20 hours after attack ATTACKS START 3 hours into attacks 6 hours into attacks 9 hours into attacks 6:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. People waited more than 8.5 hours for rescue Nir Oz Shootings and bombings Please send help They are entering the houses We kept hoping for help Rescues reported About 8 hours Festival Evacuation Gunmen shoot at crowd Hostages taken Gunman loot cars Concertgoers rescued from bush More than 20 hours Kfar Aza Residents go into hiding Hostages taken to Gaza Strip Rescues reported late into the night More than 13 hours Beeri Attackers in kibbutz Attackers terrorize streets Last contact with victim I dont think Im going to make it out of here Rescues reported late into the night Where is the army, Amit Man, 22, texted her family after hiding from Hamas attackers for five hours, before she was shot and killed. Others hid in the woods, barricaded themselves in safe rooms and waited for as many as 26 hours for help to arrive. The slow response of Israeli forces on Saturday, a national holiday, gave Hamas terrorists many hours to infiltrate more than 20 towns outside of Gaza, where they killed at least 1,200 people and took an estimated 150 hostages. Israeli officials declined to answer questions about the timing of their response to the attacks. Heres what we know about the timeline of some of the deadliest events and the official response, based on interviews with survivors and their family members, and an analysis of photos and video. Before the attacks Before 6:30 a.m. Israeli response But the warning Israeli intelligence detected an unusual surge in activity on Gazan militant networks it monitors and alerted the Israeli soldiers guarding the Gazan border.But the warning wasnt acted upon , either because the soldiers didnt receive it or the soldiers didnt read it. Start of attacks Around 6:30 a.m. The deadliest attacks in Israels history started in many places at the same time. Armed paragliders took off from Gaza. Militants used drones to destroy Israeli surveillance stations and began to fire thousands of rockets. Commandos in trucks and on motorbikes sped into southern Israel. The rockets lit up the dawn sky at an all-night festival, and concertgoers began to evacuate. Around 6:30 a.m. A group of students in Nir Oz went into shelters. They would not be rescued for nearly 12 hours. Shirley Okev went to a safe room in Kfar Aza, a nearby village. She would not leave for more than 20 hours. She contacted her son to alert the army. But the army didnt come fast, we waited for a long time, she said. 6:31 a.m. Israeli response The Israeli militarys response to the rockets was immediate, but it said nothing of a ground invasion. 6:35 a.m. Around the same time in Alumim, Sarit Kurtzman heard rocket sirens and rushed into her safe room with her 14-month-old baby. She would stay there for 26 hours until help arrived. Yonatan Kurtzman 30 minutes after attacks began Just after 7:00 a.m. Beeri Sderot Sderot Beeri 7:04 a.m. As Hamas gunmen swept through multiple towns, Arie Itzik, a retired nurse who was sheltering in Nir Oz, received a call for help from a woman who had gone out for a walk. Militants had shot her and her husband, she told him. She was wounded and thought her husband was dead. She would later be kidnapped, Mr. Itzik said. Mr. Itzik would shelter for at least eight more hours before soldiers arrived to rescue him. The army wasnt in the area, not even one soldier. He added: We were all by ourselves. It was terrifying. An hour after attacks began Around 7:30 a.m. By now, many civilians had been killed in towns around the Gaza border, including in Sderot, where gun battles were ongoing. Around 7:30 a.m. Gunshots rang out as panicking festival attendees exiting the event were stuck in traffic. That was the first moment we understood we were really under a colossal attack, said Almog Senior, a student at Ben-Gurion University. Many attendees fled their cars and ran across fields. Mr. Senior and his friends drove off-road in an attempt to reach safety. 7:40 a.m. Israeli response The Israeli military reported that Hamas militants had crossed the border and urged civilians to stay in their homes. But people at home were in grave danger. 7:52 a.m. I have a lot of wounded and dead here, Amit Man texted her family from the small Beeri clinic where she cared for patients. I have no way to help. About 8 a.m. After running from attackers at the concert, festivalgoer Noa Kalash, 22, and her boyfriend, Maor Benezri, 25, found a bush to hide in. They would hide there for seven more hours before being rescued. It wasnt quiet even for a second, she said. We kept hearing shootings, vehicles, motorcycles. At least one of her friends is missing and another is dead. 2 hours after attacks began 8:23 a.m. Israeli response Israel declared a state of alert for war. Over the past hour, the Hamas terrorist organization launched massive barrages of rockets from Gaza into Israel, and its terrorist operatives have infiltrated into Israel in a number of different locations in the south. 8:26 a.m. They are here, Sahar Kalderon, 16, wrote to her sister, Gaya, in a text message. It was the last Gaya heard from half of her family, who lived in Nahal Oz. Sahar Kalderon, right, with her brother, Erez via Kalderon family 8:53 a.m. At least seven bloodied bodies of civilians were found in a room after an attack on the kibbutz of Kfar Aza, photos show. 3 hours after attacks began 9:23 a.m. Dash cam footage from a car parked north of the festival shows Hamas terrorists dragging away a civilian and executing another. Source: South First Responders 9:30 a.m. Theyre coming in, Yarden Bibas, 36, wrote to his sister Ofri by WhatsApp. Later, footage circulating on social media showed his wife, Shiri, and their two children one of them just 9 months old imprisoned by Palestinian militants. There was no sign of Mr. Bibas. 9:32 a.m. Photographs taken around the same time show attackers bringing Israeli civilians including a man, two elderly women and a young woman to Gaza from Kfar Aza as hostages. Hatem Ali/Associated Press 10:06 a.m. Israeli response Over three and a half hours after the attacks began, Israels Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said Israel was at war. 4 hours after attacks began About 10:35 a.m. Militants broke into the home of Irit Lahav in Nir Oz. We were trying not to even breathe, she said. We were hugging on the floor, holding each other and telling each other how much we love each other. 10:46 a.m. Israeli response Israel announced it was striking targets in Gaza. But many people on the ground were still on their own. 10:54 a.m. Im afraid to breathe. I love you. Vivian Silver , a peace activist, sent her last texts to her son Yonatan Zeigen four hours after attackers first entered her village of Beeri. She has not been seen since. 5 hours after attacks began 11:35 a.m. Israeli response Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made his first statement to the nation on the crisis. He told Israelis that they were at war. 11:44 a.m. From the Beeri clinic, Ms. Man messaged her family asking when the army would come. I dont understand, she wrote. Its been hours already. Via Haviva Izikson 12:09 p.m. Dash cam footage from a car left near the festival shows another group of militants walking by and rifling through personal items of an executed individual, indicating the area around festival was still unsecured nearly six hours after the attack began. Concert attendees were still hiding in undergrowth and the surrounding countryside. Source: South First Responders 6 hours after attacks began 12:21 p.m. Israeli response The Israeli military announced it had sent troops and reserve forces to southern Israel to reclaim towns taken by Hamas attackers. 7 hours after attacks began 1:50 p.m. Israeli response Photographs show the Israeli military in Sderot. Many Israeli soldiers were killed at bases near the border, and drone strikes caused communication problems. An Israeli commander who helped lead the counterattack in the south described retaking villages on an ad hoc basis. Tsafrir Abayov/Associated Press 2:02 p.m. Theyre here. I dont think Im going to make it out of here. Please be strong if something happens to me, Amit Man, the paramedic at the Beeri clinic, texted her family. Minutes later, her sister reached her by phone. Ms. Man said she had been shot in the legs, attackers had murdered everyone else and she did not think she would survive. The line dropped. More than two days later, her family received news that her body had been found. We told her that any time the military will get inside and get them out, her sister said later. We really believed in that. I promised her. We never never imagined, in our worst dream, that she would not make it, that the soldiers would not be there in time to rescue them and to save them, she said. Via Haviva Izikson 8 hours after attacks began 2:30 p.m. In Nir Oz, Irit Lahav heard people break into her home again, four hours after the first break-in. We kept hoping for help, she said. 11 hours after attacks began 5:24 p.m Does anyone know where the army is? a Nir Oz resident wrote in a neighborhood WhatsApp group seen by The New York Times. About 6 p.m. Israeli response The army rescued students in Nir Oz. Elsewhere in the kibbutz, Ms. Lahav and her daughter were also rescued. They emerged to see that the towns dozens of bicycles had been stolen, cars had been burned and houses had been looted. The attackers, she noted, had plenty of time. 12 hours after attacks began About 7 p.m. Israeli response The rescued Nir Oz residents gathered in a kindergarten. We realized that it was only about half of the people from the kibbutz, said Lotus Lahav, Ms. Lahavs daughter. 7:11 p.m Israeli response The Israeli military reported that it had struck down attackers in southern towns in the last few hours, including four fighters in Nir Oz and Erez Crossing. It said it had neutralized hundreds overall. 16 hours after attacks began About 11 p.m. Israeli response Soldiers rescued Mika Atiia and Dvir Efrat in Beeri. Via Dvir Efrat 20 hours after attacks began About 3 a.m., Oct. 8 Israeli response In Kfar Aza, Ms. Okev was rescued from a safe room. Israeli officials are just beginning to reckon with the wide array of logistical and intelligence lapses that paved the way for the Gazan incursion into southern Israel and the delayed Israeli response. The full scale of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists on Saturday is still being uncovered and understood. By Monday morning, Israeli soldiers were still fighting militants in at least six towns, and periodic clashes continued even after an Israeli military spokesman said the military had regained control of all communities. An estimated 260 people may have died around the site of the festival, and 108 bodies were recovered from Beeri. In Kfar Aza, scores, or perhaps hundreds, of people were killed, soldiers and rescue workers said. Locations with large numbers of victims BORDER BREACH Sderot Mediterranean Sea Kfar Aza Nahal Oz GAZA Beeri Nova Festival Nir Oz ISRAEL BORDER BREACH 5 miles EGYPT Locations are approximate. Locations with large numbers of victims BORDER BREACH Sderot Mediterranean Sea Kfar Aza Nahal Oz GAZA Beeri Nova Festival ISRAEL Nir Oz BORDER BREACH EGYPT 5 miles Locations are approximate. But days after the attacks, residents were still waiting on the military for one more thing: recovering bodies. In Nir Oz, Mr. Itzik, the retired nurse, said he could begin to identify bodies, but that it was the military that needed to notify families. I cant tell their family that they are dead. Its not my job to do it. Im not allowed to, Mr. Itzik said. Mr. Itzik said family members told him, We cant wait for I dont know how many weeks or days or months to hear from the army. Chicagos McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, was recently responsible for the deaths of at least 1,000 small birds that crashed into its thick glass walls. According to the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM), a volunteer conservation project dedicated to the protection of migratory birds, on October 5, the carcasses of at least 1,000 small birds, including Tennessee warblers, hermit thrush, and American woodcocks were found around McCormick Place. They all died after colliding with the iconic buildings transparent glass walls, which birds simply cannot detect. The CBCM said that this was the highest number of crash-caused bird deaths that the group recorded from the grounds of one building in a single day. Unfortunately, the number of deaths may actually be much higher, because many birds continue to fly after suffering serious injuries only to die hours later. Photo: aaron vansieleghem/Unsplash Its the tip of an iceberg but its its a huge, huge amount of birds we found both dead and injured, said Annette Prince, director of CBCM, adding that the mass death was a very unusual and tragic occurrence. Experts estimate that around one billion birds die every year due to collisions with man-made buildings, with those covered in glass posing the biggest danger. However, recording at least 1,000 deaths around a single building, in just one day, is highly unusual. Douglas Stotz, a conservation ecologist at the Field Museum in Chicago told National Public Radio that in one night we had a years worth of death, adding that between 1,000 and 2,000 birds hit McCormick Place every year. Anywhere youve got glass, youre gonna have birds hitting the windows, said Bryan Lenz of the American Bird Conservancy, but in this particular case, the high number of deaths is also indicative of the unusually high number of birds flying in and around Chicago last week, most likely flying from Canada en route to South and Central America. Unfortunately for the birds, McCormick Place was hosting an important event last week, which meant most of its lights were open, which only confused the animals even more. Studies have shown that light pollution is one of the main causes of bird collision with man-made obstacles and that shutting off half the lights in large buildings can reduce collisions by six to 11 times. To make matters worse, a storm passed over the city on Wednesday, forcing birds to fly lower and face an even greater risk of collision. Bird tracking project Birdcast estimates that around 1.5 million birds were in flight above Cook County on the night of October 5, when McCormick Place recorded the highest number of bird deaths in its entire existence. Phoenix-based Marson Media has signed on to develop a strategic communications plan for Fondomonte, owner of an alfalfa farm in Arizona that is a big drain on the state's dwindling water supply. Fondomonte is part of Almarai, which bills itself as the worlds largest vertically integrated dairy company. The Saudi Investment Fund owns a 16 percent stake in Almarai. The Butler Valley farm pumps an unlimited amount of groundwater, free of charge, to irrigate its water-thirsty alfalfa crop, which is then shipped to Saudi Arabia to feed dairy cows. Saudi Arabia banned alfalfa farms in 2018 in a bid to preserve its water resources. Arizona governor Katie Hobbs this month said the state will not renew Fondomontes lease when it expires in February. Marson Medias six-month contract, which went into effect Aug. 4, is worth $11,500 a month. It calls for development of talking points, coordination with Fondomonte on how or even whether to respond to media, creation of media opportunities that counter the negative narrative faced by Fondomonte, and work to ensure that the leases currently held by Fondomonte remain intact. Prior to launching his firm in 2012, Barrett Marson worked as a journalist and handled communications for the Arizona House of Representatives and Dept. of Corrections. Mads Brandstrup Scandinavian Airlines has recruited Mads Brandstrup for the SVP-communications and PA position, effective Jan. 1. He replaces Karin Nyman and will report to EVP & chief of staff Carina Malmgren Heander. Brandstrup has political experience, earned as special advisor to Denmarks Minister of Finance and head of press & communications for the Danish Social Democratic Party. Since 2021, he has served as CEO of the Danish Media Assn. The airline on Oct. 11 announced that it would defer interest payments on debts due Oct. 23 and Oct. 26 as part of its SAS Forward voluntary Chapter 11 process in the US. The carrier, which is a member of the 26-strong Star Alliance, reported that it served 2.3M passengers in September, up 17 percent from a year ago. Stockholm-based SAS flies to New York, Boston, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco. CA Wants to Hike Awareness of OCal Cannabis Seal Wed., Nov. 1, 2023 The California Department of Food and Agriculture plans to hire a firm for an education and outreach campaign to create awareness of the OCal seal on commercial cannabis products. A man who was towing a trailer containing a digger which were both over the allowed weight restriction was also driving while disqualified, last week's district court heard. Krzystof Pek, (29) of 41, Belgrove Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3, was stopped by Garda Patrick McGee on the N52 at Cappincur, Tullamore on November 29, 2022. Mr Krzystof had no licence to tow such a weight. Krzystof Pek was working for owner Barry Roberts (31), Shangarry, Myshall, Carlow Mr Pek nominated to produce the relevant documents at Tullamore Garda Station, but failed to do so. Further investigation by Garda Patrick McGee revealed that Mr Krzystof had been disqualified from driving for 4 years on August 26, 2022. He also had other convictions for the same offence. The owner of the vehicles Barry Roberts had no previous convictions. Mr Roberts who appeared in court said he runs a building and civil engineering business and was working in Tullamore at the time. He said he had four vehicles capable of pulling a trailer and digger. He said he didn't know Mr Pek was towing the vehicle and Mr Pek had no reason to do so. He said he had four other employees that had permission to pull a trailer. Mr Roberts said that Mr Pek had produced a full driving licence when he was hired, but didn't have a trailer licence. He said he had his driving licence on file in his office. Judge Andrew Cody told Mr Roberts to return to court with the licence. Mr Roberts later appeared with a Polish licence for Mr Pek, this was accepted and the case against Barry Roberts was dismissed. However, Judge Cody told Mr Roberts that he needs to be a lot more careful with licences. A bench warrant was issued for Krzystof Pek who failed to appear in court. BIRR man Darrell Lally is seeking financial assistance in order to become a priest. Darrell is an Irish seminarian of the Institute of Christ the King. I believe, he says, I have felt a call to the priesthood since my very early childhood years. I always pestered the priests in my parish about the priesthood, asking them when I could go to a seminary. He said that when he entered secondary school he received much opposition from his peers on the subject of becoming a priest, however I wanted more than ever to go to a seminary. Towards the end of school I became very interested in the chanting of the divine office and the beautiful traditional liturgical ceremonies of the Church and I found as a result the Institute of Christ the King in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Limerick. The first time that I went there was to attend a solemn High Mass, and I fell in love with the traditional Latin Mass. After he finished school he joined the Institute of Christ the King in October 2018 as a candidate by entering one of the institute's formation houses in Preston England where he learned the rhythm of apostolic life. He then spent a second year in Naples Italy, again as a candidate. In September 2020 he was accepted to the institute's seminary known as Gricigliano in Florence Italy. After completing my first academic year in spirituality I received the holy cassock from our prior general Monseigneur Gilles Wach and I was tonsured and made a cleric by his eminence Leo Ramond Cardinal Burke. I have since received three minor Orders of Porter, Lector and Exorcist and am preparing this year to receive the final minor Order of Acolyte before the major Orders to come, God willing. I love my studies very much and I have finished my studies of philosophy and now I am entering into four years of theology. My prayer life is also very active in the seminary especially through participation in the holy liturgy. In the seminary, along with prayer and sacred studies, manual work also plays an important role in our priestly and human formation. I was very glad to be able to put my artistic experience to good use, in restoring many things and areas in the seminary that were once highly decorated but have since deteriorated over the years, before the institute had occupied the building. This year I finished my second major project of restoring one of the common rooms which was once richly decorated. Unfortunately, unlike prayerful support, I do not have much financial assistance as my absence from my home country renders it difficult to find benefactors to support Irish vocations. The seminary costs are about 800 per month per seminarian. This tuition goes towards our studies, books, food, heating and other costs which concern the formation. Darrell has set up a GoFundMe page and so far has raised 5,000 of a 30,000 target. I ask you kindly to please support me if possible, he writes on the GoFundMe page. Ireland needs good priests and my wish is to be one for her and especially for our holy mother the Church. Many people in Birr think highly of Darrell and see him as a sincere man with a genuine vocation, who is also gifted artistically. On the popular Facebook page (Well Mush) Birr Memories Old and New Dickie Donnelly urges people to support Darrell. Dickie points out that There is more than Religion involved here. This is a Birr man following his dreams and beliefs for the good of all the world. Darrell is a lovely, kind young man, wrote another person on the page, who has a special faith. I'm delighted, wrote another, to see Darrell using his wonderful artistic talent in restoration work in the seminary. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. More than 1200 individuals lost their lives due to rocket attacks originating from the Gaza Strip on Israel, Trend reports. Meanwhile, a combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. The IDF declared a state of readiness for war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. Caught On Camera: Man Crushed To Death In Bengaluru After Intense Car Chase On Busy Road Miraculous Escape: Bengaluru Woman Airlifted Hours Before Hamas Attacked Israel Bengaluru oi-Prakash KL In what could be considered as a lucky escape, a critically ill Bengaluru woman was airlifted from Tel Aviv from Israel just hours before the Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack. According to a report in The Times Of India, the 57-year-old woman was airlifted from Tel Aviv on Friday afternoon. She reached the Karnataka capital along with a city-based doctor and a paramedic. The jet landed in Bengaluru around 11.30 pm at the Kempegowda Airport after which she was rushed to a hospital, the daily reported citing sources from the airport. Hours later, Israel came under attack from land, sea, and air. "The air ambulance flown by two pilots was carrying the woman patient in a stretcher. She was accompanied by a doctor, an assistant and another civilian passenger. It landed at KIA after taking off from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. The plane had made a stop at Abu Dhabi before reaching Bengaluru after an eight-hour flight," the TOI quoted a KIA official as saying. Airport authorities confirmed that the female patient was safely brought to Bengaluru from Tel Aviv just before the onset of the Hamas assault in the early hours of Saturday, causing the closure of airports and airspaces throughout Israel. "On the KIA tarmac, the patient was transferred to an ambulance and moved to Manipal Hospitals. She was known to be very critical and had to be moved from Israel to India, but other details about her health condition are unclear," an official stated. The air ambulance trip to and from Tel Aviv was operated by ICATT (International Critical Care Air Transfer Team), a Bengaluru-based operator, and had arrived in Israel on Thursday. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip scrambled to find safety on Wednesday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and a power blackout was expected within hours, further deepening the misery of a war sparked by a deadly mass incursion of Hamas militants. The death toll from this war has already crossed 3600 from both sides. A 25 Years Plan For Chennai! Upcoming Changes And Choices For People Chennai oi-Oneindia English Desk Change is an unchangeable component in life and everything around us has undergone change over the period of time. If you take Chennai for example, the future Chennai (after 25 years) will be far different from the present Chennai. If change is inevitable, then what all will be changed or what all needs to be changed? If you have any idea about what all needs to be changed in Chennai, then this article is for you. The only thing you have to do is share your ideas with the government relating to the need for transport facilities (rail and road), need for bus stations, expansion of infrastructure etc. Citizens' participation will properly align the growth of Chennai city in the path of development. DMK's Dravidian model government is brewing a mega plan to aid the development of Chennai, including extending the area of Chennai from 1189 to 5904 square kilometres. Within just 2 years of rule, DMK government is all set to formulate a 25 years development plan for Chennai. Further details were given by the Special Officer of Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA). A brief about the 25 years plan by Special Officer Jayakumar: 2 months ago, an announcement was made to expand Chennai from 1189 to 5904 square kilometres. The plan for expansion is to include Tiruttani, Arakkonam, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. The next step in the 25 year plan is the preparation of a comprehensive mobility plan for Chennai city. The purpose of the comprehensive mobility plan is to decide the kind of transport facilities needed in the next 25 years. Plan preparation was outsourced to a company which will submit the project report after a 15 months study period. The study period is expected to be completed in June 2024. Now, data for the study is collected through surveys by the company and many government departments. Totally 16 surveys are planned to be conducted which will collect details such as percentage of people using bus transport and traffic volume via surveillance cameras installed at every junction. Apart from these data, 50,000 houses are to be surveyed for information about people's way of commuting; their way of transportation for reaching shops and sending children to schools; usage of public and private transport; usage of metro; the most convenient transportation system for public etc. On September 18, Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin officially started the work by issuing brochures to the people. The offline survey alone is not enough to prepare a plan for 25 years which necessitated an online survey also. In an online survey a QR code will be provided which should be scanned to fill the form. Otherwise people can register their comments on this website (https://cumta.tn.gov.in/#/). The website contains forms in Tamil and English languages and the forms contain 41 basic questions. After collecting data from online and offline surveys, Google data and mobile data will also be collected. Such types of data are being collected for the first time to analyse everything and get a hawk-eyed view to formulate a fool-proof plan. In the past few days, over 300 people have filled out the online forms. The data from the surveys will help in establishing railway stations, bus stops, parking facilities, metro facilities in the right and most needed areas. For example, approximately 6000 trucks arrive in North Chennai per day, out of which 2000 are parked there but North Chennai does not have sufficient parking facilities. All such kinds of information will come under project review before formulating the 25 year plan. Finally, the project is divided into short term, medium term and long term plans. This way, future problems can be avoided by analysing data accurately in the short term, medium term and long term. "The government is working at lightning speed for the project", said the Special Officer. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 16:44 [IST] After Spending Over 40 Days In Jail, YouTuber TTF Vasan Will Be Finally Out Of Prison Two Decades Without Power, Now Lit Up In Just One Week Will Vijay Enter TN Politics In 2026? BJP's Annamalai Says 'Democracy Is All About Choice' TN Govt Allows Special Show For Vijay's 'Leo' Chennai oi-Prakash KL Amid rumours of rift between Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and the makers of Vijay's Tamil film 'Leo', the DMK government has granted permission to special shows for the flick. The Lokesh Kangaraj-directorial flick is scheduled to be released on October 19. The special shows should be organised without posing any health risks or causing overcrowding in the theaters, the authorities said in an order. The order also states that proper security arrangements should be in place so that the audience can enter and leave without difficulty, by providing sufficient time to clean and maintain the theatre in a hygienic manner. After careful consideration, the state government has granted permission for special shows from 19 October to 24 October. It means single screens across the state can screen five shows per day. #LEO special GO issued . 5 shows can be played from 19th to 24th for 6 days pic.twitter.com/KTKaqx5mVv Pathy Senthil (@dhalapathy) October 11, 2023 'Leo' Trailer Release: Vijay Fans Break Seats In Chennai's Rohini Theatre However, once the audio launch function, which was considered a key event to promote films, was cancelled, Udhayanidhi Stalin and the DMK came under attack from Vijay fans on social media sites. Nonetheless, the production house denied the claims. In a statement, it said, "Considering overflowing passes requests & safety constraints, we have decided not to conduct theLeo Audio Launch. In respect of the fans' wishes, we will keep you engaged with frequent updates. P.S. As many would imagine, this is not due to political pressure or any other reasons." Vijay's manager Jagadish, who has co-produced the film, said, "It is a very hard decision and We feel the same level of disappointment as each one of the fan will go through. Despite working out various options and tremendous effort, we had to take this tough call, considering the extreme overflow in tickets demand and prioritising the safety of the guests." 'Leo' marks the second union of director Lokesh Kanagaraj with Vijay after hit movie 'Master'. The latest flick has Trisha playing the female lead. Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has made his debut in Kollywood. The movie also has Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mansoor Ali Khan, Priya Anand and many others in the cast. Chandrababu Naidu To Finally Come Out Of Jail As AP High Court Grants Bail Ahead Of Elections, SBI Sells Rs 1,148 Crore In Bonds; Most Sold In Hyderabad Amid 70-Hour Work-Week Debate, Video Of This Hyderabad Walk-In Interview Will Make You Think AP High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Chandrababu Naidu In Amaravati Inner Ring Road Case Hyderabad oi-Prakash KL TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu has been granted bail in the Amaravati Inner Ring Road case. The court that heard the argument on the anticipatory bail petition filed by him granted temporary bail and issued an interim order not to arrest till 16th October in the case, according to ANI. The court also instructed CID to not make any arrest till tomorrow in the Angallu 307 case. High Court stayed PT warrant on Inner Ring Road petition filed by CID Vijayawada ACB court. Naidu had moved the court seeking regular bail petitions in the Amaravati Inner Ring Road and Angallu attack cases and an anticipatory bail petition in the FiberNet case. The Amaravati Inner Ring Road case pertains to "manipulating" the master plan of Amaravati capital city, alignment of the inner ring road and the seed capital to allegedly offer undue enrichment to several companies during Naidu's regime. The Angallu case is connected to the riots which took place during a political rally taken out by the TDP chief in August. The FiberNet case relates to the alleged tender manipulation in allotting a work order under Phase-1 of the AP FiberNet Project of Rs 330 crore to a favoured company. The Crime Investigation Department alleged that irregularities took place from the allotting of the tender to completion of the total project, causing a huge loss to the state exchequer. Currently, Naidu is under judicial remand in the Rajamahendravaram central prison for allegedly misappropriating funds from the Skill Development Corporation, which resulted in a purported loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer. Bhopal: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Promises Pollution-Free & Speedy Development with AAP "Madhya Pradesh got a double-engine BJP in power, but the gadi vehicle didn't move at all. Now, you don't need a double-engine, but a new engine like Kejriwal's." - Bhagwant Mann India -Krishna Kripa In a recent political rally in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made a strong case for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as the ideal choice for the poll-bound state. The AAP leader argued that rather than continuing with what he referred to as a 'double-engine' government, Madhya Pradesh needed an entirely new engine one that is geared towards pollution-free and rapid development. AAP's New Engine of Development Mann was campaigning in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh where assembly polls will be held on November 17. He drew attention to Delhi and Punjab, where AAP is currently in power, stating that these regions have embraced a novel model of development under Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "Madhya Pradesh got a double-engine BJP in power at both state and central levels, but progress has been stagnant. What you need now isn't another double-engine, but an entirely new one," asserted Mann. He further emphasized the effectiveness of this 'Kejriwal engine', highlighting its non-polluting nature and high speed. "This engine does not spread pollution and it runs faster. The people of Delhi and Punjab have adopted this model," said Mann during his address at Mauganj in Rewa district. Supporting AAP Candidates The rally was organized to garner support for AAP candidates contesting the upcoming polls from various constituencies within Rewa district - Umesh Tripathi from Mauganj assembly seat; Dileep Singh Guddu from Deotalab; Varun Ambedkar from Mangavan. Mann urged voters to seize this opportunity that comes once every five years to elect a new government by voting for AAP candidates: "I urge you to press the button on the jhadu (broom) symbol to vote for AAP candidates, thereby fulfilling the dreams of your children and safeguarding your state," he appealed. Criticizing Family-Oriented Politics Mann did not shy away from criticizing both Congress and BJP for their family-oriented politics. He contrasted this with Punjab where young men have become MLAs under AAP. He argued that unlike these parties, which prioritize family members over young politicians when offering tickets, AAP is committed to promoting fresh talent in politics. The rally also featured a speech by AAP general secretary (organization) Sandeep Pathak. The upcoming election will be a single-phase polling event for the 230-member assembly in Madhya Pradesh. In conclusion, Mann's campaign pitch was clear - Madhya Pradesh needs a change from its current double-engine government to a new, efficient engine that prioritizes rapid development without causing pollution. By highlighting the successes of Delhi and Punjab under AAP rule and promising similar results if elected in Madhya Pradesh, Mann has positioned his party as a viable alternative to the incumbent BJP administration. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by phone, Trend reports. "I am closely monitoring developments in Israel. Our commitment to Israel's right to defend itself remains unwavering, and I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this abhorrent attack on civilians," Austin said, according to a readout released by Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder. The officials agreed to "remain in close contact in the days and weeks ahead", the Pentagon press secretary said. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. The attacks by Hamas militants killed more than 900 and injured 2,315 Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of readiness for war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. The Israeli Army's operation against Hamas goes by the codename "Swords of Iron". Governments Will Have To Talk To Each Other And See How They Take It Forward: Jaishankar On India-Canada Row Canadian Foreign Minister Holds Secret Meeting With Indian External Affairs Minister Amid Diplomatic Stand-Off India oi-Stuti Tripathi The diplomatic tensions between Canada and India continue to evolve, with recent reports of an alleged secret meeting between Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and India's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, in Washington a few days ago as per a report in the Financial Times. The alleged meeting took place amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between the two countries, sparked by Canada's allegation of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While neither the Canadian nor the Indian foreign ministry has officially confirmed the meeting, it suggests a diplomatic effort to address the strained relations between the two nations. Canada had recently relocated approximately 30 diplomatic staff members from India to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, as reported by Canada's CTV News. This move underscores the seriousness of the diplomatic situation. Canada PM Trudeau's Popularity Takes A Hit Amid India Row: NDTV Poll Following India's directions on reducing diplomatic staff in India to acheive diplomatic presence parity, Canada's Foreign minister had said, "We are in contact with the government of India. We take Canadian diplomats' safety very seriously, and we will continue to engage privately because we think diplomatic conversations are best when they remain private," In fact, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had also reaffirmed that his country will continue to "engage responsibly and constructively with New Delhi" and that they did not want to escalate the situation any further. The diplomatic dispute began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged potential Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. In response, India strongly rejected the allegations, deeming them absurd and motivated. In a tit-for-tat exchange, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, and Canada took a similar step. Furthermore, India requested Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff in India to establish parity in diplomatic presence. In Fresh Provocation, Canada PM Talks To UAE About India On 'Importance Of Upholding Law' Despite these tensions, both Canadian and Indian officials have expressed their desire to resolve the matter privately and to engage constructively with each other. The secret meeting may be an indication of ongoing efforts to ease the diplomatic stand-off between the two nations. Case Against 'People Of India' Was About Substantial Imitation: Humans of Bombay Founder India oi-Madhuri Adnal Karishma Mehta, the founder of Humans of Bombay, expressed her profound gratitude on Wednesday for the Delhi High Court's ruling in the case brought by her company against 'People of India' for plagiarism. She said that the Delhi High Court has issued a permanent injunction that prohibits the defendant from plagiarising Humans of Bombay's literary works and creative expressions. Mehta emphasized the significance of this legal decision, asserting that it would set a crucial precedent for the creator community. In her comments on the case, Mehta clarified that it was not centered on "inspiration" but rather on "substantial imitation." She emphasized that Humans of Bombay's content had been duplicated and published on another creator's platform. When they first discovered the plagiarism, Mehta's team reported it to Meta, leading to the removal of 16 plagiarised posts. Our story pic.twitter.com/vg04Re16rp Humans Of Bombay (@HumansOfBombay) October 11, 2023 Mehta also mentioned that she had made efforts to amicably resolve the matter, but People of India persisted in their act of plagiarism. Why Is Humans of Bombay, Owned By Karishma Mehta, Being Trolled? Beyond discussing the legal case, Mehta addressed the online harassment and trolling she encountered following a post by Humans of New York founder Brandon Stanton regarding the case. She revealed that the public response included bullying, personal attacks, and even threats of death and rape against herself, her team, and her family. Despite these challenges, Mehta remained resolute in her commitment to continue telling important stories. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 23:36 [IST] Concern raised over frequent convening of Assembly sessions on short notice by AAP regime India -Krishna Kripa In a recent development, Partap Singh Bajwa, the Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, expressed his concern over the frequent convening of Assembly sessions on short notice by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regime. In a letter to Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan dated October 11th, Bajwa voiced his apprehensions about this practice which he feels is becoming more routine than exceptional. Concerns Over Short Notice Sessions Bajwa's concerns come in light of the state government's decision to call an assembly session on October 20 and 21 amid a political row stirred by a Supreme Court directive on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal. The upcoming session will be an extension of the fourth budget session held in March under the current legislative assembly. However, it was adjourned on June 20. In his letter to Speaker Sandhwan, Bajwa pointed out several disconcerting factors related to these abrupt sessions. He lamented that such short-notice calls effectively erase from collective memory regularly-held sessions like Monsoon Session and Winter Session - significant events in India's parliamentary calendar. Threat To Democratic Processes? Beyond forgetting tradition, Bajwa also raises questions about transparency and preservation of legislative processes. Expressing disappointment with what he perceives as a growing trend where privileges of elected representatives are circumvented by these hurriedly convened sessions primarily focused on pushing through governmental agendas. This practice according to him stifles opportunities for public issues to be addressed during essential parliamentary functions such as Question Hour, Zero Hour, Call Attention motions among others - all key tools for lawmakers to hold governments accountable and ensure democratic practices are upheld. The Impact On Regular Business Of The House The Congress leader argues that this departure from established norms relegates the regular business of the House to a secondary status. He further states that it undermines the traditional oversight by the Legislature and has potential implications for democratic processes. In conclusion, Bajwa's letter underscores a crucial concern about how legislative sessions are being conducted in Punjab under AAP regime. It brings into focus questions about transparency, preservation of legislative traditions and processes, and most importantly, upholding democratic practices. With these concerns made public, it remains to be seen how Speaker Sandhwan and the ruling AAP respond to address these issues while ensuring that the voice of opposition is not stifled in their quest for governance. Google CEO Sundar Pichai's Email To Israel Employees Goes Viral India oi-Prakash KL Amid the turmoil in Israel's Gaza Strip following the surprise attack by the Hamas militants, the Google CEO has sent an email to his Israel employees, giving assurance to them of their safety. He expressed his deep concern over the development and said that the company will continue to support its employees in the war-torn region. Check out his letter: Following the terrible attacks in Israel, our immediate focus has been on ensuring our employees' safety. We've now made contact with all of our local employees, and we'll continue supporting them. We're also working to provide reliable, accurate information to people who use our products. Our systems across Google and YouTube prioritise authoritative information in moments of crisis and breaking news. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure this, as well as to detect and remove graphically violent, hateful or terrorist content, or coordinated disinformation campaigns. All Restraints Released, Moving To Full Offense: Israel Defense Minister Our cybersecurity experts are also sharing their findings in real time with the broader security community. For example, our security unit, Mandiant, has observed fake accounts connected to Iran which are promoting anti-Israeli narratives across various services, as well as investigating reports of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks by suspected pro-Hamas and pro-Russia hacktivist groups targeting Israeli government websites. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones, and all those affected. Hamas launched the operation Al-Aqsa Storm' by firing thousands of rockets into Israel on Saturday. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters infiltrated Israel by land, sea and air. The combined casualties from both sides have crossed 3,000, according to a report in AFP. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 13:13 [IST] IND vs SL: How have India and Sri Lanka fared against each other in World Cups? Players to watch out for India, China Hold 20th Round Of Military Talks Amid Border Standoff India oi-PTI The 20th round of India-China Corps Commander-level talks took place on Wednesday at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side. During this significant engagement, both sides engaged in a candid, open, and constructive dialogue with the aim of achieving an early and mutually agreeable resolution to the outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector. Their discussions were guided by the directives provided by the national leadership of both countries, and they sought to build upon the advancements made during the preceding Corps Commander Meeting held on August 13-14, 2023. A key outcome of these talks was the mutual commitment to sustain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic channels. Additionally, both sides expressed their dedication to preserving peace and tranquility on the ground in the border regions during the interim period. Notably, this marked the second consecutive two-day engagement between military commanders, underscoring the gravity and importance of the ongoing discussions. China Set For Himalaya Meet Near Arunachal Border, Pakistan FM To Attend It's essential to recognize that these military-level talks constitute one of the two parallel tracks employed by India and China to address the persistent military standoff. The other track involves the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), which involves diplomats and other officials. The prolonged standoff and a tragic clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, resulting in the loss of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, have strained bilateral relations to their lowest point in six decades. Despite numerous rounds of military and diplomatic dialogues, both sides withdrew their frontline forces from locations such as Pangong Lake, Gogra, and Hot Springs. However, substantial challenges persist in resolving the larger "friction points" at Depsang and Demchok. Moreover, buffer zones established by both countries have impacted Indian troops' access to areas they previously patrolled. The situation remains a complex and multifaceted issue, requiring continuous efforts towards resolution. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 22:29 [IST] India launches Operation Ajay to facilitate return of Indians from Israel India -Krishna Kripa On Wednesday, October 11th, the Indian government announced Operation Ajay - a mission to facilitate the return of Indians from Israel amidst escalating tensions in the region. This move comes as a response to a series of audacious attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli towns over the weekend, which has led to Israel launching an extensive military offensive. Launching Operation Ajay The announcement of Operation Ajay was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to Sri Lanka. In his statement released on social media platform X, he said: "Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return." He further added that special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place with full commitment towards ensuring safety and well-being for all Indian nationals abroad. First Batch To Return Soon Following this announcement, it is expected that the first batch of Indians will be brought back home from Israel via a special flight scheduled for Thursday. The Indian embassy in Israel has already begun communication with registered Indian citizens about their travel details. Messages regarding subsequent flights will continue to be sent out accordingly. It is estimated that there are currently around 18,000 Indians residing in Israel. The Crisis at Hand The ongoing crisis began with multi-pronged attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza since Saturday. The ensuing Israeli retaliation has resulted in approximately 2150 deaths so far; including more than 1,200 people and 155 soldiers within Israeli territory alone while Palestinian authorities report death tolls reaching up to 950 individuals inside Gaza. Diplomatic Discussions Amidst Crisis In light of this situation, Minister Jaishankar held talks with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussing the crisis in West Asia. The Indian External Affairs Minister also posted about this exchange on social media platform X, stating that both parties have agreed to maintain communication. Emergency Measures The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a 24/7 control room in Delhi and separate emergency helplines in Tel Aviv and Ramallah to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance to Indian citizens. In addition, the Indian embassy in Israel issued an advisory asking Indians to remain cautious given the current circumstances. In conclusion, Operation Ajay represents India's commitment towards ensuring safety for its nationals abroad amidst escalating geopolitical tensions. It is a complex undertaking requiring careful coordination between various governmental bodies, diplomatic discussions with foreign counterparts, as well as clear communication with the affected individuals. As events continue to unfold rapidly in this volatile region, it remains crucial for all stakeholders involved to stay vigilant and adhere strictly to safety protocols. Maharashtra Government Forms Committee to Probe Escape of Drug Case Accused from Hospital India -Krishna Kripa In a recent development, the Maharashtra government has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the escape of Lalit Patil, an accused in a drug case, from Pune's Sassoon General Hospital. The committee is tasked with probing into how Patil managed to escape while under police custody and will be led by Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research. Committee Composition The other members appointed for this inquiry are Dr Sudhir Deshmukh, dean of the Government Medical College, Solapur; Dr Hemant Godbole, professor at Government Medical College in Nanded; and Dr Eknath Pawar, professor at Grant Medical College, Mumbai. These experienced professionals have been chosen to ensure that the investigation is thorough and unbiased. The Incident On September 30th, city police nabbed a man outside Sassoon Hospital carrying mephedrone worth Rs 2 crore. Further investigation led to the arrest of a hospital canteen staffer who revealed that Lalit Patil had supplied the contraband. At this time Patil was serving his term as Yerwada Jail inmate but was admitted in Sassoon Hospital due to health issues. Surprisingly though on October 2nd when he was being taken for X-ray imaging within hospital premises he escaped leading to suspension of nine police personnel guarding him. It has been indicated through initial investigations that despite being incarcerated last year on charges related to drug trafficking ,Patil continued running his drugs racket from within hospital confines. Further Developments In further developments related to this case,Pune Police recently arrested Bhushan Patil,brother of Lalit patil along with his aide Abhishek Balkawade near Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh.This arrest has been made in connection with the mephedrone seizure case and is expected to shed more light on the modus operandi of this drug racket. The establishment of this committee marks a significant step towards ensuring accountability, preventing such incidents in future and maintaining public trust in law enforcement agencies. The committee's findings will be crucial in identifying any lapses that may have occurred leading to Patil's escape, thereby paving way for necessary corrective measures. Conclusion This incident raises serious questions about the security arrangements at government-run hospitals and the possible misuse of these facilities by criminal elements. It underscores the need for stringent surveillance mechanisms not just within prisons but also at other places where inmates are temporarily housed for medical or other reasons. As we await the findings of this inquiry, it is hoped that lessons will be learnt from this episode to prevent recurrence of such events in future. Maharashtra Govt Rolls Out Lek Ladki; A Financial Incentive Scheme A Day Before International Girl Child Day India oi-Stuti Tripathi The Maharashtra government on Tuesday, 10th October approved a financial scheme under which girls from families with low income levels will get amounts in different stages after their birth with the total for eligible beneficiaries coming to Rs 1.01 lakh when they turns 18. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said girls from families holding yellow and orange ration cards will get Rs 5,000 at the time of their birth, Rs 6,000 when they are enrolled in Class I, Rs 7,000 in Class VII, Rs 8,000 in Class XII and Rs 75,000 once they complete 18 years of age (total Rs 1.01 lakh). The decision was announced by Shinde after presiding over a state cabinet meeting here. #WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says, "In the cabinet meeting today, it was decided that when a girl child is born Rs 5000 will be provided, Rs 6000 when she reaches class 1, Rs 7000 when she reaches class 6, Rs 8000 when she reaches class 11 and Rs 75,000 when she attains pic.twitter.com/SOzXcaqw1F ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2023 The scheme, 'Lek Ladki' (beloved daughter), will be applicable for girls born after April 1, 2023, and it was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who then also held the finance portfolio, while presenting the budget for 2023-2024 earlier this year. The scheme's objectives are to increase the ratio of girls, promote their education, reduce malnourishment and child marriage. MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Warns Maharashtra Govt, Threatens To Set Fire To Toll Booths Shiv Sena secretary MLC Dr. Manisha Kayande hailed the cabinet decision and said the scheme will ensure the girl child is financially supported from the time she is born and will also help curb female infanticide. She said, "This decision will ensure that the girl child is financially supported from the time she is born and I applaud the government led by chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Ajitdada Pawar for this decision that will truly empower women," Dr. Kayande further added, "I am glad that both the governments at the centre and the state are working towards empowering women. The Narendra Modi-led government recently passed the Women Reservation Bill providing one-third reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies and within a month the Mahayuti government approved the Lek Laadki Yojana which will financially support them since birth. The decision will be implemented from April 1, 2023 which means all the girls who have been born since April 1 will receive the benefit of this scheme." as quoted by the Free Press Journal. Maharashtra: Major Train Accident Averted As Guard Spots Boulders On Tracks In another decision, the cabinet approved a proposal to replace Aurangabad with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Dr Babasaheb Amebdkar Marathwada University's name. Following this change, the institute's name will now be Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. (With inputs from PTI) 'Stand With You': UK PM Rishi Sunak Amid Trip To Israel As War With Hamas Rages On MEA Sets Up Control Room For Indians In Israel Amid Israel-Hamas Flare-Up India oi-Madhuri Adnal The Indian Embassy in Israel on Wednesday released an advisory urging Indian nationals residing in the conflict-ridden nation to register with the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv and Israel. In a video message, Sanjeev Singla, the Indian Ambassador to Israel, offered reassurance to those in distress, advising them to remain composed and adhere to the directives provided by local authorities. In the event of any difficulties, he encouraged them to reach out to the embassy's emergency contact numbers. Message from Ambassador Sanjeev Singla to the members of Indian community in Israel pic.twitter.com/FKUqJZykeF India in Israel (@indemtel) October 11, 2023 According to the statement released on Wednesday, registering with the Embassy will simplify the implementation of any necessary actions during emergency situations or as circumstances warrant. This registration process will also enhance the accessibility of information regarding a range of events through our email network. Israel-Palestine War: Will Petrol-Diesel Prices Go Up? Here's What Hardeep Singh Puri Says In view of the ongoing developments in Israel and Palestine, a 24-hour Control Room has been set up at @MEAIndia to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance. In addition, 24-hour emergency helplines have been set up at @indemtel & @ROIRamallah. Press pic.twitter.com/FpZqflngOh Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) October 11, 2023 "The Embassy has been working constantly to help our fellow citizens in Israel through a 24-hour helpline. Please remain calm & vigilant & follow the security advisories," it added. The contact details of the control room are: For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 17:48 [IST] Making Mumbai Free of Rodents: Maharashtra Minister Assigns Targets to Civic Body Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar has assigned multiple targets, including making Mumbai free of rodents and setting up day care centres for senior citizens, to the local civic body. The minister also plans to introduce food courts in fisherfolk villages. India -Krishna Kripa The Maharashtra School Education Minister, Deepak Kesarkar, who is also in charge of Mumbai City district, has set multiple targets for the local civic body to accomplish within specific deadlines. These goals include making Mumbai free from rodents and establishing day care centres for senior citizens. The announcement was made during an interaction with reporters at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters. Rodent Menace and Civic Responsibilities Kesarkar emphasized that one of his major tasks as the guardian minister is to rid Mumbai of its rodent problem. This issue is particularly severe in areas such as Girgaon and Parel where garbage disposal between house gullies contributes to the proliferation of rodents. As part of his mandate, Kesarkar has assigned 42 to 43 different deadline-based targets to the BMC, which currently operates under an administrator following the end of corporators' term early last year. Introduction of Novel Concepts Beyond ongoing projects, two novel concepts are due for implementation in Mumbai - day care centres for senior citizens and food courts in koliwadas (fisherfolk villages). Drawing inspiration from global practices including those prevalent in European countries, Kesarkar revealed plans to commence two pilot facilities offering day care services for elderly citizens. He further proposed subsidizing meals through Shiv Bhojan thalis and scheduling regular health check-ups at these venues. Development Plans and Targets The minister has set a two-month target for BMC to establish food courts in koliwadas with three sites already selected in Cuff Parade, Mahim and Worli areas. Additionally, development plans are being considered for popular spots like Banganga Tank, Mumbadevi Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple among others. "Mumbai is as beautiful as Europe but we have to make it better," Kesarkar asserted. He also encouraged the BMC to explore possibilities for underground markets in the city, akin to those in New Delhi and develop Fashion Street, a market for ready-made clothes in South Mumbai. Transportation and Infrastructure Kesarkar has urged the civic body to introduce double-decker mini buses for children visiting Rani Baug Zoo. In response to concerns about the financial condition of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), he assured that modernization was underway which would prevent losses. He also suggested that similar to Maharashtra government's aid provided to State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) for purchasing electric buses, BMC should support BEST in buying electric buses for Mumbai. In conclusion, Minister Kesarkar is determined on improving Mumbai's civic conditions through various initiatives including rodent control measures, establishment of day care centres for senior citizens, setting up food courts in fisherfolk villages among others. His vision includes making Mumbai as attractive as European cities by developing popular spots and exploring innovative ideas like underground markets and Ferris wheels akin to London's 'Eye'. With these ambitious plans underway, residents can look forward to an enhanced living experience within their beloved city. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Last night the Israeli Armed Forces struck more than 80 Hamas targets in Beit Hanoun (Gaza Strip), Trend reports. More than 80 targets in Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip were hit overnight. Among the targets were two bank branches, a tunnel and two Hamas operations centers, which the Israeli military said were used by Hamas. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. The attacks by Hamas militants killed 1,200 and injured 2,500 Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of readiness for war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. The Israeli Army's operation against Hamas goes by the codename "Swords of Iron". Taxi Driver Dragged to Death in Carjacking Attempt in Delhi India -Krishna Kripa On Wednesday, October 11th, a tragic incident occurred in New Delhi's southwest Vasant Kunj area. A 43-year-old taxi driver was killed when he was dragged for over two kilometres under the rear wheels of his own vehicle while attempting to resist a carjacking. The victim, Bijender Shah, had purchased the vehicle earlier this year and was the sole provider for his family which includes his wife and five children. The Delhi Police were able to apprehend the perpetrators hours after the incident. Mehraj Salmani (33) and Asif (24), both residents of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, are reported to have pushed Shah out of his car before fleeing with it. They were arrested later that day in Meerut by Deputy Commissioner of Police Southwest Manoj C with assistance from the Uttar Pradesh Police. Previous Criminal Records According to police reports, both Salmani and Asif have been previously implicated in numerous cases related to carjacking and robbery. Salmani has four criminal cases on record in Uttar Pradesh and two more in Delhi; Asif has seven previous criminal charges from Uttar Pradesh along with two others from Delhi. The accused confessed that they boarded Shah's taxi as passengers before threatening him and forcing him out of their intended stolen vehicle. A video recording purportedly showing Shah being dragged under his speeding car has since been widely circulated on social media platforms. Evidence Collection & Legal Proceedings The police received an emergency call about a man's body lying near National Highway-8 service road at around 11:30 pm on Tuesday night, following which they quickly dispatched a team to investigate. The stolen vehicle was also successfully recovered by law enforcement officers. A transit remand for both suspects has been obtained from a Meerut court by DCP Manoj C. They are set to appear in a Delhi court on Thursday, where the police will seek their custody for further questioning. The arrest of the two culprits was facilitated by technical surveillance and the human intelligence network of the police team. This incident serves as a stark reminder of a similar hit-and-run case that occurred earlier this year on New Year's Day in Delhi's Kanjhawala area. A 20-year-old woman was tragically dragged to her death under a car after being trapped beneath it. Conclusion The horrific event underscores not only the ongoing threat posed by carjackers and robbers but also raises questions about passenger safety, especially for those working in public transportation services like taxi drivers. It is hoped that justice will be served swiftly for Bijender Shah's family who have suffered an unimaginable loss due to this senseless act of violence. Forgery Charges Filed in Noida Rape and Murder Case, Private School Principal Booked Noida Police lodges FIR on forgery charges against a man involved in the rape and murder case. Principal of private school booked for assisting with forged mark sheets. India -Krishna Kripa In a recent development, the Noida Police has lodged an FIR against a man for forgery related to his son's rape and murder case seven years ago. The man is accused of producing fabricated school mark sheets in court to claim his son was a juvenile at the time of the crime. Additionally, officials revealed that the principal of a private school in Kanpur Dehat has also been booked for assisting him with these forged documents. The father and principal are being accused of misleading the court by presenting false age details about the son, who was implicated in rape charges. They claimed that he was 17 at the time of committing the crime when he was actually 19 as asserted by the victims mother. This information came from an order issued by Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) principal magistrate Divykant Singh Rathore. The case revolves around a horrifying incident where a 17-year-old girl was raped and murdered at her rented accommodation in Greater Noida in 2016 by her cousin residing in Mandavali area of Delhi. An FIR concerning this matter was filed on October 9 at Phase 2 Police Station following an order from JJB member Arun Kumar Gupta. Father Connives With School Principal According to Gupta's October 4th order meant for local police, "The man has connived with the principal of a school in Kanpur Dehat district and produced forged educational documents for his son which were presented before court." These falsified documents were used to portray his son as juvenile during that period. Punishable Under Indian Penal Code Gupta further noted that such actions committed by both individuals are punishable under sections 465 and 468 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), falling under cognizable offence category. He directed police officials to lodge an FIR against the man. Vindhyachal Tiwari, the in-charge of Phase 2 Police Station, confirmed that an FIR has been lodged under IPC sections 465, 468 and 471 all related to forgery of documents. As per Tiwari's statement given on Wednesday, police teams are actively working to apprehend the accused individuals. Although they were not found at their residential addresses, searches are ongoing to ensure their early arrest. In conclusion, this case underscores the lengths some people will go to protect their loved ones from facing justice. However, it also highlights the vigilant efforts by law enforcement agencies who continue to work tirelessly towards upholding justice and ensuring that such unlawful acts do not go unpunished. The development serves as a stern reminder that any attempt to mislead our legal system or obstruct justice will be dealt with severely according to Indian laws. Rajasthan Assembly Elections Polling Date Postponed To November 25 India oi-Madhuri Adnal In a significant development, the Election Commission of India has decided to revise the polling date for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly election. The new date set for casting votes in the state is now November 25, 2023. The counting of votes will take place on December 3. The term of the current Rajasthan Assembly ends on January 2, 2024. The revision of the polling date has come as a surprise to many, as the EC had announced the original date on November 23, 2023. However, the ECI has said that the decision to postpone the elections was taken in the best interests of the people of Rajasthan. The Rajasthan Assembly elections are expected to be a close contest between the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress party is seeking a re-election, while the BJP is hoping to return to power in the state after a five-year gap. EC Announces Assembly Election Dates For Five States, Rolls Out New Measures Election Commission of India revises #Rajasthan Assembly election polling date. Voting will now take place on November 25.#RajasthanElection2023 #Elections2023 pic.twitter.com/wXi0ij0JqF Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) October 11, 2023 The Rajasthan Assembly elections are also being seen as a precursor to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Both the Congress party and the BJP are eager to win the Rajasthan elections, as a victory would give them a boost ahead of the general elections. The Rajasthan Assembly has 200 constituencies up for grabs. The state has traditionally been dominated by the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since its formation. Congress won the last elections in 2018, securing 101 seats. Two Suspects Apprehended in Narcotics Case near Nepal Border India -Krishna Kripa In an operation that marked a significant breakthrough in a narcotics case, the Pune police apprehended two suspects on Tuesday. The arrest was made possible through a joint operation with the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh, near the Nepal border in northern India. One of the suspects was identified as Bhushan Patel, brother of Lalit Patil who is currently an inmate at Yerawada Jail but fled from Sassoon General Hospital last week while undergoing treatment. The second suspect nabbed by the police is Abhishek Balkawade. The Narcotics Case On September 30th, city police had arrested an individual outside Sassoon General Hospital who was found to be carrying mephedrone worth Rs 2 crore. A subsequent investigation led to another arrest; this time a hospital canteen staffer who divulged that the contraband had been supplied by Lalit Patil. At that time, Patil was also admitted in Sassoon General Hospital as an inmate from Yerwada Jail. However, on October 2nd when he was taken for an X-ray examination within the premises of the hospital, Lalit managed to escape custody which resulted in nine police personnel being suspended for negligence and dereliction of duty. This event highlighted serious lapses in security measures and prompted a manhunt for both Lalit and his accomplices. The Arrests Bhushan Patel and Abhishek Balkawade were wanted in connection with this mephedrone seizure case since they were believed to be part of this illicit drug trade network spearheaded by Lalit Patil. On Tuesday October 10th , both these accused were finally apprehended near Nepal border courtesy of combined efforts from Pune crime branch and UP's STF. An official stated: "Today, the Pune crime branch and the UP police's STF apprehended both the accused from near Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh." This development is a significant step forward in cracking down on this narcotics network. Continuing Investigation Meanwhile, Lalit Patil remains at large. His escape from Sassoon General Hospital has triggered an intensive manhunt by various law enforcement agencies. The investigation into this case continues as authorities work to dismantle this drug trafficking operation and bring all involved parties to justice. In conclusion, these arrests illustrate that inter-state cooperation among law enforcement agencies can yield positive results in combating drug trafficking networks that span across states and even international borders. However, it also underscores the need for stringent security measures within correctional facilities and hospitals where inmates are admitted for treatment to prevent such breaches of custody in future. UP CM Yogi Adityanath Holds Meeting for Launching Fourth Phase of Mission Shakti Campaign India -Krishna Kripa On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened a meeting to deliberate on the initiation of the fourth phase of Mission Shakti campaign, a project dedicated to promoting women's empowerment. As per an official statement issued in Lucknow, the CM underscored the necessity for robust security measures across the state in anticipation of forthcoming festivals. Mission Shakti's Positive Impact The CM noted that Mission Shakti, an initiative by the state government, has made meaningful strides towards creating a positive societal change. The next stage of this impactful campaign is scheduled to commence on October 14 with a bike rally designed to raise public awareness about both central and state government schemes aimed at empowering women. Role of Female Officers and Departments In his address, Adityanath stressed that female officers stationed in various fields should take it upon themselves to educate women about these aforementioned government schemes. He further stated that all departments involved with Mission Shakti Abhiyan should conduct awareness programmes on October 14 and 15. Following these initial campaigns, department-specific events should be arranged from October 16 onwards. Security Measures during Festivals Apart from discussing plans for Mission Shaktis upcoming phase, Adityanath also called for heightened police patrolling during festival times. He advocated for continuous surveillance at various administrative levels - state-wide as well as within commissionerates and ranges. Additionally, he proposed that discussions be held with Durga Puja committees regarding strategic placement of deity idols in public places to ensure maximum safety and security. In conclusion, Uttar Pradesh appears ready not only to bolster its efforts towards women empowerment but also enhance its security arrangements ahead of festive celebrations under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths leadership. With initiatives like Mission Shakti, the state government seeks to create a safer and more inclusive environment for women. The fourth phase of this campaign, characterized by awareness drives and department-specific programmes, is expected to further strengthen its impact on society. Yogi Adityanath directs officials to start Hot Cooked Meal scheme at anganwadi centres on Sharadiya Navratri Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructs officials to boost enrolment and attendance at anganwadis during the auspicious occasion of Sharadiya Navratri. India -Krishna Kripa On October 10, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave directives to officials for the commencement of the Hot Cooked Meal scheme at anganwadi centres during the auspicious occasion of Sharadiya Navratri. This initiative was part of a broader effort to enhance enrolment and attendance rates at these centres which play a crucial role in child development and women's welfare. Reinforcing Anganwadi Centres The chief minister held a review meeting with the Bal Vikas Sewa Evam Pushtahar Vibhag (Child Development Service and Nutrition Department) along with the Women's Welfare and Child Development department. During this meeting, he emphasized that anganwadi centres should operate on par with pre-primary schools. He also ordered that those centres currently functioning from rented spaces be relocated into their own buildings. Furthermore, he urged quick recruitment for vacant posts of anganwadi workers and assistants. The Hot Cooked Meal Scheme One significant directive issued by Adityanath was to initiate the Hot Cooked Meal scheme during Sharadiya Navratri. The objective behind this move is to offer nutritious meals to children attending these anganwadi centres. As per official statements, hot-cooked meals coupled with seasonal fruits will be provided under this initiative targeting children aged three to six years. Moving Towards Self-owned Infrastructure In addition to enhancing child nutrition through meal schemes, Aditynath also addressed infrastructural issues faced by several anganwadis operating from rented premises in urban regions. Specifically, he called for relocating approximately 12,800 such centres into their own buildings as a step towards self-sustainability. Parks as Potential Locations An interesting aspect of his directive was the suggestion to establish anganwadi centres alongside parks in residential areas. This not only provides a conducive and natural environment for children's activities but also makes these centres more accessible and visible to local communities, thereby potentially boosting enrolment. In conclusion, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directives aim at strengthening anganwadi centres by enhancing their operational standards, initiating nutritious meal schemes, expediting recruitment processes, shifting towards self-owned infrastructure and positioning them next to parks in residential areas. These measures are expected to significantly improve child development and women's welfare services offered by these crucial community institutions. The successful implementation of these initiatives will undoubtedly make Uttar Pradesh a model state for effective functioning of anganwadis. Gaza Strip Without Electricity After Power Plant Runs Out Of Fuel International oi-Madhuri Adnal In a dire turn of events, the Gaza Strip has been left in utter darkness as its sole power station ceased operations due to a fuel shortage, as reported by Hamas media sources and Reuters. With no mains electricity available, residents in the Palestinian enclave are now heavily dependent on generators - provided they have access to diesel to power them. This sudden power outage affects critical infrastructure, leaving hospitals without sufficient resources and residents without running water or operational elevators. Additionally, mobile phones cannot be charged, further isolating the region. The Gaza Energy Authority's chief, Jalal Ismail, had previously issued a warning about the dwindling fuel supply at the power plant. The dire situation escalated when the plant shut down at 2 PM local time. The consequences of this blackout are severe, particularly as hospitals are struggling to provide medical care to the thousands of individuals injured in Israel's relentless aerial assaults. Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital, already overwhelmed, faces a scarcity of essential medical supplies, including oxygen. The crisis began after Israel imposed a "complete siege" on Gaza, a densely populated area home to 2.3 million people. The Israeli response was prompted by a horrific terror attack launched by Hamas operatives, which resulted in a breach of the heavily fortified border and a significant loss of life. The conflict, now spanning several days, has inflicted a devastating toll, with nearly 4,000 casualties on both sides and thousands more injured. Israel-Palestine War: Death Toll Crosses 3,000, Gaza Border Finally Sealed Hamas has also taken approximately 150 hostages, including children and foreign nationals. They have issued a chilling ultimatum, vowing to execute one hostage for every Israeli airstrike on Palestinian homes without prior warning. Tragically, four hostages have already lost their lives, reportedly during Israeli airstrikes. Amidst this turmoil, Israel has mobilized its forces, including tanks and heavy armor, around Gaza as part of a retaliatory operation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has likened the terror attack to a level of savagery not witnessed since the Holocaust, intensifying the gravity of the situation. While the possibility of a ground offensive looms, recent rocket strikes from Lebanese terror group Hezbollah have raised concerns about a potential two-front war for Israel. The region remains mired in conflict and uncertainty, with civilians caught in the crossfire. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 20:01 [IST] German Woman, Stripped Naked By Hamas Militants, Is Alive, But Critical International oi-Prakash KL German woman named Shani Louk who was said to have been killed, stripped naked, and paraded by Hamas militants is alive, according to reports. She was reportedly found alive in a hospital. Her mother Ricarda has also released a video message asking the German government to act quickly to get her daughter out of the war-torn region. "We now have information that Shani is alive but has a serious head injury and is in critical condition. Every minute is critical. And we ask...no, we demand the German government to act quickly," Ricarda can be heard saying in the video. FAKE NEWS: FESTIVAL ATTENDEE WHO WENT VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA IS ACTUALLY ALIVE - CONFIRMED BY MOTHER Shani Louk who was captured by Hamas is alive. We now have evidence that Shani is alive pic.twitter.com/zeZwnOwhb7 Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) October 10, 2023 New Video Emerges: Moments Before Abduction Of German Woman By Hamas Militants "One should not argue about the question of jurisdiction. One must act quickly to get Shani out of the Gaza Strip," the woman urges the German authorities. "This is really my desperate call to the entire country of Germany to help me get my Shani back home healthy," she adds. Days ago, a video clip of the woman's body being paraded naked by Hamas militants had surfaced online. It was believed that the militants had paraded her dead body. Barbaric Palestinians Extremists can be seen parading around the body of a young Israeli woman. These are the people the Western world and its leaders want Israel to make peace with. The United Nations is a farce ! We have liberals trying to tell us that they came to India in pic.twitter.com/7fz7UtMhlJ JIX5A (@JIX5A) October 7, 2023 The fighters are seen taking her body in a Hamas pick-up where they sat on top of her. The terrorists captured footage of her body sprawled in the back of a truck, with one leg in an unnatural position. They were seated around her, while supporters of the group cheered, ran alongside, and displayed disrespectful behavior by spitting on her. The victim was a German woman who had gone to attend an event in Israel. She was captured by the militants when she was at a music festival. Reportedly, the venue became the first place to be attacked by the Hamas militants. Ricarda, the mother of the deceased has released a clip where she has appealed to help her find out the body of the victim. In another clip that went viral after the attack, Shani Louk was seen dancing at the music party. Hamas launched a wave of attacks on Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of people, in the biggest escalation in the conflict in decades. Israel has already responded with a wave of air strikes on Gaza, killing over 800 people. Israel-Palestine War 5th Day: Death Toll Crosses 3000 After Hamas' Attack; Top 10 Developments International oi-Stuti Tripathi The death toll in the ongoing Israel-Palestine war has now surpassed 3,000, and there are grim expectations that the number will continue to rise as Israeli warplanes relentlessly target the Gaza Strip, systematically reducing neighborhoods to rubble. This relentless assault has left the people of Gaza frantically searching for safety in their tiny, sealed-off territory, which is reeling from severe retaliation following the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants. Here are the top 10 developments till now: 1. In the midst of this escalating conflict, U.S. President Joe Biden has not minced words, unequivocally condemning the militant group Hamas for what he called "sheer evil." The multi-pronged attack on Israel, launched from the Gaza Strip, has taken a devastating toll, resulting in the tragic loss of hundreds of civilian lives. 2. As per a report in News18, as the conflict rages on into its fifth day, the United States is stepping up its support for Israel. A U.S. plane laden with arms and ammunition has arrived in the region, underscoring the commitment to bolstering Israel's defense capabilities during this perilous time. 3. In a show of solidarity, Indian Americans congregated for a peaceful rally in Chicago, standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the wake of the recent terrorist attack orchestrated by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. Members of the Indian American community voiced a resounding message: "Terrorism is not merely an issue that concerns Israel alone; it is an enduring humanitarian crisis. It is imperative that we take action before it escalates any further." 4. The Israeli Defense Forces have reported that the death toll among Israelis has risen to over 1,000 as a result of the ongoing conflict with Hamas. This update reveals a significant increase from the previously reported figure of 900 casualties. In addition to the tragic loss of life, more than 2,800 Israelis have sustained injuries during the course of this conflict. The IDF has carried out precise strikes on a total of 2,294 Hamas targets as of their latest operational update, issued at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday, 10th October. 5. The Gaza Strip remains under a relentless assault, with heavy Israeli bombardments from the air, land, and sea, prompting an exodus of more than 260,000 people from their homes, according to the United Nations. UN humanitarian agency OCHA provided a sobering update on Tuesday, reporting that "over 263,934 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes." 6. Hamas continued its rocket attacks into Israel on Tuesday, 10th October, with some of these projectiles striking the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. Israel's formidable air defense system, known as the Iron Dome, has been working tirelessly to intercept and neutralize the rockets launched from Gaza since the escalation began. 7. For the residents of Gaza, escaping the relentless bombardments by Israel remains unattainable. According to Palestinian journalist Hassan Jaber, who spoke with CBS News, "There is no safe place in Gaza." He emphasized that the majority of the population in Gaza lacks access to bomb shelters, leaving them exposed to the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict. 8. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has delivered a strong cautionary message to the Assad regime in Syria, urging them to refrain from entering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In a further indication of their stance, Abu Dhabi has also warned Damascus against allowing any attacks against Israel to be launched from Syrian territory, as reported by the Axios news site, citing two reliable sources familiar with the situation. These diplomatic efforts are part of a broader US-led initiative aimed at preventing various entities, including Hezbollah and other parties, from becoming involved in the escalating conflict. 9. Israeli officials have reported that Hamas has taken more than 100 people hostage, with some of them being American citizens. Hamas has made a challenging declaration, stating that it will not engage in negotiations for the release of the hostages as long as Gaza remains under fire. 10. As the conflict in Israel continues to escalate, several airlines and cruise lines have taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. American Airlines, for instance, made an announcement on Tuesday, 10th October, suspending all flights to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv until at least December 4, 2023. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 9:22 [IST] Israel PM Netanyahu Forms Emergency Unity Government, War Cabinet Amid Hamas Conflict International oi-Madhuri Adnal In the midst of the escalating conflict with Hamas, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader MK Benny Gantz, who also holds the positions of former army chief and defense minister, have reached a historic agreement to form an "emergency unity government." This development comes as the conflict with Hamas entered its fifth day, as reported by the BBC. Under the terms of this agreement, Gantz will become an integral part of Netanyahu's government and join Israel's war cabinet. The war cabinet is a select group of ministers responsible for shaping the nation's strategy during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Gantz has emphasized that Israel's foremost priority at this critical juncture is to secure a victory in the war against Hamas. This shift in political dynamics and alliance-building underscores the gravity of the situation. A statement from Gantz's National Unity party conveyed, "The sides agreed to form a war cabinet comprising PM Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and during the fighting with Hamas in Gaza will not promote any unrelated policy or laws." Reuters reported this statement. The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu and Gantz held a private meeting at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv earlier in the day. In their discussions, Gantz had been advocating for the establishment of a compact war cabinet that possesses genuine influence over war management. He had also stressed the importance of including at least two opposition leaders with extensive military experience within the war cabinet. Tell Them We Are Here: Hamas Live Streams Hostage Family's Message to Israel The development unfolded as Israel intensified its military offensive against Gaza following a surprise attack by the militant group Hamas on Saturday. This ongoing conflict has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with over 2,000 casualties in both Gaza and Israel thus far. Simultaneously, in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Gaza faced a dire humanitarian crisis as it was left without electricity, water, and internet services. The crisis was triggered by the depletion of fuel supplies at the region's sole power plant on Wednesday. This power outage came in the wake of Israel's decision to halt the supply of essential resources, including water, food, medicines, and other vital items to the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas assault. The situation in the region remains a matter of international concern, with efforts to de-escalate the conflict and address the urgent humanitarian needs of the affected population becoming increasingly pressing. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The Israeli army has killed at least 1,000 Hamas militants who infiltrated into Israel from the Gaza Strip since October 7, Israel's Kan REKA radio said, Trend reports. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. The attacks by Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 and injured 2,500 Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of readiness for war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. The Israeli Army's operation against Hamas goes by the codename "Swords of Iron". Israel's Response To Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: 'You And Your Hamas Friends Will Regret...' International oi-Stuti Tripathi In a notable and unprecedented development, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a message in Hebrew on X (formerly known as Twitter), directed at Israel as the nation grapples with a comprehensive attack initiated by Hamas over the weekend. Ayatollah Khamenei wrote on social media handle X, "Zionist Tyrants: You will never arise from your defeat on the Sabbath, the 7th of October. You brought this calamity upon yourselves," as translated from Hebrew to English. As per a report in Wion, this message was issued shortly after a televised speech on 9th October, in which Khamenei commended Hamas for its actions against Israel, actions that have resulted in the loss of more than 1,000 Israeli lives since the weekend. He explicitly denied Iran's direct involvement in the operation. All Restraints Released, Moving To Full Offense: Israel Defense Minister Just an hour before Khamenei's post in Hebrew, he had written another post which read, "The Zionist regime wants to justify the mass murder of the people in #Gaza by attempting to show itself as the victim. Heads of the usurper regime should know that the response to these atrocities will be a heavier slap to their hideous faces." The official X account of the State of Israel swiftly responded to Iran's Supreme Leader, stating, "It's easy to be brave when you're hiding behind a keyboard. You and your Hamas friends will regret your barbaric actions very soon." Its easy to be brave when youre hiding behind a keyboard. You and your Hamas friends will regret your barbaric actions very soon. pic.twitter.com/oxXuzjenm2 Israel (@Israel) October 10, 2023 While it is widely recognized that Iran has historically supported Hamas and has been a patron to Hezbollah in Lebanon, both U.S. and Israeli officials have not found direct evidence of Iranian involvement in the latest wave of attacks carried out by Hamas as per media reports. This message in Hebrew marks a remarkable first for Ayatollah Khamenei, as his X account was established in March 2009 as reported by Newsweek. Israel-Palestine War 5th Day: Death Toll Crosses 3000 After Hamas' Attack; Top 10 Developments Earlier on Tuesday, 10th October, U.S. President Joe Biden along with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, issued a stern but veiled warning, presumably directed at Iran, amidst the ongoing conflict in the region. President Biden declared, "To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation, I have one word: Don't. Our hearts may be broken, but our resolve is clear." The development underscores the evolving dynamics in the ongoing conflict in the region and the use of social media platforms for geopolitical messaging. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 11:39 [IST] From Paramjit Panjwar To Sukhdool Singh, The Mysterious Deaths Of 5 Khalistani Terrorists In 9 Months Pathankot Attack Mastermind Shahid Latif Shot Dead In Pakistan International oi-Prakash KL Shahid Latif, the mastermind of the Pathankot attack and one of the most-wanted terrorists in India, was fatally shot by unidentified individuals in Sialkot in Pakistan on Wednesday, according to reports. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a case against Shahid under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Government of India had listed Shahid as a terrorist. Latif was shot at point-blank range by shooters who were aware of the local topography, The Times of India reported citing local reports. Who Was Shahid Latif? Hailing from Gujranwala in the Punjab province of Pakistan, Shahid Latif was associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and served as the commander of the Sialkot sector. Probe underway following grenade explosion at Pathankot Recommended Video Pathankot attack mastermind, Shahid Latif, killed by unidentified gunmen in Pak | Oneindia The man behind the Pathankot attacks, which killed seven Indian security officials and a civilian, was released by the UPA 2 government as a 'Goodwill Gesture' to Pakistan. Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) operative Shahid Latif was freed in 2010 to mend ties with Pakistan, which was going through a rough patch of Indo-Pak relations. Convicted of terror charges, Latif was in India till May 28, 2010, until he was freed along with 25 other terrorists who were languishing in various jails. Incidentally, after being freed, Latif went back to join the JeM and was working as the chief handler of all the terrorists in India. He has allegedly become the latest addition to the list of India's most wanted terrorists, who have been eliminated recently in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and Canada. ISI planning Pathankot like attack on military base in Rajasthan On September 30, Qaiser Farooq of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Karachi. According to a report, at least 17 terrorists, wanted by the Indian authorities, have been killed since March 2022. It includes Zahoor Mistry, one of the hijackers of IC-814, Ripudaman Singh Malik, a suspect in the 1985 Air India bombing, Syed Khalid Raza, the Al Badr Commander, Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967. Tallinn Estonia: Oleg Orlov Fined $1,500 for Criticising War in Ukraine International -Sathish Raman In a recent development in Tallinn, Estonia, renowned human rights advocate Oleg Orlov was fined approximately $1,500 for expressing his criticism of the war in Ukraine. This incident is seen as part of an ongoing crackdown on activists, independent journalists and opposition figures by the authorities. Orlov's Conviction Oleg Orlov is the co-chairman of Memorial, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group. He was found guilty of "discrediting" the Russian military publicly through a Facebook post where he condemned Ukraine's invasion. Following Russia's deployment of troops across the border into Ukraine, legislation was enacted making any such public disapproval a criminal offense if committed repeatedly within one year. Prior to facing these criminal charges, Orlov had been fined twice for participating in anti-war protests. The Legal Proceedings The case against Orlov began being heard in March at a Moscow court. If convicted, he could have faced up to five years imprisonment; however, during Wednesdays closing arguments, the prosecution sought only a fine of 250,000 rubles (approximately $2,500). The judge then imposed an even lesser fine150,000 rubles (about $1,500). About Memorial Memorial is among Russia's oldest and highly respected human rights organizations. It shares its 2022 Nobel Peace Prize with Ales Bialiatskian imprisoned Belarusian activistand Centre for Civil Liberties from Ukraine. Established during Soviet times in 1987 to remember victims repressed by the Communist Party regime; it continues documenting human rights abuses and monitors political prisoners' conditions despite increased Kremlin scrutiny over recent years. Challenges Faced By Memorial The organization has been labeled as a "foreign agent," which carries strong negative implications and invites additional government scrutiny. Over the years, it has been fined heavily for alleged violations of foreign agent laws. In December 2021, Russia's Supreme Court ordered its closure, sparking widespread domestic and international outcry. Orlovs Defence Orlovs defence team included Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2021. Orlov dismissed the charges against him in court on Wednesday, expressing no regret for his anti-war stance. He described his punishment as "extremely lenient," compared to long prison terms given to other activists and opposition figures. The Aftermath After the verdict was announced, Orlov left the courtroom amid applause from his supporters. He vowed to appeal what he termed as a "soft but unlawful and unjust" sentence while urging people not to forget political prisoners serving lengthy jail terms. The Larger Crackdown The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent following Ukraine's invasion in February 2022 by enacting legislation that effectively bans any criticism of what it refers to as its "special military operation". Nearly 8,000 Russians have faced misdemeanor charges since then; over 700 individuals have been implicated in criminal cases related to war protests or speaking out about it according to OVD Infoa human rights and legal aid group. In conclusion, this relentless crackdown on free speech is unprecedented in post-Soviet Russia with critics facing long prison sentences; rights groups being forced to cease operations; independent news sites being blocked; journalists fleeing the country fearing prosecution; many exiles are tried and sentenced in absentia. The case of Oleg Orlov underscores these harsh realities faced by those who dare speak out against perceived injustices. Tell Them We Are Here: Hamas Live Streams Hostage Family's Message to Israel International oi-Madhuri Adnal On the fifth day of the Israel-Gaza conflict, a disturbing video surfaced, shedding light on how Hamas is exploiting Israeli hostages, even children. The distressing footage, broadcast live by Hamas, portrays a heart-wrenching scene in which an armed individual coerces a family to convey a message. Situated beside his wife, a man, injured and bleeding from a leg wound, cradles a young girl in his lap. Two other children sit on either side of the distraught couple, their sobs muffled by the overwhelming fear. "Talk to your country, tell them we are here," the gunman instructs the man. The man, his voice quivering, discloses the presence of Hamas operatives in their home in the kibbutz of Nahal Oz, near Gaza. Looking into the camera, he reveals the gunshot wound in his leg. SHOCKING FOOTAGE: Terrorists in Nachal Oz capture a family with kids and live-stream it on Facebook. HAMAS = ISIS>> pic.twitter.com/PS3gfR4bKK Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) October 10, 2023 A Hamas operative demands the man's identity card, and as he attempts to stand up to retrieve it, one of the captors assists him, revealing the profusely bleeding leg wound. MEA Sets Up Control Room For Indians In Israel Amid Israel-Hamas Flare-Up The video proceeds to show the gunmen coercing the couple's son, holding him at gunpoint, to convince other residents in the neighborhood to evacuate their homes. Media reports indicate that Hamas presently holds approximately 150 hostages, among them children and even a Holocaust survivor. They have issued a chilling ultimatum, promising to execute a hostage for every Israeli bomb dropped on a civilian residence in the Gaza Strip without warning. Following Israel's imposition of a blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has severed essential utilities such as electricity and water, and restricted the entry of food and fuel into the densely populated area of 2.3 million people, Hamas issued this ominous warning. Despite the potential for backlash resulting from hostage deaths, the Israeli government remains steadfast in its extensive military campaign against Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn parallels between Hamas and ISIS, emphasizing that Israel's actions mark the initiation of a long-term effort to eradicate the group and bring about transformative change in the Middle East. "Hamas terrorists bound, burned, and executed children. They are savages. Hamas is ISIS," Netanyahu declared. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant adopted a resolute tone when addressing troops stationed along the Gaza border, stating that all restraints have been removed, and Gaza will undergo an irreversible transformation. "You will have the capacity to alter the situation here. You have witnessed the prices (being paid), and you will witness the change. Hamas sought a change in Gaza; it will change by 180 degrees from what it envisioned," reported The Times of Israel. This ongoing and deadly conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 3,000 people killed. The conflict ignited after Hamas launched 5,000 rockets into Israel and initiated a multi-pronged attack on the country from the air, land, and sea on Saturday. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 19:16 [IST] German footwear brand Birkenstock has begun trading stock in New York in a milestone move. Shares opened at $41, about 11% lower than what the company aimed for in its initial public offering. Rumble 21 Oct 2023 Rocket warning sirens were heard in Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Ashdod and Yavne as a barrage of rocket was fired against southern and.. Eurasia Review 24 Oct 2023 Israels war on Gaza is turning into a regional war while the Americans and the West are aiding and abetting the conflict without.. Eurasia Review 19 Oct 2023 Warfare is generally discussed in three domains, namely land, sea, and air. However, a fourth domain is often overlooked in.. After a student group blamed Israel for the violence, Lawrence Summers, a former university president, condemned the leadership for not speaking up. ViewAs the war in the Middle East rages into its second week, colleges and universities across the United States are dealing with.. Newsy 19 Oct 2023 BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The U.S. has provided Israel with the first military aid, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, Trend reports. It is noted that the plane with ammunition landed at the Israeli airbase Nevatim. According to the information, the munitions are intended for destructive strikes and other targets. It is not yet clear what kind of targets are involved. In addition, the US sent Israel the first installment of aid (security systems) yesterday. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. The attacks by Hamas militants killed 1,200 and injured 2,500 Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of readiness for war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. The Israeli Army's operation against Hamas goes by the codename "Swords of Iron". By Mark Angelides As military responses unfold across Israel in efforts to retake territory seized by Hamas on October 6, political responses are also revealing themselves, and with them, fault lines that could derail the elusive peace that so many have sought. The posturing and handwringing taking place in the halls of power... The US has sent a team of technical experts to Israel to assist in hostage recovery , according to official sources. Thiruvananthapuram: The regional conference of the Loka Kerala Sabha in Saudi Arabia, which was scheduled to take place on October 19 is unlikely to take place as the Central Government has refused to grant permission to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the UAE trip. This is the third time that the Chief Ministers foreign tour has been cancelled in the past five months. Of them, two were cancelled over the centre's denial while in the other case Chief Minister himself called off his trip. In last May, the Chief Minister was invited to the global investment summit organised by the Abu Dhabi government. Many other Chief Ministers in India were also invited. However, the Centre denied permission for the travel, arguing that Indian administrators need not take part in an event which was aimed at attracting investments for Abu Dhabi. In August, the Chief Minister received an invitation to visit Vietnam and made arrangements for the trip. But, since the Assembly session was convened at the time, he decided not to go ahead with the foreign tour. He also didn't approach the centre seeking permission for the same. The Chief Minister, who visited the US in June to attend the Loka Kerala Sabhas regional conference, returned after visiting Cuba and Dubai. This 12-day foreign trip was the CM's recent foreign trip. It is learnt that the Chief Minister, who had sought the Centres permission much ahead of the regional conference in the US, did not adopt such a step in the case of the Saudi Arabia meet. The External Affairs Ministry was approached for permission only on September 9 for the conference that was scheduled for October 17. The preliminary communications with the Centre took place after the dates for the conference were fixed. It is learnt that this fact also influenced the centre's decision. Manaus: Indigenous inhabitants in the Amazon are asking the Brazilian government to declare a climate emergency as their villages have no drinking water, food or medicine due to a severe drought that is drying up rivers vital for travel in the rainforest, their leaders said on Tuesday. The drought and heatwave has killed masses of fish in the rivers that Indigenous people live off and the water in the muddy streams and tributaries of the Amazon River has become undrinkable, the umbrella organization APIAM that represents 63 tribes in the Amazon said. "We ask the government to declare a climate emergency to urgently address the vulnerability Indigenous peoples are exposed to," APIAM urged in a statement released at a news conference. The Rio Negro, Solimoes, Madeira, Jurua and Purus rivers are drying up at a record pace, and forest fires are destroying the rainforest in new areas in the lower Amazon reaches, APIAM said in a statement. Environment Minister Marina Silva told Reuters last month the government was preparing a task force to provide emergency assistance to the Amazon region hit by the drought. It has sent tens of thousands of food parcels to communities isolated by the lack of river transport. The region is under pressure from the El Nino weather phenomenon, with the volume of rainfall in the northern Amazon below the historical average. The most serious problem for Indigenous communities that have no running water is sanitation now that the river water cannot be drunk, APIAM coordinator Mariazinha Bare said. "The smaller rivers have dried up and turned to mud," Bare said in an interview. "Indigenous people have to walk long distances in the rainforest to find potable water, and the poor quality of water is making people ill," she said. Impassable rivers have made it harder for medical assistance to reach Amazon villages, Bare said, and rain is not expected until the end of November or early December when the rivers and their fish population normally renew themselves. The Madeira river to the southwest is no longer navigable in its upper reaches, isolating Indigenous villages and non-Indigenous communities that rely on collecting fruit in the rainforest but cannot move their produce out. Ivaneide Bandeira, who heads the Kaninde Indigenous organization in the state of Rondonia, said isolated non-Indigenous communities were asking Indigenous villages for food. She said the smoke from forest fires was worse than ever, aggravating the climate crisis and affecting the health of the elderly and children. "It is not just the El Nino current. Deforestation continues with these fires," she said by telephone. "The agricultural advance does not stop. They are destroying everything, as if they do not see what is happening to nature," she said. On October 7, Israel's advanced defence system, the Iron Dome, intercepted hundreds of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip during a Hamas offensive. It was the beginning of yet another blood-soaked war between Israel and Palestine. The Israel-Palestine conflict is deep-rooted in history and religion. In the beginning, Palestine, which had an Arab majority, was home to only a small Jewish minority. However towards the end of the 19th century, the region faced an influx of refugee Jews due to the anti-Semitic sentiments harboured by different communities across the world. According to Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the Old Testament of the Bible, the land of Canaan which comprises Palestine and parts of Jordan and Lebanon is the 'Promised Land', the land God gave to the descendants of Abraham. One of the earliest recorded Jewish immigration to Palestine was during the Kiev pogrom in 1881. The Russian Jews were hunted down in Kiev after the assassination of Tsar Alexander II, the Emperor of Russia in 1881. The influx of Jews into Palestine was also fuelled by the writings of Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist and political activist Theodor Herzl. In 1896, Herzl published the pamphlet Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State), in which he elaborated his visions of a Jewish homeland. In 1897, Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, and was elected the president of the Zionist Organization. He died in 1904 but his intervention played a key role in the immigration. There was also a huge inflow of Jewish immigrants to Palestine in the wake of the Holocaust during the Second World War from 1941-45. Following this, the friction between the Arabs and Jews intensified. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon in southern Israel on Monday. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen Power play The fighting between the Arabs and Jews was accompanied by resistance towards the British rule in the state. Palestine, which was in the possession of the Ottoman Empire, had passed on to the British Empire after World War I. The old Palestine, which includes present-day Israel and Palestine, was the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. It was a melting pot of civilisations as it is strategically located between three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa. It is the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity and has been ruled by most of the prominent kingdoms in the world like the ancient Egyptians, the Persians, the Romans, the Caliphates and the Crusaders. Many of its present-day problems stem from the simple question who originally inhabited the region? Balfour Declaration The British tried to address this question in the most destructive way possible. In 1917, during World War I, the British issued a statement called the Balfour Declaration which committed to the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people. Jews were fewer than 3 per cent of the population in Palestine at the time. But the meddling did not stop there. In the 1915 Hussein-McMohan correspondence with the Mecca emir, it promised the Arabs independence from the Ottoman Empire. They also signed a secret treaty with the French known as the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement. The agreement stated that the majority of Palestine would be under international administration, while the rest of the region would be split between the two colonial powers after the war. The Balfour Declaration was endorsed by the Allied powers and approved by the League of Nations in 1922. The declaration indirectly equipped Jews to establish a home, at the expense of Palestinian Arabs. By 1948, the Jewish population increased to 33 per cent (United Nations Special Committee on Palestine report). Currently, Jews make up 73 per cent of the Israeli population and Arabs account for 21 per cent. Following the 1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine, in May 1939, the British government altered its policy in a White Paper recommending a limit of 75,000 further immigrants and an end to immigration by 1944, unless the resident Palestinian Arabs of the region consented to further immigration. Zionists condemned the new policy, accusing Britain of favouring the Arabs. This point was made moot by the outbreak of World War II (193945). In an attempt to end the conflict, the newly formed United Nations in 1947 voted to divide Palestine into two - a Jewish and Arab state- with Jerusalem under international administration. But it was not implemented as the Arab side rejected the idea. An explosion from an Israeli strike in the northern Gaza Strip is seen from the Israel side of the border with Gaza, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009. Photo: AP/Tara Todras-Whitehill) The founding of Israel In 1948, Britain withdrew from Palestine and Jewish leaders founded Israel. The Palestinians naturally objected and a war followed. The support of the neighbouring Arab states like Syria and Jordan was met with a stiff defence built by the Jews. They had an army that was formed out of the armed paramilitary groups trained and created to fight side by side with the British in World War II. In 1949, the neighbouring Arab countries recognised the new borders of Israel and signed the 1949 Armistice Agreements to end the war. During the war, 700,000, or about 80 per cent of all Palestinians were driven out of the territory that Israel conquered. They were not allowed to return. The event came to be known as the Nakba ("Catastrophe") amongst Palestinians. From the late 1940s, about 850,000 Jews from the Arab world immigrated ("made Aliyah") to Israel. Only two parts of Palestine remain in Arab control now - the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The era of PLO and Yasser Arafat The Arab voice gained international recognition with the founding of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in 1964 during the first Arab summit in Cairo, where leaders of 13 Arab nations pledged to take a more active role in the liberation of Palestine. PLO was primarily an umbrella organisation for Palestinian groups. The Fatah group, headed by Yasser Arafat, was the most prominent among them. In 1969, Arafat was elected PLO chairman. Arafat was also part of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The PLO initially sought to establish an Arab state over former Mandatory Palestine and eliminate the state of Israel. However, in 1993, it recognized Israeli sovereignty with the Oslo I Accord and sought Arab statehood in the Palestinian territories (West Bank and the Gaza Strip) that have been militarily occupied by Israel since the 1967 ArabIsraeli War. (Israel had captured Gaza and Sinai from Egypt during the Six-Day War in 1967 when Jordan, Syria and Egypt attacked it. Golan Heights was taken from Syria, and West Bank and East Jerusalem, from Jordan.) On September 13, 1993, Arafat and then Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed the Oslo Accord which granted Palestinians the right to self-government in the Gaza Strip and the city of Jericho in the West Bank through the creation of the Palestinian Authority. They were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize the following year. US President Clinton with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu during their meeting at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Sept 10 , 1996. File Photo: AP In 1994, Arafat moved to Gaza City, which was controlled by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) the provisional entity created by the Oslo Accords. Arafat became the President and Prime Minister of the PNA. But the peace brokered by Arafat and Rabin could not be guaranteed due to the presence of Hamas, a political group with military capabilities. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli PM, who followed Rabin was also sceptical about the provisions of the Oslo Accord. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he delivers a statement to the press at his Jerusalem office on November 21, 2012. File Photo: AFP/GALI TIBBON Rise of Hamas Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement), was launched by Palestinian cleric Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1987 as a political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational Sunni Islamist organisation. It was born after the outbreak of the First Intifada, a series of protests carried out by Palestinians against Israel from 1987-1993. Hamas currently governs the Gaza strip of Palestine and has a presence in West Bank which is controlled by Fatah. Unlike the PLO, Hamas refuses to acknowledge Israel's legitimacy. It has pursued a policy of jihad (armed struggle) against Israel. The failure of the Middle East Peace Summit at Camp David in 2000 and the disappointment with the PLO prompted many Fatah factions to join the Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Provoked by the Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon's visit to Al Aqsa in 2000, a major Palestinian uprising known as the Second Infatida broke out in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. Yasser Arafat with Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. File Photo: AP Arafat, who was surrounded by the Israeli Army during the Second Infatida, eventually died in 2004. Mahmoud Abbas became the chairman of the PLO in 2004. He has been serving as the PNA president since January 2005, and State of Palestine president since May 2005. When the Islamic party Hamas won the Palestinian legislative election in 2006, gaining a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council, the conflict between Israel and Gaza intensified. After the election, Israel negotiated with Abbas and the PLO but simultaneously targeted and bombed Hamas activists and militants. In 2007, Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, which was part of Palestine. But the Hamas offensive did not end there. In 2008, provoked by rocket fire from Gaza, an armed conflict erupted between the Palestinian paramilitary and Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) lasting three weeks. The war was brought to a temporary halt in 2009 by a cease-fire. In 2014, fighting intensified between Israel and Hamas, leading to another full-scale Gaza War. The war ended with a ceasefire agreement after 50 days. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (unseen) after bilateral talks at the Chancellory in Berlin on January 1, 2010. File photo: AFP Clashes also erupted in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. The October 2023 attack, which included a rocket barrage and vehicle-transported attacks across the border on Israeli communities and forces, is the most recent addition to the list. International position The United States has been a strong supporter of Israel since 1960s. Israel was the largest recipient of US aid in 2022. America has vetoed UNSC resolution against the country 42 times. It has also recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. During Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's second administration and the new Obama administration period, the US pressured Israel into accepting a Palestinian state and entering negotiations. In 2009, Israel imposed a ten-month freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank. In 2011, the Obama administration paved the way for the development and production of the Iron Dome missile defence system for Israel, contributing $235 million to its funding. India-Israel ties Fired by the freedom struggle, most of the Indian leaders including Mahatma Gandhi believed that Arabs were the rightful occupants of the land and that Jews should return to their countries of origin. Opposed to a division on religious lines it even voted against the Partition of Palestine place in 1947 and Israel's admission to UN in 1949. It recognised Israel as a state in 1950. Though India maintained a policy of Non-Aligned Movement during the initial years of Independence and clarified that it respected the Palestinian cause, Israel emerged as a key ally of India over the years. It supplied India with arms, ammunition and intelligence during its conflicts with Pakistan. India is among the top 10 trade partners of Israel. Under Narendra Modi, India has showcased its support for the country on international platforms by abstaining from voting against Israel in UN resolutions. In 2017, he became the first ever Prime Minister of India to visit Israel. Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. In the midst of a heart-wrenching dual tragedy, the people of Afghanistan are facing an unfathomable ordeal that threatens to extinguish their hopes and dreams. As they grapple with the brutal realities of Taliban rule and the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, a dark and harrowing deadline of November 1 looms over them like an impending storm, forcing Afghan refugees who have called Pakistan home for four decades to abandon the only sanctuary they have ever known. The recent series of deadly earthquakes that mercilessly shook the northwestern city of Herat and its surrounding areas have left the Afghan people in a state of profound grief and suffering. The Taliban administration reported a staggering death toll of at least 2,400 people, with countless others buried beneath the rubble, their cries for help echoing in the shattered remains of their homes. These quakes, among the deadliest in the world this year, have left a trail of destruction and despair that defies description. The once-thriving communities now lie in ruins, their streets filled with sorrow, and their skies shrouded in an overwhelming sense of loss. Amidst this ongoing tragedy, a new and excruciating layer of heartbreak has been thrust upon the Afghan refugee community in Pakistan. For four long and arduous decades, they have sought refuge on foreign soil, fleeing the ceaseless horrors of conflict and instability in their homeland. In Pakistan, they found not just shelter but a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness a place where generations grew up, where families were built, and where communities flourished. Now, these resilient and enduring Afghan refugees, who have called Pakistan their home for generations, find themselves at a cruel crossroads. They are forced to make a gut-wrenching decision: leave everything behind by November 1. This abrupt ultimatum leaves them with no choice but to abandon the land they have come to know as their own, the place where they found safety and support, and the only haven they have ever truly called home. The challenges facing Afghanistan in the wake of the earthquake disaster are compounded by the nation's already fragile state. Decades of relentless conflict have left its infrastructure in ruins, making it nearly impossible to respond effectively to such cataclysmic events. The UN Humanitarian Office paints a dire picture with a death toll of 1,023, 1,663 injured souls, and over 500 people still missing. Entire communities, including those inhabited by Afghan refugees, have been reduced to piles of rubble, leaving survivors clawing at the ruins for signs of life. Adding to the heartache, Afghanistan's healthcare system, once reliant on foreign aid, now lies in tatters following the Taliban's takeover. International assistance, a lifeline for the country, has been severed, leaving Afghanistan to fend for itself with dwindling resources and heightened vulnerabilities. In the midst of this agonizing turmoil, Pakistan has extended a hand of support and solidarity to its Afghan neighbors. However, the tragic deadline imposed on Afghan refugees casts a haunting shadow over these efforts. It threatens to disrupt the lives of thousands who have sought refuge in Pakistan for decades, uprooting them from the only stability they have ever known. As Afghanistan grapples with the nightmarish confluence of Taliban rule, natural disasters, and the forced displacement of its people, the resilience and strength of its population shine through. In the face of unimaginable challenges, they stand united, determined to rebuild their lives and their nation. Yet, the world must rally behind them with a renewed sense of urgency and compassion in their darkest hours. Afghanistan's agony calls for our collective empathy and assistance as they navigate this heart-rending journey towards recovery and hope amidst the darkest of storms. PHOENIX - European Design Flooring, a family-owned and independent business based in Phoenix, Arizona, is celebrating 16 years of serving the community. Founded in September of 2007, the company has become a leader in the flooring industry, offering hardwood flooring, sanding/refinishing, luxury vinyl planks, engineered wood floors, carpets, and more. The company is proud to have a team of skilled professionals who contribute to job creation and support the livelihoods For more than a decade, travelers on Alaska Airlines have been served cups of coffee from Starbucks. For those on Horizon, an Alaska subsidiary, its been over 30 years. But starting Dec. 1, something different will be filling those cups: A custom blend from Portland-based Stumptown Coffee Roasters (Stumptown is currently owned by JAB Holding Company, a German investment firm that owns Stumptowns now-parent company, Peets Coffee). We are grateful to our friends at Starbucks and proud to have served their coffee onboard our flights for years, Alaska said in a statement about the change. With that said, we are always looking for ways to bring new in-flight food and beverage offerings to our guests, the statement continued. We take great pride in partnering with small businesses along the West Coast and are thrilled to welcome Stumptown Coffee to our portfolio of regional food and beverage partners. The Stumptown blend has been specifically developed to be enjoyed at altitude, Alaska said in a press release, where taste buds can react differently than on the ground. We wanted a crowd pleaser, Stumptown president Laura Szeliga said of the blend in a press release, something that would delight folks who enjoy milder coffees and also speak to guests who enjoy medium-bodied roasts. The blend uses the same base as Stumptowns Holler Mountain but, said Alaska, with a primary focus on a roast that mellows acidity and introduces just enough toastiness to please a wide range of palates. For fans of an in-flight Pike Place roast, the news might be alarming. But for Stumptown, it could be a very good sign. In 1992, a couple years after Horizon started serving Starbucks, when the company went public, Starbucks annual revenue was $73.5 million. Twenty years later, in 2012, when Alaska started serving Starbucks, the annual revenue was up, a lot: $13.3 billion. In 2022? Starbucks annual revenue was $32.25 billion. Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Iris Capital timeline 2011 to 2014: Oregon investment manager Shayne Kniss raises $5 million from Oregon retirees for real estate investments. Nick Slinde takes a 15% stake in the marijuana business in exchange for legal work for Iris. 2015: Kniss shutters Iris to focus on marijuana startups; investors stop receiving monthly distributions. Oregon judge appoints a receiver to take control of Iris and recover any available funds for investors. 2016: Portland investor Nitin Khanna and his brother buy the marijuana business from the Iris estate for $519,000; Nick Slinde, who has frequently represented Khanna, retains a stake in the marijuana business, later known as Cura Cannabis, or Select. 2018: Federal prosecutors charge Kniss with wire fraud; he pleads guilty to a single count. 2019: Kniss sentenced to three years in federal prison. He files a bar complaint against Slinde, alleging the lawyer had a conflict of interest by negotiating on behalf of Iris and the marijuana business, in which Slinde had a stake, simultaneously. Cura, the marijuana business, agrees to a $1 billion, all-stock sale to a Massachusetts company, Curaleaf. 2020: Cura completes its sale, but following a sharp decline in Curaleafs share price the deal is now worth about $400 million. 2022: Khanna, Slinde and others sued by Curaleafs chairman over an alleged $60 million securities fraud over the launch of a separate wellness business called Sentia. Slinde served as Sentias general counsel. Oregon State Bar begins disciplinary proceedings against Slinde. 2023: Slinde settles with the state bar, accepts a public reprimand for his dealings with the real estate firm and marijuana business. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) used the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System for the first time since 2006 during strikes on Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip, Trend reports. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. As a result of the Hamas attack on Israel, an Azerbaijani citizen was killed, as well as 3 people of Jewish origin who moved to Israel from Azerbaijan. The attacks by Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 and injured 2,700 Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of readiness for war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. The Israeli Army's operation against Hamas goes by the codename "Swords of Iron". Kuto, a Portland-based payment app that gained prominence during the pandemic through its role in government stimulus programs, has deactivated the service, a pause that has left users unable to access accounts or create new ones. Kiyo Kubo, CEO and co-founder of Kuto, said the payment processor Stripe placed the companys account on hold last month, shortly after state financial regulators informed Kuto that it needed a money transmitter license to operate. Without Stripe, Kuto users were unable to make payments. Kuto is a payments app that allows customers to buy gift cards and prepay for purchases at businesses that are on the platform. Government agencies also used the app during the pandemic to distribute gift cards to support local businesses or as vaccination incentives. Since Kuto suspended its service, users trying to access their accounts or create one have been met with a message saying that the app has been paused as a result of the fallout with Stripe. Without a processor, we cannot send payments to businesses, the message read. The startup said its exploring other options, but its unclear when the app would be running again. State law requires money transmitters including payment apps, electronic transfers or wire to obtain a license through state regulators. Jason Horton, spokesperson for the Division of Financial Regulation, said state financial enforcers received information that prompted us to contact Kuto and inform them of the need for a license. He said the agency did not take any formal enforcement action against Kuto. Money transmitter licenses are important in protecting the public, Horton said. Companies who hold (customers) funds are vetted by the Division of Financial Regulation so when they are holding that money, customers can know their money is being invested in a safe manner. Kubo maintains his app doesnt need a license because it is built on top of Stripe, which is a licensed money transmitter. The California payments processing company allows third-party apps like Kuto to integrate its services. We dont want to be in the money transmitting business. Were trying to avoid that, Kubo said, adding that Kuto serves more like a marketing tool for businesses. Kubo said hes proposed revamping Kutos app infrastructure to avoid being categorized as a money transmitter to state regulators. He said obtaining a license in Oregon can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000, which includes the cost of maintaining a surety bond to cover unfulfilled payments. My hope is that they will get back to me and say its fine, he said. If they say I do need to get a license, then I will go through the steps to get one. Kutos outage means that users holders cannot access their accounts, while businesses cannot accept payments through the Kuto app. Kubo said users who had money in their accounts can email Kuto at contact@kuto.app if they are unable to access their funds. He said Kuto will send a check to users who had any remaining balance in their accounts. The state and local governments have collaborated with Kuto in the past. For example, the Oregon Health Authority collaborated with Kuto to give away gift cards as an incentive for Oregonians to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The city of Portland teamed up with Kuto last year to get $500,000 into the hands of residents to spend at retailers and restaurants across the city. Through Kuto, the city distributed $50 digital gift cards as part of an initiative meant to shore up businesses in downtown Portland and other neighborhoods hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The gift cards were offered during events at various business districts, an effort to provide a boost as the pandemic was putting a strain on local shops and restaurants. The city-sponsored gift cards expire two weeks after theyre claimed, according to the company. The last event was during the Jade International Night Market in August, when the city issued $50 digital gift cards to spend at participating businesses within the neighborhood. We werent in the middle of a city promotion, so no one has any money in their accounts, Kubo said, adding that Kutos outage wont impact those who have claimed gift cards in the past. --Kristine de Leon; kdeleon@oregonian.com A man who made headlines when he ran out of the Washington County Circuit Courthouse last year during a bathroom break in his murder trial has been found guilty of slashing his mothers boyfriend to death. A jury returned the verdict last Friday during a new murder trial. Nurit Kahana had a trip planned to Israel this Sunday to visit family. She has two adult sons there, whom shes been lucky to hear from, she said. But theyve been trapped in their home Monday as missiles continued to rain down from across the border with the Gaza Strip. When news arrived in the U.S. of Saturdays surprise attacks by militant group Hamas, Kahana said she had to avoid the graphic videos of carnage in her home country. She moved to Portland 10 years ago. I was in a state of shock, Kahana said. They caught us by surprise. These attacks are against humanity I have no other words to describe it. On Monday night, nearly 900 people filled Portlands Neveh Shalom synagogue joined by a majority of Oregons congressional delegation, including Democratic U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley plus U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer; U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas tuned in via livestream. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler also attended. We are here tonight, Jews and gentiles, to say no to terrorism and yes to solidarity with Israel, Merkley said. Elected officials assured the audience that the U.S. would do its part to support Israel after it declared war Sunday in response to the deadly incursion by Hamas, which the United States classifies as a foreign terrorist organization. President Joe Biden on Tuesday condemned Hamas for sheer evil, the Associated Press reported. The AP also has reported that more than 1,000 people in Israel have died as of Tuesday, and Hamas has captured more than 150 hostages, including 14 U.S. citizens. Marc Blattner, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, told the crowd that the attacks hit close to home as a former student of Portland Jewish Academy was among those kidnapped and presumed dead. Her mother has since told news outlets she may be alive. In addition, 830 people in Gaza and the West Bank have been killed following Israeli strikes. It is a perilous time for our Jewish state, Wyden said. Let us commit tonight here in our hometown, here in Portland, to demonstrate the same resilience and resolve that has carried us through the ages, confident in the knowledge that we will prevail and the terrorists will never win. Bonamici promised to vouch for additional funding for medical supplies and continued diplomatic assistance via Congress. She urged people to continue to tune in to news coverage of the conflict. We know hundreds have already been killed, including civilians, Bonamici said. Its hard to watch, but watch we must, because we need to know that brutal terrorism is happening there. Blumenauer said he wants to see more support for Israel from Congress, highlighting a lack of unity among members of the House who ousted their speaker last week. Tonight is a night to be clear that regardless of differences of opinion, we all stand unequivocally with Israel, Blumenauer said. I only wish that the spirit represented here tonight would be a little more in evidence in the House of Representatives. The synagogue took several security measures Monday out of an abundance of caution, said Bob Horenstein, director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Even before the surprise attacks, reports of antisemitism have been on the rise in Oregon, according to the states annual Bias Crimes Report released in July. The large crowd Monday joined in Hebrew prayer and song, and they listened intently to the impassioned speeches from supporters throughout the night. Several rabbis, other religious leaders and Oregon NAACP President James Posey attended the event to show support. Many shared warm embraces when the event concluded, some in tears out of fear for their family and friends. The conflict in Israel may be thousands of miles away, but for Horenstein it feels as if its right at the front door of his Oregon home. His wife is from Israel and their nephew may soon be called to fight. Saturday was the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, which celebrates the annual conclusion of weekly readings of the Torah. It was supposed to be one of the most joyous occasions on the Jewish calendar, but instead I woke up Saturday to see everything that was going on, said Horenstein. It was like a nightmare. Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe. Thomas E. Green III, who prosecutors say bought 19 guns within 14 months and then transferred them to fellow gang members, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison. Green, 25, and his twin brother Edward C. Green each pleaded guilty to making false statements to licensed gun dealers, claiming on federal forms that they were buying the guns for themselves when they were selling or trading them to others in straw gun purchases, according to prosecutors. Washington County sheriffs Deputy Rian Alden was sentenced Tuesday to three years of probation after he pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree assault of a jail inmate who suffered a fractured skull in a booking room attack in 2018 that also spurred a six-figure county lawsuit settlement. Alden, 44, entered the plea to the felony charge after a jury was selected for trial. Are you ready to see the ring of fire over Oregon? The 2023 annular solar eclipse is coming this Saturday, Oct. 14, expected to astonish sky watchers and draw big crowds to southern Oregon as the astronomical event crosses over North and South America over the course of the day. Whether youre making a road trip to the best eclipse watching spots, or just planning to pop your head out the front door, heres everything you need to know. What is an annular solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs whenever a new moon lines up perfectly between the Earth and the sun. Unlike a total solar eclipse, an annular eclipse occurs when the moon is too far away to block out the sun completely, leaving a ring of light around its edges. Because the sun wont be completely blocked out, viewers wont be able to see the suns corona the main attraction of a total solar eclipse. However, people may be able to see a phenomenon known as Bailys beads, where the sunlight seems to bead as it comes through the rugged surface of the moon. When is it happening? A partial eclipse will officially begin at 8:05 a.m. Pacific time Oct. 14 on the Oregon coast, according to Time and Date. The full eclipse will begin a little over an hour later, hitting the coast at 9:16 a.m. and reaching the eastern border of Oregon by about 9:22 a.m. How long the ring of fire lasts depends on how close you are to the center of a 90-mile-wide band sometimes referred to as the shadow of the eclipse. Those at the center of the path will experience the full eclipse for four and a half minutes, while those at the far edges will see it for only a minute or less. The eclipse will cross over Nevada, reaching the Four Corners at 9:11 a.m. Mountain time, then pass across New Mexico and into Texas, beginning in San Antonio at 10:23 a.m. Central time. The eclipse will leave the U.S. at Corpus Christi, Texas, passing over Central America, Columbia and Brazil before ending over the Atlantic Ocean. Where can you see it? Those who want to see the maximum eclipse in Oregon will need to find their way into that 90-mile band, which will make landfall on the south-central Oregon coast, crossing over Eugene, Roseburg, Crater Lake and the Alvord Desert on its way across the southwestern U.S., Central America and South America, according to NASA. Those outside that band, including everyone in the Portland area, will see a partial eclipse, not unlike the view for those outside the path of the total solar eclipse in 2017. Where are people going? The biggest Oregon crowds are expected around Klamath County in southern Oregon. Tourism officials in the county are expecting thousands of people to flock to Crater Lake National Park, as well as two big events around Klamath Falls: Eclipse Fest and Eclipse Into Nature, both of which will host big watch parties on Saturday. Do I need to wear special glasses? An annular solar eclipse should never be viewed without special eclipse glasses. Because sunlight is still coming through, its imperative that people use eclipse glasses to avoid eye injury. You can buy glasses online or look for them at stores within the path of the eclipse. Older pairs of eclipse glasses can still be used, as long as theyre not damaged. Crowds gather at Timothy Lake on Mount Hood to watch the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Hows the weather looking? As is typical for Oregon in October, the weather forecasts are a bit chaotic. Its looking like the coast and Willamette Valley will be rained out Saturday, according to forecasts by the National Weather Service, while clouds are expected to some degree across the rest of the state. The best eclipse watchers can probably hope for are partly sunny conditions, though even mostly cloudy skies could provide enough breaks to see the cosmic event. Keep an eye on forecasts at weather.gov. What other events are happening? In addition to the two big events in Klamath Falls, there are several other gatherings planned across the shadow of the eclipse. People are expected to gather at scenic destinations like Shore Acres State Park, Fort Rock and the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Jamie Hale 503-294-4077; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe After almost two years at the helm in the state House, Speaker Dan Rayfield is running for attorney general. The Corvallis Democrat announced his candidacy in a news release Wednesday, following weeks of rumors of a planned run. As Oregons speaker of the House, a legislator and an attorney, I have always worked for a safer, healthier and more just future for Oregonians, Rayfield said in the statement. Im running to be Oregons next attorney general to focus on keeping our families and communities safe and making sure every Oregonian has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. Rayfield, a trial attorney involved in consumer protection cases, said his priorities include public safety, holding polluters accountable, enforcing ethics laws, holding public officials to high standards, protecting consumers from predatory lenders, protecting reproductive rights and curbing gun violence. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Oregon is one of 22 states that doesnt require its attorney general to be licensed to practice law, though candidates are typically lawyers. The attorney general leads the Oregon Department of Justice, is the states top prosecutor and represents the state government in civil cases. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has filed many suits against government entities and corporations during her tenure. Just last month, she announced a suit against Fox Corporation over false election claims. And in May, she sued DuPont, 3M and other companies over firefighting foam that contains PFAS, or forever chemicals, which are associated with a host of health problems. She was also a lead backer of the recently passed ban on ghost guns, which cant be traced. The Department of Justice also advocates for vulnerable Oregonians, including running the states child support program, overseeing crime victim compensation and managing the bias response hotline. Rayfield is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy. Two Republicans have announced their candidacies, however: Newberg attorney Will Lathrop has raised more than $100,000 for his run, and Robert Neuman, who ran for state labor commissioner in 2022, has filed with the Secretary of States Office. The office has bounced between Republicans and Democrats over the years, though Democrats have held the office since Ted Kulongoski first served as attorney general in 1993. Rosenblum, a Democrat, announced last month she will not seek a fourth term. At 72, she said the office could use fresh ideas. Rayfield is 44 and has represented the Corvallis area in the House since 2015. He served as co-chair on the powerful Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the states budget writing committee, from 2019-2022 and claims credit for helping to stabilize Oregons finances. The state has enjoyed unexpected surpluses the past two years. In 2022, Rayfield was elected speaker, and in that position held sway over budget priorities and controlled the fate of bills by assigning them to committees or letting them linger. He established an amicable working relationship with House Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson, and while Republican senators boycotted the floor over a bill shoring up abortion rights for minors, House Republicans turned up for work every day. The long session finished in June with some landmark legislation: Lawmakers approved $500 million for the semiconductor industry, $1.2 billion for housing and homelessness, about $150 million for literacy. Democratic legislators agreed to water down the abortion bill to bring back striking Republicans, but still passed a ghost gun ban against undetectable firearms. And they agreed to recriminalize possession of fentanyl, which continues to kill young people. Rayfield said in a news release he will finish his term. Breese-Iverson is also stepping down from her leadership position. Rayfield lives in Corvallis with his wife and son, who Rayfield has brought to work to see how the Legislature runs. Rayfield informed other Democrats of his run prior to announcing his candidacy publicly, and minutes after his public announcement, two Democrats announced runs for House District 16: Sami Al-Abdrabbuh, a Corvallis School Board member, teacher, and engineer; and Andrew Struthers, a former Corvallis City Councilor. CORRECTION: This article was corrected to say the attorney general oversees the Department of Justice, not the Judicial Department. Deputy editor Julia Shumway contributed to this story. -- Lynne Terry Oregon Capital Chronicle is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. Hikers can once again access popular hiking trails and rock climbing areas at Smith Rock State Park, with work complete on a new footbridge in the popular central Oregon outdoors destination. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department on Monday announced the completion of the newer, wider pedestrian bridge, which leads across the Crooked River giving access to the main part of the park. Access was closed for nearly two months as crews worked to replace the nearly 50-year-old bridge. The closure, which was originally slated to last from Aug. 14 to Sept. 22, was extended to October due to a delay in construction, the parks department said. Now that its open, the new bridge is expected to better accommodate visitors as well as emergency response teams. A new pedestrian bridge at Smith Rock State Park better accommodates more visitors as well as rescue teams. The bridge opened in October 2023 after eight weeks of construction.Oregon State Parks Smith Rock State Park is thrilled to have a beautiful footbridge that will increase safety and serve the public well into the future. The new bridge will accommodate the increased visitation by allowing for two-way traffic across the river, and it will continue to provide critical access to the parks main climbing and hiking areas for many years to come, park manager Matt Davey said in a news release. The reopening means visitors can once again access the stunning Misery Ridge and Crooked River hikes, as well as the many, many climbing routes up the sheer cliff faces the park is known for. Jamie Hale 503-294-4077; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe With the annular solar eclipse only days away, sky watchers in Oregon have one question in mind: Hows the weather looking? In a word? Bad. As of Wednesday, forecasts from the National Weather Service call for clouds and rain across Oregon on Saturday including the entire path of the eclipse, from the central coast through Eugene and out to Klamath Falls, where thousands of people are expected to gather at watch parties and festivals for the astronomical event. Tim Daldrup, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Medford office, said the weather is coming in with a front from the Pacific Ocean, which is expected to settle over the region Friday into Saturday. The timing is just about as bad as possible, Daldrup said. And while Oregonians can often escape cloud cover by simply traveling east of the Cascade Mountains, he said that probably wouldnt work this time around: Clouds and rain are forecast Saturday across eastern Oregon, in Bend, Burns, Pendleton and John Day. Theres no one spot where you can go and say you have a better chance here, everywhere its looking not great, Daldrup said. The only region of the state with any kind of sun in the forecast Saturday is far, far eastern Oregon, where the National Weather Service currently calls for partly sunny skies in the border towns of Ontario and Jordan Valley though neither of those places is positioned to see the full ring of fire effect that makes an annular eclipse worth traveling to see in the first place. Jim Todd, space science director for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, said those sunnier locations would be worth a road trip for anyone seeking certainty, but stopped short at suggesting people throw out their existing eclipse watching plans because of clouds. If we get mostly cloudy in the forecast, that means there could be some breaks, Todd said. If the word rain is in the forecast, I would start to worry. Todd, who will be representing OMSI at a watch party Saturday at Running Y Resort in Klamath Falls, said eclipse watchers only need a few minutes of clear skies a quick break in the clouds to see it clearly. And because the entire event lasts nearly three hours, there could be a lot of chances. If we get a lucky break for four or five minutes, well take it, Todd said. Crater Lake National Park, which has been bracing for eclipse crowds and has sold out its historic lodge Friday and Saturday night, is expected to see rain and snow showers all week. On Wednesday morning, the park closed East Rim Drive, one half of the seasonal road that circumnavigates the lake, as snow began falling in the park. Park superintendent Craig Ackerman said the road might reopen Thursday, depending on weather. Park officials will wait until Friday night or Saturday morning to make decisions about further road closures, based on the developing conditions he said. While Crater Lake has been considered one of the best places in the U.S. to watch the eclipse, weather forecasts have been slowly deflating that hype. Ackerman, who last month said he was trepidatious about the incoming crowds, emailed a brief reaction to Saturdays forecast: Not looking good for eclipse watchers. Just outside the park, Sara Irvine was busy preparing for Eclipse Fest, which is expected to be the largest eclipse gathering in Oregon this weekend. Irvine, owner of Impressions Design & Marketing, which is running the event, said shes both monitoring the weather and moving forward with the event regardless of what happens in the sky. Were excited nervous, Irvine said. Were just ready for it to get started. Rain often means mud at large-scale campouts, but Eclipse Fest organizers said the land theyll be on is porous enough to handle large amounts of water without giving flashbacks of Burning Man. More detailed weather forecasts will be available by Thursday evening, Daldrup said, at which point they might know some additional factors, like the timing of the fronts arrival and what kinds of clouds will be coming wispier cirrus clouds would allow a better look at the sun, he said. Those updates will be posted online at weather.gov/mfr. Its a very delicate situation, Daldrup said. Theres not a lot of hope, but its not hopeless either. In other words, if youve been crossing your fingers for good eclipse watching conditions, you may want to squeeze a little tighter. Jamie Hale 503-294-4077; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Diyar Al Muharraq, a leading real estate development company in Bahrain, has announced the start of construction on the third and final phase of its Al Naseem villas project, a residential waterfront project located in the Southern Island. Phase three of the project will include 115 modern three- and four-bedroom residential villas overlooking the inner and outer water canals. Each villa, spanning between 305 sq m and 384 sq m, features a number of amenities. HAJ Quantity Surveyors was appointed as the project manager, with Mohamed Salahuddin Engineers & Architects overseeing the project, in addition to partnering with Ahmed Omer Trading & Contracting to complete the phase. Construction works began in August with an expected completion date in the second quarter of 2025. Eng Ahmed Ali Alammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Diyar Al Muharraq, said: We are pleased to commence construction on phase three of the Al Naseem project, one of the largest integrated residential projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain. We look forward to working collaboratively to achieve this project in accordance with the set timeline as we continue to follow the highest standards of construction and care implemented across all our projects. Through the villas offered in this phase, we hope to provide more modern residential solutions in an integrated waterfront community. Through its modern, integrated lifestyle, Al Naseem offers the highest standards of luxury. As one of the most distinct projects, Al Naseem includes the first gated community in the city constructed by Diyar Al Muharraq, with over 300 freehold villas spanning an area of 328,000 sq m. In addition to a range of residential options and recreational outlets that meet the needs of a large segment of the community with a variety of basic facilities, as well as direct access to the water canals, a private pool, and an on-demand elevator. Diyar Al Muharraq is the largest integrated residential city in Bahrain, offering a variety of commercial, recreational, and healthcare facilities that contribute to preserving the family values of the Bahraini community and providing a variety of housing solutions suitable for a modern lifestyle. It is equipped with a number of facilities that meet residents daily needs, including but not limited to: mosques, parks, commercial complexes, hotels, schools, and universities. TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 10. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel on October 11-12, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a briefing, Trend reports. Miller noted that Blinken plans to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with local authorities. According to him, the secretary of state is expected to leave tomorrow and arrive in Israel on Thursday. Meanwhile, a combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. The attacks by Hamas militants killed more than 900 and injured 2,806 Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of readiness for war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. The Israeli Army's operation against Hamas goes by the codename "Swords of Iron". The public movement Veterans of Russia has filed an appeal to the head of the Russian Ministry of Justice with a request to give a legal assessment of the Russian writer Dmitry Bykov. The author, recognized as a "foreign agent," wrote the book "VZ. A Portrait Against the Background of the Nation", in which Volodymyr Zelensky can be recognized as the main character. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by a Russian publication. The article says that the book calls the President of Ukraine the savior of the world, fighting against the global evil of the Russian leadership. The propagandists were outraged that the book portrays the Armed Forces of Ukraine as saviors, not "nationalists who destroy the peaceful lives of the residents of the so-called DPR and LPR." In September 2023, Bykov's work was published by Freedom Letters. In the annotation to it, the writer states: "VZ is not a biography of Volodymyr Zelensky. And it is not even a book about the war. VZ is about perhaps the final battle between archaism and progress. VZ is the main character of this book." ADVERTISIMENT The same month, he and "foreign agent" Tamara Eidelman took part in an interview in which he stated: "Russia is fascized today. Russia was infected with fascism during the war with it, and this happens... The adoration of the Motherland and the state is an absolutely fascist narrative." Eidelman agreed with Bykov. The veterans' appeal notes that Bykov has previously been brought to administrative responsibility for violating the law on foreign agents. However, he avoids paying the fine and lives outside the terrorist country. The writer currently lives and works in the United States. Supporters of Putin's regime claim that Dmitry Bykov's actions may fall under Articles 207.3, 280, 280.1, 280.3 and 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote about how MARUV returned to Russia and financially supports the war in Ukraine. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, announced here Tuesday he had met with the Chairman of the High National Electoral Commission, Imad al-Sayeh, over the electoral laws prepared by the 6+6 Joint Commission recently approved by the House of Representatives (Parliament) Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The top UN humanitarian official on Tuesday called for an end to the escalating violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, warning that the whole region is at a tipping point Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Prime Minister, Abdulhamid al Dbeiba, has ordered the formation of a committee to study the legal status of foreign workers in the country, with the aim of encouraging them to regularise their situation in the country Photo: (Photo : Mikael Stenberg on Unsplash) The joys of welcoming a new baby are plentiful, but so are the challenges. Late-night feedings, ceaseless crying, sleepless nights, and the added responsibility can be overwhelming, pushing some first-time fathers towards unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking. Stockholm University's Insightful Findings Yet, a 2023 study from Stockholm University's Department of Public Health Sciences offers hope. It reveals that new fathers who avail themselves of paternity leave are significantly less likely to be hospitalized for alcohol-related issues. After the introduction of the fathers' paternal leave policy in Sweden, there was a 34% reduction in such hospitalizations in the subsequent two years after birth, as stated by Helena Honkaniemi, the study author. The comprehensive research, led by Honkaniemi and co-researcher Sol Juarez, underlines a vital fact: when novice dads get ample time to adapt to their new parenting roles without the additional stress of work, they are less inclined to resort to alcohol as a temporary escape. While the initial days of parenting are unquestionably demanding, the authors emphasize the long-term benefits of providing "job-protected and adequately reimbursed parental leave." Such provisions not only help new fathers transition smoothly into their roles but also reduce their reliance on coping mechanisms like alcohol. Fathers who are more present at home tend to self-regulate their behaviors, diminishing leisure-time alcohol use. Sweden has been a pioneer in promoting parental leave. Since its initiation in 1974, the percentage of paternity leave days availed by fathers has surged from a mere 1% to a whopping 30%. 1995 marked a significant year when Swedish fathers were entitled to 30 days of paid leave, which saw a leap in uptake from 43% to 75%. This also correlated with observable mental health improvements among these new dads. Read Also: More Studies Needed to Better Support Med Student-Parents So They Don't Quit Lasting Mental Health Advantages In comparison, the US seems to lag behind in granting these privileges. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the US, while ensuring up to 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave, is contingent on several factors, leaving many without this essential support. However, the emphasis isn't just on the duration but also on the quality of the leave. Paid leave ensures fathers aren't burdened with financial instability while navigating the rigors of new parenthood. It offers them an opportunity to find a balance between their roles at home and work, significantly reducing stress and associated health risks. The study methodically observed over 220,000 first-time fathers in Sweden, tracking their alcohol-related hospitalizations and mortality from 1992 to 1997. The follow-ups over 18 years revealed a consistent pattern: reduced alcohol-related hospital visits among fathers who availed of paid paternity leave. It's clear from the findings that beyond the immediate benefits, long-term mental health improvements are tangible among fathers who avail of paternity leave. Balancing work and family life can culminate in stress, leading to increased alcohol use as a coping strategy. With the buffer of paid leave, fathers find an avenue to reduce stress, subsequently reducing their reliance on negative coping behaviors. It's not just about Sweden, though. The research also alludes to the potential benefits of such policies in the US. With evidence suggesting decreased risks of alcohol use among fathers in states offering paid leave, there's hope for broader policy changes. Juarez, echoing the sentiment, calls for a global shift in perspective. She emphasizes that paternal leave isn't just about promoting gender-equal childcare participation but also about safeguarding the mental well-being of fathers. Policymakers worldwide, hence, need to recognize and act upon this dual benefit to foster healthier families. Related Article: Do Not Miss out on the Joys of Co-Parenting: Here's How to Effectively Utilize Paternity Leave Photo: (Photo : kyo azuma on Unsplash) A recent incident at Walker High School in Louisiana has stirred controversy and led to broader discussions about the role of educators in students' personal lives, especially in the digital age. Jason St. Pierre, the school's principal, publicly apologized after reprimanding a student for a video of her dancing at an off-campus party. What's more, he questioned her religious beliefs in relation to her actions. The story began when a 17-year-old student, who also serves as the student government president at Walker High School, attended an after-party for the school's Homecoming event on September 30. A DJ hired for the celebration recorded a video of the students dancing and later posted it on social media platforms. Principal's Reaction: Discipline and Religion When Principal St. Pierre came across the video, he took immediate action. He informed the student that due to her actions in the video, she would no longer hold her position in the student government and also expressed his intention to withdraw his recommendation for her college scholarships. In a subsequent meeting, which also included the presence of the assistant principal, the situation took a more personal turn. St. Pierre, referencing printed and highlighted Bible verses, implied that the student's actions were not in accordance with religious values. Furthermore, he proceeded to question the religious integrity of her friends, as recounted by the student's mother in an interview with The Advocate. However, as news of this incident spread and drew increasing public attention, St. Pierre seemed to have had a change of heart. In a public statement released on Livingston Parish Public Schools' official Facebook page, he extended an apology for his actions. He emphasized that while his conversation about religious beliefs was initiated with good intentions, it was not his place to judge or determine a student's religious stance. Read Also: Tennessee High School Suspends 50 Students, Called the Cops Over a TikTok Challenge The Future for Principal St. Pierre In his words, "While that conversation was meant with the best intentions, I do understand it is not my responsibility to determine what students' or others' religious beliefs may be-that should be the responsibility of the individual." The student and her mother, while acknowledging the apology, contested St. Pierre's account, stating that it was indeed the principal who introduced the topic of religion. Furthermore, they expressed concerns regarding the timeliness of St. Pierre's corrective measures. With the scholarship application deadline looming on October 3, they were left wondering if St. Pierre's reversal of his initial disciplinary actions came soon enough to make a difference. In a subsequent development, following the public outcry and internal discussions, district officials have confirmed that St. Pierre has formally expressed his intention to take a leave of absence for the entire academic year. Elaborating on the matter, Livingston Parish Public Schools Superintendent Joe Murphy mentioned, "The district office is awaiting his paperwork to process his request." This incident at Walker High School serves as a significant reminder of the complexities educators face in today's interconnected world, where the lines between personal and public, and right and wrong, can often blur. Related Article: Tennessee Student Sues School District Over Satirical Memes: First Amendment Rights Violated Photo: (Photo : Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) Governor Spencer Cox brought attention to a burning issue on Tuesday when the state of Utah officially filed a lawsuit against TikTok, one of the globe's leading social media platforms. Utah's Consumer Protection Division (UDCP) has initiated a lawsuit against TikTok, asserting that the platform's compelling allure negatively impacts children. Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses TikTok of not transparently presenting its ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. With a backdrop of ongoing concerns about child safety on TikTok, this legal action could mark a significant turning point in how tech giants address user welfare, especially among younger audiences. Utah Spearheads Legal Battle Over Child Safety on TikTok Governor Spencer Cox's administration is at the forefront of a fight that many believe is long overdue. Taking a stand against the video-sharing app, the Utah TikTok lawsuit focuses on allegations that the platform deliberately employs technology aimed at retaining the attention of children with content that may be detrimental to their well-being. "The harms to children need to stop," declared Cox, highlighting the state's concerns over the app's potential adverse effects on the mental health of its younger users. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes echoed the sentiment, likening the app's grasp on children to "a slot machine that hooks kids' attention and does not let them go." Such vivid descriptions underscore the perceived gravity of TikTok's influence and its subsequent impact on child safety. Dissecting the Lawsuit: Utah's Allegations Against TikTok Central to the Utah TikTok lawsuit is the claim that TikTok utilizes a specific recommendation engine. Through this, the app is said to direct content, sometimes of a violent or distressing nature, towards young users. Such targeted strategies, Utah alleges, are designed to ensure children remain absorbed, raising alarming questions about child safety on TikTok. But the allegations don't stop at content alone. Utah's legal action highlights certain technological features TikTok employs which, the state claims, further contribute to its addictive nature. The "infinite scroll" feature, for example, offers users an unending stream of videos tailored to their preferences, constantly refreshing to provide new content. Another is the "filter bubbles" tool, designed to channel users into more extreme content categories based on their viewing habits. A Profit-Driven Model at Kids' Expense? The state's lawsuit boldly claims that TikTok prioritizes profits over the safety of its users, particularly children. It alleges that the company is not just aware of the addictive nature of its app but has profited from it, all the while knowing the potential harms such addiction could have on children's mental health. Alleged Lapses in Child Protection: Further deepening the controversy surrounding child safety on TikTok, the Utah lawsuit levels some grave accusations against the platform. Among these are claims that TikTok inadequately verifies the ages of its users and fails to remove explicit or harmful content, including materials related to child abuse or promoting self-harm and eating disorders. There are also allegations that the platform hasn't taken enough precautions against child predators or dangerous video challenges. Read Also: Sycamore Gap Tree at Hadrian's Wall Fell Overnight: 16-Year-Old Arrested in Shocking Act of Vandalism Beyond Utah: TikTok's Stance and Wider Implications While Utah's legal action is undoubtedly significant, it is not isolated. Other states, such as Arkansas and Indiana, have also begun legal proceedings against TikTok on similar grounds. These combined efforts hint at a larger, national concern over child safety on platforms like TikTok. In response, TikTok has vehemently denied these allegations. A spokesperson from the company was quick to emphasize TikTok's "industry-leading safeguards for young people," pointing out features such as a 60-minute time limit for younger users and parental controls for teen accounts. Yet, as the Utah TikTok lawsuit gains traction, the bigger question remains: Will this pave the way for broader scrutiny of tech giants and the measures they employ to ensure user welfare? Related Article: Pennsylvania's $11 Million Settlement: Tragic End for 8-Year-Old Fanta Bility Sparks Police Reform Commitment Photo: (Photo : Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) In the spotlight of celebrity divorce drama, Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas have finally charted a course through the turbulent waters of custody disagreements. The world has now gained insight into their recent temporary custody agreement for their two beloved daughters. It's a tale as old as Hollywood itself - a high-profile couple, celebrated romance, and a sudden split that captivates fans globally. Sophie Turner, the renowned "Game of Thrones" actress, and Joe Jonas, a celebrated musician, find themselves at the center of one such narrative. But beyond the flashbulbs and headlines lies the heart of the matter: their two young daughters, Willa and Delphine. From Courtrooms to Compromises: The Road to the Agreement Following the mediation from Oct. 4-7, Sophie Turner, 27, and Joe Jonas, 34, publicized a joint statement, casting a spotlight on their commitment to their children amidst their divorce drama. "After a productive and successful mediation, we've determined that the children will spend time equally in loving homes in both the U.S. and the UK. We are eager and committed to embracing our roles as co-parents," the former couple announced. Court documents made public unveil that this temporary custody agreement is only set to last until Jan. 7, 2024. Prior to the expiry of this date, both Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are mandated to jointly submit a letter detailing the status of their ongoing mediation, with a deadline of Dec. 23. Layers of Allegations in the Divorce Drama Diving deeper into their divorce drama, it was revealed that Sophie Turner had initiated legal proceedings against Jonas. The core of her allegations revolved around wrongful retention, accusing Jonas of holding onto their daughters' passports, thus preventing their scheduled return to the UK. Turner's legal documentation underscored a need for the immediate return of children wrongfully removed or wrongfully retained. She pinpointed the start of this wrongful retention to Sept. 20. However, Joe Jonas was swift to counter these claims. In a released statement, Jonas contested Turner's allegations, accentuating his belief that both had previously arrived at an understanding to devise a co-parenting strategy. Yet, amidst the divorce drama, a momentary agreement materialized, necessitating both daughters to reside in New York City. The conditions of this agreement emphasized that both Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas should ensure their offspring remain within areas like New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Read Also: 13-Year-Old Boy Fatally Stabbed on MTA Bus: Heroic Retired NYPD Sergeant Detains Suspect Legal Battles and the Way Forward Adding another layer to their divorce drama, Joe Jonas had formerly filed for marriage dissolution in Miami on Sept. 5. Declaring irreconcilable differences, he stated their marriage was irretrievably broken. Further details in the divorce files underscored a preexisting prenuptial agreement. Sophie Turner's subsequent legal move postulated that although there was a prior agreement to have their children returned to her by Sept. 20, Jonas allegedly withheld the passports, thereby preventing their daughters' return to England. Despite these allegations, a representative for Joe Jonas, Jeff Raymond, refuted these claims. Jonas stated that Turner is making these allegations solely to shift the divorce proceedings to the UK, aiming to permanently relocate the children from the U.S. Amidst the sea of allegations, Sophie Turner's claims have roots in international child abduction laws. She contends that Jonas holding custody over their daughters contradicts their habitual residence, which according to her legal stance, is England. The tale of Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas is a testament to the complexities surrounding celebrity divorce dramas, especially when children are at the epicenter. As the world continues to watch, one can only hope that the welfare of their children remains the foremost priority. Related Article: Oklahoma Judge Upholds Controversial Ban on Youth Gender Transition Care Photo: (Photo : Screenshot Image From @Travis_in_Flint on X) California is pioneering a transformative solution with the inception of the Ebony Alert, specifically targeting the alarming rates of missing Black kids. This groundbreaking initiative stands as a testament to California's response to missing Black youths, addressing the longstanding racial disparities often seen in these cases. Happening Now: California has signed the ebony alert into law. This new alert system will prioritize black and brown children and cant be utilized to help find missing white children. In an attempt to pander to radical racist Senators, the Governor has approved this pic.twitter.com/CRvdgXNrvB Travis (@Travis_in_Flint) October 10, 2023 Understanding the Ebony Alert System Amid rising concerns regarding missing Black kids, Governor Gavin Newsom put his stamp of approval on Senate Bill 673, marking a paradigm shift in California's response to missing Black youths. This Ebony Alert, mirroring the mechanisms of the familiar Amber Alert, has a specialized focus on Black children and young women aged between 12 and 25 who have gone missing. Slated to commence on Jan. 1, this law arms the California Highway Patrol with the authority to activate the Ebony Alert. This happens upon receiving a signal from local law enforcement. The design is to ensure a widespread diffusion of the alert through varied channels like electronic highway signs, radio, TV, and social media platforms. The Need for a Focused Response State Sen. Steven Bradford, the mind behind this progressive legislation, shone a light on a disturbing trend. He emphasized that when Black and indigenous communities face such crises, they rarely witness the kind of media attention and resources that their white counterparts do. His observations find grounding in the daunting data from 2022. In that year alone, a staggering 141,000 Black children under the age of 18 were reported missing. Additionally, Black women aged 21 and above comprised a sizable 16,500 of the missing persons cases. The National Crime Information Center's revelations further underscore the gravity of the situation - by the end of 2022, over 30,000 Black Americans remained unaccounted for. The Black and Missing Foundation's insights further stress the urgency of California's response to missing Black youths: while Black individuals constituted nearly 38% of missing persons in 2022, their narratives were often overshadowed in media coverage. Read Also: NYC Day Care Nightmare: Father Speaks Out Mourning Toddler's Death After Fentanyl Exposure Comparing the Ebony Alert with the Existing Amber Alert The Amber Alert, which has been in action since 1996, can claim credit for the successful recovery of 1,127 children. However, when it comes to missing Black kids, its efficacy has been under scrutiny. Derrica Wilson from the Black and Missing Foundation noted that a significant number of missing Black children often receive a misclassification as runaways. Such classifications inadvertently prevent them from benefiting from Amber Alert mechanisms. This concern, among others, highlights the timely relevance of the Ebony Alert in California's response to missing Black youths. Yet, not everyone views the Ebony Alert's potential through rose-tinted glasses. Timothy Griffin, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Nevada, Reno, expressed reservations about the effectiveness of such an alert system. Drawing parallels with the Amber Alert, he raised concerns about its tangible impact. But Senator Bradford views things differently. He hails the Ebony Alert as a historic breakthrough. For him, even if the Ebony Alert isn't the panacea for the crisis, it serves as an essential step in directing necessary resources and attention towards these missing persons cases. State Sen. Bradford's statement, "Something's better than nothing," encapsulates the essence and the importance of the Ebony Alert. This initiative, a significant chapter in California's response to missing Black youths, may not guarantee absolute success, but it certainly provides a beacon of hope and a dedicated effort in addressing the racial disparities rampant in missing persons cases. Related Article: Oklahoma Judge Upholds Controversial Ban on Youth Gender Transition Care Kyiv's Independence Square has always been the center of Ukraine's active political life, and the underground passage beneath it has been a popular location for meeting friends. In the 1980s, an unknown amateur photographer took a series of pictures that show what the legendary "pipe" looked like back then. ADVERTISIMENT The archival photos were published on the Telegram channel of Kyiv. Live history. You could always buy various goods here. "Familiar depressive passages, 1980s. The legendary 'pipe'," the post reads. The published photos show what the underground passage on Maidan Nezalezhnosti looked like back then, which was known as "pipe" for its long passages. In the 1990s, this place was a popular recreational location for the capital's youth, as well as a kind of "shopping center." Later, many retail outlets appeared here, where, among other things, one could buy souvenirs, alcohol, etc. ADVERTISIMENT The city authorities then decided to ban trade there, so almost all the kiosks were removed. However, flower sellers still work here, as before. ADVERTISIMENT After the camera was invented, there were enthusiasts all over the world who took photos of different locations. Kyiv was the target too, with photos from the early 1900s found in the Washington Library. As OBOZREVATEL reported, among Kyiv restaurants that were known not only in our country but also far beyond its borders, there was one named after the Silver Land of Ukraine, Transcarpathia. Here, visitors sat in wine barrels and enjoyed Ukrainian and European dishes. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! From its conquest by the Ottomans in 1453 until the official end of the Ottoman Empire in 1922, Constantinople, renamed Istanbul, was their capital. The Ottoman Empire reach its zenith under Suleyman (or Suleiman) the Magnificent, who reigned from 1520 to 1566 (roughly overlapping with King Henry VIII of England, Bloody Mary, and Queen Elizabeth I, who, compared with his vast domain, were mere petty chieftains). The name Suleyman is the Turkish (and more or less the Arabic) equivalent of the English Solomon. I personally prefer Suleyman to Solomon by a little bit. Both, though, are far preferable to the Hebrew original, Schlomo. (I cant help but think of Schlomo the Schmuck. Not a very dignified name for an Israelite king or, for that matter, for an Ottoman sultan.) Shortly after the reign of Suleyman, though, the Empire began to decline. Very, very slowly. For the last century of its existence, it was commonly known among Western diplomats, politicians, and writers as the sick man of Europe. Why? Because it lingeredill and dysfunctional, but not dead. It can be said, that, from the founding of the Ottoman state through Suleyman, the Turks were ruled by roughly ten extremely effective (though not necessarily saintly) sultans. With his departure, though, they entered into a period where they were ruled by roughly an equal number of ineffective sultans. By the way: What does the word sultan mean? It comes from the Arabic word sultah or sulta (power, authority), and suggests that the Ottoman rulers originally made no attempt to hide the fact that their political power did not derive from any religious mandate. (One thinks of Maos famous dictum, that Political power flows from the barrel of a gun.) Later, though, during the period of Ottoman expansion, they began to desire religious legitimacy. Thus, after Sultan Selim I conquered Mamluk Egypt in 1517, Ottoman rulers claimed the authority of the caliph, the vicarious stand-in for the prophet, that had begun with Abu Bakr shortly after the death of Muhammad and that had eventually found its way (if youre inclined to believe the medieval propaganda) to Egypt. Seeming to support the Ottoman sultans claim to caliphal authority was the fact that, with the conquest of Mamluk Egypt, they inherited the Mamluk sultans title of Defender of the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina. Back, though, to Istanbul: Today, although it remains Turkeys largest city, Istanbul is no longer the nations capital. On 23 April 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established in Ankara, which became the headquarters of the Turkish National Movement during the Turkish War of Independence. Upon the establishment of the new Republic of Turkey on 29 October 1929, Ankara became the new Turkish capital, replacing Istanbul. Although it is a relatively new national capital, though, Ankara is actually quite ancient, going back to the Hattic civilization which was then absorbed by the Hittites around 2000 BC. For centuries, it was the principal city and capital of Galatia (home of the biblical Galatians). In one of the many forms of its name, Ankara has given us the Angora wool that is shorn from Angora rabbits, the long-haired Angora goat from which we obtain mohair, and the Angora cat. Moving the seat of government inland to Ankara from the ancient imperial capital of Constantinople/Istanbul, where it had resided for very nearly sixteen centuries, was entirely congenial to the program of modernizing reforms laid out by Mustafa Kemal (ca. 1881 10 November 1938), who is generally acknowledged as the father of modern Turkey or Turkiye. He was a secularizer and a Turkish nationalist who wanted to separate Turkey from its imperialmultinational, multiconfessional, multiethnic, multilingualpast and concentrate on its Turkishness. To do so, among many other things, he completely abolished the caliphate in 1924, freeing the ruler of the new Turkey from an entanglement or responsibility beyond its borders. Since then, many Islamic fundamentalist groups, not least among them al-Qaida and ISIS, have sought to reestablish the caliphate. Most of the Islamic world, however, although shocked and dismayed by Mustafa Kemals abolition of the caliphate, realized fairly soon that the titles disappearance made little practical difference. The office of caliph hadnt possessed real, independent power in the Islamic world as a whole for many centuries. It had been a symbol, merely. Mustafa Kemal also changed the alphabet in which Turkish was written from a modified Arabic script (which, truth be told, was not well suited to representing Turkish, a language featuring a complex system of vowels and vowel harmonies) to a modified Roman one. This had the (likely deliberate) effect of relatively quickly creating a new generation that, without special training, was flatly unable to read, understand, or even to sound out old documents, including the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, Mustafa Kemal required Turkish citizens to adopt surnames, which they had seldom used before. Instead, they had tended to follow the Arabic naming system, with its patronymics and its descriptive titles (e.g., Abu Farid Mustafa ibn Salim al-Halabi, Father of Farid, Mustafa, son of Salim, the one from Aleppo), or even just to use a single name. Mustafa Kemal had originally just been Mustafa, until, it is said, a teacher gave him the name Kemal (complete, perfect) in order both to distinguish him from a classmate who was also named Mustafa and to signal his excellence in mathematics and in his other studies. When the time came to adopt a surname, he led the way by adopting the name Ataturk. Father of the Turks. It was officially bestowed upon him by the Turkish parliament in 1934, and it is the name by which he is most commonly known to this day, in the Middle East and outside of it. We shouldnt be surprised, by the way, that the Turks hadnt yet adopted surnames in the Western sense. After all, large parts of the West itself were slow to adopt them. It wasnt all that long ago in Scandinavia, for instance, that my own surname, Peterson, would have indicated that my father was named Peter. And, before they became surnames, words like Cooper, Porter, Carter, Taylor, Sawyer, Collier, Wagner, Miner, Knight, Farmer (German Bauer), Smith (German Schmidt), Carpenter (Zimmermann), and Miller (Muller) indicated the ways in which we made our livings. And names like York and Forrest and Ford and Woodsand Fields and Rivers and Banks suggested something of where we were from. Our tour group is almost entirely arrived by now, with most coming in this evening. Those of us who arrived yesterday, though, spent the day in and around the late-Ottoman Dolmabahce Saray, followed by a visit to the Edirnekap quarter of Istanbuls Fatih district, which is the very section of the famous Theodosian walls of ancient Constantinople where Sultan Mehmets Ottoman troops breached Byzantine defenses on 29 May 1453, thereby conquering the city. Afterwards, we went to the Galata Tower. Then, following dinner back at our hotel, some of us went to the three-hundred-year-old Cagaloglu Hammam. I just did the foot massage. Posted from Istanbul, Turkiye If youre looking to pick up a new gaming monitor this Prime Day, you best stick around, as weve got a great deal for you on tap today. Amazons selling the Samsung Odyssey G30A gaming monitor for $169.99, which is 32 percent off of the original $249.99 price. This peripheral has a 1080p display as well as a 144Hz refresh rate, so gameplay should be nice and smooth. Plus, the borderless design gives you more screen space to work with, which is always a plus. The 27-inch Samsung Odyssey features a resolution of 19201080, a refresh rate of 144Hz, and a response time of 1ms. It also comes with FreeSync Premium Support, which syncs the monitors refresh rate with your PCs GPU. This is to reduce any screen tearing issues. This peripheral even has an adjustable stand, which you can swivel and tilt to your hearts delight. Plus, according to Amazon buyers, the screen is crisp and its super easy to set up. Prime Day ends at midnight, so you better jump on this deal now before its gone. Heres how to get Amazon Prime for free for 30 days. Get the Samsung Odyssey G30A gaming monitor for $169.99 at Amazon Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is 20 years old today, October 10, 2023. The scheme is aimed to provide equitable access and financial coverage for basic healthcare services to Ghanaian citizens. As part of measures to streamline the scheme, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has revealed in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi that Ghana, under the sponsorship of the NHIA and the World Health Organization (WHO), will be hosting the first Health Finances Summit in Africa. The Summit will commence from Thursday, October 12 to Friday, October 13. "This is the first time that over 60 countries in Africa are coming to Ghana to discuss ways to achieve universal health coverage which is one of the key pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals", Dr. Okoe Boye told Kwami Sefa Kayi. The NHIA CEO further disclosed that in view of providing quality healthcare services to Ghanaians and achieving the aim of the health insurance scheme, the Authority on monthly basis provide over 100 million cedis as financial assistance to various health facilities in the country. "We pay an average of GHC 150 million every 30 days," he clarified. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An Accra High Court has directed the prosecutions in the trial of 14 persons accused of the gruesome murder of the late Major Maxwell Mahama to address the seven-member jury on October 16, 2023. The court had scheduled the case for yesterday at which the defence lawyers were expected to address the jury and convince them to return a not guilty verdict for their respective clients. The prosecution would then take a turn to convince the jury that the accused were responsible for the wrongful death of the late soldier who was mistaken for an armed robber and lynched in May 2018 in Denkyira Obuasi, in the Central Region. This could, however, not happen as one of the defence lawyers, Patrick Anim-Addo told the court that per the practice and what he knew, the prosecution ought to address the jury before the defence lawyers take their turn. Evelyn Keelson, a Chief State Attorney, disagreed with the defence counsel but indicated to the court that the prosecution had no issue addressing the jury first. The court, presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu, a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting as an additional High Court judge, adjourned the case to October 16, 2023, for the prosecution to address the jury. Major Mahama was the captain of the 31-member military team sent to the town to guard the properties of C&G Mining Company as a result of illegal mining activities in the area. William Baah, the then Assemblyman for the area, is standing trial for abetment of murder while the other 13 are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and substantive charge of murder. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been in prison custody since the commencement of the trial in 2018. The other accused persons are Bernard Asamoah, alias Daddy, Kofi Nyame a.k.a Abortion, Charles Kwaning a.k.a Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim and Bismarck Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Asante, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga and Kwadwo Anima. The Office of the Attorney General on May 16, 2022, closed its case in the trial of the 14 persons who allegedly lynched the late Major Maxwell Mahama at New Obuasi in the Central Region in 2017. The prosecution during the presentation of its case called 14 witnesses who gave various accounts of what happened on the day and what they witnessed. Frances Mullen Ansah, a Chief State Attorney during one of the proceedings led the case investigator in evidence when the court played the horrifying videos which captured the accused persons lynching the deceased. Eleven of the accused persons opened their defence and denied the charges against them while three; Kofi Nyame, Bismarck Abanga and Kwadwo Anima, waived their rights to mount a defence. Charles Kwaning during his defence denied attacking the deceased and said he was rather trying to rescue him from the angry mob. Although the accused was captured in a video pointing a gun at the deceased, he told the court that he had taken the gun from one Yaw Amankwa, who wanted to shoot the late soldier. One of them, Akwasi Baah, in his defence admitted hitting the deceased with a cement block at the scene, but told the court that the late soldier was already dead when he smashed his head with the cement block. Another accused person, Bernard Asamoah, also admitted hitting the deceased with a stone, but said he only hit the body which was motionless in his attempt to identify him. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice Chairman of the special parliamentary committee probing the leaked tape on the plot to remove the Inspector General of Police, James Agalga today fumed at the Chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta Akyea over his posture during the proceedings. According to sources at the committee, Mr Agalga walked out angrily after his suggestion to the Chairman to stay within the terms of reference of the committee was snubbed off by Mr Atta Akyea. Mr Chairman you cant treat me like that, if you dont want me on the committee I will leave it for you, the lawmaker is reported to have said. Sources say it took another member of the committee, Mr Eric Opoku, to persuade Mr Agalga to come back to the conference room to assume his seat. Also at the hearing today, the Chairman prevented members of the Police Management Board from sitting through the committee to support the IGP. The committee is probing the tape in which three senior police officers and a politician were heard plotting the removal of the IGP because he will not allow rigging in the 2024 polls. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Indigenes of Tema Manhean have submitted a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, urging an investigation and the restoration of houses and land allocated to them by Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, following the construction of the Tema Harbour and the heavy industrial area. According to the petition received by the Speaker's office on Monday, "Houses of the various Tema Communities allocated to we the indigene by the Nkrumah government are nowhere to be found, and our places of abode or lands belonging to us indigenes of Tema Manhean are also being sold indiscriminately by a few elders." The petition, signed by the Secretary to the Tema Sakumor Shrine, Stephen Ashitey Adjei (a.k.a. Moshake), alleges that the lands were taken from them without any compensation. Moshake presented relevant documents, some dating as far back as 1951, to support their case. He emphasized that the current situation has placed the youth of Tema Manhean at a disadvantage in terms of employment, stating, "We are literally being driven away from our own land." Mr. Moshake expressed hope that the Speaker's office would investigate the issues raised in the petition. In an interview after submitting the petition, Moshake highlighted the discontent among the youth, citing the alleged indiscriminate sale of the remaining land without proper documentation. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An eight-year journey to have the 1992 Constitution translated into the Akuapem Twi dialect of the Akan language has become a reality with the launch of the Akuapem Twi version of the Constitution in Accra last Wednesday. The first Akuapem version translated by a distinguished lawyer, Kwasi Opare, is to offer local people the opportunity to understand the provisions of the Constitution and appreciate the content for their activities. The translation, which has been made user-friendly by the adoption of transliteration and the use of neologism using the Akan spelling, captures all the preamble, the entire 26 chapters and two schedules. The acting Dean of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Prof. Kofi Agyekum, speaking at the launch, called for such initiatives to be made a national project to have legal documents translated into local languages to help the citizenry to comprehend them and be able to use them effectively. He said it was important to maintain local languages and culture through the translation and publication of essential documents such as the 1992 Constitution which he described as the Ghanaian Bible. Prof. Agyekum, who commended Mr Opare for his foresight, indicated that if we do not start to cherish and use our mother tongue now, and all of us are interested in the foreign languages at the expense of our own, it will be chaotic. The country, he observed, had suffered language imperialism since colonial days, which, he said, had compelled the nation to have all its official documents in the colonial masters language. Sadly, our Constitution, the pillar of all our undertaking as a State, is also in English. Where is our identity and cultural heritage then? he asked. Prof. Agyekum said although Ghanaians prided themselves in having gained independence since 1957, we are still under linguistic bondage because of linguistic imperialism. Language, he said was an inalienable right and therefore Ghanaians must avoid language shift, language endangerment, language loss and language extinction by doing everything possible to protect, safeguard and document our language for future generation. Local authorities role He appealed to traditional authorities to take keen interest in indigenous languages in all forms of communication. We should not allow linguistic imperialism to thrive. It will trample on our linguistic human rights. Let us embark on active language decolonisation through translations like this one, the renowned academic said. Prof. Agyekum said it would be lovely to listen to speeches delivered by kings, chiefs and queen mothers in the indigenous languages, saying these would implant the love of the mother tongue into current and future generations. Importance of project Prof. Agyekum said the translation of the Constitution into the Akan language had a lot of benefits for the country as ethnologically, the Akans occupied most of the south and middle part of the country and located in nine of the 16 regions. With 13 dialects in Akan, including Asante, Akuapem, Fante, Akyem, Bono, Kwahu, Agona, Wasa, Denkyira, Assin, Twifo and Akwamu, which were mutually intelligible, the Akuapem Twi Constitution would benefit a large population of the country, given that 47.5 per cent of the countrys population of 34.218 are Akans. Furthermore, with the Akan language as a lingua franca, the Twi Constitution could benefit people from other tribes. The Chief of Adumasa, Nana Ansah Kwaw IV, who launched the book, said he was happy this was happening in his time, emphasing that the use of local dialect was important for national development. He appealed to the National Commission on Civic Education to promote the book on a larger platform to reach a lot of people for its usage. The translator, Mr Opare said, fulfilling the dream would enable a lot of Ghanaians to understand the provisions of the Constitution and appreciate their civic responsibility while holding duty bearers accountable to the laws of the country. He expressed appreciation to Prof. Agyekum and a former lecturer of the University of Ghana, the late Appenteng Sackey, for their support towards the successful completion of the work. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Russians complained about the shelling of the village of Gudovka in the Pogarsky district of Bryansk region on October 10 in the afternoon. As noted, the shelling killed one Russian army soldier and wounded five others. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Russian Telegram channel Astra. It is noted that the deceased Russian soldier was an conscript. According to the publication's sources in the medical services of the region, five Russian servicemen were brought to the Pogarsk Central District Hospital in Bryansk Oblast with various injuries the day before. Of these, four were conscripts and one was a contract soldier. Another conscript was killed in the shelling. Earlier it was reported that on the night of October 11, two UAVs allegedly tried to attack a fuel storage facility in the Bryansk region. The attack took place around midnight in the village of Lisove, Surazhsky district, which is located 70 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border. The propagandists claimed that the airplane-type drone was flying at an altitude of 60 meters, but the occupiers allegedly shot down the UAV with small arms using an anti-drone rifle. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, an unknown aircraft attacked an oil depot in the Bryansk region of the Russian Federation. The explosion created a crater 3 meters in diameter and 1.5 meters deep. Okumahene Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV, King of Kotoku has underscored the need for traditional leaders to form partnerships and start businesses to help their communities break the rigid cycles of poverty across Africa. The king made this submission when a delegation of Traditional Leaders from the Free State Province of South Africa led by the South African Ambassador to Ghana, Grace Jeanet Mason, paid a courtesy call on the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs on 10th October 2023 in Koforidua. In a question and answer session during an open forum discussion chaired by Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area Nene Sackitey , Morena Neo Mopeli, chairperson of the Free State Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, posed a question : How best can African traditional leaders raise funds to help their citizens?. Reacting to the question, Okumahene Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV said: We are closer to the people especially here in Ghana. Fortunately, we still control the land; at least what is on it. We tend to just sit aback just because weve been told we should not get into politics. We must do what we have to do succeed. We have to always think about business. We have to evaluate our strengths in terms of the resources that we have and the human capital that we have. We have the respect of the people and we have to find ways to bring the human capital that we have together to interface with the resources that we have to start businesses. The consultant Physician described most African Traditional Leaders as: too dormant. And howbeit encouraged: Since we have control over the land I think we should do better in terms of thinking business than just being chiefs. The answer seemed to have fallen on good ears and was met with a thundering applause from across the spectrum of traditional leaders from the Free State South Africa and their counterparts from the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Management of Despite Media has condemned a recent thuggery invasion of its UTV studio, Saturday. Over 20 thugs said to be members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) attacked the studios of UTV during the United Showbiz programme. Their aim was to make Kwame Obeng Asare, popularly known as A-Plus, apologize for tearing up a letter sent to UTV by the party. This halted the programme for over 40 minutes. The Ghana Journalist Association, government, NPP, NDC and other organizations have strongly condemned this action. In a statement, Despite Media also condemned this act of violence and vandalism as it violates our fundamental Human rights and Freedoms, and the independence of the media as enshrined under Chapters 5 and 12 respectively of the 1992 constitution of our country "We understand that this event has caused concern amonst stakeholders and we want to assure you that, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our workers, guests, properties, clients and the interest of all other stakeholders. We also wish to reassure our employees that we are here for you and will put in place all the necessary measures to ensure your safety at the workplace" portions of the statement read. Read the full statement below: Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The former headmaster of Bodi Senior High School has waded into the discussion surrounding the exodus of teachers, challenging the government to improve teachers working conditions. According to Joseph Arthur, the working conditions of teachers in Ghana are terrible, and because of that, some of them leave the country when they get the opportunity. While education is the cornerstone of societal progress, he believes it is critical to recognise and address the concerns of the dedicated individuals who shape young minds. According to the current headmaster of EL College, teaching in Ghana is quite discouraging due to a lack of encouragement and adequate government support. He emphasised that teachers in Ghana are not paid in line with those in neighbouring countries such as Cote dIvoire, making teaching more appealing in those countries. According to Joseph Arthur, the lack of proper compensation disrespects the teaching profession in Ghana. He also insisted that the profession deserves better working conditions given teachers critical role in nation-building. Teachers working conditions are deplorable. We are not respected or treated well. That discourages teachers from giving their all. I recently visited Cote Dvoire and saw how important education is there. Teachers in that country live in bungalows, and most of them have cars, which is why they do their best. He emphasised that if the situation is not addressed, Ghanaian teachers will continue to travel abroad in search of greener pastures. To achieve the best teacher-to-student ratio, he advised the government to provide better working conditions for teachers so that they would do their best. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanas Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme has received high praise from Stephane Roudet, the IMF Mission Chief for Ghana, who believes the initiative is the most effective under the current government. The LEAP Programme, initiated in 2008 by the Government of Ghana, is a cash transfer programme aimed at supporting individuals living in extreme poverty. The primary goal of the LEAP programme is to reduce poverty by providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the population, thereby improving their access to essential services and opportunities while stabilizing and enhancing their consumption levels. In an interview on Citi TV, Mr. Roudet commended the LEAP programme, highlighting its significant impact on poverty reduction in Ghana. He stated that the IMF has engaged in discussions with the Ghanaian government to explore ways to further enhance the benefits of the program. In the 2023 budget, there was a substantial increase in the level of benefits for the LEAP programme. We consider this program to be very effective, and so we discussed with the authorities how to ensure that we allocate the necessary resources within the budget to increase the level of benefits, Mr. Roudet remarked. The IMFs recognition of the LEAP programmes effectiveness underscores its importance in addressing poverty-related challenges in Ghana. As the country continues its efforts to uplift the lives of those in extreme poverty, the programmes expansion and resource allocation in the 2023 budget signify a promising step toward achieving this goal. Source: happyfm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Fifty young climate tech innovators and leaders from 19 African countries have arrived in Ghana for a three-week intensive leadership and professional development training program sponsored by the U.S. Government. Announced during Vice President Harriss historic visit to Ghana in March 2023, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center West Africa will host the program, which will challenge young leaders and entrepreneurs to develop social and business solutions to address todays climate challenges using innovative technology. Speaking at the welcome event for the new cohort of climate tech innovators, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer noted that African leadership is critical to confronting our times defining challenge of climate change. The U.S. government is a long-standing partner with Ghanaian and African youth to advance our mutual priorities, particularly related to climate change". The new program is a collaborative effort of three YALI Regional Leadership Centers (East Africa; Southern Africa; and West Africa) and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Project Director of YALI RLC, Dr. Esi E. Sey, added that there are no boundaries when it comes to climate change. Through the Climate Tech Innovators and Leaders Program, we wish to join hands with young people from across Africa to build a world where there are also no boundaries to climate tech. The YALI Climate Tech Innovators and Leaders Program is a unique opportunity for young African leaders to develop the skills and knowledge they need to make a difference in the fight against climate change. The program is also an opportunity to build relationships and networks with other young leaders from across the continent. Since 2015, the YALI Regional Leadership Centers in Africa have trained more than 7,800 young leaders. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Fixing the Country Movement has planned to occupy former President John Mahama's office if it doesn't see any progress in the Airbus Corruption investigations involving him (Mahama). According to the group, a nonchalant attitude towards the Airbus corruption affair is unacceptable, and it urges the relevant parties to take immediate action. "The Ghanaian public deserves transparency and accountability in addressing this corruption scandal involving a former President," a statement signed by Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu, Convener of Fixing the Country Movement says. The Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Kweku Baako Jnr in a text message read by Kwami Sefa Kayi during Peace FM's morning show programme, 'Kokrokoo' questioned why the group wants to picket at the former President's office when they want to know the progress of the Airbus investigation. "Why picket the office of former President Mahama when your concern is about the pace of investigations in the Airbus saga, shouldn't the office of the Special Prosecutor be your focal point if any? Picketing at the former President's office is to embark on a journey to the wrong destination, needless indeed!" he wrote. Watch video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have initiated concurrent inquiries into the activities of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her associates. The Special Prosecutor said "these investigations primarily focus on examining their assets and financial transactions within the United States of America." "This collaborative effort is to ascertain the lawfulness of Ms. Dapaah and her associates' wealth, both in the context of their funds transitioning from Ghana to the United States and vice versa," The Office of the Special Prosecutor posted on its X (Twitter) page Wednesday morning. Injunction application against OSP Embattled former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah has filed an injunction application against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for prosecuting her until its freeze of her accounts and cash seizure case is determined. Per the court documents filed today, Tuesday, October 10, the lawyers say if the OSP is not retrained, the accused will suffer irreparable damage. They have asked the court to balance her rights against the states power to fight corruption. The former minister has also refuted allegations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor that she has an undeclared real estate business. According to her, the OSP has not provided any evidence of that claim. The court document filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor said Cecilia Abena Dapaah "was engaged in undisclosed and undeclared real estate business in which she obscured and concealed the transactions by employing the use of aliases to avoid detection of the actual ownership of the business and properties, while cleverly receiving proceeds of the transactions in her bank account and investments." This is part of OSP's attempt to confirm the seizure of suspected tainted properties belonging to Madam Cecilia Dapaah. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A homicide investigation is underway to uncover circumstances surrounding the death of the owner of Kikibees, a popular restaurant at East Legon, in the Greater Accra Region. The deceased, identified as Bennet Adomah Agyekum, was found lying in a pool of blood in a house at Madina-Ogbojo last Sunday. It is suspected the death occurred shortly after Agyekum left his restaurant earlier last Sunday. The deceased, affectionately known as Ben, was said to have arrived from Amsterdam and had spent some time with his friends at his lounge into the wee hours of Sunday morning. Police arrest girlfriend The Accra Regional Police Command, after confirming the death, indicated that a woman believed to be the girlfriend of the deceased had been arrested. The woman, identified as Yandeh Joof, is said to be assisting the police with investigation into the issue. Yandeh Joof, arrested in connection with death of Kikibees owner The police said they established in their preliminary investigations that Agyekum was, last Sunday, found lying in a pool of blood at a house at Madina and was taken to a hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival. Crime scene The scene has since been cordoned off to preserve it for a forensic and technical examination by the crime scene and homicide teams from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service. The body has since been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue where postmortem examination will be conducted and it is expected the outcome of the postmortem will determine the course of the investigation. The arrest of Yandeh indicates that the police have not ruled out foul play in the death of Agyekum. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death the police said and indicated that investigation was ongoing. Kikibees, also known as Noire Lounge, is a restaurant that is famous for its Italian authentic cuisine. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A correctional officer employed at the Chester County Prison has been charged with smuggling and selling drugs to inmates. Antonie Williams, 27, of Philadelphia, was charged with eight felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, eight counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and related offenses. The defendant was hired as [a] correctional officer to uphold the law and keep order in the prison, but he completely violated his position of authority. No one is above the law, District Attorney Deborah Ryan said in a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Suspicions rose when an inmate informed another correctional officer that Williams was smuggling drugs into the prison and selling them. The inmate also claimed that Williams hid the drugs in small trash bag rolls and said a former cell mate bought Suboxone from Williams, who was then paid by someone else via an online cash app, NBC10 reported. That same day, prison staff searched a cell block and discovered trash bags in a cell. An inmate then provided a urine sample and tested positive for buprenorphine, which is known as Suboxone, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Prison procedures led to the discovery of the distribution of illegal substances and as soon as it was confirmed, staff gathered information on how it could have entered the prison, Acting Warden Howard Holland said in a statement to the Inquirer. Days later, a third inmate informed a prison lieutenant that Williams was distributing multiple drugs in gloves or in small, dark trash bags with a prisoners assistance. But with the help of security cameras, video footage captured Williams with a roll of toilet paper and trash bags, which he seemingly placed on cell bars in the block. Detectives also searched for Williams phone number on the online cash app and came across his profile with nine different accounts belonging to him, both outlets reported. The inmate that was accused of being Williams distributor met with detectives and claimed that Williams smuggled drugs into the prison a number of times, and confirmed a relative paid for the illegal substances through the app, NBC10 reported. From distributing the drugs, Williams received payments ranging from $50 to $400. Williams was released on $150,000 unsecured bail with a set court date for Oct. 18. Chester County Prison is where convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante escaped on Aug. 31. He was captured after a two-week manhunt. INDIANA, Pa. (AP) A confrontation among several people at a private party inside a community center led to gunfire early Sunday that killed one man and wounded eight other people, including some university students, authorities said. State police in Indiana County are declining to release information about suspects or the renter of the Chevy Chase Community Center in White Township, about two miles from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Police said in a statement Wednesday that one critically wounded person is expected to survive and all others are stable or have been discharged. University officials have said the wounded included two students from IUP and three from Waynesburg University. Police said their investigation indicates that a confrontation occurred inside the building between several individuals and that other uninvolved persons in attendance were inadvertently struck by gunfire. The scene of a fatal shooting at the Chevy Chase Community Center in White Township, Indiana County, Pa., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (Sean Stipp/TribLIVE.com via AP, file)AP Whether or not the involved individuals were invited guests to the party remains under investigation, police said. Police had said they were trying to find out who rented the center and who was present as host of the party, but on Wednesday they said suspect information as well as the identity of the person or entity that rented the center would be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation. Police said more than 150 people were present, and nine people between the ages of 18 and 23 were hit when the shooting started at about 12:35 a.m. Sunday, sending people diving from windows and bolting through doors and between railings trying to escape, police said. Jamar M. Porterfield Herriot Jr., 22, of Homestead, died at the scene. An 18-year-old man from Chicago was last reported in critical condition. Also wounded were another 18-year-old from Arcadia, Florida, and six men and women from Pennsylvania a 19-year-old man from Braddock, a 20-year-old man from Pittsburgh, a 22-year-old man from Turtle Creek, a 19-year-old woman from Pittsburgh, a 19-year-old woman from Chambersburg, and a 23-year-old woman whose hometown hasnt yet been confirmed. Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests and prosecution, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has offered up to $5,000 more, police said. Investigators have been seeking surveillance video, asking residents and businesses to check doorbell cameras and requesting that anyone missing items such as the cellphones and clothing found at the center to contact them, authorities said. On Tuesday, October 10, Poland announced its decision to take a share of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline from Russia's Gazprom back. The decision is a step towards restoring full control of Polish companies over the country's strategic gas infrastructure. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the head of the Orlen Polish oil concern Daniel Obajtek. It is noted that after the decision becomes final, Europol GAZ JSC will become the owner of the shares previously owned by Gazprom. The decision is currently up to the Polish Ministry of Development and Technology. According to Obajtek, the Orlen group will take control of a part of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline. "Poland has been dependent on natural gas supplies from Russia for decades. It accounted for about 80% of its imports of this raw material 10 years ago," he said. He also added that they have been completely independent of gas from Russia since 2022. Today's decision is a step towards restoring full control of Polish companies over the country's strategic gas infrastructure. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL, in 2022, gas supplies from Germany to Poland via the Yamal-Europe pipeline (in reverse mode) dropped to zero. At the same time, pumping from Russia through Ukraine's gas transportation system towards the EU increased slightly. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! More than a dozen cast members of the movie Gettysburg will make appearances at a festival in the Pennsylvania town of the same name to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the film. The movie, based on Michael Shaaras Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels, was released in 1993 and follows several pivotal members of both the Union and Confederate forces as they clashed during the three day battle, considered by many to be one of the most pivotal in the American Civil War. Editors note: Welcome to the world of Paranormal PA, a PennLive series that delves into Pennsylvania-grown stories of spirits (like the ghost of a murdered girl whose cries can be heard in one of Penn States libraries); cryptids (the squonk); oddities and legends (Pennsylvanias very own witch trials); and the unexplained (was this thing that flew over Kecksburg a meteor or a UFO?). Sign up here to get our Paranormal PA newsletter delivered to your inbox. Are you looking for more than just a brief ghost tour? Then maybe consider staying a night or two in one of the countrys supposedly most haunted hotels, one of which is located right here in Pennsylvania. The Historic Hotels of America a program thats part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation sent out a list via press of the top 25 most haunted hotels in the country as of 2023. Nestled among those 25 is the Sayre Mansion in Bethlehem, which is described by Discover Lehigh Valley as a 19th century home and former residence of Robert Sayre, who was the chief engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Its Sayres ghost along with several others that are said to still walk the halls of the mansion, although these spirits are more mischievous than malicious, according to the release. Employees and guests report experiencing tugs at their clothing that cannot be explained, reads the release. A maintenance tech was alone repairing a toilet when a small washer suddenly disappeared and ended up across the room and under the bath. It seems as if a playful ghost wanted to start a game of hide and seek! Other hotels that made it onto the list were the Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center in Louisiana and the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake, N.Y. By Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News (TNS) President Joe Biden Tuesday confirmed that 14 Americans have been killed and an unclear number of others taken hostage in the bloody terror attacks carried out by Hamas that killed nearly 1,000 Israelis over the weekend. In an emotional and evocative speech, Biden decried the horror of the bloody attacks and spoke of the need for the Jewish state to defend itself even if it meant harsh retaliation against Gaza. In this moment we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel, Biden said. We will make sure Israel has whatever it needs. Biden spoke of what he called acts of unspeakable brutality by Hamas terrorists who killed Israeli men, women and children in their homes and hundreds of young people attending a music festival in the desert. This was an act of sheer evil, Biden said. Biden confirmed that Americans are among the estimated 100 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza and vowed to work with Israelis to free them. Flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden pointedly skipped the usual calls for restraint as Israel begins what is expected to be a crushing response to the attacks. He said Israel and its American allies would abide by the laws of war in what he said was stark contrast to the indiscriminate terror of Hamas. Were going to stay united with the people of Israel who have suffered unspeakable losses, Biden said. Our hearts may be broken. But our resolve is clear. Biden paid tribute to the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of centuries of anti-Semitic attacks and genocide, including the Nazi Holocaust. He said the U.S. would always be the guarantor of Israels place as a homeland for the Jewish people after 75 years as an independent state. This terrorism sadly for the Jewish people is not new, Biden said. The president ordered domestic law enforcement agencies to step up efforts to protect Jewish community organizations against possible terror attacks inspired by actions. He also warned against a possible backlash against Muslim Americans. There is no place for hate in America, not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anyone, he said. The White House confirmed that it has already begun delivering munitions and military equipment to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally. By JOSEPH KRAUSS and WAFAA SHURAFA, The Associated Press JERUSALEM (AP) Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area Wednesday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighborhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and the territorys only power plant ran out of fuel, deepening the misery of a war sparked by a stunning and deadly assault by Hamas militants. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ruling the Palestinian territory after its fighters stormed through the border fence Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. Since then, militants have continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon on Wednesday. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply. After the attack, Israel stopped the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory a 40-kilometer-long (25-mile) strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. As Palestinians crowded into U.N. schools and a shrinking number of safe neighborhoods, humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid in, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. There is no safe place in Gaza right now, journalist Hasan Jabar said after three Palestinian journalists were killed in the bombardment of a downtown neighborhood home to government ministries, media offices and hotels. I am genuinely afraid for my life. Gazas only power plant ran out of fuel Wednesday afternoon, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, the Energy Ministry said. That leaves only generators to power the territory but they also run on fuel that is in short supply. The U.N.s World Health Organization said that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals have already run out amid the flood of wounded. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one, we consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once, Matthias Kannes, the aid groups head of mission in Gaza, said Wednesday. He said the territorys biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel for three days. Israel has mobilized 360,000 reservists and appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, with its government under intense public pressure to topple Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007 and remained firmly in control through four previous wars. That would likely require a prolonged ground assault and reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily. Even then, Hamas has a long history of operating as an underground insurgency in areas controlled by Israel. We will not allow a reality in which Israeli children are murdered, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a meeting with soldiers near the southern border on Tuesday. I have removed every restriction we will eliminate anyone who fights us, and use every measure at our disposal. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The U.S. is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. On Wednesday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. Hezbollah supporters carry the coffins of the two Hezbollah fighters who were killed by Israeli shelling, during their funeral procession in Kherbet Selem village, south Lebanon, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)AP In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole neighborhoods rather than just individual buildings then inflicting devastation, in what could be a prelude to a ground offensive. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes destroyed the entire al-Karama neighborhood in Gaza City, with a large number of people killed or wounded. It said medical teams were unable to reach the area because all roads to it were destroyed. Rescue officials say they have struggled to enter other areas as well. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker was in Israel on Saturday when Hamas launched a surprise attack on the country, leading the New Jersey lawmaker to shelter in place, but Booker departed safely on Sunday, a spokeswoman said. Booker who was staying in Jerusalem when the violence broke out during Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday later posted a video online Sunday sharing his experience. I was jogging in the old city when I got an urgent call from my chief of staff, telling me to get back to the hotel as quick as I could, the Democrat said in a YouTube video, apparently recorded early Sunday while he was still in Israel. Booker arrived in Israel on Friday for several days of meetings and site visits before the start of an Abraham Accords-focused N7 summit on regional economic integration in Tel Aviv, spokeswoman Maya Krishna-Rogers said. A member of the Senates Foreign Relations Committee, Booker was scheduled to speak Tuesday. Senator Booker and accompanying staff were in Jerusalem when Hamas launched their attacks against Israel on Saturday, and sheltered in place for their safety, Krishna-Rogers said. We are grateful that Senator Booker and our colleagues were able to safely depart Israel earlier today. In his video, Booker said when he returned to the hotel, he joined others in the bomb shelter or the stairwells. He noted there were children, the elderly, families, many Americans and a sense of fear and worry and a knowledge to many of us that there were horrific things going on in the country at that time. We who believe in peace and in freedom and human rights, for Palestinians, for Israelis, for all humankind, must reject to those who use terror as their weapon, he added. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller. A 47-year-old man died Monday when his car crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer driving the wrong way on Interstate 83, York County authorities said. Hendry Nunez, of Baltimore County, Maryland, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened around 2:45 a.m. Monday at mile marker 19 on I-83 south, according to the York County Coroners Office. Coroner Pamela Gay said Nunez was headed south when his car collided with a northbound tractor-trailer, that had gotten onto I-83 south at the exit 19 (Market Street) on-ramp. Nunezs car went over an embankment along the highway and overturned, coming to a rest against a tree, Gay said. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:42 a.m. Gay said Nunez died of multiple blunt force injuries. His death was ruled accidental after a Tuesday autopsy. The condition of the tractor-trailer driver is unknown. Gay said the regular I-83 south on-ramp at exit 19 was closed for maintenance during the crash. Drivers were instead being directed to take a left from Market Street onto Belmont Street, then a left into the on-ramp for I-83. There are on and off-ramps at the detour site, Gay said. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the crash. READ MORE: Dog found dead in central Pa. creek had been weighed down by rock: police Ex-president of central Pa. softball league sent sexual messages, photos to boy: police A man was arrested on Tuesday for having a loaded gun at Pittsburgh International Airport. The discovery of that weapon marks the 36th gun seized at the airport this year, breaking the previous record of 35 guns seized that was set back in 2019. The incident took place on Oct. 10 when Transportation Security Administration officials caught a traveler from Uniontown with an illegal, loaded 9mm Springfield handgun in his carry-on bag at the security checkpoint around 6:30 p.m. The gun was then confiscated, WTAE reported. Domonique Hickenbottom, 29, didnt possess a concealed carry permit for the handgun and is facing charges of persons not to possess a firearm and carrying a firearm without a license, which are both felony offenses. From there, the FBI was notified, WTAE said. The recovery of the weapon was also the sixth gun seized in the first week of October. This proliferation of passengers toting their firearms with their carry-on items needs to stop, Karen Keys-Turner, the TSAs federal security director for Pittsburgh International Airport, said in a release. Theres no excuse for bringing a gun to our checkpoints because you certainly cant carry it onto your flight. Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint is a serious matter and those individuals doing so will pay for their mistake. Prior to this incident, TSA caught a man from Natrona Heights with a loaded gun at the airport checkpoint on Saturday, WTAE said. We seem to have a very disturbing number of guns being carried to our checkpoints this month, Keys-Turner said in the statement. Let me be very clear when I say that there is absolutely no excuse for bringing a gun to our checkpoints. TSA warns that anyone caught with a gun at the airport faces stiff financial civil penalties, which, depending on the circumstances, can run as high as $15,000, KDKA reported. TSA is expecting that the number of guns caught at airport checkpoints will continue to grow come the end of the year, ABC27 said. Nazareth police will be on hand for a demonstration planned Saturday outside the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity. The group Nazareth Together will picket a childrens storytime about American history sponsored by the group Moms for Liberty. The protest coincides with the event at 11 a.m. Oct. 14 at the library at 295 E. Center St. in Nazareth. Nazareth Together is an LGBTQ+ support organization that will protest Moms for Libertys agenda to ban books that tackle issues of race and human sexuality. The Southern Poverty Law Center calls Moms for Liberty a right-wing extremist group. Moms for Liberty members have said the books they want out of libraries and schools are not age appropriate. Nazareth Police Chief Randall Miller is in regular contact with April Gabriel-Ferretti, who is planning the demonstration. Hell have a couple officers at the library Saturday. Were preparing for everything and anything, the chief said. The chief said a counter-demonstration had been in the works, but organizers elected not to follow through. We are not aware of any planned counterprotests happening and we urged anyone thinking of planning anything not to come, said Aly Warner, the vice president of the local chapter of Moms for Liberty. Miller has designated a spot on the sidewalk in front of the library for Nazareth Together protesters. If counter-protesters show up, police will ask them to protest in a spot on the sidewalk a few feet east. Gabriel-Ferretti said she plans to follow the police departments plan. She will discourage her group from interfering with anyones right to enter or leave the library. What we want to do is remind Moms for Liberty and their supporters or anyone who aligns with their ideology that they dont speak for the masses, Gabriel-Ferretti said. Nazareth is no place for hate. Miller said hes optimistic the protest will remain peaceful. We are doing everything we can to plan so that everyones rights are maintained, and its done in an orderly manner, he said. Inside the library, author Rebecca Price Janney will dress up as Martha Washington. Shes published several books through a Christian publishing house. Her event for kids is part of her history mystery tour. Gabriel-Ferretti is concerned that the story time will whitewash American history, minimize slavery and marginalize LGBTQ+ Americans. When giving history lessons, they should teach all of history and not just the parts theyre comfortable with, she said. Library board treasurer Len Fodera has said Moms for Liberty has a right to use the meeting space the same as any other community organization. The library takes no position on the politics of the organization, he said. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. More: Moms for Liberty rises as power player in GOP politics after attacking schools over gender, race By William Lambers In a discussion about National Hispanic Heritage Month, I asked a student at Mount St. Joseph University about the legacy of Alfonso Garcia Robles. She replied about his activism making Latin America a nuclear weapons free zone. Robles won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982 for his efforts, sharing the award with Alva Myrdal. Its important we remember Alfonso Garcia Robles, aka Mr. Disarmament. We could learn a lot from his tenacity in pursuing the elimination of nuclear weapons. We need to now more than ever. The danger of nuclear weapons is growing with the absence of diplomacy and treaties. Robles was a diplomat from Mexico who became a leader at the United Nations trying to achieve nuclear disarmament during the 1960s. During the fall of 1962 the Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, nearly leading to World War III. Robles knew that nukes had to go. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 motivated Robles to pursue a nuclear weapons free zone in Latin America. Like Robles, we all should be outraged at the existence of nuclear weapons. Alfonso Garcia Robles gave us a vision of a world free of nukes through the Treaty of Tlatelolco of 1967. This treaty prohibits nuclear weapons throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. As Robles said it provides profitable lessons for all states wishing to contribute to the broadening of the areas of the world from which those terrible instruments of mass destruction that are the nuclear weapons would be forever proscribed Robles not only gained agreement from Latin American States not to have nukes, but he succeeded in getting the United States, Soviet Union, China and other nuclear states not to deploy or test nukes in the region. Today, we need more diplomacy to get nations to resume disarmament. There are still well over 12,000 nuclear weapons worldwide according to the Arms Control Association. Nuclear disarmament treaties have been stalled as diplomacy has been pushed aside in favor of modernizing nuclear forces. Treaties have either been scrapped or left to languish with no follow up. This is very alarming because the whole point of the diplomacy was to keep the ball rolling toward reducing the nukes and hopefully eliminate them. As United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres says, Geopolitical mistrust and competition have spiked the nuclear risk to Cold War levels. Meanwhile, hard-won progress over many decades to prevent the use, spread and testing of nuclear weapons is being undone. Robles, who also worked on drafting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, would be horrified to see that nuclear states are gearing up their arsenals. The wasting of precious resources on nukes was something that Robles could not tolerate. We should not either. The billions of dollars wasted on nuclear weapons each year could do so much to help people who are hungry, sick or without homes. We have to get nations to stop spending on nukes, and spend more on humanity. And like Robles we should demand that diplomacy return and treaties crafted toward reducing nuclear arsenals. As Robles said before the United Nations, We want to help make it possible for our children to grow up free from the terror inspired by the threat of nuclear war. William Lambers is the author of The Road to Peace and partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger. On the first day of New Jerseys bear hunting season, 105 bears were killed, nearly equaling the entire total for last years shortened season, officials said. During eight full days of hunting in December 2022, 113 bears were killed, with an additional bear killed during a shortened day, for a total of 114. This was the shortest hunt in a decade and there was no October session. On Monday, 45 bears were killed in Sussex County and another 37 were killed in Warren County; making up about three-quarters of the bears killed in the entire state on the first day of the hunt. This years hunt will be broken up into two segments. Segment A of the bear hunting season will run from Monday through Saturday and hunting hours each day run from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Archery is only permitted from Monday through Wednesday and archery and muzzleloaders are permitted Thursday through Saturday. Segment B of the bear hunting season will be Dec. 4 through Dec. 9 for shotguns and muzzleloaders only. The bear hunt was reinstated last year after a multi-fold increase in bear incidents over the past year, in an attempt to control the population and reduce incidents. With the hunt reinstated, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife biologists said they will again be able to produce current population estimates for the northwestern part of the state to better understand changes in bear populations, official said. A lack of concrete estimate for population size was the subject of a failed lawsuit to stop the hunt filed by anti-hunt activists. Reporter Steven Rodas contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. More: Spotted lanternflies, stink bugs arent the only creepy-crawlies invading the US, experts warn Ukraine will soon launch a new grain corridor through Moldova and Romania. This export route will be important not only for Ukraine and its partner countries but also for global food security. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at a briefing following talks with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis. The meeting took place on October 10 in Bucharest. "A grain corridor from Ukraine through Moldova to Romania will soon be launched... This will be of great importance not only for us but also for Europe and the world as a whole," Zelensky said. According to him, the "grain corridor" is a vivid illustration of what economic cooperation in the Ukraine-Romania-Moldova format can be. Zelensky noted that joint projects will create a "very powerful basis" not only for the development of these three countries but also for the development of the whole of Europe. He clarified that cooperation will help all three countries revitalize their economies. In particular, it provides incentives for business and infrastructure development, which, in turn, helps create additional jobs. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL, another EU country has proposed a new grain corridor for Ukraine. According to Western media, negotiations are already underway in Brussels. The organization of grain export routes from Ukraine has become an urgent need after Russia disrupted the "green corridor" in the Black Sea in the summer of 2023. It was through this artery that the largest amount of food was shipped abroad. Earlier, for example, Lithuania opened a corridor for the transit of Ukrainian grain. Inspections are being moved from the Ukrainian-Polish border to the port of Klaipeda, which should significantly speed up deliveries, as grain can now stand idle on the border with Poland. In addition, in late September, the Ukrainian alternative sea corridor demonstrated the ability to receive/release 8 ships per day. This is the same amount we shipped last fall when the grain agreement between Ukraine, Russia, the UN and Turkey was in place. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke on a morning radio show on Wednesday condemning the violent attack on Israel by Hamas militants that has left more than 1,000 people dead in Israel. Another nearly 800 people were killed by Israeli counter attacks in Palestine. I know this is painful for so many to watch and to experience. Its painful to me and I know its painful to thousands of Pennsylvanians who keep showing up and rallying all across the state, Shapiro said on KDKA Radios Big K Morning Show with Larry Richert and Marty Griffin. This is an incredibly challenging time and were praying for the Israelis and we stand firm with them as they defend themselves as they have every right to do. The conflict in Israel was the sole topic addressed during the 10-minute interview. 42 1 / 42 Israel, Palestine attacks Shapiro, who is Jewish, said he has a niece in Israel now, along with other students, and that his family is hopeful all will return home safely just as other Pennsylvanians are looking for their loved ones safe return home. But he said concerns cant end there. We need to gird ourselves for what appears to be, you know, going to be a long war and we need to remain on the side of Israel, Shapiro said. We need to stand with Israel. We need to stand up against this type of terror. We cannot allow this anywhere in the Middle East or anywhere in our world. The governor was asked to comment on the pro-Palestinian demonstrations happening on college campuses, including Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and elsewhere. Speaking generally, Shapiro said this is a moment to speak truth about Hamas, which he said is hellbent on destroying Israel and ridding the region of Jews. There is no moral equivalency here between the acts of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the United States, and Israel, a pluralistic democracy, who has been attacked, he said. This is a moment where we all need to come together and recognize what is so clearly wrong, the acts of Hamas, and what is right, and that is Israel, our key allys right to defend herself in the fact of this barbarism. As the father of four children ranging in age from 12 to 21, Shapiro was asked how he and his wife Lori talk to their children about the rise in anti-Semitism. For Lori and I, we have found that speaking truth and making sure they are aware of what is right and wrong, making sure theyre aware of what is right and wrong, making sure theyre aware of what is happening in this important region and why it is important to the United States to where we live in addition to, in our case, why it is important to the Jewish people, he said. I think this is a moment where its important to stand up in my case and say Im a proud American Jew and not shy from who you are. So were trying to instill that in our children as well to make sure theyre proud of who they are even in the face of what theyre seeing the attacks overseas and in the face of rising anti-Semitism in this country and around globe. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @JanMurphy. A bipartisan group featuring current and former politicians, including former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, is warning voters that a No Labels presidential candidate could put Donald Trump back in the White House. During a virtual event on Wednesday by Citizens to Save Our Republic (CSOR), former U.S. Rep. Richard Gephard a Missouri Democrat who co-founded CSOR said group members have come together to oppose Trump and save American democracy. Trump, Gephardt said, still claims the election was stolen from him, incited the insurrectionists on Jan. 6, 2021, and tried to overthrow the government to remain in power. If we are unable to have valid, trusted elections in this country we are no longer a democracy, Gephardt said. Gephardt said that Pennsylvania is a very important swing state along with Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin. The swing states really decide on who is elected president, he said, so his group is concentrating on those voters. CSOR is not infringing on anyones right to run for president but the stakes are so high that Americans of all beliefs and parties need to come together to make sure that Donald Trump does not get back into the White House, he said. Gephardt said No Labels, the centrist group reportedly trying to convince conservative Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia to run for president, wrongly claims that its candidate would pull votes equally from Trump and President Joe Biden. Pollster Greg Schneiders said that he surveyed 500 voters in each of the five swing states in June and found that Biden leads Trump 52%-48% in a two-way race. However, a No Labels candidate would receive 21% of the vote, giving Trump a 40%-39% lead over Biden. In Pennsylvania, Schneiders said a two-way race was a 50%-50% tie, but a No Labels candidate got 19% of the vote, which gave Trump a 43%-38% over Biden. Across the other four swing states, a No Labels candidate drew between 18% and 28% of the vote and, on average, cost Biden more than 5.5 points, Schneider said. If you swing 5 points away from Biden toward Trump, thats the ball game, he said. Rendell said he believes Trump is guilty of treason for trying to overthrow the 2020 election result and has forfeited his right to be president of the United States. Hillary Clinton, Rendell recalled, lost Pennsylvania to Trump in 2016 by less than 1 percentage point after three minor party candidates received a total of 3.57% of the vote, including Libertarian Gary Johnson, who garnered 2.4%. We cant let it happen again, Rendell said. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, warned Wednesday that a No Labels presidential candidate would deliver the state to former President Donald Trump in 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP Former U.S. Rep. Jim Greenwood, a Bucks County Republican, said Biden won in 2020 with the help of independents and moderate Republicans such as himself. A No Labels candidate in 2024 will appeal to voters who made the difference for Biden, said Greenwood, adding that would be a disaster against Trump. Last year, Greenwood was chairman of Republicans4Shapiro, a group of GOP members who opposed state Sen. Doug Mastrianos run for governor. Gephardt said that CSOR is just starting to get its message out to voters in the five swing states that any vote for a third-party candidate is a vote for Trump. We are going to try and get that across in every possible way we can, he said. More: Is Haleys mojo working? Pa. poll shows her leading Biden in hypothetical 2024 White House race Police will be at Pa. library during protest over Moms for Liberty storytime On October 10, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Romanian capital Bucharest to meet with his counterpart Klaus Iohannis. The politicians will discuss prospects for further cooperation between the two countries, as well as support for the Ukrainian people amid the ongoing war with Russia. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the official Telegram channel of the president. Earlier, the Romanian Chancellery reported that this is the first official visit of the Ukrainian leader to Romania since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops (to see photos and videos, scroll to the bottom of the page). "Bucharest, Romania. An official visit to our good neighbors, who supported us in the most difficult moment and whose support is only growing over time," Zelensky said, adding that he and his Romanian counterpart have a wide range of topics for talks. On behalf of Ukrainians, he expressed gratitude to the Romanian people for their sincere and large-scale assistance, which significantly strengthened the country's defense, and also for the most constructive solidarity, which allows both countries "to be significant donors of security for the world, including food security." ADVERTISIMENT In addition, he emphasized that the countries have already established cooperation that supports the stability of many other nations and can expand it even further. President Volodymyr Zelensky has already met with Romanian leader Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest. It is known that Iohannis received Zelensky at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest. At the meeting, they will discuss further security cooperation, the development of aviation and other defense coalitions, strengthening our air defense, the overall security architecture in the Black Sea region, and relations with partners. "This visit will benefit both our nations," the President of Ukraine expressed his conviction. During the meeting ceremony, the national anthems of Ukraine and Romania were played, and the presidents inspected the guard of honor. The official delegations of the two countries were also introduced. The heads of state will hold talks face-to-face and in an expanded format. Volodymyr Zelensky and Klaus Iohannis will also meet with media representatives. ADVERTISIMENT During the press conference, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said that he would personally support the decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU at the European Council in December this year. "At the same time, I emphasized the importance of implementing the comprehensive reforms necessary for accession to the European Union to ensure the sustainability of the state and Ukrainian society," Iohannis said. In turn, Zelensky noted that the talks with the Romanian president were meaningful and fruitful. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the agreement on a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Romania. "We have signed a bilateral declaration that sets out the key points of our cooperation: security cooperation, in particular in the Black Sea region, support for our Formula for Peace, expansion of economic and logistics cooperation, transport links, simplification of border crossing procedures, opening of new border crossing points," Zelensky said. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL reported, the day before, Zelensky announced work on solving the problem of global terrorism. The bloody events that unfolded over the weekend in Israel have shaken the international community and may affect Ukraine. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The PokerStars UKIPT Returns To Edinburgh For the First Time in Eight Years October 11, 2023 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor It has been eight long years since the PokerStars UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) headed north of the border to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, but the wait for the UKIPT's return is almost over, with UKIPT Edinburgh taking place at Genting Casino Fountain Park between October 24-29. The crown jewel on the UKIPT Edinburgh schedule is the 1,100 Main Event, which eager poker fans can follow the action via the PokerNews Live Reporting pages. Of course, it would be better if you were competing in the UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event and seeing your name on our pages; only you can make that happen. Previous UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event Champions Year Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Country Prize 2010 550 401 200,600 Nick Abou Risk Canada 50,000 2011 560 519 251,715 Fintan Gavin Ireland 61,500 2012 770 612 415,548 Nicolau Villa-Lobos Brazil 101,000 2014 1,100 427 485,000 Dean Hutchison united Kingdom 93,900 2015 770 377 255,983 David Gomez Morante Spain 49,660 Nick Abou Risk was the inaugural winner of the UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event, outlasting 400 opponents on his way to collecting 50,000. Irish poker legend and all-round great guy Fintan Gavin banked the title and 61,500 the following year, with Brazilian Nicolau Villa-Lobos turning his 770 investment into a 101,000 score in 2012, which remains the largest payout in a UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event. Dean Hutchison was at the start of his career when he defeated Team PokerStars' Liv Boeree heads-up to clinch the title and 93,900 in 2014. Hutchison has since amassed another $2.5 million in earnings, including a $1,850,000 score awarded for his sixth-place finish in the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Spain's David Gomez Morante is the reigning champion, having triumphed over 376 opponents in 2015, the last time the UKIPT stopped off in Edinburgh. That was the last time Morante recorded a live result; perhaps he will return to the felt in an attempt to defend his title? Try out the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar and find your perfect PokerStars tournament. Apply filters to narrow down your search before hitting the tables and becoming a PokerStars champion. 2023 UKIPT Edinburgh Schedule The 2023 UKIPT Edinburgh festival takes place at Genting Casino Fountain Park on Dundee Street. Players must be 18 or older and show a valid government-issued passport of photographic ID to participate. It is possible to buy-in onsite at the venue using cash, debit card, Luxon Pay, or via your PokerStars account if you have a PokerStars dot-com, DE, EU, FR, or UK account. However, it is not possible to split payments between different methods. One UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event flight not shown in the table below takes place on October 26 at 3:00 p.m. UK time. The reason for it not being in the schedule is that it takes place remotely at the Hippodrome Casino in London. Should you progress from the remote flight, you will need to travel to Edinburgh in time for the start of Day 2 at 1:00 p.m. on October 28. Date Time Event Tue 24 Oct 4:00 p.m. 125 satellite to Main Event 6:00 p.m. 250 qualifier to 2,200 High Roller 8:00 p.m. 220 No-Limit Hold'em Wed 25 Oct 2:00 p.m. 250 qualifier to 2,200 High Roller 4:00 p.m. 2,200 No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT High Roller Day 1 8:00 p.m. 125 qualifier to Main Event Thu 26 Oct 2:00 p.m. UKIPT High Roller Final 2:00 p.m. 1,100 No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Main Event Day 1A 6:00 p.m. 220 No-Limit Hold'em 9:00 p.m. 125 qualifier to Main Event Fri 27 Oct 1:00 p.m. 1,100 No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Main Event Day 1B 1:00 p.m. 125 qualifier to Main Event 7:00 p.m. 1,100 No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Main Event Day 1C 8:00 p.m. 220 No-Limit Hold'em Sat 28 Oct 12:15 p.m. Qualifer Freeroll 12:30 p.m. 330 No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Cup Day 1A 1:00 p.m. No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Main Event Day 2 7:00 p.m. 330 No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Cup Day 1B Sun 29 Oct 12:30 p.m. No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Main Event Final 12:30 p.m. No-Limit Hold'em UKIPT Cup Final 2:00 p.m. 220 No-Limit Hold'em Bounty 4:00 p.m. 220 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack In addition to the plentiful live satellites Genting Casino Fountain Park is hosting, there are satellites running online at PokerStars. With buy-ins starting at only 5.50, the door to a UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event seat is wide open. Furthermore, those of you who acquire a Silver Pass on PokerStars' Power Path can redeem that pass for a package consisting of a 1,100 UKIPT Main Event seat, entry to the 330 UKIPT Cup, and $2,500 credited as expenses, limited edition merchandise, live event liaison support, and exclusive UKIPT Edinburgh activities. Learn more about the PokerStars Power Path Click here 2023 UKIPT Main Event Results To Date UKKIPT Edinburgh is the penultimate stop of the 2023 tour, with only UKIPT Nottingham, serving as the Grand Final (November 5-13), remaining on the schedule. Although it is unlikely that the UKIPT Edinburgh will match the impressive attendance of the Malta Main Event, there is every chance that it will be the best-attended stop in the UK and Ireland so far, not least because the Scots love their poker, and Edinburgh is an incredible city to visit and explore. Leg Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Country Prize PokerStars Summer Festival Malta 1,100 916 916,000 Simone Andrian Italy 153,610 UKIPT Blackpool 1,100 268 258,990 Tuan Le United Kingdom 53,630 UKIPT Brighton 1,100 354 337,920 Benjamin Spragg United Kingdom 69,120 UKIPT London 1,100 374 359,040 Dylan Bradley United Kingdom 71,650 Sharelines Who will become the first PokerStars UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event champion since 2015? The PokerStars European Poker Tour has reached its next destination with a debut visit to Northern Cyprus. The series is running at Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa today through Sunday, October 22. First up on the live reporting schedule is the $10,200 Mystery Bounty, which commences this evening at 7 p.m. local time. Players will start the Mystery Bounty with a stack of 100,000 chips. Day 1 will run for eight 30-minute levels, with blinds kicking off at 500/1,000 with a 1,000 big blind ante. A 20-minute break is scheduled at the end of Level 4. Day 2 starts October 12 at 12:30 p.m. and late registration remains open until the end of Level 10, which will be around 1:30 p.m. There's only a single reentry available in the event, so players will have to make each bullet count as they aim to make the money. Approximately 15 percent of the field will be paid. Of the total buy-in, $5,000 will go towards the bounty prize pool, with mystery bounty tokens coming into play Thursday at the start of Level 13. Bounty prizes will not be confirmed until after the close of registration, but it is expected that the largest bounty will be worth $100,000. Join PokerNews as reporters bring live coverage straight from the tournament floor, of this event and following key events from this inaugural PokerStars EPT Cyprus series. British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth more than 100 million (about 115 million). It will include funds for demining , equipment maintenance, and strengthening the protection of key infrastructure. ADVERTISIMENT Shapps will announce the new package during the 16th Ramstein at NATO headquarters in Brussels, according to the British government's website. The assistance is provided by the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). Earlier, a new contract was signed to provide Ukraine with more than 70 million pounds (more than 81 million euros) worth of air defense equipment, including the MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin, a system that can track and destroy drones. Schnapps said that during his recent visit to Kyiv, he assured President Volodymyr Zelensky that London remains committed to Ukraine and its most urgent needs. "Today, I am proud to announce that Britain, along with our allies, is delivering on that promise by signing new contracts to supply Ukraine with crucial air defense systems to protect civilians from Putin's barbaric bombardment," Shapps said at the time. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL: - On October 5, the UK announced $500 million in winter support for Ukraine. Of this amount, $41.4 million is earmarked for the UN and other organizations providing shelter and warm clothing. - According to The New York Times, Britain and France, which provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, are pressuring Germany to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Taurus missiles. The newspaper notes that Chancellor Scholz's position is still unchanged, as Berlin is transferring weapons in synergy with the United States. Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Aiken Standard Reporter Erin Weeks is a reporter with the Aiken Standard. She covers education in Aiken County. Erin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her first poetry book, "Origins of My Love," was published by Bottlecap Press in 2022. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers The weekend's attack against Israel hit close to home for some Aiken County residents, ranging from members of Aiken's synagogue, the Adath Yeshurun congregation, to at least a few Baptists who were in the midst of a Holy Land tour when the carnage began. Stephen Surasky, with the synagogue, noted that he and his wife have been paying particularly close attention to the situation for a variety of reasons, including "a good friend that's over there and trying to leave." He also cited the example of another friend whose son "joined the Israeli Defense Forces a couple of years ago and then was released and came home." Reservists, however, are being called up in the wake of the Hamas attacks, so the young man in question is now "going back to a very dangerous situation," he added. The Rev. Charles Matthews, with Second Baptist Church of Aiken, was among several tourists from the Aiken-Augusta area in Israel when Hamas started the attack just before dawn Saturday morning. This was his first trip to Israel. He emphasized that his group, traveling in association with Good Shepherd Baptist Church, of Augusta, had visited such sites as Bethlehem and the Dead Sea and had Jericho, in the West Bank, as its next destination. The trip, however, was cut short by two or three days and the group headed to Jordan to seek a flight back home, he said. "The unrest the war was taking place in southern Israel and Gaza. We were in northern Jerusalem," he added. "We were not near any of the bombing or shooting, and for us, it was business as usual." Freshman quarterback Henry Rivers connected with junior receiver Kevin Boone on a pair of touchdown passes from 99 and 21 yards out late in the fourth quarter and junior kicker Preston Short was true on a 25-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Berkeley Stags to a 24-21 victory over v Read moreStags stage furious rally A federal grand jury in Charleston has charged three participants in what prosecutors described as a larger theft ring targeting a major home improvement chain. Donovan Young, Aaron Young and James Hoffman were indicted Oct. 10 on six counts of fraud each. According to a document filed with U.S. District Court, the trio and other unidentified co-conspirators targeted an unspecified number of Lowes stores across South Carolina by stealing merchandise and returning the goods in exchange for credit. The alleged crimes were traced back to April 2019. The value of the stolen goods was not disclosed, other than it totaled more than $1,000. Prosecutors said the three men and other associates would return pilfered merchandise using fake IDs and claiming they hadnt kept the receipts so he or she would be issued store credit in the form of a merchandise card, as is the policy at Lowes. They would then sell the cards at a discount off the face value. The buyers included Young, Young and Hoffman, who would use them to purchase goods from the retailer, according to the indictment, which did not say what they did with the merchandise. Prosecutors cited four electronic card transactions from October 2021 totaling about $820 to establish wire fraud charges. A hearing in the case is scheduled for later this month. No attorney was listed for the three defendants. A slew of big U.S. retailers have pointed to organized theft as a growing problem, both for their bottom lines and for safety reasons. About two dozen chains, such as Target and Dick's Sporting Goods, said in their latest quarterly financial reports that inventory "shrink" from shoplifters has been weighing on their profits. Lowe's has stated that its 1 percent loss rate is lower than its peers. "It's one of the areas of the business that we're most pleased with. As a major big-box retailer, you're right, we're one of the few who've not flagged shrink as something that is having a material impact on gross margin or operating profit," CEO Marvin Ellison said last month at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference. LEXINGTON The family's nanny, Fatima, stirred a pot as the onions browned. A young Arif Rizvi ground up fresh garlic and ginger for the dish. The home was filled with the aroma of the curry simmering on the stovetop. The scene, in Pakistan, is what Rizvi hopes to recreate in Lexington, S.C. He plans to open Masala, a Pakistan-Indian cuisine restaurant, in January of next year, he confirmed to Free Times. "We have a lack of Pakistani-Indian cuisine here in Lexington and we have limited choices in Columbia," Rizvi said. Rizvi and his daughter, Zoya, operate two other restaurants in the fast-growing town next to Columbia. RF's Corner Grill focuses on typical American bar food like burgers and fries, tacos and wings. The duo's breakfast restaurant Bubba's Biscuits, offers specialty biscuits that have garnered a cult-like following on social media. Masala, the Rizvi's latest venture, is set for 738 W. Main Street in a Food Lion-anchored strip mall. The restaurant will feature traditional Indian dishes, while including Pakistani flavors and cultures, Rizvi said. The eatery will have a cocktail program and offer beer and wine. The interior of the new space will draw inspiration from his family's memories before partition of India, when the continent was divided and Pakistan was formed in 1947. He hopes to include references to things like the two-person bike carriages known as rickshas and the charpai, a traditional woven day bed. Rizvi said the decision to open a new restaurant was a combination of seeing the demand for unique cuisine in Lexington and wanting to open something that allowed him to embrace his heritage. "I think Lexington is going to absolutely love it," Rizvi said, adding that he plans to make the cuisine approachable to people who might not be familiar with Pakistani-Indian dishes. Masala will open just a stone's throw from local restaurants that've found footing in the town. It's an area that has seen a variety of eateries from a barbecue place inside of an Exxon gas station to an Irish pub thrive. In the heart of Lexington's downtown, fine dining Bodhi Thai has established itself as a respected space in the town. CLEMSON Plans for creating South Carolinas first veterinary school are on track to have the first graduates walk the Clemson University stage in 2030, though a few hurdles could delay final construction components. The remaining request for $174.5 million in state funds in the next fiscal years budget should be in the governors office in the coming weeks, Angie Liedinger, university senior vice president for external affairs, told the Board of Trustees at its Oct. 6 meeting. If the South Carolina General Assembly approves that request in full, the university can move forward as planned with an anticipated construction completion date of fall 2026 for its first class. If its divided into phases, certain components of the school will be delayed to completion into 2027. That will likely be the research facility, university Executive Vice President Tony Wagner told the board, as students in their first year wont require access to that building. Research is also the first building that would likely need expansion, he said, which was considered when planning the facilitys location. Construction should begin early next year with site prep to bring water, sewer and electric to the property near T. Ed Garrison Arena and is expected to take nine months, Wagner said. Clemson is off to a great start, he said, and has an aggressive construction schedule with its construction manager, Turner Construction. The university is working with LS3P, Flad and Foil Wyatt for architectural and engineering work on the vet school. The wooded site will keep many of its trees and include a walking path for students to destress from their studies, Wagner said. Those with activities at the equestrian center will be able to walk from one facility to the other. Ukrainian soldiers repelled enemy attacks in the areas of Klishchiivka and Andriivka. A counteroffensive by the Defense Forces in Bakhmut and Melitopol direction continues. ADVERTISIMENT Meanwhile, the enemy is suffering losses: the day before, the defenders hit the enemy's command post and the military base. This is stated in the morning operational report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct defensive operations in the east and south of Ukraine and offensive operations in Melitopol and Bakhmut directions, destroying the enemy, liberating the temporarily occupied territories step by step, and consolidating the achieved positions. 108 combat engagements took place over the day," the report says. Meanwhile, the enemy continues to fight with the civilian population of Ukraine. On October 10, Russian troops attacked civilian houses in the village of Velykyi Burluk, Kharkiv region, with an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile. ADVERTISIMENT The invaders also attacked the southern regions of Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs: most of them were destroyed by Air Defense Forces. "In total, the enemy launched 2 missile and 76 air strikes, fired 83 times from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of our troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, the Russian terrorist attacks resulted in civilian casualties, including children," the General Staff said. As a result of the Russian strikes, private houses and civilian infrastructure were damaged in Bleshnya, Chernihiv region; Bachivsk and Popivka, Sumy region; Basove, Hatyshche, Vovchansky Khutory, Synkivka, Kyslivka, Pishchane, Kharkiv region; Serebryansky Forestr, Novoliubivka, Luhansk region; Spirne, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Staromaiorske, Donetsk region; Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Zaporizhzhia region. ADVERTISIMENT The enemy shelled more than 130 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions with artillery the day before. The operational situation in the area of responsibility of Operation Command North in the Volyn and Polissa directions remains without significant changes. The enemy maintains a military presence in the border areas in the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions, conducting active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of our troops to threatened areas, and increasing the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region. Ukrainian soldiers repelled more than 30 enemy attacks near the settlements of Synkivka and Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group of Forces in the Kupiansk direction. ADVERTISIMENT The Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy's offensive in the areas of Makiivka and Dibrova in the Luhansk region in the Lyman direction. Our defenders repelled enemy attacks in the areas of Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region in the Bakhmut direction. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their assault operations south of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, having succeeded in the areas east of Klishchiivka and east of Andriivka. ADVERTISIMENT The enemy with up to three battalions supported by tanks and armored vehicles intensified offensive actions in the areas of Avdiivka, Tonenke, Keramik and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region in the area of responsibility of the Tavria Brigade in the Avdiivka direction. Our defenders repelled all enemy attacks and prevented the loss of borders and positions. Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled over 10 enemy attacks in the areas of Marinka and Krasnohorivka in the Donetsk region in the Marinka direction. The enemy conducted unsuccessful offensives near Zolota Nyva and Volonodyne in the Donetsk region in the Shakhtarsk direction. ADVERTISIMENT Our defenders are holding back the enemy near Inzhenerne and Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region in the Zaporizhzhia direction. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are continuing their offensive in the Melitopol direction and have improved the tactical situation in the area west of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. During the fighting, Ukrainian soldiers inflicted losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces. Thus, the Defense Forces are conducting counter-battery combat, destroying supply depots, and successfully hitting the enemy's rear in the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational-Strategic Group of Forces in the Kherson direction. ADVERTISIMENT Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces carried out 11 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment and nine on enemy anti-aircraft missile systems. Our defenders also destroyed a Russian Su-25 fighter and 7 tactical reconnaissance UAVs. The missile troops hit a control center, an ammunition depot, 3 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, 7 artillery pieces and an enemy electronic warfare station. As a reminder, according to the General Staff, on October 10, Ukrainian soldiers eliminated about 820 Russian occupants. As of the morning of October 11, the enemy's irreversible losses in manpower reached 283,900. 189 pieces of enemy equipment and weapons were destroyed the day before, including almost a hundred armored personnel carriers. ADVERTISIMENT GREENVILLE In the wake of the South Carolina State Library cutting ties with the American Library Association, Furman University hosted the national organization's president, a figure who has garnered controversy since her tenure began earlier this year. Emily Drabinski's Oct. 10 talk at the school's Hartness Pavilion centered on the value of libraries as enduring institutions and community resources, occupying a space outside the realm of politics. Drabinski's personal politics came under fire recently after a now-deleted social media post from 2022 surfaced in which she described herself as a "Marxist lesbian." The post became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate around censorship and parental control within schools and libraries. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! The ALA as an institution the oldest and largest professional group for librarians has been involved in those debates, offering staunch opposition to conservative efforts to ban books, often with themes about LGBT issues and racism, from the children's sections of public libraries. The South Carolina State Library in August became the fourth to separate from the ALA joining Montana, Missouri and Texas saying the organization had strayed into activism and had become a "distractor." During her talk at Furman, Drabinski, the interim chief librarian at the City University of New York's Graduate Center, said her social media post "definitely wasn't strategic." "When you put the words Marxist and lesbian together, the bots just go wild," she said. "Those are two of my identities. I'm also a library worker, and that's the identity I care most about. The attacks have been really personal." She emphasized the institutional rules that govern how libraries function are not governed by the individual beliefs of librarians. The content and services a library offers, she said, are based on the interests and needs of the community, not the professionals who run it. The head of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare System covering the Charleston region will not be returning next year, and officials announced a national search will be launched for his replacement. After extensive discussions with the board, Dr. Jeffrey DiLisi chose not to renew his contract as CEO for 2024 but will continue serving through the end of the year, said Dr. Brian Cuddy, the board's chair. The move was announced Oct. 11 in a letter to the Medical Society of South Carolina, which is a partner in the health system, and also to 350 of the health system's leaders at its Leadership Development Institute conference in North Charleston. "It was a wonderful opportunity just to thank him publicly in front of all of the administrative leaders, thanking him for his strategic plan," Cuddy said. That includes the historic move of Roper Hospital from its downtown home to a new larger campus in North Charleston, as well as "doubling the size" of Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital. The decision was made at the board's quarterly meeting Oct. 6. The board met with DiLisi "to really discuss his progress, the progress with the board and really what we were planning for the future, and thats when he made the decision not to renew his contract," Cuddy said. In the letter to the medical society, DiLisi is quoted as saying, "Leading this organization with such a stellar reputation for clinical excellence and an engaged workforce has been the highlight of my career. I am proud of our accomplishments and feel that it is the right time to step aside to allow another leader to take this organization into the future. DiLisi has served as CEO since December 2020. He declined further comment through a spokesman. The South Carolina Hospital Association, which usually does not weigh in on personnel moves, also declined comment. The change comes as Roper St. Francis is in line to receive "substantial" financing from another partner, Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health, Cuddy said. It could be as much as $1.2 billion, he said, which will allow the health system "to move forward with one of the largest new hospitals on the East Coast" in North Charleston, along with Berkeley and perhaps other expansions. For instance, the health system owns land in Mount Pleasant near the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge that could be a new site to serve that population, as well as some of its traditional patient base on the peninsula, he added. Ashley Ridge came closer than it ever has to playing for a state volleyball championship, but its season ended in the Lower State finals. Read moreSwamp Foxes fall in Lower State finals Americans celebrate Thanksgiving each November, thus kicking off a holiday season that lasts until January 1. Though many see November as the start to a festive time of year, there's even more interesting and fun facts about the eleventh month of the year. Read more5 fun facts about the month of November Funds will support more than 60 feeding programs throughout November Read moreDuke Energy kicks off monthlong campaign providing nearly $400,000 to help fight hunger in South Carolina this holiday season As you wander through the South Carolina Aquarium, you experience the states ecosystems from the mountains to the sea, all of which are woven together by an intricate network of waterways. This is reflected in every region of our state; there's no doubt that there's an intrinsic relationshi Read moreSC Aquarium Fights Plastic Pollution About 6,200 miles from Charleston, Shmuel Perton is on the periphery of the Gaza Strip. Or possibly inside. His parents dont know. Rabbi Boruch Perton and his wife Raizie havent heard from their son since Oct. 7, when the 24-year-old told them he was called up to join the Israeli army following Hamas attacks. That day, militants launched rocket and drone attacks from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Thousands of Hamas fighters spilled from the Palestinian territory into the southern part of the country. More than 1,000 people the vast majority of which were civilians, including families and children at home and young people at an outdoor concert have been killed in Israel since the latest incursion, the Israeli military reported. President Biden called the assault "an act of sheer evil." At least 14 Americans are among those killed. In Gaza and the West Bank, over 800 people have been killed, authorities said. That includes a number of civilians, including families and children. The Israeli military summoned roughly 360,000 reservists in response. Shmuel was among those tapped. He joined a combat unit of the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, in March 2021 a longtime aspiration, said Boruch, the head of school at Charlestons Addlestone Hebrew Academy. After his service ended in June, Shmuel moved to Jerusalem, got a job and started dating. Then came the weekend attacks. He got a call to join the combat and texted his parents not to worry. Then the army took his phone. Boruch and Raizie Perton now wait. When our phone dings, we quickly look at it thinking its him, said Raizie, a teacher at Addlestone Academy. And Im a person whos usually never tethered to my phone, Boruch added. Rallies planned Residents of the aggressor country of Russia are slowly beginning to realize that the bloody Kremlin government has openly misled them with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. People in Russia do not see the point of the "SVO" (special military operation). ADVERTISIMENT This is evidenced by an audio interception of a conversation between a Russian woman. The recording was posted on Telegram by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (scroll to the bottom of the page to listen to the audio). Russian civilians do not understand what Russia is fighting for in Ukraine. And they do not hide it. "I am far from all this, from this politics... I just don't understand what they want. The state could at least tell us what they want... Even if we fought for something during the Great Patriotic War, it's not clear what we're fighting for here. Well, what do they want? To take Ukraine completely? To set some kind of goal?" the Russian resident said. She emphasized that Ukraine is supported by the whole world and that Russia has very little chance of winning. ADVERTISIMENT "Is it okay that America is now allocating so much money to supply Ukraine with weapons? It's very tough, and they are going to continue to supply... And you don't understand what's going on. "We want this, we want that...". Well, you either recruit people, change them or try somehow..." the woman added. In the end, she said that she sees no way out of this war. "It would be delusional to turn around and say, 'Guys, that's it, we're done,'" the Russian woman said, referring to her country's authorities. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, in another intercepted conversation, the Russian military complained that dissatisfaction with command and equipment was increasingly brewing among the occupiers. Commanders are not coping with sabotage. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! HEMINGWAY Cleanup of the rural farmland and swamp where a $90 million unpiloted Marine Corps fighter jet crashed has been completed while the investigation into what caused the pilot to eject goes on. The cleanup was designed to remove evidence of the Sept. 17 accident so the land can continue to grow naturally, the Navy said in an Oct. 11 press release. To do this, the Navy and Marine Corps had to remove affected crops, underbrush and trees. It is purposeful, sometimes tedious work, said Sarah Murtagh, the Navy's on-scene coordinator. The F-35 jet incident occurred during a heavy rainstorm in which the unidentified pilot ejected, landing in a North Charleston neighborhood. The plane continued flying before finally crashing some 60 miles away in Williamsburg County. The pilot was later released from a local medical site. Once the jet was located, the Navy and Marine Corps worked together to pick up the pieces and clean up the land. The remnants of the jet were relocated to the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Soil sampling confirmed the cleanup efforts were successful, Murtagh said. The topography of the site is currently no different than it was prior to the mishap, Murtagh said. There are no expected long-term effects to the crash site. Representatives from the Navy will continue to meet with property owners and others impacted to discuss issues that may pop up. The patience and understanding of the local residents has played a crucial role in our success, said Murtagh. It was a day Frank Larkin will never forget. In April 2017, his son Ryan F. Larkin, a Navy SEAL who was struggling following his return to civilian life, committed suicide in the basement of the familys home. Read moreCommentary: Let's take care of those who served and protected us DARLINGTON Police are searching for occupants of a vehicle thought to be connected to the Oct. 10 death of a 16-year-old at the Darlington-Lee Adult Education campus. A silver 2013 or 2017 Honda Accord with paper tags may be connected to the shooting, Capt. Kimberly Nelson said in an email. The vehicle could have a bullet hole in the roof. The student died following a parking lot shooting in Darlington, Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee said. The name of the student, a male, has not been released. Darlington Police and Darlington Sheriff's Office personnel responded to reports of gunshots at the campus building of the adult education complex 100 Magnolia Street in Darlington early in the afternoon, according to a press release from the Darlington County School District. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division also had law enforcement personnel on scene. Law enforcement officials placed schools in the Darlington area on a secure status meaning no one could enter or exit buildings. Schools in the area were dismissed at normal times, and all secure statuses were lifted by 2:30 p.m., according to the Darlington County School District's Facebook page. This is an incredibly tragic situation. The loss of a young person is heart-wrenching, Darlington County School District Superintendent Tim Newman said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of our student." Newman praised law enforcement for its response to the shooting incident. "We are also thankful to our school staff who responded quickly to secure our buildings," Newman said. Schools in Darlington had additional officers on site during dismissal times as an extra precaution, according to the post. The Darlington-Lee Adult Education campus will be closed Oct. 11, the district said. The Darlington County Intervention School which shares the campus will operate with classes online. The Darlington campus is one of four Darlington-Lee Adult Education campuses in Darlington and Lee counties. Vice President Kamala Harris encouraged students to vote in powerful numbers as she promoted their importance in the upcoming 2024 election during her appearance at the College of Charleston. You all have only known a climate crisis, you all have only known active-shooter drills, you all became aware of injustices when you witnessed what happened to George Floyd, Harris said at the Oct. 11 event. I know you all aint having that. Harris' address at the Sottile Theater came a bit behind schedule as she was more than 90 minutes late in leaving Washington on Air Force Two. By the time she got on stage after motorcading from the Charleston Air Force Base, she hit a variety of topics following a standing ovation. Many of her comments struck at the mood of the nation. "Right now, we are at a moment in our country where in many ways there is an intentional, full-on attack on the freedom and liberties that I believe are what makes us respected as a democracy," she said. She touched on voting rights on the same day the gerrymandering case surrounding the Lowcountry's 1st Congressional District seat held by Republican Nancy Mace was being argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. "Right now in South Carolina, we are looking at a situation where state legislators basically passed a law that would dilute the Black vote in the state," she said, adding, "Let's understand that it is wrong that any elected official would try to choose who can vote for them, when it should be the voter who chooses who represents them." The auditorium, which seats about 785, remained filled with students despite her tardy showing. Mariah Fitzgerald, a junior sociology student minoring in education, resonated most with the vice presidents views on gun safety. WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace wanted to make a point. So she decided to do it with a bold reference to one of the best-known female protagonists in American literature. On Oct. 10, the South Carolina Republican walked into a closed-door candidate forum for the next Speaker of the House wearing a white shirt with a large, red letter "A" on it. When asked about her outfit, Mace told reporters it was her "scarlet letter." In an interview with The Post and Courier, Mace said her decision was about more than making an overt nod to Hester Prynne, the protagonist of Nathaniel Hawthorne's masterwork "The Scarlet Letter." She said it was about letting her colleagues know that she would not be pushed into silence. "This is my signal to others that I don't answer to anybody up here," she said. "I only answer to the people back home. And I don't care what you throw at me. I don't care what the establishment throws at me." SC Rep. Nancy Mace is wearing a t-shirt with the letter A on it.When asked what it stands for, she said its her Scarlet letter. pic.twitter.com/YQjieZ6w8O Gary Grumbach (@GaryGrumbach) October 10, 2023 Mace, R-Isle of Palms, is one of eight House Republicans whose vote last week led to the extraordinary removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. It was the first time in history the chamber had ousted its House leader in a no-confidence vote. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has failed to get on the ballot for South Carolina's Republican presidential primary next year, raising further doubts about his long-shot 2024 campaign for the GOP nomination. Read more10 Republicans will be on SC's presidential primary but not Asa Hutchinson This sponsored press release is brought to you from our partnership with EZ Newswire. The Post and Courier news staff was not involved in its creation. Dubai Municipality (DM) has announced a special Wosool seal for building permits and building completion certificates in the emirate, confirming that buildings comply with the standards for people of determination. This move comes according to Dubai Building Code regarding new building plans, which intends to standardise building designs across the emirate. Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of DM, said: The addition of Wosool seal to building permits and building completion certificates ensures it is friendly and ideal for people of determination. It comes in line with our constant efforts to improve our services and capabilities to integrate people of determination within society at the highest levels. Seamlessly accessible Furthermore, it highlights the significance and value of constructing buildings in Dubai that are well-suited for people of determination and cater to their requirements while providing the levels of services necessary to ensure their well-being and happiness. The introduction of the seal reflects the directives of the wise leadership which aims to make Dubai a seamlessly accessible city for people of determination, raising its appeal and the quality of their life it can offer, further consolidating its position as one of the best cities in the world to live, work and foster equality for all society members. Eng Mariam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency, at DM, said: DM has collaborated with various consultancy and engineering offices in Dubai to guarantee that new buildings meet all standards for people of determination before issuing building permits following the Dubai Building Code. As a prerequisite for approval, the Wosool seal will be added to the building completion certificate to certify that the buildings are suitable for people with determination. This new procedure comes under the facilities and services offered by DM enabling people of determination to participate and integrate themselves positively and effectively in society. Periodic field visits A series of periodic field visits are organised by DM to examine and supervise construction sites. Additionally, it further examines architectural designs to ensure it includes any special provisions for people of determination as outlined in the approved plans for all residential, commercial, markets, public buildings, services buildings, parks, and other things. The Municipality further conducts the final audit to confirm the fulfillment of these conditions before issuing completion certificates and approving building occupancy. The conditions for buildings friendly to people of determination include doors designed for easy access, suitable ramps for entrances and exits, health facilities, and dedicated rooms for people of determination, as well as providing designated parking spaces and locations, along with other facilities to guarantee seamless access to the buildings.--TradeArabia News Service Russian troops struck again in the Kherson region. They used a drone to attack a funeral car at a cemetery in Kherson district: it happened around 12 p.m. on October 11. ADVERTISIMENT Three employees of the funeral service who were near the vehicle were injured, one of them needed hospitalization. Details were provided by the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office. The prosecutor's office announced the launch of a pre-trial investigation into another violation of the laws and rules of warfare by Russian troops: proceedings have been opened under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. "According to the investigation, on October 11, at about 11:40 a.m., Russian military targeted a funeral service vehicle at a cemetery located in the Kherson district with an unmanned aerial vehicle. The explosion injured three employees of the funeral service who were near the special vehicle. One of them was hospitalized," the official statement said. ADVERTISIMENT Prosecutors of Kherson region together with investigators of the National Police are currently working at the site of the shelling, documenting another war crime of the Russian occupiers. Earlier, it became known that the SBU exposed two traitors who pointed an Iskander at the village of Groza in Kharkiv region, where a Russian missile destroyed a cafe near Kupiansk on October 5. The Russian strike was corrected by two local brothers who had joined the occupiers and knew full well that civilians had gathered in the cafe. The cafe was hosting a wake for a soldier, and the villagers of the deceased, including children, gathered to honor his memory. ADVERTISIMENT Entire families died under the rubble of the cafe, including the family of the soldier whose memory people had gathered to honor. In total, 55 civilians were killed on October 11. There were no active military personnel in the cafe, but this did not prevent Russia from claiming the destruction of another "NATO base": Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said at a Security Council meeting that Russia had killed "many Ukrainian neo-Nazis" with a missile strike on the village of Groza. Clifford D. May is founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and a columnist for the Washington Times. He is a veteran reporter, foreign correspondent, and editor for the New York Times and other publications. Cliffs most recent column is A 21st century pogrom (at FDD, where it is posted with links). Cliff has kindly given us his permission to post his column on Power Line. He writes: By now, you know the basics: More than a thousand Hamas terrorists invaded Israel from Gaza. They slaughtered farmers on their kibbutzim, massacred teenagers attending an outdoor concert, desecrated the bodies of raped and murdered women, and stole children from their homes. In this 21st century pogrom a 19th century term for assaults on Jewish communities in eastern Europe more than 800 Israelis have been killed, more than 2,000 wounded, and dozens taken hostage. Not just coincidentally, this attack came on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, launched by Egypt and Syria. That attack also took Israelis by surprise though they had been warned and almost succeeded in annihilating the tiny Jewish state which is the last surviving and thriving Jewish community in the Middle East. Theres a distinction I want to call to your attention. Vladimir Putin is waging a war to force Ukrainians to accept Kremlin rule. Xi Jinping is threatening to launch a war to force Taiwanese to kowtow to the Chinese Communist Party. But Hamas doesnt want Israelis to obey. Hamas wants Israelis to die. And lets be clear: Its not all Israelis they plan to exterminate. Its Jews. Our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious, reads the Hamas Charter. It needs all sincere effortsuntil the enemy is vanquished and Allahs victory is realized. Standing behind Hamas is the Islamic Republic of Iran which has long both threatened and incited genocide against Israelis. Irans rulers provide funds, weapons, and training not only to Hamas but also to Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and a long list of other terrorist groups. On Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian security officials helped plan Hamass Saturday surprise attack and gave the green light for the assault at a meeting in Beirut last Monday. The Journals sources include senior members of both Hamas and Hezbollah. Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Republics Supreme Leader, has been praising the attacks, vowing that the Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region. Mr. Khameneis acolytes routinely chant Death to Israel! and, of course, Death to America! His thugs routinely murder Irans young women for such crimes as covering their hair incorrectly. And Tehran is now supplying drones and other weapons to Mr. Putin to help him slaughter Ukrainians. How were Israelis blindsided? Dont Israels intelligence agencies know everything that happens both in Gaza and Tehran? And arent the Israel Defense Forces prepared for any eventuality? It appears Hamas duped Israelis into believing it was eager to improve the Gazan economy, and so was shifting its terrorist activities to the West Bank, which is governed by Fatah, Hamass rival. Israelis also reassured themselves that their Iron Dome would blast Hamas missiles out of the sky, while their high-tech devices prevented Hamas from digging tunnels into Israel. But Hamas used low-tech explosives and bulldozers to break through the border fence. And the weapons they used to mow Israelis down were not sophisticated. Just lethal. Another contributing factor: For months Israelis have been bitterly quarreling among themselves over how much power should be allotted to the parliament, or Knesset, and how much to Israels Supreme Court. When I visited Israel in August, it was apparent that both sides were obsessing over this controversy, and paying insufficient attention to what should have been their main mission: defending their nation. Given the threats they face from Tehran and its proxies, I wrote, Israelis would be well-advised to make whatever compromises are necessary to accomplish this mission even imperfectly and sooner rather than later. I take no pride in having been prescient. Hezbollah, Tehrans foreign legion, dominates Lebanon, and has installed thousands of missiles aiming at Israeli targets. Hezbollah has not opened a second front. But that could change at any moment. In Syria, Iraq, and Yemen there also are Tehran-backed Shia militias eager to provide support for an annihilationist war against Israel. Irans rulers, their proxies, clients, supporters, and sympathizers like to say theyre resisting Israeli occupation. But, of course, Gaza is not occupied. In the defensive war of 1967 war, Israelis seized Gaza from Egypt which had itself conquered the territory by military force during Israels War of Independence. Egypt doesnt want it back. In 2005, in a land-for-peace experiment, Israelis withdrew from Gaza every farmer, every soldier, every synagogue, every grave. At that point, Gaza became, de facto, a Palestinian state, one Hamas began ruling after winning a two-year civil war against Fatah. In 2008, Hamas started firing rockets at Israeli targets near Gaza. On days when Hamas is not attacking, Israel provides Gaza with electricity. Medicine and other supplies are trucked into Gaza from Israel. Thousands of Gazans have been permitted to work in Israel at salaries far above what they could command at home. Israelis have attempted to prevent Hamas from importing weapons. This, Israels enemies allege, is a blockade! Last weekends attack illustrates how successful that blockade has been. What comes next? Israels first order of business is to clear southern Israel of all terrorists. Then, expect Israelis to destroy Hamass military capabilities as quickly as possible, saving as many hostages as possible. Will Hamass rule in Gaza also be terminated? Hard to say. As noted, Israelis dont occupy Gaza and dont want to. The strategic perspective is even more complex. Israelis know that Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and many of their other sworn enemies are pawns of a king whose head rests too easily in Tehran. This existential threat must be addressed sooner or later. A lesson from three centuries of pogroms: Sometimes, later can be too late. Reading histories of the Holocaust, one is impressed by the efforts of Hitler and the Nazi hierarchy to conceal their project from the eyes of the outside world. I recommend Nazi Germany and the Jews, by Saul Friedlander. Volume 1 has the subtitle The Years of Persecution, 1933-1939. Volume 2, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, is titled The Years of Extermination. It has the subtitle Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945. The two volumes are abridged in Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1933-1945. On this point I also recommend Gerald Flemings Hitler and the Final Solution (with an indispensable introduction by Friedlander), still in print from the University of California Press. In the video below Bari Weiss makes a point that has been on my mind since Saturday. Unlike the Nazis, Hamas has publicized its atrocities in real time. They flaunt them. The atrocities committed by Hamas mirror those of the Nazis in shape and substance, but they exceed them in shameless display of evil. Here and around the world, however, we see public displays of support for Hamas. Current events have flushed out the many Nazis in our midst. They have also flushed out the complicity of major American institutions. Here in the Twin Cities we have the University of Minnesota, whose leaders have issued a vacuous statement mourn[ing] the loss of life resulting from the ongoing violence. It would be better if they kept their mouth shut and pretended that moral idiocy and hapless cowardice were not their defining features. There is no doubt that if they can, the Palestinians and their Iranian allies will kill every Jew in the State of Israel. That is their oft-stated goal. On Saturday night, Gazas military took a step in the direction of genocide by massacring 900 or more Israelis, most of them women and children. All normal people have been horrified by the video and photographic evidence of the horrors that were perpetrated by Palestinians. But some in the West were weirdly unmoved. The Biden Administration twice called for a cease-fire before deleting those tweets. Barack Obama was silent for several days. Many Democrats have remained quiet up to the present, and in some cases have actually expressed support for Hamas. The Democratic Socialists of America have rallied on behalf of the Gazans mass murder. Harvard couldnt bestir itself to condemn the Palestinians attempt at genocide, and dozens of student groups there expressed approval of mass murder. Other mainstream organizations have likewise been AWOL. It is a long list, but let me point out just one: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran group in the U.S. Like the other mainstream Protestant denominations, the ELCA has been drifting leftward for a long time. Still, you would think this is an easy call. What would Jesus think about murdering, raping, torturing, injuring, abducting and imprisoning thousands of innocent people? Not a hard question to answer, one would think. But apparently the leaders of the ELCA dont see it that way. Their web site does not include even a pro forma objection to the Gazans rampage. It does, however, prominently feature a video by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton titled Why I am Against Christian Nationalism. Those Christian Nationalists, whoever they might be, are the real enemy! The ELCAs News feed contains no reference to the massacre in Israel. However, Bishop Eaton has recently commented on events in the Middle East. She released a Statement Concerning Jenin Incursions on July 5. That statement is consistent with past pronouncements by the ELCA, which always demonize Israel: As presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I join my colleague, the Rev. Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, in being deeply dismayed at the ongoing Israeli military incursions into Palestinian communities, especially in the city and refugee camp of Jenin. I echo what Bishop Azar said in his recent statement: The extensive damage to human lives and property, including the death of children, does not further the cause of justice and will not bring Israelis or Palestinians closer to peace or security. Our church calls for the upholding of human rights for Palestinians, for a ceasefire, and for an end to the occupation In addition, as noted by the World Council of Churches Central Committee late last month: We are witnessing a recent surge in attacks against individuals, families, churches and holy sites, as well as physical and verbal abuse targeting clergy by Israeli radicals. There must be accountability, not impunity. As a church that accompanies our Palestinian siblings, we call for justice and an end to extremism. The July 2023 IDF raid on Jenin was intended to root out terrorist infrastructure and stop the use of Jenin as a sanctuary for terrorists: The IDF operation focused on a local wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group known as the Jenin Battalion, as well as other smaller armed groups in the city and refugee camp. Those groups had shown fierce resistance to Israeli raids over the past year, highlighted by a massive roadside bomb detonated against an army vehicle last month, wounding seven soldiers. *** During the campaign, involving over 1,000 troops, IDF said forces located and demolished at least eight weapon storage sites, six explosives labs with hundreds of primed devices, three war rooms used by Palestinian gunmen to observe Israeli forces, and other terror infrastructure. The ELCAs alleged concerns about damage to human lives and property, including the death of children, radicals and extremism are highly selective. The organizing principle here isnt anti-evil, it is anti-Israel. If a religious organization cant object to the horrific sadism that has been on display over the last few days, it should go out of business. Which is why my wife and I, both lifelong Lutherans, are leaving the ELCA. We refuse to support any organizationlet alone a religious one!that has absolutely no moral compass. Im so old, I can remember when it would have been shocking to suggest that Playboy Magazine has more moral sense than Harvard University. Nowadays, maybe that doesnt come as a surprise. In any event, its true. When former porn performer Mia Khalifa tweeted her support for Hamass mass murderers and suggested that the killers should film their deeds horizontally so she could see them better, Playboy promptly cashiered her: tfw Playboy issues a better statement than Harvard pic.twitter.com/0D5x1FaOSS LB (@beyondreasdoubt) October 10, 2023 That is a vastly clearer and stronger statement than anything that has come out of Cambridge. On the bright side, though, student groups at Harvard that rushed to support Hamass attack are in full retreat. Some groups have rescinded their approval of the pro-Hamas statement they signed, while students have been resigning from boards of directors of signatory organizations. This may be driven in part by the fact that billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman called for the university to release the names of the students in these groups so that they will not be hired by Wall Street. Heh. Moral guidance comes from Playboy and Wall Street, not from universities or churches. That is the world we are living in. Russia has launched a major offensive on Avdiivka, Donetsk region. This is another of the defining battles of the war with Russia, which may become more fierce than the battle for Vuhledar in winter, as the occupiers can use the dense buildings of Donetsk and Yasynuvata for covert actions. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov. According to him, Avdiivka is of strategic importance for Russia, as it is actually the gateway to occupied Donetsk, the main communication hub in the territories captured by the enemy. In order to gain a foothold in Donbas, Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to move the front line away from Donetsk, the journalist explained. In 2022, the Russian army attacked Avdiivka, trying to deeply engulf it from both flanks. However, the offensive was stopped due to the heroic resistance of Ukrainians, Butusov noted. "The battle for Avdiivka will be more fierce than the battle for Vuhledar in winter. The dense buildings in Donetsk and Yasynuvata facilitate covert actions, deployment of artillery among residential areas, and hidden actions of armored vehicles. Russia has concentrated significant aviation forces, uses high-precision weapons, a large number of shells that could have been received from North Korea and Iran," the journalist writes. ADVERTISIMENT Butusov added that the occupiers are trying to achieve a great advantage in drones, which, together with enemy artillery, are used to hit the front lines. The enemy is trying to open the way for its infantry and tanks to break through the combat formations of Ukrainian troops, primarily using a large number of precision munitions. The main attack is coming from the south of Avdiivka. Unlike the first offensive, which lasted from July 2022 to March 2023, the city's coverage is now planned to be much shorter. At the same time, the occupiers are trying to avoid fighting in the city's urban areas and create a threat of encirclement for the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the city. ADVERTISIMENT "The situation is very serious, the battle for Avdiivka requires concentration of all resources. The Ukrainian Defense Forces also have their advantages in the area. We are well aware of where and how the enemy is going to attack. Now we need to realize these advantages. There are many targets for our artillery and attack drones. A very difficult battle has begun," Butusov summarized. As reported by OBOZREVATEL: - ISW noted that Russia launched a local offensive in the Avdiivka area on October 9. Moscow's propaganda is spreading the idea that the occupiers are allegedly approaching the goal of encircling the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but analysts are skeptical. At the same time, the enemy is trying to advance in western Zaporizhzhia near Orikhiv to draw Ukrainian forces away from Robotyne. ADVERTISIMENT - On September 28, the Russian army dropped bombs on the Avdiivka Coke Plant. A massive fire broke out at the plant. - The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted that the enemy tried three times to regain lost positions near Avdiivka, but the attempts were unsuccessful. Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The New York Times is out with a long feature yesterday entitled In Search of Kamala Harris. Youd think after two and a half years in office the sleuths at the Times news desk would have been able to find her by now, but apparently she is so stealthy that they have failed to do so. The most telling sentence in the long piece is this: White House senior advisers have exhorted Democrats to stop criticizing Harris to the press, on the record or off, telling them that its harmful to the overall ticket. Has a White House ever had to tell its own party members to lay off a vice president? Dan Quayle and Spiro Agnew both got tons of bad press and low poll numbers, but I do not recall they ever received intra-party criticism as Harris has. The story bends over backwards to be positive about Harris and avoid the plain truth, which is that shes a lightweight in way over her head, and was a terrible choice as a running mate. But even the skilled ventriloquist journalists at the Times cant disguise this fundamental fact. It seems that not only is the media still searching for Harris; Harris is searching for herself! In 2017, when Harris arrived in Washington as a senator from California, these contrasts were supposed to make her the Next Face of the Party, the rising star with an inside track to be the next Democratic presidential nominee. But after a disappointing 2020 campaign, and the reputational sting that has lasted ever since, Harris has often been a politician in search of a moment, rather than a leader defining this one. . . in terms of her own political profile, she has remained a vacuum of negative space, a vessel for supporters and detractors to fill as they choose, not least because she refuses to do so herself. Part of Harriss problem is clearly this: Harris craved the approval of the partys left wing, particularly the class of liberal, college-educated women who had grown more interested in [Elizabeth] Warrens unabashed progressivism. On the other hand, when the Times reporter tried to pin her down on her ideological disposition, she gave the usual dodge: [Reporter:] But one of the quotes I most remember from your presidential run was you saying, when asked what you believe in, that you werent trying to restructure society. How do you solve those kind of deep systemic inequalities? [Harris:] I think you have to be more specific, she parried, because Im not really into labels. Not into labels means you dont want to admit the label that actually fits you but is currently unpopular. The article reminds us of the circumstantial evidence that Harris is incapable: By June of her first year in office, Politico had already declared that Harriss office was rife with dissent and quoted an anonymous source claiming it was an abusive environment. A slew of staff departures fed a stream of headlines that only seemed to confirm the waywardness that had defined her presidential campaign. Her initial communications director, Ashley Etienne, left in less than a year. Simmons, her successor, stayed only a year and is now a commentator for CNN. The New York Post published a tally of Harriss staff departures 13 within 13 months. They included members of the advance team, her longtime policy adviser, her first chief of staff and her high-profile press secretary, Symone Sanders-Townsend, who now hosts a show on MSNBC. (Harris has yet to appear.) And that shes just plain weird: Many of her rhetorical quirks extend beyond policy the unbridled laugh (Harris has become the face of a new internet term, IJBOL, for I just burst out laughing); her passion for Venn diagrams (she mentions them so much that the G.O.P. has made a one-minute compilation video); and even her dance moves have become punchlines, shrinking Kamala Harris the vice president to Kamala Harris the meme. So is this story part of a behind the scenes campaign to get Harris off the ticket? This part of the story is interesting: Even off the record, Bidens senior advisers say that theres no desire to oust her and that the idea was never floated. One person in Bidens inner circle suggested that the president would be personally offended by the suggestion: Obamas campaign conducted polling on replacing Biden ahead of the 2012 election, and the subject stings the former vice president to this day. Im not sure whether that tidbit about Obama in 2012 has been previously reported, but it says a lot that Obamas team recognized that Biden is a nitwit. As the entire world is now seeing. Some of the Palestinians worst terrorist outrages were committed at Kibbutz Afar Aza, located almost adjacent to the Gaza border. They murdered many people there; I havent seen a total body count, but reportedly 40 infants were slaughtered in their cribs: 'About 40 babies were taken out on gurneys Cribs overturned, strollers left behind, doors left wide open' Our correspondent @Nicole_Zedek continues to survey the horror scenes left behind in Kibbutz Kfar Aza where Hamas invaded and murdered dozens of Israelis in their homes pic.twitter.com/ZZCwDGkV8z i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 10, 2023 Liberals commenting on that news report have expressed skepticism about the murdered infants and have demanded to see photos of bloody cribs. OK: Sir, do you think that this is spilled grape juice? https://t.co/jmyN0wdOwc pic.twitter.com/8azbTMyLxO Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) October 10, 2023 Many liberals seem to be fine with beheading babies, but that isnt the point of this post. A few years ago, one of my daughters, who has been in Israel a couple of times, toured Kibbutz Afar Aza. This is a picture of part of her group, and the woman who showed them around the kibbutz: Is that woman still alive? I dont know. It probably is around 50/50. I do know this: if my daughter had been at Kibbutz Afar Aza last Saturday night instead of a few years ago, she most likely would have been murdered or worse by Palestinians. So the massacre is personal to me. It must be punished severely, and nothing like it must be permitted to happen, ever again. PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 14:31:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1060 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Atomic Minerals Corporation ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the"Company") (TSX Venture:ATOM) announces that the Board of Directors of the Company has recommended consolidation of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of five (5) pre-consolidated Common Shares for one (1) new post consolidated Common Share (the "Consolidation") and a subsequent financing as the Company believes the proposed Consolidation will position the Company with increased flexibility to seek additional capital given the current market conditions.As of the date of this news release, the Company has 68,274,598 Common Shares issued and outstanding. After completing of the Consolidation, the Company is expected to have approximately 13,654,920 Common Shares issued and outstanding without par value as may be approved by the board of directors and accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The Company's name and stock symbol will remain the same after the Consolidation, although the Company's CUSIP and ISIN numbers will change. No fractional Shares will be issued as a result of the Consolidation. Instead, any fractional share interest of 0.5 or higher arising from the Consolidation will be rounded up to one whole Share, and any fractional share interest of less than 0.5 will be cancelled.This restructuring and proposed subsequent financing will provide the necessary capital to enable the Company to focus on permitting its Dolores Anticline Property (the "Dolores") for drilling. Dolores lies on the northern end of the Dolores Anticline, in San Miguel County, Colorado, at the southern end of the Uravan Mineral Belt ("Uravan"). Historic oil and gas, and uranium drilling on the nose and the flank of the Dolores anticline returned anomalous gamma ray spikes in the basal section of the Triassic Age Chinle Formation, indicating the potential presence of uranium mineralization. The past producing Bull Snake Mine further confirms the uranium potential of the Dolores anticline. The favorable sandstone unit within the Chinle, the Moss Back Member, clearly outcrops in the canyon of the Dolores River.The Company will simultaneously commence the permitting process at the 10 Mile Property, where historic oil and gas drilling has also returned anomalous gamma ray spikes in the basal section of the Triassic Age Chinle Formation, again indicating the potential presence of uranium mineralization. Our Harts Point Project is currently joint ventured with Kraken Energy Corp. The uranium mineralization at all three of our U.S. properties was discovered through the study of drilling data previously generated by the oil and gas industry while exploring for future reserves. The Company has a further oil and gas database of over 1,300 drill holes. This financing will further contribute to the exploration of these holes for the presence of uranium mineralization.The Company will issue a further news release notifying shareholders as to when the effective date of the Consolidation will occur and the date on which the Company's Common Shares will commence trading on the TSXV on a consolidated basis with new ISIN and Cusip numbers.The Company will also proceed with a proposed Private Placement (the "Offering") with the sale of units (the "Units") at a price to be determined on a post-consolidated basis. The closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the TSXV. Finder's fees may be payable in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.Pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and the Articles of the Company, the Consolidation was approved by way of resolutions passed by the board of directors of the Company but remains subject to the approval of the TSXV.Clive Massey, CEO of Atomic Minerals Corporation, stated, "Atomic Minerals is actively assessing our portfolio of projects and potential acquisitions. Over the past year, we have dedicated significant effort to advancing our projects for the benefit of our valued shareholders. We hold a firm belief that the consolidation of Atomic Minerals shares will enhance our flexibility in negotiating favorable terms for potential acquisitions and the required funding for future endeavors. It's important to note that any consideration of share consolidation would only occur if it proved advantageous as part of a potentially beneficial transaction for our shareholders." Qualified PersonMr. R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), an advisor to the Company, is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is responsible for the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein.About the CompanyAtomic Minerals Corp. is a publicly listed exploration company on the TSX Venture Exchange, trading under the symbol ATOM. Led by a highly skilled management and technical team with a proven track record in the junior mining sector. Our objective at Atomic Minerals is to identify exploration opportunities in regions that have been previously overlooked but are geologically similar to those with previous uranium discoveries. These underexplored areas hold immense potential and are in stable geopolitical and economic environments.Currently, our property portfolio contains Uranium projects with significant technical merit in two locations known for hosting Uranium production in the past. we have three on the Colorado Plateau, within the continental United States. The plateau has previously produced 597 million pounds of U3O8 The other three are in the prolific Athabasca region in Saskatchewan, Canada.For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.atomicminerals.ca ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS"Clive Massey"Clive H. MasseyPresident & CEOFor further information, please contact:Dave Langlais(778) 316-5105Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward-Looking Statements:This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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 Atomic Minerals Corporation believes t PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 13:05:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1028 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Aton Resources Inc. (TSXV:AAN) ("Aton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the reverse circulation percussion ("RC") programme drilling at its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat" or the "Concession"), in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, as well as the first results from the West Garida and Abu Gaharish prospects (Figure 1).Highlights:85 holes were drilled, for a total of 11,700m, during the regional exploration RC programme at the West Garida, Abu Gaharish, Semna and Zeno prospects;A further 628m was drilled from 3 groundwater exploration holes approximately 20km west of the Hamama project area;Significant flows were recorded from the groundwater exploration holes within Nubian Sandstone cover rocks, proving the concept that this unit could provide process water supplies for the planned Hamama West and Rodruin mining projects;Significant mineralised intersections from the Abu Gaharish prospect included 9m @ 2.10 g/t Au, 3m @ 4.61 g/t Au and 3m @ 3.27 g/t Au. The gold mineralisation was primarily concentrated in a broadly mineralised envelope at the Gaharish Main Zone;Narrow mineralised intersections at West Garida included 2m @ 3.66 g/t Au and 24.3 g/t Ag from Vein #1 and 1m @ 4.00 g/t Au from Vein #3."We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the regional RC exploration drilling programme at Abu Marawat, and to provide the first tranche of results" said Tonno Vahk, Interim CEO. "We are particularly happy with the results of the groundwater drilling in the Nubian Sandstone west of Hamama, designed to test the potential of these rocks to provide process water supplies to the planned starter heap leach mining project at Hamama West. The results were very encouraging with the drilling intersecting significant groundwater hosted in the Nubian cover. It is particularly encouraging that the drilling did not penetrate deep enough to intersect the main target, the basal Tarif Sandstone Unit of the Nubian, which suggests that this unit may host significant groundwater resources closer to Hamama than was previously anticipated. EMRA continue to review our submission to them detailing Commercial Discoveries at the Hamama West and Rodruin deposits, in accordance with the terms of the Abu Marawat Concession Agreement, and we are hopeful that this process is moving towards a successful conclusion and the issuance of the mining licence at Abu Marawat. The issuance of the first gold mining licence in Egypt to a publicly listed foreign investor since Sukari in 2005 would represent a very significant step forwards for Aton, as well as for Egypt, the Ministry of Petroleum and EMRA." 2023 Abu Marawat RC drilling programmeThe exploration RC drilling, undertaken by Geodrill's Egyptian branch, Geodrill for Leasing and Specialized Services Freezone LLC, commenced at the West Garida prospect, 3km east of Hamama West. Prior to the rig being mobilised to Abu Gaharish, 3 groundwater exploration holes were also drilled to test the Nubian Sandstone aquifer approximately 20km west of the Hamama project. Drilling at Abu Gaharish, and subsequently at the Semna and Zeno prospects was supported by fly camps. The drill metres for the programme are summarised in Table 1.ProjectNumber of holesTotal metresGroundwater exploration (Nubian Sandstone)628West Garida211,522Abu Gaharish223,300Semna213,662Zeno213,216Total8812,328Table 1: Breakdown of the RC drilling completedFigure 1: Geology and prospect plan of the Abu Marawat ConcessionGroundwater exploration drilling2 holes HAW-01 and HAW-02 were drilled south of the Hamama access road approximately 20km west of the Hamama West mineral deposit to test the potential of the Nubian Sandstone Formation to produce sufficient volumes of process water for the proposed Hamama West. Hole HAW-03 was drilled approximately 4km further east of HAW-01, back towards Hamama. Details and locations of the holes are provided in Table 2.Hole IDCollar co-ordinates 1,2EOH depth (m)DipGrid azimuthCommentsHAW-015170722910962291100-90Hole dryHAW-025166792909410285294-90c. 700 l/min flow from 270m depthHAW-035207922911753315234-90c. 480 l/min flow from 222m depthNotes:All co-ordinates are UTM (WGS84) Zone 36RCollar surveys undertaken using handheld Garmin GPSTable 2: Collar details of groundwater exploration drill holesThe RC holes were drilled at 5" diameter, with holes HAW-02 and HAW-03 reducing to 5" diameter. Holes HAW-01 and HAW-02 were cased through the surface alluvial sheet wash deposits to 12m depth, and HAW-03 was cased to 30m depth.Hole HAW-01 failed to intersect any water by its target depth of 100m, and was terminated. Holes HAW-02 and HAW-03 both intersected significant groundwater from about 120m depth, with the drillers unable to keep the holes and samples dry (Figure 2). Hole HAW-02 was terminated at 294m, and HAW-03 was terminated at 234m, due to the hole collapsing in water-bearing sandstones.All holes were drilled through a variegated sequence of predominantly brown, red, grey and black shales and mudstones, with intercalated sandstone units interpreted as belonging to the Quseir Unit of the Cretaceous Nubian Sandstone Formation. The target basal Tarif Sandstone Unit of the Nubian Sandstone Formation was not intersected in any of the 3 holes.Figure 2: Drilling on groundwater exploration hole HAW-02Both holes HAW-02 and HAW-03 started making significant amounts of water from about 120m onwards, with the volume increasing with depth. Water was primarily hosted within sandstone horizons intercalated with the predominantly shale and mudstone sequence. Airlift testing was carried out on both holes, using the booster compressor, but no formal pump testing was undertaken. Water flows were measured using a V-notch weir system. Significant water flows were recorded from both holes HAW-02 and HAW-03, to a maximum of c. 700 l/min from 270m depth, and 480 l/min from 220m depth, respectively.The programme has successfully proved the concept that the Nubian Sandstone cover which outcrops to the west of the Hamama area could potentially host sufficient groundwater resources to provide process water for the proposed Hamama West open mine and heap leach project. It is noted that the drilling failed to intersect the deeper basal Tarif Sandstone Unit of the Nubian Sandstone Formation that was the primary target of the programme. The Nubian Sandstone cover dips west towards the Nile River basin, which suggests that the Tarif Formation aquifer could be potentially intersected PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 03:20:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 406 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN LEANDRO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 10, 2023 / Cal Coast Companies announced today an exciting new project that will be launched in early 2024 at the San Leandro Marina Park. The integrated master planned development, a public/private partnership with the City of San Leandro, aims to revitalize the 52-acre area surrounding the marina, and create a vibrant new community space.Selected as the master developer through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process in 2008, Cal Coast will spearhead the ambitious redevelopment project. Plans for the site include multi-family apartments with 285 units, 206 single family and townhomes, a 220-key hotel, a conference center consisting of approximately 7,500 square feet, three new restaurants, a community library, a 25-acre passive public park, and nearly 2 miles of public promenade. These new additions will seamlessly integrate with the existing restaurants, hotel, and marine facilities, enhancing the overall experience for residents and visitors.The San Leandro Marina Park project is expected to generate approximately 1,660 new jobs along the shoreline, providing a significant economic boost to the region. With an emphasis on public amenities, such as the extensive passive public park and the public promenade, the redevelopment aims to create a welcoming and recreational environment for the community.Rich Lamphere, an experienced player in commercial and multi-family construction, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I'm honored to be working with Cal Coast and the City of San Leandro on this transformative and ambitious project. The integrated master planned development at San Leandro Marina Park will not only enhance the local landscape, it will create a vibrant community space that will promote growth, economic prosperity, and a sense of community." Cal Coast, known for its commitment to sustainable and innovative developments, brings its expertise to this landmark project. The company's dedication to creating inclusive and environmentally conscious spaces aligns with the vision for San Leandro Marina Park.The City of San Leandro is equally excited about the partnership and potential benefits for the community. Construction on the infrastructure at San Leandro Marina Park redevelopment project is scheduled to begin early 2024. As the project takes shape, it is poised to elevate the San Leandro community, offering a diverse range of amenities and contributing to the economic prosperity of the region.For more information and updates on the San Leandro Marina Park project, please visit their website.Media DetailsWebsite URL: https://www.sanleandro.org/655/Shoreline-Development Company Name: TL Pacific, LLCEmail address: Rich@ TLPacific.com SOURCE: TL Pacific, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 17:17:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 367 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or the "Company") (NYSE:HE) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Hawaiian Electric securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/he Case Details:The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Hawaiian Electric's wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; (2) accordingly, despite knowing the degree of risk that wildfires posed to Maui, the Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (3) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/he or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Hawaiian Electric you have until October 23, 2023 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 19:16:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 644 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 EYBENS, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Waga Energy (Euronext Paris: FR0012532810; EPA: WAGA), a global expert in the production of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from landfills, signed a commercial agreement with the Chester County Solid Waste Authority to produce RNG at its Lanchester Landfill and Reclamation Center (LLARC) site, located in Narvon, PA, USA. The contract was signed on October 4th following a competitive selection process.As part of this agreement, Waga Energy will fund the construction of an RNG facility using its patented WAGABOX technology, to upgrade landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG. Waga Energy will operate the facility for an initial 20-year term, sharing revenues with Chester County Solid Waste Authority, an intergovernmental solid waste management agency which operates the LLARC site.The WAGABOX unit will process up to 2,000scfm (3,200 m3/h) of landfill gas to produce over 450,000MMBtu (130 GWh/y) of RNG per year. The low carbon RNG produced by the LLARC WAGABOX will avoid over 27,000 tons of eqCO2 per year, compared to using fossil fuels, equivalent to avoiding emissions from 2.8 million gallons of gasoline per year, based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculation methodology[1].The LLARC Landfill receives around 280,000 tons of waste per year. The resulting landfill gas is already captured to prevent direct methane emissions to the atmosphere. Once operational, the WAGABOX facility will optimize the energy recovered, providing the local community with clean, local and renewable energy, using the existing infrastructure.This is the sixth landfill gas to RNG upgrading project undertaken by Waga Energy in the United States. A WAGABOX unit was commissioned last May in Canada, and 17 more are in operation in Europe.Robert Watts, Executive Director, Chester County Solid Waste Authority, said: "We are very excited to be working with Waga Energy to upgrade our landfill gas to pipeline-quality RNG." Guenael Prince, Chief Executive Officer of Waga Energy Inc. (USA), said: "We are honored to have been selected as Chester County Solid Waste Authority's partner for this project, which will benefit the local community both environmentally and economically. By implementing the best-in-class landfill gas upgrading technology, the LLARC RNG WAGABOX will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating additional revenues." About Waga EnergyWaga Energy (EPA: WAGA) produces competitively priced Renewable Natural Gas by upgrading landfill gas using a patented purification technology called WAGABOX. The RNG produced is injected directly into the gas distribution networks that supply individuals and businesses, providing a substitute for natural gas. Waga Energy finances, builds and operates its WAGABOX units under long-term contracts with landfill operators for the supply of raw gas, and generates income by selling the RNG it produces. Waga Energy operates eighteen WAGABOX units in France, Spain and Canada, representing an installed capacity of 2,270,000 MMBtu (665 GWh/y). Sixteen units are under construction in France, Canada, and the US. Each project initiated by Waga Energy contributes to the fight against global warming and helps the energy transition.About the Chester County Solid Waste AuthorityThe Chester County Commissioners established the Chester County Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) in August 1984. In September 1984, the CCSWA became owner and operator of the LLARC Landfill, a 600-acre property located in Honey Brook, Salisbury, and Caernarvon townships that includes 160 acres of landfills. The mission of CCSWA is to manage all discarded materials in the LLARC service area with minimum environmental impact and with an overall long-term goal of zero waste. Visit us at: https://www.chestercountyswa.org/ for more information.Waga EnergyLaurent Barbotin+33772-771-185 laurent.barbotin@waga-energy.com Waga EnergyAlicia Fanni +1 (786) 300-9545 alicia.fanni@waga-energy.com Chester CountyRobert Watts+1 (484) 796-4040bwatts@ chestercswa.org [1]Or 21,500 tons of eqCO2 based on comparative non-renewable and renewable natural gas emission factors in France according to French energy agency ADEME's carbon database and factoring in direct and indirect emissions.Regulatory filing PDF fileFile: Download the press releaseSOURCE: Waga Energy PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 15:30:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1022 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Clean Vision Corporation (OTCQB:CLNV) ("Clean Vision" or the "Company"), a leading innovator in sustainable technologies, today announced that it has entered into a strategic engagement agreement with Grant Thornton International ("Grant Thornton"), a renowned global advisory firm, in 2023, for the issuance of up to $340 million in the form of notes (the "Green Bonds"). The Green Bonds will be issued (i) in accordance with the EU-Green Bond Standard in connection with the action plan of the European Commission on financing sustainable growth and as contemplated by the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (TEG) and proposed to the European Commission in its Interim Report on a "Proposal for an EU Green Bond Standard" and (ii) as bearer bonds under German law. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the proposed Green Bond and note issuance to fund the establishment and operation of its patent-pending Plastic Conversion Network ("PCN") under the "Clean-Seas" banner worldwide. Clean Vision's engagement with Grant Thornton represents a significant step towards deploying the PCN and combating plastic pollution and advancing a cleaner, greener future.Clean Vision aims to tackle the plastic pollution crisis by implementing its PCN on a global scale. With the net proceeds of the Green Bond, the Company expects to accelerate and expand its PCN by deploying plastic conversion facilities across multiple regions, worldwide.The PCN is designed to optimize the way plastic waste is managed. Through our PCN, we strive to connect plastic feedstock to strategically located conversion facilities and reduce costs, logistics and carbon footprint associated with converting plastic waste, thereby reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution. With a successful closing of the Green Bond, Clean Vision expects to be poised to make a substantial difference by commissioning a minimum of six plastic waste conversion lines in its PCN globally.The Company intends to use the Green Bond proceeds to install its PCNs in West Virginia, Arizona, and Southeast Asia and expand its currently operational Moroccan facility. Our goal is for these strategically chosen locations to serve as pivotal hubs in the Company's mission to combat plastic pollution and create a more sustainable future for our planet.Mr. Daniel Bates, CEO of Clean Vision, expressed his excitement about the engagement with Grant Thornton and the potential notes issuance, stating, "This engagement with Grant Thornton underscores our dedication to driving change in the fight against plastic pollution. I believe this is further validation of our commitment to sustainable innovation. We believe that with the support of our partners and investors, we can make a significant impact on a global scale." Grant Thornton, known for its expertise in financial advisory and legal services in particular with regard to sustainable investments, is enthusiastic about supporting Clean Vision's mission to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Together, they aim to demonstrate that sustainable business practices can go hand-in-hand with financial success."We are excited to work with Clean Vision on this groundbreaking initiative," said Dr. Oliver Decker, Partner and Head of Financial Services Legal at Grant Thornton. "We believe our expertise in sustainable finance and Clean Vision's innovative technology will create a powerful combination. We look forward to helping Clean Vision bring its vision to life." The Green Bond is anticipated to attract environmentally conscious investors and institutions looking to support sustainable initiatives. Clean Vision is confident that this engagement with Grant Thornton and a successful Green Bond, which cannot be guaranteed, will not only drive positive environmental change but also set a new standard for corporate responsibility in the fight against plastic pollution.Clean Vision is committed to transparency and will provide regular updates on the progress of the "Clean-Seas" initiative and the deployment of plastic conversion facilities through our PCN.A video supporting the Green Bond can be seen here: www.cleanvisioncorp.com/greenbondvideo About Clean Vision CorporationClean Vision is a public company that operates a portfolio of synergistic companies in the sustainable clean technology and green energy sectors. For more information, visit: www.cleanvisioncorp.com and follow us on Twitter: @CleanVisionCorpAbout Clean-Seas, Inc.Clean-Seas , Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clean Vision. It is working to provide efficient and cost-effective technology solutions that address the global plastic crisis as creating economic opportunity and social benefit across the world. Clean-Seas' goal is to offer "best in class" pyrolysis technology deployment with strategic alliances for plastic diversion and conversion, including securing plastic feedstock and off-take agreements. For more information, visit: www.clean-seas.com About Grant Thornton InternationalGrant Thornton International is the world's sixth-largest network of independent accounting and consulting firms providing insurance, tax and other advisory services to private or public companies. All members of the network together employ 62,000 people in more than 130 countries and had revenues of $6.6 billion in 2021. Grant Thornton Germany is a member of the international network and - with around 1,500 employees - is one of the leading German consulting firms in the fields of auditing, tax, consulting and legal services. Grant Thornton Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH advises in particular in the areas of real estate law, labor law, mergers & acquisitions, insolvency and restructuring, corporate law, investment law and banking and capital markets law.For more information, please visit grantthornton.de Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes express or implied statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance and may contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial information or state other forward-looking information. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict,% PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 22:14:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1003 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The $39-million investment is the largest investment the company has made in its semiconductor equipment and services business. Opening of the new factory is part of the company's strategy to expand its global manufacturing capacity and further support the growing presence of key industry players in the state of Arizona. EMD Electronics implements a strategic workforce plan that includes working with key educational institutions and veteran recruitment efforts.CHANDLER, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / EMD Electronics, the Electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the U.S. and Canada, celebrated the grand opening of its newest factory in Chandler, Arizona, today. The opening of the site is part of the "Level Up" growth program announced in late 2021. The factory features a 75,000-square-foot building that doubles the company's manufacturing capacity in the U.S. to produce equipment for its Delivery Systems & Services (DS&S) business, which provides high-quality delivery and storage of specialty chemicals and gases. The $39-million investment in the new site is the largest investment the company has made in its semiconductor equipment and services business, which has become a key growth driver thanks to a strong business pipeline. With this investment, EMD Electronics will further support the growing presence of key semiconductor players in the thriving semiconductor ecosystem in the state of Arizona.EMD Electronics Chandler Grand Opening, Governor Hobbs & CEO Electronics, Kai Beckmann Arizona Governor Hobbs and Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany, CEO Electronics, Kai Beckmann. "The global semiconductor market's long-term outlook is strong and so is our commitment to purposefully expand our capacities and services in the immediate vicinity of our customers," said Kai Beckmann, Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and CEO Electronics. "We're excited about the growth trajectory of our Delivery Systems & Services business, and proud to open a new site in Arizona and strengthen our presence in this premier destination for semiconductor production. Today's opening symbolizes our confidence in the future of our industry and our promise to take our business and our people to new heights." Katherine Dei Cas, Head of the Delivery Systems & Services business unit within the Electronics business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, added: "Our equipment, delivery services, and technical expertise are fundamental to enabling the operational excellence required in semiconductor manufacturing. By increasing our manufacturing capacities and advancing our workforce strategy, we're keeping up with our customers as the semiconductor ecosystem continues to expand. It's an honor to be part of the collaborative effort by leaders and advocates from the public and private sectors to contribute to the momentum of our industry." The grand opening celebration was attended by the Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, and the Mayor of Chandler, Kevin Hartke. Senator Mark Kelly delivered a video speech. Industry leaders and representatives from the City of Chandler, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), convened at the event that took place at the new facility's production area. "The grand opening of EMD Electronics is yet another example of Arizona's new era as a hub for innovation and technology," said the Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs. "I'm happy to welcome another great company that will further grow our state's semiconductor ecosystem. Historic semiconductor investments are rippling across our state, supporting the establishment and growth of new businesses, like EMD Electronics here today." "We are excited to welcome EMD Electronics to our business community," said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. "It is industry leaders like EMD Electronics that have made Chandler a community of innovation and thriving hub for the semiconductor industry." "EMD Electronics' new facility bolsters Arizona's reputation as an epicenter for advanced semiconductor operations," said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "EMD Electronics is a valued addition to Chandler's rapidly-growing semiconductor ecosystem, expanding the state's semiconductor supply chain while contributing to the continued growth of Arizona's semiconductor industry." "Since starting operations in June, EMD Electronics has made an immediate impact on the burgeoning Chandler semiconductor ecosystem," said Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO Chris Camacho. "The company joins a deep industry around the region, and as Greater Phoenix has become semiconductor central in the United States, it has also grown into a home for a number of international companies taking advantage of the business environment and workforce." Expansion activities highlight the company's commitment to strengthening supply chain resilience and supporting talent pipelineAs the industry ramps up semiconductor production to keep pace with forecasted demand, the investment in the new site will supplement the company's ability to support customers' expansion plans and secure supply resilience and reliability.With an efficient manufacturing design for optimal product throughput, the new factory doubles EMD Electronics' manufacturing capacity to produce its GASGUARD and CHEMGUARD systems in the U.S. The site also features a 75,000-square-foot building, a 6,000-square-foot clean room, and a 2,000-square-foot training center. The training center is designed to support manufacturing and services onboarding.Manufacturing operations in the new site started in June 2023. Since then, staffing levels have grown to greater than 100 total employees. As part of its workforce strategy, EMD Electronics has robust university relations and a veterans program in place to nurture the industry's and its own talent pipeline. The company continues to actively engage in a concerted effort to advance emerging talent in collaboration with key stakeholders - such as the SEMI Foundation, Arizona State University (ASU), the Maricopa County Community College District, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, among others.In April 2023, the company announced a roughly $300 million investment in its semiconductor manufacturing site in Hometown, Pennsylvania, now the world's largest integrated Specialty Gases facility.All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada, please go to www.emdgr PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 19:55:49 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 979 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Quest Diagnostics:Originally published in Quest Diagnostics Corporate Responsibility Report 2022Empowering consumers with direct health insightsIn October 2022, we launched questhealth.com to better deliver actionable diagnostic insights directly to health-minded consumers without first requiring a doctor's visit. More than 70 diagnostic tests are available- from general health profiles to tests for specific conditions, including heart health and sexually transmitted infections. Consumers can shop, schedule appointments for tests at our PSCs, and access results securely from their phone or computer. Beyond ease of use, questhealth.com reaches:Patients interested in reducing perceived barriers when accessing lab testing (lack of time, inconvenience, cost due to lack of health plan coverage, gaps in knowledge of tests and test selection, privacy concerns)Patients with chronic conditions who need regular testingPatients with higher risk who are focused on preventionProactive patients who are in good health and want more data on how to stay healthyPatients who want to understand an acute issue they are experiencingPatients are given the option to speak with an independent physician regardless of results. We plan to continue to expand the types of tests offered through this site.Access and affordabilityQuest continued to grow access to and affordability of our industry-leading diagnostic services in 2022 by expanding our reach across the US and building on our financial assistance programs. Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE), our philanthropic initiative with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation, has also made strides in expanding the availability of services in under-resourced communities.Scaling access to our servicesTo reach more consumers, Quest introduced new relationships with retailers and hospital systems in 2022.We acquired the outreach lab services business of Summa Health in Ohio and Northern Light Health in Maine. This strengthened our ability to give access to our innovative test offerings to more providers and patients. We also continued to provide professional lab management services to health systems and hospitals, helping them to reduce their costs and make their services more affordable.Expanding accessibility through financial assistanceWe aim to find solutions to serve patients who cannot easily afford diagnostic services. If a patient has a past-due bill, we offer clear communication regarding assistance options available to them. In addition, our Patient Financial Assistance (PFA) program provides a capped price on testing to patients whose income is near or below federally identified poverty levels. Effective January 1, 2023, we revised the PFA program to include more patients by extending the duration of eligibility following initial qualification from 6 to 12 months.Continued action on COVID-19Quest has played a significant role in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 and continues to do so. We have performed approximately 77 million COVID-19 molecular and serology tests and provided population health insights to federal, state, and local agencies, including the CDC, to aid the public health response strategy.In 2022, Quest expanded its COVID-19 retail pharmacy testing footprint from CVS, Walmart, Giant Eagle, and Safeway to include a national collaboration with Rite-Aid. Rite-Aid and Bartell Drugs worked together to offer at-home PCR specimen kits at 2,350 stores and on-site PCR collection at drive-through locations. Additionally, Quest participated in the CDC's Increasing Access to Testing program, which provides free COVID-19 lab testing at select Quest PSCs for uninsured patients in historically marginalized communities.Quest for Health Equity's growing impactQ4HE was launched in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Q4HE, Quest and the Quest Diagnostics Foundation are focused on addressing inequities in under-resourced communities by collaborating with local stakeholders to support community-driven priorities and advance equity in healthcare. In 2022, Q4HE expanded its reach through new relationships, providing grant funding, offering no-cost lab testing, and expanding workforce development.Expanding a community health program: Bread of LifeBread of Life has empowered communities in downtown Houston for the past 30 years by providing social support and services. Q4HE has accelerated the development of Bread of Life's Community Care Program by providing training and career opportunities for phlebotomists and community health workers. Q4HE investment also goes toward sustaining collaborations with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Free and Charitable Clinics. A portion of the grant issued to Bread of Life is regranted to other community-based organizations that address issues such as food insecurity and provide access to behavioral health services."We are proud of the progress we've made through our Q4HE collaborations to address the health equity gap and look forward to deepening our impact in 2023."MICHAEL K. FLOYD, Sr Director, Quest for Health EquityIncreasing outreach with Choose Healthy LifeQ4HE has continued to fund Choose Healthy Life, a program dedicated to enhancing the capacity of Black churches to promote community wellness. Pairing community health workers (Health Navigators) with church leaders at each of the program's 60 churches, participants benefit from having "trusted messengers" from the community assist them in making decisions impacting their health.The next phase of Choose Healthy Life launched in October 2022 with a focus on providing no-cost access to Blueprint for Wellness. Participants are given specific insights into the state of their health, as well as guidance on how to improve results. Participants can also be screened for eligibility for key social services, like housing, food benefits, and connecting to a healthcare provider.Delivering specialty care to patients who are uninsured and underinsuredThrough Q4HE, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation has provided a grant to ConferMED, a national network of specialists providing telehealth services. ConferMED brings their technology and network of specialty physicians to provide e-consults to patients at underserved community health centers. Patients benefit from efficient access to specialty care, fewer trips to providers, and reduced expenses caused by additional medical visits, including childcare, transportation, and time away from work. Patients also avoid unnecessary or duplicative tests and procedures and other risks inherent to exposure to the medical system. These translate directly to increased productivity at work and reduced absenteeism. Th The Russian naval grouping in the temporarily occupied Crimea remains quite large, so it is too early to talk about a change in the balance of power. However, the enemy has changed its tactics and stopped using a large number of ships. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, in an interview with LIGA.net. According to him, the occupiers are using only Kalibr missile carriers in combat. "It is too early to say that the balance of power in Crimea has changed in favor of the enemy. The grouping remains quite large - more than 30 warships, not counting boats and auxiliary fleet," said the Ukrainian Navy spokesman. According to him, it is difficult to say that the balance of power has changed, but we can say that the Russians have changed their tactics: the occupiers are using only platforms for launching Kalibr cruise missiles in combat, and the rest of the ships are not actually involved in hostilities. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have pushed back the front linein the Black Sea about 185 kilometers from the government-controlled coast of our country. Currently, hostile Russian ships are not actually sailing in the direction of Ukraine's territorial waters. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 15:20:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1042 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NAPOLEONVILLE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Impact Fusion International Inc. (OTC PINK:IFUS)September 30, 2023 marked our official year end and as of that date we have accomplished a great deal. As article after article was published about the conditions in many states that have been severely affected by the drought that ravished many of the states in the south of the country including but not limited to Texas, Mississippi. Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma and New Mexico we have reached out to and met with government officials, both state and federal, to educate them on the availability of SGP+. We are waiting confirmation of meetings with local and federal senators, governors and Lt. Governors.We firmly believe that our technology, when properly applied, following our protocols, is proven to increase herd health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, can eliminate fly infestation, produces ideal Score 3 manure patties (Manure scoring determines supplementation needs - Noble Research Institute), reduces the cost from $3.45 per day per head to $0.45 per day per head while at the same time generating more revenue for the ranchers and the farmers. We have the capability of producing 4900 tons per week on a six day schedule. Using our existing equipment we can run 2 10 hour shifts over 6 days. We have the capacity to feed America's herds of both beef and dairy cattle. The link below is of a short video produced by Pixel TV which provides in depth information about your product. https://youtu.be/E8_q5TpwkMU We have individually reached out to close to 300 Extension Agents in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma via email with follow up phone calls to further discuss the opportunities afforded by using our technology platform. The Extension Agents are on the front lines working with ranchers and farmers to provide guidance and advice. We will continue to educate the Extension Agents who work in concert with State Universities such as LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State and their agriculture departments. Our concentration will now be on Alabama and New Mexico.Over the summer, Marc Walther, CEO attended symposiums and trade shows attended by cattle ranchers and dairy farmers with whom he had the opportunity to discuss SGP+. He continues to reach out to those ranchers with whom he met. Word of mouth and neighborly referrals have continued to build our customer base.Marc has also conducted a number of Podcasts the most recent being a 90 minute interview with Buffalo Fireside Chats which was a comprehensive discussion of all things Impact Fusion. https://t.co/QAkG4vPuvR.As previously stated in the most recent Letter to the Shareholders, the Company reported that Marc Walther, CEO, had had conversations with representatives from India who control 10 sugar refineries and have access to feeding 500,000 dairy cattle in the sub-continent. In addition, they have expressed interest in our Intact Nutrition product line. The Company is pleased to report that we are concentrating on sharing information about how our SGP+ could help them by establishing a facility in India. We recently received a forage analysis report from their laboratory in India on their bagasse. It shows that their bagasse product is superior to ours. This can be explained by soil, weather and sugarcane management. In short, it shows that the lignin content (crucial to providing crude protein to the cattle) is of higher concentration.The next step in this proposed process is to have this group ship to us, 2 containers of their raw bagasse to our facility. Once received, we will process the product in our facility and ship to our test ranch in Jefferson, Texas. Once the test is successfully complete, we will ship the processed product back to India for testing on their herds following our protocols. This is understandably a long-term project with a view to establishing SGP+ 2.0 in India. We are already sourcing equipment and ingredients in the region to start building a logistics and cost platform. We are committed to working with these fine business people to prepare and negotiate a business proposal that will benefit both groups.IFUS Letter to the Shareholders September 28, 2023 | IFUS - Impact Fusion International Inc. | News | OTC MarketsWe have formulated our long and short term goals to include securing additional ranchers and dairy farmers into our customer base, we are committed to working with Extension Agents attached to State universities and their livestock nutritionists, government agriculture commissioners and other governmental officials to further educate participants in the beef industry.About Impact Fusion International Inc.Impact Fusion International, Inc. is in the business of marketing products in the "Health and Wellness" sector of all international markets. It is the company's mission to invent, develop and market these proprietary products worldwide for the health and well-being of humans and animals.The information contained in this release includes some statement that are not purely historical and that are "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our and their management's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including our financial condition, results of operations. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipates," "believes," "continue," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "might," "plans," "possible," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "should," "would" and similar expressions, or the negatives of such terms, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and the potential effects on the parties and the corporate and administrative transactions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 03:42:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 314 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Oct. 12-15, 2023, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, Stand A1SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 10, 2023 / San Francisco welcomes Phoenix Ancient Art with open arms for its 41st annual Fall Show entitled "La Dolce Vita." The themed event endorses poetic beauty, exquisite artworks, unique designs, and all refined materials. The show will be held from Oct. 12-15, 2023, at the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco, California, United States.Hicham Aboutaam in San Francisco Hicham Aboutaam, Jupiter, San Francisco Fall ShowIn its second-consecutive participation, Phoenix Ancient Art has curated a display that represents "the good life" from different famed cultures, periods, and prominent provenances. With a selection of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian art, it is guaranteed to be a delight to walk through the highlights of craftsmanship from each civilization.Hicham Aboutaam, the owner of Electrum, the exclusive agent for Phoenix Ancient Art, says, "The display this year will exemplify the high art from several historical eras. With recognized names such as Alexander the Great, Jupiter, Mercury, and Gudea, we have put together the best of the best." The beauty of ancient art, rich history, and culture will grace the San Francisco Fall Show.ABOUT PHOENIX ANCIENT ARTWith galleries in New York City (Electrum) and Geneva, Switzerland, Phoenix Ancient Art is one of the world's leading dealers in rare and exquisite antiquities with a focus on Greek and Roman, Near Eastern and Egyptian art. Its works of art have been acquired by world-class museums around the world, as well as by private collectors. Phoenix Ancient Art is a second-generation family business that was founded by Sleiman Aboutaam in 1968 and continues today under the leadership of his sons Hicham and Ali Aboutaam.For more information, contact info@ phoenixancientart.com or visit www.phoenixancientart.com Contact Information:Hicham Aboutaam President info@ phoenixancientart.com +2122887518SOURCE: Phoenix Ancient Art PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 18:01:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 490 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (the "Company") (TSXV:YAK), announces the passage of all resolutions and the election of all nominated directors (Nick Cousyn, Jim Dwyer, Brad Farquhar, Harris Kupperman and Robert Scott) at the Company's Annual General Meeting held on October 10, 2023.The Company also announces the sale of five properties in Mongolia. The transaction included the sale of four investment properties and one property classified as Property and Equipment for gross proceeds of approximately CDN $10.7 million. These properties had a carrying value of approximately CDN $11.0 million at June 30th 2023. The proceeds are gross of taxes, commissions, FX conversions, transfer fees, and other expenses to be finalized over the next few months.A substantial majority of the proceeds have been received by the Company's Canadian banks accounts.The Company intends to use the proceeds for general operating activities, to fund the Company's NCIB and to reduce existing liabilities.The Company continues to seek out potential investment opportunities globally, including within Mongolia.For further information please contact:Genevieve Walkden, Corporate Secretary 877-644-1186GWalkden@ MongoliaGrowthGroup.com This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, regulator and corporate approvals, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the Company's capability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. We seek safe harbour.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 09:50:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 323 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 GLASGOW, SCOTLAND / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Peacock Enterprises, a trailblazer in entrepreneurial mentorship, today launched a groundbreaking program dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit worldwide. This forward-thinking initiative is committed to providing participants with the vital resources and knowledge necessary for professional and personal growth.The program is deeply rooted in comprehensive research and practical expertise, underscoring Peacock Enterprises' pledge to meet the complex demands of today's entrepreneurs. Enrollees will have unprecedented access to a vast array of resources, mentorship, and practical advice, all derived from real-world business wisdom and experience.Intended for a broad audience aged between 25 and 60 and encompassing regions such as North America, the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, this venture stands to redefine standards in entrepreneurial guidance. It caters to a wide range of participants, from budding professionals to experienced businesspersons and those seeking a career transition, as well as young aspirants ready to embark on their entrepreneurial paths.The curriculum encompasses diverse subjects, such as cutting-edge business methods, essential entrepreneurial competencies, and comprehensive courses on personal and professional growth. Central to Peacock Enterprises' mission is one primary objective: to establish itself as the leading hub for entrepreneurial advancement, mindset evolution, and enduring business achievements.CEO of Peacock Enterprises, Mr. Christopher Peacock, stated, "The current business environment demands that up-and-coming entrepreneurs not only have a solid base but also the proper direction. This project is a testament to our continuous commitment to promoting innovation, flexibility, and tenacity." About Peacock Enterprises:Peacock Enterprises has emerged as a guiding light in entrepreneurial mentorship. Hailing from Paisley, in the vicinity of the renowned city of Glasgow, Scotland, the firm has swiftly broadened its international reach, upholding principles of genuine leadership, mentorship, and business prowess. Through its assortment of programs and strategies, Peacock Enterprises is persistently forging the trajectory of entrepreneurship, one success narrative at a time.Media Contact:Christopher PeacockPeacock Enterprises Media Inquiry - https://wealthcreation.youcanbook.me SOURCE: Peacock Enterprises PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 16:03:47 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 529 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TRUE BLUE, GRENADA and NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / St. George's University has launched a new admissions partnership with Hunter College that will grant qualified Hunter students fast-track status and expedited entry into the St. George's University School of Medicine."St . George's University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors from Hunter College to pursue degrees in medicine with us," said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of St. George's University School of Medicine. "Hunter has been educating outstanding students for over 150 years. We look forward to welcoming some of Hunter's best and brightest in the years to come."The partnership creates a "4+4" program that provides students who have successfully completed the four-year premedical curriculum at Hunter admission to the four-year M.D. program at SGU. Hunter students interested in participating in the program must maintain a strong undergraduate GPA, complete all prerequisite coursework, and score competitively on relevant entrance exams, including the MCAT.Students who are admitted to and enrolled in the St. George's University School of Medicine may spend their first two years of study in Grenada or their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and their second year in Grenada. They spend their final two years in clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom."Hunter College is excited to partner with St. George's University School of Medicine to provide our premedical students with the opportunity to achieve their dreams of becoming physicians," said Vince DiMiceli, a spokesperson for Hunter College.###About St. George's UniversitySt. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. SGU is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The University's over 28,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. St. George's University School of Medicine is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council which has been recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). For more information, visit www.sgu.edu.About Hunter CollegeLocated in the heart of Manhattan, Hunter is the largest college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Founded in 1870, it is also one of the oldest public colleges in the country and famous for a student body that is as diverse as the city itself. Most Hunter students are the first in their families to attend college and many go on to top professional and graduate programs, winning Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships, Mellon fellowships, National Institutes of Health grants, and other competitive honors. More than 23,000 students attend Hunter, pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 170 areas of study. The 1,700 full- and part-time members of Hunter's faculty are unparalleled. They receive prestigious national grants, contribute to the world's leading academic journals, and play major roles in cutting-edge research. They are fighting cancer, formulating public policy, expanding our culture, enhancing technology, and more.Media Contact:Maggie Servaismaggie@ keybridge.biz(202) 516-6584SOURCE: St. George's University PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 15:35:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 874 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Stanislav Kondrashov, a distinguished journalist with an illustrious career spanning decades, captivated readers with his essay, titled "Americans in America." In this thought-provoking piece, Kondrashov delves deep into the intricate tapestry of American society, offering profound insights and perspectives that reflect his exceptional journalistic prowess. In "Americans in America," Stanislav Kondrashov embarks on an intellectual journey to explore the essence of America and its people. With his signature investigative skills and captivating writing style, he takes readers on a thought-provoking odyssey through the diverse and complex landscape of the United States.In "Americans in America," Kondrashov brings his formidable journalistic skills to bear on the subject of America and its people. The essay offers a panoramic view of American society, touching on topics such as culture, politics, identity, and the nation's ever-evolving narrative. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for uncovering the underlying currents that shape American life, Kondrashov's work provides readers with a nuanced and insightful perspective. The essay is a testament to Stanislav Kondrashov's enduring commitment to the principles of journalistic integrity and excellence. His ability to capture the essence of a nation and its people is a testament to his exceptional talent as a writer and thinker.One of the key strengths of Kondrashov's essay is his adeptness at presenting a multifaceted portrait of American culture. He delves into the myriad elements that shape American identity, from the diversity of its people to its complex history and evolving social mores. Through his writing, Kondrashov underscores the complexity of American culture, which is a constantly evolving and dynamic force.Moreover, by exploring different facets of American culture, Kondrashov presents a nuanced understanding of the country that goes beyond simplistic stereotypes. He highlights the many contradictions and paradoxes that exist within American society, provoking readers to question their preconceived notions and delve deeper into the complexities of American culture.A particularly noteworthy aspect of Kondrashov's essay is his exploration of American politics. The author offers an insightful analysis of the political landscape in America, delving into issues such as partisanship, polarization, and the ever-present tension between individual freedoms and collective responsibility. With his characteristic incisiveness, Kondrashov presents a compelling argument for the need to understand the intricacies of American politics, rather than succumbing to oversimplified narratives or polarizing rhetoric.The essay also delves into the role of art in American society, highlighting its power to reflect and shape national identity. Kondrashov explores how art has been used throughout history as a tool for advocacy, rebellion, and social change. He also examines the impact of commercialization on the art world and its implications for both creators and consumers. Through his writing, Kondrashov reminds us of the essential role that art plays in shaping our collective consciousness and invites readers to reflect on the state of artistic expression in America.As a prolific and seasoned journalist, Stanislav Kondrashov is no stranger to tackling complex and sensitive topics. In "Americans in America," he adeptly navigates the intricate nuances of American society, offering a captivating and enlightening read for his audience. With his unique blend of investigative journalism and insightful commentary, Kondrashov's essay stands out as a powerful and thought-provoking piece. It serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of journalism in today's society and reinforces the vital role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world.For more information about Stanislav Kondrashov and his work, please visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanyslav_Kondrashov About Stanislav KondrashovBorn in the village of Kulebaki, located in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Stanislav Kondrashov's journey into the world of journalism was marked by academic excellence and a profound passion for international affairs. He graduated from high school in 1946, earning a silver medal for his exceptional academic achievements. This dedication to education led him to the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where he gained admission hors concours, setting the stage for his illustrious career. Kondrashov's journalistic journey commenced in 1951 when he joined the esteemed newspaper " Izvestia." He quickly made a name for himself by delving into the complexities of the Batista regime in Cuba, showcasing his exceptional investigative skills. In October 1956, he was assigned as Izvestia's correspondent to Egypt during the tumultuous conflict between Israel and Egypt. His ability to provide incisive reporting and deep analysis earned him a permanent correspondent role in Egypt by November 1957.However, Kondrashov's career transcended borders, and he soon found himself in the United States, serving as Izvestia's correspondent during two pivotal periods: from November 1961 to June 1968 and later from October 1971 to December 1976. Throughout his tenure, he provided extensive coverage of historic moments such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the tragic assassinations of President Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, and the Vietnam War. In August 1977, Stanislav Kondrashov assumed the role of a political columnist for Izvestia, where his keen observations and captivating writing style made him a highly respected and sought-after voice in the realm of political journalism. Over the course of his illustrious career, Kondrashov authored an impressive collection of 28 books, each offering profound insights into global affairs and history.Media Contact:Jessica Smith | Market Newsjessica@ marketnews.comphone: 1-415-837-8371SOURCE: Stanislav Kondrashov Publishing PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 22:30:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 372 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Marks Art, a leading global platform for contemporary art, today unveiled a breathtaking new collection of artworks. This latest release, celebrated by art enthusiasts worldwide, underlines the brand's commitment to providing its clients with an unrivaled portfolio of unique, investment-worthy pieces."The response to our new collection has been truly overwhelming," said Mark, CEO of Marks Art. "We're thrilled to see our clients enjoying not just the beauty of these pieces, but also the impressive returns they're generating. This is a testament to the talent of our artists and the discerning eye of our curatorial team." Adding to the excitement, Marks Art is proud to spotlight two artists in the new collection, D-Wizz and Bobby Banks, whose work has caught the attention of critics and collectors alike. D-Wizz's abstract expressions and Banks's innovative mixed-media pieces are turning heads in the art world, showcasing not only their extraordinary talent but also their potential to redefine contemporary art. Both artists bring a refreshing perspective to the collection, and their works are definitely ones to watch out for.Marks Art's latest collection features a diverse range of pieces, from vibrant abstracts to intimate portraits, each created by talented artists from around the world. The collection, which represents Marks Art's dedication to supporting global artistry, has been met with acclaim from critics and collectors alike."Our mission at Marks Art is to connect people with art that moves them," Mark continued. "This new collection does just that. It's not just about the financial returns, although those are certainly impressive. It's about the joy of discovering a piece that speaks to you and the satisfaction of supporting talented artists. We're delighted to see our clients resonating with this vision." About Marks ArtFounded in 2017 by Dan Smith, Marks Art is a premier platform for contemporary art, connecting artists and collectors across the globe. With a focus on diversity and excellence, Marks Art curates an unparalleled collection of artworks, providing clients with an exceptional experience and attractive investment opportunities.For more information, please visit http://www.marks-art.uk/ Media DetailsWebsite URL: http://www.marks-art.uk/Company Name: Mark's ArtEmail address: info@ marks-art.uk SOURCE: Mark's Art PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 21:30:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 572 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Top Five Conveyor Car Wash Company Expands in Kentucky and North CarolinaTHOMASTON, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing express car wash companies, announced the opening of two brand-new locations this week in Campbellsville, KY, and Washington, NC.To celebrate these exciting additions to the Tidal Wave footprint, the company is offering seven days of free car washes from October 11th-October 18th. This limited-time promotion provides an opportunity for car owners in and around the Campbellsville and Washington communities to experience Tidal Wave's premium wash option, Graph-X4, at no cost."We're thrilled to open two new locations this week," said founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. "The Tidal Wave team has been serving folks in Kentucky and North Carolina with our premium car wash services for several years, and we look forward to providing folks in Campbellsville and Washington with an exceptional car wash experience for years to come. Our goal has always been to make car care easy, efficient, and enjoyable for our customers, and these new locations will do just that." In addition to seven days of free car washes, any new customer that joins a Clean Club unlimited wash membership plan during Campbellsville and Washington's Grand Opening week will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for $9.97. New customers can save up to $40 with this limited-time new member special, which is the perfect opportunity to experience the convenience and quality that a Clean Club membership can bring.Campbellsville, KY Location: 617 KY 210, Campbellsville, KY 42718Washington, NC Location: 1424 Carolina Ave, Washington, NC 27889Tidal Wave currently has six locations in Kentucky and 17 locations in North Carolina. The company has plans for continued expansion in both states, with new Kentucky locations in Winchester and Somerset, and new North Carolina locations in Greenville and Kinston set to open in the coming months.Tidal Wave Auto Spa has earned its reputation as an industry leader, known for their cutting-edge car care technology, pristine locations, and dedication to delivering an unparalleled car wash experience. The company offers single wash options and Clean Club unlimited wash memberships to fit any budget. Clean Club members can wash at any Tidal Wave location every day of the month for one convenient monthly payment - plus, save time with exclusive club member wash lanes. Tidal Wave also offers family plans for individuals and families that need to wash multiple vehicles - plus, fleet plans that can be customized to fit a company's unique wash needs.For more information about Tidal Wave Auto Spa, please visit https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/ About Tidal Wave Auto SpaTidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. Tidal Wave is committed to providing cutting-edge car care technology and exceptional customer service at each of their 194 locations spanning 23 states. In 2020, Tidal Wave partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate their accelerated growth across the country. Tidal Wave is one of the top five conveyor car wash companies in the country and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list for America's Fastest Growing Companies since 2020. The company was recognized as a 2023 Champion of Charity Honoree by Professional Carwashing & Detailing and has raised over $3 million dollars for organizations in their communities.Contact InformationHeather Coleman Marketing Manager media@ tidalwaveautospa.com Andrea Traylor Senior Director of Digital Marketing andrea.traylor@tidalwaveautospa.com SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto Spa PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 16:31:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 913 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 QUEBEC, QC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / The real estate sector seems to be experiencing a profound shift, with 3D digital twins becoming an integral tool for property marketing. Valued at approximately $11 billion in 2022, this market is projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 37.5% through 2030, indicating considerable opportunities for market penetration in the near future.For more context, the U.S. residential real estate market, worth $33 billion in 2020, saw 5.64 million transactions that year. With approximately 3 million agents, many affiliated with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the industry is embracing digital transformation. The rise of the internet and mobile computing has altered home-buying behaviors, challenging traditional practices. Despite the pivotal role of visual content in online listings, the provider sector remains fragmented and unregulated. As their market value and influence on purchasing decisions grow, immersive 3D tours are gaining immense popularity and reshaping this industry.With that in mind, there are two players in this arena in focus: Urbanimmersive Inc. (OTC:UBMRF)(TSXV: UI.V) and the current market leader Matterport Inc. While both companies offer innovative solutions, there are distinct advantages that set Urbanimmersive apart.First, let's explain what a 3D twin is. A 3D digital twin refers to a digital representation or model of a real-world building, property, or infrastructure. It accurately captures and simulates both the physical appearance and functional characteristics of the asset. Each 3D twin is made using a 360 camera or sophisticated 3D camera.Urbanimmersive's Technological Advancements In Property ShowcasingUrbanimmersive's 3D tours represent an intersection of real estate and technological innovation. A recent report by Zillow Group, Inc. revealed that 43% of new-construction buyers prefer 3D home tours over in-person viewings, compared to just 20% for existing home buyers. This underscores the growing demand for technological solutions in the real estate market.The implementation of Digital Twins offers a potentially compelling value proposition for the real estate industry. Firstly, they significantly reduce costs associated with physical site visits. Secondly, they facilitate quicker decision-making by providing an immersive and comprehensive view of the property. Lastly, as an engaging marketing tool, they captivate potential buyers, leading to increased interest and conversions.While Matterport has been a pioneer in the 3D space, Urbanimmersive distinguishes itself with cost-effective, feature-rich 3D Digital Twins. Beyond the standard offerings, Urbanimmersive's tours are fully equipped with standout functionalities such as UiMeet3D video conferencing and an innovative Ultra-Fast Scanning App. These features ensure a thorough and vivid remote exploration of properties. Moreover, the precise integration of detailed floor plans offers exact room measurements, a sought-after feature among real estate photographers aiming for enhanced operational efficiency and consistency.Comparative Analysis: Urbanimmersive Vs. MatterportMatterport, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, has made significant strides in spatial data, offering products ranging from 3D cameras to capture services. Their primary objective is the digitization of physical spaces across various sectors.However, feedback from industry professionals indicates certain advantages of Urbanimmersive over Matterport. Testimonials suggest faster processing speeds and cost savings with Urbanimmersive. For enterprises with high photography volumes, Urbanimmersive's platform offers attributes that enhance operational speed, accuracy and overall efficiency, setting it apart from competitors.Beyond 3D ToursUrbanimmersive has expanded its portfolio to include print solutions. Their HomeVisit printing facilities cater to real estate agents, offering a range of print materials from 12-, 8-, 6- or 4-page brochures to customizable photo books. The ePrint system streamlines the printing process, emphasizing both quality and efficiency, aligning with the growing trend of customization, where 35% of new-construction buyers intend to customize their homes during construction.Additionally, Urbanimmersive's platform for creating single-property websites offers further customization, branding options for agents and brokers and features like lead tracking and social sharing. The design flexibility - encompassing galleries, videos, 3D models and floor plans - aims to optimize user engagement and provide a unique first impression to prospective buyers. Each single-property website stores all of your media and keeps every aspect of the listing in your control.Financial Trajectory And Prospective DevelopmentsUrbanimmersive, headquartered in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, has showcased consistent growth patterns and is achieving near-breakeven cash flow, in contrast to competitors like Matterport, which has a higher burn rate. Functioning as a B2B SaaS platform, Urbanimmersive primarily serves the real estate sector with AI-driven solutions designed to create unparalleled 3D marketing experiences.For Q3 2023, despite reporting a slight dip in total revenue of $2.6 million (down from $2.8 million in 2022), the company observed an encouraging uptick in software revenue by 7.7%. Over the nine-month period ending June 30, 2023, revenue increased by 37%, reflecting the resilience and strategic direction of the firm despite the Federal Reserve's aggressive changes to monetary policy.With a recent successful private placement and restructuring of loans and promissory notes, the company appears to be in a solid financial position.Finally, strategic initiatives, like its acquisition of Tourbuzz in 2018 and the roll-out of innovative products like the 3D emulation-powered website and UiMeet3D, highlight its commitment to future growth and long-term financial success.Urbanimmersive's Bold Leap ForwardLike so many industries, the future of real estate may lie in the digital world, and companies like Urbanimmersive are at the forefront of this transformation. With comprehensive solutions, cutting-edge technology and a clear vision for the future, Urbanimmersive seems poised to disrupt the growing 3D digital twins market. As the industry evolves, it's crucial for investors to keep an eye on pioneers like Urbanimmersive, which are setting the gold standard in property marketing.Featured photo by Daniel Barnes on Unsplash.Contact:Simon Bedardsimonbedard@ urbanimmersive.com SOURCE: Urbanimmersive Inc PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-11 20:11:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 488 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CUMMING, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Vereen Law Firm, led by esteemed attorney Michael Vereen, Emory University Graduate, has been making headlines in Cumming, Forsyth County, Georgia, for its remarkable achievements in securing dismissals and reductions in DUI (Driving under the Influence) cases. With a stellar reputation built over 35 years of legal experience, Michael Vereen and his expert team have consistently delivered exceptional results in DUI defense.DUI cases in Georgia are known for their complexity and the serious consequences they can entail for those charged. The minimum penalties include 24 hours in jail and a $300 fine, with additional consequences such as 40 hours of community service, 12 months of probation, mandatory DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Courses, and Substance Abuse Evaluations.Vereen Law Firm has emerged as a beacon of effective and strategic DUI defense in Forsyth and Cherokee counties, serving the cities of Cumming, Canton, Alpharetta, Milton, Holly Springs, Woodstock, and Atlanta, GA. Michael Vereen's extensive legal knowledge as an Emory University Graduate, courtroom expertise, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding clients' rights have been instrumental in their remarkable success.As a dedicated DUI defense attorney, Michael Vereen possesses an in-depth understanding of Georgia's DUI laws and the nuances of the local court system. This expertise enables him to craft comprehensive defense strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each client.Commenting on the firm's achievements, Michael Vereen stated, "We take great pride in our ability to vigorously and effectively represent our clients in DUI cases. Our mission is to protect their rights and diligently pursue the best possible outcomes for them." Vereen Law Firm's impressive success rate encompasses a range of favorable results, including case dismissals, reduced charges, and minimized penalties. These outcomes significantly impact clients' lives by helping them avoid the harsh consequences associated with DUI convictions.The firm's client-centric approach, characterized by personalized service and meticulous attention to detail, has earned it a reputation as a trustworthy legal partner in Forsyth and Cherokee counties, Georgia. In addition, Vereen Law Firm offers reasonable fees and flexible payment plans to ensure that clients have access to high-quality legal representation.Individuals facing DUI charges in Cumming, GA, Canton, GA, or the surrounding areas are encouraged to schedule a consultation with Vereen Law Firm to discuss their cases. Michael Vereen and his team are ready to provide expert legal counsel and guide clients through the intricacies of DUI defense.About Vereen Law Firm: Vereen Law Firm, led by attorney Michael Vereen, is a well-established legal practice with offices in Canton and Cumming, Georgia. The firm specializes in DUI defense. With over 35 years of experience, Emory University Graduate Michael Vereen and his dedicated team provide personalized and effective legal representation to clients in Cumming, Canton, and nearby areas in Cherokee and Forsyth counties.To learn more about Vereen Law Firm's services or to schedule a consultation, please visit their website at https://vereenlaw.com/ michael@ vereenlaw.com(770) 345-9449SOURCE: Vereen Law Firm On October 9, Russian troops launched a localized offensive near Avdiivka, Donetsk region. Russian propaganda is spreading the idea that Russian troops are allegedly approaching the goal of encircling Ukrainian forces in this town, but analysts are skeptical. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the occupiers are trying to advance near Orikhiv in the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region. The invaders are trying to pull Ukrainian forces away from Robotyne. Details of the current situation at the front and the real state of affairs in the above-mentioned areas were revealed by analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The ISW stated that on October 9, Russian troops launched local offensive operations near Avdiivka, Donetsk region, in particular near Ocheretyne, Tonenke, Berdychiv, and on the Vodiane-Opytne line. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russians sent up to three of their battalions to attack near Avdiivka. The intensification of fighting was also confirmed by footage that appeared online, verified by ISW. However, as of the morning of October 11, analysts of the Institute for the Study of War found no evidence of the successes claimed by the Russian side. ADVERTISIMENT Russian propagandists mostly describe what is happening as a "significant offensive operation" aimed at surrounding Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka and capturing the town. Analysts are skeptical of these plans. "Successful encirclement of Avdiivka, one of the most heavily fortified sections of the front line in Donetsk region, will likely require more forces than Russia has currently allocated. Russian forces have largely deployed irregular forces along this front line, primarily elements of the DPR's 1st Army Corps and additional volunteer units, which have suffered from poor command and tensions with regular Russian units," the report said. The ISW also added that they have not found evidence of Russian troops advancing on this line recently. During the entire period of full-scale aggression, numerous Russian offensive efforts near Avdiivka yielded minimal results. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, Russian troops have intensified offensive operations southwest of Orikhiv in the west of the Zaporizhzhia region. By advancing here, analysts believe that the Russians are trying to pull Ukrainian forces away from the Robotyne area. In particular, Russian troops also attacked southwest of Orikhiv on the Pyatykhatky-Zherebianka line: Russian "military" officials claimed that the occupiers had managed to advance two kilometers there. ADVERTISIMENT "The intensification of Russian offensive operations in the areas of Avdiivka and Zherebianka coincides with other localized offensives in the Luhansk region and the eastern part of Zaporizhzhia. They are likely aimed at stabilizing Ukrainian forces and preventing the Ukrainian command from moving reserves to critical frontline areas in the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region," ISW writes. The same conclusion was reached by Ukraine's military-political command. Over the past few weeks, officials have repeatedly stated that Russian attacks along the Avdiivka-Donetsk line are intended to prevent Ukrainians from moving troops to the Zaporizhzhia region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops continued their counteroffensive in the west of the Zaporizhzhia region and near Bakhmut. They achieved some success at the junction of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. ADVERTISIMENT Geolocated footage released on October 9 shows that Ukrainian troops have advanced northeast of Mykilske (3 km southeast of Vuhledar and about 30 km southeast of Velyka Novosilka). Ukraine's General Staff reported that Ukrainian troops had achieved partial success in the area of Andriivka (7 km southwest of Bakhmut), while a Russian military blogger said that Ukrainian troops had advanced west of Novofedorivka (15 km northeast of Robotyne and 6 km northeast of Verbove)," ISW stated. Earlier, ISW analyzed the latest statements by senior Russian officials and concluded that Russia is moving towards withdrawal from the nuclear test ban treaty. ADVERTISIMENT The analysts also noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are making progress on the frontline despite the weather changes. ISW also stated that the occupiers are conducting offensive operations south of Huliaipole. Nigerias biggest energy company by market value Seplat is upbeat it will be able to finalise talks with parties that will allow it to advance to the decisive stage of the deal to purchase ExxonMobils offshore shallow water business. The acquisition is key to actualising the most ambitious move ever by Seplat, which is listed in both London and Lagos. The deal, which has ground to a halt for nearly two years, is expected to expand Seplats production by as much as 186 per cent. We have very good relationships with the regulator and that is why it takes time and the NNPC is a partner to us and we want to respect the partnership, Reuters quoted CEO Roger Brown as saying in an interview Wednesday. Now we are starting to get to that crux point to try and resolve the issue, he added. Seplat opened talks in 2021 to buy Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), the local offshore shallow-water operation of Houston-based ExxonMobil for $1.3 billion. A contingent consideration of $300 million was also agreed at the time. Owning the assets also entitles Seplat to run Qua Iboe Terminal, the export point of one of Nigerias top oil grades, produced from the nearby oilfields that ExxonMobil jointly operates with NNPC Limited. The deal has been stalled after NNPC Limited, which owns 60 per cent of the fields, initiated a legal move against MPNU and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), saying pre-emption rights under the joint venture give it the exclusive privilege to discuss the acquisition with ExxonMobil first before other suitors are considered. We are very optimistic that parties to the transaction will go back, look at the position of the regulator and come back by abiding by the provisions of Nigerian laws and the right thing will be done, Reuters quoted Gbenga Komolafe, the NUPRC chief, as saying in an interview on the sidelines of Africa Oil Week in Cape Town. READ ALSO: ExxonMobil butane lifting at Bonny terminal approved by NUPRC Official Seplat has extended the share sale and purchase agreement to keep the deal alive until the legal battle is resolved and regulatory approvals are in the bag, its half-year earnings report stated. The companys shares have gained 67 per cent this year and are currently at their all-time high of N1,837 per unit with a combined valuation of N1.1 trillion. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print No fewer than 587 healthcare centres are providing Family Planning (FP) services out of 829 health facilities in Sokoto State, an official said. The Health Management Information System Officer in the State Ministry of Health, Garba Muhammad, disclosed this at a capacity-building training on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is tagged Strategic Data Capacity and Result Based Reporting for Sustainable Development, for data and planning officers in Sokoto State government ministries and agencies. The event was organised by the Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Mr Muhammad said the FP services were available in health facilities located across rural and urban settlements being administered by health personnel in the state. He explained that health workers were trained in the administration of the instruments geared toward ensuring child spacing among couples. According to him, the FP services were incorporated into antenatal and postnatal care services for pregnant and nursing mothers as well as child spacing and overall maternity services along with health talks. Mr Muhammad encouraged families to access the services which were being provided free to the citizens and enjoined stakeholders to contribute to educating the populace on the importance of family planning services. The Reproductive Health Coordinator in Sokoto State Ministry of Health, Mairo Rabiu-Sharif, lamented the absence of an active policy on family planning in the state. Mrs Rabiu-Sharif insisted that having an active policy would facilitate access to FP services as obtained in other countries, adding that at present, the services were voluntary. She urged stakeholders to contribute in advocating for budgetary provision on FP, stressing that FP takes the largest share of poor practices as one of the health challenges in Nigeria. The coordinator further called on all the stakeholders to collaborate to bring an end to the harmful traditional practices and look at the possibility of using Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) on FP services as well as birth registration in society. We all know the consequences of the absence of FP practice has caused to the female gender, effects from childhood to adulthood and how it also affects families and marriages, she said. In his presentation, the state chairperson of the National Population Commission (NPC), Malami Marafa-Gagi, said Nigerias population was rising ahead of other countries with a high percentage of childbirth and low death rates experienced in the country. Mr Marafa-Gagi dwelt on NPC services comprising civil registration and vital statistics which provide real-time population information that was critical for the nations planning, saying, It entailed routine registration of live births, deaths, migrations, schoolings, employment and other statistics. He said population data were being gathered through census, surveys, administrative, routine and research data as best planning instruments for development planning at all levels. The director added that the projected population growth had minimal hindrance by conflicts, climate change, rising poverty and inequality being experienced in the country. According to him, child delivery rates are high in Sokoto State, with poor acceptance of family planning services based on the findings, adding that population growth is faster with about 6 million population at present. Mr Malami-Gagi provided statistical indicators on the world population, African population and that of states, with growth rates based on standard practices and urged the stakeholders to deploy a drastic approach to tackling demographic planning. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Holding an aluminium bowl and a hoe, Binta Hassan walked sluggishly towards her hut on a hot Thursday afternoon. On reaching the hut, she sat on a stone and reclined against a wall of cornstalks that her hut was made from. She beckoned on one of her four children, a four-year-old girl, to put the hoe she was holding aside as she spoke. I am coming straight from the farm, she told PREMIUM TIMES in July. In our culture, only helpless married women farm, but this has been my reality since I came here. Mrs Hassan works as a labourer on a farm close to the internally displaced peoples (IDP) camp in Damaturu, the capital city of Yobe State, where she lives. She is lucky to be among the few residents of the camp hired by the owner of the farm. She earns a daily wage of N400 for working on the farm for up to five hours daily. If you dont do this, you will go several days without eating. But what I get is not enough to feed me and my four children, Mrs Hassan said. The Bayari YBC camp hosts more than 300 people, most of them displaced by the Boko Haram terror group from Gada in the Gujba area of Yobe State. The huts in the camps are built with cornstalks and tarpaulin and the residents have been staying here with no improvement to their lives since their village was sacked by Boko Haram insurgents in 2016. The insurgents attacks on communities like Gujba, Geidam and Damaturu on the boundary between Borno and Yobe states, were intense and relentless, forcing most of the residents of the areas to flee to IDP camps in relatively safe places like Damaturu. Endless hunger pangs The IDPs, mainly women and children, say their main concern is lack of food. The children looked emaciated and their growth appeared stunted. This was different from the lives they lived before they were uprooted from their hometowns by the terrorists. Mrs Hassan said life used to be good. She said her husband provided for the family until the terrorists attacked their community and their lives were upended. He used to be rich but he is now a labourer. When the terrorists came, we couldnt take anything from our house; all our herds of cattle and grains were stolen, she said. The 38-year-old mother said sometimes she spends a whole week without seeing her husband. I understand his situation and that of other men; they dont like to stay here doing nothing so they go out sometimes for days without coming back and when they return they hardly return with something meaningful because the poverty situation is everywhere, she said. Another resident of the camp, 70-year-old Zainab Jibrin, is raising five grandchildren after her son, the father of the children, was killed by the insurgents. The mother of the children died of natural causes after three years in the camp. My son, who was later killed by Boko Haram, helped me to escape the attack. We passed in their (terrorists) front because they said they were only looking for men who were helping the infidels. I trekked for over 20 kilometres to reach Damaturu, she said. The Boko Haram insurgency is one of the most brutal conflicts in Nigerias history. More than 35,000 people are said to have lost their lives due to the insurgency. Over 1.8 million people are displaced in the three states. The camp in Damaturu is among the 445 displaced sites in the state, according to the United Nations. About 22,949 displaced households need shelter in the state. All the women this reporter met that day had a different Boko Haram story to tell but they had two common concerns how to get food and possibly return home. All of them also said they could not return to their original homes as they believed it was not safe to do so. In another corner of the camp, three women, surrounded by children, sat in a circle preparing a vegetable meal called Tafasa in Hausa. This is our food every day. Sometimes we just cook it and eat like that but when were lucky we get some ingredients like salt, pepper and oil to eat with, Aisha Lawan, one of the women, said without looking up. While her hands worked on the leaves in a silver tray, her daughter, two-year-old Halima Isa, sat on a mat. Halima was diagnosed with malnutrition and Mrs Lawan took her to the Katarko Primary Healthcare centre for medication twice. Hunger. They said it is hunger, that Halima is not eating good food, Mrs Lawan said when asked what the medical health workers told her. They said I should bring her to the place every Tuesday but who has the money to go there every day? Katarko is about 15 kilometres from Damaturu city. Zainab Abubakars problem is similar to Mrs Lawans. Her son, Hussaini, is two years and six months old but looks like a one-year-old. He looked emaciated and had not been able to walk like his age mates. Malnutrition, she told me. Not only the boy, everyone in this camp is hungry. So, when they (health officials) said he was suffering from malnutrition, I knew they were right because we dont have anything to eat. According to the United Nations, acute malnutrition in Yobe State from January to April increased by 41 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. Sitting beside her mother, 10-year-old Maimuna Abubakar said she had not eaten for an entire day. Her mother said they survive on the pittance her husband who works as a labourer in Maiduguri in Borno State sends occasionally. Sometimes when he sees someone coming here, he gives him N5,000 or above to bring to me, but its not enough, she said. Living in the camp is difficult. Aside from living with the trauma of the brutal insurgency, IDPs in the camp battle for basic amenities. Sanitation facilities are unavailable. There is only one toilet at the camp and one of the women said it had not been in use for over a year. There are no health facilities in the camp as well and IDPs have to travel several kilometres to get healthcare. At the Katarko Primary Healthcare Centre where most of the women take their children, Auwal Garbo, the officer in charge, told PREMIUM TIMES that drugs and medication for malnutrition, measles and other child diseases were all free. However, the women in the camp said they pay for every medication they get. When Im sick, I go into the bush to pluck medicinal leaves, prepare and drink. Sometimes when you go to the hospital, they subject you to rounds of procedures, Mrs Hassan said. She said for the seven years she has been in the camp, she went to hospital only once. We solidly rely on God. The camp coordinator, Abdullahi Usman, said the state government was not doing enough to help those displaced by the insurgency. During the last administration, we were given food but it has stopped. Every corner you look at in this camp, you will see a displaced farmer with his family. Farming is the only thing we know but we can no longer do it, he said. He said during Ibrahim Geidams administration (2008 2019), the camp was among those provided with foodstuffs and other necessities every three months. We dont know what actually happened (that the aid stopped coming). Ive made several efforts to reach the SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency) executive secretary without success, he said. The Executive Secretary of Yobes SEMA, Mohammed Goje, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to his mobile phone for comment about the welfare of the IDPs. Lack of access to education Children in the camp are not enrolled in school. Mr Usman said most of the children, especially the girls, had gone to the farm or other places to either beg for alms or do menial jobs. Parents said their main concern was how to feed their children and not if they were enrolled in school or not. Maimuna, Mrs Zainabus daughter, said she had started going to school in Gada before the terrorists struck. She wants to return now. If I go back (to my hometown) I will return to school. We dont have any school here and I want to learn, she said. And for the second time, she complained of hunger. Her mother, Mrs Abubakar, shook her head and looked away, her face full of regrets and frustration. But if she returns home, her chances of returning to school are uncertain as Boko Haram fighters left her community desolate when they attacked it. Education is the first casualty in this war, Baba Ali, an educationist with the Yobe State University Damaturu, told PREMIUM TIMES. Theyre hundreds of thousands of those children you saw and theyre all not going to school. Im afraid of what the future holds. The Boko Haram ideology was built on the premise of fighting Western education. Many Schools including Government Girls Science Secondary School Dapchi, Government Girls Secondary School Chibok and Federal Government College Buni Yadi, were attacked by the terrorists. Buni Yadi is not far from Gada where most of the IDPs in Bayari YBC now live. The United Nations is worried that children are dropping out of school to search for food through begging or child labour. In the three states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, about 910 schools were destroyed while 1,500 shut down since the beginning of the insurgency. Yobe State is unsurprisingly on the list of states with high rates of out-of-school children. In 2020, the state, with 427,230 out-of-school children, was among the 10 states with the highest number of out-of-school children in the country. Even if they want to go to school, they cant because what will they use to go to the school, who will enrol them when were falling over ourselves to get what to eat? Ms Jibrin, the septuagenarian grandmother with five grandchildren, said. A United Nations report seems to agree with Ms Jibrins assertion. Displaced, returnee and host communities children are sometimes unable to enrol in school due to the poverty level of their parents, the report states. The Boko Haram insurgency has largely been curtailed. Attacks now happen occasionally. Military checkpoints on the Potiskum-Damaturu highway and Damaturu-Geidam have reduced but for the women and children of Bayari YBC camp, hunger and despair continue. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Army Special Court Martial, on Tuesday, convicted a former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Umaru Mohammed, a major general, to seven years imprisonment. The court also ordered the convicted senior officer to refund 2.17 million dollars and N1.06 billion, the amount of monies he stole, back to the companys coffers. Pronouncing the sentence, the President of the court, James Myam, a major general, said the officer was found guilty on 14 of the 18 count charges brought against him. Mr Myam said the sentence was based on the provisions of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and section 174 of the Armed Forces Act Cap 20 Laws, 2004. According to him, the verdict was made after due consideration of the plea of mitigation by the defence counsel. These sentences of this special court-martial are all to run concurrently and are subject to the confirmation of the confirming authority. This sentence is dated this day, the 10th of October 2023 and the court is hereby adjourned Sine die, he said. Mr Myam said that on count one which borders on stealing, Mr Mohammed was found guilty and will spend five years in prison and refund 1.04 million dollars back to NAPL. The court also found the officer guilty on count two and sentenced him to five years imprisonment, in addition to paying back the sum of $400,800 to NAPL. On count three, Mr Mohammed was sentenced to five years imprisonment and to refund the sum of $85,400 while count four also attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back the sum of $35,300. On count five, the former NAPL boss was sentenced to five years imprisonment with an order to pay back the sum of $55,500 to the NAPL. Count six also attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back the sum of $46,500. The court, however, discharged and acquitted him of the charge in count 7, but sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count eight, while the remaining charges he was convicted of, attracted five and two years imprisonment. The defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), citing Section 157 of the Armed Forces Act, prayed the court to move his client to a custodial centre instead of a military detention facility, which the court rejected. Mr Ojo also prayed that the sentence should run from the day of the courts pronouncement. On whether he will appeal the judgment, Mr Ojo said he will consult his client on that. If he tells us tomorrow or after the confirmation that he is not satisfied with the findings and sentence, then we must carry out his instruction to appeal if he so instructs us, the decision is his, he added. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new and returning Chief Executives to fresh terms in office across multiple agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy: (1) EVC / CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Aminu Maida (2) MD / CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) Nkechi Egerton-Idehen (3) DG / CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (4) National Commissioner / CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Dr. Vincent Olatunji (5) Postmaster General / CEO, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Tola Odeyemi Furthermore, in line with President Bola Tinubus determination to maximally leverage on Nigerias proven technological and digital economic prowess to reposition the nations economy toward greater financial inclusion, the President has approved the appointment of a new Special Adviser to the President. Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy Idris Alubankudi By this directive of the President, the above-mentioned appointments take immediate effect. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) October 11, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Aminu Jaji, a member of the House of Representatives from Zamfara State, has called on the federal government to produce the soldiers who dialogued with bandits in the viral video that surfaced online. Mr Jaji, who represents Birnin-Magaji/Kaura Federal Constituency on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made the call on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The legislator said the federal government owed the people of Zamfara State an explanation regarding the presence of military men during the dialogue with the bandits in the state. How can we be playing with the lives of the people? For the federal government to debunk the rumour that they are not dialoguing with anyone. It is their own responsibility to find out the military men who participated in the dialogue. The people from Zamfara State are owed the duty of knowing why and who participated in that meeting. The people (FG) must tell us who and who participated and under whose instruction the military participated in that dialogue, he said. Negotiating with bandits PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how officials of the federal government held a clandestine meeting with terrorist groups in Katsina and Zamfara States. At least seven leaders of the terror gangs responsible for the abduction and killings of thousands of residents and the displacement of tens of thousands of others in Nigerias troubled North-west region attended the secret meeting. Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State had recently accused the federal government of negotiating with terrorists operating in his state without his knowledge. Mr Lawals predecessor, Bello Matawalle, who is Nigerias minister of state for defence, was known for negotiating with terrorists. In the past couple of weeks, the North-west has witnessed increasing cases of mass abduction, as the terrorists target schools. Negotiation cannot work Mr Jaji, who served as the chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence in the 8th House, said previous attempts to negotiate or dialogue with terrorists did not work. The lawmaker stated that the terrorists are only using the ongoing dialogue to integrate themselves into the communities, while also recruiting young people into their groups. The previous administration did dialogue with bandits, what are the outcomes? The outcome is zero. Why I say zero is simply because bandits see it as an avenue to be more integrated into the communities, in order to recruit more people, he said. He stressed that the government has not shown any commitment to ending insurgency across the country. For me as a former chairman of national security and intelligence, I have said so many times that I did not see any programme or policy by either the government at the state or national that shows readiness to fight this menace. We urged the federal and states not to be playing on the intelligence of the people, Mr Jaji stated. The lawmaker, while calling for synergy among all the tiers of government, opposed the use of vigilantes and civilian joint task forces by states. He also said the use of motions and restrictions by the National Assembly is not going to address the problem of insecurity, stating that the government must commit political will to end the insurgency. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives adjourned plenary early on Wednesday to mourn Abdulkadir Danbuga, a lawmaker from Sokoto State. Mr Danbuga, who represented Isa/Sabon Birnin Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, died earlier on Wednesday in Abuja. He died at the age of 63. His death was announced by Ahmad Kalambina (PDP, Sokoto) via a letter to the House and read by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, during plenary. Mr Kalambina said the lawmaker died after a brief illness in Abuja and is expected to be buried in Sokoto today, according to Islamic rites. In brief remarks, the deputy speaker said death often ends mans quest for things. Look at his toil to win the election. His toil to represent his people. All that money, all the effort, all that energy going down the drain today. It is sad. It is sad for the family; it is sad for the nation. We are united by this call to serve this nation. When one is down, we are all down. This is a sad day for the parliament, he said. Following the remarks, the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion for adjournment till Thursday. In April, a member-elect, Ismaila Maihanchi from Taraba State, passed away before the inauguration of the House. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The absence of Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, stalled the hearing of a $150 million suit filed by a Nigerian, Chianugo Peter, against Google and GoDaddy.com. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Peter is suing the duo over allegations bordering on the shutdown of his YouTube Audio domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing works. Justice Egwuatu, in the last adjourned date, had fixed the matter for today for mention after the report of service of originating processes on the defendants. Mr Peter, through his lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong of Fred-Young & Evans LP, sued GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC as 1st and 2nd defendants. The plaintiff, in the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/238/2023 and filed on 14 April, sought the court declaration that he registered the YouTube Audio business name, commenced trademark registration on the logo of the business name and secured the YouTubeAudio.com domain name from GoDaddy in good faith to carry out genuine business to host his application thereon to attract users. He also sought a declaration that since GoDaddy and Google encouraged him to make use of the YouTubeAudio.com domain name for the past eight years, they are estopped from claiming that the domain name infringes any of their trademarks or deny the plaintiff the use of the YouTubeAudio.com domain name. A declaration of this honourable court that the plaintiff is entitled to compensation from the defendants for the loss of the YouTubeAudio.com brand and goodwill which has accrued on the brand and domain name for eight years of promotional and marketing works from 2nd July 2015 to 7th December 2022. But the suit, which was number 10 on Wednesdays court list, could not proceed due to the judges other official engagement. The matter was, however, adjourned until 13 November for mention. NAN recalls that the plaintiffs lawyer, Mr Ekpenyong, and counsel to Google, Mark Mordi, were in court on the last adjourned date. Mr Peter is seeking an order directing the defendants to pay him the sum of $50 million for promotional and marketing works on the YouTube Audio business name and YouTube Audio.com domain name for eight years from 2 July 2015 to 7 December 2022. An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the sum of 100, 000,000 dollars ($100 million) to the plaintiff for loss of anticipated profits associated with the brand equity and goodwill of YouTube Audio and YouTube Audio.com domain name. READ ALSO: Tinubu affirms readiness to support Google to create 1 million digital jobs in Nigeria An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the Plaintiff the sum of N50,000,000 (Fifty Million naira) to enable the plaintiff to carry out fresh registrations of its new name and secure an alternative domain name to host its application to attract users. An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the sum of N10, 00,000 (Ten Million naira) paid to the plaintiffs counsel for prosecution of this suit. (NAN) TOA/SH Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Abdulkadir Danbuga, a member of the House of Representatives who died on Wednesday. Mr Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday, said the death of Mr Danbuga robbed the people of Isa/Sabon Birni federal constituency of Sokoto State a worthy representative. The president also sent messages of sympathy and condolences to the leadership and members of the House of Representatives over the tragic death of the lawmaker Mr Tinubu said the death had created a void in his immediate family and robbed the people of his constituency of quality and uncompromising representation in the House of Representatives. His victory at the polls was, in itself, a testimony that he was loved by his people. He earned their respect. I understand that he had been providing effective representation for his constituents in the House. I offer my condolences to his family and constituents, as well as the people and government of Sokoto State. I also condole with the presiding officers of the House of Representatives and the entire membership over the devastating loss of an eminent colleague, he said. The president prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Mr Danbuga and for divine comfort to his family. Mr Danbuga passed away at the age of 63 after a brief illness in Abuja. He has since been buried in Sokoto State according to Islamic rites. The House adjourned plenary early Wednesday in honour the deceased lawmaker. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, has said no less than 3 million girls across seven states are currently benefiting from the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment(AGILE) project of the Nigerian government, aimed at keeping the girl-child in school. AGILE is a $500 million World Bank-assisted project to keep more girls in school and is currently being implemented in seven Nigerian states Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau. Mr Sununu spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at an event organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with AGILE to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child. Celebrated every 11th October, this years theme aims to promote equal opportunities for girls, advocate for the rights of the girl child, and shed light on the challenges faced by girls worldwide due to their gender. The theme is; Invest in Girls Rights: Our Leadership and Wellbeing. In Nigeria, the minister said the AGILE initiative has initiated skills and digital literacy training for 6,000 girls and financial incentives for 90,298 girls. He added that 199,921 girls across the implementing seven states have received scholarships to help them stay in school. Our government has undertaken significant policy initiatives aimed at addressing the specific challenges faced by the Nigerian girl child, he said. Increased girls enrollment The minister noted that the government has achieved a substantial increase in girl-child enrollment and retention in schools through the AGILE project. He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is also keen on expanding the frontiers of girls education with many more states signing on to participate in the AGILE Project. Mr Sununu added that another World Bank-assisted project, Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Project (ANRiN), is also improving access to quality nutrition services for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and young children in 12 states of Nigeria. These initiatives, along with others including the Safe School Initiative, are a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every girl child in Nigeria has the opportunity to fulfil her potential, receive quality education, and lead a healthy life. We believe that investing in our girls is not just a matter of social justice but also a strategic imperative for our nations progress and development, he said. The minister noted that while the initiatives have recorded a significant impact, the government recognises that much work remains to be done. Our commitment to the girl childs welfare and development is unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every Nigerian girl has the opportunity to realize her full potential, he added. Education, best investment UNESCO Speaking, the Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Quentin Wodon, emphasised the need for teachers, especially female tutors, to become mentors for young girls to help guide them. Mr Wodon noted that investing in education is the most valuable investment a country can make. I surely believe that investing in education is probably the best investment that a country can make use of. Also, we need to have more teachers and principals as mentors. I dont have the exact numbers for Nigeria, but I can tell you that in every African country that we have looked at, we have women who are teachers, especially principals with endurance who have served for many years, he said. He added that the best way to keep girls in school is by improving and investing in their learning. According to him, there has been a slight reduction in child marriage before the age of 18 between 2013 and 2018. Keeping a girl in school is the best way to delay marriage and the best way to keep a girl in school is by improving and investing in their learning, he said. He noted the risks associated with childbearing before the age of 18, for the child and the mother. Early childbearing can lead to child mortality and have adverse health effects on young girls. If a child is born by a child not up to 18 years of age, there is a tendency that the child may die before the age of 5, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Russians are organizing the production of combat drones in the temporarily occupied territories, particularly in Zaporizhzhia. The enemy traditionally hides behind the backs of the civilian population and even involves underage Ukrainians in this process. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov (to watch the video, scroll to the bottom of the page). According to him, the Russian invaders have set up a mini-production of drones based on the "Sudoplatov Battalion", which employs mercenaries from all over Russia. Some schools and vocational education institutions also have begun to teach high students how to use UAVs, while colleges are reportedly teaching teenagers and young people how to assemble and repair drones. "The worst thing is that they are trying to hide behind our children when they try to assemble and repair military equipment," Fedorov said. ADVERTISIMENT He added that the Russians plan to set up a so-called technology park for the production of UAVs, hiding it in residential areas. The enemy knows that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not attack this facility, risking harm to civilians. "The occupiers and their collaborators are turning the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia region into a militarized gray zone," the mayor summarized. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Russians and collaborators are "militarizing" the educational process in the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region. They are trying to brainwash children, glorifying the Russian army. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inaugurated the newly delivered Diamond 62 multipurpose platform aircraft in Ilorin, Kwara State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the aircraft, which is the last two sets of four Diamond 62 multipurpose platform special mission aircraft, will enhance the capability of the force in its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission. Inaugurating the aircraft on Wednesday, the Chief of Air Staff, Hassan Abubakar, an air vice marshal, described the occasion as a milestone in the history of the military. He urged the command to maximise the new equipment which would mitigate the issue of collateral damage and innocent civilians falling victim to the forces operation, given its technological sophistication. The event we are witnessing today started two years ago when the federal government approved funds for the acquisition of four Diamonds 62 multipurpose platform special aircraft, Mr Abubakar said. According to him, the first two, out of the four aircraft approved for purchase, were delivered within the first half of this year and the next two will be delivered in the next half. He revealed that the already delivered aircraft had been deployed to the forces operation in the North-west and North-east parts of Nigeria. Manufactured by Diamond Aircraft of Austria, the newly added fleets, according to the Air Force chief, are configured for high-level ISR operations with cutting-edge technology like the camera mounted with accurate and timely hit on targets. The credible intelligence gathered through the aircraft is processed through appropriate military cells for effective combat missions to ensure successful mission execution, said the CAS. He revealed that the force is also expecting the delivery of other aircraft which will boost its activities in restoring peace in troubled areas across the country. Mr Abubakar restated the commitment of the force to eliminate all the criminal elements within the country. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, who was the special guest of honour at the event, thanked the force for supporting the state in securing Kwara alongside other security agencies. I believe that this aircraft will strengthen the surveillance and search and rescue capabilities of the nation, including Kwara state. It will also boost internal security operations of our own indigenous operation Harmony in the state and also fish out criminal elements wherever they intend to hide. Air Officer Commanding Mobility command of the 303 Medium Airlift Group, Ilorin, T.O. Yusuf, asserted that the aircraft would help in combat operations, noting that modern-day warfare requires enormous intelligence in shaping the battle space. Its acquisition such as this that has enabled the Nigerian Air Force to record more successes, particularly in the area of internal security, he stated. He revealed that the Air Force leadership in view of the significance it attached to training of personnel has also installed an appropriate stimulator to enhance air coup training, an achievement that would reduce the financial and safety implications involved in operating actual aircraft during training. NAN reports that the event also witnessed the official signing of the delivery and acceptance document between the manufacturers and the NAF. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, on Tuesday said severe mental health conditions can reduce the life expectancy of people by 20 years. Mr Pate while speaking at an event to commemorate the 2023 World Mental Health Day said mental illness is a hidden epidemic that requires more attention. He said there is an urgent need to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing and drive actions that promote and protect the mental health of Nigerians as a universal human right. He noted that good mental health is crucial at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and old age. Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health, he said. Our mental health determines how we handle stress and relate to others and our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world we live in. Promoting good mental health Mr Pate explained that improving the mental health of Nigerians has become a priority and that the promotion of good mental health and wellbeing is everybodys business. He said everyone has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health irrespective of age or status. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risk, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence, and inclusion in the community, he said. He said having a mental health condition should not be the reason to deprive a person of their human rights or to exclude them from decisions about their own health. The coordinating minister noted that people with mental health conditions continue to experience a wide range of human rights violations globally. He explained that many are excluded from community life and discriminated against, while many more cannot access the mental health care they need. COVID-19 impact Mr Pate said the WHO 2022 global status report on mental health indicates that the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in depression and anxiety by more than 25 per cent in the first year. He said nearly one billion people are living with mental health conditions globally. People living with mental health conditions are among the most underserved with treatment gaps ranging between 55 per cent and 90 per cent in high and low-income countries respectively. He said the Ministry of Health is committed to developing legislation, policies, guidelines, and interventions aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of all people in Nigeria. World Mental Health Day First observed on 10 October 1992 by a group of experts under the umbrella of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), the commemoration drew the worlds attention in 1994 when for the first time it endorsed a global theme: Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World. Since then, the commemoration has gained global relevance and recognition as WHO has consistently partnered with WFMH and other partners to raise awareness and education around issues of mental health. This years theme; Mental Health is a Universal Human Right aims to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyones mental health as a universal human right. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has alleged that some contractors have ganged up against him over his insistence on the use of concrete in road construction in the country. Mr Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, disclosed this on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Nigerians are witnesses to the failure of asphalt, especially in the North-central part of this country and the entire Southern part of this country. And so, asphalt definitely is a big problem. But if you insist you want to do asphalt thats not a problem, but the conditions are that you will guarantee Nigerians that when you finish this asphalt road, you are very sure it will not fail within at least 15 years, Mr Umahi said. The minister also said some elements within the ministry were sabotaging the plans by the Nigerian government to redesign and construct some yet-to-be-completed federal roads using concrete. He said those elements were fighting him because they had been benefitting from the system. He threatened to report them to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). I will flush those elements out and send them to ICPC to handle them because nobody can hold this country to ransom, the minister said. 14 days ultimatum Mr Umahi said he had given the contractors last chance to conform to the use of concrete in road construction, adding that 14 days notice had been issued to them to sign an addendum for concrete road pavement. The minister explained that given the increased cost of bitumen from N576,000 to N1 million per tonne with attendant consequences on asphalt, contractors were likely to increase the cost of road contracts beyond five per cent. Bitumen is a black mixture of hydrocarbons used for road surfacing and roofing. The former governor added that, apart from the prospect of increasing the cost of contracts, contractors also engage in adulterating the bitumen to cut costs. Why is it that when you bring bitumen here you are putting a modifier and enhancer? The question is, overseas, do they put all these things? So why would you allow adulterated bitumen and then you come here you say youre putting a modifier, he said. Job creation Mr Umahi contended that the use of concrete in road construction in Nigeria would create jobs in the country because most of the raw materials are locally made. There is a catalyst in the use of concrete pavement. It will create jobs for our people. Everything about the construction is local. Ten manufacturers of cement have indicated interest to build cement factories. That is good for our economy. It will reduce pressure on the naira, the minister said. The road (built with concrete) is going to be much more durable. And some people say its more expensive. Its not more expensive. Some people even put three binders on their road construction. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The rising cases of attempted suicide and suicide in Nigeria are a result of inadequate mental health support, according to clinical therapist, Adeola Kingsley-James. Mrs Kingsley-James spoke as a guest speaker at the 3rd anniversary of Mycarebuddy, a mental health startup in Nigeria. Mrs Kingsley-James emphasised the importance of therapy to address peoples mental health challenges due to factors, including childhood trauma, societal pressures, and personal struggles. She said seeing a therapist allows people to explore their thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behaviour to become a better version of themselves. She said: But people must know that seeing a therapist for a few hours cannot address issues of many weeks, months and years. It takes consistency and dedication for cases to be fully resolved. Individual responsibility Citing personal experience, Mrs Kingsley-James further noted that good mental health is needed for a productive life hence the emphasis on therapy sessions. She said not having self-esteem and being a people pleaser affects mental health. Individuals are responsible for their mental health by being optimistic and knowing they are responsible for their well-being, she noted. She also shared tips on how to overcome mental health struggles. A start-up effort As a mental health therapy startup, Mycarebuddy unveiled an enhanced website for easier access to mental wellness services and other innovative products primarily intended to provide mental wellness and wholeness to the users. The launch was planned to also commemorate World Mental Health Day which is marked on 10 October every year for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Welcoming guests to the event, which was held in Lagos during the weekend, the groups Chief Executive Officer, Ebere Okonkwo, spoke on the significance of mental health and the groups commitment to enhancing the awareness campaign. It is our third anniversary and we must commend everyone who has been part of the journey. Mental health should be everyones business because without it there is no health at all, she said. Suicide statistics Nigeria with a population of over 200 million is one of the epicentres of suicide in the world according to a 2016 WHO report, indicating that the country had the seventh-highest suicide rate in Africa and the 15th highest globally. According to a report, no fewer than 79 persons committed suicide in Nigeria in 2022. However, Civil Society Organisations like the Nigerian Mental Health have called on the countrys lawmakers to repeal laws that currently penalise citizens who try to take their lives with a one-year jail term. The CSO also launched a policy brief on decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria to drive legislative and societal change and transform suicide from a criminal offence to a public health concern. Providing mental health support Meanwhile, Ms Okonkwo, said the society is laden with men and women, young and old with underlying mental health challenges, many of whom, she said, do not have access to therapy services. Ms Okonkwo said in the past three years, Mycarebuddy has been at the forefront of combating depression and other mental health challenges by providing professional therapy services, mental health awareness and training to promote well-being, personal growth, and a better quality of life. She noted that Mycarebuddy allows individuals to access the needed mental health support in their local languages. Partnership for mental health support To provide quality mental health care for people through innovative practices and products, Mycarebuddy partners with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Womenpreneur, and Z Zurich Foundation, among others. Speaking at the 3rd anniversary, Mojeed Alabi, the head of the Development Desk at PREMIUM TIMES, commended efforts by individual organisations in providing mental health care to Nigerians, even as he highlighted the importance of dialogue and partnerships. He also pledged CJIDs continued support for the organisations mission to address pressing mental health challenges across the country. In an earlier statement from Mycarebuddy, Eyitomi Alao, Project and Research Officer of the mental health reporting project, at CJID, noted that partnering with organisations like Mycarebuddy is crucial in addressing the pressing mental health challenges in Nigeria and beyond. Mrs Alao said, By collaborating with key stakeholders, we can create a collective and comprehensive approach to mental health support, ensuring that individuals have access to quality care and resources. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A popular Nigerian cleric, Johnson Suleman, has alleged that a police officer masterminded last years deadly attack on his convoy. PREMIUM TIMES in October last year reported how gunmen attacked the convoy of Mr Suleman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministries, killing seven people, including three police officers. The attack occurred around the Auchi area of the state while Mr Suleman was heading to an unidentified location, hours after returning from a trip to the East African country, Tanzania. The cleric had described the attack as an assassination attempt. Aftermath of the attack Mr Suleman said, after the attack, an unnamed police officer narrated in a post on his social media page how he (the officer) had deployed officers to the cleric but they all died under mysterious circumstances. I have never met the guy (the officer) in my life, the cleric said during a live broadcast A video clip of the live broadcast was posted on the Facebook page of Omega Fire Ministries on 2 September. The cleric said he had informed the police authorities in Nigeria that he would tell members of his church about the post of the officer. Mr Suleman said he responded to the officer via the post and scolded him. He said the officer was arrested two weeks ago before he (the officer) wrote an apology letter to him in private which he rejected. You defamed me in public, go and make the apology in public, the cleric told the officer. Mastermind of the attack Mr Suleman said no police officer attached to his convoy had died before. He said the attack on his convoy happened because another unnamed police officer sold us out. The plan was that he (unnamed officer) should drive and I will be seated. When they (gunmen) start shooting, he would open the car and run out, Mr Suleman said. The cleric claimed that, on the fateful day, God had ministered to him to drive by himself as against the initial plan to let the officer drive him. I took the (car) key and when I did that, he bent his head, Mr Suleman said of the unnamed officer. He (the unnamed officer) was the first to be wasted. Police officers driving civilians is not common in Nigeria. However, a police officer, who asked not to be named, told PREMIUM TIMES that it is not unusual for officers to drive civilians provided such approval was given by the inspector-general of police (IGP). There are officers that are designated as drivers. Any policeman not designated and employed as a driver cannot serve as a driver, the officer, a superintendent of police, said. Wherever you are and wish to get an officer as your driver, it is only the IGP that can approve your application, he added. Police silent When contacted on Monday, the police spokesperson in Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, told PREMIUM TIMES that he would not respond to the allegation of complicity because the officer was not identified by the cleric. The matter is with the Force Criminal Investigation Department, said Mr Nwabuzor, a superintendent of police. Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking his comment. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has said only competent contractors will henceforth be engaged in handling road projects across the country to reduce the incidence of delay in completion. David Umahi, minister of works, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja. He said that some contractors have been identified with collecting several road projects at once without the capacity to handle such projects. The delay of contractor completion has been identified as the propensity of contractors to take on several road projects that they do not have the equipment to tackle. This has led to delays and sometimes abandonment of projects across the country. This needs to change so that the renewed hope of the Tinubu-led administration can reach and benefit the people, he said. Mr Umahi said that the president also approved the contract for various roads across the country that needed urgent attention including the Benin-Sapele, Third Mainland bridge rehabilitation, and the East-West road among others. On the use of asphalt, the minister said that contractors are allowed to use it with certain conditions attached to ensure quality jobs. The ministry is only providing an alternative to asphalt by introducing the use of concrete in road constructions. But if any contractor wishes to continue with the asphalt, then he must meet the conditions. The conditions are that you will guarantee Nigerians that when you finish this asphalt road, job, you are very sure it will not fail within at least 15 years. The design shelf life is 20 years but assure us in writing from a reputable insurance company and their own company that this road will not fail within 15 years. So we are saying that concrete is very friendly with water and so we want you contractors to have an alternative. There is a catalyst in the use of concrete pavement. It will create jobs for our people. Everything about the construction is local. 10 manufacturers of cement have indicated interest to build cement factories. That is good for our economy. It will reduce pressure on the Naira. The road is going to be much more durable, he said. Mr Umahi called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to the various reforms by the administration to create a new economic prosperity for Nigerians, adding no gang up by anybody or group will deter this determination. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A veteran journalist, Hamisu Danjibga, was killed by his nephew, Mansur Haruna, for refusing to be his guarantor when he wanted to join the Nigerian Army, the police in Zamfara State have said. The prime suspect, according to the police, also accused his uncle of not facilitating his enrollment into the army, with the slain journalist insisting that he would not assist him because of his unsatisfactory character. Mr Haruna, was arrested alongside his friend and accomplice, Ibrahim Nababa, by the police. Recall that veteran journalist, Mr Danjibga, was declared missing last month before his body was recovered from a septic tank behind his house in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital. Mr Danjibga worked for the Voice of Nigeria (VON) for many years. While parading the suspects at the police command in Gusau on Tuesday, the state police commissioner, Mohammed Dalijan, said Mr Danjibga was stabbed several times by the suspects. Failed abduction, then murder Mr Dalijan said the suspects confessed to the murder, but said their plan was to abduct Mr Danjibga. They only resorted to killing the deceased, when he tried to overpower them, the police chief said, recounting the confession of the suspects. The police commissioner said the nephew, Mr Haruna, stabbed his uncle thrice with a knife before Mr Nababa used a cutlass to cut him twice on the head. The prime suspect is the son of Danjibgas elder brother. He lived with the late Danjibga here in Gusau. He had wanted to join the Nigerian Army but Alhaji Danjibga said: No, with the type of criminal tendencies Im seeing in you, Ill never be a guarantor for you to join the Nigerian Army. Alhaji Danjibga sent him out of his house and he went to stay with his friend Ibrahim Nababa. It was at the friends house they planned how to kidnap Danjibga. When they finished the plan, they went to his house and when they met him, they wanted to take him away from the house but he resisted. He said: You, my son, it is you that want to do this kind of a thing to me. I am not going anywhere. It was at that particular point the boy brought out a knife and stabbed him three times in the chest. His friend carried a cutlass and cut him two times on his head. He fell there instantly and died. They carried his body and put it inside a soakaway in an Islamiyya school, Mr Dalijan said. 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. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Suspected bandits have killed Usman Sarki, the village head of Zazzaga in Munya Local Government Area of Niger, North-central Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. A community leader who pleaded anonymity told journalists in Munya said the suspected bandits launched the attack on Zazzaga and adjoining communities in the night on Tuesday. The source said that an unspecified number of farmers including women were also kidnapped. According to the source, the attack was launched in the night on Tuesday. They shot the village Head of Zazzaga, Malam Usman Sarki dead and kidnapped many others. For now, we cannot give the exact number of people they took away. They also rustled many cattle, goats and sheep belonging to us. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, a deputy superintendent of police, confirmed the incident. Mr Abiodun, however, said that he was yet to get the full details of the alleged attack by the suspected bandits. PREMIUM TIMES have reported how northern Nigeria is witnessing incessant cases of terrorist activities, especially the abduction of students. The newspaper confirmed that four students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were abducted by terrorists between Monday and Tuesday. A few days earlier, four female students of the Federal University Dutsin Ma in Katsina State were also abducted by terrorists. The Vice-Chancellor, Armayau Bichi, would later say the terrorists were on a revenge mission when they attacked the school. In September, 24 students of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State were abducted by terrorists. Though some of the students were rescued, many remain with the terrorists. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February election, Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to unveil his true identity to save the image of the country. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Mr Obi said the Chicago State University saga certificate and the lingering identity question marks of the president have worsened the countrys less-than-glorious image internationally. He said uninformed outsiders now see every other Nigerian as a potential fraudster, certain forger, or identity thief, adding that the controversy is unnecessary just as the implicit global embarrassment. In my opinion, Chief Bola Tinubu should have saved the nation and himself from this protracted embarrassment and undue anxiety. Even this late in the day, however, Chief Bola Tinubu still owes the nation and the world a simple debt of obligation that only he can discharge. I call on him to immediately and personally mount the rostrum of his present high office to perform a simple task once and for all time. He should re-introduce himself to the nation he governs and to the world for the avoidance of further doubt. He should let the world know his name, nationality, his place of birth, his parentage, the primary and secondary schools he attended with dates as well as the actual universities he attended and certificates obtained. He should indicate clearly where and when he did his National Youth Service. In addition, if at any time he has had a change of name, he should clearly state so and the circumstances. That, in itself, is no crime. This simple task should take no more than a few minutes. It requires no affidavits, prolonged court processes, spokespersons, agents, or surrogates. This task is one that only Chief Bola Tinubu himself through a direct personal statement can perform. He must perform this task urgently in order to lay to rest, once and for the last time, the many lingering doubts and valid speculations about his true identity, Mr Obi said. The LP candidate, who is also challenging Mr Tinubus victory at the Supreme Court, said Nigerians deserve to know for a certainty the true identity of their leader and that this overrides whatever rights the president may have to his privacy. He further stated that the international community deserves to know the true identity of the president with whom they will engage in Nigeria. Having stood for an election to the elevated public office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Bola Tinubu has implicitly undertaken to cede the rights of a private citizen in favour of a life of open disclosure of his true identity, and other circumstances that may be of public interest. His personal integrity demands no less. The legitimacy of the office he currently occupies demands that much and even more. Respect for the integrity and esteem of the Nigerian nation within the community of nations makes it even more incumbent and compulsory, Mr Obi said. Background CSU had on Monday last week presented the legal team of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 25 February presidential election Atiku Abubakar, with the academic records of Mr Tinubu. This followed the ruling of a US court on a suit filed by Atiku requesting the institution to do so. The following day, CSU Registrar, Caleb Westberg, made a deposition at the court, giving further details on the documents that were released to Mr Atikus team. In a subsequent press conference last Thursday, the legal team said it identified at least five discrepancies in the documents issued by the CSU sufficient enough to overturn the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal at the Supreme Court. It said it was able to establish that Mr Tinubu committed forgery, has dual citizenship, and presented an NYSC certificate that has a different name from the one he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the election. At the forum, Atiku, who vowed not to give up the fight against the president, also called on Mr Obi and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, to join him in the fight. Atiku has since requested the permission of the Supreme Court where he is appealing the judgement of the PEPC, to present the documents to it. INEC, on 1 March, declared Mr Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 25 February presidential poll. He defeated Messrs Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso who came second, third and fourth. Read the full text of Mr Obis press conference. STATEMENT ON BOLA AHMED TINUBUS IDENTITY ISSUES BY LP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. PETER OBI Having followed the prolonged identity crisis that recently played out in the American Court System and the controversy surrounding the authenticity of the Chicago State University credentials of Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I must confess that I am distressed as a Nigerian. In addition to the barrage of media frenzy that the matter has triggered at home and abroad, I have had the unwholesome burden of responding to embarrassing questions about Nigerias overall credibility as a nation to privileged audiences and individuals both at home and abroad in different parts of the world where I have travelled lately. To outsiders, the entire Chicago State University matter as well as Bola Ahmed Tinubus many other lingering identity question marks has further worsened Nigerias less-than-glorious image internationally. Uninformed outsiders now see every other Nigerian as a potential fraudster, certain forger, or identity thief. The controversy is unnecessary just as the implicit global embarrassment could have been avoided. In my opinion, Chief Bola Tinubu should have saved the nation and himself from this protracted embarrassment and undue anxiety. Even this late in the day, however, Chief Bola Tinubu still owes the nation and the world a simple debt of obligation that only he can discharge. I call on him to immediately and personally mount the rostrum of his present high office to perform a simple task once and for all time. He should re-introduce himself to the nation he governs and to the world for the avoidance of further doubt. He should let the world know his name, nationality, his place of birth, his parentage, the primary and secondary schools he attended with dates as well as the actual universities he attended and certificates obtained. He should indicate clearly where and when he did his National Youth Service. In addition, if at any time he has had a change of name, he should clearly state so and the circumstances. That, in itself, is no crime. This simple task should take no more than a few minutes. It requires no a+davits, prolonged court processes, spokespersons, agents, or surrogates. This task is one that only Chief Bola Tinubu himself through a direct personal statement can perform. He must perform this task urgently in order to lay to rest, once and for the last time, the many lingering doubts and valid speculations about his true identity. A leader cannot outsource a clear unambiguous personal statement about his identity to political surrogates, social spokespersons, lawyers, or any other persons no matter how highly placed. A matter of the personal identity of a leader is too sensitive and central to the functions of the office he currently occupies to be tried with, outsourced, or disguised under the cloak of officialdom. It is also about integrity, morality, values, and the rule of law that denies the character of the Nation and its people. In his present capacity as a leader of a nation of over 200 million Nigerians, his true identity is a matter of grave national and international interest. The people deserve to know for a certainty the true identity of their leader and this overrides whatever rights he may have to personal privacy. In addition, the international community deserves to know the true identity of the person with whom they will engage in Nigeria. Having stood for an election to the elevated public office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Bola Tinubu has implicitly undertaken to cede the rights of a private citizen in favour of a life of open disclosure of his true identity, and other circumstances that may be of public interest. His personal integrity demands no less. The legitimacy of the office he currently occupies demands that much and even more. Respect for the integrity and esteem of the Nigerian nation within the community of nations makes it even more incumbent and compulsory. It is time to do the right thing. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Peter Obi Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the new Minister of Women Affairs, has a new vision for womens economic empowerment (WEE). The new vision signals both continuity and departure from previous strategies and brings together gender-based violence (GBV) and WEE in an integrated model. Since being sworn in on 21st August, Mrs Uju has been clarifying her new paradigm in a series of strategic public events as well as through press releases of the Ministrys Media Unit. The ministers presentation of the communique at the end of the 23rd National Council on Women Affairs in Calabar, on 22 August, was the first opportunity to voice over her vision. This was soon followed up by a Press Release on 1st September as she addressed the Attorney General, the IGP, UN-Women, UNICEF, and African Lawyers Association. In three strategic events which quickly followed, the minister refined her vision at the 23rd September meeting of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMoWAs); the 28th September meeting of partners and NGOs at the offices of the FMoWAs; and most recently at a meeting of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and UNDP on Tuesday 3rd October. For the development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), a Nigerian non-profit, which has been shadowing the ministers passionate pronouncements since Calabar, the ministers vision appears to both challenge and align with cutting-edge theories linking GBV and WEE. From her statements, Ms Kennedy-Ohanenyes first premise seems to be the goal of ending GBV through both GBV response and GBV prevention strategies. Her idea seems to be GBV response through the criminal justice system spearheaded by innovative GBV mobile courts. With regard to GBV Prevention she seems to envisage a two-pronged strategy. Strategy one is to engage new advocates of traditional and religious leaders who, she argues are best placed to reach neglected rural communities with messages of the harm caused by cultural practices such as female genital cutting. The second leg of the GBV prevention strategy is where womens economic empowerment comes in. The minister argues for equipment, machinery, finances, and capacity building to equip economically active women, enabling them to generate sustainable income to uplift and protect women, children and households. That the minister links gender-based violence reduction strategies to womens economic empowerment, setting priorities for her ministry, is not surprising as this is frontier thinking in development circles led by the UN-WOMEN, UNFPA, World Bank, Measure Evaluation and the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW). For the UNFPA It is increasingly clear that gender-based violence, womens economic empowerment, and sexual and reproductive health and rights are interlinked. Programming in any one area alone, without linkages to others, is incomplete. The World Bank argues that poverty is a risk factor associated with gender-based violence; it also often intersects with and reinforces gender inequality. Various microfinance and other economic empowerment approaches have been implemented to try to address this intersection. Not surprisingly, one of the World Banks first think pieces, in the 2019 Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP), explored the intersectionality between GBV and WEE, laying out a framework for GBV mitigation in WEE programming. By linking GBV and WEE, the new minister has set the bar rather high. The minister may well have a challenge measuring, monitoring and mobilizing to achieve both GBV and WEE objectives and to also track and trace how successes in one area impact the other. The good news for the minister is that she is taking over the reign of leadership at a juncture where the Nigeria for Women Scale-up programme with backing from the World Bank offers financial, technical and conceptual tools to support the ministry on its new journey to address GBV and WEE in an interrelated and perhaps integrated manner. The minister can also tap into technical expertise for inclusive WEE policy implementation of the Albright Stonebridge Group (AGS) which led to the design of the WEE policy with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. But perhaps the lowest hanging fruit that the minister can immediately tap into is the multi-stakeholder HiLAC whose GBV and WEE sub-committees can be put to work to support the ministers vision. Finally, the 2022 National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy provides a golden opportunity for the Federal Ministry of Womens Affairs to blaze the trail by generating evidence and providing proof of concept of how inclusive WEE programme design can push back, reduce and nullify GBV. Judith-Ann Walker (PhD) is the Executive Director of the development Research and Projects Center (dRPC) a registered non-profit dedicated to building social capital for inclusive development. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print More than three weeks have passed since Russia's last massive shelling of Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv. Russia has amassed missiles and drones for another powerful strike. It probably already has 30 to 40 X-101\555 missiles and up to 20 Kalibr sea-launched missiles in its stockpile. ADVERTISIMENT Military experts Vladyslav Selezniov and Oleksandr Kovalenko shared their predictions about the timing of the next enemy attack in a commentary for TSN. In particular, Selezniov, a former spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, believes that Russia may deliberately pause to strike with the onset of cold weather, as the situation generally tends to escalate. "The enemy is amassing ammunition. I believe that we are on the verge of tumultuous events. The fighting has intensified significantly in eastern Ukraine, the situation is difficult in the Avdiivka area, and the situation in the Kupiansk-Lyman sector is no less challenging. The Ukrainian army is engaged in fierce fighting there. The enemy has a numerical advantage and constantly attacks our positions, so the situation there is very difficult," he said. ADVERTISIMENT Selezniov added that the situation is no less difficult in Zaporizhzhia, where the Russian occupiers have concentrated significant resources. "Large-scale drone attacks are aimed primarily at destroying military infrastructure. There are constant hits in the south of Ukraine, in the Odesa region, it is obvious that the enemy is targeting military infrastructure and facilities that ensure the functioning of the grain deal. We are talking about ports, bases, berths, and crossing points," the expert says. The occupiers are now working on creating a future battlefield, destroying Ukraine's potential, he believes. "The situation is very complicated and dynamic, with a tendency to escalate. I think we will see this aggravation shortly as the enemy is trying to transform its numerical advantage. We have already heard that the enemy has already concentrated 429 thousand of its soldiers, about 28 thousand in Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions," Selezniov said. ADVERTISIMENT He added that the enemy has significant resources to wage an aggressive war, and predicted that October will be "quite dynamic" in any case. Such dynamics will be determined by the aggression of the Russian army. Selezniov, who has many sources among the military, noted that the occupiers may be waiting for the onset of cold weather to start a new massive shelling of Ukraine. In the meantime, they are accumulating a stockpile of missiles and drones. "The Russians started attacking the energy infrastructure on October 10 last year. This year October 10 is warmer. I think that as soon as the weather conditions deteriorate, the Russians will use missile components. I believe that the situation tends to escalate," the expert emphasized. For his part, Oleksandr Kovalenko noted that Russia could have accumulated 30 to 40 X-101\555 missiles after September 21, so it could launch a new attack. In addition, the enemy could have accumulated up to 20 Kalibr sea-launched missiles. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL: - Earlier, the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuriy Ihnat, noted that Russia has recently been using more attack drones against Ukraine than missiles as the enemy is probably stockpiling missiles for further attacks in the winter. - According to Ihnat, the invaders plan attacks with Iskander missiles in detail. They analyze all intelligence data before launching. - Kremlin propagandists were worried that Ukraine might strike Russia's energy infrastructure in winter and said that such attacks would be "terror," although they called for the destruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure themselves. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has closed two private schools for operating below minimum standard in the FCT. The affected schools are Erudite Bright Kids at Kagini and Janes Angela School in Abuja Municipal Area Council The schools were closed during an operation to close all substandard schools operating in the FCT. The Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCTA, Danlami Hayyo, who led the team in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the measure was to ensure the quality of teaching and learning in FCT schools. Mr Hayyo said that the move was in line with the mandate of the Department of Quality Assurance charged with the core responsibility of proper accreditation of schools, monitoring and inspection. This, according to him, is to ensure quality educational services, compliance with the requirements for the establishment of schools and enforcement of minimum standards as stipulated in the operational guidelines for schools. In a normal situation, no school should be allowed to operate in the FCT without due registration, payment of dues and obtaining the necessary requirements. The secretariat through the Department of Quality Assurance is determined to sanitise the system for a better teaching and learning process. We will also intensify its efforts to ensure FCT schools compete favourably in the global education space, he said. He called on the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to enlighten their members on minimum standards and the need to key into FCT Administration educational policies. Mr Hayyo also called for robust partnership of the private sector in the delivery of quality educational services to the teeming residents of the FCT. The mandate secretary also frowned at the attitude of some school proprietors who denied evaluators and inspectors from accessing school premises. On her part, the Director of the Department of Quality Assurance, Favour Nse-Edem, explained that the sealed schools failed to satisfy the conditions of establishment of regular schools. Ms Nse-Edem added that there were no records of their existence and that they had been operating for years, adding that the closure was key to maintaining standards in schools. She said that the department would continue to ensure that both public and private schools operate within expected standards. She added that all schools must operate in line with minimum requirements, be duly accredited and registered and adhere to operational guidelines. The director said that the closure exercise was with the approval of the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike. She explained that the department had created awareness through public announcements in various media organisations on the need to comply with operational guidelines to provide quality educational services. The director said that the announcement served as a warning signal to defaulting and substandard schools operating in an unconducive environment. READ ALSO: Bauchi govt to pay female pupils to attend school There are other schools operating in an environment that predisposes students to health hazards and those operating in faulty physical structure among others. The department has continued to advise the schools owners on what is expected of them but have continued to ignore such professional advice of quality assurance evaluators, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, on Wednesday, convicted two pipeline vandals, Clement Ododomu and Tiwei Monday, for killing seven officers of the State Security Service (SSS). The killings occurred on 14 September 2015 at Ishawo Creek, Ikorodu, Lagos State. The trial judge, Hakeem Oshodi, found Messrs Ododomu and Monday guilty following a plea for mercy by their counsel, but deferred their sentencing until 14 November. Mr Oshodi found Mr Ododomu guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, murders and illegal possession of firearms. He found Mr Monday guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. According to him, the claim of the defence that the defendants were in Lagos for the funeral of their grandmother was a ruse. Mr Oshodi held that the defence failed to provide essential witnesses to corroborate the claim. He, however, held that the prosecution was not able to prove that the second defendant (Monday) was guilty of murder. Mr Oshodi said that evidence before the court showed that it was one Agbala and the first defendant (Ododomu) who killed the operatives. He held that the prosecution was able to prove that the two defendants participated in the ambush of the operatives. He said: Upon proper evaluation of evidence before the court, the convicts are hereby discharged and acquitted on counts of two, three, four, six and eight because the prosecution was unable to prove the allegations against them. However, the prosecution was able to prove that the first defendant, Ododomu, is guilty of counts one, five, seven, nine and 10 which border on conspiracy to commit murder, murders, possession of firearms and felony. The second defendant, Monday, is also found guilty of count one and 10 which border on conspiracy to commit murder and felony. Defence counsel, Olusegun Akande, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy. Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, however, urged the court to convict them as prescribed by the section under which they were charged. Background The Lagos State Government had submitted that SSS received a distress call from an editor of Sun newspaper (name withheld) on 14 September 2015 about the kidnapping of his wife at their residence. It said that the state command of SSS consequently dispatched a nine-man team to carry out a surveillance to ascertain the location of the kidnappers who were negotiating for a ransom. The prosecution added that it was reported that in the evening of that day, one of the SSS team members, Martins Ajayi, sent a distress text message to the command headquarters to the effect that the team had been ambushed by vandals and their weapons seized. According to the prosecution, the convicts committed the offences on 14 September 2015, in Ishawo Creek, Ikorodu, Lagos. The convicts were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, murder and illegal possession of firearms, contrary to Section 223 and 298 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has blasted Peter Obi for asking President Bola Tinubu to unveil his identity and academic records to Nigerians. Mr Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, made the demand on Wednesday at a press conference in Abuja. The LP candidate, who came third in the election, and now challenging the electoral victory of Mr Tinubu at the Supreme Court, asked that the former Lagos State governor should come clean on his identity and academic records, particularly with regards to the certificate degree he bagged from the Chicago State University, his name, age and family records, among others. The former Anambra State governor asked President Tinubu to save the nation the shame his controversial personality is bringing to Nigerians. Mr Tinubus certificate from CSU has been a subject of controversy lately when Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the PDP and first runner-up in the election, sought to clarify from the school if indeed Mr Tinubu graduated from there and earned his degree as claimed. The university registrar, at a recent court deposition, did affirm that Mr Tinubu graduated from the university in 1979 but failed to authenticate the diploma the president submitted to INEC during the election. In response to Mr Obis demand, the APC in a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the LP candidate was on an ignominious alley to nowhere, just like his counterpart, Atiku. The statement noted that as for President Tinubus academic record at the Chicago State University, the facts are clear and settled except for those political jaundiced by the trauma of electoral defeat. The party noted that in contrast to what Mr Obi and Atiku are asking for via the Supreme Court, Nigerians flatly and serially rejected the duos presidential bid in the last election election. The APC upbraided Mr Obi for misleading Nigerians with false and embarrassing statistics for which he has gained notoriety. Peter Obi cannot be said to be known for any outstanding performance as governor of Anambra State for eight years with no worthy legacy standing to his name, a part of the statement read. Read the full statement below: SHAME, AS PETER OBI JUMPS ON ATIKU ABUBAKARS BANDWAGON Like a befuddled mind jolted out of deep slumber, Peter Obi, Labour Partys presidential candidate, hugged a podium to echo a script authored by Atiku Abubakar, his senior partner and co-traveller on a dark ignominious alley to nowhere. At his press conference earlier today, Mr Obi blathered on about President Bola Ahmed Tinubus identity and academic record, like a broken voice note of Atiku Abubakar, cutting a pitiful profile as though forced to read a prepared statement by his unimaginative handlers, and mendacious associates in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Unwilling to miss out on the orchestrated campaign of calumny against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his certificate from the Chicago State University, Obi jumped on the tailboard of Atikus bandwagon to satisfy his uncanny and insatiable thirst for cheap media attention, long after his Labour Party had dissociated itself from a bogus call to action by the former Vice President. In his drivel, Peter Obi demanded that the President reintroduce himself to Nigerians, as though the 8.9 million Nigerians who voted for him last February were all groggy when they made their free democratic choice. Mr Obi must know that President Tinubu does not need a re-introduction. He does not have any identity problem, except the one contrived by the Atikus and Peters of our political firmament. The 8.9 million Nigerians who voted him into office were, and remain, aware of his outstanding record and accomplishments as a defender of democracy, freedom, and social and economic justice for over three decades. Nigerians know President Tinubu as a thoroughbred professional and former auditor and treasurer of Mobil Nigeria, now ExxonMobil. Nigerians know the President as a former Senator of the Federal Republic where he served as Chairman of the influential Finance and Appropriations Committee. They know him as a former Governor of Lagos State who designed and paved the pathway to the growth and prosperity of present-day Lagos, the 5th largest economy in Africa. Nigerians know who they voted for as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They voted for him with full faith and confidence that his track record and wide competencies would help in the re-engineering of our countrys economy for the good of the greatest number of Nigerians. In marked contrast, Nigerians have flatly and serially rejected Atiku Abubakar and denied Peter Obis presidential bid in the last election election. Beyond regaling Nigerians with false and embarrassing statistics for which he has gained notoriety, Peter Obi cannot be said to be known for any outstanding performance as governor of Anambra State for eight years with no worthy legacy standing to his name. As for President Tinubus academic record at the Chicago State University, the facts are clear and settled except for those political jaundiced by the trauma of electoral defeat. The Chicago State University has unequivocally stated over and over again, and in a deposition, under oath, by the Registrar, Caleb Westberg that President Tinubu attended the school and graduated with Honours. Nigerians are now familiar with the stellar academic performance of President Tinubu as evidenced by his transcript released by the CSU with 18As, 10Bs and 3Cs grades. It is disturbing and utterly contemptuous of the courts of our land for the duo of Atiku and Obi to rail and pollute the public space with the very same issues that they have submitted to the court for adjudication. They have continued to perpetrate public deception, operating, simultaneously, as accusers and judges in their base cause. We condemn the sordid and disgraceful attempt by Obi, Atiku and their cheerleaders to use the mainstream and social media to intimidate the judiciary, incite the public to violence, disparage Justices of the Appeal and Supreme Court, and we urge all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn this anti-democratic and irresponsible conduct of both political naggers. For the records, our team of lawyers is advised to explore all available judicial mechanisms towards bringing Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar to justice for their ceaseless contemptuous conduct. In our democracy, the office of the President is not filled by intimidation, blackmail or reckless self-help. It is filled by the people, by their lawful votes at the polls just as they did on February 25, 2023, when they elected Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Signed: Felix Morka, Esq. National Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday, opened the campaign for the second term bid of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma. Mr Shettima also represented President Bola Tinubu at the occasion. Addressing the rally, Mr Shettima said Nigerians of South-east extraction could not afford to be excluded from Nigerias politics. He stressed the need to re-elect Mr Uzodimma at the 11 November governorship poll to inspire hope of bringing the South-east to the mainstream of national politics. The vice-president commended Mr Uzodinma for adding value to Imo State through his giant strides in infrastructural development and the increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state. From a paltry N16 billion annually, he has increased the IGR to more than N30 billion per annum. For the purpose of consolidation and continuity, it is important for the people of Imo to rally around Uzodinma and get him re-elected. You may not appreciate him but in the fullness of time, you will come to realise how important he is in the politics of Ndigbo, Mr Shettima said. He assured Mr Uzodimma of the presidents support and urged Imo people to turn out fully on 11 November to re-elect the governor to enable him to complete his noble projects. Also addressing the rally, Mr Ganduje commended Mr Uzodi ma for providing good governance and infrastructural facilities in the areas of education, health, agriculture and security. He urged the people of Imo to re-elect Mr Uzodinma to ensure continuity. It is important because it has been the culture that when a new government comes in, it abandons the projects of the previous government. In your own case, we need continuity. Continuity will lead to consolidation, consolidation will lead to sustainability, sustainability will lead to progress and progress will lead to prosperity, Mr Ganduje said. Others speak The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that governors of Ogun, Benue, Cross River, Lagos, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Yobe and Jigawa States as well as some National Assembly members attended the rally. Also present were former governors of Imo, Messrs Rochas Okorocha and Ikedi Ohakim and some ministers. Earlier, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River said Imo Stare had benefitted a lot from the federal government for being an APC state. In order to sustain all these gains and even more, we dont have any other option than to vote APCs Uzodimma, Mr Otu declared. On his part, Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun described Mr Uzodimma as the Hope of the Southeast. According to him, Mr Uzodinma has performed in all sectors measurable and immeasurable in the areas of roads, health, job creation and youth development. In his address, Gov Uzodinma said he had done a lot to improve all sectors of the economy and politics of the state since his election in January 2020. I will not be contradicted, if I say life has become more meaningful for our people. We have rescued our state from the infrastructural decay we met on the ground; we have repaired and recognised the health and education sectors, he stated. Mr Uzodimma commended the APC faithful and the people of the state for their commitment and support and assured them that he would not take their support for granted. I will improve on current performance and do better than I have done, and by the grace of God, we will have a new Imo where equity, justice, and transparency will be the order of the day. We are committed to good governance. We cannot do much without the support of the Federal Government because we have seen the need to be part and parcel of national polity. Imo is leading the zone to ensure that the Southeast goes to the national level and what is good for other states and zones will also come to the Southeast, he added. He appealed to members of the APC and those who defected from the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party and other political parties to the APC to ensure victory for the party at the poll. NAN reports that Mr Shettima, who represented President Tinubu to lead other dignitaries to the palace of the chairman of the Council of Imo Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, inaugurated roads constructed by Mr Uzodinma. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State has recorded 156 cases of diphtheria and 20 deaths connected to the infections between March and September. The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this in Kaduna, the state capital, on Wednesday. He told journalists after he led the National Task Team on diphtheria outbreak response to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, that the state ranked among the seven states with high levels of infection. Mr Shuaib noted that most of the victims reported being late for treatment and stressed the need for patients to be presented for medical attention speedily. He noted also that about 80 per cent of those afflicted by the diseases did not present themselves for vaccination. There is also the need for the media to step up action in creating awareness and providing useful information about diphtheria, he said. He explained that mild to moderate cases of diphtheria were attended to at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, before being referred to infectious diseases hospitals. He observed that the number of victims was high because of low population immunity created by low vaccination coverage. Statistics show that local government areas that had high rates of vaccination in Kaduna State had the least cases of infection, he said. He stressed that vaccines remained the most powerful tool to combat vaccine-preventable diseases. Acknowledging efforts made by the Kaduna State government in combating diphtheria, Shuaib also encouraged the people to wear nose masks, especially when visiting health facilities. He expressed optimism that the outback would be controlled within a short period. In his remarks, Shuaibu Musa, consultant of infectious Diseases at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, said four of the six victims of diphtheria brought to the facility had been treated and discharged. He urged residents to maintain personal hygiene, get vaccinated and observe coughing and sneezing etiquette to prevent the spread of diphtheria. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ondo State House of Assembly will hold a crucial meeting on Wednesday to decide its next move in its process for the impeachment of Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. This is coming after the state high court on Tuesday in Akure struck out a suit instituted by Mr Aiyedatiwa challenging the process. In his ruling, Justice O. Akintan-Osadebay declined jurisdiction on Mr Aiyedatiwas suit. The judge said the decision is because the Federal High Court in Abuja is hearing a similar suit filed earlier by Mr Aiyedatiwa. The judge berated Mr Aiyedatiwa for forum shopping, by instituting the same case in the state and federal high courts. The embattled deputy governor had filed suit number AK/348/2023 at the state high court on 25 September to stop the impeachment proceedings at the House of Assembly. He filed the suit a day after he secured an injunction from the federal high court in Abuja suspending the impeachment process. Nine lawmakers had asked for the removal of Mr Aiyedatiwa from office for gross misconduct, a development generally seen as an escalation of a rift between the deputy governor and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Following the ruling by the Akure court on Tuesday, counsel to the assembly, Femi Emodamori, said it means the lawmakers can now proceed with the impeachment proceedings, noting too that an interim injunction issued by the federal court expired on Tuesday, having exceeded 14 days. He said the court at the hearing on Monday did not renew the injunction. Mr Emodamori noted that the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Olusegun Odusola, can now go ahead to set up the seven-member panel to hear the allegations against the deputy governor, as directed by the House of Assembly. However, counsel to the deputy governor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, disagreed. He said the injunction by the Abuja court remains in force, valid and subsisting. The various orders of injunction were made pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The motion on notice is still pending, he said. It is not correct that an order of the federal high court automatically expires after 14 days. This may be the case if the judge that granted the order did not direct otherwise. In this case, the judge directed otherwise by stating that the orders will be in force until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. Furthermore, there are two applications filed by the defendants in the suit against the orders of the court, one by the Governor of Ondo State to set aside the orders and the other by the Ondo House of Assembly to stay execution of the orders. In law, an ex-parte order made pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice remains in force, valid, binding and subsisting until the said motion on notice is heard and determined. In any event, the pendency of the suits against the impeachment proceedings effectively ties the hands of the defendants from proceeding with or taking any step that may jeopardise the hearing of the cases on the merits. We must learn to respect the rule of law, the authority of the court and due process. Meanwhile, the deputy governor has filed an appeal against the ruling of the Akure court. In a Notice of Appeal filed on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, he raised five grounds of appeal against the decision of the judge. Amongst these is that the judge erred in law in combining the hearing of his application for an amendment, with the application of the House of Assembly challenging the jurisdiction of the court. He said that amounts to a denial of his right to a fair hearing. Also, he said the judge was wrong in holding that the case constitutes an abuse of the process of the court as the parties and the subject matter of the case in Akure are different from those of the case in Abuja. The spokesperson of the Assembly, Olatunji Oshati, said in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, that the house may decide on the issue at its sitting on Wednesday. He said the assembly will be guided by its counsel on its next step of action. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print According to media reports, the United States will provide Ukraine with another $200 million in military aid. The announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday, October 11. ADVERTISIMENT This is reported by Voice of America, citing American officials. They say that this package will include AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles. The United States will also provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with artillery ammunition for Highly Mobile Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), TOW anti-tank missiles, and 155-mm and 105-mm shells. In addition to these weapons, the military aid package will include ammunition for small arms, explosive munitions to overcome obstacles set up by the Russian occupation forces, as well as anti-drone and electronic warfare equipment. "This is the 48th time that the United States has used its Presidential Drawdown Authority to provide the Ukrainian army with equipment from American stockpiles," the statement said. It is noted that the United States has already provided Ukraine with about $44 billion in military assistance since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Now the Pentagon has about $5 billion left to support the Armed Forces. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the media reported that the US Congress is allegedly preparing a new large-scale aid package for Ukraine worth $50-100 billion to combat Russia's invasion. The new aid is expected to be for a year. Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The leadership of the aggressor country Russia knew that the Hamas terrorist movement was preparing to attack Israel. Moreover, Russia provided the militants with weapons captured by the Russian occupiers in the war against Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Now the Kremlin is trying to use the situation with Hamas' attack on Israel to spread propaganda against Ukraine. This was stated by Andriy Cherniak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine. According to him, the Russian leadership knew that Hamas was preparing a terrorist attack on Israel. The day before, the aggressor country handed over to the militants weapons that the Russian occupiers managed to capture during the war against Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence is also aware of the cooperation of Russian private military companies with Hamas. Palestinian and Russian militants are exchanging experience in combat operations. At the same time, the DIU representative is confident that Moscow will try to use the fact of Hamas' attack on Israel to spread further propaganda against Ukraine. Russia will also try to divert the world's attention from Russian aggression. ADVERTISIMENT Read online: The fourth day of the war in Israel: IDF strikes Gaza, Turkey wants to mediate in negotiations. As a reminder, Russia plans to use the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel as a pretext for a large-scale provocation against Ukraine. Russian intelligence services have already handed over trophy weapons captured during the fighting in Ukraine, manufactured in the United States and the European Union. Earlier it was reported that the war in the Middle East could push Ukraine into the background. Now the US will work on two fronts: Ukrainian and Israeli. As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on October 9, the Israel Defense Forces regained control of the border areas that had been seized by Hamas militants since the invasion on October 7 and moved to a new phase of the operation. To conduct it, 300,000 reservists were mobilized in the country. ADVERTISIMENT At the end of the day, one of the top Hamas officials, Mousa Abu Marzook, said that the terrorists were open to negotiations with Israel on a possible truce. He claimed that this was because they had already "achieved their goals." Only verified information is available on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! QINGDAO, China, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening ceremony of the fourth Qingdao Multinationals Summit was held today in Qingdao, Shandong province. The summit is jointly organized by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Shandong Provincial Government. The event brought together top management executives from 416 companies. Opening ceremony of the fourth Qingdao Multinationals Summit Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, gave a speech on the opening ceremony, he encouraged multinational corporations to firmly grasp the enormous potential brought by China's development and better reap the development dividends in the critical stage of China's transformation. "With decades of successful experience in the energy industry and the wisdom, expertise, and resources of Shandong Province, we aspire to a strong, strong, and prosperous future "said Muhammed Qahtani, President of Saudi Aramco Downstream. This summit demonstrates China's confidence and determination in promoting a higher level of opening-up to the outside world, comprehensively showcases opportunities for cooperation between local governments and multinational corporations, and more widely embodies the consensus of jointly building an open world economy. The summit also organized Multinational Corporation Symposium, Closed Door Meeting, China's Policy Interpretation and Project Promotion Conference on Attracting Foreign Investment and the Yellow River Basin Investment Cooperation Promotion Conference, Shandong Provincial Government Economic Consulting Consultant Conference, Shandong Provincial Industry Promotion Conference, Multinational Corporation Promotion Conference, etc. This year, the organizers have arranged the "Year of Investment in China" special event, and continue to hold the Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs On the basis of the symposium between the China National Intellectual Property Administration and foreign-funded enterprises, one symposium between the State Health Insurance Administration, the State Food and Drug Administration and relevant foreign-funded enterprises was added to strengthen face-to-face exchanges with leaders of multinational companies. With the further opening-up of the Chinese market, coupled with a more favorable business environment that can be expected to bring more opportunities, companies outside China are welcome to invest, establish a presence or expand an existence presence so that they can benefit from an economy that continues to grow. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244251/1T2A3256_opq599398561.jpg SOURCE Information Office of the People's Government of Shandong Province BEIJING, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Fashion Industry Index - Fashion Week Vitality Index Report for 2022 was officially unveiled in Shanghai on October 8. Shanghai Fashion Week was ranked among the top five fashion events in the world, after Paris, Milan, New York and London, according to the report released by China Economic Information Service under Xinhua News Agency. e740ea8367f64436b9a97a1d2417585b The report points out that it is necessary to give full play to the important role of global fashion events in innovating consumption scenes and stimulating consumption vitality in a bid to inject new momentum into the construction of international consumption center cities. From the perspective of sub-indexes, the sub-index of "factor agglomeration" measures the "hard power" of global fashion weeks, such as the number of fashion activities, the involvement of globally recognized brands, etc. The result showed that international fashion weeks still remain the strong engine to lead global fashion trends. The "media transmission" sub-index measures factors, including online media coverage, internet search and social media popularity as well as the balance of content distribution, which reflects the social attention and acknowledgment of global fashion weeks. After only Paris and New York, Shanghai Fashion Week won eye-catching performance in the term of internet search and social media popularity. The sub-index of "industry influence" gauges the number of designers, venue construction and fashion education, turning a spotlight on the "soft power" of the fashion industry. As a result, Asian fashion weeks are still far behind first-tier global fashion events and have more room to grow. Released in March 2018 for the first time, the report is aimed at delivering the voice of China to the global fashion industry through quantitative analysis constituted by evaluation models from factor agglomeration, media transmission, and industry influence. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/336390.html Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243966/e740ea8367f64436b9a97a1d2417585b.jpg SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road QINGDAO, China, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As a supporting event of the fourth Qingdao Multinationals Summit, the "2023 Multinationals and China" themed exhibition organized by Shandong Council for the Promotion of International Trade was held from October 10 to 12 at the Qingdao International Convention Center. The Exhibition showcases the cooperation achievements, cutting-edge technologies, advanced products, and other aspects of multinational corporations in China, demonstrating Shandong province's strong industrial foundation and superior business environment. 2023 Multinationals and China Exhibition held in Qingdao The exhibition spans about 10,000 square meters with three major exhibition areas including "Friendly Shandong, Remarkable Shandong", "Multinationals in China" and "Business and Leisure Zone". The exhibition displays 1,600 exhibits brought by 231 companies, including Fortune 500 companies such as Tesla, Siemens, HP and AstraZeneca. Multinational Companies in China focuses on intelligent manufacturing, high-end equipment, information technology, financial services, and selects iconic multinational enterprises that have closely cooperated with China. The exhibits displays small physical objects and models, including 18 Fortune Global 500 companies such as Tesla, Siemens, HP, and AstraZeneca, as well as 7 world-renowned multinational companies such as Leifa, Rhinocost, and Tavo. There are more than 100 cutting-edge technology products, including the world's first AI model for the energy industry, the world's first 100000 ton smart fishery large-scale breeding factory ship "Guoxin No.1", the world's first 100 ton dandelion rubber water-based extraction line, the world's first BIPV light photovoltaic module, the world's largest super large vacuum sintering furnace based on big data intelligent temperature control, The only new energy vehicle battery shell in the world, and so on. The entire venue adopts ecological and environmentally friendly construction materials, the venue is built without pollution, exhibition materials are sustainable, and display props are reused. The exhibition breaks through the limitations of traditional exhibitions that are modular and fragmented, adopting a display style dynamic tour path to create a new integrated and integrated outdoor exhibition mode; Using a 3000 square meter outdoor screen, 12 sets of central control speakers, over 100 multimedia interactive exhibition items and multimedia interactive devices, creating an immersive interactive experience. Visitors can gain an immersive visual experience and stimulate their interest in the exhibition in an environment where ecology and technology complement each other. SOURCE Information Office of the People's Government of Shandong Province Organization Continues to Look for New Opportunities AMARILLO, Texas, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-Nine 23 Management, LLC (39:23), a hotel management company based in Amarillo, Texas, has successfully added a fifth jewel to its crown of hotel properties the Home2 Suites by Hilton in west Amarillo. This acquisition not only affirms the company's strategic expansion plans but also showcases the dynamic culture that sets 39:23 apart in the industry. The company also operates Hyatt Place, Tru by Hilton, and My Place Hotels in Amarillo, along with an additional My Place Hotel in Lubbock, Texas. "Home2 Suites is a great brand, and this hotel is a high-performing property, both of which are really exciting," 39:23 President Kevin Nelson said. "But what's even more exciting is all the great new people who will be joining the 39:23 team and helping us cultivate our people-centric culture." Founded in 2017, 39:23 has carved out a niche for itself within the hospitality sector through its distinctive culture that marries a strategic business mindset with a people-centric approach. 39:23 has fostered a culture rooted in the belief that "life is all about people." The company's definition of "people" includes their guests and the company's most valuable asset: its team. "We take care of people, and we strive to provide an exceptional experience to our guests by taking care of our team members," 39:23 Chief Operating Officer John David Terry said. "This acquisition allows us to provide our team with more opportunities to grow while providing economies of scale that will allow us to better support all of our properties." Home2 Suites in west Amarillo is located just off Interstate 40 and close to Amarillo's most popular places, including the Harrington Regional Medical Complex, Cadillac Ranch, and Westgate Mall. It's also surrounded by a variety of restaurants and is a short, 20-minute drive away from Palo Duro Canyon State Park. As the company continues its expansion journey, we can expect that its strategic decisions will be informed by a combination of business acumen and a commitment to people, service, and its community - a blend that is a true embodiment of the 39:23 culture. "Now, more than ever, we're poised to expand our portfolio and are actively seeking new properties to acquire or manage," Terry added. "We feel we're building something unique in the hospitality industry and are excited to continue to provide more opportunities for our team and grow the 39:23 culture." To learn more about 39:23, please visit www.3923management.com . MEDIA CONTACT: Steve Pair, 806-316-0076, steve@skpcreative.com SOURCE 39:23 Management American Lung Association campaign raises awareness about RSV and educates parents and caregivers about the newly ACIP recommended preventive antibody CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In fall of 2022, the United States saw an early and significant spike in cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, which is the leading cause of hospitalizations in all infants. Today, the American Lung Association launched a campaign to help inform parents of infants and young children, as well as caregivers, about RSV and the new preventative options that can protect their children. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can infect people of all ages. RSV is so common that nearly 100% of children have been infected with the virus by age two. Each year, as many as 80,000 children younger than five are hospitalized due to RSV in the United States. The peak season for RSV infection in the United States is fall through spring. On August 3, 2023, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a preventative monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) to help prevent severe RSV illness in infants and some young children at increased risk. Here are answers to four common questions about how to help prevent RSV in babies: Is nirsevimab a vaccine? No, it is a long-acting monoclonal antibody injection that provides an extra layer of defense to help prevent RSV disease. The protection provided by this preventative antibody is called passive immunity because external antibodies are given to help protect against RSV. A vaccine stimulates the body's immune system to make antibodies called active immunization to defend itself. What are monoclonal antibodies? Monoclonal antibodies are man-made proteins that mimic the immune system's naturally produced antibodies to help fight off harmful viruses. Monoclonal antibodies are not a treatment for children who are already sick with RSV. They work quickly because the body does not need to build an immune response. Who can get the new preventive antibody? This new preventive monoclonal antibody is recommended for all infants younger than 8 months in their first RSV season and for some young children between 8 and 19 months who may be at high risk entering their second RSV season. How long does protection last? Children receive one dose of the preventative antibody that can provide protection for five months or the average length of an RSV season. What else can people do to help prevent RSV? Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to follow everyday preventative actions like: Avoiding close contact with sick people Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds Avoiding kissing them while you're sick About RSV RSV is spread from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected via secretions from coughing and sneezing or touching objects such as toys or doorknobs that have the virus on them. Most people, including infants, develop only mild symptoms similar to that of a common cold but for some, it can be severe and even life threatening. If you have contact with an infant or young child, especially if they were born prematurely, are very young, have chronic lung or heart disease, a weakened immune system, or have neuromuscular disorders, you should take extra care to keep the infant healthy. It's important to know the signs and symptoms that may indicate worsening illness and when to contact your child's healthcare provider. Symptoms of RSV include: Mild cold symptoms , including congestion, runny nose, fever, cough and sore throat. , including congestion, runny nose, fever, cough and sore throat. Very young infants may be irritable, fatigued and have feeding difficulties. may be irritable, fatigued and have feeding difficulties. A barking or wheezing cough can be one of the first signs of a more serious illness. Infants with severe RSV will have short, shallow and rapid breathing. This can be identified by "caving-in" of the chest in between the ribs and under the ribs (chest wall retractions), "spreading-out" of the nostrils with every breath (nasal flaring), and abnormally fast breathing. In addition, their mouth, lips and fingernails may turn a bluish color due to lack of oxygen. When to Call Your Doctor: You should call your pediatrician if your infant has poor appetite or decrease in activity level, cold symptoms that become severe or a shallow cough that continues throughout the day and night. Seek emergency care if your child is having trouble breathing. This fall, the American Lung Association is partnering with Sanofi on a campaign to help educate expectant parents as well as parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers, about the symptoms of RSV, and steps they can take to protect their children from severe RSV illness. For more information and to learn steps to prevent severe illness, visit Lung.org/RSV. About the American Lung Association The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events. American Lung Association 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150 Chicago, IL 60601 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North Washington, D.C. 20004 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org CONTACT: Jill Dale | American Lung Association P: 312-801-7629E: [email protected] SOURCE American Lung Association Governor Hochul Called Original Proposal 'Outrageous & Unacceptable'; Plan Due for Vote this Week Mostly Unchanged ALBANY, N.Y., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP New York is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to speak out against a record-breaking New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) rate hike proposal, which is due to be voted on by utility regulators this week. The Governor has an excellent track record helping New Yorkers cope with high energy bills. She took on the utility arears crisis in New York that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and helped millions of New Yorkers struggling to pay their bills," AARP New York stated. The organization sent the Governor a letter (reprinted below in full) voicing its "strenuous opposition" to the proposal and reminding her that she called the utility companies' original rate hike request "outrageous and unacceptable." "The revised proposal is little different from the utilities' original request," AARP New York pointed out. The proposed 62% electric delivery rate increase for NYSEG would be the highest delivery rate increase in recent memory, and it is AARP's understanding it would force the average customer to pony up $900 over the anticipated two-and-a-half year duration of the proposal. "New Yorkers are still suffering economically from the pandemic, and a 62 percent increase should be off the table," said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. "We agreed with the Governor when she called the utilities' original request 'outrageous and unacceptable'. We hope she will weigh in directly with the Public Service Commission on behalf of struggling NYSEG and RG&E customers and urge regulators to reject this unfair deal." AARP New York is urging the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the proposal and instead adopt "reasonable temporary rates." Not only would the rate increase be substantial, but the PSC is currently investigating a widespread NYSEG billing fiasco - which resulted in one customer receiving a bill of $67,665. Upstate utility customers are indeed struggling; poverty rates are about 29% in Rochester, 33% in Syracuse, and 28% in Buffalo all twice or more the statewide 14% poverty rate. "Ever higher utility bills inexorably result in ever larger numbers of customers in arrears as well as in hundreds of thousands more service terminations," AARP New York's letter notes. According to data on the New York State Department of Public Service website, NYSEG reported the following latest customer data: 132,115 households are 60 days behind on their utility bill, 70,614 received a final termination notice and 1,516 households were terminated in the month of August. RG&E numbers are not any better: 78,852 were 60 days behind, 41,392 were issued a termination notice and 404 were terminated. AARP New York also pointed out that the State chose to saddle utility customers, rather than all taxpayers, with the multi-billion-dollar cost of transitioning to a clean energy economy "even though utility bills are regressive, whereas taxes are based on one's income." Also, only about half of income-eligible utility customers are enrolled in their utility's low-income "Energy Assistance Program" (EAP), which helps low-income customers pay their bills. AARP New York is urging the Governor to sign S4548/A4876, legislation sponsored by Senate Energy Committee Chair Kevin Parker and Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, chair of the Legislative Black, Hispanic, Asian & Puerto Rican Caucus, which would require "data matching" to ensure customers qualifying for EAPs are enrolled in them. Follow us on X: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York About AARP AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media. SOURCE AARP New York A real-time streaming speech-to-text solution that delivers extremely low latency and exceptional word-error rate while operating on over 1,000 concurrent audio streams SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Achronix Semiconductor Corporation, a leader in high-performance FPGAs and embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP, is proud to announce its latest innovation in partnership with Myrtle.ai an accelerated automatic speech recognition (ASR) solution based on the Speedster7t FPGA. This transformative solution converts spoken language to text in over 1,000 concurrent real-time streams with high accuracy and fast response times while delivering up to a 20 times improvement in performance over competing solutions. Achronix will demonstrate this solution at the upcoming SC23 conference in Denver on November 12-17, 2023, at booth 2019. Announcing an Achronix FPGA-Powered Accelerated Automatic Speech Recognition Solution The solution is powered by a VectorPath accelerator card featuring a Speedster7t FPGA running Myrtle.ai's Achronix-FPGA-optimized ASR IP delivering industry-leading, real-time, ultra-low latency speech-to-text capabilities. A single card in a server can replace up to 20 CPU-only-based servers or 15 GPU cards. The AI model can be easily customized to trade off accuracy versus performance when support for 1,000 concurrent streams is unnecessary. It is poised to disrupt the ASR landscape with its exceptional word-error rate and 99th percentile latency of 54 ms end-to-end, including pre- and post-processing plus data movement back and forth to the CPU. In addition, the solution can be customized or retrained with vertical-specific or custom data sets in standard machine learning (ML) frameworks. "One of the key aspects of the Myrtle.ai accelerated ASR solution built on Achronix Speedster7t FPGAs is its ability to reduce both OpEx and CapEx while maintaining top-tier performance significantly," noted Bill Jenkins, the Director of AI Product Marketing at Achronix. "This solution powered by a Speedster7t FPGA can reduce costs by up to 90% compared to traditional CPU/GPU-based server solutions, whether enterprise or in the cloud. This capability translates to tangible business savings while providing exceptional real-time speech-to-text capabilities." The Myrtle.ai state-of-the-art ASR accelerator IP running on a Speedster7t FPGA and software stack abstracts away the fact that the FPGA powers the solution, making for easy adoption. This solution is poised to redefine how industries process speech data with its demonstrated superiority over competitive GPU-based solutions, delivering a 16 times better performance-to-cost ratio. "The architecture of the Achronix Speedster7t FPGA with its 2D network on chip (NoC) and ML processor (MLP) arrays gave us the building blocks required to create an ASR product that is significantly more optimized than anything available on the market today," said Peter Baldwin, CEO of Myrtle.ai, a company known for its expertise in optimizing low-latency ML inference for real-time applications. "The extremely low latency inherent in these FPGAs makes them ideal for real-time workloads. We are excited to provide users the ability to scale up their ASR services at lower cost and faster than ever before." The Achronix-Myrtle.ai accelerated ASR solution will have a revolutionary impact on industries that depend on rapid and accurate speech-to-text conversion. Its features include compatibility with major deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, plus re-trainability for multiple languages or specialties. The solution is currently being deployed with our early-access customers and is now available to the general market. Evaluate the solution today with your own data set and schedule a detailed discussion and demonstration with our team: Contact Achronix and review our ASR solution page on our website. Upcoming Webinar Join us on October 24th at 8:30am PST for a LinkedIn Live webinar, moderated by EE Times' Sr. Reporter, Sally Ward-Foxton, that unveils the power of Achronix FPGAs combined with Myrtle.ai's expertise in ASR. Led by Bill Jenkins, Achronix-FPGA-powered ASR solution expert, and Julian Mack, Senior Machine Learning Scientist at Myrtle.ai, this session will showcase a game-changing ASR solution that not only achieves remarkable performance with up to 1,000 real-time streams but also slashes costs by up to 90%. Discover how FPGA-driven innovation can revolutionize AI algorithms and embrace a future of adaptable and reprogrammable technology. About Achronix Semiconductor Corporation Achronix Semiconductor Corporation is a fabless semiconductor corporation based in Santa Clara, California, offering high-end FPGA-based data acceleration solutions designed to address high-performance, compute-intensive and real-time processing applications. Achronix is the only supplier to offer both high-performance, high-density standalone FPGAs and licensed eFPGA IP solutions. Achronix Speedster7t FPGA and Speedcore eFPGA IP offerings are further enhanced by ready-to-use VectorPath accelerator cards targeting AI, machine learning, networking and data center applications. All Achronix products are fully supported by the Achronix Tool Suite, which enables customers to develop their own custom applications quickly. Achronix has a global footprint, with sales and design teams across the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.achronix.com. About Myrtle.ai Myrtle.ai is an AI/ML software company that delivers world-class inference accelerators on FPGA-based platforms. With neural network expertise across the complete spectrum of ML networks, Myrtle.ai has delivered accelerators for FinTech, speech processing, and recommendation. Follow Achronix Website: www.achronix.com The Achronix Blog: https://www.achronix.com/blogs/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/achronix-semiconductor YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AchronixCorp Contacts Bob Siller Achronix Semiconductor Corporation 408-889-4142 [email protected] Achronix, Speedster and VectorPath are registered trademarks, and Speedcore and Speedchip are trademarks of Achronix Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their prospective owners. SOURCE Achronix OAKVILLE, ON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX: AQN) (NYSE: AQN) ("AQN") today announced plans to release its third quarter 2023 financial results on Friday, November 10, 2023, before market open. AQN will hold an earnings conference call at 8:30 a.m. eastern time on Friday, November 10, 2023, hosted by Interim Chief Executive Officer, Chris Huskilson, and Chief Financial Officer, Darren Myers. Conference call details are as follows: Date: Friday, November 10, 2023 Time: 8:30 a.m. ET Conference Call: Toll Free Dial-In Number 1 (888) 596-4144 Toll Dial-In Number 1 (647) 495-7514 Conference ID 6295385 Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ob3vv7b3 Presentation also available at: www.algonquinpowerandutilities.com About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and Liberty Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility with over $17 billion of total assets. AQN is committed to providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water solutions through its portfolio of generation, transmission, and distribution utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. In addition, AQN owns, operates, and/or has net interests in over 4 GW of installed renewable energy capacity. AQN's common shares, preferred shares, Series A, and preferred shares, Series D are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's common shares, Series 2018-A subordinated notes, Series 2019-A subordinated notes and equity units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQNA, AQNB, and AQNU, respectively. Visit AQN at www.algonquinpowerandutilities.com and follow us on Twitter @AQN_Utilities. SOURCE Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. - Altoo Insights brings existing and future clients, as well as the general public globally, closer to Altoo online - A digital news offering covering wealth management and lifestyle features for the ultra-wealthy and those supporting them - Over 500 original and high-quality articles in English, German, and French already accessible - Newsletter subscription available ZUG, Switzerland, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Altoo AG, a Swiss-based fintech that empowers investment professionals, family offices and individual ultra-high-net-worth clients to conveniently oversee their wealth through the cutting-edge Altoo Wealth Platform, announces the introduction of Altoo Insights. The news and features channel on the company's website aims to bring clients and the broader public closer to Altoo digitally and worldwide. Altoo Insights Altoo Insights is designed in line with the company's mission to deliver "Simplicity for Complex Wealth." Altoo Insights not only details information about the Altoo Wealth Platform but also serves as a comprehensive source for news and stories within the field of wealth management and beyond. They get macroeconomic updates and explore articles on ESG investing and philanthropy. Furthermore, art, travel, vehicles, and timepieces are among the lifestyle features that might assist affluent people enjoy their wealth. Readers will also delve into the cutting-edge topics of IT security and software-based digital wealth management solutions. Visitors can currently read almost 500 articles in English, German, and French. Meeting client needs Founded in 2017, the Zug-based wealth-tech company Altoo has been recognised as one of the best Digital Family Office Softwares in 2022 according to Forbes Magazine and a Top 5 "Growth Start-up" at the Swiss Fintech Awards 2023. During its six years of operation, Altoo established a clientele from over 20 countries and has become an industry-leading provider of digital wealth management services. Its continuous improvement and service evaluation revealed that the majority of Altoo customers' data consumption habits have shifted over time; they prefer to access information digitally and thus value additional wealth management information explained in digestible news format, as well as receiving regular updates on Altoo's business mission. Newsletter subscription now available Additionally, any Altoo website visitor may subscribe to the weekly email newsletter Altoo Insights Weekly News in Brief, which provides information about the company, the wealth management industry, and other relevant topics. Each Friday, this newsletter features a hand-picked list of the week's most interesting wealth and financial topics from across the world as well as content specifically curated for the ultra-wealthy. For more about Altoo, visit www.altoo.io. Link collection Company website: The Altoo Wealth Platform | Altoo AG Altoo Insights: Insights | Altoo AG Newsletter Subscription: Subscribe | Altoo AG Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244471/Altoo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244472/Altoo_Logo.jpg Media contact: Alexandra Sabolova [email protected] +41 58 502 25 25 SOURCE Altoo AG In Israel, during a Hamas attack on the city of Ofakim, a prominent Kharkiv and Israeli theoretical physicist, Serhiy Gredeskul, and his wife were killed. The couple was killed by terrorists who broke into their home. ADVERTISIMENT This information was confirmed by the Physical and Technical Institute of Low Temperatures (PTINT), Status Quo reports. It is reported that the man and woman were both 81 years old. Serhiy Gredeskul was born in 1942 in Sverdlovsk to Soviet physicist Andriy Gredeskul. He graduated from Kharkiv University in 1964 and worked at the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, and later for a long time at the Physical and Technical Institute of Low Temperatures of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. In 1990, he received his doctorate in physics and mathematics. Sergiy Gredeskul was also a laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine, co-author of the famous book "Introduction to the Theory of Disordered Systems" and author of more than a hundred scientific articles. Since 1991, he lived in Israel and worked as a professor at Ben-Gurion University until 2012. ADVERTISIMENT He was killed along with his wife on October 8, 2023, in the city of Ofakim during a terrorist attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement against Israel. It should be noted that more than 1,200 Israelis have been killed as a result of Hamas's attack on Israel. Also, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health of Gaza, 900 Palestinians were killed, about half of them women and children, and another 4,500 people were injured. In the West Bank, 21 Palestinians were killed and several dozen were injured. As of October 11, the total known number of victims of the military conflict in Israel among Ukrainian citizens has increased to three. Nine other Ukrainian citizens were injured, and their condition and places of hospitalization are currently being investigated. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on Tuesday, October 10, on the fourth day of the war in Israel, the country's Defense Ministry announced a full-scale offensive on the Gaza Strip, as sporadic clashes with Hamas terrorists in the south of the country continue. There will be no turning back, the IDF has regained control of all the towns on the border with Gaza and will continue on. Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, today unveiled its new brand identityredesigned for the first time in nearly 60 years to reflect how the industry has adapted in the digital ageand revamped website during ALTA ONE, the largest annual event for the land title insurance industry. "ALTA is thrilled to announce this exciting rebranding initiative," said ALTA CEO Diane Tomb. "ALTA's rebranding efforts reinforce how we as an industry have evolved to address the ever-changing landscape in which our members do business. It also reinforces who we are as an organization: an advocate and protector of property rights that is committed to meeting the ever-evolving needs of our members. Our rebranding includes an update of our website, which is perfectly structured to help ensure all title insurance professionals as well as our stakeholders and partners are well-informed." Established 116 years ago, ALTA's brand has long been a sign of confidence for consumers who purchase real estate. Rich in history and tradition, ALTA originally introduced an eagle into its logo in 1949 and had been using the same version of its logo mascot since at least 1964. Now with an updated color palette, readable san serif fonts and a fresh horizontal logo, the new branding helps position ALTA as a modern, forward-thinking association that has evolved into the digital age. Incorporating the new brand identity, the association's website, ALTA.org, has been redesigned to be more visually appealing and reorganized to be more user-friendly, less intimidating and easier to navigate on all devices. "Although it is important to retain the history of the association, we wanted to focus on what ALTA members bring to the table today rather than what the title insurance industry looked like 20, 30 or 40 years ago," said 2022-23 ALTA President Jack Rattikin III, president and CEO of Rattikin Title Company in Fort Worth, Texas. "The title insurance industry certainly has adapted to 21st-century technology, and it was time for ALTA's branding to reflect the industry's evolution." The highlight of the new branding is a contemporary brand mark featuring a streamlined version of the eagle within a shield. Now turned to the right and looking forward into the future, the red eagle sits in a secure nest of blue feathers and keeps a watchful eye over the "ALTA" acronym; the black outline of the brand mark highlights a shield. The new branding is optimized for websites, social media platforms and other online uses. "When we decided to modernize the ALTA brand, we wanted to highlight the themes of protection and security that ALTA members provide every day," said Megan Hernandez, ALTA Director of Public Relations and Marketing. "The title insurance industry leapt toward innovation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the association now looks and feels just as inspired and resourceful as the products and services we offer." CONTACT: Megan Hernandez, [email protected] SOURCE American Land Title Association DUBLIN, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In light of recent EU directives designed to challenge the dominance of Big Tech companies, including giants like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, businesses are rapidly reassessing their digital strategies. These groundbreaking regulations have aimed at providing users with more choices and promoting fairer competition. In such a transformative digital landscape, the need for comprehensive and actionable data has never been greater. That's where the research report "Digital Marketing - Worldwide Online Search Trends and Forecasts" report available on ResearchAndMarkets.com becomes an indispensable tool for business entrepreneurs and managers. This meticulously researched report dives deep into the intricacies of digital search data, offering unparalleled insights into market demand for various products and services. By harnessing the power of digital search trends - a cornerstone of modern market research - business leaders can: Make Informed Decisions: Understand market dynamics to guide product line expansions effectively. Understand market dynamics to guide product line expansions effectively. Tap into New Demographics: Discover fresh customer segments looking for products or services just like yours. Discover fresh customer segments looking for products or services just like yours. Stay Ahead in the Keyword Game: Learn precisely which keywords and terms potential customers employ to seek out your offerings online. But what sets our report apart is the detailed analysis of each keyword, including: Average Monthly Search Volume: Understand the popularity and demand of specific keywords. Understand the popularity and demand of specific keywords. Search Percentage per Segment: Get a breakdown of keyword usage among different user groups. Get a breakdown of keyword usage among different user groups. Competitive Opportunity: Gauge the potential of keywords in positioning against competitors. Gauge the potential of keywords in positioning against competitors. Ease of Implementation: Recognise the feasibility of integrating keywords into your digital strategy. Moreover, with the intelligent tools embedded in the report, businesses can: Forecast Market Growth : Predict market trends and stay ahead of the curve. : Predict market trends and stay ahead of the curve. Determine Relative Opportunities: Make effective decisions using the Opportunity Relative Score, a unique tool that evaluates potential business avenues. Given the EU's monumental push for more choice and accessibility in the digital marketplace - reflected in the Digital Markets Act - there's an emerging opportunity for businesses to break the norm and capitalise on new avenues. This legislation expects users to potentially choose different search engines or browsers other than default versions, opening doors to diverse digital marketing possibilities. For business entrepreneurs and managers, understanding these shifts in online behaviour and positioning their brand effectively amidst the evolving digital ecosystem is crucial. That's where the "Digital Marketing - Worldwide Online Search Trends and Forecasts" report shines, acting as both a guide and a strategic tool. In conclusion, as the European Union reshapes the digital landscape to bring about more consumer choice and level the playing field, businesses must arm themselves with the best resources. The report ensures that you're not just prepared for the digital transformation but poised to lead it. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ven5ke Article source: AP News About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets VALENCIA, Spain, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ARTHEx Biotech S.L., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative medicines through the modulation of microRNAs, announced today that it will participate in the 3rd Annual Needham Private Biotech Company Virtual 1x1 Forum, taking place October 17-18, 2023. Company management will participate in virtual one-on-one meetings with potential investors during the conference. ARTHEx's lead program, ATX-01, is advancing into clinical development for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a rare progressive neuromuscular disease. About ARTHEx Biotech ARTHEx Biotech is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative medicines through the modulation of microRNAs. The Company's lead investigational compound, ATX-01, is advancing into clinical development for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a rare progressive neuromuscular disease. ARTHEx is also advancing its in-house discovery engine to identify and develop microRNA modulators for other disorders with high unmet medical needs, including genetically-driven diseases like DM1. The Company headquarters is in Valencia, Spain. For more information, please visit www.arthexbiotech.com and engage with us on LinkedIn. Company Contact Frederic Legros Executive Chairman and CEO [email protected] +33679495790 Investor and Media Contact Amy Conrad Juniper Point amy@juniper-point.com +1 858-366-3243 SOURCE ARTHEx Biotech The new airline unveiled its first aircraft in the unique Beond livery and perfectly appointed cabin with events in Male and Dubai Passenger flights begins in November from Munich , Zurich and Riyadh , and New routes were announced to Milan and Dubai DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new airline took flight today, as Beond the world's first premium leisure airline unveiled its sophisticated and unique aircraft livery. With events in Male, Maldives attended by dignitaries, investors, supporters and employees, and at a global media event broadcast online and in-person in Dubai, the airline showcased its first aircraft, an Airbus A319 seating 44 passengers in a luxurious all lay-flat configuration. Beond, the world's first premium leisure airline takes delivery of first aircraft. Post this The first aircraft for Beond, the world's first premium leisure airline. "Welcome to Beond. Our aim is simple: to fly our customers to the most unique and unspoiled destinations where they can release their inner explorer on the most memorable vacation of their lives," said Tero Taskila, CEO of Beond, and a founder. "Today is but the beginning of our vision for our customers, embodied by this beautiful aircraft inside and out. We could not be more pleased to showcase it in Maldives, our home, and Dubai. We wish especially to thank the government of Maldives and our supporters there, the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, and SIMDI Group each of whom believed in our vision for a new airline in Maldives. Our team will do its best to bring tourists to this beautiful nation." Beond's inaugural flights are scheduled for November 2023, with the Riyadh inaugural departing November 9, the Munich inaugural departing November 15, and the Zurich inaugural departing November 17. Between today and the scheduled service launch, early bird customers have chartered the aircraft to experience the Maldives. In addition, the airline announced new routes from Milan and Dubai, beginning in late March 2024. Beond will fly a fleet of state-of-the-art Airbus A320-family aircraft in a unique luxury, lay-flat configuration, bringing passengers to Maldives from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. This first Beond aircraft will be on display at the Dubai Air Show in mid-November. Additional Airbus aircraft will join the Beond fleet in late 2023 and early 2024. About Beond Beond is the world's first premium leisure airline offering unique and tailored experiences for today's modern travellers. SOURCE Beond Argentina and Taiwan added to list of approved territories STIMULAN gives surgeons the freedom to choose the antibiotics that support their infection treatment strategy KEELE, England, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocomposites, an international medical devices company that engineers, manufactures and markets world leading products for use in infection management in bone and soft tissue, is pleased to announce that Argentina and Taiwan are the latest territories to approve STIMULAN as an antibiotic carrier that can be used in bone and soft tissue. They join a rapidly expanding list of territories which already includes UK, EU, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and South Africa. In Canada and South Africa, STIMULAN is also approved to assist in wound healing and to treat bacterial infection in soft tissue surrounding bone. STIMULAN Rapid Cure and STIMULAN Kit products are the first and only calcium matrices that can carry an antibiotic into bone and soft tissue, offering surgeons the flexibility to apply a broad spectrum of 'off-the-shelf' antibiotics. Already used globally in over 80,000 cases every year and in thousands of hospitals around the world, STIMULAN delivers the surgeon's chosen antibiotics at concentration levels unachievable systemically lowering rates of reinfection, decreasing hospital readmissions, and significantly improving patient outcomes. Michael Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Biocomposites, said: "STIMULAN is the leading calcium matrix for carrying antibiotics and the only one approved for use in bone and soft tissue. Adding Argentina and Taiwan to an already extensive list of countries, gives more surgeons the ability to tailor their infection treatment plans and transform patients' lives." About Biocomposites Biocomposites is an international medical devices company that engineers, manufactures, and markets world leading products for use in infection management in bone and soft tissue. Based in Keele, UK, it has global operations across Europe, USA, Argentina, Canada, China, and India. Biocomposites is a world leader in the development of innovative calcium compounds and bone cements for surgical use. Its products regenerate bone and target infection risks across a variety of specialties, including musculoskeletal infection, orthopaedics, trauma, spine, foot and ankle, podiatry, and sports injuries. Biocomposites products are now used in over one million procedures per annum and sold in more than 100 countries around the world. Please visit biocomposites.com to learn more. SOURCE Biocomposites BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BPD has announced the appointment of Anne DiNapoli Block as Managing Director, Data Solutions & Analytics. A seasoned thought leader in the productization of data and technology, Ms. DiNapoli Block will be charged with further enhancing BPD's industry-leading, data-driven marketing solutions for health systems throughout the United States. Prior to joining BPD, she served as SVP, Head of Strategy, Communications & Retail Media for Trade School where she led the company's productization of digital solutions for Fortune 100 brands. BPD has announced the appointment of Anne DiNapoli Block as Managing Director, Data Solutions & Analytics. Post this BPD has announced the appointment of Anne DiNapoli Block as Managing Director, Data Solutions & Analytics. "Now, more than ever, healthcare systems need marketing partners that can deliver transformational ROI. We've been able to do that through our groundbreaking precision marketing product. To build upon that phenomenal success, we sought a leader to develop 'what's next' to ensure our clients have access to a complete array of world-class products that provide unprecedented healthcare consumer insights, powerful turnkey solutions and closed loop ROI tracking and reporting.," said Jason Brown, CEO of BPD. "With Anne at the helm, BPD will bring these solutions to market, taking best practices from the CPG space and innovate against those learnings for the benefit of healthcare brands everywhere." "I am honored to be part of BPD and work with this talented team to continue to grow our suite of industry-changing data products," said Ms. DiNapoli Block. BPD is a full-service marketing services firm representing hospitals and healthcare systems, as well as other major companies in the health sector, throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.bpdhealthcare.com or contact: Jason Brown CEO Ph. 561-276-7701 j brown@bpdadvertising.com SOURCE BPD Strengthens TradePending's position in the automotive services industry CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TradePending, a sales enablement and consumer experience software platform for car dealerships, announced today that it has acquired Fixed Ops Digital ("Fixed Ops"), a marketing and technology company supporting automotive dealerships' fixed operations departments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. TradePending is backed by Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm. Fixed Ops and its website service experience platform SPARK work with auto dealerships to create a better online experience for their service customers. Fixed Ops implements digital marketing solutions for more than 800 franchise dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada and uses data intelligence to help them drive more fixed operations revenue. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO. The Fixed Ops management team, including CEO Owen Moon, COO Kevin Kulma, CTO Chris Branum and CMO Julie Branum, will remain with the company. "Auto dealerships are increasingly looking to their fixed operations departments to drive revenue, and we believe Fixed Ops Digital's marketing solutions will be helpful tools as dealers look for effective and innovative ways to reach new and existing customers," said Brice Englert, CEO of TradePending. "We believe the addition of Fixed Ops will strengthen TradePending's position in automotive services and provide us with substantial differentiation in the market, including new cross-selling opportunities." "We believe TradePending's relationships with more than 4,000 dealerships nationwide will open new doors for Fixed Ops, which will be key in supporting our next level growth," said Mr. Moon. "We are excited to partner with both the TradePending and Capstreet teams and are optimistic that together we can take advantage of dealerships' renewed focus on fixed ops." "Fixed Ops marks TradePending's third acquisition under Capstreet's ownership, and we are proud to support the continued expansion of the company as it seeks to creates a one-stop shop for auto dealerships' marketing and sales needs," said Adrian Guerra, Partner at Capstreet. About TradePending TradePending's mission is "simple automotive," bringing dealers and consumers together across North America. Over 4,000- dealerships across the United States and Canada utilize the company's sales enablement and website conversion platform to educate and inform their customers, to simplify and shorten the sales process, and to convert their website traffic into new opportunities. The platform includes integrated solutions for trade-in valuations and offers, monthly payment calculators, personalized video communications, creative inventory merchandising, and detailed vehicle reports. The TradePending API provides industry partners with proprietary market data to power their own products and services. https://www.tradepending.com About Capstreet Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services companies. With over 45 platform investments and over 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet's investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework to help accelerate growth and profitability, and help create long term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet's investments have been with founder- or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, www.capstreet.com. Contact: Lambert Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, [email protected] Joanne Lessner, 212-222-7436, [email protected] SOURCE TradePending HOUSTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellipont Bioservices, a leading CDMO in cell therapy development and manufacturing and Evia Bio, a life sciences innovation company that develops non-DMSO cryopreservation solutions for the cell therapy industry, announced today a strategic partnership to launch a Cryopreservation Excellence Center (CryoX) at Cellipont Bioservices cGMP cell therapy manufacturing facilities in The Woodlands, TX (Houston) in 2024. Teaming up with Evia Bio brings a non-DMSO solution and a Cryopreservation Center of Excellence (CryoX) to Houston, TX. Post this Cellipont Bioservices and Evia Bio Collaborate to Launch Cryo Excellence Center (CryoX) in Houston, TX CryoX's mission is to gather cryopreservation practitioners, thought leaders, technologies, and organizations with a shared goal of improving therapeutic "cold chain" excellence. The center will host virtual and hands-on training taught by top global leaders, such as world-renowned cryobiologist Allison Hubel, Ph.D., Evia Bio's Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, who will also serve as the Center's Director. "As we accelerate development of advanced therapies, there is an increasing need for effective cryopreservation to enable global supply chains," said Hubel, who is also the incoming President of the Society for Cryobiology. "CryoX will support the people, protocols, technology and infrastructure needed to better serve patients globally." CryoX's launch will coincide with the grand opening of Cellipont Bioservices' 76,000 sq. ft. cGMP cell therapy manufacturing facility in The Woodlands, TX, scheduled for February 2024. Cellipont Bioservices has dedicated world-class meeting and training space, process development labs, equipment, and scientists to support CryoX's mission. "We are excited to host this critical initiative," said Darren Head, Executive Chairman of the Board of Cellipont Bioservices. "Effective cryopreservation techniques enable advanced therapies to safely reach more patients at a higher level of performance. We look forward to collaborating closely with Evia Bio, jointly addressing the existing cryopreservation challenges through innovative solutions highlighted through CryoX." "Our mission is to gather the best people and technologies to improve cold supply chain performance," said Christiaan Engstrom, Evia Bio's Chief Executive Officer. "Cellipont Bioservices is providing tremendous support, and for that we are grateful. We invite other cold supply chain leaders to join us." CryoX is pursuing collaborations with leading cold supply chain providers to join its mission. If your organization shares the CryoX mission, you are encouraged to connect. Both teams will be attending the upcoming conferences: Meeting on the Mesa, Oct. 10 - 12, 2023 in Carlsbad, CA in Advanced Therapies Week, January 16 - 19, 2024 in Miami, FL *A full 2024 CryoX training schedule will be available soon via our websites. About Cellipont Cellipont Bioservices is a cell therapy CDMO with experience in the development and small-to-large batch manufacturing of cell therapies. Our leaders have played an instrumental role in shaping cell therapy development and manufacturing methods and technologies, and our technically strong team has been recognized by customers and technology partners for its ability to productively grow challenging cells. Cellipont Bioservices is driven to help our clients expand patient access to life-changing medicines through best-in-class development, analytical and manufacturing capabilities. To learn more, visit www.cellipont.com. About Evia Bio Evia Bio is a life sciences innovation company that develops non-DMSO cryopreservation solutions for the cell therapy industry. Our cryopreservation technology was developed by world-leading cryobiologist, Professor Allison Hubel, Ph.D., at the University of Minnesota and is optimized for each cell to deliver the highest cell viability, recovery, and functional performance. To learn more, visit www.eviabio.com. SOURCE Cellipont Bioservices First New U.S.-Owned Uranium Enrichment Plant to Begin Production Since 1954 PIKETON, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Centrus Energy announced that it has begun enrichment operations at its High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) facility in Piketon, Ohio, and expects to begin withdrawing HALEU product later this month. It is the only NRC-licensed HALEU facility in the United States and the first new U.S.-owned, U.S.-technology uranium enrichment plant to begin production since 1954. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk, National Association of Building Trade Unions President Sean McGarvey, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons, and Pike County Commissioner Tony Montgomery joined Centrus President and CEO Daniel Poneman to mark this historic milestone in the restoration of U.S. nuclear leadership. "This moment holds great pride and promise for the Nation," said Poneman. "We hope that this demonstration cascade will soon be joined by thousands of additional centrifuges right here in Piketon to produce the HALEU needed to fuel the next generation of advanced reactors, Low-Enriched-Uranium to sustain the existing fleet of reactors, and the enriched uranium needed to sustain our nuclear deterrent for generations to come. This is how the United States can recover its lost nuclear independence." "It's remarkable what we can accomplish in the truly American public, private partnership model. For the first time ever, an American company is producing HALEU on American soil, providing critical fuel for advanced nuclear reactors, a statement that America's committed to our energy security," Deputy Energy Secretary Turk said at the event. Centrus met every required milestone on time and on budget during construction of the cascade and is starting production two months earlier than scheduled under the competitively-awarded, cost-shared contract the company signed with the U.S. Department of Energy in 2022. HALEU is an advanced nuclear fuel required for most of the next-generation reactor designs currently under development. The capacity of the 16-centrifuge cascade is modest about 900 kilograms of HALEU per year but with sufficient funding and offtake commitments, Centrus could significantly expand production. A full-scale HALEU cascade, consisting of 120 centrifuge machines, with a combined capacity to produce approximately 6,000 kilograms of HALEU per year (6 MTU/year), could be producing HALEU 42 months after securing the necessary funding. With appropriate support, Centrus could add a second HALEU cascade six months later and subsequent cascades every two months after that. That would mobilize hundreds of union workers in Ohio to build and operate the plant and support thousands of direct and indirect jobs across a nationwide manufacturing supply chain. The Piketon facility has ample space for the thousands of machines that will be needed to meet the growing demand for enriched uranium in the decades to come. About Centrus Energy Centrus Energy is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and services for the nuclear power industry. Centrus provides value to its utility customers through the reliability and diversity of its supply sources helping them meet the growing need for clean, affordable, carbon-free electricity. Since 1998, the Company has provided its utility customers with more than 1,750 reactor years of fuel, which is equivalent to 7 billion tons of coal. With world-class technical and engineering capabilities, Centrus is also advancing the next generation of centrifuge technologies so that America can restore its domestic uranium enrichment capability in the future. Find out more at www.centrusenergy.com. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "may" and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management's current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For Centrus Energy Corp., particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following which are, and will be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent variants, and any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result; risks related to component failure which prevent plant operations or HALEU production; risks related to whether or when government funding or demand for high-assay low-enriched uranium ("HALEU") for government or commercial uses will materialize; risks related to (i) our ability to perform and absorb costs under our agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to deploy and operate a cascade of centrifuges to demonstrate production of HALEU for advanced reactors (the "HALEU Operations Contract"), (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations and (iii) our ability to obtain and/or perform under other agreements; risks that (i) we may not obtain the full benefit of the HALEU Operation Contract and may not be able or allowed to operate the HALEU enrichment facility to produce HALEU after the completion of the HALEU Operation Contract or (ii) the HALEU enrichment facility may not be available to us as a future source of supply; risks related to the government's inability to satisfy its obligations under the HALEU Operation Contract; risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to commercially deploy a competitive enrichment technology; risks related to the fact that we face significant competition from major producers who may be less cost sensitive or are wholly or partially government owned; risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this news release and in our other filings with the SEC, including our Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our other filings with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law. Contacts: Investors: Dan Leistikow at [email protected] Media: Lindsey Geisler at [email protected] SOURCE Centrus Energy Corp. DOVER, Del., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) has announced its designation as a 2023 Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women, joining other companies such as Campbell Soup Company, DuPont de Nemours, Rite Aid and WSFS Financial. In collaboration with PwC, the Forum reviews companies in the Philadelphia region that support the advancement of women leaders in corporate boardrooms and executive suites. Each year, The Forum of Executive Women honors the top public companies in the region with 30% or more women on their respective boards. "We are honored that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has been acknowledged as a Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women," said Jeff Householder, chairman, president and CEO, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. "The culture at the board level is intricately tied to the success of our Company's strategy. A unified, forward-thinking board culture paves the way for strategic excellence, guiding us toward our goals and ensuring our long-term success." "This recognition reaffirms our belief that an inclusive and collaborative culture is fundamental to achieving our goals," said Stacie Roberts, vice president, corporate governance. "As we celebrate this recognition, we extend our appreciation to the members of our board, employees and stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to a diverse and inclusive culture." To learn more about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and its board of directors, click here. About The Forum of Executive Women Founded in 1977, The Forum of Executive Women is the Greater Philadelphia Region's premier women's organization, actively working to bring together, and leverage the influence of, professional women to expand the impact and power of women in the workplace and beyond. Visit foew.com for more information. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com. Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, contact: Brianna Patterson Manager, Public Relations and Strategic Communications 419-314-1233 [email protected] SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation A married Israeli couple, Adar and Itai Berdychivsky, saved their 10-month-old twins from Hamas terrorists at the cost of their own lives. They left the children in a shelter and met the terrorists with weapons in their hands. ADVERTISIMENT Before they were killed, they managed to eliminate seven Hamas militants. This was reported on Facebook by the Honorary Consul of Israel in the Western Region, Oleh Vyshniakov (to see the photo, scroll to the bottom of the page). The tragic event took place in Kfar Aza kibbutz. The young parents hid their 10-month-old twins in a bomb shelter and waited for the terrorists in the house. In this way, they managed to distract the militants from the children. Adar and Itai served in the army and had weapons at home. As a result of the clash with the terrorists, the husband and wife were killed. Before they died, they killed seven militants whose bodies were found on the doorstep of their home. It is worth noting that the children spent 13 hours in the bomb shelter. Now they are in a safe place. "They were found by Itay's brother and Adar's father, who had been fighting the terrorists all this time, saved dozens of people, but could not reach their loved ones in time," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT Social media users expressed their sincere condolences. People also emphasized that the situation in Israel is very similar to the Russian-Ukrainian war. In both cases, terrorists invade and try to take away the most valuable thing from people, their lives. At the same time, people noted the heroism of Israelis and Ukrainians who have to fight for their countries. As a reminder, Ukrainian diplomats conducted a successful rescue operation and brought a Ukrainian boy out of the city of Sderot in southern Israel. They also managed to find five Ukrainian citizens who were reported missing in southern Israel. In addition, information about the possible death of two Ukrainians near the Gaza Strip is being checked. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel stated that two Ukrainian citizens were killed during a large-scale Hamas attack on Israel. The bodies are being repatriated. As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Hamas militants launched a massive attack on Israel on the morning of October 7, firing 5,000 rockets, then broke through the fence near the Gaza Strip and began committing atrocities, killing civilians. The next day, October 8, Israel announced that it would enter a long war with Palestine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advised residents of the Gaza Strip to "flee immediately." By the way, as a result of the bombing, the IDF destroyed several command posts, a command center used by a senior Hamas naval officer, and a facility used by terrorists for reconnaissance. Only verified information is available on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! eBPF-powered tool has been adopted by well over 100 organizations SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced the graduation of Cilium . Cilium is an eBPF -powered open source, cloud native solution for providing, securing, and observing network connectivity between workloads. Cilium began as an eBPF-based implementation of the Container Networking Interface to provide Layer 3-4 connectivity between container workloads. It has since expanded to include capabilities like network policy, meshing multiple Kubernetes clusters together, replacing kube-proxy, providing network encryption, integrated ingress and egress gateway, bandwidth management, BGP, and connecting external workloads into Kubernetes. The Cilium project pioneered sidecarless service mesh, and its sub-project Hubble provides network observability for layers 3-7, metrics, service map, and UI, while Tetragon focuses on security observability and runtime enforcement. "Cilium's graduation highlights its evolution from a simple CNI to a complete networking, observability, and security solution that prepares platforms and organizations for the next steps on their cloud native journey," said Thomas Graf, Cilium co-founder and CTO of Isovalent. "On behalf of the project, we wish to thank every contributor who has collectively brought us to graduation within CNCF." Cilium was initially created by Isovalent and was built from the ground up based on eBPF. It became an Incubating CNCF project in October 2021 and now has maintainers from 7 different companies and over 800 individual contributors. The project powers some of the largest Kubernetes clusters in the world, with end users ranging from digital native startups to the world's largest financial institutions and telcos. It has 46 public case studies from companies, including Bell Canada, Bloomberg, DB Schenker, S&P Global, Sky, and The New York Times, and well over 100 organizations listed in its USERS file . Cilium is the second most active CNCF project in terms of the number of commits, behind only Kubernetes. "eBPF has grown into a powerful technology for extending the Linux kernel to meet a variety of use cases," said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO of CNCF. "Cilium and the modern eBPF stack will help shape the future of cloud native networking and observability. Cilium has demonstrated really impressive growth in its nearly two years in the Incubator, and we're excited to watch as the ecosystem continues to push the benefits of eBPF even further." Graduation is not the end goal but rather the beginning of creating the ecosystem around Cilium. The project is growing beyond just Kubernetes to include support for external workloads, like bare metal and virtual machines. It was the first project to add support for Gateway API and includes a Layer 4 load balancer for north-south traffic. Cilium Service Mesh also enables workloads to mutually authenticate their connections using SPIFFE/SPIRE. Cilium now integrates with Prometheus and Grafana for simplified Day 2 operations. "When embarking on a project, one can never predict its ultimate success, but the belief in its potential to address complex challenges is the driving force," said Andre Martins, Cilium maintainer. "Witnessing Cilium achieve CNCF graduation is a testament to the unwavering support the community has contributed over the years. With each passing year, as the community continues to grow and deepen its support, it instills a profound sense of confidence in more organizations to adopt and integrate it into their infrastructure. This graduation isn't the end; rather, it serves as a validation of the breakthroughs Cilium will pioneer in the years to come." "From the earliest days of Kubernetes, we knew that a thriving ecosystem was a critical ingredient, and Cilium is perhaps the most visible demonstration of this. Cilium taps into the power and excitement of eBPF to super-charge Kubernetes networking," said Tim Hockin, distinguished software engineer at Google Cloud. "While it may have started as 'just a network plugin', Cilium has evolved into much more than that, with a broad feature set which speaks to many types of users from startups to major enterprises. I'm thrilled to see Cilium be successful it's really a win for Kubernetes users everywhere." To officially graduate from incubating status, the project underwent a due diligence process with the CNCF Technical Oversight Committee (TOC), completed a third-party security audit , and drove the process to allow CNCF projects to include GPL-licensed eBPF code to run in the kernel. Graduation validates Cilium's growth, maturity, and future outlook and cements the project's leadership in the eBPF space. To provide input on the direction of the project, please fill out the recently launched Cilium User Survey . You can also talk to project maintainers at the upcoming CiliumCon on November 6th in Chicago, join the Contribfest , and watch the eBPF Documentary premiering at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America on November 8 in Chicago, IL or virtually. Supporting Quotes "With the rise of distributed computing and microservices, networking has become the key layer tying everything together," said Dan Wendlandt, CEO of Isovalent. "Isovalent is proud of our role in the creation and development of Cilium as a solution for networking, observability, and security in the cloud native world. Cilium's graduation highlights its leading position as a critical component of the modern computing stack and reinforces our belief that eBPF is a key technology enabling future innovation." "Datadog has been running Cilium in production for years, and it is our choice of CNI on all cloud providers because it provides a consistent experience for networking and network policy," said Hemanth Malla, senior software engineer at Datadog. "eBPF and Cilium helped us to push the boundaries both within operations and also with product development. To do things safer, faster, and more easily than what we could have with traditional techniques like iptables. It has also been great to be able to give back to the community with two maintainers of the project, multiple conference talks and blog posts. We are really excited to see that a critical component of our stack is now a CNCF graduated project." "Our customers need a scalable, performant, and rich container networking solution to meet the demands of their rapidly expanding cloud native footprint," said Deepak Bansal, corporate vice president and technical fellow, Microsoft Azure. "In collaboration with the CNCF community, we integrated the open source Cilium into our CNI to meet these needs. Cilium is based on eBPF, and Microsoft has been working in collaboration with the robust eBPF community to make sure that eBPF works great for everyone. The response and adoption have been very positive amongst our customers. We are very excited for the CNCF Graduation of the project and looking forward to continued collaboration with the community." "The CNCF TOC is thrilled to welcome Cilium as a newly graduated CNI that cloud providers and adopters can confidently use as a mature solution," said Emily Fox, TOC chair and Cilium graduation co-sponsor. "The cloud native networking ecosystem has come a long way since 2017 when the CNI specification, libraries, and plugins were first accepted. Cilium's graduation confirms that the collaboration between cloud native projects, the TOC, and, more broadly, CNCF allow for continued experimentation of innovative and different solutions to address industry challenges as technology advances and as end users identify new needs within their cloud, on-prem, hybrid, and cloud native architectures." "I would like to congratulate Cilium on its graduation," said Artjoms Laivins, Tietoevry. "I'm glad that we have been able to follow along on the project journey for the past few years since our platform engineers saw its potential. Since we began with Cilium, we now have over 20 Kubernetes clusters running it as a CNI. Cilium was quite easy to get started with and we can now get a real-time overview of networks in the cluster thanks to the Hubble UI, and network policies have increased our control and the security of our network. We look forward to being a part of the next steps on the journey." "As an early adopter of Cilium, Schuberg Philis is pleased to see its integration within CNCF and wants to congratulate everyone involved with this milestone," said Stephen Hoekstra, Schuberg Philis. "Cilium's use of eBPF technology has been a valuable addition to the way we run Kubernetes for our mission critical customers, significantly improving security and visibility." About Cloud Native Computing Foundation Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 800 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io. The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Media Contact Katie Meinders The Linux Foundation [email protected] SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation $600 Million investment in New York and New Jersey Terminals to accelerate the flow of imports for American consumers. Development plan at both terminals will increase capacity by up to 80% and create approximately 1,000 union jobs. In close partnership with the State of New York and the State of New Jersey , CMA CGM will accelerate the decarbonization of Port Liberty . NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, today unveiled the investment and business strategy for its recently acquired Global Container Terminals ("GCT") in Bayonne and New York ports as part of the Group's U.S. expansion plan. An ambitious development plan that will result in enhanced capacity and environmental improvements Effective immediately, the terminals will be named "Port Liberty New York" and "Port Liberty Bayonne", and CMA CGM will embark on an ambitious $600 million upgrade of the two facilities incorporating the latest technology, creating approximately 1,000 union jobs, and resulting in meaningful environmental improvements. Post-investment, Port Liberty's combined capacity will increase by up to 80%, allowing larger, more energy-efficient ships to dock. In partnership with the State of New York and the State of New Jersey, the investment will also be used to enhance rail and road infrastructure surrounding the multi-user terminals to create more direct access to freight rail lines and major highways, thereby aiding in Port Liberty's decarbonization efforts by limiting the number of trucks needed for shipping and transportation. Together, these efforts also support CMA CGM's goal of reducing emissions and greenhouse gases and becoming Net Zero by 2050. Two flagship terminals adding to an already significant presence of CMA CGM in the United States Combined, these improvements reinforce CMA CGM's growing presence in the United States. For nearly 40 years, the Group has enjoyed a long commitment to the U.S. economy and strong presence through its port terminal portfolio and operational relationships with U.S. customers. CMA CGM's U.S. portfolio now includes seven terminals, strengthening its domestic production capabilities and further diversifying its gateway ports. Port Liberty New York and Port Liberty Bayonne provide flagship terminal operations at a critical entry point on the U.S. East Coast, enabling the shipping lines to capitalize on global sourcing trends and advance the East Coast and Midwest's role in the U.S. supply chain. With an expanded Northeast footprint, these terminals will provide customers with heightened access to one of the world's largest economic regions, improving its global network resiliency and enhancing its service. Rodolphe Saade, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, declared: "The acquisition of these two terminals is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to the U.S. market in building more resilient and more sustainable supply chains. It is a major step forward in our strategy of developing and modernizing infrastructures here and around the world. "Port Liberty New York and Port Liberty Bayonne on the East Coast, together with FMS on the West Coast now rank as CMA CGM's flagship terminals in North America. They will enable us to provide a better service offering to our customers." About CMA CGM Led by Rodolphe Saade, the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, serves more than 420 ports around the world across 5 continents, with a fleet of around 623 vessels. The Group transported 21.7 million TEU containers (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2022. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a global logistics player which transported 522,000 tonnes of air cargo and more than 22 million shipments of inland freight, and its air cargo division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is constantly innovating to provide customers a comprehensive and increasingly efficient offering, thanks to new shipping, inland, air freight and logistics solutions. Firmly committed to the energy transition in shipping and a pioneer in its use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a Net Zero-Carbon target for 2050. Each year, via the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group supports thousands of children as part of its efforts to promote education for all and equal opportunities. The CMA CGM Foundation also intervenes in humanitarian crises requiring an emergency response by calling on the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to deliver humanitarian supplies around the world. Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs 155,000 people worldwide, including nearly 4,000 in Marseille where its head office is located. Press contact: [email protected] Follow the CMA CGM Group on: X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube SOURCE CMA CGM LONDON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellation Cold Logistics ("Constellation" or the "Company"), a leading European cold storage and logistics provider, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Colso Coldstorage Ltd ("Colso"). The transaction will allow Constellation to enter the Irish market, strengthening its European footprint and service offering for existing and new customers. Colso, a family-run business founded in 1974, is recognised as one of the most trusted providers of cold storage services in the South of Ireland, with particular expertise across the dairy and meat sectors. With 24,000 pallets of storage capacity, Colso has become an essential supply chain partner to many of Ireland's leading food producers, providing storage for products requiring a range of temperatures and complex handling requirements. Colso provides a customised service offering that is tailored to best meet customer needs, while always ensuring traceability and integrity of the cold chain. Carlos Rodriguez (Constellation Cold Logistics CEO) said "Colso will open up strategic opportunities for Constellation in Ireland and strengthen our geographical position in Europe. Colso's commodity expertise and excellent customer base are of major importance for our company. As a major net exporter of several key food product categories, Ireland is of great relevance within the global cold chain. Our plans include further growth via M&A and expansion projects to support customers' international growth and streamline their route to market. Deirdre Collins (Colso Managing Director) and the broader Colso team fit perfectly within Constellation's culture, which focuses on strong entrepreneurial teams in each geography with deep customer relationships and local market knowledge. We look forward to working with the team and Colso's longstanding customers to meet their growth ambitions, both within Ireland and our other operating geographies, while delivering the highest levels of service." Deirdre Collins (Colso Managing Director) said "I'm excited that Colso will become part of Constellation; the transaction is testament to the hard work of our team who have made Colso a leader in our space. The other directors and I were attracted to Constellation's entrepreneurial roots and family heritage, which is an ideal fit and best path for the next phase of our business. Constellation is a truly best-in-class cold storage provider with top-tier local operations across Europe, and our customers will benefit from access to Constellation's network of over 25 facilities, as well as investments to support their growth here in Ireland. I'm looking forward to working with the Constellation team to realise the new opportunities that we now have at Colso." Constellation is Europe's leading independent cold storage and logistics provider. Following the transaction closing, Constellation will have approximately 640,000 pallet positions of temperature-controlled capacity and a presence across seven European countries. Constellation is a portfolio company of Arcus Infrastructure Partners, an independent fund manager with significant experience in European infrastructure investments. Constellation's ownership structure also includes original founders alongside Arcus, ensuring a continued tradition of entrepreneurship and excellent customer service in each location. (www.constellationcold.com) Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243623/Constellation_Cold_Logistics_Logo.jpg SOURCE Constellation Cold Logistics LONDON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellation Cold Logistics ("Constellation" or the "Company"), a leading European cold storage and logistics provider, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire VF Coldstores ("VF"). The transaction will allow Constellation to enter the Irish market, strengthening its European footprint and service offering for existing and new customers. VF was founded in 1988 and opened a second cold store to meet high customer demand in 2007. VF offers 17,000 pallets of storage capacity in the Dublin area plus a full suite of value-added services, including blast freezing, high volume case picking, managed transport service, and import-export services. VF has enjoyed significant growth by partnering with customers to develop bespoke solutions, and the company has become an integral link in the supply chains of leading Irish producers in the meat and packaged foods sectors. Carlos Rodriguez (Constellation's CEO) said "The addition of VF Coldstores to our network opens up strategic opportunities in Ireland and strengthens Constellation's geographical position. VF's strong relationships with Irish producers and its strategic location near the city centre and the port of Dublin strongly position the company for future growth. Ireland is one of the largest net exporters of food products in Europe and this transaction will allow us to continue to grow with existing VF customers, new clients, and numerous Irish companies which we already serve in the UK and mainland Europe''. The VF team customer service focus is very much aligned with Constellation's strategy and culture, which focus on providing high-quality and efficient local service in every market, whilst benefiting from the capabilities of a pan-European network. Vincent Flanagan (VF Managing Director) said "I'm very pleased that VF is joining Constellation; having a partner that fully understands the European market dynamics, including the need for flexibility and agility to meet customer needs, will put VF in a stronger position to support the growth of our customers' supply chains in Ireland, the UK and other European countries. Constellation's culture and values are visible at all levels of the organisation and our team is looking forward to being part of the group''. Constellation is Europe's leading independent cold storage and logistics provider. Following the transaction closing, Constellation will have approximately 640,000 pallet positions of temperature-controlled capacity and a presence across seven European countries. Constellation is a portfolio company of Arcus Infrastructure Partners, an independent fund manager with significant experience in European infrastructure investments. Constellation's ownership structure also includes original founders alongside Arcus, ensuring a continued tradition of entrepreneurship and excellent customer service in each location. (www.constellationcold.com) Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2243623/Constellation_Cold_Logistics_Logo.jpg SOURCE Constellation Cold Logistics SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the aim of consolidating Costa Rica's presence in the market and positioning Costa Rican exporters as a business alternative in the European Union and Northern Europe, the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), together with 22 companies from the food industry, are participating in ANUGA 2023, an international trade fair that takes place from October 7 to 11 in Cologne, Germany. 1 The trade fair is aimed at the food industry and brings together more than 170,000 visitors from 200 countries and more than 7,500 exhibitors, of which 90% are exporters from various markets, making it, internationally, the industry's most important food and beverage trade fair as well as the most significant forum to learn about new trends in the sector. PROCOMER, and the Costa Rican delegation participating in ANUGA, will exhibit at the country stand, esencial Costa Rica, such products as coffee, cocoa powder, dehydrated fruits, sugar, flour, juices, snacks, and frozen products such as fruit, tubers, and vegetables, among others. Additionally, 6 other Costa Rican companies will participate in the format "Walk the Show", meaning they have access to tour the trade fair. "ANUGA brings together thousands of people from all over the world, including potential buyers and internationally renowned commercial chains, which translates into many opportunities for Costa Rican businesspeople to make themselves known, generate more business, increase their client portfolios and, furthermore, to learn about emerging trends of the food industry," said Mario Saenz, Exports Development Principal Director at PROCOMER. For Bruno Campos, representative of Bocanegra, a company specializing in gourmet coffee and who is participating for the first time in ANUGA, it is of the utmost importance to take advantage of the opportunities that enable us to reach international buyers directly. "Participation in international trade fairs opens the doors to Costa Rican companies, allowing them to achieve global positioning and open new marketing channels," he said. On the other hand, Marcelo Bonilla, representative of Productos Congelados Bajo Cero, one of the companies participating in the fair, highlights the importance of taking advantage of the space at international fairs to make yourself known to the world. "We consider it strategic for each company to participate in ANUGA, not only because of the prestige that the fair has as the largest in the world, but also because of the commercial possibilities with companies from Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa, as it is a meeting point for everyone. It's also about brand positioning, making yourself known among international sellers. In that way, it's an annual opportunity to show the international market all the new and innovative products the company has to offer. Therefore, it is an excellent opportunity for Costa Rica to show the world all its agricultural export potential," he added. With more than ten years of promoting Costa Rica's participation in the international food industry trade fair, ANUGA, PROCOMER continues to identify opportunities to promote the name Costa Rica as a country that provides certified, natural, organic, specialty and high-quality products in all four corners of the world, which is why they work hand in hand with the trade promotion offices in Holland, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom to promote the country on the European continent. At the end of the first half of 2023, a total of 322 Costa Rican products from the food sector were exported worldwide, of which a total of 16% were exported to the European Union, representing a total of $201 million. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2242601/1.jpg SOURCE Promotora de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER) BOSTON, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During this past weekend's 20th biennial International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL), Susan M. O'Brien, MD, and Catherine J. Wu, MD, were awarded the Binet-Rai Medal. Since 1999, the iwCLL has presented the Binet-Rai Medal every two years to individuals and teams who help shape and enhance scientific understanding of CLL through important research and contributions. Kanti Rai, MD, one of the two original recipients for whom the Medal was subsequently named, had the honor of presenting this year's awards to Drs. O'Brien and Wu: "Dr. Susan O'Brien is an internationally recognized leader in the research and treatment of therapies for patients with both chronic and acute leukemias, and is a pioneer of several important therapies now regarded as the standard of care for CLL. Dr. Catherine Wu is an internationally recognized expert in the biology and treatment of lymphoid malignancies, with a primary focus on CLL. This work has culminated in ongoing clinical trials where genomic information is being used to design a personalized vaccine to test the impact on generation of an immune response and anti-tumor activity." iwCLL presents the Binet-Rai Medal to individuals who shape scientific understanding of CLL through important research. Post this Dr. O'Brien stated: "I'm speechless and delighted, not just that I was presented this award, but that Dr. Wu was as well. Women are beginning to be more acknowledged in this field, and I'm proud that not just one, but two women received this year's Binet-Rai Medal." Dr. Wu continued: "Dr. O'Brien and I complement one another in that our careers span the entire breath of research, from basic science to clinical development, with the aligned focus of improving the lives of patients with CLL. This award is a true honor for both of us." This year's iwCLL featured 217 research abstracts, as well as 11 unique sessions spanning different aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with CLL, including: Preclinical and translational research on the genomics, proteomics, and metabolism of CLL Discussions on the role of the microenvironment in CLL pathogenesis Roundtables on how to define success in the treatment of CLL, including perspectives from physicians, patients, epidemiologists, and others Investigations into the mechanisms of resistance to therapy Presentations on therapies in development and future therapies, including BTK degraders, cellular therapies, and bispecific antibodies Global perspectives on CLL management, including the war in Ukraine's effect on patient care iwCLL also announced that its 21st biennial meeting will occur in Krakow, Poland on September 12-15, 2025. About Susan M. O'Brien, MD Dr. O'Brien is a professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Department of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. The principal investigator for more than 100 funded clinical protocols, she led the initial clinical research into ibrutinib for patients with CLL and continues research into the use of BTK inhibitors and other therapies for patients with CLL and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Dr O'Brien has authored more than 900 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has given more than 500 lectures at national and international conferences and academic institutions. In 2020, she received the Giants of Cancer Care Award for Leukemia. Dr O'Brien received her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (currently known as the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences). She completed her oncology fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and joined the faculty after completion of her fellowship. About Catherine J. Wu, MD Dr. Wu is the Chief of the Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Her seminal research focuses on understanding the genomic landscape of CLL, and how the disease interacts with the immune system. Dr. Wu is a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and an elected member of the Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Association of Physicians, and the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Wu received her medical degree from Stanford University, and she completed postgraduate training in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare. About iwCLL The iwCLL is an international, non-profit association, which is committed to creating progress regarding the management and outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia world-wide. The vision of iwCLL is a world where all patients with CLL can be cured. The iwCLL is committed to creating progress regarding the management and outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia world-wide. Learn more at www.iwcll.org. SOURCE International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the Securing AI Summit in San Francisco, the Ethical AI Global Governance (EAIGG) proudly announces a strategic partnership with KPMG and the release of its second annual report, "Beyond the Blackbox: Shaping a Responsible AI Landscape." The partnership with KPMG underscores a shared commitment to ensuring the ethical implementation of AI technologies. KPMG's extensive experience in assessing the ethics, governance, and security around AI technologies will play a crucial role in helping organizations navigate the complexities of responsible AI. The partnership with KPMG underscores a shared commitment to ensuring the ethical implementation of AI technologies. Post this "Building trustworthy AI demands a blend of expertise in tech risk, governance, ethics, regulation, cybersecurity, data, machine learning and human behavior," says Laurent Gobbi, Global Trusted AI and Tech Risk Leader at KPMG International. "KPMG firms strive to excel at integrating these skills to help unlock AI's value in a way that is responsible, trusted, safe and free from bias." Learn more about KPMG professionals' commitment to trusted AI at kpmg.com/trustedimperative. The release of EAIGG's 2023 Annual Report marks another milestone in advancing the public discussion amongst AI practitioners. "By incorporating perspectives from investors, policymakers, and enterprises, we believe this report offers a unique balance," explains EAIGG Managing Director Emmanuel Benhamou. "More crucially, these viewpoints provide a practitioner's lens, shedding light on the tangible ways AI professionals are developing and deploying these technologies. Such grounded insights anchor our discussions where they truly belong on solid, pragmatic ground." The Securing AI Summit, co-hosted by Forgepoint Capital, BGV and EAIGG, brings this exact vision into reality, by bringing together a stellar lineup of speakers from IBM, Grid Dynamics, Morgan Stanley, and more, highlighting a collaborative effort to address the challenges and opportunities of Cybersecurity in the new era of AI. "This summit exemplifies a collective endeavor to bring together diverse minds passionate about the transformative power of AI. It's a platform for engaging dialogue, sharing insights, and forging connections, all within the framework of Chatham House Rule, ensuring a space for open and honest discussion," states Anik Bose, Co-Founder & General Partner of BGV. The event's theme emphasizes the responsible and safe use of generative AI in the Enterprise, and with 100+ attendees it signals a growing appetite for the discussion around these new disruptive technologies. EAIGG extends a special thanks to KPMG for their support of the 2023 Annual Report. For more information about EAIGG, the partnership with KPMG, the 2nd Annual Report, and the Securing AI Summit, please visit www.eaigg.org. About EAIGG: The Ethical AI Governance group was formed by a group of leading venture capital investors, enterprise executives, and startup entrepreneurs. We understand the risks AI systems can pose to privacy, accountability and transparency, and are committed to ensuring the responsible capitalization, development and deployment of these technologies. We are a community platform of AI practitioners dedicated to sharing practical insights, and leveraging those insights towards the promotion of responsible AI governance. About BGV: BGV is a venture capital firm with deep Silicon Valley roots, focusing exclusively on global Enterprise 4.0 technology innovation. The partnership sources companies from innovation hubs worldwide and deploys both financial and human capital from the seed stage to IPO. With offices in Menlo Park, Tel Aviv, Paris, and Bangalore, BGV exemplifies cross-border venture investing, with a portfolio representing businesses in the US, Israel, Europe, and India. For media inquiries and further information, please contact: Emmanuel Benhamou Managing Director EAIGG [email protected] SOURCE Ethical AI Governance Group (EAIGG) CULVER CITY, Calif., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth & Halo, founded by Aaryan Ramzan, continues to shine in the skincare industry, adding another prestigious honor to its list of accolades. The company has been bestowed with the title of "Vegan Skincare Brand of the Year 2023" by LUXlife magazine, recognizing its outstanding contributions to beauty. Award-Winning. 5 Organic Extracts, Vegan & Gender Neutral. Anti-Aging, Toning, and Collagen Boosting Hydrating & Brightening Addresses Hormonal Acne and Hyperpigmentation Firming & Cruelty-Free Sustainable & Free from Fragrance, Sulphates, and Toxins. Key Ingredients: Water Lily Extract Japanese Indigo Extract Edelweiss Extract Rock Samphire Extract Sea Grape Extract Sodium Hyaluronate & Peptides Apple Of My Eye Eye & Lip Contour. Key Features: Dual-Action: For Eyes & Lips Targeted Contouring Nourishing and Hydrating, Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Brightens and Refreshes, Vegan & Gender Neutral, Cruelty-Free Sustainable, No Fragrance, No Sulphates, No Toxins. Key Ingredients: SYN-AKE, Peptide SYN-EYE Technology, PEPHA-AGE Extract, AQUAXYL Hydration, Eyes100 Peptide Complex, White Water Lily Extract, Sea Grape Extract Commitment to Ethical Beauty and Social Responsibility Earth & Halo is at the forefront of ethical beauty, crafting holistic skincare solutions that are vegan, sustainable, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly. The company's products deliver effective skincare without harming the planet's ecosystem or animal life. A Pioneer in Ethical Beauty Earth & Halo stands out as an industry leader, driven by its unwavering commitment to effective skincare and environmental responsibility. Its products combine natural and organic ingredients with groundbreaking peptide technology to achieve exceptional results. Dedication to innovation and sustainability is at the core of its success. Empowering Radiant Skin Responsibly Earth & Halo empowers individuals to achieve radiant, healthy skin while prioritizing the planet's welfare. All products meet the highest ethical standards, embodying a harmony between beauty and environmental consciousness. Back-to-Back Awards Earth & Halo's excellence has been recognized with a series of prestigious awards. In 2022, the brand's Blue Crystalline Face Serum earned the title of "Organic Product of the Year," securing the top position in CosmoProf Trends. Additionally, "Apple Of My Eye" was a finalist at the CosmoProf North America trade show in the Organic and Green category. A Lasting Legacy of Impact Being named Vegan Skincare Brand of the Year 2023 by LUXlife magazine underscores Earth & Halo's commitment to luxury skincare, diversity, and environmental responsibility. Launched on May 28, 2020, Earth & Halo swiftly emerged as a distinctive brand, offering gender-neutral skincare products that deliver real results. Dedication to Social Causes The company's ethos extends beyond skincare; Earth & Halo believes in giving back to the community and the world. Every customer's post on the company's Instagram or TikTok page results in a tree planted. The brand actively supports gender equality, LGBTQ rights, social justice causes, and a range of non-profit organizations working towards eliminating poverty, promoting girl's education, civil liberties, and environmental preservation. Future Endeavors As Earth & Halo basks in the glory of this recent achievement, the brand continues to innovate and expand its offerings. With a relentless commitment to ethical beauty and skincare excellence, Earth & Halo is poised for a future filled with even more remarkable achievements. Contact: Aaryan Ramzan 2132858230 366796@email4pr.com SOURCE Earth & Halo Healthware will immediately merge with EVERSANA INTOUCH, shifting from long-standing partnership to a full-service global, award-winning agency network CHICAGO and SALERNO, Italy, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EVERSANA, a leading provider of global commercial services to the life sciences industry, today announced the acquisition of Healthware Group, a full-service agency and innovation consultancy headquartered in Salerno, Italy. The acquisition immediately expands EVERSANA's European operations and worldwide capabilities to help pharmaceutical, medical device, and emerging biotech companies globally launch products, expand market access, or solve unique geographic and market-specific challenges. "Today's announcement is the next remarkable step in our journey to reinvent commercialisation by effectively integrating what we believe to be the best service providers around the world," said Jim Lang, CEO, EVERSANA. "Gone are the days of siloed, ineffective operations or regional strategies. Our clients need global strategy and integrated commercial services balanced with the right in-market expertise. And now with an even stronger global agency powerhouse connected to EVERSANA's full commercial ecosystem, we are advancing our commitment to provide clients with unmatched support for brands worldwide." Healthware to seamlessly integrate with EVERSANA INTOUCH; shifting from established joint venture to scaled global operation With more than 150 employees and multiple offices across Italy, Finland, and the United Kingdom, Healthware will seamlessly merge with EVERSANA's global agency network, EVERSANA INTOUCH. The two award-winning agency networks have had a long-standing relationship since 2017 when Healthware signed a joint venture agreement with Intouch Group, which was later acquired by EVERSANA in 2021. "Healthware Group and EVERSANA INTOUCH have had a long and successful partnership dating back many years and spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. Our companies share a common culture and vision, and together, we are already leveraging the power of digital and technology solutions to deliver global brand impact and transform stakeholder engagement and patient care," said Roberto Ascione, CEO of Healthware Group. "With this merger, we will become a formidable force in the market, providing services well beyond a traditional agency network, which is why this merger was so compelling to us. We look forward to serving both new and existing clients with an expanded set of commercialisation services and to continue to lead the transformation of the life sciences industry and beyond." Founded by Ascione, Healthware has provided marketing, advisory, customer engagement and media services, medical communications and education, and advanced technology capabilities for over 25 years. Those services will integrate into EVERSANA INTOUCH's full-service, global healthcare agency network led by Faruk Capan, CEO, EVERSANA INTOUCH and Chief Innovation Officer, EVERSANA. The expanded global agency network will leverage its combined roots in digital innovation to "pharmatize" the power of AI in marketing. The network's strength in innovation matched with world-class omni, data, and media capabilities provide the basis of modern, authentic, and differentiated healthcare brands. As part of the acquisition, Healthware's flagship global events, media and publishing divisions, including the annual Frontiers Health conference and pharmaphorum, a premium source for healthcare and pharmaceutical industry news, insight and debate, will be owned and operated by EVERSANA. With the acquisition complete, Ascione is joining the EVERSANA global leadership team effective immediately. EVERSANA and Healthware Group leadership will have a joint presence at Healthware's signature event, Frontiers Health 2023, held 8-10 November in Rome. Financial details of the acquisition are not being disclosed. About EVERSANA EVERSANA is a leading independent provider of global services to the life sciences industry. The company's integrated solutions are rooted in the patient experience and span all stages of the product life cycle to deliver long-term, sustainable value for patients, prescribers, channel partners, and payers. The company serves more than 650 organizations, including innovative start-ups and established pharmaceutical companies, to advance life sciences solutions for a healthier world. To learn more about EVERSANA, visit eversana.com or connect through LinkedIn and X. About Healthware Group Healthware Group is a full-service agency and innovation consultancy, founded by digital health pioneer Roberto Ascione, providing marketing, advisory, customer engagement and media services, medical communications and education, and advanced technology capabilities. The media and community division offers premium content and platforms to gather insights, foster thought leadership, enable market shaping, and create connections. Healthware Group has co-hosted and produced the premier global digital health conference, Frontiers Health, for nearly a decade. Healthware has a team of 150+ professionals based in Salerno, London, New York, Milan, Rome, and Helsinki. Additionally, the Healthware Global Network, one of the largest international networks of independent healthcare agencies, provides deep local expertise in over 25 countries. For more information, please visit healthwaregroup.com or connect with us through LinkedIn or X. MEDIA CONTACT: EVERSANA Matt Braun Director, Corporate Communications +1 414-434-4830 [email protected] Healthware Group Antonietta Pannella Director, Marketing & Communications +39 349-0648276 [email protected] SOURCE EVERSANA The global flood insurance market growth is attributed to several factors, including an increase in the frequency and severity of floods, and increased awareness and education regarding flood insurance policy. WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Flood Insurance Market by Coverage (Building Property Coverage and Personal Contents Coverage) and Application (Residential and Commercial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032."According to the report, the global flood insurance industry generated $12.0 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $50.0 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 15.6% from 2023 to 2032. The flood insurance market is the industry that sells insurance policies specifically for flood damage. It covers the buying and selling of insurance policies intended to protect individuals, property, and businesses from the financial loss caused by flooding. Flood insurance generally covers damage caused by river overflow, heavy rain, storm surges, or other causes of flooding. The flood insurance market plays an important role in the recovery and rebuilding process after a flood by providing financial assistance for repair and replacement. Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/113676 Prime Determinants of Growth: The global flood insurance market growth is attributed to several factors, including an increase in the frequency and severity of floods, and increased awareness and education regarding flood insurance policy. However, the high premium costs of flood insurance policies and lack of awareness limit the growth of the market. On the contrary, an increase in urbanization and infrastructure development, climate change, and extreme weather events present a prolific opportunity for market growth. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20222032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $12.0 Billion Market Size in 2032 $50.0 Billion CAGR 15.6 % No. of Pages in Report 125 Segments Covered Coverage, Application, and Region Drivers Increase in frequency and severity of floods Increased awareness and education regarding flood insurance policy Opportunities Increase in urbanization and infrastructure development Climate change and extreme weather events Restraints High premium costs of flood insurance policies Lack of awareness COVID-19 Scenario: The COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the global flood insurance market. The pandemic increased awareness about the importance of insurance coverage for unexpected events such as floods. Many people realized that they needed protection not only from health emergencies but also from natural disasters. This led to more interest in flood insurance, causing a rise in policy purchases. The building property coverage segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period- Based on coverage, the building property coverage segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global flood insurance market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the increase in frequency and severity of floods due to factors such as climate change that have made property owners more aware of the need for protection. Furthermore, regulations and mortgage requirements in flood-prone areas often mandate building property coverage, pushing more people to purchase this insurance. However, the personal contents coverage segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 17.2% from 2023 to 2032. This is attributed to the rise in recognition among the people about the value of their belongings and the desire to protect them from flood damage. As floods become more frequent and severe due to climate change, individuals have realized the importance of safeguarding their personal items such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, which has led to better productivity and growth of the market. The commercial segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period- Based on application, the commercial segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global flood insurance market revenue industry, and is estimated to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. The growth of the commercial segment is being propelled by businesses that have become more aware of the financial risks posed by floods, which can disrupt operations and cause substantial losses. However, the residential segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 18.2% from 2023 to 2032. This is attributed to the increasing frequency and severity of flooding events due to climate change which has raised awareness among homeowners about the need for protection. Furthermore, government regulations and mortgage requirements in flood-prone areas often mandate flood insurance for residential properties, pushing more homeowners to seek coverage. North America to maintain its dominance by 2032- Based on region, North America held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global flood insurance market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the rising concern about the increasing frequency and severity of floods in the region. Furthermore, the diversity in weather patterns increases the risk of flooding events, prompting more residents and businesses to seek flood insurance coverage. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 19.7% from 2023 to 2032. This is attributed to the increase in awareness of flood risks in this region. Leading Market Players: - GEICO USAA Neptune Flood Allstate Insurance Company Tokio Marine Highland Insurance Services, Inc. Berkshire Hathaway (Three) Progressive Casualty Insurance Company AXA Chubb Assurant , Inc. Inquiry before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/113676 The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global flood insurance 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. Key Benefits for Stakeholders: This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the flood insurance market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing flood insurance market opportunity. The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities. The Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network. In-depth analysis of the flood insurance market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing flood insurance market opportunities. Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the market. Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players. The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as flood insurance market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies. Flood Insurance Market Key Segments: By Coverage Building Property Coverage Personal Contents Coverage By Application Residential Commercial By Region North America (U.S., Canada ) (U.S., ) Europe (UK, Germany , France , Italy , Spain , Rest of Europe ) (UK, , , , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , Australia , South Korea , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) ( , , , , , Rest of ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , Africa ) Procure Complete Report (125 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @https://bit.ly/45sY5c7 Trending Reports in BFSI Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount + COVID-19 Scenario): North America Flood Insurance Market by Coverage (Building Property Coverage, Personal Contents Coverage), by Application (Residential, Commercial): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032 Asia-Pacific Flood Insurance Market by Coverage (Building Property Coverage, Personal Contents Coverage), by Application (Residential, Commercial): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032 Europe Flood Insurance Market by Coverage (Building Property Coverage, Personal Contents Coverage), by Application (Residential, Commercial): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032 Equity Indexed Life Insurance Market by Type (Whole Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, Variable Universal Life Insurance, Indexed Universal Life Insurance, Others), by Mode (Online, Offline), by Distribution Channel (Insurance Companies, Agency and Brokers, Banks): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Spain Health Insurance Third Party Administrator Market by Insurance Service Type (Medical Claim Management, Medical Provider Management, Health Value Services), Product Type (Medical Insurance, Critical Insurance, Others), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises), Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Brokers/Agents, Others): Country Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Commercial Property Insurance Market by Coverage (Open Perils, Named Perils), by Distribution Channels (Agents and Brokers, Direct Response, Others), by Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), by Industry Vertical (Manufacturing, Construction, IT and Telecom, Healthcare, Energy and Utilities, Transportation and Logistics, Others ): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 RPA in Insurance Market by Component (Solution, Service), by Deployment Mode (On-Premise, Cloud), by Enterprise Size (Large Enterprise, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), by Application (Claims Processing, Insurance Underwriting, Regulatory Compliance, Finance and Accounts, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Property Insurance Market by Coverage (Fire and Theft, House Damage, Floods and Earthquake, Personal Property, Others), by End User (Landlords, Homeowners, Renters, Others), by Application (Personal, Enterprise): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] BFSI Blog Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research The 9th edition of the Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) themed Beyond Boundaries, from January 15 to 18, 2024, seeks to position Dubai as a hub for sharing expertise and ideas between key international players. Holding DIPMF stems from RTAs endeavours to enhance Dubais pivotal role in accelerating the development drive in the region based on sound scientific grounds compatible with the highest global standards and practices, said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Over its past eight editions, DIPMF succeeded in raising Dubais global standing as a leader in delivering mega and innovative projects. This success is attributed to the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council. DIPMF has successfully drawn experts and specialists from various countries worldwide to present their ideas, visions, and creativity in executing mega projects. They've showcased best practices and devised creative solutions for project management and operations up to top international standards, said Al Tayer. Registration for DIPMF has commenced on October 10, 2023 on the website www.dipmf.ae. Themes The 9th edition of DIPMF will revolve around three primary themes: Sustainability, Modern Methods of Project Management, and Future Trends & Technology. Within these themes, the forum will delve into 14 diverse tracks. The Sustainability theme entails Sustainable Societies, Greener projects and Driving Sustainable Growth. The Modern Methods in Project Management theme covers Future Trends in PM, The Future PMO, Benefits and Value Management, Visionary Leadership, The Project Economy and the Circular Economy. The Future Trends and Technology theme covers Artificial Intelligence, Future / Smart Mobility, Agile Transformation, Digital Twin / Metaverse and Big Data, explained Al Tayer. 32 recommendations In its eighth edition, themed "Fostering Wellbeing," DIPMF tackled key topics pertinent to innovation, sustainability, gender balance, women's empowerment, the relationship between developing communities and fostering wellbeing, project economics and the management of major sporting events. It drew over 2,000 participants, and 55 international and regional speakers who moderated 50 sessions and panel discussions. The forum also issued 32 key recommendations spanning areas like sustainability, wellbeing, gender equality, agile transformation, mega projects, leadership and management skills, value and benefit management, advanced technology, and data and information management. Purposeful themes Over the course of its previous sessions, the DIPMF discussed several important and purposeful themes and topics, with each session dedicated to a theme. Following the inaugural edition in 2014, successive themes were related to Project Management Supports Innovation, Shaping the Future, Making a Difference, Building Nations (coinciding with the Year of Zayed and highlighting the role of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan), and Cultural Diversity (aligned with the adoption of 2019 as the Year of Tolerance) in addition to We Shape the Future in 2021, and Fostering Wellbeing in 2022. The upcoming edition is set to champion the theme "Beyond Boundaries."--TradeArabia News Service The private security company Terror Alarm has threatened Russian propagandists for mocking women serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. The organization said that Russia openly ridicules female IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. ADVERTISIMENT Putin's propagandist Olga Skabeyeva was called a legitimate target. This is reported on the Terror Alarm page on X, formerly known as Twitter (to see photos and videos, scroll to the bottom of the page). The organization said that Israelis will never forget that the Russians ridiculed female IDF soldiers. Moreover, the statement says that after Israel's victory over Hamas terrorists, Russia will pay for becoming the world capital of anti-Semitism. "Russia openly mocks the female IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hamas. Israelis will never forget this. After we deal with Hamas and the Gaza Strip, Moscow will pay for becoming the world capital of anti-Semitism. This is a promise of blood. Putin's chief propagandist, Olga Skabeyeva, is also a legitimate target," the statement reads. It is worth noting that Skabeyeva mocked Israeli women soldiers because of a video of dancing on social media. The propagandist said that this was how "the Israeli army was preparing for war." ADVERTISIMENT Terror Alarm states that the organization is a highly accredited private security firm that not only alerted authorities to terrorist attacks as they occurred but also helped prevent many terrorist attacks at the height of ISIS attacks in Europe in 2014-2017. The organization is funded by activists and journalists through cryptocurrency, so all sponsors are anonymous. At the same time, they openly state that the core team is of Jewish descent. However, they distance themselves from the Jewish top state leadership. Read online: The fifth day of the war in Israel: IDF hits hundreds of targets in Gaza and prepares ground operation. Key facts ADVERTISIMENT The leadership of the aggressor country Russia was aware of the preparations of the Hamas terrorist movement for an attack on Israel. Moreover, Russia provided the militants with weapons captured by the Russian occupiers in the war against Ukraine. Earlier it was reported that Russia plans to use the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel as a pretext for a large-scale provocation against Ukraine. Russian intelligence services have already handed over trophy weapons captured during the fighting in Ukraine, manufactured in the United States and the European Union. Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gantry View School, a K-5 independent institution committed to nurturing competent, confident learners through its innovative approach, is pleased to announce its upcoming Information Sessions for prospective families. These events provide the opportunity to discover the school's unique educational philosophy, its welcoming community, and the benefits of its low student-teacher ratio, which averages an impressive 6:1. Gantry View School carries forward the legacy of Queens Paideia School, founded in 2009 by a group of dedicated educators and parents who believed in providing an alternative to traditional classrooms. The school's mission is to help reach the true potential of its students by offering academic rigor, a holistic approach to education, and meaningful parent involvement. "At Gantry View School, we embrace diversity, encourage self-discovery, and provide the necessary space for students to express their identities," says Peter Branscombe, Director of Operation and Curriculum Development for the school. "Our focus on inclusivity and cultural understanding enriches our curriculum and prepares students for a world that values adaptability and collaboration." Key Highlights of Gantry View School: Exceptionally Low Student-Instructor Ratio: With an average ratio of 6:1, personalized attention is at the heart of the school's approach. Core Beliefs: An educational philosophy that revolves around the principles of Respect, Reflection, and Reach. Graduate Profile: Commitment to developing well-rounded graduates who possess skills in problem-solving, communication, adaptability, and collaboration. Progressive and Rigorous Approach: A curriculum composed of core subjects, enrichment blocks, project-based learning, and cross-disciplinary programming. Diverse Offerings: In addition to core subjects, Gantry View School offers coding, art, Spanish, Mandarin, drama, movement, music, fencing, and other enrichment classes. Proven Success: For more than a decade, its students have gained acceptance into New York City's high-performing schools. Information Session Event Details: Interested families are invited to attend Gantry View's upcoming Information Sessions: October 12, 2023 October 20, 2023 October 27, 2023 November 3, 2023 November 17, 2023 All sessions start at 8:30 and last an hour. Information Session Highlights: Tour GVS's Facilities: Get a firsthand look at its state-of-the-art learning environment. Get a firsthand look at its state-of-the-art learning environment. Meet its faculty: Observe GVS's dedicated educators. Observe GVS's dedicated educators. Program details: Gain insights into curricular and after-school offerings. Gain insights into curricular and after-school offerings. Q&A Session: Meet with school representatives to ask your questions and hear those of other interested families. Join Gantry View School's Information Sessions to embark on a transformative journey that fosters academic growth and personal development. To attend an Information Session, Reserve Your Spot Here or call (347) 304-9584 About Gantry View School: Gantry View School is an independent K-8 educational institution that prioritizes academic excellence and personal development through a low student-teacher ratio and a progressive curriculum. Established in 2009, the school is dedicated to providing a diverse and inclusive learning community that prepares students for a changing world. SOURCE Gantry View School CALGARY, AB, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Gibson Energy Inc. announced today that it expects to release its 2023 third quarter and operating results on Monday, October 30, 2023 after the close of North American markets. The 2023 third quarter management's discussion and analysis and unaudited consolidated financial statements will be available on the Company's website at www.gibsonenergy.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Earnings Conference Call & Webcast Details A conference call and webcast will be held to discuss the 2023 third quarter financial and operating results at 7:00am Mountain Time (9:00am Eastern Time) on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The conference call dial-in numbers are: 416-764-8659 / 1-888-664-6392 This call will also be broadcast live on the Internet and may be accessed directly at the following URL: The webcast will remain accessible for a 12-month period at the above URL. Additionally, a digital recording will be available for replay two hours after the call's completion until November 14, 2023, using the following dial-in numbers: 416-764-8677 / 1-888-390-0541 Replay Entry Code: 105312# About Gibson Gibson is a leading liquids infrastructure company with its principal businesses consisting of the storage, optimization, processing, and gathering of liquids and refined products. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the Company's operations are located across North America, with core terminal assets in Hardisty and Edmonton, Alberta, Ingleside, Texas, and including a facility in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Gibson shares trade under the symbol GEI and are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.gibsonenergy.com. For further information, please contact: Investors: Beth Pollock Vice President, Capital Markets & Risk Phone: (403) 992-6478 Email: [email protected] Media: Wendy Robinson Director, Communications & Brand Phone: (403) 827-6057 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Gibson Energy Inc. DUBLIN, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Macadamia Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global macadamia market size reached US$ 1.7 Billion in 2022. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach US$ 3.1 Billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.71% during 2023-2028. There are three commercially important species of macadamia: Macadamia ternifolia, integrifolia, and tetraphylla. Macadamia nuts are recognized for their nutritional benefits, as they are rich sources of antioxidants, protein, fiber, and vitamins. These properties contribute to improving gut health, managing weight, and reducing the risk of various metabolic syndromes, including blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol-related issues, and heart ailments. Due to these nutritional qualities, macadamia nuts can be consumed as a snack, used in cooking, and processed into various products across different industrial segments. Currently, they are available in different forms such as raw, coated, and roasted. In summary, the macadamia market is benefiting from increased health awareness, government support, diverse applications in the food and cosmetic industries, and innovative product offerings, all of which are driving its growth. Key Trends in the Macadamia Market: Rising Health Consciousness: Increased health awareness among consumers and a growing understanding of the nutritional benefits of macadamia nuts are driving demand. This heightened awareness is a major factor fueling the growth of the macadamia market. Government Initiatives: Several countries' governments are supporting macadamia production and trade in the agricultural sector through advanced farming techniques. Such initiatives are contributing to the market's expansion. Food and Beverage Sector Utilization: Macadamia nuts are extensively used in the food and beverage industry to manufacture confectionery items like pastries, biscuits, and ice creams. This application further boosts market growth. Cosmetics and Skincare: Macadamia nuts can be cold-pressed to produce oil, which is then incorporated into various cosmetics and skincare products. This diversification of applications expands market opportunities. Innovative Flavors: Companies are introducing macadamia nuts in innovative flavors such as roasted, salted, honey-roasted, wasabi-flavored, and chocolate-coated. These offerings help expand product portfolios and reach, contributing to market growth. Key Questions Answered in This Report What was the size of the global macadamia market in 2022? What is the expected growth rate of the global macadamia market during 2023-2028? What are the key factors driving the global macadamia market? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global macadamia market? What is the breakup of the global macadamia market based on the nature? What is the breakup of the global macadamia market based on the form? What is the breakup of the global macadamia market based on distribution channel? What are the key regions in the global macadamia market? Who are the key players/companies in the global macadamia market? Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Archer-Daniels-Midland Company Golden Macadamias Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company Health and Plant Protein Group Limited Ivory Macadamias Kenya Nut Company Ltd. Macadamia Processing Company Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation Mayo Macs MWT Foods Nambucca Macnuts Pty Ltd. Royal Macadamia (Pty) Ltd. (Pty) Ltd. Wondaree Macadamia Nuts.. Key Market Segmentation: Breakup by Nature: Organic Conventional Breakup by Form: Raw Roasted Coated Breakup by Distribution Channel: Online Offline Breakup by Industry Vertical: Food and Beverages Cosmetics Others Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Others Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Others Latin America Brazil Mexico Others Middle East and Africa For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/37fqs5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets The app connects Unilever's factory-based colleagues across the globe to Unilever systems It supports Unilever's commitment to putting people at the heart of digital transformation, leveraging technology to support employees The app allows secure, quick and easy access to key Unilever systems all in one place, and enables one-click access to collaboration tools on Google Workspace including email, chat, and document sharing LONDON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Google Cloud and Unilever have partnered to launch a new app for employees, My Unilever. The app has been designed to digitally connect Unilever's factory-based colleagues across the globe, enabling them to tap into Unilever's digital resources from any location or device. Built on Google Cloud, and delivered in partnership with Accenture, the My Unilever app unlocks the opportunity for Unilever's 53,000+ factory-based colleagues to have easy and secure access to key Unilever systems. It also enables one-click entry to Google Workspace , which includes the communication and collaboration apps such as Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Drive, Chat, Meet, and more, relied on by more than three billion users and over 10 million customers. The app also utilises Appsheet, Google's no-code platform, as the main end-user interface for the My Unilever application. The My Unilever app will also give users access to a variety of third-party tools including learning and payroll, some of which were previously only accessible through paper-based methods or via time-consuming in-factory processes. In streamlining these previous methods, My Unilever helps to save time and increase productivity - benefits that will continue to grow as the application expands into more use-cases. Adam Raeburn-James, Chief Technology Officer at Unilever comments: "Digital transformation, at its heart, is about people. In launching the My Unilever app, we're helping our factory-based colleagues to become digitally connected. By giving all of our people access to key HR, support and learning systems, we can continue to work towards our goal of ensuring that everyone at Unilever can develop the future-fit skills they need for the evolving workplace by 2025. "Our partnership with Google Cloud allows us to continue taking our use of technology to the next level. Alongside this, we're drawing on Accenture's global expertise in deployment, change and adoption, to ensure the best possible transition and experience for our colleagues. We've already received great feedback across our recent pilot programme." "This partnership will help support Unilever in building this capability for the future, and we are excited to be part of this journey," said Laurence Lafont, Vice President, Strategic Industries EMEA, Google Cloud. "With Google Cloud's technology, Unilever's factory-based colleagues are now able to connect in a new way, supporting them to develop and thrive. The My Unilever app brings the business closer together as one team, empowering them to achieve more." The My Unilever app will be available to download on personal and corporate devices (iOS and Android), or on shared on-site computers, all using Google's built-in security and compliance platform. About Google Cloud Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems. About Unilever Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 127,000 employees and generated sales of 60.1 billion in 2022. Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. The Unilever Compass, our global sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while aiming to: - improve the health of the planet; - improve people's health, confidence and wellbeing; - and contribute to a fairer and more socially inclusive world. For more information about Unilever and our brands, please visit www.unilever.com. SOURCE Google Cloud LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The franchising sector is seeing a significant rise in minority ownership. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau underscores this trend, revealing that 30.8% of franchises are minority-owned, a figure that stands in contrast to the 18.8% of non-franchised businesses. Grasons, a standout in the estate sale and business liquidation franchise realm, is leading by example, proudly announcing that a significant 59% of its franchisees hail from minority backgrounds. Simone Kelly, Brand President of Grasons, reflects on the philosophy of the brand. "Guiding the Grasons franchise, I never saw the need to differentiate based on identity. My diverse background taught me the importance of seeing beyond the surface. For me, what mattered most was recognizing franchisees for their character and potential contribution to our Grasons family," she says. Diversity isn't just a statistic at Grasons; it's an embodiment of their core values. Kelly continues, "Our franchisee community, with its wide spectrum of backgrounds, not only enriches our brand but also fortifies the supportive environment we've cultivated. The genuine camaraderie among our franchisees, regardless of their origins, truly sets Grasons apart." Echoing Kelly's sentiments, Martha Garcia, one of Grasons' esteemed minority franchisees, passionately shares, "My association with Grasons has been transformative. Every day, I witness the company's unwavering dedication to diversity, evident in every sale, every conversation, and every initiative." Adding to this, another proud franchisee, Vincent Stirone, conveys, "Grasons isn't merely a business prospect; it's a close-knit community where every member, regardless of their heritage, is held in high regard and cherished. I am immensely proud and grateful to be a part of such an embracing family." Reinforcing its commitment to championing diversity, Grasons offers a diversity discount for aspiring franchisees, a testament to its dedication to fostering inclusive growth. Grasons, a member of the Evive Brands portfolio, provides unparalleled support and services to families and communities nationwide. The company extends an opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to steer their careers, achieve financial independence, and make a positive societal impact. Grasons empowers franchisees to help clients navigate the difficult task of downsizing possessions during life's significant transitions. The company extends various discounts, inviting qualified individuals to be a part of this growing family. To explore Grasons' franchise opportunities, visit www.grasons.com. Media Contact: Rhonda Grundemann, 602-739-8810, [email protected] SOURCE Grasons Co. SAN DIEGO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidance, a full-service ecommerce agency driving business for retailers, brands, and manufacturers, announced today that it has been named the Commerce Partner of the Year North America winner at Opticon 2023, presented by Optimizely, the leading digital experience platform (DXP). Optimizely helps companies worldwide orchestrate their entire content lifecycle, monetize every digital experience, and experiment across all customer touchpoints. Guidance Celebrates Winning Optimizelys 2023 Commerce Partner of the Year "Commerce is a broad topic at Optimizely, and one partner has stood out in 2022. Delivering B2C, B2B, B2B2C, D2C, and Marketplace solutions for our clients," said Diane Schmidt, VP Partner Development, Americas at Optimizely. "This partner delivered services for the very first client who purchased ALL Optimizely products including an innovative endless isle for a major retailer in the pandemic with millions of product and pricing variants." This annual awards program recognizes top-performing partners among Optimizely's global network of more than 700 partners for their exceptional work empowering merchants to build, innovate, and grow their businesses. The winning partner is a top driver of Commerce Cloud adoption and has successfully implemented data-driven digital commerce solutions that resulted in sustained ecommerce growth for our mutual clients. "Guidance is extremely honored to be selected as the Commerce Partner of the Year," said Jason Meugniot, CEO of Guidance. "The Guidance team has extensive experience in the enterprise commerce space and we are proud to showcase our excellence through this recognition. With Guidance's CIO, Jon Provisor, and Director of Partnerships, Edward Gaug managing the partnership with Optimizely, we've been able to build an incredibly valuable relationship." Out of 11 total categories whose applicants were evaluated by a panel of Optimizely employees and executives, Guidance was specifically recognized for providing revolutionary solutions and services for brands like Dovetail , an innovative furniture business, supplying thousands of retailers and interior designers across North America, Valvoline , the largest oil change service providers in the United States, and Rio Grande , one of the largest B2B suppliers in the jewelry-making industry. Dovetail partnered with Guidance to migrate their website to Optimizely and developed custom integrations for ERP, PIM, and DAM solutions. Their brand refresh included a reimagined user experience that also supports the creation of white-label sites for their vendors. These sites provide an infinite aisle product presentation, customer-specific pricing, and an intuitive site architecture. Additionally, Valvoline partnered with Guidance to upgrade their legacy website to Optimizely Digital Experience Platform CMS and integrate business priorities like store location, online reputation management, and digital coupon functionality. Featuring Guidance, Opticon 2023 highlights the most successful and forward-thinking partners and offers 11 unique categories of partner awards, honoring partners that are true advocates for both Optimizely and our joint customers. Read the press release here: Guidance Celebrates Winning Optimizely's 2023 Commerce Partner of the Year North America About Guidance Guidance is an industry-leading ecommerce agency dedicated to growth-oriented mid-market and enterprise brands and manufacturers in both B2C and B2B with groundbreaking industry practices in development, commerce strategy, mobile optimization, UI/UX, design, and system integration. Guidance lives and breathes digital by designing, developing, and delivering growth-oriented commerce solutions for brands. To learn more about Guidance, visit guidance.com . About Optimizely At Optimizely, we're on a mission to help people unlock their digital potential. We do that by reinventing how marketing and product teams work to create and optimize digital experiences across all channels. With our leading digital experience platform (DXP), we help companies around the world orchestrate their entire content lifecycle, monetize every digital experience and experiment across all customer touchpoints. Optimizely has 700+ partners and nearly 1500 employees across our 21 global offices. We are proud to help more than 10,000 businesses, including H&M, PayPal, Zoom, Toyota, and Vodafone, enrich their customer lifetime value, increase revenue, and grow their brands. Learn more at optimizely.com . Media Contacts Jon Provisor Chief Information Officer [email protected] Edward Gaug Director of Marketing & Partnerships [email protected] SOURCE Guidance Solutions, Inc. H55 begins construction of its North American premises in the greater Montreal area to serve is growing North American customer base This milestone was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony attended by senior industry and government leaders including the presence of The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, minister of Transport and lieutenant of Quebec , also representing the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec (DEC), of Pierre Fitzgibbon , Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy; Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development; Minister Responsible for de Metropolis and the Montreal Region, and of Catherine Fournier , Mayor of the city of Longueuil . The new facility will include manufacturing, product development, research and development and customer integration support SION, Switzerland and LONGUEUIL, QC, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - H55, a renowned pioneer in electric propulsion and battery management systems, proudly announces the commencement of construction for its highly anticipated Canadian premises. This groundbreaking event signifies a major milestone in H55's commitment to the Canadian market and its ongoing global expansion efforts. The establishment of the Canadian subsidiary aligns with H55's international expansion strategy and its commitment to meet the growing demands of its North American customer base. H55 has formed a wholly owned subsidiary in Canada, H55 Inc., strategically located at Saint-Hubert Airport in the greater Montreal area. H55 Canada will work in close collaboration with existing customers, including Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE, and Harbour Air, for product development, customization, and customer support. The new facility that we start constructing today will be equipped with a state-of-the-art production line, with initial battery pack production scheduled to commence in 2024. The groundbreaking ceremony included the presence of esteemed H55 stakeholders, including valued customers, trusted suppliers, senior government officials, and members of the local community. Among the distinguished dignitaries, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, stated: "The aeronautics industry has a long history in Quebec and is a source of pride among Quebecers. By investing to boost scientific innovation in the aeronautics sector, we are ensuring we can continue to cultivate the expertise we have acquired in Quebec, while also supporting the development of technologies that will help us accelerate our transition to green energy." On the Quebec side, Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy; Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development; Minister Responsible for de Metropolis and the Montreal Region expressing his enthusiasm for H55's establishment: "Quebec has everything needed to design, manufacture, and market innovative technology, to address the environmental and economic challenges of the planes of tomorrow. The H55 project will help bolster our expertise in aerospace while leveraging our transportation electrification ecosystem." Mayor Catherine Fournier of Longueuil extended a warm welcome to H55, stating: "We are very proud that H55, a global pioneer in electric aviation, has chosen Longueuil to establish the headquarters of its North American subsidiary. This is an unequivocal recognition of our potential as an innovation hub and our commitment to a green aviation future. The arrival of H55 in Longueuil not only strengthens our positioning in the aerospace sector but marks a significant milestone in our journey toward establishing an innovation zone duly recognized by Quebec. It also sends the clear message that Longueuil intends to play a leading role in the decarbonization of aviation. The aeronautical ecosystem of Longueuil can count on numerous renowned companies and academic institutions all working in synergy, so we look forward to seeing the collaborations that will emerge between H55 and our local aerospace community, and are determined to support their growth and development in our region." H55 Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Andre Borschberg sharing his views on this important development and emphasizing that "today marks a monumental step forward in our journey towards a cleaner, more sustainable future in aviation. As we break ground for this new factory and office facility, we are not just constructing a building; we are shaping the future of aviation. With the support we are fortunate to have from the Governments of Quebec, Canada and Saint-Hubert, together with our shared commitment to clean aviation, we will soar to new heights, reducing our environmental footprint and ensuring cleaner skies for generations to come." Martin Larose H55's CEO commenting on the company's strong presence in Canada, "this new facility will be the birthplace of innovations that will redefine the industry. Saint-Hubert is a strategic location for H55's operations and will be the home to our battery production serving our Canadian customers. This new facility will also include product development and customer integration support and will play a crucial role in our company's ambitions in bringing clean aviation solutions to the North American market." H55 is a recognized leader in sustainable aviation, providing electric propulsion and battery systems for diverse applications. The company's core strengths lie in creating modular, lightweight, and certifiable propulsion and energy solutions. H55 boasts a proven track record in the development, production, integration, and flight-testing of electric propulsion systems, exemplified by its contributions to Solar Impulse, the world's first solar-powered electric airplane to circumnavigate the globe. H55's mission to develop electric propulsion solutions aligns seamlessly with the strategies of both the Canadian Federal and Quebec Provincial governments to accelerate the growth of clean aviation. The company is currently benefiting from federal government support through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), Canada Economic Development (DEC) and is actively engaged in discussions to formalize support from the Quebec government. H55 is a Swiss-based company founded and led by the former Solar Impulse management team, Andre Borschberg, Sebastien Demont and Gregory Blatt. H55's mission is to revolutionize the aviation industry by providing certified electric propulsion and battery management systems tailored to a diverse range of aircraft to achieve sustainable air travel. Through a commitment of providing certified solutions and its pioneering legacy, the H55 team of visionary engineers and aerospace experts is at the forefront of driving the aviation industry toward a more environmentally responsible future, setting new standards, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in electric aviation. H55 SA Route de l'Aeroport 10 1950 Sion Switzerland www.h55.ch SOURCE H55 "HRP is a transformation company and we are privileged to have these transformational leaders join our team," said HRP CEO Roberto Perez. "Our advisors have a diverse background of experiences and expertise, with impressive track records of leadership, challenging assumptions and refusing to accept limitations. Their perspective and guidance will be invaluable as we work to transform obsolete industrial sites into sustainable economic engines in cities and communities across the country." The HRP advisory board will leverage their broad expertise to counsel the company on all facets of business and corporate strategy. Additionally, the advisory board will assist the company with key growth initiatives and help HRP continue to enhance its holistic approach to development and progress its core principles of economic, environmental, and community sustainability. About the HRP Advisory Board: Dr. Judith Rodin An innovator, changemaker and global thoughtleader, Dr. Judith Rodin spent decades leading and transforming two global institutions: The Rockefeller Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Rodin was trained as a research psychologist and began her academic career as a professor of psychology at New York University. In 1992, she became Provost of Yale University, where she earned an international reputation as a pioneer of the women's health movement. In 1994, she was appointed President of the University of Pennsylvania, where she presided over an unprecedented decade of growth and progress that transformed the institution, its campus, and the community, taking the university from sixteenth to fourth in U.S. News and World Report national rankings. In 2005, Dr. Rodin was named President of The Rockefeller Foundation. Serving in the role for more than a decade, she ushered in a new era of strategic philanthropy that emphasized partnerships with business, government, and the philanthropic community to address and solve for the complex challenges of the 21st century. Throughout her academic work, Dr. Rodin was appointed to leading government, academic, and nonprofit advisory roles, including President Clinton's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology. She is the first woman named to permanently lead an Ivy League Institution and was the first woman to serve as The Rockefeller Foundation's president. Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick (Ret.) Recognized as a foremost authority on strategic leadership, engineering, the environment, and infrastructure, Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick served as the 53rd Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), where he was responsible for most of the nation's civil works infrastructure and military construction. A highly decorated officer, Lt. General Bostick served as second-in-command of the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division when it deployed into Iraq, and later commanded the USACE Gulf Region Division. After returning from combat, he led U.S. Army Recruiting Command and later served as the Director of Human Resources for the entire Army. An expert in crisis response, Bostick controlled the keys to the nuclear codes during the tragic events of 9-11, and he led the nation's recovery effort following Hurricane Sandy. Appointed USACE Chief of Engineers in 2012, Lt. General Bostick led the world's largest public engineering organization. Under his leadership, USACE was the most improved federal agency for employee satisfaction and the only federal agency with a successful financial audit during his tenure. Most recently, Lt. General Bostick served as the Chief Operating Officer and President of Intrexon Bioengineering. A nationally recognized educator and scholar, he has received numerous honors and awards, including induction into the National Academy of Engineering, recipient of the American Society of Civil Engineers OPAL Leadership Award and the White House Fellows Foundation's John W. Gardner Legacy of Leadership Award. Michael K. Ohm An early leader in and contributor to the nascent brownfield remediation and redevelopment era beginning in mid-1990's, Michael Ohm recently retired from his environmental law partnership at the global firm, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. Mr. Ohm began his legal career in public service, first with the United States Environmental Protection Agency focused in the area of waste management regulation and subsequently as a special assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois, where he prosecuted criminal and civil actions pursuant to Illinois and Federal environmental laws. Upon entering private practice, Mr. Ohm transformed his litigation-focused Superfund and RCRA practice into a transactional practice with brownfield sites, their remediation and redevelopment, at its core. During Mr. Ohm's 37 years practice, he has acted as lead environmental counsel for many of the most complex and in some cases, largest brownfield redevelopment project across the country including: the transfer of a Midwestern, former US Army ammunition plant which involved the initial transfer of 1,800 acres including two NPL Superfund sites into what is now the largest inland port and intermodal center exceeding 6,500 acres; the former largest US steel mill of approximately 3,100 acres which involved a first of its kind joint covenant not to sue understanding among the State of Maryland and the United States; the acquisition of the largest former oil refinery on the East Coast including highly complex multi-party agreements among the State of Pennsylvania, the United States, an historic responsible party and his client development/owner. The evolution of Mr. Ohm's brownfield practice has increasingly engendered ancillary and existentially critical dynamics ranging from positioning brownfield sites beginning in the early 2000s to accommodate cleaner energy applications, including solar, wind, and geothermal, to site sustainability and resilience through project remediation and design which is more environmentally sensitive, measurable, adaptable and accountable. Ron DeGregorio A power generation innovator and entrepreneur, Ron DeGregorio has over 35 years of experience developing, building, and operating power generation and utility systems, and has established himself as a scholar in the rapidly changing landscape of the energy and utility industries. During over 30 years with the Exelon Corporation, Mr. DeGregorio held a variety of leadership roles including senior vice president of Exelon Nuclear, Chief Operating Officer of Exelon Transmission Company, and Chief Integration Officer following Exelon's merger with Constellation Energy in 2012. As President of Exelon Power, Mr. DeGregorio oversaw the operations and maintenance of Exelon Generation's oil and natural gas, landfill gas, hydro, wind and solar-powered fleet of generating assets that are capable of generating more than 15,000 megawatts of electricity in 16 states and Alberta, Canada. Mr. DeGregorio recently retired as CEO of NET Power (NPWR on NYSE) after having successfully completed the capitalization and commercialization of the company's patented technology that transforms natural gas into clean energy, taking the company public at a valuation of over $2 billion. About Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP): HRP is a vertically integrated real estate investment and redevelopment company that re-imagines, remediates, and redevelops obsolete industrial sites across the United States with a uniquely holistic approach to development that prioritizes economic, community and environmental sustainability. HRP's redevelopment expertise ranges from modern logistics and distribution facilities to urban, mixed-use projects, and innovation ecosystems. HRP strives to transform not only properties, but also the communities surrounding them through a comprehensive approach to community engagement, environmental sustainability, and economic development. HRP is part of the international financial services holding company Hilco Global (www.HilcoGlobal.com) which is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois (USA). SOURCE Hilco Redevelopment Partners Modal title PRN Top Stories Newsletters Sign up to get PRNs top stories and curated news delivered to your inbox weekly! 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WillDom Presents a Transformative Webinar on Leveraging Augmented Staffing for Cost Savings and Success MIAMI, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WillDom, a renowned leader in innovative technology solutions, is thrilled to announce an upcoming free webinar entitled ' How Augmented Staffing Helps Companies Accelerate their tech projects' . This enlightening virtual event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18th at 2 PM EST, and will focus on the outsourcing of IT teams from Latin America to expedite technology projects. WillDom, a renowned leader in innovative technology solutions, is thrilled to announce an upcoming free webinar entitled 'How Augmented Staffing Helps Companies Accelerate their tech projects'. This enlightening virtual event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18th at 2 PM EST, and will focus on the outsourcing of IT teams from Latin America to expedite technology projects. Our upcoming webinar will be presented by Mauricio Quevedo, Managing Director of WillDom El Salvador, and hosted by Eduardo Campos, Managing Director of WillDom Mexico. This exclusive event will feature a distinguished guest from WillDom's esteemed client baseRodrigo Garcia, Partsbase's COO. Rodrigo will share his invaluable firsthand experience with staff augmentation, shedding light on WillDom's unwavering commitment to collaborative processes. In this event, Rodrigo, a highly valued client, will take center stage to narrate his journey with WillDom. He will emphasize how our staff augmentation services have played a pivotal role in accelerating his technology projects. WillDom has been instrumental in augmenting Partsbase's engineering, QA, and Marketing teams. One of our primary objectives has been to strike a harmonious balance between talent and cost, all while maintaining an impressive pace. We invite you to join us as Rodrigo shares profound insights derived from his experience, ranging from the notable enhancement of project efficiency to a substantial boost in innovation. This is a unique opportunity for you to gain valuable perspectives on how WillDom's staff augmentation services can revolutionize your technology initiatives. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned professional who has witnessed firsthand the positive transformations achieved through our collaborative efforts. The central theme of the webinar, 'How Augmented Staffing Helps Companies Accelerate their tech projects,' was designed to deliver immediate value to potential clients. For any organization seeking to conserve resources while efficiently managing new projects, this webinar offers a valuable opportunity for networking, peer interaction, and growth. Leadership professionals, senior executives, key leaders, business owners, and curious professionals keen on understanding about the future of workforce management will be able to benefit from valuable insights, real-world examples, and actionable strategies to harness the power of augmented staffing and have a clear understanding of how to leverage its processes as a strategic asset. If you're interested in discovering how augmented staffing can lead to savings of up to 50%, you can join WillDom's webinar by clicking here. About WillDom WillDom is your partner ready to embrace your Digital Transformation Journey. We focus on leveraging the power of technology to take your business to the next level. With our end-to-end solutions, we bring you Top-tier Talent, Scalable Solutions, and Customized Services tailored to your specific needs. We are ready to scale your tech projects. Candelaria Bertarelli Head of Marketing candelaria.bertarelli@willdom.com SOURCE WillDom WASHINGTON , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The investor lawyers at Rosca Scarlato LLC law firm are investigating potential claims for compensation on behalf of certain investors in iCap Equity, iCap Vault, iCap Pacific Northwest, iCap Northwest Fund, and certain other affiliated companies (together, "iCap"), following iCap's recent bankruptcy and Washington State securities regulators' cease-and-desist letter to iCap. Investor rights attorney Alan Rosca and his colleagues have been in touch with iCap investors and reviewed a considerable number of case documents. They are preparing to take legal action and seek compensation on behalf of some of the iCap investors, from financial industry firms that employed investment advisors who recommended iCap to such investors. Investors interested to discuss their loss recovery options and individuals with knowledge of the facts surrounding the iCap securities offerings may contact the Rosca Scarlato attorneys. iCap Files for Bankruptcy Several months after iCap Equity suspended interest payments to its investors, iCap filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The bankruptcy records reveal, among others, that iCap's financial situation is "extremely distressed" and iCap's new leadership intends to pursue confirmation of a plan of liquidation. Additionally, in August 2023, the Washington State Securities Division reportedly demanded iCap to cease and desist from selling unregistered securities. Court records further indicate that iCap has been the subject of multiple investor lawsuits. What iCap Investors May Do Investor rights attorneys Alan Rosca and Paul Scarlato have been investigating the iCap matter and are evaluating potential claims for compensation for some of the investors who invested in iCap through licensed investment professionals. They believe investor losses are likely to be substantial. Concerned iCap investors may contact attorneys Rosca or Scarlato for a free, no-obligation evaluation of their options at 888-998-0530, [email protected] or by leaving a message at the iCap Investor Alert webpage. The Rosca Scarlato investor lawyers have substantial experience representing investors who lost money due to questionable investment recommendations or investment-related misconduct. They typically take cases on a contingency fee basis wherever permitted, advance all case expenses, and only get paid for their fees and expenses if and when they are successful. Visit https://investorlawyers.org for more information about the Rosca Scarlato attorneys' background and admissions to practice law. This release may be deemed to include Attorney Advertising. There has been no finding of liability as to the allegations herein. Rosca Scarlato 2023 SOURCE Rosca Scarlato LLC Hamas terrorists managed to break into Israel on October 7 due to the effect of surprise. Questions remain as to where Israeli intelligence was when the militants were preparing missiles and hang gliders, and why the country's defense forces failed to quickly stop the sabotage groups. ADVERTISIMENT BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera noted that some border communities had to rely on their own civilian defense forces in the first hours of the escalation, waiting for the military. "The army was a complete failure as a rapid response force," complained one Israeli. It seems that the country's intelligence had no specific information about the upcoming attack. The terrorists probably managed to convince the Israeli military that they were unable or unwilling to launch large-scale hostilities. Their operational security measures also worked as the command probably did not use electronic means of communication. Hamas relied on an unprecedented scale and speed, effectively taking the IDF by surprise. To cover their ground attacks, the militants fired thousands of rockets, overwhelming the Iron Dome. Meanwhile, drones struck Israeli monitoring equipment on the border fence, and explosives and vehicles breached the fence in about 80 places. ADVERTISIMENT The terrorists also used motorized hang gliders and motorcycles that helped 800-1000 armed men break into Gaza. BBC military commentator Pavel Aksyonov noted that the beginning of the attack was very well organized. Many experts suggest that the Hamas leadership was assisted by the intelligence services of some other countries, such as Iran. "All of these events led to chaos in the command and control centers in Israel, especially since it was Saturday morning, which is a religious holiday for observant Jews," Corera wrote. Some of the militants attacked civilian targets, while others attacked military outposts that were so poorly defended that it was shocking (as there were photos of Israeli tanks captured by Hamas). The holes in the border remained open long enough for the terrorists to take some of the hostages to Gaza. ADVERTISIMENT According to experts, the fact that Israeli security and defense forces have been concentrated in the West Bank in recent months, rather than in Gaza, may have played a role. And Hamas may have been counting on divisions in Israeli society due to the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pavel Aksyonov drew attention to another thing: such a massive attack should have been noticed at least at the stage of deployment. Thousands of rockets launched means hundreds of launchers. The hang gliders that flew over the wall had to start from somewhere. Groups of militants in vehicles had to load up and move to the outer borders. Israel's military and intelligence capabilities have long been considered the best in the Middle East and one of the best in the world. But Israel's defenders may have underestimated the capabilities of their enemies. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL wrote: - As of October 10, an operation to clean up the headquarters of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas continues in Israel. On the fourth day of the war, the IDF has been conducting air strikes on the Gaza Strip. - According to preliminary estimates, the death toll in Israel has exceeded 900 people, and the number of wounded is over 2,400. Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2023, ISG celebrates its 50th anniversary milestone. An architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, ISG has 13 offices positioned throughout the Midwest and serves clients nationwide. Throughout the year, ISG hosted a series of anniversary events to show our appreciation for the communities, clients, partners, and employee owners who have supported the mission of making a difference. On October 5, 2023, ISG Sioux Falls hosted the firm's final 50th Anniversary celebration at its newest location in The Bancorp Building at Cherapa Place. With nearly 350 business owners, municipal partners, City leaders, and valued clients in attendance, ISG also celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting at the new space and commemorated five years of ISG's impactful presence in Sioux Falls. In that time, the branch has grown from five to over 50 professionals and has fostered valuable relationships with local partners to keep the momentum building. "ISG is one of those special businesses who truly walks the walk with their community," said Jeff Griffin, President and CEO of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. "As an employee-owned firm, ISG invests in their people and their people invest in the community. I see ISG employees giving countless volunteer hours to the Chamber and others to ensure that we all thrive." From ISG's architects and engineers who brought the visions to life to planners and visualization experts who assisted with tenant attraction, every facet of the firm has been intertwined with the Cherapa Place Development project. Once complete, the Development will feature amenities that fulfill numerous market demands and impact the value that continues to grow in the heart of the City. "Since we made our move to Sioux Falls, we have been empowered by the support, welcoming nature, and exceptional guidance we received from the community, business owners, and the City," praised ISG President David Doxtad. "Cheers to the next 50 years as an organization, to our next five years in Sioux Falls, and to the State for being one of the best places to live, work, and play!" With the room to grow in the ISG Sioux Falls space and the recent addition of an office in Pierre, ISG is expanding its reach to serve clients throughout the State and foster deeper connections that will continue to inspire design for the next 50 years. About ISG ISG, a 100% ESOP firm, has a rich history, which extends over 50 years of building trusting relationships with clients, stakeholders, and the community. As a full-service firm with 500+ professionals in offices throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Arkansas, ISG provides exceptional services, strategies, and guidance to a wide range of markets nationwide. To learn more about ISG, visit ISGInc.com. Contacts David Doxtad, President [email protected] 712.210.4465 Steve Watson, Development Strategist [email protected] 605.274.1779 SOURCE ISG NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jewish Communal Fund (JCF) responded swiftly to aid Israel after Hamas' devastating attack. JCF's Executive Committee approved a grant of $500,000 to UJA-Federation of New York's Israel Emergency Fund. Our partners at UJA-Federation have created this fund to address immediate and longer-term needs as the situation unfolds. "We have all seen the horrifying images and heard the reports of the atrocities inflicted upon Israel by Hamas," said Michael Stern, JCF President. "The staggering number of deaths, casualties and hostages are heartbreaking. We pray for the victims, their families and for all of Israel, and we are committed to doing everything possible to assist them." Trustee and Chair of JCF's Special Gifts Committee Daniel Blaser commented, "JCF's ability to respond swiftly to this horrific tragedy makes me extremely proud to be a JCF Fundholder and trustee." CEO Rachel Schnoll added, "When disaster or crisis occurs, we see the enormous benefit of having established a donor advised fund. Our Fundholders can log in at any time and allocate money to multiple charities. Our JCF community feels empowered to respond generously." Additionally, JCF Fundholders have made relief for the victims and their families a top priority. By putting money aside in their JCF donor advised fund when it is strategic, they are poised to quickly recommend grants now and as the war continues. In just one day, JCF's Fundholders recommended 300 grants totaling $3.5 million, and nearly $6 million is in the distribution pipeline to help Israelis in need. For 51 years, individuals and families have relied upon Jewish Communal Fund to deliver philanthropic support efficiently and effectively. About Jewish Communal Fund Jewish Communal Fund is one of the largest and most active networks of Jewish funders, currently managing over $2.8 billion in charitable assets for more than 4,700 donor advised funds. JCF's donor advised funds make giving efficient. Learn more about JCF by visiting www.jcfny.org or calling (212) 752-8277. Visit JCF on LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and Instagram, and follow us on Twitter. MEDIA CONTACT: Ellen Smith-Israelson VP, Philanthropic Services Jewish Communal Fund [email protected] 212-752-8277 SOURCE Jewish Communal Fund New high speed internet project will bring opportunity to Native citizens MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kajeet, a leading provider of wireless connectivity and device management solutions, is proud to announce a transformative partnership with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake in California. Under this collaboration, Kajeet will provide the installation of broadband infrastructure to enable the Tribe to provide high speed broadband coverage to Tribal members and businesses. This initiative, driven by a commitment to digital equity, will significantly enhance connectivity and open new opportunities for the Tribe's citizens especially in the areas of education, telehealth and remote work opportunities. The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, nestled in Lake County, California, has long faced connectivity challenges that hindered access to essential services and economic opportunities. Recognizing the importance of broadband in today's digital world, the Tribe has joined forces with Kajeet to bridge the digital divide and empower its community. "We believe that reliable broadband connectivity is a fundamental right..." Post this The partnership will provide high-speed internet access to the Tribe's residential areas and support the growth of local businesses. It is a testament to Kajeet's commitment to expanding connectivity to underserved communities and its expertise in delivering safe, reliable, and controlled internet solutions. Tribe Chairwoman Sherry Treppa commented on the significance of this partnership, stating, "This announcement marks a pivotal moment for the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake. Access to broadband is no longer a luxury but a necessity for our citizens. With Kajeet's support, we are taking a giant leap toward ensuring that every member of our community can fully participate in the digital age. This partnership represents hope and opportunity for our people, and we are immensely grateful for the progress it promises." Derrick Frost, senior vice president of operations and private networks at Kajeet, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, "Kajeet is honored to partner with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake in this endeavor. We believe that reliable broadband connectivity is a fundamental right, and this partnership exemplifies our dedication to making that right a reality. Our team is excited to work hand in hand with the Tribe to bring robust internet services to their community." Kajeet's dedication to enabling equal access to digital opportunities aligns perfectly with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe's vision for the future. The partnership aims to foster economic growth, educational advancement, and overall well-being within the Tribe. The network build is expected to commence early next year, with deployment anticipated by mid-2024. Kajeet looks forward to working closely with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake to make this vision a reality, creating a brighter and more connected future for all. For more information about Kajeet's Tribal Nation initiatives and solutions, please visit: https://get.kajeet.net/native-nations-connectivity About Kajeet Kajeet provides optimized IoT connectivity, software, and hardware solutions that deliver safe, reliable, and controlled internet connectivity to businesses, schools, districts, state and local governments, and IoT solution providers. With a proven track record since 2003, Kajeet has connected over a million devices worldwide, offering private network solutions and an IoT management platform, Sentinel, that provides real-time data usage visibility, policy control management, custom content filters for added security, and multi-network flexibility. Media Contact: Linda Jennings, Director of Corporate Communications Phone: 248-521-3606 [email protected] SOURCE Kajeet LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) is proud to announce its recent recognition as the "Chamber of the Year" at the annual convention of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). The prestigious award was presented during the USHCC National Conference, held on September 24-26, 2023, at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort in Orlando, Florida. On receiving the award, Darrel Sauceda, Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce, said, "Being recognized as the 'Chamber of the Year' is not only an immense honor but a testament to the tireless dedication and exemplary efforts of our staff and board members. Our chamber's accomplishments are a collective achievement, and I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved. We are proud to stand as a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and growth for our members and the Latino business community in the City of Los Angeles and surrounding communities." The USHCC National Conference is the premier event for Hispanic business leaders in America, convening local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, influential Hispanic business magnates, and corporate partners. The objective? To bolster Hispanic economic advancement for the broader American economy. We are advancing equitable advancement in capital, moving forward with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the public and private sectors of business. This year's enlightening theme, "The Future is Now: Elevating Latino Businesses for Tomorrow," emphasized the importance of supporting and fostering growth in the over 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide. Attendees of the conference benefitted from policy-driven interactive dialogues with top business leaders, Members of Congress, Administration representatives, and other significant stakeholders. Highlights from the event included the business matchmaking program, stimulating panels and speakers, an expansive exhibition hall, and the grand finale the annual Gala and Awards ceremony. As part of the award ceremony, LALCC member Robbie Cabral, BenjiLock LLC., received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. Stay tuned for more inspiring details, initiatives, and announcements from the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce in the upcoming weeks and months. About the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce: The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We are the leading organization dedicated to organizing and uniting Latino business owners to grow and create positive economic impact. It achieves this through procurement, technical assistance, strategic planning, advocacy, access to leaders, economic development and business education. Its mission is to facilitate economic structures and policy initiatives that empower Latino business development and foster economic growth across Los Angeles. Contact: Robert Alaniz Milagro Media Strategies (626) 437-3354 [email protected] SOURCE Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce Expanding MarshBerry's global reach by acquiring leading U.K. M&A operation. WOODMERE, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MarshBerry, a global M&A advisory firm for insurance brokers and wealth management firms proudly announced today that it has acquired IMAS Corporate Finance LLP (IMAS). IMAS is a leading M&A advisory firm in the United Kingdom (UK) insurance and wealth segments and has been owned by its partners since 1992. The partners at IMAS remain integral to MarshBerry post closing as leaders, advisors and stockholders. The partnership further builds its global reach while continuing to offer unmatched local expertise in North America and Europe. MarshBerry now has regional offices across the United States, in the Netherlands, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. "This strategic move aligns seamlessly with our growth strategy of enhancing our portfolio of solutions to serve clients across the globe. By joining forces with IMAS, we are combining our strengths and expertise in data rich insights and market perspectives to create a powerhouse of M&A advisory services in the industry," said John Wepler, MarshBerry Chairman & CEO. "Together, we will forge new paths, drive unparalleled value for our clients, and cement our position as a market leader in the UK and across Europe. This acquisition underscores our commitment to driving sustainable growth and delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and stakeholders." Aligning IMAS under the MarshBerry brand empowers insurance distribution and wealth management brokers of all sizes in Western Europe to benefit from the breadth and depth of resources and talent that the firm offers. "This partnership not only validates the effectiveness of our approach to working with clients and helping them to prepare, market and execute transactions, but it also is a powerful opportunity for our clients in terms of the value we could create for them," stated Olly Laughton-Scott, IMAS Founding Partner. "MarshBerry recognizes the strength of our operations and the innovative approach that has defined our success thus far while adding unparalled access to US and EU based international investors, new resources and services and a strong market position all of which we can bring to our insurance and wealth management clients. We are confident that combining our proven processes and collective expertise will result in an even more robust and competitive entity, poised for remarkable growth and success." The transaction marks another strategic action for MarshBerry. In 2022, MarshBerry announced its partnership with Atlas Merchant Capital which supports efforts to rapidly grow and improve all facets of the business. MarshBerry also acquired FirstChoice during 2022 now the #1 Agency Partner in the U.S. as ranked by Insurance Journal. In addition, the firm was recognized by The Insurer as the 2023 Insurance M&A Advisor of the Year. MarshBerry Helping Clients Learn, Improve & Realize Value Founded in 1981, MarshBerry is a global leader in financial advisory and consulting services serving the insurance brokerage and wealth management industries to help clients grow and advance their business strategies. With locations across North America and Europe, MarshBerry market sector expertise includes property and casualty agents & brokers, employee benefit firms and specialty distributors, partners in insurtech, capital markets, and insurance carriers, as well as registered investment advisors, retirement planning and life insurance firms. Clients choose MarshBerry as their trusted advisor for every stage of ownership to help them build, enhance and sustain value through Financial Advisory solutions (Investment Banking; Merger & Acquisition Advisory, Debt & Capital Raising, Business Consulting), Growth Advisory solutions (Organic Growth, Aggregation, Leadership, Sales & Talent Solutions) and Market Intelligence and Performance Benchmarking. Learn more at www.MarshBerry.com. About IMAS IMAS Corporate Finance LLP is a leading independent corporate finance advisory firm based in London, United Kingdom. IMAS specializes in providing financial advisory services to companies in the financial services sector, including insurance distribution, wealth and asset management, and related areas. The firm offers services such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory and capital raisingand due diligence aided by in-depth research and a proprietary database covering the financial services sector in the UK to deliver comprehensive solutions for clients. Learn more at https://imas.uk.com/. Atlas Merchant Capital Atlas Merchant Capital LLC was founded to participate in compelling market opportunities in the financial services sector. Based in New York and London, Atlas Merchant Capital was founded by Bob Diamond and David Schamis, who together with their partners form a complementary partnership with extensive operating and investing expertise across the financial services landscape. Further information is available at www.atlasmerchantcapital.com Contact: Lauren Byers, Senior Vice President Phone: 440.392.6546 Email: [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/351830/marshberry_logo.jpg SOURCE MarshBerry America's favorite ramen brand introduces a fan-inspired song and brand campaign that celebrates Maruchan's loyal community IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Maruchan , the producer of America's favorite instant ramen noodles, unveiled today a love song dedicated to its loyal community of fans, with a brand campaign and commercial debut. For over 45 years, Maruchan has delivered the same high quality, flavorful instant noodles at an accessible price point. Maruchan enthusiasts recognize this key differentiator and proudly show their brand love in creative ways, including recipe hacks and fan art, which is what inspired the brand's new fan anthem. The spot brings Maruchan fans' love to life through vibrant scenes featuring mouthwatering product shots, set to a catchy beat with lyrics pulled directly from fans' Tweets, comments, and posts. "Our mission in creating Maruchan's Anthem is to honor our dedicated fans who show the brand love and recognize that not all instant ramen is created equal," said Mark Machino, Manager, Sales and Marketing at Maruchan. "Our new Anthem pulls direct quotes from Maruchan fans' social conversation and content as an acknowledgement and thank you for being a part of our community." The new Maruchan Anthem campaign was created by AMP Agency in partnership with award-winning director Ben Hansford and THE-GHOST . "AMP Agency's partnership with Maruchan over the last few years has given us a front-row seat to watch the brand growth and community love. With the Anthem campaign, we focused on creating a lyrical embodiment of all that the Maruchan community loves about the brand with the goal of spreading the love to new consumers, ultimately expanding Maruchan's core audience," said John DeGray, Creative Director at AMP Agency. In collaboration with Maruchan, AMP Agency built an integrated marketing plan to support the campaign, including a comprehensive paid media plan across a variety of multimedia including television, digital, streaming, and social media that will reach national audiences. In addition, the agency is working with influencer partners on TikTok and Instagram to promote the catchy theme song, and the team has crafted clever Maruchan merch kits that will be sent as a Surprise & Delight tactic to influencers and social media followers. There will also be social giveaways hosted on Maruchan's Instagram to promote the campaign and give fans a chance to win specialty branded goodies. Maruchan will also bring its Anthem to life through ramen pop-up events at festivals this October. The brand hosted its first event this past Saturday in San Diego, and the next two ramen pop-ups will take place in Nashville and San Antonio. At each event, Maruchan is creating a collaborative community experience that includes music, food, and a celebration of all things Maruchan. At the center of each activation, the brand partnered with local artists to create a unique mural design that further celebrates the creativity of the Maruchan community. Attendees at the festivals outlined below will also enjoy fan-favorite ramen staples with onsite, chef-created dishes, as well as photo opportunities, games, giveaways and more. Maruchan Pop-Up at Belmont Park ( San Diego ) October 7 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. ( ) from Maruchan Pop-Up at Light the Nations Festival ( Nashville ) October 21 from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. ( ) from Maruchan Pop-Up at Luminaria Festival ( San Antonio ) October 21 from 6 p.m. - 12 a.m. You can find the Anthem on YouTube , or, for more information on the brand, visit the Maruchan website or the brand's Instagram or Twitter . About Maruchan Maruchan Inc. was established in 1953 by Japanese visionary, Kazuo Mori, who sought to create a convenient, high quality and affordable noodle product for all the people of the world. In 1977, after gaining popularity in Japan, Maruchan started manufacturing ramen and smiles from Irvine, Calif. Today, Maruchan is a half a billion dollar brand in the U.S. with manufacturing facilities across the country, bringing consumers all the classic Maruchan favorites as well as exciting new products and flavors each year. Maruchan aims to promote mouth-watering goodness that will get people to drop what they're doing, sit down with each other and share their best ramen dishes. With great consistency, comes greater quality. In the U.S., Maruchan Inc. develops and markets a variety of products, including Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, Maruchan Ramen Bowls, Maruchan Yakisoba, Maruchan Instant Lunch, and Maruchan GOLD. SOURCE Maruchan Brand drops limited-edition varsity letterman jacket and hosts first-ever Homecoming event to kick off new '1 in 8' effort CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Astronauts. Teachers. Award-winning playwrights. Executives. Small business owners. 1 in 8 Americans have one thing in common: the experience of working at a McDonald's restaurant (just think... that means 1 in 8 Americans have been trusted with the World Famous Fries). Whether their career continued within the Golden Arches or beyond, McDonald's is celebrating both former and current crew members who make up this diverse community with the launch of its new "1 in 8" initiative. McDonalds Celebrates the Powerful Fact that 1 in 8 Americans Have Worked Under the Golden Arches McDonalds Celebrates the Powerful Fact that 1 in 8 Americans Have Worked Under the Golden Arches Members of the 1 in 8 will have access to unique programming, like opportunities to attend exclusive events, mentorships with notable alums who've gone on to make an impact in their respective fields, reunions with former team members and more. To officially kick things off, McDonald's is dropping a limited-edition letterman jacket that represents what it means to be 1 in 8 because a group this iconic deserves swag to match. Designed by McDonald's alum and founder of lifestyle brand Robotic Minds Concept, Kendall Hurns tapped into his nostalgia and love for the brand to create this one-of-a-kind jacket, featuring IYKYK surprises for fellow crew. For each jacket sold, McDonald's will contribute funding to help exceptional crew members achieve their aspirations through once-in-a-lifetime experiences and opportunities. Jackets go on sale on Monday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. ET at www.McDonalds1in8.com, while supplies last. "For 1 in 8 Americans, the McDonald's restaurant experience offers critical life skills and creates opportunities for meaningful work and connections," said Tiffanie Boyd, Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer at McDonald's. "Formally bringing this group together will give past and present crew members alike the chance to continue growing, building their networks and celebrating the special community they represent." In the midst of Homecoming season, McDonald's also honored the 1 in 8 with its first-ever Homecoming celebration in New York City today, Oct. 11. During the event, current crew and 1 in 8 alums had the chance to connect to share personal stories and career advice. In attendance were a handful of well-known 1 in 8ers, including New York Times Best Selling Author and Peloton Instructor Cody Rigsby, Michelin-star restaurant chef, Harold Villarosa, TV host, actress and entrepreneur Alejandra Espinoza, creative entrepreneur Kendall Hurns, and McDonald's franchise owner, Paul Hendel who started as a crew member when he was 16 years old and now owns 31 restaurants. The event also brought the Homecoming spirit with the Brooklyn United marching band, exclusive gear and a friendly face-off to see who could build a Big Mac the fastest (because there's no truer test for a 1 in 8er). "It's no secret that McDonald's is my day one," said Rigsby. "It's a full circle moment for me to be able to share my journey to inspire others including those who had the same start as me and used their job at McDonald's as a jumping off point." And while many members of the 1 in 8 use the skills learned at McDonald's to succeed in different fields, others apply them to grow within the company as franchisees, management or corporate positions. "Reflecting back on my beginnings as a McDonald's restaurant employee 38 years ago, I'm proud to be a part of an organization that roots for and supports its people," said Myra Doria, U.S. National Field President at McDonald's. "It's special to have experienced first-hand the doors that the Golden Arches can open for a person." The 1 in 8 initiative is shining a spotlight on the spectacular people that make up the Golden Arches. For the first time, McDonald's is featuring a cast entirely made up of restaurant crew in its creative campaign highlighting real stories and real people from local restaurants across TV spots, social media, and digital content. Are you a member of the 1 in 8? Share your story here on www.McDonalds1in8.com and stay up to date on future 1 in 8 opportunities. About McDonald's USA McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald's approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds. About McDonald's Now Serving Platform McDonald's Now Serving platform is about more than serving delicious food. It's something customers and Crew see every day in McDonald's restaurants as orders are served, but also celebrates our rich legacy of supporting communities, in partnership with franchisees, for more than 60 years. Now Serving is the comforting meals we provide following natural disasters and the support we give families through our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities. In restaurants, it's about recognizing Crew through our Thank You Crew initiative and offering ongoing education and mentorship opportunities. Click here to learn more. Media Contact: Laura Wanerka [email protected].com SOURCE McDonald's USA, LLC The growth of the global metal cutting tool market is driven by factors such as the growth of the automotive industry, increased construction activities globally, and growth in the manufacturing sector NEW CASTLE, Del., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Metal Cutting Tool Market by Tool Type (Indexable Inserts and Solid Round Tools), Product Type (Lathe, Drilling Machine, Milling Machine, Grinding Machine, and Others), Application (Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Construction, Electronics, and Others) - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecasts, 20232032." According to the report, the global metal cutting tool industry was valued at $65.5 billion in 2020 and is estimated to reach $107.3 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.1% from 2023 to 2032. Metal cutting tools are a type of tool or device designed to cut or shape various types of metal materials. They can be used in a range of applications, from handheld tools such as hacksaws and snips to more powerful machines like plasma cutters, lasers, and CNC machines. These tools are utilized in a variety of industries, from manufacturing to construction to automotive, and are essential for creating precise and accurate cuts in metal, allowing for the formation of complex designs and structures. Download PDF Sample: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/6584 Prime Determinants of Growth: The growth of the global metal cutting tool market is driven by factors such as the growth of the automotive industry, increased construction activities globally, and a rise in the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, fluctuating prices of raw materials may limit the growth of the market. On the other hand, the increase in the adoption of Industry 4.0 is anticipated to open new avenues for the growth of the metal cutting tool market. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20222032 Base Year 2022 Historic Year 2020 Market Size in 2020 $65.5 Billion Market Size in 2032 $107.3 Billion CAGR 4.1 % No. of Pages in Report 169 Segments Covered Tool Type, Product Type, Application, and Region Drivers Growth of the automotive industry Increased construction activities globally A rise in the manufacturing sector Opportunities Increase in the adoption of Industry 4.0 Restraints Fluctuating prices of raw materials COVID-19 Scenario: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global metal cutting tool market, owing to the temporary closure of manufacturing firms during the lockdown. Not only the production but also the sale of metal cutting tools was hampered due to the unexpected lockdown in the initial period of the pandemic. However, the pandemic situation has recovered, and the market is growing steadily. The solid round tools segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period- By tool type, the solid round tool segment held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the global metal cutting tool market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The same segment would also portray the fastest CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period. The recent development of materials for ultimate metal removal inserts, which are lightweight and have an extended life, is expected to boost the demand for metal cutting tools. In addition, an increase in new technologies, such as state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, 3D printing, and additive manufacturing ease the method and enhance the standard of products. Moreover, rapid growth in the automotive industry is expected to boost market growth during the forecast period. Buy This Research Report ( 169 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/b27826b093f3e52a41828a7f5006f687 The lathe segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period- By product type, the lathe segment held the major market share in 2020, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the global metal cutting tool market revenue, and is expected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. On the other hand, the milling machine segment is expected to display the fastest CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. This is attributed to the increasing demand for metal cutting tools in the industrial sector. The automotive segment to rule the roost by 2032- By application, the automotive segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the global metal cutting tool market revenue, and is projected to rule the roost by 2032. The automobile industry has shown significant growth in the developing countries mainly in China and India. Although the industry has reached a stagnation point in the U.S. and European countries, the after-sales services, such as repairing, maintenance, and retrofitting have higher demand in these regions. Such factors propel the demand for metal cutting tools in the automotive industry globally. However, the electronics segment is expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR of 5.3% from 2023 to 2032. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032- By region, the Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for more than half of the global metal cutting tool market revenue, and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast. The same region would also cite the fastest CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period. The development of developing countries has had a significant influence on the global growth of the automotive industry. As the demand for automotive products increases in emerging markets, suppliers have the potential to benefit in this region. Inquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/6584 Leading Market Players: - BIG DAISHOWA Inc. Tiangong International Co. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Ingersoll Cutting Tool Company) Proterial Ltd. Komatsu Ltd. DN Solutions Kennametal Inc. FANUC CORPORATION Amada Machine Tools Co. Ltd. Sandvik AB The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global metal cutting tool market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, investments, and acquisitions to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario Trending Reports in metal cutting Industry (Book Now with 15% Discount): Global CNC metal cutting machine market registering a CAGR of 4.2% from 2020 to 2030. Global deep hole drilling machines market registering a CAGR of 6.2% from 2020 to 2027. Global power tools market registering a CAGR of 4.8% from 2020 to 2027. Global battery power tools market growing at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2021 to 2030. Global drilling machine market to reach $28.76 Billion by 2025. Magnetic Drilling Machine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Saw Blades Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Metal Shredder Machine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Metal Stamping Market: Global opportunity analysis and industry forecast, 2023-2030 About Allied Market Research: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact Us: United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research GAINESVILLE, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Expert auto detailer and owner of Mirror Reflections Auto Spa, Rodney Tatum will be available at the 3RD Annual International Car Show to speak on all topics pertaining to auto detailing. The event will take place at the Butler Town Center on Saturday, October 14th from 9am to 12pm. Mirror Reflections Auto Spa is a high-end auto detailing business, based in Gainesville, that has served clients with special interest vehicles throughout the state of Florida. Rodney Tatum of Mirror Reflections Auto Spa detailing Rodney Tatum, owner of Mirror Reflections Auto Spa Car collectors from within and around the state of Florida have traveled to Gainesville to showcase some of the rarest and most prestigious exotic vehicles in the world for this event. This annual event draws thousands of spectators each year. The financial proceeds from the show will benefit the United Way of North Central Florida. Mirror Reflections Auto Spa will be one of the major sponsors at the event. In addition to Rodney Tatum being present to answer questions and give car care advice, free detailing related products will be provided at the booth. This will be an amazing opportunity for car enthusiasts to connect with an industry professional whether someone is curious about what Mirror Reflections Auto Spa has to offer, needs to know what to look for in another detailing business, or is a do-it-yourself detailing aficionado. Rodney, who specializes in paint correction and ceramic coating services, has worked with some of the most respected professionals in the industry. He has detailed luxury and exotic vehicles of various makes and models. Rodney has also served as a mentor to professionals in the automotive detailing industry. Contact: Rodney Tatum Mirror Reflections Auto Spa LLC (352) 215-9433 [email protected] www.mirrorreflectionsautospa.com SOURCE Mirror Reflections Auto Spa LLC Whaley joins the nonpartisan veterans organization to propel its movement providing a unified voice for veterans CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Roll Call (MRC) announced today its new CEO Jim Whaley. Mission Roll Call is the first of its kind: a nonpartisan movement to give every single veteran a voice in policy and advocacy on the issues that are important to them. Whaley brings decades of leadership experience to the organization. With 20 years of service in the U.S. Army as a Master Army Aviator, U.S. Army Helicopter Instructor Pilot, and as the director of communications at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also has led the Corporate Communication function for Siemens and Sealed Air Corporation. He also served as the President for the United Service Organizations, Inc. in the Southeast Region. "We are facing a recruitment crisis among our armed forces that is connected to failed veteran administration policies and lower quality of life for our nation's defenders. This has caused a national security issue," said Jim Whaley. "We are making a roll call to our nation's veterans and their families and supporters to have their voice heard. The time is now for a renewed effort. Mission Roll Call equips, trains and supports our veterans and families to live a better life. It is an honor to apply my skills toward such a noble cause." Whaley's military and leadership experience will allow him to drive MRC's mission of providing a unified voice for veterans and further establish the organization as a leader in veteran advocacy. Nearly half of all veterans in the US are unaffiliated with any veteran service organization. This expansion is in part made possible by generous donations from The Marcus Foundation. "With only one percent of the population having served in the armed forces, the American public is unlikely to know and understand the unique needs of those who ensure our freedoms," continued Whaley. "Partnerships with organizations like The Marcus Foundation fortify MRC's ability to be the nation's premier voice of the veteran by providing an apolitical state of the art platform that will transform how Americans understand our over 16 million veterans." Founded in 2019, MRC has helped thousands of veterans by advocating for policies that eliminate the stigma behind veteran suicide. By amplifying the voices of veterans in its network from all over the country, MRC advocates for policy change to improve the quality of life for veterans. For more information about Mission Roll Call, including upcoming events, and to sign up to be a part of its community, visit https://missionrollcall.org/ . About MRC Mission Roll Call (MRC) provides a unified voice for veterans that is heard by U.S. lawmakers and leaders. MRC is a movement that gives every veteran a voice on the issues that are most important to them. It is a community where veterans and their families share stories, voice concerns, and present solutions for their benefit. Learn more at www.missionrollcall.org or @missionrollcall. About The Marcus Foundation Founded in 1989, The Marcus Foundation focuses on fulfilling the vision of Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the foundation has five key areas of philanthropy: medical and research; children, with an emphasis on education; Jewish causes; free enterprise, including veteran issues and national security; and local community - all impacting and saving lives through entrepreneurial philanthropy. The Foundation's giving harnesses Bernie's personal life experiences and awareness, and his success as an entrepreneur enables him to give back. SOURCE Mission Roll Call The President of the aggressor state of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has commented on the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel for the first time. The Russian dictator called the Israeli-Palestinian war a vivid example of the "failure of US policy." ADVERTISIMENT The Russian president said this during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Russian media reported. According to Putin, the military conflict was caused by the fact that the United States "ignored the interests of the Palestinian people" in its policy in the Middle East. "The United States put pressure on both sides. Sometimes on one, sometimes on the other. But each time without taking into account the fundamental interests of the Palestinian people. First of all, the implementation of the UN Security Council's decisions on the creation of an independent sovereign Palestinian state," Vladimir Putin said. However, most Russians disagreed with Putin's accusations against the United States and ridiculed the Russian dictator, who tried to blame Western countries and the United States for any international conflicts. ADVERTISIMENT "Of course, grandpa, take your pills and go to bed"; "As if there are no other countries at all, only Russia and the United States"; "Blame the West in any awkward situations"; "Take his microphone away already"; "Partners have deceived him again"; "What does the United States have to do with it?", users wrote. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, Stoltenberg called on Western countries not to let Putin win in Ukraine. This would mean new aggression and even more violence. According to him, the risks of escalation, which make some European countries extremely cautious about supplying the Ukrainian army with weapons, pale against the threats the world will face if Russia wins in Ukraine. Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for an end to the war on Ukraine's terms. He is convinced that "Putin must understand that you cannot divide the world map into 'yours' and 'ours'. ADVERTISIMENT ALBEMARLE, N.C., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monarch has launched "Understanding Addiction and Developmental Disabilities," a first-of-its-kind web-based resource to help an underserved population of people living with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and substance use disorders (SUD). "Substance use is often overlooked and people with I/DD are less likely to seek help." - Peggy Terhune, Ph.D. Post this Understanding Addiction and Developmental Disabilities, a curriculum developed by Monarch to assist professionals and caregivers in helping those with Intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and substance use disorders, features our hero Eddie learning about the health risks that come from mixing medicines and alcohol, and the importance of taking only the medicines and dosages prescribed by his doctor. The " Understanding Addiction and Developmental Disabilities '' website features screening tools and helpful guides for those who work with individuals with I/DD, such as mental health clinicians and caregivers, guardians or parents and teachers. The free, open-source curriculum consists of 14 animated videos that provide relevant therapeutic information for the person with I/DD and SUD. To learn more, visit understanding.monarchnc.org . Those interested in learning more can attend the "Understanding Addiction and Developmental Disabilities" webinar, a free training for professionals, family members and other caregivers, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 11 a.m. EST. Visit MonarchNC.org/training to register. Thanks to community-based services, evidence-based programs and vocational support, people with I/DD are living more independently than ever. However, this autonomy means they are more vulnerable to alcohol and drug problems . There is very little data available on rates of SUD among those with I/DD and other cognitive impairments like borderline intellectual functioning, autism spectrum disorders and traumatic brain injury. "While no study has documented how large this problem is, we do know that substance use is often overlooked and people with I/DD are less likely to seek help ," said Peggy Terhune, Ph.D. President and CEO of Monarch. In 2022, Monarch served more than 28,800 individuals with neurocognitive disorders, mental illness and substance use disorders from 97 counties across North Carolina. Because Monarch is both a behavioral health and I/DD provider, they were uniquely positioned to create a solution. The finished videos tell 14 unique stories covering a range of topics, from " what is addiction " and codependency , to coping and deep breathing . Anyone connected to a person with I/DD who may have an SUD is encouraged to visit the website to get started . The curriculum is free, easy-to-follow and flexible. Established in 1958, Monarch provides support to thousands of people with mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities across North Carolina. The organization is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission. To learn more about how Monarch provides quality support, please call (866) 272-7826 or visit www.MonarchNC.org . Contact: Dee Grano 704-604-7640 [email protected] SOURCE Monarch ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a comprehensive search process, the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) today announced that Casey Clark has been selected as the association's next president and CEO, effective December 5, 2023. Clark will succeed Pat Cleary, who previously announced his plans to step down at the end of the year. Casey Clark "I am pleased to welcome Casey to the NAPEO team," said NAPEO Chair Steve Politis, chief executive officer of Alcott HR. "With his deep experience in Washington and the association industry, as well as his extensive background as a communication strategist, Casey is the clear choice to advance our industry's interests and tell our story." "Casey's strong background in strategic communications and association leadership, along with his deep understanding of the world of advocacy in Washington, DC, will be key to NAPEO's success in the months and years ahead," said Chair of the Search Committee and NAPEO Immediate Past Chair Kristen Appleman, senior vice president/general manager of ADP TotalSource. "Importantly, Casey's appreciation for the culture and values that make NAPEO such an effective organization and a wonderful place to work were evident throughout the search process." "It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to join this exceptional industry," said Clark. "I am looking forward to building on the strong foundation that Pat and the NAPEO team have built to advance the interests of PEOs and the PEO industry all across the country." "On behalf of the NAPEO Board of Directors, we would like to thank Pat Cleary for his visionary leadership and the incredible legacy he has established over the last twelve years," Appleman and Politis said. "His passion and commitment to advancing NAPEO's mission and his clear love for the industry have been instrumental to the industry growth and countless public policy milestones we have achieved during his tenure. We trust that our industry, our members, and the customers we serve will reap the benefits of these initiatives. We look forward to benefiting from Pat's wisdom and support until the end of the year and wish him all the best in his next chapter." "I know Casey and am confident he has the right skill set and temperament for a long and happy tenure at NAPEO. He is taking over a great organization and a terrific team that is on course for long-term success and dedicated to advancing the interests of the PEO industry," said Cleary. Clark currently serves as senior vice president of the American Gaming Association, the leading industry advocate for the $261 billion US casino gaming industry. Prior to joining AGA, Clark was Managing Director of FTI Consulting, a global management consultancy. Clark holds a bachelor's in communication management from the University of Dayton. About NAPEO The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) is The Voice of the PEO Industry. NAPEO's 250 PEO members provide payroll, benefits, workers' comp, regulatory compliance assistance, and other HR services to more than 173,000 small and mid-size businesses employing 4 million people. Our members account for more than 90 percent of the industry's $358 billion in revenue. An additional 250 companies that provide services to PEOs are associate members of NAPEO. For more information, please visit www.napeo.org. SOURCE National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) DETROIT, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Entrepreneurs Association will host the 2023 Entrepreneur & Small Business Conference and Awards Friday October 20th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET at Hollywood Greektown Casino in Downtown Detroit. The theme of this year's event is "Stand Out" and will focus on how business owners can use the latest resources and technology to Market, Differentiate and Grow. 2023 NEA Entrepreneurs Forum Since 2018 this event has provided a space for business owners to connect with peers, share ideas and learn the latest trends in entrepreneurship. Through keynote speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions the event provides numerous opportunities for growth. Exhibitors will be on hand as well as resource providers to help business owners navigate the entrepreneurial journey. Resource providers include Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Accounting Aid Society and QT Business Solutions. Keynoting the event is Legendary Jazz Vocalist Kimmie Horne, descendant of legendary songstress and actress Lena Horne. Horne will share her personal story along with strategies to help business owners maintain their competitive edge. The Kickoff speaker will be Rommel Vega, Founder of HOLO Footwear. Vega, a former shoe designer at Puma, will share how he is disrupting the fashion industry, his decision to move HOLO's headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Michigan and the marketing strategies he used to start and build a multi-million-dollar company during a pandemic. A panel discussion on, "How Do You Differentiate? Innovative Marketing Strategies to STAND OUT in a Crowded Market," will be moderated by Michigan Women's Commission Chair, Dr. Geneva Williams. Panelists include Jerome Brown Founder of Detroit Soul Restaurant, Erin Schnute Founder of Bed and Barkfast, Ray Moulden Owner of Allstate Moulden Agency, Tracey Sanders Founder of Lavender Mobile Spa and Karyl Eckerle Founder of The Image Impact Group. The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be Monica Morgan, an international photojournalist with nearly four decades of experience. Her portfolio documents world leaders, icons and celebrities such as King Charles, Muhammad Ali, Oprah, Tony Bennett, Sophia Loren, Michael Jackson, seven U.S. Presidents, and over 50 heads of state. Sponsors include Comerica Bank and Dell Technologies. The event is open to the public. Registration is $97 and includes breakfast and lunch. For the full agenda or to register visit www.nationalentrepreneurs.org or call 248-416-7278. National Entrepreneurs Association is a 501c3 non- profit created to empower entrepreneurs to grow. Contact: ZaLonya Allen, PhD (248) 416-7278 or [email protected] SOURCE National Entrepreneurs Association MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Terrorism and war escalated in Israel this weekend, leaving current travelers in Israel distressed and travelers with upcoming trips unnerved. As a result, many are seeking details on how travel insurance can protect them during these uncertain times. Yonder Travel Insurance brings insight into what affected travelers should be doing right away. "The good news is most providers are still treating the recent events in Israel as terrorist events if you purchased a policy prior to the recent occurring events happening over the weekend," says Terry Boynton, co-founder and president of Yonder Travel Insurance. "Terrorist incidents are usually a covered event under policies with standard trip cancellation." To get a better understanding of your policy coverage and terms, it's important to review your policy certificate and talk to your provider. For example, some policies will provide coverage if the terrorist incident occurred within 30 days of your departure date at or near locations on your trip itinerary. It's also likely the terrorist event would need to be caused by a group the U.S. deems classified as a foreign terrorist organization. The team of friendly humans at Yonder assists customers from the quote to the claims process. Here's what they suggest as next steps following the recent events in Israel. If You're Currently Traveling In Israel The first step towards safety would be contacting the 24/7 emergency provider included with your travel insurance policy. They'll help direct you toward safe zones, medical facilities, and potentially coordinate an evacuation, although security evacuations aren't included with all travel insurance policies. If You Had Plans to Travel To Israel Soon For those with current travel insurance policies to Israel, check with your provider to discuss your coverage options. You may be able to cancel your trip and get a reimbursement for your trip expenses. If travelers need to cancel their trip due to the recent events in Israel, they should contact their travel insurance provider as soon as possible. If you've purchased a policy through Yonder , their team of experts can help decipher coverage and initiate a claim. The experts at Yonder Travel Insurance have poured over hundreds of policies from the best travel insurance providers in the US to provide the best travel insurance recommendation for how YOU travel. Contact: Meagan Palmer, Marketing Director (952-358-6459) [email protected] SOURCE Yonder Travel Insurance SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Netenrich, a secure analytics operations company, today announced its participation at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2023, taking place October 16-19 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. The company invites security and IT professionals to visit Netenrich at booth #630 to learn how Resolution Intelligence Cloud delivers an adaptive operations approach aligned to business risk. As digital and cloud transformation accelerates, organizations struggle to keep up with the heavy IT and security demands. The expansion of users, data, and applications beyond traditional protected infrastructures is out of control. Ops teams are overwhelmed with too much data, but also lack the necessary visibility to understand which high-value resources and assets are at most risk. Moreover, they are overloaded with the toil of managing the daily "reactive" detection, investigation, and response tasks. For enterprises and digital-native businesses looking to transform their operations, Resolution Intelligence Cloud is a clear choice. Unlike legacy SOC architectures and security tools that fail to scale and handle massive data, the Netenrich platform disrupts current architectures with a built-from-the-ground-up platform centered around data analytics, automation, and engineering-led operations. Visit Netenrich at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2023 to see how you can transform your operations with a modern risk-management and detection-engineering approach to maximize efficiency at petabyte scale and speed. When: October 16-19, 2023 Where: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, Florida Netenrich Booth #630 How: Contact Netenrich to schedule a demo and meeting About Netenrich Netenrich makes data the solution, not the problem. With Resolution Intelligence Cloud, our secure analytics operations platform, we turn complex big data into actionable intelligence so enterprises can expose and manage security risk to reduce business impact. The platform leverages a cybersecurity mesh architecture (CSMA) to converge security and digital operations. Its data engineering, multitenant, and automation (AI, ML) capabilities improve current security systems, for more accurate threat management and response. More than 3,000 global customers rely on Netenrich to increase operations efficacy while scaling to meet the needs of the business. SOURCE Netenrich Bentley-Gallup Business in Society study shows 63% of Americans believe businesses have a positive impact on people's lives, an 8-percentage-point increase from last year. WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the landmark Bentley-Gallup report in 2022, Bentley University and Gallup released their most recent report, the Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report, quantifying Americans' attitudes toward businesses and the impact they have on their personal lives and society more generally. A year later, Americans are more positive about the impact of business overall, with 63% saying businesses have an extremely or somewhat positive impact on people's lives, up from 55% in 2022. Americans still draw a clear distinction between big and small businesses, with small businesses (85%) seen as twice as likely to have a positive effect on people's lives than big businesses (42%). This sentiment is similar to last year's levels. The survey, conducted via a Gallup Panel web survey with over 5,000 participants, identifies changes in Americans' attitudes toward businesses from 2022 to 2023, and addresses new, important issues businesses are contending with, including how much people trust them to use artificial intelligence in a responsible way, what Americans think of the pay gap between CEOs and average workers, and when people think businesses should take public stances on societal issues. The research shows how Americans see business as a driver for change, with 88% of U.S. adults saying businesses have a "great deal" or "some" power to positively impact people's lives. This number remains unchanged from 2022, highlighting Americans' opinion that business plays a key role in positively shaping the future. "The Bentley-Gallup survey results shine a light on how Americans' view of the role of business in our society is changing," said Bentley University President E. LaBrent Chrite. "These findings should interest every business leader who cares about connecting with their customers and recruiting and retaining talented workers. Because the companies that learn about and respond to what Americans expect and want will be the ones that survive and have the most enduring impact in our society." Pay disparity with executives is a top priority. After months of high-profile contract negotiations between businesses and unions including in Hollywood and the auto industry, the Bentley-Gallup survey finds 82% of Americans believe avoiding a major pay gap between CEOs and their average employees is "somewhat" or "extremely important." Unfortunately, only 13% say businesses are doing an "excellent" or "good" job at that. Compounding this sentiment, Bentley and Gallup find 80% of Americans believe it is extremely important that businesses make money in ethical ways and compensate all workers fairly, but again, fewer than one-third see businesses doing this effectively. Americans cool on businesses weighing in on hot social topics. Businesses have become increasingly vocal on key issues facing the country and the world at large, from abortion to climate change. Today, Americans are less favorable about businesses weighing in on public debates than they were a year ago. The Bentley-Gallup Business in Society study finds less than half (41%) of Americans say businesses should be taking public stances on current events, a decline of 7 percentage points from 2022. Americans are most supportive of businesses speaking out on climate change (55%) and mental health (52%), and least supportive of businesses taking stances on religion (15%), political candidates (19%) and abortion (26%). Despite this negative national sentiment, young Americans (18-29) are much more likely to want businesses to take a public stance on current events (53%) than those aged 45 and over (35%). This represents a significant tension between younger consumers and the older executives who run many U.S. businesses. Four-day workweeks appeal to the masses. Just 52% of Americans believe businesses have a positive impact on people's wellbeing, however, 77% say a four-day, 40-hour workweek would improve their wellbeing if their employer offered it. Americans are also favorable about setting boundaries between work and home life, with 66% saying that limiting email contact outside of work hours would have a "somewhat positive" or "extremely positive" effect on their wellbeing. When considering taking a new job, 87% of Americans say it is "extremely" or "somewhat" important that a company offers flexible work arrangements, and 68% find it important that the company provides free mental health support services. About the Survey The 2023 Bentley-Gallup Business in Society study is based on a Gallup Panel web survey completed by 5,458 adults in the U.S., aged 18 and older, conducted May 8-15, 2023. The Gallup Panel is a probabilitybased longitudinal panel of U.S. adults whom Gallup selects using random-digit-dial phone interviews that cover landline and cellphones. Gallup also uses address-based sampling methods to recruit Panel members. About Bentley University Bentley University is more than just one of the nation's top business schools. It is a lifelong-learning community that creates successful leaders who make business a force for positive change. With a combination of business and the arts and sciences and a flexible, personalized approach to education, Bentley provides students with critical thinking and practical skills that prepare them to lead successful, rewarding careers. Founded in 1917, the university enrolls 4,100 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and Ph.D. students and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu. About Gallup Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world. SOURCE Bentley University NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Radar , the all-in-one location platform, is proud to announce its store locator implementation with Peavey Mart, a trusted online destination for agricultural, hardware, and home improvement products. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in enhancing the online shopping experience for Peavey Mart customers across Canada. By joining forces with Radar, Peavey Mart is providing a more seamless and convenient way for its customers to find nearby stores. Radar is renowned for its geofencing SDKs and maps APIs which power location-based experiences across hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. By joining forces with Radar, Peavey Mart is providing a more seamless and convenient way for its customers to find nearby stores. Peavey Mart has been a reliable source for farmers, ranchers, and homeowners for over five decades. Their vast selection of quality products, ranging from agricultural equipment to home improvement tools, has made them a trusted partner in rural and urban communities. The partnership with Radar will enable Peavey Mart to offer even greater convenience and value to their customers. "We are thrilled that Peavey Mart is using our geocoding APIs and base maps to reduce costs and deliver a best-in-class store locator experience," said Nick Patrick, CEO of Radar. "This partnership exemplifies our commitment to enhancing the customer experience and providing innovative solutions to our partners." Shaun Guthrie, SVP, Technology & eCommerce of Peavey Mart expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "We were really impressed by Radar's developer tools and focus on privacy and data security. By choosing Radar, we are able to power our store locator at a fraction of the cost, without sacrificing accuracy or reliability." To learn more about Radar's offerings, visit radar.com . About Radar: Radar (https://radar.com) is the all-in-one location platform. Companies like Panera, DICK's Sporting Goods, T-Mobile, and Zillow use Radar's geofencing SDKs and maps APIs to power location-based experiences across hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. About Peavey Industries LP Peavey Industries LP is the parent to two subsidiary corporate brands Peavey Mart and MainStreet Hardware with retail stores across the country. 'Canada's Largest Farm and Ranch Retailer' is proudly 100% Canadian and employee owned and gratified to have been serving their loyal customers since 1967. In March 2020, Peavey Industries acquired the Ace Canada brand adding both corporate stores and Ace-branded dealer stores to the PILP retail family. For further details about Peavey Industries LP and their brands, email [email protected] . Contact: Kristen Hoff [email protected] 978-407-9283 SOURCE Radar An additional $12.3 million of PAHAF funding has been disbursed in the past month HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is providing an update on the steady progress being made to assist homeowners whose lives were disrupted by the pandemic. PHFA | HAF Support Trend Data Since April 2023 Pennsylvania was awarded $350 million for the administration of the program and the disbursement of funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. That federal legislation was enacted to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and the displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-related impacts. Monthly data for the program for April through September is shown below. It also is available on the PAHAF dashboard at: www.pahaf.org/program-dashboard/. The dashboard is updated on a regular basis. For more detailed information about the program, the quarterly PAHAF legislature reports are available at: www.pahaf.org/policies-and-reporting/. During the month of September, the PAHAF program has disbursed an additional $12.3 million of funding to homeowners in need of pandemic-related assistance. The number of homeowners assisted has grown to 12,998 total households. Total funds remaining to be disbursed are $141.3 million. The agency is continuing its push to have applicants re-register in the new software being used by PHFA to automate many of the processing steps for homeowners. When applicants re-register, it allows them to make sure their most current documents are uploaded in the system and then lets them see more accurately where their application is in the review process. PHFA has used a variety of methods to encourage applicants to re-register, including emails, mailed letters in English and Spanish, outbound phone calls by PAHAF call center representatives, and 14 statewide community events. The agency will continue these efforts and is asking the media to please help us broadly promote this re-registration effort. Customers can re-register directly through the website by visiting www.PAHAF.org/reregister. They also can phone the PAHAF call center at 1-888-987-2423 for assistance by trained customer service personnel. The process to re-register takes about 30 minutes. PLEASE NOTE: Homeowners who have applied and re-registered for PAHAF assistance who are facing an adverse action such as foreclosure, sheriff sale, or utility shut off, are advised that they should verify that their application notes that action and notify the PAHAF call center immediately so that the program can prioritize the application, determine eligibility and disburse approved funds that may prevent the action. "We are continuously looking at ways to improve the performance of the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund so we get funding to homeowners in a timely manner while also being sure to follow state and federal program requirements," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. The agency frequently receives emails from satisfied homeowners grateful for the assistance they've received through the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which has helped them save their home from foreclosure. For instance, when a homeowner in Pittsburgh was notified she was approved for PAHAF assistance in May, she responded, "Thank you so much for your help. This takes so much off my shoulders, and I can focus on healing the next few months so I can be my best again. Bless you." This homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, is receiving more than $18,750 in mortgage assistance from PAHAF. Jennifer in Lansdowne expressed her appreciation, writing in May: "I am so happy and I can't stop crying. Thank you so much." She is receiving more than $41,500 in mortgage assistance from PAHAF. Earlier this spring, PHFA moved the full management of PAHAF from a third-party vendor to its in-house team with the goal of expediting payments to eligible Pennsylvania homeowners. As part of the transition, PHFA strengthened program procedures, hired more employees, trained a dedicated call center staff, and implemented the Neighborly software system to improve how the agency tracks PAHAF applications. Current PAHAF applicants are homeowners who experienced a reduction of income or increase in living expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic after January 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before January 21, 2020, but continued after that date). They also currently own and occupy their home in Pennsylvania as their primary residence. New applicants are not being accepted into the program until the existing pool of applicants is processed to ensure sufficient funding exists to continue. The program has until September 2025 to disburse all $350 million of PAHAF funding. PAHAF assistance is being used to provide mortgage reinstatement, forward mortgage payments, property charges and unpaid utility bills. Funds are being distributed directly to mortgage lenders, servicers, utility providers and other authorized third parties, not to homeowners. Celebrating its 50th year of helping the state's residents with rental housing and homeownership, PHFA remains fully committed to quickly and responsibly disbursing all PAHAF financial assistance to Pennsylvania homeowners, as evidenced by its improvement to the program's management. About PHFA The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $17.6 billion of funding for more than 195,250 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 103,328 rental units, distributed approximately $239 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,860 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board. Contact: Scott Elliott 717-649-6522 (cell) [email protected] SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Original play written by Ade Solanke and directed by Regge Life on stage for five weeks in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party BOSTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston nonprofit Revolutionary Spaces announces the debut of Phillis in Boston, an original play dramatizing a key moment in the life of both the nation and the celebrated poet Phillis Wheatley, enslaved author of the first known book of poetry in English by an African American woman. Old South Meeting House, Boston, Massachusetts (built in 1729) Ade Solanke, playwright A unique work of place-based theater, Phillis in Boston will be performed as a site-specific play at the Old South Meeting House in Boston, where Wheatley was a congregant. Written by award-winning British-Nigerian playwright and screenwriter Ade Solanke and directed by Regge Life, an Emmy-nominated producer, director, and writer, the play centers on a pivotal moment in the life of Wheatley, whose books arrived in Boston and were trapped on board one of the same ships carrying tea that would eventually be destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. Phillis in Boston illuminates the multiple struggles for freedom underway in Boston shortly after Wheatley returned in 1773 from a whirlwind visit to London, where she was feted as a literary celebrity. Emancipated shortly after her return, she rejoins the African American community in New England as they engage in the work of creating a free society: questioning the slave-owning colonists' true understanding of liberty, strategizing for the abolition of slavery, and debating which side to support in the ensuing revolutionary struggle. Phillis in Boston explores slavery in New England through the lens of Wheatley's complex relationship with her enslaver Susanna Wheatley, who supported Wheatley's literary ambitions even as she kept her in bondage. "As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, which played a pivotal role in the struggle for liberty that drove the American Revolution, it is absolutely critical that we ask 'Liberty for whom?' This unique work offers audiences a new way to see the interplay between the struggles for freedom undertaken by enslaved people, women, and other colonists, and we're honored to have playwright Ade Solanke, director Regge Life, and the entire creative team leading the way. We hope this play will invite audiences to consider how the work of building a democracy that started 250 years ago remains unfinished," said Dr. Nathaniel Sheidley, President and CEO of Revolutionary Spaces. Phillis in Boston is a companion piece to Solanke's play Phillis in London, which explores Wheatley's experiences as she moved through Britain's elite literary and abolitionist circles in the summer of 1773. "I am thrilled to tell the next chapter of Wheatley's story at Old South, because it creates an immersive glimpse into Wheatley's Boston life as she participated in the revolution unfolding from the pews where she sat. Phillis in Boston aims to help audiences understand her not only as a literary prodigy, but also as a fervent abolitionist and entrepreneurial business woman who valued sisterhood, friendship, love, and community," said Solanke. "This play is an entertaining memorial to a remarkable woman who overcame huge odds to create art and become the founding mother of both a nation and a vibrant, global literary tradition. I'm grateful to the entire Boston community who've so generously shared their ancestral 's/heroes' with me." There will be two preview performances on Wednesday, November 1 and Thursday, November 2. Opening night will be Friday, November 3. Performances will run through Sunday, December 3. More information can be found here . Phillis In Boston is made possible through the generous support of the Cabot Family Charitable Trust , the New England Women's Club Fund, and Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary Commemoration Transformational Partner Meet Boston . Revolutionary Spaces also thanks its travel partners JetBlue . About Revolutionary Spaces Revolutionary Spaces stewards the historic Old South Meeting House and Old State House as landmarks, museums, and gathering spaces for the open exchange of ideas and the continuing practice of democracy. Viewing history as a powerful tool for today, Revolutionary Spaces brings people together to explore the American struggle to create and sustain a free society. Contact Sloane Wilten Seven Hills Communications [email protected] 615.739.7141 SOURCE Revolutionary Spaces The Leading Telecom Infrastructure Company expands its Footprint in Germany BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Tower International ("PTI"), a leading global wireless communications infrastructure provider, is pleased to announce the signing of a definitive agreement with NOVEC BV ("NOVEC") to acquire NOVEC GmbH, its German subsidiary. NOVEC GmbH currently operates 220 telecommunications sites and has developed a significant pipeline of new sites in order to play a key role in deploying important infrastructure for mobile operators in Germany. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for Phoenix Tower International as it enters the German telecommunications market. With this expansion, PTI reaffirms its commitment to supporting mobile network operators globally in meeting their coverage obligations and delivering high-quality mobile services. NOVEC GmbH has a proven track record of excellence in telecommunications site deployment, and this acquisition presents an exciting opportunity for PTI to collaborate with the talented individuals within the NOVEC team. By harnessing their expertise, PTI aims to enhance its service offerings, streamline operations, and continue delivering exceptional value to its customers. Commenting on this development, Dagan Kasavana, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Tower International, said, "Germany is a major global market with significant near term wireless build out needs, especially across more rural locations where no coverage exists today and where the NOVEC team specializes in coverage solutions. This transaction aligns perfectly with our growth strategy and underscores our commitment to providing world-class wireless infrastructure solutions to help our business partners achieve their goals. We look forward to working closely with the NOVEC team, German mobile network operators and the local population to contribute to the advancement of telecommunications services and connectivity in Germany." Gertjan Hoefman, CEO NOVEC, commented: "NOVEC is pleased to announce that we have found in PTI a strong strategic investor that can support NOVEC GmbH in its further growth ambitions in Germany". The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the coming months. CMS Hasche Sigle, Van Lanschot Kempen and Unicredit acted as advisors to PTI. ABN AMRO, CASE Corporate Finance and Gleiss Lutz acted as advisors to NOVEC About Phoenix Tower International PTI, through its subsidiaries, will, pro forma for these transactions, own and operate over 23,000 telecom towers throughout Europe, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. In Europe, PTI is present in several countries including France, Italy, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. PTI was founded in 2013 with a mission to be a premier site provider to wireless operators across the world in high-growth markets. PTI's investors include funds managed by Blackstone, Wren House and various members of the management team and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information, please visit www.phoenixintnl.com About NOVEC Established in 2005, NOVEC stands as the largest independent telecommunications infrastructure provider in the Netherlands. Its primary focus lies in constructing, managing and maintaining a comprehensive network of telecommunications towers and associated infrastructure across the Netherlands. Its mission is to create shared, accessible infrastructure for various users, ranging from mobile network operators to emergency services and IoT networks. NOVEC takes pride in offering its clients an extensive, nationwide network of telecommunications masts and high-voltage pylons, forming the robust backbone of mobile communication networks. For more information, please visit our website www.novecmasten.com SOURCE Phoenix Tower International On October 11, the fifth day of the confrontation between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the right-wing Islamist group Hamas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine organized the first evacuation flight for our citizens. The first 200 tickets are on sale at pre-war prices, and the plane will take Ukrainians from Israel to Romania directly. ADVERTISIMENT Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk said this on the air of the UA Razom telethon. The evacuation flight is scheduled for next Saturday, October 14. "The Ukrainian Embassy provides assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the population. We are talking about citizens undergoing treatment, citizens with children, tourists whose return flights have been canceled," the diplomat explained. As a reminder, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky called the events "Israel's September 11," comparing them to the largest terrorist attack in history, which led to the deaths of thousands of innocent people. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, since the beginning of the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas terrorists, the number of casualties among Ukrainian citizens has increased to three. Nine other Ukrainian citizens were injured, and their condition and places of hospitalization are currently being investigated. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! As the renowned family office begins a second century of success, internal promotions ensure continuation of superior client experience JENKINTOWN, Pa., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pitcairn, a true family office celebrating a full century of serving ultra-high-net-worth families, is pleased to announce the promotion of two key executives. Effective immediately, J. Matthew McCarte, CFP, CTFA, will now oversee all relationship management teams at the firm in the role of Managing Director, Head of Wealth Management. Reporting directly to Matt will be Managing Director Karen Carlson, CFP, who will assume the role of leading the Ultra-High-Net-Worth Relationship Management team. Their promotions come on the heels of Pitcairn's recently announced leadership transition as Andrew L. Busser, currently President, Family Office will assume the role of CEO from Leslie Voth who continues as Chairman. "Matt and Karen are both outstanding leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to delivering a client experience that is truly outstanding," said Busser. "They are both experienced leaders who have contributed greatly to making Pitcairn the firm it is today and what we plan to become over the next hundred years. We are pleased to recognize their dedication, abilities, and contributions to Pitcairn's success, and we congratulate them on this milestone." Matt recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with Pitcairn. As a relationship management team leader, he has been responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring financial plans for many ultra-high-net-worth families. Matt's primary focus has been on succession planning, generational wealth transfer planning, strategic and tactical asset allocation, as well tax optimization strategies. He is a member of Pitcairn's Investment Strategy Committee, the Strategic Leadership and Family Office Leadership Councils, and has over 25 years of wealth management experience. Matt has an MBA in Finance from Villanova University and a BA in Economics from Ursinus College. He holds the designations of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor and is a member of the Institute of Certified Bankers. As a Managing Director and Relationship Manager, Karen, who has been with Pitcairn for 13 years, advises multi-generational families. She is primarily responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring long-term comprehensive financial plans, focused on asset allocation, portfolio management, and tax planning, which meet clients' short-term needs and long-term objectives. She is also a member of Pitcairn's Strategic Leadership, Family Office Leadership, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Councils. Prior to assuming her current responsibilities, Karen served as a Personal Financial Analyst performing accounting and financial analysis for clients in areas of comprehensive financial planning. She began her career at Pitcairn as a Client Account Administrator, providing daily support to multi-generational client families and serving as their point person. Karen earned a BA from the University of Scranton, holds the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and is an FFI Fellow. ABOUT PITCAIRN Pitcairn was established in 1923, but the story really began forty years earlier in 1883, when John Pitcairn founded the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, today known as the Fortune 500 Company PPG Industries, which built the family fortune. It was his three sons who established the single-family office. Today's multi-family office, incorporated as a trust company, has 73 employees (49% female), a 100% open architecture platform of family-focused investments with more than $7 billion in advised assets, and offices in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC, and a presence in Florida. Media Contact: Michaela Morales JConnelly [email protected] 973.224.7152 SOURCE Pitcairn The gift will establish an endowment for academic programming, career exposure opportunities, and operational needs of the new Morehouse Real Estate Institute. ATLANTA, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Morehouse College, the nation's only historically Black liberal arts institution dedicated to educating and developing men, has received a $3 million gift from Prologis, the global leader in logistics real estate, to create an endowed fund that will expand opportunities for students of color to study real estate and prepare for lucrative careers with top firms in the industry. The Prologis Endowment will help to support academic programs and research launched by the new Morehouse Real Estate Institute. PROLOGIS CONTRIBUTES $3 MILLION TO MOREHOUSE COLLEGE Post this Morehouse President David A. Thomas recently hosted Hamid R. Moghadam, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Prologis, for a fireside chat to discuss growth opportunities in the commercial real estate industry. Morehouse College has received a $3 million gift from Prologis, the global leader in logistics real estate, to create an endowed fund that will expand opportunities for rising Morehouse Men and Atlanta University Center students to study real estate and prepare for careers with top firms. The Institute was developed by the Morehouse Division of Business and Economics to prepare rising Morehouse Men and Atlanta University Center students to maximize their potential for growth, entrepreneurship, and financial prosperity in the residential and commercial real estate markets. The Prologis Endowment will help to support academic programs and research launched by the new Morehouse Real Estate Institute. The Institute was developed by the Morehouse Division of Business and Economics to prepare rising Morehouse Men and Atlanta University Center students to maximize their potential for growth, entrepreneurship, and financial prosperity in the $47 trillion U.S. housing market and the $21 trillion commercial real estate market. The Institute also aims to improve diversity within the ranks of management in the real estate industry, a sector in which racial representation for people of color has been lagging for decades. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 10 percent of real estate professionals are Black and 82 percent are White. For real estate brokers, who are typically higher paid and have other agents working under them, the gap widens to 5 percent for Black brokers. In commercial real estate management, less than 2 percent of C-level positions are held by Black males and 75 percent of executives in the industry are White men. Prologis, which has a portfolio or more than 1.2 billion square feet of logistics real estate in 19 countries, is actively working to improve diversity within the industrial industry and its workforce. The firm's corporate values and DEIB initiatives align with Morehouse's mission and focus on excellence, leadership, service, and social justice. Through its Essentials platform, which includes energy, EV workforce and operations, Prologis is reshaping the conventional landscape of industrial real estate. "We are excited to partner with Morehouse College in the creation of its Real Estate Institute," said Hamid R. Moghadam, Prologis co-founder, chairman and CEO. "We take our leadership role in this industry seriously and believe that this collaboration will help cultivate a diverse pool of talent to the benefit of the entire commercial real estate industry." Morehouse, which educates more than 2,300 students annually, is one of the only HBCUs to have an accredited and nationally acclaimed business program. The College is a top-feeder school for Black men entering top-ranked MBA programs, as well as managerial and executive positions in business. The Morehouse Real Estate Institute will expand access to career pathways within the Division of Business and Economics Division. The new real estate classes, which will be available in 2024, will be open to all Atlanta University Students, which includes underrepresented students of color at Morehouse, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University. The Institute's students will study the fundamentals of real estate and learn about the benefits of investing in commercial and residential properties to build wealth. The Institute will also serve as a pipeline for internships, entrepreneurship, and social change in the industry. Morehouse President David A. Thomas, Ph.D., said that Morehouse's alliance with Prologis is a partnership of purpose that will positively impact the real estate industry. "On behalf of Morehouse College and the Board of Trustees, I'd like to thank the Prologis Foundation for investing in the Morehouse Real Estate Institute and helping the college to expand its academic pathways into growth industries," Thomas said. "This partnership with Prologis is an important step toward improving diversity in commercial real estate ownership and leadership. The Morehouse Real Estate Institute will become a talent pipeline that will prepare rising Morehouse Men and Atlanta University Center students to compete for top jobs as future real estate agents, brokers, executives, and entrepreneurs." As the national epicenter for thought leadership on social justice issues, Morehouse is committed to creating academic pathways that increase access to careers for students and diversify industries that have been impacted by institutional racism that has slowed progress for people of color. "We are grateful to Prologis for its investment in the future of rising Morehouse Men," adds Hodan Hassan, Vice President of Advancement at Morehouse College. "We are looking forward to creating a strong and long-term partnership that will help grow diversity in the real estate industry and increase equity within the ranks of management and ownership." About Prologis As of June 30, 2023, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (114 million square meters) in 19 countries. Prologis leases modern logistics facilities to a diverse base of approximately 6,700 customers principally across two major categories: business-to-business and retail/online fulfillment About Morehouse College: Founded in 1867, Morehouse College is the nation's only college founded to educate men of color. Ranked as Georgia's top liberal arts college for men, Morehouse produces more Black men who go on to receive doctorates than any other college in the country and is a top feeder school for Black men entering prestigious graduate schools and MBA programs. Also named Georgia's #1 small college, Morehouse educates a selective group of 2,200 students each year, 60 percent of whom come from families with household incomes of $40,000 or less, yet many of which are highly recruited by Fortune 500 companies. The College has created more Black male Rhodes Scholars than any other HBCU and has the #1 core curriculum among HBCUs nationally. It is the nation's top producer of Black male graduates in the social sciences, and the top HBCU producer of Black male graduates in business administration, management, operations, English, foreign languages, mathematics, statistics, philosophy, religious studies, and physical sciences. As the national epicenter for thought leadership on human rights and equity, Morehouse is committed to helping the nation address the challenges caused by institutional racism, income and health care disparities, lack of access to capital, detrimental public policy, and the need for high-quality education. Learn more about Morehouse College at morehouse.edu . SOURCE Morehouse College Office of Institutional Advancement INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to empower small businesses with timely, actionable insights, Remodel Health, a trusted leader in the health insurance industry, has released an informative breakdown of Indiana's House Bill 1004. The recently enacted Indiana House Bill 1004 introduces a tax credit incentive for qualified taxpayers, specifically targeting small businesses with less than fifty employees. The primary objective? To make it easier for these businesses to offer health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), including the innovative Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), to their employees. For businesses qualifying under this bill, the first year offers a substantial $400 tax credit per covered employee, granted that contributions to the HRA either match or exceed the benefits or contributions from the preceding year. However, small businesses should note that the tax credit adjusts to $200 per covered employee in the following year. The state of Indiana, through House Bill 1004, seeks to diminish some of the financial hurdles small businesses face when striving to offer high-quality health benefits. By offering these tax credits, there's a clear encouragement for more businesses to lean into ICHRA offerings. "Legislative changes, especially those involving health insurance, can be complex and sometimes overwhelming," states John Staub, Director of Outreach at Remodel Health. "Our primary goal is to simplify these changes, ensuring our clients have a clear understanding of how such laws impact their businesses. With House Bill 1004, we see a promising horizon for small businesses to provide valuable health benefits while enjoying potential tax reductions." As ever, Remodel Health remains dedicated to guiding its clientele through such pivotal legislative adjustments. With a robust team of industry experts, they're poised to offer tailored advice on how House Bill 1004 can best serve individual business needs, ensuring they reap the fullest benefits. For full details about the bill, please visit the Remodel Health website. About Remodel Health : With a strong focus on exceptional customer service, Remodel Health is a trusted provider of health insurance services, revolutionizing the way health benefits are delivered to employees for nearly a decade. SOURCE ReModel Health NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) between September 17, 2021 and August 15, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important November 20, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Archer Aviation securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Archer Aviation class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18433 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 20, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Archer Aviation relied on heavily edited videos of earlier flights to exaggerate the amount of flight testing it had actually performed and the sophistication of its electric vertical takeoff and landing ("eVTOL") aircraft; (2) Archer Aviation had misrepresented the nature and profitability of its business partnerships; (3) Archer Aviation was unlikely to secure Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") certification in the timeframe it had represented to investors, thereby delaying the start of mass production of its aircraft for commercial sales; (4) accordingly, Archer Aviation had overstated its financial position and/or prospects; (5) all of the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to subject Archer Aviation to significant financial and/or reputational harm; and (6) as a result, Archer Aviation's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Archer Aviation class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18433 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. DENVER, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research has partnered with SambaSafety, a leading provider of cloud-based risk management solutions, to release their first annual research report, titled " From Perception to Practice: An Insight into Insurer Data Strategies and Sentiments. " The report offers a deep dive into the increasing role of telematics within the insurance landscape. "In this dynamic era, where data steers our choices, it's crucial for the insurance industry to remain informed, proactive, and tactical," said Paul Martin, CPCU, Director of Academic Content for The National Alliance. "The report not only captures current industry sentiments but also provides a roadmap for the future; it encapsulates the evolving storyline of insurance, fueled by data, insights, and modern technology." The report includes a comprehensive look at how insurance carriers and brokers are embracing telematics in personal and commercial lines. Key insights underscore the industry's desire for more personalized, data-driven offerings. Specifically: 72% of commercial insurance companies are offering or planning to offer a telematics-based product. One-third of commercial auto respondents anticipate launching a usage-based insurance (UBI) product within the next 1-2 years. 15% of broker respondents offer telematics value-added services. Commercial carriers face unique challenges when leveraging telematics data, with the greatest obstacles being varying data formats (53%) to resource constraints (32%) and compliance/processing data (21%). Demonstrating its support of industry partners as they navigate the complexities of telematics and commercial auto, SambaSafety announces a significant expansion of its integrations footprint including three leading Telematics Service Providers (TSPs): Lytx, Verizon, and Motive. "We enable insurers to accelerate time to value for their telematics programs by aggregating and enriching data from multiple TSPs. The depth and breadth of our coverage allow us to support nearly 50% of connected commercial vehicles on U.S. roads today," remarked Rich Lacey, Chief Product Officer at SambaSafety. As the insurance sector grapples with technological shifts, SambaSafety's report and its strategic integrations promise to guide industry players through the complexities, empowering them to drive forward with data and innovation at the helm. For more information about the report or the new integrations, visit SambaSafety.com. About SambaSafety: SambaSafety is a recognized innovator and leading provider of cloud-based risk management solutions for over 15,000 organizations with automotive mobility exposure, including many on Fortune's Global 500 list. Employers and insurers benefit from SambaSafety's continuous monitoring, intuitive insights, risk reduction tools and configurable pricing solutions. Through the collection, correlation and analysis of federal, state, local and telematics data sources, our flexible, end-to-end capabilities enable businesses and insurers to better evaluate and mitigate driving risk, accelerate product development, reduce crashes and foster safer communities. About The National Alliance: The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research , a registered 501(c)(3), is an insurance education provider recognized throughout the industry as a preeminent resource for technical training, designations, and continuing education in risk management and insurance. Boasting over 150,000 program participants, the National Alliance has set the standard for industry education since its inception in 1969. Media Contact: Griselda J Castillo 512-349-3303 [email protected] SOURCE The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research Experience Math gives teachers a robust set of resources to engage and inspire students to explore math concepts. Post this Developed by Marian Small, Ed.D., an internationally renowned mathematics educator and author, Experience Math provides teachers with resources for intentional teaching and informed decision-making to help them become better practitioners. The new program also focuses on deepening students' understanding of math concepts by encouraging them to be active mathematical thinkers and problem-solvers. "Teachers today are looking for ways to make math more engaging for students while building their curiosity and confidence. Our new Experience Math program is designed to provide teachers with the instructional support they need to promote student learning through action and inquiry," said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company. "By offering an innovative student-centered approach to teaching mathematics, Experience Math gives teachers a robust set of resources to engage and inspire students to explore math concepts, and grow their critical thinking skills." Student-Centered Math for Active Learning Experience Math features a blended, easy-to-use three-part instructional design that gives students varied experiences to solve problems and develop mathematical thinking skills. The program increases student engagement by infusing rich tasks as the main driver of learning in each lesson, and helps teachers create classroom community an essential principle of the program through student-centered exploration. Students are encouraged to communicate their problem-solving strategies with each other as teachers highlight the most important ideas to take away from the lesson. The program focuses on improving student-centered learning with intentional teaching that is aligned with clear learning goals and strategic instructional decisions. Experience Math provides teachers quick access to embedded professional learning videos, curated instructional support, and lesson presentations, making it easy for them to plan lessons and develop instruction. "One of the things that makes Experience Math so unique is its rich, just-in-time professional learning," said Dr. Small, the author of Experience Math. "As a teacher-focused program, it excels at offering a wealth of pedagogical content knowledge, helping math teachers boost their confidence and comfort while respecting their important decision-making role in teaching situations." Dr. Small, a professional learning consultant who has authored more than 100 books on mathematical instruction, said another unique aspect of Experience Math is that it helps teachers focus on developing mathematical thinking to enhance student learning. This enables teachers to create engaging and responsive classrooms that are conducive to fostering positive attitudes, providing differentiated learning that honors and supports every student, and building rich conceptual understanding for all. "By empowering educators to create collaborative classroom communities, Experience Math celebrates the art of teaching, helping math teachers become better practitioners," Dr. Small said. Developing Math Fluency with Student-Driven Applications Accessible on the Savvas Realize digital platform, Experience Math also features anytime activities and routines that foster an active learning experience while helping students develop problem-solving skills and grow their conceptual understanding of math. Offering students the opportunity to work independently or in pairs while practicing and applying what they've learned, these activities include: Wonder Tasks three-act, problem-based activities that challenge students to come up with the question to be solved and communicate their mathematical thinking and understanding. three-act, problem-based activities that challenge students to come up with the question to be solved and communicate their mathematical thinking and understanding. Brain Benders engaging, often open-ended questions that encourage creative problem-solving in the real world. engaging, often open-ended questions that encourage creative problem-solving in the real world. Number and Data Talks 5-10-minute activities that support students' fluency and flexibility in thinking about numbers and operations. 5-10-minute activities that support students' fluency and flexibility in thinking about numbers and operations. Academic Language Activities provide opportunities to build understanding of critical words needed to communicate mathematical ideas and understandings. provide opportunities to build understanding of critical words needed to communicate mathematical ideas and understandings. Making Connections Tasks activities designed to integrate concepts from multiple mathematical domains. "Through engaging practice activities, purposeful game play, and creative real-world modeling, Experience Math helps students build meaningful connections in math," explained Experience Math contributing author Graham Fletcher, a former math classroom teacher who has co-authored two math fluency toolkits. "These exciting tasks, which encourage students to think creatively and critically while having fun, will truly make a difference in any K-8 classroom." Meet Marian Small At the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) conference being held in Washington, D.C. from October 25-28, 2023, Dr. Small will present a workshop, "Creating Richer Math Conversations," that will cover strategies on helping students communicate mathematically with their teachers and peers. Visit Savvas at the NCTM Booth #601. She will deliver a keynote luncheon speech, "Building Teacher Capacity and Teacher Confidence," at the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) conference, also being held in Washington, D.C., from October 28-31, 2023. She will also hold a book signing for her most recent book, Do They Really Understand?. Visit Savvas at the NCSM Booth #202. Check out Savvas Learning Company's schedule of exciting, hands-on workshops and activities at these conferences. ABOUT SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula to supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the art assessment tools all designed to meet the needs of every learner. Savvas products are used by millions of students and educators in more than 90 percent of the 13,000+ public school districts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as globally in more than 125 countries. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company . Savvas Learning Company's products are also available for sale in Canada through its subsidiary, Rubicon . SOURCE Savvas Learning Company New York City's Premier Animal Hospital is Recognized as the Only AAHA Accredited Referral Practice in NYC NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) is proud to announce its accreditation as a referral practice by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), acknowledging AMC's expertise in handling specialty cases referred by general practitioners. This accreditation is in addition to AMC's long-standing AAHA accreditation as a general practice hospital. Both accreditations come after a rigorous evaluation of its practice protocols, medical equipment, staffing, facilities, and client services. AMC is the only AAHA accredited referral practice within the five boroughs. AMC's referral accreditation extends to nine specialties, ensuring board-certified veterinarians overseeing the care provided by the following services: Anesthesia Dentistry Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology Emergency and Critical Care Neurology Oncology Ophthalmology Small Animal Internal Medicine Small Animal Surgery "AMC has the best top doctors in veterinary medicine, and AAHA's referral hospital accreditation validates the incredible level of care we are able to provide," said Helen M. Irving, RN, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer at AMC. "This is the highest level of veterinary excellence. Only 12% of animal hospitals are accredited. This accomplishment strengthens AMC's leadership position in veterinary medicine." "Not only did AMC receive the prestigious AAHA referral accreditation, but we exceeded the required criteria, receiving 97 percent of the total possible points," said Nancy Patsos, LVT, VTC (ECC), Chief Veterinary Technician at AMC. "We were evaluated on nearly every aspect of the hospital's operation, demonstrating the exceptional level at which our team operates. I could not be prouder of our team and our hospital." "AAHA's referral accreditation reflects AMC's unwavering commitment to the highest quality standards in veterinary medicine and our dedication to providing world-class care," said Chad West, DVM, MBA, DACVIM (Neurology), Chief Clinical Officer and Service Head of Neurology and Neurosurgery at AMC. Unlike human hospitals, animal hospitals are not required to be accredited. AAHA-accredited hospitals are recognized among the finest in the industry because they voluntarily choose to be evaluated on more than 900 quality standards that surpass state regulations, ranging from patient care and pain management to staff training and advanced diagnostic services. Learn more about the AAHA accreditation process and standards at www.AAHA.org. About the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Hospital of New York City We are the world's largest veterinary teaching hospital with NYC's only level 1 trauma center. Our team of 130+ veterinarians work across over 20 specialties to provide world-class medical care, and we are here for pets and their families 24/7. We are proud to have served the people and pets of New York, and beyond, for over 110 years. More at www.amcny.org Media Contact: Barbara Ross [email protected] SOURCE Schwarzman Animal Medical Center CEO selection is result of well-developed process ensuring a seamless transition focused on strength, momentum and growth CLEVELAND, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Heidi G. Petz to serve as the Company's next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2024. Ms. Petz, 48, who has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Sherwin-Williams for the last two years, will assume the CEO duties currently held by Chairman and CEO John G. Morikis. Ms. Petz will continue to serve as President. After serving as CEO since 2016, Mr. Morikis will continue to serve as Executive Chairman. In addition, the Board increased its size from 10 to 11 members and elected Ms. Petz to fill the resulting vacancy, effective October 10, 2023. Heidi G. Petz John G. Morikis "Today's announcement follows a comprehensive process and multi-year organizational succession plan to identify the best candidate to lead the Company," said Mr. Morikis. "Heidi has been an invaluable member of my leadership team, demonstrating a record of driving growth and operational excellence that has generated increased value for our customers, shareholders and employees. With this transition, Heidi becomes only the tenth CEO in the 157-year history of the Company. Supported by a deep and experienced senior leadership team, she is the right leader to accelerate achievement of the Company's growth and profitability goals." Prior to serving as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Petz served as President of The Americas Group and previous to that role, served as President of the Consumer Brands Group, successfully leading both of these global businesses through some of the most challenging periods in the Company's history. Ms. Petz joined the Company in June 2017 in connection with the Valspar acquisition. Prior to joining Valspar in 2013, she held various leadership positions with Target Corporation, Newell Rubbermaid and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. "The selection of Heidi as CEO is the result of a well-developed and thoughtful process to ensure a seamless leadership transition that focuses on strength, momentum and growth," commented Jeff M. Fettig, Sherwin-Williams Lead Director. "We are pleased John has agreed to remain in his role as Executive Chairman, continuing an incredible career that began 39 years ago as a member of one of the first Sherwin-Williams management trainee classes, progressing through numerous roles of increasing responsibility, and ultimately ascending to CEO. On behalf of the entire Board, we thank John for his extraordinary leadership, commitment and dedication to Sherwin-Williams, as well as his many accomplishments and business decisions that drove the Company's strong performance and unprecedented growth during his tenure as CEO." Ms. Petz succeeds Mr. Morikis surrounded by a highly experienced group of leaders, which remains intact and averages 27 years of Sherwin-Williams experience. Allen J. Mistysyn will continue as Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and Justin T. Binns, Karl J. Jorgenrud and Todd D. Rea will continue as leaders of the Company's reportable segments. Colin M. Davie will lead the global supply chain organization, inclusive of global manufacturing operations, which will continue to be led by Joseph F. Sladek. Mr. Binns and Mr. Jorgenrud will assume additional enterprise-wide responsibilities, including greater engagement with the global supply chain organization to accelerate customer solutions and drive productivity. Ms. Petz serves on the Board of Directors of Ulta Beauty, Inc. She also serves on the Board of the University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland, Ohio and is a member of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Policy Advisory Board. She holds a bachelor's degree in business and leadership from the University of Richmond, and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland. The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss this announcement at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously in the listen only mode by Issuer Direct. To listen to the webcast on the Sherwin-Williams website, click on https://investors.sherwin-williams.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx, then click on the webcast icon following the reference to the Leadership Webcast. The webcast will also be available at Issuer Direct's Investor Calendar website, www.investorcalendar.com . An archived replay of the webcast will be available at this link https://investors.sherwin-williams.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx beginning approximately two hours after the call ends. ABOUT THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy, Krylon, Minwax, Thompson's WaterSeal, Cabot and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 Company-operated stores and branches, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit www.sherwin.com . Investor Relations Contacts: Jim Jaye Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.515.8682 [email protected] Eric Swanson Vice President, Investor Relations Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.566.2766 [email protected] Media Contact: Julie Young Vice President, Global Corporate Communications Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.515.8849 [email protected] SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopoff Realty Investments ("Shopoff"), a national manager of opportunistic and value-add real estate investments, announced today that Jo Merriman has been promoted to the role of executive vice president, operations and investment services. Ms. Merriman joined Shopoff in 2021 and previously held the role of senior vice president, operations and investment services. "Jo has become an integral part of the Shopoff team, elevating our investment services department over the past two years since joining the firm," explained Shopoff Realty Investments President and CEO William Shopoff. "She has also taken on an active role overseeing operations for the firm and has been pivotal in implementing new processes and procedures that further refine and streamline our internal processes and productivity. This new role is well deserved, and we are pleased to have Jo join our executive leadership team." As a key member of the executive team, Ms. Merriman plays an essential role in ensuring the company's sustained operational efficiency and financial strength. Her responsibilities encompass the oversight of the company's day-to-day operations, including financial reporting, human resources, IT, marketing, asset management, compliance, and investment services. She will also lead and guide the strategic planning process for the company. This entails collaborating with senior leadership to establish and achieve company objectives and goals, providing the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure the company maintains effective operational controls, a proficient workforce, and the appropriate systems to nurture ongoing company growth. Additionally, she is responsible for overseeing Shopoff Securities, Inc., the firm's securities division. This role involves managing investor communications and spearheading the creation of offering materials instrumental in the company's capital-raising efforts across the broker-dealer and RIA platforms. "Earning the confidence of the executive team over the past two years, I am pleased to be able to advance into this new role and continue to shape and refine the operations and efficiencies of the firm," explained Jo Merriman, executive vice president, operations and investment services at Shopoff Realty Investments. "The Shopoff team is an intelligent and versatile group of professionals, and it is a pleasure to work with such a dynamic team in this ever-evolving business and market. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead in this new role, over the coming years." Prior to Shopoff, she served as vice president of finance and investor reporting at IHP Capital from 2017 to 2021, where she managed institutional investor reporting, forecasting, asset valuations, and compliance reporting. With a robust history in the real estate and investment space, Ms. Merriman also served as investment manager at Redwood-Kairos Real Estate Partners and started her career at Bluestone Communities, a boutique real estate development firm, where she held various positions for more than 13 years. 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 offerings 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 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 BANGKOK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Siam Paragon, the iconic global landmark at the heart of Bangkok, has partnered with SCBX and esteemed leaders in the digital technology, investment, and social media sectors to introduce 'SIAM PARAGON NEXT TECH x SCBX,' an extraordinary Collaborative Tech Ecosystem. The inauguration, held on the 4th floor of Siam Paragon, was graced by the distinguished presence of Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Head of the Pheu Thai Family. This cutting-edge tech community is envisioned as a dynamic learning hub, designed to empower young individuals, students, and those interested to unlock their potential and exchange knowledge, preparing them for a future in the digital era amid rapid technological advancements. It also encourages youth to use their time for good and valuable purposes so that they can develop themselves and grow with quality. Additionally, Siam Paragon aims to fortify Thailand's position as the regional hub for digital innovation. As part of this grand opening, Siam Paragon also hosted the Global TechTalk, featuring an unprecedented assembly of key figures from the global tech industry, sharing invaluable insights and expertise. "SIAM PARAGON NEXT TECH x SCBX," is 'the Collaborative Tech Ecosystem' with a floorspace of over 4,000 square meters on the 4th floor of Siam Paragon. With an investment exceeding 200 million baht, this symbolizes a significant stride in Siam Paragon's mission to redefine excellence and cater to future lifestyles in 'The World of Tomorrow.' The event was also attended by a distinguished gathering including, Ms.Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd., Mr.Arthid Nanthawithaya, Chief Executive Officer of SCB X Plc., and Dr. Arak Sutivong, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SCB X Plc., as well as top executives representing various tech companies across all fields of the industry. Ms. Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd., expressed, "Siam Paragon has etched its mark as a distinguished global destination, capturing the hearts of both Thai and international visitors over the years. With a staggering daily footfall ranging from 120,000 to 150,000, Siam Paragon stands as a pivotal landmark in the heart of Bangkok. Embracing global trends, it is currently undergoing a monumental transformation into 'The World of Tomorrow.' To cater to future lifestyles in every facet, Siam Paragon has partnered with esteemed leaders in its ecosystem to co-create 'SIAM PARAGON NEXT TECH x SCBX,' the Collaborative Tech Ecosystem. The phenomenal support and collaboration from SCBX and premier partners across various sectors in our tech ecosystem have culminated in the establishment of a dynamic learning space. Here, young individuals, students, and the inquisitive can nurture their potential, exchange knowledge, and prepare themselves for the digital landscape of the future amidst the swift pace of technological evolution. Together, we aim to play a pivotal role in positioning Thailand as the future hub of digital innovation in the region." Mr. Arthid Nanthawithaya, Chief Executive Officer of SCB X Public Company Limited, affirmed, 'SCBX's foremost ambition is to emerge as the preeminent fintech conglomerate in the region. The collaborative creation of NEXT TECH, the Collaborative Tech Ecosystem, alongside Siam Piwat on the fourth floor of Siam Paragon, underscores the shared vision and dedication of two of Thailand's leading private organizations. Together, we are propelling Thailand towards a digital future and positioning it as the epicenter of regional digital innovation. Within SIAM PARAGON NEXT TECH x SCBX, we proudly introduce AreaX, a testament to our resolute commitment to cultivating a thriving tech community in the heart of Bangkok, tailored to the needs and passions of tech enthusiasts. SIAM PARAGON NEXT TECH x SCBX is a testament to the dynamic synergy between Siam Paragon and a collaborative network of partners. This collective effort encompasses over 10 co-founding partner organizations, exceeding 100 partner organizations, and a remarkable assembly of over 1,000 distinguished opinion leaders and experts from the global tech industry. Rooted in a dedication to continual growth, the space empowers individuals of all ages from aspiring minds to seasoned professionals fostering the exchange of knowledge, self-improvement, inspiration, and exploration of cutting-edge technologies. Anchored in the guiding principle of 'Smarter, Better, Richer,' this initiative equips individuals and society at large for a future-driven by technology, while championing sustainable development. Within this innovative space, knowledge and cutting-edge technologies take center stage, each showcased within distinct Future Communities: Dev Connect, Blockchain Web3 & Fintech, New Tech, Health Tech, Gamer's Guild, AI Arena, and Social Co-Creators. This ambitious ecosystem brings together a stellar lineup of partners including SCBX, Focus, BITCAST, Connex, DEPA, JIB, Looloo Tech x Samitivej, SiamSandbox, SYNNEX, Techsauce, TFA, TIKTOK, The Standard, Money & Banking, AIS, ONESIAM SuperApp, and more. Other zones in SIAM PARAGON NEXT TECH x SCBX include SCBX NEXT STAGE, a spacious venue accommodating up to 300 attendees, specifically curated for seminars and workshops to foster lively knowledge exchange. Moreover, an exhibition area dedicated to a diverse range of creative art forms, curated to captivate younger generations, will debut with an awe-inspiring digital art exhibition by world-renowned French artist Miguel Chevalier. This promises an unprecedented interactive experience for the Thai audience, creating an atmosphere of excitement and wonder. A highlight of the grand opening was the Global Tech Talk @ SCBX Next Tech, featuring the largest panel of influential figures in the global tech industry. Among the distinguished tech experts participating were Mr. Alejandro Navia, Co-Founder & President of NFT NOW; Mr. Sebastien Borget, Co-Founder & COO of THE SANDBOX; Mr. Brendon Matheson, Solution Area Specialist App Innovation of Microsoft; Mr. Simon Seojoon Kim, CEO & Managing Partner of Hashed; Mr. Reuben Lim, COO of Singapore Fintech Association; Mr. Derrick Loi, General Manager International Business of the Digital Technology Business Group of Ant Group; Mr. Michael Sung, Chairman Horizen Digital and Director Institute of Digital Finance Innovation (IDFI) from Zhejiang University International Business School; Mr. Atul Harkisanka, Regional Business Head of LinkedIn; and Mr. Dave Davani, CEO of Blue Resources. Additionally, in line with Siam Piwat's strong commitment to sustainability, the organization is not only forging ahead into the future but also placing a premium on responsible electronic waste management within the development of NEXT TECH as a tech community. To this end, Siam Piwat has joined forces with SYNNEX, a frontrunner in the IT ecosystem, to take proactive steps in reducing e-waste pollution and combating global warming. This partnership will see the installation of e-waste collection points, guaranteeing the proper disposal of discarded electronic devices. "The launch of SIAM PARAGON NEXT TECH x SCBX, the Collaborative Tech Ecosystem, signifies a remarkable shit in the shopping center and retail landscape. It is poised to cater to the lifestyles of the future and stands as a pivotal milestone in the comprehensive transformation toward 'The World of Tomorrow'," said Chadatip." SOURCE Siam Paragon COMFORT, Texas, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singing Water Vineyards, a distinguished name in the Texas wine industry, is embarking on a groundbreaking collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to address the pressing challenge of Pierce's Disease in vineyards. This innovative partnership will oversee a comprehensive 3-year study aimed at investigating the potential of the treatment, XylPhi-PD, in managing the devastating impacts of the disease on grapevines. Ivankovich Family Harvesting at Singing Water Vineyards in Comfort, Texas A Texas Hill Country sunset at Singing Water Vineyards in Comfort, Texas Pierce's Disease, caused by the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium, has long been a concern for vineyards in the U.S. with potential to impact vineyards across the US and in other crops worldwide in the future. The partnership between Singing Water Vineyards and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension underscores their shared commitment to sustainable viticulture practices, as well as their dedication to advancing the Texas wine industry. Developed in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife researchers, The EPA approved XylPhi-PD commercialized by A&P Inphatec, LLC., offers an innovative biopesticide approach to managing and controlling the spread of Pierce's Disease. The product is OMRI-listed and approved for use in organic production. The study's goal is to assess the effectiveness of XylPhi-PD specifically focusing on its impact on disease prevalence, vine health, and grape quality under the high-pressure field conditions found in Texas vineyards. XylPhi-PD has already been field tested in California and is commercially available in several US States. "We are excited to embark on this collaborative journey with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension," said Andy Ivankovich, CEO of Singing Water Vineyards. "Our deep-rooted commitment to producing exceptional wines while prioritizing the health of our vineyards aligns seamlessly with the objectives of this study. We are eager to contribute to the development of sustainable solutions that can bring about positive change both in Texas and the entire wine industry." Jacy Lewis, Program Manager & Scientist Viticulture and Sustainable Fruit Applied Research Program at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: "This type of collaborative partnership with Singing Water Vineyards offers us the unique opportunity to conduct on farm research that is vital to our ability to fulfill our mission of conducting applied research in order to provide the public with innovative, science-based solutions and education. The study's findings will provide valuable insights necessary to make management recommendations for Texas wine grape producers." The 3-year study will entail rigorous data collection, analysis, and dissemination to both the scientific community and the wider wine industry. The alliance between Singing Water Vineyards and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension underscores the critical importance of collaboration and innovation in overcoming challenges faced by vineyards in the face of emerging threats. On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, Singing Water and Texas A&M AgriLife will host a field day to discuss the study for area Texas Hill Country vineyard producers, wineries and interested persons from 11AM to 1PM at Singing Water in Comfort, Texas. The event is free and includes lunch. Register online at: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ereg/index.php?eventid=770910& To learn more about Singing Water Vineyards and their participation in the study, please visit singingwater.com. For additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife's pioneering research and initiatives, visit agrilifetoday.tamu.edu. For further information on XylPhi-PD please visit www.Inphatec.com. About Singing Water Vineyards: Founded in 1997 and situated in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Singing Water Vineyards is a family-owned winery renowned for its steadfast commitment to crafting exceptional wines while championing sustainable vineyard practices. With an unwavering focus on quality and innovation, Singing Water Vineyards has solidified its position as a respected leader in the Texas wine industry. About Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is a trailblazer in agricultural research, education, and extension services dedicated to addressing the unique needs of Texas and beyond. Through pioneering research initiatives spanning diverse disciplines, Texas A&M AgriLife seeks to provide pragmatic solutions to the multifaceted challenges confronting agriculture and society. About A&P Inphatec: A&P Inphatec, LLC is commercializing the first product (XylPhi-PD, a bacteriophage), to prevent and treat symptoms of Pierce's Disease in grapevines. Bacteriophages are viruses that selectively infect and kill bacteria but do not infect plant or animal cells. XylPhi-PD (EPA Reg. No. 93909-1) is EPA registered and is OMRI-listed and approved for use in organic production. This press release is intended for informational use only and cannot be used as a replacement for a product label. Any products mentioned in this press release may only be sold in states where they are registered. Press Contact for Singing Water: Andrew Ivankovich CEO, Singing Water Vineyards [email protected] 830-457-9006 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Study Press Questions: Jacy L. Lewis M.S. TAMU AgriLife Extension Program Manager: Viticulture and Sustainable Fruit Applied Research Program Fredericksburg TX [email protected] 806-789-9356 Contact at A&P Inphatec: James O'Connor, Marketing Director [email protected] 650-505-0642 SOURCE Singing Water Vineyards WEIHAI, China, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from dzwww.com: The establishment and expansion of the "circle of friends" of International Sister Cities is one of the perspectives to witness a city's brilliant achievements in reform and opening-up. The establishment and expansion of the "circle of friends" of International Sister Cities is one of the perspectives to witness a city's brilliant achievements in reform and opening-up. In this golden autumn, sister cities come together once more. With the goal of continuously constructing a practical cooperation platform for international sister cities, and further enhancing the city's openness and economic extroversion, Weihai invited delegations from four international sister cities - Turda, Romania; Jeju, South Korea; Vacoas, Senegal; and Sergiyev Posad, Russia. These delegations gathered in Weihai from September 26th to 27th to renew friendships and discuss cooperation. During the event, the sister city delegations explored Weihai's maritime and medical industries, and participated in a maritime industry matchmaking conference and a sister city economic and trade cooperation roundtable in Rongcheng and Weihai Torch Hi-tect Science Park, respectively. Over 20 Weihai enterprises and business associations from industries such as distant sea fishing, aquaculture and processing, medical devices, automobile manufacturing, new materials, food packaging, import and export, fishing gear, etc., took part in the related activities. They engaged in extensive discussions with international sister cities on investment, industry, and trade, and reached preliminary intentions for cooperation in areas such as import and export trade. SOURCE dzwww.com NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Julie & Holleman LLP is investigating the proposed $174 million buyout of Startek, Inc. (NYSE: SRT) by its majority shareholder, Capital Square Partners (CSP). Julie & Holleman is concerned about the $4.30 per share price being offered as well as potential conflicts of interest. For a no-cost consult and to learn more about our investigation, please click here or visit: https://julieholleman.com/?p=3156 Startek is a leading provider of customer experience (CX) solutions, supporting some of the world's most iconic brands across a variety of markets. Since 2018, Startek has been controlled by Singaporean private equity investment firm CSP, which currently owns 56% of Startek's stock. On October 10, 2023, Startek announced that CSP agreed to buy the shares it doesn't already own for $4.30 per share. This is far less than the $5.50 per share price target established by Wall Street analysts. Julie & Holleman, a nationally recognized firm that exclusively focuses on shareholder matters, is concerned not only about the inadequate price, but also about potential conflicts of interest. As Startek's controller, CSP may have leveraged its influence over the board of directors to secure an unfair deal. If you would like more information about Julie & Holleman's investigation, or about the acquisition in general, please contact W. Scott Holleman by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (929) 415-1020. You may also visit the firm's website by clicking here. Julie & Holleman is a boutique law firm that focuses on shareholder litigation, including derivative actions, mergers and acquisitions cases, securities fraud class actions, and corporate investigations. The firm's attorneys litigate in state and federal courts across the nation and have helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved companies and their shareholders. For more information about the firm, please visit www.julieholleman.com. This notice may constitute attorney advertising. CONTACT INFORMATION Julie & Holleman LLP W. Scott Holleman, Esq. 157 East 86th Street 4th Floor New York, NY 10028 (929) 415-1020 www.julieholleman.com SOURCE Julie & Holleman LLP NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) continues to expand its line of Oil Filter Housing Kits. Since the program's introduction, Standard has added coverage for many popular applications. Standard(R) continues to expand its line of Oil Filter Housing Kits. Post this Standard Oil Filter Housing Kits come assembled from the factory and include everything needed for a complete, correct installation. Standard Oil Filter Housing Kits come assembled from the factory and include everything needed for a complete, correct installation. Standard Oil Filter Housings are vehicle specific, not universal, and are designed to use the correct oil filter cataloged for the vehicle. The oil filter and cap are an exact OE-match and already installed. All Standard Oil Filter Housing Kits include new oil temperature and oil pressure sensors, gaskets, seals and hardware so you won't have to reuse any of the old, worn pieces. Additionally, all Standard Oil Filter Housings use materials that match the heat dissipating characteristics of the original, meaning we use metal where the vehicle manufacturer used metal, and high-temp synthetic materials where the OE used synthetic materials. The most recent additions to this program are Oil Filter Housing Assemblies for 1.3 million General Motors vehicles including the 2018-12 Chevrolet Sonic and 2015-11 Chevrolet Cruze, as well as 2016-07 Volvo cars and SUVs. Additional numbers in Standard's Oil Filter Housing Kit program were designed for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles, including the 2022-19 Chrysler 300, 2020-19 Jeep Cherokee, and 2022-19 RAM 1500. John Herc, Vice President Vehicle Control Marketing, SMP, stated, "Since the introduction of our Oil Filter Housing program, the Standard team has been busy expanding the line and developing new in-demand numbers for popular applications. Our Oil Filter Housing Kits are designed to match OE performance and cooling characteristics, are engineered for durability, and come with everything needed for a complete repair." Along with Oil Filter Housing Kits, Standard offers a complete line of Engine Oil Coolers. More than 50 SKUs are available, with recent additions offering coverage for popular vehicles like the 2018-10 Nissan Altima, 2023-19 Toyota Corolla, and 2023-20 Ford Escape. All Standard Oil Filter Housing Kits and related components are listed in the catalog found at StandardBrand.com, and in electronic catalog providers. About Standard Standard provides unmatched coverage for all import and domestic vehicle applications equipped with gas, hybrid, and electric powertrains. Standard's line offers premium automotive products in multiple product categories for vehicle systems such as electric, safety, fuel, and ignition. Product categories include Ignition Coils, Sensors, Switches, VVT Components, ADAS Products, TMPS Sensors, Fuel Injection and much more. For additional information, contact an SMP sales representative or visit StandardBrand.com. About SMP With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive replacement parts utilized in the maintenance, repair and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry. In addition, SMP continues to increase its supplier capabilities with a complementary focus on specialized original equipment parts for manufacturers across multiple industries such as agriculture, heavy duty, and construction equipment. SMP sells its products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico and other Latin American countries. For more information, download the SMP Parts App or visit SMPcorp.com. SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD) today announced that the Company will release its third quarter 2023 financial results on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 before the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. A conference call will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. During the conference call, the Company's officers will review third quarter performance, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer period. Webcast The conference call will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will also be available for 90 days on the Company's website. To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call: Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time. Domestic: 1-877-407-9039 International: 1-201-689-8470 Conference Call Playback: Domestic: 1-844-512-2921 International: 1-412-317-6671 Passcode: 13739159 The playback can be accessed through November 22, 2023. Full Text of the Earnings Release Internet -- The full text of the earnings release will be available on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at the Company's web site, www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. at the Company's web site, www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. Mail -- For those without Internet access, the third quarter earnings release will be available by mail or fax, on request. To receive a copy, please call the Company's Investor Relations line at 203-422-7788. About Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD) is a leading diversified finance company with a core focus on the real estate and infrastructure sectors. An affiliate of global private investment firm, Starwood Capital Group, the Company has successfully deployed over $95 billion of capital since inception and manages a portfolio of over $28 billion across debt and equity investments. Starwood Property Trust's investment objective is to generate attractive and stable returns for shareholders, primarily through dividends, by leveraging a premiere global organization to identify and execute on the best risk-adjusted returning investments across its target assets. Additional information can be found at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. Contact: Zachary Tanenbaum Starwood Property Trust Phone: 203-422-7788 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Starwood Property Trust, Inc. A NEW POLL SHOWS AMERICANS SUPPORT RACIAL HEALING, LESS DIVISIVE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND AN ACCURATE PORTRAYAL OF RACISM IN SCHOOLS Comprehensive results from NCHE's Heart of America Poll can be found HERE WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "In our nation's history, at times, a fraction of the population and public officials have banded together to defy the aspirational principles upon which America was founded. Through each occurrence, the people, the heart of America, have united to preserve the hope of our democracy and nation governed of, by, and for the people. "The National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) has sponsored research demonstrating that the American public cares far more about unity and racial healing than is commonly recognized or discussed in the public discourse. The Benenson Strategy Group, a premier strategic market research firm, conducted a survey using a nationally representative sample. The Heart of America Poll surveyed 1304 people online from June 16-24, 2023, with respondents showing support for racial healing, concerns about the divisive political environment, and a strong desire to work towards overcoming these challenges. "Most Americans want to continue with the progress made toward achieving racial equity. This sentiment contrasts sharply with the Supreme Court ruling restricting affirmative action in education and related legislative and executive actions in state governments to ban books and narrowing the opportunities for people of color to vote. Regardless of their political party, Americans want a country that runs efficiently and is fair to all its citizens. "Our poll found that Democrats and Republicans are surprisingly close on the importance of educating children about racism, promoting diversity in the workplace, and celebrating other cultures. Despite pessimism over disunity, nearly 70 percent of Americans are hopeful we can find common ground in the future. More specifically, the poll found: 8 in 10 respondents, including 3 in 4 Republicans, believe diversity should be promoted in the workplace so people of all races are working together, and educating our children on the history of race and racism in America is an essential first step for our nation to begin the process of racial healing. Americans across the political spectrum, including 3 in 4 Republicans, say educating our children on the history of racism and promoting diversity in the workplace is important for racial healing. 88% would support a leader who aims to unite everyone in our country, even when people have disagreements, and 47% strongly agree with that statement. agree with that statement. Nearly three-quarters of the population (74%) agrees there is a renewed urgency for fighting racism and hate in America. There is a strong appetite for unity, with a significant majority taking pride in their American identity and two in three (67%) saying they are hopeful Americans can work through differences and find lasting common ground in the future. 77% of those surveyed agree with the statement, "I don't care about my neighbors' political views as long as they are good people." "For detailed results of this groundbreaking poll, click HERE. "In unveiling what's truly in the hearts of Americans, the poll results should motivate us to no longer accept misguided, spiritually bereft, selfish acts that harm millions in the name of ideology to be taken as normal or conflated with public service. "In each era of turmoil and unrest, various emerging forms of media have played a critical role in shaping the public consciousness. Indeed, freedom of the press is core to the viability of our democracy. However, in this age of high-tech communication, artificial intelligence, social media, and algorithms driven solely by the profit motive, the media has a heightened responsibility. Too often, media technology is wielded to spread hate and divisiveness, a potent weapon for the totalitarian forces attacking our norms. "Today, coverage in responsible media outlets, truthful thought leaders, and commentators must demonstrate a new performance level that helps unify rather than divide our nation. The viability of our democracy depends on this transformation. "The broader public sentiment expressed in this poll must spur action. We cannot allow the commitment expressed and galvanized by the brutal murder of George Floyd to lose its energy or be hijacked by the loud voices of a small percentage of Americans. "Part of the urgency is that a democracy requires a full expression of the power of the majority of the people in its policy and governance decisions. The poll shows how most Americans feel, but now those sentiments must be acted on." (For broadcast or print interviews with Dr. Christopher, please contact Michael K. Frisby at [email protected] or 202-625-4328.) (Dr. Gail C. Christopher is the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity , Senior Scholar at the Center for Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University, and former Senior Advisor and Vice President of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Her new book, RX-Racial Healing, is available HERE. ) About NCHE Founded in 2014, NCHE was established to promote health equity through action, leadership, inclusion, and collaboration. We work to create environments that foster the best possible health outcomes for all populations, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or nativity. NCHE also works to improve conditions for health and well-being, including housing, education, income and wealth, and the physical and social environment. Further, it is imperative that we address historical and contemporary structural, institutional, and interpersonal racism, which fuels inequities in our society. SOURCE NCHE Firm's SIAccess 2023 Forum evaluated as "resounding success" by top financial advisors ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today announced that its independent contractor broker-dealer subsidiary, Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC, concluded its highly anticipated SIAccess 2023 Forum. This year's conference, held this fall, brought together industry leaders, experts, and Stifel's C-suite executives for an event that delivered insight and education for Stifel Independent Advisors' network of elite financial advisors taking their practices to the next level with the firm. Stifel Independent Advisors currently oversees $6.5 billion in assets under management (AUM). "The SIAccess 2023 Forum, a relatively new conference now held annually at our headquarters in St. Louis, has once again proven to be a premier platform for industry leaders to collaborate, share ideas, and chart the course for the future of independent wealth management for highly experienced advisors," said Alex David, President and CEO of Stifel Independent Advisors. "We firmly stand with our advisors from the moment they join our network. This year's Forum was an exceptional opportunity to reaffirm our ironclad commitment to advisor advancement. We're delighted with the engagement of all participants at this transformative event, who have said the event was a 'resounding success.'" The SIAccess 2023 Forum kicked off with a Welcome Meeting and an engaging Fireside Chat featuring Mr. David and Dale Brown, President and CEO of the Financial Services Institute (FSI), setting the stage for three days of knowledge-sharing and networking. Stifel's Chief Investment Officer Michael O'Keeffe also participated in the Forum, during a session offering "Access to the CIO Office." Mr. O'Keeffe is responsible for developing investment strategy and corresponding investment offerings for Stifel advisors and their clients. Throughout the conference, participants attended interactive sessions, such as "The Power of Partnership" by Kevin Kimbrough, Executive Director of Insurance Solutions at The Pinnacle Group. Other highlights included discussions on leveraging Salesforce for business enhancement, sourcing sellers and book acquisitions, and exploring Stifel's VIP Program to gather assets effectively. Opportunities for networking were available across the three days of the event, held across different venues, including The Live! By Loews Hotel St. Louis. A key highlight of the Forum on Thursday was the COO Panel, featuring David Sliney, Chief Operating Officer of Stifel Financial Corp., and Tim Boostrom, Chief Operating Officer of Stifel Independent Advisors. The two C-suite executives offered invaluable insights into the fundamentals of operational excellence for advisors. Advisors maintaining independent practices in partnership with Stifel Independent Advisors have said the abundant resources of an industry-leading firm, personalized support from the C-suite, and access to top decision-makers were the reasons they chose to join the firm. Stifel-affiliated broker-dealer subsidiary Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated recently ranked No. 1 in employee advisor satisfaction among investment firms in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction StudySM, and ranked highest in key factors that include compensation, firm leadership and culture, operational support, as well as products and marketing. Mr. Boostrom concluded, "Just as Stifel Independent Advisors put their wealth management clients first, our firm delivers on our promise to our members, providing the superior service that they expect from an independent broker-dealer that offers the resources of a globally recognized investment bank. We continue to grow and expand our network of outstanding advisors and extend our heartfelt appreciation to all attendees, speakers, and partners who made this year's SIAccess Forum a tremendous success." Stifel Company Information Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel's broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC; in Canada through Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc.; and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. The Company's broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company's website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit https://www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases. For further information, contact Brian Spellecy (314) 342-2000 SOURCE Stifel Independent Advisors Angelinos Demand Accountability from Big Tech SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters, in collaboration with community groups and concerned citizens, joined forces to protest the launch of Waymo self-driving cars in Los Angeles County at the Third Street Promenade on Wednesday. The rally comes in response to mounting concerns about the safety and impact of untested autonomous vehicles (AVs) on public streets, which has already led to traffic jams and accidents in other cities across the United States, including San Francisco and Austin, Texas. "We cannot allow the unchecked deployment of untested technology on our roads," said Chris Griswold, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42. "Our priority is safety and the protection of jobs. We urge all local elected leaders in L.A. County to hold companies like Waymo accountable by ensuring that this technology is thoroughly tested and regulated before more damage is done to our communities, as we have seen in other regions of the country." The protesters chanted "Waymo? Hell no!" and distributed leaflets to the public informing them of the dangers posed by driverless cars and trucks. The launch of Waymo in L.A. County is a cause for alarm, as the region faces unique challenges and complexities with traffic, infrastructure, and pedestrian safety. The absence of comprehensive testing and regulation further raises concerns about AV deployment on crowded and bustling streets in the nation's most populous county. "As a professional delivery driver in Los Angeles, I am aware of how hectic it can get on our streets, and how split-second decisions made by human drivers can save lives," said Jared Hamil, a UPS package car driver and member of Teamsters Local 396. "The roll-out of driverless vehicles on city streets puts our lives and the communities we serve at risk. We need more accountability to ensure that L.A. residents are safe." "As a firefighter for 31 years, vehicle accidents are one of the toughest incidents I respond to. Witnessing the horrific wreckage that these tragic events cause is heartbreaking," said Frank Lima, General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Fire Fighters. "I have dedicated my career to saving lives, and that is why I am very concerned about this new technology. It's clear that driverless cars and trucks pose a safety concern, not just for firefighters but for our entire community. Cities across California are already paying the price with multiple traffic accidents not to mention driverless vehicles interfering with fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Elected leaders throughout Los Angeles need to do the right thing and put the safety of our communities first. They must ban driverless cars and trucks." This protest follows Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent veto of AB 316, a bipartisan bill supported by the Teamsters, other California labor unions, and more than 90 percent of state legislators in Sacramento. The veto runs contrary to the wishes of Newsom's constituents, given that three out of four Californians support human operators in driverless vehicles. Teamsters view the Governor's decision as an attack on middle-class jobs, motorist safety, and the responsibility of elected officials to do right by the people they represent. Teamsters Joint Council 42 represents more than 100,000 California workers throughout Southern California. For more information, go to teamstersjc42.com. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Joint Council 42 DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TerraPay is proud to announce that it has been certified as a Great Place to Work after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work Middle East. This certification is based on direct feedback from employees, provided as part of an extensive and anonymous survey about the workplace experience. TerraPay's ongoing mission is to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. TerraPay's culture is built on the pillars of humility, teamwork, ownership, adaptability and being a true global. Ambar Sur, Founder and CEO of TerraPay, expressed gratitude for this achievement, stating, "We are immensely proud to be recognized as a 'Great Place to Work.' This certification validates the hard work, passion, and dedication that our team puts into creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. At TerraPay, we understand that our success is directly tied to the well-being and growth of our employees." "As we celebrate this achievement, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a workplace that inspires, motivates, and drives success for every member of our team. Together, we will continue to raise the bar and set new standards of excellence in our industry." TerraPay is a global partner for leading banks, money transfer operators, mobile wallet providers, and financial institutions in order to enable seamless digital payments across borders. TerraPay aims for global expansion, particularly in the LATAM and MENA regions, with the goal of expanding their existing payout network to encompass 150 countries by 2024. With the acquisition of two new regulatory approvals this year, TerraPay holds regulatory licenses in 29 countries worldwide. The company's primary markets encompass the GCC, North, South, and Central Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central, North, and South Americas. About Great Place to Work: Great Place to Work (www.greatplacetowork.me) is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes the Best Workplaces across the world in a series of national lists including those published by Fortune magazine (USA) and in leading media across the Middle East. Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. Follow Great Place to Work at www.greatplacetowork.me and on our social media pages: Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter About TerraPay: TerraPay simplifies the movement of money everywhere providing a single connection to the most expansive cross-border payments network regulated in 29 global markets and enabling payments to 120+ receive countries, 210+ send countries, 7.5Bn+ bank accounts and 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets. TerraPay is on a mission to connect a borderless financial world, making moving money everywhere instant, reliable, transparent and fully compliant. TerraPay pushes the boundaries for global businesses ranging from banks, fintechs and money-transfer operators to travel businesses, creator economy platforms and e-commerce marketplaces while driving financial inclusion in even the most inaccessible markets. Founded in 2014, TerraPay is headquartered in London, with global offices Dubai, Miami, Bogota, Dakar, Joburg, Nairobi, Milan, Singapore and is expanding rapidly, having received funding from leading investors, including the IFC (the World Bank), Prime Ventures, Partech Africa and Visa. Media Contact: Juveria Samrin [email protected] Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1222771/TerraPay_Logo.jpg SOURCE TerraPay KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Victor Joseph Maggitti is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Professional for his contributions to the fields of Accounting and Construction Supplies and Accessories. Mr. Maggitti began his scholarship at Villanova School of Business at Villanova University in Pennsylvania in 1956. Inspired by his father, he notes that from a young age he naturally gravitated toward a career in the field of construction. As a career highlight, he ultimately partnered with his father to found Vimco, Inc. in 1960. Victor J. Maggitti Jr With more than 60 years of experience in the fields of accounting and construction supplies and accessories, Mr. Maggitti asserts that he has been instrumental in the exponential growth of business revenue in the company. Touting a fulfilling career, he specializes in business finances and financial management. The company, based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is a highly respected construction brand and is a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality construction supplies and accessories. As part of his daily responsibilities, Mr. Maggitti manages daily business operations, including accounting; collaboration with other construction organizations and product distributors to acquire tools and equipment for fieldwork; and partnering with prestigious providers such as Allen Engineering Corporation; Kraft Tool Co.; and Zurn Industries LLC. A testament to his vast knowledge and professionalism, Mr. Maggitti has served as a founding member of the Associated Construction Distributors International (ACDI) since 1973 and notes that the association stands as a collaboration of independently owned and operated construction brands. He is also involved with his community through civic advocacy and notably donated $20 million to his university as part of their efforts to rebuild the library which was subsequently renamed the Vic Maggitti Library in his honor. He notes that among his many career accomplishments, he is especially proud of the many ways he has expanded the company over the years. In the future, Mr. Maggitti hopes to see his children and grandchildren enter the family business. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle TricorBraun is the Preferred Distributor of AFA's Next Generation Sustainable and Rechargeable Flairosol Sprayer and Bottle Device in the US and Canada ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global packaging leader TricorBraun announced today that it has signed an agreement with AFA Dispensing Group to be the preferred distributor for AFA's next generation sustainable and rechargeable Flairosol spray technology dispensing device in the US and Canada. Flairosol is designed to replace aerosol packages. It is a propellant-free, non-pressurized system that can be recharged and reused, providing a better, healthier, and more sustainable solution. The agreement broadens TricorBraun's sustainable packaging offerings and as AFA's preferred distributor, enables it to offer the Flairosol device to customers in the US and Canada in segments including personal care and beauty, nutraceuticals, home and fabric care, animal and pet care, and automotive. "At TricorBraun, we are focused on helping our customers become more sustainable," said Mark O'Bryan, chief operations officer, TricorBraun. "Our Flairosol agreement is another example of our efforts to provide our customers with a vast array of innovative, sustainable packaging options across substrates. We are thrilled to partner with AFA Dispensing Group." As an aerosol alternative, Flairosol reduces environmental, health, and safety issues as well as supply chain restrictions and complexities. Without the use of propellants or pressure, Flairosol contains only product and has a more than 98% liquid evacuation rate. Designed to last, the Flairosol spray head can be easily removed and reused multiple times reducing overall waste. The larger head-style device has a prolonged, output and a continuous spray effect that produces an even, fine mist, ultra mist, or foaming spray pattern; the smaller-head design is applicable for the personal care market and on-the-go use. The Flairosol device features sustainability, high performance, and convenience with premium quality and an innovative design. "TricorBraun shares our commitment to providing innovative solutions that offer better, healthier and more sustainable packaging options, enhancing brands in their differentiation," said Nir Gadot, CEO, AFA Dispensing Group. "We are excited to partner with TricorBraun to offer this unique technology and we look forward to working with their team to expand into new segments. Flairosol is good for people, good for the planet, and good for business." TricorBraun's agreement with AFA Dispensing Group marks the latest development in the company's ongoing sustainability journey and continuous efforts to improve its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact. Read more about TricorBraun's progress in its inaugural Sustainability Report. For more information about TricorBraun and AFA's Flairosol solution, contact [email protected]. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. About AFA Dispensing Group Afa Dispensing (Afa) is a world leader in technologically advanced liquid dispensing systems. AFA's mission is to disrupt the market with leapfrog-innovation, aiming at superior solutions that delight consumers, offer premium value and are most sustainable. AFA engages with customers to co-create solutions, enhancing brands. Production capabilities include Asia and North America, coupled with logistic support and extensive customer service provided around the globe. AFA's technology portfolio includes OpUs pre-compression sprayers, Flair double-layer bottle technology as well as Flairosol next generation spray solutions, the aerosol alternative. About TricorBraun Founded in 1902, TricorBraun is a global packaging leader. We provide innovative solutions across a wide array of customer end markets in plastic, glass, and metal containers, closures, dispensers, tubes, and flexibles. Our award-winning Design & Engineering Center provides forward-thinking design, driven by consumer insight and creative solutions. TricorBraun is comprised of more than 2,000 packaging professionals operating from more than 100 locations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. SOURCE TricorBraun Whitley Penn to resell and implement Trintech's market-leading cloud-based finance and accounting solutions. DALLAS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trintech, a leading global provider of cloud-based financial close solutions for the Office of the CFO, today announced a strategic partnership with Whitley Penn, a full-service public accounting and consulting firm. The partnership enables Whitley Penn to offer and implement Trintech's market-leading cloud-based finance and accounting solutions to businesses in the US. Companies looking to transform and automate their reconciliation and financial close processes by streamlining work, improving accuracy, and reducing risk, will benefit from the combination of services and solutions Whitley Penn and Trintech can provide. "We are excited to formalize our partnership with Whitley Penn as we continue to expand Trintech's partner ecosystem across the globe to better serve our new and existing customers," said Mekaela Davis, SVP, Partner Success & Global Advisory at Trintech. "Together, Trintech and Whitley Penn share a common goal in providing organizations with a holistic business vision and strategy to reduce costs, drive efficiencies and mitigate risk across their reconciliation and financial close processes." From high volume transaction matching, to automating and managing balance sheet reconciliations, intercompany accounting, journal entries, and close management tasks, to governance, risk and compliance Trintech's portfolio of financial solutions, including its Cadency Platform (for large enterprises) and Adra Suite (for mid-market organizations), help manage all aspects of the reconciliation and financial close processes. Over 4,200 clients worldwide including the majority of the Fortune 100 rely on Trintech's solutions to enable their F&A operation to become a strategic partner to the business by optimizing data, controlling risk, driving efficiencies, and providing strategic insights. "We are thrilled to partner with Trintech in order to provide our clients with solutions to streamline closing and consolidation processes and round out our Client Advisory and Accounting Services (CAAS) offerings," said Irfan Dossani, Partner-in-Charge of Whitley Penn's CAAS practice. "We're dedicated to providing elevated value not only within our consulting and outsourced accounting services, but also by recommending, implementing and managing FinTech solutions and integrations to help the offices of the CFO and CAO scale." "On behalf of the Whitley Penn CAAS Data Analytics & Transformation Solutions (DATS) team, we could not be more excited to begin this strategic partnership with Trintech," stated Naveed Salman, CAAS Managing Director. "By combining our efforts, we will further enhance the Office of the CFO's experience and empower them to successfully navigate the challenges of the modern FP&A landscape through dynamic forecasting, vendor planning, and resource allocation." If you are interested in learning more about how this strategic partnership can help your organization simplify and accelerate your reconciliation and financial close processes, register for our upcoming webinar. About Trintech Trintech, a leading global provider of cloud-based, integrated reconciliation and financial close solutions for Finance & Accounting departments. From high volume transaction matching, to automating and managing balance sheet reconciliations, intercompany accounting, journal entries, close management tasks, to governance, risk and compliance Trintech's portfolio of financial solutions, including its Cadency Platform (for large enterprises) and Adra Suite (for mid-market organizations), help manage all aspects of the reconciliation and financial close processes. Trintech's excellence in both innovation and client support have been recognized with a variety of awards over the years including most recently "Easiest to Do Business With" and "Fastest Implementation" in G2's Report. Over 4,200 clients worldwide including the majority of the Fortune 100 rely on Trintech's solutions to enable their F&A operation to become a strategic partner to the business by optimizing data, controlling risk, driving efficiencies, and providing strategic insights. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Trintech has offices located across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Nordics, as well as strategic partners in South Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. To learn more about Trintech, visit www.trintech.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Whitley Penn, LLP Whitley Penn, a full-service public accounting and consulting firm,has consistently been recognized as "One the Top 100 Firms in the U.S." and "Best of the Best" by INSIDE Public Accounting and other industry publications. We are a member of HLB International, a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms. For more information on Whitley Penn, please visit www.whitleypenn.com. Trintech Media Contact: Kelli Shoevlin Director, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications [email protected] Whitley Penn Media Contact: Kristen Lollar Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] SOURCE Trintech ATLANTA, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TWO Capital Partners, a leading real estate investment and development firm, and RAM Partners, an award-winning property management company, have joined forces to revolutionize the Build-to-Rent sector with the launch of a groundbreaking partnership. Together, they are set to deliver more than a dozen Build-to-Rent single-family communities across the Southeastern United States over the next two years, totaling over 2,300 homes. "TWO Capital Partners has strategically acquired development sites close to major thoroughfares, providing convenient access to interstates and key employment centers for our Tessa single-family rental communities," said co-founder and Managing Partner Ralph B. Wilson III. "By partnering with RAM Partners, we offer our residents first-rate, maintenance-free living with resort-level amenities and services. It's a perfect match for our brand and our residents." Tessa Barrow Crossing, the inaugural community, has welcomed its first residents. Located at 116 Dolcetto Drive in Winder, Ga., Tessa Barrow Crossing is a 235-unit townhome community with concierge services, a pet park & dog spa, a sparkling pool, co-working space, a state-of-the-art fitness center and ample greenspace with outdoor gathering places. Each home features luxury finishes, Latch Smart Home technology, private garages and private outdoor spaces. RAM Partners is one of the largest residential management companies in the country, managing over 70,000 units across 21 states. "As longstanding partners with TWO Capital, our collaboration has been instrumental in developing the exceptional amenity set for Tessa communities and establishing a resident-first culture for our guests," said Brenda Lindner, Executive Vice President and Managing Partner, RAM Partners. "We are thrilled to serve the Build-to-Rent demographic, many of whom are our former apartment renters ready for the next stage of their lives." TWO Capital has a proven track record of developing, acquiring, leasing, managing and financing real estate assets exceeding $1 billion across the Southeastern United States. The firm currently has five Build-To-Rent communities under construction, totaling 947 units across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, alongside a pipeline of six additional Tessa-branded communities throughout the Southeastern United States. For more information on Tessa Barrow Crossing, visit tessabarrowcrossing.com. SOURCE RAM Partners, LLC TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paradigm-shifting neuromodulation company, StimAire, has completed its first clinical trial in Australia. The first-in-human study tested a tiny injectable stimulator to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study assessed the safety of the injection procedure, the operation of the patented device, and the feasibility of the approach. In addition, the first overnight sleep studies were conducted of an OSA patient with and without the StimAire device modulating the hypoglossal nerve throughout the night. There were no adverse events during the study. Furthermore, no significant pain or discomfort was experienced from the injection procedures. Efficacy results from the sleep studies of the OSA patient, as measured by obstructive events, were as expected. Furthermore, this patient slept 2.5 times longer with our device than without it and enjoyed 30 minutes of REM sleep vs. none without it. Robert Dean PhD MD/ENT, StimAire Chief Clinical Officer, said, "After developing this injection procedure for StimAire at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, I was delighted to see these results. This technology has the potential to move treatments like this from the operating room to the doctor's office, lowering the cost of care and enabling immediate recovery." StimAire's device modulates peripheral nerves, like the hypoglossal, using a tiny, battery-free, injectable receiver/stimulator activated by a small wearable. StimAire's system can be built with readily available components, expediting the path to production. The tiny injectable is placed in close proximity to the nerve through a 17-gauge needle under ultrasound guidance. Tarek Makansi PhD EE, President and CTO of StimAire, said "We are grateful to this team for advancing non-surgical treatments that stimulate peripheral nerves. The ultimate goals are replacement of pacemaker-like devices and universal access to advanced treatments." Fletcher McCusker, Managing Director of UAVenture Capital, StimAire's lead investor, said "Of our entire portfolio we are the most excited about the progress of StimAire. Comparable devices have to be surgically implanted. The StimAire office-based injectable design has achieved encouraging early results for the treatment of OSA. We are honored to invest in the world-changing technology." About StimAire StimAire is a venture-backed medical device company located in Tucson, AZ USA. StimAire's efforts are focused on enabling injectability for neuromodulation devices in order to make "electricity as medicine" readily available and reimbursable world-wide. StimAire has partnered with the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson through the Sponsored Research Program for its preclinical work with Physiology Professors Fiona Bailey, Andrew Fuglevand, and others. StimAire is funded by UAVenture Capital, the Desert Angels, and individual investors. www.stimaire.com About UAVenture Capital UAVenture Capital Fund LLC, or UAVC, is a Tucson-based investment fund designed specifically to help finance University of Arizona connected enterprises. www.uaventurecap.com SOURCE UAVenture Capital Fund, LLC WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As schools and communities nationwide celebrate the contributions of school nutrition programs during National School Lunch Week and National Farm to School Month, the Urban School Food Alliance is excited to announce a new partnership with USDA to provide trainings and tools to school districts that will help them purchase high quality foods, while keeping costs low. "The Urban School Food Alliance appreciates the opportunity to work with USDA to improve the school food procurement process for all stakeholders," said Dr. Katie Wilson, executive director of the Urban School Food Alliance. "With procurement practices laying the foundation for obtaining fresh, healthy food served throughout our nation's schools, we look forward to developing and implementing new tools to push for a more efficient and sustainable food system that includes supporting local economies." The partnership builds on the Urban School Food Alliance's existing efforts to strengthen and streamline school food procurement practices for school districts of all sizes. Since its inception in 2012, the Urban School Food Alliance has led the way by using the collective volume of its members to drive transformative change in the marketplace. These achievements include creating a compostable round plate to replace polystyrene trays, adopting and sharing standards to antibiotic-free poultry products, and developing resources to support districts in leveraging the power of local procurement. Through the new agreement with USDA, the Urban School Food Alliance will: Develop new tools to educate school districts on best practices for purchasing school foods. Organize an advisory group of school nutrition stakeholders to create an action plan that will address challenges with school food procurement through the development of targeted trainings and resources. Develop an interactive bid template that will help standardize procurement processes in school nutrition. "USDA is committed to giving students the nutrition they need to reach their full potential by empowering schools to continue serving delicious, healthy meals," said Secretary Vilsack. "There's no better time to announce these new efforts to support schools than during National School Lunch Week and Farm to School Month, as we acknowledge the critical role that school meals play in a child's life. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue doing everything we can to ensure schools have the tools they need to keep serving the highest quality meals to kids across America." The Urban School Food Alliance has existing trainings and resources to begin sharing with school districts immediately, and the development of new tools and the advisory group are both expected to begin in early 2024. About Urban School Food Alliance The Urban School Food Alliance is a collaborative of the largest school districts in the United States, committed to improving the quality of food served in schools and increasing access to healthy, delicious meals for all students. Founded in 2012, it creates sustainable and equitable school food systems that support the health and well-being of students. To learn more, visit www.urbanschoolfoodalliance.org. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Urban School Food Alliance Visier's Generative AI Solution 'Vee' Goes Live; 'Alpine by Visier' Takes on People Analytics Builders; Smart Compensation Marks Official Entry into Total Rewards Category; People Analytics Shifts From a Niche "HR Thing" to Core Intelligence for Running a Business VANCOUVER, BC and LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Visier , the globally recognized leader in people analytics and workforce solutions for people-powered business, today made several important announcements which together signal a shift from people analytics as a specialized reporting and analysis discipline within HR departments to people analytics as a pervasive data strategy where trusted and secure workforce insights inform virtually every people-related decision and workflow. This announcement was made in Las Vegas at the annual HR Technology Conference, where Visier is exhibiting as a Diamond Sponsor , and where the company took top honors for its Workplace Dynamics collaboration analytics product in this year's HR Executive Top HR Products awards. Today's announcement includes: Visier's vision for Systemic HR, a major shift highlighted in the opening HR Tech keynote, which speaks to a new unified HR operating model powered by connected data; Public preview of Vee, Visier's Generative AI digital assistant, which democratizes access to workforce insights for managers and non-analysts; New Alpine by Visier PaaS capabilities, which is dramatically accelerating Visier's Embedded business, and unlocking innovations from enterprise customers preferring to build people analytics workflows and solutions; Visier's official entry into the Total Rewards category with Smart Compensation solution, new Compensation Benchmarks, and a new executive appointment. Systemic HR Takes Center Stage - Unifying HR and Business Data In his opening HR Tech keynote this week, globally recognized industry analyst, Josh Bersin, discussed "Systemic HR," citing Visier as "one of the most spectacular examples of generative AI in HR today." Bersin describes Systemic HR as the bridging of disconnected silos across the specialized functions within HR, and also the silos separating HR from the business itself. In connecting and unifying the data within these various systems, HR and people leaders can understand the impact of people on business, and the impact of business on peoplewhich is the foundation of any workforce strategy. "Every problem we need to solve in HR is interconnected," said Bersin. "Suppose a sales organization is underperforming. Is this a problem of leadership? Management? Hiring the wrong people? Sales training? Or maybe are they organized incorrectly and they need new territories or accounts? Or could they be underpaid or overpaid? Or could they feel disconnected from the company strategy? Or maybe the reward system has created a lack of teamwork? HR professionals need to connect this data together to diagnose the problem, and tools like Vee make this amazingly easy." Visier's Vee - Democratizing Access to Workforce Insights with Generative AI Until now, adoption and use of people analytics has been limited to those who are most comfortable with data and analytics. But the reality is, workforce insights are required by everyone who manages people and leads teams, irrespective of their familiarity with analytics and reporting tools. Visier today announced public preview of 'Vee,' its Generative AI-based digital assistant, which was first announced in limited beta release in June. Vee, which is available optionally with every Visier People product, makes trusted and secure people insights as simple as asking a natural language question. With Vee as their personal digital assistant, managers and HR leaders can ask and answer questions about their workforce within Visier People or via available Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations. Vee, which will be showcased for HR Tech attendees this week in the Visier booth, is in active use by nearly 100 Visier customers today. Many of these companies intend to roll out Vee in production when it reaches general availability status in Q4 of this year. Vee, which is available as part of the Visier People family of products, is also a programmatic developer service within Alpine, Visier's platform as a service (PaaS). Using this service, Visier partners can embed these Generative AI capabilities into their own products, delivering their own private labeled digital assistant to their customers. Paycor is the first Visier Embedded partner to bring this to life with their digital assistant "Cora." "We are excited about how a Visier-powered generative AI solution will deliver a transformative experience for our customers," said Ryan Bergstrom, Chief Product Officer of Paycor. "By offering an AI digital assistant within our people analytics solution, Paycor will provide a conversational UI that allows our customers to ask questions naturally and deliver instant analytical insights around their workforce in plain language." Alpine by Visier - Unlocking the Innovation Potential of Builders As people analytics matures from a narrow and specialized HR discipline to one that is foundational for running an efficient and effective business, many organizations desire to design and build their own solutions. Whether they choose to build their own solution, buy off the shelf capabilities, or blend a combination of both, Visier has the right people analytics solution for every organization. Alpine by Visier, which was publicly launched late last year, is a platform as a service (PaaS) that makes Visier benchmark data and much of its underlying tooling available as APIs and other modular platform services. Today, Alpine services power all of Visier's applications, as well as the analytics capabilities of some of the world's most notable HR tech SaaS products, including Paycor, Insperity, Betterworks, and others through Visier's Embedded business. It's also becoming the go-to solution for enterprise data science and engineering teams who want tools to accelerate and enrich their custom people analytics solutions. This week at HR Tech, Visier will showcase multiple new Alpine capabilities, including: A new hub for developers , including public technical documentation; , including public technical documentation; A complete catalog of pre-built connectors for source systems and BI tools; A library of code samples to accompany APIs for data intake and export, including for Python and SQL-like shell scripts; to accompany APIs for data intake and export, including for Python and SQL-like shell scripts; Pre-built people data models, metrics and analyses through Visier's developer suite . Direct access to the Alpine Developer Platform allows partners to build and deliver analytic features and applications faster. Embedded partners can pick and choose from a broad portfolio of Alpine data enrichment, analytics, AI, and reporting modules, to craft differentiated commercial offerings for customers, dramatically reducing time to market and speed to revenue. This flexibility and choice through Alpine is paying substantial dividends for Visier's accelerating Embedded business, which has more than doubled in revenue and partner count year over year. Growth in Visier's Embedded business has also dramatically accelerated the number of companies that rely on Visier for people insights to over 42,000 organizations worldwide, representing more than 20 million employee records under management. Visier Expands Beyond People Analytics, Enters the Total Rewards Category With more than 42,000 customers worldwide, Visier is best known as the pioneer and market share leader in the people analytics category. The company has quietly expanded beyond its flagship category with complementary offerings like Workforce Planning and, more recently, Smart Compensation, a new Visier solution designed to simplify and improve compensation planning. Today, Visier is announcing its official entry into the Total Rewards category with a new Compensation Benchmark data offering, and the appointment of industry veteran Sean Luitjens as GM of Visier's Total Rewards business. Sean joins Visier following decades of executive and leadership roles with well known companies like Korn Ferry, Salary.com, Mercer, and Monster. First introduced in June of this year, Smart Compensation streamlines and optimizes compensation planning and execution with a unique data-driven approach that ensures consistency, fairness, equity and maximum business impact in compensation allocation during merit cycles. Today, Visier also announced a new Compensation Benchmark data, which is available standalone, and as part of the Smart Compensation solution, giving organizations the most accurate and current compensation data availablesourced, not from stale survey data, but from millions of live data points. "The HR Technology Conference is always one of my favorite weeks of the year, but this year is particularly special," said Ryan Wong, co-founder and CEO of Visier. "After 13 years building the people analytics category, we're seeing major inflection points driving substantial growth in demand on multiple fronts. We're also seeing the people analytics category shift from a fairly narrow and specialized HR concern, to what can only be described as core intelligence for the business writ large. After all, people are the largest single financial investment most companies will ever make, and the most important resource for driving business impact at scale. And we all know that you can't manage what you don't measure." About Visier Visier is the recognized global leader in people analytics, providing on-demand answers to people-powered businesses. Behind every great brand, product, or idea is the Human Truth, and the Visier People Cloud reveals the fundamental questions and actionable truths capable of elevating your employeesand your businessto new heights. Founded in 2010 by the pioneers of business intelligence, Visier has over 40,000 customers in 75 countries around the world, including enterprises like BASF, Bridgestone, Electronic Arts, McKesson, MerckKGaA, and more. Visier is headquartered in Vancouver, BC with offices and team members worldwide. For more information, visit www.visier.com . SOURCE Visier Wellcare will offer 23 newly designed plans as well as new Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries New in 2024, Wellcare Spendables debit card will allow pre-loaded funds to be used across 55,000 nationwide retailers in 37 states Wellcare to offer Medicare Advantage plans to 37 states and 102 Prescription Drug Plans nationwide TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellcare, the Medicare brand and wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today it will expand its wide range of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) offerings during the 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), beginning Oct. 15, 2023. This includes the addition of Delaware and expansion into 21 new counties, increasing its total Medicare Advantage footprint to 37 states and 1,808 counties. Wellcare will also now offer the 23 newly designed plans as well as new Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP), accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries, and introduce a Wellcare Spendables debit card that will allow pre-loaded funds to be used across 55,000 nationwide retailers in 37 states. "Centene's Medicare footprint has grown in the past several years, and we are proud to continue offering Wellcare's Medicare Advantage products now in 37 states, including the newest state of Delaware," said Chief Executive Officer of Medicare for Centene, Rich Fisher, Wellcare's parent company. "We are committed to serving our communities, members, brokers and partners with exceptional healthcare solutions by offering a wide range of comprehensive products that support our members' whole health. The investments and innovations we've made like our Wellcare Spendable card will make things simpler and more affordable for our members." Expanded Footprint and Plan Offerings For 2024, Wellcare will be offering plans to more than 52 million eligible beneficiaries, accounting for 80% of eligible beneficiaries in 37 states. More than 1.5 million beneficiaries are currently enrolled in an Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan. In addition to Delaware, Wellcare also added 21 new counties in four markets: California, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington. Wellcare will offer 23 newly designed plans as well as new D-SNP, accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries, even those who are not cost-share protected in Alabama; Arkansas; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Michigan; Mississippi; North Carolina; New Mexico; Ohio; Oklahoma; Texas and Wisconsin. Wellcare's 2024 MA Plans: Wellcare D-SNP members have access to additional support designed to provide help to make everyday needs like food, utilities and Part D prescriptions more affordable. Introduced the NEW Wellcare Spendables card , a single card with preloaded funds available at more than 55,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare's 37-state footprint. Members may use their Wellcare Spendables on multiple benefits. Depending on their plan, benefits may include over-the-counter products; cost-share assistance for dental, vision and hearing; healthy food groceries from a variety of nationwide retailers; rent/utility assistance; and pay at the pump gasoline. , a single card with preloaded funds available at more than 55,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare's 37-state footprint. All plans cover Telehealth for many in-network key services at a no out-of-pocket cost to a member. Most plans offer dental, inclusive of preventive services members need most. Many plans offer several enhanced services such as vision coverage and fitness benefits to cover the more comprehensive care members may need. Express Scripts will be Wellcare's pharmacy benefits manager for 2024, bringing increased value to members to provide quality at the lowest cost. Current members will be notified of actions they need to take to continue using this service in the fall. For 2024, preferred retail pharmacy networks will include Walgreens, CVS and select grocers. A robust network is expected with more than 60,000 total pharmacies. Wellcare's MA New Strategic Partners: A new strategic alliance between Wellcare and Mutual of Omaha will offer co-branded plans in five states: Georgia , Missouri , South Carolina , Washington and select areas of Texas . This alliance leverages Wellcare's proven MA distribution capabilities and Mutual of Omaha's broad market brand synergy. Ten (10) co-branded preferred provider organization (PPO) plans will be serviced by Wellcare across the five states Wellcare Mutual of Omaha No Premium (PPO) and Wellcare Mutual of Omaha Low Premium (PPO). will offer co-branded plans in five states: , , , and select areas of . This alliance leverages Wellcare's proven MA distribution capabilities and Mutual of broad market brand synergy. Ten (10) co-branded preferred provider organization (PPO) plans will be serviced by Wellcare across the five states Wellcare Mutual of Omaha No Premium (PPO) and Wellcare Mutual of Omaha Low Premium (PPO). Wellcare also announced it will serve as the exclusive Medicare Advantage partner for The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans organization, comprised of nearly 2 million members in more than 12,000 posts across the country. Through the multi-year partnership, Wellcare will serve as the exclusive MA partner, connecting Medicare-eligible veterans, their spouses and the greater military community with innovative products and solutions that complement the benefits eligible veterans receive through their Veterans Affairs healthcare. Wellcare and The American Legion will also host joint events at Legion Posts nationwide and virtually to connect and educate about opportunities for MA Plans. 2024 Medicare PDP Highlights: Three plans will be offered across all 50 states and the District of Columbia . . On average, monthly premiums for the Value Script plan will be among some of the lowest offered by Wellcare at less than $1 , with 16 states offering $0 premiums. More than 500,000 existing members will experience lower cost-sharing in 2024 due to formulary improvements. , with 16 states offering premiums. More than 500,000 existing members will experience lower cost-sharing in 2024 due to formulary improvements. 100% of all plans will feature a $0 Tier 1 benefit for prescriptions filled at preferred pharmacies. Tier 1 benefit for prescriptions filled at preferred pharmacies. PDP plans will continue offering preventive vaccines for $0 and insulins for $35 maximum per month. The 2024 Medicare AEP begins on Oct. 15, and continues through Dec. 7, 2023. Most plans purchased during AEP are effective Jan. 1, 2024. For more details about Centene's MA and Medicare PDP, visit www.WellcareNow.com. About Wellcare For more than 20 years, Wellcare has offered a range of Medicare products, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), which offer affordable coverage beyond Original Medicare. Today, the company offers benefits with every Medicare beneficiary in mind, such as dental, hearing and vision services; transportation services; telehealth visits; wellness and fitness programs; in-home support services; and special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill. Wellcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Centene's Medicare brands, including Allwell, Health Net, Fidelis Care, Trillium Advantage, 'Ohana Health Plan and TexanPlus transitioned to the Wellcare brand. For more information about Wellcare, visit www.wellcare.com. 'Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Our plans use a formulary. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. "Wellcare by Health Net" is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. Washington residents: "Wellcare" is issued by Wellcare of Washington, Inc. Washington residents: "Wellcare" is issued by WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc. "Wellcare" is issued by WellCare Prescription Insurance, Inc. For Louisiana D-SNP members: As a Wellcare HMO D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. You receive your Medicare health care and prescription drug coverage through Wellcare and are also eligible to receive additional healthcare services and coverage through Louisiana Medicaid. Learn more about providers who participate in Louisiana Medicaid by visiting www.myplan.healthy.la.gov/en/find-provider or https://www.louisianahealthconnect.com. For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid and select the "Learn about Medicaid Services" link. To request a written copy of our Medicaid Provider Directory, please contact us. Notice: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any benefits above and beyond traditional Medicare benefits are applicable to Wellcare Medicare Advantage only and do not indicate increased Medicaid benefits. For Indiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Indiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://www.in.gov/medicaid/ Arizona D-SNP plans: Contract services are funded in part under contract with the State of Arizona. New Mexico (NM) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Members: As a Wellcare by Allwell D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid services are funded in part by the state of New Mexico. NM Medicaid benefits may be limited to payment of Medicare premiums for some members. Louisiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid or https://www.louisianahealthconnect.com. To request a written copy of our Medicaid Provider Directory, please contact us. Wellcare by Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions, Inc. Wellcare (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by WellCare of Texas, Inc., WellCare National Health Insurance Company, and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. Please contact your plan for details. Other Pharmacies/Physicians/Providers are available in our network. SOURCE Wellcare Large and enthusiastic crowd hear Ardern's discuss politics and pandemic By Jill Kimball, Brown University Jacinda Ardern might have joined her small-town high schools board of trustees to lobby for girls right to wear pants to class. She might even have become heavily involved in politics after attending college, joining election campaigns and serving as a political party researcher. But the New Zealand native never aspired to public office. I spent a year working for [former New Zealand Prime Minister] Helen Clark, Ardern said. The closer I got to observing her the more assured I felt that being prime minister was for no one. It was a horrific job. Yet in 2017, seven weeks before a national election, Ardern found herself nominated for the job and at age 37, she stepped with some trepidation into New Zealands highest political office. She became the youngest prime minister the country had seen in 150 years. There wasnt a day when I woke up and said, I want to be prime minister, she admitted. There was a day when I woke up and saw, shoot, Im prime minister. It was not a traditional trajectory. Ardern who stepped down from her role earlier this year after five years in office spoke about imposter syndrome, international political divisions and a range of other topics at Brown Universitys 102nd Stephen A. Ogden Jr. 60 Memorial Lecture on International Affairs on Thursday, Oct. 5. Ardern was the latest of dozens of heads of state, diplomats and other leaders to participate in the 58-year-old series; other recent guest lecturers have included former British prime minister Theresa May , New York Times editor and Brown alumnus A.G. Sulzberger and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo In a Q&A with Brown President Christina H. Paxson, left, Ardern discussed her efforts to curb methane gas emissions, extend paid parental leave to six months and preserve an endangered species of flightless parrot while in office. An in-person audience of close to 2,000 in Browns Pizzitola Sports Center and hundreds who joined online listened raptly as Ardern discussed her experiences leading New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic, which she called without doubt, one of the hardest experiences I faced. In the pandemics early months, Ardern and her administration made the decision to close the country to outside visitors and quarantine New Zealanders who chose to travel home from abroad. That policy not only saved thousands of lives and increased the nations average life expectancy, she said, but also netted her unusually high approval ratings. There were a number of precursors that made that possible, [and] the first was transparency right from the start, being open about what we knew and what we didnt, Ardern said of the country's success. That in itself may seem very obvious, but in politics, it can be a rare beast Theres often an assumption in leadership that we cannot reply, under any circumstance, with I dont know. [But] conceding we had knowledge gaps wasnt just the truth, it was a critical path to building trust. Things became more complicated, Ardern said, when vaccines arrived. A small but vocal sector of the population voiced skepticism about the vaccines effectiveness and spread conspiracy theories, heightening political divisions in the country. Ardern acknowledged that she didnt know how to persuade the skeptics. I found that incredibly difficult, she said. I was constantly thinking, Could we be getting through this pretty differently? What could I have done that wouldve kept us all united for longer? But at the time, it was just a choice between hard and hard. But, as Ardern repeated several times throughout the lecture, she remains an optimist even in the face of ever-widening political divides in New Zealand and across the globe. There has always been a tendency to form us versus other... she said. My optimism tells me that if creating a sense of tribalism can be used negatively, it can be used for good, too What if we simply change what us means? What if, instead of fierce nationalism we seek to form our tribes based on concepts or even solutions to problems? And perhaps we should start by asking that of our leaders first. Ardern tested that theory in 2019 when, after an Australian man traveled to Christchurch and live-streamed his massacre of 51 people inside two mosques on Facebook, she successfully lobbied for a nationwide ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons by appealing to New Zealanders shared values. We had a coalition government, which meant that I did not have the numbers in the debating chamber to do anything without going out and extensively negotiating with the two other parties we were working with, she said. [But] I went down to the podium and explained to everyone that [the attacker] had legally obtained those weapons, and therefore our law must change. In a Q&A with Brown President Christina H. Paxson after her remarks on leadership, Ardern discussed her efforts to curb methane gas emissions, extend paid parental leave to six months and preserve an endangered species of flightless parrot while in office. In response to one students question about how to become a change-making leader, she emphasized that its better to stay true to oneself than to hew to others advice about what traits make an effective leader. If, in your minds eye, you picture what it looks like to be [a leader] and you think, If I dont match that, I either wont succeed or I have to change... actually, neither of those things can be true, Ardern said. We need more people who are willing to carve that fresh path of different styles of leadership in different occupations, because otherwise we will keep getting the same styles and the same decisions and the same thinking. That was true for Ardern herself. The leader admitted that she thought she was too sensitive to be prime minister, and that sensitivity would cause her to buckle under the pressure. But Ardern said she has learned that people who suffer from imposter syndrome can sometimes make great leaders. You might be one of the people whos quite reluctant around the idea of leadership, she said. [But] we need more of those people at the table they often dont see the skills they will bring because of their hesitancy Look for the people who dont put their hand up. Bagalkot : , Oct 11 (IANS) Karnataka BJP leader and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has claimed that the differences between the Congress leaders in the state will explode soon. Bommai on Tuesday also raised doubts about whether Siddaramaiah will continue his tenure of five years as the Chief Minister. Addressing media persons here, he said that the ministers and the Congress MLAs have been "issuing contradictory statements due to lack of unity". The differences cropped up from the time of the appointment of the Chief Minister, Bommai said, adding that several senior ministers are "expressing their doubts that Siddaramaiah would continue as the Chief Minister for the full five years". People must know about it as this is not an internal matter of Congress, the former Chief Minister said. "Anything about the state administration must be known to the citizens of Karnataka." The BJP leader said that Congress leaders are "pulling each other's legs". Reacting to former minister V.Somanna's statement that he tasted defeat four times only after joining the BJP, Bommai said it was his experience but the reasons were different. "Change in his constituency has been one of the reasons for the defeat". On the delay in the selection of the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Bommai said the party leadership in Delhi has promised to appoint the Leader of the Opposition after finalising the candidates for five states which are going to polls next month. Bommai further hit out at the state government and the Congress, claiming that beneficiaries of the 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme have not received the second instalment under the scheme. Dead cop from Chhattisgarh gets job with new name in UP. Image Source: IANS News Patna, Oct 11 : More than two dozen handicapped persons, sitting on dharna in Patna since October 2, were forcibly removed by the police after they blocked the busy Danapur-Patna-Gandhi Maidan road on Tuesday. The agitators were demanding a survey similar to the caste-based survey to find actual numbers of handicapped persons in Bihar. They have several other demands such as online registration and issuance of certificates, and government-approved loans for business purposes. On Tuesday, the agitators blocked the busy road, leading to a massive traffic snarl on both sides of the road. The Danapur SHO along with a large contingent of police reached the site and forcibly removed them from the road. A purported video of the police action went viral on social media, wherein cops can be seen pushing a tricycle on which a handicapped person was sitting. The SHO said that the Patna district administration has earmarked a place at Gardanibagh for dharna and protests. "If they are not satisfied with the government's decisions, they should go there and stage the dharna. Blocking and creating a ruckus on a busy road is not acceptable." Jerusalem, Oct 11 : The first American aircraft carrying ammunition arrived in Israel on Tuesday night to help the country in its ongoing conflict with Gaza's ruling faction, Hamas, and militants in Lebanon, Israel's military said. The plane landed at the Nevatim Airbase in Israel's southern Negev Desert, carrying "advanced ammunition", Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari. Also on Tuesday, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea "in order to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war", the US Central Command said in a statement. Los Angeles, Oct 11 : A train carrying military equipment derailed near the city of Colorado Springs in the western US state of Colorado. At least 13 cars of the train travelling from California to Fort Carson, a US Army installation just outside Colorado Springs, derailed around 5:50 p.m. Monday local time, reported KKTV, a television station in Colorado Springs, affiliated with CBS, adding that five of these cars had catastrophic damage. Fort Carson officials said the train cars had military vehicles and other equipment when they derailed, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the report. The officials confirmed with KKTV that there were no weapons or hazardous materials onboard. There were no injuries reported and the cause of the derailment was under investigation, the report added. Washington, Oct 11 : The number of US citizens killed amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has risen to 14, according to US President Joe Biden, who in a speech has also said Americans were believed to be among those held hostage by Hamas militants. Speaking from the White House State Dining Room on Tuesday, Biden urged Congress to "take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners", saying the funding "is not about party or politics. It's about the security of our world, the security of the United States of America". Flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the President said his administration is "surging" additional military assistance to Israel, including ammunitions and interceptors, so as to "make sure Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens", Xinhua news agency reported. Biden noted that he just spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the third call between the pair since the drastic escalation of the conflict on Saturday. "I told him, 'If the United States experienced what you're experiencing, our response would be swift decisive and overwhelming,'" Biden said. Shortly after Biden wrapped up his speech, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters during a daily press briefing at the White House that there were "20 or more Americans" who remained unaccounted for in Israel. "We do not know about their condition, and we cannot confirm a precise number of American citizens," he said. Sullivan declined to weigh in on whether the US would send ground troops to the region to help Israel fight what it had declared to be a war on Hamas. "I'm not going to get into the operational discussions that the president and the prime minister had," he said in reference to the Biden-Netanyahu phone call, adding it's "important for them to be able to keep this discreet channel between them". The national security advisor said the US is engaged in contingency planning "for any and all escalation scenarios" should they happen, and "we're consulting with allies and partners as well about all of the potential scenarios that might unfold in the days ahead". The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean - which was ordered by Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday - was not meant "for Hamas," Sullivan said, but "to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors that might seek to widen this war". In a separate press briefing at the State Department, Matthew Miller, the department's spokesperson, announced that Blinken will soon travel to Israel for talks with "senior leaders in the Israeli government". The secretary will leave the US on Wednesday and arrive in Israel on Thursday. While in Israel, Blinken is expected "to engage our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground" and discuss ways the US can continue to offer its support, Miller said. Gaza, Oct 11 : At least 900 Palestinians have been killed from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The ministry in a press statement on Tuesday said that the total number of deaths due to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip reached 900, including 260 children and 230 women, noting that 4,500 others were injured, Xinhua news agency reported. The statement added that six health personnel were killed and 15 others were wounded with various injuries. The Israeli airstrikes also caused displacement of more than 140,000 people, the ministry said. The statement added that the health system in the Gaza Strip suffers from a severe shortage of 44 per cent of medicines, 32 per cent of medical consumables, and 60 per cent of laboratory and blood bank supplies, in addition to the collapse of electrical generators and the lack of fuel. The ministry called on humanitarian institutions to provide medicines, medical consumables, fuel, and emergency needs to hospitals, open a safe corridor for the entry of health aid and medical delegations, and facilitate the movement of the wounded and sick who do not have access to treatment in Gaza. Abuja, Oct 11 : At least four students of the Nasarawa State University in central Nigeria were kidnapped by gunmen, local police have said. The four victims, all female, were abducted in their hostel outside the university premises in Keffi, a town 50 km away from the nation's capital Abuja, when their hostel was attacked early Tuesday, Ramhan Nansel, the spokesman for the police in Nasarawa, told the media. Police operatives and troops responded swiftly to the attack by combing the surrounding bushes but could not trace the abductors and the victims, Nansel was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. Authorities had ordered a comprehensive manhunt for the abductors so as to rescue the students unhurt, he added. Ankara, Oct 11 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held a phone talk with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, discussing the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli tensions. During the phone talk on Tuesday, Erdogan and Putin exchanged views on measures to prevent the spread of the tension, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement issued by Turkey's Communications Directorate. In the phone talk, Erdogan told Putin that targeting civilian settlements is worrying and that such moves are not welcomed by Turkey, it said. Erdogan pledged to continue every effort to ensure calm in the region, it added. For his part, Putin voiced concern at the "catastrophic increase" in the number of civilian victims in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the Kremlin said in a statement. The two leaders also reiterated the need for "an immediate ceasefire" and for "the resumption of the negotiation process", it added. Hamas on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The Israel-Hamas conflict has so far left heavy casualties on both sides, with the death toll in Gaza and Israel rising to 900 and 1,008, respectively. Paris, Oct 11 : At least eight French nationals have died and 20 others are missing in Israel following the severe outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has said. "France deplores the tragic death of four other French nationals, which brings to eight the toll of French victims of the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel," the ministry was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. It added that it does not have information on some 20 other French nationals who are currently missing. Speaking to the French National Assembly on Tuesday, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna said that a chartered flight would be operated by Air France on Thursday to repatriate French nationals stranded in Israel. As part of a key environment awareness initiative, Tecom Group, the developer of Dubais vibrant business districts, has partnered with Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Emirates Nature-WWF to unveil (October 12-13) in Dubai, an epic escape room into which enthusiasts can step in to discover the wonders of mangroves and hear out global climate conversations. The Escape Climate Change Mangrove Edition (escape room) will kick off the new season of its nationwide tour after this exciting debut at Dubai Media City. Hold onto your hats, eco-warriors, and get ready to embark on a thrilling journey to boost climate awareness and action, all in the spirit of the 'Year of Sustainability, leading up to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), say the organisers. The escape room is designed to ignite climate resilience and inspire community engagement in conservation, and it is open to everyone, adults and kids alike. As part of the tour, the escape room will proceed to Dubai Science Park, Tecom Groups buzzing science-focused community, to host the annual WeWalk charitable walkathon on November 18. The escape room is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn firsthand about the science of climate adaptation, using the incredible powers of mangroves, said a statement. Beyond this, visitors will also be invited to take meaningful climate action by signing up to join nature-based activities and become citizen scientists through EADs and Emirates Nature-WWFs Sahim programme and Emirates Nature-WWFs Leaders of Change platform. These initiatives empower the community to make a difference by contributing to conservation research and decision-making, and by gathering valuable data about local species and habitats. The initiative is a part of EAD's and Emirates Nature-WWF's commitment to achieving the UAE's national sustainability goals by adopting nature-based solutions to tackle societal challenges; to raise awareness about the complexity and severity of climate risks and provide pathways to join the fight against climate change. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), said: Initiatives like the Escape Climate Change Mangrove Edition Escape Room provide a pathway for UAE youth and the community to understand the science and complexity involved in building climate resiliency, empowering them to step up and make greater contributions towards climate and nature, through citizen science and volunteerism. Immersive physical experiences can transform abstract concepts into palpable, memorable learning moments, said Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City, part of Tecom Group. We are delighted to partner with EAD and Emirates Nature-WWF to host the Escape Climate Change Mangrove Edition escape room, which will not only excite and thrill visitors but also strengthen their environmental knowledge and awareness in the UAEs Year of Sustainability. The Escape Climate Change Mangrove Edition escape room delivers an immersive experience, designed to inspire greater interest in the climate-nature crisis and motivate participants to be part of the solution, said Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General at Emirates Nature-WWF. We welcome all participants to join the Leaders of Change community, through which they can participate in conservation field trips and help implement Nature-based Solutions on the ground. TradeArabia News Service New Delhi, Oct 11 : In a big action against the Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), India's financial probe agency arrested four persons, including a Chinese national and Hari Om Rai, the MD of Lava International. The ED, however, mentioned that the arrest of Rai in money laundering case came as he was approached by Vivo, China for helping them in establishing their business in India and he provided initial funding of Rs 3.17 crore for setting up offices and residential accommodation of Chinese national of Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd and its state distributor companies through Labquest Engineering Private Limited. The ED in its remand note alleged that Rai, the Managing Director of Lava International was well acquainted with Malik. Malik has been the Statutory Auditor of Lava International Limited. "Vivo, China approached Rai for helping them in establishing their business. Thereafter, Rai arranged funds and Malik provided the corporate entity, namely Labquest Engineering Private Limited for the establishment of Vivo brand in India. The ED alleged that initial funding of Rs 3.17 crore for the purpose of setting up offices or residential accommodation of Chinese nationals of Vivo Mobile India Private Limited and its state distributor companies was provided by Rai and his company Lava International Limited to Labquest Engineering Private Limited. The ED said that "no agreement" was executed between Labquest Engineering Private Limited and Lava International Limited for such transfer of funds. "Furthermore, no collateral or security was given by Labquest towards Lava International for these fund transfers. This clearly shows that these fund transfers were not genuine business transactions. From May 2014 to December 2014 Lava International had transferred funds totaling Rs 2.62 crore to the account of Labquest Engineering Private Limited," the ED said. The Enforcement Directorate said that Rai and Labquest Engineering had helped Chinese Individuals associated with Vivo, China in their setup across India by arranging funds for the purpose of Security Deposit and in acquiring or arranging office spaces for the company Vivo Mobile India Private Limited and its other state distributor companies through their network across India. "The help was not limited to monetary only; rather Labquest Engineering Private Limited had authorized the employees of Lava International to execute the Lease deeds for acquiring office space for the state company," the financial probe agency said. The agency said that for instance in Mumbai, the employees of Lava International -- Amit Rai and Abhishek Jain -- had witnessed the execution deed between owners of the property and on behalf of Labquest Engineering and the said office space was used by Joinmay Electronics Private Limited to carry out their business in state of Maharashtra. Rai during his statement also admitted that there may be other people for whom the invitation letter may have been issued by Lava International, at the request of the office of Shen Wei, CEO of Vivo China. The ED also alleged that it also found grave violation of employment visa rules for entry into India of office bearers by Vivo, China and its related companies in India "Rai during his statement admitted that he was known to Shen Wei, CEO of BBK Technology Communication Co, Ltd. Therefore, the company Lava International Limited has issued invitation letters for business visas for following Chinese nationals associated with Vivo Mobile Communication Co, Ltd, China and other Chinese Entities," the financial probe agency alleged. The ED also said that many employees of Vivo group companies worked in India without appropriate visas and in violation of business visa terms. "Documents collected so far during investigation have revealed that at least 30 Chinese individuals entered India using business visas with the intent to work as employees in Vivo companies. Though they worked for Vivo companies in India, they never disclosed Vivo companies as their employer in their Visa applications. Thus, they have concealed information regarding their employer in their visa application and cheated the Indian Embassy or Missions in China," the ED said. The agency also said that during investigation, it came to light that various Chinese nationals have been traveling across India, including sensitive places of J&K and Ladakh in gross violation of Indian visa conditions. The ED earlier on Wednesday arrested executive of the Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo identified as Guangwen Kyang aka Andrew Kuang, the Chinese National; Nitin Garg, the Chartered Accountant (CA), Malik and Rai. The court sent them to three days of ED custody on Wednesday. The fresh action comes in the wake of the tensions between India and China amid the border row in Ladakh. The ED action comes almost more than a year after it carried out searches at 48 locations across the country belonging to vivo Mobiles India Private Limited and its 23 associated companies such as GPICPL and claimed that it has busted a major money laundering racket involving Chinese nationals and multiple Indian companies. According to the ED, Vivo Mobiles India Pvt Ltd was incorporated on August 1, 2014 as a subsidiary of Multi Accord Ltd, a Hong Kong based company and was registered at ROC Delhi. GPICPL was registered on December 3, 2014 at ROC Shimla, with registered addresses of Solan, Himachal Pradesh and Gandhinagar, Jammu. The PMLA investigation by ED was initiated by registering a money laundering case on February 3, 2022 on the basis of an FIR registered at the Kalkaji police station in the national capital by the Delhi Police against GPICPL and its Director, shareholders and certifying professionals, etc., on the basis of complaint filed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Chandigarh, Oct 11 : In a big blow to inter-state narcotic network, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Punjab Police in a joint operation have apprehended one drug smuggler from Mullanpur Dakha in Punjab and seized Rs 4.94 crore along with 38 fake vehicle number plates and one revolver, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said here on Wednesday. He is one of the key accused in 30 kg heroin recently recovered in Jammu. Investigations were on-going to establish the backward and forward linkages, Yadav added. Punjab Police have arrested 20,979 drug smugglers, including 3,003 big fish, since July 5, 2022. The police have registered 15,434 FIRs of which 1,864 are related to commercial quantity, Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill told the media here on Tuesday. He said the police have recovered 15.10.55 kg heroin from across the state after carrying out cordon and search operations in drug-affected areas, besides laying checkpoints at vulnerable routes. Additionally, 147.5 kg heroin was recovered by Punjab Police from seaports of Gujarat and Maharashtra, taking the total effective recovery of heroin to 1,658.05 kg in just 15 months, Gill added. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Gurugram-based insurtech platform InsuranceDekho on Wednesday said it has raised $60 million in its ongoing Series B funding round, taking its total fundraise to over $200 million this year. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), BNP Paribas Cardif through its Insurtech fund managed by Eurazeo and Beams Fintech Fund joined the cap table while existing investors TVS Capital, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Avataar Ventures also participated in the fresh round, a mix of equity and debt. "This funding will allow us to accelerate our efforts, reach more customers, and innovate further in the Insurtech space. The insurance sector in India is at the cusp of a tech-backed revolution," said Ankit Agrawal, CEO and Founder of InsuranceDekho. The startup plans to utilise the proceeds from this funding round to boost its marketing activities, further expand its distribution presence in the Indian hinterland, scale up its tech platform and explore inorganic growth opportunities. Founded by Agrawal and Ish Babbar in 2017, InsuranceDekho has witnessed a significant growth trajectory. It is on track to achieve Rs 3,600 crore premium this financial year and is targeting to have 2,00,000 agent partners on its platform by March 2024, said the company. "Our entry into the Insurtech sector signifies a strategic commitment to increase insurance accessibility in India. InsuranceDekho's tech-driven last-mile distribution model perfectly aligns with our vision of advancing insurance outreach in India," said Shashank Joshi, Deputy CEO MUFG Bank, India. InsuranceDekho was incubated within auto-tech and IPO-bound unicorn CarDekho Group. InsuranceDekho has served more than 6 million customers to date. Gonda, Oct 11 : A 20-year-old labourer was killed and three others were injured when the roof of an under-construction house collapsed in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district, police said on Wednesday. Balbeer died when the scaffolding of the under-construction house in Balpur village collapsed, leading to the roof caving in, said Additional Superintendent of Police Shivraj. Three other labourers, Amarjeet, Shivkumar and Dharmraj were injured in the accident and rushed to a hospital. Dharmraj was discharged after being administered first aid while the condition of the two others is stated to be stable, he added. The ASP said that a probe is underway and legal action will be taken accordingly. Panaji, Oct 11 : After facing criticism for his statement on political reservation, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale apologised to the Schedule Tribe community, stating that he was not aware of their numbers in Goa. "The population of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Goa is very small as per the census. Hence reservation is not possible," Ramdas Athawale said in response to a question while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday. Athawale drew flak for his statement regarding the Schedule Tribe community and politicians are asking Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP leaders to clarify it. Later, Athawale clarified stating that he was not aware about the ST population in Goa. "I was not aware about the Schedule tribe population in Goa, which is around 12 per cent. Even my karyakartas during the press conference didn't correct me. I apologise for my statement," Athawale said. "I had said that as there is a small population of Schedule Tribe, reservation for them is not possible. I was not aware of the status of ST population and hence I made the statement. I apologise for that," he reiterated. He said that when ST has 12 per cent population they should get 4 seats reserved in the 40 members Goa legislative assembly. In July, the Goa Assembly had unanimously adopted a private member resolution, moved by ST leader and MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, asking the government to make provisions for political reservation in Goa assembly for STs. The ST community has been voicing their demand for political reservation for the last two decades. They have also threatened to boycott the Lok Sabha election 2024 if the reservation is not declared before polls. Shanghai, Oct 11 : Hubert Hurkacz defeated the home favourite Zhang Zhizhen 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(4) to make his way to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters. Hurkacz next faces Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, who cruised with a 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4 victory over the eighth seed Casper Ruud. "It's never easy to finish the match. He's a Top 10 player and I tried my best. I tried to serve every forehand, maybe sometimes it was a little bit risky. I'm very happy to win the match," said Marozsan. Sebastian Korda of the United States progressed into the quarterfinal with a 7-5, 7-6 (6) victory over Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina. "I'm just super happy with the way I played in the tiebreak. I stayed calm when he was a couple of mini-breaks up and I'm just happy with how I played overall," Korda noted. Korda will meet his compatriot Ben Shelton in the final eight. Shelton celebrated his 21-year-old birthday by rallying past the sixth seed Jannik Sinner of Italy 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) to make his first quarterfinal appearance at a Masters 1000 event. "I can obviously take a lot of confidence from that match, and belief. I think my toughness level and how resilient I was able to be on the court, I surprised myself a little bit," said Shelton. London, Oct 11 : EU commissioner Thierry Breton has warned Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, saying that his X platform "is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU" after Hamas attacks in Israel. In a letter addressed to Musk, Breton said that following the "terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel", they have indications that "your platform is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU". He said that the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) sets very precise obligations regarding content moderation. "You need to be very transparent and clear on what content is permitted under your terms and consistently and diligently enforce your own policies. This is particularly relevant when it comes to violent and terrorist content that appears to circulate on your platform," Breton wrote. The EU Commissioner told Musk to send back a "prompt, accurate, and complete response" to his request in the next 24 hours, adding that the answer will be included in the EU's DSA compliance file on X. "You need to have in place proportionate and effective mitigation measures to tackle the risks to public security and civic discourse stemming from disinformation. Public media and civil society organisations widely report instances of fake and manipulated images and facts circulating on your platform in the EU," Breton emphasised. Musk-run X on Tuesday said that it removed newly-created Hamas-affiliated accounts and purged tens of thousands of posts for sharing graphic media, violent speech, and hateful conduct amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas violence. A recent EU study claimed that X had the largest "ratio of discoverability" of disinformation. "My message for X is: you have to comply with the hard law. We'll be watching what you're doing," Vera Jourova, EU's Values and Transparency Commissioner, said last month. --IANS na/kvd Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 : Now 101 years old, Karthyayani Amma, who in 2018 wrote into record books by becoming the oldest lady who turned literate breathed her last at Alappuzha on Wednesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recalled his meeting with her and described her as a lady with will and dedication which enabled her to win theNari Shakti Puraskar. "She was unable to study at the age when all studied. When she got the opportunity, she proved that age is nothing and she wished to get a government job too. Such was her determination," saidVijayan while condoling her death. C. Raveendranath, the then Education Minister (2016-21) said that when Amma expressed her desire to learn computer at 98 years of age, he personally went to her and they gifted her a laptop, given her passion to learn. Further, Amma's name and fame increased when the Kerala tableau portraying Amma,stole the show at the 74th Republic Day parade in New Delhi. But despite the glory, her life was tough after she became bed-ridden a few years ago after suffering a stroke. Her daughter worked as a domestic help to take care of her aged, ailing, award-winning mother. Incidentally, it was in 2018 that she was inspired to take a learning course by her daughter, who had passed an examination at the age of 60. In August 2018, she took an examination alongside 40,362 other people, as part of the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority's Aksharalaksham ('Million Letter') programme. And at the age of 96, she becamethe oldest person to take the test in her district. She had been given lessons in reading and writing by her great-grandchildren, who were nine and 12 years old. Tested on reading, writing and mathematics, Amma scored 98 out of 100 marks, giving her the top grade and she wrote herself into record books. San Francisco, Oct 11 : Jeff Bezos-run aerospace company Blue Origin has laid off around 40 employees in its enterprise technology department, the media reported. A report in The Information, citing sources, said that more than three dozen employees have been asked to go at the company. "The job cuts include software engineers and programme managers," the report mentioned. The layoffs came as Amazon's devices and services chief Dave Limp is joining Blue Origin as CEO, replacing Bob Smith. Limp will join Blue Origin, starting December 4 as CEO and Smith will step aside on January 2 "to ensure a smooth transition," Bezos said in an email to Blue Origin employees last month. Limp joins Blue Origin at a key phase of the company's multiple space projects. Blue Origin won a $3.4 billion NASA contract earlier this year to build a lunar lander for the US space agency's astronauts. Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed its investigation of the failure suffered by Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle more than a year ago. The failure occurred in September 2022 when an uncrewed research mission lifted off from Blue Origin's launch site in West Texas and seconds after launch, New Shepard's reusable first-stage booster experienced a serious problem and crashed. "The final report cites the proximate cause of the September 12, 2022 mishap as the structural failure of an engine nozzle caused by higher-than-expected engine operating temperatures," FAA officials said last month. "Blue Origin must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and receive a licence modification from the FAA that addresses all safety and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next New Shepard launch," the FAA statement added. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Delhi Police have arrested a self-styled godman after receiving two sexual assault complaints, a top officer said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Vinod Kashyap (33), was running the Mata Masani Chowki Darbar in the city's Kakrola area. According to the police, he also has a YouTube account with a large number of followers. Kashyap's arrest comes on the heels on two sexual assault cases registered in the Dwarka North police station. "In both the cases, it is alleged that he called the woman devotee on the pretext of helping with problems and told them that guru seva must be done. He then sexually assaulted the woman and threatened the complainant not to disclose the incident,"Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) M Hardha Vardhan said. "We have registered the cases under sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and arrested the accused. Further investigation is going on." Kolkata, Oct 11 : Rujira Narula Banerjee, wife of Trinamool Congress general Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office here on Wednesday for questioning in the the multi-crore cash-for-school job case in West Bengal. After arriving at the central government office (CGO) complex at 10.57 a.m., Rujira went straight to the seventh floor where the ED office is housed. She has been summoned in connection with her links as an erstwhile director of a corporate entity whose name surfaced during the central agency's ongoing probe. Last week, the ED had also summoned Abhishek Banerjeeas parents, Lata Banerjee and Amit Banerjee, the two directors of the said corporate entity, for questioning. But neither of them turned up at the ED office. Last year, Rujira Narula Banerjee was questioned by the ED officials in connection with the central agencyas probe in the multi-crore coal smuggling case in West Bengal. This year, Abhishek Banerjee had faced two interrogations, one by CBI and the other by ED, in connection with the school job case. In both the cases, he described the outcome of the interrogation as zero or even negative. Sources said that the actual questioning process will commence later. First she will have to fill up a form provided by the central agency where she will have to fill in her personal details. Late Tuesday evening, Abhishek Banerjee submitted the documents related to his asset and property details at EDas Salt Lake office. As per the order of a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, the ED sleuths will examine those documents and then decide whether to summon him again. The court had also directed the ED to get the documents examined by expert officers specialising in handling matters related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Bengaluru, Oct 11 : Karnataka Police have arrested the family members of a woman in connection with the suicide case of her live-in partner. The young woman, Ishwarya, had lodged a complaint with the HSR Layout police station in Bengaluru against her family members. The police have arrested her uncle Ravi, and relatives Dixith and Hemanth. In the complaint, the young woman alleged that her family members were responsible for the death of her live-in partner. She said that she had lost her mother at the age of 18 months and her father married another woman. As per the complaint, the stepmother had tortured her and she studied at her grandmotheras place. She got introduced to her live-in partner Manikantha in college and lived together. "My relatives had come to our place and created a ruckus," she alleged. Police stated that the young manas family had given consent for the marriage but the family of the girl opposed it. The family members of the young woman barged inside the house where Manikantha and Ishwarya lived and locked them up in a room. They had beaten them up and took Ishwarya with them. Manikantha, distraught by the development, had gone to Jolarpet in Tamil Nadu. He had called his mother and lover and came under the train. He had sent the location of the place where he ended his life to his mother. He had also sent a voice message and apologised for his act. The Jolarpet Police had transferred the case to the HSR Layout police station in Bengaluru. Ishwarya had come to HSR Layout police station and recorded her statement. She demanded that her family members, who were responsible for the act, should be punished. Police said that Ishwarya had come out of her family and living alone in Bengaluru and fighting the case to get justice for her live-in partner. Further investigation in the case is on. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court has directed restoration of a cheating case filed against the wife of superstar Rajinikanth for allegedly diverting money paid to her for post-production of the movie 'Kochadaiiyaan'. A bench comprising A.S. Boppana and M.M. Sundresh said that Latha Rajinikanth should either file an application seeking discharge or face the trial proceedings. The bench said that if an application seeking discharge is filed before the trial court, the impugned order of the Karnataka High Court partly quashing the cognizance taken under Sections 196, 199 and 420 of the IPC will not stand in the way. The high court in August 2022 had said that the allegation relating to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property has been recklessly included. The complaint is based on the allegation that Latha Rajinikanth had fraudulently induced the Managing Director of a Chennai-based advertising company to deliver monies under the pretext of post-production cost of the movie. However, she allegedly diverted the money for other purposes thereby causing him wrongful loss. In 2018, the Supreme Court had set aside another order of the Karnataka High Court quashing the FIR in the same dispute, saying that the high court should have allowed the trial to progress. "We make it clear thatthe averments in the complaint constitute a prima facie case for commencement of the trial," it had said, while holding that the dispute had all the prima facie ingredients for being adjudicated by means of a criminal trial. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered that Latha's physical presence in the case will stand dispensed with unless required by the trial court. "We further make it clear that we have not expressed any opinions on the merits of the case and it is well open to the parties to resolve the issue, also through mediation," the top court said. Chennai, Oct 11 : The National Investigating Agency (NIA) is conducting raids at 10 locations in Tamil Nadu linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) outfit. According to sources, the raids are part of the simlutaneous NIA searches currently underway in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. An NIA official told IANS that this case pertains to the PFI Phulwari Sharif module Wednesday's raids come after the NIA had searched the residences of four PFI workers in Kerala in August and September. The probe agency had also conducted raids at the Green Valley, the PFI headquarters in Manjeri, Kerala. The Green Valley is considered as a place where armed training is imparted to PFI activists. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Hindus from across US, UK, Canada and Australia have slammed the brutal wave of terror and violence unleashed by the Hamas militant group in Israel and urged their governments to take firm action against the war criminals. Israel has been left reeling by Hamas's unprecedented attack that has left thousands dead on both sides, and the fatalities are expected to rise with the conflict entering its fifth day on Wednesday. In a display of solidarity, Hindu and Jewish communities across Canada turned up in sizable numbers for a protest march in Toronto, condemning the Hamas attacks that have been called by many as 'Israel's 9/11 moment'. The march called by the Canadian Hindu Forum saw the two communities peacefully marching along, holding Indian and Israeli flags, according to videos shared on X on Tuesday. A peaceful rally was also held in Chicago by Indian-Americans to express solidarity with Israel. "Terrorism is not only an Israel issue, it's an ongoing humanitarian issue. It must be stopped before it gets too late!" members of the India-American community said in a statement. Strongly condemning the acts against innocent civilians, US-based advocacy organisation, Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), said they stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in their mourning of the loss of innocent lives. "Violence, especially one that targets innocents, that exults in the degradation of women should never be tolerated by any civil society. We stand with the Jewish community in their mourning of the loss of innocent lives. May peace break out in a thousand different forms," CoHNA said in a statement. On behalf of Hindus in Britain, the Insight UK group expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the violence against women, children and elderly by Hamas terrorists. "The world once again witnessed the brutality of Islamists on innocent women, children and the elderly, including the abduction of children and the use of mass rapes as a weapon of war against Israelis. The victims of the terror attacks included men, women and children from Thailand, Nepal, India and beyond," Insight UK said in a statement. "As members of minority communities ourselves, we empathise deeply with the plight of the Jewish people in facing such hatred and violence. We support the right of Israel to defend itself and its citizens against such brutal acts of terror," it said. The British advocacy group also called upon the UK government and authorities to take firm action against anti-semitism seen on the streets, in politics, academia and the media in the country. "Now more than ever, the voices of moderation must come together to isolate the Islamist terrorists and work towards building bridges of understanding between communities. To this end, we extend our full support and solidarity to the Israeli and Jewish communities during this difficult time," it said. The Hindu Council of Australia said that the community in the country is watching with pain the horror inflicted on innocent Israeli citizens. "We call upon the Australian government to pursue all avenues available to it including the UN to ensure that these war criminals are identified, prosecuted and punished," the Council said in a statement. According to Israeli sources, between 50 and 100 members of the Israeli forces and civilians, including women and children, have been captured and forcibly taken into Gaza. Palestinian armed groups in Gaza claim to have captured and forcibly taken over 150 people. (Meenakshi Iyer can be reached at meenakshi.i@ians.in) --IANS mi/ksk New Delhi, Oct 11 : A 43-year-old taxi driver was found dead near the service road of National Highway-8 in Delhi, a police official said on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Bijender, a resident of Faridabad. The VK North police station received a call at around 11.20 p.m. on Tuesday that an unidentified male body with injuries was found at the spot. "A case under section 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered and police teams are scanning CCTV cameras in the area to know the crime sequence and to identify the culprits," the official added. --IANS ssh/ksk Jerusalem, Oct 11 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday claimed that a Hamas "advanced detection system" in Gaza used to identify aircraft, has been destroyed in airstrikes that hit more than 80 targets in the besieged coastal enclave. "Yesterday (Tuesday), in a few minutes during a focused sortie, the IAF (Israeli Air Force) struck all of the sites of the network and demolished Hamas' ability to form an accurate picture of the skies and their efforts to target IDF aircraft," CNN quoted the IDF as saying in a statement. According to the Forces, the latest targets also included two bank branches used by Hamas to fund terrorism; an underground tunnel; two Hamas operational command centres; weapons storage facilities; and two Hamas compounds used for training, manufacturing and storing weapons. Since Israel declared a war on Hamas in retaliation to the militant group's surprise attack on the country on October 7, the Jewish nation has been battering Gaza with continued airstrikes. Earlier in the day, the IDF also said that it struck naval targets in Gaza which were reportedly used by Hamas militants to carry out attacks on the Israeli coastline, reports CNN. The operation was carried out by IDF naval soldiers, IAF and theIsraeli Artillery Corps, it said in a separate statement, adding that the targets includeddocks,which were hit using artillery fire from missile boats, militart helicopters and ground artillery batteries. In addition, Israeli naval forces killed a Hamas diver who attempted to infiltrate into Israel from the Gaza shores earlier Wednesday, the IDF added. In his latest update on the ground situation, IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus said on Wednesday that they have rebuilt the barrier around Gaza and also sent "infantry, armoured soldiers, artillery corps", plus 300,000 reservists, close to the border with the enclave, the BBC reported. They are "close to the Gaza Strip getting ready to execute the mission that we have been given by the Israeli government - and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of this war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians", he added. As a result of the violence, at least 950 people have died in the Gaza Strip, while 1,200 Israelis were also killed. New Delhi, Oct 11 : RBI's ban on onboarding customers via BOB World can affect the growth trajectory of Bank of Baroda in the retail product segments over the near term, analysts said. The RBI has directed Bank of Baroda (BOB) to suspend onboarding customers through its BOB World mobile application. The move was driven by concerns regarding the processes and the manner in which BOB has acquired a large number of customers through its digital platform, the RBI said. There have been media articles recently about the process lapses at BOB in order to rapidly boost the number of digital customers. The RBI has advised that further onboarding of customers via the 'bob World' application will be subject to rectification of the deficiencies and strengthening of the underlying processes. "Going by the recent digital embargo episode on another private bank, we think that the ban may stay for at least a few quarters", Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a report. "While there may not be any near-term asset quality implications of this ban, but given the rising mix of digital sourcing and the higher cross-sell rate that the bank has been focusing on via BOB World, this ban can affect the growth trajectory in the retail product segments over the near term", the report said. Retail loan growth currently stands at 25 per cent YoY, led by strong growth across secured and unsecured products. "We will be watchful of growth in unsecured PL as the current growth rate is 83 per cent YoY (100 per cent YoY growth in FY23). The RBI has already been cautioning about faster growth in these segments," the report said. The bank has 53m app downloads and 30m activated users as of March'23. The ban may impact the bank's ability to sustain healthy business growth, as about 98 per cent /91 per cent of SA/CA acquisitions are currently done through digital channels, the report said. Moreover, 58 per cent of FDs and 42 per cent of RDs are also booked via digital channels. On the lending front, 61 per cent of credit cards and 89 per cent of personal loans are sourced digitally. Even in other retail products, 67-68 per cent of home and auto loans are sourced digitally and the bank has been guiding to increase the mix of the RAM segments in total loans, the report said. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians,in) Lucknow, Oct 11 : The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file counter affidavit listing steps taken for functioning of the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal. The issue came to light during the hearing of a case in which the petitioner had approached the high court for relief despite an appeal filed before the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal. The appeal was pending with the Tribunal as it could not be taken up due to non-availability of members. A division bench of Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Manish Kumar passed the order while hearing a developer's petition seeking relief. During the hearing of the case, the petitioner's advocate Abhishek Khare apprised the court of the Tribunal's non-functional status. "Only chairman of the Tribunal Justice (retd) D.K. Arora is holding the charge. While the posts of remaining three members have been lying vacant since September 27, 2023," Khare told the court. On this, the court observed: "It is stated by the counsel of the petitioner that the UP Real Estate Appellate Tribunal at this stage is non-functional due to non-availability of the members. Hence, he has approached this court despite an appeal filed before the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal." The appellate tribunal examines the legality or correctness of any order or decision of the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA). I-T raids were aimed at damaging my image, says BRS MLA. Image Source: IANS News Jaipur, Oct 11 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided three places in Rajasthan on Wednesday in connection with the Popular Front of India (PFI) conspiracy case. TheNIA teams took the help of local police for security, and also rounded up some suspects, said sources The PFI hideouts have been raided in Kota, Tonk and Shri Gangapur districts of Rajasthan. According to sources, "NIA teams conducted raids at several places in Kota, Tonk and Gangapur early on Wednesday.The teams with the help of local police raided PFI hideouts." As soon as the information about the raids was received, there was panic among people in the areas. In Tonk city, the NIA team raided a house in the Bada Kua area.The team has interrogated a suspect and his family.However, the team has not arrested anyone, said sources. The team returned after interrogating the suspect and his family for about three and a half hours. The team is also examining the documents and IT gadgets found from PFI locations. Chitradurga : , Oct 11 (IANS) Karnataka Police have lodged an FIR in connection with an incident where posters of Nathuram Godse were flashed during the procession carried out during the immersion ceremony of the statue of Lord Ganesh in Chitradurga city, officials said on Wednesday. The FIR has been booked under the IPC Sections 505 (1) (C) (act with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community), 505 1 (B) (act which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public) following the complaint by Hanumantappa, a resident of Jogimatti Road in Chitradurga. The incident took place on October 8 (Sunday) during the Hindu Maha Ganapati Shobha Yatra in Chitradurga. The complainant had demanded that the accused by flashing the posters of Godse want to disturb peace and communal harmony in the society. The Ganapati statue was installed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the immersion procession was organised on a grand scale with DJ music. People from across the state participated in the procession. The youths had danced with the posters of Veer Savarkar, Sharat Madival, Harsha, the Hindu activists who were killed in Karnataka, and Nathuram Godse.The development had stirred controversy. New Delhi, Oct 11 : An Indian-American tech industry veteran and former Google executive with over 20 years of experience in product development, design, and strategy, has joined Microsoft as its corporate vice president. Aparna Chennapragada, who stepped down as chief product officer of stock trading app Robinhood, will be leading generative AI efforts in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Designer -- a software product that competes with Adobe and Canva. "With generative AI, there is an opportunity to build products that instantly and easily bring your intent and imagination to life. That's why I am super excited to share that I am joining Microsoft as Corporate VP leading efforts on AI-first creation experiences," Chennapragada said in a LinkedIn post. An IIT Madras graduate, Chennapragada said that throughout her conversations with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in the last several months, she has come to "deeply appreciate his vision to empower people and organisations across the world using AI". "Iam looking forward to diving in and putting AI to use to unleash our collective creativity!" Chennapragada wrote in the post. Chennapragada is armed with 12 years of leadership at Google, where she has led product, engineering and design teams, across Google Search, Shopping and AR. She has also served as Vice President for Consumer Shopping, and the lead for AR and visual search products, and is also a board member of eBay. According to her LinkedIn profile, Chennapragada has a B.Tech in Computer Science from IIT Madra and is a double Masteras degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas, and Management and Engineering from MIT. The Information, a US-based business publication, reported that the move comes amid an intense rivalry between Google and Microsoft in artificial intelligence. Before Chennapragada, another Indian-American, Rohini Srivathsa, took over the role of chief technology officer at Microsoft India and South Asia in September. In August, Puneet Chandok was appointed as Microsoft's corporate vice president for India and South Asia. --IANS mi/ksk New Delhi, October 11 : The Central government is likely to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, to fix royalty rates for lithium, niobium and rare earth minerals. According to sources, the Union Cabinet is likely to clear the proposal during its meeting on Wednesday. The royalty could be 3 per cent each for lithium and niobium while for rare earth minerals it could be 1 per cent. The move is aimed at encouraging greater private sector participation in commercial mining of rare earth minerals. Recently huge reserves of lithium was discovered in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is used for manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles and government is bullish towards sourcing it from within the country and also abroad. In August, Parliament had passed the MMDR (Amendment) Bill 2023, which will facilitate auction of mineral concessions for critical minerals, while states will get the revenue. The amendments also introduced exploration licence for deep-seated and critical minerals. It also omitted six minerals from the list of 12 atomic minerals specified in Part-B of the First Schedule of the Act, namely, lithium bearing minerals, titanium bearing minerals and ores, beryl and other beryllium bearing minerals, niobium and tantalum bearing minerals and zirconium-bearing minerals. Chennai, Oct 11 : Two people were killed and three others injured when a car, in which they were travelling in, rammed into a truck in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as S. Sandeep (26) and M. Aman (25) from Kollam, Kerala. The injured -- J. Riyaz(27), A. Mithujilal (25), and P. Krishnan Sandh (22) -- were also from Kerala. According to the police, the five people were travelling to Bengaluru from Kerala via Krishnagiri. When the vehicle reached Coimbatore, it suddenly lost control and rammed into a truck. The injured are admitted to the Krishnagiri government hospital for further treatment. Kurubarapalli police in Krishnagiri district have registered a case and investigation is on. --IANS aal/ksk Berlin, Oct 11 : German police have arrested several members of a right-wing extremist group that had plotted to violently overthrow the government and kidnap the Health Minister last year, prosecutors said. The five arrested persons are believed to have taken on important tasks for the group called Vereinte Patrioten (United Patriots), including providing servers for conspiratorial communications and obtaining firearms, Xinhua news agency quoted the prosecutorsas saying. The group's primary suspects have been on trial since May. The new arrests made it clear "that our security authorities have learned from past mistakes and are quite capable of recognising right-wing extremist networks", Misbah Khan, a Green Party MP, told the German Press Agency on Tuesday. Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 : After a lull, the reports of 'backdoor appointments' emerged with the news that State Education and Labour Minister V. Sivankutty gave the nod for regularising the appointment of 10 people at the Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment ( KILE). During 2016-21, Sivankuttywas the chairman of KILE, which comes under the Labour department. "We demand the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to order a complete probe into all the appointments made to KILE. So far it has come to notice that 10 of them, who were contract employees from the time Sivankutty was chairman, have now beenregularised, flouting all the norms in the state," said V.D. Satheesan, Leader of Opposition. "This is a clear violation of the oath of secrecy taken by Sivankutty and hence he has to step down and face a probe," added Satheesan. "Vijayan's government through this has proved that his government is not for the people of Kerala, but for his party and partymen. The Employment Exchange is being sidelined so as to appoint the youth wing and CPI-M party members and their relatives in government jobs. What's most baffling is that when even the State Finance department and also the Cabinet objected to such appointments, Sivankuttyblatantly violated all norms to appoint and regularise 10 posts at KILE," said Satheesan. "The salary bill at KILE, which was around Rs 39 lakhs, has jumped to Rs 64 lakhs and now that even the Cabinet directives have been violated by Sivankutty, Vijayan has to answer," said the Leader of the Opposition. Former Labour Minister Shibhu Baby John said the CPI-M is a master at these appointments as they first appoint their people on daily wages which is then converted to contract staff and soon their appointment is regularised. Mumbai, Oct 11 : This Diwali, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is coming with his highly-anticipated third installment of the 'Tiger' franchise, 'Tiger 3'. On Wednesday, the poster of the superstar from the film was unveiled, and it has 'Swag' written all over. The poster features Salman as a locked target of what seems to be the scope of a gun. The superstar stares into the scope with his head tilted down a little though his eyes are fixated at the sniper behind the scope. Behind him there are police cars. The superstar also promised that the trailer of the film will be unveiled on October 16. The actor can be seen sporting cargo pants, a leather jacket with a gun in his hand His look is rounded up with the scarf which is his signature from the franchise. Sharing the poster on his Instagram, Salman wrote in the caption: "Tiger aa raha hai. 16th October. #Tiger3Trailer Ready ho jao! #5DaysToTiger3Trailer #Tiger3 arriving in cinemas this Diwali. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu." Earlier, Katrina's poster from the film was unveiled on Tuesday. It features the actress hanging from a rope and wearing a leather body hugging suit as she fires an assault rifle. 'Tiger 3' has been produced by Aditya Chopra and has been directed by Maneesh Sharma. It releases during Diwali holiday this year. Gaza, Oct 11 : The relatives of Mohammed al-Deif, chief commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades -- armed wing of Hamas -- were killed during an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian media outlet reported on Wednesday. An Israeli warplane targeted the Deif's brother's house in Khan Younis city, Xinhua news agency quoted the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa Channel. The airstrike destroyed the house and killed the commander's brother as well as the latter's son and daughter, the channel added. It is unknown whether al-Deif was present in the house at the time of the bombing. The channel also reported that the raid resulted in several people being injured. Since Israel declared a war on Hamas in retaliation to the militant group's surprise attack on the country on October 7, the Jewish nation has been battering Gaza with continued airstrikes. On Tuesday night, Israeli airstrikes destroyed more than 80 targets in Gaza. Two Hamas political officials were killed in an Israeli raid on Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it struck naval targets in Gaza which were reportedly used by Hamas militants to carry out attacks on the Israeli coastline,. The operation was carried out by IDF naval soldiers, IAF and theIsraeli Artillery Corps, it said in a separate statement, adding that the targets includeddocks,which were hit using artillery fire from missile boats, military helicopters and ground artillery batteries. In addition, Israeli naval forces killed a Hamas diver who attempted to infiltrate into Israel from the Gaza shores earlier Wednesday, the IDF added. According to the latest official Palestinian and Israeli statistics, at least 900 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, while Hamas has killed more than 1,200 Israelis since the start of the conflict. New Delhi, Oct 11 : As a 'Vishwa Mitra' and a voice of the Global South, India will work with the member states of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to strengthen the institutional, financial and legal framework of the grouping to realise its true potential, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday. He was addressing the 23rd IORA council of ministersa meeting in Colombo. Listing India's priorities in the grouping as its Vice Chair, Jaishankar said that it wantsto develop an Indian Ocean community that is stable and prosperous, strong and resilient. Also the grouping should be able to cooperate closely within and to respond to happenings beyond the ocean, he said. India assumed the vice-chair role of IORA for 2023-25, leading to Chairship in 2025-27. Earlier Jaishankar had on Tuesday reached Sri Lanka on a two-day visit to the island nation. "Glad to be back in Colombo. Thank Dr. Suren Raghavan, State Minister for Higher Education for welcoming me. Will be attending the 23rd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers meeting. India and Sri Lanka relationship continues to progress," he had posted on X after arriving in Colombo. Jaishankar will be in Sri Lanka till October 12. This is his second visit to Sri Lanka in 2023. Besides IORA engagements, the minister will have bilateral meetings in Colombo. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Shahid Latif, one of India's most wanted terrorists and a key conspirator of the 2016 Pathankot attack that claimed the lives of seven security personnel, was shot dead on Wednesday by unidentified gunmen near a mosque in Pakistan's Sialkot city, sources said. According to the sources, the 41-year-old terrorist was killed near the Noor Madina Mosque after the Friday prayers. The assailants fled from the scene shortly after the murder. The Pakistan police are yet to identify the gunmen. Latif who was associated with Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), had guided the four terrorists to carry out the attack at the Pathankot airbase in 2016, according to Indian agencies. In 2010, he was released by the Indian government along with 24 other terrorists. In 1999, Latif's name was also on the list of the JeM terrorists demanded for release along with JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar in connection with the hijacking of the IC 814 Indian Airlines plane. According to an NIA charge sheet filed in court last year, Latif had transported and provided logistic support to newly-infiltrated JeM terrorists, who entered into Indian territory to execute a suicidal attack on security forces and other vital installations in Jammu region. In November 1994, Latif was apprehended in India on terrorism allegations, in accordance with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He underwent a trial and was subsequently incarcerated for a period of 16 years at Kot Balwal, Jammu prison, where he shared confinement with Masood Azhar. Upon completing his sentence in India, he was repatriated to Pakistan through the Wagah border in 2010 Washington, Oct 11 : American Airlines announced that it was cancelling all flights to Israel's main international airport until December 4 "as a result of the current operating environment". The airline operates flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport, located less than 40 miles from Gaza, reports CNN. "We will continue working closely with our partner airlines to offer assistance to those looking to exit TLV with safety and security remaining our highest priorities," American Airlines said in a statement late Tuesday. The airline said it has also "extended our travel alert providing additional flexibility to customers whose travel plans are impacted by this adjustment". On Monday, Delta Air Lines, which operates flights to Israel from Atlanta, JFK, and Boston, said it was canceling flights for the rest of October. The State Department said on Tuesday that it has been encouraging airlines "to consider resuming travel in and out of Israel". Since Israel declared a war on Hamas as retaliation against the militant group's unpredented attack on October 7, multiple airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to the Jewish nation. While Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific canceled its Tuesday flight to and from Tel Aviv, Air Canada announced the suspension of all its flights for now. Ireland's Ryanair said it was canceling flights in and out of Tel Aviv until October 11, citing operational restrictions. Air India and Lufthansa announced that they were canceling flights until October 14, and Norwegian Air said it is canceling flights until October 15. Korean Air canceled one of its three regularly scheduled weekly flights into Tel Aviv on Monday, but the South Korean flag carrier said it is planning on flying a 218-seat plane from Tel Aviv and to Incheon on Tuesday in order to bring Korean nationals back home. Bengaluru, Oct 11 : The Government of Bihar marked a significant milestone with the successful organisation of 'Bihar Business Connect', Investors Summit in Bengaluru, an official statement from the Bihar Government stated on Wednesday. The success of the Investors Meet in Bengaluru is a testament to the Department of Industries, Bihar's steadfast dedication to creating a vibrant ecosystem for investment and economic growth in the state, the statement said. Bihar Industry Minister, Samir Kumar Mahaseth, stated, "The Govt. of Bihar is also continuously trying to liaison with banks and financial institutions to ensure overall growth of the industrial sector of Bihar. We would like to extend a grand welcome to the investors, their friends and families to come and invest in Bihar." He emphasised how Bihar has progressed tremendously over the years and has focused on the growth of women entrepreneurs as well. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the esteemed participants and dignitaries who made the Bengaluru Investors Summit a resounding success. Your overwhelming response is a testament to the immense potential and opportunities that Bihar offers to the business community. We look forward to forging enduring partnerships that will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the state. We urge the aspirational investors to come to Bihar and experience a change in perception and then decide whether to invest in Bihar," said Pankaj Dixit, Director, Department of Industries, the Bihar Government. The summit held on Tuesday witnessed an overwhelming response, with participation from key stakeholders representing approximately 50 leading companies, including industry giants such as Britannia, IBM, UST Global, Synopsis, Shahi Exports, Gokuldas, Raymond and Arvind Lifestyle, among others. In addition to corporate leaders, the summit was attended by distinguished delegates from prominent industry associations, including the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) and The National Association of Software & Service Companies (NASSCOM). The Department of Industries, Bihar has been continuously trying to encourage potential investors in plenty of ways like providing various incentives under the high-priority sectors of Leather and Textiles, Food Processing, IT, ESDM and e-vehicles. In addition to this, the department is also offering plug-and-play facilities and handholding support to the companies willing to set up industries in Bihar. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Veteran Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is celebrating his 81st birthday on Wednesday. The actor is regarded as one the greatest icons of Hindi cinema, and on the occasion, several members of the film fraternity wished the senior megastar. Telugu megastarChiranjeevi called Big B his 'Guru ji' and also revealed that he is going to meet him onWednesday night. Taking to his X, formerly Twitter,Chiranjeevi shared several pictures of him with Big B and wrote: "A VeryHAPPY 81st BIRTHDAY Guru Ji @SrBachchan May you be blessed with a long life, filled with happiness & good health! May you keep enthralling & inspiring millions of us for many many years to come, with your acting genius!! This Birthday of yours is also very special for me, because I am looking forward to meeting you, my idol, virtually tonight on your legendary KBC show." Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn also shared a picture of himself with Big B from their film 'Runway 34' as he wrote on his Insta: "Working with you is just as fun as it looks in the picture. Happy birthday, Amit Ji! Wishing you love, health, and happiness." Ajay's wife Kajol took to her Instagram stories, and shared a photo with him. She wrote on the picture: " A very happy birthday to the one and only Shahenshah." Actress Aditi Rao Hydari wished him on Instagram, saying: "Happy Happy Happiest Birthday to our forever Rockstar, legend, icon. The bestest @amitabhbachchan sir." 'Shershah' actor Sidharth Malhotra shared a photo with Amitabh and wrote: "Happy Birthday Amitabh Bachchan, Thank you for your legacy and encouragement everyday. Big love and respect." Vicky Kaushal posted a photo from his recent visit to Kaun Banega Crorepati 15, and wrote: "Happy birthday to the one and only @amitabhbachchan sir". Saira Banu took to her Instagram saying "wishing a very Happy Birthday to @amitabhbachchan Ji, one of Dilip Sahib's dearest people, a person whose art and craft have always been admired and appreciated by him. His has been a constant presence, always close to Sahib, through thick and thin." She added: "I vividly remember his comforting visits, especially during times of Sahib's illness, which reflected the depth of his bond with Sahib. In the coming days, I shall be sharing stories that would describe how important Mr Bachchan has been to both Sahib and me. Sending warm wishes to him." Born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in 1942, Amitabh Bachchan is the son of the legendary Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan. He studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, and Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. He has appeared in over 200 Hindi films in a career spanning over 5 decades, He's celebrated as one of Indian cinema's most influential figures, earning titles such as the 'Shahenshah of Bollywood' and 'Star of the Millennium'. Films like 'Anand', 'Zanjeer' and 'Sholay' solidified his reputation as India's 'angry young man'. French director Francois Truffaut labelled him as a 'one-man industry' owing to Big B's cinematic dominance in the 1970s and 1980s. His notable films from the 1970s and 1980s include 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Don', and 'Shakti'. Ankara, Oct 11 : Two Turkey-based airlines have suspended flights to and from Israel due to the ongoing conflict on the Gaza Strip, local media reported on Wednesday. Flag carrier Turkish Airlines has suspended flights until further notice, Xinhua news agency reported. According to its website, the airline says it will allow some ticket changes and refunds for those with Tel Aviv flights. Low-cost Pegasus Airlines also announced on its website the suspension of flights to Israel due to "recent developments and the current conditions in the country", offering a full refund option for the tickets. Since Israel declared a war on Hamas as retaliation against the militant group's unpredented attack on October 7, multiple airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to the Jewish nation. While American Airlines announced that it was cancelling all flights to Israel's main international airport until December 4 aas a result of the current operating environment", Delta Air Lines said it was canceling flights for the rest of October. While Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific canceled its Tuesday flight to and from Tel Aviv, Air Canada announced the suspension of all its flights for now. Irelandas Ryanair said it was canceling flights in and out of Tel Aviv until October 11, citing operational restrictions. Air India and Lufthansa announced that they were canceling flights until October 14, and Norwegian Air said it is canceling flights until October 15. Korean Air canceled one of its three regularly scheduled weekly flights into Tel Aviv on Monday, but the South Korean flag carrier said it is planning on flying a 218-seat plane from Tel Aviv and to Incheon on Tuesday in order to bring Korean nationals back home. Singapore, Oct 11 : A 24-year-old drunk Tamil man has been fined SG$800 and sentenced to four weeks in jail for voluntarily causing hurt to a railway officer in Singapore, a media report said. Meenachisuntharam Pandiselvam refused to deboard a train and scuffled with a 55-year-old assistant station manager on January 16 this year at Punggol MRT Station, Channel News Asia reported. Pandiselvam, who had consumed two 180ml bottles of vodka, repeatedly slammed the victim's head against the train door, leaving him concussed. The court heard that on the day of the incident at around 12.15 a.m., the victim saw Pandiselvam inside the carriage of a train that was scheduled to return to the depot. The victim had to pull Pandiselvam and his belongings out of the train when the latter refused to leave. Upon being repeatedly told to leave, Pandiselvam became aggressive and started throwing his belongings around. He was told that the police would be called if he did not leave. Pandiselvam then chased the assistant station manager, who ducked into a train cabin to avoid him, and the pair began scuffling, the news report said. While they were on the floor of the train cabin, Pandiselvam pushed the assistant station manager against the train door, causing his head to hit the door several times. They had to be separated by another station employee, and the victim went to a hospital with a concussion and abrasions over his jaw and elbow. The prosecutor sought four to six weeks' jail and a fine of SG$800 to SG$1,000, saying Pandiselvam was the aggressor and was voluntarily intoxicated. The prosecutor said even after being restrained, Pandiselvam "continued to behave belligerently by taking off his clothes" and refusing to leave a seat in the train cabin. For voluntarily causing hurt, Pandiselvam could have been jailed for up to three years, fined up to SG$5,000, or both. --IANS mi/ksk New Delhi, Oct 11 : A Delhi court has summoned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain in a case of alleged rape and threats. The judge took cognisance of the offences of rape (punishable under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code) and criminal intimidation (section 506). The court was hearing the complainant's protest petition against the police's cancellation report. The complainant relied on the Supreme Court judgments, which showed the court that the sole testimony of the prosecutrix, if reliable, is sufficient to convict the accused. "... so it is safe to say that the consistent sole testimony of the prosecutrix is sufficient to summon the accused and to take the case to trial," the court noted. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had set aside a session court's order to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Shahnawaz and his brother Shahbaz Hussain. Justice Amit Mahajan remanded the matter back to the session's court for a fresh decision after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners. The bench noted that Hussain and his brother were not heard by the trial court while directing the registration of FIR under Sections 420, 376, 295A, 493, 496, 506, 509, 511 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. The court noted that earlier the Metropolitan Magistrate by June 25, 2018 order, in an application filed by the woman under Section 156(3) of Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) , had refused to direct the police to register an FIR. Later the Sessions Judge by the impugned order on May 31, 2022, while setting aside the said order, directed the SHO Mandir Marg to register an FIR. The complainant had alleged that while she was running an NGO, she encountered Shahbaz, who introduced himself as the brother of Shehnawaaz Hussain, a member of Parliament and after being highly impressed by the former, she developed intimacy with him. He promised her that he would marry her and allegedly raped her, the complainant said. She did not highlight the matter at first as she was concerned about her dignity and reputation, but was shocked on knowing that Shahbaz was already married and was a father of two children. She then visited his brother's residence seeking support and justice from him, and narrated the entire story to him. The complaint stated that Shahnawaz had asked her not to highlight the matter and raise a hue and cry as it would be detrimental to both parties. She has alleged that Shahbaz married her in the presence of a Maulavi and some other persons, and that she was forced to sign a certificate of marriage post which, she was abandoned by them. It later turned out that the maulavi and the certificate was fake She has alleged that she had received calls threatening her using foul language. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The National Investigation Agency Special Court in Punjab's Mohali has ordered the confiscation of land belonging to Pakistan-based self-styled chief of banned terror outfits, ISYF and KLF, Lakhbir Singh a.k.a Rode, under Section 33 (5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court order stems from the registration of case on October 1, 2021, which pertains to multiple charges, including sections 3, 4, 5 & 6 of the Explosive Substances Act 1908; sections 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38 & 39 of UA(P) Act 1967, Section 21B, 27A, 29 of NDPS Act 1985, and section 120B of IPC. According to officials, the case was originally registered on September 16, 2021 under Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act at City Jalalabad police station, and involves a tiffin bomb blast that occurred on September 15, 2021, around 07:57 p.m. near Punjab National Bank in Jalalabad town. The investigations revealed that Lakhbir is the mastermind of the whole conspiracy. "Working in collusion with his Pakistan-based 'masters', Lakhbir Singh played a key role in sending consignments of terror hardware, including arms, ammunition, custom-made Tiffin bombs, grenades, explosives as well as drugs, to carry out terrorist acts, particularly bomb blasts, to instil fear and terror among the people of Punjab," said the official. "Lakhbir Singh, a 'listed individual terrorist', under the UAPA fled to Pakistan around 1996/97. The NIA is investigating six cases against Rode for his active involvement in terror related activities between 2021-2023," said the official. "He stands accused of engaging in a wide array of terror activities. His criminal dossier includes armed attacks on law enforcement personnel, orchestrating IED and bomb blasts, targeted killings of members of the minority community, extortion, fundraising for terrorist operations, and instilling terror among the general populace," the official said. "To date, a total of nine accused individuals, among them Lakhbir Singh, have been formally charged in this case. The investigation in this case remains open," the official added. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud has recommended the appointment of a judicial officer as Gujarat High Court Judge. The SC Collegium said that it had consulted other judges of the apex court, who are conversant with the affairs of the Gujarat Court, to ascertain the suitability of judicial officer Vimal Kanaiyalal Vyas for elevation to the high court. In February this year, the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in consultation with his two seniormost colleagues made the above recommendation. "All the consultee-judges have found the officer to be suitable for appointment as a judge of the high court. The Collegium has also taken note of the report of the Judgment Assessment Committee," noted the SC Collegium. It said that having regard to the views of the consultee-judges on the suitability of the candidate, the report of the Judgment Assessment Committee and the assessment made by the Government of India in the file, the Collegium is of the considered view that Vyas is suitable for being appointed as a judge of the Gujarat High Court. "We have also taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of a senior judicial officer. Cogent reasons have been recorded by the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending his name. We are, therefore, in agreement with the High Court Collegium for overlooking him," said SC Collegium. "Views of the Chief Minister and the Governor for the State of Gujarat on the above recommendation have not been placed in the file," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court on Wednesday. The Centre forwarded the recommendation in terms of para 14 of the Memorandum of Procedure, which provides that if the comments of the state constitutional authorities are not received within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the proposal from the Chief Justice of the High Court, it should be presumed that the Governor and Chief Minister have nothing to add to the proposal and proceed accordingly. Aizawl, Oct 11 : Ahead of the November 7 Assembly polls in Mizoram, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) received a setback on Wednesday after Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo resigned from his post and Assembly membership, stating that he would join the BJP and contest the upcoming elections on a saffron party ticket. Sailo submitted his resignation letter to Deputy Speaker H. Biakzaua and requested him to accept it at the earliest. After stepping down from the Speaker's post, the 64-year-old MNF leader said that he would soon join the BJP and contest the November 7 Assembly polls on a saffron party ticket. "I will quit the MNF and join the BJP for the all-round development of Mizoram. As the BJP is now in power at the Centre, Mizoram needs support and funding from the Union government," Sailo told the media. The ruling MNF had last month finalised candidates for all the 40 Assembly seats in the state, denying ticket to Sailo that triggering his annoyance. The Congress-turned-MNF leader got elected to the Assembly four times from the Chalfilh constituency. BJP sources confirmed that Sailo will be inducted into the saffron party on Thursday. With this, eight MLAs, including two from MNF, have quit the Assembly in Mizoram this month. Five Independent MLAs had resigned from the Assembly on Tuesday, in line with the technical formalities to contest the November 7 elections as nominees of Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), the northeastern state's main opposition party. All the five MLAs originally belonged to the ZPM but contested the 2018 Assembly polls as Independents since the ZPM was not a registered political party at the time. As the five Independent MLAs are now going to contest the Assembly elections as candidates of ZPM, which is now a registered party, they are liable to be disqualified if they do not resign, an Assembly official said. Their leader Lalduhoma was elected in a bypoll in 2021 as a ZPM candidate and does not require to resign, the official said, adding that the five legislators can now file nomination on ZPM tickets. Earlier this month, Congress MLA K.T. Rokhaw and former minister and MNF MLA K. Beichhua had resigned. Rokhaw has already joined the MNF, while Beichhua has joined the BJP and they will contest from Palak and Siaha Assembly constituencies, respectively. Beichhua, who had resigned from Chief Minister Zoramthanga's ministry on December 13 last year, was expelled from the party by the MNF in January this year. The ZPM won eight seats in the 2018 Assembly polls, but lost two seats in the subsequent bypolls while retaining the Serchhip seat in the 2021 byelection. New Delhi, Oct 11 : After making a splash in the Indian TV market, French consumer electronics brand Thomson is geared up to launch a series of laptops across price points in the domestic market in the first quarter of 2024, a top company executive said on Wednesday, as the government pushes for the PLI 2.0 for IT hardware scheme. The move, said Sebastien Crombez, trademark licensing trade and marketing manager, Technicolor SA Thomson France, is to let Indian users experience feature-rich, powerful laptops that will be launched in the country after a rigorous testing phase at homegrown manufacturer Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd (SPPL), an exclusive brand licensee of Thomson in the country. "After the success of our exhaustive range of TVs and other product categories in India, we are very bullish on foraying into the Indian laptop market which has ample room to grow. I see a very positive government policy in place for companies to come and manufacture here. France and India have very good relationship and we have a lot of things in common. Bringing our laptop range to India is a natural expansion for us to sever the customers," Crombez told IANS. The PLI 2.0 scheme encompasses IT hardware items including laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers, and ultra-small form factor devices, aligning with the trajectory of achieving $25 billion in IT hardware production with exports projected between $12-17 billion by 2025-26. More than 45 companies have submitted applications under PLI Hardware 2.0 and "many of them are already in the process of setting up their plants," Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told IANS last month. According to Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, SPPL, they have been working towards launching Thomson laptops for the more than a year, closely studying category trends, consumer and market behaviour in the country. "We will launch best Thomson laptops in the country in the Q1 of 2024 that have already been tried and tested in other countries. The devices will come in entry-level, mid-price level and premium segments to cater to a large pool of customers," Marwah told IANS. The India traditional PC market, inclusive of desktops, notebooks, and workstations, continued to struggle, as it shipped 3.2 million units in the second quarter this year. Despite growing by 5.9 per cent quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), it declined by 15.3 per cent year-over-year (YOY) in the April-June quarter, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC). "There is a lot of scope in the domestic laptop market after Chinese devices failed to woo the consumers. We are not leaving anything behind and will be very aggressive with the Thomsonrange of devices," Marwah emphasised. Shanghai, Oct 11 : Nicolas Jarry reached his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal on Wednesday after he downed the resurgent Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 at the Shanghai Masters. With a win, the Chilean 22nd seed, who is celebrating his 28th birthday booked a quarterfinal meeting with Carlos Alcaraz or Grigor Dimitrov. He outhit Schwartzman by 44 winners to 17 to claim his second win of the year against the Argentine and improve to 2-4 in the pairas ATP Head-to-Head series. "I'm very happy to be able to come back after that second set. I was struggling a little bit. I tried to push myself. Itas very tough to play against Diego because of our history. Mentally he is so strong, a great competitor and he makes every ball. You have to work a lot and Iam very happy to overcome it," Jarry was quoted by ATP Tour website. Reaching the last eight was another milestone in a career-best season for Jarry, who has notched 36 tour-level wins in 2023. That tally includes title runs in his hometown of Santiago and in Geneva, and he now stands on the brink of breaking the Top 20 in the ATP Rankings for the first time. He is currently 21st in the ATP Live Rankings. Ugo Humbert joined Jarry in making 2023 the most successful year of his career with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 triumph against J.J. Wolf. The 32nd seed Humbert will take on fifth seed Andrey Rublev or 12th seed Tommy Paul in his second Masters 1000 quarter-final. The 25-year-old, who also reached the last eight at the Paris Masters in 2020, is up five spots to No. 29 in the ATP Live Rankings as a result of his Shanghai run. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Two days after the Election Commission announced the poll schedule for Chhattisgarh, the ruling Congress on Wednesday said that it is fully prepared for the polls and it will win 75 seats in the mineral rich state. The Congress also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of not fulfilling its promises made to the people and said that this is the difference between the grand old party and the saffron party. Addressing a Press conference at the party headquarters here, Congress' Chhattisgarh in-charge Kumari Selja said, "The poll bugle has been sounded. Dates have been announced and in Chhattisgarh polling will take place in two phases. Southern part of the state, which includes Bastar and Kanker, will go to polls in the first phase on November 7. After that on November 17, the polling in central and northern part of the state will take place." Selja said that Congress is fully prepared, and "if I say that we have been prepared for polls in last five years then it would not be wrong. "Today we are going into polls with the slogan of 'bharosa barkarar, phir se Congress sarkar'. "On the basis of our works, we will form the government with full majority. We had won 68 in last elections and in the by elections we won three more. In the coming polls, we will get 75 seats," she said. "What Rahul Gandhi had promised to the people of Chhattisgarh, our government has fulfilled that, whether it is to farmers, tribals and landless workers nyay. Whatever we said, we delivered. This is the difference between the Congress and the BJP. The Congress never does the politics of lies whereas Prime Minister only makes rhetoric," the Congress leader said. "Rahul Gandhi ji does what he says, but PM Modi does nothing except making statements. When Prime Minister Modi went to Chhattisgarh there people asked him for a promise that Nagarnar Steel Plant will not be privatised, but he did not make any such promise," she alleged. Targeting the BJP, she said that the Modi government only talks tempting things about reservation for backward classes, but when it comes to giving something, they back down. She said: "The bill was passed unanimously in Chhattisgarh, in which we gave 76 per cent reservation to various sections. The Governor herself talked about signing the bill, but she was already removed from the state. For this reason this bill is still pending. BJP does not want that those who should have a share in development should get a share." Selja further said that the Congress government in Chhattisgarh has made every section of the people including farmers and labourers a part of its development. "We are purchasing forest produce in the state at MSP. Today, the largest share of forest produce in the country is coming from Chhattisgarh." The polling for the 90-member assembly will take place in two phases. The polling for first phase will be held on November 20 in 20 assembly seats while polling for the 70 assembly seats will be held on November 17 in the second phase. Counting of votes will take place on December 3. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of four advocates as judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The recommendation for appointment of advocates Harinath Nunepally, Kiranmayee Mandava @ Kiranmayee Kanaparthy, Sumathi Jagadam and Nyapathy Vijay as judges was made on February 22 this year by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues "The Chief Minister and the Governor of the State of Andhra Pradesh have concurred with the recommendation," said SC Collegium. "For the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the above-named candidates for elevation to the High Court, we have scrutinised and evaluated the material placed on record including the observations made by the Department of Justice in the file as well as the complaint(s) received against the candidates," it added. In relation to advocates Nunepally and Kanaparthy, the consultee-judges have unanimously opined that the two candidates are fit and suitable for appointment and the assessment made by the Centre does not indicate anything adverse to the integrity of these candidates. Further, the Collegium brushed aside certain adverse inputs placed on the file of advocate Jagadam by the Centre saying that she is a woman belonging to Scheduled Caste category and is a suitable candidate for appointment as a judge of the High Court. SC judge Justice J.K. Maheshwari one of the consultee-judges did not give any view on suitability of advocate Vijay while four of the consultee-judges unanimously opined that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court. "In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (1) Shri Harinath Nunepally, (2) Smt. Kiranmayee Mandava @ Kiranmayee Kanaparthy, (3) Smt. Sumathi Jagadam, and (4) Shri Nyapathy Vijay, Advocates, be appointed as judges of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court on Wednesday. Toronto, Oct 11 : An immigration tribunal in Canada has ruled that a Sikh man who "housed and fed Khalistani militants in India" should be allowed into the North American country as he did so "mostly out of necessity" and fear of retribution, a media report said. The move to bar Indian citizen Kamaljit Ram came after he told the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that he sheltered and fed armed Sikh militants at his farm in India on-and-off between 1982 and 1992, the National Post newspaper reported. He also told them that he supported the ideas promoted by the followers of late Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a leading figure of the Khalistani movement, for a separate Sikh state. The CBSA argued that Ram is ineligible to come to Canada as the immigration law prohibits individuals who engaged in or instigated the "subversion by force of any government". However, the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) tribunal said in a recent ruling that the federal government did not have "reasonable grounds" to stop Ram from entering Canada, the news report stated. IRB tribunal member Heidi Worsfold said that the government failed to note in its assessment that Ram repeatedly said he accepted to host the armed individuals because he "feared the consequences" of being on the wrong end of the group. "The atmosphere in the Sikh community of the 1980s was rife with militancy where groups of militants, including the Bhindranwale followers, as well as the police created an atmosphere of fear and distrust among many of the local residents," the ruling read, according to the Post. Ram said he felt he had "no choice" but to provide food and shelter to the armed militants who showed up at his farm. "I do not find that Mr Ram's actions amount to providing a 'safe house' or 'logistical support' as the (government) has framed it in their submissions," Worsfold stated in the ruling. Worsfold agreed with the CBSA that Ram clearly was sympathetic to the notion of a Khalistan state for Sikhs, but he was never a member of the armed militia. "He listened to the speeches when the militants came to the farm and came to support their ideas, including a separate Khalistan state in India. However, he never became a member of that organisation, nor did he donate money or carry out any activities in support of this group," the ruling stated. Worsfold wrote in the ruling that Ram's provision of food and shelter was mostly out of necessity and within the context of the political situation in Punjab. The tensions between Hindus and Sikhs in India were at their peak during the time when Ram hosted Khalistani militants -- 1982-1992. Chennai, Oct 11 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin on Wednesday announced that the Tanjore-based, Tamil Nadu Agricultural College and Research Institute would now be named after renowned agriculture scientist, late MS Swaminathan. The Chief Minister made the announcement regarding the renaming of the institute in the state legislative Assembly. Stalin heaped praises on the late scientist and talked about his contributions towards the aGreen Revolutiona in India. Stalin also said that the late scientist gave warnings about climate change as early as in 1969. The state government also announced an award in the name of the renowned scientist who passed away on September 28 in Chennai at the age of 98. The award has been instituted for honouring toppers in plant propagation and genetics at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. MS Swaminathan was awarded the Padma Vibushan and the Magsasay Award and received several international recognitions. Chikkballpur : , Oct 11 (IANS) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will lock ESCOM offices and hold a protest if the state government fails to ensure an uninterrupted seven hours of power supply in three phases to farmers across the state. Addressing a farmers' protest organised by the BJP under the leadership of former Minister K. Sudhakar protesting against the "anti-farmer" attitude of the government here, Bommai added that getting power and rice was the right of the farmers but it had been snatched away by the incumbent Congress government. "The duty of the state government was to ensure the power supply and it was not doing any favour to the farmers. The officials would tell how the Department of Energy had been functioning. The previous BJP government had given Rs 10,000 crore to the Karnataka Energy Department. However, the present Congress government had not released any grant as it did not have money to release the grant and purchase coal." Farmers were given merely two hours of power daily but the power tariff had been hiked two times in the last three months, the former Chief Minister alleged. Bommai said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised to give 10 kg of rice free to every below poverty line (BPL) family but only three kg of rice had been given. "This (Congress) government tells lies and cheats people. The previous BJP government gave 10 kg of rice till December last year and subsequently, five kg of rice and one kg ragi. Despite this, the people did not vote for the BJP. What should be done to the government which distributes three kg of rice? Should we not protest against this (Congress) government? The Congress promised Rs 2,000 for every woman under the 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme and made women stand before the banks," he added. He warned the state government that the BJP would lock the ESCOM offices and launch protests if farmers were not supplied seven hours of power supply in three phases. "Against how many people you can book cases and send to jail? We will go to jail in such a big number that you will be forced to release us. There are 1.5 lakh IP sets and all the crops are drying in Chikballapur district for being neglected." After a long fight, Sudhakar brought the Milk Producers Union to Chikballapur but it had been stalled for political reasons. He brought a medical college and an international flower market, Bommai said. "The former Minister (K. Sudhakar) became a victim of the election conspiracy by the Congress. Defeat or victory is not permanent. Chikballapur is an orphan despite having an MLA. If the election is held now, Sudhakar would win by a margin of one lakh votes. A continuous agitation would be launched to overthrow the incumbent "anti-people's" government." Former Ministers, R. Ashok and Sudhakar, and BJP MP Muniswamy were also present during the farmers' protest on Wednesday. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court Collegium. headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of three judicial officers as Bombay High Court Judges. The recommendation for appointment of judicial officers Abhay Jainarayanji Mantri, Shyam Chhaganlal Chandak, and Neeraj Pradeep Dhote as HC judges was made on June 27 this year by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues. "The Chief Ministers and the Governors of the States of Maharashtra and Goa have concurred with the recommendation," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court on Wednesday. The SC Collegium said that it has consulted "colleagues" conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Bombay to ascertain the fitness and suitability of these judicial officers for elevation. It said that having regard to the fact that the High Court Collegium and the consultee-judges have found these judicial officers fit and suitable and inputs placed in the file do not contain any observation adverse to their integrity or reputation, the Collegium recommended for their appointment as a judge of the High Court of Bombay. It noted that two of these officers were previously overlooked for appointment as judges of the High Court as per the opinion rendered by one of the consultee-judges. "The Collegium resolves to recommend that (1) Shri Abhay Jainarayanji Mantri, (2) Shri Shyam Chhaganlal Chandak, and (3) Shri Neeraj Pradeep Dhote, judicial officers, be appointed as judges of the High Court of Bombay. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice," read the statement. Kolkata, Oct 11 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday sought permission from a special court in Kolkata for fresh interrogation of former West Bengal education minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee in connection with the multi-crore cash-for-school job case in West Bengal. While moving this application during a hearing at the special court in the matter, the CBI counsel claimed that the investigation sleuths have got specific information that a special team was constituted by Chatterjee whose task was to destroy and tamper with the optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets used in the recruitment examinations for school job. There was also evidence that forged age proofs were also used in case of certain candidates in the recruitment process, the central agency counsel informed the court. He argued that fresh interrogation of the former education minister might lead to procurement of more clues in the matter. While coming out of the court, Chatterjee told media persons that he will fully cooperate with the central agency sleuths if he faces fresh interrogation. However, he refused to make any comment when media persons asked him for his remarks on the recent CBI raid at the residences of West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim and Trinamool Congress legislator Madan Mitra. Chatterjee was arrested in July last year by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths in connection with the school job case. His close associate Arpita Mukherjee, from whose residences the central agency sleuths recovered huge cash and gold, was also arrested then. Since then, both have been serving judicial custodies as multiple bail applications by their counsels have been declined repeatedly. All smart city projects to be completed by June 2024, says Hardeep Puri. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Oct 11 : The public sector oil and gas companies are playing a significant role in promoting startups and have set up a Rs 405 crore fund for the purpose from which they have already financed 232 startups, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday. He said that the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas had directed the Oil and Gas PSUs to help create an innovative ecosystem and promote start-ups in the fields such as IOT in Upstream/ Midstream/ Downstream operations, digitalisation of business processes, green fuels, alternative energy, etc. "The PSUs of oil and gas sector have already disbursed Rs 208 crore to fund 232 startups," he added. The Petroleum Minister cited examples of successful startups including Bandicoot, a robotic scavenger, developed by Genrobotic Innovations, who were provided grants, mentor support and specific technical assistance by Bharat Petroleum under Project Ankur, to improve the working conditions of sanitary workers. Puri lauded Vasitars Private Limited -- a technology-based company funded by Indian Oil that provides complete in-situ composite repair solutions to all kind of damage scenarios in transmission pipelines by using patent registered innovation nano filler reinforced polymer composite wrap to repair corroded pipelines. He said that this project holds the promise of revolutionising pipeline repair in India. India with its vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and booming start-up ecosystem, has witnessed emergence of many unicorn start-ups that are reshaping our economy and markets, Puri said. He pointed out that India today ranks third globally in terms of the unicorn count and has over 100 unicorns with a combined valuation of $347 billion. The minister was speaking at ENRich 2023, the 14th edition of the KPMG's Innovation and Energy Conclave. Puri also said that India's energy demand will continue to provide fuel for future economic growth, as it agrows exponentially. "India is also the world's 3rd largest consumer of oil, 3rd largest LPG consumer, 4th largest LNG importer, 4th largest refiner, 4th largest automobile market," he added. India will account for 25 per cent of global energy demand growth over the next two decades, the minister said. Noting the role of energy industry in India's journey of decarbonisation, he mentioned about the commitments of oil and gas public sector companies to achieve their net zero emissions -- scope 1 and 2 during the period 2038-2046. Highlighting the rapid strides made by the country in biofuels, the minister noted that India is today the 3rd largest producer and user of ethanol, thanks to nearly tripling production in the past five years. Ethanol blending in petrol has increased from 1.5 per cent in 2014 to currently 11.70 per cent, he said. He added that "we have advanced the 20 per cent ethanol blending target to 2025-26, ahead by 5 years and approx 5,000 fuel stations are already dispensing E20 fuel". Panaji, Oct 11 : Launching relentless political attacks on Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over his silence on sensitive issues like ministers involved in gold smuggling, sex scandal, medicine purchase scam and Pernem Zoning plan (conversion of land), Congress leader Girish Chodankar on Wednesday mocked Sawant by calling him a 'Maun Mukhyamantri'. "Pramod Sawant should be aware that the Chief Minister has to respond when there are protests against the government. But it is strange that he is not responding to issues, against which people are raising their voice, and loot by this BJP government continues. Seems he has become 'Maun Mukhyamantri' or there are parallel Chief Ministers in his cabinet," Chodankar said. "Pernem residents have taken up to the streets protesting against the hidden agenda of BJP government, which has proposed to convert 1.4 crore sq. metre land. People have expressed fear that if this becomes reality then they will suffer to get basic needs like water and electricity supply as housing complexes will come up on green cover. Despite that the Chief Minister is mum. This is unacceptable," he added. Secondly, he said, Congress has exposed the medicine procurement scam of the Goa Medical College, where medicines were being purchased from 'One Top Pharmacy' by flouting tender rules. "Government is paying 400 hundred times more than the actual price to this pharmacy. It is a scam of crores of rupees. Even cancer patients are not spared from this loot and are prescribed medicines, which are available in this pharmacy for a higher price. It is the duty of the Chief Minister to provide better health facilities to people of the state, however he is neither taking action against Health Minister Vishwajit Rane nor speaking a word on it," Chodankar added. He said that Congress has even complained about a minister in the Goa government involved in gold smuggling, but despite that Pramod Sawant has not taken action nor spoken a word. "This minister should immediately be expelled from the cabinet and should be arrested," he added. Chodankar also said that there were allegations against one Minister involved in the sex scandal, but it was not investigated fearing the truth will come out. "If the BJP government was sure that this sex scandal had not taken place, then it should have probed it. Investigation is not done because the allegations have base," he added. "I urge Chief Minister Pramod Sawant not to turn our 'paradise' Goa into a 'parasite', wherein people will suffer. People want to know whether he is involved in these scams as a partner in crime or if he is afraid to speak," Chodankar said. Chennai, Oct 11 : Software major Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) on Wednesday said it closed the second quarter of FY24 with higher revenue and net profit and announced the second interim dividend of Rs 9 per share. The company Board of Directors at their meeting held on Wednesday also approved a proposal to buyback up to 4,09,63,855 (Four crore nine lakh sixty three thousand eight hundred and fifty five) equity shares for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 17,000 crore at Rs 4,150 per share. The proposed buyback represents 1.12 per cent of the total paid-up equity share capital of TCS. In a regulatory filing, TCS said it had closed the quarter ended September 30, 2023 with a revenue of Rs 59,692 crore (Q2FY23 Rs 55,309 crore) and a net profit of Rs 11,342 crore (Rs 10,431 crore). The Board of Directors also approved payment of second interim dividend of Rs 9 per share of Re 1 each. According to K. Krithivasan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, strong deal momentum delivered the company a very large order book in Q2 and good pipeline. "During the quarter, BSNL awarded us the project to integrate and deploy a modern, indigenous pan-India 4G and 5G mobile network. This is a huge milestone for TCS, and we have commenced the supply, planning, design, installation and commissioning, and optimisation of this mobile network, satisfying a detailed set of requirements conforming to 3GPP standards and the roll-out will be completed in about 18 months," said N Ganapathy Subramaniam, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director. According to the company, its total headcount stood at 608,985 as on September 30, 2023 and the employee base continues to be very diverse, with 35.8 per cent women and with 152 nationalities. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has granted permission to the Delhi Police's Economic Offence Wing to probe the role of eight prison officials for allegedly allowing conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar to run an organised crime syndicate from Rohini Jail. The role of the prison officials will be investigated under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PoC) Act. According to officials, "The LG's nod to probe these eight Group B officers/officials of Delhi Prisons who are already under arrest, is in addition to the permission granted last year by him to investigate the role of 81 other jail officials for facilitating Sukesh for financial gains." The jail officials under the EOW's lens are Sunil Kumar, Sunder Bora (both Superintendents), Prakash Chand, Mahender Prasad Sundriyal, Subhash Batra (all Deputy Superintendent), Dharam Singh Meena, Lakshmi Dutt and Prakash Chand (all Assistant Superintendent). They were arrested under provisions of MCOCA for facilitating the organised crime syndicate run by the conman. Investigators have stated that Sukesh Chandrashekhar used to pay approximately Rs 1.50 crore every month for facilities like the use of mobile phones and a separate barrack. "Chandrashekhar was operating from Barrack No. 204, Ward No. 3, Jail No. 10, Rohini and during investigation it emerged that these eight jail officials were making his stay comfortable and ensuring privacy, so that he could use mobile phones in the jail, in lieu of pecuniary gains," said the official. The footage of various cameras of Rohini Jail was collected and analysed, and the duty roster of the said staff was checked. Their phone details were analysed and information was collected on the basis of the disclosure of the accused men. "It was found that the said staff was deployed in the Barrack of Sukesh Chandrashekhar in consultation with him so as to help him carry out his criminal activities, for pecuniary gains," said the official. A separate barrack was exclusively provided to Sukesh Chandrashekhar by these jail officials in gross violation of the Jail Manual, for pecuniary gains received through Assistant Superintendent Dharam Singh Meena on a regular basis. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of advocate Ravindra Kumar Agrawal as judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court. In February this year, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues made the above recommendation. "The Chief Minister and the Governor of Chhattisgarh have concurred with the recommendation," said the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court on Wednesday. The SC Collegium said that it has consulted a "colleague" who is conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Chhattisgarh to ascertain suitability of advocate Agrawal. "The Collegium has duly considered the inputs placed by the Government of India on the file. The Government has flagged certain complaints pertaining to the candidate which are placed in the file. Nothing specific bearing on the integrity or the reputation of the officer has emerged on the file," it added. The SC Collegium having regard to the views of the consultee-judge found him suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court. "The Collegium resolves to recommend that Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Advocate, be appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Chhattisgarh," it said. Prayagraj : , Oct 11 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking recognition of Mathura's Shahi Idgah Mosque site as Krishna Janmabhoomi. The verdict had been reserved by the High Court on September 4. During the course of the hearing before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava, petitioner-in-person Advocate Mehek Maheshwari argued that various historical records cite the factum that the disputed site, the Shahi Idgah mosque, is the actual birthplace of Lord Krishna and even the history of Mathura dates back to the Ramayana era and Islam came just 1,500 years ago. He contended that the Shahi Idgah was not a proper mosque as per Islamic jurisprudence as a mosque cannot be on a ground forcibly acquired whereas as per Hindu jurisprudence, it is a temple as even ruins of a temple can constitute a temple. Regarding the bar placed by the Places of Worship Act, 1991, Maheshwari submitted that since the land had always been temple land, no question of changing its nature arose. He referred to the judgment of Madras High Court in the TRK Ramaswami Servai vs the Board of Commissioners for Hindu Religious Endowments. He further stressed that during a settlement, out of 13.37 acres of land 2.37 acres were given to the Shahi Idgah Mosque which suggested it was a temple, although a mosque might be situated over it. Earlier, the PIL was dismissed in default by the court on January 19, 2021, on account of the absence of the petitioner but it was again restored to its original number. In his petition, Maheshwari stressed that the masjid is not an essential part of Islam, therefore the Shahi Idgah Mosque situated in Mathura should be razed and that land, allegedly Krishna Janmabhoomi, should be handed over to the Hindus. He also urged the court to declare Sections 2,3, 4 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991 as unconstitutional contending that these provisions violate the doctrine of Hindu law that temple property is never lost even if enjoyed by strangers for years. It was also one of Maheshwari's prayers that a proper trust for Krishna Janmabhoomi should be formed for building a temple on the said land. London, Oct 11 : Increased demand for water due to global population growth, coupled with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, endangers global water security, warns a study. Little is known about the relationship of water use by sectors and the occurrence of drought-heat-wave events, particularly at the large scale. Researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, evaluated the responses of sectoral water use -- how the water use practices of sectors namely domestic, irrigation, thermoelectric energy, manufacturing and livestock are affected by the occurrence of droughts, heat waves and compound events -- at a global scale from 1990-2019. The findings, published in Environmental Research Letters, shows that stronger sectoral water use responses are found for heat waves compared to impacts during droughts. The analysis shows that extreme events over the last 30 years had substantial impacts on water use patterns, but these responses highly differper sector and region across the world. "Socio-economic factors and public water management plans strongly influence water use responses, and even more so during extreme events. For instance, while Western continental United States decreases its water use during extremes, the central US increases it," said lead author Gabriel Cardenas Belleza, doctoral candidate at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. In addition, the results reveal that the domestic and irrigation sectors, in general, have the highest priority for water use worldwide, however, stricter measures are taken in favour of the domestic sector during extremes. The analysis also shows that heat waves and compound drought-heat wave events overall have stronger impacts on water use in comparison to solely droughts. "Heat waves and compound events can lead to higher water use as a consequence of the temporary increase in water demand under high temperatures, which can still be satisfied due to the short duration of such extremes, compared to longer-lasting events like droughts," Belleza said. The results of the study demonstrate the urgency of collecting more water use data to better understand the implications of extreme events and climate change on different water use sectors and for improved assessments of future water scarcity. "Our research provides a first step to evaluate multi-sectoral water use behaviour during extremes. However, more local-scale information from data-scarce areas, like Africa and parts of Asia and South America, is needed to better understand sectoral water use behaviour and improve water management strategies," Belleza said. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Top-level exodus at cash-strapped quick-grocery delivery provider Dunzo continues and now, its head of finance Sudarshan N. has reportedly left the company. Sudarshan's LinkedIn profile confirmed his departure from the company. Dunzo did not immediately comment. MoneyControl was first to report about the development. Earlier, Mukund Jha, Co-founder at the cash-strapped quick-grocery delivery provider Dunzo, made the exit at the company, after another co-founder Dalvir Suri decided to quit, as Dunzo faces severe cash crunch amid delayed salaries and impending layoffs. A Dunzo spokesperson, however, neither confirmed nor denied the news, saying that "Mukund remains an integral part of Dunzo's leadership team". "While we are restructuring the org with new leaders driving key mandates, Mukund will continue to be an important part of the strategic leadership team guiding and directing Dunzo's future roadmap," the spokesperson added. The news of Jha moving on from Dunzo came after the company confirmed the departure of co-founder Suri. Dunzo has also seen exit of some of its board members, including Vaidhehi Ravindran from Lightrock and Reliance Retail's Rajendra Kamath and Ashwin Khasgiwala, according to reports. Dunzo is making organisation-wide changes in restructuring the business. Dunzo, which is likely to raise $35 million in funding from existing backers like Reliance Industries and Google as well as new investors, is also reportedly laying off at least "150-200" more employees. It is likely to trim its workforce further by around 30-40 per cent. The company has reportedly informed impacted employees that they would receive their full and final settlements in January. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Veteran Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has now turned 81, set the internet ablaze with his intense new look from the epic science fiction 'Kalki 2898 AD'. Dressed up in rags, Big B is looking extremely mysterious. With his face almost completely hidden except his eyes and holding a stick, the megastar is looking his fiercest ever. Being touted as one of the biggest and most awaited releases of 2024, 'Kalki 2898 AD' has got cinephiles highly excited ever since it was first announced. The Prabhas-starrer had its teaser first unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year, with the mega-budget flick garnering immense appreciation worldwide. On the occasion of Amitabh Bachchan's 81st birthday, the filmmakers have unveiled the first official portrait of the actor. Both intense and intriguing, Amitabh Bachchan's first look has created quite a stir on the internet already, particularly as this is perhaps the most different he has ever looked. Revealing the look, 'Kalki 2898 AD' took to its official social media platform X and wrote: "It's an honour to be part of your journey and witness your greatness. Happy Birthday Amitabh Bachchan Sir." Before that, the movie had also unveiled the look of Prabhas in a highly futurist get-up which had really added to the excitement. Now with the megastar's brilliant look, which makes him appear like some kind of prophet, has only spiced things up further. Directed by Nag Ashwin, 'Kalki 2898 AD' also stars Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Dulquer Salmaan, Rana Daggubati, Pasupathy, Sasweta Chatterjee, and Disha Patani in lead roles. The movie is a multi-lingual release and will be coming out in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam and English. A mysterious and innovative creation, the movie incorporates both mythology as well as futuristic sci-fi elements in its narrative. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of two judicial officers as judges of the Tripura High Court. The recommendation for appointment of judicial officers Biswajit Palit and Sabyasachi Datta Purkayastha as HC judges was made on December 1 last year by the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Tripura in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues. The SC Collegium said that it has consulted "colleagues" who are conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Tripura to ascertain suitability of these two names. It said that judicial officer Palit is functioning as Legal Remembrancer and Secretary in the Law Department of Tripura, adding that consultee-judges have recommended his appointment and no input adverse to his reputation or integrity was placed by the Centre on the file. In relation to judicial officer Purkayastha, one of the consultee-judges has expressed the view that the officer may be considered at a later stage, while the other consultee-judge has not offered any view. The Collegium said that it has also taken note of the report of the Judgment Assessment Committee and finds him as a suitable candidate for appointment as a judge of the High Court. "Views of the Chief Minister and the Governor for the State of Tripura on the above recommendation have not been placed in the file," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court on Wednesday. The Union government forwarded the recommendation in terms of para 14 of the Memorandum of Procedure, which provides that if the comments of the state's constitutional authorities are not received within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the proposal from the Chief Justice of the High Court, it should be presumed that the Governor and Chief Minister have nothing to add to the proposal and proceed accordingly. "We have also taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of senior judicial officers. Cogent reasons have been recorded by the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending their names. We are, therefore, in agreement with the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending them," said SC Collegium. "The Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) Biswajit Palit and (ii) Sabyasachi Datta Purkayastha, Judicial Officers, be appointed as judges of the High Court of Tripura. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice," read the statement issued by the Collegium. New Delhi, Oct 11 : London-based consumer technology brand Nothing on Wednesday announced OS 2.5 Open Beta 1 update powered by Android 14 for its Phone (2). "OS 2.5 is Nothing's most significant update since the launch of OS 2.0 in July. Packed with exciting new features to make your smartphone experience as efficient and personal as possible," Nothing said. "To deliver the most perfected update yet, Nothing is in the process of Beta testing on Phone (2). Open Beta 1 is your chance to get early access to our newest improvements," it added. The new update will include -- a new photos widget, allowing you to display your favourite photos on both your Home Screen and Lock Screen, a new screenshot editor and menu, allowing for more advanced editing features and quick deletions, an updated design of back gesture to be more in line with Nothing's style, new solid colour wallpapers for a cleaner Home Screen appearance, and more. Moreover, the company said that with any Open Beta, this version is not final and there is a possibility of software instabilities. Users already enrolled on the Beta will be able to update via Settings > System > System Update. "We will be sure to update on the full Android 14 rollout to Phone (1) and Phone (2) devices at a later date," the company mentioned. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Following a detailed medical report, the Bombay High Court has cleared the medical termination of 29-week-old pregnancy of a mentally and physically challenged 25-year-old rape victim from Kolhapur. A division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Gauri Godse perused the report of a medical board, formed on October 5, which recommended the medical termination of pregnancy (MTP)for the victim considering her physical and mental condition. The Medical Board said that the woman is suffering cerebral palsy with paraparesis affecting both her lower limbs and intellectual disability, both at 50 per cent, and continuing the pregnancy at 29th week arising out of the alleged rape, could further be detrimental to her mental health. "Considering the Medical Report, we deem it appropriate to permit the petitioner who is victim of sexual assault and is also suffering from physical and intellectual disability, to terminate her pregnancy of 29 weeks," ruled the judges, in the plea filed by the woman's father. Accordingly, on October 9, the court permitted the petitioner to get the MTP done at the Chhatrapati Pramilatai Raje Hospital or any other government hospital in Kolhapur and submit a report on the health of the woman and her child on Friday (October 13). The medical board also said that the woman's disability could hinder her ability to care for the newborn child and continuing the pregnancy could pose a major health risk that could require operative intervention. The court also said that in case a live child is born, then it would become the state's responsibility as the physically-mentally challenged petitioner-victim was a survivor of sexual assault. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Omans Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik spoke over telephone on Wednesday, discussing their efforts to de-escalate the fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "[Their discussion took place] in light of the conflicts serious repercussions on the region's security and stability, as well as the increasing humanitarian suffering faced by civilians," an Egyptian presidential statement said. During their phone call, El-Sisi and Bin Tarik agreed on the importance of unifying efforts to urge all parties to de-escalate and reduce violence, the presidential statement said. The two leaders also emphasized the necessity of pushing for a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause based on the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, while ensuring security and stability for all the region's people. Bin Tarik is the latest regional and international leader that El-Sisi has spoken to about de-escalating the conflict. On Tuesday, he spoke over the phone with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. On Monday, El-Sisi spoke separately over the phone with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Turkish President Recap Tayyeb Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, among others. Israel announced a state of war on Saturday and has been striking Gaza since then after Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack on Israeli cities. Israel has imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip since Monday, cutting off food, water, and electricity, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. The UN and other aid agencies were discussing with Egypt sending humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Rafah crossing, an Egyptian official and aid worker said Tuesday. They said Egyptian authorities contacted Israel and the United States to secure humanitarian corridors in Gaza amid Israels unrelenting bombardment of the strip. This comes following Israel's strikes on the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing, the only crossing between the strip and Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula, have rendered the delivery of humanitarian aid to the 2.3 million residents in Gaza impossible. Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi, Oct 11 : The government on Wednesday notified the changes in the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for White Goods including ACs and LED lights with a view to simplify the operation of the scheme and improve the ease of doing business. The changes that have been adopted include the cost-plus method in place of CUP (comparable uncontrolled price) method for calculation of sales prices in case of captive consumption or supplies to group companies which also required amendment in the definition of 'arms length'. The other changes are: *Investments in Tool room for manufacturing of Mould & Dies etc. will also be considered as eligible investment under Capital Investment *Allowing one more year over and above two years, permitted for informing by beneficiaries about establishment of additional manufacturing facility; *Revision of last date of submission of filing the claim and refund of excess incentive by the beneficiary on account of discrepancy between statutory compliance and records provided at the time of filing of claim(s), if any; *Site visit by Administrative Ministry; *Roll over of Bank Guarantee; *Appropriate changes in Annexures to the Scheme Guidelines The PLI Scheme for White Goods for manufacture of components and sub-assemblies of ACs and LED Lights was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021 to increase self reliance in the production of these goods and create more jobs in the country. The scheme is to be implemented over a seven years period, from FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29 and has an outlay of Rs 6,238 crore. The PLI Scheme for White Goods is designed to create a complete component ecosystem for Air Conditioners and LED Lights Industry in India and make India an integral part of the global supply chains. Domestic Value addition is expected to grow from the current 15-20 per cent to 75-80 per cent. Gaza, Oct 11 : Electricity has gone out in Gaza after its sole power station ran out of fuel, according to a media report. Since Hamas' attack at the weekend, Israel has imposed a siege of Gaza, cutting its supplies of electricity, fuel, food, goods and water. It means people in Gaza will rely on generators for electricity - if they have the fuel to run them, BBC reported. Earlier this week, Israel had announced to cut supplies of electricity, fuel and water to the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military says hundreds of thousands of troops are near Gaza "ready to execute the mission we have been given". The death toll in Israel from the Hamas attacks has reached 1,200 - while more than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza, BBC reported. At the other end of the country, Israel has attacked Lebanese territory in response to an attack from Hezbollah. Seventeen UK nationals are feared dead or missing since Hamas launched its attacks on Saturday, BBC reported. Meanwhile, Egypt's top diplomat Sameh Shoukry held talks with the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Wednesday about how to help civilians in Gaza, BBC reported. Shoukry warned of the "dangerous humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip" and said Egypt "fully supports UN agencies" in ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. Israel has closed its crossings with the Gaza Strip, meaning the Rafah crossing controlled by Egypt, which is the only possible route for civilians in and out. Egypt closed the crossing on Tuesday after Israeli air strikes in the area, BBC reported. Over Rs 5 crore cash, 7 kg gold seized in Hyd since announcement of poll date. Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad, Oct 11 : Hyderabad Police has seized Rs 5.1 crore in cash, over 7.7 kg of gold worth Rs.4.2 crore, 11.7 kg of silver worth Rs 8.77 lakh and 110 litres of liquor since Monday, after the Model Code of Conduct came into force for the November 30 Assembly elections in Telangana. The city police said that in order to ensure free, fair, and peaceful election, it has intensified its efforts to seize illegal money, drugs, liquor, freebies and other inducements. The police also seized two kilograms of Ganja, 23 mobile phones and 43 quintals of PDS rice. Local police, flying squad teams, the Commissioneras Task force and other wings are monitoring and maintaining a tight vigil round-the-clock. The police have requested all citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities in their localities. Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner, CV Anand on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive Video Conference to assess the state of preparedness. He underscored four pivotal facets that demand immediate attention i.e. adherence to established procedures, timely compilation of reports, vigilant monitoring, and thorough training and briefing of the police force. Furthermore, he urged the enforcement of stricter measures, including intensified surprise checks. Anand issued directives to all DCPs, ACPs and nodal ACPs to convene meetings with political parties at their respective levels. He instructed them to activate round-the-clock election cells within their offices. Anand also urged all officers to take resolute action against any instances of illicit cash, liquor, narcotics, or other prohibited inducements. He stressed the importance of preventing political parties from intersecting during campaigns, factoring this into route planning and permission issuance, meticulously allocating time slots to avoid any untoward incidents. An important decree was that all registered firearms must be surrendered, and no new licences should be issued until the conclusion of the polls. The meeting also discussed executing Non-Bailable Warrants, monitoring social media platforms, surveillance on Hawala operators and other operational matters. The commissioner stressed that 100 per cent of the city police force cast their votes through the facilitating centres. Moscow, Oct 11 : Deceiving Israel about its intentions and finding a key vulnerability in the surveillance infrastructure on the Gaza border were some of the crucial elements of the plan which allowed Hamas to inflict the worst breach of the country's security in five decades, the media reported. A leading media outlet spoke to senior Israeli security officials about the preliminary conclusions that their agencies made about last Saturday's incursion of Hamas fighters into Israel. The Palestinian militants raided more than 20 towns and military bases, killing hundreds of troops and civilians and capturing dozens of hostages. Prior to the attack, Israel had considered Hamas successfully deterred since clashes in May 2021. Intercepted calls between militants appeared to confirm the assessment that the organisation was not an imminent threat, sources said. An analysis is underway on whether those conversations were staged. Israel was over-reliant on the sophisticated wall it built along the Gaza border, which has multiple types of sensors and remotely operated machine guns. Officials believed it to be virtually impenetrable and kept a relatively small military force nearby, prioritizing other areas for deployment, the report said, RT reported. Hamas took out at least four communication towers using drone-dropped munitions in the early phase of its attack, rendering the system "useless", the NYT reported. The Israelis could not see the consequent breach of the physical barrier, which turned out to be an easier task than they expected it would be. Hamas used explosives and bulldozers to create nearly 30 gaps for some 1,500 fighters to pour through, RT reported. An operational lapse by Israel resulted in the clustering of its senior commanders in the area at a single base, which was overrun in a lightning offensive by the militants. With the leadership mostly killed or taken hostage, Israeli response to the emergency was disorganized and slow, sources said, RT reported. People higher up in the command chain did not initially realize the scale of the incursion amid the chaos. It took Israeli warplanes hours to provide air support to responding forces, despite their being based just minutesa flying time from the area, RT reported. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Hours after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided multiple locations in Mumbai and Thane, an activist named Abdul Wahid Shaikh complained to the Mumbai Police alleging 'harassment' by the sleuths of the central agency, here on Wednesday. The NIA's pan-India raids - in connection with the action against the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) - included Shaikh's residence at Vikhroli suburb in Mumbai, where a team landed in a pre-dawn operation. Arrested in connection with the July 2006 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai suburban trains which claimed the lives of 209 commuters, Shaikh was acquitted in 2015 after spending over nine years in custody. The human and prisoners' rights activist has claimed several times that despite the acquittal, state or central probe agencies continue to harass him. At around 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, high drama was witnessed near Shaikh's home as he did not open the door for the NIA sleuths, but after they identified themselves as 'police', he asked them to come later. "Some people claiming to be police came to my house at 5 a.m. They did not give any notice nor did they identify themselves. They broke one door and destroyed a (CCTV) camera. My wife and kids are unwell and we are all trapped at home, I have not opened the door for over three hours," he said in a video post uploaded later. Shaikh said that he has complained to the local police station, the Mumbai Police Commissioner and also the media even as a huge police posse was posted outside his home. Since Wednesday morning, the NIA swooped on multiple locations in several states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh as part of the anti-PFI probe, and reached to search Shaikh's home in Mumbai and other locations in Thane. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of two judicial officers as Delhi High Court Judges. The recommendation for appointment of judicial officers Shalinder Kaur and Ravinder Dudeja as HC judges was made on May 30 this year by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues. The SC Collegium noted that one of the officers has recently retired from the Delhi Higher Judicial Service on September 30 and there is a need to ensure greater representation to women on the Bench to promote diversity and inclusion. It said that it has consulted colleagues conversant with the affairs of the Delhi High Court to ascertain the fitness and suitability of these judicial officers for elevation. It added that the Judgment Evaluation Committee has given an 'A' rating to the judgments of these officers and both the consultee-judges have indicated that the two officers possess merit and ability. The assessment made by the Government in the file does not contain any observation adverse to the integrity or reputation of the officers, the Collegium noted. "We have also taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of a senior judicial officer. Cogent reasons have been recorded by the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending his name. We are, therefore, in agreement with the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending his name," said SC Collegium. "The Collegium resolves to recommend that (1) Ms Shalinder Kaur and (2) Shri Ravinder Dudeja, Judicial Officers, be appointed as judges of the High Court of Delhi. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court on Wednesday. --IANS puneet/vd Washington, Oct 11 : Israel has warned Hamas that it will intensify fighting along the Gaza Strip as it continued its bombardment through the night as the military announced it had hit 450 targets even as the middle east war escalated with the entry of the Lebanese based Hezbollah terror outfit. An Israel Defence Forces spokesman said that "fighting will intensify" and warned that scenes coming out of Gaza would be "difficult to understand and cope with". Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip continued overnight, with the country's military announcing they struck 450 targets in the enclave in 24 hours. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is "catastrophic" and hospitals are overwhelmed, Doctors Without Borders said, noting Israeli bombing of the enclave did not spare medical facilities. Gaza's power authority fears it will run out of fuel within hours, leaving the areawithout electricity as Israel cut off supplies. Gaza Palestinians often rely on generators to power their homes, offices and hospitals, but there is no way they can import fuels under the current situation, media reports said. The IDF claimed an anti-tank missile was fired from Lebanon targeting a military site this morning. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, has been sporadically exchanging fire with Israel in recent days. The last time Israel and Hezbollah engaged in war was way back in 2006, a conflict that lasted roughly 34 days. There are Hamas militants holed up inside Israeli territory, but no significant fighting has been reported so far within the country at the moment, a spokesman for the IDF told NBC News. Four arrested for beating man to death in Delhi. Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, Oct 11 : A terrorist associate linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF was arrested by police and other security forces in J&K's Baramulla and two hand grenades, cash, and other incriminating materials recovered from his possession, officials said on Wednesday. "On October 10, acting on a specific input regarding movement of terrorists in Ushkara area of Baramulla, a joint checkpoint was established jointly by Baramulla police, Army (46RR), MI, and 53Bn CRPF in the said area," police said. "During checking, a suspicious person who was coming towards the checkpoint tried to flee from the spot after noticing the joint party, but was apprehended." Police said during his search, two hand grenades, cash amounting to Rs 40,000 and other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat, resident of Ushkara Baramulla linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF. New Delhi, Oct 11 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India's commitment to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is deeply rooted in the principles of peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity, and regional collaboration. Addressing a Press conference at the 23rd IORA's Council of Ministers' meeting in Colombo, he said, "We should be equally clear where the dangers are, be it in hidden agendas, in unviable projects or in unsustainable debt. Exchange of experiences, sharing of best practices, greater awareness and deeper collaboration are part of the solutions." Jaishankar added that for member states to grow and prosper, development challenges must be continuously and effectively addressed. "In particular, we should cooperate on various aspects of the maritime economy, resources, connectivity and security," he said. "The Indian Ocean is not only a significant body of water but also a crucial economic and strategic corridor, playing a key role in the development and prosperity of the nations around it and beyond it. India's message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'the world is one family' can act as a binding force for IORA member states," Jaishankar stressed. The IORA brings together 23 member states, including India, with a shared goal of harnessing the immense potential of this region for the benefit of all. India, with its extensive coastline, maritime interests, and historical ties, fully appreciates the importance of fostering collaboration and dialogue in the Indian Ocean, he added. "Our common objective is to promote greater prosperity in the region and of making the Indian Ocean a free, open and inclusive space, based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) as the Constitution of the Seas. We will continue to progress in that regard. India's commitment to the well-being and progress of nations of the Indian Ocean, including as first responder and a net security provider, is based on our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, on the SAGAR outlook, and on our approach to the extended neighbourhood as well," Jaishankar emphasised. "It also draws on our broader vision of an Indo-Pacific that is built on a rules-based international order, rule of law, sustainable and transparent infrastructure investment, freedom of navigation and over-flight, and sincere respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the initiative of India, IORA's outlook on the Indo-Pacific was adopted by the 22nd Council of Ministers' meeting. We will again endeavour to give it practical shape in the days ahead," he informed. He further said that as the Vice-Chair of IORA, India will work on consolidating and streamlining efforts to promote cooperation in the realms of the six priority areas and two cross-cutting themes of the IORA, with particular emphasis on maritime safety and security, and blue economy. "We seek to engage our fellow member states and partners to develop mutually beneficial initiatives. As the Vice-Chair of IORA, the apex regional body of this region, India will work towards further strengthening the regional identity and cooperation among IORA Member States, Dialogue Partners, and for the well-being and prosperity of the Indian Ocean community," Jaishankar concluded. Imphal, Oct 11 : Forest officials and animal lovers of Zeliangrong Naga dominated Tamenglong district of Manipur are gearing up to greet and take multi-tasking measures to protect their winged guests, 'Amur falcons', while the district administration has put a ban on hunting, catching, killing and selling of the migratory birds besides prohibiting the use of air guns during the raptors' roosting period. Wildlife experts said that the long-distance migratory birds usually arrive in Manipur, mostly in the state's Tamenglong district and neighbouring Nagaland and Assam, in mid-October from their breeding grounds in South Eastern Siberia and Northern China. After a stop over for a little more than a month, the falcons, locally known as 'Akhuaipuina', depart the state and fly towards Southern and Eastern parts of Africa and roost a short time before moving towards their breeding grounds. Manipur forest officials manning Tamenglong district as well as the Rainforest Club Tamenglong (RCT), a local animal lovers' unit, have lined up a series of programmes to spread awareness among the villagers to protect and show their love to the winged guest during their stint in the state. Like previous years, the 'Amur falcon dance festival' will be organised by the forest authorities in collaboration with the RCT next month. "As part of our ensuing programme to safeguard Amur falcons, we will soon engage village volunteers to carry out patrolling along with our own forest guards at the roosting sites to thwart any attempt to kill and disturb the birds," said divisional forest officer (Tamenglong), Amandeep. He said: "This time, we are planning to tag satellite-transmitters on two healthy birds to study their migratory routes and for this purpose we have contacted scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII)." There are also plans of villages writing stories on the falcons, which will be published in various newspapers and journals, the officer added. RCT secretary Ramhiamang Gonmei said that they would reach out to the youth, including college and school students, with the awareness campaigns. "Our members and volunteers are ready to launch the awareness programmes to safeguard the falcons," he said, adding that they have selected volunteers to join hands with forest guards to kick off patrolling at the roosting sites. Most of the falcons usually roost in large numbers at the forest along Barak and Irang rivers, he said. A few days back, Deputy Commissioner (Tamenglong), L. Angshim Dangshawa, in view of the migratory birds' arrival, had ordered a ban on killing, hunting, catching and hunting of the falcons. The DC's order also banned the use of air guns in the district and asked the air gun owners to deposit them in the respective village authorities' offices. The measures to protect and safeguard the Amur falcon as a joint initiative of the community along with the state forest department is a welcome development that has successfully thwarted the large-scale poaching of the migratory birds in the district by unaware villagers. Nagas and other tribals, known for their love for meat, had for decades considered these birds as 'god-sent' when they had first arrived till 2012. Thousands of birds were caught and consumed every year before 2012, but massive efforts involving the villagers to protect the migratory birds in Nagaland had resulted in near-zero casualties since 2013. The conservation of Amur falcons and other migratory birds helped promote tourism in Nagaland as hundreds of tourists assembled along the lakes and water bodies in Wokha and adjoining districts adjoining Assam. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) X Corp bans record over 12 lakh accounts for policy violations in India in August. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Oct 11 : Elon Musk-run X Corp (formerly Twitter) banned a record 5,57,764 accounts in India between August 26 and September 25, mostly for promoting child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity. The micro-blogging platform, going through a churning under Musk who has recently appointed a new X CEO Linda Yaccarino, also took down 1,675 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country. In total, X banned 5,59,439 accounts in the reporting period in India. X, in its monthly report in compliance with the new IT Rules, 2021, said that it received 3,076 complaints from users in India in the same time frame through its grievance redressal mechanisms. In addition, X processed 116 grievances which were appealing account suspensions. "We overturned 10 of these account suspensions after reviewing the specifics of the situation. The remaining reported accounts remain suspended," said the company. "We received 13 requests related to general questions about Twitter accounts during this reporting period," it added. Most complaints from India were about abuse/harassment (1,076), followed by hateful conduct (1,063), child sexual exploitation (450), and sensitive adult content (332). Under the new IT Rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms, with more than 5 million users, have to publish monthly compliance reports. Between July 26 and August 25, X banned 12,80,107 accounts in India. The micro-blogging platform also took down 2,307 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country. In addition, between June 26 and July 25, the company banned 1,851,022 accounts and took down 2,865 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country. Meanwhile, under Musk, X recently approved a staggering 83 per cent of government requests to either restrict or block content globally, including in India and Turkey. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of a MoU between the Electronics and IT Ministry and France's economy ministry on cooperation in the field of digital technologies. The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of information pertaining to the digital technologies and will mutually support each participantas goal to promote access to digital technology in their country. Both G2G and B2B bilateral cooperation in the field of digital technologies will be enhanced post the inking of this pact. It envisages improved collaboration leading to employment opportunities in the field of IT. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the order granting bail to the Bhima Koregaon-Elgaar Parishad conspiracy case accused Mahesh Raut will not be given effect till November 1. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Dipankar Datta deferred hearing the matter after an adjournment was sought by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who appeared on behalf of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In an earlier hearing, the top court had extended the stay already granted by the Bombay High Court till October 5, the next date of listing. "The stay already granted by the High Court of Judicature At Bombay on operation of the impugned order shall continue until the next date of hearing," it had ordered. On September 21, a division bench of Justice A.S. Gadkari and Justice Sharmila Deshmukh of the High Court had granted bail to Raut, who has been in jail since June 6, 2018 for his alleged links with Maoists. However, the High Court deferred implementation of its order for a week after the anti-terror agency sought a stay for filing a special leave petition in the Supreme Court. In July, the top court had granted bail to two other accused -- Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, who were in jail since August 2018. The case pertains to inciting people and giving provocative speeches during the Elgar Parishad organised by the activists of Kabir Kala Manch at Shaniwarwada in Maharashtra's Pune on December 31, 2017, which allegedly promoted enmity between various caste groups and led to violence resulting in loss of life and property and a state-wide agitation in Maharashtra. --IANS puneet/vd New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of IIC. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Oct 11 : Parliamentarians from across the world are coming together in New Delhi on October 12 to deliberate on strategies for advancing sustainable lifestyles and combating climate change, at the Parliamentary Forum on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The Forum on Mission LiFE precedes the 9th edition of the two-day G20 Parliamentary Speakersa summit (P20 summit), which is to be held from October 13-14, at the newly-constructed India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) in Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. The LiFE movement, initiated by India, is a worldwide endeavour dedicated to advocating sustainable lifestyles and safeguarding our environment. The Parliamentary Forum on LiFE holds substantial significance, serving as a platform for parliamentarians to exchange insights and share successful approaches in the promotion of sustainable living. Furthermore, it will play a pivotal role in increasing awareness of the LiFE movement and its overarching objectives. Arthur CAsar Pereira de Lira, president of the Chamber of Deputies, Brazil; Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, United Kingdom; Ashebiri Gayo, Acting President of Pan African Parliament; Ana Lilia Rivera Rivera, President of the Senate, Mexico; Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea; Amos Masondo, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, South Africa; Shaikh Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council, Oman; and Duarte Pacheco, President, Inter-Parliamentary Union, arrived on Wednesday to attend the summit. The two-day Summit will deliberate on Agenda 2030 for SDGs: Showcasing Achievements, Accelerating Progress; Sustainable Energy Transition Gateway to Green Future; Mainstreaming Gender Equality- From Womenas Development to Women led Development; and Transformation in Peoplesa Lives through Public Digital Platforms. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar said that his party's women wing activists must be prepared to take to the streets for any major issues and the party must also take a clear stand on it, here on Wednesday. Addressing the NCP Mahila Aghadi women office-bearers and workers, Pawar said that the country has witnessed the situation in Manipur where women are raped, attacked, killed alive, and all this is happening in India. "If something like this occurs, the NCP sisters in that area must take to the streets and put an end to ita it is our right to protest on such serious issues," exhorted Pawar. Again raising the question of 'missing' women and girls in the state, which he had highlighted a few months ago, Pawar said that his party leader has asked a question on this in the Maharashtra legislature's Monsoon Session. Deshmukh sought to know how many women/ girls have gone missing in Maharashtra between January 1-May 31, 2023. "To this, the government had given a written reply that 19,533 girls/women were 'missing' during that period. Is this a small number? This is the number of complaints registered at police stationsa how many such incidents were not registered," Pawar demanded. The government data showed 1,433 girls under 18 (minors), and 18,100 were above 18 (majors) who have gone missing, "so how can we remain silent", said Pawar. Referring to women's reservations in jobs and elected bodies, Pawar said that when he was the Defence Minister of India, he had given quotas to girls in the defence forces despite strong opposition from the heads of army, navy and airforce. "Today, we see that the January 26 Republic Day parade in New Delhi is performed by girls," Pawar pointed out. He also rued that his landmark policy when he was the Chief Minister, on women's Right to Property in farmers' families to include the names of both the husband and wife in the 7/12 extract, had not been properly implemented. The NCP chief also touched on other aspects like closure of schools, lack of government jobs, unfilled vacancies, the trend of contract jobs, etc., as major concerns of the people, and urged women to come and protest against these issues. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday commenced hearing rejoinder arguments on behalf of the petitioners, including Bilkis Bano, against the early release of convicts by the Gujarat government. A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan is undertaking final hearing in a batch of petitions filed against the remission granted to convicts in the case of the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members committed during the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Advocate Shobha Gupta, appearing for Bano, stressed that the three vital factors the nature of crime, impact on the society at large and the precedent value were not not taken into account while passing the remission orders. At this, the bench said that it will have to balance the both sides as convicts argue that they should be given a chance for their reformation and reintegration in the society. "You are saying that remission should not be granted at all. They have also given judgment saying that remission is for the purpose of reformation, reintegration, etc.," the top court told Gupta. Gupta claimed that the early release orders were passed without any application of mind or referring to the gravity of the offence. "It is not a gunshot injury case Milords ! Heads were smashed with stones. Eight minors were killed, including Bilkis Bano's first child. She was smashed on a stone. This kind of threat, grossness, brutality, barbarism. A pregnant woman was gang-raped, her mother was gang raped," she told the court, adding that a "gruesome" crime was committed. Earlier, the convicts had argued before the apex court that remission orders granting them early release have an essence of judicial order and cannot be challenged by way of filing a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. The Centre, Gujarat government, and convicts have opposed the public interest litigations (PILs) filed by CPI-M leader Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, the National Federation of Indian Women, Asma Shafique Shaikh and others against the remission orders, saying that once victim herself has approached the court, others may not be allowed to intervene in a criminal matter. The 11 men convicted in the case were released on August 15 last year, after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. The convicts had completed 15 years in jail. The apex court will continue to hear the matter on Thursday. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Cracking its whip against the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out search operations at 20 different locations across the country in connection with its probe into the Phulwari Sharif terror module case and seized cash to the tune of Rs 8.5 lakh. An NIA spokesperson here said that the anti-terror probe agency sleuths carried out searches at in Fazalpur, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla, and Chandni Chowk in Delhi, Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh, Thane and Mumbai in Maharashtra, Tonk and Gangapur City districts in Rajasthan and in the regions of Lucknow, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The official said that the NIA also carried out searches in Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The official said that the searches were part of an ongoing investigations in cases linked with the PFI, and their involvement in unlawful and anti-national activities. The official said that during searches, substantial cache of crucial evidence in the ongoing case was found. "Evidence includes various digital devices such as laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen-drives, and hard disks. Furthermore, incriminating documents have been recovered," the official said. The NIA also recovered cash to the tune of Rs 8.5 lakh in connection with the instant case. The NIA had registered a case in July last year on the basis of the FIR registered at Phulwarisharif police station in Bihar's Patna district. The Bihar Police had carried out searches on July 11 last year based on confidential information. During the Bihar Police searches at the rented residence of Athar Parvez, led to the discovery of incriminating materials closely associated with the PFI. The police also recovered a document titled "India 2047 Towards Rule of Islam in India, Internal Document: Not for circulation". Following the searches, several arrests were made including that of Parvej, Mohammad Jalaluddin Khan, Nooruddin Zangi a.k.a. Advocate Nooruddin, and Arman Malick a.k.a. Imteyaz Anwer for their alleged involvement in this matter. The NIA had filed three charge sheets in connection with the case against 13 suspects. The agency has arrested 17 accused persons for their alleged involvement in furthering the unlawful activities of PFI, including the illicit funneling of funds from overseas to the PFI members and suspects in this case. Previously, the NIA conducted multiple searches in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala in order to collect evidence against the accused persons and suspects in the present case. During the ongoing investigations, the NIA apprehended Anwar Rashid, a former member of the banned organization Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Rashid's arrest is linked to his involvement in a criminal conspiracy, alongside FIR-named suspects Athar Parvej, Manjar Parvej, and others, all working towards advancing the agenda of the Popular Front of India (PFI). Their aim has been the pursuit and establishment of an Islamic Rule in India by the year 2047. Following the ban on SIMI, its members, including Rashid, were associated with Wahadat-e-Islami, an organisation formed by former SIMI members, and continued to promote the ideology of Islamic Rule in India. The Investigations revealed that accused Rashid, in his association with a Publication house was involved in the supply of material for promoting the ideology of the PFI, specifically the establishment of Islamic Rule in India. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The 20th round of India-China Corps commander level meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on October 9 and 10, an official statement said on Wednesday. The two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries, and building on the progress made in the last round of Corps commanders' meeting held on August 13 and 14, it said. They agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. The two sides also committed to maintain peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in the interim. --IANS ans/vd New Delhi, Oct 11 : The 20th round of India-China Corps commander level meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on October 9 and 10, an official statement said on Wednesday. The two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries, and building on the progress made in the last round of Corps commanders' meeting held on August 13 and 14, it said. They agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. The two sides also committed to maintain peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in the interim. San Francisco, Oct 11 : Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday said that all the Tesla superchargers in Israel are now free. The tech billionaire further said that he hopes that "electricity and essential services are rapidly restored to Gaza". "I would like to help those in Gaza who want peace, but have no way to do so. In general, I want all humans to be happy and prosperous, without regard to race, creed, religion or anything else," posted Musk. A follower commented: "You just hope? I mean you can't send some basic essentials to Gaza but Tesla Superchargers are free in Israel?" Another requested Musk, saying do something to stop this war as "powerful people like you can be heard worldwide". The humanitarian situation in Gaza is "catastrophic" and hospitals are overwhelmed, Doctors Without Borders said, noting Israeli bombing of the enclave did not spare medical facilities. Gaza's power authority fears it will run out of fuel within hours, leaving the area without electricity as Israel cut off supplies. Gaza Palestinians often rely on generators to power their homes, offices and hospitals, but there is no way they can import fuels under the current situation, media reports said. Israel has warned Hamas that it will intensify fighting along the Gaza Strip as it continued its bombardment through the night. The military announced it had hit 450 targets even as the middle east war escalated with the entry of the Lebanese based Hezbollah terror outfit. Mumbai, Oct 11 : The RBI on Wednesday gave the go-ahead to SBI Mutual Fund (SBIMF) for acquiring up to 9.99 per cent of paid-up share capital in Induslnd Bank. "The approval has been granted with reference to the application made by SBI MF to RBI," IndusInd Bank informed the stock exchanges. This acquisition will also give SBI MF the right to 9.99 per cent voting rights in the bank. "SBI MF has been advised by RBI to acquire the aforesaid major shareholding in the bank within a period of one year i.e. by October 10, 2024," the exchange filing added. The RBI said that the approval also requires compliance with the relevant provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, RBI's Master Direction and Guidelines on Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies dated January 16, 2023 (as amended from time to time), provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, regulations issued by Securities and Exchange Board of India, and any other statutes, regulations and guidelines, as applicable. IndusInd Bank had reported a robust financial performance in the first quarter of 2023-24, with its net profit rising 32 per cent to Rs 2,124 crore, up from Rs 1,603.29 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. Earlier, in May, the RBI gave its nod to SBI Funds Management (SBIFML) -- a joint venture between State Bank of India and France's AMUNDI -- to acquire 9.99 percent stake in HDFC Bank and had recommended the company to do so within six months. Hyderabad, Oct 11 : A swelling caused in one or more joints that worsens with age, arthritis is a musculoskeletal condition that causes the body to attack its own tissues in the joints. Every year, World Arthritis Day is celebrated on October 12 to encourage people to take action on improving lifestyles affected due to this disease. The theme of this year is "Itas in your hands, take action", designed to inspire individuals with arthritis, along with caregivers and families to help realize their responsibility towards protecting their joint health. Celebrated following a year-long campaign, this day holds significance as it aims to increase awareness about arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. World Arthritis Day encourages advocacy efforts to improve healthcare services, early diagnosis and find proper treatment for the disease. Doctors say it is crucial to have the right healthcare facilities that enable patients to have regular check-ups and increase their awareness about this condition. In the 21st century there are as many options available for targeted and effective treatments. These include biologics and immunosuppressive drugs, further advancements in genetics and genomics, which have also deepened the knowledge of medical researchers who understand the genetic factors that cause arthritis. In India, the symptoms of arthritis can be managed by painkillers, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs and anti-rheumatic drugs. For patients who are in advanced stages of arthritis, common treatments are joint surgery, ultrasound, and joint injections. According to Dr. Kishore B Reddy, HOD - Orthopedics & Orthopedics Oncology, Amor Hospital, Hyderabad: "The symptoms of arthritis commonly include swelling, pain, reduced range of motion and stiffness which is caused in legs, hands, lower back, hips and knees. This can occur to older as well as younger populations. Arthritis affects 15 per cent of the population in India, i.e, 210 million, contributing to 22 per cent- 39 per cent share to the global numbers. "Osteoarthritis is the second most common rheumatologic problem and it is the frequent joint disease in India. Although arthritis occurs in the older population above 50 years of age, this disease is also experienced by people in their 30s. Sometimes, rheumatoid arthritis can be seen in children aged 5. When people experience symptoms of arthritis, they need to get their diagnosis soon as treatment for each type of arthritis is different and patients would require different medications." Dr S.V.L. Narasimha Reddy, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, SLG Hospital says arthritis is a broad term and has two types. The first one relates to inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis and lupus which is degenerative. The second is osteoarthritis, which is a common type of arthritis affecting millions of people around the world. "Some people even experience morning stiffness, which means their hands donat work immediately. People also experience swelling in their mouth, hair loss, rashes on their face due to the sun. They experience dryness in the mouth and eyes as well. It is advised to not overuse pills. There are biological injections now being used for arthritis, this is an advanced treatment to help joints get better, the treatment should be done within 6 months of diagnosis. Arthritis is also a reversible disease, which means if there is the right treatment at the right time." Dr. Sujit K. Kaparthy, Consultant a" Orthopaedics, Century Hospital, said: "If a patient has been recently diagnosed with arthritis, they may not be sure if it spreads to other body parts. Arthritis can spread to other body parts and become worse, spreading from affected areas. A mild flare of arthritis may last a few days and go away on its own. Whereas a severe flare of arthritis can last longer, it is also the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis. "Autoimmune diseases are usually caused when the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues. In such cases, osteoarthritis remains stable for years while others spread rapidly and destroy the cartilage in the space of a few months. Staying at a healthy weight, controlling your blood sugar, exercise, stretching, avoiding smoking and following a routine are some preventive care methods to stop the attack of arthritis." Lifestyle factors such as food contribute to inflammation and increase the symptoms of arthritis in the human body. Consumption of sweets, dairy, fatty foods, carbohydrates, gluten, and additives can increase the symptoms of arthritis. With a personalised treatment plan, arthritis can be properly diagnosed and one can prevent permanent joint pain. Gurugram, Oct 11 : Monu Manesar alias Mohit Yadav, a self-proclaimed cow vigilante, was sent to judicial custody for 14 days on Wednesday in an attempt to murder case, officials said. Monu was in four-day police custody in the attempt to murder a case registered against him in Gurugram. The Gurugram police had registered a separate case against Monu at the Pataudi police station under Sections 147, 148, 149, 120B, 307 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code in February this year. On October 7, Haryana police had brought Monu, who was lodged at a jail in Rajasthan, on a production warrant in an attempt to murder case in Pataudi. Gurugram Police had arrested Monu on September 11 in connection with the Nuh violence and after he was produced at a local court, Rajasthan Police took him on production remand in the murder case of two Muslim youths -- Nasir and Junaid. Since then, Monu had been lodged at the Bharatpur jail in Rajasthan. The Pataudi court had ordered the Superintendent of Bharatpur Jail to produce Monu in the court on September 25, but by the time the warrant arrived, Monu had been transferred from Bharatpur to Ajmer jail. Due to this, the Haryana police could not bring Monu to the Pataudi court on September 25. After this, Haryana police again sought a production warrant of Monu in the court for October 7. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that his eviction was selective and that there are other first-time MPs as well with identical accommodation above their entitlement, who have not been targeted. Chadha had on Tuesday moved the high court against a trial court order ruling that he did not possess a vested right to continue occupying a government Type-7 bungalow on Pandara Road, which falls under Lutyens' Delhi, after the allotment was cancelled and the privilege withdrawn. Last week, Additional District Judge Sudhanshu Kaushik of the Patiala House Courts had vacated his interim order, which had directed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to refrain from evicting him from the bungalow without following due legal process. These bungalows in question are allocated to lawmakers who have served as ministers, Chief Ministers, or Governors. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Chadha, said that the cancellation of the government accommodation had no direct connection with Chadha's suspension from the Rajya Sabha, which occurred months later. He stated that the trial court's order appeared to be motivated by "legal malice". Singhvi argued that the bungalow was allocated to Chadha after careful consideration by the Vice President in September last year and Chadha had accepted the allocation. He contended that it could not be revoked by the Chairman of the House Committee, and pointed out that a significant number of MPs had been granted accommodations exceeding their entitlement, and Chadha was the only one facing eviction. "What Vice President grants the Chairman of the House Committee cannot take away. What the Principal grants the agent cannot take away. Article 14 stares in the face. The Public Premises Act will not apply where proceedings are ongoing in injunction which is taken away by the review," Singhvi contended. On the opposing side, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Vikramjit Banerjee contested the petition, arguing that Chadha could not take inconsistent positions. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambani questioned whether the defendant in the suit, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, should be considered a government entity under Section 80(1) of the Code of Civil Procedure, or a public officer. Banerjee responded that the "office of profit" argument was not applicable to a civil suit under Section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure, as he criticised Singhvi's interpretation of the law. The matter has been listed for next hearing on October 12. The trial court's order came in Chadha's suit against the Rajya Sabha Secretariat's decision to cancel the bungalow's allotment to him, following an order issued on March 3. The Secretariat had then filed a review application seeking the recall of the interim order by the judge, which now stands vacated. It was the Secretariat's case that the interim relief had been granted to Chadha without adhering to the procedure outlined in Section 80(2) of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC). The court had said that the interim relief granted in Chadha's case had been an apparent error, and the order dated April 18 was recalled and vacated. In April, the court had directed the Secretariat not to dispossess Chadha from the bungalow during the pendency of the application without due process of law. New Delhi/Jaipur, Oct 11 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday continued the stay on the arrest of Lokesh Sharma, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's OSD and state unit Congress Central War Room co-chairman, in connection with the 2020 Rajasthan phone tapping case. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled on October 18. Lokesh Sharma did not appear before the crime branch on Wednesday, citing his busy schedule. He was earlier questioned for four hours on Tuesday by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday kept the stay intact on the arrest of Sharma till October 18. On Wednesday, a hearing was held in the Delhi High Court in the Rajasthan phone tapping case. Sharma's lawyer represented him in court. The hearing into the phone tapping case in Delhi High Court lasted around 40 minutes. Senior advocate Siddharth Aggarwal presented the case in the High Court on behalf of Lokesh Sharma. He termed the allegations by Delhi Police baseless. During the hearing, Sharma's advocate argued that the case was filed after 8 months, and no reason was given for the delay in filing the case. Aggarwal told the court that Delhi Police said that there was a conference call between 3 numbers, none of those three numbers belonged to the complainant (Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat), saying "in such a situation, how can the complainant allege that his call was recorded"? "The entire incident was found to have happened in Rajasthan, then how can Delhi Police file an FIR? The of all three numbers are also not from Delhi," he said. Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain accused Lokesh Sharma and Rajasthan government officials of not co-operating in the investigation. Rajasthan government's lawyer Siddharth Luthra objected to this and termed the allegations of the Additional Solicitor General baseless. In the High Court, Jain demanded lifting the stay on Sharma's arrest. The High Court had earlier stayed the arrest of Lokesh Sharma till February 7, 2024. Delhi Police had filed a petition to lift the stay. The matter is related to the political crisis that rocked the political arena of Rajasthan in 2020. Lokesh Sharma then released an audio clip to the media. In the audio clip, there was a conversation between a person named 'Gajendra Singh', an MLA and a broker to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government. Soon after that, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, saying the phone calls of public representatives are being tapped to tarnish their image. On March 25, 2021, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police had registered a case against OSD Lokesh Sharma. After that, Lokesh Sharma filed a petition in the Delhi High Court. Panaji, Oct 11 : Contending human trafficking and prostitution is on rise in the coastal state, the the Revolutionary Goans Party's women wing has demanded to blocking of "escort" websites defaming names of girls and the state. Addressing a press conference here, RGPas women wing President Deodita Quadros said that human trafficking and prostitution is on rise in the state and hence, authorities should take action. "We appeal to this double engine government to ban these escort websites. They should be blocked. If massage parlours are found to be running the sex trade, then the local bodies (panchayat and municipalities) should take action," she said. Quadros said that as Goa is a hub of tourism, many people visit the coastal state and the illegal activities of flesh trade are tainting its image. "I request Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the portfolio of Home, to take action and block these websites along with action on prostitution," she said. Last month, the Goa Police busted an international sex trade ring operating between Kenya and India and rescued five women with the arrest of three persons in Kenya and Nigeria. Referring to this incident, the RGP said that this proves that prostitution trade is taking place on a large scale in Goa. "This may be only one case exposed, but there may be many such cases yet to be identified. Flesh trade is taking place at a high level and the government is not taking any action," party leader Vaishnavi Chari said. "These websites are tainting image of Goa and hence they should be blocked. Government says that it is committed to the empowerment of women, but here we are not getting safety," she said. Dushanbe : India's hope of notching up their first win in an international futsal match got dashed when they went down to Palestine 5-6 in the third and final group league AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers encounter at the Dushanbe Indoor Stadium on Wednesday. Playing in an international futsal tournament for the first time, India ended their campaign by losing all three matches in the group but raised enough hopes of coming back stronger in the near future. In the four-team group, India finished last, while Palestine grabbed the third spot on the basis of their win over India. Hosts Tajikistan and Myanmar are the two teams who qualified for the next phase. After a seesaw battle that saw the lead changing hands more than once, Palestine had the last laugh when they scored the winning goal through Imad Fahjan two minutes before the final whistle. India, who conceded two goals within five minutes of the start of the tie, struck back in grand fashion and led 4-3 after the 20-minute first half ended. However, India failed to sustain the momentum in the second session and allowed the rivals to penetrate their defence time and again resulting in Palestine finding the net three times in this period. India scored five goals and a few of them prompted the spectators to often cheer for the side, who ultimately ended up losing side. After Mousa Harara and Zaher Alsamahi put Palestine 2-0 up, David Laltlansanga reduced the margin with an accurate volley. In the 14th minute, Nikhil Mali looked cool as cucumbers when he tapped in a Sandeep Oraw to make it 2-2. It was the period when India were at their best. David Laltlansanga and Nikhil Mali scored two more to give India a 4-2 lead. The euphoria, however, didnat last long as Palestine took charge to reduce the margin before the breather and then had it all the way in the final 20 minutes. London, Oct 11 : Soldiers from a celebrated Israeli special forces unit are readying to rescue hostages shifted to Gaza, reports said. The Sayeret Matkal, modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS) regiment, has been placed on standby due to its expertise in hostage recovery, according to the Telegraph UK. Its commandos were involved in previous Israeli rescue missions, including the famous 1976 Entebbe airport raid in Uganda, when its troops saved 100 Israelis from Palestinian terrorists, 9News reported. But even with the Sayaret Matkal's elite soldiers and the Yamam special forces unit of Israel's national police to call on, bringing home the hostages safely is an extremely risky task. Commanders of the Hamas military group claim they are holding at least 130 people, including non-Israelis, as human shields to deter Israeli attacks. It is believed the locations of the hostages include tunnels and apartment buildings as well as military bases, 9News reported. One glimmer of hope for Israel's government is that the large number of hostages means leaks about where they are being held will be likely, according to experts. The locations of some of them may even be known by Israel. But even with this information, casualties appear unavoidable, 9News reported. "When you have 100 to 130 hostages, it's not easy to hide them. I believe we will find information about the locations," Avner Avraham, a former officer with Israel's Mossad intelligence service, said. "But it's very complicated, very difficult. It will take time and we will lose people, unfortunately." One scenario for a potential rescue mission is special forces units hunting the hostages and their captors, while Israel diverts Hamas' focus with a major ground invasion using conventional troops, 9News reported. "The operations that we're going to see in Israel in my opinion will be conducted via the smokescreen which will be connected to the major offensive Israel is preparing for right now," Aaron Cohen, an Israeli special forces expert, told Fox News in the US. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Delhi Cabinet Minister Imran Hussain on Wednesday sent a notice to officials found absent during a surprise inspection by him at the offices of the Food and Supply Department in the national capital's Malviya Nagar, Mehrauli and Chhatarpur areas. Several senior officials were found absent during the surprise inspection following which the minister issued notices to them seeking an explanation. The Food and Supply Minister also visited various sections of the circle offices and found that the office records were not maintained in proper order. He checked some files of the circle office and instructed department employees to ensure that those visiting the office premises are fully satisfied with the work of the Food and Supplies Department. Hussain said the purpose of the surprise inspection was to ensure that government services and public facilities reach the intended beneficiaries without any hassle. During the surprise inspection, Hussain expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of officials. The Minister further said that strict disciplinary action would be taken against officials and staff who do not reach the Food and Supplies Department office on time without prior notice and without a valid reason. New Delhi, Oct 11 : A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Seiminlun Gangte to 30 days judicial custody in connection with the case of transnational conspiracy by Myanmar and Bangladesh-based terror outfits to wage war against India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur. Gangte was produced before Special Judge Sanjay Garg 9f Patiala House Courts on expiry on his eight-day NIA custody. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a suo moto case on July 19 here under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Earlier, the agency arrested 51-year-old Gangte from the hill district of Churachandpur and took him to Delhi on transit remand. In a statement earlier, the NIA spokesperson had said that its probe revealed that Myanmar and Bangladesh-based militant groups have entered into a conspiracy with a section of militant leaders in India. "Their purpose is to indulge in incidents of violence with an intention to drive a wedge between different ethnic groups and to wage war against the Government of India," the spokesperson said. "For this purpose, the aforementioned leadership has been providing funds to procure arms, ammunition and other types of terrorist hardware which is being sourced both, from across the border, as well as from other terrorist outfits active in the North Eastern states to stoke the current ethnic strife in Manipur," it said. Chennai, Oct 11 : Lawyers in the Madras High Court, under the banner of Madras High Court Advocates' Association (MHAA), staged a demonstration outside the court complex on Wednesday in protest against the Karnataka government not releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The advocates condemned the Karnataka government for being reluctant to release water even after the Supreme Court order dated September 21 directing Karnataka to continue the release of 5,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. The lawyers of the Madras High Court raised slogans and placards demanding the Karnataka government to respect the Supreme Court order. The advocates said the Supreme Court order is in line with the decisions of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) as well as the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). Hyderabad, Oct 11 : Anticipating discontent in a section of leaders after announcement of candidates for the next month's Assembly elections in Telangana, the Congress has set up a four-member committee to pacify disgruntled aspirants. The committee comprises AICC in-charge Manikrao Thakre, party observers Deepa Das Munshi and Meenakshi Natrajan and senior leader and former minister K. Jana Reddy. The panel will act as trouble-shooters by pacifying the disgruntled aspirants and persuading them to back the official candidates. The panel has been asked to address and resolve any discontent among leaders, especially in constituencies where there are multiple aspirants for party tickets. The committee held its first meeting at the party's state headquarters Gandhi Bhavan. It identified the constituencies where trouble is likely to brew after the announcement of party candidates and discussed ways to contain the likely discontent in some constituencies. The party had not yet announced even the first list but it is taking all precautions to avert any problems faced by the party in the past. Gandhi Bhavan is already witnessing protests by supporters of some leaders demanding tickets for them. The party anticipates problems in constituencies where the newcomers are likely to be fielded. The supporters of strong contenders among the seniors have been warning against ignoring them in allotment of tickets. As several leaders from ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) including a sitting MLA have joined the Congress on the assurance of getting party tickets, the leadership faces a challenge in pacifying the seniors. The party has received over 1,500 applications for party tickets in all 119 Assembly constituencies. After several rounds of discussion, the screening committee has shortlisted three candidates from each constituency and submitted the same to the central election committee which is likely to announce the candidates later this month. New York, Oct 11 : Israel announced the formation of an emergency 'War unity government' with the opposition as the Israel-Palestinian conflict escalated with Hezbolla terrorist groups joining Hamas from Lebanon and Syria with harrowing details of atrocities from the five day conflict emerging. The emergency 'Unity' government includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition politician Benny Gantz and other officials in a wartime cabinet, the New York Times reported. Ghastly pictures of people dead at a bus stop, bullet holes in residential walls started emerging from the war torn zone as Israel said the death toll in the attack had risen to 1,200, with an estimated 150 people still believed to be held hostage in Gaza. Israel launched more missiles at the Gaza Strip, the sealed-off coastal territory controlled by the militant group, where fears of a humanitarian disaster were growing. New airstrikes hit rescue workers who were trying to ferret out people buried under the rubble of earlier artillery shelling. The authorities in Gaza, which is under blockade by Israel and Egypt, said that its sole power plant had run out of fuel, forcing hospitals to rely on backup generators with limited fuel supplies. And there is nowhere to go for fresh supplies, media reports said. The US has pledged "urgent action" to support Israel's unrestricted retaliation against the brutality of Hamas which President Joe Biden called on Tuesday as "pure, unadulterated evil". In the meantime, the first shipment of new US weapons arrived in Israel, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken was traveling there as flare-ups on Israel's borders with Lebanon and Syria fuelled fears of a broader conflict, the Times said. It's not clear if the Israeli military is preparing for a massive ground invasion into Gaza to crush Hamas as it assembles tanks and soldiers along the border with Gaza. Over1,100 Palestinians have been killed, including 326 children, and 5,539 wounded, since Saturday, Gaza health officials there on Wednesday said. Gazans say Israel has hit, schools, hospitals and mosques. Israel had warned people to leave certain neighborhoods or towns but admitted that they are not as extensive or specific as they have been in the past. Blinken was expected to meet with senior Israeli officials on Thursday to discuss military needs and hostage negotiations. The number of US citizens killed during the attacks has risen to 14, and American citizens are among the hostages, the Times reported . Israel exchanged fire across the border with Syria after projectiles were fired from the other side, the first time it had done so since the start of the war with Hamas. Israeli forces also said they launched retaliatory strikes inside Lebanon on Wednesday, hitting targets belonging to the Hezbollah militant group, sure indications the middle east war is escalating with Syria and Lebanon joining the Hamas. A New York Times analysis of Hamas propaganda and satellite images shows how the assailants were able to execute such a sophisticated operation on Saturday. They appear to have destroyed communications towers close to the Gaza border that are key to Israel's defence. Israel has said little about what appears to be a spectacular failure of its security and intelligence operations. Bhopal, Oct 11 : Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Wednesday that while the country is determined to repeat the 'mazboot government', the Congress is dreaming of "majboor' (puppet) government. Naqvi made this remark while addressing an election programme in Khandwa district in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. He said that for the first time after Independence, a non-Congress government is successfully completing its two consecutive terms ensuring national security, dignity, stability and good governance, and is moving towards the third term under the dynamic and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that before 2014, the country was engulfed with the terrified environment of terrorist attacks. "Every 15 days, one or the other part of the country witnessed bomb blasts which claimed many innocent lives. PM Modi adopted a zero tolerance policy against terrorism which broke the backbone of militants and their masterminds," Naqvi said. The BJP leader alleged that 'lust for power' has always been the mindset of the Congress, for which either a government should be of dynasty (family) or on deputation, which can be remote controlled by the 'feudal' family. "The Modi government's determination for development with delivery and commitment to national security has become a threat to the feudal monopoly of the family," he added. Naqvi said that people of the country still remember how the Congress, during its last regime, had made the Prime Minister's post a "private property" by high-jacking the dignity of the Constitutional institutions to fulfil its self-interests. The Cabinet decisions at the Centre and in the Congress-ruled states were subject to the approval of the 'family', he said. Naqvi also claimed that the arithmetic of success of the Modi government, which is out of range of the Congress' remote control, has spoilt the "mathematics of the depressed and desolated dynasty". He said the BJP will contest the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh with its report card of good governance, inclusive empowerment and national security. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Traders' body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has expressed concern over the "inordinate delay" in rolling out the e-commerce policy by the Centre. The delay in the policy's implementation has allowed certain foreign e-commerce players to hurt domestic retail trade, the body alleged in a letter to commerce minister Piyush Goyal dated October 10. Expressing "utter dismay over inordinate delay in rolling out of e-commerce policy and rules under Consumer Protection Act" the traders' body said it was a "slow poison situation" for the country's business community. In the letter to Goyal, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the delay in the implementation "has caused irreparable loss to the small and medium retail traders and has resulted in deep loss of turnover in their business and thousands of retail traders have been forced to close down their businesses in addition to wreaking havoc in the lives of all those who are directly and indirectly dependent on India's retail and e-commerce industry". The proposed ecommerce policy aims to devise strategies for providing a conducive environment for inclusive and harmonious growth of the e-commerce sector, through a streamlined regulatory framework for ease of doing business, adoption of modern technologies and integration of supply chains. New Delhi, Oct 12 : India is undertaking some of the most robust climate actions through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which include an ambitious programme for a transition to clean energy and the RISE partnership is completely in sync with India's domestic policy of prioritising clean energy and supply chains. She made this point while participating in the launch of "Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Supply-chain Enhancement" (RISE) on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco on Wednesday. Highlighting the hard-earned consensus by the G20 India presidency on the need to rapidly scale up renewable energy capacity, Sitharaman said that the Global Biofuels Alliance initiative launched by India on the sidelines of the G20 leaders summit in Delhi last month, is a positive step toward promoting global cooperation on sustainable biofuels and innovation on clean energy. The Finance Minister also mentioned that the New Delhi Leaders Declaration calls for tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030. Underlining India's key priorities for clean energy, which include solar, offshore wind, green hydrogen and battery storage, Sitharaman mentioned that India has advanced its target for non-fossil fuel installed electric capacity to 50 per cent, having achieved the previous target of 40 per cent ahead of 2030 and emphasised on India's commitment towards bringing down energy storage costs and reducing the emissions intensity of India's GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels. Emphasising India's growing economy and its policy intent at the highest level, she said that India is well placed to contribute towards strengthening and diversifying supply chains, besides it's readiness to play a bigger role in the supply chains of clean energy products. The RISE partnership is an initiative of World Bank and G7 Japan presidency for developed and developing countries, providing an opportunity between G7 members, interested developed countries, and low and middle-income countries to build momentum for enhanced collaboration on global issues of supply chain diversification of clean energy products and tackling climate change. New Delhi, Oct 12 : The Delhi High Court has sought the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s response on a bail plea filed Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Before a bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, Advocate Nitesh Rana said that there was no iota of evidence to keep Pillai in jail, who was arrested by the probe agency on March 6. The matter is posted to be heard next on November 3. A Delhi court had earlier dismissed the interim bail application of Pillai, sought on medical ground, stating that it is "devoid of any merit". In June, the trial court also refused him bail saying that his involvement in the matter was more serious than that of some other accused who are still incarcerated. The judge had said: "This court is prima facie of the view that there is a genuine case made out by the investigating agency before this court showing active involvement of the applicant in commission of the alleged offence of money laundering and thus, this court is not able to arrive at any finding contrary to the said view." The court had stated that the evidence and material collected during the investigation speaks volumes of his involvement in commission of the alleged offence of money laundering and his association with the other conspirators. Pillai's counsel had argued that his client's arrest in the case was not legal or justified. The judge rejecting the submission had said that the regular bail applications of other co-accused in this case -- Sameer Mahandru, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally, Benoy Babu, P. Sarath Chandra Reddy, Raghav Magunta and Manish Sisodia -- stand already dismissed by this court and the role of this applicant in commission of the alleged offence of money laundering is found to be more serious and grave than the role played by some of the above co-accused. The court had further said that Pillai was not only involved in mere conspiracy, but based on initial evidence, he was also linked to various actions concerning the proceeds. These actions involved hiding, owning, obtaining, or utilising the proceeds and presenting them as legitimate assets. Moreover, the court had stated that the evidence gathered against Pillai indicated, on the surface, that he willingly participated in these activities and was fully aware of their nature and intentions. The court had highlighted that Pillai played a significant and active role in the conspiracy, the formation of a cartel, and the payment and repayment of kickbacks. This conclusion was based on multiple statements provided not only by Pillai himself but also by other accused individuals, including Dinesh Arora, who is an accused-turned-approver in a related corruption case. In addition, the judge had dismissed an argument put forth by Pillai's counsel regarding the retraction of his statements. The judge had expressed doubts about the circumstances and manner in which the retraction was made, suggesting that it appeared to be an afterthought or influenced by external factors. The ED named the cartel 'South Group', which includes BRS leader K. Kavitha; Sarath Reddy, the promoter of Aurobindo Pharma; YSRCP MP from Ongole Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy; his son Raghav Magunta and others. The South Group was represented by Pillai, Abhishek Boinpally and Babu, the agency claimed. Bhubaneswar, Oct 12 : The commissionerate police here on Wednesday busted a gang that allegedly looted several gullible victims after luring them through gay dating apps. Five members of the group, including four juvenile students, have been apprehended by the police. The accused were involved in two separate incidents of crime that occurred in Shree Lingaraj police station area on October 5 and October 9. "We found during the investigation that A. Manoj Dora (19) along with the juveniles had formed a gang. They used to establish contact with different persons from in and outside Bhubaneswar through 'gay dating' apps. They later meet the victims at an asbestos house near the Garage Square area where they beat them to extract a handsome amount," the police said. "The accused recently asked a victim to meet them at Garage Square on October 9. Dora and his aides took the victim to a particular house near Garage Square where they beat him black and blue. They later forcefully transferred Rs 1 lakh from his bank account through the PhonePe app and withdrew Rs 50,000 from his account from a nearby ATM kiosk," they said. According to police, they had looted Rs 56,000 from another complainant following a similar modus operandi. They asked the victim to meet them at Mausi Maa Square on October 5. The gang also used to keep obscene photos of the victims and later blackmail them threatening to make those intimate pictures public, said Girija Shankar Chakrabarty, ACP zone- II. "We have so far found the gang's involvement in four such cases. We are trying to contact the victims in these cases. All the accused persons are students. We can't disclose further details in this regard at this stage of the investigation," added Chakrabarty. Sources said that the victims are reluctant to come forward fearing public embarrassment. The cops have seized several mobile phones and motorcycles of the accused persons for further probe. The police with the help of a cyber cell also managed to block Rs 85,137 deposited in one of the accused person's bank account. Dora was produced before the JMFC court while the juveniles were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, Bhubaneswar. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. Image Source: IANS News Jerusalem, Oct 12 : A hostile aircraft entered northern Israel from Lebanon, the Israeli military said on Wednesday night, urging residents there to stay inside shelters. The Israeli military reported in a statement "a suspected infiltration from Lebanon into Israeli airspace", but did not specify which kind of aircraft, Xinhua news agency reported. Sirens warning of "hostile aircraft" were heard across the Galilee region and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, it said. "All civilians in the areas where sirens were sounded are asked to enter shelters and stay in them until further notice," the statement added. Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that about a dozen drones had entered, and Israeli aircraft were chasing them in an attempt to intercept them. Video footage on social media showed a drone flying in the cloudy skies of northern Israel. Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said that no casualties had been reported. The fourth Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), in session at Riyadh from October 1 to 5, will decide on several key proposals aimed at ensuring a sustainable future for international postal services. The Extraordinary Congress of UPU, the United Nations specialised agency responsible for leading the development, regulation, interoperability and sustainability of the international postal network, is a plenipotentiary meeting of the UPUs 192 member countries. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Saudi Arabia for offering to host this Congress, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and all those involved, said UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki. Common ground I believe that the proposals before the Extraordinary Congress this week address the views of the majority of Union member countries. It is my sincere hope that, in the spirit of the UPUs traditional value of compromise, we can all find common ground to approve these proposals here in Riyadh, he said. In his opening speech, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of Saudi Post Eng Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser emphasised what the Extraordinary Congress represented for the country. "The hosting of the fourth Extraordinary Congress by Saudi Arabia signifies our commitment to strengthen collaboration among member states, develop delivering postal services, promote e-commerce, stimulate the digital economy, and incorporate cutting-edge technologies into their postal and logistical operations, he said. Global postal evolution One of the principal topics being discussed during the Extraordinary Congress is how the organisation might enhance its cooperation with wider postal sector players (WPSPs), which include private companies and partner organisations outside of the UPUs network of government-designated postal operators. Proposals being reviewed at the Extraordinary Congress strive to find ways in which WPSPs could be better included in the UPU context to ensure a truly universal, efficient service through the UPU network. Member countries will also review the organisations approach to the development of postal financial services. Those proposals seek to overcome challenges associated with rapid market changes, and to expand Posts role in fostering global financial inclusion for more than a billion people who remain unbanked. The Extraordinary Congress will also build upon a 2021 UPU Congress resolution focused on climate action by the postal sector. Member countries will review proposals for voluntary emissions-reduction targets and climate action pledges, capacity-building initiatives, and opportunities to collaborate with WPSPs on climate initiatives. High-level presence Ministers, heads of postal regulators and postal CEOs will take the opportunity of the Riyadh meeting to discuss the UPUs future strategy for 20262029 during the UPU Strategy Summit on October 4 and 5. The Extraordinary Congress is being held at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh.-- TradeArabia News Service Niger's post-coup military regime has ordered the United Nations coordinator in the country to leave within 72 hours, blaming "obstacles" by the world body to its international recognition. It comes a day after the United States cut off more than $500 million in assistance to Niger and as France begins withdrawing troops after they were also ordered out. The Nigerien foreign ministry said in a statement, seen by AFP on Wednesday but dated Tuesday, that the government was expelling Louise Aubin, the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator, "to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours". Aubin, a Canadian, was appointed to the job in January 2021. The regime pointed to "obstacles" which it said were presented by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "with a view to thwarting the full and complete participation of Niger" at last month's UN General Assembly in New York. The military regime has already criticised "the perfidious actions" of the UN chief, saying they were "likely to undermine any effort to end the crisis in our country". Bakary Yaou Sangare, who before the coup was Niger's ambassador to the UN and is now its foreign minister, was the new leaders' chosen representative for the assembly. But, according to a diplomatic source, there was also an application by the overthrown government to represent Niamey. Because of the competing credentials, the matter was deferred and no representative from Niger was added to the speakers' list. Sangare did not address the General Assembly. In December, neighbouring Burkina Faso, whose ruling junta also came to power in a coup, expelled the UN's coordinator in the country. It said Italian diplomat Barbara Manzi's decision to "unilaterally" withdraw non-essential UN staff from the capital Ouagadougou justified the move. French troops withdraw Niger's military regime said on Tuesday it escorted the first convoy of French soldiers from their base in the western town of Ouallam headed towards Chad. Chad's capital N'Djamena is 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) from Niamey and is the base for French forces in the Sahel command. Around 1,000 French troops were stationed in Niamey, with another 400 deployed at two forward bases in the northwest, near Mali and Burkina Faso, a hotbed of insurgent activity. In addition to the departure by land, "three special flights" have been registered at the airport in Niamey, two for the departure of "97 special forces elements" and one "dedicated to logistics", Niger's new rulers said in a statement on national television. The regime, which has assured the withdrawal would happen with "complete safety", said the disengagement would continue on "a timetable agreed to by both parties". It is the third time in 18 months that French troops have been sent packing by a former African colony, dealing a severe blow to France's influence on the continent and prestige on the international stage. France's ambassador to Niger was also given his marching orders by the leaders of the coup that toppled the French-backed president on July 26. The United States on Tuesday declared that Niger's ousting of a democratic government -- seen as a key bulwark against Russia -- had been a coup. "Any resumption of US assistance will require action... to usher in democratic governance in a quick and credible timeframe," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. The United States, along with West African nations and former colonial power France, had been pressing the military to restore President Mohamed Bazoum. Washington is keeping about 1,000 military personnel in Niger, but they are no longer actively training or assisting Niger forces, another US official said. They will continue to work to monitor threats from jihadists. Search Keywords: Short link: Southwestern Family of Companies (SWFC) has sold it trade publishing imprints to Capen Publishing Company (CPC). The six imprints involved in the saleFavorite Recipes Press, Quail Ridge Press, Beckon Books, Blue Sneaker Press, Greenwich Publishing, and Historic Hospitality Bookshave published about 2,000 titles, many in cooperation with international corporations, nonprofit groups, and historic sites. CPC will also continue to comanage a book publishing partnership with the publishing business of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Capen Publishing is owned by Chris Capen, who had been president of Southwestern Publishing House since January 1, 2016, after joining the company in 2008. During his time there, he expanded the publishing business from just Favorite Recipes Press by acquiring Quail Ridge Press, Historic Hospitality Press, and Greenwich Publishing, and launching Beckon Books and Blue Sneaker Press. With the completion of the deal, the imprints will be based in San Diego. Distribution is handled by CPC's sales and marketing group, which is headed by Bill ODonnell. As per a licensing agreement with SWFC, CPC will operate as Southwestern Publishing House until early 2024, when a rebrand of CPC will be announced. SWFC will continue to work with CPC to publish the educational materials that are sold through Southwestern Advantage, including its newest title, Journey into the Wild: Celebrating Natures Best Photography. SWFC will also maintain the Southwestern Books imprint, and will continue to expand its product offerings focusing primarily on business, transformational sales, leadership, and personal development products. This is a very exciting opportunity for CPC, for our partners, for our leadership team, and for me personally, said Capen in a statement. Our team has been working together now for over 25 years. We are passionate about the subjects we publish and the communities we serve. Our books have engaged, entertained, and educated millions of readers on a wide variety of subjects thanks to our many publishing partners. Aerovy, a Purdue-connected startup, has developed cloud-based software solutions to address power grid limitations and operational inefficiencies in the advanced air mobility sector. The company has completed an $800,000 round of pre-seed funding and developed a partnership with Australia-based battery technology provider Electro Base, a subsidiary of Electro.Aero. (Image provided by Electro.Aero) The Purdue-connected startup has also expanded its international partnerships WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Aerovy, a Purdue University-connected startup, has completed a round of funding and is expanding industry partnerships around the world. Aerovy develops cloud-based software solutions for the advanced air mobility, or AAM, sector, which includes electric-powered urban and regional aircraft. CEO Nick Gunady said Aerovy has closed its round of pre-seed funding, raising $800,000 from Purdue Innovates, M25 and the Flywheel Fund. The closing of the pre-seed round represents a critical milestone in our missions to unlock the energy equation for AAM and airport electrification, Gunady said. This will allow us to deploy to our customers and partners worldwide. Gunady said Aerovy is planning a round of seed funding in 2024. Funders perspectives Tyler Mantel, director, Ventures, Purdue Innovates, said, Purdue has long been at the forefront of innovation in aviation, and we are proud to play a role in nurturing the groundbreaking technology behind Aerovy. Investing $200,000 into their fundraising round was not just a vote of confidence in their vision, but a testament to our belief in their potential to revolutionize energy demand management. Mike Asem, founding partner of M25, said, We could not be more excited to join Nick Gunady and the Aerovy team on their exciting journey to enable the future of mobility. After many conversations with the team, as well as elite industry experts abroad, it is clear that Aerovy has unique technology with full potential to be a core component of the next wave of transportation infrastructure. As a Purdue alumnus myself, in addition to M25s focus on startups in the Midwest, we couldnt be happier about investing in this game-changing technology out of West Lafayette. Brian Hatton, venture partner at Flywheel Fund, said, Flywheel is excited to support Nick Gunady and the Aerovy team with their mission to help the aeronautics industry plan for, monitor and optimize their clean energy production. We are observing dramatic changes in the energy industry and in the possibilities for electric air travel, with Aerovy at the nexus of the two. Our focus on supporting entrepreneurs in Indiana and the Midwest is really shining through with the investment in this game-changing technology. New and expanded partnerships Gunady also announced an expanded partnership between Aerovy and Electro Base, a leading provider of battery container technology. Electro Base is a subsidiary of Electro.Aero, an electric aviation charging technology company based in Perth, Australia. Aerovy and Electro.Aero had established a partnership in early 2023. Our continued partnership with Electro.Aero and this new strategic relationship with Electro Base highlights our commitment to advancing the charging landscape for AAM and beyond, Gunady said in a previous news story. Were excited about the possibilities this collaboration unlocks for the future of sustainable transportation. Aerovy had previously established worldwide partnerships with Altaport, an automation software company based in Salt Lake City, and SkyScape, a developer of vertiport infrastructure based in Osaka, Japan. Through this partnership with SkyScape, Aerovy will deploy cloud software solutions to the Integrated Aviation Center in Hokkaido, Japan, Gunady said. Aerovy has additional plans to deploy around the world, including to sites in Paris, Singapore, Dubai and California. Gunady said Aerovy also has recently launched additional new partnerships with Apricus Energy Partners and Volatus Infrastructure & Energy Solutions. He said the company is open to additional industrial collaborations. Aerovys software solutions Aerovy has developed AATLAS and VEMS, two software solutions that address obstacles to advanced air mobility: power grid limitations and operations. The AATLAS planning software identifies locations that would attract the most demand, so operators would be able to make back their investments quickly, Gunady said. It also assesses the expected usage over time, simulating charging events minute by minute throughout the day. We can size power generation and storage assets, which enables end users to reduce dependence on the grid. VEMS operational software automatically connects users with all their assets at infrastructure sites, including chargers and off-grid energy systems. Customers will have full control over their infrastructure site without physically needing to be there, Gunady said. We have built automation tools to remotely connect with aircraft, charge vehicles, minimize grid cost and dynamically price without any user input. Aerovys cloud-based software suite is based on work by Purdue graduate and undergraduate students, including Gunady, who is an alumnus of Purdues School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and research assistant in Purdues Center for Integrated Systems in Aerospace. The team won the 2022 Smart Connected Aviation Student Competition, a Federal Aviation Administration contest, with its entry Advanced Air Mobility as an Electric Grid Demand Response Asset. Gunady and his team disclosed the software innovations to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which applied for intellectual property protection for the work. OTC issued Aerovy an exclusive license to manufacture and sell the technologies. About Aerovy Aerovy is a U.S.-based startup developing a suite of cloud-based software solutions for electrical infrastructure planning and operations management in the advanced air mobility sector. With a mission to drive innovation in electric aviation, Aerovys software optimizes energy usage and enhances the sustainability of electric aircraft charging systems. 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. About Purdue Innovates Purdue Innovates is a unified network at Purdue Research Foundation to assist Purdue faculty, staff, students and alumni in either IP commercialization or startup creation. As a conduit to technology commercialization, intellectual property protection and licensing, startup creation and venture capital, Purdue Innovates serves as the front door to translate new ideas into world-changing impact. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Office of Technology Commercialization at otcip@prf.org. For more information about involvement and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact Purdue Innovates at purdueinnovates@prf.org. Writer/Media contact: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org Aerovy media relations: media@aerovy.com Source: Nick Gunady, nick@aerovymobility.com Services have now started on a new high-speed railway in Indonesia along the 142.3 kilometres between Indonesia's capital Jakarta, and the popular tourist destination of Bandung. The new railway, known as the WHOOSH, brings down the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from 3.5 hours to just 40 minutes, which in turn will boost economic development along the route. Signalling and communications for the line were built by Huawei in partnership with China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) and China Telecom. Together they have built a dedicated railway network that provides real-time communications, as well as the control and dispatching of the trains. In practice, the reliable and robust technical support of the network will ensure intelligent, safe, and efficient train operations. WHOOSH is both Indonesia's and Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway, with the trains running at 350 kilometres per hour. It is also the first project that China's high-speed railway system, including all elements of the industry value chain, has been implemented outside of China. The trains are equipped with the Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3), which was independently developed in China. A major factor in the system was the need to take into account the frequency and high-speed of the trains. Also, it was crucial that the train control system guarantees that the trains will run safely. This was achieved with a stable and reliable dedicated communications network that provides high security, large bandwidth, and simple O&M. The data network uses Huawei's next-generation data communications equipment that guarantees 100% secure networks through native hard pipes, whilst every link is protected by redundancy with a redundancy switchover time of just 35 milliseconds. The transmission network uses Huawei's Hybrid MSTP equipment that provides the large bandwidth and high stability needed by the over 20 high-speed train systems. These include scheduling and command, disaster prevention, video surveillance, passenger ticketing, and power telecontrol systems. The network has also been designed so that it can accommodate both growth and the requirements of future railway services. According to Lai Chaosen, Vice President of Huawei Indonesia, the WHOOSH's train-to-ground wireless network adopts Huawei's mature solution and employs interleaving in networking for seamless coverage. By achieving up to 99.99% availability, the network ensures the stable transmission of train control signals and the intelligent orchestration and scheduling of train numbers and function numbers. Liu Jieping, CRSC's Deputy Chief Engineer of the JakartaBandung Project, explained that the launch of the WHOOSH represents a major landmark in China's going global strategy for high-speed railways. The train-to-ground wireless network, transmission network, data network, and other system solutions provided by Huawei have built a high-quality dedicated communications network for the WHOOSH and provided reliable technical support for safe and efficient train operations. Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, President Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), stated, We would like to thank all stakeholders, especially Huawei and CRSC, for their contributions in preparing technology solutions and railway infrastructure that are instrumental in supporting the operation of the Whoosh high-speed train. The shared implementation of proven technology solutions and operational solutions of the Whoosh high-speed train can serve as a reference and benchmark for the development of other high-speed rail infrastructure in Indonesia and similar projects in other ASEAN countries. EVS and Orange Belgium are collaborating on a project that showcases centralised, 5G-based production demonstrating the potential to reduce costs and production team travel, host diverse live productions the same day, and get smaller events onto TV. EVS and Orange Belgium are collaborating on a project that showcases centralised, 5G-based production demonstrating the potential to reduce costs and production team travel, host diverse live productions the same day, and get smaller events onto TV. The two companies have embarked on an ambitious pilot project utilising many different capabilities of 5G technology to bring live theatre performances to schools in the Walloon and Brussels regions of Belgium. The Flex Production initiative is supported by the Belgian Federal Government and demonstrates how 5G enhances the flexibility of remote productions. EVS and Orange Belgium, alongside La Grand Poste, Wallonie-Bruxelles Enseignement, and Playtime Films, collaborated with the Theatre de Liege to live stream the theatrical play Andromaque, to over 70 schools in the Wallonia and Brussels regions. Renaud Falise, 5G & IoT Strategic Manager at Orange Belgium, says, The project marks a significant milestone in the world of live video technology, showcasing the immense potential of 5G and its practical applications. The theatre setup includes multiple Ultra HD cameras, each equipped with a LiveU field encoder for transmitting video feeds via Orange Belgium's 5G network to a central control room at La Grand Poste a hub dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation. Powered by LiveUs field-proven Reliable Transport protocol (LRT), the encoders ensure high quality and ultra-low latency live streams over the 5G network. The control room features EVS central production system, which is orchestrating the entire live production process. In addition, EVS MediaHub SaaS content exchange solution gives rapid access to video content for the creation of clips, highlights and long-form content, seamlessly delivering it across the web. Nicolas Bourdon, Chief Marketing Officer at EVS, says: "5G technology is set to drastically reduce the need for production team travel, resulting in a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions. By centralising audiovisual production tools through 5G technology, we are driving resource consolidation, which, in turn, translates to reduced operational costs for event production. With this centralisation, you can easily imagine hosting diverse productions in a single day, such as morning TV debates, midday news programmes, afternoon theatre plays, and regional sporting events in the eveningall made possible by the same infrastructure. This opens up opportunities for smaller events to reach larger audiences through accessible, professional-grade audiovisual content distribution." The educational institutions selected by WBE have free access to EVS' MediaHub platform, which serves as the repository for all footage captured on October 5. Students can access the recorded content of the Andromaque play from any location. Thanks to the integration of MediaHub with Blackbirds cloud native video editing platform, they can create their own edits and highlights of the performance directly in the cloud. Demonstrating the significant educational component in the project, students will be trained by EVS to navigate and utilise this dynamic platform for content editing and production, fostering the growth of the next generation of content creators. Renaud Falise at Orange Belgium provided additional background. We inaugurated a first Orange 5G Lab in Antwerp in October 2021, and a second one in the iconic Grand Poste in Liege in 2022, demonstrating our role as a generator for innovative solutions leveraging Orange Belgium's 5G network. The live capture at the Theatre de Liege is a testament to the vast possibilities unlocked by this groundbreaking technology. Property details: 1.6 Acres Bazel Rd., Harriman, TN Rolling sloped lot in nice quiet rural area. Invest in this land today and build your home. Close to schools, parks, restaurants and shopping. Restrictions to be verified by buyer. NOTE: No access from street. Lot is landlocked so you will need to establish easement with neighbor. You will pay all closing costs.... Price: $ 610 Seller State of Residence: Tennessee State/Province: Tennessee Location: 371**, Murfreesboro, Tennessee You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Tennessee PLAYING SKS DRESS-UP The year was 1999 and the SKS rifle had had a good run. Soon, the developed world would supposedly come crashing down, as computers across the globe would cause rolling blackouts due to a simple date error: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, were talking about Y2K. OK, we know this article isnt carved onto a cave wall, and that nothing much of substance happened at the turn of the millennium sans a few unplanned pregnancies. However, this article is a little bit about that, because it was also the last calendar year the SKS rifle could be considered a pragmatic or practical choice for offensive use (in the United States at least; sorry, Canada). Though there are variations and models from nearly a dozen separate nations, your standard fare SKS was a semiautomatic, 7.62x39mm, 20-inch barreled affair that fed from an internal 10-round magazine. Loading and reloading took place with stripper clips. Many were imported with folding bayonets that couldnt be quickly removed from the rifle without the use of tools. They were inexpensive and readily available, which goes a long way to explaining their popularity in the United States. Hell, an entire cottage industry was invented seemingly solely to peddle awful accessories. Some of these efforts were attempts to address the shortcomings relative to modern rifles, and some left us just sadly shaking our heads. Chassis systems. Folding stocks. Wobbly railed top covers. Weird ugly duck billed removable magazines youve seen them all, of that were certain. THE AFFORDABLE SKS Remember, this was a magic time when the mantra, Get whatever AR-15 that you want, provided its made by ABC: Armalite, Bushmaster, or Colt, was mostly true. A cheap SKS rifle was roughly the tenth of a price of a Colt. Ultimately, the American heyday of the SKS was extinguished for exactly the same reason the Russian one was: the increased availability of the AK/AKM. Long gone is the time when youd buy an SKS for practical reasons, solely consigned instead to nerdy Com-Blok collectors. To the Russians, the SKS was a bit like the American M14 an awkward middle child, never heavily fielded for any significant period, and largely relegated to the rear. Sure, youve seen some shiny ones all dolled up for parade across the iron curtain, but thats the most common use for it now. CHINESE SKS TYPES The same couldnt be said of Red China. When they received the official tooling from Tula Arsenal in the 50s, they embraced it. For nearly three decades it remained their go-to, mass-issue rifle. While they spent some time dabbling with new designs in the early 70s, it wouldnt be until the far-superior Type 81 Assault Rifles were fielded in the 80s that SKSs began to drop off the scene. Its been said that the Peoples Liberation Army prized the accuracy of the SKS rifle; if thats true, their measuring sticks must have been made in China as well. Rather than allowing the AK to replace the SKS wholesale, the Chinese military treated them as complimentary weapons with some hybrids along the way. While the SKS-M looks baller with a bakelite, we cant ignore the beauty with the bayonet. EATING FROM AK MAGS One such Moreau-esque amalgam was the Chinese Type 84. It featured a shorter 16.5-inch barrel, a correspondingly shorter spike bayonet, and importantly could almost accept AK magazines. We say almost because each magazine had to be individually hand-fit to the gun; they were even serialized together. Because AK magazines, even ones heavily hand modded, dont work with the SKS bolt-hold-open system (incredibly important for rifles that traditionally ate from strippers theres a joke there someplace), the Type 84 had a unique button on top of the bolt carrier to lock it in place. In 1989, USA Navy Arms imported some to the United States. Weve heard as few as 400 of these rifles hit American shores. It was and remains the only SKS import that had the shorter 16.5-inch barrel, stubby bayonet, and ability to accept AK magazines, albeit modified ones. AK magazines are commonly available, fast to reload, and offer a significant upgrade to other cobbled-together detachable magazines for SKS rifles. So, of course, we had to have one. And also make it better. While you could dig deep in your pockets and scour the depths of Gunbroker or Armslist looking for one of those rare birds, we made one ourselves instead. LIMITED OPTIONS Aside from the Chinese Type 84 SKS, two other variations that ate from common AK/AKM magazines were imported. The first was dubbed the SKS-D by dealers to differentiate them from the fixed magazine fodder. It looked like a standard CHICOMM SKS, differing mainly by accepting AK magazines. These rifles came in before the George H. W. Bush administration banned the importation of so-called assault rifles in 1989. On the other hand, sporting rifles were allowed, all of which had fewer assault rifle features like bayonet lugs. Because drive-by bayonet assaults were apparently a huge problem in the 1980s. SKS vs. SKS-M At this time, we also began seeing the SKS-M. With a real name scripted on the side of the receiver rather than a dealer denomination, the SKS-M was most often imported with the shorter 16.5-inch paratrooper barrel. And, of course, with dangerous features like the bayonet removed. The SKS-M rifle had a sporting stock, either consisting of a Monte Carlo-style that almost looks like a standard stock, or the dreaded thumbhole. While more of these rifles came in than the Chinese Type 84, a trade dispute in 1993 ended Chinese importation of most all firearms and ammunition shortly thereafter (you can still get shotguns though see our piece on the Lynx-12 in Issue 37). Since we wanted a Type 84, wed have to start our journey by first obtaining an SKS-M. TREASURE HUNT The firearms market is completely upside down compared to two decades ago. Instead of an SKS costing a mere fraction of an AR-15, SKS prices often meet or even exceed those of a basic AR. And a special one like an SKS-M? Good luck. We happened upon one at The Bullet Ranch, in Pataskala, Ohio, and snatched it up. Monte Carlo-type stock, nonexistent bayonet, and that all-important short barrel and magazine well. What we didnt know is that this would be just the start of our journey. The appropriate foreign parts were very easy to obtain online and relatively inexpensive, including the shortened paratrooper spike bayonet. But alas, the hardest part had yet to come: compliance with the law, specifically 922(r). Essentially, 922(r) means that you cant simply take an imported sporting rifle and give it assault features without first increasing the amount of American-made parts. And no, not every little screw counts. There are 20 parts specifically listed in Title 18 Chapter 44 Section 922(r), further broken down in Title 27 Part 478.39 of the Code of Federal Regulation. Stripped down, the SKS-M looks normal, sans the mag lock and magwell. SKS RIFLE LEGALISE Yes, we also feel like we need a lawyer just to read that sentence. Not every specified 922(r) part corresponds to an actual part on an imported rifle. Thus depending on the design of your rifle, varying numbers of American compliance parts may be needed. Regardless of the foreign rifle youre converting from sporting status, the law says that you can have no more than 10 foreign parts from that list of 20. Because the SKS rifle isnt nearly as popular as other imported rifles, it can be harder to find appropriate compliance parts. Furthermore, not every compliance part is a simple drop in fit with our SKS-M because of its shortened gas system. Deciding to go with the belt and suspenders approach, we replaced more than technically necessary in order to ensure there could be no question about its legality. We begged and bartered for a U.S.-made fire control group, then wrestled with installing it. We took a brand new and shiny U.S.-made gas piston and shortened it to work with the truncated gas system. And we begrudgingly only used U.S.-made magazines. SKS MAGAZINES With a twist of irony, we note that U.S. magazines need to be modified to fit. Just like regular AK magazines in the Chinese Type 84. But once we had all of our parts and pieces, we could put it all together. Were thankful Chinese manufacturers used wood approximately as soft as soap, which made hogging the magwell out much easier. And oh yeah we had the barrel threaded. SKS RIFLE ON THE RANGE We wish we could say that this was a pleasant rifle to shoot, but that would be a bald faced lie. The bare muzzle and heavy gas resulted in more recoil than the 7.6239 normally metes out. The brass (err steel) casings seemed to fly as far as the bullets themselves. Furthermore, though it might sound a tad strange, we missed having a pistol grip. The ability to use your shooting hand to pull the rifle back into your shoulder for better recoil control is diminished with the standard stock. The GoGun USA brake made a huge difference in recoil. Maybe we got a lemon, but benched group sizes at 100 yards were in excess of 5 inches. Precise indeed.To help with the recoil, we installed a SuperComp XL from GoGun USA. Sure, it doesnt look like a Chinese Type 84 anymore, but boy was it more fun to shoot and easy to remove. And, of course, we also installed a Surefire SOCOM762-MINI2. After carefully checking alignment, we gave it a go. If brass went as far as the bullet with a bare muzzle, were pretty sure we put some in orbit with the suppressor mounted. Theres no way we can recommend silencing an SKS rifle unless some special measures are taken, lest you end up with bent pistons and destroyed rifles. Some like the fully hooded front sight of CHICOMM guns; we arent among them. LOOSE ROUNDS Like a road trip with friends, this project turned out to be more about the journey than the destination. Did we accomplish our mission of a DIY Chinese Type 84, but better? Kind of. Once we track down three more 922R compliance parts that dont make it look like a Y2K bubba job, well say mission accomplished. Wed then have the ability to legally use whatever magazine we want. Until then, our rifle suffers the same fate as the Chinese Type 84. But when that happens, shell be the hottest cashier at Dollar Tree. SKS Rifle, Dressed up as a Type 84 Caliber: 7.62x39mm Barrel Length:16.5 inches Overall Length: 35.5 inches Weight (Unloaded): 8 pounds Magazine Capacity: 5- to 40-round MSRP:$800 Also check out: Old School: Karabiner 31 and the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms. Corey Graff contributed to this article. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. FILE - In this image from security camera video, Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom looks at her cellphone during a murder trial, June 12, 2023, at the Lincoln County District Court in Chandler, Okla. Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court John Kane IV is recommending the removal of the district court judge who exchanged more than 500 texts with her bailiff during a murder trial. An investigation by the Oklahoma Supreme Court Council on Judicial Complaints found Soderstrom mocked prosecutors, laughed at the bailiffs comment about a prosecutor's genitals, praised the defense attorney and called the key prosecution witness a liar, according to the petition filed Tuesday, Oct. 10. A U_S_ official says the government believes the driver who crashed into the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco the day before did so with malign intent." The transition to UPI-based ATMs will be gradual, and consumers will not immediately switch to using standalone UPI ATMs overnight. IMAGE: Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. A man counts money after withdrawing it from a automated teller machine (ATM) in Mumbai. Photograph: The Late Danish Siddiqui/Reuters India's automated teller machine (ATM) network may soon see an upgrade as it introduces a new feature to existing ATMs, allowing them to dispense cash through Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based quick response (QR) codes. In September, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) unveiled UPI-based ATMs. These machines enable customers to withdraw cash without requiring a physical card. Users simply scan a QR code displayed on the ATM screen, enter the desired amount, and input their UPI personal identification number (PIN) on their phone to withdraw money. An ATM exclusively dedicated to UPI-based cash withdrawals streamlines the machine's hardware components, eliminating the need for a card reader, an encrypting PIN pad, a biometric scanner, and a receipt printer. Instead, it focuses on essential elements like a display screen and a cash dispenser. Industry experts suggest that, instead of introducing UPI-specific ATMs, it makes more sense to incorporate UPI-enabled cash withdrawal features into existing machines. "Currently, there are 115,000 NCR ATMs deployed across the country, and all of them have the capability to offer UPI functionality without any hardware modifications. Only a software update for the QR code is required," says Navroze Dastur, managing director, NCR India, an ATM manufacturer. Dastur explains that the transition to UPI-based ATMs will be gradual, and consumers will not immediately switch to using standalone UPI ATMs overnight. "Ideally, we do not want a situation where a customer comes to an ATM with a card to withdraw cash, but discovers that the ATM can only dispense via UPI," says Dastur. "The top priority is to enable all existing machines with UPI functionality, requiring the participation of banks, acquiring banks, and issuing banks to offer UPI services through their ATM channels," Dastur adds. K Srinivas, managing director and chief executive officer of India1 Payments, a white-label ATM operator, adds that out of the 300 million UPI users in a population of nearly 1.4 billion, approximately 100 million use the system regularly. Most of these users reside in Tier-I and Tier-II cities. Therefore, it will take some time for UPI-based cash withdrawals to become prevalent in Tier-IV, -V, and -VI towns, where India1 Payments operates. According to data from the Reserve Bank of India, the total number of ATMs in the country stood at 259,000 at the end of March. Thus, Srinivas explains that establishing UPI-only ATMs would be a wasteful use of capital. "It would be impractical to replace all existing ATMs with UPI ATMs or position UPI ATMs alongside conventional machines. Some customers will continue to use the QR method and the conventional method to withdraw cash, necessitating the coexistence of both systems," says Srinivas. Additionally, completely replacing existing systems would be a waste of capital. Srinivas notes that multiple costs are involved, including the cost of the ATM itself, rentals, cash loading costs, interest costs related to cash, and infrastructure costs, such as electricity and labour. While the initial price of existing ATMs is around Rs 280,000, the monthly cost of operating an ATM ranges from Rs 60,000 to Rs 85,000. "Since there is only a nominal upgrade cost on the software side to enable QR-based withdrawals, the investments made by banks in their existing ATM channels are secure," notes Dastur. The elimination of physical cards at UPI ATMs will also enhance security. Card-related frauds, such as skimming and card cloning, which result in cash extraction, will significantly decrease in a cardless transaction ecosystem. On that note, Srinivas adds that the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) could pave the way for a cardless cash withdrawal system. "AEPS is not yet enabled on ATMs, but we have been urging the NPCI to facilitate this mechanism. Most ATMs today are biometric-enabled, so all that is required is an Aadhaar card and a one-time password on a phone. "People in rural areas may have Aadhaar but not necessarily UPI on their phone," he adds, "making this another cardless feature for cashless withdrawals." Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Zetwerk is not exactly a household name, but this unicorn, boasting revenues of Rs 11,450 crore as of last year, is among the top four electronics manufacturers in India. The startup is capitalising on a notable trend in smart TV sales - fall in collective shipments from top brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, LG and an uptick in the market share of smaller, regional, and online brands. Emerging as a key Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) player, Zetwerk operates a plant in Haryana that caters to 10 per cent of the countrys overall smart TV production capacity. The company aggregates demand through contract manufacturing for eight different brands, thereby building scale while reducing production costs. Zetwerk is also in the process of developing design capabilities and establishing a supply chain. Flat-panel display manufacturing facility is part of the companys ecosystem. Rahul Sharma, founder of Zetwerk, told Business Standard: The overall smart TV market is around 15-17 million units. "Our plant has the capacity to cater to 10 per cent of this market. "We can double our production capacity within a quarter. Depending on the model, we currently manufacture TVs ranging from 24 to 86 inches. "By November, we plan to produce TVs up to 120 inches. According to Counterpoint data, the market share of brands outside the top five sharply increased from 43.2 per cent in 2021 to 57.4 per cent in 2022. This trend could gain strength further if the reports on Realme and OnePlus reducing or ceasing their TV sales prove to be correct, said sources. Theres been no confirmation from the companies. A recent report by IDC highlights a partial recovery for top brands. It states that the top five smart TV brands regained their market share to 54 per cent in the first half of 2023. Even so, the focus has shifted to the budget segment, where sub-$200 smart TVs have seen their market share rise from 26 to 39 per cent during the same period, according to IDC. Sharma explained that Zetwerk focuses on large-scale flexible manufacturing to meet brand needs in a hyper-competitive market. The company enables small batch production, which is beneficial for evaluating the success of TV models. He pointed out that Zetwerks supply chain is flexible, a capability often lacking among larger manufacturers. Already a significant player in wearables and hearables with an annual production capacity of 20 million units, Zetwerk is expanding into IT hardware to assemble laptops. Negotiations are underway to acquire an existing company in this sector. The company is in talks with major players who have applied to be part of the revised IT hardware Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. When asked why the company had not applied for a PLI, Sharma said: Two years ago, we didnt meet the eligibility criteria. "We have grown tenfold in the last two years. "We didnt qualify for a PLI in electronics because we didnt exist in the base year set for the scheme. The country's largest software exporter TCS on Wednesday reported an 8.7 per cent increase in its September quarter net profit to Rs 11,342 crore, but made it clear that the headwinds for the IT sector continue amid a sluggish economic climate. Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives The Tata Group company also announced a Rs 17,000-crore share buyback on top of committing a nearly Rs 3,300-crore dividend payout. Its revenue increased 7.9 per cent in the September quarter to Rs 59,692 crore but was up only marginally compared to Rs 59,381 crore in the preceding June quarter. "Yes, there is uncertainty because of which clients are focused more on optimisation, which results in the older projects getting optimised or some of them getting passed or reprioritised, resulting in muted or moderated revenue growth," its chief executive and managing director K Krithivasan told reporters in Mumbai. The company's mainstay of banking, financial services and insurance reported a marginal dip in revenue, and so did communication and media at negative 2.1 per cent. Among the geographies, the United Kingdom led by growing at double digits, but the biggest market of North America grew by just 0.1 per cent. Meanwhile, even as it faces choppy waters on the revenue expansion front, the company reported new deal signings of $11.2 billion, the third straight quarter of the number being over $10 billion. The company management acknowledged the strong deal flows are not getting translated into revenues. Its chief operating officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam said it completed two projects in the quarter, due to which there was some hit to the revenues, but was quick to add that in all the new projects, the deal ramp-ups are as per plans. Krithivasan said the new deal pipeline continues to be strong, but they cannot comment if all of it will get translated into signings. Among the geographies, Krithivasan said, North America is "slightly confusing" with different sets of data inputs influencing the outlook being received, while in Europe, there are "issues" in Germany and France. The company said the $11.2 billion of new signings in the July-September period include $1 billion contracted by state-owned BSNL for putting up a 4G/5G network and the mega-deal it won from auto major JLR, also a Tata group company. On the margin front, it reported a 0.25 per cent expansion to 24.3 per cent on the back of benefits from better execution of contracts, curtailing discretionary expenses, while the spending on infrastructure proved to be a drag, its chief financial officer Samir Seksaria said. He said the 26-28 per cent operating profit margin band continues to be a guiding beacon, but declined to give a target by when it will be able to achieve the number. The company may resort to strategic bets on compromising margins on select projects, but when looked at from a holistic perspective, the overall aspirations are kept in mind while bidding, he added. The company is monitoring the situation in Israel, where it has 250 staffers working on projects, but does not expect any major impact because of the situation, Subramaniam said. Stressing that a lot of the staffers may be local Israelis, Subramaniam said the company is in touch with all the employees, and once the flights restart, will look at requests for evacuation. The company reported a decline in the overall staff to 608,985 from over 6.15 lakh in the quarter-ago period, and 6.16 lakh in the year-ago period. Its chief human resources officer Milind Lakkad said the company has not stopped hiring, but the overall new hires are trailing the number of people quitting the company due to which the overall count is down. Reiterating the non-linear model, Lakkad said one cannot equate business prospects with the number of staff. Meanwhile, the company said over 1 lakh of its employees are now trained in artificial intelligence skill sets, even though the average contracts on generative AI are worth less than $1 million, the COO said. TCS has completely discontinued the pandemic practice of allowing people to work from home and asked staff to report to offices all across the week, Lakkad said, adding that the move is driven by a high number of hiring in the last three years and the need to instil company's values. Meanwhile, when asked about the bribes-for-jobs scandal, Krithivasan said the investigations have been completed and necessary actions taken against errant employees. He, however, did not quantify the number of employees found to have indulged in wrongdoing. Lakkad said corrective actions, which it has initiated, include ones on the organisational front, people front and also on the technology front. Ahead of the results, the company scrip closed 0.52 per cent down at Rs 3,610.20 apiece on the BSE against gains of 0.60 per cent on the benchmark. WhatsApp's advantage is that it is the first app millions of Indian check first thing in the morning and innumerable times during the day and night. IMAGE: Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. A woman uses her phone next to a logo of the WhatsApp application at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Axis Bank, India's third-largest private sector lender, has 15 million people registered for its WhatsApp service, and adds a million more every month. Managing Director Amitabh Chaudhry says the bank has sent 210 million messages using WhatsApp and disbursed Rs 930 crore in personal loans through the platform. Axis Bank is one of the several reasons why Meta, which owns WhatsApp, in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, sees India at the centre of its global push to monetise messaging, with WhatsApp as the axis. 'India (is) a country that's at the forefront of a lot of what we're going to talk about today. You're (India is) leading the world in terms of how people and businesses have embraced messaging as the better way to get things done,' Zuckerberg said in his keynote session through a video link at the Conversations event in Mumbai on September 20. This is the first time the annual event was held in India. India might WhatsApp is a global messaging platform used by 2 billion users. Of those, more than 450 million -- 22.5 per cent -- are in India. A large percentage of WhatsApp's 200 million business users are in India. Globally, people and businesses conduct 600 million WhatsApp conversations a day. Meta says daily conversations between people and businesses have more than doubled in the past one year in India. A slew of recent initiatives has stepped up Meta's efforts to monetise these numbers. At Conversations, for instance, Zuckerberg announced the introduction of WhatsApp Payment in India, after Brazil and Singapore, in partnership with payment solutions providers, Razorpay and PayU. It is designed to support more payment methods for people to pay Indian businesses within a WhatsApp chat. The methods include all UPI apps, other third-party apps, and credit and debit cards. The conference also saw the launch of WhatsApp Flows, which enables businesses to create customised experiences within chat threads, such as a way for customers to book an appointment to open a new account, order food and grocery, or book an airline ticket without having to leave the chat thread. Consumers can pay within a chat thread using any of the various payment options. Sandhya Devanathan, Meta's India head, believes WhatsApp is at the cusp of an Internet explosion as 250 million more Indians get ready to come on board the Internet wagon. "These are people from Tier-II and -III towns who are not intuitive enough to use an app. They are most likely to discover the experiences in the apps that they use the most. "We think messaging and WhatsApp can play that role," Devanathan told Business Standard during an interaction at Conversations. The monetisation of WhatsApp, she said, had been something that Zuckerberg had already talked about as a big priority. Closer home, business messaging is responding to what Meta sees in the market. With this, Meta is being perceived as upping WhatsApp's play in India and could be turning it into a bonafide super app. Supersizing WhatsApp When we talk of super apps, the first names that come to mind are WeChat in China and Gojek in Indonesia. Both are all-encompassing e-commerce and communication platforms. Incidentally, both came up before the influx of apps dedicated to specific functions. In India, on the other hand, specific apps already abound, covering a range of ecommerce from fashion to food. Analysts see this as one of the reasons why attempts by the Tata Group, with Neu, and Reliance Industries (MyJio) to create a super app have not yet accomplished the intended results. WhatsApp's advantage is that it is the first app millions of Indian check first thing in the morning and innumerable times during the day and night. The key is to adorn it with more services and functions and make them do more while they are in the app. "We want people and merchants to have a fuller and richer experience right in the chat...payments become a big part of that puzzle and we will need to continue to invest in that," said Nikila Srinivasan, vice-president, product management, business messaging with Meta. A lot of it is already underway. For instance, Flipkart, the Walmart-owned ecommerce giant, uses WhatsApp to tap new customers. Its CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy said during the Conversations event through a recorded message that last year during Flipkart's flagship sales event, the Big Billion Day, it engaged with 15 million users in a single day through WhatsApp. This year, he wants to top that number. Redbus, the ticketing platform, has incorporated Flows. Customers can book tickets on Redbus using WhatsApp. In early tests, Redbus had 17,000 users showing interest and interacting with Flows in one month. Out of these, 35 per cent of the users chose Hindi as their default language. A third of the bookings came from Tier-I cities and other two-thirds from Tier-II and -III towns and beyond. There is also an uptick in public transport ticket bookings on WhatsApp. Bangalore Metro has 500,000 people buying tickets every month via WhatsApp. Chennai Metro and Delhi Metro, say people privy to the development, will soon allow ticket purchases on WhatsApp. Devanathan did not confirm this, but stressed the fact that people are buying more using WhatsApp. Speaking during the inaugural session at Conversations, she highlighted that the ensemble she was wearing, including the accessories, was brought from small businesses using Instagram and the transaction was closed using WhatsApp. She also said that of the 200 million businesses that used WhatsApp's business messaging, a large number were from India. Srinivasan said the idea of bringing businesses closer to the user was being done in a way that was simple, reliable, and private. "India, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia are our priority markets. But India is often quoted as a priority market and you will see a lot of us here in the coming years." Having tied up with Razorpay and PayU, Meta will keep looking for more tie-ups. With these two players, WhatsApp is making sure it reaches a large merchant base. Razorpay has access to 5 million online merchants. PayU serves more than 4.5 million merchants. The attempts to supersize WhatsApp brings Zuckerberg face to face against Elon Musk, the boss at Tesla who also owns X, earlier known as Twitter. The intent behind the change of name was to turn the microblogging platform into a super app. The cage fight is off, but the fight is on. WhatsApp's India Playbook Number of users in India: 450 million Daily conversations between people and businesses more than doubled in the past one year in India Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com The Ford carrier strike group has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested. The presence of Ford carrier will also surge US military presence to prevent the now four-day-old war between Israel and Hamas from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, a US official told the Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the arrival ahead of an official announcement. The Pentagon has said that the US warplanes, destroyers, and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could range from intelligence collection and interdictions to long-range strikes. Along with the Ford, the US is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, and augmenting regional Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. Search Keywords: Short link: Almost all will say no. Then ask them why they don't push back at those who rise the slogan of Khalistan. Somebody would confront you with a counter-question: If people can talk of a Hindu Rashtra, why get so upset if others talk of a Sikh Nation, points out Shekhar Gupta. IMAGE: A view of the decorated Golden Temple on the occasion of the 419th installation anniversary of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, September 16, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo If only I were granted just 10 minutes of some divine power to ask you to repeat after me the following lines three times: There is no such thing as the Khalistan movement, dream, or idea. Definitely not in India. What happens in Brampton, Canada, is a problem for the Canadians. Nobody, or almost nobody, in India's Punjab wants a return to the murderous 15 years from 1978 to 1993, especially the deadly 1983-1993 decade. How do India's Sikhs feel about their country? Check out the data from a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, which found that 95 per cent of Sikhs in India are proud of their country. No community in India, regardless of its size, holds a monopoly over nationalism. No community, however microscopic, can be subjected to any questioning of its national commitment. Politics in Punjab is alive, lively and credible. People vote in growing numbers and change their governments. There is no political or emotional vacuum for the emerging dark forces, mostly in Canada, to wade into. When Punjabis become unhappy with their situation, which will be often, they will vote out their government. They won't turn to someone like Justin Trudeau or Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to seek help for a regime change. And then the fourth, and the most important, if I could ask you to repeat after me: I shall never question the patriotism and national commitment of India's Sikhs. Never. Because a few hundred assorted criminals have never made a revolution. That said, and repeated multiple times, let us also admit that there are problems. That there is widespread anger and frustration in Punjab today, especially among the Sikhs. It manifests in anti-sacrilege protests, rising religiosity and conservatism, a growing defensiveness over the new definitions and tests of patriotism they are subjected to, especially on social media and some TV channels. There's a dangerous alienation. This alienation, however, is not from their nation, but from what they see as their national politics. Anger and frustration at Punjab's economic decline relative to the more progressive, industrialising and mostly coastal states is easy to understand. When a state goes from being number one (among states with a population of one crore/10 million or more) to number 13 in about 20 years, it not only hurts its people economically, but also damages their self-esteem. That's particularly traumatic for a community used to being so dominant. Punjab is caught in an agrarian trap while many other big ones have broken free with growing industry and services, particularly IT-enabled services. To understand this better, we need to take a closer look at the Sikh diaspora, especially in Canada. In 2020-2021, the last year for which full data is available, India received the equivalent of $80.2 billion in foreign remittances. The US topped the list with 23.4 per cent of all remittances, followed by the UAE, the UK, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar (only 1.5per cent). Did we forget Canada, you might ask? Don't we have such a large, prosperous and happy Punjabi (mostly Sikh) community there? The data gives you an insight into the politics and the deeper crisis, both in our Punjab and Canada's many little Punjabs. Remittances from Canada from the nearly 1 million Punjabis (800,000 of them Sikh) to their homeland rank at number 12, behind Hong Kong, Australia and, for heaven's sake, Malaysia. It is a mere 0.6 percent of the total figure. What does this tell us? I'd hazard to say two things, one tangible and the other a conjecture. The first is that the Sikhs in Canada are still employed in lower-wage jobs, or really small businesses that do not produce enough surpluses to send home. This is unlike the many white-collar employees in the US, the UK and even the UAE and Saudi Arabia. On the skills and employment value chain, the Punjabis have fallen behind their peers from India's south and west. Punjab is trapped in a peculiar irony. Its people are not poor. The state has among the lowest poverty scores in the country. However, its economy is mostly agrarian, farms produce some surplus but the young no longer want to work on them. That is done by cheap labour imported from the Hindi heartland, mainly Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the so-called 'bhaiyyas' in Punjab. At the same time, Punjab's own young people spend years, burning through family savings, begging, stealing and borrowing to somehow get to Canada. Where they are needed for precisely the same kind of jobs that they hire their bhaiyyas for. IMAGE: A Sikh priest carries the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, on his head during a religious procession at the Golden Temple. Photograph: ANI Photo This also brings us to the less tangible reason, besides low surpluses, that remittances from the Sikh diaspora in Canada are so tiny. It is that a lot of money is sent back to families through informal channels. It is needed to pay for the emigration (almost entirely to Canada) of other members of the family. The current going rate in Punjab is upwards of Rs 50 lakh (Rs 5 million). This isn't the kind of activity for which you pay by cheque or bank transfer. It is classical, if voluntary, human trafficking. Punjab achieved its peace by 1993. The peace has been so total that the state is safer than anywhere in the Hindi heartland. If its people haven't seen a real peace dividend yet, it is a massive failure on the part of its political class. This fuels anger and frustration. That is, however, topped by something more troublesome: Apprehension over our national politics and the Sikhs' place in it. Not only do the Sikhs see themselves as marginalised, especially after the Bharatiya Janata Party-Akali break-up, they also fret over the rise of the BJP, Hindutva and the rising clamour for a Hindu State. Come with me for a walk around Punjab and ask a Sikh young or old if they want Khalistan. Almost all will say no, unless someone blessed with a really wicked sense of humour wants to pull your leg. Then ask them why they don't push back at those who rise the slogan of Khalistan. If you ask just a few Sikhs on any street, in any village, soon enough somebody would confront you with a counter-question: If people can talk of a Hindu Rashtra, why get so upset if others talk of a Sikh Nation. If you can create a nation on the basis of one religion, why not for another? The rise of this all-powerful BJP, the lack of representation for the Sikhs, especially Punjab's Sikhs, the isolation of the Akali Dal, and what they see as victimisation of the Muslim minority has caused a deep influence on the mood in Punjab. You can live in denial if that makes you comfortable, but not for long. IMAGE: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee President Harjinder Singh Dhami leads a march from the Golden Temple to the district commissioner's office in Amritsar to protest against the arrest of Sikh youth by the Punjab police, March 31, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives Remember how the Sikhs in Gurugram offered their gurdwaras to Muslims denied permission to offer namaaz in the parks? Or the bonhomie at the langars Muslim activists organised for the Sikh farmers at protests outside Delhi? The BJP miscalculates gravely when it presumes that the Sikhs still carry their antagonisms for the Muslims going back to the times of the great Gurus or even Partition. The Sikhs think they got even, and do not see a threat any longer. Besides, religion is not their only determinant of identity. There's also language and culture. They have much in common on these counts with the vast majority of Punjabis in Pakistan. Will they not be in the vanguard again if Pakistan goes to war against India once more? Of course, they will. They have much in common with Hindus, but it's a grave error to count them as such in a polarised India. Seventy-seven per cent of all Indian Sikhs live in Punjab. The same PEW survey that tells us that 93 per cent Sikhs are proud of living in Punjab and 95 per cent are proud to be Indian, underlines another important data point. That eight out of 10 Sikhs see communal violence as a big problem in the country. That is more than just a bit higher than Hindus and even Muslims, at 65 per cent. It is the BJP/RSS politics' failure to see and appreciate this nuance that's adding to frustration and anger in Punjab. This is what the renegades in Canada are playing with. By special arrangement with The Print Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'Our Left is squeamish about democracy. They are so mechanical they have only dogma.' "It came in the newspapers that I was expelled from the party. My lawyers in Hyderabad asked me not to get depressed. I told them nothing of that sort. My attachment is not to all this. My attachment is to the future to youngsters. If we have done anything wrong, then hopefully the young will do better than us," Kobad Ghandy, a sympathiser of the Communist movement for half a century including its radical wing, the Communist Party of India (Maoist), tells Rediff.com Senior Contributor Neeta Kolhatkar in the concluding part of a multi-part interview. This very concept of freedom and happiness that you have developed has been rejected by your party. You have been severely criticised and they even called for your boycott. Why is that? Is it non-Marxist to be free and happy? There was a call to expel you. They said what is this mystical happiness? I've written on the challenges before the Left and Communists, both internationally and at the national level. It is quite an elaborate paper on these concepts. There wrote against me, but I haven't read it. I am told there were personal attacks in it, some 100 pages they have written. I have no patience for it, but yes, they have written something. You should ask them (laughs). They probably look at it mechanically. They talk about the dictatorship of the proletariat and they talk about freedom? Marx spoke of the dictatorship of the proletariat. It is mechanical thinking. The proletariat is a class and I am talking about freedom starting from an individual level. I'm saying right at the elementary level we ourselves are not free at the individual level. Marx spoke of crippled monstrosity, an excellent word. I don't know how Marx used it in those days, but that's exactly what we have among these Leftists. What are our principles and what are we doing? How are we behaving? Many have become hypocrites, some have become alienated. How are we going to make others free when we ourselves are not free? We are caught up in so many complexes and hypocrisies. You can see it from far. It is more prevalent among the urban types. What is the future of Marxism in India? It won't survive because our Indian Marxists are not thinking hard about it. I have written five articles on COVID-19 and a critique on The Great Reset, a book written by Josh Bersin. Not one Leftist in the world has written about it. The lockdown and the impact it has had on society and how the pandemic was used to introduce the great reset. All of which have been harmful. The Leftists supported the lockdown and were quiet about it. I had also supported it initially. Then as I enhanced my reading about it, I began criticising it. I also wrote on the origin of the virus, on corona capitalism and then I wrote about the lockdown policies and finally, I wrote, Is the Left right? I attacked the Monthly Review, the great Leftist magazine of America because they supported the lockdown. On the other hand, the Indian Left has not written a word though they supported it passively. Now these Indian Leftists have written 100 pages on my Fractured Freedom, but not one word on my articles on corona and other subjects which were written much after the book. They are hypocritical about it. Now to make them squirmier, I have written on 75 years of freedom. I have used the economic data and taken forward the whole brain drain theory of Dadabhai Navroji and R C Dutt which was well written by Shashi Tharoor in his Era of Darkness. In that he said one Barron mentioned eight percent of GDP was going abroad in colonial times. In my calculation, the drain in 2000 was 12 percent of our GDP and today it is 17 percent of GDP. How can a country grow with such a huge drain of wealth? Not one Leftist is talking about it. In my paper, I say that the main issue must be Swadeshi, which the BJP and RSS only talk about, but don't do anything about it. Swadeshi and democracy -- that which is not just electoral democracy, but that which is from the primary level and is anti-Brahmanical. Our Left is squeamish about democracy. They are so mechanical they have only dogma. I have tried to explain in my paper that Marxism is a scientific ideology of dialectical and historical materialism. You have to use that methodology to interpret society and understand the present situation. Then understand the corona situation and with yourself, understanding your relationship, the man-woman relations, etc. Everything has to be understood in that context, using that tool. But no, they won't implement it. Man-woman relations are practically feudal in their approach. They thought Anu (Shanbhag Ghandy, his late wife) and I were mavericks but they didn't dare say anything. Having said all of this, I do feel there is hope in the new generation of Communists. I don't have any hope in the old regime. They are completely dead. There are some who can set new ideas, but it has to come from the new generation. They can't be so dogmatic and must be open to change. Do you have any regrets? You have written you felt you wanted to spend more time with Anu in her last stages. People ask, but I don't have any regrets. Since I had so much experience I can now write what I feel and I am not apologetic about it. Otherwise, I would have been on the defensive if I was bitter. Even after the criticism from the Left, the boycotts and such. It came in the newspapers that I was expelled from the party. My lawyers in Hyderabad asked me not to get depressed. I told them nothing of that sort. My attachment is not to all this. My attachment is to the future to youngsters. If we have done anything wrong, then hopefully the young will do better than us. I did feel in her last stages I should have given her more time. In fact, I had made a decision in my mind, but it was too late, by then she died. She had various ailments and very bad arthritis. In those days there was no knee replacement or it was not so common. Otherwise, we had spent a lot of time together. We have been seeing the jail authorities deliberately delaying treating political prisoners. Right from Father Stan Swamy, then Pandu Narote, now there is Prashant Rahi. Why even you have written in your book about how you suffered. Why do the authorities resist giving treatment to political prisoners? Is it deliberate? It is deliberate in a way. But then it is also like what we see even outside jails, everything is corrupt. If you have that kind of money to throw around, even you can get the best of medical attention. The prisons are extremely corrupt up north, even in Maharashtra I'm told. In South India, it was much better. In Andhra, I experienced, while I've heard about Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Andhra, the officers also were decent people. In Jharkhand too I have seen good officers. Even in Hyderabad, I got good medical treatment. Tihar also I got good medical treatment because basically, I got good judges. They specified it in their orders. Maybe, I don't see that sort of due diligence being done in the Bhima Koregaon case. Now it seems more vicious and personal out here. Despite the fact the state and jail authorities were under a non-BJP government till a while ago. One thing is there -- they are portraying Naxals as terrorists in their circles and the jail authorities are also cruel. Their bosses tell them things and these men don't seem to take a different approach. Most importantly, they are corrupt. In the Bilkis Bano case, the question of the revision of arrested accused and releasing them, it made me angry. First, it was 14 years for life imprisonment and some laws changed after a Supreme Court decision. It said the board has to sit after the arrested criminals completed 14 years of imprisonment. This board has to sit every three months and they decide who to release and the number of prisoners to be released. All those who had money would be released while others, mostly poor, languished for 30-40 years. It was political. In Tihar I remember the prisoners hated (then Delhi chief minister) Sheila Dixit because she met the board only once a year and hardly released anyone. I don't think (current Delhi CM Arvind) Kejriwal is any better. But things are different in the South. There, after 9-10 years, prisoners are released from jail. That's how it should be and not arbitrary as we are seeing today. This is not reflected in any of the articles which mentioned the release of the rape accused in the Bilkis Bano case. It is an arbitrary decision. In all the prisons you were imprisoned, did the jail authorities know who a Parsi is and that you were a Parsi? Interestingly, only in the Gujarat jail they knew what a Parsi is (laughs). They would ask me, a Parsi and a Naxal? You are in jail? There I was given very good treatment. You see, in jails, we had to fill in 'caste' in our forms at the time of entry. They'd ask what caste I belonged to and I'd say I don't believe in caste. But they would insist. I was forced to write and I ended up writing Parsi. None of them understood it. They were only concerned with filling that section and they would not bother. Even in Andhra people don't know who a Parsi is. Only in Surat, because that's where the Parsis first landed so that's why they may have heard. Though it is Modi's heartland I still get respect when I go for my court dates. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Two contractual employees of the highly protected naval ship repair yard in Port Blair were arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information about the Andaman and Nicobar Command to a Dubai-based woman, officials said. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo The accused have been identified as Abhishek Kumar, a resident of Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, and his friend Santu Biswas of West Bengal's Nadia district. Both have been remanded to police custody till October 14. Speaking to PTI, Devesh Chandra Srivastava, director general of police, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said, "A joint interrogation is going on and considering the serious nature of crime committed by the accused, I will not be able to comment anything further in this matter at this stage." The police said it all started on May 18 when the woman, who identified herself as Kirti Verma (name changed on request), sent a friend request to Abhishek. She claimed that she is working for a marine company in Dubai and needed information about ship movements from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and photographs of the vital installations of ANC, the police added. Investigation revealed that with every request, she used to send heart emojis and sometimes even called him meri jaan (my life), 'I love you' to ensure that he could not refuse. The police said when the directorate of naval intelligence got a tip-off about Abhishek's suspicious activities, they started to keep eyes on him. However, before they could gather foolproof evidence against him, Abhishek's six months contract at NSRY got over on September 20 and he went to his home town in Uttar Pradesh and engaged Santu Biswas to help Kirti. Based on evidence from Abhishek's social media posts, the naval intelligence contacted him saying they wanted to renew his contract to lure him to Port Blair, officials added. A day after he landed in Port Blair on October 3, he was caught by the naval intelligence for sharing sensitive information and photographs related to maritime security. Biswas was arrested two days later on October 6, the police said. He was handed over to the Central Crime Station of the CID in Port Blair and booked under Official Secrets Act. The Delhi high court will deliver its verdict on Thursday on confirmation of the death penalty awarded to Ariz Khan following his conviction in the sensational 2008 Batla House encounter case, in which decorated Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma lost his life. IMAGE: Ariz Khan alias Junaid, one of the most wanted Indian Mujahideen terrorist being taken to a court by Delhi Police Special Cell after his arrest, in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo The order will be pronounced by a bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Amit Sharma. The court will also rule on Khan's appeal against the trial court verdict that said his offence fell under the "rarest of the rare category", warranting the maximum sentence and that he be "hanged by the neck" till death. The bench had reserved its order on the issue in August after the lawyers for the convict and the State concluded their submissions. Sharma of the Delhi Police's Special Cell was killed in the encounter between police and terrorists in south Delhi's Jamia Nagar on September 19, 2008. Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter that took place days after five synchronised bomb explosions rocked the national capital, killing 39 people and wounding 159. Sharma had raided the place while looking for the terrorists responsible for the blasts. The trial court convicted Khan on March 8, 2021, saying it was duly proved that he and his associates killed the police official and fired gunshots at him. On March 15, 2021, it sentenced Khan to capital punishment and also imposed a fine of Rs 11 lakh on him, making it clear that Rs 10 lakh should immediately be released to the family members of Sharma. Subsequently, the high court received a reference for confirmation of Khan's death sentence. When a trial court sentences any person to death, its judgement is examined by the high court through hearing arguments for a confirmation of the sentence. In its judgment, the trial court had described Khan's act of firing on a police party without any provocation as "abhorrent and brutal", and said this itself showed that he was not only a threat to the society, but also an enemy of the State. The trial court, which had said the convict, on account of his despicable act, has forfeited his right to live, held that the offence proved against Khan was not an ordinary act but a crime against the State, and while committing it, he acted like a "dreaded and well-trained terrorist" who does not deserve any leniency. Khan had fled the spot of the offence and was declared a proclaimed offender. He was arrested on February 14, 2018. United States President Joe Biden Tuesday said the Hamas' attack on Israel is an 'unadulterated evil unleashed on the world', and added that at least 14 American citizens were killed in the incident. IMAGE: Explosions are seen, following Israeli strikes in Gaza City, on October 10, 2023. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters Biden also said it was Hamas' stated purpose to annihilate the state of Israel and kill Jewish people. "There are moments in this life -- and I mean this literally -- when pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organisation Hamas -- a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews," Biden said in his address to the nation from the White House. The US president has earlier vowed his administration's 'rock solid and unwavering' support to Israel. The United States has launched a major global diplomatic drive to garner support for Israel and take necessary action against Palestinian militant group Hamas. Hamas launched a wave of attacks on Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of people, in the biggest escalation in the conflict in decades. Israel has already responded with a wave of air strikes on Gaza, killing over 800 people. Biden said the US has also enhanced its military force posture in the region. "This was an act of sheer evil. More than 1,000 civilians were slaughtered -- not just killed, slaughtered -- in Israel. Among them, at least 14 American citizens were killed. Parents butchered (who were) using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach-turning reports of babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people were massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace," he said. Asserting that Hamas' action in Israel was terrorism, Biden said they resemble the 'worst rampages of ISIS'. "It's abhorrent. The brutality of Hamas -- this bloodthirstiness -- brings to mind the worst, the worst rampages of ISIS. This is terrorism. But sadly, for the Jewish people, it's not new," he said. "This attack has brought to the surface painful memories and the scars left by a millennia of antisemitism and genocide of the Jewish people. So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear. We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack. There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse," the US president said. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said that he will travel to Israel and Jordan from October 11-13, where he will meet with senior officials. "The Secretary will reiterate his condolences for the victims of the terrorist attacks against Israel and condemn those attacks in the strongest terms. The Secretary will also reaffirm the United States' solidarity with the government and people of Israel. He will also discuss measures to bolster Israel's security and underscore the United States' unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself," said the State Department. Blinken spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to reaffirm unwavering the US' support for Israel's right to defend itself. He reiterated his condolences for all those killed or injured and for those still missing. In his address, Biden said that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. Its stated purpose is the annihilation of the state of Israel and the murder of Jewish people, and added that they use Palestinian civilians as human shields, he said. "Hamas offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard to who pays the price. The loss of innocent life is heartbreaking. Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond," Biden said. Biden also added that he spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the third time since Hamas' attack. "I told him if the United States experienced what Israel is experiencing, our response would be swift, decisive, and overwhelming," he said. On Tuesday, the first plane carrying US armaments landed in southern Israel, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said. 'The first plane carrying US armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel this evening,' posted IDF on X. However, the IDF did not reveal the kinds of weapons or military equipment it received. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday claimed Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was busy playing a game on his mobile phone during a Congress meeting over selection of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls as he knows his party will not retain power in the state. IMAGE: The photograph posted on X by BJP's national IT cell head Amit Malviya purports to show Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel 'playing Candy Crush' on his phone during a meeting. Photograph: Courtesy @amitmalviya on X Reacting to it, Baghel said he will continue to play traditional games of the state as well as 'Candy Crush', which he said is his favourite, and that it for the people of Chhattisgarh to decide who will stay in power. The Chhattisgarh assembly polls will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17 and votes will be counted on December 3. The opposition BJP in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday shared a picture in which the CM is seen playing a game on his mobile phone. The picture is said to be taken during the Congress screening committee meeting which took place at Rajiv Bhavan, the party's state office, in capital Raipur on Tuesday night. Congress state in-charge Kumari Selja, state party chief Deepak Baij and other leaders were seen in the meeting while chairman of the screening committee Ajay Maken and some other members attended the meet virtually. BJP's national IT cell head Amit Malviya posted the picture on his X handle and wrote, 'Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is also relaxed as he knows that no matter how much he tries, the government will not come.' 'Perhaps, instead of paying attention to the meeting related to Congress candidate selection, he thought it appropriate to play CANDY CRUSH,' he added. The post was shared by the state BJP unit. Reacting to it, CM Baghel in a post on X said, 'Earlier BJP had objected to why I ride gedi, why do I play bhaura and gilli danda (traditional games of Chhattisgarh) and why Chhattisgarh Olympics are being held in the state?' 'Got a photo before a meeting yesterday in which I am playing Candy Crush. Now the BJP has an objection to that. In fact, they even have objection to my existence. But it is the people of Chhattisgarh who decide who will stay and who will not. 'I will continue to ride gedi and play gilli danda. Candy Crush is also my favourite. I have passed the levels so far well and it will continue. Rest Chhattisgarh knows whom to bless,' he added. Gedi is a bamboo-made pole used by people to walk or run during the traditional Hareli festival in the state. The ruling Congress in the state has so far not declared any candidate for polls to the 90-member state assembly. The BJP has so far declared names of its candidates for 85 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to bank heavily on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the development projects launched at the Centre as it heads into the Rajasthan assembly polls on November 23. Photograph: ANI Photo IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the supporters at a public meeting in Jodhpur on October 5, 2023. It will try to exploit the infighting in the state's ruling Congress while it manages factionalism within its own ranks. A SWOT analysis -- the party's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Strengths The BJP has a strong organisational set up down to the booth level. The party began preparing for the elections well in advance. As elsewhere, the party hopes to cash in on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has already addressed a series of rallies in the state. The BJP's Hindutva appeal will help it get votes. The party is also expected to bring up cases of communal violence in the state, and accuse the Ashok Gehlot government of appeasement. Weaknesses The differences within the BJP unit may not be as out in the open as in the rival Congress, but the party will have to tread carefully while dealing with former CM Vasundhara Raje and her camp. The BJP has not been able to effectively counter the Congress narrative that the Centre is reluctant to accord the national project status to the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, which covers some districts where BJP is considered weak. Opportunities Anti-incumbency, a strong factor in Rajasthan since the 1990s, is in its favour. After five years of Congress rule, the voters could be inclined to bring the BJP to power this time. The BJP will exploit the infighting within the rival party. Congress rebel Sachin Pilot has this year targeted the CM on matters like exam paper leaks. The BJP will try to corner the Gehlot government on law and order, particularly crime against women. A red diary' detailing corruption that is claimed to be in the possession of a sacked Rajasthan minister Rajendra Gudha is also a talking point. Threats The restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and the launch of a series of welfare initiatives by the Gehlot government will pull votes for the Congress. Former BJP leader and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party supremo Hanuman Beniwal will garner Jat votes which might have gone to the BJP in some constituencies. In tribal areas, the new Bhartiya Adivasi Party is the one to watch out for. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly held a "secret meeting" with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Washington last month, a media report has said, amid a diplomatic row between the two countries over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in June. IMAGE: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly. Photograph: Courtesy S Jaishankar on X The report by the Financial Times on Tuesday came even as Canada is yet to comply with India's communication to Ottawa to withdraw over three dozen of its 62 diplomats in the country. The ministry of external affairs declined to comment when asked about the reported meeting. There was no response from the Canadian side as well. Jaishankar was in Washington DC from September 27 to 30 after concluding a five-day trip to New York. India asked Canada to withdraw the diplomats amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India strongly rejected the charges. Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. Reports said India asked Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats by October 10. Talks between the two sides are going on over India's demand on downsizing of the Canadian diplomatic staff in the country, people familiar with the matter said. India has referred to the Vienna Convention to demand parity in mutual diplomatic presence. It is learnt that Canada has rejected the argument. Trudeau and Joly last week said Ottawa was trying to resolve the stand-off in private, the FT reported. Several days earlier, Joly also held a secret meeting with Jaishankar in Washington, it said attributing it to people familiar with the situation. On India's demands to downsize the Canadian diplomatic staff, there were reports that India set a deadline of October 10. Meanwhile, Joly on Wednesday said diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private, underscoring that she will continue to take the same approach when it comes to India. "Well, I've said it many times, and I'll continue to say it. Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private. And that's the approach I will continue to take when it comes to India," Joly said while responding to a question during a press conference in Ottawa. The CBI registered an FIR against NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and carried out searches at the office and residence of the portal's founder on Wednesday, officials said. IMAGE: Veteran journalists stage a protest against the arrest of NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and human resources head Amit Chakraborty in an alleged terror case, outside the Press Club, New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo In the FIR, the agency has named as accused the company PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd, Purkayastha, Jason Pfetcher, the sole manager of Worldwide Media Holdings, and American millionaire Neville Roy Singham, who runs an IT consultancy firm, besides unidentified others. They said a team of agency officials searched the residence and office of NewsClick founder Purkayastha, who was recently arrested by the Delhi police in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. "The CBI is currently conducting search and seizure operations at the NewsClick office and the residence of our editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkayastha. This is the fifth agency that is investigating us. We are cooperating with the authorities," the online news portal posted on X. It is alleged that the private company (NewsClick) had received unexplained export remittance of approximately Rs 28.46 crore through four foreign entities in violation of FCRA provisions, the CBI spokesperson said. He said it is alleged that there was an "unexplained receipt" of foreign funds of approximately Rs 9.59 crore by incorrect characterization of the fund as FDI. The CBI has alleged that Purkayastha, with his close associates, had allegedly violated the provisions of FCRA, 2010. "It was also alleged that the provisions of FCRA, 2010, prohibiting the acceptance of foreign contribution by the company engaged in the production and broadcast of audio-visual news or current affairs programme through any electronic mode and by any correspondent or columnist or writer or owner of such company, were violated," the spokesperson said. In its case against the portal, the Delhi Police had alleged that funds were fraudulently infused by an active member of the propaganda department of the Communist Party of China, Neville Roy Singham. NewsClick, which hit the headlines after the New York Times reported that it received funds from Singham for allegedly running pro-Chinese propaganda, has denied all the allegations. The Delhi police special cell arrested Purkayastha and the human resources department head of the portal, Amit Chakravarty, on October 3. Police had also sealed the NewsClick's office in Delhi. Contests in the following 13 seats would attract most attention during the Chhattisgarh assembly elections as they feature prominent leaders of the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party. IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel (right), Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in New Delhi, October 9, 2023. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo 1. Patan Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel currently represents this rural constituency in Durg district. It borders the capital Raipur. Baghel has been elected five times from this seat since 1993. In 2008, he lost to the BJP's Vijay Baghel, his distant nephew. The BJP has once again fielded Vijay Baghel, currently Lok Sabha MP from Durg, from this seat. The Baghels belong to the Kurmi caste, an influential OBC community which has a sizable population in this constituency. 2. Rajnandgaon This urban seat in Rajnandgaon district is currently held by BJP vice-president and three-time chief minister Raman Singh. In the 2018 assembly polls, Congress had fielded Karuna Shukla who had quit the BJP and joined the grand old party. She lost to Singh by 16,933 votes. Singh, a six-term MLA, has won this seat thrice since 2008. Notably, in a setback to Singh, the BJP has not projected any leader as its CM face this time. 3. Ambikapur This tribal-dominated seat in north Chhattisgarh is currently held by deputy chief minister T S Singh Deo. A scion of an erstwhile royal family, Singh Deo, a three-time MLA, won this seat for the first time in 2008. The constituency has been witnessing protests by local villagers, mainly tribals, against coal mines allotted to the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) in biodiversity-rich Hasdeo-Arand region. Singh Deo came out in support of the protestors. The state assembly then passed a private member's resolution urging the Centre to cancel all coal blocks in the Hasdeo area. The protests may affect the Congress's prospects in this seat. 4. Konta (ST) This Scheduled Tribes-reserved seat falls in the Naxal-affected Sukma district in south Chhattisgarh. It is currently held by Industry and Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, one of most influential tribal leaders in the state. It has mostly seen a triangular contest between the Congress, BJP and Communist Party of India. Lakhma has won from Konta five times in a row since 1998. 5. Kondagaon (ST) This seat, which falls in Kondagaon district in south Chhattisgarh, is currently held by former state Congress chief Mohan Markam. He defeated the BJP's prominent tribal woman leader and former minister Lata Usendi from here in 2013 and 2018. Usendi was recently elevated as the BJP's vice president. Markam, who was reportedly not on good terms with CM Baghel, was replaced as state Congress chief in July and appointed as a minister. 6. Raipur City South An urban constituency held by the BJP's influential leader and former minister Brijmohan Agrawal. A seven-term legislator, Agrawal has been unbeaten in this seat since 1990. But Congress's Kanhaiya Agrawal, a low-profile leader, put up a tough fight in 2018, securing 60,093 votes against Brijmohan who got 77,589 votes. 7. Durg Rural This rural seat in Durg district has a sizable population of Sahus, a prominent OBC community. It is currently held by minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, a prominent OBC leader who is believed to have played a crucial role in mobilizing Sahu voters in favour of Congress in 2018. Sahu was among front runners for the post of CM after the party won power in 2018. He had won from Durg Lok Sabha seat in 2014 before being fielded from this seat in the subsequent assembly elections. 8. Sakti: Speaker of the Chhattisgarh assembly Charandas Mahant, another prominent OBC leader of the Congress, represents this seat. A four-time MLA, Mahant was elected from this seat for the first time in 2018. He is also a three-term Lok Sabha MP and was a Union minister of state in the UPA-II government. 9. Kawardha This seat in Kabirdham district is currently held by minister Mohammad Akbar, a prominent Muslim leader. A four-time MLA, Akbar contested from this seat for the first time in 2018 and won by a big margin of 59,284 votes against BJP's Ashok Sahu, a former MLA, despite the seat having a sizeable population of Sahus. Akbar, however, may face some difficulty this time as Kawardha town witnessed communal violence in 2021 which may result in polarization on communal lines. 10. Saja This adjoining constituency in Bemetara district is currently held by state agriculture minister Ravindra Choubey, an influential Brahmin leader. He is a seven-term MLA. This constituency also witnessed communal tensions earlier this year after the murder of a man belonging to the Sahu community, leading to retaliatory killings. The polarization may affect the results in Saja as well as Kawardha. 11. Arang (SC) This semi-urban constituency in Raipur district is currently held by Urban Administration Minister Shiv Kumar Dahariya, an influential Satnami sect leader. The majority of Scheduled Caste population in the state follows this sect. Dahariya was first elected to Chhattisgarh assembly in 2003 from Palari, and then from Bilaigarh seat in 2008. This time he faces threat as Satnami sect guru Baldas Saheb and his supporters recently joined the BJP, quitting Congress. Baldas has sought a ticket for his son Khushwant Das Saheb from Arang. 12. Kharsia This seat falls in Raigarh district of north Chhattisgarh, dominated by the OBC community Aghariya. Higher education minister Umesh Patel currently represents this seat which has been a Congress bastion. Patel was elected for the first time from this seat in 2013 following the death of his father and prominent Congress leader Nandkumar Patel in the Jhiram valley Naxal attack. Nandkumar Patel had been elected from Kharsia five times. 13. Janjgir-Champa This constituency, largely inhabited by OBC population, has a tradition of changing MLA in every election. Senior BJP leader Narayan Chandel, a Kurmi, represents this seat. He had been elected thrice from the seat (1998, 2008 and 2018), defeating Congress's Motilal Dewangan. Dewangan had defeated him in 2003 and 2013. The power plant in the Gaza Strip ceased operations on Wednesday afternoon after running out of fuel, the Gaza Energy Authority announced, The Jerusalem Post reported. IMAGE: Palestinians who were hurt in Israeli strikes run outside their house, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 people have been killed and 5,000 others have been injured in Gaza after Israel launched a strong retaliation after the 'surprise attack' by Hamas, CNN reported citing Gaza health ministry. According to the ministry, some 950 people have been killed and 5,000 others have been injured in the strikes in Gaza, according to the CNN report. The Israeli defense forces has said it has killed some 1,500 terrorists in Israeli territory after Hamas launched an attack on Israeli border communities, The Times of Israel reported. The Israeli defence forces said that it targeted Hamas's "aerial detection capabilities" in Gaza. According to the IDF, the terror group had a network of cameras, hidden inside solar water heaters across the Strip in order to track and monitor Israeli aircraft. "Yesterday (Tuesday), within a few minutes during a focused sortie, the IAF struck all of the sites of the network and demolished Hamas's ability to form an accurate picture of the skies and their efforts to target IDF aircraft," The Times of Israel quoted the military as saying. In an update posted on X, the Israeli defense forces said that dozens of warplanes attacked more than 80 targets throughout Beit Hanon during the night. "Dozens of warplanes attacked over 80 targets throughout Beit Hanon during the night. Among other things, the planes attacked two bank branches used by the terrorist organization Hamas to finance terrorism in the Gaza Strip, an underground terrorist tunnel in the territory of the Gaza Strip and two operational headquarters used by the terrorist organization Hamas to direct terrorism to the State of Israel," IDF posted on X. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday said he has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip. He made the statement after an assessment at the IDF Southern Command in Beersheba. "I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed," Gallant said. "We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly," he added. The Israeli defence force spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus has meanwhile said that 1200 Israelis have been killed and more than 2,700 wounded. "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that Hamas would lose all military capabilities at the end of the war. Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Sderot on Wednesday, said: " We will win thanks to the incredibly amazing heroism of our people" The Israeli President also underscored the importance of reconstructing the area and providing 'absolute security' for the people of Israel. (ANI) A Delhi court on Wednesday summoned BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on a woman's complaint alleging rape and criminal intimidation. IMAGE: BJP national president J P Nadda being welcomed by Syed Shahnawaz Hussain upon his arrival at Jayaprakash Narayan airport, Patna, July 30, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo The court took cognisance of the alleged offence and directed the former Union minister to appear before it on October 20. This court after going through the cancellation report, protest petition filed by the complainant, the reply to the protest petition filed by the IO and other material on record is of the view that the complainant has given consistent statements to the police, to the court in her application and before the learned magistrate in her statement u/s 164 CrPC, the judge said. The police had filed a report before the court seeking cancellation of the FIR. The judge dismissed the police report, saying, The issues raised by the IO (investigating officer) while filing the cancellation report are matters which can be decided during trial. Moreover this court is of the view that the version of the complainant and her trustworthiness can be tested only during trial when she is cross examined by the accused and so this court on the basis of material placed on record along with the cancellation report, especially the statement of the complainant wherein she has supported her allegation of rape and threats by accused Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, this court takes cognisance of the offences, the judge said. The judge took cognisance of alleged offences which are punishable under various provisions of the IPC including sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Accordingly, accused Syed Shahnawaz Hussain be summoned through SHO PS Concerned for next date of hearing, the judge said. A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party announced its first list of 41 candidates for the Rajasthan assembly polls, at least seven disappointed ticket aspirants -- or their supporters -- on Tuesday protested against the party. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo In one case, supporters of a leader who was denied party ticket burned its flags. The protests were held at the BJP's state headquarters in Jaipur and also in some of the 41 constituencies for which the party announced its candidates on Monday. In view of dissatisfaction among some leaders, the BJP has formed a 11-member committee headed by Union minister Kailash Chaudhary to look into the matter, party sources said. Supporters of former BJP MLA from Jhotwara constituency Rajpal Singh Shekhawat protested hare against the candidature of BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore from the seat. The protest was held for nearly three hours. Shekhawat's supporters raised slogans demanding the removal of 'parachute' candidate to save the constituency. A video of the protest is doing rounds on social media. A former minister, Shekhawat is said to be close to former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and had met her late last night after being denied a ticket. "In the list of 41 candidates, 10 are rebels," Shekhawat told reporters after meeting Raje. Former Rajasthan BJP president Arun Chaturvedi and party leader Onkar Singh Lakhawat talked to a 15-member delegation to resolve the issue. After being denied a ticket, BJP leader Mukesh Goyal, who fought unsuccessfully from Kotputli assembly seat in the 2018 elections, said the party will face a massive defeat in Kotputli. "BJP will be confined to 40-50 seats in Rajasthan," he told reporters in Kotputli. Goyal's supporters burned party flags to mark their protest against the candidature of Hansraj Patel from the seat in the November 23 elections. Two-time MLA from Nagar assembly constituency of Bharatpur, Anita Singh has indicated that she will contest the elections despite being denied a ticket. "Security deposit of the person who has got the ticket will be forfeited," Singh said in a social media post. She is said to be close to former CM Raje. Jawahar Singh Bedham, who contested unsuccessfully from Kaman seat in 2018, has been fielded by the BJP from Nagar assembly seat. Another hopeful and former minister Rohitash Sharma has also opposed the party's list. He was hopeful of getting a ticket from Bansur constituency from where Devi Singh Shekhawat has been fielded by the BJP. "People need not get distracted by the ticket distribution system. Earlier also, people had got the ticket on the basis of caste and money power but they did not win," Sharma said. BJP candidate from Kishangarh constituency in 2018, Vikas Choudhary has raised his voice against Ajmer MP Bhagirath Choudhary who has been fielded by the party from the seat. Sharing his reaction to the list of 41 candidates, Vikas Choudhary wrote on X, 'I have worked honestly.' He addressed his supporters on Tuesday in Kishangarh and said he will go by what people decide. Local party workers held a protest in Deoli-Uniara (Tonk) against the candidature of Vijay Baisnla. They alleged that an outsider was given ticket from the seat. The protesters advocated for the nomination of former MLA Rajendra Gurjar, emphasizing the importance of a local candidate. In Tijara, Alwar, former MLA Maman Singh Yadav and his supporters protested. Yadav said he will contest elections as an independent candidate if his supporters ask him for it. "If the people say, I will be contesting as independent," he said. The party has fielded Alwar MP Baba Balak Nath from Tijara seat. However, sitting MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi has yet not reacted after being denied a ticket from the Vidhyadhar Nagar assembly seat. The party has replaced him with erstwhile royal family member and Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari on the seat. A five-time MLA, Rajvi is the son-in-law of former vice president late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Meanwhile, election manifesto committee chairman and Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that being the biggest party in the country, the number of people asking for tickets is also high. "But everyone cannot get a ticket. The party has released the list of 41 candidates based on everyone's opinion and feedback. If the leaders who staked claims do not get the ticket then there is resentment among their supporters. The committee has started the consultation work, everything will be fine soon," he said. Hours after the election schedule was announced, the BJP released the first list on Monday. Out of the 41 candidates, only four are women while 12 are those who were also fielded by the party in the 2018 assembly polls. The 41 constituencies for which the BJP issued the list included six SC and 10 ST seats. Polling for all 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan will take place on November 23 and votes will be counted on December 3. The war between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas raged for a fifth day on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, as Israeli warplanes hammered neighbourhood after neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip, reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling to find safety. Israel Defence Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said on Wednesday that 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded. About 300,000 IDF soldiers have been deployed at the Gaza border, Colonel Conricus said, and they would ensure that Hamas will not have any military capabilities at the end of the war. Israel has stopped the entry of food, fuel and medicines into Gaza in response to Hamas' bloody incursion into Israel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The sole remaining access from Egypt shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit the border crossing. As Israeli airstrikes continued nonstop in the Karama district north of Gaza city, many dead and injured are stuck under rubble that Gaza lacks the equipment to handle, officials said on Wednesday. With streets badly damaged and the ongoing and intense nature of the airstrikes, ambulances and civil defence teams are unable to approach areas where people were reported trapped under crumbled infrastructure. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday said the IDF is moving to 'full offence' against Hamas. IMAGE: Smoke rises after Israeli strikes on the seaport of Gaza City, October 10, 2023. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters IMAGE: Palestinians inspect the damage in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 10, 2023. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters IMAGE: An Israeli soldier at the entrance to Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel, October 10, 2023. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters IMAGE: Colleagues of Palestinian journalists Mohammed Soboh and Saeed al-Taweel, who were killed when an Israeli missile hit a building while they were outside reporting, stand next to their bodies at a hospital in Gaza City, October 10, 2023. Photograph: Arafat Barbakh/Reuters IMAGE: Israeli soldiers walk through the remains of a residential area of Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel, October 10, 2023. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters IMAGE: An Israeli medical military vehicle in northern Israel, October 10, 2023, as tension mounts between Lebanon and Israel. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/Reuters IMAGE: A Jewish man takes cover in Ashkelon, southern Israel, October 10, 2023, while sirens sound as rockets from Gaza are launched towards Israel. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters IMAGE: Israeli soldiers gather in Ashkelon, southern Israel, October 10, 2023after the alert of an apparent security incident. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters IMAGE: An aerial view shows the bodies of victims of an attack following a mass infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, southern Israel, October 10, 2023. Photograph: Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters IMAGE: People take shelter in a building stairway in Ashkelon, southern Israel, October 10, 2023 as sirens sound as rockets from Gaza are launched towards Israel. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com A Malayalam film actress has lodged a complaint with the police alleging harassment by a male passenger on board an Air India flight bound for Kochi. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters The incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday during the flight from Mumbai. Taking to her social media platform on Tuesday night, the actress alleged that the fellow passenger in question was "inebriated and disruptive". In an Instagram post detailing the "disturbing incident", she also charged that the response from the airline's ground office and the flight crew was "disappointing." Despite reporting to the air hostess, the only action taken was relocating her to another seat, just before the takeoff, the woman rued. After landing at the airport in Kochi, the issue was reported to the airport and airline authorities, who redirected her to the police aid post there, she explained. On her Instagram page, she also shared a copy of a complaint lodged with the local police via email in this regard. She recollected how the intoxicated passenger had occupied her seat and engaged in a heated argument. She also accused him of "misbehaving, including inappropriate physical contact". "I promptly reported the matter to the Air hostess on the flight. However, the only action taken was my relocation to a middle seat three, four rows ahead. Unfortunately, no measures were implemented against the harasser," the woman said. Meanwhile, the Nedumbassery police on Wednesday said they received an email from her requesting to consider it as her formal complaint. "We are looking into the matter. We are trying to contact her to collect more details regarding the incident. However, we are yet to get her on the phone," an officer told PTI. No case has been registered so far, and further actions will be decided after contacting her, he added. Harassed on flight but airline response disappointing: Malayalam actress NCP president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said members of the women's wing of the party should take to the streets if a Manipur-like instance happens, without worrying about the registration of cases against them. IMAGE: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar. Photograph: ANI Photo Addressing members of the NCP women's wing, Pawar said the decision taken by his government earlier to allow a share for women in the ancestral property has not been implemented properly. "We have an example of Manipur where women were paraded, faced personal attacks, and killed. If anything happens like this, NCP's women's wing should hit the streets. They will file cases against you but that should not bother you," the former Union minister said. Pawar said the decision granting women a share in the ancestral property has not been implemented the way it should have been. When we were in power, the 7/12 (land) document of farmers would have the names of the two (son as well as daughter). We implemented it in some places, but it has not happened 100 per cent. We have to undertake this work and urge the government, he said. This decision was taken by Pawar when he was the chief minister between 1993 and 1995. Pawar said when he was defence minister, he took a decision to give 11 per cent reservation to women in three wings of the armed forces despite reluctance by the military. Targeting the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP (Ajit Pawar) government, Pawar said more than 19,000 women were reported missing in the state between January and May. A question in this regard was raised by Maharashtra's former home minister and Sharad Pawar's loyalist Anil Deshmukh during the monsoon session of the state legislature, Pawar also said government jobs are available but vacancies are not being filled. "The government aims to hire workforce through contracts which will deprive poor people who are eligible for employment under quota," he added. He also slammed the government's policy of allowing private companies to adopt state-run schools. India on Wednesday announced launching "Operation Ajay" to facilitate the return from Israel of those Indians who wish to come back home as a series of brazen attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants over the weekend triggered fresh tensions in the region. IMAGE: Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Gaza City, October 11, 2023. Photograph: Saleh Salem/Reuters Israel has already mounted a massive military offensive to avenge the attacks. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a visit to Sri Lanka, announced the launch of "Operation Ajay" in a post on X on Wednesday night. "Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return," he said. "Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad," he added. The first batch of Indians is expected to be brought back from Israel in a special flight on Thursday. Shortly after Jaishankar's announcement, the Indian embassy in Israel said it has e-mailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight on Thursday. "Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights," it said on X. According to estimates, around 18,000 Indians are currently residing in Israel. The multi-pronged attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza since Saturday and the subsequent Israeli retaliation have left around 2,150 people dead. The Israeli authorities said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, while the Palestinian side put the death toll in Gaza at 950. On Wednesday, Jaishankar discussed the "crisis" in West Asia with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "Spoke to Foreign Minister @ABZayed of UAE this evening. Discussed the ongoing crisis in West Asia. Agreed to stay in touch," the external affairs minister posted on X. Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs said it has set up a round-the-clock control room in Delhi and separate emergency helplines in Tel Aviv and Ramallah to monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine and provide information and assistance to the Indian citizens. The phone numbers of the control room in Delhi are 1800118797 (toll-free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905 and +919968291988, and the e-mail ID is situationroom@mea.gov.in. "In view of the ongoing developments in Israel and Palestine, a 24-hour control room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance," the MEA said. Following the escalation in the situation, the Indian embassy in Israel issued an advisory, asking Indian citizens to exercise caution. "In view of the current situation in Israel, all Indian nationals in Israel are requested to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities," it said. Urging the Indian nationals in Israel to remain calm, vigilant, the Indian Embassy here on Wednesday reassured them that it is monitoring the situation closely and working constantly to help our fellow citizens in Israel. IMAGE: Smoke rises from Dhayra village after Israeli shelling as pictured from the Lebanese town of Marwahin, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, October 11, 2023. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters In a recorded message on the X, the social media platform, India's Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla, said: This is to assure you that the embassy is working constantly for your safety and welfare. All of us are going through very difficult times but please do remain calm and vigilant and follow the local security guidelines. We are here to help you, and we thank many of you who have sent so many messages of appreciation to us. We are monitoring the situation closely and please stay tuned for any updates from the embassy. Jai Hind, Singla added. Israel has vowed an unprecedented offensive against the Islamic militant group Hamas ruling Gaza after its fighters broke through the border fence and stormed into the country's south through air, land and sea on October 7. On the fifth day, the Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel while in Gaza, 950 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there. The embassy in Tel Aviv was quick to reach out to a caregiver from Kerala who was injured in the rocket shelling in the city of Ashdod on Saturday and has been constantly in touch with her and her family in India. The Indian community has also been looking after her well-being and visiting her at the hospital. Her condition is stable. In separate advisories through its official handle on X, the Indian mission said, The Embassy has been working constantly to help our fellow citizens in Israel through a 24-hour helpline. Please remain calm & vigilant & follow the security advisories. It listed the 24x7 Emergency Helpline/Contact numbers: +972-35226748 and +972-543278392. It also provided an email too: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in We thank our fellow Indian citizens in Israel and outside for the many messages of appreciation which you have sent us, the embassy said in its post. It also reminded Indian nationals in Israel to register with the embassy at the link: https://indembassyisrael.gov.in/whats?id=dwjwb There are about 18,000 Indian citizens living and working/studying in Israel. A big chunk of Indians living in Israel work as care givers but there are also about a thousand students, several IT professionals and diamond traders. The reassuring messages had a very calming impact on some of the students who called PTI to say that it gives them a lot of confidence. In addition, the Indian mission in Tel Aviv is also actively looking for ways to assist all the Indians in the affected areas. Meanwhile, India's Representative Office in Ramallah is constantly in touch with the four Indians living in Gaza. An official from ROI told PTI that we are in touch (with them) and are trying to help all Indians but the situation on the ground constrains our options. The ROI also posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, In light of the prevailing security situation, Indian nationals in Palestine can directly contact the Representative Office of India to address any case of emergency or needed assistance on the 24-hours Emergency Helpline. It also gave two contact numbers. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Lt Col Jonathan Conricus said on Wednesday that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza. IMAGE: The IDF launches attacks on Gaza Strip. Photograph: IDF via ANI/Twitter "Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza, the dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly, something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said. The IDF spokesperson said that the about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed at Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that the Hamas will not have any military capabilities at the end of war In a live video on X, Lt Col Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens." He also went on to mention the reason behind the increasing number of deaths in Israel and claimed they are finding bodies of people who were killed during the Hamas attack. IDF also clarified on the bombing of a building in Gaza which reports claimed was a residential building. The IDF spokesperson claimed that the building was used by Hamas terror group and claimed that the terror group uses civilian buildings for their research and planning. He said, "It isn't a civilian building, it is a legitimate military target because Hamas uses all its locations, all of their officers, headquarters for their research and development and all of their military assets, if its above ground, they locate themselves in civilian buildings. Hamas being cowards that they are never put signs on their building saying, Welcome to the Hamas Headquarters for planning terrorist activity in Israel." Earlier today, continuing its air assault on Hamas in the wake of the multi-pronged terror attacks, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it struck over 200 targets of the terrorist group in the Al Furkan neighbourhood of the besieged Gaza Strip. As part of the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas on Wednesday morning, the security forces also bombed the house of the father of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's military wing believed to be the key plotter of the terror attacks, The Times of Israel reported. "The IDF continues extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip; dozens of Air Force fighter jets attacked over 200 targets in the Al Furkan neighbourhood for the third time in the past day This is the third attack in the area during the last day, in which the IDF attacked over 450 targets in the area of the neighbourhood," the IDF posted on X. Over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in the air raids as part of the ongoing counter-offensive. Israel Defence Forces says dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood -- a terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck. The IDF also confirmed that the first plane carrying US armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel on Tuesday evening. The IDF said that cooperation between the two militaries, is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas with ISIS saying both terror organisations were the same and should be treated as such. "We were attacked on Saturday with such barbarism that has not been seen since the Holocaust. Hundreds of people were slaughtered, entire families were murdered in their beds and homes, women were brutally raped and murdered; More than a hundred were kidnapped, including children" the Israeli prime minister said in a post on X. "The scale of this evil has only grown. They forced dozens of children, burned them and executed them. They cut off the heads of soldiers, they murdered the young people who were celebrating at a festival in the wild, they surrounded them with jeeps and shot them into a hole in the ground. We have not seen such barbarism in the entire history of the State of Israel. They are even worse than Daesh (ISIS) -- and that's how we should treat them," Netanyahu said. Among the dead are 140 children and 120 women, the ministry spokesperson said. The Manipur government on Wednesday extended the suspension of mobile data internet services for five days till October 16 evening, an official notification said. IMAGE: A community puja pandal being set up representing the atrocities faced by people in the violence-hit Manipur for the upcoming Durga Puja festival, in Kolkata, October 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Orders issued by secretariat, home department, said the decision was taken "to thwart the activities and designs of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain the peace and communal harmony and to prevent loss of life" and that "it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and rumours through various social media platforms." Mobile internet was banned after violence broke out in the state on May 3. It was restored on September 23 following an announcement by Chief Minister N Biren Singh. However, it was again banned on September 26 after public agitation hit Imphal valley after photographs of bodies of two missing students went viral. The ban on broadband since May 5 was, however, partially lifted in mid-July. Meanwhile, frustration continues to mount over the prolonged mobile internet suspension with a Senapati district-based Naga students body imposing highway blockade over the issue since October 5. "We firmly believe that access to internet is not just a privilege but a fundamental right that every citizen should enjoy without interruption. The continuous imposition of ban on mobile internet services across the entire state, even when the issues (violence) are confined to specific areas, is not only unjustifiable but also infringes upon our basic rights as citizens of a free state," the Senapati District Students Association had informed. "Throughout the state, students and teachers who were used to facilities and academic-related communication provided by the internet have been abruptly cut short. The number of Wifi users is very limited and is sort of a luxury which thousands cannot afford," a high school math teacher A Hitler said. "Broadband is available mostly among the affluent section of capital Imphal and district headquarters areas. What about thousands who are not from the capital and from far off villages and hill areas and those who can't afford Wifi," asked a concerned citizen from Naga-dominated Ukhrul district. Up from its tally of 38 in 2003, the Congress edged past the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2018 Madhya Pradesh polls winning 114 seats in the 230-member assembly and formed the government. IMAGE: Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath and party leaders during the party's central election committee meeting to finalise candidates for Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, at the AICC office in New Delhi, October 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo But its dreams were upended in March 2020, after Jyotiraditya Scindia, now a Union minister, and MLAs backing him switched over to the BJP, helping the saffron party wrest power. The Congress is now gearing up to take on the BJP over alleged corruption, jobs and issues tied to tribals, farmers and women. Its morale fortified by the emphatic victory in Karnataka, the Congress could launch an aggressive campaign in MP, and Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, both governed by it, before heading for next year's big-stage contest -- Lok Sabha polls. Here is a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the Congress in the Hindi heartland state. Strengths Congress' vote share rose to over 40 per cent in 2018 from 30 per cent two decades ago. State Congress chief Kamal Nath trying hard to blunt BJP's Hindutva moves by organising religious discourses on his home turf Chhindwara. He also got opposition INDIA bloc's Bhopal meet cancelled after Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders' controversial remarks on 'Sanatan Dharma'. Many BJP leaders have joined the Congress in recent months. Expected support on 47 seats reserved for STs of which it had won 30 in 2018. Weaknesses Dearth of strong organisational set-up, unlike BJP's robust structure. Scindia's absence may hurt in Gwalior-Chambal region where Congress had won 26 of 34 seats last time. Its tally dipped to 16 after bypolls following defections by Scindia loyalists. There are 66 seats where Congress could not win in past two or more elections. BJP's move to declare candidates even before announcement of poll dates and Congress' wait-and-watch position strengthened the perception that it is wary of factionalism. BJP raking up ex-CM Digvijaya Singh's tenure (1993-2003), claiming it was marred with appalling condition of roads, erratic power supply. Opportunities Anti-incumbency is a concern for the BJP, which has completed 18 years in the government. Wrangling within the BJP's state unit. For the first time in two decades, many BJP leaders, including few Scindia loyalists, have joined opposition parties. The Congress has managed to create noise around unemployment, VYAPAM (recruitment) scam and alleged irregularities in Patwari exams. The Aam Aadmi Party not running a high-decibel campaign in MP like it did in Gujarat last year. Threats The BJP has maintained 40-plus per cent vote share, except for a slight dip in 2008, since 2003. Multiple visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP's master strategist and Union home minister Amit Shah to MP in the past two months could turbocharge the ruling party's poll machinery. The BJP has lined up stalwarts like Narendra Singh Tomar, Kailash Vijayvargiya and Prahlad Patel, which could counter anti-incumbency by reinforcing speculation that current Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is unlikely to be its CM face. New players like Aam Aadmi Party and All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen could eat into Congress' support base. Actor Madhura Naik, known for shows Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahani and Naagin, said her cousin and brother-in-law were "murdered in cold blood" during the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out four days ago. Photograph: Courtesy, Madhura Naik's Instagram page In an Instagram video shared Tuesday, Naik, who called herself a Jew of Indian origin, claimed her family members were killed on October 7. "My cousin Odaya was murdered in cold blood along with her husband in the presence of their two children. The grief and emotions that I and my family face today cannot be spoken in words. As of today, Israel is in pain. "Her children, her women and her streets are burning in flames in the wrath of Hamas. Women, children, the old and the weak are being targeted," said the actor. After she shared a picture of her sister and family on social media, Naik said she was "shocked to see how deep pro-Palestinian Arab propaganda" runs. "I was shamed, humiliated and targeted for being Jewish. Today I want to voice my feelings and tell my followers, friends, people who I love and people who have supported me for all these years for all the work I have done," she said in the video. Naik added that she does "not support violence or suppression from either side". "We, as Jews, have as much right to peace and harmony as them (Palestinians). My heart goes to all who have lost their lives, who are missing, who are held hostages, the innocent children and all those who are on the end of this geopolitical propaganda," said the actor as she ended the clip reciting Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Where the mind is without fear". The conflict began after Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday, bringing gunbattles to its streets for the first time in decades. More than 1,800 lives have already been claimed on both sides, and perhaps hundreds more. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. An NIA team conducting a raid in a PFI-related case had to wait outside the residence of a man, who was accused in the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts case before being acquitted, in suburban Vikhroli on Wednesday as he did not open the door for more than six hours, an official said. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo The National Investigation Agency's action against him was part of its raids conducted at several locations in six states of the country against the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with a case related to creating a disruption during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar last year, officials said. "An NIA team along with that of the Mumbai police reached the residence of Abdul Wahid Shaikh, who was earlier accused in the 7/11 train blasts case, located inside a chawl at Parksite in Vikhroli around 5 am. But Shaikh did not open the door for more than six hours and kept the officials waiting outside," the official said. From inside the house, Shaikh asked the NIA officials if they had a search warrant, he said, adding that he opened the door around 11.15 am after his lawyer and some local social activists reached the spot. "The NIA team then entered his residence and started their inquiry in connection with the PFI-related case," the official said. A large number of police personnel were deployed outside Shaikh's residence, he said. The central probe agency's search at his house lasted more than five hours. Shaikh earlier posted a video message on WhatsApp, saying the police and some people gathered outside his residence since 5 am. "They want to enter my house, also broke one door and damaged the CCTV camera of my house. They are not showing any documents to me pertaining to the case nor any FIR," he claimed. "I have locked myself and my family members inside the residence for the last three hours, my wife and daughter are unwell. I have made a complaint with the police and the Mumbai Police Commissioner in this regard," he added. After its search operation and inquiry, the NIA team left Shaikh's residence around 4.30 pm. Talking to reporters outside the house after that, Shaikh said, "I cooperated with the NIA team during its operation. I do not have any links with the PFI, and the NIA team did not find anything suspicious from my residence." "The NIA should not implicate me in a false case, that is why I called my lawyers and did whatever they asked me to do...I am being careful so that I am not implicated in a false case as happened in the past," he said. Social activist and chairman of Modern High School, Aalam Khan, who was present there, said, "As the NIA officials did not have enough papers to show that they have been authorised to take action against Shaikh, we asked them to show us a document through email that mentions his name." "After that, an email was sent by the NIA's Lucknow office mentioning the name of Shaikh, following which the NIA team was allowed to enter his residence to conduct a search at 11.15 am," he said. His relative Zakira Shaikh Javed said Shaikh already lost several years of his life after being named as an accused in the train blasts case, in which he was later acquitted. "Now, NIA officials are harassing him," she said. Shaikh was named as an accused in the 7/11 train blasts case, but was later acquitted by a court. On July 11, 2006, seven blasts were reported from different locations on the Western line of the city's local trains within a span of 15 minutes, killing more than 180 people and injuring several others. India and China held two days of military talks in an "open and constructive manner" for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and agreed to maintain peace on the ground. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: PTI Photo/Rediff archives A statement issued on Wednesday by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) on the 20th round of military talks on October 9 and 10 provided no indication of a breakthrough to end the lingering standoff in the remaining friction points. It is learnt that in the talks, the Indian side strongly pressed for resolution of the lingering issues at Depsang and Demchok. The MEA said the two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. The latest round of the Corps Commander level talks was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "The two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries, and building on the progress made in the last round of Corps Commanders' meeting held on August 13-14," the MEA said. "They agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms," it said in a statement. "They also committed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim," it added. The government refers to eastern Ladakh as the Western Sector. It was the second such occasion when the talks panned two days. In the 19th round of talks too, both sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in an expeditious manner. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. The Indian delegation at the talks was headed by Lt Gen Rashim Bali, the commander of the Leh-headquartered 14 Corps while the Chinese team was led by the commander of the South Xinjiang military district. India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in 2021 on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area. The White House said on Tuesday that there is no specific information about the role of Iran in the latest terrorist attack against Israel by Hamas, but it is complicit in a broad sense for funding the military wing of the terrorist group. IMAGE: An aerial view shows the bodies of victims of an attack following a mass infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, lie on the ground in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in southern Israel, on October 10, 2023. Photograph: Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters "We have said since the beginning that Iran is complicit in this attack in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas. They have provided training. They have provided capabilities. They have provided support and they have had engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday. "All of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen. Now, as to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not, as of this moment I'm standing here at the podium, have confirmation of that. We are talking to our Israeli counterparts on a daily basis about this question," he said. The NSA said the US is trying to gather from its intelligence holdings on whether they have any further information on that. "We're looking to acquire further intelligence. And if there's an update to that, I'll share it with you," Sullivan said. "While Iran plays this broad role, sustaining a deep and dark role in providing all of this support and capabilities to Hamas, in terms of this particular gruesome attack on October 7th, we don't currently have that information. We will continue to look for it," he added. Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a wave of attacks on Israel on Saturday, killing over 1,000 people, in the biggest escalation in the conflict in decades. Israel has already responded with a wave of air strikes on Gaza, killing more than 800 people there. The United States has launched a major global diplomatic drive to garner support for Israel and take necessary action against Hamas. Sullivan also said that the US will respond firmly to any action by militia groups in the region to 'take advantage of this situation'. "With respect to the question of the various militia groups across the region, we do believe that they pose an urgent threat, and that it is certainly distinctly possible that they choose to try to exploit or take advantage of this situation. We have been sending clear warnings that doing so will result in a firm response and consequences from the United States," he said. Sullivan said the US is not entirely surprised by China's response to Hamas' attack, given their history of statements on such issues. "We believe that the United States is capable of supporting Ukraine in Europe, of supporting our allies in the Indo-Pacific, and of supporting our close ally, Israel, in its hour of need. And we believe we have the resources, tools, and capacities to be able to effectively do that," he said. On US' support to Ukraine in the war with Russia, Sullivan said that it was more cost effective to act against Russian aggression against Ukraine now rather than allowing Moscow to potentially have its aggression continue across Europe and pay a huge price later since that may require the actual deployment of American troops to combat. "So better to support the Ukrainians as they stand firm against Russian aggression and do so on a sustained basis, and we have the budget wherewithal to be able to do that. We also have the budget wherewithal to be able to provide Israel what it needs. And we firmly reject the notion that the United States of America cannot at once support the freedom loving people of Ukraine and support the state of Israel," he said. An immigration tribunal in Canada has ruled that a Sikh man who "housed and fed Khalistani militants in India" over a decade should be allowed into the country because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, a media report said on Wednesday. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo According to the National Post newspaper, Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal member Heidi Worsfold in a recent ruling said the government did not have reasonable grounds to declare Indian citizen Kamaljit Ram inadmissible to enter Canada based on the belief he had provided a safe house and logistical support to Khalistani militants. The immigration tribunal ruled that the Sikh man who housed and fed armed Khalistani militants in India over a decade should be allowed into Canada because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, the paper said. The original decision to bar Ram from Canada by the federal government came after he told Canada Border Services Agency officers during an interview that he sheltered and fed armed Sikh militants at his farm in India on-and-off between 1982 and 1992. Worsfold found the government went well too far in its assessment of Ram's support for the armed militants at the time, namely omitting to note that he repeatedly said he accepted to host the armed individuals because he feared the consequences of being on the wrong end of the group. The ruling comes amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia, a claim rejected by India as "absurd" and "motivated". Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India last month asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil. The Supernova Sukkot Music Festival was supposed to be an all-night rave on the beach of Kibbutz Re'im. But Sahar Ben Sela and the event's 3,000 participants could not have known that they would be at the epicentre of the deadliest terror attack in Israeli history. IMAGE: Israeli soldiers walk through the remains of a residential area of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in southern Israel, on October 10, 2023. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters The festival was well-advertised on social media, and it is believed Hamas was aware of it too. Terrorists attacked the festival, killing at least 260 people and taking captives back to Gaza. Other nearby communities came under similar attacks while Hamas also fired rockets at Israeli cities. The Israeli death toll from the four days of violence stands at 900 and is expected to climb. Recovering from his injuries at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital, Ben Sela, from Herzliya, said he arrived at the party at 3 am. "When we went to the tent to get a friend from there, rockets flew at us in a shower. They stopped the music, we heard alarms. Within a second we saw a terrorist attack. We got into the car and started to escape. There was crazy chaos. People were driving 120 [km/hour] under live fire," Ben Sela recalled. Unable to hold back tears, he said, "They started shooting at us, threw a grenade and after a minute when everyone was screaming like crazy, another grenade passed over me and rubbed my head. I saw behind me bodies that absorbed the shrapnel. My friend was shot from point-blank range. Everyone who was in the first and second row -- they were murdered." A bullet hit Ben Sela in the elbow and he also took shrapnel injuries in the leg and the ribs. At that point, the terrorist's gun jammed. Ben Sela looked on the floor for any weapons, but not finding any, he got into an abandoned police car and managed to call for help on its radio. "They told me to run. I tried to start the car and failed, while my friend tried to perform CPR on his partner," he recalled. "The terrorists shouted 'She's dead'. They are human animals, killers with evil in their eyes. They slaughtered us from point-blank range. They shot and saw that they enjoyed it, they smiled." It took hours to evacuate the site. "I was evacuated to an ambulance that was waiting to receive more wounded. They brought up parents with a child who was injured all over his body and an elderly man who was dying next to me, but I couldn't even support him. Three hours passed, chaos." The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been cautioned by the United States and its allies against escalating the conflict in Israel. This comes after the deployment of US military assets to prevent a potential widening of the war, multiple US officials aware of the matter told CNN. IMAGE: Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Gaza City. Photograph: Saleh Salem/Reuters At this point, senior administration officials do not believe that Hezbollah is likely to join Hamas's war in force against Israel, and officials think the warnings are having an impact even though there has been some escalation on the border. A message has been sent to Hezbollah to stay out of the conflict through a number of channels, including the Lebanese government and the Hezbollah-allied Speaker of Lebanon's Parliament, Nabih Berri. Berri was mentioned by administration officials briefing Congress on Sunday as a go-between, according to a person familiar with the briefing. The US won't officially engage with what has been designated a terrorist group, so Berri is one natural conduit, as per CNN. At Israel's request, France has also conveyed to Hezbollah that they must stay out of the war and not escalate further or Israel will respond significantly, a source briefed on the talks said. Those discussions were also coordinated with the US, the source said. "Western allies who have informal ties with Hezbollah have conveyed some messages," a Western diplomat confirmed, adding that the response by Hezbollah indicated "the pre-existing will of Hezbollah not to escalate for now." A senior defence official said on Monday, "We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict," adding: "We are working with Israel and with our partners across the region to contain this to Gaza." Hezbollah is a highly trained, well-armed and sophisticated military force that also receives Iranian support, so its entry into the conflict would mark a significant escalation. But current and former senior officials don't believe Hezbollah is eager to join the war, largely because the risks for the group would outweigh any potential rewards. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean in large part as a message to Hezbollah and its Iranian backers to refrain from entering the war. US security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Tuesday: "Let me be clear, we did not move the carrier for Hamas. We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors that might seek to widen this war." President Joe Biden reinforced that message in remarks on Tuesday from the White House. "Let me say again, to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't. Don't. Our hearts may be broken, but our resolve is clear," he said. US Mission to Israel Charge d'Affaires ad interim Stephanie Hallett was on Wednesday present at the Gaza periphery to bear witness to the atrocities that were committed on Saturday. "We've come down here along the Gaza periphery to bear witness to the atrocities that were committed here on Saturday. And it's really unbelievable, as a mother and just as a human being, to see and to know what happened here is really important, to say that we've been here, we've seen it, and it is evil. And we stand with Israel. All of us. We stand with Israel." The IDF earlier said an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon towards a military post near the community of Arab Al-Aramshe. Taking to X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated, "An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine." A suspected infiltration attempt occurred near the border town of Rosh HaNikra. A senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officer and two soldiers were killed during a firefight with terrorists who infiltrated into Israeli territory from southern Lebanon on Monday afternoon, the military confirmed on Tuesday. Five additional Israeli troops were wounded in the attack, according to the IDF. The officer was identified as 300th Brigade Deputy Commander Lt Col Alim Abdullah, 40, from the Druze village of Yanuh-Jat in northern Israel. At 79, Zoramthanga is working to rebuild his image as the people's CM IMAGE: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga with Prime Minister Narendra D Modi. Photograph: PMO Twitter/ANI Photo On June 21, a minister in his council posted pictures on social media of Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga 'patiently waiting' his turn, alongside others, for a health check-up at an Aizawl hospital, with the caption 'No VIP culture'. Ten months ago, in August 2022, Zoramthanga had publicly apologised for his daughter assaulting a dermatologist at a skin clinic in the state capital. Media reports indicated that Milari Chhangte, the CM's only daughter, was upset because the clinic had asked her to schedule an appointment before her consultation. Her act was caught on camera and went viral on social media, triggering black band protests from doctors and fuelling hopes for the Congress, whose 10-year government Zoramthanga unseated in 2018, making the North East 'Congress mukt' and raising the possibility of the party clawing its way back in the assembly elections, which were then 15 months away. Since then, with an eye on the upcoming polls, which are now just days away and set to be a three-cornered contest, the Mizoram CM has worked to rebuild his image as the people's CM. IMAGE: Zoramthanga with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo At 79, Zoramthanga is the country's oldest CM, but his recent hospital visit was a public relations exercise, as evidenced by the social media posts of his lieutenants. 'He is scheduled to undergo an MRI, although his health is not a cause for concern,' Tourism Minister Robert Romawia Royte tweeted on June 21. The hospital's radiology department even praised the CM's 'humility' in disregarding VIP protocol. The Congress had hoped for a less one-sided election in 2023 compared to 2018. Despite securing a healthy 29.98 per cent vote share, the party won only four seats compared to the Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front's (MNF's) 27 seats and the newly formed Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), whose candidates ran as Independents since it wasn't recognised by the Election Commission. The ZPM secured eight seats and over 20 per cent of the vote share. The Congress had also hoped to gain from the fact that the MNF is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party as it continues to be a constituent of the 38-member National Democratic Alliance amid the Centre's push for a uniform civil code and its handling of the Manipur ethnic strife. The Congress demanded that the MNF walk out of NDA on the issue of UCC, which was unlikely to respect the customs and traditions of the Mizo tribe and minorities. IMAGE: Zoramthanga with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Photograph: RMO India Twitter/ANI Photo Mizoram, a Christian-majority state, sees churches playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion, such as advocating for prohibition, which the MNF government reinforced in 2019 shortly after taking office. The Congress also formed a Mizoram Secular Alliance, comprising smaller parties like the Mizoram People's Conference and the Zoram Nationalist Party, a breakaway faction of the ZPM. However, the ongoing violence in Manipur since the first week of May has, Congress strategists admit, helped Zoramthanga and the MNF regain public support. The Kuki-Zo of the Manipur hills and the Mizos are kindred tribes. Despite being aligned with the BJP, the MNF has strongly criticised the Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur, even demanding his ouster. IMAGE: Zoramthanga with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Photograph: ANI Photo MNF MP C Lalrosanga supported the Opposition's no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, citing the issue of Manipur. Simultaneously, Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena complained that he was prevented from speaking by the Chair when he wanted to challenge Union Home Minister Amit A Shah's speech on the no-confidence motion, as Shah had incorrectly referred to the tribal people in Manipur as 'Myanmarese'. The MNF has protested against the 'burning of 300 churches in Manipur' and has opposed the UCC. Last month, the Mizoram assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023, which was approved by Parliament during its monsoon session. In February, the Mizoram assembly unanimously adopted a resolution against UCC. IMAGE: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. Photograph: ANI Photo The Mizoram government has repaired roads to provide essential supplies to its 'kindred brothers and sisters in Manipur' and operates a Churachandpur and Aizawl helicopter service for medical emergencies. Over 2,500 students from Manipur, whose families were displaced due to ethnic strife, are studying in Mizoram. Zoramthanga routinely meets with delegations of Manipur legislators, representatives of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, and others who express their gratitude for his solidarity with the Kuki-Zos. The MNF's decision to stay on in the NDA is also influenced by the emergence of the ZPM, a coalition of smaller parties formed in 2017 and recognised by the Election Commission in 2019. The ZPM won all 11 seats in the Lunglei civic polls, the only civic body in the state other than Aizawl, during the March 29 elections, securing a vote share of 49.31 per cent compared to the MNF's 29.4 per cent. The ZPM announced all 40 candidates for the assembly polls in July, with its CM candidate being Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer and the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law in 1988. Lalduhoma defeated the then Congress CM Lal Thanhawla from Serchhip in 2018. The ZPM has remained tight-lipped about the state BJP's claims that it will soon join the NDA. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Brattleboro Literary Festival returns for 22nd year with 'The Story of Us' If you go ... Performances of the BUHS Players production of Inherit the Wind will take place in the high school auditorium on Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets available at the door. General admission is $5. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Nnamdi Pole, Ph.D., is a consultant at the Brattleboro Retreat. He is the Harold and Elsa Israel Professor of Psychology and chair of the Psychology Department at Smith College. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, second from left, stands with Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, center, and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., while touring storm damage along the banks of the Lamoille River the week following the floods that hit Vermont in July. You are the owner of this article. Following a full-scale attack against Israel by Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization, on Oct. 7, social media users began sharing a photo of a document, claiming it shows a White House memorandum promising US$8 billion in military aid to Israel. However, the photo has been digitally doctored. The official White House website contains no such document. Keyword searches found no credible reports that support the claim. The claim was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Oct. 7 by a user named The Punisher, who wrote: The U.S. is sending $8B worth of military aid to Israel, alongside what appears to be a screenshot of a document published by The White House. Memorandum of Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 / MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE / JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., the document reads in part. The screenshot has been widely circulated across English and Chinese social media, with Chinese online users subsequently misleadingly claiming that U.S. political figures are intending to stir up the conflict with online comments. Thousands of missiles have already struck Israel in what media outlets describe as the most serious attack Israel has suffered since the 1973 ArabIsraeli War. Israels Ministry of Defense has dubbed it Israels 9/11. After speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed support for Israel at a press conference on the day that hostilities broke out. The U.S. government continued its show of support by lighting up the White House with the Israeli flag colors of blue and white on Oct. 9, but has not publicly released any specific assistance plans as of press time. An X user posted a screenshot of a falsified memorandum claiming the U.S. announced $8 billion in military aid to Israel on October 7. X later labeled the message as fake. (Screenshot/X) However, the claim is false. Below is what AFCL found. Doctored screenshot The White House did announce military aid to countries such as Ukraine and Taiwan earlier in 2023. AFCL discovered that the photo shared in misleading social media posts is likely to have been digitally doctored by using a version of one such earlier announcement in support of Ukraine under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. A closer look at the photo shows that the date, recipient country and amount of aid appear to have been altered in the original document, and Bidens signature has been moved from the lower right to the lower center of the document. Below is a screenshot comparison. A White House memo announcing military aid to Ukraine issued in July (left) was likely the original document from which the falsified document (right) was created. The majority of content in the two documents is the same (Screenshot/X and Twitter) Keyword searches on the official White House website and several portal websites found no official or credible reports that show the U.S. published such a document promising financial aid to Israel. The post and the doctored documents have been labeled as misinformation by X. Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Taejun Kang and Malcolm Foster. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) is a branch of RFA established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. Our journalists publish both daily and special reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of public issues. 'Tight hugs, teary screams' as former state TV anchor Cheng reunited with her children after three-year jail term. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong [left] speaks with Australian journalist Cheng Lei upon Leis arrival at the Melbourne airport, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Australian national and former Chinese state TV anchor Cheng Lei was reunited with her family on Wednesday after her release from a three-year prison sentence for "spying," according to her first social media post in three years. Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine," Cheng wrote on the @FreeChengLei X account. "Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies." Her post was in sharp contrast to an earlier statement Cheng released from prison, in which she wrote about being cut off from the natural world. I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year, Cheng wrote. I havent seen a tree in three years. Cheng, 48, was detained on suspicion of "spying" in August 2020, and was held incommunicado for more than 18 months, including under "residential surveillance at a designated location." Her detention came amid increasingly strained ties between Beijing and Canberra, which has taken steps to limit the Chinese Communist Party's influence in the country, barring Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from bidding for 5G mobile contracts. Cheng stood trial at the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court on March 31, 2022 amid tight security, but her sentence was never publicly announced. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong hugs Australian journalist Cheng Lei on arrival at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Credit: AAP Image/Supplied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via Reuters China's Ministry of State Security, making public the details of her case for the first time, claimed that Cheng Lei "illegally provided state secrets she acquired at work to overseas institutions," committing the crime of "illegally providing state secrets to overseas parties." In a statement posted to its official account on Weibo, it said Cheng was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison, then deported after completing her sentence. "In May 2020, Cheng Lei was coaxed by personnel from an overseas agency and, in violation of the confidentiality clause signed with her employer, illegally provided state secrets she acquired at work to the overseas agency through her mobile phone," the statement said. "Cheng ... truthfully confessed to the facts of the crime and voluntarily pleaded guilty and accepted punishment," it said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government had been working for Cheng's release "for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians." "She is a very strong and resilient person," said Albanese, who said he has spoken to Cheng and welcomed her home on behalf of the country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the Chinese judicial system tried the case in accordance with the law, fully safeguarding the rights enjoyed by the person concerned in accordance with the law. 'A kind of political persecution' Feng Chongyi, associate professor of Chinese studies at the University of Technology Sydney, said Cheng's release comes amid gradually thawing bilateral ties between Beijing and Canberra, and that her case was entirely "political." "The information she was handling was news, and no longer confidential," Feng said of the "secrets" Cheng is alleged to have shared with someone overseas. "Using this to incriminate her isn't in line with common sense ... it was a kind of political persecution," he said. He said Cheng's release was a gesture of goodwill to Australia, and that she had been used as part of "hostage" diplomacy. "[This] paves the way for improved economic and trade relations between the two countries," Feng said. "There are geopolitical pressures, because China is very isolated internationally right now." Australian journalist Cheng Lei speaks on the phone on arrival at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Credit: AAP Image/Supplied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via Reuters Cheng was born in the central Chinese province of Hunan and emigrated to Australia along with her parents when she was very young. At the time of her detention, she was working as a business anchor and reporter for the state-run China Global Television Network. She was tried behind closed doors in March 2022. While Cheng was reunited with her family, there has been no news of outspoken Australian writer and political commentator Yang Hengjun since his trial behind closed doors for "espionage" in Beijing on May 28, 2021. Yang, 54, who also once held Chinese nationality, was detained on arrival at Guangzhou Airport on Jan. 19, 2019, then taken to Beijing by officers of the state security police. Feng said Yang, who is a friend of his, is suffering from severe kidney disease, and sentencing has been postponed in his case. Feng has previously claimed that Yang is a former agent of China's state security police, citing a letter Yang wrote to him in 2011, revealing that he had worked for China's ministry of state security for 10 years starting in 1989. While foreign journalists have long faced challenging conditions under Chinese Communist Party rule, they are also now dealing with growing hostility and intimidation, including online stalking, smear campaigns, hacking and visa denials, journalists' groups have said in recent reports. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Photographers take pictures of members of the League of Social Democrats scuffling with police outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of the national security trial for the pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, Feb. 6, 2023. United Nations human rights experts have expressed concern over the ongoing mass trial of 47 democracy activists under Hong Kong's draconian national security law, while a report has emerged that Tiananmen vigil organizer and human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung is being singled out for harsh treatment in prison. "We are very troubled about the use of mass trials in national security law cases and how they may negatively affect safeguards that ensure due process and the right to fair trial, the experts said in a statement dated Oct. 9. The charges appear to seek to punish statements allegedly made by each individual criticizing the Chinese governments policies and their activities in support of democracy in Hong Kong, the experts said. Pro-democracy lawmaker Dennis Kwok answers the questions from the media outside Hong Kong's High Court, Oct. 31, 2019. Credit: Philip Fong/AFP More than 10,000 people have been arrested and at least 2,800 prosecuted in a citywide crackdown in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, mostly under public order charges, while at least 230 have been arrested under the national security law, which criminalizes public criticism of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, as well as ties and funding arrangements with overseas organizations deemed hostile to China. According to the U.S.-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, 1,618 of those defendants are classed as political prisoners peaceful critics of the government. The 47 defendants in the ongoing "subversion" trial include former elected legislators, activists, social workers, academics, trade unionists, and journalists who organized and stood for election in unofficial primaries in July 2020, the U.N. statement said. Arrest warrants, disbarment proceedings The U.N. experts also took issue with arrest warrants and bounties targeting eight prominent overseas Hong Kong activists, who are currently based in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, and have been accused of breaking the law while in exile. Professional bodies have also begun disbarment proceedings against barrister Dennis Kwok and lawyer Kevin Yam, they said. "The complaints of professional misconduct against barrister Dennis Kwok and lawyer Kevin Yam appear to be aimed at preventing them from exercising their profession without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference, the experts' statement said. China should review its National Security Law to ensure that the law is in compliance with Chinas international human rights obligations with respect to ... Hong Kong, they said. "We stand ready to engage in dialogue with Chinese authorities on this very important matter," said the statement, adding that U.N. Special Rapporteurs Margaret Satterthwaite, Fionnuala Ni Aolain, Clement Nyaletsossi Voule and Irene Khan have been in contact with the Chinese government. Ted Hui, a former lawmaker from Hong Kong's pro-democracy opposition, speaks to the media as he leaves the Western Police Station in Hong Kong, Nov. 18, 2020. Credit: Anthony Wallace/AFP Australia-based exiled democratic lawmaker Ted Hui, who is one of the eight wanted activists, said the authorities have also been targeting their family members back in Hong Kong, a point that was omitted from the experts' statement. "The families of six out of the eight of us have been badly harassed," Hui said. "Some were taken away to the police station for questioning in the early morning." "The United Nations represents most countries, and they have the very clear and strong view that this is a violation of human rights, that it is a kind of political suppression ... silence dissenting and opposing voices," he said. "It doesn't matter how much political propaganda it carries out in Hong Kong or China -- [the Chinese Communist Party's] lies won't deceive the whole world." A Hong Kong government spokesman said it was inappropriate for anyone to comment on the trial while it is still under way, that the experts had "completely ignored the facts," and that the authorities had a responsibility to bring the eight activists to justice. Chow awaits trial In a related development, Hong Kong Tiananmen massacre vigil organizer and human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung is being held in solitary confinement while awaiting trial for "subversion" under a draconian security law, a fellow activist has said. Chow, who has already served a 15-month jail term for "inciting" others to take part in a now-banned vigil for the victims of the June 4, 1989 bloodshed, is currently awaiting trial for "inciting others to subvert state power." Barrister and rights activist Chow Hang-tung is serving a 15-month sentence for 'inciting' people to hold a vigil for the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre. Credit: AFP file photo "The queen was sent back ... to solitary confinement," fellow vigil organizer Lau Ka Yee reported on her Facebook page on Oct. 7, after visiting Chow in prison. Lau said Chow has been sent to solitary once in June, twice in July, once in August and once in September, for anything from seven to 14 days at a time, and has complained that the cell is very hot, a problem already flagged by activists earlier this year. "What's been happening these past few months really calls into question the [Correctional Services] Department's approach to political prisoners," Lau wrote. "They get the harshest treatment." She added: "This time has really changed her -- her lips are chapped and she has gotten so thin she looks like a Barbie doll ... but her mental state is still healthy, and her stubborn insistence on always choosing the path of good is still strong." In solitary, Chow is denied any books except religious scriptures, Lau said, calling on supporters not to bring her snacks but news when they visit her. Solitary confinement cells in Hong Kong's prisons are known as 'water canteens,' and measure just seven square meters. They are usually reserved for those who disturb prison order, or those who request protection from other inmates, according to the overseas-based news site Photon Media. The report comes as official figures show that the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, one of the biggest remand centers in the city, is already full, with the government expecting a "growing penal population" in the years to come, according to an official document submitted to lawmakers in July. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. South Korean election officials count ballots for the nationwide local elections to elect mayors, governors, local council members and regional education chiefs at a gymnasium in Seoul on June 1, 2022. The voting and ballot counting systems at the state-run election watchdog remain susceptible to potential cyberattacks by North Korea, South Koreas spy agency warned on Tuesday. North Korea could breach the National Election Commissions (NECs) network at any time due to its weak security system, although no such infiltration has been identified, according to South Koreas National Intelligence Service (NIS). The announcement came after the NIS and the countrys internet safety watchdog, the Korea Internet and Security Agency, jointly conducted a cybersecurity audit of the NEC in response to criticism that it did not adequately secure its system against hacking attempts. The probe found that the commissions election-management network, which oversees voter registration, ballot counting, and early voting systems, had several cybersecurity weaknesses. These vulnerabilities could have allowed potential hackers to breach the system and tamper with registered voter data and election results, said the NIS. The agency added that the NEC has failed to take adequate precautions against North Korean cyber attacks on the emails and other information of its officials despite its warning. The NIS said in May that it had warned the NEC multiple times its network was exposed to North Korean hackers and should undergo a cyber security check from the agency. At that time, the election watchdog allegedly refused the request, saying such inspection from a government agency could hurt its political neutrality. In response to the spy agencys latest findings, the NEC said that even if it is technically possible to hack into the election system, that does not necessarily lead to a rigged election, as it is nearly impossible to manipulate the outcome of an election without the help of commission insiders. The inspection results prove that it is possible to hack into the NECs internal network by using common hacking techniques widely used by international hacking organizations, including the North Korean ones, said Yoo Sang-beom, a spokesperson of South Koreas ruling People Power Party. A thorough investigation into the gross failures of the commissions security management system should be conducted, and appropriate measures should be put in place that the public can trust. In July, the spy agency reported that 1.37 million cyberattacks against South Korea, on average, were detected daily in the first half of the year. Thats roughly 15% more than the daily average of 1.18 million last year. Some 70% of those attacks were believed to be carried out by North Korea. China followed with 4% and Russia 2%. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan. A closeup of Zaw Than's hand following his beating by a scam gang, Oct. 6, 2023. A man is dead after being sold to a money-laundering gang in United Wa State Army territory, family members told Radio Free Asia Wednesday. After Zaw Than went to the Wa-controlled Wein Kawng in northeast Myanmar for work, his family said they lost contact. But in early October, they received a phone call claiming their son owed more than 16 million kyat (US$7,500). The Chinese national told the family he had covered Zaw Thans debts in late September after he allegedly lost the money gambling at a casino in Mong Pauk, just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border with China. Zaw Thans family reported the incident to Wa states police department, where they said they were told he had been trafficked into a gang known for its money-laundering schemes. The police officer told the family their son had been sold to the gang for over 95 million kyat (US$14,300) by the Chinese national who had called them demanding the ransom. On Oct. 4, they traveled to Wein Kawng from their home in Shan state, asking police to help them find Zaw Than. The following evening, officers were able to locate him and arrange a meeting. But when they arrived, they said their son was badly beaten and struggling to breathe. He could not even breathe normally when I found him. a family member told RFA, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.. He died the same day because of his injuries from the beatings. They were all over his body, and many internal injuries. This is injustice. I want justice for him. The family member said an autopsy confirmed their son died from his injuries. They have since complained to Wa state officials and their external relations department. RFA contacted Lashio-based Wa liaison officer Nyi Ran seeking comment on the incident, but he had not responded by the time of publication. Wa states Mong Pauk, Pangsang, and Wein Kawng are well-known hubs for crime, including online scamming, sex trafficking, and money-laundering. Last year, 19 Myanmar nationals were sold and held against their will in one scam center in Mong Pauk after being told they would get high-paying jobs. Thai women have also reported being trafficked in the region. The Wa army controls portions of southern and northern Shan state and keeps close ties with China. Both territories are also attempting to crack down on the online crime rampant on the border. In September, Wa forces returned more than 1,300 Chinese nationals involved in online fraud. Despite this transfer, illegal businesses are still a recurring problem, a person assisting Wa states labor affairs ministry told RFA, adding that many Chinese nationals start businesses under Myanmar names. RFA contacted the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar via email regarding gang activity and Zaw Thans death, but the office did not immediately respond. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. The high-ranking junta officials were removed from their positions last month as part of a corruption crackdown. Lt. Gen. Moe Myint Tun [left] speaks at a meeting held by Myanmar Investment Commission in Myanmar, May 7, 2021. Gen. Yan Naung Soe [right] is seen in Myanmar in an undated photo. A military court in Myanmar on Wednesday sentenced two high-ranking generals including a trusted confidant of junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to 20 years in prison for accepting bribes, illegally possessing foreign currencies and violating military regulations. One of the generals, Lt. Gen. Moe Myint Tun, was arrested last month and removed from his positions as chairman of several trade and finance committees. He was the seventh-highest leader in the State Administration Council, the formal name of the military junta that took power in a February 2021 coup detat. His removal was part of a crackdown on exporters and other businesspeople as the junta struggles to accumulate foreign revenue amid sanctions and soaring commodity prices, according to Radio Free Asia sources. The generals were accused of making millions of dollars from their dealings with palm oil traders and by benefiting from the disparity between the official exchange rate of 2,100 kyats to the U.S. dollar and the market rate, Myanmar Now reported. The other general, Brig. Gen. Yan Naung Soe, was also arrested last month. He was the joint secretary of the Central Committee on Ensuring the Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods, which is responsible for procuring U.S. dollars for trade licensing purposes and other commercial transactions. The 20-year sentences are equal to life in prison for both men, the junta said in a statement. Prevents others from doing the same At a junta meeting in Naypyitaw on Sept. 28 about a week after the two generals were arrested Min Aung Hlaing reminded junta officials that the State Administration Council must be a model for all governing institutions in Myanmar. [Min Aung Hlaing] assigned trusted confidants to manage [the countrys economy] while facing a financial crisis due to international sanctions, said Aung Myo, a military analyst and retired military officer. He cant forgive those who exploited such situations. Thats why he takes action against them, he said. It supports military unity. And it prevents others from doing the same. Lt. Gen. Moe Myint Tun was also prosecuted for the way he treated other high-ranking military officials, according to Capt. Kaung Thu Win, who has joined the nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement of individuals who quit their government-related jobs to protest the junta. The main causes [for Moe Myint Tuns conviction] were corruption, he said. But he was very close with Min Aung Hlaing, and he showed disrespect to his seniors who were not in powerful posts like him. The military courts decision was also likely aimed at showing the international community that the junta can run the country in an orderly manner, Myanmar-based political analyst Sai Kyi Zin Soe said. The strong evidence of corruption in both cases helps in that demonstration, he said. Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Matt Reed. Navy held an exercise in South China Sea in apparent response to Manilas increased military cooperation with West. China conducted a multiple-day naval exercise in the South China Sea as the Philippines held major drills with the United States and other allied nations. A number of warships and helicopters from the Southern Theater Command of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy conducted coordinated offensive and defensive combat drills in different sea areas, said a press release posted on the Navys WeChat account. The South China Sea is PLA Southern Theater Command's primary area of responsibility. According to the release, at least two large guided missile destroyers the Type 055 Yanan (106) and the Type 052D Hefei (174) as well as a submarine and a Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter, took part in the exercise that lasted several days. A major part of the exercise focused on anti-submarine warfare, it said. In one of the scenarios, an anti-submarine helicopter was deployed for reconnaissance in tandem with the destroyers sonar systems. The flotilla was then switched to a tactical assault formation when a suspected enemy submarine was detected. The press release did not specify when the drills took place but the state-aligned mouthpiece Global Times, normally well-informed about the PLAs activities, said they happened at a time when the U.S. and the Philippines are holding the 12-day multilateral exercise, Samasama, in the waters off Luzon island. Since August, the Philippines has been provoking China by sending vessels to trespass into waters near Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea and hyping up Chinese interceptions, the hawkish newspaper said. Warships from the U.S., the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada participate in Samasama over the weekend in the Philippine Sea. Credit: U.S. Pacific Fleet Some 1,800 troops and six warships from the U.S., Japan, Great Britain and Canada are taking part in Exercise Samasama (Together in Tagalog), which includes land phases as well as anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue operations and air defense drills. The multilateral exercise is aimed at boosting military cooperation between the Philippines, the United States and like-minded nations amid Chinas increased assertiveness. Joint activities Beijing and Manila have been at loggerheads over some reefs claimed by both in the South China Sea. The Philippines accuses China of blocking its access to Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal while China says Manila seeks to stir up troubles. The Philippine government has been discussing joint activities with foreign countries besides the U.S., especially U.S. treaty allies Japan and Australia. Multinational troops taking part in Samasama 2023. Credit: U.S. Pacific Fleet In their first ever quadrilateral defense chief talks in June, the U.S., Japan, Australia and the Philippines agreed on a number of cooperation initiatives including joint four-party maritime patrols in the South China Sea in the near future. Manila and Canberra recently signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, and are discussing a joint sail in the South China Sea, according to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The joint patrol will be taking place in an appropriate maritime location as yet to be announced, Wong said during a joint press conference with her Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Adelaide on Oct. 10. The two militaries staged a large-scale anti-invasion exercise in August in Palawan, where they are to conduct another smaller exercise called Dawn Caracha 2023 in late October with focus on counterterrorism and special operations. Anything that can strengthen Australia-Philippines ties in the face of increasing Chinese provocations in the South China Sea is a good thing, said Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). The Philippines is fast emerging as a key partner for Australia in ASEAN, a very big change from the Duterte years, Davis told Radio Free Asia. The same goes for the U.S.-Philippines relationship, so there's an important integrated deterrence dimension here, which these closer relations underpin, he added. In February, the Marcos administration granted permission to the U.S. military to use four additional locations as operational ground in the Philippines, bringing the number of locations now accessible to U.S. troops to nine. Manila has already visiting force agreements with Washington and Canberra and is looking to conclude the third with Japan. This would facilitate having Japanese Self-Defense Forces enter the Philippines for exercises and training. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan. Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader owned by Mubadala, has accepted a Supplier Excellence Award at the 2023 Rolls-Royce Global Civil Aerospace Suppliers Conference held in Silverstone, UK. Rolls-Royce, a global leader in aerospace technology, presents this award annually to recognise exceptional work and performance within its extensive supply chain, comprising more than 18,000 active suppliers employed worldwide. The Rolls-Royce Global Civil Aerospace Suppliers Awards are an annual event that recognises the outstanding performance and contribution of the suppliers and partners of Rolls-Royce, one of the worlds leading aerospace engine manufacturers. This Award by Rolls-Royce is a testament to Sanads outstanding engineering excellence and unwavering commitment to quality. It highlights their dedication to continuous operational improvement, cost optimisation, and a steadfast pursuit of quality and excellence. Delivering excellence Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, said: "Receiving the Supplier Excellence Award from Rolls-Royce is a proof to Sanad's unwavering commitment to delivering excellence in aerospace engineering and leasing solutions. This recognition not only reinforces our dedication to continuous improvement but also reflects the relentless dedication and exceptional talent of our Sanad team members, who are the driving force behind our enduring success in the aerospace industry. Sanad's unique position as the only independent Rolls-Royce approved Trent 700 Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre worldwide has been instrumental in their success. Among the exclusive global roster of just four Rolls-Royce Authorised MRO Centres, Sanad uniquely offers comprehensive overhaul and testing. Since establishing a strategic relationship with Rolls-Royce in 2013, Sanad has increased the number of Trent 700 engine inductions by an impressive 42% year-on-year. Ambitious goals Over the past five years, it has inducted 150 engines, reflecting its remarkable performance. Looking forward, Sanad has ambitious goals, aiming to induce more than 350 engines by 2028. Sanad's long-term contract with Rolls-Royce extends until 2031, a testament to the trust placed in them by globally renowned OEMs. Sanad's relationship with Rolls-Royce has expanded beyond the borders of the UAE, with the Emirati company now serving as a major supplier of Trent 700 services to airlines worldwide. This achievement builds upon the substantial $6.5 billion transaction signed in 2019, further strengthening Sanad's role as a strategic supplier to Rolls-Royce.--TradeArabia News Service The operation focused on young people and those who previously eluded capture. Residents watch a convoy of security personnel armed with batons and shields patrol through central Kashgar in western China's Xinjiang region, Nov. 5, 2017. Authorities apprehended more than 50 Uyghur villagers from two communities in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region as part of a security operation in the run-up to the countrys National Day holiday, local officials said. On the eve of the Oct. 1 holiday, marking the 74th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, authorities detained 44 people from Siyek village in Keriye county of Hotan prefecture and eight residents of Terim village in Peyziwat county, Kashgar prefecture. The operation focused on Uyghurs who were under the age of 18 at the time of mass arrests of members of the predominantly Muslim group in 2017 and those who previously had eluded capture. In 2017 and 2018, authorities rounded up nearly 2 million Uyghurs across the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region and detained them in re-education camps where some were subjected to severe rights abuses. China has consistently denied any abuse and said the camps were vocational training centers that have since been closed. A police officer from Siyek village told Radio Free Asia that authorities arrested 44 people from the village bazaar before this years holiday. A local judicial officer, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said the arrests were part of a security operation to ensure a peaceful National Day. In all, more than 200 people are currently in detention, most of whom were arrested between 2017 and 2018 when they were under 18 and considered suspects, as well as individuals arrested this year, he said. In the month leading up to the holiday, local officials designated every Thursday as a day for political study, and residents were compelled to confess any perceived wrongdoings during meetings at the Siyek Central Middle School, the judicial officer said. Meanwhile, authorities in Terim village detained eight people for interrogation at the local police station, said a policeman there. When we are on duty, we monitor live security footage for any signs of strangers or unusual activities, he told RFA. Prior to mass arrests of Uyghurs across Xinjiang in 2017, authorities detained people during significant events such as National Day, conferences and international exhibitions in an effort to maintain stability in the restive region. Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Matt Reed. Nguyen Van Chuong remains on death row but claims he was forced to confess in flawed murder case. Three United Nations special rapporteurs sent a letter urging the Vietnamese government not to execute death row inmate Nguyen Van Chuong, who was convicted of murdering a police major, RFA has learned. The letter was not made public by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights until this week, but it is dated Aug. 10, about a week after Chuongs family was suddenly asked to make arrangements to receive his remains, but were not given an execution date. The letter follows suit with similar pleas from rights organizations and the international community at that time, who feared Chuongs execution was imminent. In view of the urgency of the matter and the irreversibility of the execution of the death penalty, we respectfully call upon the highest authorities of Viet Nam to ensure Mr. [name redacted] is not executed, said the letter, signed by the special rapporteurs on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; independence of judges and lawyers; and torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Chuongs name was blacked out in the version of the letter released to the public. His execution, on the facts available to us, may constitute a violation of applicable international human rights standards and constitute an arbitrary execution, the rapporteurs said, while also urging Vietnam to grant clemency or commute the sentence. Chuong was convicted in the 2007 robbery and murder of Major Nguyen Van Sinh in northeastern Vietnams city of Haiphong. Two others were convicted in the case. The family has submitted several petitions, asking all levels of government to reconsider Chuongs death sentence. The letter detailed several alleged problems with the case that, if true, would make an execution of Chuong inconsistent with standards of international human rights law, and amount[ing] to an arbitrary execution. Problems with the case It said that the evidence used to convict the defendants in the case included confessions, which Chuong alleges were obtained under extreme duress. Chuong claims he was beaten and coerced by the investigator, RFA previously reported. Authorities deny that he was tortured at the time of the investigation. The letter also said that Chuong had a strong alibi with several people from his hometown 40 kilometers (24 miles) from the crime scene who said under oath that they saw him at a festival at the time of the crime. Instead of investigating the validity of the alibi, the police arrested Mr. [name redacted] younger brother, on allegations of manipulating evidence and influencing witnesses, the letter said. Further, it is alleged that some witnesses who attested to Mr. alibi were coerced into changing their testimonies by the police. RFA also reported that the testimonies of the other suspects contradicted each other and the make of weapon described and the marks on the victims body were inconsistent in their statements. Chuong's family continues to appeal the case and calls for transparent investigation, his father told RFA Vietnamese. Vietnamese police investigations often rely on torture and forced confessions that result in frequent miscarriages of justice, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch told RFA. In this case, the tragedy is compounded by Vietnam's use of the death penalty, which is a cruel, unusual and absolutely irreversible punishment that blatantly violates international human rights, he said. The Vietnamese government needs to wake up and recognize that their police force is a major part of the problem in the country, and unless there are serious and systemic reforms in the way the police operate, Vietnam will never be able to seriously comply with its international human rights obligations. Pakistan issued an ultimatum to the estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans living in the country: leave or face arrest and forcible expulsion after November 1. One of them is Samina Hafizi, an Afghan writer and former journalist who lives with her mother and five siblings in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have fled to Pakistan to escape a devastating economic and humanitarian crisis and possible retribution by the militant group. RFE/RL's Radio Azadi asked the 24-year-old Hafizi to keep a diary amid the mass exodus of undocumented Afghan refugees and migrants from the South Asian nation. October 22 It is 6 a.m. I slept poorly. I had nightmares and anxious thoughts. Why did we become refugees? This question haunts me. Nobody dares to leave their homes. Who wants to postpone their dreams? Now that we are refugees, why should we endure such bad days? If we leave, where can we seek refuge? I have not written anything for a year. I suffer from pain -- the pain of homelessness, the pain of being a refugee, and the pain of helplessness. Wherever I go, I hear that Afghans are being expelled from Pakistan -- drivers, shopkeepers, and cooks. WATCH: Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many having traveled for days, crossed into Afghanistan as a November 1 deadline to leave the country took effect. Islamabad has vowed to deport an estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans living in Pakistan if they don't leave voluntarily. Yesterday morning, the landlords of our apartment building came and checked everyones documents. They gave a deadline to two families to get valid residency papers or they would be evicted. Members of these families once had good lives in Afghanistan. Some were journalists, while others were soldiers. Their daughters attended schools and universities. They now fret over what will happen to them. While visiting the hospital yesterday, I felt that nothing was the same. Anxiety and fear were written over the faces of every Afghan I met. In Islamabad, police were looking for Afghans at security checkpoints across the city. The Afghans they found were questioned and harassed. While waiting for my turn to see the doctor at the hospital, an Afghan woman with her toddler was breathing heavily. I brought her a glass of water. She thanked me and asked whether I had valid documents. She told me that she fled her oppressive husband in Afghanistan to seek a new life in a third country with the help of the United Nations. But the fear of being forced to return to her cruel husband and the Talibans harsh rule has stressed her deeply. Tens of thousands of Afghan families across Pakistan are seeking a miracle. We dont know where fate will take us. October 25 My sisters phone woke me up early in the morning. When she finished talking, she told me that her Afghan friend was told by her landlord to leave her apartment by the afternoon. My sister was trembling. She said her friend and her family would stay with us until they found another place. Later in the day, I went to a nearby market to buy supplies for our guests. The usually cheerful Afghan vegetable seller I go to was distressed. He told me that if he was deported, he would lose the business that enabled him to earn a living for the past 15 years. Around 5 p.m., my sisters friend and her family arrived. Their voices were hoarse from crying so much. We all cried. I felt like a caged bird unable to fly. They were evicted because only one of the eight family members did not have a Pakistani visa. Her visa application was rejected several times. Cruelty and fear have forced Afghans in Islamabad to stop leaving their houses. It is heartbreaking to see dozens of Afghan families announcing the sale of their household items on Facebook daily. October 28 Im always worried. My mental health has gradually deteriorated during the past two years. In the morning today, Hajira, one of our Pakistani neighbors, visited us. We talked about the customs and traditions in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Suddenly, Hajira blamed us helpless Afghans for some of the problems Pakistanis face these days. She said Afghan refugees are bringing polio to Pakistan because our children are not vaccinated against the disease. And she said the price of everything has increased because of Afghan refugees. When we disputed her claims, she threatened to call the police. Thankfully, the police didnt show up. So far, we havent given anyone an excuse to evict us. But I feel nervous. My generation will tell their children the stories of how our homeland, dreams, and hopes were snatched from us. We were defeated and destroyed just as we were ready to prosper. We were broken into pieces and scattered to all corners of the world. All this has broken our hearts. October 31 If someone cannot talk, write, or cry to lessen their sorrows, what else should they do? Die or break? If someone asked me who are the most unfortunate people in the world, I would say refugees. If someone asked what the worst state of existence is, I would say being a refugee. I hate this word. Recently, I asked fellow Afghans living in Pakistan to share their stories on Facebook. Zuhal, 27, wrote that they left Afghanistan last year because her brother and sister worked as prosecutors for the fallen Afghan government. This prompted the Taliban to harass them and repeatedly raid their house to look for the armored car they had already returned to the government. After constant harassment in Pakistan, most of her family members returned to Afghanistan. But she and her sister remain in Pakistan. A 22-year-old young man told me about his ordeal. He was stopped by the police in Islamabad a few days ago. Even though he had all the proper documents, he was detained for several hours, harassed, and threatened. The ordeal was over when he paid a 10,000 rupee ($35) bribe to the police. Hundreds of refugees like him are forced to pay bribes daily. November 2 We are in a bind. Im overwhelmed by the news of Afghans being arrested or forcibly deported. I'm overwhelmed by the videos and photos showing their desperation, dispossession, and anguish. Those who remain are trying to stay invisible. Everyone wants to avoid the humiliation of being forced back to a country many have not seen or, like us, fled because of the Taliban's draconian governance. We are in limbo. We have no real choices. Our efforts to be relocated to a third country through the UN have gone nowhere. Returning to Taliban rule in Afghanistan is not a choice. My two younger sisters still need to go to university. But the Taliban closed that door for all Afghan women last year. As a female-only household, we left Afghanistan because we feared that we would be forced to marry Taliban fighters. We witnessed such cases in Kabul. We had sold everything before coming to Pakistan. We sold all our household items. Now, if we are forced to go back to Afghanistan, we will be forced to begin from zero again. For now, we will stay in Pakistan until we are arrested or deported. Uncertainty defines our lives. It describes the lives of all Afghans in our situation. Diary entries have been edited for clarity; translated by Abubakar Siddique. Thousands of Afghans continue to flood back into the country from Pakistan as they seek to avoid deportation following a deadline from Islamabad for undocumented migrants to leave, a move the United Nations warned could lead to "severe" human rights violations. As of November 2, officials said more than 165,000 Afghans have fled Pakistan in the month since the government ordered some 1.7 million migrants -- more than 1 million of whom are Afghan nationals who fled following the August 2021 seizure of power in Kabul by Taliban militants -- to leave or face arrest and deportation. The majority have rushed to the border in recent days as the November 1 deadline approached and police began to open dozens of centers to detain arrested Afghans before expelling them. On the other side of the border, Taliban officials have also opened temporary transit camps to assist those returning. More than 100 people were detained in one police operation in the city of Karachi on November 2, while police rounded up 425 Afghans in Quetta, the city closest to the Chaman border crossing. WATCH: Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many having traveled for days, crossed into Afghanistan as a November 1 deadline to leave the country took effect. Islamabad has vowed to deport an estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans living in Pakistan if they don't leave voluntarily. Islamabad has said the deportations are to protect its "welfare and security" in Pakistan after a sharp rise in attacks, which the government blames on militants operating from Afghanistan. Afghanistan's Taliban-run administration has dismissed Pakistans accusations against Afghan migrants and has asked all countries hosting Afghan refugees to give them more time to prepare for repatriation. The Afghan Embassy in Islamabad has said the move will further damage relations between the neighboring countries. Pakistan has brushed off calls to reconsider its decision from the UN, rights groups, and Western governments, who have urged it to incorporate into its plan a way to identify and protect Afghans facing the risk of persecution at home from the ruling militants. At the country's busiest border crossing at Torkham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, officials worked into the early hours of November 1 to clear a line of 28,000 people that stretched for 7 kilometers, AFP reported. Just over 129,000 have fled from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial Interior Ministry said, while a total of 38,100 have crossed through Chaman in Balochistan Province, border officials there told AFP. Authorities on the Afghan side of the border have set up a center several kilometers from a border crossing, as well as camps for families with nowhere to go. WATCH: In Karachi, Afghan men and boys on November 1 were put on buses and taken to a temporary detention center. Pakistan is home to more than 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, about 1.7 million of them undocumented, Islamabad says, although many have lived in Pakistan for their entire lives. About 600,000 Afghans have crossed into neighboring Pakistan since the Taliban seized power and imposed its harsh interpretation of Islamic law, joining a large number there since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Some Afghans who have been ordered to leave have never been to Afghanistan and wonder how they can start a new life there. Pakistan's move to remove undocumented foreigners is seen as part of an anti-immigrant crackdown that has been criticized by human rights groups. The Pakistan People's Party, National Democratic Movement, and other politicians and human rights activists appealed for a stop to the forced deportation of undocumented foreigners in the Supreme Court on November 1. On October 31, the chair of the nongovernmental Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Hina Jilani, wrote to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warning that Islamabad's move to expel Afghans could "trigger a humanitarian crisis." Human Rights Watch slammed Islamabad's deadline, saying it has resulted in significant threats against and abuse of Afghans living in the country. Since returning to power, the hard-line Islamist Taliban has banned women and teenage girls from education in Afghanistan. It has also banned them from employment in most sectors and discouraged them from leaving their homes. With reporting by AFP and Reuters Finlands National Bureau of Investigation said on October 11 that it had launched an investigation into possibly intentional damaging of a Baltic Sea gas pipeline running between Finland and Estonia. The statement follows an announcement by Finnish authorities earlier this week that the damage to the Balticconnector pipeline discovered over the weekend was likely the result of external activity. The National Bureau of Investigation said that it started gathering evidence from the point of the gas leak and its surroundings on October 10, and the purpose is to find out what kind of possible external activity caused the damage and whether it was intentional damage, it said in a statement, adding that the investigation is in its initial stage. Estonian authorities are cooperating with the investigation, and President Alar Karis said earlier on October 11 that Estonia is demanding answers. "We know that the cause is not nature, but probably human activity. Who, why and how? Negligence or intent? These questions have yet to be answered," Karis wrote in a post on Facebook. The incident occurred a little over a year after the larger Nord Stream gas pipelines, a major conduit for Russian natural gas exports to Western Europe, were damaged by explosions. Denmark, Sweden, and Germany opened probes into the incident, which was deemed to be sabotage. The case remains unsolved. Reuters quoted Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur as saying it can clearly be seen that the subsea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable running parallel to it were damaged by external activity and the damage was caused by quite heavy force. Investigators are not ruling out anything at this stage, he added. So what it is exactly, we have to specify yet, but at the moment it rather seems that it had been mechanical impact or mechanical destruction, he said. There has been little comment about the telecommunications cable and any fallout from the damage. The cable is in Estonia's exclusive economic zone, and Estonian authorities are leading the investigation into its damage. The incident was first noticed on October 8 when Finnish and Estonian gas system operators noticed an unusual drop in pressure in the Balticconnector pipeline, after which they shut down the gas flow. The repair will take at least five months, and a restart of gas transport will at the earliest happen in April of 2024, Finland and Estonias gas operators said on October 11. Finnish authorities said earlier that they had identified the location of the outage in the 77-kilometer pipeline, but the cause of the damage was not yet clear and the investigation was continuing. Estonian Navy Commander Juri Saska said the pipeline, which was encrusted in concrete for protection, looks like someone tore it on the side. The concrete has broken, or peeled off, specifically at that point of injury, Saska told Estonian public broadcaster ERR. Afterward, the Norwegian seismological institute (NORSAR) said it detected a probable explosion" on October 8 in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia, both NATO member states, where the gas pipeline leak was later detected. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that if the damage was proven to be due to an attack, it would be met by a united and determined response. If it is proven to be an attack on NATO critical infrastructure...it will be met by a united and determined response from NATO, he said on October 11 before a meeting of alliance defense ministers in Brussels. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described news of damage to the Balticconnector as disturbing and said Russia was awaiting further information on the incident. The Balticconnector pipeline runs across the Gulf of Finland from the Finnish town of Inkoo to the Estonian port of Paldiski. It is bi-directional, transferring natural gas between Finland and Estonia depending on demand and supply. Commissioned in 2019, the Balticconnector has been the only gas import channel to Finland apart from liquefied natural gas (LNG) since Russian imports were halted in May 2022 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Russia stopped supplying gas after Finland refused to pay in rubles, a condition imposed on unfriendly countries -- including European Union member states -- as a way to sidestep Western financial sanctions against Russia's central bank. Most of the gas that was flowing in the Balticconnector pipeline before it was closed on October 8 was going from Finland to Estonia from which it was forwarded to Latvia, Estonias gas system operator Elering said. Estonian consumers have been receiving gas from Latvia since the shutdown of the pipeline, Elering said. Finnish gas operator Gasgrid said the Finnish gas system is stable and the supply of gas has been secured through a floating LNG terminal at Inkoo. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP Up to the end, Ruben Vardanian remained defiant: Nagorno-Karabakh could not be part of Azerbaijan. "The only way we can keep the Armenian state is if Artsakh remains Armenian," he told RFE/RL on September 19, using an alternative Armenian name for the territory. The interview took place as Azerbaijan was launching a blitz offensive to retake the territory, which Armenian forces had controlled for the past three decades. "If we lose Artsakh, we lose Armenia," Vardanian said. Just hours later, Karabakh was in fact lost: the territory's de facto leadership surrendered the next morning. And barely a week later, Vardanian was in handcuffs, being filmed as masked Azerbaijani security officers led him into a Baku jail cell, his head forcibly bowed. Vardanian is one of several current and former senior officials from the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic who now find themselves behind bars, facing wide-ranging charges for their leading roles in what, under Azerbaijani law, amounted to the creation and sustenance of an illegal armed formation on Azerbaijani territory. The charges mostly refer to "terrorism" -- either financing, organizing, or carrying it out -- and the acquisition and movement of firearms. In addition to Vardanian, at least seven other top political and military officials have been arrested. They include former de facto presidents Arkady Ghukasian, Baho Sahakian, and Arayik Hartyunian. For many Azerbaijanis, it is long-awaited justice. Kerim Kerimli was forced to leave his home in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Susa (Shushi in Armenian), when Armenian forces took control of the area in the first war between the two sides in the 1990s. He later formed an association advocating for the rights of the more than 600,000 Azerbaijanis displaced in that conflict. Following the arrests of the officials, Kerimli wrote a Facebook post recalling a visit back to Karabakh in 1998 in which he met Ghukasian, who was de facto leader at the time. "The day will come, we will have you put behind bars in Baku and judge you," he recalled telling Ghukasian. "He laughed at me. It's true, it took a bit of a long time, 25 years and a month, but what I said happened in the end," wrote Kerimli. "Who is laughing now?" Many Armenians see it differently. "They are being prosecuted simply for protecting their own people and fighting for self-determination," wrote Artak Beglarian, a former human rights ombudsman in the de facto government, on Twitter. "All of them are now political prisoners in the hands of one of the world's top dictators," a reference to Azerbaijan's authoritarian leader, President Ilham Aliyev. Baku and Yerevan were locked in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh for decades. Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly ethnic-Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people. 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, resulting in Armenia losing control over parts of the region and seven adjacent districts. With its September lightning offensive, Azerbaijan effectively regained control of the rest of Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians, virtually the entire population, have fled to Armenia. It was among that exodus that Vardanian, a Russian-Armenian billionaire who moved to Karabakh only last year and had a short stint as state minister, was arrested on September 27 at an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Armenian border. After being ferried to Baku, he met with Azerbaijan's human rights ombudswoman, who reported that the defendant was able to phone his family and "expressed satisfaction with the conditions of detention." (A spokesperson for Vardanian conveyed a request from RFE/RL to speak to his family; they did not respond.) Azerbaijan's State Security Service, its main domestic intelligence agency, released a slickly produced video about Vardanian's arrest, with a narrator detailing the charges he faces, against a backdrop of before-and-after images of him. In the first images, there are clips of him proudly giving interviews to the global media in Karabakh; then, being forced into a jail cell by heavily armed officers, with a grave, uncertain expression on his face. Harutyunian, who was de facto leader during the 2020 war, was the subject of a similarly formatted video that highlighted his wartime leadership, when he visited frontline military positions dressed in combat fatigues. It also depicted scenes from the aftermath of a rocket attack on Ganja, an Azerbaijani city well outside the conflict zone; Harutyunian publicly announced he had ordered the attacks. Armenian strikes there, and in other cities in Azerbaijan, resulted in the deaths of 40 civilians. In his video, Harutyunian is unshaven and disheveled as he is led into a cell. The last image is of a key turning in a lock. After every war, there is always a conflict between the needs for accountability for crimes that occurred in the past and for stability and forging a new future on the other, said Laurence Broers, an associate fellow at the London-based Chatham House's Russia and Eurasia Program. But the indications so far about the Azerbaijani prosecutions indicate that "this is much more about the regime legitimacy and putting the whole [Nagorno-Karabakh Republic] project on trial," he told RFE/RL. "The videos that have been released, the way they're being paraded, it's very much about public humiliation." Selective Justice Shortly after the 2020 war, Azerbaijan's Prosecutor-General's Office made the unprecedented step of opening investigations into Azerbaijani soldiers, who were accused of committing war crimes, including executing civilians. But the cases quickly disappeared from public view. The soldiers in those cases were ultimately convicted but were given probation rather than prison sentences, said Rasul Jafarov, a lawyer and the chairman of the NGO Baku Human Rights Club, who monitored the cases. But the convictions were never made public; Jafarov told RFE/RL he was informed about the outcomes by a military prosecutor. (Azerbaijan's Prosecutor-General's Office did not respond to requests for comment.) "If only Armenians are tried for war crimes in 2020, it starts to look like victor's justice," Broers said. "There might be due punishment for crimes committed, but as a wider implementation of justice it loses legitimacy if one who ordered missile strikes on a city languishes in jail and one who severed civilian heads walks free." It's not clear what punishments await the defendants. But all signs point to virtually inevitable convictions. President Aliyev has for years referred to the ethnic Armenian leaders in Karabakh as an "illegal criminal junta," and in the Azerbaijani justice system, "judges [are] not functionally independent of the executive branch," the U.S. State Department wrote in its most recent human rights report on the country. "Credible reports indicated that judges and prosecutors took instructions from the presidential administration and the Justice Ministry, particularly in politically sensitive cases." Jafarov, however, says that in this case political interference may be moot "There will be control, there will be, let's say, eyes watching these hearings, not just from the government but from people around the country. Any outcome is going to be watched," Jafarov said. But there is already a preponderance of evidence supporting the prosecutions, and "if there is enough evidence and if this evidence corresponds to the charges brought against these people, there will be no questions to raise" about the politicization of the trial, he said. Foreign Influence Armenia's government has attempted to intervene in the prosecutions; all of the defendants are Armenian citizens. The Foreign Ministry called the arrests "arbitrary" and vowed that it would "take all possible steps to protect the rights of the unlawfully arrested Nagorno-Karabakh representatives in international bodies, including judicial bodies." Armenia has already appealed to the UN's Hague-based International Court of Justice to adopt provisional measures demanding that Azerbaijan refrain from "punitive actions against current or former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders or military personnel." Since the 2020 war, the Armenian government's relationship with the de facto authorities in Karabakh had grown increasingly distant. According to most experts, Yerevan's focus now is on shoring up the viability of its own state and trying to minimize further threats from an Azerbaijan seeking to eradicate the last of Yerevan's levers in Karabakh. Following the Armenian Foreign Ministry's statement on the arrests, Azerbaijan's own Foreign Ministry shot back saying that the intervention "clearly displays Armenia's failure to abandon the aggressive policy and actions it took against Azerbaijan for decades" and "hinder[ed] peace efforts." Nevertheless, the Armenian government still has a variety of reasons to stand up for the former Karabakh leaders, said Mikayel Zolian, a Yerevan-based political analyst. For one, the former officials are Armenian citizens who are widely seen as "hostages or prisoners of war who deserve the protection of the Armenian state," he told RFE/RL. The current leadership in Yerevan is also seeking to not appear to be "selling out the Karabakhis, which would bolster the arguments to the opposition and to Russian propaganda." Yerevan also sees the prosecutions as a means of highlighting "the nondemocratic nature of the Azerbaijani regime and to mobilize additional international support," Zolian said. Some Armenians argued that, had it wanted to, Russia could have protected the Karabakh leaders. Russia is Armenia's longtime security guarantor and has had 2,000 peacekeepers stationed in Karabakh since the 2020 war. The leadership in Karabakh maintained its orientation toward Moscow even as the Armenian government grew increasingly estranged from its Russian partners. Nevertheless, "the 'ally' turned in the leaders of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan, although it is obvious that the Russian peacekeepers could have evacuated them by helicopter," wrote Leonid Nersisian, an Armenian military analyst, on Twitter. "These people were allies of Russia for many years. A very eye-opening tragedy." Billionaire Vardanian has been the particular source of speculation; he is a former ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and gave up his Russian citizenship only last year when he moved to Karabakh. But when Putin was asked about Vardanian's fate in an October 5 forum, he said Russia expects Azerbaijan to treat the former Karabakh leaders humanely. As for Vardanian: "He renounced our citizenship," Putin said. ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- After days of delays leaving dozens stranded amid fighting between Israel and Hamas, an Air Astana aircraft that took off from Tel Aviv landed on October 11 in Kazakhstan's largest city with 166 people on board, triggering waves of tears, relief, and gratitude in the airport arrivals area. Air Astana Vice President Adil Dauletbek told journalists in the waiting room of Almatys international airport that all 124 Kazakh citizens who were waiting in Tel Aviv to be repatriated made the flight, along with 42 nationals from other countries. Similar scenes played out at airports around the world. "We were very afraid. I saw rockets and heard explosions. We were shocked. I wanted to go home," said a relieved Olga Rodina, who was in Israel to visit relatives, as she entered the arrivals area. "Airlines didn't know what to do, whether to fly or not. Ours acted very quickly. Everything was very well organized.... There is no limit to our joy. After flying, we all hugged, kissed, and even cried because we were very afraid." A Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, backed by a barrage of missiles, has triggered an Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, a narrow sliver of land that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, leaving hundreds of dead on both sides. Almaty resident Zhanna, who came to meet her sister at the airport, told RFE/RL that just before the fighting broke out, her sister was in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, which has been repeatedly targeted by Hamas missile strikes in the past few days. The Kazakh Embassy did "a very good job" in getting people out, she said after embracing her younger sister at the airport. "We were 250 kilometers away from the border [with Gaza] when the war started. On our way to Tel Aviv, we saw explosions and tanks. I was so scared that my body became ice cold. We left our relatives [and] friends there, and we worry about them," the sister, who did not give her name, said. Umit Zheldibai was in Israel to get medical treatment when the fighting broke out. She says some Kazakh citizens who were with her in an unspecified city in Israel to get medical assistance were unable to leave the country due to their illnesses and pending surgeries. "They are now hiding from missiles in the hospital's shelter," Zheldibai said. Similar flights have been recorded across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Hungary said on October 9 that it had already brought back 325 people from Israel, while on October 11 Moldova said it has helped fly back almost 200 of its citizens along with about 400 other passengers, mostly Ukrainian and Israeli nationals. The United States said it would give Ukraine a new military aid package worth $200 million as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy traveled to NATO's headquarters in Belgium to press for more support for his war-ravaged country ahead of the onset of the cold season. "I'm proud that the United States will announce its latest security assistance package for Ukraine, valued at $200 million," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said alongside Zelenskiy at the opening of a meeting of the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, which consists of some 50 countries that back Kyiv in its war against Russia. 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. Austin said the new package will consist of air-defense, rocket, and artillery ammunition as well as anti-tank systems, among other things, adding that Washington "will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told the Defense Contact Group that his country will deliver the first U.S.-made F-16 warplanes to Ukraine in the spring of next year. In August, Zelenskiy said Denmark had approved sending 19 of the advanced warplanes to Ukraine. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said after meeting with Zelenskiy that Belgium will send F-16s to Ukraine from 2025 and provide their maintenance. Austin announced that the United States will take on a new leadership role in the effort to build Ukraines air force, specifically with F-16 fighter jets. The United States will co-lead a coalition along with Denmark and Netherlands and will help organize donation of the aircraft, plans to maintain them, and pilot training. Zelenskiy earlier on October 11 held talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during his first visit at the alliance's headquarters in Belgium since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskiy, whose visit also came ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers and a gathering of the NATO-Ukraine Council, said Ukraine needs more weapons to protect civilians, its energy infrastructure, and its food exports. "What we are seeing now is that [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin is preparing once again to use winter as a weapon of war, meaning attacking the energy system, the gas infrastructure. We need to prevent that," Stoltenberg said after the meeting. Zelenskiy also noted the war being waged between Israel and Hamas, saying Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he pointed to Ukraine's ongoing need for air-defense systems and long-range missiles to push Russia out of our land. He said he had received assurances from Washington that military aid to Ukraine will remain "constant and uninterrupted." The NATO-Ukraine Council was established at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July and serves as a platform for exchanges during crisis situations and aims to promote deeper cooperation until Ukraine can fulfil conditions for NATO membership. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also attended the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to present the alliance with a list of Ukraine's priorities. This includes more air defense systems, heavy weapons, and ammunition. He told reporters afterward that Ukraine received half a billion dollars in pledges of aid as a result of the meeting. Umerov said the pledges were verbal commitments that "need to be calculated" but added: "From what we see in commitments, there is a lot that we did not expect." There are now obligations to ensure that Ukraine gets everything on time, and planning will begin for the medium and long-term, he said. Britain's Defense Ministry on October 11 said the International Fund for Ukraine -- a group of countries including Britain, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden -- would announce a 100 million pound ($122.70 million) package in Brussels to support Ukraine's armed forces including equipment to clear minefields. Zelenskiy on October 10 visited Romania, Ukraine's NATO neighbor, where he held talks in Bucharest with his counterpart, Klaus Iohannis. Zelenskiy said the two sides discussed military aid for Ukraine, and that "there will soon be very good news about artillery and air defense" and confirmed that a center for training Ukrainian pilots on U.S.-made F-16 warplanes will be established in Romania. On the battlefield, Russian forces have stepped up their attacks on Avdiyivka, an industrial town in the eastern region of Donetsk with a prewar population of around 31,000 people that has now shrunk to an estimated 2,000, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in their daily bulletin on October 11. The Russians, with up to three battalions supported by tanks and armored vehicles, intensified offensive actions in the Avdiyivka, Tonenko, Keramik, and Pervomayske areas of Donetsk, the military said. The head of the presidential administration in Kyiv, Andriy Yermak, reported "massive attacks by Russian artillery" on the strategically important Avdiyivka, located just north of the city of Donetsk, seized by Russian-backed forces in 2014. With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa On October 7, commentator Marat Bulatov, who hosts the Day Z program on the social media channel of jingoistic pro-Kremlin television personality Vladimir Solovyov, opened his show by congratulating authoritarian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of his 71st birthday. We must, must support the president of our country or else what we see happening now in Israel could happen here, Bulatov said on Solovyov Live. He then began reading messages from viewers, including one from a fan in St. Petersburg who noted that last year, an audacious Ukrainian operation that resulted in a massive explosion on the bridge linking Russia with the occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea had spoiled celebrations of Putins 70th birthday. This year, the viewer wrote, there is only good news. Yes, I completely agree with you, Bulatov said. Bulatov was just one voice in a chorus of pro-Kremlin Russian commentators who found a lot to like in the Hamas attack on Israel and the militant groups violence targeting civilians. Almost in unison, they have been framing the crisis in the Middle East as an opportunity to criticize the West -- particularly, the United States -- and to attack anti-war Russians who left for Israel after Moscows February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and suddenly found themselves huddling under rocket fire. Marat Guelman, a Russian art critic and anti-war commentator who lives abroad, said that several important similarities between Russias war against Ukraine and the Hamas attack on Israel could be motivating the surprising reaction from the Kremlins supporters. These similarities include a surprise attack on foreign territory, a war against the civilian population (and taking civilians hostage), and the declared intention of destroying a state (in one case Ukraine, in the other, Israel) entirely, he wrote on Facebook. 'Beneficial For Us' During an online program called Izolenta Live on October 8, pro-Kremlin pundit Tigran Keosayan, the husband of state media executive and RT chief editor Margarita Simonyan, was blunt about the utility of the crisis in Israel. Any conflict in the world now is beneficial for us, particularly where the interests of the United States collide, he said. That assessment was similar to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys. He said on October 9 that it is in Russias interests to inflame war in the Middle East to create a new source of pain and suffering that would weaken global unity, create divisions. 'Get Used To War' In an October 7 Facebook post, anti-war Russian blogger Ivan Yakovina described what he called the incredible excitement and joy of the fascist Z-channels over the attack against Israel. They are simply glowing with schadenfreude, totally supportive of Hamas, and even jealously asking, Why cant we do the same? he added. The Russian state and vocal supporters of the invasion of Ukraine have made the letter Z a prominent symbol of pro-war, anti-Ukrainian sentiments. In an interview with Current Time, Dmitry Dubrovsky, a political scientist who lectures at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Prague's Charles University, said: Keosayan is right in his assessment of the propaganda value of the Israel-Hamas conflict for the Russian state. Russian propaganda in general has begun saying openly that war has become normal, that now war is nothing extraordinary, Dubrovsky added. The main message, I think, is: Get used to war. That is also a message that Putin has delivered repeatedly since he ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- which he casts not as unprovoked aggression but as a forced move to ward off what he claims without evidence is a Western effort to weaken Russia or tear it apart. Dubrovsky also told Current Time that pro-Kremlin commentators speak about this so brazenly because they are speaking to a limited audience of like-minded people and governments. There isnt really anyone left for them to be ashamed in front of, he said. I think the moment when Russia could be ashamed in front of someone has passed. Now it is addressing only a specific group of countries and allies, most of whom are politically marginal players or openly authoritarian, aggressive regimes like Iran and North Korea. Blaming Ukraine Ultranationalist commentator Dmitry Steshin wrote on Telegram on October 8 that Ukraine has quickly disappeared from the global agenda, before adding the unfounded speculation that Hamas was armed by Ukrainians stealing Western military aid. Such claims were later repeated in a fake video purporting to be from the BBC that claimed the open-source investigative group Bellingcat had documented corrupt weapons transfers from Ukraine to Hamas. Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins denounced the video being pushed by Russian social-media users, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Its unclear if this is a Russian government disinformation campaign or a grassroots effort, but its 100 percent fake, he wrote. Russian state media and pro-Kremlin commentators have also given considerable oxygen to comments from hard-right Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley and and others calling for U.S. military aid to Ukraine to be redirected to Israel. 'Relokanty' Pro-Kremlin commentators and propagandists saved particular spite for anti-war Russians who left for Israel, referring to them with the pejorative neologism relokanty, or relocators. Simonyan wrote on X on October 7: The country that does not fight with its neighbors is again fighting with its neighbors. We are awaiting the exodus of Russian pacifists. Rather, no, we are not awaiting this. In particular, such commentators mentioned high-profile figures who left for Israel, including legendary Russian pop star Alla Pugacheva and her husband, comedian Maksim Galkin. In a broadcast on Channel One state television, Simonyan directly addressed Galkin and the rest of thosewho said they cant live in a country that fights with its neighbors. Galkin released a video on Instagram on October 9 expressing sympathy and support for Israel. We chose Israel and have not regretted it for a minute, he said. And today, in these difficult and heartbreaking days for Israel, we are here. We are not even thinking of leaving. Alla and I and our children want to support the people of Israel. Anti-war commentator Yakovina wrote in his Facebook post that the pro-Kremlin voices want as many killed civilians as possible, particularly among those well-known Jews who recently left Russia such as [post-Soviet reformer and 1990s-era Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly] Chubais and [rock star Andrei] Makarevich. Charles University's Dubrovsky said that such obvious gloating, which has nothing to do with reason, has everything to do with a desire to bully others. RFE/RL's Russian Service and Current Time correspondent Vladimir Mikhailov contributed to this report. NOTE: This article has been amended to include a more accurate description of Dmitry Dubrovsky's position and role at Charles University. victims Young victims were diligently preparing for their exams, aspiring to join the Delhi Police ALWAR: A devastating road accident occurred in Alwar, resulting in the loss of two young lives, brothers Vedprakash (22) and Chandra Mohan (20), as well as the driver of the speeding car, Azruddin (22). The tragic incident unfolded around 6.30 pm on Tuesday at Kalsada Bypass within the jurisdiction of Malkhera police station. Vedprakash and Chandra Mohan, both residents of Rajaji village in the Rajgarh police station area, were on the same motorcycle when they were struck by a car driven by Azruddin, a resident of Mahua Khurd, Malkhera. The impact of the collision was so severe that the motorcycle was flung to the side of the bypass, resulting in the tragic demise of both brothers. Advertisement The young victims were diligently preparing for their exams, aspiring to join the Delhi Police and become Loco Pilots. The loss has left their family shattered, especially since both fathers are truck drivers, and now only their sister remains in the household. Malkhera Police Station Officer Mukesh Meena provided details of the incident, stating that Azruddin was driving at a high speed on Kalsada bypass when the accident occurred. The police swiftly arrived at the scene, and postmortem examinations were conducted the following morning, with the bodies of the two brothers handed over to their grief-stricken family. Fact Check Report This video is not recent but from 2015 and has nothing to do with the recent Israel-Palestine war MOHALI: A Video is going viral on social media. In this video, armed people can be seen their heads bowed on the ground. It is being claimed that Palestine fighters are entering Israel and bowing their heads on the ground to praise god. Facebook user Arjun Rajput, while sharing the viral video, claimed that Hamas fighters are entering Israel and bowing their heads. Advertisement Spokesman in it's investigation found the viral video to be misleading. This video is not recent but from 2015 and has nothing to do with the recent Israel-Palestine war. -- Spokesman's Investigation Advertisement Starting the investigation, we first watched this video carefully and extracted keyframes of the video and did a reverse image search on them. The viral video is of 2015. We found the viral video uploaded on the official Facebook page of 'Halab Today TV' on March 28, 2015. According to the information given with the video, after conquering the entire Idlib city, the islamic army paid obeisance to God in Hanano Square. Advertisement During this search, we found a frame of a viral video in an article published on March 28, 2022 on a website named enabbaladi. According to the report, this picture is of Islamic fighters bowing after capturing Idlib city on 28 March 2015. In this search, we found viral video uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Enab Baladi Newspaper. This video can be seen by clicking below. Hence, it is clear that this video has nothing to do with the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine. Advertisement Conclusion Spokesman in it's investigation found the viral video to be misleading. This video is not recent but from 2015 and has nothing to do with the recent Israel-Palestine war. Infamous terrorist Infamous terrorist Rashid Latif, the brain behind the Pathankot attack, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Pakistan In a significant development, Rashid Latif, a notorious terrorist and mastermind of the infamous Pathankot attack, was killed in Pakistan by unidentified assailants. The fatal shooting resulted in Latif's immediate demise, putting an end to his reign of terror. Latif, a resident of Gujranwala in the Punjab province of Pakistan, was a prominent figure associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, a known extremist group. The Slain terrorist, formerly known as Shahid Talif, had a criminal history marked by multiple acts of terrorism and violence against India. He was previously arrested on November 12, 1994, and subsequently spent 16 years in Indian jails before being deported through the Wagah border in 2010. Latif's notoriety reached its peak when he orchestrated the Pathankot attack on January 2, 2016, a tragedy that claimed innocent lives and left a scar on India's security landscape. Advertisement In addition to his involvement in the Pathankot attack, Latif was also implicated in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane, further cementing his position as a key figure in cross-border terrorism. The news of his demise brings a sense of closure to the victims and their families, providing a glimmer of hope for a more peaceful and secure future in the region. Spin Master Corp. (SNMSF, TOY.TO), a children's company, announced Wednesday its definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based brand in early childhood play, Melissa & Doug, for $950 million in cash. The deal also includes additional contingent earnout consideration of up to $150 million, subject to achieving certain financial targets for 2024 and 2025. The acquisition is expected to close early in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. In 2024, the deal will be immediately accretive to earnings per share, pre run-rate cost synergies. The acquisition has potential for run-rate cost synergies of around $25 million to $30 million, expected to be achieved by 2026. Spin Master plans to finance the $950 million purchase price with around $450 million balance sheet cash and $500 million in debt financing. Melissa & Doug offers high-quality, open-ended, creative, and developmental wooden toys. Spin Master expects the acquisition of Melissa & Doug will strengthen its offering by adding complementary early childhood products and further diversify its portfolio across new channels and formats. In the deal, Evercore Group LLC, RBC Capital Markets and TD Securities are serving as financial advisors to Spin Master, while Harris Williams & Co is serving as financial advisor to Melissa & Doug. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), a natural gas firm, and Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PXD), a hydrocarbon explorer, announced a deal in which ExxonMobil will acquire Pioneer in an all-stock transaction valued at $59.5 billion, or $253 per share, which is based on XOM closing price on October 5. The per-share merger consideration represents around an 18 percent premium to Pioneer's closing price and a 9 percent premium to its prior 30-day volume-weighted average price on October 5. As per the deal, Pioneer shareholders will receive 2.3234 shares of ExxonMobil for each Pioneer share at closing. The implied total enterprise value of the transaction, including net debt is around $64.5 billion. The merger, expected to be closed in the first half of 2024, is anticipated to be accretive immediately and highly accretive in the mid-to-long-term earnings per share of ExxonMobil. Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil, said: "Their tier-one acreage is highly contiguous, allowing for greater opportunities to deploy our technologies, delivering operating and capital efficiency as well as significantly increasing production..." The merger combines Pioneer's over 850,000 net acres in the Midland Basin with ExxonMobil's 570,000 net acres in the Delaware and Midland Basins and an estimated 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource in the Permian. Post transaction, ExxonMobil's Permian production volume would double to over 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day or MOEBD, based on 2023 volumes, and is expected to increase to around 2 MOEBD in 2027. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The death toll in Gaza crossed 1000 as Israel stepped up its air strikes in the Palestinian region in retaliation to Hamas' surprise weekend attacks. 1,055 people have been killed and more than 5,100 others were wounded, reports quoting the Palestinian ministry said. BBC quoted the Israeli Air Force as saying on Wednesday that it carried out air strikes targeting 450 sites in Gaza. Israeli Air Force confirmed on X that part of the Islamic University in Gaza City had been destroyed in air strikes. People in Gaza are in peril as the complete siege being implemented by Israel in the enclave has left them with no electricity, food, or fuel. The lone power station in Gaza will run out of fuel Wednesday, according to the Palestinian Energy Authority. On the other side, Israeli soldiers who regained control of border villages from the Hamas fighters disclosed to western media the scenes of butchery against innocent civilians. Women, children, toddlers and elderly were "brutally butchered in an ISIS way of action," CNN reported, quoting the Israel Defense Forces. The death toll in Israel has reached 1,200. It includes at least 14 Americans and 17 Britons. Meanwhile, latest reports say Israel is facing double foreign attack, this time from Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese militia fired missiles on an Israeli army post. Israel retaliated by shelling an area in southern Lebanon. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Sysco Corp. (SYY) announced Wednesday it has agreed to acquire Edward Don & Co., a leading distributor of foodservice equipment, supplies, and disposables based in Chicago, IL. Founded in 1921, Edward Don & Co. generates approximately $1.3 billion in annual revenue, servicing a broad range of restaurant, foodservice, and other customers across the U.S. This acquisition will allow Sysco to add strategic new capabilities and diversified offerings to complement its existing and create a specialty Equipment and Supplies platform that will provide better selection and service to customers. Upon completion of the transaction, Edward Don & Co. will operate as a standalone specialty division within Sysco. In addition, Sysco expects to retain the leadership team of DON, as well as all current employees. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Apparel retailer Next PLC (NXT.L), is set to acquire FatFace a chain of fashion stores in the U.K. for more than 100 million pounds, according to Sky News. FatFace, founded in 1988 by Tim Slade and Jules Leaver, sells women's, men's, kids, clothing, footwear, and accessories and has around 180 stores. It was taken over by its lenders three years ago. Previously, Next had purchased online furniture company Made.com, the clothing brand Cath Kidston, and JoJo Maman Bebe, the maternity wear retailer. Currently, Next shares are trading at 6910 pence down 1.79% in London. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News President Biden has asked his national security team to take action to support Israel "in its hour of need." At Biden's direction, the United States has surged ammunition and interceptors for Israel's air defense system called Iron Dome. The President spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday about additional capabilities that Israel will need. And he pledged that American planes will be landing in Israel with those capabilities in the days ahead. The U.S. military has enhanced its force posture in the region to strengthen its deterrence, including the movement of a carrier strike group into the Eastern Mediterranean. "And we are prepared to move additional assets as necessary," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a news conference. He said that at the direction of the President, his team is working with Congress to make sure that Israel maintains supply of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens, as well as the many U.S. citizens who live, work, and travel in Israel. "We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors that might seek to widen this war," he told reporters. Sullivan said the U.S. Government is working with the Israeli government and with its regional partners on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying U.S. experts to advise the Israeli government and coordinate with them on hostage recovery efforts. He said the Biden administration is actively working with Israelis to determine the whereabouts of the missing, including missing American citizens. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Scientists and engineers from nine African countries By: Dr Bonita de Swardt, SARAO Programme Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capital Development Dr Stanley Kuja, Chair of the Local Organising Committee and Lead of the Rhodes University TART project Scientists and engineers from nine African countries, including South Africa, have converged at Rhodes University in Makhanda to share knowledge in building a low-cost radio telescope called the Transient Array Radio Telescope or TART. The workshop takes place at Rhodes Continuing Education Centre from 9 to 13 October 2023, where participants will learn to assemble the instrument, get to understand the electronics and gain hands-on experience using the data acquired by TART. The workshop is funded by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) with eight of the African VLBI Network (AVN) countries represented at the event that includes Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. The workshop is co-hosted by SARAO and Rhodes University, together with the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Otago in New Zealand, who are contributing to the lectures and facilitation of sessions. The TART instrument was initially developed by Dr Tim Molteno from the University of Otago for the development and testing of state-of-art calibration and imaging algorithms for radio astronomy. The instrument is highly cost effective in its design with an open-source 24-element radio interferometer. A collaboration effort between the University of Otago, Rhodes University and Stellenbosch University led to the first TART instrument being deployed in Africa, which is currently stationed at the Waainek Research Facility of Rhodes University in Makhanda. The Rhodes University group in collaboration with SARAO have continued to make technological updates to the instrument, which has led to further improvements in the design, efficiency and costing of the instrument. The TART instrument at Rhodes University is currently used as both a training and research instrument. We are very pleased to extend our collaborative research programmes in space technologies to the eight SKA partner countries in Africa through TART. The instrument offers many exciting research opportunities in different areas such as antenna design (including antenna arrays), calibration and imaging techniques, development of novel techniques for RFI monitoring, development and testing of state-of-the-art machine learning techniques using TART data, electronic system design, EMC metrology, and more, says Dr Stanley Kuja, Chair of the Local Organising Committee and Lead of the Rhodes University TART project. The original TART was a fantastic design by Tim. Many university departments around the world have put up small single-dish student telescopes, but nobody was audacious enough to try to make a full-scale interferometer it just seemed too complicated and expensive for a single group to tackle. Tim showed how to make one cheaply, using off-the-shelf parts, says Distinguished Professor Oleg Smirnov, the SARAO Research Chair at Rhodes University. He further adds, Following Tims lead, we had two students (Sonia Ghosh from Rhodes, and Rikus Human from Stellenbosch) build a second-generation TART at Rhodes in a few short months, on a minimal budget. This really proved to us that virtually anybody could construct one of their own, anywhere making modern radio astronomy accessible to even the smallest university group. This makes it a great vehicle for building radio astronomy capacity on the African continent. The workshop will be run as a train the trainer event with participants expected to gain technical knowledge in building the instrument for future deployment in their home countries. Participants will also be introduced to calibration and imaging techniques for radio astronomy, which will provide them with the necessary skills to use the instrument once it is operational. The training workshop represents the beginning of a larger, more integrated TART programme with a first phase to deploy an instrument in each of the AVN countries, says Carla Michell, the Africa Programme Manager at SARAO. She further adds, Im excited by the opportunities that this instrument brings to African countries in hosting their own radio telescope for training of students at a fraction of the cost of using a conventional radio telescope. Its a win for Africa. Technical support for participants following the workshop will be provided by Rhodes University and SARAO. Following the deployment of a TART instrument in each of the AVN countries, the vision is to establish an integrated TART array across the continent that will allow for a larger part of the sky to be accessed for the detection and monitoring of radio transient events. We are hoping to establish a vibrant TART programme with African partners interested in expanding their teaching and research to include radio astronomy, adds Dr Bonita de Swardt, SARAO Programme Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capital Development. De Swardt elaborated that, In the future, the programme may include knowledge exchanges through student workshops, mobility exchanges and research collaborations within the TART African network. The future of this project looks very promising. Financial support for the TART workshop and instrumentation is provided by the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). Mid-Size SUV Sales in India Surge in September 2023 Growth in the Mid-Size SUV Segment Reflects Robust Demand In a vibrant display of Indias affinity for mid-size SUVs, September 2023 witnessed a significant increase in sales compared to the same month the previous year. These SUVs, typically ranging between 4.4 meters to 4.7 meters in length, have become the preferred choice of many Indian car buyers, offering a perfect blend of style, performance, and space. Top 10 Mid Size SUVs Sep 2023 Mahindra Leads the Pack In the earlier post we discussed sales of Sub-Compact SUVs (sub 4 meter) as well as Compact SUVs (4.0 meter to 4.4 meter). In this post we will take a look at the sales performance of Mid-Size SUVs. This segment of SUVs is thriving, with total sales of 27,295 units in September 2023, marking a 2.79% YoY growth. This surge in sales showcases the popularity and resilience of this segment despite economic challenges. Leading the charge in the mid-size SUV market is the venerable Mahindra Scorpio (Classic / N) and Mahindra XUV700. Mahindra Scorpio range in particular, has seen a remarkable 24.22% YoY growth, with 11,846 units sold in September 2023 compared to 9,536 units in the same month last year. Meanwhile, Mahindra XUV700 recorded an impressive YoY growth of 41.10%, with 8,555 units sold in September 2023. MG Hector and Hector Plus continue to make waves in the mid-size SUV segment, with a YoY growth of 26.03%, totalling 2,653 units sold in September 2023. In contrast, Hyundai Alcazar faced a slight decline, with sales dropping by 25.20%, tallying 1,977 units sold. However, Hyundai remains a significant player in this market. Tata Harrier and Safari sales decline Tata Harrier and Tata Safari witnessed a substantial decrease in sales, with a YoY decline of 69.06% and 74.58%, respectively. Tata Motors sales in this segment have been on a decline for quite some time. They are soon going to launch facelifted versions of Harrier and Safari which could help them boost their sales. Jeep Compass maintained a steady position, with 391 units sold in September 2023. Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan recorded sales of 237 and 191 units, respectively, while Citroens C5 Aircross faced a challenging year with only three units sold in September 2023. Market Share and Conclusion In terms of market share for September 2023, the Mahindra Scorpio/N leads the pack with a 43.40% share, closely followed by the Mahindra XUV700 at 31.34%. MG Hector/Plus holds a 9.72% share, Hyundai Alcazar at 7.24%, and Tata Harrier at 3.39%. Other players make up the remaining shares, with Jeep Compass at 1.43%, Hyundai Tucson at 0.87%, Volkswagen Tiguan at 0.70%, and Citroen C5 Aircross at 0.01%. The strong growth and diversification in the mid-size SUV market indicate that Indian consumers continue to value these vehicles. Factors such as better road presence, versatile utility, and a more commanding driving experience are driving the segments growth. Members of the Oceanside High School show choir, called Soundwave, perform during the debut of the new Performing Arts Center. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) Lillian Adams, left, Sandy Meadow, second from left, Rita Koor, second from right, and Lynne Stangl watch the Oceanside High School Symphony Strings perform. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) People listen to speakers just before the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Performing Arts Center. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) A group of students walk through the lobby as they take a tour of the new Performing Arts Center. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) The Oceanside High School Symphony Strings perform during the debut of the new Performing Arts Center. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) The $24 million performing arts center that opened Thursday at Oceanside High School is a far cry from the windy quad where choir students staged their performances. The 29,000-square-foot center offers performance space and classrooms for the students and community of Oceanside, with a 502-seat main theater, black box theater, recording studio and other professional features. With a gleaming, patina-green facade and a wall of glass windows, the building is visible from the Mission Street exit off Interstate 5. It was constructed with funds from Proposition H, a local school bond measure approved in 2008, and was designed to be both a local landmark and center for arts education. Advertisement Thanks to the voters, our kids will develop skills that will last a lifetime, and discover talents that will lead to careers, Superintendent Duane Coleman told school and community officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning. As the high school orchestra performed on stage, performing arts technician Jeremy Sewell, who manages the facility, guided visitors through the center. The spacious lobby features a concession stand and a digital marquis that can alert theatergoers when a show is about to start. Inside the main hall, 502 red-cushioned seats face a stage rigged with professional lighting and sound equipment. An orchestra pit accommodates musicians, and a control booth houses audio and visual equipment. Its amazing, said choir teacher Leah Ritt. Were used to performing outside in the cold. We have never had a facility like this. Its top of the line. Its more than I could have ever dreamed. Choir student Gabi Jimenez, 17, looks forward to singing for family and classmates in the new theater, a big step up from the quad where the group has performed in the past. With this facility, it will let them experience our vision to the fullest, she said. A separate, black box theater adjacent to the main hall can be configured to house various performances, rehearsals or recording sessions, Sewell said. This room can be whatever we need it to be, he said. In the rear of the building, a classroom and green room provide space for student actors and musicians to rehearse and prepare for performances. And dressing rooms, decorated in light green and cream, featured lighted mirrors and vanities. In the set shop, they will design, construct and paint theatrical scenery for productions. Nearby, a recording studio provides separate booths for musicians and vocalists, and acoustic dampening to reduce reverberation. Students will use the Pro Tools recording software employed by industry professionals, Sewell said. My hope is to help some of the students when theyre applying for college, he said. They can actually do their demos here. The arts center will be pivotal to an academic pathway for arts, digital media and design that the school is rolling out, officials said. Students in that program will be immersed in the art, craft and business of stage productions, learning to build props, operate lighting and sound equipment, manage ticket and concession sales, and produce musical and theatrical shows. Oceanside High already offers pathways for health and criminal justice that introduce students to subject matter and technical training in those fields. Next year, it plans to add the program for arts, as well as one for environmental science and engineering, and another for business, innovation and global entrepreneurship. Students will choose specialized electives in their area of interest, and take core academic classes that weave the pathways theme into subjects, including English, math or history. Student Zaire Oros, 16, said she plans to pursue a career in lighting and sound, and is thrilled to get started while shes still a student. The day before the ribbon-cutting, she got her first lesson in rigging lights, she said. I didnt know how to do that before, and since I plan to be doing that for the rest of my life, its great to learn while Im still going to school, so I dont have to go out into the world unprepared, she said. The school will host a community open house on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the new Oceanside High School Performing Arts Center at 1 Pirates Cove. On Saturday evening at 7 p.m., it will present a grand opening benefit concert for the center. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com or ohsfoundation.org. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Earths magnetic field is occasionally but regularly impacted by bursts of energy from the Sun (space weather), such as coronal mass ejections. Birds and other animals depend on the geomagnetic field for long-distance navigation during their seasonal migrations. In new research, scientists from the University of Michigan and elsewhere used long-term datasets to test whether geomagnetic disturbance is correlated with the number of birds migrating, their effort flying against the wind, and their flight altitude. Their results, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that fewer birds migrate during strong geomagnetic disturbances and that migrating birds may experience more difficulty navigating, especially under overcast conditions in autumn. Earths magnetic field is regularly impacted by solar outbursts that can trigger colorful aurorae and that sometimes disrupt satellite communications, human navigation systems and power grids. But little is known about how those disturbances affect animals that depend on the geomagnetic field for migratory orientation and navigation. Previous experimental studies over several decades provide strong evidence that birds, sea turtles and other organisms key into small changes in magnetic inclination, intensity and declination when making orientation decisions and developing navigational maps. One recent study examined millions of bird banding records and found that geomagnetic disturbances were associated with increased incidence of migratory bird vagrancy, that is, birds becoming lost during migration. But most previous studies were narrowly focused in geographic extent, duration and the number of species examined. In contrast, University of Michigan researcher Eric Gulson-Castillo and colleagues used a 23-year dataset of bird migration across the U.S. Great Plains to provide new insights at population and landscape levels. They used images collected at 37 NEXRAD radar stations in the central flyway of the U.S. Great Plains, a major migratory corridor. The flyway spans more than 1,600 km (1,000 miles) in the U.S., from Texas to North Dakota. They selected this relatively flat region to minimize influences from mountainous topography or oceanic and Great Lakes coastlines. Their final datasets included 1.7 million radar scans from the fall and 1.4 million from the spring. The community of nocturnally migrating birds in this region is primarily composed of a diverse set of perching birds (Passeriformes, 73% of species) such as thrushes and warblers; shorebirds (Charadriiformes, 12%) such as sandpipers and plovers; and waterfowl (Anseriformes, 9%) such as ducks, geese and swans. The NEXRAD radar scans detect groups of hundreds to thousands of migrating birds. Migration intensity meaning the number of birds in each cluster can be estimated and direction of flight can be measured. Concurrent geomagnetic measurements were accessed through superMAG, a worldwide collection of geomagnetic ground stations. Data were collected from magnetometer stations near weather radar sites. The researchers matched data from each radar station with a customized, spatiotemporally explicit index of geomagnetic disturbance that represents the maximum hourly change from background magnetic conditions. The data trove was fed into two complementary statistical models to measure the putative effects of magnetic disturbances on bird migration. The models controlled for the known effects of weather, temporal variables such as time of night and geographic variables such as longitude and latitude. We found broad support that migration intensity decreases under high geomagnetic disturbance, said University of Michigans Dr. Ben Winger. Our results provide ecological context for decades of research on the mechanisms of animal magnetoreception by demonstrating community-wide impacts of space weather on migration dynamics. The scientists also found that migrating birds appear to drift with the wind more frequently during geomagnetic disturbances in the fall, instead of expending great effort to battle crosswinds. Effort flying against the wind was reduced by 25% under cloudy skies during strong solar storms in the fall, suggesting that a combination of obscured celestial cues and magnetic disruption may hinder navigation. Our results suggest that fewer birds migrate during strong geomagnetic disturbances and that migrating birds may experience more difficulty navigating, especially under overcast conditions in autumn, Gulson-Castillo said. As a result, they may spend less effort actively navigating in flight and consequently fly in greater alignment with the wind. _____ Eric R. Gulson-Castillo et al. 2023. Space weather disrupts nocturnal bird migration. PNAS 120 (42): e2306317120; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2306317120 Edge, one of the worlds leading advanced technology and defence groups, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Saha Istanbul, paving the way for deeper cooperation between the UAE and Turkiye. Attending a dedicated industry summit in Turkiye, hosted exclusively for Edge by Saha Istanbul, a respected association representing more than 1,000 Turkish defence companies, Edge announced that it is inaugurating a dedicated office in the UAE named Malath, which will act as a catalyst for new business engagement between Edge and Saha companies, marking a new chapter in UAE-Turkiye cooperation in the advanced technology and defence sectors, and creating greater growth opportunities across the wider region and beyond. The signing of the agreement provides a framework for both sides to identify collaborative opportunities for joint development, and will enable Edge to leverage Turkiye's advanced ecosystem and robust supply chains. The agreement was signed by Mansour AlMulla, Edge Group Managing Director & CEO, and Ilhami Keles Vice Chairman of Saha Istanbul, and witnessed by Faisal Al Bannai, Chairman of Edge Group, and Haluk Bayraktar, Chairman of Saha Istanbul. Edge will also sign more than 20 further agreements with other Turkish companies operating within the countrys technology and defence sectors. Turkiye's rich ecosystem Al Bannai said: Today, we forge a path of strategic alliance with Saha Istanbul and its member companies, enabling us to tap into Turkiye's rich ecosystem and robust supply chain. This cooperation will not only pave the way for innovation but also strengthen the ties between our nations, fostering a sustainable future for our industries. Bayraktar said: Saha Istanbul, with more than 1,000 members, has a goal of developing the technological and sectoral competencies of its members, and to support the formation of a strong ecosystem by supporting the cooperation between these members for the continued development of Turkiyes sovereign capabilities including exports land & naval platforms, state-of-art unmanned aerial vehicles, and electronic warfare systems. The association is working hard to bring companies, universities, and governmental institutions together and are accelerating the formation of new partnerships between them, while encouraging international companies and organisations to cooperate with Turkish companies by organising these kinds of meetings. We believe our partnership with Edge will be very fruitful for both sides besides and is an important step for the technological development of both our countries. Mutual determination AlMulla added: The industry summit and the subsequent strategic cooperation agreement highlight our mutual determination to strengthen our capabilities and drive growth in the advanced technology and defence sectors. The opening of Malath will further solidify our endeavours in trading, joint development, advanced manufacturing and R&D investment. The summit is also being attended by major UAE defence industry stakeholders including the Ministry of Defence, Tawazun, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), and the Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC). The event is a key platform for Turkiye's leading advanced technology and defence manufacturers, Saha Istanbul companies, and Edge to demonstrate their capabilities and explore potential areas of collaboration, reaffirming the commitment of both nations to exchange innovative ideas and explore collaborative opportunities in the defence and aerospace sectors.--TradeArabia News Service Shelby Holman, Southern Imaginations CEO and managing member. Shelby Holman leads listening session in Yspsilanti. Chinese consulate closure complicates travel plans, stalls visas A sealed metal door and a single sheet of paper greeted people with appointments at the Chinese consulates visa office in San Francisco on Tuesday morning. Visa Office Will Close Temporarily, the sign said. Please follow up with further notification of the reopening time of the visa office. A day after San Francisco police officers shot and killed a driver who plowed into the Chinese consulates lobby Monday, the offices remained shuttered, giving appointment holders no notice of the closure aside from the paper taped to its doors. SFPD Public Information Officer Catherine Winters said at a press conference Monday that San Francisco Police Department officers shot and killed a person in the consulate lobby that day who had driven a car through the doors of the visa office on Geary Boulevard at around 3:09 p.m. This is a very complex investigation, Winters said, because of where the shooting occurred. Police said they arent yet sure whether the case is in their jurisdiction, and they are working with the U.S. State Department and Chinese officials. The Consulate General of China in San Francisco called for a U.S. investigation to be carried out expeditiously and dealt with seriously in accordance with the law. Police on Monday said the investigation is open and ongoing and have not yet identified the driver or a motive, but eyewitness accounts and videos posted on social media afford a glimpse into the harrowing scene. Sergii Molchanov, who recorded two videos from inside the lobby at the time of the crash, told multiple outlets and posted to the social media platform X that the driver shouted, Wheres (the Chinese Communist Party)? as they emerged from the car. But that news was lost on some visitors who had come to the corner of Geary Boulevard and Laguna Street on Tuesday from as far as Seattle, with international travel planned for later this week. Others needed to pick up their passports, which remain locked inside. I just showed up and found out the consulate is closed, said Raghav Gupta, founder of a Bay Area-based robotics company, who is scheduled to travel to China later this month for business. Peter Christensen, a state official who said he drove from Sacramento on Tuesday morning to pick up his visa for a Friday flight, said hed heard the news but thought hed chance it. When his staffers texted him this morning alerting him of the incident, he figured, The only way Im going to know for sure is to just show up and see what happens. No one was there to stamp his visa. Im just trying to get to Shanghai, he said. Now, I dont know if Im leaving on Friday or not. Ederson Souto, a graduate student at UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business, knew about Mondays shooting, but he showed up nonetheless Tuesday. He said he has classes in Chicago this weekend and electives in Shanghai next week. His passport was locked inside. We need to understand because it happened yesterday, he said. But we are also afraid to not get our passports. Souto, who said hes from Brazil, said the consulates closure only added more complexity to an already frustratingly complicated web of logistical planning. For international people, its more hard, he said. I cannot leave the U.S.; I cannot go to Brazil ... And I need a Real ID to travel around the U.S. But that hinged on getting his passport, and it remained unclear how long the consulate would remain closed. Mondays incident occurred just a month before Chinese leaders potentially including President Xi Jinping are expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in The City. The consulate building was previously tagged with graffiti during a protest in November, and a Daly City man was sentenced to nearly three years in prison in 2016 after setting fire to the buildings doors in 2014. The SFPD will host a town hall with more information on the shooting no later than Oct. 19, per the departments rules. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will enter the East Sea this week to take part in drills with South Korean forces. The U.S. aircraft carrier, which is currently in the East China Sea, is expected to arrive in the East Sea around Friday. It seems to form part of a show of force amid fears that North Korea will launch a provocation to coincide with regime founder Kim Il-sung's 110th birthday on Friday, either a fresh launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile or a seventh nuclear test. In November 2017 when the regime's nuclear and missile provocations were at their peak, the U.S. sent a warning message to the North by deploying no fewer than three aircraft carriers in the East Sea. The Lincoln, a 100,000-ton Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is 332.85 m long and 40.84 m wide and carries about 80 aircraft, including F-35C stealth fighter jets. The carrier strike group also includes smaller nuclear-powered submarines and Aegis destroyers. It will remain in international waters for about five days before it joins South Korea-U.S. naval drills. FILE: A California Highway Patrol at the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza in November 2001. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images What the heck does that road sign saying that speed is enforced by aircraft actually mean? Is there ever a legal way to cross the double-yellow lines if on a rural road passing a tractor? And can I keep driving with my blinkers on or is that illegal? Questions arise every day on California highways and the CHP office in Stockton is happy to answer them. The agency started a Q&A series it calls Weird Wednesday to help inform the public about what is considered legal activity on the highway. Now you can rest assured knowing if its legal or not to eat while driving. Read more A few more travel updates Advertisement Article continues below this ad It just got way cheaper to take your kids to Disneyland in 2024. The company announced that its slashing prices on its kids tickets. A hike to a tucked-away waterfall in the south Bay Area called Little Yosemite makes for a delightful day trip. And maybe, with a little imagination, the gorge has shades of the real thing. A California musician is petitioning the government to require identification for children on flights after he was stopped by the airline for suspected child trafficking. In our weekly Routes column, Jim Glab reports how a budget airline flew its last route from SFO to London last week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Barclays said on Tuesday that it expects a positive reaction to the ongoing BP capital markets day. "We continue to see material upside in the stock to 1,000p a share," it said. The bank noted that BP is holding a capital markets update in Denver, Colorado. It said a significant amount of detail has been provided on the outlook of the business and will "take time to dig into". As regards initial thoughts, Barclays pointed out that EBITDA ambitions for 2030 were lifted. "Whilst 2025 targets remained unchanged, BP lifted its 2030 group ambition for EBITDA by $2bn to $53-58bn driven entirely by an enhanced assessment of its hydrocarbon business which it now expects to deliver $41-44bn by 2030," it said. In addition, it said that longevity in oil and gas was the focus of the presentation, with BP suggesting that production can grow to 2025 and liquids to 2027 and be sustained both to 2030 and well into the next decade. "The message here is clear. This is not a business in decline instead having meaningful terminal value," Barclays said. In terms of resources, BP disclosed that it has 36bn or resources in the upstream, of which 7bn boe are proves and 18bn boe are included in the plan. "One of the most interesting highlights and one we hadn't thought about was the focus on the Paleogene in the US Gulf of Mexico through the Kaskida and Tiber prospects," Barclays said. "In a breakout session, the company highlighted a potential for Kaskida starting up in 2028 with production reaching towards 150kb/d. With the growth in bpx volumes, total US production for bp could reach 1mb/d by 2030." Barclays said the fact there was no update on the financial frame was not unexpected, and that the 2024 update should come in February. "We do not anticipate a change in rating from S&P this year, but 60% of a higher cashflow number should support buy-back levels," it said. "By 2025 on the current financial frame, net debt could be in the low tens which is broadly in line with our own projection given the higher assumed oil price we use for 2025 relative to BP." Barclays highlighted "a confident display" from the chief executive and chief financial officer, both of whom are currently acting in an interim capacity. "When asked about the valuation of the shares, CEO Murray, outlined a thesis which is similar to our Decade of Dominance thesis - essentially that the near term will be characterised by energy shortages and volatility with changing perception about the longevity of the oil and gas business driving the initial rerating followed by increased investor recognition of the low carbon business." Barclays rates BP at overweight. Elsewhere, Berenberg said it remains upbeat about the long-term investment picture in the metals and mining sector, but has warned of some near-term uncertainty and highlighted gold plays as the safe option right now. "From a mining standpoint, the broad macroeconomic picture is tricky, with the Chinese economy yet to show meaningful signs of improvement and [...] the wider energy transition narrative being delayed. We remain upbeat about the long-term dynamics of the sector, driven by rising demand to enable the energy transition, but feel that the short-term outlook is challenging to call, driven by a lack of clarity on Chinese economic performance and moderately resilient supply pointing to the risk of oversupplied markets," Berenberg said in a research note. Overall, the broker's preference is for gold-focused miners after a de-rating in the sector, along with conflict in the Middle East adding to gold's safe-haven attractiveness. However, it is neutral to negative on base and bulk metals (excluding coal) due to weak demand expectations. "We ultimately think the sector is in a holding pattern, with prices looking for direction from Chinese economic support; our way to play the names is either looking for quality value which we think will re-rate, or catalyst names which we think can re-rate," the broker said. Its top pick remains Rio Tinto, for which it has a 'buy' rating and 6,000p target price, driven by asset quality and stable free cash flow generation. Anglo American ('hold, with target at 2,600p) "remains much higher-risk to us at this point". For gold miners, Berenberg highlighted Pan African Resources as a key 'buy' (25p target) and Hochschild Mining ('buy', target 130p) for its turnaround story with attractive growth potential. Also rated 'buy' are Adriatic Metals (260p target), Wheaton Precious Metals (4,700p target) and Rainbow Rare Earths (43p target). However, Atalaya Mining was downgraded from 'buy' to 'hold' (380p target) due to expectations that project spend will reduce free cash flow. Barclays said on Tuesday that it expects a positive reaction to the ongoing BP capital markets day. "We continue to see material upside in the stock to 1,000p a share," it said. The bank noted that BP is holding a capital markets update in Denver, Colorado. It said a significant amount of detail has been provided on the outlook of the business and will "take time to dig into". As regards initial thoughts, Barclays pointed out that EBITDA ambitions for 2030 were lifted. "Whilst 2025 targets remained unchanged, BP lifted its 2030 group ambition for EBITDA by $2bn to $53-58bn driven entirely by an enhanced assessment of its hydrocarbon business which it now expects to deliver $41-44bn by 2030," it said. In addition, it said that longevity in oil and gas was the focus of the presentation, with BP suggesting that production can grow to 2025 and liquids to 2027 and be sustained both to 2030 and well into the next decade. "The message here is clear. This is not a business in decline instead having meaningful terminal value," Barclays said. In terms of resources, BP disclosed that it has 36bn or resources in the upstream, of which 7bn boe are proves and 18bn boe are included in the plan. "One of the most interesting highlights and one we hadn't thought about was the focus on the Paleogene in the US Gulf of Mexico through the Kaskida and Tiber prospects," Barclays said. "In a breakout session, the company highlighted a potential for Kaskida starting up in 2028 with production reaching towards 150kb/d. With the growth in bpx volumes, total US production for bp could reach 1mb/d by 2030." Barclays said the fact there was no update on the financial frame was not unexpected, and that the 2024 update should come in February. "We do not anticipate a change in rating from S&P this year, but 60% of a higher cashflow number should support buy-back levels," it said. "By 2025 on the current financial frame, net debt could be in the low tens which is broadly in line with our own projection given the higher assumed oil price we use for 2025 relative to BP." Barclays highlighted "a confident display" from the chief executive and chief financial officer, both of whom are currently acting in an interim capacity. "When asked about the valuation of the shares, CEO Murray, outlined a thesis which is similar to our Decade of Dominance thesis - essentially that the near term will be characterised by energy shortages and volatility with changing perception about the longevity of the oil and gas business driving the initial rerating followed by increased investor recognition of the low carbon business." Barclays rates BP at overweight. Vodafones planned merger with Three UK came under the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) spotlight on Wednesday, as the regulator invited feedback from third parties over the impact it could have on the competitive landscape. Vodafone UK is a subsidiary of the London-listed Vodafone Group, while Three UK operates under Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings. The CMA said it was a preliminary chance for stakeholders to voice concerns or observations before an official investigation was launched. It said its focus under the law was to meticulously assess the impact the merger could impose on competition within the telecommunication sector in the UK. The CMA noted that its jurisdiction did not extend to evaluating the mergers potential effects on aspects like employment or access to personal data, adding that it would maintain a singular focus on the competition aspects of the merger. Concerns about national security arising from the merger would be outside its purview and fall to the UK government, which could intervene under the National Security and Investment Act should it identify issues that warrant it. In the lead-up to a formal phase one investigation, the CMA said it was actively seeking views from various stakeholders to fortify its evidence gathering. Subsequent opportunities for entities to submit perspectives would also be made available once the formal investigative phase was underway, ensuring an inclusive and thorough analysis. Millions of consumers and businesses in the UK rely on Vodafones and Threes mobile networks to stay connected, said the CMAs chief executive officer, Sarah Cardell. We will be carefully considering how this deal may affect competition in the UK, which could affect the options and prices available to customers. We will also assess how it may affect incentives to invest in the quality of UK mobile networks. This is an opportunity for those with an interest in this merger to let us know their views before we launch a full investigation. There are currently four mobile network operators in the UK, being Vodafone, Three, EE and O2. At 1235 BST, shares in Vodafone Group were up 0.41% at 77.71p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Next is reportedly close to snapping up FatFace in a deal worth more than 100m. According to Sky News, the FTSE 100 clothing and homeware retailer is putting the finishing touches to an acquisition of FatFace, just three years after it was taken over by its lenders. City sources told Sky the deal could be announced later this week. The purchase of FatFace, a family-focused clothing retailer which trades from around 180 UK stores, will be the latest name to have made it onto Next's lengthening post-pandemic shopping list. It recently confirmed that it was increasing its stake in Reiss to cement its position as the brand's majority shareholder. Since the pandemic, it has bought online furniture retailer Made.com, which had crashed into administration; Cath Kidston, which had also encountered financial difficulties; and maternity wear retailer JoJo Maman Bebe. Lord Wolfson, Next's long-serving chief executive, has also struck partnerships with Victoria's Secret and Gap. FatFace's owners were said to have appointed Rothschild to advise on strategic options in May last year. North Korea's latest missile launches forced the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to return to South Korean waters on Wednesday after the end of joint naval drills. The decision was made in the belief that North Korea is limbering up to another nuclear test. The Joint Chiefs of Staff here said, "The USS Ronald Reagan will be redeployed to the East Sea. It is extremely rare for an aircraft carrier to be redeployed, which demonstrates the firm resolve of the U.S.-South Korea alliance to respond to any North Korean provocation or threat." A senior official at the presidential office here said, "We believe North Korea's continued provocations are part of a sequential scenario heightening the possibility of a seventh nuclear test." After making a splash in the Indian TV market, French consumer electronics brand Thomson is geared up to launch a series of laptops across price points in the domestic market in the first quarter of 2024, a top company executive said, as the government pushes for the PLI 2.0 for IT hardware scheme. The move, said Sebastien Crombez, trademark licensing trade and marketing manager, Technicolor SA Thomson France, is to let Indian users experience feature-rich, powerful laptops that will be launched in the country after a rigorous testing phase at homegrown manufacturer Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd (SPPL), an exclusive brand licensee of Thomson in the country.After the success of our exhaustive range of TVs and other product categories in India, we are very bullish on foraying into the Indian laptop market, which has ample room to grow. I see a very positive government policy in place for companies to come and manufacture here. France and India have a very good relationship and we have a lot of things in common. Bringing our laptop range to India is a natural expansion for us to serve the customers, Crombez said. The PLI 2.0 scheme encompasses IT hardware items, including laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers, and ultra-small form factor devices, aligning with the trajectory of achieving $25 billion in IT hardware production with exports projected between $12-17 billion by 2025-26. More than 45 companies have submitted applications under PLI Hardware 2.0 and "many of them are already in the process of setting up their plants", Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said last month. According to Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, SPPL, they have been working towards launching Thomson laptops for more than a year, closely studying category trends and consumer and market behavior in the country. We will launch the best Thomson laptops in the country in Q1 of 2024 that have already been tried and tested in other countries. The devices will come in entry level, mid-price level and premium segments to cater to a large pool of customers, Marwah. The Indian traditional PC market, inclusive of desktops, notebooks, and workstations, continued to struggle, as it shipped 3.2 million units in the second quarter of this year. Despite growing by 5.9 percent quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), it declined by 15.3 percent year-over-year (YOY) in the April-June quarter, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC). There is a lot of scope in the domestic laptop market after Chinese devices failed to woo the consumers. We are not leaving anything behind and will be very aggressive with the Thomson range of devices, Marwah emphasized. Friends Union For Energising Lives (FUEL), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized youth, celebrated its 17th Foundation Day in Pune, reaffirming its commitment to uplift underprivileged communities. The event featured engaging activities and included the awarding of scholarships to 90 unprivileged female students, showcasing FUELs dedication to improving lives through skill development and vocational training. Eminent personalities, policymakers, industry leaders, and government delegates were present at the momentous occasion. The main highlight of the celebration was the Future Skills Summit. The summit was graced by renowned industry leaders and policymakers. The summit delved into future skills, talent acquisition, and innovation in CSR in education and skill development. Notable guests included Rahul Narwekar - Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Harshita Narwekar - Social Worker and Corporator BMC, Col. Rajesh Ohol - Vice-President Hitachi Air Conditioning India, Parag Deshmukh - Director International Business Serum Institute of India, Paneesh Rao -Chief Sustainability Officer LTI Mindtree, Tina Rastogi - Global Head Human Resources, Cybage Software, Deepika Thakur - Product Manager HR Applications, UBS, Rohit Sharma - Head HR Services, Bayer, Ashwini Saxena - CEO, JSW Foundation, Shailesh Jain - Head CSR & Global Responsible Business Program, India GDC, Fujitsu, Ketan Deshpande - Founder and Chairman of FUEL and FUEL Business School (FBS), Santhosh Huralikoppi Chief Mentor FUEL, Mayuri Deshpande Chief Operating Officer FUEL and Dr. Pratima Sheorey Dean FUEL Business School. The foundation day featured various programs, including a touching ceremony where 90 deserving female students from underprivileged backgrounds were awarded scholarships. These scholarships were part of MoU between FUEL, LTI Mindtree, and the Oracle Scholarship Program, specifically for female PGDM students at FUEL Business School (FBS). The goal is to empower these students for higher education and promising careers. The event also included the unveiling of FUEL Hope Stories, a book showcasing the perseverance of FUEL students, and the launch of the Saksham Digital Skill Program. This program equips student leaders with essential skills like computer literacy, coding, data analysis, online communication, cybersecurity, and proficiency with digital tools and software applications. The guest of honor Rahul Narvekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, said, On FUELs 17th Foundation Day, I congratulate Ketan Deshpande and the entire team for their outstanding work in empowering underprivileged youth through skill development, training, and scholarships. Their commitment to social progress, evidenced by collaborations with major MNCs and NITI Ayog, is commendable. Providing over 1 million career counseling sessions has been pivotal in guiding countless individuals toward meaningful careers. I extend my best wishes for continued success as FUEL enters a new phase with its university campus". The host Ketan Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of FUEL and FUEL Business School, Said, On our 17th Foundation Day, I am proud to acknowledge progress in supporting underprivileged students. While witnessing positive outcomes is gratifying, I recognize more must be done. The ongoing success of our mission to empower every student relies on unwavering support from stakeholders. Together, we must continue striving for our goal, ensuring no student is left behind in their pursuit of knowledge and empowerment. We have envisioned a future with equal access to career opportunities for every student, achieved through proactive initiatives like endowment scholarships, volunteer-guided internships, blended learning, and collaboration with social organizations for on-the-ground implementation. FUEL has a big influence on over 45,976 female students since 2007 by emphasizing education, employability, and empowerment. The organization has played a crucial role in enhancing skills and employability among underprivileged populations across states. With a track record of providing education, granting 10,000+ scholarships, and equipping over 98,667 individuals with skills, FUEL has facilitated placements for 62,753+ youths in diverse careers, supported 350 entrepreneurs, and conducted 1 million career counseling sessions. FUELs Career EduConnect initiative targets students from Class 7 to Class 12, offering insights into education and career paths to address unemployment. The organization provides courses in Digital Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and 3D Printing, empowering marginalized communities for improved employability. Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), commended India's G20 presidency this year for highlighting the world's collective responsibility. Under India's leadership, the G-20 presidency focused on the theme of "Vasudeva Kutumbhakam", serving as a historic milestone that emphasized the idea of one world, one family, and one future. This theme reminded nations of their duty to protect the singular world we all call home. During his address at the ' International Conference on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' at the UN headquarters, President Francis also criticized the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in numerous civilian casualties. He strongly condemned the escalating violence in the Middle East, emphasizing that it contradicts the principles of a unified world and the cherished values of unity and solidarity. President Francis further highlighted the global challenges, from conflicts and climate emergencies to pandemics and supply chain disruptions, which have left people around the world suffering and apprehensive. He stressed the increasing volatility of our era and noted that the most vulnerable are often the hardest hit. In these challenging times, President Francis underscored the importance of unity and solidarity, resonating with the theme of "One World, One Family". He appreciated India's leadership for reminding us of the essential truth that, in times of distress and alarm, we often come together, seeking support and solace, as it is fundamentally human to do. The Government of Bihar marked a significant milestone with the successful organization of 'Bihar Business Connect', Investors Summit in Bengaluru, an official statement from the Bihar Government stated. The success of the Investors Meet in Bengaluru is a testament to the Department of Industries, Bihar's steadfast dedication to creating a vibrant ecosystem for investment and economic growth in the state, the statement said. Bihar Industry Minister, Samir Kumar Mahaseth, stated, "The Govt. of Bihar is also continuously trying to liaison with banks and financial institutions to ensure overall growth of the industrial sector of Bihar. We would like to extend a grand welcome to the investors, their friends and families to come and invest in Bihar". He emphasized how Bihar has progressed tremendously over the years and has focused on the growth of women entrepreneurs as well. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the esteemed participants and dignitaries who made the Bengaluru Investors Summit a resounding success. Your overwhelming response is a testament to the immense potential and opportunities that Bihar offers to the business community. We look forward to forging enduring partnerships that will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the state. We urge the aspirational investors to come to Bihar and experience a change in perception and then decide whether to invest in Bihar", said Pankaj Dixit, Director, Department of Industries, the Bihar Government. The summit held on Tuesday witnessed an overwhelming response, with participation from key stakeholders representing approximately 50 leading companies, including industry giants such as Britannia, IBM, UST Global, Synopsis, Shahi Exports, Gokuldas, Raymond and Arvind Lifestyle, among others. In addition to corporate leaders, the summit was attended by distinguished delegates from prominent industry associations, including the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) and The National Association of Software & Service Companies (NASSCOM). The Department of Industries, Bihar has been continuously trying to encourage potential investors in plenty of ways, like providing various incentives under the high-priority sectors of Leather and Textiles, Food Processing, IT, ESDM and e-vehicles. In addition to this, the department is also offering plug-and-play facilities and handholding support to the companies willing to set up industries in Bihar. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The New York State Department of Civil Service (DCS) has released its October application schedule for New Yorks entry-level civil service exams. The open-competitive exams are an opportunity to start a career with New York state. These tests are open to anyone who meets the qualifications listed on the examination announcement. The application period opened for the following exams: child support specialist 1; economic development program specialist 2; economic development program specialist 3; engineering technician trainee; fair hearings specialist 2; fair hearings specialist 2 (Spanish language); food inspector trainee 1; food inspector trainee 1 (Spanish language); principal engineering technician. Interested applicants can apply online by Oct. 18. Visit www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc to apply for exams. Some careers offer an additional annual downstate adjustment if they work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland or Westchester Counties. According to the state, an application must be submitted online or postmarked by the last date to apply. An application will not be accepted after the application filing deadline has passed. There are no application fees for the exams this month. To be considered for an appointment, you must pass the written test. If approved for a written test, you will receive an admission notice, which will indicate your assigned test date and the way your test will be administered. Your test may be administered with paper and pencil or online at a state test site using a state-provided Chromebook. You cannot request to change your scheduled day or request a specific type of test administration. All positions offer benefits, including paid leave, health benefits and retirement plans. In addition, telecommuting options may be available to employees who meet certain criteria. The salaries for each position vary. To learn more about working for the State of New York, visit the Department of Civil Service website and follow the department on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. MORE STORIES: Looking for remote work? Here are 10 jobs with the most opportunities, according to data. Here are 15 jobs in NYC paying over $50K No college degree? Here are 40 of the highest-paying jobs in NYC that dont require one STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Police responded to multiple schools on Staten Island Wednesday morning after several of the facilities received unfounded automated threats, according to a law enforcement source. The threats were issued via telephone at the same time, the law enforcement source said. Among the schools where the enhanced NYPD presence could be seen were McKee High School and Curtis High School in St. George and New Dorp High School. According to a post by the NYPDs 120th Precinct on X, formerly known as Twitter, officers searched McKee and Curtis in the precinct and deemed the threats unfounded. A similar post was issued by the 122th Precinct for New Dorp High School. We have searched McKee and Curtis High Schools after unfounded bomb threats received via telephone. The schools have been cleared and are safe. We will be investigating and prosecuting whomever made these unfounded threats. NYPD 120th Precinct (@NYPD120Pct) October 11, 2023 We have searched New Dorp High School after unfounded bomb threats received via telephone. New Dorp High School has been cleared and is safe. We will be investigating and prosecuting whomever made these unfounded threats. NYPD 122nd Precinct (@NYPD122Pct) October 11, 2023 The safety of our students and staff is our absolute top priority, said a statement from the city Department of Education. In response to each threat, NYPD immediately responded and investigated, ensuring all students and staff were safe. All of the school buildings where threats were made ultimately were cleared and students returned to their classes, according to a source with knowledge of the incident. Police officials vowed a full investigation. We will be investigating and prosecuting whomever made these unfounded threats, the 120th Precinct social media message said. The NYPD is responding to McKee High School at 101 Belmont Place in St. George where students have been evacuated on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) The NYPD is responding to McKee High School at 101 Belmont Place in St. George where students have been evacuated on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) The NYPD is responding to Curtis Hight School at 105 Hamilton Ave. in St. George on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) The NYPD is responding to Curtis Hight School at 105 Hamilton Ave. in St. George on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Happening this week, the NYC Wine & Food Festival ranks among the most prestigious chef showcases in the world. Now, for the third year, Peter Botros will present at the celebrity-studded affair with carefully curated noshes at three separate events. Lucky ticket holders can score a taste in person at Pier 86, home of the Intrepid Museum located in Hudson River Park. If not, Botros normally features the items in his establishments after the NYCWFF. Chef Peter Botros and his team at NYCWFF 2022 when they garnered much recognition for meticulous presentations. (Courtesy of Nadia Beck) For now, these are the theme dinners and hosts at NYCWFF where attendees can find Botros and his chef crew Antonio Vasquez Flores of The Stone House at Clove Lakes, Luis Jiminez of Violettes Cellar in Grant City and Martin Melendez of Sallys Southern & BBQ in West Brighton. This was the Shrimp Elote Taco from NYCWFF 2022 in the "Tacos After Dark" competition. (Courtesy of Nadia Beck) Botros said, Tacos after Dark is the third year of this event and we have participated in each year. The first year the event was not a competition, and last year they decided to make the event a competition which we did not know about until we arrived. Even after finding out late we came in second place in a 32 submission competition. The chef added, We are making a big push to win. This years dish is a Pork Belly Al Pastor a 12-hour, slow-roasted creation called Pork belly, guajillo pepper and coriander adobo with pink pineapple and yuzu salsa-chipotle chiccahron-50/50 tortilla. This years Taste of Italy Dish is a Lobster and Shrimp Scampi Cappellacci with lobster and shrimp-filled pasta, spicy lemon emulsion, crystallized basil, butter-toasted breadcrumb and a Calabrian chili oil finish. In honor of the Botros restaurant group rolling out their soon-coming, Grant City Ghost Kitchen, his crew will serve an item dubbed Martins Kosher Style Deli. This year, Botros will incorporate shrimp and lobster into his pasta presentation. (Courtesy of Nadia Beck) Botros explained, We took the theme of that and incorporated it into our dish for this year which is a Reuban Brisket Burger. This is a Pastrami-Infused Burger Blend, Butter Toasted Marble Rye, Caraway Aioli, Swiss Cheese, and Thousand Island Slaw. This will be served with a Spiked Nitro Root Beer Float. The Staten Island kitchen maven and his staff took first place in the Battle of the Boroughs Cocktail Competition in 2022. Alas, it will not be hosted by NYCWFF this year. We are honored to be featured in not only one but the three biggest events this year, and we have been asked to be featured at every New York City Wine and Food Festival since 2017. We are passionate about representing Staten Island and the growing culinary scene, said Botros. He concluded, The festival is a compilation of the greatest culinary talents in New York, and by default, the world. Its an incredibly humbling experience that my lifelong passion for food has brought me to the point where I can cook side by side with these amazing Chefs Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food/Silive.com Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com. For 911 pizza, dial Dominos Staten Island restaurants step up, play ball to raise funds for Staten Island 5-year old fighting cancer National Coffee Day: How the locals celebrate. Try these 10 Staten Island spots. As Israel steps up its siege of Gaza and the likelihood of a prolonged conflict grows, Greece is bracing for a new influx of illegal migrants. The country's top migration official warns the latest violence will add to a surge of migrants that UN data say is already led by Palestinians. Greek migration minister Dimitris Keridis warned that even before the outbreak of hostilities between Hamas and Israel, Greece had already been facing the biggest surge in illegal migrant inflows in recent years. Keridis said, "as if the multitude of flashpoints in northern Africa and Syria were not pushing thousands of migrants and refugees to Europe already, now this." The minister warned that escalating violence in the Middle East is likely add to migration pressure to Greece and the EU as a whole, especially, he said, if Iran gets involved in the crisis and tensions boil over in Lebanon, Egypt, and Libya. Like Italy and Spain, Greece has faced rising migrant inflows. This year it has already counted more than double the 18,780 illegal entries authorities recorded for all of 2022. STATEN ISLAND, NY -- Staten Island PPS, Performance Provider System, has awarded $10,000 to each of five nonprofit organizations to support capacity building and enhanced service provision in addressing critical social determinants of health for Staten Islanders. Staten Island PPS has partnered with Nonprofit Staten Island (NPSI) to identify five local nonprofit organizations addressing key community needs and award the money supporting their work. This partnership has engaged organizations historically disconnected from healthcare systems and networks. Building capacity among community-based not-for-profit organizations is critical to addressing health equity issues. The SI PPS and SINFP collaboration generated widespread enthusiasm among our Staten Island-based CBOs, said Joseph Conte, Ph.D., the Executive Director of the PPS. We are proud to be able to award five grants and, simultaneously, disappointed we cannot support all the amazing applications that were received. said Conte. The connectivity initiated through this opportunity better positions providers with valuable expertise and approaches to more effectively address social determinants of health, which have been well-documented as pivotal in shaping community health outcomes. The partnered duo aims to tackle the root causes of health disparities and promote holistic approaches to healthcare. The winners will significantly support the PPS and Northwell Healths ongoing effort to address disparities in the community. The awards have been granted to: A Chance in Life is an organization empowering at-risk young people worldwide with education and leadership development, as their website says. With a 77-year legacy, this organization provides new education and leadership initiatives for at-risk youth. This invaluable support not only ensures that we can continue to offer culturally sensitive food options and nutrition services to our fellow Staten Islanders, said Gabriele Delmonaco, President, and CEO, but it also underscores the significant role that education, employment, housing, nutrition, and access to quality healthcare services together have on an individuals health and well-being, Celebrate Hope Recovery Center, a small organization helping Staten Islanders recover from the trauma and pain of substance abuse. We are deeply appreciative of Staten Island Performing Provider System and Nonprofit Staten Island for recognizing the value in our work and providing us with this invaluable platform to let others in our borough know who we are and what we do, said Mark Santa, President of Celebrate Hope. The Council of Jewish Organization Staten Island aims to serve the entire Jewish community of Staten Island. Rabbi Mirocznik, President of COJO SI shared, Our collaboration aims to tackle the intricate, integrated, and interconnected social structures, policies, and economic systems that significantly impact health and quality of life outcomes. He continued, We eagerly anticipate the positive impact and meaningful changes that will result from our joint efforts. H.E.A.L.T.H. 4 Youths, Co-founder Heather Butts, said, We hope that our project, which seeks to support youth, college students, veterans, and NYCHA residents, has a positive impact on those communities, as well as the greater Staten Island population. This organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed for the charitable and educational purposes of assisting youth. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with SI PPS collaborating on the incredible work that they do to address the health and wellness of communities throughout Staten Island. K Wood Foundation, founded by Kareem Kay Woods in 2019 is dedicated to youth development and building community through teamwork and leadership, as stated on their website. This partnership is a game-changer, challenging the limitations of the non-profit industrial complex and paving the way for transformative change, Tal Jasmin, Chief Operating Officer of the foundation added. We are all in when it comes to championing equity, justice, and wellness across Staten Island. Together we are creating a brighter, more equitable future for our community. The projects funded through this opportunity will take place between October 2023 and March 2024. Both SI PPS and NPSI look forward to building and maintaining strong relationships with all the recipients as they continue their important work addressing social determinants of health in Staten Island. ABOUT STATEN ISLAND PERFORMING PROVIDER SYSTEM In 2014, the Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) formed an integrated network of medical, behavioral, and social services agencies under the New York State Department of Health Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP). Their goals included improving the quality of care, reducing costs, and improving health outcomes for Staten Islands Medicaid and uninsured populations. By the end of the DSRIP Program, we exceeded our goals and maintained our network to continue enhancing and refining the transformative work built in the Staten Island Community. said the organization. Today, they continue to work with their partners to improve population health outcomes, address social determinants of health, grow their network, and reduce health disparities. We are dedicated to improving health equity by holding conversations with our community, creating educational and workforce opportunities for youth, and bridging connections with non-traditional service providers to meet people where they are in the community. Learn more at www.statenislandpps.org. ABOUT NONPROFIT STATEN ISLAND Since 2005, the Nonprofit Staten Island (formerly known as SINFPA) has provided resources, support, and advocacy for the boroughs nonprofit community. Through year-round educational workshops, coalition building, affinity groups, networking opportunities, and resource sharing, Nonprofit Staten Island (NPSI) strives to ensure nonprofits have what they need to continue being service providers, employers, and active members of the Staten Island community. Through this collaboration with Nonprofit Staten Island, SI PPS has not only fostered connectivity but also harnessed the expertise and innovative approaches of these organizations, said Tatiana Arguello, Executive Director of Nonprofit Staten Island. NPSI membership includes over 150 cultural institutions, faith-based organizations, health care providers, senior & youth service providers, and local community groups that provide critical services and meaningful programs for our diverse Staten Island individuals, families, communities, and neighborhoods. Together, we are challenging the norms of the nonprofit sector and taking actionable steps in furthering equity, strengthening access, and promoting wellness across our Staten Island community, said Arguello. Through its work, NPSI is prioritizing and elevating equitable and intersectional responses from the nonprofit sector to both long-standing and emerging community needs. By upholding and working in service to the core pillars of Community Voice, Community Response, and Community Building, NPSI strives to foster meaningful collaboration and culturally responsive service provision across the borough and New York City. Learn more at https://nonprofitstatenisland.org/ MORE NEWS STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Borough President Vito Fossella and other Staten Island elected officials held a solidarity event Tuesday with the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) for victims of violence in Israel. The people of Staten Island sadly understand what terrorism feels like, and today so do the people of Israel, said Fossella at the event, held in the lobby of the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Sea View. When we were attacked, Israel stood with us. Now, when Israel is attacked, we must stand with them. COJO is a community organization committed to serving the Jewish community and Staten Island as a whole. COJO offers support and fosters community engagement through events across the Island. Fossella and his fellow elected officials stood in solidarity with the Jewish community after the Israeli government officially announced a state of war in response to Hamas unexpected recent assault. Fossella introduced a number of speakers, including Acting Consul General Tsach Saar. Palestinian terrorists from Hamas unleashed a horrifying attack on Israeli civilians and soldiers, said Saar. This cruelty was unprecedented. Saar went on to discuss the rising death toll of Israeli civilians, including women, children and the elderly. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued efforts to eliminate remaining fighters in southern towns and escalated airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The casualties have now exceeded 1,100 fatalities and thousands of injured on both sides of the conflict, according to an Associated Press report. CEO and Executive Vice President of COJO Scott Maurer, President of COJO Mendy Mirocznik, City Councilman David Carr, President of the College of Staten Island Timothy Lynch, City Councilwoman Kamaillah Hanks and other elected officials gather together at the JCC on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in solitary with Israel. (Staten Island Advance/Toniann DiCostanzo)(Staten Island Advance/Toniann D These actions were not just against Israel, but against America, the free world, and all of humanity, said Saar. He expressed his appreciation for the unwavering support that the United States has extended to Israel. The local community of Staten Island will never bend in our unity and our unified support for you and your people, District Attorney Michael McMahon said. We want to work together to make sure the people of Israel have what we want here as well; the ability to live free, to enjoy life without the fear of evil terrorism. Said Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D- Staten Island/South Brooklyn): What is happening in Israel is an absolute travesty. To witness the horrors of the footage from overseas is sickening. Our community must come together to stand firmly in solidarity with the local families who have been impacted and denounce hatred and antisemitism that runs rampant. What I also find disturbing is that in NYC over the weekend, they showed a blatant disregard for these atrocities on Israelis by holding a rally for some of the perpetrators. It is an absolute disgrace and a slap in the face to people suffering, she added. Make no mistake, we stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and denounce the brutality of this terrorist attack. Let us pray for the victims and for peace. The officials were accompanied by the NYPD, which diligently safeguards the security of various places of worship. If you allow the light of freedom to be dimmed in one part of the world, darkness will fall on all of the world, state Sen. Andrew Lanza said emphatically. Every good American who knows their constitution; we are born of the same concept, we are born in freedom. Israelis inspect a damaged residential building after it was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. (Associated Press/Erik Marmor)AP The group stood together to denounce anti-Semitism, emphasizing that those who engage in such acts will face prosecution and be subject to the full weight of hate crime laws in New York City. You know the old two sides to every story there are no two sides to this story, Lanza said. But there is a choice; a choice between good and evil, love and hate, a choice between Israel and Hamas. And we choose good, we choose love, and we choose Israel. CEO of the JCC Orit Lender, President of COJO Mendy Mirocznik, City Councilman Joseph Borelli, City Councilman David Carr, President of CSI Timothy Lynch, City Councilwoman Kamaillah Hanks and other elected officials gather together at the JCC on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in solitary with Israel. (Staten Island Advance/Toniann DiCostanzo)(Staten Island Advance/Toniann D My heart is broken for all Israelis and everyone in our community who has family in Israel, said Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC. There are no words to truly express the pain we are all feeling right now. President of COJO Mendy Mirocznik said: Ten years ago when I first met some of these elected officials, they learned three words: Israel shall live. The JCC said in a statement: In times of crisis, we turn to our community for support. We will continue to be there for Israelis in our community and for those impacted by the crisis. The JCCs Social Services Department is supporting Israeli college students enrolled at Wagner College and the College of Staten Island through this difficult time. We are working with our partner organizations, including UJA-Federation of New York, to provide support to their on-the-ground efforts in Israel. We are all praying for the safety of our friends in Israel and for peace in the region. A view of the rubble of buildings hit by an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Associated Press/Fatima Shbair)AP Associated Press material was referenced in this report. Fans of a certain 90s sitcom who were none too thrilled with the shows infamous final episode may be in store for some form of a do-over, CNN is reporting. During a recent standup appearance, Jerry Seinfeld insinuated that he and the shows co-creator, Larry David, have something in the works relating to the final episode, which aired in 1998 with the four main characters being sentenced to a year in prison. I have a little secret for you about the ending, but I cant really tell it, the comic told the audience while on stage at the Wang Theater in Boston, as seen in video footage posted to social media, the report said. Heres what Ill tell you, OK? But you cant tell anybody Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending, Seinfeld told the audience, adding that whatever that something may be, it hasnt happened yet, the report said. Seinfeld ran on NBC for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998. However, debate still swirls over the quality of the two-part series finale, which was viewed by over 70 million people. Looks like Californians with a sweet tooth are feeling some candy anxiety as rumors abound that a popular treat may be banned in the state, according to a report in Forbes. Social media posts are claiming that a new California law will ban Skittles candy in 2027, even though the law, which was created to ban specific food additives some have deemed dangerous, makes no mention of Skittles, the report said. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed into law a bill that bans four chemicals red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben all of which are regularly found in the ingredient lists of popular snack foods. The bill has been mistakenly referred to as a Skittles ban because a previously written version of it would have banned titanium dioxide, a chemical found in Skittles, the report said. Companies have until 2027 to reformulate products to exclude the banned chemicals, the report went on to say. NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Thousands attended a rally in support of Israel, shutting down Manhattans Midtown East Side on Tuesday. The rally was held in response to the surprise weekend attack by Hamas that left a death toll in the Middle East unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria. The crowd jammed Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at 47th Street and Second Avenue, near the United Nations. Second Avenue was eventually closed by police as the crowd spilled onto the streets, paralyzing midtown traffic. A small group of Ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist sect Neturei Karta held signs that drew outrage from the pro-Israel crowd. Charter buses were seen nearby and helicopters were above. Electeds including Gov. Hochul and musicians led the crowds in loud shows of support, as reported by the New York Daily News. New Yorkers will never tolerate evil, whether its committed here in our homeland or in Israel, Hochul said. Thousands attend a rally in support of Israel on Manhattans Midtown East Side, closing Second Avenue at 47th Street, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. A small group of Ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist sect Neturei Karta held signs that drew outrage from the pro-Israel crowd(Staten Island Advance/Steve Zaffarano) Thousands attend a rally in support of Israel on Manhattans Midtown East Side, closing Second Avenue at 47th Street on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Steve Zaffarano) Thousands attend a rally in support of Israel on Manhattans Midtown East Side, closing Second Avenue at 47th Street on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Steve Zaffarano) A small group of Ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist sect Neturei Karta held signs that drew outrage from the pro-Israel crowd on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Steve Zaffarano) RELATED STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Days after news broke about a defamation lawsuit filed by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani against President Biden, the veteran Staten Island attorney who drafted the complaint has revealed the suit also seeks to depose the president. The suit, filed last week in New Hampshire Superior Court, claims in part that Biden and various groups associated with his campaign falsely stated during a 2020 presidential debate that Giuliani was being used as a Russian pawn, and that he was being fed information that is Russian that is not true. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! San Mateo, CA (94402) Today Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable. The congressional delegation's meeting came at a time when U.S. officials have boosted engagement with Chinese officials, including visits to China by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Schumer was part of a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation that met with Xi on Monday ahead of a potential meeting between Xi and President Joe Biden next month in San Francisco. An Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit takes place during the week of Nov. 12-18. Beijing has not said who will represent it at the talks. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that he made clear during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bejing that the United States wants equitable business relations with China, along with help in combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States. In a statement, Schumer said the lawmakers told Chinese officials, "At the foundation of our relationship must be a level playing field for American businesses and workers as well as responsible competition. We need reciprocity." The Senate Democratic leader also said, "That means allowing American companies to compete as freely in China as Chinese companies are able to compete in America. I made clear to President Xi that we do not believe there is a level playing field or reciprocity now." Schumer gave no assessment of Xi's reaction to the comments. But the world's two biggest economies -- the U.S. first, China second -- have sparred over trade issues for several years now. Schumer said he called on China "to take more aggressive action" to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. "Right now, the scourge of fentanyl is costing tens of thousands of lives and destroying American families," the lawmaker said. "I called on President Xi to work with the United States to stem the flow of precursor chemicals that are fueling America's fentanyl crisis. China taking meaningful actions on this critical issue will go a long way to improving relations between our two counties, which is a good deal for both of us." 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 Thank you for your editorial (Telling Jewish residents to stay home to avoid the CBD is not OK, October 11). I wanted to show my children that when their brethren are slaughtered and abducted for being Jews, that they live in a country that shows them solidarity. By banning them from coming to the city to see the Opera House just because my sons wear Jewish head coverings, the police instead have sent them a message that they should live in fear and that their city cant protect them. Paul Roberts, Miranda Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit: What has occurred in the past few days in Israel is horrifying for the Jewish community in NSW. Our brothers and sisters have been slaughtered in the darkest day since the Holocaust, our neighbours in Sydney are jeering at us, and we are sitting in pain, grief and tears. There is no excusing what happened, there are no justifications, and there is no place among civil members of society to shout antisemitic slogans at the Sydney Opera House. Australians, your Jewish neighbours are in pain. Now is this the time to reach out and see if we are OK. The silence is deafening. Rabbi Alon Meltzer, Bellevue Hill It saddens me to see the politicisation of the Sydney Opera House with its sails lit in Israeli flag colours. As tragic as the longstanding Middle East conflict is, an internationally recognised cultural icon like the Opera House should always be a source of unity to all and never used to divide our community. John Lander, Killarney Heights I am proud the premier had the courage to light up the Opera House in the colours of the flag of Israel even though he knew about the expected backlash from all the citizens who celebrated the terrorists who killed, terrorised and kidnapped innocent civilians, including children and old women. Judy Davies, Rose Bay I hope Chris Minns, after lighting up the Opera House in support of Israel, takes time to educate himself and reflect on his divisive actions. The state of Israel has constructed and expanded settlements, confiscated land and displaced Palestinian civilians from their homes in breach of United Nations resolutions and humanitarian law. Will Minns light up the Opera House in the colours of Palestine as innocent civilians in Gaza, who have nowhere to escape to, are bombed, shelled and shot in the coming days? Geoff Williams, Chifley Wouldnt it send a stronger message to display both Palestinian and Israeli flags together on the sails of the Opera House? Margaret Ryan, Bexley Advertisement As an Australian Ahmadi Muslim, I am disgusted by the violent escalation of tensions between Palestine and Israel. The head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has condemned violence from both sides and said the killing or harming of innocent civilians is a direct violation of the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him), who taught that even in a state of warfare, no woman, child or elder should be targeted or harmed in any way. The biggest victims are both the Israeli and Palestinian citizens who had no say, no warning and no desire to inflict this pain on each other. Naosheyrvaan Nasir, Quakers Hill The No campaign has done its damage Not much chance of No voters rethinking. And what percentage would, as Ross Gittins suggests, read to the end of his informative case study (Voting No? You may have this key assumption wrong, October 11). Sadly and with great concern, I fear that the damage has already been done by the leaders of the No campaign. Their half-truths and ability to create fear have done irreparable damage to a wise and heartfelt solution to walk together to a better future. Grahame Ellis, Narraweena What irks me about the coming Voice vote on Saturday is the easy way the word racist is used to apply to anyone who is not seen as being in favour of the Yes vote (Letters, October 11). For the past five-plus weeks we have had massive coverage of the for and against cases in all forms of media. Voters now have more than enough information to decide the merits or otherwise of each sides position. Choosing the No side does not mean the person is a racist. It simply means many voters did not have the detail that they want on how the Voice would work, be funded, implemented, managed and administered. The answers were missing from the debate. Laurie McDougall, Beecroft Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: I have to agree with your correspondent that young people generally have a strong belief in justice and are not tainted by a fear of change, like us oldies (Letters, October 11). Brexit would never have happened if younger voters (who have many more years to suffer the consequences) had more clout in an election. Its time we introduced age proportional voting, where a 20-year-olds vote is worth 80 points and an 80-year-olds vote is worth 20 points. Dick Barker, Epping What next if the referendum proposal fails? As Rachel Perkins suggests, ask the No campaigners, whove offered no constructive alternative plan to The Voice to address Indigenous disadvantage. My heart breaks to think of what message such a result will ultimately send to our Indigenous brothers and sisters; another devastating consequence will be that future naysayers to positive, thoughtfully considered attempts at improving outcomes will see it as an emboldening demonstration of just how effective the politics of division and fear, and the tactics of spreading mistruths, can be. Lu Sierra, Cammeray Advertisement A friend of mine used to say that some outcomes are so bad they are good. So, on Sunday morning if the referendum is unsuccessful, we will at last be able to cease subscribing to the mythology that everyone in Australia gets a fair go, that we are an egalitarian society or that shell be right, mate. The good is perhaps that at long last we might be actually able to engage in a truth-telling- process and face who we are as nation. Maureen Cleary, Strathfield Dont change your name if you want to avoid red tape pain There are other more practical reasons not to change your name (Avoid pain, dont change your name for marriage, October 11). My good wife took my surname on marriage, but retained her maiden name as her professional title. At some stage in her childhood, her parents added a hyphen to her first and middle names so most of her contemporary documents have a hyphen, but her birth certificate does not. Recently, her bank insisted that everything be standardised under one name. They even wouldnt recognise the original birth certificate because there was no surname. What will now ensue will be hours spent lining up at Services NSW, Medicare, multiple banks, the ATO, multiple professional bodies, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, myGov and ASIC, to name a few. Throw in the inevitable computer says no and you can guess how torturous this is going to be. Dont change your name, indeed. David Ramsay, Bexley I lost my maiden name completely when I lost my passport. All utility accounts were in my married name and they didnt recognise a marriage certificate from the UK. So I had to legally change my name to Jeffery because that was who I had become. That was 10 years ago - its still hurting! Rosslyn Jeffery, Castle Hill I was first married in 1983, which is 40 years ago. I did the usual thing of changing my name. Ten years later in 1993, the marriage ended and I quickly changed my name back to my birth surname. I said to myself that I would never change my name again. I re-married in 2009, and my now husband was happy to support my decision to not change my name. For the past 30 years, my last name has been Bertoldo and I celebrate my identity coming from my Italian heritage. My grandparents emigrated almost 100 years ago. Julie Bertoldo, Bilgola Plateau Questioned repeatedly by insurance and banks who wont recognise an account held for decades in joint different names with full authority for both to manage. The boorish jokes made by dinosaurs Are you one of them feminists, luv? No, just a person expecting manners and respect from others and waiting for businesses to leave 19th century conventions behind. Susan Armstead, Kentucky First up, is it reasonable that roughly 50 per cent of the population should be born with a potentially temporary surname? And isnt the act of taking a husbands name one of the very things that leads to the tragic loss of female history? On Mothers Day, I performed a simple experiment. Going back to my grandparents generation I plotted what the family names of my five siblings, our spouses, our children and our grandchildren would be assuming girls took their mothers surnames and boys their fathers. It was astounding to see the results. Names that have died out reappeared, and I felt an incredible connection with nieces and great-nieces who would have had the same surname as me. I dont have any daughters, but I am delighted to have a son whose baby daughter carries her mothers surname. As it should be. Angela Namoi, Crows Nest Advertisement Tax solution Your article comes as no surprise to anyone who has worked in or around the public sector for the past 10 years (A charity raised $69m to support NSW firefighters. They got only $12m, October 11). Successive Coalition governments, and others using similar small government ideals, have underfunded many agencies by cutting budgets and staff numbers through efficiency dividends and salary caps. This forces the agency to rely on donations from the public (both money and time) just to maintain a reasonable level of service to the community. I have a novel idea: How about you collect the appropriate amount of tax from everyone in this state to fully fund the operations of all of your agencies, eliminating the need for donations, cutting out the loss of funding to middle men and saving us all millions in the process? Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs Equal opportunity The pros of being allowed to use a laptop to do HSC exams are clear, as discussed in your article (The type to test the keys to success, October 11). But what it fails to mention is that there are kids doing the HSC who have disabilities like cerebral palsy who can hardly write at all, but are forced to, or else they must use a scribe and dictate, which is completely alien to their normal thought processes of thinking as you write, or editing as you write on a laptop, which is how all their learning occurs otherwise. The lack of an option to use laptops in exams for these kids is cruel and severely disadvantages them. All they are ever offered as extra time is 15 mins, the same for any other kid with say ADHD, which they often also have, when it may take up to three times the time to write as able students. If we are at all interested in providing equal opportunity and eliminating as much as possible disadvantage, which is actually the law, this must change. James Manche, Dulwich Hill HSC student Maadi Prasad from Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner school, said while pen and paper worked well for mathematics, he would prefer to use a pen in his English exam. Credit: Kate Geraghty Black hole The continuing revelations of profligate payments to contractors and consultants at Sydney Metro points to a much wider problem with the gutting of the NSW Public Service and the outsourcing of many of its functions over the last decade (Metro pays contractors $2300 a day amid cost blowout, October 11). With the lack of transparency we are looking at both a black box and a black hole of huge cost blowouts in most major infrastructure projects. Tony Simons, Balmain Advertisement Good decision Excellent that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has prioritised the environment and granted approval for Brookfield to acquire Origin Energy (ACCC clears $18.7b Origin takeover on green rollout, October 10). Brookfields ambitious target of generating more than 14 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2033 is admirable. This significantly surpasses Origins current goal of 4 gigawatts by 2030. Our renewables transition absolutely needs this type of investment injection. The quicker we roll out renewable infrastructure, the sooner we can cease propping up polluting, costly, and ageing coal power stations like Origins Eraring. Amy Hiller, Kew VIC Check-out theft. Credit: Matt Golding Not such a gem The Woolworths in Avalon Beach has been downgraded to a Metro (Letters, October 11). Opal card top-ups are no longer available. The reason? Woolworths makes no money from the transaction. Sue Martin, Clareville Makes scents I didnt know all that info about Febreze thanks for the tip (Surgeon denies advising deodoriser be put on leg, October 11). Alicia Dawson, Balmain Advertisement A Melbourne restaurateur accused of threatening underworld figure Mick Gatto on social media has been arrested after two guns were found at his Beaumaris home. Detectives from the Viper taskforce interviewed Jamal Mohammad, 60, on September 13. They released him without charge. Mick Gatto was allegedly threatened by Jamal Mohammad in a social media video. Credit: Pat Scala A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police had also arrested and interviewed a 42-year-old man as part of the investigation into alleged threats. The spokeswoman confirmed that two firearms and ammunition were discovered at the bayside property. What a weekend. We were invited to what I thought was a family dinner on the vineyard at Picardy Estate in Pemberton. Read on for the latest news in Western Australias food and drinks scene. Wine, wine, and more wine. Were down south this week, which means this entry of Broadbrush is all about the best our grape-growing regions have to offer. Sandra and Bill Pannell, the extraordinary couple who first created Moss Wood in the 1970s and then went further south to develop the Picardy business, are giants in the Australian wine sector. Ive said it before, and Ill say it again feel free to disagree, because I am not a wine expert, just a very committed drinker of the stuff the Picardy Tete de Cuvee is the finest pinot noir in the country. I buy a carton or two a year. If you love the Burgundian stuff, the Pannell family have consistently chased a similar style. Magnifico. I digress. The countryside was lush and there was a slight chill. We went straight to a series of barrel tastings and then up to the new tasting rooms for canapes and a seven-course dinner. It was then that I became properly intimidated. Also at the table were WAs only Master of Wine, Brendan Jansen, the cuddly (can I say that about a bloke?) wine boffin Jon Jens and his accomplished and clever wife Kate Lamont and winemaker Dan Pannell, who has a palate and wine knowledge beyond comprehension. Australians will be evacuated from Israel on emergency flights amid a political brawl over the federal response to the crisis in the Middle East, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton urging the government to act against Palestinian protesters and offer munitions to Israel. The government is arranging the flights with Qantas to repatriate Australians within days after confirmation that Sydney grandmother Galit Carbone had died in the Hamas attacks the first known Australian casualty. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited a Melbourne synagogue, St Kilda Shule, on Wednesday afternoon to assure Jewish leaders of his support. He repudiated the hateful prejudice of protesters who yelled antisemitic chants in Sydney earlier in the week. The Sydney and Melbourne protests are fuelling authorities concerns about support for Hamas, named a terrorist group by Australian security agencies, and intensifying a rhetorical fight between Labor and the Coalition over which side was stronger on national security. Search for flights into or out of New York City on any booking engine and youll see three airport options: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. While it might seem odd to list an airport thats in another US state, Newark is closer to some parts of Manhattan than JFK. Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal B makes for an underwhelming experience. Credit: iStock Im coming from Queens, the furthest distance from Newark, so boo-hoo for me. Transport options include the E subway, with a connection to the Newark Airport Express Bus, or subway to Penn Station, followed by NJ Transit train, and then the monorail. I spring for an Uber ($US104/$162), the most expensive choice, but the easiest. The evening drive takes about an hour. The look Conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has divided international opinion for decades and those fault lines have been underscored since Hamass surprise attack on Saturday. Many world leaders were quick to condemn the violence and offer support for Israel, but the response has not been universal. Some nations have stopped short of censuring Hamas; others have called for fresh efforts to find a lasting peace settlement; a few have laid blame at Israels door. Israels supporters The United States was among the first nations to recognise the state of Israel in 1948 and is a very close ally. Following Hamas attack, US President Joe Biden reiterated American support for Israel in strident terms. In this moment, we must be crystal clear: we stand with Israel, he said. The General Assembly had 15 seats in total to fill for three-year terms on the 47-member Geneva-based rights body. Ahead of the vote, rights advocates had warned that in addition to atrocities carried out in Ukraine, the Kremlin has tightened its restrictions on domestic rights and freedoms since the invasion and did not deserve to return to the Human Rights Council. In a secret ballot vote, Albania, Bulgaria and Russia competed for two available seats designated for their Eastern Europe regional group. A majority of 97 votes was needed, Moscow achieved 83, while Bulgaria received 160 and Albania 123. "UN member states sent a strong signal to Russia's leadership that a government responsible for countless war crimes and crimes against humanity doesn't belong on the Human Rights Council," said Louis Charbonneau, Human Rights Watch's UN Director. Russia failed Tuesday in its bid to reclaim its seat on the controversial UN Human Rights Council after it was suspended by the General Assembly in April 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. China, which is currently a member, won a second term running on what is known as a "clean slate" -- an equal number of candidates for available seats. In their Asian regional group, China, Japan, Kuwait and Indonesia sought to fill four available seats. The lack of real competition significantly raised the odds of their achieving the simple majority of votes needed. However, China, came last in the field, with 154 votes. Indonesia achieved 186, Kuwait 183 and Japan 175. "China came in last place in the Asia group. That suggests that if there had been competition in the Asian slate, China would have lost," Charbonneau said. "And that's what should have happened. It highlights the vital importance of competitive slates in UN elections." Countries elected to the HRC are expected to "uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights" both at home and abroad. Rights advocates warn that countries with poor rights records use their position on the council as a cover for their abuses. China's human rights violations are well known. At home, Beijing arbitrarily arrests and detains government critics and human rights defenders and has detained as many as one million ethnic Uyghur Muslims in "reeducation camps" in its Xinjiang province. It has also cracked down on freedoms in Hong Kong and Tibet. In the Latin America and Caribbean group, Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Peru competed for three available seats. Rights abuser Cuba won the largest majority, with 146 votes. Brazil received 144 and Dominican Republic 137. Peru failed in its bid, achieving the lowest majority, 108. In the African group, another clean slate saw four candidates for four seats, with Burundi, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Malawi all succeeding in their bids. France and The Netherlands also achieved the majorities needed to fill two available seats in the Western Europe and Others group. HRW's Charbonneau said because of the lack of competition on several slates, China, Burundi and Cuba would now be on the council. "Their abysmal rights records should have disqualified them," he said. "Other Human Rights Council members should work to counter the anti-human rights agenda of this trio of abusers and their allies as member countries have done successfully in the past." Winners will begin their three-year terms in January 2024. PHILIPSBURG:--- After 3 months of rigorous training the second cohort of the Womens Basic Self-Defense Training came to an end on Thursday, October 05 at the Aziana Restaurant, Bobbys Marina. The celebrants enjoyed a relaxed and fulfilled evening in the presence of the Minister of VSA Hon. Omar Ottley, and the Dept. Head of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs/Womens Desk Chantale George-Groeneveldt. Minister Ottley congratulated the ladies on their achievement and encouraged them not to stay at this level but to keep building and striving for bigger and better. He also put his full commitment behind the continuation of this project which will inevitability become a program offered to women and other vulnerable groups in the community through the Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs/Womens Desk. The training commenced on June 06 and ended on September 29 with the group of 12 women sitting their final exams at the Rupert Maynard Community Center, St Peters. This was the second group of women trained in basic self-defense techniques. Over the period participants were exposed to a cadre of self-defense techniques such as problem-solving techniques, conditioning, strength training, tactical instruction, blocking techniques, hip throws, and many more. The group of women was trained through the Sint Maarten High Performance & Education Institute by highly qualified sensei Aarti Baran & Byron Iseiba. The group started off with a large contingent of 20 women however, due to unforeseen circumstances 8 fell out. Womens Desk is truly grateful for all the ladies who saw the need to be trained in Basic Self Defense. There are many benefits women & girls can derive from being exposed to the art of Basic Self Defense. It contributes to womens empowerment, building of self-confidence, and promoting increased knowledge and awareness that contribute to the goal of preventing violence against women and girls this is just to mention a few as the benefits are numerous. CDFHA/Womens Desk will be working further with stakeholders to refine the training so that it can be more manageable and suitable for other vulnerable groups to make use of. We are encouraging the community to stay tune for more informing on the next training of the Basic Self Defense training for women. Community-based empowerment projects, including the one mentioned and others implemented by the Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs/ Women's Desk, are of utmost importance. These projects cater to specific target groups, offering a support system for participants, opportunities for learning, networking prospects, and enhanced stakeholder relationships. Minister Ottley emphasized that such initiatives also contribute to an increased capacity for problem-solving. CDFHA/Womens Desk takes this opportunity to thank the SHEI Foundation for collaborating with us. We thank Sensei Aaarti Baran and Bryon Isebia for their hard work and dedication in training this group of strong and resilient women. Finally, we say a big thank you and Congratulations to this group of graduates of the Womens Basic Self-Defense group 2. We are enormously proud of you. CUDOS! PHILIPSBURG;--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 11, 2023. The Public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 11.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs and the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure will be in attendance. The agenda point is: Deliberations on NV GEBE (IS/060/2023-2024 dated September 29, 2023) This meeting was requested by MP S.A. Wescot-Williams, MP G.S. Heyliger-Marten, and MP C.T. Emmanuel Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament PHILIPSBURG:--- The Board of the National Alliance (NA) Political Party expresses dismay and disbelief at the current wave of rhetoric and negativity that has permeated our society, particularly on social media platforms, in recent weeks, the NA said in a press statement on Monday. Of particular concern are the relentless verbal attacks aimed at members of our society, specifically women. Such attempts to degrade and humiliate individuals are not only disgusting but also deeply gender biased. The National Alliance is dedicated to inclusivity and vehemently denounces any attacks based on perceived sexual orientation, which not only display homophobia and primitiveness but also foster discrimination. Such attacks do not reflect the society we wish to uphold nor our rich cultural heritage in St. Maarten. Furthermore, the groundless accusations lodged against hardworking individuals who strive for self-empowerment, homeownership, and socioeconomic progress are not only small-minded but also defamatory and libelous. These baseless claims aim to disempower St. Maarteners and perpetuate a mentally enslaved state. We, as residents of St. Maarten, should encourage and applaud those who strive for excellence and self-improvement. As the National Alliance, we celebrate the aspirations of our St. Maarten people who study diligently, work hard, save responsibly, invest wisely, and chase their dreams of success in our great nation. Growing up in St. Maarten, we have always known our people to be smart, creative, hardworking, and loving, with a zest for life. The current rhetoric circulating in our society is a departure from our values. We believe in building one another up, providing constructive feedback for improvement, and rejecting personal and political attacks aimed at tearing others down. These attacks are predominantly directed at our Prime Minister, Ministers of Government, colleagues in the National Alliance Party as well as persons within the community. However, we must acknowledge that their families, loved ones, and friends are also adversely affected by these assaults. Such behavior is unacceptable and cannot be condoned. While we understand that elections are imminent and expect our actions, policies, and programs to be subjected to scrutiny as the largest party, we firmly declare that personal, slanderous attacks that incite hatred and violence have no place in our country. It is crucial to remember that election season should never be perceived as an opportunity to tarnish, smear, or attack someone's good name and character for personal gain or to advance a specific agenda. We take this moment to offer our support and encouragement to the families and friends of those whose reputations and characters are being unjustly tarnished, without a shred of evidence. We implore you to stand strong by their side and not let these attacks deter you from loving and caring for them. Our love and empathy extend to all. We stand united with you. This is the St. Maarten we know - a place where love reigns among us. Let us always remember, "We Are One!" PHILIPSBURG:--- The annual Police Week, serves to recognize and appreciate the unwavering dedication of the men and women who dedicate their lives as the vigilant guardians of our communities. A jubilant church service was rendered today at the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church on Front Street, which immediately followed a parade and luncheon at the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg. This year's Police Week brings together esteemed members of the Police Korps from Aruba, Curacao, the BES Islands, and the Netherlands, fostering unity, collaboration, and the celebration of shared commitment to safety and security. Today, this solemn gathering, paused to reflect on the pivotal role police officers play in their daily lives. They are fearless individuals who willingly place themselves in harm's way, ensuring safety, security, and peace of mind. Their unwavering dedication is a beacon of hope for all of us, as they steadfastly answer the call for help, regardless of the time or circumstances. They embody selfless service, tirelessly protecting our communities and upholding the cherished values we hold dear. In her heartfelt address during this mornings church service in honor of Police Week, the Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna Richardson, emphasized, "Let us also remember that our men and women in blue are not just officers of the law; they are fellow citizens, brothers, sisters, parents, and friends. They too face challenges and uncertainties, but they continue to serve with unparalleled courage and dedication. They deserve not only our respect and admiration but also our heartfelt prayers." Police Week is a time for the entire community to come together and express deep gratitude to these extraordinary individuals who ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. Through their sacrifices and unwavering commitment, they continue to be a source of inspiration and a symbol of hope. As we commemorate this year's Police Week, let us stand in solidarity with our police officers, recognizing the vital role they play in preserving the harmony and security of our beloved Sint Maarten and the entire Dutch Kingdom. Police Week began on Friday October 6, and subsides on Saturday October 14, 2023 Calibre Continues to Deliver Strong Free Cash Flow Cash Position Increased 26% to Us$97 Million from a Record Quarter, Producing 73,485 Ounces of Gold Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (aCalibrea or the aCompanya) https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/calibre-mining-corp/ is pleased to announce operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 (all amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars). Q3 and Year to Date (aYTDa) 2023 Highlights Q3 cash increased to $97 million, a 26% increase over Q2 2023 and 72% since the start of 2023 4th Consecutive record consolidated quarterly gold production, 73,485 ounces 50% increase in gold production compared to Q3 2022 (49,081 ounces) Nicaragua gold production of 63,756 ounces and Nevada gold production of 9,729 ounces Record consolidated YTD gold production of 208,011 ounces 30% increase in gold production compared to YTD 2022 (160,704 ounces) Remain well on track to deliver full year guidance of 250,000 a 275,000 ounces Exploration success at Libertad yielded an Initial Mineral Resource Estimate at the Volcan Gold Deposit and identified additional gold trends proximal to the mill, providing further opportunity to leverage the available surplus processing capacity; Continued to expand zones of high-grade gold mineralization within the Limon Mine Complex, at Atravesada and along the VTEM Corridor, demonstrating the expansion and discovery potential across the property; and Potential to increase resources, grade and confidence around the Pan mine was reaffirmed with high-grade, near surface drill results immediately south and north of the operating mine. Darren Hall, President & Chief Executive Officer of Calibre, stated: aDuring the quarter Calibre increased cash, after exploration and growth investments, to $97 million from gold production of 73,485 ounces, the companya?s fourth consecutive record quarter. The Company is in an excellent position to deliver the high end of full year production guidance of 250,000 275,000 ounces while continuing to generate strong free cash flow. October 15 marks the fourth anniversary of our Nicaragua operating complex acquisition which transformed the Company to a growth focused gold producer. Four years on we have built a strong foundation, consistently delivering on our commitments while self funding investments and growth, including; Joined the World Gold Council, committing to their Responsible Gold Mining Principles, and integrated sustainability into all aspects and phases of our operations; Permitted and developed five new mines, each self funded through cash flow; Increased annual gold production 93% to 250,000 a 275,000 ounces (2020: 136,000 ounces); Grown Reserves 370%, net of production depletion; and Increased cash from $4 million to $97 million. I am excited about the future. Calibre presents a compelling investment opportunity with its consistent delivery of strong free cash flow, ongoing reinvestment in exploration and growth, and commitment to conducting operations in a responsible, sustainable, and transparent manner.a Q3 and YTD 2023 Financial Results and Conference Call Details Third quarter and YTD financial results will be released after market close on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, and management will be hosting a conference call on Wednesday, November 8 to discuss the results and outlook. Date:A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Time:A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A 10:00 a.m. (ET) Webcast Link:A A A A https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/uippamra Instructions for obtaining conference call dial-in numbers: All parties must register at the link below to participate in the Calibre Mining Q3 conference call. Register by clicking https://register.vevent.com/register/BIaeef792eb39c469b8d3571c2423f7f24 and completing the online registration form. Once registered you will receive the dial-in numbers and PIN number for input at the time of the call. The live webcast and registration link can be accessed here and at www.calibremining.com under the Events and Media section under the Investors tab. The live audio webcast will be archived and made available for replay at www.calibremining.com. Presentation slides that will accompany the conference call will be made available in the Investors section of the Calibre website under Presentations, prior to the conference call. Qualified Person Darren Hall, MAusIMM, President and Chief Executive Officer, of Calibre Mining Corp. is a aqualified persona as set out under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. About Calibre Mining Corp. Calibre Mining is a Canadian-listed, Americas focused, growing mid-tier gold producer with a strong pipeline of development and exploration opportunities across Nevada and Washington in the USA, and Nicaragua. Calibre is focused on delivering sustainable value for shareholders, local communities and all stakeholders through responsible operations and a disciplined approach to growth. With a strong balance sheet, a proven management team, strong operating cash flow, accretive development projects and district-scale exploration opportunities Calibre will unlock significant value. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain \forward-looking information\ and \forward-looking statements\ (collectively \forward-looking statements\) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are identified by words such as \expect\, \plan\, \anticipate\, \project\, \target\, \potential\, \schedule\, \forecast\, \budget\, \estimate\, \intend\ or \believe\ and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions \will\, \would\, \may\, \could\, \should\ or \might\ occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to: the Companya?s expectations toward higher grades mined and processed going forward; statements relating to the Companya?s 2023 priority resource expansion opportunities; the Companya?s metal price and cut-off grade assumptions. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Calibre\-s control. For a listing of risk factors applicable to the Company, please refer to Calibre\-s annual information form (aAIFa) for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its management discussion and analysis (aMD&Aa) for the year ended December 31, 2022, all available on the Companya?s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Calibre\-s forward-looking statements such as potential sanctions implemented as a result of the United States Executive Order 13851 dated October 24, 2022. Calibre\-s forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. Such assumptions include but are not limited to: the Company being able to mine and process higher grades and keep production costs relatively flat going forward; there not being an increase in production costs as a result of any supply chain issues or ongoing COVID-19 restrictions; there being no adverse drop in metal price or cut-off grade at the Companya?s Nevada properties. Calibre does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management\-s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Consolidated Uranium Completes Initial Phase of Drilling at Tony M Mine Consolidated Uranium Inc. (aCURa, the aCompanya, aConsolidated Uraniuma) (TSXV: CUR) (OTCQX: CURUF) https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/consolidated-uranium-inc/ is pleased announce the completion of the initial phase of drilling at its 100%-owned Tony M Uranium Mine (aTony Ma) in southeastern Utah, as previously announced in a news release dated June 28, 2023 . Tony M is one of three past producing uranium mines in Utah owned by CUR, and is a large-scale, fully developed and permitted underground mine that previously produced nearly one million pounds of U3O8 during two different periods of operation from 1979-1984 and from 2007-2008. The Company has completed 21 of the up to 59 proposed combined conventional rotary and core holes, for approximately 16,240 feet of drilling (Figure 1). The 2023 program is designed to increase the density of drill holes, in order to upgrade aInferreda mineral resources (as determined by the SLR International Corporation in their 2022 Technical Report on the Tony M project) to the aIndicateda mineral resource category and develop a detailed understanding of the distribution of vanadium mineralization in the deposit. Historically, there has been very little investigation of the vanadium potential at Tony M. CURa?s confirmation drill program in 2022 showed V2O5/U3O8 ratio ranges from an average of 1:1 to greater than 17:1 at various localities that within the mine area (see press release dated December 13, 2022). A The drill core recovered from this phase of drilling has been split, logged, and sampled, and the samples have been submitted to American Assay Labs in Reno for analytical determination of uranium and vanadium concentrations. Results are pending and will be detailed in a future news release. Results obtained from the first phase of 2023 drilling will be utilized to prioritize additional drilling at the project and are expected to guide technical studies including a Preliminary Economic Assessment. The Company is continuing to advance plans to reopen the underground mine workings in preparation for a potential restart of Tony M. This work program includes updating mine ventilation and escape plans, maintenance of the existing ventilation fans, surveying of the underground mine workings, rehabilitation of mine workings and ground support, and upgrading of utilities. About Tony M Mine Tony M is located in eastern Garfield County, southeastern Utah, approximately 66 air miles (107 kilometers) west northwest of the town of Blanding and 215 miles (347 kilometers) south-southeast of Salt Lake City. The project is the site of the Tony M underground uranium mine that was developed by Plateau Resources, a subsidiary of Consumera?s Power Company, in the mid- 1970s. Uranium and vanadium mineralization at Tony M is hosted in sandstone units of the Salt Wash Member of the Jurassic age Morrison Formation, one of the principal hosts for uranium deposits in the Colorado Plateau region of Utah and Colorado. A Notes: Source: Technical Report on the Tony M Project, Utah, USA Report for NI 43-101, prepared for Consolidated Uranium, Inc. by SLR International Corporation; Mark B. Mathisen, Qualified Person, Effective Date September 9, 2022. CIM (2014) definitions were followed for all Mineral Resource categories. Uranium Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.14% U3O8. The cut-off grade is calculated using a metal price of $65/lb U3O8. No minimum mining width was used in determining Mineral Resources. Mineral Resources are based on a tonnage factory of 15 ft3/ton (Bulk density 0.0667 ton/ft3 or 2.14 t/m3). Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Past production (1979-2008) has been removed from the Mineral Resource. Totals may not add due to rounding. Mineral Resources are 100% attributable to CUR and are in situ. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Dean T. Wilton: PG, CPG, MAIG, a consultant of CUR who is a aQualified Persona (as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). About Consolidated UraniumA Consolidated Uranium Inc. (TSXV: CUR) (OTCQX: CURUF) was created in early 2020 to capitalize on an anticipated uranium market resurgence using the proven model of diversified project consolidation. To date, the Company has acquired or has the right to acquire uranium projects in Australia, Canada, Argentina, and the United States each with significant past expenditures and attractive characteristics for development. The Company is currently advancing its portfolio of permitted, past-producing conventional uranium and vanadium mines in Utah and Colorado, with a toll milling arrangement in place with Energy Fuels Inc., a leading U.S.-based uranium mining company. These mines are currently on stand-by, ready for rapid restart as market conditions permit, positioning CUR as a near-term uranium producer. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations 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 Statement Regarding aForward-Lookinga Information This news release contains \forward-looking information\ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. aForward-looking informationa includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, but not limited to, the anticipated results of the 2023 drill program; the goal of upgrading the classification of inferred mineral resources; plans to define the vanadium potential of the deposi;t the Companya?s plans to restart Tony M; and the Companya?s ongoing business plan, sampling, exploration and work programs. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as aplansa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, abudgeta, ascheduleda, aestimatesa, aforecastsa, aintendsa, aanticipatesa, or abelievesa or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awill be takena, aoccura or abe achieveda or the negative connotation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Companya?s planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, reliance on key management and other personnel, potential downturns in economic conditions, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, and risks generally associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals and the risk factors with respect to Consolidated Uranium set out in CURa?s annual information form in respect of the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under CURa?s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. Osisko Development receives environmental assessment certificate for Cariboo Gold Project Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) (\Osisko Development\ or the \Company\) https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/osisko-development-corp/ is pleased to announce that it has received an Environmental Assessment (\EA\) Certificate for the Company\-s 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project (\Cariboo\ or the \Project\) located in central British Columbia (\BC\), Canada. The EA Certificate was granted by the Environmental Assessment Office of the Province of British Columbia (\EAO\) and is supported by approval decisions from The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and The Honourable Josie Osbourne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. Receipt of the EA Certificate successfully concludes the EA process for the Project, which was launched in October 2019 (see Figure 1). Sean Roosen, Chairman and CEO, commented, \We are proud to be the first project, mining or otherwise, in BC to receive an EA Certificate under the new streamlined EA framework of the Environmental Assessment Act, 2018, and we commend the EAO and the Government of BC for establishing this robust regulatory framework. Receipt of the EA certificate marks a major, positive milestone for the Cariboo Gold Project. We continue to be encouraged by the steady progress made to de-risk the Project, bringing it closer to shovel ready status. As we all know, development projects fall into two buckets a those with permits and those without permits a and we are keen to unlock significant value at the Cariboo Gold Project as we move along that path. I would like to thank our team for their dedication and tireless efforts in shepherding the Project through this rigorous EA process that started in 2019. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we remain committed to developing a modern, safe and sustainable operation that benefits all.\ Lhtako DenA Nation Chief and Council remarked, \We are extremely proud of the relationship fostered with Osisko Development on the Cariboo Gold Project over the past several years. This relationship has been reciprocal from day one, and Lhtako Chief and Council look forward to many more years of partnership and collaboration. Recently, Lhtako and Osisko engaged in the EA process for the Company\-s Cariboo Gold Project. Environmental risks, as well as wildlife concerns, are top priorities for both Osisko Development and the Lhtako DenA Nation. With the EA process now complete, we are quite confident that all of our areas of concern have been addressed and mitigated throughout this process.\ Chief Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation (\WLFN\) noted, \This decision reflects the importance of meaningful collaboration between industry and Indigenous communities. This is a significant milestone in advancing sustainable mining practices within our traditional territory, particularly the QR Mill Site near Likely, BC. WLFN remains committed to monitoring the Project\-s progress to ensure it upholds the highest environmental and cultural standards. We look forward to continuing our positive partnership with Osisko Development.\ Chief Rhonda Phillips of the Xat??ll First Nation added, \Xat??ll First Nation would like to congratulate the success of Osisko Development in being awarded approval for the Cariboo Gold Mine Project. We acknowledge the hard work, dedication and collaboration that went into getting the Project to this point. Working together to ensure resource development projects meet environmental sustainability targets and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of our communities is a high priority for Xat??ll First Nation. We look forward to continuing work with Osisko and other stakeholders to advance this Project.\ The EA Certificate is the first step in the permitting process of the Cariboo Gold Project. As previously disclosed on May 8, 2023, the Company announced the signing of two landmark permitting agreements a A the Process Charter and the Joint Information Requirements Table a which establish a defined regulatory process timeline and outline all agreed upon information requirements to support a robust permit application for submission. A Joint Permit Application for the BC Mines Act / Environmental Management Act is in process. The Company anticipates receiving the permits in Q1 2024. Cariboo Gold Project The Cariboo Gold Project is an advanced stage gold project 100%-owned by the Company located in the historic Wells-Barkerville mining camp, in the District of Wells, central BC, Canada, that extends for approximately 77 kilometres from northwest to southeast. The Company\-s total land package consists of 415 mineral titles and covers an area of approximately 1,920 km2. As of December 30, 2022, the Project\-s probable reserves totalled 16.70 million tonnes (\Mt\) grading 3.78 g/t gold for 2.031 million ounces (\Moz\), measured resources totalled 0.05 Mt grading 5.06 g/t gold for 0.008 Moz, indicated resources totalled 14.64 Mt grading 3.32 g/t gold for 1.564 Moz, and inferred resources totalled 15.47 Mt grading 3.44 g/t gold for 1.712 Moz. The Company completed a Feasibility Study in January 2023 supported by the technical report titled \Feasibility Study for the Cariboo Gold Project, District of Well, British Columbia, Canada\, dated January 10, 2023 (amended January 12, 2023) with an effective date of December 30, 2022) (\Cariboo Technical Report\). Reference should be made to the full text of the Cariboo Technical Report, which was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 a Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (\NI 43-101\) and is available electronically on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under Osisko Development\-s issuer profile. For further information on the Cariboo Gold Project, please visit the Osisko Development corporate website at www.osiskodev.com and the Cariboo project website at www.cariboogold.com. Qualified Persons The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by FranAois VAzina, ing., P.Eng., MBA, Senior Vice President, Project Development, Technical Services and Environment, who is a \qualified person\ within the meaning of NI 43-101. About Osisko Development Corp. Osisko Development Corp. is a premier North American gold development company focused on high-quality past-producing properties located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company\-s objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada, the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company\-s project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company\-s strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed \forward-looking statements\ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and \forward-looking information\ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward?looking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward?looking statements. Forward?looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as \may\, \will\, \would\, \could\, \expect\, \believe\, \plan\, \anticipate\, \intend\, \estimate\, \continue\, or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward?looking statements. Information contained in forward?looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including the assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating to the expected permitting timeline and summary (if at all); the ability of the Project to receive permit; the value that would be created assuming the Project were to receive permits; positive future relationships with Lhtako DenA Nation, Xat??ll First Nation and Williams Lake First Nation; the framework for regulatory process and timeline being adhered to; the results in the Cariboo Technical Report; the capital resources available to Osisko Development; the ability of the Company to execute its planned activities, including as a result of its ability to seek additional funding or to reduce planned expenditures; the ability of the Company to obtain future financing and the terms of such financing; management\-s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; the utility and significance of historic data, including the significance of the district hosting past producing mines; future mining activities; the timing and status of permitting; the results (if any) of further exploration work to define and expand mineral resources; the ability of exploration work (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; the ability to generate additional drill targets; the ability of management to understand the geology and potential of the Company\-s properties; the ability of the Company to expand mineral resources beyond current mineral resource estimates; the ability of the Company to complete its exploration objectives for its projects in 2023 in the timing contemplated (if at all); the ability to realize upon any mineralization in a manner that is economic; the Cariboo project design and ability and timing to complete infrastructure at Cariboo (if at all); the ability and timing for Cariboo to reach commercial production (if at all); the ability to adapt to changes in gold prices, estimates of costs, estimates of planned exploration and development expenditures; the ability of the Company to obtain further capital on reasonable terms; the profitability (if at all) of the Company\-s operations; the Company being a well-positioned gold development company in Canada, USA and Mexico; sustainability and environmental impacts of operations at the Company\-s properties; as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be \forward looking information\. Material assumptions also include, management\-s perceptions of historical trends, the ability of exploration (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization, budget constraints and access to capital on terms acceptable to the Company, current conditions and expected future developments, regulatory framework remaining defined and understood, results of further exploration work to define or expand any mineral resources, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Osisko Development considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Osisko Development, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect Osisko Development and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks relating to capital market conditions and the Company\-s ability to access capital on terms acceptable to the Company for the contemplated exploration and development at the Company\-s properties; the ability to continue current operations and exploration; regulatory framework and presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; the ability of exploration activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management\-s geological modelling; the ability to expand operations or complete further exploration activities; the timing and ability of the Company to obtain required approvals and permits; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; metal and commodity prices; fluctuations in the currency markets; dilution; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions. Readers are urged to consult the disclosure provided under the heading \Risk Factors\ in the Company\-s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022 as well as the financial statements and MD&A which have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Development\-s issuer profile and on the SEC\-s EDGAR website (www.sec.gov), for further information regarding the risks and other factors applicable to the exploration results. Although the Company\-s believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group will dock in Busan on Thursday for a five-day visit. This is the second visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier this year after the USS Nimitz in March, and the Reagan also docked here in September last year. The Defense Ministry here said Tuesday the visit "is part of the U.S.' extended deterrence commitment to further enhance the 'regular visibility' of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance." "Regular visibility" means a show of force through frequent deployment here of U.S. strategic assets such as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, bombers and nuclear submarines. The visit also aims to deter any North Korean provocations as Pyongyang forges closer ties with Moscow after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's recent visit to Russia and a surprise incursion by Hamas militants into Israel. Carrier Strike Group 5, which includes Aegis destroyers and other warships, are part of the 7th Fleet headquartered at Yokosuka, Japan. Guest Commentary By Franco Terrazzano Heres a political irony to ponder while youre in line at the grocery store waiting to pay your ever-increasing bill. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says hes thinking about making groceries cheaper by imposing a new tax. Brace yourself because theres more irony. The House of Commons already passed legislation that would make food less expensive. The House passed the legislation twice. But unelected senators are stalling the bill and the prime minister isnt pushing it. Heres whats happening: We will take further action and we are not ruling anything out, including tax measures, Trudeau said. What do you think Trudeau means when he threatens tax measures? Trudeau means he may give in to New Democratic Leader Jagmeet Singhs demands and put in place an excess profit tax on grocery stores. Going after greedy rich guys to paraphrase Singh may seem appealing, but what do the experts say? The last thing we want to do is put on a tax that people then just pass along to the consumers. No, that wasnt free-market economist Milton Friedman. That was Trudeau, last year when CBC asked if he would consider the NDPs grocery tax. What changed? The economic realities Trudeau first described havent changed. If the feds impose a new tax on companies that sell food, those new costs will be passed on to you at checkouts. What changed is that Trudeaus sliding in the polls and grasping at bad policies. Meanwhile, an actual opportunity to make food more affordable is ready and waiting. A day after Trudeau threatened a grocery tax, the Parliamentary Budget Officer released a report about expanding the carbon tax exemption on farm fuels. That would save Canadians about $1 billion through 2030. The federal government doesnt currently collect carbon taxes on diesel or gasoline used on farms. However, the carbon tax costs farmers thousands of dollars for the propane and natural gas they use to dry their grain and heat their barns. MPs from all parties already voted to fix this by expanding the carbon tax exemption for farm fuels. Twice. But senators keep holding up the legislation. Trudeau could send a text message and pass this through the Senate tomorrow. Instead, the Senate keeps stalling this carbon tax relief that could have already saved taxpayers almost $100 million. Canadians also pay more for food because the feds make the truckers who deliver our food pay more for diesel. Federal taxes alone cost truckers more than $260 every time they fuel up their big rigs. And that big tax bill is getting bigger, courtesy of Trudeaus carbon tax hikes. Trudeau recently imposed a second carbon tax through fuel regulations and has committed to cranking up his original tax every year for the next seven years. By 2030, Trudeaus two carbon taxes will cost the average family more than $2,000 every year, even after rebates. Instead of hammering Canadians with a grocery tax, Trudeau should make food more affordable by scraping his carbon taxes. And if Trudeau wants to stick it to greedy corporations, he could stop giving them big buckets of taxpayer cash. That means no more giving Loblaws $12 million to buy fridges. Or giving multinational automakers Volkswagen and Stellantis about $20 billion. Or announcing $420 million for Algoma Steel, $700 million for Transat, $295 million for the Ford Motor Company, $110 million for Toyota, $41 million for Honda and $372 million for Bombardier. The last thing Canadians need is another tax. It wont make groceries more affordable. Another tax will make groceries more expensive. Trudeau needs to stop making threats about grocery taxes and make life more affordable by dialling back his taxes. Franco Terrazzano is the Federal Director and Kris Sims is the Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. By Shaistha Khan New Canadian Media The diplomatic rift between Canada and India is growing tenser by the day, with India telling Canada this week that it must repatriate 41 diplomats by Oct. 10, a move that would remove the majority of Canadian diplomats in the country. The war of words erupted after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that the Canadian government has credible allegations potentially linking the death of a Canadian citizen to agents of the Indian government. India rejected these allegations, calling them absurd. Since then, tensions between the two countries have escalated quickly both countries have expelled senior foreign diplomats, India has halted visa processing for Canadian citizens, and is calling for Indian citizens in Canada to exercise caution. How did two Commonwealth countries with nearly a century of migratory history, good diplomatic relations, and a free trade agreement in the works, get here? In June, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh leader and activist was shot dead by masked gunmen outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, a city in the Greater Vancouver area. Indian authorities allege that Nijjar was a terrorist and had announced a cash bounty for any intel on him. The Khalistan or separatist movement has little momentum in India, but in recent years, it has gained traction in countries with a large Sikh diaspora. Sikhs are an ethno-religious group that make up two per cent of Canadas population. Punjabis and particularly, Punjabi Sikhs are seen as the dominant face of the South Asian community in Canada, explains Neilesh Bose, a professor of modern South Asian history and migration at the University of Victoria, in B.C. He goes on to explain that a significant number of soldiers in the British military in the 19th Century were Punjabi Sikhs. Sikhs in the British military were deployed in many parts of the empire, including Canada. Another group of Sikh farmers and agriculturalists were dislocated from Punjab due to famine and laws on land ownership. In British Columbia, land was abundant and there was a perception that work is available and accessible. Through these early immigration patterns, many Sikh Punjabis found their way to Canadian shores and went on to prosper here. For example, Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, is Sikh. In 2015, four Sikh ministers were appointed to the Cabinet, an example of Canadian diversity. The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement that originated in the 1940s, during the Indian subcontinents struggle for freedom from the British Empire. The movement calls for a separate, independent state Khalistan (Land of the Pure), in the Punjab region of India. Former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. In June 1984, the Indian armed forces upon the orders of the then-prime minister, Indira Gandhi stormed the Golden Temple, one of the holiest sites for Sikhs, to evict separatists who had taken refuge in the temple. A few months later, in October, Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. Over the next few days, an anti-Sikh pogrom engulfed New Delhi, leaving in its wake, over 8,000 deaths and forced disappearances. Many young Sikhs, fearful for their lives, sought asylum in Canada. The following year, in 1985, an Air India flight from Canada to India carrying 329 passengers was bombed by Sikh separatists, killing all on board. India considers the Khalistan movement a threat to national security and lists several pro-Khalistan groups as terrorist organizations under its Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. In recent times, the Indian government has cracked down on the Khalistan movement in India and arrested prominent activists. In response, Khalistan groups have carried out rallies across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Over the past year, pro-Khalistan groups have pulled down the Indian flag and defaced Indian consulates in London and San Francisco; several Hindu temples across Canada and Australia have been vandalized with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti. A month after Nijjars death, a poster for an event in Brampton, Ont. was circulated alleging that the India High Commissioner and Toronto Consul General are the faces of Nijjars killers, and included the words kill India. The murder of Nijjar, this past summer, is at the centre of the diplomatic rift. India maintains that individuals like Nijjar were part of a vast, violent militant network. In response to Trudeaus statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs states that Canada is seeking 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. Balpreet Singh, a spokesperson for the World Sikh Organization in Canada, explains that in terms of cultural affiliation, someone living in Punjab may have more similarities with neighbouring northwestern countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan, rather than India. The problem really has been that the state tries to create and impose an Indian identity, which over the past few years, has become a Hindu identity, Singh says. And in the process, the Indian state has really proven itself to not be a liberal democracy that safeguards the rights of minorities. He adds that the Sikh community holds several grievances, on issues back home and now, on foreign shores. The nation wont allow a secessionist movement to exist freely, and anyone who talks about Khalistan is deemed to be a terrorist or an extremist, Singh says. Bose adds that the Khalistan movement has had its ebbs and flows. In Punjab, the major issues are practical, and somewhat mundane: education, jobs. The idea of a separate nation does not appear to be a solution to anybodys problems. However, there is the collective memory of 1984 and 1985. In June 1984, the Indian armed forces upon the orders of the then-prime minister, Indira Gandhi stormed the Golden Temple, one of the holiest sites for Sikhs, to evict separatists who had taken refuge in the temple. (Photo by Soubhagya Maharana via pexels.com) There are plenty of Canadian Sikhs, whove had family members killed, kidnapped, or tortured by Indian forces, Bose says. And one thing that connects Sikhs throughout Canada are memories of this suffering, and forging community here in Canada because of that experience. India and Canada historically, have enjoyed good diplomatic relations. While perceptions may be changing, Bose notes that Canada is generally perceived as a safe, functional, and competent society. And the diplomatic rift may not deter Indians from choosing Canada as a preferred immigration destination. When asked if Canadas statement may have been out of character, Bose agrees that it is slightly out of character for Canada to make a claim that antagonizes or alienates a very important trade partner. Canada is very concerned about security in the Indo-Pacific region and has an interest in providing a bulwark against China, he explains. India being the largest democratic nation in the world, with deep historic links to Canada it might seem odd for Canada to make any kind of statement that would alienate that relationship or anger India. On the other hand, Canada also maintains that its sovereignty has been violated and that the perpetrators of this crime should be brought to justice. In the short term, he believes that until new information surfaces that would change the direction of the conversation, the stalemate will stay diplomatic. While he anticipates that the politics of anxiety and fear will hover, the century-long relationship between Canada and India is unlikely to deteriorate. Families with transnational lives, Canadian investments in Indian banks and securities, Indian students and workforce boosting the Canadian economy the ties are way too intimate and extraordinary, he concludes. By Shilpashree Jagannathan New Canadian Media Canadian Hindu organizations are intensifying their push for the House of Commons to develop legislation and pass a law that recognizes Hinduphobia, defines it as anti-Hindu sentiment, and funds education to combat it. Hinduphobia petition e-4507 was launched in July by Vijaykumar Jain, a director with the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education. It has received more than 23,700 signatures so far. Advocates for developing and passing a bill against Hinduphobia say that actions against Hindus in Canada have intensified during the current diplomatic crisis between India and Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau stated in Parliament earlier this month that Canadian security agencies have been investigating claims of a possible connection between agents of the Government of India and the June 18 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was a Canadian citizen, and Sikhs considered him a leader and supporter of the Khalistan movement. We are deeply troubled that these statements have empowered and emboldened the Khalistani extremists to put out public statements on social media threatening Hindus, said a letter from the Hindu Federation signed by Pandit Roopnauth Sharma. As a direct result of such threats, Hindus are feeling traumatized in their daily lives, and women and children are feeling unsafe in their homes and public places. In a video that is being shared on social media, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel of Sikhs For Justice, asks Hindus to leave Canada. The Hindu organizations working on the petition assert that the Hinduphobia petition addresses anything that denigrates, dehumanizes or demonizes Hindus and the Hindu religion. Ragini Sharma, president of the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education, says she regularly receives calls and emails from Hindus who face ridicule about wearing a bindi. Ragini Sharma, president of the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education. The decorative and symbolic dot is worn on the forehead in South Asian cultures, often representing cultural heritage or spirituality; it is also used as a fashion accessory. She says that Hindu children in school are being bullied for their faith. Many parents report that their children are being told they will go to hell because they are Hindu and the children are being asked to convert to another faith, she said. In addition to advocating for a federal bill against Hinduphobia, the Hindu heritage organization has been opposing a caste motion passed at the Toronto District School Board in March 2023. We opposed the TDSB motions plan of implementation that included teaching all students and staff in schools the lie that Hindu faith explicitly teaches to oppress others, Sharma said. The motion singles out and ethnically profiles South Asians and Caribbean [nationals] and in particular targets Hindus as inherently bigoted and therefore needing extra policing. To suggest that Canadian Hindus of Indian or Caribbean origin are inherently bigoted, that they are especially prone to bringing along their biases from the old country to Canada, is deeply racist and Hinduphobic. Meanwhile, anti-caste groups in Canada have publicly opposed the petition and the desire to develop it into a bill. Im unsure of their intent in pushing for this petition, but it directly affects our Dalit Adivasi caste-oppressed communities due to the historical connection between caste discrimination and religion, said Vijay Puli, a Toronto-based social worker and executive director of the South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network. To put it plainly, if someone were to advocate for a Whitephobia bill while claiming it doesnt affect racial or Indigenous concerns, would that truly hold any logical ground? The network is a non-profit organization of Dalit, Adivasi and other lower caste people in Canada. It has issued a public statement opposing the petition. The caste system is an ancient, rigid South Asian hierarchical system that separates people into different social groups based on birth. A persons caste can be identified by their last name, family background, food habits, occupation or racial profile. People who are considered to be in lower castes have historically been relegated to menial jobs and have a lesser social status. Among South Asians, there are four different caste hierarchies: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Those outside of these castes were formerly treated as untouchables and called Dalits. This discriminatory practice is banned in India but continues in many parts of the country. While the majority agree that the caste system has its origin in Hinduism, Sharma has consistently objected to linking caste system to Hinduism. The Hindu organizations advocating for the bill claim there are no reporting mechanisms for Hinduphobia. Right now it gets reported as bullying if it happens in schools, but if Hinduphobia is defined, it will be reported correctly. When Hindu temples are attacked (see table below) the police are calling it vandalism, but those are all hate crimes, said Vijaykumar Jain, the director of the Hindu heritage organization who launched the Hinduphobia petition for the organization. There is no such thing as caste oppression, Jain said. I havent seen anybody being denied entry into a temple or to perform a puja or to consume the food in the temple because of caste. Nobody asks anybody about their caste here. Im a vegetarian because Im a compassionate person, and I dont eat animals. Korea's milk imports surged around nine times over the last five years because prices are much lower overseas. According to the Korea Customs Service on Tuesday, Korea's milk imports surged from 3,440 tons in 2017 to 31,462 tons last year. The reason is that imported milk is cheaper than the domestic product. Most of the imports were sterilized milk that can be stored at room temperature for more than a month. Sterilized milk imports from Poland totaled 23,834 tons, accounting for 76 percent of total imports. It only costs W1,600-1,700 per liter compared to W3,000-4,000 for Korean milk (US$1=W1,350). Beyon Money, part of the Beyon Group, has launched Beyon Money Checkout, an innovative online payment acceptance solution for corporates and businesses in Bahrain. Delivered in partnership with Ottu, a leading financial technology company, the solution is reshaping the landscape of merchant services in Bahrain and other Middle Eastern regions. This collaboration with Ottu will support the expansion of Beyon Moneys services by empowering merchants in Bahrain to seamlessly integrate Beyon Money Checkout for their e-commerce channels, said a statement. As part of their commitment to merchant solutions, Ottu will be offering Beyon Moneys payment solutions across its extensive merchant network in Bahrain and other regional markets. Beyon Money Check Out, the new online payment acceptance solution reduces the number of steps for processing payments when compared to traditional solutions, leading to cost savings for merchants, it said. Furthermore, the solution benefits Beyon Money users through delivering a seamless payment experience, with transactions completed instantly by simply using their phone number registered with Beyon Money, instead of entering their payment card details. Beyon Money CEO Roberto Mancone commented, Beyon Money Checkout leverages its digital wallet, enabling merchants to receive instant payments from Beyon Money customers, at lower costs compared to traditional card payment methods. Together with Ottu, we will empower merchants while also elevating the online payment experience for Beyon Money customers. Speaking about this transformative partnership, Ottu CEO Talal AlAwadhi said, "This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of simplifying transactions in Bahrain, the UAE, and the GCC. Ottu will spearhead the expansion of Beyon Moneys new payment service, Beyon Money Checkout, offering an advanced online payment solution that will redefine the way we conduct financial transactions." TradeArabia News Service A Swedish court on Wednesday fined climate activist Greta Thunberg once again for disobeying police during an environmental protest in July in southern Sweden. The Malmo District Court ordered her to pay a 2,250 kroner ($206) fine. Thunberg, who already had been fined for a similar offense, took part in a July 24 environmental protest at an oil terminal in Malmo, where activists temporarily blocked access to the facility by sitting down and were removed by police. On Sept. 15, she was charged with disobedience to law enforcement for refusing to obey police asking her to leave the scene. She then was dragged away by two uniformed officers. Thunberg, 20, has admitted to the facts but denied guilt, saying the fight against the fossil fuel industry was a form of self-defense due to the existential and global threat of the climate crisis. "We have the science on our side, and we have morality on our side. Nothing in the world can change that and so it is. I am ready to act based on the conditions that exist and whether it leads to more sentences," she said after the verdict. We recognise our censure will not provide solace to those investors who lost out. But it is important we set out what went wrong at LCF and how their promotions misled people into parting with their money. Water, yeast, barley malt and hops. Those are the ingredients of beer, the worlds third most-consumed beverage after tea and water. Climate change has long threatened the grains production, but, according to a new study, it has already been damaging the production of hops, another key ingredient in beer, for decades. For some time now, major European growing areas have seen both their yields and the quality of their product reduced by global warming. Looking ahead, the study indicates that plantations in Spain and other southern European countries will be hardest hit by the changes. Benedictine nun and church doctor Hildegard of Bingen is believed to have been the first to add hops to beer almost a millennium ago. Back then, the beverage spoiled easily. But the Humulus lupulus flower, a plant in the Cannabaceae family (the same family as hemp), is a natural antibacterial that stabilizes the brew by slowing down the growth of microorganisms. The addition also introduced that characteristic aroma and bitterness of hops into beer, which the nun probably did not intend. Although the Egyptians and Sumerians were brewing beer millennia ago, the modern version of the drink is the result of the German nuns idea to infuse it with such bitter flowers. A group of Czech and German scientists wanted to find out how the ongoing climate crisis affects hops production. To do so, they selected five of the most famous hops-growing regions, three in Germany, one in Slovenia and one in the Czech Republic. This trio of countries encompasses almost 90% of the hops-growing areas in Europe. The scientists looked at the amount of hops flowers produced between 1970 and 2020. They also examined another key piece of information: the amount of lupulin contained in hops flowers. This resin contains the alpha acids that impart bitterness and determine the quality of the hops. Researchers then cross-referenced the figures for each harvest with various meteorological parameters, such as temperature, rainfall and hours of sunshine during the critical moments of bearing fruit and harvesting. The studys results were just published in the scientific journal Nature Communications and show that hops flowering has sped up by as many as 20 days in the last half century. This acceleration has serious consequences, as Martin Mozny of the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the studys lead author, says: As temperatures increased, the onset of the phenological phases occurred earlier. The problem lies in the shift of the generative phase of hops to a period of longer days. All of this has a negative effect on the alpha quantity and aroma content. In the weeks during which hops grow up to their usual six meters in height, the plant needs lots of light. But when the plant stops growing and its time to bear fruit, excess heat can kill the flowers. The advance of hops phenology has had a considerable impact; production has decreased by between 0.13 and 0.27 tons per hectare, depending on the area. In Spain, the current average for a good crop yield is 1.6 tons per hectare. The decline in yields has been more marked since the mid-1990s. The decline ranges from 9.5% in Tettnang, Germany, to 19.4% in Celje, Slovenia. The other key variable is the presence of alpha acids. Their concentration has decreased by as much as 34.8% in the hops harvested in the Slovenian region. The research allowed its authors to determine that the lack of water and drought is particularly detrimental to the quantity of the crop. Meanwhile, excessive heat damages the concentration of alpha acids. Hops are a very demanding and delicate plant. They can only be cultivated at certain latitudes, ranging roughly from the north of Germany to the north of Spain. Hops require a lot of water and moisture, so they are planted near rivers. But between the festivities of St. Joseph (March 19) and St. John (June 23), when the plant awakens from its winter dormancy and grows several meters, it needs many hours of light. The flowers bear fruit over the rest of the summer and are harvested between the end of August and the end of September. Climate change is now altering this whole cycle. The harvesting of hops on the Hijos de Rivera farm next to the Mabegondo Agricultural Research Center in Galicia, Spain. Cosecha de Galicia/ Corporacion Hijos de Rivera Based on observations from the past 50 years, in the second part of the study the researchers projected them into the future, using a climate model with the most likely emissions scenario and a calculation of precipitation and temperature. Everything about hops is getting worse: yields could drop by up to another 18.4% and alpha content could fall by an additional 20% to 30.8% in these areas. But the article tries to scale its calculations to the whole of Europe. Outside these three countries, the main hops-producing areas are in southern England, northern France and Spain and, further east, in Croatia, Bulgaria, southern Poland and eastern Ukraine. According to the researchers estimates, southern hops-growing areas will fare the worst, especially Spain and Portugal. In Spain, hops are grown on 621 hectares of land. according to data from Spains Ministry of Agricultures Statistics Yearbook, in 2020, 1,024 tons of hops flower were obtained. To get one liter of beer, one gram of hops is needed; that quantity is then added to the broth by infusion. Over 90% of Spanish hops production occurs in two regions of Leon, particularly in the one irrigated by the Orbigo river, but that yield does not cover the needs of the national brewing industry. Agricultural engineer Javier Fraile is the technical manager of the Leon Hops cooperative, which brings together the vast majority of producers in the area and sells around 97% of Leons product. We are at the southern limit of where hops can be produced, he explains. This area is also climatologically optimal; it has the right days and hours of light for hops, and the photoperiod is a key element that regulates its flowering, Fraile adds. On the impact of climate change, Fraile warns that it is difficult to separate its effect from other factors. The problem is that the different varieties dont live forever. The ideal is 15 years of production, he explains. Hops plants live for about 20 years and their production differs in their early and later years. He says that this could affect the studys results. But climate change is causing problems: In the 1980s, powdery mildew [a fungus] plagues appeared in August; now we get it two months earlier. The first attempt at industrial hops production took place in Spain in the context of World War I. Jose Luis Olmedo, R&D project manager at Cosecha de Galicia, a company belonging to the Hijos de Rivera Corporation (the producers of Estrella Galicia), says: It was the founder Jose Maria Rivera who introduced hops. Actually, it was agronomist Leopoldo Hernandez. The two teamed up to bring in hops for fear that the Great War would prevent purchasing them from abroad. Its very finicky, Olmedo says of the plant: The alpha acids in hops are very sensitive to temperature. Their bitterness and aromas depend on the variety, as well as on the soil, humidity and temperature. For almost 20 years, Olmedo has been working on reintroducing hops cultivation in Galicia. This years harvest was lower than in previous years because of the weather. The months of June and August have been the hottest in the past decade, and in April and May, when the plant emerges from dormancy, there has been rainfall well below the average of the past 10 years. Olmedo also notes the problem of increasingly mild winters. The plants start to sprout earlier, and a late frost kills them. Faced with such an uncertain future, Hijos de Rivera and other breweries are looking for ways to adapt to the new climate reality. The Galician brewery has a project underway with Ekonoke, an initiative of researchers from the Autonomous University of Madrid. Their idea is to grow hop plants indoors, in greenhouses, to control all variables. Although their slogan, we are on a mission to save the worlds beer, may seem excessive, Olmedo reminds us that, unlike the annual harvest abroad, here they hope to have four harvests a year. Its our plan B, he concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition I couldnt agree more. Footfall is back up, but it is not going to be the same Oxford Street as before. Nobody can uninvent the existence of online retail; our task now is to complement that with sensible and flexible planning policies that open the way to more leisure. More restaurants, more arts spaces like Moco (for which we gave planning permission recently). Oxford Street forms part of the whole canvas of the West End. The company which is behind brands including Scion and also gets licensing income from the use of its designs on products such as rugs and tableware, pointed to more difficult conditions here. An increase in bookings will be welcomed after a turbulent period for the New York-listed business. It was hit hard by working from home during the pandemic and in the Summer warned there was substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. But Quin told the Standard the discussions were in the course of my duties as a director to report and that he wanted to make sure they understood the importance of sanctions regimes and compliance and risk matters. He said he chose to leave the company in order to dedicate more time to work on other businesses that could have led to a conflict of interest. Monday, October 2, began his trial in New York on fraud charges related to his many years as one of the leading hucksters in New York Citys real estate business which is saying just about all you have to say. This is a civil trial, as opposed to his criminal trials, but campaign insiders have, with casual acceptance of the legal onslaught against him, added it in as a practical fifth indictment (given his civil rape conviction, the defamation case that has grown out of that, and other emerging attacks, the list will continue to expand). It is a trial he is going to lose. A set of pre-trial decisions on the part of Judge Arthur Engoron means, practically speaking, hes already lost it. Hes a fraudster and the question now is only one of damages. Will he be run out of New York as a business proprietor? Will he face a crushing financial penalty? The answer is yes an inevitability only to be delayed by further appeals. The speech was slick, slightly dull and hyper-disciplined rather like Starmer himself. The hall loved it, but what mattered more were the views of those watching on television, hearing snippets on the radio and reading about it the following day on the way to work. Our nominations this year reflect the incredible standard of work and creativity that is possible with support for, and investment in, the Scottish screen industries, and the individuals who are committed to telling stories that can reach and resonate globally. We simply dont have the funds to access a fair trial in the high court, they wrote. Not to mention the fact that this would likely rattle on through to 2025, and with this hanging over us we wouldnt be able to release any music in the meantime. Our careers, and indeed our lives, would be on hold. Gupta created a terrific character here: curious, intelligent, spirited, shy, passionate and indignant. Rani is credible for the era in a way that the fictionalised Victoria is not. Katyal gives her vivid life, her face intensely animated by emotion, eyes flickering as she computes the surprises, good and awful, that life deals her. Though this production was staged in Stratford upon Avon earlier this year, the London transfer seems to mark Katyals London debut. Its an auspicious one. Some of the characters are arguably not the most well fleshed out in TV history, but they work together well, and in the hands of these actors they serve their purpose brilliantly, mainly as an evocative chorus that brings out Frasiers personality quirks, and became well-loved. Watching Frasier struggle with his sense of self while managing relationships with people who more or less speak a different language became the heartbeat of the show, and every failure in his social life is at least amusing and often hilarious. Theres also no denying that surviving and growing in the hands of many different writers over the course of 11 seasons is a testament to the strength of those characters. Harris Reeds entrance is a spectacle unto itself. A lanky 66 silhouette bursts into the bar of the Parisian Rochechouart hotel, wearing a black jacket and impossible platform boots. When the 27-year-old native of Los Angeles lets down his red-haired Rapunzel mane with a theatrical gesture, hotel guests cant help but be taken aback and, in all likelihood, wonder who this mythological creature is. I dont think it would be very easy to answer them, he replies. After that, our chat with one of the most interesting designers of the past five years is as fast and dizzying as his rise to the top of an industry that constantly celebrates him: a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London, at 27 Reed has achieved what others spend a lifetime trying to accomplish: Dressing Harry Styles for the first Vogue cover ever to feature a man, doing the same with Adele and Beyonce and awakening interest in French fashion, so much so that he was named creative director at Nina Ricci in September last year. A million things have happened to me in a very short time, and a lot of people around me were afraid that I wasnt going to know how to handle it well. But my hyperactivity and ADD are my allies and let me do a hundred things at once and never get bored, he jokes. "I'm not trying to hide anyone. Hopefully, I magnify women with big silhouettes, bright colors and lots of textures and materials," Reed said after his first Ricci fashion show. Pablo Saez For many, the Puig group-owned Nina Ricci is a fashion house famous for its perfumes the brands bestselling LAir du Temps, created in 1948, is the first spicy floral fragrance in the history of perfumery but it is not well known for its fashion. The founder, Italian Maria Adelaide Giuseppa Nielli (who died in 1970 at age 87), created her own designs for other firms and didnt have her own brand until she was almost 50, a pursuit supported by her son Robert Ricci. For some reason there is a widespread idea of her as a woman dedicated to a romantic, ethereal silhouette, but she was a bold designer [and] ahead of her time, Reed says. It is clear that her archive which is on par with the likes of Dior and Balmain has not been explored as much as theirs. The challenge had already been attempted by some of Reeds predecessors, such as the tandem of Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh, Englishman Peter Copping, Guillaume Henry and Olivier Theyskens, who was the most popular designer during his time at the firm between 2006 and 2010. When it was announced that Reed had been named creative director at Nina Ricci, many in the industry asked what the British-American designer of fluid and eccentric fashion, could bring to a 90-year-old French fashion house. Freedom, fun, color and diversity in every sense, Reed responds unreservedly. At other companies, there is a manual about which shoe sells, which belt works and the bag to put everything in. Here, I can play around with the archive and start with a piece to add features of the fashion I promote, where everyone has a place and where dressing itself is a performance, he argues. Reed wanted to reinstate some of Ricci's signature features, such as cocoon sleeves and exaggerated collars. The designer achieved what he sought to do, a theatrical and exuberant collection with 1980s overtones. Pablo Saez This collection was unveiled last March to mixed reviews. On the catwalk, the model Precious Lee inaugurated a fashion show full of dramatic outfits in orange tulle and velvet, over-the-top bows and brimmed hats that combined with multicolored polka dots and neon feathers. For some, it was a celebration in every sense of the word; for others, it was a bawdy display far removed from French elegance. All in all, Reed made headlines for the day. I didnt plan to do something subtle or passable. I want to have an original point of view and to be the first to do what is thriving years later. Thats where my satisfaction resides. Nina Ricci's fall/winter collection marks Harris Reed's debut as the fashion house's creative director. The Californian was inspired by the romantic drama of the maison's couture shows in the exuberant 1980s and 1990s. Pablo Saez Reeds obsession with breaking down the barriers between the masculine and the feminine is a classic theme that his colleagues, including Spains Alejandro Gomez Palomo and Frances Ludovic de Saint Sernin, have discussed for years. But in the Californian designers case, the impulse goes back to his childhood: he was raised by a former-model-turned-painter and a documentary filmmaker. I have the sense that my childhood was like a mere 30-second elevator ride. I lived in a total of 28 houses before I went to college, and we kept moving. Seattle, Arizona, Washington, Oregon You can imagine what it was like when I would arrive on the first day of school in a pink glitter skirt and say to my classmates, Hi, Im Harris, the gay kid starting today. Luckily, my mother understood my fashion ambition, even if at the time that meant my dressing up and wearing impossible outfits, he says with a smile. "Harris, make sure that customers wearing your clothes can get in and out of a cab," Edwin Bodson, the CEO of Nina Ricci, told Reed when he began designing this collection. The designer intentionally ignored those instructions. Pablo Saez Life soon rewarded him. By the time he was a teenager, his family had moved back to his native Los Angeles. By then, Harris was devouring magazines like Teen Vogue and Womens Wear Daily. A chance encounter with publicist Kelly Cutrone landed him an internship at her company, Peoples Revolution Agency, and when he came of age, he got an interview to get into Central Saint Martins. I walked in thinking I was king of the world and when the guy asked me for my favorite designer, I answered Alexander McQueen. His response was that he was dead and that my work was as bad as his. When he saw the tear in my eye, he smiled and told me I was in, Reed explains. As a student, he admits, he was frustrated by his professors obsession with finding objective clients for his clothes: They probably didnt exist then, but the world was changing, and time has proven me right. Nina Ricci's fall pieces pass through Reed's gender-fluid lens and include magnetic tailoring, high-octane loungewear, quirky streetwear and attention-grabbing dresses. Pablo Saez When the pandemic began, Reed had to put everything on hold. He was only two months away from graduating. At that point, he would not have been able to finish his project if it hadnt been for a woman named Elli Jafari. Then the manager of The Standard hotel (and now vice president of the hotel group), she lent him an empty room as a base of operations: There, I was able to start placing orders and lay the foundations of my company on a temporary basis. That temporary situation lasted for over two years, but it bore fruit: his own company, his role at the helm of Nina Ricci and his media-star status, which is associated with Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Emma Watson. Then there was his debut on the Met red carpet with model Iman, his starring role in last years Fashioning Masculinities exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum and his collaborations with brands like Gucci and MAC Cosmetics. A suit with wide lapels and flared trousers elongated to extra-long proportions. Pablo Saez Reed talks about this and many other things in Fluid: A Fashion Revolution, the book that Abrams will publish about his story in November 2023. With long hours of therapy and the support of his friends, his family and his partner entrepreneur Eitan Senerman he recounts episodes such as the bullying he suffered as a child. I came to tell over and over again with laughter that I was beaten as a child and that it had helped me make beautiful dresses, but I was very aware that the trauma was still there, he says. But there is something reaffirming and confident in Reeds imposing presence, which he himself connects to that time in his life: If someone sees you on the street and yells [a homophobic slur] at you because youve decided to wear what you want, it says more about that person than it does about you. For that reason and because life is short, and the world is in such chaos, its clear to me that the only point of doing what I do is to have fun along the way. There will be those who dont understand that or dont like it, but luckily I dont work for them. CREDITS: Photography: Pablo Saez Styling: Juan Cebrian Model: Ireen Tabolova (Viva Barcelona). Makeup: Camille Arnaud (Airport Agency). Hair: Charlotte Dubreuil (MFT Agency). Manicure: Huberte Cesarion (MFT Agency). Production: Maia Hoetink. Assistant photographer: Theophile Parat. Styling assistant: Juliette Da Luz. Often people come across lymphatic drainage, via hard to believe before and after photos of clients online. While these photos might make it look like the recipients have lost weight, lymphatic drainage does not create actual fat loss. Instead, it may help reduce water retention and bloating, which can then have a short-term slimming effect. Short-term is the key here: most clients see the physical effects of a lymphatic drainage massage for up to six hours. Thankfully this account is far less exclusive and prohibitively expensive than the actual Soho House membership, so everyone can get in on the fun for a cheeky bit of schadenfreude as you scroll. It covers the insider element of attempting to scam what you can out of the members club (ie 30-year-old members inviting the only under 27 person they know out to get the discount) as well as an outsider angle (ie Is your friend on the committee in the room with us right now?). It doesnt post super often, but when it does its like being given a surprising little treat. Much like when someone sneaks you into Soho House, actually. What we cannot do is interpret support for the Palestinian cause more broadly as automatically being support for Hamas or any other proscribed group, even when it follows so soon after an attack carried out by that group and when to many the link seems indisputable, she said. If we think of a Swiss cheese model, really, when it comes to an escape you need the holes to line up, and they dont very often and that is why escapes are relatively rare. I would encourage police to consider whether chants such as From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free should be understood as an expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world, and whether its use in certain contexts may amount to a racially aggravated Section 5 public order offence. I would also like to thank our colleagues in the Specialist Crime Command who led the subsequent investigation and continue to engage with us throughout. The actions of all of the officers involved, from the initial response, to putting evidence before a jury, have helped to take a dangerous man off the streets for what I hope will be a significant amount of time. Matteo Bottarelli, 44, is alleged to have chased co-workers with the mattock, a pickaxe-type implement, around the grounds of Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London before stabbing one of them in the neck from behind. He told the inquiry: Their struggle to establish the truth of what happened in the night raids conducted by SAS units in Afghanistan has been hampered over more than a decade by a closing of ranks in the British Army and Ministry of Defence by a culture of secrecy, self-protection, deference and defensiveness; by delays in investigation and by failures to pursue critical lines of inquiry; and by the apparent concealment and destruction of relevant evidence. Dr Ozberk said the Strep A jab had the potential to be a world-first as there are no vaccines that target the upper respiratory tract due to a lack of licensed immunostimulants, drugs which activate the immune system. Asked what the beavers should be named, he discounted naming them after himself, Tory mayoral rival Susan Hall or former Labour leader Jermy Corbyn. One of the kits I let out, she came back again, again and again for the cameras. I think she should be called Taylor Swift. Caroline Ellison finds testifies during Bankman-Fried's fraud trial over the collapse of FTX, at Federal Court in New York City, on October 10, 2023, in this courtroom sketch. The trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried took a star turn Tuesday as his former fellow top executive, Caroline Ellison, began testifying against him, immediately blaming her former boyfriend for directing her to commit crimes before his cryptocurrency empire collapsed last November. Ellisons highly anticipated turn on the witness stand in Manhattan federal court took place just moments before the trial broke for lunch. When she was asked to identify Bankman-Fried in the courtroom, Ellison stood at the witness stand as she scanned the courtroom for a long minute, at first unable to find him, before gesturing his way with a flip of her hand and saying he was over there wearing a suit. Bankman-Frieds appearance has changed dramatically in recent months, as he has lost weight and trimmed his well-known wild coif into a tightly cropped look more traditional in the world of finance. In the trials second week, Ellison said she committed fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering along with Bankman-Fried and others. Asked by a prosecutor about Bankman-Frieds involvement, she said: He directed me to commit these crimes. Bankman-Fried could face decades in prison if he is convicted of charges lodged against him when he was brought to the United States from the Bahamas last December. He has pleaded not guilty. Bankman-Fried, 31, was one of the worlds wealthiest people on paper, with an estimated net worth of $32 billion, when his cryptocurrency businesses collapsed as investors and customers sought to empty their accounts last November. Bankruptcy proceedings followed as prosecutors alleged that stolen funds were used to fund his businesses, make donations and contribute to political campaigns in the hopes of influencing cryptocurrency regulation in Washington. At one time, FTX was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world. Ellison testified under a cooperation deal that could win her leniency when she is sentenced. It could also be pivotal when the jury decides whether Bankman-Fried is guilty of fraud charges among seven counts in an indictment against him. Bankman-Fried has been jailed since August, when Judge Lewis A. Kaplan concluded that he had tried to influence Ellison and other potential trial witnesses and could no longer be trusted to await trial under a $250 million bond and confinement to his parents Palo Alto, California, home. As Ellison testified, several of her friends or online fans were in attendance at the courthouse. In an overflow courtroom where spectators could watch proceedings on a television monitor, some of them, smiles on their faces, rushed toward a screen to see her up close. Ellison seemed composed, answering questions posed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon. At the outset, Sassoon asked her how she knew the defendant. She said she met him at Jane Street, a hedge fund, where she worked as an intern before joining his company after he formed Alameda Research in 2017. She then volunteered that they had dated a couple years. Eventually, Bankman-Fried installed Ellison as chief executive at Alameda. Ellison said Bankman-Fried set up systems that enabled Alameda to withdrawal unlimited sums of money from FTX accounts, and he directed us to take FTX money to repay our loans. She said Alameda eventually withdrew up to $14 billion from FTX, although some of it was paid back. Ellisons testimony immediately followed two days of testimony from Gary Wang, an FTX cofounder and another key figure in Bankman-Frieds inner circle. He also testified under a plea agreement with prosecutors that he was directed by the defendant to set up software loopholes that allowed Alameda to drain FTX accounts of unlimited funds. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition For more than 50 years the pair have lived in east London, specifically in Fournier Street in Spitalfields, in an 18th-century house which is where they also work, in their huge studio at the back. They work as one unit, one person, one living artist almost every day, and rarely leave the area. We went on holiday once, to Bordeaux, for Christmas, but we didnt like it, so we came home, says Gilbert. Says George: Life is a holiday compared to what is to follow, so enjoy it. And nothing happens in the world that doesnt happen in the East End, so why travel? Mrs Lifschitz lost contact with her parents after that, but heard via local residents that many people were taken from their beds, piled onto trucks and taken into Gaza by Hamas militants. She said around 80 people are confirmed missing from the kibbutz. And it will receive another boost this week with the opening today of Frieze, the world renowned art fair, which will generate millions of pounds not just in sales but in cash flowing into the hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants that all benefit from the influx of artists, gallerists and collectors from across the globe. About 90,000 people are expected to attend, with more than 160 galleries from 40 different countries taking part, while the wider benefits can be seen throughout the art world. The rules are confusing. A Travelcard is more expensive than an Oyster card or contactless payment card. The exception is if you make three or more journeys for six days or more within a seven-day period, when you should look into buying a seven-day Travelcard. You will be charged two maximum pay-as-you-go prices if the amount of time between touching in at the beginning of your journey and touching out at the conclusion is longer than the maximum journey time limit. Zones 1 through 9 have a maximum fare capped at 14.90. Beyond Zone 9, including on the Heathrow Express, it is up to 26. A resident who commented on the application said the event disturbed my peace to some degree, especially as I am an early riser and tend to go to bed before the events end, but added noise levels were better controlled than they had been in previous years. Prisoners are being failed and most have a severely reduced chance of rehabilitation upon release. We are told there is significant investment in the prison system, but we see little evidence of this in Wandsworth. And thats because people, like the United Kingdom, the British public, whove been so generous when it comes to Ukraine, understand that this is a battle that Putin must not win. We have to win this battle, ultimately, for all of our sakes. Extra 100 off holidays under 14 nights using a unique TUI discount code 15% off all orders over 100 using this ASOS discount code 5% off all bookings with this Travelodge discount code 15% of all orders with The Perfume Shop birthday discount - VIP Rewards Members 20% off everything with The Body Shop discount code We all need the ability to look forward to move forward free from anxiety. Thats what getting our future back really means, Sir Keir said in his conference speech, once hed taken off his glitter-strewn jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. Sir Keir used his speech to speak about his own background from humble origins to becoming a barrister, while his first point was made in relation to the Hamas strikes the leader saying, Israel must always have the right to defend her people. Amazon is heading into one of its biggest sales events of the year Prime Day with a lawsuit hanging over its head that accuses it of preventing sellers from hawking their merchandise at lower prices on other sites. The Federal Trade Commissions long-awaited antitrust case is the agencys most aggressive move yet to tame the market power of Amazon, a company thats become synonymous with online shopping and fast deliveries. Under chair Lina Khan, the agency hasnt been shy about taking big swings against some of Americas biggest companies and testing the limits of competition law to reverse what many of her supporters see as decades of weak antitrust enforcement. But that approach has also led to some high-profile setbacks, most notably in the FTCs bid to block Microsofts takeover of Activision Blizzard and Metas acquisition of the virtual reality startup Within Unlimited. The FTC is appealing the judges ruling in the Microsoft case. The Amazon case, which was backed by 17 states, marks a full-circle moment for Khan, who is finally confronting the company she scrutinized in an influential scholarly paper she penned as a Yale Law student. In the paper, which was called Amazons Antitrust Paradox and released in 2017, Khan argued the prevailing way of looking at anticompetitive conduct by the impact it has on prices was insufficient in the modern economy. Instead, she pushed for a more progressive approach that examines how corporate concentration impacts the broader market. Two years ago, Khan was tapped to lead the FTC by President Joe Biden, whose administration has taken a tougher stance on antitrust enforcement. That same year, Amazon unsuccessfully sought to get her recused from agency probes against the company, arguing she was too biased. Now, her ftc. If we succeed, competition will be restored and people will benefit from lower prices, greater quality, greater selection as a result, Khan said during a recent call with reporters. A final decision in Amazon case will likely come years down the road, assuming the lawsuit isnt dropped under a new administration, dismissed by a judge or ends in a settlement akin to the one Amazon reached with European regulators last year. A similar lawsuit filed last year by the state of California is set to go to trial in 2026. The District of Columbia also tried to sue Amazon on antitrust grounds before, but its lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge last year. Experts say the FTC faces a few hurdles in its own case, including convincing the court which slice of the market Amazon is allegedly monopolizing. In the 172-page complaint filed in federal court, the government paints a picture of an institution that strong-arms sellers and exercises monopoly power in what it calls the online superstore market and online marketplace services. This isnt the entire U.S. e-commerce sector, of which Amazon is estimated to control about 40%. But rather, the agency is describing the types of single-destination online stores that offer a large array of products, and allows sellers to access a significant number of shoppers. In a blog post responding to the lawsuit, Amazon General Counsel David Zapolsky accused the FTC of attempting to gerrymander alleged market to portray Amazon as something its not. He said consumers buy over 80% of all retail products in physical stores and that Amazon was just a piece of a massive and robust retail market that offers options to consumers and sellers. Brick-and-mortar retailers, online stores and newer buy-online-pick-up-in-store options, he says, are all competing vigorously with each other. Online, Amazon has been facing growing competition from traditional retailers including Walmart, and Chinese shopping sites Shein and Temu, which became popular by offering ultra-cheap goods. There are also platforms like Etsy and Shopify that are enabling small businesses to sell directly to consumers, and specialist retailers like Wayfair. Whichever way you look, there are companies competing with Amazon, said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail. Besides the jargon around market definitions, the substance of the agencys complaint focuses on Amazons growing fees on third-party sellers and its ramifications on consumers. It accuses the e-commerce company of squeezing sellers through various fees and employing a massive web-crawling apparatus that punishes them for offering lower prices on other sites. The FTC also alleges Amazon keeps sellers dependent on services that have allowed it to collect billions in revenue every year. Zapolsky counters that Amazon just like any store owner that doesnt want to promote bad deals doesnt highlight listings that arent competitively priced. He also said the services the company provides to sellers are optional. The Amazon case comes as federal prosecutors and state attorneys general are in the middle of a 10-week trial trying to prove Google rigged the market in its favor by locking in its search engine as the default choice in a plethora of places and devices. That case was brought by the Department of Justice and marks the biggest U.S. antitrust trial since regulators went after Microsoft and its dominance of personal computer software a quarter century ago. Maurice Stucke, a former senior advisor at agency during Khans tenure, said even though there have been some notable antitrust cases, there hasnt been that much case law around monopolization in the past few decades, limiting the examples the FTC can draw from for its Amazon lawsuit. And even if the FTC wins its lawsuit years down the line, he said changes in the market could make it possible for Amazon to maintain its dominance without engaging in the activities the agency is alleging. Once you get to relief, it might be too little too late, said Stucke, who currently teaches law at the University of Tennessee. For her part, Khan has dodged questions about whether the agency would try to break up Amazon. She said its focus right now is on establishing liability. The lawsuit, though, does call for structural relief, which means the agency could down the road ask the court to change the way Amazon works in minor or major ways. Overall, there has not been a lot of monopolization cases that have ended in a court ordering a company to divest itself, said Sean Sullivan, a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law who teaches antitrust law. Judges are trying really hard to do the right thing, he said. But theyre also conscious that if they make a mistake, that type of remedy is potentially very costly and would have massive economic ramifications. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Mrs Parkes, who is from Liverpool, argued housing asylum seekers on the barge was a breach of planning control and said there had not been compliance with environmental impact assessment duties. It is not only those of us who are parents, but all of those who feel that young people should be free to attend events with their peers in conditions of safety, who will find such circumstances where a young life is taken so appalling. As already mentioned, the Scottish Government, and many of our agricultural exporters, view the United States as an important destination for our food and drink produce, but we must not forget that it is our reputation for safety and quality that makes our exports so highly sought after in the first place. Poorna Bell, author and journalist who is one of the mentors, said: Its an incredibly important event to be part of because these girls are at such a formative age of thinking about their future. That future should feel limitless, they should be allowed to dream as big and wide as they want, and I think having the right mentors and role models at this point can be life changing. After the outbreak of the Second World War, many countries changed the name of Armistice Day, with some members of the Commonwealth choosing to call it Remembrance Day. In the UK, it is now known as both. Mike Innerdale, the National Trusts regional director for the North of England, said: The outpouring weve seen shows just how important the connection is between people and nature in its many forms, and as we consider plans for this special tree, and this very special place, well also look to harness that support for trees, landscapes and nature all across the country, and use the sycamore as a symbol of recovery. It is very difficult to find a family member from a destroyed house and a few minutes to later bury him or her in a nearby grave, again under the ground," said Mir Agha, from the city of Herat, who had joined hundreds of volunteers to help the locals. This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening on the ground so our audiences can make their own judgment. It also said that rockets were flying around the city at the time the BA flight was supposed to land, but none of them were considered a risk to the plane or the airport. I feel guilty saying even this when I know that people are going through so much more, but Ive never been so stressed in my whole life than I have been in the last few days, Marilyn said. On the picket lines at a Ford factory west of Detroit, many striking workers dont think the electric vehicle revolution is coming for their jobs at least not in the near future. But just in case, theyre backing United Auto Workers President Shawn Fains quest to unionize EV battery factories at Ford and Jeep maker Stellantis, matching a breakthrough concession made by General Motors last week. So far, neither Ford nor Stellantis has agreed to the change, which would pull employees at all 10 U.S. battery factories proposed by Detroit automakers into national contracts with the UAW, all but assuring theyll be unionized. Fain also wants workers at the plants to make top UAW assembly plant wages, which now are $32 per hour. With the UAW strike now in its fourth week, EVs and their potential impact on job security have become central to union negotiations with the automakers. Contract talks are likely to determine whether those plants mostly joint ventures with South Korean battery companies are union, which may have long-lasting consequences as the auto industry transforms itself. The battery plants are going to be the make-or-break issue, said Sam Abuelsamid, a mobility analyst for Guidehouse Insights. Its going to be a critical factor for them to get good labor agreements at these plants. In short, if electric vehicles replace gas-powered ones, most UAW workers at engine and transmission plants will lose their jobs. And if lower-paying battery plants arent union, workers wont have anywhere to get the same wages and benefits. Ford and Stellantis thus far dont want to pay top union wages, fearing that will push up their costs over Tesla and other competitors with nonunion battery plants mainly in the U.S. South. That could make Detroits EVs more expensive and harder to sell. The issue, festering for months behind pay and cost-of-living increases, restoration of retirement benefits for new hires and even a 32-hour workweek, became huge Friday when GM agreed to unionization. Stellantis didnt comment directly on GMs move, but Ford said workers will have to choose once they are hired at plants that havent been built yet. Although Ford said its willing to work with the union, the company said its investing billions in battery plants that have to operate at sustainably competitive levels. Last month, Ford CEO Jim Farley accused the union of using the battery plant issue to hold a potential contract agreement hostage. Ford has decided to locate three of its four proposed battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee, states where workers and politicians could be more hostile to the UAW. The company has put on hold a fourth plant to be built in Michigan by Ford itself. Before GM changed its stance, the automakers said they have South Korean joint venture partners at nine of 10 battery factories, and those partners have to be at the bargaining table. Automakers are telling workers their jobs are secure, but the union doesnt see that in the transition to electric vehicles, Fain said. Instead, the companies want to pay poverty wages at the new plants and drive down pay in the industry, he said. Its really hard to envision a future for us where we have no piece of the battery, said Fain, adding that 20% almost 30,000 of the unions 146,000 members at the Detroit Three now work in factories that make internal combustion engines and transmissions. Farley and other auto executives have said that because EVs have fewer moving parts, they will require 30% to 40% fewer workers to assemble than gasoline vehicles. But GM CEO Mary Barra insists there will be enough work to bring everyone along. A study by Carnegie Mellon University backs her up, in part, finding that it will take more labor to build electric vehicle batteries, motors and drivelines than engines and transmissions for combustion engine vehicles. On the picket line at the Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan, where Bronco SUVs and Ranger pickups are made, workers questioned whether people would buy EVs because of their limited travel range and lack of charging stations. But they also see a future where buyers could switch, and they think wages at the battery plants should match what they make. Theyre part of Ford and should be unionized as well, said Chris Jedrzejek, who has worked for the company 23 years. Im sure that Ford would rather not have their battery plants unionized, but with the actions of GM, they set the precedent. He doesnt believe the company line that higher-wage union battery plants would make Detroits EVs too pricey. The pay at nonunion Toyota assembly plants, for instance, is similar to the top wage of UAW workers, he said, although Jedrzejek concedes that many Ford workers have better benefits such as pensions. I think its just a bunch of rhetoric just to try to scare us into signing a bad deal, he said. Worker Todd Lauerman, who has been with Ford a dozen years, said making the battery plants union is crucial because fewer workers may be needed to build EVs, and the issue has to be settled this year because if the plants start running and arent union, its going to be a lot harder to get it in the next contract. Its likely GM agreed to unionize its four U.S. battery plants because workers probably would have voted for the union anyway, Abuelsamid said. The UAW, he said, will use this to try to organize other Korean-owned battery plants. One GM plant in northeastern Ohio already has voted for the UAW, two more are right next to GM assembly plants in Tennessee and Michigan, and the fourth is near South Bend, Indiana, not far from other GM factories. They may have thought they were going to get unionized one way or another, lets just get it done, said Harry Katz, a professor of collective bargaining at Cornell University. Stellantis staying quiet may mean its willing to work a deal, but Fords public statements so far indicate it will fight bringing its plants into the national UAW contract. Katz, though, thinks Ford will eventually have to agree to the template set by GM. On a matter of principle like this, I dont see them agreeing to anything other than the pattern, he said. Without organizing the battery plants, union wins on wages and benefits could be only temporary because membership would decline if the battery factories are nonunion, said Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University. It could turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory if inroads arent also carved out at the nonunionized factories that will play a pivotal role in the industrys future, Masters said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition We ask for privacy at this time while we process this huge loss to our family, both at home and in Israel, and to the Jewish community in Glasgow where he will be sorely missed. The story of her heroism is a story that will go down in Israeli lore for generations. Inbal is the reason there is one kibbutz in the entire surrounding area that remains unharmed. The letter, known as the Balfour Declaration, was just 67 words but it is regarded as one of the most contested documents in the modern history of the Middle East. It committed the British government to the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people and to facilitate the achievement of this object. The Palestinian militant group has made it clear that hostages will be exchanged for all Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails, but it has been predicted that negotiations, even if they get under way soon, could take years, based on previous experience. Mr Cleverly said a significant number of British-Israeli nationals had been caught up in the conflict, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. The fires have caused some controversy online. Whilst many X users have insisted their cause was climate change, others recall Argentinian governments national fire management service asserting in 2020 that A total 95% of forest fires are the result of human intervention. She had been attending the Supernova festival just three miles from the Gaza border with friends when they were caught in the crossfire during the attack on saturday. He said he was in continuous contact with leaders in the region, and warned against any spillover of the conflict. I appeal to all parties and those who have an influence over those parties to avoid any further escalation, he said. We were struck on Saturday by an attack whose savagery I can say we have not seen since the Holocaust, Mr Netanyahu said. We had hundreds massacred, families wiped out in their beds and their homes, women brutally raped and murdered, over 100 kidnapped including children. They beheaded soldiers, they mowed down youngsters who came to a nature festival... we have never seen such savagery in the history of the state. They are even worse than Isis. Yanis Varoufakis, 62, turns on his laptop and enters the Zoom meeting. He sits in the studio of his home in Athens, Greece. One of the most well-known and influential economists in the world, he offers a kind greeting before beginning his conversation with EL PAIS. For the first time in many years (he had promised his wife, Danae) he took a few days of vacation in August, in the Aegean Sea. But, soon after, he was back at work, keeping track of all his appointments (including this one). Varoufakis studied at a private school, before completing two postgraduate degrees in Mathematics and Economics at the universities of Essex and Birmingham. He has taught in Australia, the United States and, since 2000, has lectured in Economics at the University of Athens. But his life and his myth is intertwined with politics. He served as the finance minister of Greece between January and July 2015. Those were difficult days, when he dealt with Wolfgang Schauble who served as finance minister at the time under former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the familiar story that was the seemingly endless Greek sovereign debt crisis. This was when the Troika the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission put the squeeze on Greece for every last euro, as a condition for issuing a financial rescue package. In July 2015, citizens voted against austerity and the social suffering it would cause. Although his side won the referendum, Varoufakis resigned, after five months in office. In February 2016, he created the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DiEM25). And, in March 2018 as a former member of the left-wing Syriza party he founded MeRA25, the political branch of the movement. He then returned to the Greek Parliament as an elected legislator. Since then, this libertarian Marxist this is how he defines himself, with an evident sense of provocation has also had great success with bestsellers, such as Talking to My Daughter About the Economy and Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism. Brilliant with titles, one of his latest articles is called Let the Banks Burn. He has also coined several terms for our era, such as cloud capitalism, de-dollarization, global austerity and techno-feudalism. Although he may not intend it, many of his columns are somewhat impregnated with the pessimism of the philosopher Emil Cioran (1911-1955) and his temptation to exist: Writing is a matter of life or death. Without a doubt, his latest book is imbued with a certain sadness. It was born from a conversation he had many years ago, in 1993, with his communist father, Giorgios. As we struggle with our internet connection, Varoufakis jokes: Now that computers can talk to each other, will this make it impossible to overthrow capitalism? Or will technology finally reveal its Achilles heel? Question. Perhaps it has already revealed it? Answer. Amazons Alexa, for example, is nothing more than a portal. Behind it, theres a centralized totalitarian system created to satisfy its owner, Jeff Bezos. [This system] does four things at the same time: it trains us to tell it what we want. It directly sells us what we know we want, regardless of any real market. It makes us reproduce its capital in the cloud (that is, its an immense behavior modification machine), because thanks to our work which is done without remuneration it publishes reviews or rates products. And finally, it amasses enormous profits from the capitalists who are operating within this network generally, 40% of the sticker price [of products]. This isnt capitalism welcome to technofeudalism! Q. Whats your hypothesis? A. Capitalism is now dead. It has been replaced by the techno-feudal economy and a new order. At the heart of my thesis, theres an irony that may sound confusing at first, but its made clear in the book (Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism). Whats killing capitalism is capitalism itself. Not the capital weve known since the dawn of the industrial age. But a new form, a mutation, thats been growing over the last two decades. Its much more powerful than its predecessor, which like a stupid and overzealous virus has killed its host. And why has this occurred? Due to two main causes: the privatization of the internet by the United States, but also the large Chinese technology companies. Along with the way in which Western governments and central banks responded to the great financial crisis of 2008. Varoufakis latest book warns of the impossibility of social democracy today, as well as the false promises made by the crypto world. Behind the crypto aristocracy, the only true beneficiaries of these technologies have been the very institutions these crypto evangelists were supposed to want to overthrow: Wall Street and the Big Tech conglomerates. For example, in Technofeudalism, the economist writes: JPMorgan and Microsoft have recently joined forces to run a blockchain consortium, based on Microsoft data centers, with the goal of increasing their power in financial services. Q. Its been nearly 600 days since the war in Ukraine began. What do you think about this? And what impact does it have on the economy? A. My thoughts are the same as on the first day Putin invaded Ukraine. Its a war that will end quickly if theres a peace agreement otherwise, it can last for decades. If it continues, there will be no winners only losers. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians dead, hundreds of thousands of Russians dead. It will impoverish Europe and make Africa more miserable. The West must offer the Russian leader a very simple agreement, [bringing the territorial lines] back to where they were before February 2022. In exchange, Ukraine will never be a member of NATO. Its the Austrian solution: its part of Europe, it has an army, its a liberal democracy but not part of the organization. This is the only possibility that coincides with Ukrainian interests, while avoiding sacrifice and impoverishment. In February of 2016, Varoufakis created the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025, or DiEM25. Q. Europe is aging, growth is slow, the economic center of the world is moving to South Asia and Southeast Asia. What kind of future awaits the Old Continent? Will it become a luxury resort for millionaire foreigners on vacation? A. There wont be a breakup of the European Union. It has been saved by Mario Draghi (the former president of the ECB) thanks to the injection of billions of euros. Were entering a period of decline, though. About a month ago, I met with the president of Mexico, Lopez Obrador. The EU doesnt concern him. Of course, Mexico wants to have a good relationship and everything, but what counts for them is the United States and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Think about geopolitics, especially after the war in Ukraine. Think NATO whatever that is. Its not a European foreign policy: its NATOs foreign policy. The secretary general decides our policies for us. But imagine I wish this were the case that, tomorrow, theres a table for peace talks. Who would be sitting at the table? Zelenskiy and Putin and Xi Jinping, Modi and Biden. Who would represent Europe? Nobody. We dont have leaders. Poles, Estonians and Lithuanians dont trust Emmanuel Macron or Germanys Olaf Scholz, because they think theyre too close to Putin. But can you imagine an EU represented by someone other than Germany or France? Its worse than a crisis. We (Europe) are becoming irrelevant. Q. Today, some German politicians recognize the error that was austerity, which was the policy you fought against when you were negotiating the bailout for Greece. A. They only say that after they retire. You should be judged by what you do when you are in the administration. Thats what counts. The rest doesnt matter to me. Christian Lindner the current German finance minister is pushing austerity. Hell never admit that theyre wrong. The German economic model is dying and Europe is close behind it. What are the industries of the future? Solar, wind, batteries and software development. The EU doesnt even exist [in these fields], because it doesnt invest in anything. Whats [the EU] going to do about China, which has an absolute monopoly on batteries? Q. Why is there no equivalent to Amazon in Europe? A. For the same reason: nobody invests. Weve wasted 14 years practicing austerity. Germanys mobile phone system is almost Third World. Its an underdeveloped country in terms of digitalization. Theyve approved with all those years of delay a digitalization budget of $200 billion euros ($212 billion) over the next five years. About 50 billion euros less than expected. Do you know they still use fax machines in Germany? Q. What powers do politicians have over large corporations? A. Zero. Once upon a time, politicians had a role Franklin Roosevelt, Willy Brandt (Germany), Harold Wilson (United Kingdom), or even Nixon. They could change things. Get people to sit around the table. Now, unions no longer exist. Theres no one to sit with [todays leaders]. If you clash with the system, it eliminates you. Q. China, Singapore, India, Saudi Arabia among other countries have shown that they can grow and generate prosperity, while still being dictatorships or autocracies or nations with dubious respect for human rights. That is, without being democracies. A. We forget about history. Democracy was never part of capitalism. Already in the 19th century, in Great Britain, the philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) defended liberalism. He respected property rights, freedom of expression... but liberalism was the opposite of capitalism. The official Chinese party says, well, were liberal like the British were. They recognize private property if you have a house, they wont take it away from you, you can accumulate as much money as you want, do business. This is liberalism. [But only] as long as you dont say anything against the party. Is this so different in Britain? Did you see the coronation of Charles III? There was a professor outside the House of Commons who held up a blank banner. He was arrested for disrespecting the king. This isnt freedom of speech, is it? Is the United States a democracy? Oh, really? You have a party in government with two different faces. Trump was a poor excuse for a human being. He changed the North American Free Trade Agreement, undid the nuclear pact that Obama had signed with Iran, started the cold war against China. Biden arrived. He was supposed to be the anti-Trump. Has anything changed? No, hes made it worse. The cold war has gotten worse, theres more enmity with Iran. Cuba suffers a worse embargo than under the former president. Of course, I would prefer to have dinner with Biden rather than Trump. However, thats not what a democracy is supposed to be about. Q. Is feminism compatible with the current economic system? A. Capitalism only brings enormous, terrible burdens. One is the exploitation of women. The only way women can prosper is at the expense of other women. No, in the end and in practice feminism and democratic capitalism are incompatible. If theres one thing Yanis Varoufakis is, its tough. Perhaps it comes from the days when his father, Giorgios a communist steel engineer taught him, in front of the fire of a red brick fireplace (in a modest house), the properties of metals. It has served him well in the gym, in European politics, or last March, when a group of hired thugs in the words of Varoufakis beat up the former minister while he was having dinner in the popular Exarchia neighborhood of Athens. The thugs (who claimed to be activists) shouted at him and accused him of having sold out to the Troika. After the incident, the former Finance Minister ended up in the hospital. Were not going to let them divide us, he wrote on Twitter. We keep going! Born in the 1920s, Giorgios whose parents were Greek grew up in Cairo, Egypt, before entering the University of Athens to study Chemistry. But he was caught up in the Greek Civil War (1946-1949). He was detained and questioned by the police. He refused to denounce his fellow communists and spent four years in prison as a result. Later, when he restarted his studies, a conservative woman noticed him. Her name: Eleni. Varoufakis future mother. In the end, her fathers ideas resonated with her and communism became the landscape of their conversations. Years later, he would ask his parents what freedom meant to them. His mother said it was the possibility of choosing your partners and your projects. His father replied: time to read, experiment and write. These notions run through all his books. Giorgios under Greeces far-right regime had many problems finding work. The secret police did everything possible to get him fired. With some good fortune although the salary was lower than what he was entitled to the Halyvourgiki Hellenic Steel Industry hired him as assistant to the director. In a kind of delayed justice, he eventually became president of the board of directors. This was the environment that Yanis grew up in, with stories about prisons, with memories of harshness and reprisals. Perhaps, thanks to this upbringing, his life has been one of perseverance: he holds two doctorates (in Economics and Mathematics), served as finance minister of his country and has taught classes in the United States, Australia and Greece. Everything begins in childhood the rest is the inexorable repetition of days. At the University of Sydney, when he was teaching, he met Xenias mother, Margarite an Australian-born professor of European history, with Greek roots. They fell in love and got married. They went to live in Greece. But the relationship didnt work out and they broke up. Margarite returned to Australia, without knowing that she was pregnant. When she found out, she returned to Greece they had to give the relationship another chance. But it wasnt working. And she went back to Australia. It was a nightmare. Because I missed my daughter a lot, he commented in an interview with The Guardian. As a consolation, I put her to sleep at night via Skype. In this fragile emotional state, he discovered by chance, in an art gallery, an installation titled Breathe. It was work by the artist Danae Stratou. A work in which water and earth breathe. He was impressed. They had dinner and fell in love. He now lives in Athens with Stratou and her two children. Danae who participated in the 48th edition (1999) of the prestigious Venice Biennale cultural exhibition comes from a very wealthy family. Her father founded the textile company Peiraiki-Patraiki. Q. Few economists doubt the idea that, to prosper in life, the family you are born into is more important than all the effort you put in. A. Thats right. The lottery of birth. We live in very unequal societies. The greatest predictor of our future is the wealth and situation of our families. Q. In another one of your books Talking to My Daughter about the Economy you teach Xenia about the threats of capitalism. What kind of world do you think she will live in? A. I never, never, never make predictions, because if I were forced to answer you, my answer would be very sad. I certainly dont think things will go well in the future. But this is different from simply giving a weather forecast. Societies lack the right to predict, because what counts is the result of our actions, the result of what we do. We have the moral duty to act. Q. In your latest book, you note that BlackRock the worlds largest asset manager, by the amount of assets under management is part of the problem. When you hear the CEO Larry Fink say that he will continue investing in oil and gas because his clients demand it despite his supposed commitment to sustainable funds what do you think? A. The only solution is to dismantle the company. Q. Drastic. A. Well, capitalism must also be dismantled. Im a leftist, after all. One of the things we are very determined to do today is ensure that not withstanding problems elsewhere in the world, and of course this horrific terrorism in Israel, we will not lose sight of and will not be forgetting what is happening right here in Europe. We really, really love Llewellyns in Herne Hill, says Di Pietrantonio who frequents this hidden gem with Collina, her fiance and business partner. What we love is the simplicity of the environment, the two different rooms of the restaurant one looking into the kitchen and one just with tables and the terrace outside. The menu is simple at first look, but the details and the freshness of the dishes are amazing. They also make delicious cocktails, and its a great place for aperitivo too. Its fun to go with a group of people, sit under the fairy lights in the little Herne Hill square and order the whole menu and all the wine (mega selection with classics, natural, and so on), but also for date nights. Glasgow continues: Weve been known as a child and dog-friendly pub, which were keeping up with the Kids Table, a great little arts and crafts afternoon for children. Its a free event in one section of the pub and the separation of space gives the parents a proper chance to relax in the dining room while the kids are looked after. Nobody else really does anything like that in south-west London. Let me take a moment and thank my fans affected by our postponed shows for their understanding, he continued. I am deeply sorry but this belly thing, despite my ability to laugh at it, has been a monster and is still unfortunately rocking my internal world. One night I told my family that Im shaving it tomorrow. I hope to use my platform to help others and give them the courage and the strength they need. And actually, the response I got was just so overwhelming. I think given the year that shes had, all the things that shes had to put up with, and then this terrible thing that happened last week, given that shes done the show for 14 years, which is a year longer than Judy and I did it when we left, I think its given her a chance to kind of step back and take stock and shes put her family first. Vanessa Feltz, who was appearing on the show to discuss the news of the day, said: People love her because shes lovable but I know people wonder, whats she really like? Can anyone be that pretty, that lovely, like a Disney princess to look at? Can anyone be that sweet really? After a productive and successful mediation, we have agreed that the children will spend time equally in loving homes in both the US and the UK. We look forward to being great co-parents, the former couple said in a statement. According to MailOnline, Diana - who is played by Elizabeth Debicki - tells Charles, after he is depicted sobbing over her body in the hospital morgue: Thank you for how you were in the hospital. So raw, broken and handsome. Ill take that with me. Clinging to hope that finding survivors was still possible, Afghan rescuers and villagers kept digging through rubble in western Herat province on Tuesday, three days after one of the deadliest earthquakes in the region left more than 2,000 dead. Elsewhere in Herat, people were digging graves for loved ones killed in Saturdays 6.3 magnitude quake. On a barren field in the district of Zinda Jan, a bulldozer removed mounds of earth to clear space for a long row of graves. It is very difficult to find a family member from a destroyed house and a few minutes to later bury him or her in a nearby grave, again under the ground, said Mir Agha, from the city of Herat, who had joined hundreds of volunteers to help the locals. Across kilometers (miles) of dusty hills, there was little left of villages besides rubble and funerals. In Naib Rafi, a village that previously had about 2,500 residents, people said that almost no one was still alive besides men who were working outside when the quake struck. Survivors worked all day with excavators to dig long trenches for mass burials. Janan Sayiq, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban governments national disaster authority, said the quake killed and injured thousands but couldnt provide a breakdown for the casualties. Earlier, Taliban officials said more than 2,000 had died across Herat. The epicenter was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of the city of Herat, the provincial capital, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Several of the aftershocks have been strong, including one on Monday that caused residents of the city to rush out of their homes once again. The United Nations said the Zinda Jan district was the worst-affected area, with 1,294 deaths and 1,688 injuries. In addition, 485 people 191 men and 294 women are missing. Six schools are also reported to have been destroyed, said the U.N. Nearly 2,000 houses in 20 villages were destroyed, the Taliban have said. The area hit by the quake has just one government-run hospital. As winter approaches, the new disaster is likely to make it even harder for people to meet basic needs, such as shelter, food and medicine, aid groups have warned. It is not clear how much foreign aid has reached Herat since Saturday. The global response has been slow. Much of the world is wary of dealing directly with the Taliban-led government and focused on the deadly escalation between Israel and the Palestinians in the aftermath of the surprise attack by Gaza militants on Saturday. Pakistan has pledged to send blankets, tents, and medicines, and China is reported to have offered cash and other forms of emergency humanitarian assistance. Other foreign governments said they will work with aid agencies on the ground to help with rescue and recovery, and Afghans have launched fundraising campaigns. Authorities in Kabul did not respond to questions about how much aid has arrived from overseas. In a statement, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies urged the media not to turn away from Afghanistan. Your reporting can bring back attention to Afghanistan and the Afghan peoples untold stories of resilience and need, an IFRC statement said. Afghanistan needs you now, more than ever. Please, lets not add forgotten to the long list of tragedies that this resilient nation has already endured, IFRC spokesperson Tommaso Della Longa said in the statement. The Talibans justice ministry has urged national and international charity foundations, businesses and Afghans to gather aid for the province. Due to the extent of damages and casualties caused by this incident, a large number of our compatriots in Herat province need urgent humanitarian aid, the ministry said in a statement. The Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar, and his team visited the quake-affected region on Monday to deliver immediate relief assistance and ensure equitable and accurate distribution of aid, authorities said. During his trip, Baradar assured a gathering of officials and elders that the government has mobilized all available resources. Various ministries and departments are working tirelessly to provide urgent assistance and build shelters for those who have lost their homes, said Baradar. He highlighted their commitment to transparently distributing the collected aid to deserving individuals, including the establishment of a dedicated commission. Baradar also appealed to international aid institutions and agencies to provide all possible assistance, emphasizing the urgency of their support during this profound tragedy. The Talibans supreme leader has made no public comments about the quake. Top U.N officials in Afghanistan also went to Zinda Jan to assess the extent of the damage. In neighboring Pakistan, the government held a special session to review aid for Afghanistan, including relief teams, food, medicine, tents and blankets. Vital infrastructure, including bridges, was destroyed and emergency response teams have been deployed to provide humanitarian assistance, the International Rescue Committee said. More than 35 teams from the military and nonprofit groups are involved in rescue efforts, said Sayiq, from the disaster authority. Afghans are still reeling from other recent disasters, including the magnitude 6.5 earthquake in March that struck much of western Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, and an earthquake that hit eastern Afghanistan in June 2022, flattening stone and mud-brick homes and killing at least 1,000 people. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Wed rehearse, and then wed go out afterwards, and then wed end up... We were filming down in Maidstone Studios and we used to stay in a hotel there. And you know everybody would go to the bar and then everybody would come back into either my room or their room and wed all sit round just talking and laughing, and I just remember it just being such a fun time. The spiralling violence in Israel and Gaza is causing ramifications for X. The company appears to be in crisis mode: CEO Linda Yaccarino has cancelled a pair of public appearances to focus on the influx of content on the platform since the outbreak of war. However, there are rumblings that those cancellations are in fact due to the fallout from a disastrous interview in which Yaccarino was quizzed about Musks erratic leadership. In an accompanying editorial, one of the worlds foremost experts on the topic, Professor Muhammad Mohiuddin from University of Maryland Medical Centre in the US, said: It is time for clinical translation of this vital technology, which has the potential to save lives that would otherwise be lost to the shortage of human organs. While the war against Hamas in Gaza is on track to become the bloodiest conflict in half a century in Israel, the escalation of clashes along the border with Lebanon is threatening to open a new front against the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia. The extension of hostilities from south to north is no small risk. The Lebanese guerrilla, which was almost in a stalemate in the battle it fought in 2006 against the Israeli Army, has tens of thousands of militants hardened during a decade of war in Syria and more than 200,000 rockets aimed at the Jewish state. Im not afraid. But we are on maximum alert and, over here, that is quite impressive, says Corporal Tomer, 26, who declines to provide his last name, speaking in Spanish with a Buenos Aires accent his family emigrated from Argentina to Israel more than three decades ago, and his grandmother taught him Spanish. This reservist was urgently mobilized along with 300,000 other young people last weekend, and on Tuesday he was standing guard at the old Rosh Hanikra border post. No one comes to visit the sea caves anymore, he said, standing in front of a mixed landscape of tourist attractions and barbed wire barricades. This has become a military security zone. Yesterday [Monday] the echoes of the fighting could be heard a few kilometers away. At least six combatants died on Monday in the most serious incident recorded for 17 years along the Blue Line, the tense border that separates Lebanon from Israel under surveillance by U.N. peacekeepers. Two members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who were exiled in Lebanon and infiltrated into Israeli territory, were killed; so were an Israeli army officer who confronted them, and three Hezbollah militiamen in a retaliatory attack from Israeli helicopters. The opposing sides have raised the casualty toll in the bloodiest day along the Lebanon-Israel border since the end of the war in the summer of 2006. The death count then after 33 days of combat was 1,300 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 165 Israelis, almost all members of the military. When the guns fell silent, 10,800 soldiers from 40 countries were deployed to the border. The current commander of the Interim Nations Force for Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Spanish general Aroldo Lazaro, has now called on the opposing parties to exercise maximum restraint and coordinate with the U.N. contingent to prevent an escalation. Israeli soldiers on Tuesday near the border with Lebanon. Associated Press/LaPresse (APN) The border between Lebanon and Israel includes disputed areas, such as the so-called Shebaa Farms, valleys and cliffs that Israel has occupied for 56 years along with the Golan Heights in Syria. Hezbollah launched several rockets on Tuesday morning, and Israel responded by striking the launching positions of the projectiles, near the towns of Blida and Meiss al Jabal. The exchange of fire took place in the afternoon. It is evident that Israel has amassed military personnel and resources at the old Rosh Hanikra border post. Observation drones monitor the airspace with their unmistakable hum, while Navy ships and patrol boats seal the maritime divide. The presence of the massive Merkava IV battle tanks, troop transportation vehicles and the deployment of reservist units clearly indicate that these are not simple military maneuvers. I graduated five years ago after almost three years of service as a military medic, Tomer recalls. Then I spent a year traveling through Latin America, and now I was finishing my nursing studies. But I belong to a combat unit and if they call me to defend my country I have to go wherever they call me. I could have been one of those attending the party held next to the Gaza border where Hamas carried out a massacre. Ghost towns At his side, Gideon El Minerch, a 56-year-old truck driver born into a Jewish family that immigrated to Israel from Morocco, was distributing breaded meat sandwiches and cans of soft drinks to the soldiers at the old border post. Im too old to fight, but I help as a volunteer wherever I can. When I leave here, I will go with my truck loaded with vegetables to Eilat [on the coast of the Red Sea], he says, admitting concern about having to cross one of the areas hardest hit by the rockets of the Gaza-based Islamic militias of Gaza, about 124 miles (200 kilometers) south of Rosh Hanikra. The towns in northern Israel closest to the Lebanese border have become ghost towns. Residents are hiding inside their houses or near air raid shelters, if they do not have safe rooms in their homes. With classes suspended since Monday, many families with schoolchildren have moved in with relatives in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. While tensions continued to rise on the border between Israel and Lebanon, two countries that are still technically at war and do not recognize each other diplomatically, the American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford the lead ship of her class was sailing through the Eastern Mediterranean. A senior Pentagon official cited by Reuters has already warned Hezbollah not to make the wrong decision by opening a second front against Israel. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Another 283 Romanian citizens returned safely to Romania on Tuesday night on three Tarom flights - two from Tel Aviv, Israel, and one from Amman, Jordan - as well as on a flight operated by a private company, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) reports. A mobile consular team from the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Romanian Representative Office in Ramallah along with a team from the Rapid Reaction Unit of the MAE task force continues to stay at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv to provide consular assistance to Romanian nationals at the airport. Romanian citizens in Israel can contact the Embassy of Romania in Tel Aviv and announce their presence in the region, communicating their identification data and their coordinates to the e-mail address telaviv@mae.ro and to the telephone line of the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54 5643279, as well as that of the Consulate General in Haifa: +972 543 998 038, to be contacted.MAE recommends visiting the Internet pages http://telaviv.mae.ro, https://consular-protection.ec.europa.eu/travel-advice_en and www.mae.ro - "Travel Advice." Romanian citizens travelling abroad can use the SMS alert service related to the information campaign "A text message can save your life!" Lina Khatib was born and raised in Beirut. Her parents still live in Lebanon and while she keeps abreast of developments in the land of her birth, she makes it clear that she now works and lives in London. Khatib is one of the most respected voices in Middle Eastern studies and analysis as director of the SOAS Middle East Institute in the British capital and previously served as director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House and director of the Carnegie Middle East Center at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The professor, essayist and commentator spoke to EL PAIS at the Casa Arabe cultural center in Madrid as part of EuroMeSCo network seminar organized by the European Institute of the Mediterranean. My own interpretation is that its unlikely that Lebanon will become another front in this war, she says of the conflict in Israel. Hezbollah knows that its expected to be seen as reacting, and it has done that through launching rockets from southern Lebanon into Israel. But I dont think its likely that Hezbollah is going to widen the scale of its engagement [in the Hamas offensive]. Question. The attack on Israel launched on Saturday was of tremendous magnitude. Is Hamas solely responsible? Answer. When it comes to the Palestinian side, Hamas is definitely the main actor in this attack, with some involvement of Islamic Jihad, which is another group backed by Iran in Palestinian territory, in Gaza in particular. But Hamas is the main actor. When it comes to the geopolitical context, Hamas is supported by Iran, like Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah. And therefore, when it comes to who provided the funding, the training, the equipment to Hamas, Iran is the key player here alongside Hezbollah. Hezbollah has a longer history and it has been helping Hamas with military coordination and training and equipment for several years. Hamas is not acting in isolation from this Iranian support Q. So without Iranian assistance, would such an offensive be conceivable? A. Without Iranian resources, Hamas would not have the military equipment or the training or the funding that it has, all of which have enabled this attack. But I think we should distinguish between Iran ordering this attack and Hamas obeying, and Hamas wanting to conduct an attack and Iran agreeing and supporting it. This is not an attack that Tehran ordered and Hamas executed. This is an attack that Hamas has planned and executed in partnership with Iran and Hezbollah. Q. What is the objective of the Hamas operation? A. The main one is political. This is not an operation that is meant to cause instability in Israel for a short period of time. This is meant to be a political game changer for Hamas. And this has two levels. One is domestic and one is international. At the domestic level, through this attack, Hamas wants to show that the Palestinian Authority, which is ultimately a political rival, is weak and does not represent the voices of Palestinians. Second, on a geopolitical level, Hamas wants to be seen internationally as the only legitimate interlocutor for Palestinians. And with this, Iran also wants to increase its own regional standing by showing that it is an agenda-setter in the geopolitics of the region. So that no solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict would happen without the international community negotiating with Iran at the geopolitical level and negotiating with Hamas at the Palestinian level. Q. What is the breeding ground to explain why this is happening now? A. In recent months in the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis, there has been a lot of tension, a lot of violence, especially by Israeli forces against Palestinians, not just in Gaza, but even outside, including in Jerusalem. And this has caused increasing anger among the Palestinian population. And Hamas has harnessed this anger by presenting itself as doing something to end this situation. This is why Hamas attack has wide support among Palestinians, even among those who traditionally would not necessarily support Hamas. At the geopolitical level, talks between Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United States have been stepped up in recent months, involving the Palestinian Authority, to broker a deal between these actors. This deal would have brought some security guarantees for Saudi Arabia and would have presented some sort of solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but involving the Palestinian Authority as the decision-maker in whatever the solution is. Of course, Hamas has been excluded from these talks. And as these talks gain momentum, Hamas finds itself at risk of being politically irrelevant or excluded, and therefore it wants to assert itself politically at the international level. Lina Khatib of the SOAS Middle East Institute during the interview in Madrid. Samuel Sanchez Q. The hardest thing to explain is the lack of foresight and intelligence in Israel. A. More and more reports are coming out about how Hamas prepared for the campaign militarily, the training they did. And yet Israel did not see this coming. Perhaps there wasnt enough coordination within Israel between, for example, the Mossad and other elements of the Ministry of Interior and the army. Perhaps political divisions in Israel might have played a role in this lack of coordination. And when you have lack of coordination in this way, certain things are missed in a complex scenario like this one. And even U.S. intelligence did not see this coming. But I think part of this is also because many in the West, including Israel, regarded the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as stagnant, that in a way it had reached a stalemate, that it was something low-intensity brewing in the background. No one was really expecting Hamas to act at this high level in terms of a military campaign against Israel. Q. What will it cost Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? A. Netanyahu in many ways contributed to this attack because of the behavior of the extreme right government that he leads, where he put an extremist in charge of the Ministry of Interior. Netanyahu, at the same time, is facing a court case and needs to be in power. Otherwise, he could end up in prison. Being in power gives him immunity and, therefore, it is important for Netanyahu to stay in power so that he does not end up imprisoned for corruption, were he to be convicted. That is why he has involved other leaders from rival political parties to form an emergency war government, which is a kind of coalition between him, [Benny] Gantz and [Yair] Lapid, so that he is not politically isolated. Israel loses face if it is seen by its own citizens as being weak in the face of Hamas, and thats another reason why Netanyahu wants to show that he is firm in his response. And that is why the Israeli Army has announced a full siege of Gaza. I think this falls short of full ground invasion, because that would come at a very high cost for Israel as well as Palestinian citizens. But a siege, of course, has high costs, mainly for Palestinian citizens. Q. Unfortunately, we will see a tremendous cost for the Palestinian people, a lot of casualties. Do you think that Hamas has the support of Palestinian society to keep on attacking Israel? A. The situation in Gaza is inhumane. It has been described by many, including myself, as in effect an open-air prison. You have a siege that has been in place for two decades or so, a situation in which people have nowhere to go, so it becomes very densely populated and people have very few means to make a living. These people feel desperate and that they have very few options. And if a military campaign, even at high price, means a change in the status quo, then a lot of people will be willing to make that sacrifice. Q. Will the Abraham Accords reached by Israel with other Arab countries affect the regions response to escalating violence? A. The Abraham Accords were not really about Israel-Palestine. They were about the relationship between the different Arab countries that signed the Accords and Israel. It was never meant to be a solution for the Palestine-Israel conflict. But you have other actors who have been very much involved in trying to bring this conflict to a resolution, namely Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has maintained that it remains committed to the terms of the Arab Peace Initiative, which says there has to be a two-state solution. And it reiterated this position in its response to the attacks. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt also said that they will seek to meet and try to find a way out of this conflict. The Arab countries that have traditionally been involved remain the ones involved. This conflict has not changed who among the Arab countries wants to be seen as playing a mediation and a peace-brokering role in the conflict. But one thing is clear. This attack makes it very difficult for Saudi Arabia to move ahead with its plan to talk to Israel, the United States, and the Palestinian Authority about a potential solution. Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu declared, on Wednesday, that "buying Romanian" is the most authentic gesture of economic patriotism and will mean the "resistance structure" of all the economic programs that the current Government will propose and adopt. The prime minister participated in the launch of the "Buy Romanian" campaign, a project initiated and supported by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), an event organized at the company Procema RWP SA in the town of Jilava, Ilfov county, agerpres reports. "We are in this hall of a Romanian factory that produces elements for the resistance structure of roads, buildings or bridges in Romania. It is the most suitable place to launch this program through which we interconnect thousands of Romanian products from the country's villages and cities. It is a place that perfectly illustrates the effort, skill, care and personal sacrifices behind the products and services manufactured today in Romania," said Ciolacu. He emphasized that "buying Romanian" means helping Romanian companies and their employees."Buying Romanian is the most authentic gesture of economic patriotism. Buying Romanian means helping Romanian companies and their employees. It means supporting local entrepreneurs to create jobs and produce more prosperity in their community. It means a chance for Romania to increase its exports and massively reduce imports. It is time to demonstrate that we are fully aware of the value of Romanians' work, that we know for sure how tasty and healthy are the products that use old recipes, handed down from the elderly, that we are proud of entrepreneurs and local firms that have built new brands and are fighting head-to-head with multibillion-euro corporations. And the simplest and most effective way to appreciate effort, talent, value and originality is to transform an exhortation - 'Buy Romanian' - in a state of mind at the national level," the PSD leader emphasized.According to Ciolacu, the development of this promotion campaign was not easy, as discussions were necessary with Romanian producers from all over the country. President Klaus Iohannis declared, on Wednesday, in Budapest, Hungary, that during discussions with his Hungarian counterpart, Novak Katalin, he expressed the full readiness of the Romanian authorities to act to strengthen dialogue and bilateral cooperation, saying that "it is absolutely necessary to avoid unilateral or controversial gestures". "My visit today to Budapest, at the invitation of president Novak Katalin constitutes an important signal regarding the future development of our bilateral relationship. (...) I expressed the full readiness of the Romanian authorities to act for the consolidation of dialogue and bilateral cooperation and to offer even more substance to the strategic partnership between our countries. Romania aims for this dialogue to have a positive dynamic, of development and deepening, in the interest of all our citizens, regardless of their ethnic origin. Romania promotes an open, transparent, pragmatic approach, based on mutual trust. I strongly believe that it is absolutely necessary to avoid unilateral or controversial gestures," Iohannis said in the joint press statement with Novak, agerpres reports. In this context, the Romanian president pointed out that people who belong to national minorities contribute to creating and consolidating bridges between the state of citizenship and the related state. "There must be a decision on both sides to look at the future of our relations in a perspective focused on development, cooperation, identifying the elements that unite us and similar interests, rather than those that divide them. I emphasized that people belonging to national minorities contribute to the creation and consolidation of bridges between the state of citizenship, the only one responsible for the protection of their rights, and the related state," said Klaus Iohannis. President Klaus Iohannis declared, on Wednesday, in Budapest, that we are open to supporting Hungarian investments throughout the territory of our country and Romanian companies will be encouraged to continue investing in Hungary. "Today we also discussed the opportunities to develop our economic and sectoral cooperation, to develop the infrastructure and ensure energy security. We emphasized that, in the Romanian side's view, economic cooperation must be structured through projects of common interest, non-discriminatory, based on criteria of ethnicity, which should not be limited only to certain parts of Romania and which must be financed in compliance with Romanian European legislation, as well as with the agreement of the Romanian side. We are open to supporting Hungarian investments throughout the territory of our country and we will encourage Romanian companies to continue investing in Hungary," Iohannis said, in a joint press conference held together with his Hungarian counterpart, Novak, Agerpres reports. At the same time, during the talks between the two presidents, the regional, European and global situation, deeply affected by the war started by Russia against Ukraine, was addressed. In this context, Iohannis reaffirmed that Romania's consistent support for Ukraine will continue as long as it is needed."Regarding the security situation at the Black Sea, I reiterated that the quick reaction of NATO and its allies to the recent incidents with drones, which affected the territory of Romania as well, by strengthening monitoring and surveillance capabilities, was exemplary and we continue the steps for deploying allied support equipment. We also discussed Sweden's accession to NATO, which is necessary for the consolidation of the Alliance," the Romanian president also declared. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Wednesday that the limitation of cash payments by individuals is aimed at combating tax evasion, not at the prohibition of cash. Ciolacu gave himself as an example, saying that he does not have a "money-making jacket", but that he does have cash in the car, agerpres reports. The prime minister also explained that this is a proposal from experts of the Finance Ministry and not a personal initiative, adding that the project was submitted to public debate and pleading for an "honest approach" thereto. He also said that the proposal is not "a disaster" and that no one wants to take the cash off the market. According to Ciolacu, Romania has "the highest tax evasion" in the European Union, standing at 10 percent of GDP, or a total of 160 billion RON. President Klaus Iohannis was welcomed in Budapest on Wednesday by his Hungarian counterpart Katalin Novak. The Presidential Administration reported that "the visit takes place in the context of an increased dynamic of high-level contacts, after the official visit of President Katalin Novak to Bucharest in September 2022 and the participation in the 8th Summit of the Three Seas Initiative, hosted by the President of Romania in September 2023." "This is the first visit at head of state level to Budapest in the last 14 years and it is an opportunity to discuss, at this level, the state of the Strategic Partnership relationship and the prospects for its development, as well as concrete ways to deepen the bilateral dialogue," the source said.President Klaus Iohannis will show in Budapest that the Strategic Partnership between the two countries "represents a fundamental instrument aimed at structuring bilateral cooperation on new, modern, pragmatic and mutually respectful bases, for the benefit of all Romanian and Hungarian citizens, regardless of ethnicity."Iohannis will reiterate Romania's interest and openness to "constructive, pragmatic and transparent cooperation with Hungary," "with a view to developing projects of common interest and achieving concrete results, based on and in the spirit of the principles and values included in the fundamental documents that define the parameters of the bilateral relationship."The two Presidents will analyse the current regional, European and global situation in the light of Russia's war against Ukraine, focusing on security, energy, food and supply chain implications. In this context, support measures for the most affected partners in the region, in particular the Republic of Moldova, will also be addressed.As far as the European agenda is concerned, the priorities of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which Hungary will hold in the second half of 2024, will be also discussed. Qatar takes the lead in negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas. The information is confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, headed by Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Several Qatari mediators are engaged in negotiating the release of Israeli women and children held captive in the Gaza Strip by the terrorist group Hamas, which has launched a series of violent attacks on Israel. In the current context, Qatar's role is extremely important, both for the Middle East and for the whole world. Qatar is an actor that can negotiate with all parties involved in the conflict and it can facilitate discussions between them. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar confirmed in an article for Reuters the involvement of the Qatari authorities in the mediations that would aim at an exchange of prisoners between Israel and Hamas. Negotiations are being conducted by Qatar, together with the United States of America, to facilitate the release of prisoners and to stop attacks on civilians. A source close to the negotiations said they were "moving positively". The negotiations come in the context in which the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday morning, killing more than 700 Israelis and taking hostages from among civilians: women, children, the elderly and also soldiers. Israel responded with armed attacks, killing more than 500 Palestinians. The President of UDMR (Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania), Kelemen Hunor, on Tuesday evening stated that Romania supports Ukraine, "but it cannot destroy its farmers," and the transit of grain must be ensured to third countries. "We have very close interests: the Danube Delta and the grain market. Again, something must be said: Romania supports Ukraine, the resistance and resilience of Ukraine, but it cannot destroy its own farmers. And the grain market from this point of view is a sensitive one in Romania so that we need to ensure the most efficient transit to third markets, by sea if possible, as much as possible, and, of course, by land the rest. But we cannot allow ourselves to be destroyed, our own farmers to be destroyed, because then we did nothing. Ok, I understand that there are large quantities there, the land owners, plus the state need those resources that are obtained from the sale of grains, but they must reach third countries, not the Romanian market," Kelemen Hunor told TVR Info tevelision station. ST. LOUIS Renovation work on the Old Courthouse at Gateway Arch National Park is well underway. The $27.5 million project eventually will include four new exhibits, plus increased accessibility and structural and mechanical improvements. The building should be reopened by mid-2025, said Pam Sanfilippo, chief of museum services and interpretation at Gateway Arch National Park. At a media tour Wednesday, officials from the Gateway Arch Foundation and the Gateway Arch National Park showed the now-gutted first-floor rooms where the new exhibits are going to be. One room will be given over to explore the story of Dred and Harriet Scott, whose 1847 trial in the building stoked tensions that led to the Civil War. Dred Scott, a slave, filed suit for his freedom, contending that he should be free because had lived in the free state of Wisconsin. Scott lost that case the only one that was held in the Old Courthouse but he won on appeal. His former owner appealed that decision, and Scott lost at the Missouri Supreme Court and later, in a notorious decision, at the U.S. Supreme Court. Since the Old Courthouse became part of a national park in 1940, it has always had an exhibit about Dred Scott, Sanfilippo said. But the exhibit has usually been about the legal points of the case. The new exhibit will focus on their perspective and the 11-year battle that led to their eventual freedom. Providing context for that exhibit is another new one, Pathways to Freedom, which will examine the life of Black people in St. Louis at that time. Another room will be furnished like a courtroom of the 1870s, while another will look at the architecture, craftsmanship and crafts that went into the original construction of the Old Courthouse. The building was built in several stages, beginning in 1839 and ending in 1862, for a cost of $1.2 million. It has undergone only one other major renovation since then, in 1942. The current project is the final phase of the $380 million CityArchRiver project, the largest public-private partnership in the history of the National Park Service, said Ryan McClure, executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation. The foundation, which is private, provided $221 million for the project. The remaining $159 million is publicly funded. Joe Holleman Metro reporter Follow Joe Holleman 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 Former St. Louis Comptroller Virvus Jones is slated to appear in court next month because of an overdue bill from the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. MSD claims that Jones, Ida Campbell-Jones and Chelsea Carter owe the district $5,837 for service at an address on Cates Avenue in the West End neighborhood. Jones said Tuesday, Im going to pay the bill off today. He said he fell in arrears on the MSD charges during COVID, and I just got behind. Jones called back later Tuesday and said he that he would hold off paying the bill because of discrepancies with account numbers and total amounts owed. I'm just trying to get this cleared up (about) what I owe, he said. The suit was filed in late June and includes late, lien and other additional charges through June 6. The suit was unclear as to when the charges began and Randall Gusdorf, an attorney for MSD, declined to comment on a pending case. A hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 15 in St. Louis Circuit Court before Associate Judge David A. Roither. Virvus Jones, a longtime player in local Democratic politics, is the father of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. He was the citys comptroller from 1988 until he pleaded guilty to felony fraud charges in 1995. Gulf Marine Services (GMS), a leading provider of advanced self-propelled, self-elevating support vessels, has appointed Haifa Al Mubarak to the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director with immediate effect. Al Mubarak brings over 40 years experience in the oil and gas sector and other related industries, having started her career at Abu Dhabi Company for Offshore Oil Operations in 1980. Al Mubarak subsequently joined Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company before founding Know How for Management Consulting in 2004. Know How for Management Consulting specialises in delivering key learning initiatives for blue-chip clients across the region, helping them create a platform for developing the managers and leaders of tomorrow, through data-driven strategies. Al Mubarak holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Denver, USA, and is a certified practitioner for NLP, Myers-Briggs EQ-I 2.0 and EQ 360, as well as being a Psychometric Assessor. Great insight Mansour Al Alami, Executive Chairman of GMS, said: We are delighted to welcome Haifa Al Mubarak to the board of GMS. In addition to her oil & gas and related industry experience, she offers great insight around best working practices, which for a company with over 500 employees, is key to ensuring ongoing efficiency and best practice. She joins the company at an exciting time, with significant momentum behind the companys core markets of oil & gas and renewables.--TradeArabia News Service Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed The signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab states the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan in August 2020 brought the prospect, at least for the United States, of a more stable and peaceful future for the region. The agreements, sponsored by the White House toward the end of Donald Trumps term as president, aimed to cement a lasting and stable peace for Israel. Moreover, the recent comments by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the approaching normalization of relations with Israel in an interview for Fox News on September 23 ratified that under the Joe Biden administration the correct strategy established by his predecessor for the full recognition of Israel in the region was being followed. On the other hand, the agreement signed between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing in March 2023 fueled speculation, even within Iranian circles, about a possible detente between Iran and Israel as a counterpart concession by Tehran. This would have been a strategy to avoid new conflicts with the Arab monarchies in the region, especially considering the gradual rapprochement with the UAE and Saudi Arabia after the 2016 rift, and following Syrias reinstatement in the League of Arab States after its suspension in November 2011. These expectations quickly faded with recent events in Gaza. Nevertheless, it was predictable that this would happen. Since the inception of the Abraham Accords there have been well-founded concerns about the increasing marginalization of the Palestinian population in the face of declining Arab support for the Palestinian cause. The eventual inclusion of Saudi Arabia in these agreements would undoubtedly intensify this sense of helplessness. The current crisis, although foreseeable for a variety of reasons, has nonetheless confounded many experts who have struggled to comprehend how this development was not anticipated, and how Hamas managed to mount such a detailed operation under the blockade conditions in which Gaza has existed for years. Accusations have been leveled against Iran for allegedly financing and arming Hamas. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated there is no direct evidence of Iranian involvement in this attack. Likewise, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari acknowledged they could not claim Iran had any role in the planning of the attack or the training of those involved. And although the Iranian authorities celebrated the attack and heralded the possible end of the Zionist regime in Israel, they also emphatically reiterated that they had had no part in the decision taken by a movement they consider independent, and denied the alleged meetings that The Wall Street Journal claimed had taken place in Lebanon with the attendance of the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. However, it is clear that Iran is the main beneficiary of this escalation for several reasons. First, it has been a staunch supporter of the anti-Zionist resistance, as opposed to the Arab states that had normalized or were in the process of normalizing relations with Israel. Second, without actively participating in the conflict, and without having to escalate its discursive battle with other Arab countries, Iran has gained notoriety for its alleged support for Hamas. As in 2006, with the confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran could reap greater political benefits than any other regional actor, adding to the recent gains that President Ebrahim Raisi has made following normalization with Saudi Arabia, its inclusion in BRICS and the prisoner exchange with the United States. This has been mainly due to the fact that it does not need to adapt his discourse on support for Hamas to satisfy Western governments or Arab populations, which, in general, show more solidarity with the Palestinian cause than their own governments. Luciano Zaccara is Research Associate Professor in Gulf Politics at the Qatar University, Gulf Studies Center. Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Phil Sutin was a fan of decimal points. I learned this one evening on deadline. Sutin, a longtime Post-Dispatch reporter and editor, was working the night copy desk while I filed some sort of story that included budget numbers. I tend to like round numbers. So if a government body is proposing a tax hike of $1.97 million, I round up. Thats about a $2 million tax hike in my book. Not in Sutins. He called after I filed my story. Whats the real number? he asked. I fumbled through my notes and found the numbers after the decimal point. Sutin added them into the story. That was his way. For the longest time, customers of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) benefited from Sutins love of numbers, as he covered rate hike after rate hike, down to the nitty-gritty details. Sutin worked at the Post-Dispatch for 45 years and two months. He started six months before I was born. You dont easily find someone like Sutin these days someone counting the numbers behind the decimal points at MSD meetings, or Bi-State Development meetings, or city council and school board meetings. Thats why Diana Plescia called me the other day, concerned that not enough people knew of the latest MSD rate hike proposal. Shes an attorney representing the Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers (MIEC). Thats a group of big manufacturing companies that tend to use a lot of utilities, like water and electricity. When utilities like Ameren or American Water go to the Public Service Commission in Jefferson City to try to raise your rates, MIEC often finds itself on the same side as the Consumers Council of Missouri, which represents senior citizens and other consumers, often with low incomes. Those two groups are often in alliance with the Office of Public Counsel, a taxpayer-funded office that serves as a check on utility rates. Unfortunately for St. Louis consumers, there is no Office of Public Counsel keeping an eye on MSD. Theres only the Rate Commission, appointed by the MSD, which is a little bit like the fox watching the henhouse. Last week, Tom Sullivan, a government watchdog who has probably attended as many MSD meetings as Sutin has, sent me a news release put out by the Rate Commission. It basically endorsed the proposed bond issue and rate increase being contemplated by the MSD. Voters will end up seeing that bond issue on the ballot later this year. At stake is the potential for some homeowners bills to jump by more than 30%. Sullivan, like the various groups representing consumers, thinks the proposed rate increase is too high. He argues that its a handout to the consultants and construction companies that make money on MSD projects. Heres the bad news: Rates are going up no matter what the MSD decides. Thats been in the works since 2007, when the Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Coalition of the Environment settled a lawsuit over MSDs violations of the federal Clean Water Act. The question is: How fast will rates rise? In the past couple of bond issues, the ones Sutin covered, MSD settled on a formula that has consumers directly paying about 30% of the cost increase. The rest goes into long-term bonds to be paid out over time. This time, according to the consumer groups, MSD is trying to put too much of the burden on consumers. Heres how Mike Gorman, a consultant for the industrial consumers, put it in his testimony to the rate commission: The Rate Commission should reject the increase in debt service coverage in this case as being inconsistent with managing rate affordability in this case, just as it has done in previous MSD cases. The Rate Commission, unlike past increases, didnt listen. Consumer groups are hoping the MSD Board of Trustees, which has the final say on the rate hike before it goes to voters, dials back the proposal a bit, to spread out the pain as former St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and former St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay suggested the board do on a similar proposal in 2007. The MSD board, which is taking public comment in its Thursday meeting, is appointed by the mayor and county executive. So far, neither St. Louis County Executive Sam Page nor Mayor Tishaura O. Jones have put their thumbs on the scale. Perhaps they should. At a time when both governments are contemplating a freeze on senior citizen property taxes, every penny that shows up after the decimal point matters to consumers living on a budget. Editor's note: An earlier version of this column contained the wrong day for the next MSD meeting. ST. LOUIS A hacking group stole confidential data from the St. Louis areas transportation agency in a cyberattack earlier this month and is threatening to publish it if officials do not pay a ransom. Neither transportation officials nor the hackers have specified how much data was stolen or how much money is being demanded. The hackers claim they stole information related to the regional transportation system Metro Transit, including passports, Social Security numbers and tax information. A Metro Transit official said no customer data has been compromised, but the investigation is ongoing. Brett Callow, an analyst with the New Zealand-based cybersecurity company Emsisoft, shared screenshots with the Post-Dispatch that show the hackers threatening to publish the data if transportation officials dont pay up. The screenshots were published on an unregulated part of the internet called the dark web, which is often used by hackers to publish ransom threats. The same hacking group hit several other public agencies over the past year, including the City of Oakland and the San Bernardino Sheriffs Office in California, and government agencies in the United Kingdom and Germany, security analysts say. The San Bernardino Sheriffs Office paid the group a $1.1 million ransom. Metro Transit, the regional transit system operated by Bi-State Development, was first hit by the cyberattack on Oct. 2. Phone and computer services for its paratransit service named Call-A-Ride were still disrupted as late as last week. The agency took its computer systems offline after the attack, and it has since restored transit operations and secured its financial and payroll systems, said Bi-State President and CEO Taulby Roach. Roach confirmed the attack included a ransom demand, but he said the agency is still trying to determine if workers sensitive data was stolen. Bi-State has more than 1,800 employees, and Roach said in a written statement that the employees have been notified of the risk and offered free identity protection assistance. This threat is an attempt to extort the publics money by targeting our fundamental public infrastructure, Roach said in a statement Wednesday. This event should not be taken lightly, and we will make every attempt to fight this adversary and defend the public interest. The attack that hit Metro Transit is known as ransomware because criminals hack a system, encrypt data from it, lock out the owner and then demand a ransom in order to unlock the system and delete the stolen data. Both Callow and Allan Liska, a Washington, D.C.-based ransomware researcher, said it is better if ransomware victims dont pay, to deter future attacks. The fewer organizations pay, the less incentive bad actors have to carry out attacks, Callow said. And Liska said there is also no guarantee payment would prevent the group from publishing the data anyway. Public agencies can better defend themselves against ransomware attacks by requiring people who log into their systems to go through multiple levels of identification verification, segmenting their computer networks to make it harder for hackers to access data with one breach, and ensure that vendors who store data on their behalf are also secure, Liska said. Knowing where and how and when your data is stored is really important, he said. Third-party cybersecurity specialists are assisting Bi-States investigation, which includes determining whether any sensitive personal information was impacted and notifying anyone whose information was impacted, Roach said. Our team has worked tirelessly to restore our network systems and minimize any disruption to services, Roach said. We sincerely appreciate the publics patience and understanding during this challenging time and apologize for any inconvenience as we continue these restoration efforts. ST. LOUIS A well-publicized lawsuit that attorney Elad Gross filed against the city over state open records law violations spurred a sharp rebuke this week from Judge Michael Stelzer, who told the Missouri attorney general candidate to refile his unnecessarily long, 273-page lawsuit with a shorter word count. Gross, who in 2021 won a major victory for the states Sunshine Law against Gov. Mike Parsons administration at the Missouri Supreme Court, sued St. Louis last year over its delays producing records from the St. Louis City Justice Center, the downtown city jail. His lawsuit came as frustrations mounted among journalists and attorneys over excessive delays obtaining public records from the city despite Mayor Tishaura O. Jones campaign promises of increased transparency. Stelzer on Tuesday appeared to side with some of the citys assertions that Grosss 102 counts in the lengthy lawsuit were redundant and piecemealed to inflate the civil penalties permitted under the statute. He even took issue with Grosss inflated font size and line spacing, which the judge said purposefully mocks court rules on style and brevity. The court finds the petition is inappropriately lengthy and shows a total lack of regard or deference to the mandates of Missouri court rules and local rules, to the point that the claims are rendered nonsensical, Stelzer wrote. Despite the judges apparent displeasure with the form of the suit, Stelzer said that dismissing the lawsuit entirely would be too harsh of a remedy that might prevent the courts from deciding Grosss potentially valid allegations and thwart the purpose of the Sunshine Law. Instead, Stelzer gave Gross the opportunity to refile the petition within the next 30 days to cure these inexcusable deficiencies and legal ramblings. Gross, in an interview Wednesday, said he would refile the lawsuit within the courts time window. But he said his font size was in compliance with court rules and defended his 102 counts against the city, arguing the large number is due to the citys repeated delays in producing public records and shows a pattern of violations designed to delay the production of these records. I dont think the city should be able to get away with violating the law as many times as it wants after violating it one time, Gross said. Gross ran for Missouri attorney general in 2020, losing to attorney Rich Finneran in the 2020 Democratic Party primary. He is running as a Democrat again for the office currently held by Republican Andrew Bailey. Gross lawsuit stems from his 2021 requests for video of assaults that occurred at the jail in August 2021 as well as emails, texts and reports regarding the assaults. He says he requested the documents on behalf of Robert Childs, who was detained at the city jail and suffered injuries after disturbances at the jail when detainees escaped due to failing cell locks. Childs was also a plaintiff in the Sunshine Law lawsuit, but Stelzer ruled that Childs lacked standing to be a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Gross said he would contest that and provide additional information showing the requests were made on Childs behalf when he refiles the lawsuit. The city has since provided the records Gross requested, he said, and they were used to file a lawsuit in August against the city on Childs behalf in federal court. He said that shows why he needs to continue fighting against the citys efforts to delay production of records. Theres no way right now for me or other attorneys to have any belief that were going to get records in a timely manner, and that practice needs to end, Gross said. A city spokesman declined to comment. ST. LOUIS COUNTY A St. Louis County man already locked up for a murder in Ferguson last month is now charged with killing another man one day earlier in north St. Louis County. Max Jones, 21, faces two murder charges in shooting deaths less than a mile apart on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29. The victims were identified as Earl Jones Jr., 57, no relation to Max Jones, and Emmett Austin, 43. Authorities have not released a motive in either shooting or said if the victims were connected. Max Jones is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in both killings. He does not have any prior criminal convictions. He lives in an apartment in the 1300 block of Ferguson Avenue in Ferguson but also has an address on Gladys Avenue in Hazelwood. The first of the two alleged victims is Earl Jones Jr., who was shot in the head about 7:30 a.m. Sept. 28 near Winkler and Kappel drives in unincorporated St. Louis County. Police found him dead after a ShotSpotter gunshot-detection system alerted police to the shooting. He lived in the 10000 block of Dellridge Lane in Dellwood. A witness told police a man walked from the scene carrying a unique bag, police said. Investigators watched surveillance videos at nearby stores and saw Max Jones carrying the same bag minutes before the shooting, police said, and in a police interrogation, he identified himself in the video carrying the bag. Max Jones was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in that killing and is being held in the St. Louis County jail in lieu of $1 million bail. He was already charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Sept. 29 death of Austin. Austin was found shot in the head around 10 p.m. Sept. 29 in the 1600 block of Northwinds Estates Drive in Ferguson. Ferguson police havent released a home address for Austin, but records show he lived in the Metro East. Shortly after Austins death, Ferguson police said they found a gun Max Jones was trying to hide in the ground. Bullets in that gun matched the casing found near Austins body, Ferguson police Detective Rick Fenn said in court documents. The St. Louis County crime lab determined that gun was a ballistics match to both homicides, according to charging documents. Authorities said Max Jones purchased the gun. Ferguson police Chief Troy Doyle credited one of his officers, Samuel Dattoli, with getting the description of the killer and arresting Max Jones. The chief commended Dattolis keen observation during the arrest that led to the discovery of the firearm. Dattoli, who lives in Ferguson, joined the police force last December. Max Jones was charged Sept. 30 with Austins death, and bond was set at $250,000 in that case. JEFFERSON CITY House Minority Leader Crystal Quade could face competition from within her party as she campaigns for Missouri governor in 2024. Springfield businessman Mike Hamra on Tuesday formed a campaign committee with the Missouri Ethics Commission to run as a Democrat for governor in 2024. Hamra, 55, said Wednesday that he has been considering a run for governor and that forming a committee was the next step in that process. Ive been encouraged by the positive feedback and support Ive received during this exploration, he said in a statement, adding that he would likely share his final decision by the end of the month. Hamra, according to his LinkedIn profile, is president and CEO of Springfield-based Hamra Enterprises, which operates nearly 200 restaurants under the Wendys, Panera Bread, Noodles and Co., and Caribou brands. His profile also says he has worked to reduce the affordable housing crunch and says he has been involved in developing more than 600 low-income and senior housing units in Missouri. Hamras father is Sam Hamra, founder of Hamra Enterprises and longtime Democratic politico from Springfield. Quade, in a statement, took an early swing at Mike Hamra, charging he had a record of paying low wages and denying sick leave. Im proud of my record of standing up for workers rights, she said. Hamra said in an email that during his tenure as CEO, treating our team well has been a key part of our companys growth. We take pride in the innovative ways we take care of our people at Hamra Enterprises, often leading the industry in employee compensation and benefits, he said. Candidate filing for next Novembers election opens in February, but candidates are required to form a campaign committee once they spend more than $500. Quade, a Springfield Democrat first elected to the House in 2016, announced her gubernatorial bid in July. She has landed a series of high-profile endorsements, including from the Missouri AFL-CIO, Missouri Sierra Club and several dozen state lawmakers. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the GOP primary, which features Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, state Sen. Bill Eigel and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe. Missouri Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election since 2012, when former Gov. Jay Nixon secured a second term. Rep. Donna Baringer, a St. Louis Democrat who has endorsed Quade, said a competitive Democratic primary hurts the party. Being a party thats in the minority and is struggling to win seats, the actual party cannot afford to have primaries, Baringer said. The purpose of a primary is to ensure that the Democrats put forward the best possible candidate to win the general election, Hamra said. He said he shares frustrations Missourians have with Jefferson City bickering and infighting. Hamra said that he had built a business and created jobs, working with people I dont always agree with to get things done throughout my career. Id bring that experience to work for Missouri if I choose to run, he said. CLAYTON Marijuana prices for shoppers in St. Louis County towns could get slightly cheaper if a lawsuit filed Tuesday is successful. But the suit could also deprive the county of money used to deliver services. A marijuana dispensary in Florissant accused St. Louis County and the Missouri Department of Revenue of unconstitutionally collecting a 3% sales tax on top of municipal sales taxes rather than just collecting the levy in unincorporated county territory. Robust Dispensary argued the 2022 constitutional amendment legalizing recreational cannabis only allows incorporated areas to collect a 3% local sales tax. The company sells its products to more than 150 dispensaries across the state, but the only dispensary it operates is in Florissant. Dozens of Missouri counties have been stacking their tax for a total 6% local tax in violation of Article 14, said Jack Cardetti, a spokesman for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association. It could collectively save Missouri shoppers millions annually if the lawsuit topples the practice, according to the association. We are proud to work with our industry partners to stand up for Missouri cannabis customers against this unconstitutional money grab, said Andrew Mullins, the associations executive director. But St. Louis County is counting on the additional revenue from a sales tax on marijuana. The county expects to collect roughly $3 million on marijuana sales if the tax applies throughout the county. Even with the extra revenues, the county still faces a $27.3 million deficit. Any revenue loss decreases the amount available for basic services. The county declined to comment on a pending legal matter, but County Executive Sam Page said at a news conference this spring that revenue from marijuana sales would be put to good use. Those new dollars could be used for parks or police or for roads, Page said. The county doesnt have an estimate for what it would collect if the tax was limited to unincorporated St. Louis County, said county budget director Paul Kreidler. In September, St. Joseph-based Vertical Enterprise filed suit in Buchanan County Circuit Court arguing a county tax there is unconstitutional. County officials and marijuana industry leaders said in April they anticipated a legal fight over how much tax can be collected on the sale of retail marijuana. Depending on the municipality, a customer could end up paying about 20% in taxes on a marijuana sale if the county tax proves legal, the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis has said. Editor's note: This story was updated Thursday morning to clarify Robust Dispensary only operates one dispensary, but distributes its products to more than 150 Missouri dispensaries. ST. LOUIS New vaccines against RSV and the latest COVID-19 variants have brought lots of attention, but health officials say dont forget about flu. There are several chances over the next few weeks to get the jab at events across the St. Louis area. It is equally important to remember the importance of getting a flu vaccine, St. Louis County Department of Public Health officials said Wednesday. By getting your annual flu shot, you not only reduce the risk of falling ill with the flu but also reduce the potential burden on health care facilities, allowing them to better handle ongoing health challenges. Flu vaccination can reduce illness, doctor visits, missed work or school, hospitalizations and death related to flu. The 2019-20 flu season saw more than 16 million medical visits, 390,000 hospitalized and 25,000 deaths from the flu, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Complications from flu can include pneumonia, ear or sinus infections, and worsening of chronic conditions such as heart failure or asthma. Some people are at higher risk of developing complications: Those with certain chronic medical conditions older than 65, pregnant women and children younger than 5. Health officials urge everyone over age 6 months to get vaccinated by the end of October each year in order to be protected against the typical increase in cases over the fall and winter months. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protective antibodies. This year marks the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations: COVID-19, RSV and flu. Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, immediate past board chair of the American Medical Association, urged people to talk to their health care provider about their options. We continue to strongly urge everyone to stay up to date on their COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines to protect themselves and their loved ones from severe complications, hospitalization and death, she said. This is the first respiratory virus season where we have vaccines against the biggest respiratory virus threats, including an updated COVID-19 vaccine, an annual flu vaccine, RSV vaccines for older adults, as well as a long-acting monoclonal antibody for infants that reduces the risk of both hospitalizations and health care visits for RSV. Residents can walk in and receive both the latest COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot for free at all three St. Louis County health department clinics. The clinics also have COVID-19 vaccines for infants and children, which have been hard to come by as the initial rollout focused on the adult doses. BJC HealthCare has already held several free flu vaccination events, but one more is left in the St. Louis area from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at Northwest HealthCare, 1225 Graham Road. Schedule an appointment at BJC.org/flushots. On Friday, student pharmacists from the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy will host a health fair from noon to 4 p.m. outside of Jones Hall on its campus, 1 Pharmacy Place in St. Louis. The event will include free flu shots as well as other health screenings and information. It will be held in the student center if theres rain. On Saturday, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital is providing a free, drive-thru flu vaccination from 8 a.m. to noon in the hospital parking lot located next to the Ronald McDonald House at 3450 Park Avenue. This event is open to anyone 6 months or older. Wear loose-fitting clothing. SSM Health is also hosting drive-thru clinics from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Nov. 4 at four locations: 5252 S. Lindbergh Boulevard., 1120 Shackelford Road, 1035 Bellevue Avenue (parking garage off Ethel and Bellevue) and 1603 Wentzville Parkway. The clinics are for those with health insurance or paying out of pocket. Walk-in flu shots are also available at many Mercy urgent cares and Mercy Pharmacies for those with insurance. Appointments can be made online for COVID-19, RSV and flu vaccines at many pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS. Some locations participate in programs that provide free vaccines to those without insurance. Check vaccines.gov for information. WASHINGTON To Rep. Mike Collins, China is a bigger threat to the United States than Russia. So the Georgia Republican has voted against providing military aid to Ukraine as he advocates for doing more to arm Taiwan, the self-governed island thats at risk of military aggression from Beijing. For Collins and other Republican lawmakers, Taiwan and Ukraine are effectively rivals for a limited pool of U.S. military assistance. But thats not necessarily how Taiwan and many of its supporters see it. They view Taiwans fate as closely linked to that of Ukraine as it struggles to push back a Russian invasion. They say China is watching closely to see if the United States has the political stamina to support an ally in a prolonged, costly war. The U.S. aid to Ukraine also has led to weapons manufacturers stepping up production something that could benefit Taiwan in a clash with China. Ukraines survival is Taiwans survival. Ukraines success is Taiwans success, Taiwans diplomat in the U.S., Hsiao Bi-Khim, said in May at the Sedona Forum hosted by the McCain Institute. Still, Taiwan has been careful not to weigh in on the U.S. debate about continued funding for Ukraine, which has become a divisive political issue after initially having strong bipartisan support. Asked about Congress removing Ukraine funding from a temporary spending measure that prevented a U.S. government shutdown on Oct. 1, Taiwans diplomatic office responded with discretion. Taiwan is grateful to have strong bipartisan support from the U.S. We will continue to work with the U.S. to maintain the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office said in a statement. But Congress refusal to include the aid raises alarm bells in Taiwan, said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund. She noted that the Taiwanese government has argued that Ukraines victory is existential for Taiwan. These worries exist even though most Republicans who seek to end U.S. support for Ukraine are still very pro-Taiwan and willing to do more to help defend Taiwan, she said. Taiwan is the thorniest issue in the frayed U.S.-China relationship. Beijing claims sovereignty over the island, which lies roughly 100 miles off the mainlands southeastern coast, and vows to seize it, by force if necessary, to achieve national reunification. The United States wants a peaceful resolution and has a security pact with the island, supplying it with military hardware and technologies to prevent a forced takeover by Beijing. China's military actions near the island have fueled concerns over armed attacks. President Joe Biden has said he would send troops to defend Taiwan in case of war, while Chinese President Xi Jinping has demanded the U.S. respect his country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Collins traveled to Taiwan on his first overseas trip as a congressman. When he returned, he called for timely weapon deliveries to the island, especially since as much as $19 billion worth of weapons sold to Taiwan have been delayed. These delays are primarily a result of a U.S. manufacturing backlog and a distracted Biden administration with weapons deliveries to Ukraine taking preference over Taiwan, Collins said. We must get serious about offering support to our ally Taiwan because ultimately when it comes to countering China, our interests align." Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center of Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, disagrees with that logic. It's not a zero-sum game, he said. Taiwan supports the U.S. aid to Ukraine. They understand that the deterrence message works. And on a practical level, Bowman said, the aid for Ukraine is helping the U.S. expand its weapons production, which will both benefit Taiwan and enhance U.S. military readiness. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who in April led a congressional delegation to Taiwan as chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said support for the island has not diminished on the Hill. Throughout the conversations about aid to Ukraine, I have not heard a single person take a swipe at Taiwan," McCaul said at a recent National Day celebration hosted by Taiwans representative office in Washington. Glaser said the Chinese leadership is unlikely to discount the U.S. support for Taiwan, even when U.S. support for Ukraine is waning, but it is likely to exploit any failure to fund Ukraine in a disinformation campaign to sow doubts among the Taiwanese people about the U.S. commitment to their defense. In a social media post, Hu Xijin, a retired chief editor of the Communist Party-run Global Times newspaper and now a political commentator, said this month that most U.S. overseas military interventions have rotted if the U.S. fails to cinch a rapid victory. Photos: The scene in Taiwan upon Pelosi's visit Americas domestic politics must stop at the waters edge, goes the old saying. These days, we may disagree with each other about, well, almost everything but as Americans, were supposed to present a united front when addressing global conflicts in far-flung parts of the world that impact the U.S. Like so much of what used to be considered normal in the nations politics, however, that principle has apparently been thrown overboard. In the aftermath of Hamas savage attack on Israel over the weekend, spawning a new war for one of Americas closest allies, too many U.S. politicians have wasted no time in mining the unfolding crisis for political fuel. Even as Hamas committed the brazen war crimes of targeting civilians and taking hostages, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, issued an appallingstatementthat appears to draw moral equivalence between Israel and its attackers and calls for the U.S. to stop supporting Israeli apartheid against Palestinians. Meanwhile, both of Missouris Republican U.S. senators, Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, cynically sought to blame the Biden administration for the attack, using a convoluted and deceptive rationale that has quickly become gospel throughout their party. Does anything rise above grubby partisan mud fights anymore for these so-called statespeople? Though these specific examples of ignoble politics come from both parties, its important to note they arent two sides of the same coin. Rep. Bush like Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who made a similarly outrageous statement against Israel in the wake of the attack is an ideological outlier in her party. Her radical views, and those of the handful of other members of The Squad of far-left women in the House, dont represent the mainstream of the Democratic Party, most of which (including President Joe Biden) stands four-square behind Israel. Conversely, the shameless political opportunism of Sens. Hawley and Schmitt following the attack is very much in line with the mainstream of their party, including several presidential candidates. While Hawleys first comment on X (formerly Twitter) after Hamas launched its rockets was an expression of support for Israel, he soon pivoted to attacking President Biden. Lets not forget, tweeted Hawley, this dangerous moment for Israel is made far worse by the Biden Administrations $6B giveaway to the evil and terrorist regime in Tehran. Hes talking about the administrations move in late September to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets in exchange for the release of five American hostages. Iran has supported Hamas in the past, and many suspect it had a role in the attack on Israel, though Tehran denies it. If that all sounds like a weak link, its even weaker than that: The U.S. retains control over the $6 billion, which can be used only for humanitarian purposes, and none of it has yet been spent. Those inconvenient facts didnt stop Hawley from issuing a barrage of tweets over days repeatedly chiding the administration for giving Iran $6 billion which, again, was Iranian money to begin with and remains unspent and under U.S. control. Details, details. In fairness to Hawley, vast swaths of his party are telling the same corrosive lie, including Schmitt and several GOP presidential candidates. Former President Donald Trump, as usual, took the lie to new depths, alleging that American taxpayer dollars helped fund these attacks. (Again: not U.S. money, and still unspent.) The importance of setting this kind of politics aside right now isnt just about supporting an important ally in a dangerous part of the world. The dead, missing and taken in Israel and Gaza include Americans. That alone should elevate the issue out of the domestic political muck. Some get it, like Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Town and Country, who is the closest thing Missouris congressional delegation has to a traditional establishment Republican. Her restrained and respectful statements since the weekend supporting Israel, condemning the attack and leaving domestic politics out of it is a reminder of what was once the responsible norm for most members of both parties. No more. Now a few fringy Democrats like Bush cant resist using the crisis to undermine Americas commitment to Israel, while legions of Republican demagogues like Hawley and Schmitt use it to attack the White House. What a sad commentary on todays political landscape in general and, in particular, on St. Louisans pathetic representation in Washington. This editorial has been updated to reflect Sen. Hawley's initial expression of support for Israel. For more than 20 years, the global abolitionist movement has continued to mobilize civil society, political leaders and public opinion to support the ever-increasing cry for universal abolition of capital punishment in our world. Although the number of new death sentences is decreasing in Missouri, our state continues to be an outlier in the United States and world by executing four of our own citizens in 2023, totally ignoring the evolving standards of decency in sentencing in the 21st century. I ask all prosecutors in Missouri to discern the true value of capital punishment in our criminal legal system. Does gaining a death sentence really bring about justice for the victims families, or does it put them through decades of appeals and media attention when they are just trying to heal? Dollars spent on death convictions and rounds of appeals could be better applied to providing services to victims families, proactive treatment of young people with serious mental and intellectual abilities, school officials trained to detect abuse and make referrals, safe and adequate housing, etc. World Day Against the Death Penalty was Tuesday. I observed it by urging our state senators and representatives, all county prosecutors and the St. Louis city prosecutor to seriously and honestly research the value of capital punishment in our state. There is no good in using taxpayer money to kill our own citizens, while at the same time producing more victims. Donna Walmsley St. Peters Rats, lice, cockroaches, foxes, vultures these are just some of the animals the Nazis used to deride and dehumanize Jews. They used words too. In a new linguistic analysis of dozens of Nazi speeches, articles, pamphlets and posters, researchers show how this process of anti-Semetic dehumanization, which began before the Nazis took power and helped fuel the partys popularity, was modulated to justify atrocity: in the years before the Holocaust, Jews were represented as a being incapable of human feeling. Coinciding with the Nazis early efforts to exterminate them, European Jews were depicted as agents of evil, as demons, as a nefarious cabal scheming up threats. The consequence, whether intentional or not, was to overcome the moral barriers to their mass elimination. By the end of the war, the Third Reich had systematically murdered six million Jews. In a new study from Stanford University, the University of California, and Tel Aviv University, researchers have turned to psycholinguistic analysis to quantify the mental state language of Nazi propaganda between 1927 and 1945, and have published their findings and methods in the paper, Dehumanization and mass violence: A study of mental state language in Nazi propaganda (19271945). Stanford Universitys Alexander P. Landry, a co-author of the study, explains: Mental state terms are those related to the ability to feel sensations and emotions or, on the other hand, the ability to have complex thoughts, and to plan and act intentionally, that is, to have agency. The basic theory underlining the study postulates that recognizing another persons capacity to feel promotes moral concern and encourages us to prevent harm towards others. And conversely, when we deny a persons ability to feel what the authors call mind denial we justify abuse and violence. The analysis of Nazi propaganda, published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS One, confirms through quantitative data analysis what most people already knew: that the Nazis dehumanized Jewish people. During the period under study, the use of terms invoking emotions and agency remained at high levels, but increased in the lead-up to the Holocaust. We observed that Jews were progressively denied the capacity for fundamentally human mental experiences in the run-up to the Holocaust, suggesting that they were increasingly denied moral consideration during this period, Landry says. This progressive denial would have facilitated the systematic atrocities carried out against the Jewish population. However, after the onset of the Holocaust, Jews were credited with increasing levels of agency. This may reflect an effort by Nazi propagandists to demonize Jews, portraying them as intentionally malevolent agents of evil, in order to justify the violence inflicted on them, Landry says. Increasing allusions to Jewish agency in the early phase of the Holocaust are evidenced, the study shows, in the increasing use of terms relating to intentionality, such as evil, infernal, plan etc. Meanwhile, after the horrors of the Holocaust were well underway, the use of terms such as mind, benevolence, and feeling tend to decline. Of the sample of words selected by researchers for the study, the term that declined the most in Nazi texts, beginning in the summer of 1941, was Liebe, German for love. In fact, it is during that same period that researchers identify a shift in the use of certain words over others. Although the Holocaust officially began in January 1942, when the Final Solution to the Jewish Question was approved at the Wannsee conference in Berlin, mass murder and starvation had already been inflicted on communities in Eastern Europe beginning as early as the summer of 1941. A photogram bearing the words The Jew is a bastard, with lines connecting the image of the Jew to other races that the Nazis considered inferior, such as Orientals, Blacks, and Hamites. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Theories of dehumanization maintain that denying a person or category of people the ability to feel serves to remove moral barriers to inflicting harm on fellow human beings. This is why Nazi propaganda, for example, frequently associated Jews and others deemed less-than-human by the Third Reich with vilified animals or infectious diseases. But, the authors of the study claim, the process is more complicated than that. These patterns are consistent with claims that the Jews were subject to demonization, in which their capacity for sophisticated reasoning was perceived to coexist with a subhuman moral depravity, the studys conclusion reads. Harriet Over, a researcher in psychology at the University of York, studies theories of dehumanization in cases of mass violence such as the Holocaust. Over says that the concept of dehumanization can refer to different dynamics. Some researchers define it as treating humans in ways they should never be treated, she says. If thats what were talking about, then of course the Nazis dehumanized the Jews. But for some who study the phenomenon, dehumanization refers primarily to the use of derogatory metaphors, or the act of simply equating people with animals. If were talking about that, Over says, then its also true that the Nazis dehumanized the Jews. Nazi propaganda is replete with references to Jews as vermin, rats or parasites. However, Over notes that there is another way dehumanization is often conceived, which essentially consists in seeing and defining another group as subhuman. Understood in this way, the assertion that the Nazis denied Jews their humanity is, according to Over, controversial: I have argued, and so have others, that systems of terror can actually only be maintained if the victims are understood as human, she explains. To oppress an entire community of people, it is necessary to understand that they are human and to terrorize them into submission. Nazi propaganda often refers to the Jewish people in specific human terms. For example, describing them as enemies, criminals, and traitors. These terms make sense when applied to humans, but seem out of place when applied to animals. Similarly, prominent tropes in Nazi propaganda refer to specific human states of mind that are supposedly typical of the Jewish people, for example, accusations that they are plotting to achieve world domination. This view is consistent with some of Landrys research findings. In his book Making Monsters: The Uncanny Power of Dehumanization, psychologist David Livingstone, the grandson of a German Jew and a professor at the University of New England in Maine, discusses the history of lynching in the United States. Of the 4,467 people killed by lynching during the period for which documented records exist (1883 to 1941), only 73 were white. With the exception of the occasional Native American, the rest of the victims were Black. In a lecture recently delivered by Livingstone at the University of Arizona, he explained what these executions were like. Thousands of people gathered from all over the region. Schools would close so that children could attend. Typically, the victim would be tortured and mutilated for hours before being executed. How could people do such a thing? professor Livingstone asks, and then suggests an answer: in his survey of newspaper article from the era, Livingstone notes how chroniclers of the spectacle tended to use adjectives like monster incarnate, unnatural monster, or, as the New York Sun wrote on one occasion, the most inhuman monster known in these times. More than animals, Black victims of lynching were considered monsters with both human and animal traits. And, notes Livingstone, this is also how Nazi propaganda portrayed Jews. David [Livingstone] has written a careful study showing that Nazi propaganda contains references to Jews as nonhuman animals (for example, rats and parasites), as well as criminals, enemies, and traitors. He uses this evidence to argue that the Nazis perceived Jews as both human and subhuman at the same time and, thus, portrayed them as horrible monsters, Over says. And, she adds, stripping them of their status as human beings helped facilitate the Holocaust. However, as the British psychologist explained in an email to EL PAIS, the process of dehumanization is not a necessary prerequisite for barbarism: As Paul Bloom [a psychologist at the University of Toronto studying human nature and human cruelty] has argued, the claim that when we recognize ourselves as human, we tend to treat each other well, is a view that errs on the side of optimism. The reality may be much worse: there are certain kinds of harm that we reserve only for other humans. Livingstone maintains that the Nazis really did regard the Jews as dangerous Untermensch (subhumans). But he does not believe that this dehumanization was a simple and straightforward Nazi plan: The Nazis dehumanization of the Jews was not a strategy to justify their extermination. Rather, it was the basis for their extermination, he wrote in an email. And, he says, those ideas from over a century ago are not merely a thing of the past. We are still creating [monsters], Livingstone says. We see it in European attitudes toward Muslim and African refugees, in the genocidal war in Ethiopia, in anti-Muslim propaganda in Myanmar, in Russian attitudes toward Ukrainians, in Hindu Islamophobia, and in American racism against Black people, to cite just a few examples. PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / The following abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds announced today that the closed end funds in the chart directly below will pay the distributions indicated on a per share basis on October 31, 2023 to all shareholders of record as of October 24, 2023 (ex-dividend date October 23, 2023). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ACP NYSE abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund $ 0.1000 AGD NYSE abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0650 AOD NYSE abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0575 ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1200 AWP NYSE abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund $ 0.0400 FAX NYSE American Abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 FCO NYSE American abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0700 VFL NYSE American abrdn National Municipal Income Fund $ 0.0325 At the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the amount and composition of each fund's distributions and provide information with respect to their appropriate tax treatment for the prior calendar year. You should not draw any conclusions about any of these Funds' investment performance from the amount of the distributions. MANAGED DISTRIBUTION POLICY FUNDS ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION PAYMENT DETAILS abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI") The above-noted abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds will pay the distributions noted in the chart above on October 31, 2023, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of October 24, 2023 (ex-dividend date October 23, 2023). Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital in reliance on an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders. The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions to be paid as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies. The Fund's estimated sources of the current distributions to be paid and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows: Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1200 - - - - $0.1200 100% - - Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Fiscal Year** to Date Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1200 - - - - $0.1200 100% - - * includes currency gains ** ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end. As of October 6, 2023, after giving effect to this payment, ASGI estimates it has a net deficit of $13,357,000.00. A net deficit results when the Fund has net unrealized losses that are in excess of any net realized gains that have not yet been distributed. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The following table provides the Fund's total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Fund's annualized and cumulative distribution rates. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 09/30/2023 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI3 5.62%3 7.53% 10.51% 7.53% 1 Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan, with the exception of the most recent distribution. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of September 30, 2023. 3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through September 30, 2023. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy"). While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state, and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances. Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, abrdn Private Equity (Europe) Limited, and abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter ### For More Information Contact: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds Investor Relations 1-800-522-5465 [email protected] SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds View source version on accesswire.com: TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or the "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities in Brazil by announcing its new Heavy Rare Earth Element ("HREE") ionic clays project, "Carina Module" (the "Project") located in the State of Goias, Brazil. The results of its initial auger drilling campaign[1], which was comprised of 1,693 meters of drilling within 236 drill holes, demonstrate the discovery of a new HREE deposit hosted in ionic clays. While the initial auger drilling campaign was shallow, with an average depth of 7.2 meters, it has unveiled a potential for expansion, both laterally and at depth, accompanied by the prospect of enhancing HREE grades. Highlights Size Potential: The mineralized area of the Carina Module spans approximately 1,400 hectares, with potential for lateral expansion. In contrast, the mineralized area of the Company's Penco Module in Chile covers approximately 140 hectares. The mineralized area of the Carina Module spans approximately 1,400 hectares, with potential for lateral expansion. In contrast, the mineralized area of the Company's Penco Module in Chile covers approximately 140 hectares. Prospective Grades: The drilling results shows the potential for high Total Rare Earth Oxides[2] ("TREO") with average grades at 1,229 ppm. From an average drilling depth of 7.2 meters, 71.2% of the drillholes include 5.7 meters with TREO average grades at 1,367 ppm and Desorbable Rare Earth Oxides[3] ("DREO") at 449 ppm. A selection of high-grade drillhole results are shown in Table 1 below, with the full set of results included in Table 3 at the end of the document. The drilling results shows the potential for high Total Rare Earth Oxides[2] ("TREO") with average grades at 1,229 ppm. From an average drilling depth of 7.2 meters, 71.2% of the drillholes include 5.7 meters with TREO average grades at 1,367 ppm and Desorbable Rare Earth Oxides[3] ("DREO") at 449 ppm. A selection of high-grade drillhole results are shown in Table 1 below, with the full set of results included in Table 3 at the end of the document. Rich in HREE and LREE: The desorbable results demonstrate an outstanding distribution of HREE and Light Rare Earth Elements ("LREE"). In particular, 71.2% of drillholes reveal desorbable dysprosium ("Dy 2 O 3 D") and terbium ("Tb 4 O 7 D") grades at 18.1 ppm (4.1% of the rare earths basket distribution) and 3.1 ppm (0.7% within the rare earths basket distribution), respectively. In addition, desorbable neodymium oxide ("Nd 2 O 3 D") and praseodymium oxide ("Pr 2 O 3 D") grades show a summed value of 123 ppm (27.5% of the rare earths basket distribution). The desorbable results demonstrate an outstanding distribution of HREE and Light Rare Earth Elements ("LREE"). In particular, 71.2% of drillholes reveal desorbable dysprosium ("Dy O D") and terbium ("Tb O D") grades at 18.1 ppm (4.1% of the rare earths basket distribution) and 3.1 ppm (0.7% within the rare earths basket distribution), respectively. In addition, desorbable neodymium oxide ("Nd O D") and praseodymium oxide ("Pr O D") grades show a summed value of 123 ppm (27.5% of the rare earths basket distribution). Metallurgical Compatibility: The metallurgy of the Penco Module, which utilizes an ammonium sulfate leaching solution, is well-suited for the Carina Module's ionic clays. 71.2% of drillholes show an average exchangeable fraction[4] for TREO of 36.6%, with the highest value recorded at 78%; total dysprosium oxide ("Dy 2 O 3 T") exhibits an average exchangeable fraction of 46%, with the highest value at 78%, and Terbium oxide ("Tb 4 O 7 D") exhibits an average exchangeable fraction of 52%, with a peak at 91%. The metallurgy of the Penco Module, which utilizes an ammonium sulfate leaching solution, is well-suited for the Carina Module's ionic clays. 71.2% of drillholes show an average exchangeable fraction[4] for TREO of 36.6%, with the highest value recorded at 78%; total dysprosium oxide ("Dy O T") exhibits an average exchangeable fraction of 46%, with the highest value at 78%, and Terbium oxide ("Tb O D") exhibits an average exchangeable fraction of 52%, with a peak at 91%. Depth Potential: The average drill depth of the auger drilling campaign was 7.2 meters, which did not allow us to consistently reach the bottom limits of the lower Pedolith and Saprolite. However, over 70% of drillholes indicate a high anomalous exchangeable fraction in the last interval, suggesting that the deposit remains open at depth. Table 1. Summary of Carina Modules top 10 drillhole results (see location in Figure 2 below) Ramon Barua, CEO, commented: "The Carina Module's initial exploration results mark an important milestone in our journey to establish Aclara as a leading multi-country and multi-modular HREE company. The Carina Module is located in Goias, a state that promotes responsible mining endeavors and has a well-established track record and expertise in evaluating projects of this nature. The results validate our growth strategy and provide the Company with geopolitical diversification whilst we continue to advance the permitting on our Penco Module in Chile. Like the Penco Module, the Carina Module deposit shows potential to contain significant amounts of dysprosium and terbium, which are scarce and critical to establishing a western based, high performance magnet supply chain necessary for electric vehicles and wind turbines. As we progress, the results are expected to validate the effectiveness of our in-house-developed exploration model in finding HREE-enriched ionic clay deposits. Although the initial auger drilling campaign was relatively shallow, the results are expected to support a solid maiden mineral resource. Our forward-looking plan includes conducting deeper drilling campaigns to fully assess the asset's potential. Concurrently, we will diligently work on estimating our maiden resource statement and conducting a Preliminary Economic Assessment to expedite engineering processes, with the ultimate goal of achieving production in the earliest possible timeframe." Initial Auger Drilling Campaign Summary A total of 1,731 meters of drilling within 238 auger drill holes was carried out from February to August 2023 as part of a scouting drilling campaign covering approximately 1,400 hectares within the area defined as the Carina Module (see Figures 2 and 3). The primary objectives of the drilling initiative were to: contribute to the definition of a maiden resource estimate of a size necessary to support a new production module; provide guidance for future reverse circulation drilling campaigns, needed to fully assess the asset's potential both laterally and at depth; and establish the metallurgical compatibility of the ionic clays found in the Carina Module with the metallurgical process developed for the Penco Module. The drilling campaign used manually operated augers ideally suited for a scouting campaign requiring shallow drill depths and easy and quick access to drill sites and varying terrains. The images in Figure 1 below show an example of the auger drilling methodology performed at the Project. Figure 1. Auger drilling campaign at Carina Module project General Project Description The Carina Module is located in the north-eastern part of the State of Goias, in central Brazil. The site can be accessed via paved roads from Goiania (the capital of the Goias state) or Brasilia (the national capital of Brazil). Both Goiania and Brasilia are major cities with modern infrastructure and services and offering commercial airports for domestic and international flights. From a district perspective, access to the site is via a 50km gravel road and the supply of electricity, water, and sanitation is provided by the Brazilian government utilities. At the site, domestic water is obtained from wells, and electrical supply can be obtained from an electrical substation located 90km from the Project. The State of Goias is also the home of the ion-adsorption clay project managed by Mineracao Serra Verde, which has successfully obtained the required environmental and operating permits needed to construct and operate their mine and processing facility and which recently commenced commercial production. This demonstrates that the Goias State has a positive track record in evaluating projects of this nature and could play an important role in the potential development of the Carina Module. Figure 2 shows the Project area, covering approximately 1,400 hectares, which is characterized by a complete regolith profile (Pedolith and Saprolite horizons), as tested by the auger drilling campaign. The assay results showing the total Rare Earth Elements ("REE"), NdPr, Dy and Tb content and the exchangeable REE, NdPr, Dy and Tb fraction are displayed in Table 3. The table also displays the recoveries, corresponding drill hole depths, average composite grades (ppm), and shows the last interval of some boreholes, indicating that high REE grades remain open at depth. Figures 3 and 4 show examples of 4 drillholes with high desorbable dysprosium grades increasing at depth, the full extension of which will be tested in a future drilling campaign. Figure 2. Carina Module map with executed auger drillholes, historic bore holes and the zone contour of the geological potential. Auger boreholes are displayed by blue dots. Some of the best drillholes, referenced in Table 1, show their regolith profile and the dysprosium exchangeable fraction curve (Dy D (ppm)) illustrated in Figure 3. The black diamond dots represent historical diamond drillholes completed by the previous owner within the Project area. Figure 3. The Upper Pedolith, Lower Pedolith and Upper Saprolith regions and the locations of the cross sections A-A and B-B are shown in the map. The distribution of the exchangeable REE fractions obtained from the auger drilling campaign are also plotted in the A-A and B-B cross-sections, indicating that the deposit is open to depth and laterally (some drill holes are pending analytical results). The drillholes shown in the A-A and B-B cross-sections have not intercepted the whole regolith profile. The exchangeable REE fractions show good values open to depth. A reverse circulation drilling campaign will be executed here to understand the full potential of the deposit at depth. Figure 4. Drillholes ADPBR23011, ADPBR23094, ADPBR23103, and ADPBR23106, show Dy 2 O 3 D (ppm; dysprosium exchangeable fraction curve) values open to depth. These drill holes have only intercepted part of the Lower Pedolith (yellow portion of the vertical bar represents the interval of the Upper Pedolith and the red portion of the vertical bar represents the interval of the Lower Pedolith). Next Steps The results from the initial auger campaign have provided the Company with a basis to further pursue the Project, which is expected to include the following activities: the issuance of a maiden mineral resource estimate during Q4 2023; the issuance of a NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment during Q1 2024; the execution of a 1,500-meters reverse circulation drill campaign to confirm the mineralized potential at depth. The campaign is expected to start at the end of October 2023 and is the initial phase of a reverse circulation campaign of 7,590 meters within 253 drillholes to convert the full potential of the deposit to an inferred mineral resource category; and the execution of a pilot test campaign during Q1 2024 in our fully owned pilot plant in Chile, utilizing a 25-ton sample of clay extracted from the Project area. This campaign will aim to demonstrate on a semi-industrial scale the feasibility of processing the ionic clays extracted from the Carina Module. Additionally, it will serve the purpose of producing commercial samples and further enhancing the value chain development efforts that were initiated with the Penco Module samples. Geological Overview The dominant lithologies of the Project are pink porphyritic monzogranite composed of quartz, oligoclase, microcline, and annite as essential minerals. Leucosienogranite is the secondary lithology, characterized by quartz, albite, and microcline. Using the historical and present auger drilling results, a thick regolith development has been interpreted ranging from 45 to 60 meters in thickness. This hypothesis will be tested with the execution of the upcoming reverse circulation drill campaign. All the lithologies recognized in the Project have shown evidence of thick regolith profiles, secondary minerals such as the ionic clays, and the release of interesting REE fractions such Nd, Pr, Dy, and Tb. As part of the initial auger drilling campaign, the bottom limits of the lower Pedolith and Saprolite were not reached; however, the last intervals of the drill holes show exchangeable REE fractions open to depth. Sampling and Assay Protocols The 238 auger drill holes were sampled at intervals of 0.5 meters to 2 meters, for a total of 1,344 samples, which were sent for total REE analysis (REY T) to the ALS laboratory in Lima, Peru, and desorption (REY D) analysis to AGS laboratory in La Serena, Chile. The same sampling and analytical protocols were followed as indicated in the Company's Amended and Restated NI 43-101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment for Penco Module Project, prepared by Ausenco Engineering Chile Limitada with an effective date of September 15, 2021. The QA/QC program indicates high levels of accuracy for Dy, Tb, Nd, Pr and Lu. Overall, the database for total grades similarly shows high accuracy. The Company contracted the services of GeoAnsata to review the data quality and QA/QC protocols. Comparison: Carina Module vs. Penco Module In an effort to facilitate the understanding of Carina Module results, Table 2 below has been prepared to compare the results obtained from the Carina Module drilling with those used for the Penco Module. The Penco Module information has been referenced from the Mineral Resource Update released on December 1, 2022. Table 2. Comparison of Carina Module vs. Penco Module on selected parameters Size: The mineralized footprint of the Carina Module covers approximately 1,400 hectares, which is an area 10 times larger than the Penco Module mineralized area. Grades: TREO grades are lower than at the Penco Module, however, the focus needs to be set in the desorbable grades (DREO), which represent the recoverable fraction from TREO. Applying the same metallurgical process as employed by the Penco Module (ammonium sulphate leaching), the Carina Module's DREO grades are slightly lower than those found in the Penco Module mineralised area. It is important to note, however, that the Carina Module mineralization has only been tested to a depth of approximately 5.7 meters whereas the Penco Module has an average depth of approximately 24 meters. This has prompted the decision to initiate a deeper drilling campaign to determine the full potential of the Carina Module mineralisation with regards to both size and grades. As demonstrated in Figures 3 and 4, the mineralised area remains open at depth. Metallurgy: The metallurgical process used to determine the DREO grades at the Carina Module is the same as that used on the Penco Module, which has previously been successfully validated through a semi-industrial scale pilot plant operation. This metallurgical methodology represents a proven concept with positive environmental attributes and cost-effectiveness. The Company remains optimistic that further enhancements can be made to the metallurgical process which will improve recoveries and, to this end, plans to conduct a research and development programme to optimize the metallurgical formula for the Carina Module clays. REE content: The Carina Module shows attractive REE contents, with a NdPr to DyTb ratio of approximately 5.8. This positions the asset as a potential net contributor of heavy rare earths essential for manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets, especially those needed for electric vehicles ("EVs"). For further insights, please refer to the Rare Earth Market section below. Barry Murphy, COO, commented: "We're excited about the results from the initial round of drilling at the Carina Module. The deposit identified through this initial drilling looks promising in terms of its size, the amount of contained dysprosium and terbium, and how compatible the clays are to the application of our demonstrated metallurgical flowsheet. While it's still early days for the Carina Module, the Company has a detailed exploration and metallurgical development plan over the following nine months aimed at confirming its full potential." Concessions and Land Ownership On February 27, 2023, the Company entered into an earn-in agreement with a Brazilian mining company that provides the Company the right to acquire up to 100% of the 8,490 hectares of mining concessions over the target area of the Project. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release, including the information related to geology, drilling, and mineralization, has been reviewed and approved by Luiz Jorge Frutuoso Junior, current Aclara Exploration Manager, with more than 20 years of relevant experience. Mr. Frutuoso is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and Fellow of Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 -Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Frutuoso confirms that he visited the project area on May 24, 2023 and was supported by the Chief of Geology at Aclara, Juan Pablo Navarro, who reviewed and analyzed the relevant project information. Carlos Santos, Database and QA/QC Geologist of the Company provided an analysis of the QA/QC work over the Carina Module. Rare Earths Market The global transition to clean energy has helped to drive an expanding market for REE due to their valuable properties. Dysprosium and terbium, which are HREE, and neodymium and praseodymium, which are LREE, have magnetic attributes and are critical components in the production of high-performance permanent magnets. Neodymium-based permanent magnets ("Nd magnets") offer superior performance as they are lighter and stronger compared to other type of magnets and have the ability to be engineered into any shape or size. The predominant uses of Nd magnets are in the EV industry and in wind turbines. In EVs, permanent magnets result in increased range autonomy, better use of space, lower weight and lower battery costs, the latter as a result of reduced lithium, cobalt and nickel content. Neodymium permanent magnet motors offer the best performance and optimization potential in electric motors, with approximately 90% of EV models using them as part of their drivetrain. Incorporation of dysprosium and terbium into neodymium magnets delivers enhanced operating performance by enabling them to operate at higher temperatures (magnets with HREE can operate up to 240 C as compared to approximately 80 C for magnets without HREE), without losing their magnetic properties (high coercivity). An average Nd magnet contains approximately 30% NdPr, 3% DyTb, 1% Boron ("B") and 66% Iron ("Fe"). The desired ratio between NdPr and DyTb is 10:1, however most deposits in the world offer ratios that are over 100:1. Supply of HREE is currently dominated by China, which in 2022, was estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey to contribute 70% of global TREO production. Furthermore, it is estimated that China imported 100% of REO produced from Myanmar's ionic clay production facilities, increasing their supply control of dysprosium and terbium to approximately 90%. The remaining 30% of global TREO production comes primarily from two operations, one of which is located in the United States and the other one in Australia, which mainly produce LREE. In May 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy evidenced this by established dysprosium as the most important element for the energy transition, and suggested securing its sourcing is at its highest risk. Figure 5. US Department of Energy, Critical Materials Assessment (May 2023) About Aclara Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA) is a development-stage company that focuses on heavy rare earth mineral resources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. Its primary project is known as the Penco Module and is located in the BioBio Region of southern Chile. The Company is also evaluating a second module, the Carina Module, located in the State of Goias in central Brazil. Presently, Aclara has a strong focus on the development, construction, and future operation of the Penco Module, with the primary objective of establishing a processing plant designed to produce heavy rare earths concentrate. Aclara's extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. It does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling. Additionally, it does not generate tailings, eliminating the need for a tailings storage facility. The Company utilizes 100% recycled water and minimizes water consumption through high levels of water recirculation. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a fertilizer, and harmful radionuclides are not produced. Simultaneously, alongside the development of the Penco Module, the Company intends to identify and evaluate further opportunities, such as the Carina Module, for increasing production of heavy rare earth elements. This will involve intensive greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional project "modules" within the Company's concessions in Brazil, Chile and Peru. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to: mineral continuity, grade, and upside at the Penco Module and Carina Module, the Company's exploration plan and activities in Brazil and the expectations of the Company's management as to the results of such exploration works and drilling activities; timing, cost and scope in respect of the exploration activities in Brazil, the issuance of a Mineral Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment relating to the Carina Module, , and the contemplated development of greenfield targets and expected reduction in permitting risk. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks related to operating in a foreign jurisdiction, including political and economic problems in Chile and Brazil; risks related to changes to mining laws and regulations and the termination or non-renewal of mining rights by governmental authorities; risks related to failure to comply with the law or obtain necessary permits and licenses or renew them; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; actual production, capital and operating costs may be different than those anticipated; the Company may be not able to successfully complete the development, construction and start-up of mines and new development projects; risks related to mining operations; and dependence on the Penco Module and/or the Carina Module. Aclara cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For a detailed discussion of the foregoing factors, among others, please refer to the risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated as of March 28, 2023 filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile. Actual results and timing could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. For further information, please contact: Bonzi Yokomizo Baptista Brazil General Manager [email protected] Aclara Resources has engaged Reflex Media to provide marketing services in connection with a digital marketing campaign aimed at increasing the knowledge and awareness of the Company to new audiences. Table 3. Complete list of drillholes from the auger drilling campaign at Carina Module (February - August 2023) [1] Auger Drilling Campaign; Results consider Total Rare Earths Oxides ("TREO") of 100% of the auger drillholes of the drilling campaign and 81.8% of desorbable results, with the remaining18.2% pending the final assay results. [2] TREO: Considers all rare earths elements represented in oxide form (Lanthanum - La 2 O 3 , Cerium - Ce 2 O 3 , Praseodymium - Pr 6 O 11 , Neodymium - Nd 2 O 3 , Samarium - Sm 2 O 3 , Europium - Eu 2 O 3 , Gadolinium - Gd 2 O 3 , Terbium - Tb 4 O 7 , Dysprosium - Dy 2 O 3 , Holmium - Ho 2 O 3 , Erbium - Er 2 O 3 , Thulium - Tm 2 O 3 , Ytterbium - Yb 2 O 3 , Lutetium - Lu 2 O 3 ). [3] DREO: Desorbable Rare Earth Oxide is the recoverable fraction of the total contained rare earths ( TREO) using the Penco Modules ammonium sulfate based metallurgical process. [4] Exchangeable fraction: The exchangeable fraction refers to the percentage (%) of recoverable grade from TREO using the Penco Modules ammonium sulfate based metallurgical process. SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AIR; FRA:CKU; OTCQB:CLRMF) is pleased to announce that we have published our 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report covering a two-year period from February 2021 to January 2023. Clean Air Metals aims for transparency. As a publicly traded organization, it has become increasingly important for junior exploration companies to clearly document and report all critical activities to ensure that all rights-holders, stakeholders, and communities are informed on these key ESG metrics. Clean Air Metals strives to be a peer leader relative to ESG disclosure and again relied on the ONYEN platform to help us deliver this important report. The ESG report was prepared from data provided by Clean Air Metals to Onyen Corporation, using Onyen's innovative AI driven software solution and on-line ESG Platform. The report, titled "Clean Air Metals Inc. - 2022 ESG Report" has been filed on the Clean Air Metals' website at www.cleanairmetals.ca at https://www.onyen.com/published/CAM_2022_Annual_628.html. Jim Gallagher, CEO of Clean Air Metals stated: "Despite being a relatively small junior exploration company, Clean Air Metals has dedicated the time, energy and resources to compile and publish this ESG report. Even though the Company's current impact is quite low this report gives us a framework, a scorecard on our performance and a clearer path forward as we continue to develop the Thunder Bay North project. As we become more aware of the impacts of climate change, it becomes increasingly critical to measure and document our strategies for reducing our environmental footprint. Similarly, showing our governance policies and structure should provide confidence to investors, community partners and government authorities that we can and will build this project with transparency and to the highest ESG standards." Qualified Person Dr. Geoff Heggie, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and Vice President - Exploration for the Company, has reviewed and approved all technical information in this press release. Indigenous Community Social and Economic Engagement Clean Air Metals Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Thunder Bay North Project is on the traditional territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band and Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek. We further acknowledge the project is within the treaty territory of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. These communities are signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850. Clean Air Metals also acknowledges the contributions of the Mtis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the Red Sky Metis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area.a The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, traveled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. About the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project Clean Air Metals' flagship asset is the 100% owned, high grade Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project, a platinum, palladium, copper, nickel project located near the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario and the Lac des Iles Mine owned by Impala Platinum. The Thunder Bay North Project hosts an indicated resource of 13.8Mt containing 1.2M ounces of 2PGE (Pt+Pd), 56,800 tonnes of Cu and 33,800 tonnes of Ni between the twin magmatic intrusions (chonoliths) known as the Current and Escape deposits as announced May 4th in an updated mineral resource estimate. Both deposits plunge to the southeast and remain open, the focus of ongoing exploration. CEO Jim Gallagher and COO Mike Garbutt lead an experienced technical team who are using an orthomagmatic mineral deposit model to guide ongoing exploration and development studies for a for potential mine development on the Thunder Bay North project. As the former CEO of North American Palladium Ltd. which owned the Lac des Iles Mine prior to the sale to Impala Platinum in December 2019, Jim Gallagher and team are credited with the mine turnaround and creation of significant value for shareholders. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Jim Gallagher" Jim Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc. For further information, please contact: Jim Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc. Phone: 705 690 7997 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cleanairmetals.ca 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 The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including statements regarding the potential of the Thunder Bay North Project and the Escape and Current deposits and timing of technical studies including prefeasibility studies and updated mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projection. SOURCE: Clean Air Metals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Clean Vision Corporation (OTCQB: CLNV) ("Clean Vision" or the "Company"), a leading innovator in sustainable technologies, today announced that it has entered into a strategic engagement agreement with Grant Thornton International ("Grant Thornton"), a renowned global advisory firm, in 2023, for the issuance of up to $340 million in the form of notes (the "Green Bonds"). The Green Bonds will be issued (i) in accordance with the EU-Green Bond Standard in connection with the action plan of the European Commission on financing sustainable growth and as contemplated by the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (TEG) and proposed to the European Commission in its Interim Report on a "Proposal for an EU Green Bond Standard" and (ii) as bearer bonds under German law. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the proposed Green Bond and note issuance to fund the establishment and operation of its patent-pending Plastic Conversion Network ("PCN") under the "Clean-Seas" banner worldwide. Clean Vision's engagement with Grant Thornton represents a significant step towards deploying the PCN and combating plastic pollution and advancing a cleaner, greener future. Clean Vision aims to tackle the plastic pollution crisis by implementing its PCN on a global scale. With the net proceeds of the Green Bond, the Company expects to accelerate and expand its PCN by deploying plastic conversion facilities across multiple regions, worldwide. The PCN is designed to optimize the way plastic waste is managed. Through our PCN, we strive to connect plastic feedstock to strategically located conversion facilities and reduce costs, logistics and carbon footprint associated with converting plastic waste, thereby reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution. With a successful closing of the Green Bond, Clean Vision expects to be poised to make a substantial difference by commissioning a minimum of six plastic waste conversion lines in its PCN globally. The Company intends to use the Green Bond proceeds to install its PCNs in West Virginia, Arizona, and Southeast Asia and expand its currently operational Moroccan facility. Our goal is for these strategically chosen locations to serve as pivotal hubs in the Company's mission to combat plastic pollution and create a more sustainable future for our planet. Mr. Daniel Bates, CEO of Clean Vision, expressed his excitement about the engagement with Grant Thornton and the potential notes issuance, stating, "This engagement with Grant Thornton underscores our dedication to driving change in the fight against plastic pollution. I believe this is further validation of our commitment to sustainable innovation. We believe that with the support of our partners and investors, we can make a significant impact on a global scale." Grant Thornton, known for its expertise in financial advisory and legal services in particular with regard to sustainable investments, is enthusiastic about supporting Clean Vision's mission to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Together, they aim to demonstrate that sustainable business practices can go hand-in-hand with financial success. "We are excited to work with Clean Vision on this groundbreaking initiative," said Dr. Oliver Decker, Partner and Head of Financial Services Legal at Grant Thornton. "We believe our expertise in sustainable finance and Clean Vision's innovative technology will create a powerful combination. We look forward to helping Clean Vision bring its vision to life." The Green Bond is anticipated to attract environmentally conscious investors and institutions looking to support sustainable initiatives. Clean Vision is confident that this engagement with Grant Thornton and a successful Green Bond, which cannot be guaranteed, will not only drive positive environmental change but also set a new standard for corporate responsibility in the fight against plastic pollution. Clean Vision is committed to transparency and will provide regular updates on the progress of the "Clean-Seas" initiative and the deployment of plastic conversion facilities through our PCN. A video supporting the Green Bond can be seen here: www.cleanvisioncorp.com/greenbondvideo About Clean Vision Corporation Clean Vision is a public company that operates a portfolio of synergistic companies in the sustainable clean technology and green energy sectors. For more information, visit: www.cleanvisioncorp.com and follow us on Twitter: @CleanVisionCorp About Clean-Seas, Inc. Clean-Seas, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clean Vision. It is working to provide efficient and cost-effective technology solutions that address the global plastic crisis as creating economic opportunity and social benefit across the world. Clean-Seas' goal is to offer "best in class" pyrolysis technology deployment with strategic alliances for plastic diversion and conversion, including securing plastic feedstock and off-take agreements. For more information, visit: www.clean-seas.com About Grant Thornton International Grant Thornton International is the world's sixth-largest network of independent accounting and consulting firms providing insurance, tax and other advisory services to private or public companies. All members of the network together employ 62,000 people in more than 130 countries and had revenues of $6.6 billion in 2021. Grant Thornton Germany is a member of the international network and - with around 1,500 employees - is one of the leading German consulting firms in the fields of auditing, tax, consulting and legal services. Grant Thornton Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH advises in particular in the areas of real estate law, labor law, mergers & acquisitions, insolvency and restructuring, corporate law, investment law and banking and capital markets law. For more information, please visit grantthornton.de Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes express or implied statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance and may contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial information or state other forward-looking information. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future operational or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control, including, without limitation, our ability to conduct and close the Green Bond, which a successful closing cannot be guaranteed; statements regarding the expected amount of proceeds raised, and use of such proceeds, from the Green Bond; our ability to expand the PCN and establish plastic conversion facilities in various regions throughout the world; our ability to successfully identify and implement contracts with parties required to supply plastic feedstock four our PCN facilities; statements about our ability to deploy the PCN and plastic conversion facilities on a global scale; statements about our future financial performance, including our estimated revenue generation, cash flows, costs of revenue and operating expenses; our anticipated growth; our predictions about our industry; our estimates with respect to expanding and meeting our projections for our facilities; our ability to secure feedstock and offtake agreements sufficient to meet anticipated growth, revenue generation and project processing capabilities; and the impact of local and global regulations and laws that could impact our plans to establish and expand our PCN and plastic conversion facilities. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update, and expressly disclaim the obligation to update, any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. CONTACT Clean Vision Corporation Dan Bates, CEO [email protected] Investors Frank Benedetto 619-915-9422 SOURCE: Clean Vision Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / illuxi, a leading company in the field of online training solutions, is pleased to announce that the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Association of Canada (CPHR Canada) has selected Canadian technology, illuxiLearn LMS, to support the training of its members. CPHR Canada is the certification and national representation body for human resources professionals in Canada, with thousands of members across the country. The choice of illuxiLearn by CPHR Canada reflects its commitment to providing its members with innovative and high-quality training resources to enhance their skills and professional development. IlluxiLearn is an innovative Learning Management System (LMS) that offers a comprehensive range of online training tools, progress tracking, and customization to meet the unique needs of each learner. Through this collaboration, CPHR Canada ensures its members easy and efficient access to essential training for their careers in the field of human resources. "We are delighted that CPHR Canada has chosen illuxiLearn to support the training of its members," said Philippe Richard Bertrand, President and CEO of illuxi. "illuxi is committed to providing cutting-edge training solutions that promote professional growth, and this collaboration with CPHR Canada strengthens our commitment to excellence in online education." CPHR Canada looks forward to this new partnership with illuxi and is ready to launch this training initiative that will help its members develop their skills and excel in the field of human resources. About illuxi illuxi produces, hosts, and delivers training programs to facilitate knowledge exchange within organizations through its SaaS platform and accompanying services. The illuxi technological platform also enables the broadcast of virtual events, learning management, and the sales of online courses. About CPHR CPHR Canada represents 31,000 members in the Human Resources Profession across nine provinces and three territories in Canada. Established in 1994, CPHR Canada is the national voice on the enhancement and promotion of the HR Profession. With an established and credible designation and collaboration on national issues, we are proactively positioning the national human resources agenda in Canada and representing the Canadian HR Profession with HR Associations around the world. For media inquiries: Intelligence ilIuxi | La Guigon | [email protected] CPHR Canada | Anthony Ariganello | [email protected] | SOURCE: illuxi View source version on accesswire.com: VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Eagle Bay Resources Corp. (CSE:EBR) ("Eagle Bay" or the "Company") announces today it will be seeking the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") approval to consolidate all of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of 10:1, with each ten (10) pre-consolidated Common Shares being consolidated into one (1) post-consolidated Common Share (the "Share Consolidation"). In accordance with the Company's articles, shareholder approval will not be required for the proposed Share Consolidation. The proposed Share Consolidation has been approved by the Company's board of directors. The proposed share Consolidation would result in the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares being reduced from the current outstanding 52,854,526 Common Shares to approximately 5,285,452 Common Shares, subject to rounding. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the Share Consolidation. Any fractional shares resulting from the Share Consolidation will be rounded up to the next whole Common Share, and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of fractional shares. The Company's board of directors believes that the Share Consolidation will provide the Company with greater flexibility for the continued development of its business and the growth of the Company, including financing arrangements. There is no change of business associated or being effected with respect of the Share Consolidation. In addition, the Company will not be changing its name in connection with the Share Consolidation. The Company will be obtaining a new CUSIP and ISIN number for the Share Consolidation. The record date and effective date of the Share Consolidation, and the new CUSIP and ISIN numbers, will be disclosed in a subsequent news release. Generally, with respect of a consolidation, the shares would commence quotation on the CSE on a consolidated basis on the first trading day prior to the record date, being the effective date and the CSE would issue a bulletin to dealers advising of the share consolidation and effective date of trading on the consolidated basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Share Consolidation is subject to regulatory approval, and the board of directors may, at its discretion, determine to amend the terms or to not to move forward with the Share Consolidation. About Eagle Bay Resources Corp. Eagle Bay Resources Corp. is a Canadian exploration company specializing in the acquisition and development of high-potential rare earth elements (REE's) and niobium properties. Eagle Bay Resources is publicly listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE) under trading symbol "EBR". On Behalf of the Board of Directors EAGLE BAY RESOURCES CORP. Sean Charland Chief Executive Officer Tel: 604.681.1568 Email: [email protected] Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of 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 with respect to receipt of final approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange regarding the Share Consolidation and the expected timing of commencement of trading. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to: changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial and capital markets; uncertainties related to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; business and economic conditions in the mineral exploration industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks related to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with the specifications or expectations, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks related to adverse weather conditions and geopolitical risk and social unrest. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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 by law. The CSE has not in any way passed upon the merits of the listing of the common shares of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Listing of the common shares of the Company is subject to satisfaction of the listing requirements of the CSE, including customary deliverables in satisfaction of the conditional approval. SOURCE: Eagle Bay Resources View source version on accesswire.com: Feature by Samantha Naidoo NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Today, on the 11th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) International Day of the Girl Child, we shine a spotlight on the progress and persistent challenges that young women face. This year, we focus on Kenya, which like many nations has witnessed increased awareness of the issues that matter most to girls, leading to improved opportunities to have their voices heard on the world stage. However, amid concurrent global crises such as the economic recovery from COVID-19, climate change, and humanitarian conflicts, investments in girls' rights remain limited. While Kenya has made significant strides in promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment, girls continue to grapple with various obstacles hindering them from realizing their full potential. The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report is a longstanding index that monitors countries' progress in narrowing gender gaps since its inception in 2006. The 2023 report positions Kenya at 77th place among 146 countries, indicating that there is room for improvement. Further to this, the representation of women in decision-making processes in Kenya remains inadequate, and gender-based violence lingers as a pressing issue. Women and girls continue to spend extensive hours on household responsibilities, such as fetching firewood and water, which not only hinders their school attendance rates and employment prospects but also impacts their overall well-being. How can Kenya empower its girls and young women to overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential? One promising solution is mentorship, which can provide guidance, support, and access to opportunities that young women might not otherwise have. Forging a Path to Empowerment In Kenya, the youth (ages 15-24) unemployment rate hovered at around 13.35% in 2022, with little improvement from the previous year. To improve these statistics, mentors can serve as role models, demonstrating what is possible when women break down barriers and enter the labor force. Through mentorship, young women can gain valuable insights into various career paths, access networks, and receive advice on navigating the challenges they may face. "At SAP, we believe that educating girls and women is one of the most effective ways to promote economic growth," says Alexandra van der Ploeg, global head of Global CSR at SAP. "With this in mind, our Business Women's Network joined hands with the Global Give Back Circle in 2019 with the aim to support vulnerable girls and young women based in Kenya. This initiative not only acknowledges the resourcefulness, creativity, resilience, and unwavering tenacity that girls embody in the face of adversity, but also actively harnesses these qualities. Through the impact of mentorship, education, and sponsorship, the program drives empowerment and achievement for these girls and young women." SAP employees volunteer as mentors, dedicating their time and contributing $1,000 annually, a commitment that is matched and directed by the company toward beneficiaries' tuition, school materials, and exposure to industry intellectual property. The $2,000 covers a university scholarship for one year. At-risk girls require extra assistance to shift from a state of marginalization to one of empowerment. This support encompasses access to information, expanding their perspectives on possibilities, gaining 21st-century skills and life skills, as well as a caliber of mentoring that steers transformative leadership. Operating in close partnership with local high schools and communities, the initiative pairs high school and college girls with inspirational mentors from across the globe. It provides them with a toolbox of skills, bolstering self-confidence and fostering crucial networks essential for success, both in the workforce and as budding entrepreneurs. Closing the gap between education and employment equips the girls and young women with knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce. Collaborative Achievements Have Formed a Springboard for Success The 2023 achievements of SAP's mentor chapter for Global Give Back Circle are a testament to the commitment of SAP colleagues and the program's vision. Monthly meetings, mentor-mentee pairings, financial support, and mentorship from 12 SAP colleagues have made a tangible difference in the lives of 12 young women. When asked about what they enjoyed about the program, a first-year student at the University of Nairobi shared the following feedback: "Seeing how our mentors care about us and how they gave us much-needed advice in life situations really impacted me," Another mentee who is currently a first-year student from the Coast Institute of Technology added that they liked the fact that they were encouraged to share their unique viewpoints, both on and offline: "The program taught me that I should not be afraid to air out my points of view in a public place. I feel enlightened on how to build my communication skills." The Global Give Back Circle also emphasizes the importance of bridging cultural differences, career development, and preparing mentees for the job market. As these girls and young women transition into the labor market, they contribute to the country's GDP by bolstering its workforce and fostering economic development. In addition, Kenya's GDP also stands to benefit further from the inclusion of a skilled and empowered female workforce. This mentorship initiative aligns with Kenya's broader efforts to achieve gender equality, thereby contributing to a more equitable society and sustainable economic progress. Mentorship can have profound impact on both individual lives and the overall prosperity of a nation. With the right skills and opportunities, these girls and young women can be the changemakers who drive progress in their communities. The Future Looks Promising In line with our purpose, SAP's objective is to create positive economic, environmental, and social impact within planetary boundaries with a special focus on climate action, the circular economy, social responsibility, and holistic steering and reporting. As we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, SAP's mentor chapter for the Global Give Back Circle stands as an encouraging example of the power of mentorship and investment in girls' education. We hope that the success of this partnership will serve as a source of inspiration for nations to invest in their young women. By empowering girls and young women with essential skills, education, and mentorship, we unlock the boundless potential of Kenya's female population. Collaboration between the private sector and local communities not only changes individual lives, but also contributes to the growth of the Kenyan economy, paving the way for a brighter future for all. Girls are not just beneficiaries of change, but powerful agents of progress who, with the right support, can shape a more inclusive and prosperous world for everyone. Samantha Naidoo works in Global Strategic Initiatives at SAP. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from SAP on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: SAP Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sap Email: [email protected] SOURCE: SAP View source version on accesswire.com: ORLANDO, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / HostDime's Tier IV Data Centers, including their new flagship facility in Orlando, are setting industry design standards that will power the new era of infrastructure needed for artificial intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) technologies, and other high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. These next-gen data centers boast an astonishing power density of up to 100kW per rack, a significant leap from the traditional 3kW to 20kW in legacy data centers. AI has transcended its status as a buzzword and has quickly become a transformative force across industries. For AI to achieve its potential, it requires massive computational power. Complex neural networks and deep learning algorithms require specialized high-performance hardware, including CPUs, GPUs, and TPUs, optimized for parallel processing, complex modeling, and accelerated training. Suddenly the industry as a whole is rethinking how data centers are designed. A new generation of purpose-built data centers is the only way to power this new wave of hardware infrastructure. Addressing this need head-on, ahead of the market, is HostDime's hyper-edge, Tier IV data center design, which is being deployed at the global edge with immediate deployments in Latin America (most recently in Colombia) and at their flagship facility in Florida. HostDime's leap to up to 100kW signifies a remarkable advancement that directly addresses the energy demands of AI/ML/HPC workloads. This state-of-the-art Orlando data center brings to market much-needed high-power-density inventory while reducing dependency on data center infrastructures in traditional major metro markets that are struggling to keep up with demand. This infrastructure demand is also being seen at the global edge where HostDime will continue to deploy its next-gen, Tier IV design. HostDime's modular design incorporates a high watt-per-square-foot density along with supplemental in-row cooling capabilities that work in parallel with direct-to-chip cooling technologies. The design also incorporates precise cooling-efficient cold aisle containment at every data hall. HostDime's flagship Orlando data center also has designated data halls created specifically for immersive cooling hardware. Immersive cooling is widely becoming a necessity in the new wave of data center build-outs. All these features are at the forefront of HostDime's data center design. HostDime's commitment to building the next generation of purpose-built data centers is embodied by their standard Tier IV design - the pinnacle of reliability. This designation signifies fault tolerance and redundancy at every level, allowing HostDime to offer 100% uptime SLAs. Such data center infrastructure is imperative for supporting critical AI workloads that require uninterrupted availability to perform mission-critical tasks. As AI continues to reshape businesses as we know it, the role of data centers cannot be overstated. The new Central Florida data center, which will be commissioned in Q1 2024, is poised to meet the skyrocketing demands of the AI revolution. The future is AI-powered, and HostDime's global edge data centers are the gateway to that future. About HostDime: HostDime is a hyper-edge global data center company operating our owned, purpose-built data center facilities in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and our flagship facility in Florida, USA, and with owned networks in the UK, India, and Hong Kong. Our mission is to design, build, and operate purpose-built, next-gen data center facilities at the global edge. We offer an array of core digital infrastructure products and services, including colocation (private data center suites, cages, racks), interconnection (cross-connects, peering, transit), Hardware-as-a-Service (bare metal servers, lease-to-own servers, hardware procurement), cloud infrastructure (private, hybrid, multi-cloud), and managed services (server management, remote hands, smart hands). Contact Information Jared Smith Director of Marketing [email protected] 386-341-0855 Related Images SOURCE: HostDime View source version on accesswire.com: Remember your first Nokia, Alcatel or Ericsson mobile phone those analog devices that could barely make intelligible calls? How about when you got your first phone that could send text messages? Over time, we became enlightened the BlackBerry and then the iPhone revolutionized mobile phones, causing widespread disdain for those earlier models. Designed for quick and easy communication, they served their purpose well and rested in peace. Smartphones created a brand-new need: hyperconnectivity. Email, instant messaging and social media followed, causing an urge to be constantly connected. However, this shift brought consequences, as experts noted a rise in mental health problems among young people unprepared for the immediacy of social media. The condition is known as nomophobia (no mobile phone phobia) when your cellphone becomes a source of pleasure and addiction. Now, a growing number of counterculture users in the United States are renouncing hyperconnectivity and returning to basic mobile phones that are only good for voice calls. iPhone? How about a Nokia with no data? I needed time for myself, said writer Jesus Terres after announcing on social media that he was going on a smartphone detox. But Terres wasnt leaping headfirst into the void he has a dumbphone for calls and occasionally resorts to using his smartphone. Terres admits he misses having Google Maps, but doesnt mind giving up addictive social media that he compares to ordering a third drink at a bar. It seems like a good idea at the time, but rarely is. Disconnecting from technology takes courage. Sergio Barranco, a music teacher at the San Sebastian Conservatory in Spain, resisted pressure for years by sticking to his basic mobile phone, but finally broke down and got a smartphone. Everyone was happy about it, he said. Now they can reach me by other means besides SMS or voice calls It was much easier for them. Barranco finally gave in, but it peeves him every time he looks fondly at his old brick of a phone. Once you dive into WhatsApp, things can get complicated, he said with resignation. On the other hand, you get to talk to a lot more people. We are seeing that basic phones resonate with several demographics and generations, said Lars Silberbauer, Nokias marketing director. He mentions digital exhaustion among young people, who are taking a step back and thinking about basic mobile phones. Manufacturers rarely disclose exact sales figures, but Swiss company Punkt has reported a sales boost, particularly among the younger demographic. Sales increased over 30% in 2022 compared to the previous year, said Adam Thomas, Punkts communications officer. With the launch of a touchscreen model later this year, we anticipate further growth. According to Hayley Dodd of HMD (Nokias manufacturer), basic mobile sales doubled in 2022 and the company expects sustained growth of these models in 2023. Counterpoint Research confirms that dumbphones are experiencing a surge in popularity. In the United States alone, an estimated 2.8 million of these devices are expected to be sold by 2023. Counterpoint notes that rising sales can be attributed to the interest in digital detox among millennials and Generation Z. Its like living in 1999 Its all about communication, relationships and staying connected Or so we thought. No one calls me anymore, said Terres, who experienced firsthand the data plan tyranny. People no longer want to talk at most they send audio messages. But he says voluntary ostracism has a very positive side effect I read a lot more books now. But why give up the intoxicating delights of WhatsApp and TikTok if you dont have to? A basic mobile phone made by Punkt. In addition to the obvious advantages for mental health, a growing number of people perceive this challenging solitude in a positive light. Its like living in 1999, wrote Gregory Alvarez, describing his now (almost) definitive disconnection. Of course, theres a whole subforum on Reddit dedicated to transitioning to basic mobile phones. Interestingly, the forums first recommendation is not to switch phones entirely, but rather to keep your smartphone and limit its functionality. Both Android and iPhone have parental controls that effectively restrict device functions, giving them a similar feel to old Nokia phones. Other advantages Dumbphones are undeniably sturdy and reliable. Who can forget the epic drops of those prehistoric Nokia phones? They often went flying and survived without a scratch. Check out this viral video of an old Nokia 3310 bravely withstanding all manner of torture. Just a tiny slip of your modern smartphone can lead to cracked screens and scratched cases and repairs definitely dont come cheap. Another major advantage of this type of device is that they dont have color touch screens or complex processors, resulting in a long battery life charging once a week is usually sufficient. Moreover, they are less vulnerable to cyberattacks, which is crucial for privacy-conscious individuals. Lastly, theres the cost factor: a Boost Mobile Prepaid Schok Flip will only set you back $20 at Target. Social networks aim to keep us engaged by utilizing tactics like infinite scrolling and enticing short videos that make us think, just one more, said psychologist Joan Salvador Villalonga. They deprive us of healthy leisure time, leading to less tolerance for boredom We futilely try to please other people with short-lived posts, which is leading many people to abandon social media and restore their sense of freedom. In short, dumbphones help us break free from the virtual world so we can redirect our focus back to the vibrant reality that surrounds us. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition NAPOLEONVILLE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Impact Fusion International Inc. (OTC PINK:IFUS) September 30, 2023 marked our official year end and as of that date we have accomplished a great deal. As article after article was published about the conditions in many states that have been severely affected by the drought that ravished many of the states in the south of the country including but not limited to Texas, Mississippi. Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma and New Mexico we have reached out to and met with government officials, both state and federal, to educate them on the availability of SGP+". We are waiting confirmation of meetings with local and federal senators, governors and Lt. Governors. We firmly believe that our technology, when properly applied, following our protocols, is proven to increase herd health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, can eliminate fly infestation, produces ideal Score 3 manure patties (Manure scoring determines supplementation needs - Noble Research Institute), reduces the cost from $3.45 per day per head to $0.45 per day per head while at the same time generating more revenue for the ranchers and the farmers. We have the capability of producing 4900 tons per week on a six day schedule. Using our existing equipment we can run 2 10 hour shifts over 6 days. We have the capacity to feed America's herds of both beef and dairy cattle. The link below is of a short video produced by Pixel TV which provides in depth information about your product. https://youtu.be/E8_q5TpwkMU We have individually reached out to close to 300 Extension Agents in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma via email with follow up phone calls to further discuss the opportunities afforded by using our technology platform. The Extension Agents are on the front lines working with ranchers and farmers to provide guidance and advice. We will continue to educate the Extension Agents who work in concert with State Universities such as LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State and their agriculture departments. Our concentration will now be on Alabama and New Mexico. Over the summer, Marc Walther, CEO attended symposiums and trade shows attended by cattle ranchers and dairy farmers with whom he had the opportunity to discuss SGP+". He continues to reach out to those ranchers with whom he met. Word of mouth and neighborly referrals have continued to build our customer base. Marc has also conducted a number of Podcasts the most recent being a 90 minute interview with Buffalo Fireside Chats which was a comprehensive discussion of all things Impact Fusion. https://t.co/QAkG4vPuvR. As previously stated in the most recent Letter to the Shareholders, the Company reported that Marc Walther, CEO, had had conversations with representatives from India who control 10 sugar refineries and have access to feeding 500,000 dairy cattle in the sub-continent. In addition, they have expressed interest in our Intact Nutrition product line. The Company is pleased to report that we are concentrating on sharing information about how our SGP+" could help them by establishing a facility in India. We recently received a forage analysis report from their laboratory in India on their bagasse. It shows that their bagasse product is superior to ours. This can be explained by soil, weather and sugarcane management. In short, it shows that the lignin content (crucial to providing crude protein to the cattle) is of higher concentration. The next step in this proposed process is to have this group ship to us, 2 containers of their raw bagasse to our facility. Once received, we will process the product in our facility and ship to our test ranch in Jefferson, Texas. Once the test is successfully complete, we will ship the processed product back to India for testing on their herds following our protocols. This is understandably a long-term project with a view to establishing SGP+ 2.0" in India. We are already sourcing equipment and ingredients in the region to start building a logistics and cost platform. We are committed to working with these fine business people to prepare and negotiate a business proposal that will benefit both groups. IFUS Letter to the Shareholders September 28, 2023 | IFUS - Impact Fusion International Inc. | News | OTC Markets We have formulated our long and short term goals to include securing additional ranchers and dairy farmers into our customer base, we are committed to working with Extension Agents attached to State universities and their livestock nutritionists, government agriculture commissioners and other governmental officials to further educate participants in the beef industry. About Impact Fusion International Inc. Impact Fusion International, Inc. is in the business of marketing products in the "Health and Wellness" sector of all international markets. It is the company's mission to invent, develop and market these proprietary products worldwide for the health and well-being of humans and animals. The information contained in this release includes some statement that are not purely historical and that are "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our and their management's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including our financial condition, results of operations. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipates," "believes," "continue," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "might," "plans," "possible," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "should," "would" and similar expressions, or the negatives of such terms, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and the potential effects on the parties and the corporate and administrative transactions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Updates can be found at the official Impact Fusion Twitter account @impactfusionl Contact: Impact Fusion International Inc. 204 Highway 1011 Napoleonville LA 70390 1-800-775-4130 Email: [email protected] https://www.impactfusionbrands.com/brands https://www.impactfusionint.com SOURCE: Impact Fusion International Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: Compelling Insights From a McKinsey & Company Study Highlight Key Areas for Auto Repair Shops to Improve Retention and Culture OCEANSIDE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Automotive industry hiring expert and founder of Technician Find Christopher T. (Chris) Lawson was recently invited on the Ratchet + Wrench Radio Podcast with Chris Jones to discuss a crucial topic that has long troubled automotive repair industry owners and managers: the turnover of good technicians. Technician Find helps independent automotive repair shops across the United States hire and retain top talent. From this perspective, Lawson brings to light a powerful employment industry study that identifies the top reasons why employees decide to leave their jobs and how these reasons pertain to auto repair technicians. Chris Lawson - TechnicianFind.com Automotive industry hiring expert Christopher T. (Chris) Lawson was recently invited on the Ratchet + Wrench Radio Podcast to discuss how independent auto repair shops can reduce the turnover of good technicians. A recent study was done by McKinsey & Company that revealed the top reasons why people leave their jobs. Stastia created a shareable infographic of these findings that can be viewed here: https://www.statista.com/chart/27830/reasons-for-quitting-previous-job/. According to the study, the top eight reasons why people resign include: Lack of career development/advancement Inadequate compensation Uncaring/uninspiring leaders Lack of meaningful work Unsustainable work expectations Unreliable/unsupportive colleagues Lack of workplace flexibility Lack of support for health/wellbeing Lawson emphasizes, "When you look at the eight top reasons why people leave their jobs, notice that virtually every single one of them has to do with company culture. When you work on your company culture, you not only close the back door with good employees leaving but you also attract top talent to come in the front door." The episode is now available online so auto repair shops can tune into the podcast episode and gain these invaluable insights. You can find it here: How do you retain mechanics? The 8 top reasons they leave and what independent automotive repair shops can do about it [PODCAST]. Lawson breaks down each of the eight reasons, offering specific examples and actionable strategies that auto repair shops can implement. The goal? To not only retain their prized technicians but also attract the best talent in the industry. About TechnicianFind.com Founded by Christopher T. Lawson in 2018, TechnicianFind.com is committed to helping auto repair shops nationwide find and retain top technician talent. Offering a range of services, from ad copywriting to geo-targeted social media marketing and direct candidate outreach, TechnicianFind.com streamlines the recruitment process, making it quicker and more efficient for busy shops. Learn more at www.technicianfind.com. Contact Information Christopher T. Lawson Founder [email protected] 310-387-7323 Related Files The Ultimate Technician Ad Checklist.pdf SOURCE: Technician Find View source version on accesswire.com: Oct. 12-15, 2023, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, Stand A1 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 10, 2023 / San Francisco welcomes Phoenix Ancient Art with open arms for its 41st annual Fall Show entitled "La Dolce Vita." The themed event endorses poetic beauty, exquisite artworks, unique designs, and all refined materials. The show will be held from Oct. 12-15, 2023, at the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco, California, United States. Hicham Aboutaam in San Francisco Hicham Aboutaam, Jupiter, San Francisco Fall Show In its second-consecutive participation, Phoenix Ancient Art has curated a display that represents "the good life" from different famed cultures, periods, and prominent provenances. With a selection of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian art, it is guaranteed to be a delight to walk through the highlights of craftsmanship from each civilization. Hicham Aboutaam, the owner of Electrum, the exclusive agent for Phoenix Ancient Art, says, "The display this year will exemplify the high art from several historical eras. With recognized names such as Alexander the Great, Jupiter, Mercury, and Gudea, we have put together the best of the best." The beauty of ancient art, rich history, and culture will grace the San Francisco Fall Show. ABOUT PHOENIX ANCIENT ART With galleries in New York City (Electrum) and Geneva, Switzerland, Phoenix Ancient Art is one of the world's leading dealers in rare and exquisite antiquities with a focus on Greek and Roman, Near Eastern and Egyptian art. Its works of art have been acquired by world-class museums around the world, as well as by private collectors. Phoenix Ancient Art is a second-generation family business that was founded by Sleiman Aboutaam in 1968 and continues today under the leadership of his sons Hicham and Ali Aboutaam. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.phoenixancientart.com. Contact Information: Hicham Aboutaam President [email protected] +2122887518 SOURCE: Phoenix Ancient Art View source version on accesswire.com: TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (the "Company") (TSXV:YAK), announces the passage of all resolutions and the election of all nominated directors (Nick Cousyn, Jim Dwyer, Brad Farquhar, Harris Kupperman and Robert Scott) at the Company's Annual General Meeting held on October 10, 2023. The Company also announces the sale of five properties in Mongolia. The transaction included the sale of four investment properties and one property classified as Property and Equipment for gross proceeds of approximately CDN $10.7 million. These properties had a carrying value of approximately CDN $11.0 million at June 30th 2023. The proceeds are gross of taxes, commissions, FX conversions, transfer fees, and other expenses to be finalized over the next few months. A substantial majority of the proceeds have been received by the Company's Canadian banks accounts. The Company intends to use the proceeds for general operating activities, to fund the Company's NCIB and to reduce existing liabilities. The Company continues to seek out potential investment opportunities globally, including within Mongolia. For further information please contact: Genevieve Walkden, Corporate Secretary 877-644-1186 [email protected] This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, regulator and corporate approvals, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the Company's capability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. We seek safe harbour. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com: MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2023 / In Miami, Florida, on October 5th, 2023, the grand opening of the first phase of Flagler Oasis occurred. Located in the heart of Little Havana, within walking distance of Calle Ocho and the Miami Marlins' ballpark, this multi-phase, mixed-use site opened the first tower; an eight-story mid-rise that offers 100, one- and two-bedroom residential units. Designed by the acclaimed Behar Font & Partners, this community is tailored with modern amenities, urban location, and sophisticated style. Shaoul Mishal, President and CEO of Gamla Cedron Shaoul Mishal, President and CEO of Gamla Cedron at Phase I of Flagler Oasis Shaoul Mishal, President & CEO of Gamla Cedron, the multifamily developer behind the project, was in attendance to cut the ribbon and welcome the development partners, local officials, and current residents of the community. Flagler Oasis sets the bar for luxury residential offerings in the Little Havana market with enhanced community features and an exceptional resident experience. Located at 1110 NW 1st Street, the location is less than five miles from Downtown Miami, the Brickell Financial District, the Jackson Hospital Healthcare District, Downtown Coral Gables, and the Miami International Airport. The second phase of Flagler Oasis, on the western side of the site, will offer 248 residences, 3,890 square feet of retail, 282 parking spaces, and a pool and amenity deck housed in 16 stories. Located on the southeast corner of the site, the third phase will offer 70,400 square feet of office space, 9,540 square feet of retail, 215 parking spaces, and an open-air deck in eight stories. For more information about Flagler Oasis, visit www.FlaglerOasis.com. Contact Information Deanna Midkiff Regional Manager [email protected] 8137866409 SOURCE: Gamla Cedron Group View source version on accesswire.com: Deutsche Bank analyst George Hill reiterated a Hold rating and $81.00 price target on CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) but noted ... I'm a New Customer I'm a Returning Customer E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device) Password Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO), a leading outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer, today announced the appointment of Staci Kroon to its board of directors, effective October 11, 2023. Kroon is the president and chief executive officer of BraunAbility, a global leader in mobility transportation solutions, providing independence to individuals in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges. In her role, she leads by fostering a learning culture and creating a climate of trust, transparency, and accountability. Winnebago Industries is committed to making the outdoors more accessible to all people, said David Miles, Winnebago Industries board chair. Stacis professional experience and the unique industry insights she brings to the board will be highly valuable in advancing our goals. We welcome Staci and look forward to her guidance and leadership. Prior to joining BraunAbility, Kroon held senior roles at Eaton, including executive vice president of Eaton Business System and president of Automotive North America. She has also served as a board member and chairman for Nittan Global Tech. Kroon earned a bachelors degree in economics with a concentration in finance from the Wharton School of Business, a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a postgraduate degree in design, manufacturing, and management from Cambridge University in England. It is an honor to join the Winnebago Industries board of directors, said Kroon. This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside some of the most innovative minds in the industry and contribute to the strategic direction of a company that I deeply admire. I look forward to playing a pivotal role in shaping its future. Kroon will serve on the Human Resources and Finance committees of the Winnebago Industries board. Staci brings to our board tremendous skills and extensive knowledge in product design, operations, and overall general management, said Michael Happe, Winnebago Industries president and chief executive officer. Her CEO perspective will be critical as Winnebago Industries continues to create extraordinary outdoor experiences that help everyone enjoy the positive benefits of spending time outside. Interim data from the POSITIVE study, presented at the EADV, revealed that tildrakizumab not only significantly improved patients wellbeing after 16 weeks, which was maintained up to week 281 but also had a positive impact on the wellbeing of their relatives after 28 weeks2 Tildrakizumab also demonstrated improvements in patients skin symptoms and health-related quality of life after 28 weeks in a real-world setting3 and showed sustained efficacy and safety over 2 years in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in routine clinical practice including sensitive areas and improvements of itch4 with no new safety signals and a reassuring safety profile 4 ,5 New evidence from the TRIBUTE study showed that tildrakizumab improved other important patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as sleep quality, which is highly correlated with itch, pain, quality of life and work productivity, and not with PASI6,7 Almirall presented 12 posters at the EADV Congress on new data regarding this biologic in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, along with a symposium titled New Landmark on Psoriasis treatment: the POSITIVE study chaired by Prof. Dr. Matthias Augustin and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Almirall S.A. (BME:ALM), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology, unveiled new data at the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2023 that underscores its commitment to advancing the wellbeing of psoriasis patients and their families through treatments and cutting-edge research. The data presented in posters showed that Ilumetri (tildrakizumab) significantly improved the wellbeing of psoriasis patients,1 as well as the wellbeing of their relatives.2 New evidence presented in the POSITIVE study, the first clinical study in dermatology to assess improvements in patients wellbeing as a primary endpoint, reveals that around 40% of the patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis showed depressive symptoms at baseline.1 In this regard, tildrakizumab for the first time demonstrated improvement in patients wellbeing, achieving similar levels to the general population after 16 weeks, which was maintained up to week 28.1 Additionally, tildrakizumab reassures its effectiveness, improving also patients health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with high rates of treatment satisfaction in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis after 28 weeks in a real-world setting,3 with no new safety signals and a reassuring safety profile5 consistent with previous randomized clinical trials (RCT) and real-world studies.8,9 This study demonstrates for the first time the impact of patient's psoriasis on the social and emotional wellbeing of their relatives, underscoring the existing unmet needs not only in the management of psoriatic patients but also their families. Tildrakizumab significantly improved relatives wellbeing after 28 weeks.2 During the congress held in Berlin from October 11th to 14th, Almirall presented 12 posters highlighting new data on tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Additionally, the symposium titled New Landmark on Psoriasis treatment: the POSITIVE study, chaired by Prof. Dr. Matthias Augustin and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz, will explore the impact of tildrakizumab on physical, social and mental wellbeing in psoriasis. The new evidences on the TRIBUTE study demonstrated that tildrakizumab improved other important patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as sleep quality, which is highly correlated with itch, pain, quality of life, and work productivity and not with PASI.6,7 The results also revealed that tildrakizumab demonstrated similar efficacy and safety regardless of the baseline characteristics of the patients.10,11 These new data highlight the importance of evaluating other endpoints beyond skin symptoms to ensure a holistic approach to psoriasis management. Almirall also reported results from the TILOT study that demonstrated sustained efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab over 2 years in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in routine clinical practice including sensitive areas and improvements of itch. 4 This was reflected in significant improvements in all measured parameters, including treatment satisfaction and quality of life.12 Psoriasis is a challenging disease that affects not only the skin but also the overall wellbeing of patients. Understanding the broader implications of psoriasis is a significant advance in our field and underlines the importance of a holistic approach to its treatment. The POSITIVE study represents an important step forward in our understanding of psoriasis by assessing the effect on the wellbeing of patients, their families and healthcare professionals", said Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz, Founder of the Psoriasis Center at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein. The new data presented at the EADV highlight the unmet needs not only in the treatment of psoriatic patients, but also the impact on their families. These data demonstrate the consolidated effectiveness and safety of tildrakizumab in treating plaque psoriasis and patients overall wellbeing. At Almirall we aim to improve patients lives and restore a state of general wellbeing, which often requires impacting dermatological diseases beyond the visible skin symptoms, stated Dr. Volker Koscielny, Chief Medical Officer at Almirall. About the POSITIVE Study The POSITIVE study uses the 5 item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index, WHO-5, a widely used questionnaire that assesses health-related subjective psychological wellbeing in a variety of chronic diseases. Following the holistic approach, the POSITIVE study will also use innovative secondary endpoints, the FamilyPso questionnaire to evaluate the impact of the disease on the family environment, and on Physician wellbeing, using the Physicians Satisfaction Score. This ongoing non-interventional, prospective, observational, real-world evidence study has enrolled approximately 780 adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis at multiple sites in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The study will follow these patients for 24 months in their treatment with tildrakizumab. About the TRIBUTE Study TRIBUTE (NCT04229836) is an international, multicentre, open-label, interventional phase IV clinical study in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. A total of 177 patients were included in both the safety and efficacy analyses. The objective was to assess the efficacy, safety, and impact on HRQoL (using the DLQI and the new proposed score, DLQI-R*) in a phase IV study in close to similar conditions to clinical practice. About the TILOT Study TILOT is a prospective, non-interventional, multicenter study from Germany to assess the effectiveness and safety profile of tildrakizumab in long-term treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in routine practice. The observational period of this study will be approximately 3 years, including a large population (around 900 patients), providing the longest and largest Real-World data of the treatment. About tildrakizumab13 Tildrakizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23) and inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines with limited impact on the rest of the immune system. It is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy. About psoriasis Psoriasis is a common, non-contagious, chronic skin disease, with no clear cause or cure. The negative impact of psoriasis on peoples lives can be immense as it affects the appearance of the skin with red, scaly plaques. Psoriasis affects people of all ages, and in all countries. The reported prevalence of psoriasis in Europe varies from 0.6% to 6.5% with an average of approximately 3% of the population,14,15 making psoriasis a serious global problem with about 60 million individuals affected worldwide.16 The flares of psoriasis can be unpredictable and significant comorbidities are common, including arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and depression. About Almirall Almirall is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology. We collaborate with scientists and healthcare professionals to address patients' needs through science to improve their lives. Our Noble Purpose is at the core of our work: "Transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes and dreams for a healthy life". We invest in differentiated and ground-breaking medical dermatology products to bring our innovative solutions to patients in need. The company, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Barcelona, is publicly traded on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM). Throughout its 79-year history, Almirall has focused intensely on patients' needs. Almirall has a direct presence in 21 countries and strategic agreements in over 70, with about 1,800 employees. Total revenue in 2022 was 878.5MM. For more information, please visit www.almirall.com Legal warning This document includes only summary information and is not intended to be exhaustive. The facts, figures and opinions contained in this document, in addition to the historical ones, are "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on the information currently available and the best estimates and assumptions that the company considers reasonable. These statements involve risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the company. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those declared by such forward-looking statements. The company expressly waives any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, goals or estimates contained in this document to reflect any changes in the assumptions, events or circumstances on which such forward-looking statements are based, unless required by the applicable law. 1 Sommer R, et al. Patient-reported well-being using tildrakizumab in a real-world setting: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32nd European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3490. 2 Mrowietz U, et al. Impact of patient psoriasis on partner well-being in a real-world setting: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3489. 3 Augustin M, et al. Real-world effectiveness, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction with tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3492. 4 Tsianakas A, et al. Sustained efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab over 2 years in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in routine clinical practice: interim results in week 100 from the non-interventional, prospective, multicenter study TILOT. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3110. 5 Mrowietz U, et al. Real-world safety of tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 28-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3491. 6 Costanzo A, et al. Tildrakizumab improves sleep quality and psoriasis-related pruritus and pain in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3122. 7 Costanzo A, et al. Tildrakizumab improves sleep quality, quality of life and work productivity in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3123. 8 Thaci D, et al. Five-year efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who respond at week 28: pooled analyses of two randomized phase III clinical trials (reSURFACE 1 and reSURFACE 2). Br J Dermatol. 2021 Aug;185(2):32334. doi: 10.1111/bjd.19866. 9 Drerup KA, et al. Effective and Safe Treatment of Psoriatic Disease with the Anti-IL-23p19 Biologic Tildrakizumab: Results of a Real-World Prospective Cohort Study in Nonselected Patients. Dermatology. 2022;238:61519. doi: 10.1159/000519924. 10 Costanzo A, et al. Super responders to tildrakizumab treatment in moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32nd European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3121. 11 Costanzo A, et al. Tildrakizumab demonstrates high efficacy regardless of baseline characteristics in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in conditions close to real clinical practice. Presented at the 32nd European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3120. 12 Tsianakas A, et al. Tildrakizumab improves signs and symptoms in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in a real-world setting: a holistic approach. Presented at the 32 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 11 14 October 2023, Berlin, Germany. Abstract 3106. 13 IIlumetriI (tildrakizumab) Summary of Product Characteristics. Date of prep: October 2021 UK-IL-2100111. 14 Chandran V and Raychaudhuri SP. Geoepidemiology and environmental factors of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. J. Autoimmune. 2010 May; 34(3):J314-J21. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2009.12.001. Epub 2009 Dec 24. PMID: 20034760. 15 Schafer T. Epidemiology of psoriasis. Review and the German perspective. Dermatology. 2006;212: 327-37. doi: 10.1159/000092283. PMID: 16707882. 16 Parisi R, et al. National, regional, and worldwide epidemiology of psoriasis: systematic analysis and modelling study. BMJ. 2020;369:m1590 doi:10.1136/bmj.m1590. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011690776/en/ Media Almirall Tinkle Laura Blazquez [email protected] Phone: (+34) 600 430 581 Investors Relations Almirall Pablo Divasson del Fraile [email protected] Phone: (+34) 93 291 3087 Corporate Communications Almirall Mar Ramirez mar.rami[email protected] Phone: (+34) 659 614 173 Source: Almirall CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG) expects to release its 2023 third quarter results after 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The release will be available shortly thereafter on AFGs website at www.AFGinc.com. In conjunction with its release, AFG will hold a conference call to discuss 2023 third quarter results at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 2, 2023. There are two ways to access the call. By Telephone Participants should register for the call here now or any time up to and during the time of the call, and will immediately receive the dial-in number and a unique PIN to access the call. Registration details are also available by visiting https://www.AFGinc.com/news-and-events/event-calendar. While you may register at any time up to and during the time of the call, you are encouraged to join the call 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. Via the Internet The conference call and accompanying webcast slides will also be broadcast live over the internet. To access the event, click on the following link: https://www.AFGinc.com/news-and-events/event-calendar. A replay of the webcast will be available via the same link on our website, approximately two hours after the completion of the call. About American Financial Group, Inc. American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. Great American Insurance Groups roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011122753/en/ Diane P. Weidner, IRC Vice President - Investor & Media Relations 513-369-5713 Websites: www.AFGinc.com www.GreatAmericanInsuranceGroup.com Source: American Financial Group, Inc. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ankona Capital has announced the final closing of its second fund with $129 million in total commitments, roughly doubling the size of its inaugural fund. The Ankona team will continue to focus its investments on early growth-stage business-to-business (B2B) software companies and to follow its proven strategy of helping companies reach scale and sustainability through smart, capital-efficient growth. Ankona was founded in 2019 by a team of successful investors and software company founders who put into practice decades of lessons learned. Ankonas partners understand the entrepreneurial, company-building journey, and seek partnerships with founders from startup to scale, providing empathetic support and operational guidance that aligns with founder interests. Ankona has made four investments to date from its new fund: Bonusly, an employee recognition and reward platform, Alleva, a data-driven electronic medical record (EMR) and practice management system for behavioral health facilities, Rivet, a healthcare revenue acceleration platform, and VideoAmp, a media measurement and optimization platform. We originally chose to partner with Ankona because of their operational experience and track record as company founders themselves, said Raphael Crawford-Marks, founder and CEO of Bonusly. This was tested immediately as we lost access to our capital during the bank run. Ankona immediately stepped up to ensure we could make payroll the following Monday. We want to build relationships so that we are the first call for our CEOs, said Brian Mesic, Managing Director at Ankona Capital. We will be the first to celebrate wins and the toughest fighters in the foxhole through setbacks. Ankonas inaugural fund was closed in June 2021 at $66 million, oversubscribed from its $50 million target. In addition to the managing partners, Ankona has an operating partner team that includes five former founders who have started, built and sold software companies including Zingle (acquired by Medallia), SafeSend (acquired by Lead Edge Capital), Telogis (acquired by Verizon), OGSystems (acquired by Parsons) and DealerSocket (acquired by Solera) for more than $2.5 billion combined. About Ankona Capital Ankona Capital is a southern California-based early growth venture firm that invests $5 million to $15 million into early growth-stage B2B software companies which typically have $5 million-$15 million in recurring revenues. Ankonas team of experienced investors and operating partners have over 50 years of combined software and investment experience. Ankona is focused on creating a winning, inclusive, and rewarding culture that caters to founders, provides resources and support to entrepreneurs, and fosters opportunities for tech companies and investment outside of Silicon Valley. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011479048/en/ Krys Card Grondorf for Ankona Capital 562.714.1842 | [email protected] Source: Ankona Capital President Joe Bidens interview with prosecutors over his handling of classified documents signals that a sprawling investigation that has included questioning of some of his closest aides and at least one cabinet member is nearing a conclusion. The White House revealed on Monday night that Biden was interviewed on Sunday and Monday by special counsel Robert Hurs team, meaning that he was fielding questions from investigators during the same hours that his administration was consumed by the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Its a familiar dynamic for a president who over the last year has had to fulfill his duties as commander in chief while dealing with scrutiny over his own classified records retention and the legal problems of his recently indicted son, Hunter. Investigators typically save interviews of key players for the final days of an investigation, a sign that Hurs nine-month-old probe is likely near the end. Because Hur is a Justice Department special counsel, the conclusion of the probe will be accompanied by the release of a report laying out his teams findings. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment Tuesday on the interview or when the investigation might end. The investigation so far appears to present no legal jeopardy for Biden. There has been no public indication that he or anyone else in his orbit intentionally mishandled classified documents. In addition, Justice Department legal opinions have held that sitting presidents cannot be indicted. But the political cloud surrounding the issue isnt going anywhere. The investigation is on course to wrap up in the heart of Bidens reelection campaign. And Republican front-runner Donald Trump, indicted by a different Justice Department special counsel over his own mishandling of classified documents, has repeatedly claimed Biden has received special treatment. Since being appointed to the job last January, Hur and his team have cast a broad net, interviewing current and former Biden aides about the mechanics of how documents with classified markings were processed and stored. Among those questioned, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the probe, are former chief of staff Ron Klain, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, former White House Counsel Dana Remus and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The investigation has centered on how roughly 25 to 30 documents with classification markings, from Bidens time as vice president and as a senator, wound up stored improperly in his Delaware home and in a private office in Washington he used after his service in the Obama administration. Some of the documents were found during searches of his office and Wilmington home by Bidens lawyers and others during an FBI search that Bidens team agreed to voluntarily. Even as Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate potential crimes in how the documents were handled, Biden and his team have sought to play down the severity of the matter. The president has said he was unaware that he had the records. The White House only belatedly disclosed the initial discovery of documents. From the start, the investigation unfolded alongside a far more perilous probe of Trumps handling of classified documents. Though the existence of the investigation may have blunted Bidens ability to forcefully castigate Trump for his own mishandling of classified records, it seems to have had little bearing on the Justice Departments decision to charge Trump. The former president was indicted in June on charges that he illegally retained top secret government documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, and obstructed government demands to give them back. While Trump claims that he was being prosecuted for political reasons by the Biden administrations Justice Department, the indictment against him lays bare significant allegations of obstruction and intentional mishandling that have been absent from the Biden investigation. Where the Trump probe has been laden with moments that hinted at the legal jeopardy he faced, including testimony before a secret grand jury by one of Trumps lawyers, theres been no public sign in the Biden investigation that prosecutors are even using a grand jury, an essential vehicle for seeking an indictment. The absence of a grand jury could also suggest that the interviews prosecutors are doing have all been voluntary in nature and that they have not needed to rely on subpoenas to secure sit-downs with witnesses. Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsels office, said in a statement that the interview with Biden was voluntary. As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, he said. It is hardly unprecedented for sitting presidents to be interviewed in criminal investigations. President George W. Bush sat for a 70-minute interview as part of an investigation into the leak of the identify of a CIA operative. President Bill Clinton in 1998 underwent more than four hours of questioning from independent counsel Kenneth Starr before a federal grand jury. Special counsel Robert Muellers team negotiated with lawyers for Trump for an interview when he was president but Trump never sat for one. His lawyers instead submitted answers to written questions. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Two highly anticipated Presidential Symposia for TROPION-Lung01 and TROPION-Breast01 will unveil the significance of datopotamab deruxtecan in lung and breast cancers FLAURA2 data reinforce TAGRISSO (osimertinib) as the backbone therapy in EGFR-mutated lung cancer and underscore its added benefit of treating brain metastases DUO-E results for IMFINZI (durvalumab) plus LYNPARZA (olaparib) will show the benefit of immunotherapy and PARP inhibitor combinations in endometrial cancer for the first time First IMFINZI data in gastric cancer from MATTERHORN Phase III trial will highlight the potential of immunotherapy combinations in earlier settings and growing leadership in gastrointestinal cancers WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca advances its ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death with new data across its robust portfolio and pipeline at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, October 20-24, 2023. Nearly 100 abstracts will feature 19 approved and potential new medicines from AstraZeneca including two late-breaking Presidential Symposia and 26 oral presentations. Highlights include: TROPION-Lung01 Phase III trial of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyos datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in patients with previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Presidential Symposium, Monday, October 23). Phase III trial of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyos datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in patients with previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Presidential Symposium, Monday, October 23). TROPION-Breast01 Phase III trial of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with previously treated inoperable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low or negative breast cancer (Presidential Symposium, Monday, October 23). Phase III trial of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with previously treated inoperable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low or negative breast cancer (Presidential Symposium, Monday, October 23). FLAURA2 Phase III trial of TAGRISSO (osimertinib) plus chemotherapy in EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) advanced NSCLC including safety and central nervous system metastases outcomes. Results were recently presented from the progression-free survival (PFS) primary analysis. Phase III trial of TAGRISSO (osimertinib) plus chemotherapy in EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) advanced NSCLC including safety and central nervous system metastases outcomes. Results were recently presented from the progression-free survival (PFS) primary analysis. DUO-E Phase III trial of IMFINZI (durvalumab) plus platinum-based chemotherapy followed by either IMFINZI monotherapy or IMFINZI plus LYNPARZA (olaparib) as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed advanced or recurrent edometrial cancer. Phase III trial of IMFINZI (durvalumab) plus platinum-based chemotherapy followed by either IMFINZI monotherapy or IMFINZI plus LYNPARZA (olaparib) as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed advanced or recurrent edometrial cancer. MATTERHORN Phase III trial of IMFINZI plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery) for patients with resectable, early-stage and locally advanced (Stages II, III, IVA) gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers. Phase III trial of IMFINZI plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery) for patients with resectable, early-stage and locally advanced (Stages II, III, IVA) gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers. DESTINY-PanTumor02 Phase II trial of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyos ENHERTU (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) in previously treated HER2-expressing advanced solid tumors including PFS and overall survival (OS) data from the primary analysis. Phase II trial of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyos ENHERTU (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) in previously treated HER2-expressing advanced solid tumors including PFS and overall survival (OS) data from the primary analysis. Three bispecifics: data from several presentations will highlight the Companys robust clinical program of novel immuno-oncology (IO) bispecific antibodies including data for volrustomig in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (MEDI5752, targeting PD-1/CTLA-4), and data for rilvegostomig (AZD2936, targeting PD-1/TIGIT) and sabestomig (AZD7789, targeting PD-1/TIM3) in lung cancer. Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: At ESMO, we are building on the potential of our antibody drug conjugate portfolio with results from the TROPION-Lung01 and TROPION-Breast01 Phase III trials demonstrating the promise of datopotamab deruxtecan for patients across multiple cancer types in two back-to-back Presidential Symposia. These first pivotal data from our robust clinical program are just the beginning for this TROP2-directed antibody drug conjugate, which we believe could replace conventional chemotherapy for many patients. Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: Our key data at ESMO demonstrate our commitment to redefining cancer care across a growing number of tumor types with high unmet need. Across lung, breast, gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancers, the first data will be presented from four different pivotal trials which will raise the bar for patients with multiple medicines from our industry-leading portfolio and highlight the power of novel combinations. Datopotamab deruxtecan takes center stage with promising data in lung and breast cancers A Presidential Symposium will highlight PFS data from the TROPION-Lung01 Phase III trial evaluating datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC. In July, datopotamab deruxtecan became the first antibody drug conjugate to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in PFS and a trend in improvement for OS compared to docetaxel, the current standard-of-care chemotherapy. Additionally, a mini-oral presentation will feature initial results from the TROPION-Lung05 Phase II trial evaluating datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with heavily pretreated advanced NSCLC with actionable genomic mutations (AGA). There are currently no TROP2-directed antibody drug conjugates approved for the treatment of patients with lung cancer. Another Presidential Symposium will showcase data from the TROPION-Breast01 Phase III trial of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with inoperable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low or negative breast cancer previously treated with endocrine-based therapy and at least one systemic therapy. In September, datopotamab deruxtecan demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS and a trend in improvement for OS compared to investigators choice of chemotherapy. Lastly, a mini-oral presentation will highlight updated safety and efficacy results from the BEGONIA Phase Ib/II trial of datopotamab deruxtecan plus IMFINZI in patients with previously untreated unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), including duration of response. Early data from the trial presented previously demonstrated promising clinical responses in this setting, regardless of PD-L1 expression (low and high tumors). IMFINZI combinations enter new tumor types and continue delivering in lung and biliary tract cancers A late-breaking oral presentation will feature PFS data from the DUO-E Phase III trial evaluating treatment with IMFINZI and chemotherapy followed by either IMFINZI plus LYNPARZA or IMFINZI alone as maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. High-level results recently announced showed both regimens demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy alone, with greater clinical benefit observed with the combination of IMFINZI and LYNPARZA as maintenance treatment. Another late-breaking oral presentation will highlight pathologic complete response (pCR) data from the MATTERHORN Phase III trial of IMFINZI added to standard-of-care FLOT (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel) neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with resectable, early-stage and locally advanced gastric and GEJ cancers versus neoadjuvant therapy alone. High-level interim results demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the key secondary endpoint of pCR. This is the first global Phase III trial of an immunotherapy and FLOT chemotherapy combination to demonstrate clinical benefit in this setting. The trial is continuing to assess the primary endpoint of event-free survival. Also in gastrointestinal cancers, two poster presentations of new data from the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial will further reinforce the benefit of IMFINZI plus chemotherapy as a 1st-line standard-of-care treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer. Results will be shared from an exploratory analysis of an extended cohort of TOPAZ-1 patients enrolled in China. Additionally, results will be shared from an exploratory analysis assessing the impact of prognostic or predictive factors of OS in the trial. A late-breaking mini-oral presentation in lung cancer will report exploratory analyses from the AEGEAN Phase III trial of IMFINZI-based treatment before and after surgery in patients with resectable NSCLC, evaluating potential associations between circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and neoadjuvant treatment responses. Extending the benefits of ENHERTU across HER2-expressing tumors New data from the DESTINY-PanTumor02 and DESTINY-PanTumor01 Phase II trials will underscore the potential of ENHERTU for previously treated patients with HER2-expressing or HER2-mutated advanced solid tumors, respectively, who currently have no targeted treatment options. A late-breaking mini-oral presentation of primary results from DESTINY-PanTumor02 will highlight efficacy and safety outcomes for ENHERTU in patients with HER2-expressing solid tumors. In July, high-level primary analysis results showed ENHERTU demonstrated clinically meaningful PFS and OS, as well as provided robust and durable tumor responses across multiple HER2-expressing solid tumors in the trial. Additionally, a poster presentation will share exploratory biomarker analyses of HER2 expression and gene amplification in tissue and baseline plasma ctDNA. A further oral presentation will feature the first report of primary results from DESTINY-PanTumor01 in patients with solid tumors that have specific HER2-activating mutations. A mini-oral presentation will feature post-hoc pooled efficacy and safety analyses of the DESTINY-Lung01 and DESTINY-Lung02 Phase II trials of ENHERTU in patients with HER2-mutated metastatic NSCLC with and without brain metastases. Several presentations will feature new data from the DESTINY-Breast clinical program for ENHERTU, including its efficacy in patients with brain metastases. Progressing next-wave treatments including best-in-class bispecifics Several presentations will share data from AstraZenecas portfolio of novel IO bispecific antibodies, underscoring the Companys investment in a robust clinical program for this next wave of IO therapy. These include: A mini-oral presentation of data from a Phase Ib trial of volrustomig (MEDI5752), a PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, in the 1st-line treatment of patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Another mini-oral presentation of safety and preliminary efficacy results from the Phase I/IIa first-in-human trial of sabestomig (AZD7789), a PD-1/TIM-3 bispecific antibody, in patients with Stages IIIb-IV NSCLC resistant to previous anti-PD(L)1 therapy. A poster presentation of data from the ARTEMIDE-01 Phase I trial assessing rilvegostomig (AZD2936), a PD-1/TIGIT bispecific antibody, in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Collaboration in the scientific community is critical to improving outcomes for patients. AstraZeneca is collaborating with Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited to develop and commercialize ENHERTU and datopotamab deruxtecan, and with Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the US and Canada, to develop and commercialize LYNPARZA both as a monotherapy and in combination with other potential medicines. Independently, the companies are developing LYNPARZA in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines, IMFINZI and pembrolizumab, in a number of tumor types. Key AstraZeneca presentations during ESMO 2023 Lead Author Abstract Title Presentation details (CEST) Antibody drug conjugates Datopotamab deruxtecan Ahn, M (presented by Lisberg, A) Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) vs docetaxel in previously treated advanced/metastatic (adv/met) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Results of the randomized phase 3 study TROPION-Lung01 Abstract #LBA12 Presidential 3 October 23, 2023 04:42 PM Bardia, A Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) vs chemotherapy in previously-treated inoperable or metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2) breast cancer (BC): Primary results from the randomized Phase 3 TROPION-Breast01 trial Abstract #LBA11 Presidential 3 October 23, 2023 04:30 PM Paz-Ares, L TROPION-Lung05: Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with actionable genomic alterations (AGAs) Abstract #1341MO Mini oral session 1 NSCLC, metastatic October 21, 2023 09:30 AM Schmid, P Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) + durvalumab (D) as first-line (1L) treatment for unresectable locally advanced/metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (a/mTNBC): updated results from BEGONIA, a phase 1b/2 study Abstract #379MO Mini oral session Breast cancer, metastatic October 22, 2023 08:30 AM ENHERTU Modi, S Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) Versus Treatment of Physicians Choice (TPC) in patients (pts) With HER2-Low Unresectable and/or Metastatic Breast Cancer (mBC): Updated Survival Results of the Randomized, Phase 3 DESTINY-Breast04 Study Abstract #376O Proffered Paper session Breast cancer, metastatic October 21, 2023 10:25 AM Hurvitz, S A Pooled Analysis of fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) in Patients (pts) With HER2-Positive (HER2+) Metastatic Breast Cancer (Mbc) With Brain Metastases (BMs) from DESTINY-Breast (DB) -01, 02, and -03 Abstract #377O Proffered Paper session Breast cancer, metastatic October 21, 2023 10:55 AM Li, B Efficacy and safety of fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) in patients (pts) with solid tumors harboring specific HER2- activating mutations (HER2m): primary results from the international phase 2 DESTINY- PanTumor01 (DPT-01) study Abstract #654O Proffered Paper session Developmental therapeutics October 22, 2023 09:20 AM Li, B Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) in Patients (pts) With HER2 (ERBB2)-Mutant (HER2m) Metastatic NonSmall Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) With and Without Brain Metastases (BMs): Pooled Analyses From DESTINY-Lung01 and DESTINY-Lung02 Abstract #1321MO Mini oral session 2 NSCLC, metastatic October 22, 2023 0:9:05 AM Meric-Bernstam, F Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) for pretreated patients (pts) with HER2- expressing solid tumors: primary analysis from the DESTINY-PanTumor02 (DP-02) study Abstract #LBA34 Mini oral session Developmental therapeutics October 23, 2023 04:40 PM Smit, E Baseline Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Biomarker Analysis of Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)- Overexpressing Metastatic NonSmall Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treated With Fam- trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) Abstract #151P e-Poster Biomarkers (agnostic) October 21, 2023 Tsurutani, J Subgroup Analysis of Patients (pts) With HER2-Low Metastatic Breast Cancer (mBC) With Brain Metastases (BMs) at Baseline From DESTINY-Breast04, A Randomized Phase 3 Study of Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) vs Treatment of Physicians Choice (TPC) Abstract #388P e-Poster Breast cancer, metastatic October 21, 2023 AZD5335 Meric-Bernstam, F FONTANA: A Phase 1/2a study of AZD5335 as monotherapy and in combination with anti- cancer agents in patients with solid tumors Abstract #819TiP e-Poster Gynecological cancers October 22, 2023 Immuno-oncology Westin, S Durvalumab (durva) plus carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) followed by maintenance (mtx) durva olaparib (ola) as a first line (1L) treatment for newly diagnosed advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC): results from the Phase III DUO-E/GOG-3041/ENGOT-EN10 trial Abstract #LBA41 Proffered Paper session 2 Gynecological cancers October 21, 2023 09:15 AM Janjigian, Y (presented by Al-Batran, S) Pathological complete response to 5- fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel (FLOT) chemotherapy with or without durvalumab in resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC): Interim results of the phase 3, randomized, double-blind MATTERHORN study Abstract #LBA73 Proffered Paper session 1 Gastrointestinal tumors, upper digestive October 20, 2023 02:10 PM Garassino, M Durvalumab (durva) after sequential chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients (pts) with unresectable Stage III NSCLC: Final analysis from PACIFIC-6 Abstract #LBA61 Mini oral session 2 Non-metastatic NSCLC and other thoracic malignancies October 23, 2023 03:20 PM Reck, M Associations of ctDNA clearance and pathological response with neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable NSCLC from the phase 3 AEGEAN trial Abstract #LBA59 Mini oral session 2 Non-metastatic NSCLC and other thoracic malignancies October 23, 2023 03:00 PM Filippi, A Durvalumab after radiotherapy (RT) in patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC ineligible for chemotherapy (CT): Primary results from the DUART study Abstract #LBA62 Mini oral session 2 Non-metastatic NSCLC and other thoracic malignancies October 23, 2023 03:30 PM Besse, B Safety and preliminary efficacy of AZD7789, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and TIM-3, in patients (pts) with stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with previous anti- PD-L(1) therapy Abstract #1313MO Mini oral session 1 NSCLC, metastatic October 21, 2023 09:15 AM Voss, M MEDI5752 (volrustomig), a novel PD-1/CTLA- 4 bispecific antibody, in the first-line (1L) treatment of 65 patients (pts) with advanced clear cell renal carcinoma (aRCC) Abstract #1883MO Mini oral session Genitourinary tumors, non-prostate October 22, 2023 11:25 AM Brandao, M Preliminary efficacy and safety of rilvegostomig (AZD2936), a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and TIGIT, in checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-pretreated advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ARTEMIDE-01 Abstract #1446P e-Poster NSCLC, metastatic October 23, 2023 He, A Potentially prognostic factors of overall survival in advanced biliary tract cancer in the randomized Phase 3 TOPAZ-1 study Abstract #102P e-Poster Biliary tract cancer, incl. cholangiocarcinoma October 23, 2023 Qin, S Efficacy and safety of durvalumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin in Chinese participants with advanced biliary tract cancer: extension cohort of the Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global TOPAZ-1 study Abstract #98P e-Poster Biliary tract cancer, incl. cholangiocarcinoma October 23, 2023 Tumor drivers and resistance Janne, P Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling in patients (pts) with EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) advanced NSCLC receiving osimertinib + chemotherapy vs osimertinib monotherapy: FLAURA2 Abstract #LBA68 Mini oral session 1 NSCLC, metastatic October 21, 2023 08:30 AM DNA damage response Mehra, N Efficacy of Olaparib (ola) + abiraterone (abi) vs placebo (pbo) + abi in the non-BRCA mutation (non-BRCAm) subgroup of patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCPRC) in the PROpel trial Abstract #1805P e-Poster Prostate cancer October 22, 2023 SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR TAGRISSO (osimertinib) There are no contraindications for TAGRISSO Interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis occurred in patients treated with TAGRISSO, some of which were fatal. Withhold TAGRISSO and promptly investigate for ILD in patients who present with worsening respiratory symptoms. Permanently discontinue if confirmed Monitor patients who have a history or predisposition for QTc prolongation or those who are taking medications that are known to prolong the QTc interval. Permanently discontinue TAGRISSO in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs/symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia Cardiomyopathy occurred in TAGRISSO-treated patients, some of which were fatal. Monitor patients with cardiac risk factors and assess left ventricular ejection fraction in patients who develop symptoms during treatment. Permanently discontinue TAGRISSO in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure Promptly refer patients with signs and symptoms of keratitis to an ophthalmologist Withhold TAGRISSO if erythema multiforme major, Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis is suspected and permanently discontinue if confirmed Withhold TAGRISSO if cutaneous vasculitis is suspected, evaluate for systemic involvement, and consider dermatology consultation. If no other etiology can be identified, consider permanent discontinuation of TAGRISSO based on severity Aplastic anemia, including fatal cases, has been reported in patients treated with TAGRISSO. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of aplastic anemia. If aplastic anemia is suspected, withhold TAGRISSO and obtain a hematology consultation. If aplastic anemia is confirmed, permanently discontinue TAGRISSO. Perform complete blood count with differential before starting TAGRISSO, periodically throughout treatment, and more frequently if indicated Verify pregnancy status of women prior to use. Advise women to use effective contraception during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 6 weeks after the final dose. Advise men to use effective contraception during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 4 months after the final dose Most common (20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, diarrhea, anemia, rash, musculoskeletal pain, nail toxicity, neutropenia, dry skin, stomatitis, fatigue, and cough INDICATIONS TAGRISSO is indicated as adjuvant therapy after tumor resection in adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test TAGRISSO is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test TAGRISSO is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC, as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed on or after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information for TAGRISSO. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR LYNPARZA (olaparib) CONTRAINDICATIONS There are no contraindications for LYNPARZA. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML): Occurred in approximately 1.5% of patients exposed to LYNPARZA monotherapy, and the majority of events had a fatal outcome. The median duration of therapy in patients who developed MDS/AML was 2 years (range: 10 years). All of these patients had previous chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents, including radiotherapy. Do not start LYNPARZA until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (Grade 1). Monitor complete blood count for cytopenia at baseline and monthly thereafter for clinically significant changes during treatment. For prolonged hematological toxicities, interrupt LYNPARZA and monitor blood count weekly until recovery. If the levels have not recovered to Grade 1 or less after 4 weeks, refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. Discontinue LYNPARZA if MDS/AML is confirmed. Pneumonitis: Occurred in 0.8% of patients exposed to LYNPARZA monotherapy, and some cases were fatal. If patients present with new or worsening respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever, or a radiological abnormality occurs, interrupt LYNPARZA treatment and initiate prompt investigation. Discontinue LYNPARZA if pneumonitis is confirmed and treat patient appropriately. Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): Including severe or fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) occurred in patients treated with LYNPARZA. In the combined data of two randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies (PROfound and PROpel) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (N=1180), VTE occurred in 8% of patients who received LYNPARZA, including pulmonary embolism in 6%. In the control arms, VTE occurred in 2.5%, including pulmonary embolism in 1.5%. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and treat as medically appropriate, which may include long-term anticoagulation as clinically indicated. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals, LYNPARZA can cause fetal harm. Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment. Females Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose. Males Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential or who are pregnant to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months following the last dose of LYNPARZA and to not donate sperm during this time. ADVERSE REACTIONSFirst-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 10% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the first-line maintenance setting for SOLO-1 were: nausea (77%), fatigue (67%), abdominal pain (45%), vomiting (40%), anemia (38%), diarrhea (37%), constipation (28%), upper respiratory tract infection/influenza/nasopharyngitis/bronchitis (28%), dysgeusia (26%), decreased appetite (20%), dizziness (20%), neutropenia (17%), dyspepsia (17%), dyspnea (15%), leukopenia (13%), urinary tract infection (13%), thrombocytopenia (11%), and stomatitis (11%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 25% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the first-line maintenance setting for SOLO-1 were: decrease in hemoglobin (87%), increase in mean corpuscular volume (87%), decrease in leukocytes (70%), decrease in lymphocytes (67%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (51%), decrease in platelets (35%), and increase in serum creatinine (34%). ADVERSE REACTIONSFirst-Line Maintenance Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Combination with Bevacizumab Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 10% of patients treated with LYNPARZA/bevacizumab and at a 5% frequency compared to placebo/bevacizumab in the first-line maintenance setting for PAOLA-1 were: nausea (53%), fatigue (including asthenia) (53%), anemia (41%), lymphopenia (24%), vomiting (22%), and leukopenia (18%). In addition, the most common adverse reactions (10%) for patients receiving LYNPARZA/bevacizumab irrespective of the frequency compared with the placebo/bevacizumab arm were: diarrhea (18%), neutropenia (18%), urinary tract infection (15%), and headache (14%). In addition, venous thromboembolism occurred more commonly in patients receiving LYNPARZA/bevacizumab (5%) than in those receiving placebo/bevacizumab (1.9%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 25% of patients for LYNPARZA in combination with bevacizumab in the first-line maintenance setting for PAOLA-1 were: decrease in hemoglobin (79%), decrease in lymphocytes (63%), increase in serum creatinine (61%), decrease in leukocytes (59%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (35%), and decrease in platelets (35%). ADVERSE REACTIONSMaintenance gBRCAm Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 20% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the maintenance setting for SOLO-2 were: nausea (76%), fatigue (including asthenia) (66%), anemia (44%), vomiting (37%), nasopharyngitis/upper respiratory tract infection (URI)/influenza (36%), diarrhea (33%), arthralgia/myalgia (30%), dysgeusia (27%), headache (26%), decreased appetite (22%), and stomatitis (20%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 25% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the maintenance setting for SOLO-2 were: increase in mean corpuscular volume (89%), decrease in hemoglobin (83%), decrease in leukocytes (69%), decrease in lymphocytes (67%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (51%), increase in serum creatinine (44%), and decrease in platelets (42%). ADVERSE REACTIONSAdjuvant Treatment of gBRCAm, HER2-Negative, High-Risk Early Breast Cancer Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 10% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the adjuvant setting for OlympiA were: nausea (57%), fatigue (including asthenia) (42%), anemia (24%), vomiting (23%), headache (20%), diarrhea (18%), leukopenia (17%), neutropenia (16%), decreased appetite (13%), dysgeusia (12%), dizziness (11%), and stomatitis (10%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 25% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the adjuvant setting for OlympiA were: decrease in lymphocytes (77%), increase in mean corpuscular volume (67%), decrease in hemoglobin (65%), decrease in leukocytes (64%), and decrease in absolute neutrophil count (39%). ADVERSE REACTIONSgBRCAm, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 20% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the metastatic setting for OlympiAD were: nausea (58%), anemia (40%), fatigue (including asthenia) (37%), vomiting (30%), neutropenia (27%), respiratory tract infection (27%), leukopenia (25%), diarrhea (21%), and headache (20%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 25% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the metastatic setting for OlympiAD were: decrease in hemoglobin (82%), decrease in lymphocytes (73%), decrease in leukocytes (71%), increase in mean corpuscular volume (71%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (46%), and decrease in platelets (33%). ADVERSE REACTIONSFirst-Line Maintenance gBRCAm Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 10% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the first-line maintenance setting for POLO were: fatigue (60%), nausea (45%), abdominal pain (34%), diarrhea (29%), anemia (27%), decreased appetite (25%), constipation (23%), vomiting (20%), back pain (19%), arthralgia (15%), rash (15%), thrombocytopenia (14%), dyspnea (13%), neutropenia (12%), nasopharyngitis (12%), dysgeusia (11%), and stomatitis (10%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 25% of patients who received LYNPARZA in the first-line maintenance setting for POLO were: increase in serum creatinine (99%), decrease in hemoglobin (86%), increase in mean corpuscular volume (71%), decrease in lymphocytes (61%), decrease in platelets (56%), decrease in leukocytes (50%), and decrease in absolute neutrophil count (25%). ADVERSE REACTIONSHRR Gene-mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 10% of patients who received LYNPARZA for PROfound were: anemia (46%), fatigue (including asthenia) (41%), nausea (41%), decreased appetite (30%), diarrhea (21%), vomiting (18%), thrombocytopenia (12%), cough (11%), and dyspnea (10%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 25% of patients who received LYNPARZA for PROfound were: decrease in hemoglobin (98%), decrease in lymphocytes (62%), decrease in leukocytes (53%), and decrease in absolute neutrophil count (34%). ADVERSE REACTIONSMetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in Combination with Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in 10% of patients who received LYNPARZA/abiraterone with a difference of 5% compared to placebo for PROpel were: anemia (48%), fatigue (including asthenia) (38%), nausea (30%), diarrhea (19%), decreased appetite (16%), lymphopenia (14%), dizziness (14%), and abdominal pain (13%). Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in 20% of patients who received LYNPARZA/abiraterone for PROpel were: decrease in hemoglobin (97%), decrease in lymphocytes (70%), decrease in platelets (23%), and decrease in absolute neutrophil count (23%). DRUG INTERACTIONS Anticancer Agents: Clinical studies of LYNPARZA with other myelosuppressive anticancer agents, including DNA-damaging agents, indicate a potentiation and prolongation of myelosuppressive toxicity. CYP3A Inhibitors: Avoid coadministration of strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors when using LYNPARZA. If a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor must be coadministered, reduce the dose of LYNPARZA. Advise patients to avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, and Seville orange juice during LYNPARZA treatment. CYP3A Inducers: Avoid coadministration of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers when using LYNPARZA. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: No data are available regarding the presence of olaparib in human milk, its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 1 month after receiving the final dose. Pediatric Use: The safety and efficacy of LYNPARZA have not been established in pediatric patients. Hepatic Impairment: No adjustment to the starting dose is required in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh classification A and B). There are no data in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh classification C). Renal Impairment: No dosage modification is recommended in patients with mild renal impairment (CLcr 51-80 mL/min estimated by Cockcroft-Gault). In patients with moderate renal impairment (CLcr 31-50 mL/min), reduce the dose of LYNPARZA to 200 mg twice daily. There are no data in patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease (CLcr 30 mL/min). INDICATIONS LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated: First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. First-Line Maintenance HRD-Positive Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Combination with Bevacizumab In combination with bevacizumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive status defined by either: a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, and/or mutation, and/or genomic instability Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. Maintenance BRCA-mutated Recurrent Ovarian Cancer For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. Adjuvant Treatment of gBRCAm, HER2-Negative, High-Risk Early Breast Cancer For the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. gBRCAm, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. First-Line Maintenance gBRCAm Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose disease has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. HRR Gene-mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. BRCAm Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in Combination with Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone In combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone (abi/pred) for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA. Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR IMFINZI (durvalumab) AND IMJUDO (tremelimumab-actl) There are no contraindications for IMFINZI (durvalumab) or IMJUDO (tremelimumab-actl). Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed under Warnings and Precautions may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time after starting treatment or after discontinuation. Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Evaluate clinical chemistries including liver enzymes, creatinine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level, and thyroid function at baseline and before each dose. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate. Withhold or permanently discontinue IMFINZI and IMJUDO depending on severity. See USPI Dosing and Administration for specific details. In general, if IMFINZI and IMJUDO requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 mg to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose immune-mediated adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy. Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, which may be fatal. The incidence of pneumonitis is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. IMFINZI as a Single Agent In patients who did not receive recent prior radiation, the incidence of immune-mediated pneumonitis was 2.4% (34/1414), including fatal ( The frequency and severity of immune-mediated pneumonitis in patients who did not receive definitive chemoradiation prior to IMFINZI were similar in patients who received IMFINZI as a single agent or with ES-SCLC or BTC when given in combination with chemotherapy. IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immunemediated pneumonitis occurred in 1.3% (5/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including fatal (0.3%) and Grade 3 (0.2%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.5% (21/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including fatal (0.5%), and Grade 3 (1%) adverse reactions. Immune-Mediated Colitis IMFINZI with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may be fatal. IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated colitis that is frequently associated with diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2% (37/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including Grade 4 ( IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immunemediated colitis or diarrhea occurred in 6% (23/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including Grade 3 (3.6%) adverse reactions. Intestinal perforation has been observed in other studies of IMFINZI and IMJUDO. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 6.5% (39/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy including fatal (0.2%) and Grade 3 (2.5%) adverse reactions. Intestinal perforation and large intestine perforation were reported in 0.1% of patients. Immune-Mediated Hepatitis IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis, which may be fatal. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 2.8% (52/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including fatal (0.2%), Grade 4 (0.3%) and Grade 3 (1.4%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immunemediated hepatitis occurred in 7.5% (29/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including fatal (0.8%), Grade 4 (0.3%) and Grade 3 (4.1%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 3.9% (23/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including fatal (0.3%), Grade 4 (0.5%), and Grade 3 (2%) adverse reactions. Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies Adrenal Insufficiency : IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.5% (9/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including Grade 3 ( IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency occurred in 1.5% (6/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including Grade 3 (0.3%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency occurred in 2.2% (13/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including Grade 3 (0.8%) adverse reactions. : IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Hypophysitis : IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field cuts. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate symptomatic treatment including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Grade 3 hypophysitis/hypopituitarism occurred in IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immune-mediated hypophysitis/hypopituitarism occurred in 1% (4/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated hypophysitis occurred in 1.3% (8/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including Grade 3 (0.5%) adverse reactions. : IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field cuts. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate symptomatic treatment including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Thyroid Disorders (Thyroiditis, Hyperthyroidism, and Hypothyroidism) : IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism or institute medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Immune-mediated thyroiditis occurred in 0.5% (9/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including Grade 3 ( Immune-mediated hyperthyroidism occurred in 2.1% (39/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI. Immune-mediated hypothyroidism occurred in 8.3% (156/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including Grade 3 ( IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immune-mediated thyroiditis occurred in 1.5% (6/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO. Immune-mediated hyperthyroidism occurred in 4.6% (18/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including Grade 3 (0.3%) adverse reactions. Immune-mediated hypothyroidism occurred in 11% (42/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated thyroiditis occurred in 1.2% (7/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy. Immune-mediated hyperthyroidism occurred in 5% (30/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including Grade 3 (0.2%) adverse reactions. Immune-mediated hypothyroidism occurred in 8.6% (51/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including Grade 3 (0.5%) adverse reactions. : IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism or institute medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, which can present with diabetic ketoacidosis : Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Grade 3 immune-mediated Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurred in IMFINZI with IMJUDO Two patients (0.5%, 2/388) had events of hyperglycemia requiring insulin therapy that had not resolved at last follow-up. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurred in 0.5% (3/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy including Grade 3 (0.3%) adverse reactions. : Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated nephritis. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.5% (10/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including Grade 3 ( IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 1% (4/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including Grade 3 (0.5%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.7% (4/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including Grade 3 (0.2%) adverse reactions. Immune-Mediated Dermatology Reactions IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), has occurred with PD-1/L-1 and CTLA-4 blocking antibodies. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate non-exfoliative rashes. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Immune-mediated rash or dermatitis occurred in 1.8% (34/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including Grade 3 (0.4%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO Immune-mediated rash or dermatitis occurred in 4.9% (19/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including Grade 4 (0.3%) and Grade 3 (1.5%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Immune-mediated rash or dermatitis occurred in 7.2% (43/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including Grade 3 (0.3%) adverse reactions. Immune-Mediated Pancreatitis IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO can cause immune-mediated pancreatitis. Immune-mediated pancreatitis occurred in 2.3% (9/388) of patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO, including Grade 4 (0.3%) and Grade 3 (1.5%) adverse reactions. Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions The following clinically significant, immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of less than 1% each in patients who received IMFINZI and IMJUDO or were reported with the use of other immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Cardiac/vascular : Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis. : Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis. Nervous system : Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barre syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy. : Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barre syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy. Ocular : Uveitis, iritis, and other ocular inflammatory toxicities can occur. Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment to include blindness can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. : Uveitis, iritis, and other ocular inflammatory toxicities can occur. Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment to include blindness can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. Gastrointestinal : Pancreatitis including increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis. : Pancreatitis including increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders : Myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatic. : Myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatic. Endocrine : Hypoparathyroidism. : Hypoparathyroidism. Other (hematologic/immune): Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenia, solid organ transplant rejection. Infusion-Related Reactions IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions. Interrupt, slow the rate of, or permanently discontinue IMFINZI and IMJUDO based on the severity. See USPI Dosing and Administration for specific details. For Grade 1 or 2 infusion-related reactions, consider using pre-medications with subsequent doses. IMFINZI as a Single Agent Infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.2% (42/1889) of patients receiving IMFINZI, including Grade 3 (0.3%) adverse reactions. IMFINZI with IMJUDO Infusion-related reactions occurred in 10 (2.6%) patients receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO. IMFINZI with IMJUDO and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.9% (17/596) of patients receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, including Grade 3 (0.3%) adverse reactions. Complications of Allogeneic HSCT after IMFINZI Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before or after being treated with a PD-1/L-1 blocking antibody. Transplant-related complications include hyperacute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after reduced intensity conditioning, and steroid-requiring febrile syndrome (without an identified infectious cause). These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between PD-1/L-1 blockade and allogeneic HSCT. Follow patients closely for evidence of transplant-related complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit versus risks of treatment with a PD-1/L-1 blocking antibody prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on their mechanism of action and data from animal studies, IMFINZI and IMJUDO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. In females of reproductive potential, verify pregnancy status prior to initiating IMFINZI and IMJUDO and advise them to use effective contraception during treatment with IMFINZI and IMJUDO and for 3 months after the last dose of IMFINZI and IMJUDO. Lactation There is no information regarding the presence of IMFINZI and IMJUDO in human milk; however, because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from IMFINZI and IMJUDO, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose. Adverse Reactions In patients with Stage III NSCLC in the PACIFIC study receiving IMFINZI (n=475), the most common adverse reactions (20%) were cough (40%), fatigue (34%), pneumonitis or radiation pneumonitis (34%), upper respiratory tract infections (26%), dyspnea (25%), and rash (23%). The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (3%) were pneumonia (7%) and pneumonitis/radiation pneumonitis (3.4%). In patients with Stage III NSCLC in the PACIFIC study receiving IMFINZI (n=475), discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 15% of patients in the IMFINZI arm. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 29% of patients receiving IMFINZI. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (2%) were pneumonitis or radiation pneumonitis (7%) and pneumonia (6%). Fatal pneumonitis or radiation pneumonitis and fatal pneumonia occurred in In patients with mNSCLC in the POSEIDON study receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO plus platinum-based chemotherapy (n=330), the most common adverse reactions (occurring in 20% of patients) were nausea (42%), fatigue (36%), musculoskeletal pain (29%), decreased appetite (28%), rash (27%), and diarrhea (22%). In patients with mNSCLC in the POSEIDON study receiving IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy (n=330), permanent discontinuation of IMFINZI or IMJUDO due to an adverse reaction occurred in 17% of patients. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 44% of patients, with the most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients being pneumonia (11%), anemia (5%), diarrhea (2.4%), thrombocytopenia (2.4%), pyrexia (2.4%), and febrile neutropenia (2.1%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in a total of 4.2% of patients. In patients with extensive-stage SCLC in the CASPIAN study receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy (n=265), the most common adverse reactions (20%) were nausea (34%), fatigue/asthenia (32%), and alopecia (31%). The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction (3%) was fatigue/asthenia (3.4%). In patients with extensive-stage SCLC in the CASPIAN study receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy (n=265), IMFINZI was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 7% of the patients receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 31% of patients receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 1% of patients were febrile neutropenia (4.5%), pneumonia (2.3%), anemia (1.9%), pancytopenia (1.5%), pneumonitis (1.1%), and COPD (1.1%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.9% of patients receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy. In patients with locally advanced or metastatic BTC in the TOPAZ-1 study receiving IMFINZI (n=338), the most common adverse reactions (occurring in 20% of patients) were fatigue (42%), nausea (40%), constipation (32%), decreased appetite (26%), abdominal pain (24%), rash (23%), and pyrexia (20%). In patients with locally advanced or metastatic BTC in the TOPAZ-1 study receiving IMFINZI (n=338), discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 6% of the patients receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients were cholangitis (7%), pyrexia (3.8%), anemia (3.6%), sepsis (3.3%) and acute kidney injury (2.4%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.6% of patients receiving IMFINZI plus chemotherapy. These include ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (4 patients), sepsis (2 patients), and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (2 patients). In patients with unresectable HCC in the HIMALAYA study receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO (n=388), the most common adverse reactions (occurring in 20% of patients) were rash (32%), diarrhea (27%), fatigue (26%), pruritus (23%), musculoskeletal pain (22%), and abdominal pain (20%). In patients with unresectable HCC in the HIMALAYA study receiving IMFINZI and IMJUDO (n=388), serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients. Serious adverse reactions in >1% of patients included hemorrhage (6%), diarrhea (4%), sepsis (2.1%), pneumonia (2.1%), rash (1.5%), vomiting (1.3%), acute kidney injury (1.3%), and anemia (1.3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 8% of patients who received IMJUDO in combination with durvalumab, including death (1%), hemorrhage intracranial (0.5%), cardiac arrest (0.5%), pneumonitis (0.5%), hepatic failure (0.5%), and immune-mediated hepatitis (0.5%). Permanent discontinuation of treatment regimen due to an adverse reaction occurred in 14% of patients. The safety and effectiveness of IMFINZI and IMJUDO have not been established in pediatric patients. Indications: IMFINZI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy. IMFINZI, in combination with IMJUDO and platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC with no sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumor aberrations. IMFINZI, in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). IMFINZI, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC). IMFINZI in combination with IMJUDO is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). Please see Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide for IMFINZI and IMJUDO. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ENHERTU (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) Indications ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either: In the metastatic setting, or In the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy Unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within 6 months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy Unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen WARNING: INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE and EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pneumonitis, including fatal cases, have been reported with ENHERTU. Monitor for and promptly investigate signs and symptoms including cough, dyspnea, fever, and other new or worsening respiratory symptoms. Permanently discontinue ENHERTU in all patients with Grade 2 or higher ILD/pneumonitis. Advise patients of the risk and to immediately report symptoms. Exposure to ENHERTU during pregnancy can cause embryo-fetal harm. Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective contraception. Contraindications None. Warnings and Precautions Interstitial Lung Disease / Pneumonitis Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pneumonitis, can occur in patients treated with ENHERTU. A higher incidence of Grade 1 and 2 ILD/pneumonitis has been observed in patients with moderate renal impairment. Advise patients to immediately report cough, dyspnea, fever, and/or any new or worsening respiratory symptoms. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of ILD. Promptly investigate evidence of ILD. Evaluate patients with suspected ILD by radiographic imaging. Consider consultation with a pulmonologist. For asymptomatic ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 1), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 0, then if resolved in 28 days from date of onset, maintain dose. If resolved in >28 days from date of onset, reduce dose one level. Consider corticosteroid treatment as soon as ILD/pneumonitis is suspected (e.g., 0.5 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent). For symptomatic ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 2 or greater), permanently discontinue ENHERTU. Promptly initiate systemic corticosteroid treatment as soon as ILD/pneumonitis is suspected (e.g., 1 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent) and continue for at least 14 days followed by gradual taper for at least 4 weeks. Metastatic Breast Cancer and HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg) In patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, ILD occurred in 12% of patients. Fatal outcomes due to ILD and/or pneumonitis occurred in 1.0% of patients treated with ENHERTU. Median time to first onset was 5 months (range: 0.9 to 23). Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer (6.4 mg/kg) In patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, ILD occurred in 10% of patients. Median time to first onset was 2.8 months (range: 1.2 to 21). Neutropenia Severe neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia, can occur in patients treated with ENHERTU. Monitor complete blood counts prior to initiation of ENHERTU and prior to each dose, and as clinically indicated. For Grade 3 neutropenia (Absolute Neutrophil Count [ANC] 38.3 C or a sustained temperature of 38 C for more than 1 hour), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved, then reduce dose by one level. Metastatic Breast Cancer and HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg) In patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, a decrease in neutrophil count was reported in 65% of patients. Sixteen percent had Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophil count. Median time to first onset of decreased neutrophil count was 22 days (range: 2 to 664). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 1.1% of patients. Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer (6.4 mg/kg) In patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, a decrease in neutrophil count was reported in 72% of patients. Fifty-one percent had Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophil count. Median time to first onset of decreased neutrophil count was 16 days (range: 4 to 187). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 4.8% of patients. Left Ventricular Dysfunction Patients treated with ENHERTU may be at increased risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease has been observed with anti-HER2 therapies, including ENHERTU. Assess LVEF prior to initiation of ENHERTU and at regular intervals during treatment as clinically indicated. Manage LVEF decrease through treatment interruption. When LVEF is >45% and absolute decrease from baseline is 10-20%, continue treatment with ENHERTU. When LVEF is 40-45% and absolute decrease from baseline is 20%, interrupt ENHERTU and repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If LVEF of 20% is confirmed, permanently discontinue ENHERTU. Permanently discontinue ENHERTU in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure. Treatment with ENHERTU has not been studied in patients with a history of clinically significant cardiac disease or LVEF Metastatic Breast Cancer and HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg) In patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, LVEF decrease was reported in 3.6% of patients, of which 0.4% were Grade 3. Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer (6.4 mg/kg) In patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, no clinical adverse events of heart failure were reported; however, on echocardiography, 8% were found to have asymptomatic Grade 2 decrease in LVEF. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of ENHERTU. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose of ENHERTU. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 4 months after the last dose of ENHERTU. Additional Dose Modifications Thrombocytopenia For Grade 3 thrombocytopenia (platelets Adverse Reactions Metastatic Breast Cancer and HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg) The pooled safety population reflects exposure to ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks in 984 patients in Study DS8201-A-J101 (NCT02564900), DESTINY-Breast01, DESTINY-Breast03, DESTINY-Breast04, and DESTINY-Lung02. Among these patients 65% were exposed for >6 months and 39% were exposed for >1 year. In this pooled safety population, the most common (20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (76%), decreased white blood cell count (71%), decreased hemoglobin (66%), decreased neutrophil count (65%), decreased lymphocyte count (55%), fatigue (54%), decreased platelet count (47%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (48%), vomiting (44%), increased alanine aminotransferase (42%), alopecia (39%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (39%), constipation (34%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), decreased appetite (32%), hypokalemia (28%), diarrhea (28%), and respiratory infection (24%). HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer DESTINY-Breast03 The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 257 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who received at least one dose of ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every three weeks in DESTINY-Breast03. The median duration of treatment was 14 months (range: 0.7 to 30). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 19% of patients receiving ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions in >1% of patients who received ENHERTU were vomiting, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, pyrexia, and urinary tract infection. Fatalities due to adverse reactions occurred in 0.8% of patients including COVID-19 and sudden death (one patient each). ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 14% of patients, of which ILD/pneumonitis accounted for 8%. Dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 44% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose interruption were neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pneumonia, nausea, fatigue, and ILD/pneumonitis. Dose reductions occurred in 21% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose reduction were nausea, neutropenia, and fatigue. The most common (20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (76%), decreased white blood cell count (74%), decreased neutrophil count (70%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (67%), decreased hemoglobin (64%), decreased lymphocyte count (55%), increased alanine aminotransferase (53%), decreased platelet count (52%), fatigue (49%), vomiting (49%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (49%), alopecia (37%), hypokalemia (35%), constipation (34%), musculoskeletal pain (31%), diarrhea (29%), decreased appetite (29%), respiratory infection (22%), headache (22%), abdominal pain (21%), increased blood bilirubin (20%), and stomatitis (20%). HER2-Low Metastatic Breast Cancer DESTINY-Breast04 The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 371 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who received ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks in DESTINY-Breast04. The median duration of treatment was 8 months (range: 0.2 to 33) for patients who received ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 28% of patients receiving ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions in >1% of patients who received ENHERTU were ILD/pneumonitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, sepsis, anemia, febrile neutropenia, hypercalcemia, nausea, pyrexia, and vomiting. Fatalities due to adverse reactions occurred in 4% of patients including ILD/pneumonitis (3 patients); sepsis (2 patients); and ischemic colitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, dyspnea, febrile neutropenia, general physical health deterioration, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure (1 patient each). ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 16% of patients, of which ILD/pneumonitis accounted for 8%. Dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 39% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose interruption were neutropenia, fatigue, anemia, leukopenia, COVID-19, ILD/pneumonitis, increased transaminases, and hyperbilirubinemia. Dose reductions occurred in 23% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose reduction were fatigue, nausea, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. The most common (20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (76%), decreased white blood cell count (70%), decreased hemoglobin (64%), decreased neutrophil count (64%), decreased lymphocyte count (55%), fatigue (54%), decreased platelet count (44%), alopecia (40%), vomiting (40%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (38%), increased alanine aminotransferase (36%), constipation (34%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (34%), decreased appetite (32%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), diarrhea (27%), and hypokalemia (25%). Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg) DESTINY-Lung02 evaluated two dose levels (5.4 mg/kg [n=101] and 6.4 mg/kg [n=50]); however, only the results for the recommended dose of 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks are described below due to increased toxicity observed with the higher dose in patients with NSCLC, including ILD/pneumonitis. The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 101 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-mutant NSCLC who received ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every three weeks in DESTINYLung02. Nineteen percent of patients were exposed for >6 months. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients receiving ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions in >1% of patients who received ENHERTU were ILD/pneumonitis, thrombocytopenia, dyspnea, nausea, pleural effusion, and increased troponin I. Fatality occurred in 1 patient with suspected ILD/pneumonitis (1%). ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 8% of patients. Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of ENHERTU were ILD/pneumonitis, diarrhea, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, myocarditis, and vomiting. Dose interruptions of ENHERTU due to adverse reactions occurred in 23% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dose interruption (>2%) included neutropenia and ILD/pneumonitis. Dose reductions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 11% of patients. The most common (20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (61%), decreased white blood cell count (60%), decreased hemoglobin (58%), decreased neutrophil count (52%), decreased lymphocyte count (43%), decreased platelet count (40%), decreased albumin (39%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (35%), increased alanine aminotransferase (34%), fatigue (32%), constipation (31%), decreased appetite (30%), vomiting (26%), increased alkaline phosphatase (22%), and alopecia (21%). Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer (6.4 mg/kg) The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 187 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma in DESTINY-Gastric01. Patients intravenously received at least one dose of either ENHERTU (N=125) 6.4 mg/kg every 3 weeks or either irinotecan (N=55) 150 mg/m2 biweekly or paclitaxel (N=7) 80 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks. The median duration of treatment was 4.6 months (range: 0.7 to 22.3) for patients who received ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 44% of patients receiving ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg. Serious adverse reactions in >2% of patients who received ENHERTU were decreased appetite, ILD, anemia, dehydration, pneumonia, cholestatic jaundice, pyrexia, and tumor hemorrhage. Fatalities due to adverse reactions occurred in 2.4% of patients: disseminated intravascular coagulation, large intestine perforation, and pneumonia occurred in one patient each (0.8%). ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 15% of patients, of which ILD accounted for 6%. Dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 62% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose interruption were neutropenia, anemia, decreased appetite, leukopenia, fatigue, thrombocytopenia, ILD, pneumonia, lymphopenia, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, and hypokalemia. Dose reductions occurred in 32% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose reduction were neutropenia, decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, and febrile neutropenia. The most common (20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were decreased hemoglobin (75%), decreased white blood cell count (74%), decreased neutrophil count (72%), decreased lymphocyte count (70%), decreased platelet count (68%), nausea (63%), decreased appetite (60%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (58%), fatigue (55%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (54%), increased alanine aminotransferase (47%), diarrhea (32%), hypokalemia (30%), vomiting (26%), constipation (24%), increased blood bilirubin (24%), pyrexia (24%), and alopecia (22%). Use in Specific Populations Pregnancy: ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. There are clinical considerations if ENHERTU is used in pregnant women, or if a patient becomes pregnant within 7 months after the last dose of ENHERTU. ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. There are clinical considerations if ENHERTU is used in pregnant women, or if a patient becomes pregnant within 7 months after the last dose of ENHERTU. Lactation: There are no data regarding the presence of ENHERTU in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose. There are no data regarding the presence of ENHERTU in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose. Females and Males of Reproductive Potential: Pregnancy testing : Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of ENHERTU. Contraception : Females : ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose. Males : Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 4 months after the last dose. Infertility : ENHERTU may impair male reproductive function and fertility. : Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of ENHERTU. : : ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose. : Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 4 months after the last dose. : ENHERTU may impair male reproductive function and fertility. Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of ENHERTU have not been established in pediatric patients. Safety and effectiveness of ENHERTU have not been established in pediatric patients. Geriatric Use: Of the 883 patients with breast cancer treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, 22% were 65 years and 3.6% were 75 years. No overall differences in efficacy within clinical studies were observed between patients 65 years of age compared to younger patients. There was a higher incidence of Grade 3-4 adverse reactions observed in patients aged 65 years (60%) as compared to younger patients (48%). Of the 101 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, 40% were 65 years and 8% were 75 years. No overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between patients 65 years of age compared to younger patients. Of the 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg in DESTINY-Gastric01, 56% were 65 years and 14% were 75 years. No overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between patients 65 years of age compared to younger patients. Of the 883 patients with breast cancer treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, 22% were 65 years and 3.6% were 75 years. No overall differences in efficacy within clinical studies were observed between patients 65 years of age compared to younger patients. There was a higher incidence of Grade 3-4 adverse reactions observed in patients aged 65 years (60%) as compared to younger patients (48%). Of the 101 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, 40% were 65 years and 8% were 75 years. No overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between patients 65 years of age compared to younger patients. Of the 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg in DESTINY-Gastric01, 56% were 65 years and 14% were 75 years. No overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between patients 65 years of age compared to younger patients. Renal Impairment: A higher incidence of Grade 1 and 2 ILD/pneumonitis has been observed in patients with moderate renal impairment. Monitor patients with moderate renal impairment more frequently. The recommended dosage of ENHERTU has not been established for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr A higher incidence of Grade 1 and 2 ILD/pneumonitis has been observed in patients with moderate renal impairment. Monitor patients with moderate renal impairment more frequently. The recommended dosage of ENHERTU has not been established for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr Hepatic Impairment: In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, due to potentially increased exposure, closely monitor for increased toxicities related to the topoisomerase inhibitor. The recommended dosage of ENHERTU has not been established for patients with severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >3 times ULN and any AST). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. at 1-877-437-7763 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or fda.gov/medwatch. Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide. Notes AstraZeneca in oncology AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients. The Companys focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience. AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death. About AstraZeneca AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on social media @AstraZeneca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011196376/en/ Media Inquiries Brendan McEvoy +1 302 885 2677 Chelsea Ford +1 302 885 2677 US Media Mailbox: [email protected] Source: AstraZeneca Q3 2023 revenue at 5.0 million, up 15% vs. Q3 2022 Order backlog1 to 11.7 million at September 30, 2023, down 12% compared to September 30, 2022 Order intake in Q3 2023 of 6.1 million, almost stable compared to Q3 2022 Significant order intake of $7.8 million in the United States early October Financial position and outlook ARCUEIL, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: BALYO (FR0013258399, Ticker: BALYO) (Paris: BALYO), technology leader in the design and development of innovative robotic solutions for industrial trucks, today announces its sales for the 3rd quarter of 2023. Pascal Rialland, CEO of BALYO, said: Third-quarter sales are up 15% compared with third quarter 2022, mainly driven by a strong inbound in business in the United States. Order intake was stable compared with Q3 2022, nonetheless, the level of direct sales remains below our forecasts. From now until the end of the year, we will be concentrating our efforts on maintaining this sales momentum and rigorously managing our cost base to preserve our cash flow". In thousands of euros Q3 2022 Q3 2023 9M 2022 9M 2023 Change Q3-23/Q3-22 Change 9M-23/9M-22 EMEA region 3,874 3,154 11,117 13,954 -19% +26% Americas region 348 1,790 1,194 5,049 +415% +323% APAC region 92 14 291 825 -84% +184% Sales revenue reported* 4,314 4,959 12,603 19,829 +15% +57% *Unaudited data Q3 2023 activity BALYO recorded sales of 5.0 million during the 3rd quarter of 2023, up 15% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2022. Sales generated over the first nine months of the year amounted to 19.8 million, an increase by 57% compared to the corresponding period in 2022. After the integration of 6.1 million in orders for the 3rd quarter of 2023, the order backlog stands at 11.7 million at September 30, 2023, down 12% compared with September 30, 2022. Over the first nine months, direct order intake represented 27% of the total, a level unchanged with 2022. The order intake was primarily registered in the EMEA region. Signing of a major order in the United States BALYO has recently signed a significant order of $7.8 million in the United States. First deliveries are expected for the first quarter of 2024. Financial position and outlook On September 30, 2023, BALYOs cash position stood at 3.3 million vs. 2.2 million as at June 30, 2023, including a total to date of 3 million drawdown on convertible bonds subscribed by a 100% owned subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. In June 2023, BALYO has entered into an agreement with its senior creditors regarding the extension of its existing financing, for which the Company was not in a position to meet upcoming payment deadlines. Indeed, BALYO's cash flow forecasts, as previously established prior to this agreement, indicated uncovered financing requirements for September 2023 due to negative operating cash flow and repayment deadlines for state-guaranteed bank loans known as "PGE". It thus appeared necessary to postpone the repayment of the PGEs and these discussions led to an agreement with Balyo's creditors on a deferred payment divided into 2 periods: a firm period running until September 30, 2023, and a conditional period running from October 1 to December 31, 2023, subject to a fundraising of 10 million (repayments will otherwise resume on the basis of the amortization schedule in January 2023). The Company has requested the extension of the payment period until December 31, 2023 to the creditors. It should receive a decision by the end of October. After taking into account the remaining convertible bond issues with SoftBank Group and the postponement of payment deadlines to 2024 granted to BALYO by one of its main suppliers, the press release of September 18 stated that the cash position would be positive until early 2024. Since then, the above-indicated order intake amounting to $7.8 million in early October will generate a down payment of 50% of this amount in early November, which leads to cash flow forecasts improvement, but the cash position is expected to remain tight through the end of the first quarter of 2024. About BALYO Humans around the World deserve enriching and creative jobs. At BALYO, we believe that pallet movements in DC and manufacturing sites should be left to fully autonomous robots. To execute this ambition, BALYO transforms standard forklifts into intelligent robots thanks to its breakthrough Driven by Balyo technology. Our leading geo guidance navigation system enables robots to locate their position and navigate autonomously inside buildings - without the need for any additional infrastructure. To accelerate the material handling market conversion to autonomy, BALYO has entered into two global partnerships with KION (Fenwick-Linde's parent company) and Hyster-Yale Group. A full range of globally available robots has been developed for virtually all traditional warehousing applications; Tractor, Pallet, Stackers, Reach and VNA-robots. BALYO and its subsidiaries in Boston and Singapore serve clients in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The company has been listed on EURONEXT since 2017 and its sales revenue reached 24.1 million in 2022. For more information, visit www.balyo.com. 1 The backlog refers to all orders for projects received but not yet fulfilled. The backlog evolves every quarter following the taking into account of new orders, the revenue generated by projects during the period and the cancellation of orders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011966805/en/ BALYO Frank Chuffart [email protected] NewCap Financial Communication and Investor Relations Thomas Grojean / Aurelie Manavarere Phone: +33 1 44 71 94 94 [email protected] Source: BALYO Late-breaking data from the DAYBREAK and RADIANCE trials show similarly low rates of progression independent relapse activity (PIRA) and relapse-associated worsening (RAW) after eight years of follow-up First interim readout from Phase 3b ENLIGHTEN trial shows almost half of patients with early relapsing multiple sclerosis have clinically meaningful improvement in cognitive functioning compared to baseline after one year of Zeposia treatment Results add to the growing body of evidence and reinforce the safety and efficacy profile of Zeposia in relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced new data showing that after eight years of follow-up, 76% of patients treated with Zeposia for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) were free of six-month confirmed disability progression (CDP). Findings also demonstrated treatment with Zeposia resulted in low rates of progression independent relapse activity (PIRA) and relapse-associated worsening (RAW), key drivers of disease progression and permanent disability in multiple sclerosis. In all participants, PIRA and RAW were observed in 13.2% and 10.7% of participants treated with continuous Zeposia, respectively, after eight years in the open-label extension study. Higher baseline expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores to assess CDP and lower baseline whole brain, cortical grey matter and thalamic volumes were predictive of RAW but not PIRA. The new late-breaking data (#P368) will be presented on October 11, 2023, at the 9th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting taking place in Milan, Italy. Even in the absence of relapses, people living with multiple sclerosis may have smoldering neuroinflammation, which is underlying and continuous disease activity occurring simultaneously in different areas of the brain that can start at the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis and cause an irreversible decline in cognitive function, mobility and quality of life, said Jeffrey Cohen, MD, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio and a paid consultant of Bristol Myers Squibb. Given literature has shown that 25% of people living with multiple sclerosis develop PIRA after approximately seven years, these new analyses are relevant for doctors and patients as they consider early intervention with highly effective therapies to hinder smoldering disease, an important, early driver of long-term disability and relapses, the hallmarks of disease progression. The analyses of PIRA and RAW included 363 patients who received continuous Zeposia treatment in the Phase 3 DAYBREAK open-label extension trial, following completion of the Phase 3 RADIANCE trial. Among patients with CDP, 54.5% and 44.3% had PIRA or RAW, respectively, and 8% had both. Cognitive Functioning Analysis in ENLIGHTEN Trial Shows Clinically Meaningful Improvement with Zeposia Treatment The Phase 3b ENLIGHTEN study is a trial evaluating patients with early RMS, the majority (70.3%) of whom have not received disease modifying therapies. Interim ad hoc data (poster presentation #P690) showed that after one year of Zeposia treatment, almost half (47.4%, 55/116) of patients living with early RMS showed clinically meaningful improvement in cognitive functioning, defined as an increase of at least four points or 10% from baseline as measured by the symbol digital modalities test (SDMT); 25.9% (30/116) remained stable in their cognitive function as evidenced by a plus or minus four points or 10% change in SDMT versus baseline; and 26.7% (31/116) worsened as evidenced by a decrease of at least four points or 10% in SDMT versus baseline. Additionally, ENLIGHTEN participants had little clinical or radiologic evidence of RMS disease activity during that year, with 91.9% of patients free of gadolinium-enhancing lesions at Month 12 (95% CI: 84.2, 96.0). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed from the start of the ENLIGHTEN trial (January 16, 2020) through the data cutoff (February 14, 2023) and showed that COVID-19 was the most frequent TEAE, with other common TEAEs largely consistent with those reported in the overall Zeposia clinical development program. These new data underscore Zeposias potential to delay disease progression and improve cognitive function, especially in individuals with early relapsing multiple sclerosis, said Roland Chen, MD, senior vice president and head, Immunology, Cardiovascular and Neuroscience Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. With our focus on transformational science, we remain deeply committed to finding solutions to elevate care for the multiple sclerosis community. Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators who participated in the Zeposia clinical trials. About DAYBREAK DAYBREAK is a Phase 3, multi-center, long-term open-label extension, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, parallel group study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zeposia (ozanimod) administered orally to patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Eligible patients from the RADIANCE, SUNBEAM and RPC01-1001 trials diagnosed with RMS are enrolled to receive treatment until the end of the DAYBREAK trial or until the development program is discontinued. Patients in the trial are receiving Zeposia 0.92 mg (equivalent to 1 mg). About RADIANCE RADIANCE Part B was a pivotal, Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral Zeposia 0.92 mg (equivalent to 1 mg) against weekly intramuscular Avonex (interferon beta-1a) over a 24-month treatment period. The study included 1,320 people living with RMS across 150 sites in 21 countries. The primary endpoint of the trial was annualized relapse rates over 24 months. The secondary MRI endpoints included the number of new or enlarging hyperintense T2-weighted brain MRI lesions over 24 months. About SUNBEAM SUNBEAM was a pivotal, Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of two doses of oral Zeposia (0.92 mg and 0.46 mg, equivalent to 1 mg and 0.5 mg, respectively) against weekly intramuscular Avonex for at least a 12-month treatment period. The study included 1,346 people living with RMS across 152 sites in 20 countries. The primary endpoint of the trial was annualized relapse rates during the treatment period. The secondary MRI endpoints included the number of new or enlarging hyperintense T2-weighted brain MRI lesions over 12 months, number of gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI lesions at Month 12 and percent change from baseline in whole brain volume at Month 12. Cortical grey and thalamic volume changes were also prospectively assessed versus active comparator. About ENLIGHTEN ENLIGHTEN is a Phase 3b, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study evaluating the change from baseline in cognitive processing speed, measured by the symbol digital modalities test, in patients with RMS treated with oral Zeposia (0.92 mg, equivalent to 1mg) at three years. The primary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful increase in raw score of greater than or equal to four points or 10% from baseline (improved at three years). The secondary MRI endpoints include the number of new or enlarging hyperintense T2-weighted brain MRI and their volumes from baseline to three years. About Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling, unpredictable disease in which the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath that covers the nerves. The myelin damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Ultimately, the nerves themselves may deterioratea process that's currently irreversible. MS affects 700,000 people in Europe and approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. RMS, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease, is characterized by clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacksoften called relapses, flare-ups or exacerbationsare followed by partial or complete recovery periods. During these recovery periods, also called remissions, symptoms improve partially or completely with no apparent progression of disease. However, smoldering neuroinflammation can be present from the earliest stages of MS, which is underlying and continuous disease activity occurring simultaneously in different areas of the brain that contributes to disability accumulation. Since MS relapses are unpredictable, patients can feel frustrated, stressed or scared when they occur. RMS is the most common disease course at the time of diagnosis. Approximately 85% of patients are initially diagnosed with RMS, compared with 10%-15% diagnosed with progressive forms of the disease. About Zeposia (ozanimod) Zeposia (ozanimod) is an oral, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator that binds with high affinity to S1P receptors 1 and 5. Zeposia blocks the capacity of lymphocytes to egress from lymph nodes, reducing the number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood. The mechanism by which Zeposia exerts therapeutic effects in multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown but may involve the reduction of lymphocyte migration into the central nervous system. Zeposia is approved in numerous countries around the world for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of MS and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. U.S. FDA APPROVED INDICATIONS ZEPOSIA (ozanimod) is indicated for the treatment of: Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Contraindications: Patients who in the last 6 months, experienced myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization, or Class III/IV heart failure or have a presence of Mobitz type II second-degree or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, sick sinus syndrome, or sino-atrial block, unless the patient has a functioning pacemaker Patients with severe untreated sleep apnea Patients taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor Infections: ZEPOSIA may increase the susceptibility to infections. Life-threatening and rare fatal infections have occurred in patients receiving ZEPOSIA. Obtain a recent (i.e., within 6 months or after discontinuation of prior MS or UC therapy) complete blood count (CBC) including lymphocyte count before initiation of ZEPOSIA. Delay initiation of ZEPOSIA in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Consider interruption of treatment with ZEPOSIA if a patient develops a serious infection. Continue monitoring for infections up to 3 months after discontinuing ZEPOSIA. Herpes zoster was reported as an adverse reaction in ZEPOSIA-treated patients. Herpes simplex encephalitis and varicella zoster meningitis have been reported with sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators. Patients without a healthcare professional-confirmed history of varicella (chickenpox), or without documentation of a full course of vaccination against varicella zoster virus (VZV), should be tested for antibodies to VZV before initiating ZEPOSIA. A full course of vaccination for antibody-negative patients with varicella vaccine is recommended prior to commencing treatment with ZEPOSIA. Cases of fatal cryptococcal meningitis (CM) were reported in patients treated with another S1P receptor modulator. If CM is suspected, ZEPOSIA should be suspended until cryptococcal infection has been excluded. If CM is diagnosed, appropriate treatment should be initiated. In the MS and UC clinical studies, patients who received ZEPOSIA were not to receive concomitant treatment with antineoplastic, non-corticosteroid immunosuppressive, or immune-modulating therapies used for treatment of MS and UC. Concomitant use of ZEPOSIA with any of these therapies would be expected to increase the risk of immunosuppression. When switching to ZEPOSIA from immunosuppressive medications, consider the duration of their effects and their mode of action to avoid unintended additive immunosuppressive effects. Use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided during and for 3 months after treatment with ZEPOSIA. If live attenuated vaccine immunizations are required, administer at least 1 month prior to initiation of ZEPOSIA. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain that typically occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability. PML has been reported in patients treated with S1P receptor modulators, including ZEPOSIA, and other MS and UC therapies and has been associated with some risk factors. If PML is suspected, withhold ZEPOSIA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. If confirmed, treatment with ZEPOSIA should be discontinued. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) has been reported in MS patients treated with S1P receptor modulators who developed PML and subsequently discontinued treatment. IRIS presents as a clinical decline in the patients condition that may be rapid, can lead to serious neurological complications or death, and is often associated with characteristic changes on MRI. The time to onset of IRIS in patients with PML was generally within a few months after S1P receptor modulator discontinuation. Monitoring for development of IRIS and appropriate treatment of the associated inflammation should be undertaken. Bradyarrhythmia and Atrioventricular Conduction Delays: Since initiation of ZEPOSIA may result in a transient decrease in heart rate and atrioventricular conduction delays, dose titration is recommended to help reduce cardiac effects. Initiation of ZEPOSIA without dose escalation may result in greater decreases in heart rate. If treatment with ZEPOSIA is considered, advice from a cardiologist should be sought for those individuals: with significant QT prolongation with arrhythmias requiring treatment with Class 1a or III anti-arrhythmic drugs with ischemic heart disease, heart failure, history of cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and uncontrolled hypertension with a history of Mobitz type II second-degree or higher AV block, sick sinus syndrome, or sino-atrial heart block Liver Injury: Elevations of aminotransferases may occur in patients receiving ZEPOSIA. Obtain liver function tests, if not recently available (i.e., within 6 months), before initiation of ZEPOSIA. Patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction should have hepatic enzymes checked and ZEPOSIA should be discontinued if significant liver injury is confirmed. Fetal Risk: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Based on animal studies, ZEPOSIA may cause fetal harm. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 3 months after stopping ZEPOSIA. Women who become pregnant while taking ZEPOSIA for MS may enroll in the ZEPOSIA pregnancy registry by calling 1-877-301-9314 or visiting www.zeposiapregnancyregistry.com. Increased Blood Pressure: Increase in systolic pressure was observed after about 3 months of treatment and persisted throughout treatment. Blood pressure should be monitored during treatment and managed appropriately. Certain foods that may contain very high amounts of tyramine could cause severe hypertension in patients taking ZEPOSIA. Patients should be advised to avoid foods containing a very large amount of tyramine while taking ZEPOSIA. Respiratory Effects: ZEPOSIA may cause a decline in pulmonary function. Spirometric evaluation of respiratory function should be performed during therapy, if clinically indicated. Macular Edema: S1P modulators have been associated with an increased risk of macular edema. Patients with a history of uveitis or diabetes mellitus are at increased risk. Patients with a history of these conditions should have an ophthalmic evaluation of the fundus, including the macula, prior to treatment initiation and regular follow-up examinations. An ophthalmic evaluation is recommended in all patients at any time if there is a change in vision. Continued use of ZEPOSIA in patients with macular edema has not been evaluated; potential benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered if deciding whether ZEPOSIA should be discontinued. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): Rare cases of PRES have been reported in patients receiving a S1P receptor modulator. If a ZEPOSIA-treated patient develops unexpected neurological or psychiatric symptoms or any symptom/sign suggestive of an increase in intracranial pressure, a complete physical and neurological examination should be conducted. Symptoms of PRES are usually reversible but may evolve into ischemic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent neurological sequelae. If PRES is suspected, treatment with ZEPOSIA should be discontinued. Unintended Additive Immunosuppressive Effects From Prior Immunosuppressive or Immune-Modulating Drugs: When switching from drugs with prolonged immune effects, the half-life and mode of action of these drugs must be considered to avoid unintended additive immunosuppressive effects while at the same time minimizing risk of disease reactivation. Initiating treatment with ZEPOSIA after treatment with alemtuzumab is not recommended. Severe Increase in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disability After Stopping ZEPOSIA: In MS, severe exacerbation of disease, including disease rebound, has been rarely reported after discontinuation of a S1P receptor modulator. The possibility of severe exacerbation of disease should be considered after stopping ZEPOSIA treatment so patients should be monitored upon discontinuation. After stopping ZEPOSIA in the setting of PML, monitor for development of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (PML-IRIS). Immune System Effects After Stopping ZEPOSIA: After discontinuing ZEPOSIA, the median time for lymphocyte counts to return to the normal range was 30 days with approximately 90% of patients in the normal range within 3 months. Use of immunosuppressants within this period may lead to an additive effect on the immune system, therefore caution should be applied when initiating other drugs 4 weeks after the last dose of ZEPOSIA. Most Common Adverse Reactions that occurred in the MS clinical trials of ZEPOSIA-treated patients (4%): upper respiratory infection, hepatic transaminase elevation, orthostatic hypotension, urinary tract infection, back pain, and hypertension. In the UC clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions that occurred in 4% of ZEPOSIA-treated patients and greater than in patients who received placebo were upper respiratory infection, liver test increased, and headache. Use in Specific Populations: Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B) is required, and use of ZEPOSIA in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) is not recommended. For additional safety information, please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that results of future post-marketing studies may not be consistent with the results of this study, that Zeposia, for the indication described in this release, may not be commercially successful, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and that continued approval of such product candidate for such indication described in this release may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in additional confirmatory trials. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibbs business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibbs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. corporatefinancial-news View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010049123/en/ Bristol Myers Squibb Media Inquiries: [email protected] Investors: [email protected] Source: Bristol Myers Squibb Company focuses on virtual care as nurse shortages continue to plague the industry NOBLESVILLE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Collette Health, a turnkey 360 degree virtual care solution, is debuting their recent company rebrand at the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet/Pathway Conference held in Chicago from October 12-14 at the McCormick Place Convention Center. This event is the official annual conference of the prestigious Magnet Recognition Program, serving as both a celebration of accomplishment for newly designated Magnet organizations and a showcase of best nursing practices for the Magnet community. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011230347/en/ Collette Health debuts at ANCC Magnet Conference at Booth #727 (Photo: Business Wire) The nursing industry is going through an era defined by rapid technological advancements including virtual care as a vital tool to help overburdened staff. This transformation is driven by the ever-growing demands on hospital and healthcare systems, the need for more accessible and efficient patient care, and the recognition that technology can enhance the nurse-patient relationship. Collette Health will be showcasing their innovative virtual care solutions at booth #727, providing attendees with an opportunity to learn more about how it benefits healthcare providers and patients alike. The live demo will showcase the companys full capabilities including presence detection, patient motion detection, interaction of analytics with clinical and operational data points, and team nursing features. President Holly Miller, a dynamic healthcare IT leader for more than 20 years, who will be on hand to answer questions commented: "Debuting our new brand at ANCC in front of thousands of nurses and healthcare professionals is something we as a company are extremely excited for. Embracing change is the essence of growth. Our recent company rebrand is not just a new look; it's a bold declaration of our evolution, a promise of innovation, and a reaffirmation of our commitment to the healthcare industry." Founded in 2017, Collette Health, formerly MedSitter, solves a critical need for hospitals and health systems of all sizes nationwide as patient acuity rises and staffing shortages continue. Collette Health is innovating to meet those critical needs and become the next generation of high-acuity virtual care. Its virtual care solution includes virtual observation, virtual nursing, team nursing, patient surveillance analytics and trends. Collette Healths solution helps clinicians to: Proactively respond to high-acuity patient needs Positively impact patient experience scores Offset high-acuity costs Augment clinician staffing shortages, improving retention and satisfaction Accelerate virtual care model pilots with rapid implementation Support their practice using safe and ethical use of AI To learn more about Collette Health, visit collettehealth.com. About Collette Health: Collette Health (formerly MedSitter) is the next generation of high-acuity virtual care. More than 150 hospitals and 12 top healthcare systems nationwide trust our AI-enabled, continuous virtual observation, clinician observers, and actionable analytics to solve staffing shortages, prevent adverse events, and improve patient and clinician satisfaction. Partner with us. Follow us: LinkedIn View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011230347/en/ For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] Source: Collette Health Advisor community inspired to grow, evolve, and enhance client experience through four days of connection. AURORA, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Commonwealth Financial Network, a national firm dedicated to providing financial advisors with holistic, integrated business solutions, gathers its community of affiliated advisors, home office staff, and industry partners for education, connection, and inspiration at its National Conference: Find the Good: Rethink What's Possible. The firm's signature event, held from October 11 to 14 in Aurora, Colorado, encourages attendees to harness the power of practical insights and meaningful connections and apply them to their practices in an evolving and competitive industry. I always look forward to this eventour community comes together to celebrate our successes, discuss opportunities, and learn from each other as we prepare for our collective future," said Wayne Bloom, Commonwealths CEO. "Im excited for our advisors to hear how Commonwealth is investing its time and resources to help them grow the way they want and create a truly exceptional experience for their clients. More than 100 educational sessions led by home-office experts, advisor peers, and strategic partners will be held throughout the conference. Speakers will take a deep dive into timely business building, practice management, and investment solution topics. Sessions include Leveraging Capital for Growth or Succession, Financial Planning for High-Net-Worth Investors, Creating Development Pathways for Your Team, and Harnessing the Power of Digital Marketing Effectively and Compliantly. Commonwealths leadership team will take the main stage to announce key growth strategies and product enhancements that position the firm and its advisors for optimized success. There will be news about our evolution of offerings and solutions in Wealth Management, Practice Management, and Technology designed to give advisors a competitive advantage. Commonwealth also hosted an exclusive two-day pre-conference Enterprise Retreat. Designed specifically for CEOs of enterprise firms, the retreat offered rich content organized across five themes geared to large and complex firms: future state, growth, scale, high-net-worth clients, and talent. The enterprise community is one of several Commonwealth supports, including next-gen, the women of Commonwealth, a chief operating officer group, and family businesses. It was excellent to build an event specifically for leaders who are succeeding through scale, said Kenton Shirk, vice president of Practice Management at Commonwealth, who moderated the event. This retreat presents a unique opportunity for senior decision makers to come together, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussions that will shape the future of our industry and their businesses. Advisors learned directly from Commonwealth on how we can help them manage their fast-growing businesses and achieve their aspirational goals. National Conference attendees will hear from thought-provoking keynote speakers, including Bill Browder, co-founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management; Jane Ferguson, award-winning special correspondent for PBS Newshour; Will Guidara, award-winning restaurateur and hospitality visionary; Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries; and Dale Brown, CAE, president and CEO of Financial Services Institute. Each speaker will share their unique perspectives on business growth, managing through change, and social responsibility. Commonwealths leaders, subject-matter experts, and independent advisors will be featured on Bloomberg Radios Bloomberg Markets program. Hosts Paul Sweeney and Matt Miller will broadcast live from the National Conference, October 1213, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. Maintaining its commitment to giving back across communities, Commonwealth will host a 5K Fun Run and Walk for attendees. All donations will go directly to the Commonwealth Cares Fund, Commonwealths 501(C)3 organization, which supports important causes across the firms local communities. Attendees can also volunteer with Project Helping on-site, building Kynd Kit dignity packs that will be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness in Colorado. About Commonwealth Financial Network Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser, provides financial advisors with holistic, integrated solutions that support business evolution, growth acceleration, and operational efficiency. J.D. Power ranks Commonwealth #1 in Independent Advisor Satisfaction Among Financial Investment Firms, 10 Times in a Row. Privately held since 1979, the firm has headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California. Learn more about how Commonwealth partners with more than 2,100 independent financial advisors overseeing more than $242.9 billion* in assets nationwide by visiting www.commonwealth.com. Commonwealth received the highest score among independent advisors in the J.D. Power 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 20182023 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Studies. Presented on July 5, 2023, for December 2022 to April 2023, it is based on responses from 4,183 advisors employed by or affiliated with the firms included in the study. Not indicative of the firms future performance. Your experience may vary. Study is independently conducted, and the participating firms do not pay to participate. Use of study results in promotional materials is subject to a license fee. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details. * As of 12/31/2022 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011034927/en/ For additional information: Sarah Baun Public Relations Manager Commonwealth Financial Network www.commonwealth.com 781.464.7138 [email protected] Source: Commonwealth Financial Network Company rounds out successful first year following 2022 combination driven by customer growth, product enhancements, proprietary research, and charitable efforts ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eptura, the global worktech leader, is proud to announce that the company has experienced significant growth by expanding its customer base with more than 350 global enterprise organizations including 18 new Fortune Global 500 and 22 new Fortune 1000 companies in the first three quarters of 2023. This rounds out a successful first year of business following the combination of multiple market leading worktech brands to form Eptura in October 2022. Epturas continued success has now brought its worktech solutions into nearly half of the worlds largest and most profitable companies. Today, more than 16,000 customers including 40% of the Fortune 500 count on Eptura for managing their workplaces, people, and assets. So far this year, Eptura has added hundreds of customer logos to its portfolio, who join an impressive list of existing customers. We are thrilled to ring in Epturas one-year anniversary with such incredible momentum, said Brandon Holden, CEO of Eptura. We are proud to have established ourselves as the leading global worktech platform and look forward to continuing to provide our customers with the best-in-class technology and service they need to succeed. Successful first year driven by product innovation Eptura has enjoyed significant growth since its formation in October 2022, driven primarily by a series of new and enhanced product features, including: Launching its unified worktech platform, which includes Eptura Asset and Eptura Workplace Advancing visitor management with expanded capabilities Bringing tire tracking capabilities to its fleet maintenance software Reinforcing workplace security and building occupant safety with access control integrations The company also announced expanded language and localization options, new integrations, rising customer adoption, and a new offering designed for mid-market businesses. While Fortune 500 companies have different needs and resources than small and mid-sized organizations, Eptura is equipped to support businesses of all sizes with the recent addition of new, scalable editions of the company's integrated worktech platform. Global customer events provide opportunities to discuss the future of work This year has also seen the introduction of Epturas Flex/23 customer events and the Workplace Index Report. Hosted in Frankfurt, London, Canberra, and Melbourne thus far, with Washington, D.C., and Dusseldorf on the calendar, Flex/23 is a first-of-its-kind event blending interactive learning with networking as Eptura executives lead discussions on shaping the workplaces of tomorrow. Eptura provides businesses with valuable workplace data Introduced this May, Epturas quarterly Workplace Index Report provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving workplace, showcasing trends in workspace utilization, facility maintenance, workforce attitudes, and more. Epturas Q1 Workplace Index revealed the major tensions emerging as companies adapted to changing employee needs, such as navigating the employee need for freedom and the human desire for social connection. A wave of workspace returns around the globe demonstrated how organizations needed to reassess their spaces as employee, visitor, and guest occupancy surged. The Q2 Workplace Index further explored this dynamic of freedom and connection, identifying how organizations can manage individuals desire to work the way they want, yet still enable the personal connections that businesses and employees need. Company celebrates first-year anniversary with Eptura Day; encourages employee volunteerism With the establishment of Eptura Day, the company intends to symbolize its broader mission of connecting with local communities and renew its company-wide commitment to volunteerism. Throughout the company's first year as Eptura, team members invested a total of 17,955 hours of volunteer work, supporting over 15 local and international charities and non-profits around the world. Amid the constant shuffle of daily life, we believe it is important to dedicate time to give back to the communities in which we are involved, said Holden. Eptura Day is a way for our team members to contribute to the causes that matter most to them. This is a program that means something unique to each member of the Eptura team and we are proud to see how much has been accomplished in just the first year alone. For more information, please visit www.eptura.com/our-platform. About Eptura Eptura is a global worktech company that provides software solutions for people, workplaces, and assets to enable everyone to reach their full potential. With 16.3 million users across 115 countries, we are trusted by more than 16,000 of the worlds leading companies, including 40% of Fortune 500 brands, to realize a better future at work. For more information, visit eptura.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011284878/en/ Allison Knight [email protected] 806-570-9819 Source: Eptura CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fermata Energy, a leading pioneer in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, reveals that its FE-20 bidirectional charging system is fully certified to UL 9741, the Standard for Bidirectional EV Charging System Equipment and UL 1741-SA, the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources, Supplement SA. This achievement reinforces Fermata Energys dedication to top-tier safety and performance and builds on the success of its FE-15 chargers, which are operational across the U.S. The certification aligns with original equipment manufacturers' (OEMs) growing emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs) with bidirectional charging, marking a pivotal advancement in the industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011484126/en/ Fermata Energy FE-20 (Photo: Business Wire) The FE-20 is developed exclusively for Fermata Energy by Heliox, a leading provider of EV fast-charging equipment. This 20 kW bidirectional DC charger charges and discharges an EVs batteries with Fermata Energys proprietary AI-based software platform that optimally balances an EV owners transportation needs with revenue opportunities when the vehicle is parked. Tailored for commercial customers, the FE-20 is engineered with increased power, improved cost-effectiveness and enhanced features compared to its FE-15 predecessor. EV and fleet owners can capitalize on these chargers as revenue assets by participating in utility programs, allowing them to sell stored energy from EVs back into the grid or to offset peak demand costs. "Earning UL certification exemplifies our dedication to excellence, safety, and regulatory compliance. We're not only innovating; we're ensuring every solution we offer stands up to the highest standards. Companies seek solutions that arent just feasible but also financially sound. V2X bidirectional charging isn't just a means to electrifyit's a pathway to earning revenue. The FE-20, combined with our state-of-the-art AI software platform, is pivotal in this convergence of mobility and electrification," said Tony Posawatz, CEO of Fermata Energy. Fermata Energy, a V2X software platform services provider, became a trailblazer in 2020 as the first company to secure UL 9741 certification in North America by UL, for its FE-15 charging system. The certification of the FE-20 system follows the companys natural progression as the leading innovator in V2G technology and stands at the convergence of mobility and electrification in the North American market. With Fermata Energy achieving the first UL 9741 and UL 1741-SA certification of a Vehicle-to-Grid compliant bidirectional EV charger, UL Solutions is helping to build trust in this technology among fleet managers, consumers and other stakeholders, said Milan Dotlich, vice president and general manager of Energy and Industrial Automation at UL Solutions. We continue to monitor technical developments and regulatory changes to help enable innovation and speed to market as the future of mobility evolves. Michael Colijn, CEO of Heliox, shares, "At Heliox, we're excited to have partnered with Fermata Energy on the development of the FE-20 bidirectional charger. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to driving the evolution of fast-charging systems and V2X technology. The FE-20, born from this partnership, represents a significant step forward, with electric vehicles set to play a central role in reshaping the energy landscape. We celebrate being the first companies to achieve certification to the UL 9741 and UL 1741-SA Standards for a fully bidirectional V2G-compliant EV charger. This achievement showcases our teams dedication and innovation, and we extend our gratitude to Fermata Energy for placing their trust in us. Together, we've transformed a vision into reality." Fermata Energy and Heliox are poised to continue their momentum with a vision to normalize V2G technology, drive savings for fleet owners, and spearhead a greener energy future. About Fermata Energy Park it. Plug it. Profit. Fermata Energy is a leading software platform services provider of AI-driven vehicle-to-everything (V2X) bidirectional charging technology, including vehicle-to-grid (V2G), vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-building (V2B) solutions. The company was founded in 2010 by visionary David Slutzky to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and the transition to renewable energy. Fermata Energys proprietary technology enables its customers to manage EVs as distributed energy resources by selling excess energy stored in EV batteries to offset costly peak demand charges. To learn more about Fermata Energy, please visit https://fermataenergy.com/ and follow the company on LinkedIn. About Heliox Energy Heliox provides world class smart energy management solutions that are tailored and scalable within a fast changing e-mobility landscape. We are working towards a sustainable world where a seamless charging experience is the standard for every electric vehicle, and this transforms the way we power our everyday. For more information about Heliox Energy, please go to: https://www.heliox-energy.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011484126/en/ Fermata Energy media contact Daniel Cherrin, 313 300 0932, [email protected] Heliox media contact Marc Fernandez, +31 088 5016 300, [email protected] Source: Fermata Energy MONTREAL & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Explorance is excited to announce the rebranding of BlueML to MLY, a revolutionary advancement in the field of feedback analytics. Pronounced as "mi-lee", MLY signifies both gentle strength and unwavering dedication, encapsulating the essence of this innovative AI platform. Explorance MLY represents the intersection of machine learning (ML) and the pursuit of answers (Y), where AI-powered feedback analysis becomes a powerful tool to understand and amplify the Voices of Employees and Students in Human Resources (HR) and Higher Education (HE) domains. MLY empowers organizations in both these domains to improve experiences with data-informed insights. For students, it helps enhance teaching methods and curriculum through the evaluation of student learning experiences, ensuring overall student satisfaction and engagement. In the realm of HR, MLY aids in the assessment and improvement of the employee experience, offering insights into employee engagement and development for a positive work environment and career growth. The platform integrates crucial components such as psychological safety, feedback literacy, and inclusion into its framework, fostering an environment conducive to growth and inclusivity. Moreover, MLY consolidates feedback data from various sources, including course evaluations, surveys, and external reviews from platforms like Glassdoor and Google, providing organizations with a comprehensive view of feedback in a user-friendly, cloud-based interface represented in an easily accessible dashboard. Samer Saab, CEO and Founder of Explorance, expresses his excitement about MLY, stating, "We are thrilled to introduce the new brand MLY for our BlueML. MLY brings highly specialized and decision-grade insights for academic and HR leaders, enabling them to make changes that matter most. It represents a significant leap forward in feedback analytics, equipping organizations to harness the true potential of employee and student feedback to drive performance and excellence." With MLY, organizations can convert feedback into actionable insights by analyzing and categorizing 1 million comments per hour, aligning employee and student input with organizational objectives, thus improving the overall experience. To experience the transformative power of MLY firsthand, join us at HRTech and EDUCAUSE events. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness how MLY revolutionizes feedback analytics and shapes the future of HR and Higher Education. Visit to learn more about Explorance MLY: explorance.com/products/mly About Explorance Founded in 2003, Explorance supports more than 20 million people in their individual journeys of purpose, growth, and impact. As the leading provider of next-generation Feedback Analytics solutions, Explorance empowers organizations with actionable decision-making by measuring employees and students needs, expectations, skills, knowledge, and competencies. Explorance facilitates continuous improvement and accelerates the insight-to-action cycle leading to personal growth and organizational agility. Headquartered in Montreal with business units in Chicago, Chennai, Melbourne, Amman, and London. Explorance works with 25% of the Fortune 100 and 30% of the top Higher Education institutions, including 8 of the worlds top 10 business schools. The company has clients in more than 50 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011993257/en/ Media Paulami Mehta [email protected] Source: Explorance TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kingsdale Advisors releases its detailed response to the Canadian Securities Administrators(CSA) Proposed Amendments to Form 58-101F1 Corporate Governance Disclosure of National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices and Proposed Changes to National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines in favor of an approach that focuses on mandating disclosure regarding historically underrepresented designated groups. In addition to women, disclosure would be required for LGBTQ2SI+ persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and Indigenous peoples, and presented in a standardized tabular format. As a strategic advisor that is on the frontline of investor decision-making and governance, Kingsdale Advisors believes that mandatory data reporting offers significant advantages over a less prescriptive approach and will contribute to enhancing transparency and comparability of diversity reporting. As the slow pace towards gender diversity has demonstrated, it is only through the transparency of goal and progress reporting that advancements will be made. There is an urgent need for Canadian securities regulators to require the disclosure of this information to support informed decision making and to continue to advance the Canadian principles of diversity and equality of all, said Ian Robertson, Kingsdales Chief Executive Officer. Requiring mandatory disclosure on underrepresented groups is in line with the growing expectations of shareholders. Many institutional investors are developing stricter custom policies in this area and Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) has also introduced new requirements. For meetings on or after February 1, 2024, ISS expects companies that are part of the S&P/TSX Composite Index to have at least one racially or ethnically diverse director to avoid negative voting recommendations against certain directors. Investors may also subscribe to certain other ISS Specialty Policies that have even stricter diversity targets for boards, such as 40% gender diversity and 20% racial/ethnic diversity. As well, certain institutional voting policies also consider racial or ethnic diversity in addition to gender diversity in their 2023 voting policies. It remains to be seen what additional policy changes institutional shareholders may make prior to the 2024 proxy season but one thing is for sure, we know they will only be strengthened. Presenting data in a standardized format enables investors and other stakeholders to make informed decisions based on consistency and comparability of diversity disclosure, said Kelly Gorman, Executive Vice President, Governance Advisory. It is essential to recognize that without standardized reporting requirements, issuers may adopt inconsistent and fragmented approaches to diversity disclosure, possibly in an effort to overstate their performance in this area and hinder effective comparisons between companies. Coming out of the busiest year on record for activism, we expect diversity will be amongst the areas of focus in activist campaigns and play a crucial role in shaping a board's approach to its refreshment process. Failure to deliver on diversity could leave boards vulnerable, as activists look to identify areas where boards are not aligned with the expectations of investors. Kingsdale Advisors is a proud supporter of the BlackNorth Initiative (BNI), founded by Wes Hall, Executive Chairman and Founder. It spearheaded the BNI CEO Pledge, a public commitment by CEOs that their companies would follow seven specific actions around addressing anti-Black racism. Among the significant goals outlined in the BNI CEO Pledge is the ambitious goal to have 3.5% of executive and board roles held by Black leaders by 2025, and we believe that improved disclosure will promote the achievement of this goal. Kingsdale thanks the CSA for the opportunity to provide comment on this very important issue. Kingsdales full submission is available here. About Kingsdale Advisors With offices in Toronto, Calgary and New York, Kingsdale Advisors is the leading advisor to public companies on all shareholder, governance, and transaction-related matters, having acted on the largest and highest profile proxy fights, transactions, and other special situations. For 20 years, public companies across North America have looked to the expertise of Kingsdale Advisors to secure the success of transactions or resolutions driven by shareholder votes. Kingsdale Advisors multidisciplinary team offers an array of specialized services focused on strategic and defensive advisory, governance advisory, compensation advisory, strategic communications, and voting analytics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011108105/en/ For More Information Borjana Bulajic Chief Brand and Communications Officer Kingsdale Advisors Phone: 437-992-6537 Email: [email protected] Source: Kingsdale Advisors Accolade recognizes industry executives who move the housing economy forward IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- loanDepot, Inc. ("LDI" or "Company") (NYSE: LDI) President and CEO Frank Martell was named a 2023 HousingWire Vanguard honoree, a prestigious award recognizing those C-suite executives who make an unmistakable impact on the housing ecosystem. HW Vanguards are leaders who inspire their organizations and move markets forward, each and every day. At loanDepot we know home ownership is a critical contributor to strong and stable communities, and were passionate about creating pathways to homeownership for more families across the country, said Martell. Recognition like the Vanguard award is an honor for the whole team, as it serves as a validation of the difference we are making in the lives of our customers as we help them achieve their financial and homeownership goals. This is Martells second Vanguard award and marks the third time this year his exceptional leadership has garnered industry recognition, along with Inman's Power Player and Best of Finance awards. Martell discussed his vision for loanDepot during a CEO Playbook keynote at the HousingWire Annual conference in Austin, Tex. earlier today. The conference featured several speaker sessions from loanDepot, including CMO Alec Hanson, EVP of National Joint Ventures Dan Pena and Sales Manager Mosi Gatling. HousingWire is an influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets, with a readership that spans lending, servicing, investments and real estate market participants as well as financial market professionals. About loanDepot loanDepot (NYSE: LDI; NMLS # 174457) is an equal housing lender and digital commerce company committed to serving its customers throughout the home ownership journey. Since its launch in 2010, loanDepot has revolutionized the mortgage industry with a digital-first approach that makes it easier, faster and less stressful to purchase or refinance a home. Today, as one of the nation's largest non-bank retail mortgage lenders, loanDepot enables customers to achieve the American dream of homeownership through a broad suite of lending and real estate services that simplify one of life's most complex transactions. With headquarters in Southern California and offices nationwide, loanDepot is committed to serving the communities in which its team lives and works through a variety of local, regional and national philanthropic efforts. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011216076/en/ Jonathan Fine VP, Public Relations (781) 248-3963 [email protected] Source: loanDepot, Inc. President Joe Biden speaks on student loan debt forgiveness, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Oct. 4, 2023, in Washington. President Joe Bidens second attempt at student loan cancellation moved forward Tuesday with a first round of negotiations to help guide the administration to a new plan. The Biden administration vowed to try again after the Supreme Court rejected an earlier plan in June. In opening remarks at Tuesdays hearing, Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said the debt crisis threatens to undercut the promise of higher education. Student loan debt in this country has grown so large that it siphons off the benefits of college for many students, Kvaal said in prepared remarks. Some loans made to young adults stretch into retirement with no hope of being repaid. These debt burdens are shared by families and communities. Biden directed the Education Department to find another path to loan relief after conservatives on the high court ruled that he couldnt cancel loans using a 2003 law called the HEROES Act. The latest attempt will rest on a sweeping law known as the Higher Education Act, which gives the education secretary authority to waive student loans, although how far that power extends is the subject of legal debate. The Education Department hopes to settle the dispute by adding federal rules that clarify when the secretary can waive student loans. To change those rules, however, the department is required to assemble a committee of outside negotiators to help hash out details. The first day of negotiations, held virtually, lasted more than five hours but appeared to bring the department no closer to clarity. Much of the discussion centered on the shortcomings of existing student loan cancellation programs or problems caused by student loan interest. Department officials repeatedly intervened to say those problems dont fall under the scope of the current process. The negotiators all come from outside the federal government and represent a range of viewpoints on student loans. The panel includes students and officials from a range of colleges, along with loan servicers, state officials and advocates including the NAACP. Its unclear who will be eligible for forgiveness under the new plan and how much relief they would get. Those details will be decided after the administration takes input from the negotiators, who meet in a series of sessions scheduled to continue into December. Responding to suggestions from the panel, administration officials said they arent considering blanket cancellation. We are not looking at a broad-based debt cancellation where we are going to wipe off debt in its entirety. We are looking at individual ways that the secretary can exercise the authority to grant waivers, said Tamy Abernathy, who leads a policy group in the department. She later clarified that the departments next proposal could cancel some borrowers debt completely, but it could not cancel all borrowers debt completely. At the end of the process, negotiators will vote on a proposed rule drafted with input from their discussions. If they reach consensus on a proposal, the department will move forward with it. If they dont, the agency will propose its own plan, which can be finalized after a public comment period. The Education Department routinely uses negotiated rulemaking to enact federal regulation, and its required for any regulation related to student financial aid. It can be a long and painstaking process, and it often finishes without consensus among negotiators. Biden has called for a new plan to help as many borrowers as possible, but its unclear whether it will be as expansive as his first proposal. That plan would have canceled up to $20,000 in federal student loans for borrowers with incomes below $125,000 or couples below $250,000. Republicans rallied against the cancellation, saying it would add an unfair benefit for college graduates at the expense of millions of taxpayers who didnt attend college. In 2022, about 47% of Americans age 25 or older had at least an associate degree, along with 15% who went to college but had no degree, according to the Census Bureau. The administration plans to finalize the new rule sometime next year, but Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has declined to say if it will be in place before next falls presidential election. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, he said hes working as quickly as possible. He also noted that the courts ruling will have to factor in to the steps we take moving forward. Some legal analysts see the courts decision as a rejection of any mass cancellation without action from Congress. The court concluded that the education secretary has power to make modest adjustments and additions to existing provisions, not transform them. As a starting point for negotiators, the Education Department published an issue paper outlining some of the primary questions that will be up for debate. It offers few clues on the departments vision for loan cancellation, but it identifies five groups of borrowers who may be in need of relief. Negotiators are being asked how the agency should help: Borrowers whose interest grows so much that their balances exceed what they initially owed; Those who are eligible for loan cancellation under existing income-driven repayment plans but have not applied for those programs; Those who borrowed loans to attend college programs that didnt lead to jobs with enough earnings to repay their loans; Borrowers with older loans taken out before Congress created benefits meant to ease the burden of student debt; Those who face hardships that the current student loan system does not adequately address. It also asks negotiators to discuss the types of factors that would merit loan cancellation. The paper notes that, when deciding whether to collect on debt, some other federal agencies consider whether it would be against equity and good conscience, or if it would impose financial hardship. At a White House briefing last week, Biden drew attention to the problem of ballooning interest. Many college graduates have been making payments for years, he said, but because of interest, they still owe more than they originally borrowed. My administration is doing everything it can to deliver student debt relief to as many as we can, as fast as we can, Biden said. The negotiators will meet virtually for two-day sessions on Nov. 6 and Dec. 11. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New Found Gold Corp. (New Found or the Company) (TSX-V: NFG, NYSE-A: NFGC) is pleased to announce the results from 46 diamond drill holes that were completed as part of a drill program designed to test the newly discovered Monte Carlo Zone, an east-west striking, steeply dipping high-grade vein located on the west side of the highly prospective Appleton Fault Zone (AFZ), as well as from systematic grid drilling on the west side of the AFZ. New Founds 100%-owned Queensway project comprises a 1,662km2 area, accessible via the Trans-Canada Highway, 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011001207/en/ Figure 1: Photos of mineralization, Left: at ~52m in NFGC-23-1683, Right: at ~167m in NFGC-23-1690 ^Note that these photos are not intended to be representative of gold mineralization in NFGC-23-1683 and NFGC-23-1690. (Photo: Business Wire) Monte Carlo Highlights: Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone NFGC-22-10252 10.95 21.05 10.10 2.67 Monte Carlo And3 50.90 59.85 8.95 2.25 NFGC-22-10452 32.35 35.15 2.80 14.91 Monte Carlo Including 32.35 34.30 1.95 19.13 NFGC-22-10703 13.00 28.25 15.25 1.66 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-11351 49.30 55.55 6.25 7.49 Monte Carlo Including 49.30 49.65 0.35 40.00 Including 54.30 55.05 0.75 33.00 NFGC-23-16831 36.20 38.25 2.05 23.52 Monte Carlo Including 36.20 36.75 0.55 80.95 And1 51.55 54.25 2.70 18.85 Including 52.00 52.35 0.35 131.10 NFGC-23-16871 103.70 105.85 2.15 18.95 Monte Carlo Including 104.90 105.40 0.50 77.73 NFGC-23-16902 166.75 168.75 2.00 91.86 Monte Carlo Including 166.75 167.85 1.10 166.89 Table 1: Monte Carlo Drilling Highlights Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 170% to 95%, 240% to 70%, and 310% to 40% of reported intervals. 4True widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution when above 200m vertical depth and 2m consecutive dilution when below 200m vertical depth. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness. Targeted drilling at the Monte Carlo discovery, initially announced on May 10, 2023, has intersected multiple high-grade gold intervals including 91.9 g/t Au over 2.00m in NFGC-23-1690, 23.5 g/t Au over 2.05m and 18.9 g/t Au over 2.70m in NFGC-23-1683, and 14.9 g/t Au over 2.80m in NFGC-22-1045 (Figures 1-4). Monte Carlo is a high-grade gold zone located adjacent to Lotto on the west side of the AFZ and is hosted in an east-west striking steeply dipping fault zone that has been intercepted over a strike length of 520m and down to a vertical depth of 160m. Todays drilling has expanded upon a high-grade segment of Monte Carlo that starts at surface and has a strike length that now spans 135m. Exploration continues at Monte Carlo with a focus on expanding the highest-grade segment of the fault down dip, which currently remains open. Melissa Render, VP of Exploration of New Found, stated: We are pleased with todays results from Monte Carlo highlighting a high-grade gold domain within the host structure. This high-grade domain shares several characteristics with Lotto and Golden Joint in terms of mineralization strength, as well as style and continuity. With several assays pending, and an expansive strike length that remains open to depth, exploration drilling will continue with the aim of developing this zone down-dip. Meanwhile, targeted and grid drilling continues on the west side of the AFZ drilling that has led to multiple discoveries including Keats West, K2, and Monte Carlo. This western corridor has proven to be equally as prospective as the east side, which is home to the Keats, Keats North, Iceberg, Iceberg East, Golden Joint, Lotto, Jackpot, and Everest discoveries. Drillhole Details Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone NFGC-22-9971 6.75 12.20 5.45 2.19 Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1008 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1021 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-22-10252 10.95 21.05 10.10 2.67 Monte Carlo And3 50.90 59.85 8.95 2.25 NFGC-22-10452 32.35 35.15 2.80 14.91 Monte Carlo Including 32.35 34.30 1.95 19.13 NFGC-22-10703 13.00 28.25 15.25 1.66 Monte Carlo And4 45.80 51.90 6.10 2.36 And2 166.80 169.00 2.20 2.46 NFGC-22-10771 18.20 20.45 2.25 2.59 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-10904 11.65 13.90 2.25 1.06 Monte Carlo And1 39.25 41.45 2.20 1.19 And1 55.95 58.15 2.20 1.16 NFGC-23-10941 30.25 33.85 3.60 1.33 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-10962 40.00 43.10 3.10 1.46 Monte Carlo And1 95.45 97.70 2.25 1.45 NFGC-23-11013 79.00 85.15 6.15 1.29 Monte Carlo And3 92.00 94.75 2.75 1.10 And2 132.95 141.35 8.40 2.99 Including 134.35 134.80 0.45 12.11 NFGC-23-1113A1 90.00 92.90 2.90 1.11 Monte Carlo And4 200.00 203.15 3.15 1.87 NFGC-23-1122 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-11351 49.30 55.55 6.25 7.49 Monte Carlo Including 49.30 49.65 0.35 40.00 Including 54.30 55.05 0.75 33.00 And1 67.10 69.10 2.00 7.80 Including 68.45 69.10 0.65 22.30 NFGC-23-11791 138.00 145.15 7.15 3.12 Monte Carlo Including 144.00 144.40 0.40 12.39 And1 163.80 166.00 2.20 1.56 NFGC-23-11871 160.15 162.15 2.00 1.16 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-11961 95.80 102.35 6.55 1.29 Monte Carlo And1 232.65 235.25 2.60 8.13 Including 232.65 232.95 0.30 65.00 NFGC-23-1205 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-12164 150.00 152.65 2.65 1.70 Monte Carlo And1 167.00 171.00 4.00 2.72 NFGC-23-1221 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-12281 188.00 190.20 2.20 1.06 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-12371 141.20 143.50 2.30 1.90 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-12714 29.00 31.10 2.10 3.15 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-12804 111.15 113.25 2.10 1.08 Monte Carlo And4 163.25 165.80 2.55 1.05 And4 167.00 169.00 2.00 1.02 And2 183.70 187.75 4.05 1.70 And4 296.00 298.45 2.45 1.67 NFGC-23-12903 143.90 152.25 8.35 1.59 Monte Carlo And4 188.75 190.85 2.10 1.59 NFGC-23-12984 26.70 30.40 3.70 1.08 Monte Carlo And2 106.40 109.15 2.75 1.18 And2 116.90 119.15 2.25 2.63 And3 177.10 181.50 4.40 3.77 Including 179.15 179.65 0.50 12.65 NFGC-23-13534 79.50 82.40 2.90 1.01 Monte Carlo And2 109.75 114.00 4.25 1.53 NFGC-23-13624 173.70 176.25 2.55 1.12 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-13694 90.35 93.00 2.65 1.47 Monte Carlo And4 106.00 108.00 2.00 1.90 And4 127.00 131.55 4.55 1.66 And4 160.00 162.00 2.00 1.23 NFGC-23-1381 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-13901 54.00 56.45 2.45 1.51 Monte Carlo And4 236.00 238.00 2.00 4.26 NFGC-23-13994 199.50 201.65 2.15 2.50 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-14104 21.30 24.20 2.90 1.66 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-14204 8.55 12.15 3.60 1.29 Monte Carlo And4 78.65 83.20 4.55 1.13 NFGC-23-1431 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-14414 263.15 265.35 2.20 1.27 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-14421 54.40 56.90 2.50 3.91 Monte Carlo And1 75.65 77.95 2.30 1.38 NFGC-23-14554 54.20 57.00 2.80 1.36 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1481 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1503 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1518 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1531 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1569 No Significant Values Monte Carlo NFGC-23-16831 36.20 38.25 2.05 23.52 Monte Carlo Including 36.20 36.75 0.55 80.95 And1 51.55 54.25 2.70 18.85 Including 52.00 52.35 0.35 131.10 NFGC-23-16872 54.40 59.00 4.60 3.21 Monte Carlo And1 103.70 105.85 2.15 18.95 Including 104.90 105.40 0.50 77.73 NFGC-23-16902 156.05 160.70 4.65 1.01 Monte Carlo And2 166.75 168.75 2.00 91.86 Including 166.75 167.85 1.10 166.89 Table 2: Summary of composite results reported in this press release for Monte Carlo Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 170% to 95%, 240% to 70%, and 310% to 40% of reported intervals. 4True widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution when above 200m vertical depth and 2m consecutive dilution when below 200m vertical depth. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness. Hole No. Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) UTM E UTM N Prospect NFGC-22-997 265 -45 128 658333 5429276 Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1008 300 -45 245 658363 5429428 Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1021 120 -45 101 658359 5429317 Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1025 315 -45 182 658278 5429116 Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1045 120 -45 242 658658 5429190 Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1070 280 -45 230 658588 5429172 Monte Carlo NFGC-22-1077 330 -45 140 658613 5429217 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1090 30 -45 107 658547 5429198 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1094 305 -45 80 658546 5429198 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1096 355 -45.5 149 658543 5429155 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1101 68 -45 158 658543 5429155 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1113A 0 -48 218 658553 5429122 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1122 120 -45 269 658552 5429120 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1135 332 -45 185 658657 5429192 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1179 325 -45 198 658765 5429131 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1187 358 -57 204 658766 5429124 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1196 325 -45 267 658790 5429180 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1205 330 -45 294 658830 5429181 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1216 330 -45 228 658811 5429244 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1221 311 -45 234 658811 5429243 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1228 347 -60 252 658812 5429243 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1237 345 -47 297 658765 5429124 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1271 345 -61 263 658670 5429397 West Grid NFGC-23-1280 75 -45 371 658671 5429397 West Grid NFGC-23-1290 75 -45 248 658541 5429472 West Grid NFGC-23-1298 345 -59 289 658541 5429472 West Grid NFGC-23-1353 75 -45 254 658557 5429348 West Grid NFGC-23-1362 345 -60 266 658556 5429348 West Grid NFGC-23-1369 75 -45 254 658441 5429298 West Grid NFGC-23-1381 345 -60 254 658441 5429298 West Grid NFGC-23-1390 345 -59.5 266 658455 5429176 West Grid NFGC-23-1399 75 -45 254 658343 5429031 West Grid NFGC-23-1410 75 -45 240 658227 5428948 West Grid NFGC-23-1420 345 -60 257 658225 5428950 West Grid NFGC-23-1431 345 -60 263 658370 5428878 West Grid NFGC-23-1441 78 -45 269 658371 5428876 West Grid NFGC-23-1442 10 -47 101 658692 5429201 West Grid NFGC-23-1455 345 -60 254 658252 5428830 West Grid NFGC-23-1481 345 -60 263 658231 5428725 West Grid NFGC-23-1503 345 -60 251 658386 5428753 West Grid NFGC-23-1518 75 -45 260 658388 5428753 West Grid NFGC-23-1531 345 -60 263 658363 5428651 West Grid NFGC-23-1569 345 -60 290 658497 5428802 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1683 0 -45 80 658625 5429206 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1687 325 -42 146 658632 5429149 Monte Carlo NFGC-23-1690 25 -45 219 658618 5429078 Monte Carlo Table 3: Details of drill holes reported in this press release Queensway 500,000m Drill Program Update The Company is currently undertaking a 500,000m drill program at Queensway and approximately 33,000m of core is currently pending assay results. Sampling, Sub-sampling, and Laboratory All drilling recovers HQ core. Drill core is split in half using a diamond saw or a hydraulic splitter for rare intersections with incompetent core. A geologist examines the drill core and marks out the intervals to be sampled and the cutting line. Sample lengths are mostly 1.0 metre and adjusted to respect lithological and/or mineralogical contacts and isolate narrow ( Technicians saw the core along the defined cutting line. One-half of the core is kept as a witness sample and the other half is submitted for analysis. Individual sample bags are sealed and placed into totes, which are then sealed and marked with the contents. New Found has submitted samples for gold determination by fire assay to ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) and by photon assay to MSALABS (MSA) since June 2022. ALS and MSA operate under a commercial contract with New Found. Drill core samples are shipped to ALS for sample preparation in Sudbury, Ontario, Thunder Bay, Ontario, or Moncton, New Brunswick. ALS is an ISO-17025 accredited laboratory for the fire assay method. Drill core samples are also submitted to MSA in Val-dOr, Quebec. MSA operates numerous laboratories worldwide and maintains ISO-17025 accreditation for many metal determination methods. Accreditation of the photon assay method at the MSA Val DOr laboratory is in progress. At ALS, the entire sample is crushed to approximately 70% passing 2mm. A 3,000-g split is pulverized. Routine samples do not have visible gold (VG) identified and are not within a mineralized zone. Routine samples are assayed for gold by 30-g fire assay with an inductively-couple plasma spectrometry (ICP) finish. If the initial 30-g fire assay gold result is over 1 g/t, the remainder of the 3,000-g split is screened at 106 microns for screened metallics assay. For the screened metallics assay, the entire coarse fraction (sized greater than 106 microns) is fire assayed and two splits of the fine fraction (sized less than 106 microns) are fire assayed. The three assays are combined on a weight-averaged basis. Samples that have VG identified or fall within a mineralized interval are automatically submitted for screened metallic assay for gold. At MSA, the entire sample is crushed to approximately 70% passing 2mm. For routine samples that do not have VG identified and are not within a mineralized zone, the samples are riffle split to fill two 450g jars for photon assay. The assays reported from both jars are combined on a weight-averaged basis. If one of the jars assays greater than 1 g/t, the remaining crushed material is weighed into multiple jars and are submitted for photon assay. For samples that have VG identified or are within a mineralized zone, the entire crushed sample is weighed into multiple jars and are submitted for photon assay. The assays from all jars are combined on a weight-averaged basis. All samples prepared at ALS or MSA are also analyzed for a multi-element ICP package (ALS method code ME-ICP61) at ALS Vancouver. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with industry best practices. Standards and blanks account for a minimum of 10% of the samples in addition to the laboratorys internal quality assurance programs. Quality Control data are evaluated on receipt from the laboratories for failures. Appropriate action is taken if assay results for standards and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances. All results stated have passed New Founds quality control protocols. New Founds quality control program also includes submission of the second half of the core for approximately 2% of the drilled intervals. In addition, approximately 1% of sample pulps for mineralized samples are submitted for re-analysis to a second ISO-accredited laboratory for check assays. The Company does not recognize any factors of drilling, sampling or recovery that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed. The assay data disclosed in this press release have been verified by the Companys Qualified Person against the original assay certificates. The Company notes that it has not completed any economic evaluations of its Queensway Project and that the Queensway Project does not have any resources or reserves. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this press release dated October 11, 2023, by New Found. Mr. Matheson certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release. About New Found Gold Corp. New Found holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Project, located 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, and just 18km from Gander International Airport. The project is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway and has logging roads crosscutting the project, high voltage electric power lines running through the project area, and easy access to a highly skilled workforce. The Company is currently undertaking a 500,000m drill program at Queensway and is well funded for this program with cash and marketable securities of approximately $29.5 million as of October 2023. Please see the Companys website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Acknowledgements New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact To contact the Company, please visit the Companys website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Cautions This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling and mineralization on the Companys Queensway gold project in Newfoundland and Labrador; assay results; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of the drilling program, mineralization and the discovery of zones of high-grade gold mineralization; plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Queensway project; future press releases by the Company; and funding of the drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, interpreted, intends, estimates, projects, aims, suggests, indicate, often, target, future, likely, pending, potential, goal, objective, prospective, possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, can, could or should occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Managements discussion and Analysis, publicly available at SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), the Canadian Securities Administrators' national system that all market participants use for filings and disclosure, for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011001207/en/ New Found Gold Corp. Per: Collin Kettell Collin Kettell, Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (845) 535-1486 Source: New Found Gold Corp. National survey by Commonwealth demonstrates the financial burden for workers, and implications for worker productivity and employers bottom lines BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The impact of climate change is putting an additional financial burden on those with the fewest resources to manage financial and life stressors creating implications for worker productivity, employers bottom lines, and employees financial security, according to a new report from the national financial nonprofit Commonwealth. Feeling the Heat: Climate Changes Impact on Worker Financial Security reveals the profound effect of climate change on employees financial situations and other areas of their lives as well as opportunities for employers, financial institutions, and other systems actors to help mitigate these effects. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010666227/en/ In new research, Commonwealth reports on the financial impact of climate change, on the lives of workers earning low and moderate incomes, disproportionately Black and Latinx, and on the role that employers have in ensuring the financial security of impacted workers. (Graphic: Business Wire) The impact of climate change on workers in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years, particularly for labor-intensive jobs, service positions, and/or those who are working outdoors. In 2021, employers lost more than 2.5 billion hours of labor across agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and service sectors due to heat exposure. Additionally, a 2020 report indicated that the U.S. loses an average of $100 billion a year due to heat-induced declines in labor productivity. And a new report from the US Treasury indicates that climate change will cause significant financial strain to households in the coming years, citing reduced earnings and access to employee benefits as top concerns. Climate research often focuses on economic costs, but to get a full picture, we need to follow the financial impact on individual workers and the subsequent effect on the bottom lines for businesses. We knew from our extensive work with workers earning low and moderate incomes who are disproportionately Black, Latinx and women that climate events are also affecting personal financial security, said Timothy Flacke, Commonwealth Co-Founder and Executive Director. Our findings on the impact of climate change on worker financial security provide a compelling case for employers and other institutions to consider pathways to mitigate the financial impact of extreme weather events on the short- and long-term financial security of their workforce. Feeling the Heat examines the short- and long-term financial impact of climate change on the lives of workers living on low and moderate incomes, showing how their health, well-being, and living situations have been impacted; and workers perceptions of what institutions canand shouldbe doing to mitigate the impact of climate change on their finances. Fifty-four percent of workers surveyed reported that extreme weather is negatively impacting them, their family members, and those they know. Workers surveyed identified effects on their work, education, financial situation, home or living situation, financial opportunities, and health. Climate change is also affecting the financial security of workers, with 49% of respondents saying they have become less secure in their financial situation, and 28% have lost their financial stability altogether. Workers surveyed identified effects on their work, education, financial situation, home or living situation, financial opportunities, and health. Climate change is also affecting the financial security of workers, with 49% of respondents saying they have become less secure in their financial situation, and 28% have lost their financial stability altogether. Unusual or extreme weather events are significantly disrupting the work of those surveyed, leading to broader implications for their financial situations and opportunities. Forty-nine percent of workers living on LMI have experienced negative changes in their work due to climate change. Meanwhile, 46% of workers surveyed are not confident that they could financially recover if unusual or extreme weather were to impact them tomorrow. Forty-nine percent of workers living on LMI have experienced negative changes in their work due to climate change. Meanwhile, 46% of workers surveyed are not confident that they could financially recover if unusual or extreme weather were to impact them tomorrow. Workers who are Black, Latinx, and/or women with dependents are disproportionately impacted by climate change and face more challenges to their financial wellbeing that will make it harder for them to achieve and maintain financial stability. In fact, 58% of Black workers and 52% of Latinx workers report having their work impacted by extreme or unusual weather, as compared to 46% of white workers. In fact, 58% of Black workers and 52% of Latinx workers report having their work impacted by extreme or unusual weather, as compared to 46% of white workers. Workers are looking to employers to mitigate the financial effects of extreme or unusual weather, with more than 80% calling for an expanded employer response. Over half of workers would feel relieved if their employer helped them if something were to happen due to unusual or extreme weather. Over half of workers would feel relieved if their employer helped them if something were to happen due to unusual or extreme weather. Workers also believe financial institutions and the government have an important role to play. While only a handful of workers have received support from financial institutions after experiencing extreme or unusual weather, 23% feel they should be providing aid. Meanwhile, 73% of workers surveyed say the government has a role to play in supporting those impacted by climate change. These findings are consistent with our prior research that employers, financial institutions, and government play essential roles in enabling and protecting the financial security of workers earning low and moderate incomes, Flacke continued. The impact of extreme weather will continue to reverberate across the economy, affecting employers and communities across the board. Action by employers and other institutions is needed to ensure that climate change does not further widen racial and gender wealth gaps. The full report is available at: www.buildcommonwealth.org/climate Commonwealth will be holding a webinar in partnership with SOCAP Global to reveal the results of the report on October 11 at 3 pm ET. Flacke will be joined by Liliana Diaz, Senior Director, Climate & Biodiversity, APCO Worldwide; Julie Gehrki, Vice President, Philanthropy, Walmart and Walmart Foundation; and Emily Williams, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School to discuss the real world impact of climate change on workers, and to provide insights on what steps might be most effective in mitigating climate changes effect on financial security. About Commonwealth Commonwealth is a national nonprofit building financial security and opportunity for financially vulnerable people through innovation and partnerships. Black, Latinx, and women-led households disproportionately experience financial insecurity due in large part to longstanding, systemic racism and gender discrimination. Addressing these issues is critical to Commonwealths work of making wealth possible for all. For nearly two decades, Commonwealth has designed effective innovations, products, and policies enabling over 2 million people to save nearly $8 billion. Commonwealth understands that broad changes require market players to act. Thats why we collaborate with consumers, the financial services industry, employers, policymakers, and mission-driven organizations. The solutions we build are grounded in real life, based on our deep understanding of people who are financially vulnerable and how businesses can best serve them. To learn more, visit us at www.buildcommonwealth.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010666227/en/ Kristen Elworthy [email protected] 978.590.0442 Source: Commonwealth PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orion Office REIT Inc. (NYSE: ONL) (Orion or the Company), a fully-integrated real estate investment trust focused on the ownership, acquisition and management of single-tenant net lease mission-critical suburban office properties located across the U.S., announced today that it will release its operating results for the third quarter of 2023 after market close on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Webcast and Conference Call Information Orion will host a webcast and conference call to review its financial results at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, November 10, 2023. The webcast and call will be hosted by Paul McDowell, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Gavin Brandon, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer. To participate, the webcast can be accessed live by visiting the Investors section of Orions website at onlreit.com/investors. To join the conference call, callers from the United States and Canada should dial 1-877-407-3982, and international callers should dial 1-201-493-6780, ten minutes prior to the scheduled call time. Replay Information A replay of the webcast may be accessed via the Internet by visiting the Investors section of Orions website at onlreit.com/investors. The conference call replay will be available after 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, November 10, 2023 through 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, November 24, 2023. To access the replay, callers may dial 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and use passcode, 13738939. About Orion Office REIT Inc. Orion Office REIT Inc. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, acquisition and management of a diversified portfolio of mission-critical and headquarters office buildings located in high-quality suburban markets across the U.S. and leased primarily on a single-tenant net lease basis to creditworthy tenants. The Company was founded on July 1, 2021, spun-off from Realty Income (NYSE: O) on November 12, 2021 and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 15, 2021. The Company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and has an office in New York, New York. For additional information on the Company and its properties, please visit onlreit.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011834901/en/ Investor Relations: Email: [email protected] Phone: 602-675-0338 Source: Orion Office REIT Inc. RIVERSIDE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A Riverside County jury has delivered a $135,000,000 verdict to two former Moreno Valley Unified School District students who were sexually abused by their teacher and failed by the school district entrusted to protect them. For 20 years, the Moreno Valley Unified School District employed child predator Thomas Lee West as a teacher, despite having actual notice of numerous child molestation complaints against him dating back to 1988. Plaintiffs were represented in the case and at trial by Spencer Lucas, Brian Panish, Matthew Freeman, and Diana Panish of Panish | Shea | Boyle | Ravipudi LLP. "While there is no amount of money that can replace what was stolen from these two men, we are grateful to the jury for holding the Moreno Valley Unified School District accountable for their unconscionable acts that robbed these men of their childhood," said Spencer Lucas. "It took 27 years and tremendous courage from both plaintiffs to testify in the criminal and civil trials, but today Brady and Justin received the justice they deserve," said Brian Panish. Plaintiffs Brady Blair and Justin McGregor attended Vista Heights Middle School and were assigned to West's sixth grade classroom during the 1996 to 1997 school year. Before the end of the school year, West was sexually abusing both Brady and Justin and the abuse continued into the boys' Sophomore year in high school. When the sexual abuse ended, West maintained his control over the boys through coercion, threats, and computer tracking and keylogging software, manipulating them from reporting their abuse. In 2003 following the boys' high school graduation, Brady reported the abuse to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. West was arrested and charged with violations of Penal Code section 288(a) committing any lewd or lascivious act with a minor child under 14 years of age. At the criminal trial, West was found guilty. He is currently serving a 52 years to life sentence in the Mule Creek State Prison. As a result of the abuse, Brady and Justin have suffered severe, life-long mental and emotional distress throughout their lives. The psychological effects of the severe and pervasive abuse have left both men shells of who they would have been but for the abuse made possible by the District. Prior to and throughout trial, counsel for Defendant Moreno Valley Unified School District denied responsibility for West's conduct. Although they later admitted negligence, the School District attempted to shift blame for the Plaintiffs' injuries to the perpetrator and the parents of the Plaintiffs. These arguments were not persuasive to the jury. The jury disagreed and rendered their verdict in favor of Plaintiffs, awarding them a combined total of $135,000,000. The jury apportioned 90 percent of the fault to the Moreno Valley Unified School District and 10 percent to the perpetrator, Thomas Lee West. Defendant Moreno Valley Unified School District is represented by Dana McCune, Esq., Dominic Quiller, Esq., and David Guillen, Esq. of McCune & Harber, LLP. Blair v. Moreno Valley Unified School District Superior Court of the State of California, County of Riverside Case No. CVRI2102718 Hon. Chad W. Firetag View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011550259/en/ Angela Bailey 909.286.4040 [email protected] Source: Panish | Shea | Boyle | Ravipudi LLP MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Permian Resources Corporation (Permian Resources or the Company) (NYSE: PR) announced today that it will report third quarter 2023 financial and operating results after the market closes for trading on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Management will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Central (10:00 a.m. Eastern). Interested parties are invited to participate on the call by dialing (888) 259-6580 (Conference ID: 67608519) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call or via the internet at www.permianres.com. A replay of the call will be available on the Companys website or by phone at (877) 674-7070 (Passcode: 608519) for a 14-day period following the call. About Permian Resources Headquartered in Midland, Texas, Permian Resources is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the responsible acquisition, optimization and development of high-return oil and natural gas properties. The Companys assets and operations are located in the core of the Delaware Basin. For more information, please visit www.permianres.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011217159/en/ Hays Mabry Sr. Director, Investor Relations Mae Herrington Engineering Advisor, Investor Relations (832) 240-3265 [email protected] Source: Permian Resources Corporation BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Viserion Oilseed Processing, LLC ("Viserion"), a newly formed subsidiary of Viserion International Holdco, LLC ("Viserion International"), today announced that its Elian Barcelona S.L. (Elian Barcelona") subsidiary has entered into an agreement to acquire the Soya Crush Plant, a soybean crushing facility located in Barcelona, Spain, from Cargill Inc. Viserion International and its subsidiaries are backed by a fund managed by Pinnacle Asset Management, L.P. ("Pinnacle"), a New York-based alternative asset management firm focused on global commodities markets. The soybean crushing facility being acquired by Elian Barcelona, located at Moll Alvarez de la Campa in Barcelona, is an important infrastructural element of a globally integrated supply chain serving the Catalan, Spanish and European feed and food ingredient sectors. Elian Barcelona intends to expand the plants capabilities to produce a wider range of sustainable, innovative food and specialty feed ingredients, through concentration and textured protein, key to supporting the delivery of farm-to-food products across European and Mediterranean markets. All current employees at the facility are expected to remain in their positions, and Elian Barcelona plans to increase the plants headcount as it increases the plants production activities. We are proud to acquire and advance this important Catalan processing plant as we build a more resilient food system across Europe, said Andres Martin, Founder and General Manager of Elian Barcelona. Sustainability is our core foundational value, and we believe that this strategic asset coupled with Viserions scale, resources, and expertise will allow us to better align our services with consumers and food system trends, enhance European food security, and resist supply chain disruptions. We are grateful to Catalonias public institutions, including Generalitat de Catalunya and Accio, for their support, and we look forward to innovating healthier and more reliable ingredient solutions through this plant for a more sustainable world. Aaron Wiegand, Chief Executive Officer of Viserion International, commented, The acquisition of this strategically located plant, integral to Catalonias food supply, deepens Viserion Internationals long-term commitment to the European market. We look forward to leveraging our strong U.S. infrastructure and dedicated, experienced team to expand the Viserion platform both organically and opportunistically, and to further grow our international grain and food product handling and trading business. Jason Kellman, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Pinnacle, added, We believe that the addition of this crushing facility is a compelling opportunity to expand the Viserion platform to accelerate its continued investment in the critical European feed and food product supply chain. Pinnacle welcomes the Elian Barcelona group and looks forward to continuing to support the Viserion team by sharing our deep sector expertise and years of experience managing physical commodities and merchanting businesses. The transaction is expected to be completed in first quarter 2024, subject to regulatory approval from the Barcelona Port Authority. About Elian Barcelona S.L. Elian Barcelona S.L., a subsidiary of Viserion Oilseed Processing, LLC, is a global integrated agribusiness food chain company focused on providing the world with healthy and sustainable food ingredient products. About Viserion International Holdco, LLC Viserion International is a global agricultural merchant based in Boulder, Colorado. Viserion Oilseed Processing, LLC, a subsidiary of Viserion International, manages Viserions strategic oilseed processing operations. To learn more, please visit www.viserion.co. About Pinnacle Asset Management, L.P. Founded in 2003, Pinnacle Asset Management, L.P. is a private, New York-based alternative asset management firm focused on the global commodities markets with $5.9 billion under management. Pinnacle provides its institutional investor base with exposure to the global commodities markets via physical and financial absolute return strategies and products. Pinnacle is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission; is a commodity trading adviser and commodity pool operator registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and is a member of the National Futures Association. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010494530/en/ Jonathan Gasthalter/Iain Hughes Gasthalter & Co. (212) 257-4170 Source: Pinnacle Asset Management, L.P. KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Platform Ventures (Platform or the Firm) today announced the addition of Ariana Nelson as Head of Investor Relations. She will be responsible for creating and maintaining strategic partnerships with current and prospective investors and consultants while enhancing the investor experience and fundraising process. With more than 16 years of investor relations experience in the investment management industry, Arianas prior experience includes acting as Managing Director at Kayne Anderson Real Estate, Vice President at American Realty Advisors, and Vice President at Epoch Investment Partners. In this newly created role, Ariana will report to Platform Ventures Co-Presidents and Co-Founders, Ryan and Terry Anderson along with Todd Blanding, CIO, and Kyle Siner, CFO. We are thrilled to add an accomplished investor relations executive to the team, said Ryan Anderson, Co-President and Co-Founder of Platform Ventures. Ariana brings the right mix of investor relations experience and senior leadership to help augment Platforms investor relationships where she will be an integral part of the growth of the firm over its multi-year business plan, said Terry Anderson, Co-President and Co-Founder of Platform Ventures. About Platform Platform Ventures is an SEC registered private investment firm targeting attractive and scalable sector-focused investments within real estate, infrastructure, and real estate credit. Platform Ventures opportunistic investment strategies aim to take advantage of complex situations, pricing dislocations and asset inefficiencies in all market conditions. The Firm invests selectively across the capital structure in direct acquisitions, joint ventures, recapitalizations, and reorganizations. Platform Investments, which is owned by Platform Ventures, manages over $3.1 billion of assets under management1 on behalf of institutional investors, family offices and high net worth investors. Information about Platform Ventures is available at www.platformv.com. For media inquiries please contact: Ariana Nelson, Head of Investor Relations [email protected] 1 As of June 30, 2023. This includes assets managed by our affiliates who are not registered investment advisers, and this amount does not represent Regulatory Assets Under Management as defined by the SEC. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011451020/en/ Ariana Nelson, Head of Investor Relations [email protected] Source: Platform Ventures Local team submits plan to restore historic gem, create new housing, retail and commercial space, hotel rooms and public observation deck Construction scheduled to begin during buildings 100th year PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GreenMars Real Estate, a Maine business dedicated to quality, affordable development that supports vibrant communities, has proposed a new, mixed-use restoration plan for the Time and Temperature building that combines residential, retail, office, and hospitality space. GreenMars approach retains the buildings historic elements, including its famed Time and Temperature sign, while adding 120+ units to Portlands housing supply. The new plan also returns retail and commercial businesses to the space once known as Maines first indoor shopping plaza. Hotel rooms and the regions largest rooftop observation deck round out the new plan. GreenMars development team of childhood friends, Nate Green and Chris Marshall, have a 10+ year track record of on-time, on-budget development that revives once-vibrant Maine neighborhoods. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, marking the buildings 100th birthday. An estimated 250,000 people look to the Time and Temp. sign each day, yet the once-prized building beneath it sits vacant, said GreenMars Real Estates Nate Green. It needs a new life, but one that makes sense for Portland. We aim to restore this historic icon while establishing it as a go-to destination where people shop, work, eat, live, and appreciate the city. As people return to the building, the once-thriving neighborhood around it also gets a new life. We hope our submission is viewed as an innovative approach to ensuring the long-term viability of this historic landmark. Importantly, we want the people of Portland to know that the plan is also backed by two Maine people who have deep ties to the area and are committed to the buildings successful future. GreenMars submitted its Major Site Planchange in use application for the new Time and Temp. project to the City of Portland in September. The application outlines its plan to transform the 14-story building into 120+ apartments and an equivalent number of hotel rooms. The new plan prioritizes the buildings mixed use and public accessible space, including a rooftop observation deck that offers expansive views of Casco Bay on one side and Mt. Washington on the other. The observation deck will also give visitors photo opportunities with the Time and Temp. sign. GreenMars thoughtful inclusion of hotel rooms not only supports the citys growing demand, but also the buildings new life as a destination, which preserves its long-term viability. Growing up, Nate and I were always building and fixing things to make our neighborhood better, said GreenMars Real Estates Chris Marshall. Were beyond thrilled to apply this early passion to such a venerated Portland landmark. We strive to establish it as a destination for residents, visitors, and tourists alike, and hope the city views our proposal as a thoughtful, creative approach to returning this piece of history to the city in a way that makes sense while also supporting its viable future. The combination of residential, retail, business and hospitality ensures a bright future. Nate and I, along with our financial partners, are committed to the projects success and welcome inquiries from potential financial supporters who share our passion for Maine. About GreenMars Real Estate Nate Green and Chris Marshall completed their first successful renovation at eight years old. They founded GreenMars Real Estate in 2011 to apply their childhood passion to development that benefits Maines people and communities. Current projects include the Nasson College renovation in Springvale, which is transforming former dormitories into housing in York County. Past projects include Yarmouth Commons, which turned a vacant lot into a market-rate, mixed-use apartment and commercial complex, as well as new housing through repurposed buildings and new construction. To learn more about GreenMars and its approach to responsible development, please visit www.greenmars.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011045250/en/ Media: Shanti Skiffington 617.921.0808 Source: GreenMars Real Estate SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Primmune Therapeutics, a biotech company harnessing the power of the innate immune system, today announced the upcoming presentation of new clinical data from its Phase 1 study of PRTX007, an orally administered prodrug of a novel, small molecule toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)-specific agonist, at the 2023 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Annual Meeting (The Liver Meeting). The poster presentation will highlight the suitability of PRTX007 for investigation in combination therapy for curative treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The Liver Meeting will be held in Boston from November 10-14. An e-poster will be made available in the online meeting portal during the event. Presentation details: Title: Clinical validation of an orally-delivered, systemically activated TLR7 agonist to boost host immune response to chronic viral diseases, including hepatitis B virus Presenting Author: Curtis L. Scribner, M.D. Poster ID: 1463-C Presentation Date and Time: Friday, November 10 - 12:00 PM 1:00 PM ET Location: Hynes Convention Center, Hall C (second floor) About PRTX007 PRTX007, Primmunes lead clinical development candidate, is designed to provide well-tolerated, controlled, long-term stimulation of the innate immune response while also potentiating long-term effective innate and adaptive immune responses. PRTX007 administration uniquely activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), leading to a systemic immune poly-IFN response without stimulating production of NF-B-driven proinflammatory factors like IL-6, TNF or IL-1. Activated pDCs directly deliver interferons to target cells by paracrine transfer. Conceptually, this is equivalent to administering a therapeutically effective cocktail of all Type I/III IFNs while avoiding the associated side effects and adverse events. Furthermore, PRTX007 administration leads to systemic activation of anti-tumor effector CD8+ T cells and NK cells. About Primmune Therapeutics Primmune Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech harnessing the power of the innate immune system by developing small molecule, orally administered toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists. For more information, please visit https://www.primmunerx.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011847811/en/ Media: MacDougall Advisors Karen Sharma [email protected] 781-235-3060 Source: Primmune Therapeutics 400% YoY growth attracts new strategic investors J.P. Morgan, Databricks Ventures, Singtel Innov8, and DallasVC, with existing investors Insight Partners and SignalFire leading the round PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Prophecy, the leading self-service data transformation platform, today announced its Series B funding round, securing an impressive $35M, led by Insight Partners and SignalFire with J.P. Morgan as a major investor. The new funding catapults the companys total funding to $67M. The round included participants from new investors Singtel Innov8, Databricks Ventures and DallasVC. Raj Bains, the CEO and founder of Prophecy, shared his enthusiasm, stating,With thousands of users across Fortune 500 organizations, Prophecy has unequivocally proven the demand for a complete, enterprise-grade data transformation platform over the fragmented modern data stack. Our unique approach unifies visual and code development and is the future of data transformation. Vikas Marwaha, Prophecy COO and co-founder, added, Despite the challenging investment environment, customers and partners have shown resounding confidence in usmaking significant investments alongside the VCs in the oversubscribed round. Prophecys unique technology serves two imperatives necessary for scale. First, its visual interface enables a large number of data usersespecially those in the line of business. Second, the visual interface produces high-quality code, enabling data teams to run with best software practices to ship trusted data. Prophecy has been a tremendous partner for Databricks and for enterprises using our platform, said Chris Hecht, SVP, Corporate Development and Product Partnerships at Databricks. Their self-service data transformation platform unlocks value from the lakehouse more quickly, making our investment in their Series B a natural next step for our relationship. As Raj and the team continue to build and scale their platform for enterprises, we look forward to collaborating with them and growing our partnership even further. In this funding round, the company welcomes two additions to Prophecys board: Herb Cunitz, an independent board member and former President of Hortonworks, brings decades of experience in revenue generation and board leadership. Elena Zislin, Managing Director for J.P. Morgan, joins as a board observer. The new members of the board join Ilya Kirnos from SignalFire, who spotted the product potential early and has since participated in multiple rounds, and George Mathew from Insight Partners, who is a seasoned executive in the enterprise data space with previous experience as the former COO of Alteryx and former CEO of Kespry. George made his second lead investment in Prophecy and guides the board. Having been a builder in the enterprise data markets, Ive seen many companies struggle in managing and activating their data, said George Mathew, Managing Director at Insight Partners. Prophecy continues to grow exponentially and were excited to be investing again to accelerate the companys growth, at a time when many enterprises are doubling down on their data capabilities. Since its early stage, weve been impressed by Prophecy's vision and ability to pioneer an industry leading solution in such a short amount of time, said Ilya Kirnos, Founding Partner at SignalFire. As every enterprise becomes more data-centric, Prophecys growth potential is enormous and with the strategic partnerships they have already built, I look forward to seeing how they evolve in the new data landscape. To further enhance its go-to-market capabilities, Prophecy in 2023 has expanded its leadership team: Vincent Giacomazza, Chief Revenue Officer, previously VP of Sales at CockroachDB Angela Hooper, VP Success, previously VP of Customer Success at Alation and ThoughtSpot Mitesh Shah, VP Product Marketing, previously VP of Product Marketing at Alation Emily Lewis, VP of Marketing, previously VP of Marketing at Incorta Prophecys recent round of funding follows a series of noteworthy product innovations in 2023: Prophecy for Databricks added SQL support for data warehouses Prophecy Data Copilot, an AI assistant for building visual data pipelines Prophecy Package Hub brings packages from code to visual development to enable customers to build and share standards for their business To learn more about Prophecy, please visit: prophecy.io. About Prophecy Prophecy is a self-service data transformation platform that offers an easy-to-use visual interface to build, deploy and manage data pipelines with software-engineering best practices. Prophecy is trusted by enterprises, including multiple companies in the Fortune 50 where hundreds of engineers run thousands of ETL workloads every day. Prophecy is backed by some of the top VCs, including Insight Partners and SignalFire. Learn how Prophecy can help your data engineering in the cloud at prophecy.io. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011520578/en/ [email protected] Source: Prophecy The United States will ensure that Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow, as we always have, Joe Biden said Tuesday in a speech at the White House. Accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the U.S. president was clearly angered and shocked to confirm that several American citizens are among the hostages taken by Hamas, bringing to 14 the number of U.S. victims in the surprise attack on Israel launched by the Palestinian militant group over the weekend. An attack that Biden called sheer evil. The U.S. presidents address came after he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the third time in four days about the war between Israel and Hamas. We stand with Israel. We will make sure it has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack. There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse. Hamas does not defend the right of the Palestinian people to dignity and self-determination. Their stated goal towards the State of Israel is to kill Jews. They use Palestinian civilians as human shields, Biden said in a speech that began almost an hour and a half later than planned. This Tuesday, Israel launched its largest air attack against the Gaza Strip in 75 years, with bombings that have flattened entire neighborhoods. Hamas had threatened to execute a hostage for every house hit. Attacks by the Palestinian extremist group have killed more than a thousand people in Israel, including 14 Americans; the Israeli wave of retaliatory attacks has killed 830 Gazans so far. The U.S. government has been fully supportive of Israel in the conflict since the beginning of Hamas surprise attack on Israeli territory. A position that was symbolized in a very visual way last night, when the White House was illuminated with the colors of the Israeli flag. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Netanyahu on Tuesday to explain their efforts to help Israel defend itself. We connected [] to discuss coordination to support Israel, deter hostile actors, and protect innocent people, the president said in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, before his speech. Immediately before that conversation, the president and Harris had met with their respective National Security teams to receive the latest details on the situation and offer guidelines on the next steps to be taken. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone with his Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen. The United States has sent the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the largest ship in its war fleet, and its escort ships to the eastern Mediterranean. This was a step that went beyond Washingtons traditional role as a mere unconditional ally of the Israeli state founded in 1948 a move that aims to send a clear, unequivocal message to any actor or nation-state that thinks that this is a chance to try to take advantage of the position that Israel finds itself in, as National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a conversation with journalists on Monday. Kirby was alluding to Iran, the great protector of Hamas. The United States fears that Tehran could take advantage of the troubled waters and spread the conflict throughout the region. The Biden administration has also indicated that it will respond to new Israeli requests for security assistance as quickly as possible and that a first aid package, mainly ammunition and air defense equipment, is already on the way. Much of this assistance was already being prepared, as part of the annual U.S. contributions to Israeli security, although delivery has now been accelerated. Since 2016, the United States and Israel have maintained an understanding by which Washington provides $38 billion in military aid to Israel until 2028. Other additional aid will need the approval of Congress, similar to the case with what the United States sends to Ukraine. The White House has indicated that it is willing to go to Capitol Hill to raise funds for both countries. We are a large enough, big enough, economically viable and vibrant enough country to be able to support both, Kirby declared. INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Road Ready, the advanced trailer telematics provider from global transportation technology leader Clarience Technologies, and MAC Liquid Tank Trailers have agreed to offer Road Ready advanced trailer telematics as a factory-installed option on MAC LTT trailers. The announcement comes in conjunction with NTTC Tank Truck Week 2023, the annual gathering of tank truck professionals being held on October 8-11, 2023, in Indianapolis. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011116447/en/ Road Ready advanced trailer telematics uses its own proprietary telematics device. All Road Ready hardware is engineered and assembled in Saline, Michigan, by Clarience-owned DAVCO Technology. (Photo: Business Wire) Bulk transporters hauling heavier and more hazardous cargo stand to benefit from the operational safety and cargo security insights provided by Road Ready, said Mark Johnson, executive vice president and Chief Marketing Officer at Clarience Technologies. The MAC Liquid Tank Trailers brand is respected by transportation professionals everywhere, and we are pleased to partner with them to make Road Ready a factory-installed option on their trailers. Based in Kent, Ohio, MAC Liquid Tank Trailers is a leading manufacturer of trailers and tanks designed for the safe transport of liquids and other bulk cargo. The company offers a complete line-up of trailers designed to reduce weight, optimize payload and maximize performance. We are proud to offer Road Ready advanced trailer telematics as a factory-installed option on our tank truck trailers, said Jim Maiorana, co-owner and president, MAC LTT. We believe the Road Ready technology will bring value to our customers by giving them access to comprehensive and accurate information about their trailers. This will enable them to make better decisions, increase productivity and enhance customer satisfaction. Matt Niemeier, vice president of sales, MAC LTT, added, We know smart trailer technology is coming and need to adapt to the changes our industry is seeing. A telematics solution like Road Ready is a great way to start. We look forward to the feedback and dialog this week at NTTC Tank Truck Week. Road Ready advanced trailer telematics solutions require the installation of a proprietary telematics device named the Road Ready Master Control Unit. Customers can take advantage of a variety of location-based safety and tracking features of the Road Ready advanced telematics system. Fleets can customize how often each fleet asset communicates its location status. Fleets can also set up custom landmarks to create geofences for established routes, triggering alerts to help fleets protect their assets and their customers cargo. Customers can work with their Road Ready sales representative to configure their solution to the exact needs of their fleet, selecting from a list of features that leverage either Road Ready sensors and devices, or those devices from the Road Ready LogIQ smart trailer partners that monitor critical aspects of the trailer including cargo temperature, weight, tire pressure and wheel-end health, and more. Additionally, all Road Ready telematics solutions are now Powered by Fus1on, a modern and powerful cloud-based IoT platform from Clarience Technologies that integrates data from multiple sources and provides actionable insights to fleet managers and drivers. With Fus1on, Road Ready telematics will adapt as a fleet, or the industry, changes over time. For more information, visit roadready.com. About Road Ready Road Ready from Clarience Technologies is a vertically integrated advanced telematics and digital fleet solutions provider based in Southfield, Michigan. Road Ready offers custom telematics solutions to help fleets see, manage and optimize their fleet assets. Coupled with an expansive network of premier integration partners, customers can do more through a single interface, Road Ready continues to implement groundbreaking research and development to make impactful contributions to the transportation industry. About Clarience Technologies Clarience Technologies is a global transportation technology solutions provider serving vehicle manufacturers, aftermarket retailers, commercial fleets and consumers worldwide. Founded in 2020 and based in Southfield, Michigan, the companys mission is to bring total visibility to transportation by delivering the technologies that keep the world moving forwardmade possible by the nearly 3,000 employees who are guided by the companys CLEAR Principles: Curiosity, Leadership, Enthusiasm, Accountability and Respect. The Clarience Technologies team of companies include Truck-Lite (1955), Road Ready (2017), ECCO Safety Systems (1977), Code 3 (1974), RIGID Industries (2001), Lumitec (2007), DAVCO (1976), LED Autolamps (2002), Pressure Systems International (1993) and Fleetilla (2000). Its track record of meaningful innovation is represented best by its breakthrough innovations over the years that have accelerated progress in transportation. Learn more at www.clariencetechnologies.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011116447/en/ Media: Mark Johnson Clarience Technologies [email protected] 312-375-4964 mobile Source: Clarience Technologies Fluxtrol Inc. and ASM Heat Treating Society give awards to young scientists who are making strides in the field of thermal processing. DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The ASM (American Society of Materials) Heat Treating Society is holding their 32nd annual conference and exhibition, Heat Treat 2023, OCTOBER 17 19 | located at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226. The 2023 Heat Treat event is set to feature an award and recognition competition, specifically designed for young, innovative scientists entering the field of heat treating. This initiative aims to stimulate the involvement of emerging scientists in the ASM Heat Treating Society and to present appealing opportunities within the worldwide Thermal Processing community. Abstract contest submissions are focused on the thermal processing of metal or metal-containing components. The competition is divided into two phases: a poster competition and an oral presentation competition for those who advance to the semi-finals. The itinerary is as follows: Phase 1 Poster Presentations Tuesday, October 17 | 4:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall A Heat Treat Student Poster Area Phase 2 Oral Presentations Wednesday, October 18 | 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.| Room 313 AB Announcement of Award Winners Wednesday, October 18 | 3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall A Industry Forum To register and attend the conference click here. Please visit our booth 2117. About Fluxtrol Fluxtrol Inc. has been advancing induction technologies for almost four decades and has become a world leader in the manufacture and supply of soft magnetic composites (SMC). Fluxtrol Inc. also supplies a wide range of electromagnetic induction technology engineering solutions to a multitude of global industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products, energy, and many others. For more information, visit https://fluxtrol.com or email us at [email protected]. Related Links https://fluxtrol.com https://twitter.com/fluxtrol https://www.linkedin.com/company/1403450/ https://www.youtube.com/user/Fluxtrol https://www.facebook.com/Fluxtrol View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011805808/en/ Press and Media Inquiries Robert Ruffini President Fluxtrol Inc. P: Toll Free: 1-800-224-5522 P: Outside USA: 1-248-393-2000 E: [email protected] Fluxtrol Inc. - Advancing Induction Technology Source: Fluxtrol Inc. TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Softchoice Corporation (Softchoice or the Company) (TSX: SFTC) today announced it will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2023 results on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. (ET). Softchoice will report its financial results in the morning prior to market open. Q3 2023 Conference Call Details The call will be hosted by Andrew Caprara, President & Chief Executive Officer, and Jonathan Roiter, Chief Financial Officer, followed by a question-and-answer period. DATE: Thursday, November 9, 2023 TIME: 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time WEBCAST: https://app.webinar.net/YNG0grox8P1 A link to the webcast will also be available on the Events page of the Investors section of Softchoices website at http://investors.softchoice.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. An archived replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days. DIAL-IN: To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/45eaWyH to receive an instant automated call back. You can also dial direct to be entered into the call by an operator: 416-764-8659 or 1-888-664-6392. TAPED REPLAY: 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541, Replay Code 954157 # (Available until November 16, 2023) About Softchoice Softchoice (TSX: SFTC) is a software-focused IT solutions provider that equips organizations to be agile and innovative, and for their people to be engaged, connected and creative at work. That means moving them to the cloud, helping them build the workplace of tomorrow, and enabling them to make smarter decisions about their technology portfolio. By doing these things we help them create success for their customers and their people. For more information, please visit www.softchoice.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which reflects the Companys current expectations regarding future events including the anticipated date of release of the Companys third quarter 2023 financial results. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys control. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and Softchoice does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011324669/en/ Investor Relations Tim Foran (416) 986-8515 [email protected] Press Justin Hane (647) 917-1761 [email protected] Source: Softchoice Corporation Clinical response was maintained at 73.2% for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 with three years of continuous Sotyktu treatment in the POETYK PSO long-term extension trial Sotyktu demonstrated a consistent safety profile with no increases in adverse events or serious adverse events and no emergence of any new safety signals New data to be presented at the 2023 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress as part of 50 company-sponsored scientific presentations, demonstrating robust and growing body of dermatology research PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced new three-year results from the POETYK PSO long-term extension (LTE) trial of Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) treatment in adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. At Week 148, clinical response rates were maintained with continuous treatment with modified nonresponder imputation (mNRI) responses of 73.2% for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, 48.1% for PASI 90 and 54.1% for static Physicians Global Assessment (sPGA) 0/1. Sotyktu demonstrated a consistent safety profile with no increases in the rates of adverse events (AEs) or serious AEs over time, and no emergence of any new safety signals. These data (oral presentation #FC02.7) and 49 additional abstracts demonstrating Bristol Myers Squibbs ongoing commitment to dermatology research are being presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Berlin, Germany taking place October 11-14, 2023. These new, positive, three-year results reinforce the long-term efficacy and well-established safety profile of once-daily Sotyktu, the first and only TYK2 inhibitor available, and add to our confidence in its role as an oral treatment of choice for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, said April Armstrong, MD, MPH, clinical investigator in the POETYK PSO clinical trial program and professor and chief of dermatology at the University of California, Los Angeles. For my patients, more days of relief from this chronic disease mean that they can focus on other aspects of their lives, and these POETYK PSO long-term data add to the evidence that we have the ability to offer a new standard of care to patients seeking an oral treatment option. The safety analysis assessed 1,519 patients who received at least one dose of Sotyktu across POETYK PSO-1, POETYK PSO-2 and POETYK PSO-LTE. The efficacy analysis assessed 513 patients who received continuous Sotyktu treatment from Day 1 in the pivotal POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 trials and transitioned to the LTE trial. Cumulative exposure from parent trial randomization was 3,294 patient-years (PYs) for the safety analyses. Clinical efficacy outcomes were maintained in patients who were continuously treated with Sotyktu from baseline through Week 148, with sustained response rates for PASI 75 (Week 16, 61.1%; Week 52, 72.6%; Week 148, 73.2%), PASI 90 (Week 16, 35.2%; Week 52, 45.6%; Week 148, 48.1%) and sPGA 0/1 (Week 16, 57.5%; Week 52, 58.1%; Week 148, 54.1%). At three years, cumulative exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs)/100 PYs were similar or decreased compared with rates observed at two years, respectively, for AEs (144.8, 154.4), serious AEs (5.5, 6.1), discontinuation due to AEs (2.4, 2.8), herpes zoster (0.6, 0.7), malignancies (0.9, 0.9), major adverse cardiovascular events (0.3, 0.4), venous thromboembolism (0.1, 0.1) and deaths (0.3, 0.4). EAIRs/100 PYs were calculated as the number of patients with an AE over the total exposure time for all patients at risk (time to an initial AE occurrence for patients with AE and time of total exposure for patients without an AE). As the leader in TYK2 innovation, Bristol Myers Squibb continues to advance our long-term understanding of our first-in-class, oral Sotyktu treatment for plaque psoriasis and explore its full potential across serious immune-mediated diseases, said Roland Chen, MD, senior vice president and head, Immunology, Cardiovascular and Neuroscience Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. These new data validate the potential of Sotyktu to provide long-term, clinically relevant improvement for individuals living with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the POETYK PSO clinical trial program. About the POETYK PSO Clinical Trial Program PrOgram to Evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sotyktu (deucravacitinib), a selective TYK2 inhibitor (POETYK) PSO-1 (NCT03624127) and POETYK PSO-2 (NCT03611751) were global Phase 3 studies designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Sotyktu compared to placebo and Otezla (apremilast) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Both POETYK PSO-1, which enrolled 666 patients, and POETYK PSO-2, which enrolled 1,020 patients, were multicenter, randomized, double-blind trials that evaluated Sotyktu (6 mg once daily) compared to placebo and Otezla (30 mg twice daily). POETYK PSO-2 included a randomized withdrawal and retreatment period after Week 24. The co-primary endpoints of both POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 were the percentage of patients who achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response and those who achieved static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) score of 0 or 1 (clear/almost clear) at Week 16 versus placebo. Key secondary endpoints of the trials included the percentage of patients who achieved PASI 75 and sPGA 0/1 compared to Otezla at Week 16 and other measures evaluating Sotyktu versus placebo and Otezla. Across both clinical trials and timepoints, significantly more Sotyktu-treated patients achieved a sPGA score of 0/1, PASI 75 response and PASI 90 response. Responses persisted through Week 52, as 81% (187/230) of patients who achieved PASI 75 with Sotyktu at Week 24 maintained their response at Week 52 in POETYK PSO-1. In POETYK PSO-2, 80% (119/148) of patients who continued Sotyktu maintained PASI 75 response compared to 31% (47/150) of patients who were withdrawn from Sotyktu. Following the 52-week POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 trials, patients could enroll in the ongoing POETYK PSO long-term extension (LTE) trial (NCT04036435) and receive open-label Sotyktu 6 mg once-daily. In the LTE trial, 1,221 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of Sotyktu. Efficacy was analyzed utilizing treatment failure rules method of imputation, along with sensitivity analyses using modified non-responder imputation and as-observed analysis, which have been used in similar analyses with other agents. In addition to POETYK PSO-1, POETYK PSO-2 and POETYK PSO-LTE, Bristol Myers Squibb has evaluated Sotyktu in two other Phase 3 studies in psoriasis: POETYK PSO-3 (NCT04167462) and POETYK PSO-4 (NCT03924427). About Psoriasis Psoriasis is a widely prevalent, chronic, systemic immune-mediated disease that substantially impairs patients physical health, quality of life and work productivity. Psoriasis is a serious global problem, with at least 100 million people worldwide impacted by some form of the disease, including around 14 million people in Europe and approximately 7.5 million people in the United States. Nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate-to-severe. Up to 90 percent of patients with psoriasis have psoriasis vulgaris, or plaque psoriasis, which is characterized by distinct round or oval plaques typically covered by silvery-white scales. Despite the availability of effective systemic therapy, many patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis remain undertreated or even untreated and are dissatisfied with current treatments. People with psoriasis report an impact on their emotional well-being, straining both personal and professional relationships and causing a reduced quality of life. Psoriasis is associated with multiple comorbidities that may impact patients well-being, including psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and depression. About Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) is an oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor with a unique mechanism of action, representing a new class of small molecules. It is the first selective TYK2 inhibitor in clinical studies across multiple immune-mediated diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb scientists designed Sotyktu to selectively target TYK2, thereby inhibiting signaling of interleukin (IL)-23, IL-12 and Type 1 interferons (IFN), key cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of multiple immune-mediated diseases. Sotyktu achieves a high degree of selectivity by binding to the regulatory domain of TYK2, resulting in allosteric inhibition of TYK2 and its downstream functions. Sotyktu selectively inhibits TYK2 at physiologically relevant concentrations. At therapeutic doses, Sotyktu does not inhibit JAK1, JAK2 or JAK3. Bristol Myers Squibb: Pioneering Paths Forward in Immunology to Transform Patients Lives Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision transforming patients lives through science. For people living with immune-mediated diseases, the debilitating reality of enduring chronic symptoms and disease progression can take a toll on their physical, emotional and social well-being, making simple tasks and daily life a challenge. Driven by our deep understanding of the immune system that spans over 20 years of experience, and our passion to help patients, the company continues to pursue pathbreaking science with the goal of delivering meaningful solutions that address unmet needs in rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology and pulmonology. We follow the science, aiming to tailor therapies to individual needs, improve outcomes and expand treatment options by working to identify mechanisms with the potential to achieve long-term remission and perhaps even cures in the future. By building partnerships with researchers, patients and caregivers to deliver innovative treatments, Bristol Myers Squibb strives to elevate patient care to new standards and deliver what matters most the promise of living a better life. SOTYKTU U.S. INDICATION SOTYKTU (deucravacitinib) is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Limitations of Use: SOTYKTU is not recommended for use in combination with other potent immunosuppressants. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS SOTYKTU is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to deucravacitinib or to any of the excipients in SOTYKTU. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema have been reported. If a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction occurs, institute appropriate therapy and discontinue SOTYKTU. Infections: SOTYKTU may increase the risk of infections. Serious infections have been reported in patients with psoriasis who received SOTYKTU. The most common serious infections reported with SOTYKTU included pneumonia and COVID-19. Avoid use of SOTYKTU in patients with an active or serious infection. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment prior to initiating SOTYKTU in patients: with chronic or recurrent infection who have been exposed to tuberculosis with a history of a serious or an opportunistic infection with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment. A patient who develops a new infection during treatment should undergo prompt and complete diagnostic testing, have appropriate antimicrobial therapy initiated and be closely monitored. Interrupt SOTYKTU if a patient develops a serious infection. Do not resume SOTYKTU until the infection resolves or is adequately treated. Viral Reactivation Herpes virus reactivation (e.g., herpes zoster, herpes simplex) was reported in clinical trials with SOTYKTU. Through Week 16, herpes simplex infections were reported in 17 patients (6.8 per 100 patient-years) treated with SOTYKTU, and 1 patient (0.8 per 100 patient-years) treated with placebo. Multidermatomal herpes zoster was reported in an immunocompetent patient. During PSO-1, PSO-2, and the open-label extension trial, the majority of patients who reported events of herpes zoster while receiving SOTYKTU were under 50 years of age. The impact of SOTYKTU on chronic viral hepatitis reactivation is unknown. Consider viral hepatitis screening and monitoring for reactivation in accordance with clinical guidelines before starting and during therapy with SOTYKTU. If signs of reactivation occur, consult a hepatitis specialist. SOTYKTU is not recommended for use in patients with active hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Tuberculosis (TB): In clinical trials, of 4 patients with latent TB who were treated with SOTYKTU and received appropriate TB prophylaxis, no patients developed active TB (during the mean follow-up of 34 weeks). One patient, who did not have latent TB, developed active TB after receiving 54 weeks of SOTYKTU. Evaluate patients for latent and active TB infection prior to initiating treatment with SOTYKTU. Do not administer SOTYKTU to patients with active TB. Initiate treatment of latent TB prior to administering SOTYKTU. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to initiation of SOTYKTU in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of active TB during treatment. Malignancy including Lymphomas: Malignancies, including lymphomas, were observed in clinical trials with SOTYKTU. Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with SOTYKTU, particularly in patients with a known malignancy (other than a successfully treated non-melanoma skin cancer) and patients who develop a malignancy when on treatment with SOTYKTU. Rhabdomyolysis and Elevated CPK: Treatment with SOTYKTU was associated with an increased incidence of asymptomatic creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation and rhabdomyolysis compared to placebo. Discontinue SOTYKTU if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. Instruct patients to promptly report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Laboratory Abnormalities: Treatment with SOTYKTU was associated with increases in triglyceride levels. Periodically evaluate serum triglycerides according to clinical guidelines during treatment. SOTYKTU treatment was associated with an increase in the incidence of liver enzyme elevation compared to placebo. Evaluate liver enzymes at baseline and thereafter in patients with known or suspected liver disease according to routine management. If treatment-related increases in liver enzymes occur and drug-induced liver injury is suspected, interrupt SOTYKTU until a diagnosis of liver injury is excluded. Immunizations: Prior to initiating therapy with SOTYKTU, consider completion of all age-appropriate immunizations according to current immunization guidelines including prophylactic herpes zoster vaccination. Avoid use of live vaccines in patients treated with SOTYKTU. The response to live or non-live vaccines has not been evaluated. Potential Risks Related to JAK Inhibition: It is not known whether tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibition may be associated with the observed or potential adverse reactions of Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibition. In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety trial of a JAK inhibitor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, higher rates of all-cause mortality, including sudden cardiovascular death, major adverse cardiovascular events, overall thrombosis, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) were observed in patients treated with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. SOTYKTU is not approved for use in RA. ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (1% of patients on SOTYKTU and more frequently than with placebo) include upper respiratory infections, blood creatine phosphokinase increased, herpes simplex, mouth ulcers, folliculitis and acne. SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnancy: Available data from case reports on SOTYKTU use during pregnancy are insufficient to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Report pregnancies to the Bristol-Myers Squibb Companys Adverse Event reporting line at 1-800-721-5072. Lactation: There are no data on the presence of SOTYKTU in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. SOTYKTU is present in rat milk. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mothers clinical need for SOTYKTU and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from SOTYKTU or from the underlying maternal condition. Hepatic Impairment: SOTYKTU is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment. SOTYKTU is available in 6 mg tablets. Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for SOTYKTU. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Otezla (apremilast) is a registered trademark of Amgen Inc. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that results of future post-marketing studies may not be consistent with the results of this study, that Sotyktu, for the indication described in this release, may not be commercially successful, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and that continued approval of such product candidate for such indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in additional confirmatory trials. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibbs business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibbs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. corporatefinancial-news View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010884695/en/ Bristol Myers Squibb Media Inquiries: [email protected] Investors: [email protected] Source: Bristol Myers Squibb PARIS & BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: SpineGuard (FR0011464452 ALSGD), an innovative company that deploys its DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) sensing technology to secure and streamline the placement of bone implants, announced today its third quarter 2023 revenue. Pierre Jerome, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of SpineGuard, said: Despite our revenue decline in the last 6 months, this quarter marks the rebound of SpineGuard sales in the United States with a sequential growth of 19% over the second quarter. The newly set-up American commercial team is ramping-up with focus on bolstering our agent network and promoting the recently launched products, PediGuard Threaded and DSG Connect, which have been significantly contributing to the steady increase of our product sales over the last ten quarters or so in the rest of the world, +26% year-to-date. In parallel, we are finalizing the development of three new products that we plan to introduce on the market within the next twelve months in order to swiftly get back to double digit global growth and continue to expand the application scope of our DSG technology." Q3 2023 revenue thousands IFRS (Unaudited) 2023 2022 Variance First Quarter 1,271 1,131 +12% Second Quarter 963 1,415 -32% Third Quarter 978 1,476 -34% Year-To-Date 9 months 3,211 4,022 -20% SpineGuards consolidated revenue decreased by -34% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022. In the United States, the revenue of the third quarter 2023 decreased by 29% in USD, to $ 728K from $ 1,020K. This is mainly due to the low level of orders from SpineGuards main American distributor, which is experiencing its own financial and governance difficulties. However, a recovery in business has been observed under the impetus of the renewed American team. The third-quarter sales are up by 19% to $ 728K vs. $ 610K in the second quarter. In the rest of the world, the product sales of the third quarter 2023 grew by +5% for the products and decreased by 33% when factoring in the interruption of royalties revenue related to the dental project. 4,395 DSG units were sold in the first nine months of 2023 vs. 4,209 units in first nine months of 2022, which is a global growth of +4%. 1,596 units were sold in the United States representing 36% of total units. Cash position At September 30, 2023, cash and cash equivalents were 4.0M. To continue bolstering its equity, the company is currently considering other funding opportunities, including a capital increase with retention of preferential subscription rights, rather than to use the Horizon equity line put in place on May 31, 2023 with Nice & Green's for an amount of 7.5M, which remains undrawn at the date of this press release. Perspectives SpineGuard is focusing on the following priorities while investing selectively and with rigor: Boost commercial activities with PediGuard Threaded and the DSG-Connect platform Develop the DSG drill bit for a launch in 2024 Codevelop the Sacro-Iliac DSG device and Smart Screw with Omnia Medical Implement the three-prong agreement recently signed with XinRong Medical for China Deploy the DSG technology in the surgical robotic and dental fields Initiate new strategic partnerships About SpineGuard Founded in 2009 in France and the USA by Pierre Jerome and Stephane Bette, SpineGuard is an innovative company deploying its proprietary radiation-free real time sensing technology DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) to secure and streamline the placement of implants in the skeleton. SpineGuard designs, develops and markets medical devices embedding its technology. Over 95,000 surgical procedures have been secured worldwide thanks to DSG and twenty-five studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated the multiple benefits DSG offers to patients, surgeons, surgical staff and hospitals. Building on these strong fundamentals and several strategic partnerships, SpineGuard is expanding the scope of its DSG technology to the treatment of scoliosis via anterior approach, sacroiliac joint fusion, dental implantology and innovations such as the smart pedicle screw and power drill or surgical robotics. DSG was co-invented by Maurice Bourlion, Ph.D., Ciaran Bolger, M.D., Ph.D., and Alain Vanquaethem, Biomedical Engineer. SpineGuard has engaged in multiple ESG initiatives. For further information, visit www.spineguard.com Disclaimer The SpineGuard securities may not be offered or sold in the United States as they have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any United States state securities laws, and SpineGuard does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. This is an announcement and not a prospectus, and the information contained herein does and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or exemption from registration. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011945339/en/ SpineGuard Pierre Jerome CEO & Chairman Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19 [email protected] SpineGuard Anne-Charlotte Millard CFO Tel. : 01 45 18 45 19 [email protected] NewCap Investor Relations & Financial Communication Mathilde Bohin / Aurelie Manavarere Tel: +33 1 44 71 94 94 [email protected] Source: SpineGuard The Square 50 recognizes businesses that are making waves in their communities and industries across retail, restaurants, and services Anyone can now submit their selection for the Voters Choice in each category OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Square is announcing its inaugural awards, The Square 50, dedicated to honoring businesses that are changing the entrepreneurial game. The Square 50 features sellers like breakfast spot Biscuit Love in the US, poke restaurant Fishbowl in Australia, stationery retailer Kakimori in Japan, and brewery and tasting room Backcountry Brewing in Canada. The full Square 50 class of 2023 can be seen here! This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011520436/en/ (Graphic: Square) The Square 50 features 50 businesses across 10 categories, with each category dedicated to unique craftsmanship and expertise: The Inspiring Innovators: Businesses that diversified operations and built resiliency for the long term. Businesses that diversified operations and built resiliency for the long term. The Growth Generators: Businesses that experienced incredible growth over the years. Businesses that experienced incredible growth over the years. The Future-Facing: Businesses that harness technology to streamline and automate operations. Businesses that harness technology to streamline and automate operations. The Experience Experts: Businesses that prioritize the customer experience. Businesses that prioritize the customer experience. The Stellar Stores: Businesses with elevated in-person experiences. Businesses with elevated in-person experiences. The Online Obsessed: Businesses with beautifully designed eCommerce websites. Businesses with beautifully designed eCommerce websites. The Merch Mavens: Businesses with branded merch lines for customers. Businesses with branded merch lines for customers. The Social Savvy: Businesses that leverage social media to promote and grow their brand. Businesses that leverage social media to promote and grow their brand. The Community Connoisseurs: Businesses that give back to their local communities. Businesses that give back to their local communities. The Green Gurus: Businesses that prioritize sustainability in their operations. While businesses have faced unique challenges over the years, sellers have proven to be resilient and ready to take on anything that comes their way. These businesses set an example for what it means to be a business leader providing inspiration to staff, customers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Every Square seller is a winner in our eyes. Running a business is one of the hardest things to do and sellers continue to amaze us with their innovation, drive, and leadership, said Saumil Mehta, Head of Point of Sale and Omnichannel at Square. The Square 50 not only gives these businesses the spotlight they deserve, but we also want to thank them for trusting us to be part of their journey. As part of The Square 50, the public has the opportunity to vote for the Voters Choice in each category. Voting is now open and closes October 24 at 1 am PDT. You can learn more about each Square 50 seller and cast your vote here. Voters Choice will be announced November 15 through the Square 50 page and Squares social channels. About Square Square makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible with its integrated ecosystem of solutions. Square offers purpose-built software to run complex restaurant, retail, and professional services operations, versatile e-commerce tools, embedded financial services and banking products, buy now, pay later functionality through Afterpay, staff management and payroll capabilities, and much more all of which work together to save sellers time and effort. Millions of sellers across the globe trust Square to power their business and help them thrive in the economy. For more information, visit www.squareup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011520436/en/ [email protected] Source: Block, Inc. DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sunflower Bank, N.A. announces the creation of a new Community Partner Award program to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations in its communities. Award recipients will receive grants to be used in support of their ongoing efforts to serve their communities. The Community Partner Awards program is led by the banks Community Affairs Office and will include participation from employees, individuals and local organizations throughout Sunflower Bank and First National 1870 communities in qualified counties of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas. From October 11 - November 15, 2023, nominations will be open to the public so that each bank community has the opportunity to nominate local community partners for an award. In 2023, Sunflower Bank, N.A. will donate a total of $80,000 through seventeen Community Partner Award grants of $3,000 to $15,000. Between October 11 and November 15, 2023, Sunflower Bank, N.A. employees across all locations will nominate individuals and organizations for award consideration. Nominees receiving the greatest number of employee votes in each market will receive a corresponding award. Check donation presentations will be held throughout the month of December. In addition, five Empowerment Award winners will be named as a result of a public submission process. From October 11 - November 15, individuals and organizations can enter submissions for consideration. The online application form is available at https://www.sunflowerbank.com/community-partner-award Community Partner Award winners will be chosen from nominees that: Demonstrate exceptional focus on community enhancement through their work; or Support one of our main impact areas: affordable housing, economic development, financial education, or community services; or Help create stronger communities that are diverse, equitable, inclusive, and modeled to create opportunities for all. Bringing out the best in the lives we touch ... Creating Possibility, is our mission statement. By establishing the Sunflower Bank, N.A. Community Partner Award, were excited to provide much-needed support to wonderful local partners that enhance our communities, said Danny Spears, Community Reinvestment Act Program Director for Sunflower Bank, N.A. Since 2020, Sunflower Bank, N.A. has donated over $530,000 to charitable organizations and its employees have logged over 16,000 volunteer hours in their communities. The Community Partners Award further builds on these efforts with an additional goal of inspiring others to take active roles in local betterment of their communities. About Sunflower Bank, N.A. Operating as Sunflower Bank, First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage, Sunflower Bank, N.A. provides financial solutions to the individual communities it serves. With $7.8 billion in assets as of June 30, 2023, headquarters in Denver, bank locations in five states, and mortgage capabilities in more than 40 states, Sunflower Bank, N.A. provides a full range of relationship-focused services to meet personal, business and wealth management financial objectives. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage are divisions of Sunflower Bank, N.A. To learn more visit SunflowerBank.com, FirstNational1870.com or GuardianMortgageOnline.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011477018/en/ Leon Edwards Officer, Marketing Manager 913.202.7909 [email protected] Source: Sunflower Bank, N.A. DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE: TPL) (the Company or TPL) announced today that the Company will release third quarter 2023 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. A conference call will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Webcast: A webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investors section of the Companys website at www.texaspacific.com. To listen to the live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register and install any necessary audio software. To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call: Dial in at least 15 minutes prior to start time: Domestic: 1-877-407-4018 International: 1-201-689-8471 Conference Call Playback: Domestic: 1-844-512-2921 International: 1-412-317-6671 Pass code: 13741100 The playback can be accessed through November 16, 2023. About Texas Pacific Land Corporation Texas Pacific Land Corporation is one of the largest landowners in the State of Texas with approximately 886,000 acres of land in West Texas, with the majority of its ownership concentrated in the Permian Basin. The Company is not an oil and gas producer, but its surface and royalty ownership provide revenue opportunities throughout the life cycle of a well. These revenue opportunities include fixed fee payments for use of our land, revenue for sales of materials (caliche) used in the construction of infrastructure, providing sourced water and/or treated produced water, revenue from our oil and gas royalty interests, and revenues related to saltwater disposal on our land. The Company also generates revenue from pipeline, power line and utility easements, commercial leases and temporary permits related to a variety of land uses including midstream infrastructure projects and hydrocarbon processing facilities. Visit TPL at texaspacific.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011416657/en/ Investor Relations [email protected] Source: Texas Pacific Land Corporation MALAKOFF, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: THERACLION (ISIN: FR0010120402; Mnemo: ALTHE) (Paris: ALTHE), an innovative company developing a robotic platform for non-invasive ultrasound therapy, presents its half-year financial results for 2023 and provides an update on the execution of its strategy. In the first half of 2023, Theraclion appointed its new Chief Executive Officer Martin Deterre, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Furui and secured the necessary financing for the next 18 months. Theraclion has reached important milestones in its 3-pronged strategy focused on the treatment of varicose veins: On access to the US market : a successful feasibility study and authorization from the FDA to launch a pivotal study, which will be conducted in four centers recognized for their scientific excellence in the United States and Europe. The first treatments are expected in the coming weeks. : a successful feasibility study and authorization from the FDA to launch a pivotal study, which will be conducted in four centers recognized for their scientific excellence in the United States and Europe. The first treatments are expected in the coming weeks. On access to the Chinese market : the signing of an agreement with its historic and industrial partner Furui at the end of May has accelerated access to the market. Furui invested 6 million in June's 8.4 million capital increase. This investment will be supplemented by a further 1 million if Theraclion achieves its operational targets. Furui and Theraclion are also joining forces to conquer the Chinese market. Theraclion will license its technologies and the use of its trademarks to Theraclion China for a fee of 3 million, which will be paid based on the achievement of project milestones. Based on the current execution of the partnership, payments totaling 2.5 million in the form of license fees or capital increases could be expected within the next 6 months. : the signing of an agreement with its historic and industrial partner Furui at the end of May has accelerated access to the market. Furui invested 6 million in June's 8.4 million capital increase. This investment will be supplemented by a further 1 million if Theraclion achieves its operational targets. Furui and Theraclion are also joining forces to conquer the Chinese market. Theraclion will license its technologies and the use of its trademarks to Theraclion China for a fee of 3 million, which will be paid based on the achievement of project milestones. Based on the current execution of the partnership, payments totaling 2.5 million in the form of license fees or capital increases could be expected within the next 6 months. On the pursuit of technological and robotic innovations: successive improvements are regularly made to the product and will continue to be made over the next few years, particularly in acoustics, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Combining its real-time imaging and robotics capabilities, AI algorithms will automate more and more tasks, speeding up the procedure and drastically simplifying interactions between the doctor and SONOVEIN. Close partnerships with a dozen reference centers in Europe are continuing, helping to accelerate the development of this technology and treatment protocols. Martin Deterre, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Theraclion's efforts remain focused on its clearly defined strategy: the pivotal study for access to the US market, development in China and transformative advances in R&D, while controlling expenses. Progress made and to be made on this roadmap should contribute to a significant appreciation in valuation. Investment in technology and treatment protocols In K 30/06/2023 30/06/2022 Var. % Turnover 981 347 +183% Grants 0 7 -92% Total operating income 981 354 +177% Purchase of goods (532) (143) +272% External expenses (1,115) (1,746) -36% Staff costs (1,957) (1,735) +13% Other operating expenses (557) (173) +222% Total operating expenses (4,161) (3,797) +10% Operating profit (3,179) (3,443) -8% Financial result (65) (40) +63% Non-current income 263 350 -25% Research tax credit 504 492 +2% Net income (2,476) (2,561) - 3% Average headcount 30 28 +7% Accounts approved by the Board of Directors on 4 October 2023. Theraclion SA generated sales of 981K in the first half of 2023, an increase of 183% compared to the first half of 2022. Theraclion is voluntarily reducing its commercial efforts and focusing on perfecting SONOVEIN HD treatment protocols. Theraclion expects to maintain a limited level of sales in Europe. Commercial development will be driven mainly by the US and Chinese markets, which guarantee a much faster return on investment. In the first half of the year, Theraclion recorded the sale of a state-of-the-art device to the University of Virginia as part of a clinical trial on breast cancer research. Approved by the FDA, this pilot study aims to evaluate the combined effects of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and conventional therapies on the immune response in patients suffering from early-stage breast cancer. Sales of consumables rose by 65%, driven by the doubling of sales in the varicose vein indication. Theraclion has chosen to make SONOVEIN available to reference centers in order to develop treatment protocols. These centers are able to use SONOVEIN in their commercial practice, which generates revenue for Theraclion. Operating expenses rose by 10% to 4,161k, mainly as a result of higher consumption of purchases to support the 183% growth in sales. Adjusted for purchases of goods and changes in inventories, operating expenses fell by 1% to 3,629k. The financial result was a loss of (65k) for the first half, mainly due to foreign exchange (28k), losses on the liquidity contract (24k) and interest on State-Guaranteed Loans. Research tax credit amounted to 504k for the period, up 2% from 492k a year earlier, due to the increase in research expenditure. The loss for the first half fell slightly by 3% to 2,476k. In K 30/06/2023 31/12/2022 Var. % Treasury 9,078 2,489 +6,589 Medium-term cash position 31 31 0 Total cash and cash equivalents 9,109 2,520 + 6,589 Bank loans -2,242 -2,506 - 264 Convertible debt 0 0 0 Total debt - 2,242 - 2,506 - 264 Net cash position 6,867 14 6,853 Theraclion has received cash advances from Oseo amounting to 6,290k, including capitalised interest. Repayment is based on milestones that are not expected to be reached within the next five years. Consequently, the advance is not recognised as a financial liability. Theraclion had a cash position of 9.1m at 30 June 2023. About Theraclion Theraclion is a French MedTech company committed to developing a non-invasive alternative to surgery through the innovative use of focused ultrasound. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) does not require incisions or an operating room, leaves no scars, and allows patients an immediate return to their daily activities. Echotherapy, as the HIFU treatment method is called, concentrates therapeutic ultrasounds to an internal focal point from outside of the body. Theraclion has developed two CE-marked robotic platforms delivering echotherapy: SONOVEIN for varicose veins and ECHOPULSE for breast fibroadenoma and thyroid nodules. Each has the potential to replace millions of surgical procedures every year. Based in Malakoff (Paris), the Theraclion team is made up of 30 people, most of which are dedicated to technological and clinical development. For more information, please visit www.theraclion.com or www.echotherapy.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Theraclion is listed on Euronext Growth Paris Eligible for the PEA-PME scheme Mnemonic: ALTHE - ISIN code: FR0010120402 LEI: 9695007X7HA7A1GCYD29 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011933183/en/ Theraclion contact Martin Deterre Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Source: THERACLION Company must pay Consumer 4440, Dutch Consumer Group the Consumentenbond Calls for Settlement Talks AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On Friday October 6, 2023, the Sub-District Court of Oost-Brabant (s-Hertogenbosch) ruled that Volkswagen must compensate yet another Dutch Dieselgate consumer who purchased a VW vehicle containing illegal defeat device software. The Court ruled that Volkswagen must pay 4440 - the equivalent of 10% of the vehicles purchase price. This is the latest of four lawsuits brought by the Volkswagen Group Diesel Efficiency Foundation (VGDES) (a Dutch organization representing consumer rights) and Consumentenbond (the Dutch consumer rights organization) on behalf of consumers defrauded by VW. Earlier this year, in March, April and July 2023, other Dutch courts all ruled against Volkswagen finding that it must pay damages to Dutch consumers who similarly purchased vehicles equipped with illegal software. In those prior rulings, the courts awarded 3,000 for an impacted new VW diesel vehicle and 1,500 for a used one. In this latest opinion, the judge increased the penalty finding that those amounts were too low, and determining that the appropriate sanction was a percentage of the vehicles purchase price. A Fourth Defeat for Volkswagen This is the fourth time in a row that the Court has ruled against Volkswagen, said Dick Bouma, chairman of VGDES. The judge swept aside all VWs technical legal defenses, and simply found that the car maker deceived consumers. Courts here and all over the world have determined that the company has deliberately misled consumers, including by promoting these diesel cars as environmentally friendly. It is time for Volkswagen to compensate harmed consumers. Volkswagen Should Resolve the Claims of the Hundreds of Thousands Dutch Consumers Sandra Molenaar, Consumentenbond CEO, is pleased with the ruling and looks ahead: So far we have won all four lawsuits against VW concerning its illegal use of defeat device software in diesel cars. Following this even stronger decision, we again invite Volkswagen to engage in settlement talks. Hopefully, the company is now prepared to compensate all affected Dutch consumers. If not, there are thousands of individual cases we can file against the Company. And, if necessary, we will take each and every case to court to hold Volkswagen accountable and to force the Company to compensate all impacted consumers. Links View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011132017/en/ Source/Contact Gerard Spierenburg Consumentenbond [email protected] Source: Consumentenbond Jim Jordan walks through the halls of the Capitol this Tuesday towards a meeting with Florida representatives. MICHAEL REYNOLDS (EFE) It was another nonstop day in the Capitol. The clock ticked past 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and the two candidates for speaker of the House of Representatives Jim Jordan (Ohio) and Steve Scalise (Louisiana) were still meeting with Republicans in a bid to secure votes. The two are vying to succeed Kevin McCarthy, the former House speaker who was ousted last week in a historic vote, which for the first time in 234 years has left the third-highest authority in the country and second in the presidential line of succession vacant. The motion to vacate was filed by a single man, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, and backed by seven other members of the Republican Partys hard-right faction. The ouster of McCarthy has plunged Congress into chaos and the United States into legislative paralysis. Republicans have been called for a round of secret voting on Wednesday morning. If one of the two candidates obtains enough votes (217), his candidacy will be taken to the House, where it is expected that the Democrats, who are in the minority (with 212 seats), will vote against any of the Republican candidates. But on Tuesday, after intense proselytizing, declarations of intentions and various promises, there was still no certainty about who would be the Republican candidate. When questioned by reporters in the hallways of the Capitol, many Republicans were still undecided about whether they intended to support Scalise or Jordan. Last weekends unprecedented Hamas attack and Israels subsequent declaration of war have added pressure to the institutional crisis in Washington. Gaetzs somewhat nihilistic move could not have come at a worse time for U.S. international policy. With Congress closed, unable to discuss or vote on anything until a new speaker is elected, Republican lawmakers many of whom have rushed to show solidarity with Israel have their hands tied when it comes to proposing any measure, albeit symbolic, in support of the U.S. ally. Meanwhile, at least 14 Americans have been taken hostage by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The clock is ticking. Aid to Ukraine is frozen, and November 17 when the stopgap spending bill signed with the Democrats to avoid a federal shutdown will expire is fast approaching. That was the measure that cost McCarthy his job. The vote to elect a new House speaker could happen as soon as tomorrow. But it is also possible that the uncertainty drags on for several days more. Republicans will wait until they are sure they have a viable candidate before going to vote in the House. They want to avoid the spectacle seen last January, when it took 15 rounds of voting another near-unprecedented case for McCarthy to be elected House speaker. To ensure there is no repeat of this debacle, the Republican Party has altered the rules of the secret ballot. Until now, it was enough for a candidate to obtain 50% of the votes for their name to be brought to the floor. Now, that threshold has been changed to 217 votes, which will allow them to settle their differences behind closed doors and not in public. Shift to the right The only thing clear at this point is that both Jordan and Scalise represent a shift to the right, with respect to the direction set by McCarthy, who announced last week that he would not run again for the position. On Monday, however, he said he would be willing to return if Republicans asked him to. Several moderate Republicans maneuvered on Tuesday to gather support for his candidacy. Gaetz responded to this possibility on X: Its time to move on, he said on the social network formerly known as Twitter, adding that he did not think McCarthy would secure enough votes. McCarthy himself later confirmed to reporters: There are two people running in there. Im not one of them. Jordan has the public support of former president Donald Trump, who continues to have enormous influence in the party. More importantly, around one-third of Republicans are Trump supporters: any presidential hopeful needs those votes to have a chance of winning the White House. Trumps support for Jordan came as no surprise. Jordan is a Trump loyalist and helped the former president with his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which the real estate magnate still refuses to admit he lost. Jordan knew more about what Donald Trump had planned for January 6 than any other member of the House of Representatives, said former Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney last week. Cheney took part in the bipartisan commission that carried out a six-month investigation into the 2021 attack on the Capitol. In the commissions final report, Jordans name appears 22 times, some of them in incriminating passages. The idea that a lawmaker who sought to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden could end up leading the House has raised concerns among the moderates in the Republican Party. Scalise, for his part, secured support on Tuesday from some centrists in the party, as well as from representatives from swing states. Some Republicans are concerned that last weeks infighting debacle could alienate swing voters, who sometimes vote Democrat and other times Republican. Until McCarthys ouster, Scalise was his second in command, although they had evident disagreements. Both Scalise and Jordan have promised to permanently resolve the risk of a government shutdown, although it is not yet clear how they intend to achieve this. Whats more, Jordan has said that money destined for Ukraine which has been frozen since before the speakers ouster last week will be sent to Israel if he is elected House speaker. In a speech from the White House on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said that the United States will make sure that Israel can defend itself as we have always. But for that, you need a functioning Congress. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- World Kinect Corporation (NYSE: WKC) invites you to participate in a conference call with its management team on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company's third quarter 2023 results, as well as certain forward-looking information. The company plans to release its third quarter 2023 results after the market closes on the same date. Participants can access the live webcast or participate by phone by visiting the companys website at ir.worldkinect.com/events. To join the conference call by phone, participants must pre-register and will then receive dial-in information and a PIN enabling access to the call. About World Kinect Corporation Headquartered in Miami, Florida, World Kinect Corporation (NYSE: WKC) is a leading global energy management company, offering a broad suite of solutions across the energy product spectrum. In addition to our core energy and fuel offerings to customers in the transportation sector, we provide advisory services, sustainability and renewable energy solutions, as well as supply fulfillment for natural gas and power. We continue to focus on advancing the energy transition to lower carbon alternatives through expanding our portfolio of energy solutions and providing customers with greater access to sustainably sourced energy. For more information, visit wfscorp.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011108696/en/ Ira M. Birns Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Elsa Ballard Vice President of Investor Relations [email protected] Source: World Kinect Corporation FILE PHOTO: Flue gas and steam rise out of chimneys and smokestacks of an oil refinery during sunset on a frosty day in the Siberian city of Omsk, Russia, February 8, 2023. REUTERS/Alexey Malgavko/File Photo By Andrea Shalal MARRAKECH, Morocco (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday said a G7-led price cap on Russian oil had sharply reduced Russian revenues over the past 10 months, and that it was critical to keep imposing severe and increasing costs on Russia over its war in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine remained a major headwind for the global economy, she said in remarks prepared for a news conference on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. Yellen also said the IMF's updated outlook showed the global economy was in a better place than expected at last year's annual meetings, but Treasury continued to monitor downside risks. While some countries were seeing slowing growth, including China and the euro zone, Yellen said she did not see signs of any broad spillovers destabilizing the global economy. Yellen condemned Saturday's attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history, but her prepared remarks did not touch upon its potential impact on the global economy. The Treasury chief, who visited Ukraine in February, said the Biden administration would work with Congress to ensure continued support for Ukraine. "We cannot allow our support to Ukraine to be interrupted," she said. "The Biden administration with the support of a bipartisan majority of the U.S. Congress and the American people will work so that Ukraine receives the assistance it needs to win this war." Republican infighting in the House of Representatives has complicated budget negotiations and recently prompted President Joe Biden to express fears that U.S. aid to Ukraine could be hurt by congressional chaos. Yellen said the Biden administration would also keep working to mitigate the impacts of Russia's war in Ukraine, including on food security, while working with a global coalition to deprive Russia of the funding it needs to wage the war. She said the price cap on Russian oil had "significantly reduced Russian revenue over the last 10 months while promoting stable energy markets." Global energy prices have been largely unchanged while Russia has had to either sell oil at a significant discount or spend huge amounts on its alternative ecosystem, she added. The Group of Seven (G7) countries imposed sanctions in December that prohibit shippers or insurers domiciled in G7 countries from offering services to facilitate Russian oil exports when the price is above $60 a barrel. The sanctions do not apply to shippers or insurers from other countries, regardless of the price. Critics say Russia is circumventing the cap by using a "ghost fleet" of older tankers. Yellen also voiced support for taxing windfall proceeds from Russian sovereign assets immobilized in particular clearinghouses and using the funds to support Ukraine. "We must continue to impose severe and increasing costs on Russia and continue efforts to ensure Russia pays for the damage it has caused," she said. Yellen said Washington's focus on the global macroeconomy and on addressing global challenges continued to shape its approach to U.S.-China ties, adding that she would meet with China's top central banker Pan Gongsheng in Marrakech this week. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) Cellares, the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) dedicated to clinical and industrial-scale cell therapy manufacturing, announced that global biopharmaceutical company and cell therapy leader Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) will enter a second proof-of-concept tech transfer process for the manufacture of a CAR-T cell therapy, as part of the Cellares Technology Adoption Partnership (TAP) program. As part of this expanded agreement, Cellares will optimize, automate, and tech-transfer the additional CAR-T cell therapy process onto its automated manufacturing platform, the Cell Shuttle. Cellares TAP program is a fast and low-risk opportunity for cell therapy developers to adopt the companys automated manufacturing technology for products in their pipeline. Bristol Myers Squibb is leveraging this program to evaluate the Cell Shuttle as an automated manufacturing process and produce comparability data confirming the Cell Shuttle as a viable, cost-efficient, and scalable manufacturing solution for cell therapies. Cellares is experiencing rapid growth and significant demand for its TAP program, with leading cell therapy developers looking to implement the Cell Shuttle as a clinical and commercial-stage GMP manufacturing solution. Were excited to expand our relationship with Bristol Myers Squibb even further beyond the Series C investment and the first TAP program for cell therapies, said Cellares CEO Fabian Gerlinghaus. The optimization and automation of this additional CAR-T cell therapy process through our TAP program expands on our first partnership with BMS and helps our mission to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies for patients. The companys flexible manufacturing technology supports both autologous and allogeneic cell therapy processes and approximately 90% of cell therapy modalities. Under the TAP program, manual processes can be automated and tech-transferred onto Cellares Cell Shuttle platform in only six months. Participating cell therapy developers can tech-transfer their cell therapy processes onto a Cell Shuttle at any stage during pre-clinical development, in the clinic, or after regulatory approval. Thanks to automation, standardization, and software-defined manufacturing (SDM), every tech transfer thereafter is instantaneous to any Cell Shuttle in any other IDMO Smart Factory anywhere in the world. Please visit cellares.com/partnering/ to learn more about the TAP program and request a meeting with a business development representative. About Cellares Cellares is the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) and takes an Industry 4.0 approach to mass manufacturing the living drugs of the 21st century. The company is both developing and operating integrated technologies for cell therapy manufacturing to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies. The companys Cell Shuttle integrates all the technologies required for the entire manufacturing process in a flexible and high-throughput platform that delivers true walk-away, end-to-end automation. Cell Shuttles will be deployed in Cellares Smart Factories around the world to meet total patient demand for cell therapies at global scale. Partnering with Cellares enables academics, biotechs, and pharma companies to accelerate drug development and scale out manufacturing, lower process failure rates, lower manufacturing costs, and meet global patient demand. The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California with its commercial-scale IDMO Smart Factory in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company is backed by world-class investors and has raised over $355 million in financing. For more information about Cellares, please visit cellares.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011317756/en/ [email protected] Source: Cellares HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a contract to build nine small unmanned undersea vehicles (SUUV) for the U.S. Navys Lionfish System program. The contract has the potential to grow to as many as 200 vehicles over the next five years with a total value of more than $347 million. The Lionfish System, based on HII's REMUS 300, is a highly portable, two-person SUUV with an open architecture design and versatile payload options. In early 2022, REMUS 300 was chosen as the Navy's official program of record for the next-generation SUUV. Administered by Naval Sea Systems Command, this contract provides for the delivery and support of the Navys next generation SUUVs, as well as afloat and auxiliary support equipment and engineering services. The vehicles, incorporating the latest in autonomous and unmanned technology, will conduct critical undersea missions for the Navy. Lionfish provides increased capability and interoperability that aligns with the Navys undersea priorities, and we look forward to delivering next-generation vehicles that can readily adapt to and support a variety of mission needs, said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies. Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-navy-lionfish-small-unmanned-undersea-vehicle-contract-2023/. We are pleased with the Navys decision to support a combat-proven technology, essential to the Navys undersea mission, said Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies Unmanned Systems business group. Our team is committed to delivering fully capable vehicles that will enhance the effectiveness of the warfighter against emerging threats. The Lionfish System was developed through an innovative process with the Department of Defenses Defense Innovation Unit and the Navy that incorporated feedback from multiple user groups to uniquely meet the needs of the warfighters. HII is the largest producer of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV) worldwide. Serving customers in more than 30 countries, HII provides design, autonomy, manufacturing, testing, operations and sustainment of unmanned systems, including UUVs and unmanned surface vessels (USV). International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) today announced that its subsidiaries, IGT Global Services Limited and IGT Global Solutions Corporation, have signed a 10-year contract extension with Pan Malaysian Pools SDN BHD ("PMP"). As part of this contract extension, IGT will upgrade PMP's existing system technology to IGT's powerful central lottery system, Aurora, and related system components designed to help manage and responsibly grow PMP's business. As part of IGT's player-centric, omnichannel solution, OMNIA, Aurora will also seamlessly integrate with PMP's proprietary dmcGO iLottery platform. "Over the last 12 years, IGT has demonstrated its forward-looking lottery expertise by helping PMP introduce innovative and responsible, growth-driving lottery solutions into the market," said Tan Kong Han, PMP Managing Director. "IGT's sophisticated Aurora central system and advanced features, as well as its integration with our dmcGO platform, will help PMP provide our players with engaging and convenient lottery experiences over the next decade." "This contract extension marks an exciting new chapter for PMP and IGT, as we continue working together to modernize lottery offerings throughout Malaysia ," said Jay Gendron , IGT Chief Operating Officer, Global Lottery. "Our world-class Aurora system and special features will provide valuable insights to PMP, helping grow their business and maximize funds for The Community Chest, a charitable trust funded by PMP that focuses on providing financial assistance to educational institutions in Malaysia ." Italy's FIM Cisl union on Wednesday revised its vehicle production outlook for Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) in Italy for the current year due to a recent deceleration in the market. Presenting Stellantis' Italian production data for January to September, the union now anticipates the company's Italian output to reach approximately 730,000 vehicles in 2023. While this represents a 6.4% increase compared to 2022, it falls short of the 800,000 vehicle projection that FIM Cisl had put forth three months ago when presenting the automakers Italian production data for the first half of the year. Union official, Ferdinando Uliano said the decrease forecast reflects a general market slowdown in recent months. "It's affecting all models produced in Italy, especially the fully electric 500," he said, Uliano added that buyers have also been delaying purchases while waiting for new government incentives. Due to reduced demand, Stellantis confirmed a temporary suspension of operations at its Mirafiori plant in Turin from late October to early November. This facility is responsible for assembling the 500 BEV small car and Maserati models. The Italian government is actively pursuing a comprehensive, long-term strategy for its automotive sector in collaboration with Stellantis, the nation's primary automobile manufacturer (known for producing Fiats), as well as other automotive groups. During these discussions, the Italian government is advocating for Stellantis to increase its annual production in Italy to one million vehicles, a milestone the company last reached in 2017. However, there is some confusion regarding this goal, as Stellantis typically includes vans in its count when referring to one million vehicles. By contrast, Industry Minister Adolfo Urso has consistently emphasized achieving one million cars. Uliano clarified that achieving a target of one million passenger cars in Italy would require doubling the current production levels. Shares of STLA are up 3.47% in pre-market trading Wednesday morning. By Michael Elkins | [email protected] Paid press release content from Evertise Financial. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Hanoi, October 11, 2023 Vingroups Chairman, Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong, announces that he will donate 99.8 percent of VinES Energy Solutions Joint Stock Companys shares to VinFast. The merger is designed to enhance VinFasts self-sufficiency in battery technology and its production chain, while increasing its competitive edge in the ever-growing electric vehicle market. Following the donation, VinES will be merged into VinFast to enhance its self-efficiency in battery technology and leverage resources to increase battery research and development for its vehicles. VinES is a member company of Vingroup with legal capital of VND 6,500 billion ($270 million). The company specializes in researching, developing, and manufacturing advanced lithium-ion batteries for mobility and energy storage applications. VinES also cooperates with leading global battery technology partners and seeks to become a comprehensive energy solution provider. Under the terms of the merger, VinFast will acquire all VinES intellectual property related to battery cells, battery packs, manufacturing facilities, technology, partnerships, and supplier contracts. This comprehensive acquisition of VinES battery technology and modern manufacturing facilities is an important step in completing VinFasts fully integrated production chain and creates an unparalleled competitive advantage for VinFast in the global electric vehicle market. Ms. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup and Global CEO of VinFast shared: The acquisition of VinES will help VinFast control our battery technology and supply chain, thus optimizing operating expenses and enriching technology content in our electric vehicles. This is also an important step towards developing and controlling an integrated supply chain as well as comprehensive manufacturing system to further strengthen our competitiveness. In April 2023, Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong signed an agreement committing him to donate USD 1 billion from his personal assets to VinFast. Vingroup, together with Mr. Vuong, also announced the contribution of a further USD 500 million to VinFast in non-refundable grants as well as a guarantee for a loan of USD 1 billion carrying a maximum tenor of five years to support VinFasts growth and global expansion plans. For more information, please visit: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001913510/000119312523253903/d535412d6k.htm U.S. Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen holds a news conference at the Museum of the Water Civilization in Morocco on the third day of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meeting, in Marrakech, Morocco, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Susana V By Andrea Shalal MARRAKECH, Morocco (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday she continued to expect the U.S. economy would have a soft landing, even though the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas brought additional risks. "I still see as the base case for the United States a so-called soft landing," due to the resilience in the labour market and moderating wage pressure, Yellen told a briefing. "Of course the situation in Israel causes additional concerns. I'm not saying soft landing is an absolutely sure thing. But I continue to think it's the most likely path." Yellen said Washington was monitoring the potential economic impact of the escalating conflict, though it was unlikely a major driver of the global outlook. "Thus far, I don't think we've seen anything suggesting it would be very significant," she said. Crude oil prices jumped and safe-haven currencies like the yen rose following a massive incursion into Israel from Gaza launched by Hamas on Oct. 7. Yellen said she had nothing to announce yet on whether the United States would tighten sanctions on Iran if evidence emerged that the country was involved in the attack. "This is something that we have been constantly looking at, and using information that become available to tighten sanctions," she said. "We will continue to do that." (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, David Lawder and Leika Kihara; Editing by Andrew Heavens and John Stonestreet) Smoke rises from the Israeli side after Palestinian Hamas gunmen infiltrated areas of southern Israel, as seen from Gaza, October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo By Jonathan Landay and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Iran likely knew that Palestinian Hamas militants were planning "operations against Israel" but initial U.S. intelligence reports show that some Iranian leaders were surprised by the Islamist group's unprecedented attack from Gaza, U.S. sources said on Wednesday. Those Iranian officials would ordinarily have been informed about such a massive operation by Hamas, which Tehran has long supported with weapons and funds, according to a person familiar with the intelligence. A U.S. official said, however, that Iran, Israel's regional arch-foe, had likely been aware that Hamas was planning to take action against Israel "but without the precise timing or scope of what occurred" last weekend. White House spokesman John Kirby reiterated on Wednesday in an MSNBC interview that Iran was complicit because of its longtime ties to Hamas but "we haven't seen anything that cites specific support to this specific set of attacks." Iran lauded the multi-pronged assault that the militants carried out from Gaza on Saturday, killing more than a thousand Israelis and abducting dozens more, but has denied any involvement. The New York Times was the first to report that the U.S. had collected multiple pieces of intelligence showing that key Iranian leaders did not know the attack was coming and were caught by surprise. The source familiar with the intelligence told Reuters that U.S. intelligence agencies were still digging for any evidence of Iranian involvement as well as reviewing older intelligence for clues. The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the investigation was ongoing and it was "premature to draw any final conclusion." "We will be looking at additional intelligence in the coming weeks to inform our thinking on this issue, including whether there were at least some within their system that either had a clearer sense of what was coming or even contributed to aspects of the planning," the official said. In Brussels on Wednesday, General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. military had yet to see any sign that other Israeli adversaries were preparing to move against Israel following the Hamas attack. He had earlier warned Iran not to get involved in the crisis. Some outside analysts have said Iran could be emboldened to step up its long-running shadow war with Israel after seeing a militant raid pierce the Israeli militarys reputation of invincibility, and use its regional proxies to target U.S. interests in the region. Israeli forces continued to pound Hamas-ruled Gaza on Wednesday seeking to root out militants and deployed forces north of the densely populated Palestinian enclave for a possible ground offensive. Israel's death toll rose to 1,200 with over 2,700 wounded, its military said, from the militants' hours-long rampage after breaching the border fence enclosing Gaza on Saturday. Retaliatory Israeli strikes have killed 1,055 people and wounded more than 5,100, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Matt Spetalnick; writing by Matt Spetalnick and Jasper Ward; Editing by Howard Goller and Jonathan Oatis) OTTAWA, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Red Cross has launched an appeal for the Middle East Humanitarian Crisis to provide humanitarian assistance to people impacted by escalating conflict in the region. The Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement efforts to alleviate suffering and provide humanitarian assistance for people affected by the ongoing and escalating October 2023 crisis in the Middle East. Support will be used for lifesaving interventions, ongoing relief efforts, and other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise. All humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross Red Crescent are guided by our seven fundamental principles including humanity, neutrality, and impartiality. Canadians wishing to make a donation to the Middle East Humanitarian Crisis appeal can do so online at redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111. -END- Additional Resources@RedCrossCanada | facebook.com/CanadianRedCross | redcross.ca/blog Red Cross donor inquiries: [email protected] or 1-800-418-1111 About the Canadian Red Cross Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 192 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supporting them in strengthening their resilience. MEDIA CONTACTSEnglish Media: 1-877-599-9602French Media: 1-888-418-9111 Source: Canadian Red Cross / Croix-Rouge canadienne KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2023 - 19:33 | Sports, Olympics, All The city of Sapporo and the Japanese Olympic Committee on Wednesday abandoned their bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and decided to aim for 2034 or later. Sapporo has been unable to build momentum as public sentiment has soured following revelations of widespread bribery and bid-rigging related to the Tokyo Games held in the summer of 2021. JOC President Yasuhiro Yamashita had proposed that Sapporo bid for 2034 or later, and Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto agreed to the plan during a meeting in Tokyo. Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan, hosted the 1972 Winter Games and was once considered the front-runner to host for a second time, but the International Olympic Committee appears to have shifted its focus to other candidates. "There's a possibility that moving forward with the bid movement too hastily will leave an irrecoverable wound on the value of sports," Yamashita told a press conference. "I'm sorry for the people of Sapporo and Hokkaido." Akimoto said the appetite to host the Winter Games has not improved in the wake of bribery and bid-rigging cases and admitted the city will face a difficult road ahead for the 2034 games. Salt Lake City is seen as the favorite for 2034, leaving Japan with an uncertain path to staging its third Winter Games after Sapporo in 1972 and Nagano in 1998. "It's a very tough situation. We need to examine our future activities," the mayor said. Sweden, Switzerland and France are considering making bids to host the 2030 games. Sapporo's prospect of hosting the 2034 games will get slimmer should the IOC go ahead with a simultaneous announcement of the 2030 and 2034 hosts, an idea to be discussed during the IOC executive board meeting and session starting Thursday in Mumbai. If approved, the 2034 host could be announced as early as next summer at the IOC Session in Paris, leaving Sapporo short of time to prepare another bid and sell it to the public. The selection process and the timing of the announcement for the 2038 games host are not yet known. "We'll gauge public sentiment at an appropriate time," Akimoto said of the city's future bidding. Akimoto, who has championed the 2030 bid, was reelected in April. But in a sign of anti-Olympic sentiment, two rival candidates who ran against hosting performed strongly in the election. The Hokkaido capital was initially aiming to bid for the 2026 Winter Games but changed its plan to focus on repairing damage from a magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck the northern main island in September 2018, killing more than 40 people and triggering a massive power outage. On top of the disaster, the city has failed to convey a clear image and message to locals as to why hosting the games was necessary at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and the Tokyo Games-related corruption all weighed heavily on the public. Yasuo Mori, a former operations executive on the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee, and a former Dentsu executive were among those indicted for their suspected role in rigging bids for contracts worth around 43.7 billion yen ($290 million) to plan and run Olympic test events and competitions. The bid-rigging allegations followed multiple indictments of Haruyuki Takahashi, a former executive of the organizing committee who was previously a senior managing director at advertising giant Dentsu, on charges of receiving bribes in return for helping companies become selected as Olympic sponsors or marketing agents. "Some things remained unclear (after the news of corruption). It's a good decision to halt it," said 56-year-old local Noriko Homma, while Misuzu Asai, a 27-year-old on her honeymoon from Nagano Prefecture, lamented the news as hosting the games "would have lifted the whole of Japan." Related coverage: Sapporo to drop 2030 Winter Games bid, aim for future race LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asia Broadband Inc. (OTC: AABB) (AABB or the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company has extended its due diligence processes to further evaluate the development scope and value of a new high potential gold and silver property acquisition. Several weeks ago, the Company signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire the new property in the prolific mining region of Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco, Mexico. The 4,081 hectare high-grade acquisition target concession #239735 named Picachos IV is located a rapidly developing area and is adjacent to gold producer GoGold Resources Inc.s (TSX: GGD) OTCQX: GLGDF) Los Ricos South property. The Picachos gold project is another prospective high yield asset addition in the Companys strategic expansion initiative to acquire gold production and increase the AABBs physical gold holdings. In the coming weeks, the Company will continue conducting further due diligence and negotiations to acquire the new mining concession. AABB is expecting to confirm high-grade assay results in the coming weeks from the Companys initial due diligence activities on the property, as the mapping and rock sampling program continues. Company management is exhilarated with the Picachos project for its potential for rapid development, high production and low operating costs. Our most recent acquisition target has continued to reveal additional outstanding qualities as we continue our evaluations. We are increasingly convinced that the Picachos property could be a significant strategic acquisition for the Companys mining property portfolio, facilitating operational and profitability growth for years to come, expressed Chris Torres, the Company President and CEO. AABB continues to implement its mining property acquisition strategy to optimize development capital utilization by focusing operations in regions of Mexico where AABB has a comparative advantage of development resources and expertise readily available for rapid expansion and duplication of the Companys previous gold production success. About Asia BroadbandAsia Broadband Inc. (OTC: AABB) is a resource company focused on the production of precious metals and the accumulation of physical gold holdings. The Company utilizes its specific geographic expertise, experience and extensive industry contacts to facilitate the expansion of precious metals property holdings and production in Mexico. The Company's industry and business integration in Mexico and its asset diversification are unique strengths of AABB that differentiate it from other companies and creates distinctive value for shareholders. Additionally, the Company has a digital assets business segment with its AABBG mine-to-token gold-backed cryptocurrency within its AABB Wallet, the unique Golden Baboons Mining Club non-fungible token collection, a proprietary digital exchange AABBExchange and a cryptocurrency payment gateway solution PayAABB.com. AABB expects its token to become a world-wide standard of exchange that is stable, secured and trusted with gold backing, while having the added benefit of demand based price appreciation. These are unique and outstanding qualities relative to other cryptocurrencies and digital asset developers. Contact the Company at: Forward-Looking Statements are contained in this press release within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the Asia Broadband Inc.s (the Company) expected current beliefs about the Companys business, which are subject to uncertainty and change. The operations and results of the Company could materially differ from what is expressed or implied by the statements made above when industry, regulatory, market and competitive circumstances change. Further information about these risks can be found in the annual and quarterly disclosures the Company has published on the OTC Markets website. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter its forward-looking statements as future circumstances, events and information may change. Source: Asia Broadband Inc. NEW YORK and PHOENIX, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biz2X today announced a new partnership with Republic Bank of Arizona (RBAZ), a locally-owned community business bank dedicated to serving the State of Arizona. Since 2007, RBAZ has provided local leadership, decision-making and personalized service to the community in and around the Greater Phoenix area, and recently was the only bank in Arizona to be named to Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)s Top Lenders List. Partnering with Biz2X enables us to streamline our community business lending decision-making, expand lending options, and make it easy for Arizona businesses to get the capital they require for growth, said Amy Lou Blunt, EVP & Chief Credit Officer. Our goal is to be the premier Arizona-based community business bank, dedicated to helping Arizona businesses succeed, and with this partnership, our lending can be accessible 24 hours a day. RBAZ offers Commercial Loans and a suite of online cash management services to ensure businesses in the Phoenix area, and throughout Arizona, have what they need to grow. In June 2022, RBAZ was ranked 2nd in a list of the Top 10 Arizona banks with $479 million or less in market deposits by AZBigMedia. Biz2Xs award-winning software was developed by using over a decade of Biz2Credits proven online lending experience. We understand what banks need to best service the small business space, said Rohit Arora, CEO of Biz2X and parent company Biz2Credit, and a pioneer in fintech. We are excited to work with RBAZ to improve their risk assessment and business loan decisioning, while providing a better experience for their customers. About Republic Bank of Arizona As a community business bank, the Republic Bank of Arizona offers attentive, flexible services that other banks cannot. RBAZ takes a highly professional approach, giving experienced guidance, tailored solutions, and value-added services to meet the banking needs of businesses across Arizona while also offering competitive rates and a range of banking products and services. Visit www.republicbankaz.com for more information. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Breezeline, the nations eighth-largest cable operator, today presented a check for $50,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio to support families who are staying at the facility while their children are receiving critical care. The support from Breezeline includes extending and activating its broadband network to the facility. Breezeline is also providing complimentary WiFi and TV services to the 206 guest rooms in the space, which is expected to open next month following a $42M expansion and renovation. Breezeline is proud to support the work of Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, which provides a comfortable place to stay for families whose children are receiving critical care at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, said Nathan Robson, region director of operations for Breezeline. The Breezeline services will provide state-of-the-art connectivity for guests throughout the newly expanded facility. Last year, Ronald McDonald House in Columbus served more than 4,000 families from nearly every state in the US and 14 countries worldwide. The Columbus facility is now the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world after the recent expansion. We are grateful for Breezelines support, as our operation relies on the generosity of community partners through donations and the provision of in-kind goods and services, said Dee Anders, CEO and executive director, RMHC of Central Ohio. ABOUT BREEZELINECogeco US, operating as Breezeline, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States. The company provides its residential and business customers with Internet, TV, and Voice services in 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Cogeco Communications Inc. also operates in Quebec and Ontario, in Canada, under the Cogeco Connexion name. Cogeco Inc.s subsidiary, Cogeco Media, owns and operates 21 radio stations as well as a news agency serving audiences primarily in the province of Quebec. To learn more, visit Breezeline.com. ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL OHIOSince 1982, the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, Ohio has provided one million nights of rest for families of seriously ill, hospitalized children. The Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio is located directly across the street from Nationwide Childrens Hospital. Open 365 days a year, the Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in the hospital. In addition, RMHC of Central Ohio operates two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms; one at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, and the other at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Childrens Hospital. RMHC is proud to partner with Nationwide Childrens Hospital to operate a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. To learn more, visit RMHC-CentralOhio.org. Attachment Andrew Walton Breezeline [email protected] Source: Breezeline On 11 October 2023, the article "Kapo's new search in Bigbank gave the encryption key to Parvel Pruunsild's computer" appeared in the online edition of Aripaev. Hereby the Management Board of Bigbank AS publishes a comment on the information provided in the article. Bigbank AS confirms that it continues not to be a party in these criminal proceedings and has cooperated fully with the investigating authorities in the course of the criminal proceedings. The claim made in the article that Bigbank AS failed to respond to inquiries from investigative agencies, despite repeated reminders, is incorrect. The claim made in the article that Bigbank AS did not respond to the explanations provided by the investigating authorities is also incorrect. Bigbank AS has responded to all inquiries made by investigative authorities, but regarding the requirement to hand over the recovery key, the bank explained to the investigative authorities that the bank has an obligation to ensure the full protection of the banking secrecy of third parties. In Bigbank AS view, the submitted request did not guarantee this protection. In order to verify the legality of the inquiry of the investigative authorities, Bigbank AS decided to go to court to ensure its legitimate conduct, legal clarity and comprehensive protection of the interests of the bank's clients. Bigbank AS is not allowed to publish any further comments regarding the circumstances of the search in accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure Section 214. Bigbank AS (www.bigbank.eu) is an Estonian capital-based bank specialising in loans and deposits for private and business customers. In addition to operations in Estonia, the bank has branches in Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, and Bulgaria and offers its products on a cross-border basis in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. Bigbanks total assets exceed 1.9 billion euros. Argo Kiltsmann Member of the Management Board Telephone: +372 5393 0833 Email: [email protected] www.bigbank.ee JOHNSTOWN, Pa., Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Central Penn Business Journal has included Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) among the Best Places to Work in PA. The awards are held in partnership with Best Companies Group. Best Places to Work in PA identifies, recognizes, and honors outstanding employers in Pennsylvania. Companies are judged in the categories of small, medium, and large, based on the number of employees. CTC made the list of large employers. This is the 15th year that CTC has been included in the Best Places to Work in PA list. We are honored that CTC has once again been recognized among the best places to work in Pennsylvania, and were pleased that our technology transition affiliate, Enterprise Ventures Corporation, is honored again this year, said Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., CTC President and CEO. Our companies ongoing growth and success are due in large part to the hard work, talent, and dedication of our employees. Its important to provide them with the best possible work environment where they can feel valued and thrive. Best Companies Group manages the registration and survey process, analyzes the data, and uses their expertise to determine the rankings. The assessment consists of an in-depth anonymous employee survey (75 percent) and a review of workplace policies, practices, and demographics. The numerical rankings of all the companies to make the list will be revealed at an awards ceremony on December 7, 2023. The 2023 Best Places to Work in PA winners put employees first. Excelling in business is not only about good customer service and the delivery of a quality product; its also about fostering a positive environment for innovative teams to thrive, said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business. These companies are innovators, creating new benefit and HR programs to assist with employee engagement and retention. We join the Best Companies Group in congratulating this years honorees. Eligible companies must have at least 15 employees working in Pennsylvania; be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity; be a publicly or privately held business; have a facility in Pennsylvania; and be in business a minimum of one year. Central Penn Business Journal is the leading source of business news and information in Central Pennsylvania for the past 39 years. In addition to breaking news on its multimedia news site at CPBJ.com, it also publishes a biweekly print edition. Central Penn Business Journal publishes various special focus sections on topics such as real estate and construction and mergers and acquisitions in addition to the yearly Book of Lists. It also hosts 10 annual events, including Women of Influence, Reader Rankings, Fastest Growing Companies and Best Places to Work in PA, to recognize excellence and provide leadership opportunities. In addition, the Central Penn Business Journal facilitates webinars bringing local experts from the business community together to discuss current topics and trends. Its Digital Marketing Solutions helps customers with social media, search engine marketing and optimization, retargeting, email marketing and more. Central Penn Business Journal and its sister publication, Lehigh Valley Business, which covers business in the Lehigh Valley, are part of BridgeTower Media, the leading provider of B2B information, research, events and marketing solutions across more than 25 U.S. markets and industries. Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization. CTC collaborates with its technology transition affiliate, Enterprise Ventures Corporation, to provide transformative, full lifecycle solutions through research, development, test, and evaluation work. To best serve our clients needs, we offer the complete ability to fully design, develop, test, prototype and build. We deliver robust, technical, and innovative solutions that safeguard our national security, retain U.S. technological advantage, and ensure the primacy of American manufacturing. For more information about CTC, visit www.ctc.com. Mary BevanConcurrent Technologies Corporation[email protected]814-2692490 Source: Concurrent Technologies Corporation ENDEAVOUR ANNOUNCES TANDA-IGUELA DRILL RESULTS 180km of drilling underway Resource update due late-2023 3.3km mineralised system identified HIGHLIGHTS: Tanda-Iguela in Cote dIvoire is Endeavours key 2023 exploration priority 181km has been drilled at Tanda-Iguela since its discovery in late 2020, of which 123km has been drilled this year with plans for an additional 55km of drilling by year end Over 108km of drilling completed at the Assafou deposit year to date, with the goal of converting Inferred resources to Indicated status and extending the mineralised system Assafous 2022 maiden Indicated resource now covers approximately 18% of the extended 3.3km long mineralised system, which remains open along strike and at depth Best intercepts include 71.5m at 5.29 g/t, 41.9m at 5.55 g/t, 70.3m at 2.94 g/t and 37.4m at 3.43 g/t Over 15km of drilling was completed year to date on satellite targets located within 5km of Assafou High-grade mineralisation was intercepted at several satellite targets, with follow-up drilling currently underway Best intercepts include 11.0m at 9.70 g/t and 10.0m at 3.07 g/t on the Pala Trend targets and 3.0m at 47.25 g/t on the Kongojdan target Environmental permitting process was launched and preliminary sterilisation drilling is underway Further metallurgical tests are underway following initial tests that demonstrated recovery rates of over 95% with over 55% recoverable by gravity Updated mineral resource estimate for the Assafou deposit is due to be published in late-2023 Abidjan, 11 October 2023 Endeavour Mining plc (LSE:EDV, TSX:EDV, OTCQX:EDVMF) (Endeavour, the Group or the Company) is pleased to announce that drill results obtained thus far from the extensive 180,000 metre drill programme currently underway at its Tanda-Iguela property, in Cote dIvoire, continue to demonstrate its potential to become Endeavours next cornerstone asset. A total of 123,514 metres have been drilled on the Tanda-Iguela property since the start of the year, which represents a significant increase over the 70,000 metres initially planned, with the programme expected to reach 180,000 metres by year-end as seven drill rigs are currently operating on site. The Company remains on track to publish an updated resource by late-2023, which is expected to incorporate the conversion of Inferred to Indicated resources, while the overall resource base is expected to materially increase. Sebastien de Montessus, President and CEO commented: Given the significance of the discovery made last year at our Tanda-Iguela greenfield property in Cote dIvoire, it has quickly become our largest exploration focus across the group with a 180,000 metre drill programme currently underway. Following the definition of a maiden resource last year, we are thrilled with the drill results obtained so far this year, as they reaffirm Tanda-Iguela's potential to be a tier 1 asset. Drilling has successfully extended the Assafou mineralised trend, and we are eager to publish an updated resource estimate later this year, which is expected to result in a material increase in the overall resource base with a greater proportion into the Indicated category. Additionally, we are very pleased to have also confirmed mineralisation at several nearby targets. The continued success at Tanda-Iguela underpins our ability to unlock significant value through our exploration efforts. Given the high quality of this discovery, we look forward to advancing technical studies next year. ASSAFOU DEPOSIT EXPLORATION PROGRAMME Since its discovery in late 2021, more than 166,370 metres have been drilled on the Assafou deposit. Following the completion of the first drilling campaign, a maiden mineral resource comprising of an Indicated resource of 14.9Mt at 2.33g/t containing 1.1Moz and an Inferred resource of 32.9Mt at 1.80g/t containing 1.9Moz was published on 21 November 2022. Subsequently, an additional 108,370 metres have been drilled on the Assafou deposit, as part of the second drilling campaign through year-to-date 2023. An updated mineral resource estimate is expected to be published in late-2023, incorporating at least 165,000 metres of additional drill results, compared with 58,000 metres of drill results used to build the maiden resource. The 2023 Assafou drill programme is expected to convert Inferred resources to Indicated status whilst delineating new resources outside of the existing resource envelope. As shown in Figure 1 in the attached release, drilling has proved the mineralised continuity within the Inferred resource boundary and the mineralised trend has now been defined over a length of 3.3 kilometres, extending from surface to depths exceeding 300 metres. As such, the maiden Indicated resources previously outlined over a strike length of 600 metres now Cross Section 3200: Located outside the current Inferred resource boundary to the northwest As shown in Figure 2 in the attached release, further drilling 500 metres northwest of the Assafou Indicated resource boundary has confirmed the continuation of the Assafou mineralisation along the structural contact between the Tarkwaian Sediments and the Birimian Basement. Cross Section 3000: Located northwest of the current Indicated resource boundary As shown in Figures 3 in the attached release, northwest of the current Indicated resource boundary, further drilling has identified high-grade mineralisation below the current $1,500/oz pit shell, indicating that mineralisation remains open at depth and that there is potential to further extend resources. Cross Section 1933: Infill drilling within the existing resource boundary As shown in Figure 4 in the attached release, infill drilling within the existing resource boundary confirmed the high grade and thickness of the main mineralised lenses in close proximity to the structural contact with the Birimian basement rocks. In addition, further drilling highlighted the presence of deeper underlying lenses below the pit shell. Cross Section 1766: Infill drilling identifies additional mineralisation at depth below the current pit shell As shown in Figure 5 in the attached release, additional infill drilling returned high-grade intercepts within the Inferred resource boundary, confirming that thick lenses of high-grade mineralisation are continuous towards the southeast of the Indicated resource, with mineralisation extending to over 100 metres below the current pit shell depth. Cross Section 0866: Located at the southeast extent of the current Indicated resource boundary As shown in Figure 6 in the attached release, additional drilling has identified significant mineralisation towards the southwest at shallow depths, within 100 metres of the surface, and extending over 300 metres southwest away from the contact with the Birimian basement rocks. Cross Section 0433: Located southeast of the current Inferred resource boundary As shown in Figure 7 in the attached release, additional drilling has identified high-grade, thick continuous mineralisation approximately 2 kilometres southeast of the current maiden Indicated resource boundary and over 400 metres southeast of the current Inferred resource boundary. Mineralisation at the Assafou deposit is both disseminated and hosted in quartz veins, within the Tarkwaian sandstones. The deposit appears to be monometallic containing no potentially penalising elements associated with the gold. Mineralisation starts at surface and is continuous along strike, along the prominent northwest trending structure that separates the Tarkwaian sandstones from the Birimian mafic basement rocks. The deposit comprises a thick main (up to 60 metres) continuous lens, appearing to be generally dipping at a low angle to the southwest, overlaid by a series of stacked lenses, that extend down to over 200 metres depth. For technical notes and drilling results from the Assafou drill programme, please see the Technical Notes section and Appendix A below. EXPLORATION ON TARGETS LOCATED NEAR ASSAFOU In addition to further drilling on the Assafou deposit, a total of 20,000 metres was planned for FY-2023 to test high priority targets identified within a 5 kilometre radius of the Assafou deposit, with 15,143 metres of drilling completed year to date. As shown in Figure 8 in the attached release, drilling has focused on identifying potential satellite deposits to Assafou, located within a similar geological setting, hosted along similar structural contacts between the Tarkwaian sediments and the Birimian basement. Along the Assafou structure, drilling has returned encouraging results on the Broukro, Kongodjan and Gbabango targets, highlighting that the Assafou mineralised trend potentially extends over 12 kilometres, from Kongojdan in the southeast to Gbabango in the northwest. At the Broukro target, located 1 kilometre to the southeast of Assafou, along the Assafou structural contact, additional reconnaissance drilling has identified a continuity of the Assafou mineralisation. At the Gbabango target, located to the northwest of Assafou along the Assafou structural contact, additional reconnaissance drilling has identified shallow mineralisation with further infill drilling required to test the continuity of mineralisation. At the Kongodjan target, located 4 kilometres to the southeast of Assafou along the Assafou structural contact, reconnaissance drilling has intercepted high-grade mineralisation. The presence of high-grade mineralisation at Kongodjan, suggests potential for a 3 kilometre-long untested corridor between the Broukro and Kongodjan targets as a new prospective target area. In addition, to the southwest of the Assafou structure, similar structural contacts have been identified through further drilling at the Pala Trend targets. At the Pala trend 2, located 4 kilometres west of Assafou, reconnaissance drilling has identified high-grade mineralisation over a 600-metre strike length. At Pala trend 3, located 1 kilometre west of Assafou, reconnaissance drilling has identified high-grade mineralisation over a 300-metre strike length. NEXT STEPS At least an additional 55 kilometres of drilling is planned at Tanda-Iguela before year end, with a continued focus on expanding the Assafou footprint and delineating regional targets. Resource estimate update for the Assafou deposit is expected to be published in Q4-2023, incorporating approximately 150 kilometres of new drilling since the maiden resource was delineated. Following the initial phase of metallurgical testwork, a second phase of metallurgical testwork has commenced to expand the sample coverage across the deposit and confirm the potential high gravity recovery and high overall recoveries demonstrated in the first phase of testing. Sterilisation drilling is underway to the northeast of the Assafou deposit to identify possible locations for infrastructure. Early study work is expected to commence following the completion of the updated resource estimate in late 2023. TECHNICAL NOTES Assafou Geology Mineralisation at Assafou is mainly hosted in Tarkwaian sandstone at/or immediately in the vicinity of the structural contact with mafic Birimian basement rocks (mainly mafic rocks). Gold mineralisation occurs both as disseminated occurrences within pervasively altered sandstone and within, or at the edges of, quartz (carbonate) veins and breccias that crosscut the altered sandstones. Alteration is reflected by an induration (silicification) and by the presence of sulphides (pyrite), disseminated within the matrix and distributed along the sandstone bedding. The more intense the silicification (and presence of pyrite), the more mineralised the sandstones tend to be. The structural contact likely controlled the initial sandstone deposition (normal fault in extensional regime). It was then reactivated under a SSW-NNE compressive regime at the brittle-ductile transition, associated with strong mylonitisation and alteration (quartz, carbonate, pyrite, sericite, chlorite) of the basement rocks, and to mafic and felsic intrusions as dykes and sills. Gold mineralisation is likely to have occurred during this reversal, in the post-Tarkwaian reactivation event. Mineralising hydrothermal fluids are believed to have preferentially invaded the sandstones rather than the basement rocks, due to their higher initial porosity, permeability and competency. Drilling, Assay, Quality Assurance / Quality Control Procedures Reverse Circulation (RC) and Air Core (AC) drilling delivers material to the surface via a percussion hammer pushing pulverized rock into dual tube rods, which evacuate the material to the surface, facilitated by high pressure compressed air. The samples are collected from the cyclone at surface at 1 metre intervals. The cyclone is cleaned after every 6-metre rod by flushing the hole. Additional manual cleaning is required in saprolitic or wet ground, closely monitored by the site geologist / geotechnician to ensure no sample-to-sample contamination occurs. Samples are split at the drill site using several different riffle splitters, based on bulk sample weight. 2 to 5 kilograms laboratory samples and a second 2 to 5 kilograms reference sample are collected. Bulk and laboratory sample weights, in addition to moisture levels are recorded. Representative samples for each interval were collected with a spear, sieved into chip trays and retained for reference. Drill core (PQ, HQ and NQ size) samples are selected by Endeavour geologists and cut in half with a diamond blade at the project site. Half of the core is retained at the site for reference purposes. Sample intervals are generally 1 metre in length. All samples are transported by road to Bureau Veritas in Abidjan. Each laboratory sample is secured in poly-woven bags ensuring that there is a clear record of the chain of custody. On arrival samples are weighed. Complete samples are crushed to 2 mm (70% passing) with 1 kilogram split out for pulverization. The entire 1 kilogram is pulverized to 75m (85% passing). A 50 gram sample is extracted and analysed for gold using standard fire assay technique. An Atomic Absorption (AA) finish provides the final gold value. Blanks, field duplicates and certified reference material (CRMs) are inserted into the sample sequence by Endeavour geologists at a rate of 1 of each samples type per 20 samples. This ensures that there is a 5% Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) sample insertion rate applied to each fire assay batch. The sampling and assaying are monitored through analysis of these QA/QC samples. This QA/QC program was audited by a consultant, independent from Endeavour Mining and has been verified to follow industry best practices. In 2021 and 2022, 1,757 samples were sent to ALS Ouagadougou for umpire (referee) analysis. Comparison of the Original analysis against the umpire analysis revealed a very strong Correlation Coefficient of 95.90% suggesting that the original assays provided by Bureau Veritas in Abidjan are accurate. Core sampling and assay data were monitored through a quality assurance/quality control program designed to follow NI 43-101 and industry best practice. Results for Infill drillholes used the following parameters: 0.3 g/t Au cut off for samples, 0.5 g/t Au minimum value composite and 2.0 metre maximum interval dilution length. Composite interval represent calculated downhole (true) thickness. Including represents >10 g/t Au. Results for exploration drillholes used the following parameters: 0.3 g/t Au cut off for samples, 0.3 g/t Au minimum value composite and 2.0 metre maximum interval dilution length. Composite interval represent calculated downhole (apparent) thickness. Including represents >10 g/t Au. This news release highlights the best selected intercepts from drilling activities between 1 January 2023 to 31 August 2023. Full drill results are available by clicking here. QUALIFIED PERSONS The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and compiled by Silvia Bottero, Professional Natural Scientist, VP Exploration Cote dIvoire for Endeavour Mining. Silvia Bottero has more than 20 years of mineral exploration and mining experience and is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The resource estimation was completed by Kevin Harris, CPG, VP Resources for Endeavour Mining and "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101. CONTACT INFORMATION Martino De Ciccio Deputy CFO & Head of Investor Relations +44 203 640 8665 [email protected] Brunswick Group LLP in London Carole Cable, Partner +44 7974 982 458 [email protected] ABOUT ENDEAVOUR MINING CORPORATION Endeavour Mining is one of the worlds senior gold producers and the largest in West Africa, with operating assets across Senegal, Cote dIvoire and Burkina Faso and a strong portfolio of advanced development projects and exploration assets in the highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt across West Africa. A member of the World Gold Council, Endeavour is committed to the principles of responsible mining and delivering sustainable value to its employees, stakeholders and the communities where it operates. Endeavour is listed on the London and Toronto Stock Exchanges, under the symbol EDV. For more information, please visit www.endeavourmining.com. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to, statements with respect to Endeavour's plans for further exploration of the Tanda-Iguela property, the extent and timing of Endeavours drilling campaign, the timing of the updated mineral resource estimate, the estimation of mineral resources, and the success of exploration activities. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts", and "anticipates". Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions and credit availability, actual results of current exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increases in market prices of mining consumables, possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which Endeavour operates. Although Endeavour has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Please refer to Endeavour's most recent Annual Information Form filed under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting Endeavour and its business. APPENDIX A: BEST SELECTED INTERCEPTS HOLE ID FROM (m) TO (m) TRUE LENGTH (m) AU GRADE (g/t) IGRCDD23-700 132 138 6.0 1.33 and 150 166 15.9 4.05 including 155 156 1.0 13.24 and 169 172 3.0 0.73 IGRC23-717 4 15 9.2 1.74 and 26 30 3.4 0.98 and 35 39 3.4 0.54 and 78 80 1.7 0.98 and 96 117 17.6 2.72 including 97 98 1.0 14.51 IGDD23-743 27.5 30.05 2.1 1.78 and 135 182.5 38.9 2.71 including 138.2 139 0.8 21.15 including 142.45 143.05 0.6 10.01 including 149.8 150.8 1.0 10.39 including 164.85 165.8 0.9 44.80 and 185 190.35 5.3 7.35 including 189.15 190.35 1.2 30.20 IGDD23-662 97.5 100.35 2.4 3.15 and 103 109.8 5.7 8.06 including 105.35 106.35 0.8 31.80 including 109 109.8 0.7 11.86 and 112 115 2.5 1.18 and 124.3 127 2.3 2.11 and 147.65 151 2.8 1.27 and 153.7 170.45 14.0 4.06 including 155.5 156.2 0.6 13.05 including 157.1 158.1 0.8 17.37 including 160.1 161.1 0.8 15.12 and 174.8 178 2.7 4.67 including 176.5 177.2 0.6 11.47 and 182.9 191 6.8 2.24 and 206 232.8 22.5 2.83 including 211.2 212.2 0.8 20.17 and 255.7 258.6 2.4 2.02 and 262.25 266.7 3.7 2.12 and 301 305 3.4 2.90 IGRC23-725 122 132 7.2 1.91 including 127 128 1.0 10.02 and 138 144 6.0 1.53 and 150 152 2.0 2.34 and 178.8 183 4.2 4.21 including 182 183 1.0 14.05 and 188.6 229.5 40.9 2.60 including 190 191 1.0 17.17 including 197 198 1.0 15.50 and 235 247.5 12.5 1.26 and 251.1 266 14.9 1.90 and 281.85 288.4 6.5 1.37 and 357.35 361.75 4.4 0.62 IGRCDD23-726 37 44 7.0 1.48 and 136 147 11.0 6.9 including 141 142 1.0 62.90 and 180 195 14.9 1.62 and 211 213 2.0 2.01 IGRCDD23-767 31 33 2.0 1.09 and 40 42 2.0 2.46 and 92 100 8.0 1.41 and 103 105 2.0 1.64 and 109 125 16.0 3.14 including 119 120 1.0 31.60 Full drill results are available by clicking here. Attachment TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2023, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) will release the school and school board results from the 20222023 administrations of the following: Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division (Grades 1 to 3); Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Junior Division (Grades 4 to 6); Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics; Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. What: EQAO will provide assessment results for each school and its board. The release of school and board data follows EQAOs announcement on the provincial-level results, on September 28, 2023. When: Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Where: The school and school board results will be available through EQAOs website, www.eqao.com. Why: The release of large-scale assessment data at the local level offers an opportunity to discuss student learning in Ontario and what can be done to support student achievement. For further information, please contact Sophie Auclair Communications Officer [email protected] Source: Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) BARCELONA, SPAIN, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barcelona is poised to host Europes largest blockchain event from October 24th to 26th. With 5,000 delegates and 300 speakers expected, it will be the largest blockchain event in Europe for 2H 2023 and the largest European Blockchain Convention since the event started in 2018. Barcelona will be abuzz on the last weekend in October as EBC9 comes to town and industry experts flock to the three-day crypto event. The conference also coincides with the highly anticipated El Clasico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid. 300 founders, CEOs, and industry experts will be in attendance to speak at European Blockchain Convention 9 including leaders from Nansen, Fidelity, Fabric Ventures, Animoca Brands, Banco Santander, Algorand, BBVA, Coinbase, Fireblocks, BNP Paribas, Volkswagen, Binance and Galaxy Digital, to name a few. Victoria Gago, co-founder of European Blockchain Convention, said: We have seen an extraordinary increase in registrations and interest from exhibitors after the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our previous edition. Building on that momentum, we are moving EBC9 to Fira Barcelona, a much larger venue. As the largest convention centre in Spain, it offers ample space for exhibitors and more engaging experiences. "We are extremely excited to bring together the worlds of TradFi, digital assets and web3, shared fellow co-founder Daniel Salmeron. The participation of so many traditional banks and financial institutions demonstrates their commitment and optimism about the future of crypto and digital assets. European Blockchain Convention 9 will incorporate a diverse agenda that addresses regulatory challenges, CBDCs, privacy, the institutionalization of crypto, DeFi, sustainability, tokenization, and the ascent of AI. In addition to panel discussions and workshops hosted across three stages, the program includes: 3,000 sqm exhibition area AMA stage sessions with speakers 5 themed networking lounges 1-to-1 meeting area Investor meetup NFT art gallery For the second time, EBC will host its Start-up Battle, where the 50 most-promising european blockchain start-ups will pitch their ideas to the audience. At the top of the side event list, there will be a Hackathon where 200+ hackers, 30+ mentors and 20 teams are expected to participate in a 48 hours hackathon. To learn more about European Blockchain Convention, visit eblockchainconvention.com About European Blockchain Convention Launched in 2018, European Blockchain Convention is the most influential blockchain event in Europe, connecting industry professionals, startups, and technology leaders. The event provides a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaborations, and exploring the vast potential of blockchain, crypto, and digital assets. Mark Pandi PR manager European Blockchain Convention mark at eblockchainconvention.com Source: European Blockchain Convention WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced the launch of FTI Delta, a global, industry-specialized strategy consulting practice that delivers tangible value to clients, from strategy definition to execution. FTI Delta will compete directly with traditional strategy consulting firms leveraging its differentiated value proposition. FTI Delta focuses on key industries where the firm has deep vertical expertise: telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) and public sector. The FTI Delta team consists of more than 350 billable professionals, including 39 Senior Managing Directors, based in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, India and Saudi Arabia. The FTI Delta team combines the expertise of Delta Partners, an established strategy consulting business that FTI Consulting acquired in July 2020, with the extensive experience of industry experts within FTI Consultings renowned TMT practice and the Companys newly formed Public Sector offering. The Public Sector offering works with governments to define their national visions and agendas, shape their future-ready economic and social development plans, and drive impactful transformations in public administration. FTI Delta sits within the Business Transformation & Strategy practice in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring business segment. Commenting on the launch of FTI Delta, Carlyn Taylor, Global Co-Leader of the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment and newly appointed Chief Growth Officer at FTI Consulting, said, FTI Delta provides a differentiated strategy and transformation offering built on FTI Consultings core attributes of actively rolling up our sleeves and working side by side our clients to create value. We combine deep financial acumen and first-hand industry expertise with an unrelenting focus on supporting our clients as they navigate complex challenges, drive transformation and take advantage of market opportunities. Senior Managing Directors Luke Schaeffer and Victor Font will co-lead FTI Delta globally and will continue to lead the TMT practice. Mr. Font joined FTI Consulting in 2020 as part of the firms acquisition of Delta Partners. Senior Managing Director Antoine Nasr, who is based in Dubai and has more than two decades of management consulting experience, will lead the Public Sector offering within FTI Delta. FTI Delta works with the worlds leading companies, private capital investors, government authorities, ministries and institutions. Services include: Strategy Transactions diligence Transformation M&A strategy Commercial excellence Cost transformation Integrations and carve-outs Organization and governance Product innovation and R&D Concept development and feasibility studies FTI Delta professionals are not generalists. Were specialists, with industry experts who have worked in their clients positions and have a real passion and pride for the sectors we serve, Mr. Schaeffer said. From strategy through execution, we help create value for clients and deliver results that show up on the bottom line. Mr. Font added, The launch of FTI Delta is a clear sign of FTI Consultings commitment toward building a global strategy consulting practice that will leverage our Delta Partners and TMT foundations, recent investments in the public sector and expertise across FTI Consultings global platform to deliver tangible outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients. About FTI ConsultingFTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 7,800 employees located in 31 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $3.03 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2022. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consultings services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalized and independently managed. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn. About FTI DeltaFTI Delta is a global, industry-specialized strategy consulting practice delivering end-to-end transformation. Our unrivaled team of experts offers a wide range of services that create value throughout the entire strategy-to-execution journey, serving top-tier corporations, private investors, mid-market companies and government authorities. FTI Delta is part of FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN), a leading global advisory firm. For more information, please visit www.ftidelta.com. FTI Consulting, Inc. 555 12th Street NW Washington, DC 20004 +1.202.312.9100 Investor Contact: Mollie Hawkes +1.617.747.1791 [email protected] Media Contact: Matthew Bashalany +1.617.897.1545 [email protected] Source: FTI Consulting, Inc. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. and LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coming in 2024, HR Technology Conference Europe today shared its initial lineup of keynote speakers. From the team behind the annual HR Technology Conference & Exposition in the U.S., the all-new HR Technology Conference Europe will feature an opening keynote from global industry analyst Josh Bersin and insights from people analytics leader David Green, Aptitude Research founder and principal analyst Madeline Laurano and Recruiting Brainfood curator Hung Lee. Scheduled to take place May 2 3, 2024, at RAI Amsterdam, HR Technology Conference Europe is set to attract thousands of participants. On-site, the global community will share stories of challenges and opportunities, hear insights and predictions from industry analysts and thought leaders, experience the latest solutions and unite to be inspired and ignite positive change within their organizations. For over 26 years, we have been helping HR professionals in the U.S. and Asia make strategic HR technology decisions that directly impact their organizational success, said Rebecca McKenna, Senior Vice President, HR Portfolio at ETC, a global content-based firm creating communities in education and HR sectors. Since announcing HR Technology Conference Europe earlier this year, weve garnered tremendous interest and engaged the worlds leading authorities on HR tech to speak. Josh, David, Madeline and Hung represent some of the industrys top voices, and were thrilled to have them contribute to our first European event. With regard to the conferences European debut, Lee commented, The annual HR Technology Conference is a landmark event in our industry, and I am delighted to see that it is finally coming to Europe. Mark it in your calendars, folks. This is going to be a must-attend event. Echoing Lees sentiment, Green shared, Events like the HR Technology Conference Europe are so important as they bring practitioners, technology firms, investors and analysts all together to help shape the future of the thriving HR technology market. Im looking forward to being part of this exciting event in Amsterdam. For additional information about HR Technology Conference Europe, please contact [email protected]. About the HR Technology Conference & Exposition The Human Resource Executive HR Technology Conference & Exposition has helped tens of thousands of HR professionals make smarter and better-informed decisions regarding their organizations HR technology investments with a world-class educational program. Founded in 1997, the conferences annual fall event is the longest-running in-person event dedicated to the HR technology industry and features the worlds largest expo showcasing innovative HR technologies, exciting demonstrations and a startup competition. Expanding on the success of the in-person event and due to the constant growth of the industry, in 2020, the HR Technology Conference & Exposition began hosting a virtual event to complement its internationally recognized on-site event and bring the community together more often. Visit www.hrtechnologyconference.com for more details. Note to editors: Trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein remain the property of their respective owners. Media Contacts: Kate Achille The Devon Group 732-706-0123 ext. 703 [email protected] Source: HR Technology Conference & Exposition (R) KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2023 - 20:51 | World, All, Japan Koichi Hagiuda, policy chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said Wednesday his party will actively strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan as he met the island's leader Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei. Taiwan is "a very important partner" of Japan, Hagiuda said during the meeting at Tsai's office, saying the two sides share universal values and have close economic relations and frequent personnel exchanges. Thanking Japan for supporting the self-ruled democratic island, Tsai noted Tokyo has repeatedly drawn the attention of the international community to the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. She also expressed hope that both sides can continue to contribute to the region. The two also agreed to oppose attempts to change the status quo by force and jointly tackle practices of economic coercion, in reference to China's increased military and trade pressure on the island. Earlier in the day, another Japanese lawmaker, Keiji Furuya, who heads a cross-party parliamentary group promoting Japan-Taiwan relations, stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in a speech to the Yushan Forum in Taipei. The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo the same day protested the Japanese politicians' Taiwan visits during its celebrations for National Day, urging Japan to "stop sending wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces" and halt its attempts to use Taiwan to contain China. Communist-ruled China views Taiwan as a renegade province to be united with the mainland, by force if necessary. Beijing has conducted several large-scale drills near the island and curbed imports of some Taiwan products in recent years. Fast facts: The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association honored the tolling system project at two international bridge crossings on the Ontario-Michigan border with their 2023 Tolling Excellence Award for Administration and Finance. Under a $9.3 million contract, the International Bridge (connecting Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) and the Blue Water Bridge (connecting Port Huron, Michigan, to Point Edward, Ontario) have modernized their toll systems. Benefits of the new tolling system for both bridges include administrative cost savings, technological upgrades and improved customer service. SEATTLE, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) honored the agencies in charge of two international bridge crossings on the Ontario-Michigan border for the procurement and implementation of their innovative toll systems. The IBTTA presented the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (The FBCL) with their 2023 Tolling Excellence Award in the Administration and Finance category. The award was presented during the groups annual meeting this week in Seattle. In presenting the award, the IBTTA cited the successful bi-national partnership, improvements for customers, and greater efficiency for the operators as outstanding aspects of the tolling project. The project is the first U.S.-Canada procurement of a toll collection system involving three independent international bridge operators with different ownership structures. The bi-national partnership leveraged a pre-existing agreement between MDOT and The FBCL at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Administration (IBA). The Blue Water Bridge (BWB), the Seaway International Bridge Corporation (SIBC), and consultant WSP were the other participating organizations. This agreement allowed the creation of a new Memorandum of Understanding connecting all the partners under one contract, issued and administered by the IBA. This project enabled the first technical interoperability across the U.S.-Canada border with customers able to attach multiple accounts in different currencies to a single bi-national sticker tag for ease of travel. Customers establish an account and purchase a tag from one bridge operator and then may establish accounts with the other two bridge operators in one of the currencies permitted by the bridge operators' business rules. The customer then links their tag with the partner agencies, all through a seamless customer interface. The system is scalable to add other similar toll entities in the future. Under a $9.3 million contract, the previous toll systems at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge (connecting Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) and the Blue Water Bridge (connecting Port Huron, Michigan, to Point Edward, Ontario) have been modernized. The contract is administered for the cross-border partnership by the IBA through an agreement between the IBA, MDOT and The FBCL. The new toll systems went online in the fall of 2022. Accepting the 2023 Toll Excellence Award from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association is a true honor for The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited and our esteemed partners, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the International Bridge Administration. said Natalie Kinloch, chief executive officer of The FBCL. This accolade reflects our shared dedication to innovation and collaboration across borders, always with a keen focus on enhancing our service level. May our joint efforts continue to pave the way for a future of seamless, customer-centric travel between our connected nations. This award is a tribute to our bi-national cross-border partnership, said Amy Winn, Bridge Director at BWB (MDOT). Despite significant challenges and deadlines, we launched on time and on budget at all three locations. Joe Dedecker, Bridge Director at BWB (The FBCL), concurred. This is another step as we continue to work together collaboratively, he said. For the next decade we will strive to make the border for our customers seamless and easier to cross. Peter Petainen, IBA Bridge Director, said the award was a recognition for the whole team. Its a testament to the perseverance and dedicated hard work of our entire multi-agency project team, he said. I am humbled and grateful to IBTTA for the recognition this award represents. The contract costs of the new system are being shared equally by the IBA, MDOT and The FBCL, a Canadian Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada. Through its board, the International Bridge is managed as a joint venture of The FBCL and MDOT. The U.S. portion of the Blue Water Bridge is a State of Michigan entity. The IBTTA is a worldwide association for owners and operators of toll facilities and businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in 23 countries on six continents. Representatives from the Sault St. Marie International Bridge Administration (IBA), The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Blue Water Bridge (BWB), and The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (The FBCL) accept the 2023 International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) Tolling Excellence Award for procurement and implementation Monday. (IBTTA photo) MEDIA CONTACTS: Dan Weingarten [email protected]Jocelyn Garza[email protected]Alexandre Gauthier[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a128919e-9260-4b54-a55d-76bf238e4885 The FBCL and MDOT accept the 2023 IBTTA Tolling Excellence Award Representatives from the Sault St. Marie International Bridge Administration (IBA), The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Blue Water Bridge (BWB), and The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (The FBCL) accept the 2023 International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) Tolling Excellence Award for procurement and implementation Monday. (IBTTA photo) Source: Federal Bridge Corporation Limited ASHEVILLE, N.C., Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KeyState Renewables and Monarch Private Capital announce the close of nearly $100 million tax equity financing with North Carolina-based Pine Gate Renewables on the Glover Creek solar project near Bowling Green, Kentucky. Glover Creek was the second solar project to receive a permit from the states Electric Generation and Transmission Siting Board, and the first solar project constructed in Metcalfe County. Upon completion, the project will generate 76.65 MWdc of clean power. Pine Gate Renewables, via its project entity, Glover Creek Solar, LLC, has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly traded Constellation Energy Generation. Aerial photo of Glover Creek Solar courtesy of Pine Gate Renewables, LLC. For a high-res version, please email [email protected]. KeyState Renewables launched its tax equity platform, SOLCAP, with Corner Power in 2019. Since then, SOLCAP has raised and deployed over $265 million in solar tax equity for investors. This is SOLCAPs second tax equity investment with Pine Gate Renewables. In February 2020, SOLCAP closed financing on a portfolio of six solar projects in Oregon and South Carolina with Pine Gate Renewables. Monarch Private Capital entered the renewable energy space in 2012, engaging in tax equity financing to create a sustainable future as part of its mission to positively impact communities. The firm has supported 284 renewable energy investments totaling more than $4 billion in development costs, across 30 states plus D.C., creating nearly 12,000 jobs. The 76 MW of new solar energy brings Monarchs total clean power investment to nearly 3 GW, abating more than 95 million MT CO2e over their expected 40-year lifespan. This is equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from over 20 million passenger cars driven for one year or CO2 emissions from charging more than 11 trillion smartphones. Monarch Private Capital and SOLCAP are helping transform the national electricity market, serving as a catalyst to bring new jobs and clean energy to communities across the U.S. Were particularly pleased to partner again on this new project in Kentucky, where the potential for domestic renewable energy is abundant and a skilled workforce is ready to bring it online, said Meghan Comiskey, Senior Vice President of Project Finance for Pine Gate Renewables. We are excited to partner again with Pine Gate Renewables, one of the nations leading solar developers, on the financing of the Glover Creek Project in Kentucky. By working with innovative national development partners like Pine Gate, KeyState ensures we will have a reliable source of renewable energy projects in the future for SOLCAP, our tax equity investment platform for community & regional banks and middle-market corporate investors, said Josh Miller, CEO of KeyState Renewables. We are pleased to partner with KeyState and Pine Gate to bring clean power to this Kentucky community and help remake the local economy that has lost fossil-fuel related jobs, said Bryan Didier, Partner & Managing Director of Renewable Energy for Monarch Private Capital. This unique collaboration underscores our shared commitment to deliver renewable energy in an impactful manner and is yet another step toward an exciting sustainable future. About Pine Gate Renewables Pine Gate Renewables is a developer and owner-operator of utility scale solar and energy storage projects across the United States. Founded in 2016, Pine Gate is dedicated to the innovative deployment of clean energy and has extensive experience in the development, financing, construction, and operation of solar and energy storage facilities. A trusted partner and leader in the industry, Pine Gate is 100% American-owned and has closed more than $7 billion in project financing and capital investment. Pine Gates operational fleet includes over 100 solar facilities accounting for more than two gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity and it has over 30 GW of projects in development. About KeyState Founded in 1991, The KeyState Companies specialize in providing financial institutions and corporations with impactful investment and risk management solutions that meaningfully enhance annual earnings. In 2019, KeyState Renewables partnered with Corner Power to form SOLCAP, a tax equity platform. To date, SOLCAP has raised and deployed over $265 million in tax equity to 53 small-scale utility and community solar projects in seven states. The KeyState Companies are headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with offices in Wilmington, Delaware and Burlington, Vermont. Please visit key-state.com. About Monarch Private Capital Monarch Private Capital manages impact investment funds that positively impact communities by creating clean power, jobs, and homes. The funds provide predictable returns through the generation of federal and state tax credits. The Company offers innovative tax credit equity investments for affordable housing, historic rehabilitations, renewable energy, film, and other qualified projects. Monarch Private Capital has long-term relationships with institutional and individual investors, developers, and lenders participating in these federal and state programs. Headquartered in Atlanta, Monarch has offices and professionals located throughout the United States. Media contacts : Pine Gate Renewables Kristen Beckham Director, Government and External Affairs (843) 819-4402 [email protected] KeyState Renewables Steve Hibbard Director of Finance (303) 941-1304 [email protected] Alan Walker Walker Solutions, LLC (770) 715-8465 [email protected] Monarch Private Capital Jane Rafeedie Director, Marketing [email protected] (470) 283-8431 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b2aba639-c804-498d-9708-2730bd479db0 Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend in person or online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com LIMERICK, Ireland, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- kneat.com, inc. (TSX: KSI) (OTC: KSIOF), (Kneat or the Company), a leader in digitizing and automating validation and quality processes, today announced that Eddie Ryan, CEO of Kneat, will present live at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on October 12th, 2023. DATE: October 12th, 2023TIME: 10 a.m. ETLINK: https://bit.ly/3RcMLgHAvailable for 1x1 meetings upon request at [email protected]. This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com. Recent Company Highlights Kneat announced in August a new three-year master services agreement with a global healthcare manufacturer and distributor Kneat announced in July a new three-year master services agreement with a global contract development and manufacturing organization Kneat announced in June a new three-year master services agreement with a global pharmaceutical company Kneat reported year-over-year growth in SaaS revenue of 86% for the three months ended June 30, 2023 About Kneat Kneat, a Canadian company with operational headquarters in Limerick, Ireland, develops and markets the next-generation Kneat Gx SaaS platform. Multiple business work processes can be configured on the platform from equipment to computer system validation, through to quality document management. Kneat's software allows users to author, review, approve, execute testing online, manage any exceptions, and post-approve final deliverables in a controlled FDA 21 CFR Part 11/ EU Annex 11 compliant platform. Macro and micro report dashboards enable powerful oversight into all systems, projects and processes globally. Customer case studies are reporting productivity improvements in excess of 100% and a higher data integrity and compliance standard. For more information visit www.kneat.com About Virtual Investor ConferencesVirtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. CONTACTS:KneatKatie KeitaIR Lead(902) 450 2660[email protected] Virtual Investor Conferences John M. ViglottiSVP Corporate Services, Investor AccessOTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221[email protected] Source: Virtual Investor Conferences SAN FRANCISCO and HONG KONG, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matthews, a privately owned investment management firm with more than 30 years focused on Global Emerging Markets and Asia, announced that Sean Taylor has joined the firm and will be appointed chief investment officer (CIO), effective January 1, 2024, as part of the firms long-term succession planning. A highly experienced CIO and portfolio manager, Mr. Taylor has over 25 years of global experience within the investment management industry. He joins Matthews from DWS Group where he was most recently chief investment officer APAC and head of Emerging Markets. His experience leading investment teams in global and international equities, fixed income, and alternative strategies has earned him a reputation as a highly regarded Emerging Markets portfolio manager. Mr. Taylor has been responsible for investment teams located in the U.S., Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East, where he has developed deep partnerships with sovereign wealth groups, pension funds and a wide range of institutional clients. As Matthews chief investment officer in 2024, Mr. Taylor will lead the firms San Francisco- and Hong Kong-based investment teams and play an important role in continuing to build on Matthews active partnerships with institutional and professional clients. He will continue the firms focus on investment excellence and a culture of collaboration, openness, curiosity and innovation within the team. Partnering closely with the firms senior leadership team, he will also support Matthews customized solutions platform that addresses the evolving needs of our clients. Sean brings extensive investment leadership to Matthews. In addition to seeking compelling investment performance, he will evolve our investment offering and support our Active Partnership approach to clients that goes beyond product manufacturing to provide a holistic long-term investment solution, said Cooper Abbott, chief executive officer of Matthews. Having led investment teams globally for over 10 years, Sean has a proven track record as a strong transformational leader. Sean is also a highly experienced portfolio manager across Emerging and Developed Markets. Following other recent senior hires by Matthews, Seans appointment further emphasizes our commitment to building a strong entrepreneurial leadership team that deepens our presence in Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific. I am delighted to join Matthews at a time when investors are looking for deeper investment expertise across core asset classes, said Sean Taylor. As a recognized leader within Emerging Markets and Asia, Matthews offers a strong, highly differentiated value proposition with an emphasis on developing deep partnerships with clients and delivering long-term outperformance. Given the firms expertise and capabilities, I believe it can meet the real need for implementable insights within a changing global context. Matthews has an incredible pedigree and depth of talent and I look forward to helping them achieve their goal of delivering leading investment performance while further enhancing the firms investment platform to meet the needs of clients. The appointment of Mr. Taylor follows a decision by Robert Horrocks, PhD, chief investment officer and portfolio manager to step back from his current leadership responsibilities. Following a transition period, Robert will step down from his chief investment officer role at the end of 2023 and will remain as a portfolio manager on the Matthews Asian Growth and Income, Matthews Asia Dividend and Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Strategies, in addition to working closely with the firms global clients. Sean is a highly regarded investment leader with an outstanding track record of building disciplined, high-performing investment teams globally, said Robert Horrocks, PhD, chief investment officer. He will continue to evolve our investment platform across Emerging and Developed Markets to ensure we remain firmly aligned with the changing needs of our clients. As a passionate investor in Emerging Markets, Sean comes with a proven track record that immediately enhances our value proposition and I look forward to working closely with Sean over the coming months to ensure a seamless and successful transition. Matthews provides investors with a broad range of investment solutions across Emerging Markets, Asia and China. These include global, regional, country and thematic strategies available in SMAs, Active ETFs, and mutual funds. The firm also provides customized solutions to clients. These include strategies that have a sustainability focus, as well as solutions for investors wanting to exclude China from their portfolios. Media Contact in the U.S.: Dukas Linden PR Sarah Lazarus/Stephanie Dressler +617-335-7823/+949-269-2535 [email protected]/[email protected] Media Contact in Europe: Sam Emery Quill PR +44 207 466 5056 About Matthews: Matthews is an independent, privately owned investment manager founded in 1991 on a belief that Global Emerging Markets offer exceptional long-term growth potential. As a trusted and experienced guide, Matthews takes a long-term, active, fundamental investment approach to construct highly differentiated portfolios that focus on Emerging Markets, Asia and China. The firm manages assets on behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally in vehicles that include SMAs, mutual funds and active ETFs. For more information about Matthews, please visit www.matthewsasia.com. Disclosure This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not, in any way, constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or product mentioned herein. Investing in international and emerging markets may involve additional risks, such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation. Matthews Asia is a brand for Matthews International Capital Management, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Memphis, TN, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fisher House Foundation and the VA Memphis Health Care System celebrated construction progress on a new Fisher House at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center during a Topping Off Ceremony. The ceremony, hosted by Medical Center Director Joseph P. Vaughn and Chief of Staff of Fisher House Foundation Mary B. Considine, marked a pivotal moment of the building process as the final beam was placed over the entrance of the new Fisher House that is currently under construction. Scheduled for completion in 2024, this new Fisher House will join the Fisher House already serving Tennessee Veterans, in Murfreesboro. The more than 13,000 sq. ft. Fisher House will provide lodging for families of Veterans and military at no cost, allowing them to be close to their loved ones at the most stressful times, while they are receiving medical care. At full occupancy, it will save military and Veteran families more than half a million dollars each year, but more importantly, the new Fisher House will allow Veterans to receive care they could not readily access in the past without a place for their loved ones to stay. We are excited to offer a new option in providing comprehensive care for our Veterans and their families, said Vaughn. The Fisher House will be a place for Veterans and their families to find comfort during difficult moments in their care journey. We understand the positive impact it can make for a patient to have family by their side, and the Fisher House makes that possible. "Fisher Houses give Veterans and their loved ones a home away from home that is not only a place to stay, but also a community of support, said Considine. We want families and Veterans to understand the deep respect we have for their service and sacrifice, a respect that can be felt both at Fisher House and throughout the city of Memphis. The new Fisher House at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers VA Medical Center will have 16 accessible suites, a spacious kitchen, large communal living, dining and family rooms, a laundry room, and a shared patio. The home will be gifted to the VA upon completion as part of the public-private partnership between Fisher House Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Fisher House Foundation proudly recognizes the generosity of the following contributors for their extraordinary support of our military and Veteran families: Tennessee Fisher House Foundation, Vehicles for Veterans, and the many gifts of a grateful nation. ###About Fisher House Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 95 comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since its inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $575 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. www.fisherhouse.org About VA Memphis Health Care System The Memphis Veterans Affairs Health Care System consists of one main campus located at 1030 Jefferson Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, that operates 196 beds, which includes a 20-bed Spinal Cord Injury Center and a Womens Health Center on a 33-acre campus. It sponsors nine community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) within the service area of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The medical center located on the main campus is a tertiary care facility classified as a Clinical Referral Level I-a Facility and one of the most complex medical centers in the VA system. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with advanced technology, as well as extensive education and research programs. Comprehensive primary, secondary, and tertiary health care are provided in areas of medicine, general cardiovascular and neurological surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, neurology, oncology, dentistry, and geriatrics. Specialized outpatient services are provided through general, specialty, and subspecialty outpatient clinics including a women's health center. Services are available to Veterans living within a 53-county tri-state area of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Michelle Horn Fisher House Foundation (703) 819-3177 [email protected] Source: Fisher House Foundation TORONTO and HAIFA, Israel, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NurExone Biologic Inc. (TSXV: NRX) (FSE: J90) (NRX.V) (the Company or NurExone), a biopharmaceutical company developing biologically-guided exosome therapy (ExoTherapy) for patients with acute spinal cord injuries (SCI), is thrilled to announce that the Company has been awarded a 1M New Israeli Shekels (NIS) (~CAD$350K) grant by the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) as part of the Israel-Canada bilateral Eureka program. The grant is for a collaboration with Canada-based Inteligex Inc. (Inteligex) to develop an innovative hybrid therapy tailored for the complex chronic spinal cord injury market. This endeavor combines Inteligexs established expertise in stem cell treatments with NurExones ExoTherapy drug delivery platform. Currently, NurExone is in the process of developing the ExoPTEN product specifically for acute spinal cord injuries. This collaborative effort opens the possibility for the Company to expand its focus to chronic spine injuries. In acute injuries, immediate cell damage occurs, while chronic injuries trigger a secondary injury cascade in the days, weeks, and months following the initial injury. Chronic injuries involve inflammation, cell death, and the formation of a cavity within the spinal cord, encased by scar tissue that disrupts nerve signal flow. Consequently, recovering motor function after paralysis induced by chronic injury is exceptionally challenging, and a hybrid therapy may have potential for a significant step forward in this field. The 1M NIS grant for the first year is expected to cover a significant part of the Companys total first year project budget of 2.45M NIS (~CAD$850K). The two-year collaborative partnership with Inteligex has an overall budget of 1.69M Euros. Dr. Lior Shaltiel, CEO of NurExone, expressed his excitement about this prestigious grant, stating, NurExone aims to lead in functional recovery for both acute and chronic segments of the multi-billion-dollar spinal cord injury market. We are honored to receive the IIA grant after a rigorous project review and are grateful for the support and trust they have placed in us and our excellent partner Inteligex. This funding will enable us to make strides toward realizing our vision of helping every spinal cord injury patient in need. Dr. Paul Bradshaw, CEO of Inteligex, stated that he views tremendous synergy between the NurExone targeted drug delivery system and the experimentally proven stem cell therapy developed by Inteligex. He added that the collaborative alliance has the potential to revolutionize how chronic SCI is treated. This strategic cooperation underscores NurExones commitment to global leadership in the field of exosomes for spinal cord injury and paves the way for expansion of the Companys product portfolio. Beyond the substantial patient potential, the grant brings a significant financial injection which will accelerate the research in the field. About NurExone Biologic Inc. NurExone Biologic Inc. is a TSXV listed pharmaceutical company that is developing a platform for biologically-guided ExoTherapy to be delivered, non-invasively, to patients who suffered traumatic spinal cord injuries. ExoTherapy was conceptually demonstrated in animal studies at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. NurExone is translating the treatment to humans, and the company holds an exclusive worldwide license from the Technion and Tel Aviv University for the development and commercialization of the technology. About Inteligex Inteligex is a regenerative medicine company, based in Toronto, Canada, focused on improving clinical outcomes for patients with conditions affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS). Inteligex has developed a novel targeted human stem cell platform for the treatment of CNS disease that replaces key cell types lost due to traumatic injury or neurodegeneration. Inteligex is tasked with bringing this novel human stem cell platform to market and clinic for diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and its lead indication SCI. Inteligex is built on a foundation of over 15 years of stem cell research and 30 years of research into SCI and conditions of the CNS conducted at the Krembil Research Institute within the University Health Network. For additional information, please visit www.nurexone.com or follow NurExone on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. For more information, please contact: Dr. Lior ShaltielChief Executive Officer and DirectorPhone: +972-52-4803034Email: [email protected] Thesis Capital Inc.Investment Relation - CanadaPhone: +1 905-347-5569Email: [email protected] Dr. Eva ReuterInvestment Relation - GermanyPhone: +49-69-1532-5857Email: [email protected] FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Companys current expectations and projections about its future development. When used in this press release, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, or by such words as will, intend, believe, estimate, consider, expect, anticipate, and objective and similar expressions or variations of such words. Forward-looking statements are, by their nature, not guarantees of the Companys future development or financial performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Companys actual results, performance, prospects, or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. No representation or warranty is intended with respect to anticipated future results, or that estimates, or projections will be sustained. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the development project with Inteligex and the ability to treat chronic spinal cord injury. In developing the forward-looking statements in this press release, we have applied several material assumptions, including the general business and economic conditions of the industries and countries in which we operate, the general market conditions, the ability to secure additional funding for the collaboration with Inteligex and our ability to work collaboratively with Inteligex. Many risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not limited to, the following: those risk factors identified under the heading Risk Factors pages 29 to 36 of the Companys Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2023, a copy of which is available under the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and other similar factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of the press release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, events may differ materially from current expectations. 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 pursuant to applicable securities law. All forward-looking statements contained in the press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: NurExone Biologic Inc Eindhoven, Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ONWARD Medical N.V. (Euronext: ONWD), the medical technology company creating innovative therapies to restore movement, function, and independence in people with spinal cord injury, today announced that it will host a webcast to discuss its Q3 2023 business highlights. The webcast will be held on November 16, 2023, at 2:00PM CET / 08:00AM ET. It will be hosted by CEO Dave Marver and CFO Khaled Bahi, who will discuss highlights from Q3 2023 and provide a business update. To join the webcast via Zoom, please register using this link. Participants may also join by phone: +32 2 290 9360 (Belgium) +49 69 3807 9884 (Germany) +31 20 794 0854 (Netherlands) +41 22 591 0156 (Switzerland) +44 203 481 5240 (United Kingdom) +1 346 248 7799 (US) Additional telephone numbers available Meeting ID: 869 3710 5839 A recording of the webcast will be available on the Companys website following the live event. About ONWARD Medical ONWARD is a medical technology company creating therapies to restore movement, function, and independence in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and movement disabilities. Building on more than a decade of science and preclinical research conducted at leading neuroscience laboratories, the Company has received nine Breakthrough Device Designations from the US Food and Drug Administration for its ARC Therapy platform. ONWARD ARC Therapy, which can be delivered by external ARC-EX or implantable ARCIM systems, is designed to deliver targeted, programmed spinal cord stimulation. Positive results were presented in 2023 from the Companys pivotal study, called Up-LIFT, evaluating the ability for transcutaneous ARC Therapy to improve upper extremity strength and function. The Company is now preparing regulatory approval submissions for ARC-EX for the US and Europe. In parallel, the Company is conducting studies with its implantable ARC-IM platform, which demonstrated positive interim clinical outcomes for improved blood pressure regulation following 3 SCI. Other ongoing studies include combination use of ARC-IM with a brain-computer interface (BCI). Headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, ONWARD has a Science and Engineering Center in Lausanne, Switzerland and a US office in Boston, Massachusetts. The Company also has an academic partnership with .NeuroRestore, a collaboration between the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). For more information, visit ONWD.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and YouTube. For Media Enquiries: Aditi Roy, VP Communications [email protected] For Investor Enquiries: Khaled Bahi, CFO [email protected] Disclaimer Certain statements, beliefs, and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Companys or, as appropriate, the Company directors current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve several risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forwardlooking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition, and technology, can cause actual events, performance, or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such persons officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All ONWARD devices and therapies referenced here, including but not limited to ARC-IM, ARC-EX, and ARC Therapy, are investigational and not available for commercial use. NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Energy and Tactical Credit Opportunities Fund (NYSE: NRGX) (the Fund) has posted a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings, as of September 30, 2023 (unaudited), on its website. To access the Funds holdings report, please see the Funds website. About PIMCO PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider. Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of PIMCOs sponsored investment products and separately managed accounts, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax laws. Readers should carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only on the date at which such statements are made. PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. This and other information are contained in the Funds most recent report to shareholders, which may be obtained by contacting your PIMCO representative. Please read the report carefully before you invest or send money. Holdings are subject to change without notice and may not be representative of current or future allocations. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America LLC in the United States and throughout the world. PIMCO Investments LLC, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, is a company of PIMCO. 2023, PIMCO. For information on the PIMCO Closed-End Funds:Financial Advisors: (800) 628-1237Shareholders: (844) 337-4626 or (844) 33-PIMCOPIMCO Media Relations: (212) 597-1054 Source: PIMCO Account Management Dr. Piotr Witkowski presenting new data from ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of the Cell Pouch System in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) Dr. Alice Tomei presenting preclinical data on transplantation of conformal coated islet cells in pre-vascularized Cell Pouch LONDON, Ontario and WINDHAM COUNTY, Conn., Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sernova Corp. (TSX: SVA) (OTCQB: SEOVF) (FSE/XETRA: PSH), a clinical-stage company and leader in cell therapeutics, today announced two oral presentations at the upcoming International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA), International Xenotransplantation Association (IXA) Cell Transplant & Regenerative Medicine Association (CTRMA) joint congress taking October 26-29, 2023 in San Diego, CA. More details about the conference, including accepted abstracts, are available on the IPITA website HERE. In alignment with the embargo policy, Sernova plans to share details from both speakers lectures following completion of their presentations. Presentation details: Abstract #: 105.1Title: Islet allotransplantation into pre-vascularized Sernova Cell Pouch - Lessons learned from the first patient cohortPresenter: Piotr Witkowski, United States, Associate Professor of Surgery, University of ChicagoSession: Islet Transplantation: Engineering the Islet SiteSession Date and Time: Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. PT Abstract #: 205.1Title: Transplantation of conformal coated islets in a pre-vascularized Cell Pouch device for beta cell replacement in diabetic ratsPresenter: Alice Tomei, United States, Associate Professor - Biomedical Engineering and Diabetes Research Institute, University of MiamiSession: Engineering the site (Joint)Session Date and Time: Friday, October 27, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. PT ABOUT SERNOVA CORP. AND THE CELL POUCH SYSTEM PLATFORM FOR CELL THERAPY Sernova Corp. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing therapeutic cell technologies for chronic diseases, including insulin-dependent diabetes, thyroid disease, and blood disorders that include hemophilia A. Sernova is currently focused on developing a functional cure for insulin-dependent diabetes with its lead asset, the Cell Pouch System, a novel implantable and scalable medical device with immune protected therapeutic cells. On implantation, The Cell Pouch forms a natural vascularized tissue environment in the body for long-term survival and function of therapeutic cells that release essential factors that are absent or deficient in the bodies of patients with certain chronic diseases. Sernovas Cell Pouch System has demonstrated its potential to be a functional cure for people with T1D in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical study at the University of Chicago, with Cell Pouches implanted for periods of more than four years and counting. Sernova is also advancing a proprietary technology in collaboration with the University of Miami to shield therapeutic cells from immune system attack with the goal to eliminate the need for chronic, systemic immunosuppression. In May 2022, Sernova and Evotec entered into a global strategic partnership to develop an implantable off-the-shelf iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) based islet replacement therapy. This partnership provides Sernova a potentially unlimited supply of insulin-producing cells to treat millions of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Sernova continues to progress two additional development programs that utilize its Cell Pouch System: a cell therapy for hypothyroid disease resulting from thyroid gland removal and an ex vivo lentiviral Factor VIII gene therapy for hemophilia A. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This release contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical facts, may constitute forward-looking statements that involve various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, without limitation, statements regarding the prospects, plans, and objectives of the company. Wherever possible, but not always, words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential for" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements beliefs with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to management on the date such statements were made. Many factors could cause Sernovas actual results, performances or achievements to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended or to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such factors could include, but are not limited to, the companys ability to secure additional financing and licensing arrangements on reasonable terms, or at all; ability to conduct all required preclinical and clinical studies for the companys Cell Pouch System and or related technologies, including the timing and results of those trials; ability to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals, or on a timely basis; ability to in-license additional complementary technologies; ability to execute its business strategy and successfully compete in the market; and the inherent risks associated with the development of biotechnology combination products generally. Many of the factors are beyond our control, including those caused by, related to, or impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Investors should consult the companys quarterly and annual filings available on www.sedarplus.ca for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Sernova expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Source: Sernova Corp. Created through a $25 million endowment gift from TELUS plus an additional $25 million in fundraising, the TELUS Student Bursary program will support hundreds of students each year, who are committed to making a difference in their communities, achieve the education they are passionate about realizing 75 per cent of students find it very hard to afford post-secondary education, and nearly 1-in-3 students have considered withdrawing from their studies due to financial difficulty TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation announced the launch of Canadas largest bursary fund: the TELUS Student Bursary, supporting students facing financial barriers impacting their ability to enroll or continue their education. Created through a $25 million endowment gift from TELUS, along with an additional $25 million commitment in fundraising from TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, TELUS Student Bursaries are awarded annually to youth between the ages of 17 and 29 who are accepted into, or attending, any undergraduate degree or diploma program at any Canadian college, university or polytechnic institute, enabling youth across the country to access higher education. Through the TELUS Student Bursary, we are helping to empower and motivate young people to pursue their dreams, realize their full potential and create a better world, said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. Building on the $120 million gift from TELUS to inaugurate the Foundation in 2018, TELUS additional endowment to create the largest bursary fund in Canada is a testament to our teams unwavering commitment to ensuring every young person in Canada is able to realize their dreams of a post-secondary education. Together, with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, our annual bursary program will enable thousands of youth who might lack the means to attend college, university or a technical vocational school. TELUS is committed to ensuring that our next generation of leaders have access to a brighter, more inclusive future, while they are also making a positive difference in their communities around causes that matter most to them. While education opens doors to a brighter future, unfortunately not all youth have the resources needed to attend college or university. Recent reports state that 75 per cent of students find it very hard to afford post-secondary education and nearly 1-in-3 students have considered withdrawing from their studies due to financial difficulty. The TELUS Student Bursary program offers bursaries valued at $5K for university students and $3K for college students, helping break down financial barriers and further empowering youth to thrive and reach their full potential. In a world rapidly evolving, we cannot afford to leave any youth behind. The TELUS Student Bursary is not just about funding, but about belief in the boundless potential of our youth and the transformative power they hold, said Ashif Mawji, chair, Board of Directors, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. As the main differentiator of the TELUS Student Bursary, students will commit to undertaking a project that will have a positive social, environmental or health impact during their studies, helping ensure that every youth has the opportunity to not only get the education they are passionate about, but to also give back in the form of a social impact that they will champion and be self-accountable for. Aligning with the start of the 20232024 school year, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation awarded its first round of bursary recipients to more than 400 students across the country. Pulling from their own personal experiences, ranging from immigrating to Canada, to navigating the foster-care system and experiencing social injustice, these are the social impact leaders of tomorrow that will be driving climate action, advancing Reconciliation, advocating for human rights, and uplifting marginalized communities across the country and around the world. As someone who grew up in the foster care system, its been really hard to pursue my dream of going to university, says Clementine Jarrett, third-year Carleton University student and 2023 TELUS Student Bursary recipient. Ive learnedand seen through my own experiencethat only eight out of every 1,000 Canadian kids in foster care will graduate with any kind of post-secondary degree. I truly believe that with the support from TELUS and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, I will not only have the resources to graduate, but also be able to improve those odds for other kids in the future as I hope to work on redeveloping the child welfare system. By the end of 2023, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation will have provided $2 million worth of bursaries to students attending post-secondary institutions across Canada and through select post-secondary partners including University of Victoria, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Humber College, McGill University and Indspire, a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. In addition to financial support for their education, the TELUS Student Bursary seeks to help alleviate some of the additional challenges facing students such as affordability and career opportunities. Bursary recipients have access to free mobility and internet plans through TELUS Mobility for Good and Internet for Good programs, as well as mentoring, networking and other career development opportunities throughout their schooling and post-graduation, helping enable their ongoing professional success. The next student bursary application window will open in spring, 2024. To learn more, visit friendlyfuture.com. About TELUS Friendly Future Foundation TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that believes all youth, regardless of circumstances, deserve an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. By funding more than 500 charities each year that provide education and health programs, many enabled by technology, along with providing educational bursaries, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is helping more than 2 million youth in communities across Canada build skills, gain confidence and feel a sense of belonging. In 2022 alone, we provided more than $10.6 million in grants to charities across the country. For more information on TELUS Friendly Future Foundation visit friendlyfuture.com. For media inquiries, please contact:Saara RahikkaTELUS Public Relations[email protected] Source: TELUS Communications Inc KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2023 - 23:00 | Japan, All, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Sapporo's 2030 Winter Olympics bid dropped, 2034 or later targeted TOKYO - The city of Sapporo and the Japanese Olympic Committee on Wednesday abandoned their bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and decided to aim for 2034 or later. Sapporo has been unable to build momentum as public sentiment has soured following revelations of widespread bribery and bid-rigging related to the Tokyo Games held in the summer of 2021. ---------- Japan payments clearing network disruption continues for 2nd day TOKYO - Japan's payments clearing network has not yet recovered from a system problem detected the previous day, its operator said Wednesday, warning delays to bank fund transfers may persist. "We have worked to restore the system overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, but there was no clear idea of when the situation will be resolved as of 7 a.m. Wednesday," Japanese Banks' Payment Clearing Network said in a press release. ---------- Tokyo Stock Exchange opens new platform for carbon credit trading TOKYO - Tokyo Stock Exchange Inc. on Wednesday opened a platform on which carbon credits can be traded as part of efforts to accelerate decarbonization in the private sector. The exchange allows companies to buy and sell "J-Credit," an asset certified by the Japanese government and allocated to organizations that have reduced carbon dioxide emissions through renewable energy use, tree-planting, and other measures. ---------- Australian journalist detained by China returns home SYDNEY - Australian journalist Cheng Lei returned home on Wednesday after more than three years of detention in China, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Cheng, who faced a closed trial on national security charges in 2022, arrived in Melbourne and was reunited with her two children and family, Albanese told a press conference in the south-eastern coastal city. ---------- Japan to tackle hay fever by felling cedar forests near major cities TOKYO - Japan on Wednesday compiled a policy package to tackle hay fever caused by pollen from cedar and cypress trees, with plans to accelerate their reduction and replace them with varieties that produce less pollen. The government is expected to initially focus on areas ringing major cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka, and cut down 70,000 hectares of forest annually over the next 10 years, higher than the current removal rate of 50,000 hectares annually. ---------- China to host int'l forum on Belt and Road initiative next week BEIJING - China said Wednesday it will host an international forum on its signature Belt and Road initiative next week in Beijing, with President Xi Jinping to deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the event held to mark the global infrastructure strategy's 10th anniversary. The two-day forum starting next Tuesday is expected to draw representatives from over 130 countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement its theme will be "high-quality Belt and Road cooperation: together for common development and prosperity." ---------- Sony to launch new model of PlayStation 5 on Nov. 10 in Japan TOKYO - Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. said Wednesday that Japanese stores will begin selling in November a new model of its hugely popular PlayStation 5 game console that is physically smaller but with increased memory capacity. The PS5 console equipped with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive will go on sale Nov. 10 priced at 66,980 yen ($450), while the digital version without a disc drive that requires users to download games onto the console will cost 59,980 yen, according to Sony Group Corp's game unit. ---------- Driver arrested after elderly woman dragged by van for 2 km in Tokyo TOKYO - A driver was arrested Tuesday after a woman in her 80s was hit by a van and dragged for about 2 kilometers in western Tokyo, resulting in her death, police said. Yoshihiro Sumiyama, 53, an office worker in Higashimurayama, has denied the charges of negligent driving resulting in death and violating the traffic law, saying he does not recall hitting anyone, according to police. ---------- Video: Tokyo-born panda put on public view in China DEASE LAKE, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) is excited to announce that it has received funding from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills - Indigenous Skills Training and Education Program to support the second year of the groundbreaking Tahltan Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program. The Tahltan HEO Program is a multi-faceted program designed to build capacity in our Tahltan communities across several different areas: drivers licences and driving for employment; developing new heavy equipment operators; and continuing to grow current heavy equipment operators into mentors, trainers and instructors. A key strategy to the success of the Tahltan HEO Program is supporting Tahltans in acquiring their Class 4, 5 and 7 drivers licences in Tahltan Territory. Acquiring a drivers licence is a significant barrier to employment in remote communities and is required to operate equipment. Year two of the drivers program is expanding to cover commercial licenses up to class 1, which enables access to employment in critical industries in Northern B.C. The HEO program has been developed in partnership with the Provincial Government, Iskut Band, Tahltan Band, Newcrest, CAT Finning, Procon Mining & Tunnelling, Arrow Transportation, Bandstra Transportation, Lakes District Maintenance, Mining Industry HR Council (MiHR), Centre for Training Excellence in Mining BC (CTEM), Contact North BC (CNBC), Tahltan Central Government (TCG) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to address skill shortages within our region while also providing on-the-job practical work experience to set participants up for success. This remarkable financial commitment and support from our partners underscores the recognition of our program's effectiveness and the collective determination to foster a brighter future for those living in our remote communities. The inaugural year of our HEO program February to June 2023 has already had a profound impact on the lives of several Tahltans. A total of 103 Tahltans completed training, including 70 drivers licence students, 29 mentors trained, and four Heavy Equipment Operators successfully completed their Mining Industry HR Council Common Competencies and Skilled Trades BC Roadbuilders certifications. These four individuals also passed their TNDC technical verification of competencies and found employment for the summer season. Building off the success of this inaugural year-one pilot, the HEO Program is moving forward with its expanded program framework to increase the impact in enhancing skills capacity of Tahltan individuals. With the newly acquired funding, we are poised to extend the reach of the HEO Program, with new programs and new partners, and magnify its profound and lasting impact. Inclusion of the Class 1 drivers licence shows our ongoing commitment to Tahltan members to enhance their skills and employability for future opportunities in the region and beyond. Paul Gruner, CEO, TNDC. ABOUT TNDC Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) the business arm of the Tahltan Nation is owned by its shareholders Iskut Band, Tahltan Band and Tahltan Central Government. TNDC was founded in 1985 by visionary, progressive Tahltan leaders who wanted to ensure the Tahltan Nation benefit from the economic activities and development occurring within Tahltan Territory and to provide employment, training, and contracting opportunities to Tahltan members. From its roots in residential construction, TNDCs services have expanded to heavy construction, earthworks, camp services, air support, aviation, forestry, transportation, and fibre-optic communications services. To learn more, visit www.tndc.ca ABOUT THE TAHLTAN HEO PROGRAM The Tahltan HEO Program is a multi-faceted program designed to build capacity in our communities across a number of different areas: drivers licenses and driving for employment; developing new heavy equipment operators; and continuing to grow current heavy equipment operators into mentors, trainers and instructors. The program has been developed in partnership with industry, industry training authorities and funding partners, with the majority of training occurring in Tahltan Territory. It helps to address skill shortages within our region while also providing on-the-job practical work experience to set participants up for success. To learn more, visit www.tahltanheo.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97239e3a-f6c4-48eb-9cef-16d21bcef651 Contact: Tahltan Nation Development Corporation Deena Tokaryk, TNDC Communications Manager Mobile 778 552 5082 [email protected] Tahltan HEO Program Participants Year 1 Tahltan HEO Program participants with a rock truck they trained on. Source: Tahltan Nation Development Corporation BALTIMORE, Md., Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Virus Network (GVN), in partnership with the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM, a GVN Affiliate), the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, and the Princely Government of Monaco, will host the GVN 2023 international meeting of top virologists 19-21 October 2023 in Monaco. This coalition of the worlds leading medical virology researchers, who work together to prevent illness and death from viral disease, will hold high-level scientific sessions examining pandemic preparedness and current threats. A special GVN-CSM joint session will focus specifically on preparedness in European Union countries and will be attended by the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, among other dignitaries. Global collaboration, partnership, and leadership are critical in mitigating pandemic threats and in preventing future outbreaks, said Robert Gallo, MD, Co-Founder and Emeritus Director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, a GVN Center of Excellence, and Co-Founder and Chair of the Scientific Leadership Board of the GVN. I am pleased to join my friends and colleagues in Monaco as these personal, face-to-face interactions among our colleagues are integral to sharing information and inspiring international collaborations that otherwise might not exist. Dr. Gallo is most renowned for his pioneering discovery of human retroviruses, his co-discovery of HIV as the cause of AIDS, and development of the HIV blood test. GVN experts will exchange ideas on themes including: Harnessing A.I. to Transform Pandemic Preparedness; Advancing Pandemic Preparedness across EU Small Countries Initiative Under the Presidency of Prince Albert II; Exploring the Host-Virus Relationship in Acute and Post-Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection; Cancer-Causing Viruses and New Understandings; Anticipating and Responding to Emerging Viruses; GVNs Initiative in Tackling the Challenges of Arboviruses and Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses; and, Advancing Antiviral Diagnostics & Treatment Through Innovation. We are pleased to build on our successful scientific meeting last year held in Monaco and broadly broadcasted virtually to move forward in the continued spirit or preparedness, said Christian Brechot, MD, PhD, GVN President and a professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The GVN is critically positioned to establish and lead global efforts in facilitating collaborations with universities, industry, governments and communities to merge efforts and find solutions together. The GVN will also be introducing Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, Anna M.R. Lander Professor of Public Health, Yale School of Public Health as its next GVN President, effective November 1, 2023. For a full program visit https://gvn.org/gvn-2023-monaco/. One-on-one interviews can be arranged upon request. About the Global Virus Network (GVN) The GVN is essential and critical in the preparedness, defense, and first research response to emerging, existing, and unidentified viruses that pose a clear and present threat to public health. Working in close coordination with established national and international institutions, the GVN is a coalition comprised of eminent human and animal virologists from 71 Centers of Excellence and 9 Affiliates in 40 countries, working collaboratively to train the next generation, advance knowledge about how to identify and diagnose pandemic viruses, mitigate and control how such viruses spread and make us sick, as well as develop drugs, vaccines, and treatments to combat them. No single institution in the world has expertise in all viral areas other than the GVN, which brings together the finest medical virologists to leverage their individual expertise and coalesce global teams of specialists on the scientific challenges, issues, and problems posed by pandemic viruses. The GVN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, please visit https://gvn.org/. Follow us on X at @GlobalVirusNews. Media Contact: Nora Samaranayake, +1 443 823 0613 or [email protected] Source: Global Virus Network PENTICTON, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Kerkhoff Develop-Build as they broke ground on Sokana at 270 Riverside Drive in Penticton, B.C. Amid the overwhelming success of Sokana's first building, which sold out in an impressive 72 hours, the developer, in partnership with Epic Real Estate Solutions, the Okanagan's leading real estate sales and marketing firm, announced an accelerated construction timeline to meet the strong demand for this new riverside community. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on October 10th, was attended by Leonard Kerkhoff, President and CEO of Kerkhoff Develop-Build; Penticton-Naramata MLA Dan Ashton; Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield; Deputy Mayor Helena Konanz, Councillor Campbell Watt, and Anthony Haddad, City Manager at the City of Penticton. The group celebrated this significant progress, marking the commencement of the construction phase. "We're thrilled by the response from the community and are working tirelessly to meet the high demand," said Leonard Kerkhoff, President and CEO of Kerkhoff Develop-Build. "The accelerated schedule will ensure more people can enjoy the unique lifestyle that Sokana offers. Our second building has recently started selling and we are still seeing significant demand from people across Western Canada who want to own a home in Sokana and Penticton." This swift response highlights the developer's commitment to fulfilling the strong demand for quality homes in Penticton, the Okanagan's rising real estate hotspot. The second building's expedited timeline reinforces the development's premium location, best-in-class building amenities, and the city's escalating appeal as a top investment destination. "The quick sell-out of the first release speaks volumes about the desirability of Sokana, and by extension, Penticton," said Shane Styles, President of Epic Real Estate Solutions. "Buyers love the fact that Sokana is ideally situated in the city, walking distance to downtown, the lake, numerous restaurants and its also next door to Riverside Village shopping centre." The final building promises to replicate the appeal of Sokana's first release, boasting a curated collection of 1, 2, and 3-bed homes. These homes are complete with contemporary interiors, unparalleled amenities, and the attractive potential for short-term rental without speculation tax. Residents can look forward to relishing an enriched lifestyle with access to a host of resort-inspired amenities such as an outdoor pool, hot tub, outdoor firepits and games area, putting green, coworking space, and a fitness center. Kerkhoff Develop-Build remains committed to delivering this extraordinary living experience to more residents sooner than anticipated. To stay updated on the accelerated release of Sokana's final building, prospective buyers are encouraged to register at www.liveatsokana.com. For more information about Epic Real Estate Solutions and its diverse range of projects, visit www.epicres.com. About Epic Real Estate SolutionsEpic Real Estate Solutions is the premier real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the Okanagan Valley. As the trusted partner for top development companies in Western Canada, Epic Real Estate Solutions offers a comprehensive range of customized sales and marketing services. With a deep understanding of the local market, their expert team provides strategic leadership, market expertise and support to ensure the success of each project. About Kerkhoff Develop-Build With over 50 years of forward-thinking experience, Kerkhoff Develop-Build has established a reputation for excellence in the construction industry. Known for their unwavering commitment to reliability and integrity, Kerkhoff has successfully delivered exceptional projects in British Columbia and across the globe. Their expertise in construction has shaped skylines and created iconic landmarks that stand as testaments to their dedication to quality craftsmanship. Media ContactAmber CoyleTalk Shop Media[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/908e6a85-aabd-43af-9152-bba25cbd3583 Sokana Groundbreaking Event October 10th marked a significant milestone for Kerkhoff Develop-Build as they broke ground on Sokana at 270 Riverside Drive in Penticton, B.C. Source: Epic Real Estate Solutions Martin Beck Appointed CEO, Replacing Samuel Meckey Announces the Elimination of 20 Corporate Roles DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UpHealth, Inc. (UpHealth, the Company) (NYSE: UPH), a global digital health company delivering technology platforms, infrastructure, and services to modernize care delivery and health management, today announced the October 5, 2023 appointment by the Board of Directors of the Company of Martin Beck to serve as the Companys next Chief Executive Officer, replacing Samuel Meckey, effective October 6, 2023, and Mr. Beck being named as a member of the Board of Directors effective October 9, 2023. Mr. Beck has been UpHealths Chief Financial Officer since February 2020. Jay Jennings, currently the Companys Chief Accounting Officer, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer. The Company also announced today the reduction of an additional 20 corporate roles. These organizational changes do not impact the Companys business units. This action was taken to mitigate the financial impact of the September 14, 2023 decision by a trial court in New York to grant summary judgment in favor of Needham & Company LLC (Needham) (the Needham decision). The Company continues to seek a fair resolution through an appeals process of the judgment. Martin has the financial acumen and operational expertise to guide our Company forward. He is the ideal leader to navigate UpHealth through the current financial landscape, said Dr. Avi Katz, Chair of the Companys Board of Directors. I am confident that with the work we have done to restructure our financials and with Martin at the helm, UpHealth will continue to serve our customers to their full satisfaction by delivering on our mission to enable high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for all and to focus on maximizing long-term stakeholder value creation. Dr. Katz continued, I would like to thank Sam for his contributions to the Company. Sam successfully delivered against operational goals and helped accelerate UpHealths transformation and growth. We are continuing to focus on serving customers, partners and patients, and we thank all our team members, including those affected by todays reduction in force, for delivering on our promises to our stakeholders without interruption. Mr. Beck said, I am eager to take on the role of CEO and lead our team at this pivotal juncture for the Company. The aggressive cost reduction actions taken by our new management team represent a first step in the execution of our plan to preserve and enhance stakeholder value. About UpHealth UpHealth is a global digital health company that delivers digital-first technology, infrastructure, and services to dramatically improve how healthcare is delivered and managed. The UpHealth platform creates digitally enabled care communities that improve access and achieve better patient outcomes at lower cost, through digital health solutions and interoperability tools that serve patients wherever they are, in their native language. UpHealths clients include health plans, healthcare providers and community-based organizations. For more information, please visit https://uphealthinc.com and follow at UpHealth Inc on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Ch. 11 bankruptcy process and the operations of UpHealth and its subsidiaries with UpHealth Holdings under the protection of the Bankruptcy Court, the prospects for an appeal of the summary judgment issued in favor of Needham, the projected operation and financial performance of UpHealth, its product offerings and developments and reception of its product by customers, and UpHealths expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects or strategies regarding the future revenue and the business plans of UpHealths management team. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intends, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, project, should, would and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the management of UpHealth considering their respective experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments and their potential effects on UpHealth as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting UpHealth will be those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the parties), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the ability of UpHealth to service or otherwise pay its debt obligations, the mix of services utilized by UpHealths customers and such customers needs for these services, market acceptance of new service offerings, the ability of UpHealth to expand what it does for existing customers as well as to add new customers, uncertainty with respect to how the ICA or the Indian courts shall decide various matters that are before them or that the Glocal Board will act in compliance with their fiduciary duties to their shareholders, that UpHealth will have sufficient capital to operate as anticipated, and the impact that the novel coronavirus and the illness, COVID-19, that it causes, as well as government responses to deal with the spread of this illness and the reopening of economies that have been closed as part of these responses, may have on UpHealths operations, the demand for UpHealths products, global supply chains and economic activity in general. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions being made prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. UpHealth undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.] Contacts: Investors Relations: Shannon Devine (MZ North America) Managing Director 203-741-8811 [email protected] COPENHAGEN, HOLSTERBO, Denmark, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) will, through its CI Advanced Bioenergy Fund I, invest in the expansion of the sustainable bioenergy sector in Holstebro and Struer municipalities by investing in the expansion and upgrade of MEC-Biogas. MEC-Biogas is one of Denmarks first large-scale industrial biogas plants that today converts around ~500,000 tons of manure yearly to raw biogas for power and heat production. CIP expects to increase the total yearly capacity of sustainable biomass to ~800,000 tons, and to furthermore develop new business models for the plant, incl. ~30m Nm3 upgraded biogas to be injected into the gas grid and ~40,000 tons biogenic CO2 for the PtX industry. CIP believes that bioenergy projects must be locally anchored, both in terms of their position in the local community, and also in terms of contributing to the development of the agricultural sector and its routes for future decarbonisation. As a result of the new investment, CIP expects to create growth and additional jobs in the local community with a solid foundation in the local agricultural sector. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners are looking forward to cooperating with existing and new partners in the local community to create a center for Danish bioenergy. We continue to see a large potential in the efficient conversion of sustainable biomass to green gas and green fuels - and we believe that advanced bioenergy is going to play a vital role in the green transition, and especially in the transportation sector. The acquisition and expansion of MEC-biogas with our local partners, Struer Energi and Vestforsyningen, represents an important milestone, and we view it as one of our main projects in the Advanced Bioenergy Fund. We are looking forward to realizing the project, which will significantly contribute to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and create local jobs, says Andreas F. Brandt, partner at CIP. Beyond the already planned investments, CIP is looking at future expansion possibilities for the bioenergy-center, such as 2nd generation bioethanol and pyrolysis projects. This has, from the beginning, been one of the fundamental considerations as part of the investment, which is why CIP is now looking into the possibility of establishing a bioethanol plant in Mabjerg. Both Struer Energi and Vestforsyningen are happy that CIP is ready to acquire and invest a multimillion amount into developing Maabjerg Energy Centers biogas plant, and especially that CIP views 2nd generation bioethanol and pyrolysis as a future vital part of a sustainable bioenergy center. We would have loved to be a part of the expansion of renewable energy in this area, however, the regulations on municipality-owned enterprises would constantly have slowed us down, says Kjeld Graversgard, the Chair of the board in Struer Energi. An expansion of the biogas plant calls for upgrading the biogas to be able to inject it to the gas grid. There is not a legal basis for us, as a municipality owned enterprise, to expand the plant, adds Pernille Bloch, Chair of the board in Vestforsyningen. The development of the bioenergy sector facilitates the long-term need for energy security and independence in Denmark, as well as the ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the industrial, transportation and agricultural sectors. About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) was founded in 2012 and is today one of the largest dedicated fund managers within sustainable greenfield-investments and a global leader within offshore wind. The funds are administered by CIP and focuses on energy infrastructure, including onshore and offshore wind, solar panels, biomass, waste-to-energy, power transmission and distribution, Power-to-X, and advanced bioenergy. CIP manages 11 funds and has approximately EUR 26bn under management for investments in energy and associated infrastructure, from more than 150 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 400 employees and 11 offices across the globe. For more information, visit www.cip.com For more information, contact: Oliver Routhe Skov, Head of Media RelationsPhone: +45 30541227Email: [email protected] Thomas Knig, Partner Investor RelationsPhone: +45 7070 5151Email: [email protected] Christian Hagelskjr, CEO, Vestforsyning and Maabjerg Energy CenterPhone: 51 58 73 10 Pernille Bloch, Chair of the board, Vestforsynings and Maabjerg Energy Centers Board of DirectorsPhone: 40 24 94 94 Kjeld Graversgard, Chair of the board, Struer Energis Board of DirectorsPhone: 20 28 45 11 Source: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners McEwen Mining Inc.s (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) subsidiary, McEwen Copper Inc., has announced the closing of an additional ARS $42 billion investment by Stellantis N.V., one of the worlds leading automakers and mobility providers with iconic brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep(R), Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, RAM, Vauxhall, Free2Move and Leasys. Stellantis, which in February 2023 invested ARS$30 billion, has invested an additional ARS$42 billion in Argentina to acquire shares of McEwen Copper in a private placement of 1,900,000 common shares. McEwen Copper will use the proceeds of the private placement to advance development of the Los Azules copper project in San Juan, Argentina, as well as for general corporate purposes. In addition, McEwen Copper announced its entry into a binding agreement for an additional $10.0 million investment by Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture and existing McEwen Copper shareholder. Nuton has agreed to invest US$10.0 million to acquire shares of McEwen Copper in a two-part transaction expected to close by Oct. 19, 2023, consisting of a private placement of 152,615 McEwen Copper common shares, and the purchase of 232,000 common shares owned by McEwen Mining in a secondary sale. Subscription and purchase proceeds are expected to be approximately $4.0 million to McEwen Copper and $6.0 million to McEwen Mining, respectively. To view the full press releases, visit https://ibn.fm/btth8 and https://ibn.fm/yODEu About McEwen Mining Inc. McEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. In addition, it owns approximately 47.7% of McEwen Copper, which owns the large, advanced-stage Los Azules copper project in Argentina. The companys goal is to improve the productivity and life of its assets with the objective of increasing its share price and providing a yield. Its chairman and chief owner has personally provided the company with $220 million and takes an annual salary of $1. For more information about the company, visit www.McEwenMining.com. About InvestorWire InvestorWire (IW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on advanced wire-grade press release syndication for private and public companies and the investment community. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, IW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, IW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. IW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorWire website applicable to all content provided by IW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.InvestorWire.com/Disclaimer InvestorWire Los Angeles, CA www.InvestorWire.com 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] InvestorWire is powered by IBN FILE PHOTO: ExxonMobil and Pioneer Natural Resources logos are seen in this illustration taken, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo By Sabrina Valle and Arathy Somasekhar HOUSTON (Reuters) -Exxon Mobil agreed to buy U.S. rival Pioneer Natural Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $59.5 billion that would make it the biggest producer in the largest U.S. oilfield and secure a decade of low-cost production. The deal, valued at $253 a share, combines the largest U.S. oil company with one of the most successful names to emerge from the shale revolution that turned the U.S. into the world's largest oil producer in little more than a decade. Exxon Chief Executive Darren Woods said in a media briefing the combination provides a big opportunity for synergies between the companies. "We basically closed this deal fairly quickly," Woods said after approaching Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield two weeks ago. "It became very obvious very early on in those discussions that there's a big opportunity here." The merged company could add 700,000 barrels per day of new oil and gas (boepd) within four years of the deal closing, raising output to 2 million boepd. It also aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase oil output per well by combining Exxon technology with Pioneer's lower cost of operations, Exxon said. The offer represents a 9% premium to Pioneer's average price for the 30 days prior to Oct. 5, when reports of deal talks surfaced. Pioneer shares closed up 1.4% at $240.82 trading. Exxon shares fell 3.6%. The closing price implies investors see a 72% probability the deal will be completed, based on Pioneer's closing share price on Oct. 5. The deal, expected to close in early 2024, will leave four of the largest U.S. oil companies in control of much of the Permian Basin shale field and its extensive infrastructure. "The market share of this combination appears to be under thresholds typically warranting action (by U.S. anti-trust regulators)," RBC Capital Markets analyst Scott Hanold said in a note. LARGEST IN PERMIAN SHALE Pioneer is the Permian oilfield's largest well operator, accounting for 9% of gross production, while Exxon occupies the No. 5 spot with 6%, according to RBC. Pioneer had bulked up through multibillion-dollar deals such as those of shale rivals DoublePoint Energy for $6.4 billion in 2021 and Parsley Energy for $7.6 billion in 2020 under CEO Sheffield. Sheffield will earn a $29-million exit package on the sale's closing, and four other top Pioneer executives will receive about $42 million combined in severance pay. "Today is a bittersweet day for me," Sheffield told employees in a letter, promising its oilfield workers and most office staff will be offered Exxon jobs, or severance pay if they decline the offer. "We're not looking at cutting either rig operations, or people or headcount. We're looking at how do we take the best of both operations, and grow" volumes and shareholder returns, Exxon's Woods said separately on a conference call. Woods said he does not anticipate antitrust hurdles and did not say who will run Exxon's expanded shale operation. Its chief was suspended last week after he was arrested. Sheffield, who will join Exxon's board after the deal closes, has announced his intention to retire from Pioneer at year-end. The Permian is highly valued by the U.S. energy industry because of its relatively low cost to extract oil and gas, with Pioneer's rock-bottom production costs averaging about $10.50 per barrel. Recent shale deal-making reflects the dwindling number of top drilling locations. "The oil shales are running out of Tier 1 inventory," said Bryan Sheffield, founder of energy investors Formentera Partners and Scott Sheffield's son. "Something has to change strategy-wise," he added. The acquisition will be Exxon's biggest since its $81 billion purchase of Mobil Oil in 1998. But it is not Exxon's first move into shale. It acquired XTO Energy for about $41 billion in 2010, a deal that led to a massive writedown a decade later as natural gas prices tumbled. The deal would top Shell's $53 billion acquisition of BG Group in 2016, which put the oil major atop the global liquefied natural gas market. WOODS IN DRIVER'S SEAT Exxon has pulled itself out of a period of deep losses and huge debts in the last two years by slashing costs, selling dozens of assets and benefiting from high energy prices spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Woods faced heavy criticism for sticking to a heavy oil-dependent strategy as climate concerns became more pressing, with its energy transition efforts focused on reducing its own emissions. But his decision paid off when the company last year earned a record $56 billion profit, two years after losses ballooned to $22 billion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company socked away some of the huge profits from the oil-price run-up, putting aside some $30 billion in cash in anticipation of deals, according to analysts. In July, Exxon agreed to a $4.9 billion all-stock deal for Denbury, a small U.S. oil firm with a network of carbon dioxide pipelines and underground storage. That acquisition was intended to bolster Exxon's nascent low-carbon business. Exxon originally made an all-cash bid for Denbury, and at the last minute switched to all stock, reflecting both the target's rise in market value during the talks and investors' desire to take part in any upside in Exxon's stock. The oil giant's share price has recovered strongly since its early 2020 tumble to about $30 as oil and gas prices collapsed. Exxon shares recently hit an all-time high of $120 per share. (Reporting by Arunima Kumar and Shubhendu Deshmukh in Bengaluru, Anirban Sen in New York and Sabrina Valle, Arathy Somasekhar and Ernest Scheyder in Houston; Writing by Gary McWilliams; Editing by Rashmi Aich, Jamie Freed, Sriraj Kalluvila, Nick Zieminski and Rod Nickel) London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - October 10, 2023) - On October 3rd 2023, just one day before the Annual Conference of International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU), the Endoscopy advanced workshops were successfully hosted by IAU in collaboration with University College London Hospital (UCLH) in London. A total of 20 urology surgeons from UK, China, and other countries participated in this training program. These workshops enabled the scholars to exchange ideas on cutting-edge topics in Endoscopy and also gain in-depth insights into China's advanced Minimally Invasive Endourology techniques. Professor Simon Choong and Professor Kemal Sarica gave excellent lectures at the Workshop Professor Simon Choong and Professor Kemal Sarica gave excellent lectures at the Workshop From October 4th to 6th 2023, the 12th Annual Conference of IAU was grandly held in London, United Kingdom. This spectacular event brought together over 400 experts and researchers from all over the world, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, and more. Among them were top experts in the field of urolithiasis, such as Professor Chaussy, the inventor of the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy machine, Professor Peter Alken, a pioneer in percutaneous nephrolithotomy, Professor John Denstedt, Chairman of the World Endourology Society (WCE), Professor Jean De La Rosette, Chairman and Secretary-General of SIU, and Professor Christian Seitz, Chairman of the European Society of EULIS. The theme of this year's conference was "New Perspectives on Urolithiasis: Crossing Boundaries, Expanding Frontiers," aiming to drive new breakthroughs in urolithiasis research and treatment. The conference featured a variety of sessions, including IAU-EAU joint sessions, IAU-SIU joint sessions, live surgery demonstrations, case discussions, and workshops. Experts together shared their latest research findings and clinical experience, explored the complexity and diversity of urolithiasis, and provided new insights and directions for the development of Urolithiasis. Professor Guohua Zeng, the President of IAU, announced the official opening of the 12th IAU Annual Meeting in London A special IAU Guidelines session was held, where four leading experts presented four international diagnostic and treatment guidelines released by IAU last year, including the "IAU Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Guideline," "IAU Ureteroscopy Guideline," "IAU Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Guideline," and "IAU Metabolic Assessment and Stone Prevention Guideline." This initiative provided attendees with a valuable opportunity to gain in-depth understanding and mastery of these crucial guidelines. By establishing a series of international guidelines, IAU not only promotes the development of the global field of urolithiasis but also establishes international standards for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis. This will significantly improve the level of treatment and quality of life for patients worldwide and play an important leadership role in global healthcare, providing valuable guidance and reference for healthcare professionals worldwide. The IAU annual conference has always been committed to the development of young urologists and researchers, providing them with valuable opportunities to interact with international experts. This year's Young Urologist Session brought together young urologists from various countries, who shared their research findings, participated in case discussions and specialized sessions, and gained valuable experience and guidance. In addition to academic communication, the IAU Annual Conference presented multiple awards to recognize experts who have made outstanding contributions in the field of urolithiasis. These awards included the "Lifetime Achievement Award" and the "Outstanding Young Urologist Award." The recipients of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award were Professor John Denstedt from Canada and Professor Jean De La Rosette from Turkey. Professor Yang Huan from China and Professor Giorgio Mazzon from Italy received the Outstanding Young Urologist Award. The presentation of these awards not only honored these experts but also motivated more young urologists and researchers to continue to contribute in the development of urolithiasis. The IAU opening ceremony awards session The first-ever IAU Annual Conference held in London highlighted the significant progress achieved in international collaboration in this field. Urolithiasis is not merely a national or regional issue but a global challenge that requires collaboration among experts and researchers worldwide to address. The IAU Annual Conference provides a powerful platform for such cooperation. During the closing ceremony of the conference, President of IAU, Professor Zeng Guohua, and Professor Kemal Sarica, and the Chairman of this annual conference,Professor Simon Choong, announced that the 2024 IAU Annual Conference will return to Asia, specifically in Hefei, China. This announcement was warmly welcomed by the attendees, signifying the increasing influence of IAU on a global scale. Professor Zongyao Hao handed over the hosting duties to Professor Simon Choong The 2023 IAU Annual Conference in London was a historic event in the field of urolithiasis. Through academic communication, award presentations, and international collaboration, this annual conference further propelled the development of urolithiasis research and treatment, making remarkable contributions to the advancement of urolithiasis prevention and treatment worldwide. IAU was jointly founded by Professor Zeng Guohua, Professor Ye Zhangqun, and Professor Kemal Sarica in 2012. Currently, IAU has 911 members from 108 countries and regions worldwide, becoming one of the most influential international organizations in the field of urolithiasis. Through the collective efforts of all IAU members, in the past two years, IAU has released two international expert consensus, four guidelines, and two books, achieving a breakthrough in IAU's international influence and discourse power. This annual conference not only signifies advancements in the field of urolithiasis but also provides significant momentum for progress in the global healthcare sector. A group photo of all the delegates of the 12th IAU Annual Conference Media contact Contact: Gu Di Company Name: International Alliance of Urolithiasis Website: www.iaunet.org Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183474 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Austin Gold Corp.(NYSE American: AUST)("Austin" or the "Company")announces the following change in officers: Kenneth McNaughton has resigned as Vice President, Exploration of the Company and will continue to serve as a director; and Robert "Bob" Hatch has been appointed Vice President, Exploration. Bob Hatch is a seasoned Exploration Geologist with over forty-five years of experience in exploration, management, permitting, and marketing. His primary focus has been on gold and silver projects throughout the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Focusing on earlier stage exploration, he believes that understanding both the regional geological controls on deposit location and the concepts of deposit genesis are essential to enhance the opportunity for success and reduce the risks associated with exploration at this stage. Mr. Hatch started his career with twelve years at Homestake Mining Company as an Exploration Geologist and Project Manager. While at Homestake he was involved with the McLaughlin Mine discovery in California and was the first geologist to explore the Almaden Mine in Idaho for gold. Over the years he has consulted for several major mining companies and publicly listed juniors in various positions including Exploration Vice President and Chief Geologist. In recent years he has concentrated on advancing three successful private gold/silver exploration companies that he founded or co-founded. Mr. Hatch has been managing Austin's projects for the last two years and is accordingly fully acquainted with Austin's projects and corporate objectives. About Austin Gold Corp. Austin Gold is a gold exploration company focused on gold targets and making district-scale gold discoveries in the southwestern United States. Austin Gold has three projects in Nevada. The Kelly Creek Project is located on the Battle Mountain-Eureka (Cortez) gold trend in Humboldt County, the Lone Mountain Project is on the Independence-Jerritt Canyon gold trend in Elko County, and the Miller Project is on the Carlin gold trend in Elko County. Collectively, these Nevada properties comprise approximately 76.2 km2 of unpatented and patented mining claims and mineral tenure. In Oregon, the Stockade Mountain Project consists of approximately 21.5 km2 of unpatented mining claims situated in a geological environment that appears the same as the nearby Grassy Mountain Deposit that is being permitted for underground mining. For further information, please contact: Darcy A. Higgs, Vice President, Business Development 604-644-6580 [email protected] Website: www.austin.gold Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, the Company's expectations, strategies and plans for the Kelly Creek Project, the Miller Project, the Stockade Mountain Project, and the Lone Mountain Project including the Company's planned expenditures and exploration activities. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The Company cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183603 Boston, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Boston Realty Advisors, the largest independent real estate brokerage in Massachusetts, has been engaged as the exclusive broker of the extensive retail space at 10 World Trade, Boston Global Investors' 17-floor premier research and development tower now rising in the Seaport District. To view the full announcement, including downloadable images, bios, and more, click here. Key Takeaways: With cutting-edge technologies in exterior glass, interior climate control and other innovative elements of future commercial space, the 555,250-square-foot 10 World Trade is being constructed with extensive open space and extraordinary public access on a ground level, open seasonally on all four sides. A fast-growing 24/7 neighborhood, the Seaport is already home to hundreds of the world's most innovative and established companies, as well as to hundreds of Boston residents. Click image above to view full announcement. ABOUT BOSTON REALTY ADVISORS Founded in 2001, Boston Realty Advisors is a Boston-based, privately held, locally operated real estate firm. BRA is data-driven, with real-time insight on real estate trends ranging from commercial and residential development to debt and equity markets. BRA applies industry experience to inform decisions, manage risk, and maximize profitability for its clients. For more information on BRA, please go to www.bradvisors.com. Contacts: Tom Palmer, Tom Palmer Communication 617.755.7250 [email protected] Source: Boston Realty Advisors To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183634 QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies have signed two long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements (SPAs) for the supply of up to 3.5 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG from Qatar to France. Pursuant to the SPAs, LNG will be delivered ex-ship to the Fos Cavaou LNG receiving terminal in southern France, with deliveries expected to start in 2026 for a term of 27 years. The LNG volumes will be sourced from the two joint ventures between QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies that hold interests in Qatars North Field East (NFE) and North field South (NFS) projects. The SPAs were signed by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, and Patrick Pouyanne, the Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, at a special event held in Doha in the presence of senior executives from both companies. Minister Al-Kaabi said: These two new agreements we have signed with our partner TotalEnergies, demonstrate our continued commitment to the European markets in general, and to the French market in particular, thus contributing to Frances energy security. The State of Qatar has been supplying the French market with LNG since 2009, and the new agreements reflect the joint effort of two trusted partners, QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies, to provide reliable and credible LNG supply solutions to customers across the globe. Al-Kaabi added: Our commitment to ensure continued and reliable supplies of energy to Europe and the rest of the world is underpinned by our substantial and ongoing investments across the entire gas value chain. We are proud that our new LNG expansion in Qatar is the least carbon intensive project in the world. Our efforts span from bolstering production capacity in Qatar to the development of the Golden Pass LNG export project in the United States, in addition to our commitments in various LNG receiving terminals in Europe, including the Montoir-de-Bretagne LNG Terminal in France. TotalEnergies partnership in the North Field LNG Expansion Projects is made up of a 6.25 per cent share in the NFE project and a 9.375 per cent share in the NFS project.--OGN/ TradeArabia News Service KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2023 - 08:12 | All Episode 15: School trips Everyone has a dream destination. What's yours? Three Kyodo News journalists Yamaguchi-san, Eduardo and Arita-san talk about an unusual move by Minato Ward in Tokyo that will send all third-year students at its public junior high schools abroad for their school trips to learn about different cultures. Listen as the journalists also discuss their own experiences and where they went as students. Article mentioned in the podcast: All public school trips in Tokyo's Minato Ward to take place abroad Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents. More podcast episodes: Podcast [English World] Episode 14: Asakusa Samba Carnival Podcast [English World] Episode 13: Ninja bear Podcast [English World] Episode 12: Centenarian beauty adviser Global gathering to capitalise on Dubai's pioneering status as a leading fintech hub Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Fintech Surge 2023, the most sought after gathering for the global fintech industry, will take place on 15-18 October at the iconic Dubai Harbour. Co-located with Expand North Star and the hub for global fintech stakeholders, the event will host more than 100 exhibitors from over 25 countries, providing a platform to scale up the deeply interconnected fintech ecosystem. Having witnessed unprecedented transformation in recent years, the global fintech market is expected to grow to $949 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 17.2% between 2022 and 2030[1]. Driven by emerging digital technologies, changing consumer behaviours, lower regulations for financial services provided by non-banks and increased investments, start-ups are now challenging traditional banks and fintech innovation is accelerating at pace. The launch of a 100.7 million USD venture capital finance fund by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, is fuelling start-ups on their global expansion, and the Emirate's leading regulatory framework continues to evolve to match the industry's evolution. Trixe LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, comments: "Fintech Surge is the epicentre of technological revolution. Gathering some of the industry's brightest and most inventive minds, it is where multifaceted discussions evolve into actionable insights that investors and entrepreneurs can effectively leverage. It's the destination that ignites strategic cross-border partnerships that will transform the fintech industry, and where we move beyond mere catchphrases and turn AI and big data into tangible actions." Fintech Surge will offer two conference tracks where more than 80 global leaders will discuss the trends propelling the sector. Having witnessed a seismic shift, the fintech industry now faces multiple challenges including security breaches, compliance with varying global government regulations, user retention, lack of mobile and tech expertise, among others. The Digital Banking and Finance Summit will address these head on, providing insights on how fintechs across the globe can capitalise on the market growth and forge a prosperous future. Prominent speakers from leading organisations, including Swift, Klarna, Mastercard, Morgan Stanley, World Economic Forum, Standard Chartered Nexus and IFC (World Bank), will share their unmatched wisdom to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape. The agenda will cover global strategy and governance, digital trends influencing the future of retail, embedded finance and capitalising on global and regional investment funds, among other essential topics. Fintech Surge also serves as a dynamic launch pad for global start-ups. As limited access to funding and digital financial literacy remain significant challenges for SMEs, the brand new SME Elevate programme will offer strategic guidance, investment insights, partnership opportunities, and advice to navigate these. Leaders from around the world will discuss trailblazing innovations driving SMEs, highlight fintech's transformative potential for small business financing and uncover how to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape and more. Nosaibah Alrajhi, Founder and CEO at Forus Invest, comments: "Improving SMEs access to finance and providing innovative solutions to navigate the complexities of the financial world is critical, and we are committed to revolutionising the way individuals and businesses manage their finances. Fintech Surge presents an excellent platform for us to engage with the sharpest minds in the industry and showcase how we are empowering SMEs and connecting investors, through easier access to business finance solutions and investments." As the industry-defining platform for financial innovations and with more than 1,000 investors expected to attend, Fintech Surge remains a leading platform for the global fintech ecosystem. For the 2023 edition, sponsors include industry-leading organisations Mastercard, Emirates NBD, Geidea Technology LLC, FINTX and Forus Invest, among others. Register interest at https://www.fintechsurge.com/ About Fintech Surge Fintech Surge is the most sought after gathering for the global fintech industry. Capitalising on Dubai's pioneering status as a leading location for fintechs, it is the foremost platform where international finance and technology players meet to create limitless opportunities. More than 1,000 investors and 100 exhibitors from more than 25 countries will gather to chart the way forward and inspire industry-wide transformation. Taking place in October 2023, the second edition of Fintech Surge will take place alongside GITEX Global, uniting the global community at a new venue, the iconic Dubai Harbour. It is co-located with Fintech Surge, North Star and Marketing Mania. PR Contact: ZEX PR WIRE [email protected] [1] Grand View Research: Fintech as a service market report To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183621 HIGHLIGHTS Golden Horse has completed a series of key appointments: Jonathan Lea appointed as Non-Executive Director Martin Bouwmeester appointed Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary Travis Vernon appointed as Geology Manager Appointments significantly bolster management resources ahead of a proposed dual-listing on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") Improves the Company's geological experience as exploration accelerates across its >900km 2 of tenure within the well-endowed Southern Cross Greenstone Belt Golden Horse extends thanks to long-serving Director Mr. Kerry Griffin who has resigned to focus on other director duties Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 10, 2023) - Golden Horse Minerals Limited (TSXV: GHML) ("Golden Horse" or the "Company") wishes to advise the Company is undertaking several strategic board and management changes to ensure it is best placed to meet its objectives ahead of a proposed dual-listing on the ASX and as it further expands its operations in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, Western Australia. The Company is pleased to welcome highly experienced mining industry executive Jonathan Lea to the board of directors of Golden Horse as a Non-Executive Director, effective today. Mr. Lea has over 35 years' experience in all aspects of the minerals industry. After commencing his career as a geologist, he has more recently served as managing director for a number of junior mineral exploration companies and is experienced in resource development, project generation, corporate management and capital raising. Mr. Lea has extensive project development and production experience with a particular focus on gold, as well as other commodities including iron ore and base metals in both open cut and underground settings, primarily in Western Australia as well as elsewhere in Australia and overseas. Jonathan's experience includes a 10-year period working around Kalgoorlie. Success was achieved with Polaris Metals following the discovery and initial development of the Carina iron ore deposit leading to a takeover producing significant shareholder benefits. Mr. Lea was formerly a director of Ozz Resources Limited (ASX: OZZ) and Managing Director of Zuleika Gold Limited (ASX: ZAG). He has qualifications in geology, finance and mineral economics and is a member of AusIMM. Golden Horse also welcomes Martin Bouwmeester to the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary effective today. He is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant, highly experienced in exploration, mine development and operations. Martin was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at Orion Minerals Limited (ASX: ORN). Prior to his role at Orion, he worked closely with a number of companies to identify and assess exploration, development and mining opportunities and develop and implement financial strategies. Mr. Bouwmeester was Chief Financial Officer, Business Development Manager and Company Secretary of Perseverance Corporation and was a key member of the executive team that developed the Fosterville Gold Mine. In addition, highly experienced geologist and operations leader Travis Vernon will be joining the team at Golden Horse Minerals in the role of Geology Manager commencing on October 23, 2023. Mr. Vernon has extensive experience as a geologist across Gold Fields Australia, Karora Resources, BHP and Barrick Gold. Golden Horse would also like to announce the resignation of Non-Executive Director Mr. Kerry Griffin, who has stepped down to focus on other director duties. Commenting on the appointments, Golden Horse Interim CEO Graeme Sloan said: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Jonathan, Martin and Travis to the Golden Horse team. These key appointments further bolster the Company's board and management ahead of what is a pivotal time in the brief history of Golden Horse as we gear up to dual-list on the ASX. "At the same time, I would like to thank Kerry for his outstanding service to Golden Horse Minerals and note that his contributions have been vital in developing the Company's consolidation strategy in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt. "Golden Horse is in a strong position as we take great strides in accelerating exploration and development of key targets across our >900km2 of tenure in a highly prospective region." On behalf of Golden Horse Minerals Limited For more information contact: Graeme Sloan Director / Interim CEO Email: [email protected] +61 9322 1788 Josh Conner Chief Operating Officer Email: [email protected] +61 9322 1788 Media David Tasker Chapter One Advisors Email: [email protected] +61 433 112 936 Investors Adam Davey Canaccord Genuity Financial Limited Email: [email protected] +61 8 9225 2811 Mason Brown Canaccord Genuity Financial Limited Email: [email protected] +61 8 9225 2862 Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This release contains "forwardlooking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to statements relating to the Company's planned dual-listing on the ASX, the start date of Mr. Vernon and the Company's exploration and development opportunities. All statements in this 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 from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development, the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of gold and other commodities, operating hazards and risks inherent in the resource industry, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's financial statements and/or management discussion and analysis available on www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183577 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Graph Blockchain Inc.(CSE: GBLC) (OTC Pink: REGRF) (FSE: RT50) ("GBLC" or "Graph Blockchain" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved the grant of an aggregate of 7,300,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") under the Company's omnibus incentive plan (the "Plan") to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. The RSUs vest immediately. The Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company on July 28, 2022. About Graph Blockchain Graph Blockchain provides exposure to various areas of Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Focusing on altcoins through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Babbage Mining Corp., a Proof of Stake ("POS") miner, and Beyond the Moon Inc. an IDO-focused company, Graph gives investors exposure to the vast emerging market of cryptocurrencies with the significant technological disruption and potential gains altcoins represent. Through its strategic acquisitions, Graph is assembling a collection of products and technologies that will lead the DeFi market and offer an unprecedented investment for shareholders. For additional information on Graph Blockchain and other corporate information, please visit the Company website at www.graphblockchain.com. For further information, please contact: Paul Haber, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Company Phone: (416) 318- 6501 Email: [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This 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". Forward-looking information in this news release is based on certain assumptions and expected future events. 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 potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; the risks associated with the blockchain in general. 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, except as required by applicable law. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183678 Baoding, China--(Newsfile Corp. - October 10, 2023) - GWM is showcasing the impressive performance of its vehicles through a series of off-road tests in diverse terrains across the Middle East. The GWM TANK 500 underwent a series of rigorous performance trials across the Middle East, spanning urban landscapes, deserts, and mountainous terrains, perching on the edge of the world area. The audacious escapades of the GWM TANK 500 in the untamed Middle Eastern desert have captured the attention of local markets and media alike. It is well known that the beaches in Dubai, the deserts of Jeddah, and the mountainous terrain near Riyadh, including the famous 'Edge of the World,' offer complex and ever-changing landscapes that serve as ideal natural testing grounds for challenging a vehicle's off-road capabilities. To meet these demands, the GWM TANK 500 is equipped with a specially designed 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbocharged engine and a longitudinal 9-speed automatic transmission, delivering an impressive 265 kW of rated power and a maximum torque of 500 Nm. In terms of driving control, the GWM TANK 500 adopts intelligent four-wheel drive design to provide a thrilling driving experience. It can be effortlessly switched between city and wilderness, allowing drivers to conquer any terrain with confidence. Safety is paramount in high-performance pursuits, and the GWM TANK 500 features a non-load-bearing body structure capable of withstanding substantial impacts. This reinforced structure provides peace of mind and a heightened sense of security. The vehicle boasts an array of active safety features, showcasing over 20 advanced safety technologies. These features not only enhance driver protection but also elevate stability and reassurance, offering up to L2-level intelligent driving assistance. As a global off-road stronghold, the Middle East is making it an ideal arena for performance vehicles. The arrival of the GWM TANK 500 provides a platform for Middle Eastern elites to display their economic strength and individuality. Its product characteristics have been aligned seamlessly with the local demand for SUVs and combined striking aesthetics and formidable performance. With its imposing front grille, large brand emblem, segmented headlamp assembly and rugged off-road capabilities, the GWM TANK 500 has quickly become a favourite of the Middle Eastern automotive market. Since its introduction in the Middle East, the GWM TANK 500 has garnered enthusiastic reviews from influential local media, lauding its grand looks, smooth driving experience, and intelligent off-road configuration. The results of testing will be gradually unveiled via GWM's official platforms and major social media networks. Off-road enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned and witness the fearless explorations of the GWM TANK 500. CONTACT INFORMATION: Tyler Qian Great Wall Motor Company Limited Baoding, Hebei Province Website: www.gwm-global.com Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183367 Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) (the "Company" or "Northern") is pleased to announce that it has engaged Senergy Communications Capital Inc. ("Senergy") and Outside The Box Capital Inc. ("Outside The Box") to provide investor relations and marketing services to the Company. Senergy's services will consist of a targeted digital marketing program including content creation, web development, advertising creative development, advertising strategy, campaign reporting and optimization. Senergy will also help manage and oversee the Company's social media platforms as part of the program. Senergy is a Vancouver, British Columbia based communications and media marketing company with the goal of helping public companies reach new investors and maintain relationships with shareholders using online strategies and paid ads. Senergy has the ability to execute and deliver effective digital marketing services between public companies and investors. For more information regarding Senergy please visit: www.senergy.capital. Senergy has been retained for an initial period of four months commencing Oct. 11, 2023 to assist the Company in raising brand awareness and company value through a variety of communications functions. In consideration for the investor relations services by Senergy, the Company has agreed to pay Senergy a fee of $25,500 plus HST for the term. Senergy and its principal and Chief Executive Officer Aleem Fidai are at arm's length to Northern and advise they do not own any securities in the Company. Outside The Box's services will consist of marketing services to communicate to the financial community information - press releases and other Company materials - about the Company with the goal of creating more awareness and investor engagement. Outside The Box is a Toronto, Ontario based marketing and consulting firm dedicated to helping companies to keep shareholders informed and excited through digital means. Outside The Box has been retained for a total period of 12 months commencing October 6, 2023. In consideration for the investor relations services provided by Outside The Box, the Company will grant Outside The Box 666,667 stock options, each exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.30 per share for a period of two years from the date of grant (the "Options"). The Options will vest in 4 tranches of 166,666, 166,666, 166,666 and 166,669 Options (each an "Option Tranche") on each of the dates which are respectively 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from the date of grant (each a "Quarter End"). In the event that the Outside The Box agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, all Options which have not yet vested will expire and be terminated as of the date of termination of the agreement. The Company will also pay Outside The Box a fee of $50,000 per quarter during the term of the agreement (the "Fee"), payable in arrears as of each of the Quarter Ends; provided, however, that the arrangement is cash neutral to the Company and no amount of the Fee will be payable to Outside The Box unless it exercises the Options which have vested as of the applicable Quarter End. Outside The Box and its principal and Chief Executive Officer Jason Coles are at arm's length to Northern and advise they do not own any securities in the Company. About Northern Graphite Northern is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high value products critical to the green economy including anode material for lithium-ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies. Northern is the only significant graphite producing company in North America and will become the third largest outside of China when its Namibian operations come back online. The Company also has two large scale development projects, Bissett Creek in Ontario, and the expansions of the Okanjande project in Namibia, that will be a source of continued production growth in the future. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are located close to infrastructure in politically stable countries. Qualified Person Gregory Bowes, B.Sc. MBA P.Geo, the Chairman of Northern, is a "qualified person" as defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release. For media inquiries contact Pav Jordan, VP of Communications Email:[email protected] For additional information Please visit the Company's website at http://www.northerngraphite.com/investors/presentation/, the Company's profile on sedarplus.ca, our Social Channels listed below or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124. LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Facebook Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward- looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations and the inability to raise the required financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. 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/183616 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2023) - OBSIDIAN ENERGY LTD. (TSX: OBE) (NYSE American: OBE) ("Obsidian Energy", the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") announces that we will be participating in the Schachter 2023 Catch the Energy Conference (the "Conference") on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Calgary at Mount Royal University. Gary Sykes, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Development, will discuss the Company in a presentation at 11:30 a.m. MDT (1:30 p.m. EDT) in Presentation Room 3. Members of Obsidian Energy's management team will be available at their exhibitor booth (located in room EC1170, booths 42 - 49) for more information throughout the day. Interested parties can register for the conference and listen to the presentation on the Conference website. CONTACT OBSIDIAN ENERGY Suite 200, 207 - 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1K3 Phone: 403-777-2500 Toll Free: 1-866-693-2707 Website: www.obsidianenergy.com; Investor Relations: Toll Free: 1-888-770-2633 E-mail: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183682 Government Tomorrow Forum (GTF), a new international research project on the future of governments, and the City of Tampere announce the creation of Technologies for Governments Lab. The GTF Tampere Lab is a new research and discussion platform to develop actionable solutions on technologies for governments and citizens worldwide. The Lab's first session, prepared and conducted jointly with Tampere University students, is dedicated to AI. The GTF Technologies for Governments Lab (GTF Tampere Lab) is created to explore and analyze the impact of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, nano, and others, on government services and processes. It will unite international experts, including former heads of governments, ministers, and tech entrepreneurs, with bright thinkers, and researchers. As GTF believes in the necessity to involve young aspiring leaders of tomorrow in the discussions among the worlds most prominent experts, the GTF Tampere Lab will also involve Tampere University students. The 2023 session, the first for the Lab, will span from October 2023 to February 2024, focusing on AI-related questions in connection with public services, citizenship, and governments evolution. The two focal points of this work will be the Lab meeting, scheduled for the 29th of November 2023 in Tampere, and the first Lab report containing actionable solutions, policy options, and procedural suggestions to governments worldwide expected in February 2024. This report will be published and distributed across GTF-allied governments representing most geographical regions of the world, and will be available for free to the general audience. The German venture investor and technology specialist Maxim Matias will chair the Lab's first five-month working session. Artificial Intelligence as a tool for governments to improve their services will be its general theme. The Lab participants will define the specific questions to work on during their initial virtual meetings in October. These participants include, among others, Foresight Advisor to the European Commission Carsten Claus, former Minister of Research and Digital Policy of Cyprus Kyriacos Kokkinos, Danish national security and AI expert Mortenn Kromann, and former Prime Minister of Estonia, currently Chairman of Auve Tech Taavi Roivas. The research side of the project is curated by Dr. Jari Stenvall, Research Professor at Tampere University, previously awarded as the Professor of the Year 2022 in Finland. More experts will join the research process that will follow the Tampere meeting in November. They will represent an extended range of the worlds regions, from the United States to Saudi Arabia. This process, which will heavily involve Tampere University students, is expected to produce tangible results in the form of actionable recommendations for governments. From the GTF headquarters in Paris, Igor Matthieu Lys, secretary general of the Forum, noted that while there is a huge variety of think-tanks, labs, and research processes within both private and public organizations, the GTF Labs are really different, as they involve absolutely unique combinations of thinkers and doers, and are focused on delivering much more than just general ideas and advanced thinking: ideas, tools, and actionable advice. GTF has announced more similar Labs, dedicated to different aspects of governance, such as internal processes or sustainability, but the Tampere Lab is receiving lots of attention from both local and international stakeholders already. Teppo Rantanen, Executive director of growth, innovation, and competitiveness at the City of Tampere, noted the focus on knowledge as a useful tool in designing policies and services, coupled with our long tradition of technology-related research and investments for which Tampere is known in Finland and in Europe. He underscored that it was only logical that Tampere allied with the nascent Government Tomorrow Forum to launch the Technologies for Governments Lab. In its aspiration to become one of the globally recognized thought-leadership centers in this matter, Tampere is sure to produce interesting intellectual results, and all the Lab founders and participants share the desire to make the world a better place through actionable solutions. As the final report of the Labs first session is expected in February 2024, GTF is up for a promising start. Government Tomorrow Forum (GTF) is a new international research initiative launched by the French advisory cabinet Gambit. GTF unites the efforts of experts, researchers, and technology leaders from across the globe to better understandand help shapethe future of governments. GTF explores the influence of technology on governments and public services, helps formulate strategies for talent management for the public sector, invents new and improves existing government services, and connects talented thinkers from around the world on a unique research platform: GTF Labs. The results of its year-long work are presented at the GTF Annual Meeting with its first edition scheduled for 2024. The City of Tampere is Finland's second metropolitan area, known as a leading industrial city around Europe combined with exceptionally strong ICT expertise. Throughout its history, Tampere has been a city of brave investments and collaborative efforts, aiming for leadership, well-being, and a sustainable future. For many years, Tampere has been Finland's most attractive city drawing people to study, work, and travel. Close cooperation between businesses, educational institutions as well as research and development organizations strengthens the region's position as a center of excellence. With over 50 000 students studying in the city, Tampere has a large supply of new professionals. Contact Info: Name: Press Service Email: Send Email Organization: Government Tomorrow Forum Website: https://governmenttomorrow.com Release ID: 89109379 If there are any deficiencies, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the information presented in this press release, we kindly request that you promptly inform us by contacting [email protected]. Our dedicated team is committed to addressing any identified issues within 8 hours to guarantee the delivery of accurate and reliable content to our esteemed readers. First New U.S. -Owned Uranium Enrichment Plant to Begin Production Since 1954 PIKETON, Ohio , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Centrus Energy announced that it has begun enrichment operations at its High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) facility in Piketon, Ohio , and expects to begin withdrawing HALEU product later this month. It is the only NRC-licensed HALEU facility in the United States and the first new U.S. -owned, U.S. -technology uranium enrichment plant to begin production since 1954. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk , National Association of Building Trade Unions President Sean McGarvey , National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons, and Pike County Commissioner Tony Montgomery joined Centrus President and CEO Daniel Poneman to mark this historic milestone in the restoration of U.S. nuclear leadership. "This moment holds great pride and promise for the Nation," said Poneman. "We hope that this demonstration cascade will soon be joined by thousands of additional centrifuges right here in Piketon to produce the HALEU needed to fuel the next generation of advanced reactors, Low-Enriched-Uranium to sustain the existing fleet of reactors, and the enriched uranium needed to sustain our nuclear deterrent for generations to come. This is how the United States can recover its lost nuclear independence." "It's remarkable what we can accomplish in the truly American public, private partnership model. For the first time ever, an American company is producing HALEU on American soil, providing critical fuel for advanced nuclear reactors, a statement that America's committed to our energy security," Deputy Energy Secretary Turk said at the event. Centrus met every required milestone on time and on budget during construction of the cascade and is starting production two months earlier than scheduled under the competitively-awarded, cost-shared contract the company signed with the U.S. Department of Energy in 2022. HALEU is an advanced nuclear fuel required for most of the next-generation reactor designs currently under development. The capacity of the 16-centrifuge cascade is modest about 900 kilograms of HALEU per year but with sufficient funding and offtake commitments, Centrus could significantly expand production. A full-scale HALEU cascade, consisting of 120 centrifuge machines, with a combined capacity to produce approximately 6,000 kilograms of HALEU per year (6 MTU/year), could be producing HALEU 42 months after securing the necessary funding. With appropriate support, Centrus could add a second HALEU cascade six months later and subsequent cascades every two months after that. That would mobilize hundreds of union workers in Ohio to build and operate the plant and support thousands of direct and indirect jobs across a nationwide manufacturing supply chain. The Piketon facility has ample space for the thousands of machines that will be needed to meet the growing demand for enriched uranium in the decades to come. About Centrus Energy Centrus Energy is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and services for the nuclear power industry. Centrus provides value to its utility customers through the reliability and diversity of its supply sources helping them meet the growing need for clean, affordable, carbon-free electricity. Since 1998, the Company has provided its utility customers with more than 1,750 reactor years of fuel, which is equivalent to 7 billion tons of coal. With world-class technical and engineering capabilities, Centrus is also advancing the next generation of centrifuge technologies so that America can restore its domestic uranium enrichment capability in the future. Find out more at www.centrusenergy.com. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "may" and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management's current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For Centrus Energy Corp., particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following which are, and will be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent variants, and any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result; risks related to component failure which prevent plant operations or HALEU production; risks related to whether or when government funding or demand for high-assay low-enriched uranium ("HALEU") for government or commercial uses will materialize; risks related to (i) our ability to perform and absorb costs under our agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to deploy and operate a cascade of centrifuges to demonstrate production of HALEU for advanced reactors (the "HALEU Operations Contract"), (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations and (iii) our ability to obtain and/or perform under other agreements; risks that (i) we may not obtain the full benefit of the HALEU Operation Contract and may not be able or allowed to operate the HALEU enrichment facility to produce HALEU after the completion of the HALEU Operation Contract or (ii) the HALEU enrichment facility may not be available to us as a future source of supply; risks related to the government's inability to satisfy its obligations under the HALEU Operation Contract; risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to commercially deploy a competitive enrichment technology; risks related to the fact that we face significant competition from major producers who may be less cost sensitive or are wholly or partially government owned; risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this news release and in our other filings with the SEC, including our Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 , and our other filings with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law. Contacts: Investors: Dan Leistikow at [email protected] Media: Lindsey Geisler at [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centrus-begins-enrichment-operations-in-ohio-301954271.html SOURCE Centrus Energy Corp. DOVER, Del. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) has announced its designation as a 2023 Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women, joining other companies such as Campbell Soup Company, DuPont de Nemours, Rite Aid and WSFS Financial. In collaboration with PwC, the Forum reviews companies in the Philadelphia region that support the advancement of women leaders in corporate boardrooms and executive suites. Each year, The Forum of Executive Women honors the top public companies in the region with 30% or more women on their respective boards. "We are honored that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has been acknowledged as a Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women," said Jeff Householder , chairman, president and CEO, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. "The culture at the board level is intricately tied to the success of our Company's strategy. A unified, forward-thinking board culture paves the way for strategic excellence, guiding us toward our goals and ensuring our long-term success." "This recognition reaffirms our belief that an inclusive and collaborative culture is fundamental to achieving our goals," said Stacie Roberts , vice president, corporate governance. "As we celebrate this recognition, we extend our appreciation to the members of our board, employees and stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to a diverse and inclusive culture." To learn more about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and its board of directors, click here. About The Forum of Executive Women Founded in 1977, The Forum of Executive Women is the Greater Philadelphia Region's premier women's organization, actively working to bring together, and leverage the influence of, professional women to expand the impact and power of women in the workplace and beyond. Visit foew.com for more information. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com. Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . For more information, contact: Brianna Patterson Manager, Public Relations and Strategic Communications 419-314-1233 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chesapeake-utilities-corporation-named-champion-of-board-diversity-by-the-forum-of-executive-women-301954000.html SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Leading Provider of Dedicated Indoor Pickleball Satisfies Demand for Sport Coast to Coast; Drives Aggressive Growth Strategy with Regional Developer Model COLUMBIA, Md. , Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Born on the East Coast , Dill Dinkers Pickleball has quickly risen to prominence in the indoor pickleball industry with continuous praise for its fun, welcoming and pickleball player friendly environment. As a sport and recreation industry trailblazer, Dill Dinkers has captured the hearts of pickleball players from across the country, regardless of skill level, through its vision to spread the joy of pickleball to all. Today, Dill Dinkers proudly announces the official launch of its groundbreaking franchise expansion initiative. With no hesitation, the brand hit the ground running, signing three regional developers for 45 locations in San Antonio , Charlotte , and Washington D.C. This exciting development underscores the undeniable demand for early entry into the premier indoor pickleball franchise concept. "The demand for indoor pickleball facilities is driving demand for a world-class business model like Dill Dinkers", say Chief Development Officer Dr. Ben Litalien , "a concept developed by avid pickleball players for the burgeoning cadre of pickleball players across the country". As the fastest-growing sport in the country for three years running, Dill Dinkers is at the forefront of the pickleball phenomenon with its dedicated indoor facilities that allow players to enjoy year-round play. Since opening the first location in November of 2022 in Columbia, Maryland , the company has opened three more locations in Maryland in less than a year. "One of our core values is speed to market", says Co-Founder and CEO Will Richards , "we find great sites and get them open quickly to meet the demand of pickleball players for indoor courts." Dill Dinkers Pickleball Clubs will operate in 15,000 square feet or more of indoor space, to provide space for at least six courts. The primary focus is on ensuring the functionality of the facilities by administering safety during play to achieve a seamless player experience. To accomplish this, each facility will have a dedicated Director of Pickleball responsible for providing training, instruction, and organizing tournaments, leagues, and special events. "We started Dill Dinkers because of our unwavering passion for the sport and the community it has provided us," said Richards, alongside his wife Denise, Co-Founder, and COO. "It was crucial for us to ensure both owner-operators and investors could succeed, and we've developed an innovative approach to achieve this by offering a variety of growth paths. We are thrilled to officially launch our franchise program with the vision to spread the joy of pickleball across the country." Besides the individual Dill Dinkers Pickleball Club franchise offer, the company offers territories for development featuring nine revenue streams, a robust operating system, a proprietary reporting and management platform that is mobile enabled, an intensive training system, and a turnkey marketing program for grand opening and membership development. Delivering a high-quality, professional experience, the brand boasts its national partnership with JOOLA, a leading manufacturer of paddle sports, equipping each facility with top-notch nets, paddles, and other high-quality products. Owner-operators can also take advantage of the brand's partnership with Strategic Factory, an industry-leading single-point provider for all marketing and branding needs, ensuring uniformity and consistency across all of its facilities. "The world has gone crazy for pickleball, and the demand for an indoor experience is overwhelming," said Dr. Litalien . "Dill Dinkers has perfected its model to deliver an unbeatable environmentit's climate-controlled, structured play at an affordable price. Being able to extend the success of the Dill Dinkers brand into a world-class franchise offering is a great opportunity. So many franchise concepts that come to market are simply 'cookie cutter' replicas of other franchises. It was essential to develop a franchise strategy befitting the great concept Will and Denise created. The response by our initial three regional developers is truly humbling, and we look forward to supporting their growth." For more information about Dill Dinkers, visit www.dilldinkers.com. Connect on the brand's social pages by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/company/dill-dinkers and/or https://www.facebook.com/dilldinkers/. About Dill Dinkers Pickleball Dill Dinkers Pickleball is the leading provider of dedicated indoor pickleball facilities in the country. The Dill Dinkers brand is known for its fun, friendly, and welcoming environment where players of all ages and skill levels can play, socialize, and improve their skills. Each facility offers dedicated indoor courts separated with fences, top-tier court surfaces, event space, a ball machine, and a state-of-the-art reservation system powered by Court Reserve. Dill Dinkers offers court reservations for members and visitors, as well as clinics, private and semi-private lessons, leagues, business advertising, and court rental for private events. About Dill Dinkers Franchising While the company offers single-club franchises, the focus of its expansion efforts is with Regional Developers who acquire a territory of 1M or more in population, open a flagship location within that territory, then develop it the territory with additional units they own or with independent franchisees. Regional Developers are compensated for attracting franchisees and providing support locally to all Dill Dinker locations within their territory. For more information about Dill Dinkers franchise program, visit: www.dilldinkers.com/franchising. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dill-dinkers-launches-national-franchising-initiative-with-45-locations-under-development-301953827.html SOURCE Dill Dinkers KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2023 - 12:19 | All, Japan A driver was arrested Tuesday after a woman in her 80s was hit by a van and dragged for about 2 kilometers in western Tokyo, resulting in her death, police said. Yoshihiro Sumiyama, 53, an office worker in Higashimurayama, has denied the charges of negligent driving resulting in death and violating the traffic law, saying he does not recall hitting anyone, according to police. The victim was identified by police as Noriko Ushikusa, an 84-year-old local resident. The suspect's van allegedly struck Ushikusa at around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday and dragged her for roughly 10 minutes before a police officer stopped the vehicle and took the driver into custody, police said. SALT LAKE CITY , Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis . Joining him will be Scott Stubbs , Executive Vice President and CFO. During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability. To Participate in the Conference Call: A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company's corporate website at www.extraspace.com. Telephone participants may avoid any delays in joining the conference call by pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI89a07bf824bc43fbb3c4b4ac570a6b43. The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Conference Call Playback: A replay of the webcast will be available on the Extra Space Storage Investor Relations website beginning November 8, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET , and will remain available for one year after the call. Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's investor relations website immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 . About Extra Space Storage Inc. Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City , is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of September 30, 2023 , the Company owned and/or operated 2,651 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 2.5 million units and approximately 278.8 million square feet of rentable storage space offering customers conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage properties in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States . For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/extra-space-storage-inc-announces-date-of-earnings-release-and-conference-call-to-discuss-3rd-quarter-2023-results-301952946.html SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc. DALLAS, Ga. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Farm Stores, the renowned pioneer in convenience drive-thru markets, is delighted to announce the forthcoming opening of its latest store in Dallas, Georgia . This exciting development brings to the community a novel concept, blending a bakery, grocery, and cafe into one seamless drive-thru experience. Farm Stores is dedicated to redefining convenience shopping, and the new Dallas, GA location is set to become the epitome of hassle-free shopping, offering a comprehensive range of quality products right at your fingertips. Key Highlights of Farm Stores' Dallas, Georgia Location: Bakery: Indulge in the aroma of freshly baked goods as you cruise through our bakery section, where you'll find a delightful array of bread, pastries, cakes, and more. Grocery: Say goodbye to the inconvenience of traditional supermarkets with our well-stocked grocery section, featuring dairy products, pantry essentials, and more. Cafe: Enjoy a quick gourmet coffee, savory sandwiches, and delectable snacks from our cafe, designed to cater to those who are on the move. To make this grand opening even more memorable, Farm Stores is excited to announce a Taylor Swift Ticket Giveaway. The Taylor Swift Ticket Giveaway commences on the Monday after our grand opening, October 16th, 2023 . To enter, customers can visit our Dallas, Georgia location, pick up a 14 page booklet with tickets and begin submitting at the store. The winner will be selected randomly and announced on November 4th on the Farm Stores Cedar Crest Facebook page. Here is the link for the instructions on how to enter: https://farmstores.com/taylor-swift-ticket-giveaway-cedarcrest/ Farm Stores is committed to providing unmatched convenience and quality to our valued patrons, and we cordially invite the Dallas community to join us in celebrating this exciting milestone. Be a part of the grand opening of America's Largest Convenience Drive-Thru Market at Farm Stores in Dallas, Georgia , on October 14th, 2023 . Visit us and seize the opportunity to win Taylor Swift tickets for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at her New Orleans concert in October 2024 . About Farm Stores: Farm Stores, a pioneering brand in convenience drive-thru markets, is dedicated to offering fresh bakery items, groceries, and cafe selections with unmatched convenience. With a legacy spanning more than 50 years, Farm Stores has earned the trust and admiration of communities across the nation. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/farm-stores-americas-largest-convenience-drive-thru-market-expands-to-dallas-georgia-301954125.html SOURCE Farm Stores FORT WORTH, Texas , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier Truck Rental (PTR), a leading company in the equipment rental industry, is excited to share the details surrounding the grand opening celebration of its new Fort Worth facility. This event, scheduled for November 9 at PTR Fort Worth, will be an all-day event that will foster connections among local officials, industry leaders, vendor partners, and team members. PTR's grand opening celebrates its presence as a nationwide leader in the custom equipment rental space. The grand opening celebration is pivotal for Premier Truck Rental, showcasing its presence as a nationwide leader in the custom equipment rental space. Event attendees can tour the state-of-the-art facility, attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local leaders, engage with event sponsors at an on-site expo with equipment demonstrations, and attend an exclusive country concert featuring local food trucks and vendors. "Our grand opening in Fort Worth is a testament to nine years of remarkable achievements. It's a moment to express our gratitude for the relationships that have been instrumental in propelling our organization to its current national standing and reputation. At PTR, we want to say thank you to those who have made this milestone possible," says Adriene Horn , PTR President. This event is proudly supported by some of PTR's valued industry partners: Knapheide, RC Industries, and Bedrock Truck Beds. Each of these sponsors exemplifies the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and progress that drives Premier Truck Rental forward. Their contributions not only enhance the grand opening celebration but also reinforce the growth of the equipment rental industry and the quality required to meet the demands of a job site. This grand opening celebration is a private event. Contact your PTR territory manager for additional information about attending. About Premier Truck Rental Our job at Premier Truck Rental (PTR) is to give you the type of rental equipment you need, whenever you need it, and to make the rental process as easy and seamless as possible. Being selected as one of NAFA's Top 100 Commercial Fleets in America, we work with you to make sure that you have the best units for your job and industry, providing you with truck, trailer, and equipment rentals that can be upfit specifically for the demands and requirements of your projects. We are family-owned and operated with over 35 years of equipment rental experience. Serving all 50 states, PTR has the exact units for you to add to your fleet to kickstart your next construction project. For more information about PTR, please visit https://rentptr.com. CONTACT Kylie Phillips , Digital Marketing Strategist Premier Truck Rental (PTR) Cell: 260-222-9835 Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fueling-purpose-driven-by-partnership-ptr-announces-grand-opening-celebration-301953671.html SOURCE Premier Truck Rental SAN FRANCISCO , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GrubMarket today announced that it has appointed Susan Kennedy , former Chief of Staff to Arnold Schwarzenegger in his tenure as the Governor of California , as a new advisory board member. Kennedy is a highly accomplished public figure who served for over three decades at the highest levels of the state government and is also well-known for her achievements as an advocate for environmental sustainability. She will bring her wealth of experience in governance, policy, and environmental stewardship to GrubMarket as the company continues to rapidly and profitably scale its business and sustainability efforts. Kennedy's extensive experience in government and politics, as well as her unwavering dedication to advancing policies and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, make her a natural fit to join GrubMarket's advisory board. Before working for Governor Schwarzenegger , Kennedy served as Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Gray Davis and was previously the Communications Director for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein . Kennedy has also served on several of the State's most influential regulatory boards, including California's Public Utilities Commission and the California Bay-Delta Authority. In these roles, Kennedy oversaw the regulation and efficacy of the State's investor-owned electric utilities, telecommunications providers, and private water companies, as well as the restoration of the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem to protect the region's water supply. During her government career, Kennedy was also a major driving force for many of California's groundbreaking environmental policies, including AB 32, the Low-Carbon Fuel Standard, auto emission standards, and the Renewable Portfolio Standard. After leaving the public sector, Kennedy founded the energy storage software and AI company Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS), which was later acquired by Fluence, a Siemens and AES company. Kennedy commented, "Sustainability and environmental stewardship have always been driving forces throughout my career. I know firsthand the power of public policy to drive positive change in key industries, including food. I am excited to bring my experience in public service to help GrubMarket further its mission to help farmers and build a more tech-enabled, sustainable and equitable food system for all. Mike and his team are true changemakers, and I believe GrubMarket can make a lasting impact on and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the food supply chain. I am thrilled to continue exploring my passion for building a more renewable and sustainable future by supporting GrubMarket as they continue scaling into one of the most impactful global food tech companies." Mike Xu , CEO of GrubMarket adds, "I am thrilled to welcome Susan as an advisory board member. She has had an illustrious career as a leader in both the public and private sectors, and her considerable experience in politics, government and environmental advocacy will be invaluable as we continue building towards our mission to be the most impactful digital transformer and technology enabler for the food supply chain. Susan has proven herself to be a strong mission-driven leader who cares deeply about the long-term sustainability of our country's agricultural ecosystem. Her passion for clean water access and renewable energy are in line with GrubMarket's ethos around climate change and commitment to supporting the farmers and growers who work hard to grow the food we all consume. We genuinely look forward to learning from Susan and working with her to create better outcomes for all stakeholders in our food industry from farmers to consumers to our environment." About GrubMarket Founded in 2014, GrubMarket is a San Francisco -based food technology company operating in the space of food supply chain eCommerce for business customers, as well as providing related software-as-a-service solutions to digitally transform the American and global food supply chain. Currently, GrubMarket operates in all 50 U.S. States; Ontario and British Columbia (Canada ); Argentina , Chile , and Colombia ( South America ); Egypt , India , Mexico , South Africa , and Spain , with plans to expand further across the U.S. , Canada , South America , and other parts of the world. For Media Inquiries: GrubMarket Media Team [email protected] (415) 986-0523 GrubMarket 1925 Jerrold Ave. San Francisco, CA. 94124 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grubmarket-appoints-susan-kennedy-as-new-advisory-board-member-301953216.html SOURCE GrubMarket HERISAU, Switzerland , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HUBER+SUHNER is proud to announce the expansion of its High Power Charging (HPC) product portfolio to include its very own North American Charging System (NACS) solution. These charging prototypes will be available for field testing and validation in Q1 2024. As a leading supplier of cooled cable technology for the HPC market, the company can leverage its field-proven and widely deployed direct liquid cooled technology platform, to develop a safe, ergonomic and lightweight NACS product for North American customers. These charging solutions will be fully backward compatible with the installed base of its renowned RADOX HPC500 CCS1 system and meet the highest international safety standards. This news comes just 5 months after HUBER+SUHNER announced a successful field test of its own megawatt charging system, the RADOX MCS1500. "With our entry into NACS, we are providing an innovative and future-proof solution for our customers," said Stefan Buri , Vice President and Market Manager for HPC at HUBER+SUHNER. "As more auto manufacturers adopt the NACS standard for the North American market, the backward compatibility of our NACS solution provides charging point operators (CPOs) with the flexibility they need while minimizing installation time and cost." "As always, HUBER+SUHNER strives not only to stay on top of technological innovations, but also to provide our customers with real value." The new RADOX HPC NACS system is optimized for reduced installation time and reliability in the field, alongside a maintenance-free system and comprehensive serviceability options to guarantee extended service life. For further information, and to learn more about its HPC and automotive solutions stay tuned to HUBER+SUHNER's website. This media release can also be found under https://www.hubersuhner.com/en/company/media/news HUBER+SUHNER Group The globally active Swiss company HUBER+SUHNER develops and produces components and system solutions for electrical and optical connectivity. The company serves the three main markets Industry, Communication and Transportation with applications from the three technologies of radio frequency, fiber optics and low frequency. HUBER+SUHNER products excel in excellent performance, quality, reliability and long service lives - even under the most demanding conditions. Through a global production network, combined with subsidiaries and representatives in over 80 countries, the company is close to its customers worldwide. Contact: Darius Mistry [email protected] +41 71 353 41 11 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2240743/NACS_Charger.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2005031/HUBER_SUHNER_AG_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hubersuhner-to-unveil-nacs-high-power-charging-solution-for-electric-vehicles-in-2024-301949737.html SOURCE HUBER+SUHNER AG SIOUX FALLS, S.D. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2023, ISG celebrates its 50th anniversary milestone. An architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, ISG has 13 offices positioned throughout the Midwest and serves clients nationwide. Throughout the year, ISG hosted a series of anniversary events to show our appreciation for the communities, clients, partners, and employee owners who have supported the mission of making a difference. On October 5, 2023 , ISG Sioux Falls hosted the firm's final 50th Anniversary celebration at its newest location in The Bancorp Building at Cherapa Place . With nearly 350 business owners, municipal partners, City leaders, and valued clients in attendance, ISG also celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting at the new space and commemorated five years of ISG's impactful presence in Sioux Falls . In that time, the branch has grown from five to over 50 professionals and has fostered valuable relationships with local partners to keep the momentum building. "ISG is one of those special businesses who truly walks the walk with their community," said Jeff Griffin , President and CEO of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. "As an employee-owned firm, ISG invests in their people and their people invest in the community. I see ISG employees giving countless volunteer hours to the Chamber and others to ensure that we all thrive." From ISG's architects and engineers who brought the visions to life to planners and visualization experts who assisted with tenant attraction, every facet of the firm has been intertwined with the Cherapa Place Development project. Once complete, the Development will feature amenities that fulfill numerous market demands and impact the value that continues to grow in the heart of the City. "Since we made our move to Sioux Falls , we have been empowered by the support, welcoming nature, and exceptional guidance we received from the community, business owners, and the City," praised ISG President David Doxtad . "Cheers to the next 50 years as an organization, to our next five years in Sioux Falls , and to the State for being one of the best places to live, work, and play!" With the room to grow in the ISG Sioux Falls space and the recent addition of an office in Pierre , ISG is expanding its reach to serve clients throughout the State and foster deeper connections that will continue to inspire design for the next 50 years. About ISG ISG, a 100% ESOP firm, has a rich history, which extends over 50 years of building trusting relationships with clients, stakeholders, and the community. As a full-service firm with 500+ professionals in offices throughout Iowa , Minnesota , Wisconsin , South Dakota , and Arkansas , ISG provides exceptional services, strategies, and guidance to a wide range of markets nationwide. To learn more about ISG, visit ISGInc.com. Contacts David Doxtad , President [email protected] 712.210.4465 Steve Watson , Development Strategist [email protected] 605.274.1779 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isg-celebrates-50th-anniversary--new-sioux-falls-office-grand-opening-301953783.html SOURCE ISG SHANGHAI , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Kehua Bio-engineering Co., Ltd ("KHB" or "the Company", Stock code: 002022.SZ), China's leading In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) company has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Chinese company to obtain EU Class D In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) certification for rapid tests. This certification applies to the company's Diagnostic Kit for HIV (1/2) Antibody (Colloidal Gold) V2 and was issued by TUV SUD Product Service GmbH, a world-renowned certification and Notified Body (No. 0123) based in the EU. This significant achievement underscores KHB's unwavering commitment to delivering advanced and reliable diagnostic solutions that meet the latest safety, reliability, and effectiveness standards. The company's continuous focus on immune, biochemical, and molecular diagnosis, as well as point-of-care testing (POCT) further highlights its expertise in providing a diverse range of diagnostic products. The EU classifies IVDs into four risk classes, ranging from Class A (lowest) to Class D (highest). Diagnostic products for HIV antibodies, including KHB's Diagnostic Kit for HIV (1/2) Antibody (Colloidal Gold) V2, fall under the Class D category, which is subject to the strictest regulations due to the high risk posed by HIV as a widespread, difficult to cure, and highly lethal disease globally. It is challenging for manufacturers and companies outside the EU to obtain IVDR certification, particularly for Class D IVDs . KHB's achievement in this regard is expected to further promote Chinese IVD products in the highly competitive global market. Early in 2016, KHB's Diagnostic Kit for HIV (1/2) Antibody (Colloidal Gold) V2 was granted WHO Prequalification, demonstrating the company's capability to provide reliable diagnostic products. Since then, KHB has forged extensive and diverse partnerships with leading NGOs such as the WHO, Clinton Health Access Initiative, UNICEF, UNFPA, USAID, The Global Fund, PFSCM and IDA Foundation, across multiple countries and regions. KHB's Diagnostic Kit for HIV (1/2) Antibody (Colloidal Gold) V2 is available in several countries and regions, including the US, Switzerland , South Africa , Morocco , and Thailand , with the list continuously expanding. KHB's achievement in obtaining EU Class D IVDR Certification is a testament to the company's dedication to delivering advanced and reliable IVD solutions in compliance with the latest safety and regulatory standards. With this milestone, KHB is poised to further enhance its products and services to meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers alike, and to maintain its position as a leading IVD company in China . About KHB Shanghai Kehua Bio-engineering Co., Ltd. (KHB, Stock code: 002022.SZ) is an IVD company that boasts a full line of medical diagnostic products, focusing on immune diagnosis, biochemical diagnosis, molecular diagnosis and point-of-care testing (POCT). Since its foundation in 1981, KHB has developed into a high-tech company that integrates R&D, manufacturing and marketing business operations. In 2004, it was listed in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE). For more information, please visit KHB's official website and its LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages. For product or corporate information inquiries may be directed to [email protected]. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/khb-becomes-first-chinese-company-to-obtain-eu-class-d-ivdr-certification-for-its-rapid-test-hiv-colloidal-gold-diagnostic-kit-301953311.html SOURCE Shanghai Kehua Bio-engineering Co., Ltd. America's favorite ramen brand introduces a fan-inspired song and brand campaign that celebrates Maruchan's loyal community IRVINE, Calif. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Maruchan , the producer of America's favorite instant ramen noodles, unveiled today a love song dedicated to its loyal community of fans, with a brand campaign and commercial debut. For over 45 years, Maruchan has delivered the same high quality, flavorful instant noodles at an accessible price point. Maruchan enthusiasts recognize this key differentiator and proudly show their brand love in creative ways, including recipe hacks and fan art, which is what inspired the brand's new fan anthem. The spot brings Maruchan fans' love to life through vibrant scenes featuring mouthwatering product shots, set to a catchy beat with lyrics pulled directly from fans' Tweets, comments, and posts. "Our mission in creating Maruchan's Anthem is to honor our dedicated fans who show the brand love and recognize that not all instant ramen is created equal," said Mark Machino , Manager, Sales and Marketing at Maruchan. "Our new Anthem pulls direct quotes from Maruchan fans' social conversation and content as an acknowledgement and thank you for being a part of our community." The new Maruchan Anthem campaign was created by AMP Agency in partnership with award-winning director Ben Hansford and THE-GHOST . "AMP Agency's partnership with Maruchan over the last few years has given us a front-row seat to watch the brand growth and community love. With the Anthem campaign, we focused on creating a lyrical embodiment of all that the Maruchan community loves about the brand with the goal of spreading the love to new consumers, ultimately expanding Maruchan's core audience," said John DeGray , Creative Director at AMP Agency. In collaboration with Maruchan, AMP Agency built an integrated marketing plan to support the campaign, including a comprehensive paid media plan across a variety of multimedia including television, digital, streaming, and social media that will reach national audiences. In addition, the agency is working with influencer partners on TikTok and Instagram to promote the catchy theme song, and the team has crafted clever Maruchan merch kits that will be sent as a Surprise & Delight tactic to influencers and social media followers. There will also be social giveaways hosted on Maruchan's Instagram to promote the campaign and give fans a chance to win specialty branded goodies. Maruchan will also bring its Anthem to life through ramen pop-up events at festivals this October. The brand hosted its first event this past Saturday in San Diego , and the next two ramen pop-ups will take place in Nashville and San Antonio . At each event, Maruchan is creating a collaborative community experience that includes music, food, and a celebration of all things Maruchan. At the center of each activation, the brand partnered with local artists to create a unique mural design that further celebrates the creativity of the Maruchan community. Attendees at the festivals outlined below will also enjoy fan-favorite ramen staples with onsite, chef-created dishes, as well as photo opportunities, games, giveaways and more. Maruchan Pop-Up at Belmont Park ( San Diego ) October 7 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. ( ) from Maruchan Pop-Up at Light the Nations Festival ( Nashville ) October 21 from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. ( ) from Maruchan Pop-Up at Luminaria Festival ( San Antonio ) October 21 from 6 p.m. - 12 a.m. You can find the Anthem on YouTube , or, for more information on the brand, visit the Maruchan website or the brand's Instagram or Twitter . About Maruchan Maruchan Inc. was established in 1953 by Japanese visionary, Kazuo Mori , who sought to create a convenient, high quality and affordable noodle product for all the people of the world. In 1977, after gaining popularity in Japan , Maruchan started manufacturing ramen and smiles from Irvine, Calif. Today, Maruchan is a half a billion dollar brand in the U.S. with manufacturing facilities across the country, bringing consumers all the classic Maruchan favorites as well as exciting new products and flavors each year. Maruchan aims to promote mouth-watering goodness that will get people to drop what they're doing, sit down with each other and share their best ramen dishes. With great consistency, comes greater quality. In the U.S. , Maruchan Inc. develops and markets a variety of products, including Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, Maruchan Ramen Bowls, Maruchan Yakisoba, Maruchan Instant Lunch, and Maruchan GOLD. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maruchan-celebrates-its-fans-with-new-brand-anthem-campaign-301953758.html SOURCE Maruchan Brand drops limited-edition varsity letterman jacket and hosts first-ever Homecoming event to kick off new '1 in 8' effort CHICAGO , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Astronauts. Teachers. Award-winning playwrights. Executives. Small business owners. 1 in 8 Americans have one thing in common: the experience of working at a McDonald's restaurant (just think... that means 1 in 8 Americans have been trusted with the World Famous Fries). Whether their career continued within the Golden Arches or beyond, McDonald's is celebrating both former and current crew members who make up this diverse community with the launch of its new "1 in 8" initiative. Members of the 1 in 8 will have access to unique programming, like opportunities to attend exclusive events, mentorships with notable alums who've gone on to make an impact in their respective fields, reunions with former team members and more. To officially kick things off, McDonald's is dropping a limited-edition letterman jacket that represents what it means to be 1 in 8 because a group this iconic deserves swag to match. Designed by McDonald's alum and founder of lifestyle brand Robotic Minds Concept, Kendall Hurns tapped into his nostalgia and love for the brand to create this one-of-a-kind jacket, featuring IYKYK surprises for fellow crew. For each jacket sold, McDonald's will contribute funding to help exceptional crew members achieve their aspirations through once-in-a-lifetime experiences and opportunities. Jackets go on sale on Monday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. ET at www.McDonalds1in8.com, while supplies last. "For 1 in 8 Americans, the McDonald's restaurant experience offers critical life skills and creates opportunities for meaningful work and connections," said Tiffanie Boyd , Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer at McDonald's. "Formally bringing this group together will give past and present crew members alike the chance to continue growing, building their networks and celebrating the special community they represent." In the midst of Homecoming season, McDonald's also honored the 1 in 8 with its first-ever Homecoming celebration in New York City today, Oct. 11 . During the event, current crew and 1 in 8 alums had the chance to connect to share personal stories and career advice. In attendance were a handful of well-known 1 in 8ers, including New York Times Best Selling Author and Peloton Instructor Cody Rigsby , Michelin-star restaurant chef, Harold Villarosa , TV host, actress and entrepreneur Alejandra Espinoza , creative entrepreneur Kendall Hurns , and McDonald's franchise owner, Paul Hendel who started as a crew member when he was 16 years old and now owns 31 restaurants. The event also brought the Homecoming spirit with the Brooklyn United marching band, exclusive gear and a friendly face-off to see who could build a Big Mac the fastest (because there's no truer test for a 1 in 8er). "It's no secret that McDonald's is my day one," said Rigsby. "It's a full circle moment for me to be able to share my journey to inspire others including those who had the same start as me and used their job at McDonald's as a jumping off point." And while many members of the 1 in 8 use the skills learned at McDonald's to succeed in different fields, others apply them to grow within the company as franchisees, management or corporate positions. "Reflecting back on my beginnings as a McDonald's restaurant employee 38 years ago, I'm proud to be a part of an organization that roots for and supports its people," said Myra Doria , U.S. National Field President at McDonald's. "It's special to have experienced first-hand the doors that the Golden Arches can open for a person." The 1 in 8 initiative is shining a spotlight on the spectacular people that make up the Golden Arches. For the first time, McDonald's is featuring a cast entirely made up of restaurant crew in its creative campaign highlighting real stories and real people from local restaurants across TV spots, social media, and digital content. Are you a member of the 1 in 8? Share your story here on www.McDonalds1in8.com and stay up to date on future 1 in 8 opportunities. About McDonald's USA McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald's approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds. About McDonald's Now Serving Platform McDonald's Now Serving platform is about more than serving delicious food. It's something customers and Crew see every day in McDonald's restaurants as orders are served, but also celebrates our rich legacy of supporting communities, in partnership with franchisees, for more than 60 years. Now Serving is the comforting meals we provide following natural disasters and the support we give families through our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities. In restaurants, it's about recognizing Crew through our Thank You Crew initiative and offering ongoing education and mentorship opportunities. Click here to learn more. Media Contact: Laura Wanerka [email protected].com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mcdonalds-celebrates-the-powerful-fact-that-1-in-8-americans-have-worked-under-the-golden-arches-301954123.html SOURCE McDonald's USA, LLC Two specific foreign animal diseases with zoonotic (animal-to-human transmission) potential are being targeted BROOKINGS, S.D. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Important cooperative agreements were recently signed between the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Medgene, an animal health company that produces highly-targeted platform vaccines. The agreements are designed to apply Medgene's proprietary platform vaccine technologies against two well-known foreign animal diseases: Nipah Virus and Rift Valley Fever. "As important as American agriculture is to the world, we must be prepared to address these and other diseases now." In the case of Nipah Virus, a highly fatal disease currently affecting swine in Southeast Asia , the agreement is to test Medgene's platform vaccines developed on its proprietary baculovirus protein expression system. The Rift Valley Fever agreement is to develop an assay to measure the antibody activity of Medgene's platform vaccines in order to differentiate an infected animal from a vaccinated animal. This assay is especially important to international trade as it helps ensure that diseased animals are not being released into unaffected populations. Rift Valley Fever is also a highly fatal disease that originated in Africa and affects livestock. Dr. Alan Young , immunologist and Chief Technology Officer of Medgene, explained the significance of these agreements. "Foreign animal diseases are monitored very closely for many reasons. As important as American agriculture is to the world, we must be prepared to address these and other diseases now. These projects with USDA-ARS will be a solid step forward in protecting against foreign animal disease outbreaks in the U.S. " These projects are part of the Biologics Development Module (BDM) at USDA's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), which aims to create collaborations that will enhance and expedite the transition of research to veterinary-medical products. "The mission of NBAF is to protect the United States food supply and agricultural economy from threats presented by emerging, transboundary and zoonotic animal diseases," BDM Director Mr. Steven Witte said. "Collaborations like the current ones with Medgene allow us to carry out our mission while we complete the stand up of our laboratory facilities at NBAF. Medgene is an important partner in our fight against transboundary animal diseases." The ultimate goal of the collaboration between USDA-ARS and Medgene is to develop and maintain preparedness for foreign animal disease outbreaks within the U.S. Mark Luecke , Chief Executive Officer of Medgene, added, "We are pleased that the USDA has recognized the importance of our platform vaccine technologies in protecting U.S. livestock producers and our human population from potentially zoonotic foreign animals diseases. Given the significant number of recent incidents of coronaviruses and influenza viruses, we must collaborate to continue to improve our preparedness. Medgene's USDA-approved platform vaccine technologies and USDA-NBAF's testing capabilities represent a world-class collaboration for these and other disease threats." Work has begun on both agreements with an expectation of completion in 2024. For information on Rift Valley Fever: https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/rvf/about.html For information on the Nipah Virus: https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/about/index.html For information on Medgene: https://www.MedgeneLabs.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medgene-signs-agreements-with-us-department-of-agriculture-to-develop-platform-vaccines-for-foreign-animal-diseases-301952770.html SOURCE Medgene By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2023 - 10:25 | All, World The latest war between Israel and Hamas militants will not distract the United States from its involvement in Indo-Pacific issues, a senior official said Tuesday, at a time when the bloodiest assault on the Jewish state in decades raises doubts about the ability of Washington to maintain China as the top priority in its foreign policy. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States is capable of providing assistance to Israel while also continuing support for Washington's allies in Asia as well as for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. "We believe we have the resources, tools and capacities to be able to effectively do that," Sullivan said at a press briefing. "And part of our job is to ensure that we are working across all of these theaters at once, and that's precisely what we're doing each day." He made the comments when asked whether the war that erupted with a surprise Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday will make it more difficult for the administration of President Joe Biden to remain committed to Ukraine and stability in the Indo-Pacific, where China has been increasingly demonstrating its military might. The attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, shocked the world and triggered a fresh round of geopolitical tensions, presenting a huge challenge for Biden, who is seeking reelection in 2024. While some U.S. Republicans and critics of the Biden administration have started arguing that the United States cannot provide simultaneous support in two separate wars, Sullivan said, "We firmly reject (such a) notion." On Ukraine, which has been fighting Russian forces since Moscow began its full-scale invasion in 2022, he said it is "so much more cost-effective to take the action now" as opposed to paying a huge price later, "a price that might ultimately, as it has in the past, require the actual deployment of American troops to combat." He emphasized that it will be better to assist Ukraine in standing firm against Russia's aggression and do so on "a sustained basis," adding that the United States has enough budget flexibility to provide assistance on two fronts. Shortly before the press briefing, Biden spoke to the nation from the White House and denounced the Hamas assault over the weekend as "sheer evil" and "terrorism," while expressing unequivocal support for Israel. "Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel's back," he said in a speech that lasted about 10 minutes. "We'll make sure that the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself, today, tomorrow, as we always have. It's as simple as that." To reaffirm the Biden administration's solidarity with Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to leave for Israel on Wednesday. Blinken is expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday to meet with senior officials and also visit Jordan, according to Matthew Miller, the department's top spokesman. With the conflict expected to be prolonged, the United States said it has begun providing necessary munitions and military equipment to Israel. On Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command said that the Ford carrier strike group had arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean. The arrival of the strike group, led by one of the world's largest aircraft carriers, is intended to "deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war," the command said in a statement. Related coverage: Japan to ensure safety of nationals amid Israel conflict 1,200 dead as Hamas attack, Israel retaliation continues Over 970 dead after Hamas attack from Gaza, Israel retaliation CALGARY, AB , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - TransAlta Corporation ("TransAlta") (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) will release its third quarter 2023 results before markets open on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 . A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held for investors, analysts, members of the media and other interested parties the same day beginning at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time ( 11:00 a.m. ET ). The media will be invited to ask questions following analysts. Third Quarter 2023 Conference Call: Toll-free North American participants call: 1-888-664-6392 Webcast link: https://app.webinar.net/6okKz0o9jM0 Related materials will be available on the Investor Centre section of TransAlta's website at https://transalta.com/investors/presentations-and-events/. If you are unable to participate in the call, the instant replay is accessible at 1-888-390-0541 ( Canada and USA toll free) with TransAlta pass code 502345 followed by the # sign. A transcript of the broadcast will be posted on TransAlta's website once it becomes available. About TransAlta : TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada , the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with clean, affordable, energy efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada 's largest producers of wind power and Alberta 's largest producer of hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 68 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 22 million tonnes since 2015 and has received scores of A- from CDP and AA from MSCI. For more information about TransAlta, visit its website at transalta.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-advisory-transalta-third-quarter-2023-results-and-conference-call-301954294.html SOURCE TransAlta Corporation Whaley joins the nonpartisan veterans organization to propel its movement providing a unified voice for veterans CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Roll Call (MRC) announced today its new CEO Jim Whaley . Mission Roll Call is the first of its kind: a nonpartisan movement to give every single veteran a voice in policy and advocacy on the issues that are important to them. Whaley brings decades of leadership experience to the organization. With 20 years of service in the U.S. Army as a Master Army Aviator, U.S. Army Helicopter Instructor Pilot, and as the director of communications at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also has led the Corporate Communication function for Siemens and Sealed Air Corporation. He also served as the President for the United Service Organizations, Inc. in the Southeast Region . "We are facing a recruitment crisis among our armed forces that is connected to failed veteran administration policies and lower quality of life for our nation's defenders. This has caused a national security issue," said Jim Whaley . "We are making a roll call to our nation's veterans and their families and supporters to have their voice heard. The time is now for a renewed effort. Mission Roll Call equips, trains and supports our veterans and families to live a better life. It is an honor to apply my skills toward such a noble cause." Whaley's military and leadership experience will allow him to drive MRC's mission of providing a unified voice for veterans and further establish the organization as a leader in veteran advocacy. Nearly half of all veterans in the US are unaffiliated with any veteran service organization. This expansion is in part made possible by generous donations from The Marcus Foundation. "With only one percent of the population having served in the armed forces, the American public is unlikely to know and understand the unique needs of those who ensure our freedoms," continued Whaley. "Partnerships with organizations like The Marcus Foundation fortify MRC's ability to be the nation's premier voice of the veteran by providing an apolitical state of the art platform that will transform how Americans understand our over 16 million veterans." Founded in 2019, MRC has helped thousands of veterans by advocating for policies that eliminate the stigma behind veteran suicide. By amplifying the voices of veterans in its network from all over the country, MRC advocates for policy change to improve the quality of life for veterans. For more information about Mission Roll Call, including upcoming events, and to sign up to be a part of its community, visit https://missionrollcall.org/ . About MRC Mission Roll Call (MRC) provides a unified voice for veterans that is heard by U.S. lawmakers and leaders. MRC is a movement that gives every veteran a voice on the issues that are most important to them. It is a community where veterans and their families share stories, voice concerns, and present solutions for their benefit. Learn more at www.missionrollcall.org or @missionrollcall. About The Marcus Foundation Founded in 1989, The Marcus Foundation focuses on fulfilling the vision of Bernie Marcus , co-founder of The Home Depot. Located in Atlanta, Georgia , the foundation has five key areas of philanthropy: medical and research; children, with an emphasis on education; Jewish causes; free enterprise, including veteran issues and national security; and local community - all impacting and saving lives through entrepreneurial philanthropy. The Foundation's giving harnesses Bernie's personal life experiences and awareness, and his success as an entrepreneur enables him to give back. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mission-roll-call-welcomes-new-chief-executive-officer-jim-whaley-301954014.html SOURCE Mission Roll Call WASHINGTON , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Initial studies of the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu sample collected in space and brought to Earth by NASA show evidence of high-carbon content and water, which together could indicate the building blocks of life on Earth may be found in the rock. NASA made the news Wednesday from its Johnson Space Center in Houston where leadership and scientists showed off the asteroid material for the first time since it landed in September. This finding was part of a preliminary assessment of NASA's OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security Regolith Explorer) science team. "The OSIRIS-REx sample is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth and will help scientists investigate the origins of life on our own planet for generations to come," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson . "Almost everything we do at NASA seeks to answer questions about who we are and where we come from. NASA missions like OSIRIS-REx will improve our understanding of asteroids that could threaten Earth while giving us a glimpse into what lies beyond. The sample has made it back to Earth, but there is still so much science to come science like we've never seen before." Although more work is needed to understand the nature of the carbon compounds found, the initial discovery bodes well for future analyses of the asteroid sample. The secrets held within the rocks and dust from the asteroid will be studied for decades to come, offering insights into how our solar system was formed, how the precursor materials to life may have been seeded on Earth, and what precautions need to be taken to avoid asteroid collisions with our home planet. Bonus sample material The goal of the OSIRIS-REx sample collection was 60 grams of asteroid material. Curation experts at NASA Johnson, working in new clean rooms built especially for the mission, have spent 10 days so far carefully disassembling the sample return hardware to obtain a glimpse at the bulk sample within. When the science canister lid was first opened, scientists discovered bonus asteroid material covering the outside of the collector head, canister lid, and base. There was so much extra material it slowed down the careful process of collecting and containing the primary sample. "Our labs were ready for whatever Bennu had in store for us," said Vanessa Wyche , director, NASA Johnson. "We've had scientists and engineers working side-by-side for years to develop specialized gloveboxes and tools to keep the asteroid material pristine and to curate the samples so researchers now and decades from now can study this precious gift from the cosmos." Within the first two weeks, scientists performed "quick-look" analyses of that initial material, collecting images from a scanning electron microscope, infrared measurements, X-ray diffraction, and chemical element analysis. X-ray computed tomography was also used to produce a 3D computer model of one of the particles, highlighting its diverse interior. This early glimpse provided the evidence of abundant carbon and water in the sample. "As we peer into the ancient secrets preserved within the dust and rocks of asteroid Bennu, we are unlocking a time capsule that offers us profound insights into the origins of our solar system," said Dante Lauretta , OSIRIS-REx principal investigator, University of Arizona, Tucson . "The bounty of carbon-rich material and the abundant presence of water-bearing clay minerals are just the tip of the cosmic iceberg. These discoveries, made possible through years of dedicated collaboration and cutting-edge science, propel us on a journey to understand not only our celestial neighborhood but also the potential for life's beginnings. With each revelation from Bennu, we draw closer to unraveling the mysteries of our cosmic heritage." For the next two years, the mission's science team will continue characterizing the samples and conduct the analysis needed to meet the mission's science goals. NASA will preserve at least 70% of the sample at Johnson for further research by scientists worldwide, including future generations of scientists. As part of OSIRIS-REx's science program, a cohort of more than 200 scientists around the world will explore the regolith's properties, including researchers from many U.S. institutions, NASA partners JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), CSA (Canadian Space Agency), and other scientists from around the world. Additional samples will also be loaned later this fall to the Smithsonian Institution, Space Center Houston, and the University of Arizona for public display. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland , provides overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Lauretta, the principal investigator, leads the science team and the mission's science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado , built the spacecraft, provided flight operations, and was responsible for capsule recovery. Goddard and KinetX Aerospace were responsible for navigating the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Curation for OSIRIS-REx, including processing the sample when it arrived on Earth, is taking place at NASA Johnson. OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASA's New Frontiers Program, managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama , for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington . Find more information about NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission at: https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasas-bennu-asteroid-sample-contains-carbon-water-301953955.html SOURCE NASA WASHINGTON , Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly , president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein , president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the kidnapping and detention of Samira Sabou , an independent journalist in Niger . " Samira Sabou , a widely respected online journalist and blogger in her home country, was forcibly taken from her home on Sept. 30 by masked men who told her husband they were with security services but provided no identification. After eight days without word of her whereabouts, there are now reports that she is in custody of Niger's federal police under suspicion of trying to undermine the country's current regime. No case more vividly illustrates the precarious position of truth-tellers than Sabou's. A little more than a year ago, Sabou was threatened with prison by the administration of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. Now she's being accused of treason by the coup leaders who overthrew her would-be jailer. For journalists, making enemies on both sides of a political conflict is a badge of honor. It's a sign that a reporter is serving the right cause fairness and the right interest group the people. Sabou has been an outspoken defender of journalism's watchdog role no matter who is in power. Her last Facebook post before her detention urged the government to revise a "cybercrime" law that threatened to muzzle reporters with heavy penalties for vaguely defined offenses. In a Sept. 4 interview on Radio Television Niger, she said her work has made her the target of an online trolling campaign. She argued that her dedication to journalism is evidence of her patriotism. 'With all that has happened with the crisis, with all the harassment I have endured, I could have packed my bags and left," she said. "But I stayed, despite the danger.' Now that the danger has arrived at Sabou's door, we urge American diplomats and members of Congress to send a strong message to Niger's new leaders: If they want to be recognized as members of civil society, rather than proponents of organized terrorism, they must signal that journalism is not a crime in Niger , and free Samira Sabou ." About the National Press Club Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world. About the National Press Club Journalism Institute The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-press-club-calls-for-release-of-nigerien-journalist-301952984.html SOURCE National Press Club MINNEAPOLIS , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Terrorism and war escalated in Israel this weekend, leaving current travelers in Israel distressed and travelers with upcoming trips unnerved. As a result, many are seeking details on how travel insurance can protect them during these uncertain times. Yonder Travel Insurance brings insight into what affected travelers should be doing right away. "The good news is most providers are still treating the recent events in Israel as terrorist events if you purchased a policy prior to the recent occurring events happening over the weekend," says Terry Boynton , co-founder and president of Yonder Travel Insurance. "Terrorist incidents are usually a covered event under policies with standard trip cancellation." To get a better understanding of your policy coverage and terms, it's important to review your policy certificate and talk to your provider. For example, some policies will provide coverage if the terrorist incident occurred within 30 days of your departure date at or near locations on your trip itinerary. It's also likely the terrorist event would need to be caused by a group the U.S. deems classified as a foreign terrorist organization. The team of friendly humans at Yonder assists customers from the quote to the claims process. Here's what they suggest as next steps following the recent events in Israel . If You're Currently Traveling In Israel The first step towards safety would be contacting the 24/7 emergency provider included with your travel insurance policy. They'll help direct you toward safe zones, medical facilities, and potentially coordinate an evacuation, although security evacuations aren't included with all travel insurance policies. If You Had Plans to Travel To Israel Soon For those with current travel insurance policies to Israel, check with your provider to discuss your coverage options. You may be able to cancel your trip and get a reimbursement for your trip expenses. If travelers need to cancel their trip due to the recent events in Israel , they should contact their travel insurance provider as soon as possible. If you've purchased a policy through Yonder , their team of experts can help decipher coverage and initiate a claim. The experts at Yonder Travel Insurance have poured over hundreds of policies from the best travel insurance providers in the US to provide the best travel insurance recommendation for how YOU travel. Contact: Meagan Palmer , Marketing Director (952-358-6459) [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/navigating-recent-events-in-israel-with-travel-insurance-301952861.html SOURCE Yonder Travel Insurance SAN JOSE, Calif. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Netenrich, a secure analytics operations company, today announced its participation at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2023, taking place October 16-19 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida . The company invites security and IT professionals to visit Netenrich at booth #630 to learn how Resolution Intelligence Cloud delivers an adaptive operations approach aligned to business risk. As digital and cloud transformation accelerates, organizations struggle to keep up with the heavy IT and security demands. The expansion of users, data, and applications beyond traditional protected infrastructures is out of control. Ops teams are overwhelmed with too much data, but also lack the necessary visibility to understand which high-value resources and assets are at most risk. Moreover, they are overloaded with the toil of managing the daily "reactive" detection, investigation, and response tasks. For enterprises and digital-native businesses looking to transform their operations, Resolution Intelligence Cloud is a clear choice. Unlike legacy SOC architectures and security tools that fail to scale and handle massive data, the Netenrich platform disrupts current architectures with a built-from-the-ground-up platform centered around data analytics, automation, and engineering-led operations. Visit Netenrich at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2023 to see how you can transform your operations with a modern risk-management and detection-engineering approach to maximize efficiency at petabyte scale and speed. When: October 16-19, 2023 Where: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort , Orlando, Florida Netenrich Booth #630 How: Contact Netenrich to schedule a demo and meeting About Netenrich Netenrich makes data the solution, not the problem. With Resolution Intelligence Cloud, our secure analytics operations platform, we turn complex big data into actionable intelligence so enterprises can expose and manage security risk to reduce business impact. The platform leverages a cybersecurity mesh architecture (CSMA) to converge security and digital operations. Its data engineering, multitenant, and automation (AI, ML) capabilities improve current security systems, for more accurate threat management and response. More than 3,000 global customers rely on Netenrich to increase operations efficacy while scaling to meet the needs of the business. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netenrich-features-resolution-intelligence-cloud-at-the-2023-gartner-it-symposiumxpo-301953653.html SOURCE Netenrich Clinical Results Show Guidance UTI Test Significantly Improves Antibiotic Stewardship and Patient Outcomes IRVINE, Calif. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pathnostics, a leading diagnostic solutions company, announced today the publication of clinical study results showing that its advanced urinary tract infection (UTI) test profoundly impacts patient care. Published in Diagnostics, an international peer-reviewed journal, the new study reveals that the company's proprietary Guidance UTI test significantly improves antibiotic stewardship and patient outcomes. This study marks another milestone in our mission to make Guidance UTI the new standard of care. Study Highlights More than 570 patients seeking treatment for complicated and recurrent UTIs participated in the U.S. study. Patients who were diagnosed using the Guidance UTI test, which leverages patented technology to yield the highest level of diagnostic specificity, versus patients who were diagnosed based on results from traditional standard urine culture testing demonstrated: substantially reduced use more than 50% of empirical therapy, where antibiotics are prescribed before laboratory results are received, which can lead to antibiotic resistance or patient complications significantly improved patient outcomes with approximately 40% reduction in patient hospitalizations, urgent care visits, and emergency room admissions The study, "Improving Patient Outcomes While Reducing Empirical Treatment with Multiplex-Polymerase-Chain-Reaction/Pooled-Antibiotic-Susceptibility-Testing Assay for Complicated and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections," can be viewed in its entirety by visiting the Diagnostics journal website: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/19/3060. David Pauluzzi , CEO, Pathnostics, stated: "The remarkable improvements in patient care and outcomes revealed in this study are direct and compelling evidence of Guidance UTI's clinical value and potential to revolutionize the management of complex UTIs. These results mark another milestone in our mission to make Guidance UTI the new standard of care for diagnosing and treating patients suffering from complicated, recurrent, or high-risk UTIs." Pathnostics' Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mohit Mathur , added: "The study's clinical findings highlight the power of the Guidance UTI test. By providing accurate and comprehensive results faster than today's standard urine culture test, Guidance UTI enabled providers to prescribe personalized antibiotic therapy, which resulted in markedly improved patient outcomes." About Guidance UTI Health care providers, urologists, and urogynecologists are increasingly turning to Pathnostics' proprietary Guidance UTI test, which engages patented technology for Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (P-AST), to diagnose and inform treatment of patients, instead of traditional urine culture testing. Key benefits include that the Guidance UTI test: delivers results less than a day after samples are received in the lab compared to standard urine culture testing, which can take up to five days to produce results yields the highest level of diagnostic specificity and sensitivity versus standard testing, including identifying specific uropathogens, even when multiple organisms are present significantly reduces patient hospitalizations, emergency and urgent care visits, and empiric therapy rates, as demonstrated through multiple studies published in peer-reviewed publications About Pathnostics Pathnostics is a leading precision diagnostic testing and development company providing solutions for infectious disease and cancer diagnostics that will get patients on the right path. The company's flagship Guidance platform of solutions leverages its proprietary and patented technology for Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (P-AST), which provides more informed treatment options and supports antibiotic stewardship initiatives. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif. , Pathnostics is a company of Water Street Healthcare Partners, a strategic investor focused exclusively on the health care industry. For more information, visit pathnostics.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-reveals-pathnostics-advanced-uti-test-profoundly-impacts-patient-care-301953018.html SOURCE Pathnostics With a total capacity of 700 MWs, the projects represent the largest solar plus storage deployments in Mississippi to date. MIAMI , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Origis Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced Wednesday that construction has begun on the first of three projects in Mississippi with a total capacity of 550 MW plus 150 MW of battery storage. This is the largest battery storage portfolio announced in Mississippi and the largest solar portfolio under construction in the state, maintaining TVA's leadership in clean power generation throughout the Southeast. Golden Triangle II, a 150 MW AC project with 50 MW battery storage, is expected to be complete in spring 2024. Golden Triangle I, a 200 MW AC project with 50 MW of battery storage, is expected to be completed in summer 2024. The Golden Triangle projects are located in Lowndes County . Optimist, a 200 MW AC project with 50 MW of battery storage located in Clay County , has a projected completion date in mid-2025. The three projects were developed, are being constructed and will be operated by Origis Energy, one of America's leading renewable energy platforms. Each will deliver clean energy at competitive rates under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) executed between TVA and Origis. TVA will then use the power to help meet the sustainability goals of some of its large industrial customers, along with residents in Mississippi . "TVA is a clean energy leader, and we're working with partners, like Origis, to add solar power to our system to meet customer demand," said Jeremy Fisher , SVP Commercial Energy Solutions with TVA. "Projects like these, ensure we can continue to provide affordable, reliable, resilient and sustainable energy to fuel the region's economic growth." Following the pandemic, TVA's low-cost, clean and reliable electricity, coupled with unprecedented migration into the area, resulted in a rebound in economic growth in the region of 8% in 2021 and 3.5% in 2022. Estimated economic benefits from the three projects include $106 million in near-term construction and hiring gains to the area. Over the life of the solar plants, they will provide another $145 million in estimated regional economic benefits. "By helping companies meet their renewable goals, it becomes very attractive to locate or expand in Mississippi ," said Johan Vanhee , Chief Commercial and Procurement Officer of Origis Energy. "We are pleased to partner with the Tennessee Valley Authority to use sustainability as an economic development tool, and what's good for the environment is also good for business." RES is providing construction services to Origis for the portfolio, employing an estimated 300 people over the course of the three projects. Upon completion of the plants, Origis Energy Services will operate and maintain the portfolio, employing approximately 9 on-site jobs over the 35+ project life years. The utility-scale battery storage for each site is provided by Mitsubishi Power Americas. Roughly 1.5 million solar panel modules will be installed at the three sites, enough to power an estimated 126,000 homes. Business, community leaders and development partners responded favorably to the announcement. " Lowndes County is happy to partner with TVA and Origis to bring this increased capability to the TVA footprint. The clean energy benefits for the region and the economic development that result from cooperation on mutually beneficial projects like this continue to strengthen our already solid partnerships with both industry and TVA." Trip Hairston , Lowndes County Supervisor District 2 "Our office has worked continually with both TVA and Origis through all phases of this project. These investments provide a unique diversification to our tax base and upon completion provide additional tax revenue to the counties and the schools." Joe Max Higgins , CEO at the Golden Triangle Development Link "KUB is actively seeking opportunities to invest in renewable energy. When KUB invests in partnerships such as TVA's Green Invest program with projects including the Origis solar projects in Mississippi , those initiatives help KUB to meet customer and community sustainability goals. Overall, these partnerships are helping to position KUB and Knoxville as leaders for solar power investment nationwide." Gabriel J. Bolas II, KUB President & CEO "As the momentum behind renewable energy projects continues to surge throughout the United States , the significance of battery energy storage as a linchpin for a sustainable energy future cannot be overstated. Our enthusiasm is palpable as we embark on the construction of these vital projects, aiming not only to enhance the efficiency and capacity of solar initiatives but also to bolster Origis and TVA in achieving their commendable sustainability objectives." Tom Cornell , Senior Vice President of Energy Storage Solutions at Mitsubishi Power Americas For more information about each specific project, visit the project websites: Golden Triangle II Solar + Storage Golden Triangle I Solar + Storage Optimist Solar + Storage About TVA The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation's largest public power supplier, delivering energy to 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA was established 90 years ago to serve this region and the nation by developing innovative solutions to solve complex challenges. TVA's unique mission focuses on energy, environmental stewardship, and economic development. With one of the largest, most diverse, and cleanest energy systems including nuclear, hydro, solar, gas, and advanced technologies TVA is a leader in our nation's drive toward a clean energy future. TVA is a corporate agency of the United States , receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. About Origis Energy Origis Energy is bringing clean and cost effective solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen solutions within reach for utility, commercial and industrial as well as public sector clients. The Origis team has worked to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are upheld in 170 projects worldwide totaling more than 5 GW to date of developed solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen capacity. Headquartered in Miami, FL , Origis Energy delivers excellence in solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen development, financing, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and operations, maintenance and asset management for investors and clean energy consumers in the U.S. For more information visit: www.OrigisEnergy.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/origis-energy-tva-announce-construction-of-ms-solar-plus-storage-projects-301953972.html SOURCE Origis Energy FARMINGTON, Conn. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS) will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 , at 8:30 a.m. ET . Otis Chair , CEO & President Judy Marks and Executive Vice President & CFO Anurag Maheshwari will discuss the company's third quarter results and 2023 outlook. We encourage you to join through our webcast link. A corresponding presentation and news release will be available on www.otis.com prior to the call and a recording will be available on the website later in the day. If you are unable to join via the webcast, please contact Otis investor relations ([email protected]) for alternative dial-in information. Additional investor updates are also available on www.otis.com from time to time. About Otis Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.2 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA , Otis is 69,000 people strong, including 41,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook and Twitter @OtisElevatorCo. Media Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Katy Padgett Michael Rednor +1-860-674-3047 +1-860-676-6011 [email protected] [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/otis-third-quarter-2023-earnings-advisory-301952291.html SOURCE Otis Worldwide Corporation DALLAS and TORONTO , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. (TSXV: PINK) (OTC: PYNKF) (FSE: 4PC) ("Perimeter" or the "Company") a commercial-stage medical technology company announced that patient randomization is underway at Mayo Clinic in Florida , the most recent clinical site to be initiated as part of an ongoing multi-center, randomized two-arm pivotal clinical trial evaluating the investigational Perimeter B-Series OCT combined with its proprietary ImgAssist AI software. Dr. Sarah Butler , Perimeter's Vice President, Clinical and Medical Affairs stated, "Patient recruitment and randomization is underway at the Mayo Clinic in Florida , which is one of the sites where we are studying the combination of the Perimeter B-Series medical imaging platform with artificial intelligence software. Combining high-resolution optical coherence tomography with AI algorithms can potentially help surgeons better identify regions of interest during breast conserving surgeries, with the aim of improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs." Adrian Mendes , Perimeter's Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are pleased that we continue to advance our ongoing pivotal clinical trial, supporting our goal to expedite the development of our next-gen AI technology. With its potential to become the new standard for specimen imaging technology during breast conservation surgery, our hope is that the data generated from this study will support the commercialization of Perimeter B-Series." About Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. Based in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas , Perimeter Medical Imaging AI (TSX-V: PINK) (OTC: PYNKF) (FSE: 4PC) is a medical technology company driven to transform cancer surgery with ultra-high-resolution, real-time, advanced imaging tools to address areas of high unmet medical need. Available across the U.S. , our FDA-cleared Perimeter S-Series OCT system provides real-time, cross-sectional visualization of excised tissues at the cellular level. The breakthrough-device-designated investigational Perimeter B-Series OCT with ImgAssist AI represents our next-generation artificial intelligence technology that is currently being evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial, with support from a grant of up to US$7.4 million awarded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The company's ticker symbol "PINK" is a reference to the pink ribbons used during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In this news release, words such as "may," "would," "could," "will," "likely," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information may relate to management's future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements or information regarding the future financial position, business strategy and strategic goals, competitive conditions, research and development activities, projected costs and capital expenditures, research and clinical testing outcomes, taxes and plans and objectives of, or involving, Perimeter. Without limitation, information regarding the potential benefits of Perimeter S-Series OCT, Perimeter B-Series OCT, and Perimeter ImgAssist; details regarding Perimeter's ongoing clinical trials; and the anticipated completion date of Perimeter's clinical trials, are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, any particular result will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond Perimeter's control. Such forward-looking statements reflect Perimeter's current view with respect to future events, but are inherently subject to significant medical, scientific, business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties and contingencies. In making forward-looking statements, Perimeter may make various material assumptions, including but not limited to (i) the accuracy of Perimeter's financial projections; (ii) obtaining positive results from trials; (iii) obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; and (iv) general business, market, and economic conditions. Further risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those applicable to Perimeter and described in Perimeter's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 , which is available on Perimeter's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Perimeter does not intend, nor does Perimeter undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events, or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/perimeter-medical-imaging-ai-announces-patient-randomization-underway-at-clinical-trial-site-at-mayo-clinic-in-florida-301953098.html SOURCE Perimeter Medical Imaging, Inc. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at the inaugural ceremony of a section of Chinese-built railway in Munshiganj, Bangladesh, Oct. 10, 2023. (Xinhua) by Sun Nan, Naim-Ul-Karim DHAKA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- As the first train of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP), carrying Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, departed from a new station on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka at 12:59 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the first section of the biggest railway in Bangladesh formally opened. The PBRLP, one of significant projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Bangladesh, was built by the China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China. The first section of the railway link is about 80 km long from Dhaka to Bhanga. Thousands of people from Munshiganj and adjacent districts witnessed the landmark inaugural ceremony in the Mawa station at the Munshiganj district. "I am very happy because we never thought that our generation would see this," Munshiganj resident Sheikh Azhar Hossain told Xinhua. At the inaugural ceremony held before the train running, Hasina said, "It is the day of fulfilling the dream to cross the Padma river by train." Noting that they have a target to link Bangladesh's railway with the trans Asian railway, Hasina said, "We're working to this end." Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said, "this is a landmark project under the BRI." Once the rail link becomes fully operational, he said, this project will help make a major boost to the country's railway connectivity and economic development. Loud cheers and applauses were heard, as Hasina unveiled a plaque to inaugurate the rail link. After attending the rally, Hasina boarded on the special train by purchasing ticket to reach Bhanga in Faridpur. The train which was decorated with colorful balloons and ribbons also carried the Chinese ambassador, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, senior officials, lawmakers, among others. Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, known locally as Nixon Chowdhury, a parliamentary member from Faridpur, told Xinhua that the PBRLP has been launched to improve southern Bangladeshi districts both economically and socially. "This is not only the bridge of our dreams but also our economic emancipation," said the parliamentarian. This is a "historic moment", said Bangladeshi lawmaker Saifuzzaman Shikhar when taking a commissioning passenger train, adding, "I'm crossing the Padma Bridge by train. It was a matter of our past dreams. But it is a reality today." Sujan, who almost attended every important event of the project, earlier told Xinhua, "I would like to thank the CREC on behalf of the government and the country's residents. Hopefully they will work more with us in the future." The entire 172-km project, which will lead to Jashore eventually in the southwestern region of Bangladesh, is scheduled for completion in 2024. It will serve as a vital channel that connects Dhaka and more than 20 districts in the southern area of Bangladesh, and will also be an important part of the trans-Asian railway network to promote regional connectivity and economic development of Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan speaks at the inaugural ceremony of a section of Chinese-built railway in Munshiganj, Bangladesh, Oct. 10, 2023. (Xinhua) Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen speaks at the inaugural ceremony of a section of Chinese-built railway in Munshiganj, Bangladesh, Oct. 10, 2023. (Xinhua) Staff members take selfies in front of a decorated train awaiting inaugural run at the Chinese-built Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) in Munshiganj, Bangladesh, Oct. 10, 2023. (Xinhua) Staff members take selfies in front of a decorated train awaiting inaugural run at the Chinese-built Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) in Munshiganj, Bangladesh, Oct. 10, 2023. (Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023 shows a decorated train at the Chinese-built Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) in Munshiganj, Bangladesh. (Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023 shows a decorated train at the Chinese-built Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) in Munshiganj, Bangladesh. (Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023 shows a decorated train at the Chinese-built Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) in Munshiganj, Bangladesh. (Xinhua) Original play written by Ade Solanke and directed by Regge Life on stage for five weeks in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party BOSTON , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston nonprofit Revolutionary Spaces announces the debut of Phillis in Boston , an original play dramatizing a key moment in the life of both the nation and the celebrated poet Phillis Wheatley , enslaved author of the first known book of poetry in English by an African American woman. A unique work of place-based theater, Phillis in Boston will be performed as a site-specific play at the Old South Meeting House in Boston , where Wheatley was a congregant. Written by award-winning British-Nigerian playwright and screenwriter Ade Solanke and directed by Regge Life , an Emmy-nominated producer, director, and writer, the play centers on a pivotal moment in the life of Wheatley, whose books arrived in Boston and were trapped on board one of the same ships carrying tea that would eventually be destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. Phillis in Boston illuminates the multiple struggles for freedom underway in Boston shortly after Wheatley returned in 1773 from a whirlwind visit to London , where she was feted as a literary celebrity. Emancipated shortly after her return, she rejoins the African American community in New England as they engage in the work of creating a free society: questioning the slave-owning colonists' true understanding of liberty, strategizing for the abolition of slavery, and debating which side to support in the ensuing revolutionary struggle. Phillis in Boston explores slavery in New England through the lens of Wheatley's complex relationship with her enslaver Susanna Wheatley , who supported Wheatley's literary ambitions even as she kept her in bondage. "As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, which played a pivotal role in the struggle for liberty that drove the American Revolution, it is absolutely critical that we ask 'Liberty for whom?' This unique work offers audiences a new way to see the interplay between the struggles for freedom undertaken by enslaved people, women, and other colonists, and we're honored to have playwright Ade Solanke , director Regge Life , and the entire creative team leading the way. We hope this play will invite audiences to consider how the work of building a democracy that started 250 years ago remains unfinished," said Dr. Nathaniel Sheidley , President and CEO of Revolutionary Spaces. Phillis in Boston is a companion piece to Solanke's play Phillis in London , which explores Wheatley's experiences as she moved through Britain's elite literary and abolitionist circles in the summer of 1773. "I am thrilled to tell the next chapter of Wheatley's story at Old South, because it creates an immersive glimpse into Wheatley's Boston life as she participated in the revolution unfolding from the pews where she sat. Phillis in Boston aims to help audiences understand her not only as a literary prodigy, but also as a fervent abolitionist and entrepreneurial business woman who valued sisterhood, friendship, love, and community," said Solanke. "This play is an entertaining memorial to a remarkable woman who overcame huge odds to create art and become the founding mother of both a nation and a vibrant, global literary tradition. I'm grateful to the entire Boston community who've so generously shared their ancestral 's/heroes' with me." There will be two preview performances on Wednesday, November 1 and Thursday, November 2 . Opening night will be Friday, November 3 . Performances will run through Sunday, December 3 . More information can be found here . Phillis In Boston is made possible through the generous support of the Cabot Family Charitable Trust , the New England Women's Club Fund, and Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary Commemoration Transformational Partner Meet Boston . Revolutionary Spaces also thanks its travel partners JetBlue . About Revolutionary Spaces Revolutionary Spaces stewards the historic Old South Meeting House and Old State House as landmarks, museums, and gathering spaces for the open exchange of ideas and the continuing practice of democracy. Viewing history as a powerful tool for today, Revolutionary Spaces brings people together to explore the American struggle to create and sustain a free society. Contact Sloane Wilten Seven Hills Communications [email protected] 615.739.7141 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phillis-in-boston-play-celebrating-african-american-poet-and-prodigy-phillis-wheatleys-revolutionary-legacy-opens-nov-3-at-the-old-south-meeting-house-301953015.html SOURCE Revolutionary Spaces Leading Fast-Casual Mexican Restaurant Brand Brings Back Fan-Favorite Soup for Limited Time Only SAN DIEGO , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With fall here and comfort food on everyone's mind, QDOBA, a leading fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, is bringing back its fan-favorite Loaded Tortilla Soup for a limited time! Starting October 10 , this beloved, cooler-weather staple lets guests indulge in a delicious bowl of flavor with their favorite protein and tasty toppings in a crispy tortilla shell. QDOBA's Loaded Tortilla Soup is also available in a regular cup or bowl and can be made vegetarian. Come get it while it's hot! "We are constantly listening to our guests and their feedback always inspires our menu innovations and additions, so we are thrilled to add it back to our menu as a limited-time staple for fall and winter," said Katy Velazquez , Senior Executive Chef at QDOBA. "We know nothing hits the spot like a warm serving of soup with tasty toppings on a crisp fall day!" Loaded Tortilla Soup is made with a vegetable broth flavored with roasted tomatoes, peppers, onions and spices. Guests can customize their soup by loading it up with their favorite savory protein Brisket Birria, Grilled Adobo Chicken, Grilled Steak, among others or enjoy as a vegetarian-friendly entree. It also comes with your choice of toppings, such as sour cream, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, tortilla strips, and QDOBA's always-free 3-cheese queso and hand-crafted guacamole. Velazquez adds, "My pro tip for fans looking for a new ordering hack: Dip our online-exclusive QuesaBirria Quesadilla into a cup of Loaded Tortilla Soup like you would a traditional consomme. Trust me, you'll be thanking us later for this delicious combo." QDOBA's Brisket Birria is made with tender, shredded beef brisket slow-cooked for 10 hours in chiles and garlic to infuse authentic Mexican flavors. Guests can create their own entree with Brisket Birria, or enjoy an online-exclusive QuesaBirria Quesadilla or QuesaBirria Burrito, all of which are the perfect complement to Loaded Tortilla Soup. Guests can order Loaded Tortilla Soup in-restaurant, online or through the QDOBA app for pick-up or delivery at participating locations. Please visit https://order.qdoba.com/. To find your nearest QDOBA location, visit www.QDOBA.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. About QDOBA QDOBA is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant with approximately 750 locations in the U.S. , Canada and Puerto Rico. Committed to bringing flavor to people's lives, QDOBA uses ingredients freshly prepared in-house by hand throughout the day to create a variety of flavorful menu options. Guests can experience QDOBA's delicious offerings by customizing their own burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and salads to suit their personal tastes and cravings. Premium toppings can always be added to entrees at no extra charge, including signature 3-cheese queso and hand-crafted guacamole. For five years running, QDOBA has been voted the "Best Fast Casual Restaurant" as part of the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Backed by over 25 years of proven success in the United States , and recently Canada and Puerto Rico , QDOBA is prioritizing franchise growth in key markets such as Arizona , Georgia , Ohio , North Carolina , Nevada , South Carolina , Tennessee and Texas . For additional information about the QDOBA franchise opportunity, visit www.qdobafranchise.com. Discover more at www.QDOBA.com or on the QDOBA app, which is available for download on the iTunes App Store or Google Play. Fans can also connect with QDOBA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qdobas-loaded-tortilla-soup-makes-highly-anticipated-return-just-in-time-for-fall-comfort-food-cravings-301952996.html SOURCE QDOBA "Learning through action" approach celebrates the art of teaching combined with the power of an engaged classroom PARAMUS, N.J. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Savvas Learning Company , a next-generation K-12 learning solutions leader, is proud to introduce Experience Math , a brand-new, K-8 student-centered program that engages students through exploration and a hands-on learning approach while also supporting teachers with high-value, in-the-moment professional learning to create collaborative classrooms. Experience Math gives teachers a robust set of resources to engage and inspire students to explore math concepts. Developed by Marian Small , Ed.D., an internationally renowned mathematics educator and author, Experience Math provides teachers with resources for intentional teaching and informed decision-making to help them become better practitioners. The new program also focuses on deepening students' understanding of math concepts by encouraging them to be active mathematical thinkers and problem-solvers. "Teachers today are looking for ways to make math more engaging for students while building their curiosity and confidence. Our new Experience Math program is designed to provide teachers with the instructional support they need to promote student learning through action and inquiry," said Bethlam Forsa , CEO of Savvas Learning Company. "By offering an innovative student-centered approach to teaching mathematics, Experience Math gives teachers a robust set of resources to engage and inspire students to explore math concepts, and grow their critical thinking skills." Student-Centered Math for Active Learning Experience Math features a blended, easy-to-use three-part instructional design that gives students varied experiences to solve problems and develop mathematical thinking skills. The program increases student engagement by infusing rich tasks as the main driver of learning in each lesson, and helps teachers create classroom community an essential principle of the program through student-centered exploration. Students are encouraged to communicate their problem-solving strategies with each other as teachers highlight the most important ideas to take away from the lesson. The program focuses on improving student-centered learning with intentional teaching that is aligned with clear learning goals and strategic instructional decisions. Experience Math provides teachers quick access to embedded professional learning videos, curated instructional support, and lesson presentations, making it easy for them to plan lessons and develop instruction. "One of the things that makes Experience Math so unique is its rich, just-in-time professional learning," said Dr. Small , the author of Experience Math. "As a teacher-focused program, it excels at offering a wealth of pedagogical content knowledge, helping math teachers boost their confidence and comfort while respecting their important decision-making role in teaching situations." Dr. Small , a professional learning consultant who has authored more than 100 books on mathematical instruction, said another unique aspect of Experience Math is that it helps teachers focus on developing mathematical thinking to enhance student learning. This enables teachers to create engaging and responsive classrooms that are conducive to fostering positive attitudes, providing differentiated learning that honors and supports every student, and building rich conceptual understanding for all. "By empowering educators to create collaborative classroom communities, Experience Math celebrates the art of teaching, helping math teachers become better practitioners," Dr. Small said. Developing Math Fluency with Student-Driven Applications Accessible on the Savvas Realize digital platform, Experience Math also features anytime activities and routines that foster an active learning experience while helping students develop problem-solving skills and grow their conceptual understanding of math. Offering students the opportunity to work independently or in pairs while practicing and applying what they've learned, these activities include: Wonder Tasks three-act, problem-based activities that challenge students to come up with the question to be solved and communicate their mathematical thinking and understanding. three-act, problem-based activities that challenge students to come up with the question to be solved and communicate their mathematical thinking and understanding. Brain Benders engaging, often open-ended questions that encourage creative problem-solving in the real world. engaging, often open-ended questions that encourage creative problem-solving in the real world. Number and Data Talks 5-10-minute activities that support students' fluency and flexibility in thinking about numbers and operations. 5-10-minute activities that support students' fluency and flexibility in thinking about numbers and operations. Academic Language Activities provide opportunities to build understanding of critical words needed to communicate mathematical ideas and understandings. provide opportunities to build understanding of critical words needed to communicate mathematical ideas and understandings. Making Connections Tasks activities designed to integrate concepts from multiple mathematical domains. "Through engaging practice activities, purposeful game play, and creative real-world modeling, Experience Math helps students build meaningful connections in math," explained Experience Math contributing author Graham Fletcher , a former math classroom teacher who has co-authored two math fluency toolkits. "These exciting tasks, which encourage students to think creatively and critically while having fun, will truly make a difference in any K-8 classroom." Meet Marian Small At the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) conference being held in Washington, D.C. from October 25-28, 2023 , Dr. Small will present a workshop, "Creating Richer Math Conversations," that will cover strategies on helping students communicate mathematically with their teachers and peers. Visit Savvas at the NCTM Booth #601. She will deliver a keynote luncheon speech, " Building Teacher Capacity and Teacher Confidence," at the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) conference, also being held in Washington, D.C. , from October 28-31, 2023 . She will also hold a book signing for her most recent book, Do They Really Understand?. Visit Savvas at the NCSM Booth #202. Check out Savvas Learning Company's schedule of exciting, hands-on workshops and activities at these conferences. ABOUT SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula to supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the art assessment tools all designed to meet the needs of every learner. Savvas products are used by millions of students and educators in more than 90 percent of the 13,000+ public school districts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico , as well as globally in more than 125 countries. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company . Savvas Learning Company's products are also available for sale in Canada through its subsidiary, Rubicon . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/savvas-learning-company-introduces-experience-math-a-new-k-8-student-centered-program-301953754.html SOURCE Savvas Learning Company CEO selection is result of well-developed process ensuring a seamless transition focused on strength, momentum and growth CLEVELAND , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Heidi G. Petz to serve as the Company's next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2024 . Ms. Petz , 48, who has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Sherwin-Williams for the last two years, will assume the CEO duties currently held by Chairman and CEO John G. Morikis . Ms. Petz will continue to serve as President. After serving as CEO since 2016, Mr. Morikis will continue to serve as Executive Chairman. In addition, the Board increased its size from 10 to 11 members and elected Ms. Petz to fill the resulting vacancy, effective October 10, 2023 . "Today's announcement follows a comprehensive process and multi-year organizational succession plan to identify the best candidate to lead the Company," said Mr. Morikis . "Heidi has been an invaluable member of my leadership team, demonstrating a record of driving growth and operational excellence that has generated increased value for our customers, shareholders and employees. With this transition, Heidi becomes only the tenth CEO in the 157-year history of the Company. Supported by a deep and experienced senior leadership team, she is the right leader to accelerate achievement of the Company's growth and profitability goals." Prior to serving as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Petz served as President of The Americas Group and previous to that role, served as President of the Consumer Brands Group, successfully leading both of these global businesses through some of the most challenging periods in the Company's history. Ms. Petz joined the Company in June 2017 in connection with the Valspar acquisition. Prior to joining Valspar in 2013, she held various leadership positions with Target Corporation, Newell Rubbermaid and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. "The selection of Heidi as CEO is the result of a well-developed and thoughtful process to ensure a seamless leadership transition that focuses on strength, momentum and growth," commented Jeff M. Fettig , Sherwin-Williams Lead Director. "We are pleased John has agreed to remain in his role as Executive Chairman, continuing an incredible career that began 39 years ago as a member of one of the first Sherwin-Williams management trainee classes, progressing through numerous roles of increasing responsibility, and ultimately ascending to CEO. On behalf of the entire Board, we thank John for his extraordinary leadership, commitment and dedication to Sherwin-Williams, as well as his many accomplishments and business decisions that drove the Company's strong performance and unprecedented growth during his tenure as CEO." Ms. Petz succeeds Mr. Morikis surrounded by a highly experienced group of leaders, which remains intact and averages 27 years of Sherwin-Williams experience. Allen J. Mistysyn will continue as Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and Justin T. Binns , Karl J. Jorgenrud and Todd D. Rea will continue as leaders of the Company's reportable segments. Colin M. Davie will lead the global supply chain organization, inclusive of global manufacturing operations, which will continue to be led by Joseph F. Sladek . Mr. Binns and Mr. Jorgenrud will assume additional enterprise-wide responsibilities, including greater engagement with the global supply chain organization to accelerate customer solutions and drive productivity. Ms. Petz serves on the Board of Directors of Ulta Beauty, Inc. She also serves on the Board of the University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland, Ohio and is a member of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Policy Advisory Board. She holds a bachelor's degree in business and leadership from the University of Richmond, and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland. The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss this announcement at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 . The conference call will be webcast simultaneously in the listen only mode by Issuer Direct. To listen to the webcast on the Sherwin-Williams website, click on https://investors.sherwin-williams.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx, then click on the webcast icon following the reference to the Leadership Webcast. The webcast will also be available at Issuer Direct's Investor Calendar website, www.investorcalendar.com . An archived replay of the webcast will be available at this link https://investors.sherwin-williams.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx beginning approximately two hours after the call ends. ABOUT THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy , Krylon, Minwax, Thompson's WaterSeal, Cabot and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio , Sherwin-Williams branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 Company-operated stores and branches, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit www.sherwin.com . Investor Relations Contacts: Jim Jaye Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.515.8682 [email protected] Eric Swanson Vice President, Investor Relations Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.566.2766 [email protected] Media Contact: Julie Young Vice President, Global Corporate Communications Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.515.8849 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sherwin-williams-board-of-directors-elects-heidi-petz-ceo-effective-january-1-2024-301953527.html SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company RESTON, Va. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SOSi today announced that U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) Derrick Lee joined the company as Director for Intelligence Programs. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing and driving growth for a segment of SOSi's business with the military intelligence directorates and serving as a strategic advisor to customers on multi-domain intelligence operations. Former US Army Europe Director for Intelligence, Col. (Ret.) Derrick Lee , joins SOSi as Director, Intelligence Programs Over the course of his military career, Lee commanded and served as a senior intelligence officer at tactical, operational and strategic levels. Most recently, he was Command Inspector General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa , based in Germany , where he provided operational day-to-day direction to Inspector General Enterprise. Prior to that, Lee served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence/G2, NATO Allied Land Command, based in Turkey , and also served as Director of Intelligence and Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence/G2 for U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR). In that role, Lee led an Intelligence Directorate of 150 service members, Department of the Army civilians, and contractors responsible for all of USAREUR's intelligence collection and production requirements. He previously commanded the 501stMilitary Intelligence Brigade in Korea , a 1,300-person intelligence organization responsible for all of the U.S. Army's intelligence collection and production requirements on the Korean peninsula. In addition to other critical intelligence assignments for the U.S. Army around the world, Lee served two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan , as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2007-2009) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2013-2014). Dan Robinson , SOSi Vice President of Intelligence, states: "Throughout his decorated Army career, Derrick proved himself as an innovative problem solver and leader. He brings significant insight and experience to the SOSi team, including how intelligence services will integrate into future multi-domain environments. Derrick will be an invaluable resource to help our customers utilize SOSi's intelligence services and solutions as a force multiplier to achieve their missions." ABOUT SOSi SOSi solves complex management and technology challenges for public and private sector organizations. Delivering digital infrastructure, software, intelligence, logistics, and human services to support our nation's most critical programs around the globe, SOSi makes technology smarter, communications more secure, and our nation safer and stronger. https://www.sosi.com/. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sosi-hires-former-us-army-europe-director-for-intelligence-301953223.html SOURCE SOS International LLC (SOSi) NEW YORK , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) continues to expand its line of Oil Filter Housing Kits. Since the program's introduction, Standard has added coverage for many popular applications. Standard(R) continues to expand its line of Oil Filter Housing Kits. Standard Oil Filter Housing Kits come assembled from the factory and include everything needed for a complete, correct installation. Standard Oil Filter Housings are vehicle specific, not universal, and are designed to use the correct oil filter cataloged for the vehicle. The oil filter and cap are an exact OE-match and already installed. All Standard Oil Filter Housing Kits include new oil temperature and oil pressure sensors, gaskets, seals and hardware so you won't have to reuse any of the old, worn pieces. Additionally, all Standard Oil Filter Housings use materials that match the heat dissipating characteristics of the original, meaning we use metal where the vehicle manufacturer used metal, and high-temp synthetic materials where the OE used synthetic materials. The most recent additions to this program are Oil Filter Housing Assemblies for 1.3 million General Motors vehicles including the 2018-12 Chevrolet Sonic and 2015-11 Chevrolet Cruze, as well as 2016-07 Volvo cars and SUVs. Additional numbers in Standard's Oil Filter Housing Kit program were designed for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles, including the 2022-19 Chrysler 300, 2020-19 Jeep Cherokee, and 2022-19 RAM 1500. John Herc , Vice President Vehicle Control Marketing, SMP, stated, "Since the introduction of our Oil Filter Housing program, the Standard team has been busy expanding the line and developing new in-demand numbers for popular applications. Our Oil Filter Housing Kits are designed to match OE performance and cooling characteristics, are engineered for durability, and come with everything needed for a complete repair." Along with Oil Filter Housing Kits, Standard offers a complete line of Engine Oil Coolers. More than 50 SKUs are available, with recent additions offering coverage for popular vehicles like the 2018-10 Nissan Altima , 2023-19 Toyota Corolla, and 2023-20 Ford Escape. All Standard Oil Filter Housing Kits and related components are listed in the catalog found at StandardBrand.com, and in electronic catalog providers. About Standard Standard provides unmatched coverage for all import and domestic vehicle applications equipped with gas, hybrid, and electric powertrains. Standard's line offers premium automotive products in multiple product categories for vehicle systems such as electric, safety, fuel, and ignition. Product categories include Ignition Coils, Sensors, Switches, VVT Components, ADAS Products, TMPS Sensors, Fuel Injection and much more. For additional information, contact an SMP sales representative or visit StandardBrand.com. About SMP With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive replacement parts utilized in the maintenance, repair and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry. In addition, SMP continues to increase its supplier capabilities with a complementary focus on specialized original equipment parts for manufacturers across multiple industries such as agriculture, heavy duty, and construction equipment. SMP sells its products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States , Canada , Europe , Asia , Mexico and other Latin American countries. For more information, download the SMP Parts App or visit SMPcorp.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/standard-motor-products-expands-oil-filter-housing-kit-program-301954270.html SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc ReVision Auto&Mobility explores cutting-edge technologies in Autonomous Driving and ADAS Examining Sensing Technology: Delving into the realm of sensing technology based on single-lens cameras while shedding light on the immediate challenges that lie ahead in the fields of autonomous driving and ADAS. China's Development Trends: Gaining insights from the evolving landscape in China to understand better the transformative effects of changing development processes and the innovative concept of a Tier 0.5 supplier on expediting progress. TOKYO , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ReVision Auto&Mobility convened the ReVision Autonomous Driving and ADAS Summit 2023 in Tokyo, Japan , on October 5 , to spotlight industry advancements and shape the future of Autonomous Driving and ADAS. Toshihiro Sato , Sales Director of STRADVISION Japan, an automotive industry pioneer in deep learning-based vision perception technology, participated in a panel discussion themed "Key Technologies and Their Impact on Autonomous and ADAS." During this session, Sato introduced a novel approach to expedite the automotive industry's development process. Sato unveiled cutting-edge vision AI software designed for automotive safety applications in his presentation. He elucidated the current challenges faced by the industry and introduced the concept of Tier 0.5 suppliers. Sato explored sensing technology, particularly focusing on mono front-facing cameras powered by deep learning, and addressed upcoming challenges in autonomous driving and ADAS. He also shared insights on China's evolving development landscape, highlighting the role of process changes and the Tier 0.5 supplier concept in speeding up progress. "This year marks a significant milestone for STRADVISION as our SVNet has surpassed 1 million units in cumulative commercial production since 2019," stated Toshihiro Sato , Sales Director of STRADVISION Japan. "We view 2023 as a pivotal year for further advancements. Our presence at this prestigious event facilitated valuable interactions and insights into the challenges faced by automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and other key players within the Autonomous Driving and ADAS industry. STRADVISION Japan remains committed to being a trustworthy partner, delivering cutting-edge vision AI technology to the Japanese automotive industry." STRADVISION's SVNet is an ultra-light, high-efficiency solution that seamlessly integrates deep learning-based object recognition with minimal computational and power requirements. It boasts compatibility with over 18 System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms and offers a diverse array of more than 30 object recognition functions. STRADVISION actively contributes to multiple projects aimed at mass-producing vehicle models featuring autonomous driving capabilities at Level 2 or higher. This stems from the solid technical foundation and adaptability gained through extensive involvement in the automotive industry's mass production sector. About STRADVISION Founded in 2014, STRADVISION is an automotive industry pioneer in artificial intelligence-based vision perception technology for ADAS. The company is accelerating the advent of fully autonomous vehicles by making ADAS features available at a fraction of the market cost compared with competitors. STRADVISION's SVNet is being deployed on various vehicle models in partnership with OEMs; can power ADAS and autonomous vehicles worldwide; and is serviced by over 300 employees in Seoul , San Jose, Detroit , Tokyo , Shanghai , and Dusseldorf . STRADVISION has been honored with Frost & Sullivan's 2022 Global Technology Innovation Leadership Award, the Gold Award at the 2022 and 2021 AutoSens Awards for Best-in-Class Software for Perception Systems, and the 2020 Autonomous Vehicle Technology ACES Award in Autonomy (software category). In addition, STRADVISION and its software have achieved TISAX's AL3 standard for information security management, as well as being certified to the ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and ISO 26262 for Automotive Functional Safety. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stradvision-japan-sales-director-toshihiro-sato-proposes-accelerated-development-process-for-the-automotive-industry-at-revision-autonomous-driving-and-adas-summit-2023-301953347.html SOURCE StradVision TAIPEI , Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TaiGen Biopharmaceuticals Holdings Ltd. ("TaiGen") announces that TaiGen Biotechnology, a subsidiary company of TaiGen, have signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Y.S.P. Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd. to develop and commercialize TaiGen's new drug in Malaysia and Singapore . TaiGen indicates that the agreement involves the development and marketing rights of the new drug in Malaysia and Singapore. Y.S.P. Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd. will be responsible for the New Drug Application (NDA) and market sales within the authorized region. The contract duration starts from the signing date and lasts for 20 years from the initial product sale. Kuo-Lung Huang , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TaiGen, said, "The YSP Group has deep roots in Taiwan , and its subsidiary, Y.S.P. Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd., boasts over 30 years of outstanding experience in pharmaceuticals, drug development, and sales in Malaysia and Singapore . In collaboration with Y.S.P. Industries (M) Sdn Bhd., TaiGen is now expanding into the Southeast Asia market, offering a new selection of medication to meet the local medical needs. This partnership marks another significant milestone for TaiGen in terms of licensing its product overseas." Both parties, in consideration of the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical market and concerns about proprietary information, currently refrain from disclosing the name of the new drug. About YSP Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd. Y.S.P. Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia -listed company Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad ("YSPSAH") (Stock code: 7178.KL). With over 30 years of expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing, development, and marketing, YSPSAH also owns pharmaceutical warehousing and logistics facilities. It boasts a diverse product portfolio of more than 800 items, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, animal and aquaculture pharmaceuticals, traditional formulations, and medical health-related products. Its market presence spans across Southeast Asia , Africa , and Middle Eastern countries. The company's products are distributed through 120 hospitals, 4,500 clinics, 1,450 pharmacies, and 500 Traditional Chinese medicine clinics. About TaiGen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. TaiGen Biotechnology, with a subsidiary in Beijing, China , was founded in 2001 and became listed on the Taiwan OTC Stock Market in 2014. TaiGen is a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative small molecule drugs (New Chemical Entity, NCE) with a focus on anti-infective drug research. It has extensive experience in research topic selection, drug discovery, drug development, and regulatory approval. The company possesses the capability to conduct multi-country, multi-center clinical trials and has a track record of overseas licensing. Its flagship product, non-fluorinated quinolone antibiotic Taigexyn (Nemonoxacin), has obtained marketing approvals in Taiwan , mainland China , and Russia . The influenza antiviral TG-1000 has completed the phase II clinical trial and out-licensed the development and commercialization rights in mainland China . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taigen-enters-exclusive-license-agreement-with-ysp-301953054.html SOURCE TaiGen HOUSTON , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talent Groups, a leading national IT staffing company, announced today the strategic acquisition of Abacus Technical Services and The InSource Group, two respected talent solution providers, both based in Dallas , with strong footholds nationally in the IT staffing landscape. These acquisitions mark another milestone in Talent Groups' growth strategy, further enhancing its position as a leading provider of IT staffing and consulting services nationwide. Talent Groups' dedication to delivering exceptional talent solutions will combine with the expertise and capabilities of Abacus Technical Services and The InSource Group to drive innovation, foster long-term relationships, and provide comprehensive IT staffing and consulting services to clients across industries. Abacus Technical Services, formed in 1991, is a trusted partner in the IT industry, offering a comprehensive range of services including contingent and full-time staffing, IT project management, and technology-driven business solutions. With a focus on delivering exceptional talent and solving complex business challenges, Abacus has built a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. Visit www.abacustechnical.com. The InSource Group, a recent addition to the Abacus family through a 2021 acquisition, boasts a wealth of expertise on its dedicated team, which has consistently delivered top-tier IT professionals to clients. Their success stems from their client-centric approach, strong relationships with consultants, and a culture of collaboration and hard work. Visit www.insourcegroup.com. Latest Acquisitions Create a Powerful Synergy The integration of Abacus Technical Group and The InSource Group into Talent Groups will create a powerful synergy fueled by their impressive track records, extensive client networks, and highly skilled teams. Together, these collective strengths will drive continued growth and success in the ever-evolving IT talent landscape. Steve Gunner , CEO of both Abacus Technical Services and The InSource Group, expressed his enthusiasm for joining forces with Talent Groups: "Becoming a part of the Talent Groups family is an exciting prospect for us. We are confident that our integration into the comprehensive service platform will unlock new growth opportunities for our internal employees, consultants and candidates, and will provide our clients with a broader global delivery engine." Paul Baldwin , CFO of Abacus, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the alignment of values and the potential for accelerated growth: "We believe that Abacus and The InSource Group's services and customer base perfectly complement the Talent Groups' platform. By combining our strengths, we are well-positioned for continued profitable growth, and we are excited to support that growth together." "We are thrilled to welcome Abacus Technical Services and The InSource Group to the Talent Groups family," said Matthew Ripaldi , CEO of Talent Groups. "These strategic acquisitions align perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional IT talent solutions to a wider range of clients. The expertise and resources brought by Abacus and The InSource Group will enable us to deliver even greater value and expand our services across industries." Michael Babb , Chairman of Osceola Capital, investors in Talent Groups, added, "Following the acquisition of Queen Consulting Group and EdgeLink, this marks our fifth acquisition since our initial investment in 2018. We continue to partner with high-quality complementary firms to further expand our platform, while enabling them to scale rapidly and better support their client base." About Talent Groups Talent Groups is an award-winning national IT talent solutions company with a strong presence in the United States . With fourteen locations across the country, including a Global Delivery Center (GDC) in Hyderabad, India , the company offers a comprehensive range of services such as contract staffing, direct hire, executive search, and managed solutions. From middle-market organizations to Fortune 500 firms, Talent Groups offers a focused and personal approach, providing industry expertise and a full-service client delivery model. In addition to its wide geographical coverage and diverse candidate pool, Talent Groups boasts a specialized Healthcare IT division, which has earned a KLAS top-ten ranking. This division focuses on providing niche IT talent to healthcare facilities, providers, and payers, with extensive expertise in Epic implementations. For more information, visit www.talentgroups.com . Contact: Amy Carabase Senior Director of Marketing & Communications (860) 402-4482 [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/talent-groups-expands-national-presence-with-two-acquisitions-301952915.html SOURCE Talent Groups Download high-res images AUSTIN, Texas , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TAU Systems , the producer of ultrafast, compact laser-plasma accelerators, today announced further additions to its senior management team as the company continues on its path to commercial availability of the system. TAU has appointed laser specialist Dr. Corneliu Catalin Neacsu as its Vice President of Business Development and Dr. Nikolaus Klaus Metzger as Director, Laser Science and Technology. Dr. Neacsu takes up the newly created role of Vice President for Business Development. Neacsu's background is in lasers and he has held senior roles in product marketing and business development with some of the world's leading laser manufacturers in Austria , Germany and the U.S. Neacsu's appointment comes as TAU readies itself to start to engage with potential customers as the first commercially available laser-plasma accelerators comes on line at TAU's recently announced Service Center in early 2025 in Carlsbad, California . Neacsu will develop new market initiatives for the technology and participate in the implementation of TAU's product and company strategy. Dr. Metzger has held a variety of senior engineering roles in Germany , UK and Australia and is one of the world's leading optical and laser experts. This laser and optical engineering background will complement TAU's existing physics capabilities in developing its compact laser-plasma accelerator proposition. Metzger will work closely with existing laser manufacturers in the specification, design and development of easy-to-use laser systems. He will also be instrumental in the installation of the planned system at TAU's Service Center making beamtime available to commercial customers for the first time. Bjorn Manuel Hegelich, CEO of TAU Systems and a professor in UT's Physics Department, said of the appointments, "We're delighted to expand the management team and welcome such talented individuals to TAU. These are really exciting times for the company and with these new hires we continue to move closer to our goal of providing access for scientists and researchers globally that previously would have had no access to this technology and all of the benefits it can bring to their research." The opening of the Service Center will create previously unavailable opportunities for research and development customers across a number of fields especially semiconductor manufacturing through the exploration and the metrology of 3D structures in semiconductors. The Service Center will also allow EV battery developers to comprehensively study the charge and discharge of batteries. About TAU Systems TAU Systems is an Austin, Texas -based deep-tech company developing the first compact particle accelerators and specialized X-ray free-electron lasers that combine the capabilities of large accelerators with a small footprint to provide easy and affordable beam-time access for any company. Led by premier experts in laser-driven particle accelerators, TAU is democratizing access for the progress of semiconductors, batteries, medical imaging, nuclear energy, and more. Learn more at www.tausystems.com . Jules Tipler Influence eMobility [email protected] +44 7811 166 796 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tau-systems-enhances-management-team-with-business-development-and-laser-technology-appointments-301952762.html SOURCE TAU Systems President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with visiting Reuters President Paul Bascobert in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with visiting Reuters President Paul Bascobert in Beijing on Wednesday. Noting that Reuters was the first international mainstream news agency to establish a cooperative relationship with Xinhua, Fu said that over the past 66 years, exchange and cooperation of the two sides have achieved fruitful outcomes in various areas. Fu expressed the hope that the two sides will further consolidate mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance cooperation of various areas, including the application of new technologies in the media field. In the face of future challenges, the two sides should better shoulder the media responsibility of facilitating communication among all parties and send more positive messages to the world, he said. Fu also introduced the preparations for the 5th World Media Summit, to be held later this year, and invited Reuters to attend the event. Noting that Xinhua is one of the world's leading international news agencies, Bascobert said he is impressed by Xinhua's development in various respects, and expressed his hope that the two sides will further advance their cooperation. As one of the co-founders of the World Media Summit, Reuters will give full support to the 5th World Media Summit, said Bascobert. GERMANTOWN, Tenn. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Dr. Timothy L. Smith is acknowledged as an Inner Circle Platinum Member for his contributions to the field of Nurse Anesthesiology. Dr. Smith touts seven education degrees including two PhDs. He attended the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Graduate School where he earned a PhD in Human Brain Anatomy and Physiology in Anesthesia and later earned a second PhD in Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His other degrees focused on healthcare, nurse anesthesiology, and theology and he is expected to graduate from Harvard University Extension School in May 2024 with a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Business Management. The doctor's illustrious career spans more than 30 years as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. He notes that he has witnessed the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare firsthand and has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence, an unwavering dedication to patient care; and a passion for driving positive change within the field. Dr. Smith has more than 25 years invested in academia, setting the foundation for the significant contributions he has made to healthcare education and research. He is committed to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals by sharing his wealth of knowledge as well as shaping the future of the industry through education and research. Dr. Smith has received many accolades during his prestigious career and is most proud of the invaluable opportunities given to him in developing different types of undergraduate and graduate healthcare programs; simulation environments; and anatomical laboratories. He is also greatly fulfilled in his role as a mentor who guides and inspires others on their own paths to success and asserts that the opportunity to positively impact the lives of aspiring professionals, impart wisdom, and provide support throughout their journeys is a highlight of his career. The doctor has also contributed to the body of work in the healthcare industry with multiple publications in professional journals, including the American Association of Nurse Anesthesia Journal; has a book chapter in Christian Higher Education; and has shared several publications with mentored students of the PhD program. Of his many accomplishments, Dr. Smith is most proud that he had a flag flown over the United States Capital when he was named President of University of Mobile and also that he was recognized as a Mover and Shaker in the Alabama business magazine. Looking to the future, Dr. Smith's plans to grow Cranberry Healthcare Connections (www.cranberryconnect.com). He explained that he envisions a future where Cranberry Healthcare Connections flourishes, leading to enhanced healthcare outcomes, improved access to services, and a more interconnected healthcare ecosystem. Aside from his professional pursuits, Dr. Smith notes that he finds exhilaration and a sense of freedom riding Harley motorcycles. He said that the rumble of the engine, the open road stretching out before him, and the thrill of the ride all combine to create an experience that ignites his passion and offers a welcome escape from the demands of everyday life. Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-dr-timothy-l-smith-as-an-inner-circle-platinum-member-for-his-contributions-to-the-field-of-nurse-anesthesiology-301954029.html ROCK HILL, S.C. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Carrie Watson , DO, FACOS, FACS is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Healthcare Professional for her contributions to the Trauma Surgery Field. Dr. Watson attended the University of Oklahoma's Honors College where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology. She then attended the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia Campus where she received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO) and completed general surgery residency at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, OH . An exceptional resident, she was nationally recognized through the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons with the 2016 Resident Achievement Award. Dr. Watson completed her training at UF Health Shand's Hospital in Gainesville, FL completing a surgical critical care fellowship. Dr. Watson currently is part of Piedmont General Surgery Associates in Rock Hill, SC . She practices at Piedmont Medical Center where she serves as the Trauma Medical Director of their Level III trauma program and as ICU Co-Director. Trauma and emergency general surgery requires a multidisciplinary team approach, per Dr. Watson , therefore, has a very hands-on approach with several other medical providers within the hospital ensuring they are providing excellent care with up-to-date practice guidelines. The doctor notes that along with providing stabilization to acutely injured and ill patients, she is also providing services that include general surgery; trauma surgery; chest wall stabilization; laparoscopic surgery; and robotic surgery with a special interest in ventral hernias; inguinal hernias; and colon resection, as well as critical care. Dr. Watson enjoys being able to support her patients throughout their entire hospital stay. A testament to her trauma surgery skills, she is also an instructor for Advanced Trauma Life Support. Dr. Watson explained that trauma surgery is a specialty that utilizes both operative and non-operative management to treat traumatic injuries typically in an acute setting. She notes that trauma surgeons generally complete residency training in general surgery and often fellowship training in trauma or surgical critical care. They are responsible for stabilizing and treating fractures, lacerations, internal injuries, burns, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and shock. These surgeons also perform surgery to repair penetrating and blunt-force injuries. Dedicated to the practice, Dr. Watson said "I hope to provide excellent surgical trauma and critical care for my patients and their families. My goal is to create a safe environment based on communication and treatment of the whole patient. I am passionate about people and treat my patients as if they are family. Trauma and emergency general surgeries are unexpected; I meet people and their family members on the scariest and worst days of their lives. I want to bring comfort and hope on these darkest of days." Dr. Watson also has experience at a Level II trauma center; served as an assistant professor of trauma and general surgery; and as assistant program director for the surgical critical care fellowship in Ocala, FL. She has received many honors during her career, including the 2018 Ocala Health's Physician of the Year and twice selected by the general surgery residency to receive the Attending of the Year Award in 2018-2019 and 2020-2021. Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-carrie-watson-do-facos-facs-as-a-top-pinnacle-healthcare-professional-for-her-contributions-to-the-trauma-surgery-field-301954017.html LACASSAS, Tenn., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Linda Laughlin is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Platinum Professional for her contributions to the Nurse Practitioner Field. Dr. Laughlin attended Middle Tennessee State University where she earned an Associate Degree in Nursing in 1982. She then completed a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. She also has certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner at the American Nurses Credentialing Center. With more than 26 years in the field, Dr. Laughlin is the director of occupational health and a nurse practitioner with the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System where she manages more than 500 employees, as well as charged with overseeing COVID-19 care; flu campaign management; and vaccine administration. She was a nurse practitioner in the U.S. Army and advanced to the rank of a lieutenant. The doctor asserts that her continued success and longevity in the healthcare field are highlights of her career. A multi-faceted professional, Dr. Laughlin has been an actress since 2014; authored "Raising Influence Acceptance in Long-Term Care"; and established a non-profit community theater company. She notes that the unwavering support of her family in conjunction with her upfront and straightforward approach to her practice has spurred her successful career. Looking to the future, the doctor plans to continue her thriving nursing career; contributing to the community; and is considering teaching at a local university upon her retirement. Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-linda-laughlin-as-a-pinnacle-platinum-professional-for-her-contributions-to-the-nurse-practitioner-field-301954044.html BOCA RATON, Fla. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Scott Alexander Rose is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Member for his contributions to the Insurance Industry. Dr. Rose sought scholarship at Florida Atlantic University where he graduated with multiple Bachelor's degree in Theater Arts, Music Education, and Fine Arts. He later also earned a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management in 2012 and a second Master of Business Administration degree. He capped his education at Lynn University in 2015 where he earned a Doctor of Education degree and is also a certified fundraiser; holds a certificate in financial planning; and earned the designation of Certified International Specialist from Florida Atlantic University in 2013. Launching the business in 1992, Dr. Rose is the owner and a certified international specialist at Mainstreet Solutions LLC. A renowned artist, he was a performing arts teacher for more than 15 years and a Florida representative with the Office of Public Liaison in 1991. Dr. Rose has been recognized for his superior service throughout the years including Insurance Expert of the Year by Finance Monthly and the International Lawyers Journal in 2021. He was named Top 2/12 in 2012 by the South Florida Business Journal and was runner-up for his doctorate learning theory thesis with the Carnegie Project. Recognized for his leadership skills, Dr. Rose is a leader in his community, serving as the president of the Life Care Foundation on Disabilities from 2004 to 2015. He has supported Limitless Horizons International and maintained affiliation with an underwriter's association; the Palm Beach County Underwriters Association; the Florida Association of British Business; and his local chamber of commerce. Looking to the future, Dr. Rose plans to continue his successful career. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising and hiking. Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-scott-alexander-rose-as-a-pinnacle-life-member-for-his-contributions-to-the-insurance-industry-301954062.html Michael C. LaBonia replaces Chase Rankin , who heads to Lee Enterprises for a new role. LAS VEGAS , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Longtime media executive Michael LaBonia was named senior vice president of advertising sales, effective immediately, Keith Moyer , publisher and editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, announced Tuesday. A former Hearst Media executive, LaBonia will succeed Chase Rankin , who accepted the role of president of Lee Enterprises' Western Division earlier this month. "Chase will be missed, but he found an opportunity too good to pass up," Moyer said. "And we are thrilled to replace Chase with Michael, one of the country's best ad sales executives. We won't miss a beat." LaBonia is no stranger to the Review-Journal. He has consulted strategically on significant initiatives to deliver incremental revenue while targeting major advertising campaigns and competing media organizations. "I'm thrilled Keith and the leadership team are confident that I'm prepared to provide advertisers with the high-quality products and services they deserve in such an everchanging and vibrant market," said LaBonia. "I want to continue building on a rock-solid foundation by reaching more unique audiences, collaborating with diverse customers to achieve effective ad solutions, and celebrating the uniqueness Las Vegas has to offer." LaBonia served as senior vice president of advertising for Hearst Newspapers and chief revenue officer and executive vice president of advertising for the Houston Chronicle. LaBonia oversaw advertising performance in all Hearst Newspapers markets and worked to optimize and drive successful sales programs. With over 2,600 employees nationwide, Hearst Newspapers keeps 45 million digital visitors informed and publishes 24 daily and 52 weekly publications in cities including Houston , San Francisco , San Antonio , and Albany, New York . LaBonia previously served as senior vice president of advertising at the San Francisco Chronicle, senior vice president of sales and strategic development in Minneapolis at the Star Tribune, and vice president of the Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida . He began his career in television at Tribune Media Company, where he managed the ABC/The WB duopoly in New Orleans . LaBonia holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Loyola University. About the Las Vegas Review-Journal The Las Vegas Review-Journal has been Nevada's news leader since 1909. A state, regional, and national award-winning multi-platform news organization, the Review-Journal operates www.reviewjournal.com , a network of niche publications and community newspapers, e-newsletters, custom printing, a video production studio and more to meet the specific needs of readers and advertisers alike. Contact: Wanda English Blair Las Vegas Review-Journal 702-383-0223 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-las-vegas-review-journal-names-new-senior-vice-president-of-advertising-sales-301954286.html SOURCE Las Vegas Review-Journal DUBLIN, Calif. , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet (NYSE: TNET), a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs), today announced it will release financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 after U.S. market hours on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 . TriNet will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PT ( 5:00 p.m. ET ) on October 25, 2023 , to discuss the financial results. TriNet encourages participants to pre-register for the conference call. Callers who pre-register will be given a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. To pre-register, go to: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10183393/fab2294e46. For those who would like to join the call but have not pre-registered, they can do so by dialing +1 (412) 317-5426 and requesting the "TriNet Conference Call." The live webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of TriNet's website at investor.trinet.com. Participants can pre-register for the webcast by going to: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/696724822. A replay of the webcast will be available on this site for approximately one year. A telephonic replay will be available for two weeks following the conference call at +1 (412) 317-0088 conference ID: 1718914. About TriNet TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) with full-service industry-specific HR solutions, providing both professional employer organization (PEO) and human resources information system (HRIS) services. TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation, compliance, payroll, and R&D tax credit services, all enabled by industry-leading technology. TriNet's suite of products also includes services and software-based solutions to help streamline workflows by connecting HR, benefits, employee engagement, payroll and time & attendance. Rooted in more than 30 years of supporting entrepreneurs and adapting to the ever-changing modern workplace, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters mostgrowing their business and enabling their people. For more information, visit TriNet.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. TriNet and the TriNet logo are registered trademarks of TriNet. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trinet-to-report-third-quarter-2023-financial-results-on-october-25-301954167.html SOURCE TriNet Group, Inc. NEW YORK , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Upon the formation of a wartime unity government in Israel , World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder released the following statement: "Following the deeply distressing events in southern Israel , where so many innocent lives were tragically lost and many were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists, the formation of a unity government is an imperative. I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz for stepping up in the name of strength through unity. It is clear they recognize the urgent need to stand united and are acting upon it. "The decision to come together and form an expanded wartime coalition is a testament to their commitment to Israel and its people. It's a clear indication of putting national interests above personal politics, and I applaud their decision. "With Israel standing together, and the United States , led by President Biden , standing behind Israel , it presents a formidable, cohesive response to these unprecedented challenges. The unity demonstrated by this government formation not only paves the way for a secure future but also sends a strong message of resilience. Now, more than ever, unity isn't just the best responseit's the only response." About the World Jewish Congress The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations. www.wjc.org Twitter | Facebook View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-jewish-congress-president-ronald-s-lauder-commends-israels-wartime-coalition-expansion--a-unity-government-model-in-a-moment-of-deep-crisis-301953903.html BEIJING , Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Fashion Industry Index - Fashion Week Vitality Index Report for 2022 was officially unveiled in Shanghai on October 8 . Shanghai Fashion Week was ranked among the top five fashion events in the world, after Paris , Milan, New York and London , according to the report released by China Economic Information Service under Xinhua News Agency. The report points out that it is necessary to give full play to the important role of global fashion events in innovating consumption scenes and stimulating consumption vitality in a bid to inject new momentum into the construction of international consumption center cities. From the perspective of sub-indexes, the sub-index of "factor agglomeration" measures the "hard power" of global fashion weeks, such as the number of fashion activities, the involvement of globally recognized brands, etc. The result showed that international fashion weeks still remain the strong engine to lead global fashion trends. The "media transmission" sub-index measures factors, including online media coverage, internet search and social media popularity as well as the balance of content distribution, which reflects the social attention and acknowledgment of global fashion weeks. After only Paris and New York , Shanghai Fashion Week won eye-catching performance in the term of internet search and social media popularity. The sub-index of "industry influence" gauges the number of designers, venue construction and fashion education, turning a spotlight on the "soft power" of the fashion industry. As a result, Asian fashion weeks are still far behind first-tier global fashion events and have more room to grow. Released in March 2018 for the first time, the report is aimed at delivering the voice of China to the global fashion industry through quantitative analysis constituted by evaluation models from factor agglomeration, media transmission, and industr influence. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/336390.html View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-report-on-global-fashion-vitality-index-released-to-empower-construction-of-international-consumption-center-cities-301953001.html FILE PHOTO: A police officer from the NYPD Highway Patrol looks to motorists drive through a flooded street after heavy rains as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia bring flooding across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, at the FDR Drive in Manhattan nea By Harry Robertson LONDON (Reuters) - Energy companies, hedge funds and commodity traders are stepping up their use of financial products that let them bet on the weather, as they seek to protect themselves against - or profit from - the increasingly extreme global climate. On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, average open interest in weather futures and options was four times higher in the January to September period than a year earlier, and 12 times higher versus 2019. Open interest measures the number of outstanding futures and options contracts that have not been settled. Trading volume has also quadrupled in a year. Weather derivatives were born in the late 1990s. Driven in part by U.S. energy company Enron, the market expanded and attracted speculators who were hunting for assets divorced from wider financial markets, before shrinking after the 2007-2008 financial crisis. This time, market players are hoping its growth will be more sustainable as climate change and concerns over energy supplies push businesses like big utilities to protect themselves using the contracts. "There is a general belief that extreme (weather) events are both going to become more common and more extreme," said Peter Keavey, global head of energy and environmental products at CME Group. "That has been the number one driver of this." Climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon combined to make the northern hemisphere summer of 2023 the hottest ever recorded, according to the European Union Climate Change Service. Extreme weather has been a constant this year, causing devastating floods and wildfires around the world. Weather derivatives let buyers hedge against the risk that the weather will damage their business. Unlike insurance, where companies must prove they have suffered a loss, they pay out based on indexes. These might track the temperature in Paris or rainfall in New York. A typical transaction would see an energy company buy a temperature-indexed contract to guard against the risk that the weather will be warm over the winter heating season, causing them to sell less natural gas. If it's hotter than average over the period, the value of the contract will rise and generate a payout upon settlement. Ski resort operators can hedge against the risk that it does not snow enough, or music festivals protect themselves against rainfall. Typically, it is big reinsurance companies or major hedge funds such as U.S. billionaire investor Kenneth Griffin's Citadel on the other side of the trade. "If you can measure it, and you can put a dollar amount on it, we can essentially have a product for you," said Nick Ernst, an industry veteran who was hired by broker BGC Group in July to launch a weather derivatives desk. Ernst said the Ukraine war and the ensuing energy crisis, as well as U.S. and European regulations that say companies must understand their exposure to climate change, have kindled interest. Matthew Hunt, head of the UK power desk at renewable energy company Statkraft, said the Ukraine war highlighted how fragile energy supplies could be. He said he uses the "really useful" derivatives to hedge against the risk that not enough wind power will come on to the grid. GROWING PAINS The market remains small compared with its commodity-linked cousins. Average open interest in CME weather futures and options contracts in September was around 170,000 contracts, compared to roughly 10 times that for crude oil - although market participants reckon 90% of the weather derivatives market is in over-the-counter deals. "Extreme weather events tend to make good marketing for weather futures," said Samuel Randalls, a professor at University College London who focuses on weather and climate. But he said they were only of limited use in defending against climate change, as they did not mitigate long-term changes that would make many businesses non-viable. Education is a challenge, said David Whitehead, co-chief executive of Speedwell Climate, which produces many of the weather indexes that underpin the market. Many people do not know these products exist, so the growing renewable-energy market has been a boon. "Everyone was worried about how much oil is coming out of the ground. Now people care about how much wind, how much solar," Whitehead said. UCL's Randalls is, however, sceptical about the potential for growth. "Unless businesses are convinced that this is a necessary activity - and that may be hard - the futures market will struggle to grow beyond a select group of companies and traders." Another possible limitation is the fact that investors cannot trade weather indexes, like they would the oil or bonds that underlie other futures markets. This means the market does not lend itself to pure speculation, BGC's Ernst said. Yet market participants say hedge funds and other institutions are getting more involved again. Citadel is an increasingly important player. Such firms "see themselves as a risk warehouse like an insurance or reinsurance company", Martin Malinow, founder and CEO of Parameter Climate, said. "It is a sign of a more functional market, having players like Citadel in it that can play different roles." (Reporting by Harry Robertson; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners carry the body of Palestinian Moath Odeh, who was killed during clashes with Israeli settlers and security forces, in Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, October 11,2023. REUTERS/Rane By Ali Sawafta and Henriette Chacar RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - As Israel declared war on Hamas and pounded Gaza following Saturday's devastating attack by the Islamist movement, violence has risen in the occupied West Bank, risking escalation after more than a year of continuous flare-ups. Israeli security forces have killed at least 27 Palestinians during clashes in the West Bank since Saturday, as Palestinian factions called on people in the Palestinian territory to join the fight against Israel's occupation. On Wednesday, three Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli security forces and masked Jewish settlers in Qusra village near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said, after the Israeli army said it was supplying licensed citizens with thousands of firearms "to bolster defence systems" across the country. The Israeli military has said it is prepared for an escalation in the West Bank and its forces have been on high alert, carrying out arrests and thwarting possible attacks. "Anyone who challenges us in Judea and Samaria will be met with huge force," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said this week, using Jewish biblical names for the West Bank. By Wednesday, military checkpoints remained closed and roads in several parts of the West Bank were blocked with mounds of dirt, restricting movement. After hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced out of their homes in the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, Palestinians have sought an independent state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. That prospect seems as far away as ever amid expanding Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, cutting communities from each other, and a freeze in U.S.-sponsored negotiations. Human rights groups have said Israeli authorities have systematically repressed Palestinians for decades in policies that amount to apartheid and since 2007 have imposed a crushing land, air and sea closure on Gaza's population. 'ISRAEL IS OUR ENEMY' The Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited governance in areas of the West Bank, is led by the Fatah faction, a rival to Hamas, which pushed Fatah out of Gaza after a brief civil war in 2006-07. However, PA leaders have expressed sympathy with Gaza in the war with Israel. "Israel is our enemy and occupier and it is our people's right to defend themselves," said Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh at a government meeting on Monday, even as several Western backers of the PA considered suspending aid. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, which has repeatedly raised the danger of increased assaults on Palestinians waged by armed Jewish settlers, warned against supplying settlers in the West Bank with more arms amid surging violence, describing it as a provocation that would "blow things up in the West Bank". Five minors were among the deaths since Saturday, Palestinian officials said, adding that more than 130 Palestinians had been wounded, many in confrontations with the military across the West Bank. At least one of the people killed was claimed by an armed Palestinian group. With uncertainty growing around who will replace the PA's unpopular octogenarian president, Hamas has been making efforts to expand its influence in the West Bank. Since the movement launched the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in the country's 75-year history, it has repeatedly called on Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank to join the fight and resist occupation. Despite entrenched political divides, President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, which dominates the PA's institutions in the West Bank, said Palestinians outside the coastal enclave should also resist Israel's decades-old occupation and confront Israel's military. Violence in the West Bank had already been surging, with stepped up Israeli military raids, settler assaults on Palestinian towns and a spate of Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis. This year's Palestinian death toll until Saturday was over 220 and at least 29 people in Israel had been killed, according to UN records. (Editing by Nick Macfie) PARIS, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Growth in global gas demand is set to slow down significantly over the medium term (2022-2026), the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday. The development comes after a decade of strong expansion in which gas contributed around 40 percent of the growth in primary energy supply worldwide. "While market tensions eased in the first three quarters of 2023, gas supplies remain relatively tight and prices continue to experience strong volatility, reflecting a fragile balance in global gas markets," the IEA explained in its latest Medium-Term Gas Report 2023. The IEA noted that overall gas consumption across the mature markets of Asia Pacific, Europe and North America is set to decline over the medium term as a result of the rapid deployment of renewables, and improved energy efficiency standards. Fast-growing Asian markets and gas-rich countries in Africa and the Middle East will lead global gas demand growth, the agency added. The IEA noted that for European members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), gas demand is forecast to decline by 5 percent in 2023. "This is largely driven by lower gas burn in the power sector, down by close to 15 percent amid rapidly expanding renewables," it added. In its report, the IEA again called on countries to reduce gas demand in a structural manner, through improved energy efficiency measures, accelerated deployment of renewables and heat pumps, as well as behavioral changes. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian police said on Wednesday a pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for the weekend in Sydney will be an "unauthorised" activity, and it would set up a task force after reports of alleged anti-Semitism in a rally earlier this week. As police expect more protests ahead with Israel vowing to escalate its response to an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas with a ground offensive. Australian officials said the new task force would help coordinate police actions. "In essence, the operation will capture all intelligence available to us in relation to community sentiment, potential protest activity and potential demonstrations that might take place in the future," New South Wales Police Acting Commissioner David Hudson told reporters. The decision on the task force comes as police investigate a protest outside the Sydney Opera House on Monday after unverified footage shared by the Australian Jewish Association and featured on Sky News appeared to show a group lighting flares and chanting "gas the Jews". Hudson urged people not to take part in the protest rally planned in Sydney on Sunday. It could not be given approval as organisers needed to inform authorities at least seven days prior to the event. "It is unauthorised at this stage. It was not submitted to us in the appropriate timeframe. Organisers might decide to move it and if that is the case, there will be considerations," Hudson said. Police are in talks with the organisers though they did not have the power to stop people gathering for an event, he said. Israel carried out air strikes across Gaza overnight as retaliatory bombing which Gaza's health ministry says has killed at least 900 people and wounded 4,600. Israel's embassy in Washington said the death toll from the weekend Hamas attacks had surpassed 1,000. Australian woman Galit Carbone had died in the Hamas attacks, the first known Australian casualty, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday. (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry) By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) -Austria's plans for an evacuation of its citizens from Israel by military aircraft on Wednesday were thwarted when its only available C-130 Hercules had a technical failure, forcing the country to book seats on a commercial flight instead. Austria said on Tuesday it would begin evacuations to Cyprus on Wednesday with one of its ageing C-130 aircraft. These are the biggest in its fleet but also among the oldest, in service since the 1960s. The government is in the process of replacing the aircraft ahead of their retirement. As the aircraft was preparing to set off for Israel from Austria on Wednesday morning, smoke in the part of the aircraft where passengers would have sat made taking off impossible and it was taken for repairs. In the evening as it became clear the plane would not leave that day, the Foreign Ministry said it had booked 100 seats on an Israir Airlines flight to the Cypriot airport of Larnaca that was due to land at 9 p.m. (1800 GMT). "A black day for the armed forces: We could not help our compatriots," Defence Ministry spokesman Michael Bauer said on X, the social media network formerly known as Twitter. After the Israir flight landed in Cyprus, the Foreign Ministry said it had evacuated 98 people on that flight, of whom 15 were from countries other than Austria: Israel, Germany, Spain, Hungary, the United States and the Netherlands. Another evacuation, on a chartered Austrian Airlines flight to Vienna from Tel Aviv, would take place on Thursday at midday (0900 GMT), it added. The incident raised questions as to why a military evacuation was necessary when commercial flights were available, and illustrated the decrepit state of Austria's armed forces. The neutral country has long neglected investing in military equipment and its officers say the armed forces are not equipped to defend Austria in case of attack. The conservative-led government says it is beginning to address the issue. Asked why neither of Austria's other C-130 Hercules aircraft had been used instead of the one that broke down, Bauer told Puls 24 TV: "Both Hercules aircraft are being serviced - the first until March, the other until December." (Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by David Gregorio, Leslie Adler and Diane Craft) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Booker prize-winning author Arundhati Roy faces prosecution in India for a speech about Kashmir she gave 13 years ago after a top official approved the move, local media reported on Wednesday. A social activist from Kashmir filed a police complaint in 2010 following speeches by Roy and three others at a conference organised by a rights group, the reports said. Roy, a fierce critic of India's policy in Kashmir, is accused of saying at the conference that the disputed Himalayan territory was not an integral part of India. Under Indian laws, the state government's permission is needed for prosecution of certain crimes, including hate speech, sedition, and promoting enmity. Vinai Kumar Saxena, the federally-appointed lieutenant-governor (LG), has allowed Delhi Police to prosecute Roy and Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under laws relating to promoting enmity, making assertions prejudicial to national integration and causing public mischief, the reports said. Another professor and a hardline Kashmiri separatist leader named in the complaint have since died. The reports did not say why Saxena approved the prosecution after 13 years. His office did not respond to calls and emails from Reuters requesting comment. Roy, 61, won the Booker Prize for fiction in 1997. She is also an outspoken political and rights activist and regularly writes in Indian and foreign publications. There was no reaction from her to the developments and she could not be reached for comment. Although the case was registered before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government came to power in 2014, the sanction has once again stoked concerns about freedom of speech under Modi's government. Opposition leaders and writers came out in support of Roy. "It is obvious that the LG (and his masters) have no place in their regime for tolerance or forbearance; or for that matter the essentials of democracy," P. Chidambaram, a senior leader of the main opposition Congress party who was India's home (interior) minister in 2010, posted on X. (Reporting by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by YP Rajesh and Christina Fincher) By Julia Payne BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Belgium, where most frozen Russian central bank assets are held, expects to collect 2.3 billion euros ($2.4 billion) in taxes on the assets and use them to help reconstruct Ukraine, a spokesperson for Belgium's prime minister said on Wednesday. The European Union along with the Group of Seven (G7) countries have been discussing whether they could use the interest made on over 300 billion euros of immobilised Russian public money to fund Ukraine. Over 200 billion of that amount is held in Europe with around 125 billion managed by Belgian clearing house Euroclear. Euroclear declined to comment. Russia's central bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The European Commission said in July it would present a proposal on whether there was a legally sound way to use the funds once the G7 agreed in principle. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday the Biden administration supported taxing windfall proceeds from these assets. Belgium has already moved ahead on its own with its decision to use the tax paid on the interest. Brussels previously said in May, it would use 92 million euros it had already received in taxes. "We only needed EU approval to use the interest. We are simply applying the Belgian tax code, which is our competence," a spokesperson for Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said. Belgium expects to gather 625 million euros from 2023 tax revenues on frozen Russian assets and an estimated 1.7 billion euros in 2024. "Last year, it was very clear to us that the taxation on the proceeds of those assets should go 100% to the Ukrainian population," De Croo told reporters earlier on Wednesday. "That fund will be used for buying military equipment. We will do that in consultation; as well it will be used for humanitarian support." ($1 = 0.9412 euros) (Reporting by Julia PayneAdditional reporting by Huw Jones in London and Alexander Marrow in MoscowEditing by Christina Fincher, Mark Potter and Grant McCool) (Reuters) - A contract worker has died in a water storage pit at a Birchcliff Energy facility in northwest Alberta, the Canadian oil and gas producer said on Wednesday. The Calgary-based company said circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, but that it appeared the contractor may have drowned. Emergency services attended the scene on Tuesday evening. Birchcliff did not release the contractor's name. "We have commenced an investigation into the cause of this tragic accident," said Birchcliff CEO Jeff Tonken. Birchcliff produces around 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from operations focused on the Montney and Doig resource plays in Alberta. Birchcliff shares were down 0.1% at C$7.87 in Toronto. (Reporting by Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru and Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Rod Nickel) FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken looks on, as U.S. President Joe Biden (not pictured) speaks about the conflict in Israel, after Hamas launched its biggest attack in decades, while making a statement about the crisis, at the White House By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel on Wednesday on a Middle East mission to prevent a wider war from erupting after an attack and hostage-taking by Palestinian Hamas militants and an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. In a show of solidarity with Washington's closest Middle East ally, Blinken was due to meet senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss further boosting military support. "I'm going with a very simple and clear message ... that the United States has Israel's back," Blinken told reporters before boarding a plane bound for Israel. He will work with regional U.S. allies to try to secure the release of more than 100 people that Israel says Hamas holds captive, some of whom may be American citizens. A senior State Department official said Blinken will visit other countries in the region after making stops in Israel and Jordan. The top U.S. diplomat, Blinken flew out as Israel was forming an emergency unity government. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hamas gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns over the weekend, killing 1,200 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. At least 22 Americans were killed during the attack, Blinken said. "That number could still go up, and it probably will," Blinken said, adding that U.S. officials were working with Israeli counterparts to determine the fates of other U.S. citizens who remained unaccounted for. Israel has retaliated with air strikes that have killed more than 1,100 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Israeli military said its troops had killed at least 1,000 Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated from Gaza. Asked if Washington had advocated for Israel to exercise restraint in its response, with a ground operation in Gaza expected, Blinken said that Israel respects international law and makes efforts to avoid civilian casualties. "We know that Israel will take all of the precautions that it can, just as we would, and again thats what separates us from Hamas and terrorist groups that engage in the most heinous kind of activities," Blinken said. A top priority for Blinken will be to convey a message of deterrence, largely aimed at Iran and Iran-backed groups such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, to stop a wider war from erupting. Hezbollah has moved carefully since Hamas and Israel went to war, keeping Israeli troops busy with attacks at the Lebanese border but not opening a big front, sources familiar with its thinking say. Violence on the border between Israel and Lebanon flared up for a fourth day on Wednesday with Israeli shelling hitting southern Lebanese towns in response to a fresh rocket attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah. NO WEST BANK VISIT IN BLINKEN TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT Since Saturday, Blinken has spoken on the phone with his counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials said Washington was pushing regional countries with influence on Hamas and others hostile to Israel to help stop the conflict from worsening. "The attack by Hamas is a reminder of the perception of an American absence or lack of commitment to the region that some actors might interpret and do things they should not be doing," Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute said. Biden on Wednesday called the Hamas attack "sheer evil", reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel and issued an apparent warning to Iran and Iran-backed groups against exploiting the conflict: "I have one word: Don't." Blinken's trip announcement did not include the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On previous trips to the region, Blinken has visited the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority and its President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel has also tightened its siege in Gaza, which it has kept under a blockade since Hamas seized power there in 2007, saying it will keep out food and fuel while vowing to further escalate with a ground offensive. Washington said it was talking with Israel and Egypt about the idea of safe passage for civilians from Gaza, another key topic that Blinken may be discussing with his counterparts during the trip. Biden has stopped short of an overt plea to Israel to show restraint to avoid Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. It was unclear whether Blinken might make such an appeal when he meets Israeli officials behind closed doors. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Simon Lewis; Editing by Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller and Lincoln Feast.) FILE PHOTO: British Airways Airbus A320 aircraft takes off from Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, May 17, 2021. REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo By Sarah Young, Joanna Plucinska and David Shepardson LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -British Airways said Wednesday it would suspend all its flights to Tel Aviv after it diverted a flight from London back to Britain citing security concerns in Israel. Separately, Virgin Atlantic said it will halt all flights to and from Tel Aviv for the next 72 hours, citing the safety of passengers and crew. A spokesperson for Israel's airports authority said rockets were flying around Tel Aviv at the time of the British Airways diversion, but there was no immediate threat to the flight or to Ben Gurion Airport. She said the return to Britain was the pilot's decision and that no other flights were diverted. Governments and airlines have sought to add flights from Israel to evacuate their country's citizens, while Israeli airlines have sought to fly reservists back to Israel. Aviation authorities have cautioned airlines flying to Israel but haven't grounded flights, though some experts have warned that the current airspace situation was risky due to ongoing rocket attacks. "Safety is always our highest priority and we've taken the decision to return our Tel Aviv flight to Heathrow (Airport)," a spokesperson for British Airways said. British Airways had operated a single daily flight to Tel Aviv before the suspension, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar. Since the surprise attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel on Saturday, many international airlines have suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv. Flydubai said Wednesday it will reduce flights to Tel Aviv from four to two per day. With British Airways' suspension, no IAG-owned airlines are now offering flights to Tel Aviv, a spokesperson for the group said. Flightradar showed British Airways flight BA165 had almost reached Tel Aviv before turning back to London. The U.S. government has been in talks with airlines encouraging them to resume flights, the State Department said. The department said Wednesday it was exploring options including charter flights to help U.S. citizens travel to nearby countries where they could catch commercial flights to the U.S. Chicago-based United Airlines said Wednesday it will fly two additional roundtrip flights between Newark, New Jersey and Athens in the coming days to help Americans who are trying to return home from Israel. (Reporting by Sarah Young and Joanna Plucinska and David Shepardson in Washington, writing by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Jonathan Oatis, Rod Nickel, Elaine Hardcastle and Cynthia Osterman) By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada is worried about what will happen in Gaza, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Wednesday, citing dire humanitarian conditions ahead of a potential Israeli ground assault against Hamas. Joly's comments were among the clearest expressions of concern so far by a major Western nation about the impact of an assault. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, pressed about Israel's response, on Tuesday said, "I'm not here to draw red lines". Joly also said three Canadians had died and Ottawa has reports that three more are missing. Canada unequivocally condemned a Hamas assault on Saturday, in which at least 1,200 people died, said Joly. Israel has since pounded the blockaded Gaza enclave, killing 1,055 people and wounding 5,184, Palestinian officials say. "The humanitarian situation in Gaza was dire before this weekend, and this will only deteriorate the situation further ... this will get worse before it gets better," Joly told reporters. "My heart breaks for the deaths we have seen. And I share the anxiety about what will happen next," she continued, calling for a humanitarian corridor into the enclave, which Israel has sealed off. Canada is urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law and grant access and will continue to support the humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians, Joly said. "This is the longstanding position of Canada when it comes to any form of conflict, so we just continue to abide by this approach," she said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel's blockade and bombing of Gaza was a disproportionate response amounting to a "massacre". U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that "sieges" were illegal under international law. Canada is sending a team of experts to help Israel's chief hostage negotiator. Joly and senior officials declined to say whether they thought any Canadians were being held captive. More than 4,700 Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank had registered with Ottawa. Around 700 people want to be evacuated, a senior Canadian official later told reporters. The Canadian government will soon start using two military planes to fly out citizens and permanent residents from Tel Aviv to Athens, the official said. On Wednesday, a privately organized evacuation flight airlifted 27 passengers, mostly Canadians, from the Israeli city of Haifa to Larnaca, Cyprus, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported, citing one of the passengers. That was the first evacuation flight for Canadians in Israel, and two more privately arranged flights are planned in the next two days, the newspaper added. One of Canada's biggest evacuation of citizens occurred in 2006 when it arranged for some 14,000 people to be transported out of Lebanon. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Additional reporting by Ismail Shakil; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Diane Craft and Cynthia Osterman) FILE PHOTO: A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. Chevron/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) -Chevron and unions representing workers at its two liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia made progress in talks over pay and conditions on Wednesday and would meet again on Thursday, a union representative said. With workers threatening to resume strikes from next week at the facilities that supply around 6% of the world's LNG, Chevron and unions were holding negotiations before Australia's industrial arbitrator, the Fair Work Commission. This is the second round of talks mediated by the commission in roughly as many weeks. Unions halted weeks of strikes at Chevron's sites in late September after an earlier round of talks produced a deal. However, unions subsequently accused Chevron of reneging on certain commitments and said on Monday they would restart strikes on Oct. 19. Chevron said on Monday the disagreements only concern a few issues, including reimbursement for travel and meals and it is committed to reaching a deal. While Asian spot LNG prices LNG-AS on Friday retreated from 7-month highs on muted demand, the strike threat pushed up European gas prices NG/EU at the start of the week and have been further boosted by damage to a Finnish gas pipeline and as Middle East violence raised supply concerns. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Sonali Paul) FILE PHOTO: A woman walks in front of a sign at the "Belt and Road" summit in Hong Kong, China September 14, 2023. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo Beijing (Reuters) - China will host its third Belt and Road Forum next week, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday, a President Xi Jinping signature event that President Vladimir Putin is due to attend on a rare trip abroad. The conference in Beijing on Oct. 17-18 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by Xi, with representatives from many developing countries, notably from Latin America and Africa, expected to attend. Putin attended the two previous forums, in 2017 and 2019, and the Kremlin said in September he had accepted an invitation to the forum and for talks with Xi. The Russian leader is not known to have gone abroad since the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for him in March over the deportation of children from Ukraine. Putin is expected to visit Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, before the Beijing meeting. Neither Kyrgyzstan nor China are members of the ICC, which was established to prosecute war crimes. The BRI is a plan for global infrastructure and energy networks that China launched a decade ago to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes. But critics see the plan - billed as recreating the ancient Silk Road to boost global trade - as a tool for China to spread its geopolitical and economic influence. Putin, in a message to Xi this month, said their talks would deepen Russian-Chinese ties "for the benefit of our friendly peoples, in interests of ensuring security and stability on the Eurasian continent and throughout the world". China had signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations, the foreign ministry said. Italy, the only Group of Seven country to sign up, has criticised the 2019 decision by a previous government to join the BRI scheme, with its foreign minister recently saying trade between Italy and China had not improved. (Reporting by Liz Lee, Bernard Orr and Ethan Wang; Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Miral Fahmy) CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Wednesday said that vengeance against the people of the Gaza Strip contradicts international laws and wouldn't bring the aspired peace and security. His comments came during two separate meetings with Antonio Tajani and Gabrielius Landsbergis, the visiting foreign ministers of Italy and Lithuania, the AL said in a statement. The meeting concentrated on the ongoing escalations in the Gaza Strip and the necessity to stop the current war immediately to avoid expansion of escalation to a more dangerous and out-of-control stage, it added. The chairman of the pan-Arab body said he "fully opposes the murder of civilians," urging more efforts should be exerted to protect the Palestinians. Aboul-Gheit also called for settling the deep-rooted Palestinian-Israeli issue by unfreezing the political stalemate and promoting means to achieve the two-state solution. According to the latest official Palestinian and Israeli figures, at least 1,078 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, while more than 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas since the start of the conflict on Saturday. FILE PHOTO: A bronze seal for the Department of the Treasury is shown at the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo By Jamie McGeever ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) -The recent surge in long-dated U.S. bond yields to their highest since 2007 has a few plausible triggers, but the Fed's quantitative tightening (QT) policy of reducing its balance sheet does not appear to be one of them. If anything, shifts in the composition of the central bank's holdings of Treasury bonds since 'QT 2' was launched in June last year may actually be keeping longer-term borrowing costs from spiking even higher. While the Fed has reduced its holdings of Treasury bonds and bills by around $840 billion in that time, its stash of bonds with a maturity of 10 years or more has actually grown, both in nominal terms and as a share of total holdings. Indeed, it is now a record high by both measures - $1.5 trillion in nominal terms, up around $75 billion since QT 2 started; and 30.5% of all the Fed's holdings of bills and bonds, up almost 6 percentage points. Fed holdings of Treasury-issued debt of all other maturity segments - bills, one-to-five years, and five-to-10 years - have declined to varying degrees, nominally and as a share of the total, particularly the one-to-five year part of the curve. If the Fed's holdings of long-dated securities were shrinking like other parts of the curve, or even at all, more of these bonds would be available to the wider market. All things equal, these yields would probably be higher. "It's at least reasonable and fair to raise the argument that the backup in long-dated yields doesn't owe to QT dynamics," said Benson Durham, head of global policy and asset allocation at Piper Sandler. Curiously, the Fed's holdings of longer-dated bonds as a share of the total also rose during 'QT 1' between October 2017 and July 2019, although the nominal value held pretty steady around $620 billion. Durham is reluctant to put too much weight on QT 2's impact on the broad rise in yields, given that the program has been so well-flagged and the monthly caps have been in place for over a year. Well before the current volatility. But Joseph Wang, chief investment officer at Monetary Macro and a former senior trader on the Fed's open markets desk, believes QT is a factor driving yields higher as it increases the supply of Treasuries the private sector must hold. Wang recognizes that if the Fed held fewer longer-dated securities these yields might be even higher, but also points out that the Fed's holdings are largely determined by what Treasury issues. POOR LIQUIDITY? All told, the Fed's 'QT 2' is almost twice the pace of QT 1. It involves reducing the central bank's balance sheet by as much as $95 billion a month - up to $60 billion of Treasury debt and $35 billion of mortgage-backed securities. The Fed has not sold a single bond back to the market and is still reinvesting the proceeds of some maturing paper into new debt of similar maturities. But it allows some securities to mature without reinvesting, which reduces its holdings. Since the Fed started QT 2, its total holdings of Treasury bills and bonds have fallen to $4.93 trillion from $5.77 trillion. More than half of that $840 billion decline, almost $500 billion, has been in one-five year securities. This may be more mechanical than anything else, driven by Treasury issuance. Also, a two-year bond falls out of the one-five year maturity bucket quicker than 20-year and 30-year bonds fall out of the 10-year and longer maturity segment. The average profile of Fed-held Treasury debt is longer than total outstanding Treasury debt, and getting longer. If current trends continue, the Fed's largest holding of Treasuries will be 10-30 year maturities by the middle of next year. Heavy selling at the long end of the curve in recent months has propelled yields higher and steepened the yield curve, developments which could spell bad news for the economy. IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said on Tuesday that the spike in long-term borrowing costs was "a little bit odd," while Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said it is a bit "perplexing." Some point to growing fiscal concerns, with the government budget deficit potentially approaching the $2 trillion mark. Some point to the 'term premium' - the somewhat nebulous level of compensation investors demand for taking on the extra risk of holding longer-dated securities rather than regularly rolling over shorter-term bonds. Whatever is driving yields higher, trades are clearing and there is no obvious sign of stress or liquidity air pockets. So far, at least, the market is functioning smoothly. "It has been a relatively orderly move, but it is getting more volatile. And price volatility is synonymous with poor liquidity," Wang warns. (The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.) (By Jamie McGeever; Editing by Andrea Ricci) FILE PHOTO: Netherlands' Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly during a media day illustrating how NATO Air Policing safeguards the Allies' airspace in the northern and northeastern region of the Alliance, July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States will spearhead a new international coalition to help Ukraine establish a future air force based on F-16 fighter jets, the Danish ministry of defence said on Wednesday. The new coalition intends to build infrastructure around F-16s, including maintenance facilities to support the operation of the planes, the ministry said in a statement. Denmark and the Netherlands were the first two countries to commit to donating F-16 jets to Ukraine, whose current air force has a fleet of ageing Soviet-era fighter jets, in its war with Russia. "This is a natural move following the leading role Denmark already has in relation to the military support for Ukraine and especially in relation to the donation of F-16 fighter jets," Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said. Denmark expects to deliver the first six of out of a total of 19 F-16s to Ukraine in March or April next year, he told broadcaster TV2 on Wednesday. (Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Johannes Gotfredsen-Birkebaek, editing by Andrew Heavens, William Maclean) Containers are being transported at the port terminal, in Guayaquil, Ecuador October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino/File photo By Alexandra Valencia and Yury Garcia GUAYAQUIL/QUITO (Reuters) - Presidential candidates in Ecuador are pledging to use the military to crack down on drug exports from the country's ports, where over half of banana shipments flagged as suspicious and searched by authorities hide packages of cocaine. Cocaine is also increasingly found in shipments of tuna, as well as hidden in hollowed-out pineapples and stashed amid sugar, police say. The security situation in Ecuador has sharply deteriorated in recent years, one factor in South America's migrant exodus. The outgoing government has blamed an uptick in murders, prison violence and other crime on the growing presence of drug gangs. Police have seized some 50 tonnes of drugs so far this year at the country's two principal ports. The 6,500 containers of bananas which leave Ecuador - the world's top banana exporter - each week, many bound for Europe, are a top target for smugglers, then national anti-narcotics director Pablo Ramirez told Reuters last month. The two presidential candidates in the upcoming Oct. 15 election - business heir Daniel Noboa and leftist Luisa Gonzalez - have said something needs to be done. Both have promised to militarize ports and airports to fight the drug trafficking. Alongside the economy, security is a top concern, voters say. Gonzalez, a protege of former leftist President Rafael Correa, who led the first round but is now polling slightly behind her rival, said during a televised debate earlier this month she would use the military to retake control of ports and prisons, though she did not give details of her plan. Meanwhile, Noboa, whose father is banana magnate Alvaro Noboa, has said he will use technology to support military protection of exports on highways and install scanners at toll stations and ports. The current government of President Guillermo Lasso has struggled to make headway against the gangs. It said last month it would increase oversight after it detected that some 36,000 hectares (90,000 acres) of land in Ecuador registered as banana farms in the export registration system do not even exist. Scanners installed by the government at seven ports and airports in Quito and Guayaquil are set to begin working in November. Lasso also agreed to hold joint anti-drug operations with the U.S. Coast Guard, but the deal must be ratified by Ecuador's congress. SHIPMENT INSPECTIONS The banana exporters' association says it spends nearly $100 million a year on security equipment and inspections of about 40% of shipments. "We are victims of organized crime, we are making a big effort," said association director Jose Hidalgo. In many cases shipments found to contain drugs have to be thrown out, though the association would not give an estimate of its industry's losses. The percentage of searched banana shipments which contained cocaine has fallen this year, but it is still very high - at 57% in 2023, from 70% in 2022, according to police figures. There is evidence some drugs may be being displaced elsewhere, with the amount of searched tuna shipments containing drugs rising to 9% from 3%. Drugs can be hard to spot amid the thousands of containers, especially creatively-hidden narcotics like those stuffed in hollowed-out pineapples. Police estimate that about 70% of smuggled cocaine is introduced into banana shipments either at farms or during transport to ports, but traffickers also sometimes add drugs to sealed or refrigerated containers at the ports or once boats are at sea, Ramirez said. Traffickers are also now sending drugs to more locations outside of usual destinations in the United States and Europe, he said. "In May we had two destinations that we hadn't had before... Sierra Leone and Hong Kong," Ramirez said. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia in Quito and Yury Garcia in Guayaquil; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Palestinians inspect damages of a house hit by Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa By Ahmed Mohamed Hassan CAIRO (Reuters) -Egypt has discussed plans with the United States and others to provide humanitarian aid through its border with Gaza Strip but rejects any move to set up safe corridors for refugees fleeing the enclave, Egyptian security sources said on Wednesday. Gaza, a tiny coastal strip of land wedged between Israel in the north and east and Egypt to the southwest, is home to some 2.3 million people who have been living under a blockade since Palestinian Islamist group Hamas took control there in 2007. Egypt has long restricted the flow of Gazans on to its territory, even during the fiercest conflicts. Cairo, a frequent mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, always insists the two sides resolve conflicts within their borders, saying this the only way Palestinians can secure their right to statehood. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the U.S. had been holding consultations with Israel and Egypt about the idea of a safe passage for civilians from Gaza, which was hit by a massive Israeli assault in response to a deadly incursion by Hamas fighters into Israel. Those consultations were ongoing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. One of the Egyptian security sources, who asked not to be identified, said Egypt rejected the idea of safe corridors for civilians to protect "the right of Palestinians to hold on to their cause and their land". Several Arab states still have camps for Palestinian refugees who are descendants of those who fled or left their homes during the war surrounding Israel's 1948 creation. The Palestinians and other Arab states have said a final peace deal needs to include the right of those refugees to return, a move Israel has always rejected. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that crucial life-saving supplies, including fuel, food and water, must be allowed into Gaza. "We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now," he told reporters, thanking Egypt "for its constructive engagement to facilitate humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing and to make the El Arish airport available for critical assistance." U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric later said: "Civilians need to be protected. We do not want to see a mass exodus of Gazans." LIMITED CEASEFIRE Egypt has been intensifying its efforts to contain the situation in Gaza, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a meeting in Cairo, a statement from Sisi's office said. According to the Egyptian security sources, talks between Egypt and the United States, Qatar and Turkey discussed the idea of delivering humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula under a geographically limited ceasefire. Turkey's president said work had started to deliver aid, without elaborating. The Rafah crossing, which is the main exit point from Gaza not controlled by Israel, has been closed since Tuesday after Israeli bombardments hit on the Palestinian side, according to officials in Gaza and Egyptian sources. Egypt has made repeated statements this week warning against the possibility that Israel's assault on Gaza could lead to the displacement of residents from the enclave on to Egyptian territory. Israel's ambassador in Egypt, Amira Oron, said in post on social media that Israel had "no intentions in relation to Sinai, and has not asked Palestinians to move there ... Sinai is Egyptian territory." Asked about the prospect of displacement following a meeting with Tajani, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said: "Egypt was keen to open the Rafah crossing to provide humanitarian aid, food and medicine, but instability and the expansion of the conflict leads to more hardship and more refugees to safe areas, including Europe." (Additional reporting by Omar Abdel Razak, Ahmed Elimam, Michelle Nichols and Humeyra Pamuk;Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Alison Williams and Toby Chopra) GAZA (Reuters) - Electricity in Gaza went out on Wednesday after the sole power station in the blockaded Palestinian enclave stopped working, Hamas media reported. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Editing by Louise Heavens) TAIPEI (Reuters) - Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that he also had Beijing on his mind when he decided to help arm Ukraine given Western concern about the global expansion of authoritarianism. Morrison, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, had repeated disputes with China, including in 2020 when Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, first identified in central China in 2019. China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley, and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as "economic coercion". Speaking at a forum in Taipei, Morrison said his decision to fund lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine after Russia's invasion had a broader message. "When my government took the decision for Australia to swiftly provide lethal aid to support and assist Ukraine following the illegal invasion by Russia, that decision was taken with as much of having Beijing in mind as Moscow," Morrison said. "We did it certainly to support Ukraine in their time of need and to defend democracy there, but we also did it to demonstrate our alignment with a global Western resolve to resist the aggression of authoritarianism, especially given the tacit endorsement of that invasion by Beijing," he added. "As I said, I was as concerned about Beijing as I was about Moscow." China has refused to condemn Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine it launched in February 2022. It has offered its own peace plan, which received a lukewarm response in both Russia and Ukraine. Morrison is on his first trip to self-ruled Taiwan, which China views as its own territory and has been stepping up military activity around the island. Morrison said China's claims over Taiwan were a threat to the entire region, as it was involved in other territorial disputes too, like in the South China Sea. "Legitimately in the region one can ask: if Taiwan, then what and who is next?" (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie) FILE PHOTO: Pioneer Natural Resources logo is seen in this illustration taken, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil has agreed to buy U.S. rival Pioneer Natural Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $59.5 billion that would make it the biggest producer in the Permian Basin. Following are the reactions from Wall Street analysts to the deal: TOM ELLACOTT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE RESEARCH, WOOD MACKENZIE "It's a massive oil deal that demonstrates ExxonMobil's bullishness on longish-term oil demand and prices . . . It is also a deal done from a position of strength for ExxonMobil a deal of choice rather than of necessity." "The acquisition of an elite oil-tilted opportunity will increase what is already easily the most oil-weighted portfolio in the peer group at a time when some peers are shifting their portfolios to gas. Bulking up materially in oil and gas also adds to the challenges of pivoting to low-carbon, especially if the energy transition accelerates." RBC CAPITAL MARKETS ANALYSTS "We do not anticipate other buyers to compete with XOM given the size of the transaction and likelihood that investors would eschew that action. An FTC review is quite possible but the market share of this combination appears to be under thresholds typically warranting action." "We would expect some investors to question whether CVX may be propelled to make a sizeable acquisition following XOM, however we would note that the management track record is to be patient (with recent deals done at lower points in the cycle), while this deal effectively removes the main competition for CVX on large-scale M&A." GABRIELE SORBARA, MANAGING DIRECTOR EQUITY RESEARCH, SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK & CO "We do not expect a competing bid, as this combination was likely in the works for a while and fits perfectly for XOM, in turn driving up the PXD share price further, as the deal is tied to XOM share price in an all-stock transaction. In our view, the deal should ultimately close, despite some FTC scrutiny." JEFF LEBLANC, EQUITY ANALYST, TUDOR, PICKERING, HOLT & CO "While we believe XOM already held the most attractive global upstream portfolio in the space longer-term, we believe this deal further cements that characterization given our highly favorable view of the PXD assets that we believe will provide XOM with best-in-class short-cycle investment flexibility. " RYAN TODD, ANALYST, PIPER SANDLER & CO Deal will only increase relative advantage, adding incremental pressure on peers, in particular Chevron, which has struggled with lingering investor concerns regarding portfolio depth. Expect increasing investor focus on future potential consolidation activity, from SMID-caps up to and including names like Occidental Petroleum, BP and ConocoPhillips. DAVID DECKELBAUM, ANALYST, TD COWEN "The all equity component will likely present an arbitrage scenario until closing and while the investor base is quite different, we would not anticipate a push for a cash component or higher premium." "The deal is almost entirely upstream and while FTC approval will be necessary, the combined entity represents ~10% of total Permian oil production, levels that should prove quite acceptable." (Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila) FILE PHOTO: A red onion is placed on Sri Lankan currency notes as a weight at a vegetable stall at the main market, in Colombo, Sri Lanka July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (Reuters) - Sri Lanka, mired in its worst economic crisis in decades, is in debt restructuring talks with a range of bilateral creditors, including China, its largest single creditor. The island nation of 22 million suffered its first foreign debt default in May 2022. In March, Sri Lanka secured a nearly $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund that could help it emerge from the crisis. China said this week that the Export-Import Bank of China had reached a preliminary deal with the country on the disposal of China-related debts, but did not share details. WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR As part of the terms of the IMF bailout, Sri Lanka has to secure assurances of debt restructuring from bondholders and key bilateral lenders including China, Japan and India. Sri Lanka has asked foreign investors for a 30% haircut to help restructure its debt and the negotiations, which kicked off in September last year, are still under way. Under a domestic debt restructuring programme announced in June, Sri Lanka accepted offers to exchange about $10 billion worth of defaulted local debt for new bonds, the Finance Ministry said on Tuesday, taking it a step closer towards meeting debt restructuring requirements. A total of 3.2 trillion rupees ($9.91 billion) of the 8.7 trillion rupees in bonds eligible for exchange were accepted, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. The domestic restructuring is likely to set the stage for foreign debt renegotiation. FIRST IMF REVIEW Sri Lanka failed to reach an agreement with the IMF in its first review of the bailout package last month due to a potential shortfall in government revenue and the IMF delayed the release of the second tranche of $330 million. SRI LANKA'S CREDITORS According to data from the finance ministry, Sri Lanka's external debt was $36.09 billion at the end of March this year. Once the debt restructuring is completed, Sri Lanka hopes to reduce its overall debt by $16.9 billion. The country owed about $10 billion to multilateral banks like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and $11.33 billion to bilateral creditors, including the Paris Club nations and China, Japan and India. Commercial loans, comprising of sovereign bonds and other time-bound loans, accounted for $14.75 billion. Among bilateral creditors, Sri Lanka owed China $4.7 billion with debt to India standing at $1.74 billion. Japan, a part of the Paris Club group, was owed $2.68 billion. Sri Lanka has debt outstanding of $5.65 billion to the ADB and owed $3.88 billion to the World Bank. The debt restructuring is also crucial for Sri Lanka to reach a 2.3% primary budget surplus by 2025, the key fiscal target set by the IMF. (Compiled by Uditha Jayasinghe and Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Nick Macfie) By Layli Foroudi PARIS (Reuters) -France's highest administrative court rejected on Wednesday a class action lawsuit against the state for failing to stop police racial profiling, saying it was not the judges' role to redefine public policy while recognising that discrimination was a problem but not "systemic." The case was brought before the Conseil d'Etat by six human rights organisations, which argue that the police systematically discriminate, especially against young Arab and Black men, when deciding who to stop on routine patrols. They asked for concrete reforms. Benedicte Jeannerod of Human Rights Watch, one of the organisations, described the decision as a "missed opportunity" but said the recognition by the Conseil d'Etat that police racial profiling was a problem and not just a few isolated cases is "important, symbolically." The government and police are under increased scrutiny after an officer shot dead a teenager of North African descent during a traffic stop in June, bringing long-simmering resentment among urban immigrant communities to the boil. Beyond this case, this is the first ruling on a class action lawsuit against the state, a procedure possible since 2016, and could influence future judicial advocacy actions in France. "The judges need time to understand the use of the class action. For them, it can be used timidly," said Antoine Lyon-Caen, the lawyer for the six organisations, citing a similar class action in New York, which was successful. For Gwenaele Calves, public law professor at University of Cergy-Pontoise, the ruling is "encouraging" for future class actions as the judges recognised the discrimination and the victims as a group. "Their request was too general and too political - this isn't an American judge, it is a French judge," she said. On Tuesday, the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution in which it expressed concern about types of police misconduct that "disproportionately affect" people with an immigrant background in France and called on authorities to put in place a system of recording identity checks. The documentation of identity checks was one of the demands as part of the class action lawsuit. (Reporting by Layli Foroudi; Editing by Mark Potter and Richard Chang) VIENNA (Reuters) - Vienna police on Wednesday banned a pro-Palestinian protest due to coincide with a pro-Israel event after Saturday's attack by Hamas, citing the fact the phrase "from the river to the sea" was mentioned in invitations and characterising it as a call to violence. The head of the city's police force, Gerhard Puerstl, held a news conference at short notice less than three hours before the protest was due to be held at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT) on the square next to the cathedral in the centre of the city. The demonstration, which organisers told the police would involve roughly 200 to 250 people, was due to begin 30 minutes after a nearby memorial event for the victims and those missing after Saturday's attack in which Israel says more than 1,200 people were killed. "Fundamentally it is this 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free', a PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) slogan that has been adopted by Hamas," Puerstl said when asked to explain what he meant by "codes" that had been included in online invitations to the protest. The river is the Jordan and the sea is the Mediterranean, between which lie Israel and the Palestinian territories. The phrase is often chanted at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Puerstl said the police interpreted that in the current context as a "clear call to violence", adding that it meant wiping Israel off the map "The demonstration obviously aims to create a climate in which the violent conflict in this region (the Middle East) is brought onto the streets of Vienna," Puerstl said, adding that when police contacted the woman who registered the demonstration she did not distance herself from the phrase. He did not identify her. The memorial event for the victims of the attack, arranged by the organisation that officially represents Vienna's Jewish community, was due to be held in front of conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer's office. Austria's ruling conservatives have in recent years adopted one of the most pro-Israel stances in the European Union. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with visiting Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Oct. 10, 2023. Turkiye is making efforts to mediate in a bid to end the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Erdogan said on Tuesday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) ANKARA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye is making efforts to mediate in a bid to end the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. "We are seeking possible ways to mediate. We expect to end this war as soon as possible, restoring peace in the region," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with visiting Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in the capital Ankara. Erdogan called on all influential actors in the region to "take responsibility for the establishment of peace," warning that fueling the tension, "especially targeting civilians and civilian settlements," does no good to anyone. Any act that will escalate tension in the region will cause further bloodshed and deepen the problems that must be avoided, he added. He also criticized the United States for sending a carrier strike group to support Israel, saying the move would lead to "serious massacres" in Gaza. "The U.S. is sending an aircraft carrier to Israel. It will take a step towards serious massacres by striking Gaza," he said. Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The Israel-Hamas conflict has so far left heavy casualties on both sides, with the death toll in Gaza and Israel rising to 900 and 1,008, respectively. Wounded Palestinian man Ala Al-Kafarneh, who survived Israeli strikes but lost his pregnant wife and several members of his extended family in the strikes after they fled Beit Hanoun town to Gaza City, sits at a hospital in Gaza City, October 11, 2023. RE By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA (Reuters) - Most of the 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip have no electricity and no water. And, with hundreds of Israeli strikes raining down on their tiny enclave, they have nowhere to run. The Palestinian territory, one of the most crowded places on Earth, has been under siege since Saturday in a near-constant bombardment that Gazan health officials say has killed more than 1,000 people. The blitz is retaliation for a devastating attack on Israel by Gaza's ruling group Hamas which the Israeli military says killed more than 1,200 people. Gaza's sole power station, which had been working intermittently for days, cut out on Wednesday after running out of fuel. Without power, water can't be pumped into houses. At night there's nearly total darkness punctuated by fireballs and the pin-pricks of light from phones used as flashlights. "I lived through all the wars and incursions in the past, but I have never witnessed anything worse than this war," said Yamen Hamad, 35, a father-of-four, whose home had been destroyed by Israeli strikes on the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun. At a hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, relatives and friends lined up outside the overloaded morgue where bodies were laid out on the floor because coolers were full or had no power. The mourners were desperate to bury their loved ones swiftly before the unseasonable heat took its toll. They spoke briefly over the bodies, praying for the souls to rest in peace, before they carried them to graves nearby, with stretchers if they were available, or otherwise without. Reuters interviewed more than three dozen people in Gaza, and most echoed Hamad's sentiments. They painted a picture of dread and hopelessness in the face of what they described as the worst violence they'd ever seen. With the strip's only other border, to Egypt, blocked by Egyptian authorities, the people said they were trapped. They feared the worst was yet to come, including a possible ground invasion, as Israel seeks retribution for the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in the country's 75-year history. That surprise raid, launched on Saturday, saw Hamas militants burst out of Gaza and kill hundreds of people, leaving corpses strewn around a music festival and a kibbutz community. Scores of Israelis and others have been taken to Gaza as hostages, some paraded through the streets. The Hamas attack drew strong condemnation by the United States and other Western governments. The militant group's 1988 founding charter called for Israel's destruction, and the group is branded a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Egypt and Japan. CIVILIAN LOSS 'UNPRECEDENTED' Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has pledged intensify the military campaign in Gaza, saying on Wednesday that Israel would wipe Hamas "off the face of the Earth". Beit Hanoun, near the frontier with Israel, was among the first places hit hard by retaliatory Israeli strikes, with many roads and buildings destroyed and thousands of displaced, according to Hamas and local residents. There was no escape for Ala al-Kafarneh's family. The 31-year-old said he fled the town on Saturday with his pregnant wife, his father, brothers, cousins and in-laws. They drove to Beach Refugee Camp on the coast, where they hoped they would be safer, but air attacks began targeting that area too so they headed to Sheikh Radwan, another district deeper east. On Tuesday night, an airstrike hit the building where Kafarneh and his family were sheltering, killing all of them except him, he added. "We escaped from danger into death," Kafarneh said outside the Shifa hospital in Gaza City, his head cut and a plaster cast running from his shoulder to his wrist. He was sitting on a pavement near hundreds of other people living in the open next to the hospital. Some said they hoped that its presence might offer them some protection from the bombardment. "I'm homeless now," said Youssef Dayer, 45, sitting on the ground by the hospital. "Maybe it's safe. Maybe. It's a peaceful civilian place, right? Maybe not. Nowhere seems safe," he added. Some people outside the hospital had brought blankets or strips of cardboard to sleep on, others had flung themselves straight down onto the bare ground. There were long queues for people to use the few toilets inside the hospital. More than 175,000 Gazans have fled their homes since Saturday, according to the United Nations. Some aid agencies in Gaza say the conditions are the worst they can remember even after repeated conflicts and 16 years of an Israeli blockade since Hamas took power there in 2007 following a brief civil war with forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction. "The civilian loss this time ... is unprecedented," said Hisham Muhanna, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza. At another hospital, Medecins Sans Frontiers doctor Mohammad Abu Mughaseeb said medical supplies had been lacking for years. The intensified Israeli siege meant fast-dwindling stocks would run out in weeks, he said. "If things continue like this for a few days the health system will collapse," he said after sleeping at the hospital because his own home had been damaged in a blast. The lack of electricity has cut off much of the enclave's water supply. Men and boys stood near one of the few supplies in Khan Younis loading huge tanks onto three-wheeled rickshaws, carts they dragged by hand and a small wagon pulled by a horse. The Gazan health ministry said hospitals and other medical facilities running on fuel generators were expected to run out of power in the next few days. The ministry said it feared that sewage treatment facilities would also come to a halt, leading to growing waste and disease across the territory. BUILDING COLLAPSED ON ME Dawn in Gaza brings the sight of new destruction, with some entire blocks razed by strikes. With the roads smashed up by the bombardment, civil defence workers are often unable to reach bomb sites and local residents must haul away the rubble themselves. "They took the whole building down. I was sleeping here when it collapsed on top of me," said a man who had managed to clamber out of a collapsed building in the Zeitoun district of Gaza, who didn't give his name. He and another man were searching inside another building, using the lights from their phones as they climbed an inner stairwell to reach smashed up apartments where they pulled out several survivors and some bodies. Hamas, as the de facto government of the Gaza Strip, runs the police, hospitals, ambulance service, plus the civil emergency department. U.N. schools have become the main places of shelter for Gazans who have fled their homes, with families crowded into classrooms, some sleeping on mattresses others on blankets. At one school in Gaza City, the sound of blasts frightened the children, keeping them and their parents awake. Many people sat outside in the open, scared they'll be buried by airstrikes that pancake concrete buildings. In Khan Younis, an ambulance stood at the end of an alleyway with its siren blaring, a man sat inside cradling his young daughter, their eyes staring wide from faces covered in dust. "Don't be scared, don't be scared," he whispered over and over. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Additional reporting by Abir Al Ahmar in Dubai; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Pravin Char) Refugees stand with their luggage at the first reception center for refugees in Giessen, Germany, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany wants to make it simpler and faster to deport migrants, particularly those with a criminal background, by cutting notification periods and making searches by authorities easier, according to an Interior Ministry statement on Wednesday. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser presented a draft bill that she said would improve the possibility to deport migrants without a right to stay in a large number of cases and make it legally possible to expel criminals more quickly than before. "Anyone who does not have the right to stay in Germany must leave our country," Faeser said in the statement. Politicians in Germany, once known for its open-door policy in 2015, have begun looking for ways to curb irregular migration as a way to win over voters ahead of elections next year and as the number of migrants has soared, with a 78% increase in first-time asylum requests in the first seven months of this year. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at an event of his SPD party late on Wednesday in Berlin that "far too many" migrants were currently coming to Germany. "This is a matter where the state has to show that it has things under control" and reduce the number of people coming in, he said. Under the bill, people in prison would no longer be given notice of their deportation, and detention times for people pending deportation would be extended to 28 days from 10. The deportation of people who have been sentenced to at least one year in prison would become much easier. It would also become possible to search homes for data devices and documents, especially to clarify a person's identity, as well as to enter additional spaces in shared accommodations, according to the bill. The migration draft law, which has already been discussed extensively with local authorities and German states, is due to be passed by the cabinet shortly, according to the statement. Last month, Germany introduced checks on borders with its EU peers, saying they are needed to crack down on people smugglers amid irregular arrivals increasing again. Other central and eastern EU countries have also put up border controls inside what is normally a zone of open travel. Migration, a contentious issue, has figured as a key issue in elections in European states, as the bloc is carving out a new migration pact that will overhaul rules for handling irregular arrivals. Poland and Hungary blockeda symbolic EU statement about migration in a summit in Spain last week, where out of the EU's 27 member countries, 22 agreed on how to handle irregular immigration at times of exceptionally high arrivals. Under the deal, countries such as Italy that receive many Mediterranean arrivals could speed up asylum procedures and ask for swift help from EU peers, including financial aid and relocations. Italy and Spain have voiced concern over irregular immigration increasing this year to their islands, while Greek waters in June were the site of Europe's deadliest shipwreck in years. While Poland and Hungary cannot block the new migration pact and their opposition was largely symbolic, their harsh criticism raises questions about how effectively the union can implement a deal. The EU has tightened its external borders and asylum laws since more than a million people - mostly fleeing the war in Syria - arrived across the Mediterranean in 2015. (Reporting by Miranda Murray;Additional reporting by Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke; Editing by Rachel More, Deborah Kyvrikosaios and Leslie Adler) FILE PHOTO: Honduras former President Juan Orlando Hernandez is escorted by members of the National Police and the Military Police after arriving to the Hernan Acosta Mejia Air Force Base for his extradition to the United States, to face a trial on drug t By Gustavo Palencia TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - A Honduran special anti-corruption unit indicted two former conservative presidents on Wednesday on charges of fraud for the diversion of over $12 million of public funds into political campaigns, the state prosecutors office said. Ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is awaiting trial in the United States on drug trafficking charges following his extradition last year, and his predecessor, Porfirio Lobo, were indicted alongside six other former officials including ex-finance minister Wilfredo Cerrato. Lawyers for the accused could not immediately be reached for comment. The indictment, filed to the country's Supreme Court, accuses both Hernandez and Lobo of fraud for the diversion of a combined total of some 288 million lempiras ($12 million) to finance political campaigns, as well as money laundering by Hernandez, Carlos Morazan, a spokesman for the prosecutors' office, told Reuters. The indictments come amid an expansion of the so-called Pandora case, an investigation that has for five years probed some 38 people for corruption - mostly politicians, deputies and former officials. Almost all have been acquitted. The six former officials indicted stand accused of fraud and abusing their authority. According to Honduras' public ministry, the public funds were diverted into a political campaign for Hernandez' National Party in 2013, to pay debts for the Liberal Party, and finance two other fringe political groups. A "network of corruption" was formed between 2010 and 2013 that helped extend and approve the transfer of over $12 million through private foundations into political campaigns, the ministry said. Hernandez' 2013 campaign, which took him to the presidency, benefited from at least 62 million lempiras ($2.6 million), the ministry added, using "ghost companies, borrowed names and fictitious contracts" to ultimately bring funds into party hands, the ministry added. (Reporting by Gustavo Palencia; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Sandra Maler) FILE PHOTO: A Beijing Hyundai sign is seen at an entrance to the Beijing Hyundai Motor plant in Chongqing, China October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Yilei Sun/File Photo SEOUL (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor has decided to produce Beijing Automotive Group Co's EV brand ARCFOX cars at its plant in Beijing in a bid for a breakthrough in a major market where it has been struggling to make a foothold, a news report said on Wednesday. The production, if it materializes, would be the first instance of Hyundai's foray into manufacturing an outside brand on contract, the Korea Economic Daily reported citing automotive industry and local Chinese sources. The plan is for Beijing Hyundai Motor, a joint venture of Hyundai Motor and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), to produce the ARCFOX vehicles, and the companies are discussing the details, the report cited the sources as saying. Beijing Hyundai Motor will likely oversee the design, production and quality control and use its plant in Beijing, the report said. When asked to comment on the report, Hyundai Motor said it was "currently reviewing various measures for EV production, but nothing has been decided," in a statement to Reuters. BAIC was not immediately available for comment outside normal business hours. The report comes amid a push by the world's No. 3 automaker by sales together with its affiliate Kia to restructure its China business to focus on profitability. Hyundai, which had five plants in China at its peak, sold one in 2021. It plans eventually to run just two, optimising production for export to emerging markets. The decision to produce ARCFOX vehicles is "to put together a bridgehead in the renewed push into the Chinese market by setting up a EV production line," the report cited a local Chinese source as saying. (Reporting by Jack Kim and Heekyong Yang, Editing by William Maclean) A fire blazes after a rocket that was launched from the Gaza Strip landed in Ashkelon, southern Israel, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (Reuters) - Yifat Zailer wishes she could travel back in time to Friday. On that day, the Tel Aviv resident was happy. Members of her close extended family were at their homes in the Nir Oz kibbutz, near the Gaza border. Then Saturday came, and Hamas militants swarmed over the border. Zailer started texting her family - her aunt, uncle, cousin, cousin's husband and their two small children - to see what was happening. But after about 9 a.m., their messages stopped. Nir Oz is one of the places attacked by Hamas fighters on Saturday morning. They breached the border fence enclosing Gaza, killing civilians in nearby Israeli towns and villages and abducting others to take back to Gaza as hostages. Israeli forces pushed back, besieging Gaza, pounding it with air strikes and fighting militants still inside Israel. Once they had taken back Nir Oz, the Israeli military went through the houses to look for survivors - but none of Zailer's family has appeared. She believes they are all being held in Gaza. A video shared with Zailer that Reuters has seen but not verified appears to shows Zailer's cousin and two children being led away by armed men. "Time is rushing," said Zailer, who has her own baby close in age to her cousin's. "There's a 9-month-old baby and a 3-year-old child. And my aunt has Parkinson's disease." "I don't know if the baby was fed," she said, tearing up. "I don't know if he got his diaper... I really, I want to go back to Friday. You know, I want to close my eyes, and this was all a nightmare." "I want them back. We all want our family back." (Reporting by Thomas Holdstock in Gdansk; Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) (Reuters) - Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani calls on the world to stand up to the "terrible brutality" happening in Gaza and prevent Israeli plans to inflict more harm on the Palestinian people, a statement citing him said on Wednesday. Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel's history on Saturday, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. Israel has retaliated with air strikes on Gaza that have razed entire districts and has put Gaza under "total siege" to stop food and fuel reaching the enclave of 2.3 million people, many poor and dependent on aid. Hamas media said on Wednesday electricity went out after the only power station stopped working. Retaliatory strikes on the blockaded enclave have killed 1,055 people and wounded 5,184, with some 535 residential buildings destroyed leaving around 250,000 homeless, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. Most of the displaced were in U.N.-designated shelters, others huddling in shattered streets. "Ending the tragedy of this honourable people, which has been ongoing for seven decades, by attaining them their legitimate right and ending the occupation from their usurped lands, is the only way to achieve peace and security in this region," al-Sistani said in a statement. "Without that, the resistance will continue against aggressors and the cycle of violence will continue to claim more innocent lives," the statement added. (Reporting by Yomna Ehab and Amina Ismail; Editing by Alex Richardson and Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: People who were evacuated from Israel, board a bus after arriving at the Larnaca International Airport, in Larnaca, Cyprus, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou/File Photo By Steven Scheer, Michael Kahn and Tim Hepher (Reuters) -Governments and airlines scrambled to lay on flights to evacuate thousands of tourists from Israel and repatriate the country's citizens, as the industry faced a warning over insurance cover in the wake of weekend attacks. Israeli flag carrier El Al said it would operate 12 extra flights on Wednesday and Thursday to and from Athens, Rome, Madrid, Bucharest, New York, Paris, Larnaca and Istanbul. Its low-cost unit Sun Dor also plans rescue flights from Istanbul. El Al had already announced an additional flight from New York and six flights to and from Larnaca. The latest move came as the combined death toll reported by both sides following the weekend attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas and retaliatory strikes by Israeli forces reached more than 2,000 people. Most foreign airlines have suspended or curtailed services, leaving passengers uncertain how to leave or reach the country and consular services struggling to keep up with demand for assistance, with priority given to those with missing relatives. Israel's parliamentary finance committee said late on Tuesday it would debate authorising state guarantees for providing war risk insurance for Israeli airlines. The panel said insurance companies had indicated they were entitled to cancel cover with seven days' notice. Airline executives said some cover was still available. A senior official at insurance industry body Lloyds Market Association said Israel is not on a commonly used list of high-risk areas for aviation, but that it made sense for underwriters to seek to control their exposure given the escalating violence. "Some have therefore given notice to amend terms and conditions, Neil Roberts, head of marine & aviation, said. British Airways said it would suspend flights to Tel Aviv after diverting a flight from London back to Britain shortly before it was due to reach Tel Aviv, citing security concerns. In an unusual move, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told reporters he had brought 34 Czechs back from Israel with him on his government plane after he stopped in the country on the way back from a conference in Oman. The minister, who the Czech government said was the first foreign official to visit Israel since the attacks, did not rule out sending another repatriation flight to Israel. Lipavsky arrived in Israel on Tuesday afternoon and landed in Prague early on Wednesday morning. "I spoke to our citizens. They tried to contact the airlines several times, but couldn't get through," said Lipavsky. Denmark said it would offer to evacuate its citizens as well as holders of permanent residency in Denmark from Israel and occupied Palestinian territories following the attack by Hamas. The country is preparing to send a C-130 Hercules military transporter to Israel, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. El Al, whose aircraft are equipped with laser-based anti-missile systems, said earlier this week it was handling many Israeli customers of foreign companies whose flights had been cancelled. "We have increased flights in several hubs in the world and will continue to increase as much as we can." RESCUE FLIGHTS Some governments were also in discussion with airlines to mount special relief flights. Lufthansa plans special flights on Thursday and Friday, people familiar with the matter said late on Tuesday, following negotiations between German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Washington remains in talks with U.S. airlines about flights to Israel. Norwegian Air, which has suspended normal flights to and from Israel until Dec. 19, said it was organising an extra flight from Tel Aviv to Oslo to fetch Norwegian and other Nordic citizens. A spokesperson for Dubai's Emirates said it was reducing daily connections to Tel Aviv to once a day from three times daily "for operational reasons" and safety was its top priority. Low-cost affiliate flydubai said it was halving flights. But in neighbouring Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways said it had resumed scheduled services on Wednesday and remained in contact with authorities and "security intelligence providers". Passengers have complained of mounting costs especially for leaving Israel, but airlines deny driving up prices. El Al said it was looking to keep prices low for reservists looking to fly back into Israel, with the highest fare topping $900 from the United States. However, one-way commercial flights out of Israel to places like London and New York were in the thousands of dollars as airlines cut schedules, according to online booking networks. The scramble for seats comes at a time when airline capacity is tight globally because of supply chain shortages left by COVID-19, with some transatlantic fares even higher than the sums being quoted for flights out of Israel. (Reporting by Steven Scheer, Carolyn Cohn, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Michael Kahn, Victoria Klesty, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher, Huseyin Hayatsever, David Shepardson and Alexander CornwellEditing by Mark Potter and Lincoln Feast.) FILE PHOTO: Jordan's King Abdullah II addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah said on Wednesday no peace was possible in the Middle East without the emergence of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The latest violence - which broke out when Hamas militants assaulted Israel at the weekend - showed the region would not "enjoy stability, security or peace" without a sovereign Palestinian state on land that Israel had captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, he said. A two-state solution was the only option, the monarch told deputies in a speech at the opening of a new parliamentary session. "Our region will never be secure nor stable without achieving just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution," the monarch said. A two-state solution has long been the bedrock of international peacemaking efforts, but the process has been moribund for years and the possibility of it happening has dimmed even before the renewed bloodshed. King Abdullah has since the start of the latest conflict been engaged in a flurry of diplomatic efforts with Western and regional leaders urging swift action to de-escalate the situation, officials say. Officials said the monarch, whom U.S. President Joe Biden called, will voice the kingdom's concerns with U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken when he arrives in Amman. Blinken first plans to visit Israel, where he was heading to later on Wednesday. [L1N3BG2OX] With a large percentage of Jordans population made up of Palestinians, and Jordan sharing a border with the West Bank, which the Palestinians hope will be part of their own state together with East Jerusalem and Gaza, its position is sensitive. "A Palestinian independent and sovereign state should be on June 4th, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and so that the cycles of killing, whose ultimate victims are innocent civilians, end," King Abdullah said. Amman lost the West Bank including East Jerusalem to Israel during the 1967 war. Jordan's peace treaty with Israel is widely unpopular among many citizens who see normalisation as a sellout of the rights of their Palestinian brethren. The outpouring of anger against Israel also fuelled a large rally on Tuesday in downtown Amman, where several thousand protesters chanted slogans in support of Hamas and demanded the government close the Israeli embassy in Amman and scrap the peace treaty. The Israeli embassy, where protesters gather daily, has long been a flashpoint of anti-Israel protests at times of turmoil in the Palestinian territories. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Alison Williams and Angus MacSwan) Palestinian and Hezbollah flags flutter in Khiam, near the border with Israel, in southern Lebanon October 9, 2023. REUTERS/Aziz Taher/File Photo BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon's Hezbollah has moved carefully since Hamas and Israel went to war, keeping Israeli troops busy with attacks at the Lebanese border but not opening a big front, sources familiar with its thinking say. The Iran-backed group is on a war footing, deploying special forces and priming its rockets in preparation for the possibility of war. Tensions are higher than at any point since it fought a 2006 conflict with Israel, the sources said. Three Hezbollah fighters have already been killed. Hezbollah's Palestinian allies, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have also entered the fray, attacking Israel from Lebanon for the first time, including a cross-border infiltration on Monday in which the Israeli army says three of its soldiers and two gunmen were killed. But while Hezbollah is not ruling out war, the sources said its moves so far have been designed to be limited in scope, preventing a big spillover into Lebanon while keeping Israeli forces occupied in northern Israel. One of the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Hezbollah was mounting strikes here and there and responding to Israeli fire into Lebanon while closely observing the situation in the Gaza Strip and the south. Hezbollah was taking things "day by day", the source said. A major war between Israel and Hezbollah, battled hardened by wars across the region including Syria, would leave the Israeli army fighting on two fronts as it seeks to crush Hamas some 200 km away in Gaza. Hamas ignited the war on Saturday when its gunmen infiltrated Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people and abducting dozens more. Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed 1,055 Palestinians. Founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli forces that invaded Lebanon, Hezbollah has long served as a model for other Tehran-backed groups in the region including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The United States has warned Iran not to get involved and has sent an aircraft carrier strike group closer to Israel, describing this as a "strong message of deterrence" to stop the conflict from broadening. The U.S. ambassador to Lebanon and other Western officials have been telling Lebanese state officials that Hezbollah must not get involved, a senior Lebanese politician and a U.N. source said. The U.S. Embassy referred Reuters to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hezbollah did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NASRALLAH FOLLOWING Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center said Hezbollah's next steps would be shaped by Israel's plans for a Gaza ground incursion. The prospect of Hamas being dealt a killer blow would "propel Hezbollah to intervene, along with Palestinian factions (in Lebanon), and increase the possibility of things going out of hand," he said. Hezbollah has said it is in direct contact with Palestinian militants in Gaza and expressed its support for them. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, known for threatening Israel in fiery televised addresses, has not delivered a speech since the violence began on Saturday. The sources said he is following events in Gaza and the south by the minute. Earlier this year, Hezbollah invited media to watch its elite Radwan forces simulate an invasion of northern Israel. Israel has long seen Hezbollah as the biggest threat at its borders. The 2006 war killed 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 157 Israelis, mostly soldiers. Lebanon took years to rebuild from the 2006 war and can ill afford another one, four years into a financial crisis that has impoverished many Lebanese and paralysed the state. All-out war would likely derail Lebanon's offshore oil and gas exploration efforts, for which Hezbollah has voiced strong support. Last year, it gave the nod for a U.S.-brokered deal between Lebanon and Israel to draw a disputed maritime boundary. Ibrahim al-Amin, editor of the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, wrote on Wednesday that "matters will witness a big change" if Israel "widened the battle to displace the people of the Gaza Strip, or carried out any crazy act" against the Palestinian armed groups. (Reporting by Beirut bureau; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Angus MacSwan) FILE PHOTO: The return capsule containing a sample collected from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA?s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is seen shortly after touching down in the desert at the Department of Defense's Utah Test and Training Range in Dugway, U By Steve Gorman (Reuters) -NASA on Wednesday gave the public a first glimpse of what scientists found inside a sealed capsule that was returned to Earth last month carrying a carbon-rich soil sample scooped from an asteroid's surface, including water-bearing clay minerals. A small quantity of the material collected by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft three years ago from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu was unveiled in an auditorium at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, a little more than two weeks after it was parachuted into the Utah desert. The return capsule's landing capped a seven-year joint mission of the U.S. space agency and the University of Arizona. It was only the third asteroid sample, and by far the biggest, returned to Earth for analysis, following two similar missions by Japan's space agency ending in 2010 and 2020. "It's days like this that continue to amaze me," NASA chief Bill Nelson said from the stage as he introduced the first picture of material retrieved from Bennu, a celestial artifact about 4.5 billions years old, on a viewing screen. The image showed a loose cluster of small charcoal-colored rocks, pebbles and dust found to have been left in the outer portion of the sample-collection assembly when the asteroid's soil was sucked through a filter into the spacecraft's storage canister. Technicians are still methodically disassembling hardware surrounding the inner science canister containing the bulk of the specimen, a process expected to take two more weeks. But the "bonus" sample of overflow material was immediately examined with electron microscopes and X-ray instruments, said Dante Lauretta, principal mission investigator at the University of Arizona. What they found was material high in carbon, nearly 5% by weight of an element essential to all life on Earth, as well as water molecules locked in the crystallized structure of clay fibers, Lauretta said. Scientists also discovered iron minerals in the form of iron sulfides and iron oxides, "which themselves are indicative of formation in a water-rich environment," Lauretta told a later news briefing. Daniel Glavin, a senior sample scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said early analysis found the material seems to be "loaded with organics." The preliminary findings point to a likelihood of further discoveries that could buttress the hypothesis that early Earth was seeded with the primordial ingredients for life by celestial objects such as comets, asteroids and meteorites that bombarded the young planet. ANCIENT RUBBLE PILE Bennu, discovered in 1999, is described by scientists as a relatively loose clump of rocky material, like a rubble pile, held together by gravity. It measures about three-tenths of a mile (500 meters) across, making it slightly wider than the Empire State Building is tall but tiny compared with the Chicxulub asteroid that struck Earth some 66 million years ago, wiping out the dinosaurs. Like other asteroids, Bennu is a relic of the early solar system. Because its present-day chemistry and mineralogy are virtually unchanged since its formation, it holds clues to the origins and development of rocky planets such as Earth, and could prove central to studies of astrobiology. The capsule was initially inspected at the Utah Test and Training range near the landing site, then flown to Houston for closer examination in a specially built "clean room" inside a Johnson Space Center astromaterials curation facility. In the months ahead, the overall asteroid sample is to be parceled out into smaller specimens promised to some 200 scientists in 60 laboratories around the world. At the time it landed, the Bennu sample was estimated to weigh about 250 grams (8.8 ounces), well above the minimum amount of 60 grams (2 ounces) scientists had hoped to collect. A more precise measurement will come in a few weeks, once the canister has been fully opened and all the contents weighed. OSIRIS-REx launched in 2016 and reached Bennu in 2018, then spent nearly two years orbiting it before venturing close enough to snatch a sample of the loose surface material with its robotic arm on Oct. 20, 2020. Lauretta said preliminary analysis of the first bits of the sample showed that orbital observations of the asteroid had "predicted the mineralogy very accurately." NASA is due to launch a separate mission on Thursday to a more distant asteroid called Psyche, a metal-rich body believed to be the remnant core of a protoplanet and the largest known metallic object in the solar system. (Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Will Dunham) CAPE TOWN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has deepened Africa-China cooperation in various fields hence crucial for the relationship-building between the two sides, said Lechesa Tsenoli, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa. In a recent interview with Chinese media, Tsenoli shared his insights on the significance of the initiative and its impact on the multifaceted relationship between China and African countries. The initiative "magnifies the impact China is making on our relationship," Tsenoli said. "Indeed, it strengthens our ability to work together across the continent, as well as with China itself in a variety of areas." He stressed the importance of the transportation infrastructure that has developed under the initiative, citing the railway lines that have been built in the African continent, such as the one between the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, and the coastal city of Mombasa. As of Aug. 31, the railway is operating an average of six passenger trains per day; a total of 11 million passengers have been carried, and the average occupancy rate is above 95 percent; an average of 17 freight trains operate daily, and a total of 28 million tonnes of goods have been transported, according to a white paper on the BRI released on Tuesday. By June, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations across five continents, yielding a number of signature projects and small-scale yet impactful projects, said the white paper titled "The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future." "The provision of infrastructure for the African Union ... is a significant thing that China is contributing towards," said Tsenoli, a respected figure in African politics. The initiative "requires good country relationships" and its growing importance underscores the profound impact on nations that benefit from their association with China, said the politician. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing from Oct. 17 to 18, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Wednesday. It serves as a valuable mechanism for fostering relationships, not only for China but also for the Belt and Road countries, he said, adding that statistics are suggesting a growth in the quality and content of the relationship between Africa and China. Africa and China, he said, can use their collective influence to "drive things for the better" for the continent in particular and the world in general. He applauded the progress made in Africa-China collaboration on the global level, including in global organizations and other international forums. "We sing from the same song sheet, as I said." Kemi Seba, a Franco-Beninese firebrand pro-Russia activist speaks to supporters of the junta that seized power in Niger in July, during a rally near the French military base, calling for the withdrawal of French forces in Niamey, Niger September 28,2023 NIAMEY (Reuters) -Niger's junta has demanded that the top United Nations official there leave the country within 72 hours over accusations that Niger was excluded from the annual U.N. gathering of world leaders in New York last month. Niger military officers ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July, suspending the constitution, dissolving all former institutions and declaring General Abdourahamane Tiani as the West African country's new head of state. In a statement dated Oct. 10, Niger's foreign ministry accused the U.N. of using "underhanded manoeuvres" instigated by France to prevent its full participation in the high-level U.N. General Assembly meeting last month and in subsequent meetings of U.N. agencies that were held in Vienna and in Riyadh. As a consequence, the government has ordered U.N. resident coordinator Louise Aubin to leave, said the statement. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deeply regrets the move, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, reiterating "the unwavering commitment of the United Nations to stay and deliver for the people of Niger." "The decision ... hampers the ability of the Organization to effectively carry out its mandates and disrupts the essential work we do for the people of Niger, where 4.3 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, mostly women and children," Dujarric said. No one from Niger addressed the gathering of world leaders in New York last month after competing claims were made by the junta and Bazoum's government for the country's U.N. seat. U.N. accreditation issues are dealt with by a nine-member committee, whose members include the United States, China and Russia. The committee is not due to meet until October or November, when it will make a decision. The French mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the accusation by the junta. The junta is following a pattern seen in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which also grew hostile to the U.N. and former colonial ruler France after their militaries seized power. Niger has already kicked out French troops and the French ambassador. Burkina Faso expelled its U.N. resident coordinator last year and Mali ended a U.N. peacekeeping mission that had been there for a decade. All three countries are struggling with an Islamist insurgency that has spiralled in recent years, prompting power grabs by army officers who promised to improve security. The coups have been accompanied by accusations that France exerts too much influence in its former colonies, and a shift toward Russia as a strategic partner instead. France has denied exercising undue influence. (Reporting by Abdel-Kader Mazou, Boureima Balima and Michelle Nichols;Writing by Bate Felix and Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alison Williams, Alex Richardson and Diane Craft) By Gwladys Fouche and Anne Kauranen OSLO/HELSINKI (Reuters) - Norway and Lithuania tightened security at onshore energy installations, following Sunday's gas pipeline gas leak in the Baltic Sea, while Finland recommended energy operators to be more aware of security. On Tuesday, Helsinki said damage caused on the Balticconnector between Estonia and Finland was due to "outside activity" and that the cause was being probed, stoking concern over regional energy security and pushing gas prices higher. "We have increased our focus on preventive patrols at oil and gas installations in our area," operations chief Helge Blindheim at Norway's West police district told daily BA. The district is home to one oil terminal, Mongstad, and two processing gas plants, Kollsnes and Kaarstoe. Norwegian police is responsible for the security of onshore installations, such as gas processing plants and oil terminals, while the military is responsible for offshore platforms and pipelines. The military has increased Navy patrols and is receiving aid from NATO allies to protect offshore platforms following the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022. Norway is Europe's largest gas supplier and Western Europe's largest oil producer, exporting more than 120 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas in 2022, mainly via a system of some 22 pipelines spreading over more than 8,800 km (5,470 miles). Finland has also instructed energy operators to be more security aware as a result of the incident in the Baltic Sea. "Yesterday (Tuesday) we urged companies critical to security of (energy) supply to raise their own preparedness level, especially with regard to critical infrastructure," director Janne Kankanen from Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency told a press conference on Wednesday. "Special attention is now requested from all operators to protect this critical infrastructure." Similarly, Lithuania, which neighbours Estonia, raised security alert levels at its Klaipeda liquefied natural gas import terminal, gas pipelines and other strategic energy assets as a result of the damage on the Balticconnector gas pipeline. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Gwladys Fouche in Oslo, Annee Kauranen in Helsinki and Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; editing by Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens as Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, speaks during a press briefing at the OECD's Ministerial Council Meeting, in Paris, France Octob PARIS (Reuters) - The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a multilateral treaty on Wednesday that would replace a hodge-podge of national digital services taxes if ratified by enough countries. The release of the text puts pressure on the United States in particular, where a two-thirds majority in the deeply divided Senate is needed to ratify treaties. The document is the first pillar of a two pillar overhaul of rules for the cross-border taxation of multinational companies, which was agreed in 2021 by nearly 140 countries but whose implementation is proving slow and complicated. Many countries complain the world's fragmented tax system allows multinational companies - particularly major U.S. tech firms - to pay little tax in jurisdictions where they make large revenues, and so some have introduced their own digital taxes, despite opposition from Washington. The treaty codifies how governments are to reallocate taxing rights on about $200 billion in profits from the biggest and most profitable multinationals to the countries where their sales occur. The Paris-based OECD estimates the reallocation will yield additional global tax revenue of between $17 billion and $32 billion, with low and middle-income countries gaining the most. If ratified, the treaty requires that countries that have, or are planning, national digital services taxes drop them. Washington is particularly sensitive to that issue as many of such taxes were put in place to target big U.S. digital companies such as Google, Amazon and Apple. To enter into force, the 30 countries home to at least 60% of the affected multinational companies have to ratify the treaty, which means that the U.S. has to be on board. OECD head of tax Manal Corwin said failure to ratify the text could lead to "grave consequences" and not only because it could trigger a proliferation in the use of digital services taxes and trade retaliation. "It also in my mind threatens the stability of the broader international system that both countries and companies have depended on for a long time," Corwin told journalists. The second pillar of the 2021 global corporate tax deal sets a minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, which countries are supposed to start implementing from next year. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Mark Potter) Donald Tusk, the leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition (KO), walks towards an election convention in Lodz, Poland, October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel By Alan Charlish WARSAW (Reuters) - Poles vote in a parliamentary election on Sunday which the opposition says will determine the country's democratic standing and place in the European Union, after a bitterly contested campaign dominated by issues of sovereignty and security. Since coming to power in 2015, the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party has repeatedly clashed with the EU over reforms that critics say have politicised the judicial system and turned state-owned media into a propaganda outlet. The opposition says the vote could be the last chance to halt what it sees as Poland's drift away from the European mainstream and towards a semi-authoritarian system. "I know... that they are planning systematically, in cold blood, to take Poland out of the European Union," Donald Tusk, leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition (KO) told supporters. PiS denies any such plan. With war raging in neighbouring Ukraine and a migrant crisis brewing, national security and immigration have featured heavily in a campaign that was also marked by a souring of relations with Kyiv over Poland's ban on grain imports. PiS casts the election as a choice between an opposition that is beholden to foreign interests, particularly those of Germany, and soft on migration, and a government that will defend Poland's sovereignty and borders. "Fur Deutschland, that is, for Germany. He repeated these words very often," PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski told a campaign rally, hammering home his party's message that Tusk is a German stooge. "He certainly would not have protected us from the flood of Ukrainian grain, because for that you had to have courage - to oppose Germany, to oppose the European Union." PiS has emphasised the effect its social benefit programmes and minimum wage increases have had on living standards, saying the return of Tusk, who was prime minister from 2007-2014 before serving as European Council president, would jeopardise this. Tusk pledged not to end any of the programmes and has said an increase in child benefits should be implemented sooner. The KO leader said he would unblock billions in funds withheld by the EU over rule-of-law concerns on day one after winning the election. However, EU officials say it is unlikely to be so simple as changes to any laws pushed through by PiS would still require the signature of President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally. UNCERTAINTY A referendum is also being held on election day. PiS says it aims to ensure the will of the people is respected on four issues: privatisation of state companies, raising the retirement age, a fence on the Belarus border, and accepting migrants under an EU deal. However, the opposition says that PiS is misusing public funds for a campaign exercise designed to energise its supporters and demonise opponents with loaded questions. Opinion polls suggest that PiS will remain the largest party in parliament but may fall short of a majority. An inconclusive result could lead to legislative paralysis in a frontline NATO member state of crucial logistical importance to the alliance's efforts to aid Ukraine. A PiS administration that relied on the votes of the far-right Confederation party, which has sought to harness a rise in anti-Ukrainian sentiment among some voters, could be much less inclined to help Kyiv, analysts say. Key to the election's final outcome will be the fortunes of the centre-right Third Way coalition. Coalitions need at least 8% of the vote to enter parliament, and some polls have shown Third Way perilously close to this threshold. Should it fail to enter parliament, the opposition's hopes of forming a government would be dashed. However, Third Way says it is confident it will get the votes required and one of its leaders, Szymon Holownia, said he was "absolutely not afraid" after a recent survey put the coalition on 7.6%. (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Justyna Pawlak in Warsaw, Jan Strupczewski in Brussels; Editing by Gareth Jones) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Blasts that destroyed the Nord Stream gas pipeline connecting Russia and Europe could not have been carried out without the backing of some government, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. Putin said Moscow's requests to join the investigation into the incident, which occurred in September 2022, have been ignored. Russia has previously blamed the United States and Britain for the blasts. They have denied involvement. (Reporting by Reuters) Russian veteran human rights campaigner Oleg Orlov, accused of discrediting Russia's armed forces, carries a chair in a courtroom past Dmitry Muratov, editor of the now-banned independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, before a hearing in Moscow, Russia October By Mark Trevelyan LONDON (Reuters) -Veteran Russian rights activist Oleg Orlov was convicted and fined on Wednesday for "discrediting" the armed forces after telling a Moscow court that Russia had descended into a totalitarian state resembling George Orwell's "1984". Orlov, 70, was defending himself in a case based on a November 2022 article in which he wrote that Russia under President Vladimir Putin had descended into fascism. Far from repenting of that statement, he defiantly used his closing speech to declare that Russians were living in Orwell's dystopian world as their country waged war on its neighbour while claiming to support freedom, peace and security. "There is still no concept of 'thought crime' in the Russian criminal code; citizens are not yet punished for doubting the correctness of state policy if it was expressed in a whisper in their own apartment; they are not punished for an incorrect facial expression. Yet," he said. "But if someone expresses such doubt outside his apartment, denunciation and punishment may follow," said Orlov, a leading member of the Memorial human rights group that was disbanded by Russia in 2021 but won a share of the Nobel Peace Prize the following year. He asked aloud how Russia had thrown off communism in the 1990s, only to "slide into a new totalitarianism". Orlov was supported in court by Dmitry Muratov, co-winner of the Nobel prize in 2021, whose Novaya Gazeta newspaper was forced to shut down soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Muratov said that just as dissident Andrei Sakharov had predicted that the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan would lead the Soviet Union to disaster, so Orlov was justified in warning that Russia was following a path towards self-destruction in Ukraine. 'DARK FORCES' "Why does the state take a tax on lives without asking the consent of its citizens? Shakes out their lives like grain from the peasants after the revolution?" Muratov said. "We see that Sakharov was right, absolutely right back then, warning that the USSR would undermine its existence, and Orlov is right now, warning about the danger of dark, pro-fascist forces." Orlov's and Muratov's lengthy statements to the court amounted to a devastating critique of Putin's decision to go to war in Ukraine from two of Russia's most internationally respected figures. The Kremlin says its "special military operation" was justified by the need to protect Russian-speakers in Ukraine from "genocide" and to "demilitarise" and "denazify" the country - arguments rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies as a false pretext for an imperial-style war. The prosecution in Orlov's case said the fact that the court hearing was open to the media, and that Muratov had been allowed to speak despite being designated a "foreign agent" by the state, showed that freedom of speech was protected in Russia. But it said such rights were accompanied by obligations, including a duty to obey laws. It said it was impermissible to carry out "provocations aimed at splitting civil society". Based on Orlov's age and state of health, however, the prosecution said it was seeking to have him fined, rather than asking for the prison sentence of up to three years that it could have sought under laws passed soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. The judge ordered a fine of 150,000 roubles ($1,500), lower than the 250,000 roubles the prosecutors had demanded. Orlov, in his speech, said Russians had the right under the constitution to hold a different opinion from Putin. "Where is it defined that our commander-in-chief (Putin) always rightly understands not only the interests of Russia, but the interests of its citizens?" Orlov asked in his closing speech at a trial which began in June. "And if the ideas of a part of Russia's citizens about their own interests don't match those of the commander-in-chief, don't they have the right to talk about this?" "But in that case, the president is no longer a president, but a spiritual and secular leader... Or are Russia's top officials now infallible, like the Pope?" (Editing by Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis) (Reuters) - Russian forces were pressing on with a major push on the key eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka on Wednesday after many months of besieging it, Ukrainian military officials said. The Ukrainian officials said Russian forces had redirected large numbers of troops and equipment to Avdiivka in their largest attack on the town since launching the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Major assaults have been under way since Tuesday. Russian accounts also indicated the fighting had intensified, saying Moscow's forces had "improved their position in the immediate outskirts around Avdiivka"."It is not quite as heated as yesterday, but the battles are continuing," Vitaliy Barabash, head of the town's administration, told national television, noting about two dozen hits in the town's old district and others in the city centre. "This is the largest-scale offensive action in our sector since the full-fledged war began." The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed forces said 10 enemy attacks on the town had been repelled. Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern group of forces, told the television that Russian forces were pressing their attacks "sometimes using infantry and in some areas deploying quite a lot of vehicles into battle". Most attention in the Russian military's push through the eastern Donbas region has focused for many months on the city of Bakhmut, captured by Moscow troops in May. But Avdiivka, home to a large coking plant to the southwest in Donetsk region, has been under attack for virtually the same length of time. Much of the town has been reduced to rubble. Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive in June focusing on two theatres. The aims include securing areas around Bakhmut in order to retake the town and recapturing villages in the south on a drive towards the Sea of Azov to sever a Russian land bridge between positions Moscow holds in the south and east. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other officials acknowledge that the advances, undertaken with the help of Western equipment, have been slower than hoped. But they dismiss suggestions by Western critics that the counteroffensive is too sluggish and hampered by strategic errors. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Sonali Paul) FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration By Vladimir Soldatkin and Olesya Astakhova MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that OPEC+ coordination would continue in order to ensure predictability on the oil market and signalled strongly that a deal to constrain supply to world markets was here to stay. OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, pumps around 40% of the world's crude. It currently has an agreement to limit supplies until the end of 2024. "I am sure that the coordination of the OPEC+ partners' actions will continue," Putin told the "Russian Energy Week" conference in Moscow beside Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Iraq is the world's third largest oil exporter. "This is important for the predictability of the oil market, and ultimately for the well-being of all mankind," Putin said. OPEC+ members, he said, would "fulfil their commitments in full and successfully cope with all challenges." Asked if the OPEC+ agreement to cut supply would be extended, Putin said: "Most likely. We need to consult with colleagues - our decisions are made by consensus." "Today it looks like we will continue our cooperation." The remarks are Putin's strongest signal to date that OPEC+ supply cuts will endure well into 2024 and probably beyond - a step that is almost certain to support oil prices, a boon for the Kremlin. Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's top two oil exporters, on Wednesday discussed the situation on the oil market and prices amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, Putin's top oil official, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, said. OPEC+ OPEC was founded in 1960 by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela and expanded to 13 members. In 2016, OPEC signed an agreement with 10 other oil producers, including Russia, to create OPEC+. Russia and Saudi have coordinated supply cuts - both as part of OPEC+ and with side agreements - to support oil prices in recent years. Putin praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and said that if there were differences on extending OPEC+ cuts, then the Kremlin would seek consensus. "If there are differences in positions, we always look for consensus," Putin said. "And in this sense, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia plays a very important role, he is very active in this regard." "Will it be necessary to do something together in order to stabilise the markets next year? Well, I don't rule it out?" Putin said it would be necessary to look at the world economy and cautioned that without major supply cuts "the price would most likely have gone below $50 per barrel". Putin said Western elites had sown confusion in energy markets so it was up to responsible market participants such as OPEC+ to ensure stability. "For the stability of the oil market, the interaction of the main suppliers is necessary, and on open, transparent terms. And it is with this logic that Russia works with partners within the framework of OPEC+," Putin said. "The actions of some of our colleagues, the Western elites, have sown confusion on the global energy market, including on the oil market, the negative consequences of such politicised steps affect the entire global economy, now it has to be corrected, and, of course, responsible market participants have to do it," Putin said. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; writing by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Christina Fincher) Bosnia's international High Representative Christian Schmidt looks on during the interview with Reuters in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic By Daria Sito-Sucic SARAJEVO (Reuters) - The secessionist policy of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik is a key challenge to the political settlement that ended Bosnia's 1992-1995 ethnic war, international peace envoy Christian Schmidt said in an interview on Wednesday. Dodik, who is president of the autonomous Serb Republic, has long advocated the secession of the Serb-dominated region from Bosnia. "He is not accepting Bosnia and Herzegovina, he gives a spin which is absolutely wrong," said Schmidt, a former German government minister who acts as international High Representative, tasked with civilian implementation of the 1995 Dayton peace accords. "This is a danger," said Schmidt, who as High Representative is also the ultimate interpreter of the peace accords with powers to impose laws and sack officials seen as obstructing peace. The Dayton accords divided the country - where 100,000 people were killed during the three-and-a-half year war - into two autonomous regions, the Serb Republic and the Bosniak-Croat Federation, linked via a weak central government. Dodik was charged in August by the state prosecutors with defying decisions by Schmidt, after he had signed two laws that Schmidt had revoked for violating the constitution and the terms of the peace deal. Last month, pro-Russian Dodik banned Schmidt, who he says is not a legitimate envoy because he was not endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, from entering the region, while his supporters launched protests against his indictment at the administrative boundaries between the two regions under slogan "The Border Exists". "He (Dodik) is playing with Republika Srpska as if there would not have been a Dayton agreement, and this is challenging and dangerous, we cannot follow this," Schmidt said. Schmidt said that Dodik could end up with his people in kind of Transdniestria, a reference to the pro-Russian region of eastern Moldova that broke away in 1992 but still lacks international recognition. He also said that international partners negotiating Bosnia's path towards European Union integration should not negotiate with nationalist Dodik about basic issues. "I strongly believe in European integration, but not to the prices being fixed by Dodik but to European standards," Schmidt said. He also warned against interference of neighbouring Croatia and Serbia in Bosnia's internal matters, and said that Serb ally Russia could also play a destructive role. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Alex Richardson) Israeli rescue workers work to remove dead bodies from near a destroyed police station that was the site of a battle following a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Mo BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- An inaugural cross-Strait agricultural exchange conference will be held from Oct. 23 to 27 in Zhangping City, east China's Fujian Province, according to a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday. The conference aims to boost exchanges and cooperation in agriculture across the Taiwan Strait, exploring new ways for compatriots on both sides to work together to advance rural revitalization, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at the press conference. The agricultural exchange conference also seeks to facilitate the development of a demonstration zone for integrated development across the Strait, Chen said. Nearly 260 agricultural sector representatives from both sides of the Strait will be invited to attend the conference, he added. By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Some U.S. Republican lawmakers said on Wednesday they would resist any funding request from Democratic President Joe Biden that combined military aid for Israel and Ukraine, amid resistance from some Republicans to further assistance for Kyiv. The White House has been weighing whether to make a request to Congress that would lump funding for Israel with that of Ukraine and Taiwan, an administration official said, to improve the chances of gaining passage of assistance for Ukraine's fight to repel Russian invaders. Biden and members of Congress from both parties have pledged to do everything possible to support Israel after an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on Saturday from the Gaza Strip that has killed 1,200 Israelis and prompted retaliation against the Palestinian enclave. But Congress still must address the need to provide more funding for Ukraine. Biden asked Congress in August to approve $24 billion for Ukraine and related international needs, but the request has not been approved. A relatively small but vocal group of Republicans has criticized Ukraine assistance for months, accusing Kyiv of failing to sufficiently fight corruption, which Ukrainian and U.S. officials deny. Some Ukraine backers suggested that Biden should ask Congress for a new spending package combining assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan as it faces increased pressure from China. The United States has been bolstering Taiwan's defense and China has complained about it. White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters at a news briefing on Wednesday that parameters for the administration's additional funding request to Congress had not been finalized. Some House of Representatives Republicans, already grappling with a leadership vacuum after the historic removal of Representative Kevin McCarthy as speaker last week, said they would oppose a combined request. "I don't think theres been an expressed request from Israel yet, but we want to be prepared to help them," Republican Representative Don Bacon told reporters after administration officials conducted a classified briefing on the situation in Israel for the House on Wednesday. Bacon said he backed both aid to Israel and Ukraine, but thought they should be considered separately. "I support both but I think it would be a mistake to bundle them together," he said. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Rick Cowan, Moira Warburton and Steve Holland; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool) ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria will work together against the threat of floating mines in the Black Sea due to war between Russia and Ukraine, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry gave no details of how it would address the floating mine problem. It said on social media platform X that the three countries had discussed the issue at the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels. Last week, the British government said Russia may use sea mines to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including by laying them on the approach to Ukrainian ports. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of planting mines off the Ukrainian coast. Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria, plus Georgia, Poland and Ukraine previously discussed clearing floating mines in April 2022. Turkey is also working with the United Nations, Ukraine, and Russia to revive the Black Sea grain initiative that Moscow quit earlier this year. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Rod Nickel) FILE PHOTO: Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said Israel's blockade and bombing of Gaza in response to Palestinian militant group Hamas' attack was a disproportionate response amounting to a "massacre," but repeated Ankara's offer to mediate. With Ankara offering to mediate between the sides this week, Erdogan and his foreign minister held calls with regional powers and Western counterparts. However, Israel's envoy to Ankara on Sunday said it was too early to discuss mediation. Erdogan, speaking to his ruling AK Party in parliament, said even war has a "morality" but the flare-up since the weekend "very severely" violated that. "Preventing people meeting their most fundamental needs and bombing housing where civilians live - in short, conducting a conflict using every sort of shameful method - is not a war, it's a massacre," he said, referring to Israel cutting off electricity and water to Gaza and destroying infrastructure. Turkey, which has backed Palestinians in the past and hosted members of Hamas while supporting a two-state solution, has been working to mend ties with Israel after years of acrimony. Unlike the European Union and United States, Ankara does not view Hamas as a terrorist organisation. While not openly blaming Israel, Turkey has said that the latest fighting is due to years of injustices against Palestinians and that the only path to peace is the formation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. Erdogan on Wednesday criticised Israel's "disproportionate" attacks on Gaza as "devoid of any ethical foundation," and urged the world not to "blindly" take one side. Leaving the underlying issue unresolved would lead to new, more violent conflicts, he warned. "We call on countries in the Americas, Europe and other regions to take up a position between the parties that is fair, just, and based on humanitarian balances," he said. "Everyone should refrain from acts that will wholly punish the Palestinian people, like blocking humanitarian aid." Erdogan later on Wednesday held a call with Jordan's King Abdullah to discuss developments, the Turkish presidency said, adding that Erdogan "stated the need to be vigilant against the possibility of conflicts spreading to the wider region." HAMAS MEMBERS IN TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT Separately on Wednesday, members of HUDAPAR, an Islamist political party allied with Erdogan's Ak Party, met with senior Hamas official Bassem Naim and held a news conference in parliament alongside him. HUDAPAR Secretary General Sahzade Demir said Naim had come to recount "the Zionist savagery" to politicians, adding that Israel had declared war on Islam and its values. He also slammed what he called the "passive stance" of Muslim countries against the violence as "an embarrassment" and urged Turkey's parliament to condemn Israel at a special session on Thursday. Temel Karamollaoglu, leader of Islamist opposition Felicity Party, met Naim and Hamas' Turkey representative Musa Akkari as well, the party said. Erdogan has also previously met Hamas members. Demir also called for support for a rally, dubbed the "Friday Flood" in reference to Hamas' "Aqsa Flood" offensive against Israel, to be held in Istanbul on Friday. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Daren Butler, Andrew Cawthorne and Mark Porter) Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses lawmakers from his ruling AK Party at the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, Turkey October 11, 2023. Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Wednesday that his aim was to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas through talks before it spreads to other countries, Ankara said. Turkey's presidency said Erdogan had also said he expected regional countries and the international community to support Ankara's efforts to that end. Ankara has offered to mediate the conflict. "Erdogan said ... that the aim is to end the tension before it spreads to other countries in the region and to open a way to reach a just peace through negotiations," the presidency said. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Chris Reese) By David Shepardson and Joseph White DETROIT (Reuters) -United Auto Workers on Wednesday shut down Ford's biggest plant globally, halting production of lucrative pickup trucks with little warning, in a sharp escalation of the union's four-week targeted strike against the Detroit Three automakers. The UAW said that 8,700 union members at Ford's Kentucky truck plant went on strike after the union said the No. 2 U.S. automaker refused to move further in contract bargaining. Automakers have more than doubled initial wage hike offers, agreed to raise wages along with inflation, and improved pay for temporary workers, but the union wants higher wages still, the abolishment of a two-tier wage system and the expansion of unions to battery plants at all three companies. UAW President Shawn Fain's decision to shut down assembly lines that build Ford Super Duty pickup trucks and Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition large SUVs is a blow to Ford that could quickly undermine the automaker's full-year profits. Ford's Kentucky truck plant, its most profitable operation, generates $25 billion in annual revenue, about a sixth of the company's global automotive revenue. The company's shares fell about 2% in after-hours trading, after closing 0.4% higher on Wednesday. Fain and other UAW officials called a meeting with Ford at 5:30 pm ET (21:30 GMT) on Wednesday and demanded a new offer, which Ford did not have, a Ford official said. "You just lost Kentucky Truck," Fain said, according to the Ford official and a union source, speaking on condition of anonymity because the talks are not public. "This is all you have for us? Our members' lives and my handshake are worth more than this," Fain added, according to the union source. Ford said the decision was "grossly irresponsible but unsurprising given the union leadership's stated strategy of keeping the Detroit 3 wounded for months through 'reputational damage' and 'industrial chaos.'" The Kentucky walkout is also a warning to General Motors and Chrysler parent Stellantis, whose wage and benefits offers fall short of Ford's, based on summaries the automakers and the UAW have released. Fain said on Friday he was ready to strike the GM assembly plant in Arlington, Texas that builds Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Suburban and other large, high-priced SUVs. High-profit targets at Stellantis include the automaker's Ram pickup truck factories in Sterling Heights and Warren, Michigan, as well as two Jeep SUV factories in Detroit. 'UNCHARTED TERRITORY' Fain said on Friday that Ford had upped its proposed wage hike to 23% through early 2028. Combined with proposed cost-of-living-adjustments, workers could receive pay increases of close to 30%, people familiar with the proposal said. The UAW had expected a further improved proposal from Ford, and on Wednesday it brought the same offer, the union source said. The Ford official said the company and UAW bargainers had been working to resolve differences on retirement security and union representation at the company's future battery plants earlier in the day. For the past four weeks, Fain has made decisions about new walkouts on Fridays at the Detroit Three's plants in video addresses. But Fain has said time and again his aim is to keep the automakers off balance. "We had to choose to do things differently this way," Fain said on Wednesday after the announcement. "If the companies aren't going to come to the table and take care of the membership's needs, then we will react." Even with Wednesday's walkout, only about 22% of the 150,000 UAW workers at the Detroit Three automakers are on strike. However, thousands more have been furloughed from jobs at operations that are not on strike because automakers said the walkouts made their work unnecessary. The walkout in Kentucky will put stress on Ford UAW members beyond the sprawling factory near Louisville. Workers at a dozen other Ford plants that supply engines, transmissions and other components to the plant could be furloughed. Suppliers to the plant's trucks and SUVs could also be forced to temporarily lay off workers. The Kentucky plant "is a very profitable plant and because there was no notice at all, it will be particularly disruptive," said Harley Shaiken, labor professor at the University of California, Berkeley. "This is a major step hitting the bottom line," Shaiken said. "This sends a signal that the union could escalate this strike any moment of the day or night. This is uncharted territory for both sides. The union has never used this strategy and Ford has never experienced this strategy." The UAW on Friday had held off on additional strikes against Detroit Three auto plants, citing GM's unexpected willingness to allow workers at joint venture battery plants to be covered by union contracts. GM and the UAW have been discussing the precise terms this week. The UAW and Stellantis have another major round of bargaining set for Thursday, sources said. The Detroit automakers will report third-quarter financial results between Oct. 24 and 31, and the UAW could use what are expected to be robust profits to press their case for a richer contract. Before Wednesday's Ford announcement, the union had ordered walkouts at five assembly plants, including two Ford assembly plants, at the three companies and 38 parts depots operated by GM and Stellantis. Separately, BlueOval SK, Ford's battery joint venture with South Korea's SK On said on Wednesday it would offer higher wages for some workers at its plants in Tennessee and Kentucky, ranging from $24 to $37.50 per hour based on experience, though it did not give details of the previous wages. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Joe White in Detroit, Abhirup Roy in San Francisco and Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang in Seoul; Editing by Peter Henderson, Sayantani Ghosh and Jamie Freed) FILE PHOTO: Branding is displayed for Vodafone at one of its stores in London, Britain, June 14, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's antitrust watchdog is examining whether a $19 billion tie-up between Vodafone's UK operation and CK Hutchison's Three UK would substantially lessen competition, it said on Wednesday. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) invited comments from interested parties on the deal announced in June which would create the UK's biggest mobile operator. The CMA is gathering information before it starts a formal Phase 1 investigation in the next few months that must then be completed within 40 working days. If it finds the deal could lead to less competition, it will launch a deeper investigation that lasts 24 weeks. The deal will reduce the number of networks to three from four, challenging a tenet long held by regulators that having four in major markets helps keep prices low. A proposed tie-up between Three UK and Telefonica's O2 in Britain was blocked by the European Commission in 2016 on the grounds that a reduction to three networks would reduce competition and likely result in higher prices. Vodafone and Three UK have pledged to invest 11 billion pounds ($13.5 billion) to create "one of Europe's most advanced standalone 5G networks" in a bid to win over politicians, unions and competition authorities. CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said: "We will be carefully considering how this deal may affect competition in the UK, which could affect the options and prices available to customers. "We will also assess how it may affect incentives to invest in the quality of UK mobile networks." Vodafone said it was "actively engaging with the CMA" and welcomed their move to invite views from third parties. "We want to build one of Europe's leading 5G networks and believe the combination of Vodafone UK and Three UK will be great for customers, the country and competition," a spokesperson said. Three UK declined to comment. ($1 = 0.8143 pounds) (Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru and Paul Sandle in London; editing by Savio D'Souza, Jason Neely, Elaine Hardcastle) Britain's King Charles III looks on during his visit to the Global Underwater Hub, where he met staff and learnt about their educational outreach programmes in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Britain September 29, 2023. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS/Fil LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's King Charles is appalled by the "barbaric acts of terrorism" in Israel, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Wednesday, following attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. "This is a situation his majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated," the spokesperson said. "His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved as we speak." Israel's death toll has reached 1,200 with more than 2,700 wounded, its military has said, during the Hamas militants' hours-long rampage after breaching the border fence around Gaza on Saturday. Retaliatory strikes on the blockaded enclave have killed 1,055 people and wounded 5,184, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. "His majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel," the palace spokesperson said. On Wednesday, the British monarch spoke to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and also Jordan's King Abdullah to personally express his concerns for those who were suffering. Charles, 74, who has long called for inter-community dialogue and understanding, and for religious leaders to encourage followers to respect those of other faiths, became the most senior British royal to pay an official visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories in 2020. During the trip, when he met former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he spoke of the evil of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism, as well as expressing sadness over the suffering and hardship faced by Palestinians. Charles, who had previously travelled to Jerusalem in 1995 and 2016 to attend the funerals of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and President Shimon Peres, also visited the tomb of his grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, who is buried on Jerusalems Mount of Olives. She was honoured by Israel for sheltering Jews in her palace in Nazi-occupied Greece during the Holocaust. The king's son and heir, Prince William, also undertook an official visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories in 2018, becoming the first senior British royal to do so, speaking of his hopes there could be a "just and lasting peace". A spokesperson for William and his wife, Kate, said they were "profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days". "The horrors inflicted by Hamas terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling; they utterly condemn them," the spokesperson said. "As Israel exercises its right of self-defence, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be stalked by grief, fear and anger in the time to come. Their Royal Highnesses hold all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds." (Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by William James, Nick Macfie and Toby Chopra) By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday condemned what it called a reported "military attack" in Myanmar on a refugee camp that led to the killing of several civilians. THE TAKE At least 29 people, including women and children, were killed in Myanmar in an artillery strike on a refugee camp near the border with China which sources said was carried out by the ruling military. KEY QUOTES "We are deeply concerned by reports of a Burma military attack on an internally displaced persons camp near Mung Lai Hkyet village in Kachin State on October 9," the U.S. State Department said. "We strongly condemn the military regime's ongoing attacks that have claimed thousands of lives since the February 2021 coup and continue to exacerbate the region's most severe humanitarian crisis," the State Department added. CONTEXT The attack was one of the deadliest on civilians since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, which triggered conflict with a resistance movement and armed ethnic groups across the country. Sources said artillery hit a camp for internally displaced people about 3 miles (5 kms) from a base in the town of Laiza run by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which has been in conflict with Myanmar's military for years. Laiza sits close to the Chinese border and is home to many civilians living in displacement camps in and around the town. The UN says more than a million people have been displaced by the conflict in Myanmar. The shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and the British Embassy in Yangon blamed the military for the shelling, which took place close to midnight on Monday in Kachin State. A spokesperson for the junta said the military was not responsible. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Sandra Maler and Stephen Coates) FILE PHOTO: A police officer walks outside the U.S. embassy after a suicide attack in Tunis, Tunisia March 6, 2020. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo TUNIS (Reuters) - The U.S Embassy in Tunisia said on Wednesday it would close to the public for routine services on Thursday and Friday in an abundance caution, due to expected pro-Palestinian protests in the country. A national protest is expected to take place on Thursday, with the participation of most of the country's political parties and groups, including the powerful Labor Union UGTT, which has a large popular base. Demonstrations will also take place on Friday, as Hamas leaders called for a day of support throughout the Arab world. "In an abundance of caution, the embassy is closed to the public for routine services on Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13," the embassy said in a statement, adding that it is not aware of specific or credible threat at this time. The planned protests follow Israeli reprisal strikes on blockaded Gaza that have killed 1,100 people and wounded 5,339 after Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in a rampage after breaching the fence enclosing Gaza on Saturday. In 2012, hundreds of protesters attacked the U.S embassy in Tunis, over a film denigrating the Prophet Mohammad, an attack in which Tunisian police killed four protesters. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Bill Berkrot) FILE PHOTO: Pigeons are seen resting on signage for Walgreens, owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 26, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo (Reuters) -U.S. pharmacy chain operator Walgreens Boots Alliance has appointed Tim Wentworth as its CEO, pinning hopes on the healthcare industry veteran to boost its lagging stock price and reverse a recent drop in profits. Wentworth, the former top boss of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Express Scripts before it was bought by Cigna, will be tasked with overseeing a push by Walgreens to diversify its healthcare services, the firm said on Tuesday. He brings nearly three decades of healthcare leadership experience to Walgreens as the company grapples with sharply lower sales from COVID vaccinations and testing, along with decreased spending by inflation-weary consumers. Its shares have lost about 40% this year. "(Wentworth's) strong track record in healthcare services should provide a solid base for understanding much of the nuance that (Walgreens) is currently navigating," said J.P. Morgan analyst Lisa Gill in a note. After Express Scripts, Wentworth was the CEO of Cigna's health services unit, Evernorth, till he retired in 2021. Last month, Rosalind Brewer had abruptly stepped down as CEO of Walgreens after less than three years at the top job. The role of permanent CFO is still vacant. Brewer's departure was part of a mutually agreed decision, Walgreens had said, without providing further details, after a tenure during which its share price nearly halved in value as the company tried to broaden its reach as a healthcare provider. Walgreens has been looking to expand beyond its core business, with acquisitions of healthcare services operator VillageMD and urgent-care provider Summit Health over the past few years. The company has been closing stores and cutting jobs to streamline its operations. CNN also reported on Friday that pharmacy employees at some U.S. Walgreens stores plan a walkout between Monday and Wednesday. (Reporting by Manas Mishra and Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Devika Syamnath) The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China has honoured Trina Solar with the title of Decarbonisation Leader for its achievements in low-carbon transition and climate change mitigation. The company received the award at the 2023 Sustainable Business Awards conference and ceremony in Shanghai. The award recognises Trina Solars exceptional decarbonisation performance at a business operations level and is a testament to its contribution to achieving the climate ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement of 2015. In line with UN Sustainable Development Goals, the European Chamber of Sustainable Business Awards evaluates companies based on their engagement in sustainable development initiatives and their long-term business impact. Role model The Decarbonisation Leader award aims to create a role model to inspire more companies to reduce carbon emissions, achieve green growth and promote sustainable development. Trina Solar won the award in stiff competition with 64 other companies. Trina Solar has long championed the principles of sustainable development. Drawing on its advantages in product development, technological innovation and manufacturing capabilities, the company has been a driving force for sustainable development. According to Trina Solars 2022 Sustainability Report, greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production for cell and module products fell 51% and 62% respectively in 2022 from the 2020 baseline. Trina Solar attaches great importance to carbon emissions control in all aspects of the life cycle of modules. Trina Solar is the first module manufacturer to complete LCA certification for 210mm modules. The full range of 210 mm Vertex modules have been awarded the Carbon Footprint Certificate by TUV Rheinland. Vertex modules lead the industry and empower global green development by delivering superior performance. Global plants All of Trina Solars global plants have been established in accordance with ISO 14001 and have performed in line with that, and have conducted GHG inventories in accordance with ISO 14064. Its plant in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, obtained the Zero Carbon Factory (Type 1) Certificate for 2022, a first in the industry. Trina Solar has also established a net-zero industrial park integrating power generation, transmission, loading and storage in Qinghai province. By the first half of 2023 Trina Solar had shipped over 150GW of solar modules to more than 160 countries and regions. The modules shipped have helped the world generate 202.5 billion kWh of clean energy, reducing CO2 emissions by 202 million tonnes, equivalent to planting 11 billion trees.--TradeArabia News Service GAZA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The next of kin of the commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, were killed during an Israeli airstrike in the south of the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian outlet reported on Wednesday. An Israeli warplane targeted the house of the brother of Mohammed al-Deif, the chief commander of Al-Qassam. The attack destroyed the home and killed his brother, as well as his brother's son and daughter in Khan Younis city, as reported by Al-Aqsa Channel, affiliated with Hamas. It is unknown whether the brigades' commander was present in the house at the time of the bombing. The channel also reported that the raid resulted in several people being injured. On Wednesday, two Hamas political officials were killed in an Israeli raid on Gaza Strip. According to the latest official Palestinian and Israeli statistics, at least 900 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, while Hamas has killed more than 1,200 Israelis since the start of the conflict on Saturday. U.S. Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen holds a news conference at the Museum of the Water Civilization in Morocco on the third day of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meeting, in Marrakech, Morocco, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Susana V By Andrea Shalal and David Lawder MARRAKECH, Morocco (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas posed additional risks to an already tepid global economic outlook, but the United States still appeared headed for a soft landing. Yellen joined other top financial leaders in condemning Saturday's massive incursion into Israel from Gaza launched by Hamas and pledged Washington's strong support for Israel "in any way that's necessary." Israel's declaration of war on Hamas and its pounding of Gaza following Saturday's devastating attack hung over the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Marrakech, Morocco, although the world's top financial experts said it was too soon to draw clear conclusions. The sudden outbreak of war in the Middle East added a further risk factor to a global economy already strained by increasing economic fragmentation into two blocs led by the United States on one hand, and China and Russia on the other. "The world has become more shock-prone, with increased risks to growth, development, jobs, and living standards that widen inequalities within and across countries," the IMF and World Bank, joined by Morocco's finance minister and central bank governor, said in a "Marrakech Proclamation" on Wednesday. "We need to stand together, united in the goal of protecting our future prosperity and ending extreme poverty." INFLATIONARY IMPACT IMF first deputy managing director Gita Gopinath said the war could hit the economy if it expanded. "If it turns into a wider conflict and that causes oil prices to go up, that does have an effect on the economies," she told Bloomberg Television, adding that a 10% increase in oil prices could depress global output 0.15 percentage point the following year. In its latest World Economic Outlook, released on Tuesday, the IMF left its forecast for global real GDP growth in 2023 unchanged at 3.0% but cut its 2024 forecast to 2.9% from its July forecast of 3.0%. World output grew 3.5% in 2022. Yellen told a news conference that funding for Ukraine and "resources" for Israel were an "absolute top priority" for the Biden administration, a message also aimed at assuaging concerns that the Gaza war would siphon off resources urgently needed by Kyiv to advance its fight against Russia's invasion. In Washington, the White House described active discussions with Congress about additional funding for Israel and Ukraine. Crude oil prices jumped and safe-haven currencies like the yen rose as Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza neighborhoods ahead of a potential ground offensive and a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Yellen acknowledged the potential impact of exogenous shocks on the global economy, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but downplayed the potential for the Gaza war to batter the global economy. "Thus far, I don't think we've seen anything suggesting it would be very significant," she said, adding that she continued to expect a soft landing for the U.S. economy. "Of course the situation in Israel causes additional concerns. I'm not saying soft landing is an absolutely sure thing. But I continue to think it's the most likely path," due to the resilience in the labour market and moderating wage pressure, Yellen told a briefing. World Bank President Ajay Banga told a separate news conference the conflict would complicate the global economy's path: "I believe that wars are completely, extremely challenging for central banks who are trying to find their way through a very difficult situation, to a relatively soft landing." SANCTIONS OPTION Yellen said she had nothing to announce on whether the United States would impose new sanctions on Iran if evidence emerged that the country was involved in the attack, and said Washington also had sanctions in place on Hamas and Hezbollah. "This is something that we have been constantly looking at, and using information that becomes available to tighten sanctions," she said. "We will continue to do that." Asked whether Washington could reverse its decision to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds as part of a U.S.-Iran prisoner swap in September, Yellen said those funds had not yet been touched, and Washington was keeping its options open. "These are funds that are sitting in Qatar that were made available purely for humanitarian purposes, funds that have not been touched. I wouldn't take anything off the table in terms of future possible actions." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he had "not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but theres certainly a long relationship." (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) 301 E. Fourth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 Your Great American Insurance Policy 0790FIC (01/20) 2020 Great American Insurance Company 800-545-4269 GAIG.com IMPORTANT NOTICE FIDELITY CRIME DIVISION CLAIMS Should this account have a potential claim situation, please contact: Fidelity & Crime Claims Department Great American Insurance Group Five Waterside Crossing Windsor, CT 06095 (860) 298-7330 (860) 688 - 8188 fax [email protected] FI 75 10 (Ed. 11/16) INVESTMENT COMPANY BOND GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY (A Stock Insurance Company, Herein Called the Underwriter) DECLARATIONS Bond No. FS E697604 03 00 Item 1. Name of Insured (herein called Insured): iDirect Private Markets Fund Principal Address: 60 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10165 Item 2. Bond Period: from 12:01 a.m. on 09/26/2023 to 09/26/2024 12:01 a.m. the effective date of the termination or cancellation of this Bond, standard time at the Principal Address as to each of said dates. Item 3. Limit of Liability - Subject to Sections 9, 10 and 12 hereof, Amount applicable to Limit of Liability Deductible Insuring Agreement (A)-Fidelity $ 900,000 $ 0 Insuring Agreement (B)-On Premises $ 900,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (C)-In Transit $ 900,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (D)-Forgery or Alteration $ 900,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (E)-Securities $ 900,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (F)-Counterfeit Currency $ 900,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (G)-Stop Payment $ 100,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (H)-Uncollectible Items of Deposit $ 900,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (I)-Audit Expense $ 100,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (J)-Telefacsimile Transmissions $ Not Covered $ N/A Insuring Agreement (K)-Unauthorized Signatures $ 100,000 $ 10,000 Optional Insuring Agreements and Coverages Insuring Agreement (L)-Computer Systems $ 900,000 $ 10,000 Insuring Agreement (M)-Automated Phone Systems $ Not Covered $ N/A Insuring Agreement (N)-Fraudulent Transfer Instructions $ 900,000 $ 10,000 (Page 1 of 2) If Not Covered is inserted above opposite any specified Insuring Agreement or Coverage, such Insuring Agreement or Coverage and any other reference thereto in this Bond shall be deemed to be deleted therefrom. Item 4. Offices or Premises Covered-Offices acquired or established subsequent to the effective date of this Bond are covered according to the terms of General Agreement A. All the Insureds offices or premises in existence at the time this Bond becomes effective are covered under this Bond except the offices or premises located as follows: N/A Item 5. The liability of the Underwriter is subject to the terms of the following Riders attached hereto: See Form FI8801 Item 6. The Insured by the acceptance of this Bond gives to the Underwriter terminating or cancelling prior Bond(s) or Policy(ies) No.(s) FS E697604 02 such termination or cancellation to be effective as of the time this Bond becomes effective. (Page 2 of 2) FI 75 11 (Ed. 08/15) INVESTMENT COMPANY BOND The Underwriter, in consideration of an agreed premium, and subject to the Declarations made a part hereof, the General Agreements, Conditions and Limitations and other terms of this Bond, agrees with the Insured, in accordance with Insuring Agreements hereof to which an amount of insurance is applicable as set forth in Item 3 of the Declarations and with respect to loss sustained by the Insured at any time but discovered during the Bond period, to indemnify and hold harmless the Insured for: INSURING AGREEMENTS FIDELITY (A) Loss resulting from any dishonest or fraudulent act(s), including Larceny or Embezzlement committed by an Employee, committed anywhere and whether committed alone or in collusion with others, including loss of Property resulting from such acts of an Employee, which Property is held by the Insured for any purpose or in any capacity and whether so held gratuitously or not and whether or not the Insured is liable therefor. Dishonest or fraudulent act(s) as used in this Insuring Agreement shall mean only dishonest or fraudulent act(s) committed by such Employee with the manifest intent: (a) to cause the Insured to sustain such loss; and (b) to obtain financial benefit for the Employee, or for any other person or organization intended by the Employee to receive such benefit, other than salaries, commissions, fees, bonuses, promotions, awards, profit sharing, pensions or other employee benefits earned in the normal course of employment. ON PREMISES (B) Loss of Property (occurring with or without negligence or violence) through robbery, burglary, Larceny, theft, holdup, or other fraudulent means, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage thereto or destruction thereof, abstraction or removal from the possession, custody or control of the Insured, and loss of subscription, conversion, redemption or deposit privileges through the misplacement or loss of Property, while the Property is (or is supposed or believed by the Insured to be) lodged or deposited within any offices or premises located anywhere, except in an office listed in Item 4 of the Declarations or amendment thereof or in the mail or with a carrier for hire other than an armored motor vehicle company, for the purpose of transportation. Offices and Equipment (1) Loss of or damage to furnishings, fixtures, stationary, supplies or equipment, within any of the Insureds offices covered under this Bond caused by Larceny or theft in, or by burglary, robbery or hold-up of such office, or attempt thereat, or by vandalism or malicious mischief; or (2) loss through damage to any such office by Larceny or theft in, or by burglary, robbery or hold-up of such office or attempt thereat. IN TRANSIT (C) Loss of Property (occurring with or without negligence or violence) through robbery, Larceny, theft, hold-up, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, being lost or otherwise made away with, damage thereto or destruction thereof, and loss of subscription, conversion, redemption or deposit privileges through the misplacement or loss of Property, while the Property is in transit anywhere in the custody of any person or persons acting as messenger, except while in the mail or with a carrier for hire, other than an armored motor vehicle company, for the purpose of transportation, such transit to begin immediately upon receipt of such Property by the transporting person or persons, and to end immediately upon delivery thereof at destination. (Page 1 of 13) FORGERY OR ALTERATION (D) Loss through FORGERY or ALTERATION of, on or in any bills of exchange, checks, drafts, acceptances, certificates of deposit, promissory notes, or other written promises, orders or directions to pay sums certain in money due bills, money orders, warrants, orders upon public treasuries, letters of credit, written instructions, advices or applications directed to the Insured, authorizing or acknowledging the transfer, payment, delivery or receipt of funds or Property, which instructions or advices or applications purport to have been signed or endorsed by any customer of the Insured, shareholder or subscriber to shares, whether certificated or uncertificated, of any Investment Company or by any financial or banking institution or stock-broker but which instructions, advices or applications either bear the forged signature or Endorsement or have been altered without the knowledge and consent of such customer, shareholder or subscriber to shares, whether certificated or uncertificated, of an Investment Company, financial or banking institution or stockbroker, withdrawal orders or receipts for the withdrawal of funds or Property, or receipts or certificates of deposit for Property and bearing the name of the Insured as issuer, or of another Investment Company for which the Insured acts as agent, excluding, however, any loss covered under Insuring Agreement (F) hereof whether or not coverage for Insuring Agreement (F) is provided for in the Declarations of this Bond. Any check or draft (a) made payable to a fictitious payee and endorsed in the name of such fictitious payee or (b) procured in a transaction with the maker or drawer thereof or with one acting as an agent of such maker or drawer or anyone impersonating another and made or drawn payable to the one so impersonated and endorsed by anyone other than the one impersonated, shall be deemed to be forged as to such Endorsement. Mechanically reproduced facsimile signatures are treated the same as handwritten signatures. SECURITIES (E) Loss sustained by the Insured, including loss sustained by reason of a violation of the constitution, by-laws, rules or regulations of any Self Regulatory Organization of which the Insured is a member or which would have been imposed upon the Insured by the constitution, by-laws, rules or regulations of any Self Regulatory Organization if the Insured had been a member thereof, (1) through the Insureds having, in good faith and in the course of business, whether for its own account or for the account of others, in any representative, fiduciary, agency or any other capacity, either gratuitously or otherwise, purchased or otherwise acquired, accepted or received, or sold or delivered, or given any value, extended any credit or assumed any liability, on the faith of, or otherwise acted upon, any securities, documents or other written instruments which prove to have been (a) counterfeited, or (b) forged as to the signature of any maker, drawer, issuer, endorser, assignor, lessee, transfer agent or registrar, acceptor, surety or guarantor or as to the signature of any person signing in any other capacity, or (c) raised or otherwise altered, or lost, or stolen, or (2) through the Insureds having, in good faith and in the course of business, guaranteed in writing or witnessed any signatures whether for valuable consideration or not and whether or not such guaranteeing or witnessing is ultra vires the Insured, upon any transfers, assignments, bills of sale, powers of attorney, guarantees, Endorsements or other obligations upon or in connection with any securities, documents or other written instruments and which pass or purport to pass title to such securities, documents or other written instruments; EXCLUDING, losses caused by FORGERY or ALTERATION of, on or in those instruments covered under Insuring Agreement (D) hereof. Securities, documents or other written instruments shall be deemed to mean original (including original counterparts) negotiable or non-negotiable agreements which in and of themselves represent an equitable interest, ownership, or debt, including an assignment thereof which instruments are in the ordinary (Page 2 of 13) course of business, transferable by delivery of such agreements with any necessary Endorsement or assignment. The word counterfeited as used in this Insuring Agreement shall be deemed to mean any security, document or other written instrument which is intended to deceive and to be taken for an original. Mechanically reproduced facsimile signatures are treated the same as handwritten signatures. COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY (F) Loss through the receipt by the Insured, in good faith, of any counterfeited money orders or altered paper currencies or coin of the United States of America or Canada issued or purporting to have been issued by the United States of America or Canada or issued pursuant to a United States of America or Canadian statute for use as currency. STOP PAYMENT (G) Loss against any and all sums which the Insured shall become obligated to pay by reason of the Liability imposed upon the Insured by law for damages: For having either complied with or failed to comply with any written notice of any customer, shareholder or subscriber of the Insured or any Authorized Representative of such customer, shareholder or subscriber to stop payment of any check or draft made or drawn by such customer, shareholder or subscriber or any Authorized Representative of such customer, shareholder or subscriber, or For having refused to pay any check or draft made or drawn by any customer, shareholder or subscriber of the Insured, or any Authorized Representative of such customer, shareholder or Subscriber. UNCOLLECTIBLE ITEMS OF DEPOSIT (H) Loss resulting from payments of dividends or fund shares, or withdrawals permitted from any customers, shareholders or subscribers account based upon Uncollectible items of Deposit of a customer, shareholder or subscriber credited by the Insured or the Insureds agent to such customers, shareholders or subscribers Mutual Fund Account: or loss resulting from any item of Deposit processed through an Automated Clearing House which is reversed by the customer, shareholder or subscriber and deemed uncollectible by the Insured. Loss includes dividends and interest accrued not to exceed 15% of the Uncollectible items which are deposited. This Insuring Agreement applies to all Mutual Funds with exchange privileges if all Fund(s) in the exchange program are insured by a Great American Insurance Company of Cincinnati, OH for Uncollectible Items of Deposit. Regardless of the number of transactions between Fund(s) the minimum number of days of deposit within the Fund(s) before withdrawal as declared in the Fund(s) prospectus shall begin from the date a deposit was first credited to any Insured Fund(s). AUDIT EXPENSE (I) Expense incurred by the Insured for that part of the costs of audits or examinations required by any governmental regulatory authority to be conducted either by such authority or by an independent accountant by reason of the discovery of loss sustained by the Insured through any dishonest or fradulent act(s), including Larceny or Embezzlement of any of the Employees. The total liability of the Underwriter for such expense by reason of such acts of any Employee or in which such Employee is concerned or implicated or with respect to any one audit or examination is limited to the amount stated opposite Audit Expense in Item 3 of the Declarations; it being understood, however, that such expense shall be deemed to be a loss sustained by the Insured through any dishonest or fraudulent act(s), including Larceny or Embezzlement of one or more of the Employees and the liability under this paragraph shall be in addition to the Limit of Liability stated in Insuring Agreement (A) in Item 3 of the Declarations. TELEFACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS (J) Loss resulting by reason of the Insured having transferred, paid or delivered any funds or Property, established any credit, debited any account, or given any value relying on any fraudulent instructions sent by a customer or financial institution by Telefacsimile Transmission directed to the Insured, authorizing or (Page 3 of 13) acknowledging the transfer, payment, or delivery of funds or property, the establishment of a credit, debiting of any account, or the giving of value by the Insured, but only if such telefacsimile instructions: (1) bear a valid test key exchanged between the Insured and a customer or another financial institution with authority to use such test key for Telefacsimile instructions in the ordinary course of business, but which test key has been wrongfully obtained by a person who was not authorized to initiate, make, validate or authenticate a test key arrangement; and (2) fraudulently purport to have been sent by such customer or financial institution, but which telefacsimile instructions are transmitted without the knowledge or consent of such customer or financial institution by a person other than such customer or financial institution and which bear a forged signature. Telefacsimile means a system of transmitting written documents by electronic signals over telephone lines to equipment maintained by the Insured within its communication room for the purposes of reproducing a copy of said document. It does not mean electronic communication sent by Telex, TWC, or electronic mail, or Automated Clearing House. UNAUTHORIZED SIGNATURES (K) Loss resulting directly from the Insured having accepted, paid or cashed any check or withdrawal order, draft, made or drawn on a customers account which bears the signature or Endorsement of one other than a person whose name and signature is on the application on file with the Insured as a signatory on such account. It shall be a condition precedent to the Insureds right to recovery under this Insuring Agreement that the Insured shall have on file signatures of all persons who are authorized signatories on such account. GENERAL AGREEMENTS (A) ADDITIONAL OFFICES OR EMPLOYEES- CONSOLIDATION OR MERGER-NOTICE (1) If the Insured shall, while this Bond is in force, establish any additional office or offices, such office or offices shall be automatically covered hereunder from the dates of their establishment, respectively. No notice to the Underwriter of an increase during any premium period in the number of offices or in the number of Employees at any of the offices covered hereunder need be given and no additional premium need be paid for the remainder of such premium period. (2) If an Investment Company, named as Insured herein, shall, while this Bond is in force, merge or consolidate with, or purchase the assets of another institution, coverage for such acquisition shall apply automatically from the date of acquisition. The Insured shall notify the Underwriter of such acquisition within 60 days of said date, and an additional premium shall be computed only if such acquisition involves additional offices or employees. WARRANTY (B) No statement made by or on behalf of the Insured, whether contained in the application or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a warranty of anything except that it is true to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person making the statement. COURT COSTS AND ATTORNEYS FEES (Applicable to all Insuring Agreements or Coverages now or hereafter forming part of this Bond) (C) The Underwriter will indemnify the Insured against court costs and reasonable attorneys fees incurred and paid by the Insured in defense, whether or not successful, whether or not fully litigated on the merits and whether or not settled of any suit or legal proceeding brought against the Insured to enforce the lnsureds liability or alleged liability on account (Page 4 of 13) of any loss, claim or damage which, if established against the Insured, would constitute a loss sustained by the Insured covered under the terms of this Bond provided, however, that with respect to Insuring Agreement (A) this indemnity shall apply only in the event that (1) an Employee admits to being guilty of any dishonest or fraudulent act(s), including Larceny or Embezzlement; or (2) an Employee is adjudicated to be guilty of any dishonest or fraudulent act(s), including Larceny or Embezzlement; (3) in the absence of (1) or (2) above an arbitration panel agrees, after a review of an agreed statement of facts, that an Employee would be found guilty of dishonesty if such Employee were prosecuted. The Insured shall promptly give notice to the Underwriter of any such suit or legal proceeding and at the request of the Underwriter shall furnish it with copies of all pleadings and other papers therein. At the Underwriters election the Insured shall permit the Underwriter to conduct the defense of such suit or legal proceeding, in the Insureds name, through attorneys of the Underwriters selec- tion. In such event, the Insured shall give all reasonable information and assistance which the Underwriter shall deem necessary to the proper defense of such suit or legal proceeding. If the Insureds liability or alleged liability is greater than the amount recoverable under this Bond, or if a Deductible Amount is applicable, the liability of the Underwriter under this General Agreement is limited to that percentage of litigation expense determined by pro ration of the Bond limit of liability to the amount claimed, after the application of any deductible. This litigation expense will be in addition to the Limit of Liability for the applicable Insuring Agreement. FORMER EMPLOYEE (D) Acts of Employee, as defined in this Bond, are covered under Insuring Agreement (A) only while the Employee is in the Insureds employ. Should loss involving a former Employee of the Insured be discovered subsequent to the termination of employment, coverage would still apply under Insuring Agreement (A) if the direct proximate cause of the loss occurred while the former Employee performed duties within the scope of his/her employment. THE FOREGOING INSURING AGREEMENTS AND GENERAL AGREEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS: SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS The following terms, as used in this Bond, shall have the respective meanings stated in this Section: (a) Employee means: (1) any of the Insureds officers, partners, or employees, and (2) any of the officers or employees of any predecessor of the Insured whose principal assets are acquired by the Insured by consolidation or merger with, or purchase of assets of capital stock of such predecessor, and (3) attorneys retained by the Insured to perform legal services for the Insured and the employees of such attorneys while such attorneys or the employees of such attorneys are performing such services for the Insured, and (4) guest students pursuing their studies or duties in any of the Insureds offices, and (5) directors or trustees of the Insured, the investment advisor, underwriter (distributor), transfer agent, or shareholder accounting record keeper, or administrator authorized by written agreement to keep financial and/or other required records, but only while performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an officer or employee or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or (Page 5 of 13) appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to the Property of the Insured, and (6) any individual or individuals assigned to perform the usual duties of an employee within the premises of the Insured by contract, or by any agency furnishing temporary personnel on a contingent or part-time basis, and (7) each natural person, partnership or corporation authorized by written agreement with the Insured to perform services as electronic data processor of checks or other accounting records of the Insured, but excluding any such processor who acts as transfer agent or in any other agency capacity in issuing checks, drafts or securities for the Insured, unless included under Sub-section (9) hereof, and (8) those persons so designated in section 15, Central Handling of Securities, and (9) any officer, partner or Employee of (a) an investment advisor, (b) an underwriter (distributor), (c) a transfer agent or shareholder accounting record-keeper, or (d) an administrator authorized by written agreement to keep financial and/or other required records, for an Investment Company, named as Insured while performing acts coming within the scope of the usual duties of an officer or Employee of any Investment Company named as Insured herein, or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to the Property of any such Investment Company provided that only Employees or partners of a transfer agent, shareholder accounting record-keeper or administrator which is an affiliated person as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of an Investment Company named as Insured, or is an affiliated person of the adviser, underwriter or administrator of such Investment Company, and which is not a bank, shall be included within the definition of Employee. Each employer of temporary personnel or processors as set forth in Sub-Sections (6) and (7) of Section 1 (a) and their partners, officers and employees shall collectively be deemed to be one person for all the purposes of this Bond, excepting, however, the last paragraph of Section 13. Brokers, or other agents under contract or representatives of the same general character shall not be considered Employees. (b) Property means money (i.e. currency, coin, bank notes, Federal Reserve notes), postage and revenue stamps, U.S. Savings Stamps, bullion, precious metals of all kinds and in any form and articles made therefrom, jewelry, watches, necklaces, bracelets, gems, precious and semi-precious stones, Bonds, securities, evidences of debts, debentures, scrip, certificates, interim receipts, warrants, rights, puts, calls, straddles, spreads, transfers, coupons, drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances, notes, checks, withdrawal orders, money orders, warehouse receipts, bills of lading, conditional sales contracts, abstracts of title, insurance Policies, deeds, mortgages under real estate and/or chattels and upon interests therein, and assignments of such Policies, mortgages and instruments, and other valuable papers, including books of account and other records used by the Insured in the conduct of its business, and all other instruments similar to or in the nature of the foregoing including Electronic Representations of such Instruments enumerated above (but excluding all data processing records) in which the Insured has an interest or in which the Insured acquired or should have acquired an interest by reason of a predecessors declared financial condition at the time of the Insureds consolidation or merge with, or purchase of the principal assets of, such predecessor or which are held by the Insured for any purpose or in any capacity and whether so held by the Insured for any purpose or in any capacity and whether so held gratuitously or not and whether or not the Insured is liable therefor. (c) Forgery means the signing of the name of another with the intent to deceive; it does not include the signing of ones own name with or without authority, in any capacity, or for any purpose. (Page 6 of 13) (d) Larceny and Embezzlement as it applies to any named Insured means those acts as set forth in Section 37 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. (e) Items of Deposit means any one or more checks and drafts. SECTION 2. EXCLUSIONS THIS BOND DOES NOT COVER: (a) loss effected directly or indirectly by means of forgery or alteration of, on or in any instrument, except when covered by Insuring Agreement (A), (D), (E) or (F). (b) loss due to riot or civil commotion outside the United States of America and Canada; or loss due to military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection unless such loss occurs in transit in the circumstances recited in Insuring Agreement (C) and unless, when such transit was initiated, there was no knowledge of such riot, civil commotion, military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection on the part of any person acting for the Insured in initiating such transit. (c) loss, in time of peace or war, directly or indirectly caused by or resulting from the effects of nuclear fission or fusion or radioactivity; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to loss resulting from industrial uses of nuclear energy. (d) loss resulting from any wrongful act or acts of any person who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Insured or a member of any equivalent body by whatsoever name known unless such person is also an Employee or an elected official, partial owner or partner of the Insured in some other capacity, nor, in any event, loss resulting from the act or acts of any person while acting in the capacity of a member of such Board or equivalent body. (e) loss resulting from the complete or partial nonpayment of, or default upon, any loan or transaction in the nature of, or amounting to, a loan made by or obtained from the Insured or any of its partners, directors or Employees, whether authorized or unauthorized and whether procured in good faith or through trick, artifice, fraud or false pretenses, unless such loss is covered under Insuring Agreement (A), (E) or (F). (f) loss resulting from any violation by the Insured or by any Employee (1) of law regulating (a) the issuance, purchase or sale of securities, (b) securities transactions upon Security Exchanges or over the counter market, (c) Investment Companies, or (d) Investment Advisors, or (2) of any rule or regulation made pursuant to any such law. unless such loss, in the absence of such laws, rules or regulations, would be covered under Insuring Agreements (A) or (E). (g) loss of Property or loss of privileges through the misplacement or loss of Property as set forth in Insuring Agreement (C) or (D) while the Property is in the custody of any armored motor vehicle company, unless such loss shall be in excess of the amount recovered or received by the Insured under (a) the Insureds contract with said armored motor vehicle company, (b) insurance carried by said armored motor vehicle company for the benefit of users of its service, and (c) all other insurance and indemnity in force in whatsoever form carried by or for the benefit of users of said armored motor vehicle companys service, and then this Bond shall cover only such excess. (h) potential income, including but not limited to interest and dividends, not realized by the Insured because of a loss covered under this Bond, except as included under Insuring Agreement (I). (i) all damages of any type for which the Insured is legally liable, except direct compensatory damages arising from a loss covered under this Bond. (j) loss through the surrender of Property away from an office of the Insured as a result of a threat (1) to do bodily harm to any person, except loss of Property in transit in the custody of any person acting as messenger pro- (Page 7 of 13) vided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge by the Insured of any such threat, or (2) to do damage to the premises or Property of the Insured, except when covered under Insuring Agreement (A). (k) all costs, fees and other expenses incurred by the Insured in establishing the existence of or amount of loss covered under this Bond unless such indemnity is provided for under Insuring Agreement (I). (l) loss resulting from payments made or withdrawals from the account of a customer of the Insured, shareholder or subscriber to shares involving funds erroneously credited to such account, unless such payments are made to or withdrawn by such depositor or representative of such person, who is within the premises of the drawee bank of the Insured or within the office of the Insured at the time of such payment or withdrawal or unless such payment is covered under Insuring Agreement (A). (m) any loss resulting from Uncollectible Items of Deposit which are drawn from a financial institution outside the fifty states of the United States of America, District of Columbia, and territories and possessions of the United States of America, and Canada. SECTION 3. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS This Bond does not afford coverage in favor of any Employers of temporary personnel or of processors as set forth in sub-sections (6) and (7) of Section 1(a) of this Bond, as aforesaid, and upon payment to the insured by the Underwriter on account of any loss through dishonest or fraudulent act(s) including Larceny or Embezzlement committed by any of the partners, officers or employees of such Employers, whether acting alone or in collusion with others, an assignment of such of the Insureds rights and causes of action as it may have against such Employers by reason of such acts so committed shall, to the extent of such payment, be given by the Insured to the Underwriter, and the Insured shall execute all papers necessary to secure to the Underwriter the rights herein provided for. SECTION 4. LOSS-NOTICE-PROOF-LEGAL PROCEEDINGS This Bond is for the use and benefit only of the Insured named in the Declarations and the Underwriter shall not be liable hereunder for loss sustained by anyone other than the Insured unless the Insured, in its sole discretion and at its option, shall include such loss in the Insureds proof of loss. At the earliest practicable moment after discovery of any loss hereunder the Insured shall give the Underwriter written notice thereof and shall also within six months after such discovery furnish to the Underwriter affirmative proof of loss with full particulars. If claim is made under this Bond for loss of securities or shares, the Underwriter shall not be liable unless each of such securities or shares is identified in such proof of loss by a certificate or Bond number or, where such securities or shares are uncertificated, by such identification means as agreed to by the Underwriter. The Underwriter shall have thirty days after notice and proof of loss within which to investigate the claim, and this shall apply notwithstanding the loss is made up wholly or in part of securities of which duplicates may be obtained. Legal proceedings for recovery of any loss hereunder shall not be brought prior to the expiration of sixty days after such proof of loss is filed with the Underwriter nor after the expiration of twenty-four months from the discovery of such loss, except that any action or proceeding to recover hereunder on account of any judgment against the Insured in any suit mentioned in General Agreement C or to recover attorneys fees paid in any such suit, shall be begun within twenty-four months from the date upon which the judgment in such suit shall become final. If any limitation embodied in this Bond is prohibited by any law controlling the construction hereof, such limitation shall be deemed to be amended so as to be equal to the minimum period of limitation permitted by such law. Discovery occurs when the Insured (a) becomes aware of facts, or (b) receives written notice of an actual or potential claim by a third party which alleges that the Insured is liable under circumstance which would cause a reasonable person to assume that a loss covered by the Bond has been or will be incurred even though the exact amount or details of loss may not be then known. (Page 8 of 13) SECTION 5. VALUATION OF PROPERTY The value of any Property, except books of accounts or other records used by the Insured in the conduct of its business, for the loss of which a claim shall be made hereunder, shall be determined by the average market value of such Property on the business day next preceding the discovery of such loss; provided, however, that the value of any Property replaced by the Insured prior to the payment of claim therefor shall be the actual market value at the time of replacement; and further provided that in case of a loss or misplacement of interim certificates, warrants, rights, or other securities, the production which is necessary to the exercise of subscription, conversion, redemption or deposit privileges, the value thereof shall be the market value of such privileges immediately preceding the expiration thereof if said loss or misplacement is not discovered until after their expiration. If no market price is quoted for such Property or for such privileges, the value shall be fixed by agreement between the parties or by arbitration. In case of any loss or damage to Property consisting of books of accounts or other records used by the Insured in the conduct of its business, the Underwriter shall be liable under this Bond only if such books or records are actually reproduced and then for not more than the cost of blank books, blank pages or other materials plus the cost of labor for the actual transcription or copying of data which shall have been furnished by the Insured in order to reproduce such books and other records. SECTION 6. VALUATION OF PREMISES AND FURNISHINGS In case of damage to any office of the Insured, or loss of or damage to the furnishings, fixtures, stationary, supplies, equipment, safes or vaults therin, the Underwriter shall not be liable for more than the actual cash value thereof, or for more than the actual cost of their replacement or repair. The Underwriter may, at its election, pay such actual cash value or make such replacement or repair. If the Underwriter and the Insured cannot agree upon such cash value or such cost or replacement or repair, such shall be determined by arbitration. SECTION 7. LOST SECURITIES If the Insured shall sustain a loss of securities the total value of which is in excess of the limit stated in Item 3 of the Declarations of this Bond, the liability of the Underwriter shall be limited to payment for, or duplication of, securities having value equal to the limit stated in Item 3 of the Declarations of this Bond. If the Underwriter shall make payment to the Insured for any loss of securities, the Insured shall thereupon assign to the Underwriter all of the Insureds rights, title and interests in and to said securities. With respect to securities the value of which do not exceed the Deductible Amount (at the time of the discovery of the loss) and for which the Underwriter may at its sole discretion and option and at the request of the Insured issue a Lost Instrument Bond or Bonds to effect replacement thereof, the Insured will pay the usual premium charged therefor and will indemnify the Underwriter against all loss or expense that the Underwriter may sustain because of the issuance of such Lost Instrument Bond or Bonds. With respect to securities the value of which exceeds the Deductible Amount (at the time of discovery of the loss) and for which the Underwriter may issue or arrange for the issuance of a Lost Instrument Bond or Bonds to effect replacement thereof, the Insured agrees that it will pay as premium therefor a proportion of the usual premium charged therefor, said proportion being equal to the percentage that the Deductible Amount bears to the value of the securities upon discovery of the loss, and that it will indemnify the issuer of said Lost Instrument Bond or Bonds against all loss and expense that is not recoverable from the Underwriter under the terms and conditions of this INVESTMENT COMPANY BOND subject to the Limit of Liability hereunder. SECTION 8. SALVAGE In case of recovery, whether made by the Insured or by the Underwriter, on account of any loss in excess of the Limit of Liability hereunder plus the Deductible Amount applicable to such loss from any source other than suretyship, insurance, reinsurance, security or indemnity taken by or for the benefit of the Underwriter, the net amount of such recovery, less the actual costs and expenses of making same, shall be applied to reimburse the (Page 9 of 13) Insured in full for the excess portion of such loss, and the remainder, if any, shall be paid first in reimbursement of the Underwriter and thereafter in reimbursement of the Insured for that part of such loss within the Deductible Amount. The Insured shall execute all necessary papers to secure to the Underwriter the rights provided for herein. SECTION 9. NON-REDUCTION AND NON- ACCUMULATION OF LIABILITY AND TOTAL LIABILITY At all times prior to termination hereof this Bond shall continue in force for the limit stated in the applicable sections of Item 3 of the Declarations of this Bond notwithstanding any previous loss for which the Underwriter may have paid or be liable to pay hereunder; PROVIDED, however, that regardless of the number of years this Bond shall continue in force and the number of premiums which shall be payable or paid, the liability of the Underwriter under this Bond with respect to all loss resulting form (a) any one act of burglary, robbery or hold-up, or attempt thereat, in which no Partner or Employee is concerned or implicated shall be deemed to be one loss, or (b) any one unintentional or negligent act on the part of any one person resulting in damage to or destruction or misplacement of Property, shall be deemed to be one loss, or (c) all wrongful acts, other than those specified in (a) above, of any one person shall be deemed to be one loss, or (d) all wrongful acts, other than those specified in (a) above, of one or more persons (which dishonest act(s) or act(s) of Larceny or Embezzlement include, but are not limited to, the failure of an Employee to report such acts of others) whose dishonest act or acts intentionally or unintentionally, knowingly or unknowingly, directly or indirectly, aid or aids in any way, or permits the continuation of, the dishonest act or acts of any other person or persons shall be deemed to be one loss with the act or acts of the persons aided, or (e) any one casualty or event other than those specified in (a), (b), (c) or (d) preceding, shall be deemed to be one loss, and shall be limited to the applicable Limit of Liability stated in Item 3 of the Declarations of this Bond irrespective of the total amount of such loss or losses and shall not be cumulative in amounts from year to year or from period to period. Sub-section (c) is not applicable to any situation to which the language of sub-section (d) applies. SECTION 10. LIMIT OF LIABILITY With respect to any loss set forth in the PROVIDED clause of Section 9 of this Bond which is recoverable or recovered in whole or in part under any other Bonds or Policies issued by the Underwriter to the Insured or to any predecessor in interest of the Insured and terminated or cancelled or allowed to expire and in which the period for discovery has not expired at the time any such loss thereunder is discovered, the total liability of the Underwriter under this Bond and under other Bonds or Policies shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the amount carried hereunder on such loss or the amount available to the Insured under such other Bonds, or Policies, as limited by the terms and conditions thereof, for any such loss if the latter amount be the larger. SECTION 11. OTHER INSURANCE If the Insured shall hold, as indemnity against any loss covered hereunder, any valid and enforceable insurance or suretyship, the Underwriter shall be liable hereunder only for such amount of such loss which is in excess of the amount of such other insurance or suretyship, not exceeding, however, the Limit of Liability of this Bond applicable to such loss. SECTION 12. DEDUCTIBLE The Underwriter shall not be liable under any of the Insuring Agreements of this Bond on account of loss as specified, respectively, in sub-sections (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 9, Non-Reduction And Nonaccumulation Of Liability And Total Liability, unless the amount of such loss, after deducting the net amount of all reimbursement and/or recovery obtained or made by the insured, other than from any Bond or Policy of insurance issued by an insurance company and covering such loss, or by the Underwriter on account thereof prior to payment by the Underwriter of such loss, shall exceed the Deductible Amount set forth in Item 3 of the Declarations hereof (herein called Deduct- (Page 10 of 13) ible Amount) and then for such excess only, but in no event for more than the applicable Limit of Liability stated in Item 3 of the Declarations. The Insured will bear, in addition to the Deductible Amount, premiums on Lost Instrument Bonds as set forth in Section 7. There shall be no deductible applicable to any loss under Insuring Agreement A sustained by any Investment Company named as Insured herein. SECTION 13. TERMINATION The Underwriter may terminate this Bond as an entirety by furnishing written notice specifying the termination date which cannot be prior to 90 days after the receipt of such written notice by each Investment Company named as Insured and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. The Insured may terminate this Bond as an entirety by furnishing written notice to the Underwriter. When the Insured cancels, the Insured shall furnish written notice to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. prior to 90 days before the effective date of the termination. The Underwriter shall notify all other Investment Companies named as Insured of the receipt of such termination notice and the termination cannot be effective prior to 90 days after receipt of written notice by all other Investment Companies. Premiums are earned until the termination date as set forth herein. This Bond will terminate as to any one Insured, (other than a registered management investment company), immediately upon taking over of such Insured by a receiver or other liquidator or by State or Federal officials, or immediately upon the filing of a petition under any State or Federal statute relative to bankruptcy or reorganization of the Insured, or assignment for the benefit of creditors of the Insured, or immediately upon such Insured ceasing to exist, whether through merger into another entity, or by disposition of all of its assets. This Bond will terminate as to any registered management investment company upon the expiration of 90 days after written notice has been given to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. The Underwriter shall refund the unearned premium computed as short rates in accordance with the standard short rate cancellation tables if ter- minated by the Insured or pro rata if terminated for any other reason. This Bond shall terminate (a) as to any Employee as soon as any partner, officer or supervisory Employee of the Insured, who is not in collusion with such Employee, shall learn of any dishonest or fraudulent act(s), including Larceny or Embezzlement on the part of such Employee without prejudice to the loss of any Property then in transit in the custody of such Employee and upon the expiration of ninety (90) days after written notice has been given to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. (See Section 16(d)) and to the Insured Investment Company, or (b) as to any Employee 90 days after receipt by each Insured and by the Securities and Exchange Commission of a written notice from the Underwriter of its desire to terminate this Bond as to such Employee, or (c) as to any person, who is a partner, officer or employee of any Electronic Data Processor covered under this Bond, from and after the time that the Insured or any partner or officer thereof not in collusion with such person shall have knowledge of information that such person has committed any dishonest or fraudulent act(s), including Larceny or Embezzlement in the service of the Insured or otherwise, whether such act be committed before or after the time this Bond is effective. SECTION 14. RIGHTS AFTER TERMINATION OR CANCELLATION At any time prior to the termination or cancellation of this Bond as an entirety, whether by the Insured or the Underwriter, the Insured may give to the Underwriter notice that it desires under this Bond an additional period of 12 months within which to discover loss sustained by the Insured prior to the effective date of such termination or cancellation and shall pay an additional premium therefor. Upon receipt of such notice from the Insured, the Underwriter shall give its written consent thereto: provided, however, that such additional period of time shall terminate immediately; (Page 11 of 13) (a) on the effective date of any other insurance obtained by the Insured, its successor in business or any other party, replacing in whole or in part the insurance afforded by this Bond, whether or not such other insurance provides coverage for loss sustained prior to its effective date, or (b) upon takeover of the Insureds business by any State or Federal official or agency, or by any receiver or liquidator, acting or appointed for this purpose without the necessity of the Underwriter giving notice of such termination. In the event that such additional period of time is terminated, as provided above, the Underwriter shall refund any unearned premium. The right to purchase such additional period for the discovery of loss may not be exercised by any State or Federal official or agency, or by any receiver or liquidator, acting or appointed to take over the Insureds business for the operation or for the liquidation thereof or for any other purpose. SECTION 15. CENTRAL HANDLING OF SECURITIES Securities included in the systems for the central handling of securities established and maintained by Depository Trust Company, Midwest Depository Trust Company, Pacific Securities Depository Trust Company, and Philadelphia Depository Trust Company, hereinafter called Corporations, to the extent of the Insureds interest therein as effective by the making of appropriate entries on the books and records of such Corporations shall be deemed to be Property. The words Employee and Employees shall be deemed to include the officers, partners, clerks and other employees of the New York Stock Exchange, Boston Stock Exchange, Midwest Stock Exchange, Pacific Stock Exchange and Philadelphia Stock Exchange, hereinafter called Exchanges, and of the above named Corporations, and of any nominee in whose name is registered any security included within the systems for the central handling of securities established and maintained by such Corporations, and any employee of any recognized service company, while such officers, partners, clerks and other employees and employees of service companies perform services for such Corporations in the operation of such systems. For the purpose of the above definition a recognized service company shall be any company providing clerks or other personnel to said Exchanges or Corporation on a contract basis. The Underwriter shall not be liable on account of any loss(es) in connection with the central handling of securities within the systems established and maintained by such Corporations, unless such loss(es) shall be in excess of the amount(s) recoverable or recovered under any Bond or Policy if insurance indemnifying such Corporations, against such loss(es), and then the Underwriter shall be liable hereunder only for the Insureds share of such excess loss(es), but in no event for more than the Limit of Liability applicable hereunder. For the purpose of determining the Insureds share of excess loss(es) it shall be deemed that the Insured has an interest in any certificate representing any security included within such systems equivalent to the interest the Insured then has in all certificates representing the same security included within such systems and that such Corporation shall use their best judgment in apportioning the amount(s) recoverable or recovered under any Bond or Policy of insurance indemnifying such Corporations against such loss(es) in connection with the central handling of securities within such systems among all those having an interest as recorded by appropriate entries in the books and records of such Corporations in Property involved in such loss(es) on the basis that each such interest shall share in the amount(s) so recoverable or recovered in the ratio that the value of each such interest bears to the total value of all such interests and that the Insureds share of such excess loss(es) shall be the amount of the Insureds interest in such Property in excess of the amount(s) so apportioned to the Insured by such Corporations. This Bond does not afford coverage in favor of such Corporations or Exchanges or any nominee in whose name is registered any security included within the systems for the central handling of securities established and maintained by such Corporations, and upon payment to the Insured by the Underwriter on account of any loss(es) within the systems, an assignment of such of the Insureds rights and causes of action as it may have against such Corporations or Exchanges shall to the extent of such payment, be given by the Insured to the Underwriter, and the Insured shall execute all papers necessary to secure to the Underwriter the rights provided for herein. (Page 12 of 13) SECTION 16. ADDITIONAL COMPANIES INCLUDED AS INSURED If more than one corporation, co-partnership or person or any combination of them be included as the Insured herein: (a) the total liability of the Underwriter hereunder for loss or losses sustained by any one or more or all of them shall not exceed the limit for which the Underwriter would be liable hereunder if all such loss were sustained by any one of them. (b) the one first named herein shall be deemed authorized to make, adjust and receive and enforce payment of all claims hereunder and shall be deemed to be the agent of the others for such purposes and for the giving or receiving of any notice required or permitted to be given by the terms hereof, provided that the Underwriter shall furnish each named Investment Company with a copy of the Bond and with any amendment thereto, together with a copy of each formal filing of the settlement of each such claim prior to the execution of such settlement, (c) the Underwriter shall not be responsible for the proper application of any payment made hereunder to said first named Insured, (d) knowledge possessed or discovery made by any partner, officer or supervisory Employee of any Insured shall for the purpose of Section 4 and Section 13 of this Bond constitute knowledge or discovery by all the Insured, and (e) if the first named Insured ceases for any reason to be covered under this Bond, then the Insured next named shall thereafter be considered as the first named Insured for the purposes of this Bond. SECTION 17. NOTICE AND CHANGE OF CONTROL Upon the Insureds obtaining knowledge of a transfer of its outstanding voting securities which results in a change in control (as set forth in Section 2(a) (9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Insured, the Insured shall within thirty (30) days of such knowledge give written notice to the Underwriter setting forth: (a) the names of the transferors and transferees (or the names of the beneficial owners if the voting securities are requested in another name), and (b) the total number of voting securities owned by the transferors and the transferees (or the beneficial owners), both immediately before and after the transfer, and (c) the total number of outstanding voting securities. As used in this section, control means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or Policies of the Insured. Failure to give the required notice shall result in termination of coverage of this Bond, effective upon the date of stock transfer for any loss in which any transferee is concerned or implicated. Such notice is not required to be given in the case of an Insured which is an Investment Company. SECTION 18. CHANGE OR MODIFICATION This Bond or any instrument amending or effecting same may not be changed or modified orally. No changes in or modification thereof shall be effective unless made by written Endorsement issued to form a part hereof over the signature of the Underwriters Authorized Representative. When a Bond covers only one Investment Company no change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of the Investment Company shall be effective prior to 60 days after written notification has been furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. by the Insured or by the Underwriter. If more than one Investment Company is named as the Insured herein, the Underwriter shall give written notice to each Investment Company and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. not less than 60 days prior to the effective date of any change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of such Investment Company. (Page 13 of 13) FI 88 01 (Ed. 10 11) FORMS AND RIDERS SCHEDULE It is hereby understood and agreed the following forms and riders are attached to and are a part of this bond: Form No. / Edition Date Added * or Date Deleted Form Description Rider No. (if applicable) FI7510 11-16 Investment Company Bond Dec Page FI7511 08-15 Investment Company Bond Insuring Agreements FI7344 08-15 General Rider - UNAUTHORIZED SIGNATURES 1 FI7344 08-15 General Rider - EXCLUDE ALL NON-FUNGIBLE TOKENS 2 FI7506 08-15 Insuring Agreement (L) Computer Systems 3 FI7508 08-15 Newly Established Funds 4 FI7516 11-16 Insuring Agreement (N) Fraudulent Transfer Instructions 5 FI7340 08-15 Economic And Trade Sanctions Clause FI7341 04-17 In-Witness Clause IL7429 10-21 New York - Global Sanction Endorsement * If not at inception (Page 1 of 1) FI 73 44 (Ed. 08/15) RIDER NO. 1 UNAUTHORIZED SIGNATURES To be attached to and form part of Investment Company Bond Bond No. FS E697604 03 00 In favor of iDirect Private Markets Fund It is agreed that: 1. The attached bond is amended by adding as an additional paragraph to Insuring Clause (D), Forgery or Alteration, the following: Loss resulting directly from the Insured having accepted, paid or cashed any check or withdrawal order made or drawn on a customers account which bears the signature or endorsement of one other than the person whose name and signature is on file with the Insured as a signatory on such account, shall be deemed to be a Forgery under this Insuring Clause. It shall be a condition precedent to the Insureds right of recovery under this Coverage that the Insured shall have on the file signatures of all persons who are signatories on such account. 2. The limit of the underwriters liability for such coverage (Unauthorized Signatures Coverage) shall be stated herein, subject to all the terms of this rider having reference thereto: Limit of Liability: $100,000 Deductible: $10,000 3. Nothing herein contained shall be held to vary, alter, waive or extend any of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements or limitations of the above mentioned Bond other than as stated herein. 4. This Rider shall become effective as of 12:01 a.m. on 09/26/2023 standard time. (Page 1 of 1) FI 73 44 (Ed. 08/15) RIDER NO. 2 EXCLUDE ALL NON-FUNGIBLE TOKENS To be attached to and form part of Investment Company Bond Bond No. FS E697604 03 00 In favor of iDirect Private Markets Fund This Rider amends Section 2. Exclusions to include the following: 1. It is agreed that this bond does not afford coverage under any of the Insuring Agreements for any loss, damage, claim, occurrence, or suit that arises out of, is in any way related to, or involves, in whole or in part, any Non-Fungible Token. All coverage for Non-Fungible Tokens is excluded from all Insuring Agreements. 2. Section 1. Definition is amended to include: Non-FungibleToken, also known as NFT, means any unique digital identifier connected to any digital ledger technology which may be used to certify authenticity or ownership of anything, including but not limited to any digital, tangible, or intangible item, but cannot be substituted or exchanged for any similar item. The title and any headings in this rider are solely for your convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage. 3. Nothing herein contained shall be held to vary, alter, waive or extend any of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements or limitations of the above mentioned Bond other than as stated herein. 4. This Rider shall become effective as of 12:01 a.m. on 09/26/2023 standard time. (Page 1 of 1) FI 75 06 (Ed. 08/15) RIDER NO. 3 INSURING AGREEMENT (L) COMPUTER SYSTEMS To be attached to and form part of INVESTMENT COMPANY BOND, Bond No. FS E697604 03 00 In favor of iDirect Private Markets Fund It is agreed that: 1. The attached bond is hereby amended by adding to it an additional Insuring Agreement as follows: INSURING AGREEMENT (L) - COMPUTER SYSTEMS Loss resulting directly from a fraudulent (1) entry of data into, or (2) change of data elements or programs within a Computer System; provided that fraudulent entry or change causes (a) Property to be transferred paid or delivered, (b) an account of the Insured, or of its customer, to be added, deleted, debited or credited, or (c) an unauthorized account or a fictitious account to be debited or credited; (3) voice instructions or advices having been transmitted to the Insured or its agent(s) by telephone; and provided further, the fraudulent entry or change is made or caused by an individual acting with the manifest intent to: (a) cause the Insured or its agent(s) to sustain a loss, and (b) obtain financial benefit for that individual or for other persons intended by that individual to receive a financial benefit, (c) and further provided such voice instructions or advices: (i) were made by a person who purported to represent an individual authorized to make such voice instructions or advices; and (ii) were electronically recorded by the Insured or its agent(s). (4) It shall be a condition to recovery under the Computer Systems Rider that the Insured or its agent(s) shall to the best of their ability electronically record all voice instructions or advices received over the telephone. The Insured or its agent(s) warrant that they shall make their best efforts to maintain the electronic recording system on a continuous basis. Nothing, however, in this Rider shall bar the Insured from recovery where no recording is available because of mechanical failure of the device used in making such recording, or because of failure of the media used to record a conversation from any cause, or error or omission of any Employee(s) or agent(s) of the Insured. (Page 1 of 3) SCHEDULE OF SYSTEMS Any System Utilized by the Insured 2. As used in this Rider, Computer System means: (a) computers with related peripheral components, including storage components, wherever located, (b) systems and applications software, (c) terminal devices, (d) related communication networks or customer communication systems, and (e) related Electronic Funds Transfer Systems, by which data are electronically collected, transmitted, processed, stored, and retrieved. 3. In addition to the Exclusions in the attached bond, the following Exclusions are applicable to this Insuring Agreement: (a) loss resulting directly or indirectly from the theft of confidential information, material or data: and (b) loss resulting directly or indirectly from entries or changes made by an individual authorized to have access to a Computer System who acts in good faith on instructions, unless such instructions are given to that individual by a software contractor (or by a partner, officer or employee thereof) authorized by the Insured to design, develop, prepare, supply service, write or implement programs for the Insureds Computer System. 4. The following portions of the attached bond are not applicable to this Rider: (a) the initial paragraph of the bond preceding the Insuring Agreements which reads ...at any time but discovered during the Bond Period. (b) Conditions and Limitations - Section 9. Non-Reduction and Non-Accumulation of Liability and Total Liability (c) Conditions and Limitations - Section 10. Limit of Liability 5. The coverage afforded by this Rider applies only to loss discovered by the Insured during the period this Rider is in force. 6. All loss or series of losses involving the fraudulent activity of one individual, or involving fraudulent activity in which one individual is implicated, whether or not that individual is specifically identified, shall be treated as one loss. A series of losses involving unidentified individuals but arising from the same method of operation may be deemed by the Underwriter to involve the same individual and in that event shall be treated as one loss. 7. The Limit of Liability for the coverage provided by this Rider shall be $ 900,000. 8. The Underwriter shall be liable hereunder for the amount by which one loss shall be in excess of $ 10,000. (herein called the Deductible Amount) but not in excess of the Limit of Liability stated above. (Page 2 of 3) 9. If any loss is covered under this Insuring Agreement and any other Insuring Agreement or Coverage, the maximum amount payable for such loss shall not exceed the largest amount available under any one Insuring Agreement or Coverage. 10. Coverage under this Rider shall terminate upon termination or cancellation of the bond to which this Rider is attached. Coverage under this Rider may also be terminated or cancelled without canceling the bond as an entirety: (a) 90 days after receipt by the Insured of written notice from the Underwriter of its desire to terminate or cancel coverage under this Rider, or (b) immediately upon receipt by the Underwriter of a written request from the Insured to terminate or cancel coverage under this Rider. The Underwriter shall refund to the Insured the unearned premium for this coverage under this Rider. The refund shall be computed at short rates if this Rider is terminated or cancelled or reduces by notice from, or at the insistence of the Insured. 11. Conditions and Limitations - Section 4. Loss-Notice-Proof-Legal Proceedings is amended by adding the following sentence: Proof of loss resulting from Voice Instructions or advices covered under this bond shall include Electronic Recording of such Voice Instructions of advices. 12. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, coverage afforded by this Rider is not designed to provide protection against loss covered under a separate Electronic and Computer Crime Policy by whatever title assigned or by whatever Underwriter written. Any loss which is covered under such separate policy is excluded from coverage under this bond; and the Insured agrees to make claim for such loss under its separate policy. 13. Nothing herein contained shall be held to vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements, or limitations of the above mentioned bond other than as stated herein. 14. This Rider shall become effective as of 12:01 a.m. on 09/26/2023 standard time. (Page 3 of 3) FI 75 08 (Ed. 08/15) RIDER NO. 4 NEWLY ESTABLISHED FUNDS To be attached to and form part of INVESTMENT COMPANY BOND, Bond No. FS E697604 03 00 In favor of iDirect Private Markets Fund It is agreed that: 1. If the Insured shall, while this bond is in force, establish any new funds other than by consolidation or merger with, purchase or acquisition of assets or liabilities of another institution, such funds shall automatically be covered, hereunder from the date of such establishment without the payment of additional premium for the remainder of the Bond Period. 2. Notice of any newly established funds during the Bond Period are to be made to the Underwriter at the earliest practicable moment and prior to the expiration date of the attached bond. 3. If the Insured shall, while this bond is in force, require an increase in the Limit of Liability of Insuring Agreement (A) Fidelity in order to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17g-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 Code of Federal Regulations 270.17g-1) due to an increase in asset size of the currently named funds or via the addition of newly established funds by the Insured under the bond, such increase in the Limit of Liability for Insuring Agreement (A) Fidelity (as required) shall automatically be increased up to the minimum required and mandated by S.E.C. Rule 17g-1, but shall not exceed an each and every loss Limit of Liability of $ 2,500,000 hereunder from the date of such increase without the payment of additional premium for the remainder of the Bond Period. 4. Nothing herein contained shall be held to vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements, or limitations of the above mentioned bond other than as stated herein. 5. This Rider shall become effective as of 12:01 a.m. on 09/26/2023 standard time. (Page 1 of 1) FI 75 16 (Ed. 11/16) RIDER NO. 5 INSURING AGREEMENT (N) FRAUDULENT TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS To be attached to and form part of the INVESTMENT COMPANY BOND Bond No. FS E697604 03 00 In favor of iDirect Private Markets Fund 1. It is agreed that the following Insuring Agreement is added to the above Bond: Loss resulting directly from the Insured having, in good faith, transferred Money on deposit in a Customers account, or a Customers Certificated Securities, in reliance upon a fraudulent Instruction transmitted to the Insured via electronic mail; provided, however that (1) The fraudulent instruction purports, and reasonably appears, to have originated from: (a) such Customer, (b) an Employee acting on instructions of such Customer; or (c) another financial institution acting on behalf of such Customer with authority to make such instructions; and (2) The sender of the fraudulent instruction verified the instruction with the password, PIN, or other security code of such Customer; and (3) The sender was not, in fact, such Customer, was not authorized to act on behalf of such Customer, and was not an Employee of the Insured; and (4) The instruction was received by an Employee of the Insured specifically authorized by the Insured to receive and act upon such instructions; and (5) For any transfer exceeding the amount set forth in item 7 of this Rider, the Insured verified the instruction via a call back to a predetermined telephone number set forth in the Insureds written agreement with such Customer or other verification procedure approved in writing by the Underwriter; and (6) The Insured preserved a contemporaneous record of the call back, if any, and of the instruction which verifies use of the authorized password, PIN or other security code of the Customer. 2. As used in this Rider, Customer means a natural person or entity which has a written agreement with the Insured authorizing the Insured to transfer Money on deposit in an account or Certificated Securities in reliance upon instructions transmitted to the Insured via the means utilized to transmit the fraudulent instruction. 3. It shall be a condition precedent to coverage under this Insuring Agreement that the Insured assert any available claims, offsets or defenses against such Customer, any financial institution or any other party to the transaction. (Page 1 of 2) 4. The following additional Exclusions are added to the Bond applicable only to this Insuring Agreement: (a) loss resulting directly or indirectly from the fraudulent instruction if the sender, or anyone acting in collusion with the sender, ever had authorized access to such Customers password, PIN or other security code; and (b) loss resulting directly or indirectly from the fraudulent alteration of an instruction to initiate an automated clearing house (ACH) entry, or group of ACH entries, transmitted as an electronic message, or as an attachment to an electronic message, sent via the Internet, unless: (1) each ACH entry was individually verified via the call back procedure without regard to the amount of the entry; or (2) the instruction was formatted, encoded or encrypted so that any alteration in the ACH entry or group of ACH entries would be apparent to the Insured. 5. For purposes of this Insuring Agreement, all loss or losses involving one natural person or entity, or one group of natural persons or entities acting together, shall be a Single Loss without regard to the number of transfers or the number of instructions involved. A series of losses involving unidentified natural persons or entities but arising from the same method of operation shall be deemed to involve the same natural person or entity and shall be treated as Single Loss. 6. The Limit of Liability and Deductible amount applicable to loss under this Insuring Agreement is as stated in the Declarations of the attached bond. 7. The amount of any single transfer for which verification via a call back will be required is : $ 10,000. 8. Nothing herein contained shall be held to vary, alter, waive, or extend any of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements, or limitations of the above mentioned bond other than as stated herein. 9. This rider shall become effective as of 12:01 a.m. on 09/26/2023 standard time. (Page 2 of 2) FI 73 40 (Ed. 08/15) THIS RIDER CHANGES YOUR BOND. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. ECONOMIC AND TRADE SANCTIONS CLAUSE This insurance does not apply to the extent that trade or economic sanctions or other laws or regulations prohibit us from providing insurance. FI 73 41 (Ed. 04/17) In Witness Clause In Witness Whereof, we have caused this Financial Institution Bond to be executed and attested, and, if required by state law, this Financial Institution Bond shall not be valid unless countersigned by our authorized representative. PRESIDENT SECRETARY Copyright Great American Insurance Co., 2009 IL 74 29 (Ed. 10/21) THIS ENDORSEMENT CHANGES YOUR POLICY. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. NEW YORK GLOBAL SANCTION ENDORSEMENT Notwithstanding any other provision of this Policy, this insurance cannot provide coverage and the Insurer shall not be liable to pay any claim or provide any benefit under this Policy to the extent that the provision of such coverage or benefit, or the payment of such claim, would violate, conflict with, or expose the Insurer to any sanction, prohibition or restriction under United Nations resolutions or any applicable economic or financial sanctions law or regulations including, but not limited to, of the United States of America, European Union, United Kingdom, or Canada. Ratification of Fidelity Bond RESOLVED, the Board has reviewed the proposal with respect to Great American Insurance Company, Policy No. FS E697604 (the Fidelity Bond) in the amount of $900,000 and determined that the amount, type, form and coverage of the Fidelity Bond are reasonable; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the officers of the Fund to make any and all payments and to do any and all other acts, in the name of the Fund and its Trustees and officers, as they or any of them may determine to be necessary or appropriate in connection with obtaining a fidelity bond; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the officers of the Fund to file or cause to be filed the necessary filings and giving notices with respect to such bond required by paragraph (g) of Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the officers of the Fund to take any actions and to execute any instruments which may be necessary or advisable to carry out the foregoing resolutions vote and the purpose and intent thereof. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ______________________________________________________________________ Form N-23c-3 Notification of Repurchase Offer Pursuant to Rule 23c-3 ______________________________________________________________________ Date of Notification: October 11, 2023 1. Investment Company Act File Number: 811 -23798 2. Exact name of Investment Company as specified in registration statement: Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund 3. Address of principal executive office: (number, street, city, state, zip code) Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund 680 S. Cahce Street, Suite 100 P.O. Box 7403 Jackson, Wyoming 83001 4. Check one of the following: A. The notification pertains to a periodic repurchase offer under paragraph (b) of Rule 23c -3 . B. The notification pertains to a discretionary repurchase offer under paragraph (c) of Rule 23c -3 . C. The notification pertains to a periodic repurchase offer under paragraph (b) of Rule 23c -3 and a discretionary repurchase offer under paragraph (c) of Rule 23c -3 . By: /s/ Robert K. Grunewald Robert K. Grunewald, Chief Executive Officer FLAT ROCK ENHANCED INCOME FUND NOTICE OF QUARTERLY REPURCHASE OFFER If you do not wish to sell shares at this time, please disregard this Notice. October 11, 2023 Dear Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund Shareholder, The purpose of this Notice is to announce the quarterly repurchase offer for Shares of Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund (the Fund). The Fund will offer to repurchase Shares only during each regularly scheduled quarterly repurchase offer. The purpose of these quarterly repurchase offers is to provide shareholders with access to their assets and a degree of liquidity. The repurchase offer period will begin on October 11, 2023 and end on November 15, 2023 . If you are not interested in tendering your shares for repurchase at this time, you may disregard this letter and take no action. If you wish to tender shares, please complete the attached Repurchase Request Form. If you hold your shares through a broker -dealer or advisor, please contact your financial consultant for assistance and provide all of the information that they require on or prior to the Repurchase Request Deadline specified in the attached Repurchase Offer document. The Repurchase Request Deadline will be strictly observed. If you (or another person acting on your behalf) fails to submit the required information to the Funds Transfer Agent or to take any other required action on or before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday, November 15, the Fund will not repurchase any of your shares until a subsequent quarterly repurchase offer, at which time you must submit a new repurchase request for that offer. If you have any questions and you do not hold your shares through a broker -dealer or advisor, a service representative at the Transfer Agent is available by calling 307 -500-5200 . If you hold your shares through a broker -dealer or advisor, please contact your financial consultant. For additional details of the offer, please refer to the attached Repurchase Offer document. As always, we value our relationship with you and hope to continue to serve your investment needs. Sincerely, Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund FLAT ROCK ENHANCED INCOME FUND REPURCHASE OFFER 1. The Offer. Flat Rock Enhanced Income (the Fund) is offering to repurchase, for cash, five percent (5%) of its issued and outstanding Shares (the Shares) at a price equal to the net asset value (NAV) as of the close of regular business hours on the New York Stock Exchange on the Repurchase Pricing Date (as defined below). The purpose of this offer is to provide a level of liquidity to shareholders since no secondary market exists for these Shares. This offer is not conditioned on the tender of any minimum number of Shares. This offer is made subject to the terms and conditions made in this Repurchase Offer and the Funds current prospectus and statement of additional information. 2. Net Asset Value. On October 4, 2023, the NAV of the Shares (FRBBX) was $21.39 per share. The NAV at which the Fund will repurchase Shares will not be calculated until the Repurchase Pricing Date (as defined below). The NAV of the Shares can fluctuate. Therefore, the NAV on the Repurchase Pricing Date may be higher or lower than the NAV stated above or the date on which you return your Repurchase Request Form. The current NAV may be obtained by visiting the Funds website (https://flatrockglobal.com/flat -rock - enhanced-income - fund-frbbx /) or by calling the Funds transfer agent, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (the Transfer Agent), at 877 -792-0924 and asking for the most recent price. The Shares are not traded on any organized market or securities exchange. 3. Repurchase Request Deadline. All Repurchase Requests must be received in proper form by 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 15, 2023 . 4. Repurchase Pricing Date. The NAV used to calculate the repurchase price will be determined on November 15, 2023 (the Repurchase Pricing Date). This may be higher or lower than the NAV on the date on which you return your Repurchase Request Form. 5. Payment for Shares Repurchased. The Fund will pay repurchase proceeds within seven (7) calendar days from the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Fund will not charge a repurchase fee. 6. Increase in Number of Shares Repurchased; Pro Rata Purchase. If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if shareholders tender shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than 100 shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered. With respect to any required minimum distributions from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan, it is the obligation of the shareholder to determine the amount of any such required minimum distribution and to otherwise satisfy the required minimum. 7. Withdrawal or Modification. Tenders of Shares may be withdrawn or modified at any time prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 15, 2023. 8. Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offer. The Fund may suspend or postpone this Repurchase Offer only with the approval of a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and only in the following limited circumstances: If making or effecting the repurchase of Shares would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code); For any period during which the New York Stock Exchange or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; For any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; and For such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund. 9. Tax Consequences. You should review the tax information in the Funds current prospectus and statement of additional information and consult with your tax adviser regarding any specific consequences, including state and local tax consequences, of participating in this Repurchase Offer. Generally, any tender of Shares to the Fund would be treated as a taxable event and any gain or loss would be treated as a capital gain or loss, either short or long term, depending on the length of time the Shares have been held by the shareholder. 10. Documents in Proper Form. All questions as to validity, form, eligibility (including time and receipt) and acceptance of tenders of Shares will be determined by the Fund in its sole discretion. The determination by the Fund shall be final and binding. The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of Shares (even if such tenders are determined to be in good and proper form) and to refuse to accept for payment, purchase, or to pay for any Shares if, in the opinion of the Funds counsel, accepting, purchasing or paying for such Shares would be unlawful. The Fund also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of this offer or any defect in any tender of Shares, whether generally or with respect to any particular Shares or shareholders. The Funds interpretations of the terms and conditions of this offer shall be final and binding. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Shares must be corrected within such times as the Fund shall, in its absolute discretion, decide. Tenders of Shares will not be deemed to have been made until any defects or irregularities have been corrected or waived. None of the Fund, Flat Rock Global, LLC (the Adviser), the Transfer Agent, Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, (the Distributor), nor any other person or entity is or will be obligated to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice. None of the Fund, the Adviser, nor the Distributor is or will be obligated to ensure that your financial advisor, or any broker/dealer or any other third party through which your Shares may be held or registered, submits to you this Repurchase Offer or submits your tender of Shares to the Fund on your behalf. Neither the Fund nor its Board of Trustees makes any recommendation to any shareholder as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering Shares. Each shareholder must make an independent decision as to whether or not to tender Shares and, if so, how many Shares to tender. No person has been authorized to make any recommendation on behalf of the Fund as to whether shareholders should tender Shares pursuant to this offer. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations in connection with this offer other than those contained herein or contained in the Funds current prospectus or statement of additional information. If given or made, such recommendation and such information and representation may not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund. For additional information about this offer, contact your financial advisor or review the Funds current prospectus and statement of additional information. FLAT ROCK ENHANCED INCOME FUND REPURCHASE REQUEST FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY 4:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON NOVEMBER 15, 2023. Regular Mail: Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC PO Box 541150 Omaha, NE 68154 Overnight Delivery: Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC 4221 N. 203 rd Street, Suite 100 Elkhorn, NE 68022 Please accept this tender of shares as designated below for repurchase at a price equal to their net asset value on the Repurchase Pricing Date. I understand that this quarterly repurchase offer is limited to five percent (5%) of the Funds outstanding shares and that, if the offer is oversubscribed, the Fund may not purchase the full amount of the shares that I am requesting, in which case the Fund will repurchase shares on a pro rata basis. Name(s) of Registered Shareholders : _____________________________________ Account Number: _________________________________ _____________________________________ Daytime Telephone Number: ________________________ Amount of Shares Tendered (check only ONE option and fill in number or dollar amount as appropriate): Shares to be tendered: __________ Full Tender: Please tender all shares in my account. __________ Partial Tender: Please tender ___________ shares from my account. __________ Dollar Amount: Please tender enough shares to net $____________ RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ONLY Withholding Notice and Election Form Form W-4R / OMB No. 1545-0074 Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service If no withholding election is indicated below, IRS regulations require that 10% Federal income tax withholding be taken from your distributions. We encourage you to consult with your accountant or tax advisor regarding your IRA distributions. Even if you elect not to have Federal income tax withheld, you are liable for payment of Federal income tax on the taxable portion of your distribution. You may be subject to tax penalties under the estimated tax payment rules if your payments of estimated tax and withholdings are not adequate. _____ Federal Income Tax Withholding is to be withheld at ____% (If a percentage is not specified, 10% will automatically be withheld) _____ I elect NOT to have Federal Income Tax Withheld Payment and Delivery Instructions: Unless alternative instructions are given below, the check will be issued to the name(s) of the registered shareholders and mailed to the address of record. Alternative mailing instructions: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ INTRODUCTION This Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (this Schedule TO ) is being filed by Brookfield Corporation, a corporation incorporated under, and governed by, the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada ( Brookfield Corporation ). This Schedule TO relates to the offer (the Offer ) by Brookfield Reinsurance Ltd., an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under, and governed by, the laws of Bermuda ( Brookfield Reinsurance ), to exchange up to 40,000,000 class A limited voting shares of Brookfield Corporation (the Brookfield Class A Shares ) for newly- issued class A-1 exchangeable non-voting shares (the Class A-1 Exchangeable Shares ) of Brookfield Reinsurance. The terms of such Offer are set forth in, and subject to the terms, conditions and procedures set forth in, the offer to exchange and circular (as it may be supplemented and amended from time to time, the Offer to Exchange/Circular ), which is filed as Exhibit (a)(1)(A) hereto, and in the related letter of transmittal (as it may be supplemented and amended from time to time the Letter of Transmittal ), which is filed as (a)(1)(B) hereto. Brookfield Reinsurance offers to exchange one Class A-1 Exchangeable Share for each Brookfield Class A Share tendered to the Offer, subject to pro-ration in the event that the total number of Brookfield Class A Shares tendered exceeds the maximum number of Class A-1 Exchangeable Shares offered in the Offer. This Schedule TO is being filed in accordance with Rule 13e-4(c)(2) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ), as Brookfield Corporation may be deemed an offeror with respect to the Offer. Because the Offer is being made for less than 5% of the outstanding Brookfield Class A Shares, and because after consummation of the Offer Brookfield Reinsurance would own less than 5% the Brookfield Class A Shares, the Offer is not subject to Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or Regulation 14D promulgated thereunder. In connection with the Offer, on October 11, 2023, Brookfield Reinsurance and Brookfield Corporation filed Amendment No. 2 to a Registration Statement on Form F-4, of which the Offer to Exchange/Circular forms a part, to register the offer of Class A-1 Exchangeable Shares as well as the underlying class A exchangeable shar es of Brookfiel d Reinsurance (the Class A Exchangeable Shares ) that may be issued upon conversion of the Class A-1 Exchangeable Shares and the Brookfield Class A Shares that may be issued or delivered in connection with the exchange, redemption or acquisition, if any, of Class A Exchangeable Shares or Class A-1 Exchangeable Shares (including in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Brookfield Reinsurance). The terms and conditions of the Offer are set forth in the Offer to Exchange/Circular and the Letter of Transmittal. Pursuant to General Instruction F to Schedule TO, the information contained in the Offer to Exchange/Circular and the Letter of Transmittal, including any prospectus supplement or other supplement thereto related to the Offer hereafter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) in connection with the Offer, is hereby expressly incorporated into this Schedule TO by reference in response to Items 1 through 11 of this Schedule TO, and is supplemented by the information specifically provided for in this Schedule TO by reference. ITEM 1. SUMMARY TERM SHEET. The information set forth under Questions and Answers About the Offer and Summary in the Offer to Exchange/Circular is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 2. SUBJECT COMPANY INFORMATION. (a) The name of the subject company is Brookfield Corporation, its principal executive office is 181 Bay Street, Suite 100, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2T3 and its telephone number is (416) 363-9491. (b) This Schedule TO relates to the Brookfield Class A Shares. As of September 29, 2023, there were 1,638,679,807 Brookfield Class A shares issued and outstanding. The information set forth under Section 3 of Offer to Exchange, Number of Brookfield Class A Shares and Pro-Ration of Tenders in the Offer to Exchange/Circular, is incorporated herein by reference. 1 A candlelight vigil is held in honor of those affected by suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Sept. 30, 2022. The stories of victims affected were read during the lighting of candles. (Imani West/U.S. Air Force) The Air Force and Space Force will ramp up training on domestic violence and bolster support staff as it aims to better combat the problem following a monthslong review of its prevention and response efforts, service officials said. The Air Force will hire new advocates at its bases for domestic violence victims and new civilian staffers for its Family Advocacy Program to boost training and education efforts, according to a service release dated Sept. 29. The new efforts come as the result of a 90-day review ordered in January by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall of the departments handling of domestic abuse cases. The Air Force inspector general last year found problems in the services managing of reports and investigations in their early stages. There is no place in our Air Force and Space Force family for domestic violence or interpersonal violence in any form, Kendall, who oversees the Air Force and Space Force, said in the statement issued just ahead of October, which is national domestic violence awareness month. While we have taken important steps to better support domestic violence survivors, we must do more to establish trust and build a foundation of respect, responsiveness and support for survivors of violence. Kendall requested the IG probe in September 2021 after learning of allegations that service officials had mishandled numerous domestic violence cases. His request came after an internal Air Force investigation found thousands of cases of abuse, including domestic abuse, went unreported. That review also found many victims were displeased with support services offered to them by the Air Force. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall testifies Sept. 28, 2023, before the House Armed Services Committee. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) Our review revealed areas where we could clearly improve our efforts to prevent violence and support those impacted by domestic violence, Kendall said. We listened to survivors and are deeply appreciative of the candid insights they provided their candid perspectives have informed our efforts as we work to create more effective solutions to this heartbreaking issue. It was not immediately clear Tuesday how many domestic abuse cases the Air Force and Space Force handle annually. The Defense Department defines domestic abuse as domestic violence, or a pattern of behavior resulting in emotional or psychological abuse, economic control or interference with personal liberty aimed at a current or former spouse or intimate partner or a person with whom the alleged abuser shares a child. The Defense Department in its most recent published data on the issue reported domestic violence cases within the military had generally declined in the last decade. However, reports increased from fiscal 2020 to 2021 and fiscal 2021 to 2022. The Pentagon did not provide data for the individual military services in its April report to Congress on child abuse and neglect and domestic violence in fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2022, the Pentagon received 15,479 domestic violence reports and found 8,307 incidents met its criteria for investigation, according to the April report. Those incidents involved some 6,469 unique victims. Among those cases, 14 people died from domestic abuse in fiscal 2022, according to the report. Five of those deaths involved individuals previously reported for abuse, and four of the victims had previously reported abuse. In addition to hiring new staff to help with domestic violence response and prevention, the Air Force will also update its policies to better align domestic violence cases with how it handles sexual assault cases, the service said. The service will also implement an annual domestic violence exercise to test security forces, Office of Special Investigations agents, legal offices, Family Advocacy Program personnel and command teams on their responses to domestic violence incidents, the service said. Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart pictured after an F-16 Viper sortie at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on Sep. 29, 2022. (Corinna Diaz/U.S. Air Force) AUSTIN, Texas A recently fired two-star Air Force general will have a hearing this month to determine whether he should face a court-martial for allegations that he raped a woman and drank alcohol before flying an aircraft, the service said Wednesday. Maj. Gen. Philip A. Stewart is accused of having sex with a woman twice without her consent between April 13 and 14 at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, wrongfully inviting someone to spend the night in his private hotel room while on official travel between March 6 and 8 in Denver, having sex with someone other than his spouse, pursuing an unprofessional relationship with someone between March 8 and May 9, and consuming alcohol within 12 hours of flying an aircraft on April 14. At the time of these accusations, Stewart was commander of the 19th Air Force, one of the services major training units. The dates of the misconduct in a Denver hotel took place at the same time and place as the Air Force Association Warfare Symposium, though Stewart was not listed as a speaker at the event, according to the associations website. Stewart, a fighter pilot, will face an Article 32 hearing Oct. 24 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base in Texas, according to Air Education and Training Command. The hearing is preliminary and equivalent to a civilian grand jury proceeding. A presiding officer will review the evidence presented, which could include testimony from witnesses, to determine whether probable cause exists that the accused service member committed offenses in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Maj. Gen. Philip A. Stewart (U.S. Air Force) Col. Brian Thompson, a military judge from District 2 at Travis Air Force Base in California was chosen to serve as the presiding officer of the Article 32 hearing to reduce any perception of bias, according to the training command. The articles that Stewart is accused of violating include disobeying an order, sexual assault, behavior unbecoming of an officer and a general article, which can be used to prosecute adultery, according to Stewarts redacted charge sheet. If Stewart were to face a court-martial, he would be only the second general officer in the services history to do so, according to the Air Force. Maj. Gen. William Cooley was convicted of abusive sexual contact in a court-martial last year at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He was sentenced to a reprimand and a forfeiture of nearly $55,000. Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson, the commander of the Air Education and Training Command, fired Stewart in May because he determined a new commander was necessary to ensure good order and discipline. At that time, the Air Force only said an investigation was ongoing. Stewart took command of the 19th Air Force in August 2022, according to his online biography. Prior to the assignment, he served as deputy chief of staff for strategic employment at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2017. The 19th Air Force, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, is responsible for training more than 30,000 U.S. and allied students annually in specialties that include aircrews, remotely piloted aircraft crews, air battle managers, weapons directors, Air Force Academy airmanship programs, and survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training, according to the units website. The 19th Air Force includes 32,000 personnel and 1,530 aircraft assigned to 17 wings located across the United States. It oversees more than 45% of the Air Forces annual flying hour program, according to Stewarts online biography. An airman at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., admitted to selling child pornography while pleading guilty to a related charge in federal court on Oct. 11, 2023. (File) An airman who worked with security forces at one of the Air Forces intercontinental ballistic missile bases will serve up to 20 years in prison after admitting in civilian federal court Tuesday to selling child pornography on social media. Brandon Earl Bankston, 23, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell child pornography after investigators found thousands of illegal images, the Justice Department said in a statement Tuesday. Sentencing is set for March 24, 2024. Bankston faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and between five years and a lifetime of supervised release, the Justice Department said. He is being detained pending sentencing, the agency said. Bankston was listed as an airman 1st class at the assignment prior to his most recent posting with the 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Malmstrom Air Base in Montana. It was there that investigators first became aware of his online criminal activity in the summer of 2021. The Great Falls Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations were part of the investigation. The task force was alerted that a suspect in Montana had uploaded videos containing known child sexual abuse material to an account on Twitter, the Justice Department statement said. The task force also learned that a Snapchat user with a Montana address had posted an image of child pornography. Further investigation linked the accounts to Bankstons IP address, a numeric designation that identifies its location on the internet. Bankston admitted to Air Force investigators that he obtained the images and video through a messaging platform and stored the material on a cloud-based site in New Zealand, according to the Justice Department. He said he received about $6,750 for selling the material to about 25 people, totaling 42 separate transactions. A search of the airmans electronic devices, social media platforms, bank accounts and cloud-based storage applications uncovered thousands of pictures and videos. Following years of work from the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, several high-profile state and federal officials Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, including Sen. Mitch McConnell, celebrated the complete destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile. (Senator Mitch McConnell/Facebook) (Tribune News Service) Following years of work from the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, several high-profile state and federal officials celebrated the complete destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile Wednesday. Both Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Gov. Andy Beshear (D) were in attendance for the event and gave speeches, expressing their gratitude for the work done at the plant. Vice President Kamala Harris also wrote a letter to the Blue Grass community celebrating the weapons destruction, which was read by Deborah Rosenblum, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs. I extend my most sincere congratulations to all of you for helping the United States achieve a critical milestone the verified destruction of the last declared chemical weapons stockpile in the world, Harris wrote in her letter. Since 2019, your team has shown the utmost care for the safety of each other, your neighbors in Kentucky, and the environment as you completed this noble mission. The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant began safely destroying more than 523 tons of chemical agent stored in rockets at Blue Grass Army Depot four years ago on June 7, 2019. The chemical agent was stored in five different types of rockets that had been stored at the depot as early as the 1940s into the mid 1960s. In July, officials with the project announced they had destroyed the last rocket in the stockpile, an M55 rocket containing GB nerve agent, also known as sarin. Harris wrote that the team helped support the countrys commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the advancement of international rules and norms. For years to come, we will look back on this accomplishment with gratitude for your service and a deeper resolve to prevent the stockpiling, production, and use of chemical weapons around the world, Rosenblum read. Thanks to you, we are one step closer to realizing a world free of chemical weapons. You have made our country proud. McConnell called the completion of the project not only an accomplishment for Madison County, but for the world. We stand on the threshold of a new era in American defense, one without the weapons of terror, McConnell said. This achievement is as much a global victory as it is a global triumph. McConnell also called his involvement with the project one of his greatest honors of his career in politics. Today we achieved what once seemed unimaginable, McConnell said. And together now, Madison County celebrates the triumph at [the] close of this chapter in American history. Beshear told the audience Wednesday that the community and the country are safer as a result of the work done with the project. In Kentucky, we know how to get things done, and thats exactly what we did here for our country, Beshear said. 2023 Lexington Herald-Leader. Visit kentucky.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans gives a speech at the division change of command ceremony at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Aug. 25, 2023. (Mariah Aguilar/U.S. Army) HONOLULU (Tribune News Service) The new commander of the Armys 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks has been busy from Day 1 of his new assignment after taking command in August. Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, who came to Hawaii to lead the 25th after serving as chief of staff at U.S. Special Operations Command, took over as soldiers from the division were preparing for a massive exercise in Indonesia while others were on the ground on Maui supporting wildfire relief efforts. Its been an incredible honor to serve in this organization, particularly coming in at this time, Evans said. He has been frequently on and off of planes as he takes on his role as leader of the Armys Tropic Lightning division as its troops deploy for training and missions across the region. In September he traveled to Indonesia as his soldiers took part in Exercise Super Garuda Shield with the Indonesian military and troops from five other countries. The Pentagon considers the Pacific to be its top-priority area of operations amid tensions with China. After two decades of focusing on hunting insurgents and terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and other countries, the military is now trying to train troops for potential large-scale combat operations against near peer military forces that could fight back with missiles, ships, aircraft and tanks. Evans said that at the 25th hes focusing on transforming the force, which he describes a continuous effort really to deliver war-fighting advantages. The Army has been gradually stepping up training deployments around Asia through Operation Pathways, but it also faces challenges operating across vast distances as it hauls troops, weapons and supplies across the Pacific. Evans said that a big emphasis in the region will be how we sustain ourselves based on what we deploy with indefinitely. He said that big focuses are trying to better utilize water locally rather than shipping it in, as well as creatively looking for ways to ensure they dont blow through fuel and batteries they need to operate. None of that can be done without our partners and allies in the region, Evans said. In exercises around the Pacific, he said, one of the biggest takeaways is that commanders need close relationships with foreign militaries who have the local knowledge and connections to keep American forces supplied and operating safely. Many countries in the region have been seeking closer military ties with the U.S. as tensions flare, particularly in the South China Sea. Beijing considers the South China Sea, a critical waterway that more than a third of international trade moves through, to be its exclusive sovereign territory, over the objections of neighboring countries that also rely on it for trade and fishing. The U.S. Navy has been sending forces to the region for near-constant freedom of navigation operations. The Marine Corps has lately been reorganizing its forces to focus increasingly on amphibious operations, returning to its roots as a naval service, and has also stepped up training in the region. With much of the tensions centered around maritime territorial and navigation rights, there has been debate in military circles about what role the Army can or should play in the Pacific. But Evans insists his division, and the Army more broadly, is absolutely critical to Pacific operations. During World War II in the Pacific, the Japanese and the U.S. militaries fought island hopping campaigns to control islands to resupply ships and aircraft. The land domain is one of the domains that will always be decisive in any conflict, said Evans. History has shown us, particularly here in the Pacific, that eventually everything will have to come back to the land domain for resupply, for some level of security. Today in the South China Sea, Beijing has seized disputed islands and atolls and even built artificial islands in disputed watersand built bases on them. Several host anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment, and fighter jets. Our ability to fight and gain ground and hold ground, and project force from that into other domainswhether its the air, maritime, cyber or space domain will remain absolutely critical and decisive for a potential future conflict, said Evans. In November the 25th Infantry Division will conduct its annual rotation of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training at sites on Oahu and Hawaii island, joined by troops from New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Evans said the exercise seeks to implement lessons from observing the course of the conflict in Ukraine. The bloody fighting in Ukraine, which began when Russian forces that invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014 pushed into western Ukraine in 2022 in a failed attempt to seize the capital, Kyiv, has offered a harrowing look at what large-scale fighting in the Pacific could look like. Thousands of fighters and civilians alike have died as the two armies pummel each other with artillery, missiles and airstrikes. Evans said that in Ukraine, fighting formations have had to adjust and get smaller and be able to hide in plain sight to counter the autonomous, remotely controlled systems that can sense further ... so that is a lesson learned that were trying to take on here in the Pacific. During two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. military commanders got used to operating from large, developed and well -defended bases while taking largely for granted that they would have superior firepower. In a fight with China in the Pacific, that wouldnt necessarily be the case. Evans said that with that in mind, the shift in training is challenging every one of our formations to be smaller, less observable, and able to move as quickly as possible, while still sustaining mission command of their forces. As they look to the Pacific, many military leaders have expressed an eagerness to put the long, bloody and costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in their rearview mirror. In 2021 the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, and a victorious Taliban returned to power, prompting thousand of Afghans to flee the country to escape the theocratic militant groups rule. For many it marked a symbolic end to the post-9/11 era. But some analysts believe that in its eagerness to not fight the last war, the U.S. military risks forgetting the lessons of those conflicts. I think our challenge going forward is to be thoughtful and reflective and capturing the lessons from the previous 20 years understanding which ones and under what conditions apply to the next 20 years or in a (large-scale combat operations) environment here in the Pacific, said Evans. He said that in thinking about experiences in the Middle East, as well as when observing the fighting in Ukraine, its important for military leaders in the Pacific to think about which things are directly transferable, which ones can be used as a reference point and which ones do not apply. Were going to continue to advance here in the 25th, and that is just a relentless focus on war-fighting readiness its our No. 1 focus, said Evans. And that partnership that we hold so dear with the local community is integral to that process. We realize its an honor and a privilege to live in this beautiful community. Evans tenure at Schofield begins as the Army is preparing for a potential fight to hold onto Hawaii training areas it considers vital. Several of the Hawaii ranges the military uses for JPMRC belong to the state, and the Armys leases expire in 2029. Conversations about lease negotiations are taking place as many Hawaii residents and officials rethink their relationship with the military in the aftermath of the 2021 contamination of the Navys Oahu water system by fuel from its underground Red Hill fuel storage facility. But while relations between the military and local communities have become more strained, Evans said so far hes felt welcome across the island, whether its at the beach or exploring Oahus diverse food offerings. People are just so kind and friendly and welcoming, he said. Ive enjoyed getting out on the water, sitting on a board and looking up at a mountain range that runs into the sea, and then trying to catch a small wave with a surf instructor keeping me straight. (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. People allowed to carry weapons sign up at a weapon distribution at the Ayelet HaShahar Kibbutz in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2023. The tension on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group, fired dozens of rockets toward Israel on Sunday morning in support of the "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" launched by the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday morning, prompting heavy artillery from Israel in retaliation. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) BEIRUT, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah on Wednesday attacked the Israeli military site of Al-Jardah near the Lebanese border with guided missiles, claiming the shelling caused "a large number of" casualties among the Israeli forces. Hezbollah said in a statement that the operation came in response to Israeli attacks on Monday, which killed three Hezbollah members. Lebanese military sources told Xinhua that Israeli forces responded by shelling several Lebanese areas in southwest Lebanon, targeting the vicinity of the villages of Yarin and al-Dhahira. The tension on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group, fired dozens of rockets toward Israel on Sunday morning in support of the "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" launched by the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday morning, prompting heavy artillery from Israel in retaliation. People allowed to carry weapons sign up at a weapon distribution at the Ayelet HaShahar Kibbutz in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2023. The tension on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group, fired dozens of rockets toward Israel on Sunday morning in support of the "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" launched by the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday morning, prompting heavy artillery from Israel in retaliation. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) People load bullets at a weapon distribution at the Ayelet HaShahar Kibbutz in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2023. The tension on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group, fired dozens of rockets toward Israel on Sunday morning in support of the "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" launched by the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday morning, prompting heavy artillery from Israel in retaliation. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) People allowed to carry weapons sign up at a weapon distribution at the Ayelet HaShahar Kibbutz in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2023. The tension on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group, fired dozens of rockets toward Israel on Sunday morning in support of the "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" launched by the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday morning, prompting heavy artillery from Israel in retaliation. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) People load bullets at a weapon distribution at the Ayelet HaShahar Kibbutz in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2023. The tension on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group, fired dozens of rockets toward Israel on Sunday morning in support of the "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" launched by the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday morning, prompting heavy artillery from Israel in retaliation. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) A member of Joint Task Force-Red Hill conducts a safety check at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Honolulu, Sept. 14, 2023, in preparation for final defueling of the tanks slated to begin Oct. 16. (Kyler Chatman/Department of Defense) FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Defense Department will begin emptying millions of gallons of fuel from the defunct Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Honolulu next week after state officials on Tuesday signed off on defueling plans. The job will take about three months, according to Joint Task Force-Red Hill, the entity overseeing the operation. The Hawaii Department of Health gave the task force conditional approval to begin emptying 104 million gallons of fuel on Monday. Todays conditional approval marks an important milestone in the process that will ultimately result in permanent closure of the Red Hill Facility and remediation of our aquifer, Kathleen Ho, deputy director of environmental health for the Department of Health, said in a news release Tuesday. The approval is conditional on the task forces adherence to requirements placed on the operation by the Department of Health, which will have staff onsite to oversee defueling, the news release said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave the plans the green light last week. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2022 ordered the World War II-era underground storage facility permanently closed after jet fuel leaked from its tanks and contaminated nearby well water in late 2021. Plan, prepare, rehearse That contaminated well was part of the Navys distribution system that supplied tap water to about 93,000 people living in military communities on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Thousands of residents were forced to relocate to area hotels for several months. The tanks sit about 100 feet above an aquifer that supplies much of Honolulus tap water. The start of defueling on Monday comes after more than a year of planning, repairing and training by the Red Hill task force. Nearly 300 repairs and enhancements were required to the vast underground piping system to safely defuel, the Health Department said in the news release. After months of methodical planning, preparing and rehearsing, we are ready to begin defueling Red Hill and setting the conditions for its closure, Vice Adm. John Wade, the task force commander, said in a news release Monday. We have taken significant precautions to mitigate risk for safe operations, ensure preparedness to respond to contingencies, and protect the aquifer, environment, and human health as we defuel the facility, he said. Fuel will drain via gravity through roughly 3 miles of pipes that end at a fueling pier on the joint base. San Diego, Subic, Singapore The fuel will be loaded onto tanker ships and relocated to San Diego, Subic Bay in the Philippines, the Port of Singapore and a pair of fuel depots in Hawaii, the task force said in a statement Tuesday in response to a query by Stars and Stripes. We expect the removal to take 9 movements, the task force said. Filling a tanker takes about 52 hours, the task force said in a fact sheet on the defueling process. The first transport ship, the merchant tanker Empire State, is slated to arrive at Pearl Harbor early Wednesday morning, the task force said in an advisory on Monday. The first phase of defueling will require two of the facilitys three main pipelines, bringing the fuel level in the tanks to about 10 feet. That remaining fuel will be drained using a connection newly built for the defueling process, the Health Department said in its letter of conditional approval. Among the required upgrades to the facility were improvements to fire-suppression equipment and beefed-up spill mitigation measures, such as the sealing of drains and construction of diversion berms. The Navy has set up temporary air monitoring stations on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and at adjacent military housing communities with an eye toward the defueling process, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday The monitoring is part of a greater spill response strategy to identify, quantify and assess potential threats to public safety, should there be a spill during the defueling of Red Hill, a Navy spokesperson told the newspaper. Japan's newly appointed defense minister, Minoru Kihara, visits Air Defense Command at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan The Japan Air Self-Defense Force is adding to its name as potential threats from space become more diverse, complex and advanced, the nations defense minister said Tuesday at this airlift hub in western Tokyo. The change to Air and Space Self-Defense Force is scheduled for fiscal year 2027, according to a document posted on the Defense Ministry website. Clad in a green bomber jacket, newly appointed Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told around 100 Japanese airmen at Air Defense Command headquarters at Yokota that the threats they face have become more complicated amid advances in aircraft and missile technology. Today, it is extremely important for our country to respond to threats from the air, he told reporters at the headquarters. With the advent of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft and hypersonic missiles, the threats to our country from the air are becoming more diverse, complex and advanced. Japans air force frequently scrambles its fighters to meet Chinese and Russian aircraft approaching Japanese air space; it also tracks North Korean missile tests over the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, including high-arching ballistic missiles that enter space. Kihara recently returned from Washington, where he met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Oct. 4 and discussed Japans plans to accelerate the acquisition of hundreds of Tomahawk missiles. Japan's newly appointed defense minister, Minoru Kihara, speaks at Air Defense Command headquarters at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Japan approved a $51.4 billion defense budget this fiscal year, which started in April, and plans to buy 400 Tomahawks from the United States to develop counterstrike capabilities between fiscal years 2025 and 2027. At Yokota, the headquarters of U.S. Forces Japan, Kihara saw Japanese and American airmen working closely together, he told reporters. To deal with threats from the air, the defense force needs to improve information gathering, communication and use of space, Kihara said. Taking these points into account, the name (of Japans air force) will be changed to Air and Space Self-Defense Force, he said. The Air Self-Defense Force established a Space Operations Group last year at Fuchu Air Base, about five miles southeast of Yokota. The U.S. Space Force is expanding its presence in Japan and may establish a headquarters at Yokota, Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, told reporters in Tokyo on Sept. 25. Securing the use of space is a vital issue for national defense, Kihara said Tuesday. We will build satellite constellations with the aim of acquiring target detection and tracking capabilities, conduct technology demonstrations aimed at improving our ability to deal with detection and tracking of hypersonic glide weapons and strengthen our space domain awareness capabilities to understand the movements of debris and untrustworthy satellites while strengthening cooperation with the United States, he said. The U.S. Coast Guard resumes full operations in Guam following Typhoon Bolaven, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, with little damage to facilities in Santa Rita. (Greg Sickels/U.S. Coast Guard) Typhoon Bolaven strengthened Wednesday after a close call with Guam the previous day, pulling away from the island but leaving its communities, roadways and military bases intact. Guam was all clear at 10 a.m., the Governors Office said in a news release Wednesday. The island reverted to Condition of Readiness 4, Guams lowest typhoon preparatory status. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero found the islands major thoroughfares were clear of any major debris and accessible on Wednesday morning, according to the release. Military bases on the island also fared well, with no major damage reported and no impact on operations, according to Joint Region Marianas, which oversees the islands military installations. From the region perspective, I am impressed by the collaborative partnerships between and among our civilian, federal and military communities, joint region commander Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday. Each real-world contingency challenges us to come together as a unified team to remain resolute in our efforts to recover quickly and to maintain our readiness posture. At Naval Base Guam, the majority of services, including the commissary and exchange, were open for business, base spokeswoman Theresa Cepeda said by email. Andersen Air Force Base was wrapping up its assessments Wednesday morning, but the base was fully operational with the majority, if not all of its facilities and services at normal operating hours, base spokeswoman 1st Lt. Ariana Wilkinson said by email. Marine Corps Camp Blaz, also making final post-storm surveys, had found no impact on its operations, base spokeswoman Maj. Diann Rosenfeld said by email. The islands Department of Defense Education Activity schools, which closed Wednesday due to storm cleanup, were expected to reopen Thursday. Bolaven barreled toward Guam over the weekend as a tropical storm before strengthening Tuesday to a Category 1 typhoon with winds of as high as 80 mph. The storm pivoted at the last minute, narrowly missing landfall on the island, and passed between Rota and Tinian, about 75 miles northeast of Guam. The near miss spared Guam significant damage, an auspicious turn of events for the island, which is still recovering from the devastation wrought by Super Typhoon Mawar in late May. However, strong winds lashed the island and heavy rain prompted a flash flood warning until 10:15 p.m. Tuesday. Guams Joint Information Center estimated that up to 5.7 inches of rain had fallen as of Wednesday morning. We were fortunate that Typhoon Bolaven was not as strong as Typhoon Mawar, and its apparent the island weathered this storm system better than the last, Rosenfeld said. By Wednesday, Bolaven had intensified into a Category 5 super typhoon with 161 mph sustained winds and 196 mph gusts, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The storm posed no immediate threat to any major land mass. Israeli soldiers walk past the dead body of a militant in Kfar Azza, Israel, on Tuesday, three days after Hamas attacked the town. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/The Washington Post) KFAR AZZA, Israel The entrance to this small farming community was lined with bullet-riddled cars, paved with shattered glass and flanked by two dead Hamas fighters. A cluster of Israeli soldiers squatted by one of the bodies, their weapons trained toward a distant ridge and the sound of machine gun fire. Military officials said the village was finally secured late Monday after 2 1/2 days of intense fighting. But with regular explosions overhead and black plumes of smoke rising above the Gaza Strip just over a mile away, the battle felt far from over. The Israeli army escorted a group of journalists inside the town early Tuesday as the recovery of bodies was beginning. The pastoral community of about 400 is one of the closest to Israels sophisticated border fence with Gaza, which Hamas militants breached with apparent ease Saturday before rampaging through town after town. The burned homes and crushed cars here were surrounded by unmarked fields and groves. Water poured down the slope from a busted main. Kfar Azza was still off limits to the residents who had time to flee. So many didnt survive the shocking invasion, which shattered the peace of a weekend morning so suddenly that full cups of coffee and a jug of milk still sat on the table in one kitchen. The floor was smeared with blood. Outside, the air was heavy with the smell of smoke and death. Many of these low, boxy houses contained more bodies, said Maj. Gen. Itai Veruv those of slain residents and perhaps more of their attackers. He couldnt say how many. We dont know yet, Veruv said. It is a big massacre, a catastrophe. Veruv was the commander of the huge defensive operation that the Israel Defense Forces scrambled to mount after being caught badly off guard on the last day of the Jewish Sukkot holiday. He was officially retired until he heard the news, just after dawn, that villages in the south had been overrun. By 9 a.m., he was in the area, where he stayed for three days, bearing witness to the worst scenes he has seen in 40 years of service. I never saw anything like this, he said. I never imagined. Israeli soldiers search Kfar Azza on Tuesday. Military officials said the village was finally secured late Monday after 2 days of intense fighting. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/The Washington Post) On the Gaza side of the compound, a section of the steel fence had been wrenched free, the entry point for at least some of the Hamas fighters. Israeli soldiers were posted on rooftops and between houses, all staring toward the Palestinian enclave. The soldiers have tried to understand how the attack unfolded by looking at the bullet scars on the wall, and the pattern of a dozen dead infiltrators whose bodies still lay on lawns and sidewalks among some 1,500 bodies of Palestinian militants the military says it has found across Israel. There was a crashed paraglider near a bus stop where one of the gunmen had descended from the sky. One of their motorcycles lay on its side near a pickup truck with shattered windows, its emergency lights still flashing. The towns small security squad residents with guns gathered toward the western edge of the compound when the attackers came, Veruv said. He pointed out a block of houses they called the baby section, because of all the young families who lived here. Those who were armed clearly fought, the soldiers said, but many didnt survive. Most of the vehicles in a sandy parking area were heavily damaged, with bullet holes and broken windshields and doors twisted out of shape. The infiltrators apparently went down the line, looking for cars to steal. They wanted a way to take hostages, one soldier said. Every few minutes, explosions shook the bright sky mostly air defense missiles intercepting the rockets that Hamas continues to launch from Gaza. Beneath the booms, an army mortuary unit moved through the devastation. One team loaded white body bags into the back of the truck. Another worked with six black bags, some with the Star of David, gathering them in the shade of a tree. At the entrance to the kibbutz, a crowd of Orthodox volunteers wearing yarmulkes, rubber gloves and safety vests waited to make sure all remains had been collected, a requirement for Jewish burial. Some civilians still lay where they fell. Behind one house, a woman with bare feet and red pants had been covered with a cloth; a man in shorts was in the stream of water from the damaged main. Soldiers recover the bodies of civilians who died during the Hamas attack in Kfar Azza. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/The Washington Post) The soldiers had yet to sweep every house. It was still possible that some survivors were in hiding places or safe rooms, Veruv said. The process was slow. Soldiers warned the journalists to watch out for booby traps they had already found some and unexploded ordnance. Theres a grenade there. Step back! a soldier shouted as reporters approached one yard near where a Sukkot holiday hut was collapsed and broken. A column of troop carriers rolled into the compound, and then another one. A tank rumbled past the farm equipment that sat idly at the edge of a field. Israel was reinforcing its hold on a community that, for days, it had lost. The IDF said Tuesday that it was increasingly confident that the area was secure, and that its forces were preparing to go on the offensive against Hamas. Veruv said he would not be going back into retirement anytime soon. Now we will fight, he said, and I think we will fight for a very long time. Blast rubble on the road beside a destroyed building following Israeli airstrikes overnight in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Oct. 9, 2023. (Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg) Opening an escape route for thousands of Palestinians trying to flee Israeli strikes on Gaza isnt an easy proposition for neighboring Egypt, as it struggles to balance humanitarian support with national security concerns. The North African nations stance is increasingly in focus as the US and others discuss with Egypt the possibility of safe passage for civilians, as well as providing vital aid to Gazas 2 million residents after Israels decision to cut off access to food, water and power. A safe route is something we are focused on and we are working on, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday, according to a transcript. He declined to give details on specific locations. Still, Israeli shelling near the border post have complicated any attempts for people or aid to cross. Israeli officials have warned that any trucks bringing in supplies could be targeted, according to Israeli media. More than 1,200 Israelis and 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since Saturdays surprise attack against Israel by Gaza-based militants Hamas, which the US and Europe have declared a terrorist group. Meeting with United Nations officials on Wednesday, Egypts foreign ministry said it voiced full support for UN efforts to ensure the continuation of vital services and the arrival of relief supplies to Gazans. But fully opening Egypts tightly controlled Rafah border crossing, which connects the Sinai peninsula with Gaza, and letting in sizable numbers of refugees is another issue and something, local media and a populist lawmaker suggest, the country neither wants nor can afford. State-run Ahram Online on Tuesday revived fears of what it called a frequently proposed Israeli scheme to resettle Gazans in Sinai, with a story citing Egyptian security sources rejecting the historically and politically corrupt idea. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said guarding Egypts national security is his top responsibility, and there will be no compromise or complacency under any circumstances. He warned Tuesday that further escalation between Israel and Hamas could cause regional instability. Egypt, which in 1980 became the first Arab country to normalize relations with Israel, has mediated between the warring sides during previous conflicts in Gaza. Ahram Online website on Monday reported Cairo was working to facilitate a prisoner-exchange deal. But any escalation that sees Palestinians flee to Egypt is seen by authorities as posing fresh challenges just as the country is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades. El-Sisi spearheaded a war against militants in northern Sinai after taking office in 2014 and has touted ambitious plans to develop and invest in the region. An Egyptian humanitarian organization on Tuesday said it was preparing a convoy of food and medical assistance for Gaza. It wasnt clear if it would be able to cross. Egyptian lawmaker Mostafa Bakry, whos widely seen as close to El-Sisi, wrote on X that neither Egypt nor the Palestinians would accept Palestinians being displaced to Sinai. Egypts security and Egypts land are not permissible, Bakry said. A tank during a training day held in the Golan Heights for the 401st Armored Brigade. The goal of the drill was to test the level of the brigades combat fitness. (IDF/Wikimedia Commons) Defense officials have ordered a complete siege of Gaza after militants broke through its border wall into southern Israel on Saturday and killed at least 1,200 people, many of them civilians the deadliest day in Israeli history. No power, no food, no gas, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly. Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, orchestrated the ambush over the weekend, when militants took more than 100 hostages to Gaza. Israel has bombarded the densely populated enclave in retaliation, killing at least 1,100 people. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces announced that the border with Gaza was secured and that it was preparing for an offensive. The Gaza Strip, a 140-square-mile stretch of land with more than 2 million people, depends on Israel for most of its electricity and other basic services. Cutting off gas and power from the territory could leave many residents not only without power, but without clean drinking water, proper sanitation and health care. On Wednesday, Palestinian authorities said Gazas only power plant has run out of fuel and stopped operating. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the siege Monday. The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities; now it will only deteriorate exponentially, he said in a statement. Israel provides Gaza with power in two ways. Gazas sole power plant is operated by diesel fuel, which enters Gaza from the Karem Shalom crossing. There are also 10 direct power lines from Israel to Gaza. On Saturday, Gazas power authority reported an electricity shortage of close to 80 percent. Within a matter of days Gaza will be in a blackout, said Miriam Marmur, public advocacy director at Gisha, an Israeli nonprofit organization. The Israeli siege could also result in a severe shortage of already scarce drinkable water, the United Nations said. The country has several major desalination plants, which transform water from the Mediterranean Sea into drinkable water, but they need power to operate. Sanitation facilities, too, could be crippled by the outages, increasing concerns about disease. Past fuel shortages in Gaza have caused sewage from the strip to contaminate agricultural land and spill into Israel. Gaza was on the edge of a humanitarian crisis for a very long time, said Arnaud Quemin, the Middle East regional director of Mercy Corps. So this additional shock is going to turn this into a full-blown crisis very quickly. Even before this escalation, residents in Gaza spent almost half the day, on average, without power. Israel withdrew its civilian population and military forces from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but has continued to control the flow of goods and people. When Hamas assumed political power of the territory in 2007, Israel imposed an air and sea blockade, which is also enforced by Egypt to the south. Over the course of the 16-year blockade, Israel has imposed shutdowns during key moments in the conflict, including Operation Cast Lead, which began in December 2008, and Operation Protective Edge in 2014. Those military campaigns killed more than 3,500 Palestinians in total. Israel used its control over the access to goods and infrastructure needs as a way of creating a carrot-and-stick approach to the governing body in Gaza, Hamas, said Ghaith al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. If things are calm, things are opened up. If things get tense, Israel shuts the spigot. The siege could also affect hospitals, which can run on generators but need fuel to power them. Several health care facilities were already hit by Israeli strikes. We are very concerned to see that medical facilities have not been spared, Leo Cans, Doctors Without Borders head of mission in the Palestinian territories, said in a statement. [An] airstrike destroyed an ambulance carrying the wounded, right in front of the hospital where we work. Israel has justified its overwhelming use of force by saying it must destroy Hamass military capabilities to prevent any future assaults on the country. It will never happen again, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a national address Saturday. Were talking about Israeli policies, al-Omari said, but ultimately, Hamas knew exactly what was going to come. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Jacob Wallenberg, Chair of the Board of Sweden-based Investor AB, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Jacob Wallenberg, Chair of the Board of Sweden-based Investor AB, in Beijing on Wednesday. Noting that China's economy has generally picked up and improved since the beginning of this year, and the annual growth target is expected to be achieved, Han said that China's policy of reform and opening up will remain unchanged in the course of advancing Chinese modernization, which will bring more space for the development of China-EU and China-Sweden economic and trade cooperation. China is willing to strengthen communication with Sweden on the basis of mutual respect, trust, equality and mutual benefit, properly handle differences and push bilateral relations steadily in the right direction, Han said. He expressed the hope that the Swedish business community will continue to play a positive role and make due contributions to strengthening China-EU cooperation and maintaining the stability of industrial and supply chains. Wallenberg expressed his support for good and stable relations between Sweden and China, as well as between the EU and China, saying that he hoped to find more ways to promote dialogue among the EU, the United States and China, and to assist the sustainable development of the global economy. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Jacob Wallenberg, Chair of the Board of Sweden-based Investor AB, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) His formulaic response underscored the Palestinian Authoritys weakened position and sclerotic leadership as Hamas, its longtime archrival that rules the Gaza Strip, carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in Israels history and threatened to drag the region into a prolonged conflict. (NASA/Wikimedia Commons) JERUSALEM As Hamas militants rampaged through Israel on Saturday and Israeli strikes rained down on Gaza, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was at his base in Ramallah. He made calls, held meetings and issued statements. Palestinians have a right to defend themselves against the terrorism of settlers and occupation forces, he said after a discussion with security officials. His formulaic response underscored the Palestinian Authoritys weakened position and sclerotic leadership as Hamas, its longtime archrival that rules the Gaza Strip, carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in Israels history and threatened to drag the region into a prolonged conflict. Abbas is backed by the West but is widely unpopular across the Palestinian territories, where people are seething at the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and a year of deadly raids across the West Bank. His autocratic government is viewed by many Palestinians as an extension of the Israeli occupation. As Gaza prepares for what is expected to be an extensive Israeli ground invasion and Hamass allies in Lebanon and Syria engage in cross-border exchanges the public absence of Palestinian political leadership is adding to the chaos. The Palestinian Authoritys silence reflects a very clear weakness, said Rula Shadeed, co-director of the Ramallah-based Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy. And also that their hands are tied. The way that they have been handling the struggle for liberation has not been fruitful in any way. This is very dangerous, she added. We dont know how it will play out. Hussein el-Sheikh, an Abbas confidant and the secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, that Palestinian officials requested that food and medical supplies be entered urgently to our people in the Gaza Strip, but Israel refused. At 87 years old, Abbas is in the 18th year of a four-year term as head of the Palestinian Authority, established as an interim government by the 1993 Oslo accords. The agreements gave the Authority partial sovereignty over parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which along with east Jerusalem were meant to be part of a future Palestinian state. Yet the Oslo maps no longer reflect the realities on the ground; the hope of a two-state solution has grown more remote with each passing year. Israeli settlements and military control over the occupied territories have continued to expand. Hamas, an Islamist movement committed to Israels destruction, rejected the peace process from the start. In 2007, following a disputed election in Gaza, Hamas violently ousted the Authority from the strip. Israel imposed a land and sea blockade on the tiny coastal enclave and fought four wars in Gaza in the intervening years. The fifth, which many fear will be the most deadly, was declared Sunday. The fighting began Saturday when, under the cover of thousands of rockets fired from Gaza, hundreds of Hamas gunmen broke through Israels high-tech border wall and terrorized towns across the south. They killed more than 1,200 people and took more than 100 hostages back to the strip. Israel has responded with an unrelenting campaign of airstrikes on Gaza, killing more than 1,000 people, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Gazans on Saturday to leave now, but most have nowhere to go. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a complete siege of the enclave, cutting off access to power and basic supplies. The heavy civilian toll and the scenes of destruction have ignited anger across the West Bank, where Israel has closed roads and increased checkpoints for Palestinians. Israeli forces have killed 23 Palestinians in the West Bank since Saturday, according to the Health Ministry in Ramallah. At least 179 Palestinians have been killed across the territory since January, according to the United Nations, making 2023 the deadliest year for West Bank Palestinians in two decades. There has also been a surge in violent attacks by Israeli settlers, urged on by far-right members of Netanyahus government. Israeli and Palestinian Authority security forces have struggled to contain the rise of new militant groups in Palestinian refugee camps. Some have ties to more established armed groups, including Hamas, but most are loosely organized. The majority of the fighters are young and poor. They are fed up with the occupation and disillusioned with their leaders in Ramallah. Palestinians were resisting in the West Bank, and they paid a very hard price, said Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian politician who heads the Palestinian National Initiative. He said Hamas made its move in part because of what was happening in the West Bank. Abbas now finds himself caught in the middle, as he has been for much of his political career criticized by Israel and the United States for not condemning militant violence, and by Palestinians for his close ties with Washington and the Authoritys security cooperation with Israel. Events in Gaza are increasing the political weight of Hamas and decreasing the political weight and influence of the PA, said Ghassan Khatib, a former Palestinian minister of planning. Because now is the time for fighting. And the popular parties are the parties involved in the fighting. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to Britain, rejected those claims. Its we who represent the Palestinian people, he said. Palestinian national institutions, including the Authority, can never be irrelevant. These are the only national, regional and international representatives of the Palestinian people. Abbass strategy for Gaza, Zomlot said, was two-pronged: mobilize humanitarian resources for Gaza and push for a diplomatic end to the war. Zomlot grew up in Gazas Rafah refugee camp. He last visited the strip two weeks ago for an uncles funeral. On Monday, an Israeli airstrike killed his cousin, her husband, two of their children, her mother-in-law and two other family members in their home in northern Gaza, he said. His cousins 2-year-old twins are in intensive care. As a militant group, Hamas is not part of our national institutions, he said. They have their own calculations. But what happens in Gaza in the weeks ahead will resonate across the West Bank, probably forcing pent-up anger and frustration to the surface. The Oslo peace accords, Shadeed said, had not only failed but have been a tool to sustain the status quo of the West Bank, the increase of settlements, the de facto annexation. Israel has sought to keep the Palestinian Authority weak, Barghouti said. Now, he said, Palestinian leaders needed to do everything they can to move in the direction of unifying Palestinians. Mkheimer Abusada, one of Gazas most respected political analysts, did not have politics on his mind when reached by phone from Gaza City. Why are you asking about the PA? he said. Why arent you asking about setting up a humanitarian corridor? There are 2 million people who are trapped by Israel without a safe passage. Gazans, he said, were looking at the PA now to do something, to stop what is happening. The boom of airstrikes echoed in the background. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower shown here in the Atlantic Ocean in August 2017. The Eisenhower could be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean, a defense official said Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in response to the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists. (Cole Keller/U.S. Navy) WASHINGTON The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower could soon be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean, a defense official said Tuesday, a move that would position a second U.S. aircraft carrier in the region as fighting rages between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists. The Eisenhower, along with other ships and aircraft that make up its strike group, is scheduled to depart Norfolk, Va., this week. The aircraft carrier has long been scheduled to deploy and operate near Europe, Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon McGarry, a Defense Department spokesman, said in a statement. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the region as part of the U.S. response to the Hamas attack on Israel. The Ford, also based in Norfolk, was already operating in the Mediterranean. That carrier strike group had been conducting naval exercises last week with Italy in the Ionian Sea. The Ford arrived in the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. The Ford strike group includes eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft, the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy and four Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford steams in formation in the Ionian Sea on Oct. 4, 2023. The Ford arrived in the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, according to U.S. Central Command. (Jacob Mattingly/U.S. Navy) The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation, said Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, which oversees operations in the Middle East. The Pentagon did deploy two aircraft carriers to the Middle East in March 2020 amid heightened tension with Iran, Politico reported. At the time, the Eisenhower and the USS Harry S. Truman operated in the Arabian Sea. A senior defense official, who spoke with reporters Monday on the condition of anonymity, said the Ford has the potential for long-range strike capabilities, but moving ships into the region was to deter groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and other Iranian-backed groups from escalating the conflict with Israel. These posture increases were intended to serve as an unequivocal demonstration in deed and not only in words of U.S. support for Israels defense. ... Those adversaries should think twice, the defense official said. The death toll in the war between Israel and Hamas continues to rise, four days after Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, a Palestinian territory along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that more than 1,000 civilians were killed in Israel, including at least 14 Americans. He said American citizens also are among those being held captive by Hamas, which controls Gaza and has long been designated a terrorist organization by the United States. In this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel, Biden said. And we will make sure Israel has what is needed to take care of its citizens, take care of itself and respond to this attack. Theres no justification for terrorism. Theres no excuse. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to reporters at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting Sept. 19, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. On Oct. 11 in Brussels, Austin said the U.S. would help Ukraine with its most urgent defense needs, while also making sure Israel has sufficient arms for its war against Hamas. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that the U.S. will send another $200 million in new weaponry to Ukraine while also signaling that the Pentagon was gearing up to support Israel in its war against Hamas. Austin, during a meeting of allied and partner defense chiefs at NATO headquarters in Brussels, said the new security package for Ukraine includes munitions for a new air defense system, artillery, anti-tank and anti-drone weapons. Were here to dig deep to meet Ukraines most urgent needs, Austin said at the start of talks that also centered around the unfolding war in Israel and Gaza. Austin, flanked by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said U.S. support for Israels security will remain ironclad. We will stay in close contact with our Israeli partners and ensure that they have what they need to protect their country, Austin said. On Thursday, NATO leaders in Brussels will be briefed about the security situation in Israel by that countrys defense chief, Yoav Gallant. The war in Israel has threatened to overshadow the two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers, whose focus for the past 19 months has been on finding ways to bolster Ukraines military in its war against Russia. Last week, a top NATO commander warned that allies were running out of ammunition to send to Kyiv and cautioned that industry needed to ramp up production if the West wants to keep the arms flowing. The bottom of the barrel is now visible, Dutch Adm. Rob Bauer, head of NATOs Military Committee, said during a discussion at the Warsaw Security Forum. Now, Israels war could potentially exacerate the situation given the existing strain on weapons stocks. Austin, however, insisted that the U.S. will be able to deliver what is required to both Israel and Ukraine. Absolutely we can do both and we will do both, Austin said. Were going to do whats necessary to help our allies and partners and were going to also do whats necessary to make sure that we maintain the capability to protect our interests and defend our country. On Monday, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said the service is prepared to lean forward when it comes to delivering arms to Israel, but that lawmakers will need to step up funding to ensure that the needs of both Ukraine and Israel can be met. Already, the U.S. has begun sending critical munitions to Israel along with interceptors to replenish Israels Iron Dome air defense system. But questions loom over the defense industrys ability to meet the demand for munitions and arms. Upholding U.S. commitments to supply Israel with the munitions and equipment necessary to fend off Hamas while simultaneously sustaining Ukraines fight against Russia is an expensive undertaking, said Kathryn Levantovscaia, an analyst with the Atlantic Council think tank, in a statement Tuesday. Even if Congress can put aside differences and come to an agreement on emergency appropriations to speed up production, there are uncertainties about whether an industrial base built around a just-in-time business model has the raw material to meet the moment, she said. Inventories are practically nonexistent, Levantovscaia said. Still, Austin said allies remain committed to ensuring Ukraine gets the weapons it needs to eventually beat back the Russian military. The war in Ukraine is at a critical point, as Ukrainian forces push slowly ahead with a counteroffensive and brace for another winter when energy infrastructure will likely be targeted once again by Russian missiles. We should be ready for the Kremlin to again bombard Ukraine this winter with cruise missiles and drones, Austin said. We should expect Putins forces to cruelly and deliberately put Ukrainian cities, civilians and critical infrastructure in their gunsights by turning civilians into targets. The stakes of the war extend beyond Ukraine, he said. Ukraine matters because Russian aggression clearly challenges our NATO allies, Austin said. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said the Kremlins aspirations have never been limited to Ukraine. We all want these ambitions to be defeated in Ukraine, as soon as possible (so that) we dont have to look for shells and supply tanks to other countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, that the Russian dictator may try to turn into ruins, Zelenskyy said. U.S. Army and Air Force medics tested a ketamine infuser device at a military exercise in Michigan in August. The device eventually could be used to provide pain relief on the battlefield. (Chani Devers / Michigan Air National Guard) An infuser filled with a small amount of ketamine could relieve pain and even help save lives in future wars, say Air Force officials who have worked with the device. The infuser produced by the small California-based company Bexson Biomedical was transported by a drone under simulated battlefield conditions at a military exercise in Michigan this summer. Ketamine has received negative attention in recent decades because of its hallucinogenic properties when used illicitly as a recreational drug. But its use as a short-term anesthetic goes back to the Vietnam War, and combat medics increasingly turned to ketamine as a pain reliever for patients with battlefield wounds during more recent U.S. wars. Its use increased from less than 1% of combat injuries up to 11% of such injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2011 to 2016, according to a 2021 study published in the journal Military Medicine. The military is interested in the new device because high casualty rates in a war might strain the ability of medics to keep up, said Air Force Lt. Col. David Brewer, program director of AIM-HI, an Air National Guard technology program. This technology is adaptive for what we anticipate contested wartime environments to look like in the future, if we saw casualty rates similar to that of what were seeing on the front lines of Ukraine, Brewer said in a recent interview. The ketamine infusion device is based on the same concept as insulin pumps, said Gregg Peterson, CEO of Bexson Biomedical, based in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Bexson Biomedical) Ketamine is delivered intravenously by a needle. But poking a vein can take valuable time in a battlefield environment, Brewer said. The current way of delivering ketamine takes an average of eight minutes, while the device only needs 30 seconds to apply time that would free up medics to save more people, he added. Delivery with a needle also requires trained medics and saline solution, which might be in short supply in a war with mass casualties. Five service members at AIM-HI who were assigned the task of improving combat field medicine learned about the ketamine device, which is similar to an insulin pump for diabetes patients, Brewer said. The device is attached to a persons body and delivers medicine just under the top layer of skin. They reached out to Bexson Biomedical in February about whether they could make a prototype for military use. The device has a preloaded cartridge with six milliliters of ketamine. Basically, the medic takes it right out of the blister pack, or in the civilian world, the patient takes it right out of the blister pack, slaps it on themselves, and literally presses the play button, said Gregg Peterson, CEO of Bexson, in a recent interview. In August, Bexson brought a ketamine-free version of the device to a military exercise in Michigan, dubbed Northern Strike. There, Army medics tested whether it was rugged enough to survive in the field. It was attached to dummies and fitted on people, as well put on a helicopter. At one point, half a dozen devices were loaded onto a quadcopter drone, which flew 35 miles and delivered them. Bexson has been invited to bring the device to future military exercises in Michigan and North Carolina, Peterson said. The company is still seeking FDA approval for their device and their ketamine formula, he said. So far, the company has completed animal testing and plans to start human trials next year, he said. Brewer said the military is working to get funding to help Bexson build a new working prototype. He added he is optimistic that the technology could be in the hands of medics within three to five years. Retired Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty with a photo of Waverly Woodson over his shoulder talks to the crowd about what it meant to be at the medal ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Woodson, an Army medic, posthumously received the Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge for his heroics during the D-Day invasion during World War II. (Matthew Adams/Stars and Stripes) ARLINGTON, Va. A World War II combat medic posthumously received the Bronze Star and the Combat Medic Badge at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday as lawmakers and advocates continue to fight for him to receive the militarys highest honor for his actions during the D-Day invasion. Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr. was with the all-Black 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion and treated more than 200 troops during the landing of forces at Omaha Beach, the stretch of French coastline that saw the worst fighting on D-Day when Allied troops launched their amphibious invasion of Nazi-occupied France. The gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., of Waverly Woodson, who posthumously received the Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Matthew Adams/Stars and Stripes) In the early hours of June 6, 1944, Woodson landed with his unit on Omaha Beach in Normandy. His landing craft came under heavy German fire and hit a mine as it approached the beach, according to an account of his actions in the book Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Days Black Heroes, at Home and at War, by Linda Hervieux. For a moment, he too thought he would die from his wounds, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said Wednesday at the ceremony. Despite having been struck by shrapnel in the inner thigh and buttocks when the landing craft hit the mine, Woodson spent 30 hours trying to save the lives of his fellow soldiers, according to Hervieux. He set up a casualty collection point at a rocky embankment on the beach that provided some protection from German machine guns. Woodson survived the day and was approved to receive the Bronze Star in 1945 but never was awarded the medal because he had left Europe and was preparing to deploy for an invasion of Japan. He also never received a Combat Medic Badge, which denotes that a medic was in combat. His former unit the 1st United States Army applied for the award and it was approved in August. Woodson later earned the rank of staff sergeant during his service in the Korean War. Since 2015, Van Hollen has worked to upgrade Woodsons Bronze Star to the Medal of Honor after his widow Joann Woodson reached out to his office. Her husband died in 2005 and she has advocated for years to get the medal upgraded. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., spoke at the ceremony for Army medic Waverly Woodson who posthumously received the Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, for treating more than 200 troops on D-Day in the only all Black unit to storm the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Van Hollen has fought to get Woodsons Bronze Star upgraded to the Medal of Honor. (Matthew Adams/Stars and Stripes) It is clear from looking at our history that Cpl. Woodson has not yet been presented with the Medal of Honor because of historic discrimination, Van Hollen said. In the case of Cpl. Woodson, he was recommended at the time but because of washed records, due to no fault of his own, the information was not then available. Van Hollen explained, in 1973, more than 80% of the Armys records were destroyed by a fire that broke out at the National Personnel Records Center in Missouri. More than one million African Americans served in World War II, but none were awarded the Medal of Honor during the conflict. Seven medals were eventually awarded in 1997 by former President Bill Clinton, who said at the time that the men were denied their nations highest honor because of the color of their skin but their deeds could not be denied, and they cleared the way for a better world. Steve Woodson spoke Wednesday about his father after his mother was presented with the awards. He recently visited Normandy and said the trip to northern France finally gave him a full sense of what the soldiers went through during the invasion. Joann Woodson received her late husband Waverly Woodsons Bronze Star on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. (Matthew Adams/Stars and Stripes) I know theres been a lot of recounts through the years over racial prejudices. I think that when dad was on [Omaha Beach], he didnt see any of that, Woodson said. Retired Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty, who served as commander of the 1st United States Army from 2016 to 2018, was not aware of Woodsons story until a few weeks ago. He said he attends a lot of ceremonies throughout the country where Black soldiers have not gotten their complete recognition for the jobs that they did. Twitty said the ceremony at Arlington was special for him because of his own service and the service of his grandfathers in the First Army in World War II during segregation. Members of Waverly Woodsons family posing for a photo after the medal ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Woodson posthumously received the Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge on Oct. 11, 2023. (Matthew Adams/Stars and Stripes) You cant correct the wrong because Staff Sgt. Woodson isnt here with us anymore. But what you can do is acknowledge the fact that he was wronged, Twitty said following the ceremony. As we acknowledge that wrong also acknowledge him in his afterlife with the accomplishments that hes achieved. GAZA/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON/TEHRAN/GABORONE, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: The death toll and injuries from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip rose to 830 and 4,250, respectively, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry on Tuesday. Meanwhile, at least 1,008 individuals have been killed in Israel since Hamas launched a surprise attack on the country on Saturday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported on Tuesday. The intense conflict, as it entered the fourth day, has left heavy casualties on both sides. - - - - The first American aircraft carrying ammunition arrived in Israel on Tuesday night to help the country in its ongoing conflict with Gaza's ruling faction, Hamas, and militants in Lebanon, Israel's military said. The plane landed at the Nevatim Airbase in Israel's southern Negev Desert, carrying "advanced ammunition," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a statement. Also on Tuesday, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea "in order to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war," the U.S. Central Command said in a statement. - - - - The number of U.S. citizens killed amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has risen to 14, according to U.S. President Joe Biden, who in a speech Tuesday also said Americans were believed to be among those held hostage by Hamas militants. Speaking from the White House State Dining Room, Biden urged Congress to "take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners," saying the funding "is not about party or politics. It's about the security of our world, the security of the United States of America." - - - - TEHRAN -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed on Tuesday allegations of his country's involvement in the attacks conducted by Palestinian resistance groups against Israel. When addressing cadets of the Iranian armed forces at a graduation ceremony in Tehran, the Iranian leader criticized the accusations from "the supporters of Israel and some Israeli individuals" as "nonsensical." Khamenei asserted that anyone who believes the Palestinians are incapable of carrying out attacks on their own is underestimating them. - - - - Botswana has joined the international community in expressing its deep concern over the unfortunate developments in Israel and Gaza, the southern African country said in a statement on Tuesday. According to the statement, the developments emanating from the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict have led to the loss of innocent civilian lives including hundreds injured and displaced, as well as massive destruction to property. Condemning the continuing attacks and violence on civilian populations by both sides, Botswana called on the belligerent parties to immediately cease hostilities and seek a negotiated settlement through peaceful means. Brady's trial was the longest murder case in Irish legal history, lasting 122 court days Defence lawyers for Aaron Brady had sought to show his capital murder trial jury a picture of a key prosecution witness with his penis exposed in an attempt to humiliate in the course of a "sordid" cross-examination, a senior barrister for the State has told the Court of Appeal. Brendan Grehan SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, argued today that the "shoddy manner" in which voluntary witness Daniel Cahill - who gave testimony via video link from New York - was treated "would make one wonder why anyone would ever do anything but look the other way when asked to come and give evidence in court". Father-of-one Brady, who was jailed in 2020 for a minimum of 40 years for the murder of the detective, is bidding to overturn his conviction in a six-day hearing before the three-judge appeals court. Brady's trial was the longest murder case in Irish legal history, lasting 122 court days. After hearing approximately 47 grounds of appeal submitted by the appellant, the appeal will briefly continue tomorrow before Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, sitting with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Ms Justice Tara Burns. On the sixth day of the hearing, counsel for the appellant Mr Justin McQuade BL said the prosecution was late in disclosing a US police report on the discovery of steroids at Mr Cahill's home until after he had given evidence. Counsel said this contained information that was contradictory of evidence given by both a US Homeland Security officer and Mr Cahill, rendering the cross-examination unsatisfactory and the trial unfair. Daniel Cahill - responsible for putting Aaron Brady behind bars DANIEL CAHILL'S CROSS-EXAMINATION AT TRIAL Mr Cahill's lengthy cross examination over three days by Mr McQuade was among the most controversial aspects of the eighth-month trial at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Cahill said he was a childhood friend of Vincent Ryan and knew his brother Alan Ryan, two dissident republicans who had been shot dead in separate attacks. Mr McQuade put it to Mr Cahill that before he left Ireland he was a member of the "Ryan crew" or Dublin Real IRA, a suggestion the witness strongly denied. When Mr McQuade suggested that the witness had been an active member of the Dublin Real IRA the trial judge intervened, dubbing it an outrageous question and telling the jury it should never have been put to the witness. Mr Cahill denied that he was one of a group of four men who entered Mr Brady's apartment while the defendant was asleep on St Patrick's Day 2015 and assaulted him. He said that he was working that night and there are pictures on Facebook to prove it. He also insisted that he was not put under pressure by Homeland Security to give evidence. Mr Cahill had told the trial jury that he heard Brady admit to killing a garda on three occasions. Mr Cahill said that Brady "ranted" about having shot a garda after he was punched in the eye during a bar fight. On another occasion Mr Brady was drinking heavily and "broke down" at the bar, telling Mr Cahill that he was involved in a "robbery gone wrong" that led to him shooting a garda. Mr Cahill accepted that he hid in his attic for about two hours when Homeland Security called to his home on 25 July 2019. Officers searched for him and found him along with a suspected cannabis plant and some steroids. Later that same day Mr Cahill gave a statement to gardai at Yonkers Police Precinct and despite not having any legal status in the US he was allowed to continue living there. Mr McQuade put it to him that Homeland Security told him to make a statement or be deported on the next flight to Dublin. He strongly denied this, saying he wanted justice for Det Gda Donohoe. Two weeks after Mr Cahill gave evidence, Special Agent Mary Ann Wade testified that steroids were also found in Mr Cahill's house but that no prosecution was ever taken against Mr Cahill in relation to the steroids but she did not remember why. The witness refused to say whether there was an investigation into Mr Cahills legal status in the US or whether she had a conversation with Mr Cahill about his status prior to him speaking to gardai. APPELLANT'S SUBMISSION BEFORE COURT OF APPEAL Mr McQuade for the appellant submitted before the Court of Appeal today that the late disclosure of an important Yonkers police report referencing steroids found in the home of Mr Cahill on July 25, 2019 would have been evidence which might have been of relevance to a jury. Counsel said the jury never got to see Mr Cahill's demeanour or his reaction if he had been confronted with the report referencing the steroids and that it was entirely a matter for the jury to consider his response and assess it. "It was entirely a matter for the jury to decide whether or not Mr Cahill had lied to them by omitting to refer to steroids when the opportunity was put to him and he was questioned about cannabis," he said. Mr McQuade submitted that the defence did not know anything about steroids being found in Mr Cahill's home when he was cross-examined, that they were completely in the dark at the time and that this was the witness's opportunity "to tell the whole truth". Mr Justice John Edwards put it to the barrister that this was "a wholly collateral matter" to which Mr McQuade replied that "a lie to the jury is not a collateral matter". Counsel said it went towards the witness's credibility and "that loose thread" undid Mr Cahill's credibility. The presiding judge told the lawyer that perhaps the steroids were prescribed for a medical issue and if it transpired that the steroids weren't illicit then the witness might have answered truthfully and it was speculative to say Mr Cahill might have lied. Counsel replied: "This is the difficulty that the failure to disclose the report had. We had one hand tied behind our back as when Mr Cahill was cross-examined we didn't have the benefit of the report". The report, the lawyer said, that was not disclosed to the defence in a timely fashion would have had the potential to enable their side to have something concrete and indisputable, which might have led the jury to come to the conclusion that the witness was not truthful. "This material could have unravelled the jury's confidence in what he had said; it doesn't have to be a knockout blow," he continued. Counsel for the appellant went on to say if the jury took the view that Mr Cahill lied on the issue of steroids then that could have had a "knock-on effect" on the jury's assessment on the entirety of his evidence. "We had nothing with which we could lay a glove on Mr Cahill," he said. The appellant also said that after Mr Cahill was found in the attic he was brought to Yonkers Police Precinct where a decision was made not to prosecute him and he was offered an opportunity to give a statement to An Garda Siochana, who were also present. He said a decision was made by the defence not to recall Mr Cahill as the prosecution was about to close its case. REPLYING SUBMISSION In reply, Brendan Grehan SC, for the DPP, said a very clear tactical decision was made by the defence not to revisit the matter with Mr Cahill. "Mr McQuade said 'we had nothing by which to lay a glove on Mr Cahill. Wow, what a slim piece of material they now suggest would unravel Mr Cahill's evidence." Counsel submitted it was "fanciful in the extreme" to now say this issue would have "blown the case wide open". The barrister said the height of the suggestion seemed to be that if the defence had the report at the time of Mr Cahill's cross-examination then the jury would have seen his demeanour and reaction. At this point counsel raised his voice saying: "The jury got to see Cahill's cross-examination over three days in the most sordid cross-examination I've ever seen, where the witness was being put through the wringer in an Irish court. The shoddy manner in which Mr Cahill was treated would make one wonder why anyone would ever do anything but look the other way and keep their head down when asked to come and give evidence in court". Mr Grehan said the report arose in the context of Special Agent Mary Ann Wade referring to a quantity of steroids found in Mr Cahill's home and at that point the prosecution was in pursuit of continuing their duty of disclosure. "This was a police to police report covered by privilege attached to such documents. It was highlighted as being a privileged report and highlighted as being relevant to Mr Brady," he said, adding that these were the factual circumstances in how the late disclosure came about. The lawyer said an offer was made by the prosecution to recall Mr Cahill but the defence didn't want him in the end and a very "dressed up explanation" was provided. "They didn't want to go back to Mr Cahill and they had good reason for not wanting to go back to him. The defence sought to inflate this [steroids being found] to a matter of some importance yet they didn't want the witness recalled," he continued. Mr Grehan later said he didn't exclusively lay what occurred during the cross-examination of the witness at Mr McQuade's door. "I don't think junior counsel was acting on a frolic of his own, I don't suggest that," he said. Counsel said he wished to acknowledge Mr McQuade's professionalism notwithstanding, to which Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy replied: "I'm very glad you said that". Mr Grehan said accusing the witness of being involved in dissident IRA activity was "unfair improper conduct" and "scandalous". "We all conduct trials on the basis that people know the rules, abide by the rules and don't overstep the mark but I was deeply concerned," he said. Mr Grehan told the appellate court that the defence had wanted to put a picture of Mr Cahill's penis on the screen in front of the jury "to claim he wasn't as sober as he had been back on St Patrick's Day". Counsel highlighted that this was "as high as you can go", was "done to humiliate and embarrass a witness" and was something that should never happen to any witness who comes forward to give evidence. He said it was the duty of the court to protect a witness and all of that had been breached in Mr Cahill's case. In summary, Mr Grehan said the jury got the fullest picture of Mr Cahill's demeanour and the submission being made that "steroids would have blown this case wide open is frankly ludicrous". In reply, Mr McQuade rejected the suggestion that he was "put up to" cross-examine Mr Cahill in this way and said it was an unfair observation and slightly outrageous. He said he was entirely responsible for the cross-examination, that he had overstepped the mark on one question and was correctly admonished by the judge. Aaron Brady (32) previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum having been found guilty in 2020 of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe (41) at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgen, Co Louth on January 25, 2013. Brady was also sentenced to 14 years for the robbery, a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence. Det Gda Donohoe was on a cash escort when he was ambushed by a five-man gang and shot dead. The raiders stole just 7,000 in cash during the robbery, which lasted 58 seconds. Brady's trial was also the longest murder case in Irish legal history, lasting 122 court days. He was found guilty of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in August 2020. The father-of-one was sentenced to the mandatory term for murder of life imprisonment in October 2020. As he had been found guilty of murdering a garda acting in accordance with his duty, the trial judge ordered that he serve a minimum of 40 years. Despite being knocked back, sources say Duffy has had her confidence bolstered by developments that led to the release of fellow accused Sharon Jordan. Suspected dissident leader Mandy Duffy is confident she will be back on the streets of Northern Ireland as she prepares for another bail hearing. Despite being knocked back again on Friday, sources say she has had her confidence bolstered by developments that led to the release of fellow accused Sharon Jordan. Jordan, with an address in Dungannon, was released last week after a judge granted her bail based on the fact she has been languishing behind bars for three years on remand. However, he did warn his decision should have no precedent on the other cases of her co-accused. The suspected terrorist duo, who became firm friends throughout the years, have made the case that they had been held on remand for the longest period of time without conviction for any female prisoners in Northern Ireland. Duffy, who is the sister-in-law of alleged dissident chief Collie Duffy, also said her children needed her at home to help with caring for her grandkids. Duffys pleas have fallen on deaf ears, but dissident sources say she believes it is only a matter of weeks before she gets her taste of freedom. A further hearing will take place via video link later this month and Duffy is hopeful that this will a positive outcome after so many refusals. News that Sharon (Jordan) got out was music to Mandy and her legal teams ears, one close source said. She thought she would be back home in Lurgan as early as next week. As far as she is concerned, she should be treated the same as Sharon their circumstances are identical. Mandy is naturally delighted for Sharon but she is even more excited at the prospect she will be home with her kids and family very soon. Sharon Jordan and Mandy Duffy Fridays decision to refuse bail was a blow but its one of many and she is extremely confident she will be out soon. During another recent High Court hearing, the judge, Mr Justice OHara, refused Duffy after highlighting her alleged significant and sinister role within the New IRA. Dissident republicans are extremely active and dangerous at present. They are clearly determined to kill, maim and terrorise, he said. Those who lead them, join them and cooperate with them must understand that by doing so they engage in activity which has consequences. One of those consequences is loss of liberty, whether short term or long term. Duffy, who is also known as Amanda McCabe (52), from Lurgan, Co Armagh, is among 10 people facing prosecution as part of Operation Arbacia, a joint police and MI5 surveillance investigation into New IRA activities. Jordan and her husband David Jordan are among her co-accused. Last week, Sharon Jordan celebrated with fellow republicans raising a pint of Guinness to the camera. Since then sources say she has been keeping her head down, visiting family and friends, and is determined to stick to her bail arrangements which include signing into a police station several times a week. She will be under intense PSNI surveillance. She is also banned from making contact with any of her co-accused with the exception of her husband, who is still inside. If Mandy Duffys prediction comes true, the two women will not be able to celebrate together and have no forms of communication on the outside. If Mandy Duffy gets out she will be under surveillance and strict bail terms, said a security source. Just like Sharon Jordan, they know they will be watched like hawks. One f**k-up and its all over they will be back inside before they blink. Detained Last week, another judge, Mr Justice Colton, granted Jordans application after expressing grave concern at the length of time she has been detained awaiting trial. He said: That passage of time, in my view, tilts the balance in favour of the applicant. Jordan denies charges of directing terrorism, belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, two counts of preparation of terrorist acts and conspiracy to direct terrorism. Just days after her release, Gavin Coyle was settling into his cell after he was sentenced on Friday to six years. He pled guilty of a cop car-bomb plot. The Tyrone man was described by Judge Patricia Smyth as being committed to acts of terrorism and it was revealed his victim, who suffered permanent disfiguring injuries, had gone to the same school as Coyle. 39-year-old Christopher Espie was rearraigned on two of the four charges against him At Downpatrick Crown Court, 39-year-old Christopher Espie was rearraigned on two of the four charges against him and he entered guilty pleas to two counts of common assault of a male victim. Following his confessions prosecuting counsel Laura Ievers asked for the two remaining charges of false imprisonment and making a threat to kill the victim to be left on the books. None of the facts of circumstances surrounding the incident on 1 May last year were opened in court but Judge Geoffrey Miller KC said given the bizarre behaviour to say the least, the court would benefit from a pre-sentence report. The judge told Espie, from the Bryansburn Road in Bangor and who is a director in an electrical company, effectively the facts of the case are not in dispute but there are a number of worrying aspects to it. Freeing him on bail until 30 November, Judge Miller advised him it would be in your own interests to co-operate with probation when they compile their report. The boy, now 14, pleaded guilty to 34 charges at the Dublin Childrens Court A then 13-year-old joyrider who tried to collide with gardai while doing 100 km/h during a car theft crime spree has been given a one-year custodial sentence. After hearing evidence of the boys offences, Judge Miriam Walsh remarked: It is a long time since I have been stunned into silence. The boy, now 14, pleaded guilty to 34 charges at the Dublin Childrens Court for motor theft, dangerous driving during high-speed pursuits, criminal damage, stealing a bicycle, failing to appear in court, and driving without a licence or insurance. Fourteen gardai brought charges against him for a litany of motoring crimes in the Tallaght area from October 2022 until August. Garda Luke Beattie, his case manager, outlined the facts on behalf of colleagues. He told the court that on October 30, 2022, the teenager caused about 100 worth of damage to a bell and seats on a Dublin Bus. The court heard that a few weeks later, the teenager damaged a USB port on another bus. On February 27, patrolling gardai observed a suspicious Toyota Vitz car in Tallaght, which failed to stop when signalled. The boy drove into a residential area at 100kmh, twice the local speed limit, as he overtook other vehicles. The court heard the boy sped up to 120kmh in 50kmh areas. The court heard he was doing 100kmh when he made an attempt to collide with a patrol car, followed by further attempts to hit the garda vehicle. The court heard that the teenager completed three loops of the same route before he lost control and collided with a traffic island. Garda Beattie said that on February 15, the boy stole another Toyota Vitz in Ballycullen. He drove dangerously before abandoning the car but was caught nearby. The court heard that on March 6, he tried to break into another Toyota Vitz with a wheel brace and caused about 1,000 worth of damage. Two months later, he tried to break into a Mercedes and another Toyota Vitz, causing 400 of damage. In June, he broke into a taxi, took 90 worth of property and caused 50 damage before fleeing on a motorcycle. The court heard that he stole a bicycle in Citywest in July. Later that month, he stole another Toyota Vitz in Tallaght, ignoring the gardai who signalled him to stop. He overtook a vehicle, causing oncoming vehicles to take evasive action, drove to Saggart village, left the car and fled. However, gardai caught him climbing over a wall as he tried to escape. He made admissions and was sent home to his mother, but he was caught carrying a window breaker in The Square shopping centre two days later. On August 1, he stole a Toyota Aqua in Ballybrack, which gardai recovered in Naas, Co. Kildare. The court heard that he was driving around Tallaght in a stolen Skoda taken in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, on the same day. Garda Beattie said the boy was spotted at Fortunestown Lane travelling on the wrong side of the road and then on a roundabout. He broke three red lights before abandoning the car. His barrister, Doireann McDonagh, pleaded with the court to note his young age and that his guilty pleas spared 14 gardai and several civilian witnesses having to give evidence at a trial. The barrister said the teenager had been getting on well in school and had a supportive mother, who was in court. However, he was affected by a bereavement and began acting out when he reached his teenage years. The defence conceded that there was custody-level offending but asked the judge to note the Childrens Act states detention should be the last resort. The boy sat silently throughout the hearing and had been held at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus after the court revoked his bail in August. Probation reports and victim impact statements were furnished to the judge before she finalised the case with a 12-month sentence, back-dated by two months to account for time served on remand. The victim was a delivery driver for Morrisons. A truck driver from Co Monaghan has appeared in a UK court charged with killing a delivery worker in a highway crash earlier this year. Patrick Casey (22) was brought before Telford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he faced a single charge of causing the death of Callum Powell by dangerous driving, according to a report in the Shropshire Star newspaper. Mr Powell (24) worked as a delivery driver for supermarket chain Morrisons. He tragically died after his car was involved in a crash with a Scania lorry on the A5 London Holyhead motorway at Nesscliffe in the early hours of January 23. District Judge Ian Barnes heard that the Irishman is accused of causing Mr Powell's death by driving the Scania R450 lorry dangerously. Similar truck to the one involved (Getty Stock image) Shrewsbury Crown Court will deal with the case next on November 7 after the judge said the case was an issue for a crown court. Patrick Casey, who is reportedly from Cornamucklagh in County Monaghan, wore a navy blue gilet over a blue shirt and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, the Shropshire Star reports. Casey was granted unconditional bail in advance of his next hearing. Family members of the victim appeared in the Telford Court, as did supporting family for the Irish man, the paper states. The victim of the smash, Mr Powell, was from a place called Ruyton XI Towns, which is a small village in Shrewsbury. His sister, Rachel, previously described him as "car mad" and described how he ran the 10PMClub, a car-based social group with hundreds of members. "He was the best. He was very modest, he didn't like attention at all. He was very protective of the women in his life, Rachel said. "He was a lovely genuine person, loved his cars and loved his friends and family. He would always be the person rescuing and saving us all when our cars had broken down or we needed him." A 30 year old Collooney man, who began smoking cannabis from the age of 12, owed an 8,000 drug debt and ended up holding drugs for others valued at over 90,000, Sligo Circuit Court was told. Anthony Delaney, Kiernan Avenue, Collooney admitted possession of drugs for the sale or supply at the same address. Gardai obtained a search warrant on August 24th 2021 and found various drugs in his home, the court heard. Mr Leo Mulrooney BL with State Solicitor Ms Elisa McHugh, prosecuted, while Mr Colm Smyth SC with Mr Eoin McGovern BL with McGovern Walsh solicitors represented the defendant. The accused was returned for trial on March 9th 2023 charged with four counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act. He pleaded to one section 15a charge on a full facts basis with the remaining counts to be taken into consideration. Detective Garda Eamonn McDonnell outlinned to Mr Mulrooney that on August 24th 2021 gardai on foot of information obtained a search warrant to search Kiernan Avenue at 9pm. The accused was present and during the course of the search in a bedroom a quantity of suspected cannabis and white powder was found. Analysis revealed cannabis herb valued at 2,230. There was also one kilogramme of ketamine valued at 59,976 and also cannabis resin valued at 25,656. Dt Gda McDonnell told the court there was also 230 packets of sweets found which contained THC an active ingredient in cannabis. There were 100 grammes per pack. Delaney told Dt Gda Gary Conneely that he owed 8,000 and was under serious pressure and this was why he was holding the drugs. He told gardai the cannabis herb he was selling himself and the rest he was holding for others higher up the chain. It was accepted that he was someone who had accrued a debt. He was a cannabis addict who had a live credit with drug dealers and this spiralled out of control. The sum of 800 in cash was also found which Dt Gda McDonnell said he was satisfied was the proceeds of drug dealing. The defendant had some minor road traffic convictions, the court heard. Photographs were handed in from Dt Gda McDonnell of the plastic bags, packet sweets in paper bags, bars of cannabis resin and a plastic bag containing the ketamine. Mr Smyth asked the detective if his client had told his Probation Officer that he wasnt aware he was holding ketamine and the garda agreed saying he told them he thought it was a mix. The barrister asked if he has come to the attention of gardai since and he replied he hasnt. The court was told he had gained employment and was trying to turn his life around. Mr Smyth said Delaney started smoking cannabis at the age of 12 and by the age of 14 or 15 was smoking it daily. When he was questioned by gardai, he told them this was the first day he had not smoked cannabis. He was spending 200 a week on drugs and had taken cocaine. At the start of the pandemic he smoked more. He was getting phonecalls and was being threatened. He told gardai he was in considerable debt. The court heard he was raised by his grandfather and his late grandmother who he was very close to. His barrister said he hasnt come to any notice since and urine analysis was coming back clear for drugs. Delaney told the court he began working at 16 in a petrol station and he was also working in later years in security all over Ireland. He was 30 now and doing a jobs programme. He was getting threats and when he was working he had to quit his job because of this. His debt was between 6,000 and 8,000. Mr Smyth asked him if there was any indication the debt would be written off and he said it was supposed to be. He admitted he was holding some drugs of his own for selling. He told the court he was very sorry. Mr Smyth asked him about the shame he brought on his family and he said what his father has had to go through and his family is not the fault of the gardai or any one it was his own fault. He suffered previously with mental health problems and had since been sitting in the house and said he became a recluse and didnt go outside. Judge Johnson asked him how did he feel since he stopped taking drugs and he replied far better. He said he realised now that he shouldnt have taken them and it was the biggest mistake he made in life. He said since given up cannabis. Mr Smyth asked him what could say to the judge. He replied that he understood people smoking drugs like himself were a problem. He said that in the two and a half years since he has given them up that he has seen what he put his family though. Drugs arent worth it, he said. He told Judge Johnson that he didnt see drugs in the next stage of his life. He said he wants to make his father proud of him and not someone standing in the back of the court embarrassed. Judge Johnson said the biggest problem was the quantity of the drugs. Mr Smyth said his client has shown he has got his life back in order and has shown deep insight. He was a young man who was dragged into the murky world of drugs and was a person who knows would pay the price. He had co-operated fully. Judge Johnson said the position was Mr Delaney had pleaded guilty to the sale and supply of drugs. He said gardai had obtained a search warrant and found a significant quantity of drugs. The cannabis herb he admits he was selling and there was ketamine, cannabis resin and cannabis sweets. The total value was in excess of 90,000. Judge Johnson said the aggravating factors were the quantity which was significant with some particularly serious drugs in particular the ketamine although the accused said he didnt realise it was ketamine. He had admitted the sale and supply of the cannabis. The judge said the damage caused to society by drugs is an issue the court has to take into account. He said drugs were a scourge on society. Judge Johnson told the court he went to visit Portlaoise Prison the week before and the Governor there told him that 80% of inmates are there as consequences of drugs in some way or another. He said the accused is not a particularly bad man. He had co-operated with the Probation Service. The mitigating factors were the early plea of guilty and his co-operation. He had also shown remorse and had no previous convictions. He was now off drugs. He had suffered considerable tragedy in his life, he had lost his grandmother and his best friend had died in 2014 in an accident and he had also witnessed a serious road traffic accident in 2015. The judge said he had never properly dealt with this and the accumulation probably fed into him getting so into drugs. The Probation Service indicated he was suitable for supervision. He had a good work record and had lost jobs which was significant punishment. He said it was worth bearing in mind he was storing the drugs under duress which was accepted by the gardai. Judge Johnson said that regrettably, the drug barons always had people like Mr Delaney to use as a cushion between them and the authorities and they dont get caught. He said bearing in mind the quantity the headline sentence was six years. He was taking into account the guilty plea, his efforts at rehabilitation and his remorse and he was reducing the term to four years. He said he was going to suspend 18 months for three years on condition the accused entered a bond to keep the peace, be of good behaviour, engage with the Probation Service and remain drug free. He ordered the 800 in cash be paid to charity Social Groundforce addiction services. ISLAMABAD, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two terrorists were killed in two separate operations by security forces in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a military statement said on Tuesday. The troops conducted an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province where one of the terrorists was killed after an intense exchange of fire, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement. The killed terrorist was actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces including recent terrorist attacks on a police station and a check post in the province, the statement added. In another encounter with terrorists in North Waziristan district, the troops gunned down the other one in his hideout. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed terrorists, the ISPR said. A notorious criminal, Duncan has 139 previous convictions in Ireland and 11 in other jurisdictions A man who violently assaulted two gardai at the Mater Hospital in Dublin has been sentenced to three years in prison, with the final six months suspended. John Paul Duncan (39) of Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin 24 pleaded guilty to possessing 8,500 of cocaine contained in six condoms at Store Street Garda Station on January 31 last. Duncan also admitted assaulting two gardai who took him to the Mater hospital on the same day, after he became unwell upon swallowing cocaine. Passing sentence today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Orla Crowe refused suspend Duncans sentence in order to allow him attend residential drug treatment. A notorious criminal, Duncan has 139 previous convictions in Ireland and 11 in other jurisdiction for offences including drug offences, assault causing harm, theft, and escape from lawful custody. In court today, Keith Spencer BL, defending Duncan, had requested a fully-suspended sentence so that his client could take up a place in a rehabilitation centre from next week. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of four years for possessing cocaine, but reduced this in light of Duncans early plea, his remorse and his efforts at rehabilitation. Duncans assaults on gardai, described by Judge Crowe as nasty, were taken into account. Garda Clodagh Doyle told a previous hearing that gardai were called to Lott's Cafe Bar on Liffey Street Lower after a man was seen wrapping up white powder underneath a table. Duncan was arrested and brought to Store Street Garda Station, where he produced six condoms from his trousers, filled with over 122 grams of cocaine. The cocaine had a total street value of just over 8,500, the court heard. A few hours later, Duncan complained of being unwell and said he had swallowed cocaine earlier. Garda Doyle and two colleagues accompanied Duncan to the Mater Hospital at around 7 pm, where he became distressed and threw himself to the floor, retching. Duncan said he needed the toilet and was brought to a private room containing a commode. Gardai waiting outside heard him roaring and moving furniture around, and when they entered, Duncan took his hand, which had been inserted in his behind, and tried to put it in a female garda's face. Gda Doyle told Olan Callanan BL, prosecuting, that Duncan then became extremely aggressive, leapt up from a chair and headbutted her colleague. The three gardai sought to restrain Duncan, and he went to bite one of their legs, then bit Gda Doyle's hands so hard that he penetrated two pairs of gloves. Medical staff sedated Duncan, but he continued his aggressive behaviour and tried to flee until he fell asleep, continuing again when he awoke. Duncan has 139 previous convictions in Ireland and 11 in other jurisdictions, including drug offences, assault causing harm, theft and escape from lawful custody. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a 1.8 million cocaine haul in 2007. Duncan escaped from Loughan House open prison in 2016 and fled to the UK, from where he was extradited in June 2017. Mr Spencer BL, defending, said Duncan has a well-documented and long-standing drug addiction from the age of 15, progressing from cannabis to benzos, to cocaine and then to smoking crack. Mr Spencer said his client's entire life has been blighted by drugs, and his attempts to set up a construction company fell asunder. Duncan took the stand and agreed that his drug use began when he suffered domestic violence as a child and turned to drugs to block everything out. He told the court he has been drug-free for a couple of months and is now motivated to get clean for his fiancee, his five-year-old son and everybody. I've never been clean since I was 15. You're talking 20 years, he said. My client is doing very well in custody and has an opportunity now to address his addiction. He's willing to throw himself into any course that the court orders, said Mr Spencer. Judge Crowe suspended the final six months of the sentence for 18 months, and ordered Duncan to be of good behaviour for 18 months on release and abide by the supervision of the Probation Services. We previously revealed Duncan had his ankles and knees sledgehammered by his bosses after he was caught with a 2.8m drugs haul in 2007. Duncan was caught with cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy in Swiftwood Apartments, Saggart, on November 26, 2007 and later jailed for eight years over the drugs haul. Before he was sentenced he was taken to the Dublin mountain by his gang bosses and had his ankles and knees hit with sledgehammer before being left there to find his own way to hospital. He had links to a gang suspected of involvement in the murder of Paul Frank Byrne who was murdered in 2009. Jackie Gallanagh said customers cars are regularly being vandalised. A Co Donegal woman who runs a well-known Irish pub in California has said it is being forced to close due to rising crime and increasing costs. Jackie Gallanagh opened the award-winning Slainte bar in Oakland, California in 2017 and regularly hosted trad music sessions there. However, on Monday she announced on social media that she was closing the pub, in part, due to rising crime in the area. Crime rates across California have been on the increase in recent years, with the number of thefts recorded across the state on the rise. Posting on social media, Jackie wrote: "Summer was very slow and between decreasing business and rising costs of supplies and labour, along with the rising crime in the area, we just cant make the numbers work anymore," She added: "This means we, like so many others, have made the heartbreaking decision to close." In an interview with the Mercury News, Jackie said she struggled to keep the pub open due to vandalism. "I made it through Covid, which was terribly harsh and difficult, only to have my wonderful customers stay home because of increased crime. "Its a sad day when you make the effort to go to Slainte for a pint and some Irish food, music and company, only to walk back out to your car to find broken windows and vandalism." "Your bill for your evening out just increased to $500. No one can be expected to pay that. No one," she said Jackie has asked locals to continue to support the pub and the trad musicians for this last month of business. Writing on their website and social accounts, she says: "We Irish have a phrase: Slan go foill. It means goodbye for now. "It seems appropriate in this situation. "Who knows? Maybe someone else out there who has always wanted an Irish pub can pick up the torch and make it go. We hope so. In the meantime, thank you for all your love, your kindness and donations during the pandemic, and your devoted support. I tried to get some sort of surgery in Ireland but I was told that as it wasnt life-threatening, I would have to wait years for surgery An Irish pensioner who has been waiting fifty years for surgery has undergone a rare ankle replacement operation in Spain, paid for by the HSE. Retired farmer Seamus Kearney, (71), flew to a specialist hospital in Madrid with the agency Healthcare Abroad after decades in pain with a swollen ankle. The pensioner has had a swollen ankle since tripping and falling on a pavement in Germany when he worked there way back in 1973. My ankle never really healed since the incident, said Seamus, from Lorum in County Carlow. I tried to get some sort of surgery in Ireland but I was told that as it wasnt life-threatening, I would have to wait years for surgery and at 71 I didnt fancy waiting much longer. In the last three years it has been giving me all sorts of trouble. It has been very difficult to walk with it due to the pain which was getting worse all the time. Scans also showed I now had severe arthritis. I could hardly walk anywhere without crutches. It had been suggested I go up to Belfast but it was very costly and I know people who went there and didnt get their money back. I knew someone who had been with Healthcare Abroad in Spain so I made the call to them. Seamus said they then contacted specialist surgeon Dr Rodrigo Garcia Crespo at the 5-star private Santa Elena hospital in the Spanish capital to get him the surgery he needed. Within a few weeks I was in a top hospital in Madrid undergoing ankle replacement surgery; and then taken to Denia near Alicante for physio and recuperation afterwards, Seamus told sundayworld.com. The level of service is incredible. The surgeons they have access to are world class. And I got to see a world class surgeon in Dr Rodrigo. The HSE is going to pay for it too when I get home. I am now looking forward to being back on my feet again and being able just to get about again and going for a walk without being in pain. It is going to make such a difference to my life. Seamus travelled to Madrid with the agency Healthcare Abroad under the EU Cross Border Directive, a European law which gives every Irish citizen the right to travel to another EU country for healthcare with the HSE paying some or all of the costs. Patients don't even have to be on waiting lists to avail of the scheme which has been operating since 2014. The agency organises hospitals inside the EU in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands but doesnt charge for its services. Patients pay hospitals, airlines and hotels directly. T he HSE reimburses the hospital healthcare costs around 18 weeks after a patient gets home. Seamus added: Id have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who needs surgery to use the EU laws to do so; and get an agency like Healthcare Abroad to do all the work for you, all your paperwork and all the transport whilst in Spain. Its a no-brainer. Healthcare Abroad director Paul Byrne said: We were delighted to be able to help Seamus. Total ankle replacement is a sophisticated procedure. We only match Irish patients with the best specialists in the European Union. That's the beauty of the EU Cross Border Directive. Instead of having a handful of Irish hospitals to choose from, Irish patients can choose from thousands across Europe. Seamus's injury was five decades' old and the specialist he saw, Dr Rodrigo, said a replacement prosthetic was the only way to treat it. We were delighted to be able to help Seamus and we want to wish him all the very best on his road to recovery." Thanks for unstinting support and sympathies. Ian Bailey (66) has taken to social media today to tell his followers that he will be having triple bypass surgery in Cork University Hospital. It is understood that the main suspect in the 1996 Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder took ill at his home late last week and was rushed to nearby Bantry Hospital in west Cork. The French film producer was beaten to death at the bottom of a laneway leading to her isolated house in the countryside. It is believed she ran from the building after her killer knocked on her door. Ian Bailey was arrested twice but never charged over the brutal Christmas killing. He has always denied any involvement in the murder of the French woman. So Friends, Fans and Followers, Mr Bailey began the post on Facebook. "So the story...three heart attacks on, saved by fate and wonderful medics, nurses and drugs my heart is fibrulating....the plan is to try and stabilize it and when done pop me up from Bantry to Cork (CUH) for triple bypass. "Thanks for unstinting support and sympathies, Mr Bailey added. Last Friday, the English man said that he felt unsure whether or not he would survive. I feel seriously unwell and am very weak. I have no idea if I will make it, who knows?" The former journalist had two heart attacks in the space of a few days early in September. Sophie Toscan du Plantier He was kept in for almost two weeks after also spending time in Cork University Hospital before being sent home to recover. Mr Bailey was told to stop smoking and drinking and doctors were hoping to undertake major heart surgery in three months. He said he had not been able to walk more than ten yards as his condition deteriorated. Sophie's family are convinced Bailey is the killer of their relative and have reportedly offered to pay for his hospital treatment in Ireland to keep him alive so they can get justice. French authorities sought the surrender of Mr Bailey in 2010. The High Court ordered his extradition but this ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2012, which held that section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 prohibited surrender because the alleged offence was committed outside French territory. He was found guilty of the crime in absentia by a French court in 2019 and sentenced to 25 years in jail. In June 2022 a special unit of An Garda Siochana opened a cold case review of all the evidence and appealed to anyone holding information to come forward. A garda spokesperson said that possibly in the original investigation these witnesses were constrained in some way, but with the passage of time they may feel free to give vital information. Firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 2am on Tuesday. Three Irish women were rescued from a ravine after falling off a cliff in Portugal this week. Firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 2am on Tuesday after it was reported that three people were trapped on a bank in Albufeira. One of the women was intoxicated and sat on the edge of the cliff before slipping, Correio da Manha reports. Her two family members tried to help her but also slipped, getting stuck in the middle of the cliff. The Albufeira Fire Department dispatched four vehicles and a rescue team to rescue the women, while the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Maritime Police were also present during the operation. According to Correio da Manha, the Irish trio are 60, 41, and 29 years old and are believed to be a mother and two daughters. A number of flights to and from Ireland were cancelled last night as a result. Firefighters and an airline official have been taken to hospital after a fire broke out at Luton Airport on Tuesday. Five people were admitted to Luton and Dunstable hospitals for smoke inhalation. A sixth person was treated at the scene but did not require further medical treatment. A number of flights to and from Ireland were cancelled last night as a result. Ryanair flights from Luton landing in Dublin at 7.55am and 18.50 have been cancelled today, along with departing flights at 8.20 and 19.15. Ryanair Luton-Cork landing at 14.20 is currently still scheduled to depart, as is the 14.45t to Luton. Other flights from Irish airports are still scheduled as normal but intending passengers are advised to check with their airline before setting out. All flights at London Luton Airport were suspended shortly after the fire broke out at around 9pm. Luton Airport has since confirmed flights will remain suspended until noon on Wednesday. The building has partially collapsed, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed. It is believed hundreds of cars may have been destroyed. Footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal on Tuesday evening. Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was incredible. One witness said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it looked as though the whole car park had collapsed, while another said vehicles in the car park were exploding every few seconds. The airport said on X: All flights are currently suspended as emergency services respond to a fire in Terminal Car Park 2. Access to the airport is currently restricted and we ask that people do not travel to the airport at this time. Additional staff are on hand to provide assistance to passengers. Passengers should stay in touch with their airline for further flight information. It is unknown if any passengers are trapped on the tarmac, inside the airport or in the Terminal 2 car park. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue, Bedfordshire Police and the East of England Ambulance remain on the scene. Screen grab taken with permission from video posted on Twitter of a fire at a car park at Luton Airport (@Soriyn23/PA Wire) Luton Airport officials have confirmed access to the airfield is currently restricted. Passengers on flights out of Luton have been asked to remain away from the area. People living nearby have been advised to steer clear and keep their windows closed to reduce health risks. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh. He told the PA news agency: There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm. A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames. The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible. The East of England Ambulance said paramedics have taken five people suffering from smoke inhalation to hospital for treatment. The airports website says the car park that is on fire is new. Our brand new multi-story car park offering secure, on-site parking using just a five-minute walk to the terminal entrance, the website says. Andrew McCullough from County Antrim, Ireland, was one of many travelers who had their travel plans hit. Tweeting from the tarmac, Mr McCullough wrote: [The captain on this easyJet flight that has been] waiting to take off [now] has said the airport is closed. We [were] unboarded from the plane. My flight had boarded when the airport was closed [due to the fire]. We were then unboarded and waited [for] maybe an hour before the flight was cancelled. Staff dealt with it all very well. A law suit against the Chinese app has been taken by Utah. WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 23: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. The hearing was a rare opportunity for lawmakers to question the leader of the short-form social media video app about the company's relationship with its Chinese owner, ByteDance, and how they handle users' sensitive personal data. Some local, state and federal government agencies have been banning use of TikTok by employees, citing concerns about national security. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Chinese-owned app TikTok has been sued by the US state of Utah this week, who accuse the algorithm of harming children. Utah lawyers say the platform hurts minors by intentionally making them addicted to the short-videos seen in the software. The Utah suit is the latest action challenging the app in the United States, with Indiana and Arkansas bringing similar suits. We will not stand by while these companies fail to take adequate, meaningful action to protect our children. We will prevail in holding social media companies accountable by any means necessary, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said at a news conference on Tuesday. One legal expert highlighted the detrimental problems allegedly caused by the social media platform. "What these children and their parents do not know is that TikTok is lying to them about the safety of its app and exploiting them into checking and watching the app compulsively, no matter the terrible effects it has on their mental health, their physical development, their family, and their social life," said Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes. Utah's court documents state the "highly powerful algorithms and manipulative design features -- many of which mimic features of slot machines" and the result "of these manipulative tactics is that young consumers become hooked." TikTok responded that it "has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts." Our investigation revealed disturbing results This year, a Sunday World investigation into TikTok produced disturbing results. We set up two accounts for a 14-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy and observed both for over 24 hours. A 14-year-old girl on TikTok was faced with content about self-harm, sexual assault and suicide within minutes of first signing up to the platform. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old boy was bombarded with images of junk food, murder and a broad range of conspiracies, including contacting the devil. This was just some of the shocking content that greeted our team of journalists. From the perspective of a teen girl, innocent content of shopping hauls, Snapchat hacks and life at school quickly descended into concerning comments about mental health and suicide. Inappropriate content discovered by Sunday World All the app knew about our reporter was that she joined from Dublin and was born in 2009. Despite this, the algorithm placed videos on mental health and even school shootings between clips showing sunny beaches, dance routines and recipes. The 14-year-old boys account was shown disturbing content which was interwoven with light and humorous videos. The Sunday World contacted TikTok in relation to this investigation. The company released a statement which said: We are committed to building age-appropriate experiences where teens can safely have fun and explore their creativity. We take appropriate action against any content that violates our community guidelines, including banning violative hashtags and removing videos. We continue to invest at scale in our Trust and Safety operations to keep content with more mature themes from reaching younger audiences. While TikTok has become hugely popular around the world, a domestic version called Douyin is available to Chinese consumers. The apps are almost identical although there are important differences: users under 14 are required to use Douyin in healthy moderation on teenage mode, apparently. Young, impressionable users are limited to 40 minutes a day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. to ensure they get enough sleep, it has been reported. Endless scrolling is interrupted by 5-second delays as well as specially-selected inspiring content, according to the New York Post. The algorithm is vastly different, promoting science, educational and historical content in China while making our citizens watch stupid dance videos with the main goal of making us imbeciles, Nicolas Chaillan, former Space Force Chief Software Officer told the Manhattan based newspaper. A Bay of Plenty woman is heeding the call to kick breast cancer to the kerb this October by collecting for Breast Cancer Foundation NZs Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, and shes encouraging others to take part too. Diane Rogers will be one of 10,000 volunteers hitting the streets all over New Zealand on Friday, October 27, and Saturday, October 28, raising vital funds for breast cancer research, education and patient support. Diane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 when a routine mammogram picked up a very small lump. Her cancer was in an unusual position, and so Diane considers herself lucky that it was found at all. Please can I implore women to check their breasts and dont overlook having mammograms. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is still looking for more people in the Bay of Plenty to sign up for a two-hour collection shift. The Foundations chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, says: The Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is one of our biggest fundraisers and it couldnt go ahead without amazing volunteers like Diane. As a charity doing vital work to stop Kiwis dying of breast cancer, we rely entirely on the goodwill of generous New Zealanders. By contributing just two hours of your time, youll be making a massive difference to help us to kick breast cancer to the kerb this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, around 190 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Bay of Plenty region. All of the money raised from the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal goes towards Breast Cancer Foundation NZs work to advance breast cancer research, educate Kiwis about the importance of early detection, and support patients through their treatment and recovery. The deadline to sign up as a volunteer for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is midday on Thursday, October 26. Visit pinkribbonvolunteer.org.nz for more information. For 51 years, an olive tree has been slowly growing on the edge of Rotoruas War Memorial Park - basically ignored. Now, the post-war symbol of peace and friendship between Crete and New Zealand has been formally acknowledged with a commemorative service held on Sunday. On the morning of May 20, 1941, the Battle of Crete began. In the 12 days that followed, 671 New Zealanders were killed on the Mediterranean island, and 2180 more became prisoners of war. Cretans Association of New Zealand president Vasilis Giannakakis paid tribute to the New Zealanders and soldiers who fought for the people of Crete. The battle began with a massive air attack, he told those gathered at the commemorative service on Sunday. Whakarewarewa resident Captain Kuru Waaka of the 28th Maori Battalion received the gifted tree in 1972, after it sat in quarantine for two years. His granddaughter, Hinematioro, attended the service at the weekend. The Battalion website said that 74 soldiers from the 28th died in the battle. Companies C and B were from the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast. Hinematioro said despite 51 years passing, there had been no official service until Sunday. She believed there were two other trees gifted by the people of Crete; one potentially went to Opotiki and the other to Gisborne. Ngongotaha resident Martyn Evans, who had pushed for the commemoration event, had been friends with Waaka. He had learned the history of the tree and of the Battle of Crete, with the help from the Waaka whanau following Waakas death. He described to Local Democracy Reporting the strong bond New Zealand soldiers had with Cretans after those 12 days of viciousness. An example was Waakas escape; the soldier found himself in a rural village, and speaking some Greek, asked for help from the locals. Under the cover of darkness, a man guided him through the mountains to a waiting boat. There, Waaka found his brother, who would not leave without him. So, how did the tree come to be? While the history of it is vague in parts, Evans said Waakas escape got the ball rolling. He joined the Rotorua branch of the Veterans of the Battle of Crete Association once on home soil, and the bond they had with Crete lasted. The branch set up a university scholarship and the Cretan recipient, Argyro Vrondulaki, came to stay with some of them in the city, including with the Waaka family. Evans learned via the Waaka whanau that a veteran brought back the olive trees, and some seeds, from Crete. It was the scholarship recipient, who still keeps in touch with the whanau, who recently informed them it was her who planted it those 51 years ago. Evans said the service was glorious. He tried to get a service organised last year to recognise 50 years since it was planted but it could not be planned in time. This year he tried again, asking elected members and members of Parliament. Rotorua MP Todd McClay responded and the joint work included representatives from Ngati Whakaue, the New Zealand Defence Force, the British High Commission and the Te Arawa Maori Returned Services League. McClay gifted a kowhai to Giannakakis at the service, which he said sent a reminder to the people of Rotorua what had sacrificed. Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell lays a wreath at the Battle of Crete Olive Tree Commemoration. Photo / Laura Smith. At the event, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said civilians went above and beyond to show what New Zealanders call manaakitanga. When our soldiers were evacuated, the people of Crete continued to look after those still there ... some paid the ultimate price. Councillor Don Paterson was the master of ceremonies at the service. Rotorua councillor Don Paterson acted as master of ceremonies at the commemoration service. Photo / Laura Smith. Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting after the event, he said the service was important. In his view: This particular instance had not been dealt with properly ... basically ignored. He felt the sacrifices of ancestors should be honoured. Some people might view it as just a tree. You just need to look to Israel, Ukraine ... its easy to forget the consequences of war. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. Biosecurity New Zealand is thanking their staff and travellers for their help during the successful trial of an improved way to screen international arrivals at Auckland Airport over the school holidays. We want to thank our officers for their hard work, says Biosecurity New Zealand Northern Regional Commissioner, Mike Inglis. They have done a great job and continue to play an invaluable role in protecting New Zealands environment and primary exports while helping passengers when they arrive. They have shown professionalism and commitment in stepping up to address pressures on the international travel and border system both during and following the pandemic. We also want to thank travellers for their positive feedback and support in keeping New Zealand free of pests and diseases, which protects the vital work of farmers and growers, says Mike. The average biosecurity processing time for arriving passengers was close to nine minutes during the busy holiday period. The result continues a downtrend trend that has seen processing time drop from a high of 13.16 minutes in February. We are committed to working further with partner organisations, including the Public Service Association and Border Ops Association, Customs, airlines, and the airport, to introduce innovative border processing system improvements while maintaining strong biosecurity practices. As part of their recent work, Biosecurity New Zealand redeployed 20 officers from other parts of the ministry to assist during the school holidays. Biosecurity New Zealand also introduced a new way of processing low-risk passengers who have nothing to declare. The approach uses declaration information to select and risk-assess travellers after they pass through customs checks. Eligible passengers are then directed to the biosecurity express lane through a monitored door. Were allowing low-risk travellers to exit biosecurity without going through baggage x-ray screening. The new approach allows eligible travellers to enter the lane without passing through our normal control area. Biosecurity New Zealand trialled the approach during the first week of the holidays. It was then used during peak arrival times for the remainder of the holiday period. More than 17,000 travellers went through the new process between September 28 and October 8. The new approach, alongside the extra staffing, was successful in reducing pressure on the border system and decreasing biosecurity processing time. We have now embedded the improvements into our clearance procedures. Importantly, the approach does not undermine biosecurity. Selected low-risk passengers still undergo risk assessment by officers, screening by detector dogs, and other biosecurity checks. Nationwide, Biosecurity New Zealand processed 489,894 arriving passengers in September, compared to 459,122 in August. During the two-week holiday, biosecurity officers issued 163 fines of $400 to air passengers who failed to declare goods that could bring pests or diseases into New Zealand. For more information please email: BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz HANOI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's e-commerce export revenues are predicted to rise to 5.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2027 with an annual growth rate of 7 percent, according to latest statistics of British technology advisory firm Access Partnership. This target can be achieved if the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) accelerate their adoption of e-commerce for exporting products and services, the company said. Vietnam has enjoyed an increase in exports via e-commerce in recent years, with many MSMEs in a prime position to reap significant benefits from the rapid growth of the e-commerce sector, Vietnam News Agency reported. Many market analysts have pointed out that Vietnam's e-commerce export revenue will top 10 billion dollars in the next four years, the agency reported, citing Deputy Director of the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency Lai Viet Anh. Last year, household appliances, garment and textile, healthcare products, and convenience goods from Vietnamese brands won the favor of international online shoppers, according to Amazon Global Selling. Experts said e-commerce will open up export opportunities for many other products, which are of Vietnam's strengths, suggesting exporters carry out various promotional programs such as special discounts, free shipping for orders with high value, while evolving products to make them better meet the taste of consumers. Vietnam's retail e-commerce sector has demonstrated an annual growth of over 20 percent, according to the country's E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency. Former Reserve Bank governor Don Brash was holidaying in Israel when the Hamas attacks on Israel kicked off on Saturday. Brash and his partner had been travelling through the Middle East over the past month, visiting Egypt, Jordan and Israel as part of a tour group when the final leg of their trip was cut short. Brash was in Haifa and had been in Israel for six days when the attacks began in the south of Israel. On Saturday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an assault on Israel, catching the country off-guard during the Jewish holy holiday season. At least 1600 people are reported to have been killed on both sides as the conflict continues to escalate. Brash, who arrived back in Auckland on Tuesday morning, describes scenes on the ground in Israel as surreal, with locals immediately aware of the magnitude of the situation. The sad thing was actually seeing the hotel the safe room and shelters. You realise by gosh this is not just playing, recalls Brash, who is a former leader of the National and ACT parties. It was a somewhat surreal feeling in the hotel we were in. There was a room designated as a safe room and in the airport there were lots of signs to shelter. We were conscious of the fact that this was a country in a combat situation. His Palestinian tour guide described the situation as very serious and likely to go on for months. Brash was supposed to go to Tel Aviv on Saturday, but changed his flights and returned home about a day earlier than originally planned, flying El Al to Dubai and then on to Auckland. There was uncertainty at whether the airport would be open with flights restricted going in and out so late Friday evening we decided that rather than run the risk of waiting until late Saturday evening to catch the flight we were booked on, we would in fact leave the hotel at 2am for a 7am flight out, says Brash. Driving to the airport at 4am in the morning, we probably passed 10 or 12 heavy trucks carrying tanks and a similar number of heavy trucks carrying personnel carriers down the highway heading south. Brash has visited Israel twice before, the first time some 20 years ago during his time as Reserve Bank governor to visit Israels central bank. On Tuesday evening, vigils for Israel were held around the country. The event in Aucklands Aotea Square, drew around 200 people to light candles in remembrance of those that had died during the conflict. Saturday was described as the darkest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust. Business community hands on during conflict Tel Aviv-based Aucklander Elinor Sapir, who leads a tech solutions engineering team at Israeli start-up Rookout, says business has largely been put on hold and Israelis have been focused on helping each other in the best way they can in recent days. Sapir, who moved to Israel four and a half years ago for work to join the tech scene there, previously worked for IBM and Auckland software company Soul Machines, which creates human-like AI-powered avatars. The tech solution engineer, who was named on Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2019 for her work with Soul Machines, says those in her industry have been putting their skills to good use to help the community. Workplaces that can have gone online and organisations are supporting their employees to volunteer their skill sets in AI and computer vision to help identify bodies, survivors and scrape through social media videos to identify missing people, comply databases of missing people. The sheer magnitude of the situation has given everyone the perspective that at the moment, life and helping people that have had to evacuate their houses and there are thousands of those or helping soldiers who have had to go into reserves, people who are injured or still missing is number one priority. And thats the sentiment across the entire country, Sapir told Stuff. Sapir has been working with colleagues to raise funds internationally to be used to bring necessary equipment to Israel and raise awareness of the situation overseas. My friends have been called up to the army to take part in reserves and the least I can do is make sure that the world understands whats going on here. Sapir says it has been unnerving to have sirens and rockets go off around her, having to rush to bomb shelters in just 90 seconds. Like most Israelis, Sapir woke up to sirens going off early on Saturday morning, with the attack by Hamas coming as a complete surprise to the nation of 9 million people. Normally, when there is tension you know that something is coming, but this was a complete surprise and we had to go to the bomb shelter. We're hearing them going off above us. We had a few times on Saturday, some on Sunday and another yesterday, said the University of Auckland alumni. Sapir says she has no plans to leave Israel and will remain there with her husband and family. Her parents, brother and wider New Zealand-based family are extremely worried by the situation unfolding in Israel, she says. Sapir says the tech and start-up industries in Tel Aviv have banded together to help the community through the conflict. We saw it during Covid and were seeing it now, were seeing how people are putting businesses aside and seeing how they can leverage the skills that they have to try and help the situation. The industry and the tech scene is so strong here that once this is behind us, it will be even stronger. I dont see this stunting and growth and, if anything, it will bring people closer. -Aimee Shaw/Stuff. Eugenio Cabezas Axarquia Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Two young men, both believed to be in their mid-twenties, died early this Wednesday morning (11 October) after the light aircraft in which they were travelling crashed into a mountainside in the Cabo de Gata natural park in Andalucia's Almeria province. The accident victims were a student and a flight instructor from One Air pilot school, which operates from the El Trapiche aerodrome in Velez-Malaga. As SUR has learned, the flight was on a night training exercise which left the aerodrome at around 11pm, bound for Valencia. After refuelling at Almeria Airport, the plane continued on its scheduled route but crashed onto the mountain at around 0.30 am this morning, for reasons that are unknown and which are still being investigated. At around 0.30 am, emergency services in Andalucia received an alert from Valencia Airport,via the Valencia's region's 112 service, indicating that contact had been lost with a light aircraft in the area of El Cerro del Fraile. It was the director of the flight school who raised the alarm and called 112 to report that the flight had not arrived or returned its starting point Immediately, the 112 Andalucia emergency coordination room alerted the Almeria provincial fire brigade, 061 health emergency centre (CES), Local Police, Guardia Civil and National Police units, Plan Infoca, air traffic controllers, the coordination and rescue centre, civil protection volunteers in Nijar, maritime rescue services, Almeria Airport and the government subdelegation in Almeria. Almeria Airport remained open during the night so that the aircraft involved in the search could refuel. This Wednesday morning, fire brigade sources confirmed to 112 the discovery of the wreckage and two bodies in an area of difficult access in Cerro del Fraile. The mountain rescue group of the Guardia Civil of Granada has travelled to the area to recover the bodies of the deceased. Sources said there was no radio contact prior to the accident alerting to a possible mechanical failure of the aircraft, nor did the occupants make an emergency call to air traffic controllers. The training colleagues and all the staff of the Malaga-based company are shocked by what happened. The business is based on the Malaga Nostrum business park and was created in 2010. According to their website, One Air is a training organisation approved by the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), with E-ATO 190 certification, and recognised by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Andrea Jimenez Marbella Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram On the southwest slope of Marbellas Cerro de la Torrecilla near the Virgen del Carmen cemetery, sits Cueva de Pecho Redondo - a small natural cave discovered in the mid-1950s by a local hunter which hides a series of Palaeolithic paintings. According to archaeologist Pedro Cantalejo the fact that the paintings do not show any animal representation meant that for many years researchers were unable to date them as the technology to do so did not exist. Now however the cave is included in the international First Art project, meaning that the paintings will be analysed and the cave will be included in the European scientific research circuit. The cave, which is closed to the public, is also known as Cueva de la Torrecilla and at the time of its discovery the hunter also found a human skeleton and a number of other objects including the remains of a necklace and bracelets. According to Javier Soto, president of Cilniana, the association for the defence and protection of the historical heritage of the Costa del Sol, which is responsible for the site, the hunter handed the objects over to Marbella town hall. Fingertips and palms In 1985, the Pecho Redondo cave was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in Andalucia and started to be included in publications that claimed the paintings were among the oldest graphic manifestations in Malaga province. Cantalejo highlighted that the first Homo sapiens painted the images more than 25,000 years ago and they appear on a series of panels on speleothems (stalactites and stalagmites). They were made "with abundant red pigment and applied with the fingertips". In addition to the images created using fingertips there are also larger marks which suggest the use of the palm of the hand, due to their round shape. At the back of the second gallery there is a small column with a row of vertical marks and on the ceilings there are small red marks that could also be cave paintings, but have not been so well preserved according to Cantalejo. Images of the paintings and objects found in the cave. SUR Much later, during the Neolithic period around 7,000 to 4,500 years ago, the cave was used as a burial site which the human remains and burial objects found by the hunter have been linked to. According to Soto a coin dating from the 12th century also suggests that the cave was used during Spain's Islamic period. T. Nieva Madrid Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The first Spanish air force plane with more than 200 people evacuated from Israel landed early this Wednesday morning (11 October) at the Torrejon de Ardoz air base in Madrid. Meanwhile a second plane has already taken off for the Israeli city of Tel Aviv to repatriate the remaining Spanish nationals. More than 200 Spaniards, citizens of the European Union and third countries residing in Spain were aboard the A330 aircraft Spain's Ministry of Defence announced on social media network X.. Ministry of Defence The Ministry also said that, at around 7am, a second military plane left the Torrejon air base for Tel Aviv, on which the rest of the Spaniards who have had their commercial flights cancelled due to the conflict in Israel, following the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas last weekend, will be evacuated. In a statement on X, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albares, also confirmed the take-off of the second plane and underlined the collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the operation to bring the Spaniards who could not leave Israel "is a success". BAGHDAD, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Three militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group were killed in an operation in Iraq's Salahudin province, north of Baghdad, the Iraqi military said on Wednesday. Acting on intelligence reports, a force from the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) ambushed and killed three IS militants in Tuz Khurmato area in the eastern part of the province, a CTS statement said. No further details were provided regarding the timing of the incident. 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. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith secretly separated 7 years ago Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith secretly separated six years before he famously slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars after the comedian joked about her shaved head. Were still figuring it out, Jada told People magazine in a new interview published Wednesday. Weve been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us. Jada, who suffers from alopecia, also told the publication that she initially thought the slap was staged. I thought, This is a skit, Jada said. I was like, Theres no way that Will hit him. It wasnt until Will started to walk back to his chair that I even realized it wasnt a skit. Jada also told NBCs Today show that she and Will have been living separate lives since 2016, despite publicly appearing at events together like the Academy Awards. Jada called it a divorce, though they have not legally filed for divorce and couldnt decide how to present that to people. I think by the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be, she told Hoda Kotb. Will Smith later apologized to Rock and resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, which banned him from attending future events for 10 years. Will and Jada married in 1997 and share two kids, Jaden Smith, 25, and Willow Smith, 22; Will also has a 30-year-old son, Trey, with his ex-wife Sheree Zampino. MORE BUZZ: Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas reach temporary custody agreement ( ET Marcus Mumford, Carey Mulligan welcome 3rd child together ( BB 21 Savage returning to England for first UK concert: Im coming home ( ET Steely Dan drops off The Eagles tour dates due to illness ( BB Thurston Moore cancels US book tour due to debilitating condition ( RS Machine Gun Kelly jumps up when fan rushes the stage ( ET The Voice contestant tells Niall Horan she used to write 1D fan fiction ( BB Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities. Syracuse, N.Y. An Oneida County man who is already in state prison for child pornorgrphy now faces a lengthy federal prison sentence. Chad Srogi, 40, of Vernon, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in federal prison for possessing and distributing child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. A Central New York drive-in movie theater is offering a different kind of double feature this Halloween season. The Fingerlakes Drive-In and the Fright Night Mansion at Fingerlakes Mall are teaming for a special deal: One $15 ticket gets you a combo admission to both the drive-in and haunted house. Tickets can be purchased at either location and then used at the next location; both are less than 3 miles apart on Clark Street Road in Auburn, N.Y. The special deal will be offered this weekend, Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14, for screenings of Saw X and The Nun II at Finger Lakes Drive-In. The deal will also be available Oct. 27-28 for a double picture show of The Exorcist: Believer (a new sequel to the 1973 classic The Exorcist) and Saw X. Profits from both weekends will go to local charities. The Fingerlakes Drive-In will donate to Chapel House of Cayuga County, a homeless shelter in Auburn, and the Fright Night Mansion is donating to SPCA Hugs from Cara, a nonprofit that helps grieving children and families. The Fingerlakes Drive-In, New York states oldest open-air theater and ranked one of the best in the entire Northeast, is located at 1064 Clark Street Road, Aurelius, N.Y. For more information, visit fingerlakesdrivein.com or Facebook. Fright Night Mansion, a haunted house presented by A.P.E. Productions, is open every Friday and Saturday night from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Fingerlakes Mall (located at 1579 Clark Street Rd, Auburn). Less scary kiddie matinees are also available Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. For more info, visit ape-sc.com or facebook.com/APEScareandCareInc. RELATED STORIES: The scariest Halloween attractions in Upstate NY: 20 best haunted houses and more Bruce Coville Halloween Writing Contest 2023: Collectors Edition Upstate NY drive-in becomes worlds most viewed thanks to Taylor Swift Halloween costume ideas: 13 popular trends for 2023 (Barbie, Taylor Swift and more) Ethan Hawke gets popcorn, movie at Upstate NY drive-in; heres what he watched Student loan payments resume in October for borrowers across the country. The federal government paused loan payments in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. The payment restart comes after the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this summer overturned President Joe Bidens plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt for borrowers across the nation. Interest on loans began accruing again Sept. 1 and payments are due once again this month. The three states with the highest number of borrowers and the biggest balances owed are California, Texas and Florida. Nearly 4 million borrowers owe about $149 billion in California, the top state on the list, according to data from the federal Department of Education. New York is No. 4 in the nation with about 2.5 million borrowers owing about $95 billion. You can see details on borrowers and balances in every state in the table below. If you cant see the table, click here to open this story in a web browser. The debt shown includes direct federal loans, Federal Family Education Loans and Perkins Loans. Student loan borrowers who have been in repayment for more than 20 years or borrowers who took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for more than 10 years may qualify for cancellation under the Department of Educations new Saving on a Valuable Education or SAVE plan, according to the bureau. More information on the plan and how to apply is available online. Borrowers who work at qualifying employers such as nonprofits or government agencies may be eligible for loan forgiveness under a program aimed at those workers. Cancellation is also available for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities, according to the bureau. In addition, borrowers who were deceived by their schools or who had their education disrupted by a closure might be eligible for help. You can apply for all of those programs online or call your loan servicer, the bureau said. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 NY Cannabis Insider is hosting an industry summit at the Sonesta in White Plains, N.Y. on November 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Details and tickets available here. The conference will host industry professionals (both new and old) for a day of learning, venting and problem-solving. The content will feature both introductory and advanced courses on relevant topics such as banking, accounting, applying for a license, the medical program, and more, taught by professionals within the NY cannabis industry. There will also be full-panel discussions focused on the hottest topics for canna-entrepreneurs as of November 2023. Lightning-round business consultations will be available for attendees, in addition to networking opportunities, lunch, a happy hour and more. A general admission ticket provides attendees with all-access to sessions, speakers, meals, and resources onsite. NY Cannabis Insider holds a conference in Buffalo, NY on Sept. 21, 2023. This was one of the most informative events I have attended, said May 2023 conference attendee Jillian Dragutsky, CEO of Astro Management and co-chair of NY CAURD Coalition Womens Committee. There was a wonderful mix of industry stakeholders willing to share their experiences and knowledge and I look forward to the next NY Cannabis Insider event. Event Details Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 Time: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Location: Sonesta White Plains | 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, NY 10601 Price: $249 general admission, includes access to all sessions & vendors, coffee, lunch, and networking reception; tickets available here Sponsors and vendors are the businesses shaping the industry locally and regionally. Look for them at the event for advice and help with your business: Citrin Cooperman is one of the nations largest professional services firms, with a dedicated Cannabis Advisory Services (CAS) team that utilizes their specialized knowledge to help companies thrive. Etain is New Yorks only women-founded, vertically integrated medical cannabis company committed to cultivating, manufacturing and dispensing the highest quality clean, safe, and consistent medical cannabis products for the patients of New York State. HUB International has specialized cannabis insurance experts and risk consultants help you manage the emerging risks that face your cannabis business with the right risk transfer and mitigation. Jeffrey Hoffman & Associates PLLC is a firm that focuses on clients in the cannabis industry, including licensees in the adult-use cannabis market, patients and practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers. East Coast Cannabis Insurance has independent agents who work for you to find the best coverage at the lowest cost. From workers comp to crop coverage, they have you covered. New York Consortium of Cannabis Accountants promotes financial literacy and empower New Yorks legacy cannabis market leaders and social equity entrepreneurs so that they may make informed business decisions. Cannabis Workforce Initiative has a mission to promote and support social equity in the adult-use cannabis market by providing quality workforce development and legal education. Cannabis360 is a full-service cannabis marketing partner focused on crafting your brand story, finding your best audience and driving brand awareness for your business. A limited number of sponsorships and vendor tables are still available. Contact Lindsay Wickham at lwickham@advancemediany.com to learn more about opportunities to reach this audience. NY Cannabis Insider events are attended by industry professionals, entrepreneurs and key stakeholders in the states nascent industry, as well as those from cannabis-adjacent businesses such as legal, security, retail, banking, finance, construction, engineering, compliance and medical marijuana advocates. Read a recap of the first annual NYS problems and solutions cannabis summit and conference held in Albany earlier this year along with an overview of the perspectives that emerged during our state of the industry event in Buffalo. To stay up to date about industry news and upcoming events, subscribe for free to the daily NY Cannabis Insider newsletter briefing. A retired Syracuse School District teacher, who died two years ago, has left $2.3 million to be primarily used for pediatric health care at Golisano Childrens Hospital. In 2022 the Upstate Foundation received $600,000 from the estate of Marilyn C. Miller, who died at 79. The pediatric and adolescent unit at Golisano Childrens Hospital was later named in the memory of her and her parents. By Tim Balk | New York Daily News New York As New York law enforcement officials boost resources to houses of worship in response to the violence in Israel, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams demanded Tuesday that social media giants clamp down on dangerous speech circulating on their platforms. Hochul said in a statement that the state police have increased their security efforts at synagogues and yeshivas, adding, Now, its time for social media companies to do the same: monitor the speech on your platform and crack down on incitements to violence before its too late. At a news conference, Adams said he believes social media platforms are failing to properly police their platforms despite having the capacity to do so. He said social media sites should sit down and evaluate themselves. Dont underestimate lone wolves people who are being radicalized online, Adams told reporters at City Hall, warning that social media posts can motivate terrible behaviors. The two Democrats did not call out specific platforms, or describe specific content they found disturbing. More than 1,700 people have been reported dead since Palestinian militants launched a brazen and bloody surprise attack against Israel on Saturday, setting off the largest military conflict in the region in a half-century. The fighting, now in its fourth day, has put many on edge in New York City, home to the largest Jewish population in any city on the globe outside of Israel. The NYPD said it has deployed officers to Muslim, Jewish and Christian houses of worship across the city as a precaution. Police vans and cops have had a noticeable presence outside religious temples. The city is particularly focused on protecting Jewish enclaves in Williamsburg, Borough Park and Flatbush in Brooklyn, Adams said Tuesday. But much of the citys efforts are unseen, the mayor added. We are really monitoring sites, and we are using a very sophisticated intel team, Adams said in the news conference at City Hall. We are extremely conscious that there are those that could exploit this situation. It was less clear what steps social media companies have taken to scrub dangerous speech. Twitter, now formally called X, said in an emailed Tuesday response to a request for comment: Busy now, please check back later. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. At the news conference, Adams chided social media platforms, saying that they can do a better job and theyre not. These guys are experts, Adams said. If they dont want to do their job of policing themselves, I really believe its time for the federal government to step in. Hate crime rates have fallen in the city this year, according to police data, but the state logged a 20% increase in hate crimes last year. Officials blamed social media for sowing hateful ideologies. Last year, cops in Penn Station busted two 22-year-olds accused of plotting an attack on a synagogue. The men were carrying an illegal firearm and a long knife, according to authorities. In February, neo-Nazis held an antisemitic demonstration outside the first Broadway preview of a revival of Parade, a musical about an American Jew who was wrongfully convicted of murder and lynched a century ago. After violence broke out in Israel and Gaza over the weekend, the NYPD had multiple calls with leaders in the Jewish and Muslim community about its safety efforts, said John Chell, the Police Departments chief of patrol. About 1.6 million Jews live in New York City, according to the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York. Estimates about the size of the citys Muslim population vary widely, but some put the number as high as 800,000. We have to be high alert, Adams said. We cannot let our guards down. ------- (New York Daily News writer Chris Sommerfeldt contributed to this report.) ------- 2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Washington Rep. Brandon Williams is among six New York Republican House members who plan to introduce a resolution that would expel fellow New York Rep. George Santos, R-Long Island, from Congress. The resolution from the six GOP House freshmen comes a day after federal prosecutors filed new charges against Santos. The new indictment alleges that Santos stole the identities of his political donors and used their credit cards to make tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges. The original federal indictment filed in May said that Santos duped donors, embezzled money from his campaign, lied about his net worth in disclosures to Congress and received unemployment payments that he wasnt eligible to collect. Santos has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has remained in Congress despite calls for his resignation from New Yorks six other first-term Republicans. George Santos many deceptions, coupled with the ever-expanding legal case against him, further strengthen my long-held belief that he is unfit to serve in Congress, Rep. Anthony DEsposito, R-Long Island, said in a statement Wednesday. DEsposito said he would be the lead sponsor of a resolution to immediately expel George Santos from the House of Representatives. The resolutions five co-sponsors are Williams, who represents the 22nd Congressional District in Central New York, and New York Reps. Nick LaLota, Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler and Nick Langworthy. Members of Congress can be expelled if two-thirds of members vote for the expulsion resolution. Both the House and Senate can vote to expel their own members. A vote is not required from both chambers. Williams and the other first-term Republicans from New York first called for Santos to resign in January following reports that Santos deceived voters about his education, work experience and family heritage. RELATED Rep. Santos faces new charges he stole donor IDs, made unauthorized charges to their credit cards Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 BEIRUT, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese and Iraqi civil aviation authorities on Wednesday signed an agreement to increase weekly flights between the two countries from 30 to 45, Lebanon's National News Agency reported. At a press conference held in the Lebanese capital Beirut, Lebanon's Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh said the agreement serves the interests of both sides and facilitates the movement of travelers between the two countries. Hamieh hailed the brotherly relations between the two countries and peoples, noting "Lebanon is thankful for Iraq's continuous support in all the difficult stages and circumstances." A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. Despite making up a small portion of all American renters, Black people make up more than half of eviction filings in the country, according to a study released this week by Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab. Researchers synthesized census data and court records to get a better overview of who exactly gets evicted in America. The study shows Black women with children evicted at a rate three times higher than white women with children. Landlords threaten Black women with eviction at a rate four times higher than their white counterparts. This is an enormous fair housing issue that could be addressed with policy at the federal level and even at the state level, said Peter Hepburn, a sociologist and associate director of Eviction Lab. The Fair Housing Act was signed into law in 1968 to limit discrimination in the housing market by prohibiting landlords and mortgage lenders from denying housing to tenants based on factors like race, gender and ability. Despite eliminating barriers for Black Americans seeking housing, it provides no legal protections for those being evicted. Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, congress placed a moratorium on evictions through the passage of the CARES Act, followed by a nationwide eviction moratorium issued by the CDC. Each moratorium led to a notable decline in evictions throughout the country. But according to Nick Graetz, the lead researcher on the study, ever since those policies have expired eviction rates have started to resemble pre-pandemic numbers. Every renter is vulnerable to eviction. A sudden health issue in your family, a car crash or any unexpected problem can snowball into an eviction, Graetz said. But the fact is, different groups have different means of handling emergencies, and we shouldnt leave that to, well, who has money in their savings account for an emergency? when we can point to [the root causes] like the racial wealth gap in the United States. According to the study, children make up 40% of all people threatened by eviction, with one in every five Black children under the age of five living in a household where landlords have filed for eviction. The whole process can disrupt their lives in so many ways, said Sarah DAmato, a lawyer with Legal Aid of North Carolina. DAmato defends hundreds of tenants each month from eviction in Durham, North Carolina. She says that most of her clients are Black mothers, some of whom she has had to represent more than once. Evictions bring burdensome costs to already economically strained families such as attorney fees, fees for securing a new property and money to replace belongings. Families also may risk losing pay when having to take time off work to attend court. According to DAmato it is incredibly destabilizing for a child. Often it means leaving friends, families, pets and keepsakes behind. You can easily get behind one month and you cant catch up, DAmato said. Four weeks later youre padlocked out of your house, she said. And thus the cycle begins. An Upstate New York man has been arrested and charged with murdering his father after a 911 call reported a cardiac arrest. The Times Union reports New York State Police responded to a home in the Sullivan County town of Neversink on Sunday after receiving a report of cardiac arrest Sunday. Troopers said they arrived to find an EMS crew giving CPR to Lloyd Botsford, 71, who had a gunshot wound to his head; Botsford died. Police said an investigation led to the arrest of the victims son, 46-year-old Drew Botsford of Neversink. He was charged with second-degree murder, a felony, and sent to Sullivan County Jail without bail. According to the Middletown Times Herald-Record, police did not provide any other details, including a possible motive for the shooting. An investigation is ongoing. Port of Rotterdam supports ZEMBA initiative with additional incentive for sustainable shipping fuels Port of Rotterdam will offer a substantial port fee reduction for ships that bunker sustainable fuels in Rotterdam, supporting the recently announced Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance 05 October 2023 Port of Rotterdam will offer a substantial port fee reduction for ships that bunker sustainable fuels in Rotterdam, supporting the recently announced Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) and recognizing front runners in the road to maritime decarbonization. Boudewijn Siemons, COO and CEO a.i. of the Port of Rotterdam: It is vital that the shipping industry makes the switch to zero-emission fuels. The ZEMBA consortium has launched a fantastic initiative with a willingness to pay carriers a premium for the use of zero-emission fuels, which are still more expensive than traditional fuels. With the additional support from our side we want to give carriers maximum incentive to make this switch. ZEMBA, an initiative of coZEV, recently launched a request for proposals for the transport of 600,000 twenty foot containers (TEU) on ocean-going container vessels powered by zero-emissions fuels. To support this, and as part of its ongoing efforts to enable and accelerate the transition to zero-emission shipping, the Port of Rotterdam offers a port fee reduction for these large container vessels when bunkering sustainable fuels in Rotterdam, which can run up to 500.000 euros in total. To qualify, a ship has to bunker alternative fuels in Rotterdam with at least 90% reduction in greenhouse gases, such as green methanol or ammonia. The Port of Rotterdam Authority has also determined that discount does not apply to bio-blended fuel oil, marine gas oil, or marine diesel oil, as that market is already mature in Rotterdam. The Port Rotterdam already extends discounts to more sustainable vessels that score high on the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) and is an international front runner in facilitating the bunkering of zero-emission fuels. In 2022, the port launched a Green & Digital Corridor project together with the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, which also offers discounts for carriers using sustainable fuels. This means ships using sustainable fuels on the Singapore-Rotterdam trade lane can benefit from financial incentives from both ports as well as ZEMBA. Afghan caretaker government's Acting Minister of Public Health Qalandar Ibad told Xinhua on Monday after visiting hospitals in quake-hit Herat province that there will be a need for medical supplies for people in the region. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Prithvi Mundur BHPian Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Prithvi Posts: 33 Thanked: 170 Times Road-Trip to Bidanagere and Mandaragiri Go/No-Go decision: During recent long weekend(on account of Karnataka Bandh + Prophet's Birthday + Gandhi Jayanti), decided to stay at home, and not to go on a trip to the usual touristy places, as I didn't want to contribute my part to the traffic snarls even over there, and inadvertently jackup the already exorbitant accommodation prices. Couple of days passed by and the itch to go on a trip returned. Have learnt a new word - "Mizzle", and the weather in Bangalore on the day resembled the same, which further fanned my desire to go on a long drive out of the city. Now, the question is where to? While watching news, had made a mental note of the place - "Bidanagere". However, it was over a year ago, and I now found it difficult to recollect, but somehow managed to retrieve the name from the archives of my brain memory. Did a quick search and then a fuzzy search in team-bhp, but was surprised that no result matched my keyword, as I was initially pretty sure that someone by now would have written about the 161' towering Lord Hanuman at Bidanagere. I now shifted my focus to Google Reviews and found most of the comments highlighted the place to have become commercialized. I usually take reviews with a grain of salt, and there being a Shaneeshwara temple too, and it being a Saturday, made me arrive at the Go decision easily, and the coordinates of Bidanagere was locked on gmaps. Bajrang Bali, here we come: Fork in the road: A poem about choosing the road less travelled usually lingers on in the back of my mind, and gmaps supported me by estimating that 5 minutes is all the difference if I went on NICE corridor relative to the other route options. Moreover, I've an aversion towards NICE road as I find it's toll charges to be unreasonably high and I dislike their ramp design too. As it was an impromptu travel plan, we started late in the day at about 11AM, but we still weren't in a time crunch situation as the distance to cover was near about 85kms only. Thus, I picked an alternative route, but google kept on chiming in to opt for the NICE road. I just wished that google could read my mind and stop nagging me about the faster option via NICE. Passengers in my car started to float conspiracy theories that NICE proprietor might have stuck some deal with Sundar Pichai, and we all had a loud laugh . Bidanagere: Quickly zoomed out of Bangalore city, and motored towards Bidanagere. It was a great sight to see the sky-high Hanumantha while nearing the destination. We were also joyous to find that there was no parking fees, which I must say is a rare phenomenon nowadays. Imposing Panchmukhi Hanuman is truly a sight to behold: https://youtube.com/watch?v=yeWRzIsp...P_i-pyB1t1LwVJ Panchavaktra(Hayagriva, Narasimha, Hanuman, Garuda, Varaha) Had darshan of Shaneeshwara, and proceeded towards Anjaneya temple, and later climbed the pedestal to touch and bow at the feet of Hanuman. We at once felt vibrations on the ground and wildly imagined on whether Hanuman started to walk, but soon figured out it to be due to a train chugging along closeby . One may additionally note that there is a Basavanna temple, Vruddhashrama, Anathashrama and Annadasoham hall. It was now time to bid adieu to Bidanagere, and must mention that during our brief visit, the atmosphere was pleasantly filled with devotion, and luckily didn't experience any undertones of commercialism in the area as yet. Janeu Hanuman: Mandaragiri: Drove towards Mandaragiri which is around 50kms away from Bidanagere. Was greeted with a parking fee slip, and was amazed to find so much of information about the place on a small piece of paper: Peacock Pinchi shaped dome: A tigress, cub, cow and calf: It's a serene place with a hillock and a lake. Low flying black clouds and misty air felt good to feel, and sometimes made us wonder if we are actually touching the cloud . Mandaragiri aka Panditanahalli aka Besadi Betta: https://youtube.com/watch?v=5lj7Z4BN...f2cUbNy0uPLLIJ It was getting dark and time was nigh to return to Bangalore. So, we conveyed our salutations to Chandraprabha for one last time: Made a stopover at Khalsa family dhaba for dinner, and the chef over here found us worthy to share the secret recipe of his hot and spicy Punjabi tea All in all, a memorable and relaxing trip, and hope the travel bug in me would lie low at least for a while from now. PS: $0.02 advice for people travelling by car: If you are to leave Mandaragiri and intend to join NH48, and find a factory enroute, please stop and take a U-turn, and instead join the highway by taking the route that passes via a railway crossing gate. In case you ignore and proceed further down the factory route, you'll encounter an unscientific speed breaker that will most likely scrape the underbody of the car. If there's a streak of rain, the underpass ahead would be waterlogged. Until next time! During recent long weekend(on account of Karnataka Bandh + Prophet's Birthday + Gandhi Jayanti), decided to stay at home, and not to go on a trip to the usual touristy places, as I didn't want to contribute my part to the traffic snarls even over there, and inadvertently jackup the already exorbitant accommodation prices.Couple of days passed by and the itch to go on a trip returned.Have learnt a new word - "Mizzle", and the weather in Bangalore on the day resembled the same, which further fanned my desire to go on a long drive out of the city.Now, the question is where to?While watching news, had made a mental note of the place - "Bidanagere".However, it was over a year ago, and I now found it difficult to recollect, but somehow managed to retrieve the name from the archives of my brain memory.Did a quick search and then a fuzzy search in team-bhp, but was surprised that no result matched my keyword, as I was initially pretty sure that someone by now would have written about the 161' towering Lord Hanuman at Bidanagere.I now shifted my focus to Google Reviews and found most of the comments highlighted the place to have become commercialized.I usually take reviews with a grain of salt, and there being a Shaneeshwara temple too, and it being a Saturday, made me arrive at the Go decision easily, and the coordinates of Bidanagere was locked on gmaps.Bajrang Bali, here we come:A poem about choosing the road less travelled usually lingers on in the back of my mind, and gmaps supported me by estimating that 5 minutes is all the difference if I went on NICE corridor relative to the other route options.Moreover, I've an aversion towards NICE road as I find it's toll charges to be unreasonably high and I dislike their ramp design too.As it was an impromptu travel plan, we started late in the day at about 11AM, but we still weren't in a time crunch situation as the distance to cover was near about 85kms only.Thus, I picked an alternative route, but google kept on chiming in to opt for the NICE road.I just wished that google could read my mind and stop nagging me about the faster option via NICE.Passengers in my car started to float conspiracy theories that NICE proprietor might have stuck some deal with Sundar Pichai, and we all had a loud laughQuickly zoomed out of Bangalore city, and motored towards Bidanagere.It was a great sight to see the sky-high Hanumantha while nearing the destination.We were also joyous to find that there was no parking fees, which I must say is a rare phenomenon nowadays.Imposing Panchmukhi Hanuman is truly a sight to behold:Panchavaktra(Hayagriva, Narasimha, Hanuman, Garuda, Varaha)Had darshan of Shaneeshwara, and proceeded towards Anjaneya temple, and later climbed the pedestal to touch and bow at the feet of Hanuman.We at once felt vibrations on the ground and wildly imagined on whether Hanuman started to walk, but soon figured out it to be due to a train chugging along closebyOne may additionally note that there is a Basavanna temple, Vruddhashrama, Anathashrama and Annadasoham hall.It was now time to bid adieu to Bidanagere, and must mention that during our brief visit, the atmosphere was pleasantly filled with devotion, and luckily didn't experience any undertones of commercialism in the area as yet.Janeu Hanuman:Drove towards Mandaragiri which is around 50kms away from Bidanagere.Was greeted with a parking fee slip, and was amazed to find so much of information about the place on a small piece of paper:Peacock Pinchi shaped dome:A tigress, cub, cow and calf:It's a serene place with a hillock and a lake.Low flying black clouds and misty air felt good to feel, and sometimes made us wonder if we are actually touching the cloudMandaragiri aka Panditanahalli aka Besadi Betta:It was getting dark and time was nigh to return to Bangalore.So, we conveyed our salutations to Chandraprabha for one last time:Made a stopover at Khalsa family dhaba for dinner, and the chef over here found us worthy to share the secret recipe of his hot and spicy Punjabi teaAll in all, a memorable and relaxing trip, and hope the travel bug in me would lie low at least for a while from now.$0.02 advice for people travelling by car: If you are to leave Mandaragiri and intend to join NH48, and find a factory enroute, please stop and take a U-turn, and instead join the highway by taking the route that passes via a railway crossing gate.In case you ignore and proceed further down the factory route, you'll encounter an unscientific speed breaker that will most likely scrape the underbody of the car.If there's a streak of rain, the underpass ahead would be waterlogged.Until next time! Last edited by Prithvi Mundur : 10th October 2023 at 08:59 . Google hammered another nail in the coffin for passwords Tuesday when it announced its making passkeys the default login method for its personal accounts. That means when users sign in to their personal accounts, theyll see a prompt to create and use a passkey typically a face scan, fingerprint, or PIN as well as the Skip password when possible option turned on in their account settings. While passkeys represent a significant advancement in biometric authentication methods, Google will allow users to opt out of using them by turning off the skip password setting. According to a company blog written by Google Senior Product Manager Sriram Karra and Group Product Manager Christiaan Brand, passkeys are 40% faster to use than passwords and rely on a kind of cryptography that makes them more secure. Google also found, the pair wrote, that one of the most immediate benefits of passkeys is that they spare people the headache of remembering all those numbers and special characters in passwords. Passkeys are also phishing resistant, they added. Googles announcement today on officially making passkeys the default login is another milestone on the journey toward a truly passwordless future, declared Steve Won, chief product officer at 1Password, a password manager software maker in Toronto. Billions of users can now live without passwords with arguably their most important login, removing the most common vector for security breaches stolen credentials, he told TechNewsWorld. Moving Passkey Adoption Needle Googles decision will move the needle on the adoption of passkeys, asserted Tony Goulding, a cybersecurity evangelist at Delinea, a provider of privileged access management solutions, in Redwood City, Calif. In my view, he told TechNewsWorld, Googles decision represents the most promising initiative yet albeit, building on the foundation laid by FIDO2, which has been around for some time to finally achieve the dream of a passwordless future. Given how many people use Google services, this will definitely move the needle for publicly accessible applications, added Ron Arden, CTO and COO of Fasoo, a provider of enterprise data protection solutions in Bethesda, Md. Most large enterprises use MFA [multi-factor authentication] already, but need to move beyond MFA tied to passwords, he told TechNewsWorld. This may drive the market faster, making companies move faster. Both enterprises and consumers are adopting passwordless solutions across various sectors, noted Ricardo Amper, founder and CEO of Incode Technologies, an international identity verification and biometric authentication company. Googles policy change underscores the growing demand for seamless and highly secure authentication methods, he told TechNewsWorld. This transition from traditional passwords empowers individuals to take greater control of their data, he added, especially in response to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. Running Out of Passwords Eduardo Azanza, CEO of Veridas, a global biometric identification and authentication solution provider based in Madrid, pointed out that traditional password systems have been shown to fail time and time again, as huge volumes of credentials are stolen every day. As the digital threat landscape evolves, cybersecurity and online practices must evolve with it, he told TechNewsWorld. Therefore, the move by Google to set passkeys as the default sign-in credential is a strong message that we are moving toward a passwordless future. Aside from being more convenient to use and more secure, passkeys have another benefit. Passkeys solve one of the untold issues of todays user weve finally run out of passwords, observed Ben Chappell, CEO of Apona Security, an application security company in Roseville, Calif. Ive personally run through hundreds of passwords in my professional life, he told TechNewsWorld. Like most users, its to the point where I struggle to create a new password, much less remember it. The move by Google is far overdue and will greatly increase adoption of passkeys over passwords, he added. The move will likely have a ripple effect throughout the tech industry, predicted Roger Grimes, a defense evangelist at KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider in Clearwater, Fla. Anytime Google updates a default, he told TechNewsWorld, not only does that significantly increase usage of the item on the Google platforms, but forces the other major players, like Microsoft, to respond. Challenges to Passkey Tech Adoption Despite the benefits passkeys offer to consumers and businesses, adoption of the technology has been slow. Out of more than a billion websites that exist, only around 55 currently support passkeys, said Darren Guccione, CEO of Keeper Security, a password management and online storage firm in Chicago. This limited support can be attributed to several factors, including underlying platform support, website changes, and the fact that its not a default setting, so the user must take action to configure or set it up, he told TechNewsWorld. Consistent support from major platforms and browsers is key in promoting widespread adoption of the technology, he maintained. As the big players, such as Amazon, Google, Apple, and Microsoft, move to adopt passkeys and make it mandatory, others will naturally get on board, added Timothy Morris, chief security advisor at Tanium, a maker of an endpoint management and security platform, in Kirkland, Wash. Major breaches involving social engineering will also serve to accelerate adoption, he told TechNewsWorld, because passkeys are simply more secure and can mitigate the risk of stolen credential attacks. Conditions Ripe for Passkey Implementation Indeed, conditions appear to be ripe for adoption acceleration. The infrastructure for users is largely in place now that Apple, Google, and Microsoft have launched operating systems that accommodate passkeys, said James E. Lee, chief operating officer for the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization devoted to minimizing risk and mitigating the impact of identity compromise and crime, in San Diego. Now, website owners will need to adapt their infrastructures to receive passkeys for adoption to accelerate for internal and external use, he told TechNewsWorld. Won asserted that ongoing education and adoption by leading players like Google will continue to validate the urgency to adopt passkeys because users will demand the convenience. The next six months will be an important window for adoption, he predicted. We need to continue focusing on creating cross-platform ubiquity for apps and services so developers can easily implement passkey authentication. Guccione reasoned that passkey adoption would be similar to credit card adoption. Today, he said, just as cash coexists with credit cards and contactless payments, passkeys can coexist with traditional passwords. As awareness grows and technology advances, he continued, we may see a gradual increase in adoption, but it wont be quick, and itll take time before its ubiquitous. Credit cards are now widespread, yet cash still exists. We can expect the same for passkeys for the foreseeable future. Forward-looking: Even though public interest has started to wane, billions of dollars are still being poured into all things generative AI-related, with many businesses shoehorning the technology into their products even when it doesn't fit. But according to one analyst firm, the industry is in for a "cold shower" next year. CCS Insight's roundup of predictions for the technology industry in 2024 (via CNBC) includes a warning for generative AI: next year might expose the fact that the reality of the tech doesn't live up to the hype. "The bottom line is, right now, everyone's talking generative AI, Google, Amazon, Qualcomm, Meta, " said Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight. "But the hype around generative AI in 2023 has just been so immense, that we think it's overhyped, and there's lots of obstacles that need to get through to bring it to market." One of the issues cited by CCS Insight is the huge cost involved in deploying and sustaining generative AI tools; ChatGPT maker OpenAI is estimated to be spending $700,000 per day to keep its famous chatbot up and running. While this might not be a huge problem for massive companies, Wood believes its use will become too expensive for many organizations and developers. There's also the fact that Nvidia's expensive AI-focused GPUs are seeing overwhelming demand right now. Team Green, which holds over 70% of the $150 billion AI market, said it intends to triple production of the products next year to meet this increase, but that hasn't stopped reports that OpenAI and Microsoft are looking to build their own chips to lessen reliance on third parties, with more companies set to follow suit. AI regulation is also on the horizon. So far, AI companies have agreed to self-regulate and manage the risks posed by their technologies, but governments are calling for tighter regulation. The EU's in-the-works AI Act could bar facial recognition and force developers of AI tools to submit them for review before general release. CCS Insight also predicts that an internet search company will start adding labels to any material that is manufactured by AI next year and that arrests will be made for people who use the technology to impersonate others, either through deepfakes of voice, both of which we've already seen. The big picture: One of the main reasons for the relatively low adoption rate of Windows 11 is its stringent hardware requirements, which prevent even some newer PCs from being updated to the new OS. Additionally, Microsoft has also made TPM 2.0 mandatory for Windows 11, further reducing the number of devices that can install the new operating system. While enterprising users have discovered unofficial ways to bypass these hardware requirements and install Windows 11 on unsupported machines, some have now found a straightforward method to circumvent the restrictions without resorting to complex tricks or third-party utilities. As noted by Twitter user Bob Pony, simply adding the "/product server" switch to setup.exe in the Windows 11 setup directory allows users to bypass the restrictions and install Windows 11 on virtually any PC. It's worth noting that this method was originally detailed by another Windows 11 user who posted in a Vietnamese forum about his discovery more than a year ago. However, it flew under the radar until recently when Twitter user Tomy Kwong pointed out the original post. In any case, reports suggest that the "/product server" trick works on the latest Canary build of Windows 11, but it remains to be seen if Microsoft will close this loophole in the future. HUGE GROUND BREAKING DISCOVERY! A To ALL users that don't meet the artificial requirements for Windows 11, I GOT SOME GREAT NEWS TO SHARE! When adding "/product server" switch to setup.exe in the Windows 11 setup directory, it BYPASSES the Windows 11 hardware requirement checks. pic.twitter.com/Ig5FtQhOID Bob Pony (@TheBobPony) October 8, 2023 Individuals interested in installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs should be aware that the OS runs well on most devices compatible with Windows 10. However, certain minor features requiring newer hardware and TPM 2.0 may not function on these devices. Nevertheless, this new method should facilitate the upgrade to Windows 11 from older Windows versions, allowing users to take advantage of the new features and enhanced security provided by Microsoft's latest OS. Windows 11 has generally received positive feedback from users worldwide. Still, it faces a few persistent issues that have prevented it from achieving unmitigated success. Two years after its release, the OS still lags behind Windows 10 in terms of overall market share. According to Statcounter, Microsoft's latest desktop operating system is installed on 23 percent of all PCs globally, while Windows 10 is running on 71 percent of all Windows computers. Although this new method should encourage more people to upgrade to the latest operating system, it is unlikely to supplant Windows 10 as the dominant Windows OS anytime soon. In brief: Motorola announced a pair of new Razr foldable smartphones earlier this year, but only the premium Razr+ has launched in the US to date. That is changing soon as Motorola preps its entry-level Razr foldable for its US market debut. The new Motorola Razr could make an impact based on price alone. Starting at $699 (or $599 if you take advantage of limited time launch pricing), it will be the most affordable foldable in the US when it launches. So, what do you get for the money? The standard Razr features a 6.9-inch FHD+ (2,640 x 1,080 resolution, 413 PPI) pOLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate that covers 120 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut. It is paired with a 1.5-inch OLED external display (194 x 368 pixels, 282 PPI) sporting a 60 Hz refresh rate and a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus coating, and the whole thing is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 mobile platform (from 2022), 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 128 GB of internal storage. The rear camera array consists of two shooters including a 64-megapixel main sensor with f/1.7 aperture, optical image stabilization, and laser autofocus. The other is a 13-megapixel ultra-wide / macro camera with a 120 degree field of view and an f/2.2 aperture. Up front, meanwhile, is a 32-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.4 aperture and a fixed focus. The 4,200 mAh non-removable battery supports 30W TurboPower charging as well as 5W wireless charging, although Motorola made no mention of battery life outside of "over a full day." Audio is handled via a pair of stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and Spatial Sound, but don't go looking for a headphone jack because you will not find one. You do get a standard USB Type-C port, however. The new Motorola Razr ships running Android 13 and is offered in four colorways including black, white, purple, and rose gold. Look for pre-orders to go live starting October 12 ahead of general availability on October 18. The testimonies have begun on the US vs. Sam Bankman-Fried criminal trial, with the latest witness being Caroline Ellison, known to be Alameda Research's former CEO and ex-girlfriend of the defendant. Here, she revealed massive information against Bankman-Fried, telling the court that she was directed by him to do illegal things for the company. Her claims are another massive blow to SBF's defense in his quest to prove his innocence in the many charges against him including fraud, conspiracy, and more. Caroline Ellison Testifies Against Sam Bankman-Fried (Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The Associated Press has reported the latest appearance of another disgraced executive from Alameda Research, Caroline Ellison, who testified against Sam Bankman-Fried last October 10. Here, she admitted her guilt and actions during her stint at FTX, claiming that she was involved in money laundering, committing fraud, and conspiracy during their management. As per Ellison, SBF was originally the CEO and owner of Alameda Research before he hired her in place of him, to "commit these crimes." In her previous case, Ellison pleaded guilty on the charges filed against her which included fraud and money laundering. Read Also: Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Starts: Here's What to Know Ellison: Alameda Took Money from FTX as per SBF In her words, Sam Bankman-Fried allegedly directed her to take money from FTX customers, amounting to billions of dollars to bring to Alameda Research. These funds were used to invest in multiple projects and pay off lenders. Ellison regarded that Alameda borrowed $14 billion from FTX customers and it was only able to repay some of it. Despite her previous concerns on the massive loans Alameda took from FTX, Ellisson always "defer" to Bankman-Fried because of his ownership of these companies. The court also asked her previous relationship with the defendant, saying that she joined the company in 2017, had a romantic and physical relationship in 2018, and ended everything back in 2022. Sam Bankman-Fried's Criminal Trial Sam Bankman-Fried's criminal trial only began last week, October 3, with many revelations already seen in his court from various claims and testimonies which are looking to prosecute him for his actions. The case was pushed by FTX, his former company, and the US government, looking into his alleged fraudulent actions that significantly affected customers. Apart from his case, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, SBF's parents, are also facing a lawsuit from FTX. The trial's proceedings saw different witnesses and testimonies that further hammer the nail to his fight to prove his innocence, with former Alameda and FTX executives revealing their stories. This case is expected to run until early November to review everything that has happened, and reach a verdict that would dictate the fate of the disgraced executive. Ellison's recent testimony adds gravity to the charges against SBF, with her also claiming her guilt from her past actions, avoiding jail time for her full cooperation in this investigation. Related Article: Sam Bankman-Fried Trial: FTX Co-Founder Accuses Alameda Research of 'Taking Customers' Money' 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tiktok's countless lawsuits were joined by Utah when it filed on Tuesday a suit concerning its deception to make "young consumers... hooked," Reuters reports. The Utah claim is the latest lawsuit challenging the popular software in the United States. The suit is accused of endangering children by purposely keeping young users on the short-video-sharing platform for excessive time. (Photo : Mourizal Zativa from Unsplash) Indonesia became the latest country to ban e-commerce transactions on social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook Utah's Attorney General Sean Reyes reportedly filed the lawsuit, claiming that TikTok is lying to them about the "safety of its app" through exploitation of its users via compulsive app watching and checking despite the terrible effects it has on the many aspects of their lives. According to Reuters, Utah's state court action, the videos use incredibly strong algorithms and manipulative design elements, many of which imitate characteristics of slot machines. As a result of these manipulative methods, young customers get addicted. TikTok responded to the action by saying it had industry-leading precautions for young people, such as an automatic 60-minute time restriction for users under 18 and parental controls for adolescent accounts. TikTok's Lawsuits TikTok has already been sued with similar lawsuits by Indiana and Arkansas, according to the report. At the same time, it has also been sued countless times for different reasons. Indiana's lawsuit last December 2022 described Tiktok as "a wolf in sheep's clothing," in one of its court documents, as reported by BBC. TikTok was claimed to have an algorithm that encourages "depicting alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; sexual content, nudity, and suggestive themes; and intense profanity," with its age rating on different app stores also drawing scrutiny. Read Also: Montana Seeks Judge Approval to Ban TikTok Amid Legal Challenge Indiana's Lawsuit has since then been pending in state court. TikTok Banning Concerns other than children's well-being have also been questioned by multiple lawsuits regarding the app when Forbes reported how 15+ lawsuits claimed it violated the Federal Wiretap Act. TikTok allegedly had access to any private information that the user entered on a third-party website through in-app browser use without the user's knowledge. The report states that questionable engagement practices of users have been monitored by Tiktok, specifically their keystrokes or a single press of any virtual button. A measure that Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat do not have. The company previously confirmed the presence of the questionable measures and code when it reportedly said functionalities are present in the app's source code; however, the corporation does not monitor users. The code parts are solely used for debugging, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring. According to TikTok's privacy policies, the firm gathers "certain information" about its users' devices, such as typing patterns or rhythms. With the various lawsuits, banning Tiktok within Congress has been discussed by various US senators, as reported by Forbes when Senator Michael Bennet called for it to be removed from Google and Apple App Stores. Bennet's concern stemmed from Tiktok's requirement from Chinese Law to "support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence work." Related Article: TikTok Ban in the US: Half of Americans Wants the Social Media Gone in the Country, As Per a Survey 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announced on Tuesday that it is planning to buy an open-source artificial intelligence (AI) software startup called Nod.ai to expand the tech giant's software capabilities. According to Reuters, the move is an extensive investment in the company's critical software necessary for its advanced AI chips to catch up with rival chipmaker Nvidia. (Photo : Timothy Dykes on Unsplash) AMD has recently fixed a vulnerability, but this then left a negative impact on its overall performance. AMD to Buy AI Software Startup Nod.ai In a press release, AMD noted that the acquisition would bring in Nod.ai's experienced staff, who developed an industry-leading software technology, to help accelerate the deployment of AI solutions optimized for AMD Instinct data center accelerators and other AMD processors. Vamsi Boppana, senior vice president of the Artificial Intelligence Group at AMD, celebrated the acquisition. Boppana said in the press release: "The acquisition of Nod.ai is expected to significantly enhance our ability to provide AI customers with open software that allows them to easily deploy highly performant AI models tuned for AMD hardware." "The addition of the talented Nod.ai team accelerates our ability to advance open-source compiler technology and enable portable, high-performance AI solutions across the AMD product portfolio. Nod.ai's technologies are already widely deployed in the cloud, at the edge and across a broad range of end point devices today," he added. Nod.ai's co-founder and CEO Anush Elangovan said Nod.ai was a primary maintainer and major contributor "to some of the world's most important AI repositories, including SHARK, Torch-MLIR, and OpenXLA/IREE code generation technology." Elangovan noted that their team of engineers focused on problem-solving and moving quickly "to develop solutions for the next set of problems." By joining forces with AMD, Elangovan said they will bring "this expertise to a broader range of customers on a global scale." Looking ahead, Reuters reported that AMD will expand the team with 300 additional hires this year and more in 2024. According to reports, this new acquisition is the second this year, as AMD also bought Mipsology, an AI software startup based in France, last August. AMD said Mipsology will contribute to the development of the company's full AI software stack, expanding its open ecosystem of software tools, libraries, and models to pave the way for streamlined deployment of AI models running on AMD hardware. Read Also: AMD Launches Ryzen 5 7500F - Its Most Affordable 6-Core CPU Right Now! AMD vs. Nvidia Nvidia has gained a significant lead in the AI processor industry over the past decade through its software and the software developer community. According to a recent report, Nvidia has "quadrupled" its Data center revenue, staying billions ahead of AMD between 2021 and the first half of 2023. In the 2023 second-quarter earnings report, Nvidia has reported $10.3 billion worth of revenue. AMD is behind, with only $1.3 billion in revenue in the same quarter. Adobe has recently partnered with Nvidia for its new apps and updates. Nvidia A's GPUs are reportedly helping accelerate these apps and AI effects, providing artists, creators, and others with massive time savings, specifically for the Adobe Firefly, Adobe Premiere Pro, Lightroom, After Effects and Substance 3D Stager, Modeler and Sampler. Meanwhile, Microsoft is rumored to join other tech giants in making its own AI chips to reduce its dependency on Nvidia technology. Microsoft reportedly codenamed the new AI chip "Athena." Related Article: Leaker Reveals NVIDIA's RTX 5090 May Run With 24,576 Cuda Cores-Just How Powerful Is It? 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The worldwide movement to curb cigarette use in public spaces reached a significant milestone when cigarette sales were banned in several countries. Bhutan became a catalyst for many nations after it banned cigarette sales in 2010. Singapore also stands out, as it has implemented a stringent no-smoking policy in public spaces between 2013 and 2017. (Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 07: A woman smokes a cigarette of marijuana in an Amsterdam cafe on February 7, 2007 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Anti-Smoking Law Reduces Heart Attack Rates in Singapore A group of scientists has evaluated the impact of Singapore's legislation on heart attack rates. To conduct this assessment, Interesting Engineering reported that the researchers meticulously examined monthly data gathered from the Singapore Myocardial Infarction Registry between January 2010 and December 2019. The research findings shed light on the impact of Singapore's smoking restrictions, particularly after their expansion in 2013 to encompass more public spaces. Before this extension, the rate of heart attacks surged at a monthly rate of 0.9 per million individuals. However, following the 2013 expansion, this rate dwindled to 0.6 per million. The study conducted a meticulous analysis, revealing that without implementing these legislative measures, an additional 19,591 heart attacks may have occurred in individuals aged 65 and above. The number was notably lower at 1,325 for those under 65. Moreover, it was observed that the elderly demographic and male individuals reaped the greatest benefits from the broader smoke-free legislation. These findings find support in a comprehensive meta-analysis that included 18 prior studies conducted across Europe, North America, and New Zealand. This broader analysis showed an overall 13% reduction in the risk of heart attacks following the implementation of smoke-free legislation. However, the research also brings attention to a subsequent development. Read Also: Does Cigarette Smoking Speed Up Aging? New Study Has an Answer Findings of the Study While the study acknowledged that there wasn't a substantial decline in heart attack cases after the 2017 legislation, it emphasized that an average reduction in rates was witnessed across all age groups and in both genders. The researchers accessed monthly reports of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) cases from the Singapore Myocardial Infarction Registry from January 2010 to December 2019. The National Registry of Diseases Office (NRDO) diligently maintains this invaluable database and is responsible for tracking specific diseases in Singapore. Notably, AMI notifications to the NRDO are legally mandated under the National Registry of Diseases Act. For the analysis, the researchers employed the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 410 to identify AMI cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2011. Subsequently, for cases diagnosed from 2012 onwards, they relied on the ICD-10 (Australian Modification) codes I21 and I22. The research methodology aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) framework for Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease. Within this approach, an AMI is considered a distinct case if it occurs 28 days or more after a previous AMI. Additionally, the research team subjected their diagnoses to rigorous central adjudication by physicians. To ensure accuracy, these physicians based their assessments on medical records, clinical presentations, and laboratory test results. Annual audits were conducted with a minimum compliance threshold of 95% to maintain data precision and inter-rater reliability. To calculate the monthly incidence of AMIs per 1,000,000 population, the researchers divided the total number of AMI reports each month by the monthly population estimates. Related Article: Adult Smokers With Mental Disorder Tops the Charts in Caffeine Consumption, Research Says 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Mercedes-Maybach has forged an innovative partnership with Space Perspective, the world's pioneering carbon-neutral spaceflight experience provider. This collaboration presents an unprecedented opportunity for those with a penchant for extraordinary space adventures, offering an eco-conscious and opulent journey to the lofty altitude of 100,000 feet into space. (Photo : Mercedes-Benz Media Newsroom USA) Oct 9, 2023 Stuttgart/Florida Space Coast, USA. Mercedes-Maybach, Space Perspective Introduce Spaceship Neptune The voyage to the spacecraft is made possible through the utilization of Mercedes-Maybach's electric vehicles. Defining sustainable luxury in this visionary venture, the companies introduce Spaceship Neptune, a spacecraft hailed as the most sustainable, accessible, and secure mode of space travel on or above our planet. Interesting Engineering reported that the Spaceship Neptune is an amalgamation of the SpaceBalloon, Reserve Descent System, and Neptune Capsule. This distinctive approach sets it apart as a trailblazing example of sustainable, luxurious space travel. Unlike traditional spacecraft, where the crewed compartment separates from one flight system to another mid-flight, Spaceship Neptune's capsule remains securely tethered to the SpaceBalloon throughout the entire journey, ensuring a seamlessly safe and gentle flight experience. The SpaceBalloon achieves its voyage to space without using environmentally harmful engines. Instead, it relies on renewable hydrogen for its propulsion, setting it apart as the only carbon-neutral spacecraft in the world. This exceptional characteristic makes it suitable for accommodating travelers with a wide range of health conditions. In contrast to traditional rocket launches that involve rapid takeoffs, the SpaceBalloon offers a gradual ascent, ascending at a leisurely 12 miles per hour. This design ensures the experience is accessible to individuals who meet the medical prerequisites for commercial airline travel. The balloon technology has a proven track record, having served on numerous missions with NASA and government agencies for many years, transporting valuable research equipment and sensitive instruments. To enhance safety measures, the spacecraft is outfitted with robust parachutes designed to guarantee a secure landing in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Remarkably, these parachutes are acclaimed by the company for their impeccable track record of a 100 percent success rate. Read Also: A 23-ton Chinese Space Junk Will Crash Back to Earth on Friday - Where Will it Land? Spaceship Neptune to Accommodate 8 Passengers The Mercedes-Maybach's press release revealed that the spacecraft's luxurious interior can comfortably accommodate up to eight passengers, providing them with opulent seating arrangements that afford breathtaking panoramic views of the surroundings. In addition, passengers can stay connected during their journey thanks to onboard Wi-Fi, allowing them to share captivating photos and update their loved ones on Earth about their unique space adventures. The spacecraft is also equipped to facilitate scientific missions, providing a platform for ongoing space travel research. Onboard passengers will have access to a selection of aromatic plants such as lavender, basil, and rosemary, which can be used to create delightful beverages. The interior is thoughtfully designed with spacious surroundings that allow all passengers to stand, move around, and socialize while savoring the awe-inspiring Earth views. Spaceship Neptune offers the flexibility of launching from either marine-based or land-based sites. For marine-based operations, the company employs the MS Voyager, specially designed to ensure the safe and secure recovery of the spacecraft from the sea. Autoweek reported that an environmentally conscious approach is evident as the MS Voyager is being retrofitted to utilize low-carbon biofuel, aligning with Space Perspective's sustainability commitment. The vessel will commence marine operations during test flights set to resume in 2023. Related Article: How Tesla's Technological Breakthrough Could Change the EV Industry 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. JERUSALEM, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Number of fatalities in Hamas' attack on Israel has reached at least 1,200, an Israeli military spokesperson said on Wednesday. The spokesperson also confirmed that the number of injuries in Israel since Saturday's attack began surpassed 2,700. Meanwhile, more than 900 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza, including 260 children and 230 women, and 4,500 others injured, according to figures released by the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza on Tuesday night. Southeast Asian countries have reportedly drafted a "guide" to AI ethics and governance that is business-friendly and does not align with the European Union's "AI Act." Citing three sources, Reuters reported that the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has sent the draft to various technology companies for feedback. Meta, IBM, and Google are reportedly among these companies. The draft's finalization is expected in January 2024 during the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting. According to Reuters, ministers from the 10 member states of ASEAN agreed in February to develop an "AI guide" for some 668 million people in the region, but details of the discussions have not been reported. The "AI guide" aims to "balance the economic benefits of the technology with its many risks." The guide is said to be created as a warning of the dangers of AI being used for disinformation, "deepfakes," and impersonation, but it remains government-sensitive and specific, allowing nations to determine how best to respond. (Photo : Parradee Kietsirikul / iStock) ASEAN On Developing the 'AI Guide' Singapore has supported the ASEAN guide on AI governance and ethics. A spokesman for the country's Ministry for Communications and Information told Reuters that as chair of the 2024 meeting, the government would be collaborating with other ASEAN states "to develop an 'ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics' that will serve as a practical and implementable step to support the trusted deployment of responsible and innovative AI technologies in ASEAN." The other ASEAN countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Read Also: EU, UN Express Concern Over the Risk of Tech Like AI and Quantum Computing Being Weaponized by Countries Like China ASEAN's 'AI Guide' vs. EU's 'AI Act' ASEAN's "AI guide" is seen as a major blow to the EU's global aspirations of AI governance through its "AI Act," which has stricter provisions. Reuters reported that the EU has found it difficult to get worldwide agreement with these tighter proposed regulations. These new AI rules for tech firms reportedly include disclosure of copyrighted and AI-generated content. EU's "AI Act" is still being deliberated. In contrast, the ASEAN's "AI guide" is reportedly more lax than the EU's " AI act" as it is voluntary. It reportedly does not prescribe unacceptable risk categories and is only meant to guide domestic regulations. Since it limits the compliance burden with a relatively hands-off approach, technology executives noted that the "AI guide" is more business-friendly. The ASEAN "AI guide" reportedly asks companies to consider countries' cultural differences. It also advises companies to implement an AI risk assessment structure and AI governance training but leaves specifics to firms and local regulators. It also warned about the risks of AI being used for misinformation and "deepfakes," but it leaves it to each country to determine the best response. The EU has previously discussed with various Asian countries about the "AI Act" in hopes of making it a global standard. However, the preference of ASEAN to allow its member states to make their own policy puts these countries on a distinctly different track from the EU. Related Article: British Lawmakers Join EU in Halting Live Facial Recognition 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured a mesmerizing infrared view of NGC 346, a vibrant star-forming region in the Small Magellanic Cloud. This region, situated in the southern constellation Tucana, represents the brightest and most expansive of such stellar nurseries within this satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Traditionally viewed as more primitive than our galaxy, the Small Magellanic Cloud exhibits a lower abundance of heavy elements, key constituents for the creation of cosmic dust. Intriguing Discovery of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Contrary to expectations, the recent image from Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) reveals a substantial presence of dust within NGC 346. This intriguing discovery challenges previous assumptions about the composition of the Small Magellanic Cloud. The image, rendered in representative colors, showcases blue tendrils, indicative of emissions from materials including dusty silicates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - sooty chemical molecules. Additionally, diffuse red emissions emanate from warm dust as a result of the illumination by the region's most brilliant and massive stars. There is also an arc towards the center-left, likely a reflection of light from a star positioned at the arc's center, according to NASA. Moreover, well-defined patches and filaments mark areas teeming with budding stars. The research team identified 1,001 pinpoint light sources, predominantly youthful stars still enshrouded in their dusty birth cocoons. The combined use of Webb's near-infrared and mid-infrared data enables astronomers to compile a comprehensive census of the stars and protostars populating this dynamic expanse. These findings hold implications for our comprehension of galaxies that thrived billions of years ago, during a period referred to as "cosmic noon," characterized by a zenith of star formation and diminished concentrations of heavy elements, similar to the conditions observed in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Read Also: NASA James Webb Achieves One of Its First Major Science Goals After Probing the Atmosphere of TRAPPIST Planet The Cosmic Tapestry of the Orion Nebula In related news, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope recently unveiled a mesmerizing tapestry within the Orion Nebula, showcasing a stellar spectacle that defies the imagination. These awe-inspiring images, now accessible through the European Space Agency's ESASky application, offer a portal into the heart of one of the night sky's most glorious wonders. These captivating new images were acquired using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera, NIRCam. The telescope has created two expansive mosaics, one from the short-wavelength channel and another from the long-wavelength channel. These mosaics are among the largest datasets collected by Webb to date. Due to their exceptional resolution and expansive coverage, they have been integrated into ESASky, offering a convenient platform for exploring the multitude of intriguing astronomical sources they contain. Related Article: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Captures Evidence of Carbon Dioxide, Methane on Larger-Than-Earth Exoplanet 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Drone manufacturer Wingcopter has joined forces with the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, REWE Group, Vodafone, Riese & Muller, and the city of Michelstadt for a pioneering initiative aimed at delivering groceries to residents in remote areas of Germany. Wingcopter Drone Deliveries in Germany Under the banner of "LieferMichel," the project employs a combination of Wingcopter delivery drones and cargo bikes to swiftly and emissions-free transport groceries and consumer goods to the homes of residents in the outlying districts of Rehbach and Wurzberg, located outside of Michelstadt. Customers can place orders for a variety of non-perishable goods, which Wingcopter then flies to designated landing points on the outskirts of the villages. From there, electric cargo bikes handle the final leg of the delivery process. The project, dubbed "Drohnen-Lastenrad-Express-Belieferung" ("Drone-Cargo Bike Express Delivery"), is designed to enhance local supply chains sustainably, with a particular focus on regions facing logistical challenges. Initially, the offerings will include a diverse range of products from the local REWE store, with plans to integrate additional local retailers into the platform over time. The Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences oversees the project's scientific evaluation, assessing its economic and ecological impact. The university also manages the cargo bike operations, leveraging its expertise in last-mile logistics using cargo bikes and light electric vehicles (LEVs). Collaborators on the project include the city of Michelstadt, REWE, Vodafone, and Riese & Muller. Vodafone is responsible for furnishing the requisite mobile communications infrastructure to ensure seamless communication between the Wingcopter drones and the ground station throughout the flight. Riese & Muller, an e-bike pioneer based in the Odenwald region, is supplying the cargo bikes for the initiative. Read Also: Researchers Turn to AI to Prevent Autonomous Drone Collisions All-Electric Drone Deliveries The villages involved have witnessed the closure of numerous local retailers, necessitating residents to travel considerable distances to fulfill their shopping needs. LieferMichel offers a more convenient alternative, particularly for smaller errands weighing up to 4 kilograms. Additionally, the use of all-electric delivery drones is an environmentally conscious option compared to conventional car travel, according to Wingcopter. Building on the insights gained from the Michelstadt pilot, the project aims to develop a sustainable and scalable business model that can enhance local supply chains in other rural regions of Germany. While smaller stores have dwindled in rural areas, speedy delivery services have predominantly been confined to urban centers. The project partners see significant potential in expanding such services. The initiative is slated to run until the conclusion of 2023, with plans for continuation contingent on its success. "We are really proud to pilot LieferMichel, the first drone delivery service for groceries and everyday goods in Germany. Our biggest goal is to gain experience and evaluate, together with the residents, an environmentally friendly and efficient service that creates real added value for the population in rural areas," Tom Plummer, CEO of Wingcopter, said in a press release statement. "We are deeply grateful for the hospitality of the people of Odenwald and the openness with which they have welcomed the project and the LieferMichel team," Plummer added. Related Article: How AtlasNEST System Uses Drones to Make Airports Safer 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a historic gesture, Denmark has officially granted the creators of Bluetooth technology the right to use the name and symbol of Danish King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson for the next 1,000 years. According to AFP, the Jelling museum, the custodian of the eponymous runestones that tell the story of the king and his family, has extended this unique authorization. Harald Blatand Gormsson, known colloquially as Harald "Bluetooth," held a pivotal role in 10th-century northern Europe. The historical figure is famous for his adoption of Christianity, forsaking the veneration of Odin and Thor, which remains a significant aspect of his reign. The Meaning Behind the Bluetooth Symbol The Bluetooth symbol, often recognized as a combination of two runes from the Nordic alphabet, represents the initials of Harald "Bluetooth "Gormsson. King Harald is renowned for uniting Denmark and parts of Norway during his reign and for his efforts to promote Christianity in Scandinavia. The Bluetooth technology, developed by Ericsson, was named after King Harald as a symbolic gesture to signify its purpose: to unite and connect various electronic devices, just as King Harald united tribes and regions. The designers chose this name to reflect the technology's ambition to facilitate wireless communication and collaboration between various devices, regardless of their make or model. The Bluetooth logo combines the initials "H" and "B" of King Harald in the Nordic runes, creating a unique and recognizable symbol for the technology. Jim Kardach, one of the architects of this technology, previously said, "The idea behind the new technology was that it should connect and unify. Just like Harald Bluetooth did when he unified Denmark and Norway." Reflecting on their nomenclature choice, Kardach expressed remorse for not seeking prior approval. He acknowledged it as a rather audacious move on their part. This unprecedented permission is more than a symbolic gesture. It marks a convergence of ancient history with modern technology, paying homage to a ruler whose legacy of unification resonates even in the digital age. Read Also: macOS 12.3.1 Update Bug Fixes: PlayStation, Xbox Controllers, Bluetooth Devices Now Works Fine Bluetooth's History The first official Bluetooth specification, version 1.0, was released in 1999, marking its entry into the market. Initially used for hands-free calling, Bluetooth quickly expanded its capabilities to include file transfer, data synchronization, and internet connectivity. Successive versions of Bluetooth, like 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, have brought improvements in data transfer speeds, range, and power efficiency. It became widely adopted in devices such as smartphones, laptops, speakers, and IoT devices. Bluetooth 5.0, introduced in 2016, revolutionized the technology with higher speeds, extended range, and support for mesh networking, crucial for IoT applications. Subsequent versions, like 5.1 and 5.2, brought features like precise positioning and improved audio quality. Today, Bluetooth is integral in enabling wireless communication across various devices, from audio streaming to smart home automation and healthcare devices. Related Article: Life360 Buys Bluetooth Tracking Company Tile for $205 Million | Apple Find My Network Competitor 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple's unshakeable dominance in the smartphone market is no secret, and as it turns out, the tech giant is cashing in on it in a rather substantial way. Recent reports have unveiled the staggering revelation that Google pays Apple a jaw-dropping $18 billion to $20 billion annually to secure its place as the iPhone's dominant search engine. But as the tech giants continue to bolster each other's fortunes, the US Department of Justice is eyeing this colossal deal with regulatory suspicion. A Whopping Annual Payment In a revelation first shared by The Register, Google's annual payment to Apple for its iPhone search engine dominance ranges from $18 billion to a staggering $20 billion. This bombshell came to light as part of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit brought against Google by the US Department of Justice, where the Information Services Agreement (ISA) between Apple and Google takes center stage. This colossal sum constitutes a substantial portion of Apple's annual operating profits, accounting for 14-16%. Antitrust Investigation Looms As the US Department of Justice continues its relentless pursuit of antitrust allegations against Google, the ISA between Apple and Google has emerged as a key exhibit. Experts speculate that the federal court may rule against Google, forcing the tech giant to sever its search deal with Apple. This could not only reshape the financial landscape for both companies but also potentially disrupt their longstanding collaboration. Apple's Secret Revenue Stream While Apple tightly guards the details of its Services division, Google openly reports the money it disburses to Apple under its traffic acquisition costs (TAC) to distribution partners. This financial report shared by The Register reveals that Apple is likely pocketing around 40% of Google's TAC expenses. This figure, which amounts to an estimated $19.5 billion in 2022, underscores the financial symbiosis between the two tech titans. Read Also: Apple Watch X in 2024, 2025 Will NOT Have Massive Changes says Kuo What's Next? While the fate of this monumental agreement hangs in the balance, it is essential to note that a verdict in the Google antitrust case is not imminent. The legal proceedings may extend into 2024, and an appeals process is anticipated. Despite the uncertainties, the economic impact on Apple is expected to be manageable. Android Authority notes that Apple maintains control over its installed base, generating over $60 billion in advertising revenues. As such, even without the Google partnership, it could continue to command a commission in the 25-30% range for providing access to those lucrative search advertising revenues. Apple's Strategic Responses Should the regulatory tides shift against Google, Apple has options. MacRumors claims that the tech giant could explore partnerships with other search engines, such as Microsoft's Bing, or even consider launching its search engine. Such strategic maneuvers would undoubtedly capture the interest of regulators. However, this opportunity could signal a new era of competition in the search engine market. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Apple to Address French Radiation Concerns with iPhone 12 Software Update 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Amazon faces a major legal issue as it marks Prime Day, one of its largest sales occasions. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is pursuing a vigorous antitrust prosecution against the e-commerce behemoth, arguing that Amazon has hindered vendors from providing their goods at reduced rates on other platforms. The legal action is the FTC's largest-scale attempt to counteract Amazon's market dominance and alleged anticompetitive behavior, according to AP News. mazon has come to represent e-commerce due to the ease of its online shopping and quick shipping. FTC Taking Aggressive Action The FTC, under the direction of Chair Lina Khan, has taken aggressive action against significant US corporations in response to what many consider years of insufficient antitrust enforcement. Despite failures to prohibit Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Meta's acquisition of virtual reality firm Within Unlimited, the FTC continues to pursue antitrust cases. The fact that Lina Khan is involved in the Amazon lawsuit completes the circle. She wrote a notable scholarly article titled "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox" while a Yale Law student in 2017. Khan criticized the conventional method of evaluating anticompetitive activity only by its effects on pricing in the article. She argued in favor of a more progressive strategy that takes corporate concentration's effects on the wider market into account. President Joe Biden appointed Khan to lead the FTC two years ago, suggesting a harsher approach to antitrust enforcement. Amazon tried in vain to have Khan recuse herself from the inquiries against the firm, claiming she was prejudiced. Read Also: Elon Musk's X to Take Crisis Response as Misinformation Surges Amid Israel-Hamas War The FTC's present objective is to demonstrate in court that Amazon is a monopoly that is stifling competition by abusing its position of market dominance. If this effort is successful, according to Khan, there will be more choices, higher quality, and cheaper pricing due to increasing competition. The legal fight may last years, including administrations, court cases, and accords. A federal judge rejected the District of Columbia's antitrust case against Amazon last year, but California's will be tried in 2026. Breaking Down Amazon's Market Dominance Will Benefit Everyone Amazon's Prime Day sale offers alluring discounts and tries to lock customers into its premium Prime loyalty program, giving it a competitive edge, per The Boston Globe. Although the FTC's antitrust action has important ramifications, shoppers may put more emphasis on discounts and sales than the fight against Amazon. Amazon's 40% market share in US online shopping and adult use of Amazon Prime makes it a powerful e-commerce player. Stacy Mitchell, Co-Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, favors both FTC legal action and Amazon division to boost competition and drive the online company to improve. She believes Amazon's dominant position might limit online buying and must be addressed to protect online marketplaces. "The idea of a breakup isn't to break Amazon as a convenient way to shop, but rather to save Amazon from itself. Otherwise, we're just going to see a diminishing of our experience online... When you have this kind of monopoly power, you don't have to work for it," Mitchell said, as quoted by NPR. " Related Article: Caroline Ellison Testifies: Alameda Took Money from FTX Under Sam Bankman-Fried's Direction 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Global automaker Hyundai Motors is poised to break new ground by producing electric vehicles (EVs) under the brand Arcfox, a venture it shares with Chinese automaker BAIC Motor Corp. With this collaboration, the South Korean company sees the Chinese EV industry booming soon especially since it's the largest market in the world. Is Arcfox Alpha S a Tesla KnockOff? Arcfox, a product of the Hyundai-BAIC collaboration, emerged in 2017 as a 50-50 joint venture. This electric vehicle brand has introduced multiple models, including the striking Alpha S. At first glance, it could pass as a Tesla knockoff, since its design is quite similar to the Tesla Model S, not to mention its likeness with IONIQ 6, according to Electrek. More recently, Arcfox unveiled the "HI" version, featuring cutting-edge Huawei technology that further mirrors Tesla's renowned style. Hyundai's Drive to Revive Market Share Hyundai's presence in the Chinese EV market has faced significant challenges. The automaker's market share plummeted from 7% to less than 1% in the past year, resulting in only 254,000 units sold. Furthermore, Beijing Hyundai reported an operating loss of approximately $598 million (800 billion won) as Hyundai grappled to gain a foothold. Hyundai's decision to manufacture Arcfox EVs under its brand in China represents a bold and determined strategy. It's a clear signal that the automaker is unwilling to relinquish its presence in the Chinese market. "The cooperation suggests Hyundai has yet to give up the Chinese market. Hyundai is trying to rebuild a bridgehead for expansion in the country by establishing an EV production line," one source told KED Global. By establishing an EV production line, Hyundai aims to rebuild its position in the country and reignite interest in its offerings. Related Article: Toyota Unveils Baby Lunar Cruiser Concept to Celebrate US Studio Design's 50th Anniversary Hyundai's Struggles in Chinese Market Since 2017, Hyundai has faced hurdles in the Chinese market due to tensions between Beijing and Seoul. The absence of dedicated EV models further hampered Hyundai's prospects, as Chinese consumers favored alternatives. Even then, manufacturing Arcfox EVs provides Hyundai with an opportunity to reestablish its presence in China. The production, design, and quality control of these vehicles will likely take place at Hyundai's No. 3 plant in Beijing. As part of its streamlining efforts, the automaker sold one of its five factories in China to Li Auto in 2021. This move allowed Hyundai to focus on more strategic endeavors in the Chinese automotive landscape. Hyundai's foray into manufacturing Arcfox EVs represents a significant step towards reinvigorating its position in China's burgeoning EV market, and it highlights the company's commitment to innovative solutions in a competitive industry. Meanwhile, Hyundai India plans to increase production for Exter SUVs so it can compete with other competitors. Read Also: Mercedes-Maybach Partners With Space Perspective for Eco-Luxury Space Travel 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) have puzzled scientists for years. These are intense, brief bursts of energy that radiate from distant corners of the cosmos. Despite extensive research, the origins and mechanisms behind FRBs remain shrouded in mystery. However, a recent study suggests a compelling hypothesis: could these mysterious blasts be linked to what scientists refer to as "starquakes"? Connecting the Dots Between FRBs and Earthquakes Researchers have noted interesting findings between FRBs and earthquakes. According to The Independent, the notion that these bursts could be akin to the seismic activity experienced by our planet's surface is both intriguing and unprecedented. Neutron stars, which form when supergiant stars collapse into extraordinarily dense, compact objects, are believed to be one potential source of FRBs. To delve deeper into this hypothesis, scientists scrutinized data from nearly 7,000 FRBs sourced from various locations in space, where repetitive bursts are emanating. By examining the temporal and energetic aspects of these FRBs, researchers set out to establish connections with seismic events on Earth, particularly earthquakes. Exploring Solar Flares as a Dead End Comparisons between FRBs and solar flares revealed minimal correlations, leading researchers down a different path of inquiry. However, when the focus shifted to earthquakes, a striking resemblance began to emerge. Tomonori Totani, a lead researcher from the University of Tokyo, shares his findings. "The results show notable similarities between FRBs and earthquakes, such as the probability of an aftershock occurring, the rate of aftershock occurrence in relation to time, a consistent aftershock rate, and the absence of correlation between main shock and aftershock energies," Totani says. Related Article: Gaia Space Probe Finds Weird 'Starquakes' in the Milky Way Through 3D Map The Theory of Neutron Star 'Starquakes' This discovery has spurred a theory that posits the existence of a solid crust on the outer surface of neutron stars. Much like our planet experiences seismic events, these neutron stars could undergo "starquakes" that unleash potent surges of energy, eventually reaching us as FRBs. Further exploration is required to cement the connection between FRBs and starquakes and to glean insights into these cosmic enigmas. In the words of Professor Totani, studying starquakes on distant ultradense stars can allow them to gain new insights into earthquakes and very high-density matter. This groundbreaking research is detailed in the paper titled "Fast radio bursts trigger aftershocks resembling earthquakes, but not solar flares," featured in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. In other news, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope snapped an infrared view of a vibrant star region located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The huge space observatory was able to capture the image in its full colors. The compilation of data has helped the researchers to observe how the stars and the protostars occupy the whole spatial region. For more space-related news, always visit Tech Times for updates. Read Also: How NASA's Roman Mission Prepares for the Upcoming Data Deluge 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Military experts have expressed grave worries about Hamas' use of novel methods in a recent massive terror strike against Israel. Along with motorized gliders to sneak heavily armed terrorists into Israel from Gaza, Hamas used weaponized commercial drones to damage fixed Israeli defenses. Hamas attacked vulnerable Israeli military locations using commercial four-rotor drones with a mortar-like payload, NDTV reported. Military analysts throughout the world are concerned that insurgencies and extremist groups may emulate this inventive use of commercial drones. According to The New York Times, Hamas has previously tried to target communication towers using low-tech techniques, such as flying flaming kites over the Gaza Strip in 2018. But in the most recent terror attempt on Israel, Hamas launched an assault using a horde of commercial drones fitted with tiny explosives. This new strategy surprised the Israeli defensive forces, along with the deployment of motorized gliders and bulldozers to cross the border. Israel's Defense Struggled Against Hamas Drones Despite being armored on the sides, the Israeli monitoring towers along the border barrier were roofless. The result was that the drones' explosives struck the gunner's seat directly, taking out Israel's first line of border defense. Footage also showed Hamas effectively damaging an Israeli Merkava Mark IV tank, which cost around $3.5 million. It looked like a drone dropped a mortar during the strike. Since tanks often have thinner armor on the top, man-portable anti-tank missile systems frequently take advantage of this vulnerability. Iron Dome is Israel's sophisticated air defense system. However, it is hypothesized that the thousands of rockets that were launched overhead at the beginning of the operation functioned as a "smokescreen," allowing the Hamas attack drones to break through and hit strategic targets with their lower trajectories, straining the Iron Dome, according to a report from Insider. Read Also: Israel's Iron Dome: How the Defense System Safeguards Against Rocket Threats Drone Tech is Changing Modern Warfare The availability of commercial drones, which are easy to find at nearby electronics stores, distinguishes this attack strategy from others. These are the same drones that are frequently used to make videos for Instagram and YouTube. The first recorded sighting of commercial drones used in military operations in the war in Ukraine. Small drones armed with homemade hand grenades and mortar shells were used to attack the Russian military's armored divisions in Ukraine, where they were up against overwhelming odds. This innovative strategy was quite successful because tiny drones, which could devastate troops or cripple vehicles for a small fraction of the price of an armored personnel carrier, posed a serious threat to bigger military formations. Bernard Hudson, a drone technology entrepreneur and former CIA intelligence chief, posted his concern on X, asking if Western powers have stronger defenses against the threat of armed commercial drones. This video cannot yet be verified but it appears to be a Hamas drone dropping an explosive on the top of an Israeli border guard tower. Are the fixed defenses of other Western powers any better protected against this threat? https://t.co/cTjUtNZmvp Bernard K Hudson (@BernardHudson18) October 7, 2023 Recognizing the expanding threat that drones offer in modern-day war situations, several governments have invested in anti-drone technologies, including jammers to destroy or override drone functions. Related Article: Israeli Woman Discovers Grandmother's Tragic Hamas Murder via Disturbing Facebook Video 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. California became the first state to ban four potentially dangerous food and drink additives, boosting food safety. Numerous nations throughout the world have already outlawed these compounds, which have been related to a number of illnesses, including cancer. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Food Safety Act, banning brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red color 3 from food and drinks. Products like candies, fruit drinks, biscuits, and others often include these ingredients. The law's proponents clarify that this does not imply that well-liked items would abruptly disappear from store shelves. Rather, businesses will need to change their recipes to offer the same food and beverage goods made with healthier components. What Makes These Food Chemicals Harmful? The governor, who signed the legislation on Saturday, said, "Californians will still be able to access and enjoy their favorite food products, with greater confidence in the safety of such products," as quoted in a report from NPR. The California law will not take effect until 2027, giving firms plenty of time to alter their recipes and remove these harmful food ingredients. Food appearance and shelf life can be improved with each of the four additives. For instance, strong red coloring is still added to foods and medications using red dye No. 3, which the FDA has prohibited from cosmetics owing to its connection to cancer in experimental animals. Health research indicated that artificial food dyes and behavioral issues in kids, especially hyperactivity, may be related, according to NBC News. Read Also: COVID-19 Can Trigger Autoimmune Diseases, Warns Korean Study In studies using animals, potassium bromate, a wheat ingredient used to increase bread rise, has also been connected to cancer. Brominated vegetable oil, an emulsifier in citrus beverages, has been linked to lab animal behavioral and reproductive difficulties and other health disorders. An endocrine disruptor, propylparaben, is a preservative found in food and cosmetics that is considered to imitate estrogen. Food Manufacturers Slam California's Move Meanwhile, food manufacturers worry about California's ban on food additives, even if health experts support it. They say a hodgepodge of state and FDA food rules will lead to confusion. The National Confectioners Association (NCA) said "California is once again making decisions based on soundbites rather than science," warning that this measure might damage consumer confidence and boost food prices. "This law replaces a uniform national food safety system with a patchwork of inconsistent state requirements created by legislative fiat that will increase food costs," the NCA stated, as quoted by the New York Post. Similar legislation, Assembly Bill A6424, has been filed in the New York Legislature. The same four food chemicals banned by California are the focus of the proposed measure, which also includes titanium dioxide. Due to health concerns, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Gatorade, and Panera have voluntarily removed these ingredients, while other food manufacturers still use them in their products. Related Article: Shocking Study Reveals 1 in 7 Adults, 1 in 8 Children Addicted to Ultra-Processed Foods 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Plans for the launch of a new global research centre on sustainability transition of the tourism sector has been announced, with support from the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. The centre will be a high-level reference body for research aimed at accelerating the travel and tourism sectors transition to climate neutrality, said a Saudi Press Agency report. The centre aims to provide best practices that cater to the needs of the entire travel and tourism sector, which includes major multinational companies with specific goals and extensive experiences, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises, which make up 80% of the sector. Furthermore, the centre will focus on various areas of work such as exploring renewable energy alternatives, efficient resource management, and reducing emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3. It will also aim to find ways to minimize food and resource waste, including water, while simultaneously protecting nature and supporting local communities. Given that the travel and tourism industry is responsible for over 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative to take measures to reduce these emissions. Without firm action, carbon emissions in the sector are projected to increase to 20% by 2030. Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb emphasised that this initiative builds upon the decision to establish the Global Center for Sustainable Tourism in Saudi Arabia, which was announced by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince during the Saudi Green Initiative in October 2021. He also highlighted the center's commitment to providing global solutions that empower small and medium enterprises, travel destinations, and travelers, equipping them with valuable resources to make informed decisions. Al-Khateeb said: Our goal is that the center will be a leading global center that provides indispensable tools and solutions to all stakeholders, with the support of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the Ministry of Tourism. Through these efforts, we aim to empower and support the travel and tourism sector to adopt environmental solutions and support prosperity. As the first train of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP), carrying Bangladeshi Prime Minister, departed from a new station on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka on Tuesday, the first section of the biggest railway in Bangladesh formally opened. The PBRLP, one of significant projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Bangladesh, was built by the China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Netflix plans to raise its ad-free subscription rate, per reports. The streaming giant will likely increase its fees when the Hollywood actors' strike ends, marking the first price hike since January 2022. Although the precise amount of the price rise is still unknown, it is anticipated to first impact the US and Canada before spreading to other countries, like with prior pricing increases. Netflix CFO Spence Neumann told investors in July that major regions like the US will not see pricing rises for at least a year, according to What Hi-Fi. Consumers are struggling with the surging costs of various streaming services, which has put pressure on the streaming business, which has witnessed consistent streaming service price hikes in recent years. This is known as "streamflation." Within the previous 18 months, platforms including Netflix, Disney+, Discovery+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime (including Prime Video) have all increased their membership costs. Additionally, streaming services are looking for innovative ways to make money, such as implementing ad-supported tiers and forbidding password sharinga strategy that Netflix first popularized and that rivals like Disney+ have now adopted. Users' Reaction on Upcoming Netflix Subscription Price Increase Concerns are raised regarding the potential effects of the impending Netflix subscription price increase on the platform's millions of subscribers. Recent research conducted by CivicScience shows that 29% of current or future Netflix customers would choose an ad-free plan, such as Netflix Standard or Premium, by starting or continuing their membership. However, 39% of respondents stated that they would end their membership if a price rise became effective. An analysis of the data shows that individuals who pay $15.49 per month for ad-free services are likely to keep doing so if the price rises. A small percentage would upgrade to the more current $6.99/month Netflix Standard plan with advertising, but more than one-third would consider canceling their subscription. Read Also: Israel-Hamas War: How Hamas Used Commercial Drones in Recent Terror Attack It is projected that customers who consume Netflix content frequently will be most affected by a subscription price hike. If there is a price increase, ad-free subscriptions are expected to decline significantly for these consumers. Particularly, monthly subscribers are anticipated to migrate to the ad-based plan and are the most likely to think about stopping their membership. Consumers Feel the Impact of 'Streamflation' Streamflation has hurt customers' finances and confidence, reducing their usage of streaming services. Data from CivicScience shows that 33% of US consumers have already cut back on their streaming subscription expenditures or intend to do so, up from 28% in January. Additionally, the number of people with four or more streaming subscriptions has been declining month over month, following a trend seen all year. The upcoming Netflix subscription price increase occurs as Hollywood's operations get back up after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Initiating voting on a new contract with major Hollywood companies, including Netflix, the WGA just called off its strike. According to The Verge, the WGA will have access to streaming data from streaming providers as part of the new deal, giving authors information on how well their material is performing. The deal sets an 18% minimum raise in pay for high-budget films and 26% residuals for streaming feature writers. The WGA calculates that the new deal will only cost Netflix 0.2% of its yearly income. Related Article: Amazon Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit on Eve of Prime Day 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Microsoft has been criticized by many users and enthusiasts ever since it released its Windows 11 operating system in 2021. Thanks to the not-so-friendly hardware components required to meet minimum system requirements for installation of Windows 11 OS on a PC. For instance, the Redmond giant initially excluded processors like Intels 7th gen (Kaby Lake) and AMDs first-gen Ryzen due to a lack of certain security features. Also, the company made the use of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 mandatory due to the strict security features of Windows 11. Despite these limitations, several third-party tools were able to bypass these requirements that allowed installation of Windows 11 on PCs with unsupported hardware, such as the free tool Rufus which was the first one to add a bypass feature in October 2021. It was later expanded to include updates instead. Next to follow was Ventoy, who offered a similar solution to Rufus by adding a list of options to bypass system requirements. Earlier this year, another free app called WinToUSB added bypass support. Interestingly, Microsoft too, provided an official bypass option for installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices via registry modifications, albeit with security warnings. Installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended. If you choose to install Windows 11 on ineligible hardware, you should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues, the company states. Your device might malfunction due to these compatibility or other issues. Devices that do not meet these system requirements will no longer be guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility arent covered under the manufacturer warranty. While users have discovered many ways to get around these requirements, Twitter user Bob Pony (@TheBobPony) discovered and revealed a new hack this week that requires a very simple command from Command Prompt to bypass system requirements check during the installation of Microsofts Windows 11 operating system. Apparently, this trick also seems to work perfectly even with the latest Canary Windows 11 Canary Insider Build 25967. It is interesting to note that one of these techniques was discovered by a Vietnamese user in August 2022, although no one was aware of its existence at the time. First discovered by a Vietnamese user over a year ago pic.twitter.com/SOXLNXs62K Tomy Kwong ? (@tomy_mrtumi) October 8, 2023 When you run setup.exe from the Windows 11 installation folder, it automatically checks the hardware. However, if you type setup /product server in the Command Prompt window, the operating system will circumvent the Windows 11 hardware compatibility checks and go straight to the installation process. It is important to note that circumventing the requirements is not a recommended procedure, as it could cause compatibility issues and even damage to the device. However, it may be useful to users who want to upgrade to Windows 11 but cannot due to hardware requirements. * The China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area has grown into a new and promising platform for Belt and Road cooperation. * The demonstration area operates 31 international freight train routes, reaching 54 cities in 23 Belt and Road partner countries. * The demonstration area has set up a comprehensive economic and trade platform to offer one-stop services covering trade, customs clearance, logistics, and finance. QINGDAO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, has grown into a new and promising platform for Belt and Road cooperation. This aerial photo taken on May 31, 2023 shows the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) First proposed in June 2018, the SCODA is becoming an important link in international industrial, supply and trade chains, boosting economic and trade cooperation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries. It is also a zone for industrial cooperation, having attracted more than 70 projects with a total investment of over 200 billion yuan (about 27.9 billion U.S. dollars). LOGISTICS CORRIDOR Recently, 110 standard containers of used automobiles and auto parts transported by a ship from Incheon, the Republic of Korea, were reloaded onto a train in the SCO demonstration area bound for Almaty, Kazakhstan, a rail trip lasting 16 days. Customs staff inspect an international freight train at a multimodal transport center in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) The express railway service is an epitome of how the SCODA has been building a new logistics corridor to facilitate regional economic and trade cooperation. Zang Yuanqi, a SCODA management committee official, said the demonstration area has set up a multimodal transportation service platform covering railway, sea, air and land ports, and customs and other government departments, ensuring speedy logistics for SCO and Belt and Road partners. Based on the transport advantages of Qingdao, a coastal city, the multimodal transportation service is quickly making the demonstration area a gateway to Asia Pacific for SCO countries. Apart from sea, air and road transport, the demonstration area operates 31 international freight train routes, reaching 54 cities in 23 Belt and Road partner countries. This aerial photo taken on June 1, 2023 shows a multimodal transport center in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) With an efficient multimodal transportation network and simplified cross-border trade settlement and customs clearance, the demonstration area is building a Silk Road e-commerce base, said Zhang Dong, deputy director of the SCODA management committee. WIN-WIN Earlier this year, several Kazakh enterprises reached a cooperation intention with the demonstration area to set up a trading center in Qingdao for specialty agricultural products from Kazakhstan. "We chose to cooperate with the SCODA because of its good geographical location, which offers huge sea, rail and air transport advantages," said Manarbek Tulegenov, chairman of EUROLOG LLP, a Kazakh logistics company. He added that entering the Chinese market is in the company's strategic plan. The SCODA is an important platform for logistics, trade, and investment cooperation between Central Asian countries and China, providing huge opportunities for Central Asian countries, said Botakoz Yelshibek, head of the Kazakhstan exhibition area at the SCO International Investment and Trade Expo held in Qingdao in June. This aerial photo taken on May 22, 2023 shows the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) "China's economic growth momentum is strong, and I hope that more Kazakh businesspeople will continue to deeply integrate into China's new development paradigm and achieve win-win results through cooperation," Yelshibek said. The demonstration area has set up a comprehensive economic and trade platform to offer one-stop services covering trade, customs clearance, logistics, and finance. Nearly 5,000 enterprises have registered on the platform. Said Saydakhmedov, a business specialist from Uzbekistan working for the platform, said many businesspeople from Belt and Road partner countries hoping to explore the Chinese market consult on issues related to laws and regulations, finance and tax, and subsidy policies. The platform provides facilitation for pine nuts trading company Alhaj Mohammad Nazi Sadat Ltd of Afghanistan, which exports 70 percent of its products to China, helping the Afghan company to find Chinese clients, which means it is not solely reliant on expos and intermediaries. With one-stop services on offer, pine nuts exported by the company can now reach Chinese warehouses in 15 days, cutting up to two-thirds off the delivery time. HUGE POTENTIAL The demonstration area has also either introduced or nurtured 10 trading platforms, linking more than 2,000 trading companies in doing so. The SCO expo in June this year attracted 330 enterprises and institutions from 34 countries and regions, displaying more than 10,000 kinds of commodities from SCO countries, making it a big stage for Belt and Road cooperation. This photo taken on June 15, 2023 shows the Iran Pavilion during the 2023 SCO International Investment and Trade Expo in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Thanks to appropriate measures, the area's trade with SCO countries had surged to 8.1 billion yuan in 2022 from 850 million yuan in 2019. Further expanding overseas cooperation, the SCODA also signed a cooperation agreement with Kazakh logistics company DAMU in September. The Chinese side can provide advanced experience and solutions as well as financing support, which is of great significance and attractive to the foreign partner, said Mayra Jumagaleeva, director of DAMU. Seventy percent of DAMU's imports come from China and Chinese vehicles are popular in Kazakhstan and have bright market prospects there, Jumagaleeva added. DAMU is planning to further build a platform selling China-made vehicles to Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. The company expects that the cooperation agreement will activate further trade and investment cooperation and in the long term promote the construction of relevant free trade zones within the SCO framework, said Jumagaleeva. As a unique economic and trade zone for SCO countries, the SCODA has massive potential and plays a key role in promoting new technologies and technology conversion in SCO countries and boosting international economic and trade cooperation, said Hakimov Masum, an official of Uzbekistan's Tashkent State Transport University. (Video reporters: Zhao Xiaoyu, Li Xiaobo; video editors: Jia Xiaotong, Hui Peipei, Li Qin) According to the study, sperm are proficient in different swimming styles As a result of a violent collision, the Earth's mantle could still contain remnants of the primordial planet YouTube is cracking down on ad blockers and making its subscription more expensive As a result of a violent collision, remnants of the primordial planet could still be found in the Earth's mantle Pet abandonment often happens What to do with a large number of stray dogs in the city High incidence of respiratory diseases in autumn and winter Experts: Treat the cause to reduce the risk of co-infection More than 70% of the surveyed college students agree that shopping festival consumption should "act according to the plan" Why did they seek medical attention and be diagnosed with ADHD as adults? Claire Dederer: "We can no longer consume art without being affected by the misdeeds of artists" Ethan Hawke: "I must have done something good in life if Pedro Almodovar called me" Social networks, the territory where women win the game: "Men feel more repulsed by the idea of exposing ourselves" The overdue delivery of a real estate project in Zhengzhou caused controversy for the owner to make up the price difference It is not a scenic spot, but it frequently attracts tourists to take the risk of "checking in", and the repeated bans are not only a headache for the management A restaurant in Chengdu was accused of infringement and claimed 8,<> yuan for infringement on its display board printed with "sad cold powder". A woman in her 60s was attacked by a bear and injured in a field beside her home in a residential area Niigata Nagaoka Ceremony for the Parent of the Order of Culture: Kyogen master Mansaku Nomura and 7 others receive the medal at the Imperial Palace Looking for someone to blame: why Manchester United and Bayern can sack ten Hag and Tuchel Granada, the only Primera team with one foot out of the Copa del Rey due to improper alignment of the goalkeeper Thanks to the efforts of the forwards: Dynamo and Rostov won tickets to the playoffs of the RPL Path of the Russian Cup, CSKA won the group The Chinese women's football team faces three choices Whether Shui Qingxia's team will be retained is to be determined Shohei Ohtani voted best fielder in the league in player vote, missing out on Player of the Year Bellingham, Bale, Herrera... The manias and the reality of the pressure of football socks: "The calf is a structure that needs slack" The story of the 'fake' Atletico de Madrid crest on the UD Las Palmas emblem: "There could be sympathy, but no direct relationship" After 12 years, the Chinese women's football team missed the Olympic Games again, where does the Chinese women's football team go? Heating in many places in the north has been started one after another, and the supply of coal is guaranteed These are the new simplified language notices of the Treasury: "This document is a requirement of..." Walk into the market to see confidence: all regions and departments have solidly promoted the integrated development of urban and rural areas (The 6th CIIE) the first domestically produced large-scale cruise ship Aida Modu will recently open the "delivery season" and appear at the National Pavilion of the 6th CIIE Who did the "lowest price on the whole network" melee fat? What will the acceleration of the iteration of the domestic large model bring? Seven major listed airlines achieved collective profitability in the third quarter and made efforts to ensure full-year results in the new season Actual investigation of gold stores: the counter is hot and the rise in gold prices has not affected the enthusiasm for buying Two martyrs and clashes after the Israeli occupation forces stormed Nablus and Jenin in the West Bank U.S. House of Representatives Goes to Confrontation with Senate Over Israel Aid Russian military preparing for war of attrition, "convicts and other troops may be charged" "This is the graveyard for the outcasts, those who were feared after death" This time there is no new move by the Fed! That's the end of the hike? Former Prime Minister of Nepal: "The Belt and Road" benefits the Global South, China's development path is worth learning fromGlobal politicians watch the Silk Road-Chinanews video Analysts reported an increase in the number of cyberattacks in Russia aimed at stealing company funds In October, a total of 10.295 million people were affected by various natural disasters in China Former UN official Mohaiber: There are elements of genocide in Israel's actions in Gaza Former Prime Minister of Nepal: The Belt and Road Initiative has helped Nepal transform into a "land-linked country"Global politicians look at the Silk Road The Supreme People's Procuratorate released typical cases of punishing the crime of collusion in bidding in accordance with the law What is the curse of the "eighth decade" that Ehud Barak feared and Abu Obeida waved? Matthew Perry's Estate: His Parents and Five Siblings, the Possible Heirs to His Million-Dollar Fortune Equatorial Guinea has offered itself as a platform for the next Russia-Africa summit Habeck stands up to German anti-Semitism from both the right and the left Ethan Hawke: "I must have done something good in life if Pedro Almodovar called me" The most prominent developments of the 27th day of the Israeli war on Gaza The Autonomous Communities cry out against the debt reduction agreed by the PSOE and ERC: "What Catalonia does not pay, we all pay" Abu Obeida: The enemy's losses are "much greater" than what is announced, and we will make Gaza the "curse of history" on him Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance will issue yuan-denominated treasury bonds worth 16 billion yuan (about 2.23 billion U.S. dollars) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region later this month, the ministry said on Wednesday. Scheduled for October 25, it will be the third batch of renminbi treasury bonds issued by the ministry in Hong Kong in 2023, said a statement on the ministry's website. Detailed issuance arrangements will be announced at the Central Moneymarkets Unit, a central securities depository for debt securities owned and operated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said the statement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The White House has slammed members of the so-called Squad of progressive Democrats for their repugnant and disgraceful comments about the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists. In the White House press conference on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked for President Joe Bidens response to the statements from some lawmakers calling for an immediate ceasefire and for his administration to stop funding Israel. So, Ive seen some of those statements this weekend. And were gonna continue to be very clear, Ms Jean-Pierre said. We believe theyre wrong. We believe theyre repugnant and we believe theyre disgraceful. She added: Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped, hundreds, hundreds of Israelis. There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here. There are not two sides. Following the surprise invasion on Saturday morning, several members of the Squad, including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Cori Bush called for the US to halt funding to Israel, labelling the nation an apartheid system. Ms Omar, along with other members of the Squad including Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also called for a ceasefire and de-escalation in the Middle East. Ms Tlaib, who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, wrote in her statement: I grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day. I am determined as ever to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights, and human dignity. She added: The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance. The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. Left to right: congresswomen Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as the Squad (Getty Images) The comments from the lawmakers were quickly met with pushback, including from fellow Democratic Rep Ritchie Torres, who described the comments from members of his own party as reprehensible and repulsive. US aid to Israel is and should be unconditional, and never more so than in this moment of critical need, he said in a statement to the Jewish Insider. Congress must act decisively to provide Israel with whatever it needs to defend itself in the face of unprecedented terrorism. Shame on anyone who glorifies as resistance the largest single-day mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. It is reprehensible and repulsive, he added. Mr Torres called for the US to provide Israel with whatever it needs to defend itself from the attacks, which have so far left over 900 Israelis dead. Just hours after the conflict began, Mr Biden called the attack by Hamas terrorists appalling and vowed that the US would stand by Israel as an ally. Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel early on Saturday morning, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens captive across the Gaza border. Hamas militants reportedly killed babies and decapitated women, according to Israeli officials. Karine Jean-Pierre was asked how President Biden responded to comments by the Squad (Getty Images) At least 14 American citizens are among the dead, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared a state of war and promised mighty vengeance on Israels attackers. On Monday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the complete siege of Gaza, saying authorities would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel. Gaza has also been hit by retaliatory airstrikes by Israel, which have left at least 765 Gazans dead. An Israeli defence official vowed no buildings would remain in the region, saying, Gaza will eventually turn into a city of tents. Human rights experts have warned that the blockade of Gaza will have devastating consequences for the region, which is expected to run out of fuel within hours. A China-Europe freight train, which set out from Duisburg, Germany, carrying exhibits for the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) arrives in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) SHANGHAI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- In the lead-up to the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE), a China-Europe freight train, having set out from Duisburg, Germany, carried exhibits for the expo and arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday. The "China-Europe freight train - CIIE edition" shipped exhibits worth 16 million euros, including cosmetic products and other goods. The customs clearance has been completed. The train embarked on its 20-day journey on Sept. 21 from Duisburg, Germany. According to plans by its operator, the Shanghai Oriental Silk Road Multimodal Transport Co., Ltd., the CIIE edition of the China-Europe freight train service will increase to three trains, continuously transporting CIIE exhibition products across the Eurasian continent to Shanghai. The train arriving in Shanghai on Wednesday was the first this year. The China-Europe freight train has become a popular transportation choice among the approximately 3,000 companies attending the CIIE. The sixth CIIE is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. A China-Europe freight train, which set out from Duisburg, Germany, carrying exhibits for the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) arrives in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) Ive known Steve Scalise for a long time, since he first went to the state Legislature long before he moved up to Congress. As often as Ive disagreed with him and I have more than I haven't Ive watched as he worked with others he disagrees with to make things happen for our state. Just this month, a fresh controversy over price hikes erupted, triggering criticism of Nostrum Laboratories. The tiny Kansas City, Missouri-based generic drug company posted a 404 percent increase, to $2,392.32 per bottle, for its generic version of a 65-year-old liquid antibiotic for bladder infections, nitrofurantoin. Nostrum's product and competitors had been off the market since January after federal regulators required that they be reformulated. Nostrum now is relaunching its version amid limited competition. Chief executive Nirmal Mulye told the AP that the maker of the brand-name version, Casper Pharma, hiked its price to $2,800, so Nostrum was "obligated" to maximize its own profit to keep the company afloat after years of losing money. There is a laundry list of grievances major shareholders have with the Qantas board that are behind Wednesdays announcement of chairman Richard Goyders departure, but the daddy of them all was allowing former chief Alan Joyce to sell the bulk of his shares in June. Everyone in the real world, who had not been drinking the Kool-Aid at Mascot, knew Goyder would be nudged to the departure lounge early because shareholders wanted board accountability for all the companys mistakes, misjudgements and alleged misdeeds. Until now, he appeared to have misread the mood of his shareholders. Only a few weeks ago at a senate inquiry, Goyder insisted he had the support of major investors to remain as chairman. In a radio interview around the same time, he fleshed out his reasons for not quitting. If Israel and the US were to blame Iran for the Hamas attack and the US began stringently enforcing its sanctions, the removal of any material level of Iranian supply would have an outsized impact on oil prices in what is a very tight market one that analysts believe is already undersupplied relative to demand by about a million barrels a day. Loading A resumption of the enforcement of the sanctions might in turn provoke Iran into efforts to disrupt shipping within the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of the worlds oil exports are shipped, which could be a nasty blow to an already fragile global economy. The last thing the US or Europe or China, for that matter need is a fully blown oil shock. When the G-7 (and Australia) sanctioned Russian oil, they did so using price caps rather than measures aimed at reducing Russias export volumes. Indeed, the sanctions were designed to encourage Russia to maintain or increase its exports in order to keep oil prices from soaring while squeezing the revenues it would generate from them. That strategy was initially quite successful, with the $US60-a-barrel cap buttressed by the threat of action against Western shippers, financiers and insurers if they facilitated oil sales above that price. More recently, however, with Russia having assembled a ghost armada of hundreds of ageing tankers that now carry about 60 per cent of its exports, the effectiveness of the price cap regime has been questioned. At the weekend, just before the world became aware of the attack on Israel, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US and its allies were preparing to step up enforcement of the sanctions. To date, no-one appears to have been penalised for breaching them, causing oil industry analysts to question the levels of compliance. The price caps have impacted a proportion of Russias oil export revenues, and even barrels carried on its own fleet would involve higher costs because of the investment in acquiring the fleet and the longer distances required in shipping oil that was once sold to Europe to China and India. Plus, the buyers have been given negotiating leverage by the sanctions. Loading However, as Russias trade data revealed this week, its current account surplus has been rebounding, largely due to higher revenues from energy sales. Its current account surplus in the September quarter of $US16.6 billion ($25.8 billion) compares with an $US8.6 billion surplus in the June quarter and was roughly double the level expected. The higher oil price and a collapse in the value of the rouble since May is boosting Russias finances, even if the surplus for the nine months to the end of September of $US40.9 billion is nearly 80 per cent lower than the $US196 billion surplus for the same period last year. With Russia now budgeting to spend about $US106 billion directly to support its invasion of Ukraine, about a third of its total expenditures and an increase from 3.9 per cent of its GDP to 6 per cent, the US and its allies will have little choice but to try to toughen the sanctions if they want to undermine its ability to finance the war even though that might lift oil prices. Thats why the eruption of violence in the Middle East has come at an inopportune time for the US and its allies, but not for Russia, an ally of Iran. The moment has been made even more delicate because the US was making progress in brokering an agreement between Israel and the Saudis to normalise their relationship, a deal that would have involved the US offering the Saudis a security deal, military supplies and assistance for a civilian nuclear program. As part of the proposed deal, the Saudis would have agreed to export more oil. Loading Hamas actions and Israels retaliation has put a major question mark over the prospect of that historic deal, one that would have reshaped the geopolitics of the region, being struck. New Dehli: Booker prize-winning author Arundhati Roy faces prosecution in India for a speech about Kashmir she gave 13 years ago, after a top official approved the move, local media has reported. A social activist from Kashmir filed a police complaint in 2010 following speeches by Roy and three others at a conference organised by a rights group, the reports said. Author Arundhati Roy faces prosecution in India. Roy, a fierce critic of Indias policy in Kashmir, is accused of saying at the conference that the disputed Himalayan territory was not an integral part of India. Under Indian laws, the state governments permission is needed for prosecution of certain crimes, including hate speech, sedition, and promoting enmity. The Federal Court has rejected a legal challenge against federal Environment Minister Tanya Pliberseks assessment of two coal projects, after the community group that launched the court action argued the ministers refusal to assess their climate harm was unlawful. Plibersek and two coal mining companies were taken to court by the Environment Council of Central Queensland, which claimed they had failed to protect living wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef from climate change. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek holds a wombat during a Threatened Species Day in September. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen It was the first court challenge to Plibersek over the assessment of a fossil-fuel project. It centred on Whitehavens plan to extend underground mining at the Narrabri thermal coal mine until 2044 and MACH Energys plan to expand open-cut thermal coal mining at Mount Pleasant in the Hunter Valley until almost 2050. Plibersek has not yet made a decision on either project. The council, which was represented in court by Environment Justice Australia, argued that when Plibersek rejected its request to consider the climate harm from the coal projects, she failed to factor in scientific evidence that human-induced climate change was causing profound harm to matters of national environmental significance. If youve come across posts of kids wearing linen shirts and looking as though theyve been living on a bucolic prairie for their short entire lives, or been stopped by scenes of toddlers playing with unpainted wooden blocks on jute rugs as you scroll through Instagram, youre not looking at a photo shoot from Kinfolk Jnr magazine. Its beige parenting, possibly the most boring aesthetic to ever influence our lives. And its everywhere. The art of dressing your child in muted tones - creams, off-whites, ecrus, sands, oats, and as the name suggests, beiges, all the way up to earthy-brown tones - runs from head-to-toe: Im talking tan caps, almond socks and mushroom sneakers, nary a pop of colour or personality to be seen. Though the trend has been around for a few years, Google searches for beige kids clothes increased by 67 per cent last year, and parental beigefluencers and their offspring have been trending on Instagram and TikTok ever since. Beige parenting is the newest, arguably most boring, online trend. Credit: iStock The roots of this ever-growing trend can be traced back to micro-influencers like Courtney Adamo, whose idyllic Byron Bay home and picture-perfect family pioneered the aesthetic for years, but took it mainstream when she and her fellow murfers (mum surfers) were profiled by Vanity Fair in 2019 (the profile quickly went viral). As with all trends adopted by influencers, though, its not enough to just apply your chosen aesthetic of the day to just one area of your life. To be a trendsetter, the experience must be fully immersive. Like clothing, the trend itself must be embraced entirely across all aspects of your personal brand I mean life. For Adamo, this translates to photos of herself with her five children, usually seen wearing an unofficial uniform of beige and cream (which neatly coordinates with her homes colour palette) with her 260,000 Instagram followers. Hello, Anthony Segaert with you for the rest of the day. In Sydney, popular TV and podcast host Hamish Blake has apologised to GPs after he said he thought hed be able to be a doctor in a general practice at least for a day. On the Hamish & Andy podcast last week, Blake said being a GP was the highest-paying job that he would feel competent doing for 24 hours. Hamish Blake, Gold Logie winner, apologised on Thursday. Credit: Getty Images I do a lot of Googling [of] medical issues and I have got now 20 years experience of going to the GP, he said on the podcast. With the greatest respect for the profession, Blake said he would refer any serious issues to an emergency department. But the comments drew the ire of GP-turned-MP Amanda Cohn, from the NSW Greens, and other doctors. The perception that GPs are somehow lesser doctors is widespread, she said in state parliament yesterday. But in a new episode of the podcast, Blake has said sorry. It seems that last episodes hypothetical game of What job could you fake your way through for a day? has upset some people... some GPs, some doctors, he said. Yes, we have a laugh but more than that we dont want to upset people. Heres how I look at it: they took an oath to do no harm. I broke their oath on them. And for those doctors who heard that and were hurt, Im very sorry. With AAP BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has ordered the arrest of Yin Meigen, a former senior legislator in east China's Jiangxi Province, for suspected bribe-taking, the SPP said Wednesday. Yin formerly served as deputy secretary of the leading Party members group of the Standing Committee of Jiangxi Provincial People's Congress and vice director of the standing committee. Yin's case was transferred to procuratorial authorities for examination and prosecution following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision. The handling of the case is underway, said the SPP. A woman who pretended to be a doctor on social media site TikTok and dispensed health advice while wearing scrubs and a stethoscope has been convicted and ordered to pay more than $13,000 after a magistrate said her offences were extensive, prolific and pervasive. Dalya Karezi, 30, made videos between February and September 2021 on topics including paracetamol toxicity, HIV, ovarian cancer, fibroids, testosterone, and foods people should feed their toddlers. Some of her posts attracted 15.5 million views and 1.5 million likes. Dalya Karezi pretended to be a doctor on TikTok. Credit: TikTok/Dr.Dalya.S She also made posts on Instagram, applied for jobs while claiming to have a medical degree, and sent a number of emails in which she suggested she held medical qualifications. On Wednesday, Karezi faced Downing Centre Local Court and pleaded guilty to two charges of using the name, title or symbol of a health practitioner while not being registered, which carries a maximum penalty of $60,000 and jail time. Goldilocks tactics Those of us with scars from John Howards divide-and-rule tactics in the republic referendum are stunned to see such tactics working again. This time even the Indigenous vote is split between those who think the proposal does not go far enough and those who think it goes too far. Just like Howards claim that a republic would deprive us of a monarch but would leave us not enough rule-by-the-people. We are about to be duped again. Tony Haydon, Springvale THE FORUM Imposed solutions It looks like the No vote is going to win on Saturday (Indigenous Yes backers remain in majority, 11/10). As a Yes voter I cannot understand the fear that people obviously feel about giving Aboriginal people a Voice in their own affairs. We have had years of Indigenous solutions. Imposed by white people and without consultation, they have been found wanting time and time again. It is time for a new way forward and our First Nations people have suggested the way. We have destroyed their way of life, occupied their land, killed many, nearly destroyed their culture, and taken away their children. Many are still suffering. Surely voting Yes is the least we can do. Other countries have instituted similar ideas and their systems have not suffered. A Voice not written into the Constitution would be the plaything of each succeeding government in office, easily disregarded and abolished. There would be no certainty of continuity. Eva Miller, Castlemaine Having their say An excellent and insightful article by Jacqueline Maley: What do the No camp and anti-suffragists have in common? Too much (8/10). The No campaign really does have much in common with the ant-suffragists. It is time the original inhabitants of this country are given an opportunity to have their say. Unfortunately we are not all equal. They have a much lower life expectancy and experience much poorer housing conditions and social and economic conditions than the majority of Australias newer inhabitants. It will be an advisory body like other advisory bodies and should not be feared. Maria McKinnon, Northcote Simple fix I read Jaqueline Maley with interest. She omits one important point: a referendum to change the Constitution was not held to decide the issue. Women were given the right to vote by means of the Commonwealth Franchise Act passed on June 12, 1902. How many people will vote No because while they want to improve conditions for Indigenous Australians, they dont think changing the Constitution is the right way to do it? Sue Bracy, Mount Eliza Enhancing history Further to the discussion from some correspondents about the 1901 Constitution being an untested, inadequately explained body at its inception, its most obvious flaw in a modern context was that it did not in 1901 and does not in 2023 acknowledge Indigenous Australians. The Voice to Parliament would, albeit as an advisory body, arguably enhance its integrity. It is not being mischievous to suggest that constitutional purists of Tony Abbotts ilk should come on board the Yes side of the referendum, even at this late stage. Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza Under the surface As a non-Jew who grew up in a middle-class suburb, I am well aware of the antisemitism that lies just beneath the surface in our majority European Christian community, where people spoke callously of Jews behind their backs and felt the need, in some cases duty, to identify and isolate them. They had a licence to hate Jews passed down and took to it with relish. For these people, Israel is a proxy for Jews and Palestine is an opportunity to attack them. Theres no BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement against China regarding its treatment of the Uighurs, Turkey with the Kurds or Indonesia and the West Papuans. To them, the Holocaust is an impediment to openly stating their views and they seek by false equivalences some retrospective justification for it, the common trope being they brought it on themselves. Zionism is equated with Nazism, although it began as a movement to find a safe haven for Jews when they were being expelled from Europe under threat of extermination. With false hand-wringing, some claim to hope that the murder of Jewish children will somehow bring about a resolution in the Levant, something they would never have dared to say after 9/11. The uncomfortable truth for these people is that from the day Israel was created by the UN it has been attacked by its neighbours in three major wars and endless acts of terror by those whose catchcry is from the river to the sea, a barely disguised euphemism for the extermination of all Jews in Israel. If there is ever to be peace in the Middle East it will have to begin with the Palestinians, which is something their urgers in the West do not want. Bruce King, Malvern East Bloody past All who hope for justice in Palestine and peace in the region must feel grief and anguish at the brutal events of the past few days. Will the world learn anything from the outcome, that is the question. Many lands were colonised in the past expansion of empires and many wars for freedom were fought, most of them bloody and horrific. The land of Palestine was colonised to create a safe home for Jewish people after the horrors of the Nazi holocaust, but no safe home has since been created for the indigenous people of Palestine who were displaced in 1948. The expansion of settlements, the occupation of the West Bank and the 16-year blockade of Gaza have continued the suffering of the Palestinian people. Enough is enough. Instead of sending more arms to fan the flames of violence, the international community must call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, begin urgent negotiations to enable the release of hostages and work to actively bring about justice and freedom for Palestine. Lorel Thomas, Blackburn South Peace waylaid Iran is the only winner here. It is not their people and property that is being demolished, and the fledgling peace moves with Saudi Arabia are now on indefinite hold. Marie Nash, Balwyn Necessary blockade Your explainer (What is Hamas and why is it at war with Israel? A guide, 10/10) states that Israels blockade of Gaza means that basic supplies of food and medicine have been missing. Israels blockade attempts to keep out goods with military use, which, given Hamas proclaimed and now proven intentions, is justified and legal. Even the UN has upheld its legality. However, Israel has previously always allowed the Strip access to humanitarian goods, including food, water, fuel and medicine, with multiple truckloads crossing from Israel into Gaza every day. It also allowed thousands of Gaza residents into Israel to work or for medical care. Its also important to remember Gaza has a border with Egypt that Israel doesnt control. George Greenberg, Malvern Election motivation Thanks to your correspondent (Letters, 10/10) for the very pertinent comments on the Israel/Palestine situation, among other things suggesting that Hamas must be removed from leadership. However, the reason for Hamas election in Gaza must also be given attention. The fact that Israel has occupied, in some way or other, Palestinian territory since 1967, contravening international law, and segments of the Israeli populace have moved, with government approval and no international sanction, to occupy Palestine land since that same time is a very large reason for that election. Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky, NSW Simply excuses Your correspondent (Letters, 9/10) cites various justifications for stealing from supermarkets and elsewhere. These are simply excuses. Times are tough? But when are they not? Self-service checkouts are unpaid labour? So, do we not pay for petrol because weve operated the bowsers? Checkout operator jobs have been threatened? Do we then rob a bank because ATMs have replaced tellers? Weve stolen the lands we live on? Does that really justify shoplifting? No amount of fabricated justifications fool anyone that shoplifting and fare evasion are stealing and not OK, and they never have been. Pauline Charleston, Brunswick West Big profits? I take exception to the article by Vivienne Pearson (My supermarket accused me of theft. Pot, kettle, black? 10/10). To state that supermarkets have made billion-dollar profits proves just that. To achieve such profits, Coles for example had to sell over $30 billion worth of goods. Its so-called huge profit comes in at less than 3 per cent. Not huge at all. Mike Weiss, Vermont South Narrow focus Your correspondent suggests that its time to deny older voters, say those over 50, from voting in referendums. I think its a great idea, especially if we add to this restriction voters younger than 40 years old, given that they havent had enough experience in life to safely make such long-term decisions. Also, to make sure that they live to experience these long-term consequences, the voters should be made to carry to the booth a health clear card signed by a doctor and a psychologist, stating that their sane life expectancy is at least 10 years. George Fernandez, Eltham North Collection canned? I hate to be a killjoy, but I think that young Ashton Hanson (The 10-year-old super-collector of bottles and cans set to cash in, 11/10) might be wasting his time collecting containers ahead of the start of the container deposit scheme. Its hard to find, but the online site regarding the container scheme states: Eligible containers cannot be collected for redemption until the scheme starts. The CDS relies on the scheme costs being included in the price of the container at the time of purchase. This wont occur until the scheme has officially commenced in November 2023. I believe eligible containers will have a special code printed on them to identify them. Alan Williams, Port Melbourne AND ANOTHER THING Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding Referendum Megan Krakouer and Professor Maree Toombs have stated the Yes case beautifully (Hope. Thats what the Voice can do, 11/10). Its about hope. I just hope its not too late to save the referendum with this simple message. Judith Taylor, Emerald Many company executives have had a direct voice to parliamentarians, so how can we justify denying a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders? Fran Mansergh, Sandringham I am still undecided to the point of total confusion. Therefore, on the ballot paper I will deploy the local vernacular yeah, no. David Price, Camberwell The noisy minority is just about to be trounced by the silent majority. James Hearne, Kew If you dont know, why vote no? Robert Saunders, Cheltenham Middle East The Hamas attack on Israel is both horrific and criminal. So is the decision to deprive Palestinians in Gaza of food, medicine and water. Obviously, this will occupy much of the attention of the media but it should not take the worlds attention off the slaughter in Ukraine. Juliet Flesch, Kew While Hamas attack was an act of understandable desperation, as well as desperately wrong in the form it took, it was also a misjudgment. It plays directly into the hands of Netanyahus government. Penelope Buckley, Kew East The head of a parliamentary inquiry into the nations $7 billion employment services system has backed the creation of an independent watchdog to help protect jobless Australians, declaring full privatisation of the sector has failed. Labor MP Julian Hill, who is chairing the inquiry into Workforce Australia and the network of private employment service providers that operate under it, said a fresh approach was needed to help people into jobs, signalling more government intervention. The inquiry has heard harrowing evidence from people who have been required to use employment service providers, with many complaining about a dehumanising system. Credit: iStock The employment services sector was privatised by the Howard government, but there have been growing criticisms about the types of services provided and ongoing complaints that profit-driven providers fail to adequately support older or long-term unemployed people. Employment service contracts are the second-largest tenders issued by the federal government, but there are few formal avenues for complaints to be raised by users. The news E-scooter riders in Queensland will face a new offence for riding recklessly on footpaths and bike paths, under new laws proposed by the state government. To be introduced in parliament by Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Thursday, the bill would also create new obligations for riders to assist or provide their details after a crash. The laws would also apply to cyclists and allow anyone unable to get details from a rider including out of fear that doing so may expose them to harm to report the crash to police instead. Newly installed Premier Jacinta Allan has a commanding lead over Opposition Leader John Pesutto as Victorian voters preferred premier, but the primary vote gap between the two major parties has narrowed to its tightest margin in a year. The findings are contained in an exclusive survey conducted by Resolve Strategic for The Age the first since Allan became premier which also found the majority of Victorians want an inquiry to examine the actions of the state government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jacinta Allan is favoured by 38 per cent of voters placing her well ahead of Opposition Leader John Pesutto. Credit: The Age The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1100 eligible Victorian voters in early September and early October representing the weeks before and after Daniel Andrews resignation as premier. Support for the government has remained steady over the past two months, with Labor recording an unchanged primary vote of 39 per cent despite the resignation of Andrews in September. A new head of Victorias anti-corruption watchdog has been chosen amid state opposition concerns about whether she has the experience and seniority to tackle public sector wrongdoing and to stand up to an entrenched Labor government. The Allan government has selected Victoria Elliott to head the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, three well-placed sources with knowledge of their choice confirmed. The post has a salary of about $500,000. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich left the role in December. Credit: AAP Not well known in political and legal circles, Elliott is a lawyer and current deputy head of the small and secretive Office of the Public Interest Monitor. Between 2013 and 2016 she was a managing lawyer at IBAC, and before that she worked with the now defunct Office of Police Integrity. She does not have judicial experience; nor is she a barrister. Three years was three years too long for Cheng Lei. Three years of missed sunshine, three years of missed birthdays, three years without her children, now aged 12 and 14, who moved between primary and high school while she imagined what trees looked like in her three-metre cell. Few images are as powerful as an Australian returning to their children after years stuck in a Chinese jail cell. Credit: Aresna Villanueva But it was a remarkable feat of diplomacy from the Department of Foreign Affairs negotiators and two Australian governments to extract the 48-year-old Melbourne mother of two from the worlds greatest exponent of arbitrary detention in that span of time. Just ask Taiwanese businessman Lee Meng-chu, who spent four years in jail for taking photos of police. Or Hideji Suzuki, the Japanese exchange leader who was bundled into a van and imprisoned for six years. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Oliver Blume, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Oliver Blume, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, in Beijing on Wednesday. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the Chinese and German economies are highly complementary and have huge space for cooperation. As important economies and responsible major countries, China and Germany should work together to promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, work together to maintain the stability and security of global industrial and supply chains, and contribute to global economic growth and governance, Ding said. Noting that China's door to the outside world will only open wider, Ding said China and Germany enjoy broad cooperation prospects in the automotive field, and China stands ready to provide a better environment and improved conditions for foreign enterprises, including Volkswagen, to invest and do business in China. "We welcome Volkswagen to continue to leverage its advantages and expand investment in China to achieve greater development through win-win cooperation," he added. Blume thanked China for its strong support for Volkswagen's development in China, noting that Volkswagen cherishes its friendship with China and the Chinese people and will increase investment in key areas. Singapore/Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called for the "root cause of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be addressed, as hardline Islamic groups took to the street outside the United States embassy in Jakarta declaring they were ready to fight in the Middle East. Like neighbouring Malaysia, Indonesia has historically been a vocal advocate of the Palestinian cause and does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Pro-Palestinian protesters outside the US embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday. Credit: Karuni Rompies In the wake of Hamas terrorist attack on southern Israel, and the bombardment unleashed on the blockaded Gaza Strip in response, Widodo has pleaded for an immediate cessation of violence, concerned it could spiral into a greater humanitarian crisis. But he has also reiterated the need for a long-elusive two-state solution in the Middle East. The root cause of the conflict, namely the occupation of Palestinian area by Israel, must soon be solved in accordance with parameters agreed by the United Nations, said Widodo. Helsinki: A subsea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea have been damaged in what may have been a deliberate act, the Finnish government said on Tuesday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO was sharing its information over the damage and stands ready to support the allies concerned. Finland joined the military alliance in April, while Estonia has been a member since 2004. Finlands vessel Turva on patrol at sea near the damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline. Credit: AP The Balticconnector gas pipeline was shut early on Sunday on concerns that gas was leaking from a hole in the 77km pipeline. Finnish operator Gasgrid said it could take months or more to repair. It is likely that damage to both the gas pipeline and the communication cable is the result of outside activity. The cause of the damage is not yet clear, the investigation continues in cooperation between Finland and Estonia, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a statement on Tuesday. A baguette de tradition, or traditional baguette, is made from flour, water, salt and yeast. Period. Sounds simple, and on one level it is. Yet so much depends on the perfect baguette and the perfect baguette is elusive. A crunchy deep golden crust must encase a fluffy, slightly salty interior, punctuated with the small air sacs, known as alveoli, that produce a mildly chewy consistency. Appearance, taste, texture and smell must find a delicate harmony. French President Emmanuel Macron in Germany on Tuesday. Credit: Getty This requires hard work. Selvarajah was a little irritated because his store assistants had not appeared. Always, he said, theres some excuse. He works six days a week, up to 10 hours a day, and thinks such industry typical of immigrants trying to get a toehold in a new land may explain why several winners of the baguette prize over the past decade have been of Tunisian or Senegalese descent. The competition itself is anonymous. Baguettes are numbered after being deposited by candidates, then touched, smelled and tasted by a jury of experts, Olivia Polski, the senior City Hall official who oversees the contest, said. The best baguette, she suggested, should be well-baked, light and airy. It should crackle in the mouth. Immigration is an explosive political issue in France Selvarajah said he had encountered occasional racism and prejudice and the many success stories among the failures tend to be obscured by the polemics. Immigrants often do jobs the French have begun to shun. Home delivery: Tharshan Selvarajah carrying paper bags with his baguettes made for Elysee Palace. Credit: Dmitry Kostyukov/The New York Times) Baking is a tough profession, said Charlotte Quemy, as she ate a croissant she described as top outside Selvarajahs bakery. She lives across town but likes to stop off on her way home from her job in the tech sector. The French view is: to hell with getting up at 3 in the morning! Selvarajah arrived in France from Sri Lanka in 2006, and began work in an Italian restaurant making salads and desserts. Through a regular client at the restaurant, Xavier Maulave, the owner of several bakeries, he was offered a job making bread. I knew nothing about baguettes, Selvarajah said. Slowly, Selvarajah learnt the art, becoming the chief baker in 2012. In 2018, he participated in the baguette competition for the first time, coming in third. Business picked up. By 2021, with Maulave pursuing other interests, he bought one of his stores. And now, he beamed, the president of France is eating a Sri Lankan bakers baguette every morning! Loading He loves his batons of bread. They are about 63 centimetres long. They weigh about 280 grams. The baguettes optimum shelf life is no more than a few hours, often necessitating return visits to the boulangerie in a single day. So it is that, around this instantly recognisable stick of bread, French life still revolves. Of course there are other fine breads, and the rhythms of life have accelerated, as elsewhere. But some things do not change. Any unctuous sauce, say for a blanquette de veau or boeuf bourguignon, must be mopped off the plate with a chunk of baguette. Not to do so would be sacrilege. No oozing Camembert or delectable cured ham can go unaccompanied by a baguette. No breakfast at a cafe counter is complete without a tartine beurree the divine butter of France thickly spread on strips of baguette. The fruit and tannin of a good Burgundy linger in the mouth as a baguette is chewed, finding in its texture at once crunchy and pillowy, and its mild saltiness, the perfect cradle. Selvarajah came to Paris, where a cousin and brother already lived because he could not find work in Sri Lanka. He has taken a small apartment five minutes from the bakery so that he can keep the gruelling hours of early-morning and late-afternoon shifts, while his wife and young children live in a larger apartment across town. I had no choice, he said. I see them when I can. He makes two or three pilgrimages a year to Chennai in India, where he meets Sri Amma Bhagavan, a contested cult leader whose religious movement, initially called Oneness, inspires him. Everyone is so tense today and thinking about money in a selfish way, he said. He helps me to be happy inside my heart. Still, in his line of work, some tension is unavoidable. Selvarajah smokes. Too much stress, he said. He has a cough. Its from the flour, 100 kilos of it every day. He is restless. You have to prove yourself every day. The bakers Sri Lankan wife, whom he married in France, has become a French citizen, and both his children are also French. Will he follow suit? Maybe one day, he said, but right now I dont have time. His 10-year residence permit is enough. Loading Selvarajah is, however, not altogether happy over what the prize has meant for him. He has not been invited to meet Macron, who had a selfie taken with some previous winners. He feels he has gotten less French media attention than others in the past. Nor was he invited to a party this month organised by the confederation of French bakers marking the anniversary of the creation of the traditional baguette, defined with great detail in the 1993 Decret Pain, or Bread Decree, a quintessentially French edict laying out the procedure and characteristics required to be deemed traditional. The baker attributes these perceived slights to the fact he is the first winner who is not from France or a country with a colonial connection to it. He also believes his decision not to become a French citizen is resented. Its not pleasant, but I dont give a damn, he said. An Israeli familys agonising wait for information about the fate of their daughter and sister, who was dancing at a music festival when armed Hamas militants stormed the site, has ended in tragedy. For four days, Yahali Ricardo had heard no news of her younger sister Oriyas whereabouts since Saturdays carnage at the festival site near the Gaza border, and the silence was deafening. Yahali (left) and Oriya Ricardo. Just hours after speaking to this masthead, however, the familys worst fears were realised and Oriya, 26, was confirmed among the dead. Hundreds of bodies massacred by Hamas militants have been recovered from the field since Saturday, while harrowing videos of other revellers kidnapped and taken to Gaza have been beamed around the world. Massive fires encroached upon Argentinas central Cordoba province overnight, destroying dozens of homes, forcing hundreds to evacuate and killing farm animals amid an intense heat wave. Footage posted online of Villa Carlos Paz a resort city of 56,000 people showed flames surrounding homes as black smoke billowed into the sky. More than 600 families were evacuated. A resident helps to fight the fires in Cordoba province, Argentina. Credit: AP Currently a dozen homes have been totally or partially destroyed by the fire, a volunteer at a local fire service said. Three hundred people have been compulsorily evacuated, and 300 have self evacuated. Civilians are suffering breathing difficulties, and there are a large number of dead farm animals. The fire remains active, the volunteer added. EV Motoring: Chinas WM Motor Startup files for bankruptcy, dashing the hopes of investors Tencent and Baidu to challenge Tesla SEE ALSO January 2021: WM Motor Receives $152 Million in D2 Round Financing Dec 01, 2021 BEIJING, Oct 10, Chinese electric vehicle startup WM Motor has filed for bankruptcy, marking the demise of a promising standout among China's EV makers as price competition in the world's largest auto market heats up. A court in Shanghai is handling the bankruptcy case, according to a filing dated Monday on the national enterprise bankruptcy information disclosure platform. "WM Motor's planned reorganisation will introduce strategic investors from across the globe to achieve its rebirth," the company said in a statement posted on its official Weibo account on Tuesday. The carmaker said it has been mired in an operational dilemma in recent years due to the pandemic's impact, capital market sluggishness, large price swings in raw materials and setbacks in gaining capital needed for operations and development. U.S.-listed second-hand car dealer Kaixin Auto Holdings (K640.F) had announced in September a non-binding acquisition term sheet with the troubled EV maker. The deal came after WM Motor's backdoor listing through a reverse takeover with Hong Kong-listed Apollo Future Mobility fell through. The failed deal was seen as a survival move after two previous fruitless attempts by WM Motor to seek a listing in Shanghai's STAR Market and Hong Kong. Founded in 2015 by renowned auto veteran Freeman Shen, WM Motor was seen to be among rising Chinese EV startups Nio (9866.HK), Li Auto (2015.HK) and XPeng (9868.HK). Its backers included Chinese tech giant Baidu (9888.HK) and Shanghai's state-owned asset regulator. But the Shanghai-based startup struggled to eke out profits in the capital-intensive auto sector. WM Motor's annual losses doubled to 8.2 billion yuan ($1.13 billion) over the three years to 2021, according to its stock prospectus released in June 2022 for a planned Hong Kong IPO. China's passenger vehicle sales returned to growth in August year-on-year, ending a streak of losses since May, as deeper discounts and tax breaks for green vehicles boosted consumer sentiment. Concerns remain, however, over consumer spending on big-ticket items such as cars amid a shaky post-COVID economic recovery. ($1 = 7.2871 Chinese yuan renminbi) Reporting by Qiaoyi Li, Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Kim Coghill Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Tassos Vamvakidis, who has worked at the Port of Piraeus in Greece for over five decades, has seen the ebb and flow of this millennia-old port. Nevertheless, there are still moments that evoke strong emotions whenever he recalls. On Nov. 11, 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Piraeus port, a flagship project of China-Greece Belt and Road cooperation, during his state visit to Greece. The project has brought the port back from the brink of bankruptcy through Chinese investment of capital and advanced technologies and equipment. "The port was bustling with excitement, just like celebrating a festival," Vamvakidis recalled. "President Xi's visit is of great significance for every staff member and the entire port." Standing on a rooftop platform overlooking the port, Xi talked with the staff members. "He spoke with wisdom and foresight," Vamvakidis recalled. Xi said the principles of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits -- mean that no single country dictates the terms and all participants share the responsibilities and the gains. In 2013, Xi proposed the BRI, an initiative drawing inspiration from the ancient silk routes that bridged the East and the West through trade and cultural exchanges. Over the past decade, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations, helping participating countries address challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lagging industrial development, limited industrialization, insufficient capital and technology, and a shortage of skilled workers. The Piraeus project is one of them. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Piraeus is Greece's largest port and boasts a history of over 2,000 years. As a pivotal gateway linking Europe with Asia and Africa, this port serves as a testament to the vicissitudes of European maritime civilization. Yet, the prominence of Piraeus had been steadily diminishing for years until Chinese shipping company COSCO made an investment in 2008, helping it out of the clutches of the international financial crisis. Thanks to Belt and Road cooperation, Piraeus has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Its container operating capacity surged from around 1.5 million TEUs in 2010 to 6.2 million TEUs, making it one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean. The time-honored port is bustling with vitality. China and Greece, two ancient civilizations that began exchanges over 2,000 years ago through the ancient Silk Road, have been once again closely linked through this port. The Piraeus port project has been a success not just for the Greek people and Chinese companies, but also for the region and all of the port's business partners, said Vamvakidis. "Seeing is believing," Xi said while visiting the port in 2019. "The BRI proposed by China is not mere rhetoric or a legend, but a concrete example of success and a wonderful reality." This photo taken on June 7, 2017 shows the eastern terminal of the new Eurasia landbridge in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Wang Jianmin/Xinhua) BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ten years after the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched, China will continue to work with participating countries, aiming to take economic and trade cooperation to a new level, a Chinese official said. In an interview with Xinhua, Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting said BRI cooperation has delivered mutual benefits over the past decade, featuring deepened trade and investment cooperation, more abundant connectivity projects, and improved cooperation mechanisms. "China's super-large market has provided important development opportunities for BRI participating countries, which contributed nearly half of China's total imports," Guo said. As the major trading partner of over 110 BRI countries, China saw its total goods trade with all BRI countries reach close to 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022. China's direct investment in BRI partner countries topped 30 billion dollars last year, while BRI countries invested more than 20 billion dollars in China. This strengthened cooperation has promoted the integration of industrial and supply chains and delivered more momentum to the construction of an open world economy, Guo said. In terms of project cooperation, the past ten years witnessed an array of projects that have genuinely improved people's lives, including the China-Laos Railway, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, and the introduction of agricultural technologies such as Juncao and hybrid rice to BRI countries. "These cooperation projects have helped BRI countries improve infrastructure construction, promote connectivity, enhance people's well-being, and strengthen their development capacity," Guo said. Demonstrating the efficiency of project construction, the actual turnover of Chinese contractors in BRI countries topped 100 billion U.S. dollars each year over the past decade. Cooperation platforms and mechanisms have also been improved, Guo said. China has signed free trade agreements with 20 BRI countries, with the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement creating the world's largest free trade area. A total of 47 memorandums of investment and cooperation in green, digital and marine sectors were inked between China and BRI countries, and the number of countries participating in Silk Road e-commerce cooperation grew to 30. A series of exhibitions, including the China International Import Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, helped support businesses in seizing BRI opportunities. BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE Infrastructure construction is crucial to BRI cooperation. Guo said China's construction contracts with BRI countries reached 2 trillion U.S. dollars in the past decade, and the actual turnover of Chinese contractors stood at 1.3 trillion dollars. These projects covered a wide range of areas from transport to power and water conservancy, featured green development and emerging sectors, and helped improve people's lives, Guo said, citing some landmark projects including the China-Laos Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, and the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway. China also carried out more than 1,600 foreign aid projects in BRI countries, in the fields of education, health, environmental protection, and poverty reduction. Looking forward, Guo said more efforts will be made to build more high-quality projects, improve infrastructure connectivity, encourage the integrated development of investment, construction and operation, and guide businesses to expand green and new-type infrastructure cooperation. DEEPENING TRADE COOPERATION China has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with 28 countries and regions, including 20 BRI countries, Guo said. In the past ten years, China signed bilateral FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Georgia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, and upgraded FTA agreements with ASEAN, Chile and New Zealand. The RCEP agreement signed in Nov. 2020 took effect in June this year for all 15 members. China will continue to expand the high-standard free trade area network, work actively towards joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, and push forward negotiations on more FTAs or agreement upgrades, Guo said. Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane (at the podium) speaks at the National People's Assembly in Algiers, Algeria, on Oct. 10, 2023. Algeria's foreign reserves are set to witness a significant increase by the end of 2023, reaching 73 billion U.S. dollars, Benabderrahmane said on Tuesday. (Xinhua) ALGIERS, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Algeria's foreign reserves are set to witness a significant increase by the end of 2023, reaching 73 billion U.S. dollars, Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane said on Tuesday. The foreign reserves of the North African country at the end of 2022 stood at 61 billion dollars. In a report submitted to the People's National Assembly, the prime minister credited the rise to an expected 25 percent surge in national revenues during 2023. Furthermore, he noted that when taking into account gold reserves, the foreign reserves would reach 85 billion dollars. Benabderrahmane also projected a 5.3 percent growth for the national economy in 2023 despite the challenging global economic climate. Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane (Front) speaks at the National People's Assembly in Algiers, Algeria, on Oct. 10, 2023. Algeria's foreign reserves are set to witness a significant increase by the end of 2023, reaching 73 billion U.S. dollars, Benabderrahmane said on Tuesday. (Xinhua) TOKYO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Wednesday launched its first market for trading carbon dioxide emissions in the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) as the country, amid many challenges, seeks to achieve its carbon-neutral goals. The new carbon credit market allows companies to trade the existing carbon credit, or J-Credit, on the TSE. The J-Credit is an asset certified by the Japanese government and allocated to organizations that have reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through renewable energy use, tree planting, and other energy-saving measures. While allowing companies to buy and sell such credits, the new TSE market will also provide transparency in carbon pricing, according to the exchange. A total of 188 organizations registered have decided to participate in the platform, and the TSE expects credits worth 500,000 tons of CO2 to be traded annually, according to local media outlets. Trading hours of the new market are from 9 a.m. to 11:29 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 2:59 p.m. local time, with executions taking place at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. Transaction prices are set twice a day and published after trading hours. Analysts here pointed out that Japan, the world's fifth-largest CO2 emitter, has been a slow runner in formulating plans to create a carbon pricing mechanism and emissions trading system. In April this year, Japan began introducing a carbon pricing scheme to encourage companies and cities to curb emissions and achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. NBC suspends reporter who revealed new details on Paul Pelosi attack; Sexton responds closeVideo Former CIA officer and radio host Buck Sexton joins 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' to analyze Miguel Almaguer's predicament. Radio host and former CIA officer Buck Sexton slammed NBC News' suspension of correspondent Miguel Almaguer shortly after his report on Paul Pelosi was scrubbed from the outlet's website. Sexton went after the network for suspending Almaguer over purported violation of journalistic standards, while allowing anchors and pundits to wax continually about the alleged fallacy of the Hunter Biden laptop story. "I think it's pretty straight forward," he said. "This is yet again the American people being shown what the rules of so-called journalism are: Liars get Pulitzers and truth tellers get fired or in this case, suspended because it's all about activism." Almaguer had originally reported "sources familiar" with what occurred at the Pelosis' residence in San Francisco said law enforcement were unaware they were responding to the Speaker's residence and that Mr. Pelosi opened the door and did "not immediately declare an emergency or tried to leave." LAST BLUE DOG HENRY CUELLAR REVEALS WHETHER GOP PRESSED HIM TO SWITCH PARTIES The San Francisco home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi is seen after police say David DePape violently assaulted Paul Pelosi early Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (KGO-TV) The report was accused in some corners of fueling purported conspiracy theories about the true timeline of events that led to suspect David DePape allegedly brutally assaulting Pelosi with a hammer. Sexton compared the treatment of Almaguer's story to that of Hunter Biden's, saying as a former CIA officer, much of the intel community disgraced themselves by signing onto the letter that disputed the laptop story. "It's all about support of the partisan narrative in the moment," he said of both the Pelosi and Biden angles. "I mean, as a former intelligence officer watching those clips of people saying that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation they were certainly trying to destroy it there, and they did a good job of it." (Left) Paul Pelosi and Nancy Pelosi attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala. (Right) David DePape. (Michael Short/ San Francisco Chronicle ) The clips referenced included a montage of NBC segments featuring then-anchor Kasie Hunt, Morgan State University Professor Jason Johnson, and former Obama intel official Jeremy Bash disputing the Hunter Biden laptop story's veracity. Fox News host Will Cain further stated many who ask for the facts in the Pelosi story are labeled conspiracy theorists, saying mainstream sources purportedly paint DePape as a MAGA Republican despite his status as an illegal immigrant with ties to nudism. "Simply questioning the facts makes you guilty of a conspiracy," Cain said. NBC News retracted its report from correspondent Miguel Almaguer about stunning details from the Paul Pelosi attack. (Screenshot/NBC News) Sexton appeared to agree: "We see this time and time again where, even if eventually the truth comes out, there's no punishment we didn't even get into Russia collusion, for example, where the entire Democrat-aligned corporate media spent four years they still say it's kind of true in some ways." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "They understand that these are actually the rules This is what we are dealing with. This is not a bug. This is a feature. This is the desire of the Democrats to use the biggest media outlets they possibly can to tell the most important lies: the biggest lies, or even just suppress the truth in moments of peril for their power." Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. Charles covers media, politics and breaking news, and has covered the annual CPAC conference for Fox News Digital. Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched the "Cultural Hub" online platform, which will facilitate easy access for both local and international audiences to a comprehensive database of Saudi cultural heritage, infrastructure, institutions, artefacts, and achievements. The platform covers cultural assets across various cultural sectors, and it engages the community in documenting and contributing relevant information through the website: https://culturalhub.moc.gov.sa The platform showcases images of cultural assets, along with their descriptions and locations. It allows viewers to explore historical and cultural sites through an interactive map, and browse as well as search a comprehensive cultural registry that includes theatres, libraries, and museums, said a Saudi Press Agency report. Additionally, users can explore collections of cultural artefacts, manuscript collections, rock art, inscriptions, and other digitally stored cultural assets. Furthermore, individuals have the opportunity to share their cultural assets with the cultural community through the platform. The "Cultural Hub" platform is part of the ministry's initiative to consolidate Saudi cultural resources within a single platform. The platform is one of the products offered by the Ministry of Culture to support the project of advancing the cultural sector. It aims to enhance its vitality and activity in both the cognitive and societal dimensions, all in alignment with the goals of the National Strategy for Culture. These objectives include fostering culture as a way of life for the society, increasing its contribution to the national economic output, and raising its influence in elevating the Kingdom's international status. GAZA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Palestine Red Crescent Society said on Wednesday that four of its paramedics were killed during Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides as it enters the fifth day. The death toll of the Palestinians rose to 1,078, while the number of fatalities in Israel reached at least 1,200, according to official figures. Colorado and Wyoming are collaborating to support a regional team working to power innovative pathways toward climate resiliency by utilizing data, predictive modeling and cutting edge technology to address key challenges. The Colorado-Wyoming Regional Innovation Engine (CO-WY Engine) is one of 16 finalists in the first-ever National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines Competition, which will award up to $160 million in funding over the next ten years. Officials in both states recognize the opportunity to secure federal funding that will transform the region into a national leader in developing climate-resilient and sustainable technologies and expand economic opportunities and workforce development in these key areas. To elevate the CO-WY Engine, Colorado and Wyoming have both committed to align resources that will support the Engines goals, including increased engagement of the business community with the regions research institutions and Federal Labs; attracting more funding to support the commercialization and monetization of new technologies; and growing diversity within the regions workforce to include rural communities. The pathway to a prosperous global future will be paved with adequate, affordable energy and a rigorous commitment to a healthy environment, Governor Gordon said. Wyoming understands the urgency of addressing climate challenges. Our unequaled leadership in innovating and developing needed technologies supports Wyomings all-of-the-above energy strategy. This approach will grow our economy, develop our workforce and support thriving communities. We are thrilled to partner with Wyoming on this plan as Colorado is leading our country on environmental tech to help address climate challenges. This funding will grow the work of our universities and federal labs while creating more jobs, said Gov. Jared Polis. The CO-WY Engine, spearheaded by Innosphere Ventures, looks to transform the region into a leader in the development and commercialization of climate-resilient and sustainable technologies. These technologies will support communities across the region and the country to monitor, mitigate and adapt to climate impacts. They are expected to have direct applications to water resource management, agriculture technology, and extreme weather, including wildfires and flooding. We can solve so many climate-related challenges with technology-driven solutions, and NSF funding will dramatically increase what we can accomplish, said Mike Freeman, CEO of Innosphere Ventures and lead of the CO-WY Engines proposal to the NSF. We are pleased to have the support of both Colorado and Wyoming, which have such a strong history of collaboration and share our commitment to creating an inclusive, nationally and internationally relevant Engine that employs a diverse workforce and benefits rural and urban communities alike. Among the initiatives being explored by Colorado and Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Venture Capital, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and Colorados Venture Capital Authority are assessing the possibility of a venture capital fund or funds that will invest in startups commercializing technologies that emerge from the CO-WY Engine. These commitments build upon existing collaboration between the two states, including a four state Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Mexico and Utah to create the Western Inter-State Hydrogen Hub to advance a regional hydrogen economy. Colorado and Wyoming have also signed an MoU outlining the states commitments to explore the development of direct air capture to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Across the Midwest and Mountain States, Wyoming and Colorado rise to the top as one of only a handful of regions that have the talented workforce, collaborative business ecosystem, and research and development capabilities to become a national leader in developing climate resilient technologies. NSF funding will accelerate that growth exponentially, and we are committed to working with Colorado to seize this opportunity, said Josh Dorrell, CEO of the Wyoming Business Council. In Wyoming, Colorado has found a nimble partner equally committed to growing a strong, diversified economy, engaging urban and rural communities alike, and leveraging our regional strengths to create new commercial opportunities that also create climate resiliency. Elevating shared priorities and resources like a regional venture capital fund will directly support the development of the CO-WY Engine as a national and global leader in climate-resilient technologies, said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director. The NSF Engines program envisions supporting multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the U.S., spurring economic growth in regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades.The NSF is expected to announce successful Regional Innovation Engines this fall. This September, a member of University of Wyoming Extension was honored at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 89th annual session in Providence, Rhode Island. Vicki Hayman, UW Extension community vitality and health educator, and Tanya Engel, former UW Extension graphic designer, won second place in the Educational Publication Communications category for their High-Altitude Baking cookbook. Hayman also won third place in the same category for her educational publication Food Preservation with Reduced or No Salt or Sugar. The annual NEAFCS conference provides opportunities for professional growth for extension educators. Its mission is to improve the daily lives of individuals, families and communities through research-based programs. Both award-winning publications were rigorously researched. Hayman compiled recipes for the preservation project from reputable sources, finding safe and tasty recipes for people with a variety of food restrictions and preferences. The resource also includes basic introductory information about food preservation. Hayman began developing the preservation publication to meet the needs of people in Wyoming. She received calls from many people looking for preservation recipes that used less salt and sugar, and decided to compile them into one booklet so that people would have a handy resource at their fingertips. Similarly, the high-altitude cookbook got its start from a conversation between Engel and Hayman. Engel mentioned some of the difficulties she had with adjusting recipes for altitude when moving to Laramie in 2011. With their mutual love of cooking, they decided to test some recipes and put together a resource for the Wyoming community. Its amazing how, you can get on the internet and the recipes are not quality, theyre not up to a certain standard. We dont want people to spend money on food items that arent up to their expectations, says Hayman. To meet that standard for the cookbook, Hayman and Engel found over forty recipe testers at different altitudes throughout the state. We couldnt have done it without our volunteer taste-testers, says Hayman. The volunteers helped Hayman and Engel refine the recipes and figure out which to include. Engel adds, It was all so much funtesting recipes, photographing, tasting everyones bakes, designing the book, etc. Its so exciting to have come in second in the nation! I feel honored. Free, downloadable versions of both publications are available at https://bit.ly/low-sugar-preservation and https://bit.ly/high-altitude-baking. Hard copies of the High-Altitude Cookbook can be purchased at https://bit.ly/uwe-books. BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of several officials on Wednesday. Qian Yi was appointed deputy head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration. Shen Zhulin was named deputy head of the National Data Administration. Lu Jie was appointed deputy head of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration. Ma Bing was appointed deputy head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Liu Dongshun was named director of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission, replacing Ma Jianhua. Chen Chunjiang was removed from the post of assistant minister of commerce. Yan Jun no longer serves as deputy head of the State Administration for Market Regulation. People carry bodies of Palestinians who died in an Israeli airstrike, in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Oct. 9, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) "This is a new peak in the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people," said Mohannad Aklouk, Palestine's permanent representative at the Arab League. CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian people seek strong political and humanitarian support from Arab states over the ongoing deadly Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said Mohannad Aklouk, Palestine's permanent representative at the Arab League (AL), in an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday. Aklouk called on Arab states to use their diplomatic, political, economic and legal tools and their influence in regional and international organizations "to stop the Israeli aggression and to support and protect the Palestinian people." The AL is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing deadly Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Aklouk expects the AL meeting to send several messages to Israel and the international community, including a call for an immediate halt of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and the demolition of their houses. On Saturday, the Hamas militant group that controls Gaza launched a surprise attack with thousands of rockets on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza enclave, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The conflict has caused heavy casualties on both sides. The death toll and injuries in Gaza from the Israeli attacks rose to 830 and 4,250, respectively, according to an update by the Palestinian Health Ministry on Tuesday. However, according to Israeli Defense Forces, about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in southern Israel. A man walks past a destroyed building following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) "This is a new peak in the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people," Aklouk told Xinhua. Meanwhile, at least 1,008 people in Israel have been killed in the Hamas attacks, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported on Tuesday. Being a long-time peacemaker in the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and having a peace treaty with Israel since 1979, Egypt has been intensifying contacts with regional and international players in a bid to halt the ongoing escalation between the Israelis and the Palestinians. "The Palestinian people are looking forward to an urgent, leading Egyptian role through Egypt's regional and international relations to stop the Israeli aggression and spare the bloodshed of the Palestinian people," said the Palestinian diplomat. "Palestine, and the Gaza Strip in particular, is considered an integral part of Arab national security," he emphasized. Aklouk said that the Palestinians also count on the roles of other Arab players including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, as well as every Arab country that can help stop the ongoing Israeli aggression. He regretted the duplicity of the United States and Europe in addressing the current Israeli-Palestinian crisis. "The United States adopts a policy of double standards," Aklouk said. Describing China's position on the Palestinian issue as "very balanced," Aklouk commended China's official position that considers the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as the fundamental way to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Scapegrace exceeds 100,000 case sales in 2023 New Zealand distillery Scapegrace has hit the milestone of more than 100,000 nine litre cases of product sold during the 2023 financial year. Sold in more than 42 countries around the world, the results saw Scapegrace post revenue of $12.7 million NZD, a 30% increase in comparison to the year prior. The company is forecasting a similar revenue rise next year. The cases were across the brands portfolio of gin, vodka, single malt whisky and RTDs. Commenting on the historic sales for the company, co-founder Daniel McLaughlin said: Were really pleased with this strong ongoing year on year growth. In February were marking a decade of Scapegrace being in business and were really proud of the domestic and international success were seeing as we continue to build New Zealands reputation as a world class premium spirits producer. In addition, the company has secured $13.9 million NZD of new capital, including $2.9 million government funding for an expansion on its distillery. Its set to be the largest distillery in New Zealand, with stage one completed and the second stage to be completed in March 2024. Not only will it increase production, but also create job opportunities and boost tourism and the economy for the Central Otago. McLaughlin added on the investment: This investment is allowing us huge growth as we take our award winning, distinctly New Zealand products to the world. We know our commitment to quality and innovation will continue to drive our success and were looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in the next ten years." A capital raise seeking $8 million NZD is underway, with $5 million NZD already secured. 11 October 2023 - Bradley Weir AICC Secy lauds Govts efforts in driving devpt in urban areas of Capital Staff Reporter RAIPUR, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary and Raipur West MLA Vikas Upadhyay lauded the Congress Governments efforts in driving development in urban areas of State Capital. Addressing a press conference at the state Congress party office Rajiv Bhawan in Raipur Upadhyay emphasised that residents are reaping the benefits of various schemes initiated by the Congress Government, including the Swami Atmanand School and the Dhanvantari Medical and Urban Health Scheme. During the conference, details of the extensive work undertaken by the Congress Government in the urban sector over the last five years were presented. One significant achievement highlighted was the distribution of more than 25,000 land pattas this year. Upadhyay pointed out that during the BJPs 15-year tenure, no land pattas were issued, but the Congress Govt has distributed over one lakh pattas since 1979. These land titles, provided by Baghel government, will remain valid until 2028. Upadhyay criticised the BJP for attempting to mislead the public by suddenly showing interest in land titles after years of neglect. State Congress Media Chief Sushil Anand Shukla, also present at the press conference, mentioned improvements in infrastructure, such as the reconstruction of a poor-quality expressway and the recovery of funds from defaulting account holders in the Indira Priyadarshini Mahila Co-operative Bank. He also highlighted the opening of the Atmanand English Medium School and the regularisation of irregular constructions during the Congress governments tenure. District Co-operative Bank Raipur Chairman Pankaj Sharma spoke about the plight of poor people living in slum areas during the BJPs rule, where their homes were bulldozed. He credited the Congress government for relocating these residents to BSUP and ensuring they received land pattas. Raipur North MLA Kuldeep Juneja commended the Congress governments efforts in providing housing solutions for both urban and rural homeless populations. He emphasised that the government has also taken significant steps towards the regularisation of illegal colonies. The press conference was attended by former Mayor Pramod Dubey, Vice-Chairman of Raipur Development Authority Suryamani Mishra, Senior State Congress Spokespersons Dhananjay Singh Thakur and Ghanshyam Raju Tiwari, Joint General Secretary Ajay Sahu, and Chhattisgarh Pradesh Yuva Congress President Akash Sharma. APT RESPONSE THE description of the Hamas attack on key places in the country by the Israeli military highlights the sense of shock the Jewish nation feels. The Israeli military has likened categorically that the Hamas attack to the 9/11 terror strike on United States and the attack on American military station at Pearl Harbour by the Japanese Air Force. This is our 9/11 and Pearl Harbour wrapped into one, the Israeli military has said dramatically but correctly. For, the observation communicates correctly what the Israeli people and the Government feel about the unexpected Hamas strike. But the Israelis have not stopped by giving an apt verbal response but also an apt military response -- which makes the country special. It is not without reason that Israel has survived and thrived despite the strongest possible hostilities from the surrounding Islamic countries for the past 75-plus years. There is no doubt that the Hamas strike exposes Israels terrible Intelligence failure. Its spies and its deep-scanning systems could not notice even a grain of what was happening across the border in the most clandestine manner. The Hamas strike was very well-planned and very accurately executed -- bringing in an incredible impact on the Jewish national psyche. This sense of shock that Israel felt gets aptly highlighted first in the verbal and then in the military response. The difficulty with Arabic and Islamic politics is that there is no respect for the global order and mechanics through which the world operates -- such as negotiated settlements through dialogue and persistent diplomacy. Most unfortunately, many leaders of the Islamic political machine do not recognise any global mechanisms at all. Therefore, when Israel was carved out from Middle Easts political map after the World War II, the Islamic nations and organisations never accepted the award in reality. And that explains the long chain of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic nations. All the surrounding countries never accepted Israel in their neighbourhood or midst and kept the hostilities alive through various means. In such a situation, Israel has no option but to keep a very strong military as per its national security plan and strategic considerations. It had to adopt an aggressive strategic culture in which the basic idea is to tolerate no hobnobbing with Israels security and territorial integrity. Because the country has been weighed down by a very small geography to protect, it had also to adopt a forward defence posture -- since it has very little land-cushion to fall back and then dig in the heels for a protracted fight. The Hamas attack dared all that strategic posturing of Israel. It appears to be the first time that an Arab offensive has done in Israel so much. Hence Tel Avivs reaction that the Hamas attack could be described as a wrap-up of both, the 9/11 attack on US and the Pearl Harbour attack by the Japanese on the American station in the Pacific Ocean -- that finally drew the United States into the World War II. The US response then changed the worlds politics forever. For, the Axis countries such as Japan, Germany and Italy met with a defeat they had never imagined. A similar fate seems to await the Hamas outfit and its Iranian master-minds. True, several Islamic countries have extended their support to the cause of Palestine. The Israeli counter-offensive will destroy not just Hamas but push the Arab countries in the Middle-Eastern neighbourhood many years back. This conflict may not stay restricted only to that cause and may extend and expand to different global theatres. Yet, in the final analysis, Israel will have the last laugh. BMS gets 50 acres to set up Vids 1st Military School for girls Staff Reporter Maharashtra Government has sanctioned a proposal to allot 21.19 hectare (52.36-acre) land to Bhonsala Military School (BMS) in Nagpur. The land, situated at Godhni near its present establishment, is meant for starting a Military Training School for girls. The BMS also plans to start IAS preparatory training classes with residential facilities and a senior college here. A State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took this decision on Tuesday. This land is being given on a 30-year lease to BMS. Since Bhonsala Military School at Nagpur has earned the status of highly distinguished and renowned institution, the Government decided to allot the additional piece of land to it. Chairman of Bhonsala Military School, Nagpur Shailesh Joglekar told The Hitavada that the existing BMS establishment functions on a 30-acre land at Godhni. The State Government has now allotted an additional 52 acre land. We had submitted this proposal in 2007, which has been finally sanctioned. I express my gratitude towards the Government for showing this trust. Joglekar, who is also the Vice President of the parent body Central Hindu Military Education Society that runs Nagpurs School, shared the plan with The Hitavada. We will be coming up with Vidarbhas first and Maharashtras second military school for girls. We are also planning to start an IAS Preparatory Training Classes with residential facilities and a senior college. Joglekar said BMS is contemplating to start graduation-level college where students can prepare for civil services examinations. At present, there is no such facility available in Nagpur for students. SYDNEY, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- As Australia's largest domestic and international airline, the Qantas Group announced on Wednesday its plans for board renewal so as to solve reputational issues surrounding the company and restore trust. The national carrier confirmed in a statement that Chairman Richard Goyder would step down before the company's annual general meeting (AGM) in late 2024. According to the statement, five directors, including the group's current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Vanessa Hudson, are set to offer themselves for election at this year's AGM. "As a Board, we acknowledge the significant reputational and customer service issues facing the group and recognize that accountability is required to restore trust," said Goyder. The move came a month after Alan Joyce, former CEO for 15 years, bowed out early from his position in September, bringing forward his retirement by two months to help the company "accelerate its renewal." Over the past few months, the reputation of Qantas has come under attack on several fronts since a string of lawsuits against the Flying Kangaroo made headlines. At the end of August, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission took Qantas to court, accusing the company of advertising tickets for more than 8,000 flights that were already canceled but not removed from sale. Later in mid-September, the High Court of Australia upheld the ruling that Qantas illegally outsourced the jobs of around 1,700 ground crew during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress likely to declare list of candidates after Oct 12 Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Congress party is likely to declare its candidates for the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls after October 12. The meeting of Central Election Committee (CEC) of All India Congress Committee (AICC) is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on October 12. The CEC will finalise the names of the Congress candidates on the recommendation of the Screening Committee. The meeting of State Election Committee of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) was held at state Congress party office Rajiv Bhawan in the state capital on Tuesday to finalise the names of the party candidates for the Assembly polls, which will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. Chhattisgarh Congress In-charge Kumari Selja, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, State Congress President Deepak Baij, Deputy Chief Minister T S Singhdeo, Speaker of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Dr Charan Das Mahant, AICC Secretaries Dr Chandan Yadav, Rajesh Tiwari, AICC Joint Secretary Vijay Jangid and other leaders attended the meeting. Talking to mediapersons at Rajiv Bhawan in the state capital after the meeting, Chhattisgarh Congress In-charge Kumari Selja said that there is complete consensus on all 90 assembly seats of the state and decisions are being taken together. Tickets are being finalising considering all aspects. The meeting of the CEC will be held in New Delhi on October 12. Kumari Selja, the Chhattisgarh Congress In-charge, said that the assembly tickets would be finalised by the CEC, and the final list of party candidates would be released accordingly. She emphasized the partys commitment to follow the due process. When asked about whether the Congress party would release its candidate list in a single announcement, Selja responded, Whatever BJP does, it does. We do as per our wish that is our effort. Addressing the eagerness of the BJP to see the Congress candidate list, the Chhattisgarh Congress In-charge mentioned that BJP leaders were displaying signs of worry rather than impatience. Regarding speculations about the dropping of several MLAs tickets, Selja remarked, It is natural that some changes happen. There is always some change in every election. There are different reasons for which this happens. A crucial meeting of the Congress Screening Committee took place at Rajiv Bhawan in Raipur, with Screening Committee Chairman Ajay Maken and two members virtually joining. The meeting involved detailed discussions, emphasizing the partys commitment to thorough deliberations in candidate selection. State Congress President Deepak Baij reassured the public that the party was not late in declaring the assembly candidates. He stated, We will release the correct list at the right time. Baij also criticized the BJPs candidate list, claiming that the public had rejected the BJP in the 2018 assembly polls. In response to questions about disappointment within the Congress party, Baij acknowledged that such issues could arise in a large party but emphasized the absence of significant opposition within the party. Regarding former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singhs statement, Baij downplayed the value of the BJP and highlighted factionalism within the party. He asserted, The BJP has no face. DRI seizes 520 kg of Ganja valued at Rs 1.04 crore Business Reporter Close on the heels of seizure of Amphetamine type substance from a passenger at Nagpur airport, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Nagpur, seized yet another consignment of drugs. The DRI officers on Monday morning seized 520 kg Ganja worth Rs 1.04 croreat Borkhedi toll plaza. The DRI officers found the banned material packed in 242 packages when they intercepted a truck at the toll plaza. On examining the truck carefully, it was observed that the material was kept in a specially built-in cavity between the drivers cabin and cargo portion of the truck. Two persons travelling in the truck were apprehended and subsequently arrested under provisions of the NDPS Act. Further investigation is in progress. It is important to note that about 3.07 kg Amphetamine type substance, worth Rs 24 crore, was seized at city airport on September 23. Amphetamine is a psychotropic substance covered under Schedule I of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Act, 1985, trade of which is prohibited. ED arrests four people in PMLA case against Chinese phone-maker Vivo NEW DELHI, THE Enforcement Directorate has arrested four persons including the MD of the Lava International mobile company and a Chinese national as part of its ongoing money-laundering probe against Chinese smartphone-maker Vivo, official sources said on Tuesday. They identified the four as Hari Om Rai, the MD of Lava International company, Chinese national Guangwen Kyang, Chartered Accountant Nitin Garg and a person called Rajan Malik. They have been taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). An e-mail sent to Lava International for its reaction did not elicit an immediate response. Lava International, a domestic mobile device manufacturing company, claims to have 1-2 per cent share in the smartphone market. The agency had raided Vivo and its linked persons in July last year, claiming to have busted a major money laundering racket involving Chinese nationals and multiple Indian companies. The ED had then alleged that a whopping Rs 62,476 crore was illegally transferred by Vivo to China in order to avoid payment of taxes in India. The crackdown on the leading Chinese company came after the federal probe agency found that three Chinese nationals -- all of whom left India during 2018-21 --and another person from that country incorporated 23 companies in India in which they were also allegedly helped by CA Nitin Garg. These 23 companies are found to have transferred huge amounts of funds to Vivo India. Further, out of the total sale proceeds of Rs 1,25,185 crore, Vivo India remitted Rs 62,476 crore or almost 50 per cent of the turnover out of India, mainly to China, the ED had alleged. These remittances, it added, were made in order to disclose huge losses in Indian incorporated companies to avoid payment of taxes in India. The action is seen as part of the Union Governments effort to tighten checks on Chinese entities that are allegedly indulging in serious financial crimes like money laundering and tax evasion while operating here. It is also being seen as continued crackdown on such firms and their linked Indian operatives. These developments also come even as the military stand-off between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh has been ongoing for more than three years now. Vivo, post the ED searches of July 5, 2022, had said it was a responsible corporate and was committed to be fully compliant with laws. The ED also said that post the raids, it seized funds worth Rs 465 crore kept in 119 bank accounts by various entities involved in the case, Rs 73 lakh cash and 2 kg gold bars. By Josef Federman and Issam Adwan JERUSALEM, ISRAELI warplanes pounded downtown Gaza City, home to Hamas centres of government, with relentless bombardments into early on Tuesday, after Israels prime minister vowed retaliation against the Islamic militant group that would reverberate for generations. The 4-day-old war has already claimed at least 1,600 lives, as Israel saw gun battles in the streets of its own towns for the first time in decades and neighbourhoods in Gaza were reduced to rubble. Hamas also escalated the conflict, pledging to kill captured Israelis if strikes targeted civilians without warning. Israels military said it had found the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants in Israeli territory as it gained effective control in the south and restored full control over the border. It was not immediately clear if those numbers overlapped with deaths previously reported by Palestinian authorities. Israel said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians snatched from inside Israel after the attack caught its vaunted military and intelligence apparatus completely off guard. As the Israeli military activated 3,00,000 reservists in a massive mobilisation, a major question was whether it will launch a ground assault into the tiny Mediterranean coastal territory. The last ground assault was in 2014. Thousands of Israelis were evacuated from more than a dozen towns near Gaza, and tanks and drones were deployed to guard breaches in the Gaza border fence against new incursions. In Gaza, tens of thousands fled their homes as airstrikes levelled buildings. The moves, along with Israels formal declaration of war on Sunday, pointed to Israel increasingly shifting to the offensive against Hamas, threatening greater destruction in the densely populated, impoverished Gaza Strip. We have only started striking Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a nationally televised address. What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations. The Israeli military said it struck hundreds of Hamas targets in Gazas City Rimal neighbourhood, which is home to Hamas ministries and governing buildings, overnight. The massive devastation in Rimal signalled what could be a new Israeli tactic in Gaza: warning civilians to leave certain areas and then hitting those areas with airstrikes of unprecedented intensity. The heavy bombardment began in areas of Gaza bordering Israel over the weekend, and overnight shifted to the centre of Gaza City. If these types of bombardments continue, Gaza civilians will have fewer and fewer places to shelter as more neighbourhoods become uninhabitable. Israeli authorities highlighted that up to 150 hostages are being held in Gaza as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Gilad Erdan said, CNN reported. Erdan further said that he expects all international organisations to focus on these hostages. In a briefing on Tuesday, Hecht suggested Palestinians should try to leave through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, but the military later said the crossing was closed. Asked if Israel considered Hamas civil Government, such as Parliament and ministries, legitimate targets, Hecht said if theres a gunman firing rockets from there, it turns into a military target. In response to Israels aerial attacks, the spokesman of Hamas armed wing, Abu Obeida, said on Monday night that the group will kill one Israeli civilian captive any time Israel targets civilians in their homes in Gaza without prior warning. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen warned Hamas against harming any of the hostages, saying, This war crime will not be forgiven. Netanyahu appointed a former military commander to manage the hostage and missing persons crisis. In Gaza and the West Bank, 704 people have been killed, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. Officer says death toll from Hamas attack over 1,000: AN ISRAELI military official says the death toll from Hamas surprise attack over the weekend has now risen above 1,000. Brig Gen Dan Goldfus announced the figure during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday. He spoke as Israel was pressing ahead with a fierce offensive of airstrikes in Gaza that has claimed 830 lives on the other side and caused widespread destruction. We are going to go on the offense and attack the Hamas terrorist group and any other group that is in Gaza, he said. We will have to change the reality from within Gaza to prevent this from happening again. The surprise Hamas incursion is by far the deadliest militant attack in Israeli history. Mah Govt rolls out financial scheme for empowerment and welfare of girl child MUMBAI, THE Maharashtra Government on Tuesday approved a financial scheme under which girls from families with low income levels will get amounts in different stages after their birth with the total for eligible beneficiaries coming to Rs 1.01 lakh when they turns 18. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said girls from families holding yellow and orange ration cards will get Rs 5,000 at the time of their birth, Rs 6,000 when they are enrolled in Class I, Rs 7,000 in Class VII, Rs 8,000 in Class XII and Rs 75,000 once they complete 18 years of age (total Rs 1.01 lakh). The decision was announced by Shinde after presiding over a State Cabinet meeting here. The scheme, Lek Ladki (beloved daughter), will be applicable for girls born after April 1, 2023, and it was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who then also held the finance portfolio, while presenting the budget for 2023-2024 earlier this year. The schemes objectives are to increase the ratio of girls, promote their education, reduce malnourishment and child marriage. Manisha Kayande, a spokesperson for the ruling Shiv Sena, hailed the Cabinet decision and said the scheme will ensure the girl child is financially supported from the time she is born and will also help curb female infanticide. In another decision, the Cabinet approved a proposal to replace Aurangabad with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Dr Babasaheb Amebdkar Marathwada Universitys name. Following this change, the institutes name will now be Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Tanzanian President Hassan conferred honorary doctorate by JNU Delhi Bureau & Agencies New Delhi, TANZANIAN President Samia Suluhu Hassan was conferred an honorary doctorate by Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to be bestowed with the honour. President Hassan arrived in India on a four-day visit on Sunday. She has been awarded the honorary degree for her pivotal role in fostering stronger India-Tanzania relations, promoting economic diplomacy and achieving success in regional integration and multilateralism. Hassan, the first woman President of Tanzania, went down memory lane to share her journey -- from being born in a humble family in an African village to becoming the President of her country. The world says there is no midway in falling in love with India, be it an Indian song, an Indian movie, or Indian cuisine, it is very difficult to resist an Indian charm. I experienced it when I came to India for the first time in 1998 to study in Hyderabad, she said in her acceptance speech. I stand here as a family member of Jawaharlal Nehru University and no more as a visiting guest. This is what makes India irresistible. This is what makes India the incredible India, she added. Hassan noted that India has always been a shoulder to lean on in the struggle against colonialism. The event was attended by Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. Economic ties between our two countries have always been a strong pillar. Our trade relations with Tanzania date back several centuries, when traders from the western coast of India first travelled to east Africa along the maritime route for trade and commerce. Despite the global disruption and challenges posed by the (COVID-19) pandemic, our bilateral trade has witnessed strong growth from both sides, Jaishankar said. IIT-Madras first offshore campus is set to be inaugurated in Tanzanias Zanzibar early next month, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. The Minister also said the Centre is encouraging top skill development institutions in India to go to Tanzania and other African countries. He said he will be visiting the African country for the pivotal role it is playing in promoting education. India is implementing the new National Education Policy, the foundation of which is built on the pillars of access, equality, quality, affordability and accountability. The Israel-Hamas war: No matter who loses, Iran wins By Aaron Pilkington Since the early 1980s, Iran has maintained support for anti-Israeli militant groups and operations. The Islamic Republic has publicly pledged millions of dollars of annual support to groups and provides advanced military training for thousands of Palestinian fighters at Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah bases in Iran and Lebanon THERE will be only one winner in the war that has broken out between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. And it is neither Israel nor Hamas. In an operation coined the Al-Aqsa Storm, Hamas, whose formal name is the Islamic Resistance Movement, fired thousands of rockets into Israel on October 7, 2023. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters infiltrated Israel by land, sea and air. Hundreds of Israelis have been killed, more than 2,000 injured, and many taken hostage. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza. In the first day of reprisals, close to 400 Palestinians were killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. In the weeks ahead, the Israeli military will surely retaliate and kill hundreds more Palestinian militants and civilians. As an analyst of Middle-East politics and security, I believe that thousands on both sides will suffer. But when the smoke settles, only one countrys interests will have been served: Irans. Already, some analysts are suggesting that Tehrans fingerprints can be seen on the surprise attack on Israel. At the very least, Irans leaders have reacted to the assault with encouragement and support. The decisive factor shaping Irans foreign policy was the 1979 overthrow of the US-friendly, repressive Shah of Iran and the transfer of state power into the hands of a Shiite Muslim revolutionary regime. That regime was defined by stark anti-American imperialism and anti-Israeli Zionism. The revolution, its leaders claimed, was not just against the corrupt Iranian monarchy; it was intended to confront oppression and injustice everywhere, and especially those governments backed by the United States chief among them, Israel. For Irans leaders, Israel and the United States represented immorality, injustice and the greatest threat to Muslim society and Iranian security. The enduring hostility felt toward Israel is in no small part due to its close ties with the shah and Israels role in his sustained oppression of the Iranian people. Together with the US Central Intelligence Agency, Israels Intelligence service, the Mossad, helped organise the shahs secret police and Intelligence service, the SAVAK. This organisation relied on increasingly harsh tactics to put down dissenters during the shahs last two decades in power, including mass imprisonment, torture, disappearances, forced exile and killing thousands of Iranians. Support for Palestinian liberation was a central theme of Irans revolutionary message. Since the early 1980s, Iran has maintained support for anti-Israeli militant groups and operations. The Islamic Republic has publicly pledged millions of dollars of annual support to groups and provides advanced military training for thousands of Palestinian fighters at Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah bases in Iran and Lebanon. Iran runs a sophisticated smuggling network to funnel weapons into Gaza, which has long been cut off from the outside world by an Israeli blockade. Israeli-Palestinian conflicts and death tolls have escalated steadily since 2020. Palestinians are outraged by increased evictions and destruction of property, and how Israel allows Israeli nationalists and settlers to violate a long-standing agreement preventing Jewish prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque - a site holy to both Muslims and Jews. In fact, a recent incursion by settlers into Al-Aqsa was specifically cited by Hamas as a justification for the October 7 attack. That is not to say that Iran ordered Hamas attack on Israel, nor that Iran controls Palestinian militants they are not Iranian puppets. Nevertheless, Irans leaders welcomed the attacks, the timing of which serendipitously works in Irans favour and plays into the Islamic republics regional battle for influence. The week before the Hamas attack, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denied reports that Saudi Arabia had paused its recent efforts to normalise relations with Israel, which includes a formal declaration of Israels right to exist and increased diplomatic engagement. Every day we get closer, he said, an assessment praised and echoed by Netanyahu. Israeli-Saudi normalisation would represent the pinnacle of achievement thus far in US diplomatic efforts, including the Abraham Accords, signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in 2020. The accords aimed to normalise and build peaceful relations between Israel and Arab countries across the Middle East and in Africa. There are at least three possible outcomes to the war, and they all play in Irans favour. First, Israels heavy-handed response may turn off Saudi Arabia and other Arab states to US-backed Israeli normalisation efforts. Second, if Israel deems it necessary to push further into Gaza to eradicate the threat, this could provoke another Palestinian uprising in East Jerusalem or the West Bank, leading to a more widespread Israeli response and greater instability. Lastly, Israel could achieve its first two objectives with the minimal amount of force necessary, foregoing usual heavy-handed tactics and reducing chances of escalation. But this is unlikely. And even if this occurred, the underlying causes that led to this latest outbreak of violence, and the enabling role Iran plays in that process, have not been addressed. And when the next round of Israeli-Palestinian violence occurs and it will I believe Irans leaders will again congratulate themselves for a job well done. (The Conversation) (The writer is a PhD candidate at Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver) n Under heavy bombing nowhere is safe for Palestinians in Gaza By Issam Adwan GAZA CITY, OVER 1,80,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are packed into United Nations shelters as Israeli warplanes pound the tiny territory of 2.3 million people after their Hamas militant rulers launched an unprecedented weekend attack on Israel. Among them is 27-year-old Sabreen al-Attar. She sprang into action when she heard rocket after rocket whoosh over her farmland in Beit Lahiya just south of the Israeli border on Saturday. She knew from experience that Israeli retaliation would be swift and severe. Grabbing her children, al-Attar rushed to one of the dozens of shelters set up in schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City. There, blasts of unprecedented intensity punctuated hours of steadily declining conditions on Monday as food and water ran out. When I escape, I do it for my children, she said, her hands trembling. Their lives rest on my shoulders. But residents say there is no real escape in Gaza, which has been under a suffocating 16-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. When war breaks out, as it has four times since the Hamas militant group seized power in 2007, even United Nations facilities that are supposed to be safe zones risk becoming engulfed in the fighting. The UN said that an airstrike directly hit one of its shelters on Sunday and damaged five other schools-turned-shelters on Monday. There was no immediate word of casualties. In the downtown Rimal area, Gaza Citys bustling commercial district with high-rises home to international media and aid organisations, al-Attar hoped she would be safe. Rimal had until then not been an immediate Israeli target, unlike border towns or densely populated refugee camps. But as the Israeli military went neighbourhood to neighbourhood with rapid and intensifying airstrikes, the heavy bombardments reached the heart of Gaza City, transforming the affluent neighbourhood into an uninhabitable desert of craters. Rimal was also hit by Israeli airstrikes in Gazas bloody 2021 war, but not to this extent. Israeli bombs that struck Gazas flagship Islamic University, Government Ministries and high-rises in Rimal, starting on Monday afternoon, also blew out the windows of al-Attars shelter, shattering glass everywhere, she said. Life there, crammed with 1,500 other families, was full of danger and deprivation but Al-Attar said she had no choice but to stay, telling her boys 2-year-old Mohammed and 7-year-old Nabil to keep away from the windows. The night was very, very difficult, she said Tuesday. We have nowhere else to go. The bombing in Rimal and the potential risks of sheltering in UN schools highlighted the desperate search by Gaza civilians for refuge, with the territorys safe spaces rapidly shrinking. Ahead of the Israeli militarys warning to civilians on Monday that Rimal would be hit, families staggered into the streets with whatever belongings they could carry and without a destination. In a briefing Tuesday, Israeli Army spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht suggested Palestinians should try to leave through the Gaza border crossing with Egypt a seemingly impractical suggestion. While Hamas officials operating the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing said on Tuesday that Gazans who had registered in advance could cross into Egypt, the number of those allowed to travel has typically been small. That has led to backlogs and waiting times of days or weeks, even in calm times. There is never a Plan B here, said 31-year-old Maha Hussaini, as she watched terrified Rimal residents flood her Gaza City neighbourhood further south just as bombs began to fall there, too. Aid groups scramble to help: Humanitarian groups are scrambling to assist civilians caught in the war between Israel and Hamas and determine what aid operations are still safe to continue efforts that are being complicated by an intensified blockade of Gaza and ongoing fighting. More than 2 tonnes of medical supplies from the Egyptian Red Crescent have been sent to Gaza and efforts are underway to organise food and other deliveries. , according to an Egyptian military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the press. But the United Nations and other aid groups are pleading for more access to help Palestinians who find themselves in the middle of intense fighting. The UN and other aid agencies were talking with Egypt to send humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza through a crossing point between the strip and Egypts Sinai Peninsula, an Egyptian official and aid worker said Tuesday. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday medical supplies it has in seven hospitals in Gaza had already been used up and it was reprogramming funds to purchase more from local markets. Doctors Without Borders, which is still operating in Gaza, has to rely on supplies it already has inside the territory because it cant bring any more in, said Emmanuel Massart, a deputy desk coordinator with the organisation in Brussels. V D Sharma targets Congress on various issues Staff Reporter State President of Bharatiya Janata Party and MP Vishnudutt Sharma during a talk with journalists at the media centre on Tuesday strongly targeted the Congress for its different stand on the Hamas-Israel conflict when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over this attack and has shown solidarity with Israel in this hour of crisis. But it is unfortunate that only because of appeasement politics, Congress is moving away from the countrys official stand in this matter and the Congress Working Committee has passed a resolution in support of terrorists, he added. This attitude of Congress is not new, but Congress has always had a hand in supporting anti-socials, he alleged. He said that Rahul Gandhi, who insults Mother India abroad, has made remarks on our tribal brothers in the meeting of Shahdol on Tuesday. He said that they were not born on this land, they have come from outside. Sharma said that this thinking of Rahul Gandhi shows that the genes of the British are still alive in the blood of Congress, that is why Congress is still following the policy of divide and rule. Rahul Gandhi did not consider it appropriate to mention any tribal revolutionary in Shahdols Nukkad Sabha, who had sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country. He did not talk about the uplift of the tribal brothers, he just kept trying to create division. We should remain engaged in efforts to create a divide among our tribal brothers and this is the basic character of the Congress, Sharma said. While talking about our tribal brothers, Rahul Gandhi should remember that the work of creating a separate tribal ministry in the country was done by Late Atal Behari Vajpayees government. At the same time, the work of implementing the PESA Act to make the tribal brothers empowered and happy has been done by the government of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that Rahul Gandhi has forgotten that President Draupadi Murmu had implemented the PESA Act from the same Shahdol, where he is trying to create differences among the tribal brothers. Sharma said that in the coming elections, the people of the state and our tribal brothers will give a strong reply to the Congress and will eliminate this gene present in its blood. Congress always stood with the opponents of the country that sympathy towards anti-nationals and terrorists is an old habit of Congress. Congress has been showing love for those who are dangerous for the country, who attack the country. Congress people call global terrorist Osama Bin Laden as Osama Ji, while Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed is called Hafiz Saheb. Sharma said that while Sonia Gandhi continuously shed tears for the terrorists killed in the Batla House encounter in Delhi, Mr Bantadhar Digvijay Singh kept calling that encounter fake. He said that Congress people supported SIMI, supported PFI at the time of Karnataka elections. Congresss soft stance towards terrorist Kasab, who killed countless innocents in the Mumbai attacks, is not hidden from anyone. He said that Congress is the party which has been spreading red carpet in Delhi to welcome notorious terrorist Yasin Malik and has been taking donations from Zakir Naik. Bantadhar (Congress) calls the country a threat from Hindu terrorism and calls Zakir Naik a messenger of peace. Sharma said that opposition to Hindus and values of Hindu culture has been the habit of Congress. BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The official website of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, http://www.beltandroadforum.org/, was launched on Wednesday. The forum will take place in Beijing from Oct. 17 to 18. The official website, featuring Chinese and English versions, will release forum news promptly. The website also features a 3D globe web interface, rendering an immersive experience for visitors to explore the circle of friends participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, a media center website for the forum, http://www.brfmc2023.cn, was also launched, providing relevant information and services for domestic and foreign news reporters. This photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows destroyed buildings following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) Crucial life-saving supplies, including fuel, food and water, must be allowed into Gaza. There is a need for rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, says Antonio Guterres. UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned against the spillover of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "We must avoid spillover of the conflict. I am concerned about the recent exchange of fire along the Blue Line (between Israel and Lebanon) and recent reported attacks from southern Lebanon," he told a press briefing. "I appeal to all parties -- and those who have an influence over those parties -- to avoid any further escalation and spillover." Guterres called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Civilians must be protected at all times. International humanitarian law must be respected and upheld, said the UN chief. About 220,000 Palestinians are now sheltering in 92 facilities run by the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees across Gaza. UN premises and all hospitals, schools and clinics must never be targeted, he said. Crucial life-saving supplies, including fuel, food and water, must be allowed into Gaza. There is a need for rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, he said. Guterres thanked Egypt for its constructive engagement to facilitate humanitarian access through Rafah, the sole crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, and to make the El Arish airport available for critical assistance. Israel has imposed a "complete siege" of Gaza following Hamas attacks on Israel over the weekend. GAZA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Eleven employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Saturday, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. "They included five teachers at UNRWA schools, one gynecologist, one engineer, one psychological counselor and three support staff," said the statement. "Some were killed in their homes with their families. UNRWA mourns this loss and is grieving with our colleagues and the families," it added. Juliette Touma, director of Media and Communication at the UNRWA, told the UN News that UNWRA was forced to decrease its operations on the ground in the Gaza Strip since Saturday. But many staff were still working, responding to the needs of the people in the shelters, she added. Atmus Filtration Technologies (NYSE:ATMU Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company from $26.00 to $24.00 in a research report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Wells Fargo & Companys target price would suggest a potential upside of 16.00% from the stocks previous close. Several other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. They set a buy rating and a $25.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies from $24.00 to $26.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 10th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $26.00. Get Atmus Filtration Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Atmus Filtration Technologies Atmus Filtration Technologies Trading Up 1.3 % Shares of NYSE ATMU opened at $20.69 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $22.20. Atmus Filtration Technologies has a 52-week low of $19.10 and a 52-week high of $25.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.97, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 433.33. Atmus Filtration Technologies (NYSE:ATMU Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 9th. The company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $413.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $399.87 million. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Atmus Filtration Technologies will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Atmus Filtration Technologies Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nuveen Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Atmus Filtration Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $14,416,000. Rokos Capital Management LLP acquired a new position in shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $558,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $2,706,000. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new position in shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,062,000. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada acquired a new position in shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $420,000. 20.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Atmus Filtration Technologies (Get Free Report) Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc designs, manufactures, and sells filtration products under the Fleetguard brand name in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and internationally. It offers fuel filters, lube filters, air filters, crankcase ventilation, hydraulic filters, and coolants, as well as fuel additives. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Atmus Filtration Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atmus Filtration Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Avista (NYSE:AVA Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by research analysts at Guggenheim from $33.00 to $26.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Guggenheims price target points to a potential downside of 19.19% from the companys previous close. A number of other research firms have also recently commented on AVA. TheStreet cut Avista from a b rating to a c rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. StockNews.com started coverage on Avista in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Mizuho lowered their price target on Avista from $36.00 to $33.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. Finally, KeyCorp raised Avista from an underweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 25th. Get Avista alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Avista Avista Stock Up 0.4 % Shares of AVA stock opened at $32.18 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $33.87 and a 200 day moving average of $38.80. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The stock has a market cap of $2.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.50. Avista has a twelve month low of $30.53 and a twelve month high of $45.28. Avista (NYSE:AVA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.23 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $379.94 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $398.20 million. Avista had a return on equity of 6.18% and a net margin of 8.38%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.16 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Avista will post 2.3 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Avista In other news, Chairman Scott L. Morris acquired 3,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $32.39 per share, for a total transaction of $100,409.00. Following the acquisition, the chairman now owns 128,169 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,151,393.91. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Chairman Scott L. Morris acquired 3,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $32.39 per share, for a total transaction of $100,409.00. Following the acquisition, the chairman now owns 128,169 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,151,393.91. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP David J. Meyer sold 1,050 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $38,745.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 5,727 shares in the company, valued at approximately $211,326.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Avista A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AVA. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Avista in the 2nd quarter valued at $22,450,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of Avista by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 22,183 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $871,000 after purchasing an additional 626 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its position in shares of Avista by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 23,703 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $931,000 after purchasing an additional 1,281 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Avista by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 447,089 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $17,557,000 after purchasing an additional 1,118 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Avista during the 2nd quarter worth $232,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.53% of the companys stock. Avista Company Profile (Get Free Report) Avista Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company. It operates in two segments, Avista Utilities and AEL&P. The Avista Utilities segment provides electric distribution and transmission, and natural gas distribution services in parts of eastern Washington and northern Idaho; and natural gas distribution services in parts of northeastern and southwestern Oregon, as well as generates electricity in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Avista Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avista and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock traders purchased 58,424 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 37% compared to the average daily volume of 42,788 call options. Chevron Price Performance Shares of CVX opened at $166.57 on Wednesday. Chevron has a twelve month low of $149.74 and a twelve month high of $189.68. The stocks 50 day moving average is $163.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $161.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $311.03 billion, a PE ratio of 10.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 analyst estimates of $48 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.82 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 28.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Chevron will post 13.77 earnings per share for the current year. Chevron Dividend Announcement Insider Activity at Chevron The firm also recently disclosed 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.63%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 17th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is presently 38.30%. In related news, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of Chevron 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 completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,021 shares in the company, valued at $987,444. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Chevron news, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of the firms 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 directly owns 6,021 shares in the company, valued at $987,444. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Jeff B. Gustavson sold 3,750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.88, for a total value of $603,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,718 shares in the company, valued at $276,391.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chevron A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P raised its holdings in Chevron by 85.1% in the 1st quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 159,115 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $25,908,000 after acquiring an additional 73,141 shares during the last quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 25.2% in the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,335 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,155,000 after acquiring an additional 1,476 shares during the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 40,538 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,598,000 after acquiring an additional 1,813 shares during the last quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 43.5% in the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,837 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $950,000 after acquiring an additional 1,770 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP raised its holdings in Chevron by 13.8% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,068,600 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $336,830,000 after acquiring an additional 250,840 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CVX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. HSBC raised their price target on Chevron from $180.00 to $184.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Citigroup cut their target price on Chevron from $180.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Chevron from $196.00 to $188.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Chevron from $209.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their target price on Chevron from $209.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $190.89. View Our Latest Stock Report on Chevron Chevron Company Profile (Get 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Direct Line Insurance Group (OTCMKTS:DIISY Get Free Report) and Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, valuation and dividends. Dividends Direct Line Insurance Group pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.9%. Old Republic International pays an annual dividend of $0.98 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Direct Line Insurance Group pays out 54.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Old Republic International pays out 37.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Old Republic International has increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years. Get Direct Line Insurance Group alerts: Profitability This table compares Direct Line Insurance Group and Old Republic Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Direct Line Insurance Group N/A N/A N/A Old Republic International 10.18% 13.20% 3.16% Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Direct Line Insurance Group N/A N/A N/A $0.90 9.18 Old Republic International $8.08 billion 0.94 $686.50 million $2.64 10.09 This table compares Direct Line Insurance Group and Old Republic Internationals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Old Republic International has higher revenue and earnings than Direct Line Insurance Group. Direct Line Insurance Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Old Republic International, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Direct Line Insurance Group and Old Republic International, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Direct Line Insurance Group 1 3 2 0 2.17 Old Republic International 0 1 1 0 2.50 Old Republic International has a consensus price target of $30.00, suggesting a potential upside of 12.61%. Given Old Republic Internationals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Old Republic International is more favorable than Direct Line Insurance Group. Insider & Institutional Ownership 0.3% of Direct Line Insurance Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 70.6% of Old Republic International shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Old Republic International shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary Old Republic International beats Direct Line Insurance Group on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Direct Line Insurance Group (Get Free Report) Direct Line Insurance Group plc engages in the provision of general insurance products and services in the United Kingdom. The company operates through four segments: Motor, Home, Rescue and Other Personal Lines, and Commercial. It offers motor, home, rescue, travel, creditor, and pet insurance products, as well as insurance for mid-to-high-net worth customers; and commercial insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises. The company also provides claims and capital management, motor vehicle repair, insurance intermediary, support and operational, legal, and breakdown recovery services. It sells its insurance products directly through price comparison Websites and phone, as well as through partners and brokers under the Direct Line, Churchill, Green Flag, NIG, Direct Line for Business, Privilege, Darwin, and DLG Auto Services brands. The company was formerly known as RBS Insurance Group Limited and changed its name to Direct Line Insurance Group plc in February 2012. Direct Line Insurance Group plc was founded in 1985 and is based in Bromley, the United Kingdom. About Old Republic International (Get Free Report) Old Republic International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance underwriting and related services business primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Title Insurance, and the Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business. The General Insurance segment offers automobile extended warranty, aviation, commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril, commercial property, general liability, home warranty, inland marine, travel accident, and workers' compensation insurance products; and financial indemnity products for specialty coverages, including errors and omissions, fidelity, guaranteed asset protection, and surety. This segment provides its insurance products to businesses, government, and other institutions in transportation, commercial construction, healthcare, education, retail and wholesale trade, forest products, energy, general manufacturing, and financial services industries. The Title Insurance segment offers lenders' and owners' title insurance policies to real estate purchasers and investors based upon searches of the public records. This segment also provides escrow closing and construction disbursement services; and real estate information products, national default management services, and various other services pertaining to real estate transfers and loan transactions. The Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business segment offers private mortgage insurance coverage that protects mortgage lenders and investors from default related losses on residential mortgage loans made primarily to homebuyers.The company was founded in 1923 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Receive News & Ratings for Direct Line Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direct Line Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Northern Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FNRN Get Free Report) and CCFNB Bancorp (OTCMKTS:CCFN Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for First Northern Community Bancorp and CCFNB Bancorp, as provided by MarketBeat. Get First Northern Community Bancorp alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Northern Community Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A CCFNB Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Northern Community Bancorp 25.85% 15.16% 1.02% CCFNB Bancorp N/A N/A N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares First Northern Community Bancorp and CCFNB Bancorps net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares First Northern Community Bancorp and CCFNB Bancorps gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Northern Community Bancorp $62.81 million 2.22 $15.88 million $1.32 7.17 CCFNB Bancorp N/A N/A N/A $3.13 10.95 First Northern Community Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than CCFNB Bancorp. First Northern Community Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than CCFNB Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider & Institutional Ownership 5.8% of First Northern Community Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 3.7% of CCFNB Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 11.1% of First Northern Community Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.7% of CCFNB Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary First Northern Community Bancorp beats CCFNB Bancorp on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About First Northern Community Bancorp (Get Free Report) First Northern Community Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for First Northern Bank of Dixon that provides commercial banking products and services to individuals, and small to medium sized businesses. The company accepts demand deposits, interest-bearing transaction deposits, savings and money market deposit accounts, and time deposits. It also offers commercial, commercial real estate, agriculture, residential mortgage, residential construction, and consumer loans. In addition, the company offers debit and credit cards; investment and brokerage services; alternative investment products, and fiduciary and other financial services; and equipment leasing, merchant card processing, payroll, and international banking services through third parties. Further, it provides cashier's checks, safe deposit boxes, and other customary banking services. The company operates branches located in the cities of Auburn, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland; satellite banking office inside a retirement community in the city of Davis; residential mortgage loan office in Davis; and commercial loan office in the Contra Costa County city of Walnut Creek. First Northern Community Bancorp was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Dixon, California. About CCFNB Bancorp (Get Free Report) CCFNB Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. that provides banking and related financial services to individual, business, and government customers. It accepts checking, savings, money market, interest checking, individual retirement, and repurchase sweep accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; and demand and time deposits. The company offers commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans; financial and agriculture, tax-exempt, commercial, and consumer real estate loans; and installment loans to individuals. It also provides trust services; personal, corporate, pension, and fiduciary services; stocks, bonds, and other non-insured financial services; and remote capture, internet banking, telephone and mobile banking, and automated teller machine services, as well as investment and insurance products. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Receive News & Ratings for First Northern Community Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Northern Community Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Jefferies Financial Group from $85.00 to $81.00 in a report published on Monday morning, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $65.00 price objective on shares of Darling Ingredients in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Darling Ingredients from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Darling Ingredients from $93.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 1st. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Darling Ingredients from $106.00 to $104.00 in a report on Thursday, August 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Darling Ingredients from $92.00 to $91.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $88.60. Get Darling Ingredients alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Darling Ingredients Darling Ingredients Stock Performance DAR stock opened at $47.07 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $7.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.73 and a beta of 1.27. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $59.36 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.93. Darling Ingredients has a one year low of $45.87 and a one year high of $82.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.85. Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.57 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $1.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.83 billion. Darling Ingredients had a net margin of 11.12% and a return on equity of 20.15%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.23 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Darling Ingredients will post 5.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Darling Ingredients In other Darling Ingredients news, EVP John Bullock sold 28,734 shares of Darling Ingredients stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.10, for a total value of $1,870,583.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 101,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,587,403.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, EVP John Bullock sold 28,734 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.10, for a total transaction of $1,870,583.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 101,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,587,403.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Gary W. Mize bought 1,550 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $63.97 per share, with a total value of $99,153.50. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 38,375 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,454,848.75. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 212,999 shares of company stock valued at $13,533,010. Corporate insiders own 2.51% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Darling Ingredients Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. DNB Asset Management AS boosted its position in Darling Ingredients by 1.3% during the second quarter. DNB Asset Management AS now owns 1,258,610 shares of the companys stock worth $80,287,000 after acquiring an additional 15,621 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Darling Ingredients by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 262,474 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,328,000 after purchasing an additional 24,509 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its holdings in Darling Ingredients by 299.9% in the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 44,192 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,581,000 after purchasing an additional 33,142 shares during the last quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. boosted its holdings in Darling Ingredients by 47.4% in the 1st quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 181,311 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,589,000 after purchasing an additional 58,265 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Darling Ingredients by 50.9% in the 1st quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,823 shares of the companys stock valued at $340,000 after purchasing an additional 1,963 shares during the last quarter. 89.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Darling Ingredients (Get Free Report) Darling Ingredients Inc develops, produces, and sells natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients, and Fuel Ingredients. It offers ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, feed, industrial, fuel, bioenergy, and fertilizer industries. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Darling Ingredients Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Darling Ingredients and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $37.00, but opened at $35.71. Delta Air Lines shares last traded at $35.04, with a volume of 2,922,619 shares changing hands. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 14th. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $50.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Wolfe Research raised their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $51.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $47.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $51.00 to $50.00 in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Delta Air Lines has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $55.00. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on DAL Delta Air Lines Stock Up 1.6 % The company has a market cap of $23.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. The company has a fifty day moving average of $40.70 and a 200 day moving average of $39.75. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 13th. The transportation company reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.40 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $15.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.44 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 5.36% and a return on equity of 59.56%. The firms revenue was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.44 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 12th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 11th. Delta Air Liness payout ratio is 8.62%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Steven M. Sear sold 12,129 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.52, for a total value of $552,112.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 85,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,901,428.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Steven M. Sear sold 12,129 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.52, for a total value of $552,112.08. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 85,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,901,428.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Michael P. Huerta sold 3,350 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.43, for a total transaction of $162,240.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 27,465 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,330,129.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 40,479 shares of company stock valued at $1,839,353. 0.89% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Delta Air Lines Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in DAL. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 15,283 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $534,000 after acquiring an additional 901 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. raised its stake in Delta Air Lines by 8.2% during the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 962,574 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $29,966,000 after purchasing an additional 73,291 shares in the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC bought a new position in Delta Air Lines during the first quarter valued at $431,000. KWB Wealth purchased a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 1st quarter worth $221,000. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC increased its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 674.3% in the 1st quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 3,639 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $127,000 after buying an additional 3,169 shares during the last quarter. 71.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Delta Air Lines (Get Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Seoul-Incheon. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by stock analysts at Guggenheim from $124.00 to $110.00 in a report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Guggenheims price target indicates a potential upside of 12.98% from the companys current price. A number of other analysts also recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on DTE Energy from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Barclays started coverage on DTE Energy in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $117.00 price target for the company. Mizuho increased their price target on DTE Energy from $119.00 to $121.00 in a report on Thursday, July 13th. StockNews.com lowered DTE Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on DTE Energy from $120.00 to $121.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $85.63. Get DTE Energy alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on DTE DTE Energy Stock Up 0.8 % Shares of DTE stock opened at $97.36 on Monday. DTE Energy has a 1-year low of $90.14 and a 1-year high of $122.40. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $103.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $108.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The company has a market cap of $20.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.61. DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $2.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.04 billion. DTE Energy had a return on equity of 10.44% and a net margin of 8.02%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.88 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that DTE Energy will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, SVP Joann Chavez sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.53, for a total transaction of $283,825.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,107 shares in the company, valued at $1,374,507.71. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On DTE Energy Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in shares of DTE Energy by 0.6% in the first quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 14,962 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,639,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in shares of DTE Energy by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 32,844 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,598,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC lifted its stake in shares of DTE Energy by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 4,459 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $491,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of DTE Energy by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 12,600 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,380,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avitas Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of DTE Energy by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Avitas Wealth Management LLC now owns 22,773 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,505,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.72% of the companys stock. About DTE Energy (Get Free Report) DTE Energy Company engages in the utility operations. The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity through fossil-fuel, hydroelectric pumped storage, and nuclear plants, as well as wind and solar assets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for DTE Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DTE Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mativ (NYSE:MATV Get Free Report) is one of 17 public companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Mativ to related companies based on the strength of its profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, dividends and risk. Profitability This table compares Mativ and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Mativ alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mativ -1.21% 9.73% 3.06% Mativ Competitors 7.59% 18.89% 6.66% Institutional & Insider Ownership 91.4% of Mativ shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.7% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of Mativ 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 large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Mativ $2.17 billion -$6.60 million -22.56 Mativ Competitors $5.50 billion $686.61 million 29.22 This table compares Mativ and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Mativs competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Mativ. Mativ is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Volatility and Risk Mativ has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mativs competitors have a beta of 1.31, suggesting that their average stock price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends Mativ pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Mativ pays out -65.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Paper mills companies pay a dividend yield of 3.8% and pay out 58.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Mativ and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mativ 0 0 1 0 3.00 Mativ Competitors 113 718 474 49 2.34 Mativ presently has a consensus target price of $32.00, suggesting a potential upside of 132.56%. As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 14.01%. Given Mativs stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Mativ is more favorable than its competitors. Summary Mativ competitors beat Mativ on 10 of the 15 factors compared. About Mativ (Get Free Report) Mativ Holdings, Inc. operates as a performance materials company. The company operates through two segments, Advanced Technical Materials and Fiber-Based Solutions. The Advanced Technical Materials segment manufactures and sells polymer, resin and fiber-based substrates, nets, films, adhesive tapes, and other nonwovens. This segment serves filtration, protective solutions, release liners, healthcare, and industrials end-markets. The Fiber-Based Solutions segment provides packaging, printing, and specialty papers; and various paper-based products for the consumer channel, such as bright papers, cardstock, stationery paper, envelopes, journals, and planners. It also offers combustibles products comprising conventional papers and filter wraps, low-ignition propensity papers wrappers for small cigars, and hemp-based alternatives; noncombustibles; and lightweight papers. This segment serves cigarette and cigar manufacturers, and commercial print and combustibles end-markets. The company sells its products in the United States, Europe and the former Commonwealth of Independent States, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and changed its name to Mativ Holdings, Inc. in July 2022. Mativ Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. Receive News & Ratings for Mativ Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mativ and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GAZA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Regional mediation talks are being held to provide a safe passage for the evacuation of foreigners from the Gaza Strip and bringing urgent aid into the Palestinian enclave via Egypt, a Palestinian source told Xinhua on Wednesday. The source, who requests anonymity, said the mediation talks were led by Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye, and has had support from Saudi Arabia and the United States. The source said the regional move aimed to provide safe passage with the possibility of declaring a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings in order to evacuate foreigners through the Rafah crossing, the sole crossing point between Egypt and the Palestinian enclave. Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, and other regional countries are pressing for the entry of humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip to avoid a severe humanitarian disaster threatening its population, said the source. According to the source, Hamas and the Palestinian factions agreed to the mediations, while the American administration and Arab countries are pressuring Israel to accept this in order to proceed with its implementation as soon as possible. The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. As of Wednesday, more than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands more injured on both sides. After the Hamas attack, Israel cut off its power supply to the Gaza Strip and ordered a complete siege on the Palestinian enclave. A. O. Smith (NYSE:AOS Get Free Report) and SharkNinja (NYSE:SN Get Free Report) are both industrial products companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability and risk. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for A. O. Smith and SharkNinja, as provided by MarketBeat. Get A. O. Smith alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score A. O. Smith 2 5 1 0 1.88 SharkNinja 0 0 1 0 3.00 A. O. Smith presently has a consensus price target of $70.29, indicating a potential upside of 1.48%. Given A. O. Smiths higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe A. O. Smith is more favorable than SharkNinja. Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio A. O. Smith $3.75 billion 2.78 $235.70 million $1.81 38.27 SharkNinja $3.84 billion 1.60 $232.35 million N/A N/A This table compares A. O. Smith and SharkNinjas revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. A. O. Smith has higher earnings, but lower revenue than SharkNinja. Profitability This table compares A. O. Smith and SharkNinjas net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets A. O. Smith 7.32% 29.73% 16.22% SharkNinja N/A N/A N/A Insider & Institutional Ownership 74.5% of A. O. Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of A. O. Smith shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.1% of SharkNinja shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary A. O. Smith beats SharkNinja on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About A. O. Smith (Get Free Report) A. O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets residential and commercial gas, heat pump and electric water heaters, boilers, tanks, and water treatment products in North America, China, Europe, and India. It operates through two segments, North America and Rest of World. The company offers water heaters for residences, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, laundries, car washes, and small businesses; commercial boilers for hospitals, schools, hotels, and other large commercial buildings, as well as residential boilers for homes, apartments, and condominiums; and water treatment products comprising point-of-entry water softeners, well water solutions, and whole-home water filtration products, on-the-go filtration bottles, point-of-use carbon, and reverse osmosis products for residences, restaurants, hotels, and offices. It also provides commercial water treatment and filtration product; expansion tanks, commercial solar water heating systems, swimming pool and spa heaters, and related products and parts; and electric wall-hung, gas tankless, combi-boiler, and heat pump and solar water heaters. The company offers its products primarily under the A. O. Smith, State, Lochinvar, and water softener brands. It distributes its products through independent wholesale plumbing distributors, as well as through retail channels consisting of hardware and home center chains, and manufacturer representative firms; and offers Aquasana branded products directly to consumers through e-commerce. A. O. Smith Corporation was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. About SharkNinja (Get Free Report) SharkNinja, Inc., a product design and technology company, engages in the provision of various solutions for consumers worldwide. It offers cleaning appliances, including corded and cordless vacuums, as well as other floorcare products; cooking and beverage appliances, such as air fryers, multi-cookers, outdoor and countertop grills and ovens, coffee systems, cookware, cutlery, kettles, toasters, and bakeware products; food preparation appliances comprising blenders, food processors, ice cream makers, and juicers; and beauty appliances, home environment products, and garment care products. The company sells its products through retailers, online and offline, and distributors. SharkNinja, Inc. was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts. Receive News & Ratings for A. O. Smith Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for A. O. Smith and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR Get Free Report) and Rural Funds Group (OTC:RFNDF Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and risk. Institutional and Insider Ownership 99.7% of Digital Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Digital Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Digital Realty Trust and Rural Funds Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Digital Realty Trust 2 5 3 1 2.27 Rural Funds Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Profitability Digital Realty Trust presently has a consensus target price of $121.50, suggesting a potential upside of 0.88%. Given Digital Realty Trusts higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Digital Realty Trust is more favorable than Rural Funds Group. This table compares Digital Realty Trust and Rural Funds Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Digital Realty Trust 8.34% 2.65% 1.10% Rural Funds Group N/A N/A N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares Digital Realty Trust and Rural Funds Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Digital Realty Trust $5.13 billion 7.11 $377.68 million $1.29 93.36 Rural Funds Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Digital Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Rural Funds Group. Summary Digital Realty Trust beats Rural Funds Group on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Digital Realty Trust (Get Free Report) 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. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 27 countries on six continents. About Rural Funds Group (Get Free Report) Rural Funds Group is an agricultural Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listed on the ASX under the code RFF. RFF owns a diversified portfolio of Australian agricultural assets which are leased predominantly to corporate agricultural operators. RFF targets distribution growth of 4% per annum by owning and improving farms that are leased to good counterparties. RFF is a stapled security, incorporating Rural Funds Trust (ARSN 112 951 578) and RF Active (ARSN 168 740 805). Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Research analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO Get Free Report) in a research note issued on Monday. The firm set a hold rating on the stock. Argo Group International Stock Performance ARGO opened at $29.76 on Monday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $29.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.66. The company has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a PE ratio of -5.21 and a beta of 0.97. Argo Group International has a 1 year low of $20.83 and a 1 year high of $30.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.66. Get Argo Group International alerts: Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 7th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.42). The firm had revenue of $362.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $348.80 million. Argo Group International had a negative net margin of 11.90% and a negative return on equity of 7.65%. Research analysts expect that Argo Group International will post 0.15 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Argo Group International About Argo Group International Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ARGO. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Argo Group International by 14.8% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 28,947 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,195,000 after acquiring an additional 3,735 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Argo Group International by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,194,998 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,610,000 after acquiring an additional 21,380 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Argo Group International by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,237,969 shares of the companys stock valued at $133,663,000 after acquiring an additional 28,602 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its holdings in Argo Group International by 56.7% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 45,888 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,894,000 after acquiring an additional 16,602 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Argo Group International by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 373,460 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,417,000 after acquiring an additional 7,648 shares in the last quarter. (Get Free Report) Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty markets. The company operates in two segments, U.S. Operations and International Operations. It offers primary and excess specialty casualty, general liability, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation, as well as product, environmental, and auto liability insurance products; management liability, transaction liability, and errors and omissions liability insurance; primary and excess property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance; and surety, animal mortality, and ocean marine insurance products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Argo Group International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Argo Group International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suzano (NYSE:SUZ Get Free Report) is one of 17 publicly-traded companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Suzano to similar businesses based on the strength of its profitability, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends and risk. Dividends Suzano pays an annual dividend of $0.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Suzano pays out 9.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Paper mills companies pay a dividend yield of 3.8% and pay out 58.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Suzano has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Get Suzano alerts: Volatility & Risk Suzano has a beta of 1.11, indicating that its stock price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Suzanos rivals have a beta of 1.31, indicating that their average stock price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Suzano 0 0 1 0 3.00 Suzano Competitors 113 718 474 49 2.34 This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Suzano and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com. As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 28.38%. Given Suzanos rivals higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Suzano has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Suzano and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Suzano $9.65 billion $4.53 billion 3.27 Suzano Competitors $5.50 billion $686.61 million 29.22 Suzano has higher revenue and earnings than its rivals. Suzano 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. Insider & Institutional Ownership 2.6% of Suzano shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.7% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by institutional investors. 5.5% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Suzano and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Suzano 47.44% 64.65% 17.21% Suzano Competitors 7.59% 18.89% 6.66% Summary Suzano beats its rivals on 8 of the 15 factors compared. Suzano Company Profile (Get Free Report) Suzano S.A. produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. In addition, the company is involved in the business office, production packaging, and financial fundraising activities; research, development, production, commercialization, and distribution of wood-based textile fibers, yarns, and filaments produced from cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose; and research and development of wood raw materials for the textile industry. Suzano S.A. was formerly known as Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. and changed its name to Suzano S.A. in April 2019. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Salvador, Brazil. Receive News & Ratings for Suzano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suzano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG Get Free Report) and Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation and profitability. Dividends The Hartford Financial Services Group pays an annual dividend of $1.70 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Old Republic International pays an annual dividend of $0.98 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. The Hartford Financial Services Group pays out 27.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Old Republic International pays out 37.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. The Hartford Financial Services Group has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years and Old Republic International has increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years. Old Republic International is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Get The Hartford Financial Services Group alerts: Risk & Volatility The Hartford Financial Services Group has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Old Republic International has a beta of 0.78, meaning that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score The Hartford Financial Services Group 0 6 7 0 2.54 Old Republic International 0 1 1 0 2.50 This is a summary of recent recommendations for The Hartford Financial Services Group and Old Republic International, as reported by MarketBeat.com. The Hartford Financial Services Group currently has a consensus target price of $85.43, suggesting a potential upside of 20.32%. Old Republic International has a consensus target price of $30.00, suggesting a potential upside of 12.61%. Given The Hartford Financial Services Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe The Hartford Financial Services Group is more favorable than Old Republic International. Insider and Institutional Ownership 90.8% of The Hartford Financial Services Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 70.6% of Old Republic International shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of The Hartford Financial Services Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of Old Republic International shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares The Hartford Financial Services Group and Old Republic Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets The Hartford Financial Services Group 8.53% 17.54% 3.22% Old Republic International 10.18% 13.20% 3.16% Valuation & Earnings This table compares The Hartford Financial Services Group and Old Republic Internationals gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio The Hartford Financial Services Group $22.36 billion 0.97 $1.82 billion $6.22 11.41 Old Republic International $8.08 billion 0.94 $686.50 million $2.64 10.09 The Hartford Financial Services Group has higher revenue and earnings than Old Republic International. Old Republic International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than The Hartford Financial Services Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary The Hartford Financial Services Group beats Old Republic International on 14 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About The Hartford Financial Services Group (Get Free Report) The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers. The company's Personal Lines segment provides automobile, homeowners, and personal umbrella coverages through direct-to-consumer channel and independent agents. Its Property & Casualty Other Operations segment offers coverage for asbestos and environmental exposures. The company's Group Benefits segment provides group life, disability, and other group coverages to members of employer groups, associations, and affinity groups through direct insurance policies; reinsurance to other insurance companies; employer paid and voluntary product coverages; disability underwriting, administration, and claims processing to self-funded employer plans; and a single-company leave management solution. This segment distributes its group insurance products and services through brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, trade associations, and private exchanges. Its Hartford Funds segment offers managed mutual funds across various asset classes; and exchange-traded products through broker-dealer organizations, independent financial advisers, defined contribution plans, financial consultants, bank trust groups, and registered investment advisers, as well as investment management, distribution, and administrative services, such as product design, implementation, and oversight. The company was founded in 1810 and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. About Old Republic International (Get Free Report) Old Republic International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance underwriting and related services business primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Title Insurance, and the Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business. The General Insurance segment offers automobile extended warranty, aviation, commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril, commercial property, general liability, home warranty, inland marine, travel accident, and workers' compensation insurance products; and financial indemnity products for specialty coverages, including errors and omissions, fidelity, guaranteed asset protection, and surety. This segment provides its insurance products to businesses, government, and other institutions in transportation, commercial construction, healthcare, education, retail and wholesale trade, forest products, energy, general manufacturing, and financial services industries. The Title Insurance segment offers lenders' and owners' title insurance policies to real estate purchasers and investors based upon searches of the public records. This segment also provides escrow closing and construction disbursement services; and real estate information products, national default management services, and various other services pertaining to real estate transfers and loan transactions. The Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business segment offers private mortgage insurance coverage that protects mortgage lenders and investors from default related losses on residential mortgage loans made primarily to homebuyers.The company was founded in 1923 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Receive News & Ratings for The Hartford Financial Services Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hartford Financial Services Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO Free Report) had its price target trimmed by Wells Fargo & Company from $68.00 to $67.00 in a report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. DINO has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of HF Sinclair in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Bank of America raised their target price on HF Sinclair from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Mizuho cut their price objective on HF Sinclair from $72.00 to $64.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 6th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on HF Sinclair in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set an outperform rating and a $65.00 target price for the company. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on HF Sinclair from $53.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, HF Sinclair has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.92. Get HF Sinclair alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on DINO HF Sinclair Stock Performance Shares of HF Sinclair stock opened at $54.26 on Monday. HF Sinclair has a one year low of $37.12 and a one year high of $66.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 2.32. The company has a market capitalization of $9.82 billion, a PE ratio of 4.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $49.16. HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The company reported $2.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.27 by $0.33. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 6.87% and a return on equity of 24.58%. The company had revenue of $7.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.38 billion. Research analysts expect that HF Sinclair will post 10.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. HF Sinclair Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 17th were issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.32%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 16th. HF Sinclairs payout ratio is currently 15.28%. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Valerie Pompa sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.89, for a total transaction of $284,450.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 20,217 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,150,145.13. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of HF Sinclair A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DINO. Bornite Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair in the first quarter valued at $13,947,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in HF Sinclair during the first quarter worth about $241,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair in the first quarter valued at about $13,169,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in HF Sinclair in the first quarter valued at about $1,823,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE purchased a new position in HF Sinclair in the first quarter valued at about $292,000. 89.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About HF Sinclair (Get Free Report) HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. It produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. The company also owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for HF Sinclair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HF Sinclair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GAZA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- As the conflict between Israel and Gaza's ruling faction Hamas enters the fifth day, the intensified Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have made the lives of besieged Palestinians all the more miserable. The al-Rimal neighborhood in central Gaza City that was once packed with towers, buildings, and shops, has now reduced to scattered rubble due to the vehement attacks. "When the Israeli army ordered us to evacuate our houses before being attacked, we did not know where we should go nor when we could come back home again," Mohammed al-Qishawi, a resident in al-Rimal told Xinhua. "We escaped to the nearest UNRWA school, but we experienced the most violent and terrifying night because of the Israeli airstrikes," the 48-year-old recalled. Heba al-Hindi, a 36-year-old mother of four who also took refuge in the school, said the explosions almost didn't stop through the whole night. "I can hear children and women screaming all night," she said. "We do not have shelters to hide, and the UNRWA's schools cannot protect us from the Israeli attacks either, as Israel sometimes hit them too," she said. The situation in southern Khan Younis city was no better. "Israeli warplanes bombed three adjacent homes without warning us, killing more than eleven of my relatives," Mohammed Abu Daqqa, a resident, told Xinhua. "The civil defense crews stayed for hours to remove the bodies of dead women and children from under the rubble," he recalled in anger. In a heartbreaking scene, Jamil Al-Zaanin, 66, went hysterical as he tried to search through the rubble with his hands in search of survivors from his family in Beit Hanoun, in the northeast edge of Gaza. "They (Israeli aircraft) bombed us without warning us. They killed all my family ... what was our fault to be subjected to such criminal and bloody war," the man groaned in grief. The Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said that Israel was trying to "evacuate civilian populations from areas where Hamas has a military presence" before unleashing "powerful destruction." The conflict started on Saturday when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides. At least 1,078 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli attacks, while the number of fatalities in Israel has reached at least 1,200, according to official figures from both sides. More than 263,000 Palestinians were internally displaced, among whom nearly 175,500 people are sheltering in 88 UNRWA schools across the besieged Palestinian enclave, according to the UN. Israel has also cut off Gaza's water supplies and electricity, worsening the territory's already abysmal humanitarian conditions. Traders in Onitsha, Anambra State, especially importers, Tuesday, jubilated over the establishment of Zenith Shipping company bonded terminal in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area, to ease off clearing and logistics problems associated with importation of wares into Nigeria and by extension, Southeast geo-political zone. The importers and traders whose jubilation knew no bound when the Managing Director of Zenith Shipping Company, Chief Innocent Obelle, told them during interactions at Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders' Association, ASMATA Secretariat, along Modebe road Onitsha, that the company has opened a bonded terminal in Nawfia, to curtail their problems. His words, "It is a privilege and honour for me to be here with my members to inform you that we have opened for operation at Nawfia. We are here to ask for your patronage in order to help you people in your businesses especially in the area of clearing of your wares. The reason why we established our office here in Anambra is to eliminate the sufferings our people on the he process of bringing down their wares to South East. We assure you people quick and safety delivery of your wares. Nobody will disturb you any longer and your security is highly guaranteed since we have made adequate arrangements for security. "All the facilities are available to ensure better services, our company has lasted for 30 years operating outside Anambra State but we deem it necessary to bring it down to Anambra to reduce stress importers are passing through," he further explained. Chief Obelle reiterated that security of importers is fully guaranteed, hinting that one of the prerequisites before establishing bonded terminal is provision of Mibile Police, (MOPOL.). According to him the bonded terminal has been equipped with MOPOL, explaining that he is even optimistic that based on the efforts of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, in tackling crimes and criminality, insecurity would be a thing of the past within the shortest possible time. He further noted that before approving bonded terminal, all the governments agencies that include custom, NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, among others, adding that each agency handles its own duty as stipulated by law. Chief Obelle who is the Omeleora of Nawfia, reminded traders that the issue of payment of tariff is a general issue worrying both association of bonded terminal, Clearing Agents Association and Manufacturers Association, stressing that meeting is currently going on in Abuja in order to arrest the situation. Expressing satisfaction with the opening of Zenith Shipping Company terminal at Nawfia, the ASMATA President General, PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna, commended the Zenith boss for his Initiative to establish their branch in Anambra State. He said that such huge establishment in Anambra would induce more industries and also offer employment opportunities to the teeming Nigerian youths. I am impressed with your think home philosophy. But, you people should come back again so that traders and importers should converge en mass. I assure you that your gestures and your visit to our office can not be in vain, he assured. In their various remarks, the Onitsha Main Market Chairman, Chief Innocent Ezeoha and Idemili zone ASMATA leader, Chief Emma Obiagwu, lauded Zenith Shipping Company for establishing their investment in Anambra State. They said, "It is quite commendable and a welcome development, every importer in Anambra should like to patronize you, you did proper homework. A Chieftain in importation business, Hon. Anthony Emenike Nwakeze, who is current the PG of Awba Ofemili Improvement Union, and Director of Eyiponi Cemical industry, (a.k a Tonel paint), disclosed that all the PGs in Anambra state are having a serious meeting with the Governor. Prof Charles Soludo, on security issue. "It is an indoor meeting, by the grace of God, the AVG of Anambra state, youth volunteers, among others, the crime is gradually coming down, we are getting better than before, the AVG of Anambra state is trying as much as it can, the insecurity is all over the country not Anambra state alone, it is a challenge to the government, it is the news everywhere. "We thank the Governor for his efforts in making sure that the insecurity in the state is becoming low. Omeleora Nawfia, Zenith terminal, is like he knows our mind, he is a man of integrity, he brought the terminal to our doorsteps now, I advise all the importers in the state to wake up for he has brought relief to us," he affirmed. Quite recently, I had the occasion to stop by at the legacy law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo LP named after the Nigerian Corporate Law and Practice Legend - Chief (Dr) Christoper Ogunbanjo OFR, CON, to see a well-respected Mentor cum Managing Partner of the legacy law firm, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo OFR, who waskind enough to gift me a copy of one of the books written in honour of the legend alongside another considerable gift. I would also go on to read another book written in honour of the legend widely known as the father of modern corporate law practice in Nigeria titled A Life of Law & Business: Essays in Honour ofChief (Dr) Chris Ogunbajo, OFR, CON. The latter book written by some of the brightest minds in the legal profession in Nigeria in celebration of Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo, OFR, CON include distinguished Learned Silk such as Prof. Gbolahan EliasSAN, Mr. Adedolapo Akinrele SAN, Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour SAN and seasoned Senior Lawyers cum leading industry experts such as Mr. Geroge Etomi, Bimbo Atillola & Dr. Olayinka Atitlola, Mr. Seyi Akinwumi, Mrs Toyosi Alabi, Basi Udotai, Prof. Chidi Ogumanam, Mrs Kemi Awodein, and Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo who edited the book alongside Mrs Bimbo Atilola. The book published by The Chris OgunbanjoFoundation would go to examine themes cutting across the Nigerian Energy Sector, Infrastructure Financing in Nigeria, Shares and Corporate Financing, Capital Markets Disruption including the Demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Corporate Restructuring, Cross-Border discussions as well as Intellectual Property, amongst others. Fast forward to last weekend, the news was received that Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo OFR,CON,peacefully transitioned into eternal glory, surrounded by his beloved family loved, in his centennial year andbarely just a couple of months to his centenary birthday.A little background about the Leading Corporate Lawyer, Industrialist and Philanthropist might be useful at this point. Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo OFR, CON was born in the Parsonage of Epiphany Church, Erunwon, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria on Friday, 14 December 1923. A son of a clergyman, he had his early education at St Philips School, Aiyetoro, Ile-Ife, Osun State from where he proceeded to Oduduwa College in 1936. He would then go onto to Igbobi College, Lagos in 1938 and left in December 1941 after obtaining the Cambridge School Certificate with exemption from London Matriculation. He passed the LLB Laws Degree of London University in 1949 and was to the Bar in Lincolns Inn in 1950. He became a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in August 1950. Capturing how prominent Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjos influence was in the 1950s and 60s, Chief (Dr) Olusegun Oladipo Osunkeye CON, OFR, FCA, in Essays in Honour of Chief (Dr) Christopher OgunbanjoOFR, CON @95, noted that for prospective investors intending to set up business in Nigeria during that time, the gateway to entry would normally start with making enquiries from Barclays Bank DCO and Bank of British West Africa and those two banks would readily give the name of Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo OFR, CON,because of the confidence they have had in him, his integrity, competence, thoroughness, and professionalism. Chief (Dr) Christopher OgunbajoOFR, CON would go on to distinguish himself the Father of Modern Corporate Law Practice in Nigeria a title best used for a trail blazer cum founder of the pioneer indigenous commercial law firm in Nigeria which competed favourably with the corporate law firm of Irving & Bonnar at that time. Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo OFR, CON, would also earn the coveted title of a Captain of Industry perhaps for his role as a founding member of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (Life Patron since 1987) and Honorary Life Vice-President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 1979 and forhis sterling reputation for pioneering/nurturing indigenous industrial ventures in Nigeria, given theeconomic genius he was. Beyond earning an illustrious reputation for promoting education, research and a peaceful society geared towards adding benefit to all, Chief Christopher Ogunbanjo OFR, CON would go on to serve in various capacities including as the first Chairman of the Nigerian Council for Management, Education and Training, the governing body of the Centre for Management Development (1972-76). He served as the Chairman of the Study Group on Industrial Policy set up by the Federal Government to examine industrial development in Nigeria (1984). After this, he would go on to serve as the Chairman of the Consultative Committee on Company Law to advise on a new Companies Decree promulgated in 1990. As aptly captured in the words of Hon. Justice Mohammed Bello GCON - former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo, OFR,CONkept alive his concerns not just for an industrialised and economically progressive Nigeria, but also where peace will reign among the diverse interests and ethnic orientation of the people of our beloved country. To know Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo, OFR, CON was to know an extraordinary and patriotic Nigeria dedicated to an industrialised, economic developed and progressive Nigeria with peace being at the centre of such lofty and detribalized pursuits. Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo, OFR, CON passion for Nigerias economic growth and development would explain why he wrote extensively on the Nigerian economy. Some of his thoughts in this regard would form a collection of papers found in two books, to wit: Nigerias Economic and Industrial Development Which Way Forward? (1983); Nigeria The Search for Economic Stability (1986). Honoured home and abroad as evident in his 1981 decoration as Officer Orange Nassau by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and 1982 conferment with the National Merit Award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). In 1986, he was honoured with the title of Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and in 1987, he was awarded the Doctor of Civil Laws (D.C.L) by Obafemi Awolowo University. The University of Lagos would follow on in 1988 with the award of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) and in 1990, he was equally honoured by home grown University - Ogun State university, Ago-Iwo with the title of Doctor of Sciences (D.Sc) a proud moment for the illustrious son of the Ogun State. A seasoned legal luminary and distinguished figure in Nigerias legal and business communities, whose multifaceted roles as an industrialist, corporate lawyer and philanthropist would leave indelible impressions in these important fields as he empowered and mentored numerous professionals from Nigeria and beyond.Perhaps, one of the best credits ever given to Chief was by Mr Asue Ighodalo, Founding Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo, Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sterling Bank Plc, Chairman, Levene Energy Group Limited, when he opined: "...I had the unique privilege of undertaking the mandatory law firm attachment with the firm of Chris Ogunbanjo& Co. It was ... the leading commercial law firm in Nigeria at the time... I enjoyed the six weeks I spent there. I liked the firm, the people, the quality of the work and the exposure. Once I completed my law school exams and I was called to bar, I asked if I could come back to work in the firm. I worked there for about six years, they were six wonderful and professionally fulfilling years. I was exposed to everything about commercial law. Chief Chris Ogunbanjo was a great boss, a fantastic person, and very generous in imparting his deep knowledge and wide exposure. I was exposed to complicated transactions. We worked in an atmosphere of intellectual intensity, where everybody was primarily responsible for their work, and my time there was indeed a blessing. I really want to thank Chief Ogunbanjo for the experience, and my friend Tokunbo for the opportunity. That was the greatest influence on my career, and I am truly grateful for it." Ever desirous of giving back, he would go on to start The Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation with a passion for touching mankind and positively affecting lives through championing of ideals that bind us together. To know Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo, OFR, CON, was to know an unwavering beacon of courage,moral integrity, and dedication to his beloved country.His impactful life was best characterised by an exceptional commitment to selfless causes, extraordinary of life of service to his community and people, as well as a sterling reputation for promoting best business practices and unblemished reputation. Highly decorated and honoured recipient of several prestigious chieftaincy titles, including Olotu of Ijebuland, Larinja of Egbaland, Gbadero of Lagos, Lerinja of Egbaland, Baba Oba of Ijebu Imusin, and Baba Oba of Erunwon Ijebu, Chief (Dr) ChristopherOgunbanjo, OFR, CON, was also well known for championing causes close to his heart and dedicating himself to grassroots community development as well as advocacy for peaceful co-existence between Nigerians from diverse backgrounds. Until his death, he was the Patron, Nigerian/America, Chamber of Commerce, Patron, Nigerian/British Chamber of Commerce, Grand Patron, Ijebu-Ode Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; Life Patron, Christian Charity Band of Nigeria; Chairman and Trustee, Ogun State Development Trust Fund, amongst others. Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo, OFR, CONs departure will be profoundly felt by all. His legacy, best exemplified by his invaluable contributions to worthy causes, economic growth, and development, modern corporate cum commercial law practice, as well as peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians and Africans at large, will continue to stand the test of time and championed by all those who have had the chance to drink from his ever-flowing fountain of knowledge, as well for generations to come. Joseph Onele is a lawyer and can be reached via [email protected] This photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) BRUSSELS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- As the world's attention shifted to Israel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels on Wednesday to ask Western countries to continue their aid to Ukraine. "We spoke about priorities for Ukraine, for defending how to survive during this next winter," Zelensky told reporters before attending a meeting with NATO defense ministers. "We need some support from the leaders. That is why I am here today," he said, with the presence of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Zelensky named air defense systems as one of his priorities. "It is not just basic words. We need concrete things and we need them in very concrete geographic points on our land," he added. The NATO-Ukraine meeting secured more support for the country to face the winter conflicts. Stoltenberg said the alliance would provide more cold weather clothing, demining capabilities, fuel, and medical equipment "to help Ukraine weather another difficult winter." The new pledge was made when the clashes between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) were drawing the world's attention. As of Wednesday, more than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands of others injured on both sides. On Thursday, NATO defense ministers will discuss the situation in the Middle East, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant set to join via videoconference. This photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at a press conference during a NATO defense ministers meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference during a NATO defense ministers meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference during a NATO defense ministers meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) Number of Thais confirmed dead in Israel rises to 18 BANGKOK: The Thai death toll from the Hamas attack on Israel has risen to 18 while about 3,000 Thais in the country also want to return home, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Jakkapong Sangmanee said yesterday (Oct 10). violencedeathSafety By Bangkok Post Wednesday 11 October 2023 09:34 AM Jakkapong: Return of bodies must wait. Photo: Bangkok Post He said the return of the bodies of those killed to Thailand must wait until Israeli forces have fully secured areas affected by the conflict. The victims bodies are unreachable until then, reports the Bangkok Post. Mr Jakkapong said Thai workers continue to be evacuated from at-risk areas in Israel. About 30,000 Thai workers are in Israel, with about 5,000 in the conflict area. About 3,000 had so far expressed their desire to return home. The first group were expected to return tomorrow, Mr Jakkapong said. The deputy foreign affairs minister said that about 100 Thais had made it clear they did not want to come home immediately. The repatriation process would initially depend on commercial and chartered flights because military aircraft were not allowed to land in Israel as fighting is near the airports, Mr Jakkapong said. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said yesterday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had been closely monitoring the situation in Israel and instructed relevant agencies to prepare to assist Thai nationals there. The spokesman said that the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv had reported on the progress of the evacuation of Thais, and priority has been given to evacuating Thai workers who have been hardest hit by the fighting. The government is trying to mobilise all resources and personnel to contact and help every Thai worker in Israel and ask Israeli authorities to assist in the evacuation, Mr Chai said. As for the operation to move dead bodies out of the conflict zones, Israeli authorities have prioritised efforts to evacuate people who are stranded in risk areas. Since most Israeli security and emergency personnel have been dispatched to battle areas, there are not many able to assist in retrieving dead bodies, he said, adding that identification of bodies will take some time. Kanchana Patarachoke, director-general of the Foreign Affairs Ministrys Department of Information, held a press conference on the situation in Israel. She was joined via video by Pannabha Chandraramya, the Thai ambassador to Israel, who provided updates and details of preparations to evacuate Thai nationals. According to the Thai embassy in Israel, the Israeli military has regained control of the territory that Hamas attacked, and they and relevant agencies have evacuated hundreds of civilians, including Thai nationals, from at-risk areas near the Gaza Strip to safe zones. Ms Pannabha said the Israelis are looking for people reported missing and are using facial recognition technology. They are coordinating closely with the Thai embassy, she said. As of yesterday, 18 Thais had died, she said, citing unofficial reports from employers and pending official confirmation from Israeli authorities. Eleven Thai nationals have been taken hostage, she said, adding that nine Thais have been injured. She said the Thai embassy has also arranged for the initial repatriation of 15 Thai nationals via El Al Airlines. They include injured Thai nationals who are fit for travel and those who have been transferred to safe zones. They are scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport tomorrow. The next repatriation of 80 Thai nationals is scheduled for next Wednesday, Ms Pannabha said. Ms Kanchana said that Thai ambassadors in Israels neighbouring countries have contacted the foreign affairs ministries in those countries to discuss alternative evacuation routes for Thai nationals and any other assistance the Thai nationals may require. Regarding those abducted, Thailand is using every diplomatic and any other channel possible to convey its concerns and request assistance for those held, Ms Kanchana said. She said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara received a phone call from Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen, who expressed his condolences to Thai nationals affected by the conflict and reassured them that the Israeli government will do its best to protect Thai nationals. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the Labour Ministry will pay for bringing Thai workers back home. Police hold active shooter training PHUKET: Officers from police stations across Phuket took part in active shooter training yesterday (Oct 10) conducted by Region 8 Police to boost peoples confidence in police response to such emergency situations. policeSafety By The Phuket News Wednesday 11 October 2023 04:02 PM The training session, held at Phuket Rajabhat University, saw 150 participants attend, including police officers from 11 police stations as well as security personnel from across the island. Region 8 Police Commander Pol Lt Gen Suraphong Thanomchit presided over the opening ceremony of the event, joined by Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Pol Maj Gen Saksira Phueakam and Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong. Also present for the training were Phuket Rajabhat University (PKRU) President Assoc Prof Dr Hiran Prasarnkarn along with Phuket Tourist Association President Thanet Tantipiriyakit and Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter President Suksit Suwanditthakul. Maj Gen Saksira explained that the training was for participants to respond to situations in which criminals commit crimes with firearms. This training is for police officers and private sector network partners to have knowledge and skills to respond to situations, as well as to build confidence in the safety of citizens and tourists, especially foreigners in Phuket Province, he said. The participants comprised five officers each from 11 police stations in Phuket as well as security personnelPhuket Rajabhat University staff and students. We want trainees to take as much knowledge and experience as possible from the trainers and be able to put it into practice to effectively take care of people, tourists and themselves while in such situations to ensure safety in case something happens, Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Suraphong said. The training follows a 14-year-old teen killing two people and injuring several others in a shooting spree at Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok last week. Before this season, the last time Wadley won a region championship the Bulldogs went on to play in the state finals. Judging by their subdued CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said on Wednesday discussed the developments in the current escalation between the Palestinians and Israelis, according to an Egyptian presidency statement. In a phone call, the two leaders discussed the grave repercussions of the ongoing tensions on regional security and stability and the humanitarian suffering as a result of the conflict. "The two leaders agreed on the importance of unifying efforts to urge the parties to calm down and reduce violence," the statement said. Efforts should be advanced to reach a just, comprehensive, and permanent solution to the Palestinian cause based on the two-state solution in a way that achieves security and stability for all peoples in the region, said the statement. According to the latest official Palestinian and Israeli statistics, 1,078 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, while Hamas has killed more than 1,200 Israelis since the start of the conflict on Saturday. Acknowledging the human capital The backroom boys | If at all there is a lesson to be learnt, mulled over seriously, ingested and digested well over the past five months, then it is to acknowledge the human resources, the resources with which the story of the ongoing clash is presented to the world. The significance of human capital came on its own in every direction that one looked and looks at even as the ongoing clash has crossed the five months mark. This is what was and is being seen with the best brains from either side of the clash divide coming forward to put across the idea of the community they represent. It was at the world stage the story of Manipur was told. It was at the stage of some of the most viewed television channels that strong ideas were articulated to put across the idea of Manipur, and how totally one sided, illogical arguments were silenced. This is what Manipur should acknowledge and perhaps the first stepping stone towards this should be to acknowledge that the fight was fought at different levels. There were the frontline fighters, the bravehearts who spent sleepless nights keeping guard at the foothills, guarding a vulnerable village, those who stepped outside the comfort of their homes to give shelter and hope to those who were abruptly and mercilessly uprooted from their homes and driven out, the scholars and the learned folks who took the case of Manipur in front of the global audience and effectively put across the points of Manipur while seeking to neutralise the outlandish claims of those who have never had a compunction of defiling the forest cover and the green hill sides. Neutralising the cooked up history of the land, exposing the lies to lay claims on sacred sites of Manipur, such as Mount Thangjing and the most recent being the attempt made to encroach on the houses and properties left vacant after they were driven out from Moreh. That the State Government had to come out with an official notification reminding all of the Supreme Court order of 2023 which protects all religious sites from being encroached upon, protection of properties left behind by displaced persons etc should say something very significant. A reminder may be in line here-No one has ever made any bid to occupy the places left vacant at Imphal or any of the other valley districts. This fact should not be brushed aside. For over 150 days, the battle has been waged on different fronts, and away from the battlefronts and the camera but equally contributing more than their mite are the doctors, the nurses and medical staff who have left no stone unturned to treat those injured in the confrontations. Important lessons that all should digest. Keeping company to those who go out of their way to brave the probing and at times totally biased questions to defame Manipur, are those who have been contributing regularly with their ideas and suggestions to the different media, including the newspapers. Far away from the media glare but who nonetheless have been taking up the fight on behalf of Manipur are those who have been spreading the real story of Manipur digitally via Twitter now X and other social media. Human resources, this is what everyone in Manipur should acknowledge and embrace the point that the fight is being fought at different levels. Now with the Kangpokpi based Committee on Tribal Unity reportedly deciding to take back the bodies which are lying unclaimed at different morgues in Imphal, how will the different Imphal based CSOs respond to the new development ? It is human to let the bodies return to the bereaved families so that the last rites and rituals may be performed. This is the least one can do for a departed soul, but already some have raised the idea of first demanding the status of those who are reported still missing. If they are dead, which in all probability they are, then why not demand that their bodies be handed back ? A reminder-The missing bodies of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit are yet to be recovered and this is a point which many have raised. As of October 11, 2023, over 20 Meiteis are reported to be still missing and most probably they have been done to death. The politics of hate being staged over the dead bodies is grotesquely loud and clear and the question is, will it get uglier ? SWAKOPMUND, Namibia, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thom Shamakamba, the chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), said on Wednesday that corruption undermines the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance, and called for efforts to combat the challenge. Shamakamba made the remarks during the opening of the SADC Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) workshop in Swakopmund, a coastal town located about 350 km from the Namibian capital of Windhoek. The workshop, which will end on Friday, is mainly aimed at strengthening efforts to implement the SADC Strategic Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2023 to 2027) and enhance coordination between the SADC Secretariat and member states through the ACAs. Shamakamba said corruption remains a major challenge in the region and needs to be addressed. "Corruption continues to be a hindrance to economic and human development as it undermines democracy, rule of law, public trust in state institutions, and investor confidence in our countries." "It has become even more imperative now than it ever has been mainly because of its enabling effect on a range of other crimes that exact a huge cost on our countries, such as money laundering and illicit financial flows," added the chairperson. Kula Theletsane, SADC's director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, further echoed Shamakamba's sentiments, noting that fighting corruption as an enabler of transnational organized crimes such as illicit financial flows requires strong domestic, regional, continental, and internal cooperation. This is a massive market and we need to get people trained to do this, Turley said. And yet, were not aware of any CFIT masters programs anywhere else in the world, and we know there arent any in the United States. This is a great opportunity for us to meet this need. Ignace, Ont. The Township of Ignace and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization are looking for two more people from Ignace to join the delegation of eight people who will travel to Finland next month on a fact-finding mission for the proposed deep geological repository. The two additional spots for the trek became possible through the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Jake Pastore, president of Summit PCG, who is assisting the town with inquiries about the Nuclear Waste Management Organizations proposed deep geological repository being considered for the Ignace area, says anyone who lives in Ignace can apply by submitting a letter of interest to the township office by this Thursday. Its a quick turnaround for the submission because there are clearances and passports that need to be in order before beforehand, Pastore said. Once theyve got all the applications, the Willingness-Ignace Nuclear Liaison Committee will review them and choose candidates to send to Ignace council for their decision and approval. The trek, which is aimed at helping the township gain a better understanding of hosting a deep geological repository, will be both directly and indirectly funded by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. The entourage will travel to Finland where they will visit Helsinki, Rauna and Eurajoki to learn first-hand about nuclear waste storage. The two additional people will join Ignace councillors Wayne Minnear and Jodi Defeo; Diana Baril, Cindy Stark and Roger Dufault of the Willingness Committee (ICNLC); Keith Roseborough, township staff, Sean DeTracey, township fire chief, and Ashley Cloutier, a medical radiation technologist and youth representative. Interim mayor Kim Baigrie is unable to make the trip and says, This is an amazing potential opportunity for other members of the community here in Ignace to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime mission to really understand and learn about the deep geological repository experience in Finland and bring back valuable information and factual contributions to our residents. Vince Ponka, the Nuclear Waste Management Organizations regional communications manager, says there are 40 people in total that will travel in two groups to Finland. There were two spaces left over from the first tour and the (Nuclear Waste Management Organization) has made them available to Ignace residents, Ponka said. The Wabigoon and South Bruce First Nations representatives have already gone this summer. The letter of interest should include reasons to be part of the delegation, ways to share the experience with the community, and an agreement to participate in future public information forums. Letters of interest must be submitted no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, to Keith Roseborough by email at cds@ignace.ca or hand-delivered to the township office. TOKYO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua)-- Four people were injured after an elderly woman crashed her car into a clinic in Japan's Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. At around 10:35 a.m. local time, a passenger car driven by the 75-year-old female driver slammed into the waiting room of a clinic located in the prefecture's Kamagaya City. According to the police, it appeared that the vehicle failed to round the curve of a private road in front of the clinic, and smashed into a sofa in the waiting room. The victims, including a one-year-old boy and three women in their 30s to 70s, were taken to hospital, said the police, adding that all injuries are said to be minor. "My legs hurt so much that I couldn't press the brakes," said the driver, who was on her way to the clinic for a hospital visit. The elderly female driver was not injured and the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation. As Japan grapples with the challenges of its rapidly aging population, the safety of elderly drivers also raises concerns. Official data showed that in 2022, the number of deadly traffic accidents caused by drivers aged 75 or over in the country rose to 379. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate Durga pujas in districts virtually this year only on a single day instead of three separate days like previous years. Sources in the state secretariat said that the chief minister may inaugurate the Pujas in 23 districts in the state on 12 October. Nabanna has already written letters to district magistrates in this regard and sought details on whether the number of Pujas in the districts remain the same this year or will increase. Last year, she had virtually inaugurated 836 Pujas in the districts.For Kolkata, it has not yet been decided how many Pujas Miss Banerjee would inaugurate this time. Sources at Nabanna said, Nothing has been decided about the chief ministers programme list in connection with inaugurations of Pujas in the city. Its also not yet known about the number of Pujas she would like to inau gurate physically. A team of doctors, including an orthopaedic surgeon and a physical medicine expert, has advised Miss Banerjee to take rest at home. Advertisement She had undergone a microsurgery at SSKM on 24 September, a day after she along with senior government officials and business delegates came back after 11-day trip to Spain through Dubai, for fluid aspiration on her left knee. Since then she has not been coming to the secretariat though she is working from home, attending important administrative meetings with chief secretary and other senior bureaucrats through virtual conferences. The dengue graph in West Burdwan district is slowly decreasing since the past one week. Around 161 dengue cases have been reported in the past seven days, including private and government hospitals and health centres. The situation has improved in Durgapur already and now it seems to be improving in Asansol, confirmed Anindita Mukherjee, chairperson of Durgapur Municipal Cor- poration. This year till 30 September about 1,071 dengue cases have been reported, which is much higher than the total combined dengue cases of 909 registered inWest Burdwan in the past five years (2018- 2022). For the first time three people have died of dengue in the district. DM of the dis- trict S Ponnambalam, mayor For the first time three people have died of dengue in the district of Asansol Municipal Corporation, Bidhan Upadhyay, chairperson of the Board of Administrations of Durgapur Municipal Corporation, Anindita Mukherjee along with CMOH of BurdwanWest has held high-level meetings in Asansol and Durgapur on the measures. Advertisement Meanwhile, the BJP, led by MLA of Asansol South constituency Agnimitra Paul has organised agitation at Jamuria alleging increase in dengue cases and failure of the local administration to control the disease. All the three death vic- tims hail from Asansol Municipal Corporation area. Dengue cases were reported from DMC, AMC, Raniganj, Faridpur, Jamuria, Barabani, Salanpur and Pandaveswar areas. The state panchayat minister Pradip Majumdar has announced that for the second year in a row, the Durga Puja Carnival will be held at Durgapur. Talking to the media persons, Pradip Majumdar said that state chief minister Mamata Banerjee has approved the Durga Puja carnival to be held in Durgapur on 26 October. Holding the Durga Puja carnival is the brainchild of Miss Mamata Banerjee and after getting the UnescoWorld cultural Heritage tag it has assumed a special significance. We will soon hold a meeting with the district civil, police administration, fire brigade, WBPCB,WBSEDCL and other stakeholders to finalise about the Durga Puja Carnival in Durgapur, the panchayat minister added. Advertisement Last year also, the carnival was held at Durgapur and Asansol MP Shatrughan Sinha, law, judiciary and labour minister Moloy Ghatak , ADDA chairman Tapas Banerjee, DMC chairperson, Anindita Mukherjee, TMC district president, Narendranath Chakraborty were also present. It is expected that this years Durga Puja carnival will be even bigger and even more colourful, the minister said. With the arrest of a couple, the Delhi Police, on Wednesday, claimed to have busted an international drug cartel linked to Afghanistan. The husband-wife duo has been arrested during a crackdown by the special staff East District. They were involved in a supply of cocaine that was allegedly procured from Afghanistan, with linkages to a woman, Upasna alias Tabassum, who was married to an accused who was arrested by the NIA in the famous Mundra port 3000 kg cocaine/ heroine seizure by DRI. The drugs were being smuggled into India through a courier in the form of packets of clothes embedded with cocaine. The value of the drugs is estimated at around Rs 7 crore in the international market. Advertisement The police nabbed Zaheer Ahmed, from whose possession the drugs were recovered, near the LBS Hospital after laying a trap to intercept him on a specific Intel. He worked as an undercover auto-rickshaw driver while his wife was a homemaker. The couple has three children. During interrogation, Zaheer Ahmed revealed that he, along with his wife, Gulnar, procured the cocaine at his house from cotton cloth embedded with the drug. A police team conducted searches at his house in Seemapuri and later a case under the NDPS Act was registered. Efforts are on to nab the rest of the accused involved in this drug cartel, the police said. BRATISLAVA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Smer-SD party, HLAS and the Slovak National Party signed a memorandum of understanding and agreed to form a coalition government on Wednesday. They agreed on the distribution of governmental posts with the prime ministerial post going to Smer-SD and the parliamentary chair to HLAS' nomination, local reports said. At the same time, they also divided the ministries. According to the memorandum, the three parties said Slovakia's foreign policy orientation will keep based on the membership of the European Union and NATO, as well as other important international organizations "while fully respecting the sovereignty and national interests of the Slovak Republic, and strengthening patriotism." During Slovakia's parliamentary election on Sept. 30, the left-wing Smer-SD party gained 22.94 percent of the votes, followed by the Progressive Slovakia party winning 17.96 percent of the votes, and HLAS, founded by former members of Smer-SD in 2020, with 14.7 percent. As the Smer-SD party won 42 seats in the 150-member House, falling short of 75 seats, it has to ally with other parties to form a coalition government. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has released a standard operating procedure for assisting police officials in dealing with NDPS cases. He released the protocol on Tuesday for curbing drug trafficking and strengthening the implementation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 in the state. As a large number of offenders in narcotics cases are acquitted due to non-compliance of mandatory provisions, the standard operating procedure (SOP) will assist and serve as a guide to police officers in dealing with cases of drug trafficking. Advertisement It will also offer a detailed process from initiating to executing detention orders and confiscating unlawfully acquired assets, a statement said. The chief minister said drugs have posed a threat and a sense of insecurity in society and undermined the faith of the common man in law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, to bolster the efforts, a specialized force dedicated to prevent drug-related crimes and an advisory board has been established to provide guidance, he said. With the Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the Delhi unit of the Congress announced to launch Jawab Do Hisab Do campaign against the BJP-led Government at the Centre on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference at the party office, Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely said, Under the Jawab Do Hisab Do campaign, Congress workers will seek accountability from all the seven BJP MPs and elected representatives about the works they had done for the welfare of the people, and the development of their constituencies. He informed that in the first phase of the campaign, the Congress would hold Pratigya Rally in all the seven Parliamentary constituencies, adding the maiden rally will be held at Bawana in the North West Parliamentary constituency on October 15. Advertisement In the second phase, the Congress will take the campaign to all the districts, and in the third phase, to all the 70 Assembly constituencies on a large scale. Lovely said, The BJP Government at the Centre has failed on all fronts. The seven BJP MPs have neither done any work for the people nor did they have any direct interaction with them. In 2019 general elections, the grand old party drew a blank in Delhi. The Punjab Police in a joint operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday apprehended a suspected drug smuggler in Ludhiana and seized cash worth Rs 4.94 crore from his possession. The accused Manjit Singh (24) was wanted in a 30 kg cocaine recovery case, police said. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said Manjit was staying at Mullanpur Dakha araea in Ludhiana for the last six months. He said a .32 bore revolver, 38 fake vehicle number plates of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, 44 grams gold, 385 grams silver, a currency counting machine and a weighing machine were also recovered from the accuseds possession. Advertisement This comes days after the arrest of two Punjab-based drug smugglers, identified as Hunny Basra of Palahi Gate Phagwara and Sarabjit Singh of village Ballan in Kartarpur, from Jammu on October 1. Yadav said Manjit used to transport the drug consignment from Jalandhar to other places and that the latters father Satnam Singh is also a proclaimed offender in a drug case. The Union minister for petroleum and natural gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said if the crude oil prices go up, then that will have a very strong and adverse impact on the attempts at global economic recovery. Puri said this in view of the current Israel-Hamas conflict while speaking at the 14th edition of KPMGs Innovation and Energy Conclave, on Wednesday. We are watching it on a real-time basis, and I am confident that India will navigate this both on availability and other factors, the minister said on the speculation of the conflicts impact on crude oil price. Puri said many important oil-producing countries are showing worrying signs, and availability and affordability of oil needs to be looked at. Advertisement I think the global markets will factor all things into account and if the supply lines are not disrupted, hopefully, we will be able to navigate through everything. But this is not something on which I would like to speculate, he said. Indias energy demand will continue to provide fuel for future economic growth, as it grows exponentially. India is the worlds third-largest oil consumer, third-largest LPG consumer, fourth-largest LNG importer, fourth-largest refiner, and the fourth-largest automobile market, he observed. My belief is if you have a large amount of liquidity then high oil prices mean a problem, he said. It is worth highlighting that global crude oil prices moved in the northward direction after the latest round of Israel-Hamas conflict flared up. Apart from the conflict, key OPEC+ members, like Saudi Arabia and Russia, have continued with their policy of voluntary cuts in crude output. Last week, Saudi Arabia announced that it would continue with a voluntary cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of 2023. Russia said it would keep a 300,000-bpd voluntary export curb until the end of December. On Tuesday, Puri had said India is carefully watching the ongoing conflict between Israel-Hamas and added it would handle its energy needs with maturity. As far as the energy sector is concerned, the place where the action is taking place is in many respects the centre of global energy. We will watch very carefully, the minister told reporters addressing the 26th Energy Technology Meet at New Delhi. We will navigate our way through this. These kinds of uncertainties only encourage people to move into sustainable, cleaner fuels, he opined citing the Global Biofuel Alliance as an example. Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly held a secret meeting in Washington during their US visit last month, according to a report by Financial Times. The meeting was held in secret and the Canadian side chose not to comment on it when asked, the FT report added. Jaishankar, during his US visit last month, met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NSA Jake Sullivan and the issue of Canada was discussed in both the meetings. Recently, Joly had said that Canada wants to have private conversations with India on the diplomats issue. Several days earlier, Joly also held a secret meeting with Indias foreign minister S Jaishankar in Washington, said people familiar with the situation. Canadas foreign ministry declined to comment, The Financial Times reported. Advertisement India had asked Canada to withdraw additional diplomats seeking parity in the diplomatic strength and gave a deadline by October 10. However, the diplomats continue to stay in India even as the deadline passed on Tuesday, the report stated. The diplomatic row between India and Canada started after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of a role in the extra judicial killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen labeled terrorist by New Delhi. After Trudeaus announcement, Joly named an Indian diplomat and expelled her for allegedly playing role in Nijjars killing. India vehemently rejected Trudeaus allegations, terming them absurd and politically motivated. New Delhi also sought specific evidence to support Trudeaus allegations but received none from Ottawa. India raised the issue of Khalistani threats to its diplomats in Canada and suspended visa services for Canadian nationals citing security reasons. The Indian government also expressed concerns over the presence of a large number of Canadian diplomats in the country, accusing them of interference in the countrys internal matters. India has cited the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as justifying its call for parity. Canada has rejected that argument, saying New Delhi is misreading the treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic ties, the report added. Advocate Mita Banerjee, who practices at Calcutta High Court and is a dog lover, recently with fellow animal lovers, including actress Debasree Roy protested at Alipore Police Court against a move by a section of the people to remove stray dogs from the premises. Their grievance is that a few animal haters are trying to remove the harmless stray dogs, which is illegal. Advocate Banerjee not only cares for the dogs but also gets them treated when they fall sick. She points out that before festivals like Durga Puja and Christmas, one can see dogs vanishing from the streets. Usually, this follows after there is a hue and cry that they are biting humans. Adv Banerjee warns that the dog meat trade is still thriving in the city. Advertisement The infamous Bhagar incident of 2018 is also fresh in our minds. Apart from a section of people who are sadists and would kill them at the slightest pretext, there is also a class of people who do business with these stray dogs, said Adv Banerjee. Mita Banerjee said, I I go to Alipore Police Court to drop my husband, who has his office there. I have befriended a dog whom I named Gaja (after the famous Bengali sweet). He recognises my car and at 9 am, when Im at the court, Gaja with his set of friends runs in to greet me. This is a daily affair. But, at the court recently, one of the judicial magistrates commented to get rid of the stray dogs for creating nuisance. Following this, it has also come to light that one mother along with the other dogs were removed from the premises. There is a Supreme Court ruling that you cannot relocate any stray from its habitat and neither can you stop someone from feeding them. After our protest, there has been no further harm to the animals there, added Banerjee. The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), on Wednesday, announced the opening of media delegate registrations for the 54th edition of IFFI, scheduled to be held from 20 to 28 November 2023, in Goa. The festival promises to be an extravaganza, showcasing the finest in contemporary and classic cinema from India and around the world. Media delegates at IFFI 54 will have the privilege of being among some of the worlds best filmmakers, actors, technicians, critics, academicians, and fellow film enthusiasts, all congregating in the picturesque state of Goa. Advertisement To become a media delegate, 21 years of age is required as of 1st January 2023, and applicants should belong to a Print, Electronic, Digital, or Online Media organization. Freelance journalists who meet the age criterion are also encouraged to register. The registration process is straightforward and can be completed online at https://my.iffigoa.org/ extranet/media/ Information and communication play a pivotal role in making IFFI a resounding success, fostering a culture of cinema appreciation, and nurturing a genuine love for the art of filmmaking. Along with the invitation to media delegates to register for and attend the festival comes an invitation to embrace the professional privilege of contributing to the celebration of IFFI, using the power of the media The sheer joy of cinema and the captivating stories woven by these films, each offering a unique glimpse into the lives, dreams, aspirations, and struggles of their creators will be on full display at IFFI 54. The celebration of films will not be limited to the screens but also beyond, with an array of master classes, panel discussions, seminars, and conversations that define the essence of IFFI and other great film festivals. For any doubts during the registration process, guidelines are provided at (https://static.pib.gov.in/ WriteReadData/specificdocs/ documents/2023/oct/ doc20231011259501.pdf) and in the registration link. For any assistance, PIB can be contacted via email at pib-goa@gov.in or by phone at +91-832-2956418. The phone line will be active between 10 am and 6 pm IST on all working days. The deadline for registration is set at 11:59:59 pm on 18 November, 2023. The Press Information Bureau will decide the number of accreditations for each media organization based on factors such as the media outlets periodicity, size (circulation, audience, reach), focus on cinema, and the expected media coverage of IFFI. The Delhi Police has informed the court that it has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a builder and owner of a property under criminal offences for allegedly duping a flat buyer. The FIR mentioned criminal offences including criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of money, fraud and cheating. According to the complainant, in 2019, a builder named Masud Alam approached the complainant and represented himself to be leading the construction of a building in the Central Delhi Area and having absolute right to sell the third floor of the said property on behalf of the real owner of the said property and further represented that he has all sanctions and permissions to develop the said property as per Rules/Bye Laws from the Local Authorities/MCD. The accused builder further represented that he has extensive goodwill and experience in building construction lines adding that he is a man of repute in the said field and will develop the said property. Advertisement The complainant further stated that believing the said representations, he agreed to purchase the third floor of the said property for a total sale consideration of Rs 1,36,00,000 and entered into an agreement dated August 2, 2019, to sell and gave Rs 10 lakh as earnest/advance money. The builder delayed the construction and sought extensions on one pretext or the other. Despite the delay, the accused builder pressurized the complainant to make the payments or otherwise, he will cancel the agreement to sell and forfeit the amount paid. Having no other option, the complainant kept on making the payments to the accused and paid Rs 1,08,50,000 from time to time (From August 2019 to July 2021), the complainant stated. In August 2021, the accused builder told the complainant to be ready with balance sale consideration, though, construction was not completed. The complainant was told that the sale will be done by the owner/co-accused and the complainant should make the balance payment to him. The complainant realized that he was trapped in bigger fraud by the accused duo. They threatened the complainant to make the balance payment to the accused owner and get the sale deed executed or otherwise, they will forfeit payment made till then. The accused promised the complainant that they will complete all pending works. The complainant in fear of losing the entire money made the balance payment in August and September 2021 and in bonafide belief got Sale Deed registered on September 13, 2021, before Sub-Registrar-I (Central Delhi) from the accused. To the dismay of the complainant, the entire said property was sealed by MCD later. Upon asking, the accused told the complainant that due to some arrears of tax, the property was sealed and they will get it de-sealed. The accused also gave a written undertaking of de-sealing. After passing of one and a half years and despite repeated requests, the accused did not get the property de-sealed. Upon visiting the concerned office of the Municipality, the complainant was further shocked to learn that there is no permission/sanction granted for construction on said property. The complainant alleged that the accused (builder & owner) in conspiracy with each other cheated and played fraud upon the complainant in a planned manner, against which the complainant filed a criminal complaint dated February 11, 2023, before P.S. Sadar Bazar, Delhi, however, despite all no FIR was registered by Delhi Police. Having no other alternative, the complainant, represented through Advocates Sumit Gehlot from Fidelegal Advocates & Solicitors, on March 28, 2023, filed a Petition under Section 156(3) Cr. P.C. before Metropolitan Magistrate Central District, Tis Hazari Courts seeking registration of FIR, in which Court asked for Status report. The Metropolitan Magistrate through Order dated 27.09.2023 directed Delhi Police to issue a Show Cause Notice to the SHO concerned for furnishing reasons for not submitting a Conclusive Status Report. Later on 09.10.2023, the MM was informed that FIR was registered under Section 406, 420 & 34 of IPC against the accused (Builder & Owner) by Sadar Bazar, Police Station. President Draupadi Murmu arrived in Srinagar under tight security for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Her schedule includes presiding over the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir today. At Srinagar Airport, she received a warm welcome from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Tomorrow, on October 12, she is set to visit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple, where she will inaugurate a renovated Parvati Bhavan and Skywalk at the sacred shrine. Furthermore, she will engage with local tribal groups and women from self-help organizations at Raj Bhavan. A civic reception in her honor will also be hosted at Raj Bhavan. Advertisement To ensure the Presidents safety, heightened security measures are in place at the University of Kashmirs campus and throughout Srinagar. President Murmu received a Guard of Honour upon her arrival at Srinagar International Airport in Kashmir. She was then transported to the Badami Bagh Cantonment. There she landed at the helipad in the 15 Corps Headquarters. Her first order of business was to pay her respects by laying a wreath at the War Memorial. The University of Kashmirs convocation is a significant event, celebrating the academic accomplishments of students who completed their courses between 2021 and mid-2023. Following the convocation, a special light and sound show at Dal Lake will take place for President Murmu on Wednesday evening. Later, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will host the President at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. The KU event promises to be a noteworthy celebration, as President Murmu will award degrees to candidates from various academic disciplines. The convocation ceremony will take place at KUs convocation complex, located in Hazratbal on the outskirts of Srinagar. The Election Commission of India recently made a change to the date of the General Election for the Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan. The Election Commission of India announced the rescheduled date for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan in response to concerns and requests from political parties, social organizations, and media sources. They shifted the date from November 23, 2023, to November 25, 2023. The Commission decided to reschedule the election date after receiving numerous representations. These representations voiced concerns over logistical challenges, potential disruptions due to a high number of weddings and social engagements on the original date, and the potential for reduced voter turnout. In light of these factors and the feedback received, the Commission decided to make this change. Its important to note that the election process involves various stages. Advertisement The schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan in 2023 is as follows: 1. Gazette Notification: The official notification will be issued on October 30, 2023. 2. Nominations: Candidates interested in contesting the election must submit their nominations by November 6, 2023. 3. Scrutiny of Nominations: On November 7, 2023, the scrutiny of these nominations will take place. 4. Withdrawal of Candidatures: Candidates will have until November 9, 2023, to withdraw their nominations if they so choose. 5. Date of Poll: The election will now be held on November 25, 2023, which falls on a Saturday. 6. Counting Day: The counting of votes is scheduled for December 3, 2023. 7. Completion Date: All aspects of the election process will be wrapped up by December 5, 2023. The Election Commission made this decision to change the election date to consider voter convenience and address logistical concerns arising from the initial date. KIEV/MOSCOW, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments related to the Ukraine crisis: Russian air defense systems destroyed two Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk region on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. During the night of Oct. 10, Russia's armed forces "thwarted two attempts" made by Kiev to attack using fixed-wing unmanned aircraft against facilities on the territory of Russia, the ministry said. Another Ukrainian drone was shot down over the Bryansk region on Tuesday, according to the ministry. - - - - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its final stage, the RBC-Ukraine news agency reported Wednesday. Zelensky said that the Russian offensive was the first stage of the conflict, while the halt of the advance of the Russian forces was the second stage. The counteroffensive of the Ukrainian forces is the final part, he said. - - - - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticized the expansionism of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its attempt to extend its influence to the entire Eastern Hemisphere. In an article published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, Lavrov warned that NATO is undermining the existing regional architecture around the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and creating a new hotspot of geopolitical tension in the Asia-Pacific region. The partition of Bengal became a reality on 16 October 1905. Now a new province called East Bengal was created consisting of Chittagong, Dacca and Rajshahi divisions, Tripura, Maldah and Assam. Calcutta witnessed massive protests, with complete hartal. What took the British Indian Government by surprise was the spontaneous show of unity, thousands of people bathed in the Ganges as an act of purification. Under the leadership of Rabindranath Tagore, people tied Raakhi on each others wrists, with the poet taking to the streets singing Banglar Mati Banglar Jal. This powerful imagery of the anti-partition movement with its stormy political activities, secret revolutionary societies and public proclamations brought together Aurobindo Ghose, Surendranath Bandyopadhyay, Krishna Kumar Mitra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipan Chandra Pal to name a few. Margaret Noble from Ireland, the disciple of Swami Vivekananda and famously known as Sister Nivedita, came in close contact with the Tagore family during these tumultuous years following 1905. Sister Niveditas dedication to the cause of Swami Vivekananda and the Ramakrishna Mission needs little introduction to most Indians. October is the month of her birth and death anniversaries; we pay homage to the Sister who identified completely with her Masters life, had the opportunity to travel with him across United States and UK, imbibing lessons from innumerable lectures and writings he left for posterity. What is lesser-known is Sister Niveditas contribution to the theories and practice of education; her deep understanding of the role edu- cation had to play in nation building. Advertisement She wrote Hints on National Education as a series of papers, published in 1914 as a book. In its introduction, she wrote with characteristic passion, We all know that the fu- ture of India depends, for us, on education. Not that industry and commerce are unimportant, but because all things are possible to the educated, and nothing whatever to the uneducated man. We know also that this education, to be of any avail, must extend through all degrees, from its lowest and humblest grades. We must have technical education and we must have also higher research, because technical education, without higher research, is a branch without a tree, a blossom without any root. We must have education of women, as well as education of men. We must have secular education, as well as religious. And, almost more important than any of these, we must have education of the people, and for this, we must depend upon ourselves. Sister Nivedita, though born into an Irish Methodist family, associated herself with the spirit of India, Indians and the future of a free and united country. She emphasized, We must recognise the still greater urgency of giving knowledge. There is no other way of making the unity of our country effective. She wanted people to talk the same language, learn to express themselves in similar ways and therefore acquire a sense of national solidarity. Universal education was a building block of this nationhood. She was aware that in America the schools emphasised the learning of mechanical processes; while in Australia schools focused on agriculture. She explained, in the matter of edu- cation, in different historical epochs, nations select different branches of training, as of central necessity to their children, only, in reality because they are paramount factors for the moment, in the national life. Scanning through Indian history, she said, In Bengal, for instance, under the Sanskrit Renascence of the Guptas, knowledge of the Sanskrit language and literature became distinctive marks of a gentleman. A thousand years later, a man in the same position had to be versed in Persian also. Today, English is the test. Thus, a similar mental and social dignity is attained by changing means, at different epochs. Referring to Indian civilization, she noted the Hindu has always clearly perceived the mind behind the method which education has fundamentally to deal with. This has saved the Indian genius from being destroyed. Just so long as the Brahminic system of directly training the minds of the young to concentration persists, will the Indian people remain potentially equal to the conquest of any difficulty that the changing ages may bring them, she wrote, underlining the sleeping power of the Indian mind. Here she introduced learnings from Swami Vivekananda. The training of the attention ~ rather than the learning of any special subject, or the development of any particular faculty ~ has always been, as Swami Vivekananda claimed for it, the choen goal of Hindu education. Great men have been only as incidents, in the tale of this national effort, to achieve control and self-direction of the mind itself. What had been achieved in the past, could now be achieved. Our forefathers never neglected the culture and development of the mind itself, she asserted. Education may not be reduced to schemes of instruction; the great bulk of our popular minds are preoccupied with this task which is geared towards earning individual livelihoods. What Sister Nivedita proposed, and argued for, was a conscious unification of the mind in order that we may be better able to compass thereby the common wealth, the good of the whole. This substitution of the common good for the particular good, with the result that a higher level of individual good is rendered possible, is a process whose practicability is evidenced in Europe herself. In Paper II, compiled in Hints on National Education, she presented her perspective. She wrote, In a perfect education, we can easily distinguish three different elements, not always chronologically distinct. First, if we would obtain from a human mind the highest possi- ble return, we must recognise in its education the stage of prepa-ring it to learn, of training it to receive impressions, of developing it intensively, as it were, independently of the particular branch of knowledge through which this is done. Of the very existence of this phase of the educational process, many are unaware. Educationists have read, and re-read these lines, to realize the depth of Sister Niveditas thought and her spiritual evolution as she focused on how minds of students need to be nurtured, trained, and developed. With education, the Indian genius would blossom and flourish. The mystery and mystique of such educational train ing only sharpened her explanations as she studied the development of education in European countries and in India. Secondly, in all historic epochs, but pre-eminently in this modern age, there is a cer- tain characteristic fund of ideas and concepts which is common to society as a whole, and must be imparted to every individual who is to pass, in his mature life, as efficient. This is the element that is supposed in the common acceptance to be the whole of education. It bulks the largest. It costs the most labour. It is the process that it is most obviously impossible to eliminate. And yet it is really only one of three elements. And strange to say, it is the very one which is least es- sential to the manifestation of what we call genius. Never was there a period in the worlds history, when this aspect of educa- tion was so large or imperative as today. Sister Nivedita, foc- ussing on genius, makes clear her goals. The third element in a perfect human development sweeps away the other two. It takes note of them only by implication, as it were, in the higher or lower fitness of the mind itself. The man meets his Guru, and devotes himself to a perfect passivity. Or he surren- ders to some absorbing idea, which becomes the passion of his life. Or he takes up a pursuit, and lives henceforth for it, and it alone. The phase of the one has succeeded to the phase of the many. Regarded as a mind, the man has become a full human organism. He now stands a chance of contributing to the riches of humanity as a whole, she wrote. In Sister Niveditas perspective, it was the third element which was predominant in India; the other two would occur by accident, while in the West numbers one and two was observed and analysed, allowing number three to occur by accident! Yet all three have their science, and certainly the last is not without it. Egoistic response to stimulus, constant mental activity, much restlessness and intel- lectual change of appetite, loud self-assertion, argumentativeness, and desire to manifest power, are apt to be the charac- teristics of a healthy second stage, she noted, But when the Guru comes, or the idea that is to dominate the life is apprehended, there may be a keen initial struggle, but after it there is a period of profound apparent quiet. (The writer is a researcher- writer on heritage and history, and former deputy curator of Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya) US President Joe Biden has said it is likely the Hamas are holding Americans hostages even as he confirmed that 11 of their citizens had been killed by them during the conflict. The President is also scheduled to make a statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict from White House on Tuesday, an official said. The announcement on Bidens forthcoming statement has come exactly three days after the Hamas fighters infiltrated into Israeli territory and launched a surprise offensive, triggering an all-out war between the two sides that has left 1,600 dead to the last count. The President said on Monday that 11 Americans had been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, and that it is likely Americans are among those being held hostage. Advertisement The State Department said it feared 1,600 people had died in the war. Israels military on Tuesday claimed regaining control inside the country after it ordered a full siege of Gaza, under Operation Sword, to cut off supplies of food, gas or power into the densely populated area, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, according to media reports. The US Presidents scheduled statement comes on the back of fears, particularly among the Americans, as the Hamas fighters have threatened to execute the hostages if Israel did not stop bombing civilian targets in Gaza. Some Americans who had made Israel their second home are suspected to be among the hostages, according to the US State Department. The exact number of hostages taken by Hamas fighters is unknown. No Americans have been confirmed to be among the hostages, but US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said that a number of Americans are unaccounted for and that its possible that they are among those being held hostage. In a statement on Monday, Biden said at least 11 Americans had been killed in the Israel-Hamas war and that it is likely that some Americans are being held hostage. We are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy, Biden said. In this moment of heartbreak, the American people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israelis. We remember the pain of being attacked by terrorists at home, and Americans across the country stand united against these evil acts that have once more claimed innocent American lives. It is an outrage. The Biden administration has supported Israel and the President has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people. To support Israel and raise its morale, the Biden administration is dispatching ships from the Navys USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and officials plan to keep in place some F-16 and A-10 fighter jets that were previously scheduled to rotate out of the region, a US official told NBC News. The move is intended to send a strong message to Hamas to stand down, an official said. The death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has soared to more than 1,600 people as of Tuesday morning, three days since Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel territory ambushing their forces, according to officials. More than 900 people died in Israel and at least 770 in Gaza, with over 6,000 people injured in Israel and Gaza, officials said. Biden is expected to face competing pressures within and outside of the Democratic Party that will make it more difficult to keep his pledge to provide support for Israels plans to defend the country, media reports said. In Gaza, officials are sounding the alarm, warning of an impending crisis as the power plant is on the brink of shutting down due to dwindling fuel supplies. The situation is dire, and its set to unfold within hours. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has made a vow to launch a ground offensive in Gaza, prompted by a surprise attack from Hamas. This unexpected development has triggered a new wave of violence in the region. Gazas residents find themselves in a state of urgency as Israeli warplanes relentlessly strike neighborhoods in retaliation for a recent deadly attack by Hamas militants. The situation has left the people of this coastal enclave in a scramble for safety. Advertisement As the crisis unfolds, Gazans are seeking refuge in U.N. schools and the few remaining safe areas. Humanitarian organizations are urgently appealing for the establishment of safe corridors to provide vital aid to Gaza. Hospitals are overwhelmed, running low on essential supplies, as they struggle to care for the increasing number of wounded patients. Israels decision to halt the entry of crucial supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine into Gaza has only compounded the crisis, in addition to shut down of power plant. Moreover, the last remaining access point from Egypt was closed after being struck by airstrikes near the border crossing on Tuesday. The Israeli military continues its relentless assault on the Gaza Strip, now in its fifth day, with casualties mounting. Tragically, at least 950 Palestinians have lost their lives. In Israel, the death toll has also risen, reaching 1,200 people as a result of the ongoing violence. Hamas, undeterred, continues to launch rockets into Israel. Israeli forces are engaging in exchanges of fire with Lebanon-based Hezbollah fighters. Additionally, Israels military reports that shells fired from Syria have landed in unpopulated areas within Israels borders. In a devastating turn of events, fighter jets have repeatedly targeted the neighborhood of al-Furqan, striking approximately 450 different targets within a mere 24-hour period. The Gaza City seaport was not spared, with a fierce explosion setting fishing boats ablaze. The ongoing conflict marks a significant departure from previous bouts of fighting between Israel and Hamas. While the past four confrontations between 2008 and 2021 concluded inconclusively, with Hamas weakened but still in control, this time is different. The Israeli government faces immense public pressure to achieve the seemingly unattainable goal of toppling Hamas, even if it necessitates a temporary reoccupation of the Gaza Strip. In the midst of this intensifying crisis, the immediate concern remains the well-being of the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. As the world watches, the toll on human lives and the future of the region hang in the balance. India and its pursuit of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has garnered support and attention on the global stage. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis expressed confidence in Indias capacity to bear the responsibilities that come with this ambition. Becoming a permanent member of the council, he noted, is a substantial responsibility. During a bilateral meeting on Friday, US President Joe Biden reiterated his endorsement of a reformed UN Security Council featuring India as a permanent member. This move underscores the growing international recognition of Indias role in global affairs. A recent survey conducted by the think-tank Atlantic Council further suggests that India is poised to benefit from potential new additions to the exclusive council. Advertisement Among the five permanent members of the 15-nation UNSC, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia have expressed their support for Indias bid to secure a permanent seat in this influential UN body. Last year, India concluded its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. During that time, it actively advocated for reforms within the council. India and the UNSC aspiration: Indias aspiration to obtain permanent member status enjoys the backing of five key UNSC members. They are France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The UNSC bears the crucial responsibility of upholding global peace and security. It plays a pivotal role in suggesting the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly. Additionally, India after being a member can sanction any amendments to the UN Charter. The council is vested with the authority to establish peacekeeping operations, impose international sanctions, and authorize military interventions. This makes the UNSC the sole UN body capable of issuing legally binding resolutions to member states. Indias pursuit of a permanent seat in the UNSC reflects the countrys growing influence and importance in global diplomacy. The international community rallies behind India in this bid. And, it signifies a significant step towards a more representative and inclusive UN Security Council. Warning: This news article contains disturbing details. Reader discretion is advised. At least 40 babies were killed, some of them beheaded, and their mothers were shot at point blank range by Hamas militants in their surprise attack on Israel last week. The Israeli Defence Forces have revealed shocking details of the deadly air and ground assault by Palestinian militant outfit that killed more than 1200, including foreign nationals. It was a massacre as Hamas militants went door to door and killed entire families children, their mothers and fathers. Some of the women were raped before being brutally murdered, while others were paraded on trucks in semi naked state. Hamas kidnapped 130 Israelis, including women and children, and took them to the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Its not a war, General Itai Veruv, head of the IDFs Depth Command, told reporters on Tuesday. Its not a battlefield. You see the babies, the mothers, the fathers in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms, and how the terrorists kill them. Its not a war its a massacre, he added. tter-tweet> Its not a battlefield. Its a massacre. Here, MG Itai Veruv is preparing journalists to enter Kfar Aza where atrocities have taken place at the hands of Hamas terrorists. pic.twitter.com/1MXMxuWHpA Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 11, 2023 Israel has declared a war against Hamas and has been carrying out retaliatory strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Nearly 1000 Palestinians have been killed so far in Israeli air strikes over the last four days and the countrys military has vowed to continue till Hamas is completely destroyed. Israeli Defence Forces has also dozens of foreign journalists to the areas where Hamas militants massacred people to see for themselves the death and destruction brought upon Israelis by the Palestinian outfit. Meanwhile, Hamas has also threatened to execute hostages one by one if Israel launched unannounced air strikes even as IDF stepped up counter attacks in Gaza. Barring a handful of countries, most nations denounced the brutal Hamas attacks and expressed their solidarity with Israel. According to local media reports, Kuwait is mediating in the release of hostages but any positive headway is unlikely anytime soon. After four days of air strikes, Israel is likely to launch a ground assault against the Islamic militant group Hamas as the country has sent infantry, armoured soldiers, artillery corps, plus 300,000 reservists, close to the Gaza border. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said that the reservists sent close to the Gaza Strip are getting ready to execute the mission that has been given by the Israeli government. While the IDF didnt reveal the details of the mission, it said it is to make sure Hamas at the end of this war wont have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians. The death toll in Israel has soared up to 1,200 with an overwhelming majority of civilians and more than 2,700 people are wounded, of them some are said to be in a serious condition. Israel-Hamas war: 10 points Advertisement Palestinian Health Ministry has said that at least 950 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel launched its air strikes on Saturday. Israel has stepped up its attacks on Hamas targets and IDF has taken full control of Gaza border. Several attempts to infiltrate the border have been foiled by Israeli Defence Forces and a dozen Hamas militants have been killed while trying to cross the barrier. According to reports, rockets were fired from Syria into Israel but IDF has not provided more details on that. Missiles were also fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah, killing an IDF official and two other soldiers. In retaliation, Israel has destroyed several Hezbollah posts in Lebanon near the contested border and killed a number of Hezbollah militants. The IDF has warned the fighting will intensify and that the scenes from Gaza will be more difficult to understand and cope with in the coming days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his latest statement, has said that the surprise Hamas assault was one of the worst attacks on Jews since the Holocaust and termed Hamas attackers worse than ISIS. Israeli Air Force spokesman Daniel Hagari has said that along with air strikes, they are also using ground-based rocket launchers. This is the first time since 2006 conflict Israel has used such launchers against Hamas. Meanwhile, shocking details of a massacre in an Israeli village have emerged with an IDF official claiming that around 40 babies were killed by Hamas militants. Some of the babies, according to the IDF official, were beheaded. Its not a war, General Itai Veruv, head of the IDFs Depth Command, told reporters on Tuesday. Its not a battlefield. You see the babies, the mothers, the fathers in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms, and how the terrorists kill them. Its not a war its a massacre, he added. Israel has declared a war against Hamas and has been carrying out retaliatory strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip since Saturday. The Israeli action came in response to a brutal air and ground assault in Israel by Hamas. Hundreds of Hamas militants invaded Israel last Saturday and killed children, their mothers and fathers. The militants also kidnapped more than 100 civilians and took them to Gaza. Amid fears of a multi-front war, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) Wednesday launched air strikes in Lebanon in response to a Hezbollah attack on its military post in the contested border area in northern Israel. Hezbollah claimed it militants fired anti-tank missiles on an Israeli post in solidarity with Hamas militants even as Israel warned the Lebanese military outfit not to be involved in the battle. An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab Al-Aramshe on the #BlueLine, the IDF said in a post on Twitter. Advertisement In response, Israel launched air strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The IDF shelled 3 Hezbollah posts killing at least 2 militants. No injury was reported on Israeli side in todays attack in the contested northern border area. Mortars were also fired at an Israeli post from Syrian side of the border and Israeli military retaliated with artillery strikes. On Sunday, a similar attack was carried out by Hezbollah in solidarity with Hamas militants, who had launched a massive air and ground assault on Israel a day earlier. Responding to the incident, IDF had said that it was ready for a multi-front war and already started taking preparational measures for such a possibility. The IDF has taken preparational measures for this type of possibility. We will continue to operate in all regions and at any time necessary to ensure the safety of the Israeli civilians, it said. Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political and military organisation in Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah had fought a month-long war in 2006. Like Hamas, the Lebanon based group is also backed by Iran. In view of the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic militant outfit Hamas, the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a 24-hour control room to monitor the situation and provide assistance to those affected by the conflict. According to a press release issued by the MEA, those seeking information and assistance can contact the New Delhi control room on these numbers and e-mail id 1800118797 (Toll-free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +919968291988, situationroom@mea.gov.in. More than 18000 Indians are stranded in Israel and the government has said that it was continuously monitoring the ground situation. Indias Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla said that the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv is working round the clock to keep the Indian nationals safe. Advertisement The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has also set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed at, +972-35226748, +972-543278392, cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in. Indias Representative Office in Ramallah has also set up a a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed as per contact details: +970-592916418 (also whatsapp), rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in To our fellow Indian citizens in Israel, this is to assure you that the Embassy is working constantly for your safety and welfare. All of us are going through very difficult times. But please remain calm and vigilant & follow the local security guidelines. We are here to help you and we thank many of you who have sent so many messages of appreciation. We are monitoring the situation closely and please stay tuned for any updates by the Embassy Singla said. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have stepped up their offensive against Hamas and moved some 300,000 reservists close the Gaza border where they are ready to execute the mission given to them. Israel declared a war against Hamas after the latters militants launched a barbaric assault against Israel last week, killing more than 1,200 people, including babies, women, children and foreign nationals. Since Saturday, Israeli fighter jets have carried out more than a thousand air strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Earlier today, Israeli Air Force struck the Islamic University in Gaza, which allegedly worked as a major training centre for Hamas militants. Fighter jets recently attacked the Islamic University, which serves as an important centre of political and military power for the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip and a training institution for the development and production of weapons. The Air Force continues with extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip at this time as well, the Israeli Air Force said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and leader of opposition Benny Gantz have agreed to form an emergency government in view of the countrys war against Islamic militant outfit Hamas. A war cabinet comprising PM Netanyahu, Gants and the countrys defence minister will also be formed. The development has come after days of discussion between Netanyahu and Gants. The Israeli prime minister had first invited opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz with the proposal to form a unity government on Saturday, soon after the brutal Hamas assault. In a statement released by the chair of the National Unity party, said, The two (Netanyahu and Gants) agreed on the establishment of an emergency government and a war management cabinet. A war management cabinet will be established with three members: the prime minister, the defense minister and the chairman of the National Unity. Advertisement Besides Netanyahu, Gants and Israeli defence minister, there will be two more senior government officials in the war management cabinet, who will be serving as observers. On behalf of the National Unity party a total of five ministers without a portfolio will be added to the political-security cabinet (with one of them as an observer): Benny Gantz, Gideon Saar, Gadi Eisenkot and two other ministers. This is for the duration of the war, the statement read. The formation of the unity government has come in the backdrop of a likely ground assault. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have sent 300,000 reservists near the Gaza border where they are ready to engage in a mission given to them by the Israeli government. Israel has declared war on Hamas after the Islamic outfits militants launched an unprecedented air and ground assault. Hamas last week fired thousands of rockets towards Israel and more than 1,500 militants invaded the country, killing nearly 1300 Israelis, including babies, their mothers and fathers. Calling the attack Israels moment of 9/11, Netanyahu vowed mighty vengeance and warned Gazans to flee their homes as IDF carried out hundreds of air strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. More than 950 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli air strikes since Saturday. Electricity has gone out in Gaza after the Hamas-controlled regions sole power station ran out of fuel on Wednesday. Gaza produces only 20 per cent of its total electricity consumption and the rest is outsourced. Following last weeks deadly Hamas assault, Israel has declared a war against the Palestinian outfit and ordered a complete siege, cutting off fuel, food, electricity and water supply to the region. This means Gazans will now be solely depended on generators for electricity. However, the generators will require fuel to produce electricity and the region is also short on fuel as well. Following Israels siege order, there is severe food and water shortage in Gaza. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has said that 3,00,000 reservists have been moved close to the Gaza border and that they are ready to execute the mission Israeli government has given to them. Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told US President Joe Biden that a ground assault in Gaza is inevitable and the countrys military forces will soon set foot in the Hamas controlled region. Netanyahu has vowed to annihilate Hamas an Iran-backed Islamic militant outfit after it killed over 1,200 Israeli, including babies, women and soldiers in a surprise assault last week. In response to the brutal Hamas attack, Israel declared a war and launched an unprecedented counter attack. So far, more than thousand Palestinians have been killed in hundreds of Israeli air strikes since Saturday. Hamas has now threatened to kill hostages it took during Saturday attack one by one if Israeli Defence Forces carried out more unannounced air strikes. Several neighbourhoods in Gaza, which allegedly housed Hamas assets, have been leveled by Israeli fighter jets. MADRID, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and nine others were injured in a fire that broke out on Wednesday in a residential building in the Galician city of Vigo, northwest coast of Spain. The nine injured were taken to hospital with burns. According to the emergency services of Galicia 112, the fire started at around 4 a.m. on Wednesday in the lower part of a five-storey building located in the vicinity of the Plaza America, center of Vigo. It took firefighters at least three hours to extinguish the fire. Police are investigating the incident as arson. City_news breaking featured Thousands come out for Israel Joel Goldenberg / Joel Goldenberg Photo The audience sings Israels national anthem, Hatikvah. Joel Goldenberg / Joel Goldenberg Photo An overflow crowd turned out in support of Israel. Over 3000 Montrealers, filled the Gelber Centre and adjoining halls to capacity at Federation CJA headquarters Monday night for a highly emotional vigil and solidarity event in reaction to the Hamas terrorist attack in which some 1000 Israelis were killed, more than 3,400 wounded and brutalized and more than 100 kidnapped. On hand for the Federation CJA event were numerous dignitaries, including Deputy Israeli Consul General Shulamit Chouraki, who thanked the Jewish community for their support; MPs Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal) Rachel Bendayan (Outremont) and Alexandra Mendes (Brossard-St. Lambert); Quebec Environment Minister Benoit Charrette, International Relations Minister Martine Biron and Higher Education Minister Pascale Dery; MNAs Elisabeth Prass (DArcy McGee), Marwah Rizqy (St. Laurent), Brigitte Garceau (Robert Baldwin) and municipal representatives including Ensemble Montreals Alan DeSousa Mayor of St.Laurent and Councillor Jacques Cohen, members of Cote St. Luc council and Hampstead councillor Michael Goldwax representing Mayor Jeremy Levi. Federation CJA CEO Yair Szlak told the audience that Montrealer Alexandre Look was murdered while trying to save two young women, and the grandson of Montreal residents a soldier were amongst those killed. This war will take a long time, and the weeks and months ahead will be very trying, not only for the families in Israel and all of us are going to be touched by it but also here at home, Szlak said. Israels actions moving forward will eventually turn the tide of support it receives today, there will be those who will condemn and there will be demonstrations. It is going to take our perseverance and fortitude to stand up for what is just, to remind the world of the innocent lives that were massacred! Federation CJA president Steve Sebag had an especially strong message. The barbarians are at the gate....This madness cannot repeat itself. To those who will spew all sorts of condemnations against Israels legitimate right to defend itself, we politely tell you to f---k off! Housefather pointed out that the Israeli flag was projected onto the Parliament building in Ottawa, and Canadian flags flew at half mast.Let there be no doubt! In war, in peace and as a former Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) said, through fire and water, Canada stands with Israel! Charrette said governments will not tolerate antisemitic demonstrations, because that is hate. Thundering applause followed. Gail Adelson, National Chair, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said the community is strong and united in its support for Israel. The words never again must be given a meaning and never is now. There is no territorial or cultural war that can justify the brutality we have witnessed. This is not resistance, this is terrorism, full stop! The actions of Hamas are so evil, they defy explanation or reason! When somebody shows you who they really are, believe them! A very emotional Rabbi Reuben Poupko said the packed audience was a beautiful sight, after days of watching nothing but horror. Our hearts are broken, overwhelmed with grief and anger. Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, with the families of the captives and the brave soldiers of the State of Israel. They kidnapped our grandmothers, murdered our sons, and they raped and brutalized our daughters in a planned orgy of medieval carnage! The Rabbi added that while what took place in one day was the largest loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust, that can lead to the wrong analogy. Because today the Jewish people are not homeless! The Jewish people are not defenceless! We have soldiers to defend and a government to rule, and a people proud and free. Never again meant never again would a Jew be murdered with impunity! For the Jews who were murdered, justice will be served! Bnai Brith Canadas Quebec Regional Director Henry Topas later said, tonight, the Jewish community speaks with one voice. We thank the many levels of government who have uncategorically condemned the horrendous acts of terror committed by Hamas. The vigil concluded with prayers for Israel, the Israeli soldiers and captives by Rabbi Adam Scheier of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, Rabbi Moishe New of the Montreal Torah Centre and Reverend Hazan Daniel Benlolo of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue; and the singing of O Canada and Hatikvah, including by those proudly holding and wearing Israeli flags. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain late. Low 39F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional light rain late. Low 39F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. A confrontational blogger known as Turtleboy, who's been accused of witness intimidation in a criminal case against a woman accused of running over a Boston police officer, is facing charges Parents, not the government, have say over their children The Quest for the Next Red Devil: Inacio, Manchester Uniteds Defensive Target Amidst the echoing footsteps of Old Trafford, Manchester United, a club with history written in ink of unparalleled legacy, sets its sight on a gem from Portugals famed Sporting CP, Goncalo Inacio. A Relentless Pursuit of Defensive Prowess Manchester United, as reported by Daily Mirror, are keenly tracking the progress of Sporting CPs starlet, Inacio, in a bid to fortify their backline. The allure isnt new. In the summer haze, whispers filled the air about Inacio donning the red jersey as a possible successor to Harry Maguire. But as fate would have it, Maguires journey to West Ham stuttered, and he continues to grace the Theatre of Dreams despite a 30 million handshake. Yet, the hunger persists. Erik ten Hag, Uniteds visionary, is steadfast in his quest for defensive brilliance. With a noticeable void created by departures such as Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly, and Teden Mengi, paired with the injuries haunting Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, the urgency is palpable. A Glimpse at the Desired Four Uniteds list isnt confined to one. Inacio shares the spotlight with Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice, Antonio Silva from Benficas ranks, and Bayer Leverkusens stalwart Edmond Tapsoba. A nostalgic connection exists here Todibo was almost draped in red, had Maguire embarked on a new chapter last summer. Goncalo Inacios brilliance doesnt merely emanate from his skills, but also his allegiance to agent Miguel Pinho. This is the man who orchestrated Bruno Fernandes illustrious journey to Manchester. Could Pinho be the bridge once more? However, its not just United; Newcastle and Liverpool too are drawn to this Portuguese sensation. The Sporting Legacy Inacio, at 22, boasts 129 appearances for Sporting CP, a testament to his mettle. Sporting, known for sculpting young prodigies, has previously passed the baton of talents like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani to Manchester United. Is Inacio the next? In the shadow of Varane and Martinezs fitness struggles and Maguires uncertain future, the need for a robust defender becomes even more paramount. Amidst all this, Victor Lindelofs fluctuating form and Luke Shaws prolonged absence further amplify the call for reinforcements. Interestingly, Inacios left-footed dynamism could weave magic with Martinez, adding a sense of equilibrium to Uniteds defense. And while Todibo and Tapsoba have been under the keen eyes of Uniteds scouts, Silva from Benfica has not gone unnoticed. Benjamin Pavard, earlier in contention, now dawns the Inter colours, having departed Bayern Munich. The Horizon: Looking Ahead With the potential arrival of a new guardian at the back, Maguires exit looms large. Simultaneously, the futures of Lindelof and Varane are draped in ambiguity. While no moves are expected this winter, the Red Devils are meticulously crafting a plan for the upcoming summer transfer fiesta. Reuters CIUDAD DE MEXICO, 2 nov (Reuters) - El Banco de Mexico (Banxico) exhorto el jueves a las empresas financieras del pais a ofrecer apoyo a sus clientes afectados por el huracan Otis, que la semana pasada devasto zonas de la costa del Pacifico, en el estado Guerrero. En un comunicado, el banco central sugirio a los prestamistas que tomaran medidas temporales, como suspender los pagos minimos en tarjetas de credito de clientes damnificados con el fin de ayudarles a sortear el impacto financiero de l In September this year, German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz introduced the AMG G63 Grand Edition. This was an exclusive model with just 1,000 units to be produced worldwide. In India, only 25 units were on offer, priced at a steep Rs 4 crore ex-showroom. According to Santosh Iyer, the MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, the moment the announcement was made, the India-allocated units were soldin just six minutes. It is that time of the year when the festive mood has just kicked in and companies are hoping to boost their sales. After Onam in Kerala and Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra and a few other states, the auspicious period of Navratri kicks in from October 15, which will be followed by Diwali next month. Top luxury car makers like Mercedes are already seeing strong sales. The company's sales in the January-September period were up 11 per cent from a year ago to 12,768 units. Importantly, top-end vehicles are accelerating at double the speed. Sales of vehicles priced around Rs 1.50 crore or more grew 22 per cent in the same period, according to Iyer. Top-end cars comprise 25 per ent of Mercedes' portfolio. "We have a strong product portfolio including brands like S-Class, Maybach, EQS etc. There is desirability for the brand and the people are willing to pay the high price," he said. Iyer pointed that out most of the top-end customers are multiple car owners, who may already have several Mercedes cars. Mercedes is not the only luxury car maker seeing a strong uptick in demand. Rival Audi saw its sales in the first nine months of 2023 surpass sales clocked in the entire 2022 calendar year. Audi's sales in the January-September period surged 88 per cent to 5,530 units. Overall, the luxury car industry is expected to have clocked around 16 per cent growth in the January-September period this year. The strong rebound in demand is a big relief for the luxury car industry, which had been in the slow lane since 2018-19. "We have a strong economy at present and there is in general positive demand. There are a lot of aspirational buyers who we see today, wanting to move into the luxury space and there is sufficient liquidity in the market for people to buy," said Balbir Singh Dhillon, the head of Audi India. In the wake of the of the Covid-19 pandemic over 2020-21, the automobile industry struggled with supply chain-related issues, especially in areas like semi-conductors. Given the huge amount of tech onboard, luxury car makers were hit hard. These issues are now easing out and therefore availability of models has also improved, noted Dhillon. Mercedes' Iyer said while semi-conductor-related supply issues were behind, there were still challenges with respect to some of the tier II and tier III suppliers, which was hampering production and in turn driving up waiting periods. "We still have some risks coming out of certain components and these risks are hitting us more on the SUV side of the business. The GLA, GLC and GLS, these carlines we are still facing challenges when it comes to supply of components and parts, and because of this, our production colleagues are not able to match up to the demand," he said. Mercedes has already launched eight new products this year, and will launch two more before Diwali, Iyer informed. Apart from launches, luxury automakers are also offering various experiences and events for their customers to keep up the mood and growth momentum. Mercedes, for instance, has collaborated with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai to offer its customers exclusive experiences in art, culture, fashion and luxury. The mastermind of 2016 Pathankot attack was on Wednesday shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistans Sialkot. India had designated Shahid Latif as one of the most-wanted terrorist. Latif, a member of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), was killed near Masjid Al-Noor Medina in Mundeyki Chowk near Daska town in Sialkot. He is said to be the one who orchestrated the Pathankot attack, which saw JeM terrorists infiltrate into the Air Force base to launch a deadly attack. The Indian forces who, backed by tanks and helicopters, battled for more than 15 hours before they wrested back control of the compound. Latif was arrested in India in November 1994 on terror charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He served his sentence before being deported to Pakistan via Wagah in 2010. He was also an accused in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999. On October 13, the memory of kar sevaks shall be honoured by the lighting of diyas at the Ram Pauri at Ayodhya. On October 30, 1990, and November 2 the same year, thousands of kar sevaks marched to Ayodhya on a call given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. These dates marked a culmination of Lal Krishna Advanis nationwide rath yatra which pushed the demand for a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The then chief minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, had ordered a firing on the kar sevaks. Announcing the ceremony today, Champat Rai, of the Sri Ramjanmbhoomi Teerth General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, said that as a struggle of many years was reaching its conclusion, it was important to remember those who had made the dream of a Ram Mandir possible. The Ram Pauri refers to a series of ghats on the banks of the river Sarayu. Rai also announced that Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi of the Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth would offer prayers for the departed souls during Navratri. The nine-day festival of Navratri starts on October 15. Clarifying the position of foreign donations for the Ram Mandir, Rai said that the necessary process of permissions was still underway. As soon as permissions are received, the Trust shall start accepting donations. Everything will be in the knowledge of the government of India and all rules shall be followed, said Rai. The trust will also get priests trained for the all-important pran pratishtha (infusing of life into an idol) ceremony. More than 200 VHP workers will fan out to 45 regions with the rice, turmeric and ghee used in the ceremony for distribution to devotees. While invitation cards for the ceremony will be printed in various languages, workers will also urge people to carry out pran pratishtha prayers in temples in their respective villages/cities. In addition to the saints who have been invited for the initial round of darshan which shall stretch from January 26 to February 22, devotees from abroad will also be invited. An NIA court has ordered confiscation of land belonging to Designated Individual Terrorist (DIT) Lakhbir Singh alias Rode in Punjab's Moga district. Singh, who is a Pakistan-based self-styled chief of banned terror outfits like International Sikh Youth Federation and Khalistan Liberation Force was charged under the UAPA, 1967 Section 33 (5). The land belonging to him is located in village Kothe Gurupura (Rode). He was allegedly the brain behind the blast in a Ludhiana court in December 2021 that killed a terror suspect and injured six civilians. He reportedly smuggled the IED that exploded from Pakistan with a drug-smuggling ring's help. His accomplice, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Malaysia, was arrested in December 2022 at the Indian Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, when he retured from Malaysia. The latest court order is based on a 2021 case, wherein he was charged under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act 1908, Sections 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38 and 39 of UAPA along with Sections 21B, 27A and 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and IPC Section 120B, according to ANI. "Working in collusion with his Pakistan-based 'masters', Lakhbir Singh alias Rode played a key role in sending consignments of terrorist hardware, including arms, ammunition, custom-made tiffin bombs, grenades, explosives as well as drugs, to carry out terrorist acts, particularly bomb blasts, to instil fear and terror among the people of Punjab," NIA said. "He stands accused of engaging in a wide array of terror activities. His criminal dossier includes armed attacks on law enforcement personnel, orchestrating IED and bomb blasts, targeted killings of members of the minority community, extortion, fundraising for terrorist operations, and instilling terror among the general populace," the agency added. -- with inputs from agencies The BJP in Rajasthan is in a damage control mode after dissent erupted within the party over the candidate list for the upcoming Assembly elections. A day after the party released its candidate list, over seven leaders or their supporters have openly come out against the leadership for denying them seats. Senior party leader and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said a team has been formed for damage control and the issues will be addressed soon. "The team is being headed by MoS Kailash Choudhary. I too have spoken with 8-10 people. We hold reviews every day, Meghwal told reporters. He denied there were any infightings in the party. " We will do whatever damage control is required. All of them are workers of the BJP. When they were demanding tickets, they were competing against each other. Now, that tickets have been allotted, everyone will work to make the candidates who received the tickets win," he added. Meghwal's response comes as the BJP's state headquarters witnessed protests on Tuesday. Some incidents were reported from constituencies too. The protests were aimed at the BJP fielding Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a Lok Sabha MP from Jaipur Rural, in the Jhotwara Assembly constituency. The move was opposed by Jhotwara sitting MLA and BJP leader Rajpal Singh Shekhawat. Shekhawat's supporters raised slogans demanding the removal of the "parachute" candidate to save the constituency. A video of the protest is doing rounds on social media. "In the list of 41 candidates, 10 are rebels," Shekhawat told reporters after meeting Raje. However, Meghwal supported the fielding of Union Ministers, calling it a strategy. "Every party has its strategy. We are working as per our strategy. You saw this in Madhya Pradesh too. I think this is a good move, he further added. Seats denied Besides Shekhawat, other leaders who voiced their protest at being denied a ticket include senior leader Mukesh Goyal, who fought unsuccessfully from the Kotputli assembly seat in the 2018 elections. The saffron party fielded Hansraj Patel from the seat, following which Goyal's supporters burned party flags to mark their protest. Two-time MLA from the Nagar assembly constituency of Bharatpur, Anita Singh was sidelined in favour of Jawahar Singh Bedham. "Security deposit of the person who has got the ticket will be forfeited," Singh said in a social media post while vowing to contest polls from the seat. Those who openly protested against the leadership for denying them tickets include former minister Rohitash Sharma (replaced by Devi Singh Shekhawat in Bansur), Vikas Choudhary (replaced by Ajmer MP Bhagirath Choudhary in Kishangarh), Rajendra Gurjar (replaced by Vijay Baisnla in Deoli-Uniara (Tonk), Maman Singh Yadav (replaced by Baba Balak Nath in Tijara). However, sitting MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi has yet not reacted after being denied a ticket from the Vidhyadhar Nagar assembly seat. The party has replaced him with an erstwhile royal family member and Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari in the seat. Polling for all 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan will take place on November 23 and votes will be counted on December 3. US President Joe Biden has stressed his country's support for Israel while condemning the Hamas attack against Israel as "an act of sheer evil". He added that atleast 14 American citizens were killed in the incident. "There are moments in this life and I mean this literally when pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organisation Hamas, a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews," Biden said in an emotional address to the nation from the White House. Biden said the US has also enhanced its military force posture in the region. "This was an act of sheer evil. More than 1,000 civilians were slaughtered not just killed, slaughtered in Israel. Among them, at least 14 American citizens were killed. Parents butchered (who were) using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach-turning reports of babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people were massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace," he said. He said the Hamas' action in Israel was terrorism and resembled the worst rampages of ISIS. "It's abhorrent. The brutality of Hamas this bloodthirstiness brings to mind the worst, the worst rampages of ISIS. This is terrorism. But sadly, for the Jewish people, it's not new," he said. Biden also voiced concern for any Americans who may be held hostage by Hamas. Earlier, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters the U.S. believed 20 Americans were missing but that it remained unclear if they were being held hostage. Biden said Washington would share intelligence with Israel and deploy additional experts on hostage recovery. However, no American forces would be deployed on the ground. Biden said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a phone call on Tuesday, that militants intentionally target civilians while democracies like the United States and Israel are "stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law." In a veiled attack on Iran and Iranian-backed groups such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, Biden said he had a message for any country or organisation thinking of taking advantage of the situation - "I have one word: don't." The President also outlined the U.S. military assistance being sent to help Israel in its fight and said he would ask Congress to take urgent action. He also promised replenishment of interceptors used by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system as well as ammunition in addition to redoubling U.S. military presence in the region. US plane in Israel The first plane carrying U.S. armaments landed in Israel on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The armaments "are designed to facilitate significant military operations and increase preparedness for other scenarios," the IDF said in a statement. "We are grateful for the US backing and assistance to the IDF, and to the State of Israel in general, during this challenging period," the IDF said. "Our common enemies know that the cooperation between our militaries is stronger than ever, and is a key part in ensuring regional security and stability." Blinken to visit Israel U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel on Wednesday to meet with senior Israeli leaders, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday. "It will be a message of solidarity and support. He, of course, wants to hear from the leaders of Israel, hear from them directly about the situation they're facing ... about what they need and how we can best support them," Miller added. The smoke signals were already there. Talk of an intricate and sophisticated web of tunnels being constructed by fighters of the Hamas Islamist movement and the Al-Qudsthe armed outfit of the Islamic Jihad was doing the rounds. Well-concealed and camouflaged from prying eyes, drones and probing satellites, there was nothing to indicate under which stretch the tunnels lay. Last year in April, talking of the tunnel network, Abu Hamza, spokesperson of the Al-Quds brigade, had told the AFP: We will let the days and the battles to come do the talking about the ability of the resistance to break through this so-called (Israeli) barrier. The well-ventilated and lighted tunnelsmostly located at depths of about 20 metreswere apparently repaired, well-stocked with rockets and connected to a system of drones. The Hamas plan to build tunnels began in 1999 and were similar in design to the tunnels which the Viet Cong guerrillas used to telling effect against the Americans in the jungles of south Vietnam. Hamas tunnel network is in fact a vast underground city with dozens of access points located throughout Gaza. Hamas uses these tunnels as weapons caches, bunkers, command centers and a concealed transportation artery for terrorists and weapons, including rocket launchers, says a post by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) In 2016, 21 tunnel diggers died as 25 tunnels collapsed in Gaza But most importantly, they were used as vantage points to infiltrate into Israel from Gaza, get behind unsuspecting IDF posts to mount attacks, make rapid exits and bring back hostages. The IDF has its own team of underground warfare called the Yahalom. But whether that will be enough to mount effective offensives on Hamas and Islamic Jihad is something the next phase of battle will reveal. Besides being experts in tunnel warfare, Yahalom specialises in discovering, clearing, and destroying terror tunnels. Yahalom comprises the Yael or the unit engineering reconnaissance force, Sayfan is trained to handle non-conventional weapons while Samur specialises in tunnel warfare. Building tunnels under densely-populated towns and civilian premises is by no means an easy task. In 2016, 21 tunnel diggers died as 25 tunnels collapsed in Gaza. The dead were all from Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and other outfits. After mounting deadly airstrikes on Hamas targets in the narrow Gaza Strip, on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thundered: We have only started striking Hamas What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations. Conventional military wisdom would therefore dictate that Israels deadly airstrikes in the narrow Gaza Strip and elsewhere is but the foreplay for a massive ground offensive by the land forces that is already being prepared. IDF has already mobilized 300,000 reservists in just 48 hours. With Hamass initial shock and awe tactics tapering off, it is now the time for the real battle to starta battle that will determine the future of Israel, the Palestinian people amid the interplay of world geopolitical strategies. And the main part of that battle will be fought in these tunnels which are the base, armoury, living quarters and even jails for the Palestinian militia. The Gaza is a 365 sq km big corridor on the eastern Mediterranean coast that is home to about 23 lakh people with a population density of more than 6,000 people per sq km. A fight for military control and domination in this zone would require war-fighting techniques more attuned to the urban style of warfare. But what would complicate matter for any invading force is the existence of the vast network of tunnels. As in all styles of guerilla warfare, familiarity with the surroundings is a critical element. On this count, the Palestinian militia outfits would have the distinct advantage and nothing would please them more that being able to lure in the IDF underground. Blinded by an ongoing rapprochement process with Arab nations which led to complacency, over-confidence due to technological superiority and a relative period of peace, the famed Shin BetIsraels internal security agencyand MossadIsraels external intelligence agencyignored the smoke signals emanating from just across the border with the narrow Gaza Strip. That proved very costly on the Saturday morning of October 7 as hundreds of heavily-armed Hamas fighters forayed into Israeli homes and hearths, rock shows, towns and business centres from land, sea and air. A murderous assault followed amid a hostage taking spree by the Hamas fighters. A conservative estimate put the numbers at about 900 people killed in Israel. A spate of deadly airstrikes by the Israeli fighter jets saw about 680 die in Gaza at last count on Monday. The numbers are still counting while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) put the number of displaced in Gaza at more than 187,500 residents. The latest escalation is the fifth one since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 from forces allied to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. From AD 132 to 136, Jewish rebels had effectively mounted hit and run attacks during the Bar Kokhba revolt against Roman suzerainty. It was a battle in vain. But this time, it is the Israelis who will have to invade the netherworld. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has claimed the lives of at least eight journalists. The Palestinian enclave's press office said a few journalists have also gone missing after Israel's airstrikes on Gaza. The press office listed the names of journalists killed in the attacks: Muhammed Subh, Hisham en-Nawacihe, Said al-Taweel who was the editor-in-chief of Al-Khamsa News website, Muhammed es-Salihi who was a freelance journalist, Esad Shemlah, Ibrahim Lafi who was a photographer for Ain Media, Mohammad Jarghoun who was a reporter with Smart Media, and Selame Mime. According to an Al Jazeera report, al-Taweel and two others, Alnwajha and Subh, were killed on Tuesday when they went to film a building that was about to be bombed by Israel in Gaza city. The trio were standing a safe distance away from the building that was to be bombed as per warning. Unfortunately, another building which was much closer to them was hit. They were wearing safety gear with distinctive markings identifying them as members of the press. Just before his death, al-Taweel said in what was to be his last words: Unfortunately, they have sent a warning notice to the Hiji building just now that it will be bombed. The area has been evacuated entirely. Women, men, the elderly, kids have all completely fled the area, reported Al Jazeera. Palestinian journalists in Gaza take part in the funeral of their fellow Saed Al-Taweel and Mohammed Soboh, who were murdered in an Israeli airstrike targeting a street containing press offices in Gaza City last night. pic.twitter.com/WPlOOe6jQD PALESTINE ONLINE (@OnlinePalEng) October 10, 2023 Ibrahim Lafi and another journalist were shot dead while they were reporting at the Gaza Strips Beit Hanoon crossing. Haitham Abdelwahid from the Ain Media agency and Nidal al-Wahidi from the Al-Najah channel are reported missing, according to Al Jazeera. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent non-profit, non-governmental that promotes press freedom worldwide, said it was "extremely concerned" and urged both sides to "remember that journalists are civilians and should not be targeted". "Accurate reporting is critical during times of crisis and the media has a vital role to play in bringing news from Gaza and Israel to the world," CPJs Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator Sherif Mansour was quoted as saying. After Israel cut off supplies, Gazas sole power station has run out of fuel, forcing it to shut down, reports said on Wednesday. Israel has blocked fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip as part of what the Benjamin Netanyahu government has called a complete siege on the territory run by the Hamas militant group. Gaza is currently without power, Gaza power authority head Galal Ismail told CNN. Ismail said people can still use power generators for electricity, but with a blockade on all sides of the border, the fuel needed for the generators to work is running out. Media reports indicated that Israeli strikes had demolished entire neighbourhoods of Gaza, with airstrikes smashing the entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and leaving unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation after the Hamas militants stormed through the border fence on Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. More than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza. The war, which has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate and compound the misery of people living in Gaza, where basic necessities and electricity were already in short supply, reported the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv urged its citizens to remain calm and vigilant and reassured them that it is monitoring the situation closely. This is to assure you that the embassy is working constantly for your safety and welfare. All of us are going through very difficult times but please do remain calm and vigilant and follow the local security guidelines," India's Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla said in a post on X. We are here to help you, and we thank many of you who have sent so many messages of appreciation to us. We are monitoring the situation closely and please stay tuned for any updates from the embassy. Jai Hind, he said. It has been five days since Israel vowed retaliation for the attack by Hamas that killed close to 900 citizens. As Israel mulls on a ground offensiveand continues to shell the Gaza strip950 Palestinians have been killed and 5,000 have been injured according to the Ministry of Health in the Gaza strip. India was one of the first countries to express their solidarity with Israel. In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his shock over the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour, he tweeted. Unlike in the past, where India has appealed for restrain and peace, for Israela relationship that Modi has chosen to take out of the closet and flauntIndia has chosen to firmly back Israel as a victim of terrorism. This position is different from all the other countries of the Global Southwho have either like Maldives, chosen to back Palestine or like Brazil to take the middle ground. It is also at odds with Indias stand for Palestine. Especially at a time when India had taken great pains to de-hyphenate the relationship. So when he visited Palestine in 2018, Modi went through Jordan. It was to make a point. Modis response to the Hamas attack on Israel has found favour within unexpected quarters. The former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, who has served as an ambassador to Israel, in a podcast with the Lowly Institute said: Prime Minister responded immediately,. Most of the Global South spoke about the need for restraint, Menon noted, but he said this is a case where Israel has been attacked. From my point of view, what PM Modi said, this is the right response, he said. However, with Israel having shut off water, food, and electricity to the Gaza Strip and the offensive still continuing, the mounting humanitarian problem will soon be difficult to ignore. And New Delhis warm relations with the wider Islamic world will feel the strain. Especially, as there the milder response by the UAE and Bahrain both committed to relations with Israel following the Abraham Accordshave now chosen to take a stronger stand. Saudi Arabia, which may have been tempted by the US push towards flirting with Israel, has to cancel any attempts at a relationship as of now. There was a new Middle East in the process of being born, things were moving in the Middle East, I think that is designed to change the direction....it will postpone much of this, said Menon. If the Ukraine war was a tightrope walk for India, the rising tensions would also be a test of skill. So far, the Ministry of External Affairs has not issued any statement. And Modis support for Israel is the only official response. I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. The people of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," PM Modi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. But with the death toll rising in Gaza, and calls for a ceasefire, India will have to find a way to balance both the Arab world and Israel. And fast. Lance Stroll is under investigation by the FIA and has been referred to the latters Compliance Officer following his antics last weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix. In the wake of his Q1 elimination in Fridays qualifying at Lusail his fourth knockout in succession an angry Stroll threw his steering wheel out of his car and then ignored his trainers directive to exit Astons garage from the front and make his way to the weighbridge. Footage then showed the Canadian at the back of his teams garage losing his temper and shoving his trainer Henry Howe out of the way. Minutes later, a visibly irritated Stroll offered one-word replies including an expletive to an F1 TV reporter while being interviewed in the TV pen. The Aston Martin driver was predictably heavily criticized on social media for his conduct and blunt attitude although the following day Stroll played down his garage flare-up, insisting all was cool with his trainer. However, all apparent wasnt cool with the FIA which has taken an interest in Stroll and referred the Canadians case to its compliance officer, but without specifying which sporting rules the Aston driver may have potentially breached or for what reason. "The FIA Compliance Officer is in discussion with Lance Stroll in relation to several incidents that may have contravened FIA rules, policies and procedures during the Qatar Grand Prix", said the governing body in a short statement issued on Tuesday evening. Its likely that Strolls garage tantrum was frowned upon by the FIA which perhaps considers that the drivers conduct was prejudicial to the interests of any Competition or to the interests of motor sport generally as covered by Article 12.2.1.c of the FIA International Sporting Code. Addressing his drivers behaviour in Qatar, Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack suggested that drivers should not be judged too quickly for heat of the moment reactions. I think emotions is what we want from sportsmen and then if they react then we judge them quickly, explained Krack. Is this right, is this wrong? I think we need to be careful with that. We want to see it, because then we have something to talk about. But then I think it goes one step too far when you have 10 people, sitting down on the sofa or in an air-conditioned room, and saying 'this is too much or you cannot do that'. I think we need to have a bit more respect for the drivers and for elite sportsmen, I would say. Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition National Unity party agreed to form an emergency government amid the raging war with Hamas militants in Gaza strip. The decision was announced in a joint statement by Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz. The small war cabinet will include just Netanyahu, Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the Times of Israel reported on Wednesday evening. Israel Defense Forces' former general Gadi Eisenkot and Minister Ron Dermer will serve as observers in the war cabinet, the report added. The government and the opposition have agreed that no legislation in Knesset or resolutions will be advanced during the war that are not related to managing the war. Meanwhile, Gazas sole power station has run out of fuel, forcing it to shut down, after Israel cut off supplies. Israel has blocked fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip as part of what the Benjamin Netanyahu government has called a complete siege on the territory run by the Hamas militant group. Media reports indicated that Israeli strikes had demolished entire neighbourhoods of Gaza, with airstrikes smashing the entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and leaving unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation after the Hamas militants stormed through the border fence on Saturday and gunned down hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. More than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza. Israel is likely to begin its ground offensive anytime now with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant proclaiming on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is moving to a "full offense" against the Gaza Strip. The country is also expanding the mobilisation of reservists to 360,000. This comes as IDF jets continued to pound the Palestinian enclave, home to 2.3 million people that has been governed by Hamas since 2007. On Tuesday, Israel warned civilians to evacuate neighbourhood after neighbourhood before raining bombs on buildings, in what many see as a prelude to ground offensive, reported Associated Press. On Tuesday, IDF said its fighter jets hit more than 200 targets over the past 24 hours, including the ones in al-Furqan, dubbed after a mosque in the area in the city. Israel labels the area "nest of terror" used by Hamas to launch attacks against Israel. Over 450 targets were hit in total so far. The Israeli military said it also struck hundreds of targets in Rimal, an upscale district home to ministries of the Hamas-run government, universities, media organisations and the aid agency offices. While Israeli warplanes hammered Gaza Strip, Gazans scrambled for safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory. Hospitals are reportedly filling to the brim with injured people who struggle for medicines and other essential items. Israel had closed off the borders, stopping entry of food, fuel and medicines into Gaza. The only remaining access from Egypt was also shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Israel's military said it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south and of the Gaza border. Local media reports added that a lot of residents were still trapped under the rubbles. Over 30 people were evacuated by Palestinian Civil Defense forces out of the basement of a buildings. Palestinians inspect the damage of destroyed building after Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip | Reuters Meanwhile, the Israeli military said more than 1,000 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Hamas attack. In Gaza, 900 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there. Over 1,500 Hamas men were also reported to be killed. In Gaza, more than 200,000 people have fled their homes, the U.N. said. Missiles from Lebanon, Syria Israel said missiles were launched at northern Israel from both Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday. In retaliation, Israeli military began shelling posts in both nations in response. The Israel Defense Forces said 15 rockets were fired from Lebanon at the Western Galilee, setting off sirens in several towns. Four projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system, while the rest landed in open areas, causing no damage or injuries, the IDF said. An anti-tank guided missile was launched from Lebanon at an armored vehicle near the northern town of Avivim. No soldiers were wounded. The military said a combat helicopter struck a third Hezbollah post in response to that attack. House Republican George Santos has been charged with fraud and lying about his campaign finance disclosures by federal prosecutors. They presented evidence that he stole donors identities and charged thousands of dollars to their credit cards without their knowledge, the Guardian reported. This means more legal trouble for the embattled congressman, whose former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States last week. Santos allegedly charged $15,800 to a contributor's credit card, way over the limit federal campaign laws permit. Santos pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges including allegations that he schemed to defraud prospective supporters of his 2022 congressional campaign; campaign donations were used for purchase of luxury clothing items, credit card and car payments, and payments on personal debts. This original indictment was filed in May. A lot of money charged to contributors' credit cards, reportedly, ended up in Santos' personal bank account. The two new charges include an accusation that he conspired to submit to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) false reports that inflated his campaigns fundraising so it could deceive the Republican party into extending financial support, according to a Guardian report. Santos is set to appear in federal court on October 27. As Israel watched in horror, over 1,000 Hamas gunmen crossed into its borders on Saturday, unleashing death on civilians and soldiers alike. The attack, the worst since the 1973 Yom Kippur War, has shed the spotlight on Mohammed Deif, the mastermind of the event. Who is Deif and what role did he play in the terror attack? The Israeli security source believes Deif was directly involved in the planning and operational aspects of the attack, reported Reuters. The chief of Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, Deif is said to have taken the crucial decision, along with Hamas leader in Gaza Yehya Sinwar, to launch the attack. "There are two brains, but there is one mastermind," Reuters quoted an unnamed source as saying, adding that information about the operation was known only to a handful of Hamas leaders. For someone who is very secretive and rarely speaks - Deif has been picturised only thrice - he spoke to Gazans on Saturday as the attack began. "Enough is enough," he said in the audio message. "Today the rage of Al Aqsa, the rage of our people and nation is exploding. Our mujahedeen (fighters), today is your day to make this criminal understand that his time has ended," Deif said in the recording. He added how Hamas has repeatedly told Israel to stop its crimes against Palestinians and to end the criminal siege. Deif reportedly handled the mission in such secrecy that even Iran knew little of the major operation. Iran knew Hamas was planning something but was not aware of the timing or details. 'Man with nine lives' Deif, real name Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri, was born in Khan Yunis refugee camp in southern Gaza in the 1960s. Little is known about his early years other than the fact that he went on to study science at the Islamic University of Gaza. He is said to have organised a major campaign of suicide bombings in the mid-1990s, shortly after the signing of the Oslo Accords, and has been Israel's most-wanted man since 1995. Deif has survived multiple attempts on his life and is partially paralysed which left him in a wheelchair. It is his ability to escape death that earned him the moniker 'The cat with nine lives'. An Israeli airstrike targeted at Deif in 2014 left his wife and two children dead. His habit of staying with different sympathisers each night to avoid detection earned him the name "Deif", an Arabic moniker that translates literally to "guest". Deif became increasingly important within Hamas after being appointed head of the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades in 2002. He was the one who insisted on applying lessons from the second intifada in the early 2000s and the brain behind the construction of underground tunnels in Gaza. Though considered an international terrorist by the United States since 2015, Deif has managed to take on Israel for three decades. "Militancy against Israel is a field with low life expectancy. Its quite remarkable that he has been able to survive so long. He is a long-lasting stain on Israel's reputation of taking down designated targets," Jacob Eriksson, a specialist in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the University of York, told France 24. The attack has now made him a legend. "But with this operation the most successful in the history of Palestinian resistance his legacy will live forever. He can fail now, Israel can assassinate him now: his legacy will outlast him," Omri Brinner, an Israel and Middle East analyst at the International Team for the Study of Security Verona told France 24. And, Israel is exactly doing that. According to The Times of Israel, an IDF airstrike hit the home of relatives of Mohammad Deif, killing his brother, his son, and the brothers granddaughter. Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party on Wednesday took swipes at the Maharashtra government over Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's visit here for an investor roadshow ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Big-ticket industrial projects going to Gujarat instead of Maharashtra had become a big issue last year. Instead of coming to Mumbai to woo industrialists, Patel should have simply called up the "illegal" chief minister of Maharashtra and "asked them to send more industries to Gujarat from Maharashtra," Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said on X. The Eknath Shinde-led state government has already sent Vedanta-Foxconn, Airbus-Tata, Bulk Drugs Park and many more projects originally meant for Maharashtra to the neighbouring state, he alleged. While the chief ministers of other states come to Mumbai regularly for such roadshows, Shinde only visits Delhi for his own selfish reasons, Thackeray said. The only trip which Shinde claimed to have undertaken to woo investors was his visit to Davos where almost Rs 40 crore were spent in 28 hours, he alleged. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi also took to X to hit out at the Shinde government. "Don't understand why the CM of Gujarat took trouble to come to Mumbai for a Vibrant Gujarat event, when the unconstitutional Maharashtra CM and his 2 deputies are already serving the state of Gujarat by driving away industries from the state of Maharashtra into Gujarat," she tweeted. Mahesh Tapase, chief spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, accused the Shinde government of being silent as "Gujarat makes renewed attempts to take businesses away from Maharashtra." In a statement, Tapase questioned why the state's leadership including chief minister Shinde and his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar had not launchd a Magnetic Maharashtra (Maharashtra's investor summit) campaign in Gujarat to attract investments. He further asked whether this hesitancy was due to the worry that the central leadership of the BJP might threaten their current political positions. Clyde Crasto, the Sharad Pawar-led party's national spokesperson, said on X, "When will the CM of Maharashtra organise a Vibrant Maharashtra Summit in Gujarat? If CM of Gujarat can come here for business, why can't they go there, or does the BJP only want Gujarat's prosperity," he asked. New Delhi (India), October 11: Hailed and revered as the War hero behind the only historic Indian Naval victory scripted in the1971 Indo-Pak War, the legendary Admiral Nanda orchestrated Operations Trident and Python, a daring naval attack on Karachi citadel of Pakistani Navy, setting it aflame and causing colossal damage to its naval fleet, which proved a watershed moment in the 1971 War, leading to the surrender by Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh from the erstwhile East Pakistan. It is about time that the Architect of the Historic Indian Navy Victory in 1971 war against Pakistan is honoured by bestowing upon him the honour and rank of the Admiral Of The Fleet posthumously as a must befitting tribute to one of Indias finest Naval officers, who awed the world. Today a grateful nation remembers and pays homage to former Indian Navy Chief Admiral SM Nanda on his 108th birth anniversary. A distinguished naval officer and strategist par excellence, Admiral Nanda created maritime history for independent India by his visionary and daring leadership in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Admiral Nanda orchestrated Operations Trident and Python, daring naval attacks on Karachi the citadel of Pakistani Navy, setting it aflame and causing colossal damage to its naval fleet which proved a watershed moment in the 1971 War leading to the creation of an independent Bangladesh from the erstwhile East Pakistan. Man of Rare Conviction Admiral Nanda was gifted with a rare kind of conviction, farsightedness and rock-solid determination to take on challenges head on. His firm command led the Indian Navy to play a crucial role in Indias wartime victory, his strategic acumen and dedication to the nations maritime security has left an indelible mark on our naval history, making him a revered figure in the countrys military annals, as the man who scripted the only victory in the naval history of India and that too without any casualty on our side. And if war comes again, I assure you that we shall carry it right into the enemys biggest ports like Karachi .I know this harbour quite well, for I started my career there. And you have my word that given the opportunity, the Indian Navy will make the worlds biggest bonfire of it . - Admiral S M Nanda, then Chief of the Naval Staff, at a press conference in Jamnagar, November 1971. The Man Who Bombed Karachi Port Under the stellar leadership of Admiral Nanda, the Indian Navys wartime tactics stunned the world. The bombing of Karachi from the sea in the 1971 War, braving all odds and challenges was a daring and incredible feat by the Indian Navy that phenomenally exemplified his resilience, farsightedness and conviction to win the war. His dashing personality and decisive decision making were greatly applauded by then political leadership, who had given him a free hand in taking Operation Trident and Operation Python to its logical conclusion, which led to the devastation of Karachi port. Admiral Nanda also strategically deployed missile boats, which attacked naval targets and an oil tank farm at Keamari port. Operation Trident sank Pakistan Navy destroyer PNS Khaibar, minesweeper PNS Muhafiz, an ammunition-carrying ship MV Venus Challenger. Operation Python proved the last nail in the Pak Navys coffin. Hailed and revered as the Man Who Bombed Karachi utilizing the daring Russian applied Missile Boats during 1971 Indo-Pak War, Admiral Nanda was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, for his outstanding courageousness during the war. A Brilliant Strategist Against the threat that Pakistans Ghazi submarine posed, Admiral Nanda devised an innovative strategy wherein he feigned a defensive deployment of our aircraft carrier southeast towards the Andaman Islands and lured the Ghazi submarine positioned outside Visakhapatnam harbour to its watery grave. In the Eastern theatre, Admiral Nanda planned the deployment of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the Gulf of Bengal off East Pakistan to open a front from seaward to blockade it and prevent reinforcements or supplies from reaching it. Simultaneously, he lent his support for the training of Bangladesh freedom fighters, who went on to sabotage enemy shipping and cripple the port operations in East Pakistan. ACCOLADES By RUSSIA And AMERICA What Admiral Nanda was able to achieve was extraordinary and unprecedented. The victory was so astounding and decisive that using the Missile Boats meant for limited defensive applications even amazed the Russians, who were not ready to believe that their boats could go so far and so fiercely and inflict so much damage to the enemy. My Great Indian friends have achieved the impossible, Admiral of the Heroic Fleet of the Soviet Union (Glavkom) Gorshkov shared his astonishment and alacrity with Admiral Nanda over his remarkable triumph. Even the American Admiral in his inscription on his memoir ON WATCH, by Elmo R Zumwalt Jr, Admiral USN (Retd) wrote: To Admiral SM Nanda who knew the key, in 1971, to avoiding mishap! With respect! Admiral Zumwalt, who was the Chief of Naval Operations, US Navy, in 1971 and led the U S Seventh Fleet to intimidate India during the 1971 Indo Pak war. Admiral Zumwalt visited India and in a letter dated 6th December 1989 to Admiral Nanda, shared the inscribed copy of his book ON WATCH wherein he mentions: Here, in India, Admiral Nanda, now retired, told us that his instructions to his ships at that time were If you encounter US Navy ships, invite their captains onboard for a drink. ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET FOR THE MAN who achieved the MOMENTOUS VICTORY of 1971' The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi congratulated Chiefs of the three services, General Sam Manekshaw, Admiral SM Nanda and Air Chief Marshal PC Lal for their remarkable feat. A befitting acknowledgement of the magnificent services and extraordinary leadership Admiral Nanda provided to the Indian Navy during a critical juncture in the nations history will be the conferment of Admiral of the Fleet honour on him. This gesture will serve as a reminder of the dedication, courage, strategic brilliance and unwavering commitment for excellence displayed by the Indian Navy under the magnificent leadership of Admiral Nanda for ages to come and give a sense of pride to Indians for winning a historic Naval Battle against severe odds. Let Admiral Nandas Memory Live Long By giving this due recognition posthumously to Admiral Nanda, a symbol of inspiration and a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian Navy, we will only ensure that his great legacy inspires current and future generations of naval officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and dedication in the defense of their nations sovereignty. Admiral Nanda had a charismatic personality, who motivated his fledgling Navy to achieve the impossible, foresaw the bigger picture, ensured swift planning and adaptation to highly dynamic wartime circumstances and led by example to add a scintillating feather in Indias ever dazzling armour. How magnificent was Admiral Nanda as a Naval leader has been beautifully described later by one of his successors the Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta in his tribute to him in 2009: He (Admiral Nanda) will always be remembered in the most glowing terms for his leadership of the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971, in which the Indian Navy carved its name in golden letters in the annals of history by its sterling offensive actions. (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 New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) The total addressable market for HighRadius, which offers cloud based autonomous software for the office of the CFO, extends to tens of billions of dollars with companies, big and small, needing technology transformation for their processes, says Chief Technology Officer Tanuj Vohra. In India, specifically, HighRadius has emerged as the default choice for leading shared services and global business services centres for running their order-to-cash business processes, Vohra told PTI. With 800-plus clients, including Unilever and Kellogg, spread across 90 countries, the company has logged a 50 per cent CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) over the last four years. "We believe that our investments in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are key to unleashing the real power of `humans + machines' in the office of the CFO," Vohra said. HighRadius utilises Amazon Web Services (AWS) offerings across all products. According to Vohra, running AWS has offered business stability with auto-scalable compute and managed services to help scale and handle peak loads. Excerpts from the interview: Q: Can you talk about the journey of HighRadius and the key milestones so far? A: HighRadius is a category-defining SaaS (software as a service) market leader driving the AI revolution for enterprise finance and accounting teams. With the HighRadius Autonomous Finance Platform for the Office of the CFO, we've helped 800-plus clients like Unilever and Kellogg transform their operations, unlock business value, and improve efficiency of their overall order to cash (O2C) business processes. Founded in 2006, HighRadius was one of the earliest SaaS providers to pivot to the cloud. In 2010, HighRadius built its own Robotic Process Automation (RPA) agents - even before the term was coined. By 2014, HighRadius pioneered the use of AI for automating the cash application business process. Since then HighRadius has developed 13-plus use-cases for AI and machine learning for O2C, treasury, and record to report functions for the office of the CFO. Q: What is the size and scale of your operations, and at what pace have you grown in past years? A: With 800-plus clients across 90 countries, HighRadius has had a 50 per cent CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) over the last four years. HighRadius has been the number one vendor on the Gartner Magic Quadrant for O2C two years in a row since its inception. Q: What are your expansion plans as a fintech enterprise SaaS company? A: Most single-category players in the office of the CFO enterprise SaaS space have failed at becoming multi-category players via acquisitions. Unlike others, HighRadius has expanded beyond O2C solutions with its own AI-powered autonomous treasury (2020) and autonomous accounting (2022) for Record to Report (R2R). Our solution allows for accurate reconciliation and continuous financial close, while providing proactive anomaly management. We aim to continue on this journey to expand in other areas in finance. Q: What is the size of the market you are addressing? A: The total addressable market for HighRadius extends to tens of billions of dollars. Starting from companies as small as USD 50 million in revenue to the worlds largest organisations - they all need technology transformation for their O2C, record to report and treasury processes. In India, specifically, HighRadius has emerged as the default choice for leading shared services and global business services centres for running their O2C business processes. Companies use HighRadius autonomous receivables to speed up the conversion of accounts receivable to cash. This helps typical HighRadius clients unlock up to USD 3 million in working capital annually. HighRadius autonomous treasury pivots the treasury function from reactive reporting to proactive portfolio and investment management. The highly accurate AI-driven cash forecasts can help treasurers generate USD 2 million additional yield from their cash investments. HighRadius autonomous accounting converts the month-end close and reconciliation to a state of continuous close. This means accounting teams are no longer doing the month-end mad rush and CFOs achieve faster close and reliable reconciliation. Q: What is the digital infrastructure and technology backing HighRadius' operations? A: The HighRadius platform features a multi-tenant SaaS architecture, which ensures ease of implementation and compatibility with both public and private clouds. The infrastructure complexities involved can be broadly categorised into the following areas of multi-tenancy and scalability, integrations, and global deployments with multi-geo infrastructure and disaster recovery (DR). We have over 800 clients, and more than USD 7.7 trillion in receivables were processed via our infrastructure in 2022 - which is about twice the GDP of India! And we have 1,000-plus AI models deployed at scale with our clients. HighRadius comes with pre-built integrations with more than 1,000 customer websites/accounts payable portals via RPA bots, 50 banks globally, 30 credit agencies, and 15-plus payment service providers (PSPs). To facilitate smooth integrations despite differences in data formats, protocols, and authentication mechanisms, we leverage APIs, webhooks, and middleware. Additionally, HighRadius provides Representational State Transfer (REST)-based APIs for data transfer and supports bi-directional integrations with over 20 ERPs. Then there are global deployments with multi-geo infrastructure and DR. This ensures that our infrastructure is truly fault tolerant - compliant with the strongest of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) requirements for our clients. Q: How is HighRadius looking to leverage new technologies like AI and machine learning to stay ahead? A: HighRadius continues to invest in new technologies with a focus on automating processes, improving efficiencies, reducing costs, and providing excellent customer experience. We have invested heavily in AI/ML with 13 specific use cases and four granted patents, and multiple patent applications filed. Q: Can you describe your solution and the workloads you are running on AWS. A: HighRadius products have a three-layer architecture (DMZ, App and DB). Each layer communicates through firewalls. The DMZ layer is exposed to the internet, code gets deployed into the App layer and data is stored in the DB layer. HighRadius utilises many AWS Services such as RDS, EKS, ASG, EC2, SQS & S3 across all products. Due to the number of real-time transactions and volume of data processed our major focus has been in building highly scalable compute Infrastructure and robust database clusters. We are using AWS EC2, EKS, and ASG for automating scaling based on demand, AWS Lambda for serverless computing. Q: In terms of business outcomes, what benefits have you experienced as a result of running on AWS? A: Running AWS has allowed us to be quick to market for rolling-out features without having to worry about stability, security and availability. It has also offered business stability with auto-scalable compute and managed services help us scale and handle peak loads. The cost and operational efficiency with RDS managed services minimises resource needs for running activities (disaster recovery, back-up, etc). Features such as deep storage allow us to further optimise the costs. Improved deployment reliability via EKS managed services allows us to run containerized workloads and orchestrate data pipelines. (This story has been produced by PTI in collaboration with Amazon Web Services). Celebrating the diversity of India, Kinder partners with three renowned brand endorsers: Indian actress Karishma Kapoor, Subhashree Ganguly, and influencer, Sneha Reddy. MUMBAI, India, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferrero India Private Limited, part of Ferrero Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of chocolate and confectionery products, has announced the launch of 'Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy'. With this new offering, Ferrero India has deepened its foray into the sweet-packaged foods category. An innovative addition under the umbrella brand Kinder - Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy, a delectable chocolate treat designed to bring families together in moments of joy and sharing. Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy, is a unique combination of a delicious milky and cocoa cream inside a crispy wafer, topped with cocoa sprinkles, thus creating a multisensory experience, catering to a variety of taste and texture preferences. Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy, the delightful bite-sized confectionery has been introduced in 'Shareable Packs' starting at an affordable price of INR 40/- onwards and will be available in packs of 4 and 12 pieces. With Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy, the company is taking a step forward towards strengthening its presence in the Indian market which is driven by trust and love of consumers for the Kinder products. The expansion of the portfolio marks Ferrero's entry into the fast-growing snacking category in India. Tapping the increasing opportunity, the brand aims to provide a unique solution for parents to connect with children in the pre-teen years. With a legacy of introducing innovative offerings for consumers, Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy, is manufactured at the Baramati plant, Maharashtra with over 98% of the raw materials sourced locally. The state-of-art R&D facility at the plant follows international standards and supports the quality check process for ingredient mix, material sourcing, packaging and product testing. To preserve the nutritional characteristics of high-quality products, Ferrero applies consolidated quality and traceability best practices. Speaking on the occasion, Rudolph Sequeira, Managing Director of Ferrero India said, "India is one of the important markets for Ferrero globally, and the expansion underlines Ferrero's focus to build on its tropical portfolio. We are delighted to expand the Kinder portfolio, with a unique innovation in Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy, that is successfully made-in-India." Amedeo Aragona, Marketing Head Indian Subcontinent - Kinder Brands said, "As a brand that embodies traits of fun, genuine care, modernity, and balance, Kinder has always been at the forefront of creating delightful experiences for families. The introduction of Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy adds yet another layer to this legacy, celebrating the evolving relationships between parents and their pre-teens." To further enhance the brand across India, for the first time, Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy has partnered with renowned celebrities/mother influencers: Indian actress Karishma Kapoor, Subhashree Ganguly, and well-known influencer from South India, Sneha Reddy. The launch of Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy will be supported by a strong 360-degrees marketing communications campaign. Along with TV and digital presence, the brand will adopt a mass media approach as well. The product will be available across all leading outlets, including Modern Trade and Traditional stores pan India. Taste imprinting drives will be carried out across Modern Trade & Ecommerce channels. Consumers will be able to buy the product on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Big Basket etc. About Ferrero Group: The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with beloved treats including Kinder, Nutella, Ferrero Rocher and Tic Tac. Ferrero Group is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. More than 38,000 "Ferrerians" are committed to helping people celebrate life's special moments with high-quality products. Commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate are at the heart of Ferrero Group's family culture. Our programs and partnerships ensure our work is environmentally sustainable and beneficial to local communities. For further information visit: www.ferrero.com and www.ferrerocsr.com About Ferrero India: Ferrero India started its commercial operations in 2004. In 2007 the Government of Maharashtra bestowed a mega-status project for its state-of-the-art production plant at Baramati near Pune. India is a production hub for Ferrero in Asia and the Middle East and exports half of its local production. Headquartered in Pune, the company has regional sales offices in Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata with a robust distribution network across all the metros and mini metros of India. Ferrero's well-known brands in India include Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, Tic Tac, and Kinder Joy. The 'Kinder Joy of moving' program (2014), Pietro Ferrero Kindergarten (Baramati), Anganwadis project (2019 design, construct) and the 3 MW roof top solar installation are success stories of Ferrero's Sustainability initiatives in India. Ferrero India has won several awards including the Greentech Environment Award; Impresa Award for People Empowerment; The Best Human Response Award; Kronos Excellence Award for Workforce Management; Supplier Excellence Award, 10th CSR Award Adding Value to local Communities and the CII Award for Commitment to Food Safety. For more information please visit: www.ferreroindia.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244089/KinderSchokoBons.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 Ghaziabad is Ranked # 92 globally in FT Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023 Ghaziabad (India), October 11: With an impeccable legacy of over 43 years, IMT Ghaziabad, a top-ranked management institute in India, a stalwart in the field of management education, successfully hosted its grand Convocation Ceremony on October 8, 2023. The event was a spectacular celebration of academic achievement and innovation. The Convocation was graced by Shri Sanjiv Puri, Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Limited. The Chief Mentor of IMT Ghaziabad, Shri Kamal Nath, delivered a virtual address to the students. More than 480 students from the PGDM, PGDM Executive and PGDM Part Time were awarded their degrees as well as academic and alumni awards in the convocation ceremony. The Institute presented 13 Gold and Silver Medals to the excellent performers from the Batch of 2023 in this grand event. Reflecting on the occasion, Shri Sanjiv Puri - Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Limited said, Students today are graduating at a time which is particularly exciting in India. Because the world over, it is known as India's moment, India's decade. India's success with the public digital infrastructure, the new world order and all these confluence of factors have brought a lot of attention to India. And that's what gives it the enormous amount of opportunity in the future for you students. Mr. Puris message invigorated the graduating students, parents and the IMT community. His words of wisdom guided the young leaders in their promising and exciting journey ahead. Dr. Vishal Talwar, Director of IMT Ghaziabad, emphasized the transformative journey that graduates embark upon. He addressed, IMT is an institution with a rich legacy of 43 years. It has been consistently building on its existing strengths and forging new relationships. India has been making confident strides in various spheres, including the world of business and management. As you prepare to become alumni and agents of change, I encourage you to work together and achieve even greater goals. I am proud to announce that IMT Ghaziabad has been ranked #92 globally in the FT Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023." Dr. Talwar shed light on the remarkable achievements of the institution, accentuating its continuous journey to new epochs. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the alumni, the faculty, and all the stakeholders of IMT, who have worked tirelessly to preserve and enhance the legacy of this esteemed institution. Dr. Talwar also mentioned the newly inaugurated Incubation and Innovation Centre, which promises to be a hub of creativity and innovation for IMT. Dr. Talwars words left a lasting impact on everyone present in the audience, with a sense of joy and appreciation. Shri Kamal Nath, President and Chief Mentor of IMT Ghaziabad praised the institutions and students' commitment to innovation and excellence. He noted, "As you embark on your journey to build impressive careers, I adore you to allocate a portion of your talents and activities towards a noble cause, the betterment of the world in which you live. It is crucial to recognize that the sustainability of humanity is instinctively linked to the sustainability of our planet Earth. I have every confidence that you will emerge as responsible and conscientious towards this beautiful world. Acknowledging your responsibility as guardians of the future, I extend my sincerest wishes for success in your personal, professional, and social life. Shri Kamal Nath conveyed his unwavering belief in the alumni of the institute, recognizing the diverse skill set they have cultivated during their time at IMT Ghaziabad. The graduates were motivated to embrace the responsibility of upholding the legacy of their esteemed alma mater and make distinctive contributions to the industry, the institute, and the society. The audience was profoundly inspired by Shri Kamal Nath compelling words, inspiring the alumni to shape a sustainable future for the world. Lastly, he concluded his address by instilling a sense of optimism and extending his heartfelt congratulations to the graduates at the Convocation Ceremony. On the occasion of its Convocation Ceremony 2023, IMT Ghaziabad presented its esteemed Alumni Awards to Ms Jyoti Mahendru, Batch of 1993, and Mr. Ankit Aggarwal, Batch of 2010. Ms. Jyoti Mahendru, Chief People Officer, Wunderman Thompson (South Asia), was conferred with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. She emphasized how IMT Ghaziabad effectively equips its students for the challenges of the real world, encouraging the young graduates to follow their passions and pursue what they love the most. She also shared her heartwarming sentiments about returning to her alma mater after three decades and reflected upon her time here. Mr. Ankit Aggarwal, Founder & CEO UnStop, was awarded with Young Alumnus Achiever Award. He talked about his personal journey of diverging from the conventional career trajectory to embark upon the entrepreneurial path. He stressed the importance of equipping a versatile knowledge base, with fundamental principles, to succeed in the industry. The students found inspiration in the uplifting words offered by the alumni. In the vote of thanks, the Dean of Academics extended his gratitude to the Chief Guest and the alumni, acknowledging the collective efforts that made the event a resounding success. In his parting words to the graduating class, he encouraged them to leave a positive imprint on society. The graduating class was granted their prestigious degrees in the dignified event. With this, the freshly minted Class of 2023 departed from the pavilions, eager to embrace the world. As the graduates tossed their caps into the sky, a palpable sense of accomplishment, joy, and fulfilment filled the air, marking the conclusion of a memorable chapter in both the students' and their families lives. The evening then transitioned into a grand dinner, where stories and playful banter flowed alongside a delectable meal. The day culminated with alumni extending their congratulations and fostering nostalgia and the spirit of reunion. About IMT Ghaziabad: Established in 1980, IMT Ghaziabad is Indias premier AACSB-accredited management school with a distinct focus on grooming leadership through Innovation, Execution, and Social Responsibility. IMT Ghaziabad is an autonomous non-profit institute that has been offering highly sought after postgraduate programs for over four decades. The programs offered by IMT Ghaziabad include PGDM Full Time, PGDM Marketing, PGDM Financial Management, PGDM Banking & Financial Services (BFS), PGDM Dual Country Program (DCP), PGDM ExP, and Fellow Program in Management (FPM). IMT Ghaziabad has been set up under the aegis of Lajpat Rai Educational Society (LES), a society duly registered under the Societies Act 1860, by the Government of India. IMT Ghaziabad has been consistently ranked among the top management institutes of the country for its Leadership, Faculty, Research, Student Selection Process, Curriculum, Pedagogy, Industry Interface, Internationalism, Placements, and Infrastructure. (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 New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) NHPC has extended a financial aid of Rs 3 crore towards CM Relief Fund of Sikkim for the victims of flash flood. The financial aid was presented to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang by L K Tripathi, Executive Director (Region-Siliguri); C R Das of Teesta-V Power Station; Lhendhup Lepcha of Teesta-IV Hydro Project along with senior officials of Teesta-VI HE project at Gangtok on Tuesday, Ministry of Power said in a statement. The flash flood was triggered due to an outburst of Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim in the early hours of October 4 which caused heavy inflow in the Teesta River. As a result of the flash flood, bridges, parts of NH10, small towns and infrastructure were severely damaged in Teesta River Valley of Sikkim, the ministry said. Grand Prix Drivers Association chairman Alex Wurz believes cooling seats in F1 would be a viable solution to help drivers combat the effects of extreme heat conditions such as those that took their toll on competitors in Qatar last weekend. Three-time world champion Max Verstappen described his 57 laps in Lusails furnace and high humidity as one of the toughest races he had ever endured. But while the Red Bull driver made it to the checkered flag relatively unscathed, others struggled to merely extricate themselves from their car at the end of the grueling event, impaired by dehydration and heat exhaustion. Williams rookie Logan Sargeant was less fortunate, the young American being forced to retire after 40 laps after a heat stroke shut down his body and he required medical assistance. On Monday, the FIA announced that it would investigate how it can prevent in the future a recurrence of the extreme physical strain experienced by F1s drivers last weekend. Wurz insisted it was time for F1 to look at "defining limits to the heat" drivers are subjected to. "There are multiple contributing factors which need to be understood by everyone, he told BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson. "My initial thoughts revolve around lessons from other categories which have shown heat as a limiting factor for drivers. "Cooling seats, for example, work very well and are not too difficult to produce and install. That is something every team should already be looking at. "There needs to be better insulation and/or air cooling for very hot electrical boxes, which are often sited near the drivers' seat, or in the future reroute hot hydraulic lines, so the driver's seat environment is not overheating. "The entire rules set has tests and limits for many parts of the car. Given the driver is one of the performance parts of the equation, perhaps it is time to look at defining limits to the heat they are subjected to." Wurz dismissed fitness levels as a factor limiting ones physical resistance, at least as far as F1 drivers are concerned given their amount of physical preparation, especially as resistance to heat effects is not always related to fitness. "It's too easy to say: 'Here is a gym membership - get on with it,'" he said. The former F1 driver pointed to new fireproof materials some of which were developed in the wake of Romain Grosjeans fiery crash in Bahrain in 2020 as elements that have improved a drivers safety but that have also induced heat fatigue. "They cook you," Wurz said. "I recently tested a car while wearing the new mandatory fireproofs, and I was shocked how hot I was. "Of course, those fireproofs are here for a very good reason and I am not suggesting a return to lower fireproofing standards, but for those who are not aware what is happening, that is one of many contributing factors." Qatars extreme heat and humidity werent the only contributing elements that challenged the drivers resistance last Sunday. A race divided into multiple stints that unfolded at a furious pace due to the FIAs decision to limit tyre life also forced drivers to tap into their reserves of energy. "The asphalt, once clean of dust, proved to be very high-grip and the race was not about managing the thermal tyre degradation as much as usual, in itself a very interesting fact," noted Wurz. "But for the heat debate this is a further important aspect, as this means that race lap times and driving style were pushing more every lap and generating more forces and stress." Wurz says he endured his fair share of physically tough races during his career as a Grand Prix driver, but genuinely believed that conditions at Lusail were as hard as they have ever been. "I can guarantee you that the drivers are hard-fighting guys and after this race the scene was far from pretty, he said. "It made it clear to me that this topic must be followed up to establish whether the mitigation needs to be in the hands of teams only, or requires rules to be amended and/or formed. "And seeing some of the debates around this, let's have cool heads prevailing and go about it systematically." Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) The country's largest software exporter TCS on Wednesday reported an 8.7 per cent increase in its September quarter net profit to Rs 11,342 crore, but made it clear that the headwinds for the IT sector continue amid a sluggish economic climate. The Tata Group company also announced a Rs 17,000-crore share buyback on top of committing a nearly Rs 3,300-crore dividend payout. Its revenue increased 7.9 per cent in the September quarter to Rs 59,692 crore but was up only marginally compared to Rs 59,381 crore in the preceding June quarter. "Yes, there is uncertainty because of which clients are focused more on optimisation, which results in the older projects getting optimised or some of them getting passed or reprioritised, resulting in muted or moderated revenue growth," its chief executive and managing director K Krithivasan told reporters here. The company's mainstay of banking, financial services and insurance reported a marginal dip in revenue, and so did communication and media at negative 2.1 per cent. Among the geographies, the United Kingdom led by growing at double digits, but the biggest market of North America grew by just 0.1 per cent. Meanwhile, even as it faces choppy waters on the revenue expansion front, the company reported new deal signings of USD 11.2 billion, the third straight quarter of the number being over USD 10 billion. The company management acknowledged the strong deal flows are not getting translated into revenues. Its chief operating officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam said it completed two projects in the quarter, due to which there was some hit to the revenues, but was quick to add that in all the new projects, the deal ramp-ups are as per plans. Krithivasan said the new deal pipeline continues to be strong, but they cannot comment if all of it will get translated into signings. Among the geographies, Krithivasan said, North America is "slightly confusing" with different sets of data inputs influencing the outlook being received, while in Europe, there are "issues" in Germany and France. The company said the USD 11.2 billion of new signings in the July-September period include USD 1 billion contracted by state-owned BSNL for putting up a 4G/5G network and the mega-deal it won from auto major JLR, also a Tata group company. On the margin front, it reported a 0.25 per cent expansion to 24.3 per cent on the back of benefits from better execution of contracts, curtailing discretionary expenses, while the spending on infrastructure proved to be a drag, its chief financial officer Samir Seksaria said. He said the 26-28 per cent operating profit margin band continues to be a guiding beacon, but declined to give a target by when it will be able to achieve the number. The company may resort to strategic bets on compromising margins on select projects, but when looked at from a holistic perspective, the overall aspirations are kept in mind while bidding, he added. The company is monitoring the situation in Israel, where it has 250 staffers working on projects, but does not expect any major impact because of the situation, Subramaniam said. Stressing that a lot of the staffers may be local Israelis, Subramaniam said the company is in touch with all the employees, and once the flights restart, will look at requests for evacuation. The company reported a decline in the overall staff to 6,08,985 from over 6.15 lakh in the quarter-ago period, and 6.16 lakh in the year-ago period. Its chief human resources officer Milind Lakkad said the company has not stopped hiring, but the overall new hires are trailing the number of people quitting the company due to which the overall count is down. Reiterating the non-linear model, Lakkad said one cannot equate business prospects with the number of staff. Meanwhile, the company said over 1 lakh of its employees are now trained in artificial intelligence skill sets, even though the average contracts on generative AI are worth less than USD 1 million, the COO said. TCS has completely discontinued the pandemic practice of allowing people to work from home and asked staff to report to offices all across the week, Lakkad said, adding that the move is driven by a high number of hiring in the last three years and the need to instil company's values. Meanwhile, when asked about the bribes-for-jobs scandal, Krithivasan said the investigations have been completed and necessary actions taken against errant employees. He, however, did not quantify the number of employees found to have indulged in wrongdoing. Lakkad said corrective actions, which it has initiated, include ones on the organisational front, people front and also on the technology front. Ahead of the results, the company scrip closed 0.52 per cent down at Rs 3,610.20 apiece on the BSE against gains of 0.60 per cent on the benchmark. London, Oct 11 (PTI) Entrepreneurs and business disruptors from India and Europe who have been working towards sustainable growth were among those honoured with Awards of Excellence at the annual Indo-European Business Forum (IEBF) meet in the House of Lords complex. The 2023 IEBF event on Tuesday evening, themed around Unicorns and Sustainable Development, was aimed at enhancing business opportunities in the global economy as part of its core objective of enhancing a collaborative path between India, the UK and other European countries. Among the winners of the awards included Max Garza, Chief Blockchain Officer, Faction AI, as Disruptor of the Year; Biswanath Patnaik, Founder of FinNest Group as the Social Entrepreneur of the Year; Sudha Reddy, Chairperson of Sudha Reddy Foundation, as the Female Entrepreneur of the Year; and Alexandra Sasha, First Deputy to the Danish Parliament, for her work in the field of sustainability and Europe-India partnerships. I'm actually quite proud to say that Denmark and India have signed the Green Strategic Partnership and since then we've been collaborating on renewable energy, offshore wind, food processing, water and different things, said Sasha, who has just returned from a visit to India. There I truly saw the steps of sustainability among the people even though I come from one of the most sustainable and innovative countries, Denmark, I really truly saw climate consciousness in the villages in India, she said. The House of Lords event was attended by parliamentarians, entrepreneurs and policymakers, including virtual addresses by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Hinduja Group chief G.P. Hinduja. In the world of trade, no partnership is soaring faster than between India and the UK, countries on the brink of a historic free trade agreement (FTA). The wider European region is equally on Indias horizons and since 2007, the Indo-European Business Forum has been working at strengthening these multifaceted bridges, said IEBF Founder Vijay Goel. Bangalore, India, and London, UK, are the fastest growing tech hubs in the world. Thus we share a common hunger for growth, development of technology infrastructure and its accompanying ecosystem, added Paul Scully, UK Minister for Tech. Beijing, Oct 11 (PTI) China will hold the third edition of the Belt and Road Forum here from October 17 to 18 and President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony, it was announced on Wednesday. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by President Xi when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. Under the ambitious BRI, China provides funding for major infrastructure projects around the world, in a bid to speed Chinese goods to markets further afield. The USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the BRI. India has strongly protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In July, India once again refused to endorse China's ambitious BRI, becoming the only country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation not to support the project. A declaration issued at the end of an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support to the BRI. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing from October 17 to 18. President Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a keynote speech, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced in Beijing. According to Hua, the theme of the third BRF is "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity." The BRI was in the news recently when Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said his country made an "improvised and atrocious" decision in joining China's Belt and Road Initiative. Critics see the BRI as a tool for China to spread influence. Both the EU and the US expressed concern when Italy decided to join the scheme. However, a senior Chinese official has claimed that the BRI has delivered mutual benefits over the past decade, featuring deepened trade and investment cooperation, more abundant connectivity projects, and improved cooperation mechanisms. "China's super-large market has provided important development opportunities for BRI participating countries, which contributed nearly half of China's total imports," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting told the official Xinhua news agency. As the major trading partner of over 110 BRI countries, China saw its total goods trade with all BRI countries reach close to USD 2.9 trillion in 2022. China's direct investment in BRI partner countries topped USD 30 billion last year, while BRI countries invested more than 20 USD billion in China, the report said. India along with the US and several major economies last month announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The new economic corridor, which many see as an alternative to China's BRI, was jointly announced by the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) She spent the majority of her life with Dilip Kumar, screen icon for cinephiles but 'Yousuf saheb' for her. On their 57th wedding anniversary today, veteran actor Saira Banu says she wants to "relish" the memories they made. Saira Banu is very active on Instagram through her verified account, dedicated to the "unseen and unheard anecdotes" from her and Kumar's life. "It's been two years since Yousuf sahab has not been in my life. I've spent 56 years with him, so I don't want to do anything at all, except meditate, and think of all the wonderful times that we spent together. I want to relish all that," the 79-year-old actor, who married Kumar months after her 22nd birthday, told PTI in an interview. Kumar, whose real name was Mohammad Yousuf Khan, passed away on July 7, 2021 at the age of 98 at a Mumbai hospital after prolonged illness. Regarded one of the finest actors of Indian cinema, the popular actor's film credits ranged from the mammoth period drama "Mughal-E-Azam", father-son story set in the world of crime "Shakti" to "Ram Aur Shyam", the tale of twin brothers with diametrically opposite personalities. Through her Instagram page, which has over 30,000 followers, the actor said she wants to keep her husband alive in public memory. "I want all of you to know him, not just as an actor but as a human being. I want people to know the real him. It has been two years (that he has passed away), I felt I must talk about him, all that he did, all that people dont really know," she added. Saira Banu has often spoken about how she fell head over heels for the actor after watching his 1952 film "Aan" and went on to marry the love of her life. He was 44 at the time. "I went crazy about him when I was young. I must have been 12 or 13-year-old. When I saw him, I was amazed and 'bahut chahne lagi unhe'. I wouldn't call it a teenage crush, it was an obsession. "I remember meeting him at a function when I had come home (India), he was wearing simple clothes and I was just looking at him. I was like, 'If ever I want to marry anybody, then it is this man'," she recalled. Their "whirlwind romance" began at a housewarming celebration that was scheduled for Saira Banu's birthday, August 23, 1966. Kumar had travelled to Mumbai from Madras, where he was filming "Ram Aur Shyam", to attend the party. "It was a lovely surprise to see him just when I was about to cut the cake. He came up to me and said 'You have grown up into a beautiful girl'. After that, it was a whirlwind romance for about seven-nine days. He would fly between Mumbai and Madras. We would have dinner together with our family and go on drives," she said. Within weeks, Kumar popped the question. "He said 'I am constantly flying between Mumbai and Madras for days now, will you consider marrying me? The same day he sought my hand from my grandmother, when he came for dinner. This was in early September. "We had a quick engagement ceremony in October and got married the same month. It was instant love, 'main toh saalon se chaah rahi thi', and I still love him. Ours is a great love story," she added. According to Saira Banu, she was the more romantic of the two. "He would be the subdued one, with class, and I would be the one clamouring all over him. He was subtle in his ways. For years, he never held my hand in public. He was very reticent about demonstrating his love. Later on, he would hold my hand." Prominent cinema stars of the time Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor danced their hearts out at Kumar's wedding procession where the groom was sitting on a horse. "There were a multitude of people, who broke the gate and came inside to watch the wedding." Every year, Saira Banu said they would celebrate their wedding anniversary in the presence of family and close friends at their house in suburban Bandra here. "We would play dumb charades. Then, we had musicians playing music, sometimes we would have (music composer duo) Kalyanji-Anandji coming home. We used to have poetry sessions," she said. This year, the actor will pay a visit to Kumar at his burial site. "I would meditate, and send food out to poor people. Then we have close family and friends coming over home," she added. New York, Oct 10 (AP) Donald Trump signed a document 30 years ago that gave the true size of the New York penthouse that was later listed as far larger on his financial statements, according to evidence shown Tuesday at the former president's civil business fraud trial. The evidence appeared in an email attachment shown as Allen Weisselberg, the former finance chief of Trump's company, testified in New York Attorney General Letitia James' fraud lawsuit against Trump and his Trump Organisation. The attachment was a 1994 document, signed by Trump, that listed his Trump Tower triplex at 10,996 square feet not the 30,000 square feet later claimed for years on financial statements that were given to banks, insurers and others to make deals and secure loans. Weisselberg said he recalled seeing the email but not the attachment, explaining that the attachments were documents he already had on file in the company's offices. But in any event, he said, he didn't pay much mind to the apartment's size because its value amounted to a fraction of Trump's wealth. I never even thought about the apartment. It was de minimis, in my mind, Weisselberg said, using a Latin term that means, essentially, too small to care about. It was not something that was that important to me when looking at a $6 billion, $5 billion net worth. Weisselberg said he learned of the discrepancy only when a Forbes magazine reporter pointed it out to him in 2016. The former finance chief testified that he initially disputed the magazine's findings but said he couldn't recall whether he directed anyone to look into the matter. You don't recall if you did anything to confirm who was right? state lawyer Louis Solomon asked? Weisselberg said he couldn't recall. As Forbes zeroed in on the apartment size question in 2017, emails show, a company spokesperson told another Trump executive that, per Weisselberg, they weren't to engage on the size issue. A week later, Trump's 2016 financial statement was released, using the incorrect square footage. Weisselberg, testifying as a prosecution witness, is also a defendant in the lawsuit. He took the stand after a recent jail stint for evading taxes on perks he got while working for Trump. James' lawsuit alleges that Weisselberg engineered Trump's financial statements to meet his demands that they show increases in his net worth and signed off on lofty valuations for assets despite appraisals to the contrary. Trump denies any wrongdoing. Trump, who attended the first three days of the non-jury trial last week in Manhattan, didn't return to court to see his former chief financial officer testify. Weisselberg left a New York City jail six months ago after serving 100 days for dodging taxes on $1.7 million in extras that came with his Trump Organization job, including a Manhattan apartment, school tuition for his grandchildren and luxury cars for him and his wife. Weisselberg testified Tuesday that what he's been through in the last few years has taken its toll on him and his family. During sworn pretrial questioning in May, Weisselberg, 76, testified that he was having trouble sleeping, started seeing a therapist and was taking a generic form of Valium as he tried to reacclimate myself back to society". After a long, what I considered a very quiet business a job that I had over all these years to be thrown into this situation has had a traumatic impact on my day-to-day life and my family's life, Weisselberg told lawyers in the room, including James, according to a deposition transcript made public last month. Trump, in his deposition in April, said his former longtime lieutenant was liked and respected, and now, he's gone through hell and back. What's happened to him is very sad, Trump said. In a pretrial ruling last month, Judge Arthur Engoron found that Trump, Weisselberg and other defendants committed years of fraud by exaggerating the value of Trump's assets and net worth on his financial statements. As punishment, Engoron ordered that a court-appointed receiver take control of some Trump companies, putting the future of Trump Tower and other marquee properties in doubt. An appeals court on Friday blocked enforcement of that aspect of Engoron's ruling, at least for now. The civil trial concerns allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records. James is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York. At his May deposition, Weisselberg recalled how Trump sometimes underlined or wrote a question mark next to values he disputed and quibbled about the language the financial statements used to describe his properties. I might say beautiful. He might say magnificent, Weisselberg testified. I might say it was cute. He would say it's incredible. Weisselberg's association with Trump's family dated to 1973, when he answered a newspaper ad for a staff accountant for Trump's real estate-developer father, Fred. Weisselberg started working for Donald Trump in 1986 and eventually made $1.14 million a year in salary and bonuses. According to a severance agreement he signed the day before going to jail, Weisselberg is due to be paid $2 million in eight quarterly installments. That sum is close to the amount of back taxes, penalties and interest he was required to pay as part of his plea agreement. (AP) SCY SCY Toronto, Oct 11 (PTI) An immigration tribunal in Canada has ruled that a Sikh man who "housed and fed Khalistani militants in India" over a decade should be allowed into the country because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, a media report said on Wednesday. According to the National Post newspaper, Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal member Heidi Worsfold in a recent ruling said the government did not have reasonable grounds to declare Indian citizen Kamaljit Ram inadmissible to enter Canada based on the belief he had provided a safe house and logistical support to Khalistani militants. The immigration tribunal ruled that the Sikh man who housed and fed armed Khalistani militants in India over a decade should be allowed into Canada because he did so mostly out of necessity and fear of retribution, the paper said. The original decision to bar Ram from Canada by the federal government came after he told Canada Border Services Agency officers during an interview that he sheltered and fed armed Sikh militants at his farm in India on-and-off between 1982 and 1992. Worsfold found the government went well too far in its assessment of Rams support for the armed militants at the time, namely omitting to note that he repeatedly said he accepted to host the armed individuals because he feared the consequences of being on the wrong end of the group. The ruling comes amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia, a claim rejected by India as "absurd" and "motivated". Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India last month asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil. Brussels, Oct 11 (AP) Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at NATO for Wednesday's meetings with alliance defence ministers to further drum up support for Ukraine's fight against Russia. It's very important that there are priorities. There are air defence systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them," Zelenskyy said on arrival, insisting that long-range missiles were just as essential. He also called for more ammunition, making for the three types of military aid he was looking for. The US is hosting a meeting of the Ukraine contact group to seek more weapons and ammunition for the war-ravaged country. NATO allies and partner countries will be waiting to hear precisely what kinds of military equipment Kyiv needs. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters travelling with him to Brussels that a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv. A key demand has been more air defence systems and munitions. The energy, in my view, is still there, said Austin. And I will reassure them that we are we remain committed to this. The meeting comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress and divisions over continued Ukraine funding combined with new pressure to provide US weapons to Israel fuel uncertainty and will likely dominate many of the conversations. According to a US official, the new package of U.S. aid includes AIM-9M missiles for air defense, counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armour systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, so will be taken from Pentagon stocks and delivered quickly to the battlefield. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the aid before the official announcement. (AP) GRS GRS Tel Aviv, Oct 11 (PTI) The first shipment of advanced US weapons and equipment have landed in Israel to boost the US ally in its war with Hamas, the Israel Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday. The video footage and images released by Israel's Ministry of Defence showed the landing of a cargo plane that delivered the initial shipment of equipment procured and brought to the country through a joint operation. The Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Production and Procurement, the US Procurement Mission, and the International Transportation Unit within the Israel Defence Ministry in the operation oversaw the mobilisation of the cargo plane, ensuring the direct transport of armaments from the US, Mayan Lazarovich from the Ministry of Defence Spokesperson's Office, said in a statement. Washington on Tuesday said it had already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing inventories to see what else could be sent quickly to boost its ally. A senior Defence Department official on Monday said planes had already taken off to deliver the weapons whose details were not provided. The weapons movement came as President Joe Biden announced that the US death toll in Israel has gone up to 14. In addition to the 14 American citizens, Biden confirmed on Tuesday that Americans are known to be among the hostages held by Hamas after its rampage over the weekend, delivering an emotional and angered denunciation of the terror and making clear he expected a forceful reprisal by Israel. The president delivered vivid descriptions of the atrocities carried out by the militants, saying they had butchered and massacred innocent people. The known number of Americans killed now stands at 14, Biden said. Its abhorrent, he said. The brutality of Hamas bloodthirstiness brings to mind the worst rampages of ISIS. "We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack," Biden said. Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said later on Tuesday that the administration believes there are 20 or more Americans believed to be missing from Israel, but that that number does not necessarily reflect the number of hostages in Hamas custody. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told CNN that the White House was having active conversations with Israel to try to bring American citizens in Hamas custody home. The brazen attack by Hamas and Israel's response has left more than 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides. London, Oct 11 (PTI) Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned that activities that are considered legitimate under usual circumstances may not be legitimate, including the waving of Palestinian flags on British streets if the purpose is to glorify acts of terrorism in the context of the conflict in Israel. In her letter to police chiefs in England and Wales on Tuesday, the Indian-origin Cabinet minister called on police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas, a banned terrorist group, and attempts to harass or intimidate British Jews. It came as the Israeli flag was unfurled at the Home Office building in central London as a show of solidarity with Israel. At a time when Hamas terrorists are massacring civilians and taking the most vulnerable (including the elderly, women, and children) hostage, we can all recognise the harrowing effect that displays of their logos and flags can have on communities, reads Bravermans letter to the police chiefs. Context is crucial. Behaviours that are legitimate in some circumstances, for example, the waving of a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate such as when intended to glorify acts of terrorism. Nor is it acceptable to drive through Jewish neighbourhoods, or single out Jewish members of the public, to aggressively chant or wave pro-Palestinian symbols at, she said. Where such harassment is identified, the minister called on police forces to take swift and appropriate enforcement action. There can be no place for antisemitism or glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain. I therefore expect the police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas, other proscribed terrorist groups or attempts to harass and intimidate British Jews, she added. The appeal came as a video emerged online from northern England, showing a man scaling the Sheffield Town Hall building to replace an Israeli flag with a Palestinian one. South Yorkshire Police said no arrests had been made following the protest on Tuesday as enquiries remain "ongoing". "Everyone has the right to safe and peaceful protest but we cannot support the events that took place during the protest outside Sheffield's Town Hall. Protesters put themselves and others in serious danger," said Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council. Many UK government buildings have been flying the Israeli flag since the Hamas strikes triggered a deadly conflict in the Middle East over the weekend. Downing Street projected a flag as a show of solidarity before British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed a synagogue in London to condemn the acts of terror. There are not two sides to these events. There is no question of balance. I stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. The United Kingdom stands with Israel against this terrorism today, tomorrow, and always, he declared earlier this week. In a joint statement with US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olof Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Sunak expressed steadfast and united support to the state of Israel and the unequivocal condemnation of Hamas for its appalling acts of terrorism. According to reports, 17 British nationals, including children, are feared dead or missing in Israel in the raging conflict. Colombo, Oct 11 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe here and held extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship between the two neighbours. The minister, who is here to attend the 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), met with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. During their meeting, they engaged in extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship between India and Sri Lanka, the President's office said. Additionally, three new bilateral agreements were signed to foster greater cooperation between the two countries, it added. Jaishankar arrived here Monday evening to attend the IORA Council of Ministers meeting - the highest decision-making body of IORA, the largest and pre-eminent organisation in the Indian Ocean Region with 23 members and 10 dialogue partners. At the meeting, India assumed the Vice Chair role of IORA for 2023-25 leading to chairing in 2025-27. This was his second visit to Sri Lanka in 2023. Jaishankar last visited Colombo in January during which he held talks with Lanka's top leadership and discussed the entire gamut of close bilateral partnership and steps to strengthen it in all spheres. Rawpixel / iStock.com Charles Chuck Feeney, an Irish American businessman and philanthropist who devoted his entire personal fortune to global philanthropy in his lifetime, died at 92 on Oct. 9. Feeneys philanthropic organizations, The Atlantic Philanthropies, made grants worth more than $8 billion much of it anonymously, according to its website. Experts: 4 Safest Places To Keep Your Savings Find: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases I had one idea that never changed in my mind that you should use your wealth to help people, Feeney said in his biography, The Billionaire Who Wasnt, according to the website. Try it, youll like it. Besides, its much more fun to give while you are alive than to give when you are dead. Feeney made his fortune co-founding Duty Free Shoppers (DFS) in 1960 with Robert Miller the company made both men billionaires. Feeney then sold it to giant luxury group LVMH for $2.47 billion in 1997, according to The New York Post. So what are some takeaways the average person especially those who aspire toward wealth and admiration can learn from the way Feeney spent his vast fortune in the years preceding his death? Here are three that stand out: 1. Giving While Living Since 2011, Feeney was a member of The Giving Pledge co-founded by Warren Buffett, along with Bill Gates and Melissa French Gates an organization whose aim is to set a new standard of generosity among the ultra-wealthy, and ask Americas wealthiest to commit to giving most of their wealth to address some of societys most pressing problems. Related: Warren Buffett Donates $4.6 Billion of His Berkshire Shares To Charity In his letter on the The Giving Pledges website, Feeney asked donors to fully engage in sustained philanthropic efforts during their lifetimes. I cannot think of a more personally rewarding and appropriate use of wealth than to give while one is living to personally devote oneself to meaningful efforts to improve the human condition, he wrote. More importantly, todays needs are so great and varied that intelligent philanthropic support and positive interventions can have greater value and impact today than if they are delayed when the needs are greater. I urge those who are taking up the Giving Pledge example to invest substantially in philanthropic causes soon and not postpone their giving or personal engagement. Story continues Buffett said that Feeney represented a cornerstone in terms of inspiration for The Giving Pledge. Hes a model for us all. Its going to take me 12 years after my death to get done what hes doing within his lifetime, he said, according to Forbes. 2. Live in Frugality As The New York Times noted, Feeney lived in a modest rented apartment in San Francisco. And in an earlier profile, Forbes pointed out that the San Francisco apartment had the austerity of a freshman dorm room. According to his foundation, Feeney, who was born during the Great Depression to Irish American parents, inherited their values and diligence and never forgot his roots, despite his great success in business. Learn: 10 Frugal Money Habits That You Need to Embrace He was well known for his signature $15 watch, plastic bags for a briefcase and his preference for flying economy, according to the foundation. Flying in the front of the plane doesnt get you there any sooner, Feeney had said. In addition, over the past 30 years, Feeney did not own a car or home. 3. Start Early Feeney enrolled in Cornells School of Hotel Administration in 1952 with support from the G.I. Bill, being the first in his family to go to college, according to Cornells website. His entrepreneurial drive was apparent immediately: He famously created a sandwich business at Cornell that became so profitable his freshman classmates dubbed him the sandwich man,' according to the website. And in 1960, Feeney and Miller co-founded DFS, at first selling to sailors serving with the U.S. Navys Atlantic fleet, then at Honolulu International Airport, and subsequently expanding to airports in Europe, Hong Kong and beyond. Soon, DFS became the largest seller of luxury goods in the world. Explore: 10 Colleges Working To Eliminate Student Loans See: ChatGPT Was Given $20K To Invest It Made $2,000 in a Month Feeney was Cornell Universitys most generous donor, and was dubbed Cornells third founder due to the magnitude of his grants. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 Money Lessons from Charles Feeney, the Billionaire Who Gave Up His Entire $8 Billion Fortune London, Oct 11 (PTI) The High Commission of India in London organised a welcome event for newly arrived Indian students to offer them insights and advice on life in the UK and to extend support as their home away from home. At the conclusion of a registration drive supported with free warm meals by the Akshaya Patra charity, India House in London played host to hundreds of students on Tuesday evening with several also joining virtually from universities around the UK. A session on CV writing, timings and pitfalls of job placements, financial literacy and common scam warnings, and mental health advice were among the aspects covered during the event. It will be very different from being in India, many of you are for the first time entirely on your own and thats a great opportunity but a measure of responsibility is also important, said Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami, in his address. As young Indians, you are going to be the future of what Indias journey will be. Keep that eye back home at India because the speed at which things are changing, the speed at which opportunities are coming is second to none," he said. "There will be opportunities arising in India that you can capture for yourself...we are very keen to build a range of mechanisms with your universities so that will enable us to take young British students to India for short courses and maybe with partnerships that you will build with them, you could build the next generation of new start-ups coming out as Indo-British partnership enterprises, he added. Indians now make up the largest cohort of international students coming for higher studies at UK universities, with the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data revealing 138,532 sponsored study visa grants to Indian nationals in year ending March 2023 an increase of 53,429 (+63 per cent) compared to year ending March 2022. In any issues that you face, feel free to seek advice from the team at the High Commission and other experts so that you can plan your time in the best way possible. This High Commission is your home away from home, said Amish Tripathi, Minister Culture & Education at the Indian High Commission and Director of the Nehru Centre in London. "As far as we are concerned, the religion you practice, the region you are from, the language you speak, the community you are from, the caste and even political ideologies you practice in India, they make no difference. If you are an Indian, you are one of us," he said. At the end of last month, the Indian mission at Aldwych in London and consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh had opened up kiosks for newly arrived students from India as part of a safety initiative which concluded on Monday to register their presence in the country. Kathmandu, Oct 11 (PTI) The Nepal government has decided to send a Nepal Airlines aircraft to Israel to bring back over 250 Nepalese students who are stranded in the country following the surprise attack by Hamas militants. An aircraft of Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier, will leave Kathmandu for Jerusalem at 2 a.m. on Thursday to bring back 288 Nepalese students, who have registered their names in the Nepalese Embassy in Israel, expressing their desire to safely return their home, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sewa Lamsal. Foreign Minister N.P. Saud will also travel on the same flight. However, the dead bodies of 10 Nepalese students killed by Hamas during Saturdays terror attack will not be brought on the aircraft. As the process of handing over the bodies of those killed is not yet completed by the Israeli government, we have to wait for some time to bring back the dead bodies, Lamsal said during a press conference. "We will give priority to students while repatriating Nepalese nationals from the war-torn country," spokesperson Lamsal said. "Nobody will be left stranded and if needed we will arrange other commercial flights to bring those Nepalese who wish to be rescued," she added. Ten Nepalese students were killed when the Hamas militant group launched a sudden strike at a farm in Israel's Kibbutz. There were 17 Nepalese students on the farm where the Hamas launched the attack. Ten Nepalese nationals were killed, six escaped and one went missing in the incident. Four of the students who sustained injuries in the incident are currently undergoing treatment in a hospital with the assistance of the Israeli government, according to a foreign ministry source. Besides 265 agriculture students, who have gone to Israel from different universities in Nepal under the 'Learn and Earn' internship programme, there are 450 other Nepalese working in different fields in Israel. The Nepal government will bear the airfare to bring the students back home, the source said. Israel has vowed an unprecedented offensive against the Islamic militant group Hamas ruling Gaza after its fighters broke through the border fence and stormed into the country's south through air, land and sea on October 7. On the fifth day, the Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, were killed in Israel. In Gaza, 950 people, including 260 children and 230 women, have died so far, according to authorities there. Islamabad, Oct 11 (PTI) In a major blow to Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a controversial law seeking to curtail the powers of the chief justice but barred its retrospective application to give the right of appeal to the aggrieved parties in the cases decided under the suo motu jurisdiction. The law upheld by the majority of judges, including the sitting chief justice, deprived the chief justice of forming benches for different cases as the new law provided that a committee of the chief justice and two senior judges would form judges. The law also provided the right of appeal in the cases decided through suo motu notices which was not available previously. The bench by a majority of 9 to 6 upheld the part of the law to grant the right of appeal. The verdict is a blow to Sharif, who is scheduled to return to Pakistan on October 21 ending his four-year-long self-imposed exile in the UK, as his chances of appealing against the disqualification are dashed down. A full court bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa announced the reserved judgment after the completion of a hearing of multiple petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act, 2023. In a split verdict, the court upheld the law with 10 judges supporting it while five others opposed it and rejected all petitions against it. Reading the reserved verdict, which was streamed live, Justice Isa said, A majority of 10-5..., the SC Practice and Procedure Act 2023 is sustained as being in accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and to this extent, the petitions are dismissed. However, it rejected the application of the law to the past cases by a narrow majority of 8 to 7, giving a blow to former prime minister Sharif who was disqualified in 2017 after the court had taken suo motu notice of his case and the verdict left no window for the review of his disqualification. By a majority of 8-7...sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Act (granting a right of appeal retrospectively) is declared to be ultra vires the Constitution and to this extent the petitions are allowed, according to the verdict. By a majority of 9-6 sub-section 1 of Section 5 of the Act (granting a right of appeal prospectively) is declared to be in accordance with the Constitution and to this extent, the petitions are dismissed, the court ruled. The law was passed by the previous parliament in April with the backing of the then government of Shehbaz Sharif to curtail the powers of the chief justice regarding taking suo motu action. The petitioners smelled a rat in the attempt as the government was wary of then chief justice Umar Ata Bandial who was accused of having a soft corner for former premier Imran Khan. After the law was challenged, an eight-member bench led by Bandial barred the government from implementing the law until the petitions challenging it were decided. The incumbent chief justice after taking the oath of office on September 19 formed a full court bench to hear the challenge, which held five hearings before concluding the process and reserving the verdict. Earlier, the chief justice remarked that Parliament was not an enemy of the Supreme Court and both institutions could function simultaneously, while Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan in his final arguments supported the law. Parliament has given the judiciary its independence but has also not limited its right to legislate, Awan said. Sharif, 73, stepped down as the country's prime minister in 2017 after he was disqualified for life from holding public office by the Supreme Court for not declaring a receivable salary. He has been living in London since 2019 after the LHC granted him four-week permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo was serving a seven-year imprisonment at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al-Azizia Mills case before he was allowed to proceed to London in 2019 on "medical grounds". 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. He was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018. Jerusalem, Oct 11 (PTI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a top opposition leader on Wednesday reached a deal to form a war-time unity government to oversee the operations against Palestinian militant group Hamas amid escalating violence in the region that has so far claimed the lives of more than 2,200 people. Benny Gantz, the leader of the National Unity party, who had earlier indicated that he was willing to unconditionally join an emergency unity government to boost Israel's war efforts released what he said was a joint statement with Netanyahu. Gantz, who served as a Defence Minister and also Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in the past, said that they would form a five-member war-management Cabinet, which will consist of Netanyahu, current Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, two other top officials serving as observers and himself as members. The statement stressed that the government would not pass any legislation or decisions that are not connected to the war as long as the fighting continues. Main opposition leader Yair Lapid was also invited to join the new Cabinet but he did not respond to the offer so far. The move received support from unexpected quarters in Israeli politics which looked divided into two wide factions not long ago on the question of the judicial overhaul initiative of the government. The judicial overhaul initiative interpreted by many as an effort to undermine the authority of the judiciary led to massive protests across the country for 39 consecutive weeks and there was one planned also on the day the war started. Right-wing extremist leader, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who was seen as one of the only members of the government dragging his feet on establishing a unity coalition, wrote on platform X shortly after the announcement that he welcomes unity, now we need to win. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the judicial overhaul initiative, also welcomed the move saying the agreement is the right and necessary thing to do from here, we work together. The State of Israel has a unity government, wrote Economy Minister Nir Barkat. At a time like this we must join forces, give support to IDF soldiers and work as one until there is a complete victory of the State of Israel over its enemy, he emphasised. The divided Israeli polity at once has been united over the decision to "give a decisive blow to Hamas". Israel, which mobilised 360,000 reservists, has vowed an unprecedented offensive against Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, after its fighters broke through the border fence and stormed into the country's south through air, land and sea on October 7. On the fifth day, the Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 155 soldiers, had been killed in Israel while in Gaza, 950 people had been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there. Hamas is holding an estimated 150 Israelis hostages. The group continued to fire rockets at Israel, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon. Israel's defence minister on Monday stopped entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million Palestinians. Gaza depends on Israel largely for its basic supplies and the decision will have far-reaching consequences for people living in the densely populated area. Israel has imposed various levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Jerusalem, Oct 11 (AP) The Israeli military said Wednesday night that hostile aircraft had entered the country from Lebanon, setting sirens blaring across northern Israel as it urged citizens there to shelter. The military did not specify the kind of aircraft. But Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Palestinian militants are known to have drones and gliders. The news came after Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position earlier Wednesday, claiming to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. (AP) SCY SCY Brussels, Oct 11 (AP) For the first time, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined a meeting of more than 50 defence leaders from around the world Wednesday to make a personal pitch for military aid, in the face of lagging political support in the US and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israel's war with Hamas. His presence underscored growing concerns about cracks in what has been staunch international backing for Kyiv in its war against Russia's invasion, and worries that Ukrainian forces haven't made measurable progress in the counteroffensive as winter closes in. Asked about concerns that Ukraine could get less military support because of the war in Israel, Zelenskyy said there is a very understandable volume that the US and Europe can provide. Zelenskyy said he has asked that question himself, and added he thinks nobody really knows but he is still assuming US and European support. As for the Israel complication, of course, everybody's afraid, and I think also Russia's counting on it, on dividing support, Zelenskyy said in remarks at a press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said both allies will be supported. "We can do both and we will do both, Austin said. The meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, hosted by the US, comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress has stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers to any increase in spending. Speaking as he entered NATO headquarters, Zelenskyy noted the Israel war, and said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraine's ongoing need for air defence systems and long-range missiles to push Russia out of our land. "Next Monday, we will mark the 600th day of our resistance to Russia's full scale aggression against our people, against Ukraine. And today, no one can say for sure how many more days we will have to defend our independence and to defend our identity, Zelenskyy told the gathering at the opening of the meeting. But we can already say several things which I think are important. First, Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, Russia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle. US Defence Secretary Austin told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv. A key demand has been more air defense systems and munitions. The energy, in my view, is still there, said Austin. And I will reassure them that we remain committed to this. Austin also announced that the US will take on a new leadership role in the broader effort to build Ukraine's air force, specifically with F-16 fighter jets. He said the US will co-lead a coalition along with Denmark and Netherlands, and will help organize donation of the aircraft, plans to sustain and maintain them and pilot training. That training has already started in the US. Austin said the training will likely take months and it may not be until next spring that Ukraine is operating the F-16s. He asserted that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war. And he said allies during this meeting would focus not only on meeting Kyiv's immediate needs but also on setting up plans to coordinate investments in Ukraine's future force. This was also the first Ukraine contact group meeting for US Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. CQ Brown, who said that additional commitments of weapons and conversations with allies convinced him we're putting Ukraine in a good spot ahead of the winter fight. The contact group is the main forum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyiv's war effort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering. Zelenskyy, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immediately into a private session with Austin and US Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Speaking to reporters as he came in, Zelenskyy reiterated his country's need for long-range missiles and ammunition. "It's very important that there are priorities. There are air defence systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them, Zelenskyy said. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. The new package of US aid includes AIM-9M missiles that Austin said will be used with a new surface-to-air missile defense system that the US will soon deliver to Ukraine. In addition, the US will provide counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armor systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, so will be taken from Pentagon stocks and delivered quickly to the battlefield. (AP) ZH ZH Washington, Oct 11 (AP) While Twitter has always struggled with combatting misinformation about major news events, it was still the go-to place to find out what's happening in the world. But the Israel-Hamas war has underscored how the platform now transformed into X has become not only unreliable but is actively promoting falsehoods. Experts say that under Elon Musk the platform has deteriorated to the point that it's not just failing to clamp down on misinformation but is favouring posts by accounts that pay for its blue-check subscription service, regardless of who runs them. If such posts go viral, their blue-checked creators can be eligible for payments from X, creating a financial incentive to post whatever gets the most reaction including misinformation. Ian Bremmer, a prominent foreign policy expert, posted on X that the level of disinformation on the Israel-Hamas war being algorithmically promoted" on the platform "is unlike anything I've ever been exposed to in my career as a political scientist. And the European Union's digital enforcer wrote to Musk about misinformation and potentially illegal content on X, in what's shaping up to be one of the first major tests for the 27-nation bloc's new digital rules aimed at cleaning up social media platforms. While Musk's social media site is awash in chaos, rivals such as TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are also coping with a flood of unsubstantiated rumours and falsehoods about the conflict, playing the usual whack-a-mole that emerges every time a news event captivates the world's attention. People are desperate for information and social media context may actively interfere with people's ability to distinguish fact from fiction, said Gordon Pennycook, an associate professor of psychology at Cornell University who studies misinformation. For instance, instead of asking whether something is true, people might focus on whether something is surprising, interesting or even likely to make people angry the sorts of posts more likely to elicit strong reactions and go viral. The liberal advocacy group Media Matters found that since Saturday, subscribers to X's premium service shared at least six misleading videos about the war. This included out-of-context videos and old ones purporting to be recent that earned millions of views. TikTok, meanwhile, is almost as bad as X, said Kolina Koltai, a researcher at the investigative collective Bellingcat. She previously worked at Twitter on Community Notes, its crowd-sourced fact-checking service. But unlike X, TikTok has never been known as the No. 1 source for real-time information about current events. I think everyone knows to take TikTok with a grain of salt," Koltai said. But on X "you see people actively profiteering off of misinformation because of the incentives they have to spread the content that goes viral and misinformation tends to go viral. Emerging platforms, meanwhile, are still finding their footing in the global information ecosystem, so while they might not yet be targets for large-scale disinformation campaigns, they also don't have the sway of larger, more established rivals. Facebook and Instagram owner Meta's Threads, for instance, is gaining traction among users fleeing X, but the company has so far tried to de-emphasize news and politics in favor of more friendly topics. Meta, TikTok and X did not immediately respond to Associated Press requests for comment. A post late Monday from X's safety team said: In the past couple of days, we've seen an increase in daily active users on @X in the conflict area, plus there have been more than 50 million posts globally focusing on the weekend's terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. As the events continue to unfold rapidly, a cross-company leadership group has assessed this moment as a crisis requiring the highest level of response. While plenty of real imagery and accounts of the carnage have emerged, they have been intermingled with social media users pushing false claims and misrepresenting videos from other events. Among the fabrications are false claims that a top Israeli commander was kidnapped, a doctored White House memo purporting to show US President Joe Biden announcing billions in aid for Israel, and old unrelated videos of Russian President Vladimir Putin with inaccurate English captions. Even a clip from a video game was passed on as footage from the conflict. Every time there is some major event and information is at a premium, we see misinformation spread like wildfire, Pennycook said. There is now a very consistent pattern, but every time it happens there's a sudden surge of concern about misinformation that tends to fade away once the moment passes." "We need tools that help build resistance toward misinformation prior to events such as this, he said. For now, those looking for a central hub to find reliable, real time information online might be out of luck. Imperfect as Twitter was, there's no clear replacement for it. This means anyone looking for accurate information online needs to exercise vigilance. In times of big breaking news such as the current conflict, Koltai recommended, going to your traditional name brands and news media outlets like AP, Reuters, who are doing things like fact checking and active reporting on the ground. Meanwhile, in Europe, major social media platforms are facing stricter scrutiny over the war. Britain's Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan summoned the UK bosses of X, TikTok, Snapchat Google and Meta for a meeting Wednesday to discuss the proliferation of antisemitism and extremely violent content following the Hamas attack. She demanded they outline the actions they're taking to quickly remove content that breaches the UK's online safety law or their terms and conditions. European Commissioner Thierry Breton warned in his letter to Musk of penalties for not complying with the EU's new Digital Services Act, which puts the biggest online platforms like X, under extra scrutiny and requires them to make it easier for users to flag illegal content and take steps to reduce disinformation or face fines up to 6% of annual global revenue. Musk responded by touting the platform's approach using crowdsourced factchecking labels, an apparent reference to Community Notes. Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports, Musk wrote on X. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them. Breton replied that Musk is well aware of the reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk, he said. (AP) SCY SCY Washington, Oct 11 (AP) The number of US citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to 22, the State Department said Wednesday. That's an increase from the 14 who'd been confirmed dead one day earlier. US citizens also are among the estimated 150 hostages captured by Hamas during its shocking weekend assault on Israel, President Joe Biden confirmed on Tuesday. The war has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. Biden, who is set to meet with Jewish leaders later Wednesday, sought to connect the attacks by Hamas militants directly to decades of antisemitism and violence endured by Jews around the world. This attack has brought to the surface the painful memories and scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people," Biden told reporters. "And this moment we have to be crystal clear: There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse and the type of terrorism that was exhibited here is just beyond the pale, beyond the pale. Biden said he and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was at least the fourth call between Biden and Netanyahu since Saturday's attack. We have to be crystal clear. There is no justification for terrorism," Biden said. The United States has Israel's back and we're going to be working on this through the day and beyond. (AP) SCY SCY New York, Oct 11 (AP) Donald Trump signed a document 30 years ago that gave the true size of his New York penthouse which was later listed as far larger on financial statements, according to evidence Tuesday at the former president's civil business fraud trial. The evidence appeared in an email attachment shown as Allen Weisselberg, the former finance chief of Trump's company, testified in New York Attorney General Letitia James' fraud lawsuit against Trump and his Trump Organization. Trump denies any wrongdoing. The attachment was a 1994 document, signed by Trump, that pegged his Trump Tower triplex at 10,996 square feet not the 30,000 square feet later claimed for years on financial statements that were given to banks, insurers and others to make deals and secure loans. Weisselberg said he recalled seeing the email but not the attachment, explaining that the attachments were documents he already had on file in the company's offices. But in any event, he said, he didn't pay much mind to the apartment's size because its value amounted to a fraction of Trump's wealth. I never even thought about the apartment. It was de minimis, in my mind, Weisselberg said, using a Latin term that means, essentially, too small to care about. It was not something that was that important to me when looking at a USD 6 billion, USD 5 billion net worth," said Weisselberg, whose questioning will resume after an ex-bank official testifies Wednesday. Later, Weisselberg was asked about an appraisal that came in USD 230 million below what Trump's financial statements showed for his Seven Springs estate north of New York City. Weisselberg said he was aware of the appraisal but didn't think the disparity was worth flagging to the outside accountants who prepared the statements. Nevertheless, Weisselberg acknowledged signing documents certifying that financial summaries given to banks to meet loan requirements were true, correct, and completely and fairly represented Trump's financial condition. Weisselberg repeatedly said he couldn't remember whether he discussed the financial statements with Trump while they were being finalized. The ex-CFO said he reviewed drafts from a 30,000-foot level (9,100-metre level) but paid special attention to something very important to Trump: the descriptions of his properties. It was a little bit of a marketing piece for banks to read about our properties, how well they're taken care of, that they're first-class properties, said Weisselberg, who added that Trump scrutinized the language used in such descriptions. He might say, Don't use the word beautiful use the word magnificent,' or something like that, Weisselberg testified. Meanwhile, in Trump's election interference case in Washington, prosecutors on Tuesday urged the judge to protect prospective jurors' identities, citing the former president's continued use of social media as a weapon of intimidation in court proceedings. Trump lawyer John Lauro declined to comment. In that federal criminal case, Trump has pleaded not guilty to illegally plotting to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. In New York, Weisselberg said Tuesday he learned of the Trump Tower penthouse size discrepancy only when a Forbes magazine reporter pointed it out to him in 2016. He testified that he initially disputed the magazine's findings but said he couldn't recall whether he directed anyone to look into the matter. You don't recall if you did anything to confirm who was right? state lawyer Louis Solomon asked. Weisselberg said he did not. As Forbes zeroed in on the apartment size question in 2017, emails show, a company spokesperson told another Trump executive that, per Weisselberg, they weren't to engage on the issue. A week later, Trump's 2016 financial statement was released, using the incorrect square footage. Over the years, Trump Organization executives had greatly boosted their estimate of the apartment's value for reasons ranging from the boss's fame to comparing it to an asking price on another triplex though that other one ultimately sold for 60 per cent less, another former exec testified last week. When The Wall Street Journal wrote about the $135 million listing for a property near Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in 2018, Weisselberg wrote a note telling a staffer to hang onto the article and see what it ends up selling for. Asked Tuesday to explain, Weisselberg testified: Anybody can ask anything for a dollar amount. That doesn't mean it's going to sell. Weisselberg, testifying as a prosecution witness, is also a defendant in the lawsuit. He took the stand after a recent jail stint for evading taxes on perks he got while working for Trump. James' lawsuit alleges that Weisselberg engineered Trump's financial statements to meet his demands that they show increases in his net worth and signed off on lofty valuations for assets despite appraisals to the contrary. Trump attended the first three days of the non-jury trial last week but hasn't returned since. Weisselberg left a New York City jail six months ago after serving 100 days for dodging taxes on USD 1.7 million in extras that came with his Trump Organization job, including a Manhattan apartment, school tuition for his grandchildren and luxury cars for him and his wife. During sworn pretrial questioning in May, Weisselberg, 76, testified that he was having trouble sleeping, started seeing a therapist and was taking a generic form of Valium as he tried to reacclimate myself back to society." Trump, in a pretrial deposition in April, said his former longtime lieutenant was liked and respected, and now, he's gone through hell and back. What's happened to him is very sad, Trump said. In a pretrial ruling last month, Judge Arthur Engoron found that Trump, Weisselberg and other defendants committed years of fraud by exaggerating the value of Trump's assets and net worth on his financial statements. As punishment, Engoron ordered that a court-appointed receiver take control of some Trump companies, putting the future oversight of Trump Tower and other marquee properties in doubt. An appeals court on Friday blocked enforcement of that aspect of Engoron's ruling, at least for now. The civil trial concerns allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records. James is seeking USD 250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York. (AP) SKY SKY Although stock market analysts are not infallible, many investors rely on their ratings and price targets when making decisions about stocks to purchase. This is especially observable on the day when an analyst's rating comes out, as share prices tend to rise or fall significantly from upgrades, downgrades or changes in price targets. Every so often a market will over-correct to an extreme, leaving the price of certain stocks well below recent analysts' price targets. This creates a favorable situation for investors to capitalize on the price disparity. Take a look at three real estate investment trusts (REITs) that are well below recent analysts' price targets and could be potential winners from present levels. Don't Miss: Investing in real estate just got a whole lot simpler. This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes and you only need $100. Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Here's how to collect $1,000 per month from Buffett's favorite dividend stock. Outfront Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT) is a New York-based specialty REIT with 500,000 advertising displays across 70 U.S. markets. The ad displays include billboard, digital, transit and mobile assets to showcase its clients. Outfront Media's website claims that its media reaches 70% of all Americans every week. Outfront and Lamar Advertising Co. (NYSE:LAMR) are the only specialty REITs that exclusively own advertising space. On Oct. 9, Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne maintained an Equal-Weight rating on Outfront Media and lowered the price target from $15 to $12. But even with the price target cut, the recent closing price of $8.61 still represents a potential 39.3% of appreciation. JP Morgan also has a recent $12 price target on Outfront Media. Outfront Media pays a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share and the annual dividend of $1.20 per share, which not long ago was below 6%, has now climbed to 13.93%. Story continues The annual dividend is well above the forward funds from operations (FFO) of $0.84, so it would not be surprising to see a dividend cut if earnings don't improve. Investors may want to wait for the next dividend announcement before making a purchase. Third-quarter earnings will be announced on Nov. 1. Hudson Pacific Properties Inc. (NYSE:HPP) is a Los Angeles-based office REIT with 50 office properties and four motion picture studios. The REIT focuses on centers of innovation for media and tech companies in California, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. Hudson Pacific Properties was founded in 2006 by Chairman and CEO Victor Coleman. Hudson Pacific Properties went public in 2010 and recently had a market cap of $1.04 billion. This year has been difficult for Hudson Pacific. In addition to Wall Street's bearish tone on office REITs, Hudson Pacific lost about 20% of its value within a week after the strike of Hollywood actors and writers was announced on May 2. On Sept. 7, Hudson Properties surprised Wall Street by announcing it would suspend its quarterly dividend of $0.125, commencing with the third-quarter dividend that was slated to be paid in September. Coleman said the board of directors felt it was the prudent thing to do, given the length of the ongoing strike. Shares of Hudson Pacific Properties dropped over 7% the morning following the announcement as investors tried to assess whether the dividend suspension would serve a higher purpose in keeping the REIT solvent. But on Sept. 27, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) ended its strike, and on Oct. 9, the WGA announced that 99% of its members voted to ratify the three-year contract between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The Screen Actors Guild is still negotiating with the studios. On Sept. 26, the day before the strike ended, BTIG analyst Thomas Catherwood upgraded Hudson Pacific Properties from Neutral to Buy and announced an $11 price target. From a recent closing price of $5.96, that represents a huge potential increase of 84.5%. BMO Capital Markets has a recent $10 price target for Hudson Pacific, which would still be a 67.7% increase from its recent price. Hopefully, the Screen Actors strike will also end soon, reducing the threat of rent noncollection from its Hollywood studio portfolio. That would make Hudson Pacific a solid bargain from its recent price. Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE:KIM) is a Jericho, New York-based retail REIT that owns and operates 528 open-air, grocery store-anchored and unanchored properties with 90 million square feet of leasable space as well as ground leases. Kimco Realty was founded in 1958, is a member of the S&P 500 and has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) since 1991. Kimco Realty's lease terms range from less than five years to 30 years or longer. It has over 5,000 different tenants, and only 10 of those tenants have annual base rent (ABR) exposure over 1%, thereby ensuring tenant diversity for Kimco Realty. On Oct. 3, Kimco Realty OP LLC, a subsidiary of Kimco Realty, priced a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal notes at 6.4%, with an effective yield of 6.456%, maturing March 1, 2034. On Oct. 8, Stifel analyst Simon Yarmak maintained a Buy rating on Kimco Realty and lowered the price target from $23.25 to $22. From a recent closing price of $16.72, that represents a potential 31.5% upside from present value. On Sept. 20, Wells Fargo analyst Tammi Fique upgraded Kimco Realty from Underweight to Equal-Weight and announced a $20 price target. Kimco Realty will report its third-quarter earnings on Oct. 26. Investors should keep in mind that analysts are only correct with ratings and price targets about 50% of the time, so investors should perform their own due diligence before buying or selling any stocks. Weekly REIT Report: REITs are one of the most misunderstood investment options, making it difficult for investors to spot incredible opportunities until it's too late. Benzinga's in-house real estate research team has been working hard to identify the greatest opportunities in today's market, which you can gain access to for free by signing up for the Weekly REIT Report. Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better. This article 3 REITs With Analyst Price Targets Well Above Present Price originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Prayagraj (UP), Oct 10 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday sought the original record of ownership of land in connection with the demolition of Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan Agra's Dayalbagh area. The court fixed October 16 as the date for next hearing in the matter and directed authorities to maintain status quo on the spot till then. The order was passed by Justice Manish Kumar Nigam on a petition filed by Radha Swami Satsang Sabha challenging the demolition proceedings. The state counsel earlier opposed the petition arguing the construction had been done by encroaching the public land. Several people were injured in a clash on September 24, when a revenue department team went to the spot to demolish the disputed building. Palghar, Oct 11 (PTI) At least four Bangladeshi nationals were arrested for allegedly cheating some people from Mumbai and neighbouring areas under the pretext of selling foreign currencies at a discount and handing them blank papers resembling banknotes, police said on Wednesday. The accused, including two women, are found to be living in India without valid documents, senior police inspector (crime branch) Pramod Badakh said. He said a 64-year-old man from Virar in Palghar district became the latest victim of the gang. The gang befriended the man and offered to sell him Dirhams and USD at a discount and took Rs 4 lakh from him. They gave him a bundle of blank papers resembling currencies, according to police. Police traced the quartet based on technical intelligence and tip-offs and seized from them Dirhams worth Rs 1,41,500 in Indian currency. The gang had allegedly cheated a man from suburban Santacruz in Mumbai of Rs 1 lakh in a similar manner, the crime branch officer said. Further investigation is underway, he added. Ahmedabad, Oct 11 (PTI) The Gujarat High Court, hearing a suo motu PIL alleging harassment of a queer student of Gujarat National Law University and rape of a female student by her batchmate, on Wednesday said the institution is seemingly trying to cover up the issue to save its image. This observation was made by the division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee while hearing a suo motu PIL (Public Interest Litigation) on a newspaper report regarding the alleged incident. "We fail to understand as to how, and in what manner, the institute is dealing with a report which was published in the newspaper on September 22, 2023, more so when the intimation about such alleged incident was received by the Registrar, GNLU, as per his own admission, on September 19, 2023," the bench noted, referring to the affidavit filed by the GNLU Registrar. "The manner in which the inquiry is being done by the university seems to be an effort to cover up the whole issue, to save the image of the institution," the high court stated. A news item regarding the alleged harassment of a queer student and rape of a female student by her batchmate at the Gandhinagar-based GNLU was published by a newspaper. GNLU Registrar stated in the affidavit filed before the high court that there appears to be no substance in the anonymous post posted on Instagram which was quoted in the newspaper report. The high court also took exception to the manner in which the chairperson of the university's recently reconstituted internal complaint committee (ICC) was made a member of the fact-finding committee set up to look into the allegations reported in the newspaper. It also noted that the fact-finding committee has not submitted its report till date. The high court had taken suo motu cognisance of the newspaper report, saying the alleged incident "raises an issue of grave concern which has a direct impact on the psychological and physical well-being of students." The GNLU registrar stated that he had received WhatsApp messages on September 19, 2023, from an assistant professor of GNLU and the warden of the girls' hostel regarding the issue. He then asked the warden of the girls' hostel to inquire. The warden reported that none of the around 80 girls at the hostel whom she interviewed had any information regarding the alleged incident. Anjani Singh Tomar, the university's ICC chairperson and the professor of law at the GNLU, submitted a similar report on October 7 stating that no student came to meet her and depose in connection with the email circulated by the registrar. "The affidavit filed by the registrar, GNLU, seems to be an over-anxious effort to hush-hush the whole matter in a summary way by stating that there does not appear to be any substance in the anonymous post posted on Instagram," the high court noted in its order. The bench wondered how the same person, who had submitted the report dated October 7, had been made a member of the fact-finding committee. It also noted that students were agitated regarding the constitution of the internal complaint committee and it was reconstituted on September 26. The bench sought to know about the working of the ICC before its reconstitution and directed the GNLU to submit the annual report of the last three years of the ICC and its constitution before the court. . Kamal Trivedi, appearing on behalf of GNLU, submitted in the HC that he will conduct an inquiry in his capacity as the Advocate General of Gujarat to ensure that the fact-finding panel is reconstituted with independent members of the society having no connection with the institution at all being its members. In its previous order, the high court had directed the university to identify the two students and record their statements, while maintaining total confidentiality. The statement of the female student shall be recorded by a woman member or professor of the university only, it said. The high court said that in case the allegations are found to be genuine and inspire confidence, necessary steps as permissible under the law shall be taken immediately. The male student "has suffered mental trauma due to the harassment meted out to him only for the reason of him being a queer, and the other female student has levelled allegation of rape by a batchmate," it stated. The newspaper report also refers to the defunct ICC, and the response of the GNLU spokesperson specifies non receipt of a formal complaint by the students. Raipur, Oct 11 (PTI) BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Wednesday claimed that the Congress failed to properly condemn the terror attack on Israel in the CWC resolution due to its vote bank politics. Talking to reporters at the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) national president also hit out at the ruling Congress in the state over an alleged scam in the state Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitment. Surya was here to address a workshop of the BJYM state unit. The state assembly polls are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 7 and 17 and votes will be counted on December 3. Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) Monday reiterated its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity while also calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on all outstanding issues. The Congress on Tuesday said there are no differences in the party on the CWC resolution on Hamas and reminded the BJP of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee favouring the cause of Palestinian people, after the ruling party slammed it for not referring to the terror attack on Israel in its resolution. Asked about the attack on Israel and India's condemnation of it, Surya said, What has happened in Israel is an unprecedented brutal terror attack. Small children and thousands of people were attacked in a barbaric manner. We should not get confused between Hamas and Palestine. Hamas is a designated terrorist organisation like Lashkar-e-Taiba or ISIS. In today's civilised world, the entire world should not give even an inch of space to terrorism, he said. "The sad thing is that in such a situation when the entire world is united in condemning the terror attack by Hamas, the Congress party in the CWC resolution failed to properly condemn it because of its vote bank politics, the BJP leader claimed. Surya said the BJYM will fight for justice to youth as they are most affected by the Congress government's "misrule", and ensure BJP's victory in the assembly polls in the state. During my two (earlier) visits to Chhattisgarh, I got the opportunity to take part in the BJYM's CM house gherao protest. Now we have come here to establish the Bharatiya Janata Party inside the CM House, he said. He said the Yuva Morcha has been raising issues related to the interest of youth in Chhattisgarh, particularly the alleged scam in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment. "I am extremely happy and proud that the issue of the alleged PSC scam raised by the Yuva Morcha yielded results and the court (Chhattisgarh High Court) has given a stay order. I believe that in future, every state government in the country, be it Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Karnataka (referring to Congress-ruled states), has an opportunity to bring a reform in their PSC system," he said. Briefing about his visit to Raipur, Surya said during the workshop with BJP workers on Wednesday, a detailed discussion will be held on the Yuva Morcha's role in the upcoming elections and how its workers will connect to voters, particularly the first time electors. Indore, Oct 11 (PTI) A 70-year-old man set a cafe on fire in Indore apparently he was furious after finding girls smoking there, an official said on Wednesday. The senior citizen targeted the recreation venue on Tuesday night when it was closed, the official said. The accused was taken into custody after he was identified through CCTV footage, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotia. Without sharing his details, the official said that the accused had retired from the Department of Telecommunications. During initial interrogation, the accused said that he did not like girls smoking in this cafe, hence he got angry and set it on fire, he said. Police officials, however, said that the accused is repeatedly changing his statement. The exact reason for the arson can be determined only after the completion of the investigation, they said. Though the senior citizen set the cafe, located under the jurisdiction of Lasudia police station, on fire when there was nobody inside, it was completely gutted. The owner suffered a loss of nearly Rs 4 lakh due to the arson, Dandotia said. Dandotia said that a case has been registered against the accused under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc). Another police official said that the cafe owner told the investigators that the accused had been roaming around his establishment for the last several days. Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) Mumbai police has launched a probe after Indian Revenue Service officer Sameer Wankhede allegedly received a death threat from `religious fanatic' from Bangladesh, an official said here on Wednesday. Wankhede, currently posted in Chennai, received the threat over phone on Monday afternoon, he said. He then sent an email to Mumbai police commissioner and also the Goregaon police station here, in whose limits he has his permanent residence, informing them about the threat. A case was registered at Goregaon police station and probe was on, the official said. Wankhede was in news two years ago when he was heading the Narcotics Control Bureau's Mumbai zone and handled some high-profile cases including an alleged drug seizure case involving Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan. Bhubaneswar, Oct 11 (PTI) The process for the cremation of 28 unclaimed bodies of people who were killed in the triple train accident in Odisha's Balasore district four months ago was completed by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday, officials said. The process of cremation of unidentified bodies of the train accident which began on Tuesday evening was completed at about 8 am on Wednesday, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das said. Das said women volunteers actively participated in the funeral. "Women volunteers notwithstanding any stigma came forward and lit funeral pyres of the bodies. They even do not know the religion of the deceased persons or whether the bodies were males or females," the Mayor said. The bodies had turned ice in the container where they were preserved for above four months, she said, adding that all the bodies were cremated at the Bharatpur crematorium by BMC. Madhusmita Prusty (37), Smita Mohanty (53) and Swagatika Rao (34) who cremated the first three bodies, said: "We came forward on our own to do this sacred ritual for the unidentified bodies. They might be our relation in some previous lives". Rao said that the bodies were beyond recognition and one cannot identify whether they were males or females. "Above all, they were human beings and their last rites are done with dignity," she said. An NGO was engaged to conduct the 'Mukhagni' (lighting the funeral pyre) and collect the bone pieces for immersion in water bodies. The unidentified bodies were kept in AIIMS Bhubaneswar in a container after the triple train accident on June 2 at Baganaga Bazaar in Balasore district. The AIIMS Bhubaneswar authorities handed over the bodies to BMC in the presence of officials of the CBI, which is probing the train tragedy which claimed 297 lives. "All the unclaimed bodies have been cremated according to the state government, central government and NHRC guidelines," a senior BMC official said, adding that the entire process of handing over bodies to the funeral has been videographed. The official said that the DNA of the bodies was preserved for investigation as well as for legal issues if any. "Though nobody came to claim the 28 bodies in the four months, anyone may make any claim later. Therefore, keeping in view the legal issues, we have preserved the DNA," said Prof Pravas Tripathy, head of the Anatomy department of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The AIIMS Bhubaneswar in a release said the hospital had received 123 bodies on the night of June 4 and another 39 from Capital Hospital and other private health facilities. Among them, 81 bodies were identified by the relatives. The identity of another 53 was confirmed by DNA profiling and handed over to the families. "The remaining 28 bodies were handed over to BMC for final cremation on October 10," AIIMS Bhubaneswar said. The CBI, which is investigating the accident, had recently urged the Khurda administration for the cremation of the bodies. An intimation was then sent to the BMC to prepare a standard operating procedure for the same and also AIIMS, where the bodies were preserved. The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Super Fast Express and a goods train were involved in the accident on June 2 near the Bahanaga Bazar station. Kolkata, Oct 11 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate(ED) Wednesday interrogated Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's wife Rujira for over seven hours in connection with its ongoing probe into the alleged irregularities in the cash-for-jobs scam, an officer said. The grilling began at around 11 am at the ED's office at the Central Government Office Complex in Salt Lake area and is on after 6 pm. Rujira entered the ED's office a little before 11 am as a large posse of team of policemen stood on guard outside it since morning. "We are questioning her on the basis of our findings in the jobs scam. We are asking her about the specific roles of the directors of two companies involved in the alleged scam. She held an important position in both the companies at one point of time. She is being interrogated about that too," the ED official told PTI. The probe body conducted search operations in several rice mills, besides a few shops in at least four places in West Bengal's Nadia district in connection with its ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularity, the official said. Personnel of central forces are guarding the rice mills at Shantipur, Dhubulia, Ranaghat and Krishnanagar where the search operations are underway. "A good amount of money amassed from the jobs scam was invested in the rice mills. We have documents to prove that. Today's raids are being held in this connection," the ED official said. Patna, Oct 11 (PTI) The Bihar Museum here has decided to go for scientific conservation of some of its ancient artefacts including the Mauryan period 'Chariot wheel' and ornaments found during excavation in Kumhrar in 1912 to prevent their further degradation, an official said. Kumhrar in Patna is the excavation site of the ancient city of Pataliputra. Besides, scientific conservation will also be done on sculptures, made of iron and copper, belonging to the Shunga dynasty. The scientific conservation of the ancient artefacts of Bihar Museum will be done by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in a phased manner. The Bihar Museum, one of the largest museums in India, has objects spanning major dynasties of India - the Maurya, Nanda, Shungas and Shaishunaga. Talking to PTI, Ranbeer Singh Rajput, Additional Director, Bihar Museum, said, "Yes, the Bihar museum has decided to go for scientific conservation of its ancient artefacts including the Mauryan period 'Chariot wheel' and around 500 ornaments made of iron and copper found during excavation in Kumhrar in 1912 and also 20 sculptures of iron and copper belonging to Shunga dynasty. "It will be done to prevent their further degradation. The scientific conservation will be done by the ASI. Bihar Museum and the ASI will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard. Singh said scientific conservation of artefacts includes anything from active hands-on conservation to managing proper display and environmental conditions. The entire exercise is being done to conserve those ancient artefacts that are in critical condition. As far as ornaments found during excavation in Kumhrar in 1912 and sculptures belonging to the Shunga dynasty are concerned, they have been kept in the store of the Bihar museum and they can be put on display only after their scientific conservation. Sculptures belonging to the Shunga dynasty were found during excavation in Chausa in Buxar district, said Rajput. Only the chariot wheel of the Mauryan period has been put on display at Bihar Museum for visitors, he added. Chausa, 146 km east of Patna and 10 km south-east of Buxar district, is famous for the battle between Humayun and Shershah on June 25, 1539. The middle Ganga plain has rich archaeological wealth. A hoard of Jaina sculptures made of bronze was discovered in 1931. It was a chance discovery at nearby villages. Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire, who had brought all small kingdoms of India together under one rule for the first time, made Patliputra its capital and allowed political stability in this region. The city prospered under the Mauryan empire, and Megasthenes, the ambassador of Greek ruler Seleucus I Nicator in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, resided there and left a detailed account of its splendour, said Rajput. Kolkata, Oct 11 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Eastern Region at 5 pm. CAL 16 WB-NYAYA-SANHITA-MAMATA MHA introducing more severe and arbitrary measures in name of withdrawing sedition law provisions: Mamata Banerjee Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that in the name of withdrawing provisions under the sedition law, the Union Home Ministry is introducing more severe and arbitrary measures in the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. CAL 13 OD-WOMAN-HUSBAND Woman kills husband, spends 3 days with body Keonjhar: A woman allegedly killed her husband in Odisha's Keonjhar district over a family dispute and spent three days with the corpse in her house, police said on Wednesday. CAL 12 WB-DURGA PUJA-SUNDARBANS Sunderbans joins Durga Pujas in Kolkata, Netherlands Kolkata: Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest cover, has joined two Durga pujas in Kolkata and the Dutch city of Almere, nearly 6,500 km apart. CAL 11 JH-HC-SOREN-ED ED summons unwarranted : Soren to J'khand HC Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren Wednesday submitted to the Jharkhand High Court that summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate in a case of alleged money laundering are unwarranted. CAL 10 JH-STONE PELTING-ARRESTS J'khand: 3 held in connection with stone pelting on Bajrang Dal activists Hazaribag: Three persons have been arrested in connection with the case of stone-pelting in Hazaribag in which at least 10 Bajrang Dal activists, including women, were injured, police said on Wednesday. CAL 9 OD-TRAIN-MISHAP-LD CREMATION Odisha train tragedy: All 28 unclaimed bodies cremated Bhubaneswar: The cremation of 28 unclaimed bodies of people who died in the triple train accident in Odisha's Balasore district four months ago, was completed on Wednesday by women volunteers at Bhubaneswar. CAL 8 BH-CASTE-NITISH Economic data collected during caste survey to be tabled in Bihar assembly: Nitish Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said details collected as part of the caste survey, including the economic condition of households, will be tabled before the state assembly. CAL 7 WB-ED-RAIDS Bengal: ED searches rice mills in jobs scam probe Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers on Wednesday conducted search operations at several rice mills located in at least four places in West Bengals Nadia district in connection with their ongoing investigation into the jobs scam, an officer said. Accenture, a global staffing firm that provides workers to the technology industry, is cutting more than 300 people in Austin, marking the third time the company has made large cuts in Central Texas this year. Tech staffing firm Accenture is cutting about 350 positions in Austin, marking the third time the company has laid off hundreds of employees in Central Texas this year. The Irish American contract firm focuses on information technology services and consulting. It has contracts globally with large technology giants to provide workers, but the tech industry at large has been increasingly looking to reduce costs and jobs in recent years. The company is considered one of Central Texas' largest technology employers. The cuts have been reported in WARN letters, which stands for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The federally mandated rule requires employers to notify local governments of major layoffs. According to the latest WARN notice, the company is cutting 351 people in Austin at its 11800 Alterra Parkway location at the Domain, marking the second time this year the company has reduced positions at that location. The latest notice said the layoffs would not result in an office closure. In the notice, Accenture said the layoffs were because of a "change in client contract requirements and are expected to be permanent." The company said the positions will be cut between Dec. 8 and March 28. The latest WARN notice showed a range of positions were affected, including more than 200 roles related to trust and safety. Positions related to customer service, bus process delivery and quality auditing were also impacted. Accenture did not immediately respond to American-Statesman requests for comment on the layoffs. Not the first layoffs for Accenture in Austin this year In May, the company had cut 539 jobs at the same Domain location, citing a "change in client contract requirements." It's unclear if the rounds were related or if the roles were working for the same client. In June, Accenture separately filed a notice it was laying off 219 people at a facility at 7700 W. Parmer Lane, also citing a change in client contract requirements. At the time, Accenture said the company adjusts its workforce on ongoing projects "from time to time" to meet the needs of its clients. Story continues All three WARN notices said the company would rescind an employee's termination if the employee is able to obtain a new role within Accenture during the notice period. Accenture had about 5,900 employees in Austin prior to the layoffs, according to the latest headcount from the Austin Chamber of Commerce, which tracks the employment numbers of the region's top technology employers. All three rounds came after a March Securities and Exchange Commission notice from the company saying it would cut about 19,000 employees, or about 2.5% of its workforce globally, over the following 18 months, largely in nonbillable corporate functions. It's unclear if any of the Austin layoffs have been related to this. The filing also followed rapid growth for the company, which had 738,000 employees as of March, up from 699,000 employees at the end of February 2022. More: Amid major tech layoffs by Dell, Google, Meta, WARN Act does little to show Austin impact Accenture's is among wave of Central Texas tech layoffs Accenture's cuts come as the technology industry nationwide has faced a rocky several years with cost savings and job cuts, including by companies with significant Central Texas presences, such as Meta, Google and Round Rock-based Dell Technologies. Industry experts have said it's certain Central Texas has been affected by the measures, though it has been hard to track just how large the impact has been, with many companies not disclosing local cuts or not filing WARN notices. Some industry experts have said the worst is likely over for the tech industry's wave of cuts. Out of WARN notices that were filed, 3,805 positions have been cut so far this year, across all industries. By comparison, Central Texas saw 472 positions cut last year, according to WARN notices. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin tech staffing firm Accenture to layoff 350 in Domain office New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Shahid Latif, believed to be the mastermind of the 2016 attack on an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, was gunned down on Wednesday by unidentified assailants in a mosque in Daska town of Pakistan's Sialkot district, officials said. Latif, alias Bilal, a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is learnt to have been shot dead along with two of his associates by three gunmen. He had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley in 1993 and was arrested a year later. He was in Jammu jail with Masood Azhar, founder of the JeM, till 2010, officials said. He was deported to Pakistan in 2010 following his release and formally joined the terror group, they said. "This is the biggest blow to JeM on Pakistan soil," an official said. Latif was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Seven IAF personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, 2016. The siege went on for three days. New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) A day after conducting raids against Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan, the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday alleged he acquired "huge proceeds of crime" in the form of cash from illegal recruitment in the Delhi Waqf Board and invested it in purchasing immovable assets in the name of his associates. The federal agency had on Tuesday raided 13 locations in the national capital linked to the legislator and persons associated with him. "The searches were conducted in the case related to illegal recruitment of staff in Delhi Waqf Board and illegal personal gains by way of unfairly leasing out of Waqf Board properties during the chairmanship of the Board by Amantullah Khan during 2018-2022," the agency claimed in a statement. It said a CBI FIR and three Delhi Police complaints formed the basis of its action against the Aam Aadmi Party MLA. Amanatullah Khan, the ED said, "acquired huge proceeds of crime out of the said criminal activities in cash and this cash amount was invested in purchase of various immovable properties in Delhi in the name of his associates". Several "incriminating" records and physical and digital evidence were seized during the raids which "indicate" Amanatullah Khan's role in money laundering, it said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after Khan met him on Wednesday, alleged there was a campaign underway to end the AAP and asserted that false cases are being filed against party leaders. The 49-year-old legislator represents the Okhla constituency in the Delhi Assembly. New Delhi/Toronto, Oct 11 (PTI) Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly held a "secret meeting" with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Washington last month, a media report has said, amid a diplomatic row between the two countries over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in June. The report by the Financial Times on Tuesday came even as Canada is yet to comply with India's communication to Ottawa to withdraw over three dozen of its 62 diplomats in the country. The Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment when asked about the reported meeting. There was no response from the Canadian side as well. Jaishankar was in Washington DC from September 27 to 30 after concluding a five-day trip to New York. India asked Canada to withdraw the diplomats amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India strongly rejected the charges. Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. Reports said India asked Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats by October 10. Talks between the two sides are going on over India's demand on downsizing of the Canadian diplomatic staff in the country, people familiar with the matter said. India has referred to the Vienna Convention to demand parity in mutual diplomatic presence. It is learnt that Canada has rejected the argument. Trudeau and Joly last week said Ottawa was trying to resolve the stand-off in private, the FT reported. Several days earlier, Joly also held a secret meeting with Jaishankar in Washington, it said attributing it to people familiar with the situation. On India's demands to downsize the Canadian diplomatic staff, there were reports that India set a deadline of October 10. Meanwhile, Joly on Wednesday said diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private, underscoring that she will continue to take the same approach when it comes to India. "Well, I've said it many times, and I'll continue to say it. Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private. And that's the approach I will continue to take when it comes to India," Joly said while responding to a question during a press conference in Ottawa. New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on Friday the meeting of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 member nations that will deliberate on critical global issues such as gender equality and transforming lives through public digital programmes. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will kick-start the three-day summit on Thursday by chairing a Parliamentary Forum on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a movement proposed by Modi to advocate sustainable lifestyles to safeguard the environment. The Parliamentary Forum on LiFE will bring together parliamentarians from G-20 nations, along with invited countries and international organizations, to deliberate on strategies for advancing sustainable lifestyles and combating climate change, a Lok Sabha Secretariat statement said. This forum holds significance, serving as a platform for parliamentarians to exchange insights and successful approaches in the promotion of sustainable living, it said. The President of the Pan African Parliament will be making their inaugural participation in the P-20 Summit hosted in India. The African Union was inducted into the G20 at the Leaders' Summit held here last month. The theme of the Summit is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future'. It emphasizes the idea that the world is one interconnected family and that the collective actions today shape the future for all. This theme serves as a reminder to parliaments and nations worldwide that addressing global challenges, such as sustainable development, climate change, gender equality and peace, requires collaborative efforts, transcending borders and differences, an official statement said. The summit will deliberate on subjects of contemporary relevance such as agenda 2030 for SDGs: Showcasing Achievements, Accelerating Progress; Sustainable Energy Transition Gateway to Green Future; Mainstreaming Gender Equality- From Women's Development to Women led Development; and Transformation in Peoples' Lives through Public Digital Platforms. An exhibition titled 'Mother of Democracy' will be organized, highlighting India's ancient and participatory democratic traditions. New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Students pursuing undergraduate programmes will have to mandatorily do internships and they will be awarded credits for it, according to new draft guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The draft of the "Guidelines for internship and research internship for undergraduate students" was released on Tuesday in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that emphasises the inclusion of research and internships in the undergraduate (UG) curriculum to provide opportunities to students for active engagement in on-site experiential learning. "A minimum of two to four credits, out of the required minimum 120/160 credits, of a three-year UG degree/four-year UG degree (Honours)/four-year UG degree (Honours with Research) can be assigned for internship as per the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programme (CCFUP)," the draft guidelines stated. They stated that an internship of 60 to 120 hours after the fourth semester will be mandatory for the students enrolled in UG degree programmes. "Three-year UG degree, four-year UG degree (Honours) and four-year degree (Honours with Research) programme will be operating strictly adhering to NEP-2020, NHEQF and CCFUP provisions," the draft guidelines stated. "Based on the higher education qualification level descriptors for level-5.5 and level-6 some of the competencies with research orientation should be attained by the students by studying the courses under the Research Ability Enhancement Courses (RAEC) and by undertaking the research internship project," they stated. For students pursuing a three-year UG degree an internship of 60 to 120 hours duration after the fourth semester will be mandatory, and for those who will opt for a four-year degree a research internship during the eighth semester will be a mandatory component. While normal internships can be done with government or private organisations, non-government organisations, enterprises, business organisations, local industry, artistes, craftspeople, and similar other entities, research internship experience can be gained by working with faculty, scientists, mentors in higher education institutions (HEIs), research institutions, universities, industrial research labs, nationally and internationally reputed organisations, farmers, and entrepreneurs, the guidelines stated. "Each HEI should have a nodal officer who is responsible for developing need and demand-led verticals as well as expectations from each vertical in undergraduate programmesto define verticals, HEIs must undertake a survey in the local market to understand the needs of companies and the expectations of student," the draft guidelines stated. The commission has also suggested various vertices including trade and agriculture, economy and banking financial, logistics, information technology, art, design and music, healthcare and life science, sports, wellness and physical education, and environment, among others. "The interns will be evaluated by the research internship supervisor based on their efforts and research output, or the interns will be evaluated through seminar presentation or viva-voce at the HEI," the draft guidelines stated. Chandigarh, Oct 11 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Wednesday hit back at opposition leaders for accusing his government of failing to safeguard the state's interest on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. Opposition leaders including Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal, state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa have been attacking the government over the vexed issue. Their criticism came following the Supreme Court directive on October 4, asking the Centre to conduct a survey of land in Punjab that was allocated for the construction of the canal's portion in the state and make an estimate of the extent of work carried out there. The Congress, BJP and SAD have held protests over the past few days, slamming the Mann government over the issue. In a post on X, Mann hit back at them asking if these leaders "carry some shame" when they leave home. Former Congress leader Late Balram Jakhar (father of Sunil Jakhar) and Amarinder Singh, who is now with the BJP, and former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had supported the construction of SYL canal in Punjab, Mann said. "Balram Jakhar stood with Captain (Amarinder Singh) in a photo of silver spade (a picture taken during the ground-breaking ceremony for the SYL canal in Punjab)Devi Lal (former Haryana chief minister) praised in Haryana Vidhan Sabha Parkash Singh Badal (former Punjab CM) for giving nod to carry out a survey for SYL," Mann said in his post. Mann said opposition leaders should not worry about river water as he, as a child, used to guard a water course in his village. "Today, the God has assigned me the task of protecting the Sutlej." Mann asked the opposition party leaders to come for an open debate on November 1. Earlier, he had alleged these leaders "betrayed" Punjab and its people and their hands and souls were "drenched in blood". New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) A section of Jawaharlal Nehru University students boycotted classes on Wednesday in support of a strike call to protest against "delays" in conducting students' union elections, leaders of several organisations said. No immediate reaction was available from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on the issue. Students affiliated with various organisations also held demonstrations against the delay in holding elections to the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), the leaders said. The ABVP, however, did not take part in the strike call. JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh told PTI that the students' union issued an "ultimatum" to the university administration, seeking a reply on holding the elections. "Yesterday (Tuesday), we met the vice-chancellor over the issue and the administration sought another week to furnish an update on the elections. We will launch an agitation if no proper reply over the elections is received from the university administration," she said. Students associated with the CPI(M)-backed Students' Federation of India (SFI), the CPI(ML) Liberation-linked All India Students' Association (AISA) and several others from different departments took part in the strike, Ghosh added. An AISA activist said the elections should have been held by September "but we are already in the middle of October and there is no update on the polls". An ABVP leader said, "We want the polls to be conducted as soon as possible but not at the cost of academics. The boycott of classes will affect the students' education." The JNU administration earlier this month said the elections are likely to be held by January once admissions to PhD courses are concluded. New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Yoga can be used as an adjunct therapy in the management of chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, according to an AIIMS study. The study by Dr Uma Kumar, Head of Rheumatology and Dr Rima Dada, Professor in Department of Anatomy at AIIMS, demonstrated that eight weeks of yoga practice significantly reduced disease activity, normalized the biomarkers associated with inflammation, and re-established immunological tolerance. The study has been published in the Scientific Reports, 2023 in September. Yoga is an integrative health strategy which focuses on both physical and psychological aspects of a disease and improves quality of life, Dr Uma Kumar said. "The prevalence of rheumatological illnesses has gone up in the last two decades because of environment and lifestyle-related factors and early diagnosis and aggressive treatment is important in management," she said, emphasizing that it is a multisystemic disease and other organs can get involved if not treated adequately and the target of treatment is "zero joint inflammation". Dr Dada said yoga is a profound science and is mind body energy medicine. "This study is the first to highlight the positive impact of yoga in reducing inflammation, oxidative stress and increasing expression of anti-inflammatory genes," she claimed. "We found that eight weeks of yoga practice significantly reduced disease activity, normalized the biomarkers associated with inflammation and re-established immunological tolerance," Dr Dada told PTI. It was a randomised controlled trial on 64 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with active disease. "Further, yoga reduced the rate of immunological aging. Our findings suggest that yoga positively modified the epigenome and switched on the internal pharmacy which regulates gene expression patterns. "These findings suggest that yoga possesses an immune-modulatory potential which induces molecular remission in RA and re-establishes immunological tolerance. Yoga also reduced the severity of comorbid depression by promoting neuroplasticity," Dr Dada said. Taken together, yoga reduces RA severity, and aids in immune-modulation and hence can be beneficial as an adjunct therapy, Dr Dada said. Yoga significantly improves and reduces the psycho-somatic symptoms, pain perception, disability quotient, increases joint flexibility, range of motion, posture, muscle tone and strength, coordination, and reduces disease activity. Yoga reduces severity of depression by increased levels of serotonin and regulates the body clock and sleep wake cycle by increasing levels of melatonin, which is also a potent antioxidant, Dr Dada further stated. World Arthritis day is observed on October 12 every year. Chandigarh, Oct 11 (PTI) The Haryana cabinet on Wednesday approved an advertisement policy for social media news channels and influencers for the purpose of highlighting the government's developmental policies and programmes. The decision to approve Haryana Digital Media Advertisement Policy, 2023, was taken at the cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, said an official statement. The existing policies of 2007 and 2020 were restricted to the print media, electronic media and websites. The decision to include social media news channel and social media influencers has been taken keeping in view the popularity of social media platforms like 'X' (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, said the statement. "With the widespread adoption of internet-enabled devices and social media platforms, digital media has become a ubiquitous presence in people's daily lives," it said. The primary objective of release of advertisements to the social media news channels, websites and reputed social media platforms is to achieve widest possible coverage of government's welfare policies and schemes in a cost-effective manner, it added. Under the policy, five categories for empanelment of social media news channels have been framed keeping in view subscribers, followers and number of posts on the social media account. Directorate of Information and Public Relations Department, Haryana will empanel the social media news channels according to these categories, the statement said. Under the policy, Empanelment Advisory Committee will fix, increase or revise the rates from time-to-time for each category, advertisement format, and social media platform, if required. It may ask social media news channels to share rates for other relevant advertisement formats as and when it deems fit. Once advertised, the social media news channels have to keep the advertisement for one month from the date of advertisement. The minimum base rate fixed by Empanelment Advisory Committee under each category would be offered to the applicant social media channel falling in that category. "Relevant deductions to the advertisement rates shall be made if the advertised/sponsored social media content fails to reach five per cent of the subscribers/followers. Sponsored content will be based on government schemes, services, achievements, and other policy initiatives," the statement said. Lucknow, Oct 10 (PTI) The Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested two men wanted in a drugs case in Maharashtra while trying to slip to Nepal. Abhishek Bilas Balakwade and Bhushan Anil Patil, involved in a case related to the recovery of drugs worth Rs 300 crore in Maharashtra, were arrested by the STF in a joint operation with the Pune Crime Branch of Maharashtra Police. The two were arrested from Bahraich turn in Nagar Kotwali area of Barabanki district, an STF release issued here said. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Pune, Sunil Tambe, who was part of the operation, had earlier visited the STF in Lucknow to apprise it of the presence of the main accused in the 150 kg-MDMA seizure in Maharashtra, with a warning that they may be trying to escape to Nepal. According to STF, both men were wanted in many other drug trafficking cases in Pune and Nashik districts. The two were also allegedly part of the conspiracy to get Maharashtra's biggest drug mafia Lalit Patil escape police custody on October 2. It was revealed during interrogation that Bhushan Anil Patil is the younger brother of Lalit Patil and Abhishek Bilas is the manager of Lalit Patil's drugs network. The two told police that they, along with Lalit Patil, had been manufacturing MDMA since 2014 and supplying the banned drug for use in pubs and rave parties. The gang had set up factories first in Aurangabad and then in Pune and Nashik to manufacture the narcotic, popularly known as Ecstasy. The accused after legal proceedings were handed over to the Pune team, the release said. Key Insights The projected fair value for ADENTRA is CA$21.03 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity ADENTRA is estimated to be 35% overvalued based on current share price of CA$28.37 Our fair value estimate is 53% lower than ADENTRA's analyst price target of US$44.33 In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of ADENTRA Inc. (TSE:ADEN) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for ADENTRA Step By Step Through The Calculation We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$68.4m US$77.9m US$47.4m US$34.7m US$28.4m US$25.0m US$23.0m US$21.8m US$21.2m US$20.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x1 Est @ -39.06% Est @ -26.78% Est @ -18.19% Est @ -12.17% Est @ -7.96% Est @ -5.02% Est @ -2.95% Est @ -1.51% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 10% US$62.0 US$63.9 US$35.3 US$23.4 US$17.3 US$13.8 US$11.5 US$9.9 US$8.7 US$7.8 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$253m Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$21m (1 + 1.9%) (10% 1.9%) = US$249m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$249m ( 1 + 10%)10= US$93m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$346m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of CA$28.4, the company appears reasonably expensive at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 ADENTRA as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.706. 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 ADENTRA Strength Debt is well covered by cash flow. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Trade Distributors market. Opportunity Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 2 years. Next Steps: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. 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. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For ADENTRA, we've compiled three essential items you should consider: Risks: As an example, we've found 4 warning signs for ADENTRA (2 make us uncomfortable!) that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does ADEN'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 Canadian 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. Indore, Oct 11 (PTI) A special court here on Wednesday awarded five years' rigorous imprisonment to a candidate at the Pre-Medical Test (PMT) and a proxy who helped him clear it in a case related to the infamous Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh. Judge Sanjay Gupta of the special court set up for the trial of Vyapam scam cases also imposed a fine of Rs 14,000 each on accused Purushottam Khoiya and Saurabh Chandra Gupta after holding them guilty under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Madhya Pradesh Recognized Examination Act. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) examined 28 witnesses during the trial, said the agency's special public prosecutor Ranjan Sharma here. Both the accused, originally from Uttar Pradesh, are about 35 years old, he said. As per the CBI, Khoiya had registered for the PMT -- entrance test for the MBBS course -- in 2009, but in the actual examination, Gupta appeared in his place. After clearing the examination in this fraudulent way, Khoiya got admission to the Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Indore. "In 2014, unidentified persons sent two letters to then dean of the college, Dr Pushpa Verma, claiming that Khoiya had got selected fraudulently," Sharma said. The dean set up an inquiry committee which confirmed the fraud, following which a case was registered at Sanyogitaganj police station. Gupta himself was pursuing MBBS course at a Delhi college when his role in the crime came to light. The Vyapam scam (Vyapam denoted the Madhya Pradesh Vyavasayik Pariksha Mandal or professional examination board), which came to light in 2013, pertained to alleged nexus of gangsters, officials and political leaders in the rigging of entrance examinations/tests for the state government service and professional courses. The CBI took over the probe of the multi-crore scam on the Supreme Court's directions in 2015. Prayagraj (UP), Oct 11 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday told the Allahabad High Court that it wants to construct a corridor for Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan using the funds offered by devotees to the deity, but will not interfere in the temple's management by the priests' family. The state government made the submissions before a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Pritinkar Diwakar and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava which was hearing a PIL filed by Anand Sharma and another person of Mathura seeking an inquiry into a stampede in the temple in August last year. The bench fixed October 30 as the next date of hearing in the matter. During the hearing on Wednesday, the Goswami (priest) family opposed the government's submission that it would use the funds offered by devotees to construct the corridor. On this, the government's counsel told the court that it will not interfere in the working of the priests' family that manages the affairs of Banke Bihari temple. The court reserved its order on an impleadment application by the Goswami family. Two devotees were killed and seven injured in a stampede at the Bankey Bihari temple during Janmashtami celebrations in August last year. In October last year, the state government informed the high court that it is planning to construct a corridor after acquiring five acres of land adjacent to Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura to give facilities to pilgrims. The court had asked the state government to clear its stand regarding management of pilgrims visiting the temple at Vrindavan, Mathura. Later, an impleadment application was moved by the Goswami family objecting to the plan, saying that it's a private temple and no interference is required by the government. PTI CORR RAJ SAB KVK KVK New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) A court here on Wednesday granted seven hours of custody parole for two days each on humanitarian grounds to an accused arrested in connection with a firing incident in the Tis Hazari district court premises during a fight between lawyers. A gun was fired in the Tis Hazari court premises on July 5 during a fight between two groups of lawyers, police said. Metropolitan Magistrate Chatinder Singh was hearing the interim bail plea of accused Sandeep Sharma. The plea filed by the accused's counsel, Sanjay Sharma, said his client had to perform the necessary rites after his mother's death. "Since the matter is sensitive in nature and triable by the court of sessions, this court is not inclined to grant interim bail to the applicant or accused. However, in view of the facts and circumstances of the present application and on humanitarian grounds, the accused is granted custody parole of seven hours from 10 am to 5 pm on October 12 and October 13," the court said. It directed the jail superintendent concerned to make necessary arrangements for taking the accused to his house and then bringing him back to jail on both days. Taking note of the accused's prayer, the court also directed that the police officials accompanying the accused to his home be sent in civil dress. Bengaluru, Oct 11 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Wednesday constituted a committee of experts to frame the Karnataka State Education Policy to replace the National Education Policy (NEP). The state government has issued a 'Government Order' constituting a 15-member committee and there is a separate group of eight subject experts/ advisors to give expert advice. "The Government is pleased to accord sanction to constitute the State Education Policy Commission for preparation of draft Karnataka State Education Policy under the chairmanship of Prof. Sukhdev Thorat, an eminent Educationist. Economist, Professor, Writer and Former Chairman of UGC New Delhi," the GO said. The Commission shall submit its report by February 28, 2024. The members of the committee include -- Prof. S Japhet, Founding Director of the UGC sponsored Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEEIP), Dr. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor of National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Dr. Sharat AnanthaMurthy, Professor, School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, A Narayana, Professor with the school of policy and Governance, Azim Premji University -- among others. Dr. Bhagyavana S Mudigoudra, Special Officer, Department of Higher Education, will act as the Member Secretary to the commission, and will coordinate and maintain the proceedings of the meeting. Members are identified as subject experts/advisors for expert advice include: Prof. Yogendra Yadav, Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi; Prof. Rahamath Tarikere, Retd. Professor in Kannada, Kannada University, Hampi; Prof. Janaki Nair, Historian and Retd., Professor at the Centre for Historical studies, Jawaharalal Nehru University, Sonam Wangchuk, Engineer turned Education Reformer and Director of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), among others. "A committee has been established, under the chairmanship of Prof. Sukhdev Thorat, to prepare the draft of the Karnataka State Education Policy. I am confident that this committee will provide suitable recommendations for nurturing scientific temperament, intellectual growth, and necessary education for the holistic development of students," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in a post on social media platform 'X'. "I hope the Karnataka's State Education Policy will serve as a model education policy for the country," he added. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had recently said that the state government has decided to scrap the existing National Education Policy introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and formulate a new education policy for the state in the coming year. During the BJP rule, Karnataka was the first state to implement the National Education Policy in 2021 in the country. The Government Order shall come into effect immediately, it said and added that all authorities concerned are hereby directed to extend their fullest cooperation and assistance to the commission during its deliberations. Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) and Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), Bengaluru will provide all administrative / secretariat assistance and logistic support to the Commission. The members of the Commission will be paid TA/DA as per extant rules of Government of Karnataka. The Department of School Education & Literacy and Department of Higher Education will appoint nodal officers who will make all necessary arrangements for the Commission covering its meetings, travel, boarding and lodging of the members. Karnataka has decided to constitute a Commission to undertake careful review of the School and Higher Education in Karnataka and to suggest policies to achieve a higher enrolment in the schools and higher education; to expand the education with improved quality; to provide equal access to all individuals to quality education, the GO in its preamble said. It also aims to meet the prime goals of education effectively i.e., imparting scientific knowledge to the students, to inculcate democratic values, give skill and professional education to enhance employability and giving moral education to build good citizenship among the students. New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Cocaine worth around Rs 7 crore in the international market has been seized following the arrest of a man and his wife here, police said on Wednesday. They used to process the drug at their house in Seemapuri. The man was arrested after a tip-off that he would come near the LBS Hospital to deliver cocaine to one of his associates, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Amrutha Guguloth. Police said that 690 gram of fine quality cocaine was seized and it is worth around Rs 7 crore in the international market. Zaheer Ahmed was arrested from near the hospital. He and his wife Gulnar are in police custody, they said. Their house in Seemapuri was raided following the couple's interrogation, police said. The DCP said that cocaine, chemical used to process cocaine, and cotton clothes embedded with cocaine or heroine crystals. Police said that the accused were using a new modus operandi of smuggling drugs into India. This involved packets of clothes embedded with heroine or cocaine crystals. Once a parcel reaches its destination, it is processed to extract drugs from the clothes. The same is then processed further by mixing chemicals, they said and claimed that most of it is supplied to Punjab where it is called as 'chitta'. The accused disclosed that they got acquainted with Tabassum through a common friend who was married to an Afghan national, the DCP said. "Tabassum's husband Subhan Aryanfar (28) was arrested by the NIA (National Investigation Agency) in December 2021 in connection with the Mundra port heroin seizure case in which 3,000 kg heroine/cocaine was seized by DRI (Department Revenue Intelligence)," Guguloth said. Police said that after Aryanfar's arrest, his wife took over operations and peddled drugs with the help of Ahmed and Gulnar. Bengaluru, Oct 11 (PTI) The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Pramod Muthalik, president of Sri Rama Sene and others, alleging that the Parashurama Theme Park built on the Ummikkal hill in Udupi was on gomala land, which the locals used as pasture for their cattle. The division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit noted, "There is not a single word from any person who claims to have cows or is engaged in animal husbandry that because of this theme park he is deprived of grazing his animals or any other villagers are deprived of grazing animals in the said gomala land." The PIL also alleged that the work was of poor quality. But the court noted that the petitioners had approached the court very late. After studying the photographs attached with the PIL, the court noted the work must have commenced a few years ago and seemed to be nearing completion. Dismissing the contention, the HC observed, "When construction is at completion stage, the petitioners have suddenly woken up and approached this court." The HC dismissed the petition with the observation that "(the petition) is nothing but a bundle of assumptions and presumptions of the petitioners and their own impressions." The court also found contradictions in the petition. "The petitioner is not saying in clear terms that he has objection to the theme park as it is causing some prejudice to the villagers whom the petitioners are representing. But the grievance reflected in the memo of the petition is of poor quality of work." Humanitarian groups are scrambling to assist civilians caught in the war between Israel and Hamas and determine what aid operations are still safe to continue, efforts that are being complicated by an intensified blockade of Gaza and the ongoing fighting During a press briefing on Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre rebuked comments made by members of the progressive Squad in Congress regarding the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Labeling their remarks as wrong, repugnant, and disgraceful, Jean-Pierre made the administrations stance clear. When asked about the reactions to sickening comments from Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Cori Bush, Jean-Pierre responded, We believe theyre wrong, we believe theyre repugnant, and we believe theyre disgraceful. She went on to add that the administrations condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists and emphasized the atrocities committed against Israeli citizens. Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped hundreds, hundreds of Israelis. There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here. There are not two sides, she added. In the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas conflict over the weekend, Tlaib and Bush stunningly suggested the U.S. cease its aid to Israel. Tlaibs statement mourned the loss of lives on both sides but criticized the U.S. for funding what she referred to as the apartheid government in Israel. Meanwhile, Bush called for an end to U.S. support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid. Reps. Ocasio-Cortez and Omar advocated for a ceasefire between the two factions, though they did condemn the devastating attacks which resulted in massive numbers of Israeli casualties, including women and children. But Omar, in a subsequent social media post, drew a parallel between the victims of the Hamas-led attacks and the Palestinians affected by Israels retaliatory actions. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, says it is struggling with a flood of posts sharing graphic media, violent speech and hateful conduct about the Israel-Hamas war. But it has received a broadside of criticism, including from a top European Union official, questioning the adequacy of the response. Outside watchdog groups said misinformation about the war abounds on the platform, whose workforce including its content moderation team was gutted by billionaire Elon Musk after he bought it last year. Fake and manipulated imagery circulating on X include repurposed old images of unrelated armed conflicts or military footage that actually originated from video games, said a Tuesday letter to Musk from European Commissioner Thierry Breton. This appears to be manifestly false or misleading information. Breton, the EUs digital rights chief, also warned Musk that authorities have been flagging potentially illegal content that could violate EU laws and you must be timely, diligent and objective in removing it when warranted. San Francisco-based X didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about Bretons letter. A post late Monday from Xs safety team claimed it is treating the crisis with utmost effort: In the past couple of days, weve seen an increase in daily active users on @X in the conflict area, plus there have been more than 50 million posts globally focusing on the weekends terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. As the events continue to unfold rapidly, a cross-company leadership group has assessed this moment as a crisis requiring the highest level of response. That includes continuing a policy frequently championed by Musk of letting users help rate what might be misinformation, which causes those posts to include a note of context but not disappear from the platform. The struggle to identify reliable sources for news about the war was exacerbated over the weekend by Musk, who on Sunday posted the names of two accounts he said were good for following the war in real-time. Analyst Emerson Brooking of the Atlantic Council called one of those accounts absolutely poisonous. Journalists and X users also pointed out that both accounts had previously shared a fake AI-generated image of an explosion at the Pentagon, and that one of them had posted numerous antisemitic comments in recent months. Musk later deleted his post. Brooking posted on X that Musk had enabled fake war reporting by abandoning the blue check verification system for trusted accounts and allowing anyone to buy a blue check. Brooking said Tuesday that it is significantly harder to determine ground truth in this conflict as compared to Russias invasion of Ukraine last year and Elon Musk bears personal responsibility for this. He said Musks changes to the X platform have made it impossible to quickly assess the credibility of accounts while his introduction of view monetization has created perverse incentives for war-focused accounts to post as many times as possible, even unverified rumors, and to make the most salacious claims possible. War is always a cauldron of tragedy and disinformation; Musk has made it worse, he added. Further, Brooking said via email Musk has repeatedly and purposefully denigrated the idea of an objective media, and he made platform design decisions that undermine such reporting. We now see the result. Part of Musks drastic changes over the past year included removing many of the people responsible for moderating toxic content and harmful misinformation. One former member of Twitters public policy team said the company is having a harder time taking action on posts that violate its policies because there arent enough people to do that work. The layoffs are undermining the capacity of Twitters trust and safety team, and associated teams like public policy, to provide needed support during a critical time of crisis, said Theodora Skeadas, one of thousands of employees who lost their jobs in the months after Musk bought the company. X says it changed one policy over the weekend to enable people to more easily choose whether or not to see sensitive media without the company actually taking down those posts. X believes that, while difficult, its in the publics interest to understand whats happening in real time, its statement said. The company said it is also removing newly created Hamas-affiliated accounts and working with other tech companies to try to prevent terrorist content from being distributed online. It said it is also continuing to proactively monitor for antisemitic speech as part of all our efforts. Plus weve taken action to remove several hundred accounts attempting to manipulate trending topics. Linda Yaccarino, whom Elon Musk named in May as the top executive at X, withdrew from an upcoming three-day tech conference where she was scheduled to speak, citing the need to focus on how the platform was handling the war. With the global crisis unfolding, Linda and her team must remain fully focused on X platform safety, X told the organizers of the WSJ Tech Live conference being held next week in Laguna Beach, California. (AP) Two veteran Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies were seriously hurt Tuesday when a fire broke out inside a trailer serving as a mobile shooting range north of Los Angeles, authorities said. The deputies were listed in critical but stable condition after being burned in the approximately 50-foot (15-meter) trailer, prompting Sheriff Robert Luna to close other mobile ranges countywide as investigators look into what caused the blaze. We need to know why it happened and get to the bottom of it so we prevent it from happening again, Luna said during a news conference at the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where the deputies were initially treated. They were later transferred to LA General Medical center for further treatment. Luna did not immediately release the names of the deputies. He said one has been with the department for 21 years and the other has 17 years of service. Crews fought the fire for more than four hours, beginning around 9:30 a.m., and were still working to extinguish it as of late afternoon, according to a sheriffs department statement. They were challenged by live ammunition still inside the trailer that posed extreme danger, Luna said. The shooting range is located on a sprawling campus in Castaic, a community roughly 35 miles (55 kilometers) northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The campus also houses the Pitchess Detention Center, a county jail that was placed on lockdown as a precaution. No incarcerated people were threatened by the flames, the sheriff said. The trailer had two firing lanes inside and one of the deputies was participating in firearms qualification, which the department requires deputies to do once a quarter, Luna said. The fire department initially said it had received reports that four deputies were injured, though Luna later confirmed only two deputies were hurt. (AP) A Comprehensive Review of Advance Auto Parts Inc's Dividend Performance and Sustainability Advance Auto Parts Inc (NYSE:AAP) recently announced a dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on 2023-10-27, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-12. As investors anticipate this upcoming payment, the focus also shifts to the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using data from GuruFocus, let's delve into Advance Auto Parts Inc's dividend performance and evaluate its sustainability. What Does Advance Auto Parts Inc Do? Advance Auto Parts is a leading retailer of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories catering to do-it-yourself customers and third-party vehicle repair facilities in North America. As of the end of 2022, Advance operated 5,086 stores and serviced 1,311 independently owned Carquest stores. The company's Worldpac chain is a top distributor of imported original-equipment parts. In 2022, Advance derived 59% of its sales from commercial clients, with the remainder from DIY shoppers. Advance Auto Parts Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Advance Auto Parts Inc's Dividend History Advance Auto Parts Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2006, distributing dividends on a quarterly basis. The company has increased its dividend each year since 2006, earning it the title of a dividend achiever. This accolade is awarded to companies that have consistently increased their dividend each year for at least the past 17 years. Advance Auto Parts Inc's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Advance Auto Parts Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Advance Auto Parts Inc has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 9.15% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 1.91%. This indicates an expected decrease in dividend payments over the next 12 months. However, the company's current dividend yield of 9.15%, near a 10-year high, outperforms 93.31% of global competitors in the Retail - Cyclical industry, making it an attractive proposition for income investors. Story continues Over the past three years, Advance Auto Parts Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 192.40%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 106.30% per year. Over the past decade, Advance Auto Parts Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 32.30%. Based on the company's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Advance Auto Parts Inc stock as of today is approximately 341.91%. Advance Auto Parts Inc's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability The sustainability of a company's dividend can be evaluated by examining its 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, ensuring funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Advance Auto Parts Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.78, raising concerns about the sustainability of the company's dividend. Advance Auto Parts Inc's profitability rank of 8 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30 suggests good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook For dividends to be sustainable, a company must exhibit robust growth metrics. Advance Auto Parts Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests a positive growth trajectory relative to its competitors. The company's revenue per share and 3-year revenue growth rate indicate a strong revenue model, with revenue increasing by approximately 10.40% per year on average, outperforming approximately 69.34% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its ability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. Over the past three years, Advance Auto Parts Inc's earnings increased by approximately 6.50% per year on average, outperforming approximately 44.12% of global competitors. Additionally, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 8.50% outperforms approximately 51.36% of global competitors. Concluding Remarks In conclusion, while Advance Auto Parts Inc has a commendable dividend history and yield, the sustainability of its dividends is questionable given its current payout ratio. However, the company's profitability and growth metrics present a positive outlook. Thus, investors should weigh these factors carefully when considering Advance Auto Parts Inc for their portfolios. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined a meeting of more than 50 defense leaders from around the world, making a personal pitch Wednesday for military aid in the face of lagging political support in the United States and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israels war with Hamas. His presence underscored growing concerns about cracks in what has been staunch international backing for Kyiv in its war against Russias invasion, and worries that Ukrainian forces havent made measurable progress in the counteroffensive as winter closes in. Asked about concerns that Ukraine could get less military support because of the Mideast conflict, Zelenskyy said there is a very understandable volume that the U.S. and Europe can provide. Zelenskyy said he has asked that question himself, adding he thinks nobody really knows but he is still assuming U.S. and European support. As for the Israel complication, of course, everybodys afraid, and I think also Russias counting on it, on dividing support, Zelenskyy said in remarks at a news conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dismissed suggestions that support to Kyiv could suffer as the U.S. sends help to Israel. In terms of our ability to continue to support both the efforts in Ukraine and support the efforts in Israel as well absolutely, we can do both and we will do both, Austin said. The meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by the U.S., comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress has stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers to any increase in spending. Speaking as he entered NATO headquarters, Zelenskyy noted the Israel war and said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraines ongoing need for air defense systems and long-range missiles to push Russia out of our land. Next Monday, we will mark the 600th day of our resistance to Russias full scale aggression against our people, against Ukraine. And today, no one can say for sure how many more days we will have to defend our independence and to defend our identity, Zelenskyy told the gathering at the opening of the meeting. But we can already say several things which I think are important. First, Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, Russia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle. Austin told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv. A key demand has been more air defense systems and munitions. The energy, in my view, is still there, said Austin. And I will reassure them that we remain committed to this. Austin also announced that the U.S. will take on a new leadership role in the broader effort to build Ukraines air force, specifically with F-16 fighter jets. He said the U.S. will co-lead a coalition along with Denmark and Netherlands, and will help organize donation of the aircraft, plans to sustain and maintain them and pilot training. That training has already started in the U.S. Austin said the training will likely take months and it may not be until next spring that Ukraine is operating the F-16s. He asserted that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war. And he said allies are focusing not only on meeting Kyivs immediate needs but also on setting up plans to coordinate investments in Ukraines future force. This was also the first Ukraine contact group meeting for Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who started the job October 1. He said that additional commitments of weapons and conversations with allies convinced him were putting Ukraine in a good spot ahead of the winter fight. The contact group is the main forum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyivs war effort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering. Zelenskyy, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immediately into a private session with Austin and Brown. Speaking to reporters as he came in, Zelenskyy reiterated his countrys need for long-range missiles and ammunition. Its very important that there are priorities. There are air defense systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them, Zelenskyy said. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. The new package of U.S. aid includes AIM-9M missiles that Austin said will be used with a new surface-to-air missile defense system that the U.S. will soon deliver to Ukraine. In addition, the U.S. will provide counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armor systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, so will be taken from Pentagon stocks and sent to the battlefield. Later in the day Zelenskyy spoke by video to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other top finance officials who met to discuss economic aid to Ukraine at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. Yellen said she believes there is bipartisan support to fund Ukraine and provide resources to Israel, but added, I cant tell you precisely what the timetable is for getting this done. Other nations also announced new support for Ukraine. Belgiums defense minister, Ludovine Dedonder, said Belgium will deliver F-16s to Ukraine and provide technical and maintenance assistance, but they wont be sent before 2025. She said the number of aircraft will depend on how soon Belgium gets its new F-35s. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the Netherlands will make three unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drone systems available to monitor NATOs eastern flank for at least six months beginning in the first quarter of 2024. The drones will operate out of Campia Turzii airbase in Romania and be used to gather intelligence. (AP) CNN host Anderson Cooper, who is a seasoned war correspondent, broke into tears as he listened to an Israeli woman, Yifat Zailer, speak about her cousin, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, who was taken as a captive by Hamas terrorists along with her children. Shiri Bibas, in her 30s, was seen in a heartrending video being led into captivity by Hamas terrorists while holding her two small children Kfir, 3, and Ariel, 9 months. Shiris husband, Yarden, and her parents Yossi and Margit, in their late 60s, are missing and are believed to have been abducted to Gaza as well. Margit has Parkinsons disease and needs medication to control it. In another CNN interview, White House spokesperson John Kirby choked up while talking to Jane Tapper about the images of atrocities perpetrated by the Hamas terrorists. The video will not be posted here due to the graphic content it discusses. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) For Palestinians in Gaza, Israels eyes are never very far away. Surveillance drones buzz constantly from the skies. The highly-secured border is awash with security cameras and soldiers on guard. Intelligence agencies work sources and cyber capabilities to draw out a bevy of information. But Israels eyes appeared to have been closed in the lead-up to an unprecedented onslaught by the militant Hamas group, which broke down Israeli border barriers and sent hundreds of militants into Israel to carry out a brazen attack that has killed hundreds and pushed the region toward conflict. Israels intelligence agencies have gained an aura of invincibility over the decades because of a string of achievements. Israel has foiled plots seeded in the West Bank, allegedly hunted down Hamas operatives in Dubai and has been accused of killing Iranian nuclear scientists in the heart of Iran. Even when their efforts have stumbled, agencies like the Mossad, Shin Bet and military intelligence have maintained their mystique. But the weekends assault, which caught Israel off guard on a major Jewish holiday, plunges that reputation into doubt and raises questions about the countrys readiness in the face of a weaker but determined foe. Over 48 hours later, Hamas militants continued to battle Israeli forces inside Israeli territory, and dozens of Israelis were in Hamas captivity in Gaza. This is a major failure, said Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This operation actually proves that the (intelligence) abilities in Gaza were no good. Amidror declined to offer an explanation for the failure, saying lessons must be learned when the dust settles. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, acknowledged the army owes the public an explanation. But he said now is not the time. First, we fight, then we investigate, he said. Some say it is too early to pin the blame solely on an intelligence fault. They point to a wave of low-level violence in the West Bank that shifted some military resources there. But the apparent lack of prior knowledge of Hamas plot will likely be seen as a prime culprit in the chain of events that led to the deadliest attack against Israelis in decades. Israel withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005, stripping it of a close handle on the happenings in the territory. But even after Hamas overran Gaza in 2007, Israel appeared to maintain its edge, using technological and human intelligence. It claimed to know the precise locations of Hamas leadership and appeared to prove it through the assassinations of militant leaders in surgical strikes, sometimes while they slept in their bedrooms. Israel has known where to strike underground tunnels used by Hamas to ferry around fighters and arms, destroying miles (kilometers) of the concealed passageways. Despite those abilities, Hamas was able to keep its plan under wraps. The ferocious attack, which likely took months of planning and meticulous training and involved coordination among multiple militant groups, appeared to have gone under Israels intelligence radar. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, said that without a foothold inside Gaza, Israels security services have come to rely increasingly on technological means to gain intelligence. He said militants in Gaza have found ways to evade that technological intelligence gathering, giving Israel an incomplete picture of their intentions. The other side learned to deal with our technological dominance and they stopped using technology that could expose it, said Avivi, who served as a conduit for intelligence materials under a former military chief of staff. Avivi is president and founder of Israel Defense and Security Forum, a hawkish group of former military commanders. Theyve gone back to the Stone Age, he said, explaining that militants werent using phones or computers and were conducting their sensitive business in rooms specially guarded from technological espionage or going underground. But Avivi said the failure extends beyond just intelligence gathering and Israels security services failed to put together an accurate picture from the intelligence they were receiving, based on what he said was a misconception surrounding Hamas intentions. Israels security establishment has in recent years increasingly seen Hamas as an actor interested in governing, seeking to develop Gazas economy and improving the standard of living of Gazas 2.3 million people. Avivi and others say the truth is that Hamas, which calls for Israels destruction, still sees that aim as its priority. Israel in recent years has allowed up to 18,000 Palestinian laborers from Gaza to work in Israel, where they can earn a salary about 10 times higher than in the impoverished coastal enclave. The security establishment saw that carrot as a way to maintain relative calm. In practice, hundreds if not thousands of Hamas men were preparing for a surprise attack for months, without that having leaked, wrote Amos Harel, a defense commentator, in the daily Haaretz. The results are catastrophic. Allies who share intelligence with Israel said security agencies were misreading reality. An Egyptian intelligence official said Egypt, which often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, had spoken repeatedly with the Israelis about something big, without elaborating. He said Israeli officials were focused on the West Bank and played down the threat from Gaza. Martin Indyk, who served as a special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations during the Obama administration, said internal divisions over the legal changes was an aggravating factor that contributed to the Israelis being caught off guard. That roiled the IDF in a way that was, I think, we discovered was a huge distraction, he said. (AP) Tragically, with the death toll in Israel at over 1,000 victims, painful shailos have arisen about kevurah, especially since many of the bodies were discovered and removed many hours and even days after they were murdered due to the risky security situation in Gaza border communities. An emergency meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the office of Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef with the participation of Religious Affairs Minister Michoel Malchieli, the head of his office, and a representative of the Rabbanut. At the end of the discussion, HaRav Yosef published a letter with his piskei halacha. The first question dealt with the request of families to be meikel in the process of identification in order to bring their relatives to kevurah as quickly as possible. HaRav Yosef responded: The matter is clear that despite the immense pain, bodies should under no circumstances be released for kevurah without complete and definite identification. Adarabah, kvodo shel hameis requires definite identification both from a halachic viewpoint due to the fear of aginus and from a pathological viewpoint, and one should not rush and bring to kevurah without this identification. The second shaila was regarding the possibility of carrying out a temporary kevurah of the murdered victims from the Gaza border communities in light of the risk of holding levayos with many participants in the area. HaRav Yosef responded: The matter is clear that as much as possible, the solution of temporary kevurah should not be used, even if it means that the levayos will be held with just a minyan of people or if some of the family members are in captivity and cannot participate because there are many obstacles, many problems, and serious harm to the kavod of the meis. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The night was a getaway. Thousands of young Israelis gathered at a vast field in southern Israel near the Gaza border. The attack on the open-air Tribe of Nova music festival is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history, with at least 260 dead and a still undetermined number taken hostage. Dozens of Hamas terrorists who had blown through Israels heavily fortified separation fence and crossed into the country from Gaza opened fire on about 3,500 young Israelis. The Associated Press reviewed more than a dozen videos taken during the massacre and interviewed survivors to reconstruct how the deadly attack unfolded. The party was held in a dusty field outside of Kibbutz Reim, about 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometers) from the wall that separates Gaza from southern Israel. We were hiding and running, hiding and running, in an open field the worst place you could possibly be in that situation, said Arik Nani from Tel Aviv, who had gone to the party to celebrate his 26th birthday. For a country where everyone in these circles knows everyone, this is a trauma like I could never imagine. While rockets rained down, revelers said, terrorists converged on the festival site while others waited near bomb shelters, gunning down people who were seeking refuge. Many of the terrorists, who arrived in trucks and on motorcycles, were wearing body armor and brandishing AK-47 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. Videos compiled by Israeli first responders and posted to the social media site Telegram show armed men plunging into the panicked crowd, mowing down fleeing revelers with bursts of automatic fire. Many victims were shot in the back as they ran. Israeli communities on either side of the festival grounds also came under attack, with Hamas gunmen abducting dozens of men, women and children including elderly and disabled people and killing scores of others in Saturdays unprecedented surprise attack. The staggering toll from the festival was becoming clear Monday, as Israels rescue service Zaka said paramedics had recovered at least 260 bodies. Festival organizers said they were helping Israeli security forces locate attendees who were still missing. The death toll could rise as teams continue to clear the area. As the carnage unfolded before her, Alper pulled a few disoriented-looking revelers into her car from the street and accelerated in the opposite direction. One of them said he had lost his wife in the chaos and Alper had to stop him from breaking out of the car to find her. Another said she had just seen Hamas gunmen shoot and kill her best friend. Another rocked in his seat, murmuring over and over, We are going to die. In the rear-view mirror, Alper watched the dance floor where she had spent the past ecstatic hours transform into a giant cloud of black smoke. Festival-goers who managed to make it to the road and parking lot where their vehicles were parked found themselves trapped in a traffic jam, with terrorists stalking the cars and spraying those inside with gunfire. Drone footage of the scene taken after the attack and reviewed by the AP show chaotic lines of cars where drivers had attempted to flee. Some burned-out vehicles were flipped onto their sides, while others had bullet holes visible in shattered windows. Nowhere was safe, Alper said. The roar of explosions, hysterical screams and automatic gunfire felt closer the further she drove. When a man just meters away shouted Allahu Akbar! Alper and her new companions sprung out of the car and sprinted through open fields toward a mass of bushes. Alper felt a bullet whiz past her left ear. Aware the gunmen would outrun her, she plunged into a tangle of shrubs. Peering through thorns, she said she saw one of her passengers, the girl who had lost her friend, shriek and collapse as a gunman stood over her limp body, grinning. I cant even explain the energy they (the terrorists) had. It was so clear they didnt see us as human beings, she said. They looked at us with pure, pure hate. Videos show the gunmen executed some of the wounded at point-blank range as they crouched on the ground. Some of the militants even rifled through the vehicles of their victims, grabbing purses and backpacks. An unknown number of people from the festival were taken hostage. A video posted to social media by terrorists and verified by the AP shows an Israeli couple, Noa Argamani and her partner Avinatan Or, being dragged away by their captors. Argamani, her face contorted in panic, shouts No, no! in Hebrew while being forced onto a motorbike, sandwiched between two gunmen. She reaches out for Or, whose hands are bound behind his back as a group of militants march him forward. Their whereabouts are now unknown. But Hamas claims it is now holding more than 100 Israelis as hostages. On Monday, the group threatened to begin systematically killing captives if the Israeli military bombs Palestinian areas without warning. For over six hours, Alper and thousands of other concert attendees hid without help from the Israeli army as Hamas terrorists sprayed automatic gunfire and threw grenades. Her limbs were so contorted into a tangled mess in the bush that she couldnt wiggle her toes. At different points, she heard terrorists speak in Arabic just beside her. A yoga devotee who practices meditation, Alper said she focused on her breath breathing and praying in every way I knew possible. Every time I thought of anger, or fear or revenge, I breathed it out, she said. I tried to think of what I was grateful for the bush that hid me so well that even birds landed on it, the birds that were still singing, the sky that was so blue. A tank instructor in the Israeli army, Alper knew she was safe when she heard a different kind of explosion the sound of an Israeli army tank round. She shouted for help and soon soldiers were lifting her out of the bush. Around her lay the lifeless body of one of her friends. The girl from her car she had seen collapse was nowhere to be found; she believes that Hamas terrorists took her into Gaza. Alper said the Israeli army, on its way to fight Hamas terrorists in the hard-hit kibbutz of Beeri near the Gaza border, was at a loss as to know what to do with her. At that moment, a pick-up truck full of Palestinian citizens of Israel pulled up. The men from the Bedouin city of Rahat were scouring the area to help rescue Israeli survivors. Helping Alper into their car, they drove her to the police station, where she collapsed, crying, into her fathers arms. This is not just war. This is hell, Alper said. But in that hell I still feel that somehow, we can choose to act out of love, and not just fear. (AP) Likud MK and former UN ambassador to the UN Danny Danon spoke to i24 News about the need to eliminate Hamas in the wake of the unspeakable atrocities its terrorists perpetrated. Danon said that even if Israelis will have to spend prolonged periods of time in bomb shelters, the war against Hamas will continue. He added that it wasnt only Hamas terrorists who perpetrated the assault, saying that the terrorists were the first to enter Israel but then ordinary people came from Gaza into the communities and committed atrocities. Since the days of the Holocaust, we havent seen such horrible pictures, he said. Danon added that unfortunately more horrible pictures will be exposed. Were slowly exposing the information its beyond the imagination. We are fighting pure evil, Danon asserted, and I expect the international community to support us all the way. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The situation on Israels northern border escalated on Wednesday after an anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF near the Lebanese border. Shortly later, the IDF spokesperson said that dozens of fighter jets carried out strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon A short while ago, a launch of an anti-tank guided missile from Lebanon toward a military post adjacent to the community of Arab al-Aramshe on the Lebanese border was identified, the IDF said in a statement. Hezbollah issued a statement saying that the attack was a response to the deaths of three of its members on Monday. Hezbollah also fired an anti-tank guided missile at an IDF tank near the border on Tuesday evening. Fortunately, it was empty at the time. Israel is preparing for a possible battle on a second front and some Israeli yishuvim on the northern border have reportedly been ordered to evacuate their homes. Also, the Galil Hospital in Nahariya transferred its patients to an underground facility. Rambam Hospital in Haifa has also prepared its underground facilities in preparation for war. US President Joe Biden warned Iran and Hezbollah of joining the war against Israel in his speech on Tuesday. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A terrorist opened fire at Israeli security forces at the tunnels checkpoint in southern Jerusalem. The force returned fire and neutralized the terrorists. Paramedics administered medical aid to a 20-year-old Israeli and evacuated him to Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem. The police closed the highway to traffic. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A British Airways flight departing from London bound for Tel Aviv abruptly reversed course just prior to its scheduled landing at Ben Gurion Airport, apparently retracing its path towards the United Kingdom. The airline attributed this sudden change in plans to heightened security concerns. In light of the ongoing conflict that erupted following Hamass aggressive incursion on Saturday, numerous international airlines have opted to cancel flights to and from Israel. Despite British Airways maintaining its operations until that point, it subsequently declared the suspension of its services to Israel shortly after the flight diversion. In a statement, British Airways said: Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation were suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Chaim VChessed reports that efforts of Jewish organizations to assist Americans stranded in Israel have seemingly borne fruit. In recent moments, the US state Department contacted US citizens abroad with a surprising message: In the coming days, the Department of State will be assisting with transportation of US citizens seeking to exit Israel. These options will include air and sea travel. Citizens will be not be transported to the USA. Rather, they will be deposited at various locations, presumably in Europe. They will need to make their own way home from there. Messages announcing this scheme were sent to those citizens who had registered with the State Department, as recommended by Chaim VChessed on Monday. Those receiving the emails are instructed to reply to the message if they are interested in participating. Chaim VChessed has learned that details of this plan will be finalized in the coming hours and days. Series A Round provides Goodwrx with funding to hire new employees, expand its marketing efforts, further develop product features LAS VEGAS, October 11, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Advantage Capital, a leading impact investing firm, today announced a $4 million investment in Goodwrx--a Las Vegas-based company providing a tech-enabled platform that pairs hospitality workers with employers looking to supplement their existing workforce. Goodwrx platform offers a solution to a problem rooted in an historically inefficient hospitality labor market. The platform allows employers to staff shifts that might otherwise go unfilled and provides hospitality workers more opportunity to reach full employment. "We want to offer people greater access to good work, and hospitality provides the ability to have access to good workers," said Nathan Armogan, CEO, Goodwrx. "Our platform solves a decades long problem by connecting workers and employers in real time, allowing both to benefit. We are fortunate to have found a capital partner, who along with our other valued partners, share our vision to reshape the gig economy and provide quality outcomes for both workers and businesses. With this investment, we will be able to expand our services, reaching a larger labor pool and allow people to find good paying jobs throughout the country." Since launching the platform in 2021, Goodwrx has seen a large uptake in usage by many of the major regional and national players across the Leisure, Travel and Hospital industry spectrum. Businesses leveraging the application are finding great success. "By providing some of the highest fill rates in the industry, we have earned our spot as the properties single source of contract labor. Whether they need cooks, servers, dishwashers, bartenders, porters, front desk agent, etc. we have the citywide extra board that connects businesses to the best talent in the industry," said Teri Chan Palomaki, CFO, Goodwrx. Story continues "Goodwrx platform is highly innovative and is a great asset for employers and employees in the hospitality industry," said Leah Hendricks, Senior Vice President, Advantage Capital. "Additionally, it is the kind of growth-ready business we are looking for when we invest. On top of a great business model, the company is creating a significant impact by connecting people to strong employment opportunities." Goodwrx CTO Ivan Ignatyev added, "This infusion of capital will allow us to enhance our platform and accelerate the introduction of new features in our product roadmap, that will benefit our employees and our business clients alike. I could not be more excited about this incredible milestone in our companys journey." To facilitate the investment, the Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) helped connect Advantage Capital and Goodwrx. The deal was also made in connection with the Federal New Markets Tax Credit Programan economic development program that helps drive capital to small businesses in distressed communities. "One of the ways SBDC helps to incubate and expand our growing technology ecosystem in the State of Nevada is through the development of public/private partnerships," said Albert Delgado, SBDC Project Manager for the UNLV Office of Economic Development. "We are glad to have introduced Goodwrx to this investment team to help build a stronger workforce here in Las Vegas." About Advantage Capital Advantage Capital provides financing to established and emerging companies located in communities underserved by conventional sources of capital. Since 1992, the firm has invested more than $4.1 billion in companies from a diverse array of industry sectors and has helped support more than 67,000 jobs. Learn more at advantagecap.com, or via Twitter or LinkedIn. About Goodwrx Rapidly proliferating gig economy technology has created immense economic benefits, but the distribution of these benefits hasnt always been equitable. Goodwrx believes that the gig economy has to evolve and embrace the values of labor empowerment and equity. The company offers a viable alternative through a labor-centric shift-based model. As W-2 employees, individuals can increase their income and enjoy better working conditions, while businesses meet critical staffing needs dynamically. Goodwrx: "Let Good Work Find U." More about Goodwrx can be found at goodwrx.com. Advantage Capital is an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Such registration, however, does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This release has been prepared for informational purposes and to announce a prior event, and nothing herein should be construed as an offer of investment advisory services or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities or investment product. All offers of investment interests in any fund or investment vehicle managed directly or indirectly by Advantage Capital are and will be made only to qualified prospective investors pursuant to separate and definitive offering and subscription documents in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Advantage Capital is an equal opportunity provider. Any third-party statements herein are by persons other than current clients or investors in any private fund directly or indirectly managed by Advantage Capital, and although Advantage Capital did invest cash funds in Goodwrx through the federal New Markets Tax Credit program and the Nevada New Markets Jobs Act, Nathan Armogan (Goodwrx CEO) has not received any direct compensation, whether in cash or non-cash form, for the statements or opinions expressed herein. There are no known material conflicts of interest on the part of any third party making or expressing such statements or opinions resulting from such party's relationship with Advantage Capital or from Advantage Capitals cash investment in Goodwrx or participation in any federal or state tax credit program. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010951797/en/ Contacts Advantage Capital Joe Stosberg, Communications Manager jstosberg@advantagecap.com Sponsored Content Shabbat morning at 6:20am Israel was targeted by Hamas terrorists who crossed its border, infiltrating 25 towns, resulting in hundreds killed, many people kidnapped, and many more injured. At the same time, thousands of rockets were launched into Israel, reaching Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. A state of war has been declared by Israels Defense Minister. Click Here Now To Donate! In response, United Hatzalah has called in 30 additional dispatchers and mobilized our operations team. As of this morning, our medics have treated more than 1,000 soldiers, adults, and children. We are launching an emergency appeal to raise funds for desperately needed supplies to provide our volunteers the equipment they need to save lives and the protective equipment to keep themselves safe protective vests and helmets, oxygen tanks, defibrillators, trauma bandages and tourniquets Our existing inventory of medical supplies and equipment that was supposed to be sufficient for the next year is now completely depleted, and we need to order more. These supplies can be ordered and delivered over the course of the next week to ensure that UH volunteers have everything they need to respond to the ongoing attacks. Our medics are on the front line and in need of support and reinforcements as they respond to lifesaving calls. Click Here Now To Donate! Our Impact To Date: 1,500 volunteers in the southern region 25 ambulances 2 helicopters 300 people transported to hospitals in our ambulances Treated over 1,000 people in the field CLICK LINK BELOW TO DANATE GENROSLEY!! WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!! DONATE HERE Israel finds itself in an unconscionable war. In the last few days, the country has suffered unprecedented rocket bombardments as well as horrific terrorist attacks & abductions. Over 900 lives have been lost, with many more injured or unaccounted for. Families have been fleeing the countrys south with nothing but the clothes on their back. Peoples homes have been destroyed by rockets, parents are not working, and the traumatic impact is beyond imaginable. The enormous needs that are required and will be required in the coming weeks and months are just beginning to trickle in. Thousands of displaced families, countless new almanos and yesomim, and an endless amount of trauma will follow. American Friends of Yad Eliezer/Bezri has been at the forefront of alleviating suffering during many of Israels most trying times. Whether the Intifada, Gaza War, Corona or Meron, we have always been there to help those that need it most. However, American Friends of Yad Eliezer will be there long after the initial shock of this horrific war wears off. The Almanos and Yesomim that were created will remain just that, once life begins to stabilize in the country. Those who found it difficult to put food on their table before this Simchas Torah will find it so much harder once they are able to return home. Many of the cities that were hardest hit are the poorest cities in Israel. The needs in these cities will be exponentially higher after the skies clear and we will be there to help pick up the pieces along with these families. While the IDF is doing everything possible to provide for the soldiers, the logistical challenges they are facing is simply daunting. The focus of the IDF has been and needs to be dealing with the war effort and trying to save hostages and other lives. Water canteens, cell phone battery packs, personal hygiene products, as well as many other critical products are needed for our soldiers. We applaud all those individuals and organizations that are out there assisting our troops. The most powerful war weapon any army has ever had belongs to the Israeli military, and that is the Jewish Nation. No other nation can lay claim to the unparalleled chesed and support that We show to each other. Through our learning, prayers and acts of kindness, let us go into this war confident that Hashem will be there alongside our troops, will be there to lift up the countless Almanos and Yesomim and be there for all of Acheinu Bnei Yisroel. Please help us bring urgent relief to Israeli families. Join us as we Stand With Israel. https://www.charidy.com/YadEliezer StockNews.com cut shares of Robert Half (NYSE:RHI Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Saturday. A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on RHI. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Robert Half in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Robert Half from $88.00 to $82.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Robert Half from $63.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Redburn Partners initiated coverage on shares of Robert Half in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued a neutral rating and a $76.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on Robert Half from $63.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.22. Get Robert Half alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on RHI Robert Half Stock Performance RHI opened at $76.66 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $74.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $73.78. Robert Half has a fifty-two week low of $64.65 and a fifty-two week high of $89.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.32 and a beta of 1.29. Robert Half (NYSE:RHI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The business services provider reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.13). Robert Half had a return on equity of 34.51% and a net margin of 7.84%. The firm had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.69 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.60 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Robert Half will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current year. Robert Half Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 25th were paid a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 24th. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.50%. Robert Halfs dividend payout ratio is presently 38.10%. Insider Activity at Robert Half In related news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 2,050 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.15, for a total transaction of $152,007.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 12,934 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $959,056.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Robert Half news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 2,050 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.15, for a total value of $152,007.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 12,934 shares in the company, valued at approximately $959,056.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Robert W. Glass sold 14,751 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.15, for a total value of $1,108,537.65. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 209,927 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,776,014.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Robert Half Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in RHI. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its holdings in shares of Robert Half by 107,547.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 56,186,845 shares of the business services providers stock worth $4,226,375,000 after purchasing an additional 56,134,650 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Robert Half by 116,277.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,941,582 shares of the business services providers stock worth $586,327,000 after purchasing an additional 7,934,758 shares during the period. Capital World Investors purchased a new position in shares of Robert Half during the 1st quarter worth $636,060,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Robert Half by 173.4% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,491,723 shares of the business services providers stock worth $200,758,000 after purchasing an additional 1,580,365 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Robert Half by 2,249.5% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,597,852 shares of the business services providers stock worth $117,969,000 after purchasing an additional 1,529,845 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.63% of the companys stock. About Robert Half (Get Free Report) Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Olo Inc. (NYSE:OLO Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $10.42. OLO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on OLO from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on OLO in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on OLO from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on OLO from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on OLO from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Get OLO alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on OLO Insider Buying and Selling Hedge Funds Weigh In On OLO In related news, General Counsel Robert Morvillo sold 4,421 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.20, for a total transaction of $27,410.20. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 78,638 shares in the company, valued at $487,555.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . In related news, General Counsel Robert Morvillo sold 4,421 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.20, for a total transaction of $27,410.20. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 78,638 shares in the company, valued at $487,555.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, COO Joanna G. Lambert sold 7,113 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.20, for a total value of $44,100.60. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 672,737 shares in the company, valued at $4,170,969.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders sold 111,831 shares of company stock valued at $742,106. Insiders own 39.12% of the companys stock. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Portside Wealth Group LLC bought a new position in OLO during the second quarter valued at about $258,000. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its stake in shares of OLO by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 121,178 shares of the companys stock valued at $783,000 after purchasing an additional 3,978 shares during the period. Nuveen Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of OLO by 9.0% in the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 1,125,329 shares of the companys stock worth $7,270,000 after buying an additional 93,148 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its holdings in shares of OLO by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 94,592 shares of the companys stock worth $611,000 after buying an additional 3,692 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its holdings in shares of OLO by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 855,593 shares of the companys stock worth $5,527,000 after buying an additional 16,550 shares in the last quarter. 81.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. OLO Trading Up 4.4 % OLO opened at $5.96 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $973.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.06 and a beta of 1.21. OLO has a 1 year low of $5.62 and a 1 year high of $9.55. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $6.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.85. OLO (NYSE:OLO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.05) by $0.01. OLO had a negative return on equity of 4.19% and a negative net margin of 26.19%. The company had revenue of $55.25 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $53.22 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that OLO will post -0.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About OLO (Get Free Report Olo Inc operates an open SaaS platform for restaurants in the United States. The company's platform enables on-demand digital commerce operations, which cover digital ordering, delivery, front-of-house management, and payments. Its solutions include Order, a suite of solutions powering restaurant brands' on-demand commerce operations, enabling digital ordering, delivery, and channel management through ordering, dispatch, rails, switchboard, network, virtual brands, kiosk, catering, and sync modules; Engage, a suite of restaurant-centric marketing solutions optimizing guest lifetime value by strengthening and enhancing the restaurants' direct guest relationships, through the guest data platform, marketing, sentiment, and host modules; and Pay, a frictionless payment platform that enables restaurants to grow and protect their digital business through customer payment experience that offers advanced fraud prevention to improve authorization rates for valid transactions, and increase basket conversion through its Olo Pay module. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for OLO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OLO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookfield Renewable (NYSE:BEPC Get Free Report) and Kansai Electric Power (OTCMKTS:KAEPY Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, valuation and dividends. Institutional and Insider Ownership 66.2% of Brookfield Renewable shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Brookfield Renewable alerts: Valuation & Earnings This table compares Brookfield Renewable and Kansai Electric Powers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Brookfield Renewable $4.71 billion 0.91 $1.50 billion ($0.60) -39.78 Kansai Electric Power N/A N/A N/A ($61.46) N/A Profitability Brookfield Renewable has higher revenue and earnings than Kansai Electric Power. Brookfield Renewable is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kansai Electric Power, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares Brookfield Renewable and Kansai Electric Powers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Brookfield Renewable 6.43% 1.98% 0.73% Kansai Electric Power N/A N/A N/A Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Brookfield Renewable and Kansai Electric Power, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Brookfield Renewable 0 0 1 0 3.00 Kansai Electric Power 0 0 0 0 N/A Brookfield Renewable presently has a consensus target price of $34.00, suggesting a potential upside of 42.44%. Summary Brookfield Renewable beats Kansai Electric Power on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Brookfield Renewable (Get Free Report) Brookfield Renewable Corporation owns and operates a portfolio of renewable power and sustainable solution assets primarily in the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Brazil. It operates hydroelectric, wind, and solar power plants with an installed capacity of approximately 12,857 megawatts. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in New York, New York. About Kansai Electric Power (Get Free Report) The Kansai Electric Power Company, Incorporated engages in electricity, gas and heat supply, and telecommunication businesses in Japan. It operates through four segments: Energy Business, Power Transmission and Distribution Business, Information and Communication Business, and Life and Business Solution Business. The company generates power from thermal, hydropower, wind, biomass, and nuclear power generation plants. It is also involved in the power transmission and distribution business; provision of information and communication services for homes and businesses under the eo Hikari brand; mobile business under the mineo business; corporate solution business; and real estate leasing, sale, and management activities; and leisure, leasing, call center management, medical and health care, and home security businesses. In addition, the company engages in the designing, construction, operation, maintenance, and management of power generation, power distribution, electrical, and information communication facilities, and information and communication equipment; telephone pole advertisement; manufacture, supply, and sale of gas; manufacture and sale of power distribution equipment, such as overhead wire hardware, insulators/bushings, steel pipe poles, concrete poles, etc.; housing equipment sales; remodeling work; and passenger/freight transportation. Further, it is involved in the survey and research on safety technology for nuclear power generation, survey/design /construction supervision related to civil engineering, etc.; acceptance/ storage/vaporization /delivery of LNG; condominium high-voltage batch power reception service business; fuel trading and transportation; and provision of survey, analysis, consulting, and construction services related to the environment, civil engineering, and architecture, as well as public relations and engineering services. The Kansai Electric Power Company, Incorporated was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sagen MI Canada (OTCMKTS:GMICF Get Free Report) and Ambac Financial Group (NYSE:AMBC Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership and profitability. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Sagen MI Canada and Ambac Financial Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Sagen MI Canada alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sagen MI Canada 0 0 0 0 N/A Ambac Financial Group 0 1 1 0 2.50 Ambac Financial Group has a consensus target price of $18.00, indicating a potential upside of 48.27%. Given Ambac Financial Groups higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Ambac Financial Group is more favorable than Sagen MI Canada. Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sagen MI Canada N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Ambac Financial Group $505.00 million 1.09 $521.00 million $10.25 1.18 This table compares Sagen MI Canada and Ambac Financial Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Ambac Financial Group has higher revenue and earnings than Sagen MI Canada. Institutional and Insider Ownership 81.7% of Ambac Financial Group shares are held by institutional investors. 3.4% of Ambac Financial Group shares are held by 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. Profitability This table compares Sagen MI Canada and Ambac Financial Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sagen MI Canada N/A N/A N/A Ambac Financial Group 111.98% 41.52% 6.14% Summary Ambac Financial Group beats Sagen MI Canada on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Sagen MI Canada (Get Free Report) Sagen MI Canada Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. It provides mortgage default insurance to residential mortgage homebuyers, lenders, brokers, and realtors. The company was formerly known as Genworth MI Canada Inc. and changed its name to Sagen MI Canada Inc. in February 2021. Sagen MI Canada Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Oakville, Canada. About Ambac Financial Group (Get Free Report) Ambac Financial Group, Inc. operates as a financial services holding company. It operates three businesses: Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance, Insurance Distribution, and Legacy Financial Guarantee (LFG) Insurance. The Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance business provides specialty property and casualty program insurance with a focus commercial and personal liability risks. The Insurance Distribution business includes the specialty property and casualty insurance distribution business, which includes managing general agents and underwriters, insurance wholesalers, brokers, and other distribution businesses. The LFG Insurance business offers financial guarantee insurance policies that provide an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee, which protects the holder of a debt obligation against non-payment when due of the principal and interest on the obligations guaranteed. The company was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Receive News & Ratings for Sagen MI Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sagen MI Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the twenty-three analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation, sixteen have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $264.09. A number of analysts recently issued reports on PXD shares. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Pioneer Natural Resources from $253.00 to $243.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Pioneer Natural Resources from $227.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 10th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Pioneer Natural Resources from $240.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and issued a $245.00 target price on shares of Pioneer Natural Resources in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Pioneer Natural Resources from $230.00 to $236.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Get Pioneer Natural Resources alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Pioneer Natural Resources Pioneer Natural Resources Price Performance Shares of PXD opened at $237.41 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $55.35 billion, a PE ratio of 10.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $233.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $218.68. Pioneer Natural Resources has a 1-year low of $177.26 and a 1-year high of $274.70. Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The oil and gas development company reported $4.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.12 by $0.37. Pioneer Natural Resources had a net margin of 28.46% and a return on equity of 25.53%. The firm had revenue of $4.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.68 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Pioneer Natural Resources will post 21.17 EPS for the current year. Pioneer Natural Resources Cuts Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 6th were issued a dividend of $1.84 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 5th. This represents a $7.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.10%. Pioneer Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.31%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pioneer Natural Resources Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PXD. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources by 148.3% in the first quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 149 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Ancora Advisors LLC lifted its position in Pioneer Natural Resources by 77.4% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 149 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in Pioneer Natural Resources during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources by 175.0% during the 1st quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 165 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.72% of the companys stock. About Pioneer Natural Resources (Get Free Report Pioneer Natural Resources Company operates as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company in the United States. The company explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and gas. It has operations in the Midland Basin in West Texas. Pioneer Natural Resources Company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Pioneer Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pioneer Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV Free Report) by 89.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 211,010 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 99,576 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund owned about 0.08% of Ovintiv worth $8,033,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of OVV. Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in shares of Ovintiv by 35.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 57,458 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,107,000 after acquiring an additional 14,978 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ovintiv during the first quarter worth $525,000. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ovintiv during the first quarter worth $715,000. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ovintiv during the first quarter worth $224,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Ovintiv by 45.7% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 15,605 shares of the companys stock worth $843,000 after buying an additional 4,895 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.30% of the companys stock. Get Ovintiv alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Steven W. Nance sold 1,201 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.65, for a total value of $58,428.65. Following the sale, the director now owns 20,929 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,018,195.85. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.91% of the companys stock. Ovintiv Stock Down 0.5 % OVV opened at $48.21 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The companys 50-day moving average is $47.25 and its 200 day moving average is $40.77. Ovintiv Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.07 and a fifty-two week high of $59.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.64, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 2.76. Ovintiv (NYSE:OVV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $0.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.11 billion. Ovintiv had a net margin of 28.27% and a return on equity of 16.27%. Research analysts expect that Ovintiv Inc. will post 6.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Ovintiv Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were given a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. Ovintivs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.06%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Ovintiv from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Ovintiv from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 18th. National Bankshares reduced their price target on shares of Ovintiv from $61.00 to $60.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Ovintiv from $62.00 to $66.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Ovintiv from $36.00 to $39.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $57.68. Get Our Latest Analysis on OVV Ovintiv Profile (Free Report) Ovintiv Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores, develops, produces, and markets natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids in the United States and Canada. It operates through USA Operations, Canadian Operations, and Market Optimization segments. The company's principal assets include Permian in west Texas and Anadarko in west-central Oklahoma; and Montney in northeast British Columbia and northwest Alberta. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ovintiv Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ovintiv and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CENTRAL TRUST Co lowered its position in shares of Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY Free Report) by 1.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 35,733 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Cos holdings in Weyerhaeuser were worth $1,197,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in Weyerhaeuser in the 2nd quarter worth about $216,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its holdings in shares of Weyerhaeuser by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 59,891 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,007,000 after purchasing an additional 3,011 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Weyerhaeuser by 126.3% during the second quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 125,938 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,224,000 after purchasing an additional 70,296 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its stake in Weyerhaeuser by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 45,340 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,519,000 after buying an additional 839 shares during the period. Finally, Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Weyerhaeuser in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.54% of the companys stock. Get Weyerhaeuser alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth WY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of Weyerhaeuser in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Truist Financial upped their price target on Weyerhaeuser from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. SpectralCast reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Weyerhaeuser in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. DA Davidson increased their price target on shares of Weyerhaeuser from $35.00 to $40.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Weyerhaeuser from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $34.00 to $38.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Weyerhaeuser currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $38.29. Insider Activity at Weyerhaeuser In other Weyerhaeuser news, SVP Denise M. Merle sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.29, for a total transaction of $242,175.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 147,601 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,766,036.29. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Weyerhaeuser Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of WY stock opened at $30.12 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.37 and a beta of 1.51. Weyerhaeuser has a 12-month low of $27.65 and a 12-month high of $36.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $32.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $31.34. Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.01 billion. Weyerhaeuser had a net margin of 8.80% and a return on equity of 8.32%. Weyerhaeusers quarterly revenue was down 36.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.06 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Weyerhaeuser will post 1.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Weyerhaeuser Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st were issued a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 31st. Weyerhaeusers payout ratio is presently 79.17%. Weyerhaeuser Company Profile (Free Report) Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Weyerhaeuser Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Weyerhaeuser and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC cut its holdings in shares of Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 35.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,419 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 794 shares during the quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Danaher were worth $337,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new position in shares of Danaher in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Chelsea Counsel Co. bought a new position in shares of Danaher during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new stake in Danaher in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners acquired a new stake in Danaher during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Stone House Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Danaher during the first quarter worth $32,000. 76.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Danaher alerts: Danaher Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DHR opened at $218.76 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.08, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $161.52 billion, a PE ratio of 25.68, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.81. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $249.49 and a 200-day moving average of $243.94. Danaher Co. has a 12 month low of $208.96 and a 12 month high of $281.54. Danaher Dividend Announcement Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The conglomerate reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.04. Danaher had a return on equity of 15.03% and a net margin of 20.95%. The firm had revenue of $7.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.76 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Danaher Co. will post 8.82 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 12th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 11th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.49%. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.68%. Insider Activity In related news, Director Teri List sold 3,490 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.30, for a total value of $918,917.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,606,170.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Danaher news, Director Teri List sold 3,490 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.30, for a total value of $918,917.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,494 shares in the company, valued at $4,606,170.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Joakim Weidemanis sold 22,439 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.42, for a total value of $5,910,881.38. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 88,689 shares in the company, valued at $23,362,456.38. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 47,922 shares of company stock worth $12,552,233. Corporate insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DHR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Danaher from $260.00 to $292.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Danaher from $285.00 to $247.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Danaher in a research note on Friday, October 6th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Raymond James boosted their price target on Danaher from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Danaher from $260.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Danaher currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $287.93. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DHR Danaher Profile (Free Report) Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has recently been in the spotlight, drawing interest from investors and financial analysts due to its robust financial stance. With shares currently priced at 140.45, Alphabet Inc has witnessed a daily gain of 1.73%, marked against a three-month change of 19.78%. A thorough analysis, underlined by the GF Score, suggests that Alphabet Inc is well-positioned for substantial growth in the near future. Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): A Deep Dive into Its Financial Strength and Growth Potential Understanding the GF Score The GF Score is a stock performance ranking system developed by GuruFocus using five aspects of valuation, which has been found to be closely correlated to the long-term performances of stocks by backtesting from 2006 to 2021. The stocks with a higher GF Score generally generate higher returns than those with a lower GF Score. Therefore, when picking stocks, investors should invest in companies with high GF Scores. The GF Score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 as the highest rank. Alphabet Inc's GF Score components are as follows: Each one of these components is ranked and the ranks also have positive correlation with the long term performances of stocks. The GF score is calculated using the five key aspects of analysis. Through backtesting, we know that each of these key aspects has a different impact on the stock price performance. Thus, they are weighted differently when calculating the total score. With high ranks in financial strength, profitability, and growth, and decent ranks in GF value and momentum, GuruFocus assigned Alphabet Inc the GF Score of 97 out of 100, which signals the highest outperformance potential. Alphabet Inc: A Snapshot of the Business Alphabet Inc, with a market cap of $1.78 trillion and sales of $289.53 billion, is a holding company with internet media giant Google as a wholly owned subsidiary. Google generates 99% of Alphabet's revenue, of which more than 85% is from online ads. Google's other revenue is from sales of apps and content on Google Play and YouTube, as well as cloud service fees and other licensing revenue. Sales of hardware such as Chromebooks, the Pixel smartphone, and smart home products, which include Nest and Google Home, also contribute to other revenue. Alphabet's moonshot investments are in its other bets segment, where it bets on technology to enhance health (Verily), provide faster internet access (Google Fiber), enable self-driving cars (Waymo), and more. Story continues Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): A Deep Dive into Its Financial Strength and Growth Potential Financial Strength Breakdown According to the Financial Strength rating, Alphabet Inc's robust balance sheet exhibits resilience against financial volatility, reflecting prudent management of capital structure. The Interest Coverage ratio for Alphabet Inc stands impressively at 237.41, underscoring its strong capability to cover its interest obligations. This robust financial position resonates with the wisdom of legendary investor Benjamin Graham, who favored companies with an interest coverage ratio of at least 5. With an Altman Z-Score of 11.46, Alphabet Inc exhibits a strong defense against financial distress, highlighting its robust financial stability. With a favorable Debt-to-Revenue ratio of 0.1, Alphabet Inc's strategic handling of debt solidifies its financial health. Profitability Rank Breakdown The Profitability Rank shows Alphabet Inc's impressive standing among its peers in generating profit. Alphabet Inc's Operating Margin has increased (11.07%) over the past five years, as shown by the following data: 2018: 23.82; 2019: 22.20; 2020: 22.59; 2021: 30.55; 2022: 26.46; . Alphabet Inc's strong Predictability Rank of 4.5 stars out of five underscores its consistent operational performance, providing investors with increased confidence. Growth Rank Breakdown Ranked highly in Growth, Alphabet Inc demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding its business. The company's 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate is 22.9%, which outperforms better than 72.67% of 516 companies in the Interactive Media industry. Moreover, Alphabet Inc has seen a robust increase in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) over the past few years. Specifically, the three-year growth rate stands at 21.8, and the rate over the past five years is 25.4. This trend accentuates the company's continued capability to drive growth. Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): A Deep Dive into Its Financial Strength and Growth Potential Conclusion Given Alphabet Inc's strong financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GF Score highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential outperformance. This analysis underscores Alphabet Inc's robust financial health and growth potential, making it a compelling investment opportunity for value investors. GuruFocus Premium members can find more companies with strong GF Scores using the following screener link: GF Score Screen This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Walker River Resources Corp. (CVE:WRR Get Free Report)s stock price fell 4% on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.12 and last traded at C$0.12. 6,615 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 88% from the average session volume of 54,102 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.13. Walker River Resources Stock Down 16.7 % The company has a market cap of C$4.03 million, a P/E ratio of -2.50 and a beta of 1.59. The firms 50-day moving average price is C$0.13 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.16. Walker River Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Walker River Resources Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the identification, exploration, acquisition, and evaluation of mineral properties in Canada. It holds 100% interests in the Lapon Canyon gold project with 147 claims, which covers an area of approximately 2940 acres located in Nevada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Walker River Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walker River Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ingalls & Snyder LLC reduced its position in shares of STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM Free Report) by 18.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 117,609 shares of the semiconductor producers stock after selling 26,052 shares during the period. Ingalls & Snyder LLCs holdings in STMicroelectronics were worth $5,879,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of STMicroelectronics by 6.7% during the second quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,918 shares of the semiconductor producers stock valued at $346,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its position in STMicroelectronics by 23.2% in the second quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 9,098 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $455,000 after acquiring an additional 1,712 shares during the period. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc bought a new stake in STMicroelectronics in the second quarter worth about $31,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its position in STMicroelectronics by 100.4% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 19,086 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $954,000 after acquiring an additional 9,563 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James & Associates raised its position in STMicroelectronics by 19.6% in the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 233,796 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $11,687,000 after acquiring an additional 38,260 shares during the period. 5.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get STMicroelectronics alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets STM has been the topic of several research reports. TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of STMicroelectronics from $56.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of STMicroelectronics in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of STMicroelectronics from an underperform rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $56.38. STMicroelectronics Price Performance STM stock opened at $45.16 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 2.67 and a quick ratio of 1.92. STMicroelectronics has a one year low of $29.09 and a one year high of $55.85. The stock has a market cap of $40.23 billion, a PE ratio of 9.70, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.63. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $47.09. STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The semiconductor producer reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.04). STMicroelectronics had a return on equity of 33.67% and a net margin of 25.36%. The company had revenue of $4.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.37 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.92 EPS. STMicroelectronicss quarterly revenue was up 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that STMicroelectronics will post 4.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. STMicroelectronics Company Profile (Free Report) STMicroelectronics N.V., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through Automotive and Discrete Group; Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group; and Microcontrollers and Digital ICs Group segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for STMicroelectronics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for STMicroelectronics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SigFig Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:JHEM Free Report) by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 14,938 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,376 shares during the period. SigFig Wealth Management LLC owned 0.06% of John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF worth $363,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its position in John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF by 345.7% during the first quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,560 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,210 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $69,000. Truadvice LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $303,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF by 26.8% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 14,895 shares of the companys stock worth $361,000 after purchasing an additional 3,151 shares during the last quarter. Get John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF alerts: John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of NYSEARCA:JHEM opened at $23.85 on Wednesday. John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF has a 12-month low of $20.97 and a 12-month high of $25.86. The companys 50 day moving average price is $24.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.44. The firm has a market cap of $643.95 million, a PE ratio of 9.49 and a beta of 0.76. About John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF The John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (JHEM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a multi-factor weighted index of large- and mid-cap stocks from emerging markets. JHEM was launched on Sep 27, 2018 and is managed by John Hancock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ceconomy AG (OTCMKTS:MTTRY Get Free Report) shares shot up 5.7% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $0.34 and last traded at $0.34. 382 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 4,396 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.33. Ceconomy Trading Up 10.6 % The businesss 50 day moving average is $0.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.47. About Ceconomy (Get Free Report) Ceconomy AG engages in the consumer electronics retail business. It operates stores under the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands. The company also offers professional assistance for the installation, connection, and troubleshooting of electronic devices at home under the Deutsche Technikberatung brand. It operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary, as well as in Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ceconomy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ceconomy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 20,038 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $3,581,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 8.3% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,429,111 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $181,182,000 after purchasing an additional 109,898 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 392,448 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $54,778,000 after buying an additional 19,635 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 112,149 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $21,882,000 after buying an additional 8,167 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 40.3% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 90,420 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $14,578,000 after acquiring an additional 25,978 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 3.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,930 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $10,133,000 after acquiring an additional 2,410 shares during the period. 11.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico alerts: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Price Performance PAC stock traded up $1.40 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $141.25. 20,789 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 64,685. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $174.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $180.42. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. has a 52-week low of $108.15 and a 52-week high of $200.85. The company has a market cap of $7.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.18, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.29. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Cuts Dividend Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico ( NYSE:PAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The transportation company reported $2.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $2.87. The company had revenue of $487.62 million during the quarter. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico had a net margin of 30.28% and a return on equity of 50.79%. As a group, analysts predict that Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. will post 10.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 11th will be issued a $2.1322 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 10th. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacificos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.41%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently commented on PAC shares. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Bank of America raised Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $150.50. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Profile (Free Report) Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, manages, operates, and develops airports primarily in Mexico's Pacific region. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC bought a new position in shares of HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 277,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,366,000. CWA Asset Management Group LLC owned 0.14% of HF Sinclair as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of DINO. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of HF Sinclair by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,799,193 shares of the companys stock valued at $796,789,000 after purchasing an additional 571,178 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair during the first quarter valued at about $539,533,000. State Street Corp purchased a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair in the first quarter worth about $308,240,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of HF Sinclair by 12.3% in the second quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 4,378,928 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,344,000 after acquiring an additional 480,061 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. purchased a new position in HF Sinclair during the first quarter valued at approximately $102,959,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.15% of the companys stock. Get HF Sinclair alerts: HF Sinclair Trading Down 0.9 % NYSE:DINO traded down $0.47 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $53.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 75,207 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,308,989. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 2.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.56, a PEG ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.36. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.16. HF Sinclair Co. has a 1 year low of $37.12 and a 1 year high of $66.19. HF Sinclair Announces Dividend HF Sinclair ( NYSE:DINO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The company reported $2.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.27 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $7.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.38 billion. HF Sinclair had a return on equity of 24.58% and a net margin of 6.87%. Research analysts expect that HF Sinclair Co. will post 10.23 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 17th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 16th. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.28%. Insider Transactions at HF Sinclair In other HF Sinclair news, EVP Valerie Pompa sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.89, for a total value of $284,450.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 20,217 shares in the company, valued at $1,150,145.13. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $68.00 to $67.00 in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on HF Sinclair from $62.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Bank of America upped their target price on HF Sinclair from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on HF Sinclair from $56.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $53.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.92. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on HF Sinclair About HF Sinclair (Free Report) HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. It produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. The company also owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DINO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HF Sinclair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HF Sinclair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH Free Report) by 0.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 135,124 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 268 shares during the quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC owned about 0.05% of Cardinal Health worth $12,779,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of CAH. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Cardinal Health by 53.6% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,616 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,452,000 after acquiring an additional 8,935 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in Cardinal Health by 4.8% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 37,071 shares of the companys stock worth $2,102,000 after purchasing an additional 1,702 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Cardinal Health in the 1st quarter worth about $212,000. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its stake in Cardinal Health by 6.7% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 11,769 shares of the companys stock valued at $667,000 after acquiring an additional 734 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in Cardinal Health by 6.4% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 472,799 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,792,000 after purchasing an additional 28,568 shares during the last quarter. 86.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Cardinal Health alerts: Insider Activity In other Cardinal Health news, insider Jessica L. Mayer sold 30,145 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.84, for a total value of $2,738,371.80. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 95,533 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,678,217.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Deborah Weitzman sold 6,712 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.81, for a total transaction of $602,804.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 44,202 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,969,781.62. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Jessica L. Mayer sold 30,145 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.84, for a total transaction of $2,738,371.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 95,533 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,678,217.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 95,052 shares of company stock valued at $8,401,034 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have commented on CAH shares. TheStreet downgraded Cardinal Health from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. Bank of America upped their target price on Cardinal Health from $91.00 to $99.00 in a research note on Monday, July 17th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Cardinal Health from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 16th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Cardinal Health from $92.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 16th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Cardinal Health in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Cardinal Health has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $94.69. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CAH Cardinal Health Stock Performance Shares of CAH traded down $0.64 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $90.97. The company had a trading volume of 180,285 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,315,148. Cardinal Health, Inc. has a 52 week low of $66.92 and a 52 week high of $95.45. The company has a market capitalization of $22.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 92.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.78. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $88.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $87.05. Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 15th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.06. Cardinal Health had a net margin of 0.13% and a negative return on equity of 67.01%. The business had revenue of $53.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $52.72 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.05 EPS. Cardinal Healths revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Cardinal Health, Inc. will post 6.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Cardinal Health Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 3rd will be given a $0.5006 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 2nd. Cardinal Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 202.02%. Cardinal Health Profile (Free Report) Cardinal Health, Inc operates as a healthcare services and products company in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It provides customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cardinal Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cardinal Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $19.36 and last traded at $19.12, with a volume of 100778 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.77. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $17.00 price target on shares of Coursera in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Coursera from $12.00 to $15.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $19.00 target price on shares of Coursera in a report on Friday, July 28th. KeyCorp lifted their price target on Coursera from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 28th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Coursera in a research report on Friday, July 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Coursera currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $18.78. Get Coursera alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on COUR Coursera Stock Performance The business has a fifty day moving average of $17.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.06. Coursera (NYSE:COUR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $153.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $145.71 million. Coursera had a negative net margin of 26.19% and a negative return on equity of 21.21%. Analysts anticipate that Coursera, Inc. will post -0.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Coursera In other Coursera news, CEO Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.35, for a total value of $917,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,646,854 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $48,569,770.90. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CRO Leah F. Belsky sold 38,107 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.54, for a total value of $592,182.78. Following the transaction, the executive now owns 998,043 shares in the company, valued at $15,509,588.22. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.35, for a total transaction of $917,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,646,854 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $48,569,770.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 756,004 shares of company stock valued at $12,036,658. 16.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Coursera Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in Coursera in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. FMR LLC lifted its stake in shares of Coursera by 187.5% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,366 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,543 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Coursera by 277.8% during the 1st quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,740 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 2,750 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new stake in Coursera during the 4th quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its holdings in Coursera by 108.2% in the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 4,810 shares of the companys stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. 64.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Coursera (Get Free Report) Coursera, Inc operates an online educational content platform that connects learners, educators, organizations, and institutions. It offers online courses that include data science, business, computer science, physical science and engineering, language learning, information technology, health, social sciences, math and logic, project management, and arts and humanities; campus student plans; degree courses; and certification education. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Coursera Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coursera and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Perimeter Solutions, SA (NYSE:PRM Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $3.47 and last traded at $3.50, with a volume of 273384 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.87. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently commented on PRM shares. UBS Group cut Perimeter Solutions from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $12.00 target price on shares of Perimeter Solutions in a research report on Monday, July 31st. Get Perimeter Solutions alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PRM Perimeter Solutions Price Performance The stock has a market cap of $551.99 million, a P/E ratio of 7.95 and a beta of 1.47. The companys 50 day moving average price is $5.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.09. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 3.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Perimeter Solutions (NYSE:PRM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The company reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.05). The company had revenue of $76.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $94.20 million. Perimeter Solutions had a negative return on equity of 5.18% and a net margin of 24.80%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Perimeter Solutions, SA will post -0.02 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Perimeter Solutions Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Carmel Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Perimeter Solutions during the 1st quarter valued at $65,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc bought a new stake in shares of Perimeter Solutions during the second quarter worth about $26,000. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of Perimeter Solutions by 12.1% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 44,793 shares of the companys stock worth $362,000 after acquiring an additional 4,848 shares during the last quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Perimeter Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at about $62,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in Perimeter Solutions by 142.6% in the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 7,416 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 4,359 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.04% of the companys stock. Perimeter Solutions Company Profile (Get Free Report) Perimeter Solutions, SA manufactures and supplies firefighting products and lubricant additives in the United States, Germany, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Fire Safety and Specialty Products. The Fire Safety segment provides fire retardants and firefighting foams, as well as specialized equipment and services for federal, state, provincial, local/municipal, and commercial customers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Perimeter Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perimeter Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cohen Lawrence B lessened its stake in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 10.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 77,290 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 8,573 shares during the quarter. Cohen Lawrence Bs holdings in Bank of America were worth $2,217,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Empirical Finance LLC increased its stake in shares of Bank of America by 11.0% in the 2nd quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 225,314 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,464,000 after acquiring an additional 22,332 shares during the last quarter. Moreno Evelyn V boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 1.4% during the second quarter. Moreno Evelyn V now owns 246,379 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,069,000 after purchasing an additional 3,520 shares in the last quarter. Rosenbaum Jay D. grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Rosenbaum Jay D. now owns 33,440 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $959,000 after buying an additional 770 shares during the period. Verus Financial Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Bank of America by 9.5% in the 2nd quarter. Verus Financial Partners Inc. now owns 11,536 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $371,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America during the 2nd quarter worth $330,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.06% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes BAC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a report on Tuesday. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Bank of America from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 price target on shares of Bank of America in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Bank of America from $35.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.32. Bank of America Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of NYSE BAC traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $27.16. The company had a trading volume of 5,973,013 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,508,371. The stock has a market capitalization of $215.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.36. Bank of America Co. has a 1-year low of $25.47 and a 1-year high of $38.60. The firms 50 day moving average is $28.72 and its 200-day moving average is $28.89. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.98 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 19.97% and a return on equity of 12.01%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.73 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of America Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 1st were paid a $0.24 dividend. This is a positive change from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.53%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 27.59%. Insider Activity In related news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total value of $2,449,332.88. Following the sale, the insider now owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,143,007.08. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Bank of America news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total value of $2,449,332.88. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at $11,143,007.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total transaction of $2,364,750.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 185,108 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,836,455.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. About Bank of America (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. - Altoo Insights brings existing and future clients, as well as the general public globally, closer to Altoo online - A digital news offering covering wealth management and lifestyle features for the ultra-wealthy and those supporting them - Over 500 original and high-quality articles in English, German, and French already accessible - Newsletter subscription available ZUG, Switzerland, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Altoo AG, a Swiss-based fintech that empowers investment professionals, family offices and individual ultra-high-net-worth clients to conveniently oversee their wealth through the cutting-edge Altoo Wealth Platform, announces the introduction of Altoo Insights. The news and features channel on the company's website aims to bring clients and the broader public closer to Altoo digitally and worldwide. Altoo Insights Altoo Insights is designed in line with the company's mission to deliver "Simplicity for Complex Wealth." Altoo Insights not only details information about the Altoo Wealth Platform but also serves as a comprehensive source for news and stories within the field of wealth management and beyond. They get macroeconomic updates and explore articles on ESG investing and philanthropy. Furthermore, art, travel, vehicles, and timepieces are among the lifestyle features that might assist affluent people enjoy their wealth. Readers will also delve into the cutting-edge topics of IT security and software-based digital wealth management solutions. Visitors can currently read almost 500 articles in English, German, and French. Meeting client needs Founded in 2017, the Zug-based wealth-tech company Altoo has been recognised as one of the best Digital Family Office Softwares in 2022 according to Forbes Magazine and a Top 5 "Growth Start-up" at the Swiss Fintech Awards 2023. During its six years of operation, Altoo established a clientele from over 20 countries and has become an industry-leading provider of digital wealth management services. Story continues Its continuous improvement and service evaluation revealed that the majority of Altoo customers' data consumption habits have shifted over time; they prefer to access information digitally and thus value additional wealth management information explained in digestible news format, as well as receiving regular updates on Altoo's business mission. Newsletter subscription now available Additionally, any Altoo website visitor may subscribe to the weekly email newsletter Altoo Insights Weekly News in Brief, which provides information about the company, the wealth management industry, and other relevant topics. Each Friday, this newsletter features a hand-picked list of the week's most interesting wealth and financial topics from across the world as well as content specifically curated for the ultra-wealthy. For more about Altoo, visit www.altoo.io. Link collection Company website: The Altoo Wealth Platform | Altoo AG Altoo Insights: Insights | Altoo AG Newsletter Subscription: Subscribe | Altoo AG Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244471/Altoo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244472/Altoo_Logo.jpg Media contact: Alexandra Sabolova press@altoo.io +41 58 502 25 25 Altoo Logo Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altoo-harnesses-the-world-of-knowledge-around-wealth-management-and-introduces-altoo-insights-301953850.html SOURCE Altoo AG Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, October 10th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.16 per share by the basic materials company on Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 25th. Commercial Metals has raised its dividend by an average of 6.5% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 2 years. Commercial Metals has a payout ratio of 10.5% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Commercial Metals to earn $6.60 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.64 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 9.7%. Get Commercial Metals alerts: Commercial Metals Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of CMC stock traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $48.72. 79,487 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 904,513. Commercial Metals has a fifty-two week low of $38.09 and a fifty-two week high of $58.09. The stocks 50 day moving average is $53.18 and its 200-day moving average is $50.30. The company has a current ratio of 3.68, a quick ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company has a market cap of $5.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.05 and a beta of 1.34. Insider Activity Institutional Inflows and Outflows In related news, CEO Barbara Smith sold 48,300 shares of Commercial Metals stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.51, for a total transaction of $2,729,433.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 283,785 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,036,690.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 50,100 shares of company stock valued at $2,830,915. Company insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Commercial Metals by 12.5% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 12,638 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $526,000 after buying an additional 1,402 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in shares of Commercial Metals by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 13,282 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $547,000 after purchasing an additional 1,727 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its holdings in shares of Commercial Metals by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 44,522 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,853,000 after purchasing an additional 4,540 shares in the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. acquired a new position in shares of Commercial Metals in the 1st quarter valued at $2,188,000. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its holdings in Commercial Metals by 9.9% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 69,545 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,980,000 after buying an additional 6,259 shares in the last quarter. 82.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analysts Set New Price Targets CMC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com began coverage on Commercial Metals in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Commercial Metals in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. They set a buy rating and a $63.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Commercial Metals from $56.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $57.83. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on CMC Commercial Metals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Commercial Metals Company manufactures, recycles, and fabricates steel and metal products, and related materials and services in the United States, Poland, China, and internationally. The company processes and sells ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals to steel mills and foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, brass and bronze ingot makers, copper refineries and mills, secondary lead smelters, specialty steel mills, high temperature alloy manufacturers, and other consumers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Commercial Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Commercial Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd raised its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 13.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 227,227 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 26,362 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $22,182,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 100,700.1% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,640,144 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,582,939,000 after purchasing an additional 15,624,628 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 98,370.2% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 3,673,922 shares of the companys stock worth $358,648,000 after buying an additional 3,670,191 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 31.7% in the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 9,036,858 shares of the companys stock worth $878,834,000 after buying an additional 2,174,242 shares in the last quarter. Perpetual Ltd acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $201,779,000. Finally, Canoe Financial LP bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 1st quarter valued at $150,424,000. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.8 % NYSE PM traded down $0.78 on Wednesday, reaching $93.27. The stock had a trading volume of 304,854 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,236,258. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $84.00 and a 1 year high of $105.62. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $94.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $95.67. The company has a market capitalization of $144.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.71. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $8.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.76 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 127.84% and a net margin of 11.63%. The firms revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.48 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 27th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 26th. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.58%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 100.58%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Bank of America lowered their price target on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a report on Friday, September 29th. Citigroup raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. 22nd Century Group reiterated a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Philip Morris International from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a buy rating and set a $114.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.92. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Philip Morris International About Philip Morris International (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cummins (NYSE:CMI Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by research analysts at Bank of America from $273.00 to $264.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Bank of Americas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 15.20% from the companys previous close. Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on CMI. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Cummins from $241.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Cummins in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Citigroup upped their price target on Cummins from $265.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on Cummins from $290.00 to $288.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $265.86. Get Cummins alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Cummins Cummins Trading Up 0.5 % NYSE CMI opened at $229.17 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $233.53 and a 200 day moving average of $233.49. The company has a market capitalization of $32.46 billion, a PE ratio of 12.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Cummins has a 1 year low of $203.18 and a 1 year high of $265.28. Cummins (NYSE:CMI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The company reported $5.18 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.19 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.39 billion. Cummins had a return on equity of 25.46% and a net margin of 7.89%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 30.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.77 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Cummins will post 19.77 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cummins A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CMI. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Cummins by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,398,646 shares of the companys stock worth $3,039,652,000 after acquiring an additional 180,643 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in Cummins by 3.0% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,482,278 shares of the companys stock worth $1,548,473,000 after purchasing an additional 191,776 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in Cummins by 99,156.3% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 3,471,984 shares of the companys stock worth $851,192,000 after purchasing an additional 3,468,486 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Cummins by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,015,503 shares of the companys stock valued at $737,354,000 after purchasing an additional 70,677 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Cummins by 7.9% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,370,151 shares of the companys stock valued at $486,142,000 after buying an additional 173,139 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.81% of the companys stock. About Cummins (Get Free Report) Cummins Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services diesel and natural gas engines, electric and hybrid powertrains, and related components worldwide. It operates through five segments: Engine, Distribution, Components, Power Systems, and New Power. The company offers diesel and natural gas-powered engines under the Cummins and other customer brands for the heavy and medium-duty truck, bus, recreational vehicle, light-duty automotive, construction, mining, marine, rail, oil and gas, defense, and agricultural markets; and offers new parts and services, as well as remanufactured parts and engines. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cummins Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cummins and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Financial Counselors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB Free Report) by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 405,823 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,262 shares during the quarter. Financial Counselors Inc.s holdings in U.S. Bancorp were worth $13,408,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in USB. TAP Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in U.S. Bancorp during the first quarter valued at about $259,000. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 80.8% during the first quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 4,711 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $172,000 after purchasing an additional 2,105 shares during the last quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC lifted its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 9.3% during the first quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 9,419 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $340,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. lifted its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 3.4% during the second quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 11,300 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 8.2% during the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 67,661 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,236,000 after purchasing an additional 5,100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.40% of the companys stock. Get U.S. Bancorp alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on USB. Credit Suisse Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $44.00 price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Wedbush increased their price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $47.00 price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp in a report on Monday, July 24th. Raymond James raised shares of U.S. Bancorp from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered their price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $67.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, U.S. Bancorp presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $45.73. U.S. Bancorp Trading Up 1.1 % NYSE:USB traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $32.94. The company had a trading volume of 975,605 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,873,248. The company has a market capitalization of $50.50 billion, a PE ratio of 9.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $35.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $34.30. U.S. Bancorp has a 52 week low of $27.27 and a 52 week high of $49.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.12 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.17 billion. U.S. Bancorp had a net margin of 16.59% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 19.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.09 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.37 EPS for the current fiscal year. U.S. Bancorp Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be given a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is presently 53.19%. Insider Transactions at U.S. Bancorp In other news, insider Timothy A. Welsh sold 13,816 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.79, for a total value of $549,738.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 119,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,737,317.82. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Timothy A. Welsh sold 13,816 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.79, for a total value of $549,738.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 119,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,737,317.82. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Terrance R. Dolan sold 26,000 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.75, for a total value of $1,033,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 166,992 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,637,932. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.24% of the stock is owned by insiders. U.S. Bancorp Profile (Free Report) U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities and other financial institutions in the United States. It operates in Corporate and Commercial Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Investment Services, Payment Services, and Treasury and Corporate Support segments. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for U.S. Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for U.S. Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LONDON, October 11, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a" (Excellent) of Gulf Insurance Group (Gulf) B.S.C. (c) (GIG Gulf) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect GIG Gulfs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. GIG Gulfs balance sheet strength assessment reflects its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level at year-end 2022, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Conservative asset allocation, low reliance on reinsurance and continued prudent reserving practices have remained and continue to support the companys balance sheet following its acquisition by Gulf Insurance Group K.S.C.P. (GIG). An offsetting factor is country risk. The majority of the companys premiums and assets on a consolidated basis relate to countries that are considered by AM Best to have low to moderate economic, political and financial system risk; however, exposures in Oman and Bahrain carry high economic and financial system risk. GIG Gulfs operating performance assessment considers the companys history of strong overall profitability, with a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average return-on-equity ratio of 13.1%, as calculated by AM Best. The companys earnings have been supported by investment and underwriting returns. GIG Gulf has a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average combined ratio of 95.0%, achieved through underwriting discipline, its focus on higher margin products, and the non-renewal of poor performing business in its health segment. GIG Gulf is diversified moderately by geography and line of business, commanding a top five position within each of its core markets: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. In 2022, GIG Gulf successfully rebranded its operations from AXA Insurance (Gulf) B.S.C. (c), whilst maintaining its competitive market position. Story continues AM Best considers the companys risk management capabilities to be relatively sophisticated. Furthermore, GIG Gulf has successfully demonstrated its ability to mitigate the execution risks associated following its acquisition and rebranding by GIG and has integrated into the groups decentralised operating model successfully. 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/20231011740258/en/ Contacts Emily Thompson Senior Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0291 emily.thompson@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Mahesh Mistry Senior Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0325 mahesh.mistry@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com If you buy and hold a stock for many years, you'd hope to be making a profit. But more than that, you probably want to see it rise more than the market average. Unfortunately for shareholders, while the American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR) share price is up 31% in the last five years, that's less than the market return. Zooming in, the stock is actually down 3.8% in the last year. On the back of a solid 7-day performance, let's check what role the company's fundamentals have played in driving long term shareholder returns. Check out our latest analysis for American States Water To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, American States Water achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 14% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 6% average annual increase in the share price. So it seems the market isn't so enthusiastic about the stock these days. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. This free interactive report on American States Water's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of American States Water, it has a TSR of 43% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Investors in American States Water had a tough year, with a total loss of 2.1% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 22%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 7% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for American States Water (of which 1 is a bit concerning!) you should know about. American States Water is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. There is still no update on the whereabouts of a 22-year-old woman who has been missing following Hamas' attacks in southern Israel. Israeli-Irish woman, Kim Damti, last spoke on the phone with her mother on Saturday, October 7 just as Hamas militants launched their attacks. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: We dont know yet whether or not (Ms Damti) is still alive, we certainly hope she is, and we will help in any way that we can. Ive heard her mother speak several times now. I dont think anyones heart could not go out to a family worried in the way they are and the one thing Hamas has done is not just attack the people of Israel but also citizens of many other countries as well, he told RTE News. When she last called her mother, Kim was running towards a car with a friend, in a bid to flee the rocket barrage, which occurred near the border of the Gaza Strip. Kim Damti was attending a trance music festival for the Supernova Sukkot gathering. Her mother, Jennifer Damti who is originally from Co Laois, told ABC News: Kim didnt realise that there were seven or eight Toyota vans full of terrorists, and they just shot everywhere. They just shot them, slaughtered them like ducks, and thats the reason Im here. Because I want the world to condemn this behaviour. I didnt bring my children up to hate anybody. Kims father and brother have been going to hospitals with her hairbrush, hoping that DNA would match and might tell them if she is among the dead. Jennifer Damti added: You cant sleep. All I can think about is where she is, if shes suffering, if shes still alive. I just want her back. Dozens of party goers were killed and others were seized by armed militants and taken across the border into the Gaza Strip. 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How to Contact Us For questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact: [email protected] Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) 2 Trap Falls Road Suite 106 Shelton, CT 06484 [October 10, 2023] Amwell Partners With Discovery Health to Bring First-of-its-Kind Digital Mental Health Benefit to South Africa Tweet Discovery Health, the leading health insurance administrator providing administration and managed care services to more than 3.8 million individuals, has partnered with Amwell (NYSE: AMWL), a global leader in hybrid health care enablement, to introduce the first-ever digital therapeutic benefits funded by a health insurer in South Africa. As part of the organization's robust mental healthcare program and benefits package, clinicians are now able to prescribe SilverCloud by Amwell, a clinically validated, evidence-based and affordable digital mental healthcare platform, to members. As a data-driven healthcare organization that administers over 57% of the country's market for competitive health insurance products, Discovery Health's data from member claims reveal that the prevalence of mental health conditions has steadily increased in recent years, and this has been particularly noticeable since the COVID-19 pandemic. Aligned to global statistics, including the World Health Organization's measure of a 25% rise in the prevalence of depression since 2018, Discovery Health demonstrates a 19% increase in the prevalence of depression since the pre-pandemic period. Adding to the strain, South Africa's healthcare industry has also been impacted by the global workforce shortage trend. Rising prevalence with lower supply of essential service underscores Discovery Health's need to leverage technology to broaden access to treatment via innovative, effective, and affordable digital therapies. "The rapid digitisation of healthcare, accelerated by the global pandemic, has improved access to quality patient care across nearly every specialty worldwide. As our organisation faces demands for mental healthcare much like the concerning trends being experienced worldwide, Discovery Health sought a clinically validated, Food and Drug Administration approved and internationally proven partner to help," says Dr. Noluthando Nematswerani, chief clinical officer at Discovery Health. "This benefit offering expands access to treatment, improves outcomes, and supports our members in changing their behaviour in a sustainable manner through leading digital cognitive behaviour therapies, so that they can better manage their condition on a regular basis. In SilverCloud by Amwell, we have found a mental health technology platform and valuable partner that will support our goal to provide increased access to care for our members." SilverCloud by Amwell is an award winning, on-demand digital mental health and well-being platform with proven impact among over 1 million users worldwide. Ongoing platform data shows that approximately 65% of SilverCloud users experience significant improvements and 56% of users diagnosed with symptoms of depression or anxiety were diagnosis-free within three months of using the platform. It is used by the U.K.'s National Health Service, Ireland's Health Service Executive, and numerous provider and insurer organizations in the U.S. and worldwide. "Global research paints a grim picture of the increased prevalence of mental health diagnoses, as one in eight people globally live with a mental health condition, and care team burnout among healthcare organizations worldwide. Discovery Health is demonstrating its global leadership and innovative approach by integrating digital therapy benefits into its mental health care offering. We are honored to enable Discovery Health's first-of-its-kind offering in South Africa as it eases the strain on behavioral health providers while providing members easy access to affordable and effective treatment options," said Kathy Weiler, chief commercial and growth officer, Amwell. To learn more about SilverCloud by Amwell, click here. To learn more about Discovery Health, click here. About Amwell Amwell provides a leading hybrid care enablement platform in the United States and globally, connecting and enabling providers, insurers, patients, and innovators to deliver greater access to more affordable, higher quality care. Amwell believes that hybrid care delivery will transform healthcare. The company offers a single, comprehensive platform to support all digital health needs from urgent to acute and post-acute care, as well as chronic care management and healthy living. With nearly two decades of experience, Amwell powers the hybrid care of more than 55 health plans, which collectively represent more than 90 million covered lives, and many of the nation's largest health systems, representing over 2,000 hospitals, have access to Amwell solutions. For more information, please visit https://business.amwell.com/. 2023 American Well Corporation. All rights reserved. Amwell, SilverCloud, Converge, Carepoint and the Amwell Logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of American Well Corporation. About Discovery Group Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, banking, savings and investment and wellness markets. Since inception in 1992, Discovery has been guided by a clear core purpose - to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. This has manifested in its globally recognised Vitality Shared-Value insurance model, active in over 40 markets impacting over 40 million lives. The model is exported and scaled through the Global Vitality Network, an alliance of some of the largest insurers across key markets including AIA (Asia), Ping An (China), Generali (Europe), Sumitomo (Japan), John Hancock (US), Manulife (Canada) and Vitality Life & Health (UK, wholly owned). Discovery trades on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange as DSY. Follow us on Twitter @Discovery_SA About Discovery Health Discovery Health is the leading medical scheme administrator in South Africa, providing administration and managed care services to over 3.7 million beneficiaries. The business has a market share of over 57% in the overall medical scheme market in South Africa and manages 18 restricted medical schemes on behalf of leading corporate clients, as well as Discovery Health Medical Scheme, South Africa's largest open medical scheme. The success of Discovery Health is due to our ability to offer a fully integrated, value-driven healthcare operating system to our clients, centred on meeting the full spectrum of healthcare needs of client medical schemes. Discovery Health successfully operates beyond traditional administration and managed-care services and provides ongoing product innovation, best-in-class service excellence, effective claims risk and fraud management, as well as the coordination and management of the quality of clinical services accessed by our clients. We deploy world-class actuarial, analytical, clinical and research and development capabilities at every point in the medical scheme product cycle. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010471325/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2023] Hyundai Capital accelerates Indonesian growth with strategic acquisition of PT Paramitra Multifinance Tweet SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Capital Services, a financial services subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, today announced that it is acquiring PT Paramitra Multifinance, to establish Hyundai Capital Indonesia. Hyundai Capital Services has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 75.1% stake in PT Parmitra Multifinance. PT Sinar Mas Multiartha Tbk (15%), the finance arm of Sinar Mas Group, and PT Bank Shinhan Indonesia (9.9%), a subsidiary of Shinhan Bank Korea, will eah be minority shareholders of the Company. PT Sinar Mas Multiartha Tbk will provide its local experience and expertise to assist in the strengthening and development of auto financial services business. PT Bank Shinhan Indonesia which was established in 2015, will be in charge of enhancing the competitiveness of local products and provide stable financing operations. Indonesia is a key hub for the Hyundai Motor Group's future mobility strategy. In 2022, Hyundai Motor opened its first Southeast Asian production base in Indonesia, and since then, Hyundai Motor has been claiming the biggest market share in Indonesia's electric vehicle market. Since 2020, Hyundai Capital Services has been operating a branch in Jakarta, providing financial consulting and market research services. Indonesia's financial sector is highly attractive for Hyundai Capital Services given its demographics, strong macroeconomic and fast growing economy. The newly launched entity is a significant milestone for Hyundai Capital Services and demonstrates the company's confidence in Indonesia and long-term commitment to the market. "Hyundai Motor has come in at the top of the electric vehicle market in Indonesia," said Hyundai Capital Services spokesperson. "We believe this acquisition will position Hyundai Capital to leverage our capabilities to serve more tailored auto financial services to the needs of local customers and partners." Hyundai Capital Services is now active in 14 countries in the Americas, China and Europe, operating 16 entities and 2 branches globally. The company plans further expansion with the aim to support Hyundai Motor Group's global mobility strategy. Hyundai Capital Services Hyundai Capital, a leading consumer finance company founded in 1993, has been offering financial services tailored to meet the needs of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands globally. Spearheading the globalization of Korea's finance sector, Hyundai Capital, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is now active in 14 countries in the Americas, China and Europe and plans further expansion. Bank Shinhan Indonesia Shinhan Bank entered the Indonesian market in 2015 through the acquisition and merger of two local banks, currently operating 37 branches across Indonesia. In particular, it has received recognition for its rapid success in localization, achieving assets of $1.573 million by the end of the first half of the year, marking a remarkable asset growth of nearly 560% compared to the end of 2016 when the acquisition took place. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/hyundai-capital-accelerates-indonesian-growth-with-strategic-acquisition-of-pt-paramitra-multifinance-301952972.html SOURCE Hyundai Capital Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2023] HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. - HE Tweet NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 23, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HE), if they purchased the Companys securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Get Help Hawaiian Electric investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-he/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Hawaiian Electric and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Companys wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; (ii) accordingly, despite knowing the degree of risk that wildfires posed to Maui, the Companys inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (iii) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. The case is Bhangal v. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-04332. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2023] CS DISCO SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against CS Disco, Inc. - LAW Tweet NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 20, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against CS Disco, Inc. (NYSE: LAW), if they purchased the Companys shares between July 21, 2021, and August 11, 2022, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Get Help CS Disco investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-law/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit CS Disco and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On August 11, 2022, the Company released disappointing financial results for the second quarter of 2022, disclosing that revenue growth had decelerated drastically over past quarters and that it would no longer be including in its guidance any revenues attributable to its largest customers for the entire year, shocking investors and analysts alike. On this news, shares of CS Disco plummeted $15.53 between August 11, 2022 and August 12, 2022, a drop of more than 53%. The case is Gambrill v. CS Disco, Inc., No. 1:23-cv-08270. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com . [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia --News Direct-- 500NewsWire From left to right: Wei Qiang Zhang (Managing Director of ATFX UK), Jose Oriol (CEO of the Mexican Stock Exchange), Joe Li (Chairman of ATFX) KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 11, 2023 (500NewsWire) -- Recently, ATFX once again found itself in the financial spotlight, garnering attention from both the industry and global investors with the allure of its brand and reputation. Invited guests including Joe Li, Chairman of ATFX and Wei Qiang Zhang, Managing Director of ATFX UK, participated in the opening ceremony of the 5th "Derivatives Challenge John Hull Award" held at the Mexican Stock Exchange. As a prominent guest at the event, Joe Li, Chairman of ATFX was invited to deliver an important speech. Joe Li pointed out, "Financial instruments have multifaceted applications and have become the cornerstone of modern financial markets. They offer powerful support to institutions and investors, including the ability to manage risk, optimize portfolio performance, and leverage price movements without the need to own the underlying assets. However, with the advent of this potential, there is also a need for profound understanding and prudent management." At the same time, he emphasized ATFX's alignment with the spirit of innovation at the Mexican Stock Exchange, highlighting that ATFX is a global company with similar values. It is worth noting that this conference received significant attention from the local and Latin American financial systems in Mexico. Key figures such as Jose Oriol, CEO of the Mexican Stock Exchange; Jesus De la Fuente, from the National Banking and Securities Commission of Mexico; and Maria del Carmen Bonilla, from the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) of Mexico were in attendance. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, and with ATFX's rapid expansion, we have local presence in 17 locations across all five continents worldwide. Each office, leveraging its localized resilience and extensive adaptability, has consistently proven itself as a secure and stable advocate. In this era of rapid development, ATFX will continue to innovate and proactively enhance the trading experience for its global customers, empowering them to navigate market changes effectively and achieve new levels of success. Story continues ATFX ATFX is an award-winning currency pairs/CFD broker with a global presence offering customer support in over 15 languages. With over 300 tradable financial assets, including currency pairs, precious metals, energy, indices, and shares traded as CFDs, ATFX is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) in Cyprus, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in the United Arab Emirates, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC, through acquisition of RSA). (ATFX Website: https://www.atfx.com) Contact Details Weems Chan sales.uk@atfx.com Company Website https://www.atfx.com/ View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/atfx-chairman-joe-li-delivers-an-opening-speech-in-the-5th-derivatives-challenge-john-hull-award-584826061 [October 10, 2023] TPIsoftware Spearheads Digital Transformation for Shin Kong Property Insurance Agency with Its Innovative Insurance Microservice Middle Platform InsureBrick Tweet TAIPEI, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking move, TPIsoftware, the market leader in digital transformation software technology, is set to build a new generation core system for Shin Kong Property Insurance Agency (SKPIA) within the coming year. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Taiwan's insurance sector, as SKPIA becomes the first agency to invest in core system transformation, underscoring the company's dedication to fintech and digital advancement. Implementing TPIsoftware's microservices framework " InsureBrick: InsurTech Modular Platform " tailored for the insurance industry, the new core system will integrate diverse business operations within SKPIA, including receipt modules, deposit processes, commission structures, performance analytics, policy management, product management, customer relations, channel management, etc. The new system is designed to boost operational efficiency and flexibility for SKPIA, revolutionizing its insurance services. The microservices platform "InsureBrick" built by TPIsoftware empowers insurance providers to act swiftly to the dynamic market demands in today's rapidly changing digital landscape. "InsureBrick" encompasses 28 modules, ranging from customer, prouct and insurance policy management to underwriting, premium calculation, payment and more. These modules can be flexibly combined, allowing insurance agents to customize services based on roles and requirements. By leveraging microservices, the system enables packages of smaller and independent services, which optimizes resource utilization and system performance while reducing product development time with faster go-to-market to further deliver seamless customer experience. The new generation core system is expected to streamline the application process across channels and enhance administrative efficiency. Moreover, with split frontend and backend architecture and responsive web design (RWD), the system allows insurance agents to respond to customer needs anytime, anywhere simply through mobile devices. David Huang, Chairman and President at SKPIA, said, "We really look forward to the development of the new core system. As the benchmark in the insurance agency sector, we have been serious about selecting a reliable partner to work with, and TPIsoftware's extensive experience in building core systems for the BFSI sector is what we are looking for." "We aim not only to enhance the digital capabilities of SKPIA but also to better serve our customers," added David Huang, "and we are confident that we can achieve unprecedented business milestones with the new system." "As the leading digital transformation enterprise software provider in Taiwan, TPIsoftware exemplifies unparalleled expertise in Insurtech," stated Ben Yao, CEO of TPIsoftware, "In planning the core system, we take the flexibility of cloud migration into account by adopting the microservice middle platform InsureBrick. We believe this collaboration will help SKPIA catalyze the industry's digital transformation journey, and ultimately deliver greater value to customers." View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tpisoftware-spearheads-digital-transformation-for-shin-kong-property-insurance-agency-with-its-innovative-insurance-microservice-middle-platform-insurebrick-301949779.html SOURCE TPIsoftware [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Credo AI Deploys EU AI Act Readiness offering to implement AI safety and trust through alignment to emerging global standards Tweet Credo AI, a global leader in AI governance software, today announced the general availability of its EU AI Act Readiness offering, a first-of-its-kind product that allows organizations to begin tracking their readiness to meet the core requirements included in the expected EU AI Act. By implementing AI governance processes aligned with these elements of the expected EU AI Act, companies can begin to effectively prepare to comply with future global AI regulations and standards. The EU AI Act is expected to provide the global business world with comprehensive governance requirements for high-risk AI systems, following on the heels of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which created a paradigm shift in business around data privacy and governance operations. Establishing governance processes, building competence, and implementing technology for efficient compliance takes time and effort. Many organizations are investing now in preparations to comply with forthcoming AI laws and regulations because they are aware of the long road ahead. The EU AI Act Readiness offering is designed to help those organizations. As the Trilogue process continues and the European Union continues to discuss and finalize the text of the EU AI Act, Credo AI has translated the core, generally applicable elements of comprehensive AI risk management and transparency obligations, and made this available as a readiness offering. The Credo AI team has translated the main elements of Europe's approach to regulating high-risk AI into an EU AI Act Readiness Policy Pack-a set of actionable requirements that companies can use to begin to both prepare for the expected EU AI Ac and invest in governance processes that align with emerging international regulations and standards on AI. These foundational requirements include having an established risk management system, providing technical documentation, accounting for human oversight, and ensuring transparency and provision of information to end users. With the EU AI Act Readiness Pack, customers get: Register AI Systems: Register your organization's AI Use Cases in our AI Registry and understand their risk category within the framework of the expected EU AI Act. Register your organization's AI Use Cases in our AI Registry and understand their risk category within the framework of the expected EU AI Act. Map Requirements: Get access to a use-case-specific list of actionable requirements that map to the expected EU AI Act, based on your Use Case risk category. Get access to a use-case-specific list of actionable requirements that map to the expected EU AI Act, based on your Use Case risk category. Identify Gaps: Get a "readiness score" for each of your AI Use Cases, with guidance on which requirements you need to meet to be prepared for the expected EU AI Act. This actionable checklist is your roadmap for meeting the core governance requirements. The EU AI Act Readiness product is an extension of Credo AI's Responsible AI Governance Platform. On the heels of announcing the AI Registry and GenAI Guardrails, this announcement represents Credo AI's continued commitment to developing AI governance software for companies that are building, using, or procuring AI tools and systems. This is the first AI governance product that can help companies globally to start mapping their compliance journey with core elements of the expected EU AI Act, so they can launch and adopt AI products with confidence globally. "As we enter the age of AI-powered everything, what we've seen from enterprises is that adding an AI governance layer is non-negotiable," said CEO Navrina Singh. "At Credo AI, we want to provide that layer in a way that gives businesses a competitive edge in adopting AI with confidence and guardrails aligning company use of AI with internal policies, industry best practices, and regulatory guidance like the expected EU AI Act." Interested parties can request a demo of the EU AI Act Readiness offering today. About Credo AI Founded in 2020, Credo AI is a Responsible AI governance platform that empowers organizations to deliver and embed artificial intelligence responsibly by proactively measuring, monitoring, and managing AI risks. Credo AI helps organizations, including Global 2000s, unlock the innovative potential of AI while ensuring compliance with emerging global regulations and standards, like the EU AI Act and NIST. Credo AI has been recognized as a Technology Pioneer 2022 by the World Economic Forum, Fast Company's Next Big Thing in Tech 2022, and a top Intelligent App 40 by Madrona, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and Pitchbook. To learn more, visit: credo.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010666022/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] DL HOLDINGS (1709.HK): When Traditional Asset Management Encounters the 'Digital Family Office' Tweet HONG KONG, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to the "Digital Family Office", it is often linked to the management of virtual assets, such as digital currencies. However, DL Holdings (1709.HK) aims to establish a genuine "Digital Family Office" that integrates big data, cloud computing, and blockchain technologies. DL Digital FO will gradually help the professional investment grade clients in the asset management category enjoy family office level investment services and favourable returns through the artificial intelligence investment advisory system. In this context, the term "digital" denotes intelligent, user-friendly, and customized financial technology, rather than limited to digital or virtual assets. DL Holdings Group Limited ("DL Holdings" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group", Stock Code: 1709.HK) recently announced the official upgrade of its subsidiary DL Asset Management to DL Digital Family Office ("DL Digital FO"), emphasizing that DL Holdings continues to expand its presence and exploration in the family office domain, following the acquisition of its multi-family office's entire equity business. DL Digital FO will be complementary to the existing multi-family office business, with a coverage of professional investors above the entry level (US$1 million), providing them with basic family office diversified investment services and asset allocation services, and targeting potential clients in advance, so as to increase the number of clients and the total amount of assets under management. The star product of DL Asset Management, DL Flagship Strategy, has demonstrated strong perforance in the past. However, it encounters a challenge in scaling up due to the need for advanced AI and technological hardware support for intelligent services in standardized products. In response, DL Holdings is resolute in upgrading asset management into a digital family office and allocating increased efforts to enhance the level and quality of AI intelligent services. Andy Chen, Chairman of DL Holdings Group, stated, "The establishment of DL Digital FO will become the first new family office service platform to provide true 'three-in-one' - intelligent, customized and humanized, services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. DL Digital FO will fully connect the well-established investment strategies and past performance of DL Asset Management with artificial intelligence and big data, lowering the investment threshold while providing effective risk control, maintaining high transparency and market agility, and escorting the preservation and enhancement of asset value of the clients. DL Digital FO will be defined as a digital wealth manager for professional investors. DL Digital FO together with the Group's multi-family office, securities investment, global real estates and the newly established institute for new economic research, accelerates on the path of wealth management of rapid informatization development. About DL Holdings Group Limited (Stock Code: 1709.HK) DL Holdings Group (1709.HK) is a Hong Kong-listed asset management and financial services platform with a core focus on investment banking business, covering securities trading, financial consulting, multi-strategy investment fund management, investment research, financial loans and other financial services. Its subsidiary, DL Securities, holds SFC licenses for Type 1 (securities trading), Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 6 (advising on corporate financing) regulated activities. The Group's subsidiary, DL Capital, mainly provides asset management services, holding SFC licenses for Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities. The Group's subsidiary, ONE Advisory, provides one-stop, bespoke and comprehensive global identity planning consulting services and solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families. The listed company also holds a Singapore RFMC fund license and a Cayman Islands SIBL fund license. The Group has established 18 limited partnership funds in Hong Kong, which mainly invest in private equity. The Group's subsidiary, Seazon Pacific, is committed to providing overall solutions for supply chain management. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dl-holdings-1709hk-when-traditional-asset-management-encounters-the-digital-family-office-301953082.html SOURCE DL HOLDINGS GROUP LIMITED [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Government Officials and Academics Converge at NMIMS for the Steering Committee, NEP 2020 Tweet MUMBAI, India, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shri Vile Parle Kelvani Mandal and SVKM's NMIMS Deemed-to-be University hosted a meeting of the Steering Committee, NEP 2020 appointed by the Higher & Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra, at its Mumbai campus on the 9th and 10th of October 2023. The meeting was graced by the Hon'ble Minister, Higher & Technical Education Dept., Govt. of Maharashtra Shri. Chandrakantdada Patil, Hon'ble Principal Secretary, Higher & Technical Education Dept., Govt. of Maharashtra Shri. Vikas Chandra Rastogi and officials from the Government of Maharashtra. NEP 2020 lays particular emphasis on the development of the creative potential of each student. It is based on the principle that education must develop not only cognitive capacities, such as critical thinking and problem-solving but also social, ethical, and emotional capacities and dispositions. It aims to foster a comprehensive education system, bringing together theoretical and practical aspects. It also has a unique feature of multiple entries multiple exits for the programs. Moreover, the education policy aims to fix the shortfalls in existing higher and technical education by moving along an education system consisting of a cluster of multidisciplinary instiutions across the country. It aims to promote research among educators and aspiring students by establishing a National Research Foundation to fund outstanding peer-reviewed research and to actively seed research in universities and colleges. Recognising the potential of this game-changing education policy, NMIMS has already started offering four-year undergraduate programs under select streams as prescribed in the NEP 2020. The confluence of senior academicians and government officials on the same platform led to an insightful discussion on the transformative National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its effective implementation in higher and technical education institutions across Maharashtra. Govt. of Maharashtra has been very keen on implementing NEP 2020 in all Institutions in Maharashtra. As a first stage, in the academic year 2023-24, all the state public Universities in Maharashtra implemented the scheme at undergraduate programmes in all the autonomous colleges of Arts, Science, Commerce & Engineering and University Departments. Post-graduate programmes are also implemented in all affiliated colleges and University Departments. The Steering Committee is now taking efforts to implement NEP 2020 in all the non-autonomous colleges in Maharashtra from the academic year 2024-25. About SVKM's NMIMS Established in 1981, NMIMS is today recognised as a globally reputed university with strong industry linkages. It offers multiple disciplines across eight campuses that consist of 17 specialised schools, more than 25,000 full-time students, and 800+ full-time faculty members, including ten faculty members with the Fulbright and Humboldt International Scholarship for post-doctoral researchers. Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM) laid the foundation stone of this esteemed university with the aim to cater to the rising demand for management education in the country. It is known for its consistent academic quality and research-focused approach to holistic education. SVKM's NMIMS has been granted Category-I University status by Graded Autonomy Regulation 2018 by MHRD/UGC, and NMIMS Mumbai Campus is NAAC accredited with A+ (CGPA of 3.59). View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/government-officials-and-academics-converge-at-nmims-for-the-steering-committee-nep-2020-301953151.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] The members of the Nomination Committee for the Concentric Annual General Meeting 2024 have been appointed REDDITCH, England, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The AGM 2019 has resolved that Concentric's Nomination Committee shall have five members which consist of the Chairman of the Board and one representative of each of the four largest shareholders. The members of the Nomination Committee shall, in accordance with the resolution of the AGM 2019, be appointed based on the ownership structure as of 31st of August 2023. The members are: Monica Asmyr, Swedbank Robur Fonder, Chairman of the Nomination Committee Maria Rengefors, Nordea Fonder Anette Dahlberg, Forsta AP-fonden Carl Sundblad, Cliens Fonder The Nomination Committee also includes the Chairman of the Board, Anders Nielsen Concentric's Annual General Meeting 2024 is planned to be held on 18th of April 2024, in Stockholm, Sweden. Shareholders who wish to submit proposals to the Nomination Committee, can do so by contacting the Nomination Committee's secretary, Victoria Skoglund, attorney-at-law, at telephone +46 76 104 78 27 or e-mail [email protected]. For the committee to be able to consider the proposals received with sufficient care, proposals should be submitted as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 31st of January 2024. The following files are available for download: View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-members-of-the-nomination-committee-for-the-concentric-annual-general-meeting-2024-have-been-appointed-301953167.html SOURCE Concentric AB [October 11, 2023] Protection and continuation of China's many ancient crafts a key aim of event Tweet BEIJING, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 8th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Chengdu, China, an international platform for boosting high-level dialogue and exchanges, will be held in the capital of Sichuan province from Oct 12 to 16. Established in 2007, the biennial festival is the first large-scale cultural event in the world with ICH as its theme and the promotion of ICH protection as its purpose. In 2009, it was granted permanent residency in Chengdu with the approval of the then Ministry of Culture. Themed "Share Contract Fulfillment and Practice, Deepen Mutual Learning among Civilizations", this year's event, mainly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Sichuan provincial government, will highlight the 20th anniversary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage adopted by UNESCO. It is to feature four main sections: World ICH, China ICH, Sichuan ICH and Cloud-based ICH. Representatives from countries and regions such as the United States, Pakistan and Thailand will share their ideas on ICH protection and the implementation of the international ICH convention over the past 20 years. More than 900 ICH projects and about 5,000 guests and inheritors from 68 countries and regions around the world have also been invited to enjoy the cultural feast. Shi Zeyi, deputy director of the international exchange and cooperation bureau at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said that since its establishment, the International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has held more than 2,000 activities, introduced more than 9,000 ICH projects and attracted around 60,000 representatives from over 130 countries and regions and nongovernmental organizations as well as about 20 million local residents and tourists. It has become an internationally renowned event among both domestic and international communities. Shi said tha the event reflects the determination and attention paid by the Chinese government, as a contracting party to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and a practitioner of ICH protection, to shoulder the mission. It is a global event for exchanging experiences, showcasing the fascinating excellent culture of the Chinese nation and promoting international cooperation. Renowned as a land of abundance, Sichuan boasts a long history, picturesque landscapes and a variety of cultures. Its 14 ethnic groups have jointly created rich and colorful ICH items with diligence and wisdom. In recent years, Sichuan has made remarkable efforts in achieving the systematic protection of ICH by implementing key projects on inheriting and developing ICH, advancing the transformation and innovative development of ICH and integrating ICH into modern life. Currently, Sichuan has eight items on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO: Shu brocade, Gesar epic tradition, Tibetan Opera, Qiang New Year Festival, Dege woodblock printing technique, Tibetan medicine bathing ritual, Sichuan shadow puppetry, and the Nanlubian tea-making technique and Mengshan tea production technique. The province also has 153 national-level representative items of ICH; 1,132 provincial-level items; 105 national-level inheritors; and 1,062 provincial-level representative inheritors. Yang Huazhen, born in Xiaojin county of Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture, Sichuan, is a member of the Tibetan ethnic group who grew up in the mountains. Yang learned traditional Tibetan weaving and embroidery from her mother. After working as a photojournalist, Yang witnessed the magnitude 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008. She rushed to the disaster area to document the aftermath. The collapsed homes and the despair of the people left her in agony. She wanted to help her fellow countrymen rebuild their homes and lives. After much consideration, she resigned from her job and organized a group of 18 skilled embroiderers from the local area to start a project which aimed to boost incomes and rebuild homes. This led to the establishment of the Aba Tibetan Traditional Weaving and Embroidery Association. The embroiderers, who are from both the Tibetan and Qiang ethic groups, brought together different embroidery techniques and styles. They then created Tibetan-Qiang Weaving and Embroidery, a new form combining the Qiang embroidery and Tibetan weaving and embroidery, both of which are national ICH in their own right. Yang believes that traditional craftsmanship can enter people's lives through production and be combined with fashion. It can add artistic value to clothing and enhance aesthetic tastes and cultural connotations. On the other hand, fashion can raise awareness of traditional crafts, opening up broader living spaces, she added. In recent years, Yang has collaborated with international brands such as Shu Uemura, Starbucks, Universal Pictures and Hermes for intellectual property licensing, bringing attention to traditional crafts that were once obscure. Located in Daoming town, Chongzhou city, Chengdu, Zhuyi village is named after the national ICH, bamboo weaving, or Daoming bamboo weaving. Over the years, the village has adhered to the concept of "using culture to sustain the future and art to illuminate the countryside"; integrated leisure businesses, consumer scenes and experiential spaces into the traditional Chengdu-style Linpan landscape; and transformed bamboo weaving into a means for the development of cultural tourism. This has not only improved the living environment, but created a platform that is accessible, participatory and experiential for visitors, providing employment opportunities for villagers. The village now boasts rural landscapes and art, especially the bamboo culture exhibition spaces such as the Bamboo Weaving Museum, Bamboo Art Square and Wugen Mountain Bamboo Art Park, which constitute the local characteristics of "international style, Chengdu flavor and bamboo weaving charm". View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/protection-and-continuation-of-chinas-many-ancient-crafts-a-key-aim-of-event-301953190.html SOURCE China Daily [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] BioLizard launches new AI-empowered "BioVerse" platform to facilitate data-driven R&D for global life sciences community Tweet Launch of BioVerse to meet industry needs for fully tailored R&D software solutions Platforms scope of use comprises three applications for AI-empowered multi-omics data analytics, microbiome data analysis and unbiased literature review BioLizard is supporting biotech, pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies to enable data-driven discovery, preclinical, translational and clinical R&D processes GHENT, Belgium, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioLizard, the bioinformatics, data analytics and data management service and consulting company heading digital transformation in the life sciences industry, today announced the launch of its new BioVerse platform. Following a strategic decision, the Company will expand its product and services offering to the life sciences R&D community. Via this new platform it will meet the needs for tailored, user-friendly software solutions for data-driven results, targeted towards scientists, with or without IT backgrounds, in biotech and pharma. BioVerse is based on the Companys intellectual know-how and in-house developed code proven in over 300 client programs. The platform constitutes three applications: BioReflect, that provides at-a-glance and up-to-date global overviews of publications to support unbiased literature searches; ProBiome, which applies state-of-the art data analytics to microbiome analysis; and BioMx that leverages AI to efficiently integrate and analyse multi-omics datasets to facilitate next generation target and biomarker discovery. BioVerse streamlines these applications to suit any data environment and to provide a bespoke user experience for easy interaction with and interpretation of data. This way, researchers can focus on exploring their own data interactively to identify trends and formulate testable hypotheses quickly and efficiently. By implementing AI-driven solutions, the platform will also make it easier for researchers to capture more insights hidden within their data, reduce expensive wet-lab research and identify selected high-potential targets. The need for accelerated drug and biomarker development, alongside the considerable cost-savings from making smart use of data, early on, in preclinical and clinical pipelines, fuels a rapidly increasing demand for AI-driven solutions for life science businesses. BioLizard is experienced in supporting these businessesat every juncture from drug discovery to clinical research and diagnostics. Combining our expertise in AI, data architecture & analytics and biology we solve data challenges and develop bespoke software solutions fully tailored to clients needs, enabling genuinely data-driven discovery, preclinical, translational and clinical R&D processes, commented Liesbeth Ceelen, PhD, CEO of BioLizard. With our new BioVerse platform, we expand our service and product offering towards an even greater number of clients, realizing our vision of improving the quality and longevity of human life around the world by better leveraging data. Paul Vauterin, PhD, CTO and Scientific Advisor at BioLizard, explained: We strongly believe that creating actionable, data-driven insights in pharma and biotech requires the combination of both computational capabilities and human exploration and collaboration. Our goal with BioVerse is to facilitate both, in a single environment, allowing users to truly become citizen data scientists. We are realizing this via a superior User Experience, underpinned by advanced data science concepts such as Knowledge Graphs. About BioLizard BioLizard is a leading multi-national bioinformatics, data analytics and data management service and consulting company heading digital transformation in the life sciences industry. Headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, BioLizard is the trusted go-to partner for data strategy and execution with companies across the range from drug discovery to clinical research and diagnostics. BioLizard accommodates a uniquely qualified team of 50+ experts, The Lizards, who bring together their expertise and abilities, covering data management, software engineering, bioinformatics, advanced data analytics, and AI. Their joint backgrounds in biology and computer sciences enables them to apply specialist understanding to each clients data environment, to provide insights and tools that are aligned with the clients goals and maximize R&D return on investment. For further information, please visit https://lizard.bio/ and follow us on LinkedIn . About BioVerse The BioVerse platform is built to meet the growing needs for bespoke software solutions to maximize the potential of the vast amount of research data generated by biotech and pharma companies. Uniquely, it offers a simple interface for scientists, with or without IT background, enabling effective interaction and data interpretation via data analytics in a tailored environment. BioVerse provides compatibility of all its applications and ensures findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) data management. The platform is designed to ensure operability in any data environment. BioVerse constitutes three applications: BioReflect provides at-a-glance and up-to-date global overviews of publications to support unbiased literature searches ProBiome applies state-of-the art data analytics to microbiome analysis BioMx leverages AI & bioinformatics to efficiently integrate and analyze multi-omics datasets, facilitating next generation target and biomarker discovery Contact BioLizard nv Liesbeth Ceelen, PhD Phone: +31 645 656 914 E-mail: [email protected] Media Inquiries MC Services AG Eva Bauer Phone: +49 (0)89 2102280 E-mail: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] NewHydrogen CEO Steve Hill Interviews Hydrogen Visionary Johannes Schwank Tweet Dr. Johannes Schwank from the University of Michigan shares his optimism about the future of hydrogen as an energy carrier SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewHydrogen, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NEWH), the developer of a breakthrough technology that uses clean energy and water to produce the worlds cheapest green hydrogen, today announced that in a recent podcast, the Companys CEO, Steve Hill, spoke with Dr. Johannes Schwank, an eminent authority in physical chemistry and chemical engineering at the University of Michigan, about the future of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Dr. Schwanks optimism radiated throughout the conversation. Reflecting on progress since his Congressional testimony in 2003, he noted, The world is recognizing that we need to get our arms around hydrogen as an energy carrier. And, if Im not mistaken, just in the last few years, about 20 different countries have finally caught on and developed a national hydrogen strategy. After discussing the recent surge of interest in hydrogen, Dr. Schwank said, I am extremely optimistic ... I think we may look back hopefully in 10, 20 years and see, there was just the beginning of the next major breakthrough. The conversation turned to Dr. Schwanks visionary REFRESCH program, which is focused on revolutionizing ammonia production with green hydrogen and renewable energy. Dr. Schwank said, We have essentially now an opportunity to rethink to some extent our most carbon intensive industries, and in the chemical arena, of course, the production of ammonia, which is a key ingredient to fertilizer, is not only one of the most energy extensive industries. Its also the industry that produces the most carbon dioxide emissions. By far, it dwarfs any other process. Dr. Schwanks enthusiasm for the future was palpable, as he underscored the potential of the next generation, Im awed to see the creativity and also the passion that our young folks have for making the world a better place, and to have a mindset. I think that makes me extremely hopeful, because if we unleash all these creative minds on the wicked problems that our planet faces only good things can come from it. Mr. Hill, concluded, Dr. Schwanks inspiring vision reaffirms that the green hydrogen revolution is not just inevitable; its a transformative force propelling us towards a sustainable future. Dr. Johannes Schwank holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Innsbruck University in Austria. He joined the University of Michigan faculty in 1980, where he rose through the raks and became a Full Professor of Chemical Engineering in 1990. He served as Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department from 1990 1995, as Interim Director of the University of Michigan Energy Institute 2011/2012, and as Director of EMAL (Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory), a campus--wide user facility 2013--2015. He holds the James and Judith Street Chair in Chemical Engineering. He is the Director of REFRESCH, an interdisciplinary project that deals with food, energy, and water security in resourceconstrained environments. He serves as academic director of the Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP). He developed several new courses, such as a chemical engineering economics course, a course focused on gas and oil technology, a course on repurposing waste plastic, and a course on alternative energy technologies taught at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Dr. Schwank is listed as a Google Scholar at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=azs-5XkAAAAJ&hl=en Watch the full discussion on the NewHydrogen Podcast featuring Dr. Johannes Schwank at https://newhydrogen.com/single-video.php?id=ywfKFPCIdHk. For more information about NewHydrogen, please visit https://newhydrogen.com/. About NewHydrogen, Inc. NewHydrogen is developing a breakthrough technology that uses clean energy and water to produce the worlds lowest cost green hydrogen. Hydrogen is the cleanest and most abundant element in the universe, and we cant live without it. Hydrogen is the key ingredient in making fertilizers needed to grow food for the world. It is also used for transportation, refining oil and making steel, glass, pharmaceuticals and more. Nearly all the hydrogen today is made from hydrocarbons like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are dirty and limited resources. Water, on the other hand, is an infinite and renewable worldwide resource. However, extracting hydrogen from water is an expensive process. Working with research teams at UCLA and UC Santa Barbara, NewHydrogen is helping to advance the green hydrogen revolution. We are developing NewHydrogen ThermoLoop, a breakthrough water splitting technology that uses clean energy and water to produce unlimited quantities of the worlds cheapest green hydrogen. Our goal is to help usher in the green hydrogen economy that Goldman Sachs estimated to have a future market value of $12 trillion. Safe Harbor Statement Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, the impact of public health epidemics on the global economy and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. Investor Relations Contact: NewHydrogen, Inc. [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Wandr-E: Revolutionising the global fund transfer market with zero fees and competitive exchange rates Tweet SINGAPORE, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wandr-E, the innovative new fund transfer company for sending money abroad, has launched its online and Mobile app. Users can effortlessly and rapidly transfer funds from the online platform or through their mobile devices using the mobile app, which is offered on the App Store and Google Play Store. If you've ever had to send money overseas, you may have first-hand experience of being charged high transfer fees while receiving subpar exchange rates at the same time. Wandr-E was founded to address the issue of exorbitant fees for international money transfers, and has done away with excessive fees while producing an intuitive user interface that is accessible to all. The company's mission to make it simple for everyone to send money abroad is embodied by the name WE, which stands for Wandr-E. The company's slogan, "Pay Together with WE," reflects its goal of brnging people together on a global scale through quick and affordable money transfers. "We are excited to introduce Wandr-E to the market and revolutionize the way people send money abroad," says Mr. Wayne Salamonsen, co-founder and director at Wandr-E. "Everyone can now send and receive money internationally at a low cost thanks to our cutting-edge platform, which combines affordability, convenience, and security." Wandr-E is dedicated to security and has top-notch safeguards in place to protect users' financial information. For more information, visit the Wandr-E website at www.wandr-e.com or download the app on the App Store or Google Play Store. About Wandr-E Wandr-E is a forward-thinking major payments institution that is reimagining the way people send money internationally. With a focus on providing fee-free and instant transfers at competitive rates, it is committed to offering customers convenient and cost-effective fund transfer services. Although Wandr-E is a new brand, the leaders of the company are seasoned professionals within the global fund transfer industry. With over 20 years of experience each managing successful fund transfer firms, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. At Wandr-E, we are committed to providing fast, reliable and secure global fund transfer services. Whether you are sending money to loved ones or paying for your overseas investments, we have the tools to ensure that your fund transfers are handled smoothly and efficiently. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/wandr-e-revolutionising-the-global-fund-transfer-market-with-zero-fees-and-competitive-exchange-rates-301953256.html SOURCE WANDR PTE. LTD. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Taipei Entrepreneurs Hub (TEH) Announces the Winning Teams for the 'Win A Greater Health' International Online Pitch Contest! Tweet TAIPEI, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, Taipei Entrepreneurs Hub (TEH) held its annual international online pitch contest, with a specific focus on the thriving Greater Health Industry. They extended invitations to notable companies, such as BE Health Ventures, Taipei Medical University's BioMed Accelerator, and Taipei BioInnovation Park, to join as corporate partners and judging representatives. On October 3, 2023, these collaborative efforts came to fruition as they orchestrated the 'Win A Greater Health' international online pitch contest. Throughout this year's pitch contest, the judges evaluated a multitude of innovative startup teams, ultimately selecting six finalists: Humanity (USA), Iflowtech (Singapore), Zima Sensors Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), FireFly (Czech Republic), Ligence (Lithuania), and MayaMD (India). These accomplished teams will reconvene in Taipei on November 10 for the Demo Day. The Pitch Contest this year had a diverse lineup, with 16 startup teams coming from 10 countries, such as Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the USA, and India. Furthermore, the judging panel featured top executives from esteemed organizations: Managing Partner Arthur Chen from BE Health Ventures, CEO Dr. Jowy Tani of Taipei Medical University's BioMed Accelerator, and Director of Taipei BioInnovation Park, Jenny Yang. Following a review process, the panel handpicked 10 outstanding teams to advance to the second round of the competitionthe final online pitch contest scheduled for October 3rd. The post-contest comments from the judging panel underscored the inspiring nature of this pitch contest. Every participating startup team articulated their motivations, objectives, and future strategies for their innovative solutions and products with clarity. These solutions are also in harmony with the practical requirements of Taipei City's healthcare system, aligning seamlessly with their trajectory for future development and collaboration. The selected finalists of this pitch contest showcased the following qualities: Humanity - Has developed a health application platform focused on extending health span. It utilizes artificial intelligence calculations and integrates with current personal smart devices, takng into account user community habits to provide preventive medicine and personal health alerts. Iflowtech - Developing a data collection application and wearable device for patients suffering from mental stress and sleep disorders. It collects data on attention span, brainwave patterns, and physiological indicators. The technology enables healthcare professionals to issue more effective medical prescriptions and conduct medical interventions by comprehensively collecting index data. In the future, Iflowtech also plans to gradually develop the technology into marketable products. Zima Sensors Pte. Ltd. - Specializes in protective packaging solutions for temperature-sensitive drugs and precision medical equipment. They have developed ZIMABOX, a solution addressing the pressing needs in the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. FireFly - Utilizes AI-powered chatbot to provide mental health support and empathetic conversations services, that not only saves time for mental health professionals but also aims to enhance the accuracy of issue assessment, enabling professionals to provide patients with more personalized psychological counseling services. Ligence - Offers artificial intelligence-based medical imaging analysis technology that enhances the accuracy and applicability of ultrasound imaging. This enables physicians to more easily explain medical conditions to patients and interact with them more effectively. They also plan to apply this technology in patient referral processes to reduce the time spent on examinations. MayaMD - Has developed an artificial intelligence-powered virtual triage platform designed for the convenience of applications in chronic disease care management, telemedicine, and patient consultation engagement. The Department of Economic Development of Taipei City Government places great importance on attracting international startup teams with key technologies and research capabilities to facilitate the cooperative transformation and upgrade of local industries. This has always been a crucial industrial goal for the city government. Additionally, harnessing the power of innovation and entrepreneurship to drive city diplomacy is a significant driving force. Therefore, in recent years, the department has actively connected global startup ecosystem resources through TEH, organizing various networking events across different industries and time zones, creating the most resource-rich and comprehensive entrepreneurial community. This year, the winning teams of the online pitch contest will be invited to participate in a series of events and business visits, including a Demo Day scheduled for November 10, further enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange. In addition to the current pitch contest, TEH also offers a comprehensive health tech startup FAQ, personalized consulting services, and hosts networking events. We wholeheartedly welcome global startup partners to establish a presence in Taipei through TEH. For more information on our activities, please visit our official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TaipeiEntrepreneurs or our LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/86956370/admin/feed/posts You can also contact our the organizing company Everiii Consulting CO., Ltd. at (+886 2) 33435456 ext. 806, Ms. Kuo. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/taipei-entrepreneurs-hub-teh-announces-the-winning-teams-for-the-win-a-greater-health-international-online-pitch-contest-301953267.html SOURCE Taipei Entrepreneurs Hub [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (Bloomberg) -- An Australian court backed the governments decision to approve expansions of two coal mines in a case thats challenged the climate credentials of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses administration. Most Read from Bloomberg Justice Shaun McElwaine upheld a decision by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to authorize the Whitehaven Coal Ltd. and MACH Energy Australia Pty. projects, rejecting calls from activists for her to reconsider the climate risks posed by additional coal production. In no sense is this a case about the denial of climate science or the existential threat posed by climate change, McElwaine said in a judgment Wednesday at the Federal Court in Melbourne. However, the case has raised issues for parliament to consider further on how global warming risks should be assessed, he said. Australia, one of the worlds top shippers of fossil fuels, has seen a slew of legal challenges against projects over their forecast impact on global warming. Attention has also focused on Albaneses support of a coal industry that delivered A$128 billion ($82 billion) in export earnings last fiscal year, even as his government pursues more ambitious cuts to domestic emissions. Plibersek and the coal producers were joint respondents in the legal challenge made by the Environment Council of Central Queensland, an advocacy group that argued the minister acted unlawfully by not taking into account climate and ecological risks. Our environment laws are broken so long as they fail to tackle climate change, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said in a statement. The Environment Minister should be on the side of the environment to protect our climate, our rivers, our reef and public safety instead of teaming up with coal and gas companies. Story continues Whitehaven has sought approval to continue operations at its Narrabri underground mine through 2044, while MACH controlled by Indonesian billionaire Anthoni Salims Droxford International Ltd. aims to extend production at Mount Pleasant to 2048. Campaigners have also criticized Albaneses government and exporters over their insistence that because global coal demand remains strong, any decision by Australia to restrict exports would only encourage other nations that supply lower-quality and more polluting raw materials to lift sales. Australias center-left Labor government has granted approvals to four coal projects since taking office last year, according to campaign groups. Plibersek in February blocked development by mining tycoon Clive Palmer of the proposed Central Queensland Coal Project, citing environmental risks including to the Great Barrier Reef. Coal exports from Australia are forecast to continue to expand through 2025, driven by growth in markets including India, the countrys industry ministry said this month. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. [October 11, 2023] The Belt and Road Initiative Aids Developing Countries in Achieving Higher Level of Growth -- Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Tweet BEIJING, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "China did not come to us with money; instead, we went to China for funding," Dr. Palitha Kohona, the former Sri Lankan ambassador to China said in an interview. "I think we have to separate propaganda from reality. Sri Lanka did not fall into a [debt] trap." The Hambantota Port, located on Sri Lanka's southern coast, is near one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, through which an estimated 35,000 vessels pass annually. As a key collaboration between China and Sri Lanka under the Belt and Road Initiative, the port formally commenced operations in December 2017. Dr. Kohona explained that when planning the port's construction, the Sri Lankan government initially sought out some Western investors and multilateral organizations. Yet, given the recent cessation of domestic unrest in Sri Lanka at that time, these entities showed hesitance in financing the endeavor. After facing challenges in obtaining funds, the government turned to China. Ultimately, China extended a supportive hand, providing substantial investment. At that juncture, Sri Lanka's economic standing was solid, ensuring timely repayments. In light of th circumstances, Dr. Kohona contends that the so-called "debt trap" narrative is starkly overstated. Reflecting on the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to Sri Lanka, Dr. Kohona observed that the Initiative aids developing countries in achieving higher level of growth. Investments stemming from the Initiative have already enabled some countries to realign their economic trajectories, paving the way for new highways, ports, bridges and airports, as well as spurring growth in other sectors. "So, I think Sri Lanka can expect to benefit considerably from further BRI investments," Dr. Kohona continued. "Maybe BRI-related investments will also help Sri Lanka to extricate itself from the massive financial crisis that it is facing." This year marks the 10th anniversary of launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. Throughout its duration, it has matured into a globally recognized public good and a platform for international collaboration. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is set to convene in Beijing this October. In a series of multilingual interviews, My China Eye, produced by China.org.cn, fifteen ambassadors to China from the Belt and Road partners talk about the tangible benefits that the Initiative has brought to their countries. Stay tuned for the updates! Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvHYkNc__E8 Original Link: http://www.china.com.cn/txt/2023-10/10/content_116726294.html View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-belt-and-road-initiative-aids-developing-countries-in-achieving-higher-level-of-growth----former-sri-lankan-ambassador-to-china-301953307.html SOURCE China.org.cn [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Delta Showcases Efficient and Reliable Datacenter Infrastructure Solutions at Data Centre World Asia 2023 Tweet SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Electronics (Thailand) PCL. harnessed the power of 3D printed models and VR devices to showcase its one-stop Datacenter Infrastructure Solutions to visitors in an immersive experience at the Data Centre World Asia 2023 at the iconic Marina Bay Sands. Through this innovative approach, visitors could gain a deep understanding of not only Delta's energy-efficient power systems, cooling systems and monitoring platforms for datacenters, but also the various structure designs for the different needs of customers. Speaking at the event, Mr. Sakda Sae-Ueng, Delta SEA Regional Business Director of Communications & Information Solutions, said, "This year, our theme is prefabricated datacenter solutions which focuses on the advantages of reliable and quick deployment. This type of datacenter offers owners a pay-as-you-go model that can easily be replicated for expansion and is even environmentally friendly due to the use of recycled materials. Our Delta solutions showcase consists of large co-location and on-premises type datacenters along with edge datacenter applications." Delta Booth U70 solution highlights include models and VR experiences for: Containerized Datacenters Fast deployment in weeks vs 18-24 months for traditional construction. Prefabricate, pretested, and fully configured architecture with high portability for edge computing applications. Integrated subsystems (UPS, power distribution, battery, cooling, racks). Modular or Building Datacenter Prefabricated Point of Delivery fully in-house designed, configured and pre-tested. Pay-as-you-go to meet customer business requirements with standard building blocks. Smart architecture that is applicable to either cold or hot aisle containment. Tier III certified solution saves time and money on obtaining Uptime TCDD certification. Power Train Unit (PTU) for Datacenters Scalable power for data centers with high reliability and efficiency. Outdoor AC/DC or AC power container to integrate onsite. Indoor power skid pre-assembled power system. This year, Delta invited around 60 datacenter industry partners from Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia to attend as VIP guests. Delta hosted the partners at a welcome dinner and keynote presentation titled "Single Sourcing your Data Center Build" by Timothy Desmond, Delta SEA Regional Solution Manager. In addition to regional partners, Delta welcomes all attendees at Data Centre World Asia 2023 to visit the Delta Booth U70 and talk with the team of experts while exploring the latest Delta's datacenter solutions through 3D printed models or VR experience. About Delta Electronics (Thailand) Public Company Limited Founded in 1988, Delta Electronics (Thailand) PCL. is a global producer of power and thermal management products and solutions. The company is a subsidiary of Delta Electronics, Inc. with the mission statement, "To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow," which reflects the company's strong belief in sustainable development especially with issues related to the environment. As an energy-saving solutions provider with core competencies in power electronics and innovative research and development, Delta's business categories include Power Electronics, Automation, and Infrastructure. The company's global presence is supported by its sales offices in key regions around the world; manufacturing facilities in India, Slovakia and Thailand; and several R&D centers located in Thailand, India, Germany and other countries. Delta continues to earn numerous recognitions for its achievements in the region and domestically. Some awards won include the prestigious ASEAN Business Award, Stock Exchange of Thailand's Best Company Performance Award and the coveted Prime Minister's Best Industry Award. For detailed information about Delta Thailand, please visit: www.deltathailand.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/delta-showcases-efficient-and-reliable-datacenter-infrastructure-solutions-at-data-centre-world-asia-2023-301953351.html SOURCE Delta Electronics (Thailand) PCL [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Mouser Electronics Highlights the Technologies and Applications for Environmental Sensors in the Latest Empowering Innovation Together Tweet SHANGHAI, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mouser Electronics Inc., the industry's leading New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components, unveils the next installment of its award-winning Empowering Innovation Together series today, spotlighting the need for environmental sensors. Mouser examines the technology and applications behind environmental sensors and how they are used in creating indoor air quality monitoring solutions through a technical content stream of articles, blogs, videos, and the latest podcast episode of The Tech Between Us. Environmental sensors have become more popular among employers looking to improve air quality inside the workplace, bolstered at least in part by the pandemic and the demand for clean indoor air, and the sensors to track potential hazards By monitoring pollutants, particulates, and hazardous gasses in real time, employers can more easily address potential threats to employee health and productivity. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to a variety of short-term ailments, such as headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. With no federal standards regarding indoor air quality, employers are taking responsibility for monitoring their environments and providing clean air to employees. Mouser explores how environmental sensors offer an efficient way of doing so, allowing accurate readings tat can be easily monitored over time to provide the data companies need. "Environmental sensors can play an important role in keeping the air we breathe in our workplace clean. That's why Mouser is excited to share this informative EIT installment centered around this topic," says Raymond Yin, Technical Content Director at Mouser Electronics. "Through this initiative, we aim to empower engineers with the knowledge they need to find solutions for improving indoor air quality." This series includes the latest installment of The Tech Between Us podcast, hosted by Yin. He is joined by Ronan Cooney, Head of Product at Ambisense, to discuss the current landscape of indoor air quality compared to outdoor air quality. They also review the major contributors to poor air quality, regulations, and design considerations for air quality measurement devices. Additionally, the episode maps out Mouser's environmental sensor selections and the considerations needed when designing for specific applications. Mouser's variety of articles, infographics and videos offer an in-depth overview of environmental sensors, the risks associated with poor indoor air quality, the exploration of sensor selection for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and choosing the right volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors. This EIT installment is sponsored by Mouser's valued partners Amphenol, TE Connectivity, Honeywell, Renesas, Sensirion, and Bosch. Established in 2015, Mouser's Empowering Innovation Together program is one of the industry's most recognized electronic component programs. To learn more, visit https://www.mouser.com/empowering-innovation/ and follow Mouser on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter , and YouTube . For more Mouser news, visit https://www.mouser.com/newsroom/ . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/mouser-electronics-highlights-the-technologies-and-applications-for-environmental-sensors-in-the-latest-empowering-innovation-together-301953362.html SOURCE Mouser Electronics [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Capstreet-backed TradePending Acquires Fixed Ops Digital Tweet Strengthens TradePending's position in the automotive services industry CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TradePending, a sales enablement and consumer experience software platform for car dealerships, announced today that it has acquired Fixed Ops Digital ("Fixed Ops"), a marketing and technology company supporting automotive dealerships' fixed operations departments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. TradePending is backed by Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm. Fixed Ops and its website service experience platform SPARK work with auto dealerships to create a better online experience for their service customers. Fixed Ops implements digital marketing solutions for more than 800 franchise dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada and uses data intelligence to help them drive more fixed operations revenue. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO. The Fixed Ops management team, including CEO Owen Moon, COO Kevin Kulma, CTO Chris Branum and CMO Julie Branum, will remain with the company. "Auto dealerships are increasingly looking to their fixed operations departments to drive revenue, and we believe Fixed Ops Digital's marketing solutions will be helpful tools as dealers look for effective and innovative ways to reac new and existing customers," said Brice Englert, CEO of TradePending. "We believe the addition of Fixed Ops will strengthen TradePending's position in automotive services and provide us with substantial differentiation in the market, including new cross-selling opportunities." "We believe TradePending's relationships with more than 4,000 dealerships nationwide will open new doors for Fixed Ops, which will be key in supporting our next level growth," said Mr. Moon. "We are excited to partner with both the TradePending and Capstreet teams and are optimistic that together we can take advantage of dealerships' renewed focus on fixed ops." "Fixed Ops marks TradePending's third acquisition under Capstreet's ownership, and we are proud to support the continued expansion of the company as it seeks to creates a one-stop shop for auto dealerships' marketing and sales needs," said Adrian Guerra, Partner at Capstreet. About TradePending TradePending's mission is "simple automotive," bringing dealers and consumers together across North America. Over 4,000- dealerships across the United States and Canada utilize the company's sales enablement and website conversion platform to educate and inform their customers, to simplify and shorten the sales process, and to convert their website traffic into new opportunities. The platform includes integrated solutions for trade-in valuations and offers, monthly payment calculators, personalized video communications, creative inventory merchandising, and detailed vehicle reports. The TradePending API provides industry partners with proprietary market data to power their own products and services. https://www.tradepending.com About Capstreet Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services companies. With over 45 platform investments and over 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet's investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework to help accelerate growth and profitability, and help create long term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet's investments have been with founder- or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, www.capstreet.com. Contact: Lambert Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, [email protected] Joanne Lessner, 212-222-7436, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capstreet-backed-tradepending-acquires-fixed-ops-digital-301952637.html SOURCE TradePending [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Compliance at Your Fingertips: One-Click Sanctions Compliance Tweet ThreatSTOP and FiveBy are working to automate sanction compliance. SEATTLE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Many businesses are worried about the risks posed by global sanctions and anti-money laundering regulations. ThreatSTOP has partnered with FiveBy Solutions , a leading risk intelligence and fraud consultancy, to offer an automated, customizable compliance enforcement solution supporting the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) rules. This solution is easily integrated into existing network devices - including DNS servers, firewalls, routers, and endpoints. With One-Click Sanctions Compliance , organizations will gain access to automated OFAC sanctions compliance using a network enforcement solution, providing a checkpoint against transacting with sanctioned entities and their subsidiaries. Navigating Compliance Challenges in a Changing World Businesses today face mounting challenges in safeguarding their firms amid an ever-evolving sanctions landscape. Rapid changes in compliance requirements, driven by geopolitical conflicts, impact internet traffic and business dynamics. Since the invasion of Ukraine, US sanctions on Russia have skyrocketed, with over 2,500 new Russian-related targets added to the Treasury Department's SDN (Specially Designated Nationals) list. Engaging with these entities or their subsidiaries can lead to penalties, investigations, negative publicity, and business disruptions. However, identifying subsiiaries, scattered globally, requires extensive investigative and digital forensic research, intensifying the complexity of compliance. To overcome these obstacles, compliance officers and businesses must adapt by identifying sanctioned entities and subsidiaries, and strictly enforcing all compliance requirements. Staying ahead of evolving sanctions and skillfully navigating compliance is critical to protect firm integrity and reputation. One-Click Sanctions Compliance: Expertise Meets Technology Introducing One-Click Sanctions Compliance: a powerful solution by ThreatSTOP and FiveBy. Automate compliance for sanctions regulations and protect your network effortlessly. The ThreatSTOP platform blocks machine-to-machine connections with sanctioned countries, entities, subsidiaries, and seized territories, preventing prohibited business engagements. Customize enforcement policies to fit your specific needs, allowing you to selectively block countries and sanctions regimes while enabling traffic on an entity-specific basis. Save time and resources by automating compliance efforts, freeing you to focus on business growth. One-Click Sanctions Compliance provides data-backed evidence of your commitment to compliance, blocking and logging communication attempts to prevent violations. It offers internal and external network communications tracing for quick decision-making and action, enhancing your risk mitigation efforts. Interested in instant sanctions compliance? Get One-Click Sanctions Compliance installed today. Talk to an expert. ThreatSTOP is a cloud-based automated threat intelligence platform that converts the latest threat and sanctions data into enforcement policies, and automatically updates your firewalls, routers, DNS servers and endpoints to stop attacks before they become breaches. For more information, go to www.threatstop.com or contact [email protected]. FiveBy is a leading Risk Intelligence and Fraud consultancy. When it comes to risk and fraud management, FiveBy's industry experts bring strength and clarity to protecting our clients' profits and managing their reputations. This can be done through one-time risk assessments, or ongoing managed services. For more information go to www.FiveBy.com or contact John Solheim at [email protected]. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/compliance-at-your-fingertips-one-click-sanctions-compliance-301952820.html SOURCE FiveBy Solutions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Blueprint Releases U.S.' Largest Report on Anxiety & Depression; Introduces New Data-Driven Benchmarks for Behavioral Health Organizations Tweet New report examines over two million outcome measures from approximately 200,000 patients experiencing anxiety and depression across 2,000 mental health organizations and introduces new benchmark standards of care to improve patient outcomes CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blueprint , the technology platform helping mental health clinicians deliver higher-quality care in less time, today released the first-ever national benchmark standards of care, offering clinicians a roadmap to measure the efficacy of treatment and improve patient outcomes. The Blueprint Quality Index (BQI) provides the industry with transformative insights compiled from over 2.5 million outcome measures from 200,000 patients across more than 2,000 mental health organizations. The BQI is 50 times larger than the most well-known and largest behavioral health clinical study from 2008, STAR*D , making it the most robust, most distributed, and highest-fidelity mental health report in United States history. "Blueprint exists to empower mental health clinicians with easy-to-use software to make data-informed solutions and provide higher-quality care that helps patients get and stay better," said Danny Freed, founder and CEO at Blueprint. "Our new data and benchmark report on anxiety and depression provides a comprehensive look into the mental health crisis and offers benchmarks for clinicians to measure and implement a higher-quality level of care. Clinicians nationwide will now have a clear roadmap for improving treatment quality to help patients get better and save more lives." One in five adults, or nearly 58 million Americans, currently live with a mental health condition. Fueled by isolation and trauma from the pandemic, anxiety and depression rates are at an all-time high, yet only 13% of patients with access to care report lasting improvement. The mental health care industry has traditionally lacked technology solutions to track data to measure and improve the effectiveness of treatment over time, forcing clinicians to largely rely on subjective trial-and-error methods. To better address the growing mental health crisis, providers must transition from subjective assessment to higher-quality care that is data-driven and outcomes-focused. Blueprint's report found that the quality of care in behavioral health varies widely. An average of two-thirds (66%) o people who begin a 12-week course of outpatient behavioral health services do not reach remission for anxiety or depression. Roughly four out of five patients do not experience any clinically meaningful response to therapy, regardless of their remission status. Additional key findings from the report include: Approximately 21% of patients experience clinically meaningful improvements in depression symptoms and 24% in anxiety symptoms within 12 weeks of care. Only 31% of patients achieve remission for their depression symptoms during outpatient therapy, and 38% experience remission of anxiety symptoms. Clinical response to outpatient behavioral health care was greatest among high-severity patients (65% for depression, and 44% for anxiety) and smallest among mild-severity patients (16% for anxiety and depression). "These data show that access to mental health care is important, but improving the quality of that care is essential to better serve patients. A data-informed national framework for high-quality outpatient behavioral health care is crucial for charting a better path forward," said Antoinette Giedzinska, PhD, director of the Research Institute at Cumberland Heights and author of APA's The Clinician's Handbook on Measurement-Based Care. "I believe Blueprint's benchmarks for care will serve to better support clinicians across the country and, through its Blueprint Quality Index (BQI), promote an effective process towards implementing measurement-based care to help clinicians provide the best care possible for their patients." A critical next step in improving patient outcomes is aligning on what high-quality care looks like and how to measure effectiveness across a wide range of organizations, populations, treatment settings, and more. To help establish a widely accepted standard, Blueprint developed the industry's first set of benchmarks to provide higher-quality care, the BQI, based on its data findings. By ranking organizations on a scale (0-100) for anxiety and depression outcomes, the goal of the BQI is to create transparent standards for clinicians and behavioral health care organizations to improve communication, comparison, and patient outcomes nationwide. The BQI is based on a commonly used healthcare benchmarking method, referred to as Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABCs), which derives a standard of excellence based on existing data from top performers in a given peer group. "Demand for mental health care continues to skyrocket and clinicians need measurement-based tools to ensure treatment is actually creating lasting patient improvement," said Melissa Bartholomew, LMHC, owner of mental health practice Brighter Bound. "As someone who has seen the effectiveness of Blueprint's benchmark program firsthand, I view these benchmarks as an essential tool in helping me achieve the best clinical outcomes with my clients and fully support and encourage the industry-wide adoption of these standards. For the first time, my fellow clinicians have a roadmap to create more personalized treatment plans that will help patients get better, faster." Blueprint tackles the status quo through software that provides data-driven insights to help clinicians inform their work and improve patient outcomes. Patients have the ability to share honest feedback and perspectives about their therapeutic sessions, and these findings give their clinician a "blueprint" to help inform their future treatment. Patients using Blueprint respond to treatment up to 44 percent faster compared to conventional mental health services. For clinicians, Blueprint: Automates administrative tasks, saving up to two hours per week on manual data entry. Offers suggested session plans to surface the most important changes and events since the last session. Provides in-session guidance to deliver the right evidence-based interventions. Drives a 25 percent reduction in no-shows and cancellations. For patients, Blueprint: Makes treatment efficient, saving time and money with better health outcomes. Provides progress tracking across symptoms, sleep, exercise, and treatment goals. Offers therapeutic homework and quick assignments for continuous progress. Gives easier access to crisis resources in times of need. As insurance companies move toward performance-based payment structures, small to midsize organizations who historically struggle to adopt enterprise-relevant quality measures may be able to use the BQI in the future as a more scalable and equitable measure of quality outcomes. By systematically measuring patient outcomes and collectively adopting a culture of transparency and improvement, the mental health industry can make great strides in achieving true parity with the broader healthcare landscape and gain recognition for the life-changing treatments that are delivered on a daily basis. Approximately 10,000 clinicians across 50 states are using Blueprint's platform, creating one of the world's largest multimodal mental healthcare datasets equating to 10 million days of information. Blueprint will release a new anxiety and depression data and benchmark report annually to capture the latest industry data and provide up-to-date recommendations. For more on Blueprint and its anxiety and depression data and benchmark report, please visit: https://resources.blueprint-health.com/blueprint-quality-index-2023 . About Blueprint Blueprint is a technology platform that helps mental health clinicians provide the highest-quality care and improve outcomes for patients. Blueprint's solution is used to monitor patients between sessions and generate a data-driven "blueprint" for clinicians at the point of care to help inform treatment decisions. Thousands of clinicians across the country use Blueprint to generate better outcomes more quickly for hundreds of thousands of patients. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the company has raised $14 million in total funding to date. To learn more, visit: https://www.blueprint-health.com/ . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blueprint-releases-us-largest-report-on-anxiety--depression-introduces-new-data-driven-benchmarks-for-behavioral-health-organizations-301953138.html SOURCE Blueprint [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Announces Patient Randomization Underway at Clinical Trial Site at Mayo Clinic in Florida Tweet DALLAS and TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. (TSXV: PINK) (OTC: PYNKF) (FSE: 4PC) ("Perimeter" or the "Company") a commercial-stage medical technology company announced that patient randomization is underway at Mayo Clinic in Florida, the most recent clinical site to be initiated as part of an ongoing multi-center, randomized two-arm pivotal clinical trial evaluating the investigational Perimeter B-Series OCT combined with its proprietary ImgAssist AI software. Dr. Sarah Butler, Perimeter's Vice President, Clinical and Medical Affairs stated, "Patient recruitment and randomization is underway at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, which is one of the sites where we are studying the combination of the Perimeter B-Series medical imaging platform with artificial intelligence software. Combining high-resolution optical coherence tomography with AI algorithms can potentially help surgeons better identify regions of interest during breast conserving surgeries, with the aim of improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs." Adrian Mendes, Perimeter's Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are pleased that we continue to advance our ongoing pivotal clinical trial, supporting our goal to expedite the development of our next-gen AI technology. With its potential to become the new standard for specimen imaging technology during breast conservation surgery, our hope is that the data generated from this study will support the commercialization of Perimeter B-Series." About Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. Based in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas, Perimeter Medical Imaging AI (TSX-V: PINK) (OTC: PYNKF) (FSE: 4PC) is a medical technology company driven to transform cancersurgery with ultra-high-resolution, real-time, advanced imaging tools to address areas of high unmet medical need. Available across the U.S., our FDA-cleared Perimeter S-Series OCT system provides real-time, cross-sectional visualization of excised tissues at the cellular level. The breakthrough-device-designated investigational Perimeter B-Series OCT with ImgAssist AI represents our next-generation artificial intelligence technology that is currently being evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial, with support from a grant of up to US$7.4 million awarded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The company's ticker symbol "PINK" is a reference to the pink ribbons used during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In this news release, words such as "may," "would," "could," "will," "likely," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information may relate to management's future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements or information regarding the future financial position, business strategy and strategic goals, competitive conditions, research and development activities, projected costs and capital expenditures, research and clinical testing outcomes, taxes and plans and objectives of, or involving, Perimeter. Without limitation, information regarding the potential benefits of Perimeter S-Series OCT, Perimeter B-Series OCT, and Perimeter ImgAssist; details regarding Perimeter's ongoing clinical trials; and the anticipated completion date of Perimeter's clinical trials, are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, any particular result will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond Perimeter's control. Such forward-looking statements reflect Perimeter's current view with respect to future events, but are inherently subject to significant medical, scientific, business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties and contingencies. In making forward-looking statements, Perimeter may make various material assumptions, including but not limited to (i) the accuracy of Perimeter's financial projections; (ii) obtaining positive results from trials; (iii) obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; and (iv) general business, market, and economic conditions. Further risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those applicable to Perimeter and described in Perimeter's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is available on Perimeter's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Perimeter does not intend, nor does Perimeter undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events, or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/perimeter-medical-imaging-ai-announces-patient-randomization-underway-at-clinical-trial-site-at-mayo-clinic-in-florida-301953098.html SOURCE Perimeter Medical Imaging, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Dr.Bill supports physicians in B.C. by simplifying administration of new payment model, freeing up time for patient care Tweet Dr.Bill, a medical billing platform, offers a streamlined approach to administration, facilitating efficient compensation for family physicians VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - As part of its commitment to resolve physician billing issues, Dr.Bill, the solutions-focused medical billing platform powered by RBCx, is now working with Doctors of B.C. to offer physicians a user-friendly platform for submitting patient panels to the Medical Services Plan (MSP). The secure portal helps to ensure equitable compensation for physicians while streamlining the complexities of medical billing. Launched earlier this year, the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model represents an alternative approach to the fee-for-service model. The model, simplified through three billing codes, integrates multiple elements to empower family practice physicians in providing comprehensive, long term family medicine including fostering quality time with patients, recognition for time spent on indirect patient care and administration, recognition for complex patient care, and greater physician autonomy, as well as flexibility and support for rising practice costs. "As the health landscape undergoes continuous transformation driven by new technologies to advance patient care, Dr.Bill remains steadfast in our dedication to innovation for physiians and the critical need to address issues related to administrative burden," said Sarah Wilkinson, CEO Dr.Bill. "As an ally to physicians this is another step in our commitment to combating burnout by simplifying administration of this new billing model to enable physicians do what they do best, care for patients." Physicians in B.C. will now have the capability to securely upload and submit their patient panels to MSP through Dr.Bill's portal, even if they are not presently using the platform for their billing purposes. About RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com . We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact . About Dr.Bill Dr.Bill, part of the RBCx portfolio of companies, is a secure medical billing platform designed to simplify the nuanced medical billing process. It helps to mitigate stressful realities of administrative burden and ensure billing is done accurately and efficiently so medical professionals can spend more time on their important work with patients and get paid in a timely manner. Dr.Bill is currently available in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Visit dr-bill.ca to learn more. About RBCx RBCx powers bold ideas, founders, and technology companies. We know building great businesses takes more than just finance, which is why our four pillars Banking, Capital, Platform, and Ventures combine to make us the go-to backer of Canadian innovation. We use our deep expertise to support businesses of all sizes and stages, and leverage RBC's extensive experience, networks, and capital to solve tomorrow's big problems. SOURCE RBC [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Nexposai Unveils AI-Powered 3D Virtual Showroom Tweet Transforming Industrial Equipment Showcase Experience MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexposai, a state-of-the-art virtual showroom technology, announces its official launch, pioneering a new age for the industrial equipment sector. What is Nexposai? Nexposai is designed to radically alter equipment showcasing. By seamlessly blending 3D virtual visualization with AI-driven interactivity, Nexposai transforms how manufacturers and distributors present their products, offering an immediate, in-depth experience to potential clients right from their mobile devices. Features of Nexposai 3D Virtual Showroom : A QR scan brings marketing materials to life, letting users inspect equipment in vivid 3D as if the product stood before them. : A QR scan brings marketing materials to life, letting users inspect equipment in vivid 3D as if the product stood before them. Conversational AI: Beyond mere exploration, Nexposai provides a guide. The built-in AI offers product information and answers queries, enriching user understanding. Beyond mere exploration, Nexposai provides a guide. The built-in AI offers product information and answers queries, enriching user understanding. Human Connection : While digitally comprehensive, Nexposai ultimately guides users from virtual exploration to meaningful conversations with sales professionals. : While digitally comprehensive, Nexposai ultimately guides users from virtual exploration to meaningful conversations with sales professionals. Seamless Experience: Nexposai operates without additional apps or software. Users simply scan a QR code for immediate functionality. Dave Chaffey, Founding Partner of Nexposai, passionately expressed, "We're not just showcasing equipment; we're crafting unforgettable encounters. It's about bringing the product to life, answering every query, and finally, connecting customers to real individuals ready to assist further." "It's the blend of tactile interaction, intelligent AI Q&A, and eventual human connection that makes Nexposai revolutionary." Why Nexposai is a Game-Changer for the Industry: Historically, the purchase of industrial machinery and equipment required in-person visits, hands-on inspections, or reliance on static brochures. Nexposai revolutionizes this model, turning product sheets into dynamic, interactive showcases. Potential customers can now engage with products in entirely new ways, from rotating a piece of machinery in 3D space, zooming into specific parts, to receiving real-time information via the platform's AI assistant. Streamlined Sales Process: Sales cycles becomes exponentially efficient. The new experience ensures customers progress from curiosity to conviction much faster. Sales cycles becomes exponentially efficient. The new experience ensures customers progress from curiosity to conviction much faster. Empowered Decision-Making: Customers can make well-informed choices. The virtual showroom and real-time AI offer clarity that traditional brochures can't match. Customers can make well-informed choices. The virtual showroom and real-time AI offer clarity that traditional brochures can't match. Future-Ready Marketing: In an age of digital transformation, Nexposai places companies at the forefront. It's more than a tool; it's a strategic advantage. Experience Nexposai For a clearer picture, the Nexposai team has curated a demonstration video that provides a tour of this innovative experience. The curious can also experience Nexposai first-hand - try it directly from their mobile phones. Pilot Program Nexposai is inviting industry innovators to its inaugural pilot program. Join us in sculpting the future of equipment showcasing. For more details, visit nexposai.com. About Nexposai: Designed to revolutionize equipment showcasing, Nexposai transforms static marketing materials into revolutionary experiences, masterfully integrating 3D visualization and AI-driven engagement to bridge the digital-human divide. Additional Media Resources The following digital assets may be used freely for the publication of this media release or in any publications that relate or mention Nexposai Image 1 (1200 x 1200): https://nexposai.com/wp-content/uploads/AI-virtual.jpg Image 1 (1200 x 1200): https://nexposai.com/wp-content/uploads/AI-example.jpg Demonstration Video: https://vimeo.com/856573710 Mobile Showcase Access: https://app.nexposai.com/arplaceitem/jack-hammer-demonstration/ Mobile Showcase QR Code: https://nexposai.com/wp-content/uploads/Jack-Hammer.png Media Enquiries Media enquiries are welcome. Media Liaison: Dave Chaffey, Founding Partner Email: [email protected] Phone: +61 1300 633 390 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nexposai-unveils-ai-powered-3d-virtual-showroom-301952678.html SOURCE Nexposai [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] ACS Laboratory Launches Second Phase of Partnership with Blockticity to Address Fraud in the $4.5 Trillion Certification Market Tweet New COA System Addresses Need for Reliable Traceability in Hemp and Beyond MIAMI, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneering in hemp, cannabis, mushroom and kratom testing, ACS Laboratory is pleased to expand its longstanding partnership with Blockticity, a pivotal player in technology solutions that combats fraud within the vast certification and authenticity market, to create a transparent Certificate of Analysis (COA) verification system. This initiative ensures that COAs authenticated by Blockticity, from cannabis and hemp to a wide array of industries, are verified and securely recorded on the Avalanche blockchain a decentralized, open-source proof-of-stake blockchain with smart contract functionality. As evidence of this collaboration's potential, ACS Laboratory has minted 36,750 COAs on Avalanche's EVM-compatible C-chain, representing a retail value of $275,625,000. Blockticity's technology is gaining recognition, with entities worldwide evaluating its applications for document security and product integrity, reflecting its adaptability beyond just the hemp and cannabis sectors. Given vulnerabilities like QR code tampering, visual modifications and data alterations, the credibility of COAs is often compromised. Blockticity's solution ensures COAs have consistent, verifiable proof by anchoring them to the Avalanche blockchain. Companies can then access the report using the QR code, tracing it back to the original laboratory client. The lack of a robust track and trace system is prevalent across many industries. In response, ACS Laboratory, Blockticity and 3Chi embarked on a mission in November 2021, launching the sector's initial hemp COA as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Building on this, Blockticity is now setting the pace by automating the ACS Laboratory COA verification system for consumers and patients, enterprises sourcing raw materials and verifying lab results, law enforcement units, and media representatives. "We're pleased to join forces with Blockticity once again, harnessing this avant-garde technology for our esteemed clients," said Roger Brown, president of ACS Laboratory. "This technological leap allows any COA viewer to trace its origins and detect any discrepancies. This venture could pave the way for a comprehensive global tracking mechanism, reinforcing the credibility of certification processes, backed by the Avalanche blockchain." "We believe tat these technologies have the potential to make a positive impact on the world, and we are excited to partner with Blockticity to build a better future," stated Winston Harding, CEO of LYTHA Ventures. About ACS Laboratory: ACS Laboratory is an award-winning testing facility serving the cannabis, hemp, mushroom and kratom industries with consistent, precise results. The team has earned 82 Emerald Test Badges for accurate results, more than any other lab in the USA. Exceeding regulatory requirements, ACS is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, DEA licensed, CLIA licensed and hemp-testing compliant in all 50 states (including Puerto Rico), and 17 countries. The facility is also a Florida Department of Health "Certified Marijuana Testing Laboratory." Beyond compliance, ACS is committed to innovation, continuously developing protocols to support clients as they expand into new product types and verticals. ACS Laboratory operates a 20,000 sq. ft. facility, making it the largest in the Eastern USA. Explore ACS' blog for the latest botanical science and laboratory testing information. Visit www.acslab.com for a complete list of testing services and capabilities. About Blockticity Blockticity offers technology solutions aimed at mitigating fraud in the certification and authenticity realm. Its potential extends beyond hemp and cannabis, promising reliability for various industries vulnerable to deceit and counterfeiting. Discover more at https://blockticity.io/ . About Lytha Ventures LYTHA Ventures invests in early-stage companies that are using cutting-edge technologies to address global challenges and foster sustainable solutions. Our focus areas include AI, blockchain, and clean energy. https://lythaventures.com/ About Ava Labs Ava Labs makes it simple to deploy high-performance solutions for Web3, led by innovations on Avalanche. The company was founded by Cornell computer scientists, who partnered with Wall Street veterans and early Web3 leaders to execute a promising vision for redefining the way people build and use open, permissionless networks. Ava Labs is redefining the way people create value with Web3. Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook About Avalanche Avalanche is a smart contracts platform that scales infinitely and regularly finalizes transactions in less than one second. Its novel consensus protocol, Subnet infrastructure, and HyperSDK toolkit enable Web3 developers to easily launch powerful, custom blockchain solutions. Build anything you want, any way you want, on the eco-friendly blockchain designed for Web3 devs. Media Contact: Duree & Company, Inc. 954-723-9350 / [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acs-laboratory-launches-second-phase-of-partnership-with-blockticity-to-address-fraud-in-the-4-5-trillion-certification-market-301953004.html SOURCE ACS Laboratory [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] On the sixth day of Sam Bankman-Frieds fraud trial, Caroline Ellison, his ex-girlfriend and colleague, described how relief washed over her when the FTX cryptocurrency exchange collapsed. Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, the hedge fund associated with the company, broke into tears as she described FTXs final days in testimony Wednesday. She said that, during last years cryptocurrency crash, Bankman-Fried directed her to illegally appropriate FTX customers money and lie to its many lenders. Related: Sam Bankman-Fried trial: what is he accused of and does he face prison time? This was kind of something Id been dreading for so long and I just, I felt a sense of relief that I didnt have to lie anymore that I could take responsibility, Ellison said. Ellison offered an inside look at FTX and Alamedas collapse in her testimony and shed light on how her relationship with Bankman-Fried affected both. The two had broken up in early 2022, and Ellison said she was avoiding social settings and one-on-one conversations with Bankman-Fried when the crash started in May 2022. Ellison said she was worried that the crytpo downturn would bring down Alameda because many of the hedge funds lenders had open-term loans, which meant they could call them and ask for their money back at any point. The crash left Alameda in the lurch after the value of its crypto assets evaporated. Lenders started to call loans in June. Alameda was obligated to repay them immediately. It was billions of dollars short, Ellison said. She testified that Bankman-Fried blamed her for the financial disaster, yelling at her in the penthouse apartment they shared. Sam started saying it was a big mistake, and that it was my fault, and that I was largely responsible for the financial situation Alameda found itself in, Ellison said. Ellison also prepared various documents showing Alamedas financials. Around the time that loans were being recalled, as Alameda was getting a cash injection from FTX, the hedge fund owed FTX around $10bn. The federal prosecutor Danielle Sassoon asked Ellison about her mental state at the prospect of repaying loans with money she didnt have. Story continues To cover the shortfall, Alameda used FTX customers money but did not tell them, Ellison said, an action she described as Sams decision that she thought was wrong. She repeatedly said that Bankman-Fried had set up a system to shuttle FTX customer funds to Alameda to cover loan expenses and make investments, all without notifying FTX customers, in her testimony the day before. I was in sort of constant state of dread. At that point, I knew wed have to take the money from our FTX line of credit, Ellison said. Every day I was worrying about the possibility of customer withdrawals from FTX and the possibility of this getting out. Sassoon also asked Ellison about Bankman-Frieds philosophy on rules. According to Ellison, He said that he was a utilitarian and he believed that the ways that people try to justify rules like dont lie dont steal, under utilitarianism didnt work. He also warned FTX employees and executives about not putting stuff in writing that could get us in trouble, she said. This viewpoint began to affect her own, she said. It made me more willing to do things like lie and steal over time, Ellison said. When she started working at Alameda, she wouldnt have believed it if people had told her that shed lie on balance sheets and steal from customers, she testified. On a Google Doc Ellison made amid the collapse, the header was Things Sam is freaking out about, which included bad PR in the next 6 months. Ellison testified on Tuesday that she committed multiple crimes at the direction of Bankman-Fried while working for Alameda. Bankman-Fried faces seven fraud and conspiracy counts for allegedly cheating customers out of $10bn. He has pleaded not guilty. Ellisons testimony also offered a glimpse at the inner workings of FTX and Bankman-Frieds carefully curated public persona. He cultivated relationships with reporters and maintained a Twitter presence as part of his effort to present himself as a very smart, confident, somewhat eccentric founder, Ellison testified. He put little effort into his appearance, Ellison said, dressing sloppily and rarely cutting his hair. He said he thought his hair had been valuable, she continued, saying Bankman-Fried had kept it astray since his time as a trader at Jane Street. He said he thought hed gotten higher bonuses because of his hair. Ellison and Bankman-Fried were in an on-again-off-again romantic entanglement starting in 2018. The two resided in a $40m Bahamas penthouse with other FTX executives at the time of the exchanges collapse. In addition to their opulent accommodations, they were both assigned luxury company cars while in the Bahamas. But, with PR in mind, Bankman-Fried switched his vehicle. He said he thought it was better for his image to be driving a Toyota Corolla. Ellison pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges in December 2022 for her role in the stunning collapse of FTX and Alameda. [October 11, 2023] Edgewater Wireless Receives Support from MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI) for its Next-Generation WiFi7 Silicon Solutions Tweet Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc. (TSXV: YFI) (OTC: KPIFF), the industry leader in Wi-Fi Spectrum Slicing technology for residential and enterprise markets, is pleased to announce a strategic collaboration with C2MI, a world-class semiconductor innovation and collaboration centre located in Bromont, Quebec. This collaboration is made possible, in part, through funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), supporting the provision of its advisory services. Dovetailing with Edgewater's on-shoring initiatives, the first phase of this work will tap C2MI's expertise to enhance the North American manufacturability of Edgewater's next-generation WiFi7 Spectrum Slicing solution. By working with C2MI, Edgewater will have access to a world-class team in a state-of-the-art facility. The first phase of the multi-phase engagement will de-risk the production of engineering samples for the global residential Wi-Fi market and is geared toward scaling to volume production using a trusted supply chain. The C2MI collaboration adds value to Edgewater by: helping to de-risk the production and commercialization phase of Edgewater's next-generation WiFi7 Spectrum Slicing silicon; providing access to C2MI's world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art automated equipment and production process expertise; providing accelerated development and commercialization support (from prototype production samples to full market launch); leveraging C2MI's global collaborative ecosystem and identifying internal or external partners able to join projects to ensure successful results; having access to and collaboration with over 250 scientists, researchers, academics and industry technology experts who have been innovating within the semiconductor industry for decades; and Edgewater retains all intellectual property developed or designed in collaboration with C2MI, and fulfills its mandate of on-shoring its silicon production efforts back to North America. "We are thrilled to be working in close collaboration with C2MI's world-class team, who are strategically located in Bromont, Quebec, just a short drive from Edgewater's head office in Ottawa. Because of C2MI's ecosystem, the Bromont area has quickly established itself as a major North American hub in the field of semiconductors. A large number of companies specializing in semiconductors are benefiting from the cross-border corridor between the IBM plant in Bromont and the IBM research center in Albany. We are delighted to be part of this North American silicon ecosystem and look forward to tapping the expertise of the C2MI team." said Andrew Skafel, President and CEO of Edgewater Wireless. "We're always excited to work with next-generation semiconductor technologies, and Edgewater sure has a great project, targeting global players," said Marie-Josee Turgeon, CEO of the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre. In advance of government programs incentivizing on-shore silicon development, Edgewater initiated strategi steps to on-shore silicon development and commercialization of next-generation Wi-Fi Spectrum Slicing silicon. The strategic initiative offers the Company more direct control of its silicon process and supply line, including critical design and quality assurance efforts. It provides closer access to North American foundries and gives the Company more direct control over silicon supply lines, including design and quality assurance. On-shoring the design and verification process will effectively allow complete domestic development in preparation for prototype manufacturing and lab validation of full-duplex Wi-Fi ASICs. About MiQro Innovation Collaboration Centre (C2MI): The MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI) serves as a reference in the development and commercialization of components essential to digital technologies, being a transversal vector to all economical sectors and critical to wealth creation. Backed by a world-class infrastructure in the manufacturing fields of microelectromechanical system (MEMS), advanced assembly of semiconductors, compound semiconductors and electronic systems, as well as printable electronics, C2MI is at the heart of all industrial activity sectors integrating components essential to the use and deployment of digital technologies. The Centre is strongly committed to be a unique model of collaboration where synergy between industrial and academic partners is necessary, even essential, to the development of new generation products. Visit: www.c2mi.ca About Edgewater Wireless We make Wi-Fi. Better. Edgewater Wireless (www.edgewaterwireless.com) is the industry leader in innovative Spectrum Slicing technology for residential and commercial markets. We develop advanced Wi-Fi silicon solutions, Access Points, and IP licensing designed to meet the high-density and high quality-of-service needs of service providers and their customers. With 26 granted patents, Edgewater's Multi-Channel, Single Radio (MCSR) technology revolutionizes Wi-Fi, delivering next-generation Wi-Fi today. Edgewater's physical layer Spectrum Slicing allows a frequency band to be divided, or sliced, to enable more radios to operate in a given area. Think of Spectrum Slicing like moving from a single-lane road to a multi-lane highway - regardless of Wi-Fi technology. The recently completed Proof of Concept (PoC) with a major Tier 1 Service Provider showed 7 to 18 times performance gains in 75% of homes surveyed. Interestingly, homes with the most devices saw the greatest improvements. For more information, visit www.edgewaterwireless.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. Although Edgewater Wireless believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because Edgewater Wireless can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause Edgewater Wireless' actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to access to capital markets, market forces, competition from new and existing companies and regulatory conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this news release or otherwise, and to not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. Edgewater Wireless undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011172411/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Eclipsys Expands into a Brand with Multi-National Reach Following Acquisition by DSP UK Tweet TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Eclipsys Solutions Inc. (Eclipsys), headquartered out of Ottawa, Ontario announced today that it has been acquired by DSP a leading UK based data management and Cloud platform management partner focused on Oracle solutions. This expands the Eclipsys brand into the European market to become a multi-national provider of Oracle technology and services. With over 200 employees and offices across the UK including London, England and Dublin, Ireland - DSP has established a reputation as a trusted partner for companies that want to invest in Oracle and multi-cloud technologies. The acquisition of Eclipsys only strengthens their breadth of resources and positions DSP to expand across North America. Eclipsys has a long history of providing Oracle solutions and services to leading organizations across Canada, both in the Public Sector and Commercially. Eclipsys has established deep proven expertise across the Oracle suite of offerings to help customers drive material business value from their investment in Oracle solutions. This includes over 258 manufacturers certifications, with 212 (and counting) in the Oracle space alone. When matched with DSP's robust capabilities in managed IT services and expertise in Oracle technology, the combined organization will be able to further drive Oracle Cloud technology growth. This acquisition follows recent record results for Oracle Corporation in which Wolfe Research predicts Oracle's Cloud business could double its market share by 2025 "on the backs of architectural advantages, partnerships" and generative AI. "The plan with my partner and co-founder Jack Gulas was to take stock of where we were as a company at the 5 and 10-year mark. Now after 11 years together, building multiple successful companies it was an opportune time to look to outside investment to further scale and take advantage of the explosive growth in Oracle Cloud Solutions." says Michael Richardson, CEO and Co-Founder of Eclipsys. "We went through a rigorous process, supported externally by LaBarge Weinstein, our long-time legal advisors out of Ottawa and Toronto and Alantra Investment Advisors from New York. We received multiple offers, in the end, we decided DSP was best aligned to our strategy. They have a similar culture and a customer first mentalty paired with deep Oracle expertise and most importantly a huge focus on growth. These last months getting to know DSP has only reaffirmed that we have made the right decision and we are excited for what the future holds together." Richardson will stay in his role as Eclipsys CEO. Simon Goodenough, CEO of DSP UK commented publicly that "DSP has always had an acquisition strategy to expand into North America and the opportunity with Eclipsys presented itself as the perfect way to provide a beachhead to do so. From the moment I first met Michael and his senior team it was clear that there was a great cultural fit, both people and purpose I am hugely excited to be bringing together two such well respected Oracle specialists. Hot on the heels of our investment from Lloyds Development Capital this merger gives us access to the on-shore resources required to expand our portfolio, as well as further fuel to help drive our Oracle 'Ground-to-Cloud' strategy. We will continue to look for other partners, as well as invest organically, and continue with our plans to have deep skills and coverage across North America to best serve our customers there. We are delighted to bring Eclipsys into the DSP family of companies." Simon Goodenough, CEO of DSP and Michael Richardson, Co-Founder and CEO of Eclipsys meet in Ottawa, Canada to finalize acquisition details. About Eclipsys Solutions Inc. (www.eclipsys.ca) Located in Ottawa, Ontario and with offices across Canada, Eclipsys Solutions are THE Oracle Experts. They have been operating since 2009 (formerly Maplesoft Technology) as a Canadian consulting organization providing tailored mission critical services to help customers maximize the performance, availability, and security of their complex Oracle IT environments. Eclipsys is the place where Oracle experts want to work. They are the first and only Oracle Cloud Service Provider headquartered in Canada, have been named among Canada's Top 100 Small & Medium Employers (SME) two years in a row (2022-2023), and are also Great Place to Work certified. About DSP (www.dsp.co.uk) DSP is an Enterprise Database Management specialist that delivers innovative support, managed services & consulting for Oracle, SQL Server and Multi-Cloud technology. They pride themselves on employing world-class Oracle and Microsoft technologists, using best practice methodology and delivering services both on spec and on budget. Their client base includes start-ups, mid-market growth organisations and large enterprise; their forte is mission-critical database architectures. The names of actual companies or products mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of its release and is subject to change. SOURCE Eclipsys Solutions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] State of Wyoming Partners with Frontline Wildfire Defense to Protect More Homes and Businesses at Risk for Wildfires Tweet Investing in the industry-leading fire warning software system shows the State's commitment to modern fire-fighting technology tools JACKSON, Wyo., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The state of Wyoming has partnered with Frontline Wildfire Defense , the leading wildfire defense company, through a strategic direct investment that will help scale its residential and commercial operations. Frontline has now raised over $12M in total funding, with the addition of this investment. Frontline's Wildfire Defense System 2 is an integrated wildfire protection solution that combines wildfire tracking software, satellite connectivity, and onsite sprinkler hardware to protect any building from wildfires. The Frontline system uses the same Class-A Firefighting Foam used by firefighters when protecting structures. The state of Wyoming has invested in Frontline through the Wyoming Business Council (WBC)'s Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC) Fund, which launched earlier this spring utilizing federal funding to support high-growth companies across the state. Frontline is WYVC's second investment. "The Wyoming Business Council recognizes the innovation Frontline brings to the state and the eed for better homeowner protection from wildfires. Frontline is leading the charge with solutions that are essential in Wyoming and beyond," said Gordon Finnegan, WBC Equity Portfolio Manager. "Frontline developed their first system in Wyoming, literally saving Wyomingites' homes after installation. Our partnership with Frontline signals the importance of innovations in this industry, starting here in Wyoming." "This investment is critical to scaling our operations to meet demand on the West Coast," said Harry Statter, CEO and Founder of Frontline Wildfire Defense. "With more homeowners forced to protect homes and businesses on their own, the demand for Frontline's hardware will continue to grow rapidly." Frontline Wildfire Defense System 2 is available for property owners in Wyoming, California, and Oregon. To learn more about Frontline, visit www.frontlinewildfire.com . About Frontline Wildfire Defense Founded in 2017 by Harry Statter, a veteran landscape ecologist and fire mitigation expert, Frontline Wildfire Defense is committed to protecting homes, families, and communities from wildfire disasters. The Frontline Wildfire Defense System empowers homeowners to prepare for wildfire, monitor fires near their homes, and protect them during a wildfire event with Frontline's exterior sprinkler solution. The Frontline Mobile App, available for free on iOS and Android , provides comprehensive wildfire safety information and immediate evacuation notifications. About Wyoming Venture Capital Through federal funds provided by the U.S. Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), the Wyoming Business Council launched the Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC) fund at the beginning of April 2023. Designed to support the innovation and growth needs of entrepreneurs across the state, WYVC is an equity financing option for Wyoming high-growth companies with an eye toward future exit. WYVC utilizes two investment strategies the Direct Strategy and Funds Strategy to support the growth of the Wyoming venture ecosystem. The program targets contributing 20% to selected funds or companies' fundraising rounds with a maximum of up to a 50% contribution, or $5 million. Ultimately, both strategies are designed to support in-state companies and to help bridge the early gaps in startup equity funding. Media Contact press@frontlinewildfire.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/state-of-wyoming-partners-with-frontline-wildfire-defense-to-protect-more-homes-and-businesses-at-risk-for-wildfires-301953232.html SOURCE Frontline Wildfire Defense [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] SmartPM Achieves SOC 2 Type II Compliance, Demonstrating Continued Commitment to Data Security and Privacy Renowned for its groundbreaking contributions to construction data analytics software, SmartPM Technologies, Inc. announces its attainment of the Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II compliance. This achievement propels SmartPM into an elite group of companies, distinguishing it from many contemporaries in the tech sector who have yet to secure these stringent data protection and privacy benchmarks. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011278549/en/ SmartPM Technologies has achieved SOC 2 Type II Compliance for Data Security and Privacy. (Graphic: Business Wire) Originated by theAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the SOC 2 Type II compliance evaluates a company's non-financial reporting protocols, emphasizing security, availability, and confidentiality. Securing this accolade not only underscores SmartPM's fervent dedication to fortified data safeguards but also challenges industry contemporaries to elevate their standards. Rohit Sinha, CTO of SmartPM, reflected on the accreditation, noting, "Securing the SOC 2 Type II compliance affirms our unwavering commitment to data security and discretion. Pioneering such standards not only reinforces our market position but also emboldens us to continuously redefine industry benchmarks." To earn the SOC 2 Type II accolade, SmartPM collaborated with an independent third-party agency for a meticulous audit. The evaluation validated that SmartPM's operational safeguards align seamlessly with the compliance standard's meticulous criteria, underscoring the company's allegiance to top-tier industry norms. Elaborating on the accomplishment, CEO Michael Pink stated, "Our customers entrust us with valuable data, and it's imperative we reciprocate with unmatched security and privacy assurances. As many in our domain remain non-compliant, our SOC 2 Type II attestation exemplifies our commitment to trailblazing best practices." Interested parties can get the report from the SmartPM trust center. About SmartPM Technologies, Inc. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, SmartPM stands out for providing an intuitive project management software solution. Central to its ethos is equipping teams with actionable, data-centric insights to flawlessly execute projects within stipulated timelines and budgets. SmartPM's unwavering commitment to data integrity and security remains pivotal in solidifying its industry vanguard status. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011278549/en/ [October 11, 2023] MOTION AGENCY BROADENS FOOTPRINT ACROSS THE MIDWEST WITH ACQUISITION OF RICK MILLER COMMUNICATIONS IN CINCINNATI Tweet Acquisition Greatly Expands Capabilities Available to Clients in the Ohio River Valley and Surrounding Areas while Deepening Independent Agency's Talent and Experience CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Motion, Chicago's largest, certified female-owned and operated, independent creative communications agency, announced today it is acquiring highly-respected, Cincinnati-based strategic communications agency Rick Miller Communications (RMC), effective January 1, 2024. With locations now spanning Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville, Motion has established a more robust presence in the Midwest and nationwide. RMC is an integrated marketing firm founded in 2009 by Rick Miller after more than three decades working with regional and global communications firms in Cincinnati, Chicago and San Francisco. It provides public relations and content services, issues management, executive counseling and digital analytics to health care and consumer clients such as Myriad Genetics, Bethesda Inc./bi3, Lindner Center of HOPE and the Golden Lamb. The acquisition is an important step in Motion's 17-year transformation from a start-up operation into a fast-growing, leading national marketing communications and creative agency. The firm employs more than 50 people across key industry verticals including public relations, social media, content, creative and digital. "Creative curiosity and deep commitment to our clients is what drives our agency, and RMC has thesame philosophy," said Motion CEO and Founder, Kimberly Eberl. "Cincinnati is where I was born and raised. I know how abundant the business opportunities are in the region, so when the chance to bring RMC onboard was presented it was an obvious move." "Joining with Motion significantly bolsters what we can do today and in the future. We now have access to proven traditional and digital marketing capabilities and are adding depth to our team," added Miller. "We believe this integrated suite of services is unique in our region and offers significant value to our clients." Industry veteran Mike Gehrig will assume the role of Managing Director of Motion's Cincinnati office. A Cincinnati native with two decades of experience in communications, Gehrig has worked with both global and mid-sized communications firms, most recently as a Partner at Finn Partners. Miller will continue in his current role until the end of the year then support clients as a consultant. "The opportunity to work alongside Kim, Rick and this great team to drive impactful results for clients is something I've worked my entire career for," said Gehrig. "I believe that the combination of RMC and Motion's capabilities allows us to deliver something not available previously in this region and am excited about the great things ahead for this group." About Motion Motion, a certified woman-owned business, is an integrated marketing communications agency filled with talented creatives, brand designers, digital media experts, content development gurus, and social media enthusiasts. Motion focuses on delivering extraordinary brand experiences for clients across the consumer, healthcare, non-profit, manufacturing and B2B industries. For more information, visit www.agencyinmotion.com. About Rick Miller Communications (RMC) RMC is an independent communications firm that creates strategic communications and reputation management programs in categories such as health and wellness, services and hospitality. RMC provides value-based and client-tailored solutions through product and social marketing, content development, strategy, training and crisis management. www.rickmillercommunications.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motion-agency-broadens-footprint-across-the-midwest-with-acquisition-of-rick-miller-communications-in-cincinnati-301953234.html SOURCE Motion PR [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Presence Receives National Awards for Teletherapy Platform that Offers Clinicians and Schools Innovative Tools to Meet Urgent Student Needs Tweet The Tech Edvocate Awards names Presence as Best Assistive Technology Tool of 2023 Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2023 awards Presence in both the primary and secondary education categories NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Presence, a premier solution for PreK12 remote evaluation and teletherapy services, has been recognized with prestigious national awards for its innovative teletherapy platform. It recently won the 7th Annual Tech Edvocate Award in the Best Assistive Technology App or Tool category, as well as two awards in the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2023 in both the primary and secondary education categories. The Tech Edvocate Awards celebrate leaders at the forefront of innovation, recognizing outstanding companies, people, and products for their contributions in education. The Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2023 are designed to highlight the products and solutions that will support their work in any learning environment. "Increased student needs, coupled with a rising shortage of clinicians, create an urgent need for technology to support all who are serving children," said Kate Eberle Walker, CEO of Presence. "We're honored to receive these prestigious awards, and congratulate our fellow innovators who are doing meaningful work to harness the power of technology to impact students." The Presence therapy platform is designed by clinicians, for clinicians, with the goal of enhancing human connection between a therapist and their student in every session. For 15 years Presence has been advancing its technology platform to meet the needs of clinicias across many disciplines, starting with speech language pathologists and occupational therapists, then expanding to school psychologists and mental health professionals. In the past year alone, Presence clinicians have delivered almost one million teletherapy sessions to students across the nation. Presence is dedicated to ensuring that all students can access the special education and mental health-related services they need to learn and thrive. "Presence allows for each student's therapy to be highly individualized based upon their needs and interests. It makes planning and creating materials to meet individual needs a thousand times easier than other platforms," said Karen Totman, a Speech-Language Therapist, Maine School Administrative District 75, Topsham, Maine. A community of 2,000+ clinicians across multiple disciplines work with Presence to engage students in new ways and deliver services from anywhere. These highly-qualified clinicians value the Presence platform's ability to support the full spectrum of their workfrom case management to planning to therapy delivery to documentation. With thousands of digital learning resources, games and activities from well known therapy content publishers and a breadth of curated assessments from marquee test publishers, clinicians have access to savvy digital tools at their fingertips to address any expected and unexpected needs. Since Presence was founded in 2009, over 9,000 schools in 47 states have partnered with Presence to expand their clinical capacity and serve more students with diverse needs. By using Presence's network of clinicians to provide secure, efficient, and engaging online therapy solutions, schools have been able to reduce heavy caseloads and help more students reach their IEP and mental health goals. Presence has conducted almost six million therapy sessions for students across the US, and they continue to advance technologies that help schools and clinicians assess and address student special education and mental health needs. Presence was selected to receive the awards following a nomination and judging process. The Tech Edvocate awards program honors the year's top edtech companies, products, people, and more. A 10-person panel comprised of two edtech thought leaders, two PreK-12 teachers, one college professor, two K-12 administrators, one college administrator and two PreK-12 parents selected Presence as a winner after being named a finalist in August. To read more about the awards program and to view the full list of winners, click here . Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence program, "The Best Tools for Back to School" reviews and highlights products by grade level, including hardware, software, curriculum, and more, to connect the magazine's readers to high-quality solutions. Judges chose the nominated products based on their versatility, compatibility, value, and ability to help schools solve challenges and support continuous instruction. To read more about the awards program and to view a full list of winners, click here. About Presence Inspired to drive solutions for the national shortage of school clinicians, Presence is unlocking the potential of schools and clinicians by removing traditional barriers to success through an elevated approach to teletherapy. As a trusted leader since 2009, Presence is innovating how schools assess and address student special education and mental health needs. By equipping the largest network of teletherapy providers with award-winning technology and end-to-end clinical support, Presence is meeting the needs of schools, students, and clinicians todaywherever they are. With almost 6 million remote evaluations and teletherapy sessions conducted throughout the U.S., schools and clinicians trust the experience and expertise of Presence, a pioneer in school-based teletherapy. Presence is teletherapy, elevated. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/presence-receives-national-awards-for-teletherapy-platform-that-offers-clinicians-and-schools-innovative-tools-to-meet-urgent-student-needs-301953331.html SOURCE Presence [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] GrubMarket Appoints Susan Kennedy as New Advisory Board Member Tweet SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GrubMarket today announced that it has appointed Susan Kennedy, former Chief of Staff to Arnold Schwarzenegger in his tenure as the Governor of California, as a new advisory board member. Kennedy is a highly accomplished public figure who served for over three decades at the highest levels of the state government and is also well-known for her achievements as an advocate for environmental sustainability. She will bring her wealth of experience in governance, policy, and environmental stewardship to GrubMarket as the company continues to rapidly and profitably scale its business and sustainability efforts. Kennedy's extensive experience in government and politics, as well as her unwavering dedication to advancing policies and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, make her a natural fit to join GrubMarket's advisory board. Before working for Governor Schwarzenegger, Kennedy served as Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Gray Davis and was previously the Communications Director for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Kennedy has also served on several of the State's most influential regulatory boards, including California's Public Utilities Commission and the California Bay-Delta Authority. In these roles, Kennedy oversaw the regulation and efficacy of the State's investor-owned electric utilities, telecommunications providers, and private water companies, as well as the restoration of the San Francisco Bay-Delta eosystem to protect the region's water supply. During her government career, Kennedy was also a major driving force for many of California's groundbreaking environmental policies, including AB 32, the Low-Carbon Fuel Standard, auto emission standards, and the Renewable Portfolio Standard. After leaving the public sector, Kennedy founded the energy storage software and AI company Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS), which was later acquired by Fluence, a Siemens and AES company. Kennedy commented, "Sustainability and environmental stewardship have always been driving forces throughout my career. I know firsthand the power of public policy to drive positive change in key industries, including food. I am excited to bring my experience in public service to help GrubMarket further its mission to help farmers and build a more tech-enabled, sustainable and equitable food system for all. Mike and his team are true changemakers, and I believe GrubMarket can make a lasting impact on and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the food supply chain. I am thrilled to continue exploring my passion for building a more renewable and sustainable future by supporting GrubMarket as they continue scaling into one of the most impactful global food tech companies." Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket adds, "I am thrilled to welcome Susan as an advisory board member. She has had an illustrious career as a leader in both the public and private sectors, and her considerable experience in politics, government and environmental advocacy will be invaluable as we continue building towards our mission to be the most impactful digital transformer and technology enabler for the food supply chain. Susan has proven herself to be a strong mission-driven leader who cares deeply about the long-term sustainability of our country's agricultural ecosystem. Her passion for clean water access and renewable energy are in line with GrubMarket's ethos around climate change and commitment to supporting the farmers and growers who work hard to grow the food we all consume. We genuinely look forward to learning from Susan and working with her to create better outcomes for all stakeholders in our food industry from farmers to consumers to our environment." About GrubMarket Founded in 2014, GrubMarket is a San Francisco-based food technology company operating in the space of food supply chain eCommerce for business customers, as well as providing related software-as-a-service solutions to digitally transform the American and global food supply chain. Currently, GrubMarket operates in all 50 U.S. States; Ontario and British Columbia (Canada); Argentina, Chile, and Colombia (South America); Egypt, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Spain, with plans to expand further across the U.S., Canada, South America, and other parts of the world. For Media Inquiries: GrubMarket Media Team [email protected] (415) 986-0523 GrubMarket 1925 Jerrold Ave. San Francisco, CA. 94124 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grubmarket-appoints-susan-kennedy-as-new-advisory-board-member-301953216.html SOURCE GrubMarket [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Promova introduces a new mode to support language learners with dyslexia Tweet LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, during Dyslexia Awareness Month, Promova announces the launch of its Dyslexia Mode. Language learners with dyslexia can now use Dysfont , a specialized typeface developed by talented dyslexic designer and TEDx speaker, Martin Pysny, to acquire a foreign language. 10-20% of people worldwide are dyslexic. 60-80 percent of those have language-based learning problems, meaning that processing, or absorbing words - written or spoken - is a laborious process or that retrieval or expression - again, in conversation or writing - is difficult. They need customized systems for processing the information, practicing vocabulary and applying those grammar rules, says Dr. Rebecca Mannis, a founder of the Ivy Prep Learning Center. The diversity of languages and multilingual environments may pose particular challenges for dyslexic children and adults, states the European Dyslexia Association, which becomes even more urgent each year with a growing number of people moving abroad. Seeing the problem and considering the importance of foreign languages for modern life, Promova wanted to make their language platform more accessible to neurodivergent learners. Partnering with the Dysfont team to create Dyslexia Mode, we aim to make it easier for dyslexics to learn new languages and raise awareness about the challenges learners with this condition face. Together, we hope to help reduce the impact that learning disabilities have on peoples lives, says Andrew Skrypnyk, CEO and co-founder of Promova. Martin Pysnys font addresses letter switching, letter reversals and text instability that makes working with text challenging. For instance, Dysfont makes the uppercase and lowercase letters versions as similar as possible and differentiates p, q, b, and d. Language learning apps should adapt their interfaces to the needs of neurodivergent people. They should think about reducing the color brightness and avoiding colors that heavily contrast, offering different ways to memorize words (like listening and showing an illustration), and avoiding competing while learning, says Martin Pysny, creator of Dysfont. Promova already did all of that, and I believe adding Dysfont will complete the picture. Im grateful to Promova for becoming the first company in the world to implement this font. Together, we can help empower dyslexics to learn foreign languages successfully. From October 3rd, Dyslexia Mode is available for free on Promovas platform. Learners can access it by tapping Settings, and turning Dyslexia Mode on. Contact: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Pacific Life Foundation Awards $75,000 in College Scholarships During September's Life Insurance Awareness Month Tweet The Pacific Life Foundation has awarded five $15,000 college scholarships through Life Happens (www.LifeHappens.org) and its annual Life Lessons Scholarship Program to aid the financial burden of students who have lost a parent without life insurance. The scholarships were part of September's Life Insurance Awareness Month, designed to help educate individuals on the importance and benefits of life insurance. For the sixth consecutive year, scholarships were awarded to students in states where Pacific Life employees live and work. Recipients include Leah M., Nathan C., and Chloe H. from California; Treyten S. from Nebraska; and Audrey C. from Virginia. "The Pacific Life Foundation and Pacific Life employees are deeply connected to the ife Lessons Scholarship Program as it demonstrates the importance of life insurance and its role in protecting families' financial security," said Tennyson Oyler, president of the Pacific Life Foundation. "The loss of a parent is unimaginable, and these children and young adults are faced with a new world of responsibilities, including financial burdens. We greatly appreciate and admire their vulnerability in sharing their stories." To date, the Foundation has provided more than $450,000 in college scholarships through Life Happens. This year, more than 200 Pacific Life employees participated in the review of hundreds of scholarship applications. About Pacific Life and the Pacific Life Foundation Pacific Life provides a variety of products and services designed to help individuals and businesses in the retail, institutional, workplace benefits, and reinsurance markets achieve financial security. Whether your goal is to protect loved ones or grow your assets for retirement, Pacific Life offers innovative life insurance and annuity solutions, as well as mutual funds, that provide value and financial security for current and future generations. Supporting our policyholders for more than 150 years, Pacific Life is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Newport Beach, California. For additional company information, including current financial strength ratings, visit www.PacificLife.com. The Pacific Life Foundation was established in 1984. Together with Pacific Life, the Foundation has contributed $142 million to community and national nonprofit organizations. Grants are made to organizations that address a broad spectrum of social needs. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011508702/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] ProCon Launches New Website Showcasing Refreshed, Sustainable-Focused Brand Tweet With its new website, proconusa.com, ProCon welcomes a strengthened brand, updated logo, and expanded information about the latest innovations and technology from the paper solutions company. APPLETON, Wis., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ProCona leading provider of converting, coating, and paper salesis introducing its refreshed brand and sustainable paper solutions with the launch of a new website, now live at proconusa.com. ProCon introduces its refreshed brand and sustainable paper solutions with the launch of a new website, proconusa.com. The newly redesigned website offers a user-friendly interface and a wealth of valuable resources, reflecting ProCon's dedication to providing comprehensive solutions andsupport to its customers. The site showcases a fresh, modern design, improved navigation, and enhanced functionality, making it easier than ever for visitors to explore ProCon's offerings, access essential information, and connect with the company. "At ProCon, we constantly strive to enhance our customers' experience, and this website reflects our commitment to providing them with the best resources and solutions available in the paper industry," said Dan Curtin, President and CEO of ProCon. The website also reflects ProCon's commitment to sustainability by highlighting the company's latest earth-friendly innovationVireo, a total solution for paper, print and packaging. Expanded information on the company's Paper Converting and Paper Sales services, along with its Supply Chain Solutions can also be found on the new website. ProCon has implemented improved contact forms and communication channels, making it easy for customers and visitors to get in touch with the company for inquiries, support, or deliveries. With locations conveniently located throughout the county, ProCon customers can now easily schedule pickup and delivery appointments with the appropriate ProCon location to maximize efficiency and help reduce freight emissions. ProCon invites current and prospective customers, partners, and industry professionals to visit the new website at proconusa.com to experience its many features and explore the extensive range of services and solutions offered. About ProCon: Progressive Converting, Inc. (ProCon) was founded in 1991 by an entrepreneurial group of printing professionals who shared a profound understanding of paper, printing, and the demands of mills. Today, ProCon is the largest independent paper converter by market share in the United States and the premier converting and logistics partner for the North American paper industry. With multiple locations and distribution throughout the nation, ProCon provides high-quality converting services and innovative solutions to merchants, commercial printers, and paper mills. The introduction of Vireo Coatings offers a plastic free barrier coating technology to meet consumer packaging sustainability initiatives. For more information, visit proconusa.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/procon-launches-new-website-showcasing-refreshed-sustainable-focused-brand-301953537.html SOURCE ProCon [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (Bloomberg) -- Jurors in the fraud trial of FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried heard his ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison explain how he allegedly arranged for billions of dollars in customer funds to back risky investments that led to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange. Most Read from Bloomberg Ellison, a math whiz who Bankman-Fried hired and eventually promoted to chief executive officer of Alameda Research, FTXs sister trading firm, was the latest star witness and close associate to testify against him since the trial began last week. Ellison, who has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors, blamed him for orchestrating the fraud and said she continually warned him that his moves could bankrupt FTX and Alameda. I thought that Alamedas financial position was risky, and if the market went down we would lose a lot of money, Ellison testified. I was concerned about conveying that information to lenders and worrying about Alamedas financial health and recalling their loans. Read More: Caroline Ellison Says SBF Directed Her to Commit Crimes Here are some of the most important details so far from Ellison, who will resume testifying on Wednesday: Commit Crimes: Eager and well-prepared in her testimony, Ellison was adamant that Bankman-Fried was complicit in orchestrating a massive fraud at FTX and Alameda Research. He directed me to commit these crimes, she said. Ellison pleaded guilty to seven felony counts in December. Bankman-Fried, meanwhile, has denied all allegations against him. Big Job: Ellison said she was appointed co-chief executive officer of Alameda despite her concerns that it was a big job and she didnt have enough experience, but Bankman-Fried told her he thought she was the right person for the role. She made $200,000 a year and received bonuses of $100,000 to $20 million, but said she ran all big decisions about Alameda by Bankman-Fried and generally deferred to him. Like FTX co-founder Gary Wang, who finished his testimony right before her, Ellison claimed that Bankman-Fried was the ultimate decision-maker within the FTX empire. She said he was fully aware that Alameda was taking FTX customer money and had a practically unlimited credit line on the crypto exchange. Despite publicly distancing himself from Alameda and claiming he did not manage the firm, Ellison said Bankman-Fried directed her on how to handle Alamedas FTT token holdings and its venture investing, as well as other important business decisions. Credit Line: She said there were already problems at Alameda when she joined the firm it had suffered large losses, lenders had pulled money and more than half of the employees quit. Ellison said she wasnt aware of them until she joined. She said she warned Bankman-Fried on numerous occasions that she was concerned about the way the company was being operated, but that that she was regularly reassured by him. At Bankman-Frieds direction, Alameda began borrowing from third-party crypto funds as well as customer money from FTX, and hed set up a system for Alameda to borrow from FTX, Ellison testified. She said she concerned to learn about Alamedas credit line on FTX, which allowed it to withdraw any amount of capital from the platform, even though no other customer had a credit line worth more than $1 billion. When she asked SBF in 2020 whether this line of credit would show up in FTXs audit, he said, dont worry, the auditors arent going to look at that, she testified. Appetite for Risk: Ellison reviewed in court some of the documents she prepared while leading Alameda about the potential danger of outstanding loans from crypto lender Genesis and a potential market downturn in digital assets. She said Bankman-Fried frequently dismissed her concerns and had her adjust calculations to make these scenarios more palatable. She said he wanted to move ahead with a $3 billion venture investment despite the major risks it posed to Alameda. She also provided insight into the more than $600 million stake Bankman-Fried acquired in Robinhood in May 2022. Ellison said the stake was paid for by Alameda, but when it came time to disclose the purchase, Bankman-Fried asked to have the equity moved to a different FTX entity because he didnt want to be publicly associated with Alameda. The acquisition again showed Bankman-Frieds continued involvement with Alameda, despite his claims that he had little involvement with the firm. Raise More Money: Ellison said Bankman-Fried was often looking for ways to raise more money. She said he created FTT, the crypto token native to FTX, with FTXs business development team to generate funds the way rival crypto exchange Binance had with its own BNB token. Seed investors in FTT bought the token for a mere 10 cents, but its price went up to $1 when it was listed on FTX, eventually rising to $50. Alameda received 60% to 70% of the tokens prior to it being listed publicly, according to Ellison. She said Bankman-Fried directed her to put Alamedas FTT holdings on its balance sheet to get more loans from third-party lenders. He also advised her on when to buy and sell, showing that he still had heavy involvement in Alamedas decision-making. Ellison said he didnt want others to know how much say he had in Alamedas FTT management. Bankman-Fried at one point got upset at me when I discussed our FTT trading too openly around other employees, she said. Big Loans: Genesis, the now bankrupt crypto lender under Barry Silberts Digital Currency Group, was a main concern of Bankman-Fried and Ellison as they carried out risk analysis for Alameda. After Alameda struggled to borrow funds in its early years, Bankman-Fried was very excited about being able to borrow from Genesis, Ellison said. Alamedas borrowings from Genesis were mostly collateralized by FTT, she said. In their risk analysis, Ellison took into consideration the probability Genesis tightens its lending requirements, and how that would impact Alamedas financial health. She concluded that if Alameda decided to make an additional $3 billion investment and if there was a market downturn that caused the loans to get called by Genesis, there was no way Alameda could repay the loans. In response to her conclusion, Bankman-Fried directed Ellison to try to convert Alamedas loans with Genesis to term loans from open-term loans to reduce duration risks. Ellison said she was only able to convert some of the Genesis loans. Genesiss former head of trading and lending, Matt Ballensweig, is on the list of potential witnesses in the trial. Dating the Boss: Ellison described how the pair met while working at Jane Street Group. Ellison said after Bankman-Fried co-founded Alameda and offered her a job, she quit Jane Street and joined him as a trader in March 2018. Ellison said they began sleeping together in the fall of 2018, dating in the summer of 2020 and ended the relationship in the spring of 2022. The whole time we were dating, he was also my boss at work, which created some awkward situations, because he could fire her at any time, Ellison said. She added that Bankman-Fried often seemed disengaged and didnt pay her enough attention, which contributed to the relationship ending. [October 11, 2023] i2c and Finextra Webinar: Why Banks Should Fix Their 'Legacy Spaghetti' Now? Tweet i2c Inc., a leading provider of banking and payments solutions, today announced they will be co-hosting a virtual roundtable with Finextra, ING and Cross River Bank titled "Digital Transformation in 2024: Why Fix the Legacy Spaghetti Now?" on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. Legacy systems, often termed the "legacy spaghetti," have long been an Achilles' heel for banks. A tangled web of dated technology and siloed platforms, these systems hinder innovation, agility, and a seamless customer experience. The result? Banks are in a continuous race, not just against their competitors, but against their own outdated infrastructure. In today's swiftly changing landscape of payment solutions and systems, adopting a unified, data-centric approach is imperative for meeting customer demands, bolstering security, and staying competitive. This roundtable will meet to discuss the exciting opportunities presented to financial institutions with the adoption of these technologies and strategies as they modernize payment systems to meet today's consumer needs. Key Topics: Why is now the time for financial institutions to resolve the legacy spaghetti? What are the benefits of a unified platform for improving customer experience? How important are efficiencies around data and utilizing actionable insights? What technologies can support the hyperpersonalisation of user journeys? Speakers: Jane Cooper - Researcher at Finextra will be moderating the session. Jacqueline White - President of i2c Inc., bringing with her deep insights into financial technology solutions. Marco Eijsackers - Head of CIO Office at ING, offering perspectives from a leading European bank. Ben Krefting - Chief Customer Success Officer at Cross River, known for his expertse in enhancing customer experiences. Register for the October 12, 2023 webinar here: Digital Transformation in 2024: Why Fix the Legacy Spaghetti Now? About Finextra Finextra is the leading independent newswire and information source for the worldwide financial technology community. Finextra covers all significant technology news in wholesale and retail banking, capital markets, and insurance. Finextra also publishes a wide range of research articles, features, white papers, and case studies. Learn more at www.finextra.com. About ING ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 59,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). Learn more at www.ing.com. About Cross River Bank Cross River Bank provides technology infrastructure powering the future of financial services. Leveraging a proprietary real-time banking core, Cross River delivers innovative and scalable embedded payments, cards and lending solutions to millions of consumers and businesses. Cross River is backed by leading investors and serves the world's most essential fintech and technology companies. Together with its partners, Cross River is reshaping global finance and financial inclusion. Member FDIC. Learn more about Cross River Bank at www.crossriver.com About i2c Inc. i2c is a global provider of highly configurable banking and payment solutions. Using proprietary "building block" technology, our banks, credit unions and fintechs can easily, quickly and cost-effectively create, launch and manage a comprehensive set of solutions for banking, credit, debit, and prepaid programs. i2c delivers unparalleled flexibility, agility, security, and reliability from a global, unified banking and payments platform. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, its next-generation technology supports millions of users in more than 200 countries/territories and across all time zones. For more information, visit www.i2cinc.com and follow us at @i2cinc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011368722/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] CLEAR's President and CFO Kenneth Cornick Confirmed to Speak at Money20/20 USA Tweet Money20/20, the world's leading fintech show, and the place where money does business, is announcing that CLEAR Co-Founder, President and CFO Kenneth Cornick is confirmed to speak at Money20/20 USA in Las Vegas on October 24th at 1:35pm on the Exchange stage. Cornick's appearance comes on the heels of the secure identity company announcing its first product in financial services - one of the only reusable Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions. CLEAR's one-click KYC solution delivers a frictionless experience that allows a customer to quickly complete the registration process once, without repeating the same steps when signing up with another financial services company - aiming to combat the 40 percent drop off in signups when customers are required to complete cumbersome KYC checks. "Trust and security are fundamental to financial services, and institutions and startups want new ways to ensure hey know with certainty who is at the other end of a transaction," said Kenneth Cornick, CLEAR President and CFO. "We believe our secure identity technology does exactly that, and offers the best consumer-friendly sign-up process that will help institutions seamlessly, securely, and confidently enroll their customers." "Unfortunately, fraud of all forms is rampant in the financial industry. Which is why we're so excited to host Ken at this year's show, to talk about how to center safety at the core of a differentiated user experience" said Zach Anderson Pettet, US Content Director at Money20/20. "CLEAR is uniquely positioned to help financial institutions tackle this challenge with a wealth of experience working in other highly regulated industries such as airline security and healthcare." During the session "From Airports to Everywhere- CLEAR's Move into Digital Finance," Cornick will talk with Scarlett Sieber, Money20/20's Chief Strategy and Growth Officer about how banks and fintech companies can leverage identity technology to save their customers time, without sacrificing the security of their platforms and data. CLEAR's entrance into financial services comes after its acquisition of Sora ID, which was one of the first to market with a reusable KYC product. This technology, combined with CLEAR's embedded 17 million person user base, will deliver a differentiated experience benefitting financial services and banking institutions, and their customers. Overall, this year's agenda, which includes over 60 hours of incredible content, presents speakers from the entire financial ecosystem including the largest banks in the world, VCs, payment providers, lending & credit companies, startups and disruptors and the largest tech companies on the planet. The agenda is being updated daily and can be found here. Media attending Money20/20 USA can register for a complimentary press pass here. About Money20/20 Founded in 2011, Money20/20 creates destination shows where the most innovative people in payments, fintech and the broader financial services industry connect. Famed for their high-impact networking, the Europe edition, held in Amsterdam (6-8 June 2023) and the USA edition, held in Las Vegas (22-25 October 2023), are regarded as the place where money does business by financial services professionals. Money20/20 also recently launched an Asia edition, due to launch in Bangkok in April 2024. Money20/20 is the space where the industry's smartest visionaries and innovators come together to create the future of money. Money20/20 is an Ascential show. Follow Money20/20 on Twitter and LinkedIn for show developments and updates. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011017955/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] SINGAPORE AND JAPAN CLINICIAN-SCIENTISTS COLLABORATE ON GROUNDBREAKING TELESURGERY TRIAL SPANNING OVER 5,000KM Tweet This preclinical trial surgery involves clinician-scientists in NUS Medicine and the National University Hospital in partnership with Fujita Health University SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore's National University Hospital (NUH) and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) are collaborating with Fujita Health University (FHU) in its first robotic telesurgery trial between Singapore and Japan, from 9 to 11 October 2023. Leveraging Japan's first surgical robot, clinician-scientists from NUH and NUS Medicine will remotely perform a gastrectomy (stomach surgery performed for cancer) from a surgeon cockpit in Singapore. The surgeons' movements will be transmitted, directed, and replicated by a robotic operation unit located in Japan via a dedicated international fiber-optic network, all performed on a simulated organ (refer to Annex A for technical details on the remote surgery setup and connection). This collaboration follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in August 2023 between NUS Medicine and FHU, one of Japan's leading universities with a strong research focus in robotic surery and telesurgery. The MOU aims to deepen academic partnership through active joint collaborations, including the execution of remote surgical experiments, and by promoting mutual exchange activities such as student exchange programmes. Harnessing the potential of telesurgery The two gastric surgeons leading the demonstration in Singapore are Professor Jimmy So from the Department of Surgery, NUS Medicine, and Senior Consultant in the Department of Surgery, NUH, as well as Assistant Professor Kim Guowei from the Department of Surgery, NUS Medicine, and Consultant in the Department of Surgery at the NUH. In Japan, the surgical team is led by Professor Ichiro Uyama and Professor Koichi Suda from Fujita Health University. Tapping on FHU's vast expertise in robotic surgery, this latest project aims to evaluate, clarify and address the potential issues arising from such remote surgeries. The preclinical trial involving a series of complex gastrectomy procedures conducted by both teams aims to prove that long-distance robotic telesurgery for technically demanding procedures can be safely conducted using a robotic system connected by high-speed fiber-optic communication. While robotic surgery is not new in Singapore, this collaboration between NUS Medicine, NUH and FHU marks a critical step towards making remote surgeries an accessible option to patients in the near future. Professor Jimmy So, who led the surgical team in Singapore, said, "Remote telesurgery offers immense potential to enhance global access to specialised care, reduce travel and wait times for patients, minimise health risks during emergencies and pandemics, and foster training and collaboration among medical professionals worldwide. It also contributes to improved surgical expertise for complex cases, particularly benefiting underserved areas." During public health crises, such as a global pandemic, remote telesurgery helps minimise the risk of disease transmission between patients, healthcare workers, and surgical teams. Surgeons can perform surgeries from a safe location, reducing the potential for infection spread. Such forms of surgery also help promote tele-mentoring or distance learning in medical education, allowing young doctors and medical students to learn surgical techniques and skills from lecturers and medical experts based not only in a different part of Singapore, but also anywhere in the world. Assistant Professor Kim Guowei added, "In partnering with our Japanese colleagues, we hope to advance and unlock the potential of telesurgery for patients and doctors alike. This continuous exchange of knowledge, advanced surgical techniques, and best practices across borders contributes to improving surgical expertise and outcomes." View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/singapore-and-japan-clinician-scientists-collaborate-on-groundbreaking-telesurgery-trial-spanning-over-5-000km-301953763.html SOURCE National University Hospital [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Intevity Names George Jagodzinski, Chief Executive Officer Tweet BOSTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Intevity, a leading digital technology consultancy, has named co-founder George Jagodzinski Chief Executive Officer. Since 2006, Jagodzinski has held a variety of leadership roles and is now poised to lead the firm through a period of dramatic growth, driven by innovation and customer value. Intevity, a top digital consultancy, geared for dynamic growth in the thriving digital transformation era. "We are in the golden age of digital transformation," said Jagodzinski. "While Intevity has been serving clients for nearly two decades, what's exciting to us is that we're still in the early stages of this shift, and Intevity is poised to dramatically scale our impact and value in the years ahead. While many firms provide digital products and services, Intevity stands alone as a collaborative partner to our clients, deeply understanding heir needs and building tailor-made solutions to achieve their goals. We believe this bespoke, service-first approach will continue to stand apart as the age of digital transformation continues to accelerate." Former CEO / Managing Partner, Ben Elmore, will move into the role of Chairman of the Board and collaborate with Jagodzinski to ensure a smooth transition. "George has been integral to Intevity's success since the early days," said Elmore. "His deep passion for driving tangible success across partners, clients, and teams will lead this business to new heights. He's the right leader to carry Intevity into its next stage of growth." Increased visibility will be a key part of Jagodzinski's growth strategy. "Right now we're the industry's best-kept secret, and we're going to change that by cultivating and strongly communicating our reputation as a highly respected, industry-renowned firm known for our innovation, impact, clients and alumni," said Jagodzinski. Jagodzinski brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role of CEO, having led a range of initiatives across industries with brands including Under Armour, Sazerac, and Drizly as well as public sector efforts with governmental agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and Department of State. About Intevity Since 2003, Intevity has been delivering world-class service to Fortune 500 companies across financial services, healthcare, insurance, media, and retail as well as nonprofit and government agencies. Intevity fuses integrated technology with strategic insight to ensure their partners evolve and thrive in a digital-first world. Whether it's an established enterprise struggling with legacy systems or a funded start-up aiming to scale rapidly, Intevity integrates solutions and platforms that resonate with each business's unique challenges and aspirations. Their expertise allows them to scrutinize complex technical ecosystems while keeping an eye on the big picture. With a multidisciplinary approach, they engineer scalable, secure solutions that eradicate pain points and supercharge ROI. Intevity was built on a remote work model from the outset. Their enduring 4.8-star Glassdoor rating is a reflection of the culture they've built one that sparks innovation, attracts top-tier talent, and fuels the success of their partnerships. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/intevity-names-george-jagodzinski-chief-executive-officer-301953547.html SOURCE Intevity [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] The Rocky Horror Show NFTs Embrace Monaco Art Scene with Captivating Fusion Exhibition Tweet London, UK, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- La Vitrine Contemporain de Monaco will be hosting The Rocky Horror Show NFTs IRL art exhibition from Tuesday, October 17 th 2023 . The micro-gallery, in the glamorous principality of Monaco, will be showcasing physical representations of nine The Rocky Horror Show NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Each of the unique artworks will depict a different iconic character from the cult show including Frank-N-Furter, Riff Raff, Janet and Brad. The art has been designed exclusively for the exhibition as part of the ground-breaking musicals 50th anniversary celebrations. The Rocky Horror Show LVCDM Monaco Collection, in merging the physical and the virtual worlds, offers fans of The Rocky Horror Show a chance to own both a digital and real-life piece of the musicals legacy. The physical artworks are unlockable content, which means collectors can only obtain them by purchasing their identical digital counterpart on NFT marketplace OpenSea. The NFTs will have an inherent value as a scarce collectible, will act as a key to the physical art and provide an immutable certificate of ownership as they are on the blockchain. They can be resold independently of the physical pieces. The collection can be viewed here: https://opensea.io/collection/the-rocky-horror-show-lvcdm-monaco-collection Each piece will be priced at 5 ETH (approximately 7450). Offers can be made ahead of the exhibition./p> La Vitrine Contemporaine de Monaco (1 avenue Henri Dunant, Monte-Carlo, Monaco) will exhibit the artworks until November 17th, 2023. - ends - Notes to Editors About The Rocky Horror Show NFTs With 50 years of history, The Rocky Horror Show is a cultural icon and global phenomenon, which transcends generations, geography and sexual ideology. It is the pinnacle of freedom, fun, individuality, diversity and non-conformity; concepts that resonate well with the Web3 community. The whimsical world the show encapsulates continues to fascinate, captivate and titillate half a century after its debut; this fandom will evolve and flourish in the Web3 space. The Rocky Horror Show NFTs as part of a wider planned metaverse - have the potential to bring a new multimillion global Web2 cohort of Rocky Horror fans to the inclusive and thrilling playground that is Web3. About Online Blockchain Plc Online Blockchain PLC (LSE: OBC) is a UK-based incubator driving cutting-edge research and development in internet and information-based technologies for the next generation of customers. Established in 1996, OBC has remained at the forefront of the internet evolution, incubating successful online games and creating ADVFN, the leading global financial news platform for retail investors, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Led by a visionary team with over two decades of pioneering experience in technology, Online Blockchain focuses on technical innovation in the blockchain and AI space. The company's notable achievement includes the creation of Umbria Network, a widely acclaimed cross-chain bridge for digital assets. For more information, visit: https://www.onlineblockchain.io Online Blockchain plc licence agreement (announced January 30th, 2023) Online has entered into a worldwide licence with Interfishnet Limited, rights holders of The Rocky Horror Show intellectual property, to create and market a range of character NFTs. Full announcement: https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/OBC/corporate-update/15814664 Francesca De Franco PR Consultant Online Blockchain plc 07941253135 francesca-at-onlineblockchain.io [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Binswanger Helps Conair Secure Lease of a New, 2.1 Million Square Foot Distribution Center in Hagerstown, MD Tweet Binswanger, a global leader in full-service commercial real estate, announced that after a competitive location consulting engagement covering multiple states, it has secured a 10-year lease for a soon-to-be-constructed distribution center in Washington County, MD for Conair, a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of health and beauty products and kitchen appliances. Binswanger was engaged by Conair to assist in the planning, site selection, demographics and labor analytics, brokerage, and lease negotiations for the approximately 2.1 million square foot facility located at 10440 Downsville Pike and 17250 Sterling Road. The facility is being built in Trammell Crow's Mid-Atlantic Crossings development. While originally planned as two separate 1 million square foot warehouses, Binswanger worked with all parties to redesign the plan so that it could be operated as a single contiguous building. "This is an exciting deal both for Conair and the state of Maryland," said Binswanger's President and CEO, David Binswanger. "Like many other large companies in the wake of the pandemic, Conair wanted to consolidate its assets and find a strategic location as close to its customers as possible. I have no doubt this new facility will enhance the company's ability to grow long term." The new warehouse is expected to become the largest in Maryland and the largest in the nation for small appliances. With this Mid-Atlantic expansion, Conair will also create approximatly 700 new full-time local jobs over the next 10 years. "This was a unique search, but I'm thrilled that in the end, we were able to find Conair a superb facility in an ideal location," says Binswanger Senior Vice President and Partner, Chris Pennington who brokered the deal with assistance from fellow Senior Vice Presidents, Tim Pennington and Mike Torsiello. "Thanks to the property's convenient access to several major highways and ground and freight hubs, Conair can now service customers across most of the East Coast within a day or less." "Western Maryland's thriving distribution and logistics industry, large workforce, and competitive labor cost made the state an instant frontrunner in our search," said Vice Chairman of Binswanger Advisory Services, Inc., John J. Dues, Sr. who conducted thorough demographic, labor, and incentive analyses for the Hagerstown site. "Working closely with the Maryland Department of Commerce along with Washington County, I'm happy to report that Binswanger secured competitive economic development assistance programs for Conair." Binswanger has a long-standing relationship with Conair, having been retained by the company in 2019 to assist in the search for and sublease of 500,000 square feet of warehouse space in central Pennsylvania. About Binswanger Binswanger has been helping its clients realize their full real estate potential since 1931. Founded by real estate innovator and pioneer, Frank Binswanger Sr., the company operates with the understanding that real estate has the ability to strengthen businesses and transform communities. The company offers a variety of services benefitting both owners and occupiers including global real estate brokerage, location consulting, investment sales, tenant representation, corporate advisory, strategic consulting, and a variety of management services. Having worked with more than half of the Fortune 500, the employee-owned company has long been known as the industry leader in the acquisition and disposition of industrial and commercial facilities around the world. For more information, visit www.binswanger.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011953968/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Africa's total exports expected to hit close to USD1 trillion by 2035, Standard Chartered report reveals Tweet The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has potential to further boost exports by around 30 per cent Barriers such as complex and uncertain trade rules and ineffective trade facilitators remain AfCFTA will help overcome the "spaghetti bowl effect" of existing Regional Economic Communities (RECs) MARRAKESH, Morocco, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Chartered has today published its Future of Trade: Africa report, highlighting the outlook for African trade and providing a view of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key proponent of optimising intra-African trade. The report finds that Africa's total exports will reach USD952 billion by 2035 and the AfCFTA, once fully implemented, has the potential to increase this figure by a further 29 per cent. This represents an annual growth rate of 3 per cent from now until 2035. Rising regional trade levels and greater connectivity will unlock highgrowth corridors across Africa and beyond. Intra-Africa trade is expected to reach USD 140 bn by 2035, equating to 15 pe rcent of Africa's total exports. Africa's corridors with some of the world's most dynamic regions will grow faster than the global average of 4.3 per cent. The East Africa-South Asia corridor is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing major corridor, at 7.1 per cent per annum through to 2035. The Middle East-North Africa and the Middle East-East Africa corridors will also be substantial, with their combined trade volume expected to reach almost USD200 billion by 2035. The AfCFTA is not the first attempt made by Africa's markets to promote greater cohesion, but the existing agreements often have overlapping or contradicting objectives creating a "spaghetti bowl effect". There are eight significant Regional Economic Communities (RECs) recognised by the African Union (AU), and most AU markets are enrolled in two or more RECs, with the high costs of compliance and administration making intra-Africa trade less competitive. AfCFTA could help overcome this by implementing common rules of origin, which grant all 54 AfCFTA members preferential trade access to each other's markets, to the extent set out in the agreement. Africa however still has barriers to overcome to realise the full potential of its trade opportunity. Based on a survey conducted with over 100 of Africa's usiness leaders, 63 per cent polled said complex and uncertain trade rules are one of the top challenges of intra-African trade. 53 per cent of respondents noted that underdeveloped transportation infrastructure is a key barrier. 51 per cent cited ineffective trade facilitators as another hurdle, whilst 46 per cent noted that limited and/or costly access to capital is a challenge. Around 90 per cent of respondents believe the AfCFTA can address most of these issues. Progress has been made in this regard, with the AfCFTA taking steps to address barriers through various initiatives, such as a reporting mechanism and a guided trade initiative to accelerate trading[1] amongst countries. Digitalisation also plays an important role in bolstering intra-Africa trade. The report demonstrates that adopting digital supply chain financing (SCF) solutions could unlock USD34 billion of export value in five key African markets by 2035. Almost all (97 per cent) of respondents are interested in digital SCF solutions but cited resource constraints, a technology gap and interoperability challenges as key barriers to adoption. Dr Jose Vinals, Group Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC, said: "Implemented effectively, the African Continental Free Trade Area can radically reshape future growth and development. It will enable higher value-add supply chains and more diversified exports, allowing member states to reduce historical commodity dependence and achieve meaningful progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Through our global footprint, local expertise and innovative solutions, we are committed to supporting the development of the right policies, securing cooperation, and applying technology and capital in order to build better connections within the continent, and beyond." Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Standard Chartered Africa Middle East, said: "The disruptions to Africa's supply chains over the last few years have amplified the urgency to implement the AfCFTA. At the same time, the findings of our report outline the requirements to exponentially bolster Africa's exports, which the AfCFTA would benefit greatly. With the right regulations, collaboration, and governance, this opportunity can be made a reality. For over 150 years, Standard Chartered has supported Africa's growth and progress, actively contributing to the continent's infrastructure development and economic advancement. We will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders in driving trade throughout the continent and ensuring Africa's sustainable economic development." Read the full report here: https://www.sc.com/en/banking/banking-for-companies/future-of-trade-2023/ Note to editors About the Future of Trade: Africa This report, commissioned by Standard Chartered and prepared by PwC Singapore, provides a view on the impact of The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on intra-Africa trade. This report is based on an analysis of qualitative and quantitative information from both internal and external sources. All trade figures used in this report are for trade of goods only and do not include trade in services. The impact of AfCFTA is based on a report published by the World Bank, The AfCFTA: Economic and Distributional Effects. A survey of 103 Africa's C-level and senior leaders was conducted to understand the current challenges of intra-Africa trade as well as the trade opportunities that the AfCFTA can bring to the continent. It also captures respondents' views on the most effective trade facilitation measures and the impact of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) on the reduction of costs of cross-border payments. Beyond this, the survey provides insights into Africa's business leaders' perspective on the growth of e-commerce as well as the significance of supply chain finance in the context of regional trade. Here is the link for the report https://www.sc.com/en/banking/banking-for-companies/future-of-trade-2023/ Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. [1] https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/october-2022/afcfta%E2%80%99s-guided-trade-initiative-takes-set-ease-and-boost-intra-african-trade Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244434/Sunil_Kaushal.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/africas-total-exports-expected-to-hit-close-to-usd1-trillion-by-2035-standard-chartered-report-reveals-301953808.html SOURCE Standard Chartered [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] NASA to Welcome Visitors, Media to Johnson Space Center Open House Tweet HOUSTON, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will open its gates to the public Saturday, Oct. 14, celebrating the agency's 65th anniversary, the International Space Station's 25th anniversary, and upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon. Media interested in participating in the event at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston must request credentials from the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or [email protected], no later than 12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Media must check in upon arrival at the Johnson newsroom in Building 2N, where additional background materials will be available, and interviews may be requested. To help ensure an enjoyable visit for everyone when they drive through the center's main gate from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT, NASA Johnson is asking visitors to abide by the following guidelines: Small, clear bags are allowed No backpacks, drones, coolers, food, or beverages (including alcohol) are permitted No pets (unless certified service dog) No firearms, weapons, or ammunition (includes license to carry) Motorcycle helmets are required on NASA property Entry into, continued presence on, or exit from he facility is contingent upon your consent to inspection of person or property Download the NASA SAFE app for information on parking, entry process, policies, maps, frequently asked questions, and emergency response 2:30 p.m. and visitors will be allowed to remain on site until 3 p.m. See a full list of what will be open and a map that includes parking, at: https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/open-house/ Visitors will have access to a variety of exhibits and hardware, ranging from Moon rocks collected during the Apollo missions, to full-size mockups of the International Space Station, NASA's Orion spacecraft, and Gateway lunar space station. Guests also will have opportunities to meet astronauts and learn more about how human spaceflight missions are managed from Mission Control, Houston. Guests may also take advantage of an exciting opportunity to view an annular eclipse also known as a "ring of fire" eclipse of the Sun. In addition to facilities and exhibits, the center's Teague Auditorium will feature programs and speakers from 9:30 a.m. through 3 p.m. NASA opened for business Oct. 1, 1958, following the signing of the agency's founding legislation on July 29, 1958. After four decades that saw dozens of short-duration missions to the Moon and low Earth orbit, NASA and its international partners launched the first element of the International Space Station on Nov. 20, 1998, setting the stage for continuous human presence in space, which began in 2000. Visitors are welcomed year-round through Johnson's official visitor center, Space Center Houston, which provides tram tours and visits inside several key facilities. However, this open house will allow visitors to have access to several locations not accessible during visitor center tours. Connect with Johnson Space Center on social media at: https://x.com/NASA_Johnson and https://www.facebook.com/NASAJSC View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-to-welcome-visitors-media-to-johnson-space-center-open-house-301953815.html SOURCE NASA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Laboratory Equipment Services Market Achieves Impressive 11.41% CAGR from 2022 to 2028, Fueled by Growing Penetration of Multi-vendor Services Tweet DUBLIN, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Laboratory Equipment Services Market - Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global laboratory equipment services market is poised for significant expansion, with forecasts indicating that it will surge to an impressive $28.68 billion by 2028 from $15 billion in 2022, reflecting a substantial Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.41% during the period spanning 2022-2028. Market Trends & Opportunities Rising Penetration of Multi-vendor Services: The laboratory equipment services market is witnessing a surge in multi-vendor services, also known as Laboratory Asset Management (LAM) or Single Source Services. This trend involves the provision of laboratory equipment maintenance services for multiple vendors by a single provider. Multi-vendor services are gaining popularity, particularly with the growing number of laboratories and advanced products in the market. This service model offers a comprehensive solution for laboratories to access a wide range of services without the need to engage multiple third-party service providers. The laboratory equipment services market is witnessing a surge in multi-vendor services, also known as Laboratory Asset Management (LAM) or Single Source Services. This trend involves the provision of laboratory equipment maintenance services for multiple vendors by a single provider. Multi-vendor services are gaining popularity, particularly with the growing number of laboratories and advanced products in the market. This service model offers a comprehensive solution for laboratories to access a wide range of services without the need to engage multiple third-party service providers. Emerging Trend of Outsourcing Laboratory Equipment Services: In a bid to control costs, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device companies, and healthcare settings such as hospitals and clinics are increasingly outsourcing laboratory equipment services. These organizations consider equipment maintenance a critical factor in cost-saving initiatives. Outsourcing laboratory equipment services helps in achieving cost efficiency while ensuring compliance, quality of results, and equipment uptime. This trend has gained momentum in recent years, as companies in these sectors become less risk-averse and actively seek cost-saving opportunities in equipment maintenance through outsourced service providers. In a bid to control costs, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device companies, and healthcare settings such as hospitals and clinics are increasingly outsourcing laboratory equipment services. These organizations consider equipment maintenance a critical factor in cost-saving initiatives. Outsourcing laboratory equipment services helps in achieving cost efficiency while ensuring compliance, quality of results, and equipment uptime. This trend has gained momentum in recent years, as companies in these sectors become less risk-averse and actively seek cost-saving opportunities in equipment maintenance through outsourced service providers. Increasing Complexity in Laboratory Equipment: The global laboratory industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by high-tech technology integrations and advancements in lab equipment. These advancements have led to increasing complexity in laboratory equipment. Equipment components and overall lab setups have become more intricate and require meticulous care. The integration of new technologies such as lab automation, lab equipment software, robotics, ILIMS (Integrated Laboratory Information Management System), and others has added complexity to laboratory equipment. As a result, the demand for laboratory equipment services for complex and sensitive lab equipment has surged. External service providers, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and third-party service providers, play a vital role in maintaining and servicing these sophisticated instruments. Insights by Equipment Type The global laboratory equipment services market comprises three primary equipment types: analytical, specialty, and general and support equipment. The analytical equipment segment held the largest share in 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Analytical equipment plays a pivotal role in laboratories, offering a wide range of capabilities for quantitative and qualitative sample analysis. These instruments often incorporate automation features that enhance efficiency and data collection through cloud computing. However, their complexity and sensitivity necessitate expert maintenance, driving the demand for laboratory equipment services. Segmentation by Equipment Type Analytical Equipment Specialty Equipment General & Support Equipment Insights by Service Type The laboratory equipment services markt encompasses various service types, including repair and maintenance services, calibration, validation, and others. Repair and maintenance services accounted for the largest market share in 2022, representing over 41% of the global market. These services are essential for ensuring that laboratory equipment functions correctly. While repairs are undertaken to restore equipment to proper working condition, maintenance services focus on preserving equipment performance, functionality, and safety over its operational lifespan. Issues such as mechanical failure, power problems, incompatible components, calibration errors, contamination, and software glitches are driving the demand for repair and maintenance services. Segmentation by Service Type Repair & Maintenance Services Calibration Validation Others Insights by Service Provider Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) emerged as the dominant service providers in the laboratory equipment services market in 2022. OEMs are highly sought after for their expertise in designing and manufacturing laboratory equipment, enabling them to offer high-quality and specialized equipment services. The development of products and the delivery of services by OEMs are closely aligned with regulatory requirements and industry standards. As a result, OEMs are the preferred choice for laboratory equipment services, particularly among larger industries that prioritize service quality and equipment performance. Segmentation by Service Providers Original Equipment Manufacturers Third-party Service Providers Insights by Contract Type Standard service contracts held the largest share in the contract type segment in 2022. These contracts are preferred for cost control, maximizing equipment uptime and performance, ensuring compliance with regulations, and relying on trusted service providers. Standard service contracts are commonly adopted in developed markets, including North America and Europe. They are characterized by fixed timelines and agreed-upon pricing structures, offering predictability and convenience for organizations seeking equipment maintenance services. Segmentation by Contract Type Standard Service Contracts Customized Service Contracts Insights by End-User The global laboratory equipment services market serves various end-user segments, including clinical and diagnostics labs, pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device company labs, academic and research labs, and others. Clinical and diagnostics labs dominated the market in 2022, driven by the increasing number of healthcare settings and associated laboratories. These facilities offer a wide range of lab testing procedures, supporting physicians in disease diagnosis. The growing healthcare sector and the proliferation of laboratories contribute to the rising demand for laboratory equipment services. Segmentation by End-Users Clinical & Diagnostics Labs Pharma, Biotech, and Medical Device Companies Labs Academic & Research Labs Other Labs GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS North America assumed a leadership position in the global laboratory equipment services market, accounting for over 37% of the market share in 2022. The region's dominance is attributed to the presence of numerous laboratories and the widespread adoption of lab equipment. Technological advancements across various industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and life sciences, are driving demand for new lab equipment and, consequently, laboratory equipment services. In North America, the United States stands out as a major market, contributing to approximately 93.80% of the region's market share. The robust economic growth in these sectors fuels demand for new lab equipment, resulting in substantial revenue generation. Segmentation by Geography North America Europe APAC ( Asia-Pacific ) ) Latin America Middle East & Africa COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE The global laboratory equipment services market is highly competitive, characterized by the presence of established, rapidly growing, and emerging players. Several companies maintain a dominant position in the market, while others strive to increase their market share and presence. Leading players employ various business strategies to expand their market presence, including acquisitions, mergers, and collaborations. Emerging and smaller players focus on delivering high-quality services at competitive prices. Key Company Profiles Agilent Technologies Danaher PerkinElmer, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific Other Prominent Vendors Avantor AIC Lab Equipments BIOSONIC SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGIES BD bioMerieux C&M Scientific Cryostar Industries Eppendorf Full Spectrum Lab Services GenTech Scientific Gilson Hettich HiTec Zang Labochema Mindray Medical International Limited Nordic Service Group Pace Analytical Services Shimadzu Corporation Siemens Healthineers Sartorius Tecan Waters Corporation Transcat, Inc. Overbrook Scientific Bio-Rad Laboratories KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED How large is the laboratory equipment services market? What is the projected growth rate of the global laboratory equipment services market? What are the emerging trends in the laboratory equipment services industry? Which region holds the most significant global laboratory equipment services market share? Who are the key players in the global laboratory equipment services market? Market Dynamics Market Opportunities & Trends Penetration of multi-vendor services. Adoption of preventive maintenance programs. Trend of outsourcing laboratory equipment services. Market Growth Enablers Complexities in laboratory equipment. High volume of research & diagnostic tests in laboratories. Stringent regulatory compliance requirements for labs & lab equipment. Market Restraints Presence of in-house lab equipment service technicians. Prolonged lab equipment service delivery. Lack of standardization in lab equipment services. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c7bmuu About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laboratory-equipment-services-market-achieves-impressive-11-41-cagr-from-2022-to-2028--fueled-by-growing-penetration-of-multi-vendor-services-301953364.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Trintech and Whitley Penn Announce Strategic Partnership to Transform and Automate Finance and Accounting Processes Whitley Penn to resell and implement Trintech's market-leading cloud-based finance and accounting solutions. DALLAS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trintech, a leading global provider of cloud-based financial close solutions for the Office of the CFO, today announced a strategic partnership with Whitley Penn, a full-service public accounting and consulting firm. The partnership enables Whitley Penn to offer and implement Trintech's market-leading cloud-based finance and accounting solutions to businesses in the US. Companies looking to transform and automate their reconciliation and financial close processes by streamlining work, improving accuracy, and reducing risk, will benefit from the combination of services and solutions Whitley Penn and Trintech can provide. "We are excited to formalize our partnership with Whitley Penn as we continue to expand Trintech's partner ecosystem across the globe to better serve our new and existing customers," said Mekaela Davis, SVP, Partner Success & Global Advisory at Trintech. "Together, Trintech and Whitley Penn share a common goal in providing organizations with a holistic business vision and strategy to reduce costs, drive efficiencies and mitigate risk across their reconciliation and financial close processes." From high volume transaction matching, to automating and managing balance sheet reconciliations, intercompany accounting, journal entries, and close management tasks, to governance, risk and compliance Trintech's portfolio of financial solutions, including its Cadency Platform (for large enterprises) and Adra Suite (for mid-market organizations), help manage all aspects of the reconciliation and financial close processes. Over 4,200 clients worldwide including the majority of the Fortune 100 rely on Trintech's solutions to enable their F&A operation to become a strategic partner to the business by optimizing data, controlling risk, driving efficiencies, and providing strategic insights. "We are thrilled to partner with Trintech in order to provide our clients with solutions to streamline closing and consolidation processes and round out our Client Advisory and Accounting Services (CAAS) offerings," said Irfan Dossani, Partner-in-Charge of Whitley Penn's CAAS practice. "We're dedicated to providing elevated value not only within our consulting and outsourced accounting services, but also by recommending, implementing and managing FinTech solutions and integrations to help the offices of the CFO and CAO scale." "On behalf of the Whitley Penn CAAS Data Analytics & Transformation Solutions (DATS) team, we could not be more excited to begin this strategic partnership with Trintech," stated Naveed Salman, CAAS Managing Director. "By combining our efforts, we will further enhance the Office of the CFO's experience and empower them to successfully navigate the challenges of the modern FP&A landscape through dynamic forecasting, vendor planning, and resource allocation." If you are interested in learning more about how this strategic partnership can help your organization simplify and accelerate your reconciliation and financial close processes, register for our upcoming webinar. About Trintech Trintech, a leading global provider of cloud-based, integrated reconciliation and financial close solutions for Finance & Accounting departments. From high volume transaction matching, to automating and managing balance sheet reconciliations, intercompany accounting, journal entries, close management tasks, to governance, risk and compliance Trintech's portfolio of financial solutions, including its Cadency Platform (for large enterprises) and Adra Suite (for mid-market organizations), help manage all aspects of the reconciliation and financial close processes. Trintech's excellence in both innovation and client support have been recognized with a variety of awards over the years including most recently "Easiest to Do Business With" and "Fastest Implementation" in G2's Report. Over 4,200 clients worldwide including the majority of the Fortune 100 rely on Trintech's solutions to enable their F&A operation to become a strategic partner to the business by optimizing data, controlling risk, driving efficiencies, and providing strategic insights. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Trintech has offices located across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Nordics, as well as strategic partners in South Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. To learn more about Trintech, visit www.trintech.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Whitley Penn, LLP Whitley Penn, a full-service public accounting and consulting firm,has consistently been recognized as "One the Top 100 Firms in the U.S." and "Best of the Best" by INSIDE Public Accounting and other industry publications. We are a member of HLB International, a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms. For more information on Whitley Penn, please visit www.whitleypenn.com. Trintech Media Contact: Kelli Shoevlin Director, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications [email protected] Whitley Penn Media Contact: Kristen Lollar Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trintech-and-whitley-penn-announce-strategic-partnership-to-transform-and-automate-finance-and-accounting-processes-301953480.html SOURCE Trintech Value-focused investors are always on the hunt for stocks that are priced below their intrinsic value. One such stock that merits attention is Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX). The stock, which is currently priced at $34.19, recorded a loss of 8.39% in a day and a 3-month decrease of 25.31%. The stock's fair valuation is $95.31, as indicated by its GF Value. Understanding the 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 that the stock has traded at, GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future estimates of the business performance. Is Baxter International (BAX) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap A Deeper Look into Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX) Despite its seemingly attractive valuation, certain risk factors associated with Baxter International should not be ignored. These risks are primarily reflected through its low Altman Z-score of 1.56. These indicators suggest that Baxter International, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap. This complexity underlines the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decision-making. Decoding the Altman Z-Score 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. Company Snapshot: Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX) Baxter offers a variety of medical instruments and supplies to caregivers. It enhanced its portfolio of hospital-focused offerings by acquiring Hillrom in late 2021. Legacy Baxter offers tools to help patients with acute and chronic kidney failure. It also sells a variety of injectable therapies for use in care settings, such as IV pumps, administrative sets, and solutions; nutritional products; and surgical sealants and hemostatic agents. The company offers contract manufacturing services to pharmaceutical companies. The Hillrom transaction has added basic equipment, including hospital beds, to the portfolio, although about half of Hillrom's 2021 revenue came from more digitally connected offerings like its smart beds and Voalte medical communications app. Story continues Is Baxter International (BAX) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap Analyzing Baxter International's Financial Health A dissection of Baxter International's Altman Z-score reveals Baxter International's financial health may be weak, suggesting possible financial distress: The Retained Earnings to Total Assets ratio provides insights into a company's capability to reinvest its profits or manage debt. Evaluating Baxter International's historical data, 2021: 0.85; 2022: 0.54; 2023: 0.49, we observe a declining trend in this ratio. This downward movement indicates Baxter International's diminishing ability to reinvest in its business or effectively manage its debt. Consequently, it exerts a negative impact on its Z-Score. The EBIT to Total Assets ratio serves as a crucial barometer of a company's operational effectiveness, correlating earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to total assets. An analysis of Baxter International's EBIT to Total Assets ratio from historical data (2021: 0.08; 2022: 0.04; 2023: -0.09) indicates a descending trend. This reduction suggests that Baxter International might not be utilizing its assets to their full potential to generate operational profits, which could be negatively affecting the company's overall Z-score. When it comes to operational efficiency, a vital indicator for Baxter International is its asset turnover. The data: 2021: 0.62; 2022: 0.51; 2023: 0.52 from the past three years suggests a decreasing trend 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 Baxter International's asset turnover underlines the need for the company to reassess its operational strategies to optimize asset usage and boost sales. Conclusion In conclusion, despite its seemingly attractive valuation, Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX) exhibits several risk factors that suggest it may be a potential value trap. The company's low Altman Z-Score, declining Retained Earnings to Total Assets ratio, and decreasing asset turnover ratio all point towards possible financial distress and reduced operational efficiency. Therefore, thorough due diligence is highly recommended before making an investment decision. GuruFocus Premium members can find stocks with high Altman Z-Score using the following Screener: Walter Schloss Screen . This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Celero Commerce Acquires Finical Celero Commerce ("Celero"), a top ten U.S. non-bank payment processor, today announced the acquisition of Finical, a provider of electronic payments technology. With the addition of Dallas-based Finical, Celero will process approximately $25 billion in annual card volume. Founded in 2012, Finical provides small and medium-sized businesses with tailored payments solutions and superior customer support. The acquisition of Finical is Celero' tenth acquisition since it launched in late 2018. "Finical and Celero share a common goal of providing the best technology, services and support to small and mid-sized businesses," stated Aaron Nasseh, founder of Finical. "Joining forces with Celero is an exciting step for us as the combination will enable our team members and customers to grow through innovation and customer-centric solutions." "We established Celero to deliver a proprietary suite of software and payments solutions to small and mid-sized businesses," said Celero founder and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Jones. "The addition of the Finical team complements our capabilities in a way that will allow us to better serve our customers. We are excited to welcome the Finical team to the Celero family." About Celero Commerce Headquartered in Nashville, Celero Commerce is a full-service, integrated electronic commerce solutions provider powered by leading-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and business intelligence. Celero offers small and medium-sized businesses payment processing services, business management software, and data intelligence, empowering them to drive growth and profitability. Visit https://www.celerocommerce.com/ to learn more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011422554/en/ [October 11, 2023] Commonwealth Empowers Advisors to Rethink What's Possible at 2023 National Conference Tweet Commonwealth Financial Network, a national firm dedicated to providing financial advisors with holistic, integrated business solutions, gathers its community of affiliated advisors, home office staff, and industry partners for education, connection, and inspiration at its National Conference: Find the Good: Rethink What's Possible. The firm's signature event, held from October 11 to 14 in Aurora, Colorado, encourages attendees to harness the power of practical insights and meaningful connections and apply them to their practices in an evolving and competitive industry. "I always look forward to this event-our community comes together to celebrate our successes, discuss opportunities, and learn from each other as we prepare for our collective future," said Wayne Bloom, Commonwealth's CEO. "I'm excited for our advisors to hear how Commonwealth is investing its time and resources to help them grow the way they want and create a truly exceptional experience for their clients." More than 100 educational sessions led by home-office experts, advisor peers, and strategic partners will be held throughout the conference. Speakers will take a deep dive into timely business building, practice management, and investment solution topics. Sessions include Leveraging Capital for Growth or Succession, Financial Planning for High-Net-Worth Investors, Creating Development Pathways for Your Team, and Harnessing the Power of Digital Marketing Effectively and Compliantly. Commonwealth's leadership team will take the main stage to announce key growth strategies and product enhancements that position the firm and its advisors for optimized success. There will be news about our evolution of offerings and solutions in Wealth Management, Practice Management, and Technology designed to give advisors a competitive advantage. Commonwealth also hosted an exclusive two-day pre-conference Enterprise Retreat. Designed specifically for CEOs of enterprise firms, the retreat offered rich content organized across five themes geared to large and complex firms: future state, gowth, scale, high-net-worth clients, and talent. The enterprise community is one of several Commonwealth supports, including next-gen, the women of Commonwealth, a chief operating officer group, and family businesses. "It was excellent to build an event specifically for leaders who are succeeding through scale," said Kenton Shirk, vice president of Practice Management at Commonwealth, who moderated the event. "This retreat presents a unique opportunity for senior decision makers to come together, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussions that will shape the future of our industry and their businesses. Advisors learned directly from Commonwealth on how we can help them manage their fast-growing businesses and achieve their aspirational goals." National Conference attendees will hear from thought-provoking keynote speakers, including Bill Browder, co-founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management; Jane Ferguson, award-winning special correspondent for PBS Newshour; Will Guidara, award-winning restaurateur and hospitality visionary; Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries; and Dale Brown, CAE, president and CEO of Financial Services Institute. Each speaker will share their unique perspectives on business growth, managing through change, and social responsibility. Commonwealth's leaders, subject-matter experts, and independent advisors will be featured on Bloomberg Radio's Bloomberg Markets program. Hosts Paul Sweeney and Matt Miller will broadcast live from the National Conference, October 12-13, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. Maintaining its commitment to giving back across communities, Commonwealth will host a 5K Fun Run and Walk for attendees. All donations will go directly to the Commonwealth Cares Fund, Commonwealth's 501(C)3 organization, which supports important causes across the firm's local communities. Attendees can also volunteer with Project Helping on-site, building "Kynd Kit" dignity packs that will be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness in Colorado. About Commonwealth Financial Network Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser, provides financial advisors with holistic, integrated solutions that support business evolution, growth acceleration, and operational efficiency. J.D. Power ranks Commonwealth "#1 in Independent Advisor Satisfaction Among Financial Investment Firms, 10 Times in a Row." Privately held since 1979, the firm has headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California. Learn more about how Commonwealth partners with more than 2,100 independent financial advisors overseeing more than $242.9 billion* in assets nationwide by visiting www.commonwealth.com. Commonwealth received the highest score among independent advisors in the J.D. Power 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2018?2023 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Studies. Presented on July 5, 2023, for December 2022 to April 2023, it is based on responses from 4,183 advisors employed by or affiliated with the firms included in the study. Not indicative of the firm's future performance. Your experience may vary. Study is independently conducted, and the participating firms do not pay to participate. Use of study results in promotional materials is subject to a license fee. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details. * As of 12/31/2022 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011034927/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Silver Miller Investigating Claims for Victims of FxWinning and David Merino Tweet CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver Miller ( www.SilverMillerLaw.com ) a South Florida-based law firm representing financial fraud victims around the globe is investigating claims on behalf of victims of online foreign exchange brokerage FxWinning. Ltd. ("FXWinning") and its founder David Merino. Silver Miller has prosecuted countless investment fraud cases and regularly cites its clients to the age-old adage: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. As their investigation continues, they will explore whether the FXWinning investment program was anything other than a classic Ponz scheme built on a foundation of lies intent on harming innocent investors. FXWinning, based in Hong Kong and Miami, attracted millions of dollars in customer funds by promising high investment returns in foreign exchange trading. However, in February 2023, the company halted client withdrawals, citing a Know Your Customer/Anti-Money Laundering audit as the reason. As clients grew increasingly frustrated, the company abruptly ceased operations in June 2023, failing to return funds to clients. As reported by several outlets, FXWinning enticed customers to fund their accounts with cryptocurrency transfers that were then converted to U.S. Dollars through a cryptocurrency exchange located in Dubai. Investors were promised average monthly rates of return of 8-15% or more in what FXWinning promoted as a safe and secure trading platform. Investors were also told that with larger investments, the rates of return would increase. However, since the company closed its doors, numerous published reports have identified FXWinning as a fraudulent investment scheme and have alleged that David Merino and his accomplices have absconded with tens of millions of dollars in cash that they used to purchase luxury items including expensive residences in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida. Silver Miller has successfully litigated financial fraud cases in courtrooms across America, and the firm uses innovative and aggressive techniques to locate stolen assets and hold accountable those who bear responsibility for the harm suffered by those victimized in the scheme. Anyone victimized by FXWinning or David Merino who has had money or cryptocurrency assets taken from them should contact Silver Miller to discuss their legal options. Silver Miller is at the forefront of cryptocurrency and financial fraud litigation and fights to protect investors. For more information about Silver Miller's experience and success in financial fraud litigation, please contact: David C. Silver Silver Miller Managing Partner Florida 954-516-6000 Maryland 240-516-6000 Washington, D.C. 202-852-6000 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.SilverMillerLaw.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silver-miller-investigating-claims-for-victims-of-fxwinning-and-david-merino-301953843.html SOURCE Silver Miller [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Nymbus Leverages Scienaptic's AI Platform to Supercharge Credit Decisioning for Clients Tweet Leading global AI-powered credit decision platform provider, Scienaptic AI, announced today that Nymbus, a premier provider of cloud-based financial technology solutions, has chosen its platform to deliver AI-powered credit decisioning to its clients. The deployment will enable Nymbus bank and credit union clients to enhance and automate their credit decisioning by utilizing Scienaptic's fair, inclusive, and regulatory-compliant AI platform. Nymbus equips financial institutions with a modern core platform and a fast track to offering services for small businesses. Leveraging cloud-based technology, Nymbus enables banks and credit unions to remain agile, scale with efficiency, and seize fresh market opportunities. Whether launching a digital brand or augmenting existing channels, Nymbus sets the stage for long-term success in capturing new customer segments. "Credit, like many segments of the financial services industry, is currently experiencing a disruptive phase. Scienaptic's AI-powered credit underwriting plaform will empower our bank and credit union clients to achieve various lending objectives, including portfolio growth, enhanced risk assessment, regulatory compliance, personalized loan products, and the cultivation of more robust customer relationships," said Aubry Anderson, Vice President - Lending Solutions at Nymbus. "At Nymbus, our focus is on driving tangible technological advancements in the financial sector. We're excited to integrate Scienaptic's credit decisioning platform into our offerings, widening its reach among banks and credit unions, and anticipating a significant positive impact on the communities they serve." Pankaj Jain, President of Scienaptic AI, expressed his excitement about working with Nymbus. He stated, "This deployment is a significant step towards transforming the credit decision-making landscape for financial institutions. Our AI-powered platform will empower Nymbus clients to make smarter, data-driven credit decisions in real time. This will lead to improved operational efficiency, reduced risks, more approvals, and broader access to fair credit. Together, we are shaping the future of financial services, one credit decision at a time." About Scienaptic AI Scienaptic AI's mission is to increase credit availability across the globe by transforming the technology used in credit decisioning. Credit unions, auto lenders, banks, and fintechs, use Scienaptic's AI native credit decisioning platform to continually improve the quality and speed of their underwriting decisions. The platform enables FIs to reach more borrowers, including underbanked and underserved individuals, and say "yes" more often without increasing risk. It democratizes automated AI-powered lending while addressing all regulatory requirements, including Fair Lending and explainable adverse actions. Scienaptic-enabled lenders have processed more than 300 million transactions, benefitting millions of borrowers. For more information, visit http://www.scienaptic.ai About Nymbus Nymbus has disrupted the financial services market as an alternative to legacy business models. With Nymbus, any size financial institution can quickly launch a full-service digital bank or migrate to our award-winning core. Whichever growth strategy is right for you, Nymbus buys back decades of lost time to engage and support the entire digital customer journey. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011698881/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] NTHU's AI Virtual Assistant Makes Its Debut in Fall 2023 Tweet In response to the advent of generative artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan set up a task force earlier in February of this year to discuss the potential impacts and reaction. On May 1st, NTHU announced the Guidelines for Collaboration, Co-learning, and Cultivation of Artificial Intelligence Competencies in University Education, becoming the first university in Taiwan to explicitly promote AI competence. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011838619/en/ NTHU Professor Daw-Wei Wang from the Department of Physics led his TAs in developing an AI virtual assistant called "Little TAI." (Photo: National Tsing Hua University) As the new semester kicks off in September, Professor Daw-Wei Wang from the Department of Physics introduced an interactive AI virtual assistant called "ittle TAI" in his General Physics course . This virtual assistant has the ability to answer physics questions and perform calculus computations; it can also help new students organize their learning paths and generate some questions for practice. The acronym "TAI" stands for "Teaching Assistant Intelligence." The image of "Little TAI" was brought to life by master's student Yu-en Ou from the Department of Physics. It embodies the vivacious and witty persona of a third-year senior, characterized by short hair and big expressive eyes, donning a white tank top, and adorned with tetrahedral earrings. Amidst lively cheers, the freshmen in the General Physics course immediately reached for their phones and tablets to engage with Little TAI. They started seeking help with calculus equations. Much to their astonishment, Little TAI provided a step-by-step derivation of the solution within seconds. When a student inquired about TAI's presence on Instagram or personal information, she tactfully steered the conversation back to the topic of physics. Professor Wang pointed out that Little TAI operates by using the API of ChatGPT4. A notable distinction is that the development team tailored system prompts and operational settings exclusively for Little TAI. This enables it to assist students in obtaining course-related materials and information more directly and easily. Students only need to access the AI-assisted learning system, and Little TAI's chat box will promptly appear on the side, ready to provide relevant insights and to engage in comprehensive discussions as required. The platform, designed by the development team, offers various contextual examples to support students. For instance, students could choose environments like "I need help with organizing study schedule," "I need help to understand the textbook". Moreover, Little TAI has the capacity to generate practice exercises, perform formula derivations using LaTeX notation, and even generate Python code for numerical computations and graphing. This semester, students enrolled in the humanities and social sciences at NTHU were also offered a special welcome gift: "Generative AI Prompts for Humanities and Social Sciences Courses," developed by NTHU's Center for the Application and Development of AI in the Humanities and Social Sciences. This prompt package comprises three areas: regular application, specific application for science, technology, and social disciplines, and another designed for philosophy studies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011838619/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] RENOSY: 80% of Japanese youths aged between 18~25 worry about their finances for the future Tweet While only 20% take action for information gathering, a contradictory action shown among Japanese young people about financial planning TOKYO, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RENOSY, a Japanese real estate investing service operated by GA technologies Co., Ltd (Headquarters: Minato-Ku, Tokyo; CEO: Ryo Higuchi; Securities code: 3491; hereinafter as the Company, carried an online questionnaire among 1,037 employee candidates who are going to join the GA group in 2024, about their opinions about financial management plan, and formal education on the topic. These employee candidates who are going to join the company next year are the generation of those who haven't had the chance to have formal financial education in their teenage years and have been spending their 20s and 30s during the post 2018 financial crisis. ?The generation are the ones who haven't had the chance to have formal financial education in their teenage years and have been spending their 20s and 30s during the post 2018 financial crisis. Key Highlights: ?Level of insecurity towards financial plan for the future? - About 80% of the employee candidates interviewed answered that they are worried about their financial plans for the future. - About 20% of the employee candidates interviewed said that they are learning or gathering information about financial plans currently. - 56.8% answered that they are not confident when it comes to knowledge about financial planning. On the other hand, 25% answered that they are confident about it. - About 80% of the employee candidates interviewed answered that they are worried about their financial plans for the future. - About 20% of the employee candidates interviewed said that they are learning or gathering information about financial plans currently. - 56.8% answered that they are not confident when it comes to knowledge about financial planning. On the other hand, 25% answered that they are confident about it. ?Interest level about financial planning for the future? - 82.6% of the employee candidates answered that they want to start planning for their financial future once they are out of school. - Most people plan to spend 20% of their salaries on financial planning. - Top 3 most popular ways for financial planning are as follows: No1. Nippon Individual Saving Account (?NISA), No2. mutual fund, No3. Japanese stocks. - Only 13.8% of the employee candidates said that they understand the details about the new Nippon Individual Saving Account plan. (?) Nippon Individual Saving Account abbreviated as NISA, is a tax-free program for building up your investment. Account owners can invest stocks or mutual funds without paying tax on capital gains or income gains. Source of reference: Japan Securities Dealers Association ( https://www.jsda.or.jp/en/activities/research-studies/html/NISA.html ) ?Interest level about financial education? - About 80.9% answered that they did not get a chance to receive a formal financial education when they were in school. - About 71.7% answered that they would like to attend such seminars or lectures about financial planning if they could. Research method: Online research Research period: August 29 , 2023? August 31, 2023 , 2023? Research done by: GA technologies(using internet research tool: Fastask) Research target: Age 18~ 25 (both males and females) Number of questionnaire retrieved: (sample size): 1,037 ? The percentage has been rounded up to the first decimal in which it may not add up to 100% exactly. ?Insecurities about financial plan for the future? About 80% of employee candidates answered that they are worried about financial plans for the future Overall, about 80% of the young people who participated in the questionnaire this time answered that they feel insecure about financial plans for the future. The details about the percentages are as follows: 31.6%: feel very insecure. 47.4%: feel a little bit insecure. While most people who participated in this research answered with a negative response about financial planning; about 21.8% are taking actions on learning or gathering information about the topic which is 1 out of every 5 people among our employee candidates. When it comes to the question about how well you feel you possess the knowledge about financial planning, 56.8% answered that they are not confident about it. (34% are not so confident about it, 22.8% feel not confident about it at all) On the other hand, only 25% answered that they are confident about it. (6.9% are very confident about it, 18.1% feel a little bit confident about it) As we can see from the answers most employee candidates do not feel they have enough understanding about financial planning, also are not learning such information actively, which leads to huge anxiety among these young people. ?Level of interest towards financial planning? 82.1% of the employee candidates said that they would like to start a plan for their own finances once they are out of school. Most of the employee candidates; about 24.7%, said that they plan to spend 20% of their salaries on financial planning. Top 3 most popular methods for financial planning chosen by the employee candidates are as follows: No1. Nippon Individual Saving Account, No2. mutual fund, No3. Japanese stocks. While most employee candidates answered they would consider "Nippon Individual Saving Account" as the primary way for managing their finances; only 13.8% said that they understand the details about the new NISA plan. As we can see most Japanese young people do not have enough knowledge or the momentum to keep up with the topics about finance management. ?Level of interest about financial education? About 80% of the young people interviewed this time said that they have never received any financial education in schools 1 and a half years have passed since the policy of a formal financial education is required for all Japanese high school students starting from April 2022 announced by the Japanese government. 80.9% of the employee candidates interviewed this time said that they have not received any financial education in schools, and they said they would like to receive such lectures if it was possible while they were still in school. Making financial education a requirement for Japanese high school students was a policy revised by the Japanese government following a "curriculum guideline" determined by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. All Japanese high schools must incorporate a curriculum about investment & financial planning starting from April 2022. The home economics classes in all high schools must incorporate teachings about how to manage and utilize money in an effective way to high school students. Reference: Curriculum guideline policy revision for 2017, 2018,2019 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/new-cs/1384661.htm About 70% are willing to participate in seminars about financial planning if companies offered such opportunity as employee benefit About 70% of employee candidates said that they are willing to participate in seminars about investment & financial planning if companies offered such opportunities as part of its welfare program. (35.7% answered they will participate if such an event is provided, 36% said even though they are not sure whether to participate or not, it will be a good idea for companies to provide that) Overall, most of the employee candidates show their willingness to attend such events if such opportunity is offered. ? The names of the company, services, products mentioned in this release are officially registered as trademark by GA technologies Co., Ltd. ? Please use the service name "RENOSY" whenever the data, contents in this release is mentioned, repost, refer to publicly RENOSY has collaborated with Benefit One Inc. to provide its service through Benefit One's member exclusive welfare service platform "Benefit station". By providing RENOSY's service on Benefit station platform, RENOSY is able to reach 11.62 million registered members to provide a new option about financial planning as an employee benefit (?). RENOSY has offered a variety of services including seminars about investment and financial planning for working adults to help improve financial knowledge of these people. ? Press release: "RENOSY operated by GA technologies Co., Ltd. started to provide its service on Benefit station to 11.62 million registered members as a new option of investment & financial planning as an employee benefit" (Released on July 19, 2023) https://www.ga-tech.co.jp/news/_f07tgfqqujs0vx/ RENOSY: Online comprehensive real estate service platform RENOSY is a platform that provides a range of real estate services to our customers. The service incorporates AI and other technology to make real estate transactions and investment easier and faster. Starting from property information research to the management of your property, we offer a one-stop online service to our customers. According to the research conducted by Tokyo Shoko Research, RENOSY has the No.1 sales performance in the used real estate property sector in Japan starting from 2020 for four years. ? Please refer to the News from the link here: https://www.ga-tech.co.jp/news/12103/ on "RENOSY has the No.1 sales performance in the pre-owned real estate property sector in Japan starting from 2020 for three consecutive years." About GA technologies Co., Ltd. GA technologies group is a tech company driven by the business vision of "Bringing impressment to people & creating a world-leading company by the power of technology and innovation", in the aim of making changes to a variety of businesses. The group was founded in 2013 and made its debut in the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (Originally known as the Mothers Market) in 2018. We have been committed to M&A actively and completed 10 M&A projects since 2018. We also achieved a gross sales exceeding 110 billion yen as a fast-growing enterprise. Finally, we have been recognized with the "digital transformation recognition corporation" for three consecutive years, which is the only corporation that has such an honor in the Growth Market. Company name: GA technologies Co., Ltd. Representative: Ryo Higuchi Website link: https://www.ga-tech.co.jp/en/ Headquarter: 40F of Sumitomo real estate Roppongi Grand Tower, Roppongi 3-2-1, Minato-Ku, Tokyo Year of founding: March 2013 Services provided: Internet real estate marketplace business: RENOSY BtoB PropTech SaaS development Group partners: GA technologies group: ITANDI, RENOSY PLUS, Shenjumiausuan and 16 other group companies CONTACT: Name: Judy Yu email: [email protected] Phone: +81-80-8899-1699 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renosy-80-of-japanese-youths-aged-between-1825-worry-about-their-finances-for-the-future-301951863.html SOURCE GA technologies Co., Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Keller Rohrback L.L.P.: Final Approval Granted in Historic Facebook Privacy Settlement Tweet On October 10, 2023, District Court Judge Vince Chhabria, issued an order granting final approval of the $725 million class action settlement in In re: Facebook, Inc. Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation. No. 3:18-md-02843-VC. The settlement represents the largest recovery ever achieved in a data privacy class action and the most Facebook has ever paid to resolve a private class action. Once the appeal period has run, the order paves the way for the Settlement Administrator, Angeion Group, to begin distributing payments to the millions of class members who filed claims. For more information on the settlement, visit the Settlement Administrator's website at: https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/ Derek Loeser of Keller Rohrback L.L.P. and Lesley Weaver of Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP were appointed by Judge Chhabria to serve as Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs in this action. The case was originally prompted by news in March 2018 that the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica had harvested information from up to 87 million Facebook users. Through discovery, the case expanded to target broader data-sharing practices by Facebook. Plaintiffs allege that Facebook granted numerous third parties access to their Facebook content and information without their consent, and that Facebook failed to adequately monitor the third parties' access to, and use of, that information. The hard-fought and contentious litigation was overseen by United States District Judge Chhabria and then-Magistrate and now District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of the Northern District of California, as well as by discovery mediators Daniel Garrie and Judge Gail Andler. Mr. Garrie also served as the Special Master for discovery disputes, and former U.S. Magistrate Judge Jay C. Gandhi mediated the settlement. "We are pleased that the Court has granted final approval of the settlement, and immensely proud of the work our teams did to achieve this outstanding result for the class," wrote co-lead counsel Derek Loeser and Lesley Weaver. "This settlement sets a new high-water mark for Big Tech privacy litigation and sends a strong message that ignoring consumers' privacy rights is a costly mistake." About Keller Rohrback L.L.P. Keller Rohrback, with offices in New York, Seattle, Phoenix, Oakland, Missoula, Portland, and Santa Barbara, serves as lead and co-lead counsel in class actions throughout the country. Our Complex Litigation Group is proud to offer its expertise to clients nationwide, and our trial lawyers have obtained judgments and settlements on behalf of clients in excess of $78 billion dollars. About Bleichmar Fonti L.L.P. Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a national law firm focusing on complex litigation, including the prosecution of consumer, antitrust, securities and corporate governance actions on behalf of individuals and institutional investors. BFA's team has led actions leading to the recovery of billions of dollars for investors and consumers in the last eight years. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011322028/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Higher Education Market size to grow by USD 63.36 billion from 2022 to 2027, The market is fragmented due to the presence of prominent companies like Adobe Inc., Advance HE and Apple Inc., and many more - Technavio Tweet NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The higher education market is estimated to grow by USD 63.36 billion from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14.49%. The higher education market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer higher education market are Adobe Inc., Advance HE, Apple Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Class Technologies Inc., D2L Corp., Dell Technologies Inc., Educomp Solutions Ltd., Ellucian Co. LP, Fujitsu Ltd., Instructure Holdings Inc., International Business Machines Corp., Jenzabar Inc., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Pearson Plc, Promethean Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., SMART Technologies ULC, and Xerox Holdings Corp. The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download Free Sample before buying Company Offering: Adobe Inc. - The company offers higher education solutions such as Creative Cloud. The company offers higher education solutions such as Creative Cloud. Advance HE - The company offers higher education with a focus on enhancing teaching and learning, effective governance, leadership development, and tackling inequalities through equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work. The company offers higher education with a focus on enhancing teaching and learning, effective governance, leadership development, and tackling inequalities through equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work. Apple Inc. - The company offers higher education solutions through Macbook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Pencil. The company offers higher education solutions through Macbook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Pencil. For details on companies and their offerings Buy the report! By Geography, the market is classified as North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East, and Africa. North America is estimated to contribute 37% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. This is due to the growing popularity of learning; Higher education institutions are investing in modern technologies that can be used to enhance student learning experiences and enable teachers to stream and access content from anywhere, anytime. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth in the region during the forecast period. Download Free sample report to get more insights on the market share of various regions and the contribution of the segments. Impactful driver- The Advent of changes in educational content delivery methods The Advent of changes in educational content delivery methods Key Trend - Growing emphasis on technology-based course delivery - Growing emphasis on technology-based course delivery Major Challenges - Rise in the cost of higher education Market Segmentation By Product, the market is classified into software and hardware. The market share growth by the software segment will be significant during the forecast period. The solutions segment includes training management systemsLMS, enterprise resource plansERP, adaptive education softwareALITS, Content Management SystemsHTTPs, and others. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. Technavio Research experts have provided more insights on the market share of segments - View Free Sample Report Related Reports The Europe-E-learning market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.68% between 2023 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 49.81 billion. The smart education market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.98% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 353.17 billion. Higher Education Market Scope Report Coverage Details Historic period 2017-2021 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 14.49% YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 13.96 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key countries US, China, India, Germany, and the UK TOC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by Product 7 Market Segmentation by End-user 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Vendor Landscape 12 Vendor Analysis 13 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact 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/higher-education-market-size-to-grow-by-usd-63-36-billion-from-2022-to-2027--the-market-is-fragmented-due-to-the-presence-of-prominent-companies-like-adobe-inc-advance-he-and-apple-inc-and-many-more---technavio-301952582.html SOURCE Technavio [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] GEHA Unveils Medical and Dental Plans Available to Federal Employees, Retired Military and Their Dependents in 2024 Tweet Government Employees Health Association, Inc. ("GEHA," pronounced G.E.H.A ) today unveiled the medical, dental and Medicare Advantage plans offered to eligible federal employees, retired military and their dependents for the 2024 calendar year. GEHA's 2024 plan options reflect its steadfast commitment to address members' needs at every stage of life with affordable plans that empower individuals to achieve greater overall health and wellness. "As a member-driven association specializing in government employee health benefits, federal employees can count on our experience and some great new product offerings in 2024," said Art Nizza, DSW, GEHA President and CEO. For 2024, GEHA is retaining default plan status for federal employees with its Elevate product as the lowest priced nationwide option in the Self Only tier. GEHA is also introducing two new GEHA Medicare Advantage Plans with its High and Standard plans. GEHA is offering these plans in collaboration with UnitedHealthcare via the UnitedHealthcare GEHA Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plans. Rounding out the 2024 offerings are two additional health plans and two dental plans. Eligible individuals can enroll in GEHA's plans and select their benefits when Open Season for federal employees and retirees begins on Nov. 13, 2023. Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will end at midnight EST on Dec. 11, 2023. "GEHA offers a national portfolio with a wide breadth of plans, including the most popular High Deductible Health Plan for federal employees. Members will find plan options for 2024 that are designed to strike the optimum balance between costs and coverage, regardless of whether they are beginning their career, starting a young family, sending young adults out into the world or embracing retirement after years of service," added Nizza. Prospective members are encouraged to visit geha.com, where knowledgeable experts are available via interactive chat or in one-on-one sessions. GEHA FedViser benefits experts can also be reached at 800.262.4342 (for information on medical plans) and at 877.590.4342 (for information on dental plans) Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. central time. GEHA also offers an interactive plan comparison tool at geha.com/CompareMedical, which allows members to compare up to four GEHA plans at a time to help ensure they make the best selection. Medical Plans Offered for 2024 GEHA's network offers access to millions of providers throughout the United States, including pediatricians, family physicians, behavioral and mental health experts and specialists in every field - allowing members to select providers offering the best in diagnostic and clinical care. GEHA's plans also offer numerous benefits, from telehealth to a vision benefit, with low or no copay on every plan. New for 2024 - Medicare Advantage Plan Options GEHA is introducing two new Medicare Advantage plans: the GEHA Standard Medicare Advantage Plan and the GEHA High Medicare Advantage Plan. GEHA is offering these plans in collaboration with UnitedHealthcare. These plans deliver all the benefits of Medicare (Parts A and B), including prescription drug coverage (Part D) and additional benefits and features, at no extra cost to members. Eligible members who will have Medicare Parts A and B as their primary coverage in the 2024 calendar year can enroll when the Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage open enrollment period begis on October 15, 2023. High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) Designed to provide savvy savers who focus on the future with an economical option, GEHA's fastest-growing medical plan is the most popular HDHP choice among federal employees. New this year for HDHP, GEHA increased its generous HSA contribution to $1,000 for Self Only and $2,000 for Self Plus One and Self & Family. Additionally, the HDHP plan offers unlimited telehealth visits, including mental health. Standard Created to provide families of all sizes with a plan option that features a low deductible and predictable coverage for routine appointments with providers, GEHA's Standard plan offers affordable premiums and low copays, along with robust maternity coverage. New this year for Standard, the Standard plan deepens its commitment to supporting federally employed families by offering infertility coverage and, for children under 18, a $0 copay for one non-preventive primary care physician visit and two urgent care visits per year. Elevate Elevate is the FEHBP default plan, featuring one of the lowest premiums in the nation and low copays for doctor visits. Elevate is designed to deliver basic coverage and perks that help members maintain their focus on complete wellness. With Elevate, members can earn up to $500 a year per person in Wellness Pays rewards. In addition, Wellness Pays offers subscribers a $50 Reward when they participate in a behavioral health visit. High GEHA's High plan features comprehensive coverage of brand name and specialty prescriptions, low copays for doctor visits, $1,000 for Medicare Part B premium reimbursement and waived coinsurance and copays for Medicare members. Elevate Plus Created for proactive members who always stay in-network, Elevate Plus features low copays for non-traditional care (like acupuncture and chiropractic care), low deductibles and mental health benefits, including telehealth. Similar to Elevate, Elevate Plus members can earn up to $500 a year per person in Wellness Pays rewards. Dental Plans for 2024 Members can choose from two competitively priced, dedicated dental plans for the 2024 plan year, both of which are designed to ensure hassle-free and easy access to providers for everything from preventive services to procedures. GEHA's dental plans provide access to one of the nation's largest dental networks, with nearly 425,000 locations and no waiting period for orthodontic procedures for adults and children. New in 2024 for GEHA's dental plans, nitrous oxide will now be covered for all ages for all procedures, if medically necessary. In addition, prefabricated porcelain/ceramic crowns on primary teeth will now be covered, limited to one per patient, per tooth, per lifetime for children under 15 years of age. GEHA's dental plans also include a vision benefit that provides a $5 routine eye exam, plus discounts on frames, lenses and Lasik. Standard Dental Plan Standard dental offers peace of mind for those who prioritize routine dental health and wellness through in-network check-ups, with $0 in-network preventive care that includes one teledentistry evaluation annually. Standard dental includes an in-network annual maximum of $2,500 per person. High Dental Plan High dental offers comprehensive dental care for those who value oral health, want to plan for future procedures and value the freedom to go to any provider nationwide, with $0 in-network preventive care that includes three cleanings and one teledentistry evaluation annually. High dental includes an unlimited annual maximum benefit per person. GEHA offers an interactive plan comparison tool at geha.com/CompareDental, which lets members compare the High and Standard plans side by side to ensure they make the best selection. Premiums for GEHA dental plans can be found by ZIP Code at geha.com/DentalRates. This is a brief description of GEHA's FEHBP and FEDVIP plan features. Please review GEHA's federal brochures, which are available at geha.com. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the federal brochures. *Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations, exclusions and/or network restrictions may apply. About GEHA GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc., pronounced G.E.H.A.) is a nonprofit member association that provides medical and dental benefits to more than 2 million federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families. Offering one of the largest medical and dental benefit provider networks available to federal employees in the United States, GEHA empowers health and wellness by meeting its members where they are, when they need care. Headquartered in Lee's Summit, Missouri, with approximately 1,500 employees, GEHA is committed to its members and their communities. To learn more, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and visit geha.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011905397/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and Non-Profit Project Liberty Announce Launch of New BKC Lab Tweet BOSTON and NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Project Liberty and The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University announced today that Frank McCourt and the 501(c)(3) non-profit Project Liberty will support the launch of BKC's Applied Social Media Lab (ASML) a first-of-its-kind program to assess and build social media technology in the public interest. In a time of turmoil in the tech industry, the lab will help integrate and amplify worthy and underappreciated approaches to improving or revolutionizing social media among those in public interest engineering, public policy, and standards setting. "The Applied Social Media Lab will help bridge research and practice," said BKC Co-Founder and Faculty Director Jonathan Zittrain. "At Berkman Klein, lab participants will immerse themselves in ross-disciplinary work by collaborating with our community and an extraordinary, diverse class of global fellows." Project Liberty is committed to analyzing and developing technical, ethical, and governance infrastructure for emerging technologies, including distributed ones (like the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol). The Berkman Klein Center's lab starts its work as Project Liberty's recent founding partners Stanford, MIT, Sciences Po, and Georgetown support the initiative of building a healthier, safer technology environment for society starting with a better web for a better world. The lab will grow out of the Center's current Institute for Rebooting Social Media, in collaboration with faculty from across the university, including James Mickens, Lawrence Lessig, Latanya Sweeney (Founder and Director of the Public Interest Tech Lab at the Shorenstein Center), and Jonathan Zittrain. "Current social media is designed to addict and exploit people, rather than connect and empower them," said Frank McCourt, Executive Chairman and Founder of Project Liberty. "Project Liberty is leading the efforts to build a better internet, and the solutions produced by those working at the Applied Social Media Lab at Berkman Klein will be concrete steps toward realizing a healthier digital world for society." "We're really excited about the modular design of the Lab as it will enable the teams to work nimbly, pulling in facility members and affiliates as needed in order to develop new technologies and therefore getting us a step closer to a healthier, safer digital ecosystem," said Martina Larkin, CEO Project Liberty. "Additionally, the openness model BKC is known for plays a key role in this project and we look forward to the participation of many technologists, policy experts, researchers and generally those interested in contributing to our work." The announcement comes as the Center enters its twenty-fifth year exploring and building in the digital space. Media contacts: Sam Hinds [email protected] Katie Uhlman [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harvards-berkman-klein-center-for-internet--society-and-non-profit-project-liberty-announce-launch-of-new-bkc-lab-301954110.html SOURCE Project Liberty [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Generally, when a single insider buys stock, it is usually not a big deal. However, when several insiders are buying, like in the case of BCB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCBP), it sends a favourable message to the company's shareholders. Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. See our latest analysis for BCB Bancorp BCB Bancorp Insider Transactions Over The Last Year The Independent Chairman of the Board Mark Hogan made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$169k worth of shares at a price of US$11.24 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is US$11.28. 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. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. Happily, the BCB Bancorp insiders decided to buy shares at close to current prices. In the last twelve months BCB Bancorp insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! BCB Bancorp is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Have BCB Bancorp Insiders Traded Recently? Independent Director Spencer Robbins bought just US$2.3k worth of shares in that time. That's not much at all. Overall, we don't think these recent trades are particularly informative, one way or the other. Insider Ownership I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. BCB Bancorp insiders own about US$24m worth of shares. That equates to 13% of the company. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. Story continues So What Do The BCB Bancorp Insider Transactions Indicate? We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). That said, the purchases were not large. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Overall we don't see anything to make us think BCB Bancorp insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. While conducting our analysis, we found that BCB Bancorp has 1 warning sign and it would be unwise to ignore it. Of course BCB Bancorp may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality 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. [October 11, 2023] Russell Investments Canada Limited Announces Quarterly Distributions for Exchange Traded Fund Series Tweet Russell Investments Canada Limited ("Russell Investments Canada") today announced cash distributions for the ETF Series of certain mutual funds ("ETF Series") for the months of October and November. Unitholders of record of the ETF Series, as of the Record Date, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on the Payment Date. Details of the per-unit cash distribution amount are as follows: Fund Name Ticker Symbol Cash Distribution per Unit ($) CUSIP ISIN Record Date Payment Date Exchange Russell Investments Fixed Income Pool RIFI $0.059 78249T103 CA78249T1030 October 20, 2023 October 25, 2023 TSX November 22, 2023 November 27, 2023 Russell Investments Global Infrastructure Pool RIIN $0.070 78250R103 CA78250R1038 October 20, 2023 October 25, 2023 TSX November 22, 2023 November 27, 2023 Russell Investments Real Assets RIRA $0.066 78250P107 CA78250P1071 October 20, 2023 October 25, 2023 TSX November 22, 2023 November 27, 2023 The Manager, Russell Investments Canada Limited, administers and manages the ETF Series. About Russell Investments Canada Limited Russell Investments Canada Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Russell Investments Group, Ltd. Established in 1985, Russell Investments Canada Limited has its head office in Toronto. About Russell Investments Russell Investments is a leading global investment solutions firm providing a wide range of investment capabilities to institutional investors, financial intermediaries, and individual investors. The firm has CA$394.2 billion in assets under management (as of 06/30/2023) for clients in 30 countries. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Russell Investments has offices in 17 financial centers across the world, including London, New York, Sydney, Toronto and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.russellinvestments.com/ca. Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or dissemination in the United States. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in the ETF Series Units. Investment objectives, risks, fees, expenses, and other important information are contained in the prospectus. Please read the prospectus and ETF Facts carefully before investing. The ETF Series Units are not guaranteed, their value may change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Certain statements included in this news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as or similar to, "expects", "anticipates", "believes" or negative versions thereof. Forward looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to, among other things, risk, uncertainties and assumptions about economic factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from what is contemplated. We encourage you to consider these and other factors carefully before making any investment decisions and we urge you to avoid placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Russell Investments has no specific intention of updating any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For a summary of the risks of an investment in the fund, please see the specific risks of mutual funds section of the prospectus. Units of ETF Series trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination. Income tax considerations for investors are contained in the prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Russell Investments' ownership is composed of a majority stake held by funds managed by TA Associates, with a significant minority stake held by funds managed by Reverence Capital Partners. Certain of Russell Investments' employees and Hamilton Lane Advisors, LLC also hold minority, non-controlling, ownership stakes. Copyright Russell Investments Canada Limited 2023. All rights reserved. Frank Russell Company is the owner of the Russell trademarks contained in this material and all trademark rights related to the Russell trademarks, which the members of the Russell Investments group of companies are permitted to use under license from Frank Russell Company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011103566/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2023] Expanded Canada-Panama Air Transport Agreement to allow more flights between both countries Tweet Additional capacity will strengthen travel and business ties to grow our economy and create good jobs for Canadians OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Whether visiting family and friends, taking a trip, or shipping goods to markets around the world, Canadians need an air sector that works for them. Today, the Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez, announced the conclusion of an expanded air transport agreement between Canada and Panama. With this expanded agreement, airlines can introduce more flight options and routings. This means more choice and more convenience for Canadians. Each country's airlines are now able to operate a total of 14 passenger flights per week, and an unlimited number of all-cargo flights. This is up from nine flights per week for passenger and/or all-cargo services. This new agreement will better accommodate the growing Canada-Panama market, improve Canada's global connectivity, and support tourism and trade activity between the two countries. The new rights under the expanded agreement are available for use by airlines immediately. Quotes "This important development in our air transport agreement with Panama will improve connectivity for passengers, deepen our cultural and commercial ties, and strengthen our supply chains. As we continue to support the recovery of our air industry, it's great news when we see more options for travellers and businesses alike." The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez Minister of Transport p>"In today's global landscape, creating opportunities and opening doors for Canadians to conduct business around the world is of utmost importance. The expanded Canada-Panama Air Transport Agreement demonstrates the importance Canada places on our already well-established and strong trade and investment relationship and offers Canadian and Panamanian businesses greater opportunities. This is also in step with our commitment to supporting Canadian exporters as they continue to respond to the growing demand for Canadian products and services in the Latin American market." The Honourable Mary Ng Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Quick Facts Canada's air transport agreement with Panama was concluded in 2008 and was previously expanded in 2013. air transport agreement with was concluded in 2008 and was previously expanded in 2013. Expansion of the agreement with Panama was guided by Canada's Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services. Associated Link Additional information on the Blue Sky policy Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities. SOURCE Transport Canada - Ottawa [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Today Kansas City's most celebrated activist blog aligns itself with radical progressives and stands against victims a recent terrorist attack. Here's their money line and link to their screed in its entirety . . . The nominee, Jaz Hays, merely voiced the same concerns that have been corroborated by multiple human rights organizations and even the United Nationslabeling israel (sic) as a regime with genocidal intentions. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Once again activist bloggers give us a laugh this morning for two reasons . . . Their Israel war take is garbage and mostly looks like an online political troll crafted by radical scribes working at a D-list state college newspaper. More importantly . . . Remember that Kansas City mainstream media celebrated & promoted this blog until about a week after they helped spread some sketchy "white racist serial killer" rumor AND THEN attempted to shame a Black waitress when she was attempting to calm down some angry dude at fancy fish restaurant. Fun fact amid otherwise tragic circumstances . . . It turns out their suspected white racist serial killer REPORTEDLY made sweet consensual love to a Black lady sex worker who later turned up dead according to her lawyer. But I digress . . . Check the KC Defender taking aim at Mayor Q & Congressman Cleaver for doing the bare minimum after one of the worst slaughters we've seen against a Democracy in the Middle-East. Check-it: "Quinton Lucas . . . You sing a requiem for the State of Israel while remaining silent as the earth of Gaza and the West Bank is stained with the blood of thousands of Palestinian children and families: martyrs assassinated by a US-supported colonial power. "Thus, it was unsurprising that Congressman Cleaver would also utter similar sentiments, giving credence to American leadership as instrumental in assisting Israels defense. "(Congressman) Cleaver, a Black man who should be acutely aware of the gnawing pain of systemic discrimination, willingly distorts the narrative. This isnt mere political calculus; its a shocking betrayal of the ethics of civil rights and social justice that he claims to champion. "When we consider the cowardly betrayal by Black people in seats of power in Kansas City, we cant help but remember the luminous legacy of civil rights leaders and revolutionaries who stood unflinchingly in solidarity with Palestinians. " Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . We encourage locals to read the fine print closely on yet another bad deal for downtown. First and foremost . . . We think that this proposal deserves CITYWIDE voter scrutiny but that's unlikely given corrupt politicians working hand-in-hand with developers. And so . . . The only thing the plebs can do is make sure as many people as possible are INFORMED about the reality of this scheme. An important deet that might be overlook . . . CHECK KANSAS CITY DEVELOPERS ADMITTING SOUTH LOOP WILL BE "PRIVATELY MANAGED" BUT FUNDED MOSTLY BY TAXPAYER MONEY!!! Despite so many "public information sessions" it's still unclear how this park will be governed and if so many corporate donations are secured by contract or just a topic for meaningless press releases. A huge building project like this should have all of these important facts available to the public. Instead . . . Kansas City residents merely serve as an audience to power moves where consent is manufactured by public relations hacks. And so . . . We share a quote wherein we highlight some of the plan that has been downplayed by lesser newsies: "The South Loop Project is a major urban infrastructure investment that includes a multi-purpose deck and sustainable gathering space in downtown Kansas City. The Project will bridge a four-block section above I-670 from Grand Boulevard to Wyandotte Street and connect the south side of CBD and the Crossroads Arts District. The proposed facility will also connect Kansas Citys Bartle Hall Convention Center and T-Mobile Center. When completed, the South Loop Project will be a world-class facility that will welcome residents and visitors and will be a catalyst for further investment and economic growth in Kansas City and the state of Missouri. It will be a privately managed, actively programmed public gathering space with a 365-day event schedule." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . KK has a Patron newsletter that deserves a look for anyone interested in the local discourse. Tonight he sent this message to loyal fans . . . "Joe Biden gave a speech to support Israel and denounced the evil being peddled by Hamas. It sounded great. He doesn't mean it. Everything our progressives have done so far has enriched and enabled Iran to support terrorism all while distancing the White House from the Israeli Prime Minister. This is really bad." Earlier today, on his show . . . He shares a very obvious warning and that inspires a link update for tonight: "The horrific pictures we are seeing from Gaza City and Israel are beyond barbaric and we fully support Israel to defend itself and destroy these brutal terrorists called Hamas. But make no mistake about it, this fight is coming to America. This isn't Russia and Ukraine. Palestinians are already taking to the streets in Chicago and New York and Sydney chanting, "gas the Jews." You'd better believe our open border has allowed in hundreds, if not thousands of really, really bad people that want to kill Americans. All our fake bickering about race and homophobia seems pretty silly right about now as we see what hate really looks like and face the prospect of dealing with it in our streets." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Hamas is Our Problem Now, US Bickering Seems Silly, Mr. Pfizer Under Fire, Rookie Leads Chiefs, AZ Stuns MLB | Kevin Kietzman Has Issues The horrific pictures we are seeing from Gaza City and Israel are beyond barbaric and we fully support Israel to defend itself and destroy these brutal terrorists called Hamas. But make no mistake about it, this fight is coming to America. This isn't Russia and Ukraine. Leawood, Kansas pastor leading trip to Israel now heading back to safety The ongoing journey has shifted to one of prayer and solidarity with the people facing violence and disruption in their daily lives. Kansas Citians with ties to Israel cling to phones as war continues As missiles and bombs continue to pound Israel after a surprise attack by the terror group Hamas, those safely stateside are keeping their electronic devices close. Solidarity for Israel prayer gathering held in Overland Park Rabbis led a solidarity gathering for Israel at The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah, Monday evening. Rep Cleaver on Israel attack: Hamas 'threw rocks at a beehive' KSHB 41 anchor Dia Wall spoke with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D - Kansas City) Tuesday about the Hamas attack on Israel and what's next. "Act of sheer evil": Biden's forceful condemnation of Hamas hailed by Israel It was perhaps the most powerful statement of support for Israel by a sitting U.S. president since 1948. Misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war is flooding social media. Here are the facts False claims about the latest Israel-Hamas war are flooding social media, making it difficult for onlookers to sort fact from fiction. Here are the facts: Nimrod Aloni, a top general in the Israeli army, was not captured by Hamas militants. Tucker Carlson questions U.S. support for Israel war - could the GOP follow? Carlson's Opposition to GOP Support for Israel to Fight Back in Self-defense Against Hamas Marks Him as an Outlier. But His Outsized Influence May Move Some Republicans Towards a More Skeptical Position on Israel What is Israel's Iron Dome air defense system -- and was it overwhelmed? President Biden promises Israel that it will get all the missile interceptors it needs. Peace Activists Are Among the Israelis Missing and Killed Some of those caught up in the attack by Palestinian fighters lived in residential collectives whose members tend to support peace initiatives and Palestinian rights. Developing . . . We won't argue with this quote because it's harmless and the right of Missouri residents to pack heat legally. However . . . Even a quick deconstruction of this statement reveals that the lawman tacitly argues that guns make people "feel" safer even if they don't have much impact on the state of the world. Don't get it twisted . . . TKC loves gun rights . . . But firearms can't function as a security blanket for adults . . . They're just a tool like any other and statistically more likely to endanger irresponsible users than protect against global terror threats. In fairness, here's his statement . . . "Bates County, Missouri Sheriff Chad Anderson said on Tuesday evening that he has decided to waive fees "in light of instability in the world," citing the war in Israel and concerns with security on the border between the United States and Mexico. "Today, as I watch the unrest across the globe and inside the United States in relation to the terrorist attacks in Israel and the compromised open southern border, I feel that it's my duty as Sheriff to help my citizens protect themselves no matter where they are in this country," Anderson said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Thanks to KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS our blog community was FIRST to report on Kansas City Northland Council Dude Nathan Willett demanding the removal of a local activist from a local commish following a blatantly Anti-Israel slur on X/Twitter. We have follow-up from lesser blogs on the sitch, but first, something more important . . . THE ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVIST ALSO RANKS AMONGST THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC KC TENANTS SUPPORTERS!!! He's a KC Tenants "regular" and ranks on the paper work for KC Tenants Power -- Their political wing. And THAT fun fact is where things start to get even more interesting . . . Why??? MAYOR Q HAS ALIGNED WITH KC TENANTS, SUPPORTED MANY OF THEIR GOALS DESPITE THE GROUP'S HARSH ANTI-ISRAEL RHETORIC!!! First . . . Let's look at the Mayor's latest setback despite some kind words for the local Jewish Community earlier in the week . . . "Mayor Quinton Lucas Tuesday withdrew the nomination of Emerson Jaz Hays to the citys Board of Zoning Adjustment, sources at City Hall say." Another take on this . . . "At the meeting, his name and the name of another alternate nominee were removed from the resolution recommending their appointments. Lucas offered no explanation and said the matter of alternate appointments will be taken up later. It was unclear whether Hays would be one of those appointees." Fun fact . . . "He is listed in state records as one of the organizers of KC Tenants Power, the political wing of KC Tenants, a group that advocates for affordable housing and the rights of renters." Now . . . We really need to emphasize this . . . KC TENANTS HAS LONG ADVOCATED FOR PALESTINE AND DENOUNCED ISRAEL AS "COLONIZERS" BY WAY OF DIVISIVE RHETORIC!!! In a quick search . . . We wanted to highlight this quote from KC Tenants . . . "The global movement to #savesheikhjarrah may seem disconnected from our fights in Kansas City. Its not. Its one struggle for the people, for freedom, for our dignity. Were not free till Palestine is free." Another look at KC Tenants Anti-Israel advocacy . . . Accordingly . . . The not-so-long-ago Anti-Israel statements of the KC Tenants and the unprofessional words of the low level nominee seem to align. None of this is to say that KC Tenants can't change their mind & rhetoric given recent tragic events. TKC would like to the group denounce their hardliner stance against Israel. However . . . MAYOR Q HAS MANY RADICAL PROGRESSIVE SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE DENOUNCED ISRAEL IN THE PAST & NOW MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO DUMP THEM OR AT LEAST CONDEMN THEIR HATEFUL RHETORIC IN PUBLIC!!! Kind words at a prayer vigil from Mayor Q are very nice. However . . . More meaningful action from Mayor Q requires PUBLICLY parting company with local activists who have always mischaracterized Israel and have consistently attacked the strongest Middle-East U.S. ally. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Should nominee's comments on Israel disqualify him from Kansas City zoning board? In a social media post, Emerson "Jaz" Hays called Israel's current government "a regime with genocidal intentions" for its blockade of Gaza' UPDATE: Kansas City Mayor Lucas withdraws nominee for zoning board who called Israel 'a regime with genocidal intentions.' UPDATE: Mayor Quinton Lucas Tuesday withdrew the nomination of Emerson "Jaz" Hays to the city's Board of Zoning Adjustment, sources at City Hall say. A Kansas City man nominated by the mayor to... Developing . . . Peel police have arrested and charged several people in connection to the alleged kidnapping of a Toronto woman from a Mississauga nightclub. In a recent media release, Peel police allege the female victim was forced into a stolen vehicle after going to a nightclub in the area of Britannia Road East and Dixie Road in Mississauga on Thursday, Aug. 24. Police allege the victim was held for two days and taken to several locations in Owen Sound before being released in the Toronto area. In all, police arrested and charged eight men, including three from Mississauga, and a woman from Meaford in connection to the alleged kidnapping. The accused range in age from 19 to 46, according to the release. A fourth Mississauga man, 22, is wanted for kidnapping by police in connection to the incident. The media release says search warrants executed at residences and vehicles in Owen Sound and the GTA saw close to $240,000 in drugs and two handgun magazines with ammunition seized. A man critically wounded in a shooting in Scarborough last month has died of his injuries. Toronto police said Joshua Bernard-Reis was shot near Morningside Avenue and Danzig Street at 11:17 p.m. Sept. 24. The 21-year-old was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition. Bernard-Reis died of his injuries on Sunday (Oct. 8), becoming the city's 55th homicide victim of the year, police said in a Monday afternoon news release. Police didn't release a description of the suspect or suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide squad at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, is welcomed by Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo prior to a meeting at the prime ministers office in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) BRUSSELS (AP) Belgiums prime minister said his country, which has the biggest interest in the global diamond trade in the European Union, is supporting a ban on Russian diamonds as part of sanctions targeting President Vladimir Putins government for its war against Ukraine. This came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyas visit to Brussels on Wednesday. He has repeatedly asked for such a move since the start of Russias invasion in February 2022. For months, the Group of Seven advanced economies and the EU have been working on a way to trace and restrict the trade in Russian diamonds to prevent it from skirting the sanctions. Russia exports about $4 billion worth of rough diamonds a year, nearly a third of the worlds total, according to various estimates. Asked when the ban will enter into force, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said, "the goal is ... January 1st of 2024. According to The Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the worlds most important diamond trading hub, 84% of all rough diamonds mined worldwide are traded in the Belgian city, making it the most important gateway to the world for Russian diamonds. It has taken some time, because we want to avoid that diamonds ban would be circumvented, De Croo said, sitting next to Zelenskyy. If you only do it on the wholesale markets, then it will be traded to other diamond centers in the world," he added. "And we will still have it in our shops, and it would make no difference for Russia. This full traceability and this full banning on the retail markets is the only way to make sure that Russia is not financing the war anymore with those diamonds. Diamond imports from Russia to the EU have not been hit by the 27-nation blocs measures so far, which have hurt many sectors of the Russian economy, including the lucrative gas and oil. In Belgium, the diamond sector accounts for 6,600 direct jobs and 26,000 indirect jobs, with annual trade amounting to 37 billion dollars. Diamonds represent about 5% of total Belgian exports to the EU and 15% outside the European bloc. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine SHAWN THEW / POOL / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com The Biden administration continues to move forward with alternative federal student loan forgiveness plans after an earlier program, which would have cancelled up to $20,000 of debt per borrower, was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court this past summer. Student Loan Forgiveness Backfires: The $35,000 Debt Problem Plaguing Borrowers as Payments Resume Find: New Student Loan Forgiveness Rule Simplifies Process Who Qualifies? In late September, the U.S. Department of Education unveiled a proposal to use the 1965 Higher Education Act (HEA) to cancel debt for groups of borrowers who fall into five categories. Less than a week later, President Joe Biden announced that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief. No official timetables have been given regarding when the new loan forgiveness might be available. Its likely that the HEA proposal will take at least several months to be implemented, according to experts. Here are five things to know in October 2023 about where the plans stand. Higher Education Act (HEA) Plan Who Qualifies This initiative focuses on negotiated rulemaking under the HEA and could potentially provide debt forgiveness to these five groups: Borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed. Borrowers whose loans first entered repayment decades ago. Borrowers who attended education programs that didnt provide sufficient financial value. Borrowers who are eligible for relief under programs such as income-driven repayment but have not applied. Borrowers who have experienced financial hardship and need support but whom the current student loan system does not adequately address. What It Involves In a Sept. 29 press release, the Education Department indicated a debt relief issue paper will lay out an initial set of policy considerations to create a path to debt relief for student loan borrowers in need. The issue paper was scheduled to be discussed this week at the first meeting of the Student Loan Relief Committee. Story continues The issue paper also addressed federal regulations that might allow an agency to compromise a debt if the government cant collect the full amount. Reasons include the following: The debtor is unable to pay the full amount in a reasonable time, based on financial information. The government is unable to collect the debt in full within a reasonable time by enforced collection proceedings. The cost of collecting the debt doesnt justify the enforced collection of the full amount. There is significant doubt concerning the governments ability to prove its case in court. Where It Stands Now This week, the Education Department took a critical step in establishing the new HEA student loan forgiveness program with the first in a series of public negotiated rulemaking hearings, Forbes reported Oct. 10. We immediately began this new regulatory process to bring student loan relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible, Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said in opening remarks at the hearings. Already, weve considered more than 26,000 public comments, and now, with your help, our efforts to fix the broken student loan system take another step forward. $9 Billion Debt Relief What it Involves In an Oct. 4 press release, the Education Department stated it will provide fixes to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) plans and also grant automatic relief for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. For years, millions of eligible borrowers were unable to access the student debt relief they qualified for, but thats all changed thanks to President Biden and this Administrations relentless efforts to fix the broken student loan system, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona detailed in a statement. Todays announcement builds on everything our administration has already done to protect students from unaffordable debt, make repayment more affordable, and ensure that investments in higher education pay off for students and working families. Where the Money Will Go The plan approves loan forgiveness in the following areas: $5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs. Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment plans. These are borrowers who have been in repayment for 20 or more years but never got the relief they were entitled to. $1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability and have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Bidens New Student Loan Plans: 5 Things To Know in October About the Updated Debt Relief Proposals On Wednesday, a group of students got to experience what it's like to make decisions in loca What did Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel show? What are the important lessons to be learned, particularly for Ukraine? There are many interesting considerations... At the time of writing, four days have passed since the unprecedented terrorist attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Israel: on Saturday morning, October 7, the country was subjected to massive rocket fire, militants infiltrated the territory in several places, killed hundreds of soldiers and civilians, and took hostages. The Israel Defense Forces responded by launching the Iron Swords anti-terrorist operation. The IDF regained control over all border settlements, and militant facilities in the Gaza Strip are being destroyed. Of course, it is too early to talk about the consequences of this war. However, the first lessons of what has already happened are already clearly visible. So, what should we learn from this? The state of Israel, its armed forces, intelligence services and intelligence agencies, which are accused of a stunning failure? The United States, which is Israel's strategic ally, as well as the entire civilized world? Our state - what changes are needed in the tactics and strategy of Ukraine in general and the Armed Forces in particular? LESSON #1. THE AXIS OF EVIL - RUSSIA, IRAN, DPRK AND CHINA - MUST FINALLY BE STOPPED Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko calls the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel a direct consequence of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. Putin has already set a precedent for replacing international law with the law of force, the political scientist emphasizes. "It was he [Putin] who provoked the chaos in international relations. What is happening now in Israel is a copying of Putin's actions, a chain reaction of the policy of resolving interstate problems by force. If Putin is not stopped, then, according to the expert, this chain reaction will continue in different forms and in different regions of the world. And this is a lesson for the international community," emphasizes Mr. Fesenko. And it should also be a lesson for Israel, including the Netanyahu government. "Israeli leaders flirted with Putin, demonstrated their neutrality regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine, hoping that this would reduce the risks for Israel. We can see how it ended," the political scientist added. He recalls that Putin and Russian diplomacy acted as informal mediators in relations between the Palestinians and Israel: "But, as in the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and in the relations between Israel and the Palestinians, Russian mediation leads not to peace, but to a new war." Diplomat Vadym Triukhan believes that the Third World War, which the West is so afraid of, is actually already in full swing. At the same time, it is multilevel and diverse. "The great war is in Ukraine. Recently it was in Kosovo. Now it is in Israel. It may also break out on the Korean Peninsula. At the same time, there are periodic massive cyberattacks, deliberate efforts to provoke food shortages in the poorest countries of Africa, renewed information attacks on dozens of countries that lead to the rise of right-wing and/or left-wing radical parties, etc." he lists. And this is just the beginning. While the administration of US President Joe Biden and European leaders repeat like a mantra the dictum that war with Russia is unacceptable, and delay the introduction of truly comprehensive sanctions against Russia and Iran, the Kremlin is working non-stop to implement several tasks: to destroy the unity of the democratic world; to multiply the production of ammunition (the expert recalls that, for example, Russia already produces about 2 million shells a year, while in the United States this will be possible only after 2025) formation of "friendly" political regimes around the world, including among the EU and NATO member states; changing public sentiment around the world in its favor. "The fact that the level of support for Ukraine and/or support for the government's policy of providing military, financial and other support to Ukraine has seriously decreased over the 20 months of the large-scale Ukrainian-Russian war is largely due to the merit of the Russian information troops," says Mr. Triukhan. - "Sadly, the positive achievements in the information warfare during the first months since the invasion of the racists, which Ukraine demonstrated, have come to an end. The Russians have drawn conclusions and again launched a massive attack on the information front." According to him, it will not be easy. "It will not be easy to remain the No. 1 priority for the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and our other partners. This must be realized and appropriate management decisions must be made immediately. The emphasis is on domestic production of ammunition and heavy armored vehicles. At the same time, no matter how cynical it may sound, Ukraine benefits from the scaling up of armed conflicts in the world, which Russia is working on. The brutal terrorist attack on Israel should push the West to take more decisive action against the axis of evil that Russia, Iran, Syria, and North Korea have already constructed, and from which China is already half a step away," the diplomat emphasized. Mykhailo Honchar, President of the Center for Global Studies "Strategy XXI", said that the events in Ukraine and Israel have become a clear indication that sanctions either do not work at all or work minimally. The main violators of the world order have not only managed to adapt to the restrictions imposed, but have managed to increase their power even more. "Sanctions regimes, firstly, are introduced with a great delay, secondly, they are reactive rather than proactive, and thirdly, they are not so fatal for the economies of Russia and Iran, rather, they are a state of discomfort, and nothing more," says Mr. Honchar. We must finally move to the regime of total economic isolation of the offending countries by the West. This is the first step." Second... We must understand that Hamas is a proxy for Iran. And who is helping Iran? Russia. And who is helping Russia? China, although it does it covertly. "Unfortunately, in the capital of the world's most powerful country, the United States, they do not yet see these chains. The political establishment is still guided by the wrong attitude to solve all problems - the so-called "diplomacy on the table," as it is popularly called in the State Department, the US Security Council, etc. Well, we have once again seen what this "diplomacy on the table" leads to when other players play a completely different game," the expert added. War, tanks, soldiers - that's what is really starting to matter. But it is useless to hope for this, at least for now. "The West is not ready for this yet, unfortunately. But there are many other things that can be done besides tanks and soldiers. For example, to impose a blockade of the straits - the Danish and Black Sea straits - to prevent any tankers from entering the Baltic and Black Seas to load oil in Russian ports. Can we at least include this option? Or, in principle, we could refuse Russian oil and gas. As Germany's experience shows, this is possible and does not hurt at all. But do they want to? Obviously, no. Because it means going into conflict, and no one wants to go into conflict. Western politicians are still dominated by the approach of tolerance, consideration of alternative opinions, and de-escalation. This needs to be changed. And in this context, not only for our diplomacy, but also for the diplomacy of those few Central European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Baltic states, which are well aware of what is really happening and what can happen next, there is a super-task," Mykhailo Honchar says. Pavlo Lakiychuk, Head of Military Programs at the Center for Global Studies "Strategy XXI", says: "What is happening in Israel and Gaza is incomparable to the scale of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The potential of the IDF is incommensurate with the capabilities of Hamas, and the factor of surprise is in effect in the first days and weeks." Having recovered from the first shock, the Israeli Defense Forces have already pushed the militant forces out of the occupied territories, launched massive air strikes on key Hamas military and political targets in the Gaza Strip, and launched a blockade. Obviously, the "hot phase" of the confrontation will end soon enough. However, the political component of the conflict is much more problematic, and it is likely to develop along an unpredictable trajectory. "Can we blame the democratic West for putting its head in the sand, hiding from the threats emanating from the 'axis of evil'? From our point of view, yes. From the perspective of the West - not yet. For some people, World War II began in March 1938 [Europe after Hitler's annexation of Czechoslovakia], and for others - only in December 1941 [the United States after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]," states Mr. Lakiychuk. LESSON 2. THE FAILURE OF THE WORLD'S BEST INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, BUT IT IS NOT ONLY THEIR FAULT "The IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, has been considered one of the most capable armies in the world for more than half a century. Israel's intelligence services - the Mossad foreign intelligence and the AMAN military intelligence - also have a high reputation. Especially the "almighty" Mossad. The more painful for the Israelis is the "goal" from Hamas, the eternal enemy, the main object of intelligence," says Pavlo Lakiychuk. According to him, the reasons for intelligence failures can be divided into three categories: systemic problems in gathering intelligence, critical errors in its analysis, and ignoring intelligence reports by the top state leadership. "Therefore, the main question that arises is: Whose failure is it - the intelligence service or the political leadership? Did the Israeli intelligence services know about the preparations for the attack, did they correctly assess its scale, and was the military and political leadership of Israel warned about the possible scenario? Who is responsible for the wrong decisions? From what I can see, the reason for the "October 7 disaster" lies in the contradictions and lack of trust that arose between the Mossad and the current Israeli government," the military expert emphasized. Vadym Triukhan argues that Hamas's preparations for a massive attack on Israel were also seen by the intelligence services of the United States and other leading Western countries: "It can be assumed that the analytical units of the intelligence services of Israel and its allies failed first and foremost, as they incorrectly assessed the level of threats to Israel from Hamas. It should also be noted that the interests of Putin's Russia and Iran, which are actually already in informal allied relations, were not taken into account." And this is Mykhailo Honchar: "The failure should not be blamed solely on the Israeli special services and intelligence, because the problem is much deeper. As you know, after a series of early elections, Israel is in a deep crisis." And this crisis has affected not only Israeli politicians, it has permeated virtually the entire society. "We saw this clearly in the mass demonstrations, unprecedented in their scale, that took place in Israeli cities. The crisis has also affected most state institutions and organizations. And when the country is in a state of internal political chaos, strife, infighting, and personal scores, it is the perfect time for an external enemy to strike. Therefore, I think that the Israeli government and Prime Minister Netanyahu personally bear a lot of responsibility for what happened. Of course, all of this simply could not but provoke problems in the army and in the intelligence community. And a direct consequence of these problems is a sharp decline in their effectiveness," the security relations expert believes. Mr. Honchar does not rule out that some information from one of the special services could simply "stuck". Or it could have been ignored. Obviously, the forces on combat duty were too relaxed. And there is indeed some truth in this. During one of his business trips to Israel, an employee of Ukrinform visited Sderot, the same town practically on the border with Gaza, which has been mentioned many times in the front pages of all the world's leading news agencies over the past four days. Here is his direct speech: "A stationary observation post was set up in Sderot - a reinforced concrete structure dug into the ground. Everything was done thoroughly. But - attention - next to it, right on the sand, there was... a white plastic chair, like in a street cafe, and on it, immediately (!) after an enemy rocket attack [flying time to Sderot from the Gaza Strip is 1-2 minutes], a soldier was resting, wearing a green shirt unbuttoned to the navel." Our colleague shared other similar episodes. But the main emphasis of his stories is on calmness, a habit that Israelis have developed over the years of war. This, in his opinion, is one of the main reasons for what happened in Israel on October 7, 2023. "Israel was too relaxed. On the eve of the terrorist attack, it was like this: "Is this the first time Hamas is preparing something against us? It's okay, we can handle it. Will they launch their rockets? But we will shoot them all down, as always, because we have the Iron Dome for that," Mykhailo Honchar models the situation. - The problem is not so much that someone overlooked something, but that the public administration system was essentially disorganized. From the outside, it was invisible, but this attack showed that the system was limited in functionality, it did not work as a whole. Now, the "machine" is fully operational, and all protocols are being clearly worked out. However, we are not talking about practicing protocols for prevention, but protocols for minimizing the consequences." The expert also mentioned Western intelligence: "Not only the Israeli intelligence services, but also the U.S. intelligence services, which traditionally keep a very close eye on everything that happens in the Middle East, especially around Israel, have failed to keep track. Why did this happen, what is the reason? The answer is that there is internal political chaos in the United States, which, as we see, is why many things are not being done now, and strategic things are being put on the back burner. And only some extraordinary events force the White House to feverishly adjust to the necessary algorithm, but now to remedy the situation, instead of anticipating, noticing, and neutralizing the threat in time. I think Iran and Hamas have tracked all of this and concluded that the time has come to strike." By the way, exactly 50 years ago, in October 1973, the Yom Kippur War was also underpredicted and underestimated by Israel, which was still "resting on its laurels" after its military triumph in the 1967 Six-Day War. Of course, it was understood somewhere that the Arabs might attack Israel again, but the fact that it would happen on October 6, the Yom Kippur holiday... "The lesson for Israel, the United States, Ukraine, and the entire world is that we should never underestimate the enemy, we should always be on the alert," emphasized Mykhailo Honchar. LESSON #3. UNITY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION IN CONFRONTING THE ENEMY "National security cannot be sacrificed to internal political conflicts. We cannot let external threats fade into the background. Ukraine has no right to repeat Israel's mistakes," says Volodymyr Fesenko. According to him, the government, the opposition, and civil society in Ukraine must understand that confronting an external enemy is much more important than internal disputes and selfish political interests. "The key to victory is internal unity. Internal conflicts and political crises are the path to defeat," the political scientist added. "Israel understands this, and therefore is consolidating - there is information about negotiations between the current Netanyahu government and Benny Gantz's party, and the participation of opposition ministers. Mykhailo Honchar, President of the Center for Global Studies "Strategy XXI": "We should not just take a close look at what the Israeli government did the very next day after the Hamas attack, but do the same. As you know, Prime Minister Netanyahu invited the opposition to work together, to join forces in confronting the enemy. Of course, we also went through something similar in the early days of the Great War." But our "unity train" did not run smoothly for long. "Now, to a certain extent, we can feel an attitude of 'we know everything ourselves, we will do everything ourselves without you'. That is, comments and suggestions from the outside are not taken into account, unfortunately," the expert added. LESSON 4. WHAT WORKS FOR ISRAEL IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD FOR UKRAINE "We have once again seen that the 'Israeli' security model is definitely not suitable for us. There are no alternatives to NATO for Ukraine in today's reality," emphasizes Mykhailo Honchar. Other experts also agree with him. Pavlo Lakiychuk: "For us, the main military and political lesson that can already be drawn is that the 'Israeli security model' so stubbornly 'pushed' by our partners does not work by itself. And we must use this argument. No one has yet tried to question whether the principle of Euro-Atlantic solidarity works. Therefore, we must triple our efforts - and we have the right to do so - towards joining NATO." Volodymyr Fesenko says that for many years we have been held up as an example of the Israeli intelligence services, the Israeli military system, and the state of Israel in general as a military camp that is constantly ready to repel military attacks. "As it turned out, not everything is so perfect. This is not a reason for gloating. We had many more mistakes of our own - in the 1990s, in the early 2000s, in 2014-15, and before the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. Especially when we are dealing with such a strong enemy as Russia. And this is a lesson for the future. After some time, the current war will end, but an aggressive enemy will remain on our borders. And we must always be ready for a new attack from the Russians," the political scientist emphasized. The expert also mentioned the massive Palestinian rocket attack on Israel: "Actually, there are two lessons here. Israel's Iron Dome was not as effective as many thought. And this is against home-made Palestinian rockets. And it's not just the individual holes in the Iron Dome. Most likely, the perfect air defense system simply does not exist in nature when it comes to massive attacks." The second thing that we hardly ever talk about is that the Palestinians manufactured and launched several thousand rockets in advance and launched them at Israel in one day (or rather, in a few hours) in artisanal and almost clandestine conditions. "If the Palestinians in the small Gaza Strip, with their limited capabilities, produced and used several thousand rockets at once, why can't we do the same against our enemy? This is not even a question, but a strong suggestion," emphasized Mr. Fesenko. Finally, Vadym Triukhan added that in terms of the peculiarities of the current moment in geopolitics, it is important to have several scenarios of warfare. "One of them is to deter the enemy in the face of limited supplies of ammunition from our partners and possible massive counterattacks using the tactic of using live meat in unlimited quantities. In addition, we should throw all available resources at countering blackouts, which the russists will be working on as soon as the winter cold sets in in Ukraine," the diplomat summarized. Myroslav Liskovych. Kyiv In Slovakia, the leader of the Smer-SD party, Robert Fico, who announced his intention to stop military support for Ukraine, signed a memorandum of coalition with the Hlas party and the pro-Russian Slovak National Party (SNP). This is reported by AP, Ukrinform reported. The memorandum signed Wednesday provides for a coalition of Smer, which holds 42 seats; the left-wing Hlas, or Voice, party, which placed third in the election and has 27 seats; and the ultra-nationalist and pro-Russia Slovak National Party, which has 10 lawmakers in the new parliament. As part of the coalition deal, Smer will get to appoint the prime minister and six other ministers, opening the way for Fico to serve as Slovakias head of government for the fourth time. Hlas will get to name the parliament speaker and seven Cabinet ministers, and the Slovak National Party three ministers. It is not known when Slovak President Zuzana Caputova will be able to swear in the new government. He said he wants Slovakia to remain a member of the EU and NATO but with full respect for his countrys sovereignty. As reported, the Smer-SD party received 22.9% of the vote in the Slovak parliamentary elections on September 30. Read also: Germany announces EUR 1B military aid package for Ukraine Its leader Robert Fico said that if he won the election, he planned to cancel military support for Ukraine. Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman wants to know which Harvard students are behind a letter blaming only Israel for the violence in Gaza. Brian Snyder/Reuters Bill Ackman is calling on Harvard to release the names of students who are part of groups that signed a letter solely blaming Israel for the crisis in Gaza. The billionaire says he and other CEOs want to know so they don't "inadvertently hire any of their members." The letter has drawn backlash from many Harvard alums, including Ackman, for its staunch position. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has called on Harvard University to release the names of students who are members of organizations that signed a letter saying Israel is "entirely responsible" for the violence unfolding in the region. The reason? So he and other CEOs don't hire them. "I have been asked by a number of CEOs if Harvard would release a list of the members of each of the Harvard organizations that have issued the letter assigning sole responsibility for Hamas' heinous acts to Israel, so as to insure that none of us inadvertently hire any of their members," Ackman tweeted. "If, in fact, their members support the letter they have released, the names of the signatories should be made public so their views are publicly known." Ackman was responding to an original post by Ian Bremmer, a political scientist and the president of the consultancy Eurasia Group. Ackman declined to comment to Insider. The letter in question is a joint statement by Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups that was released on Sunday. "We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence," the letter starts out, before saying that "the apartheid regime is the only one to blame" for the violence Hamas inflicted over the weekend. The letter was originally published with more than 30 student group signees, though the names of the organizations were removed today "to protect the safety of affected students," an Instagram post from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee says. Story continues The letter drew almost immediate backlash, including from Larry Summers, the former Harvard president and US Treasury Secretary, and politicians on both sides of the aisle, like Harvard alums Representative Seth Moulton and Senator Ted Cruz. "Let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hama," Harvard president Claudine Gay said in a statement on Tuesday. "While our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group not even 30 student groups speaks for Harvard University or its leadership." Ackman attended Harvard for both his undergraduate and MBA degrees. In fact, his thesis explored the Jewish experience in Harvard admissions. He now runs Pershing Square Capital Management and the Pershing Square Foundation, which donated $17 million to Harvard in 2014. Since violence broke out this weekend, the activist investor has been tweeting his support for Israel. In addition to giving to his alma mater, Ackman has donated millions to Jewish causes like the Center for Jewish History, as well as a variety of organizations like the Innocence Project, Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Watch, and Teach For America. His request to release students' names has received a mixed response on Twitter certainly not everyone agreed. Some people said singling out college students for being members of an organization wouldn't be fair, as they may not even agree with the statement Several CEOs voiced agreement with Ackman on X, such as Jonathan Newman, the co-founder of salad fast food chain Sweetgreen. "I would like to know so I know never to hire these people," Newman wrote in a comment on Ackman's post. "I second this," commented Jake Wurzak, CEO of Dovehill Capital Management. "We are in as well," wrote Michael Broukhim, co-CEO of gift box membership company FabFitFun. Harvard and the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee did not reply to requests for comment from Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider President of Finland Sauli Niinisto, on the government's proposal, approved the 19th military aid package worth EUR 95 million to Ukraine. This is said in a statement published on the website of the Government of Finland, Ukrinform reports. The outcome of the war in Ukraine will determine the security order of Europe and Finland far into the future. This is why we will continue our determined support for Ukraine together with our allies, said Minister of Defence of Finland Antti Hakkanen. Read also: Canada announces new military donations for Ukraine According to him, the total value of the defence packages delivered by Finland to Ukraine is now EUR 1.4 billion. As reported by Ukrinform, the Government of Norway announced the allocation of an additional NOK 200 million (about $18.5 million) for clearance of mines and other explosives in Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that his visit to the Kingdom of Belgium has resulted in agreements to strengthen Ukraine's army and air defense, which is especially important ahead of the winter season. "We have a very good package of agreements with the Belgian side to reinforce our army. I am grateful for this. First of all, you know, in the run-up to winter, the most important things are everything related to the protection of the sky and energy infrastructure. Air defense and everything that a partner can help us with is a priority today. We have relevant positive steps from the Belgian government," Zelensky told media representatives after his talks with Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo in Brussels, the Presidents Office informs. Zelensky also noted that the current needs of Ukraine were discussed during the Ramstein meetings with all partners. "They know the priorities, they are working on them. We have raised the issue of the very tense situation in Israel and how it might affect us. Our partners assure us that Ukraine will still receive assistance. We believe our partners," the President added. President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Brussels today, where he spoke at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at the level of defense ministers in the Ramstein format. Ukraine's partners agreed to form several "capability coalitions" designed to strengthen the Armed Forces for the long term. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said this following the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "Today, we also talked about helping Ukraine to defend itself for the long haul and to deter aggression for decades to come. So members of this contact group are organizing into what we capability coalitions and that's going to make our security assistance more nimble and help to secure Ukraine's future," Austin said. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Belgium to take part in Ramstein meeting According to the defense secretary, several such coalitions have already been formed. " Estonia and Luxembourg will lead a coalition focused on supporting Ukraine's its infrastructure right on the premium territory," Austin noted, adding that Lithuania has taken a leadership position in neutralizing Russian mines on Ukraines soil. He emphasized that the U.S., together with Denmark and the Netherlands, will lead the coalition for the development of the Ukrainian Air Force. "By leading this capability coalition, the United States will coordinate closely with Ukraine and other partners with the focus on developing Ukraine's F-16 fighter aircraft capability," the defense secretary said. Read also: Finland approves EUR 95M military aid package to Ukraine The chief of the Pentagon added that the U.S. "will be joining several more of these coalitions as they form in the coming weeks, including those focused on Ukraine's air defense, armor and artillery. As Ukrinform reported earlier, Lloyd Austin announced at the start of the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group ("Ramstein" format) in Brussels on Wednesday that the United States is allocating a new package of military aid to Ukraine in the amount of $200 million. Photo: AA Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed the issue of transit of Ukrainian agricultural products with Prime Minister of Slovakia Ludovit Odor. "We are working together with the European Commission on the expansion of solidarity lanes with Slovakia. We are making progress in this direction. Ukraine has introduced a mechanism for the verification and approval of four groups of Ukrainian agricultural exports, which is currently operating with Romania and Bulgaria. This is the basis for further dialogue," Shmyhal posted on Telegram. According to him, Ukraine expects that Slovakia will also join such an initiative and remove national restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products. Shmyhal thanked Odor for constructive cooperation and support. As reported, Poland made a decision to build a grain port in Gdansk to facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain to third countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Belgium, where he will hold meetings with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and take part in the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Support Group. Thats according to the presidents post on X (formerly Twitter), Ukrinform saw. Important visit to NATO HQ to strengthen our resilience as winter approaches. I will meet with Jens Stoltenberg, Lloyd Austin, and address the Ramstein meeting. I will also hold talks with Alexander de Croo. The key focus: our common defense of freedom and people, Zelensky wrote. This is the first Ramstein meeting Zelensky will attend in person. "I have an important appeal to all present defense ministers of this powerful coalition members," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. The meeting with Belgiums Prime Minister Alexander de Croo will be Zelenskys second since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Presidents Office NATO member states will continue to support Ukraine because its victory is in their national interests. Thats according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke at a press conference in Brussels following the first day of the defense ministerial, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "What we've seen today is that action speaks louder than words. Meaning that not only do we tell clearly that NATO Allies are ready to standby Ukraine but actually Allies are delivering more support Ukraine, more air defense, F-16s, ammunition, more training, and packages of different types of support. So I think the meeting today, the NATO Ministerial meeting and also the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, demonstrates that NATO Allies are there to provide support to Ukraine," said the head of the Alliance. He noted that this sends a powerful signal for Russia that it will not be able to "wait out" the determination of Allies to support Ukraine. "And I'm confident that NATO Allies will continue to do so not least because it is in our security interest that Ukraine prevails. Their fight is our fight. Their security is our security. Their values are our values," Stoltenberg added. At the same time, according to the NATO chief, allies are taking steps to address other security challenges, including those unfolding in the Middle East. Stoltenberg said several Allies had already provided Israel with support and intelligence. As reported, a meeting of NATO defense ministers kicked off in Brussels today. Within its framework, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council was held, attended by Ukraines Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Both parties represented in the U.S. Congress support Ukraine in the ongoing war unleashed by Russia. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke of this at a press conference following the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels on Wednesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "As I engage members of Congress, there is still bipartisan support for Ukraine. And of course, democracies will take their time to work things out," Austin said. He added that Ukraine is also widely supported by the American public. In supporting Ukraine, Austin stresses, it is not only about this country, but about the rules-based international order, the defense secretary said. As reported, the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group completed today in Brussels. Nearly 50 countries took part in the Ramstein-format event. A NATO defense ministerial also kicked off in Brussels on Wednesday. Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair assured his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umyerov of Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine. Blair wrote about the meeting on his profile on X (formerly Twitter). "Ukrainians fight bravely, defending their own freedom. During the meeting with Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov today, I assured him he can count on further support from Canada," Blair said. Read also: Canada announces new military donations for Ukraine As Ukrinform reported earlier, today Canada announced a new package of defense aid to Ukraine, which included winter uniforms and various types of ammunition. facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published October 11, 2023 CAPTION: Featured speaker Erlend Johnson will discuss recent findings from excavations in Kisatchie National Forest, located in western Louisiana. MONROE, LA October is Louisiana Archaeology Month and to celebrate, the ULM Museum of Natural History will host featured speaker Erlend Johnson on Thursday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m. The talk is entitled Hurricane Salvage and Public Archaeology and will be hosted at the museum on the first floor of Hanna Hall, 708 University Ave. on the ULM campus. The public is invited to attend. The ULM Museum of Natural History looks forward to promoting Archaeology Month and this year is no exception, said museum director Dr. Kim Marie Tolson. We have a great speaker and a great subject from a site here in Louisiana, she added. Johnsons presentation will feature preliminary results from data recovery excavations in Kisatchie National Forest, located in western Louisiana. It is based on research co-authored by Mark Rees and Matthew Helmer. Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020 caused extensive tree-fall damage to more than 100 sites throughout Kisatchie National Forest, including two large Pre-Contact sites. These multi-component sites measure more than 100 acres and are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to storm damage, they have been heavily impacted by looting. Excavations were conducted at these sites last spring through an agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Public Archaeology Lab. The excavation of 55 cubic meters documented high densities of artifacts and cultural features, including a large number of projectile points, at least three post molds, and activity surfaces, with cultural material extending down more than two meters in depth. Diagnostic artifacts indicate intermittent occupation of the Pleistocene terrace overlooking Drakes Creek from the Paleoindian period (ca. 13,500-10,000 years before present) through the early twentieth century. Mitigating historic properties damaged by hurricanes and looting also presents an opportunity for advancing public archaeology and education, said Johnson. 10/10/2023 By Ed Brennen Image by Ed Brennen Southern charm is definitely a thing. Everyone is super-welcoming. -Mike Fingar 21 on living in New Orleans Imagine a conveyor belt stretching 1,500 miles from UMass Lowell to New Orleans.Figuratively speaking, thats how more than 20majors from thehave ended up in Louisiana over the past eight years as interns and co-ops at Intralox, a leading conveyor belt manufacturer.Seven of them plastics engineering alumniDavid vanSchalkwijk 15, 17, Pat Kong 18, Abhishek Parial 20, Jim Piehl 20, Jack Weir 20, Erin Wooldridge 20 and Mike Fingar 21 now work full time at Intralox.The global company, headquartered in New Orleans, will be recruiting more River Hawks at this fallsCareers in STEMfair at the Tsongas Center.I love growing with this company. Its always innovating, says Fingar, who did a six-month co-op and three-month summer internship with Intralox before being hired as a process engineer.Moving to New Orleans to start a career is a big step, both professionally and personally, so it helps to have a small community of fellow UML alumni to lean on, both in and out of work.That was huge. From the start, I felt more comfortable moving down here, says Wooldridge, a native of Plainfield, Massachusetts, who joined the company as a process engineer after doing a six-month co-op there during her junior year.Wooldridge learned about Intralox when Alisha Welch 17, 18, UMLs first intern at the company, spoke to her preparation course for the Professional Co-op Program . They ended up working together in New Orleans.She definitely helped a lot with finding housing, getting acclimated, having a list of the best restaurants to go to, Wooldridge says of Welch, who moved on to a new job in 2020.Weir, a process engineer from North Andover, Massachusetts, says the UML alumni enjoy a unique bond.Coming from a similar experience in college, we can relate to one another, says Weir, who did a six-month co-op at Intralox during his junior year. He learned about the company at the Career Fair from Kong, who Weir says has been a great mentor to me and is one of my best friends now.And then theres the culture.Southern charm is definitely a thing, says Fingar, who is from Medway, Massachusetts. Everyone is super-welcoming. They always want to bring you in for a crawfish boil or making gumbo. They are some of the most welcoming people youll ever meet.The companys connection with UML began in 2016, when plant manager John Kuchler was looking to recruit plastics engineering students for internships a task complicated by the fact that only a handful of schools around the country have a plastics program. A human resources recruiter in the Boston area set up a meeting for Kuchler with Jim McGonigle , assistant director of employer relations in UMass LowellsJim showed me a PowerPoint slide with companies where UMass Lowell students did co-ops, places like Nike, Gillette and New Balance, Kuchler recalls. I said, Jim, how does little Intralox from southern Louisiana compete with those names? He said, Just make sure they have a good experience, in and out of work, and hopefully your name will be on here.Starting with Welch, Intralox has been thrilled with UML students, Kuchler says.The labs they take are really a plus. I can tell when theyve been through an injection molding lab. And they know a lot on theory. They teach me some things on the chemistry of plastics, he says.The education you get at UML is amazing, Fingar says. It gives you a great foundation and touches every facet of the plastics industry.Intralox has even imported some of UMLs faculty expertise: Asst. Teaching Prof.recently visited the companys extrusion department in New Orleans to teach a two-day course. She then had dinner in the city with some of her former students.Even if an internship or co-op at Intralox doesnt lead to a full-time job, the connection is still valuable.My internship experience is exactly what Im doing now for work, says Emily Cloutier 23, a process engineer at PSI Molded Plastics in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. She did a six-month co-op at Intralox in her junior year and celebrated her 21st birthday on Bourbon Street.I remember hearing about Intralox during the first semester of my freshman year, and it was always in my head, like, I need to have an internship with this company, she says. It was a great experience.For the UML alumni who have relocated to New Orleans to work at Intralox, the Big Easy now feels like home.I just bought a house and got a puppy, Fingar says. Its pretty real.Wooldridge, who grew up raising horses in the Berkshires, now has her own horses in Louisiana.I recently caught some catfish that we cooked fresh, which was pretty cool, says Wooldridge, who also enjoys New Orleans famous beignets and its many music festivals.Her advice to students considering an internship or co-op somewhere far from home?Be a little bit adventurous, she says. It's just a short period of time where they can go to a new place while getting paid. Do something different. (Bloomberg) -- Birkenstocks seemingly ubiquitous $130 leather sandals have helped the German family behind the brand build one of the biggest footwear fortunes on the planet. Most Read from Bloomberg With Birkenstock Holding Plcs trading debut Wednesday in New York, brothers Alex and Christian Birkenstock are now worth $3.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, even after the shares slumped 13% in the worst opening for a New York listing of $1 billion or more in over two years. Its a significant payoff for the German cobbler heirs bet to hand over majority control of the historic shoemaker to private equity firm L Catterton in 2021. Christian has notched a return of more than 100% on the minority stake he retained. Alex is no longer listed as a shareholder. Read More: Birkenstock Tests IPO Market Strength With $1.6 Billion Listing Together, they collected more than 3 billion ($3.2 billion) from the 2021 transaction, which set the shoemaker on the path to public markets. In the two years before the deal, the brothers were receiving about 100 million a year in dividends, filings show. Representatives for Birkenstock and L Catterton didnt respond to requests for comment. Family Tradition The Birkenstock dynasty started nearly 250 years ago with Johannes and Johann Adam, shoemakers in Langen-Bergheim, a small village around 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Frankfurt. Johannes descendants continued the family tradition, transforming their footwear into its recognizable modern form when Karl Birkenstock introduced the first model of the companys famed sandal in 1963. Alex and Christian both became involved in the family business in the 1980s, when they were teenagers. Their older brother Stephan joined in the 90s. The trio continued the firms global expansion, helping turn the orthopedic shoes into one of the most recognizable footwear brands on the planet today, with boots and clogs worn by supermodels and grandparents alike. Story continues The brothers stepped back from running the business through a transition period that began in 2009, with Stephan exiting the business as a shareholder for an undisclosed sum. The Birkenstock brothers arent the only European fashion billionaires who stand to make millions off the sandal companys listing. L Catterton is part-owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH and its founder Bernard Arnault, the second-richest person on the planet with a $170 billion fortune. Arnaults son, Alexandre, is set to join Birkenstocks board. L Cattertons purchase of Birkenstock spawned from secret meetings in high-end hotels, video calls and trips to the shoemakers manufacturing sites on the German-Polish border. L Cattertons Co-Chief Executive Officer, J. Michael Chu, bought a pair of Birkenstocks before his first in-person meeting with the shoemakers top executive, Oliver Reichert. He didnt wear them for the encounter. Read More: How Birkenstocks Hippie-Sandal CEO Jilted an Ex-Goldman Star Reichert also helps to oversee Christians investments outside the footwear firm, including Bucci, a German nutrition business, and Buccara, which offers luxury travel experiences across parts of Europe and South Africa. Alex has shifted his wealth into high-end real estate, acquiring a six-bedroom Manhattan penthouse in 2011 thats now available to rent for $25,000 a month. The following year, he also emerged as the seller of a triplex penthouse in the South Beach section of Miami Beach for $25 million, more than double what the billionaire scion originally paid for it only a few years before. --With assistance from Michael Hytha, Swetha Gopinath, Ryan Gould, Aaron Kirchfeld and Benedikt Kammel. (Updates with share closing price in second paragraph, removes fifth paragraph referencing live share price.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Birkenstock is set to go public on Wednesday. But unlike its 2023 IPO peers, the company has a deep-rooted history. The nearly 250-year-old company plans to offer 10.75 million shares at $46 a share on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BIRK." That price, in the middle of its initial range of $44 to $49 per share, sets up the company to raise roughly $1.48 billion. When combined with ordinary shares outstanding after the completion of the offering, it puts Birkenstock's total valuation at $8.6 billion. This is just another chapter for the Germany-based footwear brand. Founded in 1774, the brand's origin story began 249 years ago. Yet, the Birkenstock brand has managed to stay relevant all these years, now going on the ultimate stage. The brand is "like rediscovering an old vinyl record and realizing its a timeless hit," Sunny Bonnell, CEO and founder of branding agency Motto, told Yahoo Finance in an email. "Birkenstock wears its history and values like a badge of honor." A Birkenstock banner hangs outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on Oct. 11, 2023, as Birkenstock launches an initial public offering. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) (ANGELA WEISS via Getty Images) Many of the companies that have gone public in 2023 are not only newcomers to the public market but also have more recent histories. England-based tech company Arm (ARM) was founded as a company in 1990. The Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava (CAVA) opened its first location in 2010. And grocery delivery service company Instacart (CART) launched in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2012, the same year software company Klaviyo (KVYO) was founded. Birkenstock's rich heritage is also deeper than other legacy companies at the time of their IPOs: Goldman Sachs went public 130 years after it was founded, American Express was 127 years old at the time of its public debut, Johnson & Johnson went public at 108 years, and Campbell Soup joined the public markets after 85 years of business. A nearly 250-year-old company goes public The Birkenstock brand is older than the United States. According to the company's website, the footwear brand's origin can be traced back to 1774 to Johann Adam Birkenstock, who was listed as "subject and cobbler" in the church archives in Langen-Bergheim, Germany. Story continues More than 100 years later, in 1896, Johanns great-great-grandson, Konrad Birkenstock, became known as a "master cobbler" and began manufacturing and selling the "flexible footbed insoles." In 1902, Konrad created the contoured arch support that Birkenstock is known for, and in 1925, Birkenstock opened a new factory in Friedberg, Germany, to make the "blue footbed," which it still sells today. The business started picking up in the 1960s with the introduction of its first one-strap fitness sandal, called the Madrid Model. In 1966, Birkenstocks came to the US market. Expanding into the US "provided numerous opportunities for the Birkenstock brand to grow, particularly in California where there was a new culture of young consumers who valued function, purpose and individuality," the company said in its S-1 filing. A Birkenstock advertisement in 1972. (Birkenstock) Birkenstock continued to grow. In 2021, brothers Christian Birkenstock and Alex Birkenstock led the decision to sell a majority stake of the company to private equity firm L Catterton, and its affiliates including Bernard Arnault's luxury goods investment company, Financiere Agache. The company also named Oliver Reichert, who is now taking the company public, as the sole CEO. "Despite this heritage, Birkenstock remains empowered by a youthful energy level, with all the freshness and creative versatility of an inspired Silicon Valley startup," Reichert wrote ahead of Birkenstock's IPO. "We have retained the original spirit of our forefathers who laid the foundation of a global business that is more relevant than ever before." Birkenstock today: A multibillion-dollar company In fiscal year 2022, the company brought in 1.24 billion euros, growing at an annual rate of 20% from fiscal 2014 to last year. It also sold sold 30 million units in 2022. Word of mouth is the company's biggest marketing strategy. The company said in a filing that its universal nature allows it to appeal to "a broad range of consumers across age, gender, and socio-economic demographics." That gives the brand a leg up compared to other brands as well as others in the 2023 IPO class. "Imagine a band that doesnt advertise yet sells out concerts," Bonnell said. "Thats Birkenstock. When a brand earns trust and love, its like igniting a bonfire." Although the company is on its seventh generation of leadership, it can tap into any age, Bonnell added. "It may seem like the boomer hippie in a room full of millennials and Gen Z, but that's its genius," she explained. "The brand speaks the language of the youth." Pedestrians pass a Birkenstock store on Oct. 10, 2023, in Venice, Calif. (Ethan Swope/Getty Images) (Ethan Swope via Getty Images) Now, this centuries-old company is being put to the ultimate test. "Maybe this is the real test as to whether the IPO market is reopening for real or whether this was a false storm," Ben Laidler, eToro global markets strategist, told Yahoo Finance over the phone. Torch Capital's founder and managing partner Jon Keidan is wary that an ongoing pullback in consumer spending could hurt the company. "Birkenstocks falls into nice-to-have," he told Yahoo Finance Live. "And if people are tightening their belts, that may be the type of purchase that they may not make [in] the next year or two." Furthermore, Barrett Daniels, US IPO services co-leader at Deloitte, is skeptical about investors' appetite for new players on the market. "I would say it's not a perfect IPO window, but it's a window," he told Yahoo Finance Live. "The demand is there, the investment demand, but the question is who's ready to go? And I don't think the pipeline is quite where we thought it was." Brooke DiPalma is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Oct, 2023) The Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDC) project in Colombia, supported by an allocation of US$10.5 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), stands as a testament to the UAE's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative has led to remarkable advancements in Primary education and health infrastructure, fostering a transformative impact on communities. By enhancing the quality of life, especially in the rural community, the project has added momentum to Colombias National Development Plan to ensure that all girls and all children have access to early childhood care and development services and quality preschool education by 2030. The ECDC initiative presents a comprehensive approach to child development, encompassing a range of services that go beyond traditional education. The project in partnership with international organizations, has facilitated the establishment of 37 Early Childhood Development Centers, guaranteeing education for hundreds of children below the age of six. These centres serve as more than just educational institutions; they function as community hubs, and also extend support to families, by providing medical assistance and essential nutrition. As trained professionals offer expert care, from pregnancy to early childhood, ensuring optimal growth and well-being. ADFDs engagement in the ECDC project exemplifies its dedication to SDG Goal 4: Quality Education. By investing in early childhood education in Colombia, the UAE is contributing to the larger global mission of ensuring inclusive and equitable education for all. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) First 2-day International Conference on Social Sciences (ICoSS-2023) with the theme Reconsidering Social Sciences Paradigms for Global Citizenship & Sustainable Development organized by the faculty of social sciences, kicked off at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) on Wednesday. The chief guest of the inaugural session was the caretaker Federal minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mr. Aneeq Ahmed, while Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University was the keynote speaker. The Rector NUML Major General (Retd) Muhammad Jaffar, Director General NUML Brig Shahzad Munir, Pro Rectors, Deans, Directors, guest speakers, faculty members and students also attended the session. Speaking on the occasion federal minister Aneeq Ahmed said that according to Quran seeking knowledge is obligatory for Muslims and it is time to differentiate knowledge and information. Human psychology is the main topic of the Quran, and the Quran encourages self-reflection, mindfulness, and self-control. He said that we are facing many issues, and we can only tackle those with knowledge. Minister was of the view that islam teaches its followers, a peaceful coexistence with other societies and it is our duty to follow the life of Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWW. The keynote speaker VC AIOU Prof. DR. Nasir Mahmood in his address highlighted the social science paradigms and elaborated the total concept of the conference in detail. Earlier, Rector NUML Major General (Retd) Muhammad Jaffar welcomed the honourable chief guest, keynote speakers and thanked all the worthy guests for attending the conference. He said that this conference has gained more relevance in prevailing challenges. He hoped that in the conferences productive discussions, some workable solutions would be produced to construct bridges across nations and diverse cultures. It is important to mention that along with national, scholars from USA, UK, Malaysia and Canada will participate online. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott has hosted a special reception to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UKs flagship higher education scholarshipChevening ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) British High Commissioner Jane Marriott has hosted a special reception to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UKs flagship higher education scholarshipChevening. Some of the 2,000 Chevening alumni from across Pakistan have been brought together to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UKs flagship higher education scholarship, said a news release on Wednesday. At the special reception, scholars and fellows who have benefitted from the scheme paid tribute to the life-changing programme. It has been a privilege to host so many brilliant minds working in different sectors, united by their shared Chevening story, said British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE in her remarks on the occasion. Days like today showcase the true value of Chevening the journey does not stop on the completion of studies. Over 40 years, we have developed a global network of over 50,000 alumni, many of whom play key leadership roles in their countries, she remarked. Chief data and strategy officer Jazz, Ali Naseer said, its been 25 years since my Chevening year, but it remains a pivotal moment for me. It showed me various ways to aid Pakistans growth. Even outside the public sector, I believe my efforts still make a significant impact. Health management expert, Dr Huma Qureshi said, Chevening helped me combine management and clinical expertise, enhancing performance in the health field. Thank you, Chevening! Applications for Chevening scholarships to study in the UK are open between 12 September and 7 November 2023 applications can be made on the Chevening website www.chevening.org. The scholarships are fully funded, including fees, flights, visas, accommodation and some spending money. By Manya Saini, Niket Nishant and Chibuike Oguh (Reuters) - Birkenstock's stock ended more than 12% below its initial public offering (IPO) price on Wednesday in an underwhelming Wall Street debut that signaled investors remain cautious about new listings. Shares of the 250-year-old German sandal maker started trading at $41 after the IPO had priced at $46. That offering raised $1.48 billion, priced at the midpoint of the indicated range of $44 and $49 on Tuesday. The stock closed at $40.20, down 12.61%. The 11% decline from Birkenstock's IPO price on Tuesday to its opening price on Wednesday marks the worst debut by a company worth over $1 billion in nearly two years, according to LSEG data. Birkenstock's weak performance comes weeks after the high-profile market debuts of chip designer Arm Holdings, grocery delivery app Instacart and marketing automation platform Klaviyo. The shares of those companies have mostly fallen since their listings, indicating weak investor demand. "What this shows is that the valuations that they are putting (on) these companies make absolutely zero sense, particularly when you're in a down market when there's so many other bargain opportunities available," said Thomas Hayes, chairman at Great Hill Capital in New York. "If you're putting out new paper that no one would pay for existing companies, what you're going to see is that after the initial pop, you're going to see a drop," Hayes added. At its closing share price on Wednesday, Birkenstock had a market capitalization of more than $8 billion. That is still double the $4.35 billion at which L Catterton, the U.S. private equity firm backed by French billionaire Bernard Arnault and his luxury goods empire Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, paid to acquire a majority stake in the shoemaker in 2021. L Catteron will continue to own nearly 83% of Birkenstock following its market debut, which coincides with a sharp drop in LVMH's shares on Wednesday following slower third quarter sales growth. Arnault's son, Alexandre, will join Birkenstock's board. Story continues Founded in 1774 in the German village of Langen-Bergheim, the company was run by the Birkenstock family for six generations until they sold a majority stake to L Catterton. Birkenstock has partnership deals with luxury fashion brands, including Dior, Stussy, Manolo Blahnik and Rick Owens. The company had disclosed a 21% jump in revenue to 1.12 billion euros ($1.19 billion) for the nine-month period ended June 30. Its net profit for the same period, however, fell 20% to 103.3 million euros. Birkenstock gained widespread attention after Australian actress Margot Robbie wore a pair of pink Birkenstocks in the final scene of the hit movie, "Barbie," which was released this summer. ($1 = 0.9431 euro) (Reporting by Manya Saini, Niket Nishant in Bengaluru and Chibuike Oguh and Noel Randewich in Oakland, Calif.; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Jonathan Oatis) Some of the 2,000 Chevening alumni from across Pakistan have been brought together to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UKs flagship higher education scholarship ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) Some of the 2,000 Chevening alumni from across Pakistan have been brought together to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UKs flagship higher education scholarship. At a special reception hosted by British High (BH) Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE, scholars and fellows who have benefitted from the scheme paid tribute to the life-changing program said a news release. British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said: It has been a privilege to host so many brilliant minds working in different sectors, united by their shared Chevening story. Days like today showcase the true value of Chevening the journey does not stop at the completion of studies. Over 40 years, we have developed a global network of over 50,000 alumni, many of whom play key leadership roles in their countries. Chief data and strategy officer Jazz, Ali Naseer said: Its been 25 years since my Chevening year, but it remains a pivotal moment for me. It showed me various ways to aid Pakistans growth. Even outside the public sector, I believe my efforts still make a significant impact. Health management expert, Dr Huma Qureshi said: Chevening helped me combine management and clinical expertise, enhancing performance in the health field. Thank you, Chevening! Applications for Chevening scholarships to study in the UK are open between 12 September and 7 November 2023 applications can be made on the Chevening website www.chevening.org. The scholarships are fully funded, including fees, flights, visas, accommodation, and some spending money. APP/zah-fur (@FahadShabbir) An accountability court on Wednesday sent Paragon Housing Society reference to the Lahore Development Authority for further action LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) An accountability court on Wednesday sent Paragon Housing Society reference to the Lahore Development Authority for further action. Accountability Court Judge Qamaruz Zaman passed the orders on a report filed by the National Accountability Bureau. The Bureau had submitted that it did not found any evidence of corruption against former Federal minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother, Khawaja Salman Rafique. It stated that Paragon Housing had been approved by Aziz Bhatti Town administration whereas its approval from LDA was still outstanding. The bureau further submitted that it did not require any further action against Khawaja brothers in the matter but the LDA as a regulator should address the minor complaints. It requested the court to send the reference to LDA for further action. (@FahadShabbir) New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) German sandals maker Birkenstock will debut on the New York stock exchange Wednesday with a valuation of $8.6 billion that belies its former dowdy image, with the brand now a fashion favorite and the pink footwear of choice for "Barbie." Birkenstock has set its share price at $46, the firm said in a press release early Wednesday. A total of 32.26 million ordinary shares will be offered in its initial public offering, trading under the symbol BIRK. Birkenstock started life as an orthopedic shoemaker, but has since shed its unflattering association with sock-and-sandal-wearing Germans to become a fashion accessory, as illustrated in the latest Hollywood blockbuster "Barbie." The stock flotation marks a new milestone, just two years after the Birkenstock heirs sold a majority stake to private equity group L Catterton and the family holding fund of French luxury magnate Bernard Arnault. "An IPO in New York signals global ambitions," said Fernando Fastoso, who is a professor specializing in luxury brand management at Pforzheim University. "Since 2021, the company has been partially owned by a private equity firm backed by LVMH. Hence, it seems that Birkenstock wants to further develop its iconic status to target the growing market for luxury across the world," he added. Birkenstock traces its roots back to 1774 and Johann Adam Birkenstock, who worked as a cobbler in Langen-Bergheim, a small community in western Germany. In 1896, Konrad Birkenstock began focusing on orthopedic footwear, developing comfortable, contoured insoles designed to cushion the feet. Brought to the United States in the 1960s, the sandals with their broad straps and cork and latex sole were quickly adopted by hippies who took to their no-frills comfort and claimed their utilitarian look as an anti-fashion badge. But when supermodel Kate Moss donned them for a fashion shoot in the 1990s, the sandals were propelled into standard footwear for A-listers. Brands from Paco Rabanne and Valentino to Celine have customized their versions of Birkenstocks, even putting them on runways. Actress Frances McDormand padded on stage at the Oscars in February 2019 in a yellow pair under a pink gown -- vindicating the idea that footwear does not need to be painful to be glamorous. While they are now available in more colors, the sandals have largely stayed the same. For Fastoso, it is the "inflexible and stubborn" insistence on the original format that has become the brand's selling point. "In that stubbornness lies the authenticity that is so crucial in branding today," he said, noting that a brand that acts "following its principles rather than adjusting to trends is deemed authentic." With hippies and stars alike making up its customers, Birkenstock recorded revenues of 1.11 billion Euros ($1.17 billion) for the nine months ending June 30, up 21 percent from the same period a year earlier. Net profit for the nine months was 129.1 million euros, down 20 percent from 103.3 million euros a year ago. While other companies have shifted production to places where labor is generally cheaper, such as Asia, Birkenstock says 95 percent of its products are assembled in Germany. Headquartered in the picturesque city of Linz am Rhein in western Germany, the company has several manufacturing sites in the country, and around 6,200 employees worldwide. (@FahadShabbir) China has released Australian journalist Cheng Lei after more than three years, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday, adding she was freed from detention and reunited with her two young children in Melbourne Sydney, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) China has released Australian journalist Cheng Lei after more than three years, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday, adding she was freed from detention and reunited with her two young children in Melbourne. "The Australian people very much wanted to see Cheng Lei reunited with her young kids," Albanese said. Cheng, a former anchor for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, had been detained since August 2020. She was only formally arrested months later and eventually charged with "supplying state secrets overseas" in a case that many saw as politically motivated. The mother of two had been a familiar face on the state broadcaster's English-language channel, conducting interviews with noted CEOs from around the world. Born in Hunan province, Cheng is now an Australian national who emigrated to the country as a child, before returning to China and joining the state broadcaster in 2012. China does not allow citizens to hold dual nationality. She was tried behind closed doors, with even Australia's ambassador to China blocked from entering the court to observe proceedings. Australia's government had long campaigned for her release, and for China to follow "basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment". - 'I miss the sun' - She had written about bleak prison conditions in a candid note dictated to Australian officials from jail and released in August. "I miss the sun," read the message, described as a "love letter" to Australia. "In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year." Albanese said she had been released after the "completion of legal processes in China". Cheng's case had been a serious point of friction between Canberra and Beijing. China has repeatedly detained foreign nationals at times of high political tension with their home nations, raising accusations of hostage diplomacy. Cheng's case has often been compared with that of Chinese-born Australian writer Yang Jun, who has been detained in China since 2019 on vaguely defined espionage charges. Albanese said that Cheng's release would facilitate his visit to China at a "mutually agreed time" this year. Australia-China relations had been in deep freeze after Canberra barred Chinese tech firm Huawei from lucrative contracts and pushed back against Chinese influence campaigns in Australia. China was also furious at Canberra's calls for an investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 outbreak that killed millions and plunged the world's economy into a multi-year crisis. In retaliation, China introduced a swathe of de facto sanctions against Australian products, measures that have been slowly unwound as relations thaw. Puerto Vallarta, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) Hurricane Lidia was downgraded to a tropical storm early Wednesday as it weakened after making landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast, where it left at least one dead and caused flooding and blocked roads, officials said. Hours after slamming into the coast as an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane, Lidia had weakened to a tropical storm as it headed northeast across the country, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an update. Ahead of its arrival the government deployed around 6,000 members of the armed forces to help residents, according to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who urged people to take shelter. A man died when a tree fell on the car he was driving during strong winds in Bahia de Banderas in Nayarit state, authorities said. Lidia came ashore near the popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, packing maximum sustained winds of around 140 miles (220 kilometers) per hour, the NHC said. The storm had quickly strengthened to the second-highest category on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before reaching land. But by early Wednesday its maximum sustained winds had dropped to 70 miles per hour and it was expected to rapidly lose strength, the NHC said. In Puerto Vallarta -- a major destination for Mexican and foreign tourists -- shopkeepers earlier boarded up windows and piled up sandbags in case of flooding. Waves crashed ashore, heavy rain drenched the city and strong winds whipped palm trees. school classes were suspended, businesses closed early and most residents waited out the storm at home or in shelters opened by the authorities, according to AFP reporters. But some people were still seen in the streets, taken by surprise by the speed of the hurricane's arrival. "I was going to go home, but it's very far away. I'm going to have to take shelter somewhere else. There's no transportation. It caught me off guard," said Herson Rodriguez, a 35-year-old fitness trainer and nutritionist. (@FahadShabbir) Niger's post-coup military rulers have demanded in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday that the United Nations coordinator in the West African country leave Niger within 72 hours Niamey, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) Niger's post-coup military rulers have demanded in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday that the United Nations coordinator in the West African country leave Niger within 72 hours. The foreign ministry said in the statement dated Tuesday that the government had ordered Louise Aubin, the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator, "to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours". It pointed to "obstacles" which it said were presented by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "with a view to thwarting the full and complete participation of Niger" at last month's UN General Assembly. The military regime has already criticised "the perfidious actions" of the UN chief, saying that they were "likely to undermine any effort to end the crisis in our country". Bakary Yaou Sangare, who before the coup was Niger's ambassador to the UN and is now its foreign minister, was the new leaders' chosen representative for the gathering. But, according to a diplomatic source, there was also an application by the overthrown government to represent Niamey. Because of the competing credentials, the matter was deferred and no representative from Niger was added to the speakers' list. The decision to expel the UN official comes as France is withdrawing its 1,400-strong contingent in Niger after being ordered out by the coup leaders. France's ambassador to Niger was also given his marching orders after the coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, an ally of Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian forces and hoped the war would not expand Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2023) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian forces and hoped the war would not expand. Thousands have died over the last five days after Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, which responded with a massive bombardment of the Gaza Strip which Hamas rules. "It is necessary to avoid the expansion of the conflict at all cost, because if it happens it will have an impact on the international situation," Putin said. Parties "need to return to a negotiation process that should be acceptable to all sides, including to the Palestinians." He also said it was "necessary to engage in diplomacy rather than with the military side (of the conflict) to find solutions to stop the fighting. " Russia has over the years maintained friendly relations with both Palestinians and Israeli authorities -- though ties with Jerusalem have been strained by Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. While the West have condemned Palestinian attacks, Russia has so far carefully denounced violence from both sides. It has instead blamed the conflict on US foreign policy "failure." Russia "could contribute to the settlement process," Putin said, while noting that any mediation effort would be difficult given the gravity of the situation. A day earlier Putin called for "the creation of an independent sovereign Palestinian state." bur/pvh Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Oct, 2023) President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he had received assurances from Washington that military aid to Ukraine would remain "constant and uninterrupted". It came after he urged Ukraine's allies to arm his country to survive the winter, on his first visit to NATO headquarters since Russia's all-out invasion. "It was made clear that America will continue to provide Ukraine with the constant and uninterrupted support necessary for its defence," Zelensky said in his daily address, following a meeting in Brussels with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. He added that he had discussed how to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities before winter, particularly in terms of "drones and missiles". "I am grateful to all partners for their continued willingness to help our defence," he said, adding, "our main focus is to strengthen our air defence and the most important tools at the front. Artillery, long-range systems." (Bloomberg) -- Brazil will keep importing Russian diesel as long as it helps to contain fuel prices for Brazilian motorists, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira said in an interview. Most Read from Bloomberg Russia has consolidated its position as Brazils top supplier of the fuel this year, surpassing the US. Silveira, who is in Washington to discuss collaboration in the energy transition, sees no pressure coming from the Biden administration to halt the imports. If the import of diesel, whether Russian or from any other nation, favors keeping domestic prices down, then it is not a concern, Silveira said. There is an understanding that developing countries need to expand commercial ties to strengthen economically and combat inequality. The US and its allies are trying to limit the flow of petrodollars into Russia to reduce available funds to wage war in Ukraine. Read More: Brazil Binges on Record Russian Fuel as Moscow Seeks New Markets Brazils state-controlled oil giant Petrobras also has to compete with importers and its next next five-year strategic plan will focus on making the country self-sufficient in gasoline and diesel production, he said. Read More: Brazil Calls on Rich Nations to Pay for Global Energy Transition Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the Rio de Janeiro-based producer is known, will shield Latin Americas largest economy from fuel price spikes in case Israel-Hamas war escalates to other Middle Eastern nations. Petrobras is taking into account domestic production costs under a new fuel price policy it announced in May, which will help reduce the impact of volatility in global oil markets, Silveira said. Story continues Brazil has also been importing oil and natural gas from Russia this year. Two tankers with Russian Arctic crude have unloaded in northeastern Brazil since early September, and Brazil imported a Russia-sourced cargo of liquefied natural gas in May, according to shipping tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. --With assistance from Michael Shepard. (Updates to include crude oil and natural gas imports in last paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc ST HELIER, Jersey, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc ("Caledonia" or the "Company") (NYSE AMERICAN, AIM and VFEX: CMCL) announces gold production from the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe ("Blanket") for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 ("Q3 2023" or the "Quarter"). All production numbers are expressed on a 100 per cent basis and are based on the final assay at the refiners. Highlights Quarterly gold production of 21,772 ounces, a new quarterly record for Blanket mine An increase of three per cent on the 21,120 ounces produced in the corresponding quarter of 2022. Gold produced in the nine months to the end of September was 55,244 ounces. Caledonia reiterates its gold production guidance for 2023 of between 75,000 and 80,000 ounces1. Commenting on the announcement, Mark Learmonth, Chief Executive Officer, said: I am pleased that Blanket is performing well and we have set a new quarterly production record. I look forward to achieving our guidance of between 75,000 and 80,000 ounces of gold for 2023. We have invested heavily in Blanket over the last seven years, including investment this year to construct a new tailings storage facility which is expected to have a life of at least 15 years, based on the current production profile, and will support production well into the future. The recent encouraging drill results at Blanket indicate that there is additional mineralisation that may, in due course, be accessed using the current infrastructure and which should further extend the life of Blanket. Blanket continues to provide a solid foundation for the Company, providing us with a platform for our other growth projects in Zimbabwe. Craig James Harvey, MGSSA, MAIG, Caledonia Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Craig James Harvey is a "Qualified Person" as defined by each of (i) the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and (ii) sub-part 1300 of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities Act. Story continues Enquiries: Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Mark Learmonth Camilla Horsfall Tel: +44 1534 679 800 Tel: +44 7817 841 793 Cavendish Securities plc (Nomad and Joint Broker) Adrian Hadden Neil McDonald Pearl Kellie Tel: +44 (0)20 7220 0500 Liberum Capital Limited (Joint Broker) Scott Mathieson/Kane Collings Tel: +44 20 3100 2000 BlytheRay Financial PR (UK) Tim Blythe/Megan Ray Tel: +44 207 138 3204 3PPB (Financial PR, North America) Patrick Chidley Paul Durham Tel: +1 917 991 7701 Tel: +1 203 940 2538 Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe) Debra Tatenda Tel: +263 77802131 IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe) Lloyd Mlotshwa Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39 ________ 1 Refer to the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe" with effective date September 1, 2022 prepared by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on March 13, 2023 Note: The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (MAR) as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information Information and statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties relating, but not limited, to Caledonias current expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as anticipate, believe, expect, goal, plan, target, intend, estimate, could, should, may and will or the negative of these terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the successful implementation of mine plans, the establishment of estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of minerals which are mined varying from estimates, success of future exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling, sampling and assay data, the representativeness of mineralization being accurate, success of planned metallurgical test-work, capital availability and accuracy of estimated operating costs, obtaining required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and Caledonias experience of project development in Zimbabwe and other factors. To the extent any forward-looking information herein constitutes a financial outlook or future oriented financial information, any such statement is made as of the date hereof and included herein to provide prospective investors with an understanding of the Company's plans and assumptions. Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price, risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; political risk; risks related to natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest, public health concerns (including health epidemics or outbreaks of communicable diseases such as the coronavirus (COVID-19)); availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining or maintaining necessary licenses and permits, diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as mining occurs; global financial condition, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes to conclusions of economic evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with unanticipated economic or other factors, risks of increased capital and operating costs, environmental, safety or regulatory risks, expropriation, the Companys title to properties including ownership thereof, increased competition in the mining industry for properties, equipment, qualified personnel and their costs, risks relating to the uncertainty of timing of events including targeted production rate increase and currency fluctuations. Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. Caledonia undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law. This news release is not an offer of the shares of Caledonia for sale in the United States or elsewhere. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the shares of Caledonia, in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such province, state or jurisdiction. Ready-Built Factories in Vietnam: Key Selection Criteria Ready-built factories are a popular option for foreign firms looking to establish a presence in Vietnam quickly. In this article, we run through key selection criteria and how they compare to more traditional options. Ready-built factories (RBFs) are increasingly becoming a popular choice in Vietnams industrial real estate market. Equipped with all the essential infrastructure, they offer a swift and efficient solution for companies seeking to set up their operations in Vietnam. This article delves into the growing prevalence of RBFs in Vietnam and examines the critical factors that firms should take into account when determining whether an RBF is the right choice for their needs. Why RBFs are popular Fast and cost-effective For both cost and time, in comparison with the long process of acquiring land and building a factory, choosing RBF within an industrial park (IP) may be a better option. Investors do not need to worry about delays or the extra costs associated but can rather focus on recruitment and fitting out the premises to reduce the time between establishment and operation. With RBF projects, investors do not have to make a substantial upfront payment. Instead, RBF payment terms are usually quarterly or monthly. This can ease cashflow challenges for investors. Easier to scale-up RBFs offer flexibility in scaling up. Investors can start by selecting one unit and then merge adjacent units as their business grows. Furthermore, since these factories are all equipped with the same infrastructure, such as electricity, water, and waste treatment systems, the expansion process is likely to be easier. This strategy is often preferable for SMEs and businesses when first entering the Vietnam market. This gives them the time they need to stabilize their operation and cash flow before taking the next step towards expansion at optimal costs. Simplified legal procedures Handling legal matters in the context of long-term land leases can be considerably complex due to the need for multiple license registrations to obtain approval for business operations. These requirements typically include securing land-use right certificates, obtaining construction permits, developing environmental protection plans (EPP), preparing environmental impact assessment reports (EIAR), and registering fire protection measures. Conversely, the legal complexities associated with land issues at the outset are typically managed by RBF developers. This alleviates a significant burden for investors, and, in some cases, RBF developers also extend their support by providing legal services to facilitate a seamless entry into the Vietnam market. Professional support There is often less hassle for companies with respect to keeping track of management and operational activities for their RBFs with these tasks usually handled by the developer. As a result, there are fewer worries for investors who can instead focus on more important production activities. Key selection criteria Location Regional development orientation Different regions in Vietnam are better equipped for different industries. For example, the northern region is popular with electronics, automotive, and renewable energy manufacturing projects. On the other hand, the central region is more popular among food processors, heavy industries, and oil and gas. Meanwhile, sectors like plastics and rubber, garments and textiles, are generally more common in the southern region. Proximity to transportation infrastructure Easy access to ports, airports, and highways is of the utmost importance to investors when choosing an RBF. Reducing shipping, freight, and logistics costs can ensure their products enter the market at a lower price point or at a higher profit margin. This also applies to their raw materials supply chains. Access to labor Access to an abundant labor supply offers enormous advantages for investors. It usually takes roughly two to three months for companies to recruit a sufficient supply of skilled labor; however, choosing a location near an abundant labor supply can reduce the time and effort it takes to recruit and subsequently reduce hiring costs. Rental fees Data from the Business Intelligence team at Dezan Shira & Associates shows that rental costs per square meter for RBFs vary across regions. Northern region: US$3.7 to US$6 sqm/month US$3.7 to US$6 sqm/month Central region: US$2.5 to US$4 sqm/month US$2.5 to US$4 sqm/month Southern region: US$3.0 to US$6 sqm/month Investors should also note that the minimum leasing period for RBFs is commonly three years with rent increase applied yearly or at the completion of the three-year lease. Management fees These fees cover a range of services, such as security, and maintenance services, to ensure the smooth operation of an RBF. Policies regarding these fees vary between developers. Some RBF developers include management fees in the rental fees whereas others do not. Therefore, before leasing an RBF, it is recommended investors thoroughly review the lease agreement and clarify whether management fees are included and which services are covered. Utilities As for electricity costs, investors usually pay monthly and directly to Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) using Vietnamese Dong. Whether a surcharge is applied depends on the developers policy. Meanwhile, a wastewater processing fee is calculated based on 80 percent of the freshwater supply input. Investors must ensure that all wastewater released from their factories meets Class B standards, per the National Technical Regulations on Industrial Wastewater QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT. Telecommunications are also the responsibility of the leasee. Office area There is usually one small area in the factory designated as an office. This can be important for businesses in order to reduce the cost of renting additional offices and to avoid wasting time traveling back and forth between the factory and the office. Some factories may come with additional office space for meeting rooms and product support services. Floor load Floor load refers to the weight that the factory floor can support. It is usually measured in tons per square meter (tons/m2) in Vietnam. This is crucial for manufacturers that use heavy machinery. As a reference point, textile factories usually have a floor load of 3 tons/m2. Electrical system A typical industrial factory electrical system will include four components: a medium voltage system supplying power to the main transformer, an electrical distribution cabinet system, an industrial equipment electrical cabinet system, and an industrial equipment system in the factory. However, due to different requirements for different manufacturers, it is recommended businesses carefully check with the developers whether the selected RBFs electrical system will suit their needs. Fire safety system Fire safety in RBFs in Vietnam is governed by the National Technical Regulation QCVN 06:2022/BXD on Fire Safety for Building and Constructions, in which RBFs are classified under industrial buildings. As a result, to comply with the provisions given in these regulations, developers must provide fire-fighting and prevention tools: fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, sprinklers, and more for their factories to be able to operate. However, with 12 groups of equipment on the list of fire prevention and fighting equipment in Vietnam, investors are advised to clarify with developers during their site visit regarding available equipment and their specifications. Security system Security systems are important for protecting a firms equipment and staff. Some commonly requested features include: 24/7 security guard; CCTV surveillance; and Security booths and fencing. Some RBFs will come with these features, however, at others, they may need to be requested. Ventilation and air conditioning Air conditioners (AC) are typically used in offices, whereas ventilation fans are employed in production areas. A decent ventilation system can also prevent the build-up of air pollution within the factory and may reduce the chances of fire. Other considerations in facilities To attract more investors, there is a tendency among developers to add additional amenities to enhance their competitiveness by including parking spaces and sometimes room for a canteen. Furthermore, firms should remember to check for access to mobile loading docks/levelers compressed air systems, and any other non-permanent equipment they might need. Tax incentives and other preferential policies CIT Incentives Following Law 32/2013/QH13, since January 2014, the CIT rate of below 20 percent has been applied, in which there are three preferential rates: 10 percent, 15 percent, and 17 percent. The pre-defined period for these preferential rates depends on the sectors and types of projects mentioned in the aforementioned law. Other preferential policies Developers also often provide a variety of other incentives like discounts and additional services like recruitment or legal support. These policies can be negotiated with developers and should be brought up during the site selection process. Key takeaways Choosing a suitable RBF requires careful consideration of various factors. With the right selection criteria in place, businesses can take advantage of the benefits of RBFs and enjoy an easier, more cost-effective market entry. In this light, as Vietnam continues to attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI), the potential for RBFs to take on a bigger role in the greater industrial property landscape is only likely to grow, For support deciding on the best market-entry option for your firm, contact the location selection experts at Dezan Shira and Associates. Analysts point to numerous security failures by Israels intelligence and military apparatus ahead of Hamas unprecedented attack on Israel. Andrew England, Middle East editor of Londons Financial Times, expressed surprise at the Iran-backed Hamas militants ability to launch coordinated attacks from Gaza, hemmed in by Israeli military fences and checkpoints. Both the United States and European Union have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. England writes, Hamass deadly, carefully planned and multi-faceted operation has unleashed Israels most terrifying nightmare: civilians finding themselves on the front lines of the protracted conflict as their homes became war zones. He says it suggests a massive intelligence failure that will send shockwavesand fearthrough Israeli society. Natan Sachs directs the Center for Middle East Policy at Washingtons Brookings Institution. He told an online audience this week that a deep crisis of trust in the Israeli state and military now exists among Israels traumatized populace. Sachs, like others, expects a tough Israeli response from both to Hamas. There is a willingness, a demand even in Israel to incur costs that would not have been, even in the past," Sachs said. "This is going to be a terrible time in the Gaza Strip. I am almost certain it will enter militarily in the ground forces. The calls in Israel to topple Hamas now are loud, I do not know if they will win the day, but I would not rule it out. Other observers say that Israel had concentrated troops in the West Bank and further north in anticipation of a flare-up of violence there, rather than near the southern border with Gaza. They note the current hard-right Israeli governments push to overhaul the supreme court, drawing months of fierce protests from citizens, including army reservists, also may have been perceived as weakness by Hamas. Hamas must be made to pay for its atrocities, writes The Economists Patrick Lane. But it is also clear that Benjamin Netanyahus long-pursued policy of ignoring Palestinians aspirations to sovereignty is in tatters. While Israel is known for its cutting-edge defense systems that include the Iron Dome missile interception system and drones, former CIA officer on the Middle East, Bob Baer told CNN that neither the U.S. nor Israel have good intelligence on Hamas and its plans. Theyre not up on cell phones. Theres no meta data on these people. So, this has become a very disciplined organization," Baer said. "The Israelis dont have any good human sources inside Gaza. Otherwise, they would have found out about this. Its really, very much a black hole for the Israelis. Simply bombarding Gaza is going to risk a regional war. A rocket attack from Lebanon into northern Israel late Tuesday into early Wednesday raises concerns about a wider danger. Brookings Sachs said one of the most important policy considerations is to make sure Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah stays out of this conflict. Hezbollah is more powerful than Hamas by far, and Israels response in Lebanon, I fear, would be absolutely devastating in a country thats already reeling from enormous domestic crises. If Hezbollah decides to join, I dont think Iran will," Sachs said. "We will see huge devastation in the north, precisely because Israel feels so cornered. Karim Emile Bitar of the Geneva Center for Security Policy told France24 that while Hamas could have planned this alone, it appears Iran provided supporta claim Tehran denies. I think Iran has been growing increasingly nervous because of the ongoing Saudi Israeli rapprochement, Bitar said, which could explain this turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians are receiving support from various parts of the Arab world as the conflict between Hamas and Israel enters its fifth day. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri told journalists at a press conference with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani that officials from the two sides "discussed the need to stop the escalation of the conflict in Gaza" and the "seriousness of destruction and attacks on civilians." They also called for the application of "international law regarding treatment of civilians in times of war." Jordan, meanwhile, sent aid supplies to Egypt for the Palestinian residents of Gaza, according to Saudi-owned al Arabiya TV. It was not immediately clear how Egypt plans to distribute those supplies. The border between Egypt and Gaza is closed and there were scattered reports over the past several days of shelling near the border. In Syria, government TV broadcast what it called a "student demonstration" in the capital Damascus, with several hundred students chanting slogans in support of the Palestinians and waving Palestinian flags. The students told the TV that they had come from universities across the country to support the Palestinian people. One young man, who identified himself as a student leader from a university outside Damascus, told the TV that he and other Syrian students stand behind the Palestinian people's battle to free themselves from what he called Israeli occupation. He said that the students are standing proudly in support of the Palestinian people and that they want to tell them that their cause is our cause and that they wish them victory in their struggle. Saudi-owned Asharq al Awsat newspaper reported that Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati met with top security officials to "discuss security measures being taken across the country." U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Dorothy Shea met with Miqati and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, warning them Tuesday of "the consequences of [the pro-Iranian] Hezbollah militia's participation in the Gaza war," according to the Beirut daily Al Liwa. In Iraq, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani defended the deadly weekend attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel's southern border communities and urged Iraqis to support the Palestinian cause. He said that the Hamas attack on Israel is a normal reaction to the massive injustice that the Palestinian people have been subjected to in recent years. Arab media broadcast a video of a crowd of a few dozen Iraqi Shiite religious leaders and their supporters demonstrating in the narrow streets of the Baghdad district of Khadimiya, chanting slogans in favor of the Palestinians and against Israel. On Monday, influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr called on Iraqis to hold a "peaceful" million-man demonstration in favor of the Palestinian cause, while urging demonstrators to "burn Israeli flags." In Algeria, the country's parliament speaker Brahim Boughali asked lawmakers to stand as he recited an Islamic prayer for the dead to honor Palestinians that have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas. Boughali did not mention Israeli casualties of the conflict. There is concern in Israel about a second front as several rockets and an anti-tank missile fired Tuesday from Lebanon landed in northern Israel. The death toll on both sides grows as fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues. Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Jerusalem. Australia holds a referendum Saturday on recognizing First Nations people in the constitution. The proposal would set up a powerful advisory body called the Indigenous Voice to help the federal parliament shape laws and policies. Critics of the move insist it would be divisive and have little to do with addressing disadvantage in Aboriginal communities. Australias constitution does not recognize its original inhabitants. Supporters of reform want to change the nations founding document to set up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It would be a committee of First Nations Australians that would advise federal parliament to help shape the laws and policies that affect disadvantaged communities. Indigenous people comprise just over 3% of the Australian population, but they suffer disproportionately high rates of ill-health, poverty, unemployment and imprisonment despite decades of policies costing many billions of dollars. On average, First Nations Australians live eight years less than other groups. Some campaigners believe previous policies have been based on paternalism rather than partnership. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Voice would make a positive and practical difference to the lives of Australias original inhabitants. However, the Yes campaign that Albanese has championed is behind in the opinion polls. But the prime minister told local media that he was confident of victory. It is certainly winnable. This is the right thing to do. This is consistent with the Australian principle of a fair go, he said. Not all agree, with some saying the measure would divide, rather than unite, Australians. The No campaign is comprised of a broad range of dissenters. It includes some Indigenous groups that want the Voice to have real, not symbolic, authority and to have the power of veto over government decisions that the current Voice proposal does not contain. Other critics insist the proposal could create delays and dysfunction within government while criticizing the absence of specific details about the size, role and function of the advisory panel. Some opponents say that by enshrining a permanent Aboriginal presence in the heart of government, theres a presumption Indigenous people will always be disadvantaged and need special treatment. Barnaby Joyce is an opposition lawmaker for the conservative National party, and a former deputy prime minister. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the Voice referendum has unnecessarily split the country. It is a debacle. It is a divisive debacle, and it has resulted in confusion, animosity and, basically, overwhelmingly people thinking that they have got serious concerns about it, Joyce said. Voting in Australia is compulsory. About 17 million people are registered to vote. Only 8 out of 44 referendums have passed since 1901. The last referendum was held in November 1999, when Australians rejected the plan to severe their constitutional ties to the British monarchy and become a republic. Caroline Ellison, one of Sam Bankman-Frieds top deputies and also his ex-girlfriend, testified Wednesday that she felt relieved when his crypto empire started to collapse because it meant she could stop lying. She noted the CoinDesk scoop that undid the company, saying the crypto news sites scoop was based on a balance sheet Alameda sent to lenders to mislead them into thinking the trading firm was on more solid financial footing than it really was though the numbers were ugly enough to spark the collapse. Ellison said Bankman-Fried instructed her to use FTX customer funds to repay Alamedas lenders despite recognizing the risk. She disclosed an unrelated bribery incident with Chinese officials to retrieve locked funds, highlighting the trust Bankman-Fried had in her. NEW YORK Caroline Ellison wept on the witness stand near the end of her second day testifying against her former boss and ex-boyfriend, fallen cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried. The diminutive and soft-spoken former CEO of Alameda Research described the unraveling last November of her hedge fund and its sister company, the FTX exchange, and the relief she felt as revelations about their fraud became public. I felt a sense of relief that I didnt have to lie anymore, Ellison testified. Her voice trembled and cracked as she recalled one particular text message exchange between her and Bankman-Fried during what she described as the overall worst week of my life." "I felt indescribably bad about all the ... people that lost their jobs ... [and the] people that trusted us that we had betrayed," Ellison told the packed courtroom as she reached for a tissue. Bankman-Fried, the defendant, did not look up as she wept, but kept typing on his court-issued laptop. It was the second day of testimony for Ellison, the former Wall Street trader and star witness in the governments criminal fraud case against Bankman-Fried. The smoking gun During her testimony, Ellison discussed the document that caused Bankman-Frieds companies to collapse: the balance sheet CoinDesks Ian Allison reported on exclusively on Nov. 2, 2022. Story continues She said that balance sheet was a version of the one Alameda sent to its lenders, designed to mislead them into thinking Alameda was healthier financially than it really was. On Wednesday, she called it a dishonest document. But even the fudged numbers were ugly enough brimming with FTXs FTT token and other tokens closely related to Bankman-Fried to raise questions about how viable Alameda and FTX were. It understated the true extent of Alamedas risk, but it still showed that Alameda was in a fairly risky position, Ellison said of the balance sheet. CoinDesk has won three journalism awards for its reporting that set off the chain of events leading to FTXs collapse. Sam told me to Bankman-Fried told Caroline Ellison to continue repaying Alameda Researchs lenders with FTX customers money, which she did despite misgivings, she testified Wednesday. In May 2022, the Luna crypto tokens decline led to a broader market downturn which caused several of Alamedas creditors to call back loans that theyd made to the Bankman-Friedfounded trading fund, Ellison testified. I was in a constant state of dread, she said. I knew we would have to take the money from our [FTX] line of credit and that was money that could be called in at any time. Asked why that money was particularly risky, Ellison said it was coming from FTX customers who could try to withdraw it at any time. Ellison said she grew increasingly worried throughout the spring of 2022 that Alamedas reliance on FTX customer funds could lead to catastrophe for both firms. I was concerned that if everyone would find out, then everything would come crashing down, Ellison said. In spite of her concerns, Ellison testified that she continued to pay back lenders via Alamedas FTX line of credit which meant using FTX customer funds because Sam told me to. I thought it was wrong, she told prosecutors. Bribing Chinese officials In the most salacious bit of testimony Wednesday, Ellison said she and a handful of FTX and Alameda executives paid a large bribe to Chinese officials to secure funds that had been locked on Chinese exchanges. Neither FTX nor Alameda was involved in the investigation which Ellison said involved an entity which at one point traded with Alameda, and was being probed for money laundering. (Judge Lewis Kaplan, who is overseeing the Bankman-Fried trial, said the bribery anecdote was relayed to the jury to illustrate Bankman-Frieds trust and confidence in Ellison and to speak to motives not because Bankman-Fried was being charged with crimes in relation to alleged bribery. He did not mention that Bankman-Fried is currently scheduled to go on trial again next spring on bribery and other charges.) After the FTX/Alameda team initially failed to secure the funds through negotiation with the Chinese government via lawyers, Ellison said they then tried and again failed to release the funds through a scheme involving the creation of fake exchange accounts using the identities of Thai prostitutes. Ellison said Ryan Salame another ex-FTX executive whos pleaded guilty to charges told her the names. Finally, the funds were secured after Ellison made a payment of $100 million to a crypto account which, to her understanding, was tied in some way to Chinese government officials. Ellison recalled an incident when an employee protested against the plan in a meeting: Bankman-Fried grew increasingly annoyed with the employee, whose father was a Chinese government official, and eventually told her to "shut the f*** up." In a private State of Alameda memo Ellison authored in November 2021, shortly after the payment was made, she included a bullet point titled -150m from the thing? under a section detailing notable/idiosyncratic financial events. The entry, she said, referenced the payment to Chinese officials: I didnt want to put in writing that we paid what I believed were bribes, she testified. Before breaking for lunch, prosecutors teased the jury with another memo authored by Ellison a personal to-do list. It contained the item: getting regulators to crack down on Binance. Binance is the worlds largest crypto exchange and, in the aftermath of FTXs November 2022 collapse, U.S. regulators have accused it of wrongdoing. Sam said that he thought that was one of the best potential ways for FTX to increase market share, Ellison said. Regulators had been promising him this would happen for a while. Duping Genesis Alameda had by mid-June 2022 borrowed 77% of the $13 billion of customer U.S. dollar deposits into FTX, according to an internal FTX spreadsheet introduced by prosecutors and authenticated by Ellison. Ellison said she asked FTX executives Gary Wang and Nishad Sing to gather the data for her when she grew concerned about the size of Alamedas borrowings from FTX. By this point in June, the data showed Alameda had borrowed 52% of all ETH deposits, 44% of USDT deposits and 25% of BTC deposits into FTX as well as all of the Australian dollar and BRZ deposits into the exchange. (BRZ is an Ethereum token backed by Brazils currency, the real.) When Genesis, a major Alameda lender, asked Ellison if she could provide documentation of Alamedas financials, Ellison said she and Bankman-Fried worried that providing accurate financials would show that Alameda was risky, so the pair devised strategies to improve the look of Alamedas financial position. (Genesis, now defunct, is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which also owns CoinDesk.) At one point, said Ellison, Bankman-Fried suggested Alameda could put employees personal SRM tokens on its balance sheet and take other measures to inflate the firms assets. SRM is a token on the Solana blockchain that Bankman-Fried had created and distributed, in part, to employees, according to earlier court testimony. Ellison said that she and Bankman-Fried were still concerned that the new balance sheet theyd assembled would scare Genesis, so she went on to create seven different, alternative balance sheets for the pair to consider sending to the lender. Ellison walked through some of the balance sheets in court and detailed the different strategies she used in an attempt to hide Alamedas risky financials. Read more: Divisions in Sam Bankman-Frieds Crypto Empire Blur on His Trading Titan Alamedas Balance Sheet I didnt want to be dishonest but was afraid to share the truth, Ellison testified. A princely sum FTX considered raising capital from Saudi Arabian Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman, Ellison testified. At that time, around June 2022, Alameda Research got into trouble after a broader decline in the crypto market that summer led several of the hedge funds biggest lenders to recall their loans to Alameda, Ellison said. According to text messages the prosecution showed from June 2022, crypto lender Genesis had asked Alameda to pay back $500 million in $250 million clips. In addition to that, former crypto lending desk Celsius also asked for its loans to be repaid. It was after Celsius request that Sam Bankman-Fried said he was considering selling FTX shares to Bin Salman to raise more money to repay Alamedas lenders, Ellison said. Someone who answered the phone at the Saudi consulate in the U.S. hung up after a CoinDesk reporter asked about Ellisons testimony. Moral framework The former Alameda CEO also recalled how Bankman-Fried had said that lying and stealing money were permissible in his worldview. He didnt think rules like dont lie [and] dont steal fit in that framework, she said. She recalled becoming more and more used to doing those things and sending false information to business partners or taking FTX customers money. Over time, it was something I became more comfortable with while working there, she said. Vague labeling To avoid legal trouble, Ellison used vague language in an internal FTX document detailing how much Alameda had taken from the now-bankrupt crypto exchange, she testified. Prosecutors introduced as exhibits spreadsheets created by Ellison detailing Alamedas financial balances. The documents, according to Ellison, showed that Alameda had taken more than $10 billion from customers of FTX by May 2022. Asked why this money was labeled FTX borrows, Ellison said she was following orders from Bankman-Fried. I didnt want to say explicitly FTX customer money, she said on Wednesday. Bankman-Fried told us not to put things in writing that might get us in legal trouble. Amateur sketch of screens in the overflow room at the U.S. Southern District Court on Oct. 11, 2023. From left: Exhibits; Sam Bankman-Fried with lawyers; Caroline Ellison on the witness stand. (Nik De/CoinDesk) SBFs valuable (lack of a) haircut At one point, prosecuter Danielle Sassoon presented a picture of Bankman-Fried, asking Ellison to describe him. Ellison repled that it appeared he didnt put much effort into his appearance. He looked sloppy, she said. He didnt cut his hair often. And there was a reason for that, she recalled. The press and investors frequently took Bankman-Frieds appearance as a sign that he was a typical Silicon Valley nerd who knew how to code but didnt care much about fancy designer clothes or cars, which is exactly the image he wanted, Ellison recalled. [Sam] said he had gotten higher bonuses because of his hair, she said. He had told his colleagues at his companies that his hair "had been very valuable [to his career]," she added. It was also better for FTXs image, Ellison recalled him telling her, which was also the reason behind the two of them switching their cars from luxury company vehicles to much cheaper brands like Toyota and Honda. Blow to defense Judge Kaplan dealt a blow to the defense this week when he denied multiple requests from Bankman-Frieds lawyers to mention his charitable giving and the lack of clear U.S. crypto regulations. That crypto exchanges are not regulated like securities trading venues is irrelevant and only likely to confuse the jury, Kaplan said. Kaplan also ruled that the Bankman-Fried jury would not be able to hear about the likelihood of recoveries from the FTX bankruptcy. After releasing the jury on Wednesday just before the court adjourned for the day Kaplan also sided in favor of a government proposal to bar the defense from mentioning FTX's sizable stake in Anthropic, an AI startup whose valuation has surged in recent months. The defense may have hoped to use the investment to show the jury that FTX could have survived if Bankman-Fried's investments had been given a bit more time to play out. Kaplan wasn't convinced, however. "This is like saying that if I break into the Federal Reserve Bank, make off with a million bucks, spend it all on Powerball tickets and happen to win, it was okay," the judge said. Judge Kaplan: I won't be ruling on whether the Anthropic investment value comes in until after the direct... Jury entering! AUSA Sassoon: Good morning Ms. Ellison... We'll pick up. What happened with Alameda's trading positions? Ellison: Coin values went down. Inner City Press (@innercitypress) October 11, 2023 Day one recap Ellison began her testimony on Tuesday, and opened by saying she committed crimes with Bankman-Fried by sending balance sheets that misstated Alamedas assets and liabilities to the crypto hedge funds lenders and by taking FTX customer funds and using them to repay debts or for investments, to the tune of around $10 billion. Things fell apart in November 2022, Ellison said, when asked Tuesday what happened when customers tried to withdraw their funds. Initially FTX was able to process some withdrawals, but pretty soon it started running out of money. Alameda tried to send more money to FTX, but there wasnt enough to cover all the customer claims, she said. This was because Alameda had taken it to make our own investments and to repay our lenders. Over the course of her first day of testimony, Ellison walked the jury through how Bankman-Fried, despite naming her (and for a spell, Sam Trabucco) as CEO of Alameda, still largely retained control over the firms decisions, and how he disregarded her advice on issues like whether to expand FTXs investment portfolio. Alamedas inability to sell large portions of the FTT token came up. Selling the token would have depressed the price enough to dramatically hurt Alamedas credit with lenders, she said. [Bankman-Fried] gave us a lot of instructions about FTT; at various points he instructed us to buy if there was a large amount of selling or if the price was going down too much, she said. Read all of CoinDesks coverage here. Jack Schickler contributed reporting to this story. A Chinese-Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. Cheng Lei, 48, worked for the international department of China's state broadcaster CCTV. She has reunited with her two children in Melbourne, Albanese said. Her return comes ahead of Albanese's planned visit to Beijing this year on a date yet to be announced. Albaneses government has been lobbying for the release of Cheng and another Chinese-Australian held in China since 2019, Yang Hengjun. Bilateral relations have improved since Albanese's center-left Labor Party was elected after nine years of conservative rule. Beijing has lifted several official and unofficial trade barriers on Australian exports. Albanese suggested that Cheng had recently been sentenced after she was convicted in a closed-court trial last year on national security charges. Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms. Cheng and her family. The government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians, he added. Albanese said he spoke to Cheng in Melbourne, where her children have been living with her mother, and that they discussed a letter she had written to the Australian public in August to mark the third anniversary of her detention. The Chinese-born journalist spoke in her letter about her love for her adopted country. In the letter, she also described her living conditions in detention in China, saying she was allowed to stand in sunlight for just 10 hours a year. She is a very strong and resilient person ... and when I spoke with her she was delighted to be back in Melbourne, Albanese said. Albanese did not say whether Yang was also likely to be released. We continue to advocate for Dr. Yangs interests, rights and wellbeing with the Chinese authorities at all levels, Albanese said. Yang, a 58-year-old writer and democracy blogger, told his family in August he fears he will die in a Beijing detention center after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst, prompting supporters to demand his release for medical treatment. Yang has been detained in China since January 2019, when he arrived in Guangzhou from New York with his wife and teenage stepdaughter. Yang received a closed-door trial on an espionage charge in Beijing in May 2021 and is still awaiting a verdict. U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that we have Israels back and that he will ask Congress to take urgent action to defuse Middle East tensions after Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing more than 1,000 people, including at least 14 Americans. Analysts say the possibility that Americans are being held hostage by the militant Palestinian group complicates the situation. VOAs Anita Powell reports from the White House. Contributor: Iuliia Iarmolenko. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Israel and Jordan this week to show Washingtons support for Israels right to self-defense. The trip comes as the U.S. vows to work with nations to secure the release of all hostages held in Gaza. VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching has more. Britain's King Charles III will meet with Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi in about three weeks. Charles will address "painful aspects" of Britain's colonial past, Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday. During the four-day visit, scheduled for October 31 to November 3, Charles and Ruto will tour the Nairobi National Park and attend a state banquet. The two are expected to discuss the climate crisis, the importance of conservation efforts and working together on national security, Chris Fitzgerald, the king's deputy private secretary, said in a press conference. Charles will also acknowledge the fraught history between the two nations a decade after Britain paid reparations for the horrors of the Mau Mau uprising of the 1950s, a conflict in which thousands of Kenyans were slain by British authorities. "His majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya," Fitzgerald said. Nairobi has a particular significance for the royal family. In 1952, while in Kenya, then-Princess Elizabeth, Charles's mother, learned that she had become queen upon the death of her father, King George VI. Charles himself visited the East African nation in 1971. The meeting comes as Kenya celebrates 60 years of independence from Britain. Nairobi is Charles's latest destination for diplomacy after successful royal tours in Germany in March and France last month. This is the king's latest effort to bolster ties with former British colonies. In 2022, Charles attended a meeting for the heads of Commonwealth governments. The Commonwealth is a group of 56 independent countries, including Kenya, the majority of which were once under British rule. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters. Leaders in Chad say the central African nation is struggling to meet the humanitarian needs of 2 million foreign and displaced people seeking refuge there, many of them women and children fleeing violence and increasing hardship in neighboring Sudan. More than 400,000 Sudanese refugees and nearly 52,000 Chadian returnees have arrived in towns and villages in eastern Chad since April, when Sudan descended into violence, Chads President Mahamat Idriss Deby said in a state television broadcast this week. He said Chad needs immediate assistance from the international community to help refugees and host communities that need protection and humanitarian aid, including food, shelter, water and sanitation. Deby said that Chad residents in towns and villages along Chads border are fighting with refugees and displaced people over limited resources. For example, he said, several thousand Sudanese refugees entered Adre, a town in the southeastern province of Ouaddai, just within the past two weeks. That brings the number of Sudanese in Adre to more than 210,000, which is four times more than the towns population, according to the government. Chads 2 million refugees come from several neighboring countries besides Sudan. They include people fleeing Boko Haram atrocities and violent conflicts between fishers and herders in Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger, as well as Central African Republic citizens who fled violence as fighting erupted in their country in 2013. Chad, with a population about 18 million, is one of the world's poorest countries. The nation has faced several institutional challenges in a region rife with conflict. I am urging my people, who I know live in poverty, to accept, receive and protect refugees and displaced persons who come to our country in deteriorating health situations caused by conflicts in neighboring states, Deby said. Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations refugee agency, say the influx puts a massive strain on already-scarce resources and engenders conflicts between displaced persons, refugees and host communities. Amina Abu said she arrived in Adre from Darfur, a city in western Sudan, this week. Speaking on Chad state TV, Abu said she could not bear the shock when her husband was killed in Darfur two weeks ago, so she decided to move with her two children. She said the family has been hungry since they arrived in Chad with scores of other women and children. The United Nations estimates that by the end of the year, 600,000 Sudanese refugees will have arrived in Chad. After being pressured by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Beijing has condemned the attacks launched by Hamas in Israel but did so without naming Hamas. In the latest statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China condemned "all violence and attacks on civilians" and said "the most urgent task now is to reach a ceasefire and restore peace." The statement issued Monday came after Schumer, a Democrat, expressed his disappointment to Chinese leader Xi Jinping over China's earlier statement that merely called for restraint. "I raised with President Xi the unfolding atrocities carried out against Israel and the need for the world community to stand together against terrorism and with the Israeli people and pointedly requested from President Xi that the Chinese foreign minister strengthen their statement; they did," Schumer said in a statement Monday. However, at the regular news conference on Monday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not name Hamas and refused to describe the attacks launched by the militants as an act of terrorism. Only the Chinese Embassy in Israel has named Hamas and labeled the militants terrorists when it said a young woman of Israeli and Chinese heritage was among the hostages seized by Hamas fighters, according to The Associated Press. "Noa was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists when attending a peace music festival in southern Israel. She was dragged from Israel to Gaza," an embassy statement said. She is a daughter, a sister and a friend." Maintaining influence Analysts believe China avoids directly condemning Hamas to maintain its influence in developing countries. Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA Mandarin, "China has always leaned toward the Arab world and even the nonstate actors backed by rogue states." Benjamin H. Friedman, policy director at Defense Priorities, told VOA Mandarin, "China is trying to take a position of greater neutrality than the United States and to be seen in the world as a more neutral, or honest broker, and not necessarily aligned with Israel as the United States. And I think that's consistent with a desire to gain influence in a lot of the developing world." China has increased its ties with Israel since 2013, especially in scientific and technological fields, including military technology. Meanwhile, Beijing has made inroads in peace mediation in the Middle East, challenging the influence of the U.S. in the region. Analysts say Beijing's ambiguous attitude toward the recent attacks is calculated to maintain relations with regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and to contrast with any efforts by the U.S. to mediate the conflict. Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations in March in a deal brokered by China that was seen as increasing Beijing's geopolitical power in the region. Adam Gallagher, managing editor for public affairs and communications at the U.S. Institute of Peace, wrote in March that for China, brokering rapprochement between these two longtime Middle East rivals has key strategic and symbolic dimensions. On the strategic side, Beijing needs to maintain the free flow of oil from the region. But what the deal signals about Beijings role in global affairs may be just as, if not more, critical for China which has been on a diplomatic offensive aimed at building an alternative to the United States dominance in global affairs. The United States, meanwhile, has been trying to broker a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. That would be seen as a diplomatic setback for Iran, which has long been identified as an important backer of Hamas. Carice Witte, founder and executive director of Israel-based think tank Sino-Israel Global Network and Academic Leadership, told VOA Mandarin that while China does not want to see attacks on Israel like those over the weekend, "It does want to see Saudi Arabia stay on the side of China. The normalization that will happen, especially now after what we're seeing, will pull more Arab states into normalization and cooperation with Israel." Israel has described Hamas weekend attacks as its "9/11" incident, referring to the impact the attacks have had on Israelis in lives, property and spirit. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., China unequivocally condemned terrorism and made supportive gestures to the U.S. government, a move that helped Beijing improve its relations with Washington after years of tensions between the two powers. However, experts do not see China as willing and able to capitalize on the current crisis to enhance Sino-Israeli relations. "I don't think they're seizing the opportunity to elevate their partnership. They seem more interested in being perceived as neutral," Friedman said. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. Some 150 countries, many of them in Africa, have signed on to Chinas 10-year-old Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the BRI. And while the multibillion-dollar project has helped bring roads, rails and infrastructure to many poor countries, it has also left some of those countries saddled with debt. In Kenya, for example, the Standard Gauge Railway, or SGR, which debuted six years ago, was hailed by Kenyan officials as one of the biggest and most successful local infrastructure projects since the late 1800s. Travel time from Mombasa to Nairobi used to be up to 10 hours. Now, it takes five to six. "If you are a businessman, you are going for an interview, it saves you time," rider Denis Ombuna told VOA last week as he got off the train at the Syokimau Nairobi Terminus station. Another rider, Dickson Okongo, complained the seats are not comfortable in economy class but said the train is a safe mode of transport and the scenery is wonderful. When I was coming today, I was able to see an antelope, an elephant, a zebra. Sometimes I have to go to Nat Geo [TV] to watch them, he said. Kenya borrowed some $5 billion from China to build railway lines connecting the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi and Nairobi to Naivasha. The lines are part of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings signature foreign policy. The global infrastructure, trade and telecommunications project includes the goal of connecting Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. The good side is its a framework for transportation: transportation of goods, transportation of cargo, Kenyan economist Victor Kimosop told VOA. But Kimosop said some elements of the project could have been done differently. I wish those responsible for SGR wouldve looked at the repayment, he said. Its a massive investment project ... to have repayment being done in 20, 30 years. That was quite ambitious. The other thing is also our model of development, on compensation. It makes development very expensive and it also opens up room for corruption. During its construction, other critics of the project protested its potential impact on wildlife. A part of the railway cuts through the Nairobi National Park. On Friday, Kenya Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua told a local radio program that when President William Ruto travels to China later this month, he will ask Beijing for an additional $1 billion loan to complete other stalled road construction projects. Ruto's plan will also include a request to lengthen the maturity periods of existing loans. African nations were viewed as natural participants in BRI for a number of reasons, said David Sacks, fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Africas population is growing significantly, and theres a need on the continent for more infrastructure, and China has the experience and the expertise in its view to provide the roads, railways and ports that African countries are looking for, he told VOA. From the Chinese perspective, Africa is desirable because it wants to secure input for its manufacturing sector and, when it looks around the world, a lot of these copper, cobalt or other minerals are found in Africa. Countries such as Ethiopia and Zambia have also green-lighted massive Chinese-built infrastructure. But Zambia is struggling with the resulting debt burden. It was the first country to default on its debt during the pandemic. Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, whos been looking to restructure the nations loan with China, recently visited his Chinese counterpart. The West has been critical of China for lending to poor countries and says it must quickly provide relief to those that ended up with unsustainable and unpayable debts. Prompt action on debt is in China's interest, Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury secretary, said earlier this year. Delaying needed debt treatments raises the costs both for borrowers and creditors. It worsens [the] borrowers' economic fundamentals and increases the amount of debt relief they will eventually need. Sacks said the narrative that China actively goes around the world seeking to ensnare nations into debt traps is simplistic. He noted that many countries joined BRI when economic growth was quite robust and didnt expect leaner times. The first shock was of course the COVID-19 pandemic, which really eviscerated global economic growth but also hit the developing world particularly hard, he said. The second one was the war in Ukraine. [For] Africa, major importers of food as well as oil, prices for those commodities have gone up tremendously. A recent Boston University study found that lending to Africa by China has dropped to the lowest level in two decades. Analysts say that while the BRI is here to stay, Beijing may be moving toward smaller investments. A Swedish court on Wednesday fined climate activist Greta Thunberg once again for disobeying police during an environmental protest in July in southern Sweden. The Malmo District Court ordered her to pay a 2,250 kroner ($206) fine. Thunberg, who already had been fined for a similar offense, took part in a July 24 environmental protest at an oil terminal in Malmo, where activists temporarily blocked access to the facility by sitting down and were removed by police. On Sept. 15, she was charged with disobedience to law enforcement for refusing to obey police asking her to leave the scene. She then was dragged away by two uniformed officers. Thunberg, 20, has admitted to the facts but denied guilt, saying the fight against the fossil fuel industry was a form of self-defense due to the existential and global threat of the climate crisis. "We have the science on our side, and we have morality on our side. Nothing in the world can change that and so it is. I am ready to act based on the conditions that exist and whether it leads to more sentences," she said after the verdict. On June 24, the same court fined her 2,500 kronor (about $230) for refusing to obey police orders when taking part in a similar demonstration the previous month where she and others blocked access to the same oil terminal days earlier and were removed by police. On Thursday, the Swede is due to travel to neighboring Norway to take part in a protest with activists, including Indigenous Sami. They're protesting a wind farm of 151 turbines and want it removed because they say it endangers the reindeer herders' way of life. The activists say a transition to green energy shouldn't come at the expense of the rights of Indigenous people. Two years ago, Norway's Supreme Court ruled that the construction of the turbines had violated the rights of the Sami, who have used the land for reindeer for centuries. The Norwegian government has no plans to remove the wind farm. Thunberg inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish Parliament starting in 2018. Global oil markets are watching the conflict between Israel and Hamas cautiously, with prices slightly elevated from last week but still considerably below recent highs, as the brutal conflict in southern Israel and Gaza unfolds. Brent crude oil futures, one of the benchmarks for the global oil market, were trading at around $88 per barrel on Tuesday afternoon, up from $84.58 when markets closed on Friday, the day before Hamas militants staged an unprecedented raid into Israeli territory, massacring hundreds of people and dragging as many as 150 hostages into Gaza. Prior to the Hamas attack and the all-out Israeli response comprising thousands of airstrikes in Gaza, oil prices had been trending downward after hitting a recent high of nearly $95 in late September. While neither Israel nor Gaza produces significant amounts of oil, experts warned that unrest in the region could affect the oil market. This may yet prove true in the current conflict, especially if Iran is found to be complicit in the assault, as some news organizations have reported. While Iranian leaders publicly praised the Hamas attack, they said the government was not involved. Similarly, a Hamas spokesperson said the operation was conceived of and launched independently. Watching closely Experts told VOA that the conflict could impact the price of oil in several ways, in particular if it expanded beyond the borders of Israel and Gaza. "The main thing we would be looking for is if disruption or conflict spread to the wider region," said David Doherty, head of oil and renewable fuels at BloombergNEF, which supplies strategic research to market participants. "The Middle East not only supplies close to one-third of the world's crude, but also more than 42% of medium-heavy oil, a favorite of refiners to maximize production of jet fuel and diesel," Doherty wrote in an email. "The number of alternate suppliers the markets can tap for medium oil is limited." He said Russia used to supply 22% of the world's medium crude but has been blocked from selling it on the open market because of its invasion of Ukraine. "So, any further disruption could impact prices of these fuels, and particularly of medium crude," Doherty said. Iranian oil Experts will be watching closely for any indication that Iran played a role in the attack, because proof that it did could further constrain Tehran's ability to get its crude to market. "One thing that's happened over the last year or so is that we've been getting a lot more Iranian oil on the market despite U.S. sanctions," said James W. Coleman, a professor at Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law in Dallas. "Most people think that that's because the U.S. has been kind of easing up on its enforcement of sanctions with a goal of lowering oil prices and potentially leading up to some kind of deal with Iran," Coleman told VOA. "One question is whether that reverses," he said. "Does the U.S. clamp down on those sanctions that we have on Iranian oil again? Does that take a million barrels a day off the market? If so, that would be a big deal." Saudi Arabia as wild card As the leader of the OPEC oil cartel, Saudi Arabia earlier this year persuaded other oil-producing economies to drastically cut production, driving prices higher. This means that major exporters, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, currently have significant excess capacity, estimated to be up to the equivalent of 4 million barrels per day. Should Iranian oil be taken off the market, they would be in a position to close that supply gap. The question is whether they would. "Our view is that Saudi Arabia, along with OPEC, will likely maintain its position until at least the end of the year," wrote Doherty. "Oil prices are in a position they are usually comfortable with. However, if prices trended higher as a result of dislodged, or further restricted barrels of Iranian barrels, Saudi or Russia could be enticed to produce more and send more volume to China the largest buyer of Iranian crude. But, this is speculation." Crackdown on Russia Another factor that could disrupt the oil market is Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's revelation Monday that the U.S. was poised to crack down on the sale of Russian oil in defiance of international sanctions. The U.S. and its allies have placed a "price cap" of $60 per barrel on Russian crude in order to limit Russia's ability to fund the war in Ukraine. Russian oil, however, has been making it to market at prices above the cap. Yellen told The Wall Street Journal, "We are looking at enforcement very carefully, and we want to make sure that market participants are aware we take this price cap seriously. And, to the extent Western services are used, we mean business about abiding by the cap." U.S. intervention that has the effect of removing Russian oil from the market could also affect prices. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, warned Wednesday that the humanitarian emergency in Sudan triggered by two rival generals battling for control of the country has created a protection crisis both inside Sudan and in neighboring countries of asylum that risks destabilizing the region the longer the conflict goes on. I think anywhere in the world where you have a conflict that drags on, and there is the potential for Sudan to drag on, it will become another of one of my long list of protracted problems that I have in my part of the world, said Ayman Gharaibeh, UNHCR regional bureau director for the Middle East and North Africa. Start from Yemen and into Libya, all of them. So, quite clearly, even if you have the most hospitable nation, even if it is fully funded, there comes a limit where the public. even if it is supported, they will reach a point of fatigue, he said. I hope it does not come to that. More than 5.4 million people in Sudan have become uprooted from their homes since clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted in mid-April, making this the fastest displacement crisis in the world. The UNHCR says the dangers encountered by people fleeing violence also have made Sudan one of the largest protection crises facing the agency today. We are close to 1.1 million women, children, as well as older persons who have crossed the borders, often under very difficult circumstances, said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR regional refugee coordinator for the Sudan situation. During a recent visit to Sudan, he said he witnessed the desperation, distress and dangers experienced by vulnerable, unprotected people as they were leaving for South Sudan. I have seen and I have witnessed the level of human rights violations that have happened in Sudan. So that what we hear from people who have crossed the borders is really heartbreaking, Balde said. And that is the protection crisis that we are faced with, and it has been ongoing for the past six months, he added. His colleague Abdouraouf Gnon Konde, UNHCR regional bureau director for West and Central Africa, agreed that the implications of the Sudan crisis on neighboring countries was severe, especially on Chad and the Central African Republic. Both nations are grappling with the impacts of refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan, bringing with them stories of despair, loss, and unfortunately continued vulnerability, said Konde. He noted that Chad had become the epicenter of the Sudanese crisis with 420,000 new arrivals in the past six months, a number that was likely to reach 600,000 by the end of the year. This is a protection crisis. Of the many horror stories I heard, the scale of gender-based violence is particularly chilling, including sexual assault, rape, forced prostitution, said Konde. Before this crisis arose, Konde noted that Chad already was hosting 450,000 refugees from Sudan and other countries. Today, one in 17 is a refugee in the country, and we do not have the resources to support them. While protection is of primordial concern, Balde said millions of refugees and internally displaced people also are threatened by their inability to receive lifesaving humanitarian assistance. Balde said only 29% of the $1 billion aid agencies needed to combat the humanitarian emergency triggered by the conflict has been received. He warned of serious repercussions for the millions of vulnerable people unable to fend for themselves If the international community does not close this funding shortfall. It is people who no longer can eat. People who no longer are able to have access to their basic rights. But it is also negative coping mechanisms, Balde said. It is about child labor. It is about risk of prostitution. It is taking communities and putting them in the hands of smugglers and traffickers. Balde said the UNHCR projects the number of Sudanese refugees is likely to reach 1.8 million by the end of the year. He warned, The longer the crisis drags on, the greater the risk that the conflict will spill over into other countries and destabilize the region. (Bloomberg) -- In June 2022, amid the broader crypto meltdown, Caroline Ellison and FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried were looking at a massive hole in Alameda Researchs balance sheet. Most Read from Bloomberg FTXs affiliated hedge fund had borrowed billions of dollars from the cryptocurrency exchanges deposits. If FTX customers or potential lenders caught wind of it, Ellison, Alamedas chief executive officer, feared it would all come crashing down. But Bankman-Fried had a solution: create new balance sheets. Ellison came up with seven. The alternative balance sheets were one of the ways Bankman-Fried asked her to lie in his futile efforts to preserve his crypto empire, Ellison said during her second day on the stand as the star witness in his fraud trial in Manhattan federal court. Towards the end of her testimony, Ellison fought back tears as she recalled her feelings when Alamedas $14 billion debt to FTX finally doomed both companies. That was overall the worst week of my life, Ellison testified Wednesday about the exchanges November 2022 collapse. Though she felt indescribably bad about people who were harmed, she said she was also relieved. I felt a sense of relief that I didnt have to lie anymore, that I could start taking responsibility for what I had done, said Ellison, who pleaded guilty to fraud and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors barely a month after FTXs bankruptcy. Effective Altruism Wednesdays testimony by Ellison, who is also Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend, directly took on one of his main defense arguments: that she, not he, was in charge of Alameda when it borrowed billions from FTX. For months, Bankman-Fried has suggested that Ellison was primarily responsible for Alamedas borrowing and that he only failed to supervise her. Story continues I mean, I absolutely could have, should have done things differently, and I could have hedged things earlier in the year, Ellison testified. But Sam was the one who chose to make all these investments that put us in a leveraged position in the first place. She also cast in a new light Bankman-Frieds well-publicized adherence to the Effective Altruism movement, which encourages followers to make as much money as possible to use for the betterment of society. During FTXs better days, Bankman-Fried was a well-known donor to the Democratic Party and other causes. Ellison noted that he initially bought luxury cars but then switched to a Toyota Corolla, which he thought would be better for his image. Ellison, who followed Effective Altruism, testified Bankman-Frieds beliefs were such that even actions like lying and stealing could be justified in pursuit of the greater good. She said Bankman-Frieds outlook influenced her as well. When I started working at Alameda, I dont think I would have believed if you told me I would be sending false balance sheets to our lenders or taking customer money, but over time it was something I felt more comfortable with, Ellison testified. Bankman-Frieds lawyers could begin their cross-examination on Thursday. Under questioning by Assistant US Attorney Danielle Sassoon, Ellison detailed the growing sense of crisis permeating the crypto industry through the spring and summer of 2022, following the collapse of Terraform Labss stablecoin. Ellison said Alameda had borrowed $13 billion from FTX by mid-June 2022. I was in a state of dread, she said of that time. I was kind of thinking and imagining every day about what might happen if people tried to withdraw too much money at one time. She said she imagined FTX customers, lenders and everyone Alameda worked with would get hurt by this. Read More: FTX Latest: Ellison Fights Back Tears Describing Her Worst Week It was in that context that Bankman-Fried asked her to create false balance sheets for Alameda that would conceal the scale of Alamedas exposure to FTX from lenders like Genesis. I understood him to be directing me to come up with ways to conceal things in our balance sheet we both agreed would look bad, Ellison said. In August 2022, she said Bankman-Fried started blaming her for the worsening situation. Sam started saying Alameda should have hedged way more earlier in the year, that was a big mistake, that was my fault, and I was largely responsible for the financial situation, Ellison testified. I got upset. I started crying. Read More: Gary Wang Says His Friend SBF Lied in Tweet: FTX Was Not Fine She said that she probably did make mistakes but said Bankman-Fried was more to blame for the mess they found themselves in. In describing her growing concerns, Ellison echoed earlier testimony by other prosecution witnesses, including FTX co-founder Gary Wang, who said Bankman-Fried directed him to alter the exchanges backend code so that Alameda could borrow unlimited amounts. Wang also pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate in December. Wang and Ellison were often in the same group Signal chats with Bankman-Fried and other FTX executives, she said. That continued into fall 2022, by which time Ellison said she and Bankman-Fried were no longer a couple. We had broken up a few months prior, so I was trying to avoid spending much time with him in a social context and having one-on-one conversations with him, she testified. Ellison said Bankman-Fried directed that they should use the disappearing message setting on the Signal app. He also asked them to use the New York Times test and imagine their text as a newspaper headline before sending it. Saudi Lifeline She and Bankman-Fried discussed other potential lifelines for FTX. On one occasion, he raised the possibility of asking Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to buy shares in FTX. Financier Anthony Scaramucci arranged a dinner between Bankman-Fried and the Saudi ruler in late October when the former was visiting Riyadh for a conference. MBS has never been publicly listed as an FTX investor. It wasnt the first time that Bankman-Fried sought the help of a foreign government, Ellison testified. She said the two had several discussions about a large bribe they paid to Chinese officials in November 2021 to unfreeze $1 billion in Alameda funds that had been caught up in a crypto crackdown in that country. Ellison said FTX executives explored various ways to access the funds, but none proved to be successful. She said Bankman-Fried grew frustrated over the issue, at one point yelling at a trader who objected to the idea of bribery to shut the f**k up during a meeting. Eventually, she said they decided they had to pay the officials. Prosecutors added a bribery charge to Bankman-Frieds indictment in March but later separated it to be tried separately after the original counts. Ellison said she lied to other employees about the bribe. I didnt want the facts of our crimes to get out, she said. The case is US v. Bankman-Fried, 22-cr-673, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). --With assistance from Hannah Miller and Emily Nicolle. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Among the clutter of apartment and office blocks in Barcelona, the magnificent four towers of the Sagrada Familia stand proud like a surrealist dream. Every day, a long line of tourists snakes around architect Antoni Gaudis masterpiece basilica. When they finally reach the doors, many find the wait of about an hour is worth it. Inside is a stunning mix of Gothic, art nouveau and modernist architecture, with stained glass windows offering mosaics of yellow, pink, blue and green light. Now the basilica, which has become a byword in Spain for anything that is unfinished, could finally be completed in 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of Gaudis death after he was hit by a streetcar in Barcelona at age 73. A deeply religious man, he spent much of his life designing and building the church. But as hopes rise that the cranes could finally disappear, a specter hangs over the basilica. The remaining architectural plans call in part for the construction of an enormous stairway leading up to the churchs unfinished main entrance something the builders say is in line with Gaudis original wishes. But this would require demolishing three blocks of flats near the temple, forcing out about 1,000 families and businesses who live and work next door. The Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic foundation that oversees the churchs construction, is intent on proceeding with these plans, despite opposition from residents. The final decision remains with the Barcelona City Council. Salvador Barroso represents the Association for those Affected by the Sagrada Familia, a group suing to stop construction of the staircase. Barroso contends that the staircase was never part of Gaudis plans but was added later by architects who tried to complete his vision. Much of Gaudis original plans were destroyed by anarchists at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The foundation wants to go ahead with this plan for the staircase, even though it was not part of Gaudis original plan, Barroso told VOA. This is going to affect the lives of about 3,000 people who live and work next to the Sagrada. I am talking about people like me who have lived next to the building for 30 years, he said, adding that the fight goes on to stop this [from] happening. It is our lives, our houses, our businesses. Local elections in May resulted in political change on the city council. Far-left Mayor Ada Colau, who campaigned for residents rights before arriving at city hall, was replaced in June by the more moderate socialist Jaume Collboni. Some people expect Collboni's administration to make decisions less favorable to neighbors of the Sagrada Familia. Colau was perceived to be firmly on their side. Barcelonas city council, like others in Spain, is led by the mayor. But its decisions are the result of council votes. The current administration has not indicated how or when it plans to resolve the matter. But then nothing moves quickly with the Sagrada Familia, a building whose cornerstone was laid more than 140 years ago by a Spanish bishop. We are working with representatives of the Sagrada Familia, neighboring residents and other organizations to find the best solution to finish the works and the necessities of the city, a city council spokesman told VOA, speaking under the condition of anonymity to discuss council matters. He added that city authorities want to guarantee the right to housing and minimize the number of people affected. The city council said it wants to improve facilities for people who live near the basilica and reduce the negative impact of mass tourism. We want to find the best solution possible to a complex situation in which there are legitimate interests, but which are evidently opposed, the spokesman added. The churchs four main towers have been completed and symbolize Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. All stand 135-meters tall and have sculptures of winged creatures associated with them: an ox, an eagle, a human and a lion, the foundation said. Architects are working on the central tower named after Jesus and are going ahead with plans for the grand staircase at the entrance. We are committed to complete the project of Gaudi in its entirety. For this reason, we created a forum for dialogue in February 2020 with the city council, neighbors, and other stakeholders in the city to find the best solution, a spokeswoman for the foundation, who wished to remain anonymous, told VOA. The dispute among the foundation, city council and neighbors is only the latest in a series of controversies that have plagued the basilica, already designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2018, the Sagrada Familia agreed to pay city authorities $41 million over 10 years to settle a dispute after city authorities accused the builders of not having a proper building permit a claim the builders rejected. Proceeds of the ruling were to be used to pay for transport improvements around the complex. About 3.7 million tourists from around the world visited the basilica in 2022. From September 29 to October 6, China celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. The holiday is known as Golden Week, and it is Chinas longest public holiday break this year since Beijing further loosened strict COVID-19 travel restrictions for its citizens. China ended its strict controls and lockdowns late last year, but the resumption of global travel to most countries didnt happen until August. And for the first time since the pandemic began, millions took advantage of the Golden Week holiday to travel abroad. At the same time, stories and posts about Chinese travelers experiences overseas were trending on social media over this past week. One other trend focused on attacking Japanese news outlets and the alleged claim that they were exaggerating the number of visitors from China. These threads also tied tourism to the release of filtered radioactive water from the Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean, which the Chinese government strongly opposes. Starting October 3, a few days into the holiday, this question: Where are the 20 million Chinese travelers according to Japanese media? was trending on Chinas Weibo social media platform. Chinese influencers accused Japanese news outlets of spreading fake news claiming the news media in Japan reported that 20 million Chinese would travel to Japan during the Golden Week. One Weibo influencer, Fun History, who has over 211K followers, wrote on October 4: The Japanese are so good at bragging, 20 million (Chinese) travelers?...If there were indeed 20 million Chinese going to Japan, the Japanese wont dare to sleep at night! That is misleading. The 20 million number originated from a September 25 report by Bloomberg Japan. It quoted a Chinese Civil Aviation Administration official as saying, more than 21 million people will travel by air during the holiday period. The article listed several popular foreign travel destinations for Chinese travelers, including Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Bloomberg noted that Tokyo is also a popular destination, with Tokyo-Shanghai and Tokyo-Beijing flights among the top 10 international flight bookings before the holidays. The Japan Times used data analysis by the Chinese internet search giant Baidu and other companies in reporting that Japan tops the list of popular overseas destinations for Chinese travelers during Chinas Golden Week. The Yomiuri Shimbun, citing All Nippon Airways, reported that flights departing from China were fully booked during the vacation period. China Southern Airlines, which operates six routes between Japans Kansai Airport and mainland China, reported that some of its flights were 80-90% booked. Polygraph.info could not find any Japanese news media reports that 20 million Chinese were traveling to Japan during the holiday. However, angry netizens on Weibo accused the Japanese media of spreading such fake news. One post said: Anyone with a little bit of patriotism will not go to Japan. Some Japanese are deliberately trashing us on our National Day! Another post said: [S]o dont tell jokes in front of the ocean, especially the ones that dont make sense at all. See, youve got revenge from the ocean. That post referred to the October 5 tsunami advisory for islands in eastern Japan following a magnitude 6.6 earthquake 550 km south of Tokyo. While Japan and China were once wartime enemies, their relationship since then has become more pragmatic. That changed in recent months after Japans release of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. On October 2, Chinas state-owned Global Times newspaper published an opinion piece by Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, accusing Japanese media of trying to create the narrative that Tokyos release of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean was not keeping Chinese people from traveling to Japan. Since Japan started to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, it has used various ways to influence public opinion to avoid taking responsibility. This time, the Japanese media is using our Golden Week to play off the blame, he wrote. Da Zhigang added that it is vital to debunk the Japanese medias public opinion influence campaign and false propaganda. Japan began releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean on August 24. The Chinese government fiercely criticized the release and repeatedly demanded that it be halted. China, the largest importer of Japanese seafood, blocked all such imports the day Tokyo began releasing the treated radioactive water. Japan says the water is diluted and safe, and that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has approved the process and is monitoring it. Time magazine wrote on September 8 that a seemingly coordinated campaign has been waged on social media and Chinese news media to vent outrage and hysteria about the dangers of radiation imposed by Chinas neighbor to the east. On October 5, Japan began a second round of radioactive water releases. Chinas Foreign Ministry reiterated that Beijing firmly oppose this unilateral move by Japan, and called on Japan to respond to all the concerns of the international community. Many scientists say the water discharge will have a negligible impact on the environment and human health. The US has backed Japan, and nearby Taiwan has agreed that the amount of radionuclides being released should have minimal impact. Other neighboring countries, such as South Korea, said they respect the IAEAs decision after the South Korean government published a study indicating that the release of Fukushima wastewater would have a negligible effect on the South Korean environment. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought his appeal continued support to NATO headquarters in Brussels Wednesday. The U.S. Defense chief announced an additional military aid for Ukraine. How Americans feel about continued support for Kyiv. Could North Korea be supplying weapons to Russia? The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A convenient location with the necessary infrastructure for military exercises, both on land and in sea, made Iceland a perfect venue for two-week NATO military exercises that ended earlier this month. Valentina Vasileva has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Camera: Elena Matusovsky. Former Haitian Senator Joseph Joel John pleaded guilty on Tuesday to criminal charges in a U.S. court for his role in the 2021 assassination of the Caribbean country's last president, Jovenel Moise. John, one of 11 defendants, could face life in prison at a sentencing proceeding scheduled for Dec. 19 in federal court in Miami. John pleaded guilty to providing material support to the plot to kill Moise, including rental vehicles used by the conspirators, introductions to gangs whose support they sought and attempts to procure weapons. According to John's statement, he was present at meetings where Moise's assassination was discussed, including one the night before the killing was carried out. The shooting of Moise in his bedroom two years ago left a political vacuum emboldening gangs to expand their territory, becoming de facto authorities across large parts of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, many carrying out killings, kidnappings and gang rapes. A year ago, Haiti's unelected government called for urgent help from international forces to help restore order. The U.N. Security Council backed such a force this month but, as displaced people crowd into schools and theaters, the force has yet to materialize. John was arrested in Jamaica and in May last year became the third man to be charged with involvement in Moise's murder. An investigative judge in Haiti has called several high-profile politicians to appear for questioning, while the U.S. case investigates Colombian ex-soldiers, businessmen and dual Haitian-American citizens. John was extradited to the United States from Jamaica. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kill and kidnap a person outside the United States, proving material support to carry out a violation resulting in a death, and conspiracy to provide such support. In a separate plea agreement, the court said John could face a life sentence and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of three counts. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Guineas mangrove forests are a vital sanctuary for a variety of endangered species, from the colobus monkey to the African manatee. But the habitats of these animals are being further threatened by illegal logging. Annika Hammerschlag reports from Dubreka, Guinea. The latest U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet with Israeli leaders in show of support U.N. says 340,000 people displaced in Gaza Israel says 1,200 killed in Hamas raid; Gaza says 1,200 killed in retaliatory strikes Israel said Thursday its forces were preparing for a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, but that no decision had been made on going forward with such an offensive. Israels military has positioned 300,000 reservists near the Gaza border as it responds to a Hamas attack that killed at least 1,200 people in Israel. A campaign of Israeli airstrikes that began hours after Saturdays Hamas incursion has killed 1,200 people in Gaza. The United Nations said nearly 340,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Gaza, with more than two-thirds of them taking shelter in U.N. schools. Humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm about supplies of food, water, fuel and medicine amid an Israeli blockade of Gaza. Watch related report by Linda Gradstein: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel Thursday, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Hertzog and other officials. We stand resolutely against terrorism, Blinken told reporters. Weve seen the almost indescribable acts committed by Hamas against Israeli men, women, and children. Every day were learning more, and it is simply heartbreaking. Blinken is also due to visit Jordan during his visit to the region. Hussein Al-Sheikh, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Blinken would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday in Amman. Also Friday, Brazil, which holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council, is set to chair a council meeting to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict. Watch related report by Yan Boechat: At the White House, President Joe Biden reaffirmed Washingtons support for Israel and assured a group of Jewish leaders Wednesday that his administration was working on every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel. Reports say some Americans may be among them a fact that ties Washington inextricably to the conflict. Biden refused to identify specific efforts to recover the hostages, saying, If I told you, I wouldn't be able to get them home. Netanyahu created a war Cabinet with former defense chief Benny Gantz, a centrist opposition National Unity Party leader, along with current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, so they can solely focus on combating Hamas. The unusual arrangement, with other Cabinet members from Netanyahus right-wing government apparently remaining in place, pieces together a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics. Netanyahu has vowed to end Hamas rule in Gaza, the densely populated strip of territory along the Mediterranean Sea, so that the militants can no longer threaten Israel. From Tel Aviv, Yossi Yonah, a former member of the Israeli Knesset, told Alhurra, the U.S. governments Arabic language satellite TV channel, The goals (of forming this government) are clear, but I can say the first goal is to continue the strong attacks against Hamas and its supporters in Gaza Strip. There is also a clear option, which is that Israel may carry out ground invasion in Gaza to completely bring down Hamas movement. Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu earlier on Wednesday, the fourth call between the two leaders in recent days. In an undated call with Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Biden said they asked him, 'Why do you feel so deeply about this? Its not about the region, Biden said. I truly believe, were there no Israel, no Jew in the world will be ultimately safe. It's the only ultimate guarantee. The only ultimate guarantee. He added, I think we have a chance to end this in a way that makes it very difficult for it to be repeated. Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 hostages it grabbed in Israel soldiers, men, women, children and older adults. Their fate is largely unknown, with their relatives pleading in television interviews for their release. Meanwhile, Hamas continued to fire rockets at Israel on Wednesday, including a heavy barrage at the southern town of Ashkelon, which is a short distance north of the Gaza border. Israeli airstrikes continued to rain down on Gaza. Gaza's only power plant ran out of fuel Wednesday afternoon, leaving only generators to power the territory but they also run on fuel that is in short supply. The World Health Organization said it has run out of supplies at seven hospitals. Doctors Without Borders said surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies were running out at two hospitals it runs in Gaza. In one, "We consumed three weeks worth of emergency stock in three days, partly due to 50 patients coming in at once," Matthias Kannes, the aid group's Gaza mission chief, said Wednesday. He said the territory's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, only has enough fuel for three days. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell contributed to this report. Some information for this article came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is prompting increased scrutiny of Chinas role as a potential mediator in the Middle East. Analysts say the vagueness of Beijings condemnation of the terrorist attacks on Israel is consistent with Chinas policy of noninterference in global conflicts and reflects the limit of Beijings diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. China offers these lofty rhetorics and peace plans, but it doesnt put the weight that countries need to put behind to make these rhetorics and plans happen, said Raffaello Pantucci, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. There is not much that China can do and [their remarks] show the limits of [their diplomatic approach], Pantucci told VOA by phone. At the same time, I dont think Beijing wants to do something [to address the crisis]. I think they are quite happy to sit and watch. After Hamas launched the initial attacks in Israel, the Chinese foreign ministry expressed serious concern about the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians. We call on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation, the foreign ministry said in a statement on October 8. In response, an Israeli diplomat in Beijing urged China to issue stronger condemnation of the violence initiated by Hamas, while U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed disappointment at Beijings initial statement on the crisis during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday. At the regular press briefing on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China opposes and condemns acts harming civilians and said the priority is to end hostilities and restore peace as soon as possible. The statement didnt name Hamas as the perpetrator. Despite Beijings attempt to adjust the tone of its condemnation of the attack, some experts say its actions contradict the image of a peacemaker put forward by China throughout 2023. Beijing talked about playing a more active role in brokering the peace between Israel and Palestine, but there is a divergence between their rhetoric and actions, said Ian Chong, an expert on Chinas foreign policy at the National University of Singapore. Chong told VOA by phone that he believes Beijings inability to back up its promises with concrete actions may suggest a lack of willingness or capability to influence the situation in the Middle East. He also said if the pattern persists, it may affect Chinas image and credibility as a reliable partner. The divergence between Chinas actions and rhetorics would make more countries pause about Beijings ability or its willingness to be engaged in pressing regional issues, Chong said. China as a commercial proposition, not a mediator Prior to the latest crisis between Israel and Hamas, China tried to present itself as a mediator in longstanding conflicts in the Middle East. In March, China brokered a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran that saw the regional rivals agree to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies. It was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough, and Chinese state media tried to frame the achievement as proof of Beijings growing diplomatic influence in the Middle East and around the world. In April, former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that Beijing is prepared to help facilitate peace talks between the two sides. During both calls, Qin said China would promote peace talks on the basis of fulfilling a two-state solution, which was also repeated by Beijing in its statements on the latest conflict. Despite Chinas attempt to project itself as a mediator in the Middle East, Pantucci said, Middle Eastern countries view China as a commercial proposition rather than a country that is willing to resolve contentious regional conflicts. Chinas response to the Hamas-Israel conflict will reconfirm the impression that China is not really going to play the role of peacemaker, he told VOA. Some countries will not mind this while other countries might be a bit angry. In the case of Israel, Pantucci said he thinks its leaders do not expect China to resolve the longstanding conflict with Hamas. But, he told VOA, They would like China to demonstrate more support for them, and they hope China could use its power to weigh and influence some Middle Eastern allies as well." Pantucci said Middle Eastern countries dont necessarily dislike Chinas transactional diplomatic approach, but they may not be long-term partners for Beijing. If something should happen, its not entirely clear which way [Middle Eastern countries] are going to jump, he said. And since the scale of the conflict remains uncertain, Pantucci said, he thinks the level of U.S. involvement may result in two different scenarios creating more space for China, as Washington becomes distracted by another military conflict, or allowing the U.S. to demonstrate itself as a great power in the world while China is just a sideshow. Norway and Lithuania tightened security at onshore energy installations, following Sunday's gas pipeline gas leak in the Baltic Sea, while Finland recommended energy operators to be more aware of security. On Tuesday, Helsinki said damage caused on the Balticconnector between Estonia and Finland was due to "outside activity" and that the cause was being probed, stoking concern over regional energy security and pushing gas prices higher. "We have increased our focus on preventive patrols at oil and gas installations in our area," operations chief Helge Blindheim at Norway's West police district told daily BA. The district is home to one oil terminal, Mongstad, and two processing gas plants, Kollsnes and Kaarstoe. Norwegian police are responsible for the security of onshore installations, such as gas processing plants and oil terminals, while the military is responsible for offshore platforms and pipelines. The military has increased Navy patrols and is receiving aid from NATO allies to protect offshore platforms following the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022. Norway is Europe's largest gas supplier and Western Europe's largest oil producer, exporting more than 120 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in 2022, mainly via a system of some 22 pipelines spreading over more than 8,800 km (5,470 miles). Finland has also instructed energy operators to be more security aware as a result of the incident in the Baltic Sea. "Yesterday [Tuesday] we urged companies critical to security of [energy] supply to raise their own preparedness level, especially with regard to critical infrastructure," director Janne Kankanen from Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency told a press conference on Wednesday. "Special attention is now requested from all operators to protect this critical infrastructure." Similarly, Lithuania, which neighbors Estonia, raised security alert levels at its Klaipeda liquefied natural gas import terminal, gas pipelines and other strategic energy assets as a result of the damage on the Balticconnector gas pipeline. As Israel retaliates against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Palestinian leaders are calling for an immediate intervention by the United Nations and the international community to stop the ongoing violence. In an interview with VOAs Kurdish Service, Mustafa Barghouthi, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative based in the West Bank, said the Israeli attacks have caused a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. VOA: What's your assessment of the latest developments in the Gaza Strip? Barghouthi: It's a very dangerous development. You're talking about 2.2 million people living in a very little area, which is no more than 140 square miles [362 square kilometers], the most densely populated area in the world. And Israel is airstriking the place with so many bombs. Also, they are putting Gaza under a very serious blockade, preventing the supply of water, electricity, food and medication and milk for children. Everything is blocked, and people have no access to all of these things. Now, Gaza is almost in complete darkness. People have no safety. And then today, the spokesperson of the Israeli military said that all Palestinians in Gaza must evict to Egypt. So, clearly now Israel is conducting not only bombardment and a total blockade, but also, they are trying to conduct ethnic cleansing of 2.2 million Palestinians. We are facing here a very grave, very serious violation, not only of international law, but of the life of human beings. VOA: There have been many calls for a U.N.-led international humanitarian intervention in the Gaza Strip. What can the Palestinian Authority do as a recognized Palestinian body to help in this regard? Barghouthi: Not very much. I think what we need here is a very strong immediate intervention and reaction from the international community. I would like to hear whether the chancellor in Germany and the president of the United States and the prime minister of Britain, whether they agree with this blockade and this terrible bombardment that already took the lives of more than 870 Palestinians, including 150 children and more than 100 women. Do they accept the idea of ethnic cleansing? Do they accept that Palestinians would be evicted again and that most of the people of Gaza who have been ethnically cleansed in 1948 would be ethnically cleansed again? VOA: This current violence started after Hamas militants invaded parts of the Israeli territory and killed hundreds of civilians. Barghouthi: Actually, the conflict did not start with the Hamas attack. The Hamas attack came as a response to several things, including the Israeli settlers, attacks on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and the Israeli army attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank during the last eight months, which killed 240 Palestinians, including 40 children. It came after Israeli settlers conducted terror attacks on many Palestinian villages, burning houses or burning cars. It came after the Israeli side violated the holy places for Muslims and Christians and attacked them. And it came also after [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu stood up at the United Nations declaring the annexation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as the Golan Heights. VOA: Do you think there's still room for negotiation between the Palestinians and the Israelis? Barghouthi: If the Israelis want. At this very moment, there is a very serious crisis affecting the lives of 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza and even millions more Palestinians in other parts of Palestine. One way is to immediately have a cease-fire, start a process of de-escalation, exchange prisoners ... and then maybe the international community could provide a platform for a peaceful resolution. The other alternative is what Israel is doing now, which is a very serious attack on Palestinians and then a ground invasion into Gaza, which would lead to another war in the north, most probably with Hezbollah. These are the two possibilities. And I hold the international community responsible for allowing such a terrible scenario to take place if they don't intervene immediately. This story originated in VOAs Kurdish Service. Highland Park, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highland Park, Illinois - Chicago celebrity chef Joey Morelli is cooking for underprivileged children around the world through his charitable organization Joeys Food Fight. Joey is on a mission to empower and educate children in orphanages worldwide through the power of cooking. By teaching children in orphanages worldwide valuable culinary and life skills, Joey aims to make them self-sufficient and confident individuals who can overcome the bad hand that life dealt them. He documents his journey in great detail on his YouTube and TikTok channels where he regularly uploads content of him cooking for kids as well as his adventures in different parts of the globe. Joey Joey made his first trip to Cambodia in July 2022. He visited the Hope for Silent Voices Hope House orphanage in Phnom Penh and helped the children there learn how to buy fresh produce and cook delicious meals within their limited budget. He also upgraded the kitchen with appliances such as stoves, ovens, grills, and a refrigerator. All his videos during his first trip to the Hope House orphanage are available on his TikTok channel at https://www.tiktok.com/@joeysfoodfight. In one of the latest uploads on his YouTube channel, titled A Heartfelt Farewell, Joey shares his experience during his second trip to the Hope House Orphanage that began in January 2023. In the video, Joey cooks a full Italian meal for kids including a pasta dish that includes beef, pork, and chicken sausage along with peppers, onions, and shiitake mushrooms. The sauce is finished off with a generous helping of white wine and chicken broth. The pasta dish is paired with a rich earthy green Thai curry with tomatoes, coconut milk, onions, garlic, and more. Later, he shares his visit to Phnom Penhs garbage district, Stung Meanchey, where he participated in a charity drive along with the Hope for Silent Voices founder Eric Lyons. During the drive, Joey helped distribute food, over 25 kilos of rice each, to over 150 families. Joey commented on the experience by saying, These folks are incredibly joyous, incredibly happy, incredibly loving, genuine smiles. Story continues Towards the end of the video, Joey also shares his last day in Phnom Penh. The children gathered to thank him for his help with one young girl saying, Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your time, the food, and all the things that you bought for the Hope House. Joey responds to the outpouring of love by saying, Its not goodbye. Its see you next time. Forevermore, this is my second home. After returning to the United States, Joey continued his mission to help local charities and initiatives in any way possible. He partnered with Catholic Charities to cook for over 100 migrant kids, many of them displaced due to the war in Ukraine, who arrived in Chicago earlier this year. Joey arrived at First Saint Pauls Lutheran Church where he met up with Doug and Mike to cook beef stew, macaroni and cheese with broccoli, and cabbage slaw. Talking about his purpose for partnering with Catholic Charities, Joey says, Its not political to say that we just want to feed children, adults, and whoever we can. Thats why Joeys Food Fight is there - just to feed people. Thats why Chicago Help Initiative was founded feed whoever needs to be fed and give them love. For his next trip, Joey has partnered with the Self Reliance Ukrainian Association to visit a town named Stryy in West Ukraine. He flew into Warsaw, Poland first where he took a car into the war-torn nation. In Ukraine, Joey will be cooking for the wives of the soldiers fighting on the frontlines of the war, their kids, and other refugees. He will be in the country for a month cooking for everyone who needs help in these tumultuous times. Joey promises to learn all about Ukraine, cook, upload videos, and take his viewers along for the journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwLK1mvVmaA Readers are urged to find out more about Joeys Food Fight and donate to the cause by visiting https://www.joeysfoodfight.com. ### For more information about Joey's Food Fight, contact the company here: Joey's Food Fight Joey Morelli (847) 997-0407 joey@joeysfoodfight.com Joeys Food Figh 191 Skokie Valley Road Highland Park IL 60035 CONTACT: Joey Morelli The Rwandan government is trying to silence critics and dissidents living overseas through extrajudicial killings, kidnappings and intimidation, according to a report from Human Rights Watch. The investigation, titled "Join Us or Die: Rwanda's Extraterritorial Repression," includes interviews with more than 150 people in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uganda and Zambia, and others related to them in Rwanda. "It is a relentless attack on individuals using a multiplicity of tools and tactics to try and keep people silent," report co-author Yasmine Ahmed told VOA. Rwandan Patriotic Front The report notes that Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and his ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front, or RPF, are often credited with rebuilding and reuniting the country after the 1994 genocide. "However, the RPF, since it came to power in 1994, has also responded forcefully and often violently to criticism, deploying a range of measures to deal with real or suspected opponents, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, political prosecutions, and unlawful detention, as well as threats, intimidation, harassment, and physical surveillance. Such measures are not limited to critics and opponents within the country," the report said. "The control, surveillance, and intimidation of Rwandan refugee and diaspora communities and others abroad can be attributed in part to the authorities' desire to quash dissent and maintain control," it added. Fleeing Rwanda Human Rights Watch interviewed Noel Zihabamwe, a prominent member of the Rwandan community in Australia. He was a young boy at the time of the 1994 genocide, and saw family and friends killed in the violence. Ten years later, in 2004, he fled the country after refusing to join Kagame's ruling party, the RPF. "I know many people have refused to become members [of the ruling party] and end up being jailed or disappearing. So that's how I left Rwanda," Zihabamwe told Human Rights Watch. After he left, Zihabamwe says his two brothers and his nephew were arrested in Rwanda. "They put them in the jail and then they tortured them. [My brothers] were with my brother's first son, who was 19. So while they were in that jail they were asking them, "What kind of conversation do you have with Noel? What does Noel do for you? What does Noel tell you? What do you tell him? Tell me if there's any plan that he has for you." So they were pushing them, torturing them to make them to make a false statement," Zihabamwe said. The two brothers were released but then arrested again in 2019. Zihabamwe has not heard from them since. "There's many, many, many thousands of people who have been disappeared. And they are still missing as we speak today," he said. Rwanda response Yolande Makolo, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government, said in a statement: "Human Rights Watch continues to present a distorted picture of Rwanda that only exists in their imagination." "Any balanced assessment of Rwanda's record in advancing the rights, wellbeing, and dignity of Rwandans over the past 29 years would recognise remarkable, transformational progress. Rwanda will not be deterred from this work by bad-faith actors advancing a politicised agenda," the statement read. Global reach Many of the Rwandan exiles targeted by the government are living elsewhere in Africa, according to the HRW report. "Human Rights Watch documented five cases of killings, three kidnappings and attempted kidnappings, and at least six cases of physical assaults and beatings some of which appeared to be attempted killings of Rwandan permanent residents, refugees, and asylum seekers in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda." "In some cases, the perpetrators spoke Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's national language, or were suspected of working for the Rwandan government. Some of the victims were told they would be handed over to Rwanda or were accused of working against the Rwandan government," the report said. The targeting of critics is not limited to the African continent, says report co-author Yasmine Ahmed. "We also see it in Europe, where we've seen that there have been threats to life warnings against individuals in the United Kingdom. We've seen individuals who've also had their family members targeted. We've had individuals who've been subject to the misuse of international law enforcement mechanisms," Ahmed told VOA. Interpol 'Red Notice' Human Rights Watch accuses Rwanda of abusing Interpol's 'Red Notice' system of international arrest warrants. The report highlights the case of Eugene Gasana, a former senior RPF official who was part of Kagame's government and Rwanda's permanent representative to the United Nations from 2009 until 2016. Gasana reportedly fell out with President Kagame over Kagame's decision to amend the constitution and run for a third term in the 2017 election. "[Gasana] was removed from his position as ambassador and summoned back to Kigali. He refused to return and applied for permanent resident status in the U.S. His application was approved on October 4, 2018," the report notes. Gasana was then accused of rape and sexual harassment by a former employee at the U.N. mission. A criminal investigation was launched by the New York County District Attorney's Office but no charges were brought. A civil lawsuit against Gasana is ongoing. In 2020, Rwanda's prosecutor general issued an international arrest warrant. "An Interpol Red Notice was issued on August 14, 2020, which Gasana challenged," the Human Rights Watch report noted. "On June 29, 2021, an Interpol commission reviewed Gasana's request and concluded that "there is a predominant political dimension to this case." The commission ordered his files deleted from Interpol's database, the Human Rights Watch report said. 'Development darling' Rwanda is seen as a key partner by many Western nations. President Kagame has overseen one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, with annual economic growth averaging between 7 and 8 percent over the past two decades. The international community has willfully ignored human rights abuses, says Ahmed. "Rwanda can no longer be viewed as a development darling, as a star in Africa. Rwanda needs to be seen as is for what it is: a government that's wholly repressive, particularly in relation to individuals that have expressed any form of dissent or even suspected of that dissent." "The time is now, if ever, that the governments across the world must stand up to this repression. Essentially what we're seeing is because of the failure of governments - for their own interests in standing up to Rwanda, we've seen Rwanda's extensive abuses now being carried out globally," she told VOA. Human rights advocate Oleg Orlov was fined about $1,500 on Wednesday for criticizing the war in Ukraine, the latest step in a relentless crackdown on activists, independent journalists and opposition figures. Orlov, co-chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, was convicted of publicly "discrediting" the Russian military after a Facebook post in which he denounced the invasion of Ukraine. A law adopted shortly after the Kremlin sent troops across the border made it a criminal offense if committed repeatedly within a year; Orlov has been fined twice for antiwar protests before facing criminal charges. A Moscow court began hearing the case in March, and Orlov faced up to five years in prison if convicted. In closing arguments Wednesday, however, the prosecution asked the court to impose a fine of 250,000 rubles (about $2,500). "Thank God!" gasped Orlov's wife when she heard that in court, according to the Russian news outlet Mediazona. Several hours later, the judge delivered the verdict and ordered Orlov to pay an even lower fine about $1,500. Memorial, one of the oldest and the most renowned Russian rights organizations, was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize along with imprisoned Belarusian activist Ales Bialiatski and the Ukrainian organization Center for Civil Liberties. Memorial was founded in the Soviet Union in 1987 to ensure that victims of Communist Party repression would be remembered. It has continued to compile information on human rights abuses and track the fate of political prisoners in Russia while facing a Kremlin crackdown in recent years. The group had been declared a "foreign agent," a designation that brings additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations. Over the years, it was ordered to pay massive fines for alleged violations of the "foreign agent" law. Russia's Supreme Court ordered it shut down in December 2021, a move that sparked an outcry at home and abroad. Memorial and its supporters have called the trial against Orlov politically motivated. His defense team included Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. Addressing the court Wednesday, Orlov rejected the charges and stressed he does "not regret" speaking out against the war. He called the punishment the prosecution asked for "extremely lenient," compared with long prison terms handed to other activists and opposition figures, and "a small price to pay for expressing a position I believe to be true." After the verdict was announced, he left the courtroom applauded by his supporters. Orlov promised to appeal the "soft, but unlawful and unjust" sentence and urged his supporters not to forget about political prisoners who have to spend years behind bars. After invading Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin doubled down on suppressing dissent, adopting legislation effectively outlawing any criticism of what it insisted on calling its "special military operation." Since then, nearly 8,000 Russians have faced misdemeanor charges and over 700 people have been implicated in criminal cases for speaking out about or protesting the war, according to the OVD Info human rights and legal aid group. The authorities have also used the new law to target opposition figures, human rights activists and independent media. Top critics have been sentenced to long prison terms, rights groups have been forced to shut down operations, independent news sites were blocked and independent journalists have left the country, fearing prosecution. Many of those exiles have been tried, convicted and sentenced to prison terms in absentia. The scale of the crackdown has been unprecedented in post-Soviet Russia. China has invested tens of billions of dollars in Europe under its Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, which is marking its 10th birthday this month. While the funds have helped with the construction of new roads, railways and port facilities, there is concern about debt payments in some European countries. At the same time, a decade into the project, there is a growing trend of blocking Beijing's acquisition of key strategic assets amid a Western push to reduce dependence on China. Greek port The Greek port of Piraeus is among China's biggest acquisitions in Europe under the BRI. The Chinese state-owned shipping firm COSCO now owns a 67% share in the facility. Supporters say Beijing's money has transformed the port, with container volumes increasing five-fold since 2009. However, critics say China has failed to meet its contractual obligation to invest $300 million in port facilities, which included expanding cruise ship facilities, new passenger terminals, hotels, warehouses, and upgrading the vehicle import terminal. Rail routes More than a dozen European Union states are signed up to the BRI. Beijing has funded numerous projects in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, including rail lines connecting China to the EU. More than 1,000 freight trains run between China and Europe every month, according to Chinese state media reports. Hungary was among the largest global recipients of BRI investments in 2022. China has funded new highways and is building a high-speed rail link from Budapest to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, which is due to be completed in 2025. The eventual aim is to connect the rail link with Piraeus in Greece. Debt Not all the projects have been a success. Montenegro took a $1 billion loan from China in 2014 to build a new highway, which remains unfinished. The debt once more than a third of Montenegro's annual budget threatened to bankrupt the country, until a group of American and European banks stepped in to help restructure the financing. There is some disillusionment with the BRI in Europe, says Volker Stanzel, a former German ambassador to China and now an analyst with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. "It has become something that is very hard to understand what its objectives actually are, for many partner countries. And it has become immensely expensive for China itself, something that maybe the initiators of this project did not really calculate what it would amount to," Stanzel told VOA. Italy withdrawal In 2019, Italy became the only member of the G7 group of rich nations to join the BRI. But the government says the purported benefits have failed to materialize, and Rome looks set to pull out of the initiative later this year. "There are European nations which in recent years haven't been part of the Belt and Road but have been able to forge more favorable relations (with China) than we have sometimes managed. The issue is how to guarantee a partnership that is beneficial for both sides, leaving aside the decision that we will take on the BRI," Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in India. Italy's government has blocked the sale to Chinese firms of some of its biggest companies, such as the tire maker Pirelli, under its so-called golden power rules. Other European states, including Germany, have sought to limit Chinese acquisitions. Earlier this year, Germany blocked the Chinese state-owned firm COSCO from buying a controlling share in the port of Hamburg. De-risking Meanwhile, European nations are trying to reduce their dependence on China amid a Western push to de-risk supply chains, alongside growing geopolitical tensions with Beijing. "The increasing diplomatic costs associated with being perceived as being close to China, and at the same time the fact that the benefits to the degree that they exist are increasingly thin, given the broader trend towards de-risking between the West and China," said analyst Luigi Scazzieri of Brussels-based policy group the Center for European Reform, in a recent interview with VOA. Reduced spending China's Belt and Road spending in Europe has seen a significant decrease in recent years, said Filippo Boni of Britain's Open University, who has been tracking Chinese investments under the BRI. "What we've seen has been a recalibration if you like, a reorientation of the Belt and Road Initiative towards different regions perhaps to China's immediate neighborhood," he told VOA. China has rejected Western criticism of its Belt and Road Initiative. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the BRI had attracted more than 150 countries and had brought tangible benefits to the people of all countries. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is cutting short a trip to Asia and will return to the United States on Thursday, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Senate leader said on Tuesday, responding to events in Israel. The group led by Schumer, who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China, will move up a meeting with South Korean President Soon Suk Yeol. The group also had been expected to visit Japan. "Following very productive meetings in China - including with President Xi - and in light of the tragic events unfolding in Israel, the bipartisan members of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers congressional delegation are moving up their meeting with South Korean President Yoon to Wednesday and will return to the US on Thursday. Leader Schumer will be back in New York Thursday evening," the spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. Schumer is the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States. He will be back home in New York on Thursday evening, will receive a classified briefing and updates, attend community events, go to Shabbat and spend time reflecting with his family. Oliver Lutaaya, a food vendor and single mother of two, is one of 28 members of Ugandas opposition National Unity Platform who have been arrested and accused of treachery and possession of ammunition following the countrys last general elections in 2021. Human Rights Watch has said the vote, which President Yoweri Museveni won, was characterized by widespread violence and human rights abuses. The 28 opposition members will appear before an army court-martial on Monday. It will be Lutaayas 24th time before the court-martial. Lutaaya disappeared on May 8, 2021, after she received a call from an unknown person saying that her mobile number had been used in the theft of a motorcycle. She locked up her two children in their one-room house and went to meet the caller at the nearest police station. Sarah Nambi, Lutaayas aunt, said she became concerned when she did not hear from her niece after that. Nambi said that three months later, she learned Lutaaya was being held at the Kigo government prison. Later, when Lutaaya was moved to the Luzira Maximum Security Prison, Nambi went to visit her niece and learned more about the incarceration, she said. Nambi said that Lutaaya told her she was accused of having an improvised explosive device, which she denied. Lutaaya has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry the death sentence. A trial date has never been set because the prosecution says it is not ready to start the proceedings. Meanwhile, Uganda celebrated its 61st Independence Day on October 9 under the theme, Sustaining a united and progressive nation: Taking charge of our future as a free nation." Nambi scoffed at the theme. It is a day of independence, she said, yet I have someone who isnt independent. No. Nicholas Opio, a human rights lawyer, said that for those who have been subjected to alleged human rights violations, the independence slogan and celebrations mean nothing. Unless there is accountability [for the] innocent people who are disappeared, who are tortured, who are extrajudicially killed by the state in the past elections their families will continue to express discontent, he said. And I think in the future it will be bad for this country. Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said those facing court-martial have similar rights as those before civil courts, including access to bail, lawyers, family members and an open trial, unless they haven't called for one. Opondo said that if the relatives choose, they can seek redress if they feel their loved ones are being treated unfairly. Nambi said she hopes that she lives to see her niece free and reunited with Lutaayas 7- and-12-year-old children. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed Wednesday to the parties in the Middle East to prevent a spillover of the conflict, as Israelis in the country's north took shelter while incoming fire was reported from South Lebanon. "I am concerned about the recent exchange of fire along the Blue Line and recent reported attacks from Southern Lebanon," Guterres told reporters at U.N. headquarters. The Blue Line is the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon, which is patrolled by U.N. peacekeepers. "I appeal to all parties and those who have an influence over those parties to avoid any further escalation and spillover," he added. The Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, controls southern Lebanon. There are fears it could be drawn into the conflict to support Hamas. In 2006, Israel and Hezbollah fought a bloody 33-day war in Lebanon. Guterres talking to leaders The secretary-general said he is in constant contact with leaders in the region to prevent the conflict spreading. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that Guterres has had a series of calls since Hamas launched its brutal attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers on Saturday that killed more than 1,000 Israelis and some foreigners. Israel's military is widely expected to launch a large-scale ground assault soon on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and has amassed troops along its border. It has imposed a complete siege on the territory in response to Hamas's terror attacks on Israel and carried out numerous airstrikes, killing hundreds of Palestinians. 'No time to lose' Gaza is home to more than 2.2 million Palestinians. U.N. officials have appealed for humanitarian corridors to get critical supplies to civilians living there. "We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now," Guterres said, adding that there is "no time to lose." He thanked Egypt for its willingness to facilitate humanitarian access through the Rafah border crossing, which it shares with Gaza, and to make its El Arish airport available to aid flights. Israel bombed the Rafah crossing on Tuesday and it was still closed on Wednesday according to reports, so it was unclear when and if humanitarians could start using it. Also Wednesday, the U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, appealed for $104 million to fund its relief response for the next three months. UNRWA says the money is needed for the immediate food, shelter, health and protection needs of up to a half-million Palestinians at its shelters in Gaza and in the wider community. A U.S. Navy sailor charged with providing sensitive military information to China pleaded guilty in Los Angeles on Tuesday to conspiring with a foreign intelligence officer and receiving a bribe, federal prosecutors said. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, originally pleaded not guilty when he was charged August 4. The Justice Department alleges that Zhao, based at Naval Base Ventura County near Los Angeles, a city in the U.S. state of California, conspired to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for information, photos and videos involving Navy exercises, operations and facilities. The information included plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which detailed the location and timing of naval force movements, prosecutors said. The Chinese officer told Zhao the information was needed for maritime economic research to inform investment decisions, according to the indictment. Zhao, who also went by the name Thomas Zhao and held a U.S. security clearance, "admitted he engaged in a corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the intelligence officer in violation of his official duties," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release Tuesday. Zhao, of Monterey Park, California, faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He has been in custody since his arrest on August 3. Second sailor charged Zhao was charged on the same day as another California-based Navy sailor who is accused of similar crimes. But they are separate cases, and federal officials haven't said if the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme. Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old assigned to the USS Essex based in San Diego, California, is charged with providing detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in San Diego. Officer accused in Seattle Last week, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer was charged in Seattle with attempting to provide classified defense information to the Chinese security services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sergeant Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 29, was arrested October 6 at San Francisco International Airport as he arrived from Hong Kong, where he had been living since March 2020, the Justice Department said. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with retention and attempted delivery of national defense information. U.S. District Court records in Seattle did not yet list an attorney representing Schmidt on the charges, and neither the U.S. attorney's office nor the federal public defender's office had information about whether he had a lawyer. An FBI declaration filed in the case quoted Schmidt as telling his sister in an email that he left the U.S. because he disagreed with unspecified aspects of American policy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought his appeal for military aid in the form of air defense, artillery and ammunition to NATO headquarters in Brussels where he is attending talks Wednesday with NATO defense ministers. Air defense is a significant part of the answer to the question of when this war will end and whether it will end justly for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said at the opening of a meeting of the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Zelenskyy said providing adequate air defense systems to Ukraine would mean guaranteeing normal life in Ukrainian cities and functioning grain corridors to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea and the Danube River to the world. And he said Russian missiles and drones cannot threaten other allies if they cannot get past the defenses guarding Ukrainian skies. Ukraine can survive, and it will survive, Zelenskyy said. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called on allies to continue to step up and sustain the flow of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. He said Ukrainian forces have inflicted a high cost on Russia, and that Russia has been degraded militarily, weakened economically and isolated on the world stage. Your fight is our fight, Stoltenberg said. Your security is our security. Your values are our values. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced $200 million in new U.S. military aid for Ukraine, including air defense munitions, artillery and rocket ammunition, anti-tank rounds and equipment to counter Russian drones. Other allies were also expected to announce new aid Wednesday. He highlighted the threat of the coming winter season and the expectation that Russia will once again bombard Ukraine with missiles, drones and cruise missiles. Russian aerial attacks repeatedly targeted Ukrainian infrastructure during the last winter season, leaving Ukraine scrambling to rebuild its power grid. By turning civilians into targets, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin hopes to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people and plunge them into bitter cold and darkness, Austin said. But he will fail, and we all know it. Israel said Tuesday it has regained control of its border with Gaza and could be poised to launch a punishing ground assault into the Hamas-controlled, densely populated strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea, even as Israeli and militant forces bombarded each other with hours of missile attacks. Four days after the Islamist Hamas group shocked Israel with a massive barrage of missile fire and broke through border barriers, Israeli Brigadier General Dan Goldfuss of the 98th Paratroopers Division said the military is now moving into the offensive to change the reality within Gaza to prevent such a thing from happening again. Although a ground invasion was not a certainty, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have strongly signaled it is in the offing. Israel called up another 60,000 reservists, adding to the 300,000 already summoned to fight in the Jewish states biggest conflict since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. As night fell in Israel, rocket warning sirens blared in the coastal city of Ashkelon just north of the Gaza border as Hamas targeted it with numerous rockets. Earlier, Hamas aimed missiles at Tel Aviv and nearby Ben-Gurion International Airport, which the Palestinian militant group said on the Telegram social media site was in response to the targeting of civilians by Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli forces launched dozens of missiles at Gaza, turning buildings into rubble in an instant, forcing surviving civilians to scramble for their lives. The death toll from the fighting mounted steadily, with Israel saying that more than 1,000 of its citizens and people from other countries, including 14 Americans, have been killed inside Israel. Another 2,700 have been wounded. In addition, Israel said the bodies of 1,500 Hamas fighters have been found inside Israel, giving a sense of the scope of Hamass Saturdays invasion. Palestinian authorities said at least 830 people have been killed and 4,250 injured in Gaza. Hamas confirmed that Israel had killed two of its senior officials in the attacks. Hamas has taken about 150 Israelis as hostages and threatened to kill one of them each time Israel strikes Gaza without warning. Authorities in Gaza said one Israeli strike hit the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the only passageway out of the enclave. The Israeli military said it carried out hundreds of airstrikes overnight into Tuesday and that the attacks targeted a Hamas military compound, a weapons warehouse and a command center in Gaza. Many of the attacks hit Gaza Citys upscale Rimal neighborhood, an area that is home to Hamas operational centers as well as residential buildings and offices of nongovernmental organizations. Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht said that no militants had crossed into Israel since Monday. The Israeli military said Hamas had also fired 4,500 rockets from Gaza since beginning its attack on Saturday. Netanyahu said in an address late Monday that his countrys forces were just beginning their response. What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations, Netanyahu said. Lynn Hastings, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, said in a statement Tuesday that at least 200,000 of the 2.2 million residents of the Gaza Strip have been displaced by the conflict. She said the intensity of the fighting is making it difficult for humanitarian workers to deliver aid. Hastings called on all parties to comply with their obligations under humanitarian law. Civilians, especially children, medical facilities, humanitarian personnel health workers, and journalists must be protected, Hastings said. Captured civilians must be released immediately and unconditionally. Anyone captured or detained, including combatants, must be treated humanely and with dignity. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters that while he recognizes Israels legitimate security concerns, military operations must be done within humanitarian law. He said civilians must be protected, and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. I am deeply distressed by todays announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, nothing allowed in no electricity, food, or fuel, Guterres said. The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities. Now it will only deteriorate exponentially. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the United States issued a joint statement expressing united support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism. All of us recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. But make no mistake: Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed, the statement said. Ari Harow, former chief of staff to Netanyahu, told VOAs Deewa Service that Israel did not have a choice when entering the conflict, with Hamas militants attacking on one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar. This is not something that Israel had planned for or had wanted, Harow said. But once we have been dragged into this, and once war was declared, the goal is one and very clear, and that is to destroy forever the terror infrastructure in Gaza, to make sure that the people of Israel, the citizens of Israel, don't have to face this type of brutality ever again. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Vivian Nomalanga Bhebhe said the day that Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel was a normal Saturday, just like any Shabbat until people were awoken to sirens and the sounds of Israels Iron Dome defense system intercepting rockets. Before we realized it, rockets were raining all over. Only to discover that as rockets were being fired all the way from the border to places like Tel Aviv, where I live, already there were infiltrators attacking residents on [the] ground. Bhebhe, a Zimbabwean household laborer working in Tel Aviv since 2017, is one of thousands of foreigners living in Israel who were caught up in the attack on the country. She told VOAs Zimbabwe Service that it took time for the Israeli Defense Forces to counter the assault. Why? Because I believe most of the time, when this happens, it's normally because Israel would have done something [on] that side [of the West Bank], like attack [Hamas militants]. She said in this instance it looks like Israel did not do anything so that's why they were caught unaware. On Monday, Israeli warplanes hit the Gaza Strip with repeated airstrikes, while the military said it mobilized an unprecedented number of reservists ahead of going on the offensive. The death toll stood at 700 people in Israel and nearly 500 in Gaza around midday Monday, and the death toll is expected to climb. Thousands of people on both sides have been injured. SEE ALSO: Netanyahu: Israel 'Just Beginning' Response to Hamas Attack Bhebhe said she has not been going to work since the attack because everyone is being told to stay indoors. The security forces are all over the place trying to locate militants who could be hiding in Tel Aviv. It's going be a difficult week for all of us here because we don't know what we expect, she said. Sei Gin Mang, a Myanmar national living in Tel Aviv, said as soon as the sirens went off, we heard the sound of rockets exploding in the air. Starting around 6:30 am on Saturday, there was the sound of continuous firing, he told VOAs Burmese service. Sei Gin Mang said in big cities, like Tel Aviv, sometimes one or two militants enter and shoot but said this the first time since he moved to Israel in 2019 that he has experienced an attack like this. SEE ALSO: Hamas Attack Is Latest Tragedy in Long Cycle of Middle East Violence He estimates that around 300 Myanmar nationals live in Israel and said several of them work on a farm in Gaza. When the fighting began, those workers had to go into nearby bomb shelters and hide. When Hamas militants are entering the country and firing, [the workers] kept silent in their bunkers. They only have dry noodles and rice and bread, he said. The sirens continue to go off to warn people of danger. The main thing is to listen carefully to the sirens. After that, the people in the agricultural farms near the border should take shelter for a while in the bomb shelters, Sei Gin Mang said. Myanmars Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday urged its nationals who are in Israel to stay in their homes unless there is an urgent need. Isolda Kirkhel, who has lived in Israel since 1981, also heard warning sirens at 6:30 in the morning. "I thought I was in a dream, I didn't want to believe it," Kirkhel told VOA's Georgian service. "I got dressed, went downstairs, and there a neighbor told me that Hamas fighters invaded Israel, that they started killing people and killed everyone they met on the street. I woke up, I called my children, everyone was asleep and they heard from me what was happening." Hostages Compel Governments to Stay Involved Brenda Shaffer, a senior adviser for energy at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global Energy Center in Washington told VOAs Azerbaijani service that foreign nationals were among those captured by Hamas militants in the Gaza strip. She said that according to press reports, American, British and European citizens are among the captured in the Gaza Strip and said one of the young women who were mutilated and dragged around by Hamas militants is a German citizen. SEE ALSO: Countries Scramble to Evacuate Citizens From Israel-Hamas War Zone Shaffer said the fact that foreign nationals are among the dead and captured means their countries governments must be closely involved in the conflict. Even if these governments wanted to turn away, they really can't. Their citizens are directly involved, she said. The U.S. State Department said that nine Americans were among those killed and that other U.S. citizens were unaccounted for. The dead in Israel also included people from Britain, France, Nepal, Thailand and Ukraine, officials from those nations said. President of the Korean Association in Jerusalem, Chae Wanbyung, told VOAs Korean Service that to the best of his knowledge all Koreans in Israel are safe. He said Koreans in Israel are accustomed to sirens and emergency situations, so they are staying calm. The South Korean government estimates that there are approximately 570 Koreans living in Israel, with an additional 360 tourists currently visiting the country. Major airlines have suspended or limited flights to Tel Aviv, saying they are waiting for an improvement in safety conditions. Poland and Hungary were among countries that carried out evacuation flights from Israel on Monday. Dilshad Aliyarli from VOAs Azerbaijan Service and Gibbs Dube from VOAs Zimbabwe Service contributed to this report, as did VOAs Burmese Service and VOAs Korean Service (Bloomberg) -- China has conveyed its disapproval to Australia over a visit to Taiwan by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, according to a Beijing diplomat, with the trip threatening to undermine efforts by both countries to improve relations ahead of a state visit later this year. Most Read from Bloomberg Speaking at the Asia Society event in Melbourne on Wednesday, Ambassador Xiao Qian said Morrisons visit to Taiwan was a serious concern and hoped Australias politicians would be sensitive to Chinas views. After years of diplomatic tensions, relations between the two major trading partners have normalized ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses planned visit to Beijing later this year. However recent trips to Taiwan by Australian politicians may derail the warming ties. Morrison met with Taiwan President Tsai Ingwen at the Presidential Palace in Taipei on Tuesday, according to the Central News Agency, where he delivered a speech saying that Australia would always be great friends with the people of Taiwan. Just last month, a delegation of Australian lawmakers visited Taiwan. Although Taiwan has been self-ruled since the end of Chinas civil war in 1949, the government in Beijing views the island as a renegade province. President Xi Jinping has said China will do whats necessary to reunite Taiwan with the mainland. Chinas envoy on Wednesday said he wanted to see the relationship between Australia and China develop even further, adding the common ground between the two countries was greater than their differences. We want to move beyond stabilization, and to further improve our relationship, Xiao said Relations between Australia and China reached their lowest point in 2020, after Morrison who was the prime minister called for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19 a politically sensitive issue for Beijing. In response, the Chinese government imposed trade sanctions on a range of Australian exports, including heavy tariffs on wine and barley. Story continues Following the election of Albaneses center-left Labor government in May 2022, Australia and China saw significant improvement in their relations. High-level ministerial meetings between the two countries restarted, while a number of sanctions on Australian exports were lifted. Albanese is expected to visit Beijing before the end of 2023, a trip scheduled to mark 50 years since the first visit of an Australian leader to China in 1973. Asked about growing concerns over the state of the Chinese economy, Xiao said the worsening data in recent months was only temporary and that the overall trajectory of the countrys growth was positive. Australia should have confidence in Chinas economy, and should have confidence in trade relations, economic relations between the two countries, he said. --With assistance from Zoe Ma. (Recasts story to lead with comments on Taiwan.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The latest: At least 1,200 people dead in Israel; 1,055 people dead in Gaza Gazas power authority expects to run out of fuel for its only power plant Wednesday Small group of U.S. special forces working with Israeli military to assist with planning and intelligence U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Israel Israel struck roads and buildings in the Gaza Strip with airstrikes Wednesday as it pressed a campaign of retaliation following an attack by Hamas militants that has left at least 1,200 people dead in Israel. Palestinian health officials said Wednesday the death toll in Gaza rose to 1,055 people, with more than 5,000 others wounded since Israel carried out its first strikes hours after the Hamas attack began on Saturday No media source currently available Humanitarian groups have expressed fears about the situation for civilians in Gaza amid an Israeli pledge to cut off the enclave of 2.3 million people from water, food and power. Gazas power authority said Wednesday it expected to run out of fuel for its only power plant later in the day. Doctors Without Borders said fuel and medical supplies were running low. In a video message early Wednesday, Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus defended Israeli airstrikes that have destroyed residential buildings, saying those sites are legitimate military targets because Hamas intentionally locates its operations in civilian buildings. The United Nations says more than 263,000 people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip since the fighting began, and that the number is expected to rise. Conricus said 360,000 Israeli reservists were preparing to carry out the mission of making sure Hamas at the end of this war wont have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians. Another spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters that 169 Israeli soldiers have been killed, and that the military has contacted the families of 60 soldiers who were abducted by Hamas fighters and taken to Gaza. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters that a small group of U.S. special forces is working with the Israeli military to assist with planning and intelligence in the Israeli counteroperation against Hamas. We also have the ability to rapidly deploy other resources into the region, Austin said. The U.S. also sent a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean, which Conricus said Wednesday brought a message of deterrence to ensure the conflict with Hamas does not expand into a regional war. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling Wednesday to Israel to bring a message of solidarity and support, the State Department said. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that Blinken wants to hear from Israeli leaders about the situation on the ground and how we can continue to best support them in their fight against the terrorists who launched these horrific attacks. In addition to the Israelis killed, the dead have also included nationals from other countries. Australia, Brazil and the Philippines were among those that confirmed deaths Tuesday. Sabri Saidam, deputy secretary of the Fatah Central Committee, told Alhurra, the U.S. governments Arabic language satellite TV channel, that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is unprecedented with a lack of health support, suspension of schools, hospitals, and health institutions, cutoff of water, electricity, and communications and internet. Saidam said with the intensity of Israeli airstrikes, I dont think there will be anything for the Israeli tanks if they decided to enter in a ground battle. Alon Liel, former Israeli diplomat and director general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Alhurra that after the humiliation and the horrific scenes from the Hamas attack, the Israeli response will continue. There are strong demands and there is a need for the government to explain this defeat and convert it to a victory. No one in the leadership currently thinks about stopping the attacks, Liel said. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The leader of Zimbabwe's biggest opposition Citizens Coalition for Change told journalists in Harare on Wednesday that there is a constitutional crisis in the southern African nation. (Video: VOA) The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Israel's security system, the iron dome, appears to be operating well in intercepting missiles being launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. Here is what happened on Tuesday which was captured by Vivian Nomalanga Bhebhe. Some jobs require working out in the elements, and that can pose dangers to workers. Having to perform job duties in extremely cold conditions can lead to a number of injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). People working in the following jobs may be susceptible: Snow removal crews Firefighters Emergency medical technicians Law enforcement officers Sanitation workers Here, experts discuss the health effects of working in extreme cold and offer the best ways to protect yourself in winter weather. What happens to the body under extreme cold conditions? [In extreme cold], your body loses heat and blood flow to hands, feet, ears and the nose become restricted, said Mathew MacLeod, senior technical specialist at the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). Also, mental alertness can be reduced with prolonged exposure to the cold, he added. According to OSHA, blood flows away from the hands and feet in extreme cold to keep vital organs warm. This causes the skin and the extremities to become cold very quickly. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says severe cold weather can trigger a variety of symptoms, such as: Skin reddening Shivering initially and no shivering as hypothermia progresses Numbness Blue-colored skin Slow, shallow breathing Dilated pupils Cramping legs Blisters Swelling Tingling and aching limbs, hands and feet Blue, purple or gray feet (gangrene) A loss of consciousness What are the health problems associated with working in an extremely cold environment? Lets explore four cold weather injuries that OSHA says you should watch out for. Chilblains Chilblains occur when small blood vessels in your skin become inflamed. You might notice your skin turning red, itching and swelling. Sometimes chilblains leads to blisters and ulcers. Frostbite When your skin and the tissues below it freezes, they can become damaged. This is called frostbite, and the CDC says it usually happens to the fingers, toes, chin, cheeks, ears and nose. According to OSHA, you may experience numbness, aching, tingling, blisters and blue or pale, waxy skin in the areas where frostbite occurs. Hypothermia When your body temperature falls below 95 Fahrenheit, its considered hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering in the initial stages, which stops as your body temperature plummets. Confusion, lack of coordination, slower breathing, dilated pupils, a slow pulse and an inability to stand or walk are additional signs of hypothermia, according to OSHA. Trench foot When the feet are both cold and wet (or even consistently wet) your body sends signals to narrow your blood vessels. This causes the skin in your feet to lose oxygen and nutrients and start dying. This condition is known as trench foot. Signs of trench foot include skin redness, swelling and numbness; leg cramps; bleeding beneath the skin; blisters or ulcers, and gangrene. Who shouldnt work under extreme cold conditions? Here are seven health conditions and substances that may make it dangerous to work in extremely cold conditions. Circulatory issues Blood vessels constrict in the cold, and the heart has to work harder to keep you warm. The Inspira Health Network (IHN) says this can put a strain on heart muscles for those with heart disease. Constriction also increases blood pressure, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which is why people with hypertension should avoid working in extremely cold temperatures. Breathing issues The IHN notes that airways can also become constricted in chilly weather, making it difficult to get enough oxygen if you have a condition that already affects your breathing, such as COPD. Raynauds phenomenon Raynauds phenomenon is a temporary condition that causes blood vessels to spasm, according to the U.K.s National Health Service. This blocks blood flow to the extremities. The condition affects about 20% of adults around the world, and one of its triggers is cold weather. Hypothyroidism The British Thyroid Foundation explains that cold intolerance is one of the main symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). This is because the thyroid gland is one of the key regulators of heat production. Age Some research shows the body temperature of older people is lower because of reduced heat regulation, according to Life Enriching Communities. Circulation may also become poorer as people age, and the layer of protective fat beneath the skin can become thinner. Diabetes Diabetes UK notes that heart disease and neuropathy (nerve pain) are common complications of diabetes. In addition to the colds impact on the heart, it can also worsen that nerve pain. Alcohol Consuming alcohol causes your skin blood vessels to widen, which the CCOHS says can reduce your ability to shiver -- a vital natural response to the cold that helps keep you warm. How can you protect yourself? Dress for warmth and dryness Remember to dress in multiple layers of loose, dry, protective clothing when temperatures are at or below 4C [39F], MacLeod advised. Layers of warm clothing should include a wind-resistant outer layer, a hat, mittens or insulated gloves, a scarf, neck tube or face mask, and insulated, waterproof footwear. Take breaks from the outdoor air MacLeod recommended taking regular breaks from the cold in warm places. The Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Division offers a warm-up work schedule based on the temperature and wind chill. Eat and hydrate often The CCOHS notes that working in colder weather burns more energy, which is why its important to eat and drink more frequently. Monitor your body According to the Canadian governments Get Prepared Campaign, you should familiarize yourself with the common symptoms of cold weather injuries and illnesses and monitor yourself regularly for them. If you notice symptoms, get indoors to warmer temperatures, remove any wet clothing and seek immediate medical attention. Most importantly, encourage the use of a buddy system to watch for symptoms in others, MacLeod emphasized. Resources Mathew MacLeod, senior technical specialist, Occupational Health and Safety, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety Administration: Cold Stress Guide U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cold Stress -- Cold Related Illnesses Inspira Health Network: 5 Cold Weather Health Risks to Watch Out For Cleveland Clinic: Vasoconstriction U.K. National Health Service: Raynauds phenomenon The British Thyroid Foundation: Myths and misunderstandings about thyroid disease Life Enriching Communities: Are You Feeling Colder As You Get Older? Diabetes UK: Cold Weather and Diabetes Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Cold Environments Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Division: Workplace Injury Prevention: Working in Cold Places Government of Canada Get Prepared Campaign: Seven steps to cold weather safety Fire and smoke rise following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations, killing hundreds and taking captives. Palestinian health officials reported hundreds of deaths from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. (File photo) Daredevil. Photo: Barry Wetcher/Netflix Daredevil: Born Again will literally be born again. Marvel Studios has decided to overhaul the entire project after reviewing the first footage from the upcoming Disney+ series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show managed to shoot less than half of the planned 18 episodes before production paused during the writers strike, but whatever they managed to get wasnt doing it for the execs over at Marvel. The studio let go of head writers Chris Ord and Matt Corman, together with the directors for the remaining episodes. Its seeking a new creative team for the project, which stars Charlie Cox as lawyer turned vigilante Matt Murdock. Daredevil: Born Agains legal procedural did not square with Netflixs version of the show, which more closely honored its source material and contained the requisite action and violence, per Hollywood Reporter. Marvel is currently shopping writers and directors for the revamp and has plans to keep some scenes from the first shoot. According to the report, upcoming MCU shows will pivot to more traditional development models, led by showrunners and dedicated TV executives. If you want to get a sense of whatever it was that Marvel was trying to do with Born Again, just know that Coxs superhero character reportedly didnt appear in costume until the fourth episode. A slow-burn prestige superhero series in this economy? From The Refuge Plays, at the Laura Pels. Photo: Joan Marcus We often talk about an epic drama in terms of its demands on an audience time, focus, even the physical strain of shifting around in a cramped chair. But the genre also asks a lot of a playwright: With the audience in mind, if youre writing big and long, you have to build something sturdy. Clarity and structure become all the more valuable. Legible stakes and clearly defined themes, however heavy-handed, can hold an epic together, whereas more delicate touches a finely filigreed monologue or twist of characterization cant be load-bearing as they might be in a smaller work. In The Refuge Plays, Nathan Alan Davis has put together a three-part drama full of engaging small gestures that fail to add up. The drama is Daviss follow-up after arriving in New York in 2016 with Nat Turner in Jerusalem, and its admirably ambitious; this production directed by Patricia McGregor runs three hours and 29 minutes. Thats not nearly as long as some epics, but certainly longer than your average nonprofit subscription theater program (The Refuge Plays is a co-production from New York Theatre Workshop and the Roundabout), especially at a time when most are cutting back. Its got an intriguing hook: The trilogy begins more or less in the present with a Black family in a house hidden in the woods of Southern Illinois and then steps back one generation with each installment. But as it telescopes into the past, the series falls short of coherence, wandering away from itself and losing the audience. The first of those plays, dubbed Protect the Beautiful Place, opens with a visit from a ghost, introducing Daviss quasi-fantastical tone. Were in the midst of a family drama haunted by something else. The set, by Arnulfo Maldonado, places an ordinary-looking living room in an ominous forest. Gail (Jessica Frances Dukes), the widowed acting matriarch of the family, is trying to hold together a precarious existence off the map, managing her daughter Joy (Ngozi Anyanwu) and grandson Ha-Ha (J.J. Wynder), as well as her mother-in-law, the formidable Early (Nicole Ari Parker, who has traded And Just Like That glam for old-age makeup). Their concerns, at first, seem practical food, firewood, etcetera but Davis lets in eerie pronouncements and premonitions. Some of his magical-realist touches, like the haunting, give the play a fricative charge. Others are cutesy and flat. Ha-Ha is the type of precious, reading-obsessed young teen doted over by his elders that seems to exist primarily in plays, and Wynder never finds a way to make him real. McGregor, in general, has had difficulty calibrating everyones performances on an axis between the surreal and the ordinary. Some performers, like Dukes, can cut through it all by force of their own charisma; others, like Wynder and Mallori Taylor Johnson (who has the difficult task of playing Ha-Has magic-pixie love interest) look lost. According to an American Theatre interview, Davis developed Protect the Beautiful Place while studying at Juilliard, then expanded the single act into a trilogy after his classmates expressed interest in hearing more from the characters. You can understand where their interest came from; even in Protect the Beautiful Places unsteadiness, theres a sense that there are more mysteries to be uncovered here if Davis had spent more time with this family. But as they pile more on top of this play instead of expanding it, Daviss second two installments take such significant leaps that he loses track of a greater thread. The second act, titled Walking Man, jumps back into the 1970s to focus on a younger version of Gails husband, Walking Man, played by Jon Michael Hill. There, Davis lets his story get too loose, throwing together a series of happenings monologues about Walking Mans travels over the world by foot, a visit from a pair of ghosts (Lizan Mitchell and Jerome Preston Bates, totally charming in unnecessary roles), a water pump that starts to work miraculously which all have individual potential but crowd each other for attention. Davis works toward an idea of this house in the woods as a powerful haven, drawing in and protecting generations of women over time, but even at this length he doesnt develop it fully. The productions central character, Early, whos now a few decades younger and still played by Parker, falls by the wayside during this act, and the lore that Davis has created for his tale takes the foreground. Other people discuss her personality and the reasons why she escaped to this place, but she herself is less often onstage. Davis gives Early the most attention in his third act, Earlys Place, the best and simplest of the three. Its a two-hander between a young Early and Crazy Eddie, played by Daniel J. Watts, a soldier back from World War II who finds her alone in the woods. The two actors, here, have a clear arc to play, testing each other and slowly coming to terms, and they seem energized by the direct situation. Watts is warm, and Parker is cold and flinty, gradually revealing bits of her well-protected softer side. After the discursive nature of Daviss other two installments, Earlys Place works hard to pull The Refuge Plays toward a satisfying conclusion, to some idea of the compassion between two people powerful enough to birth a sanctuary in the woods. But that, alone, isnt enough to make the epic click into place. The trilogy has strayed too far from Early. At the end of a saga, you might want to arrive at a feeling of homecoming, that weve seen a character land in the place she has always meant to be. I could see The Refuge Plays aiming at that for Early. But where this introduction, back in the past, might be positioned as a revelation finally, we get to the root of who this character is it instead registers as simply a first encounter. Were meeting her for the first time. The Refuge Plays is at the Laura Pels Theatre. (Bloomberg) -- China reached a tentative debt agreement with Sri Lanka, front-running separate talks the International Monetary Fund and other creditors are holding with the South Asian nation and catching them by surprise. Most Read from Bloomberg The deal between Export-Import Bank of China and Sri Lanka was reached late last month, Chinas Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, without providing details of the pact. The IMF, Paris Club members including Japan, and other lenders like India are expected to hold talks this week in Morocco on a debt restructuring plan. China, which isnt part of that official group even though its one of Sri Lankas biggest creditors, has been pursuing bilateral negotiations with the South Asian nation instead. Peter Breuer, senior mission chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, said while it was aware discussions were taking place with creditors, we have not yet been informed about any specific agreements. The multilateral lender would need to assess the entire package of agreements in its totality to assess consistency with IMF debt targets, he said. Officials from two creditor nations, who asked not to be identified, said they werent informed about the terms and details of the China deal. The preliminary pact is not expected to change efforts by the official creditor committee to try to reach a debt deal in Marrakech, which would include safeguards to prevent favorable payment terms to China, one of the people said. An Indian official involved in the debt discussions said New Delhi has been pushing for equal and fair treatment in the restructuring plan, and hopes that all creditors are transparent in their approach. Story continues Sri Lanka owes about 40% of its bilateral debt to China and 16% to India, according to estimates from the IMF. Reaching a deal quickly with its creditors will allow Sri Lanka to keep tapping funds from its $3 billion bailout program with the multilateral lender. Sri Lankas central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe and Junior Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe are in Marrakech this week at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings. Semasinghe met with Robert Kaproth, deputy assistant secretary for the US Treasury, he said in a post on social media platform X, with the two discussing the IMF program and the debt restructuring process. The official creditors committee was aiming to sign a memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka at the Marrakech meeting without the participation of China, Bloomberg News reported last month. While nothing has been finalized yet, an announcement on that deal during the meetings this week is looking increasingly unlikely, according to people familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified.. The Exim Bank deal comes a week before China hosts its third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, a flagship program by President Xi Jinping that has faced criticism for burdening developing nations like Sri Lanka with debt. --With assistance from Anusha Ondaatjie, Ruchi Bhatia, Ramsey Al-Rikabi and Toru Fujioka. (Updates with status of official creditor deal in penultimate paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Photo: TCM, FOX, Netflix, Everett Collection In the past few years, director Mike Flanagan has embarked on a spooky adaptation tour of sorts. He tackled Stephen King with Geralds Game and Doctor Sleep, received massive amounts of praise for his treatment of Shirley Jacksons The Haunting of Hill House, turned Henry Jamess The Turn of the Screw into The Haunting of Bly Manor, and even took a stab at young-adult author Christopher Pikes The Midnight Club. On October 12, Netflix audiences will get to see how he handles Edgar Allan Poe with the miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher. This latest adaptation is notable due to the sprawling legacy Poe left behind. The author is essentially the first son of American horror and detective literature, and his stories and poems influenced other writers like James and H.P. Lovecraft. Poes work has been featured in horror cinema for almost as long as the genre has existed. If youre looking to experience it onscreen before the upcoming Netflix show, youre certainly not lacking in the way of solid offerings. From the early silent-film era to our favorite mean yellow family, here are ten adaptations that best exemplify Poes revolutionary work in the realm of the macabre. The Plague in Florence (1919) Written by Austrian filmmaker Fritz Lang, who went on to direct Metropolis and M, The Plague of Florence adapts Poes The Masque of the Red Death. Known for its personification of a plague as a mysterious figure, the short story was first published just a few years after a cholera pandemic tore across the globe claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. Most film adaptations place the story in medieval times, however, and Lang goes one step further with his silent film by rendering the plague as a woman who seems to tempt society as it perishes around her. Were so consumed by lust and greed, Lang proposes, that death doesnt even have to prey on us we simply fall to it. Streaming on the Internet Archive Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) With adaptations of Frankenstein and Dracula, Universal Pictures established itself as the go-to studio for American horror films in the early 1930s, and it would soon include Poes work in its stable of shocks with Murders in the Rue Morgue. This wasnt the first American adaptation of Poes work; among others, D.W. Griffith filmed The Tell-Tale Heart in 1914, and the titular Phantom dressed as the Red Death for a bit in Universals first Phantom of the Opera film in 1925. Murders of the Rue Morgue, though, capitalizes on Poe at his outlandishly ghoulish best. Centered on the story of a mad doctor who kidnaps women and injects them with ape blood to create a proper mate for his gorilla henchman, the film expands Poes short story about a killer orangutan to give leading man Bela Lugosi more creepy things to do. Fresh off Dracula, Lugosi would soon be shoved into every evil doctor/scientist role Hollywood had to offer, and Rue Morgue captures him at the height of his scenery-chewing aplomb. Director Robert Florey, having been passed over to helm Frankenstein, fills Rue Morgue with touches of German Expressionism, and the movie ends with an ape being shot and falling from a tall building one year before King Kong. Streaming on the Roku Channel The Black Cat (1934) As Rue Morgue made abundantly clear, Poes work was ripe for narrative extrapolation. The Black Cat has little to do with his short story of the same title aside from the appearance of a black cat and Poes name featuring prominently on the poster. Instead, nestled inside a tale about a mysterious house built in a ruined World War I fort and the plans for revenge that go on there, it provided a chance for Universal Pictures to pit its two horror icons against each other Lugosi takes on Boris Karloff here with the Frankenstein actor now playing a very effective serial murderer and cult leader. Though it moves Poes story outside the context of a man driven mad by a certain kind of cat, it decidedly takes advantage of the authors consistent emotional thematics. The whole thing reeks of paranoia and of an untrustworthy world looming above to swallow you whole. It even allows Lugosi, who was far more well known for his otherworldly screen presence, to tap into a pathos he was rarely afforded in his career. And Karloff obviously relishes his malice, grinning and puppeteering the emotions of everyone around him just as Poe did with his readers: Did you hear that, Vitus? The phone is dead. Even the phone is dead. Streaming on the Criterion Channel The Tell-Tale Heart (1941) While Universal flooded cinemas with horror films throughout the 1930s (the studio released a third loose Poe adaptation with The Raven in 1935), MGM stuck to its dramas and comedies. Horror had burned it a few times, typically thanks to director Tod Browning, who turned in the controversial Freaks. However, when it did produce horror like 1941s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (which was nominated for three Academy Awards) it was something special. This short, faithful adaptation of The Tell-Tale Heart, made to play in theaters before the feature film screened, is often stunning to look at. Through a concoction of slow zooms and desperate close-ups, the feeling of guilt in the film becomes inescapable. Combined with its excellent sound design, this is a Poe adaptation that thrives purely on the authors work. Streaming on YouTube House of Usher (1960) The most famous Poe adaptations are likely those directed by Roger Corman, who in 1960 was quickly on his way to becoming a B-movie wunderkind. Poes stories, already in the public domain, were relatively cheap to adapt even with Cormans ambitious set designs and the hiring of notable writers like novelist Richard Matheson (I Am Legend) to pen the scripts. House of Usher would prove they had major box-office potential, too. The glue that held Cormans films together was Vincent Price, a performer who, as Universal honed with Lugosi three decades earlier, could shift between menace and camp with ease. Here, Price taps into the former, playing one sibling in the cursed Usher family who is doomed to sink with his mansion in the death grip of his mad sister. Poe adaptations were generally black-and-white affairs before House of Usher arrived in gorgeous color, perfectly capturing the rotten setting and the bizarre characters who inhabit it. Streaming on PlutoTV The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) In retrospect, House of Usher seems like a warm-up for The Pit and the Pendulum: Matheson returns as the screenwriter, and Price gets even more chances to luxuriate in macabre abandon (he plays two roles!). Cormans dungeon set pieces are a wonderful combination of construction and matte paintings, and if you came to the theater to see the titular torture device, Corman didnt disappoint. To match Price, the director hired Barbara Steele, who had starred in Mario Bavas Black Sunday the year before. Here, she has just as much fun hissing her lines, and as in that landmark Italian film, she gets trapped in a gruesome iron maiden at one point hey, if it works, it works! Streaming on PlutoTV The Masque of the Red Death (1964) Corman directed eight Poe adaptations from 1960 to 1965, but not all were created equal. Premature Burial? Without Price, it isnt much fun. Tales of Terror? A solid but uninspired collection of short films. Cormans last true Poe masterpiece was The Masque of the Red Death, a beautiful movie about royal hedonism running amok during what is basically the apocalypse. As Prince Prospero, a Satan-worshipping ruler, Price has little use for humanity and delivers one of the best performances of his career. He is all smirking sadism until, of course, his fate drives him to impotent panic. There are no giant pendulums or burning castles here, but Corman manages to harness the Poe storys sheer delirium. This is especially showcased in the scene where corpses, killed by the Red Death at a ball, continue to dance. The director also captured Poes criticism of class and the price of unhinged decadence: Why should you be afraid to die? Your soul has been dead for a long, long time. Streaming on PlutoTV ABC Weekend Special The Gold-Bug (1980) The length of Poes stories made them prime targets for anthology television shows. A version of The Cask of Amontillado showed up in a 1949 episode of Suspense (starring Lugosi, who was by then suffering from deteriorating health owing to his drug addiction.) The best of these may be the Daytime Emmywinning The Gold-Bug from ABC Weekend Special. It features a young Anthony Michael Hall in a surprisingly haunting mystery that serves as a kind of coming-of-age story. Typically trapped under the thumb of his domineering uncle, Halls character finds escapism and twisted kinship among outcasts on an island. But he gets mired in trying to understand the secrets of the titular bug and eventually becomes just as obsessed with tales of buried treasure as his questionable allies are. Though this short TV movie is aimed at a young audience, Halls performance helps retain the doomed fixations of Poes tale. Streaming on YouTube The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror (1990) The Raven has proved the trickiest of Poes works to adapt. Its brevity and the confined setting usually left film versions to their own invention. Out of all things, however, the first Simpsons Treehouse of Horror special gave us the most faithful rendition were ever likely to see. With narration by James Earl Jones (but Homer as the face of the narrator) and Bart as the confounding Raven, we get a segment that is, oddly enough, less intent on going for laughs and more focused on quoting Poes poem in full. Its funny but also a bit awe inspiring in its dedication. Streaming on Disney+ Masters of Horror The Black Cat (2007) There are plenty of depictions of Poe himself on film that mix the writers biography with the content of his stories, but no actor has been as committed to this as horror staple Jeffrey Combs. Under the direction of Stuart Gordon (who had previously made a just-all-right adaptation of The Pit and the Pendulum), Combs plays Poe in this Masters of Horror episode as an alcoholic trapped helplessly in his own nightmares, tormented by both a black cat and other visions of death; the episode culminates in hallucinations and disturbing bloodshed. Combs would reprise his role as Poe in a one-man show a few years later, remaining just as fascinated by the author as his critics and fans have been for nearly 200 years. Streaming on Tubi Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos Courtesy of the Studios and Getty Images This list was originally published in 2017 as part of Vultures Witch Week. Weve added more movies and were republishing in honor of Hocus Pocus 2. If youre a horror-movie aficionado, youve seen more vampires, werewolves, zombies, and serial killers than you could shake a stick, stake, silver bullet, or arrest warrant at. Isnt it high time that the witches of cinema also get the acclaim they deserve? A great witch movie is inherently compelling because its driven by a person a woman, usually who refuses to behave the way that society demands. What makes witch movies so fascinating as a collection, though, is their wide variety of tones and messages. Whether youre into the fun-for-all-ages allure of Hocus Pocus (and its sequel, now on Disney+) or the blood-spewing charms of Black Sunday, somewhere out there is a pointy hat and broomstick thatll fit you just right. (No disrespect to the wizards and witches of Hogwarts, but youll find this is a Harry Potterfree zone. For that, we kindly direct your attention to the rest of pop culture.) Below, Vulture makes the case for the 21 best witch flicks ever made. Like witches themselves, these movies resist easy classification: Here youll find selections from horror and comedy, as well as entries that blend or defy both genres. But all are strange, surprising, and at least a little dangerous. Wouldst thou like to watch deliciously? Haxan (1922) This haunting Swedish Danish silent film is part historical survey of medieval witchcraft and witch hunts, part dramatic re-creations thereof. With its groundbreaking use of stop-motion animation, double exposures, and other effects, the ominous and surrealist imagery of Haxan (Swedish for witch) remains indelible a century later. The film was originally banned in the U.S. for its explicit content because Americans were apparently less than thrilled to watch witches whip up a batch of unbaptized-baby stew or literally kiss Satans ass. Writer-director Benjamin Christensen who acts in the film as both the Devil and Jesus frames witch hunts as a mass social injustice borne out of ignorance, perpetrated in particular against the mentally ill. The Wizard of Oz (1939) An obvious choice, but for good reason. There is no spell-caster on film more iconic than Margaret Hamiltons Wicked Witch of the West, a role which left her with second- and third-degree burns in a production mishap and which required her to wear green makeup that contained toxic copper oxide. Even through all that suffering, Hamilton (who, by the way, was nearly two decades younger than Billie Burke, a.k.a. Glinda the Good Witch) made being wicked look like a lot of fun. But we almost didnt get to enjoy this vision of evil at all: The Wicked Witch of the West is a fairly minor character in the L. Frank Baum books, in which she is broomless and un-green. Even the film version of the character was intended to be glamorous at first, with actress Gale Sondergaard originally cast as a Snow Whites Evil Queenstyle figure, clad in black sequins and fake lashes longer than the Yellow Brick Road. Today, Hamiltons artfully unappealing weirdo is precisely what we think of when we think of a witch: When children wear a witch costume for Halloween, its really a reflection of her that theyre imitating. Wicked is great and all, but the Wicked Witch requires no revisionist history to make you want to root for her. Only bad witches are ugly, says Glinda who is kind of a jerk, honestly but we submit that good witches are boring as hell. Available to stream on Max I Married a Witch (1942) Along with Bell, Book and Candle, this witty screwball comedy helped inspire the TV series Bewitched. Jennifer (Veronica Lake) and her father are burned at the stake as witches in Salem, but not before she curses their Puritan accuser Jonathan Wooley (Fredric March) and his descendants to suffer miserable marriages. Hundreds of years later, the two witches spirits escape, and Jennifer takes it upon herself to personally ensure the anguish of the latest man in the Wooley family line, Wallace (also March), who is running for governor of Massachusetts and about to be married. She assumes human form as an effervescent, banister-sliding seductress and sets out to ruin his life and seduce him away from his intended bride. Her plan derails when she accidentally consumes the love potion shed intended for him and finds herself hopelessly besotted with her sworn enemy. Veronica Lakes charms are already irresistible without any need for performance-enhancing magic, and the romance is sweet, despite the fact that she and Fredric March reportedly loathed one another in real life. Available to stream on the Criterion Channel Bell, Book and Candle (1958) In this Kim NovakJimmy Stewart rom-com (basically the opposite of Vertigo, which came out six months earlier), a Manhattanite witch puts a love spell on her neighbor so he wont marry her insufferable college nemesis. But the plan backfires spectacularly when she winds up falling head over broomstick for the guy even though witches who fall in love lose their powers. Its worth watching for Jack Lemmons performance as a bongo-playing warlock alone. Available to stream on Tubi Black Sunday (1960) Widely censored after its release and outright banned in the United Kingdom Mario Bavas influential masterpiece is rendered in stark yet stunning black and white. A long-ago executed witch rises from the dead, hell-bent on revenge, in a visual feast of castles and coffins and gore. Even today, the imagery is arresting, if not downright stomach-turning. This isnt a movie for the squeamish: In the opening sequence, a spiked mask is hammered onto star Barbara Steeles head, and later, scorpions crawl out of her grotesque, semi-preserved face. Rosemarys Baby (1968) Roman Polanskis adaptation of the novel by Ira Levin is one of the only films on this list (besides Haxan and I Married a Witch) that youll find in the Criterion Collection, but this horror movies fancy pedigree doesnt make it any less viscerally upsetting. Rosemarys Baby forever raised the bar for terrible neighbors. With her husbands cooperation, a coven of Devil-worshipping ghouls occupy an Upper West Side apartment building and conspire to have a young woman Rosemary (Mia Farrow) raped and impregnated by Satan himself. Four out of five obstetricians agree that you should not accept prenatal vitamin drinks from the spooky lady down the hall (played by Ruth Gordon, in an Oscar-winning performance), especially if there is a nonzero chance your unborn child could be the Antichrist. Half a century later, the movies legacy is more potent than ever: Jordan Peele cited Rosemarys Baby as a key inspiration for Get Out, and snippets of Rosemarys dialogue were sampled on SZAs EP S. Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) Angela Lansbury, human UNESCO site, stars in this hybrid live-action-animated musical that feels like Mary Poppins reached deep within her carpet bag and pulled out a tab of acid. (The similarities are more than coincidental: The two Disney projects share director Robert Stevenson, a scrapped song from Mary Poppins found its way into Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Julie Andrews was even originally offered the lead role.) Amid WWII, three Cockney orphans are evacuated from London to a sleepy English village where they are placed in the care of Eglantine Price (Lansbury, who as a teenager fled London during the Blitz herself), an apprentice witch eagerly studying a magic correspondence course. The delightful Oscar-winning visual effects combine techniques like the sodium vapor process and wirework to give life to Eglantines psychedelic flying bed and other inanimate-no-longer objects. Shoes are charmed into tap-dancing and nightgowns into waltzing. Bedknobs is also, lo and behold, an explicitly anti-fascist movie: Eglantine, a staunch supporter of the war effort, magically animates antique arms and armor housed in a museum to fight off literal Nazis. Keep calm and carry on. Available to stream on Disney+ Suspiria (1977) In Suspiria, an American woman travels to Germany to enroll in a renowned dance academy, only to discover the ballet school is a front for a sinister coven. But the plot hardly matters because this is one of the most singularly beautiful movies youll ever see. Better yet, Dario Argentos luscious Technicolor fever dream is paired with an equally iconic prog-rock score by Goblin. See also: Luca Guadagninos 2018 Suspiria, an arthouse body-horror update on the original featuring limb-crunching choreography, Tilda Swinton, Tilda Swinton, and oh, yeah Tilda Swinton. Available to stream on Tubi The Worst Witch (1986) Okay, you got us this British TV movie snuck its way onto the list as really more of an honorable mention. Sure, seeing baby Fairuza Balk wreak havoc at a boarding school for young witches makes The Worst Witch a worthy companion piece to The Craft, but its entire existence is more than justified by a single three-minute sequence. The Grand Wizard (eternal Halloween heartthrob Tim Curry, who, to his credit, is nothing if not committed) serenades a rapt audience of young witches in the synth-laden Halloween Song, accompanied by no shortage of the exact level of green-screen effects youd expected from a British TV movie in 1986: Anything can happen on Halloween Your dog could turn into a cat There may be a toad in your bass guitar Or your sister could turn into a bat These are among the better lyrics. It must be seen to be believed. The Witches of Eastwick (1987) Three best friends Michelle Pfeiffer (!), Susan Sarandon (!!), and Cher (!!!) bond over their fantasies of a dream man, only for him to appear in the form of the mysterious, appealingly sinister Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson). Its a classic story: Boy meets girl, boy seduces girl, boy meets and seduces the other two girls, boy is almost certainly the Devil, all three girls finally realize theyve been witches this entire time. Also, as Racked once argued, this horror comedys aesthetics are extremely on point. Kikis Delivery Service (1989) This Hayao Miyazaki animated feature was one of the very first movies from Studio Ghibli, the beloved Japanese anime powerhouse known for building worlds full of magic, possibility, and wonder that are populated with bold, adventurous children (particularly girls). The kid-friendly film centers on 13-year-old witch Kiki, who leaves home with her familiar spirit black cat and starts a delivery business via her broomstick. Magic powers aside, Kikis Delivery Service is a sweet story about a girl on the precipice of adulthood, learning to make her way in the world and rely on herself. Witches: Theyre just like us! Available to stream on Max Teen Witch (1989) In what could have easily been titled Teen Wolf for Girls, shy Louise (played by Blakes big sister Robyn Lively) learns shes a reincarnated witch and gains magical powers on her 16th birthday which she promptly employs to become the most popular girl in school and win the attention of her crush. Nothing about Teen Witch is more magical than horror icon Zelda Rubinstein as the psychic who clocks Louises past life, but the very 80s fashion is a close second: shoulder pads, bedazzled denim, tutus, perilously high-cut leotards. The cult favorite has spawned Rocky Horror style live singalong screenings thanks to an incomparably strange soundtrack consider the self-explanatory I Like Boys, or Top That, the best-worst magical rap song in film history. To date, anyway. Available to stream on Max The Witches (1990) Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name (and remade in 2020 starring Anne Hathaway), The Witches is far more disturbing than your average family movie, which is precisely why its so great. It suggests to kids that any woman could in fact be a witch a witch who is plotting your demise at this very moment. A little boy stumbles upon a convention of murderous, child-hating witches who keep their scabby bald heads and gruesome claws (the work of Jim Hensons Creature Shop) hidden beneath wigs and gloves. Anjelica Huston stars as the Grand High Witch, who speaks in an ambiguously European accent and is, therefore, unambiguously evil. Hocus Pocus (1993) In recent years, Hocus Pocus has become a cult-classic Halloween mainstay, ruling the airwaves as dominantly as A Christmas Story does in December. Theres a good reason for that: Its the perfect Halloween movie, and a must-watch for aspiring young witches. The Sanderson Sisters played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are resurrected 300 years after their deaths to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting trick-or-treaters of Salem, Massachusetts. Also in the mix are a centuries-old talking cat that contains the soul of a boy enchanted by the witches, 11-year-old Thora Birch, a zombie, and an all-time great cover of I Put a Spell on You. Available to stream on Disney+ The Craft (1996) Do your favorite tenth-grader a solid and slip her a copy of The Craft while she works on her umpteenth essay about The Crucible. This 90s horror flick about a coven of high-school outcasts holds up quite well, as does its dark brand of girl power. And I do mean dark: not just in terms of the rites to Manon performed by the girls, but also the films grappling with serious issues like suicide and rape. Robin Tunney is technically the lead character as bland white witch Sarah, and sister sorceresses Neve Campbell and Rachel True are both delightful as Bonnie and Rochelle, but make no mistake, this is Fairuza Balks movie. Shes all blue eyes and snarl as the unhinged Nancy, for whose friendship I would gladly drop a small fortune at Hot Topic, even if itd end with her trying to kill me. Available to stream on Hulu Eves Bayou (1997) This gorgeous southern gothic drama, set in 1960s Louisiana and directed by Kasi Lemmons, is a moody meditation on family, mysticism, and sex. Ten-year-old Eve (Jurnee Smollett) witnesses her womanizing doctor father (Samuel L. Jackson) cheating on her mother. After turning to her fortune-telling aunt for guidance and following a drunken, hazily understood act of violence Eve seeks out a local voodoo practitioner (Diahann Carroll) for revenge. Available to rent on Prime Video Practical Magic (1998) Do you ever stop and think about how lucky humankind is that a movie exists in which Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play eccentric, modern-day sister witches? Well, thank the Goddess for Practical Magic. Widowed mother Sally (Bullock) is reserved but powerful; Gillian (Kidman) is an irresistible free spirit. After killing Gillians abusive boyfriend Jimmy who is also a serial killer because sure, why not? the women flee to the sleepy Massachusetts town where they grew up. A handsome law enforcement officer (Aidan Quinn) soon shows up their doorstep, and so does Jimmys vengeful spirit. Bonus: Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest steal scenes as Sally and Gillians goofy, blender-enchanting aunts! Available to stream on Hulu Halloweentown (1998) What accounting of great cinema would be complete without at least one Disney Channel Original Movie? Thirteen-year-old Marnie Cromwell discovers shes the half-human heiress to a grand family legacy of witchcraft in Halloweentown a realm inhabited by all manner of monsters from which a portal to the mortal world only opens on October 31. Against her mothers wishes, Marnie follows her grandmother, Agatha (Debbie Reynolds), to Halloweentown to begin her magical training. This high-camp, low-budget nostalgia trip has ridden the Windsweeper 5000 to cult status in the decades since its premiere. The Cromwell witches are certainly the main attraction, but a large part of Halloweentowns oddball, Spirit Halloween clearance-rack appeal is the admirable diversity among its population: A local census would enumerate vampires, elves, trolls, goblins, golems, werecats, an animatronic taxi-driving skeleton cabbie, and at least one hybrid plant-woman. Who wouldnt want to visit a spooky utopia where all manner of freaks are made to feel welcome? As Agatha says, Being normal is vastly overrated. Available to stream on Disney+ The Blair Witch Project (1999) The foremother of the found-footage genre follows three filmmakers lost in the Black Hills Forest, seeking out the strange old woman whos rumored to haunt the woods. Lets just say it doesnt end well for them. Blair Witch was a global phenomenon, with a viral marketing campaign that suggested the actors were actually missing and presumed dead. But for all its parodies and pop-culture overexposure, the movie is still scary as hell. That said, youd be well advised to skip the sequels, and the poor townspeople of Burkittsville, Maryland, would strongly prefer if you left them alone. Available to stream on Paramount+ The Love Witch (2016) After a woman flees the investigation into her husbands suspicious death in San Francisco for the California coast, she takes up residence in an apartment in a gothic mansion decorated to resemble her beloved tarot deck. There, she embarks on a single-minded pursuit of potion-enhanced love and lust, with all the seduction interrupted only by the occasional murder. Auteur Anna Biller who wrote, directed, and produced The Love Witch, in addition to serving as its editor, production designer, costume designer, and composer painstakingly crafted this gloriously 60s-exploitation movie turned feminist satire, heavy on retro glamour and sensuality. The Witch (2016) This A24 gem is a slow burn with a heart-stopping ending. Set in 17th-century New England, a family of religious exiles grow suspicious of their teenage daughter after her newborn brother is mysteriously abducted. Its tough to say which idea in The Witch is more frightening to confront: the evil that lurks in the dark woods, or the paranoia and suspicion that seizes the secluded farmstead? If you should come upon a goat named Black Phillip, tell him we say hi. Viewing insider transactions for Cortina Holdings Limited's (SGX:C41 ) over the last year, we see that insiders were net buyers. This means that a larger number of shares were purchased by insiders in relation to shares sold. While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Check out our latest analysis for Cortina Holdings Cortina Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & Executive Director Chuen Tek Yu for S$1.9m worth of shares, at about S$3.80 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of S$3.50. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. It is encouraging to see an insider paid above the current price for shares, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. Chuen Tek Yu was the only individual insider to buy during the last year. 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! Cortina Holdings is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insider Ownership Of Cortina Holdings Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Cortina Holdings insiders own 38% of the company, currently worth about S$222m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. Story continues So What Does This Data Suggest About Cortina Holdings Insiders? There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. With high insider ownership and encouraging transactions, it seems like Cortina Holdings insiders think the business has merit. 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. While conducting our analysis, we found that Cortina Holdings has 1 warning sign and it would be unwise to ignore it. 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. The climate change issue is getting critical: Warmer, drier weather could threaten the beer supply. That's because harvests of hops, a crucial ingredient in beer making, could decline by as much as 18% in Europe by 2050 and those hops that are harvested may have less of the substances needed to give some beers their distinct character, according to research published Tuesday in Nature Communications. This predicted decline in hop yield and alpha (acids) content "calls for immediate adaptation measures to stabilize an ever-growing global sector," wrote the researchers from Europe and the U.K. The researchers studied hop production in the periods of 19711994 and 19952018 in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. They found that rising temperatures had shifted the beginning of the hop growing season by 13 days from 1970 to 2018, wrote the study's lead author Martin Mozny of the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Since 1995, the average annual hop yields across most of Europe have declined as much as 19%, but had remained stable in the Czech Republic. The earlier ripening also led to a decline in the average content in the hops of the acids that give beers their bitterness down between 10.5% in Zatce in the Czech Republic and 34.8% in Celje, Slovenia, researchers said. "The increasingly frequent droughts and heat waves are negatively affecting yields and alpha content in all hop-growing regions of the EU. The only exception is Zatec/Saaz in the Czech Republic, where yields are slightly increasing thanks to the adaptation measures already taken," Mozny told USA TODAY in an email exchange. "Unfortunately, simulations of future developments point to a further decline in both yield and alpha." Hops grown in Germany. Is beer good for your health?: Here's the healthiest option to pick for your next cold one. The researchers simulated future crops and climate conditions and estimate hop harvests that are 4% to 18% smaller by 2050 and a continued 20% to 31% decline in the acids in the hops needed for bitterness. "Aromatic hops from traditional European regions are the 'spice' that gives the right taste and aroma to the best premium and craft beers around the world," Mozny said. "It is exported to all countries that produce better beers." Story continues Could a decline in hop production lead to a beer shortage? Hop production in the U.S. faces similar situations, Mozny said, But beer lovers in the U.S. don't need to start hoarding their favorite quaffs just yet. U.S. hop producers have been developing hop varieties that are resilient and have continued to increase hop production, said Chuck Skypeck, technical brewing projects director at the Brewers Association, a trade group that represents nearly 6,000 U.S. breweries, most of which get most of their hops from U.S. producers. And similar work is being done in Europe including at the Hop Research Center in Hull in Germany, he said. "There's a whole lot of progress being made in this regard," Skypeck said. "I'm not downplaying the challenges, because they are there." Still, the report's conclusion "feels a little alarmist to me," Skypeck shared. "There's some alarming things in there and I'm not saying I don't believe them. But I think people are already working on these things." Craft breweries also rely more on aroma hops used for India pale ales and hazy IPAs than the styles studied in this report. This year's U.S. hop crop is expected to approach recent record yields, even though hop producers set aside some fields because of a massive back inventory, Skypeck said. Marcus Lutter, head brewer at Peekskill Brewery in Peekskill, N.Y., removes spent grain from a vessel called a mash tun as he brews beer Sept. 29, 2023. Starbucks: Coffee giant releases PSL varsity jackets, tattoos and Spotify playlist for 20th anniversary But climate change truly is on brewers' minds across the globe. Last month, Atsushi Katsuki, president and CEO of Japanese beer conglomerate Asahi Group Holdings, told the Financial Times, that global warming could reduce barley crops and hop quality over the next three decades, which could cause a beer shortage. In addition to making Asahi, the company also makes Grolsch, Fuller's and Peroni beers, as well as Pilsner Urquell beers. Although with hotter weather the consumption of beer may grow and become an opportunity for us, climate change will have a serious impact, he said. There is a risk that we may not be able to produce enough beer. Anheuser-Busch InBev, maker of Budweiser and Bud Light, and Danish beer maker Carlsberg have invested in drought-resistant barley strains grown in Africa as a hedge against climate change's effects, Fortune reported. "One of the side motives of this study was to illustrate how climate change might be important for even those who think it doesnt matter, study co-author Miroslav Trnka told CNN. We are really seeing changes that are affecting things that we value, like the taste of beer. Climate change really can have an effect on it, or at least have an effect on commodities that are critical for production. Brewers also face other issues involving water quality and quantity, Skypeck said. "Yes, we're facing a lot of challenges," he said, "but there's really smart people working on those problems." Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider. What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beer shortage on tap? Weather could hamper hop crops, study says Nazis deported more than 1,000 Jews from Rome to Auschwitz in October 1943. Rome is holding a series of special events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the deportation of more than 1,000 of the citys Jews to the Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz. The raid occurred in the Ghetto district at dawn on 16 October 1943, and two days later 1,022 Roman Jews, including 200 children, were sent to Auschwitz on a sealed train from Tiburtina station. Only 16 would make it back to Rome alive: 15 men and one woman, Settimia Spizzichino. The last of the 16 survivors, Lello Di Segni, died in Rome in 2018. In occasione dell'Ottantesimo anniversario del #rastrellamento degli ebrei romani, Roma Capitale ricorda quel tragico giorno: proiezioni, incontri, spettacoli teatrali, percorsi urbani e altri progetti. Info https://t.co/mNSx9p9xJU#RomaRicorda #16ottobre1943 pic.twitter.com/4LipCgSWi7 Roma (@Roma) October 10, 2023 Under the banner We remember the past because we care about the future, the city is staging an extensive programme of events and initiatives to mark the anniversary and to keep the memory of the past alive. The programme includes film screenings, meetings, theatrical performances, tours and exhibitions as well as a solemn March of Remembrance on 16 October. The procession, led by Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri, will start at 17.30 from Piazza del Campidoglio and end in Largo 16 October 1943, in the Ghetto district. That evening Italy's president Sergio Mattarella will lay a wreath outside the Synagogue, with speeches by Gualtieri, Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, the president of Rome's Jewish community Victor Fadlun and Sant'Egidio Community founder Andrea Riccardi. Presentato al pubblico il progetto 16 ottobre 1943. Storia del bambino e del tram, che ripercorre la vicenda del piccolo Emanuele Di Porto, scampato la mattina del 16 ottobre al rastrellamento degli ebrei romani rifugiandosi su un tram, assistito e protetto dai tranvieri romani pic.twitter.com/O5r52z5zb9 Miguel Gotor (@GotorMiguel) October 10, 2023 One of Rome's special commemorative projects this year is The Story of the Boy and the Tram, a short animated film being shown on the number 23 bus route until the end of this month. The film tells the powerful story of Emanuele Di Porto, a 12-year-old boy who woke up at dawn on 16 October 1943 to see Nazi troops forcing his mother into the back of a truck. Emanuele ran down the stairs of his home on Via della Reginella, racing to nearby Piazza Mattei where he was captured by soldiers and loaded onto the same truck. In broken German, his mother shouted: "He is not my son, he is not Jewish!", and shoved him away. Alone and confused, Emanuele wandered to Piazza di Monte Savello and gets on the first tram he finds. He confides what just happened to the ticket collector who, after informing the driver, invites him to stay next to him on board. Emanuele spends more than two days on the tram, protected by a succession of tram drivers who make sure he has food and a blanket at night. On the third day a neighbour gets on board and helps to reunite Emanuele with his father and brothers who also escaped deportation. Soon they returned to live in their family home in Via della Reginella. Emanuele never saw his mother again. She is remembered with a brass cobblestone memorial outside her home on Via della Reginella where Emanuele - now aged 92 - still lives today. For full details of the programme of events being held see the Roma Capitale website. Photo credit: NICOLA MESSANA PHOTOS / Shutterstock.com. Recipes What do you want to cook today? Share Comment on this story Comment Add to your saved stories Save The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah last fought a war with Israel in 2006. Since 2013, when it turned its attention to helping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prevail against rebels, Israeli officials have warned that a day would come when Hezbollahs fighters would again turn their focus to Israel this time having gained significant combat experience and better weaponry. As Israels military faces off against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, following their bloody invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, Israeli leadership has a wary eye on the threat posed by Hezbollah to the north. 1. What is Hezbollah? Shiite Muslims in Lebanon formed what would become Hezbollah party of God in 1982, in reaction to Israels occupation of the countrys south. The movement was inspired by the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Shiite-majority Iran, and Hezbollah to some extent became a proxy force for Irans elite Revolutionary Guards. (Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims each comprise about 30% of Lebanons population.) Iran provides Hezbollah with most of its funding, training, weapons, and explosives, as well as political, diplomatic, monetary, and organizational aid, according to the US State Department, which says the group also gets funding from legal and illegal sources, including smuggling contraband goods, passport falsification, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and credit card, immigration and bank fraud. Because it is separate from Lebanons military, Hezbollah can attack Israeli and US targets without provoking the reaction such a move by a state would precipitate. Advertisement 2. What US targets has Hezbollah attacked? The group is thought to have been behind the 1983 suicide truck bombings of the US Embassy and US Marine barracks in Beirut, the 1984 attack on the US Embassy annex in Beirut and the 1985 hijacking of TWA flight 847. 3. What is Hezbollahs role inside Lebanon? Share this article Share Hezbollah remains a powerful force in Lebanon. It operates a large network of social services for its followers and is politically active, losing a majority in the countrys parliament just last year. Hezbollahs alliance with the Shiite Amal movement, headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, ensures that together they represent most of the countrys Shiite community. Hezbollah also has close ties with the Christian party founded by President Michel Aoun. Before Syrias civil war began in 2011, Hezbollah had promoted itself as a force dedicated to fighting Israel and defending the oppressed, regardless of their background. But since becoming enmeshed in Syrias war, its been viewed by many Sunni Muslims as a Shiite group doing Irans bidding in the region. Advertisement 4. Why did Hezbollah get involved in Syria? Since Lebanon isnt connected to Iran, Syria has served as a way for Hezbollah to receive military material from its patron. So it was important for Hezbollah to help Assad, an ally, maintain his hold on power. 5. Will Hezbollah join Hamas in fighting Israel? Hezbollah has expressed solidarity with Hamas and has exchanged fire with Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Analysts say it may opt to attack Israel more forcefully, especially if Israeli troops move into Gaza. It is thought to have tens of thousands of missiles. Israeli officials have warned that their countrys military would target all of Lebanon if Hezbollah were to enter the war. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Share Comment on this story Comment Add to your saved stories Save When it comes to international trade and investment, AI will create some obvious winners and losers. Its the second-order effects that may prove more interesting. To understand those, start with two premises: First, AI services will consume a lot of energy, not all of which will be green. Second, many nations will regulate either the use of AI, or the implementation of AI-derived goods and services, for instance the creation of new pharmaceuticals or new educational techniques. Lets consider each of these factors in turn. Posting a query to ChatGPT consumes a lot of energy, by one estimate 10 times more than a Google search. Currently large language models are sufficiently limited that this is not a major factor in aggregate energy consumption. But as use of AI services increases, the energy burden will rise. Countries with expensive energy, or which will not allow energy consumption to rise much for climate or regulatory reasons, will look to import their AI services from energy-rich countries. Advertisement In the future, energy-rich regions may include Spain and Morocco with solar power, South Korea with affordable nuclear power, and whichever nations are pioneers in nuclear fusion. Those nations may end up as major exporters of AI-generated data. They might draw their AI inputs from the US, but specialize in cheap calculation and information transmission. And some regions of America may join this list as well, especially if they are well-suited for solar and hydroelectric power. To be clear, the US will export a lot of AI services, through such companies as OpenAI, Google, Meta and Anthropic. But the US is not as good at building affordable infrastructure, and that will put it at a disadvantage in the AI revolution and distribute many of the gains abroad. It remains to be seen whether there are higher profits in selling the original source code or the more derivative electricity-driven, infrastructure-based AI calculations. Nonetheless, this is a potential economic and national security risk for the US. It could end up with a strong lead in the source product, but fall badly behind in making (manufacturing, you could say) the final AI outputs. Advertisement The way to ease this potential problem is to make the permitting and construction of power generation easier and cheaper. Any US state that does this and perhaps some will could become a true economic powerhouse. Many US institutions probably would prefer to buy their AI calculations domestically rather than from a foreign power, if only for data-security reasons. When it comes to shaping international trade, a second major factor springs from domestic regulations on the potential products of AI services. Consider this scenario: AI services suggest a large number of plausible pharmaceuticals to treat some condition. Yet the US has fairly stringent restrictions on the approval of such pharmaceuticals. So a trade opportunity will arise, with some countries specializing in testing the products of AI services. It is already the case that many large pharmaceutical companies run drug trials in Africa, where costs are lower and regulations looser. The scope for such regulatory arbitrage will expand considerably, and the net result will be that nations willing to take regulatory chances will attract more foreign investment. Advertisement Or how about this related scenario: Advanced AI suggests that some educational techniques are superior. Many nations may be too bureaucratic to take advantage of such options quickly. It is not difficult to imagine some smaller nations, especially those governed with fewer checks and balances, moving more quickly to implement the changes. What if Singapore adopts the new educational innovations before they spread to Western Europe or California? Share this article Share Its not only that Singaporean education will improve. Its that Singapore, from those innovations, may develop products for export, such as effective online education. Nations that develop or tolerate AI-generated innovations also will become more important exporters. Can you imagine a future in which the US remains a leader in AI innovation, but for many of the actual products (and energy sources) the world relies on Singapore or Uruguay? What if those nations find it easier to install nuclear fusion, or to experiment with the social and economic innovations derived from AI? Over time, those countries could become more important allies. Advertisement More generally, many larger nations might look to smaller partners that have more institutional flexibility as part of a new series of AI-derived economic and perhaps also military alliances. Who ends up more dependent on whom? In any case, as with many other AI-influenced human endeavors, international trade will never be the same again. Elsewhere in Bloomberg Opinion: Globalizations Demise Has Been Greatly Exaggerated: Daniel Moss A Bigger Threat to US Trade Than Chinese Chips: Tim Culpan Your Future AI Will Have Multiple Personalities: Parmy Olson Want more Bloomberg Opinion? Subscribe to our newsletter. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, a professor of economics at George Mason University and host of the Marginal Revolution blog. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, may rise more than five-fold in value by the end of 2026, according to global bank Standard Chartered, its latest prediction of rocketing crypto prices. Ether may hit $8,000 over the next two years as it becomes more widely used in blockchain-based covenants known as "smart contracts," as well as gaming and the "tokenisation" of traditional assets, StanChart Head of FX Research, West, Geoff Kendrick wrote. Ether was trading on Wednesday at about $1,575. Assessing the value of cryptocurrencies is fraught with difficulty, as tokens such as ether or bitcoin that are not backed by traditional assets lack the gauges used to price stocks, bonds or currencies. The price of crypto tokens are generally driven by the sentiment of investors. "We see the $8,000 level as a stepping stone to our long-term 'structural' valuation estimate of $26,000-$35,000," wrote Kendrick, who also heads the bank's digital assets research. "That valuation assumes future use cases and revenue streams that may not have emerged yet, although the real-world use cases of gaming and tokenisation should support their development." Kendrick told Reuters that the structural valuation estimate was "very long term, say 2040." Ether has gained some 30% this year, though remains almost 70% below its all-time high of about $4,869, hit in Nov. 2021. StanChart said in July that top crypto token bitcoin could reach $50,000 this year and $120,000 by the end of 2024. Bitcoin was last trading at around $27,275. (Reporting by Tom Wilson and Elizabeth Howcroft, Editing by Louise Heavens) ExxonMobil agreed to buy Pioneer Natural Resources for $US59.5 billion ($93 billion) in the worlds largest takeover announced this year, doubling down on fossil fuel production even as many global policymakers grow increasingly concerned about climate change and the oil industrys reluctance to shift to cleaner energy. The deal is the oil giants biggest acquisition since merging with Mobil Corp in 1999, and after decades of investments in projects around the world, will squarely lodge Exxons future close to its Houston base, with most of its oil production in Texas and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and along the coast of Guyana. The deal is Exxons biggest takeover since buying Mobil in 1999. Credit: AP By concentrating its production close to home, Exxon is effectively betting that US energy policy will not move against fossil fuels in a major way even as the Biden administration encourages carmakers to switch to electric vehicles and utilities to make the transition to renewable energy. Exxon executives have said that in addition to producing more fossil fuels, the company is building a new business that will capture carbon dioxide from industrial sites and bury the greenhouse gas in the ground. The technology to do that remains in an early stage and has not been successfully used on a large scale. More than half a million Australians have already voted in Australias first referendum since 1999, with less than two weeks before the rest of the nation decides if it will support an Indigenous Voice to parliament. Voters will be asked whether to alter the Constitution to recognise Indigenous peoples through the creation of a body that advises the parliament and executive government on policies affecting them. Australians are heading to the polls on October 14 for the first referendum since 1999. Credit: Marija Ercegovac To be successful, the referendum requires a majority of all voters across Australia as well as a majority of voters in at least four of the six states to support the change. A record 17.6 million, or 97.7 per cent, of Australians are enrolled to vote in the referendum, including a record-high 94 per cent of Indigenous people. But more than 8.4 million people on the electoral roll werent on it when the last referendum was held. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has called for Australia to deepen its relationship with Taiwan by overhauling its long-standing One China policy and allowing the self-governing territory to participate in key international forums such as the Quadrilateral security dialogue. Warning that conflict over Taiwan would cause a severe global economic depression, radically alter the security environment in the Indo-Pacific and reset the balance of the international order in favour of authoritarianism, Morrison said the future of Taiwan was more important than any other conflict, including the war in Ukraine. Former prime minister Scott Morrison said Taiwan was more central to the battle for liberty than anywhere else in the world. Credit: Getty Images I believe Taiwan stands above them all, he said. [Chinas] claims over Taiwan are a threat to the entire region ... if Taiwan, then what and who is next? China has the worlds largest military force, including 2 million soldiers, and is rapidly building up its navy and nuclear arsenals to compete with the United States. The Chinese Air Force has been harassing Taiwans air defence identification zone daily, including on Wednesday when 14 aircraft were detected around the area. Control of Taiwan would give China access to the Pacific and allow its submarines to enter deep water undetected. Gaza City: Collapsed buildings, mangled infrastructure, streets turned into fields of rubble. Scenes of violence and destruction in the long-blockaded Gaza Strip have filled the worlds airwaves throughout four wars and countless rounds of hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants. But this conflict, Palestinians say, is different. Injured civilians wait for treatment following Israeli airstrikes in the Rimal district of Gaza City. Credit: Bloomberg On Tuesday, after a night of intense bombardment, residents were struggling to grasp the sheer scale of damage inflicted on Gaza Citys upscale Rimal neighbourhood, along with its shopping malls, restaurants, residential buildings and offices belonging to aid groups and international media far from the territorys hard-hit border towns and impoverished refugee camps. Israel has hit Rimal, also home to Hamas government ministries, in the 2021 war, but never like this. Key Insights The projected fair value for Darden Restaurants is US$183 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Darden Restaurants is estimated to be 24% undervalued based on current share price of US$138 Our fair value estimate is 8.0% higher than Darden Restaurants' analyst price target of US$169 Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Darden Restaurants Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$957.4m US$1.14b US$1.29b US$1.39b US$1.48b US$1.56b US$1.63b US$1.69b US$1.74b US$1.79b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x2 Est @ 8.27% Est @ 6.43% Est @ 5.15% Est @ 4.25% Est @ 3.62% Est @ 3.18% Est @ 2.87% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.5% US$882 US$972 US$1.0k US$1.0k US$987 US$957 US$919 US$878 US$835 US$792 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$9.2b 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 (2.2%) 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 8.5%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$1.8b (1 + 2.2%) (8.5% 2.2%) = US$29b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$29b ( 1 + 8.5%)10= US$13b 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$22b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$138, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 24% 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 Darden Restaurants 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 8.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.269. 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 Darden Restaurants 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 Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average. 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 Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market. Moving On: 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. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/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 Darden Restaurants, we've compiled three pertinent items you should explore: Risks: We feel that you should assess the 3 warning signs for Darden Restaurants we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does DRI's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Warning: Graphic content Kfar Aza: A babys crushed crib lying outside a burnt-out home. Corpses strewn on streets. Body bags lined up on an outdoor basketball court. The stench of death everywhere. Just a few days ago this was the sleepy, scenic kibbutz of Kfar Aza, an Israeli farming community of about 750 people, many of them families with young children. Now its become a charnel house after Hamas gunmen burst out of the Gaza Strip on Saturday and laid waste to the village. An IDF soldier covers his nose while walking past bodies after Hamas militants deadly attack on a kibbutz near the border with Gaza. Credit: Getty Mothers, fathers, babies, young families killed in their beds, in the protection room, in the dining room, in their garden, Israeli Major General Itai Veruv said on Tuesday. The seasoned soldier was visibly shaken as troops went door to door to collect the bodies of residents killed in their homes. Sydney woman Galit Carbone is the first known Australian casualty from the attacks by terrorist group Hamas near the Gaza Strip in Israel. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed the death of Carbone, 66, saying the government unequivocally condemned the attacks. Sydney woman Galit Carbone has died near the Gaza Strip border following attacks from terrorist group Hamas. The Australian government has received confirmation of the tragic death of Galit Carbone, an Australian citizen murdered in the attacks on Israel by terrorist group Hamas, she said. I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms Carbone. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to her family in Israel and in Australia. Speaking from the state dining room at the White House, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden likened Hamas to the terror group Islamic State. He said the US would deploy experts to help with hostage recovery efforts. Citing the stomach churning reports of babies being killed and women raped, assaulted and paraded as trophies, he also vowed to continue to support Israel as it prepares for a complete siege of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the attack. US President Joe Biden, center, speaks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, and Vice President Kamala Harris in the State Dining Room of the White House. Credit: AP Sadly for the Jewish people its not new, Biden said. This attack has brought to the surface painful memories and scars left by millennia of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people. So in this moment, we must be crystal clear: we stand with Israel. During his speech, which came soon after he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the third time since Saturdays attack began, the president did not ask Israel to exercise restraint. Loading Instead, he said the US would continue to provide the military support it needed to ensure it did not run out of tools to defend itself. This included surging equipment to replenish the Iron Dome missile defence system, which allows Israel to detect and shoot down incoming projectiles, and repositioning ships and aircraft in the region to act as a deterrent. Biden also confirmed the American death toll had now risen to 14 - up from 11 on Tuesday and that some US citizens had been taken as hostages. He had directed his team to share intelligence and deploy additional US government experts to help Israels hostage recovery efforts. Blinken will also travel to Israel this week to show support. As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world, Biden said. Bidens comments came as Israel continued to pummel Gaza with airstrikes on Tuesday, saying its military had regained control over border towns, while Hamas threatened to kill a hostage every time Israel strikes the strip without warning. Israeli soldiers take cover as a siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets fired from the Gaza strip. Credit: AP However, back in Washington, the leader has come under growing attack by those who believe he has been too weak on Iran, which is a known backer of Hamas. In particular, the administration has been criticised over its recent decision to unfreeze $US6 billion ($9.3 billion) in Iranian funds in exchange for the freedom of five wrongfully detained American citizens. Supporters of Israel and Palestine gather at the Israeli consulate in New York on Monday. Credit: AP Missing from president Bidens speech is, first, any sense of what America will do to avenge the savage murders of our citizens and, second, the word Iran, said Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican and former military officer. It is our responsibility, not Israels, to avenge those deaths. And the refusal to even warn Iran by name will only embolden the ayatollahs. Some are also concerned about how long the goodwill towards Israel will last, despite Bidens claims of rock solid support. A Gallup poll released in March, before the war began, found that Democrats sympathies in the Middle East favoured the Palestinians over Israelis, 49 per cent versus 38 per cent. Some progressive Democrats, such as congresswoman Cori Bush, have struck a much different tone to Biden, saying in a statement that violation of human rights do not justify more violations of human rights and a military response will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis alike. Loading Blinken also deleted a tweet hed posted on Sunday urging a ceasefire, while the State Departments Office of Palestinian Affairs deleted a tweet urging all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks. And across the US, authorities are now monitoring domestic threats in connection with the Hamas attack on Israel and security has been ramped up at Jewish centres as protests erupted over the conflict. Walt Disney World has increased prices on its theme park annual passes between $30 and $50, depending on the level. Disney also raised the parking fee at the parks from $25 to $30, matching the charge at Universal Orlandos parking garage and at SeaWorld Orlando theme park. The top-line Incredi-Pass, which includes access to the four theme parks and has no blockout dates, now costs $1,449, according to Disney Worlds website. Thats up from $1,399, an increase of 3.6%. The new price for the Sorcerer Pass, designed for Florida residents and some Disney Vacation Club members, is $999, up from $969, an increase of 3.1%. It has blockout days near Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Pirate Pass, has more blockout dates, including a few weeks in the spring plus near holiday weekend, is $799, up from $749, an increase of 6.7%. And the Pixie Dust Pass, which allows admission only on weekdays and has additional blockout dates, is now $439, up from $399, an increase of 10%. Passholder discounts on food and merchandise vary with the levels, as do the number of rolling park reservations available. Standard parking comes with each kind of pass. Disney: Park hopping to start earlier in day in January The company said it has not changed park admission on dated-based theme park tickets, which Disney considers its standard ticket option. Those prices vary by date. In posted dates through the next year, one-day ticket prices range between $109 and $159. Prices for the remainder of this month are $144-$149. Disney World suspended sales of new annual passes during its four-month shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. It resumed sales in September 2021 with new prices, restrictions and names, shedding the silver-gold-platinum names for annual pass levels before suspending sales again in November 2021. (Standing passholders were allowed to renew during these periods.) All passes again went on sale this April, following price increases of $50-100 in December 2022. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. My Threads account is @dbevil. You can subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. From 18 to 22 September 2023, the World Customs Organization (WCO) delivered technical assistance on Data Analytics to the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) of Colombia in Bogota within the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) framework. The 5-day workshop focused on building capacities and providing guidance to the Colombian NCTF in data analytics focused on data quality and supervised and non-supervised machine learning to develop their Integrated Risk Management System. This activity brought together 25 officials from various government agencies, including the Customs Administration, the Ministry of Trade, the National Institute of Surveillance of Medicines and Food Sanitary (INVIMA), the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) and the Anti-drug Police Agency. The technical assistance also counted the kind participation and support of a scholar from the WCO BACUDA Project and the Korean Customs Service, whose officers joined online to share their practices and lessons learnt with the participants. Throughout the intense sessions, the WCO experts shared best practices on big data analytics, presented applied cases, and discussed data analytics techniques and algorithms. As a result, the NCTF identified the way forward in the use of techniques for analyzing data and the development of cross-cutting variables to drive their Integrated Risk Management System. The WCO and the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) emphasize the importance of coordinated efforts among Customs and Other Government Agencies (OGAs) to achieve trade facilitation goals and strengthen risk management systems in countries. For more information on the GTFP, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. From 4 to 6 September 2023, the Bolivian Customs Administration (AN, for its Spanish Acronym) hosted a technical assistance mission on Single Window (SW) in La Paz, Bolivia. This workshop was organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) within the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) framework. The workshop aimed to follow up on the progress of the AN and other public stakeholders in implementing the SW roadmap developed in September 2022, and provide further guidance to the Customs officials and relevant stakeholders on developing its initial SW diagnostic. The WCO experts concluded that AN has made important progress, including a Ministerial resolution endowing the responsibility to lead the development of the Bolivian National SW. Consequently, this technical assistance was highly relevant as it further provided capacities for implementing a SW environment and creating a customized SW structure. The workshop brought together a total of 21 participants from Customs and other government agencies, including the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance, the Ministry of Rural and Land Development, the Agency for Electronic Government and Information Technologies, the National Service of Agricultural, Health and Food Safety (SENASAG, for its Spanish Acronym), and the National Export Verification Service (SENAVEX, for its Spanish Acronym). Ultimately, this activity complements the roadmap with an ambitious implementation plan, envisioning phase 1 of the SW to be completed and launched in the short term. For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. Here's what an employee needs to know about how they can benefit from the growth of their company through these plans, as well as info on accumulation, vesting and distribution. Editors note: This is part two of a six-part series in which Peter Newman, CFA, of Peak Wealth Planning, explains the benefits of employee ownership for the U.S. workforce. There are more than 6,500 Employee Stock Ownership Plans, or ESOPs, in the U.S. covering almost 14 million employees. Part one is Five Key Advantages to Working at an Employee-Owned Company. Part three, Five Things Employee-Owners Need to Know About Their ESOP, will arrive in November. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) offer a unique opportunity for employees to participate in the growth and success of the companies they work for. These plans provide employees with a means of accumulating wealth and building a retirement nest egg. What is an ESOP? The ESOP is a tax-deferred retirement plan. Through your participation in the ESOP retirement plan, you have an ownership interest in shares of company stock that are credited to your ESOP account balance. These shares are provided each year at no cost to you. The account will grow if your company achieves good financial results. You will be taxed when you cash out the funds in your ESOP account. As an employee owner, you are part of a team whose actions and decisions impact the companys financial results and your retirement account balance. The culture of employee ownership is not only about increasing the value of the company, but relating to peers, customers, suppliers and other companies in your industry, as well as the community in which you work. The information provided below may be different from your companys ESOP, be sure to check with your representative. Company contributions Your ESOP retirement account is company-funded, not employee-contributed like a 401(k). Every year, the companys board of directors decides whether and how much to contribute to the plan. Some ESOP companies aim for a steady benefit rate of 5% (or more) of eligible employee salary, while others vary year to year and may be less predictable. As an example, if your annual salary is $100,000 and the benefit level this year is 5%, your ESOP account balance would be credited with company stock shares worth $5,000. Story continues Stock value and your retirement account For ESOPs that are not publicly traded, the value of ESOP stock is usually determined once a year after the end of the companys fiscal year. The ESOP trustee retains an independent valuation agent to determine the stock value. The valuation agent reviews the company financial statements and business forecast of the company. If your company is affected by poor economic conditions or reduced customer demand, the value of company stock and your ESOP retirement account balance could fall. If customer demand increases and the company continues to be profitable, the value of company stock and your retirement account could rise. Stock value statements and distribution windows Once the stock value is determined, allocations of shares to your ESOP retirement account are completed. Most ESOP companies allocate shares and apply your vesting credits once a year. After your new balance is determined, you will receive an annual ESOP account statement. Your statement will show the beginning and ending balance of shares, new contributions allocated to your account, the new share price and the vested percentage of your account. As an example, lets consider a 100% vested (more on vesting below) eligible participant with compensation of $102,000 and a 5% benefit level. At the beginning of the year, the employees account has 1,500 shares at $195 per share value, equaling $292,500 in ESOP value. Twenty-five new shares are credited to the employees ESOP account for the year, representing $5,125, or 5%, of the $102,000 annual salary. As of the end of the year, the employee has 1,525 shares times $205 per share equaling a new ESOP value of $312,625. If you are eligible to make a retirement distribution election or diversification request, you will be notified shortly after you receive your statement. How vesting works Vesting refers to the percentage of your account you are entitled to when you leave the company or begin taking distributions from your ESOP account. By law, vesting follows one of two schedules. Cliff vesting. No vesting in the first years of employment, followed by 100% vesting after not more than three years of service (usually 1,000 hours or more of work in a plan year). Graded vesting. Twenty percent vesting after the second year of service, with 20% more each year until 100% vesting occurs after the sixth year of service. Some companies have more generous vesting schedules than the ones outlined above. If you reach normal retirement age (65), die or become permanently disabled, or your plan is terminated, you become 100% vested immediately. The unvested value of your account balance is forfeited if you leave the company before you are 100% vested. Consult your ESOP representative to confirm your vesting schedule. Diversification Diversification reduces concentration risk in a single company stock. ESOP participants are provided with an option beginning at age 55 with 10 years of plan participation to diversify 25% of cumulative vested company shares. Upon attaining age 60, participants may elect to diversify up to 50% of cumulative vested shares. Diversification is the process of selling shares in your ESOP account and reinvesting the proceeds, also known as a rollover, in another tax-deferred 401(k) or IRA investment account. The 401(k) or IRA may offer a choice of stock, bond, ETF and mutual fund investments. An alternative to a rollover is to cash the check. Spending the cash reduces your retirement savings and subjects the payment to income taxes and IRS penalties if they apply. Distributions when you leave the company If you retire or terminate employment, you may be eligible to take distributions from your ESOP account vested balance. If the balance is $5,000 or less, it will often be paid in a lump sum. If your account balance is more than $5,000, it may be paid in a series of five substantially equal annual installments instead of a lump sum. If you depart prior to retirement age, you may need to wait to make a distribution election until the fifth anniversary of your termination date. Specific amounts and rules may vary by company. Yours may have a more generous payment schedule and may not have a waiting period. Some companies allow employees to participate in share price gains or losses while being paid installments, others freeze your share price when you terminate employment or retire. Be sure to check with your ESOP representative or review your plan document. If you die or become permanently disabled, you may be eligible for an accelerated distribution schedule. Retirement distributions can be requested when you retire (typically age 65). Some companies allow retirement as early as age 55 with 30 years of service. Retirement installments are generally paid in a series of five substantially equal installments. You must begin taking from your ESOP account balance by the time you reach age 73. Your companys retirement schedule may vary from the one above. Form of payment and taxes As part of your distribution request, you can designate the form of payment. If you make a direct rollover to another retirement plan (a 401(k) or IRA), you continue to invest for retirement savings and defer paying taxes. If you do not elect a rollover and receive the payment by check, you have 60 days to deposit the money into another qualified retirement account to defer paying taxes. If instead of rolling the money to another retirement plan, you elect a direct payment, then you will be responsible for paying income taxes and an early-withdrawal penalty (if any applies under age 59). Take action The benefits and responsibility of being an employee-owner translate to taking responsibility for your own financial well-being. Below are steps you can take: Keep track of your ESOP and other retirement account balances. Check your financial plan to ensure you are on pace to meet your retirement goals. Consider the pros and cons of diversifying your company stock when eligible. Understand the tax implications of your choices. Forecast your retirement expenses and income. Our next article in this series will cover important facts employee owners should be aware of, including how much your company contributes to your ESOP account and 401(k), how your company stock is performing and when you are eligible to spend your ESOP cash. Are you comfortable with your progress toward retirement? Are you confident youll know how to handle your ESOP diversification and distribution when the time comes? Do you need help forecasting how your ESOP and 401(k) can generate retirement income? A wealth manager from the Peak Wealth Planning team can assist. LONDON (AP) London's Luton Airport reopened Wednesday after a vehicle fire spread through a newly built parking garage, causing the partial collapse of the structure and major disruption for tens of thousands of passengers. Dozens of flights were canceled, diverted or delayed at Luton, located about 56 kilometers (35 miles) north of central London, after the blaze erupted late Tuesday. Four firefighters and an airport employee were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation after the fire. Officials at the airport, which is a hub for easyJet, Ryanair and other budget airlines running flights to destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe, said flights began to arrive and take off again Wednesday afternoon. Investigators believe the fire started with a diesel vehicle, according to Chief Fire Officer Andrew Hopkinson of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. The recently opened parking garage didn't appear to have sprinklers, he said. And then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread," Hopkinson told reporters. More than 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, he said. Authorities said they dont believe someone started the fire intentionally. Some passengers had to sleep on the floor in the airport or wait at the nearby railway station after their flights were canceled or delayed. Nikodem Lesiak, a university student trying to return to Poland, said he spent the night at the station. When we got here, we found out Luton is burning and everything is closed, and we were supposed to have our flight at 7:50 today but it was canceled," he said. Video posted on social media and on the websites of British news outlets Tuesday showed police and fire department vehicles gathered outside the multistory parking structure where the top level was engulfed in flames. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross, Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton from Edinburgh. He said that he first saw a couple of fire engines with a car on fire on an upper level of the garage, which served Terminal 2. "A few minutes later, most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames," he said. "The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible. Aspiring nurse pursues dream in Weber States nursing program October 11, 2023 OGDEN, Utah At 19 years old, Jasmine Lagunas knew moving away from her hometown in Logan, Utah, to attend Weber State University was a big sacrifice for her family, but following her dream is inspiring others to do the same. Lagunas fell in love with serving those around her when she was a certified nursing assistant in high school. To fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse, Weber State was where I had to go, she said. As a student in the Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing, she says the professors and well-crafted curriculum are preparing her to continue her passion for serving in healthcare. Everybody was accrediting Weber for having such a high-excelling nursing program, and I knew thats where I wanted to be, Lagunas said. However, her educational journey didnt come without challenges along the way. In 2022, Lagunas questioned whether she could finish school because of her financial situation. I had no idea how I would continue to pay for my education and had even considered taking a semester off, she said. Knowing she did not want to quit, Lagunas contacted advisors and mentors to inquire about scholarships and was eventually awarded WSUs CATapult scholarship to finish her final semesters. The CATapult scholarship provides a final boost for students nearing graduation but who lack the means to continue their education. Hearing that I had been awarded the scholarship was so relieving, Lagunas said. It really incentivized me and motivated me to keep going. Lagunas said she always envisioned herself in healthcare, and what once seemed a far-fetched dream is becoming a reality. Now, she wants to show her family and others they can achieve their dreams, too. My parents migrated to the U.S. to give my brother and me all these opportunities, she said. They always told me to set the bar really high and never to be discouraged. In her final semesters, Lagunas said her parents advice has allowed her to show her younger sister that hard work pays off and sacrifices make us stronger. I know I can achieve my dreams and show that while challenging times may arise, achieving dreams is never impossible, Lagunas said. Lagunas recently passed the National Council Licensure Examination, an exam taken after completing a nursing program and required to obtain a license to practice. She is now furthering her education and is enrolled in the baccalaureate program at WSU. DS Sigma Holdings Berhad's (KLSE:DSS) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 2.4x may not look like an appealing investment opportunity when you consider close to half the companies in the Packaging industry in Malaysia have P/S ratios below 0.8x. However, the P/S might be high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified. Check out our latest analysis for DS Sigma Holdings Berhad How Has DS Sigma Holdings Berhad Performed Recently? As an illustration, revenue has deteriorated at DS Sigma Holdings Berhad over the last year, which is not ideal at all. One possibility is that the P/S is high because investors think the company will still do enough to outperform the broader industry in the near future. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason. Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on DS Sigma Holdings Berhad will help you shine a light on its historical performance. How Is DS Sigma Holdings Berhad's Revenue Growth Trending? There's an inherent assumption that a company should outperform the industry for P/S ratios like DS Sigma Holdings Berhad's to be considered reasonable. In reviewing the last year of financials, we were disheartened to see the company's revenues fell to the tune of 22%. The last three years don't look nice either as the company has shrunk revenue by 4.1% in aggregate. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been undesirable for the company. In contrast to the company, the rest of the industry is expected to grow by 11% over the next year, which really puts the company's recent medium-term revenue decline into perspective. In light of this, it's alarming that DS Sigma Holdings Berhad's P/S sits above the majority of other companies. Apparently many investors in the company are way more bullish than recent times would indicate and aren't willing to let go of their stock at any price. Only the boldest would assume these prices are sustainable as a continuation of recent revenue trends is likely to weigh heavily on the share price eventually. Story continues What Does DS Sigma Holdings Berhad's P/S Mean For Investors? Typically, we'd caution against reading too much into price-to-sales ratios when settling on investment decisions, though it can reveal plenty about what other market participants think about the company. Our examination of DS Sigma Holdings Berhad revealed its shrinking revenue over the medium-term isn't resulting in a P/S as low as we expected, given the industry is set to grow. Right now we aren't comfortable with the high P/S as this revenue performance is highly unlikely to support such positive sentiment for long. Unless the recent medium-term conditions improve markedly, investors will have a hard time accepting the share price as fair value. And what about other risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for DS Sigma Holdings Berhad (of which 1 can't be ignored!) you should know about. If strong companies turning a profit tickle your fancy, then you'll want to check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings). 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. EnSilica (LON:ENSI) Full Year 2023 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: UK20.5m (up 34% from FY 2022). Net income: UK1.79m (up by UK1.64m from FY 2022). Profit margin: 8.8% (up from 1.0% in FY 2022). EPS: UK0.024 (up from UK0.002 in FY 2022). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period EnSilica Revenues and Earnings Beat Expectations Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 3.4%. Earnings per share (EPS) also surpassed analyst estimates by 62%. The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Rest of Europe segment contributing a total revenue of UK11.8m (58% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth UK12.3m amounted to 60% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to UK7.35m (100% of total expenses). Over the last 12 months, the company's earnings were enhanced by non-operating gains of UK974.0k.Explore how ENSI's revenue and expenses shape its earnings. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 23% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, compared to a 21% growth forecast for the Semiconductor industry in the United Kingdom. Performance of the British Semiconductor industry. The company's shares are up 3.7% from a week ago. Risk Analysis You should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with EnSilica (including 1 which can't be ignored). 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. LONDON (AP) A massive fire tore through a newly built parking garage at one of London's international airports early Wednesday, and four firefighters and an airport employee were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. All flights at Luton Airport were suspended until 3 p.m. U.K. time Wednesday, the airport said in a statement, and would-be passengers were asked to stay away because emergency crews were still on scene and access was restricted. Luton, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of central London, is a hub for budget airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and others. In addition to the five people hospitalized, a sixth person was treated at the scene. Video posted on social media and on British news outlets websites showed police and fire department vehicles gathered outside a multi-story parking structure where the top level was engulfed in flames. The parking garage for Terminal 2 partially collapsed after the fire started around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton from Edinburgh. He told the PA news agency that he first saw a couple of fire engines with a car on fire on an upper level. "A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames," he said. "The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible. READING, Pa. A leader of the local Muslim community is reacting to fighting between Israel and Hamas. The president of the Islamic Center of Reading, Elsayed Elmarzouky, said everybody needs to work towards peace. He said conflict between the two has lasted decades. "It seems like the international community cannot really get a grip on this and come to a solution to make both sides happy and settled," said Elmarzouky. Elmarzouky said he condemns any violence. He said he has been in Berks County for more than 30 years now. "I have a good rapport with all our Jewish friends," he said. "It's like family to me and all the Christians like family to me." He tells us he is praying and offering his condolences for all people who have lost their lives on either side. "People are people," Elmarzouky said. "I don't care what kind of religion it is, and this is my bottom line. We are all people, and we all have the right to exist as human beings." The Jewish Federation of Reading Berks is among the groups organizing a vigil for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Reform Congregation Oheb Shalom in Wyomissing. Representatives from the Islamic Center will be there. "I'm just praying for peace, and I'm offering my condolences for all the wasted lives, all the innocent lives, because of this act whether from this side or that side," said Elmarzouky. (Bloomberg) -- European Commissioner Thierry Breton warned Elon Musk that his X social network is spreading illegal content and disinformation related to the Israel-Hamas war and called on him to take quick action. Most Read from Bloomberg In the letter, which Breton posted on the social platform formerly known as Twitter, he reminded Musk that he has an obligation to take very precise content moderation measures under the European Unions Digital Services Act and requested a response within 24 hours. Read More: Israel Latest: Biden Vows Full Support for Israel Against Hamas We have, from qualified sources, reports about potentially illegal content circulating on your service, despite flags from relevant authorities, Breton wrote in the letter on Tuesday. In particular, violent and terrorist imagery and false and misleading information were circulating without moderation, Breton said. Breton cited reports of fake and manipulated images and facts on the platform, as well as repurposed old images of unrelated armed conflict or military footage that actually originated from video games. Musk responded with a post on X, saying everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports and asking Breton to list the violations you allude to on X. Musk and Breton have developed a rapport over the past year, in part through their shared affection for semiconductors and satellites. Before Musk purchased Twitter, Breton flew to Texas and got the worlds richest man to film an awkward video saying he agreed with the EUs ideas about content moderation. Read More: The Man Keeping Musk, Zuckerberg and Big Tech in Line in Europe Story continues Breton paid a visit to X during his tour of Silicon Valley in June and greeted Linda Yaccarino, then less than three weeks on the job as chief executive officer. Musk joined the meeting remotely for a stress test of Twitters ability to comply with the DSA and assured him at the time that he planned to comply with the laws. Read More: Israel-Hamas Conflict Was a Test for Musks X, and It Failed (Updates with Musk post in the fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. YORK COUNTY, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said York County-based Rutter's, which has locations in Berks County, has agreed to pay $1 million as part of a settlement stemming from a data breach. Officials say the breach happened over a nine-month period in 2018 and 2019, and involved 79 stores, including the one in Hamburg. Officials said a hacker was able to obtain info related to more than 1.3 million payment cards. The AG's office said, at the time of the breach, the convenience store chain did not have reasonable security measures in place to protect the personal information of customers, which violates the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. In addition to the payment, officials say Rutter's has agreed to conduct a risk assessment, undergo a settlement compliance assessment and improve security measures. The improvements include maintaining a comprehensive information security program, keeping network software updated and responding to suspicious network activity within reasonable means. The AG's office said it is not clear exactly how many people were impacted. Pennsylvania's Attorney General said Rutter's first became aware of unauthorized activity on its network in May of 2019, but Rutter's concluded that no payment card information was stolen. The AG says December of that year is when Rutter's learned of unauthorized charges linked to 30 stores. Rutter's said in a statement in early 2020 that malware was installed on payment systems inside stores and at gas pumps, but that car washes, ATMs and lottery machines were not affected. The Rutter's stores in Ontelaunee and Maxatawny townships were not yet open at that time. 69 News reached out to Rutter's for comment and have not heard back. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Students, teachers and staff could soon be walking through metal detectors - or similar devices - at certain schools within the Allentown School District. Tuesday evening, during a crowded school safety forum that included Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and Chief of Police Charles Roca, the superintendent said school administration will recommend later this week that those devices be purchased and installed. The school safety forum comes after a recent incident that alarmed students and parents. Late last month, security at William Allen High School found a 15-year-old student with a loaded handgun in a school restroom, according to authorities. The district also reports that last school year they recovered the highest number of guns and knives in a number of years. "There was a gun inside this school, and that can happen any day of the week, so like, I do think about that because my life could be on the line," said Deklan, a senior. Data from the Allentown School District reveals weapons are being brought into school more often: 73 knives and 2 guns were recovered last school year. That's the most since the 2016-'17 school year when 41 knives and one gun were discovered. "I do hope to see change," said senior Liyah Malavet. "I think that I hope we implement like metal detectors and all that stuff, because I want to feel safe at school." "We had more than 7,000 stakeholders respond to us and surveys. I also met with all our student leaders in our three comprehensive high schools, and this is what they said to us," explained Superintendent Dr. Carol Birks. When asked how she feels on the matter, Birks said it's about the community's "overwhelming" response. "I just want to make sure that we have the structures - be it metal detectors, cameras, whatever it is - to make sure that people feel safe in our schools," she stated. Birks says the detectors won't be placed at every single door within district high schools but ones that have been strategically selected. "I think will make me feel a lot safer, because no one's going to be bringing those guns or any like contraband into the school," added Malavet. During the forum, one parent, though, questioned that strategy. "Since we will not have detectors covering every door, which means we don't have doors that are monitored, it is a possibility that someone can open up another door and get a weapon?" she asked. Birks says - if approved - detectors will complement other security measures already in place, such as the vape detection system approved and installed before the start of this school year. She says those - through artificial intelligence and audio decibel monitoring - can alert security to potential vaping, fights and even gunshots. She asserted that the detectors' sensitivity levels can be tweaked, as needed, and that staff would also walk through the detectors. Birks says the recommendation to install weapon detection devices will be given at Thursday's 6:30 p.m. school board meeting. The superintendent also stressed that she believes the community plays an important part in keeping kids safe and urged people to provide tips and to alert officials if it's believed a weapon or any contraband has been brought inside school walls. "It's going to take the collective support of the entire community, to ensure that our students and our staff are safe," she added. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - ArtsQuest and state Rep. Steve Samuelson are calling on lawmakers to pass a bill that would put an end to what's known as speculative ticket selling. They sounded off on the practice during a news conference Tuesday at Musikfest Cafe. "Speculative ticket selling" - or third-party ticket selling -- is when someone "sells" a ticket they don't actually have in their possession, at a significantly higher price. Officials say doing so causes confusion and frustration for the ticket buyer, and also negatively affects the venue and the artists. "They're just getting you to go to their website, which looks a lot like ours or other venues, con you into buying into these tickets and then they ghost you. So if you show up or you want to change seats or if the show is cancelled and there's a refund, we can do nothing to help you," said ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert. The measure - known as House Bill 1658 - is expected to be voted on by the House soon. If it passes, it will go to the Senate. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem's Historic Conservation Commission will review Monday some final details of The Marshal, a seven-story apartment building proposed for the site of the former Southside Bethlehem Boys & Girls Club. Plans on the city website show 76 apartments, with studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units at 117 E. Fourth St. The Marshal, as the building is called in the plans, will include retail space on the first floor. Developer Dennis Benner said at a Planning Commission meeting last year that the retail use was not yet identified, but would probably involve food. The proposal has already gone through the city's review process, and the latest submission is for approval of "final project details and finishes," according to a letter to the city from Serfass Cos. of North Whitehall Township, a construction company. Details about windows and the appearance of the building are included. The Historic Conservation Commission is an advisory body that whether projects are appropriate for the historic district. The Bethlehem Historic Commission will meet Monday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. The agenda and a link to a livestream are available on the city's website. EASTON, Pa. At Tuesday night's special meeting of the Easton Area School District Board of Directors, an agreement between the Easton Area School District and Teamster Local 773 (bus drivers) effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026, was approved. Drivers will be compensated, in accordance with state and federal law, for all time worked, including but not limited to pre-trip inspections and refueling. In 2023-24, the district shall pay bus drivers for the following at the rate of $27 per hour: regular bus runs (morning/afternoon), field trips (driving time), bus overruns (prorated), snow removal and shuttle runs. In 2023-24, the district shall pay bus and van drivers for the following at the rate of $19.50 per hour: meetings, bus rider/monitor, drug tests, van runs, van overruns (prorated), late runs, activity runs, alternative education/mid-day runs, noon Career Institute of Technology runs, van CIT runs, additional assignments, bus washing, field trips (non-driving time), scrap metal collection, late start and early dismissal. In addition, the district shall pay trainers $29 per hour for the time spent training new drivers. In 2024-25, the district shall increase the above hourly rates by 3.5%. In 2025-26, the district shall increase the drivers' 2024-25 hourly rates by 3.25%. The school board tabled motions to approve a new job description for the director of transportation and revised job descriptions for the supervisor of transportation and administrative professional for student and community services. Also tabled until the next voting meeting on Oct. 24 was a motion to approve the hiring of a director of transportation. The motions were tabled because several board members said they did not have sufficient time to study the motions. LERTA properties The board heard a presentation from John Kingsley, director of Easton's Department of Community and Economic Development, about the city's LERTA (Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance) amendment and the addition of nine properties to the program. LERTA provides a 10-year, sliding scale tax abatement on property tax increases resulting from substantial rehabilitation/redevelopment. The base taxes on the property continue to be paid. The first year provides full abatement of the tax increase. The second year provides a 90% abatement, which increases 10% per year until the 11th year when full taxes are paid. Easton's LERTA program was re-established in 2012 with approximately 925 properties. In 2018, it was reauthorized to extend to 2027, and the number of eligible parcels was reduced substantially from 925 to 71. There are currently 82 eligible properties. Beyond the eligible properties, there are currently 72 parcels that are currently receiving LERTA benefits. Kingsley said the city is seeking to add nine LERTA properties which will need the approval of the city, the county and Easton Area School District. The properties are located at 1-6 Center Square, 8 Center Square, 508 West Canal St., Philips and Charles streets (four properties), and 653 and 671 Bushkill St. The school district currently receives $39,574.79 in taxes from these properties, according to Kingsley. Post LERTA, that amount will increase to $389,230.46, he said. The next steps, Kingsley noted, would be to give the LERTA proposal formal consideration at the next board meeting on Oct. 24. Next meeting At the next meeting, the board will also consider a final corrective action plan for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Career and Technical Education which addresses engineering/engineering-related technologies, job seeking/changing skills, accounting technology/technician and bookkeeping, and administrative assistant and secretarial science. Also, a letter of agreement with the Center for Humanistic Change Inc. to provide liaison services to support the student assistance program will be considered, as will an agreement with Bayada Home Health Care Inc. to provide school nursing services. HANOVER TWP., Pa. At a standing-room only, four-hour hearing Tuesday evening, the Hanover Township Board of Supervisors voted to deny the zoning text amendment sought by Majestic Realty for its proposed master-planned flex center. Known as Majestic Hanover Flex Center, the proposed development called for the construction of 10 multi-use flex buildings on 300 acres of land at 4300 Airport Road. That site is near Lehigh Valley International Airport and owned by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA). Majestic first proposed the development to the township in January 2022, and four meetings about it were held earlier this year. The two most recent of these meetings a public presentation on Aug. 29 and regular Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 26 drew strong opposition from residents seeking to delay or prevent warehouse development. Tuesdays hearing centered around the zoning text amendment that would have increased the percentage of a buildings square footage that could be used for warehousing within the Aircraft Flightpath Highway Business District (AFHBD). Hanover Townships zoning code allowed up to 25% of a buildings square footage to be used for warehousing as a permitted use and 50% with a conditional use, which Majestic sought to increase to 50% and 100%, respectively. For about 30 minutes on Tuesday, Majestic senior vice president Ed Konjoyan and representative Joe Uliana were questioned about the text amendment by supervisor Susan Lawless, who became the first board member to publicly express opposition to adopting it. In doing so, Lawless cited a Lehigh Valley Planning Commission review letter critical of the amendment, and said that three months had not been enough time for supervisors to digest all details of the 26-page amendment. If we grant this text amendment with all of its unique attributes, are we making it impossible to hold the line against big-box warehouses buildings that have 60% or 90% warehouse floor space in this district? Lawless asked rhetorically. Supervisor Michael Prendeville asked Konjoyan about the specific date of Majestics obligation to move forward with LNAA a process that Konjoyan said had taken much longer than expected and his company wanted to complete in October. The exchange prompted Lawless to suggest another delay to give supervisors more time to consider the amendment. I just dont think going back to the drawing board for three or four months is catastrophic, Lawless said. To delay at this point is to delay for delays sake, Konjoyan later responded. After a short break, numerous residents spoke overwhelmingly against the text amendment for another two hours. Many of them wore red shirts to present a visual display of united opposition to the changes. Resident Glynis Daniels said many people were concerned the supervisors had not taken an adequately critical eye of the text amendment and moved it along in the approval process too quickly. Chrysan Cronin, a township resident and Muhlenberg Colleges director of public health, urged the supervisors to consider the health effects of the townships youth and elderly residents. Fifty-nine percent of Hanover Townships population is younger than 18 or older than 60, Cronin noted. Your decision will have grave consequences without consideration of the significant health effects the proposed changes will have on the health of the township, Cronin said. In her testimony, resident Jennifer Levins appealed to Diacogiannis and township manager John Finnigans past opposition to warehouse development. Levins cited comments against warehouse development the two made in 2017, in which they vowed to "protect" Hanover Township from the warehouses that sprung up elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley. If you go forward and approve this, this will not be the same community not even close, Levins said. Several other residents pressed Diacogiannis further, including asking the chairman if he still stood by his previous comments. Diacogiannis said that he generally did, before adding that he would consider all input from residents before making a final decision. After the board considered postponing a final vote to its Oct. 24 meeting, Prendeville made a motion to approve the text amendment, which vice chairman Jack Nagle seconded. Lawless and supervisor Barry Check voted against approving the text amendment. Ultimately, it was Diacogiannis who cast the decisive third vote against passing the amendment, prompting raucous applause from surprised residents. The 3-2 denial means Majestic would have to develop the site in accordance with current Hanover Townships current zoning ordinance without any of its proposed changes in effect. LEHIGH TWP., Pa. The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors in Northampton County approved three amendments to the zoning ordinance Tuesday night at the municipal building. Medical marijuana facilities One amendment removes medical marijuana facilities from four zoning districts: Office Business, General Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial and Planned Resort Residential Commercial. Medical marijuana dispensaries will now be permitted by special exception within the Industrial Zoning district. The township is home to two industrial parks, according to Vice Chairwoman Cynthia Miller. The ordinance states the township believes the change will "better guide and regulate the orderly growth, development and redevelopment" of Lehigh Township, in addition to "protecting the established character and social and economic well-being of private and public property." Communication towers A second zoning amendment involves communication towers, antennas and equipment for wireless communication facilities. This change addresses typographical errors and an omission in the code governing wireless communication towers outside of rights-of-way less than 40 feet in height, which are permitted in the Agricultural/Rural Residential zoning district. Solar energy systems A third change involved removing principal solar energy systems from the A/RR, Village Residential, Resort Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, General Commercial, Office Business and Blue Mountain Conservation zoning districts. The alteration does not involve private residences. The township notes these zoning districts are "not appropriate" for principal solar energy systems. Lehigh Township is designating the Industrial Zoning District as the "most appropriate zoning district" to permit the system use. Recreational marijuana Another zoning amendment to provide for a location for a cannabis business establishment to produce and distribute recreational marijuana was tabled. The change would have allowed the provisions to be in place should the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approve pending legislation allowing recreational marijuana use. Currently, only medical marijuana usage is permitted in Pennsylvania. However, solicitor David Backenstoe noted the ordinance's language needed an adjustment. Given this, the bill was tabled to be "more prepared" for adoption at a future meeting, according to Miller. N. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - Dozens of employers are expected to attend a job fair in North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County in early November. Lehigh Carbon Community College says it will host a Fall Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Community Services Center at the colleges main campus in Schnecksville, according to a news release from the college. LCCC students and alumni are encouraged to attend. The public is also invited. People are asked to bring resumes and wear professional attire as more than 80 local and regional employers will be available to discuss full-time, part-time, seasonal and internship opportunities, the college said. The event is free. For more information, people can contact the Career Development Center at 610-799-1090 or email careerservices@lccc.edu. Details on additional fall 2023 job fairs are available at the LCCC website. HARRISBURG, Pa. In the wake of what they call "rampant and violent looting" in Philadelphia recently, Pennsylvania House Republicans have unveiled new legislation to crack down on looting across the state. Sponsored by Republican Reps. Kathleen Tomlinson (Bucks), Martina White (Philadelphia) and Joe Hogan (Bucks), the legislation includes four total bills. Bill No. 1 would establish a new criminal offense for people who use social media to incite riots, burglary, theft or "dangerous criminal conduct that threatens others." Tomlinson sponsored that bill. Bill No. 2, which was sponsored by White, would establish another criminal offense specifically targeting looting. Sponsored by Tomlinson, Bill No. 3 would provide "teeth" to juvenile curfews enacted during times of widespread looting. The bill is designed to give police a way to arrest and charge juveniles who intentionally violate such curfews with the "clear and obvious intention of committing serious crimes against people or property." Bill No. 4 would apply a sentencing enhancement to anyone who loots "government property" including liquor stores. Hogan sponsored that bill. Pennsylvania House GOP leader Bryan Culter (R-Lancaster) has spoken out in favor of the new legislation. Pennsylvanians want safe communities... so I am proud to see House Republicans step up and further our Keystone Commitment by introducing this package of bills to make our streets safer and help prevent this looting from occurring again, Culter said. COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. The Perkiomen Valley school board voted Tuesday night to adopt revisions to the policy requiring students to use the bathroom that aligns with their biological sex. Revisions include ensuring locking mechanisms on single-use facilities, as well as labeling directives for those same facilities. The revisions were, some said, an indication that the policy was rushed and passed prematurely. "Considering that we're a week in, and we're already having to make changes to this policy, I do think again that this is something that...should probably go back to policy until the nuts and bolts are all worked out," said board member Tammy Campli. During the public comment portion of the meeting, former board member Wayde Weston agreed. The revisions, he said, were "not to correct the major issues with the policy but minor tweaks you didn't think through before." The policy revisions also allow for exceptions for preschool age children or select students with special needs. These groups may enter a restroom that is not aligned with biological sex with a parent, teacher, support staff or caregiver, according to the policy. For one board member, the distinctions only serve to spotlight that trans students are being further marginalized. "The addition of putting specifications on who can use the restroom that doesn't align with their sex really draws attention to the fact that we're making allowances for some, but yet it's pretty obvious that trans students are not allowed to have allowances," said Campli. "I really do feel that there should be no approval," she added. Instead, she urged her counterparts to send the policy to a committee where it could be reviewed further. The revised policy passed with Campli casting the lone "no" vote. The vote was one in a long and contentious road for the policy change rife with public attention on both sides of the issue. First raised, rejected and sent to committee, the policy was adopted at an Oct. 2 meeting. The iteration passed then opens to students the majority of single-use bathrooms that were previously only available to teachers. Several board members previously said that the decision was a compromise because it makes available more single-use restrooms for students whose gender identities do not align with their biological sex. While considerably shorter than many public comment periods on the issue, Tuesday night's public comment portion was composed of many against and some for the controversial policy. One mother thanked the board, saying that children's natural curiosity would reign if genders were allowed to share bathrooms leading to inappropriate behavior. Other commenters pointed to political reasons for the policy's adoption. "(We) don't want the board taking direction from outside groups who are concerned with their own agenda," commented Watson. The board's commitment to the community and to the students was also put into question by a commenter who called their behavior "shameful." "I don't believe you care about all students," the commenter said. Audience members also talked about potential lawsuits and how much the policy would cost the district in terms of legal expenses. The toll of division amongst the community was also a recurrent theme in the comments in terms of teachers and families leaving the district. "These are the unintended consequences of getting your way," a commenter said. New appointment In other news, the board voted to appoint Zacheya Champagne-Lee to the position of supervisor of equity and student services. She replaces Steven Willis, who resigned. Champagne-Lee will earn a salary of $138,860, which is noted as prorated. "The doctor's experience as a learner, teacher and leader has equipped her to serve our students and staff and community as we navigate the complexity of our educational landscape," said the district's Executive Director of Human Resources Ryan Moran. FILE - The seal of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seen before an FCC meeting to vote on net neutrality, Dec. 14, 2017, in Washington. Landmark net neutrality rules rescinded under former President Donald Trump could return under a new push by FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel. The rules would reclassify broadband access as an essential service on par with other utilities like water or power. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) ORG XMIT: NYSS212 Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated who is affected by this rule. The story has been updated to reflect the proposed rule affects satellite and cable providers. If your satellite and cable TV goes out for more than 24 hours, you would be entitled to a refund under a proposal being introduced by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday. The proposal would push cable and satellite providers to give consumers their money back when they fall short on a service, according to a senior FCC official. Two prominent blackouts this year alone served as a catalyst for the commissions proposal, the senior official said. The dispute between Charter Communications and Disney, along with Nexstar and DirecTV, that caused millions of customers to lose access to channels, pushed the commission to start looking at solutions for consumers. What's in it for the consumer? What the refunds look like will vary, the official said. They will discuss whether refunds will come in the form of refunded money, credit on bill, or decreased bill for the following month. In addition to refunds, the commission is proposing a reporting component. Currently, blackouts are reported to the commission voluntarily, which makes it difficult to track how often they occur and by which companies. Separately the commission addressed issues on broadband oversight in an Oct. 5 fact sheet about the federal government's lack of authority over broadband outages and how it "leaves open a national security loophole." But restoring the commission's oversight with net neutrality rules could help bolster their authority "to require internet service providers to report and fix internet outages" and also inform the public of such outages. FCC hands out historic fine to robocaller company over 5 billion auto warranty calls What other blackouts happened this year? In addition to the dispute between Charter Communications and Disney that led to ESPN channels getting blacked out affecting 15 million subscribers, Nexstar and DirecTV also entered into a two-month blackout beginning in July, after Nexstar pulled their channels from the satellite television provider in July, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The move left 10 million DirectTV customers without local broadcast affiliates, the CW network and the company's upstart cable news channel. Story continues DirecTV put measures in place to grant consumers with refunds, and The Buffalo News also reported that Charter began communicating with customers about a "prorated credit for Disney content" that wasn't available to customers during the blackout. For now, the commission's proposal is about starting a conversation about refunds before they solicit comments from the public, the senior official said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FCC wants customers without cable for 24 hours refunded | exclusive PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phillies are facing off against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series Wednesday night. 69 News' Wendy Davis spoke with fans at Citizens Bank Park about what they think of their team's chances, with some expressing full confidence while others were more nervous. RARITAN TWP., N.J. - Support for Israel around the world and here at home continues to pour in. The Hunterdon County Main Branch Library in Raritan Township, New Jersey was lit white and blue Tuesday. The Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners issued a statement that reads, in part... "We are horrified by the attacks, killings and hostage takings by the terrorist group Hamas against the people of Israel... and stand in solidarity with America's strongest and only democratic ally in the Middle East." CLINTON TWP., N.J. - New Jersey has the fourth largest Jewish population in the country. Local synagogues are reacting to what they're seeing overseas, with some implementing security upgrades. "I've been sick to my stomach for the last four or five days, said Howie Hirsch, the president of the Jewish Center of Northwest Jersey. "The shock and the shared surprise of the brutality, the ruthlessness, the murder," said Rabbi Eli Kornfeld of Chabad of Hunterdon County. Among the missing Americans are two from Bergen County, New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy attended a vigil in Hoboken in support of Israel. "We have watched in horror as our Jewish brothers and sisters have endured the bloodiest act of antisemitic violence since the Holocaust," said Murphy. At the Jewish Center of Northwest Jersey in Washington, Warren County, "our rabbi's got a son who's stationed down in Gaza, so we're very concerned about everything about him and all the other people in Israel as well," said Hirsch. He's told family he's safe. Though on U.S. soil, the center is one of many taking a look at its own security. "We've been advised not to talk about anything specific about what we're doing, but we are in contact and have a very good relationship with our local authorities. I've spoken to the police chief," said Hirsch. Chabad of Hunterdon County is at the Telyas Chabad Jewish Center in Clinton Township. "The first text that I got was from the local police chief, 'Rabbi, are you okay? Do you need anything from our police department?' and you know, more patrols to make everyone feel comfortable and secure, and I expect that will continue," said Kornfeld. Kornfeld says there's been an outpouring of support from the Jewish community and beyond. "I just got a text from somebody that's asked, 'could I go to Israel, and volunteer...to help with food, shelter?" said Kornfeld. Tuesday night, Chabad of Hunterdon County held a last-minute unity gathering with more than 150 people lined up out the door. The rabbi says he expects those types of gatherings to continue. Native Americans are celebrating their histories and cultures with events across the country marking Indigenous Peoples Day. The ceremonies, dances and speeches come two years after President Joe Biden officially commemorated Indigenous Peoples Day. In Minnesota, the governor was among 150 people who attended a sunrise prayer and ceremony at a lake in Minneapolis. In Augusta, Maine, hundreds of people rallied outside the statehouse in support of a Nov. 7 statewide vote that would restore language to their constitution about the state's obligations to Native American tribes. One of the participants at a celebration in Phoenix said they've been fighting for recognition since the first ships arrived Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly sunny and continued chilly; below freezing temps to start the day. . Tonight Mostly clear and cold; another night of below freezing temperatures. BRUSSELS (AP) For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined a meeting of more than 50 defense leaders from around the world, making a personal pitch Wednesday for military aid in the face of lagging political support in the United States and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israels war with Hamas. His presence underscored growing concerns about cracks in what has been staunch international backing for Kyiv in its war against Russia's invasion, and worries that Ukrainian forces haven't made measurable progress in the counteroffensive as winter closes in. Asked about concerns that Ukraine could get less military support because of the Mideast conflict, Zelenskyy said there is a very understandable volume that the U.S. and Europe can provide. Zelenskyy said he has asked that question himself, adding he thinks nobody really knows but he is still assuming U.S. and European support. As for the Israel complication, of course, everybodys afraid, and I think also Russias counting on it, on dividing support, Zelenskyy said in remarks at a news conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dismissed suggestions that support to Kyiv could suffer as the U.S. sends help to Israel. In terms of our ability to continue to support both the efforts in Ukraine and support the efforts in Israel as well -- absolutely, we can do both and we will do both," Austin said. The meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by the U.S., comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress has stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers to any increase in spending. Speaking as he entered NATO headquarters, Zelenskyy noted the Israel war and said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraine's ongoing need for air defense systems and long-range missiles to push Russia out of our land. Next Monday, we will mark the 600th day of our resistance to Russias full scale aggression against our people, against Ukraine. And today, no one can say for sure how many more days we will have to defend our independence and to defend our identity, Zelenskyy told the gathering at the opening of the meeting. But we can already say several things which I think are important. First, Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, Russia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle. Austin told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv. A key demand has been more air defense systems and munitions. The energy, in my view, is still there, said Austin. And I will reassure them that we remain committed to this. Austin also announced that the U.S. will take on a new leadership role in the broader effort to build Ukraines air force, specifically with F-16 fighter jets. He said the U.S. will co-lead a coalition along with Denmark and Netherlands, and will help organize donation of the aircraft, plans to sustain and maintain them and pilot training. That training has already started in the U.S. Austin said the training will likely take months and it may not be until next spring that Ukraine is operating the F-16s. He asserted that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war. And he said allies are focusing not only on meeting Kyivs immediate needs but also on setting up plans to coordinate investments in Ukraines future force. This was also the first Ukraine contact group meeting for Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who started the job October 1. He said that additional commitments of weapons and conversations with allies convinced him were putting Ukraine in a good spot ahead of the winter fight. The contact group is the main forum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyivs war effort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering. Zelenskyy, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immediately into a private session with Austin and Brown. Speaking to reporters as he came in, Zelenskyy reiterated his country's need for long-range missiles and ammunition. Its very important that there are priorities. There are air defense systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them, Zelenskyy said. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern. The new package of U.S. aid includes AIM-9M missiles that Austin said will be used with a new surface-to-air missile defense system that the U.S. will soon deliver to Ukraine. In addition, the U.S. will provide counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armor systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, so will be taken from Pentagon stocks and sent to the battlefield. Later in the day Zelenskyy spoke by video to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other top finance officials who met to discuss economic aid to Ukraine at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. Yellen said she believes there is bipartisan support to fund Ukraine and provide resources to Israel, but added, "I cant tell you precisely what the timetable is for getting this done"." Other nations also announced new support for Ukraine. Belgium's defense minister, Ludovine Dedonder, said Belgium will deliver F-16s to Ukraine and provide technical and maintenance assistance, but they won't be sent before 2025. She said the number of aircraft will depend on how soon Belgium gets its new F-35s. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the Netherlands will make three unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drone systems available to monitor NATO's eastern flank for at least six months beginning in the first quarter of 2024. The drones will operate out of Campia Turzii airbase in Romania and be used to gather intelligence. Associated Press writers Raf Casert, David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, and Tara Copp in Washington contributed from to this report. Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine JERUSALEM (AP) More than a million people in the northern Gaza Strip have been ordered to evacuate to the south as the latest Israel-Hamas war entered its seventh day Friday and Israel appeared to be preparing a ground offensive. Hamas urged residents to stay put. The orders sent panic through civilians and aid workers already struggling under Israeli airstrikes and a blockade of the Hamas-ruled area. International aid groups warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis after Israel prevented the entry of supplies from Egypt to Gazas 2.3 million people. The latest Israel-Hamas war has claimed more than 3,000 lives on both sides in the week since Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Oct. 7. Some key takeaways from the war: WHATS HAPPENED IN THE WEEK SINCE THE LATEST ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR STARTED? An Israeli shell landed in a gathering of international journalists covering clashes on the border in southern Lebanon on Friday, killing a Reuters videographer and leaving six other journalists injured. Israel has cut off supplies of food, fuel, electricity and medicine into Gaza. The only crossing point between Egypt and Gaza was shut down Tuesday following nearby Israeli airstrikes. Internet connectivity in Gaza City has been below 20% since Tuesday. With Israel having sealed Gazas borders, the only direction to flee is south, toward Egypt. But Israel is still carrying out airstrikes across the Gaza, and Egypt has rushed to secure its border against any mass influx of Palestinians. Governments around the world have spent the week trying to evacuate their nationals and dual citizens caught in the conflict after a spate of commercial flight cancellations. Israels government is under intense pressure from the public to topple Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007. Israel has called up 360,000 army reservists and threatened an unprecedented response to Hamas wide-ranging incursion. The Gaza Health Ministry said Friday that roughly 1,800 people have been killed in the territory. The Israeli military said more than 1,300 people, including 222 soldiers, have been killed in Israel a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. Roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed during the fighting, the Israeli government said. WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN GAZA? As airstrikes hammered the territory throughout the day Friday, families in cars, trucks and donkey carts packed with blankets and possessions streamed down a main road out of Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of other Palestinians across the territory wrangled over the agonizing choice of whether to stay or go following the Israeli order to evacuate. Before the evacuation directives, 423,000 Gaza Strip residents had already fled their homes, according to the United Nations. Gaza is only 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. Many Palestinians fear a repeat of the most traumatic event in their tortured history: their mass exodus from what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation. Hamas media office said warplanes struck cars fleeing south, killing more than 70 people, while Israels military said that its troops had conducted temporary raids in Gaza to battle militants. Israel said its soldiers also hunted for traces of some 150 people abducted in Hamas attack on Oct. 7. WHAT HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD? United States President Joe Biden said Friday that its a priority of his administration to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured Israel that we have your back as he and Americas top diplomat met Friday with Israeli and Arab leaders. The United Nations Security Council hadn't found a collective voice on the latest Israel-Hamas war after meeting behind closed doors Friday for the second time in five days. Russia is proposing a humanitarian cease-fire, which could be a tough sell as Israel is expected to undertake a ground offensive against the Hamas militants who rule Gaza. European Union leader Charles Michel on Friday warned that the Israel-Hamas war could create a surge in refugees heading for Europe, raising the risk of spurring on anti-migrant forces, deepening divisions and inflaming tensions between supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestinians. Irans foreign minister warned on Friday that if Israels attacks on the Gaza Strip dont stop immediately, the violence could spread to other parts of the Middle East. Syrias president on Friday called on countries of the world to stand together to stop the crimes that Israel is committing against the Palestinian people. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Friday condemned the Israeli armys decision to order the evacuation, which could cause a spike in refugees in Egypt. The deadly attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians and the devastating Israeli airstrikes and blockade of Gaza have raised accusations among international legal experts that both sides were violating international law. WHAT PROMPTED HAMAS' ATTACK ON ISRAEL? Hamas, which seeks Israels destruction, says it is defending Palestinians right to freedom and self-determination. But the devastation following Hamas' surprise attack on Oct. 7 has sharpened questions about its strategy and objectives. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli control and increasing settlements in the West Bank, the blockade in Gaza, and what they see as the worlds apathy. In addition to citing long-simmering tensions, Hamas officials cite a long-running dispute over the sensitive Al-Aqsa Mosque that is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Competing claims over the site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, have spilled into violence before, including a bloody 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2021. Associated Press Writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations contributed to this report. By Fanny Potkin and Supantha Mukherjee SINGAPORE/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Southeast Asian countries are taking a business-friendly approach to artificial intelligence regulation in a setback to the European Union's push for globally harmonised rules that align with its own stringent framework. Reuters reviewed a confidential draft of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) "guide to AI ethics and governance," whose content has not previously been reported. Three sources told Reuters the draft is being circulated to technology companies for feedback and is expected to be finalised at the end of January 2024 during the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting. Companies that have received it include Meta, IBM, and Google. EU officials earlier this year toured Asian countries in a bid to convince governments in the region to follow its lead in adopting new AI rules for tech firms that include disclosure of copyrighted and AI-generated content. In contrast to the EU's AI Act, the ASEAN "AI guide" asks companies to take countries' cultural differences into consideration and doesnt prescribe unacceptable risk categories, according to the current version reviewed. Like all ASEAN policies, it is voluntary and is meant to guide domestic regulations. With almost 700 million people and over a thousand ethnic groups and cultures, Southeast Asian countries have widely divergent rules governing censorship, misinformation, public content and hate speech that would likely affect AI regulation. Thailand, for example, has laws against criticising its monarchy. Technology executives say ASEAN's relatively hands-off approach is more business friendly as it limits the compliance burden in a region where existing local laws are already complex and allows for more innovation. "We are also pleased to see this guide aligns closely with other leading AI frameworks, such as the United States NIST AI Risk Management Framework," IBM Asia's vice president of government affairs Stephen Braim said, referring to voluntary guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology. Story continues Meta and Google did not respond to request for comment. BENEFITS VS HARM The guide, which is meant to be periodically reviewed, urges governments to aid companies through research and development funding and sets up an ASEAN digital ministers working group on AI implementation. Senior officials in three ASEAN countries said they are bullish on the potential of AI for Southeast Asia and believe the EU has been too quick to push for regulation before the harms and benefits of the technology are fully understood. The ASEAN guide advises companies to put in place an AI risk assessment structure and AI governance training, but leaves specifics to companies and local regulators. "We see it as putting guardrails for safer AI," one official told Reuters. "We still want innovation." The guide warns of the risks of AI being used for misinformation, "deepfakes", and impersonation, but leaves it to individual countries to work out the best way to respond. Other Asian nations such as Japan and South Korea have flagged similarly relaxed approaches to AI regulation, casting doubts over the EUs ambition to establish a global standard for AI governance based on the rules that would apply to its 27 member states. Driving the EU push are concerns in Brussels about the rapid pace of AI development and its effect on civil rights and security, which have put risk controls and enforcement at the centre of the proposed legislation. While ASEAN does not have any powers to make laws, its preference for member states to make their own policy determinations puts those countries on a distinctly different track to the EU. The EU's struggles to create global consensus on AI regulation contrast with its mostly successful campaign last decade to establish data protection laws that have become a template for other major economies around the world. "What we think is important is to have similar principles," a European Commission spokesperson told Reuters. "We are not seeking full harmonisation, as we are mindful of cultural differences, however, we regard the underlying principles as important." EU officials and lawmakers told Reuters that the bloc would continue to hold talks with Southeast Asian states to align over broader principles. "If we want AI to be used for good, we need to come together on the basic principles of human rights," Dutch minister for digitalisation Alexandra van Huffelen told Reuters. "I dont think we are very far off from that we couldnt bridge the differences." (Reporting by Fanny Potkin in Singapore and Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm, additional reporting by Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok. Editing by Sam Holmes) (Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp. agreed to buy Pioneer Natural Resources Co. for $59.5 billion, the supermajors largest takeover in more than two decades, as it seeks to become the dominant producer of shale oil. Most Read from Bloomberg Exxon will pay $253 per share in an all-stock deal, according to a statement on Wednesday. The agreement paves the way for Exxons biggest acquisition since merging with Mobil Corp. in 1999 and is the worlds largest corporate takeover announced this year. The transaction amounts to an 18% premium for Pioneer investors, based on the closing price on Oct. 5, when reports of the impending deal began to swirl. If finalized, the combination will make Exxon far and away the biggest player in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico and bring the companys daily production to nearly 4.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day 50% more than the next biggest supermajor. Exxon shares dropped 4.1% to $105.96 at 9:37 a.m. in New York. Pioneer rose 0.6%. The agreement will allow Exxon to boost daily output in the Permian region to the equivalent of 2 million barrels in 2027, or more than half of the oil titans current worldwide production. Exxon also pledged to reduce net-carbon dioxide emissions from Pioneer assets to zero by 2035, or 15 years sooner than originally planned, according to the release. Exxons inventory of yet-to-be-drilled sites in the worlds biggest shale basin will expand, giving it access to a vast number of potential onshore wells that, unlike deepwater ones, can be brought online within months and make Exxon far more nimble at keeping pace with erratic global demand. The acquired assets will turn a profit even if crude prices dip as low as $35 a barrel, Exxon said. Story continues The combined company will control the equivalent of 16 billion barrels of crude reserves in the Permian region, according to the statement. Exxon combining with Pioneer would also be the biggest push yet by an oil major into the Permian, consolidating a wide swath of the patch where production has been fragmented and largely the province of independent producers. When shale output in the basin began to boom around the middle of the last decade, big companies like Exxon were nowhere to be found. What Bloomberg Intelligence Says Fewer and larger E&Ps dominating the Permian Basin remain our central theme, with acquisitions to build scale in the most economic and prolific of the biggest US liquids basin likely to keep up the pace even if Exxon Mobil doesnt acquire Pioneer Natural Resources. Vincent G Piazza and Evan Lee, BI analysts Read the full report here. Supermajors initially shunned the Permian because they were skeptical the wells there could produce sufficient crude over a long enough period of time to yield big profits. It became clear, however, that low-cost, easy-to-drill shale wells enabled companies to quickly ramp up production when needed. It marked a revolutionary departure from Big Oils offshore mega projects that cost billions of dollars and require a decade of planning. The Permian went on to become the western hemispheres most-prolific oil field, making the US the top global producer. The majors began to take serious notice around 2017, when Exxon bought drilling rights in the Permian from the Bass family of Fort Worth for $6 billion. Chevron Corp., Shell Plc and BP all went on to become big players there, too. Nonetheless, the basin still has more than 1,000 producers, and the majors only make up about 15% of overall production. Exxon has been hunting for another significant acquisition in the Permian for years. The stars, however, never quite aligned. The companys finances took a hit during the pandemic as oil prices plunged and as it ramped up spending on large global projects, forcing Exxon to borrow billions of dollars to pay dividends. The war in Ukraine changed the landscape. Exxon had already been pulling back on spending, cutting costs and reaping the benefits of pandemic-era investments. Then Russias invasion sent oil prices surging. Exxons profits jumped to a record $59 billion in 2022. Its stock gained more than 80% last year, providing the financial firepower for a era-defining deal with Pioneer. The deal is apt to face tough antitrust scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission. President Joe Biden has asked the commission to investigate high gasoline prices and last year singled out Exxons record profits, accusing the company of making more money than God. Questions have swirled about a potential Exxon-Pioneer deal since April, when the smaller companys Chief Executive Officer Scott Sheffield announced that he planned to retire at years end. Sheffield has worked in the Permian since the 1970s and is credited as an architect of the shale boom that made the US an oil powerhouse. Read More: How Shales Oil and Gas Reshaped the World of Energy: QuickTake Sheffields more than 20 collective years at the helm of Pioneer is one of the longest ongoing public CEO tenures in the US oil industry. He cut his teeth in the Permian basin more than 40 years ago, continuing to work there through the dark decades when supermajors including Exxon abandoned the basin to search for crude overseas. By the time drilling and fracking innovations developed in natural gas fields were adapted to oil deposits around 2010, Pioneer was well-placed to become one of the fastest-growing producers. Citigroup acted as lead financial advisor, Centerview Partners as financial advisor, and Davis Polk & Wardwell as legal advisor to Exxon. Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley, Petrie Partners and Bank of America Securities acted as financial advisors to Pioneer; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as legal advisor to Pioneer. --With assistance from Joe Ryan and Mitchell Ferman. (Updates with opening share prices in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Water and sanitation problem-solvers win Wits students among top teams at the Sustainathon 2023, bringing home great prizes. Students from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have emerged as frontrunners at the Tata Consulting Services (TCS) Sustainathon, a competition focused on harnessing innovation to tackle water and sanitation challenges, hosted in Johannesburg, on 02 October 2023. Out of 200 teams, three teams comprising a total of 11 Wits students secured coveted spots among the top 10 finalists. Of the three Wits teams, the team called Waterwise Professionals walked away with a R10 000 cash prize for the third position, while all the other finalist teams received R5 000 each. All participants were presented with gift vouchers, goodie bags and potential TCS internships. Their innovative solutions hold the promise of revolutionising water management and access, addressing pressing issues facing not only South Africa but the world. The idea behind the second TCS Sustainathon South Africa was to inspire our youth to advocate for a more sustainable world. By allowing students to tap into the power of technology, communities, and our partner ecosystem, I can confidently say that the work they have presented here today could have a real impact on South Africas critical water and sanitation challenges, says TCS South Africa country manager Langa Dube. Team Waterwise Professionals (Nelly Khoza, Tumelo Ngoepe, Totodi Senyolo, Siyanda Pikwa, and Goitseona Taukobong), clinched a top-three position with their practical water-saving system. Redefining traditional toilets, their innovation reduces water consumption per flush to 1.5 litres, compared to the usual 11 litres. Using hydrogen peroxide to treat urine and a vacuum system to flush out solid waste, their eco-friendly solution holds the promise of reshaping sanitation practices. The team is currently redefining their solutions and preparing to register their IP with the Wits Innovation Centre. Another Wits team, One-More-Thing (Isaiah Chiraira, Steven Makoni, and Kagiso Koenaite) introduced a cutting-edge Drop-wise hydro tech solution that empowers households to take control of their water consumption. Leveraging smart sensors, this innovative approach conserves water in showers, taps, and geysers while offering users real-time insights into their usage patterns via a user-friendly web app. The third Wits team, Aquaconnect (Phenyetso leboho, Nomusa khambule and Lea Radebe) focused on ensuring safe and pure drinking water. Their solution combines UV purification with intelligent monitoring and reporting systems. The technology not only removes harmful substances but also maintains essential mineral content. Moreover, the inclusion of a USSD component extends its accessibility to those without smartphones, ensuring equitable access to clean water. These Wits teams weren't alone in their journey; they were supported by the Office Dean of Student Affairs under the leadership of Jerome September, Dean of Student Affairs, and Tshegofatso Mogaladi, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs. This support played a crucial role in nurturing and guiding the students' innovative ideas. Mogaladi, says This is a monumental accomplishment by Wits students which is indicative of growing culture of entrepreneurship and innovation amongst our students. I am particularly elated that this group of students has now claimed a prize at a national competition, was recently involved in the recent AFRETEC workshop where they also produced one of the top ideas intended to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. How our students showed up at the TSC Sustainathon is testament to a collection of institutional efforts aimed at stimulating student entrepreneurial mindset. With their dedication to practical and sustainable solutions, these students are surely poised to make a lasting impact for the benefit of humanity and the environment and thereby addressing critical water and sanitation issues, says Mogaladi. Their winning ideas may be further developed into full-fledged solutions at the TCS Innovation Lab, ultimately benefiting the community and addressing critical water and sanitation issues. ICESCO Chair for Innovation and Futures in Africa launched at WITS Wits University, through the Tayarisha Research Group, based at the Wits School of Governance, signed an agreement with The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) to host the ICESCO Chair for the study of Innovation and Futures in Africa. This chair, led by Associate Professor Geci Karuri-Sebina, will result in collaborations between high-level researchers, as well as the development of educational programmes and policy dialogues with societal actors on issues of innovation, futures literacy and foresight.In this age of fast-changing technologies and digitalisation, it is crucial that we are ensuring that our governance and socio-economic systems are learning systems that can ensure that we are meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and building positive futures for Africa, for humanity, and for our planet, said Professor Jason Cohen, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (CLM) at Wits University. The Chair will be located within the Tayarisha Research Group, a new, and fast-growing initiative at CLM/WSG which seeks to focus on the effects and implications of digital transformation on Africas future and its governance. The concept of anticipatory governance is at the core of this work as we explore possible African digital futures and how we can be both more innovative, but also better prepared to govern adequately as technologies emerge and co-evolve with societal changes, continuously shifting the very conditions of change, said Karuri-Sebina. This ICESCO Chair at Wits will be the key driver for research, training, programming and partnering in this field of Anticipatory Governance. Within Wits, this stream is consistent with the work of the Wits Innovation Centre and strategy, where there is a University-wide effort to encourage, facilitate, and support the connection between research and innovation, said Adjunct Professor Themba Maseko, Acting Head of the Wits School of Governance. In addition to enhancing African innovation ecosystems and the commercialisation of research, WIC serves as a conduit between Wits and both the private and public sectors to help develop solutions to real-world industry and development problems. WIC is working with the Tayarisha team to develop Africas first Gov-tech Incubator which is poised to become a flagship for impactful innovation in governance. The ICESCO Chair on Innovation and Futures in Africa will be integrally linked into this Wits-wide innovation agenda and its emerging offerings. Karuri-Sebina said there are also important external platforms and opportunities already on the horizon, for example, the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretech) is an innovation platform that Wits is already involved in and which ICESCO member states are already well represented. This network of technology-focused universities includes Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and the United States, and it seeks to drive inclusive digital growth through higher education and the power of collaboration working together to build engineering and technology capacity in education, knowledge creation, and entrepreneurship. Maseko said that South Africa, through Wits and its government partners, has been invited to host the 17th annual United Nations global ICEGOV conference which is the premier global convening of governments, scholars and digital governance stakeholders (More information to follow). The inaugural Chair holder, Prof Karuri-Sebina, will share the many more linkages and opportunities as this initiative progresses. For more information e-mail: Geci.Karuri-Sebina@wits.ac.za Today, Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) recorded a daily loss of -4.01%, with a 3-month gain of 6.37%. The company reported Earnings Per Share (EPS) (EPS) of 12.5. The question on investors' minds is: Is the stock fairly valued? This article provides an in-depth analysis of Exxon Mobil's valuation, financial strength, profitability, and growth. We encourage readers to delve into the following sections to understand the company's true worth. Company Overview ExxonMobil is a globally integrated oil and gas company that explores, produces, and refines oil across the world. In 2022, it produced 2.4 million barrels of liquids and 8.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The company holds reserves of 17.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent, with liquids accounting for 65%. As the world's largest refiner, ExxonMobil boasts a total global refining capacity of 4.6 million barrels of oil per day. It is also one of the world's largest manufacturers of commodity and specialty chemicals. Exxon Mobil's current stock price stands at $106.02, with a market cap of $422.60 billion. How does this compare with its fair value? Let's examine the company's GF Value. Exxon Mobil (XOM): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value Understanding GF Value The GF Value is a proprietary measure of a stock's intrinsic value, calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line provides an overview of the fair value at which the stock should ideally be traded. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) appears to be fairly valued according to the GF Value. 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 the stock price is considerably below the GF Value Line, the stock may be undervalued and likely to deliver high future returns. Given Exxon Mobil's current price of $106.02 per share and a market cap of $422.60 billion, the stock appears to be fairly valued. Story continues As Exxon Mobil is fairly valued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be close to the rate of its business growth. Exxon Mobil (XOM): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk. [The remaining content was cut off due to character limit] This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 3,355 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $208,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Oarsman Capital Inc. raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Oarsman Capital Inc. now owns 5,980 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $351,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 10,809 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $634,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,715 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $231,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Cypress Capital Group raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 15,187 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $891,000 after purchasing an additional 271 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New Potomac Partners LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. New Potomac Partners LLC now owns 7,990 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $469,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock opened at $60.33 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $61.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a twelve month low of $47.64 and a twelve month high of $64.11. About iShares MSCI Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $8.26 and last traded at $8.26, with a volume of 176445 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $8.09. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BBVA has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $6.34. Get Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Stock Up 2.1 % The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $7.79 and a 200-day moving average of $7.48. The firm has a market cap of $49.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.29. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The bank reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $7.83 billion during the quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 26.54% and a return on equity of 14.53%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.30 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 26th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.1685 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 6th. This represents a dividend yield of 5.1%. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.50%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Clarius Group LLC lifted its holdings in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 2.3% in the second quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 58,092 shares of the banks stock worth $446,000 after purchasing an additional 1,306 shares during the period. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 39,138 shares of the banks stock valued at $301,000 after purchasing an additional 1,373 shares during the period. Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 11.8% during the second quarter. Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,411 shares of the banks stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 1,417 shares in the last quarter. Chickasaw Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Chickasaw Capital Management LLC now owns 40,733 shares of the banks stock worth $313,000 after acquiring an additional 1,457 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. raised its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 13.2% during the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 12,592 shares of the banks stock worth $89,000 after purchasing an additional 1,470 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 2.83% of the companys stock. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services. It offers current accounts; and demand, savings, overnight, time, term, and subordinated deposits. The company also provides loan products; deals in securities; leasing, factoring, brokerage, and asset management services; and manages pension and investment funds. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, one has issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $216.20. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Primerica from $171.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Primerica in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Primerica from $198.00 to $197.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Primerica from $240.00 to $260.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. Get Primerica alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on PRI Insider Transactions at Primerica Hedge Funds Weigh In On Primerica In other news, CFO Alison S. Rand sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $202.26, for a total value of $606,780.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 9,444 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,910,143.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . In other news, CFO Alison S. Rand sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $202.26, for a total value of $606,780.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 9,444 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,910,143.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, President Peter W. Schneider sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.43, for a total transaction of $705,005.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 9,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,918,419.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 10,500 shares of company stock valued at $2,165,665 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.87% of the companys stock. Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Summit Trail Advisors LLC grew its stake in Primerica by 2.4% during the second quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC now owns 2,522 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $499,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in Primerica by 2.7% during the first quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 2,281 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $393,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC grew its stake in Primerica by 1.2% during the second quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 5,026 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $994,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Primerica by 110.0% during the second quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 126 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in Primerica by 1.1% during the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 5,882 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,013,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. 90.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Primerica Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of Primerica stock opened at $200.21 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $7.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.33 and a beta of 1.17. The companys 50 day moving average is $202.70 and its 200 day moving average is $193.19. Primerica has a twelve month low of $126.75 and a twelve month high of $220.00. Primerica (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $3.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.81 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $688.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $704.91 million. Primerica had a net margin of 16.55% and a return on equity of 28.48%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.86 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Primerica will post 15.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Primerica Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 21st were paid a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 18th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.30%. Primericas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.21%. About Primerica (Get Free Report Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. The Term Life Insurance segment underwrites individual term life insurance products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Primerica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Primerica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chiron Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,700 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 200 shares during the period. Chiron Capital Management LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $210,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Beacon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP bought a new position in Charles Schwab during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 54.8% during the first quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 565 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Rocky Mountain Advisers LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 704.2% in the first quarter. Rocky Mountain Advisers LLC now owns 571 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.61% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets SCHW has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Wolfe Research decreased their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $62.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $64.00 to $55.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $75.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.03. Insider Activity In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 72,047 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.66, for a total transaction of $4,802,653.02. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 59,748,538 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,982,837,543.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,792 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.31, for a total value of $217,319.52. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 44,725 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,563,189.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 72,047 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.66, for a total transaction of $4,802,653.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 59,748,538 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,982,837,543.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 159,599 shares of company stock worth $10,542,469. Corporate insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. Charles Schwab Trading Up 0.2 % Charles Schwab stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $51.86. 1,722,331 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,045,027. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $45.00 and a 52-week high of $86.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $91.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The firms 50 day moving average price is $58.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.07. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 33.15% and a return on equity of 27.54%. The firm had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.97 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 11th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.15%. About Charles Schwab (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL Get Free Report) and American Business Bank (OTCMKTS:AMBZ Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership and earnings. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and American Business Banks gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach $358.80 million 1.49 $109.00 million $725.05 6.14 American Business Bank $134.47 million 1.98 $48.56 million $5.38 5.49 Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach has higher revenue and earnings than American Business Bank. American Business Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider & Institutional Ownership Risk and Volatility 7.6% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 8.7% of American Business Bank shares are held by institutional investors. 12.8% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach has a beta of 0.38, meaning that its stock price is 62% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, American Business Bank has a beta of 0.73, meaning that its stock price is 27% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and American Business Bank, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 0 0 0 0 N/A American Business Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Profitability This table compares Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and American Business Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 22.94% 7.01% 0.76% American Business Bank 31.97% N/A N/A Summary Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach beats American Business Bank on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (Get Free Report) Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides various banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties. It offers checking, savings, Christmas club savings, health savings, market rate savings, and money market accounts; demand and time deposits; certificates of deposit; and individual retirement account. The company also provides personal, home, commercial real estate, real estate and construction, and commercial business loans, as well as lines of credit; financing for residential loans comprising single-family and multifamily loans; and credit and debit cards. In addition, it offers account management, receivables and payables, and risk management services; commercial lending services; and faith-based and healthcare banking services, as well as online and mobile banking services. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. About American Business Bank (Get Free Report) American Business Bank, a California-chartered bank, provides banking products and services to small and medium-sized firms, non-profits, business executives, and professionals in Southern California. The company offers credit and depository; treasury management; asset-based lending; SBA lending; international banking comprising money transfers, import and export commercial letters of credit, standby letters of credit, documentary and clean collections, and foreign currency exchange services; and consulting and referral services. It operates regional loan production offices located in North Orange County, Orange County, South Bay, San Fernando Valley, Riverside County, Inland Empire, and Long Beach. American Business Bank was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Receive News & Ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC reduced its stake in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 55.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,311 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 8,920 shares during the period. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Danaher were worth $1,755,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Venture Visionary Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Danaher by 0.6% during the second quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 8,022 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,925,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. AMF Tjanstepension AB bought a new stake in Danaher during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,043,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in Danaher by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,189,703 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $285,529,000 after purchasing an additional 8,284 shares in the last quarter. Old North State Trust LLC grew its position in shares of Danaher by 4,123.1% during the 1st quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 24,452 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $172,000 after purchasing an additional 23,873 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arlington Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Danaher by 63.2% in the first quarter. Arlington Partners LLC now owns 1,105 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $279,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. 76.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Danaher alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Danaher from $250.00 to $240.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. KeyCorp decreased their price objective on shares of Danaher from $325.00 to $300.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Danaher from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Friday, October 6th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Danaher from $260.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $287.93. Danaher Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of NYSE:DHR opened at $218.76 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $161.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.81. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $249.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $243.94. The company has a current ratio of 2.08, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Danaher Co. has a 12-month low of $208.96 and a 12-month high of $281.54. Danaher (NYSE:DHR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The conglomerate reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.04. Danaher had a return on equity of 15.03% and a net margin of 20.95%. The business had revenue of $7.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.12 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.76 EPS. Danahers revenue for the quarter was down 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 8.82 earnings per share for the current year. Danaher Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 11th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.49%. Danahers dividend payout ratio is currently 12.68%. Insider Buying and Selling at Danaher In other Danaher news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 11,213 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.65, for a total value of $2,922,668.45. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,288 shares in the company, valued at $9,979,767.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Teri List sold 3,490 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.30, for a total value of $918,917.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,606,170.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 11,213 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.65, for a total transaction of $2,922,668.45. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,288 shares in the company, valued at $9,979,767.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 47,922 shares of company stock valued at $12,552,233 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock. About Danaher (Free Report) Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street (NYSE:STT Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by investment analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $66.00 to $65.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price suggests a potential downside of 0.69% from the companys previous close. Several other research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $75.00 price objective on shares of State Street in a research report on Tuesday, September 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of State Street from $92.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of State Street from $82.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of State Street from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $84.00 to $73.00 in a report on Sunday, July 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of State Street from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $78.50 to $71.00 in a report on Monday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $75.58. Get State Street alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on State Street State Street Trading Up 1.1 % Shares of STT stock opened at $65.45 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The stock has a market cap of $20.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.56. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $69.15 and a 200 day simple moving average of $71.07. State Street has a 1 year low of $58.62 and a 1 year high of $94.74. State Street (NYSE:STT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The asset manager reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.09. State Street had a return on equity of 12.20% and a net margin of 16.99%. The business had revenue of $3.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.14 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.94 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that State Street will post 7.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at State Street In other State Street news, CFO Eric W. Aboaf sold 11,886 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.13, for a total transaction of $797,907.18. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 145,974 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,799,234.62. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On State Street Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of State Street during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of State Street in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. City Holding Co. acquired a new stake in shares of State Street in the 1st quarter worth about $40,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of State Street in the 4th quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, State of Wyoming raised its holdings in shares of State Street by 51.3% in the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 619 shares of the asset managers stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.62% of the companys stock. State Street Company Profile (Get Free Report) State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody, accounting, regulatory reporting, investor, and performance and analytics; middle office products, such as IBOR, transaction management, loans, cash, derivatives and collateral, record keeping, and client reporting and investment analytics; foreign exchange, and brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; loans and lease financing; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for State Street Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for State Street and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Financial Counselors Inc. lowered its stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report) by 0.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 162,935 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,473 shares during the quarter. Financial Counselors Inc.s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $14,622,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Empirical Finance LLC boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 13.3% in the second quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 24,033 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,157,000 after purchasing an additional 2,814 shares during the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 18,193 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,633,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the last quarter. Bank OZK lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 8.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank OZK now owns 19,493 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,749,000 after buying an additional 1,453 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 28.2% during the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 28,798 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,584,000 after buying an additional 6,333 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 9.3% during the 2nd quarter. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,612 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $414,000 after buying an additional 393 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.68% of the companys stock. Get Duke Energy alerts: Duke Energy Stock Up 0.3 % DUK traded up $0.28 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $89.22. 230,079 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,022,130. Duke Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $83.06 and a fifty-two week high of $106.43. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $90.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $92.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market cap of $68.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.43. Duke Energy Increases Dividend Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.98 by ($0.07). Duke Energy had a net margin of 5.06% and a return on equity of 8.05%. The company had revenue of $6.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. Duke Energys quarterly revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.6 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 18th were issued a dividend of $1.025 per share. This is a positive change from Duke Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.01. This represents a $4.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.60%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 17th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 229.05%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently issued reports on DUK shares. Barclays raised their price target on Duke Energy from $96.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 14th. KeyCorp lowered their price target on Duke Energy from $109.00 to $96.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Duke Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Duke Energy from $104.00 to $101.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Duke Energy from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, September 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $98.42. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Duke Energy Duke Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weatherford International (OTCMKTS:WFTLF Get Free Report) and Bristow Group (NYSE:VTOL Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, dividends, risk, profitability and institutional ownership. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Weatherford International and Bristow Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Weatherford International alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Weatherford International N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Bristow Group $1.21 billion 0.64 -$6.98 million $0.22 125.64 Weatherford International has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Bristow Group. Institutional and Insider Ownership Profitability 94.0% of Bristow Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 15.0% of Bristow Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. This table compares Weatherford International and Bristow Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Weatherford International N/A N/A N/A Bristow Group 0.51% 0.81% 0.35% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Weatherford International and Bristow Group, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Weatherford International 0 0 0 0 N/A Bristow Group 0 0 1 0 3.00 Bristow Group has a consensus price target of $40.00, indicating a potential upside of 44.72%. Given Bristow Groups higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Bristow Group is more favorable than Weatherford International. Summary Bristow Group beats Weatherford International on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Weatherford International (Get Free Report) Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, surface well testing, and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; rotating control devices and advanced automated control systems, as well as closed-loop drilling, air drilling, managed-pressure drilling, and underbalanced drilling services; open hole and cased-hole logging services; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides tubular handling, management, and connection services; drilling tools and rental equipment services; and re-entry, fishing, wellbore cleaning, and well abandonment services, as well as multilateral well systems. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is based in Houston, Texas. About Bristow Group (Get Free Report) Bristow Group Inc. provides vertical flight solutions. It primarily offers aviation services to integrated, national, and independent offshore energy companies and government agencies. It also provides personnel transportation, search and rescue (SAR), medevac, ad hoc helicopter, and fixed wing transportation services, as well as logistical and maintenance support, training services, and flight and maintenance crews. The company has a fleet of aircrafts. It has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, Guyana, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The company was founded in 1948 and is based in Houston, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Weatherford International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Weatherford International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 6.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 714,803 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 44,207 shares during the quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $30,508,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.3% during the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,664,647 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $174,365,000 after buying an additional 58,249 shares during the period. Atria Investments Inc grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 18.2% during the 1st quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 185,306 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,927,000 after acquiring an additional 28,551 shares during the period. Deltec Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter worth about $224,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Wayfinding Financial LLC now owns 7,421 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $277,000 after purchasing an additional 363 shares during the period. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 13.0% during the 1st quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 25,076 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $937,000 after purchasing an additional 2,888 shares in the last quarter. 72.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of WFC traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $39.72. 2,410,235 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 19,778,391. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $48.84. The company has a market cap of $145.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.95, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.12. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $41.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $41.44. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $20.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.18% and a return on equity of 11.15%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 20.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.74 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.82 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 4th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 3rd. This is a positive change from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.52%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.00%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have issued reports on WFC. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $43.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Monday, July 17th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $51.00 in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. HSBC started coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. They issued a hold rating and a $45.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $50.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Sunday, July 16th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $47.83. Get Our Latest Analysis on WFC Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Bloomberg) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that any deliberate damage to the alliances critical infrastructure would warrant a response after an undersea gas pipeline was ruptured in a suspected act of sabotage in Finland. Most Read from Bloomberg As the newest member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization investigates what caused the damage, Stoltenberg said that defense ministers will discuss the topic during a meeting in Brussels. The important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen, Stoltenberg told reporters Wednesday. If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO critical infrastructure, then this will be serious but will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO. The gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia, another NATO member that also borders on Russia, started leaking at the weekend, and people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday the investigation is proceeding on the basis that it was sabotage. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters that it was caused by an external source as he declined to speculate who may be responsible. Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the report on damage of the pipeline alarming news, adding the Kremlin is waiting for further details, according to the state-run Tass newswire. He was also cited as saying that the explosions that damaged the nearby Nord Stream pipeline almost one year ago have set dangerous precedents in the Baltic Sea. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said she isnt ruling out Russias involvement until the investigation is concluded, speaking in interview with local news publication Delfi. If that were proven, NATO would start Article 4 consultations, she said, referring to a clause in the blocs founding treaty on talks initiated by any member that feels their territorial integrity or security is threatened. Story continues The Balticconnector pipeline that was damaged in the early hours of Sunday is ruptured on one side and dragged out of place, according to Estonian military officials. Something has dragged this pipe from one side to the other, Estonian Navy Commander Juri Saska told public broadcaster ERR Tuesday night. If I try to paint a picture of what Ive seen without showing it to you, then the pipe itself is covered with a concrete shell, Saska said. And it looks just as if someone has torn it from the side and the concrete has broken off or peeled off from the damaged area. Finland identified a small seismic event at the time when the pipeline was damaged, seismologist Jari Kortstrom at the University of Helsinki said by phone. The magnitude is so small that a couple of kilograms of TNT could be enough to cause such a blast, but its not certain the event was caused by an explosion, he said. Finland had initially said nothing indicated a blast on the Gulf of Finland that night. Finland is securing critical infrastructure and increasing vigilance, Orpo said. The National Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal investigation. The Finnish Border Guards patrol ship Turva identified the leaks location on Tuesday and is still at the site of the damage. Its in Finlands so-called exclusive economic zone that spans 200 nautical miles from the coast but outside its territorial waters a distinction that may prove important as countries weigh their response. Data compiled by Bloomberg shows the patrol vessel at the site during the day. An undersea communications cable between the two countries has also been damaged. While the rupture of the pipeline is not significant for the wider European gas market, it raises questions about security of supply just as Europe goes into winter. Russia halted gas flows to Finland in May 2022, about a week after the Nordic country said it would apply for NATO membership in response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Norway, a key supplier of gas to continental Europe, on Tuesday said its maintaining an increased security level on gas infrastructure, put in place in the spring of 2022. Lithuania, another NATO and European Union member in the region that shares a border with Russia, will expand security zones patrolled by its ships around the countrys liquefied natural gas terminal in the Baltic Sea, Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys said Wednesday. We are constantly receiving information about Russian ships, supposedly scientific vessels, roaming around the energy infrastructure both in the Baltic Sea and in the North Sea, he said after a meeting dedicated to security of strategic facilities. Both NATO and EU member states are following this. But as the latest incident has shown, it is not always possible to prevent those. Since the Nord Stream explosions, NATO has increased its naval patrols in the North Sea and is racing to develop new technologies, including undersea drones, that could help detect suspicious activity on undersea systems in real-time. Attributing attacks is a particular challenge in light of the scale and depth underwater of the infrastructure. While NATO has not laid on blame on particular actor for the latest incident, it has repeatedly warned that Russia is mapping critical undersea systems, saying there was significant risk that Moscow could target infrastructure in Europe and North America. Highlighting the increasing importance of subsea security, NATO allies agreed in July to establish a new maritime center for undersea critical infrastructure at its maritime command in Northwood, UK. They also agreed to set up a network to improve information sharing between NATO, its allies and the private sector, to act fast on any intelligence. --With assistance from Leo Laikola and Milda Seputyte. (Updates with Estonian premier in sixth paragraph, Lithuania expanding patrols.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. decreased its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 51,146 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 151 shares during the quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd.s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $12,795,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aspire Private Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the first quarter worth approximately $16,798,050,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 145.2% in the 1st quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 103 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Sturgeon Ventures LLP acquired a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 52.7% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 142 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the period. 79.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Illinois Tool Works Trading Up 0.2 % NYSE ITW opened at $234.98 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.59. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a one year low of $180.46 and a one year high of $264.19. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $238.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of $238.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.06 billion, a PE ratio of 23.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 1.15. Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.39 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $4.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.14 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 94.14% and a net margin of 19.30%. The businesss revenue was up 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.37 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.73 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a $1.40 dividend. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.38%. This is a boost from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.39%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ITW has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $213.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $236.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $281.00 to $292.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $250.00 to $235.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $230.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $236.73. Get Our Latest Research Report on ITW About Illinois Tool Works (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) had its price target cut by equities researchers at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $16.00 to $15.00 in a report released on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price target would indicate a potential upside of 8.07% from the companys previous close. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on IVZ. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Invesco from $19.00 to $15.75 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Invesco in a report on Monday, July 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $21.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Invesco from $17.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, July 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Invesco from $17.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Invesco in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Invesco currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.66. Get Invesco alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on IVZ Invesco Stock Performance NYSE IVZ opened at $13.88 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 5.15, a current ratio of 5.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Invesco has a 52-week low of $13.20 and a 52-week high of $20.56. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $15.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.97. The firm has a market cap of $6.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.40. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The asset manager reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.09). Invesco had a return on equity of 7.54% and a net margin of 15.29%. The company had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.39 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Invesco will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other Invesco news, major shareholder Invesco Realty, Inc. purchased 796,323 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $25.12 per share, for a total transaction of $20,003,633.76. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 1,052,487 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,438,473.44. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Invesco by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 30,437 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $512,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its stake in shares of Invesco by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 20,529 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $337,000 after buying an additional 624 shares during the period. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Invesco by 16.5% during the 1st quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,478 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $73,000 after buying an additional 633 shares during the period. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Invesco by 19.4% during the 1st quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 4,002 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 649 shares during the period. Finally, American International Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Invesco by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 123,287 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,072,000 after buying an additional 655 shares during the period. 66.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Invesco Company Profile (Get Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $47.96 and last traded at $48.35, with a volume of 1399623 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $48.36. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Trading Up 1.6 % The stocks 50 day moving average is $49.16 and its 200 day moving average is $49.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.84. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Dentgroup LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 43.3% during the third quarter. Dentgroup LLC now owns 24,583 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,203,000 after acquiring an additional 7,424 shares during the last quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 232.4% in the 3rd quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 17,997 shares of the companys stock valued at $881,000 after purchasing an additional 12,582 shares in the last quarter. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV now owns 23,197 shares of the companys stock worth $1,120,000 after purchasing an additional 665 shares during the last quarter. Long Run Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 3.2% during the third quarter. Long Run Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 215,414 shares of the companys stock worth $10,540,000 after buying an additional 6,714 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quent Capital LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.6% in the third quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 170,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,320,000 after buying an additional 2,634 shares during the last quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nixon Peabody Trust Co. lessened its holdings in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Free Report) by 9.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,836 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 195 shares during the period. Nixon Peabody Trust Co.s holdings in BlackRock were worth $1,269,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empower Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $308,000. Old North State Trust LLC boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 5,876.2% in the 1st quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 10,040 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 9,872 shares in the last quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 1,536 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,062,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Duality Advisers LP boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 2,496 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,670,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Graybill Wealth Management LTD. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. now owns 8,328 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $5,756,000 after purchasing an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock. Get BlackRock alerts: Insider Activity In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 20,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $742.04, for a total value of $14,989,208.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 464,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $344,399,315. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other BlackRock news, Director Mark Wiedman sold 2,079 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $733.82, for a total value of $1,525,611.78. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,160 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,520,331.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Laurence Fink sold 20,200 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $742.04, for a total value of $14,989,208.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 464,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $344,399,315. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.06% of the companys stock. BlackRock Stock Performance Shares of NYSE BLK opened at $641.95 on Wednesday. BlackRock, Inc. has a 52 week low of $503.12 and a 52 week high of $785.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.84 billion, a PE ratio of 18.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 4.21 and a current ratio of 4.21. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $678.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $681.19. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The asset manager reported $9.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.52 by $0.76. The business had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.47 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.29% and a net margin of 29.90%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $7.36 EPS. Analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 35.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. BlackRock Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th were issued a dividend of $5.00 per share. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 7th. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 58.41%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BLK has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of BlackRock from $750.00 to $815.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of BlackRock from $781.00 to $754.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on BlackRock from $814.00 to $800.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on BlackRock from $888.00 to $836.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of BlackRock from $780.00 to $770.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $751.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on BlackRock About BlackRock (Free Report) BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. reduced its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 15.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,000 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,660,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Philip Morris International during the 2nd quarter valued at $232,000. Herold Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 8.6% during the second quarter. Herold Advisors Inc. now owns 5,484 shares of the companys stock worth $535,000 after acquiring an additional 434 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International in the first quarter worth about $98,000. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 59.0% in the 1st quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC now owns 4,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $410,000 after acquiring an additional 1,563 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cypress Wealth Services LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC now owns 4,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $439,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Price Performance Philip Morris International stock traded down $0.83 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $93.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 336,725 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,236,736. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $84.00 and a 52-week high of $105.62. The company has a market cap of $144.71 billion, a PE ratio of 18.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.71. The firms 50 day moving average is $94.70 and its 200 day moving average is $95.67. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $8.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.76 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 11.63% and a negative return on equity of 127.84%. The firms revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.48 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.04 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 27th will be paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 26th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.58%. This is a positive change from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.58%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on PM shares. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $114.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Citigroup upgraded Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.92. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Company Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. increased its stake in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 197.9% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 125,025 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 83,057 shares during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd.s holdings in Southern were worth $8,783,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Southern by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,651 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $741,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Southern by 10.2% in the first quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,534 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. Tranquility Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Southern by 3.3% during the first quarter. Tranquility Partners LLC now owns 4,528 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $315,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Southern by 2.8% during the first quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 5,327 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $371,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Finally, Calamos Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Southern by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 29,642 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,062,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. 62.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Southern alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have weighed in on SO shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Southern from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Southern from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 31st. Bank of America raised Southern from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $67.00 to $68.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. Barclays dropped their target price on Southern from $68.00 to $64.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Guggenheim decreased their price target on Southern from $80.00 to $72.00 in a report on Monday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Southern has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $72.67. Southern Stock Performance NYSE:SO opened at $66.45 on Wednesday. The Southern Company has a 1 year low of $58.85 and a 1 year high of $75.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $67.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $70.20. The company has a market capitalization of $72.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.48, a P/E/G ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 0.53. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.47 billion. Southern had a return on equity of 9.86% and a net margin of 11.17%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 20.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.07 EPS. On average, analysts expect that The Southern Company will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current year. Southern Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Investors of record on Monday, August 21st were paid a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 18th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.21%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is 98.94%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.83, for a total transaction of $339,150.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 121,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,226,693.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.83, for a total transaction of $339,150.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 121,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,226,693.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total transaction of $1,452,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 98,659 shares in the company, valued at $7,164,616.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 36,490 shares of company stock worth $2,581,455 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock. Southern Company Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com lowered shares of Robert Half (NYSE:RHI Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. RHI has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on Robert Half from $88.00 to $82.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Robert Half from $84.00 to $76.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Robert Half from $63.00 to $53.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Redburn Partners began coverage on shares of Robert Half in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $76.00 target price for the company. Finally, Credit Suisse Group dropped their price target on Robert Half from $63.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.22. Get Robert Half alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Robert Half Robert Half Stock Up 0.3 % NYSE RHI opened at $76.66 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $74.32 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $73.78. Robert Half has a 12-month low of $64.65 and a 12-month high of $89.78. The firm has a market cap of $8.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.32 and a beta of 1.29. Robert Half (NYSE:RHI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The business services provider reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.13). The business had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.69 billion. Robert Half had a net margin of 7.84% and a return on equity of 34.51%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 12.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.60 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Robert Half will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Robert Half Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 25th were given a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 24th. Robert Halfs dividend payout ratio is currently 38.10%. Insider Buying and Selling at Robert Half In other Robert Half news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 2,050 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.15, for a total transaction of $152,007.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 12,934 shares of the companys stock, valued at $959,056.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 2,050 shares of Robert Half stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.15, for a total transaction of $152,007.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 12,934 shares in the company, valued at $959,056.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Robert W. Glass sold 14,751 shares of Robert Half stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.15, for a total transaction of $1,108,537.65. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 209,927 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,776,014.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Robert Half Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of RHI. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in shares of Robert Half by 107,547.9% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 56,186,845 shares of the business services providers stock worth $4,226,375,000 after purchasing an additional 56,134,650 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Robert Half by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,674,644 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,561,370,000 after buying an additional 42,681 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in Robert Half by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,238,115 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $770,111,000 after acquiring an additional 266,298 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Robert Half by 116,277.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,941,582 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $586,327,000 after acquiring an additional 7,934,758 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors bought a new stake in shares of Robert Half in the first quarter worth approximately $636,060,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.63% of the companys stock. Robert Half Company Profile (Get Free Report) Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. lessened its stake in shares of GATX Co. (NYSE:GATX Free Report) by 23.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 321 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 97 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc.s holdings in GATX were worth $41,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of GATX. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. NY increased its holdings in shares of GATX by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. NY now owns 2,181 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $232,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY increased its holdings in shares of GATX by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 2,181 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $232,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of GATX by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 4,490 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $554,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of GATX by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 4,370 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $372,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the period. Finally, First Republic Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of GATX by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,725 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $502,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.15% of the companys stock. Get GATX alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on GATX shares. StockNews.com started coverage on GATX in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. TD Cowen restated a market perform rating and issued a $137.00 price objective (up previously from $135.00) on shares of GATX in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on GATX from $125.00 to $145.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Stephens increased their price objective on GATX from $135.00 to $142.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Susquehanna increased their price objective on GATX from $118.00 to $122.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, GATX currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $136.50. GATX Trading Up 1.6 % NYSE:GATX opened at $109.97 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.12 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.12, a quick ratio of 2.51 and a current ratio of 2.51. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $115.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $117.99. GATX Co. has a 52 week low of $87.98 and a 52 week high of $133.01. GATX (NYSE:GATX Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The transportation company reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $343.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $338.02 million. GATX had a return on equity of 11.48% and a net margin of 16.46%. The companys revenue was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.07 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that GATX Co. will post 6.94 EPS for the current fiscal year. GATX Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.00%. GATXs payout ratio is currently 36.24%. About GATX (Free Report) GATX Corporation, together its subsidiaries, operates as railcar leasing company in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and India. It operates through three segments: Rail North America, Rail International, and Portfolio Management. The company leases tank and freight railcars, and locomotives for petroleum, chemical, food/agriculture, and transportation industries. See Also Receive News & Ratings for GATX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GATX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wipro (NYSE:WIT Get Free Report) will be announcing its earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, October 18th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.07 per share for the quarter. Wipro (NYSE:WIT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 13th. The information technology services provider reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.07 by ($0.01). Wipro had a return on equity of 15.94% and a net margin of 12.70%. The firm had revenue of $2.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.79 billion. On average, analysts expect Wipro to post $0 EPS for the current fiscal year and $0 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Wipro alerts: Wipro Stock Performance NYSE WIT traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $5.05. The companys stock had a trading volume of 373,996 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,870,253. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 1.72 and a quick ratio of 1.71. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $5.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.80. Wipro has a 12 month low of $4.32 and a 12 month high of $5.31. The company has a market cap of $27.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.80. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Wipro Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Wipro by 23.1% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 29,106,981 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $137,385,000 after acquiring an additional 5,454,757 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Wipro by 23.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 13,757,038 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $64,108,000 after buying an additional 2,621,127 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Wipro by 19.1% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 12,301,682 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $58,064,000 after acquiring an additional 1,977,079 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Wipro by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,370,638 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $79,953,000 after acquiring an additional 134,870 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Wipro by 35.4% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,038,005 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $9,497,000 after acquiring an additional 532,844 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.36% of the companys stock. A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Wipro in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. They issued a sell rating and a $4.70 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Wipro in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and one has issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $4.30. Check Out Our Latest Report on Wipro Wipro Company Profile (Get Free Report) Wipro Limited operates as an information technology (IT), consulting, and business process services company worldwide. It operates through three segments: IT Services, IT Products, and India State Run Enterprise Services (ISRE). The IT Services segment offers IT and IT-enabled services, including digital strategy advisory, customer-centric design, technology and IT consulting, custom application design, development, re-engineering and maintenance, systems integration, package implementation, cloud and infrastructure, business process, cloud, mobility and analytics, research and development, and hardware and software design services to enterprises. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Wipro Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wipro and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate (NYSE:XIN Free Report) in a report released on Saturday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Xinyuan Real Estate Price Performance Shares of XIN opened at $2.86 on Friday. Xinyuan Real Estate has a 12 month low of $2.00 and a 12 month high of $7.55. The stocks 50 day moving average is $2.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3.30. Get Xinyuan Real Estate alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xinyuan Real Estate An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Xinyuan Real Estate stock. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (NYSE:XIN Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 478,629 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $536,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. owned approximately 0.90% of Xinyuan Real Estate at the end of the most recent reporting period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.90% of the companys stock. Xinyuan Real Estate Company Profile Xinyuan Real Estate Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in residential real estate development and construction in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The company develops residential projects, such as multi-layer apartment buildings, sub-high-rise apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings; auxiliary services and amenities, such as retail outlets, leisure and health facilities, kindergartens, and schools, as well as office, mixed-use, and commercial properties. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Xinyuan Real Estate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xinyuan Real Estate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The prosecutions star witness Caroline Ellison took to the stand as the criminal trial of FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried entered its second week. Its the first time the on-and-off girlfriend of Bankman-Fried and the former co-CEO of his crypto hedge fund Alameda Research will provide her side of the story on what happened in the lead up to the collapse of both FTX and its sister company Alameda. Though Ellison was a key member of Bankman-Frieds inner circle and lived with him and other executives in a $40 million apartment in the exclusive luxury residence of Albany in the Bahamas, she maintained a relatively low profile up until the exchanges collapse. Most of the details about Ellison come from publicly available information, including her Good Reads and Tumblr profiles, as well as an emergency all-hands speech given to Alameda Research employees on Nov. 9, 2022 where she said Bankman-Fried made the decision to use customer deposits to repay creditors. In Ellisons testimony, she estimates that Alameda ultimately took around $14 billion from FTX customers to repay lenders, according to a live blog of the trial from court reporting organization Inner City Press. How did you defraud Alamedas lenders? asked assistant U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon. I sent balance sheets that made Alameda look less risky than it was, Ellison said. Alongside FTX executives Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, Ellison pleaded guilty to criminal charges including defrauding FTX customers and investors. The three former executives have been cooperating with the prosecution and Wangs testimony preceded Ellisons in the trial. Bankman-Fried returned to jail pre-trial in August after leaking Ellisons private diaries to the media, which the prosecution said was a form of witness intimidation. Unlike Wang and Singh, Ellison only received a very small equity stake in FTX of 0.5% and no equity stake in Alameda Research despite being appointed as a co-CEO alongside Sam Trabucco in 2021. Story continues Did you feel qualified? asked the prosecution. Not really but Sam said I should do it, Ellison said. I checked everything with him. He was the person I reported to. He could fire me. Alamedas secret sauce Ellisons testimony provided insight into trading operations at Alameda Research, which was once considered one of the best trading firms in the crypto industry. We also had a line of credit on FTX we could withdraw coins even if we didnt have them, said Ellison, adding that she didnt know the size of the line of credit. If a coin was trading for higher on Binance, we could withdraw from FTX and sell there, she said, explaining the firms strategies. Bankman-Fried was particularly secretive about the strategy for FTXs native token FTT and would get upset when it was discussed with other traders, Ellison said. Alameda was under Bankman-Frieds directive to never let FTT fall below $1, she said. At its peak, FTT traded around $84 and fell over 98% to $0.77 when the exchange collapsed, according to data from Coingecko. FTT was included on Alameda Researchs balance sheet to get loans from the now bankrupt crypto lender Genesis, Ellison said. Its inclusion artificially boosted the value of the trading firm as most of FTTs value came from Alamedas trading and was relatively illiquid. I thought it was misleading, said Ellison referring to FTTs inclusion. Political ambitions Some customer funds taken from the trading firm were also used as loans for employees including Ellison. She described withdrawing US$2 million for her own donor-advised fund and a US$100,000 loan to her parents. There was also one loan of $3.5 million for a gambling company people at FTX wanted to put in my name since I wasnt on the books of FTX, Ellison said. Money also went to political contributions. Ryan Salame got a $35 million loan, she continued. Sam gave $10 million to Biden, he thought it bought him access. Ellisons testimony is expected to be the longest out of all the prosecutions witnesses. The cross and direct examination phase of her testimony where defense and prosecution lawyers delve deeper into witness testimony is set to take place throughout tomorrow. Safe Hands Plans was put into administration in March 2022 Fraud investigators have launched an inquiry into a funeral plan provider that collapsed and left the arrangements of 50,000 customers in doubt. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on Wednesday announced it had opened a criminal investigation into suspected fraud at Safe Hands Plans, which was put into administration in March 2022. The company sold pre-paid funeral plans, where customers paid up to around 4,000 for funeral arrangements to be taken care of after their death. This money was then invested by the company into equities, bonds, cash, real estate and loans. When you put your money into Safe Hands, your family can relax knowing your funeral costs and choices are guaranteed, the companys website said. It also claimed that customer money was held in a separately managed, independent trust so there was nothing to worry about if the company went under. But after Safe Hands Plans collapsed, administrators warned customers they had found a shortfall between the level of plan holder investments and the forecast level of funeral plan costs to be paid. It meant the value of the investments was not enough to cover the costs of providing the funeral plans already paid for. About 46,000 customers had paid for such plans, the SFO said. Nick Ephgrave, who took over as the SFOs new director in September, said: Thousands of individuals from all over the UK have lost the peace and security they sought after being sold a product on the basis it would help reduce the burden on their loved ones upon their death. Today, we have taken another significant step in pursuing our criminal investigation into Safe Hands Plans. The criminal inquiry was revealed on Wednesday as Mr Ephgrave wrote to stock brokers and financial institutions to request information using the SFOs legal powers. Similar requests were made by the agency to banks and other potential witnesses last month. When Safe Hands Plans went into administration last year, administrators initially said the company faced a combination of factors, some of which are understood to be linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. Story continues FRP Advisory, which is running the administration, had also said it was investigating why the scheme failed as well as the conduct of directors. Creditors of the company have claimed around 70.6m. Administrators are now selling the companys investments so they can return some money to customers. The SFO urged members of the public affected by the collapse of Safe Hands Plans to liaise with the administrators. 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. Supreme Court justices Wednesday will consider whether South Carolina illegally used race to redraw district lines for a House seat to benefit Republicans, including Rep. Nancy Mace, pictured here. Elijah McClain's death caused by complications from ketamine injection following restraint, coroner says in amended autopsy report Flags in Kentucky are flying at half staff following the deadly attacks in Israel. "Attacks like these should not take place anywhere," Governor Andy Beshear said in a news release. The flags are ordered to remain at half-staff until Oct. 13. Closing arguments are set to take place Tuesday in the trial of the two Aurora, Colorado, police officers who arrested Elijah McClain, who died after he was subdued by police and injected with ketamine by paramedics in 2019. Philip Mawer was among thousands of expatriates and locals caught up in the deadly assault on the gas hub town of Palma - RA International Website French oil giant Total has denied involuntary manslaughter in a case involving the death of a 50-year-old British man whose body was recovered by the SAS. TotalEnergies on Wednesday said it rejected the claim it played a role in the deaths after facing formal complaints from the families of people killed in a terror attack around one of its projects in Mozambique. Islamist insurgents launched an attack on the port city of Palma in March 2021 and killed many civilians around the Mozambique LNG Afungi project, which is owned in part by TotalEnergies. Seven British and South African complainants three survivors and four relatives of victims who died in an ambush have accused TotalEnergies of failing to ensure the safety of subcontractors and of not having proper safety or evacuation plans. The allegations, filed with the French courts, could now be investigated by a French judge. Those killed include Philip Mawer, aged 50, from Somerset, whose body was found by SAS soldiers. He was working for RA International, a Dubai-based business that provides living quarters and other logistics for expatriate workers. The new complaints centre on the 2021 attacks by Al-Shabab, an ISIS-affiliated jihadi group, during which 150 people, including TotalEnergies subcontractors, took shelter in the Amarula Lodge hotel, awaiting rescue. They allege that a helicopter operated by DAG, a South African private security operator, was blocked from rescuing them by a lack of fuel. They accuse TotalEnergies of refusing a request for fuel on the grounds of not wanting to be associated with DAG. Those trapped in the Amarula Lodge hotel instead tried to escape with a convoy of vehicles that was then ambushed, leaving several dead, the plaintiffs said. The complaint has been filed by seven individuals. Three are survivors of the attack, including Nick Alexander, a dual British-South African citizen who escaped after spending two nights crawling through the bush. Story continues The other four complainants are the family of those killed, including Mark and William Mawer, the brothers of Philip Mawer, and Janik Armstrong, the widow of Adrian Nel, a South African. Henri Thulliez, a lawyer who represents the plaintiffs, said: Its quite rare to presume that a company could be indicted and prosecuted for indirect manslaughter... But here you have a series of negligences that contributed to a situation that allowed the loss of many lives. TotalEnergies said in a statement: Mozambique LNG implemented the measures required by the emergency, including a pre-established evacuation plan. It said the Mozambique LNG groups security plan was for the subcontractors to shelter in place and be evacuated by ferry. TotalEnergies confirmed it had refused to support DAG. It said: This company was contracted in 2020 by the government of Mozambique to carry out offensive, military security missions against terrorist groups in northern Mozambique. During 2020, several NGOs reported serious crimes against local people supposedly perpetrated by DAG. For these reasons, Mozambique LNG decided that it would not support the offensive military operations carried out by DAG. TotalEnergies, which is also a major player in the UK energy industry, wants to exploit vast gas reserves found in Mozambiques Afungi region. The development has long been controversial because it involved displacing and resettling thousands of people from their homes, farmland and fisheries. TotalEnergies said the security situation had improved in the region, where it plans to restart the project before the end of the year. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Alameda Research co-Chief Executive Officer Caroline Ellison took the stand for a second day on Wednesday in the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder of crypto exchange FTX. Ellison, who also had an on-and-off romantic relationship with Bankman-Fried, is the most important of the governments three star witnesses. Most Read from Bloomberg In her first day of testimony Tuesday, Ellison detailed how Bankman-Fried directed her to orchestrate a massive fraud at FTX and Alameda. Concurring with FTX co-founder Gary Wang, who also was a government witness, Ellison said Bankman-Fried was ultimately responsible for the misuse of FTX customer funds by both companies. Ellison, 28, pleaded guilty to seven felony counts in December. Bankman-Fried, meanwhile, has denied all allegations against him. Read: Bankman-Fried Knew of Alameda Risks, Ex-Girlfriend Testifies Heres the latest from court (all times are NY): SBFs Mom Waves, Smiles After Court Ends for the Day (4:40 p.m.) After the session ended and most people started to walk out, SBFs parents came to the back of his row waiting for him to finish talking with his lawyers. Bankman-Fried turned around and his mom, Barbara Fried, smiled and waved at him. He nodded at her and smiled back. Then the parents left. In general, they seemed to be in good spirits. When Joseph Bankman walked into the courtroom after the lunch break earlier, he smiled and acknowledged the spectators waiting at the door. Bankman and Fried, who are both on the potential witness list, were frequent visitors to FTXs Bahamas headquarters, where they stayed in a beachside apartment, and Bankman even worked for the firm on philanthropic ventures. Story continues Ellison Testimony Ends for the Day, Cross-Examination Thursday (4:10 p.m.) After almost five hours on the witness stand for Ellison Wednesday, Judge Lewis Kaplan ended the trial for the day. She will be cross-examined by Bankman-Frieds lawyers starting Thursday morning. Ellison Felt She Was an Unequal Partner in Relationship With SBF (4:00 p.m.) Resuming her testimony, Ellison talked about writings she shared with Bankman-Fried. They both expressed feelings about their relationship in Google Docs. They discussed unhappiness about their situation and difficulties from the intersection of their personal and professional relationships. It made me feel bad, she said. I mean it made me feel like sort of an unequal partner in our relationship. Bankman-Frieds bail was revoked in August after leaking Ellisons personal writings to the New York Times. Ellison Fights Back Tears Describing Her Worst Week (3:30 p.m.) Ellison discussed a table of Alameda and FTX liquid assets that totaled $3.9 billion, an amount that Ellison said was not nearly enough to pay off FTX customers. In a chat between her and Bankman-Fried days before the Nov. 11 bankruptcy filing, Ellison said she didnt think she was going to handle things well if the situation got worse. That was overall the worst week of my life, she said, as she began to sob. I had a lot of mood swings during that week and a lot of different feelings. But one of the feelings I had was an overwhelming feeling of relief as I said it was something I had been dreading for several months. She said she experienced a sense of relief, realizing that she didnt have to lie anymore. I could start taking responsibility for what I had done even though I felt horribly bad about the people who were harmed and the employees who lost their jobs, she said. The entire courtroom fell silent when she broke down crying after being asked by the prosecutor about her feelings that week. Every juror was looking at her on the stand, no one was taking notes. The court clerk handed a piece of tissue paper to Ellison, who took it and lightly rubbed her nose. Ellison Tweet, Seeking to Reassure Markets, Pushed FTT Down (3:00 p.m.) On Nov. 6, five days before the companies filed for bankruptcy, Ellison was in Alamedas Hong Kong office and communicating with Bankman-Fried. She said he told her to liquidate Alamedas positions and send the money to FTX. She had preserved her messages with Bankman-Fried and Nishad Singh because of legal concerns. In the chats, Singh gave numbers on the amount of withdrawals from FTX over the last day, saying they totaled $120 million an hour. Ellison responded with a sad face emoji, while Bankman-Fried wrote oof. They were unable to meet those customer withdrawals at that rate. She said other assets on the balance sheet didnt comfort her because they couldnt be liquidated quickly enough. She said Bankman-Fried said someone, not him, should tweet and convey a sense of security, but Ellison considered that to be misleading. They discussed different ideas for the tweet, according to Ellison. Bankman-Fried drafted the tweet, while Singh and Ryan Salame made edits. Ellison rewrote it in her own words and posted a thread. Ellison said she thought more tweets from her would be reassuring. In a Signal chat called Vertex that was used to discuss Alamedas trading, they talked about buying all of Binances FTT for $22. Ellison said they wanted to call Binance CEO Changpeng CZ Zhao, who tweeted on Nov. 6 that he planned to sell all of his crypto exchanges FTT holdings, after which the price of FTT fell. She moved ahead with the tweet, stating that Alameda would buy all of Binances FTT at $22 per token. Ellison said the price of FTT, briefly went up, stayed around $22, but ultimately went down after her tweet. Intercompany Stuff Spreadsheet Tracked Loans to FTX Executives (2:40 p.m.) Ellison was asked to discuss a spreadsheet about intercompany stuff from September 2022. It tracked loans made by Alameda to related parties and entities, as well as to FTX executives including Bankman-Fried, Gary Wang, Ryan Salame and Nishad Singh. The loans totaled $8.2 billion and included $35 million to Salame and $20 million to Guarding Against Pandemics, the nonprofit run by Bankman-Frieds younger brother, Gabriel Bankman-Fried. I understood that it was coming from Alameda and that Alamedas money was coming from customer funds, she said. Ellison, Bankman-Fried Clashed Over Investment in Modulo (2:30 p.m.) Ellison turned to another issue she had with Bankman-Fried. She didnt support investing in Modulo, a crypto hedge fun run by Xiaoyun Lily Zhang, who Bankman-Fried reportedly dated when they were at Jane Street. Ellison thought the arrangement was too generous and wasnt convinced their trading would be good. She testified that Bankman-Fried had invested a few hundred million dollars in Modulo and told Ellison she needed to get along better with them. Ellison said she previously had a dispute with Modulo where they had asked to do a trade with Alameda and didnt like the price Alameda offered them. SBF Distanced FTX, Alameda Operations Following Bloomberg Story (2:15 p.m.) Ellison referenced a Bloomberg News story about the relationship between FTX and Alameda that Bankman-Fried was unhappy about. She testified that she gave a misleading statement during the interview for the story when said Alameda and FTX were kept at arms length. She said she didnt want others to be aware of the closeness between FTX and Alameda. She said in the fall of 2022 that Bankman-Fried took steps to increase the distance between FTX and Alameda, such as removing Alameda from the names of the firms entities for venture investing. Bloomberg News reported in August 2022 that Alamedas venture capital operations had moved to FTX. Bankman-Fried was also concerned about an audit from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for futures licenses. FTX Co-Founder Gary Wang discussed the Bloomberg story during his testimony last week. Read more: FTXs Final, Frantic Days Through the Lens of an SBF Insider Image-Conscious SBF Ditched Luxury Car for a Toyota Corolla (1:50 p.m.) Ellison noted that Bankman-Fried wanted to cultivate an image of himself as a very smart, competent, somewhat eccentric founder and wanted FTX to seem like an exciting, innovative place to trade that was also safe and regulated. But Ellison said that this was not the case, since they were using billions of dollars in customer funds that they couldnt repay. It wasnt a safe place for customers to keep their money, she said. She discussed Bankman-Frieds personal appearance, noting that he looked like he didnt put in much effort. She said he considered his curly black hair to be very valuable and believed it contributed to higher bonuses at Jane Street. They initially bought luxury cars when they moved to the Bahamas, but eventually switched to less valuable vehicles. He said he thought it was better for his image to be driving a Toyota Corolla, she said. Ellison Says She Tried to Avoid the Press; SBF, The Opposite (1:45 p.m.) The trial is now resuming. Spectators waited outside the courtroom at the end of the lunch break, near a newly placed metallic sign warning spectators not to bring electronic devices into Judge Lewis Kaplans courtroom. On retaking the stand, Ellison talked about how she and Bankman-Fried approached the media. I generally try to avoid press and media when possible, Ellison said. Bankman-Fried was the same except exactly the opposite. Ellison Says SBF Blamed Her for Everything (12:45 p.m.) Ellison said that in the fall of 2022, she was avoiding spending time with Bankman-Fried in social settings and having one-on-one conversations with him because they had broken up a few months prior. Ellison said on the stand Tuesday that they had ended their relationship in the spring. I still gave him the same regular updates I had on Alamedas balance sheet and our financial situation, she said. In August 2022, they had a conversation in the apartment of their $30 million penthouse in the Bahamas, according to Ellison. Bankman-Fried said he blamed her for everything and Ellison said she started crying. Sam started saying that he thought Alameda should have hedged way more earlier in the year, that it was a big mistake, that it was my fault and I was largely responsible for the financial situation, she said. The prosecution presented a note Ellison wrote titled things Sam is freaking out about. Fourth on the list was getting regulators to crack down on Binance, an FTX rival. Ellison said Sam thought this would be the best way for FTX to get market share. He said that if there was a regulatory action against Binance a lot of customers might move to FTX, Ellison said. Other items on the list included Bad PR over FTX and Alamedas relationship, buying stock in Snap Inc., raising from MBS and getting capital from BlockFi. The trial is now on break for the next hour, with the prosecution anticipating one and a half hours more of direct questioning of Ellison. Ellison Says Large Bribe Paid to Chinese Officials (12:15 p.m.) Ellison said she and Bankman-Fried spoke about illegal activity in coded terms, mentioning a chat where they paid a large bribe to Chinese officials in November 2021. At the time, $1 billion of Alamedas funds were frozen on crypto exchanges OKX and Huobi, according to Ellison. Alameda was told by the exchanges that it was part of a money laundering investigation into a person who had traded with Alameda. Bankman-Fried held several meetings with Ellison, FTX co-founder Gary Wang, FTX engineering head Nishad Singh, FTX Chief Operating Officer Constance Wang and two other employees about the bribe, according to Ellison. She said that Constance Wang, and the two other employees, had connections in China, and one of the employees father was a government official. Alameda then hired a lawyer to negotiate with the Chinese government, but the effort was unsuccessful. They then tried to move the funds through trading, but that didnt work, according to Ellison. There were debates over other methods, with Bankman-Fried yelling to shut the f**ck up at one point, she said, noting that Bankman-Fried didnt act that way often, but sometimes did so in busy or stressful situations. Eventually, the company figured out a way to get the account unfrozen, which required making a $100 million payment in November 2021, she said. Judge Kaplan advised the jury that Bankman-Fried is not charged with any crimes related to the possible bribe in China in this case. A charge related to the issue was severed from this trial. Ellison said she lied to other employees about the bribe. I didnt want the facts of our crimes to get out, she said. SBF Uses New York Times Headline Test; Disappearing Messages (12:05 p.m.) When asked about Alameda being able to repay the $13 billion, Ellison said that she had been in a state of dread over the fear that FTX customers and lenders would be hurt. We would either have to hope the crypto market would go up or sell a large amount of FTX equity or something along those lines, she said. She said Bankman-Fried directed her to use the disappearing message feature in the Signal for their conversations and that they should use The New York Times test where they should imagine how everything said in the chat would look as a headline. For highly sensitive matters, Bankman-Fried said these discussions should happen in-person. Bankman-Frieds bail was revoked in August after leaking Ellisons personal writings to the New York Times. Ellison Describes Bid to Have Saudi Crown Prince Buy FTX Shares (11:50 a.m.) By September 2022, Alamedas borrowing from FTX had risen to around $13.7 billion due to the trading platforms continuous need to repay its loans, Ellison said. The following month, that number had grown to $14 billion. Among the names to whom Alameda owed money were crypto lenders BlockFi, Voyager Digital and Celsius all companies that have since filed for bankruptcy. As Ellison and Bankman-Fried discussed ways for Alameda to recover some funds, she said Bankman-Fried raised the possibility of asking Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to buy shares in FTX. The FTX co-founder had dinner with the prince in Riyadh in late October when visiting for a conference, arranged by financier Anthony Scaramucci. The rationale was to decrease our risk from further cryptocurrency down-moves, Ellison said, noting that Bin Salman was considered a primary target for fresh funding. We would raise capital by selling FTX equity. SBF Attitude Made Ellison More Willing to Lie and Steal (11:30 a.m.) Bankman-Frieds philosophy was that as a utilitarian, he didnt believe in the ways that people tried to justify rules, such as those against lying and stealing, Ellison said. He thought the only moral rule that mattered was doing whatever would maximize the utility, Ellison said, referring to whatever would create the greatest amount of good. That attitude in turn made me more willing to do things like lie and steal, she said. The philosophical approach known as utilitarianism is similar to some of the arguments that propelled the Effective Altruism movement, of which Bankman-Fried was a visible proponent. When I started working at Alameda I dont think I would have believed if you told me I would be sending false balance sheets to our lenders or taking customer money, but over time it was something I felt more comfortable with, Ellison added. Jurors Pay Close Attention to Documents; Scattered Laughter Over Borrows (11:15 a.m.) Despite a numbers-heavy morning of testimony, jurors appeared to have been paying close attention to Ellison and the documents shown by prosecutors. There was scattered laughter in the gallery when Ellison said she had called the money Alameda had borrowed from FTX as borrows because she didnt want to say something explicit like customer money. Ellison, wearing a dark suit, white blouse and black skirt, reentered the courtroom after a break. Genesis Received Balance Sheet Called Alternative 7 (11:00 a.m.) One balance sheet that Bankman-Fried ended up choosing for Ellison for one lender, Genesis, was known as Alternative 7. An entry on the balance sheet for the amount Alameda had borrowed from FTX was removed. The effect was that it looked like the loans were safer than they actually were, Ellison said. Ultimately, Alamedas liabilities went down from $15 billion on its original balance sheet to around $10 billion on the Alternative 7 version. Ellison said she knew that FTX executives and entities didnt have the money to repay Alameda what it had lent out, as those funds had been invested into various things. Ellison Prepared Seven Balance Sheets at SBFs Direction (10:35 a.m.) As crypto prices spiraled and Alamedas loans were being called in June 2022, Ellison said she was mostly concerned that someone would find out about Alameda and FTXs situation and it would all come crashing down. Bankman-Fried and Ellison discussed Alamedas balance sheet, which showed that the business had borrowed around $10 billion from FTX and had loaned around $5 billion to FTX executives and affiliated entities. Overall it showed that Alameda was in a very risky position, she said. At Bankman-Frieds direction, she prepared seven different versions of Alamedas balance sheet to potentially show to lenders, fearing that the real version would lead customers to withdraw money. He suggested I should prepare some alternative ways of presenting the information and send it to him, she said. I understood him to be directing me to come up with ways to conceal things in our balance sheet we both agreed would look bad. Alameda Borrowed $13 Billion from FTX Customers by June 2022 (10:15 a.m.) Ellison shared an updated balance sheet with Bankman-Fried in mid-June 2022, a period that she described as a time of crisis for Alameda. By that time, Alameda had borrowed around $13 billion from FTX customers, she estimated, in addition to having $1.3 billion in open-term loans from third-party lenders like Genesis. Around $3 billion of its borrowing from FTX was still stored on the crypto exchange. I understood that he was telling me to borrow money from our FTX line of credit to repay loans when they were recalled, Ellison said. Ellison Stressed Out Over Alameda Losses (9:50 a.m.) Everyone in the courtroom rose as jurors entered and Ellison took her seat on the stand. Prosecutors picked up with Tuesdays testimony about events in May 2022, when crypto prices began to fall after the collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin and its sister token Luna. The market crash made Alamedas assets depreciate significantly since the company held most of its value in cryptocurrencies, Ellison said, though the firms day-to-day trading at that time was still profitable. Alameda lenders like Genesis Trading began to call Alamedas loans in mid-June, Ellison said loans that it was obligated to repay because they were open-term. Bankman-Fried used messaging platforms like Slack and Telegram to communicate with Alamedas lenders, with the jury shown a chat log from one such conversation where Genesis requested the return of $400 million in loans. I was very stressed out, Ellison said. We were talking about billions of dollars. I knew Alameda had lost a lot of money in the cryptocurrency downturn. --With assistance from Emily Nicolle. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A lone democracy protestor rushed the stage at Labours annual conference this afternoon, pouring glitter over leader Sir Keir Starmer as he prepared to deliver his partys vision for government. As a phalanx of security guards surrounded the manwho shouted democracy firstdragging him from the stage, Starmer turned to the assembled delegates and the worlds media, declaring, Protest or power: thats why we changed our party. His was a declaration of authoritarianism, referencing the partys mass frame-up and ruthless purge of left-wing members, a statement that would be welcomed by dictators everywhere. Yet it received rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the party faithful, the first of many such ovations during an hour-long diatribe that placed Labour to the right of the Tories. A protester throws glitter over Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer as he speaks at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, England, October 10, 2023. [AP Photo/Jon Super] Starmer opened with a paean to the Blair Labour government, hailing its achievements and invoking New Labours 1997 campaign anthem, Things can only get better, contrasting this to 13 years of Tory rule which had broken and kicked the hope out of Britain. Blairs spin doctor Peter Mandelsonwho declared in 1998 that he was intensely relaxed about people getting filthy richwas on hand to cheer the new leader. Starmers opening remarks chimed with Labours central message to conference: rebuilding Britain would require unparalleled national sacrifice. I have to warn you: our way back from this will be hard, he intoned, issuing an ominous call for a decade of national renewal led by a party possessed of the fire of change. This was a conference dominated by the global eruption of imperialist war. For three days, Starmer and his shadow cabinet had filled the airwaves with denunciations of the Palestinian uprisingdepicted as the work of terroristsjoined by their declarations of support for Israeli war crimes. Labour has supported missile strikes and other forms of collective punishment by the Zionist state against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the worlds largest open-air prison. On behalf of the Blairite wing of the party, Starmer claimed total victory against more than 250,000 Labour Party members who had elected Jeremy Corbyn leader in 2015. The victors prize, he made clear, is a party committed to NATO, ending any association with the mass anti-war movement that challenged Britains illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003. He called for national renewal against Tory chaos, declaring: this new path can only be walked by a new party. A changed Labour Party. No longer in thrall to gesture politics. No longer a party of protest. A party of service. The words nation, service and respect were used repeatedlyevoking the patriotic and volkish language of the far-right: we serve working people as they drive our country forward. Labours purge of left-wing members has served a critical function for the ruling class under conditions of an historic cost-of-living crisis and war. Starmer spoke of an age of insecurity with fault-lines that run right through the living standards of working people. He explained: Thats why we had to move so fast. Why we had to fight so hard to change this party. The bond of respect that comes from service is precious. National renewal depends on it. Thats why we stood with NATOan historic achievement of this party. Held out our hand to business. Ripped antisemitism out by the roots. Backed Ukraine. Country First, Party Second. Starmers call for country over party was an appeal to the most right-wing and even fascist forces. It incorporates the nationalist ideology of Blue Labour theorists such as Maurice Glasman promoted during Brexit. Starmer, a former barrister, was glaringly silent on the treatment of refugeestacit backing for the Tories systematic dismantling of the right to asylum. Priti Patel and Suella Bravermans fascistic Rwanda Solution occasioned no word of condemnation. So right-wing is Labours pitch that fascist Britain First leader Paul Golding yesterday praised the partys new membership cards that feature the slogan Putting the country first, a Union Jack emblazoned on the reverse side. Labour Party membership cards are looking very Britain First Golding tweeted, with a laughing emoji. Labour party members have expressed their utter dismay and anger, with one Twitter user commenting, Wish this was satire, but it seems to be real. Yes, this is the new Labour membership card. COUNTRY FIRST. What hope have we got when the supposedly left wing option is aping fascism? Starmer and his backers are unrepentant. There is something pathological about Labours love-embrace of the right. While attacking members of his own party who support Corbyn, declaring that protest will not be tolerated, Starmer used his keynote speech to invite Tories to join Labour: If you feel our country needs a party that conserves. That fights for our union. Our environment. The rule of law. Family life. The careful bond between this generation and the next. Then let me tell you: Britain already has one. And you can join it. Its this Labour Party. The plaudits from the British ruling class are running thick and fast. From the liberal broadsheets to right-wing tabloids. The shift to Labour in ruling circles is now a stampede. Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney delivered a pre-recorded endorsement of Labours Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves that was played at the conference yesterday: It is beyond time we put her energy and ideas into action. Mandelson meanwhile spoke at a conference event on Monday night, telling business leaders that Labour is so pro-business that the City of London Corporation is almost to the left of it. The Labour Party confronts the working class as an implacably hostile force. It has repudiated all vestigial connections to its reformist past, with Starmer telling conference that the National Health Service should not be put on a pedestal and must face reform (i.e., privatisation). For millions of workers and young people, Labours grotesque invocations to patriotism, austerity and war will serve only to confirm that the party is a political monstrosity. The working class has been disenfranchised, not only by the partys right-wing but above all by the prostration and capitulation of the Corbynite left. Corbyn and his backers systematically demobilised and suppressed mass working class opposition to the Blairites, insisting that Labour must remain a broad church uniting right and left wing. His defence of the Labour Party is the defence of capitalism, aimed above all at blocking a mass anti-war movement by the working class. Class conscious workers and youth who want to fight imperialist war, the oppression of the Palestinians, social inequality and the rise of the far-right must join the Socialist Equality Party, the British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, and take up the fight for socialism. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman are using Israels war on Gaza and the Palestinians to launch the largest attack on free speech and the right to protest in post-war British history. With several thousand people protesting across the country in solidarity with the Palestinians, Sunak threatened on Monday, Id just remind everyone that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation. People should not be supporting Hamas and we will make sure that we hold people to account if they are. Police watching the protest outside the Israeli Embassy in London He added that the police had been told to clamp down on any behaviour that falls foul of the law. Earlier that day, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had told protestors to stay at home: There is no need, theres no necessity for people to come out. It causes distress. This is a difficult, delicate situation. This followed Bravermans statement Sunday warning, I expect the police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas, other proscribed terrorist groups or attempts to intimidate British Jews. On Tuesday, she made clear how widely the net is being cast in a public letter to the police, telling officers, It is not just explicit pro-Hamas symbols and chants that are cause for concern. I would encourage police to consider whether chants such as: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free should be understood as an expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world, and whether its use in certain contexts may amount to a racially aggravated section 5 public order offence. Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 prohibits abusive or insulting words, or disorderly behaviour and the display of threatening, abusive or insulting writing or imagery in hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress. Bravermans letter continues, Behaviours that are considered legitimate in some circumstances, for example, the waving of a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate such as when intended to glorify acts of terrorism. She encourage[s] all chief officers to ensure that any protests which could exacerbate community tensions by way of offensive placards, chants or behaviours that could be construed as incitement or harassment, have a strong police presence to ensure perpetrators are appropriately dealt with. This is a mandate, from the highest levels of the state, for mass arrestsfacilitated by the raft of dictatorial anti-protest legislation passed in the last two years. A national demonstration in defence of Gaza is planned for this Saturday outside Downing Street in London. Britain's Home Secretary Suella Braverman speaks on immigration at the American Enterprise Institute on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in Washington. [AP Photo/Kevin Wolf] The British governments extraordinary edict of political suppression builds on a years-long campaign to criminalise political opposition to the Israeli state and to brand socialist views as extremist. Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters were driven out of the Labour Party by a witch-hunt over manufactured, politically motivated claims of widespread left anti-Semitismequating opposition to Zionism and Israels brutal treatment of the Palestinians with hostility to Jews, even when those accused were themselves Jewish. Corbyns political cowardice allowed this campaign to succeed, with the Labour leader implementing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)s reactionary definition of antisemitism within the party. The IHRA definition equating criticism of Israel and its policies with anti-Semitism has since been rolled out across society, most prominently on university campuses but also to slander artists such as Roger Watersas a weapon of political intimidation and censorship intended to silence left-wing organisations for whom the defence of the Palestinians against Israeli and imperialist oppression is a fundamental principle. The latest threats go far beyond anything seen before. Opposition to Israel and its treatment of the Palestinian territories and people motivates millions of workers and young peoplenot least the 3.9 million Muslims in the UK from the Indian subcontinent and throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asiaand is the overarching concern for tens of thousands of activists. All of them are now threatened with arrest for expressing these views publicly, at a time when the Netanyahu government is threatening the Gaza concentration camp with annihilation. This situation is unprecedented. Throughout the 35 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, protests were held in Britain not only in support of the broad cause of Irish independence but for the military campaign waged by the Irish Republican Army. The demand for Victory to the IRA was never proscribed even under conditions of bombing campaigns and brutal repression of the Republican movement because this would have discredited any claim to Britain being a democracy. Mass protests were mounted against South African apartheid at a time when the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher and the right-wing media were denouncing Nelson Mandelas African National Congress as a terrorist organisation. In 2003, over a million people marched against the Iraq War while Tony Blairs government was claiming Sadaam Husseins government posed an immediate threat to British citizens. By the standards of todays ruling class, all of this is beyond the pale. Social tensions and the threat of war are now so acute that democratic rights must be totally eviscerated. None of this will have the desired effect of intimidating opponents of the Israeli onslaught. It will rather stiffen the resolve of workers and young people to oppose Israels brutal repression of the Palestinians and its imperialist backers in the UK, the United States and Europe. It will bring home to workers and youth the nature of the fight they must wage. Attempts to suppress protests against Israel are the spearhead of a drive to authoritarianism made necessary by the eruption of imperialist militarism all over the world, with Britain playing a leading role in NATOs war against Russia in Ukraine and in advanced preparations for hostilities targeting China. War abroad means dictatorship at home. The struggle to defend democratic rights and against war are wholly intertwined. A recently updated report on the teacher shortage crisis in the United States, based on a study from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, reveals that teacher vacancies spiked 51 percent from 2022-23. According to the newly released data, there are currently 55,000 unfilled teaching positions this year, compared to 36,000 reported last year. Additionally, enrollment in teacher preparation programs (TPP), a significant indicator of future teacher shortages, continues to languish. While teacher turnover rates have slowed from 14 percent during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021-22, to a projected 12 percent this year, enrollment in teacher training programs remains stagnant. A separate study conducted at Penn State found that there has been a 58 percent decline in enrollment in TPPs since 2008. Another report from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) shows that TPP completion rates have dropped 29 percent since 2010. Factors such as the skyrocketing cost of higher education and stagnant and declining pay for teachers make a career in teaching a poor return on investment. Another factor behind the enrollment dropoff cited in the Penn State study is deteriorating working conditions for teachers. The study indicates that teachers perception of their working conditions has been on a downward trajectory since 2004, with a precipitous drop from 2018 to 2022. The Annenberg Report also reveals that the number of teachers hired last year without being fully certified is 270,512. The teacher shortage has enabled a host of alternative teacher preparation programs to be adopted in states and districts desperate to fill vacancies. According to the NCTQ, enrollment in alternative preparation programs rose 20 percent between 2018 and 2021. Grow Your Own (GYO) programs are one way states are trying to fill the vacancies in their schools. Nearly every state in the US has a GYO program except for North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming, but only 15-percent of states directly fully fund their programs. GYO programs differ between states and local education agencies (LEA). Seventeen states offer a program that puts school employees and community members without a college education in classrooms while they earn their degrees. Not surprisingly, the majority of these states are in regions with the highest number of under-qualified teachers. For instance, Florida and South Carolina have adopted the apprentice type of GYO program. States in the South Atlantic region of the US have 68,884 under-qualified teachers. The teacher shortage crisis is sure to deepen once the pandemic-related Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) spending deadline hits next year. According to Marguerite Roza, a research professor and director of the Edunomics Lab, $24 billion of the total $122.7 billion in ESSER III funds are financing districts annual labor. It is estimated that 250,000 education jobs will be cut once the money runs out. However, ESSER funding was not only spent on hiring teachers but much needed support staff such as social workers, psychologists, and nurses. Leslie Fenwick, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Educations dean in residence noted, Childrens needs are not going to evaporate. It is unlikely states will pick up the tab on these supports for students. The nations most vulnerable students who undoubtedly benefit from the increased supports made possible by ESSER are also facing draconian cuts to Title 1 funding. The House Appropriations Committee is seeking to cut federal grants to schools with a high percentage of low-income families by 80 percent or $15 billion. The rationale for this proposal is that the vast amounts of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds did not get spent, therefore schools do not need the money provided by Title I grants. This is a gross oversimplification of the issue. Because of the limited and short-term nature of the money, schools were not able to spend it on what was really needed, which was teachers and support staff. If legislators are successful in cutting back Title I, tens of thousands of teachers will lose their jobs in the poorest and most under-served communities in the country. The deepening crisis of the teacher shortage and the attack on public education is a reflection of the ever-deepening social inequality in the US and internationally, which is fueling a major resurgence of the class struggle. As the WSWS wrote recently: [T]he bipartisan assault against public education has only deepened, from the vast expansion of privatization schemes, to ongoing bipartisan budget cuts, to growing far-right censorship in schools. All of these attacks are creating the conditions for an explosive growth of struggles by teachers, parents and students to defend public education. Educators must unite to form Educator Rank-and-File Committees independent of union bureaucracies and both capitalist political parties to unite the struggles of educators with other sections of the working class, across the US and throughout the world. Together with the rank-and-file committees of logistics workers, auto workers, health care workers, and others we will fight not only for improved working conditions, but an end to war, exploitation and inequality. Two recent incidents of police violence, one in Georgia, the other in Washington, have caused popular outrage while underscoring the class character of police violence. In both instances, unarmed 62-year-old grandfathers ended up in hospital emergency rooms, with one dying after being assaulted by police. Johnny Hollman. [Photo: Hollman family photo] On August 10, Johnny Hollman, a 62-year-old father of five, grandfather to 22 children, and deacon at Lively Stones of God Missionary Baptist Church, in Atlanta, Georgia was killed by Atlanta Police Department officer Kiran Kimbrough. Hollman died after Kimbrough tased him with a conducted energy device, according to Fulton County Medical Examiner report released last week. Both Hollman and Kimbrough are African-American. Four days later and over 2,300 miles away in Spokane Valley, Washington, 62-year-old father and grandfather Kevin Hinton was beaten so severely by Spokane County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Clay Hilton that jailers refused to book him following his unwarranted arrest. Since the beating nearly two months ago, lawyers for Hinton have revealed that their clients medical bills are approaching $100,000. Both Hinton, and the officer who beat him, Hilton, are white. In both instances, neither man was engaged in criminal activity when police officers decided to go hands on and assault them. As of this writing, neither police officer has been charged with a crime, despite that fact that both incidents were caught on police body-camera footage. In fact, up until this Tuesday, both Kimbrough and Hilton were on paid administrative leave pending the results of investigations into their violent conduct. On October 10, ahead of the expected release of body-camera footage later this week, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum fired Kimbrough for failing to have a supervisor on the scene prior to proceeding with the physical arrest of Hollman Fox5 reported, citing an administrative review. According to Hoffmans family and one of their lawyers, Mawuli Davis, the deacon was driving back home after bible study at his daughters house. After picking up a late dinner for him and his wife, Hollman got into a minor car accident roughly two blocks from his home. Hollman called police to report the accident and waited at the scene with the other driver for nearly an hour until responding officer Kimbrough arrived. Once police arrived, Hollman called his daughter, 47-year-old Arnitra Fallins, so she could listen in on the interaction. After assessing the accident, Kimbrough issued Hollman a citation, ruling he was at fault. According to police, Hollman became non-compliant because he refused to sign the citation issued to him by Kimbrough. Due to this alleged non-compliance Kimbrough shocked Hollman with his taser causing cardiac dysrhythmia, or an abnormal heart rhythm, per the Fulton Count Medical Examiner report. The medical examiner noted that while Hollman did have hypertensive and atherosclertoic cardiovascular disease the cause of death was homicide caused by the use of the taser. In an interview with the AP on Monday, Davis called police claims that Hollman refused to sign the citation, prompting police escalation, a false narrative. Davis, who saw the still unreleased body-camera footage last month, said Hollman repeatedly agreed to sign the citation. Davis said police body-camera footage will show Kimbrough grabbing Hollmans arm after he agreed to sign the ticket, forcing him to the ground and tasing him, before placing him in handcuffs. Responding to the belated firing of Kimbrough on Tuesday, another attorney for the family, Harold Spence, incredulously responded, Are you kidding me? Because he didnt have a supervisor on the scene... Again, thats why we believe that its more incumbent that this video be released. Because I guarantee you that when you see the video, your thoughts wont be Where was the supervisor? While Kimbrough was fired on Tuesday, Sgt. Clay Hilton of the Spokane County Sherrifs office is still collecting a paycheck after being placed on administrative leave by Spokane County Sheriff John F. Nowels on September 29, over 40 days after Hilton sent 62-year-old Hinton to the emergency room for not listening to him. Kevin Hinton after being beaten by Sgt. Clay Hilton. [Photo: Spokane County Sherrifs] In interviews with the Spokesman Review and USA Today, attorneys for Hinton, Tim Note and Josh Mauer, have confirmed that their client was exhausted following a visit to his newborn granddaughter and subsequent 11-hour drive. Unable to make it home safely, Hinton attempted to take a nap in his car in the parking lot outside the Terrace View Park, in Spokane Valley, Washington. According to police body-camera footage, at about 11:45 p.m., a little more than hour after parking his vehicle, Sgt. Hilton shined a flashlight into Hintons vehicle. After he opens his car door, Hilton informed Hinton that it is a crime to be in the park after hours and that the parking lot was considered the park. A compliant Hinton responds, Ok, I will find another place to watch a movie. Hilton rejected Hintons offer to leave and demanded to see his identification, telling him he has committed a crime by being in the empty parking lot. You are not getting my I.D. for sitting in a parking lot, sorry, Hinton responded. Despite Hintons calm demeanor, Sgt. Hilton grew increasingly agitated, telling Hinton he was, probably going to jail for not telling me who you are. Oh, for not giving you my name? Hinton asks. Yup, Hilton responds. Ok, well you have at it, a compliant Hinton replied. The cop then tells him to stand up, which Hinton did, at which point Hilton gave him a contradictory order to turn around and face the car while at the same time grabbing the front of Hintons shirt. Dont put your hands on me pal, Hinton tells the cop, who responds, You are going to get hurt before grabbing at Hinton again, who had sat back down in the front seat of his car. Hilton responded to Hinton sitting in his car by immediately assaulting him. Hilton punched him in the face while grabbing the back of his neck. After punching him, the footage shows the cop pulling the 62-year-old Hinton out of his car by his ankle. While Hinton was sitting on the pavement, Hilton yelled, Get on the ground! and immediately punched Hinton in the face over and over again causing him to scream in agony. In between kicking and punching Hinton, the cop yelled for him to give me your hands. Hinton is heard crying out in pain, I didnt do anything! As more police arrive a bloody Hinton was handcuffed and left on the pavement. Sgt. Hilton is heard taunting him, What part of that didnt you understand? and Now you want to tell me your name? While a bloodied Hinton was sitting on the pavement, Hilton and at least six other police officers milled around. Hilton turns off his body-camera audio before engaging in jovial conversation with other police, a blatant violation of department policy. After placing Hinton under arrest, the police tried to book him in the Spokane County Jail on charges of resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer. However, jail staff refused to accept Hinton given the numerous serious injures he suffered. Attorney Note told USA Today in an interview published earlier this week that their client suffered eight broken ribs, a punctured lung, and memory loss from the police assault. Some of the broken ribs had multiple fractures, while others were separated from his sternum. Hintons dentures were also punched out his mouth and his lip is now permanently disfigured. He clearly has PTSD, Note told the paper. He cant talk about this incident without becoming emotional, the attorney added. He hasnt returned to his own home for fear of retaliation. Hes traumatized. He is absolutely traumatized. Sgt. Hilton was only placed on administrative leave after attorney Note met with Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Preston McCollam in late September during which they reviewed the charges against Hinton and the body-camera footage. McCollam dismissed the charges against Hinton with prejudice and informed Sheriff Nowels of the assault on Hinton, of which he was apparently unaware. The Spokesman Review reported that this is not the first time Hilton has come under controversy. The paper reported that recently Division III Court of Appeals Judge George Fearing wrote an unpublished opinion accusing Hilton of systematic racism following the arrest of Darnai Vaile, an African American man. Judge Fearing has made it clear that he will recuse himself from all cases involving Hilton. Deputy Clay Hiltons conduct since the issuance of the decisions in State v. Vaile suggest that he works as law enforcement officer not to serve others and benefit the Spokane community, but to intimidate and dominate, Fearing wrote. Led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadas entire political establishment, from ostensible left to hard right, have joined the imperialist chorus of condemnations of the Palestinian uprising and declared the far-right Netanyahu regime should be given a blank cheque in mounting a horrific, criminal onslaught on Gaza. Little more than two weeks after they rose in unison to applaud a Nazi war criminal, the leaders of all the parties in Canadas parliament have joined together to endorse the Israeli states right to wantonly slaughter Palestinians and denounce opposition to Israeli repression as anti-Semitic. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, shortly after his Liberal government came to power in Nov. 2015. [Photo: Twitter/Trudeau] Trudeau, who leads a government that has been as steadfast in its support of the Israeli regime as its Conservative predecessor, declared in a statement posted on X, Canada strongly condemns the current terrorist attacks against Israel. These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itselfCivilian life must be protected. It would be hard to combine more hypocrisy and lies into such a short statement. In the first place, the military actions against Israel are the product of a mass popular uprising, as shown by the scope of the operations, not a terrorist attack. It is inconceivable given Israels omnipresent surveillance and longstanding security crackdown on the Gaza Strip, turning the densely populated territory into an open-air prison, that an attack on the scale launched by Hamas could have taken place without the active support of a large portion of its 2.3 million inhabitants. Secondly, Israel is not defending itself, but launching a genocidal crackdown on the entire Palestinian population. In the style of the most oppressive regimes throughout history, Netanyahu and his ministers have denounced Palestinians as human animals and savages to justify the cutting of water, food, electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza and an aerial bombardment that has already leveled entire neighbourhoods. For Trudeau, it would appear that the only civilians who count are Israeli, while the entire Palestinian population is fair game for illegal collective punishment and slaughter. Trudeau was joined in his enthusiasm for the Israeli governments savagery by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh. Speaking at an Israel solidarity event in Ottawa on Monday evening, also attended by Trudeau, Poilievre called Hamas evil in its purest form and a sadistic, demonic genocidal terrorist death cult. Singh was more muted, but nonetheless unequivocal in joining the universal condemnation of the mass uprising as a terrorist attack. He wrote, I strongly condemn these horrifying attacks by Hamas on Israel. Civilians should never be targeted and all hostages must be released immediately. We fear what the coming days will bring. Terrorism and violence solve nothing. The Quebec political elitewhether staunch federalist, the autonomist-chauvinists of the provinces ruling CAQ, or pro-independencehave also uniformly condemned the violence of the Palestinian uprising. They have stridently asserted the right of the massively armed Israeli state, which violently represses the Palestinian population every day, to defend itself. In a statement posted to X, the Bloc Quebecois, the federal sister party of the pro-independence Parti Quebecois, stated that it firmly condemns the terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel and its civilian population. Demonstration in Toronto in support of the Palestinian uprising. [Photo by WSWS (Courtesy a supporter) ] The unflinching endorsement of the Israeli governments onslaught by Canadas entire official political setup was on display at a rally Monday in Toronto attended by Progressive Conservative Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and the NDP mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow. Chow was touted by what remains of the NDPs left and its pseudo-left periphery during her election campaign earlier this year as a transformational candidate. She devoted her remarks Monday to a vicious denunciation of protesters taking to the streets to support the Palestinians. The unanimous support within Canadian ruling circles for the far-right Netanyahu government comes as no surprise. As a key strategic and military partner of US imperialism for over three quarters of a century, Canada has for decades backed the Israeli regime to the hilt. The Canadian Armed Forces has close ties to the Israel Defence Forces and Canada has been a significant supplier of military equipment. Ottawa has also unswervingly defended Israel against any criticism of its blatant human rights abuses at the United Nations, especially over the past two decades as successive Israeli governments dropped any pretense of support for a two state solution and intensified the settlement of the West Bank. It has stood virtually alone in voting with the US repeatedly against resolutions condemning the indiscriminate violence used against the Palestinian populations in Gaza and the West Bank. The readiness of the Canadian ruling class and its political representatives to support the most ruthless violence has also been demonstrated throughout the ongoing US-NATO imperialist war against Russia. They have poured weaponry into Ukraine, cavalierly dismissed concerns about the possibility of the war escalating into nuclear war as akin to appeasement, and vowed the slaughter should continue until Russia is eliminated as a strategic threat. With all-party support, Canada has sent well over $2 billion in weapons to the far-right regime in Kiev, including tanks, military vehicles, ammunition, and anti-aircraft systems. Canada played a major role in preparing and instigating the war, including by helping to integrate the far-right Azov Battalion into the Ukrainian army following the fascist-spearheaded 2014 coup in Kiev that Ottawa also had a major hand in. The methods Canadian imperialism is prepared to use to achieve its interests were revealed when every MP in the House of Commons, led by Trudeau, rose September 22 to applaud Yaroslav Hunka, a veteran of the Waffen-SSs Galicia Division. The Division, whose members swore allegiance to Adolf Hitler, was implicated in the Holocaust and the massacre of tens of thousands of Poles in Galicia. Anyone who thinks it an exaggeration to say that Canadian imperialism is prepared to countenance and participate in war crimes of a like magnitude should review the blood-curdling commentary flooding Canadas corporate-controlled media. Typical was Tuesdays editorial in the Globe and Mail, the mouthpiece for the Bay Street financial elite. Under the title, Canada must stand with Israel it demanded the Trudeau government back the Israeli states genocidal onslaught on Gaza, and not flinch at what it terms collateral civilian casualties. Affirmations and solidarity are easy enough at the moment, declared the Globe, but they will become more difficult to sustain as Israel begins to uproot Hamas from the Gaza Strip, as it must It will be tempting, as casualties inevitably mount, to lapse into the lazy notion that the two sides in the conflict need to agree to a ceasefire This is not a conflict; it is a justified war against terror ... And a ceasefire will have to come at a time of Israels choosing, once it believes the threat posed by Hamas has been eliminated The elimination of Hamas, an organization that enjoys significant support in the Gaza Strip and has previously won elections to govern the territory, can only mean the deliberate massacring of thousands of civilians. And if the Israeli regime, which has already labelled Palestinians animals and demonstrated through years of brutal occupation that it has no respect for their rights, is to be given a free hand to determine when a ceasefire should take place, civilian deaths on an unprecedented scale are inevitable. There is widespread opposition to the hysterical campaign for the mass slaughter of Palestinians emanating from the ruling class. Protests each involving hundreds of people have been held in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver over recent days. At the Toronto event, protesters chanted from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. One demonstrator carried a sign with the apt slogan, Occupation is a crime, resistance a response. The strong sympathy within the population for the plight of the Palestinian people has been met with a furious response from politicians and the media. Trudeau denounced all protests in support of the Palestinians, declaring Monday, I strongly condemn the demonstrations that have taken place, and are taking place, across the country in support of Hamas attacks on Israel. The glorification of violence is never acceptable in Canada. Poilievre, who has cultivated support from the far-right Freedom Convoys thugs who menacingly occupied Ottawa, declared, I unreservedly condemn any and all who took part in the disgusting celebrations that we have seen on our streets. The ruling elite is clearly fearful that opposition to the brutal oppression suffered by the Palestinians could link up with widespread hostility to the US-led imperialist war against Russia, which has yet to find positive political expression, and the growing strike movement among various sections of workers to defend wages and conditions as the cost of living increases. It is precisely the development of such a movement in the working class that is necessary to halt the imperialist-backed onslaught against the Palestinians and defeat the fascist-backed Netanyahu government that threatens the democratic and social rights of Palestinian and Israeli workers alike. As the International Committee of the Fourth International wrote in its statement on the events in Israel, The uprising in Palestine is itself part of a developing eruption of anger and opposition in the form of mass strikes and protests throughout the world. It is this social movement, guided by a consciously socialist and revolutionary program and perspective, that must be mobilized to put an end to imperialist war, inequality and all forms of oppression. Students walk through Harvard Yard, April 27, 2022, on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. [AP Photo/Charles Krupa] Over 30 student groups at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are the target of a vicious state-sponsored smear campaign after signing a statement correctly blaming the Israeli regime for the bloody conflict presently raging in Israel and Gaza. The statement, authored by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) and co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, declares, We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. It continues, Todays events did not occur in a vacuum. For the last two decades, millions of Palestinians in Gaza have been forced to live in an open-air prison. Israeli officials promise to open the gates of hell, and the massacres in Gaza have already commenced. Palestinians in Gaza have no shelters for refuge and nowhere to escape. In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israels violence. The statement reemphasizes the Israeli governments sole responsibility for the violence, Israeli violence has structured every aspect of Palestinian existence for 75 yearsPalestinians have been forced to live in a state of death, both slow and sudden. It concludes, Today, the Palestinian ordeal enters into uncharted territory. The coming days will require a firm stand against colonial retaliation. We call on the Harvard community to take action to stop the ongoing annihilation of Palestinians. This brief and principled statement has drawn a barrage of condemnation over the past several days, involving the university administration, the corporate media and the capitalist state, to vilify any criticism of Israels genocidal attacks on the Palestinian people. Former Harvard president Larry Summers, along with a collection of academics, immediately denounced the statement. Summers was treasury secretary in the Clinton administration and a key architect of financial policies that have resulted in the greatest levels of social inequality in US history. He wrote on X/Twitter that the joint statement is morally unconscionable and that it sickened him. Summers continued, The silence from Harvards leadership, so far, coupled with a vocal and widely reported student groups statement blaming Israel solely, has allowed Harvard to appear at best neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel. Harvard Computer Science professor Boaz Barak called on Harvard to remove the organizations school affiliations, writing on X/Twitter, I have a lot of criticisms of Israeli policies, but everyone who signed this statement is condoning terrorism, rape, and murder. The PSCs joint statement has also been attacked by numerous leading political figures, both Democrats and Republicans, including Republican Senator Ted Cruz, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, and Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres. A recent joint statement on the Israel/Gaza conflict by Harvard affiliates called the PSCs statement completely wrong and deeply offensive and demanded that all students group signatories immediately retract their endorsements. Harvards Jewish center, Harvard Hillel, denounced the PSCs joint statement as representative of further hatred and anti-Semitism. Harvard University President Claudine Gay quickly associated herself with the attack, issuing a statement declaring, As the events of recent days continue to reverberate, let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. Such inhumanity is abhorrent. All of these attacks are filthy slanders and bald-faced lies, part of a broader propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting any support for the popular uprising of the Palestinian population of Gaza against the far-right Netanyahu government in Israel, US imperialisms proxy force in the Middle East. They also place the students involved in physical danger. According to the Harvard Crimson, As of Tuesday evening, at least four online sites had listed the personal information of students linked to clubs that had signed onto the statement, including full names, class years, past employment, social media profiles, photos, and hometowns. In recent days, this campaign has been increasingly directed against widespread support for the Palestinians in Gaza on the university campuses. New York University law student and president of NYUs Law School Bar Association Ryna Workman is currently the target of attacks by the university, media and far-right pro-Israel elements for issuing a principled statement of solidarity with the Palestinian people. In a newsletter for the Student Bar Association, Workman wrote that Israel bears full responsibility for the tremendous loss of life and that the regime of state-sanctioned violence created the conditions that made resistance necessary. Workman has been falsely presented by the right-wing Daily Mail publication as a supporter of genocidal murder. This slander was essentially endorsed by NYU when university spokesperson John Beckman stated that Workman blam[ed] victims of terrorism for their own death. It has been reported that the corporate law firm Winston and Strawn has rescinded its offer of employment to Workman. Student groups at various other campuses, including Columbia University in New York City and George Washington University in Washington DC, have also faced similar attacks. On Tuesday, billionaire hedge fund manager and longtime Democratic Party donor Bill Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, called on Harvard to release the names of students who are members of the organizations that signed the PSCs joint statement. Ackman menacingly wrote, I have been asked by a number of CEOs if Harvard would release a list of the members of each of the Harvard organizations that have issued the letter assigning sole responsibility for Hamas heinous acts to Israel, so as to insure [sic] that none of us inadvertently hire any of their members. If, in fact, their members support the letter they have released, the names of the signatories should be made public so their views are publicly known. Why not just throw all those opposing the Israeli apartheid regimes crimes against the Palestinian people in prison? This is the logical conclusion of Ackmans statements. Sanaa M. Kahloon, a junior at Harvard, responded to these attacks in a statement on behalf of the Harvard PSC Monday afternoon. He wrote that the organizations members reject the accusation that our previous statement could be read as supportive of civilian deaths. To restate what should be obvious: the PSC staunchly opposes violence against civilians Palestinian, Israeli, or other. He continues, The statement aims to contextualize the apartheid and colonial system while explicitly lamenting the devastating and rising civilian toll in its caption. It is unacceptable that Palestinians and groups supporting them are always expected to preempt their statements with condemnation of violence. It is a historical fact that the Israeli government and its US backers bear the ultimate responsibility for the thousands of deaths and mass devastation that has occurred over the last several days. The hysterical propaganda campaign being waged speaks to the immense fear within ruling circles that masses of people will not be inclined to lie back and accept the narrative concocted by the warmongers in Washington and Jerusalem. President Joe Biden speaks Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, about the war between Israel and Palestine, as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken listen. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Tuesdays speech by US President Joe Biden plumbed the depths of political reaction. As the Israeli army was systematically leveling residential buildings throughout Gaza, Biden gave the Netanyahu government a green light to carry out mass murder. The only purpose Bidens tirade served was to inflame public opinion, generate as much hatred against Palestinians as possible, and justify whatever crimes Israel carries out. After this speech, it is impossible for his government to disassociate itself from anything the Israeli government has done or will do. Indeed, the inclusion of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris, who stood zombie-like behind Biden, was intended to underscore the message: This is the policy of the American government. Bidens remarks, predictably, incited Israeli war crimes. Immediately following the speech, Israel began using white phosphorus to create firestorms in civilian areas a crime under international law. Israel bombed the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East on Tuesday, alongside countless other multi-story buildings. Israel continued to deny the Palestinians food, water, and electricity, in line with the pledge by Prime Minister Netanyahu that any areas that resist the Israeli occupation will be reduced to ruins. Biden's language comes close to promoting and legitimizing genocide. The resistance by Palestinians was a manifestation, Biden began, of pure, unadulterated evil. These words echoed the statements yesterday of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the Palestinians animals. Netanyahus defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said, We are fighting human animals, and we are acting accordingly. To assert that one is dealing with pure evil is to remove events from any rational analysis. In this Manichean world view, evil can only be addressed through elimination, extermination and killing. Biden did not call for a ceasefire. He did not call for peace talks. He did not call for mediation or arbitration. He did not call on Israel to exercise restraint. He did not warn about the incalculable bloodshed that would result from an Israeli invasion of Gaza. Full of inflammatory references to the Israeli victims of the Palestinian incursion into territory illegally occupied by Israel, Biden did not make a single reference to the Palestinian victims of Israeli violence. Over the past 75 years, countless tens of thousands of Palestinians have been massacred by Israeli troops and the fascist forces now represented in the Israeli government. None of these murders prompted condemnation by the United States, let alone a declaration that the Israeli perpetrators were the embodiment of evil. Bidens remarks were accompanied by a torrent of propaganda in the US media, aimed at blocking any critical examination of the conflict by focusing only on the violence carried out by Hamas against civilians, while ignoring the violenceseveral orders of magnitude greaterinflicted against the Palestinians by Israel. We stand with Israel, Biden declared. Theres no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse for violence by the Palestinians, but there is always an excuse for violence by Israel. This is despite the fact that since 2008, 20 times more Palestinians have been killed in the conflict than Israelis6,400, compared to 300. Biden declared, Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond and indeed has a duty to respond to these vicious attacks. Every nation, that is, except the Palestinians. Biden simply ignored the entire antecedent history of the present conflict. The United Nations has condemned Israel for settling its population on illegally annexed Palestinian territory, for preventing Palestinians from traveling freely, and for the systematic use of murder, torture and indefinite detention as state policy. Biden threatened to unleash US military force against any government that dared to intervene on the side of the Palestinians: To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation, I have one word: Dont. The American response, Biden said, would be swift, decisive and overwhelming. This language will not intimidate; it will only enrage. Among the overwhelming majority of the worlds people, many of whom continue to live with bitter memories of colonialism, it will prompt only disgust. Biden declared, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage. But his unrestrained sanctioning of Israeli actions has all but assured the death of the hostages. Among the most shameful of Bidens statements was his attempt to associate the resistance of the Palestinians against the Israeli apartheid regime with genocide of Europes Jews during the Holocaust. This attack on Israel, Biden said, brought to the surface painful memories and scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide. This is a total perversion of history. The Palestinians have no historical connection to the murderous anti-Jewish pogroms and antisemitism that form a critical part of European history. They played no role in the Holocaust. During the Second World War, while Jews were being exterminated by the millions, the United States kept its borders closed. In 1939, the SS St. Louis, a ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees, was turned away from the US and forced to return to Europe, an episode that was emblematic of US indifference to the persecution of Europes Jews. Less than three weeks ago, the entire Canadian parliament, along with ambassadors and representatives from all the NATO countries, stood up and applauded Yaroslav Hunka, a veteran of the Ukrainian Waffen-SS, which was responsible for the massacre of Jews under the direction of Nazi Germany. In concluding his remarks, Biden invoked the Jewish and democratic state of Israel. A Jewish and democratic state is a contradiction in terms. A state that is built on the basis of ethnic identity is inherently undemocratic. Moreover, it accepts entirely the position of Netanyahu and the Israeli political establishment that they represent the Jewish people, implicating the entire Israeli population in the crimes that are being carried out. Biden concluded by saying, Terrorists purposely targeted civilians and killed them. We uphold the laws of war. What is Biden talking about? The only law upheld by the United States is the law of unrestrained imperialist violence and plunder. His tirade against the Palestinians conforms to a definite pattern. Whether demanding regime-change and war to complete victory against Russia or inciting full-scale war in the Middle East, the American ruling class acts with complete recklessness and brutality. Bidens speech is a warning to the entire world. US imperialism has embraced the principles of unrestricted military violence and collective punishment against civilian populations. Unless it is stopped, the homicidal rampage now being inflicted on Gaza will be the fate of millions around the world. Workers and young people cannot be intimidated by the avalanche of propaganda, pumped out by every imperialist government and every major media outlet. It is urgently necessary to build a global mass anti-war movement, unifying workers and young people of every ethnicity, religion, and nationality in the struggle against imperialism. Are you a pharmacy worker? Tell us what your working conditions are like by filling out the form below. All submissions will remain anonymous. Walgreens pharmacy in Los Angeles on March 10, 2023. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong] On Monday, non-union pharmacy employees, including pharmacists, technicians and support staff launched a three-day walkout at Walgreens stores nationwide to protest poor working conditions. Although the exact number of workers that have joined the Walgreens walkout is unclear, it has received broad support among employees of pharmacy chains who are facing dire working conditions with the oncoming winter season and demands for vaccinations against COVID, flu and RSV as well as others. It comes within the context of a growing wave of strikes and protests by healthcare workers, who have been made to shoulder the burden of the collapse of the healthcare system due to incompetent and criminal response to the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers took part in a three-day walkout, the largest healthcare strike, by number of workers involved, in US history. The Walgreens walkouts also follow local walkouts by CVS pharmacists in Kansas City, Missouri two weeks ago to protest staff cuts. As one pharmacist told The Kansas City Star, Its like running a McDonalds with just one person. In a post on Reddit calling for the nationwide walkout at Walgreens, one pharmacist described the terrible working conditions: Its about time we stand up and demand that Walgreens prioritize patient health and safety. The current regime has continued to cut hours while adding more tasks. This is unsafe for our patients and for Walgreens employees. I have spent hours explaining to patients why we scheduled them an appointment for a vaccine we didnt have. Ive also given over 100 vaccines in a day all by myself while 600+ leaflets lay on the counter. 2 of my technicians walked out mid shift. My pharmacy has historically been top of the chain but these corporate demands are unrealistic and unfair to us and to our patients. Ive asked for help and voiced my concerns just as you have. They call you all whiners and tell you that you arent meeting expectations. When will they meet our expectations? When will they give us the support to meet the expectations of our patients? Pharmacy workers often have to work alone standing on their feet for up to 12 hours or more, without even a bathroom break. Meanwhile, pharmacy retail chains like Walmart, CVS and Walgreens are cutting back on hours by 10 to 20 percent to compensate for understaffing. This means cuts to pay, while pharmacists complain that they are expected to fill the same volume of prescriptions with less staff and time. The companies have insisted that the reduction in hours is partially due to a decline in demand for prescriptions during the summer. They also claim that it gives pharmacists an opportunity for a better work-life balance. But Michael Hogue, the Dean of Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy in Southern California and American Pharmacists Associations liaison representative to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), countered that there is no data to support such ludicrous assertions. He notes that the underlying reason for these scale backs has to do with a shortage of pharmacy technicians, who function as the backbone of a running pharmacy. In addition to filling prescriptions, pharmacy workers deal with administrative and regulatory issues and conduct patient counseling, including primary care services such as administering vaccines and COVID tests. Pharmacy technicians make poverty wages in exchange for counting out pills, answering phone calls, and stocking shelves and ordering supplies. The conditions that pharmacists rallied against in 2021 at the height of the COVID pandemic, have only grown more urgent and untenable. We work 12-hour shifts without technicians, we have no breaks and no lunch breaks as the drive-thru has to be open. We have not had a raise in four years, one pharmacist told the WSWS at the time. The US Bureau of labor Statistics is predicting that the need for pharmacists will outpace industry growth. More than 78 percent of pharmacists have reported workload exhaustion, up from 22 percent before the pandemic. At large pharmacy chains, a 2021 survey by Ohio state found 92 percent dont have adequate time to complete their job in a safe and effective manner. A Pharmacy Workforce Center study released in May 2023 found that a large majority of respondents described the shortage of technicians was severe or very severe. More than 75 percent indicated poor job satisfaction. More than one-third said they would likely search for a different job next year. Many cited burnout and fear that they will cause harm to their patients making a medication mistake due to overwork. A 2018 meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal Open Quality found that community pharmacy error rates in the US between 1993 and 2015 were between 1.4 and 1.8 percent of all prescriptions. Other studies indicate that the rates were higher, between 1.7 and 2.2 percent, with one in 20 of these being clinically significant. In 2018, there were 67,000 retail/community pharmacies dispensing 4.4 billion prescriptions each year. This amounts to 51.5 million errors dispensed each year across the country. One can only assume these astounding figures for have only grown since the start of the pandemic. In the US alone, between 7,000 to 9,000 people die each year as a result of medication errors. It is likely that hundreds of thousands have adverse reactions that go unreported. These medication errors account for $40 billion annual healthcare costs alone, not including the burden on the patient, their family and health system in general. During the pandemic, pharmacies have distributed 70 percent of the COVID vaccines. They also administer half of all the flu vaccines, as well as vaccines for pneumonia, tetanus, HPV, and others. Given that COVID vaccines have now been commercialized, the added burden of insurance verification is compounding their workload. Meanwhile, the major pharmacy chains continue to rake in massive revenues. According to a 2022 report by Bloomberg, US drugstore sales accounted for 85 percent of the $132.5 billion in revenue Walgreens recorded last year [2021], with the rest coming from its international business. Drugstores represent a little less than one third of the $268.7 billion in sales CVS recorded in 2020, the most recent year of annual results from the company, which also owns a pharmacy-benefits manager and a health insurer. Although pharmacies play a smaller role financially at CVS, theyre still hugely important to the companys strategy to reimagine healthcare, with company executives referring to its stores as the front door to its brand. The right to free and comprehensive medical care and the necessary pharmaceuticals also means the investment in training a legion of staff that can meet the demands of the population for such services. It is the inherent democratic and social right of every worker to these critical life-saving drugs and treatments that have been acquired over decades and centuries. New South Wales Health data for the end of September showed a surge in lower respiratory tract infection human (HMPV), with 1,168 cases out of a population of more than 8 million. This was a steep increase from 648 cases a fortnight earlier. These figures will be a vast underestimation of the real situation as only patients who present to hospital are tested. Medical authorities consider the surge is due to the relaxation of measures aimed at halting the continuing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. What were seeing is the resurgence of respiratory viruses. For the first two years of the pandemic we basically have very little circulation of respiratory viruses because of all those COVID social distancing measures. Weve now seen an uptick as weve seen in flu and RSV, and HMPV is yet another virus, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Even though Australia experienced a spike in COVID infections in May, the Albanese Labor government and the media acted as if the pandemic had ceased to exist. In the week ending May 26 there were 184 COVID deaths across the country with 41,399 COVID infections. This program was mirrored internationally with the US President Biden ending the COVID-19 emergency. The surge of the HMPV virus and other respiratory tract infections is a consequence of this forever COVID policy. Model structure and proteins encoded by Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV). (a) hMPV model structure indicating viral proteins encoded by (b) the viral genome. [Photo: Wikimedia] HMPV symptoms are similar to those of influenza and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Very young children and older people are the most prone to succumb to the virus, which can develop to pneumonia, bronchitis and death in some children and in people who have underlying conditions. Surges in HMPV cases usually occur in late winter and spring in temperate regions of the world. HMPV is caused by a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus in the Pneumoviridae family and is closely related to a type of bird flu, Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV). Scientists think that the HMPV virus probably originated in an unknown bird species approximately 200 million years ago and then jumped across to humans. The pneumoviridae family of viruses also includes measles, mumps and parainfluenza viruses that infect children. HMPV was only recently discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands by associate professor in the Department of Viroscience at the Erasmus Medical Center, Bernadette G. van den Hoogen and her team. Retrospective studies have shown that the virus was prevalent in humans at least 50 years earlier than its discovery. Respiratory infections are the major cause of death for children under five, but scientists are yet to identify the many viruses or bacteria that cause the disease. Most children have been infected with HMPV by the age of five. Bernadette G. van den Hoogen [Photo: Erasmus Medical Center] Professor of Pediatrics at the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, John V. Williams, in a comment in The Conversation, stated that However, meticulous research studies by many groups over decades had failed to identify a virus or bacteria in every person with an acute respiratory illness. Like most viral diseases HMPV has spanned the globe, causing numerous recent outbreaks internationally. The U.S. saw a spike in HMPV detections during the first few months of 2023. This trend is similar to the higher-than-normal case rates of RSV and influenza in the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023, likely related to decreased population immunity after two years of wearing face masks and social distancing, Williams commented. According to US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions respiratory virus surveillance systems, HMPV cases drastically increased in March with 19.4 percent of patients presenting to hospital with respiratory diseases. A CNN article related, At its peak in mid-March, nearly 11 percent of tested specimens were positive for HMPV, a number thats about 36 percent higher than the average, pre-pandemic seasonal peak of 7 percent test positivity. The article quotes a 59-year-old immunocompromised woman, Diane Davison, who became infected in April, highlighting the severity of the disease. I couldnt get out more than a couple of words I would go into violent, violent coughing to the point where I was literally almost throwing up, Davison told CNN. Williams points out that there are a dearth of treatments and that there are no vaccines or specific antiviral drugs to treat HMPV infections. Lenneke Haas, an intensive care scientist at the Intensive Care Medicine at Utrecht in the Netherlands, and her team published an important review in Viruses in January 2013, Metapneumovirus in Adults. They wrote, HMPV is distributed worldwide and has a seasonal distribution comparable to that of influenza viruses and RSV. In young children, HMPV is the second most common cause of lower RTI (respiratory tract infection) after RSV HMPV infection is associated with hospitalization for acute RTI in adults. The incidence of HMPV infection in hospitalized adults varied from year to year ranging from 4.313.2 percent. This is in accordance with the rates for RSV and influenza A. Twothirds of these hospitalized patients had underlying disease. Twenty-three percent of these patients had a co-infection with another respiratory virus, Haas et al. stated. Like many other viruses that infect humans, such as SARS-CoV-2, HMPV is spread through aerosols, making it highly contagious. Haas related, HMPV is thought to be transmitted by direct or close contact with contaminated secretions, which may involve saliva, droplets or large particle aerosols. HMPV RNA is found in excretions five days to two weeks after initiation of symptoms. A study of HMPV in children by post-doctoral researcher Xin Wang at the Centre for Global Health at the Usher Institute at Edinburgh Medical School, was published in The Lancet Global Health in January 2021. In Global burden of acute lower respiratory infection associated with human metapneumovirus in children under five years in 2018: a systematic review and modelling study, Wang et al. estimated the global prevalence of HMPV associated with acute lower RTIs in children younger than five years from a review of 119 published studies conducted between Jan. 1, 2001, and Dec 31, 2019, and 40 unpublished studies. They found that in 2018, among children younger than five years globally, there were an estimated 14.2 million HMPV cases, 643,000 hospital admissions and 7,700 in-hospital deaths, and 16,100 overall (hospital and community) deaths. Around 58 percent of the hospital admissions were in infants under 12 months, and 64 percent of in-hospital deaths occurred in infants younger than six months, of which 79 percent occurred in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Wang et al. concluded that Our mortality estimates demonstrate the importance of intervention strategies for infants across all settings, and warrant continued efforts to improve the outcome of human metapneumovirus-associated ALRI [acute lower respiratory infections] among young infants in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. The call for intervention strategies is made under conditions where the ruling elite internationally have ditched any measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting a let it rip approach. Nothing can be allowed to interfere with the interests of big business. Poor countries have been completely abandoned to the ravages of COVID and other infectious diseases. The current surge in HMPV infections and other RTIs is due to the abandonment of all mitigation measures, allowing a plethora of infections to proliferate. The fact that the youngest and most vulnerable members of society have been subjected to the ravages of infections such as HMPV stands as an indictment of the capitalist system and demonstrates that it has to be replaced by a society based on rational socialist principles where the needs of humanity are met. Long-established in the Insurance industry, Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) has enjoyed a stellar reputation. It has recently witnessed a daily gain of 3.55%, juxtaposed with a three-month change of 6.13%. However, fresh insights from the GF Score 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 Genworth Financial Inc. Genworth Financial Inc (GNW): A Deep Dive into Its Performance Potential Understanding the GF Score The GF Score is a stock performance ranking system developed by GuruFocus using five aspects of valuation, which has been found to be closely correlated to the long-term performances of stocks by backtesting from 2006 to 2021. The stocks with a higher GF Score generally generate higher returns than those with a lower GF Score. Therefore, when picking stocks, investors should invest in companies with high GF Scores. The GF Score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 as the highest rank. Based on the above method, GuruFocus assigned Genworth Financial Inc the GF Score of 67 out of 100, which signals poor future outperformance potential. Genworth Financial Inc: A Snapshot Genworth Financial is a diversified insurance holding company that provides various mortgage and life insurance products. The company has three main operating business segments: Enact, U.S. Life Insurance, and Runoff. The company's product portfolio includes various financial products such as traditional life insurance, mortgage insurance, fixed annuities, and variable annuities. Most of the revenue is generated by the company's U.S. life insurance segment that offers long-term care insurance, fixed annuity, and traditional life insurance products. The company earns most of its revenue in the United States. Story continues Genworth Financial Inc (GNW): A Deep Dive into Its Performance Potential Profitability Breakdown Genworth Financial Inc's low Profitability rank can also raise warning signals. Genworth Financial Inc's Net Margin has declined over the past five years (445.07%), as shown by the following data: 2018: 1.51; 2019: 4.45; 2020: 2.17; 2021: 11.88; 2022: 8.22; . Looking Ahead Considering the company's financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GF Score highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential underperformance. While Genworth Financial Inc has a strong history in the insurance industry, its current GF Score suggests that it may struggle to maintain this performance in the future. This analysis serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough research and consideration when investing. GuruFocus Premium members can find more companies with strong GF Scores using the following screener link: GF Score Screen This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd. As per the report by MarketsandMarkets, the global feed premix market size is projected to reach USD 32.9 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, 2021-2026 Chicago, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The feed premix market plays a crucial role in the global livestock and poultry industries. Feed premixes are blends of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and other additives that are mixed with basic animal feed ingredients to create balanced and nutritionally optimized feed for livestock and poultry. Rising global population and increasing income levels have led to a higher demand for animal-based protein products such as meat, milk, and eggs. This drives the need for high-quality animal nutrition, which, in turn, boosts the demand for feed premixes. The Asia Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for feed premix in the world, with key markets including China, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Thailand, and Vietnam. In 2020, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the global feed premix market, at 35.6%. The market in this region is driven by a large and growing livestock population, as well as the increasing number of feed mills and feed production facilities, particularly in India and Japan. According to the Alltech Feed Survey of 2018, the feed premix market in Asia Pacific grew by 7% from 2012 to 2017, reaching 381.1 million tons. China is the largest feed premix producer in the world, followed by Thailand and Indonesia. India and Japan are also demonstrating steady growth in feed premix production. Of the top 20 feed premix companies in the world, 16 are based in Asia Pacific, making it a highly competitive market. How big is the feed premix market? The global feed premix market size is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% between 2021 and 2026, reaching a value of $32.9 billion by 2026 from a projection of $24.3 billion in 2021. The global feed premix market is expected to grow due to various factors, including increasing demand for animal protein, rising awareness of animal nutrition and health concerns, technological advancements, and the adoption of intensive animal farming practices. Story continues Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=170749996 Feed Premix Market Scope: Report Metric Details Market Size Value in 2021 US$24.3 billion Revenue Forecast in 2026 US$32.9 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 6.2% from 2021 to 2026 Forecast period considered 2021-2026 Dominant Geography Asia Pacific Market Drivers of the Feed Premix Industry Increase in the demand and consumption of livestock-based products Growth in feed production Standardization of meat products owing to disease outbreaks Growth in compound feed consumption Growth Opportunities in the Feed Premix Market Developing countries emerge as strong consumers of feed premixes Who are the top feed premix market manufacturers? List of Top Companies Operating in the Feed Premix Industry Worldwide: Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Netherlands) Nutreco N.V. (Netherlands) Cargill (US) Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) (US) BEC Feed Solutions (Australia) DLG Group (Denmark) Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (Thailand) Land OLakes (US) Feed Premix Industry Report (310 Pages PDF with Insightful Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Purchase/purchase_reportNew.asp?id=170749996 What is the most popular livestock feed? On the global level, total poultry production has been increasing, and with the growth in poultry production and consumption, it has become important for meat producers to focus more on the quality of meat. These factors are projected to drive the growth of the feed premix industry to provide a complete nutritional feed for poultry. Feed premixes, such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, are some of the major premixes used in poultry feed products for improved quality and production. What are the driving factors of feed premix market? Feed premixes are blends of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and other additives that are mixed with basic animal feed ingredients to create balanced and nutritionally optimized feed for livestock and poultry. This market is a vital component of the larger animal nutrition industry, and its growth and dynamics are influenced by various factors. Key Factors Impacting the Feed Premix Market: Growing Demand for Animal Protein: Rising global population and increasing income levels have led to a higher demand for animal-based protein products such as meat, milk, and eggs. This drives the need for high-quality animal nutrition, which, in turn, boosts the demand for feed premixes. Focus on Animal Health and Welfare: There is a growing emphasis on animal health and welfare in the livestock industry. Feed premixes are used to prevent and treat various nutritional deficiencies and health issues, contributing to the overall well-being of animals. Nutritional Efficiency: Feed premixes are formulated to provide precise and balanced nutrition to animals, resulting in improved feed conversion rates and better growth performance. This efficiency is appealing to producers seeking to optimize their operations. Regulatory Compliance: Stringent regulations related to animal feed safety and quality have led to increased adoption of feed premixes. Producers are keen on complying with these regulations to ensure the safety of their products. Technological Advancements: Ongoing research and development efforts have led to the introduction of advanced feed premix formulations, including microencapsulation and nanotechnology. These innovations enhance the bioavailability of nutrients and improve animal performance. Request for Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=170749996 Which segment of feed premix market is expected to dominate the market with the largest share? The market for feed premix, by ingredient type, has been segmented into vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antibiotics. antioxidants, others. The consumption of amino acid feed premixes remains high globally. Asia Pacific continues to be the high-growth market for these premixes. Key markets such as China and India also benefit from the increase in domestic production of amino acids, particularly lysine, as they are available at lower costs. Which region is witnessing the highest growth rate in the feed premix market? Asia Pacific is projected to be the largest and fastest-growing segment. Increased awareness among consumers about quality meat and increased meat consumption across the region is expected to provide more scope for market expansion. Livestock is an important constituent of agriculture in the Asia Pacific region. The region widely rears and consumes pork and poultry. With the rising demand for animal products, increased livestock productivity is necessary. Quality feed is the primary determinant of the performance and productivity of livestock. Related Reports: Feed Preservatives Market Medicated Feed Additives Market Feed Additives Market With the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations as per the companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report: Company Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five) Geographic Analysis Further breakdown of the Rest of Europe market for feed premix which includes countries such as Ireland, Greece, Poland, Austria, and Ukraine. Further breakdown of the Rest of Asia Pacific market for Feed premix, which includes countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Further breakdown of the Rest of Latin America market for Feed premix which includes countries such as Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries. CONTACT: About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of Americas 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. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com HIGHLIGHTS Golden Horse has completed a series of key appointments: Jonathan Lea appointed as Non-Executive Director Martin Bouwmeester appointed Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary Travis Vernon appointed as Geology Manager Appointments significantly bolster management resources ahead of a proposed dual-listing on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") Improves the Company's geological experience as exploration accelerates across its >900km 2 of tenure within the well-endowed Southern Cross Greenstone Belt Golden Horse extends thanks to long-serving Director Mr. Kerry Griffin who has resigned to focus on other director duties Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 10, 2023) - Golden Horse Minerals Limited (TSXV: GHML) ("Golden Horse" or the "Company") wishes to advise the Company is undertaking several strategic board and management changes to ensure it is best placed to meet its objectives ahead of a proposed dual-listing on the ASX and as it further expands its operations in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, Western Australia. The Company is pleased to welcome highly experienced mining industry executive Jonathan Lea to the board of directors of Golden Horse as a Non-Executive Director, effective today. Mr. Lea has over 35 years' experience in all aspects of the minerals industry. After commencing his career as a geologist, he has more recently served as managing director for a number of junior mineral exploration companies and is experienced in resource development, project generation, corporate management and capital raising. Mr. Lea has extensive project development and production experience with a particular focus on gold, as well as other commodities including iron ore and base metals in both open cut and underground settings, primarily in Western Australia as well as elsewhere in Australia and overseas. Jonathan's experience includes a 10-year period working around Kalgoorlie. Success was achieved with Polaris Metals following the discovery and initial development of the Carina iron ore deposit leading to a takeover producing significant shareholder benefits. Story continues Mr. Lea was formerly a director of Ozz Resources Limited (ASX: OZZ) and Managing Director of Zuleika Gold Limited (ASX: ZAG). He has qualifications in geology, finance and mineral economics and is a member of AusIMM. Golden Horse also welcomes Martin Bouwmeester to the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary effective today. He is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant, highly experienced in exploration, mine development and operations. Martin was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at Orion Minerals Limited (ASX: ORN). Prior to his role at Orion, he worked closely with a number of companies to identify and assess exploration, development and mining opportunities and develop and implement financial strategies. Mr. Bouwmeester was Chief Financial Officer, Business Development Manager and Company Secretary of Perseverance Corporation and was a key member of the executive team that developed the Fosterville Gold Mine. In addition, highly experienced geologist and operations leader Travis Vernon will be joining the team at Golden Horse Minerals in the role of Geology Manager commencing on October 23, 2023. Mr. Vernon has extensive experience as a geologist across Gold Fields Australia, Karora Resources, BHP and Barrick Gold. Golden Horse would also like to announce the resignation of Non-Executive Director Mr. Kerry Griffin, who has stepped down to focus on other director duties. Commenting on the appointments, Golden Horse Interim CEO Graeme Sloan said: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Jonathan, Martin and Travis to the Golden Horse team. These key appointments further bolster the Company's board and management ahead of what is a pivotal time in the brief history of Golden Horse as we gear up to dual-list on the ASX. "At the same time, I would like to thank Kerry for his outstanding service to Golden Horse Minerals and note that his contributions have been vital in developing the Company's consolidation strategy in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt. "Golden Horse is in a strong position as we take great strides in accelerating exploration and development of key targets across our >900km2 of tenure in a highly prospective region." On behalf of Golden Horse Minerals Limited For more information contact: Graeme Sloan Director / Interim CEO Email: graeme.sloan@goldenhorseminerals.com.au +61 9322 1788 Josh Conner Chief Operating Officer Email: josh.conner@goldenhorseminerals.com.au +61 9322 1788 Media David Tasker Chapter One Advisors Email: dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au +61 433 112 936 Investors Adam Davey Canaccord Genuity Financial Limited Email: ADavey@cgf.com +61 8 9225 2811 Mason Brown Canaccord Genuity Financial Limited Email: mpbrown@cgf.com +61 8 9225 2862 Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This release contains "forwardlooking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to statements relating to the Company's planned dual-listing on the ASX, the start date of Mr. Vernon and the Company's exploration and development opportunities. All statements in this 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 from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development, the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of gold and other commodities, operating hazards and risks inherent in the resource industry, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's financial statements and/or management discussion and analysis available on www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183577 "Age is only a number," Those were the inspiring words Dorothy Hoffner told the crowd that gathered to watch her set the record for the oldest person to skydive. Earlier this month, the Chicago woman pulled off the incredible feat despite being 104 and using a walker! Although Hoffner wished to embark on more heart-racing adventures, the daredevil took her final breath on Monday, October 9. Dorothy Hoffner Dies After Gaining International Recognition For Her Skydiving Record The new skydiving queen passed away peacefully in her sleep, according to her close friend Joe Conant. Speaking to the Chicago Tribune about her death, Hoffner's loved one noted he always believed nothing could stop the 104-year-old's untamed spirit. Trending: Britney Spears Laments Years Of Me Crying Over Her Sons: Its Payback Harry Potter Wand Toy Allegedly Ruptures Kids Eyeball, Parents File $8M Lawsuit Logan Paul Breaks Silence On Dillon Danis Fight After Press Conference Drama Noah Cyrus Slams Sister Miley Cyrus For Disrespectful Interview Rudolph Isley, Isley Brothers Founders Cause Of Death Revealed MEGA She was just indefatigable. She just kept going, Conant said of his late pal, whom he affectionately called grandma. Before beating Sweden's Rut Linnea Ingegard Larsson's title as the oldest Skydiver at 103, Hoffner dreamt about being in free fall. The deceased claimed the sensation woke her up. The lively Chicagoan's dream came true last week when she jumped off a plane to make a new skydiving record. Pictures and videos of Hoffner's jump went viral, showing the 104-year-old beaming brightly as she bravely made the 13,500-foot fall. The deceased was brimming with joy following her safe landing as she shook off her parachute, grabbed her walker, and moved over to the crowd that watched her unforgettable moment. Age is only a number, ya know? Hoffner humbly chimed. Although she did not brag about her historic achievement to onlookers, the buzz surrounding her Guinness World Record attempt allowed the proud grandma to prank her loved ones. The day after skydiving, Hoffner's family visited her at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community, unaware of her recent feat. When her loved ones arrived, the centenarian gave them a copy of the Chicago Tribune. An image of Hoffner's skydiving adventure was planted on the front page alongside the headline, Chicagoan sets record as oldest skydiver. Recalling their shocked reactions to the 104-year-old's achievement, Conant revealed the family had exclaimed: Dorothy, you never told us you went skydiving! while Hoffner cheekily replied, Well, you never asked! The local newspapers were not the only ones covering the story as the centenarian gained international fame. MEGA Millions became interested in Hoffner, an attention the Chicago woman initially disliked. Weeks before her appearance at Skydive Chicago, the deceased threatened to bring a cold steak to her jump and sock Conant in the eye for announcing her record attempt. "Hed need to ice it," she joked. Conant, happy to be spared the black eye, noted his longtime friend never wanted the fame. She wasnt doing it because of the world record. She was doing it because she wanted to go skydiving, he declared. Despite disliking the buzz surrounding her jump, the 104-year-old eventually embraced the idea. As journalists worldwide battled for interviews with Hoffner, Conant claimed his pal did not act her age by never napping or canceling plans. Given her vibrant nature and what seemed like an ability to escape the cons of time, no one, especially Conant, expected the beloved grandma to die so soon. Hoffer Wanted To Ride In A Hot Air Balloon Before Her Death It came as quite a shock, he stated about her death. She gave an incredible amount of her spirit and life to all of us, and it inspired all of us. Days before her passing, Conant noted Hoffner wanted to take another trip to the skies in a hot-air balloon. However, her wish came true in a different manner. Skydive Chicago and the United States Parachute Association also expressed sadness over Hoffner's death. Their statement to PEOPLE read, We are deeply saddened by Dorothys passing and feel honored to have been a part of making her world-record skydive a reality. MEGA Skydiving is an activity that many of us safely tucked away in our bucket lists. But Dorothy reminds us that its never too late to take the thrill of a lifetime, the farewell message continued. We are forever grateful that skydiving was a part of her exciting, well-lived life. Her legacy is even more remarkable because of the attention the world gave to her inspiring story. Goldman Sachs (GS) said Wednesday it reached an agreement to sell lender GreenSky to a consortium led by investment firm Sixth Street Partners, its latest retreat from a costly push into consumer banking. The transaction, which is expected to close next year, will result in a $0.19-per-share hit to third quarter earnings for the Wall Street giant when it releases results next Tuesday. Goldman didn't disclose a purchase price. The move is part of a larger effort by CEO David Solomon to pull back from some mass-market businesses as he tries to focus the firm around its traditional core strengths of wealth management, trading, and investment banking. "This transaction demonstrates our continued progress in narrowing the focus of our consumer business," Solomon said in a release. David M. Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs. (Lucy Nicholson/REUTERS) (Lucy Nicholson / reuters) Solomon is under pressure to improve Goldman's results after reporting the firm's lowest quarterly profits in three years. He and the firm are wrestling with everything from job cuts and a global investment banking slump to reports of partner unrest. This is the second sale reached by Solomon in as many months. In September Goldman also announced it had found a buyer for a personal finance unit that serves the mass affluent. Goldman's stock was down nearly 1% Wednesday as of 3:30 p.m. New York time. Year to date, the stock is down 9%. Since Solomon became CEO in October 2018, it has risen 39%. Goldman is selling GreenSky less than two years after buying it in 2022 for $1.73 billion. It provided Goldman with a fintech platform for home improvement lending, but the firm looked to sell it as it decided to move away from a push into consumer banking. The group purchasing it is led by Sixth Street, which was formed in 2009 by a group of former Goldman Sachs executives. It also includes funds and accounts managed by KKR, Bayview Asset Management, and CardWorks. It also includes support from PIMCO, which acquired various GreenSky assets and contributed financing to the effort. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Several of the students face felony charges for battery on school officials and law enforcement at Matanzas High School, according to police Flagler County Sheriff's Office Matanzas High School A fight that broke out at a Florida high school this week led to the arrest of 11 students, according to the Flagler County Sheriffs Office. At about 1 p.m. on Monday, two school resource officers School Resource Deputy King and School Resource Deputy Landi responded to a disturbance in a hallway at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, according to a release from the sheriffs office posted on social media Tuesday. The officers saw a large crowd of students standing in the hallway while several other students were involved in a physical fight upon arrival, according to the release. Deputy Landi and Deputy King immediately assisted teachers and administrators in attempting to break up the fight and disperse the crowd of on-lookers. Authorities then detailed three specific incidents that had occurred during the brawl and the circumstances under which three students involved had been arrested. One 14-year-old female student allegedly pushed Deputy King so they could attack another student, per the release. The student was subsequently taken into custody for felony resisting a law enforcement officer with violence, disruption of a school function, and disorderly conduct, per the release. During his efforts to gain control of the situation, Deputy Landi, then "observed a male student run into the altercation per the release and allegedly saw the student charging at a school staff member while swinging his arms, ultimately punching the staff member in the shoulder. According to police, the staff member restrained the student and kept him in place until he was handcuffed and arrested by the deputies, per the release. The student, 17, was arrested for felony battery on a school official, the sheriff's office said. A third incident detailed in the release described another 17-year-old male student who was allegedly observed grabbing and battering a school administrator. At the same time, another school administrator was attempting to escort a student away from the fight, when another male student ran up to the administrator and grabbed them, the Flagler County Sheriffs Office release stated. The student then battered the administrator before being taken to the Deans Office. The student was then arrested for felony battery on a school official and disorderly conduct, police said. Related: Nev. Boy, 5, Was Struck and Killed by Van While Mom Dropped Him at School, Driver Charged Affidavits were filed with the State Attorneys Office recommending misdemeanor charges against the other eight students, according to the sheriffs office. Alongside the release, Flagler County Sheriffs Office shared blurred body camera footage of the incident that showed students shouting and apparently involved in altercations, as well as officers making arrests. Matanzas High School staff notified parents of the incident. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories The lack of respect demonstrated by these students is simply shameful, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said, per the release. But actions have consequences. Parents, be the Sheriff in your home and teach your kids the importance of respecting teachers, staff, and deputies. Teach them how to handle disagreements and that fighting only leads to more violence. Related: 14-Year-Old Accused of Fatally Shooting Brother, 17, Had 'Hit List' of Other Family Members, Police Say We have a zero-tolerance policy for violence at schools, and you will be arrested, Staly continued. I also commend our School Resource Deputies and the Matanzas High School staff for quickly getting a very volatile situation under control before anyone was seriously hurt. I agree with what our Sheriff has said in the past; this type of behavior is not to be tolerated by anyone, Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore added in the release. That said, these actions are not indicative of the thousands of students who come to our campuses each and every day to learn." There are so many students, teachers, administrators, and staff who work every day to promote and celebrate a positive school culture at their schools, Moore continued. "This is an opportunity for our parents and guardians to reinforce the good choices their children decide to make and remind them why it is important to be successful in life. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. In July 2023, The 1975s Matthew Healy kissed his bandmate, bass player Ross MacDonald, during a performance at the Good Vibes festival in Malaysia, a country where homosexuality is a crime and such public acts are against the law. The incident prompted a flurry of outrage from certain progressive circles, who claimed that Healy knowingly endangered Malaysian LGBTQIA+ fans, and that the act was nothing more than hollow virtue-signalling. The 1975 Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America At the time, Healy who has had a year mired in controversies, particularly in relation to his appearance on the Adam Friedland Show, where he laughed as the hosts mocked Japanese, Hawaiian and Scottish people, as well as the rapper Ice Spice stayed largely silent. But Healy has now commented on the backlash, revealing that he and his band were briefly imprisoned as a result of the kiss, and claiming that he mostly doesnt mind hollow, shallow accusations of being racist or stuff like that. While playing a show in Fort Worth, Texas, Healy addressed the incident, reading a pre-written speech from his phone, as per Pitchfork. If you truly believe that artists have a responsibility to uphold their liberal virtues by using their massive platforms, then those artists should be judged by the danger and inconvenience that they face for doing so, not by the rewards they receive for parroting consensus, Healy said. Healy accused those who had spoken out against him of falling prey to a dangerous double standard, noting that his critics would find it abhorrent if the 1975 were to acquiesce to, lets say, Mississippis perspective on abortion or trans rights. From there, Healy also provided fuller context of the kiss, noting that it was something that he had done onstage many times prior and that anyone who invited his band to tour would be aware of such onstage antics. Me kissing Ross was not a stunt simply meant to provoke the government, he said. The 1975 did not waltz into Malaysia unannounced, Healy continued. They were invited to headline a festival by a government who had full knowledge of the band with its well-publicised political views and its routine stage show It should be expected that if you invite dozens of Western performers into your country, theyll bring their Western values with them. Healys kiss led to the cancellation of the rest of the Good Vibes festival, and the organisers are seeking RM12.3 million (AUD $4 million) in damages from The 1975. The 1975s tour will continue with shows around the States before the band takes an indefinite hiatus. Further Reading The 1975 Banned from Malaysia After Matty Healy Vents Frustration at Anti-LGBT Laws Malaysias Good Vibes Festival Seeks $4 Million in Damages from The 1975 The 1975 to Take Indefinite Hiatus From Shows After Current Tour The post The 1975s Matty Healy Rejects Criticism For Onstage Kiss At Malaysian Festival appeared first on Music Feeds. Both victims miraculously only suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said Clayton County Police Dept./X A small plane crashed into a wooded area in Georgia late Tuesday, police said. Two passengers escaped with non-life-threatening injuries Two women survived after their small plane crashed into a tree in a wooded area behind a Georgia neighborhood late Tuesday night, police said. The Clayton County Police Department said in a news release shared on Facebook that officers were dispatched around 11:55 p.m., local time, to respond to a plane in distress. Officers were advised that the private plane was running out of gas, police added. After over an hour search, officers located the private plane in the 300 block of Tara Beech Lane, Hampton, GA. The two victims managed to escape the plane and were found on the forest floor, according to the department. Related: North Carolina Father and Son Killed After Plane Crashes in Virginia Cornfield A photo released by police shows the plane suspended vertically in a tree with its nose facing the ground. Both victims were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Clayton County Police Department. Their identities have not been released at this time. Police told PEOPLE that there are no additional updates at this time and that "the investigation has been turned over to the FAA." Related: Father of 7 Sent Wife a Message Before He and Pilot Died in N.Y. Plane Crash: 'I Love You and the Kids' Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Neighbor Donnell Edwards described hearing a large boom, per ABC affiliate WSBTV-TV, but didnt see the plane crash. He then came out of his home and saw first responders at the scene. Related: 3 Dead, 5 Injured After Tokyo Plane Crash Sets Neighborhood on Fire: Reports Authorities were still working to remove the plane and have asked people to avoid the area, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The cause of the crash is also under investigation by the NTSB, Atlanta News First reported. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A producer on CBSs 60 Minutes is suing the network for firing her after she was accused of harassment while turning a blind eye to far more egregious misconduct by male employees. The producer, Alexandra Poolos, says in a gender discrimination lawsuit filed against CBS on Tuesday in New York federal court that the company terminated her in violation of civil rights laws after she was falsely accused of bullying an associate producer she supervised. She points to discrepancies in how her firing was handled opposed to several male producers and editors of the program whove allegedly been the subject of various complaints for sexual harassment. More from The Hollywood Reporter According to the complaint, sexism and misogyny defined the workplace at the network. She cites sexual misconduct and harassment claims against former CBS chairman Leslie Moonves, ex-network anchor Charlie Rose and former 60 Minutes executive producer Don Hewitt, as well as several other current producers on the program. Poolos was let go without severance last year after an associate producer she supervised reported her for being a bully who didnt respect boundaries, the lawsuit says. In a memo, CBS stated it terminated her for harassment, discussing the complaining employees complaints with others and not being truthful, according to the complaint. Poolos argues CBS applied uneven standards to fire her, compared with male employees. She says that the network initiated a bogus investigation, failing to adhere to nondiscrimination policies that require CBS to include review of all evidence collected. Poolos is not aware of CBS firing male 60 Minutes employees based on a single complaint from a subordinate about behavior that was not alleged to constitute unlawful discrimination or retaliation, states the complaint. In contrast with its harsh treatment of Poolos, CBS has declined to take any meaningful disciplinary action in response to serious allegations of misconduct against male employees. In the lawsuit, Poolos points to several current and former employees of the program whose alleged sexual misconduct and harassment went unaddressed by the network. She alleges that her ex-supervisor emotionally abused and sexually harassed her for years and that the network discouraged [her] from raising complaints. Among the people that Poolos mentions is former CBS News president Neeraj Khemlani, who stepped down from his position in August overseeing flagship programs such as CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes. She claims he was the subject of numerous complaints for discrimination against women and employees of color but that the network gave him multiple chances to address his behavior instead of firing him. Despite the many complaints about his abusive behavior from CBS employees, particularly women and people of color, Khemlani has faced no meaningful consequences for his abusive behavior and remains associated with CBS, the complaint states. Poolos claims gender discrimination, retaliation and breach of contract. She seeks an order requiring CBS to adopt or strengthen antidiscrimination policies, as well as punitive damages. CBS declined to comment, citing a policy on pending litigation. New Yorks top prosecutor announced last year a $30.5 million settlement with CBS and Moonves for misleading the companys investors about his misconduct and concealing sexual assault allegations against him. Moonves resigned in 2018 in the wake of public accusations by a group of women. This embedded content is not available in your region. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Tokyo Teriyaki, 359 E. Burleigh Blvd. in Tavares, is open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. TAVARES Husband and wife David Lee and Jinny Yoo moved to the United States 16 years ago from Korea, hoping to give their kids more opportunities. Having worked in Japanese restaurants for much of his life, Lee always had in the back of his mind a dream of having his own restaurant. For more than 30 years, he worked for someone else. But last month, he and Yoo opened their first restaurant, Tokyo Teriyaki, in Tavares. We always wanted to start our own business, Lee said. We decided to look outside of Orlando because Orlando has a lot of Japanese restaurants. But outside further, you dont find as many. Husband and wife David Lee and Jinny Yoo moved to the United States 16 years ago from Korea to give their kids more opportunities. Having worked in Japanese restaurants for much of his life, Lee always had in the back of his mind a dream of having his own restaurant. Now he has done so. Lee and Yoo still reside in Orlando, but found that Tavares was the perfect place to start their new venture. What's on the menu at Tokyo Teriyaki? Their menu is a mixture of classic American breakfast and traditional Japanese and Korean lunch. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. with options like a two-egg combo, omelettes, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and French toast. Make it a combo with two eggs, bacon, sausage or ham and get free coffee or iced tea. Breakfast at Tokyo Teriyaki begins at 7 a.m. with traditional American options like this French toast combo. For lunch, guests can start off with a house salad, seaweed salad, avocado salad or krab salad, or some traditional miso or onion soup. Some of the eatery's popular dishes include teriyaki with choice of protein, yakisoba noodles, udon or ramen soup, fried rice and rice bowls. The specialty plates include Korean chicken BBQ, fish katsu, chicken katsu, ebi chilly (tempura shrimp), vegetable or chicken tempura and bulgogi, thinly sliced beef served with stir-fried veggies and white rice. A popular lunch dish at Tokyo Teriyaki is the bulgogi: thinly sliced beef with stir-fried veggies and white rice. Bento box lunch specials are served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. These include choice of veggie, chicken, salmon, beef, fish or chicken katsu, and bulgogi, and are served with white rice, miso soup, stir-fried veggies and an egg roll for $8.99 to $11.99. They do offer a few sandwiches like a grilled cheese, BLT, tuna salad or chicken breast katsu. And make sure to try the tempura cheesecake for dessert. When is Tokyo Teriyaki open? On Fridays, Saturday and Sundays, the restaurant is open late for dinner. Have you signed up yet? Daily Briefing newsletter has today's local stories Tokyo Teriyaki, 359 E. Burleigh Blvd. in Tavares, is open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. More at https://www.facebook.com/tokyoteriyakitavares. This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: New Lake County restaurant: Japanese/Korean fare on the menu After losing a defamation lawsuit to ex husband Johnny Depp in 2022, Amber Heard moved to Spain with her daughter Oonagh Paige Jose Ramon Hernando/Europa Press via Getty Amber Heard in Spain in May. Amber Heard is in a good place more than a year after she and her ex-husband Johnny Depp faced off in a brutal defamation trial, according to a good friend. Conor Allyn, who directed Heard in the 19th century-set thriller In the Fire in the months leading up to the court case, tells PEOPLE the actress, 37, is doing well in Europe with her 2-year-old Oonagh Paige. She's living her best life in Spain with her daughter and just finding happiness in that way, Allyn says of Heard, whose last public appearance was at the Taormina Film Festival in June for the In the Fire premiere. Allyn, who keeps in regular touch with the Aquaman star, adds that Heard has moved on from the legal ordeal with Depp, but adds, I think people carry trauma for a long time. Having gone through something like that on a global epic scale you never just put that in a suitcase and stick in the attic and never see it again, he says. Depp, 60, who was married to Heard from 2015 to 2016, sued his ex for defamation after she wrote a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, in which she alleged she was a public figure representing domestic abuse. Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Amber Heard and Conor Allyn at the Taormina Film Festival in June. She did not name Depp in the piece, and Depp has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. During a televised trial in a in Fairfax County, Va., courthouse, sordid details of their marriage were made public. After six weeks of testimony, the jury largely ruled in Depps favor. Heard paid her ex $1 million in damages (a settlement negotiated down from more than $10 million) earlier this year, a source confirmed to PEOPLE. Related: Amber Heard Makes Her Acting Return in Intense Trailer for New Thriller 'In the Fire' In the wake of the verdict, which Heard called a setback for women, the actress sold her home in Yucca Valley, Calif., for $1.1 million and left the spotlight behind for a quieter live in Spain with Oonagh Paige, whom she welcomed in 2021 as a single parent. During the trial, Heard received death threats and became the subject of cruel Internet memes. She just had to get out of the U.S., a source previously told PEOPLE of Heard. It felt like too much chaos. Allyn now says the parallels between Heards real life and the character she plays in In the Fire are considerable, even though the events of the movie are set 130 years in the past. She plays Dr. Grace Burnham, an American psychiatrist who travels to Colombia to evaluate a boy a priest and other locals believe is possessed by the Devil. Dr. Burnham is vilified by the townspeople. Saban Films Amber Heard in 'In the Fire' Her character is a fearless truth teller who comes to this remote valley and preaches a certain set of beliefs and is not believed, says Allyn. In real life, Amber is a fearless truth teller who sticks to her own convictions no matter what horrible trouble comes of that. Allyn says its not a coincidence that Heard immediately felt a close connection to this character when reading the script, which the director co-wrote. Related: Where Is Amber Heard Now? All About Her Private Life in Spain After Johnny Depp Defamation Trial Shes had that public backlash. I mean, sure it hit a global apex during the televised trial. But she's been receiving a lot of public backlash since the day she filed for divorce. She's been going through that for years. The director says working with Heard was a wonderful experience because she was so dedicated, and that theyre already discussing future collaborations. Its really hard to make a movie, period, very hard to make an independent film, he says. You want people as a part of that team who are going to be as committed as you are and who care about the work, its not just a paycheck, it's like, I'm out here to prove myself. I'm out here to do something special. Thats totally Amber and so Id love to work with her on more stuff. In the Fire is in select theaters and available on demand Friday. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Anonymous Content, whose recent productions include Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronans film Foe for Amazon Studios, is looking to expand its international footprint, with new ventures planned in Poland, Germany and Australia, top execs announced on Wednesday. Speaking at a panel held at the MIA Market in Rome, Anonymous Content international president David Davoli and chief creative officer David Levine made clear their groups vigor for global joint ventures, promising upcoming additions to a portfolio that boasts partnerships with companies in the U.K., France, Scandinavia, Spain and Brazil. More from Variety Were totally open to [all forms of] partnerships, Davoli explained. Were willing to be minority partners [or] majority partner; the devils in the details. And thats not complicated in a way, [because] we let the lawyers figure out the details. Existing partnerships include Anonymous Federation, a joint venture with Frances Federation Studios led by Rosalie Cimino; Anonymous Content Nordic, which was launched in collaboration with The Imitation Game director Morten Tyldum; and freshly inked accord with Spanish box-office champ Moreno Films. Evenually, Davoli hopes these discrete ventures can develop projects with one another. Davoli was unequivocal about his groups interest in foreign-language fare, announcing that production was already underway for projects in Norwegian and Portuguese, and noting that his company was developing several Italian language series while scouting for a joint venture partner in Italy as well. Neither exec mentioned last weeks round of layoffs, however, which saw the talent management and production outfit cut about 8% of its staff, spread across all divisions. Nor did they offer any clues about the companys next chief executive officer, still to be named. Still, Davoli did make eyebrow-raising comments about future plans in the exhibition space. Praising titles like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce for their willingness to forgo traditional distribution networks in order to cut deals directly with exhibitors, Davoli indicated that his company might also explore similar paths. Indeed, both execs were bullish on theatrical innovation, with Levine alluding to Netflixs acquisition of exhibition venues in New York and Los Angeles with great interest. I dont know, in the long term, what Anonymous could contribute to it, said Levine. But certainly it would be amazing if we ended up with a theater for our work. There are two different theaters, Levine continued. One is the theater of your own channel where you could observe all of our work in one place which has always been a dream. And the other is sort of the theater of the collective; and I think well always try to achieve the theater of the collective. We just have to figure out if were ever able to contribute to opening them. Levine also pointed toward True Detective which married hyper regional specificity with moral and metaphysical themes as a kind of lodestar when considering international work. What makes something accessible tends to be the most intimate specific programing and the most abundantly universal programing, he explained. True Detective was a morality play, Levine continued. So thats infinitely relatable, no matter where you make it. It just happened to be these two cops. They were challenging the audience to ask them the right questions about what theyd done in the past and whether or not they were going to do the right thing in the present. And thats what makes something accessible. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The annual celebration showcases bears who are preparing for hibernation at Katmai National Park in Alaska NPS Photo/F. Jimenez We have a winner! The champion of Fat Bear Week 2023 has officially been crowned. Her name is 128 Grazer, and she is a vision in brown fur. The annual competition, which takes place at Katmai National Park in Alaska, asks the public to partake in a bracket-style tournament, voting daily to determine which of the park's resident brown bears, who are focused on packing on pounds this time of year to prepare hibernation, deserves Fat Bear Week's top title. Behind all the winter weight, each bear has a story. According to the National Park Service (NPS), 128 Grazer is a bodacious adult female bear with blonde ears and a straight muzzle. She is a highly skilled and dedicated fisher, occasionally taking time to hunt for salmon at Brooks Falls overnight. She is also a mom of two litters therefore, she is one of the most feared bears at the park by humans and animals alike. NPS Photo/F. Jimenez Related: Black Bear Climbs Aboard Florida Sailboat: 'We Were Kind of Blown Away' After arriving in 2005 and mothering several cubs, 128 Grazer has become notorious for being one of the most ruthlessly protective bears at the park. Even most male bears at the park steer clear of her maternal wrath. Her fierceness and dedication to fishing at Brooks Falls gives her a high rank on the Katmai National Park food chain. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 128 Grazer went up against several large competitors, including 32 Chunk, 151 Walker, Bear 164, Bear 284, Bear 402, Bear 428, 435 Holly, 480 Otis, Bear 747, Bear 901, and 806 Junior. Getty Related: Mother Bear and Cub Raid Fully Stocked Krispy Kreme Delivery Van in Alaska The runner-up this year was 32 Chunk, but 128 Grazer beat him by more than 85,000 points. In 2022, 747 won Fat Bear Week after gaining an impressive 1,400 pounds. "And what do the winners get? Six months of restful solitude," NPS wrote in a press release at the time. "But the real winners are all the healthy bears and all those who participate in the webs favorite week of the year." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Johnny Hollman, 62, died in August after being tasered during a traffic incident Johnny Hollman, Sr. was reportedly driving home from Bible study with fried chicken and an apple pie to share with his wife for dinner when he took a sharp turn. His white Chevrolet Silverado careened into the front of another vehicle on a late Thursday night in August, according to the police report obtained by PEOPLE. Within hours of the accident, Hollman who was a church deacon, according to CBS News and the Associated Press was determined to be the at-fault driver by police, according to a previous statement from authorities. He was handcuffed after allegedly being "uncooperative," then tasered and became unconscious and rushed to an Atlanta hospital where he was eventually pronounced dead. Now, his arresting officer, Kiran Kimbrough, who is also a Black man, has just been fired, the Atlanta Police Department announced yesterday. The incident remains an active and ongoing investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the agency confirms to PEOPLE, and criminal charges may be filed against Kimbrough in the coming months. Every single person and life in the City of Atlanta matters to me, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said in a press release. Part of my job is to assess, evaluate, and adjust how this police department is carrying out its sworn mission to serve and protect the citizens of this city. GoFundMe Schierbaum stressed that his decision came only after a diligent review of all of the facts, while ensuring the due process of our officers. Kimbroughs termination, which the Atlanta Police Department said in the statement is allegedly based on failing to follow the departments standard operating procedures, was not yet official as of early Wednesday afternoon, according to records listing him as an active-duty police officer in good standing provided to PEOPLE by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council. The Atlanta Police Department has not yet notified the council of Kimbroughs termination, Meghan Fail of the council tells PEOPLE. 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. Megan Varner/Getty Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum When police officers arrived at the scene of the car crash the night of August 10, Kimbrough attempted to issue a traffic citation, the police department's previous statement said. However, the driver became agitated and uncooperative and a struggle ensued. After several minutes struggling with the driver, the officer utilized his taser and, with the help of a witness, placed him into handcuffs, the police department continued in their previous statement. Once the driver was in handcuffs, the officer realized he was unresponsive and requested EMS to the scene. A medical examiner later determined Hollman's cause of death to be homicide but noted that heart disease was a contributing factor to his death, CBS News reports. Officer Shaquana Almonds, who was present during the altercation, later impounded Hollmans truck and described in her report, obtained by PEOPLE, finding a gun in the truck console, which was later claimed by his grandson. In the backseat was a black bookbag that had two clear jars of nine baggies of marijuana, along with 28.2 grams of an unknown substance and a green and black pocket knife, as well as a black scale to measure drugs. Atlanta Police Dept. Officer Kiran Kimbrough Kimbrough became a peace officer in October 2021, according to Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council records and he had no disciplinary history. The Atlanta Police Departments announcement of Kimbroughs termination comes within days of when body-camera video footage of the incident could be released, CBS News reports. Public Affairs Officer Aaron Fix of the Atlanta Police Department declined to provide PEOPLE with a timeline for the release of the body-camera footage, but in the press statement the department urged that any such footage, which is part of a pending homicide investigation, should not be released until the investigation is closed. The statement continued: We all want justice, and in order for there to be a just outcome, there are policies and procedures in place to ensure a proper and thorough investigation as well as due process in the upcoming administrative hearing. "We're going to continue to fight for justice all the way to the very end, so we can do justice for our father," Hollmans daughter, Arnitra Hollman, said, CBS News reported. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The post Bruno Mars Cancels Tel Aviv Concert and Flees Israel Following Hamas Attacks appeared first on Consequence. Bruno Mars was supposed to perform in Tel Aviv, Israel this past weekend, but evacuated the country following the surprise attack from Hamas, Billboard reports. His unexpected departure forced him to leave his gear behind and cancel his next scheduled performance in Doha, Qatar. Mars performed on Wednesday, October 4th at HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv and was supposed to perform again on Saturday, October 7th the day reports began to come in about rocket and ground attacks from the militant group in control of the Gaza Strip. Live Nation canceled the second performance Saturday afternoon. The artist was set to play at Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix in Doha on October 8th, but that show was canceled hours before Mars was set to take the stage. All ticket purchases to the show will receive an automatic refund to the credit card through which the purchase was made, Bluestone Group, a promotion company owned by Live Nation Israel, said in a statement. Hamas militants killed and captured hundreds of Israelis in multiple areas outside the Gaza Strip last weekend, including at a music festival near the Gaza border. The groups military leader Mohammed Deif attributed the attack to Israels ongoing occupation of the Gaza Strip, its raids on the West Bank, and violence at Al Aqsa, the disputed Jewish holy site. Soon after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel to be at war with the group, launching extensive counterattacks on the area and cutting off food, water, and power. Over 130,000 Palestinians have fled their homes since the retaliatory airstrikes began, and over 500 are dead, according to Reuters. In December, Mars will perform a five-night residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. In January, hell head over to Japan for a round of shows at the Tokyo Dome. Grab tickets to his Vegas shows here, and his Tokyo shows here. Bruno Mars Cancels Tel Aviv Concert and Flees Israel Following Hamas Attacks Carys Anderson Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. (Bloomberg) -- The 19% rally in Italian stocks this year has left them exposed to sovereign debt risks as bond yields climb, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. strategists. Most Read from Bloomberg The team led by Sharon Bell said it expects the spread between Italian 10-year bond yields and those on benchmark German debt to widen further although more gradually than in recent weeks as the market re-assesses fiscal risks. For every 10-basis-point rise in the spread, the strategists estimate a decline of 2% in shares of Italian banks, 1.5% in Milans FTSE MIB Index and 80 basis points in European stocks, based on relative moves since 2014, they wrote in a note. Italian equities have outperformed regional peers by far in 2023 as the surge in bond yields improved the outlook for the countrys financials-heavy benchmark index. But the march higher in rates has also increased government debt costs, and any further spike risks adding pressure on the economy as about 30% of Italian debt is held in the domestic financial system, Bell said. After a strong outperformance, we would avoid the FTSE MIB as its vulnerable to higher yields, wider spreads and any worsening in growth outcomes, the strategist said. With its public debt standing at over 140% of gross domestic product, Italy is the second-largest sovereign issuer behind the UK. Moodys Investors Service currently assesses Italy at Baa3, just one notch above junk, with a negative outlook. Bell said she prefers the UKs FTSE 100 index as it has a similar dividend and free-cash-flow yield to Italian stocks, but with less sovereign risk. She said Goldmans asset allocation team suggests adding put options on the FTSE MIB as a way to hedge the public debt risk. Story continues --With assistance from Michael Msika. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. EXCLUSIVE: Post-production is underway on Citizen Stone, an upcoming documentary series about the making of Oliver Stone s groundbreaking film JFK and how the movie ultimately became the directors undoing. Kristian Fraga of Sirk Productions is writing and directing the series. Emmy winner John Battsek of Ventureland is producing, along with Sirk Productions Marc Perez. More from Deadline Crafted entirely from archival footage, much of which has never before been seen, the documentary is an exploration of acclaimed screenwriter, director, producer Oliver Stone, as seen through the creative process of bringing JFK, his most ambitious and polarizing motion picture, to life, notes a release about the project. Director Oliver Stone with Kevin Costner on the set of JFK. JFK, released in 1991, starred Kevin Costner as real-life Orleans Parish District Attorney Jim Garrison , who pursued an investigation into the assassination of President Kennedy that ultimately assigned blame for JFKs killing to a conspiracy involving New Orleans businessman Clay Shaw (Shaw was acquitted in a 1969 trial). An extraordinary cast signed up for Stones film; joining Costner on screen were Joe Pesci, Donald Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Sissy Spacek, John Candy, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Ed Asner, Laurie Metcalf, Tommy Lee Jones as Shaw and Gary Oldman as Lee Harvey Oswald. Jack Lemmon, director Oliver Stone, and Ed Asner on the set of JFK. The film, which Stone said presented a counter-myth to the Warren Commission conclusion that Oswald acted alone in assassinating JFK, earned a stunning $280 million worldwide, according to one estimate, but it triggered a major backlash against the director, who was accused by some of giving an unwarranted platform to Garrisons unproven allegations. The documentary details how, from the start of production, Oliver Stone and his cast and crew are confronted by a media blitz unprecedented in the annals of cinema history, according to a description of the documentary series. Throughout of the making and release of JFK, Stone, a twice wounded and decorated Vietnam Veteran, wages a battle against the mainstream media to defend his integrity and counter the constant attacks that threaten to derail his film. Laurie Metcalf, Kevin Costner, director Oliver Stone, and Wayne Knight on the set of JFK. The release adds, While the film could not be erased from existence, it could be marginalized, and the campaign against JFK tarnished Oliver Stones reputation in the United States and forever altered the trajectory of his career. Citizen Stone peels back the layers of where Hollywood, the media, and Washington intersect and highlights the unholy alliance between fact and fiction and the fight for who owns history Citizen Stone is about the making of an epic motion picture and the unmaking of one of cinemas legendary directors. Per the release about the series, Stone is not involved in the documentary project, but did speak with Fraga and has made himself available to the filmmaker for any required clarifications. Director Oliver Stone on the set of JFK with actor Gary Oldman, who played Lee Harvey Oswald. Fraga said in a statement, From 1986 to 1995 Oliver Stone put together one of the greatest runs of pictures in the history of cinema: Salvador, 1986; Platoon, 1986; Wall Street, 1987; Talk Radio, 1988; Born On the 4th of July, 1989; The Doors, 1991; JFK, 1991; Heaven & Earth, 1993; Natural Born Killers, 1994; and Nixon 1995. The style, scope, and impact of those films has earned Oliver Stone a seat at the table of the most influential directors. He redefined the way movies are shot, cut and mixed and 30 years on, he continues to evolve and develop other styles of filmmaking. Unfortunately, due to the controversy surrounding JFK much of his staggering filmography has been sidelined. Battsek, whose credits include One Day in September and Oscar winner Searching for Sugar Man, commented, Oliver Stones movies made a huge impact on me as a young man growing up, and none more so than JFK. A film destined for controversy, it pushed the boundaries of visual language, and blurred the lines between fact and fiction with the use of Hollywood filmmaking and documentary footage seamlessly stitched together. Three decades on, to have the luxury to work with an extensive archive and look back on the films, the man and the cultural influence both on and off screen is a tantalizing prospect for me. Fraga added, By going back to 1991 and showing audiences the price Oliver Stone paid for making JFK, I believe our film will not only illuminate where weve been, but also give clues as to how we got to the politically fractured and media saturated America of today. No release date or distribution plans for Citizen Stone have been disclosed. Fraga, co-founder of Sirk Productions (a MetroMultimedia Company), directed the documentary trilogy My Dinner with Alan: A Sopranos Session, David Chase: A Sopranos Session, and The Last Supper: A Sopranos Session. His other credits include Severe Clear, winner of the Special Jury Prize for Cinematic Excellence at the Rome International Film Festival, and Anytown, USA. Perez, Sirks co-founder, produced Severe Clear, Anytown, USA, the Sopranos Sessions, and directed the soon-to-be-released feature length documentary Unfightable. John Battsek, who serves as Venturelands managing director, has produced numerous award-winning films and series, including PGA and BAFTA-nominated The Rescue; double Emmy Award-winning Rising Phoenix; Critics Choice nominee The Real Charlie Chaplin; Werner Herzogs TIFF-selected documentary Theater of Thought; Mary McCartneys directorial debut If These Walls Could Sing; Chris Smiths Wham! for Netflix; Alex Gibneys Boom! Boom! The World vs Boris Becker for Apple TV+, The Deepest Breath, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival for Netflix, and National Geographics Bobi Wine: The Peoples President, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. Ventureland just released Beckham, the David Beckham docuseries directed by Academy Award-winner Fisher Stevens for Netflix. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Dig into Brooklyn-style pizza when Grimaldis Pizzeria comes to West Des Moines. The pizzeria chain that originated in New York announced in a news release that it will open in West Glen Town Center in the former Club Envy and dueling pianos bar Blue Moon space at 5485 Mills Civic Pkwy. in West Des Moines. What pizza chain is coming to Iowa? A Caprese salad, charcuterie, salads and pizzas are on the menu at Grimaldi's. Grimaldis announced its expansion to Iowa earlier this year, with plans for five locations across the state. The franchisee of this location is Tom and Annie Baldwin of Des Moines hospitality group Dark Side of the Spoon, which operates Wellmans Pub, Italian restaurant Anna Dolce and more, West Glen Town Center property manager Troy Chipoletti said in an email. When will Grimaldi's Pizzeria in West Des Moines open? The interior of Grimaldi's is reminiscent of a classic pizzeria. Pamela Nedwetzky, marketing director of Grimaldis Pizzeria, confirmed the West Des Moines location will be a full-service restaurant in an email to the Des Moines Register. She said that it has not been determined when it will open. What is on Grimaldi's Pizzeria's menu? Grimaldi's traditional pizza is topped with a proprietary tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil and the national chain's signature cheese-and-spice mix. The New York-style pizzeria uses a coal-fired brick-oven to cook its pizzas, which include versions topped with thinly sliced prosciutto and arugula as well as the Don, topped with Italian sausage, meatballs and pepperoni. The menu includes calzones, salads and desserts, along with gluten-friendly options. The West Des Moines location will have a full bar. Where's else will Grimaldi's open in central Iowa? Grimaldi's already announced plans to open a location in Ankeny, inside the former Fong's Pizza space at the District at Prairie Trail, 1450 SW Vintage Pkwy. That location plans to open by the end of 2023. Grimaldis and Doughtime Pizza Company LLC will open a total of five restaurants. The Ankeny location will include approximately 4,300 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, with the main dining area holding approximately 160 seats. Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Grimaldi's Pizzeria plans to open a West Des Moines location Drake is responding to Andrew Tates comment about men from Canada. In a short clip pulled from his podcast, the former kickboxer, who was charged with rape and human trafficking in June, questioned the masculinity of men from Canada. Imagine being from Canada. Imagine saying, Im a man. From where? From Canada. What? That doesnt go together, what are you talking about? Wait, youre a man? From Canada? Nah, cant be. No, no, Im a man. Nah, youre not bro, of course youre not. Theres no men in Canada. Fucking joking, said Tate. More on this Toronto microblog Keep6ixsolid shared the clip to their now-deactivated Instagram account, catching Drake's attention. He merely commented with green light along with a laughing emoji. In this context, green light suggests Drizzy is giving permission for others to take action regarding Tates comment. It doesnt appear to be a serious threat, given the emoji. Tate, who gained notoriety for a number of controversial and misogynist comments made across his social media platforms, doesn't seem to be a Drake fan in general. He mocked Drake's pink nails over the summer, writing, "There's a reason I deny meeting all the famous people who try to meet me." Earlier this week, Drizzy also caught heat from another podcaster, none other than Joe Budden. Following the release of his For All the Dogs album, the "Pump It Up" rapper criticized Drake for supposedly catering to a younger audience and alienating his older fans. The Toronto MC then took shots at Budden, calling him a "failure" and a "quitter." Sarah Jane Carda, 35, was fatally shot by her husband, Mike Larry Carda, 39, authorities allege GoFundMe Sarah Carda A Minnesota man was arrested after authorities allege he fatally shot his wife last week just as a responding officer knocked on their front door and announced himself. The shooting happened Friday at the couples Fish Lake Township home, which is located about 55 miles north of Saint Paul. In a criminal complaint, which was reviewed by PEOPLE, the Chisago County Sheriffs Office confirmed 35-year-old Sarah Jane Carda was allegedly killed by her husband, 39-year-old Mike Larry Carda. Investigators said Mike had a pending domestic violence case involving Sarah at the time of her death, as well as a domestic abuse no contact order against him. On Friday, just after 12 p.m., the sheriffs office was called to the couples residence after being told there were a large number of weapons inside the home and that there were people arguing, according to the complaint. A deputy walked up to the home and heard a mans voice. He knocked on the front door and announced that he was a sheriffs deputy, but there was no response. The deputy then knocked on a nearby window and heard a womans voice say he has a gun, the complaint states. As he backed away from the window, three bullets shot through the glass at head-level. A SWAT team and other law enforcement agencies were called and authorities said they had to use a police K-9 and a drone to get Mike out of the home, according to the complaint. He reportedly refused to exit the house. The complaint states that a preliminary autopsy revealed Sarah had suffered three gunshot wounds to the head. In a Facebook post, the Isanti County Sheriffs Office alleged that the death of Sarah, who was a registered nurse at the countys correctional facility since 2014, was a result of domestic violence. Our hearts are broken and our agency is devastated as we grieve the loss of our fellow employee, partner, and friend, the statement reads. Words cannot fully describe the shock and pain our agency and community are feeling. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with Sarahs family and friends. October is domestic violence awareness month, and this "tragic event is a reminder for all of us," the sheriff's office said. Mike was taken into custody on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, according to the complaint. He is being held on $2 million bond and his next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 24. Its unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. 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 GoFundMe campaign has been created by Sarahs loved ones to help offset funeral expenses. After 17 years of providing unconditional love and support, the person she should have been able to trust the most ended her life, Sarahs sister, Melissa Stockness, claimed on the fundraising page. Sarah was described on the GoFundMe as someone who loved music, being outdoors, and spending time with her dogs and nephews. The remainder of the proceeds will be donated to the Domestic Abuse Project. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Royalist is The Daily Beasts newsletter for all things royal and Royal Family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went head to head with Prince William and Kate Middleton Tuesday, as the warring couples associated themselves with mental health campaigns and initiatives on both sides of the Atlantic on World Mental Health Day. Harry and Meghan were in New York, where they were the stars of a glossy mental health conference at Hudson Yards, while Williamdescribed by Harry as his arch-nemesis in his memoir Spareand Kate hosted a youth workshop on the subject in Birmingham in Englands Midlands. The two sides differing styles were immediately apparent in their dress codes: Kate wore a yellow jacket from chain store L.K. Bennett while Meghan took to the stage in New York in a dramatic white off the shoulder blazer that wouldn't have looked out of place at an awards ceremony. How William Won Americaand Can Harry and Meghan Win It Back? The Daily Mail said that Harry and Meghan arrived in a convoy of seven blacked-out vehicles; last time they were in New York they ended up in a yellow taxi at one stage as they sought to evade paparazzi in a chase they were accused of describing in exaggerated terms when they said it was near catastrophic. Neither couple shirked from evoking the most extreme consequences of breakdowns in mental health: Kate wore star earrings that the Mail said were made in memory of a teenager who killed herself aged 17 earlier this year after battling depression, while Meghan spoke to the parents of children who had taken their own lives as a result of negative experiences online. Meghan, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, said during an Archewell-sponsored panel discussion on social media: People are getting hurt and people, specifically children, are dying. Harry and Meghan embraced several parents who have lost children in this way at the end of the discussion. At the beginning of the talk, according to footage posted by The Hollywood Reporter, Harry said: I cant start without thanking all the parents, the mothers and fathers that have been here today, for being with us physically here today but being on this journey for the last year and creating this community of shared experience. We know its not easy for you guys to be here, so thank you very much. Prince Harry thanks the families that attended Project Healthy Minds' second-annual World Mental Health Day Festival at Hudson Yards in New York City today pic.twitter.com/HmN8XFpqaE The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 10, 2023 Meghan then said: A year ago we met some of the families, and at the time, it was impossible not to be in tears hearing their stories because it's just that devastating. As parents, though our kids are really young, 2 1/2 and 4 1/2, but social media isn't going away and by design, there was an entry post that was supposed to be positive and create community but something has devolved and there's no way to hear that and not try to help these families have their stories be heard. Harry added: I think for us, for myself and my wife, with kids growing up in a digital age, the priority here is to again turn pain into purpose and provide as much support as well as a spotlight and a platform for these parents to come together, to heal, to grieve and to also collectively focus on solutions so that no other family anywhere has to go through what theyve been through. Meghan said, Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life outside, of course, being a wife to this one," she said, indicating Harry. "But I will say I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again quite young, so this isn't in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened at how it's continuing to change and this will be in front of us. Meghan Markle, left, and Prince Harry participate in a panel held during Project Healthy Minds' second annual World Mental Health Day Festival and The Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit: Mental Wellness in the Digital Age. Mike Segar/Reuters Harry said, Theres a reason why theres no one else working in this space because [of] the size and the power of these [tech] companies. I think people are scared and feel helpless. He urged platforms: Stop sending children content that you wouldnt want your own children to see. I think thats a very simple request, and its an easy fix. William and Kate were the star attractions, meanwhile, at the U.K. forum for young people entitled Exploring our Emotional Worlds. Kate, who rarely speaks at length in public, even gave a speech. The Daily Mail appeared to have been briefed that she was personally keen to speak at the event. Kate said: For just as we need to restore, protect, and invest in our planet, so we must also restore, protect, and invest in the communities, relationships and people living on it. We believe that starts with you, our young people, but it also means all of us. Because when you think about it, we can each shape the world in which we live. So, we know, like you, that simply talking about mental health is just not enough. Because although many more conversations are now taking place, it is now vital we spend more time focusing on how we talk about our mental health and crucially; What are we are going to do, to build positive, preventative solutions to one of todays toughest challenges. Kate Middleton, left, and Prince William speak to young people as they participate in a forum for young people on World Mental Health Day. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool via Reuters She said: William and I continue to be inspired to see young people, like you all here today, leading the chargeAs a generation, you value and talk more about your mental health than any before you, something we truly admire and applaud. Both learning about the world and learning about how to be happy and thrive within it, should go hand-in-hand, she added. So, if we talk about mental health with this in mind, it need not have so many negative connotations. We can choose to see our emotional worlds and mental wellbeing in a different light, we can normalize it and recognize it as something we all have, and require, as human beings. Town & Country reported that William was asked onstage what tools he uses for positive mental health. For me, just general maintenance, general mental wellbeing. Things like walking, fresh air, getting away from screens is a big deal, he replied. Having a laugh. Humor for me is a big deal I love to laugh. Youve got to look at the lighter things in life sometimes to feel good. Time with my friends, time with my family. Things like that really matter to me. Although all four have actually been long term campaigners on the issue, their well-publicized enmity allowed critics on social media to accuse them of cynically exploiting the issue to tactically outmanoeuver each other. yall the other couple's event was a mess, that's why it took so long to get photos pic.twitter.com/BwloGaEhOF Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) October 10, 2023 Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. If you want to know everything about tinned fish, you ask Michael Benevides, whose family has been running Fall River's Portugalia Marketplace for 35 years. Hell tell you about the fish stars of the industry, restaurants featuring it, factories to tour in Portugal, the role of TikTok and social media influencers fueling the popularity, and how this trend caught everyone by surprise. Benevides said Portugalia has been selling the cans of tinned sardines, mackerel and tuna for decades. "It's bizarre now to hear about tin fish date nights," he said. "It's quite the thing. Honestly weve been experiencing it for a few years. But over the past year, it's gone crazy." Not only does Benevides have a sense of the why for this trend, he's got Portugalia hopping on board to ride the train. Think curated tinned fish boxes. Aguardente, the Portuguese restaurant in Providence, serves curated tins of fish imported from Portugal. A popular trio offers sardines in olive oil, tuna in Molho Cru and mackerel in mustard sauce What is tinned fish and why should you give it a try? Some call them curated tins of fish. Maybe your Mom or Grandma called it tuna or sardines. In Portugal and Spain, they are called conservas, described as freshly-tinned fish and shellfish, preserved in a liquid. Sardines, tuna and mackerel filets are the most common, packed in olive oil. Some are sold intact and others as filets. Other seafood including octopus and squid are also canned and can be flavored with pickles or peppers. "It's the perfect pantry staple," said Benevides. "Each can has a five-year shelf life." There's no cooking required. Open the can and they are ready to eat. Some of the tinned fish at the Fearless Fish Market, 721 Hope St., in Providence. In Portugal, canning tins is a 100-year-old-plus industry, he said. While there once were many canneries, now there are only a dozen or so. Pinhais Conserva is a most prestigious brand. Minerva is another popular brand. They have 400 canned tins at Portugalia. These companies fish the Portuguese coast seasonally, then preserve the catch in the cans. When a lot is sold out for the year, it's gone. "A little-known fact is that Portuguese tuna is fished in the cold waters of the Atlantic and most come from the Azores as well as parts of the Mediterranean," said Maria Lawton, local cookbook author and award-winning host of Marias Portuguese Table, produced by WSBE, Rhode Islands PBS station. "Tinned tuna is still the number one export from Portugal to the USA, but in Portugal, it's the tinned sardine that is king and best seller," she said. Some of the tins of fish purchased by Natalia Paiva-Neves on a recent trip to Spain. Tinned fish are the perfect snack right out of the can, or as an addition to a meal, said second-generation Portuguese restaurateur Natalia Paiva-Neves, who works with her father Dinis Paiva at O Dinis, 579 Warren Ave., East Providence. The restaurant doesn't serve tinned fish but it is a big part of her home kitchen. Her sons have grown up on the tins. Paiva-Neves describes the tins as "works of art." The producers of conservas have been known to hire artists to design them. Perhaps that is why they have been described most recently as "affordable luxury" in the media. Many are beautiful to look at. When she returned home from a recent trip to Spain, her sons were pleased to see all the tins she brought home. Natalia Paiva-Neves, who runs her family restaurant O'DInis in East Providence, talks about her family's love of tinned fish. The tinned fish trend At Portugalia, Benevides said his family didn't see this trend coming but the first signs of the tinned fish revolution were pre-pandemic. Then with everything shut down due to COVID-19, social media influencers took to TikTok to create videos around tinned fish. They prepared boards (like cheese or charcuterie but with fish). They launched tin fish date nights and created recipes with tinned fish. Michael Benevides and his family have run Fall River's Portugalia Marketplace for 35 years. They've never seen a trend like the one for tinned fish. The public ate it up, literally hook, line and tin cans. The signs are everywhere, Benevides said. In Boston, the haley.henry Wine Bar opened with a full menu of fish tins at Downtown Crossing and earned a James Beard Foundation nomination for outstanding wine program in 2020. Just this past summer, The Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardine opened in Times Square in New York City. The specialty shop is wall-to-wall tinned fish tins, operated by the company that owns Comur, an artisanal maker in Portugal. As for Portugalia, they are planning a collaboration with Harrison Weinfeld, known as The Sardinfluencer on Instagram. They will sell a curated tinned fish box that is already being teased on his Instagram page. It will include tins and recipes, said Benevides. Also fueling the trend is the packaging with the lovely tins, agreed Benevides. Tinned fish cans photographed at Fearless Fish in Providence. Perhaps the leading reason Benevides says tins are here to stay is that they offer healthy, sustainable species of fish. The sardines, mackerel and other fish provide a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health. The producers of the tins use old preservation techniques without a lot of equipment, he said. "It highlights a category that didn't have a lot of love." "Its not entry-level fish," he said. "They have pretty intense flavor profiles." But, the Portuguese sardines are second to none and affordable. The tuna is exceptional and sourced from day boats that are dolphin-safe. Mackerel, octopus and cod are all delicious options, he said. Conservas Pinhais, one of the biggest and most elite names in tinned sardines in Portugal, offers tours of their plant near Porto and shows all stages of its production. That brings tinned fish into the tourism realm, said Benevides. Where is the best place to buy tinned fish in Rhode Island? In addition to Portugalia Marketplace, 489 Bedford St., Fall River, you'll find tinned fish specialty seafood markets in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Andrade's Catch, 186 Wood St. in Bristol and Tony's Seafood, 1365 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, are two other local sources. They are also sold at grocery stores including Dave's Fresh Marketplace. At Providence's Fearless Fish Market, Stu Meltzer's store at 721 Hope St., you'll find a full selection of tins. He started noticing the popularity of the lineup in the past five to seven years. He called it a "European food tradition and custom that was picked up and has taken hold." "Im in favor of any way to get people to eat fish," he said. Tins of fish at Fearless Fish in Providence. Owner Stu Meltzer said the European food tradition of these tins of sardines and other fish has taken hold in the U.S. Though he carries the Portuguese tins that he called "the heavy hitters" in the category for their history and culture, he also sells Spanish and French tins as well as Danish ones with Atlantic salmon and mussels. "Weve tried a lot of different tins and offer a curated selection," he said. "They are not cheap. They are a premium item." But they are the ones people are willing to pay for, he noted. Smoked oyster tins can range from $8 to $15. Other higher-end selections include branzino (flaky white fish) and imported Portuguese bacalao, or cod. He doesn't carry it but he knows eel tins can run $70. Meltzer noted tinned fish is even available online from Patagonia Provisions, an offshoot of the outdoor Patagonia brand. Dig in: Tacos, apples, cider donuts: The best things we ate in September Rhode Island restaurants that serve tinned fish on the menu Otra, the Providence restaurant at 303 South Main St., which specializes in the cuisine of the Iberian peninsula, has conservas on the menu. Octopus (in olive oil with Maldon salt and piementon), shrimp (with pickled shallots, carrots, charred parsley & piquillo peppers) and squid (in olive oil with orange zest and charred parsley) are the choices from chef Brian Kingsford and co-owner Jen Matta. At Otra in Providence, owner/chef Brian Kingsford offers three choices of conserva. "We simply serve it in the tins in homage to the art," he said. "It is a delicacy in Spain," said Kingsford. "Their tinned fish is of unbelievable quality and taste." "We simply serve it in the tins in homage to the art," he said. Aguardente, the Portuguese tapas restaurant with an outdoor patio at 12 Governor St., Providence, offers curated tins on their menu including tuna, mackerel filets or pate, sardines (in spicy peppers or olive oil), mussels and squid. All are served with bread, red vinegar pickled onions, pepper rings, salt and lemon. Tinned fish boards at Aguardente are served with accompaniments of bread, lemon zest, salt, red pickled onions and pepperoncini. The Eddy, the Providence cocktail bar at 95 Eddy St., buys tinned fish from Portugalia and Benevides for their snack menu. Tinned fish at home Maria Lawton, also known as the Azorean Green Bean, makes a quick meal with tuna, chick peas, hard boiled eggs, grape tomatoes and new potatoes. "Growing up and to this day, my pantry is filled with tinned fish," said Lawton, the TV host known as the Azorean Green Bean. "I have tuna, mackerel and cod, all packed in olive oil." It's the perfect meal for when you don't have enough time to cook, she said. "Just open a can per person and serve with whatever else you have in the pantry and refrigerator." Fearless Fish's Melter enjoys tinned fish cans for lunch. He uses them, from sardines to mackerel, to dress up a salad. He also likes to mix them in with leftovers. He'll toss some in with leftover macaroni and rabe. "You can also mash sardines up into a red pasta sauce and it adds a lot of flavor," he said. Tins of sardines from Portugal can look like works of art. The other popular use it to take the cans and put them on a board with toast points. Just like a charcuterie board but with the cans of sardines, tuna, mackerel and any other fish you favor. Looking for more recipe ideas? Benevides said to create a Google or Instagram search for "tinned fish" and you will see many suggestions from social media. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Tinned fish in RI: Best markets and restaurants for you to try the trend EXCLUSIVE: Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian and director Yosep Anggi Noen are attending Busan International Film Festival with their dystopian crime drama 24 Hours With Gaspar, which is receiving its world premiere in the festivals Jiseok competition. An adaptation of Sabda Armandios 2017 novel of the same name, the fast-paced thriller is the biggest budget film that Noen, an award-winning arthouse filmmaker, has ever made and marks the first time hes worked with Rahadian and Laura Basuki , who are both big stars in Indonesia. Upcoming actress Shenina Cinnamon also stars in the film. More from Deadline Noen says he was approached to direct the project by Angga Dwimas Sasongko, founder of Indonesias Visinema Pictures and immediately agreed because he liked the book. Its a story about loss, because the main character is coming to terms with losing his friend, but its also a visualization of a dystopian Indonesia which weve rarely seen, Noen explains. Visinema said they wanted to make it more mainstream than my previous films, as well as make sure it had international potential, so we decided to cast big names like Reza and Laura. Rahadian plays Gaspar, a punky amateur detective in near future Jakarta, investigating a mass slaughter case, who comes across clues to the sudden disappearance of his best friend during childhood. But thanks to a malfunctioning heart, hes told he only has 24 hours left to live and therefore wrap up the case. During the investigation, Gaspar pulls in a motley bunch of friends and losers to take on the jewelry store owner whom he suspects is connected to his missing friend. None of them have much choice about joining the mission as it also offers a chance to escape poverty. All the characters are basically trying to prove themselves, prove that theyre worthy and find their own place in the world, which I found very moving, as that is actually whats happening in the real world these days, says Rahadian. Reza Rahadian & Laura Basuki in 24 Hours With Gaspar He adds that the character of Gaspar, while compelling, is also manipulative: He knows how to feed everyones ego. The way Anggi has created this, Gaspar has a scene with each character, and in each scene hes trying to get something out of them, but hes also feeding their ego. Rahadian is known in Indonesia for mainstream romances, dramas and biopics, but has also taken on edgier projects such as Edwins Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash, which won the Golden Leopard at Locarno film festival, and Ifa Isfansyahs The Golden Cane Warrior. Also a mainstream star in Indonesia, Basuki won best supporting actress at last years Berlin film festival for Kamila Andinis Before, Now And Then. I dont understand this distinction between so-called arthouse and commercial movies a good story is a a good story, says Rahadian, when asked how he chooses projects. Ive always wanted to work with Anggi and the role of Gaspar was just a great opportunity to play a character with many layers in the way he expresses anger and revenge. Noens quirky drama The Science Of Fictions won a Special Mention at Locarno in 2019, and his credits also include Peculiar Vacation And Other Illnesses (2012), Busan Sonje Award winner A Lady Caddy Who Never Saw A Hole In One (2013) and Solo, Solitude (2016). Yulia Evina Bhara, of KawanKawan Media, who worked with Noen on The Science Of Fictions and Solo, Solitude, also produced 24 Hours With Gaspar with Visinema. Although set in near future Jakarta, at a time when the city is partly underwater (not a huge stretch of the imagination as the city is already sinking in real life), Noen says the production was filmed in the colonial port city of Semarang in Central Java, because it was easier to create the dystopian look. Thanks to the pandemic, many of the buildings we used were actually abandoned in real life, so we just had to do a bit of dressing and were done, Noen says. The post-pandemic era is actually quite a good time to shoot dystopian films. Reza Rahadian & Shenina Cinnamon in 24 Hours With Gaspar Unlike his previous projects, 24 Hours With Gaspar involves action scenes, car chases and fight sequences. Noen smiles when he says that, since the trailer was released, some of Indonesias other big studios have contacted him for the first time to see what else he wants to make. Indonesias film industry is changing, because the mainstream studios used to just try to please the mass market, but now the audience is smarter, they see everything on streaming platforms, so theyre trying to upgrade the quality, Noen says. One advantage Indonesia has, in addition to its acting and directing talent, is a rich store of literature to tap into for adaptations. Two other high-profile Indonesian productions screening in Busan Sidharta Tatas coming-of-age tale Ali Topan, also produced by Visinema and starring Jefri Nichol and Lutesha, and Andini and Isfansyahs Netflix series Cigarette Girl are also based on books. We have some of Southeast Asias biggest literary festivals in Indonesia, so we do have a bank of stories, says Rahadian. What we also need to explore is whether that material can be remade in other languages. We do a lot of remakes of Korean and other content in Indonesia, so maybe its time to offer our own stories to be remade. Thats one of the tasks that Jakarta-based Visinema may be taking on as it builds out a slate of features with international potential with further announcements expected soon. In addition to Gaspar and Ali Topan in Busan, the companys credits including Sasongkos 2022 Stealing Raden Saleh, Indonesias first heist movie, and the Nussa animation franchise. The company recently brought on board Herry Salim, former Disney Indonesia country manager, as group president and CEO. Visinema is just one of several ambitious, outward-looking companies in Indonesia, currently one of the creative hotspots in Asia in both commercial and arthouse cinema, which is being celebrated through a special program in Busan. Also screening in the program are BW Purba Negaras Tales Of The Otherwords, Edwins Posesif, Ismail Basbeths Sara, Mouly Suryas What They Dont Talk About When They Talk About Love and Joko Anwars Impetigore. And there are many more notable upcoming projects in Indonesia, including a new crop of horrors produced by various companies. Among these, Noen says he is next working on an as-yet-unnamed horror film with Meiske Taurisias Palari Films (Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash), while Rahadian will soon start shooting Anwars Siksa Kabur (Grave Torture). Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The former '19 Kids and Counting' star reported to Seagoville FCI in Texas in May 2022 after being sentenced to more than 12 years for possessing child sexual abuse materials Kris Connor/Getty Images Josh Duggar is pictured. An official decision regarding Josh Duggar's appeal has been made. According to Oct. 5 court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has chosen to affirm the 19 Kids and Counting alum's previous judgment in his child pornography case. He will continue to serve out his sentence of more than 12.5 years, remaining in prison through Oct. 2, 2032. PEOPLE has reached out to Duggar's attorney for comment. Related: Jill Duggar Accuses Her Father Jim Bob of Treating Her 'Worse' Than Her Brother Josh (Exclusive Book Excerpt) Duggar, 35, was arrested in April 2021 by Homeland Security. At the time, he was being held without bond in an Arkansas jail. Eight months later, the former reality star was found guilty in December 2021 of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. He was sentenced in May 2022 and has been serving out his sentence at FCI Seagoville in Seagoville, Texas, with an anticipated release date in August 2032. Duggar's attorney filed an appeal in October 2022, requesting that the court overturn his conviction. But earlier this year, his prison stint was extended by nearly two months to October 2032. Kris Connor/Getty (L-R) Anna Duggar and Josh Duggar are pictured. Duggar has been married to Anna Duggar since 2008. The pair share seven kids, with their youngest child arriving several days before his November 2021 trial. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Amy Duggar King Calls Out Jim Bob Duggar for Not Protecting His Daughters from 'Predator' Josh Duggar Though many members of Duggar's family have stood beside him amid the controversy, some relatives who have spoken out against him. Sister Jill Duggar Dillard who was one of his multiple alleged molestation victims alongside sister Jessa Duggar Seewald recently acknowledged she still harbors anger toward him. She told PEOPLE last month: "People are quick to say, 'Oh, anger is bad,' but I'm like, 'No, anger can be a good thing.' Especially when it propels you to advocate for people finding their voice." D Dipasupil/Getty If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The TV news correspondent whose description of decapitated infants and other atrocities from the Hamas attack on southern Israel went instantly viral pushed back Wednesday against questions around her reporting, saying she witnessed the atrocities with my own eyes and calling the reflexive doubt sickening. Nicole Zedek was on the ground early this week for i24NEWS, an international 24-hour news television channel based in Tel Aviv. Her reports describing beheaded babies and children were immediately shared and widely discussed around the globe including scrutiny and outright doubt, which she addressed Wednesday during an appearance on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show. Zedek said she was grateful at first that her reporting had spread so quickly, because people need to see those images and need to hear exactly whats happening here on the ground in Israel. I witnessed some of those scenes with my own eyes as we were walking through this community, she said, that may be a quarter of a mile from the Gaza border, the atrocities that were still left behind, children, cribs, baby cribs overturned on their side, splattered with blood. Horrible, horrible images. In an exclusive interview with @ClayTravis and @BuckSexton, @Nicole_Zedek of i24NEWS responds to those denying her accurate reporting about Israeli babies beheaded by Hamas: "It's sickening." Interview: https://t.co/5VQ9swblgH pic.twitter.com/mHCoKorPbI The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show (@clayandbuck) October 11, 2023 CNN reported on Wednesday that the Israeli prime ministers office confirmed the report of beheaded babies and toddlers. Zedek said she also spoke with a deputy commander who was among the first on the scene Saturday, when there were still active terrorists hiding in houses that they immediately sought to eliminate. Theres no words to describe what theyve seen, Zedek said. I mean, babies heads cut off. Thats what they encountered when they came there. So as horrible as it is and and I wish that it wasnt true. And I see how those images and those words are hard to comprehend because its hard to comprehend how any one could commit such heinous, heinous crimes. But thats exactly what happened in just one of the kibbutz communities. She said with additional targeted communities in southern Israel still being encountered by IDF, this is just a glimpse into what is happening here. Cohost Buck Sexton asked about the condition of soldiers who were first to see these scenes of horror many of whom are not active-duty military, but reserves who were hastily called from their own family lives into duty. The deputy commander who I spoke to, he was a reserve soldier, she said. He left five kids behind. He left his own family behind to then come to the scene of entire families murdered so no one could prepare them for what they were about to witness. And they are in shock. But they say as they continue to see these acts, it it makes them want to fight back stronger. Cohost Clay Travis later played a clip from a commentator voicing his doubt about the veracity of her reporting, with the speaker saying the claim of beheaded infants is completely false and accusing Zedek of making up the most gruesome details based on a walk-and-talk interview with an Israeli commander. You know, its sickening, really, that people are asking, Where are the babies? Why arent you showing the babies?' she replied. Is that something that anyone would want to the first thing with their own eyes? Zedek said people are seizing on details like the number 40 a hasty estimate and the word babies, which can mean different things to different people. So 40 babies, 40 children were carried out on on gurneys, 40 dead children were found. And a lot of people are saying babies,' she said. Well, how does she know that number? How old are they? And I think that is really the fact that people are focusing on that doesnt matter. Just three months old or three years old, six months old, six years old, a six-year-old is someones baby. She said besides her own eyes, there are multiple soldiers confirming what theyve seen of the mutilation of these children. And I think when people are denying whats actually happening here, it is truly, truly sad and show that people just are not willing to see exactly whats happening. Zedek also said there is footage of it all that will speak for itself and in many cases already has. The fact that people are denying it, even after seeing exactly with your own eyes, the footage, the pictures. Its truly despicable. Watch the entire exchange in the above clip. The post Journalist Who First Reported Israeli Child Beheadings Says She Saw Atrocities With My Own Eyes (Video) appeared first on TheWrap. This International Day of the Girl, watch a powerful new trailer for the award-winning documentary produced by Mindy Kaling and Dev Patel A powerful documentary executive produced by Mindy Kaling, Dev Patel and Rupi Kaur sheds light on a harrowing sexual assault case and the resilience of a young survivor and her father whose quest for justice has changed the status quo in India. To Kill a Tiger takes audiences to a rural village in Jharkhand, where Ranjit, a poor rice farmer, begins working with women's rights organization the Srijan Foundation in the wake of his 13-year-old daughters sexual assault at the hands of three young men. After theyre arrested and a 14-month trial ensues, the villagers and their leaders launch a sustained campaign to force the family to drop the charges, per the films synopsis. In India, where a rape is reported every 20 minutes and conviction rates are less than 30 percent, Ranjits decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, it adds. As the docs award-winning writer-director Nisha Pahuja tells PEOPLE, To Kill a Tiger resonates with survivors of sexual violence and, she hopes, men like Ranjit who can stand against it in India and beyond. This is a film and a story that takes place in India, says the filmmaker, who was born in New Delhi, India and raised in Toronto, Canada. But the reality is what that young girl went through and the fact that her father was motivated by this tremendous love is universal. ONF/NFB Ranjit's daughter in "To Kill a Tiger" Related: From Saving Bees to Fighting Hunger: Meet PEOPLE's Girls Changing the World in 2022 While her name and personal details havent been shared out of respect for privacy, the survivor made the decision, Pahuja reveals, to appear uncensored in the film. It was always the intent to mask her identity, Pahuja, 45, recalls. We asked her and her family how they would feel if we did actually show her. And it was after they watched the film that she said yes. She was so proud of herself, and she didn't want to be hidden. She wanted to come forward. She wanted people to know who she was, and she wanted to share her story. Below, Pahuja tells PEOPLE about working with Kaling and Patel to spread the word about the issues of gender justice and assault, and illuminating Ranjit and his daughters story as a way to heal... for her, and for other survivors of sexual violence. To recognize and celebrate the International Day of the Girl, PEOPLE has the exclusive trailer for To Kill a Tiger, which took home top honors at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and over a dozen other festivals, below. It opens in select theaters Oct. 20 and expands wide Oct. 27. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. PEOPLE: How did To Kill a Tiger originate and develop as a film? Nisha Pahuja: It took eight years to make the film. A year and a half of research, three and a half years of filming, and then three years of editing. I worked with an incredible team. But actually when I first started making the film, I was making a film on masculinity. I've been working on issues of gender as a filmmaker for a number of years and I grew up in this Indian culture, which is a very patriarchal culture. I think I was always trying to understand why there were certain things that I wasn't allowed to do and why the women around me were treated in particular ways. And you grow up hearing horrific stories. Then, of course, there are all these headlines that are continually coming out of India, and you start to really question why this kind of oppression takes place. I started to realize at some point the issue is not with women, the issue is with men. What we really have to do, what we really have to understand, if we're going to have a world where we are truly equal as men and women and people of all genders, we have to really understand masculinity. So initially, Ranjit's story was part of this larger film that I was making [Documentarians] have to be both proactive and reactive at the same time, really open to what life is giving you, and thinking many steps ahead and understanding how this could be part of your story and why. It's like jazz, it really is. Related: 10 Famous Women Sound Off On the Fight for Equality in Hollywood and Beyond What drove you to bring this story to the screen throughout all eight years, including now in promoting it? What values or goals guide you forward? I have two goals with this particular film. One is to encourage other survivors to come forward and demand justice around the world. And the second thing is to encourage men to become allies in the fight for gender equality. I feel that as women, we've been carrying this burden for so many years of fighting for our rights and demanding that we be seen and demanding that we be recognized as equals. And it's exhausting. Really, the issue is not us. The issue is men. It's the system that we all operate under, this patriarchal construct. I think until we start to see how those ideas define us and limit all of us, we're just going to be stuck. So it really means men doing their homework and men standing up for women. What most surprised you as this story unfolded in real time? What did you learn? We're all products of our culture no matter where we are. We think the way we think so much because of the families we come from, the larger society we're living in, and the time period that we're living in. I think about women's rights, even in Canada and the United States the fact that we werent allowed to vote until about 40 or 50 years ago. How we think is not necessarily a reflection of us. It's so much bigger. It's so much deeper. I feel that those boys [on trial for sexual assault] are also a product of the place that they live in. To not understand that means you're just going to keep perpetuating. You're not really dealing with the problem. The fundamental problem here is culture. Until you change culture, until you educate, until you actually change hearts and minds, we're never going to stop any kind of oppression, right? Whether it's gender, race, sexuality, we're going to continue to have those issues. ONF/NFB (Left to right:) Ranjit, Amit Singh, Jaganti How and when did Dev Patel and Mindy Kaling come on board as executive producers? I say this to every [interviewer]: If they didn't come on board, we wouldn't be talking. I brought them on board because I knew I have a film here that so many people have put so much love and effort into, including the family. It's such an important story, a universal story. It's galvanizing. Or it has that ability, but I can't do it. I need people to help me amplify the voices of these people in the film. So through friends, we reached out to Mindy and to Dev's company. They both watched the film, instantly said, "Yes, sign me up," and they've been amazing. Getting it out on social media, talking to the press, they're really championing this in a substantial way, and they really believe in it. Because of them, it's happening. Related: Mindy Kaling Says Reading Stephen King Books Growing Up Was a Way to Be Rebellious (Exclusive) You mentioned the films universality. Why do you think Dev and Mindy signed on to share it with audiences internationally? There's not a woman on this planet who has not been afraid of sexual assault or sexual violence. We all carry that fear in our bodies, it's just there. We live in a world that is not safe for women, and we all feel that and know that. We can all relate to that experience That's what Me Too was all about. It's still there. Statistics are really difficult and nuanced and context is so important. But one of the things that I found really interesting is that rape cases that happen every year in the United States, only 2.5% are reported. And of the ones that are reported, it's about 8% that lead to conviction. And in India it's 30% lead to conviction. So conviction rates are lower in the United States than they are in India. We don't understand how deep the problem is actually around the world, how under-reported and under-prosecuted the problem is. We think it's a problem that's happening over there because of the headlines that come and they are so horrific, we cannot overlook that. But in terms of the larger statistics around this story of sexual violence against women, it's shocking. Related: Dev Patel Stopped Knife Fight Outside Convenience Store: He 'Acted on His Natural Instinct' What do you know about the United Nations international observance day Oct. 11, the International Day of the Girl? It's a recognition and a reminder that girls around the world are oppressed and that we need to stand up. They do not have the same rights or the same attention paid to them in terms of health, education, opportunities. They don't have role models. We need to provide role models, and we need to actually see the potential in girls. We ignore that, and I think that's actually to the detriment of our own societies. To Kill a Tiger is in theaters Oct. 27. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (Bloomberg) -- Googles Sundar Pichai raised concerns years before he became the companys chief executive officer that its deal with Apple Inc. had bad optics because there was no choice of which search engine to use in the companys web browser. Most Read from Bloomberg Emails Pichai wrote in 2007 to Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, among other executives, were introduced as evidence in the Justice Departments antitrust case against Alphabet Inc.s Google, which is underway in Washington. The emails, written when Pichai was in charge of Googles Chrome browser, show concerns about the companys agreement to pay Apple in exchange for being the pre-selected search option on the Safari browser. I know we are insisting on default, but at the same time I think we should encourage them to have Yahoo as a choice in the pull down or some other easy option, Pichai wrote of the agreement, which is at the center of the governments case. I dont think it is a good user experience nor the optics is great for us to be the only provider in the browser. The Justice Department and state attorneys general allege that Google has paid Apple and smartphone makers including Samsung Electronics Co. billions of dollars in revenue-sharing agreements to keep rival search engines from gaining users. The deals offer a percentage of the revenue Google makes from search-based advertising in exchange for being the default tool on browsers and smartphones. The Justice Department says Google pays more than $10 billion a year in these contracts, although the exact figures remain confidential. Google denies that the agreements harm competition and says its easy for consumers to switch to alternatives if they want. Story continues Joan Braddi, Googles vice president for product partnerships and the key negotiator of the Apple agreement, was one one of the executives copied on Pichais emails. She was called as a witness by the Justice Department on Tuesday and asked about the exchanges. Prosecutor Adam Severt also asked whether the benefits to Google search are worth the cost of propping up Apple, the companys biggest rival in mobile operating system software. I dont know that weve ever looked at it that way, said Braddi, who has worked for Google for 24 years and was among its first employees. The agreement between Google and Apple places no limits on how the iPhone maker uses the money, she said, adding that she is sure Apple has used the payments to improve its iOS product, which competes with Googles Android operating system. Braddi negotiated Googles original 2002 deal with Apple to make its search engine the default on the Macs Safari browser. The original agreement contained no money, but the companies amended it in 2005 to add a revenue-share. The deal later expanded to the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010. In 2007, 2009 and 2012, Apple proposed amendments to the deal that would have allowed it more flexibility on the search default, Braddi testified. In 2014, the companies signed another amendment that allowed Apple to use other search engines in some countries, Braddi said. Today, Safari uses non-Google search engines in Russia, China and South Korea. The 2014 amendment took 17 months to negotiate, Braddi said, because it included aspects related to intellectual property and mapping services. At the time, Google was concerned that Apple might try to divert queries to other companies like Amazon.com Inc. or Yelp Inc. in exchange for additional shares of revenue from those companies instead of sending searches to Google, according to a 2013 email exchange between the two companies. That concern was what led Google to ask for a clause that requires Apple to use the search engine in a substantially similar manner to how it had previously, she said, adding that it was not an effort to block Apple from expanding its own services. Severt asked Braddi if Google pays a significant amount of money to Apple for the Safari revenue-share. It wasnt always, she said. But today, yes. Since 2018, Google has monitored Apples earnings calls and measured how much the revenue-share contributes to the iPhone makers operating income, Braddi said. The exact figures remain sealed. Braddi declined to say whether she would characterize the revenue-share as a meaningful percentage of Apples operating income. Im not a finance person, she said. --With assistance from Mark Gurman. (Updates with additional details beginning in 11th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. King Charles, who is due to visit Kenya later this month, will seek to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered during the British armys suppression of the Mau Mau uprising of 19521960 in that country, which saw thousands hanged and more than 150,000 Kenyans rounded up into camps. The rebellion failed but is considered by historians to have been a major factor leading to Kenyan independence in 1963. At a Buckingham Palace media briefing ahead of the trip Wednesday, a spokesperson for the king said the visit would celebrate the strong and dynamic partnership between the countries but also acknowledge the more painful aspects of their history. In 2013, Britain apologized and paid more than $20 million in compensation to more than 5,000 people who had suffered abuse by the British army during the rebellion by the Kenya Land and Freedom Party, who were also called the Mau Mau. Read it at Reuters Read more at The Daily Beast. Love is Blind season 5 contestant Tran Dang is suing the Netflix shows production team, Kinetic Content and Delirium TV, for sexual assault, false imprisonment and negligence. Dang claims she was sexually assaulted by her former fiance Thomas Smith during the filming of the shows latest season in Mexico on or around 3 May 3 2022. The pair got engaged during the show but have not been featured in the episodes. In the lawsuit, Dang alleges Smith "incessantly groped" her, "exposed himself in the nude," and forcibly and repeatedly made sexual contact" without her consent. TODAY.com reports that Kip Patterson, Smiths attorney, said in an email that Smith denied the allegations and the firm does not comment on ongoing litigation. The filing made by Dang also says, "due to Delirium TV and Kinetic Contents 24-hour surveillance of Plaintiff and Defendant Smith, most if not all of these traumatic acts were filmed by the production crew and within their knowledge." Kinetic Content and Delirium TV denied the claims in a joint statement responding to the lawsuit, calling it meritless, according to Variety. We support and stand with victims of sexual assault, but Ms Dangs claims against the producers are meritless. We document the independent choices of adults who volunteer to participate in a social experiment. Their journey is not scripted, nor is it filmed around the clock. We have no knowledge or control over what occurs in private living spaces when not filming, and participants may choose to end their journey at any time, the companies said. We take any and all concerns of our participants seriously and prioritize their well-being. Obviously, we cannot address undisclosed concerns, and throughout the time that Ms Dang was involved in the production of Love is Blind, she never informed the producers of any alleged wrongdoing of any kind. Nor did she choose to end her participation in the experiment. Instead, Ms Dang continued in the experiment for weeks after the time her lawyers now claim an incident occurred. We deny and will vigorously defend the allegations against us. TODAY.com reports that Dangs attorney, Benjamin W Allen, accused the production companies of delaying the ongoing case in a statement. The producers are throwing money at the problem by spending an inordinate amount of money on losing legal positions that do nothing but delay the parties from having their day in court. They lost on three distinct legal issues before the trial court and then filed three separate appeals to multiply the proceedings we have to wade through before finally trying this case," Allens statement read, according to Today. We are confident that Ms Dangs position will be vindicated once we get there and are committed to seeing it through all of the way. We have to hold the show producers accountable. We have an ethical duty to our client to do so, but also feel a moral obligation to the next generation of reality show participants," he continued. Creator and CEO of Kinetic Content Chris Coelen also denied the allegations and insisted the production team was never informed she felt unsafe. Coelen said if any contestants felt unsafe in any way, they would immediately remove them from the experiment and talk to them, and try to get to the bottom of it. Unfortunately, in this case, that kind of sentiment was never addressed to us in any way, nor was any alleged wrongdoing brought to our attention ever, he added. Coelen also denied allegations that contestants are being filmed 24 hours a day. They are living their lives. They have plenty of moments where they are not being documented, he said. We dont mount cameras in the bedrooms or bathrooms. We dont have any of those. They know when were around. As a true believer in these real relationships, I want them to know what its like to be with their partner. In the lawsuit, Dang also claims she was not allowed to leave her hotel room without express permission. She alleges food was also provided by the production team but said on multiple days of filming," they would provide contestants with "several alcoholic beverages," while "providing limited amounts of food." This combination was designed to encourage the participants to engage in striking conversations and actions that would increase viewer ratings," her petition states. However, Coelen told People that these claims were not true. He added: "Its not true in any way ... we dont push alcohol everyone has consistent and regular access to food and water." RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro opens in the former Barrel House space in the Market District in Des Moines. Chris Groom spent years carving out his dream to open a restaurant while helping his soon-to-be brother-in-law bring his North Kansas City, Missouri, beer to Iowa. The U.S. Navy veteran combined his love of barbecue and steaks to open RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro, taking over the former Barrel House space in the Market District. Barrel House out of Davenport opened last year in August and closed after a 10-month run in June. RRACKSS opens on Friday on East Court Avenue and East Fourth Street for lunch and dinner in the renovated former train depot. Groom, who grew up in Lees Summit outside Kansas City, Missouri, spent his career in the railroad industry, crisscrossing the country for jobs from San Francisco to Baltimore. He moved to Truro south of Des Moines two years ago so his wife could commute to Kansas City for her job with Amtrak, where he met her, and he can tend to the restaurant and his job at the Federal Railroad Administration. As a kid, his first job took him to Golden Corral, where he moved up to run the kitchen after the cook didnt show up on a Friday night. He started working there when he was 14. Youre gonna see a theme here with my career in the restaurant industry, he said. Same thing happened at Western Sizzlin, where he worked hand-in-hand with the head cook to run the kitchen. After that, he went on to Michaels Steak & Seafood, where Groom said he learned sauces, fish, seafood and the finer points of cooking, like how to butterfly a steak. And all of this happened by the time he turned 17 and enlisted in the Navy. I enjoy cooking. I enjoy seeing the smiles that good food put on peoples faces, especially biting into something that they like, Groom said. The menu spans barbecue to steaks at RRACKSS RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro opens in the former Barrel House space in the Market District in Des Moines. Those skills come into play at RRACKSS as well. Groom hopes diners will come in for everything. We're trying to cover the whole spectrum from somebody who wants to monitor their budget and wants to go out to eat or someone who on special occasions wants to splurge a little bit, Groom said. On the barbecue side of the menu, diners can find pulled pork, burnt ends, brisket, and baby back ribs, all hickory smoked. Thick cuts of steaks include a filet, porterhouse, prime rib and more. Groom also plans to have sandwiches with pastrami, a French dip with prime rib, and burgers. One sandwich features layers of prime rib, brisket and a burger in one. A seven-pound challenge gives a diner 45 minutes to finish a pound each of brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, pastrami, prime rib, a porterhouse and a burger. The $175 meal is free if completed, and Groom plans to hand out T-shirts with the cheeky pig and bull logo to those who finish. RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro opens in the former Barrel House space in the Market District in Des Moines. Groom promises giant baked potatoes stuffed with chili, as well as sides such as mac and cheese, beer-batter fries or onion rings, baked beans made from scratch, potato salad, and deviled eggs. Garlic bread comes with the steaks, served on a wooden tray with insets for silverware and metal ramekins with sauce and butter; cornbread joins the barbecue. Were just trying to shake things up, said Groom, who uses a combination of his wifes recipes and his own. He's even churning his own ice cream in the dining room for dessert. What is Callsign Brewing? A neon sign for Callsign Brewing out of North Kansas City, Missouri, hangs in the window at RRACKSS. The barbecue restaurant and steakhouse plans to exclusively serve the Callsign beers. Groom also owns a portion of Callsign Brewing in North Kansas City, Missouri, where his future brother-in-law Steve Sirois opened the brewery in 2017 to honor service members and veterans. Sirois served in the Air Force and names his beers after the callsigns of lost military aircraft. Ten beers will be on tap at RRACKSS. Bomber Brown Ale and Freedom Lager are among the favorites, and the former shows up in the restaurants barbecue sauce. Groom already has plans to bottle it. Groom also plans to 10% of gross sales on opening day to Shriners Children. Where to find RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro opens in the former Barrel House space in the Market District in Des Moines. Location: 401 E. Court Ave., Des Moines Contact: rrackssfinebbq.com Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro offers steaks, barbecue in Market District The daughter of Jacqueline Avant is sharing her path to healing in her new book, 'Think Youll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude' Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock Nicole Avant with her parents, Jacqueline and Clarence, during happier times in 2015. In the predawn hours of Dec. 1, 2021, Nicole Avant awoke to a nightmare she couldnt believe was real. Her husband, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, called from a business trip and told her, Your moms been shot. Mere hours earlier, Nicole had said goodnight to her mother, philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, 81, via text. Now Jacqueline was dying in the hospital after a home intruder shot her in the back. As reality set in, Nicole said a prayer: Oh God, please do not let me hate this man. Aariel Maynor, a felon released on parole three months earlier, had broken into her parents Beverly Hills home and fled empty-handed, leaving Nicoles father, Clarence Avant , then 90, wondering why his wife of 54 years was bleeding on their living room floor. (Maynor, 31, is now serving a 150-year prison sentence.) It was all-consuming, so heavy. I felt as if a house fell on me, Nicole, 55, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. I had never felt energy like that. Who was I going to call and ask, What did you do when this happened to you? I had nothing. The prayer was me saying, I cannot let my frustration and fury take over me. Hes not getting that. Related: Nicole Avant Reveals Cover for Book on Grief and Forgiveness 19 Months After Mom Jacquelines Murder (Exclusive) Instead, Nicole who was in the middle of writing a self-help book channeled her energy into honoring her mothers legacy while helping others process anguish. The result is Think Youll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude, out Oct. 17. It was her father, Clarence, a legendary music executive who died this past August, who encouraged Nicole, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, to complete it. My dad was the engine behind this book, says Nicole, who in the aftermath of her moms death cared for Clarence in the L.A. home she shares with her husband, Ted, 59. Every day I was like, Daddy, I just cant write today. He said, Nicole, dont go down this rabbit hole because youre sinking," she adds. "Youre giving your energy and attention to a tragedy, and I want you to give it to Jacquie. John Russo/Contour/Getty Nicole, pictured here in Los Angeles in 2017, is sharing her story in a new book. For Nicole, celebrating her moms life without being overwhelmed by the way the former model died has been key to her healing. Writing Think Youll Be Happy was part of that process, but so was forgiving the killer by unshackling herself from anything negative and heavy. Ive been blessed with a good life, and I want to continue to serve, she says. I can do things with a broken heart, but I do want my heart to mend. I just cant let it sit in my heart and rot. Now, nearly two years after her moms murder, Nicole is revealing how the familys nightmare began from the senseless act that broke their heart and the immeasurable grief that followed to how she forged ahead through healing, prayer and service. In this exclusive excerpt from Think Youll Be Happy she recounts what it felt like to hear that her elderly mother had been shot in her own home. For more on Avant's story, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here. Nicole Avant's book, 'Think You'll Be Happy,' comes out on Oct. 17. I was home alone on the evening of Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Well after midnightId been asleep for hours by this pointsomething told me to look at my phone. When I did, I saw something you never want to see in the middle of the night: about a million missed calls from my brother, Alex, and the same from my husband, Ted, who was away on a work retreat. With my heart racing, before I could even work out what was going on, my husbands name appeared on the screen again. I quickly answered his call and before I was able to say hello, he said something to me that would change my life forever, Love, youve got to get up, get dressed, and get to Cedarsyour moms been shot. Surrounded by the darkness of night, I froze. This is a dream, I thought. This isnt happening. I just have to wake up. Wake up, Nicole. Its a nightmare. Wake up. There are some words that make no sense and will never make any sense. Never, never, never. What the hell are you talking about? I said. Where was she? Was she out with my father? Wait, what time is it? Yet even as I asked, I realized quickly that there was no time for questions. I needed to go to my mother. My mother, Jacqueline, was the person in our family who held the pieces together when things were about to fall apart. She never stood on the sidelines. Like the queen of a kingdom, in moments of crisis her instinct was to act. For my entire life I saw her deliberately move through the world with grit, grace, and gratitude. In that moment after I received the call, I left myself. Maybe I became my mother or maybe I became more deeply myself. I am not sure, but what I do know is that my mother needed a woman like her right then. Courtesy of Nicole Avant Nicole with her mom Jacqueline Avant. I had no idea how shattered our lives would be, but I knew that as my mothers daughter, I had to hold the pieces together. There was no time to wonder, to parse meaning. I learned from both my parents that when there was a challenge, sitting still until a solution wandered by wasnt good enough. Nothing good ever happens by sitting on a damn couch. So, I brushed my teeth, got dressed. I went downstairs, put some food out for the dogs, and got in the car calmly. Not shaking. I could feel my mother everywhere; she was guiding me, as shed always done. I was tremendously grateful for her. I felt her grit filling me. I prayed for grace. I found myself driving west on Sixth Street toward Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. All the lights were green. When the last light before I had to turn into the hospital started to flicker, I took this as a sign that my mom was trying to connect with me. Mom, I said out loud, Im on my way to the hospital. I have no real idea what happened, except that youre eighty-one years old and youve been shot. I dont know by whom, or where, or why, but Im on my way. And everything is going to be okay, regardless of what happens. Mom, if you can hear me, I dont know what Gods plan is, but dont feel that you have to come back and take care of Alex or Dad, because Ill do that. Mom, youve lived a great life. Ive got it from here. She didnt need to be next to me to hear me. I knew she received my message. I had no idea what state she was in, but I wanted to offer my strong, elegant mother the relief she deserved. I felt the urge to compose myself, not because I was okay. I was not okay. I collected myself because I was raised to believe that love is an action word. Love is not only something we are. Love is something we do. Love, the act of love, like the series of green lights, was moving me forward, telling me to keep going. Related: When I arrived at the hospital, the first person I saw was my father. I looked down and noticed that his left sock was stained with blood. I was later told that the slippers he was wearing were brought to him by a neighbor whod seen my father, in shock, without shoes, being questioned by the police on the street in front of his home. Of all I witnessed and went through that night, the gesture of those slippers stays in my memory. We must never underestimate the impact of a simple act of care. The next person I saw was my brother, Alex, frantically pacing around the room and on the phone, his girlfriend, Airess, at his side. Soon, Ted arrived and the police told us what they knew about the night. An intruder had broken into my parents home at around 2:25 a.m. and while attempting to rob their home, had shot my mother in the back with an assault rifle. My blood boiled. My heart felt as if it would leap through my chest. My deep sadness and fear was instantly covered with a blanket of anger. Someone hurt my mother? Courtesy of Stefanie Keenan Jacqueline Avant posing at her 80th birthday party in 2020. I couldnt comprehend it. How could anyone hurt my mother? A woman who lived with such respect for life. She wouldnt harm an insect. Believe me, I grew up witnessing my mother releasing various insects from inside her home back outdoors to where they belong. Someone hurt my mother? Hot, painful tears streamed down my face. And then I looked up and saw my father, the man whod spent his entire life living in the warmth of my mothers light. A light that was fading fast. I felt myself coming apart, but I couldnt, for the sake of my family. At least not in this moment. I took a deep breath. And I held the pieces. When the surgeon appeared, I saw the look on his face and knew. We all knew. From the forthcoming book Think Youll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude by Nicole Avant. Copyright 2023 by Nicole Avant. Excerpted by permission of HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Payton Shires, 24, allegedly had sex across various locations in Columbus, Ohio, according to police Colombus Police Department Payton Shires An Ohio social worker has been arrested and charged for allegedly having sex with a 13-year-old she was counseling in Columbus, Ohio, according to police reports reviewed by PEOPLE. Payton Shires, 24, was arrested and charged after the victims mother found concerning text exchanges between the two regarding a video, which investigators say was of the two having sex, FOX 28, 10 WBNS and WSYX report. Shires, from Mt. Sterling, Ohio, was arrested on Friday, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records, which state the offense date as Sept. 27. Police arrested her after discovering a video, which they say shows that she engaged in sexual conduct on several occasions with a juvenile who she was counseling, according to a police report by the Columbus Division of Police. The report states Shires was charged with unlawfully having sexual conduct with a minor. According to court records cited by 10 WBNS, the teenagers mother notified authorities on Sept. 27 after she found text messages between her son and Shires. In the messages, Shires allegedly asked the child if he had "deleted the videos" and if his mother had seen the videos and messages, per 10 WBNS. Days later, investigators discovered a video they say shows the two in different kinds of sexual activities in locations across Columbus, court documents say, according to the outlet. Investigators claim the incidents took place in September, per the outlet. Shires previously worked with the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP), the police report says. The organization did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. 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. In a statement to PEOPLE, the organization said on Tuesday they are saddened by the situation regarding their former employee and the youth who they said was served by our organization. It wasnt immediately clear if Shires worked with the teen during her tenure at NYAP. NYAP has reported the situation to Franklin County Children Services (FCCS) and is collaborating with them and the Columbus Police Department on this case," the statement said. Shires was arraigned on Saturday, according to court documents reviewed by PEOPLE. Her case was transferred to the court of common pleas after she waived her preliminary hearing, which was initially scheduled for later this month. It wasn't immediately clear if she has entered a plea. Shires lawyer did not respond to PEOPLEs request for further information when contacted on Tuesday. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. As contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and Detroit's Big Three drag on, the situation for some automakers is getting worse in other regions. At midnight last night, about 4,280 autoworkers represented by the Canadian union Unifor walked off the job at three General Motors Canada facilities after the two sides failed to work out a deal. This figure is in addition to the roughly 25,000 autoworkers in the United States who are currently on strike across GM, Stellantis, and Ford facilities. Unifor states it was unable to reach a deal with GM because "the company continues to fall short on our pension demands, income supports for retired workers, and meaningful steps to transition temporary workers into permanent, full-time jobs." The three facilities affected are the Oshawa Assembly Complex and CCA Stamped Products, where Silverado pickups are made; Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre; and St. Catharines Powertrain Plant, which makes engines for a variety of models, including the Corvette . For its part, GM says it provided a "record economic offer that recognizes the many contributions of our represented team memberspast, present, and future." It claims the strike is simply a result of a few "final outstanding items" which have yet to be resolved. The news comes after Ford was able to strike a deal with Unifor in late September. The Blue Oval employs 5,600 union autoworkers in Canada, with the new three-year deal approved by 54% of the membership. As strikes expand, layoffs are widespread within the Big Three. Ford, GM, and Stellantis have furloughed thousands of non-union employees since work stoppages began. Ford alone claims to have over 7,900 employees currently striking stateside, which has resulted in 1,865 layoffs due to the "highly interconnected" nature of the company's business. Members of UAW Local 171 picket outside a Mack Trucks facility in Hagerstown, Maryland after going on strike on Monday, Oct. 9. Major automakers also aren't the only ones feeling the heat. UAW workers turned down Mack Truck's contract offer on Monday. Some 4,000 workers in three states are currently on strike as a result. According to Automotive News , the heavy truck builder's offer included "a 19 percent pay hike, a $3,500 ratification bonus, improved retirement benefits, additional vacation for some employees and a reduction in the time needed to get to top pay." However, the UAW cited remaining concerns over wage progression, job security, and cost-of-living allowance. The company's offer was rejected by 73% of union members. Progress is seemingly being made between the UAW and the Big Three, despite Mack and Unifor workers' latest actions. The inclusion of new battery plants in GM's offer to the UAW has resulted in no additional strike expansion, at least for the time being. Strike numbers have also flatlined at Ford, where UAW president Shawn Fain likewise says progress has been made. It seems like a deal between union members and at least one of Detroit's automakers could be on the horizon. If it is, others could follow. Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com The current exhibition at the Polasek Museum has roots that stretch back a millennium or more. But I promise I will condense the story of the fascinating art of nihon shishu so you can read it over a single cup of tea. The art of Japanese embroidery, or nihon shishu, dates from more than 1,000 years ago. Its an art form that could have died out, but thanks to a determined practitioner is now enjoying a worldwide renaissance. The history of the art form reflects the history of Japan and the nations relation to the larger world. It began back around the 6th century as a way to create grand tapestries depicting the teachings of Buddha, as well as religious silk robes. Later, as silk kimonos became popular, the art took on a more secular nature. As Japan remained isolated from the world through the centuries, the traditional knowledge of nihon shishu was carefully passed down from master to student. But after World War II, as Japan modernized and Westernized, the kimono became less important, and demand for silk embroidery fell off. Enter embroidery master Iwao Saito. To keep the art alive, in 1965, he established a national school of Japanese embroidery, free to join and learn the tradition. His successor, Shuji Tamura, went further and began sharing the art form with the rest of the world, establishing the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta in 1989. Thats where Winter Park resident Karyn Plater studied extensively; today, shes one of only 15 active certified Japanese embroidery teachers, or sensei, in the United States. And shes doing her part to pass the tradition to the next generation, training students for more than 20 years. In a full-circle moment, some even come from Japan to learn from her. The art of Plater and her students is featured in the Polaseks current exhibition, Japanese Embroidery: A Journey of Tradition and Innovation. And at this point, you might be wondering what exactly sets Japanese embroidery apart from the needlework Aunt Mildred used to do. The answer is found in the use of silk, both in the threads and base material, as well as in the intricate designs. But what gives nihon shishu its shimmer is the use of delicate metallic thread throughout. More than the material is the imagery, which makes a kind of not-so-secret code for the Japanese, who recognize the meanings of the flora and fauna depicted. Cherry blossoms, for example, indicate the transience of life. Butterflies signify joy; drums are identified with conflict but a drum covered with ivy symbolizes peace. And, as with many aspects of Japanese culture, theres a spiritual component, too. Plater writes in her artist note that in her studio, students must enter with a peaceful, harmonious heart. Those hearts are matched by skilled hands, as the beautiful creations on view in Winter Park pay homage to an ancient art. Exhibit Japanese Embroidery: A Journey of Tradition and Innovation: At the Polasek Museum, 633 Osceola Ave. in Winter Park, through Jan. 7. Admission is $7-$12. Upcoming events Kimono dressing: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 17. Learn about and wear the traditional Japanese kimono, dressed by professional instructor Satomi Hirano. Includes photo booth, snacks, sake, wine. $45. Japanese embroidery workshop: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 15-16. Learn about the art form and create your own work under the guidance of Karyn Plater. No experience necessary; supplies provided. $175. Family Day: Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 3. Free admission with child-friendly activities to learn about Japanese culture. RSVP by Nov. 26. More information: polasek.org Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews. Previously on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Lisa Barlows son Jack is leaving on a two-year Mormon mission to spread the gospel of the Latter Day Saints. Heather Gay is feeling some kind of way about that since she was so traumatized by the LDS church, she wrote a book about it. Also, Monica Garcia repeated the rumor Meredith Marks had hinted at that Angie Katsanevas husband Shawn likes to f*ck other men. Whitney Rose ran straight to Angie with it. Of course, Angie is less than pleased. Heres what went down in Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4, Episode 6: Apres Rumor. Apres ski party rumors Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images When Angie confronts Meredith, the jewelry designer denies everything. What are you talking about? she asks repeatedly. In the background, Whitney sounds like a yappy little dog, as she tries to get a word in edgewise. You said that in the airport [in Palm Springs], you said Is she Angies lapdog now? Meredith finally admits mentioning rumors about the husband, but thats all. Monica is the one who clarified the rumor for Whitney, who took it straight to Angie. Angies angry and goes for the jugular. Youve gone after every marriage in this group when, meanwhile, youre the only one whos out spreading their legs outside of their marriage. Yikes. Were done, Meredith immediately responds. I dont talk to people who dont speak to me with respect. Talk to the hand, Angie. I cant believe I wasted another outfit on this event, voiceovers Mary Cosby. Like, wheres the food? Like, what are we eating? Marys not up for the bullsh*t. Thats some Utah sh*t, Monica says in a confessional. People always say that sh*t about male hairdressers, Heather adds. This is Utah. Ive been to family reunions [where] if a guy wears a cardigan, they think hes gay. As soon as she married a guy that had tapered pants and custom-made suits, the rumors started flying. Its Lisas world and we just live in it Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images Lisa and Whitney arrive at Angies house for a casual lunch. I love coming to a Greek house, Lisa says, cause I know Im gonna eat. When Angie starts going into her feelings about the rumors circulating around Shawn, Lisa hijacks the conversation. [Meredith]s doing literally to you what she did to me, she says. A few minutes later, Angie tells them that Heather invited her over to her house and apologized for not being on her side in Palm Springs when Angie was under attack. Oh my gosh, youre lucky she gave you that, Lisa interrupts, bringing herself back to the center again. Shes never done that with me Like, Im happy for you, but she has never given me that, like EVER, Ang I am literally getting triggered by this, cause Im like, where was this friendship last year? Like, this is f*cking bullsh*t. Whitney and Angie just stared at her and wonder when this conversation became all about Lisa. Heathers feelings about Jacks upcoming mission Brett Colvin/Bravo via Getty Images Heather and Whitney are enjoying a day on the snowy slopes together, Heather on skis and Whitney on her snowboard. When they stop to rest, the conversation returns to Jacks upcoming Mormon mission and how they feel about it. Whitney spent years trying to get out of the LSD church and even wrote a letter demanding to be removed from their membership roster, but shes not bothered. I dont really care, she says. Heathers stunned. Even though Whitney admits to having global feelings about the church, shes not bothered by Jacks spending two years recruiting people into it. Its absurd, Heather confesses. [Hes] gonna go out there and sell a church that we know can be very destructive. The Beauty Lab owner feels shame that she convinced people to join an organization that ruins peoples lives. Were not being honest about the church history, Heather continues. Its homophobic, it disacknowledges any sort of transgender Its completely sexist, misogynistic, bigoted, and it has a horrible, problematic, racist history. Thats why she wrote her book, even though she lives in a community that thinks shes their enemy for feeling that way. Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Bravo. TELL US WERE YOU SURPRISED AT WHITNEYS ATTITUDE TOWARD JACKS MISSION WHEN SHE WORKED SO HARD TO GET OUT OF THE LDS CHURCH? DOES LISA THINK ITS ALL ABOUT LISA ALL THE TIME? Angie Katsanevas Their feud rages on. Reality News Daniel Falconer 20 hours ago Meredith Marks Meredith continues to deny involvement. Reality News Karolina 2 days ago Meredith Marks Heres how Meredith got the job. Reality News Karolina 2 days ago The post Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4, Episode 6 Recap: This Is Utah appeared first on Reality Tea. Caroline Ellison testified that ex-boyfriend Sam Bankman-Fried thought he had a 5% chance of one day becoming the president of the United States Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images; AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez Sam Bankman-Fried (L); Caroline Ellison (R) The ex-girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried who served as the former CEO of his hedge fund testified that the disgraced crypto mogul directed her to commit fraud, according to multiple reports. Caroline Ellison, who started as a trader at the crypto hedge fund Alameda Research in 2018, testified in a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday, according to NBC News. Sam directed me to commit these crimes, she said in her testimony, alleging that Bankman-Fried asked her to funnel money from his customers at now-defunct crypto exchange FTX into Alameda in order to pay back firms that Alameda Research had borrowed from, the outlet reports. We ultimately took around $14 billion, some of which we were able to pay back, she said, according to CNBC. I sent balance sheets to lenders at the direction of Sam that incorrectly stated Alamedas assets and liabilities. She also alleged that Bankman-Fried designed a way for her to transfer the funds, CNBC and NBC News report. She said he was very ambitious and that he thought he had a 5% chance of someday becoming the president of the United States, according to the Associated Press. Related: Everything to Know About FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried's Legal Controversies (Including the Celebs Involved) Ellison detailed the on and off romantic relationship she had with Bankman-Fried that began after she joined Alameda and lasted until 2022, when they permanently broke up, according to the Associated Press. The two initially started sleeping together on and off, she said, which eventually led to a relationship that they kept secret. They broke up in summer 2021, and got back together by the fall of the same year, she testified, according to the outlet. She received a $20 million bonus that same year. Related: Jury Selection Begins Today in Fraud Trial of FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, was arrested on Dec. 12 in Nassau, Bahamas, where the company was based. State and federal authorities launched an investigation into him when he sought bankruptcy protection after amassing billions of dollars worth of losses, PEOPLE reported previously. US Attorney Damian Williams, who heads the federal prosecutors' office in Manhattan that charged Bankman-Fried, called the case "one of the biggest financial frauds in American history." "From 2019 until earlier this year, Bankman-Fried and his co-conspirators stole billions of dollars from FTX customers," Williams told reporters in December. "He used that money for his personal benefit, including to make personal investments and to cover expenses and debts of his hedge fund, Alameda Research." 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. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges that include wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering, according to NBC. Ellison has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering among other charges. If convicted, Bankman-Fried could spend the rest of his life in jail. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. NEW YORK A member of a New York City drug-dealing crew blamed for the fentanyl-laced heroin death of actor Michael K. Williams was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison. Luis Cruz was the third of four defendants to be sentenced in connection with the drugs linked to the death of Williams, who overdosed in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment in September 2021. He died four hours after authorities said he bought the heroin from another member of the crew. A federal judge in Manhattan imposed the prison time on Cruz, who pleaded guilty in April to a reduced charge of narcotics conspiracy. A third man has been sentenced in connection to the death of actor Michael K. Williams. Cruzs lawyer, Deborah Colson, said in an email that Cruz accepted responsibility and provided a genuine, heartfelt apology. She declined further comment. In a letter to the judge, Cruz, who had been an electrician, said he was addicted to drugs and was selling them to support his habit and pay his bills. It was a terrible mistake in judgment, he wrote. Drug dealer sentenced to 10 years in prison in overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams Federal prosecutors, however, said Cruz and the drug crew kept selling the fentanyl-laced heroin even after Williams death. A search of Cruzs apartment found more than 500 small bags of the deadly heroin and drug paraphernalia, authorities said. Williams, who was 54, was known for portraying Omar Little, the rogue robber of drug dealers, in HBOs The Wire, which ran from 2002 to 2008. In addition to his work on the critically acclaimed drama, Williams also starred in films and other TV series such as Boardwalk Empire. The drug crew member who sold the drugs to Williams, Irvin Cartagena, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August. Another crew member got more than two years in prison, and the fourth person awaits sentencing. Michael K. Williams' nephew urges compassion for defendant at sentencing related to actor's death This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael K. Williams' overdose death: Third man sentenced to 5 years Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) disclosed the appointment of healthcare industry veteran Jim Rechtin as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 8, 2024. The move comes as part of the company's long-planned CEO transition. Rechtin will report to Bruce Broussard, CEO, until the latter half of 2024. Broussard will then step down, and Rechtin will take the CEO role. Rechtin has over 22 years of health care experience focusing on delivering value-based care in several medical group settings, including a deep understanding of Medicare Advantage. "The board of directors has worked diligently to find the right leader who can take Humana into the next phase of growth and transformation," said Kurt Hilzinger, Chairman of the Humana Board. "Jim brings a strong combination of operational, industry and CEO expertise. His first-hand experience leading through challenges and opportunities of a changing health care services continuum will help accelerate our integrated care strategy at pace." The company will release Q3 2023 results on November 1, 2023. Price Action: HUM shares are trading lower by 2.79% at $486.44 premarket on the last check Wednesday. Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better. This article Health Insurer Humana Ropes In Former UnitedHealth Executive To Assume CEO Role In 2024 originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Internet users have reacted to the sexual assault lawsuit against Tim Ballard, the founder of the anti-child-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad [OUR]. The public took to the comments and replies after Utah took action against the Chinese app TikTok, announcing a lawsuit over alleged predatory practices targeting children. These people demanded that the Utah Attorney General explain his relationship with Ballard seeing as they share a connection through the NGO. Social Media Calls Out Sean Reyes Amid His Friend Tim Ballard's Legal Battle The online drama began after the Utah AG Sean Reyes announced its lawsuit against TikTok, claiming that the "innocence of our children is under attack and the AG's office is taking legal action to counter this growing threat." Trending: Jada Pinkett Smith Says Being Seen As An Adulteress Made People Blame Her For Wills Oscars Slap Britney Spears Father Jamie Spears Has NO Plans To Read Her Memoir Taylor Swift Is Visibly STARSTRUCK In New Video Following Travis Kelces Touchdown Taylor Swift Gets Private Escort Inside For Boyfriends NFL Chiefs Game Jada Pinkett Smith Shades Will Smith By Admitting Tupac Shakur Was Her True Soulmate The update, shared via X, formerly Twitter, grabbed the attention of many people and they ensured they shared their views without hesitation. "It ain't gonna work Sean. You can't sue TikTok to try and distract us from what you knew and what you did for Tim Ballard. That's the bigger story- we know it and you know it. Resign," one person replied. A second person questioned, "Will you be investigating @TimBallard? Seems he's a bit more of an immediate danger to women and children," and a third chimed, "What a joke. We've been trying to protect children from you and your ilk for years. Go home. YOU KNEW." Utah Attorney General @SeanReyesUT and @GovCox have announced that the state of Utah is suing TikTok. The innocence of our children is under attack and the AGs office is taking legal action to counter this growing threat. pic.twitter.com/XmGCxpRZaj Utah Attorney General (@UtahAG) October 10, 2023 A fourth X user went straight for the jugular, caking Reyes "an embarrassment to this State," while asking him to resign because "Your entanglement with OUR should be the final straw." "Where is your statement addressing your connection to Tim Ballard?," a fifth observer asked, as a sixth claimed, "Trying to distract from the fact that you're openly associated with pedophiles," and a seventh wrote: "How about all you f that fell for the "Tim Ballard is saving the children" bullshit just chill out for a minute on the current thing and not push for genocide." Meanwhile, this internet surfer made a standalone thread, which began with, "So, as someone who has been writing about this: An allegation is an allegation. But, as a writer - it's been way easier to substantiate the legal allegations against Tim Ballard (names, dates, witnesses, locations) than it has been for me to substantiate his rescue stories." The X user, whose display name reads Dr.Laura Robinson, added, "I get saying that "We can't prove it happened yet." No, we can't. But if that's true, using the same evidence and standards of proof: we definitely can't prove OUR saved kids." She wrapped up by noting that even if the NGO significantly improved the lives of kids, it wouldn't have been to the extent that has been asserted. Sean Reyes Entangled In Tim Ballard's Sexual Assault Lawsuit Instagram | Tim Ballard In case you missed why Reyes name is in the black book, its because the 52-year-old had gone with Ballard on an O.U.R mission trip to Columbia in 2015. It also didnt help that the lawsuit against Ballard reportedly mentions his support for the authors anti-trafficking efforts. In fact, the docs mentioned the politicians support as "giving Ballard the cover of the top law enforcement officer in the state of Utah to carry out his purposes even while consumer complaints and criminal investigations were pouring into his office regarding the improprieties of OUR and Ballard." The suit, which was filed by five women on Monday, alleged that Ballard exploited the mission of his organization to sexually assault them. These allegations emerged weeks after initial reports of accusations of sexual and business misconduct, which led to a significant tarnishing of Ballard's public reputation. Additionally, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rebuked Ballard, accusing him of attempting to exploit his friendship with senior apostle M. Russell Ballard for personal gain and engaging in morally unacceptable activities. The father of nine has since denied the allegations against him, issuing a statement through his new anti-trafficking organization, The Spear Fund. "The Spear Fund did not exist during the time of the alleged conduct and had nothing to do with it. Mr. Ballard vehemently denies the allegations brought by these unnamed women. He looks forward to vindicating his name in the courts where evidence, and not unsubstantiated accusations in the media, decides the outcome," the statement declared. Ballard further asserted, "They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children." Although O.U.R. confirmed to NBC News that the 2017 Social Entrepreneur Award recipient resigned from his role as CEO on June 22, it didnt divulge the reason for his exit. When AMC first announced it was anchoring a new Walking Dead spinoff around Norman Reedus beloved Daryl Dixon, it was initially meant to bring along fellow zombie survivor Carolonly for it to suddenly become Carol-less months later. Now that Daryl Dixon is finally airing, its returned to its Carol-adjacent status, with the potential for more to come. The latest episode, the penultimate episode of the series debut season, flashed back to Daryls time in Maine as a sort of zombie-wrangler, collecting walkers in exchange for fuel supplies. But it also included a brief return for Melissa McBrides Carol, in a voice-only cameo as she spoke to Daryl over a radio. Its slight, but it may not be the last time fans hear from, or potentially even see, Daryls longtime ally on the spinoff. Read more The final episode of Daryl Dixons first season is set to hit AMC this Sunday, October 15. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Washington Posts major staff cuts were a result of the newspapers digital ads dropping by 30%, and its subscriptions decreasing by 15% among other losses. On Wednesday, Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi, posted to X (formerly Twitter) with a breakdown of the companys financial woes that led to its Tuesday decision to cut 240 employees, slicing nearly 10% of its workforce. Context for @washingtonpost buyout program announced this morning, per interim publisher Patty Stonesifer. In the list, Farhi noted that since 2021, The Post lost 28% of its audience, its subscriptions dropped by 15% (2.5 million), print revenue dropped by 10% and digital ads fell by 30%. This is a really good business that we overshot on our expenses," she said during employee meeting this morning. Paul Farhi (@farhip) October 11, 2023 This is a really good business that we overshot on our expenses, Stonesifer said during the meeting, per Farhi. The update comes after the company held a meeting on Wednesday to go over the separation deals employees are being offered in the midst of the staff cuts, which The Post announced via an internal company memo on Tuesday. Dear Colleagues, I am so sorry to share some difficult news, the Tuesday statement from The Posts interim CEO Patty Stonesifer said. Inbox: Washington Post is reducing its workforce by approximately 240 positions pic.twitter.com/GFVdGZw2pa Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) October 10, 2023 Over the last eight weeks, I have been working with the senior leadership team to review the current state of our business and financial results. We have determined that our prior projections for traffic, subscriptions, and advertising growth for the past two years and into 2024 have been overly optimistic and we are working to find ways to return out business to a healthier place in the coming year. We have work going on across the organization to develop a strong plan for 2024 and make no mistake we remain bullish about the future of The Washington Post. The memo continued: As a result we have decided to offer a voluntary separation package over the next few weeks designed to reduce our workforce by approximately 240 people across all functions of The Post. This program will offer generous incentives to employees in specific roles where w believe we can reduce costs if work can be assigned more efficiently. The internal development to clear out some of its staff comes after the Jeff Bezos-owned newspaper was reportedly set to lose $100 million, and nine months after The Post stripped the company of 50 staff positions and laid off 20 people. Following this meeting, all eligible employees will be notified by email if their position is included in the program, and they are welcome to consider the package. Senior leaders will then share department specific information in meetings to follow throughout the day, the memo concluded. I know you will have many questions about this, and will strive to answer these tomorrow as best we can and will work together to make this transition as smooth as possible. The post Washington Post Digital Ads Dropped by 30%, Subscriptions by 15% Before Staff Cuts appeared first on TheWrap. Chinese electric vehicle startup WM Motor has filed for bankruptcy reorganization, an example of yet another once-promising EV upstart that has been pushed to insolvency as bigger players gain market share and Chinese spending on big ticket items dwindles. WM Motor, backed by Baidu and Tencent, was one of the most well-funded EV startups in China, alongside Nio, Li Auto and XPeng. The company raised over $5.3 billion in funding, including one whopping $1.47 billion round in 2020. As it turns out, that money wasn't sufficient to compete in China's EV market, where automakers are crumpling under pressure to introduce new smart features and luxury products at increasingly lower price points. WM Motor blamed macroeconomic conditions for its demise. The carmaker said it's been struggling to deal with operational issues since the pandemic, capital market stagnation, difficulty securing capital and price volatility in raw materials. The impact of COVID-19 on the auto industry should not be underestimated. Automakers around the world were put under a significant stress test as they grappled with factory closures, logistics disruptions, and subsequent price increases in semiconductors amid a period of chip shortage. Then when Chinese EV makers finally emerged from behind the cloud after the pandemic, a new round of price wars initiated by Tesla further strained their cash flow management. But, as Lei Xing, co-host of China EVs & More podcast and former chief editor at China Auto Review, points out, every automaker is under the strain of those conditions -- the ones with deep pockets and operational excellence will survive. And those that are too slow, like WM, won't be able to make up enough revenue to cover their sizable losses. And WM's losses are great. In the three years ending in 2021, the company's losses mounted to $1.13 billion, according to WM's stock prospectus released in June 2022 for a planned Hong Kong IPO. That IPO didn't happen, nor did a planned backdoor listing via a reverse takeover with Apollo Future Mobility that was meant to go through this year. In September, U.S.-listed Chinese used-car dealer Kaixin Auto Holdings said it signed a nonbinding letter of intent to acquire WM Motor, but the status of that deal is not clear in light of the bankruptcy reorganization filing. China's bankruptcy regime gives a debtor or its creditors the option to apply to the court for reorganization of its business prior to an enterprise being declared bankrupt. In statements posted on its official Weibo account, WM Motor said on October 9 that a court in Shanghai had accepted its pre-restructuring filing. WM Motor has signaled its intent to reorganize and introduce strategic investors from around the world to "achieve its rebirth," according to a statement posted on the company's Weibo account Tuesday. Despite what the company says, Xing says he doesn't see a future for WM. "Even the leaders -- Nio, XPeng, Li Auto -- they're by no means out of the woods," Xing told TechCrunch. "If you look to the U.S. and Rivian's convertible note offering, it means they needed money. So capital is still a problem for everyone." Indeed, Nio reported losses of $35,000 per car sold in the second quarter of this year. The company employs 11,000 people in R&D, but sold only 8,000 cars per month from April to June. It has invested heavily in robots in its factories, offers $350 augmented reality glasses for each seat in its cars and has introduced a cell phone that interacts with the car's self-driving system. Li Auto, which appears to be winning with a strong delivery streak this year, could also be caught off guard by a new rival. Aito, a Huawei-backed EV brand produced by Seres, is moving quickly in the smart SUV EV space, Li Auto's bread and butter. The startup received more than 50,000 orders for its revamped M7 model within the first 25 days it went on sale, putting it among China's five top-selling new energy vehicle manufacturers, according to August sales data. The M7 has all the features of Li Auto's popular S7 SUV, but at a sub-$40,000 price point. These are mere examples of the costs Chinese automakers are willing to incur and the speed at which they can move in order to meet and exceed the high expectations from consumers. It's akin to how consumers around the world have become accustomed to getting a ride in a private vehicle for a fraction of the cost of a taxi. And as we've seen from ride-hail companies like Uber and Lyft, slashing prices will result in scale, but it'll cost companies profits. "None of these smart EV startups are safe, let alone the ones that are state-owned," said Xing. "Look at Rising Auto, IM, Voyah. These are delivering a couple thousand units a month. It's not sustainable. I believe you will see some of those dying out as well." Over the past year, a range of EV startups -- like Evergrande New Energy Auto, Aiways and Niutron -- have either closed factories or stopped taking new orders. Byton, which was backed by Nanjing City government and state-owned carmaker FAW Group, filed for bankruptcy in June after failing to bring its first model, the M-Byte SUV, to production. Automakers like BYD will likely be able to weather the storm, said Xing. BYD is the top EV maker in China, with over 1.6 million units sold from January to August this year, according to China Passenger Car Association data. Tesla China, the second-largest automaker in the country, sold 390,222 units in that same timeframe. "BYD still has additional cards to play," said Xing. "They can still cut prices as soon as they need to do so because, like Tesla, they have vertical integration and their cost base is lower than other competitors, so they can sacrifice profitability for volume." Companies that have a large overseas presence -- like Tesla and Geely -- may also be able to stay afloat because they'll survive the domestic consumption headwinds. Zeekr, Geely's young EV brand backed with hundreds of millions of dollars, for example, is pushing aggressively into international markets with a two-pronged strategy. On the one hand, it plans to soon start selling its luxury EVs in a handful of countries across Asia and Europe; on the other, it has an ongoing deal with Waymo to supply the latter's robotaxis, which are expected to start testing in the U.S. by the end of this year. The story was updated on October 17, 2023, with context on WM Motor's bankruptcy and restructuring procedure. House Republicans scrambled Tuesday to coalesce behind a speaker candidate one day before their party vote, questioning Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steve Scalise of Louisiana about their visions and strategies for the majority. Most Republicans have not announced their support publicly, teeing up a day of uncertainty for Republicans as they prepare for what could be several secret ballot votes for speaker. Currently, a candidate only needs a simple majority vote to win the party's nomination and head to the House floor. But, the GOP will vote on an internal rule change to raise that threshold to 217 -- to prevent a repeat of the messy 15-ballot floor fight Kevin McCarthy endured last January. But that change could lead to a longer process on Wednesday, Republicans said. "There's merit to ... the unity play, where you come out of the locker room all together, no messiness and no drama on the floor," Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas said. "Doing that in ... the privacy of our conference is going to drag this out for a long time." Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky told reporters there is a "2%" chance the House will have a new speaker named by Wednesday morning. U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) speaks to reporters following a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 27, 2023 (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) MORE: Federal prosecutors file new charges against Rep. George Santos In the members-only meeting held behind closed doors, Scalise said he would support Jordan as the party's speaker nominee if he lost the party vote, members told ABC News. But Jordan's answer to that question was less clear to some of those in attendance, leaving some uncertainty as to whether the party could unite. The two candidates also left colleagues with different impressions of how they plan to avoid a government shutdown in November. Jordan reportedly laid out a proposed stopgap measure that would attempt to pressure the Senate to accept steeper spending cuts -- an approach that conservatives refused to back under McCarthy. Members weren't as clear on Scalise's strategy, but some said it would also involve a stopgap funding measure. "Here we've got a different shot clock because we have tens of days left before the government runs out of money," Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a McCarthy critic, said when asked if a new speaker would be punished for following McCarthy's approach. "So I don't know that you can apply the McCarthy analysis to either Scalise or Jordan. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) attends a House Oversight and Accountability Committee impeachment inquiry hearing into U.S. President Joe Biden on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (Jim Bourg/Reuters) MORE: Detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich loses appeal in Russian court Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia told reporters she pushed both candidates on their stance on Biden's impeachment. While both said they would continue the inquiry opened by McCarthy, Greene said she wanted them to take more aggressive action. Another wild card in play is the number of lawmakers still loyal to McCarthy and whp are still potentially smarting over his removal. Even though the former speaker has said he will not be a candidate Wednesday, some allies still argue that neither Jordan nor Scalise has enough support to lock up the gavel -- and could withhold their support for both men for several rounds of voting. House Republicans face day of uncertainty as speaker vote looms originally appeared on abcnews.go.com As Israel gears up for a possible ground invasion of Gaza following the devastating terror attacks by Hamas, the U.S. is pushing for a safe passage for civilians to flee. The Biden administration is in active discussions about the issue with Israel and Egypt, White House spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday, though no breakthrough has been reached on a humanitarian corridor or other action. The Rafah border crossing from southern Gaza into Egypt, the only route out, has been closed. "Civilians are not to blame for what Hamas has done," Kirby said. "They didn't do anything wrong, and we continue to support safe passage." PHOTO: Palestinians mourn a relative who reportedly died following his injury in clashes with Israeli settlers in Qusra village, into Rafidia hospital in Nablus city in the occupied West Bank, Oct. 11, 2023. (Zain Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: 22 Americans among the dead On ABC News Live at 8:30 pm on Thursday, Oct. 12, ABC News' James Longman, Matt Gutman and Ian Pannell look at the horrendous toll from Hamas' massacre, the Israelis and Palestinians caught in middle and what comes next. Kirby added, "Civilians are protected under the laws of armed conflict, and they should be given every opportunity to avoid the fighting." PHOTO: Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to reporters before boarding a plane, Oct. 11, 2023, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Israel. (Pool/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via Reuters) MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: 22 Americans among the dead Secretary of State Antony Blinken, leaving Washington for Israel to show support, said the issue of safe passage is "complicated." "But we want to make sure to the best of our ability, and I know that Israel to the best of its ability, that civilians are not harmed," he said on the tarmac in Washington. "But Israel has to take steps to defend itself." As the violent conflict stretched into its fifth day, at least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel and 2,900 injured. In Gaza, 1,100 people have died and 5,184 are injured. The ground offensive Israel could launch is expected to result in an increase of casualties on both sides. PHOTO: National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) President Joe Biden has spoken to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu four times so far, including earlier Wednesday. With concerns mounting over civilian casualties, Biden, speaking to a gathering of Jewish community leaders, reiterated his support for Israel but also recounted what he said was his recent message to Netanyahu. SLIDESHOW: Israel-Gaza conflict "I've known Bibi for over 40 years and [we have a] very frank relationship," Biden said, recalling one of their recent conversations. "One thing that I did share is that it is really important that Israel with all the anger, frustration and it just cannot explain it, that exist, is that they operate by the rules of war. The rules of war. And there are rules of war." Kirby, asked Wednesday if the U.S. has done anything to try to deter Israel from the ground offensive or if Biden has asked Israel to show restraint, deferred to the Israeli military to talk about their plans. PHOTO: Israeli Merkava tanks are positioned in the upper Galilee in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on Oct. 11, 2023. Images) (Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images) But Kirby did briefly, and forcefully, comment on the question generally, stating, "Nobody wants to see any more innocent life lost." "None. Nobody," he said. "No matter who you are. If you're an innocent civilian, you didn't cause this. You didn't ask for this. And you shouldn't be having to fear for your life. Nobody wants to see that happen." "And I think it's important to remind that, especially on the Palestinian side, Hamas is directly endangering their lives. hospitals and schools," Kirby added. "They didn't ask for that either. And Hamas doesn't speak for the majority of the Palestinian people or their aspirations for peace and security." MORE: 'No specific proof of life' of American hostages held by Hamas: White House The White House spokesperson also stressed the importance of getting humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. As for American citizens still in Israel, Kirby said the State Department is in touch with them to establish a connection and see if they want to leave. US pressing for safe passage of civilians out of Gaza, including Americans originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Including the Great Dane, Irish wolfhound, and mastiff. Getty Images/Nenov Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahuas to the enormous Great Dane. If youre someone who loves big dogs, you have many large dog breeds to choose from, in a variety of personalities and coat types. Before bringing home a large breed, consider the amount of space you have. Some large breeds are calm and can do well in small spaces, but others do best in larger homes with yards. Large dog breeds will require more of everything than smaller breeds, so consider the extra costs of food, medications, grooming, and dog supplies before bringing one home. Here are 10 of the largest dog breeds in the canine kingdom. Getty Images/lienkie At 150 to 200 pounds, the boerboel, also known as the South African mastiff, is stocky, muscular, and powerful. The breeds exact origins are unknown, but several mastiff-type breeds as well as Victorian bulldogs and local African dogs likely contributed to the breed. A farm guardian in rural South Africa, the boerboel protected livestock from predators and thieves and guarded family. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: 22 to 25 inches (female), 24 to 27 inches (male) WEIGHT: 150 to 200 pounds TEMPERAMENT: Courageous, alert, protective COAT AND COLOR: Short and smooth in brindle, brown, cream, red, reddish brown, or tawny with/without white markings, black mask, piebald, and/or Irish marked LIFE SPAN: 9 to 11 years Getty Images/Anita Kot The Great Dane is well-known for their imposing size (males can be 200 pounds), but most people are surprised to learn how friendly and mellow these gentle giants are in real life. Originally, Great Danes were hunting dogs, but the breed morphed into a laid-back, gentle companion that we see today. As with any giant breed, early and consistent training are crucial to prevent any accidental injuries from their sheer size. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: 30 to 34 inches (males); 28 to 32 inches (females) WEIGHT: 120 to 200 pounds (males); 99 to 130 pounds (females) TEMPERAMENT: Calm, gentle, friendly, loving, even-tempered, attentive, proud COAT AND COLOR: Short, smooth coat in black, black and white, blue, brindle, fawn, harlequin, merle, silver, solid white, or mantle LIFE SPAN: 6 to 8 years Getty Images/eAlisa Though not the heaviest breed, the Irish wolfhound holds the record of being the tallest of all dog breeds. Male Irish wolfhounds can be at least 32 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh as much as 180 pounds. The Irish wolfhound was developed in Ireland as far back as the 5th century. They were originally used by noblemen and kings to hunt elk, boar, and wolves. Breed Overview GROUP: Hound HEIGHT: At least 30 inches (female), at least 32 inches (male) WEIGHT: 105 pounds (female), 120 pounds (male) TEMPERAMENT: Courageous, calm, even-tempered COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length and wiry in black, blue, brindle, creme, gray, red, silver, white or wheaten LIFE SPAN: 6 to 8 years Getty Images/Ilona Didkovska The majestic Leonberger originated in the 1800s in the city of Leonberg in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Originally used as a family, farm, and draft dog, the breed was developed using Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Pyrenean mountain dogs. Despite being large and muscular, the Leonberger is surprisingly agile and light on their feet. Although Leonbergers are gentle, friendly dogs, their sheer size and strength make early and consistent training a must. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: Males are 28 to 31.5 inches and females are 25.5 to 29.5 inches at the shoulder. WEIGHT: Males are 110 to 170 pounds; females are 90 to 140 pounds. TEMPERAMENT: Fearless, loyal, loving, obedient, adaptable, companionable COAT AND COLOR: The double coat is medium to long, thick, straight, and water-resistant. The head has a black mask, and over coat colors include lion-yellow, golden, red, reddish-brown, sandy, or yellow-brown. LIFE SPAN: 7 years The mastiff, also known as the English mastiff or Old English mastiff, is an ancient breed that was originally used for hunting and guarding. They can be traced back to ancient times with depictions of the breed seed on Egyptian monuments and mentions by Caesar. The mastiff was once quite ferocious, but todays breed is gentle and friendly, but they retain their courage and protective instincts. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: 30 inches and up (males); 27.5 inches and up (females) WEIGHT: 160 to 230 pounds (males); 120 to 170 pounds (females) TEMPERAMENT: Calm, affectionate, protective, loyal, peaceful, sweet-tempered COAT AND COLOR: Short and sleek in fawn, apricot, or brindle, all with a dark mask on the muzzle, ears, and nose LIFE SPAN: 6 to 10 years Getty Images/Salima Senyavskaya The Neapolitan mastiff looks extremely intimidating thanks to their massive size, wrinkled skin, and dour expression. Its not hard to imagine this dog fighting on the war fieldsomething the Neapolitan mastiff did for the Ancient Romans. At home, the Neapolitan mastiff is loving, loyal, and affectionate, but early training and socialization are a must with this breed, which is best for experienced dog owners. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: 24 to 31 inches WEIGHT: 110 to 150 pounds TEMPERAMENT: Protective, stubborn, fearless, companionable, loyal COAT AND COLOR: Short and shiny in black, blue, mahogany, tawny, or brindle LIFE SPAN: 7 to 9 years Getty Images/Anita Kot The Newfoundland originated on the Canadian island of Newfoundland. When European fishermen brought their dogs with them to Newfoundland, a new breed evolved in response to the islands terrain and climate. On land, the massive Newfoundland pulled carts and hauled wood, and in the water, they worked alongside fishermen hauling nets out from icy water, swimming to deliver lines and serving as rescue dogs. Today, the breed is still well-known for their natural life-saving instincts, both on land and in the water. Docile and sweet-natured, the Newfoundland is truly a gentle giant. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: 26 inches (female), 28 inches (male) WEIGHT: 100 to 120 pounds (female), 130 to 150 pounds (male) TEMPERAMENT: Loyal, sweet-tempered, gentle COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length double coat in black, brown, gray, or white and black LIFE SPAN: 9 to 10 years The Saint Bernard was developed in the Swiss Alps by monks who used the giant dogs to search and rescue stranded travelers in the snowy mountains. In addition to their massive sizemales weigh on average 140 to 180 poundsthe Saint Bernard was well-suited to such work thanks to a thick, warm coat and brave temperament. Todays Saint Bernard is unlikely to head out into the snow on a rescue mission, but they will keep a watchful eye on the goings-on at home. The breeds affinity for children is well-knownthey're often called nanny dogs. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: 26 to 28 inches (female), 28 to 30 inches (male) WEIGHT: 120 to 140 pounds (female), 140 to 180 pounds (male) TEMPERAMENT: Gentle, affectionate, protective COAT AND COLOR: Short to medium-length, smooth or rough double coat in brindle and white, brown and white, mahogany and white, orange and white, red and white, or rust and white with/without a black mask LIFE SPAN: 8 to 10 years The Tibetan mastiff developed in isolation in its country of origin, Tibet. Though we dont have much written information about the breed, most experts agree that it has existed for thousands of years in Central Asia. Once used as an estate guardian, the breed remains protective and takes seriously the job of watching over their property and human family. Because the Tibetan mastiff is very large, naturally wary of strangers, and can be difficult to train, the breed is best left in the hands of a knowledgeable dog owner who is experienced with giant guardian breeds. Breed Overview GROUP: Working HEIGHT: 24 to 26 inches WEIGHT: 70 to 150 pounds TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, protective, strong-willed, tenacious, aloof COAT AND COLOR: Outer coat is fine, hard, straight, and stand-off; undercoat is heavy, soft, and woolly. In hues of black, brown, blue/grey, or gold. LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years Getty Images/acceptfoto Sometimes called the Japanese mastiff, the Tosa Inu was developed in Japan using a native Japanese breed called the Shikoku and a few Western breeds, including the bulldog, mastiff, German pointer, Great Dane, and possibly others. Originally bred for dog fighting, the Tosa Inu is now mostly seen as a family dog for the right family. This is an expert-level breed best suited for an owner with extensive experience with large guardian breeds. Breed Overview GROUP: Molossoid breeds, Mastiff type (FCI) HEIGHT: 21.5 to 23.5 inches WEIGHT: 100 to 200 pounds TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, courageous, alert, fearless, protective, calm COAT AND COLOR: Short, hard, and dense in red, fawn, apricot, black, or brindle LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years Read the original article on The Spruce Pets. It's not Thanksgiving without a boat of gravy on the table. Whether turkey-based or completely vegan, whether creamy and thick or light and bright, gravy is the unifying element of any Thanksgiving feast, binding together disparate dishes with potent savory flavors. It perfects potatoes, moistens meat, and boosts green beans. Swirling a dinner roll in gravy is one of the holiday's greatest pleasures. And yet, if you've been pouring the same type of gravy year after year, you may start to find yourself bored. If that's the case, it's time for a gravy upgrade. Thankfully, putting some pizzazz in your gravy doesn't take much time or effort. The addition of a single ingredient can be all you need to turn your basic, stale gravy recipe into something that'll be the talk of the table. We've put together the best additions here that will put punch in every pour, and can be added to both homemade recipes and store-bought gravies. Upgrading your gravy is the easiest way to take your entire Thanksgiving dinner to another level of fabulous fall flavor. Read more: 15 Tips For Making The Best Meatloaf Soy Sauce pouring soy sauce into bowl - ffolas/Shutterstock There's hardly a food out there that won't benefit from a hit of soy sauce. If you keep a bottle hidden away and only bring it out when you order Chinese food or sushi, you might want to reconsider and keep it close at hand. A few drops of soy sauce added to any sauce, including and perhaps especially Thanksgiving gravy, can be a game changer. When used judiciously, it acts like a dash of salt you don't exactly taste it, but you'll know it's there in the way it amplifies all of the other flavors. So what exactly is soy sauce's secret? It's fermented, which is a process that adds unique flavors and aromas, giving the sauce complexity and depth. It's also salty, so it acts as a seasoning agent for the other ingredients in the gravy. Because of its salt content, it should be added with a delicate hand or your gravy may become too briny. Add it a bit at a time and taste as you go, and you'll notice the gravy's flavors subtly intensify. Soy sauce is particularly useful in vegetarian gravies, as its rich umami flavor gives the feel of meatiness without actually using meat. Worcestershire Sauce bowl and spoon with worcestershire sauce - Goskova Tatiana/Shutterstock Similar to soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce is also a fermented condiment. Unlike soy sauce, which is a simpler concoction of soybeans, wheat, and salt, Worcestershire sauce is made from a symphony of varied ingredients including anchovies, vinegar, tamarind, molasses, onion, garlic, and spices. The addition of anchovies means it's not vegetarian-friendly, so keep that in mind if you're making a meat-free Thanksgiving spread. If you're a pescatarian or omnivore though, a touch of this highly concentrated sauce is a great way to bring a big boost of sweet and savory tang to your gravy. A little goes a long way with this intensely flavored sauce, so it's best to add it cautiously while remembering to taste with each addition. The acidity from the vinegar works to balance and brighten the gravy's rich flavors, the molasses rounds things out with a touch of sweetness, and the fruity yet sour tamarind brings a bit of both. The anchovies won't make your gravy taste fishy they're there for the umami factor. Worcestershire sauce really is the whole package when it comes to taste, and it'll boost the entire spectrum of flavors as it seasons your gravy. Nutritional Yeast bowl and spoon of nutritional yeast - myboys.me/Shutterstock It may not look like much, but nutritional yeast "nooch," as those in the know call it is a fantastic flavor and texture booster when it comes to gravy. Nutritional yeast is made from yeast cells that have been heated, leaving them deactivated so they won't grow or multiply like active yeast would if you were, say, baking a loaf of bread. Available as flakes or powder, this substance has an appealing nutty, almost cheesy flavor, with that magical hit of umami that makes everything taste so good. Nutritional yeast dissolves easily in liquid, so stirring some into your gravy is as easy as it gets. In addition to adding its dimensions of flavor, it's a great way to thicken your sauce, just as you would with flour or cornstarch. The major benefit it has over those other thickeners is its great taste. If you're making a dairy-free Thanksgiving gravy, consider using nooch to give it a rich, creamy texture. Fish Sauce dried fish and bowl of fish sauce - Bigc Studio/Shutterstock Yet another fabulous fermented product that can be used to spruce up boring Thanksgiving gravy is fish sauce. If you love the salty, umami part of Worcestershire sauce, but can do without all the other flavorings, fish sauce might just be the perfect seasoning for you. That's basically what it is: Anchovies or other seafood is fermented with salt, and the liquid released during the process becomes a concentrated, ultra-flavorful sauce that can be used to add depth to all kinds of dishes. Of all of the fermented products on this list, fish sauce is the funkiest, so be aware of that element when you're adding it to your gravy. You might not want to go too overboard. Adding just the right amount, however, seasons your gravy in a unique way, adding a savory brininess to it while also amping up its umami. You may not need much or any additional salt if you're adding fish sauce, so make sure you're tasting your gravy before you sprinkle any in. Chili Paste chilies and bowl of chili paste - Daria Arnautova/Shutterstock If you're looking for a way to spice up your Thanksgiving feast, giving your gravy some heat is a great way to do it. You can turn up the volume in many different ways, from adding diced fresh peppers into your gravy recipe to tossing in a few dashes of powdered cayenne, but to give your gravy a major upgrade, stir in a spoonful or two of chili paste. The paste form melds nicely into the gravy's texture, adding richness as well as heat. There are a ton of different styles of chili paste out there, ranging in intensity and flavor profile. If you're not sure what kind you like, try a few side by side and see which one fits your palate. Gochujang is a fermented chili paste popular in Korean cuisine that pairs deep umami with spice. Harissa, used in North African cooking, can be beautifully aromatic thanks to additional spices and herbs. Then there's sambal, a tangy Indonesian chili paste made with vinegar or lime juice, and traditionally including shrimp paste. All of these pastes will bring their own fiery personality to your Thanksgiving gravy just don't add so much that you've got a five-alarm fire on your hands. Roasted Garlic ramekin of roasted garlic cloves - Debbismirnoff/Getty Images Roasted garlic can make just about anything more delicious. Luscious, nutty, and sweet, without the intense pungency of raw garlic, roasted garlic cloves spread like butter and can be easily mashed into a paste and stirred into Thanksgiving gravy, adding a rich, warming quality to the sauce. The only obstacle to including this transcendent ingredient in all things is that it takes time to make. Additionally, if you're not careful, it can easily turn out burnt, leaving you with only dried-out, blackened husks. That all changes on Thanksgiving. Since you've likely got the oven going all day, for the turkey or any number of sides or pies, there's no need to set aside an extra hour to get your garlic perfectly roasted and creamy. Even roasting multiple heads of garlic won't take up much room in a busy oven, so all you've got to do is remember to check them periodically so they don't overcook. Once the cloves are cooled and mashed, they're ready whenever you are, to add their rich, nutty goodness to the gravy. Black Garlic plates of black garlic heads and cloves - Tasukuhozumi/Getty Images Black garlic is just regular garlic that's been slowly aged in particular conditions until the cloves darken and take on new flavors. During the process, it loses its sharp pungency and becomes soft in texture, similar to roasted garlic. At the same time, it develops a unique concentrated and caramelized flavor, with a combination of sour, sweet, and savory notes. Think of a really good balsamic vinegar and you'll get an idea of the flavor. The cloves of black garlic can be mashed or pureed and easily mixed into Thanksgiving gravy, adding an extra dimension of depth and richness to the sauce. You can find black garlic in stores sold as whole heads, individual cloves, pastes, and even in dried powder form. Adding this ingredient to your gravy not only enriches and intensifies its flavor, but also gives it a gorgeous dark color that looks stunning when poured over turkey and mashed potatoes. Duck Fat jar of rendered duck fat - Y. A. Photo/Shutterstock To achieve a rich flavor and creamy texture, Thanksgiving gravy needs some kind of fat. Most recipes call for butter and/or pan drippings from the turkey, but there's another type of fat that you can use as an addition or substitute to take your gravy to the next level: Duck fat. This liquid gold brings an elegant silkiness to any sauce as well as a robust savory character that's more intense than turkey fat or butter alone. Duck fat can be purchased online or in many gourmet specialty grocery stores. You can also make your own by cooking duck skin, rendering out its loads of fat and saving it aside. Duck fat can keep for a long time up to a year if frozen, and half a year in the fridge, so it's well worth the effort if you cook a lot at home. Use it in the same way you'd use other fats in your recipe for an ultra-velvety and sophisticated gravy. Bacon cooked bacon on cutting board - Apomares/Getty Images The beauty of bacon is in its versatility. You can throw it in just about any dish for an instant flavor improvement, including your Thanksgiving gravy. Adding bacon is as easy as crumbling a slice of crispy cooked bacon and sprinkling it over the top of the sauce for a subtly tasty textural accent. Or you can pull out all of the stops and turn your gravy into an audacious bacon-delivery vessel. Both bacon fat and bacon meat can be used to transform mellow turkey gravy into an intense smoky, savory, and hearty accompaniment to your holiday fare. Simply substitute or add bacon grease wherever your recipe calls for other fats. The bacon itself is a great way to add texture if you like your gravy to have a meaty bite to it, whether you add fried-up thick-cut chunks or smaller, finer bits. To add an even more intense punch of heat and flavor, try using a peppered bacon. Mustard bowl of creamy yellow mustard - Milanfoto/Getty Images There aren't a lot of ingredients that pack as much punch into one little dollop as mustard. When added to Thanksgiving gravy, it brings a combination of pungency, acidity, and heat that can instantly turn a drab sauce into one full of festive flavor. Mustard is a versatile accompaniment that plays well with all kinds of veggies, starches, and meats, so having it in your gravy will enhance virtually any dish that's gracing your overloaded Thanksgiving dinner plate. Mustard comes in so many varieties it's impossible to go into them all, but each brings its own unique character to gravy. Classic yellow has a mild tartness, while Dijon mustard gives you much more crisp pungency. Add whole-grain mustard if you're looking to bring texture to your gravy as well as taste. Honey mustard rounds out savory gravy with its mild sweetness. Go for herbed mustard, like one with tarragon or herbes de Provence, to brighten the gravy up even more. Tomato Paste tomatoes and bowl of tomato paste - Halil ibrahim mescioglu/Shutterstock When making soups, stews, and sauces like Thanksgiving gravy, there's one ingredient that should always be at hand: Tomato paste. While it's made from tomatoes, it brings so much more to food than tomato flavor. In fact, in many instances, the foods you add it to won't end up with a discernible tomato taste at all. One thing tomatoes bring to food is umami, that somewhat nebulous taste that we recognize as deep and savory. Tomato paste is so dense it's basically concentrated umami, which is why you only need a small amount to bring a big flavor boost to gravy. Straight from the can or tube, tomato paste is already intensely flavored. Cook it down in a pan and you can concentrate it even further before adding the liquid gravy ingredients, giving you a deeply flavorful and intensely savory gravy with a touch of the tomatoes' acidity and sweetness as a backdrop. Tomato paste also adds a bit of thickness to the physical texture of the gravy, giving it a richer and lusher mouthfeel. Lemon Juice cut lemons and bowl of juice - Rez-art/Getty Images If your Thanksgiving gravy tastes flat and one-dimensional, one thing it may be lacking is acidity. Acidity adds contrast to rich foods, and brightens flavors, adding a little zip and zing to whatever it touches. You can add acidity in many forms, but one that matches up particularly well with poultry is citrus. Think about classic dishes like lemon chicken or duck a l'orange for whatever reason, these two types of foods just work well when paired together. Any citrus can be used to improve gravy, but lemon brings just the right amount of pep and a clean, fresh taste. Adding lemon juice at the beginning of simmering time will imbue the gravy with a subtle background brightness. Stirring in freshly squeezed lemon juice at the end of cooking will leave you with a much more assertive flash of acidity. You can also finely grate citrus zest and add it to gravy to intensify the lemon flavor and aroma. Liquid Smoke bowl of liquid smoke - BW Folsom/Shutterstock If you're a fan of barbecue, you've probably considered smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving. And who can blame you? There's nothing like the succulent satisfaction of a bird cooked low and slow over aromatic smoldering wood. Unfortunately, not everyone has the equipment or the prep and cook time that it takes to craft such a centerpiece for their holiday meal. For those with a hankering for smoked meat, there's an easy way to get that fix. A few drops of liquid smoke added to Thanksgiving gravy can bring a bit of the barbecue spirit to your meal. Some true barbecue aficionados may turn their noses up at this shortcut ingredient, but it does the trick. Liquid smoke is intensely concentrated, so you'll want to add only a single drop at a time and taste diligently as you go. The smoky flavor adds a whole new dimension to turkey gravy, and can also be used to give the impression of meatiness to vegan or vegetarian gravy. If you don't have a bottle of liquid smoke on hand, smoked paprika is another ingredient that can be stirred in for a similar effect. Calvados apples and glasses of calvados - barmalini/Shutterstock Many Thanksgiving gravy recipes call for the addition of an alcoholic ingredient, typically wine or Cognac. These are used to deglaze the pan, helping to dislodge and incorporate the meaty bits and drippings from the turkey. In the case of vegetarian gravies, the wine or spirit is solely used to add flavor. When these complex liquids reduce over heat, the booziness cooks away, leaving you with a deeply flavorful, concentrated base that you can't get with just plain water or stock. Now, Cognac and wine are fine options, but there's another choice that will give the perfect autumn flavors to your gravy Calvados. It's a type of brandy from the Normandy area of France, where distilled from apples and pears, unlike Cognac and other traditional brandies which are made from grapes. There are different styles of Calvados that vary based on the subregion they're made in and the ratio of pears to apples allowed in the mix, and the flavor of Calvados evolves as it ages. Look for a young Calvados for a brighter, fruitier flavor, and a longer-aged one for a nuttier, deeper-tasting spirit. The best part about making Calvados gravy is that you have the rest of the bottle to pour into glasses and enjoy with your Thanksgiving dinner. Read the original article on Daily Meal. If you're looking for a great deal on travel, shoulder season might be for you just don't forget these common mistakes. You're someone who likes to forge their own way, do their own thing, and explore the world on their own time. And that's why traveling during shoulder season is your preferred way to go. But before you jet off to your intended destination, there are a few dos and don'ts to remember about shoulder season travel. In case you're unfamiliar with the term, "shoulder season" refers to the time just before or after a destination's peak tourist period. You can also think of it literally: "Just as there's a downward dip from the top of your head to your shoulder, 'shoulder season' refers to a dip in tourism," Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going, previously shared with Travel + Leisure as a perfect analogy. During a destination's high season, hotels are hard to come by, restaurants are likely fully booked, and you can expect throngs of visitors at every major attraction. However, those same locations are often just as enjoyable in their shoulder seasons. Yes, temperatures may be slightly cooler, but avoiding the crowds is worth the extra layer. Ready to get out and explore during the shoulder season? Here are five common mistakes to avoid before you go. Sanga Park/Getty Images Not Checking When It's Actually Shoulder Season in the Destination Doing a bit of homework when planning shoulder season travel is critical. This means Googling when the shoulder season begins and ends in your preferred destination. Sometimes, it can be when you least expect it, so make sure to confirm before booking. Related: 10 Popular U.S. Destinations That Are Even Better in Shoulder Season Forgetting to Check If Everything You Want to Do Is Open Shoulder season travel certainly has its advantages, but one major downside is many hotels, restaurants, and attractions close the second the high season is over. Before booking a flight, call ahead to ensure the accommodations, restaurants, and tour operators you're interested in are open when you arrive. Not Packing for All Types of Weather It may be unseasonably warm or cool during a destination's shoulder season, so its best to keep a close eye on the weather prior to your trip and pack layers to ensure youre comfortable. (Pro tip: This goes for footwear, too, so dont forget appropriate waterproof shoes, just in case.) Thinking You'll Have the Place All to Yourself Yes, shoulder season is the best time to travel to dodge major crowds, but many popular spots are seeing their shoulder seasons shrinking. That means there will still be others who want to visit during this period. The best way to avoid even the shoulder season crowds is to book tickets to your preferred attractions and restaurants in advance. And if you can, snag the earliest possible timing. Having Unrealistic Expectations Its important to remember youre getting a great deal on shoulder season travel because its just that the shoulder season. The weather wont be at its peak, some spots may be closed, and the days could be just a bit shorter. But if you keep all of this in perspective, youll be rewarded with excellent deals and fewer crowds, while still getting to experience a glorious vacation your way. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. If fall is a transitional time, perhaps here in Southern California where the temperature stays relatively consistent, we can most clearly mark the season of change through our theme parks. Be it mazes of horror or giant Mickey-eared pumpkins, our cultural institutions are transformed for multi-month, multi-holiday extravaganzas that don't slow down until January. Read more: Every ride at Disneyland, ranked Disneyland in particular has had a rather busy few weeks, with a host of additions, tweaks and announcements, at least one of which may dictate when you choose to visit the park. And there's more to come, with the reopening of the "Swiss Family Robinson"-inspired Adventureland Treehouse also due this season. Of course, Disneyland gives and also takes away, as ending Oct. 15, with no announced return date, is the popular Magic Happens parade, a contemporary, dance-focused spin on Disney's recent animated history. To help navigate the changes and ease your planning, we've compiled some of what's new and what's coming to Disneyland this fall. Disneyland announced a new $50 ticket offer for children aged 3 to 9. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Set your alarms: A major ticket deal is coming soon Beginning Oct. 24, Disneyland has said it will start offering $50 tickets for children between the ages of 3 and 9. The "Kids' Special Ticket Offer" will allow guests to buy advance admission to visit the resort in early 2024, with dates available from Jan. 8 through March 10. There are no blackout days, but the tickets are subject to reservation availability. (After the parks reopened in 2021 from a 13-month pandemic closure, Disneyland and California Adventure Park adopted a crowd-control system that required visitors to secure reservations before entering the parks. This means, essentially, that both a ticket and a reservation are required to enter a park.) Guests will be able to add on a park-hopper option, which is typically a $65 upgrade. There is a 10-ticket limit per day for those who may be interested in wrangling a group of little ones. Disney has stated that the number of tickets offered at $50 is limited, so those interested are advised to do some advance planning and be prepared to wait in what will undoubtedly be an online queue to purchase tickets on Oct. 24. Guests can purchase up to a three-day park ticket under the offer. The deal is a welcome one, as fans have long decried what has been seen as an aggressive pricing strategy for Disneyland tickets. Park-hopper passes, which allow access to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, crossed the $200 threshold in 2020, and last year's price hike saw single-day, single-park tickets soar to as high as $179 on some days. Disneyland has striven recently to make amends. The resort this year increased the number of days that it offers its lowest entry tier of $104, which includes some midweek tickets prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. But families looking to save on a Disneyland visit may want to take part in what is one of Disneyland's friendliest promotions in recent memory, especially if they're willing to wait to visit the resort until early 2024. The French Market Cafe transforms into Tiana's Palace The colorfully muted tones of Disneyland's New Orleans Square recently received an injection of animation-ready flamboyance, as the long-standing French Market Cafe was remade into "The Princess and the Frog"-themed Tiana's Palace. It's an eye-catching makeover with vibrant shades of gold and green leading up to an almost pink-infused brick rooftop adorned with steamboat-like smokestacks. While brighter than the rest of New Orleans Square, it feels hand-drawn, with colors pulled from an animator's palate. "Whenever we change anything at Disneyland, whether it's a shop or a restaurant, we try to repaint the exterior, so our repeat demographic can tell right away that something is new here," said Kim Irvine, longtime Disneyland art director with Walt Disney Imagineering, which is the company's arm devoted to its theme parks. "We went from the soft pink that the French Market has always been to a gold and yellow with green awnings instead of rose awnings, which are definitely Tiana's colors. Adding the smokestacks and the wheelhouse to the top was no easy feat as old as these buildings are, but we knew that was going to be the signature." Read more: The scientific reason why you can't stop going to Disneyland While the restaurant is filled with references to the 2009 animated film, including ornate lily pad light fixtures and instruments from the Louis-fronted jazz band, the ultimate goal was to bring more authentic New Orleans-inspired food to the park. Tiana's Palace is largely storytelling told through cuisine, as the menu offers two types of gumbo (tip: opt for the okra and yam-infused seven greens gumbo over the more traditional offering), shrimp and grits and a muffuletta sandwich with bread driven in from New Orleans. While Disney has not stated which bakery provides the goods on the latter, it's a detail that's indicative of a restaurant that strives to up the quality of theme park quick-service eateries. "We make great sourdough," Michele Gendreau, a food and beverage director at the Disneyland Resort, said of California bakeries. "Let's keep in mind that there are places that make really great styles of bread, but we're bringing that bread in specifically from New Orleans." Staying at the Disneyland Resort? You now have more options The Disneyland Resort received some much-needed new rooms with the addition of the Villas at the Disneyland Hotel. The 12-story tower boasts 344 rooms, each lightly themed to various animation properties think murals that reference "Moana," "Frozen" or "The Jungle Book." The tower is officially part of the Disney Vacation Club timeshare-like program but is currently bookable by non-members as well. The rooms range from studios for two and four to larger villas, including multi-story rooms that can sleep up to 12. Studios typically start at about $500, with prices accelerating from there. Expect modern furnishings with a slight retro feel, and while the rooms are adorned with Disney art and understated references to the Walt Disney Co., the theming is on the restrained side. The tower also adds a pool to the hotel grounds, one that is complete with a Steamboat Willy-themed splash pad for kids. Opening soon is a poolside bar, the Palm Breeze. which will feature snacks and adult beverages. Think of it as a slightly smaller version of the Craftsman Bar over at the Grand Californian, but with an influx of new guests it should take some pressure off the always in-demand Disneyland Hotel tiki bar Trader Sam's. Also new: The Disneyland Hotel recently reopened the bar that sat outside the former Steakhouse 55 restaurant. Now dubbed the Lounge, the bar just outside of Goofy's Kitchen and near the hotel's convention center has a small menu with the likes of chicken wings, a cheeseburger, a turkey club and more, with most offerings, including cocktails, in the $20-vicinity. The space opened on the relatively down-low, but should be operational most nights at 5 p.m., serving as a low-key way to escape the parks and add a welcome elevated bar space to the resort. Don't miss this limited-time water projection show Disneyland has been getting creative while its signature nighttime show "Fantasmic!" is down for refurbishment after a recent fire took out the show's larger-than-life Maleficent dragon figure. A return for "Fantasmic!" is a ways away Disney has targeted spring 2024, but the Rivers of America haven't gone quiet. Most nights bring the spirited jazz of Queenie and the Jambalaya Jazz Band to the riverfront, and the lively brass-heavy show is refreshing and spirited. More recently, Queenie has been joined by a short but charming water projection show dubbed "The Heartbeat of New Orleans A Living Mural." The tale centers around an once-shy frog who gains confidence with the help of some firefly pals and ultimately finds strength in the power of music, specifically a hopping, trumpet-focused tune. "The Heartbreak of New Orleans" springs to life with twilight-hued colors that aim to capture the fervor of a neon-blurred night on the town scored by a triumphant but swinging band. Disney labels it an "art installation," and here's hoping for more of these one-offs, which can showcase the artistry present at the company outside of big-name intellectual property. The five-minute "Heartbeat" is the vision of Marcella "Marci" Swett, whose chalk art has appeared in Downtown Disney. It has that chalk art feel, with big, looping lines of multiple colors, all of them swirling around one another in time to music. San Fransokyo comes to life and embraces Japanese culture When Disney California Adventure first opened it was graced with a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge at its entrance. Now, a Golden Gate Bridge-inspired design has returned to the park, this one a mash-up of the San Francisco icon with traditional flourishes reminiscent of a Japanese Torii gate. The new park monument a photo-ready sight at night marks the main entryway into a dining-focused area of the park now themed to San Fransokyo Square from the animated film "Big Hero 6," which brings a lighthearted makeover to the area once known as Pacific Wharf. The latter took its inspiration from Monterey's Cannery Row, but lacked a connection to a Disney property, which marked it as an endangered species in the modern, marketing-focused theme park era in which intellectual property reigns supreme. San Fansoyko Square is unique in that there are no rides, but there is a meet-and-greet with "Big Hero 6" stars Baymax, an artificially intelligent healthcare companion, and his human boy pal Hiro. As far as huggable Disney characters go, Baymax is a winner, as the over-sized squishy-yet-firm costume lends the character a robotic feel. But like Tiana's Palace, food does the heavy lifting here. Read more: How to have the best day ever at Disneyland all by your damn self What's particularly noteworthy about San Fransokyo is the way it lovingly embraces Japanese culture, which is present in the J-Pop soundtrack, the dual language signage and, most notably, in the food. While far from an authentic cultural experience, the quick-service restaurants have been refocused. Think of it as a dining center with light cultural mash-ups such as a shrimp katsu sandwich or beef birria ramen. Split the "Japanese-style" fluffy cheesecake at Aunt Cass Cafe. Finally, a few more details emerge on Adventureland Treehouse At the time of publication, Disney hasn't announced an official reopening date for the Adventureland Treehouse, most recently themed to "Tarzan" but a Disneyland staple since 1962. Disney has said the revamp will take inspiration from the original "Swiss Family Robinson"-styled walk-through attraction, with multiple rooms and environments designed to inspire curiosity a music room, for instance, or an astronomer's loft. The house of oddities, which one enters next to a working waterwheel, is expected to nod to Disney's Society of Explorers and Adventurers, a sort of theme park universe that connects Adventureland attractions around the globe. We'll have more on the Adventureland Treehouse as it gets closer to launch. Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Mundra Port, India (Photo: Adani Ports and Logistics) Recent economic conditions and geopolitical strain have encouraged manufacturers to lessen their reliance on their Chinese factories. Many companies are exploring a China-Plus-One approach, which involves maintaining a presence in China while also expanding into other locations. India is becoming a popular destination in those expansion efforts. More and more manufacturers are expanding production to India for its cost-effective and educated workforce, its attractive government incentive programs and its massive consumer market, Dimerco Express Group said in a recent white paper exploring the logistics of manufacturing in India. Indias population and its designation as the most populous country in the world is one of its biggest advantages. The sheer number of people in India contribute to both the nations plentiful workforce and its huge consumer market. We have close to 1.24 billion people in India, and 50% of them are under the age of 25, Rajesh Srinivasan, India Country Manager of Dimerco Express Group said. People under 35 make up 65% of the overall population. India can offer an abundant skilled or semi-skilled workforce for at least the next 20-plus years. By contrast, China is one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. With current citizens growing older and the countrys historically suppressed fertility rates, companies do not have the same promise of an available labor force moving forward. China has one of the fastest-growing aging populations in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The population of people over 60 years old in China is projected to reach 28% by 2040. In addition to its young population, Indias adult literacy rate is over 80%. The country also has a high percentage of English-speaking residents, which is attractive to companies hoping to avoid communication breakdowns. Unlike a lot of Southeast Asian countries, India is also already well connected to the rest of the world. The country boasts 13 major sea ports and 34 international airports. Story continues These qualities combined with attractive government incentives are a big draw for manufacturers looking to secure a robust and promising future for their operations. This is especially true for companies working in specific tech-driven industries. The Indian government is putting big money behind its Make in India initiative, according to the Dimerco white paper. There are many government programs focused on promoting consumer electronics, semiconductor and EV manufacturers. And they are working. For example, the electronics manufacturing market in India will grow 32% yearly through 2025. (Image: Dimerco) While these opportunities are attractive for manufacturers, Dimerco warns manufacturers against trying to establish a production hub quickly at the expense of doing their due diligence. India offers a wealth of opportunities for companies, but getting started can be complicated. Indian policies and regulations especially Customs policies are more complicated and layered than those in China and much of Southeast Asia. Without solid expertise, navigating these policies and procedures can be both time-consuming and expensive. Indian Customs and duties are pretty complex compared to other countries. It can be very difficult for foreign investors to understand the processes, Srinivasan said. It is much wiser to work with a partner to help navigate the complexities of market expansion. In its white paper, Dimerco outlined a list of qualities manufacturers should look for when choosing a partner for their India expansion. Those qualities include: Knowledge of the incentive and tax deferral schemes available. Help with establishing a presence in India prior to having a legal entity there Ability to help set up a company with assistance from a certified CPA firm. Help with licensing requirements and registering with various government departments. Good understanding of Indias Customs processes and how they differ from port to port. Experience with Customs duty payment management. Fluency in your chosen language. Establishing operations [in India] can be complex. If your expansion strategy is not well planned, you risk significant delays and unhappy customers, Dimerco wrote in its white paper. So push on with your India expansion plans, but do so judiciously and with the help of a knowledgeable logistics partner that knows the market and has significant experience supporting international expansion initiatives. Dimerco prides itself on connecting Asia to the world. The company has an established presence in India and is well prepared to help companies navigate the logistics and regulatory challenges involved with an expansion into the country. Click here to learn more about Dimerco. The post India offers wealth of opportunities for manufacturers seeking to expand appeared first on FreightWaves. Adaora made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2012, heading to Australia for her rookie photoshoot. It was an experience that she thought couldnt be topped, she said. But then she got the call that she would be posing for the magazine for a second year in a row. In 13, she headed to Namibia with photographer Kayt Jones. Its really cool to be back and working with everyone, just in a different place, she said of the experience while in Southern Africa. Getting to the set of the photoshoot took a lot of travel, but Adaora was more than up for the challenge. After all, Its an adventure, she expressed. But thats what makes SI SI, right? Were always pushing the envelope a little bit and taking risks. And thats what makes it so exciting and so special. As in Australia, her risks and willingness to push the envelope more than paid off. She brought her good energy to set and took advantage of what she deemed not your average job. For Adaora, working with SI Swimsuit was challenging, unpredictable and fun. And the photos certainly told the same story. Below are six of our favorites from her adventurous trip to Namibia. Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuits portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires. Shop Now and Make a Difference Missions aren't all that impossible among the new movies streaming this week on Prime Video, Hulu and other streaming services. Some titles are newly available via digital release, so you can purchase them for a premium price, but for others, all you need is the right streaming subscription. One of the summer's biggest theatrical movies, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, finally comes to streaming. Tom Cruise doesn't hold back on the stunts, as usual. The Expendables 4 is the other action-packed new movie on PVOD, so you can get a dose of '80s action heroes doing their thing. Toss in a raunchy comedy, internet horror thriller and a legal dramedy, and there truly is something for everyone to enjoy on movie night. Here are the top new movies streaming this week. The Mill (Hulu) If you want something to thoroughly creep you out in the run-up to Halloween look no further than The Mill. This thriller opens with a businessman (Lil Rel Howery) awakening in a strange concrete prison with no idea how he got there. Soon an unknown voice informs him that he must perform physical tasks in order to stay alive, and it becomes apparent that he must find a way to escape. The situation is complicated further by the fact his wife is pregnant and he's faces against the clock to earn his freedom before the birth of his child. - Rory Mellon Stream on Hulu right now Down Low (PVOD) This outrageous and unapologetic comedy about repressed sexuality centers on Gary (Zachary Quinto), a traditional Catholic family man until he came out as gay. Shunned by his ex-wife and sons, he decides to live his new life to the fullest by hiring a sex worker to give him an erotic massage. When free-spirited and proudly out Cameron (Lukas Gage) learns how inexperienced his client is, he decides to give him a crash course on queer life. Their journey starts with hookup apps and spirals into a wild night involving nosy neighbors, threesome and the dark web. Buy digital release starting Oct. 10 Fremont (PVOD) The immigrant experience comes to life in this stark portrait of a lonely young Afghan refugee whos drifting through existence in Fremont, California. Donya (Anaita Wali Zada) is a former translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan who now writes fortunes for a fortune cookie factory. She shuttles between her job and sessions with her eccentric therapist (Gregg Turkington). Donya has a few bright spots, including a budding romantic interest (Jeremy Allen White), but she spends sleepless nights wracked with survivor's guilt over those still left behind in Kabul. Buy on Apple starting Oct. 10 Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (PVOD) Tom Cruise helped save the theatrical experience with his jet-setting adrenaline shot Top Gun: Maverick. He didnt quite pull off the same feat with Dead Reckoning (that was done by Barbie and Oppenheimer), but Cruise is still a Movie Star who puts on a good show. The latest stunt-filled extravaganza poses a new mission to super spy Ethan Hunt to track down and disable a rogue AI called the Entity. If it falls into the wrong hands, the Entity could destroy the world. Fortunately, Ethan and team Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) are on the case. Buy on Amazon or Apple starting Oct. 10 Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret (Starz) Judy Blumes novel has been a mainstay for adolescents through at least three generations thanks to the humorous, refreshingly candid coming-of-age story. The adaptation stars Abby Ryder Fortson as 11-year-old Margaret, who is uprooted from her home in New York City to move to the New Jersey suburbs. Distressed by leaving her friends, Margaret begins talking to God about her anxieties, hopes and dreams. As she acclimates to her new school and surroundings, Margaret leans on mom Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and grandmother Sylvia (Kathy Bates), both of whom are also struggling to adjust. Stream on Starz starting Oct. 11 Daliland (Hulu) The renowned, iconic artist Salvador Dali has been portrayed on screen many times. Ben Kingsley is the latest actor to take on the surrealist painter, focusing on the later years of Dalis life and marriage to wife Gala (Barbara Sukowa). Set in 1974 New York and Spain, the film is told from the perspective of a young assistant named James (Christopher Briney) who is determined to make a name in the art world. As he helps the mercurial artist prepare for a big exhibition, James has a front-row seat as Dali and Galas relationship begins to break down. Stream on Hulu starting Oct. 12 The Burial (Prime Video) Jamie Foxx looks like he's in fine form in this legal drama based on true story. Willie E. Gary is a charismatic, smooth-talking attorney who views litigation as war and hes ready go to Jean-Claude Van Damme on his opponents in court. Willie is hired by bankrupt funeral home owner Jeremiah O'Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) to sue a rival over a handshake deal gone wrong. While the suits on the other side of the table view Willie as a clown, he hasnt lost a case yet. Stream on Prime Video starting Oct. 13 Dark Harvest (PVOD) Harvest and Halloween dont make for a time of celebration in a cursed town, but rather set the stage for a brutal battle for survival. During the fall of 1963, the terrifying legend Sawtooth Jack rises from the cornfields and heads to town for a killing spree. Standing in his way are groups of 18-year-old boys, who are determined to slay the murderous scarecrow before midnight. Rebellious outcast Richie (Casey Likes) joins in, motivated by his older brothers victory the year before. But as the hunt progresses, Richie makes a shocking discovery and faces a fateful decision that could break the bloody cycle once and for all. Buy digital release starting Oct. 13 Dear David (PVOD) Buzzfeed isnt just the origin of many internet quizzes, personality tests and meme roundups now, its the inspiration for a horror flick. The story is based on the viral Twitter thread posted by Adam Ellis in 2017. In the film adaptation, Adam (Augustus Prew) is a Buzzfeed writer who illustrates his content with light-hearted comics. After he engages in an online discussion with a reader, Adam experiences increasingly malevolent occurrences that he believes are caused by a child ghost named David. Encouraged by his boss (Justin Long) to tweet the hauntings, Adam begins to lose his grip on whats real. Buy on Amazon or Apple starting Oct. 13 Expend4bles (PVOD) Nearly a decade after The Expendables 3, a follow-up finally brings back the elite mercenaries played by Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture. Theyre joined by some new friends, including Megan Fox, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, and Andy Garcia, for some big, dumb action. Their mission, which they choose to accept, is to stop the very evil arms dealer Rahmat (Iko Uwais) from acquiring nuclear detonators that could start World War III. Some twists and turns are in store for the Expendables, but nothing they cant handle with a few bazookas. Buy on Amazon or Apple starting Oct. 13 Camp Courage (Netflix) At just 31 minutes in length, Camp Courage is technically a short film rather than a traditional feature-length movie, but don't let its brevity put you off. This emotional doc follows Ukrainian refugees Milana and her grandmother Olga as they flee from the turbulence of the Russia-Ukraine War and find sanctuary in an unconventional summer camp in the Alps. Directed by Max Lowe, this doc explores courage in all its forms and explores how Milana and Olga meet even the worst situation with compassion and kindness. - Rory Mellon Stream on Netflix starting Oct. 15 More from Tom's Guide It was a painting in the lobby of a Benin hotel last year that changed the way Afrobeats star Mr Eazi thought about art. I saw this piece by (Benin-based artist) Patricorel of two skeletons sitting on a bench, the 32-year-old Nigerian music star told CNN in an interview via Zoom. For me, it was so striking because as soon as I saw it, I just knew it was about love (and the idea of) til death do us part. And I realized that visual arts could really represent the emotions in (my) songs. The encounter kickstarted a desire in Mr Eazi (born Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade) to take listeners beyond music, and create a multi-sensory experience for his next album. The result is the much anticipated 16-track The Evil Genius (out October 27) on which each song is accompanied by a specially commissioned piece of art. The works will also be exhibited in galleries internationally in Accra, Lagos, London (where they will be displayed as part of a listening experience the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair between October 1215) and in New York. "Legalize" by Benin-based artist Patricorel. - Courtesy the artist Fusing influences is something Mr Eazi who is known as the creator of Banku Music (a combination of Ghanaian and Nigerian sounds and culture) has made his calling card. The Evil Genius is a pan-African project, he said, written over two years and recorded in Ghana, Nigeria, Benin and Rwanda, as well as the US and UK. The artwork, too, is drawn from across the continent: with contributions from 13 visual artists from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Benin to Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal and Kenya. The Evil Genius is Mr Eazis most personal album yet, he told CNN, exploring themes of success, fear, family, religion and relationships as well as his battle to come to terms with other peoples interpretations of him. I realised that I had an obsession not with who I think I am internally, but who other people think I am, he explained. It was at the point where it was like a prison. I just couldnt sustain it. Taking that pressure and turning it into introspection, the album is both a newly personal portrait of a man defining who he is in real time, and a reintroduction of sorts to the groundbreaking vocalist who has collaborated with the likes of Beyonce and Reggaeton star J Balvin over the last decade. Tammy Sinclair's string art piece for the album's opening track OLUWA JO, took nearly a month to create. - Courtesy the artist Take the albums opening song, OLUWA JO, which sets the tone for the project both aesthetically and sonically, starting with a pleading prayer and an equally visceral visual by Nigerian artist Tammy Sinclair. I have all these blessings but Im also scared, Eazi explained of the music. That song is the first time I actually communicate that Im scared of losing it all. I say in the chorus (in Yoruba, one of the three main languages spoken in Nigeria) come lift me up, God, dont let me fall. Sinclairs artwork an embroidered portrait of a man with his head raised to the skies, light rays beaming from within him as cherubs look on in the background captures that sense of divine surrender. Using a style known as string art, the image is shaped through a collection of yarn and thread lines and took a month to create. Kenyan artist Alpha ODG's 2023 work "Advice" was created after listening to the single on repeat for a week. - Courtesy the artist I listened to (the song) over and over for a couple of days, said Sinclair of their process in an interview with CNN. I drew inspiration from his emotions and of course, the lyrics and an image flashed in my head. I wanted to evoke hope, honesty and fear. On another track, Mandela, the Togolese artist Foli Kossi Gerard Tete (known as Tesprit) worked with materials mostly the soles of salvaged flip flops discarded in landfills in Togos capital city of Lome to create a 3D sculpture of a young son perched on his fathers lap. I speak about the sacrifices (made by) my dad that have brought me to this point, Mr Eazi says of Mandela. My dad prayed for me, he fought battles for me so that I wouldnt get into trouble The lyrics provided inspiration for Tesprit to create his own intimate portrait of fatherhood. I was moved by Mr Eazis story and his relationship with his father, he told CNN. My artwork symbolizes protection The presence of a cross in the artwork (represents) faith, dreams and a hope for a better life. Tesprit worked with the soles of flip flops salvaged from landfill to create a 3D sculpture depicting fatherhood to complement Mr Eazi's song 'Mandela." - Courtesy the artist The process of piecing together the project has been an exhilarating one for Mr Eazi, who sourced artists by way of personal relationships as well as via social media and at art fairs in cities like Cape Town, South Africa. But, he admits, he is still getting to grips with the art world. I interacted with art in a way where there was no boundary, he said. I just saw the art and it spoke to me. Bringing these two worlds together is introducing art to people like myself, who thought it was just for bougie people. Were dropping the barriers (to) consumption. And as the profile of African creativity continues to soar in the global sphere with the rise of genres like African pop, R&B, Afrobeats and dance genres such as amapiano, African artists are in a better position than ever to reclaim their own image. One of the most exciting things for me is that art represents an opportunity to discover people without a pre-bias its exerting soft power, said Mr Eazi. Were defining ourselves through these mediums that are free; theres no judgment in art. And theres a repositioning and a boldness that its bringing and economic freedom, a lot of people are moving out of poverty by their (own) hands and by their creativity. Elangwe Sesse's piece titled "The Way I See It." - Courtesy the artist And the possibilities for collaborations across mediums to maximize reach and impact are proving to be endless. Its an ecosystem, Mr Eazi summarises. African music should be in African film and African art with African music Thats culture, thats the flood. Hitting people in life with unabashed, undiluted Africanness and pride and thats what excites me about this collaboration. Mr Eazis album The Evil Genius will be released on 27 October. The art and music experience will be on display at 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 at Somerset House, London from 12 - 15 October. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Better Cotton and the Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) renewed their strategic partnership at a meeting last week in Cairo. Hosted by Better Cotton, the worlds largest sustainability initiative, and CEA, the event brought the two groups together with Better Cottons Egyptian program partners, Alkan, El Ekhlas and Modern Nile, and a number of retailers and brand members in addition to some members suppliers. More from Sourcing Journal The two partners restated their commitment to enhancing the yields and sustainability credentials of Egyptian cotton, while discussing what is required to increase the uptake of more sustainable cotton sourced from within the country. They also pledged to ensure fair working conditions for farmers and laborers. Rachel Beckett, Better Cotton senior program manager, said the event provided a moment to reflect on the progress Better Cotton and CEA have made through the partnership so far and what potential it has going forward. It provided the opportunity for direct dialogue between Better Cotton producers, supply chain actors and key stakeholders from the British retail industry, she said. It is anticipated that it will result in increased demand for more sustainably produced Egyptian cotton. Invited guests also saw a demonstration by farmers of sustainable agricultural practices at a Better Cotton licensed farm in Kafr El Saad, in the northern region of the country. Better Cotton members and guests were able to engage with the farmers and workers, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in sustainable farming. Khaled Schuman, CEA executive director, noted that the occasion was a fruitful event celebrating the years of dedication, collaboration and hard work that brought sustainable cotton to where it is today. The great interest shown by retailersand the support we have from all stakeholders in attendancewill pave the way for more access, more production of Egyptian sustainable cotton with Better Cottons standards, and more uptake from retailers, he said. Better Cotton has 2.2 million licensed farmers in 26 countries around the world. Over the course of the 2020-2021 season, licensed farmers grew 4.7 million metric tons of cotton, accounting for 20 percent of global cotton production. In Egypt alone, the 3,589 licensed farmers there grew some 2,413 metric tons of the fiber under the organizations guidelines in the 2021-22 season. Click here to read the full article. A brand tried to make its cleaning products more sustainable. They wound up looking like soda cans. A toxicologist called out the design of a cleaning product for looking like a can of soda. The post went viral, with many agreeing that sustainability isn't worth the risk of poisoning. The company defended the product and said it is prominently labeled with warnings. A cleaning company has packaged some of its products in aluminum cans to make them better for the environment. But experts say it's dangerous because it could easily be confused with a can of soda. Puracy's "Clean Can" is a line of cleaning products, including hand soap, dish soap, and stain remover, that are packaged in recyclable aluminum cans. On its website, the company emphasizes the environmental benefits of using aluminum cans, stating that they are more recyclable and weigh less than single-use plastic bottles. But on October 8, Josh Trebach, an emergency physician and medical toxicologist in Iowa, called out the design in a post on X (formerly Twitter), and suggested that the potential health repercussions of a cleaning product looking like a soda can may outweigh the environmental benefits. "It is incredibly stupid to put cleaning supplies in a soda pop can," he wrote. The post went viral, and has over 1.8 million views and thousands of reposts. Many people quoted his post and added that they too would be concerned that it could be confused with a drink, especially as one of the products is "green tea and lime" scented. A spokesperson from Puracy told Insider that the can is designed with "protective measures," including a "noticeable, extra strength sticker" over the top of the can that reads "DO NOT DRINK" that must be removed before the can is opened. They also said that the top of the can is "prominently labeled" in red with another warning that reads, "DO NOT DRINK." However, Trebach does not think that these measures are enough. "Even if you have a disclaimer on there saying 'do not drink,' English is not a primary language for everyone," he told Insider. "Let's also not forget about kids who are not of reading age and won't be able to appreciate the warning labels." Kaitlyn Brown, a pharmacist and clinical toxicologist who works as the clinical managing director at the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), told Insider that it is important that products do not look like common food or beverage packaging. "Products that mimic food or beverage products pose risk to individuals of all ages," she said. Puracy isn't the only brand that has been criticized for making its packaging look like soft drinks. In one reply, a user wrote that products by household care company Fabuloso looked similar to juice, and that they always pointed them out to their young children as "poison" in case they encountered the product in someone else's home. According to Healthline, household soaps especially those not intended for use on the body can be poisonous and result in life-threatening symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues and a rapid drop in blood pressure. Citizens concerned about potential poisoning are advised to call the Poison Control Center 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222. Read the original article on Insider From squiggly furniture to blob-shaped rugs, its clear that curves are making a comeback in design. Bubble houses in particular have been, and continue to be, a fascination when it comes to architecture. The amorphous structures are instantly eye-catchingand have caught attention across the world since their inception in the 1940s. Curious to know more? Read on to learn more about the history of this fun architectural style, how bubble homes are made, and the famous ones that still exist today. FRED TANNEAU / Getty Images The History of Bubble Houses Bubble homes, also known as airform homes, were first invented by California architect Wallace Neff. After designing homes for the Hollywood elite, he sought a more affordable housing option during the post-war housing shortage. So, in 1944, the first bubble home came to be. Neff used a technique called airformwhich made it possible to construct the homes quickly; in fact, in just 48 hours. Its safe to say bubble homes were part of the modernist movement, which occurred from the 1930s to the 1960s in the United States. The era was defined by the abandonment of overly lavish interiors, emphasizing the functionality of design. Bubble homes fit the bill: they were inexpensive to build since they involved minimal construction and they were made of gunite, a material that could theoretically last for decades since it is twice as strong as concrete. The idea of bubble houses started to grow in popularity and eventually made its way overseas in later decadeswith notable homes built in France, Austria, and the Netherlands by various designers. Eric Robert / Getty Images Key Features of Bubble Houses Bubble houses were initially made through a process called airform. Using this technique, builders pour concrete into a circular disk to act as the homes foundation. Then, a dome-shaped balloon is inflated on top of it. Gunite, a mixture of water and dry cement, is poured on top of the balloon, which is later deflated once the gunite is dried. The result? Blob-shaped homes that are made in lightning-quick time. Today, bubble homes dont necessarily have to be constructed through this process. They refer to any home that has an amorphous, blob-like shape. Some are still made through airform, while other modern versions are simply inspired by the geodesic structure. Typically, bubble houses have a dome-like shape with no vertical or horizontal walls. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Bubble Houses Today & Notable Buildings Theres certainly a renewed interest in bubble homes with the proliferation of curves in the design zeitgeist. However, the viral interest isnt likely to make its way into mundane reality, as bubble homes dont make for the best living quarters. Because of the lack of straight walls, homeowners found it challenging to furnish the homes and carve out private spaces when they were initially constructed. Many of Neffs original bubble houses have been torn down as a result. However, the bubble home he lived in until his passing in Pasadena, California still exists. Still, the impact of bubble homes in media and more creative global architecture persists. Barbies Dreamhouse and the dome-topped mansion in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery are prime examples of bubble houses influence on the idea of futuristic architecture. Plus, several notable bubble houses across the world existand continue to be built. The expansive Palais Bulles in France is one of the most famous, built for Pierre Bernard in 1984 as a way for the round structure to allow the bodies and ideas inside it to similarly flow freely. The experimental Bolwoningen houses in the Netherlands and the colorful Flintstone House in California also stand today, both built around the 1970s. The prolific homes continue to attract eyes and visitors to their premises year-round. Most recently, the Sphere at the Venetian in Las Vegas was constructeda massive ball-shaped building wrapped in video screens, so that it can look like a planet or even a giant eyeball. These ever-evolving forms of bubble houses are proof that the architectural style isnt going anywherea testament to Neffs revolutionary design style and the power of curves. Read the original article on The Spruce. In a city like New Orleans, renowned for food and hospitality, the 130-year-long legacy of Commander's Palace stands apart from the rest. The restaurant's aqua-blue striped awning and turrets might be enough to draw your attention to the historic landmark, but the roll call of influential chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Paul Prudhomme , and now Meg Bickford has brought national attention to this must-visit NOLA location and its innovative take on Creole-Cajun cuisine. It's fair to say the Commander's Palace shaped the direction of New Haute Creole food while maintaining the gracious service and traditional recipes customers expect at this family-run institution. A visit to Commander's Palace begins with their modern online reservation system, though diners are encouraged to call in for special requests, where, according to co-owner Ti Martin, daughter of legendary proprietor Ella Brennan , you will speak to "an actual human on the phone like Jimmy Boudreaux who truly cares about your special requests." She told Tasting Table, "We believe in the entirety of the guest's experience," which starts from the moment you reserve your table. Martin ensures the staff has "a fanatical commitment to the consistent execution of the fundamentals," things like an elegant place setting on the table when you are seated, attentive service, and a world-class menu that has put Commander's Palace at the top of the awards lists year after year. Read more: 15 Different Ways To Cook Fish From Past To Present Ti Martin and Meg Bickford - Commander's Palace Emile Commander opened his namesake saloon in 1893, and over the years, the site belonged to several families who grew the restaurant business while also living there. The current incarnation of Commander's Palace began when the Brennan family purchased the restaurant in 1969. Large windows on the street were added, along with the famous Commander Blue exterior, and the interior was transformed into the elegant, starched white tablecloth experience that you'll find today. Family matriarch Ella Brennan is recognized as the creative force that drove the restaurant to prominence. She was awarded the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award for her success at the restaurant and influence on the New Orleans dining scene. Miss Ella, as she was known, shaped the restaurant as well as the careers of a succession of chefs, beginning with the legendary Paul Prudhomme. The family legacy continues with Brennan's daughter Ti Adelaide Martin and niece Lally Brennan at the helm. Martin says, "Commander's retains its long-established focus on developing talent, striving for excellence, and never standing still." That's evident when you step into the restaurant today. Don't Miss Dining At Commander's crawfish cracked pepper linguini - Commander's Palace Don't let the elegant formality fool you, there's plenty of fun and celebration happening in the Commander's dining rooms. From weekend jazz brunches and wine-tasting events to private celebrations, the restaurant is buzzing with the unique energy of New Orleans. After all, Miss Ella's memoir is subtitled "I don't want a restaurant where a jazz band can't come marching through!" You'll find the spirit of Mardi Gras mingled with traditional hospitality and fine dining when you visit. The menu is sprinkled with old favorites that have been served since the restaurant's opening, like turtle soup with sherry, Creole gumbo, and the palace's renowned bread pudding souffle, along with chef Meg Bickford's innovative "Playground" menu featuring local Louisiana products like wild white shrimp and quail. Bickford says "I want us to honor our roots, but that doesn't mean we need to be constrained by them." She reminds us that New Orleans is not one style of cooking it's Creole, Cajun, and today it's also "home to a vibrant community of Honduran-Americans, Vietnamese-Americans, and more. We aim to celebrate the New Orleans of today just as much as our roots." Whether you stop in for jazz brunch, a celebration dinner, or just a drink, you'll find the spirit of Miss Ella and her family welcoming you to the table, and that's not an experience you'd want to miss! Read the original article on Tasting Table. Getty You can do it, Mom, shouted my daughter, Malu, 21, as I hung from a zipline that would take me into the clouds far below. We were in Monteverde, the second leg of my family's eight-day-trip through Costa Rica. It was to celebrate Malus graduation from college, but really, it was to breach the slammed phones and strained silences that had become a feature of our mother-daughter relationship. During her time home during COVID-19, I found myself turning into a passive-aggressive shrew, dumping my neurosis and expectations on Malu. A civilized conversation felt far away. So, when my husband, Ram, suggested Costa Rica as a post-graduation family trip, we had jumped at the chancefor different reasons. Malu figured that an active trip would foster little or no conversationI knew my daughter, and thought long hikesand adrenaline-pumping ziplineswould help us connect. I surely hoped it would. Zip Line Malena Barrios/Getty Our itinerary was tight. We would fly into San Jose, the capital, rent a car, and drive the La Fortuna region where the dormant Arenal volcano loomed over the landscape like a benevolent pyramid. From there it would be onward to Monteverde, one of the last remaining cloud forests in the world. Finally we'd head to Jaco beach, beloved to surfers, before flying home to San Francisco. My husband and I live in Bangalore, India, most of the time, while our daughters live in CaliforniaMalu in Los Angeles, and our eldest, Ranju, in San Franciscobut the latter is a second home base for us, where we keep a one-bedroom place. Malu and I largely crafted the itinerarywhile my husband and Ranju came along for the ride. Malu wanted to see sloth bears, the national symbol, and howler monkeys. I wanted to see the resplendent quetzalvenerated by the Aztecsand hummingbirds. But what really drove our familys decision was Malus research on climate change. Costa Rica has been lauded by watchdog agencies as being on track to be carbon neutral by 2050, doing better than most countries including the US and Germany. Through many conversationsMalu in the US and me in Indiawe chose activities and hotels. Trip planning, I discovered, was a non-threatening way to engage with my daughter, especially if I let her take the lead. The night we arrived in Costa Rica, we witnessed an array of wlidlife at Mistico Park in La Fortuna: bright yellow frogs, an emerald basilisk lizard, more butterflies than we could count, snakes coiled up inside rocky outcrops, and the national bird, the clay-colored thrush, whose lilting song heralds the coffee-picking season. It's true what they say, about being out in nature. We were agog at what we saw; I could feeling my blood pressure drop and Malus shoulders soften. Out in the wilderness, we playfully side-bumped each other like we used to when she was little. On day two, we went rafting on the Balsa river. Our guide, Orlandotall, lithe, and funnyliterally had our girls eating off his hands by the end of our three-hour trip. As some 60 tourists pulled their rafts on the bank, the guides laid out a melange of fruits on top of an overturned inflatable. Orlando handed us cut oranges, cantaloupe, and mangos. We tore into them with our bare hands, then threw the peels into the fast-flowing water. No plates, plastic, or paper. Ticos tread lightly on the Earth, murmured Malu, using the nickname Costa Ricans have for each other. As I watched Malu in various settings: enraptured by the sloth bears, her mouth open as she looked through the spotting scope, delicately picking through new tastes and flavors, questioning guides about conservation and history, I caught myself smiling and sighing at the same time. A large part of parenting grown-up children is matching reality with nostalgia. In Costa Rica, freed from our roles, I could observe them without the usual judgement that I foisted as a parent. Monteverde was cooler than La Fortuna. On our first hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, our guide pointed out tiny wild avocados that bell birds pollinated. And then suddenly, as birds do, a three-wattled bell bird appeared high up on the trees, surreal and otherworldly. It's beautiful, muttered Malu, enraptured. I hugged her. Isn't it? I said, hoping, maybe, she'd one day become a birder like me. sandy volcano, rich coast Getty I know that engineering quality time is a fools errand. Connection and memories happen during unexpected, snatched moments: a hug while facing a volcano, or an eye-lock in the midst of a rapid. But it doesn't hurt to create the conditions for them. We were due to go ziplining the next day at Sky Adventures parkwhere, to my luck, there was a supposed to be a quetzal nest. Over 50 percent of Costa Rica is returned to nature, said our ziplining guide. The official figure is 25 to 30 percent but even commercial reserves like this one leave large parts of the land untouched. Ziplining above a cloud forest is, theoretically, not as scary as ziplining over a canyon because of the dense forest cover below. If I fell, the trees would catch me, I told myself. But on the last, longest zipline, both girls took my hand, their eyes worried. As I strapped up, Malu high-fived me. You can do it, Mom, she said, before I took off. I didn't see the bird that daybut I did manage to slip out the next morning while the girls slept in, and after scarlet-thighed dacnis, guans, and yes, lots of hummingbirds, I finally got my quetzal: two, actually, a glimmering emerald green female, and a transfixing male. All too soon, it was time to go home. As a family, I realize we have been fortunate enough to take good trips together. Morocco was one; New Zealand, another. Costa Rica, I have a feeling, will be among the top three. It was for me. As a mother to two strong-willed fiercely independent girls, I walk the line between pride and sorrow. The geographical distance is hard, and I miss their dependence on me. Costa Rica helped me change my perspective: they werent slipping away; they were forging ahead. Sometimes I'll be there, and sometimes I won't. As I watched them move gracefully in the forest, giggle with each other, and peruse menus, I realized that trips together would have to be the way that we overcome the continental separation that I feel acutely and daily. Costa Rica connected us in the way that a trip in a new land does. You are all in it togetheras a family. Yes, my girls were all grown up. But they were still mine. As Malu said on the last day, Ma, we arent children any more but we are still your kids. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler Authentic Texas chili is one of the most famous iterations of chili, and fans of the dish know that real Texas chili isn't filled with beans and tomatoes. Even celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain believed that rice and beans did not belong in chili. The star of authentic Texas chili is the meat and the namesake ingredient: the chile pepper. Texas food historian Rob Walsh told Texas Monthly that the origins of Texas Chili most likely came from the San Antonio Canary Island population, which included a group of women known as the Chili Queens. These women would come together to serve an array of dishes including enchiladas, tamales, and, of course, chili con carne. Chili con carne would be served to the military members stationed around San Antonio but could also be found at chili stands and in the homes of San Antonio residents. This version of Chili was a slow-cooked stew of finely chopped or ground meat, garlic, cumin, onion, and chile peppers no beans or tomatoes to be found. As non-residents traveled through Texas, word spread of this unique and spicy dish. In different regions of Texas, cooks began making chili with different spicy peppers that were local to them. Most food historians agree that chili really took off in the 1880s with the completion of railroads connecting different parts of Texas. Read more: Tips You Need When Cooking With Ground Beef Key Ingredients Of Texas Chili basket of dried chiles - Stefan Tomic/Getty Images Real Texas chili has more of a stew texture than the liquid broth we might think of today. This thicker texture comes from a chili-pepper paste that gives the dish its signature spice. This pepper paste can consist of ancho peppers, pasilla peppers, hatch chiles, jalapenos, guajillo chiles, and really any other pepper or chile that could be grown in Texas. These chiles would often be dried and rehydrated with water and blended or pounded to make the paste. Today, the most common meat used for chili across the U.S. is ground beef, but traditionally, chuck roast or even short ribs would be used as the meat. The meat would be cut into cubes that would become melt-in-your-mouth tender over time. Chili was an easy way to use those tougher cuts of meat since they would have the opportunity to cook down over time. Masa Harina, a type of corn flour that's made from corn soaked in lime, is used as a thickening agent for the stew and brings a subtle acidic flavor to the dish. Chili was meant to be a hearty meal that would keep for several days and feed a large amount of people. The traditional version of Texas chili highlights these original qualities. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Bright red and yellow colors of the annular solar eclipse occurs on January 15, 2010 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China. A partial solar eclipse will be visible across most of the Americas on Saturday, Oct. 14, when the moon will block up to 90% of the sun, depending on the viewer's location. For some, the view will include a rare "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse . It will be the first solar eclipse visible in North America since June 10, 2021 , when a "ring of fire" was visible in Canada and a huge partial solar eclipse was seen in the U.S. Northeast. Only Alaska and the southern tip of South America will miss out on seeing some kind of partial solar eclipse, though exactly how much of the sun is obscured by the moon depends on a location's proximity to a 125-mile-wide (200 kilometers) path. Viewers inside that path will see an annular solar eclipse, during which a halo of sunlight will be visible around the new moon. The path will travel partially or entirely through southern Oregon, northeastern California, northern Nevada, southwestern Idaho, Utah, southwestern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The "ring of fire" will also be seen in parts of Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia and Brazil. "Over 6 and a half million people live in this path of annularity, and there's another 68 million people who live within 200 miles [320 km] of the path," Alex Lockwood, strategic content and integration lead for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said at a NASA news conference on Sept. 26. "But everyone in the entire contiguous United States can witness a partial solar eclipse." Related: Where to buy solar eclipse glasses before the Oct. 14 'ring of fire' eclipse A map showing where the Moon's shadow will cross the U.S. during the 2023 annular solar eclipse and 2024 total solar eclipses. This month's event will be the first annular solar eclipse to cross the U.S. since May 20, 2012, according to timeanddate.com, where you can see a schedule of eclipse viewing times for any location. At no point will the sun be completely blocked by the moon, so all viewers must use safe solar viewing glasses throughout the entire event, according to NASA. "We're encouraging folks to go out there and observe safely, making sure that you have ISO[International Organization for Standardization]-certified glasses," said Kelly Korreck, eclipse program manager at NASA headquarters. The American Astronomical Society keeps a list of suppliers of safe solar filters and viewers that comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard and many of them still have supplies in stock for the weekends event. If you can't find a pair of eclipse glasses in time, other safe ways of viewing the eclipse indirectly include making your own pinhole eclipse viewer out of household materials (you can follow this simple step-by-step guide), casting the eclipse's shadow through the holes of a kitchen colander, or reflecting the sun's light off of a disco ball onto a nearby wall or floor. RELATED STORIES Where to buy solar eclipse glasses before the Oct. 14 'ring of fire' eclipse Astronomers want you to watch the Oct. 14 'ring of fire' eclipse with a disco ball. No, seriously. 'Ring of fire' solar eclipse 2023: How to watch in-person (and virtually) If you can't make it outside at all, NASA will broadcast the eclipse live online from 11:30 a.m. through 1:15 p.m. EDT from both Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Kerrville, Texas. Although some kind of partial solar eclipse occurs on Earth once every six months, the moon's position and distance determine what kind. On Oct. 14, the new moon will be close to apogee, its farthest point from Earth during its slightly elliptical monthly orbit. Generally speaking the aim of active stock picking is to find companies that provide returns that are superior to the market average. And in our experience, buying the right stocks can give your wealth a significant boost. For example, long term Ta Ann Holdings Berhad (KLSE:TAANN) shareholders have enjoyed a 33% share price rise over the last half decade, well in excess of the market decline of around 9.7% (not including dividends). On the other hand, the more recent gains haven't been so impressive, with shareholders gaining just 5.1% , including dividends . So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns. Check out our latest analysis for Ta Ann Holdings Berhad To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During five years of share price growth, Ta Ann Holdings Berhad achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 30% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 6% average annual increase in the share price. So one could conclude that the broader market has become more cautious towards the stock. This cautious sentiment is reflected in its (fairly low) P/E ratio of 7.12. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We know that Ta Ann Holdings Berhad has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? You can see how its balance sheet has strengthened (or weakened) over time in this free interactive graphic. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Ta Ann Holdings Berhad the TSR over the last 5 years was 83%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective Ta Ann Holdings Berhad shareholders gained a total return of 5.1% during the year. But that return falls short of the market. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 13% over five years. Maybe the share price is just taking a breather while the business executes on its growth strategy. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks, for example - Ta Ann Holdings Berhad has 3 warning signs (and 1 which can't be ignored) we think you should know about. Of course Ta Ann Holdings Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. It's getting harder to grow coffee, tea, and grapes for wine on a hotter planet - and now researchers say, climate change may be coming for your IPA. A new study out Tuesday found drought and higher temperatures will lead to a decrease in the quality and quantity of hops, the aromatic plants that give beer its flavor. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. By 2050 in Europe, the research projects, yields for traditional aroma hops will drop by 4 to 18 percent. Production of hop acids, which are key for flavoring, will fall by 20 to 31 percent. Hop growers are already seeing the impacts. "Over the past number of decades we can see a decrease of hop quality," said Miroslav Trnka at the Czech Academy of Sciences, one of the researchers of the new paper, which was published in the journal Nature Communications. "I'm sure we can find a way to grow hops that, in the future, can withstand these conditions," he said. But, he added, "You cannot wait until the industry collapses." - - - A delicate flower Hops present more challenges for adaptation than wheat or barley because they're a trickier crop. "If you look at the map and where the hop growing regions are, you'll see them in a fairly narrow band of latitude," said Chuck Skypeck with the Brewers Association in the United States. "They're very light sensitive." Hops need long days of sunlight during the growing season. Then, they need a couple months of colder temperatures and shorter days to flower and produce the part of the plants used in beer brewing. That's why hops are normally grown in a narrow range of higher latitudes like in central Europe and the Pacific Northwest. As climate change makes it harder to grow crops in Europe, there's been an explosion in demand for hops from breweries adapting to changing palettes. In recent years, a booming craft beer industry has meant increasing demand for high-quality hops to make IPAs and hoppy lagers. "Craft brewers love hops with their IPAs," Skypeck said. "We've subsequently seen nascent hop growing areas really struggle because they're not meeting those conditions." In the United States, hops are grown largely in the Yakima Valley, where humidity is low and conditions are ripe for the finicky plant. These are different conditions than Europe - and there's more infrastructure for irrigation because it's a region that's accustomed to dealing with little rainfall. But U.S. hop-growers have had a couple of tough summers, too. - - - Adapting to a new normal For the Carlsberg Group in Copenhagen, experimentation and adaptation isn't new - but there is a new sense of urgency. Though the brewing company gave up hop breeding shortly after World War II, they've reinvested in this research in the past few years. Part of the project has been to sequence the full hop genome to better understand how the crop could be adapted to be more resilient under new climate conditions. "It's going to be difficult," said Birgitte Skadhauge, head of the Carlsberg Research Laboratory and a professor at Copenhagen University. "It is really science and innovation that have to help us to really come up with some of the new big breakthroughs and revolutions to cope with this very extreme weather." She suggests it could be possible to breed hops to be heat tolerant or drought tolerant. "Genes can help us to make even more robust plants," she said. It's difficult to say exactly how these challenges for hop-growers will be passed along to consumers. The changing quality and quantity of hops could affect the taste of your favorite beer - or it could just make it more expensive, if brewers need to use more hops to achieve the same flavor. "I would be surprised if we find a silver bullet solution because the changes are really complex," Trnka said. Still, he feels optimistic about the prospects for adaptation in European hop-growing. Perhaps the more challenging part of the equation is limiting global warming. "Adaptation is possible, but only if you keep warming to a reasonable level," said Trnka. Related Content Florida approved an SAT alternative, but experts say the test is unproven Scenes from a massacre: Inside an Israeli town destroyed by Hamas Haley is rising in New Hampshire. But toppling Trump is a tall order. Visit any Filipino restaurant, and you will see that the food culture of the Philippines entails an appreciation of community and flavorful cuisine. Those values are especially apparent in one of the nation's great traditions, the boodle fight." However, this is no ordinary fight. It's a relaxed, celebratory meal that channels cultural history from pre-colonial Filipino cuisine to the present. The boodle fight combines delicious food and fun. A "boodle fight" involves a massive spread of culinary delights beautifully displayed on a table laden with one of nature's most versatile cooking tools, banana leaves. The approach and presentation hearken back to Filipino native traditions. Before the arrival of Spanish colonizers, Filipinos did not use eating utensils. The boodle fight embraces that approach with gusto. A boodle fight may also be called a "kamayan," a Tagalog word meaning "eating with the hands." In a typical boodle fight, rice is placed in the center of the table, with meat and other dishes on top or next to it. Read more: The Most Useless Cooking Utensils, According To Chefs The Boodle Fight Meal Plan Filipino dishes on plates - Jordi Calvera/Shutterstock For a typical Boodle Fight, you'll need a long table with space for each guest. You won't need chairs, though, since the meal is usually consumed standing up. The table needs no cloth or placemats, just banana leaves to add a decorative element. The leaves are essential to authenticity and also make for easy cleanup. The main dishes are usually grilled or fried, making them easier to eat with your hands. Saucy meats are kept to a minimum since they make the process messier (you can always add sauces on the side). Aside from avoiding dishes that pose practical challenges, the sky is the limit. Favorite Filipino dishes, like pork belly (lechon) and chicken inasal, are generally featured. Filipino-style spring rolls, known as lumpia, are often included with the fried foods. While plain white rice is common, garlic rice (sinangag) and fried rice may also be incorporated. Vegetables, salads, or pickles are usually available to balance the meal. Fresh fruit, including mango and dragonfruit, and small desserts often grace the table, adding to the visual appeal of the spread. Utensils Not Required People setting a table with banana leaves - Alex Liew/Getty Images Any tasty Filipino fare is welcome at a kamayan. The whole point is to pile it on and dig in deep with your hands. Traditional kamayan-style eating has a ritualized aspect. Food is generally picked up with one hand, and the rice is used to envelope smaller pieces of food, which are then brought to the mouth. Before Spanish and American colonization, eating with the hands was standard in the island nation. Although flatware such as forks, knives, and chopsticks are now common in the Philippines, most Filipinos prefer to use spoons whenever they can. Cutlery was introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century, but the use of "kubyertos" (the Tagalog translation of the Spanish word "cubiertos") remained limited to formal dining and entertaining. However, when the U.S. took control of the islands in 1898, that changed. Americans sought to export Western dining etiquette to the country, including the strict use of flatware, transforming the way many Filipinos ate. Still, kamayan remained an important part of the culture. The Military Connection members of the Filipino military - Claudinevm/Getty Images While the boodle fight has its roots in tradition, we can thank the Philippines' military for the current format. There is some confusion about where the word "boodle" came from. The Kamalayan Facebook page asserts that while boodle fights harken back to pre-colonial ways of eating, the term was "devised by Philippine Military Academy cadets, and does not represent authentic Philippine culture, but instead symbolizes fraternity among PMA members by their sharing the same food regardless of rank. The term is taken from pre-World War II West Point slang meaning 'any party at which boodle (candy, cake, ice cream, etc.) is served.'" In a boodle fight, a long table would be piled high with vast quantities of food supplied for hungry soldiers, who would go to town on the vittles, with everyone vying to out-consume the next guy. That also explains the competitive nature of a Boodle, which is somewhat reminiscent of a mess hall, with every diner trying to eat more than their neighbor. Even civilians should come hungry and prepared to try to hold their own. Plus, trying to eat as much as possible has the added benefit of getting people used to eating with their hands. You Can Probably Find A Boodle Fight Near You Boodle Fight table - Bill Roque/Shutterstock Boodle fights have become increasingly popular in the U.S. and other regions with sizable Filipino populations. They have been cropping up at Filipino restaurants worldwide (though many prefer the term "kamayan," as it avoids military connotations). Many Filipino eateries integrate kamayans into their regular menus, and pop-up boodle fights are becoming more common. They are wonderfully nostalgic events for Filipinos who grew up with the tradition and a wonderful way for Pinoys to connect with their history. For newcomers to Filipino food, they provide a unique culinary experience and a glimpse into the cultural importance of sharing food and company without too much fuss. Boodle fights are getting easier to find wherever you live. Restaurants featuring Boodle Fights include Los Angeles' Big Boi and LA Rose; San Diego's Villa Manila; Abaca and Pampanguena Cuisine in San Francisco; Kubo and Sandok n Palayok in Chicago; Philadelphia's Perla; Bonifacio in Columbus, Ohio; Fi'co and Filipino Flavorz in Jersey City; and New York City's Mama Fina's. Pop-ups are organized by both caterers and restaurants, like A Taste of Both Worlds in Urbana, Illinois. Read the original article on Mashed. A spooky image of a mushroom, a beached orca taking its final breaths, and a pair of Nubian ibex battling on a clifftop are among the winning images of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 competition. This years grand title was awarded to French underwater photographer and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta, for a luminescent image of a horseshoe crab on the seafloor, with three golden trevally fish swimming above its back. Its the second time Ballesta has won the honor: in 2021, his shot of camouflage groupers in a milky cloud of eggs and sperm took home the top prize. To see a horseshoe crab so vibrantly alive in its natural habitat, in such a hauntingly beautiful way, was astonishing, said chair of the jury and editor Kathy Moran in a statement. The species is older than dinosaurs, with the earliest fossil forms dating back 475 million years, but it is now threatened by habitat destruction and overfishing. In many parts of the world, horseshoe crabs continue to be harvested for their blue blood, which is used in the development of vaccines. Other winning photographs depict threats to wildlife from human activity, such as a strip of deforested land in Mexico making way for a new tourist railway line, and an aerial view of the heavily polluted Ciliwung river winding through Indonesias capital Jakarta. Young photographer Carmel Bechler discovered several barn owls in an abandoned concrete building near a busy road. - Carmel Bechler/Wildlife Photographer of the Year In some cases, wildlife is adapting to a human environment, as shown in a photograph of two barn owls looking out from a window of an abandoned roadside building. Carmel Bechler, a 17-year-old Israeli photographer, was crowned Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for the image, receiving praise for his use of natural light and long exposure times to capture the passing traffic. I hope to share with my photography that the beauty of the natural world is all around us, even in places where we least expect it to be, we just need to open our eyes and our minds, said Bechler. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, in its 59th year, is produced by the Natural History Museum of London. Winners were selected from nearly 50,000 entries from 95 countries and announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday. By showcasing the diversity of life on Earth, the competition hopes to inspire people to care and advocate for the natural world. The images will be exhibited from Friday at the museum, before touring internationally. This year, the exhibition will also feature videos showing the impact of wildlife photography and promoting actions visitors can take to protect the planet. Whilst inspiring absolute awe and wonder, this years winning images present compelling evidence of our impact on nature both positive and negative, said Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, in a statement. Global promises must shift to action to turn the tide on natures decline, he added. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Louis Vuitton has unveiled its latest pop-up space by Suzhou Creek, Shanghais oldest waterway. Dubbed Nong Ho, Shanghai, which means Hello, Shanghai in the local dialect, the LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned luxury brands waterside pop-up occupies a recently renovated historic building, which will become the first China outpost for Fotografiska, the Swedish photography arts center. More from WWD The ground floor of the three-story building features Louis Vuitton books, gifts, travel and lifestyle collections, alongside a cafe and bar, which will help amplify the luxury labels travel DNA and a gifting-focused strategy in the competitive Chinese market. Inside Louis Vuittons books and gifts pop-up by Shanghais Suzhou Creek. Louis Vuitton will also host a series of cultural festivals that brings a piece of traditional Shanghai to life. The outdoor experience, which resembles a traditional Shanghai night market, features activities such as sugar painting, dough figurine making, and poetry by the riverbank. A book kiosk curated by local independent bookstores helps to add contemporary charm to the pop-up project. A book kiosk at the outdoor market space. Brand ambassadors, including Jackson Wang and Teens In Times attended the opening ceremony on Thursday evening. The pop-up will be open to the public from Thursday to Nov. 12. For visitors wanting a deep dive into Shanghais history and culture, Louis Vuitton also provided a series of programs throughout the month, such as book signing events, architecture tours, Shanghai film screenings, local dialect and jazz music experiences, culture talks, and workshops for children. All events are available for booking on the Louis Vuitton WeChat Mini Program. Apart from Louis Vuitton menswears pre-fall runway debut in Hong Kong this November, the Suzhou Creek pop-up will be one of the brands largest events in China. The event also coincides with the launch of its latest Louis Vuitton City Guide Shanghai. This years Louis Vuitton City Guide Shanghai is guest edited by Bao Yifeng, cofounder of Art021. A podcast series, titled Louis Vuitton [Extended], launched simultaneously online. The Chinese-language project is an extension of Louis Vuittons first podcast launched this September. The podcasts first season, which consists of four episodes, will explore the multitudes of the Shanghainese lifestyle. The first episode sees esteemed writer Jin Yucheng and Chinese novelist Mian Mian engaged in deep conversation about the evolution of Suzhou Creek and their personal history with the city. Both writers shared surreal moments they experienced in Shanghai, including witnessing real horses galloping on highways. Shanghai is a worlds stage, especially from 1900 to 1940, said Jin. I once lived alone by the Northern Bund for many years, watching ships going down the Huangpu River quietly at night. I couldnt help but feel like an actress, said Mian. Louis Vuitton will be releasing the remaining three episodes over the next few weeks. Guest speakers from the local creative industry will share witty and touching stories focused on Shanghainese cuisine, lifestyle, and the citys inclusive creative environment. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. Brazilian cuisine is as vibrant and sensual as its culture. From decadent steaks and chocolate truffles to piquant seafood and acai smoothies, Brazilian dishes are always a party in your mouth. The seafood stew, moqueca, is one of the most sumptuous and complex seafood dishes in the Brazilian culinary repertoire, representing the fusion of Portuguese and African influences on Brazilian culture. Moqueca features seafood and shellfish stewed in coconut milk, lime juice, chilies, garlic, tomatoes, and herbs. The one inimitable ingredient that sets moqueca apart from a gumbo or fish curry is dende oil. Also known as red palm oil, dende oil comes from the bright red fruit of the African dende palm tree. Arriving in Brazil by way of the African slave trade, dende oil is now as popular in Brazilian cuisine as it is in West African dishes, infusing countless recipes with its bright reddish-orange hue and unique flavor. In Brazil, it is especially popular in recipes that come from the northeastern coastal state of Bahia, a sweet spot of Afro-Brazilian culture and food. As a Bahian dish, moqueca isn't moqueca without dende oil. Described as earthy, sweet, bitter, and spicy all at once, dende oil's floral aroma and elaborate flavor profile are as loud and colorful as its bright red hue. It pairs especially well with umami-rich seafood, bringing a richness and depth of flavor that lingers in your mouth and nose. Read more: The 20 Best Olive Oils For Cooking Where To Find Dende Oil And Substitutes glass bowl with red palm oil - New Africa/Shutterstock Dende oil is a common staple in both West Africa and Brazil where the red palm tree plays a crucial role in national agriculture and economy. However, outside of these tropical regions, the oil is practically unheard of. While you might not find it lined up with the various other vegetable oils on grocery store shelves, dende oil isn't impossible to locate. Specialty food stores and some major grocers sell red palm oil, and there are various USDA organic red palm oil brands you can order online. Moqueca won't taste the same without this essential ingredient, so any substitutions will fall short of the authentic recipe. That said, you can use one or more seed and vegetable oils to substitute dende oil if you're unable to obtain it. Coconut oil comes the closest to palm oil's semi-solid consistency and slightly sweet flavor. Annatto oil has a similar red hue but lacks flavor. Some moqueca recipes recommend substituting peanut and sesame oils for dende oil and others recommend extra virgin olive oil. In a pinch, a blend of annatto, coconut, and sesame oils would come closest to imitating dende oil's complex color and flavors. Read the original article on Tasting Table. We're teaming up with Pedigree and Williamson County Animal Center to host an adoption weekend at the 2023 Idea House in Thompsons Station, Tennessee. Penny Adams/WCAC Were cooking up something extra special for animal lovers at the Southern Living Idea House this weekend. Southern Living is teaming up with Pedigree and Williamson County Animal Center (WCAC) to host an adoption weekend at the 2023 Southern Living Idea House in beautiful Thompsons Station, Tennessee, this Saturday and Sunday. Meet your new best friend while touring this one-of-a-kind reimagined farmhouse that showcases a harmonious blend of modernity, sustainability, and the unmistakable charm of the Tennessee countryside. Penny Adams/WCAC There are so many benefits with adopting pets, said WCAC Assistant Director, Scott Pieper. It saves lives and reduces the homeless pet population, but also gives adopters access to resources through the shelter, many at no cost. Not only are all of our adopted cats and dogs spayed or neutered, microchipped and current on vaccinations, but we also have safety net programs such as behavior training classes and consultations that help adopters work through any issues they may encounter after getting their new pet home. The adoption event will take place Saturday, October 14 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, October 15 from 12 pm to 5 pm. Penny Adams/WCAC Tickets must be purchased (available here) to tour the home and attend the adoption event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local organizations Hands On Nashville, Harpeth Conservancy, and Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee. The Southern Living Idea House is located at 3921 Perkins Road, in Thompsons Station, Tennessee. It is open for tours now through December 17. Visit hatcliffconstruction.com for tickets and more information. See you there! For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry marked World Mental Health Day by speaking to a panel of parents at a summit in New York City. On 10 October, the Duke and Duchess hosted Archewell Foundations first in-person event that put a focus on families affected by tragic loss connected to their childs social media use. They were joined by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and TV host and board member of Project Healthy Minds Carson Daly, who also moderated the panel. After taking the stage with Markle for the panel, Harry started by saying: I cant start without thanking all the parents, the mothers, and fathers for being with us physically today, but also being on this journey with us for the last year, creating this community of shared experience. He added, We know its not easy for you guys to be here so thank you very much. The event is meant to spotlight families advocating for safer online spaces for their children and teenagers, and the couple have reportedly been working closely with the families behind the scenes, according to People. Markle explained, A year ago we met some of the families, and at the time, it was impossible not to be in tears hearing their stories because its just that devastating. As parents, though our kids are really young, 2 1/2 and 4 1/2, but social media isnt going away and by design. She continued, There was an entry post that was supposed to be positive and create community but something has devolved and theres no way to hear that and not try to help these families have their stories be heard. Harry chimed in, adding: I think for us, for myself and my wife, with kids growing up in a digital age, the priority here is to again turn pain into purpose and provide as much support as well as a spotlight and a platform for these parents to come together, to heal, to grieve and to also collectively focus on solutions so that no other family anywhere has to go through what theyve been through. Reflecting on her approach to these issues as a mother of children who arent quite online yet, Meghan told the panel that being a mom is the most important thing in [her] entire life outside of her marriage to Harry. She added that she felt fortunate that their children were too young for safe online spaces to be an immediate concern. However, she noted that she felt frightened at how its continuing to change and this will be in front of us. They say being a parent, the days are long but the years are short, so it worries me, but Im also given a lot of hope and energy by the progress weve made in the past year being able to have these incredible parents, these survivors of these experiences, share their stories and the more information gathering were able to do, the more we can move the needle a little bit, she continued. Everyone is affected by the online world and social media. We all just want to feel safe. Im confident that with more ears and awareness and visibility of what is really happening, we can make some significant change together. When their panel concluded, the couple reportedly received a standing ovation from the audience and embraced Carson Daly and the Surgeon General before making a quiet exit. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told People: The families have been engaged with The Archewell Foundation for the past year, bolstering community and driving towards solutions. Together, they are united in their mission to share personal experiences, data, and research to ensure the same does not happen to other families. Visit if you dare. Winchester Mystery House If Halloween is your favorite holiday, telling ghost stories is your favorite pasttime, and horror is your favorite movie genre, then it's safe to assume that visiting haunted spots is your favorite kind of sight seeing. And you're in luck, because the U.S. is filled with historic spots that are rumored to be busy with paranormal activityfrom the classic culprits, like old hotels, to the unexpected, like mysterious underwater caves. For ideas on where to take a spooky roadtrip to this month, Camping World, an RV and camping equipment supplier, analyzed Google searches to identify the top 20 most searched-for haunted places in the U.S. The list includes locations from California to New York, and lots of eerie places in between. Top 20 Most Searched-For Haunted Places in the U.S. Winchester Mystery House, California (74,000 monthly and 888,000 yearly searches) Eastern State Penitentiary Philadelphia (60,500 monthly and 726,000 yearly searches) Main Street, Missouri (60,500 monthly and 726,000 yearly searches) Jacobs Well, Texas (49,500 monthly and 594,000 yearly searches) The Stanley Hotel, Colorado (49,500 monthly and 594,000 yearly searches) White Horse Tavern, Rhode Island (22,200 monthly and 266,400 yearly searches) Masonic Temple Detroit, Michigan (22,200 monthly and 266,400 yearly searches) Waipi'o Valley, Hawaii (18,100 monthly and 217,200 yearly searches) St. Roch Chapel, Yellow Fever Shrine, Louisiana (18,100 monthly and 217,200 yearly searches) Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana (18,100 monthly and 217,200 yearly searches) Omni Mount Washington Resort, New Hampshire (14,800 monthly and 177,600 yearly searches) The Biltmore Estate, North Carolina (14,800 monthly and 177,600 yearly searches) Gettysburg Battlefield, Pennsylvania (14,800 monthly and 177,600 yearly searches) Mount Hope Cemetery, Maine (12,100 monthly and 145,200 yearly searches) Ohio State Reformatory, Ohio (12,100 monthly and 145,200 yearly searches) The Clown Motel, Nevada (12,100 monthly and 145,200 yearly searches) United States Military Academy, New York (12,100 monthly and 145,200 yearly searches) Jerome Grand Hotel, Arizona (9,900 monthly and 118,800 yearly searches) Oakland Cemetery, Georgia (9,900 monthly and 118,800 yearly searches) Villisca Axe Murder House, Iowa (9,900 monthly and 118,800 yearly searches) Keep reading to learn more about some of the spookiest places on the list. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, Calif. Winchester Mystery House Built in 1884, The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California with a bizarre history. The house belonged to Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, who moved into it after her daughter and husband tragically died a few years apart. After moving in, the wealthy widow began non-stop renovations that lasted for 38 years and ended only when she died. The Victorian-style house spans 24,000 square feet, features 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors, 47 stairways (some of which lead nowhere) and 160 roomsand it's a mystery what compelled Winchester to construct the home. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Photographer: John Van Horn This historic penitentiary, in Philadelphia once held nearly 85,000 people, including some famous criminal figures, like Al Capone. The site is considered to be one of the most haunted places in the U.S. and reports of paranormal activity from visitors, staff, guards, and inmates alike go back to the 1940s. The former prison, which closed in 1971, now hosts immersive Halloween nights from September through November, which includes tours, haunted houses, live performances, and more. Main Street, St. Charles, Mo. stcharlesghosts.com A little different from the rest of the list, this haunted location isn't one destination, but an entire streetand an unsuspecting one at that. In the daytime, the street offers small-town old-timey charm, but legend has it that this area is home to lots of strange paranormal activitythere's a college, high school, and forest all said to be haunted. You can take a ghost tour of the town year-round, but even if you don't visit for the thrills, there's lots to learn about and explore in this historic city on the Missouri River. Jacobs Well, Cypress Creek, Texas benedek/Getty Images Whether it's haunted or just plain dangerous, this place definitely has a reputation. Jacob's Well is the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas. The karstic spring is a popular swimming hole (though recent summers have caused the well to run dry) and, for some brave people, a place to dive and explore what lies beneath. The cave has been the site of numerous drownings and some believe the ghosts from those fatalities haunt the spot. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colo. goldhawk/Getty Images You probably recognize this one. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colo., the famous Stanley Hotel is striking in appearanceand it will forever be known as the location (and inspiration for)The Shining. Reports of paranormal activity go back as early as 1911, decades before Stephen King's pivotal visit in 1974. The hotel offers a nighttime ghost tour of the property so you can immerse yourself in the movie experienceor you can book one of the 140 rooms for a stay if you're feeling even more brave. For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Real Simple. When Natalie Mariduena posed for the SI Swimsuit Issue as a rookie in 2021, it was her first professional modeling opportunitybut youd never know it, judging on the gorgeous snapshots that resulted from her feature with photographer James Macari in Hollywood, Fla. The Illinois native returned to the fold the following year, and traveled a bit farther from home for her 22 feature. Mariduena jetted off to Belize for her sophomore magazine appearance, where she posed in front of Yu Tsais lens. While Mariduena described her photoshoot in Belize as so much different than her feature in the U.S., she was able to put some important learnings into practice the second time around. I learned so much from the photographer and everybody on set, she told SI Swimsuit of her rookie photoshoot. The No. 1 thing is obviously to be confident and comfortable and just own it. Theres so many people there championing for you and cheering you on. You just want to put on your best performance. Two, and this is something I never realized before, movement in modeling is so important. You never want to strike a hard frozen pose. You kind of have to just flow and be fluid. And thats when the best shots come. In addition to her work as a model, Mariduena is president of David Dobrik LLC and is the founder and creator of her own lifestyle clothing brand, Eladay. In honor of her various professional successes, were throwing it back to a few of our favorite snaps from her SI Swimsuit feature in Belize. Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuits portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires. Shop Now and Make a Difference Neanderthal gene variants may boost the pain sensitivity of people who carry them and may be most common in populations with prevalent Native American ancestry, a new study finds. The research, published Tuesday (Oct. 10) in the journal Communications Biology , focused on three versions of the SCN9A gene, which codes for a protein that shuttles sodium into cells and helps pain-detecting nerves send signals. People with any of the three variants are more sensitive to pain caused by being prodded with a sharp object, but not pain caused by heat or pressure. "In 2020, another group of researchers studied people of European ancestry and linked these Neanderthal gene variants to increased pain sensitivity," first study author Pierre Faux , a geneticist at the French National institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, told Live Science. "We extend these findings by studying Latin Americans and showing that these Neanderthal genetic variants are much more common in people with Native American ancestry," Faux said. "We also show the type of pain these variants affect, which wasn't known before." Related: Mysterious 'Viking disease' linked to Neanderthal DNA In the new study, the scientists analyzed genetic samples collected from more than 5,900 people living in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. On average, the participants had 46% Native American ancestry, 49.6% European ancestry and 4.4% African ancestry, but these proportions varied significantly between individuals. The analysis revealed that around 30% of the participants had one of the SCN9A gene variants, called D1908G, while roughly 13% of participants had the other two gene variants, known as V991L and M932L, which tend to be inherited together. The participants living in Peru, who had the highest proportion of Native American ancestry among the countries studied, were most likely to carry these Neanderthal gene variants. Conversely, participants recruited from Brazil had the lowest proportion of Native American ancestry and were least likely to carry the variants. "We know that modern humans and Neanderthals interbred something like 50,000 to 70,000 years ago, and that modern humans first crossed over from Eurasia into the Americas by 15- to 20,000 years ago," Faux said. "The high frequency of the Neanderthal variants in people with Native American ancestry could potentially be explained by a scenario where the Neanderthals carrying these variants happened to breed with the modern humans who eventually migrated into the Americas," he said. Related: The 1st Americans were not who we thought they were Following the genetic analysis, the researchers carried out pain threshold tests on more than 1,600 volunteers in Colombia, 56% of whom were women, who had on average 31% Native American ancestry, 59% European ancestry and 9.7% African ancestry. In these tests, participants were asked to tell the researchers to stop as soon as they felt discomfort. The team also analyzed the gene variants carried by each of these tested participants. In one of the tests, the team applied mustard oil, which irritates the skin, to the forearm skin of participants before pushing plastic filaments of increasing widths onto the same area of skin. In this test, wider filaments exerted a stronger force on the already-irritated skin. Participants who had any of the Neanderthal gene variants tapped out after being prodded with filaments that were significantly smaller than those who did not carry the gene variants. "When we tested the participants' pain threshold by applying pressure, heat or cold, the gene variants did not affect pain sensitivity, so the Neanderthal variants only affected their response to pinprick pressure," Faux noted. It is possible that carrying these gene variants gave Neanderthals, and the modern humans who first settled the Americas, some sort of survival benefit, Faux said. But that survival benefit wasn't necessarily related to pain sensitivity, he added. RELATED STORIES Neanderthals passed down their tall noses to modern humans, genetic analysis finds 50,000-year-old DNA reveals the first-ever look at a Neanderthal family Brain signals underlying chronic pain could be 'short-circuited,' study suggests "The modern humans who first reached North America would have had to bear harsh and cold conditions, so it could be that these variants have other effects beyond pain for example, they could have somehow helped humans to cope with the cold," he said. In other words, the heightened sensitivity to sharp objects might have been just a side effect of another evolutionary change. However, the evolutionary pressures that acted on SCN9A were likely complex, and "why Neanderthals might have had a greater pain sensitivity and whether introgression in SCN9A represented an advantage during human evolution remains to be determined," the authors wrote.. Nevertheless, it is interesting to know these gene variants, which have previously been linked to small fiber neuropathy a painful nerve condition would have also caused pain in our Neanderthal ancestors, Sulayman Dib-Hajj , a professor of Neurology at the Yale School of Medicine who was not involved in the study, told Live Science in an email. (Bloomberg) -- Russia is set to benefit from the Israel-Hamas conflict, as Israels requests for US military aid risk diverting weapons and focus from Ukraine while the rising price of oil bolsters Moscows economy. Most Read from Bloomberg US and NATO allies have rebuffed concerns about their ability to continue supporting Ukraine militarily in the aftermath of Gaza-based militant group Hamass attack on Israel, which already receives billions in aid from Washington every year. Yet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Tuesday that the violence engulfing Israel and Gaza may well have a knock-on effect. There is a risk that international attention will turn away from Ukraine, and that will have consequences, he said in an interview with French broadcaster France 2. Theres also a clear understanding in the Kremlin that the war between Israel and Hamas will work to Russias favor, according to two people with knowledge of the situation, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. The conflict may, at the very least, work to distract US and European attention from the war in Ukraine, the people said, even while Russia has concerns about its escalation. President Vladimir Putins objectives will be achieved faster if a US focus on the Israel conflict results in the slowdown of arms deliveries to Kyiv, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday at a news conference, after talks with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. But they will be achieved in any case. For the most part, there is no major overlap between Israel and Ukraines military asks, and Tel Avivs existing supplies are relatively robust in light of years of stockpiling, officials and experts say. Israel is seeking Iron Dome missiles, precision-guided munitions and artillery rounds from the US, according to a person familiar with the matter, as it readies its next response to Hamass attack. Story continues But the pressure on supplies could increase if Israel launches a ground war into the Gaza strip, as is expected. Thats when theyll start using munitions in a big way precision munitions and theyll probably use a lot of them, said Mark Cancian, a former US Marine colonel whos now an adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington. While they already have big stocks, he said, they may not have enough for a long campaign. Mass and rapid mobilization also means the Israeli military is stretched for equipment, leaving some troops with older items, Richard Hecht, a spokesman and lieutenant-colonel, told journalists on Tuesday. The conflict in Israel is expected to be discussed on the margins of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday where Zelenskiy is also attending. Ahead of the gathering, Kyivs allies will also discuss weapons deliveries at their monthly Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. Zelenskiy will be reminding us all not only why its very important that we still maintain this battle, and show that they can so that Putin doesnt win, but also dont get distracted by the wider issues, UK Secretary of Defence Grant Shapps told ITV from Brussels. The war in Europe as well is absolutely at the forefront of our minds. Ukraine and Russia have been burning through thousands of pieces of ammunition per day in what has become a grinding war of attrition. Those unguided munitions wont be as useful for Israel in an urban warfare setting, where theyll instead lean on precision munitions to target specific oncoming fire, according to Cancian. But Ukraine also needs more those more sophisticated weapons as it seeks to hit targets like Russian military bases behind the front lines. The problem is we cant manufacture any more in a short period of time, Cancian said, adding that might require the US to pull them from existing inventories, which are already getting low. Even if the US didnt stop deliveries to Ukraine, it might slow those shipments down, which means they could only shoot at the highest-priority targets, he added. A senior US defense official said that although the US will continue to provide a significant amount of support to Ukraine, it is careful about ensuring it can also respond to other crises. A senior western diplomat said they were not worried about the impact on the war in Ukraine, partly because the Israeli military is itself capable and well-equipped. The diplomat said they were confident the US would be able to continue to support Israel without it having a material effect on what theyre doing for Ukraine. Putins View Other analysts are more skeptical. Given a choice between Israel and Ukraine, the US would in a heartbeat choose Israel, Chatham House CEO Bronwen Maddox told Bloomberg TV in an interview, even if its not facing such an acute decision at present. I can understand why President Zelenskiy might be worried and he was already battling to retain American attention. Future US aid for Ukraine was called into question after Congress dropped assistance for Kyiv from a short-term spending package passed to avert a government shutdown. Future funding could be on even shakier ground now, as the conflict in Israel emboldens Republican lawmakers skeptical of support for Ukraine. Putin told the annual Valdai Club meeting in Russias Sochi on Oct. 5 that US and European support was keeping Ukraine afloat financially and militarily. If weapons deliveries were discontinued tomorrow, they would have just one week to go until they used up all their ammunition, he said. Europes backing for Ukraine has also suffered perturbations in recent weeks after a spat between Poland and Ukraine culminated in a threat by Warsaw to cut off new aid to Kyiv. The blocs stance on aid for Ukraine also faces a challenge from Robert Fico, a Russian sympathizer, whos set to return to power in Slovakia. The Israel-Hamas conflicts impact on the price of oil could also boost Russias war effort in Ukraine. The price of oil edged lower on Tuesday, after fears that the conflict could embroil major energy producers in the region such Iran and Saudi Arabia had earlier propelled US crude futures above $87 a barrel. As oil prices go up, this enables them to continue spending on arms production and it also helps them cover some budget deficits, said Ann Marie Dailey, a policy researcher at Rand Corporation. Russia absolutely gains an advantage from this in the short-term. --With assistance from Jenny Leonard, Ben Sills and Kitty Donaldson. (Updates with comments from Ukrainian president in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Late last week, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) said it will acquire up to 10 gray wolves from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) that officials will then release on the Centennial State's Western Slope, west of the Continental Divide. The agreement between CPW and ODFW is part of an ongoing effort to bring stable populations of wolves back into Colorado. It'll allow Colorado to begin releasing wolves on or before December 31, 2023a deadline approved three years ago when a portion of the state's electorate voted to reintroduce wolves. "In 2020, Colorado voted to reintroduce wolves to our great state by the end of 2023," said Colorado Governor Jared Polis in a CPW press release issued last Friday. "Colorado Parks and Wildlife and our administration have worked tirelessly to safely reintroduce wolves consistent with that voter-mandated deadline." When Colorado Proposition 114 passed back in November 2020, it got through on an extremely slim margin. Of Colorados 64 counties, only 13 voted in favor of wolf reintroduction, with most of the support coming from highly-populated urban centers along the states Front Rangefar from where CPW plans to reintroduce the species. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other hunting-focused conservation organizations opposed the initiative on grounds that it took what should have been a science-based management decision away from trained biologists and put it in the hands of everyday voters. According to its press release , CPW will be in charge of trapping the wolves from established packs in Oregon. ODFW will assist by sharing wolf location data and best practice methods, but Colorado will pick up the bill for the efforts. That'll include costs for contracted helicopter crews and spotter planes, measuring procedures, disease testing, andultimatelytransport of wolves to Colorado in "sturdy aluminum crates either by truck or by airplane." The wolves will be released at select sites in Colorado as soon as possible once they arrive in the state to minimize stress on the animals, said CPW Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell. CPW will aim to capture and reintroduce an equal number of males and females. We anticipate that the majority of animals will be in the 1- to 5-year-old range, which is the age that animals would typically disperse from the pack they were born in. Trouble Finding Wolves Of the five states that Colorado identified as potential capture areas, Oregon is the only state that agreed to supply wolves quickly enough to meet the Dec. 31 deadline. Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho all declined to offer up any of their wolves, while biologists with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife said they could supply wolves to Coloradobut not within the confines of the voter-mandated deadline. With an estimated 178 wolves , Oregon has the smallest wolf population of any of the five selected states. "We have had direct conversations between our director and Colorado's director and we are not interested,'' Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks spokesman Greg Lemon told the Fort Collins-based Coloradoan back in early September. "Wolves are a controversial topic and we have enough to deal with focusing on our management and that's where our focus will be.'' Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon told multiple media outlets that his state would not be sending wolves to Colorado anytime soon. "Wyoming is opposed to sending Wyoming wolves to Colorado because we carefully and scientifically manage our wolf population, Gordon told Cowboy State Daily in a prepared statement. We have target population numbers, and reducing those numbers to support a translocation in Colorado may jeopardize those successful management plans. Idaho Fish & Game publicly declined out of concern that wolf reintroduction efforts in Colorado could have negative implications in other western states. "Wolves that came into Idaho quickly spread into neighboring states, particularly Oregon and Washington, and now they're as far as central California," IDFG spokesman Roger Phillips told KTBV7 back in July. "So, giving wolves to Colorado isn't necessarily giving wolves to Colorado. They could end up in their neighboring states as well that did not ask for them." Uncertain Future In its October 6 press release, CPW said officials will be trapping and translocating wolves on an ongoing basis in Oregon "between December 2023 and March 2024." In a previous management plan, the agency laid out a goal to put anywhere from 30 to 50 wolves on the Western Slope over the next 3 to 5 years. It's unclear if all of those wolves will come from Oregon, or if future deals will be brokered with other states. Under a recently-released exemption to the Endangered Species Act , the United States Fish & Wildlife Service ensured that Colorado ranchers along the Western Slope will have the ability to kill introduced wolves caught preying on cattle and other livestock. The Austin, Texas, airport was the site of an extremely close call last month. On September 23, a fighter plane and a private jet almost collided, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday. The two aircraft came within just 200 feet of one another, according to a preliminary account from the Federal Aviation Administration viewed by the newspaper. But thankfully the pilot of the private plane took evasive action, avoiding a crash. (Apparently, the fighter plane also flew near a runway where a small propeller-powered aircraft was taking off.) More from Robb Report In a statement, the FAA said that it is investigating the near catastrophe. The private plane was a Cessna Citation registered to NetJets, which did not respond to the Posts requests for comment. The operator of the F/A-18 fighter jet is unknown, but the Navy and the Marine Corps both use such planes. Neither military branch responded to the newspapers requests for comment either. During the incident, it seems like an air traffic controller was unsure about what the fighter jets pilot planned to do. Archived recordings show that the private plane was cleared to land as the military plane approached Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The fighter asked permission to perform a break, in which the plane makes a sharp turn to reduce its speed before landing. About 30 seconds later, the pilot of the Cessna says he received a proximity warning, and another, unidentified voice can be heard on the radio complaining, That would have been nice to know. An unknown air traffic controller, meanwhile, said that he thought the fighter jet would start descending at a different point in the break. The pilot of the F/A-18 denies that, and said that it must have been a misunderstanding. After landing, that pilot asked for a phone number so that he can get in touch with the air traffic control office to discuss the incident. Yeah, I was going to give you the number here because I guess there was a miscommunication, a controller says. I misunderstood what was requested, I guess. The near miss follows a few similar incidents this year: In February, the Austin airport experienced another close call between a Southwest plane and a FedEx pilot, The Washington Post noted. And in July, an Allegiant Air flight attendant was injured after that plane also took evasive action to avoid hitting a private plane. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Sleeper has just revealed its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign honoring every body and everybody--a beautiful initiative the Ukrainian label has been doing since 2016. The Pink October editorial seeks to encourage women to schedule a preventive check at the mammalogist as an act of self-care, as recommended by health experts. Besides, Sleeper is donating up to 10% of sales revenue from its pink styles sold online throughout October to the Charitable Foundation Kvitna, which supports Ukrainian breast cancer patients. For this year's campaign, the Kyiv-born imprint teamed up with a Ukrainian photographer, Sonya Sem, to capture images representing the female form in all its diversity and worth. "Through this campaign, our goal is to showcase the inherent beauty of the female form and inspire our wonderful women to engage in self-care, self-love and prioritize their health by doing a breast ultrasound," explain Sleeper Co-Founders Asya Varetsa and Kate Zubareva. Take a look at the campaign in the gallery above and head over to Sleeper's website to support the cause. In case you missed it, Nike and Spotify's latest collab blends the healing power of music, exercise and community. Photo: Michael Grimm / Courtesy of Snohetta Though historians consider the 17th century to be the golden age of libraries, these futuristic libraries suggest a biblio-renaissance is well underway. Once a silent sanctuary for books, todaythanks to new technology and trailblazing designcontemporary interpretations of the humble education and resource hubs are far from quiet. In these modern versions, youll find dynamic tools and spaces, from podcast recording studios to game development labs. Robotic book-retrieval systems have made way for communal spaces punctuated with art, turning the library into a social sphere. According to an analysis of US library attendance by Pew Research Center, millennials use libraries more than any other generation. As a result, services and spaces have evolved to appeal to digitally native generations. One tradition has been remained, though: The art of making the library an architectural centerpiece. In the spirit of buildings like Dublins Trinity College Library, todays institutions are designed to inspire. Below, AD surveys the 15 most stunning futuristic libraries. Helsinki Central Library Oodi (Helsinki, Finland) Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo For a cultural institution defined by silence, in a country known for its love of the same, the new Helsinki Central Library, which opens this week, has been the talk of the town. The 185,774-square-foot, Finnish spruce timberclad library, called Oodi (ode in Finnish) is the work of local architect firm ALA, led by Juho Gronholm, Antti Nousjoki, and Samuli Woolston. (They were chosen following an anonymous competition.) Some of Oodi's famous neighbors include Finlandia Hall, Alvaar Aaltos magnificent iceberg-inspired Concert Hall, and Finnish Parliament. Finland is known for its vibrant library culture, but ALAs design upset any traditional library model, most noticeably by relegating reading space and bookshelves to the top floor, which sits under an undulating roof (it also resembles an iceberg, creating a visual rhyme with Finlandia Hall). The librarys other two levels seem to meld into each other through a series of curving zero-threshold spaces that start in the outdoor plaza. They are spaces designed just for the public to hang out in in the heart of the city, a civic living room. Thats a dominant theme of the librarys design, following a mandate to promote democratic equality (other themesactive citizenship and freedom of expressionare answered by Oodis proximity also to the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper and the Parliament. The Living Room area also includes a theatre, a Makers Space equipped with 3D printers, a childrens play area, and a recording studio. (At one point the architects considered a sauna as well.) Art by Finnish artists Jani Ruscica and Otto Karvonen was commissioned for the building. With only a third of the librarys space devoted to books (a relatively meager 100,000 volumes are on the shelves at a given time), Oodi is allowed to embrace emerging technologyincluding book-sorting robotsto create new opportunities to access books. The librarys 3.4 million other volumes are available, for example, through a much larger, cutting-edge distribution system. Its an exciting, new space, miles away from the old idea of libraries as dark, immovable, and quiet temples. Antti Nousjoki, one of ALAs three partners, says, Oodi is a large public forum of thought and action operating under the library organization, but with a range of reach and functionality well beyond a traditional book depository. Calgary Central Library (Calgary, Alberta) Photo: Michael Grimm / Courtesy of Snohetta As one of Canadas most anticipated projects of 2018, Calgarys new Central Library opened on November 1 of that year as a design-forward response to the citys fast-growing library system. The $245-million project, designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snhetta and Canadian firm Dialog, pulls inspiration from Albertas arch-shaped Chinook cloud formations. The facades interlocking hexagonal pattern speaks to the librarys focus on the collective community, as does the fact that all sides of the building function as its front. Inside, sustainably sourced western red cedar interiors juxtapose a sleek digital learning lab with gaming and podcasting programs. By investing in their Central Library to create an open platform for making, not just taking, the city has opened a new door into a future that banks on a culture of creativity and innovation, says Snhettas founding partner Craig Dykers. Works by indigenous artists are prominently featured as part of a $500,000 Indigenous Placemaking project, marking a step forward in the librarys goal of inclusivity. Qatar National Library (Doha, Qatar) Photo: Delfino Sisto Legnani and Marco Cappelletti The wow factor of the Qatar National Library begins at its entrance, which immediately brings visitors to the center of a 485,000-square-foot space designed by Dutch firm OMA. With over a million books from the Dohas National Library, Public Library, and University Library, the librarys collections are best perused via the people mover (a cross between an elevator and an escalator). Since opening in 2017, the librarys programming has focused on bridging the past and present through concerts and an exposition of historical archives in six-meter-deep glass vitrines, symbolizing an excavation site. From the main library in the plaza, you can look down and see all the books from the Heritage Collection, says Vincent Kersten, Senior Architect at OMA. Its not only a storage but also an exhibition. Austin Central Library (Austin, Texas) Photo: Nic Lehoux Heralded as the most day-lit library in the US, the $120 million Austin Central Library has attracted attention for its hyper-flexible design and sustainable resource use. The joint venture between architectural firms Lake Flato and Shepley Bulfinch was completed in 2017 and responds to Texass droughts with a 373,000-gallon rainwater system created from a concrete vault that existed on the site. It represented a challenge and an opportunity. Removal would have been expensive but its location gave us the chance to capture all the rainwater from the roof of the library, says Sidney R. Bowen, managing principal at Shepley Bulfinch. In addition to its light-filled atrium, the library embraces the outdoor life of Austinites with two reading porches and a roof terrace shaded by solar panels. James B. Hunt Jr. Library (Raleigh, North Carolina) Photo: Courtesy of James B. Hunt Jr. Library The canary yellow stairway isnt the only thing thats pleasantly disruptive about the North Carolina State Universitys revamped Hunt Library. The Snhetta-designed building, completed in 2013, eschews traditionally introverted spaces in favor of surprising design features and stimulating technology zones. Interactive digital surfaces and HD video display screens are scattered throughout the building, as are creative spaces that include a video game development lab. With North Carolinas state energy requirements being stricter than LEED requirements, several sustainability measures were implemented. Solar panels line a high-albedo roof built to control the interior climate. And thanks to a sleek automated book-retrieval system, the library was able to cut its space in halfdelivering high-design and innovation in less than 220,000 square feet. Tianjin Binhai Library (Tianjin, China) Photo: Ossip van Duivenbode Its no surprise that images of the Tianjin Binhai Library went viral when the building opened its doors in 2017 to receive over 10,000 visitors per day. The futuristic library, designed by Dutch firm Mvrdv, features an atrium with floor-to-ceiling shelving that appears to house an endless number of books. Theres a catch though: Not all of the books are real. Inaccessible shelves have been filled with aluminum plates digitally printed with book images. Regardless of this controversial detail, the buildings social media popularity has turned the project into Tianjins number one tourist attraction and a testament to the important role of design in library attendance. The Arabian Library (Scottsdale, Arizona) Photo: Bill Timmerman Inspired by Arizonas slot canyons, the Arabian Librarys distinctive pre-rusted steel facade makes it one of Scottsdales most expressive buildings. The interiors were designed to feel more like a retail-store-meets-living-room than a traditional library, encouraging younger generations to check out a book using the self-serve kiosks or read in one of the librarys many Herman Miller chairs. Despite all the activity, Phoenix-based architecture firm richard+bauer wanted to ensure the library offered a calm escape and pay homage to the environment. Thanks to its use of sustainable materials, including recycled cotton, for insulation and recycled perforated MDF board for the ceilings, the library received the 2008 IIDA/Metropolis Smart Environments Award. More than a decade later, its parking lotfilled with charging stations for alternative fuel vehiclesis rarely empty. The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library (Chicago, Illinois) Photo: Courtesy of the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library At first glance, the University of Chicagos Mansueto Library almost appears to be out of a sci-fi film. Its 3.5 million books are stored underground in a repository tended by robotic cranes, while a glass dome covers an expansive reading room upstairs. By putting the book storage below, we were free to create an open and luminous space, says Chicago-based architect Helmut Jahn about the project, which was completed in 2011. Upper sections of the domes glass panes feature patterning that blocks heat and UV rays, ensuring that the atmosphere is comfortable for up to 180 students at a time. Though the University of Chicago doesnt have an architecture program, notes Jahn, the library is a perfect match for the physics and science departments devotion to innovation. Philological Library (Berlin, Germany) Photo: Rudi Meisel Nicknamed the Berlin brain for its cranial form, the Philological Library on the campus of the Free University of Berlin has been applauded for its eco-intelligent structure since opening in 2005. British architect Norman Foster spent years researching and experimenting with how buildings can employ active and passive technologies to increase energy efficiency. As a result, the buildings naturally ventilated, bubble-like enclosure consists of three parts. The external shell features aluminum and glazed panels that regulate the internal temperature. The supporting steel frame, formed from radial geometries, separates the inner and outer layers. And lastly, a translucent inner membrane filters daylight, allowing just the right amount of ambient light to shine through and create a perfect studying environment. Seattle Library (Washington, United States) Central Library interior, latticed glass roof. Photo: Matthew Micah Wright Opened in 2004, an 11-story glass and steel building designed by OMA/Rem houses the flagship branch of the Seattle Public Library system. Able to hold over one and half million books, the building was designed to accommodate a change in the requirements of these cultural institutions. The Seattle Central Library redefines the library as an institution no longer exclusively dedicated to the book, but as an information store where all potent forms of medianew and oldare presented equally and legibly, the firm shared on a write up published on Arch Daily. The designers opted to create tailored flexibility, where specific sections are equipped for different duties, but are versatile within. Black Diamond (Copenhagen, Denmark) Denmark, Zealand, Copenhagen, Interior Photo: Walter Bibikow/Getty Images Designed as a modern waterfront expansion to the Royal Danish Library, the Black Diamond offers art exhibitions, concerts, and a cafe, in addition to the books and reading rooms in the modern space. Designed by the Danish firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, the monolithic structure contains 450 rooms across eight floors. The front facade of the building contains 26,909 square feet of absolute black granite from Zimbabwe. Vistors will find a number of art works throughout the space for their enjoyment in addition to a sound art performance every day at 1 p.m. in the central atrium. Played through a special built-in 12-channel speaker system, Danish composer Jens Vilhelm Pedersen wrote 52 pieces of musicone for each week of the yearinspired by pieces within the librarys collection. Stuttgart City Library (Stuttgart, Germany) Futuristic Public Library Photo: M. Lenny/Getty Images Stuttgart City Library was designed by Yi Architects and opened in 2011. The site for the institution was specifically chosen as a future city center, and the final design honored both this forward-thinking and culturally important locale. Appearing like a large cubic monolith on the exterior, the stark white and bright interiors nod to the librarys distinctly modern point of view. Still, the design doesnt completely disown traditionthe core of the library was inspired by the pantheon. Vennesla Library (Vennesla, Norway) Vennesla Library, Library, Europe, Norway, 2012, Helen & Hard. V Photo: View Pictures/Getty Images Nestled between two existing buildings, the design brief for the a new library in Vennesla was ambitious. The city was looking for an energy-efficient building that would not only encourage more people to visit the library, but that could also house various activities including concerts, plays, and exhibitions. Architecture firm Helen & Hard won the design competition based on their concept of an all wood and glass cultural hub. The library is based on 27 ribs, which inform the ceilings structure, book shelves, and study nooks. Book Mountain (Spijkenisse, the Netherlands) Photo: Courtesy of MVRDV MVRDV was responsible for Book Mountain in the Netherlands, which the firm describes as a monument to the power and pleasure of reading. Its sheer size and visibility support this statement, while its all-glass facade makes the books an integral part of the buildings appearance. Further, the pitched roof is a reference to Dutch farmhouses, providing a unique sense of place for the monumental building. In addition to books and research materials, visitors can also find a chess club, auditorium, environmental education center, meeting rooms, commercial offices, and retail space within the building. Starfield Library (Seoul, South Korea) View of Starfield Library in Starfield COEX Mall. Photo: Jae Young Ju/Getty Images The 42-foot tall curved bookshelves are certainly the standout feature of the Starfield Library in Seoul. Designed by Gensler, the library is a part of COEX, a subterranean shopping and lifestyle complex. Appropriate for a futuristic library, the cultural center has a collection of iPads available for patrons who wish to read ebooks in addition to the wide breadth of print materials. RELATED: The Most Spectacular Libraries Around the World Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest The coffee blend crafted for arid conditions at 30,000 feet has dark chocolate and cherry flavors that complement Biscoff cookies onboard flights. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines x Stumptown Pair your morning joe with this caffeinated news: Alaska Airlines is partnering with Stumptown Coffee Roasters to launch a blend exclusively available onboard the airlines flights. The Pacific Northwest-based companies came together to develop a coffee designed for fliers taste experience at 30,000 feet, testing 200 batches of coffee with 20 variables, from grind size to temperature and pillow pod material. On a plane, because the environment is quite arid, your sense of smell and taste are diminished, explains Emily Rosenberg, Stumptowns director of education and training operations. We made some adjustments to arrive at the coffee and roast approach that would perform well in those conditions. Related: The 5 Best Domestic Airlines for Food The Alaska Airlines x Stumptown blend is crafted to be sweeter with more roast character than Stumptowns signature blend. Marketing materials describe the coffee as mellow, toasted, and balanced with marshmallow, brown butter, toffee, citrus oil, and cherry notes, while Rosenberg showcased dark chocolate and dried black cherry elements in a live tasting at Stumptowns Greenwich Village location in New York this week. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines x Stumptown We tested on a couple of different flights, and people filled out surveys afterward, and the feedback was overwhelmingly really positive, says Rosenberg. The companies intend the brew to pair perfectly with the Biscoff cookies available on all Alaska Airlines flights, which Rosenberg recommends for dunking. Based in Seattle, Alaska Airlines flies to more than 120 North American destinations. While you can only taste the new blend in the air, the airline will also serve Stumptowns single-origin Holler Mountain drip coffee in JFK and PDX airport lounges, in addition to Stumptowns Hair Bender espresso beverages. Related: 5 Things to Know Before Ordering Food and Drinks on the Plane This collaboration follows Deltas partnership with Starbucks, JetBlue serving Dunkin coffee, and United Airlines pouring illy. As for the many stories warning travelers to avoid airplane coffee due to potentially unclean aircraft tank water, Rosenberg assures us theres nothing to fear from coffee brewed at 200F. This isnt Alaska Airlines first endeavor in the craft beverage world. In 2022, it was the first U.S. commercial airline to deliver a bulk shipment of fresh hops in under 24 hours to America's two noncontiguous states Hawaii and Alaska using its cargo service, Alaska Air Cargo. The delivery enabled the first fresh-hopped beers from Maui Brewing and 49th State Brewing. Likewise, Stumptown is no stranger to travelers. The roaster has coffee shops in Portlands PDX airport and Ace Hotels in Portland, New York, and Kyoto, Japan. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. SI Swimsuit legend Tyra Banks is an industry icon and everyone knows it. The model made her brand debut in 1993 and returned three years later for her first cover photoshoot in South Africa alongside fellow model Valeria Mazza . In 97, she landed on the front of the issue again, solo this time, and became the first Black woman to do so in the brands history. The 49-year-olds most special and groundbreaking appearance came more than two decades later when she came out of retirement for another SI Swimsuit cover feature in the Bahamas. Banks reflected on the experience in an adorable, wordy and heartfelt Instagram post earlier this week. The creator and host of Americas Next Top Model, who began modeling at the age of 15, admitted that when she started out, there were very few Black female photographers. When she was asked to be in the magazine and knew she would be featured on the 2019 issue cover, she wanted to use her platform for good. I wanted to give a black FEMALE photographer a career changing opportunity. Just like my past @si_swimsuit covers changed my career big time. I searched social media, high and low. IG, Pinterestscrolling scrolling scrolling and then WOW I landed on @larettahouston Larettas work was edgy, artistic, had depth. She had the eye . And I knew that because she was a woman, and more specifically a black woman, there was a chance that the world at large would not get to witness her creative genius, Banks explained in her caption of photographer Laretta Houston. She then presented Houstons portfolio to SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day, who enthusiastically agreed to the opportunity to highlight a new photographer. Cut to a month later and we were all on the beach of the Bahamas and OMGLaretta is right there photographing me! As I posed for her lense on that sand, my heart was so full because I felt that her career was about to change, the Life-Size actress added. She later told me she was so nervous, but I couldnt tell. She was a BOSS on that beach. Leading her team and getting shot after great shot.The Bahamas sun set and we left the island and the cover debuted! One of my fave covers EVER! A photographer-model partnership was created that day, in addition to an important and profound friendship. Banks and Houston have worked together numerous times over the years and the women continue to be each others biggest supporters. But I didnt want that to be the end of my work with Laretta. After we helped to made sure she got a good agent, I couldnt leave my work with her to just that one (major) job, the former Victorias Secret Angel wrote. Every time I work with Laretta, it just feels so good. Shes the truth. And now the world knows she is, too. Keep dreaming, yall. Your time to shine will come. TyTy. OMG! I am in tears. You literally changed my life. There are enough words to describe how honored to have worked with you on so many campaigns. I am internally grateful for you! ICON TYRA BANKS! , Houston gushed in the comments. Make sure to follow SI Lifestyle in Google News! Bigfoot believers are fired up about a video, shared by OutThere Colorado on Oct. 10, that was recorded from inside a tourist train in southwestern Colorado. The footage shows a large, hairy biped walking across a hillside before squatting in the sagebrush. Some Sasquatch hunters are pointing to the clip as obvious proof of Bigfoots existence, while skeptics say its clearly a prankster in costume. In an email to OutThere Colorado, Shannon Parker said she saw Bigfoot over the weekend of Oct. 7. Parker and her husband were riding on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train when they spotted the creature on the hillside. Another passenger seated next to Parker recorded the video on their phone while she snapped photos with hers. That video has since been viewed 3.5 million times on X (formerly known as Twitter) alone. The short clip clearly shows the creature walking and then squatting as the train passes by. When crouched, it blends in perfectly with the surrounding grasses. Parker told the news outlet that seeing was believing," and that she and her husband were convinced the creature was Bigfoot in the flesh. She said employees on the train agreed that it could have been a legitimate sighting. However, the footage still falls within the dubious genre of Bigfoot videos, which are about as credible as your Uncle Kennys latest UFO sighting. And while the video is less shaky and more in-focus than your typical Sasquatch flick, there are plenty of people who just arent buying it. Several users on the Bigfoot Believers Facebook page have said its clearly a prankster wearing a costume or a ghillie suit. Others point to the zoomed-in image of the creatures face, which could pass for an ape but also looks a little bit like a man wearing sunglasses. Well take archery hunter for $200, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wrote in its response to the video post. Theres also the location to consider since the creature was seen within eyeshot of a well-known tourist train. Skeptics wonder why such an elusive creature would pop a squat by a train route frequented by hundreds of tourists if not for a prank or a publicity stunt. Much as I want it to be real, a train full of tourists would be a prime opportunity for a hoaxer or a practical joker, another user wrote. Read Next: Ohio Woman Claims to Have Recorded Bigfoot Howls Or Was it Coyotes? Others in the Centennial State will keep on believing, as Colorado ranks among the top 10 states in the U.S. in terms of the number of Bigfoot sightings, according to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization . Out of the 130-plus sightings recorded there, a fair number of those have taken place in and around the rugged San Juan Mountains. Traipsing around those mountains in a Sasquatch suit would be risky proposition, even though the laws around Bigfoot hunting are unclear in Colorado. (Shooting a Skunk Ape is perfectly legal i n Texas but its against the law in Washington , for example.) Regulations aside, it seems some believers in the state will only feel vindicated by a corpse and not a recording. I dont know why we keep posting videos and pictures, one commenter wrote in the Bigfoot Believers group page. The issue wont be resolved until a body makes it into the hands of the scientific community before the government has a chance to suppress it. Theres a new big-wave awards on the block. As previously reported, a reimagined annual awards celebration founded by surf industry stalwart, Bill Sharp, honoring the worlds best big-wave surfers, is here; The New Big Wave Challenge is coming to (where else?) Nazare, Portugal on Oct. 28th. And now, voting is officially open for the maiden event. See below for the press release and footage from the top contenders: NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- OCTOBER 11, 2023) -- Voting for the New Big Wave Challenge is officially underway. Ballots have been sent to 200 members of the Academy of Big Wave Arts & Sciences which includes all the top surfers, video and still photographers, water safety, writers, editors and other experts on the sport. They will review the 60+ entries for the 2022/23 season and make their selections for the years Biggest Paddle and Biggest Tow Waves along with the Ride of the Year and the Surfer of the Year for both men and women. Winners will be announced at a gala awards presentation evening in Nazare, Portugal on Saturday, October 28 where the worlds best surfers will once again walk the red carpet and stand on the stage to be acknowledged for their achievements. Top contenders across the various categories include (click links for video): Hawaiians Billy Kemper and Kai Paula with massive tuberides at Jaws, Maui. Nathan Florence (Hawaii) with waves at Mullaghmore Head and Aileen's in Ireland. Laura Enever (Australia) for a huge paddle wave at an Outer Reef on Oahu's North Shore. Justine Dupont (France) with a potentially record-breaking tow wave at the Cortes Bank, 100 miles off the California coast. A tight international race for men's biggest paddle wave among Greg Long (California) in Mexico, Chacha Ibarra near home in Chile and Andres Flores (Dominican Republic) in Portugal The judges will have until Sunday to complete their voting. Results will be revealed at the ceremony on the 28th. Stay tuned to see who takes home the top honors. *** Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos. Martha, a public health consultant in Rhode Island, was a 36-year-old new mom who was still breastfeeding her 10-month-old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Among the wrenching decisions Martha (who asked that her full name not be used) faced all on cancer's tight, stressful timeline were: whether to get a single mastectomy (as was recommended) or to remove the second breast as well for prophylactic reasons; whether, if she removed one or both breasts, to then undergo breast reconstruction or remain flat; and whether, if she removed both breasts and opted for reconstruction, which type to choose implants or DIEP flap (which takes a flap of abdominal skin and fat and transplants it to the chest wall). She decided on a double mastectomy with reconstruction. When she met with the plastic surgeon, she remembers "still being in shock that I had cancer and her handing me pamphlets, 'This is what a flap looks like.' It just felt so insignificant compared to getting the cancer out," she recalls for Yahoo Life. "I dont know if I really gave it a lot of thought. The flap surgery to me looked like it would be painful and with a difficult recovery, so I ruled that out quickly. So I said, 'OK, I guess Im getting implants.'" When she turned to friends and family for support, Martha was surprised to find she felt judged by some. "There were some women in my life who at the time made me feel vain for wanting to get the implants instead of just, like, focusing on the cancer. And I guess for me it was sort of a package deal," she says, adding that while she felt pressured from her doctor to get reconstruction, she heard from some friends that she should forgo it. "The best was, 'That's an elective surgery.' I mean, theoretically it is, but in my mind, it wasnt," she says. Because of this experience, she adds, she has generally not shared with others when she's since had to go back under the knife for revision surgeries (as is not uncommon with reconstruction) or to have implants swapped because of a recall. Martha isn't alone when it comes to feeling judged for her breast cancer treatment-related decisions. When Ellyn Winters-Robinson, an Ontario, Canada-based publicist, was diagnosed, she opted for a double mastectomy and no reconstruction. "But my family and friends definitely challenged me on my decision initially, reflecting societal expectations that women should have breasts," she tells Yahoo Life. "They were supportive but confused and unaware of the difficulties associated with reconstruction after a mastectomy. Even my own doctors my medical oncologist and radiation oncologist were baffled I chose to stay flat, one remarking, 'But you are so fashionable.'" Meanwhile, a 49-year-old Texas woman (who asked that her name not be used) faced similar reactions to wanting to go flat after her double mastectomy. "I had pushback from two breast surgeons saying that I would have 'major psychological problems' and was 'mutilating' my body," she tells Yahoo Life. It was only after tracking down a top-surgery doctor through a friend with a transgender son that she was able to have the procedure she wanted without judgment. "At the heart of it," she says, "I think the medical system is patriarchal-based and surgeons are known for having big egos and not having the best bedside manners." Also, notes Martha, "Breast cancer is one of the cancers thats just so public and maybe because you can see if someones had reconstruction or not, people get all up in your business. Its like people asking you about your birth story they feel like they should be able to ask." Then, depending on the answer, some feel entitled to offer "some sort of indictment or comment on what kind of mother or woman or feminist you are," she says. It gave her yet another worry: "Will people think Im not a feminist if I get implants?" Why breast cancer is different A major factor, experts say, is how breasts in general are viewed in our society and why, of all the known cancers, those affecting the breast are in a category of their own. "Breast tissue isn't just physiological matter," Anne Marie Champagne, a junior fellow with the Center for Cultural Sociology at Yale University, where she is a doctoral candidate in sociology examining how a mastectomy informs a range of perceptions, tells Yahoo Life. "Breasts are medicalized, legislated, gendered, politicized and highly sensitized fleshy matter riven with public as well as deeply personal meanings." While our choices around them "may be individual and motivated by personal aims, beliefs and meanings," she says, they cannot help but be impacted by society at large. "Breast tissue isn't just physiological matter," notes one expert. (Photo Illustration: Chantal Jahchan for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images) She adds, "Breast cancer and this question of what a survivor does with their chest following a mastectomy is part of a collective narrative regardless of how isolated any one survivor might be." Mary Ann Cutter, professor of biomedical ethics at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, agrees that this is why breast cancer is "different from a lot of cancers." The author of Thinking Through Breast Cancer: A Philosophical Exploration of Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival, and a survivor of the disease herself, Cutter adds: "My recollection of what I experienced is a pressure to decide a number of important things in a short amount of time under conditions of clinical uncertainty. And yes, I did find that suddenly I felt the pressure of deciding courses of clinical action that reflected my commitments to me, my identity as a wife and woman and mother, and to my feminist friends." In a New York Times op-ed, hospice nurse and author Theresa Brown declared, "The association of femininity and breast cancer is pernicious, because it genders the disease, meaning that a diagnosis of breast cancer marks patients as women first, people second. It implies that our womanliness is diseased, not our bodies. That was echoed in a 2019 article in the journal Plastic Surgery, which noted, "In contemporary North American culture, the female breast is among the most consequential symbols of femaleness." That piece, written by three women in the department of surgery at the University of Calgary, pointed out: "Some women like their breasts, others hate them, and others try to ignore them, but the relationship between a woman and her breasts is rarely neutral. Those working in the field of breast reconstruction and those considering whether or not to undergo such surgery are wise to consider that the decision about whether to undergo breast reconstruction is not taken in social isolation nor is it merely 'personal.' Instead, such decisions are embedded within a socio-cultural and historical context and are often fraught with tensions that may not be apparent on the surface." The fact is a mastectomy, explains Champagne, co-editor of Interpreting the Body: Between Meaning and Matter, forces breast cancer survivors to "grapple with and possibly redefine, both individual and collectively, what breasted matter means." Which is challenging as, she contends, "we are all caught in a sex-gender system that is nevertheless binary despite its expansion to include trans and non-binary gender identities. Moreover, the bodies of women (and transgender persons) are legislated and treated as the property of others in a way that mens bodies are not." It's against that background of inequality, she says, that women's choices about their bodies can feel political. Champagne adds, "Regardless of what a breast cancer patient decides to do with their post-mastectomy chest, their decision may be challenged by others as conforming to sexist or patriarchal conventions or, conversely, stigmatized for disrupting these conventions." Those are messages Martha got clearly, noting that during her decision-making time, she felt "on display," with even the plastic surgeon "jokingly" asking her husband how big he thought her implants should be. That, along with input from friends, made her body feel not like her own. "There was this feeling like [choosing implants] was vanity, when for me, I dont think it was. And even if it was," she says, "mind your own business." Nigeria-founded social enterprise group World Shoe has launched a new factory in Ghana with the aim of manufacturing Africas first antimicrobial, environmentally conscious footwear products. The facilitys opening represents a collaborative effort between World Shoe and public, private and civil service sectors in Ghana, according to the company. At peak capacity, the factory will produce over five million affordable, hygienic shoes each year to serve both African and international markets. More from Sourcing Journal The footwear produced in Ghana will be a part of an integrated collection of healthcare services designed to address public health and sustainability mandates, World Shoe said. The shoes design provides comfort and breathability in a range of climates and weather conditions, and protects against disease through a durable antimicrobial EVA foam. According to World Shoe data, soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most common neglected tropical diseases in the world, with more than 1.5 billion people infected when exposed to contaminated soil. The footwear foam is also infused with a biodegradation accelerator that speeds up the shoes breakdown at end of life, ensuring that it addresses public health needs as well as environmental impact. More than half a billion people around the world do not have reliable access to quality footwear, leaving them vulnerable to injury and diseases that perpetuate a cycle of poverty, World Shoe Limited president and co-owner Kojo Taylor said. We believe the new World Shoe factory will demonstrate how African innovation can propel African development and create change on a global scale. By creating a model to provide people with affordable, high-quality, eco-friendly shoes, we can support education, health and economic outcomes while protecting the environment, Taylor added. The factory launch supports President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Ghanaian governments objective of promoting economic investment in the region, while fulfilling the global health mandates laid out in the 2022 WHO Kigali Declaration. Through social service partnerships, the World Shoe project will support the efforts of local charities and health agencies to promote public hygiene and disaster response. Ghanaian leaders believe the factorys opening could provide a roadmap for Ghana and other countries to create economic development opportunities and jobs, as factory management will be overseen by local talent. We must do everything to make this initiative succeed as it creates employment for the local community, Honorable Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Constituency, Akosombo, said. Im also excited that this provides a huge import substitution that will help strengthen the local economy. World shoe founder and Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Manny Ohonme, who now serves as the organizations president, said he experienced the importance of a pair of shoes firsthand, having grown up in poverty. Shoes give us dignity and allow us to realize our full human potential, he said. From aid to trade, our goal is to leverage exceptional product design and manufacturing to deliver lasting positive change to people everywhere. In addition to providing products for the African market, World Shoe aims to see its footwear sold in North America and Europe at a price point that will help it scale its social enterprise and humanitarian efforts. It has already secured 1.5 million orders to date. We are creating an African brand for the world, said vice president of marketing Astor Chambers, a veteran of Nike and Adidas. We are fusing together a unique, sustainable product design with the ambition of a brand that stands for large scale social good. This will appeal to socially conscious consumers everywhere and has the potential to revolutionize how we achieve greater health and economic equity, Chambers added. Click here to read the full article. (Bloomberg) -- Israel targeted Hamas commanders and vowed to wipe the group off the face of the Earth as its new unity government signaled a major ground offensive soon in retaliation for an attack by the militant group that killed at least 1,200 people. Most Read from Bloomberg I say here, to everyone we will wipe out this thing called Hamas, Defense Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The address came hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel in a push to show US support. Israel has cut electricity to the Gaza Strip, where airstrikes continued. Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the US and European Union, is holding an unknown number of Israelis hostage and officials suggested the invasion would start before they had been brought to safety. For more on the Israel-Hamas war, click here. All time stamps are Israeli time. Israel Targets Hamas Leaders, Infrastructure (4:45 a.m.) Israeli Defense Forces are prioritizing strikes on Hamas commanders and officials as well as its intelligence and financial infrastructure within the Gaza Strip, spokesman Jonathan Conricus said in a video briefing on the X social media platform. He added there are about 300,000 members of Israels ground forces positioned nearby and they are making preparations for the next stage of the war, which will come when the timing is opportune and fit for our purposes. There are extensive attacks currently happening on many Hamas locations, the IDF also said in a separate social media post. China Envoy Expected to Speak to Israel (4:40 a.m.) Chinas special envoy on Middle East issues is expected to speak Thursday with Israeli officials, according to Israels Ambassador to China. Story continues China has so far avoided blaming any party for the violence and repeated its support for independent Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution. Beijing said its a friend to both sides, but its refusal to condemn the violence from Hamas risks upsetting Israel, a key trade and technological partner. Read: China Middle East Envoy Expected to Speak to Israel on Thursday Iran Knew of Attack Plans But Not Timing, WSJ Says (3:03 a.m.) A preliminary unclassified assessment by US intelligence agencies shows Iran had some indication Hamas was planning an attack against Israel but Tehran didnt know the timing or scale of the assault, the Wall Street Journal reported. The assessment also said US intelligence agencies have not yet reached a definitive conclusion on whether some in Iran may have been aware of what was being considered or helped direct the assault, the paper reported. Iran likely knew Hamas was planning the attacks, but the US has no confirmation Tehran was involved in the preparations, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a White House briefing. Hamas wouldnt have been able to function at all had it not been for propping up by the Iranian regime, he added. Biden Condemns Hamas in Call With UAE Leader (1:05 a.m.) President Joe Biden condemned Hamass terror and warned against anyone who might seek to exploit the current situation in Israel during a call with United Arab Emirates leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the White House said. The two leaders also spoke about the importance of ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. The UAE signed the Abraham Accords with Israel in 2020. Biden has conducted a series of calls with leaders in Europe and the Middle East seeking to rally support for Israel in response to last weekends deadly attacks. Netanyahu Says Every Hamas Member is a Dead Man (12 a.m.) Netanyahu described the horror of the weekend attack, saying people had been beheaded and women had been raped. He vowed to crush and destroy Hamas. Opposition leader Benny Gantz foreshadowed the looming ground campaign, as officials said all Israelis are soldiers now. There is a time for war and time for peace, Gantz said. Now is time for war. Blinken Heads to Israel With Fate of Hostages Uncertain (9:45 p.m.) Blinken took off for Tel Aviv, saying the point of his trip, which may include other stops in the region, is to show the US has Israels back at a time of crisis. The US is also investigating the fate of the at least 17 Americans who remain unaccounted for following the Hamas attack in Israel. The White House is only aware of a very small number who are believed to be hostages, spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. The US has not received proof of life regarding the suspected hostages and does not know where they are, Kirby added. Israel Says Reports of Intrusion Were False Alarm (8:30 p.m.) Air-raid sirens sounded in northern Israel and local residents were told to go to bomb shelters, but authorities later said reports of an airspace intrusion from Lebanon were a false alarm. Israelis have been on high alert for any sign Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon to the north might step up attacks after Hamass deadly attacks from Gaza in the south over the weekend. About 90 minutes after the first report of an intrusion in the north, the Israel Defense Force said, a suspected infiltration has been ruled out. It blamed human error for an earlier alert telling residents across the country to remain in shelters. Biden Speaks to Netanyahu as US Death Toll Rises (7:21 p.m.) Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Netanyahu to discuss ongoing US support for Israel as Israel defends itself and protects its people, the White House said in a statement. Around the time of the call, the State Department said the death toll among US citizens rose to at least 22. Its still not clear how many Americans are being held hostage by Hamas. Israel Engaged in War of Extermination, Palestinian Official Says (7:15 p.m.) The Palestinian people are facing a war of extermination by Israel, the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki said, adding that Israel is heading toward an option of total destruction of Gaza. We have repeatedly warned about the danger of the continued occupation of our land and the Israeli violations, Malki told an Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo. Malki detailed what he said were Israeli transgressions, including using illegal weapons in a blitz aimed at destroying Gazas infrastructure and its ability to support its residents. Shale Boss Warns of Oil-Market Peril If Iran Is Swept Into War (6:38 p.m.) Oil prices will surge if the Israel-Hamas war escalates to include Iran, shale magnate Scott Sheffield told Bloomberg Television. The founder and chief executive officer of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. issued the warning during an interview on Wednesday, hours after Exxon Mobil Corp. agreed to buy the shale giant for $59.5 billion. If Iran gets involved, [the war is] going to get bigger and bigger and itll significantly affect oil prices, he said. US to Send Iron Dome Interceptor Missiles, Other Munitions (6:12 p.m.) The US is sending interceptor missiles for Israelis Iron Dome air-defense system, as well as other munitions as part of initial support, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Brussels. The first munitions arrived Tuesday and the interceptors will be sent soon, Austin said, speaking after a meeting of the contact group supporting Ukraine. He said the US will keep supporting Ukraine and Israel. Were going to do whats necessary to help our allies and partners and were going to also do whats necessary to make sure that we maintain the capability to protect our interests and defend our country, Austin said. Israel Forms Rare Emergency Government (5:30 p.m.) Israel formed a rare emergency government with some opposition members on Wednesday to see the country through its war with Hamas. A war management cabinet will be established with three members, according to Netanyahus office. They are Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and ex-Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who now heads an opposition party. Gaza Runs Out of Power After Plant Stalls (4:02 p.m.) Electricity went out in Gaza after its only power plant stopped working. The station is unable to receive additional fuel after Israel cut off supplies in the wake of the Hamas attack. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said hospitals in Gaza will soon be without power. Hospitals are using backup generators to provide reduced emergency services, it said. --With assistance from Nurin Sofia. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Two jurors in a cold case murder trial had to be dismissed Tuesday, potentially increasing the odds of the case ending in a mistrial for a second time. Gregory Malarik is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 2001 shooting death of his wife, Sherri Malarik. Gregory Malarik wasn't charged in the death until 2020, when his then-girlfriend came forward with new information. After a four-day trial in 2022, the jury could not agree on a verdict and Circuit Judge John Simon declared a mistrial. The state is retrying the case this week in front of a new jury, but just before the second day of Gregory Malarik's murder retrial began Tuesday, the circuit judge presiding over the case had to remove two jurors from the panel after they heard inadmissible information. When entering the courthouse Tuesday morning, the jurors overheard court security personnel discussing the previous mistrial of the case in 2022. Defense attorney Chris Crawford, right, questions Gregory "Little Greg" Malarik during his father Gregory Malariks trial at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Both Assistant State Attorney Amy Shea and defense attorney Chris Crawford agreed that the court should strike the two jurors. "I agree that the first trial being a hung jury would have never come into evidence, and that's now something (the jurors) know outside of our proper procedure," Crawford said. "Long story short: there is no other option." Florida law only requires 12 jurors to try a first-degree premeditated murder case, and Simon selected two alternates in case something like this were to occur. However, now that two jurors have been excused, Simon could be forced to declare a mistrial for the second time if one other juror is dismissed from the panel or is unable to attend due to accident or illness. Evidence and testimony is currently scheduled to end Friday. Malarik's stepson speaks out: He believes his stepdad killed his mom, and spent the next 8 years afraid he was next Why is Gregory Malarik accused of murder? Prosecutors allege that Gregory Malarik was having an affair with a woman named Jennifer Spohn while Sherri traveled overseas in the military. Based on testimony from Spohn and several children in the household, prosecutors argue that Malarik killed Sherri to avoid going through a messy divorce. Gregory's son and stepson, Gregory "Little Greg" Malarik and Jacob Malarik, respectively testified during the previous trial and used what they could remember to piece together a timeline of what happened Sept. 21, 2001. Jacob told the prosecutor back in 2022 that he was in between the kitchen and the dining room when he last saw his mother. "I just remember my mom walking by and saying nonchalantly, 'Hey, I'm going to go outside to talk to your dad,'" Jacob said. "And that was the last I saw of her." They testified that Gregory followed Sherri to the backyard where they family van was parked and heard an audible "pop" sound similar to a firecracker. Afterward, "Little Greg" said the father returned to the house alone and immediately took a shower and changed clothes. Afterward, Gregory allegedly drove the van to a nearby Winn-Dixie and caught a ride from the crime scene with Spohn. Sherri was later found dead inside the van. Investigators did not have enough evidence to arrest Gregory until March 2020, when Spohn gave new information about the death during an interview in exchange for immunity. Was Gregory Malarik searching for a missing shell casing? During the proceedings on Tuesday, Gregory Malarik's son, "Little Greg," testified to his memory of what happened on Sept. 21, 2001, the last night the children saw Sherri alive. "Little Greg's" testimony was similar to stepbrother Jacob Malarik's, saying he saw Sherri walk out the back door of their Cantonment home where Gregory and the family minivan were. He also testified his father gave him a metal detector as a birthday gift either in 2001 or 2002. However, "Little Greg" testified his father used the metal detector in the backyard for an undisclosed amount of time, specifically in the area where the family minivan was parked. "He was using it in front of the pole barn," he testified. Assistant State Attorney Amy Shea, left, speaks during Gregory Malariks trial at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. The minivan that Sherri was later found in was parked just in front of the pole barn, and that's the spot "Little Greg" testified that he saw his father using the metal detector and even digging. During the first trial, Shea said it's possible Gregory was searching for a missing shell casing since law enforcement only found one in the van. However, the medical examiner testified that a shell casing fell out of Sherri's clothing prior to the autopsy. In response, Crawford asked "Little Greg" if he received the metal detector in 2001, the same year Sherri died, or in 2002. He told Crawford he couldn't remember. Did Sherri Malarik's niece hear the fatal gunshot Sept. 21, 2001? Sherri's niece, Lisa Leake, was one of seven children in the Malarik house the night of the homicide, and she testified she heard a "pop" sound coming from outside after her aunt walked to the backyard. "It sounded like a bottle rocket exploded," Leake told Shea. During cross examination, Crawford asked Leake if she remembered her various law enforcement interviews in 2001, 2002 and 2008. Since 20 years have elapsed since Sherri's death, Leake said she couldn't remember details from the interviews. Crawford asked why she never mentioned the "pop" sound to law enforcement in any of her previous interviews, showing her the transcript and asking her if that statement appeared in any of them. When he asked Leake if she mentioned the sound in any of the transcripts, she replied, "Apparently not." This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gregory Malarik's jury shrinks in case of Sherri Malarik's homicide Air Canada has grounded a pilot after complaints about his alleged extreme social media posts that trashed Israel, the Toronto Sun reported on Tuesday. Montreal-based first officer Mostafa Ezzo was accused of sharing images from a protest with messages that included Fuck you Israel. Burn in hell and Hitler is proud of you. An X, formerly known as Twitter, account called StopAntisemitism shared the images, including photos purportedly of Ezzo wearing Palestinian colors in his flight uniform and holding a sign depicting a human cutout dumping the Israeli flag in the trash. Keep the world clean, the hand-scrawled caption reads. We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot, the airline tweeted on X. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms. We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms. Air Canada (@AirCanada) October 10, 2023 An Air Canada spokesperson told the Sun, We did this because this individuals opinions and publications on social media do not represent Air Canadas views in any way. This person has never been authorized to speak publicly while identifying themselves as an Air Canada employee. The Airline Pilots Association Canada told CTV News in Montreal that it was saddened by the war in the Middle East. We condemn all violence and hatred, and any promotion thereof. It is our firm expectation that all of our members abide by this principle and our professional code of ethics. The Associated Press reports that the Hamas attack in Israel reignited violence in the region, leading to a war that has now claimed more than 1,900 lives on both sides. Related... May 29, 2020; Boca Raton, Florida, USA; A general view of the entrance to the Home Depot store in Boca Raton Florida prior to the arrival of Governor Ron DeSantis (not pictured). Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY NETWORK A Florida man has been charged in connection with a retail-theft ring that authorities say stole more than $1.4 million in merchandise from Home Depot and sold it to buyers online. Robert Dell, 56, was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and dealing in stolen property. He was formerly a pastor at The Rock Church near Tampa and worked with the recovery program affiliated with it. Officials say he sold the goods on an eBay store titled, "Anointed Liquidator" Prosecutors say he worked with four others, including his wife and mother, who were also charged in connection to the case. Dell pleaded not guilty, and the private attorney representing him declined to comment on the case as it is still ongoing. The Rock Church posted a statement about Robert Dell on it's website days after his arrest in August. "Just to clear the record. Robert Dell is NOT the pastor of The Rock Church. He wasnt the founding pastor either. He was the pastor when it was named the Rock Community Church and Transformation Center, and hasnt been a pastor for the last 2 1/2 years," the statement read. As corporations raise alarm bells about rising retail theft affecting their bottom line, this investigation offers a look into how prosecutors say these schemes operate. Home Depot and prosecutors coordinated to catch the 'fence' Home Depot worked with law enforcement to track Dell, who prosecutors described as a fence, the middle man collecting stolen goods to reselling them, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by the Wall Street Journal, Home Depot loss-prevention investigators saw two people leaving a Florida store in March with two cordless impact wrenches and cordless die grinders without paying. The investigators provided vehicle information on the suspects to law enforcement. Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Department kept an eye on them over the next two months, and saw them visit stores in seven counties, according to the Wall Street Journal. They would then drop off the goods in a garage later identified as belonging to Dell. Officers arrested those two people in June. One of them told law enforcement that she had been working with Dell for five years, and at one point, she was making up to $10,000 a day working for him, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's announcement of Dell's arrest in August, Dell's wife and mother would assist with packaging them and selling them online. Investigators say that Dell sold the merchandise under an eBay store named the "Anointed Liquidator." According to the website, it is been active since 2011 and sold 35,000 items. EBay told the Wall Street Journal that they had flagged the account in 2017 for selling a large inventory of goods retailers identify as targets for thieves. The account was shut down earlier this year, the company said. Organized retail theft is a growing concern for corporations According to a report by USA TODAY, concern over retail theft is on the rise for big corporations, but lagged reporting makes it hard to assess how much theft has actually impacted the bottom line this year. Missing inventory, or "shrinkage" as it is known to corporations, was discussed more on 2023 Q2 quarterly earnings calls than any other quarter on record. Home Depots chief financial officer said in May that the company's gross margin fell 33.7% in Q1 of this year, and shrinkage was largely to blame. A 2023 National Retail Federation survey showed that shrinkage, primarily driven by theft, cost retailers $112.1 billion last year. This is up from $93.9 billion of shrinkage in 2021, but the average rate is only up by a portion of a percent. NRF research shows that these crimes tend to be clustered in specific places. The 2023 report shows that the, the biggest hotspots were Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York City and Seattle. Atlanta, Sacramento, Chicago, Denver, Miami and Albuquerque also made the top ten. FORCE and U.S. INFORM Consumers Act target retail theft Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody touted the arrest as part of a multiagency collaboration. In December 2021, Moody announced the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE) taskforces to aid investigators in identifying suspects and gathering evidence. It includes an invite-only database for retailers, law enforcement and prosecutors to share information on theft incidents. In April 2023, FORCE was also involved in the arrest of four people who allegedly were involved in an organized retail theft operation that spanned 16 counties in Florida, costing Home Depot an estimated $1.1 million. Stolen rental equipment from Home Depot was recovered during a joint investigation into organized retail theft that spanned 16 counties in Florida. In announcing FORCE, Moody pointed to cities outside of Florida as the hubs for organized retail crime, saying, "we are seeing lawlessness and out-of-control mobs preying on businesses and consumers in major cities outside of Florida, and we will not allow these crime sprees to harm Floridians or our retailers." Though according to NRF research, Miami has been in the top five cities affected by organized retail crime between 2017 and 2021. Still, the rise in incidents across the country has prompted Congress to take action too. The Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act took effect June 27, requiring online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay to gather more information about high-volume sellers. The Federal Trade Commission suggests this will help counter online fraud and ensure only legitimate sellers use the online marketplaces. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert Dell, Florida pastor, has Home Depot theft ring claims detailed Almost 29 years ago to the day, Krystyn Dunlaps mother reported her 17-year-old daughter missing. On Wednesday, Boise police said they have new information about her disappearance. Detectives are looking for a gray 1989 Z28 Camaro, which could be the evidence we need to help solve what happened to Krystyn and find justice for her and her family, Boise Police Sgt. Justin Kendall said in a news release. Anyone with information about the Camaro is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at: 208-343-COPS (2677). Dunlaps disappearance on Oct. 16, 1994, was initially believed to be a runaway incident, according to police. Her case status was changed to missing person in 1998, the same year the case had gone cold. In 2021, detectives revisited the case and came to believe that foul play was involved. Police said Dunlaps mother had reported her missing in October 1994, but friends, acquaintances and people she was living with at the time said they had been in contact with her until mid-December. The Idaho Statesman reported in 2021 that many in Dunlaps family, who still gather to celebrate her birthday each year, believed that she may be dead. The family also told the Statesman that they believe Dunlaps disappearance was connected to her now-deceased boyfriend, Charles Corey Castro. Boise police have not named any suspects in the case. Police are asking for the publics help in spreading the word that they are looking for the 1989 Camaro. They have tracked its last known location to the Reno area, specifically Sun Valley, Nevada, but that was nearly 20 years ago, the news release said. Detectives are only interested in finding the vehicle, and none of the vehicles owners since 1994 are suspected of any wrongdoing or under investigation, the release said. The vehicles identification number, or VIN, is 1G1FP21E3KL147418. We are asking people to spread the word that we are looking for this car, Kendall said. If you have a friend or neighbor with an old Camaro on their property, ask about it, check the VIN. Please check old salvage yards, hobby/part shops, etc. Its possible that as of about 2000, it was no longer running and was being used as a parts car, potentially ending up in the amateur car racing/car building circuit. We know its a long shot, but we would really like to find this car. You can contact Crime Stoppers of Southwest Idaho at 208-343-COPS (2677), visit www.343COPS.com, or leave a tip using the P3 Tips app on a mobile device. Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $1,000 for tips that lead to a felony arrest. Nearly 30 years ago, a Boise woman went missing. Her familys still searching for answers Update: Coroner IDs woman who crashed into oncoming traffic on Eagle Road after pursuit The Democratic challenger in the Mississippi governor's race has raised more campaign cash than the Republican incumbent so far this year, but the Republican has more money left to spend in the final weeks of the race, according to finance reports filed Tuesday. In a state where Republicans hold all statewide offices and a strong majority in the Legislature, first-term Gov. Tate Reeves discounted the fundraising by challenger Brandon Presley, saying Presley received $3 million from the Democratic Governors Association making up more than one-third of Presley's collections. More: New poll shows Reeves leading Presley. See how much of a lead he has Ask yourself: why are they dropping historic money on Mississippi to flip it blue? Reeves wrote on social media. It's because they know Brandon Presley will govern like a liberal democrat. Presley is a utility regulator and cousin of rock n' roll legend Elvis Presley , and he's seeking to become Mississippi's first Democratic governor in 20 years. Ron Owens, his campaign manager, said in a statement that Presley has momentum to bring change to the governor's office. Democrat Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley and Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. Brandon Presley is receiving overwhelming support from Mississippians because they are ready for a governor who will tackle corruption, keep hospitals open, and cut the car tag fees in half, Owens said. Finance reports show Presley started this year with about $727,500 in his campaign fund. He has raised about $7.9 million and spent nearly $6.8 million. That left him with about $1.8 million cash on hand as of Sept. 30. Reeves started this year with nearly $7.9 million in two campaign accounts. He has raised about $5.1 million and spent nearly $6.9 million. He had about $4.2 million cash on hand at the end of September. Mississippi voters will be heading to the polls Nov. 7 for the general election. Absentee voting has already begun. Before the recent $3 million contribution to Presley, the Democratic Governors Association donated $750,000 to his campaign in July. The Reeves campaign received $500,000 on June 23 from the Washington-based Mississippi Strong PAC a donation that arrived the same day the political action committee received $600,000 from the Republican Governors Association, or RGA. On June 19, Reeves traveled to Alabama to raise money for the RGA, and the Presley campaign criticized Reeves for going to the fundraiser as Mississippi residents were recovering from tornadoes. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Brandon Presley raises more campaign cash than Tate Reeves in MS governor's race Flag of Bulgaria Bulgarian law enforcement has shut down a criminal network that supplied dual-use goods to Russia, which were then used in the war against Ukraine, Bulgarian outlet The Sofia Globe reported on Oct. 10. Read also: Bulgaria becomes seventh EU state to ban cars with Russian license plates At least 12 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Five of the detainees are foreign nationals, including three Russians, one Belarusian, and one Albanian, according to Bulgarian Interior Minister Zhivko Kotsev. The head of the State Agency for National Security, Plamen Tonchev, said that his agency received information regarding the export of dual-use goods, leading to the discovery of a "complex network of illegal supplies." The criminal network has been operating in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Veliko Turnovo since early 2021. Read also: Bulgarian parliament approves transfer of defective S-300 missiles to Ukraine The network was primarily comprised of Russian citizens who financed the supply of goods; they were not permanent residents of Bulgaria. Supplies were delivered through various companies, one of which is based in Plovdiv. Goods were sent to Plovdiv, where they were packaged, then transported to Sofia, and from there, the shipments were airlifted to Russia. The operation had a cash flow of nearly EUR 2 million. Read also: UAE may limit exports of goods Russia uses for weapon production report The weapons were not for the regular Russian army, but for the special forces operating on the territory of Ukraine, the report reads. Bulgarias Deputy Prosecutor-General Maria Pavlova said the exported technology includes various types of dual-use goods, such as optical sights and aviation radio equipment. 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 DENVER (KDVR) A Colorado artist spoke with FOX31 after fleeing Israel in the midst of this weekends attacks. Topher Straus flew to Israel for the first time of his life on Saturday. He said he wanted to immerse himself in Israeli sights and culture while working on a painting for the Jewish National Fund. No warning, just booms in the air: Colorado-raised woman caught in attack on Israel Upon arrival, he quickly experienced terror and fear as missiles started flying above him. People are scared, people are very angry Straus shared video from the beach on Saturday after just landing in Tel Aviv, about an hour northeast of Gaza. In it, explosions can be heard and missiles seen in the sky. As an American, Ive never experienced weve never experienced anything like this, Straus said. Being called into pharmacies as the air raid sirens are going off and people saying, Come, come, and being rushed down below two stories into a bunker where theres gas masks. To say that the atmosphere in Tel Aviv was tense is an understatement. It was. People are scared. People are very angry. People are confused, Straus said. Straus captured tensions and emotions at the local airport in Tel Aviv. People can be seen in his video arguing at the ticket line and signs showing many cancellations. I bought three different tickets. It wasnt until my third attempt that I was able to get out, Straus said. That the airport was so crowded. When we took off, the lights in the airplane were turned off, and we just went straight high. I realized that was because we needed to get to a safe air level. Emotions high after escape from war in Israel Landing safely in Italy three days after arriving in Israel, the artist said he is embracing gratitude beyond belief. Being an artist, I opened my heart and I feel things, Straus said. And as we landed over the landscape of Italy, and I knew that I was coming to a safe country, I cried. A lot of people on the plane cried, and a lot of people have suffered a lot more than what I felt. They have lost family members and were escaping their home. We have to continue to stand by ally Israel: Colorado leader chimes in on war in Israel Straus immediately started pouring this emotion into a painting from the safety of his hotel room in Italy. He plans to work on a number of paintings encompassing the pain, emotion and history he saw in Israel and donate money from his artwork. Im so excited to come back home to my Colorado and to create art, Straus said. Its amazing how much this experience has changed my life forever and my perspective forever. Its times like these when we realize how lucky we are as Americans. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Polk County government has filed a lawsuit against Polk County Health Services Foundation, a nonprofit that, until this year, helped provide group home care for county residents, asking a judge to order an accounting of funds the group holds and demanding it return more than $1.1 million. For decades, Polk County Health Services, a nonprofit created with more than $2.3 million in public funds, ran dozens of group homes for people with disabilities throughout the county. The foundation, also started with public funds, helped with Polk County Health Services' charitable mission. But state leaders last year agreed on a phased-in plan that shifted how services for people with mental health needs and disabilities were paid for, transferring the responsibility for funding from counties to the state. The Polk County supervisors, in response, moved to take over both the management and financing for the county's state-designated service region in March. The result was a unique situation in Iowa that some families and advocates saw as a power and money grab. As the rift escalated, county leaders contended that Polk County Health Services and the foundation were not being transparent with their finances. In the lawsuit filed last week, Assistant Polk County Attorney Mari Culver reiterated some of those claims, saying the county does not know whether or to what extent funds still under the control of the foundation were misspent, misused or dissipated. Culver said the foundation was created with public funding, and it would be unjust to allow it to be "so enriched at the expense of Polk County. She asked the judge to order all its funds be returned to the county. The foundation has not yet had a chance to respond to the county's claims. Liz Cox, the former executive director of the Polk County Health Services, did not respond to a phone call seeking comment. Kevin Crowley, who serves on the Polk County Health Services Foundation board, said he had not yet seen the lawsuit and could not comment. But he did say he and other foundation leaders look forward to having their day in court. If we win, thats great. If they win, thats great, and well give them the money, said Crowley, who also is chief operating officer of Iowa Realty Commercial. Lynn Hicks, chief of staff for the county attorneys office, said it had no comment on the lawsuit. Polk County says health services foundation won't return funds State leaders decision to modernize funding for mental health and disability services was, in part, an effort to eliminate unevenly administered county-by-county systems. To pave the way for the transfer of funding responsibilities from counties to the state, the state created regional boards to oversee the management of services, which were supposed to be comprised of county supervisors and members of the public. But in Polk County which has its own region because it is the single largest provider of such services in Iowa the supervisors decided last spring to take over management and funding worth roughly $30 million, end the contract with Polk County Health Services, and exclude members of the public from governance. More: Legal battle looms: Lawsuit says Iowa fails to provide required mental health care for kids Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly Supervisors Chair Angela Connolly said at the time she never had a quarrel with Cox or issues with the organization Cox ran. She said she moved to eliminate the regional board and have the county provide mental health and disability services because the supervisors ultimately oversee the budget and direct county management would be more streamlined, transparent and accountable. John Norris, the county administrator, said Polk already was exempt under state law from needing a regional service agreement, and as such he didn't think it needed the wider governance panel that other regions did. Cox unsuccessfully sought help from both the state auditor and attorney general to push back against the decision. In a plan submitted to Iowas Department of Human Services, county leaders announced their intention to have the county manage the services and have the supervisors oversee the Polk County regions nearly $30 million budget. The new structure included public advisory councils, but they were to have no voting power. Kelly Garcia, who heads Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services, subsequently insisted that four members of the public, including relatives or caregivers of adults and children with disabilities, be included on Polk's regional board. More: Shortage of youth mental health services in Iowa reaches crisis; families are in despair Late last year, Cox transferred the titles of the group homes to Connexus Behavioral Health and Disability Advocates, a new nonprofit formed after the Polk County Health Services contract ended. County officials subsequently made a legal demand for the group homes to be returned to county control, and they reached a settlement in June to do so. As part of that agreement, Polk County Health Services transferred nearly all its assets to the county, but the county contends in the lawsuit the foundation refuses to transfer its funds. Those funds were always intended to support the group homes: to benefit the residents of the group homes by helping to provide them with pleasant, group-home living adapted to their special needs, the lawsuit contends. Lee Rood staff photo, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Lee Rood's Reader's Watchdog column helps Iowans get answers and accountability from public officials, the justice system, businesses and nonprofits. Reach her at lrood@registermedia.com, at 515-284-8549, on Twitter at @leerood or on Facebook at Facebook.com/readerswatchdog. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Polk County Health Services Foundation sued for $1.1 million Mississippi is ground zero for the obesity epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Mississippi has one of the highest adult obesity rates in the country. Obesity, defined as a chronic disease by the American Medical Association, is often left unmentioned and untreated in exam rooms. Health care providers are not willing participants in ignoring this chronic disease that the Obesity Medicine Association refers to as a root cause of over 200 co-morbidities and 13 types of cancer. I see it every day as a family nurse practitioner. Instead of utilizing standard-of-care treatment options, insurance companies and wealth dictate what options patients will have. When patients ask me what their options are, my answer is always, it depends on what your insurance allows, or what you can afford. Its a hard sentence to say to a person asking for help and not what I had in mind when I dreamed of being a nurse. Christy Davis Instead of practicing preventative medicine, HCPs are left reacting to complications of obesity. We add a third drug for diabetes, a second pill for cholesterol, another blood pressure medication, physical therapy for knee pain, and this list could go on forever. We are, for lack of a better euphemism, slapping on band-aids to patch our patients up until the next big exacerbation of any one of their multiple chronic conditions. Rather than treat the underlying cause of obesity, we are scrambling to keep our patients alive. The projections for the future of Mississippi are dire. Obesity is the root cause of all the leading causes of death in Mississippi heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and hypertension. Unlike these potentially fatal chronic diseases, treatment for obesity is often excluded from insurance coverage. If I havent been clear enough, over one-third of Mississippians are suffering from obesity, essentially due to inadequate insurance. If eating less and moving more was the answer, then we wouldnt be in the middle of this ever-worsening public health crisis. For many, even that is a luxury they may not have. Poverty, lack of access to healthy food options or safe exercise environments only exacerbates the issue. Tools such as anti-obesity medication and bariatric surgery bridge the gap beyond lifestyle changes to a sustainable healthier life. Congress now has the opportunity to give Medicare patients access to effective, standard-of-care treatments that fight obesity head on. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023, S. 2407, has recently been introduced to allow coverage for AOMs under the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program. The current outdated restriction for Medicare coverage was put in place over 15 years ago before scientists developed AOMs that combat the disease itself instead of just easing symptoms. Medicare covers bariatric surgery, no longer the only long-term treatment option for obesity. However, AOMs are excluded from coverage. These FDA-approved medications are proven to successfully treat obesity and alleviate hundreds of related diseases. Obesity is treatable and preventable, but patients must have access to all effective treatment options including anti-obesity medications. The consequences of this disease not only affect more than two in five Americans, but obesity is costing taxpayers millions. In one study, total obesity-related government expenditures in the U.S., including Medicaid and Medicare spending and federal outlays, were estimated to be $91.6 billion per year. This accounts for approximately 30% of Medicare spending nationally. Data from the National Taxpayers Union estimates that we spend between $200 and $500 billion each year on obesity-related complications. Providing coverage for AOMs will ultimately show cost savings due to reduced medications and services for the comorbidities that go along with obesity. Instead of multiple expensive band-aids, we could be treating the source and preventing further complications. This disease has overtaken our state. It is time to equip Mississippians with every treatment option available. Recently a significant leap forward occurred with the addition of anti-obesity medication to Mississippi Medicaid, but we cannot fight this epidemic without all Mississippians having access to treatment. I urge our Mississippi lawmakers in Washington to support this legislation that will remove Medicares prohibition on covering critical obesity medications for our seniors. Instead of being known as ground zero for the obesity epidemic, Mississippi could set the standard for health equality in obesity treatment. Christy Davis, DNP, FNP-C, co-chair, Mississippi Obesity Society. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Congress can help Mississippi fight obesity (Bloomberg) -- Custody Bank of Japan Ltd. will set up a second panel of outside lawyers to probe alleged misconduct by its former top executive, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The move by the bank, whose major shareholders include Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc., came after the regulator deemed the initial investigation conducted by a similar panel in January to be unsatisfactory. In June, the bank said it found improper conduct by an unidentified former top executive and was in contact with authorities for potential criminal offenses. The executive is Yoshikazu Tanaka, who was president of the company until the end of December, Bloomberg has reported. Tanaka has denied any wrongdoing. The Financial Services Agency has ordered Custody Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust to submit reports on the matter, Bloomberg reported in July. Custody Bank safeguards about 652 trillion yen ($4.4 trillion) of assets for investors. After receiving the reports, the regulator saw issues with the banks first investigation, including that the panel didnt interview Tanaka, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The FSA asked it to conduct another probe with a fresh panel to ensure objectivity, the people added. Officials at the FSA and Custody Bank declined to comment. Custody Bank is 33.3% owned by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust and 27% by Mizuho Financial Group Inc., according to the custodians disclosure report. The rest is held by Resona Bank Ltd. and major Japanese insurers. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. PANAMA CITY A historic piece of downtown Panama City damaged five years ago by Hurricane Michael was reinstalled last week, but in a new location. According to information from Panama City, the city's century-old clock was installed by crews last Thursday and Friday at 4th Street and Harrison Avenue, also locally referred to as "Four Points Plaza." The clock was severely damaged by the Category 5 storm, which struck the Panhandle on Oct. 10, 2018. This marks the clock's third location in Downtown Panama City. The others were at Harrison Avenue and Beach Drive, where it sat from 1926 to 1957; and Harrison Avenue and 7th Street, where it sat from 1957 to 2019. Crews have reinstalled Panama City's historic century-old clock that was heavily damaged five years ago by Category 5 Hurricane Michael. "I think it's exciting," said Jonathan Hayes, public works director for Panama City. "I just love ... how we were able to blend the history and the historical components of downtown Panama City with the rebirth and revitalization (of downtown)." Hayes notes that although some new components were added to the clock, it was restored to look "very similar" to how it did prior to Hurricane Michael. Officials planned a rededication ceremony for the clock at 4 p.m. on Tuesday in honor of the storm's fifth anniversary. The city announced the ceremony and that the clock was reinstalled in a Facebook post on Friday. As of Monday afternoon, the post had about 30 comments, more than 80 shares and almost 460 reactions. Meet the mayor: Panama City mayor to hold open house at City Hall for residents to ask questions Panama City was among areas hardest hit by Michael, and the city has secured more than $300 million in disaster relief funds since landfall. About $60 million worth of storm-related construction is underway throughout the city, and another $40 million in projects are slated to soon break ground. "I think this is significant because it is downtown Panama City, and the fact that it mostly survived even though it did undertake significant damage," Hayes said. "To see it restored and put back in the middle of the (downtown) on the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Michael, I think, is definitely significant." This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City reinstalls historic clock 5 years after Hurricane Michael There are plenty of unconventional ways to tie the knot and honeymoon, and this German couple took things to the next level by celebrating at a McDonalds. Not just any McDonalds, one located in the Mitten States very own Thumb. Mike and Kathi Haller, from Munich, celebrated their marriage at a McDonalds in Croswell, Michigan, on Oct. 8. According to a news release, the meal took place between the wedding ceremony and reception and included 23 guests, who were primarily from Germany. Mike and Kathi Haller, newlyweds from Munich, Germany, show off rings as they eat fries from local Michigan McDonald's The couple, who frequently travel the world and are McDonalds mega fans, said they first visited the Croswell area in 2016. Located around 80 miles north of Detroit and along Lake Huron, the Hallers set out for an American wedding day experience following their engagement. Kathi said one of the highlights from the day was the McDonalds outing itself. I think when someone asks me about my favorite part of the wedding, one of the first things that will come up is McDonald's, said Kathi Haller. The experience we had there was so unique and special. The next time Im at a McDonald's, I will have these memories with me. Mike and Kathi Haller, newlyweds from Munich, Germany, share fries at a local Michigan McDonald's following their wedding ceremony Mike continued by saying they love the brand and have visited multiple McDonalds locations across the world. We love McDonald's. I think that that is clear, said Mike. Every country we visit has its own unique burger or meal, so we like to try everything. We've been to McDonald's in Japan, Israel, Italy, all over Europe and it's always fun because you have your standard meal that always feels (like) home anywhere you are. Mike and Kathi Haller, newlyweds from Munich, Germany, enter drive-thru in a McDonald's Ford Mustang, accompanied by Grimace, iconic character, following wedding ceremony The meal was organized by Brian Dickendesher, owner and operator at the Croswell McDonalds, who said he was overjoyed to help with the couples special day. Just to have the opportunity to do something different for these people from a different part of the world, its just wholesome, said Dickendesher. Having our customers see how much we are willing to do for anybody, its good for McDonald's and good for our community. Any opportunity to do things like this is something we don't take lightly. The newlyweds indulged in the classic McDonald's experience by sharing a cheeseburger, fries, McNuggets, and Coca-Cola following a unique drive-thru experience where the bride and groom rolled up to the restaurant in a McDonald's Ford Mustang. Grimace also joined in the festivities. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: German couple travels to Michigan, celebrates wedding day at McDonald's What is Hezbollah? Lebanon's militant group has long been one of Israel's biggest foes In the days after Hamas' surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, Israeli forces have also been engaging in skirmishes with Hezbollah along Israel's northern border with Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday that more than a dozen rockets were launched from Lebanese territory, and that the probability of an escalation along the border is "not low." The developments come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday one of the key priorities in the war against Hamas is fortifying its northern border against Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. Here's what to know about Hezbollah. MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates What is Hezbollah? Hezbollah -- which means "party of God" or "party of Allah" -- is an Iran-backed, Shiite Muslim political party and militant group based in Lebanon. It was founded in the 1980s amid the 15-year Lebanese Civil War and has been led by its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah since 1992. Today, it controls much of the Shiite-majority areas of Lebanon, including parts of the capital, Beirut. Hezbollah has been designated a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including the U.S. and Israel. The group has clashed for decades with Israel, which is considered Hezbollah's "main enemy," going back to Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon in 1978, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, a New York City-based independent think tank. "Even after Israel officially withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000, it continued to clash with Hezbollah," including in a monthlong war in 2006, the Council on Foreign Relations said. PHOTO: Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine addresses a rally in the suburbs of Beirut, on Oct. 8, 2023, in support of the 'Operation Al-Aqsa Flood' which was launched by Hamas militants the previous day against Israel from the Gaza Strip. (AFP via Getty Images) Hezbollah has been blamed for multiple terrorist attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets abroad. Its reach isn't limited to Lebanon, with "evidence of Hezbollah operations in Africa, the Americas, and Asia," according to the Council on Foreign Relations. The group has also been involved in the Syrian civil war, joining Iran and Russia in support of the Syrian government. As a political party, Hezbollah and its allies lost their majority in Lebanon's 128-member Parliament in last year's elections. Though "it remains the dominant party of the Shiite community and an extremely powerful armed group that does not hesitate to use force inside, and outside, the country to pursue its or Iran's goals," the Middle East Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based non-partisan think tank, said at the time. MORE: Death came from sea, air and ground: A timeline of surprise attack by Hamas on Israel What is the difference between Hamas and Hezbollah? Hamas and Hezbollah are united in rejecting Israel's right to exist and are considered terrorist groups by the U.S., Israel and other countries. They are both Islamic militant groups, though Hamas belongs to the Sunni branch and Hezbollah the Shia branch. Hamas controls the Palestinian territory of Gaza, located on Israel's southwestern border, while Hezbollah is based in Lebanon, on Israel's northern border. MORE: What is Hamas? The militant group behind surprise attack on Israel has ruled Gaza for years Iran has long been known to provide support, training and weapons to both armed resistance groups, which are considered to be the largest in a network of Tehran proxy groups on Israel's borders. "Iran seems to be the head of the 'octopus of terror.' One arm Hezbollah, another Hamas," Naftali Bennett, the former prime minister of Israel, said during a briefing organized by Jewish Federations of North America on Tuesday. Is Hezbollah involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict? PHOTO: A column of Israeli Merkava tanks is amassed on the outskirts of the northern town of Kiryat Shmona near the border with Lebanon, on Oct. 8, 2023. (Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images) Since the Hamas assault, there has been some fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border. On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said it "neutralized a number of terrorist infiltrators who crossed from Lebanon into Israel." Hezbollah claimed three militants were killed in the fighting that day. The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday it attacked Hezbollah observation posts in response to approximately 15 rockets launched from Lebanese territory. "On the northern border, Hezbollah is playing games. Not big numbers, but they try to infiltrate," Bennett said. PHOTO: Hezbollah fighters attend the funeral procession of their two comrades who were killed by Israeli shelling, in Kherbet Selem village, south Lebanon, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Hussein Malla/AP) The U.S. is "deeply concerned" about the possibility of Hezbollah opening a second front to Israel's fight and is "working with Israel and with our partners across the region to contain this to Gaza," a senior U.S. official told reporters Monday. As a deterrent, the U.S. has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean. "These posture increases were intended to serve as an unequivocal demonstration in deed, and not only in words, of U.S. support for Israel's defense and serve as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah and any other proxy across the region who might be considering exploiting the current situation to escalate conflict," the official said. It is unclear if Iran has played a critical role in orchestrating the Hamas attack. On Monday, White House spokesperson John Kirby said although Iran bore "a degree of complicity," the administration had yet to uncover "hard, tangible evidence" of its involvement. What is Hezbollah? Lebanon's militant group has long been one of Israel's biggest foes originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A senior U.S. defense official on Monday said the Hamas attack on Israel is different from previous conflicts in Gaza, likening the violence by Hamas militants as "ISIS-like savagery" and said U.S. munitions are already en route to Israel, adding bluntly that sending the carrier USS Gerald R Ford was intended to be a deterrent to Iran and Hezbollah. The official stated clearly that the U.S. is "deeply concerned" that Hezbollah could "make the wrong decision" and start a second front and said the aircraft carrier is to message to them not to do that. Here is the latest accounting of the U.S. military's view of the conflict: PHOTO: Israeli police officers evacuate a family from a site hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, Oct. 7, 2023. (Tsafrir Abayov/AP) MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: At least 11 Americans killed, may be among those held by Hamas 'ISIS-like savagery' "This is ISIS-like savagery that we have seen committed against Israeli civilians, houses burned to the ground, young people massacred at music festivals," the official told reporters in a briefing on Monday. Hamas militants who crossed into Israeli towns near the border with Gaza used "ISIS-level-style tactics and techniques," the official added highlighting how the current conflict "is different and unprecedented." "Hamas militants going across Israel, murdering children in front of their parents, massacring with indiscriminate violence in music festivals, burning down entire houses, while families sheltered in their bunkers. This is different and we want to be very clear about what that is," said the official. PHOTO: Rockets fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza City are intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defence missile system in the early hours of Oct. 8, 2023. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Timeline of surprise rocket attack by Hamas on Israel Surging air defense support to Israel The official also made clear that the U.S. is already "surging support to Israel, that includes air defense and munitions" and that some munitions are already en route by air to Israel. The official would not disclose what air defense systems are being supported. However, the Biden administration briefed Congress on Sunday night that Israel is seeking additional artillery rounds, interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome missile defense system, and precision guided munitions according to two U.S. officials familiar with the contents of the briefing. "The bottom line is we are working as fast as possible to provide critically needed munitions of various types and other equipment," the senior U.S. defense official told reporters. "We're also contacting U.S. industry to gain expedited shipment of pending is really orders for military equipment that otherwise may have been considered routine for movement." The official also said that the DOD is working with U.S. Central Command "to assess what munitions and other equipment are in U.S. inventory that we can be made, that can be made quickly available for Israel" a likely reference to the vast stockpile of U.S. military weapons and ammunition that has been in place in Israel for decades. The officials familiar with the Biden administration's briefing to Congress said that Israel is already tapping into the pre-propositioned U.S. military stockpile and that the Pentagon is working with the U.S. defense industry to expedite existing Israeli orders of U.S. weapons systems. Carrier deployment as deterrent, warning to Iran and Hezbollah On Sunday, the Pentagon announced the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean as well as additional F-15 and F-35 fighter jets to the region. . The senior U.S. defense official said the deployment of the carrier strike group is "intended to serve as an unequivocal demonstration indeed, and not only in words of U.S. support for Israel's defense and serve as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and any other proxy across the region who might be considering exploiting the current situation to escalate conflict." "Those adversaries should think twice." The official said the carrier will be arriving in the eastern Mediterranean "very soon". The official said the U.S. government is "flooding the zone with high-level phone calls and engagement to make clear our desire to contain this conflict." PHOTO: American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is seen from the air anchored in Italy in the Gulf of Trieste, Italy, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Andrej Tarfila/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images, FILE) MORE: What is Hamas? The militant group behind surprise attack on Israel has ruled Gaza for years 'Deeply concerned' about Hezbollah and a 2nd front Soon after launching its attacks Hamas urged Arabs in the region to also strike at Israel, and on Monday the official specifically acknowledged strong U.S. concerns that Hezbollah may open a northern front on Israel from inside southern Lebanon. "We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict," said the official. We are working with Israel and with our partners across the region to contain this to Gaza and it's one of the main reasons why we adjusted our posture so quickly to increase our maritime presence in the eastern Mediterranean," the official acknowledged. "Because Iran-backed adversaries like Lebanese Hezbollah should not question the commitment of the US government to support the defense of Israel." US surging air defense and other munitions to Israel, official says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com As Israel declares all-out war against Hamas, the Islamist group will be hoping its unprecedented assault will shore up Palestinian support and derail moves towards a wider Arab-Israeli settlement. In a statement released on Saturday, Hamass military commander Mohammed Deif listed Israel's long-running blockade of Gaza, its occupation of Palestinian lands, and its alleged crimes against Muslims, including the desecration of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, as prime drivers behind the attack. With Israel now vowing to wipe out Hamas once and for all, the decision to "wittingly, knowingly, undertake" such an action may on the surface appear "suicidal", said The New Yorker, but it comes from a sense that "there are no other options and that there's nothing left to lose". What are Hamas's aims? In many ways Hamas's attack on Israel sums up the "essence of terrorism", wrote Michele Groppi, lecturer in defence studies at King's College London, for The Conversation. It was designed to inspire fear in the population, he said, while also provoking Israel into increasing regional tensions. This would shore up Hamas's political position at a time when it is facing growing opposition in Gaza and when the Arab world most notably Saudi Arabia has been working towards normalising relations with Israel. Just last week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said every day we get closer to a deal with Israel, which would have seen both countries formally recognise each other within a security, defence and economic partnership with the US. Saturday's invasion seems to "derail that in the near term, just as Hamas intended", said Time magazine. There is "simply no way" the Israeli government will now not unleash the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the Gaza Strip on the ground, in the air, and by sea to destroy Hamas, said security expert Steven A. Cook on Foreign Policy. This, he said, "changes everything", and means "the starting point for the new Middle East will be an Israeli reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, not an Israeli Embassy in Riyadh". An Israeli invasion of Gaza is likely to unite Palestinian factions and their international allies and could also provoke a "significant attack" against Israel by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, "risking a wider conflagration in the region", reported the Council on Foreign Relations. What is the history of Hamas? An acronym of Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, meaning Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas emerged in the late 1980s as the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza. This followed the outbreak in 1987 of the first intifada, the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Its belief in violence as the ultimate means to achieve its objectives was set out in its founding charter, which stated: "There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time." It soon put this belief into practice, first employing suicide bombing in 1993 as an attempt to derail the Oslo peace accords between Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. Hamas, which would be designated a terrorist organisation by the US in 1997, condemned the accords, which established limited self-government for parts of the West Bank and Gaza. This did not stop the group from taking control of the Gaza Strip via the ballot box after defeating its rival political party, Fatah, in elections in 2006, a year after Israel ended its occupation of the territory. While it continued to carry out sporadic attacks in the years since, in 2017, in what the Council of Foreign Relations called "an attempt to moderate its image", Hamas presented a new charter that accepted an interim Palestinian state along the "Green Line border established before the Six-Day War of 1967 but that still refused to recognise Israel. Now this apparent move towards moderation lies in tatters. Why now? In recent weeks there has been a resumption of protests along the border fence surrounding Gaza, a deterioration in conditions in the territory, and a withdrawal of support for Hamas from Qatar. Nevertheless, the "key to the timing of this assault is the wider context in the region, not least the ongoing US-brokered normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia that has been gathering pace recently", said The Guardian. The reality, said the paper, is that while Hamas has dressed up its attack as a response to Israeli incursions around the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, "it chose to trigger this conflict at this time and in the way it did as a way to impose itself in that wider diplomacy". That it occurred on the 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War, when Egypt and Syria launched a joint offensive that caught Israel's vaunted intelligence services by surprise, has given the attack added symbolism that is "vital" for terrorists, said Groppi. "It enables them to blow things out of proportion and bring people's worst nightmares to life. In this sense, Hamas did it all." Despite a federal judges ruling overturning Californias ban on large-capacity firearm magazines for a second time, the law remains in effect after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which oversees federal cases from California issued a stay on the judges order pending further legal proceedings. With that decision, gun magazines with more than 10 rounds remain illegal to purchase, sell or transfer in California. We are relieved that the court considered the public safety of Californians in its decision to grant our motion and maintain the restrictions on large-capacity magazines pending a decision on appeal, said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is defending the law, in a statement. In September, U.S. District Court Judge Roger Benitez , known for fiery language in his legal opinions and an ardent defense of the Second Amendment, overturned the states ban. The San Diego-based judge called the law clearly unconstitutional. It was the second time that Benitez had struck down the the law; the first time was in 2019. The 9th Circuit overruled Benitez then, too. The embattled law made it all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which kicked it back down to the district court after its 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision, which established among other things that the Second Amendment is not unlimited. In his September ruling, Benitez wrote of several instances where people defending themselves with firearms relied on large-capacity ammunition magazines. Woe to the victim who runs out of ammunition before armed attackers do. The police will mark the ground with chalk, count the number of shell casings, and file the report, Benitez wrote. The 9th Circuits en banc panel in San Francisco, by a 7-4 vote, did not agree with his assessment of the merits of the law. First, we conclude that the Attorney General is likely to succeed on the merits, the circuit court wrote in its statement, adding that the law likely complies with the framework of the Bruen decision. The court noted that there have been 10 other federal challenges of state ammunition capacity laws, and only one of those challenges in the Southern District of Illinois granted a preliminary injunction halting the law. The court also notes that California could face irreparable harm if the ban is allowed to be lifted. If a stay is denied, California indisputably will face an influx of large-capacity magazines like those used in mass shootings in California and elsewhere, the court wrote. Benitez had dismissed mass shootings as the actions of a few mad men. Finally, we conclude that the public interest tips in favor of a stay, the appellate panel wrote in its ruling. The public has a compelling interest in promoting public safety, as mass shootings nearly always involve large-capacity magazines, and, although the public has an interest in possessing firearms and ammunition for self-defense, that interest is hardly affected by this stay. If youre a wildlife lover, theres never a bad season for getting a glimpse of fantastic fauna viewing, whether it's grizzlies fishing for salmon or butterflies fluttering south. Though the natural world can seem most vivid amid summers long days and warm temperatures, fall, or autumn, is an excellent time of year to watch wildlife engaging in different behaviors. As birds, mammals and insects prepare for the long winter ahead, they might be busy building nests, migrating south to warmer climes or breeding. All of this can mean some dazzling spectacles, like the clashing horns of elk, or even just an increased chance of catching a usually elusive animal in the wild. Grab your best binoculars, pull on your sturdiest hiking boots, and dont forget to follow the principles of wildlife safety when it comes to viewing these animals in the wild. 1. Migrating elk Bull elk at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA Elk rutting season draws people by the thousands to places like Rocky Mountain National Park earlier in the fall, but once it draws to a close usually around mid-October, your chances of glimpsing a herd of elk in the Rockies remains high. As the falling temperatures bring snow to the high elevation areas where elk like to graze in the summer months, they migrate lower in search of food. Head west to Colorado, Montana and Wyoming to catch these magnificent animals en masse, but keep your dog on the leash. 2. Duelling bighorn sheep The breeding season of bighorn sheep lasts for months, with desert sheep clashing horns and butting heads through November and Rocky Mountain bighorns continuing their courtship of ewes through January. Some of the best places to spot bighorn sheep during rutting are Jasper National Park in Canada as well as Yellowstone National Park. 3. Fat bears Both black and grizzly bears are preparing for a long season in torpor, similar to hibernation, and in order to survive the winter months, when theyll lose a third of their body fat, its time for them to fatten up. Bears are especially active in the fall as they forage for food, and your likelihood of seeing them anywhere in bear country grows high at this time of year. The best place in the world for grizzly bear viewing is of course up in Katmai, an Alaskan National Park with the densest population anywhere in the world. You can only reach the park by boat or plane, so you need to be keen, but you can always use the Fat Bear Week camera to watch them online from anywhere in the world. Dont forget your bear spray if you're heading out on foot and make sure you know what to do if you meet a bear out there. 4. Fluttering Monarchs Monarch on Goldenrod If you live out west and it seems like youre seeing a lot more orange butterflies on your hikes lately, thats due to the magnificent migration of monarch butterflies down to Florida, Arizona and Mexico for the winter. Most adult Monarch butterflies live for about five weeks, but those born at the end of the summer live for an astonishing eight months to give them time to journey south to ensure survival. During migration, they can travel immense distances of up to 100 miles in a single day. 5. Busy beavers Beaver Face Swimming with Stick Whether theyre inspecting their dams or building up a cache of wood to eat under the water when it freezes over, beavers get busy when they sense that winter is on the way. With its watery terrain, Voyageurs National Park up in northern Minnesota is one of the best places in the country to enjoy these adorable critters along the lakeshores. 6. Southbound birds A bright yellow American warbler in a tree Practically anywhere in the US, fall brings abundant opportunities for bird watching as millions of birds head south for winter. Though many birds keep going all the way to the Caribbean, many stop off in the southeastern US for the winter, while smaller numbers even make more northern areas their vacation home, such as the yellow warbler which heads to Colorado, Wyoming and Utah for the breeding season. 7. Marching tarantulas Tarantula Each September and October, when the temperatures drop but before a winter frost sets in, untold numbers of male Oklahoma Brown tarantulas begin their quest for love in southeastern Colorado. Setting out around dusk, tarantulas on the prowl can trek up to a mile across the Comanche National Grassland in search of a mate. Its not exactly a romance novel, but the spectacle does draw hordes of onlookers to the area, hoping to get a glimpse of the bizarre sight of hundreds of hairy spiders on the prowl. So much so, in fact, that the town of La Junta, which christened the phenomenon the Tarantula Trek, launched the first annual Tarantula Festival for spectators in 2022. 8. Returning whales High angle view of humpback whale swimming in sea If youre lucky enough to be spending time in Oahu this season, you wont grab even a glimpse of a bear, but there are other massive mammals that are active at this time of year. The first Humpback whale usually arrives back from Alaska in October and a whale watching expedition is the perfect way to see them breaching. 9. Magnificent manatees Florida Manatee in the Crystal River Area For another aquatic adventure, pull on your water shoes and head to Florida, where manatee season kicks off in November. Though manatees swim in the Florida waterways year-round, their numbers swell starting in October and lasting through April, and they love the waters around Crystal River on the states west coast. Here you can even swim with these gentle giants, which prefer calmer waters. By Supantha Mukherjee STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish payments group Klarna has launched a new AI-driven shopping feature, developed with OpenAI tech, that allows people to shop by taking a photo of products they like which then become available to buy in seconds on the company's mobile app. Many start-up companies like Klarna are adding AI to their product portfolio to boost valuations as they wait for their turn to hit the public markets through an initial public offering. Klarna's new feature can identify more than 10 million items such as clothes, home decor or electronics, and compare prices, retailers and reviews, Chief Marketing Officer David Sandstrom said in an interview on Wednesday. To prevent any privacy issues, Klarna's AI does not allow images of people's faces or bodies to appear, he said. Google's Lens tool also has search features that allow the mixing of photos and text in searches. "The thing that differentiates us from Google is that our lens is purposefully built for shopping ... we do not want people to take images of random things, but rather only products they want to buy," Sandstrom said. The shopping lens is available to consumers in the U.S., UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, Klarna said. Klarna, once Europe's most valuable startup, allows shoppers to buy online through its merchant partners and pay in installments using its "buy now, pay later" service. Its valuation has fallen sharply, but the company said in August it had reached profitability on a monthly basis ahead of target. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm. Editing by Jane Merriman) a pile of silvery niobium, a rare earth element Scientists in China have unearthed a never-before-seen type of ore that contains a rare earth element sought after for its superconductive properties. The ore, dubbed niobobaotite, is made of niobium, barium, titanium, iron and chloride, the South China Morning Post reported. It's the niobium that is causing excitement: This light-gray metal is currently used mostly in the production of steel, which it strengthens without adding significant weight. Niobium is also used in making other alloys (materials made of mixes of metals) and can be found in particle accelerators and other advanced scientific equipment because it is a superconductor at low temperatures, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry . The deposit was found in the Bayan Obo ore deposit in the city of Baotou in Inner Mongolia on Oct. 3. The brownish-black ore is the 17th new type found in the deposit and one of 150 new minerals found in the region, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Related: Why are rare earth elements so rare? The discovery may be a windfall for China, which currently imports 95% of its niobium, according to the South China Morning Post. aerial view of the Bayan Obo deposit in Inner Mongolia "Depending on the volume and quality of this niobium it could make China self-sufficient," Antonio H. Castro Neto , a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), told the newspaper. Brazil is the world's largest supplier of the rare earth metal, with Canada a distant second. According to the U.S. Geological Survey , a project to open a niobium mine and processing facility is underway in southern Nebraska. The Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project would be the only niobium mine in the U.S. RELATED STORIES How do electric batteries work, and what affects their properties? What is the rarest mineral on Earth? What's inside Earth? The metal may also be in greater demand in the future, as researchers are working to develop niobium-lithium and niobium-graphene batteries. According to S&P Global , these batteries can reduce the risk of fires when used along with lithium. Niobium-lithium batteries also charge faster and can be recharged more often than traditional lithium batteries. In May, researchers at the the Centre for Advanced 2D Materials (CA2DM) at the NUS, which is developing niobium-graphene batteries, said the batteries could last around 30 years 10 times longer than lithium-ion batteries and can fully charge in less than 10 minutes. Wine grapes are big business in the Willamette Valley, which is home to 73% of the state's wineries, 68% of the vineyards, and 70% of total acres planted. This is part of a weekly series answering "Why is that?" questions about Salem and the Mid-Valley. The question: Why does it sound like someone is shooting off a cannon this time of year in the hills around Salem? We have the answer. But first, a little history. The background: The Willamette Valley is Oregon's leading wine region, stretching north to Portland and south to Eugene. It has 819 wineries and 1,016 vineyards with 31,234 acres of grapes planted, according to the 2022 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report commissioned by the Oregon Wine Board and prepared by the University of Oregon's Institute for Policy Research and Engagement. That equates to 73% of the state's wineries, 68% of the vineyards, and 70% of total acres planted. Grapes are big business in the Willamette Valley, with annual crops worth hundreds of millions of dollars and wine industry tourism that brings in millions more to the region. Why does it sound like someone is shooting a cannon? It is harvest season for grape growers. It also is the time of year when birds may be looking for a juicy treat, and vineyards are in defense mode, protecting their valuable crops. Propane cannons are one of the methods used to scare off pest birds such as robins, starlings and waxwings, which can do significant damage at a vineyard. The cannons have long been an agricultural tool used to control crop damage, and not just for grapes. They also have been used to help protect blueberry and grass seed crops. The cannons produce pressure-regulated sonic blasts. One device advertises a 125-decibel blast volume with 17,000 per propane tank. For comparison's sake, the noise of a jackhammer can reach 130 decibels. Many who live near vineyards have become accustomed to periodic booms in the background, accepting them as one of the sounds that come with rural living, along with the early-morning roar of tractors. For some, though, the sound can be startling. Neighbors complain the sound is a nuisance. Propane cannons and other bird hazing devices are unregulated and require no permit. Legislation adopted in 1993 and updated in 1995 and 2001 declares farm and forest practices as critical to the welfare of the Oregon economy. The law protects growers from court decisions based on customary noises, odors, dust or other nuisances associated with farming. It also prohibits local governments and special districts from declaring certain farm practices as nuisances or trespasses. The Oregon Department of Agriculture cautions farmers to be considerate of their neighbors and reasonably utilize propane cannons. The agency outlines how to prevent and resolve conflicts in a two-sheet explainer of the Right-to-Farm Law. The Oregon Wine Research Institute, which grew from a partnership between the state wine industry and Oregon State University, estimates that 25% or fewer vineyards use bird cannons today. Other bird control methods include visual devices such as kites, balloons and Mylar-coated tape. Electronic sound devices use real bird distress calls to trigger a primal fear-and-flee response. The Wine Research Institute says most methods can be effective for a while, but birds eventually return. Many grape growers rotate and use a combination of auditory and visual strategies. Oh, by the way Some vineyards are turning to predatory birds for help. They are bringing falcons to their sites during the harvest or encouraging birds of prey to live on the property year-round. Sky Guardian Falconry provides abatement services to vineyards in Oregon. In 2021, the Oregon Wine Press reported a master falconer from Sky Guardian spends an entire 4- to 6-week harvest season, working dawn to dusk seven days a week to scare off pest birds. The company also consults with vineyards that can't or don't want to hire an avian abatement company. Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Email your "Why is that" questions to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Willamette Valley hills echo with loud blasts. Why is that? Martin Scorsese has defended the epic runtime of his upcoming movie Killers of the Flower Moon. The Western epic, which is based on David Grann 's best-selling non-fiction book of the same name, tells the true story of a series of murders which took place in Osage County, Oklahoma, in the early 1920s. Set to premiere in UK cinemas on October 20, the movie boasts an impressive 205 minute runtime making it 3 hours and 25 minutes long. Apple TV+/Melinda Sue Gordon Related: Killers of the Flower Moon gets first reviews In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Scorsese explained that the upcoming movie which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, should be seen on the big screen while defending its runtime. Likening Killers of the Flower Moon's impressive runtime to that of theatre production, Scorsese said viewers would happily sit through a play or 5 hours of television adding that audiences need to show the same "respect" for cinema. "People say it's three hours, but come on, you can sit in front of the TV and watch something for five hours," Scorsese said before adding: "Also, there are many people who watch theatre for 3.5 hours. There are real actors on stage, you can't get up and walk around. You give it that respect, give cinema some respect." AppleTv+ Related: Killers of the Flower Moon confirms UK release date as new trailer lands When asked if he thinks the movie, which is set for release in cinemas before streaming globally on Apple TV+, is suitable for the small screen, Scorsese said: "In the case of Killers of the Flower Moon, it should be seen on the big screen. "Are we intending to make a blockbuster? No, we're making a movie, which should [be] watched on the big screen. Other pictures I made? Maybe not. Sometimes, it's the strength of the picture too, if it plays well on a smaller screen, that's interesting. Killers could play on a small screen, but in order to truly immerse yourself, you should take out the time." Killers of the Flower Moon will arrive in UK cinemas on October 20. You Might Also Like Maryland recorded its first travel-related death from a rare tickborne virus called Powassan, the Maryland Department of Health announced on Friday. The individual first contracted the illness in Canada and then returned to Maryland, officials said. Officials first confirmed the presence of the infected tick bite on Sept. 22. The illness is rare and is spread through the bite of an infected tick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is not transmittable through person-to-person contact, and officials said they do not believe the rare disease poses a threat of local transmission. We are very saddened to report the first death due to the Powassan virus in our state, said Maryland Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Nilesh Kalyanaraman said in the announcement. Powassan is very rare, and this is the first-ever case recorded in Maryland. The individual contracted the virus in Canada and returned to Maryland afterward. We do not believe that Powassan poses any threat of local transmission in Maryland. As always, we urge everyone to practice good habits when in areas that could have ticks or avoid those areas altogether, Kalyanaraman said. The CDC reported that while reported cases are rare, they have increased in recent years. So far in 2023, the CDC reported nine other states with confirmed cases of the illness, for a total of 28 confirmed cases this year, as of Oct. 3. The case in Maryland was not yet included in the CDC data. New York had six, Massachusetts had five, Maine and Connecticut each had four, Minnesota had three, Wisconsin and New Hampshire each had two cases, while Rhode Island and Pennsylvania each had one case recorded. In all of 2022, the CDC reported 44 cases, up from 24 cases in 2021. Since 2016, there have been more than 20 cases reported each year. In the decade prior, the number of cases each year remained mostly in the single-digits, but never exceeded 16 cases. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. William "Bill" Cannon amassed quite a collection of lion figurines over the years. Likenesses of the regal animal, in various shapes and sizes, had become a calling card for the well-known Milwaukee attorney, almost as much as the roadside billboards and advertisements that bear his law firm's name all over town. William "Bill" Cannon was raised in a family of attorneys and helped found the Cannon & Dunphy S.C. law firm in Milwaukee with partner Patrick O. Dunphy in 1985. Cannon died Oct. 7 at age 75. They were gifts from appreciative clients, well-wishers, other attorneys. If he won a case or big settlement, chances are another lion head was on its way. More: Legislature's attorneys weigh in against Republican position in fight over elections chief Wolfe "He established himself as a lion of the legal profession," recalls his brother, Tom Cannon. "It was a tacit recognition that he was somebody who was at the top of his craft, a king of his craft." William Cannon died Oct. 7 at age 75. A path in the legal world had been set for Cannon from the beginning; he's a member of one of Wisconsins best-known and most prominent legal families. His grandfather, Raymond J. Cannon, was a lawyer and a former congressman, who represented boxer Jack Dempsey and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson during the Chicago Black Sox Scandal of 1919. Cannon's father, Robert C. Cannon, was a longtime judge in Wisconsin. His brother, Tom Cannon, also is a lawyer. And his two children also have juris doctorates. Still, there was no pressure placed on William Cannon to keep up the family's legal traditions, said Tom Cannon. It just seemed like a fit. However, a high-profile criminal case decades ago clearly left an impression. Cannon was in grade school when the trial for then-County Board Chairman Richard C. Nowakowski was heating up. More: 'You're no victim, you're a killer': Judge sentences Cudahy man to 40 years in 'cold-blooded' slaying Nowakowski was convicted in 1974 of violating the state's corrupt practices act and later booted out of office. His offense: failing to report $800 worth of stamps contributed to his 1972 reelection campaign. The case was all over the news, in the Milwaukee Sentinel and on TV news stations. One day, young Bill Cannon hopped on a no. 10 bus to downtown Milwaukee to see the trial for himself, in person. "He was interested in it and was investigating it," Tom Cannon, 77, recalled. "That was the first time ... we actually got to see a trial, other than on 'Perry Mason.' " Heritage was important to Cannon. He was a fifth generation Irishman, whose deep affinity for his ancestral homeland shaped the course of his life. After grade school and high school, Cannon later attended the National University of Ireland (Galway) and the Sorbonne in Paris, before graduating from Marquette University. He later graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Cannon and Patrick O. Dunphy together formed Cannon & Dunphy S.C. in 1985. The Milwaukee law firm quickly became recognized as one of Wisconsins most successful personal injury practices. Cannon won more $10 million paid verdicts and settlements for his clients than any other lawyer in Wisconsin history. Among them were: A $25.2 million jury verdict, judgment and settlement awarded to the parents and their daughters estate in a medical malpractice case in Milwaukee County. It involved a resident physician who failed to diagnose an acute abdomen in a 15-year old girl and failed to seek a consultation from a senior resident over an 11-hour time span, which led to the ischemic death of the girls small bowel and its removal. A $17.2 million jury verdict in a premises liability case in Manitowoc County, involving severe burn injuries to three masons. This was the first eight-figure personal-injury verdict ever awarded in Wisconsin. A $16 million award to a patient in a medical malpractice case in Milwaukee where a physician inappropriately ordered high dose steroids for an undiagnosed condition. Cannon had been out of the courtroom for a few years by the time he was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer in 2020. He fought it every day. There were treatments and surgeries, each seemingly more challenging than the one before. More: Wisconsin approved legal settlements in these 6 environmental lawsuits. What to know about the cases His battle, Tom Cannon said, was a testament to his incredible strength and tenacity. Still, Bill Cannon was determined to make every minute count. He renewed his vows to Geralyn in Positano, Italy. "Bill was a gifted and dynamic lawyer," Dunphy told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "His courtroom skills were recognized by all as among the best in the state. Bill made an indelible mark on the legal community and continued a proud family legal legacy. Family and friends will gather Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 734 Glenview Ave., Wauwatosa. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Private interment will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers are requested in Bill Cannons name to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center research efforts in colorectal and appendiceal cancers. Checks, made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, should be mailed to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Attn: Freds Team, P.O. Box 27432, New York, NY 10087-7432. A gift also can be made in Cannon's honor to the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, 5000 W. Electric Ave., West Milwaukee. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: William Cannon remembered as 'lion' of Milwaukee's legal landscape A group of GOP lawmakers is suing House Speaker Jason Stephens over who has the keys to their campaign account, the latest escalation in an ongoing feud among Ohio House Republicans. Reps. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova, Phil Plummer , R-Dayton, and Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, say Stephens doesn't have the authority to manage the campaign fund, according to the suit filed Saturday in Franklin County court. The complaint comes months after Stephens won the speakership with the help of 32 Democrats, even though Republicans initially agreed to elect Merrin to the post. Since then, Merrin and his allies have refused to recognize the Kitts Hill Republican as the leader of the GOP caucus. And that's why they believe he shouldn't be managing the campaign cash as the 2024 election nears. State statute doesn't specify who's in charge of the Ohio House Republican Alliance and says only that campaign funds "shall be administered and controlled in a manner designated by the caucus." Republicans who backed Merrin met in January and chose him and Plummer to oversee the account. Stephens' supporters didn't think the vote was official, but the speaker ultimately agreed to appoint Plummer and Rep. Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Township, as co-chairs. The arrangement came with assurances that no funds would be spent or other decisions made without the support of both co-chairs, according to the complaint. But the lawsuit argues that Stephens and LaRe spent money, hired staff and spoke with candidates without Plummer's approval. The suit also names the campaign fund's treasurer, Matt Yuskewich, and contends Yuskewich hasn't recognized Merrin's or Plummer's authority. "Absurd results would occur if the caucus, whether Democratic or Republican, are not allowed to determine the leadership of their own caucus," the complaint states. The House GOP fund spent roughly $284,000 in the first six months of the year and had a balance of nearly $1.1 million in July, according to state campaign finance records. That money will prove critical for next year's elections, particularly as supporters of Stephens face primary challenges in March from other Republicans. In a statement, Stephens and LaRe called the lawsuit a "petty distraction" and rattled off the caucus' recent accomplishments, such as passing a two-year budget and approving new statehouse maps. "Frankly, this lawsuit is nothing more than the desperate antics of a handful of self-promoting individuals who seem to be more interested in filing baseless lawsuits than they are in defeating Issue 1 to protect innocent lives and defend our conservative family values," they said. Lisa Ferguson, an attorney for the three lawmakers, said in a statement that they won't discuss pending litigation. (Lisa Ferguson is also Ron Ferguson's mother.) Haley BeMiller 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. Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Republicans sue Jason Stephens over campaign cash dispute A Pasco tow truck owner allegedly tried to extort an electrical company working on the Lewis Street overpass. Socorro Jesse Lopez-Spindola, 58, allegedly didnt have permission to tow a work truck from an Oregon Avenue parking lot in early September. Then he charged $350 for the company to get it back. Now, prosecutors have charged him with first-degree criminal impersonation in Franklin County Superior Court. He has paid the $500 bail and is allowed to continue working throughout Washington, Oregon and California, according to court documents. While he has only been charged with taking a legally parked vehicle one time, its not the only time hes been accused of it, according to court documents. Detectives are looking into at least four other cases of theft and extortion involving Lopez-Spindola, Officer James Buckley said in a probable cause affidavit from Oct. 5. And that was before officers posted information about his arrest on Facebook. Since then more people have come forward to police, Pasco Lt. Tom Groom told the Herald. Several people have shared their own opinions about Classic Towing and Recovery on Facebook. One reviewer claimed his van was taken from the Metro Mart parking lot in Kennewick after getting permission to park it there. Lopez-Spindola has run Classic Towing and Recovery since 2020, according to state Department of Revenue records. He has licenses to haul junk vehicles, operate a tow truck and transport vehicles. Those licenses are set to expire in September 2024. Pasco police are asking anyone with information about the towing company to contact Detective Andrew Taylor by email at taylora@pasco-wa.gov or call 509-545-3421. Extortion The investigation started with a DJs Electrical work truck parked in a shopping center on 104 S. Oregon Ave. in September, according to court documents. The truck was parked there while workers did critical infrastructure work on underground power lines for the the Lewis Street Overpass Project. The project to connect Second Avenue and Oregon Avenue includes a 625-foot concrete overpass over the BNSF Railway yard and a 70-foot single span structure over First Avenue. Lopez-Spindola towed the truck away from the parking lot, and charged a $350 towing fee. Buckley said he found that Lopez-Spindola violated 11 administrative codes regulating tow truck operations. Those were reported to the Department of Licensing, according to court documents. The Department of Licensing just started looking into those complaints, said Christine Anthony, a spokeswoman with the agency. The review could result in an investigation of administrative violations. He discovered that Lopez-Spindola didnt have permission to pick up vehicles from that parking lot. In addition, no one had ever complained about the DJs Electrical truck. Both of these are required for a tow truck company to impound a vehicle. Lopez knowingly acted in this pretended capacity with the intent to defraud another person ... by illegally personally identifying the work truck for impound, while also knowing he did not have a signed authorization for that impound. A hospital in Laurel County was briefly placed on lockdown Tuesday night after law enforcement were told someone with a gun was at the hospital, but the report was unfounded, investigators say. The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. at CHI Saint Joseph Hospital in London when a patient reported that someone came into their room with a gun, according to Sgt. Troy Truett with the London Police Department. London police, the Laurel County Sheriffs Office and Kentucky State Police all responded to the hospital and searched the building. Truett said nothing was found in the search. The hospital was put on lockdown while officials cleared the building and the lockdown was lifted shortly afterwards. State Trooper Scottie Pennington also confirmed investigators didnt find anything relating to the report. Truett said investigators planned to go back to the hospital Wednesday to review surveillance footage and speak with the person who reported that someone with a gun had been at the hospital. A waterspout is pictured in a warning from the National Weather Service on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Buffalo, New York. | National Weather Service Saturday was an exciting day for those who live close to Lake Erie. Researchers have confirmed that more than 130 waterspouts crossed the lake, making quite a spectacle for onlookers. The International Centre for Waterspout Research confirmed that a total of 138 waterspouts made an appearance on the lake, making a new record. It beats the 52 waterspouts that were spotted along several of the Great Lakes in 2021, as The New York Times reported. Storm chasers with Severe Wx Ohio posted on their X profile, formerly known as Twitter, that they recorded 40 or more on just Lake Erie in under three hours. As fall starts to settle in, Lake Erie decided to put on one heck of a show this morning. At about 7:00 AM today a string of lake effect convection would spawn 138 confirmed waterspouts/funnels. @VortXbrkdwn was able to document 40+ of these spouts in just under 3 hours pic.twitter.com/Tlo0e6V6wd Severe Wx Ohio (@SevereWxOhio) October 7, 2023 The U.S. National Weather Service center in Buffalo, New York, issued an alert as conditions were favorable for the waterspouts. Related How common are waterspouts on Lake Erie? According to Cleveland.com, waterspouts arent unusual to see, especially during the fall months as colder air moves across the Great Lakes. But to have this many all at once was an anomaly. This is an impressive number weve seen on the lake, meteorologist Marty Mullen from National Weather Service Cleveland told Cleveland.com. Its definitely one of the higher numbers weve seen on Lake Erie ever. What is a waterspout? Waterspouts are a funnel with an intense vortex that stays low, Joseph Golden, a waterspout expert at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told the National Weather Service. Two types of waterspouts exist fair weather waterspouts, the most common of the two, tend to be less harmful and short-lived, compared to tornadic waterspouts, which are more destructive. Are waterspouts stronger than tornadoes? Fair weather waterspouts arent usually as powerful as tornadoes, Golden said. But tornadic waterspouts start on land as tornadoes and then move over water. The stronger ones can cause large waves which can capsize boats and harm people, per a Saturday NWS alert. The warning issued by the NWS Saturday warned boaters that winds and waves can be erratic in and around waterspouts and told them to return to return to harbor if conditions worsened. Related In 2022, a terrorist held Rabbi Charlie Citron-Walker and several of his congregants hostage in Colleyville, Texas. That night, my congressman, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, graciously reached out to me to say that he stands with me and the Jewish community. It was a warm, genuine gesture that encouraged me to begin more intentional outreach to other interfaith and communal leaders. That outreach has borne fruit as clergy from many denominations have reached out in solidarity after Hamas terrorists killed over 900 Israelis and took over 100 Jews hostage. Indeed, dozens of them attended a rally for Israel at a White Plains synagogue on Tuesday night. Sadly, I have not heard from Bowman. What did the initial, brief statement from Bowman say about the terrorist onslaught in Israel this past weekend? In that initial statement, after a boilerplate condemnation of the attack by Hamas, he implicitly blamed the violence on the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Talk about blame the victim. Israel tightly controls the goods going in and out of Gaza because, time and again, those materials are used to build terrorist tunnels into Israel and build up supplies of rockets to fire at Israel. Nevertheless, over the last few years, Israel has issued permits for tens of thousands of Gaza residents to commute into Israel each day to work, a boon for the Gaza economy. Israel has also regularly facilitated the transfer of significant funds from the Qataris to the Hamas regime. Furthermore, the blockade is maintained not only by Israel, but also by Egypt. I would like to ask the congressman if he sees Hamas perpetrating mass terrorist attacks against Egypt. Of course not. Hamas attacked Israel not because of the blockade. Hamas attacked Israel because Israel is filled with Jews. U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman speaks at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, N.Y. May 10, 2023. Bowman spoke before President Joe Biden spoke. Biden urged the U.S. Congress to agree to raise the debt limit to avoid the nation defaulting on its debts. Bowman sent a new statement on Tuesday. To his credit, he forcefully condemned the attacks. He also condemns the New York City rally by the Democratic Socialists of America which featured swastikas and the celebration of Israeli civilian deaths. (Bowman is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.) Nevertheless, his new statement fails to call for the eradication of Hamas and its terrorist infrastructure. Bowmans initial outreach to the mainstream Jewish leaders in his district has turned into hostility toward our beloved Israel. He boycotted Israeli President Isaac Herzogs speech to Congress. He refused to sign on to a resolution rejecting Israel as a racist state. He voted against legislation supporting the historic Abraham Accords. If all that is not enough, he cosponsored a bill calling for the return of all Palestinian refugees and their descendants to their ancestral homes within Israel, a move that every negotiator acknowledges would mean the end of the Jewish state. Bowman regularly advocates for the rights of indigenous and historically oppressed peoples. This is commendable. Jews have been oppressed, exiled, and persecuted for 2,000 years. You would expect the congressman to celebrate an indigenous, historically oppressed people realizing self-determination in their ancient homeland. Sadly, his sympathy for the historically oppressed does not extend to the Jewish people. Instead, he aligns with other anti-Israel congresspeople and disregards the views of the vast Jewish population in his district. Live updates: US death toll rises to 22; Hamas denies targeting kids; misery across Gaza More perspective: Israel blockade of Gaza is inhumane despite ghastly attack by Hamas The occupation of the Palestinian people is a tragedy. The leadership of the Palestinian people has failed over and over again to seize opportunities for statehood and self-determination. Their failure of leadership does not absolve Israel of moral responsibility for those living under the occupation. And still, Israels first responsibility is to its own citizens. More than 1,000 Israelis were brutally murdered, including 40 babies. More than 130 Israelis have been taken hostage. The basic responsibility of any government is to protect the lives of its citizens. Therefore, Israel must do everything necessary to root out the terrorists who planned and perpetrated this horror even if those terrorists hide among a civilian population. The responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza will be on Hamas for hiding its bomb factories, rocket launch sites, and munitions depots among the civilian population. This is the basic truth that Bowman clearly rejects. Congressman, please reconsider your position. Please reach out to your constituents whose hearts are broken. Please recognize not only our pain today, but our 2,000 years of suffering. Please stand with us as we stand with Israel the miracle of an indigenous, historically oppressed people returning to its ancient homeland. Congressman, as our representative, please represent us. Rabbi Howard J. Goldsmith is the spiritual leader of Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester in Rye, New York. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Israel war: Rep. Jamaal Bowman must stand with Westchester Jews Davrick Hayes says he's enjoyed his time in North Dakota, but doesn't plan on staying. DeuBetter Branding & Media Davrick Hayes left LA for Bismarck, North Dakota after he started experiencing panic attacks. Hayes says it's nice to be able to afford things, since moving to Bismarck. Though he enjoys living in Bismarck, Hayes says it lacks diversity and he plans to eventually leave. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Davrick Hayes, a 31-year-old quality assurance analyst and entrepreneur based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It's been edited for length and clarity. I left Los Angeles in 2020 because it was killing me. My office commute was almost two hours one way, even though my job was just 15 miles from my home. The cost of living in Los Angeles is astronomical, and I had to live with my parents because I couldn't afford anything. After I had a stress-induced seizure with a massive stint of anxiety and panic attacks, I saw a therapist and concluded that living in the LA-area was contributing to my health problems. When I first decided to move, I looked into bigger cities so I wouldn't feel out of place, but I ended up looking for a city that wasn't nearly as big as LA. My other criterion was that I wanted to move to a place where I knew someone already. I had a friend in Williston, North Dakota, so I chose to live in Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota it ticked all my boxes. The cost of living in Bismarck, North Dakota It's obscenely cheap to live here and doesn't require a roommate just to afford a place. The apartment I first moved into was $800 bucks a month; the same apartment in LA would have been at least $2500. I had a job lined up as soon as I moved out here, but it fell through because of COVID-19. The week I moved, the entire state went on lockdown. Even so, I've been happier since I moved here, and I now work remotely . It's so nice to be able to afford things. After living here for about two years, I purchased a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home for just under $300,000. Noise and air quality in Bismarck, North Dakota Bismarck is a lovely place that's much slower than LA. It's also really clean compared to LA's much larger homeless population with the poorly maintained streets. Story continues It even feels different to breathe here; the air smells different because there's less smog. Also, you only see a few stars in LA because of the light pollution, but when you look up at the sky here, you've got the whole Milky Way. In LA, you get used to all that white noise, cars honking, people talking, and the hustle and bustle of life, but sometimes I can go outside in Bismarck and not hear a sound. It was a little disconcerting at first. I was so used to the noise pollution that I felt anxious, like something was wrong. But after I got used to the quiet, I enjoyed time outside. The weather in Bismarck, North Dakota When I moved to Bismarck, I was looking for a place that had all four seasons, instead of just summer, but the weather can get crazy here. Last winter, we almost broke our snowfall record 101.2 inches of snow . Sometimes, I couldn't get out of my driveway or open my front door. The temperature was in the negatives, we had blackouts and internet outages, and it got cold to the point where you couldn't go outside. The roads got so icy that the entire state was shut down for about a week straight. Things to do in Bismarck, North Dakota As far as meeting new people and finding interesting things to do, there's not much here. Luckily, my one friend in North Dakota later became my girlfriend, and we live together. We have a small circle of friends, and for fun, we'll take her dog for a walk, find a new place to eat, or just go to the mall to do some shopping. The main attractions are bars, going to the river, or mudding taking your truck into a muddy field and driving around. People love to go mudding, but it's not for me. I'd rather stay out of all the mud. I've enjoyed my time in North Dakota, but I don't plan on staying I feel as though there's heavy racism up here, and I don't like that. It's a red state and some people aren't very accepting of others who aren't Christian or Catholic, or who are people of color. On several occasions, in the grocery store, I've overheard people talking bad about the people of color who are either shopping or working at the store it's even worse when the worker doesn't speak fluent English. Also, I'm agnostic and I don't get into religious arguments, but there was a post in our local reporting group asking about the interest for other non-Christian or Catholic religions. The responses I saw were largely negative, but I believe the messages have since been deleted. I've seen countless Christian and Catholic churches in Bismarck and only one Jewish synagogue. That's the only non-Christian or Catholic worship space that I know of here. I'm happier in Bismarck, but I'll always be drawn to LA Even though things seem to be getting better in Bismarck, I prefer more diversity. If I decide to have a family, this is not where I'd want to raise them. I'll always be drawn to Los Angeles because it's my home where I was raised. I don't think it makes sense for anyone to live there now with how expensive it is, but I still miss it. The middle ground for me will probably be moving to a mini, more affordable version of LA, perhaps in Colorado or Utah. There's so much to love about small-town life, and I've been so grateful to experience it, but I'm just a city boy at heart and will always long for it. Read the original article on Business Insider Russia is campaigning for a return to the United Nations Human Rights Council after being suspended just last year for invading Ukraine. Will the rest of the world vote on Tuesday to reinstate it? Russias war in Ukraine war is still grinding on, and several UN human rights investigations have accused Moscow of committing human rights abuses. The International Criminal Court has even issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deportations of Ukrainian children. Nevertheless, the Kremlin is hoping that enough countries in the world are ready to move on, for one reason or another. As support for Ukraine wanes in some US political corners, the outcome of the Human Rights Council vote will offer fresh insight into how the wider world feels now about Russia and how many countries may be willing to overlook its actions in Ukraine. The vote is expected to begin on Tuesday morning inside the UN General Assembly in New York, where delegates from all 193 member states sit and do business. How the world feels now about Russia The UN is the last refuge of scandalous countries. Its where North Korea can help run a UN disarmament committee. Gabon where a coup occurred recently still sits on the prestigious Security Council. The Human Rights Council is made up of 47 member states, distributed by geographic region and elected by fellow nations. On Tuesday, three countries will be vying for two seats for the Eastern European bloc: Russia is running against Albania and Bulgaria. In theory, voting takes into account the candidate human rights records and commitments. But the ballot is secret, which makes it easy for nations to send their own messages. Some might approve Russia just to send a message to the US about its big power behavior. Other nations need the Kremlin to be generous with food and grain. Russia joined the Human Rights Council in January 2021. But in April 2022, it became the first country to be removed from the council since Libya in 2011. Ninety-three nations supported the move to remove Moscow, while 24 voted against and 58 abstained. China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria and Vietnam, alongside Russia, were among those opposing the move. Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Egypt and Saudi Arabia abstained. Every day Russia and China remind us by committing abuses on a massive scale that they should not be members of the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Watch UN director Louis Charbonneau said. No state is perfect, he concedes, but emphasizes that the human rights records of Russia, Burundi, China, and Cuba all vying for a three-year seat on the council or for reelection are abysmal. Last week, the Russian Mission to the UN held a reception in New York to support its candidacy to the council. Russia stands ready to continue promoting human rights as a component in the rapprochement of States and groups of States and not as a matter of discord, pressure and mentoring, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told guests in a speech. But US representatives here are relentlessly reminding countries of the human rights violations that have followed Moscows unprovoked invasion. Though Russia says it does not strike civilian targets, a sleeping child was among those killed in a Russian missile strike in the city of Kharkiv last week, according to Ukrainian officials. Another child was among the dozens killed when Russian missiles hit a grocery store and cafe in the village of Hroza. We hope UN members will firmly reject its preposterous candidacy as they overwhelmingly did last year, Jason Evans, a spokesman for the US mission to the United Nations told CNN. Though we will know the result of the vote soon, expect countries to hide behind the secret ballot process. CNNs Caitlin Hu contributed to this story from New York. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Mark Trevelyan LONDON (Reuters) -Veteran Russian rights activist Oleg Orlov was convicted and fined on Wednesday for "discrediting" the armed forces after telling a Moscow court that Russia had descended into a totalitarian state resembling George Orwell 's "1984". Orlov, 70, was defending himself in a case based on a November 2022 article in which he wrote that Russia under President Vladimir Putin had descended into fascism. Far from repenting of that statement, he defiantly used his closing speech to declare that Russians were living in Orwell's dystopian world as their country waged war on its neighbour while claiming to support freedom, peace and security. "There is still no concept of 'thought crime' in the Russian criminal code; citizens are not yet punished for doubting the correctness of state policy if it was expressed in a whisper in their own apartment; they are not punished for an incorrect facial expression. Yet," he said. "But if someone expresses such doubt outside his apartment, denunciation and punishment may follow," said Orlov, a leading member of the Memorial human rights group that was disbanded by Russia in 2021 but won a share of the Nobel Peace Prize the following year. He asked aloud how Russia had thrown off communism in the 1990s, only to "slide into a new totalitarianism". Orlov was supported in court by Dmitry Muratov , co-winner of the Nobel prize in 2021, whose Novaya Gazeta newspaper was forced to shut down soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Muratov said that just as dissident Andrei Sakharov had predicted that the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan would lead the Soviet Union to disaster, so Orlov was justified in warning that Russia was following a path towards self-destruction in Ukraine. 'DARK FORCES' "Why does the state take a tax on lives without asking the consent of its citizens? Shakes out their lives like grain from the peasants after the revolution?" Muratov said. "We see that Sakharov was right, absolutely right back then, warning that the USSR would undermine its existence, and Orlov is right now, warning about the danger of dark, pro-fascist forces." Orlov's and Muratov's lengthy statements to the court amounted to a devastating critique of Putin's decision to go to war in Ukraine from two of Russia's most internationally respected figures. The Kremlin says its "special military operation" was justified by the need to protect Russian-speakers in Ukraine from "genocide" and to "demilitarise" and "denazify" the country - arguments rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies as a false pretext for an imperial-style war. The prosecution in Orlov's case said the fact that the court hearing was open to the media, and that Muratov had been allowed to speak despite being designated a "foreign agent" by the state, showed that freedom of speech was protected in Russia. But it said such rights were accompanied by obligations, including a duty to obey laws. It said it was impermissible to carry out "provocations aimed at splitting civil society". Based on Orlov's age and state of health, however, the prosecution said it was seeking to have him fined, rather than asking for the prison sentence of up to three years that it could have sought under laws passed soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. The judge ordered a fine of 150,000 roubles ($1,500), lower than the 250,000 roubles the prosecutors had demanded. Orlov, in his speech, said Russians had the right under the constitution to hold a different opinion from Putin. "Where is it defined that our commander-in-chief (Putin) always rightly understands not only the interests of Russia, but the interests of its citizens?" Orlov asked in his closing speech at a trial which began in June. "And if the ideas of a part of Russia's citizens about their own interests don't match those of the commander-in-chief, don't they have the right to talk about this?" "But in that case, the president is no longer a president, but a spiritual and secular leader... Or are Russia's top officials now infallible, like the Pope?" (Editing by Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis) Scientists are still not sure if carrying these ancient genetic variants and greater sensitivity to pain was an evolutionary advantage. In the years since the Neanderthal genome was first sequenced , geneticists have been peering into the past to look for traces of this extinct group of humans within our genes. The presence of these ancient genes could make carriers more at risk for severe COVID-19 , influence nose shape , and even make some people more sensitive to pain . [Related: Neanderthal genomes reveal family bonds from 54,000 years ago .] A new study published October 10 in the journal Communications Biology found that those carrying three Neanderthal gene variants are actually more sensitive to pain from skin pricking after prior exposure to mustard oil. In this case, mustard oil acts as an agonist , or a substance that initiates a physiological response. Adding it to the skin causes a quick response by neurons called nociceptors that create a sense of pain. SCN9A is a key gene in the perception of pain that is located on chromosome 2. It is highly expressed nociceptors that are activated when a sharp point or something hot is applied to the body. The neurons encode proteins within the bodys sodium channel and alert the brain which leads to the perception of pain. Earlier research found three variations in the SCN9A geneM932L, V991L, and D1908Gin sequenced Neanderthal genomes and reports of greater sensitivity to pain among the living humans who have all three of these variants. It has been shown in previous studies that some rare mutations in this gene that stop the channel from working can cause insensitivity to pain, study co-author and University of Oxford neuroscientist David Bennett tells PopSci. We were, however, interested in these other mutations, which were shown to have an opposite effect of enhancing the activity of this channel, thus leading their carriers to be somewhat more sensitive than non-carriers. According to Andres Ruiz-Linares , study co-author and University College London human geneticist, earlier studies show that the mutations are quite rare in the British populations, but they are very frequent in Latin American populations. We thus realized that we had, in our hands, the perfect dataset to not only replicate their study but also go further and identify the pain modality that was at work here, Ruiz-Linares tells PopSci. In the study , the team measured the pain thresholds of 1,963 individuals from Colombia in response to a range of stimuli. The D1908G variant was present in roughly 20 percent of chromosomes within this population. About 30 percent of chromosomes carrying this variant also carried the M932L and V991L variants. All three variants were associated with a lower pain threshold in response to skin pricking after the skin was exposed to mustard oil, but not in response to pressure or heat. Additionally, carrying all three of these variants was associated with greater pain sensitivity than carrying only one of them. [Related: Neanderthals were likely creating art 57,000 years ago .] The team then analyzed the genomic region that houses SCN9A using genetic data from 5,971 individuals from Peru, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. They found that the three Neanderthal variants were more common in regions where the population had a higher proportion of Native American ancestry, such as the Peruvian population. They [the mutations] have a rather wide range in these countries, from 2 to 42 percent, study co-author and University College London statistical geneticist Kaustubh Adhikari tells PopSci. Up to 18 percent of their populations could carry two copies of the mutation. These are, however, gross estimations. We also know, from the previous study, that these mutations are pretty rare in European populations. The team believes that the Neanderthal variants may sensitize the sensory neurons by changing the threshold at which a nerve impulse is generated . The variants could also be more common in populations with higher proportions of Native American ancestry due to random chance as well as population bottlenecks that occurred during when the Americas were first colonized by Europeans . Although Neanderthal intermixing with Europeans is now well-known in popular culture, their genetic contribution to other human groups, such as Native Americans in this case, is less talked about, study co-author and population geneticist at the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment in France Pierre Faux tells PopSci. In this study, we saw how important and relevant it is to study genetic backgrounds that are under-represented in medical cohorts. Since acute pain can play a role in moderating behavior and preventing further injury, the team is planning additional research to determine if carrying these variants and having greater sensitivity to pain was advantageous during human evolution. Understanding how these variants work could also help physicians understand and treat chronic pain. Genes are just one of many factors, including environment, past experience, and psychological factors, which influence pain, says Bennet. MEMPHIS, Tenn. WREG Investigators have uncovered new documents revealing just how bad the mold problem is at Peabody Elementary School. Those documents also highlight some new safety issues that are coming to light. On Aug. 30, Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration received this complaint stating Peabody Elementary in Midtown has mold in all of the vents and the officials lie and say there is no mold. (it is literally visible to everyone). Peabody Elementary closed Friday due to mold The complaint went on to state there is no working fire alarm and no working intercom system, which is how the school is alerted for lock downs and other emergencies. There have been lock down incidents but there is no way for the classroom to know so employees have not gone into lock down while the rest of the school has, it read. On Sept. 5, the state received another complaint reiterating the mold problem. It stated, teachers and students are being exposed and a lot of them have been sick due to the mold. Through the Tennessee Records Act, we uncovered the letter the state sent to Memphis Shelby county schools asking them to investigate. On Sept. 6, MSCS responded that an inspection was conducted. They found extreme humidity in some rooms and stated it would have a vendor come out to address the system that is causing the moister (sic) and to address the drainage. They also said they would fix the intercom system and fire alarm. More from the WREG Investigators Days later, the district announced students and staff would relocate to new schools mold was detected in vents and grates on the first floor. In the vendors proposal, they outlined steps to fix the problem including repairs to the upper floor decking and structural sleepers, removal of all flooring and failing paint, and replacing ceiling grids, failing window panes and molded ductwork. The firms fee is listed as $185,000 based on a $2.25 million construction cost. Work would begin in December. Until that repair happens, the district stated it cannot fix the intercom and fire alarm since the building has been completely closed off. On Friday, the district, which has said the mold is from recent storms, announced the school will remain closed through the rest of the school year. Peabody Elementary closed until at least fall break due to mold, MSCS says In a statement sent Tuesday, MSCS officials said, Weve identified no major issues with the fire system. We provided walkie-talkies to employees as a contingency plan while intercom updates are underway. In August, Superintendent Williams asked the School Board to allocate $64 million in fund balance (our state-required savings account) for key updates including new intercom systems. The Superintendent and the School Board continue to advocate for additional funding to address $500 million in deferred maintenance so that students and staff will have the state-of-the-art schools they deserve. Peabody elementarys building was constructed in 1909. Its one of 33 schools in the district more than seven decades old. WREG Investigators found out there are no indoor air quality regulations. The countys health department doesnt regulate for mold either. TOSHA stated that it and federal agency OSHA do not currently have a specific standard for indoor air quality. Fungi are present almost everywhere in indoor and outdoor environments. They added while sampling methods have been developed, Federal OSHA has not established enforceable limits. We asked MSCS officials if it conducts regular mold inspections. They replied, We care deeply about the well-being of our students and staff. Under Interim Superintendent Williams, the District has developed plans to address matters as they are brought to the attention of our Facilities Team, significantly reducing response time. We develop contingency plans as needed and long-term solutions are implemented as soon as the School Board and County Commission allocate funding and resources are available. DO YOU NEED A STORY INVESTIGATED? WREG Investigators want to hear from you! Call our tip line at 901-543-2378. You can also send an email to newstips@wreg.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Carolyn Miller, center right, speaks at a news conference called by friends and family of Tennessee death row inmate Gary Sutton, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, outside the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn. Suttons supporters want to publicize his effort to pursue a claim of innocence and have his public defender removed from his case. Miller was Suttons girlfriend in 1992 when Tommy Griffin and Griffin's s sister Connie Branam were murdered. Miller said in an interview that she knows Sutton is innocent in their deaths because he was with her the weekend that the siblings were killed. NASHVILLE, Tenn. Friends and family of Tennessee death row inmate Gary Sutton held a news conference outside the state Capitol on Friday to publicize Sutton's effort to pursue his innocence claims and have his public defender removed from his case after they said she did not meet with him for 12 years. Sutton's supporters include Carolyn Miller, who was his girlfriend in 1992 when Tommy Griffin and Griffin's sister Connie Branam were murdered. Miller said in an interview that she knows Sutton is innocent in the siblings' deaths because he was with her the weekend they were killed. Sutton, 58, has been on death row since 1996. His co-defendant, James Dellinger, died while imprisoned on death row earlier this year of what authorities said were natural causes. Several years ago, fearing Sutton's execution was near, Miller and others hired a private investigator to look into the crimes he was convicted of, Miller said. Investigator Heather Cohen, who was also at the Capitol on Friday, told reporters she uncovered "indisputable facts of exculpatory evidence, witness tampering and constitutional violations." Cohen said she even found evidence that another person committed the murders. She also made a public offer to show that evidence to Gov. Bill Lee, who has the power to grant clemency to Sutton. Cohen and Miller said Sutton's federal public defender, Susanne Bales, has been hostile to their efforts, and Sutton's brother Jimmy Sutton said in an interview that the attorney repeatedly refused to provide them with information about the case. They said Gary Sutton is petitioning the federal district court in Knoxville to remove Bales from his case. However, Sutton's petition had not yet been filed with the court as of Friday afternoon. Asked through a spokesperson about Sutton's claim that Bales had not met with him for 12 years, Bales said in an email that ethics rules do not allow her to comment. Bales and the rest of Sutton's legal team issued a statement on Friday, saying: "We join many Tennesseans in being gravely concerned about Gary's fate and are working within the bounds of our legal system to ensure that Gary is not executed for a case that is riddled with problems. The scientific evidence linking Gary to the case is from disgraced state medical examiner Dr. Charles Harlan who was later stripped of his license. Gary is also intellectually disabled, and that claim is currently pending in state court. Gary has always maintained his innocence, and we will continue to work hard to fight for him." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee death row: Supporters hope to prove Gary Sutton is innocent FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Rainy weather is forecast for South Florida on Wednesday as a low-pressure system merges with a front in the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters also are watching for another system to develop off Africa. As of 8 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, forecasters with the National Hurricane Center gave the system off Africa an 80% chance of developing in the next two days, up from just 30% on Sunday. Meanwhile, chances of the Gulf system developing have dropped from 30% to near 0% as of Tuesday night. But the Gulf system may well soak South Florida. Its expected to merge with a frontal system over the western Gulf by early Wednesday, and the combination could bring heavy rains to the region. The National Weather Service said that though the heaviest rains will occur north of South Florida, Wednesday afternoon could bring enough rain to the Broward and Palm Beach County area to cause localized flooding, particularly in urban sections. Regardless of any tropical development, the system is expected to bring gale-force winds over portions of the northern Gulf of Mexico midweek and heavy rain to the Gulf coast later in the week, the National Hurricane Center said. Various forecast models used by the South Florida Water Management District show the system veering east toward New Orleans or Floridas Panhandle. Storms associated with the system off Africa were becoming better organized by Tuesday night, and forecasters expect a tropical depression to form by Thursday as it moves west-northwest or northwest in the eastern and central Atlantic. So far this season in the Atlantic, there have been 17 named storms, six of which were hurricanes. Of those, three were major hurricanes, meaning Category 3 or above. Those were Hurricane Lee, a rare Category 5; Hurricane Franklin, a Category 4; and Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall on Floridas Big Bend region at Category 3 strength on Aug. 30. The next named storm will be Sean. Hurricane season officially runs through Nov. 30. _____ Tim Scott ripped into Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy on Tuesday for foreign policy positions he said project American weakness abroad, amid ongoing violence stemming from Hamas attack on Israel. Vivek Ramaswamy has said that the definition of success is reducing Americas support for Israel, Scott, the South Carolina senator and longshot presidential contender, said at a Hudson Institute event. And hes proposed that we surrender Taiwan to the Chinese Communist Party as long as weve relocated some factories. Governor [Ron] DeSantis once dismissed Russias invasion of Ukraine as just some territorial dispute, he added. The last thing we need is a Joe Biden wing of the Republican Party on foreign policy. Scotts remarks follow former Vice President Mike Pencesscathing rebuke over the weekend of voices of appeasement in the GOP, serving to widen the rift in the Republican presidential primary between the partys more isolationist and engagement-oriented wings. American courage and American values are not in decline, Scott said, as he endorsed a whole-of-government response to supporting Israel. Currently at issue in Scotts day job at the Capitol is continued military assistance funding for Ukraine, which a considerable number of conservative Republicans in the House have firmly opposed. Scott leveled several attacks at progressive Democrats and Biden over the violence in the Middle East, claiming that the president has blood on his hands, and that his weakness invited the attack. But Scotts direct criticism of his GOP rivals represents a change of tactics for the senator, who has for months generally refrained from directly criticizing his opponents. It is also a shift for a senator who has spent his Senate tenure on committees with a mostly domestic focus. In a statement to POLITICO, Ramaswamys campaign said he would defend Taiwan and criticized the status quo One China policy, in which the U.S. recognizes the Peoples Republic of China as the sole legal government of China while retaining unofficial ties with Taiwan. We understand Tim Scott is attempting to gain some semblance of relevance in this race, but lying in the face of these barbaric atrocities isnt an effective way to do so, spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said. Vivek has offered a clear, rational response that supports Israel while avoiding another U.S.-led disaster in the Middle East. The DeSantis campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Scott has largely failed to gain traction in a race dominated by former President Donald Trump. Since Hamas attacked Israel over the weekend, Scott has repeatedly criticized Biden for being too weak and called for unstinting American support to Israel. He has joined calls for thepresident to refreeze a $6 billion funds package that his administration greenlit in a deal involving the release of Iranian prisoners. Hemet with Michael Herzog, Israels ambassador to the U.S., shortly before his remarks. Notably missing from his jabs were Trump who has repeatedly mentioned that he supports withholding Ukraine aid in many circumstances and his home-state competitor, Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador who has been ticking up in recent polls. Scott, unlike Trump, DeSantis, Ramaswamy and Haley, has yet to qualify for the third primary debate, scheduled for the beginning of November,according to POLITICO analysis. Trump has already said he will skip the event, as he did for the first two. Drea (center), sits on the couch with her transgender son Isaiah (left), 18, and his friend, Killian, 18, who also lives with them, to speak about their experiences in the midst of an anti-trans political climate. When Killian moved in with his friends family in 2022, he couldnt understand why everyone was so nice to him. He didnt get yelled at for making little mistakes. He wasnt made to feel like he wouldnt amount to anything. And Killian, an 18-year-old trans man, wasnt misgendered or deadnamed anymore. Transgender people and their families spoke to the Journal Sentinel for this story on the condition that only their first names be published, out of concern for their safety. It was a huge change for Killian, who for years had felt confused and alone as he tried to understand why he felt "like I didn't fit in my body." When he'd come out as transgender, his family wasn't supportive. He was bullied at school. For a long time I thought, No, this is wrong, you cant be this because I had my mother on my back telling me how wrong I was, Killian said. And at school, people called me slurs, and teachers refused to respect my pronouns and name. There were security guards who would give me dirty looks when I tried to use the bathroom. Killian became depressed and eventually began doing drugs and wanted to drop out of school. When Killian was 17, a supportive teacher encouraged him to go to the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. Thats where he met Isaiah, who was 16 at the time and also trans. Isaiahs mom, Drea, was supportive of her sons gender identity, and when Killian and his family were evicted in 2022, Drea invited Killian to move in. Drea helped him quit drugs and switch schools so he could graduate early. She also helped him get his name legally changed, after which she hosted a celebration, complete with a cake with Killians name on it. At the courthouse after I got my name legally changed, I was hugged by Drea, and I just started crying, Killian said. I had waited for so long that it was like I never really expected it to happen. It was just so overwhelming in a good way, and I had people around to celebrate with me. Killian's journey shows the difference between receiving support and living in a world making rules against that support. Experts say that receiving gender-affirming care the social, psychological and medical support that people receive when their gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth is crucial in supporting the mental health and bodily autonomy of transgender and gender-nonconforming people. This reporting is part of our Kids in Crisis series, which is examining students' experiences as they face historically high levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. Those numbers are even higher for LGBTQ kids who don't feel support from their families and schools a situation that has been exacerbated by an antitrans political climate over the past few years. 18-year-old Killian poses for a portrait and speaks about what it's like to be trans in the midst of an anti-trans political climate. 'You shouldn't have to want to kill yourself because you just want to be who you are' Gender-affirming care for transgender people, especially minors, has been under fire for the past few years, as dozens of bills have been introduced and several passed in states nationwide, preventing minors from receiving puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries. In Wisconsin, three Republican state legislators recently introduced a bill that, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau's analysis, would prohibit health care providers from medical interventions for people younger than 18 that are done "for the purpose of changing the minor's body to correspond to a sex that is discordant with the minor's biological sex." This would include a ban on puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. Additionally, several school board policies have been enacted that make social transition actions like changing names, pronouns, clothing and hairstyles to match a person's gender identity more difficult for transgender children. For many trans children who are not accepted by their families, school is a refuge. These policies can make them feel like they're not accepted anywhere. "For so many kids who are trying to figure themselves out, to be told by everyone that they can't be who they are, over time, it beats them down," Killian said. "You shouldn't have to want to kill yourself because you just want to be who you are. People are trying to take that away from you, and it's not OK. It's not." Wisconsin's Kids in Crisis: How do Wisconsin educators close the academic gap? Start with student mental health. 'When you're in a state like that, you can't focus on anything else' Several school districts in southeast Wisconsin, including Waukesha, Muskego and Arrowhead, have passed policies that require parental permission before a student can use different names or pronouns at school. This goes against recommended school policies championed by GLSEN an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusive schools and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, which advise that students' consent be secured before disclosing changes in names or pronouns to parents. Parents might not be supportive, or a child might not be ready to come out at home. School districts such as Waukesha, Oak Creek-Franklin and Kettle Moraine have also passed policies that prohibit teachers from displaying Pride flags in their classrooms or posting safe space stickers that indicate to LGBTQ+ students that their gender and sexuality will be respected. "When I was in my unsupportive school, I would have to tell every teacher every semester that my name and pronouns were different than what was in their records," Killian said. "There was one teacher who kept deadnaming me, and they wouldn't stop even when I didn't answer to that name; they just marked me absent. I got so upset that I was just shaking. And when you're in a state like that, you can't focus on anything else." More: A year at Carmen Northwest: a student death, exodus of teachers and a quashed protest Drea, the mother of a transgender 18-year-old, holds "be kind" cards and speaks about what it's like to take care of trans kids in an anti-trans political climate. Two friends of Drea's son, one who is transgender and one who is agender, also live with Drea. 'We can choose to make their lives difficult or be the ones to ease their burdens' Many parents support their children but are uncertain of how to show that support. Heather and Jamie are the moms of 5-year-old Elijah, a trans girl. Heather has been active in the LGBTQ community for years and has always been open to letting her children choose how to express themselves. But she was caught off guard by her feelings when Elijah chose a dress off the rack of a store when she was a toddler. She wanted that outfit, and we had come to the store to buy clothes for her. Was I supposed to tell her no? Heather said. It was the weirdest thing for me because I didnt think I would be that way. I had this internal fight because I was so worried about what everyone else would think. Heather and Jamie did let Elijah get the dress, and they supported her when she told them she is a girl, allowing her to wear the clothes she wants and reinforcing to her teachers that Elijah uses she/her pronouns all elements of supporting a trans child through a social transition. As a result, they say, Elijah now experiences gender euphoria feeling "right" in your gender. Theres so much sparkle to Elijah, but Jamie used to point out that when we would take pictures, Elijah would have dead eyes, Heather said, until she started wearing dresses in the pictures; thats when her eyes lit up. And when Heather asked Elijahs permission to share her story, she said, Yes, because it would be good for other parents to know how amazing I am. Need more help with mental health questions? The Milwaukee Resource Guide is here to help. Have something you want answered? Submit a question. Desmond, a 23-year-old trans man, realized when he was young that he didnt fit in with girls, but he didnt have the language to explain what he was feeling. When he first understood he was transgender, he changed how he dressed, changed his hairstyle, started going by a nickname and changed his pronouns at school. He also came out to his mom, Becky, in a letter when he was about 12 or 13. I remember being actively concerned about wanting to show him I was supportive but also being really thrown for a loop, Becky said. There was this moment of, Wow, thats a big thing, and How did I miss this about my kid? Becky realized she had always had an inkling that Desmond was trans, and was glad he had felt supported enough to tell her. But she also admits to wondering at the time whether Desmond was sure. Desmond doesnt remember Becky expressing that uncertainty to him, but its still something Becky thinks about. Becky said her moment of thinking, are you sure? about Desmonds gender identity wasnt because she wanted to talk him out of his identity or to discourage him. I think the heart of it was that I wanted him to have an easier life, and I wanted him to be safe, she said. As shes processed her reaction over the years, shes turned the scenario around in her head and realized that asking a trans child to explain themselves when they share their gender identity is offensive to both their autonomy and their ability to know who they are. There wasnt a time where I knew I was a girl, Becky said. If someone had asked me if I was sure, or when I knew I was a girl, it would have been like, Its always been there. I would tell myself then and tell other parents now who wonder how their trans kids know their gender identity: Maybe they dont have an answer that you understand, but you dont have that answer about yourself either. Its just something you know in your soul. We can choose to make their lives more difficult or to be the one who eases their burdens. I had to realize that, in questioning my kid, I was going to be the thing making his life more difficult. Killian, an 18-year-old trans man, holds a 25-year anniversary shirt from the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. 'How can I be there the best I can for my kid?' When Desmond came out to Becky, she wasnt sure initially how to help him. She did her own research to learn more about gender identity. She also reached back to the lessons she had learned from her own parents; although they didnt raise a trans child, they modeled acceptance with the lesson of whatever issue is in front of your kid, this is where my child needs support. Becky also found a gender-affirming therapist for Desmond. What I probably should have done that I didnt do was get a therapist for myself to work through some of those questions, Becky said. Lynn Dusold and David Bedrin, therapists at Pathways Counseling Center, said it's important for the whole family to get therapy when a child comes out as trans. Kids need to know they have a supportive environment in which to figure out how to navigate their lives as trans people. Parents need to know they're not alone in learning how to offer that support. And families need to build trust to have sometimes difficult conversations. I run a parent support group, and theyre grappling with their own stuff, trying to figure things out, Dusold said. What they all really care about is, How can I be there the best I can for my kid? Bex Streit is the transgender and gender-nonconforming program coordinator for the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. The center started a support group for trans children younger than 13 and their parents. Its not that theyre looking for medical resources at that age. This is a space to provide social support, Streit said. The kids are looking for other kids like them, and the parents are looking for other parents to talk through the unique situations theyre in. One thing parents have to deal with is the concern that they missed something important about their childrens identity. For some parents, its difficult to believe their child is really trans because it seems to come out of nowhere. That can be exacerbated when kids dont completely understand their feelings yet. Annie, an 18-year-old trans woman who has been supported by both her parents and her school, thought her feelings of gender incongruence when she was a child were just what everyone feels; it wasnt until she was a teenager that she understood she was trans. And Killian who had never been taught that transgender people exist said he initially tried to "get rid of my feelings" by dressing "overly feminine." Later, when he understood that he was transgender, his mother didn't believe him because she remembered his "overfeminine" stage of life. My experience is that a lot of parents didnt see it coming. And thats because trans kids have been thinking about it, researching, working with different names to see what fits, all before they try to come out, Dusold said. By the time parents learn their kids identity, they have two or three years they have to catch up to. Drea, the mother of a transgender 18-year-old, holds her dog, Scoob, and speaks about what it's like to take care of trans kids in an anti-trans political climate. 'You're being seen as yourself, and that's something everyone deserves.' Most kids' lives revolve around home and school. When their identities aren't affirmed in those two environments, they need to find places where they do feel supported. "All aspects of our lives are connected, and if you're feeling supported in one area, then it's going to absolutely boost all of the others," Desmond said. "When you're not supported in some of those areas, just having support in one area helps out the others. It helps because then you feel like you're being seen as yourself, and that's something everyone deserves." Erica Steib is the coordinator of PRISM Program, which staffs a "warmline" for LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin to call when looking for mental health support from certified peer specialists. When trans people call, PRISM peer specialists help them identify the people in their lives who are supportive, even when they don't think there's anyone. "We help people think about who is in their corner because having support from someone helps build protectiveness and provides barriers to self-harm and suicide," Steib said. "We help them think about all the relationships in their lives and who might be safe. And if they don't have those connections, we help them find resources in the community where they might find those people." For Killian, the support he needed was in his found family and in Milwaukee's LGBTQ community. "The first time I went to the Pride parade, I cried. And the first time I went to the LGBT Community Center, I cried," Killian said. "It just hit me that everyone who was there was part of my community. I had always dealt with having no support, and that was the first time I realized I was in a safe place." And, although those supportive people are not always the trans child's parents, sometimes, through therapy, education and a change of perspective, the parents can become that support system for the child. And, in the end, a strengthened relationship is better for both parent and child. "Whoever they are, that's the person you get to love, and you can make the choice not to be the person who loves them," Becky said. "But, man, what a huge mistake to lose out on who that child is." In the Kids in Crisis series, reporters from across the USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin examine the stressors that are affecting youth mental health in the wake of the pandemic. The stories will run throughout the school year. Contact Amy Schwabe at amy.schwabe@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin transgender youth say gender affirmation is essential Ugandan lawmakers have rejected a government proposal to allow 15-year-old girls to access birth control pills to reduce high levels of pregnancy. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa called the idea "devilish", saying it would "formalise [the] defilement" of girls. A senior health ministry official said the "stigma" around young people using contraceptives should end. Nearly a quarter of 15- to 19-year-old girls in Uganda are either pregnant or are already mothers, a survey says. The rate increased sharply during the Covid lockdown when schools were shut for almost two years. During a highly charged parliamentary debate on Tuesday, MP Lucy Akello questioned whether the age of consent was being lowered from the current 18 years to 15 years, the state-owned New Vision newspaper reported. She described the proposal to offer contraceptives to 15-year-old girls as "scary". Ms Akello said she did not use contraceptives. "I use the natural method, the one God gave me." In her response to the debate, Primary Healthcare Minister Margaret Muhanga said the proposal had not been approved by the government but had been made by a senior medical officer, Dr Charles Olaro. She asked if it was better for a child to get pregnant and then go on to die while giving birth, adding there was "so many teenage pregnancies". Dr Olaro told the privately owned Daily Monitor newspaper that access to reproductive health information was "not just a matter of choice; it is a matter of fundamental rights". "It is essential that we foster an environment where youth can access information on sexual and reproductive health and contraceptives for those in need without stigma, discrimination, or judgment," Dr Olaro was quoted as saying. However, the deputy speaker said the proposal "should never see the light of day". Uganda is a deeply religious society, and a group of religious leaders has also opposed the proposal, saying teenagers should just abstain from sex. An In-depth Look at Lennar Corp's Dividend Performance and Sustainability Lennar Corp (NYSE:LEN) recently announced a dividend of $0.38 per share, payable on 2023-10-26, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-11. 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 look into Lennar Corp's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Lennar Corp Do? Lennar Corp is the second-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on the number of delivered homes. The company primarily targets first-time, move-up, and active adult homebuyers mainly under the Lennar brand name. Lennar Corp provides mortgage financing and related services to its homebuyers through its financial-services segment. Additionally, the Miami-based company is involved in multifamily construction and has invested in numerous housing-related technology startups. Lennar Corp's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Lennar Corp's Dividend History Lennar Corp has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1984, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. The company has increased its dividend each year since 2009, earning it the status of a dividend achiever. This honor is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 14 years. Lennar Corp's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Lennar Corp's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Lennar Corp currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.32% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 1.32%. This suggests an expectation of same dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Lennar Corp's annual dividend growth rate was 110.90%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 67.90% per year. Over the past decade, Lennar Corp's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 23.10%. Story continues Based on Lennar Corp's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Lennar Corp stock as of today is approximately 17.61%. Lennar Corp's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-08-31, Lennar Corp's dividend payout ratio is 0.11. Lennar Corp's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Lennar Corp's profitability 9 out of 10 as of 2023-08-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Lennar Corp's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Lennar Corp's revenue has increased by approximately 18.50% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 74.26% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Lennar Corp's earnings increased by approximately 39.90% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 70.45% of global competitors. The company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 36.50%, outperforms approximately 78.26% of global competitors. Next Steps Considering Lennar Corp's consistent dividend payments, impressive dividend growth rate, low payout ratio, high profitability, and strong growth metrics, it appears that the company has a sustainable dividend model. This makes Lennar Corp an attractive prospect for value investors seeking steady dividend income. However, as with any investment, it's always crucial to conduct thorough research and consider all factors before making a decision. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Ukrainian first-person drones let the scrappy underdog tear through Russian forces and equipment. Even with Western support, Ukraine can't match Russia's industrial base. So it can't win a straight artillery duel or war of attrition on equal terms. And so, while both sides use drones, Ukraine has turned it into an art form that will almost certainly be taught in other militaries for generations. It turned increasingly to cheap, modular drones to counter greater Russian resources. And it has added a specific payload to the mix: Thermobaric charges. These carefully timed weapons are especially destructive against personnel and bunkers , but they can also wreak havoc on any target they can get inside of. How thermobaric weapons work Thermobaric weapons, sometimes called fuel-air bombs and part of the volumetric weapons category, have two stages. In the first stage, they explode a small charge that disperses solid or liquid fuel particles. Then, a second change ignites the dispersed particles. When done properly, the fuel and the air mix into one large explosive. Basically, if you fire a thermobaric weapon into a room, it turns the room into a bomb. A thermobaric weapon's sharp and powerful detonation is great at collapsing light structures or blowing apart vehicles. In bunkers and other confined spaces, they create a massive amount of pressure and then a vacuum, nearly guaranteeing a kill against anyone in the confined space. Because of their destructive capacity, use close to civilians could be a war crime . And Russia came under sharp criticism for firing thermobaric rockets into urban areas. But the new drones allow operators to deliver small thermobaric weapons into enemy bunkers and trenches, delivering lethal results even with small payloads and batteries. Parts of the Russian TOS-1 Buratino thermobaric multiple rocket system on the street in Izium, Kharkiv region, Ukraine. September 30, 2022 (Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Ukrainian drones The Ukrainian thermobaric charges work as described above. The charges themselves aren't a big step forward. But most thermobaric weapons are quite expensive, mostly because the attacker needs to get them into the target room, structure, or vehicle to have much effect. That requires a high amount of precision, so thermobaric warheads are usually mounted on precise rockets or similar munitions. But a first-person drone operator can fly a drone through a window by making minute steering adjustments until the final moments before they detonate it. As recently reported in The Washington Post , operators are getting drones against vehicle windshields, on top of patrols, or even into windows before they blow up. And so a cheap, cheap drone can get the thermobaric charge into position just as well as a pricey rocket. While Russia has more thermobaric charges and even some drones , this strategy lets Ukraine compete in the thermobaric arms race. And its operators can swap payloads as needed, using fragmentation, shaped charges, thermobaric weapons, or most anything else as needed. The Ukrainian government even fundraises to help the drone units buy more FPV drones and equipment. It's a major challenge for Ukraine since many of the components come from China , and China also sells to Russia. Expect "drone operator" to become an infantry or similar Army MOS in the next few years. It's one of the most important weapons on the modern battlefield. A woman was charged with assault Wednesday after a victim was struck by a vehicle and later shot, the Gulfport Police Department says. Jeralyn Shanta Wells, 25, is charged with aggravated assault and is being held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center. According to police, officers arrived at the 8200 block of Arkansas Avenue around 8:56 a.m. on Wednesday after receiving a call about a hit and run. When officers arrived, they found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Wells and the victim had gotten into an argument, police said. A woman then got into her vehicle and allegedly rammed her vehicle into the victims vehicle intentionally, authorities say. The woman then got out of her vehicle and allegedly fired a gun at the victim, hitting them. Authorities say Wells later went to her vehicle and fled the scene. She was later taken into custody in Waveland. Wells is being held on a $250,000 bond. The Gulfport Police Department urges anyone with any information regarding this incident contact them at 228-868-5959, or contact the Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898. Questions have emerged about how quickly X is working to address misinformation on the platform. False and misleading posts remain on the site, and many don't have Community Notes attached. It comes after Elon Musk cut its trust and safety team from around 230 to 20 full-time employees. X appears to be on the back foot in efforts to combat the posts spreading misinformation about the Israel-Gaza war . Since Hamas militants launched a surprise attack Saturday from the Gaza Strip into Israel by paragliders, boats, and other vehicles, posts sharing false and misleading information continue to circulate on the platform. One video, still making the rounds on X at the time of writing, shows children in cages and has been shared by multiple accounts. "Israeli kids being held in cages by Hamas Terrorists," a caption on the video , viewed more than 359,000 times, said. The post did not have a Community Note underneath at the time of writing to clarify that the video was not recent, nor did two other posts that shared the video. A YouTube link posted by another user showed the video dated back to at least 2020, although the streaming platform has since removed that link for violating its community guidelines. BBC Verify journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh, who reports on misinformation, debunked several misleading posts on X, which have since been appended with Community Notes to clarify they are inaccurate. One account, which has since been suspended, shared a video of people paragliding and claimed in the caption that it was Hamas militants entering Israel. However, Sardarizadeh found that it was filmed in Egypt and posted on TikTok last month and posted more than 10 examples of misinformation found on X. "I've been fact-checking on Twitter for years, and there's always plenty of misinformation during major events. But the deluge of false posts in the last two days, many boosted via Twitter Blue, is something else," Sardarizadeh posted on X. "Neither fact-checkers nor Community Notes can keep up with this." One user even went as far as sharing footage from video game Arma 3 and tried to dupe others into believing it was a video of Hamas militants launching an air assault on Israel. Another posted photos of a fireworks display in Algeria and claimed it was Israel striking Hamas. Another video shared on X Sunday shows a man with a baby alongside a caption that said it's a "Hamas terrorist with a kidnapped Jewish baby girl in Gaza." The post now has a Community Note that says the video was posted a month before the attack on Saturday, but it still remains on the platform. Ben Goggin, deputy tech editor at NBC News, said Monday that he reviewed 120 posts on X that shared fake news. "Only 8% had community notes, 26% had unpublished notes, and 66% had neither," he wrote. Elon Musk laid off between five and 10 trust and safety workers in September, Insider's Kali Hays reported last month , after he cut hundreds of employees working in that department when he took over X, previously known as Twitter. Prior to Musk's takeover, there were around 230 people in the trust and safety team working on content moderation. One person familiar with the matter told Kali Hays there are currently about 20 full-time employees on the trust and safety team. CEO Linda Yaccarino posted on X on Monday calling for users to "become part of this important community" of contributors to Community Notes not long after canceling her scheduled appearance at The Wall Street Journal's tech conference next week, WSJ Tech Live. X told The Journal in a statement that she would not be attending as "with the global crisis unfolding, Linda and her team must remain fully focused on X platform safety." X's official safety account shared a statement on the platform Monday that said there had been more than 50 million posts on the Israel-Gaza war. It added that Community Notes "appear within minutes" of content being shared and are a "critical tool" to help it combat misinformation. X didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Zelensky calls on world leaders to visit Israel in solidarity and to deter third world war Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged world leaders to visit Israel in a show of solidarity with its people and to deter further aggression, saying it can help save your nation. Zelensky made the remarks Wednesday on the sidelines of meetings with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a once-a-month gathering of an estimated 50 nations that are providing military support for Kyiv in its defensive war against Russia. It was very important not to be alone, very important, Zelensky said of the support Ukraine received in the initial days of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Axios reported Zelensky has asked to visit Israel in a show of solidarity. The Hill was unable to independently confirm the request. Zelensky said world leaders arriving in Kyiv from as early as March 2022, only weeks after the full-scale invasion, and those continuing to visit, are an important symbol of solidarity. So my recommendation to the leaders, to go to Israel and I think to support people, just people, Im not speaking about any institutions just to support people whove been under terroristic attacks, he said. Zelensky underscored that actions of solidarity and unity are strong deterrents against aggression, an appeal he has made to hold together the international coalition supporting Ukraine that is under strain from war fatigue, waning public attention and competing crises. Sometimes we are thinking how to prevail or how to stop the war, how to manage something, dialogue with Iran or Russia and et cetera, he said. We have to think opposite we have to not give the possibility for aggressors even to think about the third world war, the new wave of aggression, the new big tragedy, he continued. That means if there is a big political support of the people, this means unity. Thats why I recommend to go there, of course, if Israeli side will be ready. Ukraine has a strained relationship with Israel over Jerusalems decision to maintain relations with Russia and its holding back of military assistance to Kyiv. But Zelensky, who is Jewish, has sought to strengthen ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in particular to confront Irans supply of weapons to Russia, and described as productive a meeting the two leaders had on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Im happy with meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Its good for Ukraine, he said in an interview in Washington at the time. But I really think that is even better for Israel. Because there is a dangerous moment, and we have to be very serious with Iran. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE - Cheng Lei, a Chinese-born Australian journalist for CGTN, the English-language channel of China Central Television, attends a public event in Beijing on Aug. 12, 2020. Cheng who worked for Chinas state broadcaster and was convicted on murky espionage charges during her three years in detention in China had been returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanes said on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Elizabeth Shackelford is a senior fellow on U.S. foreign policy with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She was previously a U.S. diplomat and is the author of The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. While Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) shareholders are probably generally happy, the stock hasn't had particularly good run recently, with the share price falling 13% in the last quarter. But in stark contrast, the returns over the last half decade have impressed. We think most investors would be happy with the 266% return, over that period. So while it's never fun to see a share price fall, it's important to look at a longer time horizon. The more important question is whether the stock is too cheap or too expensive today. So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns. See our latest analysis for Lithia Motors To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. Over half a decade, Lithia Motors managed to grow its earnings per share at 32% a year. So the EPS growth rate is rather close to the annualized share price gain of 30% per year. This indicates that investor sentiment towards the company has not changed a great deal. In fact, the share price seems to largely reflect the EPS growth. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We know that Lithia Motors has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? This free interactive report on Lithia Motors' balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Lithia Motors' TSR for the last 5 years was 280%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! Story continues A Different Perspective We're pleased to report that Lithia Motors shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 33% over one year. And that does include the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 31% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Lithia Motors (of which 1 is concerning!) you should know about. If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. The newly remodeled Nicholson Pavilion sits empty during the early hours of the first day of class at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. As the final quarter of 2023 gets fully underway, analysts and investors alike are trying to divine just what is likely to happen in the next few months. Theres a growing feeling that, with September behind us, stock investors can look forward to better times perhaps sooner rather than later. In some recent comments to CNBC, Scott Chronert, Citi U.S. equity strategist, gives several reasons why investors should load up on stocks now. First, Chronert points out that fears of a hard recession have faded, or as he puts it, Weve been pricing in a soft landing since the first part of June. Backing this, Chronert states that the Feds rate cycle is near its peak, and that corporate earnings are likely to remain resilient. At his bottom line, Chronert adds, I think all told the balance is still to the upside into the end of the year, and were going to fall back on our ongoing view that the fundamental underpinning for the S&P remains pretty positive at this point. Against this backdrop, the equity analysts at Citigroup have picked out two stocks that they feel will make solid portfolio additions should market conditions improve. And they are not alone, according to TipRanks database, both are also rated as Strong Buys by the analyst consensus. Lets see why they are drawing plaudits across the board. Coherus Biosciences (CHRS) The first stock well look at is Coherus Biosciences, a developer and manufacturer of biosimilar drugs. This drug class fills an important niche in advanced medicines; they are designed to have functions and targets similar to approved biologic reference medications with expired patents. Biosimilars are a lower-cost alternative to biologics and are seen as a way to expand patients access to cutting-edge biologic medicines. Coherus is both a commercial and clinical-stage biopharma firm, with several approved biosimilar drugs on the market and multiple research tracks ongoing, ranging in stage from preclinical development to BLA submissions. The long-term goal of the companys research program is to expand the range of cost-effective medicines and deliver significant savings to the U.S. healthcare system. Story continues The three approved medications are a good start in that direction. Coherus currently markets Udenyca, a biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), which is used in the stimulation of bone marrow activity and white blood cell production in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The drug, which was approved in 2018, is marketed as a lower-cost option to Neulasta. Coherus followed up Udenyca with two additional approved drugs. Yusimry, a biosimilar to Humira, was approved in 2021, and Cimerli, a biosimilar to Lucentis, was approved in August of last year. On the biologics license application (BLA) front, Coherus has two recent updates. First, the company has submitted a BLA supplement for Udenyca, and on September 25, announced it had received a complete response letter (CRL) from the FDA. The response was based on inspection findings at a third-party filler and did not identify any issues with the medication or the trial data. The company has committed to working with the FDA to resolve the issues as soon as possible. In addition, Coherus has submitted two BLAs for its drug candidate toripalimab, a potential treatment for metastatic or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Coherus has received feedback from the FDA following site inspections related to clinical studies of the drug. Only one observation was noted, and again, the company is committed to resolving the matter with the FDA. In his coverage of this stock for Citi, analyst Yigal Nochomovitz notes that shares in CHRS are down but lays out a case for the company to turn the corner. Coherus shares have underperformed over the last two years largely because of declining Udenyca (Neulasta biosimilar) sales. However, we think Coherus is now entering a significant period of re-growth, driven by new biosimilar launches, the pending toripalimab approval/launch, and clinical advancement of the companys existing I/O assets and those gained in the recent acquisition of Surface Oncology (SURF). We think the strategy of funding I/O development with biosimilar revenues is attractive in a challenging capital formation environment and sets Coherus up well for long-term value creation, Nochomovitz opined. That value creation may be substantial indeed. Nochomovitz rates CHRS shares a Buy, and his $13 price target implies the shares will gain as much as 241% over the next 12 months. (To watch Nochomovitzs track record, click here) Overall, the Strong Buy consensus on Coherus is based on 7 recent analyst reviews that include 6 Buy ratings and 1 Hold. The shares are currently trading for $3.81, and their $12.43 average price target suggests a one-year upside of 226%. (See CHRS stock forecast) Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) From biotech, well shift our focus to oilfield services, a vital niche in the energy sector. Patterson-UTI Energy works with oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, offering the drilling and completion services needed to put hydrocarbon extraction wells into operation. In addition, Patterson-UTI develops directional drilling solutions, as well as specialized drill bits. In short, the company has the unique engineering expertise needed to make the oil patch productive. Patterson-UTI Energy has its roots in West Texas and is today one of North Americas top-tier oilfield services firms. The company boasts an array of talent, technology, and equipment needed to develop the full potential of oil and gas wells. The oil and natural gas industry is highly profitable, and Patterson-UTI has successfully leveraged this profitability to transition to a profitable operation over the past year. In the first two quarters of the last year, the company saw its net earnings change from net negative to net positive. In its last reported quarter, 2Q23, the firm had a bottom line of 44 cents per share by non-GAAP measures a result that exceeded estimates by a penny. The EPS was supported by revenues of $758.9 million, which were up 22% year-over-year, although it fell $23.1 million short of the forecast. In addition to its sound financial results, Patterson-UTI also pays out a regular dividend. The current payment, at 8 cents per share, annualizes to 32 cents and yields 2.4%. While the yield is modest, its worth noting that Patterson-UTI has a history of paying out regular dividends dating back nearly two decades. This stock caught the eye of Citis Scott Gruber, who explains why the company is likely to see improvements in the near future: The upcoming recovery in U.S. drilling is likely modest by historical standards which we believe is currently weighing on PTENs stock. Yet PTENs quality operations and deal synergies should still drive outperformance. PTEN offers a top-tier drilling business with a pumping business that appears poised to separate from the pack post-deal. This should facilitate solid margin generation as E&Ps focus on efficiency. Gruber goes on to quantify the stocks upside potential, writing, Further, management targets $200mm of deal synergies mainly around optimizing within frac. This should help 2024 EBITDA and drive 2025 EBITDA toward $2B, or up ~25% from the 4q23 run rate and double the rig count growth rate. At PTENs current stock price, this equates to a sub-3x 2025 EBITDA multiple and ~20% FCF yield. Thus, the stock appears to be discounting a far weaker outcome. This presents a compelling opportunity In Grubers view, this opportunity worth a Buy rating and an $18 price target, which implies a potential gain of ~36% on the one-year horizon. (To watch Grubers track record, click here) All in all, this oilfield services stock has picked up a Strong Buy consensus rating from the Streets analysts, based on 9 recent reviews that include 8 Buys and 1 Hold. The shares are priced at $13.23 and have an average price target of $18.13, indicating a potential 12-month upside of ~37%. (See PTEN stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a 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. MAGGI's Sah Malaysia campaign appreciates the 'air tangan' of Malaysians who craft and savour the Malaysian taste KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than five decades, MAGGI has held a special place in the lives of Malaysians. Since 1969, iconic favourites such as the Chilli Sauce and MAGGI 2-Minute Noodles have seamlessly woven themselves into countless homes, becoming an integral part of significant good-food moments. The deep affection for MAGGI has led the brand to be present in 9 out of 10 households[1]. This is a testament to how MAGGI has become the favourite brand to express love and that special touch through cooking - 'Air tangan', that personal touch infused in every meal. Mr Juan Aranols, CEO of Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad and Ms. Ivy Tan, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI, Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad officiating the MAGGI Sah Malaysia celebration In a celebratory event last Friday, MAGGI brought to life the very essence of 'cita rasa' Malaysia through the 'air tangan' of Malaysians. Four passionate foodies proudly showcased their 'air tangan' through delicious creations using a wide variety of MAGGI products. Among the highlights are, the classic duo, Ayam Masak Merah with Nasi Tomato creatively prepared with a healthy twist; as well as the transformation of a humble packet of MAGGI Asam Laksa Noodles into an authentic Sabahan dish by incorporating a local ingredient, jeruk tuhau. 'Air tangan' is more than just the language of love in cooking, it is also the care and dedication of Malaysians who work tirelessly behind each MAGGI product. MAGGI is truly made by Malaysians, with two manufacturing facilities located in Selangor and Sarawak, dedicated to bringing the local taste to the Malaysian homes. "We are so proud of all the many generations of Malaysians that have built MAGGI. From the dedicated Nestle Chili Club farmers in the East Coast region, to our talented chefs, hardworking colleagues in factories, sales representatives, merchandisers and the entire commercial team, who represent the best of this 'cita rasa' Malaysia which we hold so dear to our hearts. This is how we are able to consistently deliver products that meet the high expectations of Malaysians with trust and love," said Mr Juan Aranols, CEO of Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad. Story continues In the spirit of celebration, MAGGI recognised a number of highly dedicated colleagues who have worked tirelessly behind the brand. This includes chilli farmers like Noraini binti Ismail, whom for the past 23 years has constantly upskilled herself with new farming techniques to ensure that the soil is fertile and yields top-quality chillies for MAGGI Chilli Sauce. The Factory Quality Assurance Manager, Mohd Khusaini Bin Awang, whom for 27 years has ensured the highest quality and taste consistency of the MAGGI 2-Minute Kari Noodles that Malaysians love, and many other inspiring stories. "We are truly humbled to be a household name in Malaysia. MAGGI has created many warm and memorable moments for Malaysians across all walks of life, through products that deliver the distinctive taste we love. This very taste is the pride of the MAGGI brand as it is crafted by the 'air tangan' of Malaysians. They are the ones who lovingly prepare meals with their own personal touch, for which we deeply appreciate. Be it a simple MAGGI Kari telur pecah for a loved one or a festive Nasi Briyani Ayam that brings the family together, all while creating cherished memories. This is what makes MAGGI a truly Malaysian brand, made by Malaysians, for Malaysians," added Ms. Ivy Tan, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI, Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad. Throughout this period of celebration, MAGGI calls all Malaysians to share their own 'Air Tangan' stories with the hashtag #MAGGIAirTanganKita and tag @maggi.malaysia. This can be in the form of a picture or video post featuring a cherished recipe or a significant moment in their lives involving any of the MAGGI products. For more information about the MAGGI SAH Malaysia campaign, please visit https://www.maggi.my/ms/aktiviti-maggi/maggi-sah-malaysia/. [1] Data from Kantar Worldpanel brand footprint study About MAGGI MAGGI is the No. 1 food brand in Malaysia. Its core mission is to create good-food moments that bring families closer together. Through its wide range of products and food solutions, MAGGI helps Malaysians to prepare tasty and balanced homemade meals for themselves or their families every day. The brand is also committed to the ever-evolving needs of meal providers, providing innovative solutions from noodles to culinary products, which continue to delight and inspire Malaysians to cook the fresh food they love and believe in. To learn more, please visit www.maggi.my or our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MaggiMalaysia. About Nestle Malaysia Nestle is the world's largest food and beverage manufacturer. Headquartered in Switzerland, Nestle is present in more than 180 countries around the world, and our 270,000 employees are committed to Nestle's purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Our performance is driven by our Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy. Nourishing Malaysians since 1912, Nestle has earned the trust of our consumers through our quality brands and products. We are committed to improving the lives of the communities in which we operate, whilst maintaining our Halal excellence and integrity. This is in line with our promise of delivering GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE to all. To learn more about how we have been nourishing Malaysians for over a century, do visit www.nestle.com.my or our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Nestle.Malaysia. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/maggi-celebrates-malaysia-from-farm-to-families-proudly-made-by-malaysians-for-malaysians-301953249.html SOURCE Nestle (Malaysia) Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Maestri bucatari, invitati la Conferinta Regionala de Turism de la Balvanyos; printre ei detinatorul unei stele Michelin Gastronomia este una dintre principalele teme ale Conferintei Regionale de Turism, care va avea loc la Baile Balvanyos pe 9 si 10 noiembrie, [citeste mai departe] The Geely logo is seen at a car dealership in Shanghai KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian automaker DRB Hicom said on Wednesday it has signed an agreement with Chinese car maker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd for the development of an automotive hub in Malaysia. This comes after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in July that Geely will invest $10 billion to develop an auto-making hub in the town of Tanjung Malim in western Malaysia. "The (agreement) sets forth the underlying principles, governance framework and mutual commitment of the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley project," DRB said in a statement. The project will focus on manufacturing automobiles, and high-technology components and parts for new energy vehicles, the company said, adding that it expects to attract investment from local and foreign firms. DRB is the majority shareholder of Malaysian car maker Proton, in which Geely also has a 49.9% stake. (Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor) Nebraska ranked just above average compared to other states in the process used to redraw political district maps in 2021, a national group said Wednesday. Nebraska earned a C+ in the Community Redistricting Report Card done by CHARGE, a coalition of organizations that advocate for fairness and representation in state and local government. The report issues grades ranging from A- to F based on the groups assessment of transparency, impact of public input, nonpartisanship and fairness displayed in each states redistricting process. Gavin Geis, director of Common Cause Nebraska, said a C+ is a fair grade for Nebraska. He said he believes Nebraskas maps ended up pretty good, yet the redistricting process had issues with public access, transparency and politicization. But State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, who chaired the Legislatures redistricting committee, criticized the report. She said it didnt accurately reflect how lawmakers went about the redistricting process. The report does not reflect reality whatsoever, she said. Nebraskas grade was based primarily on the Legislatures control of the states redistricting effort. Such control often suppresses the voices of minorities, the group said in its report. However, the report said, Nebraska fared better than other states that follow similar processes due to heightened advocacy. Victories on several fronts to improve representation for communities of color are rare in states in which legislators draw districts, which is why most of them earned a D or F grade this cycle, the report states. However, Nebraska avoided that fate because of the effectiveness of fights for Black, Native American, and Latinx voting rights in several pockets of the state. Nebraska lawmakers completed the once-a-decade redistricting process in 2021, redrawing political maps that affected the boundaries for state and local elections. While the approved maps drew broad support from Republican state senators, the maps received mixed reviews from Democrats. Much of the criticism was rooted in Nebraskas push to preserve rural districts, even as many rural counties continue to drop in population. This led to accusations of the redistricting being overly partisan, because rural districts tend to favor Republican candidates in elections. Geis said he understood the reasons behind preserving rural districts, but noted that current population trends make it likely that Nebraska will lose one or more rural districts when the state redraws the maps again in 2031. The vice chairman of the redistricting committee, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, a Democrat, defended the states process. He said it was the most transparent and public redistricting process ever in Nebraska, despite difficulties with getting information out in a timely manner. The report disagreed, stating that lawmakers displayed the usual disinterest in public input that is standard for politician-led redistricting processes. The only victories in preserving representation for minority communities came after public outcry against some of the earlier proposed maps. Besides three public hearings across the state on the proposed maps, Geis said, it was difficult to get committee members to engage with public input. He said lawmakers largely ignored suggested maps proposed by community organizations. The Legislatures initial proposed maps would have split communities in Grand Island and Omaha, Geis said, and it was only because of members in those communities paying close attention that this was avoided. Citizens work on this is why we had good maps, said Geis, who contributed to the Nebraska aspect of the CHARGE report. The national Common Cause organization is one of groups involved with the coalition. Even though the initial reports were improved, Geis said, lawmakers did not give the public an opportunity to weigh in on those revised maps something that was needed given the amount of changes. Linehan had a different perspective. She said she knew the initial maps proposed at the public hearings werent going to be what the Legislature ended up approving. They were drafted that way as a negotiation strategy, she said, knowing they would be toned down over the debate. In negotiations, you always lead with your perfect world, Linehan said. Then, after the initial maps were revised, lawmakers were under a time crunch to pass the new maps before the end of a special session, Linehan said. If the Legislature had not acted at the time, she said, the 2022 primary elections could have been delayed. Many of the states scoring better than Nebraska have independent groups that conduct or aid the redistricting process. Geis said the proper way to redraw political districts is to do so without elected officials, who have a clear stake in the outcome. Redistricting power wont be something lawmakers give up willingly, Geis said, so a citizen-led ballot initiative would be the way to change Nebraskas system. Such an initiative was attempted in 2020 but didnt make it to the ballot something Geis attributes to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new report suggests that Nebraskans should consider a ballot initiative to establish an independent redistricting process, or to reform the current process. Linehan disagreed that an independent commission is the best way to conduct redistricting. She said lawmakers are best suited to determine political districts because they are elected to represent the voters in those areas, and noted that the members of an independent group would likely be appointed by politicians anyway. You cant take politics out of elections, Linehan said. American Airlines announced that it was cancelling all flights to Israel's main international airport until December 4 as a result of the current operating environment". The airline operates flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport, located less than 40 miles from Gaza, reports CNN. We will continue working closely with our partner airlines to offer assistance to those looking to exit TLV with safety and security remaining our highest priorities, American Airlines said in a statement late Tuesday. Also read: 'Disturbing Incident': Malayalam Actress Divya Prabha Alleges Harassment On Air India Flight The airline said it has also extended our travel alert providing additional flexibility to customers whose travel plans are impacted by this adjustment. On Monday, Delta Air Lines, which operates flights to Israel from Atlanta, JFK, and Boston, said it was canceling flights for the rest of October. The State Department said on Tuesday that it has been encouraging airlines to consider resuming travel in and out of Israel". Since Israel declared a war on Hamas as retaliation against the militant group's unpredented attack on October 7, multiple airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to the Jewish nation. While Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific canceled its Tuesday flight to and from Tel Aviv, Air Canada announced the suspension of all its flights for now. Ireland's Ryanair said it was canceling flights in and out of Tel Aviv until October 11, citing operational restrictions. Air India and Lufthansa announced that they were canceling flights until October 14, and Norwegian Air said it is canceling flights until October 15. Korean Air canceled one of its three regularly scheduled weekly flights into Tel Aviv on Monday, but the South Korean flag carrier said it is planning on flying a 218-seat plane from Tel Aviv and to Incheon on Tuesday in order to bring Korean nationals back home. New Delhi: The highly appreciated film 'Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue' has been released worldwide. The film based on the story of unsung hero Jaswant Singh Gill has been receiving an extraordinary word of mouth from audiences and takes them on a thrilling and emotional journey into the life of Jaswant Singh Gill and his passion to rescue 65 coal mine workers. 'Mission Raniganj' is also the best-reviewed film of the year. The best-reviewed film of the year most talked about film of this time that has been collecting the best reviews from all corners. As thrilling and exciting as the world of Mission Raniganj looks, the making and creation of this world look as thrilling as the film, and its premise indeed makes it a big-screen spectacle. It's a film that the audience should not miss to watch in the theatres to capture the true essence of this motivational tale. As the video captured different BTS glimpses of the film, Akshay Kumar was seen sharing his experience of shooting, he added, "It was a great honor to play Gill Sahab, who was a great inspiration. This one was a very difficult film to make. Although everything was in control for me. But, for the miners at that time, there was gas, and there was water, and just imagine how they would have managed to perform in such adverse conditions. It was Bharat's very first successful mine rescue mission. A story of a man who never gave up." Following the film's release, Akshay Kumar shared behind-the-scenes footage that gives an insight into the making of Mission Raniganj. The world of Mission Raniganj is raw and real, and the team has made sure to give everyone the best theatrical experience. Akshay Kumar hailed the experience of playing the character of Jaswant Singh Gill as 'fortunate' and shared the BTS video, captioning, "One word, fortunate, is what I felt while playing Gill Saab's character. Watch the story of Bharats true hero with #MissionRaniganj IN CINEMAS NOW." Produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, and Ajay Kapoor, the film, directed by Tinu Suresh Desai and music by Jjust Music, promises to bring to life the coal mine accident that shook not only the nation but also the world. The relentless dedication of the rescue team, led by Jaswant Singh Gill, offering audiences an unforgettable cinematic experience, screening in cinemas now. NEW DELHI: In a significant move, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated a series of raids targeting the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI) in various states including Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Official sources reported that the raids are presently underway at multiple locations in Maharashtra since Wednesday morning. A team of NIA officials has descended on the residence of Abdul Wahid Sheikh in Mumbai's Vikhroli area. Sheikh, previously accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blast case, was subsequently acquitted. Simultaneously, the NIA is executing searches in multiple areas in Madurai pertaining to the PFI case. Furthermore, in collaboration with local law enforcement, the NIA has commenced raids in the Ballimaran area of Old Delhi falling under the jurisdiction of Hauz Qazi police station. The operations in this area began early Wednesday morning. News agency ANI also shared visuals of the ongoing NIA raids in the Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Visuals from Lucknow as National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts raids across six states in Popular Front of India-related cases. pic.twitter.com/SC3HbSeFY1 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 A separate NIT team is also carrying out searches in Rajasthan's Tonk district as part of the operation against the banned outfit. #WATCH | Visuals from Rajasthan's Tonk district as National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts raids across six states in Popular Front of India-related cases. pic.twitter.com/0ufDHYZ29m ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2023 Earlier this September, the Enforcement Directorate had carried out similar searches at the residences of former PFI workers in four districts of Kerala - Thrissur, Ernakulam, Malappuram, and Wayanad. In August, the NIA had also raided the homes of several PFI operatives in Malappuram, targeting individuals like Thayyil Hamza in Vengara, Kalathiparambil Yahuti in Tirur, Haneefa in Tanur, and Rangattur Padikkaparambil Jaffer - all affiliated with the banned PFI. These recent actions follow the NIA's earlier attachment of the Green Valley Academy in Manjeri in early August, a prominent arm and physical training centre associated with PFI. New Delhi: Israels air force has carried out more than 200 strikes on Hamas positions in the Al Furkan neighbourhood of Gaza on Wednesday, as part of its ongoing retaliation for the terror groups multi-faceted attacks on Israeli civilians. The IDF said it also targeted the house of the father of Mohammed Deif, the chief of Hamass military wing and the alleged mastermind of the attacks, according to The Times of Israel. This was the third round of aerial bombardment in the area in the last day, bringing the total number of targets hit by Israeli jets to 450, the IDF announced on social media platform X. The conflict, which erupted on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise assault with rockets and ground forces, has entered its fifth day with a heavy toll on both sides. The IDF reported that over 1,000 Israelis have been killed and more than 2,800 wounded, with 50 still missing or captured by Hamas. It also said that over 4,500 rockets have been launched from Gaza so far. The Health Ministry of Gaza said that over 770 Palestinians have also lost their lives in the Israeli air raids, and another 4,000 have been injured. Among the dead are 140 children and 120 women, a spokesperson for the ministry said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the fight against Hamas until it is defeated. Israel is at war. We didnt want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didnt start this war, Israel will finish it, he said in a televised address to the nation. SRINAGAR: President Draupadi Murmu arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday amid heightened security measures. Upon her arrival here, President Murmu was presented with a Guard of Honor at Srinagar Technical Airport. President Murmu was received by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Srinagar Airport, who was accompanied by top police, army, and civilian officials. The President of India, after arriving in Srinagar, presided over the 20th Convocation of the University of Kashmir at Hazratbal Campus on the outskirts of Srinagar. President Murmu while addressing the students at the convocation ceremony, said that when youth would follow the path of peace, prosperity and discipline, the nation would automatically prosper and progress. Addressing the 20th Convocation at Kashmir University, President Murmu began her speech with Ye Che Mouj Kashir and received a huge round of applause. I am glad to be here. I have been to various convocations and at various institutions and universities of the country but let me tell the youth this campus is more beautiful than others. Kashmir University has had the blessings of Hazratbal in the past and the same will remain, she said. LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu addresses the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir at Srinagar https://t.co/qR4owF0c49 President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 11, 2023 After distributing Gold medals to 21 toppers out of 462 students, the President said, I am glad to see 55 per cent of the toppers were girls. Our girls and women are proving their mettle in every field. Todays awardees are our tasveer and taqdeer, she said. Lt Gov. Manoj Sinha while welcoming the President of Kashmir University said, "I thank President Murmu for accepting my invite to be a part of this convocation. I congratulate everyone today including students and teachers. I am extremely happy that 67 per cent of the gold medalists are female students. Its a moment of pride. The golden time for women empowerment has returned to Jammu and Kashmir." Earlier, President Murmu was given a Guard of Honour at Srinagar Technical Airport, where she air-dashed to the Army's 15 Corps headquarters in Srinagar to pay tributes to slain soldiers at the war memorial. President Droupadi Murmu laid a wreath at the Chinar War Memorial in Srinagar to pay tributes to the soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/DYOwd3SD7y President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 11, 2023 The President will stay in Srinagar for a night and later in the day, she will interact with the local tribal groups and women Self Help Groups. The President will also attend a civic reception to be hosted in her honor at the Raj Bhavan Srinagar. On October 12, the President will visit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple in the Jammu region, where she will inaugurate a remodelled Parvati Bhavan and Skywalk at the revered shrine. New Delhi: With his extravagantly laden omelette challenge, a Delhi street vendor is causing a stir online by offering customers the chance to win Rs. 1 lakh if they can complete it in under 30 minutes! What distinguishes this omelette from others, then? It's not your typical omelette, though; the vendor makes it with a ton of butter, more than 30 entire eggs, kebab, and a variety of vegetables, earning it the moniker "heart attack" omelette from online foodies. (Also Read: TCS Buyback 2023 Announced: Company Unveils 5th Share Buyback In 6 Years, Announces Q2 Earnings) The calories in this unusual omelette recipe were calculated by a fitness influencer, who added to the mystery when the result was staggering: 3,500 milligrams. This set off quite a ruckus in the comments area. (Also Read: Who Is Diya Mehta Jatia? The Stylish Fashion Sensation, Daughter Of Biz Tycoon, Has A Special Connection With Mukesh Ambani's Family) When fitness enthusiast @chiragbarjatyaa published this viral video on the microblogging platform 'X,' it became viral. The video shows the seller, who goes by Rajiv Bhai, starting to make his unique omelette. He begins by placing a sizable slab of butter in a heated pan before adding another. He next adds 31 beaten eggs from a big container, followed by diced tomatoes, green chilies, and onions. 450g butter, 31 whole eggs, 50g cheese, 100g seekh kebab and 200g paneer. Approximately 3,575 mg of cholesterol in total. Nahi chahiye bhai tere 1 lakh. pic.twitter.com/wfhayx7UGn Chirag Barjatya (@chiragbarjatyaa) October 10, 2023 To add another touch, he adds slices of bread and turns the omelette several times before plating it. He tops the meal with a combination of kebab, onions, and other vegetables to make it even more opulent, and then he adds sliced cheese and a dash of paneer to bring the price up to Rs. 1320! Who would jeopardize their health for the chance to win a reward of one lakh rupees? is the question that now arises. After all, engaging in such an excess entails a significant cost, including an alarming calorie total painstakingly provided by the original poster: 100g seekh kebab, 50g cheese, 450g butter, 31 whole eggs, and 200g paneer. There are about 3,575 mg of cholesterol overall. 1 lakh, Nahi Chahiye Bhai. People couldn't help but express their worries in response. One commenter bemoaned, "Indian Street food has been destroyed," while another said, "Ye sab khane ke bad hospital ka bill 1 lakh se jyada aayega. Washington: US authorities are investigating if some of the Hamas militants involved in the recent major assault on Israel received advanced training from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to both current and former US officials. They are also exploring the possibility that Hamas exploited recent Palestinian protests along the Gaza border fence to surreptitiously place explosives, which were later utilized to breach the Israeli barrier, as reported by NBC News. Confirming the advanced training and strategic placement of explosives would underscore Iran's longstanding support for Hamas. The well-coordinated attack, exceeding the sophistication of past Hamas operations, would not have been possible without decades of funding, weapons, and training supplied by Iran to the militant group, state present and former US officials. Matthew Levitt, a former senior official in the Treasury and State departments specializing in counterterrorism, highlighted Iran's extensive support for Hamas: "Hamas could not be a fraction of the group that it is neither a political, social or religious entity nor a terrorist and militant entity without Irans financial support, provision of weapons and training." The US is asserting that Iran is "complicit, in a broad sense" in the Israel attack, even though there is no direct evidence linking them. Iran 'Complicit' In Israel Attack: US White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized Iran's substantial financial and material backing for Hamas, indicating their role in the conflict. He clarified, "As to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not have confirmation of that at the moment." These statements followed President Joe Biden's strong condemnation of the attacks on Israel as "pure unadulterated evil," underscoring Hamas' avowed purpose to harm Jews. Hamas Attack On Israel 'Sheer Evil': Biden President Joe Biden strongly condemned the recent attacks in Israel, labelling them as "sheer evil" and emphasizing Hamas' purpose to target Jews. The attacks have claimed the lives of over 1,000 individuals in Israel, including at least 14 American citizens. President Biden expressed his outrage at the brutal acts committed by Hamas, describing them as "pure unadulterated evil." Addressing the nation from the White House, President Biden recounted the horrific details of the attacks, including parents attempting to shield their children and the senseless killings of innocent civilians, including young people attending a peaceful musical festival. The President reiterated that Hamas' avowed goal is to kill Jews, emphasizing the depth of evil in their actions. President Biden spoke following his third conversation in four days with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlining the military assistance the US will provide to support Israel's defense against these aggressions. Netanyahu had earlier conveyed that Israel, although not initiating the conflict, is resolute in ending it, highlighting the brutality imposed on his nation. President Biden emphasized the strengthened security measures around "centres of Jewish life" within the US, denouncing hate and ensuring the safety of the Jewish community. He also acknowledged that American citizens are among those held captive by Hamas, directing efforts to share intelligence and deploy experts for their safe release. Antony Blinken Will Travel To Israel: US Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is scheduled to travel to Israel and Jordan, reaffirming the US commitment to supporting Israel and engaging directly with key stakeholders in the region, according to the US State Department. Blinken aims to bolster Israel's security and offer condolences for the victims of the recent attacks, solidifying US backing for Israel's right to defend itself against aggression. A new program will offer as many as 200 metro Detroit small business owners, their employees and entrepreneurs a $2,500 grant aimed at boosting investment confidence and participation among the region's Black small business community, the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance announced Tuesday. The Small Business Investment program, supported through a $1 million grant from Prudential Financial, will give selected members of the region's small business community a Stackwell Capital Inc. investment account through which grant money will be distributed in monthly installments. "Black-owned businesses are a growth engine for the economy and community, yet they continue to face challenges in accessing funding and opportunities to grow," Trevor Rozier-Byrd, CEO of Stackwell Capital, said in a news release. Stackwell is a fintech company that has created a digital investment platform for the Black community with a mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap. The program is meant to serve as a key catalyst for inclusive economic growth in the region, the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance said. Charity Dean, president and CEO of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, in her coffee shop called Rosa in Detroit on Sept. 9, 2022. Black-owned businesses continue to face challenges in accessing funding and opportunities to grow, Rozier-Byrd said. That often leads to a greater reliance on credit cards and personal funds, he said, impacting their credit and the ability to access business capital. "Through this program, we hope to end this cycle and enable more members of the metro Detroit Black small business community to achieve greater personal and business financial stability so that they can sustainably grow their businesses and their wealth over time," he said. More on MDBBA: Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance gets $800K in grants to help fight racial wealth gap More: Black business owners learn how to get loans from banks that think they're a risk "Systemic and structural racism have created an unequal racial wealth gap in our country," Charity Dean, president and CEO of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, said in the release. "Our mission is to address the specific challenges that Black business owners face. We are committed to providing them with the tools, resources and advocacy needed to not only survive but thrive." Story continues How to apply New and existing Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance members are eligible to apply. Program applications are available here. To be awarded a grant, members must participate in at least two of six Prudential Pathways Seminars in the Black Wealth Workshop Series, which run from Oct. 25-Nov. 9. The application deadline is Nov. 17. Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance launches new grant program TEL AVIV: As Israel vows to completely dismantle Hamas and its terror network, carrying out intensive strikes on Gaza targets in response to a land-sea-air assault by the Palestinian terror group, allegations regarding the use of white phosphorus bombs by the powerful West Asian nation are flying thick. Palestine has accused Israel of employing phosphorus incendiary weapons in bombing densely populated areas within the Gaza Strip. Its Foreign Ministry expressed its concern on micro-blogging platform X, stating, "The Israeli occupation is using internationally banned white phosphorus bombs against the Palestinians in the Karama neighbourhood in northern Gaza." This is a war crime: Israeli forces are using internationally prohibited white phosphorus on heavily populated districts in the north of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/7VnteZsiFj PALESTINE ONLINE (@OnlinePalEng) October 9, 2023 Rami Abdo, founder of the European Observatory for Human Rights, shared a video clip on the X platform, claiming it depicted Israel's use of phosphorus bombs. He asserted, "Israeli military forces are using toxic white phosphorus [bombs] on densely populated areas northwest of Gaza City." Human Rights Watch, a New York-based rights group, previously cited reports of Israel's usage of white phosphorus bombs in Gaza during past conflicts. While using white phosphorus weapons to generate a smokescreen and cover troop movements is legally accepted, the 1980 Geneva Convention prohibits its use in densely populated areas. The use of white phosphorus bombs on civilians is considered a war crime and was last used by Russia in Ukraine's Bakhmut. Numerous videos and claims circulating on social media suggest that Israeli forces have been employing banned white phosphorus bombs in the densely populated region of Gaza. The Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory under Israeli blockade, has been governed by Hamas for many years. The Gaza Strip, which is under a total seize by the Israeli military, is one of the most densely populated places on Earth and home to over two million people residing in a visibly squeezed 362-square-kilometre area. What Are White Phosphorous Bombs? White phosphorus is a waxy, yellowish-to-clear chemical with a pungent, garlic-like odour. It is a highly combustible substance that burns quickly and brightly when exposed to air. Militaries worldwide, including the United States, utilize it in incendiary weapons for various purposes, such as illuminating targets at night or inflicting damage on enemies. This chemical reaction produces intense heat (about 815 degrees Celsius), light, and thick white smoke, aiding armies in creating smokescreens in sensitive zones. White phosphorus can cause fast-moving and widespread fires on the ground. Once ignited, the substance is challenging to extinguish, clinging to many surfaces, including skin and clothing. It poses significant dangers to civilians, causing severe burns that penetrate deep into tissue and bone, with the potential to reignite even after treatment. Why Has It Been Banned by the UN? In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution categorizing incendiary weapons as "arms viewed with horror." The UN defines incendiary weapons as those designed to set fire to objects or cause burns or respiratory injuries to people through the action of flame, heat, or a combination thereof, resulting from a chemical reaction of a flammable substance, such as napalm or white phosphorus. In 1980, the international community collectively agreed to ban or restrict the use of certain weapons causing excessive pain or harm to civilians. Protocol III of this agreement restricts the use of weapons that set things on fire. 5th Day Of Israel-Hamas War Amidst the ongoing conflict, with Israel conducting airstrikes on the 5th day of the war in response to a multi-front Hamas attack on Israeli towns near the seaside territory on Saturday, questions regarding the use of white phosphorus bombs persist. Hamas justified its attack in response to Israeli violations in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence. In retaliation, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched a vigorous offensive against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Tragically, the combined death toll resulting from the conflict, encompassing Hamas' attack on Israel and Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza, has exceeded 3,000 lives. Tel Aviv: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dealt a significant blow to Hamas on Wednesday, claiming the complete destruction of the terror group's "Advanced Detection System" in Gaza, a critical tool used to identify aircraft. The IDF announced that over 80 new targets were struck during their airstrikes in the besieged coastal enclave. "In a few minutes during a focused sortie, the IAF (Israeli Air Force) struck all of the sites of the network and demolished Hamas' ability to form an accurate picture of the skies and their efforts to target IDF aircraft," reported CNN, quoting the IDF's official statement. Key Hamas Facilities Destroyed By IAF According to the IDF, the recent targets included two bank branches used by Hamas to fund terrorism, an underground tunnel, two Hamas operational command centres, weapons storage facilities, and two Hamas compounds utilized for training, manufacturing, and storing weapons. Following the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, prompting Israel to declare war, the Jewish nation has continued to pound Gaza with relentless airstrikes. Hamas transformed an institute of knowledge into an institute of destruction. A short while ago, the IDF struck an important Hamas operational, political and military center in Gazathe Islamic University. Hamas transformed a university into a training camp for weapons pic.twitter.com/pWKxR8Dhmd Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 11, 2023 Earlier in the day, the IDF also conducted strikes on naval targets in Gaza reportedly used by Hamas militants to attack the Israeli coastline, as per CNN reports. The operation involved IDF naval soldiers, IAF, and the Israeli Artillery Corps. Docks were targeted using artillery fire from missile boats, military helicopters, and ground artillery batteries. -80 . , , . pic.twitter.com/UY8eRMTtGz Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 11, 2023 Furthermore, Israeli naval forces thwarted a Hamas diver attempting to infiltrate into Israel from the Gaza shores earlier that day, stated the IDF. In an update on the ground situation, IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus mentioned that they had rebuilt the barrier around Gaza and mobilized "infantry, armoured soldiers, artillery corps," along with 300,000 reservists close to the border with the enclave, according to the BBC. They are "close to the Gaza Strip getting ready to execute the mission that we have been given by the Israeli government - and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of this war won't have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians," he added. IDF's 'Knock On The Roof'' Tactic To Minimize Civilian Casualties In an attempt to minimize civilian casualties, the IDF has employed the "Knock-On-The-Roof" tactic. This involves alerting a buildings occupants about an impending airstrike by dropping a small, non-explosive munition on the roof before executing a larger strike. While aimed at saving lives, this technique is contentious and has faced criticism from human rights groups, arguing that dropping a munition on a building should not be considered a sufficient warning. Given the densely populated nature of Gaza, finding safe havens within the blockaded strip of land remains a challenge. Gaza Braces For Darkness As Electricity Supply Is Cut Off The Hamas-controlled government in Gaza issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that the electricity supply to Gaza "will completely stop within hours," severely limiting the ability to provide essential services. The Gaza government's media office emphasized that "All basic services in Gaza depend on electricity, and it will not be possible to partially operate them with generators due to the prevention of fuel supplies through the Rafah gate." Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes on Gaza since Saturday, targeting hundreds of sites and devastating neighbourhoods, responding to unprecedented Hamas terror attacks on Israel. Israel, having declared war on Hamas, continues its airstrikes in the densely populated coastal enclave, resulting in casualties with 950 reported deaths and 5,000 injuries, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered a "complete siege" of Gaza, halting the supply of essential provisions, including electricity, food, water, and fuel to the Palestinian enclave, following Hamas' attack. Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the recent outbreak of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, asserting that the failure of the US policy in the Middle East, which neglected Palestine's legitimate need for an Independent State, is to be blamed for the latest attack on the West Asian nation. During discussions with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Putin seized the moment to attribute the sharp escalation to years of US policy in the region. "I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East," Putin emphasized. Putin criticized Washington for attempting to "monopolize" peace efforts and accused it of overlooking workable compromises. He highlighted the United States' disregard for Palestinian interests, notably their aspiration for an independent Palestinian state. However, Putin made no reference to Russia's involvement in the Middle East peace process, where it has been a part of the "Quartet" along with the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union since 2002, assisting in mediating efforts. Israel has pledged to escalate its response to the attack by Iran-backed Hamas militants with a ground offensive, while US President Joe Biden pledged support for Israel and issued a warning to potential opportunists. Amidst the diplomatic efforts, Russia continued its engagement. A Kremlin statement indicated that Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan lamented the "catastrophic rise in the deaths among civilians." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged a swift ceasefire in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, indicated that the Kremlin was engaged with both conflicting parties and expressed intent to play a role in resolving the conflict, although specific actions were not outlined. He cautioned about the potential for the conflict to spread into neighbouring regions. Peskov stressed that Moscow participated in various diplomatic formats, despite limited progress. "But nevertheless we intend to keep making efforts and play our role in terms of providing assistance to seek ways to a settlement," he affirmed. Throughout the current crisis, the Kremlin has aimed to maintain a balanced stance, underscoring its relations with both sides. While Moscow reportedly employs Iran-made drones in its conflict in Ukraine and has historical ties with the Palestinians, including Hamas, it also shares commonalities with Israel, notably the significant number of Israelis who are former Russian citizens, Peskov highlighted. In subsequent statements reported by Russian news agencies, Peskov expressed heightened concern over the turmoil, stating it has the potential to grow beyond the current zone of the Arab-Israeli conflict, posing a significant danger. New Delhi: Israel received its first shipment of US weapons on Tuesday night, according to the IDF. The military did not specify what kind of armaments or equipment it got from its ally. The delivery came amid Israels ongoing conflict with Hamas, which launched a surprise rocket attack on October 7. The IDF thanked the US for its cooperation and support, saying it was vital for regional security and stability. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke with US President Joe Biden for the third time, and told him that Hamas was worse than ISIS and should be treated accordingly. Biden reaffirmed that the US stood by Israel and fully supported its right to defend itself. Netanyahu described the atrocities committed by Hamas, saying they had abducted, burned and executed dozens of children, beheaded soldiers, and killed young people at a festival. He said Israel had never seen such barbarism in its history. He also vowed to end the war that Israel did not start. The death toll from the four-day war has risen to over a thousand Israelis and over 770 Palestinians, according to official sources. More than 2,800 Israelis have been injured and 50 are missing or held hostage by Hamas. More than 4,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel. Among the Palestinian casualties are 140 children and 120 women, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Washington: The United States has strongly condemned the recent attacks in Israel, labelling them as "sheer evil" and emphasizing Hamas' purpose to target Jews, according to President Joe Biden. The attacks have claimed the lives of over 1,000 individuals in Israel, including at least 14 American citizens. President Biden expressed his outrage at the brutal acts committed by Hamas, describing them as "pure unadulterated evil." Addressing the nation from the White House, President Biden recounted the horrific details of the attacks, including parents attempting to shield their children and the senseless killings of innocent civilians, including young people attending a peaceful musical festival. The President reiterated that Hamas' avowed goal is to kill Jews, emphasizing the depth of evil in their actions. President Biden spoke following his third conversation in four days with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlining the military assistance the US will provide to support Israel's defense against these aggressions. Netanyahu had earlier conveyed that Israel, although not initiating the conflict, is resolute in ending it, highlighting the brutality imposed on his nation. President Biden emphasized the strengthened security measures around "centres of Jewish life" within the US, denouncing hate and ensuring the safety of the Jewish community. He also acknowledged that American citizens are among those held captive by Hamas, directing efforts to share intelligence and deploy experts for their safe release. In addition to President Biden's response, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized unequivocal support for Israel's right to self-defence and cautioned against escalating the conflict. Antony Blinken will travel to Israel: US Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Israel and Jordan, demonstrating the US commitment to engaging directly with key stakeholders and expressing condolences for the victims of the terrorist attacks. The visit aims to bolster Israel's security and reaffirm unwavering US support for its right to defend itself against aggression. Ahead of his visit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted, "I spoke with the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer to reiterate our profound condolences for the terrorist attack on Israel. I reiterated our support for Israels right to defend itself and its citizens against terrorist attacks." Malayalam film actress Divya Prabha has lodged a complaint with the police alleging harassment by a male passenger on board an Air India flight bound for Kochi. The incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday during the flight from Mumbai. Taking to her social media platform on Tuesday night, the actress alleged that the fellow passenger in question was "inebriated and disruptive". In an Instagram post detailing the "disturbing incident", she also charged that the response from the airline's ground office and the flight crew was "disappointing." Despite reporting to the air hostess, the only action taken was relocating her to another seat, just before the takeoff, the woman rued. Also read: Man Harasses Woman On Pune-Nagpur Flight, Booked After landing at the airport here, the issue was reported to the airport and airline authorities, who redirected her to the police aid post there, she explained. On her Instagram page, she also shared a copy of a complaint lodged with the local police via email in this regard. She recollected how the intoxicated passenger had occupied her seat and engaged in a heated argument. She also accused him of "misbehaving, including inappropriate physical contact". "I promptly reported the matter to the Air hostess on the flight. However, the only action taken was my relocation to a middle seat three, four rows ahead. Unfortunately, no measures were implemented against the harasser," the woman said. Meanwhile, Nedumbassery police on Wednesday said they received an email from her requesting to consider it as her formal complaint. "We are looking into the matter. We are trying to contact her to collect more details regarding the incident. However, we are yet to get her on the phone," an officer told PTI. No case has been registered so far, and further actions will be decided after contacting her, he added. A 32-year-old man was arrested by police here on Tuesday for allegedly molesting a woman co-passenger on a Pune-Nagpur flight of a private airline, an official said. The alleged incident took place on Monday, he said. The accused was identified as Feroze Shaikh, resident of Kondhwa area of Pune, who is an engineer by profession. The 40-year-old woman complainant, a resident of Chandrapur, was on her way to Nagpur to perform the last rites of her father, the official of Sonegaon police station said. Also read: Air India Offers One Time Waiver On Tel Aviv Flights Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict The accused allegedly made unwanted advances towards her after the plane landed at the Nagpur airport. A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan who was on board intervened and restrained Shaikh before reporting the incident to police, the official said. Shaikh was subsequently booked under Indian Penal Code sections 354 (assaulting or using criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage her modesty), 354 (a) (sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and further probe was on, he said. New Delhi: Are you guys ready for an exciting biking trip with Sanjana and her gang to Khardung La? Well, the trailer and title track of 'Dhak Dhak' surely made us plan a trip of our own. With this film, fans will get to witness a completely different look of Sanjana Sanghi as Manjari. The actress will be seen speaking the Braj language in the film, which is all set to arrive in theatres this week. Speaking about learning Braj, actress Sanjana Sanghi shared, "Learning the Braj dialect was too fun for me as an actor. Linguistics is my favourite thing, so picking up a new language or dialect for a character honestly doesnt feel like a task. Growing up in Delhi, I was exposed to many people from Mathura, so it wasnt alien to me. I enjoy languages thoroughly, and we had the brilliant team from Dangal to help us." Sharing a glimpse of her character on social media, the actress expressed, "Darte toh hum kisi ke baap se nahi hai Humare trailer ko itna pasand karne ke liye, dhanyavaad #RadheRadhe #ManjariThings #DhakDhak See you on October 13th." 'Dhak Dhak' is a story about four ordinary women and their journey of self-discovery as they take a biking trip from Delhi to Khardung La. Along with Sanjana Sanghi, the film also stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, and Fatima Sana Shaikh in pivotal roles and will hit theatres on the October 13, 2023. With the intention to promote gender equality and highlight the importance of girls' education and their rights, the International Girl Child Day is observed every year on October 11. "Women and girls can lead us to a fairer future... let us amplify girls voices, and recommit to working together to build a world where every girl can lead and thrive," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said. Let's check out the history, significance and theme of this specialday. International Girl Child Day: History On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognise girls rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. According to the United Nations, this day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. International Girl Child Day 2023: Significance Highlighting the rights of a girl child, the UN mentions, "Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrows workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders." The UN adds, "Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations." International Day of the Girl 2023: Theme The theme of International Day of the Girl 2023 is "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being". The theme focuses on taking action to ensure girls and women's rights are not curtailed and make progress on gender equality. International Girl Child Day: Inspiring Quotes About Women Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. Thats what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice. Bethany Hamilton And one day she discovered that she was fierce and strong, and full of fire and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears. Mark Anthony The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before. Albert Einstein You have what it takes to be a victorious, independent, fearless woman. Tyra Banks BPSC Teacher Recruitment Result 2023: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) will soon release the Teacher Recruitment Exam (TRE) 2023 results. According to the most recent update, the results are expected to be released today, October 11. Candidates who took the exam will be able to view their results on the official websites bpsc.bih.nic.in and onlinebpsc.bihar.gov.in. Candidates must have the proper log-in credentials, including their registration number and password, to check the BPSC teacher recruitment exam result. The BPSC teacher examination took place on August 24, 25, and 26. BPSC Teacher Recruitment Result 2023: Heres how to check 1. Visit the official website i.e. bpsc.bih.nic.in 2. On homepage, look for result section 3. Click on the link related to the BPSC Teacher Recruitment Exam 2023 Result. Enter log in credentials 4. BPSC Teacher Recruitment 2023 Result will be displayed on the screen 5. Go through the same and download it 6. Take its printout for future reference BPSC School Teacher Recruitment 2023 has 79,943 posts for Primary Teachers (Class 1st to 5th), 32,916 positions for Secondary Teachers (Class 9th to 10th), and 57,602 positions for Post Graduate Teachers (Class 11th to 12th), for a total of 170,461 openings. An In-depth Look at the Dividend Performance and Sustainability of Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc (NYSE:MAA) recently announced a dividend of $1.4 per share, payable on 2023-10-31, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-12. 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 look into Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc Do? High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock? Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc, or MAA, is a real estate investment trust engaged in the acquisition, operation, and development of multifamily apartment communities located in southeastern and southwestern United States. The company operates two reportable segments; Same Store and Non-Same Store and Other. The Same Store segment includes communities that the company has owned and have been stabilized for at least a full 12 months as of the first day of the calendar year. The Non-Same Store and Other segment includes recently acquired communities, communities being developed or in lease-up, communities that have been disposed of, communities that have experienced a significant casualty loss, and stabilized communities that do not meet the requirements to be Same Store communities. The key revenue comes from the Same Store segment. Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's Dividend History Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1994. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. The company has increased its dividend each year since 1994, earning it the title of a dividend aristocrat, a distinction given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 29 years. Story continues Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.11% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.21%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 6.80%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 5.40% per year. And over the past decade, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 5.50%. Based on Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc stock as of today is approximately 5.35%. Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's dividend payout ratio is 1.04. This may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable. Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of the years over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 8.00% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 78.04% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc's earnings increased by approximately 21.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 71.75% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 17.10%, which outperforms approximately 77.24% of global competitors. Conclusion In conclusion, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc has demonstrated a consistent track record of dividend payments. However, its high payout ratio raises concerns about the sustainability of future dividends. On the other hand, the company's strong profitability and growth metrics suggest that it has the potential to continue its dividend payments. Investors should monitor these factors closely to make informed decisions. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. NEW DELHI: Shahid Latif, the alleged mastermind and key coordinator of the 2016 terror attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, was reportedly shot dead by some unknown assailants in Pakistan on Wednesday. Shahid Latif, a Jaish-e-Mohammed-linked terrorist, was reportedly shot dead in a mosque located on the outskirts of Sialkot. After killing Latif, the attackers immediately fled from the scene on a motorcycle. Local police, which reached the spot in no time, cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the killing. Who Was Shahid Latif? Latif was wanted by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) in an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) case. He was a senior member of the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which took responsibility for the 2016 attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot. In January 2016, a heavily armed group attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station. Latif is believed to have orchestrated the 2016 Pathankot terror attack and hatched the entire plot from Sialkot. He even sent down the four dreaded JeM terrorists to Pathankot to execute the attack. In 1994, Latif was arrested from Jammu in a case related to narcotics and terrorism. He was deported back to Pakistan via the Wagah border in 2010 after serving a 16-year-long jail term. He was listed as a terrorist by the Indian government after the NIA said in its probe that Latif went back to the Jihadi factory in Pakistan after his release in 2010. Importantly, Shahid Latif was one of those whose release was demanded by the terrorists who hijacked the Indian Airlines plane IC814 in 1999 and took it to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Masood Azhar, however, was one of the prisoners freed along with two others in lieu of 189 passengers and crew members caught in a hostage situation on the plane. New Delhi: On October 7, the Palestinian terror group Hamas launched an unexpected assault on Israel, hitting the southern and central regions with rocket attacks. In addition to the bombings, Hamas militants also carried out brutal assaults, resulting in fatalities among the Israeli population. In today's DNA, Zee News anchor Sourabh Raaj Jain analysed the real cause behind the Hamas' attack on Israel. Currently, the Israeli army is launching operations against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip. These retaliatory actions by Israel have sparked criticism from numerous countries, alleging human rights violations and civilian casualties. In response, Israel asserts that its actions exclusively target Hamas bases, an organization it deems even more brutal and ruthless than ISIS. The brutality of Hamas terrorists becomes evident in a video captured by a car's dashcam. It shows how they apprehended an Israeli citizen, subjecting him to severe beatings. Subsequently, Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene, leading to a shootout between both sides. This video was recorded on October 7 near the Gaza Strip in the city of Kibbutz, Israel. The eerie quiet in the Israeli city of Kibbutz, near the Gaza border, is a deafening testament to the fact that Hamas has not merely attacked Israel but has perpetrated acts akin to genocide. Genocide, after all, unfolds not on the battlefield but in the form of terrorist attacks. Your success is celebrated by society only if that contributes towards the development of society. The prestigious UPSC Civil Services exam is one such medium that gives individuals a platform to not only become successful in life but also emerge as role models by working for society. While there are numerous IAS who are known for their work, one of them is Radheshyam Mopalwar. He joined the Government of India as an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer in 1982 and as Deputy Collector in Maharashtra in 1983. Later, he joined Indian Administrative Services in 1995. Mopalwar, a 1995 batch IAS officer, retired in 2018, but got responsibilities from the Maharashtra government for several projects. Mopalwar has held various significant positions within the Indian bureaucracy. After retirement, he was reappointed by the Government of Maharashtra as Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation with the objective of completing the flagship project of the Government, viz;- Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 701 KM Expressway connecting Nagpur to Mumbai. A retired IAS officer, Mopalwar has been involved in several infrastructure and transport development projects in Maharashtra. Mopalwar's expertise lies in the infrastructure sphere of the developmental network. He has been associated with several infrastructure projects including the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Mopalwar had executed prestigious projects like Gur-ta-Gaddi at Nanded between 2005 and 2009 when he was Collector of Nanded District. His role in the revival of the Nanded District Central Cooperative Bank as well as in the development of Nanded City was noteworthy. His revival work related to the Cooperative Bank was a display of his minute understanding of the financial and banking system. A graduate in economics and post-graduation in law, Mopalwar had been a member Secretary of Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, CEO of Rural Development at Hingoli, Director of Water Resources at Pune, General Manager at Transport Department (Pune), Collector Land Revenue Management and District Management at MIDC, Member Secretary Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Mumbai City. His tenure as Director of the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency is widely remembered for his contribution to the introduction of groundwater management and for creating the first draft of the Groundwater Legislation which is now the extant law on groundwater. He was also the first Director of Information Technology (IT). He was instrumental in setting up the Information Technology Department of the Government of Maharashtra. Mumbai: Mumbai Police on Monday (October 9) registered a case of cyber fraud after Bollywood actor Aftab Shivdasani was allegedly duped of Rs 1.49 lakh. The complaint was registered at Mumbai's Bandra police station. As per ANI, Aftab became a victim of cyber fraud and lost the money after he received a text message in which he was asked to update his Know Your Customer (KYC) details linked to a leading private sector bank. The 45-year-old actor mentioned in his police complaint that an alleged message came from the bank in which he was asked to update his PAN card. When he clicked the link of the message, a fake page of the bank opened. At that time, the cyber fraudster called Aftab from an unknown number and asked him to enter his mobile number and PIN. As soon as he entered the PIN, Rs 1,49,999 was deducted from Aftab's account. The incident took place on Sunday and a case in this connection was registered the next day, an official of Bandra police station said. The Bandra Police registered a case against an unknown person under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act. An investigation has been launched into the matter. Aftab Shivdasani has acted in several films like 'Masti', 'Grand Masti', 'Hungama', 'Awara Paagal Deewana', and '1920: Evil Returns' among others. Aftab was last seen in the action-thriller series 'Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story', which premiered on Disney+Hotstar in 2021. Currently, he has been keeping himself busy with his production house Mount Zen Media, which he started with his wife Nin Dusanj Shivdasani. Recently, actor Jackie Shroff's wife and film producer Ayesha Shroff filed a cheating case after being duped of Rs 58 lakh. Last year, a man was arrested for cheating actor Annu Kapoor of Rs 4 lakh under the pretext of updating his bank KYC details. New Delhi: For Android users, the Indian government has issued a critical warning that covers well-known smartphone manufacturers including Google Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus, and others. Due to the existence of numerous vulnerabilities that may possibly reveal critical information to fraudsters, the warning explicitly targets users of Android OS versions 11, 12, and 13 in particular. These flaws have been discovered by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN), which is part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (Also Read: Who Is Diya Mehta Jatia? The Stylish Fashion Sensation, Daughter Of Biz Tycoon, Has A Special Connection With Mukesh Ambani's Family) Users must urgently update their Android operating system, according to CERT-IN. Due to data restrictions, storage limitations, or simplicity of use, many consumers fail to update their OS even though tech companies often offer updates to solve these difficulties. (Also Read: Dare To Devour? Delhi Vendor Offers Rs 1 Lakh Prize For Eating THESE Egg Omelettes) The warning from the Indian government emphasizes the seriousness of the situation by noting that earlier OS versions are more vulnerable to being exploited using these flaws. According to CERT-In, these flaws have the potential to be very serious, giving attackers access to sensitive data, the ability to run arbitrary code, elevated privileges, and the ability to interfere with the operation of the targeted system. Users are in danger of different cyber threats as a result, including fraud and data breaches. Android users, including those with smartphones from Google Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus, and other manufacturers, should now apply the necessary security patches supplied by Google to safeguard themselves from these security dangers. The security and integrity of personal data stored and sent on Android devices are maintained via timely OS updates and patch installations. Protecting personal information is crucial in a world where smartphones have dominated daily life. Android users can contribute to the protection of their data and reduce their exposure to potential security dangers by paying attention to this important warning and adopting the appropriate safeguards. Tel Aviv: Israel's Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared a shift to a "full offensive" against Hamas targets by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as the counter-offensive following terror attacks intensifies, as reported by The Times of Israel. Addressing troops stationed along the Gaza Border, the Defence Minister stated, "I have released all restraints. We have regained control of the area and are moving to a full offensive." He emphasized that Gaza will undergo a significant transformation, asserting, "It will never go back to what it was." "You will have the ability to change the reality here. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza; it will change 180 degrees from what it thought," quoted The Times of Israel, echoing the minister's remarks. Adding that Israel would not compromise and would use its might to eliminate those seeking violence, Gallant affirmed, "They will regret this moment; Gaza will never go back to what it was." Providing a glimpse into a potentially extended counter-offensive, he hinted at a future return to the area, stating, "We will return here, to Be'eri, in a few months, and the situation will be different. We will resettle the kibbutz until its last meter." Following Gallant's address, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the top spokesperson for the IDF, emphasized that eliminating senior Hamas members remains a top priority, according to The Times of Israel. Hagari revealed that troops were actively pursuing Hamas terrorists in southern Israel following the multi-pronged terror attacks on Saturday, reiterating, "The directive to the forces is clear: Find terrorists and destroy them." He also mentioned a strong defence at the border and reported successful prevention of infiltration attempts by terrorists. Notably, the bodies of 103 terrorists were discovered in Kibbutz Be'eri, with Hamas responsible for the deaths of over 100 Israelis in the area. 'We Will Break Hamas' Backbone,' Vows IDF Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus, the IDF spokesperson, emphasized on Wednesday that the Israeli soldiers are prepared to carry out their mission in Gaza, despite the toll on Israel. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Conricus mentioned that 1,200 Israelis had lost their lives, with over 2,700 wounded. He stated that about 300,000 soldiers were deployed at the Gaza border, with the objective of ensuring Hamas loses its military capabilities by the end of the war. In a live video on X, Lieutenant Col. Conricus added, "We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores, and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300,000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission ordered by the Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won't have any military capabilities to threaten or kill Israeli citizens." He also provided insight into the increasing number of deaths in Israel, attributing them to victims of Hamas attacks. IAF Strikes Over 200 Targets in Gaza Amid the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas, Israeli Air Force fighters conducted numerous strikes, targeting over 200 sites in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood, a known Hamas launch site for attacks. The Israeli Air Force reported, "Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood--a terrorist hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks. This is the 3rd counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck." Additionally, dozens of fighter jets targeted over 70 sites in Darje Tupah in Gaza on Tuesday night, an area identified as a terrorist hub for Hamas activities. The Israeli security forces also targeted the house of Mohammed Deif's father, the head of Hamas's military wing, believed to be a key figure in the terror attacks, as reported by The Times of Israel. As the war against Hamas entered its fifth day, the toll from rocket attacks and ambushes by the terror outfit in Israel climbed to over 1,200, with more than 2,700 injured and 50 confirmed as hostages or missing, according to the IDF. The IDF also reported over 4,500 rockets fired from Gaza thus far. On the other side, the Health Ministry in Gaza reported over 770 Palestinians killed in air raids by the IDF, with another 4,000 wounded in the ongoing counter-offensive. The casualties include 140 children and 120 women, stated the ministry spokesperson. As Iowa scientists call for more renewable energy to battle climate change, the states largest utility says it has hit a new milestone for the amount of wind and solar energy it generated last year. MidAmerican Energy on Tuesday said it produced about 27,030 gigawatt hours of renewable energy in 2022, enough to match its customers total energy use for the year in Iowa: 27,024 gigawatt hours. Still, the Des Moines utility acknowledges it also tapped coal, nuclear energy and natural gas to meet the states electric needs last year when wind and solar energy wasnt available. Kerri Johannsen, the Iowa Environmental Councils energy program director, said the company needs to address the shortfall. Theres a gap between the 100% renewable measurement and reality, Johannsen said. We want the reality to match the marketing. Wind turbines dot the landscape near Fort Dodge. A group of Iowa scientists said Tuesday the state could shrink that gap with a large investment in solar energy. The infusion is needed to battle climate change, which is contributing to widespread drought and record high temperatures in Iowa, according to the Iowa Climate Statement, signed by 221 scientists. Solar could produce as much energy in Iowa as wind does today, closing in on that 100% renewables benchmark, Peter Thorne, a University of Iowa occupational and environmental health professor, said in a call with reporters. At 58%, Iowa leads the nation in the percentage of electricity it gets from wind, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. In a hearing Tuesday with the Iowa Utilities Board in Des Moines, MidAmerican, owned by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway, began to outline why it wants to pump $4 billion into building more wind and solar energy generation. Here's what to know about the push for solar. More: Iowa residents contend solar, wind projects get in the way of their communities' growth Is climate change really an issue in Iowa? Iowa has experienced $64 billion in climate disasters over the last 40 years, according to Gene Takle, an Iowa State University professor emeritus in agronomy who joined the scientists signing the climate statement. Story continues Fifty of these (disasters) have been in the last 20 years, created mostly by flooding, drought and storms such as the 2020 derecho, Takle told reporters. At up to 140 mph, the derecho ripped through crops, homes and businesses, causing an estimated $11 billion in damages. Takle said mounting evidence shows a warmer climate, driving increased storm frequency and intensity, is a major contributing cause to the rise in damage. This image taken with a slow shutter speed shows rows of solar panels at a solar field operated by the Farmers Electric Cooperative in Johnson County. Isn't Iowa too cold to produce much solar energy? The scientists said Minnesota, Iowa's neighbor to the north, produced nearly 10 times as much solar energy as Iowa in 2022. With solar generation "well under 1%," Iowa has about one-tenth the national average. How much land for solar would be needed in Iowa? Thorne said solar is an effective use of land. For example, a 1-acre solar farm produces as much energy as approximately 100 acres of corn grown for ethanol, he said. Iowa would need about 152,000 acres of solar arrays to match the states wind energy, the report shows. For comparison, thats equivalent to about 37% of the land used for Iowas rural roads, the report says. Does the group anticipate corn acres will shift to solar acres? Thorne said land-use change is possible in Iowa, but it would most likely be driven by a U.S. shift to electric vehicles to cut greenhouse gas emissions. That would likely cut demand for corn-derived ethanol and increase demand for renewable energy. The impact in Iowa, the nation's largest producer of ethanol, could be significant. Farmers in the state grow corn on 13.4 million acres, and half of it goes to ethanol production. By comparison, the the acres needed for solar are so small, Thorne said. Whats renewable energy doing for customers? The view from atop a MidAmerican Energy wind turbine at the Macksburg wind project turbine farm in rural Macksburg. MidAmerican said record-setting winds last year boosted renewable energy output at a time when "wholesale electricity market prices were higher due to high natural gas prices." Not only did strong wind generation bring costs down for MidAmerican customers this summer, but it also reduces the need for future rate increases, MidAmerican said. It couldnt have come at a better time for our customers, Mike Fehr, a MidAmerican senior vice president, said in a statement. What other kind of fuel did MidAmerican use to generate electricity in Iowa last year? MidAmerican used wind to produce 64.3% of the electricity that Iowans used in 2022; coal for 21.6%; nuclear, 7.9%; and natural gas, 3.5%, the company reported in its annual fuel-usage report. Other sources made up 2.5%. MidAmerican, which began investing in wind in 2004, now has 3,400 turbines at about three dozen wind farms across Iowa. Whats in MidAmericans WindPrime proposal? MidAmerican proposes building 2,042 megawatts of wind and 50 megawatts of solar generation, with a goal of retiring its five coal-fired plants by 2050. MidAmerican says the renewable energy expansion will come at no additional cost to consumers. Johannsen said adding even more solar energy will help complement MidAmericans large wind generation capacity. Iowa scientists agreed. In Iowa, wind speeds tend to be high in the winter and spring when solar energy is less available, and lowest in the late summer when solar radiance is plentiful, the group said. Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: MidAmerican hits renewable energy goal in effort to fight climate change HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minh Hung Sikico Industrial Park stands out as an appealing destination for international investors, particularly Taiwanese businesses. According to many investors, Minh Hung Sikico currently offers one of the most favorable investment environments in the southern region of Vietnam. This is attributed to its comprehensive legal framework, well-established infrastructure, and a dedicated team of investment consultants who possess in-depth knowledge of legal procedures. Additionally, local authorities are consistently engaged and supportive, providing continuous assistance to businesses." International investors in Minh Hung Sikico Industrial Park In the recent wave of searching for locations to expand production in Vietnam, Minh Hung Sikico industrial park in Binh Phuoc province becomes an attractive destination for international investors of various industries. Taiwan: Among them, many investors from Taiwan have also chosen Minh Hung Sikico as the location for manufacturing expansion in Vietnam such as Hand Seven, Tipus Corporation & Lifeart Furniture, Daily Million, Jason & Phill, and more. Minh Hung Sikico Industrial Park has a total area of 655 hectares in phase 1. (PRNewsfoto/MINH HUNG SIKICO INDUSTRIAL PARK) In particular, in 2023, Shandong Haohua Tire - the tire brand ranked 32nd among the 75 leading tire companies in the world and the top 10 tire brands in China - has built a car tire factory with a total investment of 500 million USD and an area of 43 hectares in the industrial park. Reasons why big investors from Taiwan choose Minh Hung Sikico Industrial Park for their manufacturing expansion. Since the end of 2022, Shandong HaoHua Tire has conducted a survey of the investment environment in Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam to seek a new production location abroad. Based on the detailed survey, risk assessment and analysis of the environment and investment locations in the above countries, Haohua decided to choose Binh Phuoc, Vietnam with stable political situation, rapid economic development, outstanding preferential policies and a favorable business environment as the destination to build the first automobile tire factory abroad. Story continues Beyond the robust investment support and promotion by the provincial authorities of Binh Phuoc for foreign businesses, Minh Hung Sikico Industrial Park boasts exceptional advantages that have successfully drawn this significant investor with a total investment capital of $500 million and a scale of 43 hectares. First, an advantage that gives HAOHUA confidence in choosing Minh Hung Sikico is the comprehensive legal assurance of the industrial park. This is the foundation for investors to smoothly and quickly carry out the necessary legal procedures for their projects, enabling the prompt commencement of factory operations. Moreover, a crucial prerequisite is ensuring the investor's capital remains secure and risk-free. The second is the guarantee of comprehensive companionship of our investment consultants on legal procedures. HaoHua highly appreciated the working performance and support capacity of Minh Hung Sikico's team. With their profound knowledge of local regulations and related legal procedures, the team supported HaoHua in understanding investment procedures, tax regulations and other matters clearly and meticulously. They acted as a bridge between the investor and authorities to thoroughly resolve all questions from the investor quickly and effectively, not only providing guidance on procedural regulations but also delivering practical advice based on real-life experience. The third is the guarantee of complete infrastructure for the production needs of the investor. Minh Hung Sikico Industrial Park has a total area of 1,400 ha, with 655 ha in the first phase already completed, becoming one of the largest industrial parks in southern Vietnam, featuring a synchronous infrastructure system. We cooperated with GS E&C, a multinational corporation with more than 50 years of experience in managing and operating environmental projects, to operate the wastewater treatment plant. Minh Hung Sikico is currently prioritizing its efforts to attract foreign investors in various industries, particularly those from Taiwan. The industrial park can accommodate a diverse range of industries, including electronics, microelectronics, and sectors that generate significant wastewater and emissions (including plating, weaving, dyeing, and slaughtering processes), such as furniture, fiber production, garment support, food processing, and animal feed processing, and more. Minh Hung Sikico - one of the most large-scale industrial parks in Southern Vietnam (PRNewsfoto/MINH HUNG SIKICO INDUSTRIAL PARK) The signing ceremony of the land sublease contract between HAOHUA (VIETNAM) CO.,LTD and Minh Hung Sikico Industrial Park was successfully held on September 8, 2023. (PRNewsfoto/MINH HUNG SIKICO INDUSTRIAL PARK) Chairwoman of the Binh Phuoc People's Committee Tran Tue Hien granted an investment registration certificate to HaoHua (Vietnam) (PRNewsfoto/MINH HUNG SIKICO INDUSTRIAL PARK) Minh Hung Sikico - Vietnam's outstanding industrial park in 2022, voted by VCCI (PRNewsfoto/MINH HUNG SIKICO INDUSTRIAL PARK) MINH HUNG SIKICO INDUSTRIAL PARK Website: https://minhhungsikico.vn/zh/ Line: mhsikico Hotline: (+84) 981 555 777 Email: sales@sikico.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/minh-hung-sikico-industrial-park--perfect-destination-for-international-investors-especially-from-taiwan-301953370.html SOURCE MINH HUNG SIKICO INDUSTRIAL PARK JEROME FAVRE / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, is one of the worlds most prominent business magnates, philanthropists, and technology visionaries. His immense wealth and impact on the tech industry have made him a household name. See: How Much Is President Joe Biden Worth As He Seeks Re-Election? Find: How Rich Are King Charles III and the Rest of the British Royal Family? Bill Gates Journey to Wealth Bill Gates, born on Oct. 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, demonstrated an early affinity for computers and programming. Together with his childhood friend Paul Allen, Gates co-founded Microsoft In 1975 a company that would revolutionize the software industry. Microsofts most iconic product, the Windows operating system, became a global sensation. This and other successful ventures catapulted Bill Gates to the pinnacle of the technology industry. His worth ethic and habits, visionary leadership and contributions to personal computing significantly enriched his net worth. Today, Bill Gates is a co-chair of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, along with his ex-wife Melinda French Gates. The organizations purpose is to fight poverty, disease and inequity around the world. The organization is one of the largest in the world in terms of funding. Also: How Rich Is Former President Donald Trump? Bill Gates Current Net Worth As of Oct. 11, 2023, Forbes estimates Bill Gates net worth at an astonishing $109.7 billion. He currently holds only about 1.3% of Microsoft shares. This extraordinary wealth positions him as one of the worlds richest individuals. Much of his net worth is attributed to his substantial ownership of Microsoft shares, which he accumulated during the companys early years. Gates financial standing is influenced by various investments and business ventures. Celebrity Net Worth noted that these include his stake in Cascade Investment LLC, a private investment company that Gates uses to invest in hundreds of other companies. His diversified portfolio spans a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare and energy. Story continues Factors Contributing to Bill Gates Financial Success Bill Gates extraordinary financial success can be attributed to several key factors: Innovation and entrepreneurship: Gates innovative thinking and entrepreneurship are central to his wealth. His role in co-founding Microsoft and pioneering groundbreaking software solutions transformed the technology landscape. Strategic investments: Gates investments in a diverse range of companies and sectors have played a pivotal role in expanding his wealth. Cascade Investment LLC, in particular, has allowed him to explore investment opportunities beyond the tech industry. Philanthropic efforts: Gates is renowned for his philanthropic activities. Through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he has committed substantial resources to address global issues such as public health, education, and poverty. His philanthropic work is not only a testament to his commitment to social causes but also a strategic approach to wealth management. Long-term vision: Gates wealth is a result of long-term vision and strategic planning. He recognized the potential of personal computing early on and made investments that would pay off over time. Additionally, his philanthropic initiatives reflect a commitment to sustainable change and long-term impact. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Is Bill Gates Worth? (Bloomberg) -- Novo Nordisk A/S diabetes drug Ozempic showed surprisingly early effectiveness in a kidney-failure study, sending shares of the worlds biggest dialysis providers tumbling. Most Read from Bloomberg An independent data monitoring committee recommended halting the study after an interim analysis showed the drug hit an efficacy goal, Novo said late on Tuesday. The Danish drugmaker will get full results of the study once the process of closing it is complete. Thats expected by the first half of 2024. German dialysis provider Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co.s shares plunged as much as 24% in Frankfurt, the most on record, at one point erasing over 2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) in market value. Baxter International Inc. and DaVita Inc. fell 6.3% and 18% respectively in US trading. Novo shares rose as much as 4.5% in Copenhagen, its biggest one-day move in two months. Shares of Eli Lilly & Co., which makes a similar drug for diabetes, rose 3.6% at 10:02 a.m. in New York. The impact of Ozempic and a sister drug for obesity, Wegovy, looks likely to stretch into fields far beyond obesity and diabetes. Another large study recently showed that Wegovy cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. And Walmart Inc. said last week its seeing an impact on grocery demand from people taking the drugs and other appetite-suppressing medications. Stopping the trial early points to a somewhat faster effect than we had previously contemplated, Citigroup Inc. analyst Veronika Dubajova wrote in a note. Kidney disease is one of the areas where drugs like Ozempic could help reduce the number of patients over time, she said. Fresenius Medical Troubles Story continues Novos surprise results are the latest in a string of blows to Fresenius Medical, the largest dialysis provider in the $36 billion US market, as it tries to orchestrate a turnaround after its costs soared and dialysis patients died during the Covid-19 pandemic. Investors were already worried about the impact of the so-called GLP-1 drugs on its business prior to the kidney study, according to Citi. Fresenius Medical shares are down by about a third since Novo announced its positive heart disease study in August. The company declined to comment on Novos kidney trial. Bad Homburg, Germany-based Fresenius Medical is also in the midst of leadership churn after changing its chief executive officer twice in the past year. Shareholders recently approved a plan to change the companys legal structure to give it more autonomy from long-time parent entity Fresenius SE. While Fresenius SE is giving up control, it retains a powerful voice as the largest shareholder. Fresenius SE CEO Michael Sen has said he has no intention of selling the 32% stake as he believes in the growth potential of the kidney-dialysis company. Fresenius SE shares also declined as much as 13% on Wednesday the most since 2018. Kidney Dialysis Disruption Any shrinking of the kidney disease patient population may be 15 years in the future, Oddo BHF analysts wrote in a note. They argued that the new drugs could actually benefit dialysis providers in the short term by helping to ensure that those who start the treatment are already more closely monitored by doctors and less likely to die in the initial months of treatment. Ozempic and Wegovy, both known generically as semaglutide, are part of a class of drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone released after eating. They help patients feel full for longer and also slow the movement of food through the digestive tract. First developed for type 2 diabetes, theyve now shown unprecedented effectiveness for weight loss, spurring a market that Jefferies Financial Group Inc. estimated could grow to as much as $150 billion. Read more: All About the New Obesity Drugs Causing a Big Stir: QuickTake Novos trial, called FLOW, started in 2019 and looked at the progression of kidney impairment in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, enrolling more than 3,500 people in 28 countries. --With assistance from Tim Loh, John Lauerman and Joshua Gallu. (Updates with Baxter, DaVita shares in third paragraph, LLY shares in fourth.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Assessing the Sustainability and Growth of NAC's Dividends Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAC) recently announced a dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on 2023-11-01, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-12. As investors anticipate this upcoming payment, attention is also drawn to the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Utilizing data from GuruFocus, we delve into Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's dividend performance and evaluate its sustainability. Understanding Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's Operations Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund is a diversified closed-end management investment company. Its primary objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal and California income tax while enhancing portfolio value relative to the municipal bond market. This is achieved by investing in tax-exempt municipal bonds that the Fund's investment adviser believes are underrated or undervalued, or that represent municipal market sectors that are undervalued. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's Dividend Analysis Historical Dividend Performance of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Since 1999, Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund has maintained a consistent dividend payment record, distributing dividends on a monthly basis. The following chart illustrates the annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's Dividend Analysis Dissecting Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund boasts a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.74% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.48%. This suggests an expected decrease in dividend payments over the next 12 months. Story continues Over the past three years, the company's annual dividend growth rate was -5.00%. When extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increases slightly to -4.60% per year. Given these rates, the 5-year yield on cost of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund stock as of today is approximately 3.75%. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's Dividend Analysis Assessing Dividend Sustainability: Payout Ratio and Profitability Understanding the sustainability of dividends requires an evaluation of the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio gives 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, ensuring funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-02-28, Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's dividend payout ratio is 0.00. The company's profitability rank offers an understanding of its earnings prowess relative to its peers. As of 2023-02-28, GuruFocus ranks Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's profitability 1 out of 10, suggesting the dividend may not be sustainable in the long run. The company has reported net profit in 3 out of the past 10 years. Considering Growth Metrics for Future Dividend Sustainability To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must exhibit robust growth metrics. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's growth rank of 1 out of 10 suggests poor growth prospects, which may affect the sustainability of dividends. Concluding Thoughts on Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund's Dividend Sustainability In conclusion, while Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund has a consistent history of dividend payments, the company's low profitability and growth ranks, along with its negative dividend growth rate, raise concerns about the sustainability of its dividends. Investors should consider these factors carefully before making investment decisions. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. With the holidays just around the corner, Amazon Prime members were ready to drop money on the latest Prime Day sale. The two-day event, which wraps up Wednesday, comes just three months after Amazon Prime members worldwide purchased more than 375 million items during the last Prime Day in July. "Amazon offered more deals than any past Prime Day event with a wide selection across millions of products, CEO Andrew Jassy told investors in August. Prime members "saved more than $2.5 billion across the Amazon store, helping make it the biggest Prime Day ever. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Packages are placed on a conveyor belt and loaded into a truck to begin the delivery process at the Amazon facility in Tallahassee on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Amazon has yet to release updated figures from its latest Prime Day, but shoppers across the country told USA TODAY they were dropping money on the event. Prime members have until 11:59 p.m. PDT to take part in the sale. Final hours: Shop October Prime Day deals on tech, appliances before they're gone Natalie Shaw: Toys, clothes, a vacuum and deep freezer Natalie Shaw, a voice teacher and mother of three in Alabama, said she usually takes part in Amazons sales. (This is Amazon's first Prime Big Deal Days, also referred to as October Prime Day. Last year, the online retailer held a Prime Early Access sale in October.) We shop Amazon Prime all year through our Prime Membership, and so when they have these Prime Day sales were like, 'Oh yeah, lets do this,' Shaw said. Natalie Shaw and her husband, Abel Shaw. Natalie said she's spent roughly $600 on Amazon Prime Day. She said she uses Prime Day to stock up on toys for her three sons' birthdays and Christmas, with a deals Facebook group helping her keep track of sales. "I have post notifications on" for the group, she said. "I just look at the (Facebook post) title on my phone, and if I'm interested in it, I go ahead and click on it to see if I made it in time for the deal. And then we go from there." When she spoke to USA TODAY on Wednesday, she said she had so far purchased toy trucks, Spider-Man toys, drawing pads, a kids camera, a vacuum, a deep freezer and three outfits, all for roughly $600. She estimates she would have spent twice that much if the items had not been discounted. Story continues Its been really, really good deals, she said. (When we see sales) 60-plus percent off, we dont even think about it twice. We just go ahead and get it because its so much savings. 'Monopolistic practices': Amazon sued by FTC, 17 states in antitrust lawsuit Lauren Chao-Hernandez: Maternity and baby items Lauren Chao-Hernandez has been using Prime Day to stock up on supplies for her nearly two-month-old daughter. Its her second time taking part in an Amazon sale after shopping Julys Prime Day for maternity clothes. While some purchases this time around have been influenced by social media posts, she said theyre all baby-related items that she had been waiting to purchase on sale. I never was (a Prime Day shopper) before I was becoming a mother, said the 34-year-old teacher based in Brooklyn. Its such a huge learning curve, seeing what I need, what I don't need. Lauren Chao-Hernandez of Brooklyn used Amazon Prime Day to stock up on items for her nearly two-month-old daughter. When she spoke to USA TODAY, she had purchased a breastmilk storage container at a $20 discount, bathing suits for her baby, a new breast pump bag, maternity undergarments and storage for frozen breast milk. The total cost was over $300, but Chao-Hernandez only spent about $120 after applying gift cards from her baby shower. I didnt think that I would see these items at a lower price at any other time, which is why I jumped on it, she said. I feel like Ill see the prices go up, and then I'll look back and say Im glad I purchased it when I did. Marc Watkins: Coffee table, book and pedicure kit Marc Watkins, 54 of Georgia, said he purchased a pedicure kit, coffee table and book during Prime Day. All three items were sitting in his online shopping cart, and he decided to buy the items when he noticed their prices dropped on Tuesday. He said he saved about $20 through the sale. Theres not much that I really need. Its not like I was just on there searching for deals, Watkins said. I typically just buy when I need stuff or want stuff. I rarely, if ever, wait for discounts. Marc Watkins, 54 of Georgia, said he saved about $20 through Prime Day deals. Still, he said he was pleased to find the discounts when he looked at his Amazon account. I think it helped spur the economy, he said. People do wait for these sales and deals to go ahead and spend their money. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amazon's October Prime Day deals come to an end. How good were they? Ohio State Fisher Dean To Step Down In 2024 Fisher College of Business Dean Anil K. Makhija will step down at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year after 10 years in the role For the first time in a decade, Ohio States Fisher College of Business is on the lookout for new leadership. In a recent message to B-school faculty, staff, and students, Melissa L. Gilliam, Ohio State executive vice president and provost, announced that Fisher Dean Anil Makhija will step down at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 academic year. Makhija became Fishers dean in 2014. The transition to new leadership will close a decade of of transformational service and leadership, Gilliam writes, adding that Makhija will stay on at the school as a faculty member in the Department of Finance. OVERSAW HUGE EXPANSION OF FACULTY & RESEARCH Ohio State Fisher Dean To Step Down In 2024 Fisher College Dean Anil Makhija: As a college, we remain committed to finding new and creative ways to meet the needs of a dynamic marketplace and workforce Makhijas tenure at the Fisher College has been a remarkable time of continuous innovation in the colleges educational offerings, Gilliam writes. He has overseen massive growth in the B-schools faculty as well as research impact, student enrollments and enhancements in its reputation, alumni and donor support, and media presence. In 10 years, she writes, Fishers faculty has grown by more than 25%, and research expenditures have increased a remarkable 75%. Fishers research productivity and undergraduate program are regularly recognized nationally in the top 10 among public universities. Fisher has also seen more than 25% growth in its undergraduate and graduate student enrollment since 2014. Makhija has also overseen the creation and overhaul of several new programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including expansion of the Industry Immersion program that gives undergrads exposure to specific industries to help them stand out to recruiters; the recent launch of an online Master of Supply Chain Management; and the broadening of the schools highly ranked Working Professional MBA program to include online and hybrid delivery options, which Poets&Quants reported on in 2021. Story continues I have absolutely no hesitation in saying that we will be successful and I want to tell you why, Makhija said of that bold move into the online MBA space, where major regional players like Michigan and Indiana had already set up camp. If you look at Michigan, thats what a $125,000 price tag. IU is pretty high. Now IUs been in this business a fairly long time. But you see, we come at it from behind, but we have a program that is ranked in the top 10 among all, ranked in the top five publics, and best in Ohio. And the reason we are able to do that is that the existing program has a level of intimacy and interactivity that is generally uncommon to online type programs. And in fact, what we are going to do is were going to replicate that in terms of the online program we are creating. Weve created a new modality that draws directly from our existing WPMBA program, one that is highly ranked and offers students unparalleled intimacy and interactivity. Its the latest step in our efforts to continuously innovate to meet the needs of business and its leaders. Were excited by the momentum this new option has generated as we explore launching other online programs, such as a new supply chain management program, and collaborating across the university on convergent research and thought leadership initiatives, including FinTech. As a college, we remain committed to finding new and creative ways to meet the needs of a dynamic marketplace and workforce. A CHAMPION OF STAFF AND DIVERSITY & INCLUSION In addition to the B-schools deanship, Makhija is the Fisher Colleges John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business. According to his bio at the B-schools website, he is a recognized expert in finance, particularly capital structure, corporate governance and valuation, and has more than 20 years of experience in academic leadership roles among them senior associate dean at the college, the Deans Distinguished Professorship, and the David A. Rismiller Professorship in Finance. He has served on the schools faculty since 1998. Makhija has a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA from Tulane University, and a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. Ohio State Fisher has had a turbulent decade in the rankings since Makhija took the reins in October 2014. Back then, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fishers MBA program 27th; by 2023, the magazine had dropped the B-school to 44th. Similarly, Ohio State ranked 28th in Poets&Quants aggregate ranking a decade ago, but had dropped to 35th in our 2023 list. In 2014, the Fisher College was 36th in Forbes, 34th in Bloomberg Businessweek, 19th in The Economist, and 36th in The Financial Times; in those magazines most recent lists, the school ranked 41st, 52nd, and 26th, respectively, and went unranked by FT. Ohio State maintains a strong 17th place in U.S. News undergraduate ranking, however, including fourth overall for Supply Chain Management. Rankings, of course, arent the only measure of a deans impact on a school nor even the best one. Under his leadership, Gilliam writes, Anil placed emphasis on creating a college that is broadly diverse, inclusive, and committed to faculty, staff, students, and alumni. In addition to scaling new programming, Anil has been a champion of staff, encouraging professional development and growing recognition programs. In addition to establishing Fisher as an educational destination for leadership, entrepreneurship and global perspective, Anil has long championed service and social responsibility within the colleges community. He oversaw the creation of Fisher Impact Day, an annual service opportunity for undergraduate students built upon the notion of business for good. DONT MISS THERES A MAJOR NEW PLAYER IN THE ONLINE MBA GAME and The post Ohio State Fisher Dean To Step Down In 2024 appeared first on Poets&Quants. Key Insights IMCD's estimated fair value is 180 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of 118 suggests IMCD is potentially 34% undervalued The 144 analyst price target for IMCD is 20% less than our estimate of fair value Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of IMCD N.V. (AMS:IMCD) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for IMCD The Model 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, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 392.3m 400.5m 492.2m 538.0m 569.7m 594.1m 612.9m 627.4m 638.8m 648.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 5.89% Est @ 4.28% Est @ 3.16% Est @ 2.37% Est @ 1.82% Est @ 1.43% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.2% 369 355 411 423 422 415 403 389 373 356 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 3.9b We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.5%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.2%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 648m (1 + 0.5%) (6.2% 0.5%) = 12b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 12b ( 1 + 6.2%)10= 6.3b 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 10b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 118, the company appears quite good value at a 34% 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 The 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 IMCD 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 6.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.128. 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 IMCD Strength Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Trade Distributors industry. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Trade Distributors market. Opportunity Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Dutch market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Dutch 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. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For IMCD, there are three fundamental items you should further research: Risks: Take risks, for example - IMCD has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does IMCD'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 Dutch 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. Osino Resources Corp. Figure 1: Location of Farms and Surface Infrastructure pertaining to Osino Twin Hills Gold Project Highlights Completed the acquisition of two private farms covering approximately 10,000ha, including the full extent of the mining and ancillary infrastructure area for the Twin Hills Gold Project. Osino now owns 100% of the surface and mineral rights for the complete Twin Hill project area, thereby substantially de-risking and facilitating the on-going, fast-tracked development of the Twin Hills Gold Project. The Twin Hills project is currently in the final permitting, detailed engineering and project financing stage with an investment decision towards project construction expected in the first half of 2024. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV:OSI) (NSX:OSN) (FSE:RSR1) (OTCQX:OSIIF) (Osino or the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company, through wholly owned subsidiaries in Namibia has completed the acquisition of all of the surface rights for Osinos Twin Hills Gold Project (Twin Hills or the Project) following Osinos acquisition of two farms that encompass the full extent of the mining area for Twin Hills and all related plant infrastructure (Farm Acquisitions). Heye Daun, Osinos President and CEO commented: The acquisition of these highly strategic surface rights covering the full extent of the Twin Hills project area is a significant achievement which we have been working on for well over 18 months. Being the private, registered landowners of the Twin Hills project area now not only substantially improves our security of tenure, but it also significantly improves the predictability of the expected timeline to full construction permitting. Other important benefits of being the project landowners are the ease of access to utilities (water and power) and various additional practical logistical, environmental and social considerations which come with ownership of the land, such as ease of construction camp development, access control and the benefit of not having any competing land tenants. Story continues As was the case with B2Golds Otjikoto Gold Mine in Namibia, ownership of the land (the surface rights) covering the project area was a major de-risking factor in the development of that project and as Osino we are looking to replicate the success of that approach. We are very pleased also to have recently recruited the former General Manager Corporate from B2Golds Namibian operations, who is already instrumental in devising & formulating our land management strategy and how it pertains to the successful permitting and construction of the Twin Hills Gold Project. Transaction Terms for the Farm Acquisitions The Klein Okawayo farm (approximately 3,000 hectares) and the Okawayo farm (approximately 7,000 hectares) were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of C$8.8 million*, plus any relevant taxes, payable in cash and shares of the Company. The Okawayo farmland was acquired directly by Osino's Namibian subsidiary, Osino Farming Investments (Proprietary) Limited (the "Purchaser") from Mr. Siegfried Strzelecki pursuant to an agreement dated August 2, 2021 for consideration totalling N$95,000,000 (approx. CAD $6,924,000*) comprised of: cash payment of N$50,000,000 (approx. CAD $3,644,000*, which has been paid); cash payment of N$20,000,000 (approx. CAD$1,458,000*) due on the 12-month anniversary of the June 15, 2023 registration date registering the Purchaser on title of the Okawayo farmland (the First Anniversary Payment); and N$25,000,000 (approx. CAD$1,822,000*) payable in cash or common shares ("Shares") of the Company, at Osinos discretion and subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), due on the 24-month anniversary of the registration date (Second Anniversary Payment). Within 30 days of the First Anniversary Payment, Osino has the option to accelerate the Second Anniversary Payment payable in cash or Shares for a 20% discount amounting to a payment of N$20,000,000 (approx. CAD$1,458,000*). The Purchaser became the registered owner of the Okawayo farm subject to securing the required Namibian regulatory approvals which have now been obtained. The Klein Okawayo farm was acquired indirectly from Mr. Adriann van der Walt and Roselett van der Walt by Osino's Namibian subsidiary, Osino Property Holdings (Proprietary) Limited ("Osino Holdings") by acquiring 100% ownership of the Namibian company, Klein Okawayo Farming (Proprietary) Limited ("Farm Holdco"), which owns the Klein Okawayo farm lands free of liabilities pursuant to an agreement dated May 11, 2021 for cash consideration totalling N$26,000,000 (approx. CAD$1,895,000*). Osino Holdings became the registered owner of 100% of Farm Holdco effective as of May 22, 2023, subject to securing the required Namibian regulatory approvals which have now been obtained. To complete the Farm Acquisitions, Osino complied with all regulatory and ministerial requirements including the granting of a Status of Investment Certificate, merger approvals by the Competition Commission of Namibia and the mandatory waivers for the acquisition of agricultural land in Namibia. In addition, all land taxes, duties, and encumbrances on the properties were fully settled prior to closing. Both transactions have now closed in accordance with the terms and conditions as set out in the signed definitive acquisition agreements. Site Layout and Farm Locations As can be seen in the diagram below, the mining areas, tailings storage facility, mine waste dumps, and all ancillary project infrastructure is located on farms Klein Okawayo and Okawayo (indicated in yellow dashed lines below). In addition to that, the main marble lithology which acts a marker horizon to the Twin Hills gold mineralization and is also host to the majority of the groundwater resource for Twin Hills, is also located on these farms. As indicated on the diagram below, the farms are ideally located with reference to local infrastructure such as paved highways, access to overhead grid power and local water infrastructure (existing and planned by Osino). Osino has recently also acquired the farm Spesbona, however the acquisition is still subject to a variety of regulatory waivers and approvals. *Using a fixed exchange rate of NAD$13.72: C$1.00 Figure 1: Location of Farms and Surface Infrastructure pertaining to Osino Twin Hills Gold Project Figure 1: Location of Farms and Surface Infrastructure pertaining to Osino Twin Hills Gold Project Issuance of DSUs The Company also announces that is has approved the grant of 37,916 deferred share units ("DSUs") having an aggregate value of $40,000 to independent directors of the Company pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Company's shareholders at its last shareholder meeting. About Osino Resources Osino is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on the fast-tracked development of our wholly owned, Twin Hills Gold Project in central Namibia. Since its grassroots discovery by Osino in August 2019 the Company has completed more than 225,000m of drilling and has completed a suite of specialist technical studies culminating in the recently published Twin Hills Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") dated effective June 12, 2023. The DFS describes a technically simple and economically robust open-pit gold operation with a 13-year mine life and average annual gold production of over 169,000oz per annum. Osino has a commanding ground position of over 8,000km2 located within Namibia's prospective Damara sedimentary mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. The Company is actively exploring a range of gold prospects and targets along the belt by utilizing a portfolio approach geared towards discovery, targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model. Our core projects are favourably located north and north-west of Namibia's capital city Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibia's well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continent's most politically and socially stable jurisdictions. Osino continues to evaluate new ground with a view to expanding our Namibian portfolio. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/ and under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. On Behalf of The Board of Directors Heye Daun, President & CEO CONTACT INFORMATION Osino Resources Corp. Yaron Conforti, Corporate Development yconforti@osinoresources.com +1-604-687-2038 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. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's future plans or prospects of the Company, including prospects for economic recoverability of mineral resources. 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". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward- looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5ed6460-1bda-4c2c-aa9b-344484b26138 Understanding PMT's Dividend Performance and Sustainability PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE:PMT) recently announced a dividend of $0.4 per share, payable on 2023-10-27, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-12. 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 delve into PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust Do? PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is a specialty finance company that primarily invests in residential mortgage loans and mortgage-related assets. The company's operations include activities such as production and servicing of financial securities based on residential loans and pooling and reselling of high-credit-quality mortgages. The company operates through four segments: correspondent production, credit-sensitive strategies, interest-rate-sensitive strategies, and corporate activities. The correspondent production segment, which generates income via purchasing, pooling, and reselling of loans or mortgage-backed securities, accounts for roughly half of the company's income. PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's Dividend History PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2010. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 13.70% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 13.12%. This suggests an expectation of decreased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Story continues Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 3.60% per year. Over the past decade, PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at -3.20%. Based on PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust stock as of today is approximately 16.35%. PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's dividend payout ratio is 2.85, suggesting that the company's dividend may not be sustainable. PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's profitability 4 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting the dividend may not be sustainable. The company has reported net profit in 9 years out of the past 10 years. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's growth rank of 4 out of 10 suggests that the company has poor growth prospects and thus, the dividend may not be sustainable. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's revenue has increased by approximately -23.50% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 94.63% of global competitors. Next Steps In conclusion, while PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust's dividend yield is attractive, the sustainability of its dividend payments is questionable due to its high payout ratio and low profitability rank. Furthermore, the company's poor growth prospects and underperforming revenue growth rate further cast doubts on the sustainability of its dividends. Investors should 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, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Israel bolsters forces on border with Gaza as regional powers scramble to mediate Xinhua) 08:09, October 11, 2023 A barrage of rockets are fired from Gaza toward Israel over Gaza City, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA/JERUSALEM, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel intensified on Tuesday its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and bolstered its forces along the border, the fourth day of one of the most intense clashes between Israel and Hamas militants in decades. In retaliation, Hamas has launched barrages of rockets targeting central Israel, including Tel Aviv. Many recreational sites and shops in Tel Aviv have remained closed since the conflict began. As night fell, rockets were fired at Ashkelon, prompting residents to seek shelter. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, reported that the IDF has regained control over most of the southern region that was infiltrated by Hamas militants on Saturday during a surprise attack. However, clashes are still ongoing. Armed Palestinian militants continue infiltrating Israel. The IDF confirmed that two Palestinian militants, who apparently crossed into Israel during Saturday's attack and were in hiding, were killed in a firefight. Four armed militants also infiltrated Israel's southern shore at Zikim and were killed in an exchange of fire. Israel's Education Ministry has announced that schools across the country, which have been shut down since the beginning of the conflict, will remain closed on Wednesday. People walk past destroyed buildings following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza has risen to 900, with 4,500 injuries. Meanwhile, at least 1,008 individuals have been killed in Israel since Saturday, as reported by Israel's state-owned Kan TV news. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed to exact "mighty revenge" and approved a call-up of an additional 60,000 reservists, bringing the total number mobilized to a record 360,000, setting the stage for a possible ground offensive. Israel's military also targeted Hamas officials, killing Hamas' Economy Minister Jawad Abu Shamala, and another senior official, Zakaria Abu Muammar. In Gaza, Israel continues its massive airstrikes and has halted the supply of water, electricity, and food. The United Nations reports that at least 200,000 Palestinians have been displaced, with more than 120,000 taking shelter in U.N. schools under challenging conditions with limited access to essential resources. People walk on a street following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) The Israel-Lebanon border has also seen an escalation, with the Israeli military responding to rocket barrages from Lebanon with retaliatory artillery fire. Schools near the volatile border in southern Lebanon remained closed. Earlier in the day, Israeli airstrikes hit the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Negotiations between the United Nations and Egyptian officials are ongoing to ensure aid can flow through the crossing, with Egypt seeking assurances from Israel and the United States. As a crucial negotiator between Israel and Palestine, Egypt has been ramping up efforts to de-escalate the conflict. This photo taken on Oct. 9, 2023 shows an Israeli tank at the Israel-Gaza border. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi warned Tuesday that the ongoing military escalation is "very dangerous" and could have repercussions for regional security and stability. He emphasized Egypt's commitment to a two-state solution and urged negotiations for a just peace and an independent Palestinian state. Also on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud pledged ongoing support for the Palestinian people and efforts to prevent further escalation, in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, the Arab League has announced an emergency meeting for Wednesday. Foreign ministers from Arab League member countries will convene to discuss strategies aimed at de-escalating the conflict and preventing additional harm to civilians. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss measures to ease tensions and voiced concerns over targeting civilian settlements. Both Erdogan and Putin expressed deep concern over civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict and reiterated the need for "an immediate ceasefire" and for "the resumption of the negotiation process" Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed on Tuesday allegations of his country's involvement in the attacks conducted by Palestinian resistance groups against Israel, stating that such accusations are "nonsensical." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. AI Robot Racist and sexist artificial intelligence (AI) bots pose a risk to the financial system, Bank of England officials have warned. Self-teaching algorithms could be able to pick up biases from datasets and wider society, according to a new report from the Banks fintech hub, which could then be used to discriminate against customers or staff in the workplace. Kathleen Blake, an analyst at the Bank of England who authored the report, said this could create problems for banks, insurers and the financial system as a whole. She said potential AI discrimination could exacerbate risks to financial stability by undermining trust in the system. The use of biased or unfair AI could lead to reputational and legal risk for firms, Ms Blake added, which could then be scrutinised by regulators. Ms Blake noted a number of high-profile AI mishaps, including an algorithm used by Apple and Goldman Sachs to aid with decisions on credit card applications which reportedly offered lower credit limits to women than men. This issue was scrutinised by the New York State Department of Financial Services, which in 2021 found it was not deliberate but showed deficiencies in customer service and transparency. This embedded content is not available in your region. Another example of the pitfalls surrounding AI emerged at Amazon, she said, which used a recruitment algorithm to help hire workers Ms Blake said: Female applicants were negatively scored because the algorithm was trained on resumes submitted to the company over a 10-year period and reflected the male dominance of the industry. The company scrapped the tool over sexism concerns in 2018 after it was found to have penalised applicants whose CVs included the word womens, such as a womens chess club captain. It comes amid growing concerns around AI from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Last month, the Government warned AI could be used to create bioweapons and that humans could lose control of the software. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said in a statement: We are at a crossroads in human history and to turn the other way would be a monumental missed opportunity for mankind. 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. Finding a business that has the potential to grow substantially is not easy, but it is possible if we look at a few key financial metrics. Firstly, we'd want to identify a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and then alongside that, an ever-increasing base of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. In light of that, when we looked at Yenher Holdings Berhad (KLSE:YENHER) and its ROCE trend, we weren't exactly thrilled. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for Yenher Holdings Berhad, this is the formula: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.12 = RM28m (RM242m - RM18m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023). So, Yenher Holdings Berhad has an ROCE of 12%. On its own, that's a standard return, however it's much better than the 6.8% generated by the Food industry. View our latest analysis for Yenher Holdings Berhad roce In the above chart we have measured Yenher Holdings Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Yenher Holdings Berhad here for free. What Does the ROCE Trend For Yenher Holdings Berhad Tell Us? On the surface, the trend of ROCE at Yenher Holdings Berhad doesn't inspire confidence. Around five years ago the returns on capital were 28%, but since then they've fallen to 12%. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's earnings from here on to see if these investments do end up contributing to the bottom line. Story continues On a related note, Yenher Holdings Berhad has decreased its current liabilities to 7.6% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. Effectively this means their suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of the business, which reduces some elements of risk. Some would claim this reduces the business' efficiency at generating ROCE since it is now funding more of the operations with its own money. In Conclusion... To conclude, we've found that Yenher Holdings Berhad is reinvesting in the business, but returns have been falling. Although the market must be expecting these trends to improve because the stock has gained 22% over the last year. However, unless these underlying trends turn more positive, we wouldn't get our hopes up too high. On a final note, we've found 2 warning signs for Yenher Holdings Berhad that we think you should be aware of. While Yenher Holdings Berhad isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets. 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. NEW YORK Caroline Ellison is a former employee of Sam Bankman-Fried, whos on trial in Manhattan Federal Court for fraud after his giant cryptocurrency trading company FTX went bankrupt last year. Shes also his ex-girlfriend. Both sides of Ellisons ties to Bankman-Fried were on display Tuesday as she testified that he set up a system that allowed FTX to funnel money to his closely associated hedge fund Alameda Research, with her doing the dirty work. In the end, more than $10 billion was taken from FTX customers. Sam directed me to commit the crimes, Ellison, 28, said on the stand. As perhaps the person closest to Bankman-Fried, 31, during his meteoric rise to the top of the crypto world, Ellison was the most-anticipated witness in the trial. Shes uniquely able to fill the court in on both Bankman-Frieds business practices and personality. That created some awkward situations, Ellison said of dating her boss. Bankman-Fried is accused of defrauding customers and investors of his cryptocurrency trading platform who thought their money was safely stored on FTX, which he co-founded with Gary Wang in 2019. Prosecutors allege Bankman-Fried siphoned up to $10 billion from the company to pay off the debts of his closely associated hedge fund, Alameda Research, while bankrolling a glamorous lifestyle in which he lived on a luxury resort in the Bahamas and hobnobbed with celebrities. Ellison is one of three close friends and former business associates of Bankman-Fried who have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the feds. Wang, who is facing charges of wire fraud and conspiracy, and Adam Yedidia, a software developer at FTX who is testifying under an immunity order, went before Ellison. He said there was a 5% chance he would be president someday, Ellison, who wore glasses, a purple dress and grey blazer, said of Bankman-Fried on Tuesday. The fallen crypto king now faces over a century in prison if convicted on four charges of wire fraud and conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty. Story continues Questioned by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, Ellison said she and Bankman-Fried met as trading interns before working together in Hong Kong, when their on-and-off relationship took off. They started sleeping together shortly after she started at Alameda in 2019 and they formally started dating in 2020, though they mostly kept it a secret until breaking up in October 2021, she said. I wanted more. It felt like he was distant and not paying enough attention to me, Ellison said of their eventual break-up. She was promoted to co-CEO of Alameda in spring 2021. She testified that she didnt receive a raise and or equity stakes in the hedge fund when she took on the role, although she got bonuses of up to $20 million. Ellison remained composed on the stand as she emphasized several times that, despite the fact that she was the CEO of Alameda and Bankman-Fried publicly seemed more removed from the entity, he was the one who called the shots behind the scenes. Bankman-Fried set up a system in which Alameda was able to get unlimited money that came from FTX customers deposits, she said. The funds were used to pay off risky loans and make political donations, including a $10 million contribution to President Joe Bidens campaign. As a trader, I was a customer on other exchanges and if I knew that this was happening at another exchange I would feel uncomfortable leaving my money there, she said. Even before taking the stand, Ellison has had a large presence at the trial, with the defense hinting that it may lay blame on her for not hedging Alamedas risky trades. Manhattan Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan rescinded Bankman-Frieds $250 million bail bond, sending him to a Brooklyn jail in August after feds accused him of attempting to intimidate Ellison by leaking her personal writings to a newspaper. _______ An In-depth Review of Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability Singapore Exchange Ltd(SPXCF) recently announced a dividend of $0.09 per share, payable on 2023-10-20, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-12. 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 look into Singapore Exchange Ltd's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Singapore Exchange Ltd Do? Singapore Exchange is a vertically integrated securities exchange business, offering listing, data, trading, clearing and settlement services across equities, debt and derivatives. Singapore Exchange, like Singapore itself, is remarkably outward-facing and offers some of the most liquid and widely traded equity derivative products for various regional markets, including the FTSE China A50 Index Futures and the Indian Nifty 50 Index Futures. Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend History Singapore Exchange Ltd has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2008. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Singapore Exchange Ltd currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.25% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.34%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Singapore Exchange Ltd's annual dividend growth rate was 2.20%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 0.70% per year. And over the past decade, Singapore Exchange Ltd's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 1.80%. Story continues Based on Singapore Exchange Ltd's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Singapore Exchange Ltd stock as of today is approximately 3.37%. Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Singapore Exchange Ltd's dividend payout ratio is 0.62. Singapore Exchange Ltd's profitability rank of 8 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggests good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Singapore Exchange Ltd's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Singapore Exchange Ltd's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Singapore Exchange Ltd's revenue has increased by approximately 3.30% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 58.9% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Singapore Exchange Ltd's earnings increased by approximately 5.70% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 60.15% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 7.20%, underperforms than approximately 60.28% of global competitors. Next Steps In conclusion, Singapore Exchange Ltd's consistent dividend payments, relatively stable growth rate, and decent payout ratio indicate a potentially sustainable dividend performance. However, the company's growth metrics and profitability rank suggest that there may be room for improvement. Investors should continue to monitor these factors to make informed decisions. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Jeonnam I a 99-MW offshore wind farm off the coast of Shinan County, Jeonnam Province in the southwest of Korea - has reached financial close and construction completion of the wind farm is expected by the end of 2024 SEOUL, South Korea and COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jeonnam I is a joint venture between SK E&S, one of the largest conglomerates in South Korea, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) through its fund Copenhagen Infrastructure III (CI III). Jeonnam Offshore Wind Power was founded in 2020 as a 51-49 joint venture between SK E&S and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and the project is expected to become the first Korean commercial scale offshore wind farm to go into operation in 2024. The project has been developed by a joint team comprised by SK E&S and Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP), the exclusive offshore wind development partner to CIP. SK E&S and CIP are also jointly developing Jeonnam 2 and Jeonnam 3, two offshore wind projects with a total capacity of 800MW currently in the development phase. Jeonnam 1, 2 and 3 will support Koreas ambitious target of reaching 14,3GW of offshore wind power by 2030, a significant increase compared to the existing 0,1GW installed today. Jeonnam Offshore Wind Power obtained Electricity Business License in 2017 and entered a grid connection agreement with KEPCO, the state-owned utility in South Korea, allowing the project to connect to the grid during 2024. In 2022, Jeonnam I was awarded a 20-year fixed-price offtake agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power through Koreas first wind offtake auction. Throughout 2022, the project also signed manufacturing and construction contracts with Korean suppliers including Hyundai Engineering and Steel Industries, Hyundai Electric and Gaon, KT Submarine and LS Cable and System. The project will utilize Mokpo New Port as marshalling port throughout construction, given the ports ideal location near the Jeonnam 1 site. Story continues Jeonnam 1 CEO Daniel Yun said, SK E&S is proud to be leading the offshore wind industry in Korea with this landmark project. Jeonnam 1 is expected to provide green electricity equivalent to approximately 60,000 households in Korea. Jeonnam 1 COO Jesper Krarup Holst commented, We are delighted to reach this milestone and enter the construction phase together with our JV partner and the project team. Together, we have demonstrated the power of close collaboration across companies and cultures to resolve tough challenges, to reach financial close, and to support Korea in its efforts to achieve their ambitious renewable energy goals. Torsten Lodberg Smed, senior partner at CIP, said, Korea has a vast potential for offshore wind and CIP has, since entering the Korean market in 2018, invested significantly in developing the countrys wind power projects in multi-giga watts scale and its supply networks and foster a strong industry ecosystem. We are proud to have reached financial close and entering the construction phase on Jeonnam 1 and we look forward to completing this landmark project together with our partners. CIP is also pursuing partnerships in Korea regarding the development and supply of blue and green ammonia into Korea to further facilitate Koreas green transition. About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the worlds largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focuses on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X. CIP manages ten funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 26 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 150 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 400 employees and 12 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com For further information, please contact: E-mail: media@cip.com Simon Mehl Augustesen, Chief Communication Officer Phone: +45 3052 6721 Email: siau@cip.com Thomas Knig, Partner Investor Relations Phone: +45 7070 5151 Email: tkon@cip.com Keir Starmer would give local authorities more power to build on green belt land to meet local housing needs if his party wins at the next general election - Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe Much of Sir Keir Starmers landmark plan to get Britain building again sounded familiar. Sir Keirs plan to build 1.5 million homes over five years works out as 300,000 properties a year, the same target the Conservatives set themselves in their 2019 election manifesto. The Labour leaders plan to fastrack development on brownfield land echoed Boris Johnsons 2021 Tory Conference speech and Johnsons 1.5bn Brownfield Land Fund. But Sir Keirs announcement did contain one big stroke of radicalism: plans to build on the green belt. The once unspeakable idea was softened by the Labour leader saying he would only target parts of it that Sir Keir dubbed the grey belt. Namely, areas of the green belt that are not actually green at all. Where there are clearly ridiculous uses of it, disused car parks, dreary wasteland not a green belt, a grey belt, sometimes within a citys boundary then this cannot be justified as a reason to hold our future back, he said in his keynote speech at Labour Party Conference. This could be a game changer for house building and it is a proposal that has spooked the Tories. Former housing secretary Simon Clarke said on Twitter: The risk is Keir Starmer comprehensively outflanks us. This embedded content is not available in your region. The green belt is an urban containment policy to stop cities from sprawling and joining up, but it also acts as a gastric band on building. And it is huge. More than half of the local authorities in the country have some green belt land within them, totalling 1.7 million hectares. This makes up 12.5pc of the total land area in England, according to Lichfields planning consultants. It means that there is designated land around cities including London, Manchester, Bristol, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Cambridge, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds where planning rules make housebuilding incredibly difficult. In other words, in the places where new homes are most in need, it is hardest to build them. Jason Lowes, planning partner at consultancy Rapleys, says: The greenbelt was introduced in part to stop the over sprawl of urban areas and protection of the countryside but instead is often used as a blocker for development of any kind, no matter how grey the sites actually are. Story continues The term green belt can often be a misnomer, he says. It is true that there are swathes of land classified as greenbelt that are closer to urban wasteland and not actually rolling hills as many would expect. There are cases where even brownfield sites cannot be developed because they sit within the green belt. Speaking on BBC Radio 4 last week, Sir Keir noted a development in the South East that was built on a former playing field outside the green belt, instead of a disused car park within the green belt. That is ridiculous and we have to be prepared to say we will bulldoze through that, he said. So far, there is scant analysis on the exact scope of the grey belt and how much land it actually covers. I dont think youre necessarily going to be looking at swathes of land within this grey belt designation, says Anthony Breach, senior analyst at Centre for Cities. But the term opens the door to a wider conversation about building on green belt land, says Breach. If we are now open to the possibility of thinking: which bits of green belt land could we allocate for new homes?, you could build about two million houses in walking distance of stations, in commuting distance in the big cities, all for suburban living, says Breach. This embedded content is not available in your region. New Zealand offers a blueprint for how rezoning can boost the housing market. The whole city of Auckland was until 2016 zoned only for building detached housing. After changing the rules to allow semi-detached and terraced properties, housing supply jumped 5pc in five years. The steady supply of new properties helped keep housing affordable: house prices increased by 70pc nationally over this period but only 20pc in Auckland. Simon Coop, senior director at Lichfields, estimates four million new homes could be built if a quarter of green belt land was rezoned for development. That would be 270,000 new homes a year for the next 15 years. By contrast, the total that could be built on brownfield former industrial sites nationwide is 1.4 million, according to Lichfields. Crucially, brownfield land is typically concentrated in places where there is less housing demand, whereas green belt land is in the places where people want to live. Boosting house building in Britain would be a lifeline for jobs in the construction sector at a time when the sector needs it most. House building is in rapid decline and forecast to plunge further next year, as the sector grapples with high mortgage rates and the end of the Help to Buy equity loan scheme. Beyond helping developers, there would also be wider gains for the economy. Breach says: Households wont see the same increases in rents that weve seen over the past three or four years. That means they will have a bit more money in their pockets to spend in shops and restaurants. Having more homes will also make the labour market more flexible because it will be easier for people to move to be closer to their jobs, says Breach. This could help to address skills shortages. Yet Sir Keirs vision to get Britain building again may be easier said than done. Changing the green belt designation will require new funding for local authorities to help them deal with planning applications. Councils are already grappling with backlogs and the time it takes to get preliminary approval for projects has more than tripled since the 1990s. This embedded content is not available in your region. Lowes at Rapleys says: Classifying the land is one thing but how would a reclassification release it or fastrack any development? There is still a planning process and resources are strained across many local authorities. The piecemeal nature of the grey belt means a building boom is also unlikely. Lowes says: A large proportion of sites that could be considered grey will in their very nature be smaller parcels of land in between existing development and roads or other infrastructure and thus are unlikely to bring forward any significant quantum of housing per site. However, Breach argues Labours proposals are at least a start when it comes to fixing Britains broken housing system. This can help building in the short term while they reform the system, he says. The fundamental problem is that our planning system is very uncertain, its very unpredictable. But to move to a more rules-based system like a normal developed country, it will take time to get that through Parliament. So for now it may make sense for Labour to think about the green belt as the current priority. Whether voters agree remains to be seen. 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. kali9 / iStock.com Some Oregon taxpayers will receive a welcome windfall when they file their personal state income taxes in 2024 for the 2023 tax year. The Oregon Department of Revenue reported a surplus of $5.61 billion in the budget for 2021 through 2023. Stimulus Update: Child Tax Credit Expansion Still Achievable by End of 2023 Where Issue Currently Stands in Congress Learn: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS According to Oregon state law, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services Office of Economic Analysis calculates whether or not there is a budget surplus. If there is, its returned to taxpayers in the form of whats called a kicker. Taxes on Generational Wealth Just Changed: Heres What You Should Know Taxpayers can claim the kicker credit on their tax returns in even-numbered years. According to the Oregon Department of Revenue, you can figure out how much you will receive by multiplying your 2022 state tax liability by 44.28%. If you claimed a credit for taxes paid to another state, subtract that amount before calculating your kicker. In recent years, Oregon residents received kickers thanks to budget surpluses in the billions. This years kicker is the largest on record since Oregon began issuing the kicker credit in 1985, six years after the law was passed. There was no budget surplus in 1981 or 1983, so residents did not receive a credit. Residents have received a kicker credit every other year since 2014, with average credits ranging from $210 up to $990 in past years. This years credit, based on a $5.6 billion surplus, could yield even larger returns. The median rebate amount is expected to be $980, which means half could be more and half could be less. OregonLive reported that lower-income taxpayers, who had a smaller tax bill in 2022, could receive just $60. However, Oregonians in the top 1%, presumably with much larger tax bills, could receive $44,000 or more. Taxpayers also have the option to donate their kicker credit to the Oregon State School Fund for K-12 public education by checking the appropriate box on their tax return, according to the Oregon Department of Revenue website. If you choose this option, you must donate the full amount of your credit. Story continues Alternatively, you can donate a portion of your refund to any of 29 approved charities by filing form OR-Donate. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: State Stimulus: Taxpayers in This State Can Expect $980 Rebate in 2024 Thanks to the Largest Surplus in History Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court ruled to strike down Bidens student loan forgiveness program, which would have canceled up to $20,000 of debt for roughly 43 million eligible borrowers. Now that the program has been officially struck down, federal student loan repayment resumed in October. But the fight to help student loan borrowers is far from over. Both the Biden Administration and the Department of Education are working hard to provide targeted forgiveness, in addition to more affordable payment options to those who need it the most. Why the Supreme Court struck down Bidens student loan forgiveness plan The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that the Biden administration does not have the authority to forgive student loans without an act from Congress. The decision, announced on June 30, and written by Justice Roberts, says, The HEROES Act allows the Secretary [of Education] to waive or modify existing statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to financial assistance programs under the Education Act but does not allow the Secretary to rewrite that statute to the extent of canceling $430 billion of student loan principal. The Supreme Court said such an expensive and broad plan couldnt use the in-place policy to deal with national emergencies. The HEROES Act originally was meant to financially protect service members while they fought in Afghanistan and Iraq but has been used during the COVID-19 pandemic for actions such as the pause on student loan payments. Six States sued, arguing that the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree, Roberts wrote. Any broad forgiveness plan would need to be approved by Congress. Student loan payments restart in October After the Supreme Courts ruling, the Department of Education announced that federal student loans would begin accruing interest on September 1st, and payments officially restarted in October. This timeline was established as part of the debt ceiling deal on June 2nd and will not be extended again. Story continues A new path to student loan forgiveness Last week, the Administration announced plans to use the 1965 Higher Education Act (HEA) in a new initiative to cancel debt. Under this new proposal, five groups of borrowers would be eligible for automatic forgiveness: Borrowers whose balances are now greater than what they originally borrowed due to interest accrual. Borrowers who entered repayment many years ago, including those who started repayment before income-driven repayment and newer forgiveness programs were created. Borrowers who are eligible for forgiveness under income-driven repayment or another program but havent applied. Borrowers who took out loans to attend programs that didnt provide enough financial value for them to be able to afford their loans. Borrowers who have experienced financial hardship due to their student loans and that continue to experience hardship despite the available options because their needs arent addressed by the current system. This was followed by another announcement on Oct. 4, 2023, that the Administration will provide an additional $9 billion worth of relief to 125,000 borrowers. This is a result of more fixes to the student loan system that were preventing qualifying borrowers from obtaining relief. This includes 53,000 borrowers who qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness but whose payments hadnt been properly accounted for. About 51,000 of those borrowers have already been in repayment for at least 20 years. Around 22,000 borrowers will get their loans discharged due to total or permanent disability. This recent announcement will bring Bidens Administrations tally on student loan forgiveness to a total of $127 billion. Whats next for borrowers More proposals for student loan forgiveness are likely to come in the future, but in the meantime, borrowers should prepare to repay their loans. Borrowers may do this by applying to the new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan an updated version of Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE). The SAVE plan is one of four income-driven repayment options offered by the Department of Education and has been deemed the most affordable one. With this plan, your payments could be as low as $0 a month if you earn $32,800 or less a year as a single borrower or $67,500 or less if you have a family of four. This plan also speeds up forgiveness for those with an outstanding balance of $12,000 or less. For those who do not qualify for income-driven repayment and are having difficulty making payments, the Administration has implemented a 12-month on-ramp that can serve as a temporary solution. During that time, the Department of Education will not refer missed payments to collections or credit agencies to allow borrowers to ease into repayment. This plan will help prevent student loans from going into delinquency and protect borrowers credit for a year. After that, borrowers still in financial difficulty may qualify for student deferment or forbearance to give them more time before needing to pay their loans, although it should be used as a last resort. Stellantis announced Wednesday that it would build its second U.S.-based electric vehicle battery plant in Kokomo, Indiana, where the company is already building a similar battery plant. Both facilities are being built as joint ventures with South Koreas Samsung SDI. A news release said the new StarPlus Energy plant would mean an additional investment of $3.2 billion and would create 1,400 jobs. Its expected to begin production in 2027. The total investment for both plants would be more than $6.3 billion and would create 2,800 jobs, the release said, noting that the first plant is on track to open by the first quarter of 2025. The company said last year that the investment for the first plant would start at $2.5 billion and that could gradually increase up to $3.1 billion. The company is also building a joint venture EV battery plant in Windsor, Ontario, in addition to plants in Europe. Stellantis announced on Wednesday it would build a second electric vehicle battery plant in Indiana. The announcement comes as the automaker, which owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands, is involved in negotiations with the UAW over the fate of its idled Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois as the unions strike against Stellantis, General Motors and Ford Motor Co. continues. Belvidere has been a major area of concern for the union since the company announced in December that it would idle the plant, which produced the Jeep Cherokee SUV. Its not clear that theres any connection in the timing to the state of contract talks, although UAW Vice President Rich Boyer, who heads the unions Stellantis department, has previously referenced proposals related to a battery plant and Belvidere among a number of options, including a big Mopar parts distribution center. The company said it had nothing further to add beyond what was contained in the news release, which did not reference the talks. EV battery plants have been a significant focus for the union, which says it wants to ensure a "just transition" as the industry shifts toward more electric vehicles. Story continues The UAW did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Mark Stewart, chief operating officer for Stellantis North America, touted the significance of Wednesday's announcement. Our battery ecosystem is the foundation of our electrification strategy and our great partners Samsung SDI, the state of Indiana, and the city of Kokomo have created a compelling case for locating our sixth gigafactory in Kokomo, Stewart said in the release, highlighting a slate of battery electric vehicles that the company plans to roll out in the coming years. The BEVs coming to our North America brands play an important role in our drive to offer clean, safe and affordable mobility for all and achieve the bold goal of carbon net zero by 2038. Yoon-ho Choi, president and CEO of Samsung SDI, said that through construction of the second battery plant of StarPlus Energy, Samsung SDI will be establishing its largest production base for electric vehicle batteries in North America. The significance of attracting EV battery plant locations has pitted state economic development officials in numerous states in a heated competition. It wasnt immediately clear what incentives Indiana, or likely competitors Michigan and Illinois, would have offered for this project because those involved didn't provide that information. In May 2022, after the initial Kokomo announcement, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares acknowledged the way the company was able to feed that rivalry. "Did we create competition among different states? Yes, we did. It would have been unprofessional not to do so," Tavares said at the time. Indiana had a "good proposal." Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb highlighted how significant landing such a project is viewed. Todays commitment from Stellantis and Samsung SDI will double the capital investment, the new jobs created, and the impact this joint venture will have on Kokomo and the state of Indiana for decades to come, Holcomb said in the release. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stellantis picks Kokomo, Indiana for 2nd US EV battery plant HONG KONG, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Telstra International, the global arm of the leading telecommunications and technology company Telstra, today opened the doors to its new Telstra Security Service Centre (TSSC) in Manila, Philippines, to enhance its capabilities and coverage of managed cyber security services for its customers globally. Telstra Security Service Centre in the Philippines Telstra International's managed security services combine cyber security expertise and threat intelligence, together with a suite of services to help customers manage risk and stay ahead of potential threats. This is complemented by Telstra Purple, a Telstra consulting and professional services division, in supporting customers through threat assessment, advisory, compliance and assurance. The TSSC in Manila is designed to meet growing customer needs in cybersecurity across the region. According to analyst firm IDC, worldwide investments in hardware, software and services related to cyber security are expected to reach nearly USD $300 billion in 2026, driven by the ongoing threat of cyberattacks, the demands of providing a secure hybrid work environment, and the need to meet data privacy and governance requirements. Through its strategic position in Asia, the new TSSC will work as one with its global counterpart in the United Kingdom, to enhance and expand the delivery of its managed cyber security services with its 24/7/365 follow-the-sun coverage model. This will enable Telstra International customers to help strengthen their security posture by helping to prevent, detect, analyse, respond to and remediate cybersecurity incidents. "We're seeing increased demand for real-time and effective cyber-protection across North Asia, given the recent cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, businesses and public services. It's more important than ever for organisations to stay ahead of the curve in the complex and rapidly changing cyber security landscape. Enabling our customers to focus on their core business without having to worry about interruptions is at the heart of Telstra, and this centre is the latest example of our commitment to providing our customer with the robust cyber security services that they need," said Bence Horvath, Head of Cybersecurity Practise, North Asia, Telstra International. Story continues About Telstra International Telstra is a leading telecommunications and technology company with a proudly Australian heritage and a longstanding, growing international business. Today, Telstra International has over 3,000 employees based in more than 35 countries outside of Australia, providing services to thousands of business, government, carrier and OTT customers. Over several decades we have established the largest wholly-owned subsea cable network in the Asia-Pacific, with a unique and diverse set of infrastructure that offers access to the most intra-Asia lit capacity. We empower businesses with innovative technology solutions including data and IP networks, and network application services such as managed networks, unified communications, cloud, industry solutions, integrated software applications and services. These services are underpinned by our subsea cable network, with licences in Asia, Europe and the Americas and access to more than 2,000 Points of Presences (PoPs) in more than 200 countries and territories globally. In July 2022 Telstra completed the acquisition of Digicel Pacific , the largest mobile operator in the South Pacific region. For more information, please visit www.telstra.com.hk. Bence Harvoth, Head of Cyber Security Practise, North Asia, Telstra International Click here to learn more about Telstra Managed Security Service Telstra International Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/telstra-international-strengthens-global-managed-cyber-security-services-with-new-security-service-centre-in-manila-301952991.html SOURCE Telstra (Bloomberg) -- Tesla Inc. is sourcing some stainless steel panels for the exterior of its new Cybertruck from Finnish supplier Outokumpu Oyj, which has worked to accommodate the electric vehicles unconventional design, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The materials will be shipped to Teslas assembly factory in Austin, marking a major product shift for Outokumpu, the people said, asking not to be identified because the contract is private. The Helsinki-based company is Europes largest producer of stainless steel, and is well known for working with automakers when making exhaust systems. Tesla could be sourcing the materials from Outokumpus plant in Calvert, Alabama, and may be using more than one supplier, the people said. Outokumpu declined to comment. Tesla didnt respond to requests for comment. Depositary receipts of Outokumpu rose as much as 49% to $3 a share in New York after Bloomberg News reported its supplying the metal. Trading volumes of the receipts are low. The Cybertruck, which isnt yet in full production but which Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has promised for later this year, has drawn attention and scrutiny for its use of stainless steel panels. The material, typically a combination of steel and nickel, can be two or three times as expensive as regular steel. Musk, who has claimed the stainless steel exterior is bulletproof, is expected to update investors on the production of Teslas first pickup on an Oct. 18 conference call after the company reports its latest earnings. No other trucks from major automakers use the finish. Most are sheathed in commodity grades of high-strength steel. Ford Motor Co.s F-150 pickup uses body panels made of aluminum, but those are affixed on a steel frame. Story continues Musk has championed the use of the material, which helps gives the Cybertruck its Blade Runner-esque look and eliminates the need for paint. However, the companys novel approach to building the Cybertruck has left it at least two years behind schedule. Musk has said in social media posts it was a tough product to design & even tougher to build, and warned the company is in uncharted territory, because it is not like anything else. Stainless steel was last used on a mass market vehicle in the 1980s when the gull-winged DMC DeLorean debuted and was later immortalized in the Back to the Future film series. That vehicle was doomed by production problems and quality control issues. Tesla may be using a more modern, higher-tech stainless steel. It filed for a patent for an ultra-hard cold-worked steel alloy. The material was designed for improved hardness and corrosion resistance for high-performance applications including automobile parts. Early prototypes of the mass market-geared Cybertruck have been spotted in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, and Tesla has signaled it will have some kind of handover event to paying customers before the end of 2023. Read More: Teslas Cybertruck Is Long on Hype and Short on Specifications The electric-vehicle maker told investors during a July earnings call that it remains on track for initial deliveries this year. When released, it will join a number of other electric trucks, including Fords F-150 Lightning and Rivian Automotive Inc.s R1T. Deliveries of those two rival vehicles have been underwhelming. While the decision to use stainless steel panels is groundbreaking for the automotive sector in recent decades, its not likely to move the needle as much for the steel industry. However, car manufacturers have long been one of the most important consumers for steelmakers in terms of raw volume. A typical North American vehicle has about a ton of steel per car produced. Tesla still hasnt given a forecast for how many Cybertrucks it expects to sell, and even at a ton of stainless steel per truck, it would likely only represent a sliver of the 2 million tons produced in the US each year. Outokumpu typically supplies stainless steel for bridges and railways. Its products are also used in washing machines and refrigerators. (Updates with ADR move in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. It might seem bad, but the worst that can happen when you buy a stock (without leverage) is that its share price goes to zero. But if you buy shares in a really great company, you can more than double your money. To wit, the Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) share price has flown 223% in the last three years. Most would be happy with that. Unfortunately, though, the stock has dropped 4.6% over a week. While this past week has detracted from the company's three-year return, let's look at the recent trends of the underlying business and see if the gains have been in alignment. See our latest analysis for Exxon Mobil In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During three years of share price growth, Exxon Mobil achieved compound earnings per share growth of 98% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 48% average annual increase in the share price. So it seems investors have become more cautious about the company, over time. We'd venture the lowish P/E ratio of 8.51 also reflects the negative sentiment around the stock. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). We know that Exxon Mobil has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? This free interactive report on Exxon Mobil's balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Exxon Mobil, it has a TSR of 274% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Exxon Mobil provided a TSR of 16% over the last twelve months. Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. On the bright side, that's still a gain, and it's actually better than the average return of 12% over half a decade This suggests the company might be improving over time. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Exxon Mobil , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. UAW President Shawn Fain called for a surprise strike of an estimated 9,000 workers late Wednesday at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, over what the union said was a lack of progress at the bargaining table. Todd Dunn, president of UAW Local 862, told the Free Press at 6:10 p.m. he had been called into a meeting and was preparing to walk out the workers. The work shift begins at 6 p.m., he said. "Were being chosen to be the next arm of leverage in an international strike," he said. "Were being called on by our leadership. Its time to stand up and do our duty. Dunn told the Free Press his 9,000 or so UAW members have long prepared for this moment and are ready to do what's required to help the strike succeed. United Auto Workers Union President Shawn Fain speaks to members of Local 862 at a rally in Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 24, 2023. The demands that a more combative United Auto Workers union has made of General Motors, Stellantis and Ford demands that even the UAW's president has called audacious are edging it closer to a strike when its current contract ends Sept. 14. With little warning, thousands of workers left their jobs at 6:30 p.m., just minutes after union officials walked through the plant, shut off the line and told workers to walk out peacefully, a source inside the plant confirmed to the Free Press. Kentucky Truck builds the Ford F-Series Super Duty, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. Super Duty is among the most profitable products the Dearborn automaker sells. UAW closes $25 billion factory The site now striking is Fords largest plant and one of the largest auto factories in the world, the company emphasized Wednesday. The vehicles built there account for $25 billion a year in revenue, according to Ford. That amounts to one-sixth of the automaker's global revenue, a Ford source said. An alert on the site formerly known as Twitter was sent by the UAW at 5:44 p.m. and had 16 views, 4 likes and 1 repost before being deleted. It said: "Breaking: The 8,700 UAW members at Fords iconic and extremely profitable Kentucky Truck Plant have joined the Stand Up Strike after Ford refuses to make further movement in bargaining. Workers are walking off the job right now. STAND UP!" This is a screenshot of a message the UAW posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, at 5:44 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, announcing a strike of the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant. The post was immediately deleted. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the UAW reposted its earlier message announcing the strike. Story continues This is, to date, the most impactful move against any of the automakers, going at high-profit products and with zero notice. The UAW strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis began after their contract expired at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14. More than 20,000 autoworkers are walking picket lines nationally while the shutdown of auto plants and parts warehouses has created a ripple effect of additional layoffs by carmakers and their suppliers. The UAW was already striking two Ford plants, Chicago Assembly in Illinois and Michigan Assembly in Wayne. UAW: 'We have been crystal clear' The UAW issued a news release at 6:35 p.m. that said: "In an unannounced move, 8,700 UAW members walked off the job today at 6:30 p.m. ET." "The surprise move marks a new phase in the UAWs Stand Up Strike," the UAW release said. "Previous expansions of the strike occurred at a deadline set in advance by the union. The move comes one day before the four-week mark since contracts expired at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis." The exterior of the Stamping Facility, part of the Ford Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant in Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 24, 2023. Fain said in a statement late Wednesday: "We have been crystal clear, and we have waited long enough, but Ford has not gotten the message. Its time for a fair contract at Ford and the rest of the Big Three. If they cant understand that after four weeks, the 8,700 workers shutting down this extremely profitable plant will help them understand it. What happened in the hours that led up to this strike Ford received a call from the UAW on Wednesday afternoon asking for a meeting, saying union officials wanted to see an improved economic offer, the Ford source said. Fain and UAW Vice President Chuck Browning went to Ford World Headquarters with their entire bargaining team and met on the second floor. With more than 40 UAW people in the room, Ford officials realized something was up, the Ford source said. The UAW asked what Ford had to offer, the Ford source said. That was about 5:30 p.m., the source said. An hour earlier, Ford had heard from its Kentucky Truck personnel that a strike was expected around 6 p.m. and figured that the rushed meeting somehow related to the secret strike plan, the Ford source said. Ford negotiators told the UAW that there wasn't much additional room on economics and that they didn't have an immediate updated offer. At that point, the Ford source said, "Shawn (Fain) stood up and said, 'If that's all you got, you just lost KTP (Kentucky Truck Plant).' " And that was the end of the meeting, which lasted less than 10 minutes, the Ford source said. A UAW source later told the Detroit Free Press a different version of how the conversation unfolded. "President Fain said, 'If this is all you have for us, our members' lives and my handshake are worth more than this. This just cost you Kentucky Truck Plant. Well take this under advisement. Chuck (Browning) and I have a call to make,' " the UAW source told the Free Press late Wednesday. Fain and Browning left to call local UAW leaders, including Dunn. Strike on Super Duty is 'grossly irresponsible' In response to the UAW's strike move, the Dearborn automaker issued a statement calling the union's decision to target the plant "grossly irresponsible but unsurprising given the union leaderships stated strategy of keeping the Detroit 3 wounded for months through 'reputational damage' and 'industrial chaos.' "Ford said it "made an outstanding offer that would make a meaningful positive difference in the quality of life for our 57,000 UAW-represented workers, who are already among the best compensated hourly manufacturing workers anywhere in the world." Members of United Auto Workers Local 862 gather for a practice picket at their union hall in Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 24, 2023. The demands that a more combative United Auto Workers union has made of General Motors, Stellantis and Ford demands that even the UAW's president has called audacious are edging it closer to a strike when its current contract ends Sept. 14. While making inroads on pay and benefits, Ford said, it "has been bargaining in good faith this week on joint venture battery plants, which are slated to begin production in the coming years.""The UAW leaderships decision to reject this record contract offer which the UAW has publicly described as the best offer on the table and strike Kentucky Truck Plant, carries serious consequences for our workforce, suppliers, dealers and commercial customers," Ford said. Kentucky Truck workers stamp parts for the Louisville Assembly Plant, for example, so disruption is inevitable. "In addition to affecting approximately 9,000 direct employees at the plant, this work stoppage will generate painful aftershocks including putting at risk approximately a dozen additional Ford operations and many more supplier operations that together employ well over 100,000 people," Ford said. "This decision by the UAW is all the more wrongheaded given that Ford is the only automaker to add UAW jobs since the Great Recession and assemble all of its full-size trucks in America." Louisville is a union town U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, a Democrat who represents Louisville, posted on the site formerly known as Twitter: "I stand with our @UAW brothers & sisters on strike. Local 862 is responsible for 54% of Ford's North American profits, & their workers deserve a fair contract, good benefits & wages, & safe working conditions. Louisville is a union town & it's going to stay that way." I stand with our @UAW brothers & sisters on strike. Local 862 is responsible for 54% of Fords North American profits, & their workers deserve a fair contract, good benefits & wages, & safe working conditions. Louisville is a union town & its going to stay that way. Morgan McGarvey (@MorganMcGarvey) October 11, 2023 Ford's current UAW offer Here is a snapshot of how negotiations have evolved between Ford and the UAW: Wages : At the end of August, Ford offered a 15% raise over the life of the contract. An Oct. 3 offer is "more than 20%" with an immediate double-digit increase upon ratification. COLA : August: Ford offered a lump sum of $12,000 rather than restore COLA. Oct. 3: Traditional COLA will be offered to provide "inflation protection." Elimination of tiers : Ford offered to eliminate wage tiers enabling employees at Rawsonville Components and Sterling Axle to reach the top wage rate. Temps : First offer was a pay increase to $20 (is $16.67 now) and full ratification bonus. Oct. 3 offer is $21 an hour, conversion after 3 months of continuous service, full ratification bonus and profit-sharing. Retirement: Increased contribution to 401(k) but no restorations of defined benefit plan in either offer. Ford is continuing to negotiate how to manage battery plants and retirement security, issues the UAW said were top priorities this week, a Ford source said late Wednesday. More: Spending all night on the Ford strike line Free Press staff writer Jamie L. LaReau contributed to this report. Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW hits Ford with a surprise strike of nearly 9,000 workers in Kentucky UPS is pausing cargo flights to Tel Aviv until further notice. (Photo: Shutterstock/Stanislav Samoylik) (Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that FedEx was flying its aircraft to Tel Aviv. FedEx did resume service to Israel, but it appears to be tendering shipments to other airlines that continue to fly to Israel) UPS is maintaining a freeze on flights into Israel because of security concerns associated with operating in a war zone, while air express rival DHL continues to fly to the countrys main airport in Tel Aviv. UPS Airlines (NYSE: UPS) flights to Israel are still suspended, spokeswoman Michelle Polk said. UPS is closely monitoring the situation and we have temporarily suspended operations in Israel including all inbound and outbound flights until further notice, the Atlanta-based logistics integrator said in an online service bulletin. Our focus is on safety while we work to minimize disruption to our customers. FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) suspended purple-tail flights on Monday and on Tuesday issued a service bulleting stating that all FedEx International inbound and outbound service to and from Israel had been reinstated. However, no FedEx flights have been detected on flight tracking website FlightAware. A spokeswoman would only say, We continue to provide service in Israel in line with government requirements and are closely monitoring the situation. FedExs language suggests that the package carrier is using third-party airlift, including passenger airlines, to maintain network connections with Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, DHL Express has continued air cargo flights to Tel Aviv without interruption since Hamas militants from Gaza invaded Israel over the weekend. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, which operates a large fleet of jumbo jet freighters in addition to widebody passenger aircraft, said Wednesday that all flights to Tel Aviv through Oct. 29 have been canceled. U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines previously said it would not fly to Israel for the rest of the month, and Delta Cargo issued an advisory that it has implemented an embargo for Tel Aviv on imports and exports until then. Story continues Meanwhile, American Airlines cut flights to Tel Aviv until at least Dec. 5 after Israeli officials warned of a lengthy war. British Airways also announced Wednesday that it is suspending service to Israel and ordered one of its jets to return to London just before landing at Ben Gurion Airport. Air France/KLM suspended all flights to Israel until further notice, and the cargo division said it has closed all cargo bookings and operations to Tel Aviv until Oct. 20. The steep drop in passenger flights to Israel reduces a major conduit for shipping goods and raises the question of whether freighter operators will step into the void to maintain trade for Israel. Exports account for about 40% of Israels gross domestic product, according to Trading Economics. Top export commodities include diamonds and other precious metals and stones; electrical machinery and equipment; sound and TV recorders; and computer equipment. A DHL freighter is parked at Tel Avivs Ben Gurion International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock/ShU Studio) Challenge Air, Israels only all-cargo operator, has maintained service to Israel from its hub at Liege airport in Belgium. A Challenge Air Boeing 747-400 departed on Wednesday for Hong Kong, according to flight tracking website Flightaware. Israel flag carrier El Al is also flying a full passenger schedule. Lufthansa flights to Israel are shut down until Saturday, but Lufthansa Cargo flights resumed on Wednesday. Poland-based SkyTaxi is operating to Israel. Flightradar24 tracking data shows one of the companys Boeing 767 freighters is scheduled to arrive in Tel Aviv Wednesay night. U.S. and European aviation authorities have alerted carriers to the need to follow risk-management practices but have not restricted flights to Israel. OPS Group, a member-supported information exchange for pilots, air traffic controllers and dispatchers, is warning airlines to stay away from Israeli airspace because of the high risk that an aircraft could be mistakenly shot down, hit by debris or receive counterfeit GPS signals that send it off course. Freightos, a freight technology company based in Jerusalem, is continuing business as usual and all its workers are safe, spokesperson Tali Aronsky said via email. Freightos operates a neutral platform that helps importers or exporters compare, book and manage shipments across multiple forwarders and international carriers. More than 1,000 people were killed by Hamas invaders crossing from Gaza, according to the Israeli government. Freight forwarder Expeditors said freight transportation between Israel and Jordan has been impacted because the border crossing has been closed. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RECOMMENDED READING: FedEx, UPS suspend freighter flights to Israel The post UPS flights to Israel still suspended, DHL operates appeared first on FreightWaves. (Bloomberg) -- US Space Force has temporarily banned the use of web-based generative artificial intelligence tools and so-called large language models that power them, citing data security and other concerns, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. Most Read from Bloomberg The Sept. 29 memorandum, addressed to the Guardian Workforce, the term for Space Force members, pauses the use of any government data on web-based generative AI tools, which can create text, images or other media from simple prompts. The memo says they are not authorized for use on government systems unless specifically approved. Chatbots and tools like OpenAIs ChatGPT have exploded in popularity. They make use of language models that are trained on vast amounts of data to predict and generate new text. Such LLMs have given birth to an entire generation of AI tools that can, for example, search through troves of documents, pull out key details and present them as coherent reports in a variety of linguistic styles. Generative AI will undoubtedly revolutionize our workforce and enhance Guardians ability to operate at speed, Lisa Costa, Space Forces chief technology and innovation officer, said in the memo. But Costa also cited concerns over cybersecurity, data handling and procurement requirements, saying that the adoption of AI and LLMs needs to be responsible. No further explanations were provided. Experts have flagged a risk that, under some conditions, voluminous and potentially non-public data involved in feeding models with documents and prompts could end up leaking out into the public arena or get hacked in other ways. The memo said Costa planned to release new guidance within 30 days. Story continues A spokesperson for Space Force, which is part of the Defense Department, said the September 29 memo seen by Bloomberg was authentic and that a strategic pause was issued to protect personnel and Space Force data while determining how to integrate the capability to support missions and Guardians. The Space Forces decision has already impacted at least 500 individuals who were using a generative AI platform called Ask Sage, according to Nicolas Chaillan, the companys founder. Ask Sage aims to provide a secure generative AI platform that works with several LLM models including those from Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc.s Google, according to Chaillan. Chaillan, the former inaugural chief software officer for the Air Force and Space Force, criticized the agencys decision to pause use of generative AI especially as the Defense Department has called for accelerated adoption of AI. In August, the Pentagon launched a generative AI task force to examine use cases for LLMs and how to analyze and integrate them across the Defense Department. Its a very short-sighted decision, Chaillan said. The CIA has already developed a generative AI tool intended for widespread use among the intelligence community. Chaillan said his platform already meets security requirements to protect data. Read More: CIA Builds Artificial Intelligence Tool in Rivalry With China Besides customers throughout the defense industrial base, Chaillan said more than 10,000 customers in the rest of the Defense Department, including 6,500 in the Air Force, are still using his companys software. Some Defense Department users even pay the $30-a-month fee out of their own pocket, he said, adding it was helping them ease the burden of writing reports. Clearly, this is going to put us years behind China, he wrote in a September email complaining to Costa and several senior defense officials, in which he argued his service had already been whitelisted and approved for use by the Air Force, according to correspondence reviewed by Bloomberg. Tim Gorman, a Pentagon spokesperson, told Bloomberg in July that defense services and agencies are allowed to temporarily authorize Ask Sage to process, store and transmit unclassified information that is releasable to the public. Ask Sage is also seeking authorization from the Defense Department to work with controlled information that cannot be released to the public. The Space Force spokesperson didnt comment on a question from Bloomberg about Chaillans email. A Defense Department spokesperson didnt comment on the Space Force memo. Chaillan resigned from his post as the first chief software officer in the Defense Department in 2021, criticizing the Pentagon over its slow adoption of AI and saying the US risked falling behind China. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Reuters) -U.S. pharmacy chain operator Walgreens Boots Alliance has appointed Tim Wentworth as its CEO, pinning hopes on the healthcare industry veteran to boost its lagging stock price and reverse a recent drop in profits. Wentworth, the former top boss of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Express Scripts before it was bought by Cigna, will be tasked with overseeing a push by Walgreens to diversify its healthcare services, the firm said on Tuesday. He brings nearly three decades of healthcare leadership experience to Walgreens as the company grapples with sharply lower sales from COVID vaccinations and testing, along with decreased spending by inflation-weary consumers. Its shares have lost about 40% this year. "(Wentworth's) strong track record in healthcare services should provide a solid base for understanding much of the nuance that (Walgreens) is currently navigating," said J.P. Morgan analyst Lisa Gill in a note. After Express Scripts, Wentworth was the CEO of Cigna's health services unit, Evernorth, till he retired in 2021. Last month, Rosalind Brewer had abruptly stepped down as CEO of Walgreens after less than three years at the top job. The role of permanent CFO is still vacant. Brewer's departure was part of a mutually agreed decision, Walgreens had said, without providing further details, after a tenure during which its share price nearly halved in value as the company tried to broaden its reach as a healthcare provider. Walgreens has been looking to expand beyond its core business, with acquisitions of healthcare services operator VillageMD and urgent-care provider Summit Health over the past few years. The company has been closing stores and cutting jobs to streamline its operations. CNN also reported on Friday that pharmacy employees at some U.S. Walgreens stores plan a walkout between Monday and Wednesday. (Reporting by Manas Mishra and Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Devika Syamnath) Legendary investor Warren Buffett, known for his investment acumen and frugality, has always shown a different perspective on wealth and legacy. Living in the same home for over six decades, he epitomizes the adage that it's not about how much you have but what you do with it. His daughter Susan shared a glimpse of this philosophy on "Good Morning America" in 2006. After requesting a $41,000 loan for a kitchen renovation to fit her daughter's high chair, her father's response was straightforward: "Go to the bank and do it like everyone else." Such anecdotes are emblematic of Buffett's stance on dollar-based legacies. Dont Miss: In 1977, each of the three Buffett offspring received $90,000. This sum wasn't a gift from their father but rather their inheritance from the sale of their late grandfathers farm. Aside from Christmas presents, this inheritance stands as the only significant monetary gift Buffett has confirmed giving his children. This mindset does not stem from a lack of generosity. It's actually the exact opposite. Buffett's announcement to donate approximately $37 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was a testament to his commitment to social welfare. While the world was shocked, his children were not. They had known and supported their father's intentions. "It would be insane to leave us that much money," said Susan Buffett, aligning with her father's ethos. Buffett is set to grant a cumulative $1 billion to his children's charitable organizations. From the Susan A. Buffett Foundation, focusing on early education for underprivileged children, and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which has extended assistance to 42 nations, to the Novo Foundation helmed by Peter Buffett, the children are set to continue the Buffett legacy in their own way. Story continues Trending: Jeff Bezos is the focus of a bizarre petition urging him to buy and eat the priceless Mona Lisa its not for sale, but he could afford it. Howard Buffett appreciates his father's wisdom. "He's given us the kind of money that we can use to help many in the world." But his children's inheritance isn't just financial. A heartfelt letter from the magnate expressed his pride in their humanitarian endeavors, stating, "I am proud of what you are doing, and your mother would be proud as well." Recollections from their childhood echo this ethos. From a mere 75 cents in allowance to the attic slot machine that ensured Buffett always won it back, the lessons were clear. Forbes reports that Buffett has donated over $51 billion to various causes, aiming to give away 99% of his entire fortune. Rejecting the concept of legacy wealth, Buffett's philosophy resonates with many who admire him. Buffett's latest annual letter to his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders reinforced this philosophy. The 2023 report highlighted a 3,787,464% growth in the market value of Berkshire Hathaway stock from 1964-2022, dramatically contrasting the 24,708% for the S&P 500. More than investment insights, the emphasis was on approaching savings as the cornerstone of generational wealth. Buffett's financial philosophy is more than frugality and strategic giving. At the heart of it, Buffett teaches the world about the wisdom of long-term investment, a principle he's upheld with business partner Charlie Munger for decades. Rather than being swayed by the capricious nature of stock prices, they've consistently focused on the underlying business value. Buffett's belief is that investing in companies with strong business models and potential will, given enough time, yield solid returns. It's not about quick wins or fleeting market trends but about investing in a business's inherent value. This philosophy can also extend to startups. Today, the next big idea could lie in healthcare innovations, artificial intelligence breakthroughs or the surge of electric vehicles. Investing in these startups doesn't just mean putting money into trendy industries but backing strong business models with longevity and potential to reshape the future. Anyone can become part of this wave of change by investing in startups through platforms like StartEngine. There's tremendous potential in being part of the next significant innovation. As Buffett emphasizes, it's crucial to look beyond immediate gratification and seek out opportunities with lasting value. Whether it's an established corporation or a fresh startup, the key lies in understanding its true worth, not just its current price tag. Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better. This article Warren Buffett's Daughter Once Asked Him For A Loan To Remodel Her Kitchen To Make Room For Her Baby's High Chair He Told Her, 'Go To The Bank And Do It Like Everyone Else' originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Wellcare will offer 23 newly designed plans as well as new Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries New in 2024, Wellcare Spendables debit card will allow pre-loaded funds to be used across 55,000 nationwide retailers in 37 states Wellcare to offer Medicare Advantage plans to 37 states and 102 Prescription Drug Plans nationwide TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellcare, the Medicare brand and wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today it will expand its wide range of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) offerings during the 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), beginning Oct. 15, 2023. This includes the addition of Delaware and expansion into 21 new counties, increasing its total Medicare Advantage footprint to 37 states and 1,808 counties. Wellcare will also now offer the 23 newly designed plans as well as new Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP), accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries, and introduce a Wellcare Spendables debit card that will allow pre-loaded funds to be used across 55,000 nationwide retailers in 37 states. (PRNewsfoto/WellCare Health Plans, Inc.) (PRNewsfoto/WellCare) "Centene's Medicare footprint has grown in the past several years, and we are proud to continue offering Wellcare's Medicare Advantage products now in 37 states, including the newest state of Delaware," said Chief Executive Officer of Medicare for Centene, Rich Fisher, Wellcare's parent company. "We are committed to serving our communities, members, brokers and partners with exceptional healthcare solutions by offering a wide range of comprehensive products that support our members' whole health. The investments and innovations we've made like our Wellcare Spendable card will make things simpler and more affordable for our members." Expanded Footprint and Plan Offerings For 2024, Wellcare will be offering plans to more than 52 million eligible beneficiaries, accounting for 80% of eligible beneficiaries in 37 states. More than 1.5 million beneficiaries are currently enrolled in an Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan. Story continues In addition to Delaware, Wellcare also added 21 new counties in four markets: California, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington. Wellcare will offer 23 newly designed plans as well as new D-SNP, accepting all dual eligible beneficiaries, even those who are not cost-share protected in Alabama; Arkansas; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Michigan; Mississippi; North Carolina; New Mexico; Ohio; Oklahoma; Texas and Wisconsin. Wellcare's 2024 MA Plans: Wellcare D-SNP members have access to additional support designed to provide help to make everyday needs like food, utilities and Part D prescriptions more affordable. Introduced the NEW Wellcare Spendables card , a single card with preloaded funds available at more than 55,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare's 37-state footprint. Members may use their Wellcare Spendables on multiple benefits. Depending on their plan, benefits may include over-the-counter products; cost-share assistance for dental, vision and hearing; healthy food groceries from a variety of nationwide retailers; rent/utility assistance; and pay at the pump gasoline. All plans cover Telehealth for many in-network key services at a no out-of-pocket cost to a member. Most plans offer dental, inclusive of preventive services members need most. Many plans offer several enhanced services such as vision coverage and fitness benefits to cover the more comprehensive care members may need. Express Scripts will be Wellcare's pharmacy benefits manager for 2024, bringing increased value to members to provide quality at the lowest cost. Current members will be notified of actions they need to take to continue using this service in the fall. For 2024, preferred retail pharmacy networks will include Walgreens, CVS and select grocers. A robust network is expected with more than 60,000 total pharmacies. Wellcare's MA New Strategic Partners: A new strategic alliance between Wellcare and Mutual of Omaha will offer co-branded plans in five states: Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, Washington and select areas of Texas. This alliance leverages Wellcare's proven MA distribution capabilities and Mutual of Omaha's broad market brand synergy. Ten (10) co-branded preferred provider organization (PPO) plans will be serviced by Wellcare across the five states Wellcare Mutual of Omaha No Premium (PPO) and Wellcare Mutual of Omaha Low Premium (PPO). Wellcare also announced it will serve as the exclusive Medicare Advantage partner for The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans organization, comprised of nearly 2 million members in more than 12,000 posts across the country. Through the multi-year partnership, Wellcare will serve as the exclusive MA partner, connecting Medicare-eligible veterans, their spouses and the greater military community with innovative products and solutions that complement the benefits eligible veterans receive through their Veterans Affairs healthcare. Wellcare and The American Legion will also host joint events at Legion Posts nationwide and virtually to connect and educate about opportunities for MA Plans. 2024 Medicare PDP Highlights: Three plans will be offered across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. On average, monthly premiums for the Value Script plan will be among some of the lowest offered by Wellcare at less than $1, with 16 states offering $0 premiums. More than 500,000 existing members will experience lower cost-sharing in 2024 due to formulary improvements. 100% of all plans will feature a $0 Tier 1 benefit for prescriptions filled at preferred pharmacies. PDP plans will continue offering preventive vaccines for $0 and insulins for $35 maximum per month. The 2024 Medicare AEP begins on Oct. 15, and continues through Dec. 7, 2023. Most plans purchased during AEP are effective Jan. 1, 2024. For more details about Centene's MA and Medicare PDP, visit www.WellcareNow.com. About Wellcare For more than 20 years, Wellcare has offered a range of Medicare products, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), which offer affordable coverage beyond Original Medicare. Today, the company offers benefits with every Medicare beneficiary in mind, such as dental, hearing and vision services; transportation services; telehealth visits; wellness and fitness programs; in-home support services; and special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill. Wellcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Centene's Medicare brands, including Allwell, Health Net, Fidelis Care, Trillium Advantage, 'Ohana Health Plan and TexanPlus transitioned to the Wellcare brand. For more information about Wellcare, visit www.wellcare.com. 'Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Our plans use a formulary. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. "Wellcare by Health Net" is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. Washington residents: "Wellcare" is issued by Wellcare of Washington, Inc. Washington residents: "Wellcare" is issued by WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc. "Wellcare" is issued by WellCare Prescription Insurance, Inc. For Louisiana D-SNP members: As a Wellcare HMO D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. You receive your Medicare health care and prescription drug coverage through Wellcare and are also eligible to receive additional healthcare services and coverage through Louisiana Medicaid. Learn more about providers who participate in Louisiana Medicaid by visiting www.myplan.healthy.la.gov/en/find-provider or https://www.louisianahealthconnect.com. For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid and select the "Learn about Medicaid Services" link. To request a written copy of our Medicaid Provider Directory, please contact us. Notice: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any benefits above and beyond traditional Medicare benefits are applicable to Wellcare Medicare Advantage only and do not indicate increased Medicaid benefits. For Indiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Indiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://www.in.gov/medicaid/ Arizona D-SNP plans: Contract services are funded in part under contract with the State of Arizona. New Mexico (NM) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Members: As a Wellcare by Allwell D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid services are funded in part by the state of New Mexico. NM Medicaid benefits may be limited to payment of Medicare premiums for some members. Louisiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid or https://www.louisianahealthconnect.com. To request a written copy of our Medicaid Provider Directory, please contact us. Wellcare by Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions, Inc. Wellcare (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by WellCare of Texas, Inc., WellCare National Health Insurance Company, and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. Please contact your plan for details. Other Pharmacies/Physicians/Providers are available in our network. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wellcares-expanded-2024-medicare-advantage-and-medicare-prescription-drug-plan-offerings-bring-enhanced-value-and-affordability-to-members-301952896.html SOURCE Wellcare ClearBridge Investments, an investment management company, released its ClearBridge Dividend Strategy third quarter 2023 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. The strategy underperformed its S&P 500 Index benchmark in the third quarter. The strategy gained from three of the eleven sectors it invested in during the quarter on an absolute basis. Stock selection detracted while sector allocation contributed positively on a relative basis. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2023. ClearBridge Dividend Strategy highlighted stocks like RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) in the third quarter 2023 investor letter. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is an aerospace and defense company. On October 10, 2023, RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) stock closed at $73.35 per share. One-month return of RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) was -2.92%, and its shares lost 11.62% of their value over the last 52 weeks. RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) has a market capitalization of $106.762 billion. ClearBridge Dividend Strategy made the following comment about RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) in its Q3 2023 investor letter: "On the downside, shares of industrials company RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) underperformed significantly. On July 25 RTX announced it had discovered a manufacturing defect in some of its jet engines. RTX would have to ground the engines, replace the parts and reimburse the airlines for the downtime. While this development weighed on the stock, our active management of the position meaningfully reduced the size of the blow. Earlier in July we had significantly trimmed our position to reflect some cyclical risks, so we were relatively less exposed when shares sold off following the announcement. When RTX delayed a scheduled update in early September, we interpreted it as a modestly negative development and further pared our position. When the update came, the stock sold off significantly on news the debacle would amount to around $3 billion over three years the high end of investor expectations. As we sit here today, we think the markets reaction to RTX is likely overdone. $3 billion is a large sum, but the companys market cap has declined over $30 billion since first releasing the news in late July. While this is a black eye for the company and will create headwinds for some time, we think it likely that the current level will mark a durable low and see opportunities to add back a small amount of the RTX we sold at higher prices earlier in the summer." Story continues An aeronautics engineer inspecting a model aircraft engine in a factory setting. Editorial photo for a financial news article. 8k. --ar 16:9 RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 56 hedge fund portfolios held RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) at the end of the second quarter, which was 48 in the previous quarter. We discussed RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) in another article and shared the list of George Soros Stocks that are on sale. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q3 2023 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. 400tmax / iStock.com Ten years ago, James Stobie made a decision that continues to attract questions from those who know about it. He decided to stop shopping on Amazon. His reason wasnt a financial one; it was an ethical one. He doesnt like the way Amazon does business. I like low prices but ethically done, Stobie, 49, of Portland, Ore., told GOBankingRates. I dont want to see workers suffer. Also See: 5 Costco Food Items That Are a Waste of Money Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases Stobie specifically called out Amazons failure to shut down one of its Illinois warehouses during a tornado in 2021. Six people died. Although Stobie had stopped shopping at Amazon long before this, the event only enforced his decision to exclusively shop elsewhere. A massive company like Amazon should be able to close one plant down in an emergency and still not lose too much time on operations, Stobie said. These days Stobie shops more at local businesses that make an effort to do right by their employees. If someone wants to get him a gift card, he refers them to Thriftbooks. Again, saving money isnt exactly Stobies goal, which prompts the question, How can you ditch Amazon, for whatever reason, and still get the best bang for your buck? Lets look at six tactics for saving money, without resorting to Amazon. Sign Up for Loyalty and Rewards Programs Many retailers even tons of small, local ones offer loyalty and rewards programs. Always sign up for these, provided they are free and dont require you to open up a new credit card. Doing so should only take a couple minutes, but it can reap rewards (literally) for years to come. [These programs] typically offer great deals and sometimes special store hours, for example, said Rob Weisberg, president of loyalty and incentives at Inmar Intelligence. Many retailers are investing [in them] to be able to personalize offers for shoppers, so signing up and using your loyalty programs when you make purchases can help you get more relevant offers in the future. Story continues Good Question: Are These 8 Costco Items With Cult Followings Worth the Hype (and Money)? Use Cash-Back Apps and Browser Extensions When shopping online, always use a cash-back app or browser extension. Rakuten is a solid choice in the space, as is Capital One Shopping. Plug in Coupon Codes Clipping coupons is still a thing, but for online shopping, coupon codes are where its at. Scouring the internet for coupon codes isnt the best approach; instead, use an app/browser extension like RetailMeNot or Capital One Shopping, which will plug in coupon codes for you and apply one that works, if available. Elongate Your Holiday Shopping Season This year we have a ton of weekends around the holidays, making it one mega Black Friday occasion. Take your time and browse the best deals. Many could pop up just after Christmas, if youre willing/able to wait. People are less anxious about supply chain disruptions and out-of-stock items this year, and our new research found 72% of Gen Z, 59% of millennials, 55% of Gen X and 55% of boomers will be spreading out holiday shopping across November and December as opposed to starting in the early fall like 2022, said Brett Narlinger, SVP of Global Commerce at Blackhawk Network. You also should know the retailers that are known for huge Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings. Check out Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Big Lots, to name but a few key players. Shop in Store, Online and on Apps So many retailers embrace an omnichannel approach, offering consumers a multitude of ways to shop and save. What many shoppers may not realize is that different shopping channels often feature different deals even with the same retailers, Narlinger said. Taking the time to compare prices across channels and even between retailers will help your budget. Follow Social Media Influencers Theres no shortage of social media influencers nowadays; while it can all get a bit noisy, following those who specialize in representing brands you like is one way to score deals. Weisberg said, Scope out your go-to influencers and influencers that have brand deals with your favorite brands to stay in the know on any special coupons or promotions they offer their followers or post about. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Heres Why I Stopped Shopping at Amazon Yellen Says US Is Not Ruling Out New Sanctions Against Iran (Bloomberg) -- US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Biden administration hasnt ruled out new sanctions against Iran in relation to renewed conflict in the Middle East, but no decisions have been made. Most Read from Bloomberg I wouldnt take anything off the table in terms of future possible actions, but I certainly dont want to get ahead of where we are now, Yellen said during a press conference in Marrakech, Morocco. Following the surprise Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants, for which Iran has voiced its approval, speculation has grown over whether the US would tighten its restrictions on Iranian oil exports. Speaking to reporters at the annual meetings for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, Yellen rejected a widely held notion that the US had gradually relaxed some enforcement of sanctions on Iranian oil sales as part of a wider efforts at a diplomatic rapprochement. We have not in any way relaxed our sanctions on Iranian oil, she said, adding the US constantly reviews new information that could justify a tightening of sanctions. We will continue to do that. More than 2,000 people have reportedly been killed since the start of the worst attack on Israel in decades. Israeli forces have since been battling to retake captured territory and signs are mounting its preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza. Economic Threat The conflict and the reaction from financial markets adds another threat to a fragile global economy, which is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and fallout from Russias invasion of Ukraine. Uncertainty in the oil market has put traders on edge for signs that Iran, a supporter of Hamas, was directly involved in the attack. Iran has denied involvement and the White House has no confirmation the nation directed the assault. Story continues Yellens remarks on Iran came in response to a question about $6 billion in Iranian oil sale proceeds that had been frozen but recently made available to Tehran. Those are funds that are sitting in Qatar were made available purely for humanitarian purposes, she said. Those funds have not been touched. Yellen downplayed concerns over the conflicts potential to upend the global economy. Were monitoring potential economic impacts from the crisis, but Im not really thinking of that as a major likely driver of the global economic outlook, she said. Soft Landing The Treasury chief continued to sound an upbeat note on the US economy. I still see as the base case for the United States a so-called soft landing, she said, referring to the scenario in which inflation abates without a significant rise in unemployment. While low unemployment continues, she said wage pressures that risked prolonging high inflation had eased and inflation, itself, was diminishing. Are there risks to this outcome? Of course there are and global shocks are among them, she said. Of course, the situation in Israel poses additional concerns. Yellen deflected a question about whether partisan squabbles in Washington were undermining her ability to make credible financial promises on behalf of the Biden administration. Top Priorities Funding for Ukraine, both military and direct budget support, along with resources for Israel, are absolute top priorities of the Biden administration, she said. Weve made that completely clear to Congress and we believe there is substantial bipartisan support, she added. Were going to leave it to members of Congress to figure out how to move forward on the promises once a speaker is in place. Doubt has been cast upon US pledges of continued support for Ukraine after Representative Kevin McCarthy was ousted by members of his own party as House speaker, giving Republican hardliners an opening to stall the next round of aid to Kyiv. She also said shes receiving some positive responses to her appeal to other governments to follow the US lead in promising more funds for the World Bank to increase its lending capacity. --With assistance from Rob Verdonck. (Updates with additional Yellen comments from fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Wednesday the U.S. is not ruling out new sanctions against Iran if evidence emerges that the country was involved in the unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas militants. The Biden administration freed up roughly $6 billion in Iranian oil sale revenue as part of a prisoner swap between Washington and Tehran that took place in September. Republican lawmakers have heavily criticized the move amid the recent eruption of violence in the Middle East and have called on the White House to re-freeze the money. Yellen, speaking at the annual International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Marrakesh, Morocco, said the money has not been spent and could be re-frozen. LIVE UPDATES: ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen holds a news conference after a two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2017. "These are funds that are sitting in Qatar that were made available purely for humanitarian purposes, the funds have not been touched," she told reporters. "I wouldnt take anything off the table in terms of future possible actions, but I certainly dont want to get ahead of where we are on that." IMF SAYS GLOBAL ECONOMY 'LIMPING ALONG' AS IT FACES NEW THREAT FROM ISRAEL-GAZA WAR READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APP Yellen also pushed back against the belief that the U.S. has loosened its sanctions on Iran in recent years. "We have not in any way relaxed our sanctions on Iranian oil," she said. "We have sanctions on Hamas, on Hezbollah. This is something we have been constantly looking at, and using information that comes available to tighten sanctions. We will continue to do that." Israeli troops search the scene of a Palestinian militant attack in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza on the border with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that it is not clear whether Iran was involved in the weekend attack by Hamas, which left at least 1,200 people in Israel dead and another 2,900 injured. "We have not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but there is certainly a long relationship," Blinken said during an interview on CNNs "State of the Union." Story continues CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS Israel has responded to the deadly incursion with a relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip as it prepares for a possible ground invasion. Palestinian authorities have said that at least 1,100 people have been killed and another 5,000 injured in Gaza due to the retaliatory attacks. Original article source: Yellen warns Iran nothing 'off the table' as US weighs new sanctions In the coming years, students in the Fremont Public Schools will have some of the most high-tech and advanced computers and machines to aid their learning at the Career & Tech Education Center at Fremont High School, currently under construction. On Monday, Oct. 9, the FPS Board of Education unanimously approved buying a 10-item list of high-tech equipment from several different vendor companies. The total cost of the equipment, plus shipping it to Fremont, was listed at $658,643. According to a district staff report on the purchase, The source of funds for these purchases are the FPS Perkins Grant, GEERS Developing Youth Talent Initiative Grant, General Fund and Depreciation Fund. The Greater Fremont Development Council will reimburse the District General Fund for the GEERS funded equipment, officials stated in the staff report. The districts new Career & Tech Education Center also known as CTE is currently in the construction phase and recently saw workers begin building the flooring for the multi-disciplinary learning facility. Inside the structure will be workshops for a variety of trades, skills and educational classes. Students can enroll in healthcare and medical training conducted in the CTEs health lab. Others who are interested in automotive careers can take classes in the special garage auto lab. The facility also has space for a housing construction learning center, which can be used to construct a 1,200-square-foot practice house. FPS Superintendent Mark Shepard said the new equipment will be a big boost for local students in their learning endeavors. The CTE classes and curriculum are closely tied to Metropolitan Community Colleges partnership with FPS and many classes in the new facility will be dual-credit courses. A lot of these things are long lead-time items. Weve worked closely with MCC about what classes and programs will look like and the needed equipment, Shepard told the board. The new CTE was developed and theorized with the assistance and input of a 60-member community think tank, which Shepard has stated in past interviews will be, quite the addition to our community. Also housed in the new facility is a futuristic robotics lab, classrooms, a computer-assisted design lab, offices for faculty and staff as well as a massive welding sciences and fabrication technology lab. Included in the equipment list are a massive tool room lathe; a TM-1P milling machine; a Syn-Daver synthetic anatomy model; and five super-powerful Z-Space computers. Scott Jensen, executive director of secondary operations for the district, said the new technology is world-class and an incredible addition to the FPS learning program. It is exciting for our kids, Jensen told the board. This is going to be a game changer. The purchase of the new equipment was aided by a partnership between FPS and the Greater Fremont Development Council. According to a press release from district officials, FPS and GFDC received two Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI) grants from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. One was a grant for $200,000 at aimed middle school Career and Technical Education enhancement. The funds awarded for this grant will be used to equip and implement seventh and eighth grade CTE programming at Fremont Middle School, officials stated in a press release. The Skilled and Technical Sciences program at the Middle School is being revised to expose and prepare students for career opportunities and training being created with the opening of our FHS CTE Center. The other grant was the $500,000 Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) II grant for seventh through 12th grade Career and Technical Education. The funds awarded for this grant will be used to equip and implement CTE programming at Fremont High School. The new CTE Center will open in August of 2024 with six labs, exposing students to a variety of careers, according to the press release. The grants were the result of vigorous efforts in the pre-planning stages of the bond issue and robust collaboration with local industries and businesses to develop the new CTE facility, Jensen said in the release. A celebration of the life of Jim Ball will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at United Methodist Church in Tekamah. The 55-year-old, of Tekamah man passed away on Oct. 1, 2023. Burial will be at a later date in Tekamah Cemetery. James Alden was born in Orange City, Iowa, to James G. and Linda (Franseen) Ball on March 4, 1968. He spent his childhood in Alton, Iowa, Coon Rapids, Iowa and Tekamah. Jim graduated from Tekamah-Herman High School in 1986 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jim proudly served in the U.S. Army for over eight years, where he was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and served during the Gulf War. His military associations were a significant part of his life and he developed a deep passion for helping disabled veterans with adaptations to make their homes more accessible. Inspired by his service, Jim founded Homes of Honor, an organization dedicated to supporting disabled veterans. Family members said will be remembered as a dedicated soldier, a loving family man and a skilled craftsman. His legacy of service and compassion will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know him. In addition to his military service, Jim had a successful career path. He worked as the executive director at the Chatt Center and also held positions at the U.S. Postal Service, Home Depot, and Bomgaars. Jims dedication and hard work were evident throughout his professional life. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Outside of his military and professional endeavors, Jim had a passion for tinkering. He enjoyed spending his free time working on old cars, particularly a 1968 Firebird that was passed down from his father. Jim was also skilled in woodworking and cherished the opportunity to build projects alongside his sons. Jim leaves behind a loving wife, Mary (Stout), along with their children, Donny (Rachel) Ball, Braden Ball and Marissa Ball. He was also blessed with a grandson, James Michael Ball. He also is survived by his father, James G. Ball; sister, Tania (Tommy) Feemster; brother, Jeff (Michelle) Ball; sister-in-law, Tammy (Jim) Madsen; mother-in-law, Yen Nguyen and nieces and nephews Tyler and Trevor Feemster, Jackson Ball, and Madison Ball. He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda R. Ball and his father-in-law, Donald Stout. Memorials are suggested to Canine Companions at www.canine.org or to the family for later designation.. Pelan Funeral Services was in charge of the arrangements. Ben Minnick, M: 402-598-6803, ben@catalystomaha.com, https://www.bhhsamb.com - Welcome to your dream home! This stunning 2-story brick masterpiece offers over 6,000 square feet of luxurious living space in a serene and private setting. Nestled on a wonderful lot that backs up to Waterford lake, this home offers a perfect blend of elegance, updates, and tranquility. This home provides ample room for all your needs, from entertaining guests to enjoying peaceful family time. The 4 car garage will hold all your cars plus those extra "toys"! Enjoy the beauty of nature from your own backyard as this property backs up to a serene lake. Imagine the tranquil mornings watching the sunrise over the lake and evenings in the backyard shade. Israeli warplanes hammered the Gaza Strip neighborhood by neighborhood on Tuesday, reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling to find safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory now suffering severe retaliation for the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants Academy School District 20 Board of Education candidates offered different perspectives on book removals, school safety and inclusivity during Tuesday nights candidate forum. The slate includes four candidates vying for two open seats on the five-person board. Incumbents Heather Cloninger and Will Temby attempt to retain their spots over newcomers Amy Shandy and Derrick Wilburn. All candidates have had children pass through D-20 schools. Book removals The board faced five formal book challenges last year, and it struck down each attempt at pulling titles from library shelves. However, several other titles were later temporarily removed without board input by way of an informal request and superintendent mandate. Those titles returned to libraries over the summer. The board unanimously voted to keep the books in the library because they simply offended somebodys political ideology, so when that happens, I will never ban a book, Temby said, adding books must be age-appropriate, particularly in regards to graphic sexual content or profanity with no redeeming value. The district can and should, however, do a better job of vetting large groups of new books sent to school libraries by book publishers to ensure all books align with district values, Temby said. All four candidates agreed they do not support graphically sexual material in school libraries, though each offered a different nuance to their stance. Book evaluations should be done on a case-by-case basis and cannot simply target particular topics like LGBTQ+ issues or hard drug use, according to Wilburn. He was a vocal supporter of the unofficial request to remove books late last spring and characterized some books currently in D-20 libraries as pornographic and inconsistent with district goals. To emphasize his stance that some books are unfit for student eyes, Wilburn at a student-led forum last week read aloud explicit passages from books only available in high school libraries, a performance he said he would not be repeating. Young children were in the audience last week, alarming some parents who decried the move as a violation of trust. Cloninger criticized Wilburns action as taking away parental rights, which she said is the crux of the issue: Just because one family or student is comfortable with a book does not mean everyone will be, and books appropriate for a high school will look different from those in an elementary school. Shandy said it is up to the community to decide what types of books they want to offer students and noted Amazon sells tens of millions of books online. So you could say in theory that any library that doesn't hold all 32 million books is banning a book, and we know that that is not the case, Shandy said. Inclusivity LBGTQ+ stories are often the target of book challenges across the country, and just a year removed from the mass shooting at Colorado Springs Club Q, multiple local districts have proposed policies and procedures that would prevent school employees from asking students their pronouns. The directive disproportionately harms LGBTQ+ youth, critics and advocates say. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. D-20 in August issued such a mandate to its employees after at least two parents complained, email correspondence shared with The Gazette shows. The registered agent for both Shandy and Wilburn is among those who complained, emails show. When asked how they plan to manage the negative narratives surrounding LGBTQ+ students, Shandy said she will get back to the basics and focus on academics and student outcomes. Student achievement is the answer, she said. Administration must foster a sense of belonging from the top down, so that students know somebody has their back, Wilburn said. The Caucasian children of upper-middle-class Caucasian parents who attend Christian or LDS church service on Sunday or Wednesday regularly, they need to be felt like they are being protected and included just like all the other student populations as well, Wilburn added. Cloninger spoke more directly to the LGBTQ+ population, saying just because I put a rainbow on my shirt or I wear a certain color or what-not, that does not mean that I am ignoring my Christianity. Its incomprehensible to me that all doesnt mean all, and I 100% look out for all children, Cloninger said. Were in charge, like Mr. Temby said, of meeting them where they are. Thats not something that we can change as a board. We take everyone where they are. A speech-language pathologist who founded her own therapy business that now employs more than 200 people, Shandy said a primary goal of her campaign is to advocate for special-education students. The candidate also is a strong voice in favor of parental rights, which she stressed as a general panacea to issues such as chronic absenteeism and mental health. Wilburn, too, leaned in on parental involvement as an area of focus, though Temby countered that not all students have parents or a stable home life that would make involvement a plausible solution to big-picture school issues. Security Three of four candidates support the districts mill levy override ballot measure, which would bring up to an extra $35 million into D-20 to specifically support teacher salaries, facility improvements and security measures. Cloninger, Temby and Wilburn said the measure would be an important step in properly securing schools, since it would add a safety resource officer at every elementary school. Shandy dissented, saying D-20 should explore every affordable option short of increasing property taxes, such as arming school employees in the event of an emergency. The mill levy override would charge extra property taxes depending on home value and would slightly increase over the following two years. Shandy and Wilburn both support the FASTER program as a way of securing schools. The voluntary program offers firearm and emergency response training to teachers and administrators. Cloninger said she vehemently rejects the FASTER program and is instead in favor of bolstering SRO presence. The El Paso County Coroner's Office confirmed its involvement as officials continue to work the scene of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, where at least 115 bodies were discovered improperly stored Oct. 4, according to Tuesday morning news release. El Paso County Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly released a statement confirming remains from the scene in Penrose were transferred to the Colorado Springs office. "Over the next few weeks, our office will be receiving and examining the remains with the goal of identifying the individuals and releasing them to their families as efficiently and expeditiously as possible," Kelly said, adding that the office is one of many Colorado counties assisting on the scene, including Fremont County. According to reports by Gazette news partner KKTV, large refrigerated trucks were seen parked at the El Paso County Coroner's Office on Tuesday morning that contained remains tied to the massive investigation in Penrose. Additionally, Douglas County Coroner Keenan Heyde confirmed his office's involvement with the investigation early Tuesday afternoon, saying that the office plans to work closely with the Fremont County Coroner's Office to assist in identifying descendants discovered inside the funeral home's Penrose location. "Our commitment is to handle this delicate situation with the utmost dignity and respect, ensuring that each individual is treated with the care and compassion they deserve," Heyde said in Tuesday's written statement. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller said the extrication process will be "lengthy," with the surrounding investigation expected to last "several months." "Unfortunately, the large number and condition of those remains will make this challenging and this process will take some time," Kelly added, saying that through operating under mass fatality protocols, the office's involvement in the Penrose case should cause no disruption to normal services provided by the Coroner's Office. Vigil planned The Penrose Park & Rec department is hosting a candlelight vigil to show support for the families affected by the discovery of the bodies. The vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday Oct. 14, at the Penrose Park and Recreation District, 401 Park Place, in Penrose. The vigil, for the people of Penrose and surrounding communities "to give people a chance to come together in support of the families affected by the funeral home tragedy," according to the department's Facebook post. If any individuals, or groups, would like to help with this event, they are invited to message the park via Facebook. A pre-evacuation notice has been lifted Tuesday afternoon for an area east of Colorado Springs following reports of a wildland fire, according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Just after 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, EPCSO sent out a pre-evacuation warning for areas surround Highway 94 and north Peyton Highway due to a reported wildland fire. Officials with the Ellicott and Cimarron Hills Fire Departments asked those in the area to voluntarily evacuate. "If you are in danger, evacuate immediately, officials said, "If you need extra time to evacuate, consider leaving now." As of 1:25 p.m. pre evacuation orders were lifted. Federal authorities say they will not be investigating the Monday derailment of a Union Pacific Railroad train that was carrying Fort Carson equipment home from California. 4th Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Joseph Payton said Tuesday 13 cars were derailed five of them catastrophically, near the El Paso County jail along Las Vegas Street. The cars were carrying 15 pieces of Fort Carson equipment. The vehicles belong to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. There were no weapons or hazardous materials on the train, Payton said. No injuries were reported. On Wednesday, crews were still working to remove Fort Carson trucks as work continued on the railroad itself. Some of the military vehicles seemed drivable following the crash, but had to be set upright again. Fort Carson spokeswoman Brandy Gill said all vehicles are expected to be back to base within 24 to 48 hours. A thorough inspection will have to be completed to estimate the amount of the damage. The National Transportation Safety Board said it would not investigate derailment because it only works on incidents to identify protentional nationwide safety issues. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The Federal Rail Administration is also not investigating the derailment because it not meet the criteria for such work. Union Pacific is responsible for filing its own report within 30 days after the month when the incident occurred. The administration did not have any preliminary information about the cause of the derailment. Colorado Springs Utilities receives coal deliveries via train and expects a 10-day pause on deliveries to its Ray Nixon Power Plant south of Fountain, spokesman Steve Berry said. Utilities has between 130 to 140 days worth of coal, he said. This story was updated to correct the unit the vehicles belong to. The Colorado Springs Police Department has lifted a shelter in place order for an apartment complex on the city's southeast side after officers took a suspect into custody. The alert was sent at 10:16 a.m. and affected people who live at 3211 E. Fountain Blvd. near Chelton Road. You are asked to stay indoors; please lock and stay away from windows and doors. Please stay out of the immediate area until further notice. CSPD will send an all clear message when appropriate, the alert says. According to Gazette news partner KKTV, there was a large police presence at an apartment complex called The Flats. At around 1:15 p.m., an 11 News photographer witnessed police take one person into custody. The shelter in place order was lifted shortly after that time, according to an alert from police. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Click or Tap Here to view a live map of the impacted area. Rep.-elect Tim Hernandez, D-Denver, reacts after being selected by a vacancy committee to represent House District 4 on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 at Regis University. Daniel Fenlason is a school shooting survivor and the executive director of the Colorado State Shooting Association, the NRAs state association. Learn more at CSSA.org. Alan Gottlieb is editor of Denver-based public education watchdog boardhawk.org. Gottlieb covered Denver Public Schools as a newspaper reporter in the mid-1990s, worked as an education program officer for The Piton Foundation and co-founded Education News Colorado and Chalkbeat. R. Brooke Jackson, the federal judge in Colorado who curbed the Denver Police Departments use of chemical weapons and projectiles against peaceful racial justice protestors last summer, will step down later this year and create a vacancy for President Joe Biden to fill. Children's Hospital Colorado is suing the Department of Defense over changes to insurance reimbursements that the hospital system claims could make it impossible for them to maintain current services in Colorado Springs. "DHAs arbitrary reimbursement reductions will have a negative impact that will make it impossible to sustain our current pediatric health care services and programs that are available to our entire community, said Greg Raymond, Southern Region President at Childrens Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs in a statement. The suit is an unprecedented step for the hospital, the statement said. Children's Hospital expects to see a $17 million-plus reduction in its Tricare reimbursements each year because of the changes that lower reimbursements for outpatient services, according to the lawsuit. The Colorado Springs location is expected to lose $13 million annually and the Denver location is expected to lose $4.5 million. The DOD told Children's Hospital to expect a $11 million reduction annually, the suit said. Across the country, the reimbursement changes are expected to save the government $35 million, so even by the DOD's estimates Children's Hospital is expected to absorb about a third of the cuts nationally. Since opening in 2019, Children's Hospital in Colorado Springs has provided care to 15,000 children in military families for care such as outpatient surgeries, mental health therapy and cancer treatment, the news release said. The Tricare change that went into effect Oct. 1 will cut into the hospital's outpatient reimbursements by 40% because of that high volume of military families. The Department of Defense said in its published rule that it is changing reimbursement rates to align with Medicare reimbursement as required by law. However, in its lawsuit Children's Hospital argues the DOD developed an entirely new reimbursement model and ignored how the rule is "completely impracticable" for children's hospitals. The cuts to reimbursements will force the Children's Colorado to "dismantle years of work that has gone into building pediatric departments, center and service lines" for seriously ill children, particularly in Colorado Springs, the suit states. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The Department of Defense is expecting to provide temporary payments to help hospitals that are essential to Tricare operations receive 10% of their revenue through active duty families and provide 10,000 outpatient appointments annually to active duty families. The payment would cover 115% of hospitals' costs for outpatient services, the DOD said in its final rule. In comments on the Federal Register replying to those critical of the reimbursement changes, the DOD leaned on the payments to defend cuts to children's hospitals. "These provisions can be implemented for children's hospitals without jeopardizing access for TRICARE beneficiaries, because of the ability of children's hospitals to apply for (general temporary military contingency payment adjustment)," the rule said. The DOD did not respond immediately. Children's Colorado said in its suit it cannot determine from its own historical data whether it will qualify for the payments. The DOD told Children's Hospital the Denver location would not meet one of the criteria. Even if both locations receive the payments, the Colorado Springs hospital would still lose $10 million annually and the Denver location would lose $2.5 million, the suit said. The lawsuit asks the court to declare the reimbursement changes invalid for children's hospitals. In its statement, Children's Colorado said its staff has worked to educate elected officials and Defense Health Agency officials about the impact of the rule change since it was proposed in April and the the suit is an attempt to preserve local access to health care. This is not just a reimbursement issue; this is an equity issue that will compromise the care available to all families not just military families in southern Colorado, Raymond said in the statement. Gazette writer Zachary Dupont contributed to this story. Infinity Systems Engineering, a Colorado Springs engineering company that provides services to the Department of Defense and other contractors, will begin launching its expansion Wednesday, anticipated to add more than 400 jobs to the region and 3,000 square feet to its local headquarters. The company won $4.26 million in state tax credits in August with the condition that 459 jobs are created during the next eight years. The city and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC also awarded incentives to the company for the expansion in anticipation of seeing millions of dollars in capital investment, as well as keeping the company's current 215 Colorado employees in place. The new positions will include engineers, analysts and managers, according to state documents for the tax incentives under code name Project Thoroughbred. Those tax credits were also based on the expectation of job creation with an average wage of $143,615, 38% higher than El Paso Countys average wage. The company will mark the official opening of its new headquarters at the Victory Ridge development southeast of Voyager and InterQuest parkways with state and local officials Wednesday. Infinity President Dan Jaworowski previously told The Gazette that the company would likely need another 20,000 to 30,000 square feet of additional space, nearly triple the size of the new headquarters in 10 years. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The company won more than $80,000 in city sales and use tax rebates on purchases of construction materials and equipment for the an estimated $14.7 million on buildings, improvements, furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment during the expansion. Infinity also received $3.7 million in Small Business Innovation Research grant from the Air Force and Space Force for the new product line that will incorporate new software using artificial intelligence and machine learning into its systems engineering services. The state estimates the company and its employee's could generate $1.14 billion in economic activity and $10.4 million in additional revenue for the city during the next 10 years. Just how tall will a new 5 million-gallon concrete water tank being built in Colorado Springs' Mountain Shadows neighborhood be when it's complete? The Planning Commission on Wednesday is scheduled to recommend to the City Council whether or not to allow Colorado Springs Utilities to build the new tank 60 feet tall or 45 feet tall. The nine-member City Council acts as the utilities board. Mountain Shadows neighbors identified in mid-June that the new Wilson water tank at the intersection of Wilson Road and Alabaster Way in northwest Colorado Springs was nearly 20 feet taller than the utility was permitted to build it, and pushed for a pause in construction. A development plan city planners administratively approved in June 2022 limits the new tank's height to no more than 45 feet. The utility is now formally proposing a major modification to the approved development plan with city planners to reconcile the height difference. The utility proposes allowing the tank's maximum height to be 60 feet. If the Planning Commission denies the proposed modification, it will then recommend whether or not to overturn a stop work order on construction at the site, senior planner Bill Gray said. City planners have said they learned of the height discrepancy after concerned neighbors contacted them in June, and the city issued the stop work order Aug. 30. A week later, Colorado Springs Utilities filed a formal appeal of the order, saying in appeal documents that when the development plan was originally submitted the tank's true overall height was uncertain because the utility hadn't yet contracted a vendor to build it. A note on page 12 of the plan states, "All measurements above are estimates. Final elevations will be designed by tank manufacturer during structural design phase." Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The subcontractor building the tank developed it based on certain structural design specifications, the utility said in its appeal documents, making its final height about 60 feet. On May 5, city planners approved an application for a building permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department; that application included the development plan and construction drawings showing the overall tank height at about 60 feet, Utilities said in its appeal. Utilities said its land use consultant informed the agency the city had "erroneously issued the building permit" and Utilities wasn't required to take remedial action. Mountain Shadows neighbors have said this summer they are upset Colorado Springs Utilities didn't "properly" follow the city's process for land use applications and felt "deceived." Residents will have a chance to offer public comment in-person and virtually on the items at Wednesday's Planning Commission meeting. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle. The agenda and meeting documents are available online at coloradosprings.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. TerraWealth and the City of Forest City celebrated the grand opening of the comprehensive wealth management services providers first Iowa location at 136 South 4th Street in Forest City on Oct. 6. One of the three partners in the venture, Bryan Dewhurst, performed ribbon-cutting honors at the Oct. 6 ribbon-cutting at the new Terra Wealth Forest City location. He was flanked by TerraWealth Executive Team members, including Founders Joshua Mauk and Jeremiah Diamond, TerraWealth employees, and Forest City Chamber Ambassadors. The Forest City Chamber of Commerce facilitated the event. State Rep. Henry Stone also participated. We are thrilled to become a part of the vibrant Forest City community and look forward to serving the residents of northern Iowa, Wealth Management Advisor Dewhurst said in a news release. Our goal is to provide tailored financial solutions that empower our clients to achieve their dreams and secure their financial future. Dewhurst provides personalized financial planning services to individuals and families. Prior to joining TerraWealth, Dewhurst worked as a consultant with Deloitte, an international consulting firm. His strong desire to serve others and help regular people succeed financially is what motivated him to transition from consulting for large corporations to helping individuals and families. The importance of his own family life includes his wife, Megan, and their three children: Madeline, Maximus, and Henry. The two other TerraWealth partners in the venture are one of the companys founders and its vice president, Jeremiah Diamond, and TerraWealth Financial Advisor Greg Diamond. Jeremiah began his career in financial services in 2008. He is known for being accessible to his clients and being a clear communicator. Jeremiah enjoys working with his clients to define their objectives and is passionate about serving and teaching his clients how to properly steward their finances. Jeremiah married his wife, Alyssa, in 2006 and together they have four children. He and his family live in East Texas. Jeremiah holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Oral Roberts University and served eight years in the United States military. Greg learned the value of hard work growing up on a Kansas farm. After enlisting with the Kansas Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976, Gregory went on to earn a BS in business administration in 1974 and joined his familys agricultural bank. He cites major milestones in his life as marrying his wife (Donna), accepting Jesus Christ as his savior, raising three sons, and serving his country through his military service. He and his family reside on an acreage in northern Iowa. The New TerraWealth Iowa office is a multi-family office that brings four main financial service needs under one roof, creating a streamlined process for customers to get everything from financial planning and insurance needs to tax returns and estate planning advice all in one convenient location. The three partners in the Forest City location completed a complete building renovation that turned abandoned office space into an almost entirely new building. TerraWealth is headquartered in High Point, North Carolina. Its team has more than 200 years of combined experience in the financial industry. Its founders left successful careers at other firms, and put their life savings on the line, because they believed that advisors and their clients deserved better than the status quo. According to its news release, there is a world of wealth opportunity waiting to be discovered and TerraWealth stands at the forefront, eagerly ready to share its expertise. TerraWealth presents a holistic destination for financial planning, investments, risk management, insurance, tax strategy, and legal and estate planning. After evaluating clients unique situation and goals, TerraWealth advisors often focus on four important strategic planning areas, including asset accumulation, tax mitigation, income cash flow, and wealth transfer. Its new multi-family office in a familiar location near the Forest City Chamber office also blends the skills of trusted partners, including: TerraWealth for financial planning and strategic investments. D.K. Arndt, PC for tax strategy and planning. FCIS Insurance for comprehensive risk management and insurance solutions. Holliman &Holliman Law Firm for legal and estate advice. The new indoor office space provides a clean, warm, and welcoming atmosphere with ample meeting space for advisors and clients. It combines modern and historical architecture and art with cutting-edge technology. An array of fall treats were served during the open house, which was open to the public. The Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank of Mason City on Tuesday accepted a donation of 30,720 cartons of shelf-stable chocolate milk, thanks to a partnership between Kemps Dairy and Hy-Vee stores in Mason City. The donation of the milk, which has a total value of around $15,000, will be distributed through the food bank to families and other organizations this holiday season. Kemps last year committed to donating 800,000 units of the "Giving Cow" milk to Midwestern food banks in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Each single-serve, 8-ounce carton is ultra-high temperature pasteurized, so it will last up to 12 months. Typically, fresh milk has a shelf-life of about 20 days from processing. While milk is one of the most requested items at food pantries, many struggle to keep it in stock due to lack of cold storage. Milk is greatly desired by the people that we serve, says Carol Clayton, volunteer and office manager for Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank. Shelf-stable milk donations like the Giving Cow provide our families with valuable nutrition. Kemps is committed to helping support those communities where we live and work, says Rachel Kyllo, a spokesperson for the brand. When we learned that people served by food pantries often receive less than one gallon of milk a year, because many food pantries dont have the refrigeration needed, we knew that we had to help and get milk to those families in need. Were proud that our Giving Cow milks offer that solution. Food insecurity exists in every community across the United States, including Iowa, where 229,500 Iowans (including 80,190 children) are facing some form of food insecurity or shortage, according to the Iowa Food Bank Association/Feeding America. "Right now, we are averaging 100 new families per month," said Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank president Mike Linahon. That's a 25% increase over last year's growth. Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, formed in 1982, is an all volunteer organization with 89 volunteers logging 11,320 hours last fiscal year. This last fiscal year the food bank served 5,710 families consisting of 11,789 people served. 38% of these people fall into the 0-17 age group with 6% being over 65 years old. In 2022, the food bank distributed 838,548 pounds of food, bread, sweets, produce, and milk to the community. "With Hy-Vee helping on a daily basis, we have a great partner who helps us deliver food to people who need it," said Linahon. "We're happy to partner with the food bank. We try to help the communities wherever we are," said Mason City Hy-Vee district store director Jeff Thompson, "...because that's what we do at Hy-Vee." For more information about The Giving Cow program, go to kemps.com/the-givingcow-project U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro visited Danville on Wednesday to break ground on a training center that aims to graduate up to 1,000 skilled workers annually in a defense manufacturing program. Some 280 students from 29 states have already completed the Navy program and another 161 are undergoing training now on the grounds of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. This new 100,000-square-foot facility estimated to open by 2025 will greatly expand the number of students who can receive training for things like building ships and submarines for the United States Navy. While some of the steel structure is already in place, Del Toro joined Danville and Pittsylvania County leaders in a ceremonial groundbreaking to officially mark the occasion. With golden shovels in hand, they tossed a mound of dirt to the applause of several hundred gathered for the milestone moment. Many of those included the students of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program, clad appropriately in Navy-colored shirts with the acronym ATDM boldly displaying. Before taking the stage, Del Toro walked to the program students and exchanged handshakes with some. One even presented a hat to the secretary. After accepting, Del Toro insisted on a photo, one of many he took with the group. The role that you play in developing our future capabilities in the United States Navy is as important as the role I play as the Secretary of the Navy, Del Toro said during the ceremony, specifically addressing the students. He said students who go through the program will contribute to the success of building subs and ships. The recruitment comes at a critical time for manufacturing. This shortage of workers is really bad, Del Toro said Wednesday morning responding to a question from the Register & Bee. He blamed it on a combination of COVID-19 and restrictive legal immigration policies in the nation. Thats why the Danville facility plays a pivotal part in the defense sector. The program can train people who dont have the skill sets for exactly what the Navy needs. As the program grows, about 600 are expected to graduate yearly, marching toward the eventual goal of having 1,000 students come through the program annually in Danville. This is exactly the program that we need to bring the blue collar workers to our shipyards that are critically needed for us to be successful, he said. But the jobs arent just limited to the stereotypical ship building places. Graduates can also work for small businesses that are part of the supply chain, adding an extra boost to those firms. Our nation today faces many great challenges, he said, referencing the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas, again driving home the point of needing to quickly train workers. Why Danville? Its wonderful to be here in Danville, Virginia, Del Toro said before the official ceremony. When asked why the Navy picked Southside to launch a first-of-its-kind program, he pointed to the incredibly talented workforce. Its really a breakthrough in my opinion and its exactly the reason why we came to Danville, he said. This new facility is extremely important to us. The jobs will allow the Navy to build quicker and in more advanced ways. The site where the building is going up is owned by the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority, a joint venture between the two localities. Its that kind of visionary leadership and collaboration that has made today possible, Telly Tucker, president of the Institute for Advanced Learning in Research, said. Lee Vogler, chair of the RIFA board and member of Danville City Council, called the groundbreaking a critical milestone. Today we gather for another transformational project, he explained. It is a testament to our commitment to rebuilding and fortifying the foundation our of Naval fleet and the entire defense sector. Volger also referenced Danville being a model for other centers throughout the nation, essentially serving as a playbook for those facilities. Danville-Pittsylvania County will lead the way, he said. Together we will reshape the landscape of our defense industrial base. The four-month program guides students by training them with the specialized manufacturing skills needed to gain high-paying jobs upon completion. With October being a month dedicated to highlighting manufactioning, Del Toro said he couldnt think of a better project than a good old submarine. A win for the region Darrell Dalton, chair of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, called the center a win for not only the Navy, but for the Dan River Region. Who would have ever imagined that Pittsylvania County and Danville would become part of the nations defense shipbuilding industry, he said Wednesday. They Navy found this area to be an ideal location. For the graduates some of whom may come from the region theyll be able to look at a Navy sub and say they played a part in the construction. Whitney Jones, the director of the Submarine Industrial Base a component of the Navy is very passionate about the program and mission, she said. Its all about gating the security of the nation. Wednesdays moment also was more than a simple ceremony to shovel some dirt. This cant be a blimp of the metaphorical radar, she said. It cant be a dart on a timeline of history. Its about bringing back the trades and delivering a needed surge to the manufacturing industry. This is not a moment, this is a movement, she said, explaining the steel beams behind her represented a commitment to do better and do more. This building is yours, she said addressing the students. Own it. Improve it. In keeping with our NASCAR theme, drive it like you stole it. Following the groundbreaking, Del Toro then led the way by signing a beam that will go inside the regional training center. Eventually other leaders and students were handed black markers to leave a message on the large slab of steel. Thank you for what youve done and thank you for what you continue to do, Del Toro said. Congratulations, Danville. Photos: U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro visits Danville Pittsylvania County is launching a Citizens Academy to show residents the inner workings of government. The academy will be in four sessions scheduled in November and December and is limited to 20 participants. The idea is to guide residents through a real-life hypothetical exercise in county operations. The pilot program is designed around a simulated project, in this case, a multi-purpose recreational center. The goal is to show participants how key departments work while at the same time allowing them to be active participants in a simulated, but realistic problem-solving exercise, a presentation on the academy explains. Created based on input from counties, towns and cities in Virginia, the free academy will be held at the Community Center located at 115 S. Main St. in downtown Chatham. Localities around the state use academies to provide residents insight into the daily operations of the various departments within the government organization, while allowing a county, city or town to grow an informed and involved citizenry and promote a healthy, positive community, a news release stated. This way, the participants work with county staff in an interactive format asking questions and addressing challenges as they pop up. It also allows Pittsylvania County to connect with residents who may be interested in serving on one of the countys many boards and commissions in the future, the release stated. The academy meets at 2 p.m. Nov. 9, 5 p.m. Nov. 16, 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 5 p.m. Dec. 14. The final meeting will include a graduation and heavy hors doeuvres. Its open to all residents who are 18 and older. The deadline to register is Oct. 31 and participants will be notified once the registration period is complete. For more information, contact Diana McFarland, public relations manager, at Diana.McFarland@pittgov.org or by phone at 434-432-3575. Register online at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7114cb94e3c94eca904629f95f27815b. We are a nation besieged by sedition and paralyzing division, rife with politicians taking a jackhammer to democracy and the rule of law. But the true menace to our body politic is a woman who engaged in online sex. Thats the conclusion I drew from the opinion piece in Sundays Times-Dispatch by Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia. Its headline posed the provocative question: If performing sex online is not disqualifying, what is? Well, I can think of a lots of things. Well get to those later. Its not as if I wasnt taken aback at the news that Susanna Gibson, a Democrat running for the House of Delegates, had livestreamed sex acts with her husband on a site called Chaturbate. I wondered: What in the world was she thinking? Did the Democratic Party of Virginia vet her at all? But I share the conclusion voiced by Larry Sabato, head of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, who told Times-Dispatch reporter Charlotte Woods that we live in a completely different era and almost nothing is disqualifying. Who could dispute that? Frankly, sex scandals involving men are old hat in U.S. politics. And certainly, the actions of Thomas Jefferson and Bill Clinton were far more egregious than what Gibson was caught doing. This hasnt prevented her detractors from saying her actions are disqualifying. That includes Cobb, whose nonprofit describes itself as a non-partisan, faith-based organization that advocates for policies based on Biblical principles that enable families to flourish at the state and local level. Thats a dubious goal in a nation based on religious pluralism, but whatever. Susanna Gibsons behavior speaks to poor moral character and little integrity, Cobb wrote in Sundays Commentary section, in a piece that included lurid details of Gibsons online behavior. The pornography industry, she wrote, has destroyed lives, marriages, and abused countless women. Gibson has clearly put her political ambitions in front of her children and her family. She continues to seek office despite the intense scrutiny she invited into her life, knowing this was out there, Cobb writes, before concluding that Gibson has proven she is unfit for office. The voters in the 57th House of Delegates district have an important decision to make, Cobb said: I hope they make the right one. Whether Gibson remained in the race or not was a matter between her and her family, not The Family Foundation. Whether shes fit for office or simply less preferable than her opponent is a decision for voters to make. But seriously? In a nation on the precipice of collapse for want of decency and democracy, this is the moral high ground upon which The Family Foundation is planting its flag? Where is this outspoken outrage as Donald Trump, the darling of Americas Christian right, so clearly demonstrates his poor character and a lack of morality, integrity and fitness for office? Lets start with the porn. Thats awful stuff. Now lets move on to his existential threats to Americas future. Trump lied repeatedly and continues to lie about the 2020 election he falsely claims was stolen from him. He refused to do what all of his predecessors had done: peacefully submit to the transfer of power to his successor. Instead, he incited the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his supporters seeking to overturn the election of Joe Biden. For hours, he did not intervene as a violent insurrection took place that imperiled Congress and Vice President Mike Pence and resulted in loss of life. When he finally told the insurrectionists to leave the Capitol, he said: We love you, youre very special. And in May, during a CNN town hall, he said he would likely pardon a large portion of Jan. 6 rioters convicted of federal charges. And now, facing 91 felony counts in four criminal cases in Washington, New York, Florida and Georgia, he has resorted to bullying and menacing language that places judges, jurors and prosecutors at physical risk. This is the definition of disqualifying. But dont take my word for it. Its there in black and white in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. Lest you dismiss or disregard this as yet another inconvenient passage in our foundational document, you should know that assorted legal scholars say this amendment disqualifies Trump from seeking the presidency again, including retired conservative federal judge J. Michael Luttig and Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Laurence Tribe. Trump not only is disqualified by his deeds, but his words. In a recent interview with The National Pulse, Trump the runaway frontrunner for the GOP nomination and the leader in some head-to-head polls against President Joe Biden said undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Thats language straight out of Mein Kampf, where Adolf Hitler wrote: All great cultures of the past perished only because the originally creative race died out from blood poisoning. Finally, in a post last month on his Truth Social website, Trump wrote that if hes elected president, the LameStream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events. He added: They are a true threat to Democracy and are, in fact, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! The Fake News Media should pay a big price for what they have done to our once great Country! A wannabe autocrat and his feckless acolytes are willing to take a wrecking ball to democracy and the constitution. Its hard to see how families would flourish under those circumstances. We dont have the luxury to clutch pearls over a novice politicians pornography. The stakes are much higher. Voters have an important decision to make, alright. I hope they make the right one. Kathy Byron and John Cosgrove are friends of Gov. Glenn Youngkin with benefits. Byron and Cosgrove are veteran state legislators who announced their retirements earlier this year, probably leaving many of their constituents with the impression that they were, Cincinnatus-like, humbly surrendering power to return to the fertile fields and happy homes that they had forsaken for public life. But a funny thing happened on the way to retirement from their part-time jobs as lawmakers: Byron, a member of the House of Delegates, representing the conservative countryside outside Lynchburg, and Cosgrove, a delegate-turned-senator from swingy Chesapeake, took political appointments from Youngkin to work in his administration full time. Their jobs Byron will be a deputy director of the new workforce development agency created under a bill she wrote; Cosgrove, a higher-up in the department that polices sport and commercial fishing largely in the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters pay six-figure salaries roughly eight times what they made in the General Assembly: $17,640 a year in the House; $18,000 in the Senate. Those legislative salaries, by the way, havent been increased since the 1980s and are among the lowest in the nation. Only six states, including nearby North Carolina and South Carolina, pay their legislators less than Virginia, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The new jobs for Byron and Cosgrove have a big advantage beyond heftier paychecks and continued health insurance: fattened taxpayer-provided pensions generated with relatively little effort. Its part of an often-overlooked, time-honored tradition upheld by Democrats and Republicans that ensures comparatively outsize retirement pay for selected insiders. Executive branch jobs and the promise of a bigger pension have been used as bait by governors to tip party control of a closely divided General Assembly. Thats how Gov. Jim Gilmore pushed the Senate and House to the GOP in the late 1990s. He enticed Democrats Charlie Waddell of Loudoun and David Brickley of Prince William to give up their seats in what was then Republican territory. Sometimes, migrating to the executive branch is a matter of economic necessity. Sen. Warren Barry, a contrarian Republican from Fairfax, quit the General Assembly after 22 years to become a full-time, $88,000-a-year employee of the state liquor monopoly appointed by Democratic Gov. Mark Warner, whom Barry endorsed in 2001 because he needed money to support his disabled wife in long-term care. Having taken back the statewide offices in 2021, now its the Republicans turn to shower their own with jobs and emoluments. Tending to this particular subset of patronage, at-will employees just-retired members of the General Assembly brings to mind a quip attributed to Woody Allen: That in sex and politics, timing is everything. Byron, at $150,000 a year, and Cosgrove, at $137,000, arent the only Republican ex-legislators making the jump to the executive branch and, in most cases, to more generous pensions paid for the rest of their lives, atop Social Security, savings outside their government work and retirement benefits through their private-sector employers. Rob Bell, from Albemarle, which he represented in the House for 21 years, is now a $168,000-a-year deputy attorney general for health, education and social services. Glenn Davis, a Virginia Beach delegate from 2014 to 2023, runs the energy agency, making $173,000, though his pension could be comparatively modest because of his limited House service and changes in the legislative pension plan. Jeff Campbell, who also quit the House after eight years, became a $183,000-a-year general district court judge in Southwest Virginia. Now eligible for the even more generous judicial retirement plan, Campbell was appointed by a higher-court judge who, like many on the bench these days, owes his position to a GOP-controlled legislature. How former lawmakers boost their retirement is driven by several factors: That theyre enrolled in the traditional retirement program in which their pension a fixed monthly payment, a so-called defined benefit is largely financed by the state. Also, that the legislators are at least 50 years old and are closer, than not, to 30 years of service, helping maximize their monthly benefit. Especially important, however, are wages, because the Virginia Retirement System the $105 billion fund that finances the current and future pensions of 800,000 active and retired state and local government workers calculates a pension using the average of an employees three highest years of salary. For example, a 32-year senator whose annual salary was no more than $18,000 would average that amount over his or her three highest years. Service is combined with a 1.7% multiplier, set by law and which is slightly lower for more recent employees, to determine what percentage of the final average salary for which the senator would be eligible. That percentage in this case, about 54% is then multiplied by the average salary to determine the state-issued benefit: approximately $9,800 a year. The pension would be more a lot more for a senator in the defined-benefit plan with 28 years in the legislature and four in the executive branch, making, say, $150,000 annually. Length of service again, 32 years paired with the 1.7% multiplier and that final average salary would push annual retirement pay to nearly $82,000. Not bad for only four years of full-time government work. This is not to suggest there is a one-size-fits-all formula for calculating pensions, which are available to lawmakers in 41 states, per the NCSL. Local government service can push up a pension. Ditto a teaching gig. Educators, incidentally, make up the largest share of VRS-supported pensioners. But the full advantages of a big bump in pay through an executive branch job dissipate if an appointee is fired or replaced before reaching that magical three-year threshold. That might be a consideration for Byron and Cosgrove, knowing a Democrat could be governor in 2026. Other complications: Legislators who took office in 2014 and afterward, such as Davis of Virginia Beach, are covered by a retirement plan that requires they pick up part of the cost of their pension. Its whats called a defined-contribution plan. Lawmakers who were police officers and firefighters get special health considerations. And judges can receive multiple years credit for each year on the bench. When it comes to public service, virtue is supposed to be its own reward. But whos going to quarrel if its followed by five or six figures? Believe it or not, its that time again. Voters in High Point, Jamestown and Burlington went to the polls on Tuesday for primary races. If the complete but unofficial results hold up, winners will advance to the Nov. 7 general election. Several other area communities have municipal elections this fall but wont need a primary. Greensboro, for instance, holds its elections on a different schedule and wont be having municipal contests this year. Meanwhile, in the race to be High Points next mayor, Victor Jones will face Cyril Jefferson, who won by a wide margin. In a phone interview, Jones said that maintaining High Points decreasing crime rate would be a priority for him along with restoring the citys supply of high-wage jobs. Election Signs direct voters to the polling place at Williams Memorial CME Church on Triangle Lake Road in High Point on Tuesday. Jones, who served for 13 years as a U.S. Marine, claimed that he has knocked on over 2,000 doors so far. The turnout we see today will represent constituents confidence in the candidates, Jones said. Amanda Cook, a City Council candidate who is moving on to the general election in High Points at-large race, said that city leadership isnt addressing a major issue: child poverty. To me, High Point is not being honest about whats really going on, Cook said. We love to talk about the furniture market and High Point University, but a majority of our children live in poverty. TUESDAY'S RESULTS Here are complete but unofficial results from Tuesdays primary elections: High Point Mayor (top two advance to general election): Cyril Jefferson 49.5% 49.5% Victor Jones 33.3% 33.3% Abdul Rashid (Richard) Siddiqui 11% Gene Kininmonth 6% City Council At-Large (top four will compete for two seats in November): Britt W. Moore 22.8% 22.8% Amanda Cook 21.1% 21.1% Willie H. Davis 17% 17% Sam Carr 14.4% 14.4% Shazia Iqbal 10.3% Kenneth Jabari Harper Jr. 9.4% Orel Henry 4.7% Ward 1 (top two will compete for one seat): Vickie McKiver 58.2% 58.2% Glenn Romero Chavis 34.9% 34.9% Henry Harris 6.8% Note: No primary was needed in the High Point Ward 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 races this year. Jamestown Town Council (top four will compete for two seats in November): Pam Burgess 27.4% 27.4% Sarah Glanville 24.1% 24.1% Andrew Kinzie 22.7% 22.7% John Capes 10.6% 10.6% Larry M. Lain 10.2% Duane Willis 4.7% Burlington City Council (top four will compete for two seats in November): Charlie Beasley 31.4% 31.4% Dejuana Bigelow 18.5% 18.5% Brandy Whittaker 18.5% 18.5% Celo Faucette 14.8% 14.8% Bob Ward 7.4% Mary Jensen 3.7% Robin S. Wintringham 3.7% Cindy Lackey 1.85% A 2017 study by the U.S. Census Bureau found that nearly 4,000 impoverished children live in High Points five poorest tracts. In the same study, the citys child poverty rate was more than 10% higher than High Points overall poverty rate. Ive been teaching in Title I schools for 15 years, Cook said. When you get to know children and parents, you understand the roots of different issues. When I was running for school board last year and I was knocking on peoples doors, people were talking about their power and water. Those are City Council issues. Voter turnout According to early data from the Guilford County Board of Elections, Tuesdays primary had more ballots cast than the last primary election in 2019. Still, those numbers pale in comparison to the actual number of registered voters. The number of ballots cast over 6,000 was only 8% of the registered voters in the county which isnt uncommon, according to Guilford County Board of Elections Director Charlie Collicutt. What makes people care? Typically, if there is a major political event like a bond referendum or a zoning decision, residents are more likely to cast ballots. Some might vote in reaction to other events, such as High Points recent 8-1 approval by City Council on a plan for reparations for African-American residents, which made the city one of the few municipalities in the state to take such action. The most recent bond referendum for Guilford County occurred in May 2022 when voters approved $1.7 billion for schools one of the largest in the entire country. Nearly 20% of registered voters in the county cast their ballots in the decision. In November, residents of Summerfield are expected to turn out in large numbers to vote in the towns elections for mayor and Town Council because of a decision by elected officials to rezone land for a massive real estate development. At a Town Council meeting last week, Summerfield residents distributed information about mayoral and Town Council candidates who oppose the development. John Hamilton, a local attorney and candidate for Town Council, noted that there were many Summerfield residents who did not attend last weeks public hearing on the matter. A lot of folks didnt come here ... because they thought it was going to be a done deal already, Hamilton said. And instead of coming here and giving their voice, theyre going to give their voice on the ballot. Fifty years ago, almost to the day in 1973, Egyptian and Syrian forces invaded Israel in a surprise attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur. Not only were many Israelis unprepared because they were in synagogue or otherwise marking the solemn fast day, but Israeli intelligence agencies had failed to take seriously the threat of an attack by Egypt, Israels largest neighbor and foe. The prevailing concept (known in Hebrew as the konceptzia) was that Arab armies would not undertake a war that they were not certain to win. This turned out to be a colossal mistake, as Egyptian and Syrian forces overwhelmed Israeli defenses for three days, inflicting heavy losses on the army and leading many to believe that Israels end had come. And now in 2023, a major enemy of Israel, Hamas, launched a stunning attack on a day marked by the convergence of the Jewish sabbath and the holiday of Simchat Torah (one of the most celebratory days in the Jewish calendar). Unlike in 1973, this attack was directed against civilians, as well as the military, and the death toll from the massacre is rising by the hour. Thousands of rockets were unleashed against Israel, reaching from the south of the country to the metropolitan center of Tel Aviv. More shockingly, Hamas militants easily overran Israeli defenses, invading military bases and 22 communities near the Gaza border; they went door to door looking for Jews to murder or kidnap back to the Gaza Strip. Every Israeli Jew and many Jews in the diaspora know someone who was harmed; at least three relatives of friends of mine were murdered, and three more kidnapped. While the timing and element of surprise hark back to 1973, the scope, sophistication and brutality of the Hamas assault were unprecedented. Israeli leaders have made amply clear that there will be a massive response, one that will be different from previous Gaza operations by orders of magnitude. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised mighty vengeance for this black day. Given that prior Israeli military operations in Gaza have led, as did Operation Protective Edge in 2014, to thousands of deaths of Gazans and billions of dollars of property destruction, it is terrifying to imagine how many Palestinian lives will be lost and how much of Gaza will remain intact. The impending military operation cannot mask the monumental failure of Israeli intelligence, perhaps greater in scale than 1973. It seems beyond belief, given Israels huge investment in human and electronic intelligence assets, that an attack of this size could not be readily detected, even weeks before being launched. As in 1973, this failure has torn off the veneer of Israeli invincibility. In the wake of the Yom Kippur War, the new awareness of Israeli vulnerability led to a major strategic recalibration, a shattering of the old paradigm of unavoidable hostility. Israel came to believe that achieving peace with its major enemy, Egypt, was a viable and necessary path forward. Egypt, for its part, had regained a measure of credibility following the 1967 War and now could consider talks with Israel. By 1978, the two countries entered into negotiations that yielded a peace treaty. Now, in the wake of the Hamas attack on Saturday, the newly exposed Israeli vulnerability could lead to its own strategic recalibration. The Palestinians do not pose a serious threat to the existence of Israel, but they can inflict grave damage on the Israeli body and psyche. They are not going to disappear. Nor are they going to surrender their claims to self-determination. And they are not going to give up the fight against Israels dehumanizing occupation of 56 years. One way forward is the path of vengeance declared by Benjamin Netanyahu. It will lead to further devastation and the rising up of a new generation of Palestinians intent on retribution, which will only retrigger the cycle of violence that has engulfed this region for a century. Vengeance will only lead to more vengeance. Sadly, it is the likeliest course. Another path forward, which requires bold and courageous leadership, is again breaking with the old paradigm of eternal enmity. It would entail recognition by Israel that it cannot batter Palestinians into submission, who deserve and must receive full rights as individuals and as a national collective. Bringing an end to the stranglehold of the occupation may be the best chance to break the cycle of violence. Today, it is very hard to imagine such a step in this moment of grief and rage. But one makes peace with ones enemies, not ones friends. And as far-fetched as it may seem, it was precisely this kind of rethinking that was perhaps the most important legacy of the Yom Kippur War. A U.S. Air Force member at Malmstrom Air Force Base has admitted to allegations he obtained and sold images of child sexual abuse material using social media, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Brandon Earl Bankston, 23, pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession with intent to sell child pornography. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release, the U.S. attorney's office said. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris set sentencing for March 14. Bankston was detained pending further proceedings, the U.S. attorneys office said. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Malmstrom in Great Falls, the U.S. attorneys office said. The Great Falls Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was alerted during the summer of 2021 that someone in Montana had uploaded videos containing known child sexual abuse material to an account on X, formerly known as Twitter. The task force also learned that a Snapchat user with a Montana address had posted an image of child sexual abuse material. The investigation determined that the internet provider addresses belonged to Bankston. Bankston admitted to Air Force investigators to possessing and distributing the child sexual abuse material in exchange for payment from users across various internet platforms, according to court documents. Bankston told investigators that he obtained images and videos of the material through a messaging platform and stored the material on a cloud-based site in New Zealand, authorities said in an email. He further admitted to selling the child sexual abuse material to about 25 people. In a search of Bankstons electronic devices, social media platforms, bank accounts and cloud-based storage applications, investigators determined he possessed about 5,000 images of child sexual abuse material and nearly 3,000 images and videos of the material saved in storage accounts. Investigators also determined Bankston received about $6,750 for child sexual abuse material sales from 42 transactions, according to court documents. Malmstrom officials said Wednesday that upon notification of the indictment, the members commander initiated both "disciplinary and separation processes." "We take this incident seriously and have worked closely with all levels of law enforcement to aid in the investigation," they said in an email. "The long-standing relationship between the Airmen of Malmstrom AFB and the local community is of the utmost importance to us. We are committed to making our community a safe environment for all of us to work and live." Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case. The Great Falls Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation. The Montana Jewish Project is organizing an online community vigil for peace 4 p.m. Sunday. The vigil will be held via Zoom and people can sign up at https://bit.ly/3RWWN68. All of us at the Montana Jewish Project offer our heartfelt support to community members who are hurting from the horror that continues to unfold in Israel, especially those whose family and friends have been affected, injured, or displaced, event organizers wrote in an email Wednesday. We join together in empathy and solidarity. The war began after Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday, bringing gunbattles to its streets for the first time in decades. The war has claimed more than 2,200 lives on both sides and is expected to escalate. Dozens have been dragged into Gaza as captives, the Associated Press reported. Israel's retaliation for the Hamas assault will likely bring a far greater magnitude of death and destruction to Gaza, where 2.3 million Palestinians have nowhere to flee and where 1,100 have already been killed, AP noted. In Montana, the public is asked to gather as one community to grieve these violent events, to seek comfort in being together. The hourlong program will include poetry and music of peace and healing presented by Jewish and interfaith leaders in Montana. People are encouraged to check with local Jewish community for more opportunities to gather, show support, and be supported. Also on Wednesday, Gov. Greg Gianforte ordered flags in Montana to remain at half-staff through sunset on Monday, as a mark of respect for the Israelis and Americans killed by Hamas terrorists. He and his wife, Susan, attended a prayer and solidarity vigil on Tuesday for Israel at the Chabad Lubavitch Center of Jewish Life and Learning in Bozeman. The American Buffalo, a two-part, four-hour film directed by Ken Burns, will premiere on Oct. 16-17 on Montana PBS. The documentary features the biography of a shaggy beast that has found itself at the center of many of the countrys most mythic and heartbreaking tales, the documentary's promoters say. It will be shown at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. both nights, according to the schedule posted on the Montana PBS website at https://bit.ly/3RYzkRR. Montana plays a huge role in the history documented in the film. The filmmakers kicked off their promotional tour in June in Missoula with a public event hosted by Montana PBS and a formal visit to the CSKT Bison Range. The film was shot throughout the state, including at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, Flying D Ranch, Fort Belknap, Yellowstone National Park and more, and features interviews with Montanans including Steven Rinella, Michael Punke, George Horse Capture Jr. (Aaniiih), Rosalyn LaPier (Blackfeet of Montana and Metis), Marcia Pablo (Pend dOreille and Kootenai), and Germaine White (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Montana PBS said in an email. The series, which has been in production for four years, will take viewers on a journey through more than 10,000 years of North American history and across some of the continents most iconic landscapes. It is a quintessentially American story, Ken Burns said, filled with unforgettable stories and people. But it is also a morality tale encompassing two historically significant lessons that resonate today: how humans can damage the natural world and also how we can work together to make choices to preserve the environment around us. Burns also said the story of the buffalo is also the story of Native nations who lived with and relied on it to survive. The series was written by Dayton Duncan, who is also the author of the companion book, Blood Memory: The Tragic Decline and Improbable Resurrection of the American Buffalo, to be published by Knopf timed to the broadcast. It was produced by Burns longtime colleague Julie Dunfey. Julianna Brannum, a member of the Quahada band of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, served as consulting producer. W. Richard West Jr., a Cheyenne and founding director and director emeritus of the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of the American Indian, was the senior adviser. Montana officials are being forced to choose between a pair of telecom companies that were both awarded federal infrastructure money to build broadband capacity in the same area, an apparently inadvertent violation of federal and state requirements for doling out the grant funding. The commission of lawmakers and executive-branch representatives in charge of overseeing the states program to award $309 million in broadband grant funding from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, moved Wednesday to walk back one of those awards. I dont like the situation, but I think everybodys done as much as they could do, Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Hamilton Republican who chairs the ARPA Communications Advisory Commission, said. And thats incumbent upon us now to make that decision. The commission ultimately voted in favor of clawing back a chunk of the $9.1 million grant it awarded in December 2022 to Tri County Telephone Association. The recommendation, which still needs approval from Gov. Greg Gianforte, applies to an area including the town of Bridger, and would extend broadband service to 433 locations. In an apparent oversight, the state simultaneously awarded a grant for that same service area to a competing company, Qwest Corporation. That company, which secured a total of $4.5 million from 10 ARPA broadband grants awarded by the state, had received $557,000 to extend broadband to the 433-location area. Under the commissions recommendation Wednesday, Qwest would be the company that gets to complete the work in that area. Tri County would still have the option of moving forward with work on the remaining portions of the much-larger service area for which it was awarded federal funding. Representatives from Tri County objected strenuously to that proposal. It was presented by the Department of Administration, which is overseeing the ConnectMT program that distributes the federal money. Representatives from both the company and the department agreed on some of the underlying reasons the service area had been mistakenly awarded to two competing companies. Application materials provided by Tri County had not included a project boundary in the shapefile it submitted, one of the types of files used by the department to compare different project proposals and identify where they overlap. Because of that, the contractor hired by the department to help score the applications failed to identify the overlapping portions of the proposals until they had both been awarded. The department didnt catch the error until June, about six months after the grants were awarded. Julia Swingley, an attorney with the DOA, told the commission that the departments subsequent review of the process determined that Tri County had been aware of the duplication, but chose not to reveal the issue to the correct state officials. The department feels that omission of information is what led us to this point, she said. David Clark, an attorney representing Tri County, argued that while the project boundaries were not included in the shapefile submitted by the company, it provided that information in a different file format. Citing the 2021 state law that established the grant program, he said that meant Tri County's application met all the requirements to move forward. Under questioning from Ellsworth, Tri County CEO Richard Wardell acknowledged that not including the boundaries in the shapefile, as it had in its other applications, was likely a mistake. But he maintained it shouldn't be a disqualifier, since theyd included those boundaries in other files they submitted. Amy Nerison, a lobbyist hired by the company, told the commission that the duplication issue was a result of the states flawed process, and that Tri County shouldnt be punished as a result. Your decision today ultimately impacts not only Tri County, but the town of Bridger as well, Nerison said, citing supportive letters submitted by the towns mayor and library. Tri County is one step away from breaking ground It is unjust to penalize Tri County and the town of Bridger for circumstances beyond their control. The commission voted 7-2 to recommend rescinding Tri Countys award of the Bridger service area, with all the commissions Republicans and executive-branch representatives voting in favor. Both Democrats on the commission opposed it. Sen. Janet Ellis of Helena said her vote against the proposal was based on the fact that carving out the relatively dense, lower-cost Bridger portion of Tri Countys much larger project could prompt the company to walk away from its remaining service area. The company declined to say whether it would do so, but Republicans on the commission acknowledged state law allows it to cancel the rest of the contract. Tri County also could attempt to renegotiate the amount of public money they would need to extend service to the remaining project area. This conversation makes me very uncomfortable because I feel like were being asked to be a judge and jury, Ellis said, following a back-and-forth in which Ellsworth questioned Tri County officials about several emails exchanged between the company and the department. Its very complicated, you have to study the timelines and the rules, and weve been handed all this material, and I just want to understand why this commission is being asked to be a judge and jury. Ellsworth responded that under state law, theres no other way to resolve the issue. Its the commissions job to determine eligibility for the broadband grants, he said, and then its up to the governor to make the final decision. So far, the governor hasnt deviated from any of the commissions recommendations. Im thankful that this is actually the one hiccup, and its not 30 hiccups, Ellsworth said near the meetings end. To only have one hiccup, when you have 300-something million dollars going out, to me, Ill take a solid A-minus and then know that hopefully we get to that A-plus by the end of this conversation today. Medicare would be expanded to include dental, vision and hearing aids. It's unclear when or how long each would be included as part of the benefit package Medicare covers. But each is expected to survive. Lawmakers are discussing the possibility of providing vouchers to seniors for dental care until the full benefit is enacted. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., put it this way after meeting with Biden: "What will emerge is a program on dental, vision and hearing that Senator (Bernie) Sanders is comfortable with." North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor Josh Stein spoke of the need for additional resources for community colleges during a tour of Catawba Valley Community Colleges Workforce Solutions Complex Wednesday. During his visit to the complex, which offers labs and training facilities in fields ranging from mechatronics to automotive repair, Stein heard from college officials about the need to provide higher pay to instructors in skilled trades. Last year, we had an opening for an automotive person, it was nine months it took to fill that opening, Dean Aden Cranford told Stein, adding, So thats another huge need that we have, to make our wages and salaries competitive. Following his tour of the building, Stein said the state needs to invest more in its community colleges. Clearly the state is not doing enough to support community colleges across North Carolina, including here at CVCC, Stein said. They dont have enough salary supplements, particularly for some of the really high-skilled trades, and if we want to get good teachers here to teach the young people the skills they need to succeed in industry, we have to be able to pay them. Stein also said he was impressed by the facility and work going on at CVCC. What theyre doing thats so compelling here is they are connecting the high schools, the school system with industry and this community college to meet the needs of the kids and the workforce and theyre really succeeding, he said. Its exciting to see. Puteti castiga una dintre cele trei carti Romania and the United States of America. 25 Years of Strategic Partnership. Past, Present and Future, de Alexandru Cristian, participand la concursul desfasurat pe pagina de Facebook a Revistei Historia, organizat in parteneriat cu Editura Pro Universitaria. Detalii, aici. Prefata: The Romanian-American relations have long been at the center of various research studies pertaining to multiple disciplines. They do remain, however, insufficiently accessible to larger audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. As such, a new book, from a tested, albeit interesting, perspective, is more than welcome. As a collection of opinions-editions pieces, most of which were published in Romanian quality journals, the present volume shines in terms of readability and comprehensibility. Alexandru Cristian, a young historian with a grasp on defense and international security studies, contextualizes the bilateral relations between Romania and the United States, devoting particular attention to their latest achievement the Strategic Partnership, by placing them into a larger picture shaped by geopolitics. [...]. (George Cristian MAIOR, Ambasador) Introducere: Romania and the United States of America share some history which is similar in many respects. Both states have struggled to gain their independence, sovereignty, and historical recognition. That in which they have followed a different path was pertaining to the civilization pattern according to which each of the two states was established. We need to remind here, and pay all the due respect to them, the Romanian and American historians who have dealt with the early matters of the US-Romanian relations, that is Paul Cernovodeanu, Cornelia Bodea, Ion Stanciu, Dumitru Vitcu, Constantin Buse, Keith Hitchins, Stephen Fischer-Galati, Radu R. Florescu, James F. Clarke, and many others. The US-Romanian relations celebrate 140 years of an extremely challenging existence, which has eventually proved both states admiration for the civilization pattern Romania for acquiring its national independence and for implementing a genuine democratic model, whereas the United States of America for the cultural and linguistic miracle represented by the Romanian people. There has been a joint history which proved to both people what a struggle for being acknowledged by history meant [...]. (Alexandru Cristian) Volumul Romania and the United States of America. 25 Years of Strategic Partnership. Past, Present and Future, de Alexandru Cristian, poate fi comandat la pret special din libraria online a Editurii Pro Universitaria. " " Mildred Harnack was born in Wisconsin where she studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before moving to Germany. Rebecca Donner If you've never heard of Mildred Harnack that's about to change. By any measure, the free-thinking young woman from Wisconsin is an American hero. During World War II, Mildred and her German husband Arvid lived in Berlin, where she became the only American male or female to serve as a leader in the underground German resistance against Adolf Hitler. Advertisement Mildred paid the ultimate price for her brave opposition to the Nazis. She was sentenced to six years of hard labor for the crimes of treason and espionage, but ultimately Hitler personally ordered her to death in 1943. But instead of being hailed as a freedom fighter back home, Mildred and her co-conspirators were falsely painted as "communist spies" working for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Mildred's own family burned her letters for fear of being labeled as communist sympathizers. Eighty years after her execution, Mildred's remarkable true story is being told, thanks in large part to her great-great-niece, author Rebecca Donner. We spoke with Donner about her award-winning biography of Harnack, "All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days," to learn how a literature professor from Milwaukee dared to stand up to Hitler and the Third Reich. Google "Braveheart inaccuracies" and you may spend the remainder of your day scrolling through pages and pages of (rightfully) irate commentary. The 1995 film definitely took some liberties with Wallace's story (for one thing, he did not wear a tartan kilt those didn't show up until 500 years later). While the film did bring international attention to Wallace's story, it didn't exactly do it justice, according to experts. "Aside from a 1975 novel by Nigel Tranter ('The Wallace'), there have been very few representations of William Wallace in popular culture, which makes 'Braveheart' influential in the public's image of the man," Tom Turpie, project historian and history lecturer at the University of Stirling writes via email. Advertisement "In general, I find that these representations of Wallace, especially 'Braveheart,' fall into a trap that we often find with medieval Scottish history. Very often, as we find in 'Braveheart,' the popular presentation of the subject (either through film, at historic sites and increasingly on television), is so simplified or includes unnecessary fictions (like Wallace meeting the English queen in 'Mary, Queen of Scots,' and films having him meet Elizabeth I, etc.) that are much less interesting than what actually happened. I never understand the need to make up anything about Scotland's medieval past as the reality is always more interesting than any fiction! "The main problem, specifically with 'Braveheart' (aside from its many historical inaccuracies), is that it gives Wallace rather simplistic 20th-century motivations nationalism, desire for political self-determination and autonomy and completely misunderstands his social status (he was a minor nobleman from the southwest, not a highland peasant living in a mud hut wearing tartan)," Turpie says. For the second time in three years, Erbacres Snapple Shakira-ET claimed Supreme Champion honors on the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo. Last Friday afternoon, the speckled cow first stepped into the ring during the Six-Year-Old and Older Holstein class that included the Grand Champion from the last two Expos and, in fact, the last two Expo Supreme Champions: herself and Oakfield Solomon Footloose-ET. At the close of the class, Shakira and Footloose stood first and second in the class, respectively, and earned raucous applause throughout the Coliseum. Those two cows then went on to be named Senior and Reserve Senior Champion and, finally, Grand and Reserve Grand Champion of the International Holstein Show. Two hours later, Shakira repeated her feat from 2021 when she earned the top award of the 2023 Expo dairy cattle show. She is owned by Ferme Jacobs, Antelimarck, Ty-D Holsteins, Theraulaz, and Attaboy Holsteins of Cap-Sante, Quebec. During the afternoons Supreme Champion ceremony, Reserve Supreme Champion honors went to the Grand Champion Jersey. That was Stoney Point Joel Bailey, exhibited by Vierra Dairy Farms of Hilmar, Calif. Among the heifers of the Open Show, the Red and White reigned Supreme. Sco-Lo Dc Rogue2470-Red-ET is owned by Fly Higher, Elmlo, Andy and Whitney Reynolds, and Mackenzie Reynolds of Corfu, N.Y. Reserve Supreme went to the Holstein, Kingsway Caught a Vibe, owned by Kingsway Farms and Velthuis Farms of Hastings, Ontario. In the Junior Show, both Supreme titles went to the Ayrshire representative. Toppglen Wishful Thinking-ET was the winning cow for Tanner, Brennan, Marissa, and Logan Topp of West Salem, Ohio. The top heifer was Grand-View Champ Dyna, owned by Jacob, Logan, and Madison Harbaugh of Marion, Wis. Two Jerseys claimed Reserve honors. Reserve Supreme Champion in the Junior Show was Rolling Spring Premier Lucille owned by Evan Jauquet of Pulaski, Wis. Among the heifer contenders, Miss Gayles Grace-ET, owned by Kendall Thomas of North Lewisburg, Ohio, was Reserve. The Supreme Champion ceremony marked the close of the 56th World Dairy Expo that saw warm temperatures throughout most of the week bring out large crowds for the dairy cattle shows, trade show, educational events, and competitions. For coverage of all of the breed show winners, events of the week, and photos, visit our Hoards @ Expo blog page. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023 October 9, 2023 The Dancing for the Arts fundraiser has begun. Get ready to witness a reinvented version of the famous Dancing with the Stars as local celebrities team up with professional dancers to compete for the grand prize by raising funds for the arts. Behind the scenes, our local stars are working closely with their pros to refine their skills. Then, well all come together on Nov 4 on the Davis Theatre stage to put on an unforgettable dance competition. But thats not all! The gala evening promises a delightful cocktail buffet by Doughgirls Catering, incredible performances, and an epic after-party where well dance the night away until midnight. This years stars are: Amy Woolwine, Ford Craven, Macie Melton, Paula Yost, Sara DuMond, Brenna Morgan, Robbie Furr, Justin Moore, George Wood, Sara Newell, Adam Auerbach and Vontraciya Davis. This years pros are: Skyla Caldwell, Kyle Shawell, Chris Harris, Mariah Brewer, Clarrisa Henry, Lindsy Mae Eby, Jenny Grice, Glenna Wilson, Cryserica Jeter, Michelle Trombley, Zaria Hamilton and Alex White. For tickets to Dancing for the Arts visit: https://bit.ly/46lLHvR Give to the Cabarrus Arts Council: Help keep art alive in our community through a donation of any size. Visit cabarrusartscouncil.org/support/how-to-donate This week (Oct. 11 15) Crochet Cardigan Basics Monday, Oct. 9, 1-2 p.m. Come join us in learning how to start making a hexagon granny square cardigan that is taking social media by storm! Basic crochet skills needed for this class. Free; Registration Required; Registration opens two weeks before the program occurs; 13+; Harrisburg Library; 201 Sims Pkwy; For more information, visit www.cabarruscounty.us Play-Doh Lab Wednesday, Oct. 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Are you ready to squish, knead, and create new things? Join us for Play-Doh Lab all you need to bring is your imagination. We provide the supplies you provide the fun! Free; Ages 4-12; Midland Library; 4297 C Hwy 24/27 E; For more information, visit www.cabarruscounty.us Mount Pleasant Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Head over to the charming town of Mount Pleasant to attend their annual fall festival. The event includes craft vendors, small businesses, kids activities, food vendors and more! All ages; Free; Mount Pleasant; North Main Street between Hwy 73 & Walnut Street; For more information, visit www.explorecabarrus.com Bringing Hearts and Minds Together Saturday, Oct. 14, noon to 4 p.m. Bringing Hearts and Minds Together is an event hosted by NAMI Cabarrus, in partnership with F3 MECA, The Cabarrus Arts Council, and FiA Highland Creek. The event is for all families and is designed to raise awareness for mental health and wellness. Activities include lunch, art, music, fitness, and a presentation on personal mental health and wellness. No experience is necessary for any of the activities, and everyone is welcome to participate in any or all the activities! Please check back later for the schedule, to know what time each of the activities will take place. Registration Required; You can register by filling out this google form: Bringing Hearts and Minds Together ; Frank Liske Park; Concord; 4001 Stough Road; For more information, visit www.namicabarrus.org Krazy Critters with Susan Lackey Saturday, Oct. 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a relaxed class with no rules, and anything goes. Pick a critter, any critter dog, horse, turtle, giraffe, whatever. Lets have some fun making up a krazy whimsical facial expressions and a story to match it. We will start by making some colorful backgrounds, then use a few reference photos to start building a features library to choose from and for mixing it up. You can create 1 or 2 adorable paintings, depending on how fast you paint, following Susans easy, step-by-step process. So, grab your paints and lets get going. In this class you can paint with acrylic paint or a watercolor/acrylic gauche combo, not both. Susan will be painting in acrylics, and she is an experienced watercolor painter so she can advise you in both media. You will receive a full Supply List when you register. If you need one earlier, request one via email. This class includes a short lunch break. Bring your lunch and drink; we have a refrigerator! This class will fill up quickly so register now. The last day to register is October 11. Open to all levels of experience; 18+; Registration Required; Class Cost: $90 for CAG members; $100 for non-members, plus $10 (paid in class) for extra supplies; To Register: Email instructor susanlackeyart@gmail.com to pay by check or to pay online, visit https://www.susanlackeyart.com/workshops ; ClearWater Arts Center & Studios; 223 Crowell Drive, NW; For more information, visit www.cabarrusartguild.org Stitch & Knit: Spooky Felt Friends! Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us to stitch some spooky creatures with felt! Free; Ages 10+; Registration Required; Concord Library; 27 Union Street; For more information, visit www.cabarruscounty.us Next week (Oct. 16 22) Crochet 102: Jack OLantern Granny SquaresThursday, Oct. 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Come learn the basics of corner-to-corner crochet and create a fun and festive Jack OLantern granny square! All supplies provided. Ages 12+; FREE; Registration Required; Registration opens 2 weeks before the program occurs. Harrisburg Library, 201 Sims Pkwy; For more information, visit www.cabarruscounty.us Halloween Duct Tape Roses for Teens Friday, Oct. 20, 4-5 p.m. Join us as we get in the Halloween spirit and make Halloween-themed Duct Tape roses! Supplies provided. Teen Ages 12-18; Free; Registration Required; Concord Library, 27 Union St; For more information, visit www.cabarruscounty.us Ghoulish Gemstone Painting Saturday, Oct. 21, 2-4 p.m. Join us for a ghoulish good time- well be diamond painting eerie images, enjoying some spooky music, and of course, indulging in some yummy snacks! This program is sponsored by the Harrisburg Friends of the Library group. All supplies provided. Ages 12+; Free; Registration Required; Registration opens 2 weeks before the program occurs. Harrisburg Library, 201 Sims Pkwy; For more information, visit www.cabarruscounty.us Upcoming American Patchwork Quartet, On Stage at the Davis Wednesday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Join Grammy-winning artists as they breathe new life into centuries-old American songs. Vocalist/violinist Harini Raghavan, guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross, drummer Clarence Penn, and bassist Nori Naraoka are four U.S. citizens from vastly different cultural backgrounds, united by music, and a shared mission to spark conversation around race and immigration. Beyond borders, cultures, and colors, American Patchwork Quartet compels audiences to reflect on our shared histories and defining differences. Doors open for this performance at 7:30 p.m. Concessions available! Jazz/Classical/American Songbook; All Ages; Ticket Purchase Required; 65 Union St., South, Cabarrus Arts Council. For updates or to purchase a ticket, visit https://cabarrusartscouncil.org/american-patchwork-quartet Call for Artists! CAG Fall Judged Art Show Intake Saturday Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are excited to announce that entering the Cabarrus Art Guilds Annual Fall Judged Art Show 2023 is now even more convenient with online show entry and payment! We welcome entries from Cabarrus and its surrounding counties: Union, Stanly, Rowan, Iredell, and Mecklenburg. Intake is one day ONLY! Join your neighboring artists in showcasing your art, you may even win an award! Some helpful links: Announcement: https://www.cabarrusartguild.org/ Show forms and prospectus: https://www.cabarrusartguild.org/information.html Payment Center: https://www.cabarrusartguild.org/.../Featured_Products.html The Cabarrus Art Guild Annual Fall Judged Art Show Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. The Opening Reception is on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, 223 Crowell St., Concord (main entrance on Crowell Street). Winners will be announced, and light refreshments will be served. Come and meet local artists and join us in celebrating their artwork. Free; No Registration Required; For more information, visit www.cabarrusartguild.org Ongoing Force of Nature Humans are a part of Nature. We depend upon its bounty. It nurtures our sense of place and peace. Its intricate weavings are material to our health. The artists in Force of Nature go further; their bonds go deeper. The natural world supplies their tools, media, even their partners and always their inspiration. Join us. Glimpse the beyond-human world as these artists do. See new patterns through their eyes. Feel elements of the earth and sky, woods and water, through their hands. For these artists the force of nature is the very source of creativity. Co-curators and Exhibiting Artist, Linda Goodwin and George Pfeffer. All Ages; No Registration; Free; 65 Union St., South, Cabarrus Arts Council. For updates, visit https://cabarrusartscouncil.org/the-galleries After School and Adult Art Classes in drawing, painting, pottery, and sculpture. After school classes from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and adult classes from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday one day per week for 6 weeks. For more information, call 704-786-8570. North Carolina Music Hall of Fame The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Museum is a safe, fun, and touch-free visit for your friends & family! The Museum is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Reserve your visit at Make A ReservationNorth Carolina Music Hall Of Fame; 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis. Open Art Day Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Bring your lunch and drink, bring a project you are working on and your supplies. Or bring work youd like to share and discuss. This is a working, weekly meeting, each Tuesday, to work with and share with artists and like-minded people who appreciate creativity. ClearWater Arts Center & Studios (223 Crowell Drive, NW, Concord) enter through the double glass doors facing Kerr Street, called the Greenway Gallery). For more information: About Us (cabarrusartguild.org). Caffeinate with Creatives Every Second Saturday, 10-11 a.m. The Concord area is filled with artists of all kinds, lets take some time to get to know each other! Join us every second Saturday starting July 8 for coffee and creative conversations. All artists are welcome; No Registration; FREE, Coffee for purchase; ClearWater Arts Center & Studios (223 Crowell Drive, NW, Concord). For more information, visit www.clearwaterartists.com Watercolor Society of North Carolina Western Region Watercolor Exhibit On view through Saturday, Oct. 21. This exhibit is a collaborative presentation by WSNC and ClearWater Arts. ClearWater Arts Center & Studios (223 Crowell Drive, NW, Concord). For more information, visit www.clearwaterartists.com Plein Air with the CAG Calling all artists! First timers welcome! Dont worry if you dont have all the things, you think you need, this is a very informal gathering, and your fellow artists are happy to help! Reach out to get on the mailing list for various events! Has the idea or the fun of Plein Air ever fascinated you? Well first off, to explain, Plein air is a French term meaning, denoting or in the manner of a 19th-century style of painting outdoors, or with a strong sense of the open air, that became a central feature of French impressionism. Some famous Plein air painters were amongst the most impressive painters from history including Monet, Homer and Sargent. Within the Cabarrus Art Guild, a group of Plein air painters have banded together to enjoy the lovely North Carolina Piedmont and surrounding sites via Plein air. They have named themselves, Dusty Road Painters and meet to explore the indoors (inclement weather) and outdoors that offer countless opportunities to express ones artistic curiosity and passion.Have questions or interested in joining this free group of adventurous artists? Reach out to Plein Air Chair, OLynda Walker at olynda.walker@gmail.com. Free; For more information, visit www.cabarrusartguild.org Microsoft has detailed 105 vulnerabilities in its products on October's Patch Tuesday, including three zero-days and 12 critical flaws that could be exploited for remote code execution. Adam Barnett, lead software engineer at security firm Rapid7, said in a statement that one of the zero-days was again an NTLM hash disclosure, this time in WordPad. "The advisory for CVE-2023-36563 describes two possible attack vectors: 1) enticing the user to open a specially crafted malicious file delivered via email, IM, or some other means, or 2) by causing a custom application to run," he explained. "The advisory doesnt give much more detail, but the attacker would either need existing access to the system, or some means of exfiltrating the NTLM hash. "It may or may not be a coincidence that Microsoftlast month that WordPad is no longer being updated, and will be removed in a future version of Windows, although no specific timeline has yet been given. Unsurprisingly, Microsoft recommends Word as a replacement for WordPad." A second zero-day was in Skype for Business. "Successful exploitation of CVE-2023-41763 via a specially crafted network call could result in the disclosure of IP addresses and/or port numbers," Barnett said. "Although Microsoft does not specify what the scope of the disclosure might be, it will presumably be limited to whatever the Skype for Business server can see; as always, appropriate network segmentation will pay defence-in-depth dividends." The third of the zero-days disclosed this month was in the cross-platform Kestrel Web server for ASP.NET Core which received a fix for CVE-2023-44487, a denial of service vulnerability. "In the advisory, Microsoft suggests two potential workarounds: 1) disabling the HTTP/2 protocol via a Windows Registry modification, and 2) restricting protocols offered each Kestrel endpoint to exclude HTTP/2," Barnett noted. "In the advisory, a hyperlink attached to the word 'workarounds' does not resolve to anything specific, and Kestrel is misspelled as 'Kestral' more than once, although these issues will likely be resolved soon." He said 12 critical RCE flaws seemed like a lot - and were. "Fully two-thirds of these are in the same Windows component the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol which has already received fixes for a significant number of critical RCEs in recent months," Barnett said. "Exploitation of each of the Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol critical RCEs this month CVE-2023-41765 CVE-2023-41767 CVE-2023-41768 CVE-2023-41769 CVE-2023-41770 CVE-2023-41771 CVE-2023-41773 CVE-2023-41774 is via a specially crafted protocol message to a Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) server. "If there is a silver lining here, its that the acknowledgements for almost all of these vulnerabilities cite Microsofts Network Security and Containers team; a reasonable inference is that Microsoft is directing significant resources towards security research and patching in this area. "Since CVEs are typically assigned sequentially, and there are gaps in the sequence, another reasonable inference here is that other similar as-yet-unpublished vulnerabilities have probably been identified and reported to MSRC." Barnett said Exchange administrators should take note of the existence of CVE-2023-36778, a same-network RCE vulnerability in all current versions of Exchange Server. "Successful exploitation requires that the attacker be on the same network as the Exchange Server host, and use valid credentials for an Exchange user in a PowerShell remoting session," he said. "By default, PowerShell Remoting only allows connections from members of the Administrators group, and the relevant Windows Firewall rule for connections via public networks rejects connections from outside the same subnet. Defenders may wish to review these rules to ensure that they have not been loosened beyond the default." Microsoft Office was patched for CVE-2023-36569, a local privilege escalation vulnerability. "Successful exploitation could lead to SYSTEM privileges, but Microsoft states that the Preview Pane is not a vector," Barnett said. "The advisory doesnt provide much more information; patches are available for Office 2019, 2021, and Apps for Enterprise. Office 2016 is not listed, which might signify that it isnt vulnerable, or could mean that patches will be provided later." He noted that this is the final Patch Tuesday for Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. "The only way to receive security updates for these versions of Windows from now on is to subscribe to Microsofts last-resort Extended Security Update program. "Windows 11 21H2 Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, and SE also move past the end of support. No ESU program is available for Windows 11 client OS, so Windows 11 21H2 assets are insecure-by-default from now on. In all cases, both Microsoft and Rapid7 recommend upgrading to a newer version of Windows as soon as possible." Mike Walters, president and co-founder of risk-based patch management software vendor Action1, said Microsoft had stated the HTTP/2 Rapid Reset Attack (CVE-2023-44487) was being exploited in the wild, although there was as yet no available proof-of-concept. He noted that the zero-day affecting Skype for Business was being exploited in the wild; in this case, there was a public proof-of-concept. The same applied to the third zero-day, CVE-2023-36563. Walters said the most severe among the critical vulnerabilities was CVE-2023-35349 which targeted the Microsoft Message Queuing Service. "This vulnerability possesses a network-based attack vector, a low level of attack complexity, requires no special privileges, and demands no user interaction," he pointed out. "Notably, it carries a CVSS rating of 9.8, signifying its extreme severity, as successful exploitation could empower an unauthenticated attacker to remotely execute code on the vulnerable server. This threat extends its reach to Windows 10 and later versions, as well as Windows Server 2008 and beyond." Networking and cloud solutions provider Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE) has partnered with telecommunications builder, carrier, and operator ASN Telecom to meet the demand for network infrastructure in Australia. ASN Telecom will leverage ALEs suite of networking infrastructure solutions with emphasis on gigabit passive optical network infrastructure and software. Both companies say the partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing the network capabilities of numerous upcoming developments, ensuring residents have access to high-quality telecommunications services. ASN Telecom partner and sales manager Scott Mains said ALEs products including their GPON solutions align with the companys mission to develop connectivity to new developments. Leveraging their expertise in the construction industry, ASN Telecom will implement the industry blueprints rolled out as part of ALEs partnership expansion with Nokia in Australia. With ASN Telecoms stellar reputation and expertise providing fibre to new commercial and residential property developments, there is a strong synergy with ALEs product portfolio. Our industry blueprints tailored for the property development sector will vastly improve the connectivity for residents and create plenty of opportunities for ASN Telecom and ALE to enable advanced services to be rolled out quickly and effectively, at scale, remarked ALE country business leader in ANZ Maud Holvast. COMPANY NEWS: i-PRO, a global leader in professional security solutions for surveillance and public safety, today announced that the Grimaldi Forum Monaco (GFM) has chosen i-PRO multi-sensor and Fisheye security cameras with advanced AI-based analytics to enhance visitor safety, protect priceless artworks, and ensure a seamless and secure experience during high-profile events. Located in the city-state of Monaco, the Grimaldi Forum serves as a prominent venue for conferences, conventions, cultural events, and world-class art exhibitions. With a commitment to visitor safety and the preservation of priceless artworks, this state-of-the-art facility hosts over 100 diverse events annually, attracting more than 250,000 people a year. In the summer of 2023, the Grimaldi Forum showcased the prestigious "Monet in Full Light" exhibition, welcoming 120 000 visitors in two months and featuring nearly 100 of Claude Monet's masterpieces, including rare and previously unseen works. When faced with the challenge of enhancing security infrastructure while supporting organisational processes, Grimaldi Forum Monaco director of safety, fire, and risk prevention Philippe Martin, turned to Monaco-based system integrator MES I2S Security to install over 100 i-PRO cameras, including fisheye and multi-sensors with advanced AI-based analytics. When the Forum re-opened its doors to the public after a shutdown period due to Covid, we were looking for a solution that would help us manage the number and flow of visitors while ensuring the security of the premises. At the time, we were also planning for the much-anticipated Monet exhibition, so we wanted to find the best possible technology to protect these unique masterpieces without interfering with the visitor experience or compromising with the venues aesthetic values, said Martin. Wide range coverage without blind spots: Combining exceptional imaging performance with wide-area surveillance and IR LED lighting, i-PROs multi-sensor cameras allow the Grimaldi Forum security teams to monitor the activity across a large room while also enabling them to focus with great precision on a precise area of interest, any time of day or night. Grimaldi Forum was able to considerably reduce the number of cameras required, thereby saving money. If it wasnt for the wide range of coverage offered by i-PROs multi-sensor cameras, we would have had to add another 77 cameras, said Martin. Not only do they offer wider coverage capabilities with a larger tilt range than other multi-sensor cameras on the market, but they are small and discreet so they can blend into the design of our beautiful facility. Protecting valuable artworks: Grimaldi Forum implemented i-PROs Scene Change Detection, an AI-based analytic application that alerts security teams to anomalies within the cameras field of view. This technology safeguards artworks by identifying unusual behaviour or unauthorised proximity to valuable pieces. The Scene Change Detection app is operated simultaneously with other apps such as AI Video Motion Detection (VMD) of objects, allowing the security team to conduct multiple detections with one camera. i-PROs AI VMD can send security guards an alarm when an intruder enters a specified area or if that person loiters in an area where they are not supposed to be. It can also trigger an alarm if a specific threshold is crossed. AI-based object detection minimises false alarms due to changes of light or passing shadows. Real-time, proactive monitoring: Using the i-PRO Active Guard plug-in, the Grimaldi Forum security team can quickly conduct real-time searches during an incident or deep forensic analysis post-event. They no longer have to spend time looking at multiple screens for persons of interest or watch hours of recorded video to search for important events. Operators can identify specific attributes in their watch lists (for instance male wearing a red shirt and blue pants), and the plug-in will send them a real-time alarm whenever a match is identified, a feature that is unique to i-PRO. This enhances real-time situational awareness and enables proactive security. The same process can be set up for fast data mining of events during forensic investigations. Managing occupancy and visitor flow: i-PRO fisheye cameras were strategically positioned at entrances and major axes to monitor large areas. The advanced AI analytics in these cameras enable Grimaldi Forum to detect congestion, manage visitor traffic flow, and count the number of people in specific areas. Heat maps provide statistical insights into traffic flow. Martin expressed his satisfaction with the implemented technology: The technology we have implemented has precisely met the objectives we set at the beginning of this project, says Martin. But the human aspect cannot be understated; the teams at i-PRO, and MES i2S have been amazing to work with. The successful deployment of i-PRO's security systems has not only ensured visitor safety during high-profile events like the Monet exhibition but has also strengthened the Grimaldi Forum Monacos security posture to handle a variety of upcoming events and support future expansion plans. For a detailed case study on the Grimaldi Forum Monacos use of i-PRO technology, please go here. About i-PRO i-PRO is a global leader of advanced sensing technologies in the fields of Intelligent surveillance, public safety and industrial/medical imaging. Established in 2019, i-PRO was built on a legacy of over 60 years of innovation with Panasonic. The companys products, software and services extend human senses to capture moments of truth with innovations that inform and protect. In order to help create a safer world, i-PRO, supports the work of professionals who protect and save lives. GUEST RESEARCH: LinkedIn has today released marketing research and new product announcements which shows how the industry is ready to embrace AI. In the fast-paced world of B2B marketing, the ability to create impactful campaigns that resonate with the right audience is paramount. However, this endeavour often demands substantial time and resources. In fact, a staggering 67% of marketers in Australia believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be a game-changer in supporting their content creation and workload. Now, imagine saving valuable time in the campaign creation process. As such, LinkedIn is excited to announce Accelerate, a new and innovative automated B2B marketing campaign creation experience fuelled by AI. In as little as five minutes, Accelerate empowers marketers to craft end-to-end campaigns with automatic optimisations that target the right B2B audience while offering room for customisation before launching your campaign. This feature builds upon our suite of AI tools. Notably, automated placement has already shown a remarkable 47% improvement in cost per conversion, and Predictive Audiences have elevated cost per lead by 21%. This feature is currently available to a limited number of customers in North America. Over the coming weeks, more marketers in Australia, North America and India will have the option to try Accelerate. Accelerate is set to be available globally in 2024. Australia stands to benefit immensely from AI tools like Accelerate. Marketers in Australia can streamline day-to-day tasks, gain a competitive edge, and tap into newfound creative and strategic opportunities. This development is particularly timely as key highlights from our new research reveals that: AI enhances APAC marketers productivity - Across APAC, almost 1 in 2 marketing professionals have shared the sentiment that AI has helped improve their work such as copywriting and creating presentations. 61% of Australian marketing professionals shared that AI can save time by summarising lengthy articles and videos. - Across APAC, almost 1 in 2 marketing professionals have shared the sentiment that AI has helped improve their work such as copywriting and creating presentations. 61% of Australian marketing professionals shared that AI can save time by summarising lengthy articles and videos. Interest for AI knowledge within marketing professionals - 55% of marketing professionals in Australia, believe that they should explore and be more knowledgeable about AI. - 55% of marketing professionals in Australia, believe that they should explore and be more knowledgeable about AI. Desire for AI assistance - A noticeable desire for assistance is evident, with 47% of Aussie marketing professionals expressing their interest in using AI to aid them in their job functions. - A noticeable desire for assistance is evident, with 47% of Aussie marketing professionals expressing their interest in using AI to aid them in their job functions. Greater access to insights - AI will provide 40% of Aussie marketing professionals with faster access to knowledge and insights, boosting their confidence in their work. - AI will provide 40% of Aussie marketing professionals with faster access to knowledge and insights, boosting their confidence in their work. Generative AI for Content Creation - In APAC, 33% of Australian B2B marketers are eager to rely on generative AI (GAI) for creating more content in less time, and 55% plan to use GAI to increase efficiency for higher-value work. - In APAC, 33% of Australian B2B marketers are eager to rely on generative AI (GAI) for creating more content in less time, and 55% plan to use GAI to increase efficiency for higher-value work. Work-life balance and job satisfaction - 41% of marketing professionals in Australia expect AI to reduce their workload, leading to improved work-life balance. Matt Tindale, Senior Director, Head of LMS APAC, says At Linkedin, were incredibly excited about how AI will help our customers unlock new dimensions of their brands story and improve their performance, enabling them to focus on higher-value work. From our research on the subject, weve found that many marketers believe embracing AI empowers them to upskill in their careers. At the same time, the technology helps businesses navigate the ever-evolving industry landscape. This is why were investing in products such as Accelerate, allowing marketers to be able to set up a campaign on LinkedIn in just five minutes. We believe changes such as this will support media and marketing professionals to redefine content creation, fuel creativity, and streamline campaigns. Should you wish to receive a full press release, or any further details please feel free to reach out. Further information can be found in LinkedIns blog post on the announcement. GET ARGUS' DAILY SMILES TO YOUR INBOX. SIGN UP FOR THE JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. New York held an Italian-American parade Monday celebrating Christopher Columbus. In 1492 the explorer left not knowing where he was going, arrived not knowing where he was, went home not knowing where he'd been, and he did it all on government money. He was the world's first Democrat. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that he will run for President of the United States in 2024 as an independent rather than as a Democrat. Bobby is in long-term recovery from alcohol, cocaine, pot and sex addiction. Picture enjoying Bush, Obama, Clinton and Trump all in one president. President Biden was criticized in the media Sunday for hosting a barbecue that included a band to pay tribute to his White House staffers while Americans were being held hostage in Gaza. The band was ordered not to play any song that might offend the president. That ruled out playing Stairway to Heaven. The White House said climate change is as dangerous as nuclear war Monday while the Middle East erupted again. The media gave white supremacy and gas cars the day off. Every morning when I wake up, I immediately turn on the news to see which chapter of Revelation we'll be doing today. The New York Post reported that Hamas terrorists evaded Israeli air radar by flying lightweight para-gliders at low altitude into Israel powered by small motors and then opening fire on civilians. Even the Weather Channel is outraged. They just reported that the five-day forecast for Gaza is two days. Israel declared war on the Palestinian group Hamas in retaliation for the barbaric cross-border raid Saturday, risking a regional war. Oil prices quickly soared along with a spike in other consumer costs. If you were looking to get out of that time-share in Gaza, the weekly maintenance fee has gone up. The Wall Street Journal reports Iran co-created the Hamas attack on Israel from the south, now at risk of rocket attack by Hezbollah from the north and all-out war. U.S. warships are en route to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. We go back there every October for Fan Appreciation Day. Israel received a few mixed grumbles from the U.S. Congress in its counterattack against Hamas Monday. The sometimes-loopy GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in 2018 claimed that California wildfires are started by Jewish Space Lasers. You'd think they could shoot down para-gliders. Joe Biden spent two days being deposed by the Special Counsel in his presidential documents case. The over and under on the I Do Not Recall's is six hundred. Biden plans to get out of this jam by asserting they are not presidential documents if he wasn't legally elected president in the first place. (COMMENT, BELOW) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. Americans are embroiled in conflicts over parental rights. On one side are progressives who believe their job, nay, their sacred duty, is to expose American public school students as young as kindergarten to "diverse" content on sexuality, gender and race. On the other side are millions of parents wondering when schools will get around to teaching kids to read, write and do basic math. The big question is: Whose children are they, anyway? The progressives believe that by virtue of the fact that children are in public school, they belong to the public to mold (and manipulate). Other parents have a different view: where they spend their days doesn't change the fact that at the end of those days, they still belong solely to their parents. In the 1997 Supreme Court case Washington v. Glucksberg, the court decided that the Constitution, specifically the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, protects the fundamental right of parents to direct the care, upbringing and education of their children. Our kids don't belong to whoever was assigned as their classroom teacher in a given year; they belong to their parents. Recently, I attended what the parental rights group Moms for Liberty called a "townhall" in deep blue Montgomery County, Maryland, my home. The county has been ground zero for every educational controversy taking place nationwide. Recently, it was the most infamous area to bring back school masks in the fall of this year. The county is also at the center of a national controversy about school books, a recent hot-button contention between the left and right. The public school district is embroiled in a lawsuit brought by religious Muslim and Christian parents because they have removed the right for parents to opt their children out of controversial LGBT+ books in elementary school. Put simply, the school will not allow parents to decide what their children can read. This is not a group of parents trying to dictate to other parents what's on the library shelves or in the curriculum; they're simply asking for the right to pull their kids out of the classroom when the teacher reads a book to kindergartners called "Pride Puppy." It's not a big ask. It shouldn't be, anyway. Outside the townhall meeting, a small group of protesters gathered. One tweeted a photo of a man holding rainbow flags and a sign that read "We Don't Co-Parent with Religious Fascists." The sign was a play on the slogan of Moms for Liberty, which proclaims "We Don't Co-Parent with the Government." A local resident, Eric Saul, tweeted the photo of the sign with the caption, "F*** Moms for Liberty." Cheryl Bost, the president of the Maryland State Education Association, an influential teacher union, clicked like on Saul's tweet. There is a line drawn: On one side, religious parents and conservative activists, and on the other, LGBT+ activists in power in the state and county. Moustafa, a Muslim father in the area active in the fight to reinstate the right to opt-out, remarked about the sign, "Isn't it interesting that those who think of themselves of progressive and tolerant take the old Islamophobic right's sloganeering from 15 years ago? Wolves in sheep's clothing." This incident reveals the true nature of the left's so-called tolerance. Progressives using Montgomery County as a staging ground for policies they hope to export nationwide only care about religious parents insofar as they can use them. And if their faith gets too icky, they can and will be discarded. That's not the American way. Immigrant Muslim parents recognize that fact, and the Supreme Court also recognizes it. It's time for progressives and school boards to realize it, too. Bethany Mandel is a co-author of "Stolen Youth: How Radicals Are Erasing Innocence and Indoctrinating a Generation." MATTOON Flight nurse Kelly Hamill successfully advocated for Air Evac Lifeteam to obtain new Bubble CPAP non-invasive ventilation equipment for its east Central Illinois crews to use to help young children in respiratory distress. Now, Hamill and fellow Mattoon-based flight nurse Dakota Shadwell are set to receive a nationwide recognition for using that equipment this spring to save the life of a preterm baby, born at about 6 months gestation, who weighed only 2 pounds. Hamill, of Effingham, and Shadwell, of Strasburg, are among those who will be honored during the American Ambulance Association Stars of Life Awards Ceremony on Nov. 5-8 in Washington. This award is among the highest honors an EMS professional can receive, said Megan Kelly, program director for Air Evac Lifeteam in Mattoon. She said the two flight nurses are "being recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty in a clinically and emotionally tense situation involving a newborn baby." Hamill said this call for service began one night in late spring when she, Shadwell and their pilot were dispatched from their air base on the grounds of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon to HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville. A woman had given birth prematurely at home and had then been taken with her baby to Good Shepherd's emergency department, Hamill said. Medical staff there reported the baby was having trouble breathing. Hamill said her crew advised them that they could use their Bubble CPAP equipment to help. "We took care of baby and kept an eye on mom," Hamill said. She said they used this equipment with a RAM Cannula oxygen delivery device to provide respiratory care until an ambulance arrived to take the baby to a neonatal facility. Hamill, who has worked as a flight nurse for more than a decade and is the base clinical lead in Mattoon, said her previous professional experience with a neonatal intensive care unit led to her being a proponent of the new Bubble CPAP equipment, which is designed specifically for small and fragile patients. In addition, Hamill said she figured this non-invasive ventilation equipment would be helpful for the young patients they see with RSV and other respiratory issues. Consequently, Hamill said she was glad to receive Bubble CPAP training through her employer's Kentucky bases and help bring this training back home. "I can't be prouder of the crews for really taking a hold of this project and really wanting to learn about it and utilize these pieces of equipment," Hamill said. Shadwell, who has been a flight nurse for a year and a half now, said local Air Evac Lifeteam crews have already used the new Bubble CPAP equipment that they obtained several months ago to help a few infants, but the one at the Shelbyville call was the smallest so far. "It was a team effort. Everyone involved made the outcome good," Shadwell said of helping the preterm baby. He remained modest about him and Hamill receiving peer-nominated Star of Life awards for this call for service. "It is an honor, but we both feel like we were just doing our jobs." Once the scourge of environmentalists for its radioactive waste, nuclear power is now clean in North Carolina. At least thats the view of state law after both chambers of the General Assembly on Tuesday overrode Gov. Roy Coopers veto of energy-related legislation passed in September. The designation sets the stage for Duke Energys plan to make its Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County the first new nuclear power plant in the state since 1987, and rides a resurgent interest in atomic energy as a consistent generator of emissions-free electricity regardless of how hard the wind blows and when the sun shines. You cant get a more reliable, cleaner, low-carbon-producing energy source than nuclear, Republican Rep. Dean Arp of Union County argued Tuesday during debate before the override vote. Nuclear plants dont produce heat-trapping pollution that contributes to climate change the way those that burn fossil fuels do. But emissions shouldnt be the exclusive measuring stick for the environmental impact of energy generation, argued Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Guilford County Democrat. Nuclear waste we have no spot for it (and) it lasts for thousands of years, so it really isnt clean energy, she said. Because there are no federally approved repositories for spent nuclear fuel, the U.S. has paid more than $9 billion to utilities including Duke Energy in North Carolina to store the radioactive waste in cooling pools and concrete containers at the power plants where it was generated. About 88,000 metric tons of spent fuel is scattered among 77 sites in 35 states, including three Duke facilities in North Carolina. Atomic affirmation With Tuesdays override, state statutes now will refer to clean energy rather than renewable energy when referencing emissions-free electricity generation. Sen. Paul Lowe of Forsyth County was the only Senate Democrat to back the bill, although he voted against the override Tuesday. Eight Democrats in the House supported the legislation, and five eventually sided with the Republican majority in the successful override. The new language effectively affirms nuclear as an option for Duke Energy in its plan to meet state-mandated standards to slash climate-impacting pollution from electricity production 70% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels and reaching carbon-neutral status by the middle of the century. (The bill) highlights nuclears critical importance as a carbon-free resource in our all of the above strategy (for meeting emissions goals), and we remain committed to moving forward with exploring the potential for an advanced nuclear facility that brings jobs, new investment and clean energy to our Belews Creek facility in Stokes County, Duke spokesman Bill Norton said in an email to the Journal Tuesday. The legislation also lifts some requirements related to the construction of nuclear facilities and expands what the N.C. Utilities Commission must consider before approving power projects, including energy availability and capacity, as well as the costs of maintenance and decommissioning. Nuclear facilities can generate large amounts of energy around the clock while solar and wind power are subject to the cycles and whims of nature. Solar panels and wind turbines also have lifespans of about a quarter-century. I think (the laws language) just facilitates the expansion of nuclear, which we know is not cost-effective especially when you compare it to energy efficiency and the other investments that have directly benefited every single county in the state and the states economy, Harrison said. The shift At 50-year-old Belews Creek, nuclear generation would replace power currently produced by the burning of coal and natural gas, which emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide, the leading contributor to human-caused climate change. The transition would involve the addition of so-called small modular reactors that can be built in a factory and shipped in pieces to their ultimate destinations, allowing for a gradual ramp-up in generating capacity to 300 megawatts. Dukes 11 existing nuclear units at 11 sites in North and South Carolina average about 1,000 megawatts. The company plans to apply for Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval for the Belews Creek project in 2025, with construction commencing around 2030 and production beginning sometime from the mid-2030s into the 2040s. Photos: Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station Belews Lake and Steam Station HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES A Winston-Salem man is facing a murder charge in connection with Sundays shooting death of another man, authorities said Tuesday. Kevin Levon Holman, 37, of Betty Drive, is charged with felony murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, Winston-Salem police said. Holman is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail with no bond allowed. Charlotte Mecklenburg police arrested Holman on Sunday, police said. Calvin Lavar Cunningham, 34, of Cherryville Lane, was shot to death early Sunday morning in the 3800 block of North Glenn Avenue, police said. Officers responded at 4:52 a.m. to a reported shooting, police said. When officers arrived, they found Cunningham with multiple gunshot wounds, police said. Emergency medical technicians attempted life-saving measures, but Cunningham died from his injuries at the scene. Detectives are investigating the shooting. Anyone with information about this case can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is on Facebook. The Text-a-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker said Tuesday night that he is angry that Hamas terrorists invaded Israel Saturday, killing hundreds of Israeli soldiers and civilians as well taking about 100 people hostage. My angers continue to surface whenever I dwell on the events in the past few days, Cytron-Walker said to about 125 people who gathered in Temple Emanuel for its vigil called Solidarity with Israel service. Hamas is not for the Palestinian people, Cytron-Walker said. Hamas is committed to destroying Israel. We stand in solidarity with Israel. The vigil at Temple Emanuel occurred a few hours after President Joe Biden said that Hamas militants were holding Americans hostage and that 14 U.S. citizens were confirmed to be among at least 1,000 people killed during a broad cross-border attack on Israel, the New York Times reported. At least 900 Palestinians have been killed, including 260 children and another 4,500 have been wounded by Israeli airstrikes, the newspaper reported. So far, about 1,500 Hamas militants have died, according to news reports. On the fourth day of the war, Israeli warplanes attacked the Gaza strip neighborhood by neighborhood, reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling to find safety in the tiny-sealed off territory suffering severe retaliation for the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants, the Associated Press reported. At Temple Emanuel, Cytron-Walker said that his heart was filled with sadness. The Hamas leaders are anti-semitic and want to bring death to all Jews, Cytron-Walker said. Hamas terrorists killed indiscriminately and rejoiced in those deaths, he said. Hamas has proven why the people of Gaza have suffered, Cytron-Walker said. The Palestinian people will continue to struggle. Hamas invasion of Israel brought back memories to Cytron-Walker when he was taken hostage with three others at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas in January 2022. Im angry because I still hear my hostage-taker repeating, I love death more than you love life, Cytron-Walker said. He acknowledged that Palestinian people have suffered over the decades, but Hamas doesnt care about them, Cytron-Walker said. During the service, Cytron-Walker and Rabbi Andrew Ettin, a professor emeritus at the Wake Forest University Department for the Study of Religions, led the congregants in prayers for the Israeli people and its military forces. Young Israeli soldiers are praying that they will accomplish their mission, return alive to their families and not have anyones blood on their hands, Ettin said. What we are praying for is a cessation of war with a good humanitarian outcome as best as it can be, Ettin said. I pray for the well-being of Israel, which marks the dawn of hope for all who seek peace and strengthen the hands of those who defend our holy land. Ettin also prayed for the Israeli Defense Force to safely rescue the hostages taken by Hamas without further loss of life. Naomi Greenberg of Winston-Salem, a member of Temple Emanuel, shared a letter written to her by her 74-year-old father who lives in Israel. Greenberg said her father is living in scary conditions, and he believes that the Hamas invasion should have never happened. Organizers also showed a video to the audience from U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning, D-6th, who said that the Israeli military will prevail in its war against Hamas. The United States stands with Israel, Manning said, and the U.S. government will ensure that Israel will get what it needs to win the war. PHOTOS: Temple Emanuel stands in solidarity with Israel after Hamas attack in Gaza UPDATE: Deanna Michelle Shaw has been safely located. ORIGINAL POST: Winston-Salem police are looking for a missing and homeless woman in the area of Waughtown Street, authorities said Tuesday. Deanna Michelle Shaw, 38, was last seen Tuesday in the 1000 block of Waughtown Street in the city's southeastern section, police said. Shaw is homeless and is known to frequent the south side of Winston-Salem. Her direction of travel is unknown, police said. However, Shaw was reportedly seen getting into a faded royal blue car, similar to 2008 Honda Civic, police said. Shaw was wearing a red-hooded sweatshirt and carrying a black and white polka dot backpack purse with a red bow on it. Shaw is a white woman who stands 5 feet 5 inches in height and weighs 152 pounds, police said. Shaw has blonde hair and blue eyes. Shaw has tattoos consisting of a butterfly with a tribal band on her lower back, a heart with horns on her right wrist, an infinity heart on her left hand, an angel on her lower left leg, a cartoon angel on her left calf and a butterfly with a moon on her left thigh, police said. Shaw also has a scar on her right forearm, police said. Anyone with information about Shaw's whereabouts can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 226-728-3904. The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police. A Lincoln company on Tuesday was named Nebraska's Manufacturer of the Year. TMCO Inc., which does custom manufacturing, was honored during the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce's annual Manufacturing Summit in La Vista. The chamber says the annual award recognizes a Nebraska manufacturer that implements innovative ways to conduct business using products, processes, technologies and other strategies. TMCO perfectly represents manufacturing in Nebraska. Theyve developed a welcoming place to work for people of all backgrounds, serve their customers with pride and dedication, and have led on technology investment since day one, Nebraska Chamber Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Mike Johnson said in a news release. TMCO, which stands for Total Manufacturing Company, started out in 1974 in just 850 square feet of space in downtown Lincoln. It has since grown to more than 300,000 square feet of space and nearly 200 employees. Its an honor to highlight the work of family-owned small business. I think that manufacturing is a very special sector of Nebraska business and to be recognized as Nebraska Manufacturer of the Year is a really big honor for us, said TMCO CEO Diane Temme Stinton, whose father, Roland Temme, founded the company. The work of the Nebraska Chamber to advocate for the manufacturing sector is positioning us for some really exciting opportunities. Top Journal Star photos for October 2023 A man serving up to 40 years in prison for sexual assault died Monday at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln where he was being held. Victor Ozuna, 53, was being treated for a medical condition, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release. Ozuna's sentence began in September 2016. He was serving 32-40 years. Ozuna was found guilty in Douglas County District Court for a sexual assault he committed in November 2000. The victim came forward with the assault in May 2015. At the time of the attack Ozuna, was 19 years old. The victim was a 12-year-old girl. Under state law, a grand jury investigates whenever someone dies while under law enforcement custody. Ozuna's death is the first one at the Reception and Treatment Center, at 3218 W. Van Dorn St., since six inmates there died in a span of less than a month in June and July. Top Journal Star photos for October 2023 Last week, a 27-year-old inmate died at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution after he started a fire in his cell. China, Saudi Arabia launch joint naval special operations training Xinhua) 08:39, October 11, 2023 GUANGZHOU, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China and Saudi Arabia held an opening ceremony for the "Blue Sword-2023" joint naval special operations training in Zhanjiang, southern China's Guangdong Province, on Monday. Team commanders and trainees from both militaries took part in the ceremony, with the two countries' national anthems playing and the team commanders delivering speeches. The elementary training and professional training stages of the "Blue Sword-2023" feature a total of 24 subjects, including fast-roping, boat driving and multi-weapon shooting, while the comprehensive drill stage features maritime rescue skill training and joint rescue drills. Team commanders from both militaries expressed their hope that the training will improve the trainees' combat capacity and further deepen the two countries' military exchanges and cooperation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Nebraska Wesleyan University is teaming up with Lincoln Public Schools to provide more opportunities in the social studies department for teachers and students with a $1.9 million grant. The grant awarded to NWU by the U.S. Department of Education will fund a three-year partnership program between the two institutions to provide free dual-credit and Advanced Placement courses for students, and allow current social studies teachers to apply for free college credit hours through the university. Thousands of students across all middle and high schools at LPS will be impacted, said Jaci Kellison, K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Specialist. The program aligns with LPS All Means All Action Plan by not only making advanced honors courses more accessible to students, but by giving teachers a cost-free opportunity to learn, too, Kellison said. It's going to remove barriers for them, she said. They can have access to really high-quality materials, high-quality teaching, that can continue through the opportunities that this grant is going to provide. Starting in January, LPS middle and high school teachers who teach social studies can apply for the 60 available spots to earn 18 free hours of college credit at NWU. Classes are set to begin next summer and will take place outside of teachers regular contract time during the school year so anyone can take advantage of the opportunity. The classes are designed to prepare teachers to meet the needs of all students enrolled in social studies honors courses at LPS. Those who successfully complete the program may be eligible to teach in the Wesleyan Honors Academy, a dual-credit program for students. Kellison said she is excited to see social studies teachers from across the district come together through the program. We already have a great community of social studies teachers in Lincoln Public Schools, Kellison said. No matter what school you teach at, no matter what grade level you teach at, you're going to have the opportunity to network and collaborate with folks from across the city. In terms of students, the funding will provide scholars the opportunity to take college-level courses at Nebraska Wesleyan for dual credit at no cost. The grant also covers the nearly $100 fee to take AP exams for students in United States history, human geography and American government. LPS students will be able to attend free exam preparation sessions at NWU on Saturdays during the spring semester. There, they will have the chance to work with faculty to prepare for the tests, said Kevin Bower, professor of history at the university. Bower, who leads the project, said the process to apply for the federal grant was strenuous. Nebraska Wesleyan and LPS began working on the application in May and didnt submit it until July, he said. It really becomes almost a full time job for a number of people," Bower said. Nebraska Wesleyan's was one of 25 awarded by the Education Department, and the $1.9 million it received makes it the largest competitive federal grant the university has received in a decade. Now, Bower is just ready to get the program started. My teaching has been enhanced, and my career has been enhanced, by working with LPS teachers for the last 17 or 18 years, he said. The chance to have all those folks in one place again, learning from one another, working together to figure out how to serve students, that generates a lot of excitement. Photos: Inside the new Standing Bear High School in southeast Lincoln Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 Standing Bear Highschool, 7.21 When the next election arrives, Lincoln voters will have more than one place to drop off early ballots. The Lancaster County Board on Tuesday approved installing permanent drop boxes at Lincoln City Library branches in four quadrants of the city: Gere (southeast); Eisely (northwest); Walt (southwest); and Anderson (northeast). The board did so over the objections of a group that regularly appears before the board with election fraud concerns, but Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen said Lancaster County is an outlier when compared to Nebraskas other largest counties. Douglas County has 354,748 registered voters and 13 drop boxes; Sarpy County has 123,511 registered voters and seven drop boxes; and Hall County has one drop box for its 32,964 voters. Lancaster County currently has one for its 200,244 registered voters. As more voters vote early, the accessibility of drop box locations needs to improve, Wiltgen told the board. In May's city elections, he said, nearly 18,000 early voters used the drop box at the election commissioner's office and it created traffic and safety problems. The boxes will comply with a 2022 state law passed to improve voter security: They will be secured in concrete and locked. During the pandemic, Lancaster County had 10 additional drop boxes at libraries and in Hickman and Waverly, but they were on counters, not permanently affixed. Commissioner Matt Schulte was the only no vote, voicing concerns of many of the regular speakers: that there will be no video surveillance and that theyre not necessary if voters made use of the single drop box. Firefighters send a message The simmering debate between the city and one of its unions bubbled to the surface recently at the Nebraska Democratic Partys Ben Nelson Gala an annual fundraising event in Omaha. A group of Lincoln and Omaha firefighters in attendance held up signs during the event which Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird emceed that said Support Lincoln Firefighters and Fair Contract Now. Lincoln firefighters are one of two city unions that reached an impasse in negotiations a rare event in recent years. The Public Association of Government Employees rejected the city's last best offer, which the City Council narrowly approved. The firefighters union responded to the last best offer with an offer of its own: a one-year rather than a three-year contract, said Union President Adam Schrunk. The city responded with its same three-year offer, which Schrunk said the union members must vote on, though it will likely head to the council even if they reject it. With PAGE, the biggest issue was pay. With the firefighters, the union wanted to change shift requirements for paramedics so they could stay in their assigned stations more often, rather than being transferred to other stations, often to work on ambulances because of a shortage of paramedics. Schrunk said paramedics are the only firefighters not offered that arrangement and the union was willing to wait to implement the new rules until July, after the city had a chance to hire new firefighters and paramedics with a recently announced $5.9 million grant. City officials contend operational issues shouldnt be in the contract, Schrunk said, but he contends much of the contract deals with operational issues. We just wanted to send a little message, he said. Investigation continuing An investigation by the state ombudsmans office into Lancaster County Youth Services is continuing despite a recent state attorney general's opinion. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued an opinion in August that the offices charged with overseeing the state's child welfare and corrections systems are unconstitutional. Almost immediately, the Office of Inspector General and the state ombudsmans office were shut out of the states online systems that track incidents, disciplinary actions, grievances and other reports for inmates, children in the care of the state, as well as employees who work with what officials describe as vulnerable populations. Employees of both the state departments of Health and Human Services and Corrections were directed to refer any inquiries from the inspector general to the legislative liaisons of their respective agencies. Things are playing out differently in Lancaster County. State Ombudsman Julie Rogers said the county hasnt limited access to the inspector generals office, so the investigation of complaints relating to the office is continuing. The investigation had begun when Lancaster County Youth Services Director Steven Wesley resigned abruptly in August, less than two years after he was hired. Rogers has declined comment about the substance of the complaints, though county officials confirmed Wesley had been suspended with pay before he resigned. The county is doing a national search for a new director and recently completed finalist interviews. Last month, the County Board appointed County Corrections Director Brad Johnson as interim director, replacing a team of people from youth services and the jail. County, state reach compromise Remember in May when state probation abruptly pulled kids placed at the Youth Services Center over a dispute about the daily rate the state pays to house them? Last month the two sides reached a compromise: a $334 per diem rate, which comes closer to reimbursing the county's full costs. County officials said in May it costs them $399 per day and was projected to increase to $465 a day this fiscal year. The state had been paying $278 a day since 2017, and had increased the rate to $315 a day on May 1. County officials told the state they'd charge the higher rate and bill the state for interest on any unpaid amount and the state began pulling kids out. The state's action caught county officials off guard, and resulted in several young people being moved to facilities farther away from their families. Nebraska State Probation pays the Youth Services Center to house young people who have been adjudicated through the juvenile court system and are awaiting final placement, as well as those who have been detained for probation violations. They make up a significant percentage of the facility's population and almost immediately after the state pulled the young people in May, probation began using the Youth Services Center again even though there was no contract in place. Top Journal Star photos for October 2023 RACINE Police said a standoff between a barricaded subject and the Racine Police Department on the 1600 block of West Boulevard ended with the subject being taken into custody Tuesday night. Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, public information officer for RPD, said the male subject had multiple warrants in different jurisdictions for his arrest. The person who called it in knew his name and knew that he had outstanding warrants, Wilcox said. The subject will not be publicly identified until charges are filed, Wilcox said. The standoff began 5:24 p.m. RPD negotiated with the barricaded subject and eventually deployed a flashbang, a device that has five loud bangs and bright flashes of light, Wilcox said. The subject was taken into custody, and the scene was cleared at 10:06 p.m., according to Wilcox. There was no danger to the public, and no injuries were reported. UPDATE Cody Hoegsted was identified as the man who barricaded himself in a residence on the 1600 block of West Boulevard and faces 12 new charges. Hoegsted was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and 10 counts of felony bail jumping and is being held on a $500 cash bond. RACINE A program focused on preventative oral care for students is returning to Racine schools. The Ascension Wisconsin Smart Smiles program, which provides dental assistance for free to students, will assist kids in 4K through eighth grade at 10 schools. This school year, dental professionals will provide information, dental screenings and oral health services at 21st Century Preparatory School, Bull Early Education Center, Gifford K-8 School, Gilmore Fine Arts K-8 School, Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School, Julian Thomas Elementary, Olympia Brown Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Schulte Elementary and Wadewitz Elementary. On Tuesday, Chelsea Chatman-Zierk, Smart Smiles dental hygienist, visited 21st Century Preparatory, 1220 Mound Ave., to provide oral health information to students. She and a dental assistant plan to present information this week and work on 21st Century Preparatory students next week. They will then visit the nine Racine Unified schools. Chatman-Zierk gave information to students on nutrition and how to properly brush their teeth. She often says it is important to change ones toothbrush every three months, brush ones teeth twice per day and floss daily. To receive Smart Smiles oral care, a students parent or guardian must fill out a sign-up sheet that students take home, or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemkTrM1JZTqIJGALFtx8SUFiRSHTXvwUeSovHu9-X1mGlsMg/viewform?pli=1. The Smart Smiles program is open to any Racine student who signs up regardless of income and insurance. Depending on the student, the dental services are paid for by Medicaid, the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation or the Racine Community Foundation. Annie Meece, Smart Smiles director, said it is key for students to know the importance of oral health, and bringing dental services to schools can eliminate barriers like cost and transportation. We all want to help people, and this is such a great way to help patients that dont have a way to help themselves sometimes, Meece said. These are kiddos that may or may not have a way to get to the dentist, somebody to take them, somebody to pay for that service. Oral health services offered by the program include dental screenings for things like a cavity or broken tooth. When treating students, Chatman-Zierk brushes their teeth, and children receive a bag with a new toothbrush and toothpaste. Students can also receive fluoride treatment, sealants to prevent cavities and referrals for urgent needs. Smart Smiles started in 2001 in Milwaukee and expanded to Racine last year. The program in Racine is based out of Ascension All Saints Hospital. Chatman-Zierk said she provided services for over 1,200 Racine students last school year. Chatman-Zierk was unsure what to expect when she started last year in the new role. There was a learning curve, but she enjoys working with students. With information and mobile dental equipment, Chatman-Zierk and a dental assistant work at a school for a week or two, helping any students who sign up to receive care. Chatman-Zierk said students willingness to be worked on varies, and her information beforehand usually aids in their comfort level. If we can get those classroom presentations in so they can see that Im not some scary dentist, theyre usually pretty excited, Chatman-Zierk said. For the most part, Id say theyre really open to it. Some students are nervous when receiving oral care, so Chatman-Zierk tries to put them at ease, and each student receives a free sticker afterward. I always assure them, I promise you I would never do anything to hurt you, Chatman-Zierk said. Im just here to help you. While others in the community are following the news of attacks in Israel through the headlines, Rabbi Betsy Forester is living a nightmare. My daughter and my husband are in Israel at this time, Forester, rabbi of the Beth Israel Center in Madison, wrote to the Wisconsin State Journal in an email Tuesday. My daughter, 31, lives (in Israel), and my husband went to visit her just before the war broke out. The world was stunned by reports Saturday that Hamas militants had killed hundreds of Israelis in a surprise attack. On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes hammered the Gaza Strip neighborhood by neighborhood in retaliation for the attack, reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling for safety. The fighting is particularly personal to some in the Madison area who have friends and family in the region. We are all frightened and horror-struck, Forester said of the attacks. My husband and daughter have gathered provisions in case they need to spend up to three days in a safe room, which the government has said everyone needs to be ready to do. Needless to say, the idea of a safe room does not feel safe at all right now, Forester said. And they dont have bathrooms. I just told my daughter to find a bucket. Unbelievable. Dozens of Palestinians gathered outside of Library Mall on the campus of UW-Madison Tuesday night to express their support for their homeland and their concern for those currently surrounded by the violence. One U.S.-born Palestinian, who asked not to be named, said he has family and friends in the region who tell him of bomb threats, pressure from Israelis to vacate their homes and forcible occupation. Theres danger every time you leave your house, he said. His family in Jerusalem has remained safe so far, but every time he checks in with them he says its clear theyre working hard to stay in their homes. Theyve been able to hold on, luckily, he said. We dont know what their fates going to be Ahead of another protest slated for Friday, he cites his faith as a source of strength. Were not worried, we know its all in the hands of God, hands of Allah. Jewish vigils On Sunday, both the Jewish student organization Hillel, located on the UW-Madison campus, and Temple Beth El, in coordination with Jewish Social Services and the Jewish Federation of Madison, held vigils. One of the speakers was Paula Winnig of Madison, who read a message on behalf of a friend in Israel. Winnig, a rabbi who works for the Union for Reform Judaism, said her friend was asking for prayers for the safe return of her sister, who had been kidnapped by Hamas. Her friend is careful to distinguish between the militant group Hamas and the people of Palestine, Winnig said. Winnig has spent much time at Kibbutz Beeri, founded in 1946 and located in Israel on the border with Gaza. Some 1,200 people live there. In the attacks, which destroyed much of the kibbutz, 50 were taken hostage and 108 dead bodies were found on the ground, Winnig said. Kibbutz Beeri is my home away from home, and the people who live there are like my family, she said. Many also employed people from Gaza, and even paid their wages when conflicts arose at the border and the employees could not cross into Israel, she said. Im just terribly sad. Kibbutz Beeri was a very special place. They really believed in peaceful coexistence. These are good people, people who tried to do the right thing in life. Living in fear Alan Klugman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Madison, said Monday that his sister and mother are in Tel Aviv, and have spent their time in safe rooms due to Hamas rockets being fired at the Israeli city since the attack began. Theyre living in fear, said Klugman, who added that his family and friends in Israel are mainly concerned with the scores of Israelis still held captive by Hamas. Theyre focused on mourning the dead and praying for those who are injured, he said. Forester, who wrote her email from Arizona, where she is doing volunteer work to aid refugees seeking asylum in the U.S., said the attacks in Israel have affected nearly everyone close to her. We have friends and family who have been called to the front lines, she said. Nearly every Jewish person I know knows someone who has been called to defend the country, or who is missing, or who had friends or relatives murdered or abducted. I would like our Madison neighbors to know that it feels surreal and adds to our pain that we carry this grief, fear and horror mostly alone. We do not see outrage coming from many groups, leaders or other individuals outside of the Jewish community. State Journal reporters Anna Hansen and Lucas Robinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. At least four people fired nearly 50 rounds in what Madison police are describing as an indiscriminate attack Tuesday night that killed a 15-year-old girl and wounded three other teens at a troubled Far East Side apartment complex. The shootings happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. at the Harmony at Grandview Commons at 116 Milky Way, off the 5900 block of Milwaukee Street. Its the second fatal shooting since July at the complex that Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said has seen 136 calls to police since that time. The victims of Tuesdays shooting have not yet been identified, but the girl killed was a sophomore at East High School, according to the Madison School District. Watch Live >> See the police press conference about the shooting Surveillance videos showed a car pulled up to the apartment complex, Barnes said during a press conference Wednesday. Four people immediately get out of the car and begin indiscriminately firing round after round, not caring for who or what they may strike. The three 14-year-olds injured in the shooting, also students in the Madison School District, include two boys who showed up at the hospital with gunshot wounds. One was treated and released, according to Barnes, and one was still at the hospital in serious but stable condition. A 14-year-girl suffered a bullet graze wound. Barnes said no suspects have been identified in the shooting that hit multiple homes in the area, including two occupied at the time by families with children. He said all the victims either lived in the Harmony complex or nearby, but police had no information that they had been targeted in the attack or what the shooters motive might have been, including whether it was connected to any past violence at the apartment complex. He urged members of the public with any information to contact Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com, and urged any youth with information about the incident to talk to an adult they trust. This child is dying One resident of the apartment complex and another who has a relative living there, but who declined to provide their names, on Wednesday morning said the teens killed and injured were residents of the complex and were shot at from a vehicle that came in through one of the complexs internal driveways and then drove away. One of them captured video of the aftermath of the shooting that showed police trying to save the life of the 15-year-old girl. In the video the man narrates: I was outside on my porch and a car pulled up and shot a little girl and three boys, they shot at them and the little girl shes laying there dying. ... Oh my God, this child is dying. The man said he lay down on his balcony when the shooting started, and at least 30 shots was fired. He didnt want to be identified because he was concerned about retaliation against his family. The other resident, a woman who said she moved there in May, said the complex was quiet before the shooting. Police remained on the scene until 4 or 5 a.m. Wednesday, she said. Barnes said the Harmony has been a priority location for police, which runs weekly programs there and holds monthly meetings with residents and city officials, among other efforts. But the residents the Wisconsin State Journal spoke with Wednesday morning said criminal activity by adults and youth at the complex is far too common. They steal cars, they break into peoples property, the woman said. In the schools Interim schools Superintendent Lisa Kvistad on Wednesday called the shooting an isolated situation, and while the district had no information about any threats of violence at its schools, We know that when violence and challenges happen in a community, the impacts carry over into our schools. Police said they were providing extra patrols around East and La Follette high schools and Whitehorse Middle School all on the citys East Side. In a note to parents Wednesday, La Follette principal Mat Thompson said students there were among those injured. In an email to East High families Wednesday morning, East principal Mikki Smith said the killing impacts our entire community and stirs a range of emotions, from fear and confusion, to grief and anger. She said support staff would be available in the schools Career Center to provide emotional support to students who need it and that it is essential that we come together to support one another and work toward breaking the cycle of violence. Today and always, we remain committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all of our students and staff, Kvistad said in a statement. There are no words to describe the immense impact of this tragedy, however, (the school district) is a united community and we will process this together. Past problems A dispute between two groups of males on July 13 left a 20-year-old man dead after some 60 shots were fired in the same driveway at the complex from which witnesses said the shooters fired on Tuesday. That earlier shooting had been targeted, Barnes said at the time, and stemmed from an interpersonal conflict. Two men have since been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless endangerment and possession of a firearm by a felon in the shooting, and one suspect remains at large. Last month, police also responded to a shooting at the Harmony after which 17 shell casing were recovered, Barnes said Wednesday, and while our department has been consistent in what we have done in that apartment complex since 2021, police do not always get the response that we want from Royal Capital, the complexs owner. The Harmony is managed by Madison-based Horizon property management and owned by Royal Capital of Milwaukee. A regional manager with Horizon, Terri Pearce, declined to comment on the shooting but said the company was working with police. Royal Capital did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Barnes said some meetings and programs at the Harmony have been canceled because of a lack of support from its managers. The department has also shared with them suggestions for improving lighting and video surveillance, and how to structure the parking lot to discourage crime. There have been 1,387 calls for police service at the complex since the start of 2020, according to police data. Troubled area The city of Madison declared the Harmony, a 94-unit low-income housing complex, a chronic nuisance in 2020, only a year after it opened. It had been plagued by complaints about noise, disturbances and occasional violence almost since its opening in March 2019. But that declaration was vacated in 2021 after owners made changes to improve conditions there. City officials said Wednesday they were taking steps to again force Royal Capital to make changes at the property to improve safety there. We have had quite a bit of concern about this area for some time, said Aurielle Smith, director of policy, planning and evaluation for Public Health Madison and Dane County, which has taken a lead role in local anti-violence efforts including at the Harmony since the July homicide. The agency is also actively working with residents at the nearby Meadowlands Apartments, 6834 Milwaukee St., which has also been named as a chronic nuisance. Tuesdays homicide was the 10th in Madison this year, equaling the record of 10 set in 2020 and again in 2021. State Journal reporters Jeff Richgels and Dean Mosiman contributed to this report. 1. Yes. If KHA cant continue to run it, the city should step in. Its a necessary asset to the area. 2. Yes. The city already uses it as a warming and cooling center. It would be a smart move. 3. No. It may be in the citys interest to help subsidize insurance for the center, but nothing more. 4. No. The city doesnt need the added burden of staffing and insuring the center. Its a bad idea. 5. Unsure. It may be seem like a good idea, but other options should be explored as well. Vote View Results LINCOLN The all-terrain tracked wheelchair, manufactured by Rocket Mobility in Columbus, has been named the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska for 2023. Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans were invited to vote in a head-to-head, bracket-style matchup of 16 finalists through the month of September to determine the 2023 winner. Among companies competing against Rocket Mobility were Pondtini in Elm Creek, make of small pontoon boats, and Royal Composites of Minden, which makes sophisticated aeronautic components from carbon fiber. This contest really puts the creativity, ingenuity, inventions, and entrepreneurship of Nebraska manufacturers on display, said Mike Johnson, chief operating officer and executive vice president of manufacturing for the NE Chamber. In addition to recognizing the skilled Nebraskans driving the manufacturing industry today, our goal is to illuminate these high-tech, problem-solving careers to the next generation. We hope the products and manufacturers in this contest inspire the youth of Nebraska to check out careers in this field," Johnson said. The contest is a great way to highlight our states manufacturing industry by showcasing the ingenuity and craftsmanship of products made right here in Nebraska, said NPPD Economic Development Manager Nicole Sedlacek. Its always so exciting to see what products compete because it shows how diverse Nebraskas manufacturing industry is and all of the incredible options it offers. The champion was announced Tuesday at the NE Chambers Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the 16 products featured in the tournament were invited to display their products. The contest hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber and NPPD, together with your local utility celebrates the states thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day. The popular contest leads the state into NE Manufacturing Month celebrated each year in October. KEARNEY Assessor Roy Meusch is focused on his computer screen these days as he reviews data to confirm the accuracy of assessed valuations. The figures hes reviewing are important because the valuations his office assigns to property will have a bearing on how many dollars in property taxes Buffalo County residents will pay to support schools, the county and other taxing entities. My big thing is to see that the properties are equitably appraised, Meusch said Tuesday after the Buffalo County Commissioners voted to set levies for the 2023-24 budget year based on the spending of schools and other taxing entities and the tax base in each entity. Overall, Buffalo Countys tax base has risen to about $6.6 billion. Thats up by about 10%, from the previous total of $6 billion. Although the tax base increased, there were just about 300 tax valuation protests. Thats a significant decrease, compared to prior years when property owners vigorously protested their valuations. The number of protests ranged from 1,700 to 2,700 per year, making Buffalo County one of Nebraskas most protested counties. Meusch attributed the decline in protests to his efforts to educate property owners. He also talked to builders and realtors to explain the functions of his office. He said he campaigned for his position on an open door promise and a three-step strategy to boost accuracy and consistency in the countys tax valuations. At this time one year ago, Meusch was focused on the first step in his three-year strategy to comprehensively update valuations. His first step was to update valuations on residential property inside the corporate limits of Kearney and the countys towns and villages. This year, Meuschs second year as assessor, the focus is updating valuations for rural residential property. In the third year, he will update commercial valuations, including property inside Kearney but mostly outside Kearney. We dont have to overhaul Kearney as much as outside of Kearney, he said. The focus in year two means Meuschs microscope is shifting to the homes and buildings that may be part of a rural subdivision, or occupy their own parcel in a rural setting. In all, Meusch said he aims to review the data on 4,600 properties to ensure accuracy and consistency. Some of the key issues hell examine are land value, replacement costs and depreciation. In total, there are about 25,000 parcels on Buffalo Countys tax rolls. Meuschs goal in confirming the accuracy and fairness of rural residential property will include what he calls neighborhood reviews that will include physical examinations of properties. He said his office, which has a staff of nine, also will be developing tools to aid the review process. Were going to create land models and lot models, he said. We also want to create a consistency with the replacement costs. I want to create depreciation tables that reflect the current market. Examining the selling prices for property in the same general area of properties that are the same general quality is helpful in the assessment process. Meusch said there are about 750 residential property sales annually. Were fortunate in Buffalo County to have sales to help us establish a market, he said. Property owners will get their first look at new valuations in early February. The rural valuations will look different. I want the new valuations ready so we can send out notices of valuation in the first week in February. Well have an opportunity then to work with the property owners. Meusch said the state of Nebraska produced a four-minute video thats useful for property owners who want to know what their assessor does and doesnt do. The video is available on the Buffalo County website on the assessors page. Meusch said hes available for group presentations to talk about his office and how it serves the public. Meusch is available at 308-236-1205. Bosley was a giant of a dog a cross between a mastiff and a Rottweiler. But he had a playful spirit, so it wasnt unusual that on a spring day in 2004 hed dash headlong into the sandpit lake near the Kappas family home, gulping water and chasing fish. The only remarkable detail of the otherwise routine trip to Buccaneer Bay, recalled owner Tom Kappas, was the bright green color of the water. Algae, he and his wife figured. Within an hour, Bosley was dead. And within days, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had a scientist on an airplane, headed to Nebraska to investigate Bosleys death and that of another dog. The scientist looked at the green yuck in the Cass County lake, Kappas recalled, and said, Oh, thats not supposed to be here. Toxic cyanobacteria. One of natures most powerful poisons. Commonly referred to as toxic algae or blue-green algae, the soupy mess was actually a bloom of aquatic bacteria. Normally benign, cyanobacteria are common across the planet. But under the right conditions as was the case in Buccaneer Bay that summer and dozens of Nebraska lakes since cyanobacteria can release potentially lethal poisons. It is a growing concern in water bodies worldwide. Toxic cyanobacteria can sicken and kill animals and in rare cases be fatal to people. It can make drinking water more costly to purify and the safety of eating fish uncertain. Exposure can come from contact with the water or breathing airborne particles. The 2004 incidents in Nebraska, along with similar ones in Iowa, Vermont and New York, were so jarring that the scientific community launched a new era of expanded testing and research in the United States, said Jennifer Graham, the research hydrologist who represents the U.S. Geological Survey on a federal task force focused on the issue. Now 20 years later, scientists have some answers. More information How do I find Nebraska test results? Testing occurs weekly from May through September. To see a list of lakes that are tested, the results and to sign up for an alert, visit NDEE Beach Watch https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/. What should I do if a lake tests high? Avoid contact with the water, but especially keep pets and children out of the water. Be aware that skiing or tubing could expose you to airborne particles. If your pet goes into the water, wash them off as soon as possible so that they dont lick the toxins on their coats. What does an outbreak look like? Toxic cyanobacteria can be present without being obvious. However, a major outbreak is visually unappealing and can be smelly. A bloom of toxic algae usually forms a thick green scum on the surface of the water, similar to John Deere green paint in color and consistency. As the bloom ages and cells begin to die, the bloom can turn a light blue or even whitish in color. Because many public and private lakes arent monitored and because toxic cyanobacteria can be in one part of a lake, but not another, people are encouraged to learn the signs of an outbreak. Sources: Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and U.S. Geological Survey They know that agricultural, urban and residential runoff is feeding the problem. They worry that human-caused climate change is supercharging it. But they have too few years of data to answer a basic question: Are outbreaks becoming more frequent? That's really the question scientists are asking now: Is the increase real, or do we just have a heightened awareness of the problem? Graham said. For some Nebraskans, especially those on the more intensely farmed eastern side of the state, the answer seems obvious: their lakes are changing and not for the better. Neil Harrison, a 71-year-old lifelong Nebraska fisherman, no longer takes his dogs to lakes in the Norfolk area and fishes there far less often. When I was younger, none of this was going on, he said. Its obvious that somethings changed. Case in point: Willow Creek Lake, located northwest of Norfolk. For years it has been one of the states most affected lakes. Since 2005, some summers have seen 10-14 weeks of unhealthy levels based on current health standards. So far this year alerts have been issued for seven weeks. We can't fish in our own neighborhood, Harrison said. Determining whether outbreaks are on the rise is no small question, given the potential harm if waterways become routinely fouled by toxic cyanobacteria, said Jessica Corman, an associate professor and head of the aquatic ecology lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. On the one hand, we dont know enough to make strong statements about what is going to happen, Corman said. But on the other, we worry that once we do know enough, it will be too late. So the question is, What do you do? Despite the political and economic hurdles, she said, the problem is easier to prevent than it is to clean up. Toxic cyanobacteria thrive on warm, nutrient-rich water, especially the type of nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen that find their way from farm fields and urbanized areas into waterways. Global warming may be playing a role, scientists say, not just through rising temperatures, but through heavier rains that amplify runoff, erosion and flooding. There are a lot of things we do know, Corman said. We know how to modify flooding, we know how to modify how much fertilizer we put on our lawns and fields. It's just whether we have the political, social or economic will to do it. In addition to the two dog deaths in 2004, toxic cyanobacteria made dozens of Nebraskans sick that summer at Pawnee Lake. According to a report by state regulators and University of Nebraska researchers, swimmers and skiers reported skin rashes, blisters, vomiting, headaches and diarrhea after a weekend at the lake. With toxic outbreaks occurring routinely in Nebraska lakes, the state continues to receive reports of suspected, though unconfirmed, illnesses. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center typically receives between four and 15 calls a year from people who suspect they've been affected by toxic algae, according to spokeswoman Angie Pasho. The symptoms generally are upset stomach, diarrhea, flu-like illness, skin rashes and mouth blisters, she said. The center also receives calls about pets that have become sick. The extent to which toxic cyanobacteria are making people ill is unknown because there is no mandatory reporting. Allan Urlis of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said the agency has initiated plans to better investigate potential illnesses. He encouraged people and medical providers to report suspected cases. According to a recent federal study in which 16 states volunteered data, the CDC found that 117 people reported health effects from toxic cyanobacteria in 2021. Forty-eight dogs became ill and 18 died, according to the CDC. (Nebraska was not among the states providing data.) Most Nebraska water bodies, including private lakes such as Buccaneer Bay and popular public reservoirs such as Omahas Zorinsky Lake, arent routinely tested. In lakes that are tested, sampling may miss a problem. Blooms can move, appear and disappear quickly, or occur in one part of the lake but not another. The state advises people to learn the signs of an outbreak. Back in 2004, Nebraskas then Department of Environmental Quality acted quickly. Within two weeks, the state started testing lakes across Nebraska, issuing alerts when it detected harmful levels. Even today, Nebraskas monitoring efforts remain ahead of a number of states. Some states dont proactively test, while others proactively test far fewer lakes. Together with federal and local partners, NDEE tests about 50 public recreational lakes every week from May through September. (The state has more than 450 public lakes and ponds.) Over the years, it has tested more than 70 lakes and, at one point or another, at least 44 have tested above the level that is considered unhealthy. Water samples are tested for microcystin, the toxin released by cyanobacteria. The outbreaks dont appear to follow a pattern; some lakes that tested high years ago have improved, while others have recently developed harmful levels. About a dozen appear to be chronically impacted, including Iron Horse Trail, Kirkmans Cove, Pawnee, Rockford, Swan Creek 5A and Willow Creek. Renovations can help, as was the case years ago at Carter Lake in Omaha and at Fremont State Recreation Area, according to NDEE. But because lake ecologies vary, theres no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, legislative action tackling ag and urban runoff is critical to reducing outbreaks, experts say. Most of Nebraskas affected lakes are in agricultural areas. And for now, voluntary measures, largely funded through taxpayer-subsidized incentives, are the main tool for reducing ag runoff. And that can prove a long slog. At Norfolks Willow Creek, local, state and federal researchers concluded about 10 years ago that upstream runoff was the likely source of pollutants feeding the bacteria. The majority of the watershed that feeds Willow Creek is agricultural. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District pushed toward a solution, but grant funding only became available in the last couple of years, said Curt Becker, projects manager. That money allowed the NRD to assign a staff member to work with farmers and fund practices that lessen nutrient runoff. Weve had some luck and were hoping to build on that, Becker said. Building those relationships is probably the key to getting the practices implemented. This is probably a long-term solution its not something that is going to happen overnight. Farmers welcome the financial help provided by incentives but generally oppose mandates. I dont think the hammer works as well as the carrot, said State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, a farmer who serves on the Natural Resources Committee. Farming is expensive, he said, so the financial help is needed, and mandates would be difficult to enforce. Many farmers are great stewards of the land, Brandt said. When they take care of the land, the land takes care of them. Some in the farming community believe more needs to be done. Fifth-generation farmer Graham Christensen in northeast Nebraska said legislative safeguards are needed to protect public health and hold industrial agriculture operations to higher standards. Those safeguards need to be accompanied by resources information and incentives that enable farmers to adopt proven solutions, he said. In places like Nebraska, the first step is acknowledging you have a problem, and our government hasnt even gotten to that yet, he said. Anthony Schutz, a professor of agricultural law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said that while the issue is politically difficult, there are actions Nebraska could take. Iowa, for example, has real-time, in-stream monitoring. Minnesota requires grassy strips along streams to protect them from runoff. Lincoln resident and boater David Peters is among those who want Nebraska lawmakers to get tougher on runoff. Millions of tax dollars have been invested in building reservoirs across Nebraska, he points out, and its become increasingly difficult to enjoy them. We need to demand that our leaders at the state and local level put the quality of life interests of 2 million Nebraskans above the property rights of a handful of landowners. Nebraska is lucky when it comes to drinking water. Most of the state draws its drinking water from aquifers, which so far have proven immune to toxic cyanobacteria. Only 60 miles east of the states border, the town of Maryville, Missouri, has proposed spending millions of dollars on a new water treatment plant because toxic cyanobacteria has contaminated the reservoir it relies on. Its not all about ag. Problems at sandpit lakes are most often related to lakeshore conditions homeowners who use fertilizer on lawns, outdated septic tanks or an abundance of waterfowl waste, according to the state. Thats not news to Kappas. Outbreaks have become an annual occurrence at Buccaneer Bay, he said. Kappas said he has tried in vain to persuade his neighbors to forgo their sandy beaches and green lawns. Nobody listens to me they must think Im some kind of a quack, he said. Everyone wants to have a green yard. Well, OK fine, then you are going to suffer the consequences. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. NATO will discuss damage to a gas pipeline and data cable running between member states Finland and Estonia, and will mount a "determined" response if the cause is proven to be a deliberate attack, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday. The damage on the Balticconnector pipeline and telecommunications cable was confirmed on Tuesday after one of the two pipeline operators, Finland's Gasgrid, noted a drop in pressure and possible leak on Sunday night during a storm. On Tuesday, Helsinki said the damage was likely caused by "outside activity" and the cause was being investigated, stoking concern over regional energy security and pushing gas prices higher. "The important thing now is to establish what happened and how this could happen," Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels ahead of a meeting of the military alliance. "If it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO-critical infrastructure then this will be, of course, serious, but it will also be met by a united and determined response from NATO." The pipeline, between Inkoo in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia, crosses the Gulf of Finland, part of the Baltic Sea which stretches eastward into Russian waters and ends at the port of St Petersburg. The Kremlin described the incident as "disturbing" and said it was awaiting further information. Russia's Nord Stream pipelines were damaged by an attack in the Baltic Sea, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a regular news briefing on Wednesday, referring to an incident in September 2022. Sunday's incident came about a year after the larger Nord Stream gas pipelines, which cross the Baltic Sea between Russia and Germany, were damaged by explosions that authorities said were caused by sabotage. Henri Vanhanen, research fellow at the Finnish Institute for International Affairs, said the central issue would be how NATO would react if there was evidence of a state actor behind the Baltic Sea pipeline damage. "I think the big question in the long term is that do we have a clear set of potential countermeasures for such (sabotage) activities? What is the deterrence?" he said. The Finnish government said preparedness levels had been raised at critical infrastructure, as officials including President Sauli Niinisto were given a situational overview at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday. Pipeline 'pulled from one side' "It can clearly be seen that these damages are caused by quite heavy force," Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told Reuters, adding that investigators were not ruling anything out, but possibilities included "mechanical impact or mechanical destruction." The pipeline and telecoms cable run parallel at a "significant" distance from each other, according to the cable operator, Elisa. The damage to the pipeline was believed to have taken place in Finnish waters, while the cable breach was in Estonian waters, Finnish authorities have said. Finnish investigators have said the incidents occurred "within the same time frame" early on Sunday. The pipeline, which was encrusted in concrete for protection, looks like "someone tore it on the side", according to Estonian Navy Commander Juri Saska. "The concrete has broken, or peeled off, specifically at that point of injury," Saska told Estonian public broadcaster ERR. The damage to the pipeline and telecoms line would not impact the operation of Finland's electricity system, Finnish grid operator Fingrid said in a statement. Gas accounts for 5 percent of Finland's energy needs. The Balticconnector pipeline opened in December 2019 to help integrate gas markets in the region, giving Finland and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania more flexibility of supply. (Reuters) The Vernon County Museum and History Center is now on its fall hours of Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. However, please note that we will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 19, and Friday, Oct. 20, so that staff and board members can attend Wisconsins annual Local History and Historic Preservation Conference, held this year in La Crosse. Plan to spend an enjoyable few hours driving through beautiful southwestern Vernon County on Saturday, Oct. 28, when the Vernon County Historical Society hosts its next country schoolhouse tour. This self-guided tour will visit some of the former rural schoolhouses or sites in the southwest of the county. The route begins in Viroqua, heads out on Co. Rd. NN, travels through the hills, valleys, and prairies to the village of Victory on the Mississippi River, then winds back to Viroqua. Pick up a tour guidebook and map at the museum and history center on Saturday, Oct. 28, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., for a $10 suggested donation. Then drive the tour of about 15 country schoolhouses and sites, enjoying the scenery and learning about rural architecture. Finish up back in Viroqua. Copies of our book, Country Schoolhouses of Vernon County, Wisconsin, are available for sale for $25 at the history center or online from our website bookstore, and will add interest to your tour. The Vernon County Historical Society is pleased to announce that Donna Halverson has been selected as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year, and Gigi Macasaet has been chosen for the 2023 Lifetime Achievement award. These two volunteers will be specially honored at our annual dinner, which will be held on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m., in the fellowship hall of the Viroqua United Methodist Church. All of the historical societys volunteers will be honored and thanked at this special event, and new board members will be chosen for the coming year. More details next week. Frost is in the air and so is the Halloween fun Friday through Sunday at Camp Decorah outside of Holmen. Wednesday, Oct. 11, is the last day to register for the Gateway Area Councils annual weekend Spook-o-Ree, a Halloween-themed festival, according to a Boys Scouts press release. This years theme is Mutant Ooze. Cub Scout families (youth 511) can enjoy inflatables, games, face painting, Halloween crafts, spooky stories and a haunted hayride. Older youth (12-17) can compete in Scout challenges with first aid, navigation, campfire safety and other skill contests as well Saturday. Two new program areas at Camp Decorah will be dedicated on Saturday. Both are available to local Scouts and other community nonprofits and schools thanks to local donors and volunteers. The James R. Gabrick Shotgun Pavilion will be dedicated at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. James Gabrick was a longtime volunteer with Troop 110 in Cochrane and Fountain City. The Chad Erickson Memorial Bouldering Wall will also be dedicated at 4 p.m. Saturday. Both projects were constructed entirely with labor by the Camp Decorah Ranger Corps, a group of volunteers who help to maintain and enhance the property. Both new program areas are designed to help youth grow in self-confidence and to experience new things. All programs and facilities at Camp Decorah are open to schools, other nonprofits, and other organizations serving youth and the community. For more information on how to register for events, go to gatewayscouting.org.d Camp Decorah includes 330 acres of wooded hills overlooking the Black River, within miles of the mighty Mississippi, providing a northwoods atmosphere within 15 miles of La Crosse. Camps host archery ranges, a swimming pool, two dining halls which together can feed more than 400 people and numerous campsites all equipped with cabins. ADA accessible cabins are also available. Camp Decorah has served the area for more than 101 years. An unspecified incident has caused a disruption to Kwik Trip's systems. The nature of the incident, the scale of the disruption and when the disruption started were not immediately clear. Kwik Trip customers are reporting on social media that they cant access the app or log into the website, and the phones were down. Kwik Trip spokesperson Ben Leibl emailed the following statement Tuesday, attributed to John McHugh, Vice President of External Relations, to news outlets. As you are aware, we are currently experiencing an incident that has caused a disruption to our systems. We will update this communication when services are restored and functioning as usual. As always, we appreciate your patience while we work through this issue. More information was not immediately available, but Leibl said customers may notice product shortages and challenges with the loyalty program and promotional pricing. Student test scores in Wisconsin are at their highest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data published Tuesday by the Department of Public Instruction. Madison School District scores were up as well, but still lagged behind the statewide average and continue to reveal large achievement gaps between white and minority students. The statewide test scores from the 2022-23 school year show about 40% of students are proficient in math and English language arts. Although proficiency rates have not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, scores improved overall from the previous two school years. For more To see your school district's test results, visit the WISEdash Public Portal at: wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/Dashboard/dashboard/19861 School districts closed classrooms and switched to online learning for much of the pandemic, which saw increases in chronic absenteeism and student mental health concerns. State Superintendent Jill Underly praised the test score improvements in a statement Tuesday, while also calling attention to other measures of student success. I am also tired of politicians claiming that our children arent learning because they arent reaching a proficiency score, Underly said in a statement. The Wisconsin Student Assessment System, or WSAS, consists of the Forward Exam given in grades 3-8 and 10, the PreACT Secure given in grades 9 and 10, and the ACT with a writing assessment in grade 11. Statewide, about 39% of students performed at proficient or advanced levels on the Forward Exam in English language arts, a 2% increase from 2021-22. Forty-one percent of students scored at those same levels on the Forward math test, another 2% increase. For the ACT, 37.7% of students scored at advanced or proficient levels for English language arts. Thats higher than in 2018-19, when it was 36.8% However, ACT math proficiency has not recovered at the same pace as language arts. Proficiency rates stayed almost the same between the 2022-23 and 2021-22 school years. On the PreACT Secure exam, almost 40% of students scored in the proficient or advanced categories for language arts. One-third of students were proficient or advanced in math. The PreACT Secure replaced the ACT Aspire exam during the 2022-23 school year, but the two tests are very similar, according to Duane Dorn, an education consultant for DPI. Students performed worse on both tests than in 2018-19, when 40.4% of students hit the top marks in English and language arts and 40% in math. Were not where we want to be yet, said Abigail Swetz, DPI communications director. We wouldnt be where we want to be, even if we had gotten to exactly the same point as weve been before. About 95% of eligible Wisconsin students participated in WSAS tests, an increase of about one percentage point from the 2021-22 school year. Madison schools Locally, the Madison School District is continuing to lag behind the rest of the state, most notably on the Forward math exam for third- through eighth-graders. Only 36% of Madison students scored in advanced or proficient categories, less than the 41% score statewide. The English language arts proficiency rate for Madison students was closer to the state average, coming in at around 37.5% in comparison to Wisconsins 39%. But despite remaining slightly behind Wisconsin as a whole, Madison test scores generally improved in the 2022-23 school year. Scores remain below where they were during the 2018-19 school year. Results from both parts of the Forward Exam and the language arts portion of the ACT saw increases, but proficiency on the math portion of the ACT slightly declined in the 2022-23 school year. Student success on these standardized exams fell largely along racial lines. On the Forward Exam, around 62% of Black students scored at the below basic level in English language arts, while only 10% of white students fell into this category. Similarly, more than 70% of Black students scored in this category for mathematics, in comparison to about 13% of white students. Racial gaps were almost as pronounced for high school juniors who took the ACT. Dane County Student test scores varied in school districts across Dane County for the 2022-23 school year. One City Schools, a Madison charter school that opened its elementary school in the fall of 2018, continues to show the lowest scores in the county. Data released last year showed that only 7% and 5.4% of One Citys students scored proficient or higher in English language arts and math, respectively. One Citys founder, Kaleem Caire, previously told the State Journal that the 2021-22 school year was its first time administering the Forward Exam, and that led to problems with staffing and testing protocols. Student scores in the 2022-23 school year did see some improvements. Proficiency rates jumped to 8.3% on both portions of the Forward Exam. The Wisconsin Heights, Waunakee and Middleton-Cross Plains school districts all saw some of highest proficiency rates in the county during the 2022-23 school year. Editor's note: The table accompanying this story has been corrected. An earlier version had swapped the mathematics scores for Deerfield and DeForest. Dane County Forward Exam results English/Language arts 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th Belleville 39% 68% 53% 54% 60% 44% Cambridge 48% 31% 38% 43% 28% 25% Deerfield 38% 43% 31% 52% 45% 36% DeForest 53% 50% 46% 54% 40% 36% Isthmus Montessori 22% 35% 33% 32% 33% 64% Madison 34% 43% 37% 41% 35% 36% Marshall 28% 35% 32% 31% 18% 34% McFarland 33% 40% 35% 29% 28% 26% Middleton-Cross Plains 58% 62% 54% 59% 59% 57% Monona Grove 43% 61% 44% 44% 30% 28% Mount Horeb 47% 56% 47% 58% 60% 49% One City Schools 8% 12% 10% Oregon 49% 57% 42% 45% 48% 43% Stoughton 38% 58% 44% 45% 41% 28% Sun Prairie 41% 50% 40% 35% 40% 33% Verona 50% 62% 57% 48% 43% 38% Waunakee 57% 62% 59% 65% 57% 51% Wisconsin Heights 65% 75% 71% 66% 47% 30% Statewide 37% 45% 38% 40% 40% 36% Mathematics 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th Belleville 54% 71% 81% 62% 40% 53% Cambridge 74% 40% 28% 43% 32% 32% Deerfield 52% 48% 56% 58% 42% 5% DeForest 63% 51% 60% 54% 40% 41% Isthmus Montessori 17% 18% 20% 26% 13% 45% Madison 39% 41% 41% 36% 28% 30% Marshall 55% 48% 54% 29% 21% 19% McFarland 43% 45% 39% 32% 25% 23% Middleton-Cross Plains 68% 67% 65% 59% 56% 53% Monona Grove 55% 57% 51% 46% 26% 24% Mount Horeb 68% 62% 64% 55% 54% 29% One City Schools 11% 12% 3% Oregon 70% 68% 59% 49% 36% 32% Stoughton 56% 64% 65% 41% 33% 23% Sun Prairie 53% 51% 45% 42% 32% 25% Verona 61% 58% 60% 43% 34% 28% Waunakee 66% 68% 71% 66% 58% 49% Wisconsin Heights 65% 75% 71% 66% 47% 30% Statewide 48% 46% 47% 42% 35% 30% Science 4th 8th Belleville 75% 67% Cambridge 48% 58% Deerfield 60% 46% DeForest 63% 52% Isthmus Montessori 65% 82% Madison 49% 41% Marshall 39% 45% McFarland 44% 42% Middleton-Cross Plains 70% 72% Monona Grove 67% 41% Mount Horeb 71% 59% One City Schools 24% Oregon 69% 51% Stoughton 59% 42% Sun Prairie 53% 40% Verona 64% 50% Waunakee 66% 65% Wisconsin Heights 64% 55% Statewide 51% 47% Social studies 4th 8th 10th Belleville 75% 73% 71% Cambridge 57% 62% 75% Deerfield 68% 55% 58% DeForest 61% 60% 47% Isthmus Montessori 94% 91% Madison 55% 52% 36% Marshall 52% 52% 23% McFarland 54% 49% 35% Middleton-Cross Plains 78% 77% 57% Monona Grove 72% 43% 46% Mount Horeb 74% 63% 59% One City Schools 28% Oregon 78% 60% 50% Stoughton 68% 59% 57% Sun Prairie 60% 52% 30% Verona 71% 64% 44% Waunakee 78% 68% 61% Wisconsin Heights 67% 62% 55% Statewide 59% 57% 43% Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jon Wilcox was the third member of a secret three-person panel Assembly Speaker Robin Vos asked to explore the prospect of impeaching liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, Vos revealed in a court filing this week. And like fellow former conservative Justice David Prosser, who was previously identified as a member of the group, Wilcox said he told Vos there were no grounds for impeaching Protasiewicz. I told Vos that I did not favor impeachment, Wilcox, 87, told the Wisconsin State Journal. I dont know what position hes going to take. Impeachment is thrown around quite a bit today, but I did not see that there were any impeachable offenses at that time. Vos, R-Rochester, who had previously refused to name those on the panel, identified Wilcox as the panels third member in a Tuesday court filing. The third member, former conservative justice Patience Roggensack, did not respond to a request for comment. Wilcox, who had previously told the State Journal he wasnt on the panel, said Wednesday he was later asked by Vos to explore the possibility of impeaching Protasiewicz for her comments on the campaign trail related to the states legislative maps and donations she received from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Wilcox said he told Vos earlier this week he was opposed. Liberal watchdog group American Oversight filed a lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court against the panel, arguing that the onetime justices must hold their sessions in public under the states open meetings law. Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington scheduled a hearing on the matter for Oct. 19. Vos announced on radio station 1130 WISN on Sept. 13 that he had asked a panel of former members of the state Supreme Court to review and advise what the criteria are for impeachment. Vos tasked the group with advising him on whether Protasiewiczs comments during the campaign criticizing the states GOP-drawn legislative maps are impeachable. Vos and other legislative Republicans have floated the idea of impeaching Protasiewicz if she does not recuse herself from ruling on lawsuits challenging the maps, which she has previously called rigged. In court filings, Vos said he reached out to the justices to solicit their input and opinions on the standards for impeachment. I have never asked the three retired justices to prepare a report, memorandum, or any other written work product, Vos continues in the court filing. Indeed, I have not provided them any formal direction. Rather, I have asked each of them individually to provide me with guidance on the standards for impeachment and impeachable offenses under the Wisconsin Constitution. I did not know what feedback I would receive from each of three justices, as the advice they seek to provide me will be entirely their decision. In an email to Vos, which was provided to American Oversight, Prosser urged the speaker not to pursue impeachment. To sum up my views, there should be no effort to impeach Justice Protasiewicz on anything we know now, Prosser wrote to Vos. Impeachment is so serious, severe, and rare that it should not be considered unless the subject has committed a crime, or the subject has committed indisputable corrupt conduct while in office. Impeachment is permitted under the Wisconsin Constitution only for corrupt conduct in office or for the commission of a crime. It takes a simple majority in the Assembly to impeach and a two-thirds majority in the Senate to convict. Protasiewicz announced Friday she would not recuse herself from the redistricting challenge, and the court voted 4-3 to hear the matter. Vos said in a statement Monday that Protasiewicz should have recused herself but did not mention impeachment. We think the United States Supreme Court precedent compels her recusal, and the United States Supreme Court will have the last word here, Vos continued. In the Tuesday court filing, Vos said the retired justices are not a governmental body of any sort and the matter is no different from a legislator meeting with a private citizen, meaning the panel is not subject to the states open meetings law, as American Oversight has argued. I do not know whether the retired justices have or will collaborate with one another, as I have not given them a directive on how they are supposed to research the topic of impeachment, Vos wrote. Whether they decide to meet is ultimately up to them. Three people had lunch together, Prosser said at a Sept. 29 hearing over American Oversights lawsuit. We had lunch together because we didnt know what we were really supposed to do. Wilcox said the meeting took place at the Madison Club. No future meetings were planned, and the three former justices planned to do their own research and come to their own conclusions. Photos: Biden impeachment inquiry hearings The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to an open house event at its Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine. The Root River Steelhead Facility is located at 2200 Domanik Drive in Racine. This free event will allow eventgoers to see fish up close and personal with guided tours and fish spawning demonstrations. Visitors can learn about Lake Michigan fishing methods, try their hand at casting fly rods, catch a backyard bass or learn how to tie flies. Thanks to partnerships with Salmon Unlimited, Trout Unlimited and the Kenosha Sport Fishing and Conservation Association, there will be educational fishing stations and a Touch of the Wild education trailer on-site, offering a great opportunity for attendees to get a hands-on connection with nature. This family-friendly event will offer a learning experience for everyone to enjoy, said Cheryl Masterson, DNR South Lake Michigan Unit Fisheries Supervisor. Fish enthusiasts of all ages will get a chance to see DNR staff collecting salmon eggs and learn how facilities like this support Lake Michigans fishery. The Root River Steelhead Facility is a DNR fish egg collection facility. It is one of the first steps to stocking trout and salmon in Lake Michigan. 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Bank.jpg Ghost Signs - Coca-Cola Belle Harbor.jpg Ghost Signs Wigley.jpg Haaretz Editorial Board Holds Netanyahu, Anti-Palestinian Crusade Responsible for War Oct. 10, 2023, (EIRNS)In the lead editorial Oct. 8 of both its English and Hebrew editions, Netanyahu Bears Responsibility for This Israel-Gaza War, Israels influential daily, Haaretz, charged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bears full responsibility for the war underway between Israel and Gaza, provoked by his ethnic cleansing policy against the Palestinians. The Editorial Board is scathing and blunt: The disaster that befell Israel on the holiday of Simchat Torah is the clear responsibility of one person: Benjamin Netanyahu. The prime minister, who has prided himself on his vast political experience and irreplaceable wisdom in security matters, completely failed to identify the dangers he was consciously leading Israel into when establishing a government of annexation and dispossession, when appointing Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir to key positions, while embracing a foreign policy that openly ignored the existence and rights of Palestinians. The editorial calls out Netanyahus anti-Palestinian crusade: that he shaped ... the multidimensional effort to crush the Palestinian national movement in both its wings, in Gaza and the West Bank carried out by the Bennett-Lapid government (2021-2022), and then when back in the prime ministers office in December 2022, he began overt steps taken to annex the West Bank, to carry out ethnic cleansing in parts of the Oslo-defined Area C, including the Hebron Hills and the Jordan Valley. This also included a massive expansion of settlements and bolstering of the Jewish presence on Temple Mount, near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as boasts of an impending peace deal with the Saudis in which the Palestinians would get nothing, with open talk of a second Nakba in his governing coalition. The result of this policy came as expected, the Editorial Board wrote. Signs of an outbreak of hostilities began in the West Bank, where Palestinians started feeling the heavier hand of the Israeli occupier. Hamas exploited the opportunity in order to launch its surprise attack on Saturday. Nakba, meaning the catastrophe in Arabic, refers to the 1948 expulsion of more than 760,000 Palestinians from their lands. Knesset member Ariel Kallner, from Netanyahus Likud party, (in Hebrew) maniacally called for second Nakba, bigger than the first, on Saturday, Oct. 7. His X posting, originally in Hebrew, read: Right now, one goal: Nakba! A Nakba that will overshadow the Nakba of 48.... Photo: The Canadian Press Canadians with families who are under bombardment in Gaza say they are terrified and desperate to help loved ones in the sealed-off territory but don't know how. London, Ont., resident Reem Sultan, seated in the centre wearing a blue jacket, is seen with her family at a beach in Gaza in an undated handout photo prior to the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Reem Sultan, Reem Sultan said she's been struggling to hold herself together after recently losing loved ones in Gaza and is desperately looking for ways to help family still in the sealed-off Palestinian territory. The 49-year-old London, Ont., resident said she doesn't know how to best support relatives in the region being bombarded by Israeli warplanes in retaliation for a deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants. "It's been sheer hell. I'm trying to be strong for my children, and hiding so much fear," Sultan, a pharmacist, said through tears in a phone interview. "I'm just praying and constantly thinking how can I help my family." Sultan is among the Canadians with family in Gaza who have said they are terrified for their loved ones and desperate to help. The war, which has claimed at least 1,900 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate. Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday morning, slaying hundreds of residents in homes and streets near the Gaza border and bringing gun battles to Israeli towns. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. The weekend attack that Hamas said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation has fired Israel's determination to crush the group's hold in Gaza. Israel's military said Tuesday it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south, and of the Gaza border. Israel was warning civilians in Gaza to evacuate neighbourhood after neighbourhood and then bombarding the area. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly confirmed Tuesday in a statement posted to social media that Ottawa is planning to airlift Canadians out of Tel Aviv in "the coming days" using Canadian Armed Forces aircraft, and that it is working on additional options for people who are unable to reach the airport in Tel Aviv. The flights will be available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, along with their spouses and their children. But Joly's statement did not mention the Gaza Strip. More details will be available Wednesday, Joly said. In Ontario, Sultan said her family was displaced from their home in Gaza in 1967 and eventually moved to Canada in 1989. She said her family in Canada regularly sends money to support dozens of loved ones still living in Gaza, a densely populated strip of land wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea that is home to 2.3 million people and has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Sultan said her relatives have had to flee their high-rise apartments and take shelter in cramped spaces with no electricity and little water and food. Some have died, she said, while others have told her they fear for their lives. Sultan said she currently sees no way to help her loved ones leave Gaza. The sole remaining access point with Egypt shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing that is the only one that doesn't lead into Israel. Humanitarian organizations were pleading for the creation of corridors to get aid into Gaza, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded were running out of supplies. Israel has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicines into Gaza. "We just have to hope for a ceasefire for us to send funds to help them, but what is money going to do right now anyway," Sultan said. "They need the supplies to come in. They need the border open. They need the water, the medicine and the food to come in by trucks. They're in an open air prison right now." Sultan also worried she would soon lose contact with her loved ones as many of their phones were low on power. Dalya Shaath, a resident of Montreal, said she was also struggling to figure out how to help loved ones in Gaza. "I have not been able to be in contact with some of my family members because there is no internet, there is no communication," the behavioural therapist from Montreal said in a phone interview. "So I have no idea if they're still alive or they're dead." Shaath said it has been a difficult and emotional few days. "We don't know exactly what is going to happen, how things are going to end but definitely we want the war to end," she said. "The civilian's life does matter." Global Affairs Canada has urged Canadians in the region to limit their movements but did not immediately respond to inquiries on how Canadians can help friends and family in Gaza or how Ottawa is supporting its citizens stuck in Gaza. "Global Affairs Canada has responded to 785 enquiries since the beginning of the conflict on October 7th, 2023," the agency wrote in a statement on Tuesday. "Most enquiries relate to Canadas Travel advice and advisories for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, status of the airport/flights and options for departure, the overall security situation; as well as families and relatives seeking information on wellbeing and whereabouts." Shaath and Sultan both said they'd like to see Canadian politicians show some kind of support for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. "I really pray and hope for humans to stand up and protect these people that cannot protect themselves," Sultan said A major sonar exploration of Loch Ness in Scotland has failed to find a monster. Searchers on Operation Deepscan spent a week on the loch using 1-million worth of equipment to scan the lake. The flotilla of 24 boats did pick up three sonar contacts shown on paper as crescent shaped marks. They indicated something big in the waters below Urquhart castle but this could have been a seal or a group of salmon. Project leader Adrian Shine, who has been looking for Nessie for many years, told the BBC: I think if we were to get a fish on the scale that the contacts would suggest then I dont think anyone would be too dissatisfied and all those eye-witnesses would get their vindication. The legend of the monster dates back to the 6th century but it was not until the 1930s that the myth really took off. In 1933, Mr and Mrs George Spicer told newspapers they saw a monster, measuring 40 to 50 ft (12 to 15 m) long, crossing the road near the loch. Although I accelerated quickly towards it, he said, it had disappeared into the loch by the time I reached the spot. There was no sign of it in the water. I am a temperate man, but I am willing to take any oath that we saw this Loch Ness beast. I am certain that this creature was of a prehistoric species. There have been numerous sightings since then and numerous hoaxes. In the 1970s, a photograph taken by Dr Robert Rhines attracted worldwide attention. It seemed to show a flipper or fin of the monster. The creature in the photo was even given a scientific name Nessiteras rhombopteryx by the famous naturalist Sir Peter Scott. Published in the top journal Nature, the name meant Ness wonder with a diamond shaped fin however, it didnt take long for some sceptical minds to point out that the name was also an anagram Monster hoax by Sir Peter S. It was later revealed that the image had been computer enhanced. Courtesy BBC News In context Loch Ness is world famous for sightings of Nessie. Most witnesses described the creature as having a long neck giving rise to the theory that there might be a prehistoric reptile a plesiosaur living in the lake. Several photos of a monster in the lake have been published over the years. In 1994 the most famous of these, taken by Colonel Robert Wilson on 19 April 1934, was revealed to be a hoax. There have been several sonar searches of the loch. In July 2003 BBC programme-makers carried out the most extensive search yet using 600 separate sonar beams and satellite navigation technology but found nothing. Tourists at the Acropolis this holiday season can witness the resolution of one of the worlds most heated debates on cultural heritage. All they need is a smartphone. Visitors can now pinch and zoom their way around the ancient Greek site, with a digital overlay showing how it once looked. That includes a collection of marble sculptures removed from the Parthenon more than 200 years ago that are now on display at the British Museum in London. Greece has demanded they be returned. For now, an app supported by Greeces Culture Ministry allows visitors to point their phones at the Parthenon temple, and the sculptures housed in London appear back on the monument as archaeologists believe they looked 2,500 years ago. Other, less widely known features also appear: Many of the sculptures on the Acropolis were painted in striking colors. A statue of goddess Athena in the main chamber of the Parthenon also stood over a shallow pool of water. Thats really impressive the only time Ive seen that kind of technology before is at the dentist, Shriya Parsotam Chitnavis, a tourist from London, said after checking out the app on a hot afternoon at the hilltop Acropolis, Greeces most popular archaeological site. I didnt know much about the (Acropolis), and I had to be convinced to come up here. Seeing this has made it more interesting seeing it in color, she said. Im more of a visual person, so this being interactive really helped me appreciate it. The virtual restoration works anywhere and could spare some visitors the crowded uphill walk and long wait to see the iconic monuments up close. It might also help the countrys campaign to make Greek cities year-round destinations. Tourism dot rebound Tourism, vital for the Greek economy, has roared back since the COVID-19 pandemic, even as wildfires chased visitors from the island of Rhodes and affected other areas this summer. The number of inbound visitors from January through July was up 21.9% to 16.2 million compared with a year ago, according to the Bank of Greece. Revenue was up just over 20%, to 10.3 billion euros ($10.8 billion). The app, called Chronos after the mythological king of the Titans and Greek word for time, uses augmented reality to place the ancient impression of the site onto the screen, matching the real-world view as you walk around. AR is reaching consumers after a long wait and is set to affect a huge range of professional and leisure activities. Medical surgery, military training and specialized machine repair as well as retail and live event experiences are all in the sights of big tech companies betting on a lucrative future in immersive services. Tech giant like Meta and Apple are pushing into VR headsets that can cost thousands of dollars. The high price tag will keep the cellphone as the main AR delivery platform to consumers for some time, said Maria Engberg, co-author of the book Reality Media on augmented and virtual reality. She says services for travelers will soon offer a better integrated experience, allowing for more sharing options on tours and overlaying archive photos and videos. AR and VR have been lagging behind other kinds of things like games and movies that were consuming digitally, said Engberg, an associate professor of computer science and media technology at Malmo University in Sweden. I think we will see really interesting customer experiences in the next few years as more content from museums and archives becomes digitized, she said. Greeces Culture Ministry and national tourism authority are late but enthusiastic converts to technology. The popular video game Assassins Creed Odyssey, which allows players to roam ancient Athens, was used to attract young travelers from China to Greece with a state-organized photo contest. Magical tour Microsoft partnered with the Culture Ministry two years ago to launch an immersive digital tour at ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games in southern Greece. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the innovations would boost accessibility to Greeces ancient monuments, supplementing the recent installation of ramps and anti-slip pathways. Accessibility is extending to the digital space, Mendoni said at a preview launch event for the Chronos app in May. Real visitors and virtual visitors anywhere around the world can share historical knowledge. Developed by Greek telecoms provider Cosmote, the free apps designers say they hope to build on existing features that include an artificial intelligence-powered virtual guide, Clio. As technologies and networks advance, with better bandwidth and lower latencies, mobile devices will be able to download even higher-quality content, said Panayiotis Gabrielides, a senior official at the telecom company involved in the project. Virtual reconstructions using Chronos also cover three other monuments at the Acropolis, an adjacent Roman theater and parts of the Acropolis Museum built at the foot of the rock. DEREK GATOPOULOS & THEODORA TONGAS, ATHENS, MDT/AP Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau is hosting Macanese Nights at Cafe Bela Vista for the second time, featuring renowned Chef Antonieta Manhao, known for her expertise in Macanese cuisine, and the hotels Chef Pedro Santos Do Carmo from restaurant Cafe Bela Vista. Macanese Nights is not just a dining experience; its a captivating cultural celebration of the citys rich culinary heritage a tradition that has graced Macau for over 400 years, the hotel said in a statement. To be held every Tuesday to Thursday during these three weeks, the event aims to preserve and promote the unique flavors and traditions that define Macau. It will also spotlight and celebrate Macaus culinary heritage, entwined with its Portuguese influence, bridging east and west. Rutger Verschuren, general manager of Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, commented, This promotion not only represents our dedication to providing unique and culturally rich experiences to our guests but also reinforces our strong commitment to the preservation of Macaus culinary heritage. Echoing similar sentiments, Chef Antonieta Manhao, also known as Chef Neta, said, Through this, I hope to remind the public of true Macanese family cuisine and preserve it for younger generations. Staff Reporter The Catholic University of Portugal (UCP) has expressed its intention to collaborate with the University of St Joseph (USJ) during a visit to Macau. The plan was announced during a meeting in Macau between the UCP delegation and Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, the government announced in a statement. Rector Isabel Capeloa Gil of UCP highlighted the institutions history of training talented individuals for Macau in various professional fields. She emphasized that bilingual students proficient in both Chinese and Portuguese are an important bridge between Macau and Portugal. She expressed the universitys desire to continue to deepen cooperation with Macau through academic exchanges between higher education institutions, professional training, and fostering relations between both parties. Agreeing with the rectors comments on the importance of talent aquisition for Macau, Ho recalled meeting Macau students in Portugal back in April, highlighting their stated commitment to returning to Macau upon completion of their studies. Ho stated that Macau is dedicated to developing big health and biotechnology industries, expressing hopes that the university would encourage students from Macau to pursue these disciplines. AL Peace between Taiwan and China is the only option, Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen said yesterday, while strongly asserting the self-governing islands defenses against Beijings threats to invade. Tsai said in a National Day address that the international community views stability in the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable component of global security and prosperity. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has been increasingly sending ships and warplanes across the Taiwan Strait in an effort to intimidate the population of 23 million, who strongly favor the status-quo of de-facto independence. Tsais Democratic Progressive Party will seek to maintain power in elections next year against the Nationalists, who officially support unification between the sides that divided amid civil war in 1949. Let me reiterate that peace is the only option across the Taiwan Strait, said Tsai, who will step down after two terms in office. Maintaining the status quo, as the largest common denominator for all sides, is the critical key to ensuring peace. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo. Differences across the strait must be resolved peacefully, Tsai said. Tsai also referred to Taiwans recent launch of a home-built submarine as a major breakthrough in efforts to re-energize the domestic arms industry, We took a big step forward in our national defense self-sufficiency and further enhanced the asymmetric capabilities of our military, she said. The ceremonies with marching bands from Taiwan, Japan and the U.S. also underscored Taiwans split personality as a self-governing democracy whose national symbols and state institutions were founded on mainland China after the Manchu Qing dynasty was overthrown in 1911. The Chinese Nationalist Party under Chiang Kai-shek moved the government to Taiwan in 1949 following the takeover of mainland China by the Communist Party under Mao Zedong following a yearslong bloody civil war. Now in the opposition, the Nationalists (KMT) continue to support Chinas goal of eventual unification between the sides. Former party leader Ma Ying-jeou and other Nationalist politicians boycotted this years ceremonies because the government used the term Taiwan rather than the official name of the Republic of China in English references to the occasion. China cut off most communications with Tsais government shortly after she took office in 2016. Her No. 2 William Lai is favored to win the main election, potentially laying the groundwork for further tensions between the sides, which retain close economic and cultural ties despite the massive gap between Beijings one-party system and Taiwans robust democracy. MDT/AP The suspected leader of a criminal group involved in a RMB4.5 million cash theft from a passenger at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal earlier this year has been transferred to the Judiciary Police (PJ). He was apprehended in a joint operation by Macau and mainland authorities in late August. The alleged ringleader was among the six individuals detained by police on both sides of the border, including the mother and a brother of the main suspect. He was arrested by mainland police in Wuhan and subsequently handed over to local authorities through judicial cooperation mechanisms. According to the PJ, the victim, a local resident, was carrying several pieces of luggage containing RMB4.5 million in cash. He was followed by the group, who had been waiting for an opportunity to steal the bags. The opportunity arose when the victim visited the restroom at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. With the arrest of the six suspects, the PJ managed to recover RMB1.3 million of the stolen cash. It is suspected that the remainder had been transferred to various accounts that are still under investigation. The PJ stated yesterday that the main suspect will face charges of aggravated fraud and crimes related to running a criminal organization. Investigations and questioning of the detained suspects are ongoing. The PJ has not ruled out the possibility that the group is involved in more activities associated with laundering the stolen funds. Over 180,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are packed into United Nations shelters as Israeli warplanes pound the tiny territory of 2.3 million people after their Hamas militant rulers launched an unprecedented weekend attack on Israel. Among them is 27-year-old Sabreen al-Attar. She sprang into action when she heard rocket after rocket whoosh over her farmland in Beit Lahiya just south of the Israeli border on Saturday. She knew from experience that Israeli retaliation would be swift and severe. Grabbing her children, al-Attar rushed to one of the dozens of shelters set up in schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City. There, blasts of unprecedented intensity punctuated hours of steadily declining conditions Monday as food and water ran out. When I escape, I do it for my children, she said, her hands trembling. Their lives rest on my shoulders. But residents say there is no real escape in Gaza, which has been under a suffocating 16-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. When war breaks out, as it has four times since the Hamas militant group seized power in 2007, even United Nations facilities that are supposed to be safe zones risk becoming engulfed in the fighting. The U.N. said that an airstrike directly hit one of its shelters Sunday and damaged five other schools-turned-shelters on Monday. There was no immediate word of casualties. In the downtown Rimal area, Gaza Citys bustling commercial district with high-rises home to international media and aid organizations, al-Attar hoped she would be safe. Rimal had until then not been an immediate Israeli target, unlike border towns or densely populated refugee camps. But as the Israeli military went neighborhood to neighborhood with rapid and intensifying airstrikes, the heavy bombardments reached the heart of Gaza City, transforming the affluent neighborhood into an uninhabitable desert of craters. Rimal was also hit by Israeli airstrikes in Gazas bloody 2021 war, but not to this extent. Israeli bombs that struck Gazas flagship Islamic University, government ministries and high-rises in Rimal, starting Monday afternoon, also blew out the windows of al-Attars shelter, shattering glass everywhere, she said. Life there, crammed with 1,600 others, was full of danger and deprivation but al-Attar said she had no choice but to stay, telling her boys 2-year-old Mohammed and 7-year-old Nabil to keep away from the windows. The night was very, very difficult, she said yesterday. We have nowhere else to go. The bombing in Rimal and the potential risks of sheltering in U.N. schools highlighted the desperate search by Gaza civilians for refuge, with the territorys safe spaces rapidly shrinking. There are no civilian bomb shelters in Gaza. Ahead of the Israeli militarys warning to civilians on Monday that Rimal would be hit, families staggered into the streets with whatever belongings they could carry and without a destination. In a briefing yesterday, Israeli army spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht suggested Palestinians should try to leave through the Gaza border crossing with Egypt a seemingly impractical suggestion. While Hamas officials operating the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing said yesterday that Gazans who had registered in advance could cross into Egypt, the number of those allowed to travel has typically been small. That has led to backlogs and waiting times of days or weeks, even in calm times. There is never a Plan B here, said 31-year-old Maha Hussaini, as she watched terrified Rimal residents flood her Gaza City neighborhood further south just as bombs began to fall there, too. So far, the Gaza toll stands at about 700 dead and thousands wounded, according to Gaza health officials, a punishing response to the militant groups attack that has killed over 900 Israelis. More than 150 Israeli civilians and soldiers have been taken captive. Israel says it takes pains to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas sites in Gaza, which is heavily built up and has scant open space. But Hamas militants also fire rockets and operate in civilian areas, using civilians for cover while drawing return fire to houses, offices and mosques. But the military long has carried out airstrikes in crowded residential neighborhoods, inevitably harming civilians and civilian infrastructure. Hamas authorities on Monday reported the destruction of seven mosques and 15 civilian homes that killed many members of the same family. The Israeli defense minister also has ordered a complete siege on the already blockaded Gaza Strip, vowing to block food, water and fuel from the territory. Residents described a dangerous dance around the heavy Israeli bombing fleeing home, crashing at relatives apartments, fleeing again to U.N. schools and then starting all over again in an attempt to find some sense of safety. It is better than dying, said 37-year-old Muhammad al-Bishawi, exhausted as he hustled between a U.N. shelter in Gaza City and his home in Beit Lahiya to secure food and other supplies before returning. ISSAM ADWAN, GAZA CITY, MDT/AP A woman who has accused a former Madison police officer of sexual abuse during what she said was a long-standing relationship, which began while she was 15 and he was still an officer, has given inconsistent statements and reported him to police purely as retribution, one of the ex-officers attorneys said Tuesday in an opening statement at his trial. The woman could not control Morris Reid anymore and she decided to destroy him, said state assistant public defender Colleen Taylor. And thats why were here today. Reid, 60, of Madison, was charged in 2019 with second-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement, misconduct in office and making threats after the woman, who said she was 15 at the time Reid came into her life, reported him to his former colleagues at the Madison Police Department. The trial before Circuit Judge Ellen Berz, being heard by a jury of eight men and five women, including one alternate, is expected to last through Thursday. At the time of his arrest, Reid was living in Miami, where he had been since 2017. He resigned from MPD in 2013 after a nine-year career after facing dismissal for violating eight department rules over his handling of a 2011 incident. Taylor told the jury in her opening statement that in 2019, the woman used her police contacts and her white privilege to pursue charges against Reid in an effort to destroy him after Reid had lost interest in the woman. She also told the jury that Reid contends he had no sexual contact with the woman until she had turned 18. At that point, Reid was 49 years old. The woman, now 29, testified Tuesday that she got to know Reid through her grandparents, who were active in the Burr Oaks neighborhood on Madisons South Side, had started a neighborhood watch program and frequently consulted with police at the South District. Reid was named the Burr Oaks neighborhood officer in 2009 and began work in the role in 2010, replacing then-Officer Gloria Reyes. She said her early interactions with Reid were innocent, and she had asked him for help with a church group friend who was discussing suicide. From there, they would call and text one another. It was a relationship, she said, that was initially positive but snowballed. Then one day, he picked her up from home and drove her to the parking lot of a Fitchburg grocery store where they kissed and had what she described as mutual sexual contact in his car. On her next outing with Reid, she said, he took her to his home where they had sex. From there, she testified, they spent more time together in secret, and she went on a number of ride-alongs in his squad car, all of which she said involved sexual contact. She also testified she took nude photos of herself and sent them to Reid at his request. At one point, she said, he told her that if she ever told anyone what they were doing, he would use his power as a police officer to put her in a 72-hour involuntary mental health commitment. She took the threat seriously, she said. I was afraid of being taken against my will for something that wasnt my fault, she testified. But she said she never threatened to report him to MPD for their relationship: I protected him, she said. Their time together, she said, continued into adulthood, and she said they came out as a couple to some people after she turned 18. In 2014, the relationship was on and off, she said, and ended altogether when she was 25. But as she has gotten older, she testified, reflecting on her relationship with Reid has drastically changed my outlook at what happened. She said she lost out on so many things most teenagers experience. Everything that happened changed me as a person, and I cant get that back, she testified. Who are they? WI children reported missing as of September 23 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Madison School District teachers are asking the district to reduce maximum class sizes, concerned that, with classrooms jam-packed with kids, teachers arent able to meet the education needs of all students. And, teachers note, thats an even greater concern now, as lagging test scores indicate that students lost academic ground during the COVID-19 pandemic and arent bouncing back quickly. District policy caps kindergarten and first-grade classes at 23 kids and sets a 27-student maximum in second- and third-grade classes. The cap jumps to 28 students in fourth and fifth grade and then to 30 students for most middle and high school classes. According to district data from November 2022, most elementary school class sizes come in under the districts recommended maximums. Teachers say, though, the caps are too high. Stephanie Biese, a teacher at Elvejhem Elementary with 26 students in her second-grade class, is among those asking the School Board to reconsider the current caps. I know as a teacher what my students need, Biese said. With 26 students, there are not enough minutes in the day to meet their needs. Thats heartbreaking to me, to know what they need and to not have the time to do it. It feels like Im failing them. As it happens, district policy agrees that 26 kids are too many. Under the policy approved in 2017, the optimum class size for second and third grade is 24. The optimum number for kindergarten and first grade is 21, 25 for middle school and 28 for high school. Some classes are slightly smaller, however, at schools labeled as Achievement Gap Reduction locations, which are required to provide one-to-one tutoring and maintain much smaller teacher to student ratios. Teachers who spoke to the Wisconsin State Journal say theyd like class sizes to stay around 18 to 22 students. When shes had between 18 and 20 students in the past, Olson Elementary School second-grade teacher Kristine Harms said she has seen students go from barely being able to read to scoring above proficiency levels in the space of the school year. At 26 students, her current class is one of the largest groups of students she has taught in her nearly three-decade career. And, Harms said, its hard to give all children the attention and help they need. Research from the National Education Association shows smaller class sizes can lead to identifying learning disabilities earlier, close racial achievement gaps and improve high school graduation rates down the line. There are practical concerns as well, like having enough school supplies and textbooks to go around, and adequate space between desks to move around the classroom. Were all the personality types where we dont want to just try to be a great teacher we want to succeed, Harms said. So its been really stressful and hard. With 26 students, Biese said, its not possible to sit in a big circle for the classs daily meeting in the morning. The students cant see each other as they talk and are more likely to distract others in the process. Ive had to just really rethink the way I do a lot of the lessons and activities that we do throughout the day in ways that I havent had to in the past, she said. The COVID effect The needs of students have generally increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought with it an emphasis on mental health and social, emotional learning in schools. National studies show student anxiety is on the rise and chronic absenteeism has skyrocketed in the past several years. The number of Wisconsin students who were chronically absent, or missed more than 10% of school days, increased to 16% by 2021, according to a Wisconsin Policy Forum report. Teachers also have been tasked with implementing new curriculums and face more pressure to make sure student test scores meet standards, Biese said. In one example, the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress found that 67.4% of Wisconsin fourth-graders and 67.6% of eighth-grade students tested less than proficient in reading. School Board Treasurer Ali Muldrow agreed the current policy deserves a closer look, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. That policy at this point predates the pandemic and what our students need has changed, she said. Thats something we want to acknowledge across the entire suite of policies, but we also want to look specifically at class size. Teacher burnout The Olson Elementary teachers said theyre working about 12 to 14 hours a day. The time it takes to grade more papers, create lesson plans that can accommodate nearly 30 students and maintain communication with parents all add to the long days. My students deserve my best at school, and my family deserves my best at home, said Nick Lemin, who has 25 students in his second-grade class at Olson. And it gets really hard to balance that when you feel really overwhelmed. Beyond the academics, Lemin is concerned about making connections with all of his students. It gets really hard to feel like youre getting to know your kids well and creating that sense of joy, he said. That sense of fun really needs to be present in the classroom at all levels, but especially in the lower grades. Long hours are not a requirement, but a choice made with students best interest in mind. Were not asking for smaller class sizes so that we have less work, so we can go home early, Olson second-grade teacher Bridget Nolan said. No, our goal is to meet the proficiency level for every student and then the social emotional part of it so that every kid feels like they belong. Practical constraints There are real constraints, though, that make adding teachers to lower class sizes difficult. Already facing a $15 million budget deficit, the district can only afford to hire and pay so many teachers. This spring, the district also committed to increasing teachers salaries by 8%. Theres a nationwide teacher shortage that makes recruiting educators to work for the district in the first place even harder. As of Sept. 27, there were 78 vacant school-based teacher positions in the district. One week before school began, there were 208. When class sizes exceed the districts maximum, additional teachers are sometimes added to a school, effectively spreading students out across more classrooms, according to Cindy Green, the districts superintendent of teaching and learning. Green said almost all current cases where class sizes exceed the districts set maximum have been resolved. Any changes to the class size policy need to come from the School Board, she said. If we do revisions, it does come at a cost, and that is one of those things that our Board of Education will have to determine, Green said. Is this where we want to put our budget? New superintendent Teachers say they have been rallying administrative support for smaller class sizes for years. Lemin said he spoke up about the same topic in the spring, and teachers have regularly reached out to school board members with their concerns. According to Lemin, former Superintendent Carlton Jenkins seemed to make class sizes a priority during his last year at the district, visiting Olson and seeing the impact of larger classes. Jenkins, though, left in July. Now, as the school district begins the search for Jenkins permanent replacement, Lemin wants to be sure class size is a focus when a new leader takes over. We want someone that really does prioritize small class sizes, because we have these really lofty goals for our students and we have a lot of things in place for groups that in the past havent been served in education very well, he said. If were going to make those things happen and do the best for our kids, we do need to have class sizes that are appropriate for the age level. Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly speaks during a news conference concerning the situation in Israel, Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld UPDATE 2:50 p.m. Around 70 Canadians are stuck in the Gaza Strip and have asked for help, federal government officials said Wednesday, but the Canadian government has no way of reaching them without a humanitarian corridor. For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their families seeking to leave Israel as violent clashes continue, military flights from Tel Aviv to Athens could begin as early as Thursday evening local time. Officials who spoke with reporters on background Wednesday afternoon said approximately 1,000 Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank have asked for consular help and about 700 of them want to get on a flight out. The government has taken the highly unusual step of offering military flights even though the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was still open. Speaking earlier Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said the government felt it needed to step in because many commercial flights were cancelled or delayed. "Usually when there are still commercial flights, we don't do assisted departure," Joly said. "This is quite rare." The war, sparked after Hamas conducted surprise attacks across the barrier between Israel and Gaza on Saturday, has already claimed at least 2,300 lives. Global Affairs Canada said Wednesday afternoon there were 4,227 Canadians registered in Israel and another 475 in the West Bank and Gaza combined, and that the department has responded to 1,990 enquiries since the conflict started last Saturday. Government officials said about 250 people in the two Palestinian territories have asked for consular help, including the 70 in Gaza. But without the creation of a humanitarian corridor, which would likely require intervention by the United Nations, there is nothing the Canadian government can do as long as Gaza remains cut off. Israel is conducting airstrikes in Gaza in retaliation for the weekend assault, and has cut access to water and power in what its officials describe as a total siege. The UN warned on Tuesday that this violates international humanitarian law, since it blocks access to the essentials of life. The territory's only power plant ran out of fuel and shut down Wednesday, while hospitals were struggling to treat the injured with dwindling medical supplies. Joly repeated calls for all parties to support international humanitarian law, but would not say whether she opposes Israel's actions in Gaza. "We call upon all parties, also, to be able to provide humanitarian access to Palestinian civilians," she said Wednesday. Joly said Canada aims to work with the UN if there is an evacuation from Gaza, adding there was no such information yet and she would be in touch with her counterpart in Jordan to discuss options for people in the West Bank. Foreign ministers of countries in the Arab League called for an immediate ceasefire Wednesday, along with an end to the killing of civilians on both sides, the release of all detainees and an end to Israel's siege on Gaza. Canada lists Hamas as a terrorist group and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asserted that Israel has a right to defend itself. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman noted that Canadais offering flights out of Israel days after countries with fewer resources started evacuations. "There's really no further information about when; it says just 'in the coming days' or 'by the end of the week,' and we're four days into this," she said. Lantsman noted a spring 2022 parliamentary report on the botched evacuation of Kabul showed weaknesses in Canada's ability to launch emergency airlifts. "They should have had a plan ready. Canada needs to do this in advance; there aren't assets in the region like some of our other G7 partners," she said. Lantsman did not have any suggestions for how Canada could best support the 70 citizens stuck in Gaza, and did not address whether Ottawa ought to oppose Israel's siege of that territory. "There are many, many Canadians that are stranded in Israel as well, and it doesn't seem that they're being helped either," she said. Chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre said Wednesday morning the first Polaris plane was already on its way to Athens. Officials said the planes can accommodate about 150 passengers each, and could get around 400 to 450 people out of Israel per day. The Canadian government is also working with Air Canada to add extra flights at the lowest cost possible from Athens to Canada, in another unusual move that differs from past policy in such situations. When Canada helped evacuate people from Sudan in April, it would only offer assistance to a "safe third country," Kenya. The government did not provide help with arranging flights to Canada because there were commercial options, officials said, though they acknowledged there are commercial flights available from Athens. Officials urged Canadians in the region to register with Global Affairs in order to get information on the airlift. David Wallach, a Calgary businessman who moved to Canada from Israel 25 years ago, was in Tel Aviv for a family holiday when the conflict began. Wallach said he hopes to be on a flight this week, along with his wife, his daughter and her boyfriend. "We tried to get out. Air Canada was one of the first airlines to cancel all their flights to Tel Aviv," he said in a phone interview. "We tried a few times to find routes. But it's a little bit different for us because we have family here. Not so much if you're a Canadian tourist." Wallach, who is 64, said this is his sixth war. The first was when he was eight years old, and he later served in the military and the reserves. "Nothing changes," he said, pausing as an Israeli fighter jet flew overhead. "It's so loud. There's so much activity in the air." Friends and family have confirmed the deaths of three Canadian citizens in Israel: 22-year-old Ben Mizrachi from Vancouver, 33-year-old Alexandre Look from Montreal and Adi Vital-Kaploun, who had deep ties in Ottawa. Global Affairs Canada refused to provide official confirmation of the deaths, but said it was aware of two Canadians who were killed and a third who was presumed dead. Joly would not confirm whether any Canadians are being held hostage in Gaza, where militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel, but she said three people are missing. "This is a standing approach we take in any hostage negotiation. We don't confirm. Why? Because we don't want to increase the value of that person in the eyes of their tyrants," Joly said. She said Canadian officials have been in contact with the chief negotiators of hostages in Israel, and is sending a team of experts to help. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat told foreign journalists in a videoconference that it's unlikely his country sought that assistance. "We are still at war. We are counting our bodies. We are still fighting terrorists in our territory," he said. "This is not the time for negotiation We will get to that once we finish the military operation." Haiat added that a high-level visit of U.S. Congress members to Israel and President Joe Biden's statement of "unbreakable" support for the country amounts to "exactly the message that we want to hear" from other countries. The hostages include "a lot of double nationalities, including Americans, Argentinians, Australians, Canadians and many others," Haiat said, adding that his ministry would release more information as it comes available. Meanwhile, Joly said she "won't speculate" about whether Ottawa will need to evacuate citizens from Lebanon if that country ends up involved in the conflict. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is an ally of Hamas and has fired rockets into Israel, stoking fears of a wider war. Joly said Wednesday morning she aimed to be in contact with Lebanese officials later in the day. In Israel, Wallach said the mood was one of anger. "Very angry to the point that they want revenge. They don't want to just to win the war, they want revenge which is a dangerous situation," he said. "We're not angry with the Palestinian people. Out of 2.2 million people who live in Gaza, my guess is about 80 to 90 per cent just want to have a roof over their heads, food for their kids, a decent job and live a quiet life." Wallach said he's grateful that Canada is sending evacuation flights but he wishes political leaders had been stronger in condemning the atrocities that have occurred. ORIGINAL 6:50 a.m. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says the federal government will begin to airlift Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their families from Tel Aviv by the end of the week. Speaking in Ottawa today, Joly would not confirm whether any Canadians are being held hostage in Gaza, but she says three Canadians have died in the violence in the region. She says Canadian Armed Forces flights to Athens will be arranged in the coming days and the government will help arrange flights to Canada. Chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre says the first Polaris plane will land in Athens later this morning and the Air Force will run a shuttle service. As of Tuesday, Joly says there were 4,249 Canadians registered in Israel and another 476 in the West Bank and Gaza. She says Canada will work with the United Nations if there is an evacuation from Gaza but so far there are no such plans. Jared Ripp had been bracing himself for the worst. Only the worst may not rear its head once he starts harvesting his 1,800 acres of corn in northern Dane County. A prolonged drought this past summer had plants and farmers hoping for more rain. And while the storms were few and far between, there may have been just enough moisture, combined with hardier strains of grain and his rich soil, to salvage a crop that in early July looked bleak at best. Were pretty happy for what it was looking like, said Ripp, a third-generation dairy farmer. The stalk was shorter than normal, but the grain really filled out. I dont think we lost a lot of yield. But well know more when we get out there. While some farmers around the state have just begun to harvest their corn crops, most, including Ripp, will likely ramp up their corn harvest next week. State farmers in 2022 planted about 3.9 million acres of corn. Most was harvested for grain, but 880,000 acres was chopped into silage. The silage number is likely to increase somewhat this year due to the drought, but Joe Lauer, who studies corn and silage production at UW-Madisons College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, says the average corn yield likely will vary greatly depending on region. Some soils that are real light, like sandy soils, they were hammered pretty hard and there will probably be no yield at all on those kinds of fields, Lauer said. But in fields that have soils that are deeper, were picking up actually fairly good yields. Theres potential out there, but its going to be quite variable. I think growers might be surprised somewhat given how bad the drought was in certain areas. I think in a week or two well know a lot more. According to Tuesdays report from the Wisconsin Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11% of fields were very short on topsoil moisture, 31% were short, 57% adequate while 1% had a moisture surplus. Nearly 76% of the corn crop was mature, but only 9% had been harvested compared with the silage, which was 83% harvested. Two percent of the corn crop was rated very poor, 14% was poor, 33% fair, 38% good and 13% excellent. Statewide, the average yield in 2022 was 180 bushels per acre, but the drought will likely negatively alter that number, Lauer said. Whenever you have stress, it goes out the window in how the plants are going to respond, he said. These plants can handle that stress pretty well, but we really dont know yet. Ripp, who had the top corn yield in the state last year at 322 bushels per acre, expects yields for most farmers in his area to be down 20 to 30 bushels per acre to 220 to 230 bushels per acre. Technology also is helping farmers better deal with drought. It can include systems that analyze soil and can help determine how much seed to plant per acre and how much and what type of fertilizer to use on specific pieces of farmland. Ripp knows well his farm in the town of Dane, north of Waunakee. He grew up on the property, which was established as a farm by his grandfather. Weve got pretty darn good black dirt, he said. Weve got a lot of good corn out there. Soybean harvest Meanwhile, the soybean harvest is well underway across the state, with 49% of the crop rated good to excellent, according to the USDA report. In 2022, farmers in Wisconsin planted 2.2 million acres of soybeans and harvested 116 million bushels, for an average yield of 54 bushels per acre. Shawn Conley, who studies soybeans at UW-Madison, said three weeks ago he thought this years harvest per acre would be lower than that of 2022, but he now believes it could come in at or even higher than that of a year ago, based on early reports. High moisture contents early in the spring provided a good start for the crop and helped sustain soybeans through a summer stretch during which some areas only received an inch of rain or less over a five-week period. Everyone Ive spoken to is pretty darn happy, Conley said. We got established and basically that soybean tap root just followed that water down as it either evaporated or was used. We were able to keep tapping into water the entire season even though we werent able to get much rainfall. It was crazy. This story has been updated to include the most recent data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Photos: Sweet corn harvest at Stoneman Family Farms There should be no effort to impeach a liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice based on what is known now, a former justice advised the Republican legislative leader who asked him to review the issue. Some Republicans had raised the prospect of impeaching newly elected Justice Janet Protasiewicz if she did not recuse from a redistricting lawsuit seeking to toss GOP-drawn legislative district boundary maps. On Friday, she declined to recuse herself, and the court voted 4-3 along partisan lines to hear the redistricting challenge. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos had asked three former justices to review the possibility of impeachment. One of those three, David Prosser, sent Vos an email on Friday, seemingly just before Protasiewicz declined to recuse, advising against moving forward with impeachment. That was after a state judiciary disciplinary panel rejected several complaints lodged against Protasiewicz that alleged she violated the judicial code of ethics with comments she made during the campaign. Prosser turned the email over to the liberal watchdog group American Oversight as part of an open records request. To sum up my views, there should be no effort to impeach Justice Protasiewicz on anything we know now, Prosser wrote to Vos. Impeachment is so serious, severe, and rare that it should not be considered unless the subject has committed a crime, or the subject has committed indisputable corrupt conduct while in office. Vos on Monday made his first comments about Protasiewicz since she declined to recuse from the case and Vos got the email from Prosser. In his statement, Vos did not mention impeachment. He did not return text messages Monday or early Tuesday seeking further comment. Vos raised the threat of impeachment because he argued that Protasiewicz had prejudged the redistricting case when during her campaign she called the current maps rigged and unfair. Vos also said that her acceptance of nearly $10 million from the Wisconsin Democratic Party would unduly influence her ruling. Protasiewicz on Friday rejected those arguments, noting that other justices have accepted campaign cash and not recused from cases. She also noted that she never promised or pledged to rule on the redistricting lawsuit in any way. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday filed a motion to intervene in the redistricting case. Other justices, both conservative and liberal, have spoken out in the past on issues that could come before the court, although not always during their runs for office like Protasiewicz did. Current justices have also accepted campaign cash from political parties and others with an interest in court cases and havent recused themselves. But none of them have faced threats of impeachment. In my view, corrupt conduct is not a term that is open to a mere political grievance, Prosser wrote. If that were the case, legislative bodies could be trading questionable impeachments with considerable frequency. Prosser cautioned that using impeachment to delay or affect the outcome of any single case will be viewed as unreasonable partisan politics. Prosser, a former Republican Assembly speaker, was the only one of the former justices who came forward to say they were on the panel created by Vos. But the records he turned over to American Oversight show that he was also apparently working with former Chief Justice Patience Roggensack on looking at impeachment. The group has filed a lawsuit alleging that the panel Vos created is breaking the state open meetings law. Justice Prossers opinion letter demonstrates why Speaker Vos secret panel needs to operate in public, said Heather Sawyer, American Oversights executive director, in a statement. We still dont know everyone involved or what other work has been done, and will keep pressing to ensure that the people of Wisconsin have full transparency and accountability regarding the Speakers impeachment plans. Text messages from Roggensack to Prosser on Sept. 14 show her asking if Prosser is free for a meeting. Prosser also released a voicemail from Roggensack left that same day referring to the text and asking to speak with him on a matter that I thought we were going to look at together. Prosser, speaking during a Sept. 29 hearing on American Oversights lawsuit, denied the panel was a governmental body subject to the states open meetings law. In a voicemail he released from Roggensack from Oct. 2, Roggensack says she wants to talk with him about why we, whatever we are, are not a governmental body. The seven other living former state Supreme Court justices have all been ruled out as members of the panel, which makes the identity of the third panelist a mystery. Vos has said former Justice Michael Gableman isnt on the panel. Former justices Dan Kelly, Janine Geske, Jon Wilcox, Louis Ceci, Louis Butler and Diane Sykes have either said they are not on the panel or were not asked by Vos to participate. Vos has refused to name the members of the panel, which he created on Sept. 13. Speaking at the Sept. 29 hearing on American Oversights lawsuit, Prosser refused to name the panels other members. State Journal reporter Mitchell Schmidt contributed to this report. Election advantages due to district mapping WAR IN UKRAINE UNITED NATIONS Russia was defeated in its bid to regain a seat in the U.N.'s premiere human rights body by a significant majority in Tuesday's election in the General Assembly, which voted last year to suspend Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine. Russia competed against Albania and Bulgaria for two seats on the Geneva-based Human Rights Council representing the East European regional group. In the secret ballot vote, Bulgaria got 160 votes, Albania received 123 votes and Russia just 83 votes. Russia claims it has support from a silent majority, and even though 83 votes came from less than half the 193 U.N. member nations, there is certain to be a concern, especially from Ukraine and its Western allies, that Moscow's support was that high. The United States and others sent letters to many of the 193 members of the General Assembly urging a vote against Russia, according to diplomats. Felice Gaer, director of the American Jewish Committee's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, was among the non-government letter-writers also urging Russia's defeat. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his counterpart in Romania on Tuesday for talks on regional security and to strengthen bilateral ties against the backdrop of Russia's invasion. He described the partnership between the two countries as key to "stability for Europe and beyond" on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after meeting with President Klaus Iohannis in the capital, Bucharest. The two discussed security in the Black Sea region, economic cooperation, shared infrastructure projects and Ukraine's requests for military support, Zelenskyy said after the meetings. He also thanked Romania for providing both military and humanitarian support to his wartorn country. Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian president described the NATO and European Union member country as "a friend who came to our help on our darkest day and whose support gets stronger with time," on X. In recent weeks, Russia has carried out sustained attacks on Ukraine's Danube River ports located just across the river from Romania as Moscow aims to disrupt Ukraine's ability to export grain to world markets. ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, launched an attack inside Israel last weekend, killing hundreds and taking others hostage. Its unprecedented breach of the border sent fighters inside border communities and military installations, shocked Israel and its allies, and raised questions about the group's capabilities and strategy. What is Hamas? The group was founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Palestinian refugee living in Gaza, during the first intifada, or uprising, which was marked by widespread protests against Israel's occupation. Hamas is the Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement, and a recognition of the group's roots and early ties to one of the Sunni world's most prominent groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in the 1920s. The group has vowed to annihilate Israel and has been responsible for many suicide bombings and other deadly attacks on civilians and Israeli soldiers. The U.S. State Department designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1997. The European Union and other Western countries also consider it a terrorist organization. Hamas won 2006 parliamentary elections and in 2007 violently seized control of the Gaza Strip from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority, dominated by the rival Fatah movement, administers semi-autonomous areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel responded to the Hamas takeover with a blockade on Gaza, restricting movement of people and goods in and out of the territory in a step it says is needed to keep the group from developing weapons. The blockade has ravaged Gaza's economy, and Palestinians accuse Israel of collective punishment. Over the years, Hamas received backing from Arab countries, such as Qatar and Turkey. Recently, it's moved closer to Iran and its allies. Who are the leaders of Hamas? Hamas founder and spiritual leader Yassin s pent years in Israeli prisons and oversaw the establishment of Hamas' military wing, which carried out its first suicide attack in 1993. Israeli forces have targeted Hamas leaders throughout the years, killing Yassin in 2004. Khaled Mashaal, an exiled Hamas member who survived an earlier Israeli assassination attempt, became the group's leader soon after. Yehia Sinwar, in Gaza, and Ismail Haniyeh, who lives in exile, are Hamas' current leaders. They realigned the group's leadership with Iran and its allies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. Since then, many of the group's leaders moved to Beirut. What does Hamas want? Hamas has always espoused violence as a means to liberate occupied Palestinian territories and has called for the annihilation of Israel. Hamas has carried out suicide bombings and over the years fired tens of thousands of increasingly powerful rockets from Gaza into Israel. It also established a network of tunnels running from Gaza to Egypt to smuggle in weapons, as well as attack tunnels burrowing into Israel. In recent years, Hamas had appeared to be more focused on running Gaza than attacking Israel. Why now? In recent years, Israel made peace deals with Arab countries without having to make concessions in its conflict with the Palestinians. The U.S. recently has been trying to broker a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a bitter rival of Hamas' Iranian backers. Meanwhile, Israel's new farright government was working to cement Israeli settlements in the West Bank despite Palestinian opposition. Hamas leaders say an Israeli crackdown on militants in the West Bank, continued construction of settlements which the international community considers to be illegal thousands of prisoners in Israeli jails, and its ongoing blockade of Gaza pushed it to attack. Its leaders say hundreds of its 40,000 fighters took part in the assault. Israel says the group has about 30,000 fighters and an arsenal of rockets, including some with a range of about 155 miles, and unmanned drones. UW SYSTEM | REBRANDING AS 'UNIVERSITIES OF WISCONSIN' The University of Wisconsin System will rebrand itself over the coming months to "Universities of Wisconsin" as it looks to strengthen the "UW" reputation across all 13 schools, not just UW-Madison. "University of Wisconsin System" will remain the legal name for the institution, but officials will start referring to the 13 universities by the revised "Universities of Wisconsin" name, an announcement from UW said. By early 2024, UW will transition its webpages and written materials to reflect the new identity. In addition to dropping "System" from its preferred name, it will ditch the maroon "University of Wisconsin System" logo for one that simply shows "UW" inside the outline of the state with teal accents. A secondary logo draws the universities' locations out like a constellation. The rebranding also comes with a new motto: "Future Ready. For All." It comes as UW President Jay Rothman has consistently talked about UW's need to educate more students in the coming years to meet current and future employer demand. "The idea is to shift the focus from a system to the universities that provide opportunities for students and families across Wisconsin," Rothman said in a statement. "People of Wisconsin take great pride in our universities. We think a new name, our new identity, reflects the collective role our 13 public universities play in the economic and social fabric of Wisconsin." The rebranding is the first big name change for UW since the 1971 merger that brought together the University of Wisconsin which consisted of UW-Madison and its Extension campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Kenosha and the former State Universities System, which consisted of nine campuses and was founded in 1866. A 28-year-old Hansen man died Monday afternoon when a pickup truck drove off a county road and overturned, police say. The Idaho State Police said the crash occurred at about 12:20 p.m. when the vehicle was northbound on 1300 West near 760 South in Cassia County. Another person in the vehicle, a 23-year-old male from Hansen, was flown to a hospital, and a news release from the ISP did not indicate which man was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt, the ISP said. The crash is under investigation by the Idaho State Police. Jerome County is getting a new prosecuting attorney. After former prosecutor Brad Calbo got into legal trouble in April and is now sitting in an Oregon jail, deputy prosecutor Sam Beus will be sworn in by a judge Friday at 10 a.m. in the Jack Nelson Conference Room at the courthouse. County commissioners made the decision about 10 days ago to appoint Beus, who has filled a void in Calbos absence, Commissioner Charlie Howell said. After Calbo submitted his resignation in mid-September, the Jerome County Republican Central Committee didnt find anyone to nominate besides Beus, and forwarded Beuss name to the commissioners, who made the appointment, Howell said. According to Idaho statute, vacancies can be filled by the central committee submitting a list of three nominations to the board of county commissioners within 15 days from the day the office is vacated, with the commissioners picking among the nominations. If he decides to run, Beaus would be up for election in May but would need to move to Jerome County to do so. He currently lives in Twin Falls County but plans to move to Jerome County, Howell said. Beus received his law degree from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In December 2022 he began working as the chief deputy prosecutor in Jerome County, and previously worked for Twin Falls County as deputy prosecutor. Calbo, meanwhile, is in the Lincoln County, Oregon, jail after pleading no contest to attempted strangulation following a domestic violence incident this spring on the Oregon coast, records say Originally, Calbo, 55, was charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors. He is expected back in court Thursday to answer to accusations that he violated his no-contact order with the victim while using an inmate messaging system, and to show why the probation granted to him during sentencing should not be revoked, records say. Calbo was named the Jerome County prosecutor a year ago after former prosecutor Mike Seib resigned. Idaho Wine Commission launches new website The Idaho Wine Commission, which promotes the states $210 million wine industry, has launched a new website at www.idahowines.org that includes an interactive map of Idaho six distinct wine regions. The revamped site also aims to raise awareness of Gem States 75 wineries and eight cideries including Holesinsky Winery and Cedar Draw Cider, both located in Buhl. The new site makes it easy for people to learn more about and plan a trip to Idaho wine country, no matter where they live, Moya Dolsby, the commissions executive director, said in a news release. Visitors can find itineraries for a weekend visit and details on all the great events offered year-round at Idahos award-winning wineries and cideries. The Idaho wine industry can be traced back to the 1860s, when the first wine grapes were planted in Lewiston, according to the commission. Wendells Vipperman joins Mayors Walking Challenge Wendells Rebecca Vipperman is one of a record 105 Idaho mayors participating in this years Mayors Walking Challenge, a program of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health that promotes the importance of physical activity. Through participation, Idaho mayors can earn up to $1,000 for their town or city by averaging 5,000 or 10,000 steps daily during October. The Mayors Walking Challenge continues to grow, and we appreciate the more than 100 Idaho mayors who are walking this year, Kendra Witt-Doyle, the foundations executive director, said in a news release. Walking is one of the best things people can do for their health. Mayors can be role models, and walking sets a good example about the importance of exercise and physical activity. Since 2018, the Mayors Walking Challenge has awarded more than $355,000 to statewide mayors, according to the release. Funds have been used for projects and programs such as playgrounds, walking clubs and scholarships. Also: The Minidoka County Historical Society Museum, 99 East Baseline Dr. in Rupert, will host a private VIP tour led by Rick Parker on Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $10 for family, or $5 for a single ticket. The tour will include the main museum, World War II barracks, the Rupert Depot and the Museum of Applied Power. To register, call the CSI Mini-Cassia Center at 208-678-1400 or go online to https://communityed.csi.edu . As part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day , Twin Falls County and the Idaho Office of Drug Policy will accept unused and expired medications at a free and anonymous drive-thru event on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fred Meyer parking lot, 705 Blue Lakes Blvd. N. Be Outside, Idaho (BOI), a project of the Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative that connects the states youth to the outdoors, is accepting grant applications through Friday. For full details and application, go online to BeOutsideIdaho.gov . Times-News Nine months ago, I penned a column endorsing Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Apparently, the folks in Washington, D.C., dont subscribe to southern Idaho newspapers. To the extent they do, my endorsement clearly did not carry the weight I had hoped. Regardless, I am once again using my platform to endorse Simpson for Speaker of the House. Our country is depending on it. For those who have been living under a rock, we are currently Speaker-less because the House expelled Kevin McCarthy for the first time in American history. There is now a vacancy for the spot third in line of succession to the presidency. The current crop of candidates for the position are all a bunch of shills for former President Donald Trump, which means the nations business would be conducted from southern Florida should one of his lackeys be elected speaker. That is not what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they created the legislative branch of government in the U.S. Constitution. For starters, Florida was a Spanish colony at the time. More importantly, however, is the fact that the U.S. House of Representatives is supposed to represent the people of the United States. Not the whimsy of one person. I believe Simpson understands and respects those principles. Thats why he should be the next Speaker of the House. As I noted in my column nine months ago shortly before McCarthy was elected speaker I dont see eye-to-eye with Simpson on every issue. However, he has proven to be a sensible and competent legislator for our nation. He is a lawmaker who is respected across the aisle, even though hes cast some truly horrible votes. Lets not forget he voted to repeal Obamacare, which would take health care away from hundreds of thousands of Idahoans. He also voted against the Infrastructure Bill even though it will bring millions of dollars to Idaho for better roads, bridges, and rural broadband access. These are all bad votes. However, he also voted to legalize same-sex marriage in this country and he (bravely) proposed a plan to save Idahos salmon population by breaching dams on the Lower Snake River. In addition, he voted in favor of the bill that averted a government shutdown last month. Taken as a whole, I believe Simpson to be a rational and competent legislator who may have cast some meaningless votes on certain issues for political reasons. He may not be a paradigm of righteousness, but then again, who is in Washington, D.C.? Quote At heart, I believe Simpson to be practical. Thats exactly what our nation needs right now. ... The alternatives are just too scary. At heart, I believe Simpson to be practical. Thats exactly what our nation needs right now. Lets not forget, a majority of our U.S. Representatives just expelled the sitting Speaker of the House for the first time in our history. Sure, you can blame Democrats for that, but dont forget it was a Republican who brought the motion in the first place. And, it was a spineless California Republican who allowed the rules to make that possible in the first place. I dont believe Simpson would allow that state of affairs to continue were he elected speaker. Under normal circumstances, I have no desire to see Mike Simpson as Speaker of the House. However, we are not living under normal circumstances. We have a bunch of lackeys willing to sell their souls and their country for one man who lives in Florida. Have you been to Florida? It can be a very strange place. I know Simpson could care less about my endorsement, but hes getting it anyway. Our country needs reasoned and competent leadership now more than ever. He may not be my first choice, but so long as Republicans control the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Simpson is my only choice for Speaker of the House. The alternatives are just too scary. Please join me in endorsing Mike Simpson for Speaker of the House! Southern Idaho and our country deserve a competent voice in our nations capital. Photo: The Canadian Press The federal Liberal government says it will extend an amnesty order on guns it prohibited in the wake of the deadly 2020 Nova Scotia shooting rampage for an extra two years. Public Safety Canada quietly posted the extension on its website about the yet-to-be-developed firearms buyback program, saying the amnesty period that was set to expire at the end of the month will remain in place until Oct. 30, 2025. The amnesty applies to those who own one of the more than 1,500 models of guns that Ottawa announced it was banning, saying "assault-style" firearms, such as the AR-15, have no place in communities. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the ban in May 2020, days after a gunman in Nova Scotia committed the deadliest mass shooting in modern Canadian history. At the time, the Liberals promised to compensate those who own such weapons through a buyback program, which the parliamentary budget officer said in 2021 would cost upwards of $750 million. The amnesty order was initially set to expire in spring 2022, but the Liberals extended it to this October, saying that a buyback program was still in the works. Former public safety minister Marco Mendicino announced in April that his department was beginning to work on the first phase of that program, starting with sorting out how to compensate retailers. The drive to get rid of the closed Republican primary election is picking up steam with the help of Idahoans from across the political spectrum. Just last month, Butch and Lori Otter announced a group of well over a 100 traditional Republicans who support the initiative. The group, Republicans for Open Primaries, believes that all Idahoans should have the right to choose our leaders, instead of restricting their selection to hand-picked candidates of top GOP bosses. A cross-partisan veterans group, Veterans for Idaho Voters, says the closed primary blocks 270,000 independents from voting in our most important elections. Military veterans represent one of the largest blocks of Idahos independent voters and its just plain wrong that they cant vote in publicly funded primaries. The Idaho chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government came out in support of the initiative on Oct. 7. The groups press advisory says: The Open Primaries ballot initiative is intended to restore Idahos open electoral system and return political power to the people. The initiative maximizes voter participation by creating a nonpartisan primary system where all voters, not just those registered to a party, may participate It aims to produce better leaders with broad support who are incentivized to serve the will of the people and not just a small slice of primary voters. Quote Between the authoritarian bent of Moons party leadership and the misconduct of IFF-controlled legislators, voters will be presented with a stark choice at the general election next year ... Reclaim Idaho, which is running the ground game for collecting signatures to put the initiative on the 2024 general election ballot, says, The Open Primaries initiative will give all Idaho voters, regardless of party, the freedom to vote in all elections. Reclaims more than 1,000 volunteer signature gatherers have been encountering great voter enthusiasm for the initiative. Signature collections have exceeded projections, thanks to the hard work of those remarkable volunteers. The people and organizations supporting the initiative deserve our thanks for advancing this good government measure. But, it is important to also thank those who are doing their level best to show why the initiative is desperately needed. Dorothy Moon, the current chair of the extremist branch of the Idaho GOP, and the far-right legislators controlled by the Idaho Freedom Foundation are a large factor in driving support for the initiative. Their continuing grasp for control of the election process has been a critical factor in growing the support for the citizen initiative which will protect the voting rights of Idahoans. Six top officers of the Ada County Republican Central Committee recently resigned because Moons party seems intent on telling the voters for whom they should vote through vetting and party endorsements. ... Party elites will now pick candidates. ... The Party believes the average voter is too uniformed, too ignorant, and too unsophisticated to make good choices. The resigning officers, led by former county chair Victor Miller, said, the state party no longer embraces grassroots voters and candidates but has created a new oligarchy that values control, purity testing and bullying that are un-Republican. The traditional Idaho Republicans supporting the Open Primaries Initiative would agree wholeheartedly. The resignations followed moves by the Moon faction to concentrate party control in a tight group of functionaries, to exclude those who are suspected of being disloyal to the party line and to make the GOP a private club. We will witness additional bad conduct along these lines in the upcoming session of the Idaho Legislature. Being an election year, the party radicals will likely be unrestrained. Between the authoritarian bent of Moons party leadership and the misconduct of IFF-controlled legislators, voters will be presented with a stark choice at the general election next year either live with the current system where Moon and her cronies will eventually control who gets elected to office, or vote for the Open Primaries Initiative so that the voters can decide for themselves who will hold important public offices. PUERTO VALLARTA, MexicoHurricane Lidia slammed into Mexicos Pacific coast as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), causing flooding, blocked roads, fallen trees and at least one death, officials said. Ahead of its arrival, the government deployed around 6,000 members of the armed forces to help residents, according to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. You must take refuge in safe places stay away from low areas, streams, rivers and hillsides, he wrote on social media. A man died when a tree fell on the car he was driving during strong winds in Bahia de Banderas in Nayarit state, authorities said. Lidia came ashore near the popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, packing maximum sustained winds of around 140 miles (220 kilometers) per hour, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm had quickly strengthened to the second-highest category on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before reaching land. But by late Tuesday, maximum sustained winds had dropped to 105 miles per hour, making it a Category 2 storm, with further rapid weakening expected, the NHC said. In Puerto Vallartaa major destination for Mexican and foreign touristsshopkeepers earlier boarded up windows and piled up sandbags in case of flooding. Waves crashed ashore, heavy rain drenched the city and strong winds whipped palm trees. School classes were suspended, businesses closed early and most residents waited out the storm at home or in shelters opened by the authorities, according to AFP reporters. However, some people were still seen in the streets, taken by surprise by the speed of the hurricanes arrival. I was going to go home, but its very far away. Im going to have to take shelter somewhere else. Theres no transportation. It caught me off guard, said Herson Rodriguez, a 35-year-old fitness trainer and nutritionist. Lidia was expected to bring rainfall of up to 12 inches to Nayarit, Sinaloa and Jalisco states, the NHC said. These rains will likely produce flash and urban flooding, along with possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain near the coast, it warned. A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding near and to the south of where Lidia made landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves, the NHC added. Hurricanes hit Mexico every year on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, usually between May and November. Just this week, Tropical Storm Max left two people dead and dozens of houses flooded in the southern state of Guerrero, one of the countrys poorest regions, authorities said Tuesday. Max made landfall on Monday, causing a river to overflow before dissipating. One person drowned trying to protect livestock and another died in a road accident during the storm, civil protection official Roberto Arroyo told AFP by telephone. In August, storm Hilary, which at one point was a Category 4 hurricane, caused one death and damaged infrastructure as it hit the northwestern state of Baja California. Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change. NAYEB RAFI, Afghanistan Thousands of Afghans who survived a powerful earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people were bracing for a winter of homelessness on Tuesday, as rescuers made last-ditch efforts to find survivors. Volunteers have worked with spades and pickaxes in Herat province since Saturdays deadly magnitude 6.3 quakefollowed by powerful aftershockswhile others dug graves instead. The United Nations said more than 12,000 people, from some 1,700 families, are estimated to have been affected. It said 100 percent of homes were destroyed in 11 villages of Zenda Jan district. Meanwhile, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck western Afghanistan on Wednesday, hitting an area where more than 2,000 people were killed after a series of similar tremors on the weekend. The quake occurred at a shallow depth at around 05:10 am local time, with its epicenter about 29 kilometers north of the city of Herat, the United States Geological Survey said. Volunteers and rescuers have been working since Saturday in what are now last-ditch attempts to find survivors from the earlier series of earthquakes, which levelled entire villages and affected more than 12,000 people, according to UN estimates. Local and national officials have given conflicting counts of the number of dead and injured from the previous earthquakes, but the disaster ministry has said 2,053 people died. We cant give exact numbers for dead and wounded as it is in flux, said disaster management ministry spokesman Mullah Janan Sayeq. Zareen, in the village of Nayeb Rafi, where 11 of his family members were killed in the crush of falling masonry, said aid tents would not withstand the winter storms. If the government doesnt take us away or help us, we will be stuck here, the man in his 70s told AFP. Providing shelter on a large scale will be a challenge for Afghanistans Taliban authorities, who seized power in August 2021, and have fractious relations with international aid organisations. Not a single house is left, not even a room where we could stay at night, said 40-year-old Mohammad Naeem, who told AFP he lost 12 relatives including his mother. We cant live here anymore. You can see, our family got martyred here. How could we live here? In the provincial capital of Herat city 30 kilometers southeast of the quake epicenters in hard-to-reach Zenda Jan district Doctors Without Borders said the injured now faced a new ordeal. More than 340 patients discharged yesterday dont want to leave the hospital as they have no homes to return to, the charity said on social media site X. Local and national officials gave conflicting counts of the number of dead and injured, but the disaster ministry has said 2,053 people died. We cant give exact numbers for dead and wounded as it is in flux, said disaster management ministry spokesman Mullah Janan Sayeq. The UN said Tuesday the death toll stood at nearly 1,300 with nearly 500 more still missing, the majority of them women. Afghanistan is frequently hit by deadly earthquakes, but the weekend disaster is the worst to strike the impoverished country in more than 25 years. Taliban authorities have banned women from working for UN and non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan, making it difficult to assess family needs in deeply conservative parts of the country. Amnesty International said the Taliban government should ensure that rescue and relief efforts are carried out without discrimination and guarantee unrestricted access to the affected regions to humanitarian agencies. It is critical that all assistance meets the needs of the most at-risk groups who often face compounded challenges in crisis situations, including women, said South Asia regional researcher Zaman Sultani. Most rural homes in Afghanistan are made of mud and built around wooden support poles, with little in the way of modern steel reinforcement. Multi-generational extended families generally live under the same roof, meaning disasters such as Saturdays quake can devastate local communities. Afghanistan is already suffering a dire humanitarian crisis, with the widespread withdrawal of foreign aid following the Talibans return to power. Save the Children called the quakes a crisis on top of a crisis. Herat province home to around 1.9 million people on the border with Iran has also been hit by a years-long drought that has crippled many hardscrabble farm communities. The country is prone to quakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. More than 1,000 people were killed and tens of thousands left homeless in June last year after a 5.9-magnitude quake struck the impoverished province of Paktika. More than 4,000 people died in a magnitude 6.5 quake that struck Takhar province in 1998. The RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) released its Boses ng Bayan performance assessment for the third quarter, emphasizing the pivotal roles played by government officials in the Philippines. This comprehensive assessment evaluated and spotlighted the contributions of individuals in two categories: the Top Government Senior Officials-Philippines and the Top Communicators of Government Agencies- Philippines. The category of Top Government Senior Officials holds particular significance. These officials are instrumental in shaping the success of their respective principals. Their expert guidance and strategic decision-making capabilities are indispensable for their principals to efficiently navigate the intricate corridors of the national office and foster fruitful collaborations with other government agencies. Topping this esteemed list is Sofonias Ponyong Gabonada, with a 91% performance assessment score, who currently serves as the Deputy Secretary General at the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff of House Speaker Martin Romualdez. His influential position holds a stature akin to that of an Undersecretary. Following Gabonada in the rankings for Top Government Senior Officials-Philippines is Neliza Macapayag from the Senate of the Philippines, who secured a notable score of 89%. Epi Densing III, representing the Department of Education, attained an 87% assessment score. Ruth Castelo from the Department of Trade and Industry achieved an 86% rating. Hubert Guevara, from the Office of the Executive Secretary, received an 84% score, while Emerald Ridao of the Presidential Communications Office garnered 82%. Zuleika Lopez, affiliated with the Office of the Vice President, marked an 81% score. Reinier Yebra from the Department of Transportation and Zeno Abenoja from the Department of Finance followed closely with scores of 80% and 78%, respectively. Janet Abuel of the Department of Budget and Management recorded a 76% score, Jonathan Malaya of the National Security Council secured 75%, and rounding out the list, Athalia Liong from the Office of the Special Assistant to the President achieved a 70% performance rating. The Top Communicators of Government Agencies in the Philippines category recognizes the individuals who effectively convey the objectives and undertakings of their respective national agencies. Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran from the Department of Budget and Management leads this category with an 88% job performance rating. Government communicators like Libiran play an essential role in the government, bridging the gap between the administration and the populace. They ensure transparency, clarity, and active engagement, ensuring the national agencys agenda is communicated coherently and promptly to all stakeholders. Following Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran in the Top Communicators of Government Agencies in the Philippines category is Marge Gutierrez from the Department of Interior and Local Government, who achieved an impressive score of 86%. She is succeeded by Daphne Osena-Paez of the Presidential Communications Office with 85%, Mico Clavano from the Department of Justice at 84%, and Edu Punay representing the Department of Social Welfare and Development with a score of 82%. Additionally, Mike Poa from the Department of Education secured an 80% rating, Cesar Chavez from the Department of Transportation obtained 78%, Reynaldo Munsayac from the Office of the Vice President achieved 77%, Beverly Ho of the Department of Health garnered 76%, and Jean Fajardo representing the Philippine National Police concluded the list with a commendable 71% performance score. The performance metrics for top government senior officials, notably those undersecretaries acting as chiefs of staff, include leadership efficacy, policy execution success, stakeholder engagement, inter-agency collaboration, and the achievement of strategic initiatives. Meanwhile, the assessment of premier government communicators is anchored on criteria such as message clarity, proactive stakeholder interaction, adept media relations, effective crisis communication handling, and responsiveness to feedback. The Top Government Senior Officials and Top Communicators of Government Agencies in the Philippines survey was part of the Boses ng Bayan nationwide performance assessment of public officials with 10,000 respondents conducted September 20-30, 2023, with a 1 +/- percent margin of error. Avdiivka is an industrial town that had a pre-war population of around 31,000. An estimated 2,000 remain. It is symbolically and strategically important to Kyiv, lying just north of the Moscow-controlled city of Donetsk that was seized by separatist forces in 2014. Avdiivka has since become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance against Moscow, with Kyiv clinging on there despite relentless Russian attacks during the Kremlins almost 20-month long offensive. Local officials told AFP that Moscows forces launched an artillery attack on the town in the morning and were firing incessantly. For over a year, there has been the danger that (Avdiivka) can be occupied, but now the situation has worsened rapidly, said Vitaliy Barabash, head of the towns administration. He said Russian forces were trying to besiege the eastern town using all means. Our Avdiivka is under massive attacks by Russian artillery and aviation, presidential aide Andriy Yermak later said on social media. The Ukrainian army said in a briefing that Russia had intensified offensive actions in Avdiivka and that Moscows forces had deployed tanks and armoured vehicles. Our defenders repelled all enemy attacks and prevented the loss of lines and positions, it said. Russian forces control territory to the south, east and north of Avdiivka. Zelensky in Romania The attacks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks on grain and security with Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis, after Moscow struck areas of Ukraine close to the Romanian border. On his first visit to the NATO country since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, Zelensky said the strikes near the border were a threat, not only to our state. Since exiting a deal allowing safe grain shipments via the Black Sea, Moscow has ramped up strikes on Ukraines southern regions, including Danube river ports near Romania. Last month, Romania found drone debris several times near its border with Ukraine, prompting authorities to build air raid shelters for one border village. Zelensky and Iohannis discussed how to increase Kyivs grain exports being shipped out via Romania, with Russias invasion of Ukraine hindering the countrys access to the Black Sea. A grain corridor from Ukraine through Moldova to Romania will soon be operational, Zelensky announced. The pair said they signed a bilateral declaration on security and transport cooperation. During a press conference, Zelensky also said Ukrainian pilots would train at an F-16 pilot training centre to be created in Romania. Rift between Moscow, allies President Vladimir Putin meanwhile prepared to leave Russia for the first time this week since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March. The ICC issued the warrant for Putin for the war crime of illegally deporting Ukrainian children to Russia, with its members expected to make the arrest should he step foot on their territory. The Russian leader is due to travel to Kyrgyzstan which is not a member of the ICC for a summit of a Moscow-led alliance later this week. But rifts among Moscows ex-Soviet allies have been emerging in recent months, with many rattled by the Ukraine invasion. Bishkek announced that Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan would skip the summit, amid a growing rift between Yerevan and Moscow. Pashinyans decision to snub the meeting of the Moscow-led regional grouping is a further blow to ties between Yerevan and Moscow, which have soured in recent weeks. Pashinyan has criticised Moscows role in the Karabakh crisis, with Russia unwilling to intervene when Azerbaijan launched a lightning operation to regain control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. Pashinyan visited a European summit last week after Armenian lawmakers moved to join the ICC, angering Moscow. We Filipinos take pride in our resilience or the ability to bounce back from disasters, whether natural or man-made. But what we apparently dont readily see is that our children are the ones who suffer the most from the impact of typhoons and other weather-related disasters. According to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), Filipino children aged 18 and below are the most displaced children in the world due to disasters from 2016 to 2021 worsened by the climate crisis. Heres what it said: The Philippines is at the epicenter of this crisis, bearing the highest absolute number of child displacements at 9.7 million. The UNICEF report noted that in terms of hazard, the Philippines ranked first for storms (8.3 million), and third for floods (1.3 million) in absolute numbers of children displaced. The UNICEF report is the first global analysis of the number of children driven away from their homes between 2016 and 2021 due to floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires, and looks at projections for the next 30 years. Based on the analysis, there were 43.1 million internal displacements of children linked to weather-related disasters over the last six years, or the of approximately 20,000 child displacements per day. And whats disturbing is that the Philippine figures comprised 22.5 percentor more than a fifthof the total number of displaced children worldwide. Children are among those who suffer the most when they are displaced in times of disaster. They experience stress, lose days in school, get sick, and become more prone to exploitation and abuse, the UNICEF added. The agency cited the adverse impact of the recent super typhoon Karding on Filipino children. It said the weather disturbance led to dangers involving their health and well-being. The super typhoon damaged health, water, and sanitation facilities and disrupted services, increasing the risk of getting sick from many diseases. The agency said lack of safe drinking water can lead to dehydration, and inadequate sanitation and hygiene can lead to the spread of water-borne diseases like diarrhea, a leading cause of death among children under five years of age. Thats not all. The super typhoon halted many students progress in catching up with learning losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also displaced more than 12 million students for mainly two reasons their classrooms were damaged or used as evacuation centers, preventing children from attending their classes and catching up on lost learning during the pandemic. What should be done? The international agency said the Philippines and other countries vulnerable to climate change must strengthen efforts to protect children at risk and support those already displaced. Easier said than done, but the government must take heed with concrete steps to protect our children from the adverse effects of climate change. With the threat of cybercrime being ever-present, Trend Micro Philippines exists to address the knowledge gap and educate organizations and individuals on the complexities of cybersecurity. In line with the company motto, #EngineeredToDoGood, the company commits to equipping citizens against cybersecurity threats through various initiatives. Malware Analysis Certification Program for the Cyber Battalion On a national level, cyber threats have been largely observed to target the military, while still posing a hazard to the economy, government, and businesses in the Philippines. Consequently, it is important that the cybersecurity division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is equipped to handle these kinds of risks. To address this, Trend Micro partnered with the Cyber Battalion, Army Signal Regiment (ASR), Philippine Army (PA) to conduct a 5-day Advanced Malware Analysis certification program. In the program, 17 personnel from the Cyber Battalion, two from the Network Enterprise Technology Battalion, and one from the Department of National Defense were immersed in activities focused on concepts related to extended detection and response. The programs topics were specifically curated to address the most urgent needs of cybercrime victims nationwide and equipped the participants with the necessary tools to further strengthen the countrys cyber defense systems. Faculty and university partnerships Besides the government and non-government organizations Trend Micro works with on a regular basis, the company is also no stranger to partnering with educational institutions and has proven its commitment to its advocacy time and time again. The company has shown that a way to generate innovations and future leaders in and for cybersecurity is by directly connecting with the next generation of cyber fighters. Earlier this year, Trend Micro provided an office tour and career talk to students of Saint Louis University with Trenders sharing their passion for cybersecurity and how innovative solutions are making a great impact today. Additionally, the company held a six-week immersive program dedicated to training university faculty and deepening their understanding of cybersecurity. In the program, educators from National University Philippines, PHINMA-Saint Jude College Manila, Saint Louis University, Technological University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas participated in a variety of lectures, workshops, and application exercises. DECODE 2023 Trend Micro has always committed to making cybersecurity education accessible to others and continuously provides platforms for both students and practitioners in the industry to exchange ideas and share experiences. This dedication makes itself more known as Trend Micros annual free-for-all cybersecurity conference makes its face-to-face comeback this November. In its 7th year, DECODE 2023: Resilience Rising aims to equip participants with the latest in industry tools and processes to protect themselves against the current threat landscape. The free conference will feature 24 different track sessions throughout the event, with keynote and panel speakers from the FBI, Interpol, and local law enforcement agencies. Sessions will cover an array of topics spanning from security threats and data privacy to generative AI. With the discussions and activities Trend Micro has in store for DECODE 2023, participants are sure to take home newfound knowledge and a wider network of peers within the cybersecurity industry. Trend Micro Philippines has much to offer on the grounds of empowering and connecting cybersecurity professionals. To learn more about rising trends and the latest in industry practices, register now to be a part of DECODE 2023: Resilience Rising at www.decodeph.com. DECODE 2023: Resilience Rising will be held on November 14, 2023, at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. McDowell Techs dream of a new Health Sciences and Public Safety Building inched closer to reality with the passage of the N.C. General Assemblys 2023 budget on Sept. 22. Included in the bill, which became law 10 days after its passage due to N.C. Gov. Roy Coopers decision not to sign the bill, includes a $25,250,000 appropriation for the colleges proposed building. According to the budget schedule, $10 million is set aside for fiscal year 2023-24 for the new facilities, with the final $15.25 million slated for release during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Funding for the project was proposed by Sen. Warren Daniel, who represents McDowell County in the N.C. Senate. He was joined in support of the project by his colleagues in the N.C. House, Reps. Dudley Greene and Jake Johnson. The board of trustees and I are beyond excited for the opportunity this represents for McDowell Tech, said Ryan Garrison, interim president at McDowell Tech. Now the hard work begins. We know that we will need to raise additional funds to equip the building and to cover increases in construction costs that have occurred since our initial architectural projections, but these funds will cover the lions share of the costs and gets us on our way to making the dream a reality. Traditionally, county governments in North Carolina have been responsible for construction, maintenance and other upkeep for community college facilities, as dictated by N.C. General Statutes. The state appropriation for this facility will significantly reduce McDowell Countys construction burden for the cost of a new facility. The proposal for the new Health Sciences and Public Safety Building arose out of surveys and research for the colleges latest facilities master plan, passed by the MTCC board of trustees in March 2022. The new building was identified as a top priority to allow expansion of both health science and public safety programs and to enhance instructional and clinical quality in these areas. We know that our health science and public safety programs are among the best in the state, said Stacy Buff, vice president for workforce development. But the size and quality of our programs is limited somewhat by our current facilities, which are woefully inadequate. In our Basic Law Enforcement Building, for example, we have to put out buckets and get out mops each time it rains. Its hard to focus on quality instruction and continuous improvement when youre spending your time emptying buckets of rainwater and dodging puddles of water in the classroom. This new facility will allow us to expand class offerings and provide space and equipment for enhanced instruction in our basic law enforcement classes as well as public safety classes for corrections employees, emergency medical service employees, fire and rescue workers and many others, he added. Valerie Dobson, vice president of academics and student services and chief academic officer at MTCC, agrees. Expanding our health science and public safety programs into this new space will allow MTCC Health Science and Public Safety Programs to essentially double their capacity to offer state of the art training through using active learning strategies and simulation for health professionals in our county and region, she said. Recently, the college was fortunate to be approved to begin offering a standalone Associate Degree in Nursing and has enrolled the inaugural classes of students in the program. McDowell Tech was previously part of a consortium with two other community colleges to offer this degree, which allows graduates to sit for nursing exams that ultimately lead to becoming a registered nurse. In this program and in other nursing programs, like nurse aide and practical nursing, classroom and clinical space have always been limiting factors in how many students the college can accept each year. Expanding health science facilities will allow the college to increase the number of students in the associate degree and practical nursing education programs to a total of approximately 90 students per year. The demand for graduates of these programs is at all-time highs, with an equal level of student interest in the programs. For several years, there have been waiting lists for entry into one or both programs, with graduates commanding average salaries of $55,286. The new building will also allow for more clinical simulation, so that nursing and other health science programs can gain practical experience before entering hospital or other emergency settings working with live patients. It will also provide gymnasium space for general physical education classes, as well as physical agility testing for law enforcement officers and others. The colleges newly approved 911 Communications and Operations Technology Program will be among the first beneficiaries of the health science and public safety expansion. The initiation and expansion of this program will fill a significant void for employee training in 911 communications and operations centers throughout the county, region and state and will be the first of its kind in western North Carolina. Beyond the health science and public safety classes to be housed in the new facility, completion of the new building will have secondary benefits for two early colleges already co-located at McDowell Tech McDowell Early College and McDowell Academy for Innovation. As health sciences and public safety programs vacate existing space and move into the new building, classrooms for each of the early colleges can become more centralized in what for them will be newer space. Currently, early college classes are scattered throughout some of the oldest buildings on campus. Workforce education is a central mission of McDowell Tech and the North Carolina Community College System, and this building will be the embodiment of workforce development in health sciences and public safety in this region, said Garrison. Most of the programs we will teach in this building, whether offered as a curriculum degree or certificate or continuing education program, will have a basic emphasis on high-demand, critically-needed vocational, career and technical programs, and will allow continued economic growth in this region and throughout the state of North Carolina. We greatly appreciate Sen. Daniel and Representatives Green and Johnson and their colleagues in the N.C. House and Senate for partnering with the college and McDowell County government to help us provide this training. South African-born American billionaire Elon Musk joins forces with African e-commerce platform Jumia to extend the services of Starlink, his satellite internet provider, across the continent. On Monday, October 2, 2023, Jumia, Africas leading e-commerce platform, and Starlink, a satellite internet connectivity service designed by Elon Musks aerospace company, announced a partnership aimed at boosting broadband internet access in Africa. Jumia will be entrusted with the distribution, to users on the continent, of the terminals required to use Starlink. Initially, the agreement will cover Nigeria, with expansion plans envisaged in Kenya and other African countries where Jumia is present, says the press release. The e-commerce platform, which operates in 11 African destinations, will thus expand into countries not served by the ISP, with the exception of Nigeria and Kenya. Starlink is also available in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and (again) Zambia. To reach 23 countries by the end of the year, Starlink is gradually acquiring operating licenses. With this in mind, on September 22 the company recently joined forces with the Paratus group, specialists in the provision of Internet access in Africa. This expansion strategy should enable Starlink to capitalize on a continent where the internet penetration rate was 43% in 2022, according to Statista, far behind the global average of 68%. Elon Musks service, which offers Internet access via a constellation of Earth-orbiting satellites, has a decisive advantage: a minimal physical infrastructure capable of reaching the most remote areas of Africa. Although Starlink is already present in 60 countries, affordability remains an obstacle. In Nigeria, the cost of the equipment required for a standard Starlink service is 435,000 naira, or over 350,000 FCFA. Added to this are monthly subscription fees ranging from $120 to $250. Embattled former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah has filed an injunction application against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for prosecuting her until its freeze of her accounts and cash seizure case is determined. Per the court documents filed Tuesday, October 10, the lawyers say if the OSP is not retrained, the accused will suffer irreparable damage. They have asked the court to balance her rights against the States power to fight corruption. This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the States power to fight corruption. It is the Applicants considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter. The former minister has also refuted allegations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor that she has an undeclared real estate business. According to her, the OSP has not provided any evidence of that claim. The court document filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor said Cecilia Abena Dapaah was engaged in undisclosed and undeclared real estate business in which she obscured and concealed the transactions by employing the use of aliases to avoid detection of the actual ownership of the business and properties, while cleverly receiving proceeds of the transactions in her bank account and investments. This is part of OSPs attempt to confirm the seizure of suspected tainted properties belonging to Madam Dapaah. Photo: The Canadian Press Ontario has seized nearly 100 raccoons from a rehab facility that says it has done nothing wrong. A spokeswoman for Mally's Third Chance Raccoon Rescue and Rehabilitation says the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry took 95 raccoons from its facility two weeks ago. Tiffany Devon says there were more than 30 conservation officers and police officers in what she describes as a raid. She says the ministry has revoked the rehab facility's wildlife custodian licence, but she says Mally's has done no wrong. A copy of the warrant in the case shows the owners of the raccoon rehab facility face more than 20 counts for allegedly violating the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The ministry says it acted on a tip from the public and says the raccoons are being cared for in a secure facility. In South Africa, the government and ruling party stand by the Palestinians, while calling for an end to hostilities. The African National Congress (ANC) stands in solidarity with the Palestinians, whom it claims are victims of an apartheid regime, as were South Africans until 1994. On the other hand, the communiques make no mention of Hamas, despite its involvement in the battle, or of its abuses. South Africa makes no concessions when it comes to the Palestinian cause. The resurgence of conflict is because of Israel, according to South Africas Department of International Relations. Because of the continuing illegal occupation, uninterrupted colonization and permanent oppression of the Palestinians. The statement, published last weekend, makes no mention of Hamas or the atrocities committed against civilians. Nor does the ruling ANC mention Hamas. It points out that its not surprising to see Palestinians responding to the brutality of Israels apartheid regime. During the clashes of 2021, the ANC demonstrated outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, calling on its ambassador to pack his bags. South Africa has had no ambassador in Tel Aviv since 2018. The contrast is striking with the position of the Democratic Alliance. The first opposition party, closer to Israel, denounces the unilateral attack by Hamas and acts of terror against innocent civilians. In South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict divides society. 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: Julie Ricard on Unsplash Health workers need support to provide culturally sensitive care for refugees and migrants, says a new wide-ranging policy report from the World Health Organization into the mental health of migrants and refugees. A lead author of the report, Dr. Kelly Rose-Clarke, senior lecturer in global mental health, says policies are also urgently needed that safeguard human rights, including the right to health, for all one billion of the world's refugees and migrants, regardless of their legal status. "We also need policies that reduce anti-migrant stigma and discrimination, and that recognize the social determinants of mental health by prioritizing basic needs, such as housing, safety, education and employment." Overall, the report paints a complicated picture of what policies are required to provide better care at the individual, family, community and national government levels. Dr. Rose-Clarke said, "Migration represents a major life transition that may benefit mental health and well-being among some migrant and refugee groups. Yet, for other groups, migration may adversely affect mental healthrefugees and migrants may be at an increased risk of anxiety, depression, psychosis and suicide. They may be excluded from society because of stigma and discrimination and denied their human rights. They may also be subject to physical and sexual abuse." "In addition, they may face significant barriers that hamper the availability, accessibility, acceptability and affordability of health services," she said. Co-written with Dr. Gracia Fellmeth from Oxford University, the report says in 2020 there were approximately one billion migrants worldwide, representing about 1 in 8 of the global population. These include 281 million international migrants and 82.4 million forcibly displaced people. "Forcibly displaced" people includes the world's 48 million internally displaced persons, 26.4 million refugees and 4.1 million asylum seekers. The findings of this report are fundamental to developing better policies and practices to ensure that refugees and migrants receive their rightful mental health care and support, says Dr. Rose-Clarke. "As a starting point for more effective policy and planning, a better understanding is needed of what factors place refugees and migrants at risk of mental health conditions and what helps and inhibits their access to mental health services." Dr. Rose-Clarke added that global evidence on the health of refugees and migrants is limited and governments worldwide often grapple with developing and implementing legal frameworks and policies that address the needs of these populations. Access to mental health care must also be improved she said, by engaging with refugee and migrant communities and offering choices and pathways regarding care and providers. "Care itself needs to be strengthened through improving the capacity of health care workers to assess and treat mental health conditions among refugees and migrants from diverse cultural backgrounds," she said. Aimed at policy makers, the report Mental health of refugees and migrants: risk and protective factors and access to care, identifies key areas such as cultural concepts of mental health and related stigma, and issues arising from navigating mental health and other services. Self-identity and community support, basic needs and security, and potential exposure to adversity or traumatic events were also shown to be important. The report is the fifth of the Global Evidence Review on Health and Migration (GEHM) series launched by the WHO's Department of Health and Migration in June 2021. The GEHM series is a collection of global and national synthesis reviews answering policy questions identified as priorities by summarizing the best available evidence worldwide. The series' reports provide policy-makers with evidence-based policy considerations to help them address the health aspects of global migration. 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Skin cancer detection using artificial intelligence (AI) software has rapidly improved, new research has shown, with the latest software reaching a 100% detection rate for melanoma. The study, presented today at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2023, assessed 22,356 patients with suspected skin cancers over a 2.5-year period. As well as a 100% (59/59 cases identified) sensitivity for detecting melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, the new software correctly detected 99.5% (189/190) of all skin cancers and 92.5% (541/585) of pre-cancerous lesions. The third version of the AI software marks a significant improvement from the first model, tested in 2021, which detected 85.9% (195/227) of cases of melanoma, 83.8% (903/1078) of all skin cancers and 54.1% (496/917) of pre-cancerous lesions. Lead author Dr. Kashini Andrew, Specialist Registrar at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, comments, "This study has demonstrated how AI is rapidly improving and learning, with the high accuracy directly attributable to improvements in AI training techniques and the quality of data used to train the AI. The latest version of the software has saved over 1,000 face-to-face consultations in the secondary care setting between April 2022 and January 2023, freeing up more time for patients that need urgent attention." While the data is incredibly encouraging, the research team notes that AI should not be used as a standalone detection tool without the support of a Consultant Dermatologist. Of the basal cell carcinoma cases, a single case was missed out of 190, which was later identified at a second read by a dermatologist "safety net." This further demonstrates the need to have appropriate clinical oversight of the AI. Co-author Dr. Irshad Zaki, Consultant Dermatologist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, also explains, "We would like to stress that AI should not be used as a standalone tool in skin cancer detection and that AI is not a substitute for Consultant Dermatologists." "The role of AI in dermatology and the most appropriate pathway are debated," says Dr. Andrew. "Further research with appropriate clinical oversight may allow the deployment of AI as a triage tool. However, any pathway must demonstrate cost-effectiveness, and AI is currently not a stand-alone tool in dermatology. Our data shows the great promise of AI in future provision of health care." Provided by European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 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: Yale University With smoke from Canadian wildfires once again descending on the Northeastern United States, residents of New England and New York are being urged to take precautions to protect their health. While the wildfire smoke is not expected to be as bad as the thick orange haze that permeated the skies over New York City and the New England states last June, a heightened risk for health problems remainsespecially among those with certain respiratory conditions. A new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health confirms that harmful smoke from wildfires is capable of traveling great distances and can impact the health of people hundreds of miles away. The studyrecently published in the Journal of the American Medical Associationfound a stark association between Canadian wildfire smoke and increases in the number of people being seen for asthma-related symptoms in New York City emergency departments. The research is unique because previous studies on the health impacts of wildfire smoke have focused on areas near the wildfires, but not the broader global regions affected by drifting smoke. Looking at data from June 2023, the researchers found there was a significant spike in ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in the air over New York City during a smoke wave that dropped down from Canada over a three-day period from June 6 to June 8. On the same days that the spike in PM 2.5 pollution occurred over New York, emergency department visits for asthma-related symptoms jumped to 261 per day across the city, compared with an average of about 182 visits per day during reference periods identified by the researchers before and after the smoke wave. Both the fine particulate matter and the emergency room visits peaked on June 7. PM 2.5 pollution has been shown to affect respiratory health, cardiovascular health, birth outcomes, and mental health, said Kai Chen, an assistant professor of epidemiology (environmental health sciences) at the Yale School of Public Health and the study's lead author. Credit: Yale University The findings should be taken as a word of caution for people living in regions immediately impacted by wildfires as well as those downwind from the fires, the scientists said. "People should take precautions for wildfire-induced air quality alerts seriously," Chen said. "This means altering your daily routines as you would do for other extreme events like hurricanes." In the study, Chen and his team defined a wildfire smoke wave as a period of at least two consecutive days where the daily mean level of PM 2.5 particulate matter exceeded the maximum level56.8 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3)during a baseline period between Jan. 2021 and May 2023. The daily mean level of PM 2.5 pollution from June 6 to June 8 was 100.9 g/m3, compared with only 9 g/m3 during the reference period. The researchers also looked at how the wildfire smoke impacted subgroups in New York City, separating and analyzing data by borough (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island) and by age (04, 517, 1864, and 65 and over). They found that all boroughs of New York City were impacted by the June smoke wave. All age groups were also affected by the wildfire smoke, but data revealed that people between the ages of 18 and 64 were most likely to visit the emergency department for asthma-related conditions during that time. Study limitations include data being limited to New York City, the examination of only one acute outcome, and a lack of accounting for changes in population activity patterns or movement. Amidst the more frequent and larger wildfires in recent years due to a warming climate, the researchers emphasized the need for timely communication about limiting wildfire smoke exposure to protect vulnerable populations. More information: Kai Chen et al, Canadian Wildfire Smoke and Asthma Syndrome Emergency Department Visits in New York City, JAMA (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.18768 Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association 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: Three-dimensional culture of human breast cancer cells, with DNA stained blue and a protein in the cell surface membrane stained green. Image created in 2014 by Tom Misteli, Ph.D., and Karen Meaburn, Ph.D. at the NIH IRP. A new editorial explores the wide array of reasons why women who migrate to a new country are less like to attend screening for breast cancer than women born in that country. Health providers should 'broaden their understanding' of the range of experiences of women in order to increase breast cancer screening uptake, according to a new editorial. Published in the British Medical Journal and written by Dr. Elizabeth Davies and Yueh-Hsin Wang, the article describes how providers need to look beyond existing measures and consider the complex nature of barriers facing women who have migrated to another country. It's established that attendance for breast cancer screening is lower among migrants than in women born in high income countries. Previous research has emphasized the impact of language barriers in contributing to these disparities. However, Dr. Davies and Wang explain how a major randomized controlled trial found that translated invitations didn't have a significant effect on screening uptake in Norway. Considering these results, the editorial argues that we must 'broaden our understanding' of the experience of migrating as a woman to look beyond language barriers. Women who have migrated to a new country will also encounter additional administrative barriers in attending health appointments, as well as bring differing perceptions of breast cancer risk and varying levels of trust in official health care systems. Australia has one of the highest proportion of migrants among major high-income countries and has sought to minimize health inequalities among migrant groups, particularly refugees and asylum seekers. Research interviews suggest that the approach and sex of general practitioners or family doctors, women's awareness and knowledge of cancer screening, financial problems, and language difficulties all contribute to attendance for cancer screening. Alongside this, the authors note how UK-based studies found that women of Caribbean, African and Bangladeshi descent were less likely to attend breast screening than women from white ethnic backgrounds. However, uptake was found to have increased in Bangladeshi women when screening initiatives were led by Bangladeshi GPs. When reviewing these recent insights, the authors argue that local health services and policy makers should look to develop "more nuanced, multifaceted, and targeted interventions" to help engage women who do not attend for screening. This can only be achieved with an understanding of the many challenges women may face when migrating to a new country. "One element may be for services to reconsider how long they label women as 'immigrant' rather than viewing them as settled citizens from diverse cultural backgrounds," says Dr. Elizabeth Davies, Clinical Reader in Cancer and Public Health. More information: Elizabeth A Davies et al, Understanding inequalities in breast cancer screening uptake, British Medical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.p2084 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) 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: Model of the layers of global consciousness: Different layers of consciousness (plant consciousness, animal consciousness or human consciousness) have the impenetrable boundaries. In the case of the human layer we can find different levels of development from the very simple consciousness of infants to complex and developed consciousness of people with shamanic consciousness (shamans, healers, prophets, etc.). The vertical arrow in the middle shows the possibility of penetrating layers for a person with shamanic consciousness. Credit: The Prague College of Psychosocial Studies In a world where scientific advancements continually shape our understanding of the universe, a new study sheds light on the immense potential of Indigenous concepts and meanings for contemporary science. The study explores how this ancient wisdom represents adaptive solutions in various environmental and social contexts, sparking inspiration for the scientific community. The research, conducted by a team of cultural anthropologists and psychologists, delves into the vast diversity of Indigenous cultural understandings of consciousness. Past studies have previously shown significant variations in the conceptualizations of consciousness across different cultural groups from various geographical regions. This present work takes a closer look at the rich tapestry of a few of the thousands of Indigenous cultural interpretations of consciousness. One striking revelation from the study is that Indigenous concepts of consciousness often go beyond individualistic perspectives. Instead, they are intricately woven into relational and inseparable connections with the environment and religious beliefs. The profound interplay between consciousness and the external world opens up new avenues for understanding the human experience. The research further uncovers the multiple layers of understanding that some Indigenous communities possess regarding consciousness. These diverse layers add depth and richness to their comprehension of the conscious experience of the world, illuminating alternative viewpoints for modern science to consider. One of the most surprising findings is that Indigenous understandings of global consciousness do not necessarily oppose local consciousness. Instead, they offer a holistic perspective that harmonizes the individual with the broader interconnectedness of all living beings. The study's concluding section highlights potential applications of Indigenous concepts and meanings in recent scientific debates revolving around the nature of consciousness. Issues, such as the duality of material versus non-material sources of consciousness, the role of energy in shaping consciousness and the intricate interconnection between consciousness and the environment, emerge from this in-depth exploration. Dr. Radek Trnka, the corresponding author, shared his thoughts on the implications of the study, "The knowledge held by Indigenous communities offers profound insights into the very fabric of consciousness. By incorporating this ancient wisdom into our contemporary scientific discourse, we open up new vistas of understanding and pave the way for a more holistic and interconnected perspective on consciousness." The research not only fosters cross-cultural appreciation but also highlights the importance of preserving and respecting Indigenous knowledge systems. It serves as a call to action for the scientific community to recognize and integrate these valuable perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and diverse approach to understanding consciousness. "Experiencing and using collective effervescence (collective consciousness), altered states of consciousness, and synchronization is also widespread in Indigenous cultures, mostly for healing purposes and maintaining relationships with other beings and entities. Research of consciousness in this area is still limited in Western science. Thus, Indigenous psychology and Indigenous science could be valuable sources of inspiration for Western science," Trnka concluded. As the world continues to seek answers to profound questions about the human mind and its connection to the universe, this study serves as a beacon of hope, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern scientific exploration. The work is published in the Journal of Consciousness Studies. More information: Radmila Lorencova et al, Variability in Cultural Understandings of Consciousness: A Call for Dialogue with Native Psychologies, Journal of Consciousness Studies (2023). DOI: 10.53765/20512201.30.5.232 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain I renovated my kitchen two years ago, and now I can't help but wonder: Is someone sick or dying because of my design choices? Among the decisions I had to make was which material would replace the cracked and stained yellow tile countertop that was installed in the 1950s. I admired the look of wood, but ultimately chose a sparkly quartz. I am not the only person who has made this choice for a kitchen or bath redo. In recent years, quartz, or engineered stone, has become the most popular material for slick-looking countertops, and the multibillion-dollar industry is only expected to grow. Quartz isn't cheap, but its attractive appearance (the options for color and pattern are seemingly endless) and durability make it worth the extra cost. It's nearly impossible to burn or stain, which is a problem with wood no matter how well you maintain it. Those are things I discussed with the experts at the tile and countertop suppliers. At no time did we talk about the hidden costs of the option, specifically that the peoplemainly young Latinoswho cut engineered stone countertops are getting sick and dying from silicosis, a disease I had never even heard of. Or that workplace health officials have known for years about the dangers associated with this line of work and rampant noncompliance with safety measures at work sites, but that it is largely unknown to consumers and even workers themselves. Or that dozens of people in the San Fernando Valley, where the engineered stone industry is concentrated, are currently sick with this incurable respiratory disease, which is caused by breathing in the silica dust released when quartz is cut and has had a local fatality rate as high as 20%. Or that at least 10 workers have died from silicosis between 2019 and 2022, and many others are severely disabled. I only learned these things recently, like many other Times readers, from the story by Emily Alpert Reyes and Cindy Carcamo that put a spotlight on this condition and the industryand sparked a discussion about what can be done to keep workers safe. Assembly member Luz Rivas, D-North Hollywood, wrote on X that she had already begun working on legislation to be introduced next session. She said later that the story helped rally attention and support by labor advocates. This epidemic of silicosis, as health experts have put it, has been on the radar of state and county health officials for some months after concerns were raised by physicians at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center who were seeing an uptick in cases. The state is working on emergency regulations for those who cut engineered stone, even though regulators acknowledge that it may not be possible to make this job completely safe for workers. CAL/OSHA officials wrote in a May report that "engineered stone may be so hazardous that even properly designed engineering controls and work practices may be unable to prevent RCS [respirable crystalline silica] exposures and silicosis among the workers who cut, shape and polish it." Furthermore, many of the workers who are suffering from silicosis reported that they wore respirators and their workplaces incorporated safety methods, such as using water to keep dust down. If there is no way to keep quartz cutters safe, should engineered stone fabrication be banned? Perhaps. That is one of the options that Los Angeles County health officials will explore in a report requested by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Holly Mitchell. Rivas said it is an option that she is looking at as well. In many ways, the engineered stone situation resembles the issue of chrome plating, another industry concentrated in Southern California that is all about aesthetics (think spiffed-up cars with shiny chrome grills and rims ) but comes with an extremely toxic byproduct. In that case, the dangerous substance is carcinogenic hexavalent chromium that metal-finishing operations release into the air at levels that are extremely unsafe for the neighboring communities. State air regulators this year finally approved rules that will require the industry to transition to safer compounds beginning in 2024. It's good that lawmakers and regulators have taken notice of this terrible situation, but it does still feel like there's an important element missingconsumer education. If I had known that choosing quartz put workers' lives at risk, I would have picked another countertop that doesn't come with a side of guilt. There is really no excuse to allow dangerous working conditions for a product that is used for purely aesthetic reasons when there are saferand equally attractiveoptions. 2023 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Images of amyloid aggregate plaques in brain tissue of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease incubated with the antibody used in the study. On the left, image obtained with a confocal microscope. On the right, image obtained by STED microscopy. Credit: Cell & Bioscience (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01086-4 Researchers have now combined STED microscopy, a technology that allows superresolution visualization, and a recently created new antibody to observe the amyloidogenic aggregates characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. The work, led by scientists from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Karolinska Institute (KI), and the biotechnology company BioArctic, both in Sweden, has surpassed the capabilities of conventional confocal microscopy, and will allow further study of the structure and morphology of amyloid deposits and the mechanisms involved in their formation. In the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, there are accumulations of plaques of beta-amyloid (A) protein aggregates, which have been linked to tissue deterioration and brain malfunction. The major component of these plaques are chains of about 4042 amino acids, which with conventional confocal light microscopy can only be described in collective terms as amorphous, dense, or diffuse plaques. This classical view is far from the individual fibers seen with electron microscopy. With electron microscopy, they appear threadlike, between 6 and 10 nanometers in diameter, unbranched and often formed by laments coiled around each other. However, although electron microscopy offers higher resolution, it also has several drawbacks, including a very high cost and a sample preparation process that increases the risk of artifacts. In the study, the research team has evaluated the use of a third type of microscopySTED (stimulated emission depletion)to examine the structure and morphology of A aggregates. Using this technology, developed by Nobel laureate SW Hell, the scientists examined brain sections from Alzheimer's disease model mice, along with a new recombinant human antibody labeled with fluorescence that selectively reacts with A aggregates. Published in the journal Cell & Bioscience, the work describes details of plaque structure that had not been resolved with conventional light microscopy. "We have achieved a spatial resolution that exceeds 5 to 10 times the capabilities of conventional confocal light microscopy, both in in vitro samples and in brain tissue sections, and we have been able to discern individual fibers within plaques, a milestone previously only possible with electron microscopy," explains Dr. Bjorn Johansson, first author of the paper and researcher at the KI Department of Clinical Neuroscience. "This is an important advance in the field, which will allow us to further characterize the mechanisms involved in A deposition in plaques and its subsequent removal," adds Vladana Vukojevic, co-author and researcher at the same department. Lydia Gimenez-Llort, co-author of the study and researcher at the Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine and the Institute of Neuroscience of the UAB, says, "The ability to obtain these images in animals that had been under behavioral observation will allow us to better understand the development and progression of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, with the aim of finding significant biochemical and neuropathological correlates." The authors agree that previous studies of Alzheimer's disease conducted with conventional light microscopy lack information which can now be addressed with this new methodology, on the role of beta-amyloid aggregates in the pathogenesis of the disease. "STED microscopy is emerging as an indispensable tool to drive scientific progress in Alzheimer's research," they conclude. More information: Bjorn Johansson et al, The interwoven fibril-like structure of amyloid-beta plaques in mouse brain tissue visualized using super-resolution STED microscopy, Cell & Bioscience (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01086-4 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain When Selam Solomon Caldwell and her husband learned she was pregnant last year, the stakes for finding the right OB-GYN felt high. Caldwell, a Black woman, had heard stories from family and friends of maternity care providers who ignored their requests or pressured them into cesarean sections without clear medical justification. As a relative newcomer to Los Angeles, the recruiter, now 31, knew few Black people who could recommend doctors who had treated them with respect. She combed review sites, including Google reviews and Healthgrades, but couldn't find how nearby physicians and hospitals might treat a Black woman like her. "It's hard to tell if it's a fellow Black person who's giving the review," Caldwell said. Consumer ratings sites rarely identify patient experiences by race or ethnicity and hospitals are under no obligation to reveal the racial and ethnic breakdowns of their patient satisfaction scores. Yet that information could be instrumental in holding maternity care providers and hospitals accountable for treating patients inequitably and could empower expectant mothers like Caldwell in finding quality obstetric care. "You can't change what you don't see," said Kimberly Seals Allers, founder of Irth, an app allowing Black and brown women to find and leave reviews of maternity care providers. She's one of a few entrepreneurs developing new tools for collecting feedback from mothers of color. A steady drip of new research over the past several years has spotlighted racial discrimination by maternity care providers and the role it may play in one of the country's most vexing health disparities: Black women experience the worst birthing outcomes, a gap not explained by income or education, according to a KFF analysis. In 2021, they were nearly three times as likely to die of pregnancy-related causes as white women. Mothers of color, especially Black women, report that they do in fact experience discrimination. They are more likely than white women to say that their care providers ignored them, scolded them, or pressured them into treatments they didn't want. The extent to which discrimination is reported varies widely by survey, but one recently published report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found roughly 30% of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial women reported mistreatment during maternity care, compared with 20% of women overall. It's unclear how many hospitals track survey responses by race, and, even if they do, they rarely reveal that information. And the federal government requires generic reporting on how patients say they were treated, making it difficult to pin down and address incidents of bias in maternity care. Funding and regulations lag Currently, the results of the industry's standard patient experience survey, known as the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health care Providers and Systems, are made publicly available by the federal government to help patients compare hospitals. They incentivize hospitals to improve care and are included in the rankings of many hospital ratings sites, such as U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals. But it doesn't ask about maternity care or discrimination and has low response rates, particularly among people of color. These flaws can also make the survey inadequate for improving birth equity. "We know it's insufficient," said Amanda P. Williams, an OB-GYN and clinical innovation adviser to the nonprofit California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative. Hospitals, she said, could fill in the gaps by collecting feedback from maternity care surveys and breaking the results out by race and other demographic information; they could also talk to patients through forums such as town halls or focus groups. Joy Lewis, senior vice president for health equity strategies at the American Hospital Association, said many hospitals do this work, both generally and in obstetrics. However, Williams believes it isn't happening enough in maternity care. She said there are some pockets where people are doing these activities but that they are not yet widespread. At a national conference of 200 hospital executives this year, Williams said, only a few raised their hands when asked if they break out their maternity outcomes data. "If your overall C-section rate is fine, you might think everything's hunky-dory," she said. "But if you see that your Black people are having 50% higher C-section rates than your white and Asian patients, there's very important work to be done." Then there are barriers to participation. Studies have found many in the Black community distrust the health care system. Fearing retaliation and being seen as an "angry Black woman," Ta-She-Ra Manning, a maternal health program coordinator in Fresno, California, said she didn't provide any critical feedback when her OB-GYN dismissed her concerns about unusual symptoms during her 2021 pregnancy. Meanwhile, new funding to measure disparities has been slow in coming. President Joe Biden's 2023 budget proposed $7.4 million to develop a supplemental survey aimed at reducing maternal health disparities, among other steps. But Congress did not fund the item. Instead, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services is developing it with its own funding and estimates the work will take less than five years, according to a statement from Caren Ginsberg, who directs the agency's surveys. Still, the public likely won't see changes anytime soon. After a survey's measures are created, it can take several years for the results to be publicly reported or tied to payment, said Carol Sakala, senior director for maternal health at the National Partnership for Women & Families, an advocacy organization. "This molasses level of movement contrasts acutely with all the things hitting the news about people not getting the right care and attention and respect," Sakala said. Amid growing interest in health equity, traditional ratings sites are grappling with how much to share with the public. For its birthing hospital ratings, U.S. News & World Report recently started assessing whether hospitals tracked racial disparities in maternity outcomes measures, but it withholds actual results. Healthgrades is taking time to think through how to collect and display sensitive information publicly, said spokesperson Sarah Javors in a statement. Black innovators fight for better data Some Black women are trying to fill the void by creating new feedback mechanisms that could be more trusted by the community. Allers said she created Irth after a traumatic birth experience as a Black mother at a highly rated hospital left her feeling failed by mainstream ratings. On the app, verified users answer questions, from whether they felt respected by their doctor to if they experienced certain types of mistreatment such as dismissal of pain. Irth currently has 10,000 reviews of hospitals, OB-GYNs, and pediatricians nationally, according to Allers. "Our data is for the community," said Allers. "They know their feedback has value to another mom or family." Irth also offers analysis of the reviews to hospitals and leads campaigns to collect more reviews for them. But Allers said many hospitals have expressed little interest. Karen Scott, an OB-GYN who created PREM-OB, a scientifically validated survey that measures racism in Black birthing experiences, said she has met hospital leaders who don't think their providers could mistreat patients or who worry that documenting responses could carry legal risk. The American Hospital Association's Lewis declined to comment specifically on Irth and PREM-OB but acknowledged the Black community's long-standing mistrust of health care providers. She said hospitals want to hear more from patients in historically marginalized groups. Early signs of progress are emerging in parts of the country. California hospitals will likely report disparities in birth outcomes and patient satisfaction measures. Hospitals are expected to start posting data broken out by race and other demographics on their websites in 2026, though the state hasn't finalized the measures that will be required, said Andrew DiLuccia, a spokesperson for the state's health data agency. At least two states, Washington and New Jersey, have disclosed rates of C-sections among low-risk patients by race for individual hospitals. Scott founded Birthing Cultural Rigor to increase uptake of her survey. The firm has partnered with birth equity groups to recruit respondents in select counties in Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Scott said results will be used to train local health professionals on how to reduce racism in maternity care. Separately, Irth will collect and analyze reviews for three hospitals or health systems in California, said Allers. One of them, MemorialCare Miller Children's and Women's Hospital Long Beach, will work with Irth to better understand the impact of birth equity efforts such as implicit bias training. "We'll get to see if what we're doing is actually working," said Sharilyn Kelly, executive director of the hospital's perinatal services. Caldwell, the recruiter, eventually found a doctor she trusted and went on to have a smooth pregnancy and delivery. Her son is now eight months old. But with so little information available on how she might be treated, she said, she felt anxious until she met her doctor, when "a lot of that stress and anxiety melted away." 2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Prisma flow diagram. Credit: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.09.010 The prevalence of malaria infections among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa is considerably high (8%), while Asian and Latin American migrants have a much lower prevalence, according to a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). These findings can help inform screening strategies to combat malaria infections in migrant populations. Malaria is often thought of as a tropical disease, but a systematic review led by ISGlobal has shed light on a lesser-known aspect of this mosquito-borne disease: its prevalence among migrants in non-endemic areas. Migrant populations currently make up 10% of the total population in EU countries and many of them come from malaria-endemic regions. However, as ISGlobal researcher Ana Requena notes, "screening of migrants arriving in European countries is not usually done, so we do not know the true percentage of those infected with the malaria parasite, especially since many of the infections can be asymptomatic." To estimate the prevalence of malaria parasites in this population, Requena and her team searched several databases for studies conducted in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand where migrants had been systematically screened for malaria parasites. The researchers excluded studies in which people were tested because of malaria symptoms, as their aim was to capture asymptomatic infections. Of the 1,819 studies initially identified, the review included 23 studies that met the criteria, with a total of 4,203 participants tested with PCR, 3,186 with microscopy, and 4,698 with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Regional variations The prevalence of the malaria parasite varied widely between migrant groups. Sub-Saharan African migrants had the highest prevalence, with 8.3% testing positive by PCR, 4.3% by RDTs and 3.1% by microscopy. Prevalence was highest among those from Central Africa (9.3% by PCR) and those who had arrived in their host country within the last year (11.6% by PCR). In contrast, malaria parasite prevalence was much lower among Asian and Latin American migrants (0% and 0.4%, respectively, by PCR). Not surprisingly, parasite prevalence based on PCR (which is much more sensitive) was two to three times higher than that detected by RDT or microscopy. These findings can help inform screening strategies and guidelines for malaria control in migrant populations. "By identifying at-risk populations, health authorities can better tailor interventions to prevent and treat malaria in these communities, ultimately contributing to global efforts to eliminate this devastating disease," says Requena. The paper is published in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection. More information: Ana Requena-Mendez et al, Malaria parasite prevalence among migrants: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.09.010 According to recent Leger (public opinion) polls: 79% of Canadians believe that "too many violent repeat offenders are being offered bail". 78% believe "the justice system is too lenient". 80% are in "direct opposition to (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau's climate policies" and 55% want the carbon tax gone while another 18% don't want it to increase any higher. According to an Angus Reid poll: 86% of Canadians say parents should be informed if a child requests a new identity at school. At the same time, 71% agree to immediately affirm and accommodate the trans identity of a child. To that, Trudeau says "far right political actors are trying to outdo themselves with the types of cruelty and isolation they can inflict on these already vulnerable people". Does he really believe that informing parents of their child's request amounts to "cruelty" toward their own children? As a father, does he not believe the vast majority of parents have their children's best interests at heart and will love them no matter what? Does he really believe 86% of Canadians are "far right political actors"? As prime minister, how can he hold these opinions of his fellow Canadians? Or is he merely following his usual practice of divisiveness and cheap politics? Lloyd Vinish, Kelowna This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Use of the LF-LAM rapid test to diagnose TB in people living with HIV has increased in recent years. However, lack of funding is one of the main barriers to its implementation, according to a study conducted by Kaila Aguiar Soares, student in ISGlobal's Master of Global Health, and published in the European Respiratory Journal. Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, but many of the infections in this group escape standard diagnosis involving sputum. The good news is that for some years now, there is a rapid diagnostic test that detects a protein from the M. tuberculosis bacterium in urine, making TB diagnosisand its treatmenteasier and faster. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines recommending the use of this test for anyone with HIV and symptoms of TB, as well as for anyone with advanced HIV, regardless of symptoms. "Although the LF-LAM test has helped to reduce TB mortality in immunocompromised people with HIV, its implementation in countries with a high burden of both diseases has been a major challenge," says ISGlobal researcher Alberto Garcia-Basteiro. In this study, a team led by Garcia-Basteiro and headed by Kaila Aguiar Soares, a Master of Global Health student, conducted a survey with the national tuberculosis programs in the 22 African countries with the highest TB/HIV burden (according to WHO) to assess current use of the test and identify the main barriers to its implementation. Lack of funding, training and adherence The survey of national TB programs and staff revealed that only three of the 22 countries studied had no national policy on the use of LF-LAMs. In the remaining 19 countries, the main barriers to routine national implementation are lack of funding to purchase the tests and train staff, and lack of adherence to guidelines in health facilities. "The good news is that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of countries that have included the use of LF-LAMs in their national guidelines has increased from 13 (in 2020) to at least 19 (in 2022)," says Aguiar Soares. This represents 80% of African countries with a high TB/HIV burden. However, there are still significant barriers to moving from policy to implementation. Lack of funding is the main one, even though this rapid test has been shown to be much less expensive than other diagnostic tests. Other barriers include problems in the test's supply chain and a lack of training for its use by health workers. "This study allows us to assess progress in regulations and barriers regarding the use of these tests in each country, but it does not allow us to assess the actual degree of availability," says Garcia-Basteiro. What is clear is that countries with the highest TB/HIV burden need more support to bring the use of these tests into line with national regulations and WHO guidelines. For Nuria Casamitjana, Director of Education and Training at ISGlobal, this publication is "doubly satisfying" given that it is scientifically relevant and a direct result of the knowledge acquired during the Master. More information: Aguiar K et al, Implementation of WHO guidelines on urine lateral flow LAM testing in the high TB/HIV burden African countries, European Respiratory Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00556-2023. erj.ersjournals.com/content/ea /13993003.00556-2023 Journal information: European Respiratory Journal This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Nursing homes that use a chlorhexidine bathing routine to clean the skin, and an over-the-counter antiseptic to clean the nose, prevent serious infections and reduce the amount of antibiotic-resistant organisms in the nursing home setting, according to the findings of researchers at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the University of California, Irvine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "The cleansing protocol, called universal decolonization, substantially reduced the number of nursing home residents requiring hospitalization due to infection," said lead author and Lundquist Investigator, Loren Miller, MD, MPH. Dr. Miller is the Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. The study, "Nursing Home Decolonization for Infection and Hospitalization Prevention," involved nearly 14,000 residents at 28 California nursing homes in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Robert Otto Valdez, Ph.D., MHSA, director of U.S. Agency for Health care Research and Quality (AHRQ), said that for an older person "having an infection and needing to be transferred to the hospital for care can be life-threatening. Now nursing homes have another tool to help them prevent infections, reduce transfers, and keep our older adults safe." On any given day, more than 1 million people live in the nation's 15,000 nursing homes. Each year, 3 million health care-associated infections (HAIs) such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bloodstream and urinary tract infections occur in U.S. nursing homes. Residents are at high risk for these infections due to age, wounds, medical devices, and complex illnesses. MRSA and other pathogens can live on a person's skin and in their nose without making them sick. Proactively removing the potentially harmful bacteria can reduce the chances of developing an infection or spreading it to others. During the 18-month study, Dr. Miller and his team compared 14 nursing facilities using standard bathing routines with 14 facilities using the antiseptic soap chlorhexidine and nasal swabs with povidone-iodine (iodophor) to remove pathogens from residents' skin and nose. Both antiseptic products have been used in health care for more than 60 years. The nursing homes following the decolonization protocol saw a significant reduction in the overall prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, including MRSA, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci and other resistant bacteria. No change in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms was detected in residents of nursing homes that used routine bathing. "CDC is excited to see the results of a nursing home-focused infection prevention intervention being published. Given the growing concern of harm from antimicrobial-resistant germs in nursing homes, the impact of this decolonization bathing program is quite important and provides a concrete action that facilities can use to protect nursing home residents," said Nimalie Stone, MD, senior advisor for long-term care in CDC's Division of Health care Quality Promotion, and technical advisory panel member for the trial. In the routine bathing nursing homes, an average of six residents were hospitalized for infection each month per 100 occupied beds. In contrast, nursing homes using the enhanced bathing routine had two fewer residents hospitalized for infection per month per 100 occupied beds. The decolonization routine didn't need to be perfect to prevent infection and hospitalization: 87% used the antiseptic soap as intended; 67% used the iodine-based nasal swab as intended. "Our findings suggest that changing to an antiseptic soap and cleaning the nose with iodophor is a highly effective way to prevent dangerous infections in nursing homes," said Miller. "Compared to other health care strategies, this is a relatively simple win for nursing homes. We hope nursing homes will want to adopt it." Dr. Miller's team worked in tandem with the team of Dr. Susan Huang at University of California, Irvine (UCI) to conduct this clinical trial. Dr. Huang is a leader in the field of infection prevention and the medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention for UCI Health and the Chancellor's Professor of Infectious Diseases at UCI School of Medicine. Dr. Miller is a nationally recognized expert treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infection. The findings add to a growing body of Dr. Miller's research. More information: Loren G. Miller et al, Decolonization in Nursing Homes to Prevent Infection and Hospitalization, New England Journal of Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2215254 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Provided by The Lundquist Institute This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Austria's capital Vienna on Wednesday rolled out a program to combat "period poverty" with drugstores offering free sanitary products to disadvantaged women. In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to sign free universal access to period products in public buildings into law. Starting from this week, 15,000 disadvantaged girls and women in Vienna can each get a free packet of sanitary pads or tampons at a drugstore chain for their monthly period needs. "Access to period products is a basic need," said Vienna's Social Democrats deputy mayor Kathrin Gaal. "They should under no circumstances be a question of money." Vouchers for the packets will be distributed in the city's approximately 80 youth centers and food banks "to target those really in need," Kristina Hametner, head of the Vienna office for women's health, told AFP. The "Red Box" program follows a successful pilot scheme in the capital's underprivileged Brigittenau district in 2021. Under the three-month scheme, 80,000 tampons and 95,000 sanitary pads were made available in Brigittenau, where about 20 percent of women are at risk of poverty. Period poverty occurs when women and girls lack the money for tampons, pads or other sanitary products. Studies suggest that a woman needs approximately 17,000 tampons or pads on average throughout her life, with costs amounting to about 3,000 euros. Globally, campaigners say the issue has a direct effect on girls' education, with a knock-on impact on work opportunities, thus deepening gender inequality. 2023 AFP THAT GOSPEL parable about a landlord who leased his vineyard to tenants (cfr. Mt 21,33-43) reminds us that we should be faithful to whatever... Lily Gladstones latest film, Fancy Dance, is having its premiere in the rising star's home state this week. She stars as Jax, a Seneca-Cayuga woman whos been taking care of her teenage niece, Roki (Isabel DeRoy-Olson). The girl's mother has gone missing and law enforcement seems indifferent. Roki wants to go to an annual powwow, where theyd always performed a mother-daughter dance, in hopes that shell arrive. Jax is really a reflection of so many hard-working women in Indian Country, said writer-director Erica Tremblay. These are women that, in various ways, in different jobs or engagements, are helping to protect young people and promote safety in our cultures, that are struggling at the same time with their own inner traumas and their own demons. Its a narrative feature debut from Tremblay (Seneca-Cayuga), whos directed two documentaries and worked as a writer on the acclaimed FX series Reservation Dogs. Fancy Dance premiered at Sundance earlier this year, and will screen at the Montana Film Festival at the Roxy Theater this Thursday-Sunday. Tones and themes The tone of the film includes elements of noir and mystery that grew from the realities of the story itself. In addition to the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, the plot raises other issues: the Indian Child Welfare Act, overlapping law enforcement on reservations that slows investigations, extractive industries on Native lands, and more. While it involves failing bureaucracy and a quagmire of legal jurisdictions, they didnt want to make a procedural, a courtroom drama or a white savior story, she said. We tried to ground it in the story of an aunt and a niece, as they're traversing through a very difficult landscape of trauma and oppression, but surviving it by loving each other and finding joy in their community and culture, she said. Their relationship needed to ebb and flow as the story unfolds with its share of comedy. We wanted them to really care about each other and love and laugh and have moments of humor that theyre using to prop each other up and support each other as theyre navigating these really treacherous waters, she said. Path to a feature Tremblay, a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, grew up in the northeastern Oklahoma and southwest Missouri area. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue work in film. Along the way, she directed two documentaries, In the Turn, and Heartland: A Portrait of Survival. Tremblay attended the Sundance Institutes Native Lab, where one of her mentors was Sterlin Harjo, the showrunner on "Reservation Dogs." After Tremblay saw Gladstone in director Kelly Reichardts widely praised 2016 film, Certain Women," Harjo helped her reach out about a project. Gladstone (Blackfeet/Nez Perce) grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation and in Seattle. She studied theater at University of Montana and started her acting career in stage and film here and in Washington. Her early film roles were in arthouse-style independent movies. Brothers Alex and Andrew Smith cast her in their adaptation of Blackfeet/Gros Ventre author James Welchs Winter in the Blood in 2013. She had a part in Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian, starring Benicio Del Toro, that year as well. Her breakthrough with national audiences and awards came in Reichardts Certain Women, adapted from short stories by Maile Meloy, who grew up in Helena. Shes continued with independent films, some of which have been reaching theaters during the year-plus of anticipation around Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon, in which she stars alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Last year saw another indie premiere, The Unknown Country, in which she stars as a grieving woman on a solo road trip. As the title alludes to, she sees a cross-section of America, some of whom were played by real people. Working on a feature Tremblay and Gladstone collaborated on a 2020 short film, Little Chief, in which Gladstone portrays a reservation school teacher taking care of a lonely student. It screened at Sundance and with its reception overall, Tremblay saw that there was an interest in stories like that, and began talking with Gladstone about a full-length feature. The themes of Fancy Dance, and its sections of Cayuga dialogue, emerged from a different pursuit. Tremblay had moved to a small reserve in Six Nations, Ontario, for a three-year language immersion program in Cayuga, which has only a handful of fluent speakers left. When she learned that the word for aunt translates to little mother or other mother, the seeds of Fancy Dance emerged. I was seeing this matrilineal kinship and this matriarchy so uniquely preserved in our language, she said. She began writing a script that transported that concept to the present. After initially working on a story with such heavy themes during a pandemic, she reached out to a potential collaborator. At Sundance Labs, shed met Miciana Alise, a Tlingit writer whod completed a romantic comedy script that Tremblay admired and thought she could help flesh out the humor and affection between Jax and her niece. They worked together cross-country, with Alise in the Northwest and Tremblay eventually landing in New York. After a year and half working to find financial backing, they shot in Oklahoma on the Cherokee Nation and the Tulsa area. It was late summer 2022, and COVID protocols were in place. In lieu of shooting their finale scene at a live powwow, they had to stage one. Cast and character Roki, the 13-year-old niece, is played by DeRoy-Olson, whos starred in episodes of the series Three Pines. Tremblay found her while working on casting for the AMC show Dark Winds," and after meeting her, felt she was the right fit. This person needed to have the ability to hang on screen with Lily and not get lost in Lilys star power, she said. DeRoy-Olson and Gladstone spent several weeks learning Cayuga lines together and working on dance choreography. Their scenes involve not just dancing and joking but high-stakes escapes and evasions and a few very personal coming-of-age moments. They were just stunning together," she said. "They were playing tricks on each other, playing tricks on the crew. They became their own version of Jax and Roki. Jax is a complicated character a queer aunt and sister who cares for her family while also trying to move past struggles of her own, including legal ones. Gladstone was involved early in the process and read many different versions of the script. She just sat down in the role, like she does every one that she plays, and just brought it to life, she said. They had discussions about how much the character should give up in a particular scene, whether through inflection or facial expressions, and would ask whether it should be 20% less or more, for instance. On a tight shooting schedule thats typical for independent films, they would shoot different versions to consider later in the editing room. Theres three different films that we shot, she said. In the end, they decided the most subdued version of the character was the most powerful. Streaming The film premiered at Sundance earlier this year and has screened at many festivals since, earning a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Tremblay said its a fraught time in the industry with strikes and a more sluggish buying market for independent movies. Its been a struggle to find a distributor, and eventual home on streaming, but shes optimistic. She said its frustrating, as theyve checked off the milestones theyre supposed to: write a solid script, win contests and fellowships, find financial backing, premiere at Sundance and other festivals. While theres often talk of supporting stories by women, queer and Indigenous artists, she said this is the point where companies can do more than make supportive social media posts. We need people to support us with marketing budgets, she said. "We need people to support us with distribution channels that allow our films to be seen by greater audiences." There are very few narrative films written and directed by Native audiences, she said, and its worth asking why. While projects that tell Indigenous stories can earn massive financial backing, the stories that are made by actual Native Americans arent even worthy of a small percentage of those budgets. She hopes the success of shows like Reservation Dogs and Dark Winds is a long-lasting wave, but it's one that comes after a long history in which Native people were denied creative control. She and Alise are working on another script a thriller in addition to projects of her own like a television series and a science-fiction script. I'm so excited also to see my peers out in the world making incredible Indigenous cinema as well, she said. "And I think that this is really the beginning of a long-lasting mark of what the future of Indigenous filmmaking and television looks like." Almost every ski film is a retrospective a look back at the newest tricks, deepest powder, steepest lines and most stunning destinations skiers and snowboarders visited the past winter. Stoke Fest, a collection of films screening at The Wilma on Oct. 18, is a bit different. Instead of just looking back, or focusing just on winter sports, the event aims to bring together people interested in protecting their cherished landscapes from the effects of climate change in the future. And northwest Montana's own Glacier National Park is part of it. Stoke Fest is a fundraiser for the climate-advocacy nonprofit Protect Our Winters. POW was founded in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, who saw deep powder becoming rarer in places that were once reliably snowy. Since then, the organization has grown to include a roster of winter athletes alongside climbers, mountain bikers, anglers, runners, outdoors brands, filmmakers and scientists. The Stoke Fest event in Missoula on Oct. 18 is hosted by Hilary Hutcheson, a professional angler, guide and journalist from Columbia Falls. Stoke Fest tickets cost $15 and are available at the door or online at logjampresents.com/event/stoke-fest-film-festival-55744/. All funds go to POW. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the event begins at 7 p.m. To be sure, Stoke Fest will feature adrenaline-pumping winter sports. In "The Hypocrite," professional skier Amie Engerbreston grapples with her use of fossil-fuel burning snowmobiles, automobiles, helicopters and planes to access snow-laden peaks threatened by those machines' emissions all while trying to be an advocate for combating climate change. Another film, "Shining Mountains," follows North Face athlete and Missoula resident Mike Foote as he runs Glacier National Park's peaks to get a "sobering" look at how the park's eponymous glaciers have mostly disappeared in the past century. Foote, who hosts The Rut trail running festival in Big Sky and the Rando Radness ski touring race series in Missoula, describes the project as both a eulogy and a love song for the park. During their trek, Foote and two friends add to more than a century of photographs tracking glaciers' decline. But it's not all doom and gloom. In "Punchline," Eeland Stribling a wildlife biologist, educator, angler and stand-up comedian brings humor to his take on conservation and stewardship. And in "Provide," photographer Micheli Oliver examines how hunting and fishing forged her family's connection with the natural world. In an email inviting previous ski race participants to attend Stoke Fest, Foote noted that although the focus is squarely on climate change, "This will not be a dark or despairing event, but instead one infused with inspiration, hope, and excitement. I hope you can attend." Former Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor charges of official misconduct as part of a plea agreement on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Ravalli County District Court. Judge Jennifer Lint sentenced Dewey to an 18 month sentence 6 months on each charge with all but 14 days suspended, as detailed in the agreement, and ordered him to pay $28,196 in restitution. As part of the plea agreement, Dewey is barred from holding public office and waives his right to appeal or otherwise challenge the conviction. Dewey was initially charged with three felony charges of theft by embezzlement and three misdemeanor counts of official misconduct in July of 2022. Dewey was accused of using town funds to pay for his personal legal fees by trying to bypass the town's usual claim process, allocating himself retroactive pay not authorized by the Town Council, and improperly giving some employees severance pay. The first charge stems from legal fees related to a March 2020 recall petition against Dewey, filed by a Stevensville citizen with the Ravalli County election administrator. Dewey filed a civil suit against the citizen and the election administrator in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the recall, which his tenure as mayor ultimately survived. Between mid-November and the end of December 2021, five town employees resigned their positions following the failed November recall. An investigation found that Dewey was billed $12,020.20 from the law firm Boone Karlberg, P.C. for representation in the legal matter. According to court documents Dewey submitted a $12,020.20 bill from Boone Karlberg, P.C. in December 2020 as part of out of cycle expenses to be retroactively approved by the Town Council at its next meeting. The out of cycle process was regularly utilized during the months of November and December to avoid delayed payment of the towns expenses during the holiday season. After questions were raised about the payment by the towns finance officer, Robert Underwood, Dewey later paid a personal check to the Town of Stevensville to cover the amount. The second charge resulted from a three-month period in which Dewey served as interim finance officer and town clerk in addition to his duties as mayor of Stevensville, following the resignation of several town staff. According to court documents Dewey paid himself for 210 hours of extra pay, including 180 hours of retroactive pay that was not approved by the Town Council, as well as paying himself duplicate for the month of August. The third charge involved severance payouts made by Dewey to five employees who resigned their positions. Total gross severance pay issued to the five employees was $16,925, with the total cost to the town being $19,863, according to court documents. An investigation determined that historically the town regularly paid employees who left their position a payout of their accrued vacation, sick and compensatory time. However, the town had never provided any prior employee with severance pay. The five employees acknowledge having received the severance payout. A federal proposal to protect wildlife habitat in southwest Montana through conservation easements has extended its public scoping period after drawing criticism from state and federal lawmakers. In September, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its intention to create a Missouri Headwaters Conservation Area overlapping Beaverhead County and parts of Madison, Deer Lodge, Jefferson and Silver Bow counties. The project would offer conservation easements to willing property owners covering up to 250,000 acres that would allow existing ranching and agricultural uses to continue while preserving wildlife habitat, open space and migratory corridors. Money for the easement purchases would come from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. When the public comment opening was publicized on Sept. 20, a number of landowners and conservation groups in the project area praised it. The Nature Conservancy and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership helped coordinate meetings with county commissioners and local groups to work out details of the proposal to the federal agency. Southwest Montana provides some of the finest wildlife habitat and hunting country found anywhere, said Chris Marchion with Anaconda Sportsmans Club in an email provided by TRCP. The Fish and Wildlife Services proposal for southwest Montana will make funding available to keep agricultural lands in production, while maintaining the wildlife habitat that supports our hunting traditions. However, Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, and Republican Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen both accused FWS of trying to make a land grab through a covert deal, respectively. In a letter to FWS Director Martha Williams, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said he had serious concerns about the proposal he said seeks to transform nearly 5.8 million acres (over 9,000 square miles) into a national wildlife refuge via conservation easements on private land. (T)his would be the largest conservation area ever proposed in America, Knudsen wrote. The Kafkaesque scheme of environmental laws and regulations in this country already provides a nearly insurmountable obstacle to the energy, mining and agricultural industries. And this designation would be another tool wielded and abused by well-funded environmental groups to oppose all permits for responsible development on state and private land. In September, FWS official Ben Gilles said the larger boundary was the area within which the service would be seeking easements from willing sellers. But he added there were no plans to turn the entire watershed into some kind of unified management area. In its Oct. 11 announcement, FWS described its intentions to acquire conservation easements (that) protect wildlife habitat, open space, and working lands into the future and help preserve the rural way of life, including ranching. Acquisition of conservation easements would be voluntary and would occur over decades as funds are available and allocated. The Service would use federal Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars to purchase easements within the Conservation Area. These funds are derived from federal offshore oil and gas leasing and are not taxpayer dollars. No fee-title acquisition would be authorized. Similar conservation easement programs have taken place in the Blackfoot River watershed. The proposed project area is a stronghold for wildlife that has disappeared from much of their historic range and is the centerpiece for connectivity between the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Crown of the Continent, and the wilderness of central Idaho, the FWS release stated. In particular, the proposed project area includes high-priority connectivity and movement corridors for wide-ranging species such as grizzly bear, pronghorn, elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep. The proposal will use conservation easements to protect wildlife habitat and help maintain this connectivity between protected blocks of habitat on public and private conservation lands. The original public comment window was set to close on Oct. 26. The new scoping period runs through Nov. 27. In addition to the extended comment window, FWS will have two more open-house meetings in the region. Meetings have already taken place in Wisdom and Dillon. Oct. 12, 6-8 p.m. in Alder at the Fire House, 29 Upper Ruby Road, Alder, MT 59710 Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m. in Butte at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives Building, 17 W. Quartz St., Butte, MT 59701 For more information about the public meetings, please contact Ben Gilles, Refuge Manager (benjamin_gilles@fws.gov, 406-217-2287) or Jamie Hanson, Conservation Planner (jamie_hanson@fws.gov). Please submit official written comments to: Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Ben Gilles, 922 Bootlegger Trail Great Falls, MT 59404 Email: MOHWCA@fws.gov Photo: The Canadian Press Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research founded by Sam Bankman-Fried, exits Manhattan federal court after testifying, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) Sam Bankman-Fried s former top executive, testifying in Manhattan federal court Wednesday, blamed the FTX founder for corrupting her values so she could lie and steal and got emotional when describing the cryptocurrency empire's final days, saying the collapse of his businesses resulted in a relief that I didn't have to lie anymore. Caroline Ellison, who eventually was made chief executive of Bankman-Fried's cryptocurrency hedge fund, Alameda Research, blamed the man she was entwined with romantically for several years since 2018 for creating justifications so that she could do things that she now admits were wrong and illegal. Testifying for a second day, she recalled that Bankman-Fried said he wanted to do the greatest good for the most people and that rules like don't lie or don't steal must sometimes be set aside. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon asked Ellison how she was affected by Bankman-Fried's philosophy. I think it made me more willing to do things like lie and steal over time, she said. After several hours on the witness stand, Ellison got choked up as she described the final days of FTX and Alameda, saying that the early November period before the businesses filed for bankruptcy was overall the worst week of my life. Still, she said she felt bad for all the people harmed when there wasn't enough money left for all of FTX's customers and Alameda's lenders. When the end arrived, Ellison said it left her with a sense of relief that I didn't have to lie anymore. Earlier in her testimony, Ellison revealed that she doctored balance sheets to try to hide that Alameda was borrowing about $10 billion from FTX customers in June 2022, when the cryptocurrency market was falling dramatically and some lenders were demanding that Alameda return their investments in full. She said she once created seven different balance sheets after Bankman-Fried directed her to find ways to conceal things that might look bad to Alameda's lenders. I didnt really want to be dishonest, but I also didnt want them to know the truth, Ellison said. She said a few years earlier, she would never have believed that she'd one day be sending false balance sheets to lenders or misallocating customer money, but I think it became something I became more comfortable with as I was working there. Ellison said she was in a constant state of dread at that point, fearful that a rush of customer withdrawals from FTX couldn't be met or that what they had done would become public. In June 2022, we were in the bad situation and I was concerned that if anybody found out, it would all come crashing down, she said. The crash came last November, when FTX couldn't fulfill a rush of customer withdrawals, forcing it into bankruptcy and prompting investigations by prosecutors and regulators. I was terrified, she said. This was what I had been worried about the past several months and it was finally happening. Ellison, 28, pleaded guilty to fraud charges in December, when Bankman-Fried was extradited to the United States from the Bahamas. She was expected to be cross-examined on Thursday. Bankman-Fried, 31, has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges. His lawyers say he was not criminally to blame for what happened to his businesses. Initially confined to his parents' Palo Alto, California, home under terms of a $250 million bond, Bankman-Fried has been jailed since August after Judge Lewis A. Kaplan concluded that he had tried to improperly influence potential witnesses, including Ellison. The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices has dismissed an ethics complaint regarding Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras' rental agreement with a religious advocacy group. Commissioner Chris Gallus found the complaint filed by state Democrats failed to articulate a violation and instead urged his office to investigate the party's suspicions. The Montana Democratic Party had asserted Juras was given a lease agreement below market rate for a Helena rental home owned by the Montana Family Institute. That organization is closely aligned with the Montana Family Foundation, a longtime proponent of conservative causes that has seen more legislation it supports signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. In his decision, Gallus wrote that Juras does not have the power to sign legislation into law, as Gianforte can. Additionally, he wrote, Juras has agreed to increases in her rental agreement and absorbed responsibilities like snow removal and utility costs. "Absent an articulable reasonable motivation there is no gift, even a circumstantial one," Gallus wrote. Gallus issued the ruling in July. The Daily Montanan first reported on its existence Tuesday. "This dismissal is disappointing," Montana Democratic Party executive director Sheila Hogan said in a statement. "While so many Montanans struggle to find a place to live and deal with skyrocketing housing costs, Republicans continue using the power of their office to win favors from their well-connected friends." Gianforte appointed Gallus to the commissioner post in January and the state Senate confirmed him in bipartisan fashion in February. "The Commissioner of Political Practices rightfully dismissed the Montana Democratic Partys baseless, scurrilous, and partisan complaint against the Lieutenant Governor," a spokesperson for the governor's office said Wednesday. Gallus wrote in his July 23 decision the law required Democrats to identify both a gift and that the gift influenced Juras to act in contradiction to ethical expectations. The Montana Family Institute and Montana Family Foundation are both led by Jeff Laszloffy, a former GOP lawmaker and staunch abortion opponent. The Gianforte Family Charitable Trust owned the rental home in question at the time Juras signed the initial lease in November 2020, but a month later sold the property to the Montana Family Institute, which continued leasing to Juras, according to filings with the commissioner. Democrats' asserted in their complaint, filed last December, that the Montana Family Foundation's benefitted when Gianforte signed 15 bills from the 2021 Legislature that the foundation supported. The complaint included Zillow listings to suggested the market rate for the neighborhood would command a higher rent than the $1,250 Juras pays. Juras and Laszloffy both contended the rates were negotiated "at arm's length." The institute owns another property in the area which Laszloffy said is rented for $1,200. Gallus disregarded the Zillow listings as "unverifiable nonspecific general analyses" and noted an increase in rent and responsibilities for Juras as part of their ongoing rental agreement. "If MFI was motivated to curry favor with the Lieutenant Governor, it was going about it in a particularly odd way by renegotiating an existing lease with less favorable terms from the perspective of the Lieutenant Governor," he wrote. "There was no gift." The two candidates for Montana's U.S. Senate race on Tuesday released results from the latest fundraising quarter. Republican challenger Tim Sheehy's campaign announced $2.8 million raised in his first quarter. Sheehy, a veteran and CEO of Bridger Aerospace, officially launched his campaign in late June, just before the third quarter of the year, from July through September, began. Incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Tester's campaign on Tuesday announced it raised more than $5 million in the same stretch. Tester is after his fourth term in the Senate in a race that's forecast to draw big money as Republicans try to topple Democrats in red states and reclaim the upper chamber in Congress. Tester's camp said in a press release it's got $13 million cash-on-hand at the end of the quarter. In July, the campaign said Tester had raised $5 million that quarter, and had $10 million cash-on-hand. Sheehy wraps the third quarter of 2023 with $1.1 million cash-on-hand. Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale has been endorsed by 37 state GOP lawmakers over Sheehy and polled well ahead of Belgrade's political newcomer in August, but has not yet declared a bid to rematch Tester. On a rainy Tuesday night, University of Montana President Seth Bodnar acknowledged that the land underneath the UC Ballroom was once a gathering place for the Salish and Kalispel people. That night, it was again a place of gathering. About 1,000 people came together to hear about traditional ecological knowledge from renowned botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer. Dozens were turned away at the door as the room hit its seating capacity. I just want to see her in person! one woman pleaded with UM staff who closed the ballroom doors to avoid a fire hazard. Another woman who had made it inside the ballroom feared that if she left to use the bathroom she wouldnt be allowed back in. Inside, the room clamored with excitement. Missoulians young and old, Native and non-Native, brought their own copies of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants and Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, anxiously waiting to see Kimmerer. Chris La Tray, Montanas poet laureate, introduced Kimmerer and spoke of her great impact. La Tray, who is Little Shell and an advocate for Indigenous language revitalization, alluded to our last first language speaker," who died in 2021. There probably wont be another person born with Anishinaabe as their first language in my lifetime, he said. But that doesnt mean we shouldnt try. A national bestseller, Kimmerers Braiding Sweetgrass has been translated into dozens of languages worldwide. Do you know what words dont get changed? La Tray asked the audience. The Anishinaabe ones. No matter what language that book is written in, the Anishinaabe ones stay the same. I think about people reading boozoo (hello) or miigwech (thank you) and the world hears that. When La Tray welcomed Kimmerer on stage, she was greeted with a standing ovation. Audience members pulled out their phones to take pictures and video. Kimmerer began with a story of when she went to college to study botany. When a professor asked why she wanted to be a botanist, Kimmerer told him that she wanted to understand why goldenrods and asters grow next to each other, why some plants made for good medicine and others could be used to make baskets. I wanted to be a botanist to learn about plants, Kimmerer reflected. Before, I was learning from them. To her surprise and disappointment, the professor told Kimmerer, Thats not science. She showed a student directory picture of herself from that time, which looked like a police mug shot of a very unhappy young woman. I felt I had made a big mistake, Kimmerer said. And my professor essentially said that I did not belong here. The experience helped her illustrate the differences between an Indigenous and Western worldview. In the Western world, Kimmerer said, land is viewed as property, as a natural resource, as capital and as a source of an ecosystem. But in the Indigenous worldview, she said, land is a source of identity. Its a residence for non-human life, it provides connection to ancestors, its a teacher of ecology, a home and a healer. Even the Anishinaabe language demonstrates a kinship with land, Kimmerer argued. In Anishinaabe, it is impossible to refer to a living being, like a plant or animal, as it, she said. While the language does not recognize pronouns, it does have distinctions for animate and inanimate things. So it has different words for a bird flying and an airplane flying. To me, what this means is that speaking English gives us permission to it the world, Kimmerer said. To objectify the world. There are consequences to the words we choose. There are consequences to colonization for all of us. Sweetgrass, Kimmerer said, is a symbol of Mother Earths hair in Anishinaabe creation stories. When a person braids sweetgrass just as when someone braids hair that demonstrates care for another being through a relationship. In her lecture, Kimmerer stressed the importance of examining the world through both Indigenous and Western eyes. Would we be better equipped to braid Mother Earths hair? she asked the crowd. I think we would. To recognize traditional ways of knowing, she argued Indigenous knowledge must be elevated within academia rather than simply being a sidebar. The Western worldview, Kimmerer argued the worldview that places humans above animals and plants, the worldview of exceptionalism is what has us on the brink of climate disaster. Kimmerer acknowledged technological solutions to climate change, and spoke of money and resources that people can commit to the crisis. But for her, there is one missing piece. The missing piece is our relationship, she explained. Its not the land thats broken. Its a broken relationship with the land. Chief Joseph died in 1904. Oliver Howard followed him in 1909. These men, once enemies, died as respected gentlemen and acquaintances. Their lives intersect during the Indian wars following Americas Civil War. Their relationship lasted into the beginning of a new century. Joseph, better known as Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain by his fellow Nez Perce Indians, led his tribal band through the western United States in 1877 hoping to avoid being captured by troops under command of General Oliver Howard. Howard, a graduate of West Point Military Academy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his war service, had been ordered to move Joseph and the Nez Perce off their traditional lands. Joseph was born in 1840 in the Walla Walla Valley of Oregon. His father was the chief of the Nez Perce. Before Big Joseph transferred leadership of the tribe to Young Joseph, he made a request. He told his son never to give up the lands his ancestors were buried in. At the time, many Indian bands were selling land in their territories to the American Government to pave the way for white settlement. Thus, many were asked to move onto reservations. To complicate Indian loyalties, they were also divided among those who sold land to the whites and those who did not. Gen. Howard lost an arm at the Battle of Seven Pines early in the Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor. An ardent Christian and opponent of slavery, Howard was posted to lead the Freedmens Bureau after the war. There, he worked hard to provide schooling and other needs for former slaves freed as a result of the 13th Amendment. Howard was posted to the west in 1876 and told to move Josephs Band of Nez Perce off their traditional lands and toward Indian country in Oklahoma. Sympathetic to the plight of Native Americans, and particularly to the Nez Perce, Howard offered to buy the land for them. Joseph refused. Howard then gave Josephs band an ultimatum to be moved within 30 days. However, several Indians murdered at least four white people while resisting the armys order. Joseph made the fateful decision to abandon the lands and refused to be captured himself. Called the Indian Napoleon by a few historians, Joseph led his band on a trek from Oregon and Idaho to meet up with Chief Sitting Bulls band in Canada. Along the way, they missed being captured by the nearly 2,000 American soldiers trying to find them. They moved from Idaho, into Yellowstone National Park (Newly created in 1872), and toward the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana. They reached the Bear Paw Mountains on the last day of September in 1877 after several skirmishes with U.S. Soldiers. Howard later said, They fought as well as any troops I ever saw. By the time Josephs Nez Perce reached the mountains, they had suffered many casualties and were running out of food and supplies. Originally, the Indian band held about 700 warriors but now had less than 200. Right then, Chief Joseph made a decision. He rode out to the acting American General Nelson Miles and, through an interpreter, surrendered to the army on Oct. 5 with these words: Tell General Howard I know his heart. ... My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. ... Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. These words, later written down by lawyer and poet Lt. Charles Erskine Scott Wood, may not be exactly what Joseph said, but it made him brave in the eyes of the larger white world. Joseph, promised by the government he could return to his beloved Oregon Valley, stepped on a train with his surrendered band. Instead of being sent home, they were transported to Oklahoma Indian Territory. Joseph became somewhat of a celebrity after his surrender. He traveled and gave speeches, making congress and interested souls aware of the problems Indians faced. He was photographed by the greatest Indian photographer of all time, Edward Curtis, the year before his death. Curtis called him, One of the greatest men that have ever lived. Joseph and Howard met one more time in 1903 when Joseph was invited by the general to speak at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania. Speaking in his native tongue, Joseph spoke of the Nez Perce war against his former enemy. He said, For a long time, I wanted to kill General Howard. Today, these men are praised for helping the country move forward after the Civil War. Joseph, realizing his people could not survive without concessions from the government, surrendered and promised never to fight again. The interviews and talks he gave later provide us an important part of the history of the Nez Perce Tribe. Howard, often defying the thinking of the day, offered grace and help to indigenous peoples and former slaves who needed assistance in the wake of war. Most of us have used the expression like a deer in the headlights more than a few times. Well, heres a new one to use like a deer in the Halloween lights. The first is a term to express fright or surprise. The second surfaced in Anaconda on Monday when residents saw a buck walking through town with his antlers wrapped in Halloween lights. Coming to his rescue were Sara Basso and Joe Kambic of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Tuesday morning, the two game wardens located the decorated deer, sedated him and rid him of those cumbersome orange lights. When their task was done, Basso said, reversal drugs were administered, the deer woke up and went on his merry way. Basso does not believe anyone put the lights on the buck. No, this particular mishap, she believes, was probably self-inflicted. With the deer problem in Anaconda, they just kind of get into everything, she said. Black bears are also on the prowl. Southwest Montana is bear country, and they are usually found in nearby mountains. Lately, though, there have been a number of black bear sightings within Anacondas city limits. We have had issues with black bears in the south end of town going through garbage, says Basso, Its not just garbage thats brings the bears into town. They have also been nabbing all the apples from the trees. We have attempted to use a trap twice, said Basso. Both times were unsuccessful. While the apples and garbage are drawing them into town, residents can do their part to alleviate the problem. Basso advises residents to work harder to secure their garbage. Its really become a problem, she said. Town Pump has launched its annual fundraising campaign to benefit food banks, saying more Montanans are turning to them because of ever-increasing food costs and other every day expenses. The Town Pump Charitable Foundation hopes the campaign will raise $4 million across Montana from now through Nov. 30, including a Town Pump match of nearly $1.1 million, to benefit a record 115 food banks and charitable organizations statewide. Locally, Town Pump is matching up to $50,000 on behalf of the Butte Emergency Food Bank, $50,000 at the Rescue Mission and $5,000 at the Montana Tech Food Pantry. Food banks elsewhere in southwest Montana will benefit too, including ones in Anaconda, Boulder, Deer Lodge, Dillon, Ennis, Sheridan, Twin Bridges and Whitehall. Food Bank participants Here are the food banks and organizations in southwest Montana participating in a Town Pump statewide fundraising campaign: Anaconda: Anaconda Project Care Boulder: Jeffco Food Share Butte: Butte Emergency Food Bank, Butte Rescue Mission, Montana Tech Food Pantry Deer Lodge: Deer Lodge Food Pantry, Deer Lodge Veterans Food Bank Dillon: Beaverhead Community Food Pantry, University of Montana Western Ennis: Madison Valley Caring and Sharing Sheridan: Ruby Valley Food Pantry Twin Bridges: Helping Hand Food Pantry Whitehall: Whitehall Area Food Pantry, Sincerely Paul Feeding His Sheep Our local food banks are working at maximum capacity, serving more and more families dealing with rising costs of groceries and other household items, said Bill McGladdery of the Town Pump Foundation. He encouraged people to donate at Town Pump stores or directly to local food banks to make a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors. The money is frequently used to buy perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. Its also becoming more crucial in helping many food bank organizations simply stay open through payment of rent, utilities, and space for storage, refrigeration and freezing. Our grants are totally unrestricted, McGladdery told The Montana Standard on Wednesday. If they (food banks) have to pay a NorthWestern Energy bill, they can pay a NorthWestern Energy bill. They may have to pay for building repairs, staffing, or they can use it to buy food products. The needs are increasing in all areas, food banks say, as is the cost of groceries. It feels like its greater than ever this year with the price of groceries, said Lorraine Hamry, executive director of the Butte Emergency Food Bank. We have more clients than ever, with new walk-ins almost on a daily basis. Money from the fundraising campaign is a blessing, she said, and will help with the food banks annual turkey giveaway next month. We have people calling now, saying they want to donate because Town Pump is matching (donations), she said. The campaign is just wonderful. People are really responding. Town Pump originated the campaign in 2001 and since then, it has raised $48 million for Montana food banks in 21 years, including more than $10 million in matching campaigns from the Town Pump Foundation. The Foundation does a dollar-for-dollar match up to about $1.1 million, but many of the food banks exceed their side of the match. Food banks raised a little more than $3 million last year, and the Foundation matched it with $1,026,500. The campaign this year is called Help Those in Need, and indeed, the number of those in need is growing. Brayton Erickson, executive director of the Butte Rescue Mission, said it served 30% more meals than usual this past summer. The Mission serves meals and also operates two homeless shelters on its campus on East Platinum Street. Erickson said the Town Pump campaign is integral to the Missions daily support for those struggling in Butte and southwest Montana. Rising costs of essentials like food and housing, Erickson said, often force families into difficult choices between vital needs. With the Foundations help, we get to provide meals that take the worry out of the day, allowing individuals and families to focus on building better futures, he said. Partners like the Town Pump Foundation are lifelines for organizations like ours relying on our communitys generosity. In Butte, donations are being collected at Town Pumps, the Lucky Lils, Montana Lils and Magic Diamond casinos, the Comfort Inn and the Flying J. Donations also can be sent directly to Butte Food Bank, 1019 E. Second; the Butte Rescue Mission, 610 E. Platinum; or the Montana Tech Foundation Food Pantry, 1300 W. Park. Montana received a large federal grant aimed at supporting the state's response to sexual assault investigations and prosecutions. The Montana Attorney Generals Office announced the $2.1 million allocation last week. The money will go toward re-testing backlogged sexual assault kits to expedite criminal investigations. It will also pour resources into resolving cold cases involving sexual violence, according to a news release from the AGs office. Three positions will be created or continued within the Montana Department of Justices Sexual Assault Kit Initiative program (SAKI), including a cold case investigator, a crime analyst and a coordinator. Overtime for forensic scientists working at the State Crime Lab and renovation of kit storage for local agencies to preserve the integrity of DNA evidence are also included under the umbrella of funding. "We will intensify our efforts in solving sexual assault cases and bringing justice to survivors with this new funding, bolstering our Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, employing specialized personnel to investigate crimes, and upgrading evidence storage around the state, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said in the news release. Ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and survivors can find healing is a top priority as we work to eliminate the rape kit backlog and reinforce our statewide strategy against sexual assault." With the wave of federal money, SAKI staff plan to identify kits created before 2001 that were unsubmitted or partially tested and finish testing for kits uncompleted by a previous SAKI project, according to the AGs office. The SAKI team will also help local agencies with evidence storage facilities following the passage of House Bill 640 this year, which requires evidence from sexual assault cases to be preserved for 75 years from the date of collection. Emily Flower, press secretary for the AGs Office, clarified the backlog is only for unsubmitted and partially tested kits that have been previously identified. It is not directed at new kits that have been submitted to forensic labs for testing, Flower wrote in an email. As far as new incoming sexual assault kits, the State Crime Lab generally receives kits within 30 days of collection. These kits will take anywhere from one month to seven months to complete based on results obtained in a multi-tiered analysis method. Once an initial screening analysis is completed, kits not containing informative results are completed and those results are reported (approximately 1-2 months). Kits with informative results are forwarded for DNA analysis, which takes up to seven months. Additionally, annual testing of DNA samples has more than doubled primarily as the result of an increased focus on previously untested or partially tested sexual assault kits, Flower said. The cold case investigators position is intended to help cold case backlogs at local law enforcement agencies, the news release stated. Improved resources also mean better support for survivors of sexual assault, Missoula Police spokesperson Whitney Bennett said. With quicker results from forensic analysis, we can provide victims with more timely information about their cases and offer them the necessary assistance and guidance throughout the process. In Missoula, city police dont currently have a backlog of sexual assault kits, according to Bennett. Officers retrieve kits from First Step Resource Center, Missoulas clinic housed at Providence St. Patrick Hospital for sexual assault exams. Kits are submitted for testing to either the Montana State Crime Lab or the SAKI group. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners employed at First Step frequently see people reporting sexual violence. The exam findings are often presented as evidence at criminal trials. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed two bills, including HB 640, aimed at bolstering state response to sexual violence investigations following this years legislative session. House Bill 79, brought by Rep. Amy Regier, funds a new program and committee to uniformly distribute sexual assault examination kits around the state, coordinate training and work to integrate a trauma-informed response into areas where such resources are often inaccessible. Medical care and forensic evidence exams are often the first step in a sexual assault investigation, Regier, a Kalispell Republican, told the House Judiciary Committee in January. Sex assault kit backlogs aren't a problem unique to Montana. A 2012 study from the U.S. Office of Justice Programs found untested kits piling up was an issue across the country because of inadequate scientific procedures and resources. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, The overwhelming backlog of DNA evidence is currently one of the biggest obstacles to prosecuting perpetrators of sexual violence. The Montana DOJ is one of eight national agencies to get the funding from the U.S. DOJs Bureau of Justice Assistance. The project will run through September 2026. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A beer named after the AMC-TV hit series "Breaking Bad" and brewed by an actor from the show sold out after its debut. KOB-TV reports "Breaking Bad" fans lined up at three Albuquerque Costcos, but the brew was gone within three hours. Dean Norris, who played a DEA agent in the series, started to brew German lager, Schraderbrau, following the premiere of Netflix's "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie" earlier this month. Sold out ALL @Schraderbrau_BB in NM Costcos in 3 hours!! Wow. Thanks. Will have lots more coming. @figmtnbrew pic.twitter.com/nwrEVjtnuc Dean Norris (@deanjnorris) October 20, 2019 Norris says he will launch the beer nationwide soon. "Breaking Bad" follows an Albuquerque high school chemistry teacher turned meth lord, Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston. The series ran from 2008 to 2013. As he watched the first news coverage of the Hamas attacks on Israel Saturday evening, John Dabeet thought of the countless times he had warned people at the US State Department, Congress and White House that only accepting one side of a conflict would lead to something like this. Dabeet, a Palestine native born in Jerusalem, Muscatine Community College business department chair, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award winner and a 35-year activist in the United States for Palestinian liberation, continues to watch the conflict with a broken heart. He is concerned about two of his cousins who live in Gaza. He is concerned by what he calls an act of genocide, since the Israeli government had cut electricity, and ordered food, water and medicine not be allowed into the area. He rejects the statement of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who referred to Palestinians as human animals. In all of our meetings, we have pled for a very objective role of the United States to bring all people around the table, he said. Given the fact Palestinians started to witness a right-wing settler type of government that decided to instead of sitting around a table and talking peace started committing more and more crimes against the Palestinians. Dabeet said he and many others had spoken about it in the media, but no one seemed to listen. The other thing on his mind due to the conflict is the human cost. He is concerned, not just about Palestinians, but for all people, commenting that innocent families and children would pay the price in a war. On Saturday, in an unprecedented attack, Hamas, a Palestinian political and militant organization which governs Gaza, attacked Israel. Israel has since retaliated. Dabeet said he has seen videos of entire neighborhoods in Gaza which have been flattened by the bombing. War is an ugly thing, he said. War doesnt solve problems. We can learn from history that war does not end the conflict. Putting people around a table and talking about a problem is what solves the problem. Dabeet thanks hundreds of people who have contacted him since the war started to check on his family. He has many family and friends at home who, he says, are seeing everything. He said all people deserve to live in peace and freedom. Unfortunately the US main media are making Palestinians look as if they are subhuman and have no right to stand up for their rights, as if we have to submit to everything Israel has done to us for 75 years, he said. Dabeet sees Hamas as a symptom of 75 years of occupation of Palestinian land by the Israelis. He said almost daily acts of violence by the Israelis are what led to the war and called Gaza an open-air prison." He questions how the United States can support Ukraine against an occupying Russian Army, and at the same time say it is alright for Israel to occupy Palestinian land. How can we be that blind? Dabeet said. How can we support Ukraine as the occupied and at the same time extend aid to the occupier in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the longest ongoing conflicts in the world, having begun over 75 years ago, although the roots go back longer. The current conflict began following the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967 during the Six-Day War. The Biden Administration has already ordered the Pentagon to send additional equipment, including air defense and munitions, to Israel. Further funding of what could be a long war will require the approval of Congress. Dabeet commented that due to the conflict, Palestinians have been labeled in the United States as being antisemitic. He says he has heard it a lot since the conflict started. We Palestinians are Semitic, Dabeet said. We are as Semitic as Jewish (people). We are from that land so we are all Semetic. You dont tell me I am antisemitic for standing up for my rights. Todays top pics: Israel-Palestine clashes and more